Making Up by Helena Hunting Blog Tour

Welcome to the MAKING UP Blog Tour!

Synopsis

A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.

Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.

Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.

As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.

Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Buy-Book Link: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250253378

Excerpt

We’re a couple of minutes away from my apartment, which also means we’re almost at the end of our date. End-of-date protocol often means a goodnight kiss.

And I’ve eaten onions. Lots of them. What the hell was I thinking? I feel around in my shorts pocket, hoping I have a random stick of gum. I find a tiny square packet and pull it out, along with an old tissue. I shove that back in my pocket and sigh with relief as I carefully open the Listerine Pocketpak. There’s one strip left. I pop it in my mouth, wishing I had water since my mouth is dry and I’m suddenly super nervous.

Griffin pulls up in front of my apartment building. I swallow a bunch of times, trying to get the strip to dissolve on my tongue and glance out the tinted window, seeing it from his perspective. I don’t live in a bad part of town, but I sure as hell wouldn’t leave this car sitting out here for any length of time unless I wanted it keyed or stripped down.

Griffin shifts into park and turns to me, one hand resting on the back of my seat near the headrest. 

“I had a great time, Cosy.”

“Me too, thanks for dinner.” I tried to fork over my share, but he was quick on the credit card draw.

“It was my pleasure.” He leans in the tiniest bit, a nonverbal cue that he’s going in for a kiss.

I mirror the movement, giving him the go ahead. My stomach flutters in anticipation. I exhale slowly through my nose. Even though the Listerine strip should be doing its job to mask the onions, I don’t want to ruin the moment by breathing that in his face.

His fingertips skim my jaw, and I close my eyes. And then his lips brush my cheek. I wait for them to move a couple of inches to the right, but after what feels like a lot of seconds—and is probably only a few—I crack a lid.

Griffin is still close, a wry smile on his lips and a smolder in his eyes.

“Seriously, that’s it? A kiss on the cheek?”

His smile widens, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. He’s nothing like the guys I usually end up on dates with. College boys don’t take things slow. If I were out with one of the guys from school, I’d be sitting in a beat-up Civic with some stupid music playing, and he’d be all over me with his tongue halfway down my throat, copping a feel.

“I thought all the onions you ate were the equivalent to garlic for vampires.” Griffin fingers my hair near my shoulder. I’d really like him to finger something else. Wait. I mean I’d like to feel his hands on me. Not in my pants. Okay, maybe I’d like them in my pants, but not after date number one.

“I wasn’t thinking, and I really like onions. A lot. In hindsight, it’s not a great date food. I feel kinda dumb. And I guess at first I wasn’t so sure about you. How was I supposed to know you’d actually be kind of normalish?”

“Normalish?”

“Well, you drink club soda on purpose, so you can’t be all there.” I tap his temple.

Griffin circles my wrist with his fingers and drops his head, lips brushing over my knuckle. “We can’t all be perfect, now, can we?”

“I suppose not, and perfect is boring.”

“That it is.” He hums against my skin, and I feel it through my entire body. “I would like to try that kiss again, if you’re still interested.”

Handle With Care Cover Reveal

Hey, hey! Happy Friday and Happy Cover Reveal Day for Helena Hunting's HANDLE WITH CARE!

We're glad you stopped by to not only see the beautiful cover but also read an excerpt from the book. Make sure you pre-order the book and add it to your Goodreads.

Handle with Care will be available August 27th!

Click here to pre-order your copy today!

Add it to your Goodreads

Now enjoy this excerpt from Handle with Care

NOTE: This is an unedited excerpt and is subject to change.

I’m startled out of my thoughts when my brother jumps up and shouts a bunch of profane nonsense, hands flailing like he’s trying to swim on land, or approximate the chicken dance while on an LSD trip.

“You can’t do this! It’s absolute bullshit!” Armstrong yells.

I look around the table, trying to piece together what I missed.

“I’m sorry, Armstrong. I know this is a shock, but we feel it’s in the company’s best interest to put Lincoln at the helm during this transitional stage,” G-mom says firmly.

At the helm? I look to G-mom who’s busy not looking at me.

