Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Writing Wednesday: Taking Time to Enjoy the Holidays


Happy Holidays to All!

My family has been slowly invading my home all month long - returning from college, staying over for weekend long holiday parties, and now my dad arrives tomorrow for a week long visit. Fitting in blogging is just not going to work out, so instead of stressing over not posting, I'm proactively making the decision that I won't be posting again until after the New Year.

2018 can't get here soon enough.

Oh, I know I've got a lot of big changes coming my way in the coming year - including my oldest graduating from college, my youngest graduating from high school and leaving home for college -  but this past year has been filled with frustrations on personal, community and national levels and I'm more than ready to be done with it all.

How about you? All set for the upcoming holidays? Ready to be done with 2017? Looking forward to anything big in 2018? Whatever your plans, I hope you enjoy the next few weeks and see you next year!





Monday, December 18, 2017

What do you get a Mermaid for Christmas?

The third book in my Son of a Mermaid series it out now - just in time for holiday gifting for that mermaid-lover in your life! Grab it on AMAZON.



Since I live on Cape Cod, I tend to let the ocean influence my Holiday decorating and gift buying. As an author who writes about mermaids, I tend to gravitate toward, you know, mermaid-inspired wall art, decorations and ornaments. Cape Cod is a great place to find mermaid ornaments for the tree…

 
I also have lots of starfish and shell ornaments, as well as mermaid ornaments we made with my daughter’s Girl Scout troop a few years back…luckily, my daughter gave me a few for Christmas!

 
But what do you buy for your friend who’s, you know, a *real* mermaid? That gets a bit trickier, since life underwater is played by a whole different set of rules.

First of all, mermaids celebrate the Winter Solstice instead of Christmas. And electric Christmas lights don’t work too well underwater. Anything made with paper or glue is right out as well – imagine how quickly a pile of gift wrapped boxes would turn into a soggy mess underwater! Mermaids tend to wrap packages with sheets of seaweed and twine instead of paper and tape for those reasons.

But mermaids do love receiving gifts, and anything shiny is always appreciated! Think of Disney’s Ariel and how she had a room filled with shiny objects that she’d collected. To make a big impression, jewelry is always a good choice, but remember it’s going to be worn in saltwater, so either choose real silver or gold, or go simple with leather cords.

In DEFIANCE, the second book of the Son of a Mermaid series, the main character, Shea MacNamara, takes my advice about jewelry and gives a shiny bracelet to his mermaid girl friend. The bracelet comes up a few times in reference in the current release, DECEPTION, but in case you forgot, here's where Kae first opened the gift.

And Happy Holidays!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Excerpt from DEFIANCE:
 
“I got something for you.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small box, carefully wrapped in shiny blue paper with raffia string. “I saw it in Hyannis the other day when I was walking on Main Street with John and Hailey. I thought of you.”

Kae stared at the package in Shea’s hand, but didn’t reach for the gift. “Oh, it’s pretty. And so shiny blue! Like the ocean’s surface on a sunny day. But Shea, I don’t think paper will last very long underwater.”

Shea’s face cracked into a wide grin. “That’s just the wrapping, silly.” He placed the box in her hand. “You need to look inside for the gift.”

“I’ve never heard of wrapping paper,” Kae turned the box slowly around in her hands, the shine of the paper reflecting the light. “It’s so pretty.”

“You’re supposed to rip it off,” Shea explained, shaking his head. Sometimes he forgot that they came from such different worlds. He showed her how to slide the bow off, and then tore the edge of the paper to get her started.

It was a small package, and the paper came off fairly quickly once she started to rip it. She stared at the white box. “Oh, it’s lovely. But Shea, cardboard is not much better than paper…”

He interrupted. “The box isn’t the present.”

She looked up at him, cocking her head to the side. “Then why did you give it to me? Why give me shiny paper to rip and a box that isn’t a present? I don’t understand.”

He shifted his weight uncomfortably, feeling slightly foolish. “I don’t know. It’s how we give gifts.” He smiled again. “Just open the box already.”

Inside was a cuff bracelet of hammered silver, made of five thin distinct strands that rippled across like waves, looking like the undulating surface of the ocean. Kae stared, not saying anything.

