On the twelfth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the twelfth Day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me....

A book by Sara York!

We are happy to welcome Sara to our blog party today! 

Author:  Sara York

Intro: Sara York writes thrilling tales that in multiple genres. She lives on the east coast in the United States with her family and dogs. 

Today's question is:

 What would be the ultimate Christmas present?

Sara says:  There are so many things that I could say. Christmas is such a special time. I love getting surprise gifts and giving surprise gifts. An ultimate gift would have to be something so amazing and special that I couldn't get it on my own. Anything I could buy would be too easy to obtain so I think my ultimate Christmas present would have to be time with my family away from everyone else and all technology on a private island, and not just once, but every Christmas from here on out. That would be my ultimate Christmas present.

Sara's giveaway is any book in her backlist found here. To be entered tell us what your ultimate Christmas present

Sara has written the awesome Texas Soul series! 

Blurb

Texas Rough
Lane Daniels loves his job, working as a foreman on the south Texas ranch gives him the type of satisfaction he’s always craved, but the owner of Crazy Hills ranch, Gresh Hamilton Miller the third, has woven his way under Lane’s skin, leaving Lane crazy for the man’s touch. But doing the boss is out of the question.

Gresh wants more from Lane than his ability to handle livestock, he wants it all. Lane won’t give him the time of day so he forces the issue, setting up a date that Lane believes to be a business meeting. Alone together, Lane and Gresh ignite in a flash of passion.

Just when it feels like there could be something more between Lane and Gresh, the new doctor in town, Riley, sets his sights on Lane. Riley chases hard after him, insinuating himself in Lane’s life, highlighting Gresh’s faults. But Gresh won’t give up without a fight. Will Lane and Gresh be able to survive the intrusion, or will Riley be the one walking away with Lane's heart?

Texas Hard
Spurned by his heart’s desire, Riley’s aching for a fight, and he finds one with Connor, a sexy Texas lawman. Attraction fires between them, but Riley walks away, ignoring the lust between he and Connor...Until weeks later he’s caught trespassing on Connor’s new property--Naked.

Connor’s tempted to arrest the audacious naked man in his watering hole until he realizes it’s Riley. Lust muddles Connor’s logic and soon he finds himself on a path rife with temptations. Passion twists Connor inside out leading him to share one of his deepest secrets. Still Riley’s hiding something and the lack of mutual trust may end their relationship.

Then there’s the Lane factor. Riley’s ex leaves Connor feeling threatened. Riley swears it’s over, but something doesn’t sit right and Connor needs resolve. Coming to terms with their attraction means submitting to the fears haunting Connor and Riley before they can grasp the love that brought them together.

Texas Twist
Life at Crazy Hills has become crazier, and the cowboys are misbehaving. Their worlds are turned upside down as lust leads them to places they never thought they would go.

For Erick McTavish, meeting the handsome young cowboy, Sterling White, is the first sign he may be able to put the pain and the flashbacks from his brutal abduction behind him for good. Too bad Sterling doesn’t seem to return those feelings.

Determined to remain straight, Sterling hates the walking, talking temptation that is Erick, yet he can’t seem to stop his desire to experience his first kiss with a man, but not just any man, only Erick will do. The tattered remains of Sterling’s denial are stripped away when fate steps in and wickedly hot passion ignites between the pair, leaving Sterling unable to imagine a life without Erick.

Meanwhile, the bonds of friendship between Gresh, Connor, Lane, and Riley are tested when dark desire leads them down a dangerous path twisting their relationship to the max, leaving all four men wondering if any relationship is possible after betrayal.

Excerpt

Texas Rough

Sara York

Chapter One

The old girl came at him, her eyes wide and her nostrils flared. She aimed to escape, no matter what it took. She was a mean one, had been for years, always looking for trouble. He’d kept his eye on her all morning, just waiting for her to make her move. With her head low, she aimed for his gut.

Lane Daniels jumped; he scrambled up the tall metal fence, jerking his feet away from her aim seconds before her horn scrapped the rung he’d been standing on. He pushed himself over the top and dropped to his feet outside the corral. The cow bawled, jumped, bucked, and huffed, spraying spit all over the dirt where he’d been standing only moments before. He pushed back his cowboy hat and adjusted his gloves as he blew out a quick breath, thankful he’d gotten away from the cow yet again.

“Whoo boy, you almost got it in the dick, or was it your belly?” Jamie called out. He looked half like a scraggly rodeo clown with that huge smile on his face, his bright plaid shirt, and his flaming red hair sticking out from under his tan Stetson—the one Jamie’s daddy wore when he worked this very same ranch. Jamie told that story over and over again, letting Lane know just how long he’d been connected to the Crazy Hills Ranch, and how he knew the place better than anyone.

