Story Inspiration~More Than a Gift...Muse Monday by Patricia Preston

MUSE MONDAY

Inspiration comes to writers in many forms. Then our muse gets us going. Here's Patricia's take:

Whenever I write fiction, sometimes a tidbit of reality inspires me, and that was the situation with More Than a Gift. I had a wonderful writer-friend, Nancy, who always sent me a Christmas gift I loved. She took the time to find a gift that was meaningful to the recipient. For example, I was writing a Western that featured Jesse James as the heroine’s cousin, and she sent me a biography of Jesse for Christmas. I always looked forward to opening a gift from her. 

When I came up with the idea of a heroine who is prepared for a miserable Christmas until she meets an enchanting mall Santa, I knew she needed a reason to be in the mall, and finding a gift was a likely one. I thought of Nancy and how she’d chosen the best gifts. I knew I had my theme, and I’d have the hero, Blake, as Santa, advise the heroine on giving the perfect gift. 

Then, I started outlining, and the result was More Than a Gift.

She wasn't looking for love, especially love dressed like Santa

After a devastating breakup during Christmas past, hHolly plans to avoid office romances and all things Christmas this year. While she’s at the mall shopping for her boss a gift, a flirty, charming Santa urges her to give the holidays a second chance while helping her find the perfect gift.

Home for Christmas, Blake has sworn off romance until he gets a glimpse of the new girl in the office. When a charity gig has him working as the mall Santa Claus, he can’t resist being Santa to Holly’s Scrooge. But will the chemistry between them flame out when Holly finds out who Santa really is?

More Than a Gift is a fun, feel-good holiday romance novella (fade to black).

Excerpt:

 

(Holly and Blake aka Santa at the mall.)

 

“Hey, it’s Christmastime. Cheer up,” he said with a twinkle in his blue eyes. “It’s the best time of the year.”

“Santa, I know you’re all about Christmas, but I’m not.” She wandered toward the central aisle of the large mall. “This time of year is a downer for me. I hate Christmas.”

He trailed alongside her. “You hate Christmas? Why?”

“It’s a nerve-wracking holiday. Stressful. And the suicide rate is high.”

“The suicide rate?”

“I read that in the newspaper.”

“I think of Christmas as a day of joy and hope. And love,” he added in good spirits.

“Hmm,” she responded. Santa was an optimistic soul. Beneath the costume, there might even be a hot guy. Don’t even go there, Holly.

He stopped at a Christmas display in the center of the aisle. Animated elves danced to “Jingle Bell Rock.”

“Look at this. Isn’t it great?” He reached for her hand. “Let’s dance.”

“Are you kidding?” Her cheeks flamed as Santa encouraged her to bop with him.

 

Buy Links: Available at most retailers and library ebook providers.

https://books2read.com/MoreThanAGift 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTSEN7S/

Patricia Preston enjoys writing swoonworthy mainstream romances with charming heroines and irresistible heroes. All her books, regardless of the subgenre, are feel-good romances featuring an emotional and compelling romantic journey that will leave the reader swooning. Her favorite place is her writing cave, where there is always music playing and a glass of iced tea nearby. Learn more about her books at https://patriciapreston.com

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Threats and Promises...A Wicked Wednesday Post by Laura Strickland

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Please welcome Laura Strickland to Wicked Wednesday on Discover... I've heard of love and marriage--can't have one without the other. But how about marriage and murder?

A Woman Pushed to the Edge…

There are undoubtedly good reasons for getting married (Hey, I’ve found my soul mate!) and not-so-good reasons (It was impulse, and anyway he’s freaking hot!) And then there might be purely wicked reasons…

Annista MacRowan, the heroine of my newest Scottish Historical romance, Threats and Promises, adored and cherished her sister, Robena. Gentle and sweet where Annista is fiery and rebellious, they nevertheless felt like halves of the same coin. But Robena was bartered away in marriage to the vicious son of their father’s friend, and has now perished under suspicious circumstances. In order to maintain the alliance, Annista’s father wishes to barter her away also, to the very same man…the one Annista is convinced is responsible for Robena’s death.

What’s a woman to do? She might rage and refuse the union, but the truth is that women in sixteenth-century Scotland had very few choices and almost no say in their futures. Sometimes, therefore, it’s best to be clever and devious. As Annista’s mother advises her, marriage to the monster formerly wed to Robena will be a good way to get close to him. Close enough to employ the sharp dagger Mother presses into her hands.

