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Bewitching Book Tours Magazine

Issue 6 December 2012

Bewitching Book Tours Magazine is a publication of Bewitching Book Tours and Bewitching Books.

Editor: Roxanne Rhoads

Design Editor and Layout: Lisa McGeen

Contributors include Bewitching Book Tours Authors and Tour Hosts learn more at www.bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com

Submission details- for every issue we are accept:

General Articles- topics include writing, book research, anything paranormal, vampires in fiction, advice for authors, publishing advice, and more

Flash Fiction- paranormal, romance, erotica and urban fantasy (for other genres please query)

True tales of paranormal encounters

The Pumpkin Patch Where It’s Halloween All Year Long- anything related to Halloween, spookiness and spill over into the rest of the year (example

Scary Holiday Gifts, Valentine Ideas for Vampire Fans…)

The Naughty Nook- romance and sex advice, erotica flash fiction, poetry, excerpts, and book reviews

Recipes

Poetry

Book reviews

Crafts

Please send submissions to [email protected]

place “Bewitching Magazine Submission” in subject line

Ad space rates are:

$40 full page ad

$20 half page ad

$10 quarter page ad

You can subscribe to this magazine at http://issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours

© Copyright 2012

Contents Auntie Ann’s Homespun Advice 4

Naughty Nook 7

Moriah Densley Interview 8

Gift Box Ideas 12

Zombies in December 14

Crista McHugh Interview 16

Yule With Mrs. B 18

Sleigh Ride Home 20

Chris T. Kat Interview 22

Chrismukkah Gifts 23

Excerpt from A Marquess for Christmas 24

Holiday Books with Bite 28

Best Christmas Movies Ever by Candycane Claus 33

All I Want for Christmas Is You—Feature 35

Midnight Excerpt 38

Shane KP O’neill Interview 40

Yule 43

Christmas Eve Spotlight 47

Toying with Temptation 50

Holiday Chicken Salad 53

Penguin Crafts 55

Cry Sanctuary Review 57

A Merry Sci-Fi Christmas 58

Twas the Night Before Christmas 60

Magic Seasons 63

Need A Santa? 67

Hello BBT Readers,

I received lots of e-mails the last couple of months. I try to pick letters that are representative of several I’ve

gotten for this column. Thanks for trusting me and inviting me into your lives.

Dear Auntie Ann,

This time of year is always hard for me. Everyone else is full of holiday cheer. They all have families. I have

one, but I don’t see them for lots of reasons. I try to keep up a good front, but it’s a big relief to leave work

and hole up in my apartment until the next day when I have to fake it all over again. I’d like to be happier. I

don’t know how. I’m almost thirty. That doesn’t help. Please don’t tell me to get out more. I’ve tried. People

don’t like me.

N.N.

Dear N.N.,

It sounds to me like you might be depressed. I won’t tell you to get out more, but the best antidote to depres-

sion is doing something—even if you have to force yourself. I don’t know how practical it would be for you to

walk back and forth to work, but exercise is your friend. If it’s too far, or the weather where you live isn’t con-

ducive, you could join a gym or the YWCA.

Reading between the lines, you decided your family was toxic enough to forego having anything to do with

them. When we grow up without the support a loving family can provide, we often doubt ourselves. You say,

“people don’t like me.” I’m wondering what you’re basing that on. You are able to hold down a job, so maybe

you’re not as unlikeable as you believe. How about friends? We can’t pick our families, but even a single

friend could make a great deal of difference. Or how about a pet? Every town has groups of people who share

common interests. What things do you like to do? If you’re not certain, try something. You can always change

your mind if you find it’s not for you. Consider volunteering. This is a good time of year for that and the chari-

ties all need help.

When we change even a single thing, often the world looks different. I

wish you the very best.

Dear Auntie Ann,

My husband took up running a long time ago. Last year, he started

training for marathons. It takes a ridiculous amount of time. I hardly

see him anymore. It wouldn’t be so bad, but that means I have to do all

the household tasks, plus work full time. All he does is go to work and

train for the next race. I’m beginning to feel bitter and resentful. I’m

afraid if things don’t change, my ten year marriage will crumble. We

don’t have kids, so it could be worse. But I’m close to fifty. I don’t es-

pecially want to start all over again.

P.Y.

Dear P.Y.

One easy fix would be for you to start running right along with him.

But I understand that may not work for you. Or it might take a few

months to come close enough to his fitness level for it to be a “together” activity. You do need to think about

exactly what you’re missing from him. I suspect it’s more attention than him not going grocery shopping.

You’re right that you do need to talk with him. He may have his own reasons for a punishing training schedule.

If he’s close to your age, he may be feeling his level of physical fitness is starting to slide. Older athletes still

have good endurance, but aren’t as fast as they once were.

Maybe the two of you could engineer a compromise. A couple of nights a week could be “date” nights where

you prioritize time as a couple. Then the nights he’s training, you could find something that appeals to you and

pursue it. I’m sure I may get flak from some readers, but a squeaky clean house isn’t a huge priority. Feeling

like your life is full and happy is farther up the totem pole. No one will expire if the house didn’t get vacuumed.

You could always splurge and hire cleaning help once in a while if things feel truly out of control.

Pick a time when both of you are rested and bring up your concerns and a list of possible compromises. Be sure

he knows you love him and miss his company. Invite him to brainstorm with you. Please write back and let me

know how things work out.

Sexy on a Budget: Lingerie Alternatives

By Roxanne Rhoads

Is your sex life in need of a boost but your budget’s too tight to buy new lingerie?

You can get creative with budget friendly lingerie alternatives by breathing new life into old stuff lurking in your closets and drawers.

Don’t fret about the government’s stimulus package when you can use what you already have to create all the stimulation your partner

can handle.

Try these budget savvy seduction tips to give your sex life a boost without spending a dime.

What’s in Your Closet?

What ordinary items are lurking in your closet that can be transformed into extraordinary tools of seduction?

How about all those sheer tops that you prudently pair with camis and tanks? The guy in your life will love it if you decide to walk

around the house in one of those sheer numbers with nothing else on; it’s what he fantasizes about every time you wear one of those

tops. Give the man what he wants- you won’t be sorry.

What else is lingering in your closet waiting to be used seductively? How about those old Halloween costumes? Little Bo Peep, Harem

Girl, Police Officer, Flapper? Any can be transformed with a little role playing into something totally new and extremely sexy. Put on

the costume and delve into the role of seductress.

Speaking of role playing, there are all kinds of role playing costumes you can easily create out of items you probably have in your clos-

et. Boss and secretary, librarian and bookworm, rich woman and servant, cowboy and country girl or maybe go old school and be an

Indian maiden to his rough cowboy.

The possibilities are numerous depending only on your imagination and what is in your closet. Most of us have old work uniforms or

strange stuff in our closets that can make some wild and funky sexual costumes. Got scrubs? Play doctor. Paging Doctor Love…

Naughty Nurse in Room 69 needs assistance…

Can You Sew?

Girlfriend if you can sew you are miles ahead of us non-stitchers, you can take old clothes, old lingerie, even piles of material and create

your own sexy apparel. Grab your needle and thread and channel the lingerie designer inside, just tap into your inner sex goddess for a

little inspiration.

Raid Your Jewelry Box

Some men swear there is nothing sexier than a woman adorned only in jewelry…and maybe a pair of high heels. Think beautiful prin-

cess, desirable maiden or anything that conjures up images of heavily jewelry adornment. Then ditch everything but the jewelry. Oh so

sexy.

Remember when layers of long beads were the thing? Still have any of those super long strands of beads? Wrap them around your body

now, sans clothing. Pair with stilettos for a rich look. Just be prepared that beads may start flying when he gets a hold of you.

Classic Stripper Appeal

You probably wear a pair of high heeled boots all the time, with your nice work clothes, out to dinner, over jeans… but have you ever

considered ditching the denim and sliding the boots on with nothing other than a matching thong? Strippers know the classic appeal of

tall boots and a thong; it’s a look you’ll see a lot in clubs. Black leather boots and a black thong are simply sexy, a completely classic

look with a touch of naughtiness. Your man will go nuts for it.

What’s in His Closet?

You might not think there would be anything on his side of the closet that you could wear to turn him on but men are strange creatures

and find some things sexy that a woman would never even look twice at. Like his hunting or sports gear. Some guys secretly want to

see you in camo…seriously they do. Other guys would be in heaven if you put on their sports jersey.

Many men swear that the sight of a woman in a man’s dress shirt with a pair of sexy as hell high heels is one of the most arousing

scenes. Want to spice up the look and add a touch more femininity to it? Add lace topped thigh highs and a pearl necklace. Want to

drive him really wild? Wear an old style garter belt with stockings for classic feminine sex appeal under that masculine shirt.

Other totally awesome items with massive sex appeal you may find on his side of the closet include: trench coats, dusters, cowboy

hats, silk boxers, and work uniforms. How about his tool belt? Add a tight little tank top and cut off shorts (maybe a hard hat) and

you’re a tool man’s fantasy come true.

Have black electrical tape? Explore your wild side and go for a bit of a fetish look by creating stick on lingerie with the tape. X’s over

the nipples, strips around the waist, a triangle in a certain area sure to get his attention…

Does your man have the old wife beater style tank top undershirts? Many men, my husband included, have lots of fantasies about see-

ing breasts popping out of those skimpy manly tops. A few of my husband’s suggestions include cutting the top so the nipples play

peak-a-boo through perfectly positioned slits and ripping the top off in a totally passionate way oh and let’s not forget the classic male

obsession with wet t-shirts…

There are so many things you can do without spending a dime. Don’t let tight budgets and the economic slump cool off your love life;

keep the flames of desire burning bright by using your sexual creativity to put together totally ravishing outfits and sexy scenarios.

Interview with Moriah Densley

What inspired you to become an author?

I think most authors are voracious readers who decide to turn an idea into a project. That’s my story too. I got

started and couldn’t stop - I wrote five novels that first year, and didn’t burn out. (The first wave of rejection let-

ters did that *smirk*) Reading is still my first love, but there’s also nothing like creating your own world. Not to

mention the borderline schizophrenia, voices in your head…

Do you write in different genres?

Yes. The Valkyrie’s Guardian is my first paranormal release. Song for Sophia, my historical debut, finaled in the

2012 RWA Golden Heart contest and released June 2012 from Crimson Romance.

Which is your favorite genre to write?

Paranormal or historical - chocolate mousse or key lime? Depends on my mood, and it’s refreshing to do some-

thing else if I stall out on a project.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Cassiopeia feels like a loser surrounded by fabulous shiny people. She flunked out of her residency, has no im-

pressive superpowers, missed out on the immortality gene, and is hopelessly in love with her bodyguard. Thinking

she has nothing to lose, she gives all she has. That’s where she finds fulfillment: in being selfless.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your

own life?

The idea for The Valkyrie’s Guardian came to me while I was waterskiing at Lake Powell, my family’s perennial

vacation spot in Arizona. The only thing I do impressively on a ski is wipe out, but I got a kick out of watching

the pros. I saw some crazy stunts and it made me think “What if?” I’d already been researching Celtic and Norse

mythology, so it occurred to me a berserker would have a ball with water sports. The Barney Fife-inspired park

ranger required little embellishment.

What books/authors have influenced your life?

I love a book that not only transports me to another world, but also changes the way I think. A truly prolific book

stays with you, haunting and inspiring you long after you’ve finished.

A few books in my zombie apocalypse survival kit:

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

Villette by Charlotte Brontë

Symphony of Ages Trilogy by Elizabeth Haydon

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

You bet! I’m having a blast with my “geekfest,” which is what happens when the hero and heroine meet on a uni-

versity campus. Kyros Vassalos, the “boss” à la Professor Xavier of X-Men, is a three-centuries-old Greek warri-

or/physicist with the power to alter electromagnetism. He meets his match in Lyssa Logan, a sassy crime-fighting

violinist who doesn’t even know she’s a rare “extra-sentient” with extraordinary power. Here’s the opening scene,

where Kyros unexpectedly finds what he’s been searching three hundred years for:

Kyros Vassalos almost ignored the sound, but the reverb made him pause.

It couldn’t be.

Yes - one mind in the crowd, echoing an unfiltered pastiche of every mental voice in its twenty-foot radius. Nearby,

definitely on campus. A signature so staggering, he paused mid-sentence and dropped the marker. It made an un-

sightly line through the formula scribbled beneath his hand.

“Class dismissed,” he mumbled, leaving a roomful of bewildered physics students as he dashed out the door.

He couldn’t walk; he tried not to bowl people over as he ran through hallways and across the lawn, vaulted over a

wall and cut through a maintenance yard. Kyros honed in on the signal, searching for the source: someone like him-

self, not quite human. Extra-sentient.

He felt her energy as he drew closer. It had an electric edge which reacted with the proximity of his, giving him a

bizarre giddy feeling. Kyros bustled through the exit and bounded down the stairwell, eager for the sight of her, his

hope warring with expectation. Practically impossible in the first place, this was probably some sad mistake—

Then he saw her. The panicked feeling evaporated. It seemed time and space expanded, a perception his brain man-

ufactured as a defense mechanism against shock.