Andy, Jake, and Sterling, three of his ranch hands, busted out laughing, slapping their knees and pointing at Lane; then they danced around funny, like a cow would run them over at any moment. Lane smiled and laughed with them. They’d been at it for hours and needed some comic relief. Being the target of their jokes didn’t bug him. They all respected him as boss, even if they did rib him unmercifully during the workday. Hell, most cowboys were total practical jokers; pushing buttons and clowning around to lighten the mood and make work fun. At least his crew played nice and didn’t pull any destructive pranks.

The cattle bawled as three more calves were cut from their mammas. It was hard on the cows when their babies were culled from them. The old gal would have run him through if she’d been a bit faster and he a bit slower. She knew his actions were wrong by her. She had a little girl calf, so at least the baby wouldn’t be aching between the legs when the veterinarian finished his tasks.

Lane breathed out a heavy sigh as the cowboys went back to work. In a few months they’d be here again, doing the drill for a second time this year. Rolling Acres, the ranch next door, had asked Mister Miller to take their cows and work them, paying a handsome percentage of the profits from market. Lane had agreed to the plan—now he wished he hadn’t. Too many of Rolling Acres' cows weren’t on the same calving schedule; not that they were mismanaged, but at Crazy Hills he ran a tight ship.

Lane slapped his hands on his jeans, wiping them off. His head hurt and he wanted more coffee, some good barbecue, and maybe a hot man to snuggle with—possibly even take the edge off—but only the first two were a sure thing. He’d been up since three this morning and the sun had about hit its apex. He didn’t want to check the time, didn’t want to know how long they’d worked. He loved being a cowboy but hated working cows through the chute to give them medicine, especially the babies. Days like today made him long for a good jump zone even if he were getting shot at. At least they were almost done with the cows and then he’d have the luxury of kicking off his boots, enjoying some of that barbecue and beer with the boys while they joked with each other. Too bad he felt the need to keep his sexuality under wraps and couldn’t go into town for a quick screw. He didn’t have time off to drive into Houston for a few more weeks so getting some loving would have to wait.

The crunch of tires on gravel sounded behind him. Not today. Jamie came close again and glanced over Lane’s shoulder, his face going blank.

“Shit.” Jamie drew out the word to two syllables then spit a stream of tobacco juice into the dirt a few feet from Lane. “Here comes trouble.”

The last thing Lane wanted, or could stand, made its way to the corral. Perhaps the unexpected guest was Daddy Big Bucks and not his son, Gresh the Third. He didn’t want to look, didn’t want to know, and didn’t want to think about Gresh. Ignoring the sound of the car behind him, pretending he hadn’t heard anything on the gravel road, would only last so long. The car drew closer and slowed. Acting as if he wasn’t here would prove useless since he couldn’t ignore the man who wrote his checks. The boss ruled and expected to be catered to, especially out here in Texas ranch country. Hell, that was unfair; Gresh wasn’t too bad of a guy and Hamilton was old-school, imprinted during a different era with different expectations.

Lane’s foot started tapping and the skin nearest his spine tingled. He gritted his teeth and forbid any errant thoughts. Who the hell drove their rich ass out here to pay the ranch a visit in the middle of the week on a workday? Gresh or Hamilton? Lane turned his head in time to see Gresham Hamilton Miller the Third step out of his shiny black BMW, his Italian loafers attracting dust like flies to honey. Lane groaned and bit his lip. Damn, why did he have to think of honey and Gresh at the same time?

Lane didn’t curse and tried to not show any reaction to observing the man, though his dick didn’t obey. He forced his thoughts to go dark, thinking pain, like when his leg had snapped in two, to will his dick down. He gritted his teeth as he pulled off his well-worn work gloves. After wiping his hands on his jeans, he looked down and cursed. Filth from driving cattle and working them through the chute covered him. Dried cow shit, blood, and whatever the hell else he’d gotten into while rounding up the cattle flecked his jeans.

Gresh looked like he’d stepped off the cover of GQ. His white starched shirt and black slacks wouldn’t fly here, but he sure looked delicious enough to eat. Damn, had to be today of all days for him to show up.

Lane pushed his hat low on his head, covering his eyebrows and hiding his peepers. He didn’t want to look Gresh in the eyes and see his contempt. Lane found it humiliating enough to be covered in cow shit, he didn’t need Gresh’s judgment on his choice of employment, which Lane happened to love; well, except for today because working the cattle sucked donkey balls.

“Lane, good to see you.” Gresh held out his hand, ready to shake.

Lane started to stick out his hand but held back. “Sorry, I’m dirty from working today. Mister Miller, what can I do for you?”

“We’ve been through this before, it’s Gresh.” The million-dollar smile lit up the man’s face, leaving Lane tingly all over.

Lane pursed his lips and squared his shoulders. “If you don’t mind, you’re the boss and I like to keep it formal.” Goose pimples rose over Lane’s arms as awareness of the man raced through him.

