Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Huge Giveaway at Bewitching Book Tours!

Click HERE to go to Bewitching Book Tours Page.
Click HERE to go directly to the Giveaway Post.
Bewitching Book Tours Hot Holiday Giveaway
Nov 15- Dec 15
Giveaways:
1 Kindle Fire HD 8.9 inch or equivalent value Amazon Gift Card
3 Bewitching Prize Packs full of books and book swag goodies- open to US Shipping- prize packs may contain print copies of The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle, Would Be Witch by Kimberly Frost and Earth Angel by E Van Lowe, Paranormal Pleasures by Roxanne Rhoads, Tasty Christmas Treats by Roxanne Rhoads- books will be distributed among the 3 prize packs
1  e-book set of the first three books in the Seven Seals Series by Traci Douglass
1 Release, book 3 of The Angler series by Annie Nicholas
1 ebook copy Murder on Mars A New Orleans Mystery by MM Shelley
1 Ebook giveaway Hollow’s End by Marianne Morea
1 Ebook copy of Tigress by JE Taylor
1 ebook copy of In Flames by Jessica Jayne
1 copy of River Road by Suzanne Johnson
1 ebook copy of Visionary- Unleashed by N Dunham
1 copy of each Bleeding Hearts and Blood Rush by Ash Krafton
1 ebook copy of Soul Meaning (Seventeen Book 1) by AD Starrling
1 ebook copy of Blaze Ignites by JL Madore
1  e-book copy of Operation Earth by Maria Hammarblad
1 Earth’s Requiem. Print if in the U.S., an e-copy otherwise.
1 ebook copy Silent Oath (Book 2 of the Locked Within Trilogy) by Paul Anthony Shortt
1 Ebook: Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy from the Season of Seduction Carina Press erotic holiday anthology
1 eBook: An Unexpected Bride (The Bride Series, Book 1) by Shadonna Richards
1 eCopy of Divine Destiny by Joanna Grace
1 Ministry Protocol: Thrilling Tales of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences
1 Ebook giveaway. "Beautiful Stranger" by Katalina Leon
1 ebook copy of Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak
1 ebook copy of Cleaning Up by Jophrael L Avario
1 One e-book copy of Haven by Celia Breslin
1 one e-book copy of Dragon Fire by Dina Von Lowenkraft
1 ebook copy of Hex and the Single Witch by Roxanne Rhoads
1 one kindle copy of Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective by Christine Amsden
1 One ecopy of Cursed Ever After by AC James
1 copy of The Miss Education of Dr. Exeter by Jillian Stone
1 ecopy of Catwalk:Messiah by Nick Kelly
1 ecopy of Wucaii by Pembroke Sinclair
1 ecopy of The Bottom Line by Shelley Munro
1 Ebook copy of Dangerous Pursuit by Margaret Daly

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Order of the Black Swan Series and Guest Post by Victoria Danann (Giveaway too)

Victoria Danann's Black Swan Series.
Welcome to The Wormhole.  It is my pleasure to feature Victoria Danann and the Order of the Black Swan Series.

Black Swan Collected Tales (Volume 1, Books 1-6)

The Order of the Black Swan is a serial saga including My Familiar Stranger, The Witch’s Dream, A Summoner’s Tale, Moonlight, Gathering Storm, and NEVER BEFORE RELEASED Book 6, A Tale of Two Kingdoms.
Once upon a time a girl lost everything familiar. She escaped death by being forced into an experiment that left her in another world where modern day knights, elves, vampires, werewolves, witches, demons and fae became her allies, friends and family. She discovered a place where adventure intersects fairytales, where honor is more than an ideal, and she learned that love can find you in the strangest places, when you're least expecting it, even when you're far, far from home. This is the story of Elora Laiken's strange and wonderful journey. It is also the story of those whose lives she touches along the way.
If you love romance, paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, this series is right for you. 17+
ISBN: 978-1-933320-94-6, 523,000 words
The entire box set, which will retail after December 15th for $18.99, will be available during release week for $0.99 and can be preordered at that price from either Smashwords or Kobo.  Buy links to Amazon, B&N, and Apple (iBooks, iTunes) will be available release week. Subscribe to the mail list for a reminder.
PREORDER LINKS:   SMASHWORDS    KOBO

Appropriate for 17+
AUTHOR BIO:

If you’re looking for something new and different in PNR, you’ve come to the right place.