Amidst droves of silly girls dressed to exploit their bodies and painted like Parisian whores: a lady. Mia kyría, a

donna. Refreshingly innocent, old-world lovely, the embodiment of grace—

Then she tossed her head back and laughed, giving a view straight down her gullet, as American women are prone

to do. Chesty, boisterous - not a dainty sound. But sincere and contagious, he conceded, allowing himself a smile.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes. My “artistic temperament.” I get obsessed with a WIP and write nonstop for days, even weeks on end, then

burn out for a while. I envy those methodical, steady writers with shiny organized plots. (Incurable pantser here.)

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Charlotte Brontë was a mad genius. Exquisite imagery and characterization, emotional drama and shocking con-

troversy that scandalized our Victorian grandmamas – romantic Gothic horror at its best.

Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?

Music for water skiing? Navy SEAL operations? Hand-to hand combat with an enraged valkyrie? Easy. Queue

your favorite metal or techno tracks.

Recall Jack MacGunn is a “true blue kilt-wearing, pipe-playing Scot.” Traditional Celtic music appeals to me; I

even bought uilleann pipes and learned to play them as part of the research. Jack’s music plays a big role in the

story and has a symbolic meaning to Cassie, the heroine.

This is a flashback, Cassie’s first memory of Jack:

Here are few of my favorite Celtic tracks that inspired the scene:

“May Morning Dew” Moving Hearts with Davy Spillane http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=7CDYkiViwt0&feature=autoplay&list=PL66930C426EA6EC6D&index=1&playnext=1

Live uilleann performance by Tiarnan Ó Duinnchinn http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=8blbyNHgpO8&feature=BFa&list=PL66930C426EA6EC6D

“The Child Dierdre” Mychael and Jeff Danna http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=nzOjqoQSyz0&list=PL66930C426EA6EC6D&index=8&feature=plpp_video

And for Jack and Cassie, this sounds like falling in love. Subtle, sentimental, and folksy – Edgar Meyer’s

“Sliding Down” http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=14Vbr93AGMw&feature=mr_meh&list=PL66930C426EA6EC6D&playnext=0

She remembered sitting up and taking in the rustic sight of a log fire burning in the hearth, of homespun rugs cover-

ing the rough-hewn wooden floor. A sound wafted from another room, and she had to concentrate to identify it.

Music—strange tones, rising and falling in patterns foreign to her ears.

Cassie followed the silvery vibrations as though beckoned. The source proved to be a woodsy, reedy voice that

filled the air with tangible resonance. How could an instrument make a sound like a human voice, a mythical place,

and a painful memory all at once?

Jack’s hair was lighter and longer then, it hung in unruly waves over his face as he leaned into the music. He wore

torn and dirty camo fatigue pants, and she still recalled the pungent smoke smell from the burned spots in the fabric

and his singed hair. The largest arms she’d ever seen cradled a bizarre instrument.

She watched his right elbow lift and press against his side in a ponderous rhythm, and she recognized the apparatus

as a sort of bellows. Long filigreed tubes lay across his lap. His fingers slid and shook over a sort of flute held diag-

onally across his chest. She watched, mesmerized as the contraption produced delicious music. The same hands

which had wrought violence in combat also worked with gentle skill over the delicate instrument.

She blinked, confused by the tears swimming in her eyes. The mournful ghostly music filling the room called to

her. She felt utterly safe. Cassie remembered it clearly, because it had changed her. Just as his scent brought her

home, his music meant safety.

The Valkyrie’s Guardian by Moriah Densley

Book Description:

“Augmented strength, lightning weapon, chronic PMS – you’re a valkyrie,

Cass.”

You might call them superheroes. “Extra-sentients” are one in 4.5 million with

the extraordinary ability to unlock the full potential of the mind.

Cassiopeia Noyon is descended from the most powerful known extra-sentient,

but she’s a dud – no impressive talents except a healing ability which lands her

in trouble. She’s all wrong for Jack MacGunn, her dazzling immortal berserker

bodyguard.

Cassiopeia Noyon has a medical degree at age twenty-one, which makes her a

total loser … for an extra-sentient with merely superhuman strength and healing

powers but not much else. Cassie may not even be immortal, which is a downer

since the man she’s adored since age six, is.

Jack MacGunn is King of the Bad Pick-Up Line. A true blue kilt-wearing, pipe-playing Scot descended from a

long line of berserker warriors; if he’s awake, he’s either hungry or itching for a fight. Lately Jack feels lost. His

career as a Navy SEAL detachment agent is on a slow train to nowhere. He suspects it has something to do with

his out-of-control superhuman rages.

The one task Jack has never failed at is guarding Cassie from their enemies, but now he fears he can’t protect her

from himself. Even if they could go a single day without fighting, Jack knows he’ll never be good enough for

her. The boss’ granddaughter is off-limits anyway.

A chance encounter with a villain long assumed dead sends Jack and Cassie on a race to save the children secret-

ed away at Network One, the academy for genius extra-sentients. Jack discovers a new side of Cassie when in

the heat of combat she invokes unheard-of powers. Has Jack finally met his match?

Excerpt

Cassie could always count on Jack for two things: he would come from near or far at the sound of food cooking

in the morning, and he went ga-ga over women in workout clothes. Forget lingerie–Jack wanted yoga pants and a

racerback top. This morning Cassie brought out the heavy artillery with both his vices: smoothies and spandex.

Revenge, torture–either would do.

Ice clunked around in the blender as she added peach slices, raw almonds, yogurt, and lemon rind. Perfect tim-

ing—Jack jogged down the stairs and nearly tripped over Cat, dropped his duffel, and made a beeline straight for

the kitchen. He rocked back on his heels, apparently expecting Anne the housekeeper, not Cassie. She made a

point of opening the fridge as he entered, as though she hadn’t seen him.

When she turned around, his eyes widened and he visibly swallowed hard.

Unapologetically his eyes roamed from her long swinging pony tail down over her shoulders exposed above a

skin-tight cropped tank. His eyes lingered on her navel, watching it contract as she breathed, before scanning up

and down her legs once, twice, and again. He wore the expression of a tiger watching a platter of meat through

the bars of his cage.

“All the subtlety of an anvil, Jack.”

“I might say the same to you, sweetheart.”

Create Gift Boxes Out of Soap Boxes

Holiday Craft by Wenona Napolitano

Soap boxes (from bath size bars of soap) can

easily be transformed into fun little gift boxes.

These soap boxes are small and cute and can

easily be made by anyone, even the youngest

children. They can be customized for any occa-

sion.

Kids can easily decorate them with stickers,

scraps of old wrapping paper, cutouts from old

greeting cards, foam shapes or anything on

hand in the craft box.

The boxes can be decorated in so many ways

and are the perfect size for gift cards. Stuff the box full of tissue and slide the gift card in, that

way the receiver still gets to open a gift not just a card. Plus the hand decorated box makes it so

much more personal.

To create the elegant gold box in the photo follow the directions below:

Supplies Needed:

Empty soap box from a bath size bar of soap

Gold acrylic paint

Paint brush

Sheer burgundy ½ to ¾ inch ribbon

Directions

Paint the empty box gold, it may take a couple coats to completely conceal anything printed on

the box.

Once the paint is dry cut a piece of ribbon long enough to wrap around the box and create a bow

(length will vary since box sizes may vary), cut no shorter than 12 inches

Place the ribbon flat across the front of the box- make ends equal on each side coming out from

the middle of box

Flip over the box and ribbon, cross the ribbon to go in opposite directions across the back then

flip over the box with the ribbon. You should have made a criss cross design with the ribbon.

Now tie the ribbon in a bow.

Cut off excess ribbon.

Fluff bow.

I made a bunch of soap box gift boxes for Christmas last year but they can be decorated for any

occasion. Here’s a photo of a few of my Christmas ones.

This concept can be used for any size box. No need for wrapping paper, just create beautifully

decorated boxes from what

you have on hand. Even cereal

boxes work great for this style

project.

Zombies in December

Pembroke Sinclair

Zombies in December? Why not? We have Christmas in July. Besides, if a zombie apocalypse were to occur,

we’d have to deal with zombies every month of the year until they were taken care of. Zombies don’t take vaca-

tions in the summer or stay out of the cold in the winter.

Winter would be the best time to deal with zombies, anyway. If you live in a cold re-

gion, the weather would take care of the threat and freeze them in place. They’d be ripe

for the killing. It would be very close to shooting fish in a barrel. You and your friends

could make a game out of it. Have competitions and see how many could be killed in

one day or one hour, whatever you decide. Or maybe the zombies could be set up like

snowmen and bowled over. See how many frozen heads can be smashed with a bat.

However you decide to kill them, make sure they stay good and dead. The only real

danger is the zombies being buried in snow. They would be hard to find, but I doubt

they’d be much of a threat. Again, they would be frozen. Still, it’s best to exercise cau-

tion and be careful where you step. There would be nothing worse than a creature pop-

ping up and biting you in the leg.

While it’s fun to think about frozen zom-

bies and how to dispatch of them, nothing of the sort happens in

my stories. In all honesty, there’s nothing exciting or scary about

frozen zombies. The weather in my stories is always nice and

zombies are allowed to roam free, wreaking their terrible havoc

on the world. However, it is an idea that might be worth delving

into. How would survivors deal with the zombies in the dead of

winter? Would they send out crews to rid the world of the men-

ace? Or would they enjoy the reprieve and spend the time stock-

ing up on supplies?

It gives you something to consider, and while you’re at it, check

out Life After the Undead and Death to the Undead and see how

tough teenager Krista deals with the undead. The series would make a fantastic gift for those on your list who

are hard to buy for or for those zombie fans who seem to have it all.

Enjoy the holiday season and be thankful there are no zombies knocking on your door!

Interview With Crista McHugh

What is the Soulbearer trilogy about?

The trilogy focuses around Arden, a witch who accidentally becomes the Soulbearer for Loku, the disembod-

ied God of Chaos. Suddenly, a girl who’s spent most of her life trying to avoid attention is at the center of all

kinds of trouble.

Tell us about this book, A Soul for Chaos. What is it about? How does it tie into the trilogy?

A Soul For Chaos is the second book in the trilogy. In this book, Arden finally gets to Gravaria to start her

training on how to control Loku (or more appropriately, learn how to keep Loku from controlling her). She’s

still torn between two men—her sexy but duty-bound protector, Dev, and the handsome romantic Prince

Kell. But she has bigger things to worry about. A group of powerful mages are trying their best to destroy

Loku once and for all, and she’s caught in the crossfire.

What inspired you to write this trilogy?

I got struck by a plot bunny that involved a character who constantly heard the voice of someone trying to

influence her and get her into trouble. The rest of the story evolved from there.

Is the mythology in this series inspired by real-life mythology? (For example, is Loku based on a myth-

ological chaos god such as the Norse Loki?)

Yes, Loku is loosely based on Loki. He’s a trickster, which made him an excellent God of Chaos. However,

he threatened to destroy the world a few centuries before the series takes place by opening door between this

realm and the realm of chaos (which I picture to be like Tartarus from the Dreamworks film, Sinbad). So,

like the misbehaving gods of ancient mythology, he was punished by the other gods. In Loku’s case, his body

was destroyed, and his powers were locked along with his soul inside the Soulbearer.

Do you have a favorite scene and/or character?

I admit I do have a soft spot for Loku. He has no problem telling Arden exactly what’s on his mind—the

good, the bad, and the ugly. He also borders on slightly insane, which is always a tension breaker when need-

ed.

What inspires and motivates you to write stories?

Um, those little voices inside my head? Seriously, I often find myself thinking about a character so much that

I just HAVE to get their story out or it will drive me nuts.

Do you have a writing schedule or routine?

As the mother of two small children and a full time doctor, I try to cram as much writing as I can on those

few weekdays I get off here and there. Once the kids are off to daycare, I’m in front of my computer, and I

usually don’t stop until I get about 20 pages done. I like to write in my office with a Scentsy candle to fit the

mood of the scene and utter silence.

What does your writing space look like?

I use the extra bedroom as my writing space. I have an antique writing desk with a leather inlay that looks

toward the Cascades. I try to keep it neat, but when I’m on deadline, the clean laundry tends to pile up on the

guest bed behind my desk.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read everything you can. Learn what you like and don’t like. Then try to figure out why. Only then can you

apply those lessons to your own writing.

A Soul For Chaos

The Soulbearer Trilogy, Book 2

Crista McHugh

Genre: Fantasy with strong romantic elements

ISBN: 978-1479236817

Ebook 978-0985446222

Number of pages: 338

Word Count: 89K

Cover Artist: Claudia McKinney

Book Description:

Book 2 of the Soulbearer Trilogy

Life is dull without a little Chaos.

Trouble is more than just a nickname for Arden Soulbearer. It seems to follow her wherever she

goes. And no one knows this better than her protector, Devarius Tel’Brien.

Dev thought that by moving Arden to Gravaria so she could learn how to control Loku, the chaos

god whose soul inhabits her body, life would be simpler. Wrong. Not only is he continually torn

between his duty and his growing feelings for the Soulbearer, but he also has to contend with the

rival prince who wishes to claim her heart. Adding to his problems, a group of powerful mages

have banded together to rid the world of the disembodied chaos god once and for all. Of course,

that means they have to destroy Arden in the process.

Mrs. B’s Guide to Household Witchery: Everyday Magic, Spells, and

Recipes

By Kris Bradley

Genre: New Age/ Wicca

Publisher: Weiser Books, an imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

ISBN: 978-1-57863-515-3

Number of pages: 224

Word Count: 49,000

Cover Artist: Jim Warner

Amazon B&N

Book Description:

For domestic goddesses everywhere—add some magic and fun to those mundane household chores with Mrs.