Armstrong jabs at finger at himself. “But I’m the one who’s put in all the time here! I deserve to run the company! Lincoln doesn’t know the first thing about Moorehead. All he knows how to do is dig wells and forage for food in the wilderness. How are those valuable assets here?” He turns his attention to our mother. “Did you know about this? How can you let this happen? Look at him. How can that be the face of our company? He looks like he crawled out of a gutter and mugged a twenty-year-old college kid on a bender. How is this better for our bottom line?”

My mother clasps her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Armstrong, but this decision wasn’t mine to make. I know this is hard for you, but your grandmother and fath—”

Armstrong stomps his foot, exactly as a toddler would. “The company is mine! Lincoln can’t have it!”

I raise a hand, half to quiet my brother and also to find out what the freaking deal is. “Whoa, let’s back this bus up.  Can someone explain what’s going on?”

“You’ve been appointed as the CEO of Moorehead Media, according to the will,” Christophe—no R, because that would make it far too pedestrian a name—my father’s lawyer says.

I’m working on trying to remain calm as I address my grandmother. “You didn’t say anything about me being CEO. You said you needed my help.”

“Running the company, yes,” she says through a practiced, stiff smile.

It’s her warning face, but seriously, when she said she needed my help for a few months I figured it meant I’d be keeping Armstrong in line while she sorted out who was going to take over the company, which I realize now was a stupid assumption.

“I didn’t think that meant CEO. How am I going to run a company with this dickhead on staff?” I motion to my brother.

“The name calling is unnecessary,” G-mom replies.

“Lincoln’s not even part of this family! He hasn’t attended one event in the past five years except for Dad’s funeral. He didn’t bother coming to my wedding and now he’s going to run the company? How is that fair?”

I snort. “Your wedding was an expensive joke.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I was set up. Amalie had cold feet and made me out to look like the bad guy.”

The woman beside him shoots him disgusted look.

Armstrong clears his throat and tugs at his collar. “My wedding is not the real issue. The point is that you’ve never involved yourself in any part of this family and now you think you can come in and take over. I will not stand by and let this happen!” He keeps jabbing his finger at me, as if he’s engaged in a finger sword fight.

I lean back in my chair and lace my fingers behind my neck. Armstrong has always been reactive. And self-absorbed. For a while it seemed like he finally had it together—back when he was engaged. But ever since that fiasco of a wedding he seems to have come completely unglued. Again. But worse this time. “Someone needs a timeout.”

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Social Media Links:

• Author Web Site
• Facebook
• Twitter

Black Tie Optional (Wild Weddings #1) by Ann Marie Walker

* * * *

Everything about Coleman Grant III oozes power and sex. And not the perfunctory kind either, but the sheet clawing, heart stopping, gasping for air after you’ve screamed so loud you can’t breathe kind. From his dark wavy hair that stands in an artfully rumpled mess, to the blue eyes that sear your skin, to his full, sensual lips - on the surface he’s pure perfection.

Too bad he's an asshole. An arrogant, uptight corporate raider hell bent on destroying the environment one species at a time.

Everything about Olivia Ramsey screams hippie humanitarian. From her blond hair tied in a sloppy bun, to her faded jeans with the Bonnaroo patch sewn on the thigh, to her combat boots still splattered with mud from the previous day’s site visit.

So it makes perfect sense that they would get married. In Vegas. Stone-cold sober.

Cole needs a wife. Olivia needs to save an endangered species. But what starts as a marriage of convenience soon turns into a battle of wills and sexual tension. Love is a game, and Olivia and Cole are ready to win. 


It's the best feeling in the world when you pick up a book by a new-to-you author and you enjoy it. Black Tie Optional is not only fun but also gives the fake marriage trope some freshness. 

Cole and Olivia are like oil and water. Cole is a successful businessman running his empire and Olivia is the humanitarian/environmentalist thorn in his side. Every morning she greets him as he arrives at the coffee shop to get his coffee, ready to launch into one of her speeches where she decries his latest attempt at destroying the habitat of one creature or another because of his developments. It's a routine now - she berates him, he responds with sarcasm and acts unmoved. That opening scene sets up their contentious relationship perfectly. So nobody is more surprised and annoyed than these two when they run into each other in Vegas. But it's Vegas so, party hard, right? Well, they partied a little too hard, wind up blissfully drunk and in the same hotel room the next morning. Horror! Rather than freak out, Cole sees this as the perfect opportunity to propose. Literally. And he does so in the most unromantic way by making her a promise to support one of her causes if she marries him and stays married to him for a few months. Olivia doesn't immediately jump for joy over this but reluctantly agrees because the end justifies the means. But don't worry, she finds a way to put her own spin on things and one thing is for sure with these two - they'll never be boring!

