Happy Halloween!

Love for Christmas Excerpt Tour

Blurb:

Five Christmas Romances from the heart warming to heart pounding:

A Witch for Christmas by Barb DeLong

Whimsical witch Abigail Goodbody must find her one true love by Christmas Eve or be doomed to a loveless future.

The Christmas Wish by Jill Jaynes

Southern California girl Allie hopes a magical Christmas ornament will bring her the Mr. Right she is hoping for.

A Vote for Love by Kathleen Harrington

In 1886 Montana, feisty Suffragette Paulette Winslow finds love where she least expects it.

Night Train to Hong Kong by Ottilia Scherschel

Sarah Crawford finds getting home for Christmas more dangerous than she bargained for on a Night Train to Hong Kong

Winter’s Warmth by Angela Shelley

Drawn to an abandoned mansion by mysterious Christmas cards, artifact hunter Alma meets a strangely familiar yet distant astronomer and his captor, a powerful, icy specter in a tale inspired by the myth of the Snow Queen.

Exclusive Excerpt from  A Vote for Love:

“Men are impossible!”

Paulette sailed out onto the boardwalk – smack-dab into a tall stranger, who grabbed her by the elbows to keep her from falling. Her precious signs drifted to the wet boards, landing in a puddle of snowmelt.

“Watch where you’re going, you big oaf!” Paulette tried to shove him away. “Now look what you’ve done!” Her heart sank as the paint smeared, blurring the carefully drawn posters she’d spent hours creating. Hoping to salvage something from the disaster, she bent to snatch them up.

“Whoa there, little filly!” the man said with a wide grin.  He scooped the soggy cardboard pieces up in his large hands and offered them to her. His dark eyes sparkled with merriment. “No need to call me names,” he continued, “though I’ve been called much worse in the past. And never by anyone nearly so fetching.”

Paulette’s breath caught high in her throat. She straightened her spectacles to peer at him, only to realize just how very handsome he appeared standing there in the afternoon sunlight. His masculine features bordered on classical perfection. The straight nose and granite chin could have been chiseled by a sculptor. Except, of course, for the thick moustache above his upper lip. No Greek statue she’d ever seen had sported facial hair.

Quite aware of her own inadequate appearance, Paulette felt the heat of a flush burn her cheeks. Far taller than the average female, she’d never enjoyed the buxom curves so admired by the opposite sex. At twenty-eight, she looked exactly like the spinster librarian she was.

“Humph,” she sniffed, letting him know she couldn’t be placated with a foolish compliment that no one in her right mind would believe. She snatched the signs from his grasp. Drat it. The wet paint stained her new leather gloves, and she smothered the urge to whack him over the head with the waterlogged paperboard.

Instead she brushed aside the broken feather that had fallen in front of her face when her hat had been nearly dislodged. And realized too late that she’d most likely smeared bright orange paint across her forehead.

The stranger belatedly swept off his wide-brimmed hat, revealing thick, black hair. The corners of his eyes crinkled with good-humor. “May I introduce myself?”

“No, you may not,” Paulette snapped. She stepped around him and hurried away.

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Author Bios and Links:

Jill Jaynes began her love affair with romance when she was a teenager growing up in Southern California, spending many a late-night under the covers with a flashlight and good romance novel.  This early addiction stuck, and she discovered one day that telling great stories was even more fun than reading them.

When she’s not writing, you can find her a) wine-tasting, hiking or otherwise hanging out with her awesome husband, b) walking her two high-maintenance dogs, c) plotting her next story with her writer-daughter or d) working at her day job in her spare time.

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Barb DeLong has always had a passion for reading and writing. She has won and been a finalist in several writing contests. Animals are another passion, and creatures both wild and domestic are featured in most of her stories of love, laughter and magic. Barb contributed contemporary romance stories in Romancing the Pages and Secrets of Moonlight Cove anthologies. A transplant from Canada, she enjoys the sunny climes of Southern California with her one-and-forever hubby and a fluffy, blue-eyed ragdoll cat, two children and five grandchildren.

