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Pick up cool tips from Jan Selbourne and Anne Krist authors of Finding a Christmas Miracle by @DeeSKnight @JanSelbourne #RLFblog #HolidayRomance #PNR
Jan Selbourne and Anne Krist write of two men in Hell, wishing for a Christmas miracle with little hope of getting it.
Anne, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Thanks for sharing two tips with us today, but first, please tell us about Finding a Christmas Miracle.
Finding a Christmas Miracle by Jan Selbourne and Anne Krist
Genre Historical romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Two exceptional novellas featuring two men engulfed in a war no one understands or wants—Vietnam. They’re both hoping for a miracle with little expectation of finding it.
Jan Selbourne lends her award-winning writing talent to A Miracle in the Outback. Nick Saunders is in a hurry to escape a family argument and also to return to his Army base in Wagga Wagga. He doesn’t need another complication. Rachel Garth is a woman with a broken down car, a small girl, a deadly snake, and a baby on the way. She needs Nick’s help. He doesn’t know it, but he needs hers, too.
In award-winning author Anne Krist’s The Miracle of Coming Home, Army PFC Tom Stabler wins a trip to his parents’ Nebraska farm for Christmas. He needs the time away from the war. Lately, he’s been feeling lost and too alone. Trouble is, being home is almost as bad. Then Susan Swensen arrives, just as sweet and pretty as he remembers. Can Susan help him find himself again, or will it take a miracle?
Two Tips for Writing
Since Jan and I wrote this book as a team, I’d like to address writing with a partner.
Taking a partner in writing is not an easy thing. So my first tip is to work with someone you respect as a writer and with whom you know a little something of their personality. Writing is not only (sometimes) an isolated endeavor, it’s also a possessive kind of task. For a team to work, you need to be able to take editing and critiquing from your partner. This is why you need someone you respect—you have to trust them with your work and their comments. The goal is to make a really good book readers will love. The partnership won’t work if you don’t respect both your partner’s writing skill and their judgment in helping you make your work better.
Be sure you’re both on the same page. As individual writers, we can change a story line mid-way if we want to. Turn that heroine on the train from New York to Chicago to an astronaut riding the trail of a comet to the outer galaxies. But with a partner you need to agree ahead of time to a genre, time period, length, and deadline, at a minimum. Any later changes must be discussed and agreed to or else you could have a disjointed book on your hands. Jan and I came to a decision on our book from an off-the-cuff email discussion. She said she had in mind a novella story line that involved the Vietnam War. I asked if she would be interested in a duet book if I also wrote a Vietnam War novella. And here was another consideration: Jan doesn’t write erotic romance as Dee S Knight does. So I agreed to write my portion as Anne Krist, Dee’s sweet little sister. It wouldn’t do for Jan’s fans to turn the page and suddenly find a hot sex scene in a Dee novella. Agreement and joint decision making, that’s my second tip for writing with a partner.
Jan and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a New Year looked forward to with anticipation!
Where to buy Finding a Christmas Miracle
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Christmas-Miracle-historical-novellas-ebook/dp/B09MR8PKYT
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-a-christmas-miracle-jan-selbourne/1140676059?ean=2940166404329Jan Selbourne Social Media
Jan Selbourne was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia and her love of literature and history began as soon as she learned to read and hold a pen. After graduating from a Melbourne Business College her career began in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. On the point of retiring, she changed course to work as secretary of a large NSW historical society. Now retired Jan is enjoying her love of travelling and literature. She has two children, a stray live-in cat and lives near Maitland, New South Wales.
Website https://nomadauthors.com/JanSelbourne/index.html
Twitter https://twitter.com/JanSelbourne
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jan.selbourne
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-selbourne-2817b6140/
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6Anne Krist Social Media
A few years ago, Dee S Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.
After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for mĂ©nage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website (www.nomadauthors.com). Fortunately, Dee’s high school sweetheart is the love of her life and husband to all three ladies! Once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.
Website https://nomadauthors.com/annekrist/index.html
Blog https://www.nomadauthors.com/blog/
Twitter https://twitter.com/DeeSKnight
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Anne-Krist-Author-102654687933379
Get to know Anne Krist better by signing up for an email newsletter https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6 -
What Eve Richards eats for dinner, from Gingerbread and Jingle Bells by Caro Carson @theCaroCarson #RLFblog #HolidayRomance
She hasn’t seen her childhood buddy since the summer they turned 13, when she was determined to give him her first—somewhat disastrous—attempt at a kiss. Now they’re all grown up. She’s home for the holidays, and he’s the town’s new swoon-worthy veterinarian in Caro Carson’s award-winning holiday romance, Gingerbread & Jingle Bells.
Caro, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.
Gingerbread & Jingle Bells by Caro Carson
Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
She’s a big-city executive with a cool head for business.
He’s a small-town veterinarian with a passion for saving injured wildlife.
