Sweeten the Days with Holiday Treats Invitation

Hi all,

Authors, I invite you to share a holiday-themed romance snippet on my other blog. The guidelines are here.

I will update the post as frequently as time permits.
This promotional opportunity is ongoing in 2016 or until otherwise noted.


Readers, sample the Holiday Treats at Mickie's Mutterings http://mickiesherwood.com/blog/2015/12/14/holiday-treats/. There's always something good going on!


We would love to hear from you. Come on over.

Mickie Sherwood

~~Sweet, and spicy romance – a heartbeat away! ~~

www.mickiesherwood.com/blog

www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood

www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood

www.bayouloveromances.blogspot.com 

A Romance for Christmas

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Kayelle Allen
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


 
Blurb:
A sweet feel good holiday romance showcasing love, loss, and the spirit of giving.

It's Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves has been lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.

 
Enchanting Excerpt:
"Mommy?" Christine's young voice broke in on her thoughts.

Dara put down the romance she'd been re-reading, the favorite she'd had since she was sixteen. She'd sold all her others at a yard sale the previous week. "What is it, sweetie?"

"Why don't we has a real tree for Chribmas?"

"Why don't we 'have'," she corrected. "Come sit by me." Dara patted the couch and tucked her chenille robe closer around her.

One arm around Matilda, her cloth doll, Christine climbed up and cuddled.
Matilda's going to need stuffing before long. Her head flopped forward, face against her flat chest. When did the lace on her dress get so ragged? Dara smoothed the doll's dress. "Remember when Daddy went home to heaven before Christmas last year?"

Christine knuckled her eyes and yawned. "I 'member."

"And then Mommy got hurt in the car accident and couldn't go to work?"

"Uh huh."

Dara took a deep breath. "Well, it meant there was no money for a real tree this year. But I'm sure Santa will still bring you presents." Gifts Dara bought by selling her entire collection of romance novels at a yard sale at her friend Sherilyn's house. "And we drew a tree, right?" She pointed at the crayon-bright drawing taped to the wall. Construction paper ornaments decorated each branch.

"But it doesn't smell like a Chribmas tree."

Dara hugged her. "I know, baby. I know."

"How will Santa leave his presents?" Christine pulled away and got on her knees. "He can't put them under the tree, Mommy."

"Oh, honey!" She ruffled her daughter's hair, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Santa will find a way." She leaned forward and kissed her little girl. "We should get you in bed so he can come. He can't leave presents while you're awake."


Blog: https://kayelleallen.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook: https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
 

Fooling Around with Cinderella

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Stacy Juba
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
What happens when the glass slippers pinch Cinderella's toes? When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the park’s resident villain means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom. First in the Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick lit, and fairy tale fun.
 

Enchanting Excerpt:
Jaine Andersen couldn’t stop staring at the framed poster of Cinderella outside the castle. Cylindrical towers and turrets ascended into the sapphire sky, lofty mountains rising in the background. Her hand poised in an elegant wave, Cinderella beamed toward the camera. Ornate script flowed across the right side of the glossy photograph.

Follow your heart, dream big, and you will find the magic.
“Okay, Jaine, time to find the magic,” she mumbled, shifting in her seat.
“Interesting. What magic are you hoping to find?” a masculine voice asked behind her.
The kind that erases someone’s memory and lets you start over? Nice going, Jaine.

Squirming, Jaine clutched the black leather portfolio case in her lap as Dylan Callahan closed his office door. He sat down at a battered desk strewn with papers, her eyes tracking his every movement. Forget Cinderella’s stirring quote. Now Jaine couldn’t tear her gaze off the hot guy conducting her interview. The blond hair ruffled across his forehead made him resemble a Venice Beach surfer, not the general manager of a family theme park.

Winter sports seemed his thing though, considering the posters flanking Cinderella. In one, a skier whipped down a powdery slope while the other showed a snowboarder in mid-air. Inspirational words stretched across the bottom of each print: Goal-Setting for the skier and Persistence for the snowboarder.

To nail this interview, Jaine needed to demonstrate her prowess in both areas. And show that she wasn’t some weirdo who talked to herself.

She recovered her voice. “Actually, I’m hoping to help your company find some marketing magic. Uh, thank you for inviting me in.” Jaine toed her navy blue dress shoes into the industrial carpet, hoping he didn’t notice her fidgeting. When the receptionist had escorted her into the office to wait, she hadn’t expected such a good-looking man to join her.

Focus, Jaine. Focus.