"The gown you chose is very becoming on you," he said.

She looked at him and laughed. "Becoming? You just have to dress like you're from the nineteen forties, Cole, not speak that way."

He frowned. "Always busting my balls, aren't you? Even when I'm merely attempting to pay you a compliment."

Olivia and Cole have one of the most combative relationships I've read and that's what makes Black Tie Optional such a treat. Olivia is extremely adversarial, everything is up for debate. If Cole says one thing, she has a remark for that. Everything is contentious. Cole catches on though and simply messes with her most of the time but there also also moments when you see that it gets to him. I liked getting to know the characters better just as they were doing the same, and seeing the subtle shifts in their dynamic. 

Black Tie Optional gave me exactly what I needed - a sexy enemies-to-lovers story filled with laughs and sharp quips. You bet I'm reading Icing on the Cake next!

~ Bel

Back Piece by L.A. Witt Release Day Blitz

***

Source:  Advance e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Good morning m/m fans!  Back Piece by L.A. Witt releases today and we are thrilled to bring you a review and excerpt!  

BACK PIECE by L.A. Witt

E-Original published by Swerve

Publication Date: April 25, 2017

ISBN: 9781250142016

Price: $4.99

Description

Colin Spencer is a tattoo artist with a past he’d prefer to keep a secret. Actually, he has a few secrets that he’d rather people didn’t know about, which is why Colin doesn’t do commitment. But when a shy sailor approaches him at the gym, Colin finds this guy pushing all his buttons. 

Growing up in a conservative family, then escaping with the Navy, Daniel Moore is an unsure virgin who feels like he can’t share his true self with anyone. Seeing Colin—and his tattoos—at the gym are the sign Daniel needs to finally get those tattoos he’s always wanted, and maybe try his hand at flirting. 

As Colin and Daniel spend more time together, their awkward hesitations turn into a deep passion neither expected. But with both men harboring secrets, will their relationship be able to survive their insecurities and become something beautiful? 

Back Piece by L.A. Witt is a sexy, emotional journey of two people learning to love and finding acceptance for who they really are.

Review:

Daniel isn't out to his ultra-religious family, but he is on the ship with his fellow sailors.  So, he's fine sleeping with Colin, but doesn't know how to take the relationship further.  

Colin has a whole host of issues and a past that is usually the death knell to relationships when it comes out, so he sticks to himself and covets his routines to keep himself on track.  High emotions, too much stress, and breaks in routine are bad for his mental and physical health.

When they are together, their relationship is easy, but each of these guys is an emotional, angsty wreck individually.  Things come to a head when Daniel's parents come for a visit.  He wants them to meet Colin, even if it's just pretending they are friends.  But that kind of stress on a new relationship with someone with Colin's issues may just be the breaking point.  

It's really difficult to read some of Colin's struggles.  Fascinating, but difficult.  He suffers from some serious issues and the kind of obsessiveness involved can be tough to read.  He's definitely the more mature and relationshipy (I know it's not a word, but work with me there) of the two.  He's constantly taking care of Daniel and Daniel's issues, but dealing with his issues on his own.  

Daniel is definitely the younger, more self-involved of the two.  Even after Colin tells Daniel about his issues, Daniel still kind of ignores them and asks things of Colin he shouldn't.  Or at least if he asked them of him, he should be concerned about the impact they have on Colin's health, but he doesn't.  After Colin drops his bomb, Daniel pretty much ignores it.  It fits with Daniels' age and experience level, but it's still a frustrating part of the story.  

All of this comes together in a completely satisfying HEA that you've come to expect and love in an L.A. Witt book.  Plus, there's the set up for more sexy sailor stories, so yaaaay!  

