Count Down to Christmas Blitz: An Unexpected Proposal by Annette Lyon

While working at a wood camp in the Logan canyon during the winter of 1880, Caroline Simpson is forced to thwart the aggressive advances of Mr. Butch Larson, and in the process discovers that her long-time friend James has genuine affection for her. But as stubborn as Caroline is, she minimizes the emotions James has awakened in her, and it takes almost losing him to admit her true feelings. 

AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL was introduced in the first volume of the bestselling and award-winning Timeless Romance Anthology series, WINTER COLLECTION:

**Amazon #1 Bestselling *New Release* in Clean Romance 

**Amazon Top 10 in Regency Romance  

**Amazon Top 5 in Victorian Romance                                                                                                                                                                          

     

Annette Lyon is the Whitney Award-winner author of Band of Sisters and a three-time recipient of Utah’s Best of State Medal for fiction, twice for novels and a third time for her novellas. She has received many publication awards from the League of Utah Writers, including the Silver Quill for her first book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series, Paige. She’s published more than a dozen novels, even more novellas, several nonfiction books, and over 120 magazine articles, and she has a cum laude BA in English from BYU. When she’s not writing, knitting, or eating chocolate, she can be found mothering and avoiding the spots on the kitchen floor.


Q and A with the Author:

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

This novella was my first attempt at writing short fiction. I’d long believed that I could never write anything shorter than a novel—I just couldn’t. But then I tried. It wasn’t easy, but it worked, and I liked the final result. And then I continued writing them—I’ve since written well over a dozen novellas. That was the biggest thing I learned from An Unexpected Proposal—that I can exercise and use writing muscles I didn’t know I had!

What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it?

Thanks to my ADD, staying focused is always a challenge. Ironically, when my children were little and I had only short snatches of time to write, I was remarkably productive. I used those snatches efficiently. Turns out I can’t focus for hours and hours at a time. I need to take breaks—and not fall down the shiny Internet rabbit hole. My newest weapon to defeat distraction is a tread desk setup I rigged on our treadmill. Movement helps me focus, and on the tread desk, I set up my laptop on the shelf, walk at about 1.6 miles per hour, and suddenly I can work for two or three hours, no problem.

Connect with the Author here:

                  

Snippet

This—her first real kiss—was a moment she would treasure and remember all her life, but she also knew that James wasn’t for her, and that the romantic moment had happened purely out of the intense emotions they had both experienced immediately prior. That, and the bewitching moonlight.

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Count down to Christmas Blitz: Undertow: Death's Twilight by Claudette Melanson

-->Undertow: Death's Twilight by Claudette Melanson

Claudette Melanson writes & edits in Guelph, Ontario, with her husband Ron and four bun babies: Tegan, Pepper, Butters & Beckett. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English and an MA in Literature. She's wished to be a Vampire since age five. She hopes to one day work full time as an author, since there are many, many books living inside her head.

In her spare time she enjoys watching Japanese Anime and reading vampire stories....along with other great fiction. She is also very interested in good health and is an advocate of Ketogenic eating, using whole and natural foods. Her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee, cashew flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond, coconut or cashew flours.

Future dreams include writing many more books and spending more time with her son Jacob. Her biggest dream is to make Universal Halloween Horror Nights a yearly event with hubby and son. A Rabbit Rescue fanatic, she also hopes to help rescues all over the world save many innocent lives.

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-->Maura finally found the truth she was always seeking…or has she?

After being left in the dark for all of her life, Maura’s father, Maxwell, has finally returned to reveal sinister family secrets Maura could never have dreamed possible—including his revelation that she is one of The Born. But his daughter soon discovers both he and her mother are keeping pieces of her reality hidden, still. As Maura struggles to unravel the mysteries surrounding her new existence and discover every piece of the cryptic puzzle, life appears intent on casting stumbling blocks across her path with every step forward.

Tragedy seems to stalk Maura, and those around her, as she stumbles along, altering the young changeling’s family, just when they have all come back together. The changes left in its wake could be for the better, or may threaten their existence, entirely.

With the arrival of Christmas comes the opportunity for Maura to draw close to everyone she loves—and finally reunite with Ron, the man she loves. But permanence has always eluded her, and in her current state of flux this pattern endures, as fate seems intent on snapping the threads that bind her to those she holds most dear. Maxwell’s good intentions pave a road for Maura, littered with misery, while her mother, Caelyn’s, desire to shield her family from pain may tear her away from them, altogether. The perfect happiness in the young vampire’s grasp is so easily swept away and dragged under, out of reach. Can Maura erupt from the darkness and confusion to break the surface and find the life she’s always dreamed of?