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Kathleen Harrington, multi-published, award-winning author, has touched the hearts of readers across the country and the world with her sparkling tales of high adventure and unending love. Her historical romances have been published in Chinese, Russian, Italian, and German. She lives in Southern California with her American Bulldog, Auron.

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When Ottilia Scherschel, a Hungarian immigrant, started sixth grade, she learned her fifth language. After retiring from teaching languages at the college level, she spends her time writing romantic suspense stories set in foreign climes. She has been a finalist in a number of writing contests and published a short story in the Romancing the Pages anthology. Ottilia loves to pack a suitcase to visit family, friends and food or wine purveyors anywhere in the world. When she is not writing, she can be found at the movies, at the gym, or cooking for her husband, kids and grandkids.

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Angela Shelley was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1973 and grew up in rural Southern British Columbia. Her love for children's fantasy stems from reading CS Lewis, Tolkien, George MacDonald, JK Rowling, Terry Brooks, Neil Gaiman, and many, many more wonderful authors. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and their twins.

Website     |     ang@angelashelley.net.

It's that Time of Year Again...

Happy New Year - 2018

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2018!

2017 was a crazy year, full of ups and downs and a bunch of twists and turns in between. Here’s looking to an interesting and adventure filled 2018.

Finally, even though the holidays are ending, you can still enjoy them by entering to win some festive books! Hurry, the giveaway ends soon.

End of Year Reflection and Giveaway

Here we are, the end of 2017. I don’t know about y’all, but it’s been a crazy, busy year for me. Medical scares and revelations, new opportunities and challenges, multiple moves. And to top it all off, after many years and a lot of hard work, I graduated with my bachelor degree this month, bringing more joys and challenges (and limiting my ability to post these past few months). All in all though, 2017 was a good year for me, and so to send it off with a bang, I’m throwing one last giveaway (and my first giveaway of 2018). Let me know how 2017 was for you, and have a happy new year! See you in 2018!

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Once Upon a Christmas Moon Review Tour

Blurb:

Twelve Days to Love

When Archer Steele showed up at Calanthe Durand's failing plantation with an alligator over his shoulder, Cali thought she'd never seen a more handsome man. During the war she'd had to defend herself and her servants from both union and confederate soldiers. Independent and self-sufficient, she'd vowed to never marry.

But Archer Steele has different ideas. The first time Archer had seen Cali in town, he felt an instant attraction. He decided he'd do everything and anything to convince the beautiful Miss Durand he was worthy of her love. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, he gave her twelve gifts to in hopes she'd fall in love with him.

Excerpt from Twelve Days to Love:

“Enough love talk.” His grin spoke of the devil is disguise. “Let’s go for a walk. Call it a feeble attempt to court the woman of my dreams, the woman I want to convince she can’t live without me.”

Laughing softly, she cocked her head to one side, studying Archer Steel. “I’d like that. Let me grab a shawl. You’re not afraid of Mr. Lawson popping up.”

“No, not while I’m with you. He’s a sly and manipulative person, a man of no courage. He won’t battle me, but he will wait until you’re vulnerable.”

They walked down the stairs and along a path skirting the bayou. A soft breeze sifted through the cypress trees, stirring the hanging moss. The quiet time spent without conversation left a peaceful feeling within. This moment could last forever, if she had her way and if she admitted the truth, she could get used to having Archer by her side.

A gator slipped into the water as a crane flew by. Cali leaned her head against Archer’s arm, wishing for the past, for easier times. Her father would have made sure the chaperone was a few feet behind. Now there was no one guarding her or her virtue. She didn’t know if she cared. Maybe she wanted Archer to make love to her.

But she didn’t want to ever marry.

