The Magic of Christmas: Books

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Whether you call it Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or simply: the holiday season. I love this time of year from the hustle and bustle of shoppers to the profusion of Christmas lights springing up like a verdant field of wild, glowing flowers in the night. Some areas are decorated to the nines, with specialized themes or stories told in imagery while others are simply lights spilling out like gems for the night sky to admire.

Finding the Perfect Gift

The season is a challenge to how much you know about the people you love. Do you find them the gifts they asked for? The gifts that they would appreciate? Do some items stand up, waving their arms and yell: I would be perfect for him or her! The retail stores are packed to the gills with new items from clothes to books to music and electronics. Video games are often popular and the tried and true stuffed animal remains a seasonal favorite.

It doesn't matter that the stores have been laden with holiday ornamentation since October (and sometimes even earlier). They take on an ethereal shine when we are in the thick of the holiday shopping. We examine each item with care giving as much thought and consideration to the Jack Sparrow nutcracker as we do the thick, plush blanket and the warm snuggle of holiday pajama. We take the time to look at the crystal and how it catches the light as we do the fat turkeys, hams and roasts that beg to be served for the holiday supper.

It is a time of magic and wonder as more people donate their time, their energy, their money and their items during the holiday season than any other. We ask ourselves: would she like this? Would he appreciate that? What do I get him or her? How do I make that magic of the holidays happen so that when they open the gift, that warm, rosy pleasure spreads up from their bellies to light up faces brighter than any star decorating the top of a tree?

That is the challenge of the holiday season. This season, I've picked out a few gifts for people that I know will make them smile, will make them laugh and in some cases, even jump up and down with the simple joy of it all. The sound of the ripping paper, the fire crackling in the fireplace and the music of the holidays drifting through the air – yes, I do so love this time of the year.

Giving Books

It is a sure bet that I will give books at the holidays, I always do. From picture books to young adult reading to romantic suspense, science fiction and even a zombie or two this year, I will sort through the stacks at the bookstore to find the perfect book for each of the members of my family. They know they will get at least one and I work so hard to match book to personality and taste that I am often rewarded with thrilled smiles in the weeks to come as they read those books. Therefore, my holiday picks for gifts this year (and in no particular order) are:

*THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore

*THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH by Rick Riordan

*THE LAST OLYMPIAN by Rick Riordan

*39 CLUES: MAZE OF BONES by Rick Riordan

*THE DOG WHO THOUGHT HE WAS SANTA by Bill Wallace

*IRIDESSA LOST AT SEA by Lisa Papademetriou

*MOON CALLED by Patricia Briggs

*IMAGER'S CHALLENGE: THE SECOND BOOK OF THE IMAGER PORTFOLIO by L.E. Modesitt, JR

*NO REGRETS by Shannon K. Butcher

*FIRST LORD'S FURY (Codex Alera Book 6) by Jim Butcher

*I SHOT YOU BABE by Leslie Langtry

And those are just a few. What books will you give this year?

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A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book Remembering Ashby is available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban fantasy: PRIME EVIL. The Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather enjoys.

Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: Celebrate!

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations


Since we began the giveaway on Black Friday, the The Daily Dose with the help of many fabulous authors has given away more than 30 gifts to the friends, sons, daughters, brothers, mothers and fathers of loved ones who nominated them for gifts. What began as a desire to give back some this holiday season has turned out far better than I could ever have imagined! As we end our holiday giveaway, we have just one final giveaway left.

Today, I am offering three copies of my latest e-book novel: PRIME EVIL for the ones you nominate. Come away with me to the farm rich countryside of Northern Virginia as hedge witch Chance Monroe fights for her way of life when serial killer Randall Oakes returns from the dead. Chance must confront a troubled past, a supernatural adversary and a sizzling passion that has lain dormant for years.

PRIME EVIL

Nearly a decade ago, Randall Oakes left hedge witch Chance Monroe for dead. Now he’s back along with her ex-lover, Jack. The FBI wants Chance in protective custody, but Chance knows it won’t be enough to protect her from Oakes. Connected to the earth, Chance must rely on her supernatural senses and her own wits to survive this game of cat and mouse.