In the midst of chaos, assistance materializes in the form of another of her kind—ephemerally beautiful, yet explosively volatile, this new vampire may prove capable of unlocking the puzzle-box Maxwell seems intent on securing from her sight. Maura will discover the darkest parts of herself in her quest to understand the being she is destined to become. Her newfound friend has some shady intentions of his own—such as thwarting the love that has grown between Maura and Ron. Following in the wake of the impulsive vampire’s misguided instruction may further pull a naive Maura down into the depths of ultimate despair, heartbreak…and even destruction.

-->

10 Favorites

My Bunnies…and other bunnies

Vampires

Bulletproof Coffee

Halloween – especially Horror Nights at theme parks

Rollercoasters & theme parks

Horror Movies

Reading

Writing Conferences & Meeting Readers

Writing

Traveling somewhere new…or a little familiar

And a fun Author Q&A

1.      What inspired your book?  Dreams.  I’ve dreamed of Maura for years and then when I started writing her she took up residence inside my head 
2.      How do you spend your free time?  Free time?  What’s that, lol?  I write every minute I can, since I still have a full-time day job. 
3.      What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it?  Time.  I never have enough time to write and the weekends just aren’t enough.  It’s torture to want to write when you’re at work all day. 
4.      When did you first realize you were an author?  At about age five.  I was writing everything that went on around me and descriptions of the scenery inside my head.
5.      If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main character roles?  Maura would be played by Alix Elizabeth Gitter, but she’d have to wear dark brown contacts lol.  Monica Belluci might be a good pick for Caelyn.  For Ron, definitely Keith Longhorn or Michael Hudson.  
6.   What kind of music do you listen to while you write?  All kinds.  I like a huge variety and have a song or two for each chapter that makes up a playlist for the book.  It’s more dark and not part of the mainstream. I really love Muse and Anberlin

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Count down to Christmas Blitz: Getting Kole for Christmas by Kimberly Krey

Kylie’s been crushing on Kole for two years now, but can she get him to see her as more than a friend?

For years Kylie has watched her older sisters get asked to every school dance there is. Yet once she’s old enough to go, the invites are in short supply. While getting overlooked has never felt good, it hasn’t really hurt the way it does this year. Because now there’s someone she really wants to go with: Kole Kingston. Kole is charming and funny. Gorgeous and kind. And everything she wants in a guy. Trouble is, he’s also her very best friend. Can Kylie tear herself free from the friend-zone in time to get asked to the Christmas dance? Or will she – like so many others – find that a romance between them will never be?

                                

Kimberly Krey specializes in writing "romance that's clean without losing the steam!"   She's a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry. She discovered her love for writing in college when given a creative writing assignment. She still remembers sitting in the lamplight's glow, crafting words to depict the vision in her head. That assignment sparked a passion within her. It took years to return to that passion, but now that she has, she counts it among her greatest blessings.

Krey is author of the top-selling Sweet Montana Bride series, as well as its companion series, Second Chances. 

Q and A With the Author:

1-  Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

It’s something that took root over time, I’d have to say. 

2-   Give us an insight into how your writing day/time is structured?

I’m very fortunate, since I get to stay at home and write while the kids are at school and the hubby’s at work. Even still, I must be strict with my time and not let distractions, phone calls, emails and errands eat up that time. I try to spend at least 4-5 hours writing / editing on the weekdays. I spend many hours aside from that musing on my work throughout the week and weekend. 


Connect with the Author here:

       

Snippet

Once the thin straps are looped over my shoulders, I spin to face the mirror, unable to wait another minute.

            I feared – very badly –while waiting on that couch that if I did work up the nerve to try on this dress it would be an utter disappointment. I worried that my plain appearance would somehow clash with something so elegant. Yet I can admit – at least to myself – that this is not the case. I step closer to the mirror, holding the unzipped dress with one hand, and lifting my hair with the other.

            I’ve never been a fancy, flashy pretty-like-my-sisters sort of girl. I’m more simple. Common, I guess. But in this moment, in this very dress, I could swear the girl in the mirror is beautiful.

            I smile and fight back tears all at once. I feel relief above all else. Relief that I can actually like myself in an evening gown, even if I may never have the occasion to wear one during my high school life.

            A wave of disappointment pulls me from that spot as I realize that Kole will never see me in this dress. Never see me looking the way I do right now. 

“Do you need help with the zipper?” 

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Count Down to Christmas Blitz: Unwrap the Romance: Six Christmas romances to warm your heart

5 amazing authors from 5 Prince Publishing have come together to make this wonderful Anthology. Let's get to know them.