B.'s Guide to Household Witchery. Whether you're sweeping the floor, making a meal, or cleaning out that junk

drawer, domestic witch Kris Bradley, creator of the popular blog, Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom, will

show you how to create spells and magic to bring happiness and balance into your home.

Bradley offers ideas and solutions to make the most out of everyday items, activities, and obligations. From An-

chovies to Broccoli, and Wine to Yeast, from sweeping the floor to blow-drying your hair, you can change your

outlook on life with a pinch of knowledge and a dash of magic! The book includes simple rituals, spells, and

ways to connect with the spirits that watch over your home and family. Includes an appendix of herbs and a

complete materia magica from the kitchen pantry.

An excerpt from SIMPLE SABBATS FOR THE BUSY WITCH:

Yule—On or Near December 21

Yule, which takes place every year on the winter solstice, is the shortest

day of the year. Though Yule marks the official beginning of winter, it

is also the time when the days begin to grow longer. Many traditions

consider this time to be the rebirth of the sun and a celebration of light.

Ritual: 5 Minutes Alone

Yule may well be one of the busiest times of the year. It will only take a few minutes to perform this simple ritu-

al of thanks to honor the season.

Items Needed:

A red candle (Bayberry candles are traditionally said to bring warmth and wealth when lit on the solstice.)

A lighter or matches

A gingerbread cookie (or another holiday treat)

Apple cider

1. Sit and center yourself when you have a few spare minutes. No matter what your spiritual practices, this time

of the year is usually one of bustling families. Think about what this sabbat really means to you, and how you

can better convey that message to your kids to make this day more special.

2. Light the candle and say,

I light this candle in honor of the winter solstice and the return of the sun! I honor this celebration of light and

welcome the lengthening of the days to come. I give hanks to the Lord and Lady for this change of the season

and for the blessings bestowed upon my family. Blessed be.

3. Eat your treat and sit as long as you can, enjoying the time.

Small Group Ritual

Many traditions hold that you should stay up on the night of the winter solstice to greet the return of the sun.

Gather friends and family and plan an evening of fun to keep everyone awake until dawn. Depending on the

crowd, this could be anything from an evening of video games to a marathon candle making night. What matters

most is that you are enjoying each other’s company.

Items Needed:

A red candle for each participant

A lighter or matches for each participant

Enough small snacks to get through a long evening

A pot of mulled apple cider or coffee

1. Before the evening starts, find out what time the sun will rise, and make sure to tell everyone you want to at-

tend.

2. Spend the dark hours engaged in whatever activities you’ve devised to pass the time with enough small snacks

and apple cider or coffee to see you through until dawn.

3. As the sun rises, have everyone light their candle. Have someone say, We greet the sun on this day, the winter

solstice! We ask that all who gather here be blessed, and that on these coming lengthening days, we gather often

to enjoy each other’s company.

4. Have everyone carefully hold up their candles and say together, Welcome, Sun!

For the Kids

This time of year, children can often be swept up by the commercial aspect of the holiday season. Make sure to

share with them often that Yule is a celebration of light and the return of the sun and not just about presents.

Many families do include gift giving as part of the winter holiday, so creating an atmosphere that makes giving

just as exciting as getting can help curb any “gimme” attitudes.

Consider participating in a local “Giving Tree,” in which you fulfill a child’s holiday wish, or “Mitten Tree,”

where you donate mittens, scarves, and hats. Partner up with other families and approach a local hospital or nurs-

ing home about having the kids create simple decorations to display. Make paper snowflakes, drawings, and holi-

day cards, and deliver them with some homemade treats to share with those who can’t be home for the holiday.

Creating a tradition of giving with your children will be one of the greatest gifts you will ever give them.

A Sleigh Ride Home

By Roxanne Rhoads

The moonlight glittered off the freshly fallen snow. It was like taking a sleigh ride through a forest of

crystals. Everything sparkled, glimmered and shimmered. It was truly beautiful. Caleb was really trying so hard

to give me the “good, old fashioned Christmas” experience that I had always dreamed of; complete with a one

horse open sleigh, fresh falling snow, and a thermos full of hot cocoa.

The blanket started to slip off my lap so I tugged it up to make sure it didn’t fall to the floor of the

sleigh.

Caleb glanced my way, “Are you cold Maggie?”

How could I be cold with Caleb, the man of my dreams and fantasies sitting beside me? I had wanted

this man since high school, when he was the popular, hot guy that was so nice to everyone. Including a skinny,

scrawny girl with braces and glasses. Me. “No, I’m actually quite warm. The night doesn’t feel that cold and

between my thick leggings, sweater, wrap and the blanket I am toasty warm.”

“Good, I didn’t want you to get cold. After living in Texas for the past couple years I bet you aren’t used

to the cold, Michigan winters anymore. I was afraid you’d be freezing by now.”

Caleb was always so wonderful. He was the kind of guy that was always concerned about people. We

had been pretty good friends. He was so sweet he even took me to our senior prom seven years ago. I was sure

he’d just done it to be nice because he felt sorry for me since no one else had asked me to be their date. Now I

wasn’t so sure that he had taken me to the prom just to be nice. Maybe he had real feelings for me. The kind of

feelings I have for him.

This was only the second time I had seen him since I left to go to college in Texas right after graduation

but I had never stopped thinking about him.

It seemed that he never stopped thinking about me either. He sent me letters, cards and emails from time

to time always asking when I was coming home. This was the first year I had replied telling him that I’d be

home for Christmas. Usually my mom flew out to Texas to spend the holidays with me there. This year though

my mother had finally met someone special and she wanted to spend the holidays with him…and me. Honestly I

was glad. I had really begun to miss Michigan lately, especially at Christmas. There was nothing like a snow

covered Christmas.

“No matter how long I stay in Texas I’ll always be a cold blooded Michigan girl.”

His smile twinkled as bright as the snow, “Glad to hear that.”

“You know Caleb this was awfully nice of you to invite me on this sleigh ride. The drive through town

seeing all the Christmas displays and lights was fun and then here, in the woods…it is so still, so quiet and so

utterly beautiful. It is a dream come true.”

“Maggie, I remembered that last Christmas we spent together before graduation and how you would al-

ways talk about wanting an old fashioned Christmas with sleigh rides and hot cocoa and even ice skating. I have

always wanted to give that to you. I’ve had old Drew here,” he motioned to the horse, “and this sleigh for five

years now hoping you’d come home for the holidays so I could give you the Christmas sleigh ride you’ve al-

ways dreamed of.”

“Really? Caleb, I had no idea. But why?”

“Why? Maggie isn’t it obvious? I love you; I’ve been in love with you since middle school. I’ve tried to

put you out of my head, I’ve tried dating other people but it’s you. You are the one that’s always had that special

place in my heart.”

My eyes welled up with tears as his words rang true. My heart swelled telling me I felt the same way. All

this time I hadn’t let myself believe in my feelings because I feared rejection.

Caleb pulled the sleigh off the trail and into a small clearing.

“Maggie would you consider coming home?”

“Caleb, I am home,” I said as I threw my arms around his neck.

“Really? To stay? With me?” he mumbled into my neck.

“Yes, with you, for as long as you’ll have me,” I cried.

“I hope forever isn’t too long for you,” Caleb said with a smile as he pulled away from my tear soaked em-

brace to look into my eyes.

“Forever sounds just about right.”

Do you write in different genres?

I write in the m/m romance genre and within that I write contemporary stories

(often with a disabled lead) and paranormal stories (mostly shape-shifter sto-

ries). Oh, and I also write about two men in a domestic disciplinary relationship,

but these stories aren't published they are free reads on my blog.

If yes which is your favorite genre to write?

I like all the genres I listed, each one is unique and allows me to write some-

thing different. I'm a big fan of the domestic discipline stories but if I have to

choose one genre I'd chose the paranormal genre with special emphasis on

shape-shifters.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

A Purrfect Match was at first titled A Perfect Match. That title fit too but since Jim's shape-shifter form is a cat I

wanted the title to emphasize this somehow. I really like the title now because it's just perfect for the book's con-

tent and also has a playful note.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

Usually I title the book when I'm about halfway done or after it's complete. I've never titled a book before I start-

ed to write it. That's not because I'm opposed to the idea rather than that I'm unable to come up with a title be-

fore getting to know my characters and their story.

What books are in your to read pile?

Mostly books by other m/m authors: The Binding: Something to Depend on by Leora Stark, For the Long Run

by Elizabeth Noble, Lorcan's Desire by SJD Peterson, A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan and If I Must by

Amy Lane.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

The awesome Shobana Appavu! I absolutely love the cover she created for A Purrfect Match! It's so tender and

Jim, Andrew and Tony look like I've imagined them.

Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?

My biggest hobby is to read but I also do a lot of cross-stitch. Sometimes I craft cards or crochet.

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

I do have two upcoming releases: Secret Chemistry will release in January 2013 (this is another m/m shape-

shifter romance) and in February/March Too Good to Be True? (sequel to Seizing It) will release. I just signed a

contract for The Caveman and the Devil (sequel to Cuddling Up, included in Dreamspinner's Animal Magnetism

Anthology), which will release in May/June 2013.

Chrismukkah Gifts

Robyn Bachar

Lately I’ve been pondering Chrismukkah presents for my friends and family. Chicago Bears sweatshirts? TAR-

DIS coffee mugs? Catnip mice? Okay, the last one is easy, because the cats get catnip mice for every occasion.

Christmas has always been a big thing in my family (at one point we almost had a tree in every room). Fire in

the Blood, takes place in late November, post-Thanksgiving, so I didn’t get to work any holiday moments into it.

But Patience and Faust are featured in the next Bad Witch book, and that does have a cozy Christmas scene.

Though she’s cast iron on the outside, Patience is a softie on the inside. She

loves A Christmas Story and It’s A Wonderful Life, so everyone ends up in the

TV room together for a little popcorn and family bonding.

As an author, I wonder what my characters would want for Christmas. Patience

and Faust would be hard to buy for. Patience is a summoner, and she deals in

demons. It’s a profitable business, so she already has pretty much everything

she needs or wants, including a fast, shiny car. Her sweetheart Faust is even

worse, because as a faerie he can just snap his fingers and poof! Instant stuff!

Impossible to shop for the faerie who can conjure anything.

But Patience’s demon minion Harvey, now him I could shop for. Sure he’s a

demon who looks like a six foot tall skinless rabbit, but he’s also a gamer. He

would love most of the stuff on Think Geek. Harvey would probably also appre-

ciate a new video game, because he needs something to keep him busy while

Patience and Faust are off spending time together.

But, in the end, I usually end up giving everyone gift cards. Although I’m sure my brother needs another Chia

Pet…

Excerpt from A Marquess for Christmas by Vivienne Westlake

“He still sleeps fitfully, my lady.” Avery put his hand to the man’s head. “A little warm. We should get

some ice and keep his temperature down.”

“And you have checked his bandages?” The bleeding had stopped, but the chance of infection was

high. She stood by the four poster bed, looking down at her savior, who lay still and quiet, despite the people in

the room.

“Yes, the wound is not healed, but neither is it as gruesome as it was yesterday.”

“And he has not awoken?”

“He tosses and murmurs and has managed the chamber pot a couple of times, but he does not speak and

his eyes are glazed and unfocused.”

It had been two days since the incident. She prayed it was the laudanum keeping him so dazed and not

his injury. But they could not be sure yet.

“If he does not awaken in the next day or two, we shall have to fetch Doctor Littleton. For now, let us

keep him cool and make sure that someone checks on him every hour.”

Violet went to the window and opened it. The sky was cloudy and the ground covered with a thin layer

of snow. “The fresh, cool air should do him good.” She rang the bell then went back to the bed and sat down.

The man’s hands felt hot under hers, but she raised them to her cheek to be sure. Definitely too warm.

“My lady?” Miriam entered the room.

“Go and fetch some ice please. If there’s no ice, send a footman outside and gather snow. We need to

keep him cool until his fever breaks.”

She leaned over to the small bedside table, dipped a cloth into a small ceramic basin, and wrung it out.

“I will see to him for a while, Avery.” She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you.”

Gently, she took the cloth and wiped the man’s face, always conscious of the bandage. She hummed as

she worked. It was a very old song that she’d learned as a girl. Sometimes her mother would sing it as she

stitched.

“Come live with me and be my love and we will all the pleasures prove. The hill and valley, dale and

field, and all the craggy mountains yield.”

She washed his arms, noting each twist and turn of muscle. She even tested it with her finger to see if it

was as firm as it appeared. Nothing about him was soft-- except for his lips and the silky threads of his hair.

She brushed the towel over his neck and down to the exposed skin at the opening of his tunic. The hair

there was thin and fine. She couldn’t help but stare as she swept over his chest. His nipples were wide, but tight-

ened into little nubs when she touched them.

What would it feel like to run her palms over them? Would they react to her as they did to the damp

cloth? What about her mouth?

Violet turned away and blushed. She closed her eyes and willed herself to remember him fighting off the

thief and the moment when he’d taken the fateful blow. She needed to focus on her task and not on the yearn-

ings she felt for a man she barely knew.

She might be fantasizing about a man of base morals or a man with a wife and four children. Or, what if

he was a clergyman? That she doubted considering his skill with weapons and his readiness to fight, but what

gentleman would watch an innocent woman get attacked by thieves and not come to her rescue?

