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 

Christmas Fete

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Barbara Miller
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: EllorasCave


Blurb:
When Dinah’s father inherits an estate, he decides she and her brother must go settle the matter. They arrive to find the place in need of much repair—and holiday spirit. As Dinah plans a cheerful fete for Christmas in hope of winning over the locals, she finds herself winning over someone else as well—Richard, the handsome man who lives next door.

Richard never expected to meet someone like Dinah—a woman who is headstrong and decisive. A woman he could spend his life with. Unfortunately, Richard needs a Christmas miracle to extricate himself from a tricky obligation.

If it’s a miracle he needs to be free, Dinah is determined he’ll get it—that way they can spend their Christmas fete together and everyone can enjoy their happily ever afters.


Enchanting Excerpt:

Richard wet his lips, which had gone numb. “I’m not sure how it happened.”

“You were compelled to offer for her,” Dinah whispered.

“Somewhat reluctantly. Later I suspected she manipulated me into it, but that does her an injustice. I did offer.” He saw tears sparkling on Dinah’s lashes and raised a finger to brush them away but she ducked her head.

“Should we announce your engagement during the festivities? People will hear of it soon enough.”

“Please don’t. I keep hoping something will happen to prevent it, the earth crack or a violent storm that will blow the two of us away from here, never to return. I want to be with you, only you, always. Life with Ophelia will be living a lie.”

She smiled at his fantasy. “And yet you are bound to honor your generous impulse.”

“I don’t want to. I only offered because I had never met anyone like you before, never met you, who seem to be the only like-minded soul I have ever found on this earth. You understand me.”

“I am in the same case. I never thought about marriage until I met you, someone who actually cares, who takes me seriously.”
 
He took her in his arms and kissed her, the heavy coat falling to the floor. If only this moment could go on forever. He could imagine their future life, lose himself in it, but then she dipped her head with a sigh.
 
“I am so glad we did that at least once,” she said.

 
Website: www.fallsbend.net
Contacts:
https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/barbara-miller/

https://griffinslair.setonhill.edu/mymenu/faculty_vitae_index.cfm

The Christmas Lights

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Rachael Kosinski
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
"Where do Christmas lights come from?"
Those tiny bulbs of color that burn on a Christmas tree,
Or outside a house to shine in the night.
Does anyone really know where they originate? What if someone told you
They weren't intended for Christmas at all,
But really for a miracle?
That they were for love, a desperate idea, to light a boy's way home?
In that case, you must have some questions. What boy? What love?
Have a seat. Allow me to tell you a story.


Enchanting Excerpt: 
"Louis!"

"…I hear factories in London are much safer than here."

"London! Louis, Louis, what are you talking about?" Emmy grabbed my face. I squinted at two sparkling brown orbs. Was she crying? "No." Emmy covered her mouth with a hand. "No, you aren't going to London. How could you? No one loves you there. No one knows you there…"

"Emmy. Emmy Emmy Emmy." I held her close, stroking her hair. "I don't plan to work there."

She sat back. "What?"

"I've heard Mr. Godfrey talk about them. A London factory is the last place I should work. Your father means well, but I can't do that. They wouldn't take a blind boy."

"Wh-where will you go, then? How on earth will you make money?"

"I have family in Paris. Mother says they have wine vineyards. I'll work for them."

"That…" Emmy's fingers traced the veins on the back of my hand. "That's much safer." She was silent for the longest time. "You'll be safe? And come home quickly?"

I pulled her hands away and stood, playing with the ring on her finger. "I will. I love you."

"Louis…"

"Emmy. I don't have a choice. You want to marry me, don't you?"

"Of course I do. But, Louis…"

"Yes, love?"

"How long will you be gone?"

How long? How long to board a ship, to find a place I'd only heard about, to earn and save an impossible amount of money? How long, indeed. I set my expression. "I'll be home by Christmas."



Blog: http://www.the-doodling-booktease.tumblr.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9856335.Rachael_Kosinski

Blue December

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Karen McCullough
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon

Blurb:
Two weeks before Christmas Meg Brandt, a department manager at Wambash’s department store, has problems beyond the usual seasonal chaos. Her department is losing cash from the registers and inventory from the premises. Security is focusing on her, since the losses are happening on her watch. Her efforts to resolve the disappearances have produced no results, and her career appears to be headed for oblivion. When the store’s new security officer starts showing unusual attention to her, Meg isn’t sure what to think. She’s attracted to him, but she can’t be sure if his interest is personal or professional.


