TheLibrarian Interviews…Karen Erickson and Giveaway

Earlier today I reviewed the yummiest Christmas novella:

To add to the Christmas-goodies I’ve asked Karen to answer a few Christmas-themed questions. The three wise men brought 3 gifts in the Christmas story…So today I’m asking Karen Erickson for 3 gifts of my own, in the form of answers to my holiday-themed questions…

1. Your characters in Her Christmas Pleasure blended a bit of Naughty and a bit of Nice…and, frankly, the size of the novella itself was Naughty (I wanted more!) and Nice (perfect size for a quick yummy read) Considering this, where do you land on Santa’s list for writing this title? Naughty or Nice?

Well, considering I’ve written MUCH hotter titles than Her Christmas Pleasure, I’d say I’m more on the Nice side on Santa’s list, LOL. My historicals, while sexy, aren’t as hot as my earlier contemporary titles (specifically from my Playing With Fire series). So hopefully I made the Nice list – though being on the Naughty list isn’t so bad….*grins*

2. We spend much of this novella attending Regency England Christmas celebrations…The mistletoe, the yule log, lots of mulled beverages and holly abound. Is there a reason why you were drawn to write a story set at Christmas time? and What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Pictures please, if appropriate. 

I love a good Christmas story. I’ve written a few in the past (contemporaries) and I can’t explain why, but when the idea came to me for Her Christmas Pleasure, it had to be set during Christmas. It might’ve helped that I started the novella right around Christmas last year and finished it in January.

There are still many Christmas traditions carried on today that were happening (and even established) during the Regency period – including mistletoe. I knew Damien and Celia had to kiss under the mistletoe – that’s how they came to me in the first place!

3. It’s easy to say that Damien and Celia receive the gift of Love this Christmas. What is the best gift you’ve found beneath the tree?

Years ago my husband went out with his friend and they bought last-minute gifts for the wives. I had no idea what he was up to but when I opened my gift Christmas morning, the first thing I thought was, “Why this?” It was an iPod. I believe this was in 2003 – we still had dial-up internet and let me tell you, downloading a song from iTunes was an impossibly long and trying process!

So it sat for a couple of months. We finally got rid of the dial-up, I started writing once more (it was something I’d always started and stopped since I was in my very early 20s) and I pulled out the iPod, making myself a playlist. It helped with the writing so much – one of the best gifts I’ve ever received (though that iPod died a few years ago, LOL)!

If we count gifts from when I was little, the Barbie Dream Townhouse. It had an elevator – it was AWESOME.

4. Bonus! (I’m much greedier than baby Jesus, lol) What can we expect from the next Merry Widow…Give us 3 hints…

Oooh, well I can tell you the title for the third Merry Widows novella is A Scandalous Affair. I cannot tell you the release date because I don’t know it, LOL. Here are a few hints though:

• The hero has an embarrassing impediment which makes him a bit shy (and gives him a bad reputation amongst society, those wretched, judgmental beasts!)
• The heroine is rather determined in her pursuit of the hero
• I love the heroine’s brother so much I think he deserves his own story
• There is a minor guest appearance by one of the other Merry Widows and her new husband.

And that’s all I’m telling you. *inserts evil laugh here*

Contest: I’ll give away a Kindle or Nook ebook gift of Her Christmas Pleasure to one lucky commenter!

This giveaway is now closed…Click Here to see the winner

Thanks Karen! How sweet is she spreading the Christmas Spirit via a giveaway…And very tempting with her teasers for Merry Widows #3. Can’t wait to pick it up!

Bio

Karen Erickson has always loved the written word. From being one of the best readers in her kindergarten class to penning romantic stories that never ended about her favorite band members (Duran Duran) in high school, she always wanted to write. It just took her a while to seriously pursue it.

With the birth of her third child came a realization – it’s one thing to talk about writing a book, another thing entirely to actually do it. First published in 2006, she’s gone on to write over 30 erotic and sensual romance titles for e-publishers including Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave and Carina Press.

On a personal note she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. Oh and the dog, the cats, the rooster and the chickens…

Where you can find Karen on the Web:

• Website: http://karenerickson.com
• Blog: http://karenerickson.blogspot.com
• Group Blog (The Smutketeers): http://smutketeers.com
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/karenericksonwritesromance
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/karenerickson

Thanks so much for having me, Sara! Happy Holidays everyone!