He turned her. Their gazes met and she licked her lips, wanting the kiss that now seemed inevitable. Slowly bending toward her, his lips met hers. They were warm and soft, so gentle she almost swooned. Swooning was in the past when women wore corsets. A corset had not molded her shape since the war began and her father left the plantation. Leaving the garment in the wardrobe not only freed her body but also her mind.

With her eyes closed she felt heat sweep within, knew the longing for a man. Fire enveloped her body and the small groan emanating was coupled with the same sound from Archer.

Did he feel the same way? They were doomed. No coherent thoughts made their way inside her head.

His hand touched her neck, one thumb on her jaw. She felt his tongue against her lips. Without thought she opened for him, acknowledged the touch inside her mouth. He deepened the kiss, exploring her, his hand running the length of her arm. She pushed into him, enjoying the hard muscles protecting her, enfolding her in his strength. She realized while she didn’t need protection, she loved the closeness. This was an intimacy she’d never understood or known, deeper than the bond between parents and daughter.

One hand on the small of her back pulled her closer, his kiss deepened. She slipped her tongue inside his mouth, teeth, tongue, a primal dual.

He pulled away, a grim expression on his face. “We need to stop.”

Licking her lips, “I’m not sure I want this to end.”

She heard his groan. “This kiss has to end or Sam will be out here defending your honor. I don’t want him to have to do that.”

“No one but me needs to defend my honor.” She bristled, wishing for one more kiss.

 My Review:

Coming soon

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

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Author Bios and Links:

Christine Young: Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children.  Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

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Christie L. Kraemer: A traveler for most of her life, C. L. Kraemer has settled in the Northwest with her husband and two cats. When not creating a new world or entity, she likes riding next to her husband on their Harleys.

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Genie Gabriel: I'm an optimist whose rose-colored glasses have bent frames and cracked lenses. When life kicks me in the teeth, I find miracles and lessons I refused to learn an easier way. In fact, I live with a small herd of miracles in the furry forms of dogs, who are constantly trying to teach me to forgive, to play more, and to love without limits.

I write about people who find courage and integrity in the darkest times of their lives, who rescue stray dogs and kittens, who find a person they would willingly give their lives for, and who make their little corners of the world a better place.

People have remarked my stories "aren't what they expected." With rose-colored glasses firmly in place, I take that as a compliment.

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The White Lady Blurb Blitz

Blurb:

Avery Dunham has always been ready to follow her friend, time-traveling wizard, Ignus Burke, on incredible adventures. This time, though, she has serious misgivings. It's just one week before Christmas, but she cannot get him to change his mind. The usually cool and collected magic-wielding leader is wholly obsessed by the portrait of the White Lady whom he is bent on rescuing.

Almost as soon as they begin their journey, it becomes clear their mission is a trap.

Avery was right: this adventure is not going to be like any other.

Excerpt:

Avery had a few queries on the tip of her tongue, like, “Are you out of your freaking skull?”

If she didn’t ask, Stan probably would. They’d graduated from high school this past June and worked part-time ‘nothing’ jobs, taking a break before college while finding their way, as Avery’s mother put it. Mostly, they were drawn to Ignus like moths to a flame, especially Avery. Not that he noticed.

If only he’d look at her the way he did the white lady. More and more, the portrait seemed to dominate his thoughts. How could a petite, okay short, girl in a sparkly pink sweater and unicorn leggings compete with this tantalizing beauty?

Avery wasn’t plain, some even referred to her as cute, but exotic didn’t describe her. Quirky, sure. She wouldn’t term her brown eyes deeply affecting, and her face wouldn’t compel men through centuries to her side. The best she could do was plead with him.

“Ignus, be reasonable. Please.”

No reply. He wore his stubborn look. Crossing his arms over a lean chest, he tilted his head to better view the femme fatale on the wall above them.

The tousled brown hair covering his ears and forehead needed a trim. In his red Zombie Preparedness hoodie with a white rescue logo, gray dress pants, and white high-topped sneakers, he was the quintessential nerd. Most importantly, he was a wizard and time traveler with a passion for rescuing lost souls. His fervor for this particular lady was alarming.

