MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Greetings

It’s Christmas Eve, a magical time for me, and I hope for you.

I know most of you are extremely busy with last-minute shopping or parties, or family gatherings. Savor your time with family and friends. Hug them, tell them you appreciate them. The same for the furry members of your family. Hug your cats and dogs.

Take time for yourself. Relax, put your feet up, preferably before a roaring fire. Have some hot chocolate, a glass of wine, a hot toddy, whatever is your drink of choice. While you’re relaxing, read a romance to put you in a happy mood.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

PS-This is my last blog for RB4U. As of January 1, 2020, I will no longer be a member author. Personal circumstances have caused me to make changes in my writing life. I will still be a member of RB4U. I want to thank Marianne for all she's done in putting this great group together. She's left it in good hands with Nicole.

#HappyNewYear #resolutions, starting fresh and more #writing + #giveaway

Before I start my post i just want to make sure you all are visiting and getting yourself registered for the RB4U monthly giveaway.  Great prizes so don't miss your opportunity!!  It's a scavenger hunt for January so should be a lot of fun.  The contest starts on January 5th so bookmark the site and set yourself a reminder !!!

Go HERE to check it out!

Happy New Year everyone !

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year celebration.

Ours was a little chaotic this year with running kids back -n- forth but i got to see my mom who lives in Florida so it was definitely one of my better ones !

And for New Years', we're boring people so we did nothing. i watched the ball drop with my 2 kiddos while my hubby slept. He had to be up for work at 5.

There ya go, a post, short & sweet :)

How about resolutions? Did you make any?  

What about goals for the new year? Let's hear them!!

For myself, i just want to get better organized with my already crazy 2019 writing schedule and my growing pre-made cover group!

Lots of places you can find me this year:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kristaamesauthor

FB Like page:  https://www.facebook.com/Author-Krista-Ames-153335914718126/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kristaames

Amazon Author Page: https://goo.gl/7/DeooR

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/krista-ames

RB4U Author Page:  http://www.romancebooks4us.com/Krista_Ames.html

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/kristaames/

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/LoYf7K

Covers by Kay Pre-mades FB Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/131272127456290/

Here's to a prosperous new year!

I Believe in Miracles #RB4U #true_story #melissa_keir

I Believe in Miracles

Welcome to December. This is always a tough time of year for me. Twenty years ago, right before Christmas, I lost my mom. She was way too young (esp. since I'm reaching that age myself). I know many of you are feeling sorry for my loss. I feel the sadness too but I can't think about my mom without being grateful for the miracle which gave us ten more years with her.

Do you believe in miracles? Most people I've spoken to do. Many have experienced one. They aren't as seldom as you think. I asked people to share their own miracles and was excited reading their stories. They had dead family members save their lives, had prayers answered and escaped the Angel of Death.

The stories touched my heart. So I asked if I could use them and compiled the stories along with my family's personal miracle. I Believe was born. I Believe is a book filled with true stories of miracles which happened to ordinary people, people like me.

I  hope you will be as moved as I was by their stories and see that miracles are more common than we think. They can and do happen all around us. That's the good news... and now for the best news... Proceeds from I Believe will go to the Children's Miracle Network, an organization which helps create miracles for children every day. 

So not only are you getting a book filled with heartwarming stories but you are helping others. 

Miracles Surround Us.

Do you believe in miracles? Have you ever heard a voice urging you to do something or not to do something? Have you had a prayer answered? Has someone who has passed come to help you?

Miracles happen to everyday people.This book shares real experiences from ordinary people. Miracles occurred. Some are profound and demonstrate the work of a higher power. Some appear as happenstance but are life changing. These are their stories in their own words.

Grab this book and be prepared to be amazed. There is more to life than what we see and Miracles Surround Us.

**Proceeds will go to the Children's Miracle Network which provides miracles to children everywhere.**

Amazon

Kobo

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas as well as a prosperous Happy New Year!

Until January 9th, Keep Reading...

XO

Melissa

www.melissakeir.com

HOLIDAY MOVIES FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

It’s Christmas Eve and my turn to blog. When the festivities of Christmas day are over and you can breathe again, relax, take off your shoes, prop your feet up, have a glass of wine and watch holiday movies.