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Her Christmas Pleasure (The Merry Widows #2) by Karen Erickson

BookTalk

Mistletoe is a dangerous thing. That small ball of leaves can spring up out of nowhere and change the course of lives.

Lady Danvers and Damien Morton have been friends forever. Damien was the best friend of Lady Danver’s, Celia’s, husband. Since his death Damien has become an integral part of Celia’s life. He’s been a shoulder to cry on, a friend, and a father figure for Celia’s young son. Until now, Celia has managed to ignore the fact that Damien is head-over-heals in love with her. Sure, she’s noticed the long lingering stares, the warm touches, and the love blooming between her son and her friend. But, attraction is easy to ignore in the society of the Ton especially between a Lady and an untitled man.

Until that sneaky ball of greenery. This kiss underneath the mistletoe may very well bring two people together in the magic of the season.

Review

If you’re looking for the perfect way to pass an hour with a glass of wine this Holiday Season look no further. Her Christmas Pleasure is like a Christmas cookie, a little bon-bon, a piece of fudge. It’s short, sweet, and yummy…

I didn’t realize when I requested this book that it was a novella. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the length when I opened the ebook…

Short doesn’t usually mean good in the Romance genre…

It usually means underdeveloped characters I don’t connect to…

It means I feel gypped by a lack of fleshed out relationships and bedroom scenes that seem rushed and [pardon the pun] unfulfilling.

I could not have been more wrong in my prejudice of this book. I’ve waited a bit to write this review trying to figure out exactly how Erickson gave so much body to such a short book. Right from the start I felt involved in Damien and Celia’s lives. Probably because Erickson throws you right into the middle of things. The middle of a Christmas celebration, the middle of their relationship, and in the middle of Damien’s decision to stay by Celia’s side and fight for her affections…or run away to a new job and a new country. These characters have a history and you feel that connection and the tension right from the start.

By the time Damien and Celia make it to their first bedroom scene you’ll be thinking “What took you two so long?!” even though you’ll only be, like, 30 or so pages in! Erickson is just that good at setting her scenes and forming her characters. I was amazed to find that the novella was over. I think I kept clicking after the final page just hoping for a magical continuation of their story (hey, I’m sure some of Santa’s elves specialize in Romance novels…they’re the naughty ones 😉 Sorry couldn’t resist!)

Anyway, know that I wasn’t sad this book ended so quickly because the story wasn’t complete. Nope. Damien and Celia’s story comes to a satisfying conclusion [again, me and the puns today!]. I just wanted more because I loved the characters so much. I wanted to follow them into their happily ever after. I wanted more from their newly formed family.

Honestly, treat yourself to this little Christmas nugget. You’ll thank me for the hour you spent in the company of Her Christmas Pleasure…It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the season.

Rating: 5/5 Still in awe of so much love in such a short package

*Book received from Carina Press via NetGalley for review…Thanks!*

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A Winter Scandal (Legend of St. Dwynwen #1) by Candace Camp

BookTalk

Thea is officially a spinster. After a few seasons attempting to garner attention with youth and ribbons and no dowery to speak of Thea left the ballrooms of the country and settled into life as a Vicar’s sister. She spends her days writing her brother’s sermons and keeping her nose in a book. Many a fine hour is spent in quiet study of the latest tomes.

Gabriel is officially a rake. He’s spent his adulthood flitting from ballroom to ballroom managing to capture the heart of many a youthful debutante and the bedroom of many a widowed Lady. But with the purchase of a country estate Gabriel is ready for a bit of quiet amongst friends for the holiday season.

That is until Thea finds a baby in a manger…

A baby wearing Gabriel’s crest…

Convinced the child is Gabriel’s by-blow Thea storms in to confront the rake. But the child’s story won’t be dealt with so easily. As the mystery of the baby gets deeper and deeper. These two opposites will find that what they may really want this holiday season is love…

Review

“I know you’re not the sort to lose your head even over a man who looks like sin walking, which his lordship does”…”It’s your heart I’m worried about” (152)

This is such a Cinderella story. A woman transformed by finding love. When we meet Thea she’s a confirmed spinster. Completely entrenched in the boring life of a Vicar’s sister. It only takes one meeting from Gabriel to begin to crack away at that stodgy facade. Out come rosy cheeks, curls, and a desire to dress pretty again. It was fun to watch Gabriel’s kisses turn Thea from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

What I wasn’t as in love with in this book was the mystery plot line. I thought the mystery took a really long time to come to a head. For about 90% of the novel we have 0 clues. ZERO. I was slightly frustrated by this point. The love story progressed on a nice story-arc and those bedroom scenes were absolutly wonderful! But that pesky mystery [who the baby’s mother was and how he ended up abandoned in the church] kept popping up!