Read more and learn how to nominate...

Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: Kitty Came Upon a Midnight Clear

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations


What do you get with a werewolf named Kitty, a radio show and a fresh look at werewolves in literature? The answer is Carrie Vaughn's exciting first book in the Kitty Norville series: KITTY AND THE MIDNIGHT HOUR. My husband picked this up on a whim because the title sounded like something I would read and as usual, he was right. I adored the fresh take on werewolves and supernatural politics set against the backdrop of a night time talk radio show.

Vaughn captures the nuances of talk radio, but adds wonderful spice with Kitty's very "normal" reactions to the supernatural world in which she exists. Today, Carrie Vaughn is giving away an autographed KITTY AND THE MIDNIGHT HOUR with a bonus homemade CD of the playlist.

I think whomever you nominate for this gift is in for a real treat. KITTY AND THE MIDNIGHT HOUR is the first in a series of six published novels with the seventh being released this January. If you're looking for a fresh take on werewolves, supernatural politics and sexy, fun humor, this is the series for you.

KITTY AND THE MIDNIGHT HOUR

Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station--and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew!

Click here to read more...

Saturday Smackdown: Fairy Tale Style

In honor of The Princess and the Frog today, our Saturday Smackdown features two classic princesses that have inspired generations of girls for more than half a century each. Arguably, since both are based on classic fairytales that are centuries older than their animated counterparts, their influence is considerable on classic and modern romantic literature.

Fairy Tales

The beauty of a fairy tale is the transcendence from everyday life to a magical place or time where happily ever after is not only possible, it is required. As a culture, we love fairy tales; we love the idea of the underdog triumphing, of true love's first kiss and of love at first sight. We believe in men who will slay dragons to be with the one they love and of men who see beyond the shallow and innocuous to the true beauty that is within. You will find all of these qualities in our two superb fairy tale contenders. However, it is up to you to choose which one is the better.

One lucky commentator will win a $10 gift certificate to Amazon next Saturday just in time for that last minute shopping!

Click here to read more and see how to enter

Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: Come to Ashby and See

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations

REMEMBERING ASHBY is a tale of love and passion that began as the backstory for the upcoming novel THE FORGOTTEN. As with all stories, it took on a life of its own. Melanie and Adam are very dear to my heart and their love story is one of sweet romance, rich history and tender passion. Today, I want to share this romance with someone you love. You may also enjoy the free short story that follows it and leads to the sequel. Discover Forget to Remember on my website.

REMEMBERING ASHBY

Peace among the clans has been nonexistent for the past centuries. But now that clan Lairds have decided to summon the God-touched people from their magical Isle to perform the rituals of Beltane to bless the peace talks between the clans, peace is within reach.

Melanie is honored to be chosen as one of six maidens to represent the Goddess at this important event. She is meant to be a vessel for the power of the Goddess while forgetting the failures of humanity during the festival. She knows should be concentrating on her part as a Maiden of the Hunt, yet she cannot banish the handsome Scot from her mind. Running in the Hunt is as sacred as the Goddess herself, and should her desires be known, there could be dire consequences for her and the clansman. However, she can’t find the will to deny his pull.

The mists of the Black Mountains enhance the excitement of their forbidden love while providing an escape from the Islanders encampment. Can they give in to their desires at the expense of their destinies?

Especially once The Sorcerer discovers their dalliance…

Click here to read more and learn how to win!

Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: Frolic and Play, the Paranormal Way

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations


Good morning, the weather outside is truly getting frightful as the cold snap seems to be here to stay in the United States. It was 25 degrees Fahrenheit in Texas yesterday morning -- brrrrr cold. But we've been handing out some hot books to ward off the chill all week and today is no exception. Joining us for today's giveaway is author Shirin Dubbin.

