I got to name a Marine...

Heather Long is an outstanding author of military, paranormal, contemporary, and western romance and I've been lucky enough to call her crit partner for a few years. Actually, almost two years exactly since we just celebrated the anniversary of our friendship (which coincided with the end of a mutual publisher, sadly).

She's read all my books, offered invaluable advice, and been a cheerleader and boot in my ass when I needed it, so I'm maybe just a little fangirl over her work. Since I've read just about every word she's written in the past couple years, I feel like a proud auntie when a new book releases. With this story? A proud auntie who hung out in the delivery room.

You see, Heather bestowed a great honor on me and let me name the character in this story. I named him after a friend and rattled off a few characteristics of my uncle, a Marine himself, who served proudly. The uncle was a prankster, loving nothing more than making others laugh, and the friend was one who helped me through some really dark days.

That said, she then molded what I mentioned into a character I fell in love with. Rebel is injured in body and spirit and this Christmas tale is heartwarming. Capturing that spirit and the magic of the season, Long crafted a tale that made me laugh and cry in turns--while remaining sexy and sweet.

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this and her other holiday Marines will benefit Toys for Tots, a campaign to put gifts in the hands of children in need. If you're looking for a well told tale which gives not only in the transformative and uplifting nature of the story, but literally GIVES this season, you should look no further than Have Yourself a Marine Christmas. Better yet, snag all of the holiday Marines and settle down with a cup of cocoa and gobble them all up. I know I'll be rereading them this season :)

Have Yourself a Marine Christmas
By Heather Long
Always a Marine Series
ISBN:

Buy Links

 

Amazon | ARe | B&N | Bookstrand | Decadent | Smashwords

Blurb:

Rebel with a holiday…

Ryan Edward Brun—Rebel to his friends—has always loved Christmas. Whether raising money for Toys for Tots, delivering presents dressed up like Santa Claus or driving his platoon crazy with Christmas ‘surprises,’ he never lacked for Christmas spirit—until he lost his legs to an IED.

Operation Good Cheer…

Noël Torres has watched over Rebel for months, holding his hand when he wanted to give up, and bullying him when he got lazy. But with Christmas right around the corner and decorations filling every room in their wing of Mike’s Place, the barren oasis Rebel surrounds himself with breaks her heart. He won’t call his family, he’s not sending out cards, he won’t pull any pranks—she decides to get this Marine back into the holiday action.

An elf on a mission…

With the help of some kids, a few good Marines, and Santa Claus, Noël is determined to give Rebel a very Marine Christmas…

Find it on Goodreads!
Heather Long's Website

Discover Her Wish Before Christmas by Kimberly Quinton - A Holiday Sweet Romance

Her heart never forgot him…

Genny Ridgeway left Laurel Cove with a broken heart. Returning awakens old feelings, old longings, and the desire for long kisses beneath the mistletoe with the man who broke her heart.

 

The only thing missing is her…

Connor O’Rourke and his son finally have the home they’ve always wanted. Now, he’ll do anything for a second chance at love with the woman he let get away.

It’s Christmas time in Laurel Cove….

Surrounded by the spirit of the season and with a little posthumous help from her gypsy grandmother, can Connor prove he is the man Genny has always wanted to grant her wish before Christmas?

 

Her Wish Before Christmas

Holiday Hearts

Release Date: November 12, 2013

All Romance eBooks | Amazon | Barnes& Noble | Bookstrand | Decadent Publishing

 

About the Author:

Whether she’s writing contemporary or paranormal romance, Kimberly Quinton is a romantic at heart who strives to tell stories about the power of true love.

Since a teen, she’s loved romances and believes we can all live our happily-ever-after. Always a people watcher, it wasn’t until Kimberly shucked her Accounting major for Anthropology that her interest in people and cultures was nurtured. Kimberly has combined her natural curiosity (nosiness) with her love of romance for the sake of bringing the movies in her head to life on the page.

A wife and mother of two, Kimberly spends her days chasing chores, wrangling active kids, and writing. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, great wine and sharing a laugh with friends and family.

You can usually find her on Facebook or Twitter. Stop by for a chat.

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Happy Christmas

My kids have had a wonderful Christmas morning and I am pretty sure we are in for a fantastic Christmas day. Uncle Chad is joining us this year so not only will we be having dinner with our 'adopted' family but we will have him there to share it. On top of that, visits are planned to grandparents and aunts...

All in all a wonderful day. But the things that I am grateful for aren't under that tree... Although I am crazy grateful for everyone that helped make this morning so wonderful for my babies...

I am grateful for the people who helped make today special. I am happy that my three kids are healthy and warm this morning. I am grateful that I am alive to see it.

None of this should be taken for granted.

Our life isn't perfect. I would love to have a man to curl into while I watch the kids shredding paper from glittering presents under the glow of the tree. I would love to go get in my car and not worry that the damn thing is gonna blow up. I would love to say that I am not ever worried over money, or family issues or dramatic battles of epic proportions.

But, y'see, it doesn't matter. Because there are so many other things that are so close to perfect that this morning... I have got to sit back and say...