In an effort to help you choose which ones to watch, I’ve listed a few of my favorites. 

“She can’t cook.”

“She can’t cook?”

“No, but, oh, my, what a wife!”

If you’re like me and you love Christmas romance movies, you’ll recognize the above exchange. It comes at the end of one of my favorite romantic comedies, Christmas in Connecticut, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan.

 I discovered Christmas in Connecticut decades ago, before VCR’s. In those days, near Christmas, I would scour TV Guide to see when the movie was playing again and hope it wasn’t in the middle of the night. (Did I mention I’m a TV and movie junkie?) I now have it on DVD so I can watch any time I want. Barbara Stanwyck is one of my favorite actresses. I love the premise of this movie. Barbara is an independent, single career woman who lives in an apartment in New York. This is in 1945, mind you. She’s a writer for a women’s magazine. She can’t cook, but she writes a column about cooking and about her wonderful husband and baby and their farm in Connecticut. Of course, there is no husband, baby or farm. And Dennis Morgan, another favorite, plays a sailor, a war hero, who falls in love with her. Only he thinks she’s married. Quite racy for the time.

I grew up watching the romantic comedies of the Thirties, Forties and Fifties on late night TV. They inspired me to write romance. And for me the Christmas season is a treasure trove of romantic movies.

Holiday Affair with Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum, 1949, is another favorite. If you’ve never seen this movie, I urge you to find it if it’s available on DVD. It's also available for streaming. The movie usually plays several times near Christmas. Janet Leigh is breathtakingly beautiful and Robert Mitchum is macho, handsome and totally sexy. Even though Janet’s character is almost engaged to another man, Mitchum’s character makes no secret of the fact that he wants her. Another racy story for the time. Holiday Affair is a favorite of my husband’s too. This movie was remade as a TV movie in the Nineties. I like the new version also but it can’t hold a Christmas candle to the original.

Another movie that’s not a romance, but is high on my annual list is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Chevy Chase is endearing as a dad who just wants to have an old-fashioned Christmas. Anything and everything that could go wrong does. Through it all, Chevy retains the dream of a perfect holiday.

This next also isn’t a romance, but I have to mention it. My favorite movie version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the 1951 adaptation with Alastair Sim as Scrooge. Many critics rate this as the best of all A Christmas Carol movies. I like the Nineties version with George C. Scott too. I also have the book and treat myself to a reading of it every Christmas season.

How could I forget that perennial favorite, White Christmas? I know it’s corny, but the music is great, the movie is colorful and festive and it will make you smile and laugh. And it has a terrific romance.

Of course, there’s It’s a Wonderful Life. This movie about a man realizing he’s had a most wonderful life after all and has all he needs in front of him will make you cry and want to hug your loved ones a little harder.

Then there are all the Christmas romance movies on Lifetime and Hallmark. My husband, who has never read any of my novels or short stories, is a real sucker when it comes to romance movies, especially Christmas ones. We watch all the Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies together. My husband even cries at some of them. But he’ll deny this.

Because I love the Hallmark/Lifetime movies, I wrote a holiday romance, A Groom for Christmas, that is very much like those movies, with some intense love scenes. My book also touches on the things we hold dear about Christmas—family, rituals, love, joy. A Groom for Christmas is now on sale for 99 cents, a savings of $2.00.

 I’ve also written a new take on the classic Cinderella tale, A Cinderella Christmas, a fantasy filled with Christmas spirit, in more ways than one. And a fantasy take on the Snow White tale, Her Snow White Christmas (Snow Globe Magic Book 1). My newest Christmas story is a fun read called A Very Vegas Christmas (Gambling on Love Book 3)

So there you have it. My holiday viewing guide. What are some of your favorite Christmas movies?

Blurb for A Groom for Christmas:

Family pressure just might make her do something crazy...

When a young woman hires her hometown’s former bad boy to be her pretend fiancé for the holidays, she finds she can’t wrap up her feelings as easily as a Christmas gift.

New York jewelry designer Graceann Palmer has two days to find a fiancé to bring home to Pennsylvania for the holidays so her matchmaking mama will quit fixing her up with jerks. The Falcon, a motorcycle-riding, leather-clad former high school crush, helped her out once before. Maybe he'll do it again.

