'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
​
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. 

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of midday to objects below, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name: 

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen! 

To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. 

His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, 

and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. 
​
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight, 
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" 

I’m very excited about this Black Friday giveaway. You can pick up a copy of Disturbance FREE anytime from 28th November until 2nd December.

This is a fantastic giveaway. They’re giving away a Kindle Fire 7 to one lucky winner each day of the sale! Browse the sale and play the Scavenger Hunt game for your chance to take a Fire home. 

​EVERY BOOK in our sale is either discounted or free for the four days of this event ONLY. You can score some awesome reads right now in our Black Friday Book Sale. Contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, erotic romance, mystery, NA/YA, science fiction, fantasy, They have it all! 

Look for Books from Your Favorite Authors!
Anna Durand • Bethany-Kris • Chloe Flowers • Christine Myers • DB McNicol • Debbie White • Diane Benefiel • Donna Schlachter • E.B. Black • Em Petrova • Erica Monroe • Heidi Vanlandingham • Jacki Delecki • Jacqueline Diamond • Jami Klein • Jamie K. Schmidt • Jana Richards • Jenna Barwin • Jerri Corgiat • Josie Riviera • Karen Michelle Nutt • Karina Kantas • Kerry Blaisdell • Kim Hornsby • Laine Watson • Laura Ashwood • Lia Davis • Lucy Lakestone • Margaret Tanner • Marlow Kelly • Megan Ryder • Melissa McClone • Michelle Dalton • Mimi Barbour • Nina Beaumont • Penelope Wylde • Quinn • Ravyn Wilde • Renee Carr • Rhondi Ann • Rose Pearson • Soraya Naomi • Stephanie Queen • Stormy Legend • Sydney Aaliyah Michelle • Theresa Beachman • Aileen Harkwood
​

​I want to share another powerful poem that speaks to me in a very personal way. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas, is a call to battle.
It conveys the sense that we shouldn’t give up and should be prepared to fight, even if we lose everything. I don’t know if that’s what Thomas intended because it’s a poem about death, specifically the death of his father.
Someone way more intellectually minded will probably have a much more highbrow opinion. Whatever Thomas’ intent, I connect with it and that’s enough for me to put in on my list as one of my favorites.

​Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day; 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. 

Do you have any favorite poems or books that inspire you? I’d love to hear about them. If I like them then I’ll share them on this blog :)

​Are you a member of Kindle Unlimited? Shop our book fair for a massive shelf’s worth of page-turning books to download for free in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, mysteries and thrillers, fantasy and science fiction, women’s fiction, romantic suspense, and more.
Each day of the fair we’re giving away a $25 Amazon gift card or other prize!

Don't have a KU subscription? You can still shop our fair for binge-worthy books. Many books, including Sun Storm, are on sale. 
​Plus you can vote for your favorite authors and books in the fair for yet another chance to win!

As a reader I love this book fair because there are so many chances to win by doing what we love...reading books
​Good luck and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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​

Ray Bradbury said, "Poetry expands the senses and keeps them in prime condition."
I wish I could write poetry to find the perfect turn of phrase, which would evoke a deep and lasting emotion for my readers but unfortunately, I can't. But I can read and enjoy the work of others. With that in mind, I thought I would share a poem that speaks to me - Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. 
There is no doubt that it was written for African American women but I believe it speaks to any woman who feels beaten down by life. Ms. Angelou tells us we can overcome and rise above the hardships and pain.
I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I do.

​Hubby and I have just returned from a wonderful road trip. This time we decided to travel from our home in Edmonton, Alberta to Prince Rupert on the north coast of British Columbia. 
This was an ambitious trip for us given our time constraints. It’s 1456 km, or nearly 905 miles, one way and according to Google maps takes almost 16 hours.  
For us, the journey is always the best part of the trip and the chance to drive through the Rockies and across beautiful Northern British Columbia was too good to pass up.

The weather was gray and rainy but the mountains are always beautiful.

At a pit stop in the Rockies, I discovered that Highway 16 otherwise known as the Yellowhead Trail was named for a fur trapper known as tete jeune, which translates to yellow head. 
As a history buff, I find these details fascinating. According to George Siamandas on his Winnipeg Time Machine site:
 “The name Yellowhead came from an Iroquois Metis guide named Pierre Bostonais who worked for the Hudson Bay Company. The French voyageurs called him tete jeune which translated into yellow head because of his blonde streaked hair. Bostonais came west from Quebec to work for one of the fur trade companies at about 1800. He is first mentioned as "yellow head" in the Hudson Bay Company's 1819 records as working in the area of the Rocky Mountains.”

