A Cowboy Christmas by Shanna Hatfield
Happy Holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Shanna Hatfield, author of A Cowboy Christmas!
The jangle of spurs mingles with the jingle of sleigh bells in this celebration of Christmas—cowboy style!
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with A Cowboy Christmas!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Cowboy Christmas, Cooking, Holiday, Non-fiction, Ranch Life, Shanna Hatfield by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Holiday Thoughts Linda Nightingale Author of Her General in Gray
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Linda Nightingale, author of Her General in Gray. Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-
doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Find out a little about Linda’s holidays and what Her General in Gray is all about. Thanks for joining us! Take 
it away Linda!
I love the holidays, especially the Christmas season from the turkey to the hustle and bustle of shopping. Since my oldest son, his wife and 3 children live in Yorkshire, England, I have to do, at least, that part of my gift buying early. I usually use Amazon since international shipping is so expensive.
In fact, I do most of my shopping for the season on-line. I don’t like crowds, and I can avoid that hustle and bustle mentioned above by browsing my computer. My gift to myself will usually be a formal dress (that I rarely get the opportunity to wear—still I have lots of them!) It’s about time to start my Christmas and birthday gifts for the English branch of my family.
What are your holiday traditions? Was there a special gift you prayed Santa would bring?
As a child with an immediate family of three, we didn’t have many traditions, but the holidays were warm and loving. I’d wrap all the presents with holiday gifts while Christmas carols played. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of Christmas. Like all kids, I was excited to see what Santa had left for me. With high hopes, this only child and devoted horse lover would rush to the door and peer out to see if there was a pony tied to one of the many trees surrounding our hose. Alas, until I was 13 and no longer galloped to the window in search of Santa’s ultimate gift, there was never a pony tied to the tree. At 13, but not at Christmas, my parents bought me my first horse—a black-and-white pony I named First Fling.
I’ve loved horses all my life. It’s a wonderful sickness from which you never recover. I don’t own horses now. I live in a cottage in the city in my hometown, but I love them no less. At one time, I lived on our horse farm, breeding, training and showing the magnificent Andalusian horse.
It’s time for me to start shopping. I’ve made my list; checked it twice. Ready, set, go! How about you? When will you begin your search for the perfect presents?
I dedicated my sweet romance, Her General in Gray, to my parents, and named the hero after my maternal grandfather, John Sibley Allen.
Click on the cover to read more or purchase
Linda, tell us a little about Her General in Gray.
Autumn Hartley purchases Allen Hall at a steal, but the northern lass gets far more than a beautiful plantation in the South Carolina Low Country. The house comes complete with its own ghost, a handsome and charming Civil War General—for the Confederacy. The stage is set for another civil conflict.
John Sibley Allen died in battle from a wound in the back, the bullet fired by the turncoat, Beauregard Dudley. The traitor’s reincarnation is Autumn the Interloper’s first dinner guest. Sib bedevils her date and annoys her with fleeting, phantom touches, certain he can frighten her away as he did previous purchasers. As time marches on, her resident ghost becomes more appealing while her suitor, Beau, pales in comparison. Autumn finds her ability to love didn’t perish in the divorce that sent her south seeking a fresh start.
After over a century in the hereafter, Sib discovers he is falling for none other than the feisty Yankee girl, but what future could a modern woman and an old-fashioned ghost possibly hope for?
How about a peek between the pages of Her General in Gray.
“You are not there.” Autumn dropped her book and leapt to her feet, shaking her fist at the apparition standing beside the fireplace.
The frolicking blaze shone through the whatever-he-was lounging by the hearth, his arm stretched along the mantel. A ceramic clock beside his hand chimed the hour—seven golden notes. Tall candles in brass candlesticks flickered in an eerie fire dance. He appeared to be a Civil War soldier of the South, his opaque uniform gray with a nasty red-stained hole near the heart. Double rows of gold buttons decorated the coat. Three gold stars and a wreath on the collar glittered in the firelight. No blood spilled from the apparition. Except for his wound, he looked perfectly healthy—for a dead man! He nodded and bowed elegantly…as much so as his lost society had been, regardless of the strong backs supporting that way of life.
“Oh, but I am, Miss Hartley.” He straightened, longish hair gently curling over his face.
A chill raced over her, but she suppressed the tremor of apprehension. Autumn swallowed hard and adjusted her white cotton blouse. “I don’t believe in ghosts. You’re not welcome here. I bought this house and am struggling to pay for it. Get your Halloween self out of my living room.”
He smiled. “It’s not 0048alloween, and we share this house. It was mine, you know, and still is. I’m willing to share it with you—even if you are a Yankee. After all, the conflict is over, and I’ll hold no grudge against the Northern aggressors. Even though the South will never surrender.”
“Northern aggressors?” She inhaled sharply, the vanilla scent of the candles on the dining room table drifting into the living room. Everything about Allen Hall was beautiful. She loved the house. But this conversation with an arrogant spirit solidified defiance. “And, for your information, the South did surrender.”