I write unapologetic romances with uniquely fresh perspectives on paranormal creatures, characters, and themes. Add a dash of scifi and a flourish of fantasy to enough humor to make you laugh out loud and enough steam to make you squirm in your chair. My heroines are independent femmes with flaws and minds of their own whether they are aliens, witches, demonologists, psychics, or past life therapists. My heroes are hot and hunky, but they also have brains, character, and good manners – usually – whether they be elves, demons, berserkers, werewolves, or vampires.

I have authored and illustrated Seasons of the Witch calendars and planners for fifteen years and teach magickal arts for Seasons in Avalon. I live in The Woodlands, Texas which is why I sometimes joke about being the witch in the woods.

TWITTER: @vdanann

Guest Post:
The State of Indie Publishing
by Victoria Danann

Last month I was the featured author at the first ever Indie Romance Convention where I was privileged to give the keynote speech on opening night and moderate a panel discussion for authors on Indie marketing.
The Indie Rom con is a convention with separate events (workshops, panels) for authors and readers. I didn’t attend any of the reader events because the con organizer had me busy working with other authors. During those exchanges I was able to discern a lot about the current state of affairs.
First, as I’m sure you’re aware, Independent Publishing includes a variety of approaches to book distribution such as self-publishing, small press, and independent imprint digital. I don’t usually cite my own case because it’s unique. When I began publishing my works of fiction, I did so under 7th House Publishing, which is a small press and was owned by me at the time. For about fifteen years its focus had been strictly calendars, planners, New Age niche books, and sidelines.
As a person who began as owner/operator of a small publishing company, I was fortunate to have many of the skills necessary to running an Indie fiction business before I began writing the fiction I would sell. For the vast majority of Indie authors, that equation is the other way around.
In other words I was familiar with marketing principles, time management, and had acquired useful tech skills so that I can manage my own website, do my own graphics (including covers), and format my books for publication in various e-versions.
Not every Indie author has or is going to want to acquire that specific skill set, but that’s okay. There are people who can be hired to perform those tasks. What every Indie author does need to understand is that an independent writing career is not only a business, it’s an entrepreneurial business. It’s a leap for risk takers and scramblers.
If the voice in your head says, “But I just want to write,” Indie publishing is not for you. Sadly, there may not be any place for you because, while traditional publishing may survive in some form, the days of authors contributing nothing more than manuscripts are over. Even big names are now expected to spend time on social media and engage readers, contribute earnings to various promotions, and participate in marketing activities where their predecessors were simply left alone.
For a time traditional publishing tried to deny that the gate was open for good. For four hundred years nothing much changed in the world of publishing, but the Kindle created a revolution that upended the stranglehold the New York gatekeepers had over which things did or did not get published. Don’t get me wrong. I understand investing. The people who are putting up the money get to say how it’s used, where, when, and why. I have no problem with that. It’s only right.
On the other hand, there’s something truly noble about having a global forum that allows anyone with something to say to put it out there and let the reading public – rather than book investors – decide what they want to read.
As to the fate of traditional publishing, let me paraphrase Mark Coker of Smashwords. “They’re like the Titanic. They know they’re going to sink, but they’re too big to turn. All they can do is brace and wait for impact. “

Meanwhile, a lot of authors like myself are benefitting from a readership with whom contact would have been possible. My books would never have been published – too different, too much of a risk. So I owe Amazon a lot. If they dropped the props that are holding traditional publishing up, so that we were on a level playing field with those authors, I would owe them even more. (Are you listening, Amazon? We, Indies, are your future.)

Next year the Indie Rom Con will be held in Nashville next year, September 11-14 with outstanding small events for both authors and readers. http://indieromancecon.com/


Giveaway: Archival print of the Black Swan covers signed by the author/artist: 


Monday, November 25, 2013

Release Day: Some Like it Sinful by Robbie Terman

About SOME LIKE IT SINFUL
Their attraction is sinfully delicious…

A struggling business and one act of vandalism may have brought them together, but bakery owner Chloe Nelson and professional hockey player Griffin Lange get along like chocolate and pickles. Chloe needs the famous (and famously unattached) Griffin to attract people to her pastries, and Griffin needs the curvaceous and fiery Chloe to keep him out of trouble. A fake relationship to keep the media interested seems like the perfect plan.