Romance author by night, pharmacist by day, Amy Gale loves rock music and the feel of sand between her toes.  She attended Wilkes University where she graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. In addition to writing, she enjoys baking, scary movies, rock concerts, and reading books at the beach.  She lives in the lush forest of Northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, six cats, and golden retriever.

Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends.  Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter.  At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years.

In 2007 – after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children – Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of being published.  That year she wrote 12 books.  In 2009  she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born.  In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released contemporary titles and has begun the process of taking on other authors in other genres. 

Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events.  She is also an accomplished martial artist, working her way to her second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.  An avid reader she loves to meet readers who enjoy reading contemporary romances and she always promises Happily Ever After.

 Jessica Dall finished her first novel at age 15 and been writing ever since. She is the author of such novels as Grey Areas and The Bleeding Crowd, the Broken Line Series, and a number of short stories which have appeared in both literary magazines and anthologies. When not writing, she works as a freelance editor and creative writing teacher in Washington, DC.

Railyn Stone hails from the TarHeel State and is a romantic at heart. She believes you can find romance in the simplest aspects of life and enjoys letting her imagination run wild. Trying new restaurants, listening to music, playing golf and writing over the top stories about ordinary people are the hobbies she cherishes most.

 Lisa is happily married to her soul-mate and they have a daughter and two crazy dogs. She especially enjoys being creative and now writes almost full time.

In 2012 Lisa and her family relocated from England to their beloved Scotland; a place of happy holidays and memories for them. Her new location now features in all of her books.

Writing has always been something Lisa has enjoyed, although in the past it has centered on poetry and song lyrics. Some of which appear in her stories.

Since she started writing in 2012 she has loved every minute of becoming a published author.

Susan Lohrer grew up all over western Canada and lives in BC with her husband, their two children who are still at home, three dogs, and far too many aquariums. She believes life is always better with a healthy dose of humor.

Let's look at these 6 great stories!

BERNADETTE MARIE~Bestselling Author
A Romance for Christmas~ A Keller Family Christmas Novella
Tiffany longed to have the kinds of relationships she’d watched her best friend’s family create over the years. The Keller and Benson families forged long lasting—true love relationships that come once in a lifetime. Unfortunately, her romances were a little more on the freestyle side. That was until she met country music bass player Blake and it turned out to be the best Christmas ever.


LISA J. HOBMAN~Bestselling Author
Last Christmas – A The Girl Before Eve Christmas Novella
After two blissful years of marriage, Lily and Adam are going strong. Their relationship was always based on friendship and so they can pretty much get through anything.
That is until an opportunity of a lifetime is presented to Lily which will take her overseas to the USA.
Adam's role teaching high school English has been a part of his life for so long and the thought of upping sticks and moving across the Atlantic really doesn't appeal. Can he convince Lily that their life is in Scotland or will the promise of a new career in Hollywood be too good for feisty, independent Lily to pass up?
Is this one obstacle too far for the best friends turned husband and wife?

RAILYN STONE~Bestselling Author
Restored Hearts
EnVee McAlister just bought a house. It’s an old Victorian home that needs a lot of work, especially if she wants to get into it by Christmas.
Logan Edwards is the contractor she’s hired to help her. Unfortunately, he’s not like any man she’s ever encountered and his arrogance and crass demeanor is making it hard to deal with him. Both she and Logan hold no punches and their terribly blunt personalities clash like oil and water.
But when she finds out about Logan’s tragic past, it forces her to deal with her own insecurities and emotions she’s desperately tried to forget. And instead of a house for Christmas, EnVee receives something she never expected.

SUSAN LOHRER~Bestselling Author
A Christmas for Chloe
When free spirit Jessica Caldwell’s daughter is diagnosed with Down syndrome weeks before Christmas, her carefree existence sheds its holiday glitter in a collision with the regimented world of pediatric medical care.
For Brendan Kean, their first family Christmas is going to be the highlight of his life—until he learns their baby has Downs. Now his tangled feelings for his tiny daughter just make him want to spend more time at work. This Christmas is turning into such a disaster that some days it feels like even Santa is out to get him.
Jessica and Brendan are trying to salvage Christmas and their relationship the best they can—but could baby Chloe’s diagnosis be the one thing that shows them the true meaning of Christmas?

AMY L. GALE~Bestselling Author
Christmas Blitz
Small town real estate agent Holly Clifford is counting the seconds until she pays off the debt incurred from caring for her sick mother and can move out of Hilldale Vermont forever. After forfeiting her college scholarship to Eastern University Law School to be at her mother’s side, she obtained her real estate license and took a position at Trust Reality. NICK SHAW is on the path to victory. As a high school football hero turned rookie star wide receiver of the newest NFL team, the Iowa Talons, success is all he knows. But sometimes there’s things fame and money can’t buy. When Nick returns to Hilldale, he puts on offer on a lakeside mansion up for sale by Trust Reality and turns Holly’s life upside down. Can she stay on track and resist Nick’s charm or will she blitzed by Hilldale’s football hero this Christmas?

