Tuesday, November 28, 2006

A Christmas Eve Miracle....

It's officially the Christmas Season in the U.S. Stores are crowded, people are decorating their houses and yards, and all radio stations are playing Christmas songs. It's the season when our hearts are aglow with love and the anticipation of bringing smiles to the faces of our loved ones. It's the season of miracles...

My newest release, LIGHTING THE TREE, is about dreams, love, and a miracle delivered by an unlikely Santa. I wrote it hoping to bring a smile to your heart this blessed season.

There are many Christmas stories available at The Wild Rose Press, all written by excellent authors to share with you, our loyal readers. Enjoy!!

Monday, November 27, 2006

Time for a Christmas Story!


Excerpt: "Not Your Momma's Reindeer Games" from TRUE TALES OF CHRISTMAS TOWN

Each year, Santa Claus grants each of his children their own special wish for Christmas. In this scene, Noel, who wants to be called Leon and be # 1 on the Naughty List, is playing poker with some of his buddies. His sister, Christmas Spirit known to the family as Krista, has invaded the all male game to try to talk him into using his Christmas wish for peace on earth, rather than the more selfish wish of the new motorcycle he’s decided he wants.


“Not Your Momma’s Reindeer Games”

From

True Tales of Christmas Town

Unedited, may differ from the final product available December, 2006 from The Wild Rose Press (www.thewildrosepress.com) © 2006 by The Wild Rose Press and Betty Hanawa

“But, Noel, please think about it. If we all wish for peace on Earth this Christmas, maybe Father will have enough magic to make it happen.”

Leon set his cigar down and grabbed the trash can. The retching noises he made echoed in the small room.

“Gross.”

“Damn, if I wanted to hear that, I would have stayed home tonight.”

“Does this mean the game is over?”

“Oh, Noel, I hope you’re not coming down with the flu like so many in Christmas Town.”

Krista’s sweet sympathy almost made his stomach turn for real.

“Nope, just your give whirled peas a chance made me sick to my stomach.” He thrust the wastebasket with nothing in it but a couple of beer cans under her face.

She jumped back, then peered inside. She lifted her head and, for a second, Leon saw a flare of anger on his normally unflappable, always sweet sister’s face. Then her smile reappeared and her partially closed fist eased into a pat on his shoulder.

“Your jokes are awful, Noel.” Her laughter pealed like bells.

“Go away, Krista,” Leon repeated. “We’re got a game to concentrate on.”

“Alright, but at least promise me you’ll think about using your Christmas wish to help someone else.”

“Bet,” the dealer said.

“Call.”

“Call”

“Bet’s to you, Leon.”

“Fine, Krista. I promise. Now will you leave?” Leon shoved a pile of chips into the pot. “Raise.”

Christmas Spirit leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Have a good game. Oh, gee, Noel, you’ve got nothing but pretty hearts in your hand.”

“Fold, fold, fold,” echoed around the table from the other players while Krista gently shut the door behind her.

© 2006 by The Wild Rose Press and Betty Hanawa

Tales From Christmas Town is the story of Santa Claus' adult children and their bumbling quests to find true love. When Santa and all of Christmas Town come down with the flu, his children have to step up and take over the "business". Jack Frost gets involved, a few innocent mortals, and Santa’s motorcycle riding son Noel, who prefers to be called Leon. This four story anthology features authors Roni Adams, Allie Standifer, Bev Oz, and Betty Hanawa.


PRINT ISBN 1-60154-023-X available in ebook from The Wild Rose Press (www.thewildrosepress.com) and in print from Amazon.com

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Here piggy piggy!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Hi all. It's a bit of Mistletoe Madness available today! Here's a quick blurb to entertain you as you stuff that turkey and mash those potatoes! At the end of the story, there's a recipe to use for your holiday celebrations. Cheers! Dana

What happens to a holiday soiree when a pig crashes the party? And how will caterer Blanca Torres handle things when her almost husband arrives in the wake of the pig? The chance to showcase her catering business turns into chaos as Elf goes on a piggy rampage and rogue Irishman Spencer Brock refuses to accept the demise of his almost marriage to Blanca. It’s a whirlwind of rising attractions and falling frittatas in this delightful holiday tale.