As children, they’d been the best of friends, until the day Eve had so determinedly—and somewhat disastrously—kissed Daniel on the lips the day before his family moved to England, leaving Masterson, Texas, for good.
This Christmas, they’ve both come back to town, and Eve’s grandmother is on an embarrassingly obvious matchmaking mission. Eve knows nothing good could come from falling for the tall, dark, and British version of her old school friend. He’s come back to put down roots; Eve is leaving after the holiday rush at her family’s bakery.
But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist the temptation of taking a second chance at that first kiss. One little kiss before Christmas couldn’t really change their lives…could it?
Let’s chat about what to eat
First, what is your name and how old are you?
Hi, I’m Eve Richards, originally from Masterson, Texas, and I’m in my mid-twenties.
What is the time period in which you live?
It’s 1985! What a great time to be alive. Everything’s colorful and bold and big—even the bow on the fancy dress I’m wearing to the holiday dance is big!
What is your favorite meal?
When I was a little girl, I thought TV dinners were the coolest. I loved the silver tray that was divided into little compartments, and there was always a dessert! But my mother, even though she was a divorcee who worked all day, insisted on cooking healthy dinners and sitting down with me to eat every night. The TV dinners were a rare treat. Of course, that made them even more desirable.
If you cook, what kind of food do you like to prepare?
I have to cook, because I live by myself. I’ve got my own place in Pittsburgh now. It’s a high-rise apartment, just as I’d always imagined I’d live in some day. I’m doing it! We 1980s women can have all kinds of careers that weren’t available to women like my grandma when she was my age. That’s why she bought her own bakery, so she could be her own boss. I work for a major corporation, so I’m not my own boss, but I am getting promoted. The company expects me to work long days, so I make myself TV dinners now. Maybe too many. I have to confess, they aren’t as delicious as I thought they were as a child.
Tell us about a meal or food that says “home” to you.
As I mentioned, my grandmother owns a bakery. Her sourdough bread, topped with butter—and nothing else—that’s my favorite. I’m home for the first time in ages to help her with the holiday rush, because my mom just got married and is away on her honeymoon. The holidays mean gingerbread in our bakery. Gingerbread houses, gingerbread cookies, even a giant gingerbread man.
What do you feed your pet/s?
Oh, I can’t keep a pet in my apartment. But now that I’m back home in Texas for a few weeks, I hear there’s a new dog in town (along with a new veterinarian) who has snuck into the bakery and stolen gingerbread more than once. If Grandma doesn’t put a stop to that, I’ll have to handle it…but I get the feeling Grandma *wants* me to confront the new vet. That means he must be around my age. She’s always playing matchmaker. It’s totally embarrassing.
Where to buy Gingerbread & Jingle Bells
Universal Buy Link https://books2read.com/u/3nED86
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DTL4ZJV
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gingerbread-jingle-bells-caro-carson/1140066945?ean=2940165698965
iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1583186766
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gingerbread-jingle-bellsCaro Carson Social Media
Despite a no-nonsense background as a West Point graduate and U.S. Army officer, Caro Carson has always treasured the happily-ever-after of a good romance novel. After her military service, she worked in the healthcare industry with a Fortune 100 company, talking science with doctors who were rarely handsome bachelor Texans like the doctors in her books. Now a USA Today bestselling author and RITA™ award winner, Caro is delighted to be living her own happily-ever-after with her husband (who actually is a handsome Texan) and their two children. They live in the great state of Florida, a location which has saved the coaster-loving theme park fanatics a fortune on plane tickets.
Website https://www.CaroCarson.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/TheCaroCarson
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/caro.carson
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6984425.Caro_Carson
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caro-carson
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Caro-Carson/e/B00GSGRZ62
Get to know Caro Carson better by signing up for an email newsletter https://www.carocarson.com/contact -
Read Snowdrop Cookie Wishes by Laura Strickland @LauraSt05038951 #RLFblog #ChristmasRomance
Laura Strickland’s new Christmas Romance, Snowdrop Cookie Wishes, is a magical Medieval tale of hope following tragedy. Can something as simple as the gift of a cookie bring healing to Lissi Johansen’s village?
Laura, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Snowdrop Cookie Wishes.
Snowdrop Cookie Wishes by Laura Strickland
Genre Christmas Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
It’s been a difficult year in Lissi Johansen’s sixteenth-century Danish village. As Christmas approaches, she longs for holidays past when her parents visited their neighbors, distributing cookies and good wishes to all. She hopes to bake a single batch of her mama’s Snowdrop Cookies and tuck a gift of magic wishes inside. But she will need help to make the miracle come true.
Miller Ole Andersen is barely hanging on after the loss of his wife and child to the plague. When Lissi begs him for a measure of flour, he’s won over by her warmth and generous spirit. He never suspects the events that follow will teach him about the limitless capacity of the heart, or that wishes given away can sometimes be the most magical of all.