If he said Gresh’s name out loud he’d get hard, like rock hard, and granite would have nothing on him. Too many nights he’d taken care of his wood, whispering Gresh over and over again as he ran his fingers over his pole. The name would wake up his dick and he didn’t need that. Hell, hard enough not imagining Gresh’s full lips on his body, Gresh’s hands twisting in his hair. Fuck, cool it, idiot.

“Well, I came by to say that Daddy is really pleased with your numbers this year. We were going over the financials and wanted to sit down and talk with you about next year.”

“You could have called. We’re kind of busy out here.”

Gresh looked out across the cow pens at the cowboys tossing their hats in the air, their whoops of celebration carrying across the fields.

“I think they just doctored the last of the cows,” Gresh said. “Y’all seem to be done. And if I remember correctly, tomorrow will be a light work schedule, even for the foreman.”

Lane watched as baby cows and mammas were reunited at the exit gate to the pens. Smarty-pants in the education world might not think that cows had feelings but witnessing a mamma and baby reunited after the cowboys worked them told him a different story.

“We want you to drive into Houston tomorrow. We’ll meet at the office downtown, and Daddy wants to take you to dinner.”

This time Lane groaned. A half-day away from the ranch was the last thing he needed. Fuck, he sure as hell didn’t want to spend Friday evening with Gresham Senior. Crap, not like he’d be going on a date anyway. He wasn’t out of the closet so to speak. But traveling into Houston to meet men like the Millers wasn’t exactly the type of men he wanted to play with on a late Friday night. If he took the time to drive into town he’d go straight to Get Bent, Houston’s hottest gay bar and, well, he’d get bent. Hell, maybe he would stop by the bar on the way home to take the edge off. A little poke would go a long way to relieving the pressure of being near this guy.

Gresh walked closer to the pen, his ass looking super fine in his dark slacks. The material hung just right, cupping the rounded globes of the ass he wanted to nail. Fuck, the desire to rip off Gresh’s pants and push him up against the fence raced over Lane, and he had to clench his fists to stop himself form stalking forward and claiming the man. Gresh had no idea Lane played for the other team and wanted to hump him like a dog in heat or be the one getting humped, with Gresh hanging over him, pounding into his ass. Lane shivered. The poor man would probably punch his lights out. Fuck, knowing what he did about Gresh, he’d probably find a lawyer to sue him or send him a strongly worded memo. Gresh wasn’t a pussy, but he took proper to a new level. Raised in the world of private schools and even more private clubs, Gresh lived differently than he did.

Lane had no idea how Gresh kept in shape. The guy probably belonged to one of those fancy pants gyms in the city with a personal trainer. Not that Lane cared how Gresh got his amazing body; he appreciated the muscles all the same. Too bad he’d never get the chance to run his tongue over the man’s sweet skin, finding all the dips and bulges, sucking love bites and marking the man as his own.

Gresh spun around and the smile on his face almost knocked Lane on his butt. Then again, Lane could stare at Gresh for hours and never tire of the sight.

“So, Lane. We’ll see you tomorrow downtown Houston. About three?”

Lane nodded once. “Sure. I’ll be there at three. I’m looking forward to seeing Hamilton.”

“It’s a date.” Gresh stuck out his hand for a shake and Lane almost accepted.

At the last second, Lane held up his hands and shrugged. “Sorry, still dirty.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Gresh turned around and sauntered back to his luxury car.

Lane tore his eyes off Gresh’s perfect ass before any of the other cowboys noticed Lane drooling over a man. He’d picked a bad job to match with his sexuality. Who the hell ever heard of a gay ranch foreman? He was damned good at his job and knew animal husbandry better than almost anyone this side of Houston. Crazy Hills turned a huge profit compared to most other ranches that were drying up and selling off.

Lane took pride in the work he did, but he’d never be enough to capture Gresh’s eye, much less his heart; he’d need double X chromosomes to do that. Through the entire conversation he'd kept his gaze elsewhere, afraid to meet Gresh’s eyes. What a coward. So what if two years ago Gresh had curled his lip and turned his nose up in a blatant show of snobbery every time Lane entered the room. Lane had grown wiser and ignored those types of people. But hot damn, he wished Gresh would open his eyes and stop despising the work Lane did and the way Lane made a living.

Check out what previous authors said about their ultimate Christmas present:

Lissa said: Discovering I’d won the lottery or a really big grant so I could just write for a year.

Daniel said: I have already got it! MY FAMILY, Ben, Jake, and Travis.