A man does what needs must. Even a man of the cloth will take up a pistol if his life or his country de-

manded it. She had seen boys barely old enough to carry a gun with gaping holes in their chest and villages rav-

aged and burned in the war.

And this man would die like the rest, if she did not do her duty to him. He’d saved her and now she must

do the same for him.

With such thoughts distracting her, she didn’t realize she’d paused her singing until she heard a low,

gravelly voice.

“Sing.”

She looked down to see dark eyes watching her.

“You are awake!”

“Sing,” he repeated, but he’d barely finished the word when a ragged cough took over his body.

“A belt of straw and ivy buds, with coral clasps and amber studs, and if these pictures may thee move,

come live with me and—”

“Be my love.” His voice was hoarse, even more than she expected for someone who’d slept for two

days. She lifted from the bed to pour water from the pitcher into a cup.

When she lifted the cup to his lips, he coughed and it dribbled down his chin. “Easy.” They tried again,

but still, most of the water ended up down his chest. His tunic absorbed the excess liquid and clung tightly to his

body, so she could see every line and curve. His nipples hardened again.

“Let me try this another way,” she said. This time, she dipped her fingers into the cup and let the water

drip into his mouth.

He opened wide for more. She leaned closer, her bosom near his face, and poured more water from her

fingers.

After the third time, he put her two fingers to his lips and sucked them. A flash of heat shot through her

limbs. If she’d been standing, she would have faltered and lost her balance.

His mouth was hot and she suspected it had little to do with his fever.

“More,” he whispered. He stared at her and she could not move, could not speak.

There was a knock behind them and that jolted her out of her frozen state. Miriam stood in the doorway

with ice and more water. The man groaned.

She motioned for the maid to come in. As soon as the girl was close, Violet took a tiny chip of ice and

put it in the man’s mouth.

The ice would help his thirst, but she also was afraid for him to speak. The need in his eyes was too real,

too close to the desire that she felt. But he was a stranger. A beautiful, dark, bewitching stranger who had risked

his life for her, yet she knew almost nothing about him.

A fact that she could remedy. No. What was she thinking? He was wounded, disoriented, and who

knows if he mistook her for his wife or some mistress. A sharp pang twisted in her gut. Did he have a mistress?

She’d already considered that he could be married, but she hadn’t thought about the possibility of a mistress.

He was a virile, handsome man with a body any sculptor would worship and carve into stone. She’d

seen it all, every wicked inch of him. The thought of that body being pleasured by some other woman made her

ill.

“Do you or the gentleman need anything else, my lady?”

“Perhaps the cook has some broth. But please make sure it is tepid, not hot.”

Miriam set down the tray of ice and curtsied before exiting the room.

He rubbed his temples, then when Miriam was gone, he turned back to her. Though he whispered the

word, “Water,” his eyes said something else.

She plopped another ice sliver into his mouth. He sucked on it, watching her still. She felt a flush run

down from her ears to her belly. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought his fever was catching.

A foolish part of her longed to demand if he had a mistress, but she bit her lip. That was not the first

question she should ask him. And, he was so weak, it was better if he didn’t speak at all.

She put her hand to his mouth. “Do not try to speak, sir. You are weary and hoarse.”

He opened his mouth and before he could argue, she fed him another ice chip.

“You have a fever and you need to rest.”

His forehead was still warm. It could be a long night if his fever didn’t break. But he was at least alert for

now, which was a good sign.

She stood up, intending to move aside the blankets and leave him with the sheet, but he reached for her

arm.

“Don’t.” Under his stare, she froze again. “Do not. Leave.” Though the words were gravelly and low, it

was a command, not a plea.

“Very well.”

She pulled aside the blankets, careful not to touch his thighs, and moved a chair close to the bed. The

mere foot of space between her seat and the bed seemed much farther. Every little movement made her aware of

the hard chair beneath her and the cool air brushing over her skin.

She missed the heat of his body next to hers. A Marquess for Christmas

Vivienne Westlake

Genre: Regency, erotic romance, historical romance

Cover Artist: Vivienne Westlake

Book Description:

A widow in need of rescue. A dissolute Marquess determined not to marry.

When Violet Laurens is accosted on the road by thieves, a handsome stranger comes to her

rescue. He is badly injured and doesn’t remember who he is, so she takes him home and

cares for him. But the closer they become, the more Violet fears the inevitable moment

when he must leave her.

The Marquess of Kittrick has vowed not to marry, despite his family’s wishes. He wants

nothing to do with prim and proper young ladies, even a beautiful widow who makes him

question all of his previous assumptions.

Every touch, every glance between them builds a passion that neither can deny—or control. But when Kit is no longer able to hide his

identity, will he sacrifice his pride and claim Violet as his own? Or will he return to his dissolute ways and destroy the fragile love he

never believed he could find?

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Series

Holiday Books with Bite

By Roxanne Rhoads

It’s no secret my favorite holiday is Halloween. In my house, it’s

bigger than Christmas. We celebrate Halloween activities for the

entire month of October.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas too, Halloween just

has an extra special place in my heart.

So during the holidays I tend to crave something with a little more

bite than your average feel good holiday tale.

I love to find books with something a little darker than twinkling

lights and snow, like maybe a fang or two.

There are several paranormal and urban fantasy books available

that have a little holiday bite to them.

Some of my favorites are:

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe is an anthology featuring some of the best

authors in urban fantasy and paranormal including Charlaine Harris,

Patricia Briggs, and Rob Thurman. This one is full of bite- and a few

twisted holiday tales ;-)

New York Times bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Patricia

Briggs, Keri Arthur, Carrie Vaughn, and Karen Chance-along with

ten other masters of the genre-offer stories on werewolves and the

holidays, a fresh variation on the concept of birthdays and vampires

found in Many Bloody Returns.

The holidays can bring out the beast in anyone- particularly lycan-

thropes. Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner have harvested the

scariest, funniest, saddest werewolf tales by an outstanding pack of

authors, best read by the light of a full moon with a silver bullet close at hand.

Whether wolfing down a holiday feast (use your imagination) or craving some hair of the dog

on New Year's morning, the werewolves in these frighteningly original stories will surprise, de-

light, amuse, and scare the pants off readers who love a little wolfsbane with their mistletoe.

Holidays are Hell a great UF anthology featuring paranormal holi-

day tales from Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Vicki Pettersson, and

Marjorie M. Liu.

This holiday, spend quality time with family and loved ones—living

and dead . . .

There's no place like home for the horrordays—unless you'd prefer a

romantic midnight walk through a ghost-infested graveyard . . . or a

haunted house candlelight dinner with the sexy vampire of your

dreams.

The (black) magical season is here—and whether it's a solstice sé-

ance gone demonically wrong with the incomparable Kim Harrison,

a grossly misshapen Christmas with the remarkable Lynsay Sands, a

blood-chilling-and-spilling New Year's with the wonderful Marjorie

M. Liu, or a super-powered Thanksgiving with the phenomenal Vicki Pettersson, one thing is

for certain: in the able hands of these exceptional dark side explorers, the holidays are going to

be deliciously hellish!

The Bite Before Christmas by Jeaniene Frost and Lynsay Sands

In Lynsay Sands' "The Gift," Katricia Argeneau knows grey-eyed cop Teddy

Brunswick is her life mate. She just needs to convince him they belong to-

gether, and being snowbound in a secluded cabin will make this a Christ-

mas neither will forget.

It's "Home for the Holidays" in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Cat

and Bones may long to wrap presents and set up a tree, but this Christ-

mas, an evil vampire and long-buried family

secrets will threaten to take a bite out of their

holiday cheer.

Heidi Betts The Bite Before Christmas. This

steamy read will make you wish Santa would leave a vampire under

your tree.

I read this one and loved it. Heidi Betts really knows how to keep the

romance in paranormal romances. Her vampire stories are some of

the sweetest, romantic books with bite you can sink your fangs into.

If you are a fan of sweet romances but would love to give paranor-

mal romances a try- start here. Heidi's books won't scare you away

with violence or bloodshed. Her characters are normal everyday peo-

ple that fall in love- some of them just happen to have fangs.

"All I Vant for Christmas" introduces Connor, who loves trimming the Christmas tree, baking gin-

gerbread cookies, and hanging the mistletoe. But his vampire siblings won't help. His friend

Angelina sends party planner Jillian to the rescue. But when Jillian, who's mortal, discovers

she's decking the halls for a family of vampires, she must decide between running for her life - or

putting Connor's mistletoe to good use.

In "A Vampire in Her Stocking," Vivian becomes heartbroken when she learns that her secret

crush, Sean, is terminally ill. Confiding in Angelina, Vivian refuses to turn Sean into a vampire.

Deciding to play Santa, Angelina changes Sean and leaves him wrapped in a red bow on Vivian's

doorstep. Angelina, the heroine of

"It's a Wonderful Bite," is happy with her boyfriend Ian, but she's ready for a commitment. After

drinking eggnog and watching "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve, Angelina falls into a

dream where she is mortal and Ian isn't interested in her. Talk about the nightmare before Christ-

mas! But Santa must have checked his list twice because this Christmas Angelina's wishes are

coming true...

All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire (Love at Stake Book 5) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Kerrelyn Sparks is an author you must read if you love vampire para-

normal romances with lots of romance and humor.

Try this series, you'll love it.

Toni Davis's Christmas wish list

1. Springing my best friend from the psych ward.

2. Living somewhere that doesn't have coffins in the basement. Occu-

pied coffins.

3. Finding Mr. Right. Please make him tall, dark, handsome, and

alive.

This Christmas isn't so merry for Toni. Her best friend's been locked up in a mental hospital ever

since she told the police she was attacked by vampires, and the only way for Toni to get her out

is to prove that bloodsuckers really do exist. So she's taken a job as a bodyguard for the Undead,

but she gets more than she bargained for, especially when she meets Ian MacPhie, a Scottish ras-

cal looking for Ms. Right.

Although Ian's nearly five centuries old, he looks and acts like a twenty-seven-year-old hunk.

How can a dead man be so damn sexy? Could Mr. Wrong be Mr. Right?

Here's a great one featuring vampire tales from Michelle Hauf, Laurie

London, Caridad Pineiro and Alexis Morgan- A Vampire for Christmas.

Dark and delicious tales that'll put you in the holiday spirit and have you

searching for more books by these authors- especially if this is your intro-

duction into their dark worlds.

All they want for Christmas is you…

It's the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mis-

tletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning im-

mortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-fallen snow.

And they don't care if you've been naughty or nice.

Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there's

no place like home for the holidays—and these dazzling vampires can't wait for an invitation.

Here's another great collection of holiday tales filled with fangs.

Christmas with a Vampire

Sink your teeth into these while sitting in front of your tree.

Prepare for an exhilarating journey across the boundary of death in-

to a shadowy, daring new world. As darkness falls on another year,

five fanged rebels are ready to celebrate like never before.

It's a time for bloodlust and stolen kisses, for clandestine bites and

forming new bonds beneath the mistletoe. Succumb to the forbidden

as these powerful vampires give you a Christmas you'll nev-

er forget….

Best Christmas Movies Ever by Candycane Claus

People are always asking me what my favorite Christmas movies are, as if Christmas movies

are the only movies I watch. Actually, my favorite movie of all time is Grease. Nary a Christ-

mas tree in sight. Not even a card. But okay, I get it. I’m Santa’s daughter, so I have to have an

opinion on Christmas movies. Okay, here they are...

Miracle on 34th Street (1947). Little Natalie Wood thinks a department store Santa is really

my dad. Her creepy babysitter sets out to prove in court that she’s right so he can hit on her

single mom. Trivia: Edmund Gwenn is the only actor to win an Oscar for playing my dad. So

far.

Elf (2003). My dad kidnaps a baby from an orphanage, raises him as

an elf, then when he grows too big to fit in at the Workshop, sends

him off to New York to find his real father. Sure, there are some inac-

curacies in the North Pole scenes (swans a-swimming, narwhals don’t

talk!), but Will Ferrell is hilarious as Buddy the Elf.

Bad Santa (2003). An alcoholic Santa robs department stores. Daddy

banned this one from the Pole, but everyone at school downloaded it

to see what the fuss was about. Now I watch it in my room whenever I’m really mad at Daddy.

It’s sooo funny.

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011). Estranged stoners

learn the true meaning of Christmas after shooting my dad out of his

sleigh. Another one my dad hates. I’m just

glad they didn’t try to use my title, North

Pole “High.” LOL.

The Santa Clause (1994). Funnyman Tim Al-

len accidentally kills my dad, then assumes

his identity to make his son love him again.

Merry Christmas to me, right?

Starting to see why I don’t love Christmas movies? These are the cream of the crop. At least until

my book hits the big screen. :)

North Pole High: A Rebel Without a Claus

Candace Jane Kringle aka Candycane Claus

Genre: YA teen romance/humor/fantasy

Publisher: elfpublished books

ISBN: 978-0615681917

Number of pages: 302

Word Count: 80,000

Cover Artist: Jessica Weil

Book Description:

MEET SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD CANDYCANE CLAUS. She's the most popular girl at North Pole

High. Her father is world-famous. And every day is Christmas. What more could any girl want?

BOYS! And the new boy, Rudy Tutti, is hot chocolate. But he hates anything to do with Christ-

mas!

When Candy and Rudy are forced to work together on a school Christmas-tree project, her world is

turned upside down: Her grades start to suffer, she loses her taste for ice cream, and now the two

North-Star-cross'd teens must contend with her overprotective father — Santa Claus — before

Christmas is ruined for EVERYONE!