But when temptation throws them into bed together, a new plan arises. Why not make the fake real? Griffin’s winning every home game, and Chloe’s business has never been better. Both know it’s only physical—and only temporary. But can they drop their defenses for love, even if it means getting a little bit sinful?

About the author:
Robbie Terman began her journey as a writer in third grade, when she completed her first (24-page) "novel."  Many years later, she is published in contemporary romance.  Her heroines are feisty, her heroes Hot (yup, that's with a capital H!).  And, when you read her books, if you cry a little and laugh a lot, that's just the reaction she was hoping for. 
 When she's not writing, Robbie can usually be found doing one of three things: shopping for shoes and handbags at Nordstrom; trying a new restaurant (or attempting a new recipe); or relaxing on the couch and catching up on her favorite television programs (if you're wondering which ones, open up a TV Guide and take your pick.  You've probably guessed right!)

Click HERE to go to her website.   Click HERE to buy your own copy.

Spellbound Series - - - Sherry Soule Scavenger Hunt!

Welcome to “Author Sherry Soule’s Awesome Scavenger Hunt”
Today bestselling author, Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! All the previously published books in the Spellbound series have been rewritten and republished with more epic romance and suspenseful thrills. The new versions also include exclusive bonus material and brand new scenes. Even additional scenes from charming, bad-boy, Trent Donovan’s point-of-view! To help promote the new editions, she is doing this awesome book tour to share the update with fellow booklovers.


This giveaway is open internationally! So let’s tell the blogging world!
You are invited to go on this cyber scavenger hunt and find clues that will answer the questions posted below. If you get all of them correct, you might score a Kindle or Nook version of the first book in the Spellbound series, BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN!

Once you find all 13 clues, please return to this site and put your answers in the comment section. Random winner will be picked and his/her name will be posted at the top of this post, please check back on that day to find out if you’re the lucky winner.
The links below will start you on this author's scavenger hunt. Find the answers to each question by clicking on the links on where to cyberstalk Sherry, and be sure to check the bottom of the post for the details regarding this random giveaway. Best of luck!
Hint: Most questions can be found at the blog links posted at bottom of this post.
SPELLBOUND SERIES QUESTIONS
1. What is the title of Sherry Soule’s fourth book in the Spellbound series?
2. In Shiloh’s “Epic Battle” short story, what is she destined to do?
3. Who crashed Shiloh’s birthday party in SHATTERED SILENCE?
4. Which book in the series featured a creepy wraith?
5. What type of paranormals follow Shiloh around like pets?
6. If Shiloh is gonna battle evil, what is the one thing that she never leaves the house without?
7. Who is Shiloh’s best friend and sidekick?
8. On @WriterSherry’s Twitter profile, what is she a fan of?
9. Where does Trent live (name of mansion)?
10. What is Evans “other” part-time occupation?
11. The book cover for MOONLIGHT MAYHEM features a girl with “what” on her back?
12. Where do Trent and Shiloh meet for the first time?
13. Why is the significance of the number thirteen in the series?


Random winner will be picked one month from today on December 21st at midnight and be posted at the top of this quiz. Please check back on that day to find out if you’re the lucky winner. Your eBook will be delivered via email to download onto your e-Reader. (If you're unsure how to, let Sherry know. She'll help you.) Those who enter must have an eReader to redeem this prize. All prizes will be electronically delivered. Please review all terms & conditions before entering. 

Mandatory giveaway details:
You must comment with your answers
All thirteen answers must be correct
Be a follower of the Spellbound Series Universe Blog
Be a follower of this blog
Follow us both on Twitter - @WriterSherry & INSERT YOUR TWITTER
Tweet about this giveaway
That's it! Good luck!
Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:
Official Spellbound Series blog: http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com
Twitter @WriterSherry: http://twitter.com/writersherry
Deadly Witchcraft. Ghostly Threats. Doomed Romance.
They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Fallen Oaks. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse.
When sixteen-year-old Shiloh Trudell takes a summer job at Craven Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes enchanted by his charms.
Finally, Shiloh’s met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent is immersed in the cunning deception that surrounds the mysterious Craven Manor. So much so that he may lose sight of what is truly important to him. And she can’t decide whether she wants to shake him or kiss him. Yet neither one of them can deny the immediate, passionate connection growing between them.
But underlying everything is the fear that Trent may be the next victim on a supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him…
With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, Shiloh will finally begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.
Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.
Buy the new edition of BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN (part one):
ISBN: 978-0976180425
ASIN: B0058DE8YI
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/18NB8CG


Sunday, November 24, 2013

afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler (Giveaway)

About AFTERPARTY: A toxic friendship takes a dangerous turn in this riveting novel from the author of Where It Began.

Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother—whose name her dad won’t even say out loud. That’s why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her…and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she’s everything Emma isn’t.

And it may be more than Emma can handle.

Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It’s more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, a bash where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop...

Buy Links:

About Ann Stampler: Ann Stampler was the mild mannered author of literary picture books when she broke out, tore off her tasteful string of pearls, and started writing edgy, contemporary young adult novels set in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and writer’s-helper rescue dog – without whose compelling distraction she would have no doubt penned dozens of novels by now.

Social media links:
Twitter: @annstampler
The writing life blog: www.annstampler.com/ya
Novel in the Oven: Really Bad Writing Advice (among other things): www.annstampler.blogspot.com

Tumblr/Pinterest/Etc:


The LINK to the first three chapters of AFTERPARTY by Ann Stampler: http://www.scribd.com/doc/183272047/Afterparty-by-Ann-Redisch-Stampler-Excerpt

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, November 23, 2013

YA Fantasy Spotlight ~ The Sentinel by Holly Martin (on sale for $0.99)


The Sentinel Blurb

When Eve is rescued from a horrific coach crash by her teachers, she is shocked to discover they possess super strength and speed. But what happens next is even more harrowing.
In the aftermath of the crash she discovers that everyone in her life from neighbours, doctors, dentists, teachers, shop keepers and even her family and friends are actually super strength Guardians sent to protect her. They all have one thing in common, a single minded ferocity that she must be kept alive at all costs. 

However, she is surrounded by secrets and lies. Those in the know deny all knowledge of what happened that fateful night. Everyone else carries on as normal, seemingly unaware of the new strange world that she has stumbled against. 

With the help of Seth, her best friend, Eve discovers the prophecies surrounding her true identity and the super strength she too holds. With her Guardians pledged to protect her, her closest friends ready to die for her, her own hopes and dreams are put on hold whilst she battles to control the amazing powers she has been bestowed with. 

But those that seek to destroy her move ever closer. Will the Guardians be enough to protect her when so many are prepared to stop at nothing to see her dead? And will she be strong enough to fulfil her destiny when the time comes? 

Holly's Bio

I live in sunny Bedfordshire in a house with round windows. I studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of my colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years service was the moment when I knew I had to escape. I quit my job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, I emerged wide eyed and terrified that I now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. I taught for four years before History Off The Page came to my school to do a Tudor day. I now drive round the country in my little white van, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next.

I love to write. The characters do exactly what I want them to do, most of the time. Sometimes they do seem to go off and do their own thing without my permission. It is complete escapism into a world where I have full control.

I've been writing for four years now, every spare second I have, I'm scribbling ideas in a notebook or typing a scene on my laptop. I have written three romantic fiction books. Changing Casanova and The Chainsaw Masquerade were recently shortlisted for the Festival of Romance New Talent Award. My short story, One Hundred Proposals, won the Belinda Jones Travel Club short story competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology.

The Sentinel is my first published novel.

Purchase The Sentinel on Amazon

Review: No Shelter from Darkness by Mark D. Evans

Amazon Product Description:
“Her hands began to shake as she looked down wide-eyed at the blood-soaked cotton that covered her.”

London emerges from the Blitz, and every corner of the city bears the scars. In the East End—a corner fairing worse than most—thirteen year-old Beth Wade endures this new way of life with her adoptive family. She also suffers the prejudice against her appearance, an abiding loneliness and now the trials of adolescence. But with this new burden comes a persisting fatigue and an unquenchable thirst that ultimately steals her into unconsciousness . . .

What happens next is the start of something Beth will fear more than the war itself.

She begins to change in ways that can’t be explained by her coming-of-age, none more frightening than her need to consume blood. The family who took her in and the former best friend who’s taken refuge in their house can never know.

Aware of the danger she poses to everyone around her, Beth has never felt more alone.

But someone else knows Beth’s secret . . . someone who understands just how different she really is. He alone can decrypt her past and explain her future. But he’s been sworn to destroy her kind, and as Beth grows ever more dangerous, he’s forced to take sides.

Can Beth keep all of the secrets? Can she trust a man sworn to kill her?

And can she stop the vampire within from taking her humanity?

