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Archive for December, 2013



Gemma Juliana: The Christmas Monster…
Tuesday, December 24th, 2013

The Christmas Monster…

Have you ever heard of the Christmas monster?

tdChristmas SpiritsIn my world, Christmas has always been about all things positive…Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Rudolph with his red nose, snow, caroling, hot chocolate. On a religious level—it’s about the Star of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. Sure, I know about Scrooge and The Grinch, but something much darker lurks in the shadows.

I spent almost a decade living in German-speaking countries in Europe. I was even married to a German for eighteen years and had a mother-in-law who spoke no English. I’m ashamed to say that until a few days ago, I had never heard of the Krampus, nor seen one. Now I’m obsessed with him and what he represents.

Wikipedia describes him as, “a beast like creature from the folklore of Alpine countries…” There is a morbidly fascinating 8-minute video of a Krampus festival held annually at Graz, Austria where people dress up as the Krampus every year. If you have 8 minutes to spare, I encourage you to scroll down that page and watch it. Talk about high quality costumes and make-up—this parade of Christmastime devils makes our yuckiest zombies and ghouls of Halloween look like wimps!

Lumps of coal? Forget it, you naughty children! Things can get a lot worse than that! Krampus was the devil-like monster who terrified bad children and took them away to his cave. Their best possible fate was to be locked up and starved. Worst case scenario: they became a meal for the Krampus.

Krampus

From a greeting card featured in Wikipedia

How was it that in all these years I had never heard of the Krampus? It occurs to me that this is yet another display of the theme darkness and light. Since St. Nicholas/Santa Claus is a benevolent being of light, are we surprised there is an equal and opposite being of darkness? Since Christmas falls so close to the Solstice which is the longest night of the year and the shortest day, it stands to reason there is a “dark” character involved in countries where adults would go to any length to make children be obedient and well-behaved. Krampus may be tied in with ancient pagan rituals.

There has been a general tendency toward darkness and monsters in recent years, especially around Halloween. Apparently new Krampus parades are popping up around the USA now. Just google ‘krampus parade’ to find one near you!

As a writer who enjoys sprinkling paranormal spice on my stories, my mind is already at work… how I can incorporate Krampus into an upcoming novella?

There’s no such character to be found in my two holiday novellas—Autumn Masquerade and Christmas Spirits. In both stories, the only paranormal characters readers must contend with are ghosts.

How about you—if you knew about the Krampus, please share what you know!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

Autumn Masquerade - TallGEMMA JULIANA is a multi-published author who lives in an enchanted cottage in north Texas with her handsome hero, teen son and a comical dog. She loves making new friends and hearing from readers. Exotic coffee and chocolate fuel her creativity.
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Beth Shriver: Tis The Season
Monday, December 23rd, 2013

Tis The Season

I just love this time of year! One of the reasons is watching and reading old Christmas movies and books. I am very into traditions, so even though my ‘kids’ are now eighteen and twenty, they fully expect to watch each and every one of our favorite Christmas classics. Although the selection has changed through the years as they’ve gotten older, there is still a handful they know we will watch no matter what the age.

Here are a few you may not have heard of or forgot about: The Bishop’s Wife starring Cary Grant, an angel who helps the bishop’s wife raise money for their church. Another is A Midnight Clear set in 1944 staring Gary Sinise about an American Intelligence and reconnaissance unit sent out on a reckless mission on Christmas. The story is even more meaningful with the thought of our troops overseas. Some of the oldies are forgotten, such as Holiday Inn starring Fred Astaire. Another oldie but goodie is White Christmas Starring Bing Crosby.

The movies and books my kids grew up with are becoming outdated with new stories, but we stick to our regulars such as, Charlie Brown is my daughter’s favorite and Elf is my son’s. A Christmas Story is my dad’s first choice, reminding him of a time when he was a boy. My husband counts Die Hard and Trading Places as Christmas movies but I beg-to-differ. My two favorites are It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol staring Alistair Sim. And I like to watch them both in black and white although I have the color versions. It feels more real to see movies set back in the day to be the color they were originally. There is no better Scrooge than Alistair and who can top Jimmy Stewart? But then I’m partial as Jimmy is my favorite all time actor.