Jake Falco, man of many mysteries, is back in town on a mission—one the people of Spirit Lake most likely won't appreciate. When Graceann presents him with her crazy scheme, it gives him something he's always wanted—a chance to get to know Graceann. It also gives him the perfect opportunity to add fuel to his project of revenge.

But as Jake and Graceann grow closer, their engagement-of-convenience begins to feel like the real deal—until Jake’s secrets are revealed.

Can a relationship that began with lies and secrets bloom like a rare Christmas rose into happily-ever-after?

Amazon BN

Blurb for A Cinderella Christmas:

Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn't believe she'd find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently.

Amazon BN iBooks

Blurb for Her Snow White Christmas:

A Christmas snow globe from a mysterious stranger swirls holiday magic for a sophisticated New York woman with a broken heart and a handsome Iraq War vet with a secret.

2016 Eppie winner Best Short Work

Amazon BN iBooks

Blurb for A Very Vegas Christmas:

An event planner in need of luck
A man with a secret
What happens in Vegas...

A Las Vegas event planner in need of luck meets a mysterious guy who might be her winning ticket. Will his secret split them apart?

Amazon BN iBooks

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Website

Mind Blowing Facts you (probably) didn't know about the Holidays #HappyHolidays #MerryChristmas #RB4U

Did you know that Jingle Bells was originally a song written for the Thanksgiving holiday? 

James Lord Pierpont, an organist from Savannah, Georgia, first performed a song he wrote, "The One Horse Open Sleigh," at his church's Thanksgiving concert. The song was re-published in 1857 and given the title of today.

Bonus fact: It's also the first song broadcast from space. On December 16, 1965, the Gemini 6 crew serenaded Mission Control after they reported seeing a "red-suited" astronaut.



This little-known fact sure surprised me! Did you know that Christmas wasn't always on December 25th? 
Though Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, there is no mention of December 25 in the Bible. (Most historians believe he was actually born in the spring.) It wasn't chosen as the official holiday until the 3rd Century. Some argue that the date was picked because it coincided with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, celebrating agricultural god Saturn with partying and gift-giving.

This one I already knew, but wonder if any of you did as well. :) The marketing geniuses over at Coca-Cola came up with the red suit for Santa Claus in an effort to tie their famous red and white logo with the tradition of Christmas. 
Well, Santa wore a variety of colorful suits through the years — including red, blue, white, and green — but legend has it that the popular image of his red coat came from a 1930s ad by Coca-Cola.

For more mind-blowing facts about Christmas and this wintery holiday season, check out this link:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/18-mind-blowing-facts-about-the-holidays/ss-BBG1TzW?ocid=ems.msn.12102017

A Town Made For Christmas #melissa_keir #RB4U #holidays

A Town Made For Christmas

Hello and welcome! I'm popping in today to share with you a wonderful place for the whole family and fun throughout the year. However, Frankenmuth, Michigan is a town made for Christmas.

Originally a German (Bavarian) settlement (1847) where the people would indoctrinate the local Native American's about Jesus, Frankenmuth has grown into a popular vacation destination, while still maintaining it's original German heritage.  

Only about an hour north of Detroit, Frankenmuth is known for it's small town charm. Horse drawn carriages travel along the city streets as vacationers take in the beautiful German-style buildings. The slow pace of the carriage rides allows tourists to enjoy the amazing covered bridge and Glockenspiel clock tower which features a magnificent 35-bell carillion, figure movement and an illuminated clock face, all imported from Germany. At noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm the Glockenspiel plays several musical selections followed by the figurine movement depicting the legend of the Pied Piper of Hameln. 

A local restaurant, Zehnder's, has been serving its award winning and world famous chicken dinners since 1928 when the Zehnder family purchased The Exchange Hotel which was originally built in 1856. Today, home cooked and traditional German foods are served along side American favorites. In addition, there are other restaurants, stores, and a brewery, where something can be found for everyone from chocolate, to candies, to cheese!

In order to become more of a family destination, some of the hotels have opened a water park inside their hotel. The Bavarian Inn features not only a splash park but also an indoor putt-putt course and arcade, making this town not only a summer destination but also a place to get away to when the snow is flying!