I met Shirin via Twitter over the summer when her book KEEPER OF THE WAY released. The story was delightful and the author even more so. I now count Shirin among my very dearest friends, few others out there really get me and she is definitely one that does. We often joke we're sisters from another mother. Her giveaway today is a wonderful combination of fae and vamps and weres, oh my! So let's frolic and play, the paranormal way! All books will be sent via Buy This Ebook For A Friend option on Fictionwise.

Check out the great eBooks that Shirin has picked out:

Keeper of the Way


Aftermath cleaner, Nia Mora, is destined to die--tonight. Severin, the inscrutable and utterly delicious harbinger of death has already arrived to bear witness? but damn his duty. He will not stand by and watch. Not when Nia Mora may be the Fae's last hope of survival. Damn Severin and his heroic delusions. Fae-tech mogul, Zan Wynn, is equally drawn to Nia'Mora and as the quintessential--yes, those are your panties dropping--bad boy he can't be bothered to play fair. Oblivious to her doom, Nia Mora's concern is for the missing Way, the very essence of the Fae and the reason they are trapped in the mortal world. That and the small matter of remaining single when she can't deny Severin's power over her or Zan Wynn's hypnotic pull. But is the nefarious Wynn a second potential mate or the prelude to her destruction?

BLOOD VICE


Business has never been better for hit man Karl Vance. Boston is awash in mafia blood, and Vance has a certain fondness for blood. He's a master vampire--one of the most powerful of his kind. Having sworn to never again feed on the blood of innocents, Karl preys instead on Boston's criminal underworld. Which makes him a valuable asset to those who deal in death. Maria Ricardi intends to use that asset to its full extent in order to gain power within her patriarchal crime family. Vance thinks he's been hired to keep track of the family's princess, but she's got a plan to get her hands dirty and earn the respect she deserves. And she's not above using their instant attraction to get what she wants. That driving ambition draws the attention of a rival clan's newest and most dangerous 'consultant.' Alejandro Delgado, Vance's centuries-old nemesis. Delgado zeroes in on the one chink in Vance's armor--his fondness for the headstrong Maria. When she becomes enslaved by Delgado's unnatural kiss, only one thing is certain. Vance has to decide which he wants more. To settle the score--or rescue her soul.

MOON CALLED


Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.


Click here to read the rules and nominate

Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: Do You Hear What Ian Hears?

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations

Personally, I'm having so much fun with our Holiday Blog giveaway and today we are featuring author Nikki Duncan and her tremendous SOUNDS TO DIE BY. Nikki is a great writer, a fun friend and definitely someone I enjoy talking to and reading. Give this tremendous e-book to someone you love this holiday season. The best part of the book is it is just the first in the series of her Sensory Ops so there are more hot tales to come.

What did I think of Ian and rookie FBI agent Kieralyn?

SOUNDS TO DIE BY has a pulsing, rhythmic beat that mixes Boston sensibility with Miami sound machine to create a passionate movement that sustains throughout the novel.

SOUNDS TO DIE BY

Rookie FBI Agent Kieralyn Beckett is in a delicate position. Her team refuses to buy into her theory that a string of kidnappings is connected. If she pushes too hard, they’ll discover the latest victim was her college roommate and boot her off the case. A garbled recording is the only evidence, and there’s only one man who can decipher it. The hard part will be convincing him to take the case.

Blinded as a child, NSA “listener” Ian Cabrera spends the majority of his time analyzing data while secretly searching for his father, a missing CIA operative. His plate is full, but Kieralyn’s passion and determination, as well as the erotic beat of her heart, spark his interest. So does the mention of his father’s code name on her recording.

There’s only one way to follow this new crumb-trail of clues without tipping her off about what he’s really after. Convince her she needs him to be her undercover partner, despite his handicap. Between her eyes and his ears, they make one beautifully orchestrated team. Every time they touch, though, the arousal they generate creates one red-hot element of distraction…

Book Trailer



The Rules

1. You comment on the blog in order to be entered into the drawing.

2. You must include whom you want to give the gift. You do not have to name names or post their email information, just a short blurb about what they mean to you or why it’s important they receive it. You can be a real secret Santa as well.