The book How The Grinch stole Christmas is an all time fav. The Night Before Christmas is one I still like but my teens lost interest awhile ago. I’ll have to wait for grandchildren to read that one again. Some count The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe and I am one of them, only because I liked the book so much:) I went to The Nutcracker play which is popular on stage this time of year but wasn’t crazy about it, and have never wanted to read the book. The Polar Express was popular but it didn’t grab me either.

The Greatest Story Ever Told was a book that I started but didn’t finish. Not because it wasn’t good, because I got distracted and need to finish it one of these days (maybe this Christmas?). The same goes for The Christmas Box but I finally finished that one.

It’s fun to find out likes and dislikes and maybe something new! So…what are your favorites?

bs2Beth Shriver, Author of inspirational fiction Find me on my web page, Facebook, and Twitter. www.bethshriver.com

Latest release:

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Can Abby overcome the pain caused by her father and find acceptance among the Amish?

Abigail Barker is a young woman struggling to keep the family horse farm afloat in Texas. When one of her horses is injured in an accident, Mose Fisher arrives on the scene wanting to help.   As she struggles with the faith she left behind after the death of her mother, Abby finds more than love and safety with Mose and the Amish community. After time spent with Mose and his family, she knows she has to make a choice. Will Abby stay with Mose or go back to her sick father who needs her?

Jennifer Kacey: A Very Ménage Christmas (Contest)
Sunday, December 22nd, 2013

A Very Ménage Christmas E-book and Naughty Giveaway

Holiday traditions are a big part of Christmas for me and my family.

We make holiday cookies, normally at least a dozen different kinds, to share with friends, family, neighbors, and our employees. My ten year old and I decorate the entrance of our property and put up the Christmas tree and other decorations to get in the holiday spirit.  I make Christmas cards to send to everyone with lots of pictures throughout the last 12 months. I couldn’t help but put a pic of me at my first book signing this year on the card. Might have to frame the card for my office! Talk about a major milestone. ***happy dance***

On Christmas Eve, we go to the candle light service at church, and then come home to eat summer sausage and cheese and crackers. Before going to bed, we lay out milk and cookies for Santa, because we have to do our part in keeping his strength up!

On Christmas morning we wake up and dump out our stockings and open lots of presents, showing off what we got from the big guy in red. It’s a wonderful day and I love spending it with my family.

jkAVMCgiveawayJenniferKacey

To spread a little Christmas cheer I’m going to give away an e-book copy of A Very Ménage Christmas, my newest release from Ellora’s Cave, a bit of naughty swag and a giant candy cane. Once you read the story you’ll know exactly why that particular phallic shaped object needed to be included with your goodies. ***GRINS***

So…tell me your favorite tradition for Christmas and you just might win! Merry Christmas to all and to all a naughty night!!!!!

* * * * *

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Members Only, Book Three

Skye has spent her life being the perfect daughter for her prominent, wealthy parents. She says all the right things, wears all the right clothes…and lies through her teeth about the kind of sex she needs. The bland “gentlemen” she dates don’t know a thing about what gets her going—and when they find out, they run screaming. In her deepest, naughtiest dreams, she finds a man…or two…who knows just how to tie her up and tease her until she’s begging for more. But those guys don’t really exist, do they?

Jackson wants one thing for Christmas, and her name is Skye. He’s watched her from afar for ages, biding his time, waiting for his chance to give her the kind of pleasure she craves. And this Christmas he’s going to get his way. He’s enlisted his buddy Nick and the two of them are going to give Skye a holiday treat she’ll never forget.

Inside Scoop: This holiday threesome features bondage and spanking benches…and creates whole new uses for Christmas lights and candy canes.