Havan said: Time...more time in the day, more time in the week...just more time...lol

Kimber said: Oh man!  That’s a tough one.  I don’t know.  Lol there isn't anything materialistic that I would want because no matter what it was it would lose its newness, or be used up eventually. I think my ultimate Christmas present would have to be the financial ability to open a nonprofit organization that would help teens in the lgbt community that had been put out by their families for being who they are.  That would have to be the one thing I really wish I could have.  But, since I didn't win the Power ball  I guess I’ll have to wait on that one.  But one day… *crosses fingers*

Hank said: A cruise around the Greek Islands. Ahhh…

DC said: Marriage equality in all 50 states. And slippers. O.o What?? Everyone likes new slippers!

Lee said: Ultimate Christmas present...hm. Housecleaning service for a year? A chauffeur on call? No, I know...Tyler Florence in my kitchen, wearing a kiss-the-cook apron.

Allison said: A MacBook Pro. No kidding. That’s all I want for Christmas this year. Okay, a best-seller would be awesome too, but really I’m more of a whore for Apple than I am for myself.

Jackie said: I don’t know.  I like to give more than get so I guess the ultimate would be getting that “Oh wow” gift for my hubby.  He manages to do it every year for me.  I’ve been able to do it in the past but this Christmas I’m biting the nails lol.

Pelaam said: Ooh difficult!! A best seller like 50 Shades would be pretty awesome. But, if I could have anything, it would be a dog. We currently live in rented accommodation and so the rule is no pets. I’m a huge doggie person, although cats like me too. I’d love to be able to get a rescue dog or puppy *sigh*

Dianne said: On a selfish note, I would love to have all the time I wanted in which to write. At the moment I seem to be scrounging for every minute I can come up with to work on my stories.

But the ultimate present? No, not Peace on Earth, but more like, Tolerance on Earth. Wouldn't it be nice to live in a world where we embraced and celebrated each other's differences? That would be the best present, I think.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the eleventh day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

A book by Dianne Hartsock!

Welcome Dianne to our blog party today! We are very happy to have you!

Author:  Dianne Hartsock

Intro:  After growing up in California and spending the first ten years of marriage in Colorado, I now live in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with my incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours I spend hunched over the keyboard letting my characters play.
I have to say, Oregon's raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There's something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms my hands, which kindles my imagination.
The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers I've come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. I'm always trying to capture that spirit in my writing.
Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

Today's question is:

How old were you when you decided there was no Santa?

Dianne says: I think I was about eight years old when my cousin, who was my age but much more worldly-wise, told me there was no Santa. I felt devastated and went crying to my older sister. She calmed me down, and after she explained that Mom and Dad were Santa's helpers, well, I felt much better about the whole thing.

I think the myth of Santa adds that touch of magic to the holidays that I love so much. It's harmless fun, and I know my kids still enjoy getting full stockings on Christmas morning!

Our giveaway today is a copy of Merry Christmas Shelton! To enter for a chance to win a copy leave a comment telling us your favorite holiday tradition!

Can Shelton and Nevil overcome the obstacles of a blizzard, a baby, and one hot redhead and find their way to a merry Christmas?

Shelton and Nevil have rented a cozy cabin in the mountains in which to spend the Christmas holiday. Tree is lit. Presents sparkle. Shelton anticipates a very merry Christmas indeed. But then a blizzard springs up, landing a sexy redhead on their doorstep looking like trouble in a pretty package.

Tommy brings a message for Nevil, but when he first hits on Shelton in the shower, then offers to drive Nevil to his sister's side while she has her baby, Shelton begins to wonder just how this mixed up Christmas is going to end.

Find it here at Breathless Press!

Check out what previous authors have to say about how long they believed in Santa:

Lissa said: Seven or eight I think.

Danny said: THERE IS NO SANTA????

Havan said: What are you talking about? Santa isn't gonna put you on the nice list if you keep talking like that...sooooo, wanna join the naughty list with me? *winks*

Kimber said: Lol I was thirteen, believe it or not.  I held on as long as I could, but my dad left the tools sitting out in the living room after he put something together and I realized I had to let the idea go.

Hank said: WHAT?!?!

DC said: I never believed in Santa. We didn't have a chimney. LOL

Lee said: What? Dude...You're kidding right? I saw him over at the mall just the other day...

Allison said: I can’t even remember. I had to keep pretending because I had a little brother who was four years younger than me, so I didn’t want to ruin it for him.

Jackie said: My sis, Steph told me when I was five.  I was pretty devastated but in her defense I was hoarding in on her gifts and annoying the heck out of her.  Every eleven year old has a breaking point with the younger sibling.  Nabbing her gifts was it :D

Pelaam said: I think I was five or six. My Uncle used to come and stay with us, so he got my bed (which was normally in my parent’s bedroom and moved to a spare room) and I shared their bed. This particular Christmas, I couldn’t sleep and got the usual dire warnings of no presents. I always hung a pillow case at the base of the bed. My Mom came in and took it, and I crept down the hallway after her, thinking the worst. When I peeked into the lounge, she, my Dad and Uncle were filling it with gifts. I tiptoed back to bed and never told them what I’d seen.