3. Each drawing will last 24 hours unless otherwise noted. (7 a.m. to 7 a.m. CST)

4. Winners will be notified by email so make sure I have that or access to it via your profile. Upon notification, you let me know whom the gift is going to.

5. You may only win one giveaway, once you win one you cannot enter into anymore.

6. Spread the holiday cheer for everyone celebrating Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Christmas and more.

Let Nikki Duncan and the The Daily Dose be a part of your holiday plans. Enter to win this fantastic book for someone you love! Entries close at 7 a.m. Central on Thursday, December 10.

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A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book Remembering Ashby is available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban fantasy: Prime Evil. The Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather enjoys.

NOTE: all comments posted on Fresh Fiction will be included in the Daily Dose giveaways so you can leave your nomination below or on the Daily Dose blog. If you comment and nominate someone on the Fresh Fiction page for the Daily Dose you'll also be entered in our special Secret Elf sweepstakes, the winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate and the person they nominate will also receive a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate on December 20th.

Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: Maggie Christmas

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations


Last week, the The Daily Dose gave away Rosemary Clement-Moore's THE SPLENDOR FALLS, this week we're offering the trilogy that earned Rosemary a RITA during the recent Romance Writers of America national convention. Her trilogy of books focusing on Maggie Quinn, a high schooler with a gift, a grandmother, stable parents and a hot young grad student who's interested in her.

The young adult series begins with PROM DATES FROM HELL where Maggie struggles with her awakening gifts and senior year (and not necessarily in that order). HELL WEEK follows Maggie through her first semester at college and the infamous hell week associated with pledging a Greek house. The third and final installment in her Girl vs. Evil trilogy is HIGHWAY TO HELL and a Spring Break gone awry.

These books are laugh out loud funny, deliciously written and terrifically engaging. All three are autographed by the author and available as a gift to the person you nominate. Learn more about these terrific books:

PROM DATES FROM HELL

From School Library Journal: Under normal circumstances, Maggie Quinn would want nothing to do with the vicious, elite clique at her high school. But when the jocks and their girlfriends start falling prey to a series of situations ranging from embarrassing to potentially fatal, not to mention reeking of sulfur, the school newspaper reporter can't ignore the story.

In addition to being a Nancy Drew wannabe, Maggie has inherited her grandmother's sixth sense, as evidenced by the demon appearing in her dreams. Although she is initially reluctant to believe that anything supernatural is going on, her partnership with a paranormal-studies college student who is in one of her father's classes eventually leads her to a salt-throwing showdown with the demon and his minions at her senior prom. Maggie's transformation into a butt-kicking demon hunter is well drawn as is the budding romance with her partner. The pair launch into a routine set of investigations to reveal a weak backstory accounting for the origins of the demon that will not compel readers to suspend disbelief. The main draw of this book, however, is Maggie's sarcastic tone, which is dripping with wit on nearly every page. Sharp writing and a satirical portrayal of the high school social scene make this an enjoyable read in the vein of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."—Emily Rodriguez, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

HELL WEEK

“[Teens] will devour Hell Week.”—School Library Journal

Maggie Quinn has battled an ancient demon, faced down psychotic cheerleaders, and saved her best friend from certain death, but nothing can match this. Formal sorority recruitment, otherwise known as rush.

And after facing hellfire, infiltrating sorority rush should be easy. But when she finds a group of girls who are after way more than “sisterhood,” all her instincts say there’s something rotten on Greek Row. And when Hell Week rolls around, there may be no turning back.