Granted trying to solve the mystery and taking care of baby Mathew was the entire reason Thea and Gabriel were forced to be together. I mean, Gabriel completely ignored Thea after a first kiss and a re-meet at a country ball. If fate hadn’t thrown a mysterious baby their way there would have been no hope for this couple falling in love.

So it’s a good thing baby Mathew was left in that manger. Because once Gabriel gives Thea a chance he discovers a smart, practical woman who is just dying to let her hair go wild and embrace her wanton ways. They have the best kissing scenes in this book! Right from the start they have sparks.

I think of all the Christmas-themed romances I’ve been devouring lately this has been the least “Christmas-y”. True, they find a baby in a manger and Thea is the Vicar’s sister…but other than these satellite references there is no real attachment to the holiday. This is not a book filled with yule-tide greetings and traditions. But it was a lovely winter Romance. Feel free to do this one before or after the holiday season. It’s a nice way to warm up a winter weekend.

3/5: Solid winter read

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TheLibrarian Interviews…Carla Kelly

Earlier today I reviewed a very special Christmas Romance:

And now I present even more Christmas-themed goodies. The three wise men brought 3 gifts in the Christmas story…So today I’m asking Carla Kelly for 3 gifts of my own, in the form of answers to my holiday-themed questions…

1. Marian gets herself into quite a few hijinks in this novel. Including shoving a morphine induced Lord Ingraham on to a mail coach…While I’m assuming you don’t have a whole lot of personal experiences with plots like this, What’s the wildest Christmas Story you have to tell? Personally?

Art does not imitate life, in this case. No wild Christmases in my life; just the usual kind. All I ever do when writing a book is write the story I want to read. I suppose I was in the mood for a Christmas tale with a bit of adventure to it.

2. The Regency world you create is so rich; full of tradition. Where did you find the inspiration for the family traditions in this story? Was it research? Or did some spring from your own family history?

It was research,  mostly looking in histories of British Christmases. They didn’t really start to turn into what we know today until Prince Albert married Queen Victoria and brought along his German traditions, and that was after the Regency era.

3. A peek at your website tells me that there are more regency era books in the works. Give us a few teasers about these new titles…Will they be naughty or nice?

A bit of both. The books I write for Harlequin Historicals are, I suppose, what you refer to as naughty, although not particularly naughty by Harlequin standards. Others coming out on ebook via Cedar Fort and Signet are those earlier Regencies I wrote for Signet. When I left Signet to write for Harlequin, I asked for and was granted a reversion of rights on my traditional Regencies – trads, as they are known in the business. Apparently Signet is relaunching that old trad Regency line in January with those older Regencies – mine, and other Regency writers who used to write for Signet. The old trad line was not graphic, relying instead on witty writing.

Bio:

Bio:

Carla Kelly is a veteran of romance fiction. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine, Inc., Signet and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards from Western Writers of America, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times.

A scholar of the Indian Wars, Carla also writes what she calls “footnote projects.” These include a short history of Fort Buford, where Sitting Bull surrendered; and various monographs ranging from army hygiene, to the fur trade, to 1930s Indian education. She edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist, Rudolph F. Kurz for Oklahoma University Press.

In addition to mainstream fiction, Carla also writes fiction for an LDS (Mormon) audience. She lives in Wellington, Utah, in Carbon County, which is famous for coal mining. To find out what she’s up to, her blog is carlakellyauthor.blogspot.com. She blogs occasionally, unless she’s busy writing.

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Marian’s Christmas Wish by Carla Kelly

BookTalk

Marian is looking forward to having the perfect Christmas. It’s been a year since her father’s death and it’s about a month until the family is too destitute to maintain their current home. Marian figures it’s best to make the most of the present and squeeze every bit of Christmas Spirit out of the season.

That is until her brother comes home with two lords. One, a whale of a man to marry Marian’s sister (and save the family home) another,  handsome and young Lord Ingraham who seems to be hiding from his true desires.

