Christmas Trees. Holiday Music. Sugar Cookies. Glitter and Bows. And Best Of All… the Mistletoe. Romance books enhance our holiday traditions. Who doesn’t love to cuddle under a warm blanket near a fireplace on a cold day with your favorite warm beverage and read? Hop around with us to celebrate the best romance books of the season.
Read excerpts from some good books and short stories. Enter each of the author contests. Tell us what you like to read during the holidays or just say drop by to say “hi”. Maybe you’ll find some new-to-you authors to ring in the New Year with.
My short story, GIFTS TO TREASURE, is one of the 15 short stories by 15 different authors offered in a winter-themed, holiday anthology from international author group, Exquisite Quills. This anthology is not only a compilation of great curl-up-with-cocoa-and-read stories, they are all family friendly in content, although geared toward adult tastes.
Even better, the anthology is offered as a FREE DOWNLOAD: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/374815
Book trailer: http://youtu.be/yTph6-UV7mg
GIFTS TO TREASURE takes place when America is in the throes of the Great Depression. The hero finds himself disinherited, homeless, and bitter at having his playboy lifestyle snatched from his grasp. He is now just one of countless men hopping freight trains for a free ride from somewhere, going nowhere. Then an encounter with two young fatherless children in a general store on a snowy Christmas Eve causes him to reassess what is important in his life.
Two Hundred Word Tiny Teaser:
Lily looked down at her feet. When she raised her head, her eyes glistened with heartache of a deep, lingering hurt.
“Sammy, go on over and look at the toys.” Lily waited until the boy was out of earshot. Lowering her voice, she said [to the general store owner], “Mama says we’re lucky we’ve got each other, and that we’re not hungry or living on the street like some folks. But we don’t have a tree this year. She says there’re so many people staying at the house that there’s not enough room. She thinks I’m too young to understand, but I know it’s her way of saying there’s no money for presents.” She went to where her younger brother waited with his nose close to the glass-fronted toy cabinet. “We have to go now, Sammy. Mama’s waiting for us so she can make cookies. Maybe we can leave some for Santa.”
“Are we poor?” Sam’s face puckered with a frown.
“Mama says only in money, not in spirit, and that’s all that matters.”
His bottom lip quivered. “Sissy, I don’t think Santa brings presents to poor children.” He tried not to cry, but tears trailed down his cherub cheeks.
******
My Giveaway Details:
From the pool of people who comment here from Dec 19th through Dec 23rd, I will chose THREE to win prizes. The first randomly chosen commenter will receive a $15 dollar Amazon gift card and a complimentary copy of any of my e-Books (winner’s choice). The other two winners will each receive a $5 Amazon gift card and a complimentary copy of any of my e-Books (winner’s choice). When you comment, be sure to include your email addy so I can contact you in case you win. (Helpful Hint – The ‘Comment’ button is sort of obscure. It’s in the upper right-hand corner just across from the title of this post. It is a whitish dialogue cloud shape like you find in graphic novels. Click on it and the comment box will appear. Sorry about that.)
And a big happy holiday thank you to Romance Beckons for hosting this holiday hop.
Below is the information you’ll need to visit the other participating authors. Happy Hopping and Happy Reading!!!
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Click here to view this Linky Tools list of the other Merry Mistletoe Hop authors
Until next time,
Fall in love…faster, harder, deeper with Kaye Spencer romances 
Kaye
Thanks so much for the Smashwords freebie. I’ll check it out.
catherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Catherine, You’re welcome. 🙂 Thank you for visiting.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a romance set during the Great Depression. Sounds interesting! Thanks for the giveaway.
~Krista
pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com
Krista, Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I don’t think I’ve ever read a romance set during the Great Depression, either. It’s not a time period in history that pops right out as a setting for a romance, but it works for this story. 🙂
Thanks for the great anthology! Thanks for joining in on the hop! What a great giveaway!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all!!
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Ashley. I hope everyone who have comments here and on the other authors’ blogs are enjoying the Merry Mistletoe Hop and that you all are finding great new books as you hop around. Good luck to all of you as you enter all the contests!!!!
Thanks for the amazing giveaway and Happy Holidays!!
blackcapballistics AT gmail DOT com
Ashfa, Happy Holidays to you! Thanks for stopping by. 😉
Thanks for the free download and the giveaway.
jmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu
Janie, Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you enjoy the holiday stories in the anthology.
Eva, Happy Holidays to you, as well. Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Holidays and thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
Elizabeth, I’m glad you stopped by and commented. Happy Holidays, too.