Excerpt:

Outside, some of the guys from the gym were milling around in the parking lot, so Colin took Daniel around the back of the building where they’d have some privacy. There he stopped and faced him, fighting the urge to fidget nervously. “So, how’s the tattoo healing?”

“Good. Good.” Daniel shifted his weight. “It’s still kinda itchy, but it’s getting better.”

Colin grimaced sympathetically. “That’s the worst part. The pain I can deal with, but the itching sucks. You’re not scratching it, are you?”

“No, of course not.”

Their eyes met, and they both smiled, but quickly looked away. Awkwardness didn’t even have to set in—it was already present and accounted for.

After a moment, Colin raked a hand through his hair. “Look, things went really fast the other night, and I’m sorry. I mean, maybe—”

“No. No.” Daniel shook his head. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I just kind of freaked out.”

“But . . . why?” Colin struggled to hold his gaze. “Did I make you nervous?”

“No, you didn’t. But what we were doing . . . yeah. It did. Kinda.” He paused. “Okay, a lot.”

“So, how is that not me making you nervous?”

Color bloomed in Daniel’s cheeks, but blushing wasn’t as cute this time. He seemed genuinely uncomfortable and embarrassed, and Colin’s stomach turned with guilt over putting him in this position.

Daniel took a breath and met his gaze again. “The thing is, that was . . .” He scratched the back of his neck and added a barely audible, “My first time.”

“Your . . .” Colin blinked. “Are you serious?”

Daniel was bright red now, and nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I made out with a guy while I was on cruise, but otherwise . . .” He laughed uneasily. “I’m a virgin.”

Colin stared at him. “Really?”

“Wasn’t it obvious?”

“Not from the way you kissed, no.”

Daniel gave a soft, self-conscious laugh. “Beginner’s luck, I guess.”

“Something like that.”

Daniel moistened his lips. “So it wasn’t that I didn’t want to do anything the other night. I did. And it was . . .” He laughed again and looked at Colin. “It was amazing. I know I took off and all, but it was fucking . . .” He whistled, shaking his head.

Colin smiled. “Good. I was worried I’d maybe gone too fast. Pushed you too far.”

“No. It wasn’t your fault. I mean, I liked it. A lot. And I definitely want it. More. More of it. I just . . . I . . .” He pinched the bridge of his nose, pausing as if trying to collect his thoughts. “Okay, the reason I freaked out is afterward, I thought you’d want me to reciprocate. And I . . .” He dropped his hand and stared at the ground between them. “Man, I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m doing. I guess I was scared you’d be disappointed.”

“Disappointed?” Colin shook his head. “No, not at all.”

“Yeah.” Daniel laughed humorlessly. “That’s because I left before I had a chance to make an ass of myself.”

“My God. Did you think . . .” Colin cautiously stepped closer. “You wouldn’t have made an ass of yourself.”

Daniel said nothing.

Colin advanced again, and now he had to be well within Daniel’s comfort zone. He halted, giving Daniel a chance to pull back if he wasn’t comfortable, and when Daniel didn’t move, Colin reached for him. He paused, glancing around to make absolutely sure they were still alone out here, and then slid a hand around Daniel’s waist, his own skin prickling with goose bumps even before Daniel’s breath hitched. “So you’re afraid you won’t be good at it, right?”

Daniel nodded, still avoiding Colin’s eyes.

“Is that the only thing stopping you?”

“Definitely.” Daniel hesitated, but finally made eye contact. “Because I really, really wanted to keep going last time.”

Colin grinned. “Is that right?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Well, my house is just over there.” He nodded past Daniel. “Five minute walk, and my brother works nights, so we’ll have it to ourselves.” He lifted his eyebrows. “You want to?”

Daniel gulped. Then he whispered, “Yes, please.”

Author Bio

L.A. Witt is a M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies.  L.A. Witt also writes under the name Lauren Gallagher.

Author Links

Website: www.gallagherwitt.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLAWitt

Twitter: @GallagherWitt

Buy Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Back-Piece-Skin-Deep-Inc-ebook/dp/B06XBP3RV5

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/back-piece-la-witt/1125854601

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/back-piece/id1210093182

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/back-piece

Google Play: https://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9781250142016

TWIST by Kylie Scott Release Day Blitz

HAPPY TWIST DAY EVERYONE!!!

