Merry Christmas!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, and food! (And that Santa was good to you this year!)

Win My New Novel!

There's a Goodreads Giveaway going on right now and you could win a printed copy of my new novel, The Captive! So far, the reviews have been great (which is a big relief) and I'd love to send you a copy and hear what you think.

Click here to enter

Here's the back copy:

Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams is the newly appointed head of a task force assigned to rescue a kidnapped American diplomat. Their only hope is Mya Amari, the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator, but she is full of secrets and complications--something Jake takes as a personal challenge. As they grow closer, the threat to the mission escalates and time runs out for the hostages. Can Jake unravel the web of deception to save them all without getting caught in the crossfire?

Mya Amari has been in hiding nearly her entire life to escape her father's enemies. But when her sister is kidnapped along with an American diplomat, she'll do anything to bring her home--including walking into the enemy's lair. She doesn't trust anyone, especially the too-handsome-for-his-own-good Commander Williams, but when all her careful plans explode out of control, he's the only one she can turn to with the truth about her family. Is it too little, too late?

Can't wait to see if you win? You can buy your Kindle copy here for $4.99

And since it's Christmas Eve, I just wanted to share a new favorite song of mine, The Prayer, sung by Nathan Pacheco and David Archuleta.  I recently discovered it and could listen to it all day! So beautiful!

Christmas Fun---What Have You Done?

Since my entire family is home for Christmas break we've been doing fun Christmas things. We went to see the new Star Wars movie (loved it!) and while that isn't exactly Christmas-y, I'm counting it since we were together.

We've been to see Christmas lights, including several houses in our city that have lights set to music.

We've made Christmas ornaments and made gingerbread houses.

I helped my little ones write Christmas cards to older people in our neighborhood and deliver them with a small treat.

And we're using that book I talked about on Monday, All About Christmas, with jokes and Christmas trivia in it. It's been a lot of fun!

We've gone sledding, although I just watched. It was cold!

We've made all different kinds of hot chocolate to see which flavor we like the best. (I'm still a cherry chocolate lover).

We've watched Christmas movies (Elf is my favorite).

And we've wrapped gifts we got for brothers and sisters and for our Sub for Santa kids. That was probably the most fun of all, the feeling we got as we talked about what our gift recipient would think when they opened it.

The big day is just around the corner and I'm nearly as excited as my kids. How are you handling Christmas break/days leading up to Christmas? Have you done anything fun?

Book Review: Twelve Days Of Christmas In December

I've really enjoyed Michele Paige Holmes' Hearthfire Romance series and she's released a Christmas novella called Twelve Days in December, continuing the story of William and Charlotte, whom we met at the end of Marrying Christopher.  You can read it as a standalone novella, however, there are major spoilers for the end of Marrying Christopher, so if you haven't read that one, you might want to before you read Twelve Days in December.

William and Charlotte are at the beginning of their marriage of convenience, trying to figure out how their new relationship boundaries. Charlotte is grateful that she has a roof over her head and is able to now provide for her son, Alec, but she's also torn between her love for her deceased husband and her newfound feelings for William.  

William is really loving the idea of having a family, but is unsure how to let Charlotte know he is thinking of her as more than a business arrangement. I loved the scenes with him and Alec and how thoughtful he was toward Charlotte.  William was a great hero and even though he's dealing with a lot of complex emotions in himself and Charlotte, he comes across as realistic and three dimensional.  I definitely wanted this story to be longer, but closed the book with a smile.

You can buy your copy here for $2.99

Here's the back copy:

Five months isn’t enough time to grieve the death of her husband and marry again, but when the unexpected opportunity to take her sister’s place as the bride of wealthy New York businessman, William Vancer, presents itself, twenty-four year-old Charlotte Holbrook agrees. Their marriage of convenience will provide a secure future for her son, while William will be able to claim the inheritance he needs to expand his company westward.

To begin their perfect and perfectly safe arrangement, William allots the last twelve days in December to become acquainted with his new family—a task more easily accomplished than he had imagined. For in Charlotte he finds a tender heart and companion, while stepping into the role of father to her son, brings William a great measure of joy as well. Before the twelve days have passed, he finds himself wishing their marriage of convenience could be something much more.