Then Marian’s other brother will return home disgraced from University. Hijinks will abound as witty Marian attempts to save the family spirit…and force everyone to fulfill their Christmas wish…If only she knew that someone’s wish was for her heart…

Review

This is the sweetest Christmas Romance. It falls into a category of Romance classification called Traditional. An adult Romance read without any overt sex. it reads just like a trashy romance…without the trashy bits. I think the best way to show my love for this book is to breakdown all the bits that worked for me.

The Clean Romance. It’s not exactly a secret that I like my romances trashy. I love the buildup to a bedroom scene…extra points if it happens somewhere other than a bedroom, the garden perhaps? the stables? It’s all lovely in my book. Which is why I had a bit of trepidation in learning that this book was Traditional…and squeaky clean.

Uh oh, I was a bit nervous to leave the tried and true path of the trashy romance…

I should have worried not. This book was wonderful. The romance between Marian and Gil built quickly. There were plenty of sweet moments, and a few slightly sensual. It’s obvious Gil is a man who knows what he’s doing even if Marian is pure as snow. Watching him fall for such a naive girl was thrilling. As a reader you know what must be going through his head, you know exactly when Marian catches his eye and exactly when he falls in love…even if Marian is a little slower on the uptake.

Marian’s age. I’ve mentioned that Marian is a bit naive. She’s also a bit immature at the start of this book. I’ll even admit there were times when I was wincing at her reactions. You see, Gil, the very hunky spy, is about 13 years her senior. I’ll give you a moment to ‘ick’ before we put this all in the perspective of Regency England where poor Marian could have potentially married someone old enough to be her father…or grandfather.

So beyond the massive [by modern standards] age gap Marian’s youth served the story well. It forced the relationship to move a little slower. And it was fun watching Marian mature under Gil’s instruction and stolen kisses. You can see the potential in Marian from the beginning…But the woman you find at the end of the story is worthy of any full-blooded Regency Romance.

Marian’s Brain. Oh, my, does her intelligence get her in trouble! The last place an intelligent woman was desired was a Regency dining table. True, we’re reading a story about a man who falls for this witty woman, it’s what we love as a reader. But Kelly bars no punches when Marian speaks out of turn.

Most of the time Marian is right.

All of the time it amuses Gil and endears her to his love.

And Marian is still struck down every time. It’s fun to watch her speak her mind, score little points with the reader and with Gil. But Kelly never lets these slips of the tongue endear her to anyother character. And rightfully so. If we’re introducing the correct age gap between marriageable couples…we’re going to keep the society rules too. I love an author who sticks to her guns and who gives me a smart character to boot.

Gil aka Lord Ingraham. He’s hunky, he’s mysterious, he’s sweet, he’s amusing, and he’s a spy. I. Love. This. Man. How he plays puppet master behind the scenes for so much of the book. It was so much fun to watch his plans come to fruition. Then, when Marion goes and saves him herself…*sigh*…so wonderful to see the two of them support each other. Because, as much as Marian obviously needs a bit of help growing into a woman…Gil needs as much help rectifying the choices he’s made as an adult. Together their romance is oh, so, sweet.

Christmas. Is there anything better than a Regency England Christmas? I don’t think so. It’s the golden age of Christmas. Full of traditions like Mistletoe, the Yule Log, Christmas Pudding wishes, and Midnight Mass in the family church. Of all my Christmas reads this year I found this one to be the most festive. I felt such a part of the celebration. I could just feel the Christmas spirit pouring off the page. It made me want to read this one with a fresh snow-fall and a hot chocolate…and my mother’s Christmas tree…It’s ever so much more traditional than my own.

This tale really is a wonderful Christmas read. If you’re hankering for a new book this holiday season that will make you smile, laugh, and even bring a tear or two to your eyes. It’s the perfect soft romance for a snowy day.

Rating: 5/5 A Christmas romance to get you in the Christmas Spirit!

*Book received from Cedar Fort Books via NetGalley…Thanks!*

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25 Days of Jubilation…Or, TheLibrarian’s Tale of Christmas Woe and a Giveaway

This Giveaway is Now Closed…Click Here for winners

Welcome to Day 9 of the 25 Days of Jubilation! From now through Christmas, different blogs will feature special posts and giveaway for the holidays. 25 Days of Jubilation is hosted by Cyndi at Dog-Eared and Bookmarked, Jacinda at The Reading Housewives, and Yani at The Secret Life of an Avid Reader

Click Here for a full list of Blogging Participants!

Christmas is by far my favorite time of year. I have so many traditions.