I also discovered that not only does Fort St. James have “World Class Chicken Racing” it also has the best advertising people.

After driving for about eight hours we stopped in Prince George. The city’s origins can be traced to a fur trading post founded in 1807 by Simon Fraser on traditional Lheidli T'enneh territory.
Sometime in the future, we will go back and explore the city known as the capital of Northern British Columbia.
For more information, you can visit the Get To Know Prince George site

Prince Rupert B.C. is probably one of the most remote cities I have ever visited. Despite its isolation, it is a bustling port city. According to the Port Authority, Prince Rupert has the deepest natural harbor in North America. It was fun to watch the cruise ships and smaller vessels from our hotel room window and realize that there are communities along the northern coast that are connected to the outside world by boat. They have no road or rail access and need to sail to Prince Rupert to buy groceries.
As well as exploring the harbor we also visited the Museum of Northern BC. This was a beautiful museum. I loved discovering the archeological evidence and learning about the First Nation peoples who have inhabited the region for millennia.

I can’t wait to go back to British Columbia for another visit.
 Do you have a favorite road trip? I'd love to hear about it :)
 

Pick up your FREE copy of Disturbance
Offer valid from
10th June – 14th June
only on
​Amazon.com 

​Held captive by violent bank robbers, they must put the betrayals of the past aside and learn to trust each other again.
 
Sophie Reed is the top criminal defense attorney in Granite City. She champions the wrongly accused and ensures the justice system works for everyone. 
 
Detective Mateo Ramirez can’t believe he used to love Sophie. Everything she does is a betrayal of his work as a cop, but when she’s near his body reminds him of just how close they used to be.
 
When they are held hostage in a bank robberythey realize their attraction for each other has never diminished, but can they overcome their conflicting viewpoints and work together. 

Check out the June FREE for All & Giveaway 06/10 - 06/14 
Romance Authors are offering a whole lot of books... Most of them are FREE for a limited time.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card just for subscribing to our newsletters or following us on social media.
Here's the link to the June FREE for All & Giveaway: http://lovekissedbookbargains.com/2019/06/08/june-free-for-all-giveaway-2/
​

Held captive by violent bank robbers, they must put the betrayals of the past aside and learn to trust each other again.
Sophie Reed is the top criminal defense attorney in Granite City. She champions the wrongly accused and ensures the justice system works for everyone. 
Detective Mateo Ramirez can’t believe he used to love Sophie. Everything she does is a betrayal of his work as a cop, but when she’s near his body reminds him of just how close they used to be.
When they are held hostage in a bank robberythey realize their attraction for each other has never diminished, but can they overcome their conflicting viewpoints and work together. 

Excerpt:

Heat coursed through Mateo’s veins as it always did whenever she was around. Her large, luminous green eyes, her upturned nose, and her smooth skin always disturbed him, throwing him off balance. He reined in his physical reaction. She was one of the most gifted lawyers he had ever encountered and could have had a career with any prosecuting attorney’s office.  But no, she had to practice as a defense attorney. It wasn’t logical, but it felt like she had betrayed him. It was as though she had gone out of her way to hurt him.
“You should’ve told Needham he’d mixed up the cases.”
She stared at him as though he’d lost his mind. “That’s crazy. It’s not my job to do his thinking for him.” She rocked back in her chair.
He either had to release his hold on the armrests or end up in her lap. He chose to stand. 
She placed her feet on her desk. The action made her skirt slip up her thighs, revealing the top of her stockings. 
He imagined running his hand over her pale, silky flesh. Back in the day, she’d had the sexiest underwear collection, and from the look of things, that hadn’t changed. Blood surged to his penis. He thumped the desk, burying his unwelcome attraction. “Bullshit. You have a responsibility—” 
“No. I have a responsibility to my client.” Her smug look told him she felt no remorse for letting a dangerous kid back onto the streets.
“You should at least have—”
“If you cared that much about the case, you should have gone to court yourself.” She crossed her ankles. Was it an intentional attempt to distract him? Maybe make him remember what it felt like to have her long, luscious legs wrapped around his waist. 
She gave him a knowing smile. She was playing with him. She knew he had a physical weakness for her and was using it to confuse him.
He shook his head, denying not only her charge, but also his own emotional turmoil. “It wasn’t my—”
“Bull.” She sat up straighter in her chair. Her skirt hitched farther up her legs. “You were off duty when you came upon the scene.” 
“We stopped to help a fellow officer.” He glanced at her breasts. Her nipples pressed against a plain white blouse that wasn’t sexy or revealing in any way, yet was somehow more enticing than her lace stockings. He licked his dry lips. He had to keep his mind on the case. “There’s nothing wrong with that?”
“Right, but why is your partner testifying in a case that clearly belongs to the patrolling officer?” 
He bent over her, closing the short distance between them so they were inches apart. “The kid was drunk.”
She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze, not backing down. “He’d just lost his mother. Where’s your compassion?”
His nose was almost touching hers. “Where’s your compassion for the woman whose house he wrecked when he swerved off the road and drove into it?”
“She has house insurance and she can sue. No one was hurt.” 
“What about next time?” He was very aware of her scent, honey mixed with apples. God, he wanted to taste her.
“There won’t be a next time.” She snapped out the words like a volley from a rifle.
“You have an answer for everything. If I had any sense, I would shut you up,” he replied in the same tone. Her body, her mouth, even his own anger, were getting to him. He should back away, but he couldn’t.
“I dare you,” she whispered, her lips almost touching his.