“I saw it and thought of you, leaving on your journey,” Shea stammered, unsure how to gauge her reaction. “You know, the five lines of silver flowing like water, like the five oceans…” His voice trailed off. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her eyes looking watery.

“It’s just a bracelet.” He reached over to take it out of the box. “Let’s see if it fits okay.” He slipped the cuff over her wrist and gently squeezed so that it closed snugly against her skin. He trailed his fingers up to her elbow and leaned his forehead against hers. “It’s so you don’t forget me while we’re apart.”

“Oh, Shea…” Her voice was still a mere whisper. “I won’t forget you.”

~ *~ * ~ * ~


Find the whole series on AMAZON :


Monday, December 11, 2017

Monday Book Review: The Cop Who Stole Christmas, by Christie Craig

The Cop Who Stole Christmas, by Christie Craig
(Tall, Hot & Texan, Book 2)
Published December 2015 by Bookends, LLC

About the Book:
Savanna Edwards is feeling downright Scrooge-like. Who can blame her? A truly unjolly Santa—suit, beard and all—just repossessed her car because of her ex’s shady business dealings. She’d like to murder the no-good lying cheat, but somebody already did that for her—and left him right in the middle of her kitchen, wrapped up with a bow.



Detective Mark Donaldson has a rule against getting involved with his neighbors. He can look—and he’s studied every sweet curve of Savanna from across the street—but he can’t touch. So when she lands on his doorstep in need of help, he finds himself torn between being naughty or nice, and fights every urge to unwrap her like a shiny new Christmas present. 



Trouble is, even Mark can’t resist a little holiday magic . . . and there’s definitely something magical happening between him and the girl next door.
MY TAKE:

As holiday stories go, this one was such a real part of this three book series that I had to go buy the book right before it and right after it and get more of these characters and this author's fun, flirty and totally sassy voice. Yea, I bought the rest of this romantic suspense series as soon as I finished reading this one.

Really.

As for the book itself, it's romantic suspense, third person POV from both the hero and heroine points of view. The two have been neighbors for about four months, but haven't really interacted at all, when a guy dressed as Santa Claus arrives early one morning to repossess Savanna's car. Although she's been divorced for a year, she never had the title changed, which allowed her scumbag ex to use it as collateral for a loan. She tries to get her neighbor the cop to help her, but there's nothing he can do. He's a homicide detective, and tells her to come back for help when she's got a dead body to deal with.

Foreshadowing?

The next best thing to actually getting her car back is whining to her friends over lunchtime margaritas, and voicing her wish for her ex to die with a ribbon tied around his pecker.

More foreshadowing? Oh yeah.

I love the character voices, and the real opinions and self-doubt they express over each situation, all with self-deprecating sarcasm, even in their own heads but more with their friends. It all combines for a fun, fast-paced read, with suspense and sexual tension wrapped together to make a satisfying read.

If you're looking for more than a sweet holiday romance, I totally recommend this story and this author, who was new to me before I picked up this story but she has 40+ books out there in a few different series. Merry Christmas to me for finding her!

Grab this book on AMAZON - which is free today as I post this.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Friday Feature: Mary Morgan's #New Release: A Highland Moon Enchantment


Today I'm excited to feature Mary Morgan, who writes historical romance with sizzling hot Scottish men. And, as I'm still catching up on this season of OUTLANDER, I'm totally a sucker for hot guys with a brogue! The latest book in her series is a winter tale just released by The Wild Rose Press, and one I'm anxious to read and review soon!

Please welcome Mary Morgan!

Hi Katie! Thanks for having me on your wonderful blog today! I’m excited to share my new release, A Highland Moon Enchantment. I’ve returned home to Scotland and the Dragon Knights this holiday season.

When the O’Quinlan brothers entered the story in Dragon Knight’s Axe, Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 3, I knew each would demand their own story. Desmond O’Quinlan kept tapping my shoulder (and yelling in my ear), requesting a rematch with Dragon Knight, Alastair MacKay. Apparently, he had unfinished business with Alastair for leaving his sister, Fiona. In truth, I sensed a deeper meaning behind Desmond’s foul mood and growing anger at the Dragon Knight. However, Ailsa MacDuff will become his greatest challenge, and the real reason for his bitterness will be exposed. 


