Mug Shot: Surf Santa Mug

Is this not the cutest mug ever? I got it in Galveston (obvs) a few weeks back. It reminds me of one of my Christmas dish sets ("Santa Comes Home" from Meadow Lane) even though it doesn't really look like that at all. But it's whimsical, you know? 

It's a fairly standard mug, misprinted with the comma in the wrong place (WTF?) but I couldn't resist the cuteness. 

Happy Yule! (Free Gift)

https://tinyurl.com/2025SantaPaws This title contains the following three stories: (Available for FREE—but only until the end of the year!) Christmasing With You The sweater was just the beginning… ​Mike's been a very good boy this year and Santa Claire has the perfect present picked out for him—one that's both naughty and nice! One more disaster could be the end… Mike and Claire were hoping their first Christmas together would be unforgettable. But when their sexy, adult-film-themed weekend abruptly veers into low-budget, chiller-diller territory, they’re left to worry that this Christmas will turn out to be memorable in all the worst ways. An isolated cabin, a winter storm, a hungry cougar—what could possibly go wrong? In a word: everything. This Ugly Christmas Sweater short story features the characters Mike and Claire from Let Me Count the Ways (LA Love Lessons, book 3). Spicy Nick It’s beginning to look a lot like NIX-mas! Nick Greco is getting worried. His wife has never been a big fan of the holiday season, but this year she seems more distant than ever before. In fact, the last time that he can remember seeing her this distracted was right before their wedding—when she tried to back out of marrying him. Can you get cold feet after the fact? Is Scout feeling overwhelmed by the holidays? Or underwhelmed by…gulp…him? Whatever the cause, Nick has a plan. He’s going to spice up their marriage and put the heat back in the holidays. And when he’s done, Scout won’t be saying, “Bah Humbug!” She’ll be saying, “ho, ho…OH!” (And check out If Only in My Dreams for Scout’s story!) Not Just for Christmas You've read the sisters' stories (in WE'RE DREAMING OF A WINE CHRISTMAS--which is also available as a free download!). Now read Clay's version of what REALLY happened Christmas Day!

What I'm Reading: Masters in this Hall (KJ Charles)

Not a new book, but at three years old, it's still newish. Set in England in the very late 1800s, it's technically part of Charles' Lilywhite Boys series. But, really, it could also be lumped in with her collection of "Worst. House party. EVER!" books (along with Proper English, Think of England, and All of us Murderers). 

It's giving Agatha Christie/Hercule Poirot and is another delightful read. Like the other books mentioned above, it does very well on its own. However, you miss soooo many of the inside jokes if you haven't read the other Lilywhite Boys books first. There aren't that many of them. Suck it up and read the other three first. 

https://kjcharleswriter.com/the-lilywhite-boys/

Masters in this Hall

KJ Charles

https://books2read.com/u/m2dWQd

John Garland was in love: now he’s in disgrace. He’s jobless, alone, and determined to avenge himself on the thief who ruined his life. All he wants for Christmas is to see Barnaby Littimer in gaol.

Barnaby has secured a job running the extravagant traditional Christmas at a rich man’s country house. John intends to thwart whatever he’s up to.

But amid the festivity, the halls are decked with unexpected dangers. And John will need to decide if he can trust Barnaby one more time…

A standalone m/m romance novella (30,000 words), set in the world of the Lilywhite Boys, four years after Gilded Cage.

“The perfect Christmas novella for those of us who prefer our seasonal tales to have a bit of zing and bite. It’s sharp, it’s funny, it’s devoid of religion and sentimentality, and it’s just the ticket for a cold winter’s afternoon. Enjoy!”–All About Romance

Mug Shot: Candy Cane Striped Mug

 

Nothing says Christmas like candy canes, am I right?  I mean, whenever I'm trying to get into a Christmas mood (in order to write Christmas stories in, say, August) I always reach for a candy cane. 

This mug is tall, so it's perfect for hanging a candy cane off the rim. Mint Mochas, anyone? 

Also, Mint counts as a spice. So here's a spicy Christmas playlist for your enjoyment. 

What I'm Reading: Trick of Light (Jennifer Bernard)

So Jennifer Bernard released the second book in her Sea Smoke Island series last week and of course I had to drop everything and read it.

This is Gabby and Barnaby's story. Gabby featured in the first book of the series (although obviously she plays a bigger role in this one). Barnaby is Luke's (the hero of book one) brother. 

What I especially found intriguing is that Luke is the sheriff (constable? I forget, exactly) basically The Law on Sea Smoke Island, and in this book, Barnaby is frequently running afoul of the law...or protecting others who are being framed, or suspected of crimes, etc. So, basically, it's pitting brother against brother, hero against hero...

Given how often I end up writing small-town cop-heroes, it's gratifying to read someone else's take on it. 

In some ways, this series reminds me of Josh Lanyon's Secret's and Scrabble series. 

Trick of Light

Jennifer Bernard

https://www.jenniferbernard.net/trick-of-light

Sea Smoke Island has a way of dragging the past into the light...no matter who gets burned.