Are you a member of Kindle Unlimited? Looking for some a-ma-zing new reads? Visit our book fair for a massive shelf’s worth of page-turning books to download for free in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, thrillers, fantasy, science fiction, women’s fiction, romantic suspense, erotic romance, and more. 
Plus, each day of the fair we’re giving away a $20 Amazon gift card!
Don't have a KU subscription? You can still shop our fair for binge-worthy books, plus search the fair for Amazon instant book giveaways hosted daily!
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The first is Harlies Books
Wow.  Just wow.  This book has it all.  Thrills, lots of suspense, romance, very fast paced, a plot line that makes perfect sense, and more twists than a mountain trail.  Seriously, this book is everything I’ve been craving in a romantic suspense book for a while now.  This book moves very quickly.  Don’t even try to catch your breath and be prepared to start it and have the need to finish it in one sitting.
David and Marie are some of the more mismatched people that an author can come up with as a hero and heroine.  Sure, we’ve all read the alpha Special Forces hero to the rescue of the naive, sheltered scientist but Ms. Kelly gives them qualities that they didn’t even think they had themselves.  Marie does not come off as helpless, just confused.  David is the biggest marshmallow and he knows it.  He just doesn’t like to admit it to many people.  Also, their backstories are powerful and lend themselves to the overall arc of the book and to the relationship.
I wish I could go into the plot with a lot of detail but that would spoil it.  Let’s just say that Ms. Kelly sets up the whole story up from the beginning with most of the major players in place.  You know the major plot points but Ms. Kelly has a way of throwing you off guard and decides she needs to add a person or two to really shake it up.  I’m looking forward to her other stories in this series to further explore that.  And yes, I can’t talk about it because, well, you just have to read the book and trust me, you will be gobsmacked.  In fact, in some ways, it’s still processing in my head.
I can not tell you how much this book meant to me.  It surprised me, left my neck hurting not to mention my fingers wrapped around my Kindle and can’t wait to dive into the next one in the series.  Ms. Kelly is just brilliant in her storytelling, characterization and taking the romantic suspense/thriller genre to a whole new level.  I can’t believe that I’m just finding out about her and the books that she has written.
Don’t do what I did and find out about her too late.  You will definitely be sorry and kick yourself for it.

The second is from The Reading Addict
Sun Storm by Marlow Kelly follows inventor and scientist, Dr. Marie Wilson, as she struggles to finally have her work validated, only to discover that her portable solar panel may be worth killing for. Forced to escape with a man whose loyalties are questionable, Marie must quickly determine who to trust with her very life, with a fatal outcome if she’s mistaken.

This romantic suspense story is the first book in ‘The Gathering Storm’ series and provides an exciting tension-filled read. There are delightful twists and I liked the way clues are gradually revealed, plus the hero is a war-wounded ex-military man who backs into the role of rescuer but is definitely up for the challenge. I was less impressed with the naivete of the brilliant scientist who can come up with such wonderful ideas yet has no idea about certain major issues in both her personal and professional lives. Many of the secondary characters are almost caricatures but I would definitely be interested in learning more about a certain couple of FBI agents. For me, the mysterious arch-villains seem a little over the top, and although I liked that one of the bad guys got his comeuppance, the scene strayed into territory that felt better suited to a 007 story. Despite these minor irritants, I enjoyed the story and the sometimes madcap interactions between the main characters and I recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting adventure.
​