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Author Bio and Links:

Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with my people and furbabies. An avid gardener, I grow herbs and heirloom flowers and use them in my stories. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans, and the Scots-Irish are at the heart of my inspiration. My English/Scots-Irish ancestors were among the earliest settlers in America. I write historical romance set in the colonial frontier (The Native American Warrior Series), and the American Revolution (The Traitor's Legacy Series), colonial American Christmas romance (A Warrior for Christmas) Georgian England romance (Into the Lion's Heart, the time and place of Poldark). Some of my historicals have ghosts and paranormal in them. I also write Young Adult shapeshifter, fantasy romance (The Secret Warrior Series), and New Adult paranormal time travel, time slip romance to the Scottish Highlands, the American Revolution, the Civil War, WW1.. (My Somewhere in Time and Ladies in Time Series.)

The White Lady is available on Amazon and in eBook from all major online booksellers.

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Amazon Author Page where all my books reside

Halloween Giveaway Ending Soon

Just a friendly reminder, my Halloween Party giveaway ends in 3 days. To enter this giveaway and to see what other giveaways are currently running on my blog, you can always check the Current Giveaways page. Have a good weekend!

Halloween Party

It's finally here! One of my favorite times of the year has finally arrived, and I'm super excited!



I know I shared this song last year, but it's still the first Halloween song that comes to mind for me. Though if we're looking for the spookiest song and video, there's no competition for me.



I still get the heebie jeebies just listening to this song. Add the video and...yikes! 

And now that we've had some tricks...it's time for the treats! I recently went through and cleared out my book collection (big move coming up soon, so trying to downsize to make things easier). From spooky happenings to sexy paranormals, these books have a little something for everyone. Good luck and have a Happy Halloween!

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Update and a Surprise

Hi y'all!

I know it's been a while, but I promise I'm still around. I've been sticking to blog tours in the past few months due to all the craziness going on in my life. I've been going through and preparing for some major life changes, one of which is I'm finally graduating this December! So between working, finishing school, looking for a job, and everything else going on, I've been stretched a little thin, hence why I didn't do a month-long celebration for Halloween this year. However, that doesn't mean I don't have a few tricks and treats up my sleeve. So tune back in this Tuesday for a Halloween treat!

Happy New Year, 2017!

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2017. Another year gone, another year ready to start. 2016 was a crazy year for me, especially the last few months. While some bad stuff happened, a lot of good things happened as well. And while the beginning of 2017 might not have started out quite as exciting as I would have liked, I am still looking forward to all that this year will bring. For one, I am in my final year of school, so I'm looking forward to graduation. In addition, I'm planning some trips (including Coastal Magic in February) that I'm looking forward to as well. So, in honor of this new year of opportunities, I want to share with you one of my favorite Pentatonix songs as well as give away a box of swag.

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Merry Christmas (I Have Presents!)

Merry Christmas everybody! I know I haven't been on much this month, which I talked about earlier. I plan on being much more active in the new year though since I will have more time and hopefully won't be getting injured again. To thank all of you, my wonderful followers and visitors, I am going to end the year and start the new year with giveaways! The first giveaway goes live today and will end once the clock hits midnight on the 1st. For it, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of the sexy holiday anthology, The More The Merrier Volume 1. And I may even throw in a few other paperbacks for an extra Christmas surprise. I hope y'all have a great holiday season and I'll see you in the new year!

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Raising Holiday Cheer

Thought I'd share this to help spread some holiday cheer. Enjoy!

A Holiday Wish VBT

Blurb:

Noelle Silver has been a wedding planner for six years, and in all that time, the only bride she's failed to get down the aisle is herself. Abandoned by her fiancé and disillusioned with love, Noelle is ready to pack it in and leave town when Brooke St. John, orphaned heiress, offers her a staggering amount of money to do Brooke's Christmas Eve wedding to a much older man.