On the tenth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the tenth of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

A book by Author Pelaam

Author:  Pelaam

Intro:  Born in the UK, I now reside in New Zealand, a very beautiful country. I'm an Art Historian (MA Art History).

I write M/M romance and my favorite genres for writing are fantasy, sci fi, and supernatural.

I grew up on Dr Who, Star Trek, and the original Night Stalker series which, along with a love of mythology, provide inspiration for my writing.

I won the Literotica Best Gay Male Halloween story for 'A Call from the Heart' and the overall Best Gay Male story for "Opposites Attract'.

Today's question is:

Do you decorate for Christmas? If so, how extreme are you? 

Pelaam says: I love decorating for Christmas. There is already a fibre optic tree in the bedroom and the first tree is up and decorated on the upper floor. The ground floor tree isn’t up yet, but will be possibly this weekend. I don’t decorate the room, apart from ornaments like angels or Santa swag bags – I don’t think I’m extreme in the least, I just love Christmas.

Our giveaway today is a copy of Christmas Magic. To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment telling us how you decorate for Christmas!

Mitchell is unhappy with his relationship with John and his life in general. Then he meets his store's latest Christmas elf, who is not exactly what he seems. Linwood fights to protect Mitchell but their differences may make forever impossible.

Find it here at Silver!

Check out what previous authors have said about how they decorate for Christmas:

Lissa said: Yes and no. I have decorations, but they are for my young nieces to put up. So there are lights that go on my balcony (really just thrown there) and sometimes I put up a tree for them to decorate, and my windows are almost always covered with clings that they rearrange every time they come over.

Danny said: If so how extreme are you? Not very extreme, no one sees our decorations anyway….we live in BFE. Usually the tree, a wreath on the front door, a few mantel décor is about the max for us.

Havan said: Depends on how we feel...and we seem to add (and/or subtract) throughout the season...just all depends lol

Kimber said: I've got four kids, although my oldest is grown. So, yeah, I decorate. The tree (which is artificial and my daughter hates because she says it’s not Christmas without the pine smell), my middle son is autistic and a crafty little joker so my walls are covered in our craft projects, and if I’m really feeling motivated, I’ll put lights up outside.

Hank said: We used to, but not that much any more. We have two young cats and haven’t put up a tree in years. We do have a big wreath strung with lights that we use as our “tree,” a gift from my partner’s sister.

DC said: I put up a tree, and we have a couple things we put out. I also have an electric Menorah, because I'm a fabulously ghetto Jew.

Lee said: We put up a tree, decorate with tinsel, lights, and bulbs. That's about it. The cat and dog tend to eat other ornaments if we set them around. Oh, and we have a gorgeous manger set that we put on the sideboard.

Allison said: I did the first year in the first house I owned. I went all out, made my own Yule log and everything, even threw a party. Since we travel for Christmas, I stopped.

Jackie said: Yes!  I’m not too extreme but I do have to have a real tree with about a thousand lights. Okay, I guess that’s extreme for a seven footer.  Plus I put lights up around the house, clay houses and Christmas beanies.  Even the kids have their own tree and fisher price Santa toys that come out.   Did I say I wasn't extreme? O.o  Might need to retract that one. 

On the ninth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the ninth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

A book by Jackie Nacht!

Author:  Jackie Nacht

Intro:  Hi all!  I’d like to give a shout out to Jenny and Missy for having me on their blog today. Thank you.  To all of you partiers, I’d love to give away one of the two releases that came out December 15th.  If we have 25 comments today, I’ll give both of them away.  But what should you comment on? Hmmm…  My question to all you readers, bloggers and authors out there, what is your favorite holiday cartoon?  Mine is Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol followed neck and neck with Charlie Brown Christmas.  I dig the songs and razzleberry dressing :D  But it’s hard to beat Charlie Brown and Linus picking out that cute little tree.  Have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by.  Hugs!  

Today's question is:

Which is your favorite reindeer?

Jackie says: Clarice because she loved Rudolph red nose and all.  I know she’s not one of the original but in the original claymation version show, the originals were meanie- butts lol.

Okay you heard her! Today's giveaway is a copy of one of her new releases, either Paper Cuts and Mistletoe or See. If we get at least 25 comments, she'll give away one of each! Jackie wants to know What is your favorite holiday cartoon! 

Paper Cuts and Mistletoe: Who thought paper cuts and sabotaging Christmas lights could bring two men together?

    Kipp is having one hell of a time after graduating from college. Subbing jobs are pretty inconsistent and desperate times call for desperate measures. He finds himself working as a gift wrapper at the department store in the mall during the Christmas season. Kipp can freely admit that he sucks at it but needs the cash to stay in his tiny apartment. Then he sees Jesse working at the mall, the guy he grew up with but never had the courage to talk to. Can these two finally connect after all these years? Is this nightmarish job going to give him the best present of all…an opportunity to get to know the crush he’s had most of his life?