Website: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacyjuba
Glass Slipper Sisters
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/482493158588214

Trick or Treat? Kobo KWL Sale Nears the End

It's a treat from Kobo Writing Life!

(Limited Time Offer)

Use the promo codes below to get 50% off the price of my Indie books at Kobo (Writing Life).

Canada
October 28th – October 31st
Promo Code: CA50SALE

United States/Australia/New Zealand
October 27th – October 30th
Promo Code: GET50SALE

United Kingdom
October 30th – November 2nd
Promo Code: UK50SALE

Here's the direct link to my eligible novels

https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=mickie+sherwood&fcpromocodes=Yes.

Hurry before this opportunity turns into a pumpkin. Go for it!

 

A Kitchen Affair

Weekenders Romance Watch

It's my pleasure to re-introduce a novel I showcased back when BlurbsinBloom posted only blurbs. Now, there's an enchanting excerpt for you to enjoy. A Kitchen Affair "has been updated and now includes recipes from each chapter".

Author: Carol Preflatish
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
When culinary student Jenny Marshall struggles to pay her tuition, she decides to become a Personal Chef to make ends meet. When the most eligible bachelor in town, Derek James, has a crisis, he hires Jenny to cook for his party and there's chemistry from the start. Then, a manager at his company sets her sights on Derek and does everything she can to sabotage the relationship. What lengths will she go to in order to keep Derek and Jenny apart?


Enchanting Excerpt:
Derek drove her to the rear of the bakery where her car was parked. He turned the car off and grabbed her hand to keep her from getting out. "Jenny, I desperately want you in my life and I think you want the same thing. Just tell me what to do to make it happen."

She looked away. "It's a matter of building up trust again. You said you cared for me, but you slept with Colleen. It's going to take some time."

She started to open the door, but he squeezed her hand to stop her. "One more question."

"What's that?"

"I'd like for you to be my date for the dinner party."

"I don't know. I had planned on preparing the food for it during the day and then leave. The servers I hired don't need me there to direct them."

"And, that's why you should be my companion for the night. I want everyone to meet you and I want you to get to know my friends."

"I'll think about it." She pulled her hand away and got out of the car.

Derek quickly jumped out too and ran over to her. He took her into his arms and kissed her. He captured her mouth with hungry urgency. She didn't resist, but instead welcomed him into her mouth. His tongue danced with hers until she finally pulled away.

"Not yet, Derek. I can't." She got into her car and drove away leaving him standing there alone.



Blogs: http://CarolPre.webs.com
http://CarolPre.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CarolPreflatish
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolPreflatish
 

Planting the Seeds of Love

Weekenders Romance Watch

A Novella

Author: N.N. Light
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon
 


Blurb:
Torn between two men, Sally must follow her heart and decide if love will lead her to the city or the countryside.

Sally Rayton returns to the family farm to settle her grandfather's estate and return to her life in the city with her boyfriend, Trevor Mattson.

Her childhood friend, Jack, convinces her to transform the farm into a brewery. Sally works side-by-side with Jack while Trevor is hundreds of miles away in the city. The more time she spends with Jack, the stronger her feelings are for him.

When Trevor shows up to propose to Sally right before Christmas and finds her in Jack's embrace, she must make the biggest choice of her life: true love.



Enchanting Excerpt:
Jack looked where she pointed.

"Sally..." he began.

"Yes?"

"Are you planning on selling it when the farm's made a profit?"

Sally sighed.

He turned her body around, his gaze penetrating hers.

"I don't know," she whispered. "I know Grandpa wanted me to keep it in the family." She furrowed her brow. "I'm not a country girl; my heart belongs to the city."

"Hey, it's okay." He moved a step closer. "Farming is hard work and you have to love it to make it successful." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up for following your heart."

Sally winced.

"What?"

"Jack, I'm not sure what my heart wants. Part of me loves being here, carrying on the family name."

"But..." Jack raised an eyebrow warily.

"But I have a life in the city. I've almost finished my degree --"

"You have Trevor," Jack interrupted her. He shook his head.

"What's wrong with that? Yes, I have a life and a boyfriend in the city. I've told you a thousand times my dream is to open my own sidewalk cafe." She folded her arms over her chest. "Don't you want me to be happy, Jack?" Her voice sounded hurt, even to her own ears.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.

"This isn't going how I wanted it to." He glanced up at her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything. It's just --"

"What?" Sally cocked her head to one side.

The telephone rang inside.

"Sh**, I have to go answer it. I'll be right back." She ran into the house.

"Hello?"

"Hi beautiful." Trevor.