Though she's reluctant at first, the payment Brooke offers is enough for Noelle to return to her hometown and start a new life. It's also an opportunity to prove to herself - and her former fiancé - that despite her broken heart she still has what it takes to pull off a wedding worthy of an heiress in the mere two months Brooke has given her. But the best man, Brooke's gorgeous older brother Everett, seems dead set on stopping the nuptials. Will he succeed, driving the final nail into the coffin of Noelle's career as a wedding planner - and completely shattering what's left of her expectations of love?

Excerpt:

The crisp autumn air smells clean in a way heavy, humid summer air never can. It bites at my cheeks and ruffles the edges of my burgundy scarf. Through leaves burnished gold and crimson the sun dapples the sidewalk and bounces off the shop windows as I hurry past. It’s so nice out this morning that if it weren’t for the promise of coffee, croissants and Drew, I would have been a little disappointed to come to the end of the half-mile walk between my apartment and The Daily Grind, which is on a quaint tree-lined street just a few doors down from my own shop—Silver Bells Wedding Designs. It’s a play on my name, Noelle Silver, and the fact that I specialize in Christmas weddings. They’re my absolute favorite. Something about the holiday season just lends itself to gorgeous weddings. But Drew’s the outdoorsy type and has his heart set on getting married outside. If he didn’t, we would definitely do it at Christmas.

I’m pleased to be able to interview the main character of A Holiday Wish, Noelle Silver. Noelle was kind enough to take a few minutes from her busy schedule of trying to plan the wedding of the century to answer a few questions for us. Thanks for being here, Noelle!

NS: Thanks for having me. I'm not going to lie - this is kind of weird.

CJH: You've never been interviewed before?

NS: Nope. Well, the Springhollow Stalker did a little writeup on me when I opened my business. But that was a few years ago, and it wasn't really an interview. Just a blurb, really.

CJH: The Springhollow Stalker?

NS: That's what my fiancé - I mean my ex-fiancé - calls the local paper. It's a small town, and he used to swear that the people who write for it get their stories by looking into people's windows. They always seem to know what's going on.

CJH: I get it. Well, welcome to your first interview!

NS: Thanks, I think.

CJH: Don't be nervous. I'm just going to make you tell us all of your deepest, darkest secrets.

NS: Fire away. I hope you're not disappointed by my completely boring life.

CJH: I doubt that. Well, first things first. Your name is Noelle Silver. How old are you?

NS: Really? Do I have to answer that?

CJH: Would you rather I guessed?

NS: Ugh. Fine. If I have to. I'm thirty. Thirty-one in January.

CJH: I wouldn't have guessed that. And where are you from?

NS: I'm from a little town called Blackton. It's not as little as Springhollow, but it's definitely not some sprawling metropolis. It's a suburb of Harrisburg.

CJH: What brought you to Springhollow?

NS: School. I went to Springhollow College.

CJH: That's a great school. You must be intelligent.

NS: I'm not researching string theory on my day off, that's for sure. But I get by, I guess.

CJH: What was your major?

NS: English literature.

CJH: And what do you do?

NS: I own Silver Bells Wedding Designs. I'm a wedding planner. Money well-spent!

CJH: Well, it's not unusual for people to end up doing something they never thought they would. What made you decide to become a wedding planner?

NS: You know, I don't remember actually making the decision. I'd never even been to a wedding until after I graduated from college. I just remember showing up and being just completely obsessed with every little detail. I wondered how they picked the food, the colors, the theme, even the music. It fascinated me how all of these little parts came together to create this beautiful, magical day. I spent more time talking to their coordinator than my fiancé - sorry, ex-fiancé.

CJH: And how soon after that did you start your own business?

NS: Sooner than I should have. I didn't really know what I was doing for that entire first year. I got lucky, though. I didn't screw up too much and the stuff that did get screwed up, I fixed the best I could. I worked out of my apartment for the first three years. Then three years ago I rented my own shop. It's on Main Street, a few doors down from The Daily Grind.