The Bookish:

• A re-read of A Christmas Carol…every year! Even the few that my mom fell asleep to my rendition of Dickens (I must have a soothing voice 😉 )
• A multitude of Christmas-themed Romances. I binge on the Christmas Love along with the Christmas Cookies!

The Family:

• Cinnamon rolls and a slow opening of gifts with my parents and hubby
• The yearly “themed” gift exchange with my family
• Two Christmas Eve masses followed by an annual get-together to see friends.

Now that I’m in my own home, I’ve begun to start my own traditions. Mr. Librarian and I have hosted the Thanksgiving feast the last two years…to rave reviews (though they all might just like my proximity to the beach!)

And, as a new tradition, the day after Thanksgiving I force my entire family to decorate my house from Christmas lights

Even the boys

Doesn’t it look pretty 😉

We trim the tree too.

I do provide leftovers to my overworked relatives.

I’m nice like that.

Look at my tree…So beautiful

I’ve collected ornaments over the last few years with my husband. Always taking care to purchase those that are unbreakable in deference to my rambunctious animals and future children.

You might be wondering where the Tale of Woe begins…

Right…About…Here…

Now, perhaps some of you remember the newest addition to our family from this post.

Her name is Daisy

Her game is currently…Eating my ornaments!

My poor tree is naked and unlit from the waist down.

Hint: Santa should put a few Christmas ornaments in my stocking…NOT under the tree. Nope. Daisy will get to them there. Like a magpie she’s completely attracted to anything that sparkles…She’s also compelled to eat it.

You may be wondering why I chose to post a Christmas tale of woe…

You see, the first time Daisy attacked the tree…

Yes, it happened three times. Don’t judge me, I thought the first time it was a fluke, the second time I thought she got everything she could reach, the third time I realized she’s taller than I believed…

Anyway, the first time Daisy ate my Christmas finery I was upset…I lost a large snowflake and a brand new tin Santa. The second time Daisy left a pile of debris I was furious. FURIOUS. The third time I came home to the broken chunks of ornaments, I laughed. I cleaned it up and cleared any remaining baubles from the bottom half of my Tannenbaum.

I decided that it was a lesson learned on my part…and a holiday experience I’ll never forget…

The Year The Puppy Ate The Tree.

How many seasons pass with perfect Christmases? So many wonderful memories that begin to blend together. One giant mass of Christmas Contentment. But you know, it’s the years that were made special either with that perfect gift…or that hilarious mistake…That live in our family tales forever.

It’ll sit on my memory shelf with the year my pies weren’t fully cooked (tragedy!) and the year I received my first American Girl doll (euphoria! I wanted Kirsten sooo bad!)

The holiday season should be a time where we can step back and simply enjoy being surrounded by those we love…no matter how hard they’re trying to tear down our Christmas trees, lol. Pour a glass of wine, turn on the Grinch, and snuggle up with those you love. Not even a month from now you’ll be taking all that decor down anyway…Daisy just gave me a head start 😉

The Giveaway:

YA Stole My Christmas

Features:

• Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares (Set over the Christmas holiday)
• A “The Grinch Stole Christmas” ornament made by GreenCycle Designs

• P.S. GreenCycle Designs is giving a 15% discount to all Jubilation Readers…just type in LibrarianReads at checkout!

• A Grinch mug (Featuring Max!)

Reason for this Present:

This blog represents a lot of YA reads. So I had to support my YA lovers. Plus, one of my friends makes those amazing ornaments and the Grinch Ball was just too cute!

Regency Christmas Affair

Features:

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (I re-read it every year!)
• A Winter Scandal by Candace Camp
• Mulling Spices (To be used with cider or wine!)

Reason for the Present:

I love Regency Christmas. It’s all so warm and fuzzy and traditional. And they have the best trashy romances of the Christmas lot. Plus anything that makes wine festive is just fine in my book!

A Break from the Hustle and Bustle

Features:

• Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas
• To Santa With Love by Janet Dailey
• Highlander for the Holidays by Janet Chapman

Reason for the Present:

I spend the entire month of December simply devouring Christmas-themed romances. Devour like a freshly baked sugar cookie. These are the perfect reads to relax and unwind after fighting your way through the mall parking lot…’Cause you know trying to find a spot can turn into an all out war! lol.

To Enter just fill out: The Giveaway Form

And feel free to comment with your own Christmas Triumphs or Tragedies…They’re bound to bring a smile to your face either way 😉

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