Blog: http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/nnlight
Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/n-n-light.html

A Rancher's Woman

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: E. Ayers
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
Coddled and protected from the harsh realities of life, Malene runs away from a bad marriage by posing as a chaperone to her younger sister. A series of events soon prove she's capable of standing on her own two feet. However, she's not prepared to follow her heart and accept marriage from the one man who truly loves her.


Enchanting Excerpt:
Mark jumped inside the moving carriage. Angelina screamed, which set off Clara and Sophia.

"This is the welcome I get?" Before Malene could open her mouth, Mark covered hers with his. Her fingers clawed at his shoulders as she took his breath. He whispered in her ear, "I have missed you, my beautiful woman of the sun."

Brownie snarled, and Mark held his hand for the dog to sniff. "It is good, my furry friend. No one else gets to do this to Malene. You understand that?"

The dog settled down as if he used to Mark to being there, but little Clara was curled into a tearful ball in Angelina's lap, and Sophia wailed.

He picked the toddler up and cuddled her in his arm. "Have you forgotten me?" He ran his finger over the child's cheek and over her bright reddish curls. "I brought you into this world, my darling. Your memory is too short."

Sophia looked up at him. Her tear-filled expression turned to a grin. His heart swelled. He had his child and his woman. His gaze turned to the pretty woman traveling with Malene. "You must be Angel-enna."

Malene giggled. "An-gel-le-na."

He rolled his hands palms up and repeated the name.

"Yes." The woman nodded as she spoke.

"Pleased to meet you." He reached over and tickled Clara, but the child screamed at his touch.

Malene pulled Clara into her lap. "This is Mark. He is different, but that is no reason to fear him."

Mark took the little girl's hand in his. "Yes, I am different because I am Apsáalooke, or of the Crow tribe. I am a man. My skin is darker than yours, but it is only skin."


Blog: http://ayersbooks.wordpress.com
Shared Blog: http://authorsofmainstreet.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ayersbooks
 

Sympathy Dance

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Sue McConnell
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
Can Wyatt prove himself and win the girl of his dreams? A tender western romance proving that the course of love never runs smoothly.


Enchanting Excerpt:
"You could have said no." Cheyanne looked up at him with a pout on her pretty coral lips.

He looked down at her but quickly diverted his eyes when he couldn't ignore her cleavage peeking out of her silk top. He had never noticed how busty she was before. He swallowed hard and prayed she couldn't hear his heart pound.

She blinked her long lashes and he nearly groaned. These feelings weren't supposed to be happening. He had only agreed to come with Cheyanne because her big brother had laid it on thick begging Wyatt to take her to the dance. She had just returned home before the holidays and didn't have a date to the Red Reef annual New Year's Eve dance. Jess wanted to enjoy it with his bombshell girlfriend but if Cheyanne didn't have a date, his mother would have hounded Jess to take Cheyanne until his father grew sick of it and demanded the same. So Wyatt in a weak moment had agreed.

"I could have stayed home with Windswept." Cheyanne swept a wispy curl from her eyes.

Her hair smelled like vanilla and was pulled into a loose bun that let tendrils of curls frame her face making her big dark chocolate eyes pop. "Your horse? Am I that bad of a date that you'd rather be home with your horse?" He covered his heart. "I'm hurt."

She grinned. "There's the Wyatt I know and love. For a minute there I thought I was going to have to carry the whole night."

"Sorry." Was she wishing she hadn't come? "You could have said no."


Website: http://suemcconnell.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SueMcConnellauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sue44mc/ 

 

Touchstone Series: Romance Novella Books 1-4

Weekenders Romance Watch

…plus a bonus short story

Author: Beth Barany
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


 


Touchstone of Love (A Time-Travel Romance Novella)
 
Blurb:
When a thunderstorm transports software expert Rose Waldman to thirteenth century France, she meets hunky stonemason Julien, who is secretly creating a gargoyle in defiance of his master mason. Can independent gadget loving Rose trust her life and heart to Julien, and can she really never go home again?


Enchanting Excerpt from Chapter 1:
“Sorry, ma’am, but there are no more flights today. Only one flight a day to Edinburgh.”

“Quoi?” What? Rose stamped her foot and frowned.

She wanted to kick herself for being so stupid. She sighed. She felt idiotic.

“What are my options?” she asked in French, while the attendant watched her, a bored expression plastered on his pretty face. He probably saw passenger meltdowns twenty times a day. Even so, he rebooked her for the next day. See, there was a solution. She’d just get there a day late.