About the Author:

Candace Jane Kringle is a junior at North Pole High. She likes can-

dy canes, unicorn races, and making snow angels. Her father is the

most well-known and beloved toymaker and distributor in the

world. Her memoir, North Pole High: A Rebel Without a Claus, is

her first book. After high school, she plans to enroll at North Pole

University and write more books.

http://www.northpolehigh.com/

http://twitter.com/CandycaneClaus

http://goodreads.com/CandycaneClaus

http://facebook.com/NorthPoleHigh

http://pinterest.com/NorthPoleHigh

Excerpt All I Want for Christmas Is You

"You don't have to be afraid. This will explain it all. I promise you." He smiled warmly and Lauren wanted to

trust him if only to believe in simple kindness.

With shaking hands, she took the piece of paper, warm from being in the pocket close to Kyle's body. She

held it up straight so that she could see Kyle while reading the words on the paper.

"Dear Santa..." she read out loud, then read the next part silently. "Oh, no," she groaned.

"I know. That's just how I felt."

Lauren shot him a skeptical glance. "How did you get this?"

"Kristen gave it to me."

"That's impossible. Mrs. Hopkins just helped her with it this

afternoon and-"

"And she gave it to me in the Mall," Kyle finished for her.

She looked at him quizzically, still trying to comprehend the

course of events leading up to his seizure of her daughter's

precious note.

"It's not that hard to figure out, Lauren," Kyle said warmly.

His dark eyes gleamed with the light from the lamppost. He

wore no hat to protect his head from the falling snow. Now

his hair was filled with powdered flakes, matting it down.

His grin was bright and wide as he informed her, "I'm Santa

Claus."

Fate with a Helping Hand Series includes:

Book 1 ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

Book 2 THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Book 3 THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE'S BABY

All I Want for Christmas is You

Fate with a Helping Hand Book One

Lisa Mondello

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ASIN: B005KDG236

Number of pages: 192

Word Count: 40,000

Amazon Barnes and Noble iTunes Smashwords

Book Description:

Sometimes fate needs a little hand...

Santa Claus is going to have a rough season... Lauren Alexander is raising her daughter alone. Abandoned by

her family for her decision to keep her daughter Kristen, she has done a pretty good job for the last six years. Or

she thought she had. That's why she is crushed when little Kristen gives up her wish for a toy or goodie and in-

stead asks Santa for a present for her mother. She wants Santa to bring a Daddy. Delivering Daddies isn't San-

ta's bag.

But this Santa has a plan...

Kyle Preston knows what it is like to be abandoned too. Luckily he found the support of loving adoptive par-

ents and has turned himself into one of the most successful Real Estate developers in town.

Building a house is easy. Building someone's trust is a whole other story. But with a little helping hand, a little

Christmas magic can make all the difference in the world.

About the Author:

Lisa Mondello (a.k.a. LA Mondello) has held many jobs in her life but be-

ing a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!

She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing

novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her

first book, All I Want for Christmas is You, was the winner of the Golden

Quill contest for Best First Book and to date has had over 400,000 down-

loads worldwide.

She is currently the author of 14 novels under the name Lisa Mondello and

LA Mondello. You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at

http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com

www.LisaMondello.blogspot.com

@LisaMondello

http://www.facebook.com/lisa.mondello.1

Midnight

By Ami Blackwelder

The world is no longer the way we remember. Few are

even still alive to recall the days when midnight didn’t mean

cowered away & hidden. Out of sight became our only way to

survive since the...Century Vampires. If you want to live, trust

no one.

Dedicated to my FANGED FANS!

~Ami Blackwelder

Century Vampires have only one rule:

There are no rules.

episode 1

By 2125 the world had been overthrown by monsters dubbed

Century Vampires. Some kind of mutation in the human ge-

nome gave rise to the first ones, or so the scientists suspected.

Vamps spent the first one-hundred years of their existence

growing in number --some born, some turned --all deadly. They

wreaked havoc for the past eighty-three years.

Vampires ruled the Earth now...

“Move your ass Mark!” Aura shouted from the mouth of the cave, where the rocks ended and the forest be-

gan --well, what was left of the forest after the constant brushfires of a world gone awry.

“Just one more bomb. Those bastards are going to have a real awakening.” Mark slammed his last homemade

explosive against the cave wall. Searching the walls with his vigilant eyes one last time, he took note of the

wrinkled skin hanging from the ceiling.

Like bats, the human vampires hung with feet clinging to the crevices. Their decrepit arms criss-crossed their

chests. Rejuvenating themselves --well, that was what the humans called it. But how did they stick to the cave

ceilings? Some humans speculated that vampire blood secreted some kind of sap through the pores of their skin.

Others figured it was just pure evil that held them there.

“Let’s go!” Aura shouted. Mark had a way of pushing himself to the edge. Aura wanted to make sure he

didn’t fall over it.

“One minute!” Mark yelled, staring at the cave walls. Aura watched his dark copper-brown wavy hair

move like the tide over his face as he just stood there.

Standing on the border between the outside world and the dark cavern, Mark wanted nothing more than

to watch those blood-thirsty monsters burst all over the damp walls. Here inside this cave before midnight they

looked like the monsters they were, the creatures that sucked the life from his sister Laura, the vamps that de-

capitated his parents. Vampires didn’t appear beautiful until they turned and grew fangs at midnight. Then the

deathly hollow their human bodies had become grew into something almost celestial and hypnotic-like, with un-

paralleled strength surging through their veins.

“We are running out of time! The vamps will be hunting soon!” Aura urged.

But Mark stood frozen, green eyes fixed on the blood-suckers, memory spinning. Aura dug her fingers

and nails into his shoulders and spun him around to face her. “We’re going now!” Aura’s face filled with hot red

color, and after she shook him once and he returned to her.

“I’m here, I’m going.” He lunged away from the cave and grabbed Aura’s palm in his. Racing across the

fire beaten terrain, they had never moved faster. Wind hit their faces in a rush and their feet sunk into the soggy

mud with each step forward.

Pop, Pop, Pop… Within seconds the cave imploded and went ablaze.

Bits of vamp flesh burned as it spattered across the barren forest. An arm limb nearly hit Mark in the

head. The entire mission took nearly an hour to complete, the explosion just under a minute. The cave became

rubble and debris shot everywhere.

“Won’t be seeing those blood suckers again.” Mark sounded proud, beads of sweat dripping down his

cheeks.

“We still have to make it back to O-Tech-1.” Code name for the basement of the abandoned church in

Manhattan.

Aura tightened her grip on Mark’s hand. “And you know a few of those mature vamps will be out hunt-

ing. Six to midnight is still not safe.” Aura emphasized that point often. Mark may not mind missions from dusk

to dark. Most vamps still needed rejuvenation then, but Aura didn’t trust the dark. Vamp or no, the dark could be

dangerous.

Besides she smelled the scent of something...someone following them for miles now. Someone familiar.

Get the rest of the story on Amazon

With Shane KP O’neill

What inspired you to become an author?

Writing is what I’ve always wanted to do. I haven’t always dedicated myself fully to it, but I know now it is my

vocation in life. With The Dracula Chronicles I have created this amazing world, and am desperate to share it

with everyone, so they can see the same things that exist in my mind. But it doesn’t end there. I have multitudes

of stories and ideas to share and get out to a wider audience. This is what inspires me. But I want to convey it all

in a way that people can feel inside, and be either shocked or moved by it.

That is essential to me in all that I do as a writer.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes, definitely. In my younger days, and even in the earlier drafts of my

books, III used to write sprawling prose and very long sentences. Whereas I

felt some people would like and appreciate that, I thought that the majority

would not. I wanted to write in a way that would hold appeal for everyone,

taking into account that different people have different reading levels. I want-

ed to reach people who speak English as a second language and even people who read very little or not at all.

Therefore, I completely revised my style. I focused on making my work much more concise and trimmed it

down considerably. I took out many longer words and substituted in their place words that were more easily un-

derstood. I shortened my sentence length and concentrated on fluidity and readability. I made it my goal to have

something on every page to keep my reader interested so that when I delivered a shock, they would feel it.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

I usually take the titles from heavy metal songs that I like for The Dracula Chronicles, and for the short story an-

thologies I’m compiling. But for Bound By Blood I did not. This title is borne purely from the fact that Lucifer

creates Dracula the monster using his own blood.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I think I chose this title a month or two into the writing process. I usually create the title

before I begin.

Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?

Definitely Dracula the man in the first two Chronicles, The Gates Of Babylon and Descent

To Darkness. He was just an incredible individual, who achieved remarkable things. Eve-

ry text, bar one, I had ever read about him was historical. I had this driving urge to create

my own vision of who the real Dracula was, and all modesty aside – he is awesome.

If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?

This book, Bound By Blood, is Chronicle 3 and it comes in 2 volumes because it was too big for one single book.

I have begun the series with this title to give my readers the vampire first. I will follow it in 2013 with The Gates

Of Babylon, which is ready for release. This takes us right back to the beginning, showing the basis of my

concept before I begin the story with Dracula’s birth.

What books are in your to read pile?

I have quite a few, which I’ll be getting stuck into at Christmas. Top of the pile is Memoirs Of A Gigolo –

Volume 3 by Livia Ellis. Then I have 3 books by Luke Romyn that I really want to read; Beyond Hades, The

Slaves Of Valhalla and The Dark Path. I also have a trilogy by Claude Bouchard to get through, a trilogy by

Joseph Beekman and the latest offering by Ashley Fontainne. Oh and I must not forget On Dublin Street by

Samantha Young.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Yes sure. It is an excerpt from Chapter 14.

Chapter 14 - November, 1494. Dracula’s oldest living enemy, Vintila Florescu, sits alone at home await-

ing death. His son and heir, Victor, has been murdered and his head sent to him in a box.

The men paused to reflect on their conversation. Florescu had heard enough. He stepped away from the

window and sat down in his chair. It was the most plausible explanation for what had happened. But to

murder his son and then send him his head? That was personal and indicated a real grudge. Could his

nephew dislike him that much? It gave him plenty to ponder.

He gazed at Victor’s head where it had spent the last four days on the table in front of him. His tears had

long dried up now. They would do Victor no good. He was a broken man. If Death were to call, he would

be welcomed. He sighed hard and then, drinking the last of the wine in his cup, he drifted off to sleep.

His dreams took him back to another time. He was much younger then. Dead bodies littered the streets from

the fighting. Smoke hung over the city from the buildings that burned in the aftermath.

A woman stood naked at the gallows. A rope hung around her neck. He grinned at her, though she did not

seem afraid. Even then as her moment of death was upon her she showed only strength. She stared at him,

her eyes full of hate. He hated her as much, but secretly admired her resolve.

Her face remained engrained there in his mind. He pushed her down naked on her bed. The bed she had

only ever shared with her husband. He forced her to watch in the mirror, as he took her from behind. Hold-

ing her by the hair their eyes met in the glass. The first silent exchange of hatred passed between them.

He then sat in a chair. One after another his men took turns with her while he watched. He loved every one

of her cries though she fought hard to stifle them. Pound the Draculesti whore his men encouraged each

other. One at a time they did.

Her face remained there. Purple and swollen it turned as the rope tightened around her neck. Her legs dan-

gled free, kicking aimlessly against the cold night breeze. A tongue black and swollen protruded from her

mouth. Her eyes bulged as the noose slowly choked the life out of her. Yet still they burned into his.

He turned his focus on a man much younger than he. A son crushed by the image of his mother dangling

from a rope. One who had already brought himself much honour on the battlefield. Battered and bruised,

he looked up defiantly. On his knees he cursed them, each and every one.

Florescu looked down at the hot coals nearby. He picked out an iron, its metal red and glowing. A thousand

sparks flew against the darkness when he blew on its tip. The young man eyed it with fear. He struggled

against those who held him down. It did him no good.

He pressed the hot iron against soft flesh. A loud hiss followed by the most horrible scream. Then silence as

the molten iron ate through all in its wake. Flesh and bone melted into one. He saw a blinded convulsing

body thrown down into an open grave. It was an image he could not escape.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

Umm maybe that I played in the 2007 World Scrabble Championship in Mumbai and held a world ranking of

86th at one time.

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

The Gates Of Babylon will be out next from The Dracula Chronicles in 2013. I will also be unloading onto

you all a collection of horror shorts called Tales Of The Black Sabbath.

Yule

By Brigid Ashwood

The Earth Child's Handbook is an educational, craft and activity book for children and families who follow a

pagan and earth-centric spiritual practice. One of the topics covered in the books is the 8 Sabbats and the vari-

ous traditions associated with them.

The Pagan holiday that is most recognizable to Non-Pagans is Yule, which has a close association with Christ-

mas.

Yule is the holiday of winter solstice. The Sun is below the Celestial Equator now and we have the shortest day

and hence the longest night. After Solstice night the days will slowly get longer as the Sun climbs higher in the

sky and stays out longer each day. Yule is celebrated as a holiday because it is considered the rebirth of the Sun

God. Pagans celebrate this time as a return of light and warmth into our lives. The Suns new light warms our

frozen Earth and prepares her for the coming seasons of growth and fertility. This is a time of renewal and reju-

venation. Yule is is a festival of light and shares qualities with the holidays of other religions found at this same

time of year such as Hanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. All of these holidays recognize the principles of light,

rebirth, and joyous expectation of the coming new year.