For Charlotte, every day with William is one of overwhelming gratitude, as he anticipates and provides for her needs, as well as the fondest desires of her heart. More than material comforts, William offers friendship as well, and a loving concern that Charlotte has gone too long without. Guilt ridden, she struggles with her growing attraction and wonders how she can ever remain loyal to her first husband, while allowing herself to love William as he deserves.

Other books in the series:
Saving Grace
Loving Helen
Marrying Christopher

Last Minute Christmas Books & Movies to Make Your Season Bright!

My family is so excited that Christmas is nearly here. Today I want to spotlight some Christmas books, movies, and a statue of Jesus that will enrich your family's Christmas experience.

The first one is All About Christmas. and it is the ultimate in Christmas books. It has poems, scriptures, recipes, Christmas trivia, jokes, and Christmas traditions from around the world. I love that it had short stories, fun stuff to read as a family, and some traditions we could try in our family. So many things that can help you celebrate the spirit of the season.

Here's the back copy:

All About Christmas- This hard cover book is stuffed with stories, songs, poems, Christmas history, joyful traditions, recipes, and activities. This delightful book celebrates all things Christmas - from the sacred story of the Nativity to the lore of Saint Nick. 

You can buy your copy here for $19.99

This one has a word and thought for each day leading up to Christmas. The inspirational thoughts also include scriptures and is a great way to count down to Christmas with your family.

Here's the back copy:

Words of Christmas: Savoring the True Meaning of the Season One Word at a Time- This beautifully designed book takes a closer look at twenty-five words, like hope, faith and joy, that we hear throughout the holidays. 

You can buy your copy here for $14.99

Christus Marble 3 inch statue

This one is pretty self-explanatory. It's a beautifully detailed Christus statue to remind you of the reason for the season. You can buy your own here for $9.95

This one is a beautiful book of Janice Kapp Perry's songs, but it also includes amazing artwork and the inspiration behind the songs. Some of the behind the scenes brought tears to my eyes.  Definitely a special musical collection.

Here's the back copy:

A Songbook for LDS Families- A Songbook for LDS Families highlights eighteen beloved and well-known songs, as well as twenty-eight newly penned Book of Mormon hymns composed by Janice Kapp Perry with text by Bonnie Hart Murray. 

You can buy your copy here for $21.01

This is a film directed and written by John Lyde of a crippled shepherd, recalling his father's account of seeing the angels and the Christ child on that first Christmas night. A sweet story for the whole family.

Here's the back copy:

No Ordinary Shepherd (DVD)- The young shepherd boy, has always treasured his father's tale of that starlit night filled with wonder of angelic heralds and a tiny Bethlehem stable sheltering the chosen Messiah. The young shepherd later encounters a miracle of his own. 

You can buy your copy here for $6.99

This one is another sweet story about the Savior and reminds us of why we celebrate Christmas. A great family show that will touch your heart!

Here's the back copy:

He Knows My Name (DVD)- Rebekah is fascinated by the man her neighbors call Jesus. Her mother is not so sure. One day she brings Jesus home - a simple act that will forever change their lives. 

You can buy your copy here for $7.99

My family has enjoyed all of these things and I know it will add to your Christmas celebrations, too! (My daughter is still sitting next to me telling me the Christmas jokes out of the All About Christmas book as I write this. I think it's her new favorite Christmas book!)

Freebie Friday

Today's Freebie Friday is a paranormal romance called Hunted by Katie Lee O'Guinn. It's a werewolf story and the first in the series.  Looks exciting!

Here's the back copy:

Maysie LaRouga is on the run. She has taken her younger brother and fled to Paskell, the only place on earth she might be safe from the werewolf hunter. Her mom, Sam LaRouga is trying to get him off their tail, but making it there is the easy part. It's falling in love with an Alpha that might be the death of her.

Download your free Kindle copy here 

What's Your Favorite Christmas Treat?

Today is a red letter day! I made over three hundred caramel wrapped and dipped in chocolate pretzel rods, and then I made chocolate nativity scenes. I am so proud because this is not a normal thing for me. I'm not good at crafty things or, you know, homemade chocolate things (thankfully my kids never care what it looks like, only if it tastes good) and so I'm feeling a little giddy that it turned out!

They're edible! They look good!  But now I can't stop eating them. Haha! They might not make it to a goodie plate for friends and neighbors.

What's your favorite Christmas treat?