Rose hopped another bus, her fourth transportation vehicle of the day. She grumbled to herself, a mixture of French and English. Brian would be waiting for her.

She’d have to re-schedule her talk, if that were possible. The organizers would just have to deal, and maybe she wouldn’t be invited back. Damn. She hated that, but she was helpless to do anything about it right now. She sighed and settled in for the ride to the nearby town of Beauvais. In the afternoon’s fading light, she noticed an arbor in the round reminiscent of the pre-Christian era’s rites of harvest. For a moment she thought she saw young women dancing in a circle, dressed in medieval period garb. She blinked. The vision was gone.

As the bus rumbled through the town, neat stone nineteenth-century buildings adorned the wide boulevard. Between two buildings she caught the glimpse of a tall spire that caught the light and sparkled like a beacon. Her heart quickened. She hadn’t realized there was a cathedral in Beauvais. Maybe her overnight stay would be enjoyable. A pressure eased in her chest.
Buy: Amazon

****

More from Beth Barany

Templet's Tasty Tails

Weekenders Romance Watch

My brand new release is available now!

 

Author: Mickie Sherwood
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
Web Designer Erika Washington's contract with her childhood best friend covers all possibilities about her pregnancy. But, one unpredictable event redirects her future. As a donor-surrogate, what does one do when fate changes the plan and claims the lives of the intended parents? If you're selfless, strong-willed Erika Washington, you mount a defense to keep your baby.

Entrepreneur Booker Templet, owner of Templet's Tasty Tails, secretly agrees to help his first cousin. However, unfortunate circumstances change the course of his life. After he learns the identity of the other donor, Booker plans to be a part of his child's life. No matter what.

Will Erika and Booker battle over custody of the baby? Will their horrible loss help them find consolation in each other's arms? Or will fate intervene yet again?


Enchanting Excerpt:
"Listen to me." He caught up to her in the back yard. "Maybe I have no right to feel this way. But I feel like a lion, ferocious and protective of you."

She paced under the moss-draped shade tree. On her turnaround, Booker caressed her shoulders. When she refused to look at him, he used his thumb to lift her chin.

"You have wheedled your way into my blood, Erika." He touched his forehead to hers. "All without your knowledge."

"We've been through this, Booker." Erika resisted the pull of his male magnetism. "To you, I'm the means to an end. You want this baby."

"I do. I've already admitted that. What I've begun to dream is"—he palmed her cheeks—"you'll let me work on making this a package deal."

"That's insulting." Erika clamped her mouth shut.

Booker closed in as he made what she defined as lust to her with his eyes. The kiss started up from her chin. The moment he touched his lips to hers, incredible images sprang into Erika's mind. A blazing fire erupted within.

"We're in public." She moaned against his mouth.

"There should be no mistaking my intentions, Erika." Booker breathed the words. "I'm so into you. No pun intended."

Check out the "make believe" cast of Templet's Tasty Tails on my Pinterest board. What do you think?

Website: http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog/posts
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mickiesherwood/templets-tasty-tails-storyboard/

Her Savage Heart

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Chandler Adams
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon

Blurb:
Margaret knew that staying on the claim alone was not going to be easy, but she needed to stay behind and take care of the homestead while her father made the arduous trip to replenish their supplies. Margaret is forcefully abducted by a savage. Only after freeing herself and eventually helping her abductor does Margaret learn that the savage, Avonaco, had saved her from certain death. Through the course of time, Margaret and she finds herself becoming attracted to the Indian. She is willing to defy territorial law to love and be with him.


Enchanting Excerpt:
She hesitated before going back into the cabin. She had a wounded Indian in her home. She felt that she could comfortably nurse him back to health, but what was she going to do with him afterwards? Did she really want a healthy Indian in her home? She still did not know why he had tried to abduct her and, though she felt that he did not intend to kill her, she had no proof to the contrary. She realized that she may be inviting the cause of her own demise into her home.

Margaret shrugged off those thoughts and began the arduous task of getting the Indian into a bed. He would have to sleep in her father’s bed. Her room was in the loft, and there was no way she would be able to carry the Indian up the stairs to put him in her bed. The words “her bed” made her catch her breath. The thought of the Indian lying naked in her bed excited her in a way she had never felt before.

Finally, the realization struck her like a lightning bolt. She was attracted to the Indian. What a difference a few hours had made. At one point she was loading the rifle, wondering if she would be able to shoot him dead if needed. The next moment, she was fantasizing about having him in her bed, lying next to him, touching every inch of his body.



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chandler.adams.3701
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ChandlerAdams22