Thank you. Thank you to a universe that made my life so happy and full. Thank you to friends and family that make me feel loved and secure. Thank you for my children's health and that I am here on this Christmas morning to hear the little comments they are making and the rattle of Lego's newly opened.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it. And to those who don't, I wish you peace.

Writer's version of Jingle Bells...

It is getting closer and closer to Christmas...
Last year I did the Twelve Days of Writing, which you can find here.

This year, I give you The Writer's Version of Jingle Bells:

I call it Writing Sells

Dashing through the edits

In a week or maybe a day

O'er the words we go

Screaming all the way

Tracking changes blinks

Making comments bright

What fun it is to write and edit

A work in progress tonight!

(chorus)

Writing sells, writing sells,

If you work real hard.

Oh! what fun it is to write

On a contracted book tonight.

Writing sells, writing sells,

writing all the way;

Oh! what fun it is to write

On a contracted book tonight.

A day or two ago

I thought I'd write a book

And soon my editor

Had covered it with red,

The outcome seemed not bright

My plot was full of holes

I had written a fantastic book

Or so the coffee said...

Writing sells, writing sells,

If you work real hard.

Oh! what fun it is to write

On a contracted book tonight.

Writing sells, writing sells,

writing all the way;

Oh! what fun it is to write

On a contracted book tonight.

Now the changes made

I am sure I have it right,

Send it back again

but fear I've gotten it wrong.

Just get a shot of vodka

Maybe a cuppa joe

Open up a new word doc

And give it another go.

Writing sells, writing sells,

If you work real hard.

Oh! what fun it is to write

On a contracted book tonight.

Writing sells, writing sells,

writing all the way;

Oh! what fun it is to write

On a contracted book tonight.

Funny Things Kids Say- Christmas Edition

Snow is falling with a gentle pitter patter outside that sounds like the whole world is saying, "Hush!" Even me, who has a very strong love-hate relationship with the white stuff, can't help but see it and think of Christmas.

Not that I have gotten any of my decorations up yet. This is the oddball year all around. Where usually my decorations go up the day after Halloween, this year I told the kids we were cleaning the attic first...

So it is the day before December hits and still no tree.

But this hasn't stopped the kids from getting in the spirit of things. They made letters to Santa last night.

Previous years have gotten me some memorable letters to the fat red home invader. For instance, David one year asked Santa to help his grandpa walk again (the year my dad had his stroke) and last year David asked for cornbread. After opening an amazing amount of presents (including things like a telescope...) David still looked sort of sad and lost. I asked him what was wrong.

"Santa forgot the cornbread."

So I know when the letters come out that I am in for a giggle.

This year, JFAB asked Santa to send one of his evil elves (Who knew he had evil elves?) to come down and take care of the dog that keeps crapping on her bike. Y'see, as she explained to the man in red, she knows it isn't her dog doing it. The crap is the wrong size.

(She also asked for a new house for her mom because her mom needed a study and an ipad. Smart kiddo, that one.)

Justice asked for a spiked leather collar, a flaming skull hoodie and a skirt with skulls on it. The scary child doesn't fall far from the scary tree?

Ash wrote this:

Dear Santa,
Can you please get me some stuff please? You do not have to but it would be really nice if you did. Here is a list if you would like to/
1. Lego's (any kind but I suggest the big stuff)
2. Amazon Kindle (Note from mom: Yes, he wrote Amazon. Smart shoppers, my kids)
3. PSP
4. PSP games
5. Sonic Screwdriver
6. Webkinz
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid books (Look at my shelves and not those ones.)
8. Lego Dr. Who Tardis
9. Phineas and Ferb Soundtrack and Movie
10. Acen Figures (Mom translation: Action figures)
Thank you, your friend and believer
Ashton
(And then he drew a cartoon at the bottom with Santa, a tree and Santa is telling the kids to have a good day. Less disturbing than JFAB's sunbathing hairy Santa on vacation after Christmas...)

David cracked me up, as usual.
David's Christmas List (This was the header on the page)
1. Amazon Kindle
2. Slappy (mom note: this is a ventriloquist dummy from Goosebumps books)
3. Sonic screwdriver (11th Doctor)
4. Legos (any)
5. Comic books (any Marvel)
6. Walking Dead comics
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (last straw)
8. Freddy Kruger Figure
9. Origami book
10. Scary books on Kindle (Stephen King)
11. Bakugon
Merry Christmas Santa. Tell the elves hi and say hi to the halflings if they exist. Have a nice day and don't hurt yourself on the way down.
Sincerely,
David
P.S. Please send a letter back explaining how you go down the chimney please!!!
(Below all this there is a cartoon with an elf yelling ABORT ABORT!! We got A WAKER!! and a child with eyes literally popping from his head screaming AHHHH THERE IS A MAN IN MY CHIMNEY!! while Santa's butt is sticking out of a chimney with the words HO HO HO floating down in a cartoon bubble. The whole scene is made merry with a tree topped with a star.)

All in all... I love kids and Christmas.
Happy Holidays all. And may your kids amuse you as much as mine do me.

Christmas Letter

Ash- Mom, have you written the Christmas letter yet?

Me- No.

Ash- Do you have the picture you are using to send out.