(I received this book, from the author/tour presenter, at no cost in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour).

My thoughts:
This is a fascinating story with a new spin on vampires.  The characters are realistic and fit the story and it's setting.  The setting is carefully detailed and pulls the reader into both the war and the lives of the people living through it.  The writing is vivid and you can all but hear the air raid sirens while the characters flee to shelters hoping to survive.  Beth is waging a war all her own within a world of chaos as she changes and becomes what she believes to be a monster.  Her struggle with her inner demon and her own personal beliefs is incredible.  Her father's battle with the same is also heart-wrenching.  Beth and Mary's strained friendship is yet one more battle to overcome.  The story is filled with torment and hope.  I finished the story feeling pleased with the outcome of so much, and yet wondering what will come with the next book - who is the woman looking for Beth, and what will her finding bring?
This is a historical fiction with vampires and a vampire hunters league - it is well worth a read, be sure to check this one out.  

Friday, November 22, 2013

Blog Tour: Timeless Keepsakes Tour ~ Letter from St. Nick by Nicole S. Patrick

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Click HERE for more tour information.
Welcome back to The Wormhole and my final day of the Timeless Keepsakes tour.
I am pleased to bring you Letter from St. Nick and Nicole S. Patrick.

About Nicole S. Patrick:

Nicole S. Patrick has always loved to read, and in her teenage years, she “borrowed” her mom’s books to sneak away and become lost in the world of romance. After more than ten years in the corporate world of tech recruiting and HR management, she decided to stay home and raise children. But with so many romantic stories and characters floating around in her head, when the kids napped, she was compelled to put those words on a page and pursue this crazy dream of becoming published. Nicole writes romantic suspense and her heroes are those alpha males in uniform. She lives in New Jersey with her real-life hero, her husband, and her two sons.

For more information about Nicole, please visit her website at www.nicolespatrick.com.