Some common Christmas traditions have Pagan origins. The Yule Log and the tradition of Wassailing in par-

ticular have very ancient roots and are associated with well wishes, celebration, good health and prosperity for

the new year.

Winter – Yule

Excerpt from The Earth Child’s Handbook Book 2

Other Names: Solstice Night, Yuletide, Alban Arthan, Saturnalia

Northern Hemisphere: December 20-23

Southern Hemisphere: June 20-23

Herbs: Clove, Evergreen, Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Pinecones

Incense: Clove, Bayberry, Juniper, Rosemary, and Pine

Colors: Red, green, white, silver, gold, metallic colors

Decorations: Wreaths, garlands and sprigs of holly, evergreen, and mistletoe. Light strings and candles.

Decorative trees, Yule log, strings of dried fruits and nuts. Apples and oranges stuck with cloves.

Foods: Dried fruits and nuts, poultry, hearty nut breads, spiced cider, dates, figs

Gods: Sun Child, Horus, Odin, Holly King, Jesus, Bel, Baldur

Goddesses: Great Mother, Isis, Lucina, Mary, Uarinna, Amaterasu, and Bast

Spirit: Rejuvenation, renewal, rebirth, rejoicing

Yule is the holiday of winter solstice. The Sun is below the Celestial Equator now and we have the shortest

day and hence the longest night. After Solstice night the days will slowly get longer as the Sun climbs higher

in the sky and stays out longer each day. Yule is celebrated as a holiday because it is considered the rebirth of

the Sun God. We celebrate this time as a return of light and warmth into our lives. The Suns new light warms

our frozen Earth and prepares her for the coming seasons of growth and fertility. This is a time of renewal

and rejuvenation. Yule is is a festival of light and shares qualities with the holidays of other religions found

at this same time of year such as Hanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. All of these holidays recognize the prin-

ciples of light, rebirth, and joyous expectation of the coming new year.

Yule Altar

Apples and oranges are representative of the Sun and with cloves inserted in a pattern around their skin are a

fabulous looking and smelling decoration for your Yule altar.

Sprigs of evergreen twined about your altar and hung along the edge of the table is beautiful and fragrant as

well.

Holly hung by the front door invites good fortune to your family.

Evergreen and mistletoe bring in the spirits of nature to celebrate the season.

Cinnamon sticks make lovely decorations. String popped popcorn and dried cranberries with needle and

thread to make long garlands for draping about your home.

Red, green, silver and gold, sun prints, holly and evergreen prints, gold candles, and snowy glitter are all en-

chanting embellishments for your altar.

If you wish to create a frosty look to the top of your altar sprinkle it with a bit of baking soda or flour to cre-

ate a new “snowfall”.23

Yule Ritual

Often this time of year is associated with the practice of making resolutions. For instance you may wish to

learn to play an instrument, or get rid of a bad habit in the coming months.

For this ritual you will need a small box and a bowl. The box you will decorate along with your family how-

ever you like. This will be your yearly Yule box and should reflect the themes of the holiday.

Have your family gather around a table. Place the box in the center of the table along with a bowl. Have eve-

ryone at the table write their resolution for the New Year on a slip of paper. Have each person place his or her

resolution slip in the bowl. Pass the bowl around; each person will select a slip of paper from the bowl. Make

sure you don’t receive your own resolution. After the papers are passed out go around the table and have each

person read the resolution on their slip of paper.

Everyone can take turns guessing whose resolution is on the slip of paper. Once they have guessed accurately

write the name of the person on the slip, so you will be able to recall whose it is. Do this for each person pre-

sent, and place all the slips of paper into the Yule box.

Everyone should resolve to not only work on their own resolution in the coming year, but to assist each other

however they can. (This doesn’t mean nagging your sister to stop chewing her hair, it means that if your Dad

has resolved to give up candy bars, try not to eat them in front of him.)

After all the resolutions are read, write a family Yule letter. It doesn’t have to be long, and in fact everyone can

take turns adding a paragraph or two on their own. It should mention the significant events of the past year and

any special feelings about this year’s holiday.

Keep this letter and the resolution slips in the box and bring them out each Yule. Read over last year’s letter

before you write the current one, and check on those resolutions to see how successful they were!

The Yule Log

The Yule log is an old winter solstice tradition and often the highlight of solstice night. Traditionally the log

was acquired off of your own property or received as a gift, you were not supposed to purchase your Yule log.

Once a log was selected it was decorated with evergreen, holly and other seasonal green plants found on hand

and placed in the fireplace.

It was then set to light with a piece of wood saved from last year’s Yule log. In this way the fire from this night

was linked back to all those other fires that had gone before, all lit from a piece of wood saved from the previ-

ous year. Then the log was left to burn throughout the night and allowed to smolder for 12 days after.

On the twelfth night the ashes are dispersed outside to fertilize plants. If you have a fireplace in your home you

and your family can create your own Yule log for celebration.

You can also create another kind of Yule log by having an adult drill holes for candles into the side of a log.

You will want to slice off a bit of the other side of the log to enable it to lay flat.

The Earth Child’s Handbook - Crafts and Inspiration for the Spir-

itual Child

Books 1 & 2

Brigid Ashwood

Genre: Pagan Parenting, Pagan Kids

Book 1

ISBN-10: 1479265519

ISBN-13: 978-1479265510

Book 2

ISBN-10: 147927108X

ISBN-13: 978-1479271085

E-Book Direct from author Amazon

Book Description:

The Earth Child's Handbook is a primer, reference, craft and activity book series for families that follow Pagan,

Wiccan and Earth Based spiritual paths. Designed to appeal to all age groups (and grown-ups too!), the books

address common Pagan beliefs and practices, explaining the principles and traditions behind them.

Each chapter features:

Recipes

Instructional craft projects

Coloring pages, mazes and word searches

Color, cut and assemble projects

Younger children will delight in the coloring pages and paper crafts. Older children will find educational fun

with word searches, mazes, connect-the-dots and instructional crafts. And parents might find it a lifesaver with

easy recipe ideas and inspiration for teaching and building Pagan traditions.

The Earth Child's Handbook - Book 1 features chapters on the joy of family and diversity, honoring the earth

and the principles of the four elements, the universe and Pagan beliefs regarding the Sun and the Moon, explana-

tion of Deities, and an introduction to Magick and Ritual with simple spells and exercises.

Special topics include Shapeshifting, Runes, Book of Shadows, Animal Guides, Chakras, Meditation, Astrologi-

cal Signs, The Elements, Cycles of the Moon, Magickal Correspondences, Sun Deities, Moon Deities, Triple

Goddess and Triple God, The Four Quarters and Casting a Circle.

Featured activities include making a Chakra shirt, rain stick, homemade face paints, herbal infusions, bath salts,

a moon phase wheel, moon cake recipe, a complete "color, cut and assemble" paper altar and much,

MUCH more.

The Earth Child's Handbook - Book 2 features chapters on the

Seasons, the 8 Pagan Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year. Each

Sabbat chapter includes facts, traditions, correspondences and in-

formation about that holiday as well as recipes, altar decorating

ideas, rituals and crafts, coloring pages, mazes and word searches.

Special topics include Seasonal Altars, Solstice Sabbats, Equinox

Sabbats, Quarters and Cross Quarters.

Featured activities include cinnamon ornaments, Yule wrapping

paper, Brigid's cross weaving, handmade paper, flower beads

necklace, Beltaine masks, prayer flag, magickal broom and much,

MUCH more.

Christmas Eve

By Angela Burns

ISBN 1481023403

EAN 978-1481023405

'Christmas Eve' is a simple Winter Ghost Story. A tale of

one womans redemption from immeasurable suffering,

taking you on a journey to the Heights of Heavn and the

Gates of Hell, exploring the intricacies of human nature

and the the deigns of fate through the eyes of a family

left in torment following a horrendous accident.

'Christmas Eve' is a heart-warming read, set over the

night when we all feel a little magic in the air.

Website

About the Author: Angela Burns is a retired Police Officer, living with her

partner and children in Norwich, Norfolk. Having been

given the gift of time, she now writes full time, living

her ambition to share the stories that have floated around her head for so long.

My Halloween Muse

Peg Pierson

A Nightmare before Christmas? Well, actually I had a Dream Come True

before Christmas. My novel, Flirting with Fangs was published! And San-

ta himself couldn’t have brought me a better present!

So, though it is the season to be jolly, I want to give a shout out to my fa-

vorite holiday, Halloween. And explain why I chose it as the setting for

my paranormal comedy.

I work for Halloween Express…told ya it was my favorite holiday…and each season I watch a little boy in-

stantly become Iron Man, while his mom transforms into a Greek Goddess, or Cat Woman, or a sexy zombie

prom queen. Yes. Zombies are still a big trend (How am I to survive till February for a new Walking Dead?!)

Anyhooo…Their eyes brighten as they grin into the mirror. For one magical night, filled with spooky revelry,

laughter and screams, and of course, bags of candy, we can be anyone, or anything, we want to be! We get to

Make-Believe!

In Flirting with Fangs, Torin Kane, my fictional vampire hero, is summoned into reality by his author, Bailey

Hamilton. As I pondered the setting for the story it hit me. Halloween! What better season for a vampire to

show up in downtown Boston? That idea spun my creative juices into overdrive. Writing and finishing a book is

not easy for me, but with my favorite holiday as my muse, a time of magic, mayhem and menace, it went pretty

smooth.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas. Especially if you invite me over for a slice of O & H Pecan Kringle. It’s

a time for friends and family. So trim the tree, have an Egg Nog or two! But months from now, when crimson

and gold leaves swirl in the autumn wind, and pumpkins appear in every storefront, remember my muse, my

Halloween and Make Believe!

Flirting with Fangs

Peg Pierson

Vampire romance novelist Bailey Hamilton thinks her life is over. Her two-timing

husband dumped her, she has a paralyzing case of writers’ block, and her big toe is

bleeding.

Torin Kane, fictional Vampire Hero, is miserable. Chapter after chapter he has bat-

tled dragons, demons, and despicable villains, but his secret desire is to find true

love and a tan.

With a twist of fate, their worlds collide. A magical teardrop summons Torin to life.

And Bailey finds herself face to face, with quite literally, the man of her dreams….

Toying With Temptation

Madison Martin

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Chances Press, LLC

ISBN: 978-0981718644

ASIN: B005TWZQFS

Number of pages: 188

Word Count: 45,000

Amazon Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Driven, business savvy Hailey Burton, Vice President of Tryton Financial Institute, has been put in charge of

running what could be her first ever failure: the company's Christmas Eve toy drive. Toys and Christmas are

beyond Hailey's expertise, but when she's offered the chance for the promotion she's been waiting for if she

succeeds, her competitive spirit kicks into high gear.

When every company in Los Angeles turns her down, desperation leads her to Quinn Matheson. Ten years

ago, Hailey chose a prosperous career over Quinn, but as she falls for him all over again, she can't deny that

they make a good team in business...and more. This second time around, is she finally ready to make the leap

and become his partner in love?

Short Excerpt

She couldn’t wait any longer. She unzipped his pants and pulled them down with such force that she almost

knocked both of them to the floor. He pulled her down along with him until they landed together in a heap on

the carpet.

He gave out a deep laugh.

Years and years of seamless business deals, and somehow she was managing to screw this up. Always with

the personal stuff, she was there to make a mess of it. “You’re laughing at my ravaging you?” she asked

sheepishly, feeling her cheeks burning. “I know, I know…being with me is kind of like being in a French

farce, right?”

“I’m not complaining.” Still seeming to be enjoying himself, he drew her up beside him on the carpet and

kissed her.

“You gotta admit that was kind of funny. It’s okay to laugh at yourself sometimes.”

Instead of taking offense, she lightened up. “Help me, then.”

Together they managed to get his pants all the way off.

Pushing him flat onto his back, she settled herself on top and pressed her hands against the delineated muscles

of his chest. He was all hers. She raised up onto her knees, and a little jab of pain made her wince.

With a harsh breath, he leaned up, a worried look on his face. “Your knee…”

“No, it’s all right.” She adjusted her astride position, settling comfortably. “There. That’s better.”

“No, this won’t work. We’ll hurt it.”

“It’s fine,” she insisted.

Unconvinced, he leaned up and grasped her thigh with one hand. “That scab still looks bad.”

“It’s all right. I promise.”

He leaned back, giving in. With a gruff sigh, he said through gritted teeth, “I should have known you’d want to

be on top.”

She grinned, shifting her silky underwear along the hard length covered by his boxers. “You used to like it.”

He gritted his teeth and grasped her hips. “Sure. Use and abuse me,” he croaked out.

She examined the look on his face and bit her lower lip. Was she really torturing him? “You don’t sound too

happy about it.”

“I’m not going to be able to handle much of your teasing tonight.”

All right, so she admitted she liked teasing him. He was too fun to tease, only because he took it so well. “Are

you mad about—?”

In a split second, he had her flat on her back. She laughed as Quinn moved on top of her, pressing his body

against hers.

“How about we do it like this?” he asked with a triumphant smile, his dark eyes exploring her face.

About the Author:

Madison Martin is currently seeking help for her life-long addiction to movies, books, and any-

thing else in which she can lose herself in a good story. Madison lives in the Washington, DC ar-

ea. She is the author of The Deep End: Erotic Stories For Women, The Deep End 2, Briefly

Yours: An Erotic Romance Novel, Nights on Catalina, and Toying With Temptations.