That's right - Joe Collins has finally arrived and Alex Parks is keeping him in check. This is the second book in Kylie Scott's Dive Bar Series and it's a sexy, good time! Bel will have a review of the book tomorrow but in the meantime, please enjoy this brief excerpt and order your very own copy if you haven't already. 

From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes the second sizzling stand-alone novel in the Dive Bar series!

When his younger brother loses interest in online dating, hot bearded bartender Joe Collins only intends to log into his account and shut it down. Until he reads about her.

Alex Parks is funny, fascinating, and pretty much everything he's been looking for in a woman—except that she lives across the country. Soon they're emailing up a storm and telling each other their deepest, darkest secrets...except the one that really matters.

When Alex pays Joe a surprise visit, however, they both discover that when it comes to love, it's always better with a twist.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS | Amazon CA | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Google Play

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

LINKS

FACEBOOK     I     FACEBOOKFAN GROUP     I     TWITTER 

INSTAGRAM     I     GOODREADS 

A BRIEF EXCERPT 

“I wanted to talk to you a bit more about what happened between us online,” he said, his mouth a serious straight line. “How I came to use my brother’s profile.”

Ugh. “I’m pretty sure I found out everything I needed to know last night.”

“I didn’t mean to lie to you, Alex.”

“Once is a mistake.” I crossed my legs, kicking my black leather bootie back and forth. So I was a little aggravated. Sue me. “Months’ worth of e-mails is not. You could have introduced yourself to me, Joe, told me who you really were. You chose not to. Christ, no wonder you kept putting off meeting. I should have known something was wrong.”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t try to sell you excuses.” A big sigh from my “friend.” “Truth is, I’m not used to being the bad guy. Usually I’m the one cleaning up my brother’s messes.”

“Lucky me.”

St. Martin's Press Holiday Romance Blitz

Like it or not, winter is coming.  While I hate shivering through a Chicago winter, I LOVE holiday romance.  I adore all the sappy holiday movies - Hallmark, Lifetime, ABCFamily - I will watch them all.  And the books, oh, the holiday romance books!  Don't get me started!  Those who know me find this especially hilarious - I'm not exactly prone to emotions and drama, but I love them in the holiday books and movies.  

This is why I am so excited about the St. Martin's Press holiday line-up all!  Check out the lovely, lovely books (and seriously, who doesn't want to read Big Package?)!  If you're a big holiday romance sap like me, check out the fantastic offerings SMP has in store for us!

I'm also thrilled that we got the SMP authors to give us a little Q&A about their favorite things, holiday style, combining three of the BiblioJunkies' favorite things!  There's a lot of info coming at you, but it will be worth it!  

Q&A

Our first question for the SMP authors - what is your favorite holiday book?  

Ruth Logan Herne

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado (I cry every time!!!)

Donna Alward

Twas the Night Before Christmas, because we still read it every year even though the kids are grown!

Laura Trentham

I've read Pete the Cat Saves Christmas about a hundred times since last Christmas to my daughter. I can recite the book, and I've even dreamed about it.

Nancy Naigle

I love all of those specialty shape hard cover Christmas books. I reread them every year. My favorite? Debbie Macomber's "There's Something About Christmas"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXjcyCXUSnU

Margaret Brownley

The Night Before Christmas brings back happy memories of when the children were young and my husband read the story to us on Christmas Eve.

Tara Wyatt

The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone. Emotional, moving story, beautiful setting, steamy sex, all set against the perfect Christmas backdrop.

  

Opal Carew

Can I say my own? Big Package, although the title is tongue in cheek, is funny and heart-warming, and a very poignant love story, as well as being sizzling hot! The fact that it takes place in a Canadian blizzard while the hero and heroine are driving to Ottawa (my city!) makes it all that much more special to me.



Emily March

'Twas the Night Before Christmas was magical to me as a child. It still is.

Melissa Cutler

Impossible to pick just one

Next up - what is your favorite holiday movie?  

Ruth Logan Herne

It's a Wonderful Life

Donna Alward

White Christmas

Laura Trentham

I love Elf. It's hilarious and heartwarming. But the season can't pass with at least one family viewing of Christmas Vacation. Cousin Eddie is the best! Sometimes I'm in the mood for a classic like Miracle on 34th Street (with Maureen O'Hara, of course!) or It's a Wonderful Life.