A Romantica® BDSM erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | Ellora’s Cave | Kobo | ARe Café

Members Only, Book One – Together in Cyn

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Jennifer Kacey is a wife, mother, and business owner living with her family in Texas. She sings in the shower, plays piano in her dreams, and has to have a different color of nail polish every week. The best advice she’s ever been given? Find the real you and never settle for anything less.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Rain, rain, everywhere…
Saturday, December 21st, 2013

rainy day

This will be quick! I live on a hilltop in the middle of a forest. Satellite is my only option so  far as Internet access is concerned. So when we have thick cloud cover, like we do today, connection to the outside world is spotty. Which is why I have a land line as well as a cell phone, too. Those are just some of the lovely complications those of us who choose isolation over convenience face.

I had already planned for today to be a day off from writing/editing activities. I’ll head to my dd’s this afternoon where we will do some artsy/crafty things at her kitchen table—the last our Christmas preparations. Then we’ll settle on the sofa with hot chocolate and watch back-to-back episodes of Longmire. A very lazy day for me!

We are under flash flood and heavy wind warnings. There’s a possibility of tornado activity too. How’s the weather where you are? How do you plan to spend your day? 

Alicia Dean: Vampire Diaries Convention & Writing in the World of Mystic Falls
Friday, December 20th, 2013

I would like to thank Delilah for inviting me to guest on her blog. It is truly an honor to be here. Delilah has spoken to our writer’s group on a few occasions, and she was phenomenal. This lady knows her stuff about writing. 🙂

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Okay, I have a confession to make. I’m fifty-two years old, and I love all things Vampire Diaries. I adore the show, and I even LOVE going to conventions. I’ve been to two so far, and I will attend more. It’s an amazing time, filled with so many stars and events it boggles the mind.

The last one I attended was this past November 1st through the 3rd  in Atlanta, which is not far from Covington, Georgia, the place where Vampire Diaries is filmed. Yep, I went to Mystic Falls! My daughter and I drove 900 miles to attend the convention, and I would go again in a heartbeat (no pun intended), as a matter of fact, my plan is to go the Eyecon convention in Atlanta every fall. If you find yourself in the Atlanta area, you MUST take the time to visit Mystic Falls…er…Covington. Below are some pics from the quaint little town: (recognize anything from the show?)

adTown-MysticFallsGrill

adTownSquareandTower

Back to the convention…

Some of the highlights were:

  • Seeing Ian, up close and personal, talking to him, getting a hug from him, and having my pic made with him…with his arm around me.
  • Hanging with other attendees at the hotel bar, and seeing the celebrities relaxing and drinking. One evening, I sat right next to Rob Pralgo (the original Mayor Lockwood), at the bar.
  • Meeting and listening to Nathaniel Buzolic, who played Kol Mikaelson on TVD. He was a bad, bad guy on the show, but in reality, he is a wonderful person with a strong faith and an uplifting message. His stories and warmth were inspiring to many people. The attendees were buzzing about how amazing he was.
  • Ian
  • Q&A’s, photo ops, and autographs. It was unbelievable how entertaining, personable, and funny the celebrities were. Getting a glimpse into their lives and personalities, not to mention some of the behind-the-scenes stories, was awesome. One of my favorite anecdotes was the one told by Ian Somerhalder (Damon), and confirmed by Paul Wesley (Stefan), about a day they were filming when the temperatures were below freezing. Paul had to do a scene where he was lying on the ice-cold ground. During a break, he put his face up to a heat lamp…and burned off the top layer of skin. His face was so cold it was numb, and he had no idea he was searing his flesh. Can you imagine, damaging that gorgeous face like that?
  • Did I mention Ian? 🙂

Here is a my pic with Ian. In case you’re wondering…yes, I was in Heaven!