“A point of history.” He shrugged and gave her a condescending glance. “No more.”
Buy link: http://a.co/9smNAEW
Also available in Audio on Audible.com
Book Video: https://youtu.be/y3y46-i9xjE
About Linda:
Born in South Carolina, Linda has seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.
Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt. She is now a finalist in the 2016 SARA Merritt. She is the mother of two wonderful sons, a retired legal assistant, and member of the Houston BMW Club. In a former life, she must have had to walk everywhere because today she is into transportation: loving horses and hot cars! She likes to dress up and host formal dinner parties.
You can find line on social media at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LNightingale
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaNightingaleAuthor
Web Site: http://www.lindanightingale.com – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.
Blog: https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/ – Lots of interesting guests & prizes
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Nightingale/e/B005OSOJ0U
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Her General in Gray! Enjoy your holidays.
Views: 300
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Christmas, Her General in Gray, Holiday, Linda Nightingale, Sweet Romance by Tena Stetler with 12 comments.
Why Worry?
Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it better. – Walt Disney
As you all know, I love and admire Walt Disney. In fact in September of 2017, I spend my wedding anniversary with my hubby in Disneyland California. Hubby and I got in on the Disney Halloween celebration. Halloween IS my favorite holiday, you know. It was fantastic. One day I’ll make it to Walt Disney World it’s on my bucket list. But I digress.
I came across this quote and it made me burst into a huge grin. As a writer, I sometimes worry. Okay, maybe I worry a lot. What if my writing isn’t reaching people? What if my books aren’t good enough? What if people don’t like my books? Writing is subjective after all. How am I going to make the next deadline? Would it have been better to land a literary agent? What if I’d taken the self-published path rather than traditional publishing? And the list goes on. Go ahead add some of yours.
My mind reels, my heart palpitates, and I have to go for a walk. Taking my dog for a walk and telling her how I feel is one of my stress relievers.
Are you facing something that seems insurmountable and worrying about it?
If so, let’s all read aloud this quote and just breathe. Worrying won’t make it better or make it go away. In fact, it just makes our head and heart hurt. Then grumpiness sets in.
Let’s stomp out worry and wear a great big grin instead! Don’t forget exercise, it gets those feel-good endorphins flowing. I feel better already. How about you?
Back to the writing cave! Have a productive day! In fact make that a productive week, month, and year! Happy Thanksgiving!
Yep, I’m going to sneak in a promotion for my upcoming release A Magic Redemption, fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series! I know you’re going to love it! See got those endorphins flowing. LOL Psst…
Share the magic, adventure and mystery -Pre-Order your digital copy of A MAGIC REDEMPTION from Amazon at a special discounted price for only $2.99 for a limited time!
A Little about A Magic Redemption!
Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target. Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.
Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.
When her past comes calling for revenge, will their love survive the raging inferno she brings down upon them? Or will the searing path of destruction destroy all they hold dear?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Magic Redemption:
Darkness engulfed her. The voices in her head returned calling her a traitor suggesting retribution would be sweet and exacted soon. She fought against the words and covered her ears. As suddenly as the booming words came, it was silent. The dream shifted to a dank room, without windows, or light, and a darkness she could almost feel. Scraping sounds against a large wooden plank door grated on her nerves.
Magic failed her leaving her drained and unresponsive. She curled up in a fetal position. Baltizar’s voice whispered again in her mind. “I still control you. They’re all going to die a horrible death at my hands. You will get to watch. Just like when you failed to save your family.”
His wicked laugh echoed though her mind and faded. A warm liquid flowed over her hands. She looked down. They were covered in blood. Bodies were strewn over what looked like the dirt floor of a cave. Screaming, she awoke soaked with sweat, head pounding and blood trickled from her palms where her finger nails had sliced through the skin.
A loud bark came from the foot of her bed. She stumbled out of bed and rushed to Storm’s crate, knelt, and yanked open the door. A warm, fur ball bounded into her lap, the dog covered her face with kisses. She sat on the floor, tears streaming down her face dripping on the soft fur she buried her face in.
Never allowed to cry, she allowed the flood gates open, and cried for her family, mistakes made, decisions forced upon her, and wished she’d died in the battle with Baltizar. She wouldn’t be responsible for the deaths of her new friends, Gavin and his family, or Storm.
Dont miss : Book Series Trailer: https://youtu.be/lELj0amtkk8
Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Barnes and Noble Wal-mart.com
About the author:
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance. She has an over-active imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a tween to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends. After many years as a paralegal, then an IT Manager, she decided to live out her dream of pursuing a publishing career.Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. During the winter you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn.
Well, what do you think? Drop me a line in the comments with your thoughts. Thanks for allowing me to be part of your world today! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Views: 281
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Magic Redemption, California, Disneyland, Halloween, Holiday, Tena Stetler, Thanksgiving, Walt Disney, Worry by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
Interview D.K. Deters Author of Christmas Once Again
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to D.K. Deters, author of Christmas Once Again. Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets find out a little about D.K. and see what Christmas Once Again is all about. Thanks for joining us!