Speaking of snow... Frankenmuth is beautiful for the holidays. They really go all out, because Frankenmuth features the largest Christmas store in the world. Bronner's has grown to over 27 acres since its humble beginnings in 1954. Their store has a huge collection of large holiday statues as well as ornaments. There's something for everyone and every budget. Just be sure to have plenty of time to visit the large showroom. It's a sight to behold.

Now that I've got you interested in visiting this amazing town, I hope you will consider Frankenmuth for a fun getaway for romance or the whole family. And while you are in the mood, why don't you pick up a wonderful holiday box set??

Brighten this holiday season with seven stories from New York Times, USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Grab a cup of your favorite cocoa, coffee or tea, a holiday treat and settle in with the authors from More Christmas Lovin’ for a festive holiday read.

Only $0.99 or #free with #KindleUnlimited

BUY HERE!: http://a.co/4V8Egkr

Santa for Christmas by Lisa Kumar

A sexy elf who hates everything about Christmas is forced to be Santa and must go into the seething heart of humanity—the abode of a beautiful single mother and her child in order to save them.

An EverAfter Christmas by K.S. Thomas

Sailor Belle is no stranger to adventure, so being stranded in a blizzard three days before her wedding, is not about to stop her from marrying the man of her dreams. But then, as the obstacles keep coming, she clings to her last hope - it’s the season for miracles, and she may need one to get her EverAfter Christmas.

Holiday Homecoming by Melissa Keir

Two broken hearts mend as love blossoms, but when danger comes calling, can the two loners learn to rely on each other or will they lose all they have found?

Mistletoe & Ashes by RaeAnne Hadley

Tiffany knew the threats of being a firefighter on the Hot Shots team. She embraced the heat and the danger but she could have never predicted that her heart and her mind would be in peril. Could a Christmas miracle save her or would she end up as ashes?

Seduction at the Christmas Court by Jenna Jaxon

Lord and Lady Longford have journeyed to the Christmas Court of King Edward III to wait upon the king and take part in some Yuletide merriment. When Geoffrey is suddenly called to war, and rumors of his death arise, Alyse fends off an old suitor who wants to renew their friendship. But how long will he take “No” for an answer?

All I Want For Christmas by Deb Julienne

Who knew one little boy’s Christmas wish could change so many lives?

The Christmas Fantasy by D’Ann Lindun

Widower Christian Vega believes he’ll never find true love again, until an actress catches his eye. But she’s way out of this cowboy’s league. Hope Snowden swears to never date another out-of-work actor again. Then she falls for a cowboy-turned-stuntman. Is it love, or just a Christmas fantasy? 

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season. Until next month...

Happy Reading,

Melissa Keir

www.melissakeir.com

Can Santa Bring Me HIM? I Need a New Muse! by Marianne Stephens

So who's prancing around on your rooftop? Meet Rocky Claus, Santa's younger brother. Santa decided that Rocky would visit all GOOD ladies this year so Santa could concentrate on the kiddies.
Rocky is so-o-o looking forward to fitting down your chimney so he can give you one, or two, or three, or more...wonderful presents...but only if you've been "GOOD" all year!

Did you write to Santa yet? Be sure to tell him if you've been GOOD and mention how you'd like Rocky to slide down your chimney for some fun! Remember to address your letter to the North Pole...although Rocky spends his time sunning himself in warmer climates so has a wonderful tan!

My letter's been mailed and I just KNOW Rocky will fit down my chimney without a problem since I've been getting it ready for his visit. I even bought a cute red hot sheer nightie to wear that has white trim around the bottom. And with Rocky's red hat with white trim, we should compliment each other...don'tcha think? Rocky likes to wear that hat...and nothing else...so he can present an uplifting holiday image. Plus, clothes just get in the way and make it more difficult for him to slide up and down your chimney.

Hurry, ladies. Get those letters mailed today to be put on Rocky's list. You wouldn't want him to miss your chimney, would you?

Since I need a new muse for my writing, I think Rocky will do just fine after he delivers his goods to all those who ask Santa for a visit from Rocky this Christmas!

HO, HO, HO! Happy Holidays!

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A Special Time of Year - Filled With Love and Blessings

I always struggle for ways to express how special and magical the season around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is to me. Intertwined with the holidays are several family birthdays, which combine to make the time both too hectic to enjoy and impossible not to cherish. It's a constant struggle to remind myself to stop and embrace the hope beyond the hurry, the love behind the giving and give the season its due.

