PLOTTING PRINCESSES BLOG HOP!

The Princesses and some of our friends are having a Blog Hop!

At each stop along the way we'll give away copies of our books along with other goodies. We'll share recipes, too, at a different blog every day. To be eligible, leave a comment at each blog you visit. A new winner will be chosen daily at each author's site. At the end of the hop, one extra-lucky person will receive the Grand Prize.

Grand Prize: One lucky person will receive an ebook/print book from all 10 authors. Grand Prize to be announced on Jan. 12th.

BLOG STOPS EACH DAY ARE LISTED BELOW. (Click on the author's name to take you directly to their blog.

Monday - Dec. 31st ~ Alisha Paige
Tuesday - Jan. 1st ~ Vicki Batman
Wednesday - Jan. 2nd ~ Kathy Ivan
Thursday - Jan. 3rd ~ Michelle Miles
Friday - Jan. 4th ~ Karilyn Bentley

(We're skipping the 5th and 6th since that is the weekend.)

Monday - Jan. 7th ~ Liz Lipperman
Tuesday - Jan. 8th ~ Sasha Summers
Wednesday ~ Jan. 9th ~ Sylvia McDaniel
Thursday ~ Jan. 10th ~ Willa Blair (Guest Princess for a Day)
Friday ~ Jan. 11th ~ Lynn Rush (Guest Princess for a Day)


The more blogs you visit and comment, the more chances to win! So visit with a Princess every day and see all the wonderful books you might win.

Award-winning PP Elizabeth Essex & a new book-A Breath of Scandal!

Good morning, Princesses! I hope you are all having the happiest of holidays.

Today is the official release day for Book II of the Reckless Brides: A BREATH OF SCANDAL.

Shockingly brash and scandalously independent, the Reckless Brides are boldly rewriting the rules of love and marriage—one smitten bachelor at a time…

Romantic Times has given A BREATH OF SCANDAL 4 1/2 stars! And today I’m going to be giving away a copy to a randomly selected Princess, so be sure to leave your comment for your chance to win. :) So here we go!

In the game of kiss and tell, there are no rules…

THE LADY IS A KNOCKOUT

Forced by her family into an engagement with a man she can never abide, Antigone Preston knows only a scandal will save her from a loveless marriage. But knocking a man down to the ballroom floor with her fists brings dangerous consequences. She may have ruined her reputation, but now she’s endangered her heart…

THE OFFICER IS A GENTLEMAN

The son of an earl and a career navy man, Captain William Jellicoe has no interest in the frivolities of London—and even less in the institution of marriage. But there’s something steering him toward Antigone. He has never met anyone as brazen and unconventional as…himself. But will he risk it all for a woman who still has the breath of scandal hot on her lips?

Here’s an EXCLUSIVE excerpt, in which we meet our heroine, Miss Antigone Preston, at a country ball.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

The Plotting Princesses have been extra busy the last few months, writing and getting books out for you, our readers. Many of the Princesses have releases throughout the months of November and December and to make things especially easy, we've complied all our latest releases in one handy, dandy list for your buying pleasure.

Below are the latest releases by several of the Plotting Princesses (in alphabetical order). We've included a very short description, the cover photo, and links to where you can buy the books. Feel free to pass this list along to your family and friends and spread the word about the latest and greatest books by some of your favorite Princesses.

I GOT AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT! by Kathy Ivan

WHEEE!!! Look what I got hot off the presses!

Second Chances, my latest release received a 4.5 star review and Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews and is now available in print. I was told it would be after Christmas before it was available, but there it is, all bright and shiny, at the Amazon.com store.

It is part of their 4-for-3 deal and is also available for their super shipping/free shipping with orders over $25.00. A win-win all around.

You can order directly from CreateSpace e-store HERE or from Amazon.com HERE.

For all those who would rather not read a print book and prefer digital, Second Chances is available at AMAZON, B & N, and may other e-retailers.

HINT: It would make a terrific After-Christmas present for all your family and friends. LOL

On a more serious note, I wish all my friends, family, and fellow readers a joyous and happy holiday season. May your hearts be filled with the celebrations of the season and may your cup run over with joy and love.

Kathy

PP Vicki Batman & A Holiday Gift to Share with You

Here's a little something for my friends!

Michelle Miles: Let's Have Some Christmas Cheer

I don't know about you, but I'm having a hard time getting into the spirit of things this year. I don't seem to have the amount of Christmas cheer as I once had.

Maybe it's because I'm all the way grown up now (I think), or maybe it's because stores start putting out Christmas stuff in October. It's like this great big build up - all the holiday shopping, the decorations, the treats, the meals, the planning, the wrapping, the baking, the everything! - for one day and then *poof* it's over in a flash.

I think that's what disappoints me. And don't even get me started about the new year. Blech. I hate the start of a brand new year (though I try really hard to have a better outlook on that. I really, really do.)

This crazy Texas weather is not helping either. Where is my cold December? I need it to be at least COLD for Christmas. A few little snow flurries would be nice (no ice, though, please?). I'd totally be okay with my face freezing off since I know it's that time of year. I did manage to get all the presents wrapped this weekend. I even whistled a Christmas tune or two. And I didn't curse at the wrapping paper. Much. (Don't you just hate that wrapping paper that is so thin when you roll the package over to tape it, it rips? Man, I hate that. But, hey, my wrapping is getting better.)