Hi Tena. Thanks for having me.
What inspired this particular story?
I was watching a news broadcast about ordinary people pitching together to save a stranger’s life. It got me to thinking about how one selfless act could be life-changing. Since I always get sentimental around the holidays, a Christmas romance felt right.
What makes you laugh out loud?
By far, those hilarious everyday events that we couldn’t have orchestrated even if we tried. Check out my favorite holiday memory below.
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
It’s hard to pick just one, but we love it when our children and their families can make it home for Christmas.
Why did you choose the cover concept you did?
The cover artist asked me to pick two significant elements from the story. I chose a missing painting, which may or may not have special powers and a cabin in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Favorite holiday memory?
When my son was in kindergarten, he played Santa in a grade school holiday program. Classmates took on the roles of the reindeer, all decked out with cute little pipe cleaner antlers and connected with holiday garland.
At the back of the auditorium, they waited for their cue. My son held on to the reins (the garland) while standing inside Santa’s sleigh (a big box with a shoulder harness.) The eight tiny reindeer took off at a run with their sites on the stage. As Santa hustled along at top speed, his beard and pointy hat bouncing, the sleigh slid forward and tilted up as if could fly. Now Santa couldn’t see ahead, and he had to rely on his reindeer to get him past the audience. In a flurry, the children arrived center stage to laughter and applause.
I still chuckle when I think about it. (And thank goodness, no one was injured.)
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite Christmas movie: Serendipity
Favorite Christmas book: Elf
Last Christmas or holiday book read: Elf
Favorite color: Red
Stilettos or flipflops or elf shoes: Flipflops
Coffee or tea or hot chocolate: Coffee
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Ebook
Pencil or pen or candy cane: Pen
Favorite Christmas Carole or song: Mistletoe
All-time favorite Christmas present: Ring
Favorite dessert: Pie
Christmas Candy or Cake: Candy
Favorite thing to do to relax during the holidays Read
Champagne or gin or eggnog: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model or Tinkerbell: Wonder Woman
Favorite Christmas or holiday TV show: Disney
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Coffee
Review or Not: Review
Click on the cover to read more or purchase!
Tell us a little about Christmas Once Again.
She’s dead broke. And eviction looms. On Christmas Eve antique consultant Madison Knight takes a phone call from local rancher Zach Murdock. Through a mix-up at an estate sale, Madison’s company purchased his grandmother’s beloved painting. He offers double the money for its return.
Madison risks her job to track down the artwork, but success falls short when she’s stuck in a blizzard. Stranded, she seeks help from a frontier family. Are they living off the grid, or did she somehow travel through time?
Zach’s the only person who knows her plan. He also knows a secret about his gran’s painting. It’s up to him to rescue Madison, but maybe he’s not cut out to be a hero.
How about a sneak peek between the pages of Christmas Once Again?
“My grandmother had an estate sale last week, and she didn’t want it sold, unfortu—”
“Oh?” She should’ve kept quiet. Run-ins with greedy family members happened in the antique business, and a judging attitude didn’t increase revenues.
“It wasn’t on purpose,” he said. “The day was chaotic, and someone had shuffled around the artwork. We didn’t realize it was missing until a couple of days ago, and it took this long to sort out the mix-up and discover your shop bought it.”
She felt guilty for jumping to the wrong conclusion. “I see how that could happen. It’s obvious the piece is treasured by your grandmother. If it becomes necessary, we have the resources to find a similar style. Is there a specific artist or significance?”
Held hostage by the slow computer response and trying not to rush him, she picked up one of the hand weights, intending to fit in a few curls.
“Keep in mind Gran’s ninety-two, and she thinks…”
“Uh-huh.” With her free hand, she grabbed the latte and took a sip.
“Gran thinks it holds a special power.”
Madison chose that moment to swallow, and the creamy espresso went down the wrong pipe. A dry, hacking cough followed, and she dropped her hand weight, which thudded on the carpet. For heaven’s sake, he didn’t hear her, did he?
You can purchase Christmas Once Again at: Amazon The Wild Rose Press Barnes & Noble
About the Author:
D.K. Deters credits her parents, who grew up in southeastern Kansas, for inspiration to write about the Old West. From an early age, the likes of Jesse James and the Dalton Gang were often included in family lore. To this day, she’s not sure how much is true.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Business, D. K. followed a profession in the telecommunications industry before turning to a writing career. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her adult children and their families.
D.K. loves to hear from readers and other authors!
Email: dkdetersauthor@hotmail.com
Social Media:
Website: www.dkdeters.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dk_deters
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/dkdeterscom
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-k-deters
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18486948.D_K_Deters
Thank you for having me on your blog. Happy Holidays!
It was wonderful having you with us today. Enjoy your holidays and don’t drink too much egg nog. LOL Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Christmas Once Again!
Views: 425
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Christmas, Christmas Once Again, Contemporary, D.K. Deters, fantasy, Holiday, Paranormal, Time travel, Western by Tena Stetler with 20 comments.
