This Christmas

So this Christmas we’re hanging out in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the family, and though I grew up with snow on the ground for Christmas…I really could have done without it this year.  But I must say, it’s great to be around family and participate in a tradition my parents started over twenty years ago – The Christmas Brunch.

This brunch is famous amongst our family and friends in Milwaukee (and those who once lived in Milwaukee).  The average number of attendees range from 40 -50 individuals on Christmas morning and almost every type of breakfast and lunch menu item can be found gracing all available space on table and counter tops. Everything from home made cream cheese croissants to hash browns to salmon croquettes. You name it, and it’ll probably be a part of this famous brunch.

My mother and her elves (helpers), including myself when I’m in town, prepare and set up the brunch. Though it’s been a couple of years since I’ve participated, I’m looking forward to the event (even if it is a lot of work).

A few years ago, they added something to the festivities – the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Click here to learn more about the game. The game is a blast, and usually result in some friendly (entertaining) competition.

What I think I like most about the Christmas Brunch – it brings family and friends together for good food and LOTS of laughs.

So what’s going on with you this Christmas holiday? Do you have any traditions that take place in your family?

Merry Christmas!!

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Winners – Holiday Gifts of Love

Listed below are the winners from the Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop.

Dawna N – won an e-copy of Blue Roses

Veronika – won an e-copy of Blue Roses

Gaele – won an e-copy of Blue Roses AND a $5 Amazon gift card.

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS

Aimee F – won a Kindle Fire

Laura T – won a $50 Amazon gift card

Debbie G – won a Swag Pack

Note: All winners have been contacted via email.

Thanks to all who participated!

All I Want for Christmas – Holiday Gifts of Love

Okay you blog hoppers let’s talk Holiday Gifts of Love, and then give away some prizes (including a Kindle Fire)!

Over the next four days (December 14 – December 17, 2012), if you participate in the the Gifts of Love Blog Hop you have an opportunity to win well over 200 prizes – including 3 grand prizes! You’ll also get to know over 200 authors, and find out about some amazing books!

But first things first…

Let’s talk about Christmas. I still can’t believe it’s the middle of December! Where did the year go? As I get into full gear for the holiday season (checking things off my to-do-list as well as my gifts to buy list), I can’t help but look over my own Christmas list for this year.  It seems the older I get the shorter it gets. Or should I say the more expensive the items on it get. This year, I even added a non-materialistic thing to the list. This is something I should be able to take care of myself. And that is – I’m giving myself two (not one, but two) “free” days. Over the Christmas holiday, I’m allowing myself to do absolutely nothing! No cooking, cleaning, working or writing, I’m just going to veg out with a few good books, and maybe even watch a little TV. I can’t wait!

So what’s on your Christmas list?

 I know everyone celebrates the holiday in different ways, but this year, since it’s my first year of being a published author, and I value my amazing readers (and new readers) very much,  I’ve decided to give away a couple of e-books and a gift card.

Below is a little bit about the book I’m giving away. Blue Roses is my third published work, and the first book of my Reunited Series. Check it out…

 

Where most women would welcome love from a wealthy, good-looking man, Chicago-based investment manager, Dallas Marcel, is not one of them. She will never let a man control her life again. That includes handsome entrepreneur, Tyler Hollister. Dallas is on track to making partner and she’s not letting anything or anyone get in her way. But when her life is put in danger, and a Ponzi scheme ignites a SEC investigation of her firm, she realizes the one man she’d banned from her heart, might be the only one who can save her career and her life.

Tall, dark, and handsome, Tyler Hollister can have any woman he wants, but he only wants one – Dallas. When he starts talking marriage, she breaks things off between them, claiming she doesn’t want a romantic entanglement to hinder her plight to making partner. A chance meeting, six months later, brings them face to face and Tyler soon realizes the intense sexual attraction they once shared is stronger than ever. But he swore he was done with her. Except he finds out her life is in danger, and his protective instincts take over. Can he save her life without losing his heart … again?

Read an excerpt 

To purchase:

Amazon   B&N   All Romance ebooks  Smashwords

IN PAPERBACK

Createspace     Amazon

Okay, so now let’s give away some prizes!

Here’s what you can win:

An e-copy of Blue Roses (2 winners)

An e-copy of Blue Roses AND a $5 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card (1 winner)

Grand Prizes:

A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

 A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

Swag Pack! (Note: this particular prize is only for U.S. residents)  This Swag Pack contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN ENTER AND WIN:

* Leave a comment on this blog (What’s one thing on your Christmas list?). Include your email address AND “Like” my Facebook Fanpage or subscribe to my blog (if you haven’t already done so).