Enchanting Excerpt:
Meg was so focused on the angry woman, wondering how she was going to both soothe and get rid of her that she actually jumped when a male voice behind her asked, "Is something wrong?"

She whirled to face the newcomer, a virtual stranger who, nevertheless, acted as though he belonged there. No, not a stranger. Meg remembered that he'd been introduced at the last staff meeting as the new assistant to the head of security. At the time she'd been torn between wondering why the head of security suddenly needed an assistant and watching the reaction of the female clerks to the new employee, so she hadn't actually paid much attention to him. Anyway that had been almost a week ago and the pre-holiday chaos had occupied most of her waking (and some of her sleeping) moments since.

She avoided making an introduction -- she couldn't remember the man's name -- and explained the situation to him. He had cool hazel-green eyes which melted into warmth and fiery charm, directed toward the angry woman with all the deliberate aim of an archer. Within minutes he was guiding the woman toward the customer service desk so she could lodge a formal complaint. Meg breathed a sigh of relief as they left. When the man turned to glance at her briefly as they rounded the corner to the main aisle, she offered him a grateful smile. The look he gave in return held no hint of warmth or charm. It wasn't unfriendly either. She searched her mind for a description. Unreadable. Inscrutable -- that was the word she wanted.


Website: http://www.kmccullough.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenMcCulloughAuthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kgmccullough/

Christmas Crush

Weekenders Romance Watch

My new Christmas romance released today! Enjoy reading this excerpt. Then, go to Mickie's Mutterings to read the entire first chapter. Leave me a comment.

Author: Mickie Sherwood

Genre: Inspirational Romance

Buy: Amazon

Blurb:

Although Ashley Wagner feels more like Scrooge than Santa, she keeps her promise and accompanies her sister back home for a Christmas wedding. Her three-day weekend is off to a rocky start, thanks to the unexpected run-in with her womanizing ex-husband, and his very pregnant new wife. She manages to get away with her dignity intact, but later, with old wounds ripped open, the professional crisis manager ends up in the middle of her own life-altering predicament.

Then, sports journalist Craig Johnston, wheels to her rescue.

Will Ashley spend Christmas brooding over bitter memories? Or will Craig, a dynamic paraplegic, present the deserving divorcée with a gift she can't resist?

Enchanting Excerpt:
Driven to perfect his sports news piece, Craig glanced from his laptop to the telephone when it rang. In a way, he was glad for the interruption. The knot in his neck said he’d been hard at work for hours. “Yeah?”

“There are two ladies here to see you.” The female voice on the phone advised.

Since the station operated on a skeleton crew because of the holiday, the call was from the security officer in the building’s lobby. Adjusting the rolled up sleeve of his white shirt, he asked, surprised, “Visitors to the station on Christmas Eve, Donna?”

“They say it’s about this morning.”

Those words commandeered his attention. “This morning?” He slapped down the cuff of both sleeves. “I’m on my way.” Quickly, he buttoned them, pushed back from the desk, then rushed from the office. His door shut with a bang. Craig took the hallway to the elevators, almost running down a co-worker when he turned the corner.

“Hey! Where’s the fire, Craig?”

“Sorry,” was all he had time to say as he continued on his way.
The elevator seemed to take a long time to arrive. Finally, the doors opened, and he dashed to board.

Memories flooded back to him on the ride down. Craig remembered how he recognized the woman was in trouble. Her luminous eyes held a faraway look. Nevertheless, in no way did that obscure their charismatic beauty. He reminisced about the cottony soft skin of the hand he held.

The elevator bell dinged.

Abruptly, he was a bundle of nerves. Big, strong, athletic sportsman, Craig Johnston experienced something he hadn’t in years—immediate infatuation—for a stranger, no less.

Chances of a slow reveal past as the security officer beckoned in his direction. The two pivoted together. Their resemblance was so remarkable. Although one appeared slightly older, he surmised a familial relationship. The younger one failed in her attempt to hide what he assumed was pity and alarm. His wheelchair probably caused her reaction. The woman he rescued never batted an eye of surprise. To his amazement, he watched her stroll over. A majestic smile curved her luscious-looking lips.

“I’m Ashley Wagner.” She extended her hands to him. “I believe you’re the one I should thank for being so kind to me this morning.”

