I finally wrapped presents last night! Woot! The last-minute “dump & go” edit job is done! Now, I can coast through Christmas without any stress and just enjoy being with the family.

I hope you like the puzzle! It’s a silly, whimsical one that struck my fancy (and yes, I know that’s “old-people” speak!). Enjoy the holiday, enjoy the puzzle. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to you all!

Open Contests

1. Michal Scott: Continuing the Family Legacy: Sarah Jane Woodson Early (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest! Counting Down to Christmas! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. A Christmas (sort of) Puzzle! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Things on a Christmas Tree Word Search! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Merry Christmas Gift for you! — This giveaway ends soon! Everyone can get a FREE read!

I still haven’t WRAPPED my gifts for the kids! I’m so bad. I bought everything with time to spare but just haven’t been able to force myself to get out the wrapping paper and tape. I guess it has to be today because tomorrow, we do the adult gifting and are having our big meal. We’re doing that so we can include everyone in our family. The little ones will open gifts on Sunday morning after Santa delivers. Ahem. Yes, the youngest is nine, but she’s been told Santa doesn’t come to those who don’t believe, so she’ll likely be just like my daughter who still “believed” until she was in her late teens. 🙂

Anyways, I wanted to give you all something, too. If you don’t know, I have about forty (?) short stories, all listed on my Short Story page. If there’s one you’d like to read, just email me the title, and I’ll send you a download. My gift to you. Send those emails to me at delilah@delilahdevlin.com by December 26th.

When I was a kid, I’d count down the school days until the final bell rang to signal the holidays. I bet you did, too.

Now it can all be a bit overwhelming as you buy and wrap the presents, decorate the house, bake the cookies, do the grocery shopping, cook the big meals, plan and host the parties… It’s enough to make you exhausted before you even start.

As women, we put way too much pressure on ourselves to create the perfect holiday for our families. It’s overwhelming. What it comes down to is letting go of some of the control and not worrying if everything isn’t perfect.

Some of my best holiday memories involve being in the kitchen with my mother baking cookies and cakes. She’d let me stir and add ingredients and, of course, lick the bowl and taste test whatever we made. As a result, I have wonderful memories, plus I can now make all those things for my family and friends.

She also involved us in the making of Christmas dinner. Younger kids can mash potatoes and stir the gravy. Older ones can help with the prep. They can also set the table and do the dishes. It gives them an idea of how much work goes into creating a holiday dinner. And do as much ahead of time as you can. I make my cranberry sauce a few days before Christmas. It sits fine in the refrigerator. Remember, you don’t need to have every dish your mother ever made gracing the holiday table. Pick the family favorites and enjoy them. There is always so much food and treats around the holidays, they won’t miss one or two items.

Draft your kids into duty and have them dust and vacuum. Hey, my sister and I had to do it and it didn’t hurt us a bit. Give your spouse or significant other a list and send them to the grocery store. Make the list as detailed as possible, but don’t be upset if you don’t get a particular brand of mayo or cheese. Someone else shopped. Be grateful and move on.

Cut down on your Christmas list. For office gifts, avoid the hassle and buy gift cards in bulk. They’re the right size and everyone likes them. Pick a local coffee shop. Everyone drinks coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice, milk… You get my point. I buy them in $5 and $10 denominations. And, hey, if you don’t give them all away, you can treat yourself to a nice hour out in January.

Above all else, remember what the season is all about. It’s not about presents or the turkey. It’s about family and friends and hope. It’s about counting your blessings and being thankful for everything you have in your life.

So put the merry back in the holiday this year for you and your family.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Ancient Desire
Forgotten Brotherhood Book 5

Nothing was supposed to wake half dragon, half human Lucius from his Deep Sleep. Nothing. And yet something, or rather someone has. The unexpectedly attractive human not only touched him. She kissed him. Now Lucius is awake, and more powerful than he has ever been in his 4,000 years of existence. And once he finds out who led her to his cave, he’ll deal with his 300 years of hunger…

College professor Raine Carson spent her life obsessed with myths and legends. And now she’s woken one up. Only, Lucius is nothing like anything she’s ever seen or read about in her history books. Because this man is part sexy badass and part terrifying…monster. Yet she wants him with a hunger like nothing she’s ever felt before.