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Do you have any idea how blue his eyes really are? Looking into them is like getting lost in this magical place you never want to leave…and when he looks at you, it’s like he’s really seeing you, really speaking to you. He has this knack of making every one of the thousands of fans in attendance feel like they are important to him. He’s just a very, very special person. Not only because of his extreme, ridiculous hotness, his friendliness, and his talent, but he’s a genuinely good person, a humanitarian. Read the rest of this entry »

Just a Quick, Silly Question…
Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Look down at your nails right now. What color nail polish are you wearing?

I’m wearing a surfer, aqua blue. I don’t know why I chose it from the dozens of bottles I have collected over the years, and which sit in a large Rubbermaid box on a shelf in my bathroom. I’m not sure I like it, but I’ll wear it for a couple of days and see what happens. Nail color affects my mood. Or is it my mood that affects my color choice? Hmmm…

Anyway, I went to this website to see what my color choice meant: The Beauty Gypsy

Blue

Forget any tranquil associations – when worn as a nail polish, blue is not for the faint of heart. It’s fun and experimental, giving the impression that you live an adrenaline-filled lifestyle full of constant excitement. In short, blue nail polish tells the world that you are youthful, fun and willing to try new things.

Share what your color choice says about you!

Cyndi Faria: Men in Uniform and a Case of Heroitis (Free Read & Contest)
Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

Men in Uniform and a Case of Heroitis (New Release, Contest, Giveaway)

Delilah, thank you, again, for having me guest post! In celebration of this week’s release of A Promise Worth Honoring (#FREE Kindle today and tomorrow), I’ll be giving away one copy each of my first two novellas.

cf1But first, let’s talk about men in uniform, specifically firefighters… the navy, fitted, button-down shirt pressed to perfection that tugs across an Adonis shape, the bulging biceps ready to carry any damsel in distress to safety at a moment’s notice, the creased slacks that hang off a taut waist and conceal supportive thighs… the honorable and compassionate nature and calendar-worthy smile…

Fanning self…

A few years ago in New York, stuck in an elevator with to-die-for-blue-eyed-from-the-Bronx “Andy,” my once articulate speech faded to gibberish.

And he just smiled… I can only describe the sudden physical reaction to a feverish case of Heroitis.

In my opinion, the only thing more attractive than a man in uniform is an entire squad. Lucky for me, as I drive through my true life single-stop-sign town, I pass by the local Fire Station. And they are much more than sex objects. These men support blood drives, offer their station as a voting place, stage chili cook-offs, and serve as headquarters for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree parade and May Day Festival. In our close knit community, these men are our friends, uncles, husbands, brothers, and sons, who prove their dedication to serve the community every day.

Will Love Triumph Over Family Expectations?

In the fictional town of Safe Haven, Fire Station 81 contains men of equal caliber and commitment within the community. Sons are expected to follow in their father’s footsteps.

Some sons fully embrace such a commitment.

But others—

GROOMED TO UPHOLD TRADITION

Safe Haven Fire Cadet Garrett Parker has been groomed to be a firefighter just like the four generations of Parker men before him. Fighting fires is in his blood and he’s bound by a death-bed promise to his father to uphold family tradition.

Crowned For Self-Sacrifice

But Maggie Pritchard, Garrett’s best friend and reigning Miss Safe Haven, is the only one who realizes his secret fear of confined spaces threatens his ability to become a fire fighter, as well as keeps him from learning there’s more to life than riding on other’s expectations.

Will Best Friends Sacrifice Tradition To Find Happily Ever After?

When Maggie partners with Garrett in the homecoming pageant dance competition, will the pair rise and face their greatest fear of disappointing others in time to find their happily ever after?

To read Garrett and Maggie’s story and find out if they achieve their HEA, I’m offering A Promise Worth Honoring for FREE today, just follow the link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HBX6XD2.

Want to have a chance at winning eBook copies of novellas 1 and 2 in the Promises Collection? Answer the question below in the comments.

Have you ever witnessed or experienced Heroitis? Was he a fireman, police officer, other? Please share your symptoms…

THE BIG PRIZE: Interested in entering a chance to win a $25 Gift Card to Amazon? Go to www.cyndifaria.com to learn more.