Taking her outstretched hands, Craig looked at her. No longer in a rush, he took time to analyze Ashley. A feeling, akin to this morning’s enchantment, zapped him. “Are you all right?”

At that point, Ashley’s action mystified him. Craig watched her close her eyes. But, she never removed her hands from his fingers.

“Ask me that question again,” she urged.

Baffled, he obliged. “Are you all right?”

“That voice.” Her eyes reopened. They seemed to shower him with a joyful gaze. “I would recognize that chivalrous rumble anywhere.” Ashley squeezed his hands as if to impart power to her gratitude. “It is you.”

B&N | Kobo

Blog: http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady

Azure & Frank

(The Gift of Love)
Will Frank's gift of love be enough to save Azure's Christmas spirit...and their romance?


12/21/13 Promo offer updated. See below.

Author: Mickie Sherwood
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Cost: Free 2 Read 

 

Blurb:

Azure's in high spirits. It's Christmastime! She has invited Frank to her family's traditional holiday breakfast. What could go wrong with that idea?

Frank's nervous. He comes because of Azure and he doesn't come empty-handed. All goes well until he asks her a simple question. Then, she asks him to leave.

Will Azure's unfounded guilt ruin Christmas? Being the wise man that he is, will Frank's gift of love be enough to save Azure's Christmas

spirit...and their romance?

 

Enchanting Excerpt:

Frank Hickman unwrapped a stick of gum and shoved it into his dry mouth. He drove slowly passed the house for the second time, to the tune of John Legend's All of Me. The yard looked like a toy store had exploded there. Well, it is the Christmas holidays, he thought, removing the gum. It only made his mouth drier.

Not only did cars fill the driveway, leaving one barricaded spot untouched, curbside was a parking lot. There were so many vehicles for so early on a Christmas Eve morning. His inclination was to keep driving. However, he didn't get to act on the notion.

As he watched, the glass door to the front of the house burst open. Azure exited on the run. Frank jammed on the brake. He turned down the volume on the sound system. She sprinted right up to the truck as it hummed in the middle of the street. Her face had a peachy glow as she leaned on the passenger side door. Was the abrupt exertion the cause? He believed she was truly glad to see him.

Frank lowered the window.

"Don't think you're going to sneak off," Azure said.

Moisture returned to his mouth at the purr in her voice. He wanted nothing more than to lay a passionate kiss on her alluring lips. Her smile warmed him all over, even as cold air filtered inside his vehicle. She shivered.

"When you invited me to breakfast this morning, to meet your family—" Frank fingered the neck of his shirt, "—I thought it was to meet your parents."

A sneaky, humorous look entered her eyes. Azure wound her arms across the front of her body at the gusty wind. "They're inside." Her high spirits were evident in the naughty lilt of her voice.

"Yeah. And from the looks of it, so is everyone else."

"You know how it is when out of town guests swarm in for the holidays."

Frank remained mute, because he didn't.

 Read Azure & Frank (The Gift of Love).

My sweet, spicy mainstream romances are available at Amazon.

Website: www.mickiesherwood.com
Blog: www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood


Want to share?

Do you have a December mainstream romance release or upcoming release or a Christmas/New Year themed mainstream romance already available for purchase?

Share the specified info in the comments.
Author:
Title:
Genre:
Release date:
Primary buy link (no short links):
Logline:
Reminder: This is a PG site.
 

Brenda's Christmas Desire

Book two of the Dreams Come True Series

Author: Sharon Kleve
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon
Christmas approaches and Brenda has to decide if she’s going to let the past hold her prisoner for another year or if she can finally enjoy what Christmas used to mean to her—love. DEA agent, John Smith knows the significance of December fifteenth to Brenda, but when the head of the Nuevo Cartel escapes federal prison he's forced to let her face the day without him, but not quite alone.

Can Daisy, a golden Labrador puppy, a huge sale on decorations at the hardware store, and a gift from her aunt restore her love of Christmas?


Enchanting Excerpt:
December 2013
  The weather forecast for the Western Washington area, specifically North Seattle, predicted a good five-to-six inches of snow. Brenda Houser watched the flakes float like cotton balls from the sky as she dipped a tortilla chip into a bowl of thick and chunky salsa and popped the morsel into her mouth. 

  Her boss, Corny Myers, tapped her pencil on Brenda's reception desk to the beat of The Little Drummer Boy, which streamed from the Green Hornet Investigations Bose speakers.