    Authors Note: This book may be read as a stand-alone, story but for better reading enjoyment, you may want to read secondary characters, Xathan and Chaddrick’s story in Full Disclosure on Black Friday.

See:  When love allows you to see in your darkest hour.

     

    Drew has had a tough couple of months. Coming out to his parents wasn't too bad except it hasn't been brought up since. However, coming out to his friends his freshman year in high school is a whole different story. His friends turn their backs on him and have become leaders in the daily tortures he has since had to endure. When a humiliation page pops up on the internet showing pictures of Drew being bullied, he decides to end it all.

    Just before he takes his life, the fourteen-year-old Mason appears telling him that he will be Drew’s husband in the future and spirits are guiding him to help stop Drew from making an irreversible mistake. Mason will be advised to take Drew on a journey to see what his future would be like if he didn't end his life. When Drew is still unconvinced, Mason will show Drew the impact his life will have on the others around him if he does end it all. Will Mason be able to show him that Drew has a future to live for and give him the guidance to help him get through his darkest hour?

Find them here at Extasy Books!

Find out what previous authors have said on what their favorite reindeer is:

Lissa said: Rudolph?

Danny said: Most will say Rudolph … so I will say… COMET…. Just for the hell of it. LOL

Havan said: um...Vixen...*waggles brows*

Kimber said: It’s gonna be trite, but it’s Rudolph. He was the underdog, so to speak. I have always been willing to go to battle for the underdog. Lol I might be the only one playing with him, but he wouldn’t be alone or mistreated.

Hank said: Rudolph, of course (see my response to my favorite Christmas story here). But Prancer is  a close second. I think it’s the name, just that much fancier than Dancer.

DC said: Rudolph, of course. And not just because I played him in my kindergarten production of "Santa Comes to Town"

Lee said: I have two. Donner and Blitzen have been my favorite reindeer since I was a child. We had this album called Snoopy's Christmas, and one of the songs was the story of Donner and Blitzen. It was great, told about how shy they were, and I really identified with those two.

Allison said: There’s reindeer? Um… yeah, I’ve got nothing for this one.

On the eighth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the eighth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me..

A book by Allison Cassatta!

Welcome Author Allison Cassatta to our Christmas blog party!

Author:  Allison Cassatta

Intro:  Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, big-city life was a rat race that kept her busy in her career. It took moving with her new husband to a sleepy Mississippi town to make her realize that dreams can come true, and did they ever. She found herself a published author. She found her perfect romance.

She has an eye for the visually stunning and a mind that screams to bring that beauty to life. She gives her readers something they can feel in the depth of their hearts, creates worlds they can touch, and characters who become your best friend or worst enemy.

Today's question is:

Do you dress up for the holidays or is it casual?

Allison says: Casual all the way. Usually, you won’t see me dressed up. I’m not graceful enough for heels.

Our giveaway today is a copy of any books on Allison's backlist, which can be found here.  To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment telling us about if you do the holidays fancy or casual.

See what the previous authors have to say on how they dress for the holidays:

Lissa says: Casual. My fam doesn’t care if I wear jeans and a tshirt. But they’d look at me funny if I did dress up.

Daniel says: Casual…we are just country boys here

Havan says: Casual...without a doubt...if I ain't getting paid for my time the heels stay off...um...I mean at the EDJ—honest that's what I mean...*heads desk giggling*

Kimber says: Casual all the way. I’ve always been a ‘what you see is what you get’ kinda person. I’m happiest in jeans and a t-shirt.

Hank says: Nicely casual? LOL! My partner’s sister and niece make an amazing Christmas Day dinner and spend the day in their pajamas. So we wear blue jeans and take sleep pants with us.

DC says: Pfft. Do I dress up ever, is the better question, and the answer is hell naw.

Lee says: When it's just us, we're pretty casual, jeans and long sleeve tees.  If there are guests we go dress up. This year, there are guests, so we'll be doing the dressy thing.

 

On the seventh day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the seventh day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me....

A book by Lee Brazil!

Please help us welcome Author Lee Brazil to our lovely book cave. 

Author:  Lee Brazil

Intro:  I am a former English grammar andcomposition instructor who relocated from sunny Southern California to thecountryside of Illinoisa bit more than a year ago. I occupy my days here with gardening, reading andwriting. Falling in love has been the biggest adventure of my life, and I hopeto share that with readers through my writing.

Today's question is: 

Would you consider writing a kinky Santa story?

Lee says: No, I don't think so. To me, Santa is an icon ofchildhood, innocence, purity. Kink? Not so much. It would be like defiling theEaster Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.

Our giveaway today is a copy of The Interview. To enter for a chance to win a copy leave a comment letting us know if you would read a kinky Santa story or if you feel it's best to keep Santa's innocence!