Nancy Naigle

Oh gosh! My favorite Holiday Movie is pretty much the last Hallmark movie I just finished watching. I'm a Hallmark Movie junkie, and I'm proud of it! My favorite holiday show not including Hallmark is Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. When the Abominable Snowman knocks poor Rudolph on the head and his eyes going rolling around .... you know the scene...I still cry. Poor Clarice.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AS6uJNvXfs

Margaret Brownley

This is a hard one since there are so many good ones.  The movie I wasn't prepared to like as much as I did was Elf.

Tara Wyatt

A Christmas Story. I'd never seen it growing up, and the first Christmas we were dating, my now husband introduced me to it. It had always been one of his favorites, and he was excited to watch it with me. We have a tradition of watching it together at least once in the days leading up to Christmas now.

Opal Carew

It's a tie between White Christmas and Holiday Inn. I know they’re really old, but I used to watch them with my mum when we wrapped Christmas presents together, so it keeps those wonderful childhood memories with me, which is so nice since neither of my parents are with us anymore.



Emily March

It's a toss-up between It's a Wonderful Life and Christmas Vacation.

Melissa Cutler

Die Hard (hehe)

Mandy Baxter

The Holiday. I watch it whenever it's on. I'm obsessed with Jude Law in that movie!

And rounding out our BiblioJunkies obsessions - what is your favorite holiday food?  

Ruth Logan Herne

We've got a great eggnog pie recipe, it's positively decadent! Here's the link to our cooking with the authors website "The Yankee Belle Cafe".  http://yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com/search/label/Eggnog pie

Donna Alward

Savory or sweet? There's a Chocolate Chip Cheeseball recipe I got from Debbie Macomber's site that I've modified that I love (plus: cookies!), and for savory, I make sausage-stuffed mushrooms that are easy and so tasty!

Laura Trentham

Broccoli Salad
My go-to potluck take-along...plus I make it every holiday. Basically whenever I can get away with it, because it is SO good.

2 bunches of broccoli, chopped
1/2 lbs cooked bacon, crumbled (I use the pouches of bacon bit to avoid the mess of cooking bacon)
1/2 med red onion, diced
1/2 cup golden or brown raisins
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated
1 cup Mayo (Duke's, of course:)
2T white vinegar
1/4-1/2 cup white sugar

Mix together broccoli, onion, raisins, sunflower seeds. In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, vinegar, and sugar and pour over salad. Mix gently. Chill for several hours or overnight to blend flavors. (This isn't mandatory, but does improve the taste). Just before serving, add bacon and cheese.

Nancy Naigle

I did these videos last year while watching the Hallmark Movie~THE NOTE. Kelsey Browning and I co-author a fun southern cozy series called The Granny Series.   There is a clip of her and then one of me in each of these fine uncut - unedited raw videos.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBSJEi3ZQ3E  The recipe for FaLaLa-LaLa-La Bon Bons is available as a PDF on my website www.NancyNaigle.com.  I also have two recipe cards printed up for cookies from my book, CHRISTMAS JOY.  I can send those to you if you'd like! I'll be posting them on my website as a free download after the book releases.

Margaret Brownley

Our Christmas dinner is five star dining at its best. That's because my son-in-law is an executive chef and he treats us every year to prime rib with all the trimmings.  I never ask for recipes because then I might be tempted to try them. 

Tara Wyatt

My mom's shortbread. Hands down. It tastes like Christmas and home the way nothing else does.

Opal Carew

Turkey (dark meat) and stuffing. Mmm. Unfortunately, now that I’m following the Paleo diet, making a stuffing I can eat is a challenge!



Emily March

I find a new favorite every year in the recipe exchange cookbook I put together from recipes sent in by my readers. Watch my Facebook page or join my mailing list for info on how to get your copy!

Melissa Cutler

My grandmother makes the best fruit cake from scratch, and that's no joke. I would share the recipe, but when I make it, it never turns out like Grandma's, because she must put some secret ingredients in hers.

Mandy Baxter

My all time favorite holiday food is stuffing at Thanksgiving. Carbs be damned!

