Christmas
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Quite an Adventure ~ Excerpt from 'A Code of Wonder'
“You’ve had quite an adventure for a country miss.”
She squeezed Derrick’s immense arm and looked into his familiar comforting eyes. “Will there be a scandal? I just couldn’t bear to bring any more pain to my mother. She’s suffered badly after our banishment in the country… all because of the cruelty of my father.”
“No. Wessex is a gentleman. He can be trusted to reveal nothing.”
“And I won’t be forced to marry him? Won’t I be ruined if anyone finds out about Lord Wessex undressing me?”
Derrick paused on the landing.
“Did more happen between you and Wessex…? Did he…?”
To hear the brave man, viewed as invincible, stammer, made her smile for the first time in a while. The blush spreading across his cheeks was so out of character.
“Only that he kissed me.” She tried to sound nonchalant as if being kissed by a virile and handsome naked man was a routine occurrence in her life. “I can’t fault his desire since I believe any man near a naked woman might attempt liberties. And he did explain that he was only trying to wake me.” She would never forget how tenderly he’d treated her. The way he’d cupped her face between his big rough hands. His lips had been soft and warm, causing heady and unfamiliar sensations.
A Code of Wonder is part of the Regency holiday anthology, Snowed in with a Rogue.
You can read A Code of Wonder and six other romantic stories for just $0.99.
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Bookish Holiday Traditions
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?
Holiday To Do List
The closer we get to Christmas, the more frantic some people seem to get. They’re in a rush to send out Christmas cards. They prowl the mall in search of the “perfect” gift. They stockpile ingredients for six different types of holiday treats. They fret and snap and grumble.
In short, they lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Whether you celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday or not, this annual celebration has come to symbolize a season of hope, compassion, tolerance, peace and love. Don’t get so caught up in the logistics of the holiday that you forget the true meaning of the spirit of Christmas.
What’s on your Holiday To Do List?
Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutty Nutcracker
