Christmas Carols - 4 awesome versions of The Little Drummer Boy

A start to the Christmas Cheer

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Silvia Violet ~ Needing a little Christmas

Release Date: December 1st
Available: Amazon & All Romance

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Blurb:

Discovering his boyfriend's affair with a co-worker wrecks Eli's holiday plans. With his parents on a cruise and his brother and sister out of town, he's on his own. His mother insists he escape to her friend's mountain cabin. Eli reluctantly agrees, but he takes off unprepared and ends up driving into the worst snowstorm the area has seen in years.

He survives the trip, but he's stuck with no logs for the woodstove and little food. Fortunately, he gets the number for Mac's Wood Delivery. Mac doesn't mind riding to the rescue, and his deep, sultry voice has Eli eagerly anticipating the delivery. Is Mac the little bit of Christmas cheer Eli has been needing?

Excerpt:

"What do mean you're not going to be with Dave's family for Christmas? Why?"

I pulled the phone away from my ear. I'd known my mother would be upset, but her reaction was even more vehement than I expected.

"Apparently one of the junior partners at his firm isn't nearly as boring as I am. They've been having an affair for months."

My mother made a sound of disgust. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry, and you are not boring."

"I know, but Dave thinks I am." And honestly, I thought he was probably right. I preferred to stay at home rather than go out. I spent most days in sweats and T-shirts. When Dave did drag me to a party with his socialite friends, I inevitably embarrassed him with my lack of knowledge of current affairs. I'd taken to hiding out in the bathroom writing notes for my next book on my phone. He'd even attempted to coach me in the art of party conversation. I'd used his lessons in a book but ignored them as they applied to me. The book had done well; readers found his suggestions hilarious.

When Dave told me I was not only an uninteresting social companion but boring in bed as well, I'd taken that seriously. I might prefer a quiet lifestyle, but I knew how to please a partner sexually. After pondering what I could do to shock him, I'd gotten my nipples pierced, something I'd secretly wanted to do for years.

He laughed.

I should have broken up with him that night. We'd only had sex a few times after that, and each time, Dave raced to completion, showered off the scent of me, and promptly fell asleep.

I heard my mother's heels click against the floor, the sound reminding me to concentrate on the conversation. She must be pacing, something she always did when strategizing. "I'm so sorry, honey. Do you want us to cancel our cruise?"

That was the last thing I wanted. "Of course not. You've been looking forward to it for months. I'm fine. Really."

"Are you sure?"

I held the phone between my shoulder and ear as I poured myself a generous measure of whiskey. "Yeah, things hadn't been great between me and Dave for a long time."

She huffed. "That doesn't give him any excuse to—"

I held up my hand even though she couldn't see me. "No it doesn't. He acted like an ass, and I think he knows it. He moved out of his beloved apartment and told me I could keep it." Not that I could afford it for long unless my next book was a runaway hit.

Mom sighed. "I don't want you spending Christmas alone."

After draining my drink, I'd wandered into my bedroom and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes were red from lack of sleep, and they looked more hazel than their usual bright green. My curly dark hair stood out at odd angles. The stress of trying to meet the deadline for my book and trying to hold on to a relationship that had died long before I caught Dave fucking his colleague in his office hadn't been good for my appetite. I'd lost weight, and the bones in my face showed prominently. I was definitely not looking my best, but

I wanted a few more days to wallow in self-pity.

"I really don't want to be around anyone right now."

My mom sighed. "But it's Christmas."

I ran my hand through my hair, making it stick out even more. "I'm not in the mood for holiday cheer."

"Your dad and I can go on a cruise another year."

"No, arranging this once was difficult enough. Rick and Cindy will want to spend next year with you since they're with Cindy's family this year. And Ally's trip to California is a special one-time deal. This is our gift to you, and I won't be responsible for screwing it up."

"You wouldn't be responsible, Dave would be."

"I wasn't exactly looking forward to listening to his family brag about how wonderful they all are. I'll have a better time alone." My mom's pacing stopped, and I realized I'd said the wrong thing.

"Eli, why didn't you tell us you didn't want to go home with Dave? We would never have agreed to the cruise if we thought you'd be miserable at Christmas."

I tried to backpedal. "It would have been fine. I enjoy visiting Boston, even if the company leaves something to be desired."

"Hmm." My mom didn't sound convinced. "Maybe we could get you a ticket for the cruise. It might not be full."

The cruise was supposed to give my parents some uninterrupted time together. And the last thing I wanted was be trapped on a ship with lots of happy, smiling people encouraging me to socialize while my mom fussed over me. "No, thanks. I really, truly would rather be on my own."