Anyway, I think I need some more Christmas cheer. Just to get me really in the spirit of the season. Along with a spiked eggnog or three. How about some Santa man candy?

Restoring Christmas Memories

Restoring Christmas Memories

Secret Santa Blog Hop



Return to the main blog hop page and directions here.

On Thanksgiving this year, my sister brought me a very special gift, a restored Christmas toy. Patty Playpal was a three-foot tall doll who could actually stand up all on her own (if you posed her just right.) The Christmas I got her, my grandmother even made me a dress to match Patty’s. She was my companion whenever I played house. I have a picture of the two of us playing together (I'm on the right, in case you can't tell us apart).

Patty, however, had two defects related to her construction. Her head and arms were connected together by some very strong rubber bands. Because of her size, I first tried to drag her around by wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling. Her neck extended and then retracted, pinching my arm. I learned quickly to avoid doing that. Her arms also had tendency of disconnecting from the rubber band.

My sister and a friend also decided that Patty needed a haircut, and they obliged her. The first picture is obviously prior to the "trim."

PP shares a tiara with Terri Rochenski & Christmas Magic

A happy tiara wearing day

to Terri Rochenski!

Let's get to know

all about her.

How did you get from your day job to writing romance? I gave up the day job when I had daughter #1 four years ago. It was the best job move EVER. Now, I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I steal minutes here & there for writing whenever my two girls allow. 

What are your three favorite books of all time? Tough question. I’ve read all of Lisa Kleypas’s books at least twice, a few I’ve pulled off the shelf more times than that. Stephanie Laurens also has a shelf in my home. I’ve read some of hers more than once as well. I adore fantasy as well – LotR, WoT series, SoT series. Have all of those. Read them more than once as well. Honestly I love so many books. Not sure I can pinpoint any particular one.

Morning, afternoon, or evening person? Morning all the way. My girls wear me out by 4pm. Some days I don’t even make it that long!

When I Wasn't Home for Christmas or Celebrating the Holidays Abroad

(Blog in France Christmas Blog Hop Participant)

            The first year after we moved abroad, we couldn’t go home because (a) we needed the days to ensure we spent enough time out of the country for the tax deduction for living abroad and (b) we couldn’t afford four tickets to the US. Not that we suffered as a result. We could afford four tickets to Mexico where my husband was from, and my parents and grandmother met us there. I believe it was the one and only time my grandmother ever left the US, and I’m glad we were able to share some of my husband’s family traditions and the beautiful sights in and around Mexico City with her and my parents.

            Since then, as a family we’ve celebrated the holidays in a number of different countries and every one has been memorable and moving. Once, we toured Israel and Egypt and went to Bethlehem days before the city was turned over the Palestinian state. Nativity Square was very barely visible through the Palestinian flags and photos of Arafat strung across all the buildings. Another time we were in Austria and attended a midnight mass in a small church that looked as if it had been plucked from a postcard. We didn’t understand the words, but the beauty of the church and the choir’s songs still provided us with the peace and joy of the season. At a minimum, we’ve heard services in Spanish, French, Russian, and German.

Favorite Holiday Romances!

With two releases last week, I'm submerged in holiday romances... Which got me thinking about some of my favorite love stories - then my favorite holiday love stories. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to share my top five holiday romances are all films, actually. Yes, in addition to being a bibliophile, I’m a rather hopeless film addict. J Either way, it’s about the story, right? And these five holiday romances are too awesome not to love.

The PP welcomes a special gal-Jeffe Kennedy!

Come say Howdy and

get to know more about her.

How did you get from your day job to writing romance?  Well, I’m still working my day job, so I haven’t quite transitioned yet. Right now I put in fairly long days (~12 hours) with time on both. I work from home, so that helps. The day job still pays much better, though the writing is starting to catch up. I’m hoping the writing will win the race someday!

What are your three favorite books of all time? This is always hard for me to answer, because I love so many. Ones I often recommend are Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett, Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood and Possession by A.S. Byatt. All really excellent, wonderful, insightful books.

Morning, afternoon, or evening person? I used to be a night owl, but I retrained myself because, if I wanted to write every day, I needed to write in the mornings. My schedule didn’t really allow for a consistent time at any other point in the day. Now I wake up fairly early – 6am- and make sure I get plenty of sleep every night and I feel like I’m pretty much awake and productive all day.

Plotting Princess Vicki Batman & Launch Day!!! Twinkle Lights

"Twinkle Lights"

a holiday story, is launched today

and to party on, I'm giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift card and an e-book.

Just leave a comment which includes

your email address to be eligible.



https://museituppublishing.com



Now, on to the good stuff!

Here's a fun excerpt from "Twinkle Lights!"



Puppy Rescue Mission

We all love our dogs. They're part of our family. My two mutts are pampered puppies that bang on their crates when they're ready to get up and greet me at the door each evening. Even on the worst day, they make me smile and warm my heart. They're spoilt rotten, but I couldn't imagine leaving them behind or giving them up.

If you were a soldier in Afghanistan or Iraq and you befriended a dog while you were there, could you walk away and leave your friend behind?

I'd never heard of Puppy Rescue Mission until a lady in my Yoga class, who is a volunteer for PRM, was talking about picking up a dog at the airport.  She told me to go to their Facebook page and take a look. There I saw soldiers cuddling dogs. Their page says, "It's so funny how something as simple as a puppy can make even the hardest, toughened soldier melt upon a few kisses to the face." PRM's mission is to help soldiers bring their battle buddies home."