Nancy Naigle – Christmas Joy

USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home. Her books include Sweet Tea and Secrets, Mint Juleps and Justice, and Christmas Joy.

Website: www.nancynaigle.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NancyNaigleAuthor

Twitter: @nancynaigle

Laura Trentham – Candy Cane Christmas

LAURA TRENTHAM is an award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance including Caught Up in the Touch, Kiss Me That Way, and others. She is a member of RWA, and has finaled multiple times in the Golden Heart competition. A chemical engineer by training and a lover of books by nature, she lives in South Carolina.

Website: www.lauratrentham.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham

Twitter: @LauraTrentham

Margaret Brownley – Do You Hear What I Hear?

MARGARET BROWNLEY is a New York Times bestselling author and past Romance Writers of America RITA finalist with more than 30 novels to her credit. Not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence. Margaret and her husband have three grown children and live in Southern California.

Website: margaret-brownley.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MargaretBrownleyAuthor

Twitter: @margaretbrownly

Melissa Cutler – If Santa Were a Cowboy

Melissa Cutler is the author of The Mistletoe Effect and the One and Only Texas series. She knows she has the best job in the world writing sexy contemporary romances and romantic suspense. She was struck at an early age for an unrelenting travel bug and is probably planning her next vacation as you read this. When she's not globetrotting, she's enjoying Southern California's flip-flop wearing weather and wrangling two rambunctious kids.

Website: www.melissacutler.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelissaCutlerBooks

Twitter: @m_cutler

Mandy Baxter – It Must Be Christmas

MANDY BAXTER lives in rural Idaho. She's a part-time pet wrangler, a full-time sun worshiper, and only goes out into the cold when coerced. She loves black clothes, pink appliances and thinks junk food should be a recognized food group. In the summer, she can be found sitting by the lake, enjoying the view from her dock.

Website: mandy-baxter.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMandyBaxter

Twitter: @MandyJBaxter

Donna Alward – It Must Be Christmas

While bestselling author DONNA ALWARD was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers!

Website: www.donnaalward.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonnaAlwardAuthor

Emily March – Christmas in Eternity Springs

EMILY MARCH is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a "master of delightful banter," and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.

Website: www.emilymarch.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/emilymarchbooks

Twitter: @emilymarchbooks

Tara Wyatt – When Snowflakes Fall & Like Fresh Fallen Snow

TARA WYATT is a contemporary romance and romantic suspense author. Known for her humor and steamy love scenes, Tara’s writing has won several awards, including the Unpublished Winter Rose, the Linda Howard Award of Excellence, and the Heart of the West. A librarian by day and romance writer by night, Tara lives in Hamilton, Ontario with the world's cutest dog and a husband who makes all of her heroes look like chumps. Find her on Twitter @taradwyatt. She'd love to hear from you!

Website: www.tara-wyatt.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarawyattauthor

Twitter: @taradwyatt

Mary Connealy – Room at the Inn for Christmas

MARY CONNEALY writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is also a bestselling author of full-length book series including: Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters. Mary is a Rita and Christy Award finalist and a two time winner of the Carol Award. Mary is the author of 17 novellas besides her 28 trade fiction books.

Website: hmaryconnealy.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maryconnealy

Twitter: @MaryConnealy

Ruth Logan Herne – Silent Night, Star-Lit Night

Multi-published, best-selling author RUTH LOGAN HERNE likes nothing better than writing stories that warm the heart and ease the troubled soul. The author of more than fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels, the “Double S Ranch” trilogy with PRH/Waterbrook and inspiring women’s fiction for Franciscan Media, Ruth has also become proficient in writing successful novellas for Zondervan, Summerside Press and several highly acclaimed novellas for the independent ebook market. Equally at home writing about small town folks or delving into the heart of big city neighborhoods, Ruthy lives on a farm in upstate New York, one of the snow-belt capitals of the world with her family, farm animals and pets.

Website: ruthloganherne.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RuthLoganHerne

Twitter: @RuthLoganHerne

For more info, check out SMP's website @ http://us.macmillan.com/static/smp/holidaystories2016/index.html

I don't know about you, but my holiday TBR just got a whole lot bigger!  Happy reading!

~ Shel