Letter from St. Nick
Nicole S. Patrick

Excerpt:
Chapter One
“Last call for flight one eighty-nine, nonstop service to Jacksonville, Florida. All seats boarding.”
Thad Sinclair groaned at the stiffness in his kneecap, the result of sitting too long. Twenty-four hours ago he’d left Afghanistan, flown to Istanbul, and was at the tail end of a six-hour layover in New York City. God, he was beat. Plus, he was a grubby, ripe mess in his cammies and combat boots. He grabbed his rucksack, following the other stragglers in line to the Jetway for the last leg of his journey home.
Wherever that was.
The gate agent smiled, thanking him for his service when she took his boarding pass. Many people had stopped him to say “Thank you” or “Welcome home” since he’d arrived at LaGuardia Airport. It was good to be back on US soil and see friendly faces instead of watching his back and fighting insurgents at every turn.
He stowed his bag in the overhead compartment, settled in his seat then took a creased and worn sheet of paper out of his shirt pocket.
Not two weeks ago, Lieutenant Grant had kidded, “Sinclair, here’s a bunch of mail for you. What’d you hit the jackpot, my man?”
He sighed and shook his head.
Thad unfolded the letter and a sharp sting hit the back of his throat. Aw, hell. He blew out an unsteady breath as wetness seeped behind his eyes. His gut clenched just thinking about the man who had been more “Dad” than his own ever was.
Thad, my laddie, if you are reading this letter it means that I’m gone. And it also means there are some things you need to be apprised of. My good friend and attorney Rupert Green has all the information for you about my estate.
It’s time, Thad. Stop the globe-trotting and fighting the bad guys, and come back. Plant some roots, son. I’m just sorry I won’t be here to greet you.
You are the son I never had. I’ve always been very proud of the path you took. To this day I think your father was a jackass for all the pain he caused you, rest his soul. I hate writing this sentimental drivel, but I figured your aunt Maeve would’ve wanted me to.
Not many people knew I was sick so don’t go beating yourself up or getting upset over things. There was nothing you could’ve done. No use in fighting the inevitable. I’m going to join my Maeve now, and I’m okay and ready for it.
Semper Fidelis,
Uncle Nick.
Thad slid up the window cover to gaze at the planes parked side by side in the terminal.
It’d been more than three years since he’d last seen his uncle. Yes, three years ago at Dad’s debauchery of a funeral right here in New York. His parents’ decision to leave what remained of their fortune to charity had turned ugly at the reading of their will. The Sinclairs were not a forgiving bunch. That was a fact. No, the stuffy, upper-crust, uptown cousins he couldn’t stand looked down their noses at the soldier in the family. He’d given up years ago making the correction that he was, in fact, a Marine.
None in the Sinclair branch of the family tree had ever pardoned him for being the “disappointment” to his father, even after the old man passed away.
Uncle Nick and Aunt Maeve were the only family who’d accepted him despite all of his faults, shortcomings, and “unrealistic”—according to dear old Dad—aspirations. Thad never understood how unrealistic it was to want to serve and protect the country which helped shape the Sinclairs into their successes. Ironically, Nick had been a black sheep in the Sinclair clan too. Maybe that was why they’d become close before he’d shipped out to begin his stint in the Corps.
Thad racked his brain to recall any telltale signs in Uncle Nick’s appearance the last time they’d met. But the strapping giant had embraced him with the same spine-cracking hug, kidding him about making nice with the rest of the family.
Had Uncle Nick been sick back then? Understandably, he’d been sadder since losing Aunt Maeve, and not nearly as animated as he normally was during the Sinclair family get-togethers. More like battles. But nothing else had seemed different.
He sniffed and swiped his eyes, sinking against the cool leather of his upgraded first-class seat. Damn! Why hadn’t he reached out sooner? Why had he chosen to be gone for so long? Perhaps the day­-to-day shit storm of war was what had held him back from at least sending e-mail? What a lame excuse. He could’ve found the time. The motives for staying away may have been valid at the time, but for some reason he couldn’t recall any of them.
Now he’d never get to say goodbye. Talk about feeling lower than a junkyard dog. He’d wasted so much time not keeping in touch with the family who actually cared about him. His parents, for certain, hadn’t given a flying… Stop it, Sinclair. No use thinking about them now.
He clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. Anger waned into the familiar ache of loneliness, as it always did when he thought of his parents. He tamped down the vise of pain surrounding his insides, just as he’d done eons ago when he was a young Marine.
He scrubbed a hand down his face and placed Uncle Nick’s letter on the vacant seat beside him. He closed his eyes as a headache crept up the base of his skull.
The thought of going back to active duty after this leave was over made him twitchy. He had to admit, the bum knee was shot, and someday he feared it just might get in the way of his survival. Maybe it was time to let the younger, gung-ho guys take over. Was he actually considering throwing in the towel?
Focus on the now, Sinclair. Once he arrived in Florida, it would be a quick trip to Jacksonville to get his truck from his buddy’s garage and retrieve what remained of his scant personal belongings from the storage unit.
“We’ll be taking off momentarily, folks.” The pilot’s voice cut through the speakers. The announcement, coupled with the engines firing up, jolted Thad out of his musings.
Two weeks ago he wondered about his next destination. Now he knew—Amelia Island, Florida.

My Thoughts:
This is a sweet love story.  Thad is a soldier.  Scarlet runs an antiques and art shop.  The two main characters are both outcast from their parents because of differences in beliefs about what is truly important in life, and have struck their own paths.  Those paths are forced to cross when Thad's uncle dies and he has to return.  The characters are wonderfully done, the setting is beautifully described.  Letter from St. Nick is packed with emotions that deal with a large number of sensitive issues.  The romance is fast, it's a short story, but they are just so perfect for each other.  It's a great holiday read.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Blog Tour: Timeless Keepsakes Tour ~ Christmas Spirits by Lita Harris

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Click HERE for more tour information.
Welcome back to The Wormhole and The Timeless Keepsakes tour.
Today I am pleased to feature Lita Harris and Christmas Spirits.

About Lita Harris:

Lita Harris spends her time between New Jersey and the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, where she writes most of her books. She also lived in Alaska for a short time just for fun. An avid crafter, unused supplies clutter her basement and attempts at making pottery, jewelry, and stained glass are proudly displayed in her house, usually behind a picture or holding a door open. She also makes candles and homemade soap. With enough books to stock a small library she may need to construct a building to store her literary obsessions.

She writes in multiple genres, including women’s fiction, contemporary romance, paranormal, and cozy mysteries. For more information about Lita, please visit her website at www.LitaHarris.com or at twitter.com/litaharris and facebook.com/litaharrisauthor.

Christmas Spirits
Lita Harris

A widow's everlasting love is renewed by the memories of the holiday season.