When Ben learns his lover's business travel means he'll be gone for the holidays, he begins to rethink their relationship. Ben's family steps up to keep him busy, but does he dare ask Cris to put him before the job?

Find it here at All Romance!

Check out what previous authors have said on if they would write a kinky story:

Lissa said: Maybe. I don’t write a lot of kink in general, maybesomething more romantic?

Daniel said: Sure, why not

Havan said: Oh absolutely! I mean have you seen the way that he whips those reins?*swoons* He is sooooo Dom...

Kimber said: Lol oh absolutely!

Hank said: I kind of have, twice now! One is posting this monthand involves a stripper pole, the other will be included in my self-publishedshort story collection Another Very Dirty Dozen, and is titled “Maul Santa.”

DC said: You know, I would've said yes to this a few weeks ago,but I recently read one and I have to say… it was just icky. So… no. ::shakeshead::

On the sixth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the sixth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

A book from DC Juris!

Missy and I are excited to welcome Author DC Juris, also known as Danny, to our book cave!

Author:  DC Juris

Intro:  A Southern transplant who has retained none of his accent but all of his charm, DC Juris is an out and proud transgender bisexual living in Upstate New York with his husband, four dogs, three cats, and a menagerie of Halloween props just creepy enough to keep people guessing about his sanity. He's still hopelessly single when it comes to the woman in his life, and he'll gladly entertain offers or applications for the position! In the rare event that he's not writing, DC can be found surfing the internet for random research, killing things on his Xbox, reading, taking pictures of the world around him, or playing Farmville, to which he admits a complete and totally blissful addiction. You can keep up with him at www.facebook.com/danielchristianjuris, or www.dcjuris.com.

Today's question is:

What is the most rewarding gift you've ever given?

Danny says: I did an Angel Tree present on year. The Salvation Army sets up Christmas trees decorated with cards bearing kids' names and what they want and need on them, and you pick one. You buy the presents, bring it back to the tree, and then the parents get to wrap it so the kids think Santa/they bought the stuff. I picked a couple kids and went shopping for them. I got things they needed, like coats, shoes, etc., but I also got toys as well, because, it's Christmas after all. A month or so later, I saw a little girl wearing a coat like the one I'd bought. I figured, meh, there's probably hundreds of little girls running around in that coat, and then her mother called her name, and I recognized it from my tree card. That was very cool, seeing her in her coat and some clothing I'd bought her. I like doing stuff like that.

Our giveaway today is a copy of Family Matters! To enter for a chance to win leave a comment telling us the most rewarding gift you've ever given! 

Blurb: Chains? Check. Lube? Check. Popsicles? Check!! Oscar and his transgender lover, Derek, are all set for a long weekend of some much needed--and not just a little bit kinky--alone time. When Derek gets an invitation to a get-together from his mother, Oscar is excited for the chance to finally meet Derek's elusive family, even if it'll cut their "festivities" short. But he soon learns the reasons why he hasn't met them yet - the majority of Derek's family, including his mother, are trans-phobic  Oscar and Derek attend the function anyway, but the stress sends Derek into an all-night migraine, and Oscar is forced to look for help from the last person he wants to: Derek's mom, Beverly. Can Oscar convince Beverly that Derek is her child, regardless of gender? Or will Beverly's narrow-minded ways split her family apart for good?

Find it here at Breathless Press!

Check out what previous authors had to say on what the most rewarding gift they've ever given was:

Lissa: I think putting my writing out there is pretty rewarding. It’s a little longer term to have a story that people might remember, than to just give them a gift card or even an e-reader. I guess if people don’t like the stories then it’s not a reward for them, but since it’s more work than shopping and wrapping and all that will ever be, it’s probably the best I can offer.

Daniel: For the past two years Ben and I volunteer our Christmas morning at the local rescue mission. We help prepare and serve a lot of the needy in the area, and those less fortunate than we are. It is very rewarding, and makes you take a moment and appreciate all that you do have. So many have much less.

Havan: Um...rewarding for me or him? Okay, we'll stick with sweet and innocent here and say every year my kiddos want gift cards to bookstores, that always makes me happy happy. :)

Kimber: The years I can give something to a child that isn't going to get Christmas. That's my most rewarding gift. Children lose their innocence too quickly these days. The real world is only a few short years away. They should have it as long as they can. 

Hank: I love giving gifts. Six or seven years ago, we had a nice flow of cash and I took someone I worked with at the time who became a very good friend to the mall under pretense of buying something for another friend. We looked at iPods, and I asked her which she thought was best, and at lunch afterwards, I handed it to her and wished her Merry Christmas. That was a lot of fun.

On the fifth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

On the fifth day of Christmas my Kindle gave to me...

A book from Hank Edwards!

Jenny and I are excited to welcome Hank to our little cave!