About the Book:

You first meet this warrior in Dragon Knight’s Axe, Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 3

Irish warrior, Desmond O’Quinlan has never surrendered his heart to any woman. He has no wish to have his soul tortured by love. Yet, the moment he locks gazes with Ailsa, his fate is destined for an adventure he never fathomed. He may have battled alongside a Dragon Knight, but his greatest challenge will come from within his own heart.

Ailsa MacDuff, a warrior among her clan, has no desire to have a man chain her to a life of obedience. However, that is before she meets Desmond. The temptation to allow this warrior inside her heart is a risk she dares to take, but one that could lead to a future of emptiness and sorrow. 

When betrayal looms from within, the battleground of love is no match for these two warriors. Can the power of a Highland full moon be strong enough to unite or destroy them?
Excerpt:

His mind screamed to stay rooted in his chair, but his body betrayed him. Standing, he reached for her hand.“I will escort ye to your chamber.”

She eyed him with curiosity and stood. “Nae. Take me to the north wall. I hear the view of the loch is one that steals the breath from your lungs.”

“Done.” When her fingers slipped into his, Desmond fought the urge to crush her to his chest.
Placing her soft hand in the crook of his arm, he led her quickly out of the hall and up the stairs. Bending to the left, he took her along a corridor and up a narrow circular pathway. The torches flickered as he approached the door leading to the north wall.

A cold draft blew by them, and she shivered. Instantly, regret filled him realizing he had not considered to bring a cloak for her.

Desmond paused by the door. “Ye should not venture out into the biting cold without a cloak.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I simply wish to capture a quick look, not spend the night sleeping out there.”

Shaking his head, he pushed open the massive oak door. Brittle air slapped at his face while they made their way up along the wall.
  
“’Tis cold,” she muttered, but chuckled softly and hugged his arm. “But ye are
warm.”

“We shall not tarry long,” he assured her and placed a warm hand over hers.

“Oh, sweet Goddess. Look at the moon, Desmond. Her light shimmers over the water. I have now witnessed the charm of the loch in sunlight and moonlight. Though our rivers are stunning on their own, they cannae rival this view. As I have told ye, our island is shrouded in mists, so ye cannae see verra far out into the sea.”

Desmond’s focus was not on the moon, but the beauty standing beside him. To take what he dared not possess. He marveled at her delight of the striking scene.

Ailsa turned toward him. “Thank ye, Desmond, truly.”

Her nearness was overpowering, seducing him in a way he had never known. Desmond cupped her chin. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in invitation. Moonlight and lust danced within her eyes. No longer did he battle with his mind and body, and he slowly lowered his head.

And under the silent whisper of a full moon, Desmond captured her soft lips within his own. He
could taste her sweetness mixed with the wine, and desire shot through his veins. His hands shook as he placed them securely on her waist. As he deepened the kiss, she placed her hands around his neck. Desmond groaned, crushing her body against him.
 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Buy Links:


About the Author:
Award-winning Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
 
Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling--writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.

Social Media Links:




ORDER OF THE DRAGON KNIGHTS, the Complete Series
by Mary Morgan
Available on Amazon December 7, 2017

Dare to journey with the Dragon Knights of Scotland!

They were an ancient order descended from the great Tuatha De Danann, a tribe from the Goddess Danu. Half human and half fae, each blessed with mystical powers. They were also given holy relics and guardianship over the dragons.

With the dawn of Christianity, the dragons were systematically hunted down and slain leaving only one. The Dragon Knights took her from Ireland to a land across the sea, settling in the Great Glen near Urquhart. The clan was known as the MacKay clan, descendants from the MacAoidh.

Yet, there were those who deemed the Order had too much power, and they tried to possess it for themselves. They were evil and twisted, and their plan succeeded one fateful night. A battle was fought and their sister was killed.

The Clan Mackay is no longer.

The Dragon Knights scattered across the land.

Yet out of the darkness, they will each fight for redemption.