"But what will you do?"

"Stay home and drown my sorrows in Christmas cookies and eggnog."

Jess Buffett ~ Nick's Christmas Wish

Release Date: December 3rd
Available: JK Publishing

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BLURB:

Jaxon Flores has finally returned home to Shore Point pack.  He's father is going to train him to take his rightful place as the next Pack Alpha.  He arrives home the day before Christmas Eve—unsure and unprepared for what lies ahead for him.

Nick Ashby co-owns and runs a small café.  He carries secrets that only the ones closest to him are privy to.  Life dealt him a bad hand as he grew up with an unforgiving father—one who happens to be the town Reverend. 

When Nick's past and future walk into the café, will he finally get his Christmas Wish?

EXCERPT:

The girl behind the counter broke through his trance, calling over and distracting the waiter.  “Damn,” he muttered in disappointment.

His mood lightened, however, when he realized the girl had called the other man over so he could deliver Jaxon’s drink.  Suddenly he wanted to kiss her.

He tracked the young man’s steps, each one bringing him closer and closer, the alluring smell growing stronger.  His cock perked up, hardening in his jeans, the metal teeth of his zipper pressing so hard he swore he would have indents soon.

“Here you go, sir.  Is there anything else I can get you?”

Honey brown eyes stared at Jax through thick, black lashes and mesmerized him.

“As a matter of fact, there is,” his voice had dropped, low and husky as he breathed in more of his mate’s scent.

“S-sorry?” The young man’s eyes widened as Jax stood, moving closer.

“No need to be sorry.  You’re my mate, but you already knew that didn’t you?” he whispered into the young Panther’s ear.  Jax felt his body tremble as he pressed them closer together.  “So how about you tell me your name?”

“M-my name?”

Jax gave a lazy chuckled.  “Yes, sweetheart.  I’d like to know the name of the man I plan to spend eternity with.”

“E-eternity?”  He could feel the other man relax against him slightly, hear his brain turning over and spinning in confusion.  He also knew the moment the younger man’s brain caught up with what was going on.  “No!”

Jax stumbled back, shocked at the almost violent outcry.  “No?”

He knew the girl behind the counter was staring, but all his focus was on his mate before him.

“Nick, is everything okay?” she asked.

Nick’s eyes darted around wildly as if searching for something...or someone.  Shit!  Was his mate already in a relationship with someone else?  Was he looking for that person right now?

Jealousy surged through him at the thought of anyone else thinking they could lay claim to what was his.  This was his mate.

“Looking for someone?”

Nick’s eyes widened for a moment before he took a step back, shaking his head.  “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for, sweetheart,” he crooned, attempting to move closer.  When the younger man stumbled back again, Jax halted his movements.  He didn’t want to scare his mate.  “Why don’t we sit down and talk for a bit?  Get to know each other.”

He’d be willing to take things slow if that’s what Nick needed, though every part of him was aching to reach out and drag the other man to the closest secluded area.  His Panther perked up at the idea of ravishing their mate.  What would he sound like? Taste like?  Damn, he really wanted to find out.

“I can’t.  I don’t know who you are, but I can’t.”  Nick’s face had grown pale, his voice shaking as much as his body.

Jax narrowed his eyes.  “Can’t, or won’t?”

Nick bit down on his bottom lip and shook his head again.

“That isn’t an answer, cub.”

“Cub?”  Nick gasped, eyeing him over as though really seeing him for the first time.  “Jaxon?”

“You know me?” he asked, confused because he couldn’t recall ever meeting the man in front of him.

“Oh God.  This is not good.  So not good,” Nick mumbled.

Andrew Grey ~ A Lion in Tails

Release Date: December 1st
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BLURB:

Larry Kincaid isn't ready to be a parent, but when his sister dies in an accident, he takes his nephew, Angus, into his home. The change throws Larry’s life into limbo until he meets Joshua Langdon. 

To Joshua, Larry is a lion: growly and strong, but too proud to ask for help. Joshua gets past his defenses and finds a place in Larry and Angus’s family, but Larry's pride gets in the way. Can they turn their holiday romance into a relationship that lasts into the New Year?

Excerpt: 

Chapter 1

“Uncle Larry, can we get a real Christmas tree?” Angus asked pitifully from the backseat.

“Of course, but it’s too early to get one, and I have a party in a few days, so I’m hoping you’ll be willing to help me put up the big tree in the living room. When it gets closer to Christmas, we’ll put up a real tree in the family room,” Larry Kincaid promised.