Intro:  Hank Edwards has been called "silly" and "irreverent" and "a dirty old man," and all of these descriptions are true. He was born and still lives in a northwest suburb of Detroit, MI, and has been fortunate enough to see seven novels published, including the Charlie Heggensford series of adventures available from Lethe Press: "Fluffers, Inc.," "Carnal Cruise," and "Vancouver Nights." Another four books are available from Loose Id, LLC, including the suspense novella "Holed Up," and sequel "Shacked Up," the medieval time-travel romance "Destiny's Bastard," and the contemporary romantic comedy "Plus Ones."

He is also a member of the Story Orgy group (www.facebook.com/SOGroup), a clan of writers who started posting prompt-inspired stories every week on their blogs. "And the Prompt Is... Volume One," "And the Prompt Is... Holiday Edition," “And the Prompt Is… Road Trip,” and "Word Play," are the available anthologies, and all are available in Kindle format.

Here is today's question!

Do you have a favorite Christmas story?

Hank says: I love Rudolph. Not just the animated special (which still totally rocks, decades later, by the way), but the story itself. As a child growing up feeling different from every one else, it helped me feel better about being such an individual.

Our giveaway today is a copy of book one in the Venom Valley Series - Bounty. To enter to win a copy leave a comment telling us your favorite Christmas story!

Blurb:

In the small frontier town of Belkin’s Pass, Josh Stanton’s past has kept him from being accepted by everyone else. Raised by the local school teacher after his mother vanished one dark night, Josh has made only one true friend the fifteen years he’s lived there: Dexter Wells. When a tragedy teaches Josh he has the ability to raise the dead, he becomes a wanted man and flees on horseback into the arid plains of Venom Valley. Pursued by Dex, now a town deputy, the two realize their friendship has deepened into love and they struggle to move forward without destroying their bond of friendship. But a dark stranger pursues them, a man who stalks the night, feeding on the blood of the living and leaving his victims changed. Josh and Dex join forces with Glory, a half white, half Indian saloon girl protected by a Native American spirit, and struggle to defeat this powerful vampire before the entire town is lost.

Excerpt:

“Josh!” Dex knelt in front of him and grabbed his shoulders. He gave Josh a rough shake, but Josh could not focus. All he knew, all he could feel, was the heated rush of his blood.

Dex pulled Josh against him, hugging him against his chest. As if through a wall of rushing sound, Josh heard the crack of Dex’s Colt and felt the jump of the man’s shoulder as Dex held off the wolves. Then Dex had his hands under Josh’s arms and was dragging him across the hard packed sand and dirt to the mine entrance. Josh tried to speak, tried to warn Dex not to get any closer, but his tongue was hot and swollen behind his teeth.

Josh felt himself spin around, and then Dex sat him up against the weathered and rotting boards that covered the old mine entrance. Cool, dank air washed over him, bringing with it a hint of things left too long in the damp. The cool air chilled his fevered, sweaty skin and Josh shivered. His senses returned a little, and he watched Dex kneeling before him, protecting him, waving the burning branch at the advancing wolves as he shouted. Dex was saving his bullets, Josh knew, for when the wolves were close enough for them to feel their breath.

Soft, skittering sounds whispered out of the mine. Shuffling, crackling sounds that sent a familiar chill through him. Someone, something, was moving behind the rotting boards that covered the mine entrance. Josh slowly turned his head, the rugged, splintered surface of the board beneath catching in his sweat-damp hair.

A face with skin dry as parchment hovered just on the other side of a gap in the boards. Rotted teeth stuck up from brown gums and a milky white eye rolled to meet Josh’s gaze. The thing let out a rank gasp of air as it moaned and stuck skeletal fingers through the narrow gap, the tips brushing along Josh’s cheek.

He gave a start, the touch of the thing snapping him from his daze even as the heat in his body burned hotter. More fingers from other walking corpses reached out for him. Josh pushed away from the boards that covered the mine, letting out a shout of fear. As he watched, a number of bone thin hands gripped the edges of the boards and pulled them apart, making a path for the walking dead miners to shuffle out toward them.

Find it here at Amazon, All Romance, Smashwords & B&N!

Check out what the previous authors have to say about if they have a favorite Christmas Story:

Lissa: No. Though one of the ones I read last year was pretty memorable. I Heard Him Exclaim by ZA Maxfield. I liked the skinny Santa thing.

Daniel: I think this year will be the best one yet for us. It is the first year we will celebrate the holidays as a family of 4.

Havan: The Gift of the Magi is always a fave of mine...but there are a lot out there that I just have to read this time of year...every year *big smiles*

Kimber: Wow. That kinda caught me off-guard. I haven't thought of a Christmas story in years. I think The Cajun Night Before Christmas would be my favorite or what I think of in terms of a Christmas story,  I guess.