Okay, so I didn't push myself much today. I believe I'm on the mend, but no matter how good I feel, I want to make sure I don't spiral back into something worse. So, I forced myself to walkaway after two chapters and a couple of pages. *laughs* I know, a couple of pages? As some of you might now, in conjunction with this event, I'm currently writing the sequel to Reaping Me Softly, my YA series with Omnific Publishing. I'm so excited about this second book. Lots and lots of new stuff!
Enough spill, let's get back to 24 Days of Guest Posts and Giveaways! Another winner has been announced, and I'd like to share the news with all of you.
The winner of an ebook of Three Daves is:
Ellen T.
Congratulations! Bask in the confetti rain!
Please expect an email from Nicki some time soon. Happy reading, Ellen!
Besides the sign ups for my official Taste blog tour, there are still several awesome giveaways happening for the 24 Days of Guest Posts and Giveaways.You can win a paperback copy of Small Town Girl by Linda Cunningham. Lynn Rush is offering a $10 e-gift card and a 3 ebook pack of Violet Midnight, Wasteland, and Awaited. Constance Phillips is giving away a winner's choice of a print or e copy of Fairyproof. And Katie O'Sullivan is giving a copy of her novel Unfolding the Shadows. There's something for everyone! Enter now so you can win one if not all of these offerings by our very generous authors.
Today's post is another top 5, but this time Christine Ashworth shares with us her top 5 Christmas tunes. It's the holidays after all, and what's a holiday event that involves guest posts if someone doesn't tackle the Christmas songs.
Take it away, Christine!
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There are three distinct times in my life that are defined by the Christmas music I love. The first, of course, is my childhood. My mother would put on her Christmas albums when she made Christmas cookies. I’d help her, and we’d croon along with Bing Crosby or Johnny Mathis or Barbara Streisand or Perry Como. I can still remember how some songs would just make her light up, smiling and singing and baking up a storm.
The second time was during my years with The California Ballet Company in San Diego, where I danced almost every part a young girl could dance (except I never played a soldier!).
The last is married life – when my husband brought Vince Guaraldi into my holiday routines.
It’s almost an impossible task to choose just 5 songs, so I put two albums on the list and added a couple extra songs. Take a look, and then tell me your favorite Christmas songs. Could YOU listen to just five? (I couldn’t!)
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas Album by Vince Guaraldi
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4. The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky
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3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, the Frank Sinatra version
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2. Silent Night, the Barbra Streisand version.
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1. Do You Hear What I Hear, Bing Crosby
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* Carol of the Bells is my true number one song…or maybe it’s Joy to the World, one of the most heart-stirring songs around. Or maybe it’s The Holly and the Ivy…
Which is YOUR favorite Christmas song or album?
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Great choices, Christine! I personally love The Christmas Song. No matter who sings, it's easily my most favorite because I feel like it encapsulates what the holidays is about. I always get the warm and fuzzies when I hear The Christmas Song. Thank you so much for sharing with us your top 5, Christine!
Now that we know what Christine's top Christmas tunes, what do we know about Christine?
Here are the deets:
At the tender age of seventeen, Christine fell in love with a man she met while dancing in a ballet company. She married the brilliant actor/dancer/painter/music man, and they now have two tall sons who are as scintillating as their parents, keeping the dinner conversation lively.
Christine's two dogs rule the outside, defending her vegetable garden from the squirrels, while a polydactyl rescue cat holds court inside the house. Everything else is in a state of flux, leaving her home life a cross between an improv class and a think-tank for the defense of humans against zombies.
You can find Christine here:
Website and Blog: http://christine-ashworth.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CCAshworth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ChristineAshworthAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4768755.Christine_Ashworth
After your visit with Christine, make sure to check out Demon Soul:
Rose Walters has been sent back from the dead to complete one task – save Gabriel Caine. But this muscled guy in leather, black jeans and a dangerous aura didn’t look like he needed anyone’s help.
Rose has touched the whole of Gabriel, making him yearn for a love he believes he can never have. Her willingness to put her human life on the line for him forces him to bring all three parts of himself – demon, human and Fae bloodlines, and the traps and gifts of each – into harmony, and into the fight that will decide their fate.
As a special treat, Christine has given us an excerpt:
“What hurts?” He turned to her, shocked to see three claw marks deep on her left shoulder, ripping her tee shirt and reaching to her elbow. Blood dripped from her arm down onto the grass. “Damn it. Let’s get inside, I’ll fix you up.”
“What? Oh, my shoulder.” She winced. “Yeah. But that’s not what hurts.” Rose put her right hand just above her hipbone. “There. It hurts there.”
Frowning, Gabriel knelt in front of her and gently lifted her hand away. He tugged at her damp black tee shirt, bared the pale skin of her flat belly. A spiral of runes rippled and moved there, a mesmerizing magical dance. Made of colored ink, and yet not ink…a tattoo, but no human hands had a part in its creation. Gabriel narrowed his eyes. If he looked closely, he could see flickers of flame and a familiar pair of eyes sliding through the runes, not quite daring to meet his gaze.
A shudder of recognition went through him as his fear came true.
The demon scent, the fire, the runes. Mephisto.
The last time all three had been in front of him, he’d killed Marianne, the girl he’d loved, while trying to kill the demon Mephisto. Ten long years ago.
Now here he was, full circle, back home with as much bad hanging around him as the last time. Mephisto was back, loaning Rose his powers. Satine was somewhere near, coming to kick his ass. And Rose, the sexy little redhead in front of him, not only carried Mephisto, but she also held part of his soul.
Gabriel had always suspected Los Angeles would be the death of him. He just hadn’t expected it to be quite so soon.
Wanna know more? How can you not after reading that? Well, grab your copy today by visiting Christine's Amazon author page. Click here.
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Alright, folks, it's time!
Let's kick this GIVEAWAY off!
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