“But Santa will come to the real tree, right?” Angus asked. “Does Santa know where I am? What if he comes to where me and Mommy used to live and I’m not there?” He sounded so plaintive it broke Larry’s heart.

“Santa knows where you live; I promise. But tonight when we get home, you can write him a letter, and I’ll help you mail it,” Larry said. He hoped Angus would ask more questions or talk about anything, but he simply sat in the backseat and stared out the window.

Larry’s older sister, Melanie, had died in a car accident on her way home from work four months earlier, and his five-year-old nephew Angus, according to Melanie’s will, was to be raised by Larry. Granted, they were the only family either of them had since Melanie never married and Angus’s father had never been part of his life and seemed to want nothing to do with him, but Larry still wondered what his sister had been thinking. His life was so not kid-friendly, but he had been trying and would continue to try for as long as it took. “What do you want for dinner?” Larry asked.

Angus said nothing. He did that a lot. Sometimes he asked questions, and Larry always answered them as truthfully as he could, but mostly he stayed quiet and withdrawn. So his questions about Christmas trees had caught Larry a little off guard. Angus mumbled something Larry couldn’t hear. “Nuggets,” he finally said a little louder.

Larry should have known. There were times when he thought Angus was going to turn into a chicken nugget—either that or a bowl of macaroni and cheese. “Okay. We’ll go through the drive-through and get you some. Then we can go home and you can eat.” No answer. “Will you help me put up the Christmas tree for the party?”

“Uh-huh,” Angus said. “Will there be kids at the party? Mama had a birthday party for me with all my friends. Will it be like that only for Christmas?”

“Not this party, buddy. It’s for grown-ups and the people I work with. But I promise there will be food you like, and you can watch a movie in the TV room.”

“I wanna be with you,” Angus said softly.

“Okay. You can be with me all night if you want. The women I work with are going to love you.” Larry paused for a few seconds. His Christmas party was always a big deal. He decorated the house lavishly and invited his colleagues and clients. It was an evening of glitter, glitz, and bling, with men in tuxedos and woman in evening wear and sparkling jewelry. How his party had become one of the social events of the year, Larry wasn’t quite sure, but it was. And because of that, he got a lot of extra clients who wanted him to manage their money. Larry pulled into the drive-through and placed the order for the food. Once he’d paid and received the bag, he handed it to Angus, who held it on his lap for the rest of the ride home.

When they pulled up and parked in front of the large Victorian painted lady he called home, Larry helped Angus out of his car seat and they walked inside. Angus knew he had to eat at the table, so Larry got a plate for him and poured a glass of milk. Angus climbed up into one of the chairs and began to pull out his dinner. Larry helped him, and then got himself some leftover pasta with pesto sauce out of the refrigerator and heated in the microwave. He sat with Angus, but they didn’t talk much. Angus ate silently, and when he was nearly done, he offered a nugget to Larry. He took it and chewed, smiling as Angus ate the last one.

For the past four months, since Angus had come to live with him, Larry knew he’d only been existing. He hadn’t made any plans. Usually in the winter, he booked a cruise for a week of fun in the sun away from snow, ice, and wind. But not this year. Things felt too unsettled for him, like he expected everything to change at the drop of a hat, the way it had a few months earlier when he’d gotten a phone call that his sister was dead and he needed to drive form Carlisle to Pittsburgh to get his nephew. Now he expected everything to change just as rapidly.

“Finish your milk,” Larry said gently. Angus nodded and emptied his glass. Then Larry took care of the dishes. “I’m going to go up in the attic and start bringing things down for the tree. Do you want to help?”

Angus climbed down off the chair and followed Larry up the stairs and then to the third floor. When Larry opened the attic door, Angus peered inside and then stepped back. “It’s scary,” Angus said.

“I know, so I’ll get the things, and you can help me carry them downstairs,” Larry said with a smile. He retrieved the tubs of ornaments as well as a few small boxes that he gave to Angus to bring along. The two of them carried down the decorations as well as the huge tree he kept in prelighted sections.

Once everything was in the formal living room, he moved the furniture and set up the tree. After it was plugged in and the lights adjusted, he and Angus began hanging the angels—hundreds of them. Of course, Angus hung them all low, and Larry had to do the rest of the tree, but he didn’t mind. A few times he lifted Angus up so he could put some of the ornaments higher on the tree. But after about half an hour, Angus went to sit on the sofa, curled up, and promptly fell asleep.

Dawn Flemington ~ Blah Humbug

Release date: December 1, 2013

Available: Dreamspinner Press

Genre: M/M contemporary holiday

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Christmas? Blah, humbug…

Not everyone is happy during the holidays. I happen to be one of those people.