Just Released! Hera St. Aubyn's "Vampire of my Dreams"

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Save a Horse, READ a Cowboy

It's finally out and I can't say how much I love this story...okay, yes it's mine but it was fun to write and funny to read and has a bit of a surprise ending.







Cheatin’ Hearts

When a mysterious Stetson plunked on her head leads Cara North to a chocolate-eyed cowboy, will she find true love or just another lyin’ cheatin’ heart?

Available now from The Wild Rose Press




What People are saying (and no, they aren't related to me LOL):


I loved it! It was cute and funny and surprising and I loved it, hands down loved it.

~R.P.

I love it! I laughed out loud at the husband's comments. It's so real and funny!

~R.J.M.

Marilyn Parrish Writing News

Marilyn Parrish Writing News

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Friday, November 10, 2006

So excited!

Really just so excited to see that two of my short stories, Proclamations and For the Love of Grace, have both been released today! They're completely different in theme and tone but you must have guessed that they're both filled with love and romance. I hope they bring a smile to some faces and joy to the hearts of readers everywhere.

Zowie!

The Wild Rose Press

Zowie! It's here! Pi and the Fabulosa (slightly married) Twenty Four Hour man! What a thrill to see it acutally in cyber print!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

I Googled my name...

and found another great review on Holding Fast!

http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/reviews/

:))

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Proclamations and a hello!


Hi all, this is my first blog on The Wild Rose Press Blog and I'm pleased to be here. I've recently contracted with TWRP for a few short stories. The first to be released is called Proclamations and it'll be available for purchase on Friday, November 10th. It's an American Rose, the story of love amidst the turmoil of the Civil War. A blurb? Oh, sure, I just happen to have a blurb. I'm so glad someone asked! Here goes, a blurb: The War Between the States has been raging for two long years. In Virginia in 1863 Jolene Crane misses her fiancĂ©e, Nate, more than words can say. Every moment that she’s not busy taking care of household chores or working at the hospital, she’s consumed by her longing for the man who holds her heart.
When Abraham Lincoln signs a proclamation declaring the fourth Thursday in November a day to be celebrated joyfully and thankfully, Jolene is determined not to celebrate the day. After all, what has she got to be thankful for? And the only proclamations that come to mind have all to do with the losses they’ve suffered and little to do with celebrating.
But when a new wave of soldiers arrives at the hospital on the day before the holiday, Jolene just may find that she does, in fact, have something to celebrate. A cover? Oh, sure, I've got a swell cover, courtesy of RJ! Would you like to see it? Sure, hang on a sec... there you go, that's the cover, up at the top. Isn't it beautiful? So there you have it, my first Wild Rose Press release, available in a few days. And my first TWRP blog, available now. :-) Thanks for letting me chat with you--I hope to do plenty more of it in the future.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Hello from Betsy!

Hello out there! I just read Maggie's post, and I too am a "newbie"! But I'm very excited to join "the garden", as my editor described it. This seems like a great company and I'm an honor to be a part of the author membership. My romantic suspense is due out next year, I'm in the editing stage now, and beyond excited. This is all so much fun, and such a blessing. I hope to get to meet more of my fellow authors very soon!

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Anyone hungry?

It's getting cooler -- far from chilly here in central Florida, but the a/c isn't running as much, and the humidity levels are down. Time to think about getting back into the kitchen.

All my characters seem to enjoy cooking or eating (and who doesn't like one or the other?). Because the holidays are here, I'm having a contest about food!

Stop by my website and enter my November contest for some favorite family recipes.

And stop by the Wild Rose Press bookstore to check out my 3 releases: Words, Out of Sight, & Relationships.

Terry Odell

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Who's Up for A Mystery?

Hello all. Stop by my website to try out the November Name That Author game. Win a gift certificate, just in time for the holidays! You can see the lovely Wild Rose covers there too. Dana
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