Nestled between Thanksgiving and New Years, Christmas represents both death and a bright new life. It is the death of heated days, the expiration of the growing season, a burrowing in of all that cannot function within Winter's frigid grasp. But its frosty embrace ushers in a new kind of warmth. It enforces a new closeness, a fresh reason to snuggle together and contemplate our blessings before a roaring fire or under a snuggly blanket. It's the season of love and hope because, though it comes at the end of one year, teetering on the edge of a brand new one, Christmas represents the glitter and beauty of giving and sharing...a time when peace on earth and goodwill toward men is more than a carelessly uttered cliche. It's a fond hope, a heartfelt wish, and despite our ongoing challenges, it's the goal we just can't resist reaching for...year after year.

I hope this Holiday season is everything you could wish for, filled with the only things that matter: family, friends, health and comfort. Enjoy the good will infused in the season and, if you can, take the time to appreciate the richness of your blessings.

Happy Holidays, Everybody!

Based in the Bedeviled & Beyond world, this fun collection of Christmas short stories will put a smile on your face and turn every day into a Hell-i-day!

#1.  Astra Takes out the Grinch: Astra’s been conscripted to deal with a hairy, green demon who’s stealing presents and creating havoc. The Big Guy has grown increasingly tired of the Grinch’s antics and, this Christmas, has called out the big guns.

#2.  Astra gets a Lump of Coal – Thumps an Elf: Astra is forced to spend Christmas in Satan’s backyard, helping the angels figure out how the green dragons are escaping Hell to terrorize the human realm on Earth. But in true Astra form, she figures out much more than that!

#3.  The Year the Grinch Stole Santa: Astra is determined to take Christmas off so she’s been ignoring the nearly constant calls from the North Pole to help them find Santa, who’s disappeared just days before Christmas. But Astra learns the hard way that Santa’s minions will not be ignored!

#4.  An Elvish Catastrophe: Astra and Darma are Christmas shopping at the mall when a pack of ninja elves invade the place and demand the execution of all faux Santas. Talk about little man syndrome…these ninjas have it in spades!

BUY LINKS:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018CQFVDE/?tag=wwwsamcheever-20  

Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/Bedeviled-Humbug-Christmas-Shorts-Beyond-ebook/dp/B018CQFVDE/?tag=wwwsamcheev0d-20  

Amazon.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bedeviled-Humbug-Christmas-Shorts-Beyond-ebook/dp/B018CQFVDE/?tag=wwwsamcheever-21

Amazon.au: http://www.amazon.com.au/Bedeviled-Humbug-Christmas-Shorts-Beyond-ebook/dp/B018CQFVDE

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bedeviled-bah-humbug-sam-cheever/1123009462?ean=2940157694999

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bedeviledbahhumbug-1935886-172.html

iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1061451223

Author Bio

USA Today Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

If you haven't already connected, Sam would love it if you Liked/Followed her wherever you enjoy hanging out online. Here are her online haunts:

Newsletter: http://www.samcheever.com/newsletter.html Subscribe to my newsletter and win a free copy of the fun and sexy Honeybun Fever Box Set
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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

The theme for December is “Been there, done that, don’t want to do it again.” I have many things I could add to this. However, it’s Christmas Eve, a magical time for me, and I hope for you.

I know most of you are extremely busy with last-minute shopping or parties, or family gatherings. Savor your time with family and friends. Hug them, tell them you appreciate them. The same for the furry members of your family. Hug your cats and dogs. I’ve lost two loved ones this year, and I’m learning to focus on what’s really important in life—the people and fur babies who mean so much.

Take time for yourself. Relax, put your feet up, preferably before a sizzling fire. Have some hot chocolate, a glass of wine, a hot toddy, whatever is your drink of choice. While you’re relaxing, read a romance to put you in a happy mood. I have several Christmas romances I think you’ll enjoy. And for delicious fun, there’s Entice Me Luscious Love Stories, the anthology I’m privileged to be part of with the talented authors of RB4U.

www.caramarsi.com

http://www.amazon.com/Cara-Marsi/e/B002BMIB8S

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!