It drives me crazy to see everyone so blasted merry around me two months out of 365 days. Why just this time of year? Why not spread the joy though out the twelve months?

Oh, I have plenty of warm, fuzzy seasonal memories during childhood, but since becoming an adult, I can only think of four years where the holidays were not marred by death, employment loss, lack of money or soured relationships. Some years, the depression is so bad that I don’t even celebrate it at all.

I guess that is why I wrote this story. I wanted someone who disliked the season, to magically find happiness. I am a Haven Marley, waiting for a reason to believe in Christmas again.

Who knows? Maybe my Sander Klaus will visit me this year.

BLURB:

Haven Marley’s having the worst December ever. Work was terrible, his car wouldn’t start… and then it gets even worse. His Christmas is awfully blue until he meets Sander Klaus. They quickly discover that when it comes to celebrating, they are total opposites: Haven hates the holidays, while Sander –a mall Santa- embraces everything about the season. Haven may be a Scrooge, but with Sander, he’ll learn more about the joys of being in the Christmas spirit than he ever imagined.

EXCERPT (PG):

Haven’s eyes fluttered open. He found himself resting on a sofa bed in a candle lit room with a delectable aroma of apples and cinnamon. Noticing he lay naked under a blanket, he jolted up. This caused his head to swim and he placed his hand over the source of pain to find his temple bandaged.

“Ho Ho Ho… you’re awake. Had me worried there for a moment.”

Haven glared in the general direction of where the voice came from. “Who are you? What am I doing here? Why is it dark in here? Where are my clothes?”

“Whoa there, buddy. One question at a time.” The candle flame floated closer. A man in a red Santa suit stood next to the sofa bed. “You’re here because you were in the street and I almost hit you. We were heading to the hospital, but the storm blocked the roads. It also has knocked out the power, hence the candles. As for your clothes, they’re soaked. I didn’t want ya to catch hypothermia, so I stripped you and shoved you under the covers.” He sat on the corner of the bed and touched the bandage. “You got a nasty gash. What where ya doing out in the middle of a blizzard without a coat?”

“My car wouldn’t start. I started walking and was mugged. Lost my cell phone and car keys as well as cash and my jacket.”

“Bastards!” The man sat the candle on an end table, adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and took off his hat. “Whatta Christmas present.”

Haven peered at the white bearded man in the candle light and pulled the blankets tighter to him. “You still haven’t told me who you are.”

The man threw his hand out to shake. “Sander Klaus at your service.”

Haven gave him a sour look. The man reeked of perkiness. “You seriously don’t expect me to believe you’re Santa Claus.”

“No, my name is Sander Klaus.” He pulled off the white wig and fake beard, revealing a head of dark, wavy hair. “A construction worker by trade, a mall Santa during the holidays to bring in extra cash while the season is slow. I was on my way home from work when I found you in the street.” He stood up, slipped his red jacket and extra padding off, and tossed the items aside. “And who may you be?”

“Haven. Haven Marley.” Aware of his naked state, he pulled the blankets closer.

APOLOGIES FIRST!!!

I would like to say sorry for falling behind on my December postings... 

I have no excuses except to say family needed me.

Been busy & then some...

Okay, so I have been busy as fuck since last Thursday. My eldest sister (Saff) is in hospital so I have been running around doing errands for her. Also with trading in my car I've had to do stuff for that (so much fricken drama). Then I went to the Chiropractors with my kiddo - mainly because I wanted to go shopping - I picked up a dress to wear when I go out to dinner with Z Allora, her hubs, & my kiddo.

This what the dress looks like (model so isn't me). Em picked it out for me to wear. It feels really nice on. I have a coffin hand bag that I will use. All that's left is to decide on what shoes to wear with it. Should I go chunky heels or delicate heels? Mind you I am more the chunky type of girl. I'll also be wearing black stocking under the dress as my legs are so white you need sunglasses to look at them. I just don't want to be held responsible for blinding some poor innocent human being.

Em and I are excited to be seeing Z and her hubs again - also we've never been to Dracula's so  it should be loads of fun. Hopefully will have the new car by then.

This is the handbag I was talking about. My sister in-law gave it to me a couple of years ago. When not in use it's an ornament in my office. It looks right at home sitting amongst all my Gargoyle ornaments/statues.

Though in between times I have been organising to have some wonderful authors on my blog during the month of December.

Also: The talented and amazing Kris J, has let me know Experimentals: Blessed With A Curse has been given a release date - you will know when I do.