CJH: So you're doing pretty well, then?

NS: Well, I guess. Not that it matters.

CJH: What do you mean?

NS: I'm - well, I'm actually closing down. I'm working on my last wedding now, and then I'm done.

CJH: Why's that?

NS: Um. A couple of reasons. The biggest one being that my heart's just not in it anymore. I've had some personal issues lately and that makes it kind of hard to put my all into planning someone's dream wedding.

CJH: I see. Does it have anything to do with your own broken engagement?

NS: How did you know about that?

CJH: You've referred to your ex-fiance twice.

NS: Oh. I didn't realize. Well, yeah. It does have to do with that. It's kind of hard to tell people you can plan their weddings when it's common knowledge that you couldn't pull off your own, you know?

CJH: I understand. So what are your plans?

NS: Um, if you don't mind, I'd really rather not get into that. It's kind of personal. I don't feel ready to talk about it.

CJH: No problem. I have some other questions I could ask, if you prefer?

NS: That would be fine. As long as they don't involve romance, or weddings. Or Christmas. Or coffee.

CJH: Coffee? I think you're safe.

NS: Good.

If you had a free day and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do? I would sleep as late as I could, even though when I can sleep late I still end up waking up around 9. I'd have a leisurely and really fattening breakfast - a few cups of tea and a bunch of pastries. Then I'd take a walk downtown to the art gallery and spend a few hours there wishing I had the money to be able to afford some of the abstract pieces. After that I'd go to the park and sit by the mini-waterfall and meditate. I've never meditated a day in my life! I just want to know what it's like. Then I'd pick up some Thai food for dinner and then wind down with a movie and some Chardonnay.

What are you most proud of about your life? Wow. That's a hard one. Well, up until a few weeks ago I'd say I was most proud of starting my own business. I never thought I had that in me. But I failed. So I don't know. I really don't know.

When you wake up in the morning what’s the first thing you do? Pee. Can I say that?

Do you think you've turned out the way your parents expected? No, probably not. My mom always bragged about how smart I was. I walked and talked so early she seemed to think it meant I'd be a genius. I really doubt she ever expected me to be a failed wedding planner. And my dad ditched us when I was ten. If he had any expectations for me, he never made them known.

What have you always wanted to do but haven't done? Why? I've always wanted to visit Europe. There's a lot of reasons why I haven't. Money...it takes a lot of money, and growing up we never had any. Then I was in school, and right after school I started my business, so there was no time.

What is the worst thing that's happened in your life? What did you learn from it? Being ditched by my fiance for his twenty-three-year-old assistant. And even though I already knew from my dad that you can't really trust men who say they'll be there for you, that just drove it home. There. I said it. Don't ask me to talk about it.

What is the most important thing in your life? What do you value most? My family, absolutely. I'd do anything for my mom and my sister. Even if it meant giving up my life as I know it.

What flaw must you overcome? (Laughs) Just one? Let's see. I'm a slob. I can be insensitive. Apparently I have a tendency toward self-absorption and outright selfishness. There are probably more but those are the biggies.

CJH: Well, I think that's all the questions I have for you, Noelle. Thanks for being here! Good luck with the last wedding.

NS: Thanks for having me. This was...enlightening.

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October 31: Louise Lyndon Romance Author Hear Me Roar
November 1: EskieMama Reads
November 2: Fabulous and Brunette
November 2: The Silver Dagger Scriptorium
November 3: Sharing Links and Wisdom
November 3: Long and Short Reviews
November 4: Queen of All She Reads - review only
November 4: Hearts and Scribbles - promo

Author Bio and Links:

Courtney J. Hall is the author of Some Rise by Sin, a historical romance set in the tumultuous final days of Mary Tudor’s reign, and A Holiday Wish, the first book in the Silver Bells contemporary romance series. She lives in suburban Philadelphia with her husband and a stolen cat.

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