Gabby Ramon barely escaped with her life the last time she set foot on Sea Smoke Island. But what self-respecting true crime podcaster could walk away from so many buried secrets, including literal pirate treasure? She’s determined to uncover the truth—even if it means clashing with the island’s most powerful—and infuriatingly handsome—man.

Barnaby Carmichael never wanted to run his family’s empire, but protecting their legacy means keeping a dangerous secret buried. When Gabby’s investigation starts hitting too close to home, he’s ready to shut her down. Until islanders begin falling mysteriously ill—and the only person who can help him clear his family’s name is the woman threatening to expose it.

As desire sparks and danger deepens, Gabby and Barnaby must decide what’s riskier—the secrets they’re uncovering or the way they’re falling for each other.

TRICK OF LIGHT is an enemies to lovers romantic suspense set on the hauntingly beautiful coast of Maine. 

Mug Shot: Christmas Camp Mug

 

Technically, this isn't my mug; it belongs to a friend of mine. And, technically, I'd only use it to drink spiced wine, eggnog or hard cider rather than anything hot--I'm sure we've discussed the heat issue with camp mugs before now. 

Still, it's very bright and cheery and just perfect for the season.  Also, it's my niece's birthday today, so Happy Birthday, Merry!

What I'm Reading: Holiday Round-up

I'm doing something different again this week. Here's my Christmas Reading Wish List. 

Jingle Spells (Emily Grimoire): A witch who hates Christmas returns to Oak Haven and teams up with a holiday-hating human to restore order in this sweet magical romance.

Emily Grimoire has no discernible website, so all I’ve got for you is an Amazon link. Mia Culpa. I have the first book in this series and am really looking forward to Christmas in Oak Haven.

The House on Hidden Lane (Jayne Ann Krentz): New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz dives into an enthralling new romantic suspense novel filled with deeply entrenched grudges, psychic dangers, and a conspiracy that threatens not only two families but also the entire paranormal community.

I haven’t read a new Krentz book in AGES! So, this is going to be a treat. Unfortunately, it looks like the release date isn’t until JANUARY? WTF?

 

Scrooged for the Holidays (Kayla Grosse): A modern "A Christmas Carol" retelling where Ice Queen Greer meets three supernatural men in a mountain town, leading to a steamy holiday romance with paranormal elements.

I LOVE this idea. And the fact that the three men are angels? Be still my heart!

 

Good Spirits (B.K. Borison): A woman finds romance with the ghost of Christmas Past while he's haunting her.

 

Okay, as mentioned above, I’m a sucker for anything based on “A Christmas Carol”. And I think I’d buy this book just for the gorgeous cover.  And speaking of which…

 

 

Lovelight Farms (B.K. Borison): A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.

 

This one is a couple of years old, but I love a good madcap, Christmas-tree-farm romance and the cover is once again GORGEOUS.

I have a few new Christmas-themed books releasing this year as well! them here:

https://www.pgforte.com/only-for-the-holidays

Winterlude
A Winter Hearts Christmas Collection

Includes This Winter's Night, Winter World of Love and Winter of Our Discontent, and a sneak peek at Lightning in a Bottle.

This Winter's Night:  Dario and Ophelia Leonides are passionately in love. The only things marring their happiness are Lia's homesickness and continued inability to conceive a child. 

Dario would do anything to make Lia smile again. He's hoping to use the miraculous technology his father-in-law has pioneered, combined with the magic inherent in his native land. But calling upon the forces of Kokopeli may have unintended consequences. 

Winter World of Love: Just one short year ago, Ophelia Leonides returned to New Texacali hoping to reconcile with her husband. And, for a while, it seemed that most, if not all, her dreams were coming true. But as the holiday season approaches, Ophelia can’t help but notice that Dario has begun to brood. He says it has nothing to do with her, but trust, once lost, is hard to regain.

Dario is frustrated by his inability to give Ophelia the life he knows she deserves. Now, as old ghosts from his past draw close, and the bright future he’s promised his wife grows increasingly dim, he’s on the brink of making a last, desperate gamble--one that might destroy everything they've been hoping to achieve.

I'll Be Home for Christmas 
An Oberon Christmas Duology

Includes two novellas, If Only in My Dreams, and Spicy Nick. One holiday weekend. Two special stories. Will they both have happy endings? Well, it’s Oberon, so anything is possible.

IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS: Scout is heading home for the holidays when her flight gets rerouted into Alternate Universe Oberon, where nothing is as she remembers it.

 

SPICY NICK: When his wife finally makes it home (after her unexpected adventure) Nick is ready to greet her with a little holiday spice!

We're Dreaming of a Wine Christmas

A Pour Decisions Christmas Story

The Martinelli sisters have a lot of reasons to celebrate this holiday season!

Mug Shot: Currier and Ives

 

We're still in Thanksgiving season, so here's a cup that I inherited from my grandmother. And, as you can see, there's a picture of someone riding in a horse drawn carriage. So, I choose to associate this with the song Over the River and Through the Woods. 

And, I mean, I'M the grandmother now, and technically, my grandson DOES have to travel over the river and through the woods to get to my house--even if the river and woods are in HIS development, rather than mine. 

So, yay! Thanksgiving!