Entering into marriage for the sole purpose of murder comes with great risks. Perhaps that’s why fate steps in and arranges for Annista to marry not the monster, but his younger brother—a dreadful inconvenience. That doesn’t mean she has to abandon her plans for revenge…

 

Threats and Promises Blurb:

Bartered in marriage to the man Annista believes killed her sister, she enters into the agreement with vengeance in her heart, promising she will use the opportunity to destroy him. Yet when she arrives at her new home, she discovers she is destined to wed not that villain but his brother Alan instead.

Alan MacKallan wants no part of marrying the woman sent to take her sister’s place in securing a political alliance between their families. But he cannot allow another innocent to fall into his cruel brother’s hands. And though he and Annista vow their marriage will be in name only, amid the ensuing rush of danger, intrigue, and attraction that may be a promise they just can’t keep.

 

Buy links:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/Threats-Promises-Bartered-Scots-Brides-ebook/dp/B0GX2YFWG6

Amazon Canada:

 https://www.amazon.ca/Threats-Promises-Laura-Strickland/dp/1509266062/

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Threats-Promises-Bartered-Scots-Brides-ebook/dp/B0GX2YFWG6

Amazon Australia:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Threats-Promises-Bartered-Scots-Brides-ebook/dp/B0GX2YFWG6

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/threats-and-promises-laura-strickland/1149911209?ean=2940185033326

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/threats-and-promises-3?sId=7f49f494-4721-4b5d-8190-b66e6c057291&ssId=CWpPq3PILPNf4YgMqsFYu&cPos=1

iTunes:

https://books.apple.com/ca/book/threats-and-promises/id6762280234

Multi award-winning author Laura Strickland delights in time traveling to the past and searching out settings for her books, be they Historical Romance, Steampunk or something in between. Her first Scottish Historical hero, Devil Black, battled his way onto the publishing scene in 2013, and the author never looked back. Nor has she tapped the limits of her imagination. Venturing beyond Historical and Contemporary Romance, she created a new world with her ground-breaking Buffalo Steampunk Adventure series set in her native city, in Western New York. Married and the parent of one grown daughter, Laura has also been privileged to mother a number of very special rescue dogs, and is intensely interested in animal welfare. Her love of dogs, and her lifelong interest in Celtic history, magic and music, are all reflected in her writing. Laura's mantra is Lore, Legend, Love, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Reading and Reviews (Grafton, Evanovich, Gallant)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'll share my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook at night for the last hour of my day. 

Here are some of the books I've read recently. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author. 

P is for Peril by Sue Grafton

 

Kinsey Millhone never sees it coming. She is mired in the case of a doctor who disappeared, his angry ex-wife, and beautiful current one-a case that is full of unfinished business, unfinished homes, and people drifting in and out of their own lives. Then Kinsey gets a shock. A man she finds attractive is hiding a fatal secret—and now a whole lot of beauty, money, and lies are proving to be a fatal distraction from what Kinsey should have seen all along: a killer standing right before her eyes...

 

My Review

So far, all of the Kinsey Milhone books I have read have been highly entertaining. This one didn’t seem quite as tight in the plot as prior books, but I won’t ding it too much for that. I think a couple of the characters didn’t ring true for me. I waited too long to do this review, honestly.

https://www.amazon.com/Peril-Kinsey-Millhone-Book-16-ebook/dp/B001D9T7ZQ

 

 

Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

 

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum and Trenton vice cop Joe Morelli join forces to find the madman killer who shot and barbecued the youngest son of international black-market arms dealer Alexander Ramos.

Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, is caught on video just minutes before the crime occurs. He's at the scene, he's with the victim, and he's the number-one suspect. Ranger is former special forces turned soldier of fortune. He has a blue-chip stock portfolio and no known address. He moves in mysterious circles. He's Stephanie's mentor--the man who taught her everything she knows about fugitive apprehension. And he's more than her friend.

Now he's the hunted and Stephanie's the hunter, and it's time for her to test her skills against the master. But if she does catch him...what then? Can she bring herself to turn him in?

Plus there are other things keeping Stephanie awake at night. Her maternal grandmother has set up housekeeping in Stephanie's apartment, a homicidal maniac has selected Stephanie as his next victim, her love life is in the toilet, she's adopted a dog with an eating disorder, and she can't button the top snap on her Levi's. 

My Review

This was one of the best, if not the best, Stephanie Plum book I have read. I haven’t read them in order, but it doesn’t matter. It was just gritty enough and quite funny. The dog was a hilarious addition. Stephanie is so down to earth every female reader can identify.