Please visit the author's website at www.madisonmartinbooks.com

Holiday Chicken Salad

Yields: 12 Servings

Ingredients:

1 cup mayonnaise (I add a lot more mayo till salad is creamy)

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. seasoning salt (Lawry’s) I season to taste.

1 ½ cup dried cranberries (craisins)

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup minced green bell pepper

2 chopped green onions

1 cup chopped pecans

4 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat (approx. 4 chicken breasts)

Pepper to taste

In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise with paprika and seasoned salt. Blend in dried cranberries, celery,

bell pepper, onion, and nuts. Add chopped chicken, and mix well. Season with black pepper to taste. Chill 1

hour and use to top on bread or rolls.

Exclusive excerpt of Lancaster House: This is one of my favorite

scenes in my paranormal romance, Lancaster House. While the

novel contains a heartfelt romance, the scenes that propel the story

forward are the conversations between the heroine, Zoe, and her

psychiatrist, Doctor Channing--who doesn't believe a word she is

saying.

Doctor Channing rubbed his forehead in pain, his legs propped up

on his desk. He let out his breath as it whistled through the cracks

between his teeth. He studied her contemplatively. So far, he’d

been completely unsuccessful in breaking down Zoe’s belief in her

story. He couldn’t even break off a chink in her armor and he was

frustrated. After sitting in silence for several minutes, Zoe finally

asked, “Don’t you have anything to say?”

“Do you wish you could have saved your father, Zoe?”

“What kind of a question is that?”

“Is is true that he died in your arms?”

Zoe visibly paled. “Yes,” she said almost inaudibly. “He had a

heart attack right before my very eyes. I held him while awaiting

the ambulance. He was gone before they even arrived. I’ve never

felt so powerless in my life. I suddenly knew nothing was in my

control . . . nothing.”

“So you created an immortal being, one that feels no pain, can never die, and never leave you. He awaits you

forever. All you have to do is go home and there he is, waiting for you. It’s all very opportune, isn’t it, Zoe?”

Zoe said nothing. Her eyes lowered and she stared at the ground.

Wade knew he was on to something. He stayed completely calm, sitting in his casual manner, yet he verbally

attacked her, letting his words roll off his tongue as they hit her with striking force. “You’re right, he’s the per-

fect man. A man who scoffs at porn, a man who can only take intimacy so far, a man who sees the sheer good-

ness in you, a man who loves to help you redecorate the house . . .” With each statement, he didn’t hide the drip-

ping sarcasm in his voice.

“Stop it.” Zoe paled and her hands shook in her lap.

“A man who would never dream of hurting you in any way, a man who loves to simply look upon you day

after day, a man who needs nothing as he doesn’t need to eat or even sleep, a man who spontaneously gives you

piggyback rides, a man who puts you to sleep when life gets rough . . .” His words were thick with disdain.

“Shut up.” She was becoming defensive, tense.

He was only just warming up. It was time for her to face reality. “A man who can never cheat on you, a man

who can never leave the house, a man who kills for your honor, a man who can read your mind, a man filled

with tender emotions, a man who loves to simply touch you and nothing more, a man who no other woman is

after as you are the only one who can see him—it’s all very convenient, wouldn’t you say, Zoe? What woman

wouldn’t fall in love with such a paragon of a man?”

The only way he was aware of her reaction was the pronounced rise and fall of her chest.

“You know nothing,” she said through gritted teeth.

“I’d say I hit the nail on the proverbial head. Andre is a combination of your perfect father and what you

wished Connor was, all rolled into one faultless, handsome little package. Only everything is in your control.

You say when, where, and how. You say sit, stay, and roll over. Did you pat Andre on the head and say, ‘good

boy.’ Did you give him a treat for good behavior?”

Zoe shot to her feet and screamed at him, “Shut up!” The orderly was in the room immediately and held a

writhing Zoe in his strong arms. She struggled frantically. “You know nothing about love, you cocky, little

jerk!” And then to the orderly, “Let go of me!” She turned on Wade again, “Go ahead, sit behind your safe little desk

like the coward you are. Who do you think you are? You have no right to judge me! None!” The orderly took her away and as they walked down the hallway, her screams could be heard throughout the hospital. Wade smiled, pleased with her reaction. He’d hit a nerve. She could rail at him all day, as long as it got her thinking

about her delusions and facing the cold, hard truth. He wouldn’t give her something to help her sleep tonight. She needed to dwell on it, sulk over it—brood in it.

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Penguin Crafts

By Wenona Napolitano

Many recycling centers do not accept the type of plastic that yogurt cups are made from so many

crafty greenies are always looking for something creative to do with the yogurt containers. How

about turning some into penguins?

Small yogurt cups and smoothie bottles can easily become cute penguins. Just paint the bottles

and cups with black spray paint for plastic, let that dry and then paint the white bodies with a

brush and acrylic paint. Craft foam can be used to make the wings, feet and beaks, black for the

wings, yellow for the beaks and feet then glue them on with a hot glue gun (tacky craft glue

would also work).

They are absolutely adorable and basically pretty easy to make (younger children may need help,

adults could spray paint the bottles and cups and let them do the rest). They also have the possi-

bility of being customized to an individual’s taste and available supplies. They can even be cus-

tomized for holdais and events. For Christmas you could add candycanes or Santa hats, for win-

ter add stocking hats and scarves, for Valentine's Day you could add hearts.

Supplies Needed:

Small yogurt cups and/or smoothie bottles (for this project Yoplait Fiber One cups and Dan-

non DanActive smoothie bottles were used)

Black spray paint for plastic

White acrylic paint

Black acrylic paint or fine tipped black permanent marker

Paintbrushes

Yellow (or orange) craft foam for feet and beaks

Black craft foam for wings

Hot glue gun and glue sticks (or fast drying craft glue)

Scissors

Pen

White pencil

Newspaper, or other table cover

Directions:

1. First find some yogurt cups and/or smoothie bottles, remove any labels (on the bottles) and

clean them thoroughly and let dry

2. Take the bottles and/or cups outside and turn upside down on newspaper, spray paint with

black spray paint made for plastic. Let that dry. Repeat.

3. Once the yogurt containers are dry, draw on the body design with a pen or pencil, a white

pencil works well. Then you can easily paint over it with white paint.

4. Paint the white body onto the yogurt container. It may take a couple of coats of paint to get

a good solid white body.

5. While you are waiting for your white paint to dry, cut your feet and beaks out from the yel-

low (or orange) craft foam. Trace feet and beak designs onto foam with a pen or marker

then cut out.

6. Trace wing pattern onto black craft foam and

cut out.

7. Once the paint is dry you can glue the feet,

beak and wings on.

8. Now you can take a fine tip black marker or

dip a fine tip paintbrush into a little bit of black

paint and dab on two little dots for the penguins

eyes.

Now you have cute penguins on parade.

You can easily use bottles of other sizes and

shapes to make an assortment of penguins. The

tall skinny penguin pictured here is made from a Purex laundy detergent bottle and the other a

coffee creamer bottle.

Cry Sanctuary Review The books opens up with a bang as Holly is at the killer’s mercy. This implies that this story will be a darker

one than the first one was, and it certainly lives up to expectations. The villain is a real twisted bastard that

you just ache to see get what he deserves. The investigation and conflict as a whole felt like I was reading an

episode of Criminal Minds or something, which I thought was actually really cool. Despite occasionally see-

ing from the awful villain’s POV (which thankfully never gets very graphic), I really enjoyed the case in this

book.

I really loved seeing characters from the first story. It lends a sense of continuity and familiarity to the series

and just draws you in and hooks you. That being said, you do not need to have read the first book to enjoy

this one, though I definitely recommend it to fully appreciate the significance of certain details.

The romance had a bit of a buildup rather than a lust at first sight kind of deal, so the teasing in the early

phase of the relationship is titillating and just as toe curling as the love scenes later. It was a great combina-

tion of sweet and sensual.

A strong story with a very sexy couple that will leave you wanting more just as much

as this series does.

Even better than the first, this sequel grabbed my attention from page one and never

let go.

You’ll be holding your breath and on the edge of your seat throughout and will be

unable to put this book down.

I definitely think that Cry Sanctuary is a must read!

~ By Buffy Kennedy Original Review

A Merry Sci-Fi Christmas

By David Colby

When prepping for Christmas, the first thing on everyone’s minds is their family. After them, friends. After that,

goodness to all mankind. Then, charity. Then, the birth of Christ. Then, those really obnoxious Christmas songs.

Then, after that, I think there’s something about presents!

Being a huge sci-fi fan, I do a bit of thinking about what to buy for Christmas for any other sci-fi fans.

And here’s my top six list of best sci-fi gifts (in my humble opinion.)

Firefly Boxed Set. If you know a sci-fi nut who doesn’t own this, fix that. Right now!

Babylon 5, Season 1. Considered by many to be the weakest season, it’s still an awesome TV program

and the best place to begin watching Babylon 5.

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 3. The gift here, really, is skipping Season 1 and Season 2 of

TNG, widely considered to be some of the worst Star Trek in history. But still, this DVD set is a great

season of TV sci-fi.

Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi. One of the newest classics, Old Man’s War is a sharp, funny, tragic,

action-packed thrill ride of awesome. Any sci-fi fan would love to find it in their stocking.

Dance of Dragons, by G.R.R.M. Or, if your giftee hasn’t read the previous books in the series, A Game

of Thrones. But if that is true, then ask them this: Why haven’t they started A Song of Ice and Fire

yet?

Twilight Imperium, third edition. This is an expensive gift, but if your giftee loves board games, this is

one of the best. A true beast of a board game wherein you try to conquer the galaxy alongside your

best friends, Twilight Imperium often dissolves into byzantine political maneuvering, sweeping dec-

larations of “WE WILL BURY YOU!” while slamming your shoe into the table, and an endless se-

ries of military escalation, sabotage, and the occasional galaxy-burning free-for-all that leaves the

entire Deneb sector burnt to a cinder. It’s all in good fun.

Now, you may wonder…why six?

Well, because I just realized that if you bought all my suggestions, then you would have spent upward of

three hundred dollars on gifts. And at the end of the day, it’s not really about the gifts, but the people you spend

them on.

Merry Christmas, X-Mas, Hanukkah and other assorted wintery holidays to you all!

Debris Dreams

David Colby

Genre: YA science fiction

Publisher: Candlemark & Gleam

ISBN: 978-1-936460-38-0

Number of pages: 294

Cover Artist: Karen Gadient, www.karengadient.com

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/CJnnk8jX2g8

Book Description:

2068

1.5 million kilometers above the surface of the Earth

Drusilla Xao has only seen a tree in movies and vid-games. She has never breathed air that wasn’t recycled, re-

filtered, and re-used a hundred times over again. She has never set foot on the Earth.

And now she never will.

When a terrorist attack by a radical separatist group on Luna destroys the space elevator that had called so many

– including her parents – to live permanently in space, Dru is cut off from any hope of ever reaching Earth and

her beloved girlfriend, Sarah. The Chinese-American Alliance declares immediate war on the rebels and con-

scripts everyone they can get their hands on…including Dru.

Cast adrift, forced to become a soldier, trapped in a nightmare of vacuum and loneliness, Dru’s training will help

her survive, but only Sarah will be able to bring her home.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

By Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

Gather round all you children, you bats and you pups, come learn how monsters celebrate

Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the den

Not a creature was stirring, not even a lycan.

The spiders and wolfsbane were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Vladimir soon would be there.

The monsters were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of moonlight danced in their heads.

And Drac in his coffin, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our fangs for a long winter’s nap.

When out in the belfry there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the crypt to see what was the matter.

Away up to the graveyard I flew like a flash,

Tore open the mausoleum and ran into the bash.

The moon shining down on the new-fallen snow

Gave the luster of daytime to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a count, and eight of his monster friends that he holds dear.

With following darkness, he was quite something to fear,

I knew in a moment it must be St Vladimir.

More rapid than vultures his followers they came,

And he hissed, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now werewolves! now, witches! now, goblins and ghouls!

Come, vampires! Come, trolls! come zombies and demons! My fools!

To the top of the tomb! to the top of the vault!

Now mash away! Mash away! Mash away never to halt!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they danced away without fear or reason to why.

So whirled they did into the night, and witches crackling over their brew,

With Christmas delight, St Vladimir did too.

Excerpt Haunted by Dana Michelle Burnett

As Christmas approached, Alastor swirled around me as I watched the snow fall. The winter break had

just begun and Jonah was on his way home. I tried not to worry about him on the icy roads, but the snow contin-

ued to fall.

“You don’t have to hide it,” Alastor whispered as he came near me. “I know that you fear for his safety.”

I’m sorry…

“Do not apologize,” he said in his secret voice that only I could hear. “You care for him and you worry.”

I was too ashamed to answer him. I stared out the window at the spinning flakes, the unshed tears blur-

ring them together.

"Do not worry," Alastor said in a tight voice. "Jonah will return unharmed to your side."

He said it with such certainty and conviction that I didn't question him. I just breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank you, Alastor.

It was late that night when Jonah messaged me to let me know that he was okay. I was already asleep,

but Alastor woke me.

Home safe. See you tomorrow.

I breathed a sigh of relief and fell back asleep, but just before I did, I felt Alastor brush his hand over my

hair.

"Good night, my love," he whispered.

Good night, Alastor.