Excerpt Christmas Spirits:
Chapter One
“What’s this, Grams?”
Emily Chadwick watched Olivia’s tiny feet shuffle across the kitchen floor as she approached with a small globe nestled in her hands. She stood back from the stove and brushed a lock of frizzy bang away from her eyes. The beef stew was nearly ready as meat, carrots, onions, and potatoes simmered, a perfect winter meal. She flicked the back of her hand and Olivia stepped away from the stove.
“What do you have there?” She pulled out a hand-carved chair from the kitchen table—always meaning to replace them with something lighter and modern—but she couldn’t bring herself to rid the house of any furniture Michael had made. She stretched out her arm as her granddaughter placed the piece of glass into her withered hands.
“Huh.” Emily caught her breath. “Where did you find this?”
“In the attic. I was looking for Cleo. She ran up there when I opened the door to let some cool air into the hallway upstairs.”
The heat was difficult to control in the house, built in 1850, and the attic door proved more efficient at controlling the heat than a thermostat.
Emily held the ornament to the light. Snow filled the globe as she twirled it between her fingers. “Your grandfather made this when we first met.”
“It’s pretty.” Olivia squinted her eyes. “Is that you and Grandpa on the lake?”
Emily nodded. “Yes it is. He was a stickler for detail. He didn’t make much blown glass so this is very special. He focused mainly on furniture.” She fought back a frown as she glanced at the silent guitar in the corner next to a chair by the kitchen fireplace.
Olivia stood back, away from the table, and clasped her hands behind her back. “I’m not touching it ever!”
“You’ll have to at some point because it’ll be yours.” She laughed.
“Nope, give it to Mom.”
Emily knew her granddaughter couldn’t appreciate the sentimental value the ornament possessed, but she could tell Olivia knew it would be a bad thing if the ornament broke.
“You look sad, Grams.”
She walked over to the sink and opened the window. Dust flitted through the room as the cool outside air merged with the heat from the kitchen fireplace. It was a constant battle to create a comfortable temperature in the old house. “Sit down, dear.”
She strolled over to the kitchen table and pushed a plate of fudge walnut brownies toward her granddaughter. Olivia poured them each a glass of milk. Emily wrinkled her nose in silent protest but couldn’t refuse the gesture. It was good for her, no matter how much she hated the taste and smell of milk.
Emily watched Olivia scoff down a brownie quicker than she could say the word. She enjoyed the time spent alone with her granddaughter. Soon, the day would come when Olivia wouldn’t want to spend time at her grandmother’s house to help bake Christmas cookies. Emily had seen it happen with her own daughter and she doubted that Olivia would be any different.
It had been years since she’d made a holiday dinner but every year she insisted on baking. It helped to keep her mind busy and not miss Michael so much.
“I wish you could have known your grandfather.” She turned the ornament to catch the light. Fake snow swirled about the skaters on the lake.
“Mom talks about Grandpa a lot. I know she misses him.” Olivia snatched another brownie.
Emily smiled. “I bet she does. All she ever had to do was ask for something and he jumped to help her.” She picked up a brownie and nibbled the edge of the crusty confection. “That was his way. Always eager to help someone.” And that’s how he died. She closed her eyes and remembered that day.
Michael just had to go out into the blizzard and pull his buddy out of a ditch. But that’s how he was. No one anticipated the cable line snapping and knocking him down the hill into a cluster of trees.
She couldn’t be mad even though she missed him. He was doing what had made her fall in love with him, being generous, kind, and giving. She pushed the memory aside and sighed a deep breath of relief.
“I would have liked to meet him.” Olivia took another brownie from the plate and shoved it into her mouth. “Tell me about him.”
Emily swept her hand through the air, then pointed about the room. “Your grandfather bought this house for me and restored it himself right after we got married. He made nearly every piece of wood furniture that fills the rooms of this old place.”
Emily picked up the ornament and cupped it in her hands. “But it was what he did before our wedding day that took my breath away and stole my heart forever.” Tears filled her eyes.
“What was that, Grams?” Olivia knelt on the kitchen chair and her ten-year-old face glowed with excitement.

“Well, it all started in the late ’60s…”

My Thoughts:
Wonderful.  I liked that most of the story is told as flashback, spoken by the grandma  Usually I look for the characters to pull me into the story, but in Chtristmas Spirits it is the tale itself that grabbed my heart.  I found myself thinking wistfully about friendship and true love and how many people actually find it.  I enjoyed every minute of the story and was left wiping my eyes at the sweet ending.