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Six-Stephanie-Plum-Novels/dp/0312976275/

 

Free Fall by Jannine Gallant

 

Ascending Denali with family and friends was supposed to be a celebration of their engagement. Instead, the climb devolves into a horrifying nightmare when her fiancé falls to his death. With survivor’s guilt eating at her soul, Rowan Albright struggles to put the pieces of her life back together. If she hadn’t been bonding with Ian’s cousin, Xander, could she have somehow prevented his death? Or was the reason for his fall far more nefarious? Five years later, Rowan is climbing mountains and guiding backcountry tours in Glacier National Park, determined to put her troubled past behind her—and maybe find love again.

Rowan isn’t the only one with misgivings about the tragic Denali climb. For years, Xander Calloway has wondered if his cousin’s death was intentional. Now a law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service, he organizes a reunion hike to put his theory of foul play to the test. Spending time with the beautiful Rowan is an additional perk since he’s had a harmless crush on her forever. But Xander gets more than he bargained for when a series of deadly mishaps occur. With a killer hiding in plain sight, he’ll lay his life on the line to protect Rowan from becoming the next victim—because a future without her is unimaginable . . . 

My Review

This isn’t my first Jannine Gallant book and certainly not my last. She is skilled at setting you down in a scene, especially the rugged, wilderness kind, giving the reader a wild ride. The suspense, the action, the romance all combine to create a great story.

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Fall-Edge-Survival-Book-ebook/dp/B0H1YZS5ML

Ripped From the Pages: Wild Horse Peaks

Northern Arizona University lies at the foot of the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona. When I went to school as an art major, I fell in love with everything about the area. For years, I carried a romantizied version of the school and town in my head. Writing a romatic suspense series set there came naturally. Wild Horse Peaks is the series. I changed the moutain name, and Flagstaff became the town of Timberline. There's a famous haunted hotel in Flagstaff called the Monte Vista. It became the Gand View Hotel for the series.

In The Power of Love and Murder, the third book in the Wild Horse Peaks books, Penny gets the starring roll after her audition in the first book of the series, The Art of Love and Murder. This was her first scene in the first book.

Ripped from the pages... of The Art of Love and Murder

“Hello, Ms. Dahl. Were the tacos at the Kachina as good as I promised?”

Lobby of the haunted hotel and inspiration for the Grand View Hotel in the book.

The young hotel clerk greeted Lacy as she strolled through the nearly century old lobby on her way to the stairs and her room. The young woman’s petite stature and perky, twenty-something personality seemed in direct contrast to the black spiked hair, piercings and black rimmed eyes. Lacy had dubbed her the Black Fairy when she’d checked in two hours ago.“Every bit, Penny. And the margarita was strong.” She wondered if the young woman always dressed Goth or if she embraced the spirit of the Grand View Hotel’s reputation. The night shift and the Agatha Christie setting suited her look. “I think I’m tired. I better get to bed.”

Penny smiled an impish, close-mouthed grin. “Got big plans for tomorrow?” She crossed her arms on the white marble counter. Black, elbow-length gloves with the fingers missing displayed delicate fingers ending in black nail polish.

“I’m getting out tomorrow for some research I’m doing, hit an art gallery and maybe a museum.” Lacy breathed in the musky scent of the ages-old lobby. Or maybe the Black Fairy’s perfume? 

“Are you writing a book or something on Timberline?”

Standing in the stairwell of the real hotel  and inspiration for the book.

“No, I’m trying to find the artist of some sketches left to me.” She yawned. “And I better get to bed so I’ve got the energy for the long day tomorrow.” She hiked her purse strap higher on her shoulder. “Is there a park nearby or somewhere I could do a little running in the morning?”

“A small park. One block north and a couple of blocks west. But it’s pretty small.” 

“I’ll have to make do. Goodnight, Penny.”

“Goodnight, Ms. Dahl.”

The short flight of stairs challenged her as she trudged, tiredly pulling each foot up to the next step.The floral carpeting, narrow hallway, and gold patterned wallpaper transported her back in time. The renowned hotel, beautifully restored, reflected the era of the 1920’s. The antiquated wall lamps dimly lit the hall, casting warm shadows of the past. She walked where many famous people had traipsed in the last century.

One of the many famous who have stayed in the hotel.

Halfway down the hall, she stopped at her door and fished out her old-fashioned brass key from the pocket of her jeans. Had her mother and father walked this hall, slept in one of these rooms, maybe made love? Drowsily, she mused as the heavy key clicked in the lock. Had she been conceived here, only to be left orphaned months after her birth, before Kaya Mockta and Hartmut Luschin could be married? 

I've stayed in the hotel, and I did see orbs in the pre-dawn hours. Really! I also found the room Paul McCartney stayed in, and I touched the door handle. That's as close as I'll ever get to him. I hope you'll venture into the hotel and the town of Timberline through the books of The Wild Horse Peaks.

You can find all of the books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNC7LT9J