* Visit other blogs that are participating in Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop. Each time you comment on ANY of the blogs participating in Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop (including this one) you are entered to win. NOTE: Each blogger is giving away prizes!!! Did you get that? That means you can enter well over 200 times for a chance to win some amazing prizes (just make sure you leave a comment on the blog sites AND your email address).

Deadline: You must enter (see instructions above) no later than 11:59 p.m est on Monday, December 17, 2012. That means you can enter to win any day from today, December 14, 2012 until Monday, December 17, 2012!

I will post the names of ALL winners on this blog site by Wednesday, December 19, 2012. Note: Winners will have been contacted via email by this time.

Good Luck – I hope you win!

(don’t forget to leave a comment below and incl. your email address)

Here are the next three blogs participating in Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop.

http://joyafieldswriting.blogspot.com/

http://www.sherifredricks.blogspot.com/

http://www.wendysmithbooks.blogspot.com/

And for other sites participating in the hop click here

Enough Said

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Enough said…

Murder Mi Amore – Cara Marsi

In the mood for some romantic suspense? Check out Cara Marsi’s – Murder Mi Amore!

**

Murder, jewel thieves and terrorists intrude on an American woman’s Roman holiday; can she trust the sexy, mysterious Italian man who comes to her aid?

Blurb:

Lexie Cortese is in Rome to forget. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy Interpol agent who suspects her of being part of a terrorist plot involving a stolen diamond. Suddenly thrust into a world of murders, muggings, and kidnappings, Lexie doesn’t know what to think–or who to believe.

Dominic Brioni’s assignment is simple. Befriend the American and bring her to justice. Only Lexie seems the most unlikely terrorist Dominic has ever met. Sweet, determined, and direct, she faces life with courage and fire, a fire that sparks his protective instincts and a longing for something more–something he allowed himself to hope for only

Excerpt:

Lexie had started to run to him when someone grabbed her arm, pulling her around. A man, his face hidden by a ski mask, held tightly to her. Her shock ratcheted to fear. “Let go,” she yelled, trying to jerk her arm away from him, but his grip tightened. The dim light from the balcony above illuminated his flat black eyes. She had seen those eyes before. Holy shit. She was in trouble. The masked man grabbed for her purse. She screamed, and with strength she didn’t know she possessed, whammed him on the head with her purse. He staggered back, swearing, and slipped and fell. Lights and freedom beckoned from the nearby Via Corsi, but all Lexie could think about was Dominic. Turning on her heels, she ran to him, slipping on the ancient stones herself as Dominic struggled to stand. But before she could reach him, the mugger caught up with her and grabbed her shoulder, twisting her around. Dominic sprang up and flew at the mugger, knocking him to the ground. The two men grappled, rolling together on the cobbled street. Lexie, her heart thumping wildly, looked for an opening to bean the mugger again, to give Dominic a better chance at overcoming him.

“Stop it! Stop it! Leave him alone!” The mugger ended up on top, and she whaled away with her bag, getting in any shot she could.

Shouts and the slap of running feet vibrated through the alley. The mugger swore, jumped up, and raced away, a few men giving chase. Several others helped Dominic to stand, yelling in excited voices, and gesturing toward where their attacker had disappeared.

Dominic winced in pain. Lexie looked down at his ripped, blood-soaked pant leg. “Dominic, you’ve got to get to the hospital. You’re bleeding.”

“I’m okay,” he said. “It is nothing.” Brushing dirt off his jacket, he turned to the men and said something in rapid Italian. With nods, they strode away.

Breathing heavily, Lexie disagreed. “You’re not okay. We’ll get a cab and take you to the hospital.”

He cupped her shoulders. “I’ve been through worse. I’m fine. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“No. I’m…” The full impact of what had happened hit her. The adrenaline that had given her strength suddenly dissipated and she began to tremble. “I’m not okay.”

“Lexie.” Dominic moved forward to take her into his arms. She held on for dear life, needing his strength. He rubbed his hand along her back. “It’s okay, Lexie. We’re both okay. You’re safe with me.”

She clung to him. It wasn’t her imagination. Strange things were happening. She had nothing anyone could want. She didn’t know who to trust. Dominic said she was safe with him. But was she really?

GET YOUR COPY TODAY – Amazon.com

 

Author Bio:

Award-winning author Cara Marsi is a former corporate drone and cubicle dweller with a romantic soul. She craves books with happy endings and loves to write about strong heroes and the independent women they love. She also loves to put her characters in dangerous situations and situations that are merely dangerous to their hearts and watch them fight for the happy endings they deserve.

She credits her love of romance to the old Thirties and Forties romantic comedies she watched on late night TV growing up. She’s published in contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and has also published numerous short romance stories in national magazines. She and her husband enjoy traveling and she loves to write about the places they’ve visited. They share their house with a fat black diva of a cat named Killer.

Author Links:
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