“Maggie’s snarky humor and quirky personality keep this novel’s first half light, but the second takes a dark page-turning twist as Maggie is forced to figure out the ancient source of the sisters’ power.”—Kirkus Reviews

HIGHWAY TO HELL


Maggie Quinn was expecting to find plenty of trouble with Lisa over Spring Break. Give a girl a bikini, a beachfront hotel, and an absent boyfriend, and it’s as good as a road map to the dark side. But Maggie doesn’t have to go looking for trouble. Trouble has started looking for her. One dead cow and a punctured gas tank later, she and Lisa are stuck in Dulcina, Texas—a town so small that it has an owner. And lately life in this small town hasn’t been all that peaceful. An eerie predator is stalking the ranchland.

Everyone in town has a theory, but not even Maggie’s psychic mojo can provide any answers. And the longer the girls are stranded, the more obvious it becomes that something is seriously wrong. Only no one—not even Maggie’s closest ally— wants to admit that they could have been forced on a detour down the highway to hell.

The Rules

1. You comment on the blog in order to be entered into the drawing. 2. You must include whom you want to give the gift too. You do not have to name names or post their email information, just a short blurb about what they mean to you or why it’s important they receive it. You can be a real secret Santa as well. 3. Each drawing will last 24 hours unless otherwise noted. (7 a.m. to 7 a.m. CST) 4. Winners will be notified by email so make sure I have that or access to it via your profile. Upon notification, you let me know whom the gift is going to. 5. You may only win one giveaway, once you win one you cannot enter into anymore. 6. Spread the holiday cheer for everyone celebrating Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Christmas and more.

Let Rosemary Clement Moore and the The Daily Dose be a part of your holiday plans. Enter to win these fantastic books for someone you love! Entries close at 7 a.m. Central on Tuesday, December 8.

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A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book Remembering Ashby is available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban fantasy: Prime Evil. The Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather enjoys.

NOTE: all comments here will be included in the Daily Dose giveaways so you can leave your nomination [CLICK HERE] or on the Daily Dose blog. If you comment and nominate someone on the Fresh Fiction page for the Daily Dose you'll also be entered in our special Secret Elf sweepstakes, the winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate and the person they nominate will also receive a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate on December 20th.





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Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: A Strangely, Beautiful Gift

Capping off this fabulous week of holiday blog giveaways is Leanna Renee Hieber. Leanna paid a visit to the Daily Dose for a fabulous conversation about her beautiful Victorian fantasy.

Today, Hieber is offering a signed copy of both of her books and a $10 dollar Barnes and Noble gift certificate as an exquisite gift package for someone you nominate. Discover her beautiful books:

Visit The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker

What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death….

Discover Dark Nest

Winner of the 2009 Prism Award for excellence in published works of Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance in the Novella Category

Chief Counsel Ariadne Corinth has just found out her long-time lover, the powerfully gifted Chief Counsel Kristov Haydn, has died. Newly evolved psychically gifted humans have been sent by the Homeworld on a space mission aboard two distinct “Nests”. Relationships between the Light Nest and the Dark Nest have faltered and Ariadne is sure there’s something insidious behind it. In a matter of hours, Ariadne must find out what really happened to Kristov, unite her people to discover vast new powers the Homeworld denied them, or else submit to genocide.

Click here to learn how to enter the Daily Dose sweepstakes...

Daily Dose Holiday Blog Giveaway: Going Green with ARe Bucks

Think Green this holiday season in more ways than one as author Kellyann Zuzulo is giving away $25 in ARe bucks. All Romance eBooks is an online bookseller who deals exclusively in eBooks. You can find all of Sapphire Blue Publishing's authors listed there, moi included. This is a fantastic gift for readers of romance who also enjoy ebooks.

Djinn in the Box

A journalist by training, Kellyann has worked as a writer for Yankee Magazine, Cobblestone magazine, and national consumer and health magazines; as a book development editor; as a media relations representative; and as a director of communications for a non-profit.

Her novel, A GENIE IN THE HOUSE OF SAUD, draws upon her experience as a former managing editor of two publications for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC. Her second novel, The Third Wish is available in eBook from Sapphrie Blue Publishing.

Kellyann is a smoking hot writer and a terrific storyteller. So enjoy the chance to go green this holiday and nominate a friend or family member to win.

Click here to read how to enter