JESSICA DALL
Holidays Past
It doesn't feel much like Christmas in Green Haven this year. With bad weather and a relatively empty town, Marc is starting to regret not going home for the holidays. When an old flame shows up, however, a second chance at love might be worth the Christmas away.

Get your copy of this book today!
www.amazon.com/Unwrap-Romance-Bernadette-Marie-ebook/dp/B0161NRAYI/

Let's get to know one of the authors and their story!

Author Q&A

1.      What is your favorite part of writing? Seeing the characters’ reactions to life’s big moments.

2.      Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? The importance of family and friendship.

3.      Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? It was one of those little cards in the mail for a correspondence writing class for children’s literature. I thought, “I can do that.” Except my characters always morphed into grown-ups and fell in love, so it turned out that romance was my genre.

4.      Give us an insight into how your writing day/time is structured? I write during my lunch hour at work.

5.      Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? There are as many different ways of dealing with difficult situations as there are people.

6.      What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it? I struggle with getting a good daily word count because my internal editor demands I go over and over what I’ve written before moving on. It definitely makes me a slow writer. To get past that, I try to take the advice of my publisher and give myself permission to spew whatever comes out (and really, that’s where the really good parts come from). Probably the thing that helps most is a deadline—I write much faster under pressure.

Snippet

A Christmas for Chloe:

His heart thumped steadily against her ear, the way hers must be thumping for Chloe, promising security that she couldn’t deliver. Somehow it felt to her like Brendan could. She knew how fragile life was, yet when they held each other, she could believe everything would always be right with the world.

Author Top 10 

 1.       Hubby!2.       Family
3.       Friends
4.       My dogs
5.       Books
6.       The inhabitants of my saltwater aquarium
7.       My motorcycle
8.       Microsoft Type Cover
9.       Yarn
10.   Coffee

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Book Tour: Becky's Kiss by Nicholas Fisher

"It could not be worse for ninth grader Becky Michigan on her first day at a new school, sitting in beet juice and staining her white jeans in a classroom about to fill up with students. In the nick of time, a gorgeous blonde boy named Danny comes in and offers his over-sized baseball jersey so she can cover up, get to the office, and change. By the time she pulls the shirt over her head, however, he has mysteriously disappeared.

Becky scours the school in search of her dream-athlete and wonders why after contact with him she has magically gained the ability to throw a fastball ninety miles per hour! Instead of finding the answer, however, Becky's new skill pits her against the school bully and the entire varsity baseball team.

That night, after her exciting showdown in front of the entire school, Danny shows up at her bedroom window. If she will agree to meet him behind Rutledge High at midnight on the ball field at the edge of the woods, he promises to reveal a secret meant to alter the past and change her life forever."

Purchase your copy here:

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Nicholas Fisher is a college professor and a sports enthusiast. He writes adult horror under another name, but thought of the idea for Becky’s Kiss while coaching his son’s baseball team. Since the story involved high school drama he decided to write his first young adult piece. When not writing or teaching, Nicholas Fisher enjoys pizza, reality television, and playing the banjo. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and his son goes to Arizona State University.

Connect with the Author Here: 

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Character Casting

Becky Michigan: the lead character.

A "country" type girl (from upstate New York) with long auburn hair, a small turned up nose, and sad puppy-dog eyes. Built slim and very athletic, though she thinks she is a klutz. Pretty, but she hasn't learned quite yet how to "package" herself, so she thinks she comes off plain. When she tries out for the varsity baseball team at her high school and puts on the royal blue Rutledge Tigers hat, pulling all that hair through the hole in the back in a glorious ponytail, however, she realizes how shockingly pretty she is.

Danny Taragna: Becky's love interest.

Only an inch or two taller than Becky, and the epitome of the "beautiful jock," always seen wearing his favorite little league tournament jersey, not tucked in. He is a blonde with crystal blue eyes, arching eyebrows, and high cheekbones. Like a cherub. He is humble and quietly clever, the type that "wears skinny well."

Cody Hatcher: The class bully.

Tall with unkempt long black hair. Mole under one cheek. Peach fuzz goatee. Often wears an army jacket and dirty sneakers. Wise guy in class as well as the hallways. The type that tenses up the mood of the class, goading others to challenge the teacher, then leaning back in his chair saying "Oooh," to instigate. The type of guy that cuts himself shaving and wears that little piece of toilet paper with the red dot on it into school.

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