Me(annoyed)- No.

Ash- Don't you have to mail that stuff out?

Me(Glaring now)- Yes!

Ash- So you are a writer and you haven't even done the Christmas letter yet?

Me- I have written many books this year. And edited them. Four got published. Four. In one year. That is four more than I have ever published before. Plus I work full time. And you haaaad to homeschool. And there are THREE of you guys. I am lucky I remember to wash my hair.

Ash- So is that some lame excuse why you haven't done it yet? Because you told me we don't make excuses when we haven't done what we are supposed to.

Me- *glare*

Ash- I will shut up now.

Terrific Tuesday!!

Snowed in, I have one little boy running around with ants-in-the-pants underwear and a teeshirt and a little girl in her Nightmare before Christmas tee and shorts. And I feel it is that time of year again...

To discuss the true meaning of Christmas!!

Me- Ash, why do we celebrate Christmas?

Ash-Pretty much it is for Jesus's birthday and it is a time for sharing.

Me- Why don't we share everyday?

Ash- I don't know! We should. Then everybody would get presents everyday.
Me- What about Santa?

Ash- He gives us presents.

Me- Why?

Ash- I don't know! Are you writing another blog?

Justice- Santa comes to give us presents like love joy and hope.

Me- How do you wrap love joy and hope?

Justice- The love joy and hope is watching others enjoy their gifts.

Me- Does that mean if he doesn't bring you anything, you would still feel love, joy and hope?

Justice- Happiness would be in your heart. I would rather have family.

Me- So do I have to get you a present? Or just show up?

Justice... You don't have to but it would make me happy.
Me- But you said you would be happy without presents.

Justice- I would be happier with presents. Maybe without presents I would be as happy as a gnat.

Me- A gnat?

Justice- Or a fat lazy cat.

Me- A gnat? (ponders what story included the Christmas Gnat...)

Justice- No. A cat. But a gnat because they are small.

Me- So... you want a bug for Christmas?

Justice-No. Aughh.

Ash- Someone hides a pickle in our tree and you get a free present. Like an extra life in a game. But a pickle. I know that about Christmas.

Me- Why a pickle?

Ash- It's a German thing. German's like pickles.

Me- Is there any meaning to the pickle?

Ash- Yes. It means it's glass. If we used a real pickle it would stink. I like nutcrackers.

Me- What do nutcrackers have to do with Christmas?

Ash- They don't do anything. They are decorations. They talk.

Me- What do they say? (there are medications for talking decorations...)

Ash- "Hello. My name is nutcracker."

Me- So decorations talk to you? What does the pickle say?

Ash- "My name is pickle. If you find me on Christmas, you get an extra pickle." All the decorations talk. If you have the magic of Christmas.
Me- What is the magic of Christmas?

Ash- Joy and Happiness. I want presents. *dances around the room... wiggling his butt*
Me- Why?

Ash- Presents make me happy. I want Draganoid Collosus and DSI. That's all.

Me- But that's expensive.

Ash- Santa gets the presents from the elves who make them in the North Pole.
Me- What do the elves get paid?

Ash- They don't. It said so on Rugrats. They do it for joy. Just like the Easter Bunny.

Me- So the Easter Bunny doesn't get paid?

Ash- No. Just joy. That is all they get.

Justice- They work for joy for making kids happy and for Christmas-sake. It is joyful for them to make stuff because it is what they are good at and what they love. I think the pickle is there because you hide it.

Me- So how does Santa get in since we don't have a chimney?

Justice- He makes one with his magical nose.

Ash- If you don't have a chimney he touches his nose and walks through the door with his big red sack. And quiet as a mouse he sticks presents under their tree. And then the children wake up and find the pickle and Santa eats cookies because they are his favorite. Sometimes Santa goes through heaters because he is waterproof and can climb like Spiderman.

Me- So Santa is like a holiday superhero?

Ash- Pretty much. He and Spiderman are probably friends. Maybe he has things on his hand like Spiderman to climb walls. And then eats cookies and milk. Spiderman and Santa probably plan Christmas.

Justice-Santa is a superhero in a way. He makes children happy and helps them believe.

Me- So Spiderman makes children and happy.

Justice- Duh. With comic books.

Me- Aaaah.

Winter Holiday Party!!

Mark December 6 on your calendar! That's the date for the Book Brew With The Coffee Crew Winter Holiday party! It will run basically all day from about noon EST to at least 8:00 pm EST and you can stop by anytime. We have over twenty authors to share excerpts and holiday stories with you to include Opal Carew, Amber Kallyn, Berengaria Brown and many others! Various Coffee Time staff members will be there too.

It's at www.coffeetimeromance.com/coffeethoughts/ which is our private blog site. We will have a special drawing for a great holiday gift basket which contains a hand made reversible lap robe with a western theme featuring hunky cowboys, a canister of Godiva cocoa mix, some mugs, a CD holding several ebooks and some small surprises! One lucky reader who posts comments will win this very neat gift. There will be a few individual author giveaways also. It's a fun time you do not want to miss. Be sure to post at least a comment or two to get in on the drawing! We hope to see you there!! Feel free to repost.