  "Hey, Brenda. I have bad eating habits but I've never started the day with chips and salsa. What's up?" Corny asked.

  "You know how I feel about all the holiday hoopla. I'd rather stick my head in the sand and pull it back out in January."

  "Do you really think Mexican food is going to make you feel better?"

  "Probably not, but a couple margaritas might help."


Website: http://authorsharonkleve.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharonrkleve
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKleve

Halo's Wish

Book one of the Dreams Come True Series

Author: Sharon Kleve
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon

Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.

Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she's ever wanted.

Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.

Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both for Christmas?

 

Enchanting Excerpt:

She'd just placed another call through to Pemsky's office, which went straight to his voicemail, when the office door opened. Halo smiled and looked up into dreamy, gold-flecked green eyes, short sandy brown hair, a slight cleft chin, and full lips set in a hard line. Even with the stern look he had on his face, my hormones jumped into overdrive.

Mr. Dreamy cleared his throat—she must've been staring. In her most professional voice she said, "Good morning. How may I help you?"

He removed a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and unfolded the sheet.

"I was parked in front of the Beacon Hill Ale House and my driver's side mirror was sideswiped by one of Pemsky's Security's SUV's Friday night."

Halo loved the Beacon Hill Ale House. Every Saturday night the Ale House allowed local bands to jam together. That's where she'd met her last loser boyfriend. She'd had a lot of loser boyfriends. She's currently on a hiatus from dating, but she wouldn't mind jumping back into the dating game for this dream-boat.

He handed her the piece of paper.

"I wasn't able to get a look at the driver, but I got the license plate number of the vehicle that hit my car and drove away."

He emphasized the last part.

"I'm very sorry about your car. I'm sure Mr. Pemsky will be happy to cover the damage." Halo checked the company log and Pemsky's name popped up as the driver—she gulped.

 

Website: http://authorsharonkleve.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharonrkleve

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKleve

Santa to the Rescue

Author: Adele Downs

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy: Entangled Publishing
Firefighter Jamey Tucker knows three things in life to be true: An honorable man doesn't go back on his word, never hurts a woman, and lasting love isn't a myth. But with his recent move to a new job at the Appleton Fire station, the long hours don't offer hope of finding the love he’s looking for.

When Jamey meets beautiful pediatric nurse Heather Longhurst after hearing her sing Santa Baby in a supermarket aisle, he offers her a promise he discovers he can't keep. Heather has been betrayed by men in the past, making it hard for Jamey to gain her trust. Determined to find a way to win her heart, Jamey uses firefighter engine-uity and Heather's favorite song to prove he's got Christmas spirit she can believe in all year.

Enchanting Excerpt:

She laughed out loud this time, and the sound of her voice rang through the air, pure and clear. He could listen to that voice for hours. “These are for my kids at the hospital. I’m an R.N. at County. We’re decorating the pediatric ward. And spoiling the children too, a bit. I’m baking cookies for our holiday party on Saturday.”

She held out her hand for a handshake. “I’m Heather Longhurst.”

Jamey introduced himself and took her hand. He told her what he did and where he worked. Her skin felt soft against his palm, though her grasp conveyed confidence and strength.

He cocked his chin. “What kind of cookies?”

“Chocolate chip, of course. Is there any other kind?”

Jamey shook his head. He could almost taste melted dark chocolate and smell the aromas of fresh baked flour, eggs and sugar filling her kitchen. His mouth watered. He hoped she couldn’t hear his stomach rumble. He hadn’t eaten in over fourteen hours. “No ma’am.”

Heather returned a lopsided grin. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

“Southern Indiana, born and raised.”

She moved out of the way of an elderly couple trying to pass with their half-filled shopping cart. Jamey moved too and they strolled together toward the exit. “I’ll make a plate of cookies for you, if you stop by the hospital to pick it up.” She said.

Jamey smiled at her, his heart lifting at the turnaround in his day. “That’s the best offer I’ve had since I moved to Appleton.”

“You’re new in town?”

“Been here almost three months.”

“Glad to meet you, Jamey Tucker. See you about one o’clock?”

“I’ll be there. Count on it.”

“I will.” She smiled back and their gazes locked. His mood soared with the realization she was flirting with him. The day had definitely taken a turn for the better.

Website: www.adeledowns.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradeledowns
Twitter: @Adele_Downs