Where to buy Snowdrop Cookie Wishes
Publisher https://www.thewildrosepress.com/book-post/snowdrop-cookie-wishes
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/Snowdrop-Cookie-Wishes-Christmas-Cookies-ebook/dp/B09FYV37N2
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Snowdrop-Cookie-Wishes-Christmas-Cookies-ebook/dp/B09FYV37N2
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowdrop-Cookie-Wishes-Christmas-Cookies-ebook/dp/B09FYV37N2
Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Snowdrop-Cookie-Wishes-Christmas-Cookies-ebook/dp/B09FYV37N2
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snowdrop-cookie-wishes-laura-strickland/1140147182?ean=2940162321682
iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/snowdrop-cookie-wishes/id1585527494
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/snowdrop-cookie-wishesLaura Strickland Social Media
Born in Buffalo and raised on the Niagara Frontier, Laura Strickland has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. To her the spunky, tenacious, undefeatable ethnic mix that is Buffalo spells the perfect setting for a little Steampunk, so she created her own Victorian world there. She knows the people of Buffalo are stronger, tougher and smarter than those who haven’t survived the muggy summers and blizzard blasts found on the shores of the mighty Niagara. Tough enough to survive a squad of automatons? Well, just maybe.
Website http://www.laurastricklandbooks.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/laurastricklandauthor
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000002632317
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42858639
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Strickland/e/B001KHSACW/ -
Read Secret Santa: A Romance Collection the new #CharityAnthology by Gabbi Grey + 80 authors @GabbiGrey #RLFblog #RonaldMcDonaldHouse
What happens when a diverse group of authors get together to make the perfect Christmas anthology? 80 stories, one million words, net proceeds to Ronald McDonald House.
Gabbi, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Secret Santa: A Romance Collection.
Secret Santa: A Romance Collection by 80 Authors
Genre Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG to Rated R. (or Sweet to Steamy)
Meet me under the mistletoe…
In this limited edition Christmas romance collection love blooms underneath the mistletoe as secret admirers finally confess their love and secret Santas make holiday wishes of the heart come true.
Get into the Christmas spirit by diving into these stories where anything can happen through the magic of Christmas—and love.
Why did you write this book?
Several of my writer friends told me about a charity anthology. When given the opportunity to join, I sat at the keyboard and wrote my heart out. My gay romance novella, Stanley’s Christmas Redemption, is one of eighty original stories.
What is your favorite genre to read?
I’m a huge gay romance fan. I’m also open to just about every subgenre out there – paranormal, dragons, billionaires, cowboys, historical, erotic. I read whatever I can get my hands on.
Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?
I’m going to go out there and say Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on a gay short story that I’m releasing in time for Christmas.
What books will we see from you in coming months?
I have a number of projects I’m juggling. I’ll be back to share when plans are firm!
Where to buy Secret Santa
Publisher https://books2read.com/secretsantacollection
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Santa-Limited-Christmas-Collection-ebook/dp/B08SJ7JPQJ
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-santa-rhetoric-askew/1140777132
iBooks https://books.apple.com/ca/book/secret-santa/id1547868830
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/secret-santa-a-limited-edition-christmas-romance-collectionGabbi Grey Social Media
Gabbi lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black.
Website https://gabbigrey.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/GabbiGrey
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15456297.Gabbi_Grey
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabbi-grey
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Gabbi-Grey/e/B07SJVFX1M
Get to know Gabbi Grey better by signing up for an email newsletter -
Read Sommerville holidays and Sommerville holidays too by Vicki Batman @Vicki Batman #RLFblog #ChristmasBooks #SmallTownRomance
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Read Yuletide with the Rookie by Fran Thomas @FrancesOThomas #RLFblog #ContemporaryRomance #HolidayRomance
All Leeanne Corey wants to do after a day teaching eight-year-olds is go home and put her feet up, but her little brother has other ideas.
Fran, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Yuletide with the Rookie.
Yuletide with the Rookie by Fran Thomas
Genre Sweet contemporary romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
The course of true love never did run smooth
Baseball rookie Brett Hoak is spending the off-season teaching kids to ice skate. The knockout big sis of one of his pupils is a bonus.
Leeanne Corey was sure teaching was her best career path. Now, she’s having second thoughts.
When Brett shares a secret and needs Leeanne’s help, she can’t refuse. But losing her heart to a jock again isn’t in her plans.Where to buy Yuletide with the Rookie
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NY2XV6L
Fran Thomas Social Media
Fran Thomas is a Pennsylvania native transplanted to Florida. She lives with her husband on an island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Website www.FrancesOThomas.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesOThomas
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FranThomasAuthor
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/FrancesOThomas/_saved/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/francesothomas/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212820.Frances_O_Thomas
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/fran-thomas
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07NPXFSDR
Get to know Fran Thomas better by signing up for an email newsletter https://mybookcave.com/d/a355a880/