Blog
Did you ever play Pick Up Sticks? In Regency times, this was one of the most popular games, then being called “Spillikins.” Even Jane Austen wrote to a friend that her Spillikins set was “a very valuable part of our household furniture.”
What are your favorite contemporary games?
As an author and reader, books have always been a part of my Christmas celebration ~ giving books as gifts, writing books with a holiday theme, enjoying quiet time with a new book, splurging on books with gift cards, reading traditional holiday stories to my children.
Want to add books to your holiday traditions? Here are six ideas.
Build a child’s library by gifting them with classics as Christmas gifts. You can start with Dr. Seuss and, as they mature, add favorites like Harry Potter.
Celebrate Jolabokaflod. “Christmas Book Flood” is an Icelandic tradition of gifting books to each other and spending the evening reading.
Acknowledge booksellers and librarians during the holidays. Thank those who serve readers and authors with home-baked goodies or a financial donation.
Add books to your holiday decor. Whether it’s a stack of Christmas-themed romance novels or beautifully illustrated children’s stories, books on display encourage people to slow down and enjoy the written word.
Trade favorites with your book bestie. Share a favorite book you’ve discovered by gifting a copy to your best friend and have her do the same for you.
Go Christmas shopping…at the bookstore. In addition to books, you can find bookish gadgets, merchandise, and other nifty items. If you have children or grandchildren, make this outing something special ~ lunch, shopping for gifts, and, of course, a book for them as well.
What is your favorite bookish holiday tradition?
Thanksgiving is synonymous with a bounty of wonderful, delicious food items, many of which we only enjoy this time of year. While our tables are loaded with Butterball turkeys, green bean casseroles, stuffing and pumpkin pie topped with Cool Whip, the “feast” prepared by early settlers and Native Americans was a much simpler meal.
Thanksgiving, as we know it, dates back to November 1621 when Pilgrims newly arrived on the shores of America gathered with Wampanoag Indians for a fall harvest celebration.
While they might have consumed turkey at their feast, they may have also consumed ducks, geese or swans. Herbs, onions and/or nuts were “stuffed” into the birds for flavor. Many culinary historians speculate that deer might also have been offered and agree that seafood, such as mussels, clams, lobster and bass, were likely served.
The meal also includes other bounty, such as blueberries, plums, grapes, gooseberries, raspberries, cranberries, onions, beans, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, carrots, peas, squash and cornmeal mush.
What did not appear on at that first Thanksgiving feast were potatoes, either white or sweet. These weren’t introduced outside of South America until the late 1500s.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving Day dish? Is there a single food item that defines this very American holiday for you?
(Source: History.com).
Veterans Day, which falls on Saturday, November 11th, serves as an opportunity for Americans to recognize those who have served in the U.S. military. I am grateful to all those who serve in and support the armed services, including active duty and retired service members, canine troops, and military spouses and families.
Throughout American history, approximately 45 million Americans have served in our armed forces during times of war, along with additional millions who served in peacetime. Since 1775 close to 1.4 million members of the military have died in our wars and military actions. (Source: Fox News)
There are currently about 20 million U.S. military veterans living in the United States out of a population of 326 million, according to the Census Bureau.
How do you celebrate Veterans Day to acknowledge our military service members? Some communities sponsor parades. Some businesses and organizations offer freebies and discounts to veterans. Families visit memorials or final resting places.
My way of honoring service members is by featuring them in my contemporary romantic suspense stories. These “everyday heroes” make for wonderful characters. Do you have a favorite fictional military hero or heroine? How does that character inspire you?
I’m thrilled to be part of the boxed set ROMANCING THE HOLIDAYS, which features 12 holiday romance stories from New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors. Get a bonus Christmas recipe book, plus support cancer search. A portion of the proceeds raised from the sale of this book will benefit cancer research.
ROMANCING THE HOLIDAYS is now available for preorder and will release November 14th.
The season of Mistletoe and Christmas Cookies is almost upon us and we are proud to bring you 12 Holiday Romances! Snuggle up by the fire and enjoy this season like never before. From Sweet to Sizzling, From Maui to Washington DC, all our Romances have page turning love stories. CHRISTMAS RECIPE BOOK INCLUDE COOKIES. TURKEY, APPETIZERS, AND MORE!
Crista McHugh – Let Your Heart Be Light
Falling for her late husband’s boss will either lead to delight or heartache for Maureen Kelly.
Jami Davenport – Love At First Snow
Dr. Sarah Whitney opens her animal hospital to a needy kitten and a tough athlete with soft side.
Kathi Daley – The Cat of Christmas Past
Softening a heart and saving a group of tenants, leads to an unsolved mystery with the help of Ebenezer, the cat.
Misty Evans/Adrienne Giordano – Holiday Justice
Uncovering a theft ring of Christmas toys, Grey wants justice without ruining Christmas for Sydney’s women’s shelter.
Allie Boniface – Miracle of Love
A blizzard and dire circumstances throw friends Mick and Annie together to either fall in love or separate for good.
Rebecca J. Clark – Christmas in Stilettos
A marriage of convenience, a temporary situation. Christmas is a time for love. And miracles.
Kim Hornsby – Maui Kalikimaka
Lena needs a Christmas distraction and Kalani needs somewhere to sleep and when a mutual friend offers a beach house, they get what they need, and more.
Tess Thompson – The Santa Trial
Duty throws Rena into the jury box to judge the case of a Santa impersonator, and discover someone she never expected.
Savanna Grey – Picture Perfect Holiday
As an independent photographer, Lindsay doesn’t want commitment but sexy as sin, Luke Davis soon proves her wrong.
Lori Leger – Tinseled Up In Texas
Will Niki Reeves find enough Christmas spirit to grant Tex Broussard the gift of a second chance?
Jacki Delecki – A Marine’s Christmas Wedding
Mission over, two Marines who posed as a married couple can’t seem to shake the idea of love.
Carmine Anderson – One Step Over The Mistletoe Line
Claire needs secluded time to think over a marriage proposal when a handsome neighbor appears at her cabin door.
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