That Christmas somehow felt more real than the holiday seasons of the past. There wasn't the forced gai-

ety of those years right after Mom died and I wasn't trying to seem normal so Dad wouldn't worry. We laughed

and joked while we decorated the tree and even spent one night driving around looking at all of the Christmas

lights in Corydon and downtown on the square.

Still, it did feel strange to have Jonah there at the house on Christmas Eve. It was as if it were an abomi-

nation to have Jonah here, in his house, walking through the rooms where I lived as Alastor’s wife.

As soon as Jonah entered the house, something shifted. I could still feel Alastor, invisible, but there none

the less, yet it was as if Jonah’s presence pushed him further away.

I excused myself at the first available moment and retreated to the bathroom.

“Alastor?” I whispered, too softly for anyone but him to hear. “Are you okay?”

“Of course,” he answered from somewhere above my head.

“Do you want me to ask him to leave?”

Alastor’s laughter rumbled soft and low, “No, my love, now go and enjoy your Christmas.”

I felt him drift down over me then, like an encompassing embrace from every direction. I held my breath

as he moved around me, then he was gone.

Merry Christmas, Alastor…

I went back out and joined Dad and Jonah, forcing a smile on my face. I tried to do what Alastor wanted

and I did my best to enjoy my Christmas.

I timidly handed Jonah his gift, wishing we were alone or that at least Dad wouldn’t watch us so closely.

It was bad enough to have to do this in front of Alastor, wherever he was, but it was embarrassing to have Dad

watching us with an odd look of expectation.

"I hope you like it," I whispered nervously as Jonah tore into the package.

Jonah held up the heavy wooden frame, "I love it. Now you'll have to give me a photo to put in it."

"It's not for photos," I said with a panicky smile. "I had it made up of Louisville slugger baseball bats so

that when you have your sporting-goods store, you can frame the first dollar that you earn. I thought it would be

a nice touch."

Jonah looked down at the frame again, but said nothing. My stomach rolled more with each passing sec-

ond. Why wasn’t he saying anything? Did he hate it? Was it a stupid gift?

"Don't you like it?" I asked, biting my lip.

Jonah rubbed at his eyes with one hand. When he looked up at me, his eyes were shining. He pulled me

to him and kissed the top of my head.

"I love it," he choked out with a cracking voice.

I breathed a sigh of relief, but just as I was starting to relax, he handed me my present. I looked down at

the small black velvet box in my hand.

Oh no…

“I hope you don’t think that it’s too soon,” he said shyly.

Oh no…This can’t be happening…

My hands trembled as I opened the lid and revealed an exquisite diamond solitaire ring. It was really

happening. The breath left my body as Jonah got down on one knee.

Don’t do this…Don’t do this…

"Becca," he said as he took my hand. "Would you do me the honor of marrying me?"

I could hear my heart pounding in my chest as I looked down at him. He was asking me to marry him.

Jonah actually wanted me to be his wife. Is this what I wanted?

Beyond Jonah, in the shadows near the wall, Alastor stared at me.

Alastor, tell me what to do.

"That, I cannot do, my love."

Alastor, please...

His blue eyes glittered in the dim light, "My love, I only want for your happiness as I have said many

times. I want you to do whatever makes you happy."

I love you...

"You will always be my very heart and soul," Alastor replied.

I looked down at Jonah's handsome face. He always made me

smile. I could be happy with him, the normal type of happy, and that

wouldn’t be so bad. I took a deep breath, "Yes, Jonah, I will marry

you."

Jonah was kissing me and lifting me off my feet in a joyous

embrace. As he swung me around, I saw the Christmas tree looking

magical, Dad smiling through the happy tears, and Alastor's sad and

resigned face.

Haunted - Spiritus Series Book Two

Alastor came at me then, forcing me back against the wall. He was so solid that I

could feel his weight against me. I could feel his frozen breath on my face….He ran

his hand up my arm, over my shoulder, and rested at the base of my throat. His blue

eyes glittered dangerously.

With the publication of Spiritus, Dana Michelle Burnett created ghostly romance in

a small town. Now, in her new novel, she brings us again - even more magically -

into the midst of the haunted love story she introduced in Spiritus, of the solitary

and beautiful Becca McAllister and Alastor, the darkly captivating ghost whom she

loves and killed over a century ago. Becca has already decided that it’s Alastor that

she loves, but now, as their uncommon relationship limits Becca’s future, Alastor

must decide if he’s willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Becca’s happiness….

From Beltane Magic

Book I in the Magic Seasons

Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Available in eformats and paperback

Publisher: Class Act Books

Step into a world of magic and passions....

Take a dash of spice, heat it

Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly

Toss in a killer that's targeting women

Add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...

Each were willing to spend their lives alone and safe; until they’re

touched by Beltane Magic.

Can they survive their pasts to be together as they struggle to find a killer before the wheel turns again?

Extended Blurb:

Leena is a woman that is gentle in everything, her personality and moods. She always feels maternal with her

closest friends and would go out of their way to look after any one of them. Her ability of controlling the ele-

ments and knowledge of plants make her magic abilities strong and unbreakable. She is a leader at work and in

life, always working hard to keep those around her close, but never allowing anyone to get too close.

To the outside world she is just Leena Duncan, a quiet woman who works a normal job and lived a quiet life.

A few times a year she can openly use her magical gifts at celebrations within a small community of people she

calls friends.

Having lived through the horrors that can come from the hands of someone you thought loved you; she decided

never loving again would prevent more emotional scarring.

It takes one man at a rainy Beltane celebration to change everything she is comfortable with and one killer to

change her safe world.

Owen is a man that reflects humor and cavalier vibrations to others, he is gentle and caring as is his ability to

draw negative and heal others. If you didn’t know him, you would never realize he came from violence.

Knowing how the real world can be, he has vowed to never put himself into the position, or allow anyone

else that could open up the world he has carefully sealed shut forever.

He creates worlds and puts them on paper to entertain others. After years of using his imagination he finds

out his friends can do things he thought only his mind created.

For his entire adult life Owen Grey has always played it safe and kept to his own world of writing, never get-

ting too close to anyone.

Having lived a nightmare growing up he would never take the chance of repeating history. He may write

about happily-ever-after, but knows it is pure fantasy and doesn’t exist.

Until her . . .

Amazon Class Act Books

EXCERPT 1:

Owen found himself placed between Dade and Chris among the drummers. He was caught up in learn-

ing the rhythms and watched either Chris or Dade’s hands to pick up the beat. This he found was also a good

place to be as the dancers stopped often and danced right in front of the drummers or brought them drinks.

After an hour his arms were tired and he honestly had a new admiration for the men beside him who

were still going strong, moving effortlessly from one rhythm to the next.

During a slower beat, he noticed several of the dancers moving through those at the edge of the circle

and through the drummers. He watched as the dancers took their wreaths off and placed them onto a male’s

head. He was sure the males didn’t realize how silly they looked wearing flowers and ribbons, although when

the dancers gave them a kiss, he was also sure they didn’t care how odd they looked.

Kasey paused in front of the drummers and began to weave her way toward them, slowly taking off her

wreath. She smiled in a shy, nervous kind of way at the drummers. Neither Dade nor Chris paused in their

drumming, but Owen could feel them both waiting to see who she was going to place her wreath on. When

she passed Dade and went to Chris, Owen noticed and enjoyed the grin on his new friend’s face.

Chris actually missed a few beats in the rhythm as he raised a hand to place behind her head to receive

the kiss. Owen didn’t see steam, but he felt warmer just witnessing their kiss.

He found himself wishing some woman would make him look like an idiot and place her wreath on

his head. He turned to watch the same with Doc and Rachel. He was sure Steven was blushing after it, or

maybe it was just from the heat of it.

At the point when Cora began seductively dancing her way into the drummers, his heart stopped. She

was far too exotic a woman for him to handle, but if she placed her wreath on his head, he would certainly try.

He felt like a schoolboy wanting to jump up and say, “pick me,” but he dug deep and found his dignity some-

where.

She passed him by and held the eyes of the man beside him. When she placed the wreath on Dade’s head

and leaned her mouth down to his, Owen was sure the sparks that flew between them somehow burned him.

In his own amazement, he realized it was a kiss out of a movie that made your heart speed up. Dade didn’t

miss a single beat on the drum, though the kiss seemed to last more than just a few moments.

He found himself wishing for mistletoe or a cute puppy, anything that would bring one of them to

him. His heart tripped and almost stumbled when he noticed Leena was dancing toward the drummers. He

fought the urge of wanting to look around and make sure he was the only one in the area without a wreath on

his head but held onto what adult-like composure he had left.

When she stopped in front of him, it was all he could do to not stand and meet her halfway, so he held the

drum in front of him tightly and stayed seated. As the wreath touched his head, she smiled a smile that made

his insides burn. He reached up to gently guide her head down to his.

Step into a world of magic and passions....

Take a dash of spice, heat it Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly

Toss in a killer that's targeting women Add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...

Separated by two different life styles yet their passion and magic ignite

sparks hotter than the Solstice heat.

Can they work out a way to be together as they try to stop a killer from

striking again?

The Solstice Heat –

Book II in the Magic Seasons series

By Jacqueline Paige

Publisher buy link: Class Act Books

Passion and magic that burns

Kasey is a woman that exudes energy and brightness; she is as equally passionate when angry as she is

when she’s happy. The energy she carries from life comes through in all her magical workings with spells and

stones, giving them great magical strength. She is a dreamer and often wishes she could re-write her own sto-

ry so that she was charming and sophisticated enough to be with a certain wealthy male lawyer she wants

more than anything else.

Chris is a force of strength and experience that is carefully hidden behind the easy mannerism he has

adapted so carefully. There is nothing he cannot do where magic is concerned and he has tried all manner of

things, whether right or wrong. His fortune has left him wanting for nothing else in life, except the one thing

money can’t buy him, the woman he feels too unclean to approach.

Separated by two different life styles yet their passion and magic ignite sparks hotter than the Solstice

heat.

Can they work out a way to be together as they try to stop a killer from striking again?

Harvest Dreams

Book III in the Magic Seasons series

By Jacqueline Paige Publisher buy link: Class Act Books

Armed with magic and a plan ...

Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival as a group they are

determined to stop the killer from harming anyone again.

With a plan of his own, Steven decides to persuade Rachel that they’re

meant to be together.

Rachel is a woman that lives carefree with a buoyant recklessness. She

loves being a flirt and has spent many years indulging that side of her personality. Her energy

draws others; her character is to protect all those that cannot protect themselves. When she’s

not riding on life, she is helping children less fortunate then herself.

Steven is man that gives more than his energy usually allows. He is a highly respected pedia-

trician that always goes that extra step to ensure all in his care are receiving his utmost atten-

tion. He often sacrifices sleep to spend time with his friends, and he can’t seem to help affably

chasing the skirt of the one woman that breaks his easy going charm and makes him forget

he’s supposed to be the jovial. He hides his strength in body and magic, never letting others

know that he is more than the carefree man with everything he needs.

Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival as a group they are determined to stop

the killer from harming anyone again. With a plan of his own, Steven decides he’s done wait-

ing for Rachel to see that they’re meant to be together and takes things into his own hands

About the Author:

Jacqueline Paige is a world class multi-tasker being a mother to five adventurous and unpre-

dictable children, a cafe manager and having a colossal imagination that allows her to step out-

side of reality into a world of paranormal romance —with just a touch of suspense.

Jacqueline lives in Ontario, Canada and avoids the ever chang-

ing weather of the region she lives in by creating other worlds to

fall into in her stories of all things paranormal.

Her first book was published in 2009 and since then has pub-

lished ten. She is always writing and currently has more than a

dozen stories in one stage or another of the writing process.

Santa for the Holidays- Hire Santa for your Mid-Michigan Christmas Events

Santa sightings

Want your kids to catch a glimpse of Santa with a sack full of gifts?

Basic sightings start at $25

Christmas Eve sightings start at $50

Gift Deliveries

Want Santa to deliver a special gift to someone or place presents under your

tree?

Basic delivery charges start at $50, extra charges apply for travel over 25 miles

and for Christmas Eve deliveries

Adult Events, Office Parties, Fundraisers

Would like to have Santa

as a special guest at your

holiday office party, fundraiser, or other adult event?

Santa can mix and mingle with your guests, pose for photos and add a little hol-

iday spirit to your gathering

Prices start at $50 for Santa's jovial presence at your adult event

Children's Parties, Boy/Girl Scout Events, Breakfast with Santa, and all

other children's holiday events

Would you like Santa to visit the kids?

Pass out gifts that you provide?

Pose for photos?

Talk to the children and find out what they'd

like for Christmas?

Prices start at $50

These prices do not include travel expenses outside a 25 mile radius, gifts, or photography- you pro-

vide all gifts that Santa is to deliver or pass out at parties and you provide photography services or

ask attendees to bring cameras and Santa will pose with anyone who wishes to have their photo tak-

en with Santa

http://santafortheholidays.blogspot.com

For other pricing and services email [email protected]

We are now accepting submissions for the January issue of Bewitching Book Tours Magazine

We would love to see some short stories and poetry along with the normal articles, interviews

and book reviews.

For every issue we are accept-

True tales of paranormal encounters

Articles (around 500-1200 words on writing, books, reading, and/or paranormal themes)

Book reviews

Poetry

Artwork

Recipes and Crafts

Ad space rates are:

$40 full page ad

$20 half page ad

$10 quarter page ad