Lucius used to be part of the Forgotten Brotherhood—a ruthless group of paranormal assassins. Now he’s unsure if his former Brothers are their allies…or enemies. All he knows is that someone is hunting him, and Raine is just as tangled up in this mess as he is. And he’ll protect her—even if it means unleashing his Dragon and all of its power.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7G3QHRK/
Entangled Publishing: https://entangledpublishing.com/books/ancient-desire
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ancient-desire-n-j-walters/1141872172
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ancient-desire
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ancient-desire/id6443213388

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit me at:
Website: http://www.njwalters.com
Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

UPDATE: The winner is…Sherry!
*~*~*

I have another puzzle for you! I know you’re bored at home, maybe covered up with family, and need a brain break—something fun to do! I’m here to save you!

Too much? Sorry. I bubble up under pressure. Anyways, the theme of the word search is things on a Christmas tree, and yes, pickles and spiders are things—Google them! Also, who doesn’t have Elvis singing “Blue Christmas” hanging from their tree?

So, what do you have to do to win a $5 Amazon gift card? Easy. Tell me your weirdest or your favorite tree ornament. Or if Christmas isn’t your thing, tell me what weird or favorite decoration you put up during your holiday!

I can’t believe I almost forgot to post today. I set a goal at the beginning of the year that I’d have a new blog every day, whether written by me or a guest author. I nearly spoiled my perfect record! I know, it’s a crazy goal. Why do it? Blogs are dead, right? I don’t believe that. Not really. We’ve seen how fragile our social media platforms can be. This blog is the only thing I can control. Plus, it does give me an outlet. I can share what I’m working on here, bore you to tears with tidbits about my life, and play games with friends.

Or, I can do like I am today and share something I made.

I woke at 4 AM this morning to finish up a set of edits before I headed out to sit at the art center today. I like acting as docent. We rarely get visitors, so it’s my excuse to paint. No computer, just me, a palette of watercolor paint, some pens, and my imagination. I laid down paint on several things, but this is the only item I finished. It’s a watercolor and pen postcard. The colors make me happy.

UPDATE: The winner is…Sandy Kelly!
*~*~*

I couldn’t help myself. I was looking for a topic to talk about this morning, thought I had one, then went looking for a picture to use and found the cutest Christmas (sort of) picture. I knew I had to use it in a puzzle, but I have to do it this week, so… If you want to know why I love it, you’ll have to solve it!

My topic was going to be about having kids underfoot all week, being covered up in pets (we have 9 dogs, 4 cats, a bunny, and a betta!), and me being driven mad by dog hair, cat puke, and cleaning bunny cages and fish tanks, while, I might add, trying to wrap up several editing projects this week. There’s no rest for a self-employed writer/editor. No vacations allowed! EXCEPT, I think I’m going to Hawaii in July, so I’m giving warning… I WILL NOT BE HELD HOSTAGE BY DOGS, CATS, FISH, RABBITS or EDITS! There. I got that off my chest. Now, let’s play!

Comment about anything at all—topic of your choice—for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

As I’ve said before, I’ve been pulling cards on Sundays to try to make it part of my planning process. On Sundays, I update my work and personal plans to ensure I record what I accomplished and didn’t, before turning my sights on the coming week. It’s not that I “believe” in the tarot, but the practice reminds me of aspects of my life I wouldn’t otherwise consider when I set my plans. So, onto this week’s card…

Wands! I love wands. Let’s just look at the picture first. Here we have Jason of Greek mythology. If you remember, Jason was sent on an impossible mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece by the king who had usurped his father’s throne. Knowing he’d face many dangers, Jason formed the Argonauts, a group of heroes, to accompany him. In the end, he defeated mythical beasts and supernatural warriors to take the fleece. This picture depicts him carrying the fleece while his warriors appear dressed for a celebration behind him. So, what does all that mean for me? I think it means I’ll conquer some beast this week and that everyone around me will give me attagirls. I have no clue what that beast might be, perhaps it’s a small one (meeting all my goals? cleaning my office?!).

Maybe I should consult the book… Okay, I did pretty good. The card represents triumph and recognition from others. As for Jason, he’s not quite done. He still has to deliver that fleece… Hmmm.

Y’all have a wonderful week. If you’re bored, you can always come see what’s happening here. 🙂 ~DD

Open Contests

1. Diana Cosby: Nature’s Beauty in Pictures! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a tote and a mug!
2. Flashback: Texas Cowboys — The Cowboy & the Widow (Contest — 2 Winners!) — This one ends soon! 2 Winners! Win a FREE book!
3. 10 Things That Make Me Sigh in December (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
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5. An End of Year Ritual — Mind Mapping (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Michal Scott: Continuing the Family Legacy: Sarah Jane Woodson Early (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Saturday Puzzle-Contest! Counting Down to Christmas! — Win an Amazon gift card!