Monday, December 10, 2012

Evernight Holiday Blog Hop



Welcome to the Evernight Holiday Blog Hop on the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked! We love the holidays, we love making our readers happy and we love giving away swag. What better way to do that than to hold a blog hop?

Here's how it works... the more blogs you hop to (shown below) the more chance you have of winning prizes. Each site on the hop is offering a prize and Evernight is offering an iPad 2 as the grand prize! To be in with a chance of winning the site prize simply follow the blog you're visiting and leave a comment which includes your email address. Each entry on each blog is then counted towards the grand prize draw. The more entries you have, the better your chance of winning that iPad 2! You also get extra points for liking the Evernight Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/evernightpublishing. Just make sure you let us know in the comments that you've done so.
  
In addition to the iPad 2, you have the opportunity to read an excerpt of one of my upcoming works in progress AND you have a chance to win a Siobhan Muir tote bag full of conference swag.


The title of this story is The Order of the Dragon and Drake MacGregor is a vampire who hasn't fed in a few days and has been lusting over Dr. Aliandra Cantora del Viento, a lovely Peruvian woman who has a little secret of her own. He's fallen and broken his leg. He's not healing fast because he hasn't fed.

Silence encompassed the car ride to the clinic. Drake kept his eyes focused on the holiday décor festooning the street lights and traffic lights of Three Lakes, hoping it would cool his thoughts toward the woman beside him. Her scent had changed a little with her irritation and sulfur edged out the spicy chocolate.
Good. Better for her to be angry with me than to encourage my lustful urges.
Dr. Cantora parked in front of the clinic and got out without a word. He heard her open the trunk as he scanned the dark building. Green garlands wound around the silver handrails for the front steps and the side entry ramp, little red berries gleaming in the old fashioned walkway lamps. Drake jumped when the doctor jerked open the car door and he swore the little flakes of snow vaporized into steam when they hit her rigid shoulders. The scent of sulfur intensified and he hesitated.
“Do you need help to get out, Mr. MacGregor?”
“Oh, uh, no, thank you.”
He swung his feet out, but only put weight on his good one as he used the car frame for balance to maneuver into the chair she held. He almost lost his balance when dizziness assailed him, making him sway dangerously toward the sensually exotic doctor.
“Easy,” she whispered as she caught his elbow in a steady grip. “Let’s get you into the clinic. I think you’re going into shock.”
Drake nodded and closed his eyes when he settled into the chair. He heard her slam the car door shut and felt the movement of the chair up the ramp, but he focused his attention on curbing the hunger raging against his willpower. If he wasn’t careful, he’d attack the poor doctor and have to make reparations, not to mention the memory wipe. Pain and hunger surged and he clamped his hands over the armrests of the wheelchair to keep from grabbing Dr. Cantora as she passed to unlock the doors.
“Hang in there for me, Mr. MacGregor. Just a few more steps to get inside.”
He opened his eyes to find the doctor’s beautiful face damn near nose to nose with him and her scent flooded his awareness. A punch of lust overwhelmed his good sense and he rocked forward with the intent to kiss her delectable lips before he could stop himself.
Dr. Cantora’s eyes narrowed and her mouth flattened into a hard line just before she pulled back out of reach.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough amorous embraces for one night, Mr. MacGregor?” she growled at him as she rose. “Given your state of shock, I can understand your unsteadiness, but I thought a man of your age would have better control over himself.”
Her rejection left him reeling in chagrin and relief as she threw the doors open and shoved him through. The heat of the building hit him like a wall, but he still felt cold inside. Hunger railed at him, screaming for him to leap out of this chair and tackle the doctor, consequences be damned. Drake gritted his teeth and fought his inner beast down.
The clinic was dark and warm, but still smelled like antiseptic with the underlying taint of sickness. He hated clinics, their scents and ambiance always grating on his peace of mind, but tonight his usual distaste faded before the scent and heat of the doctor, and his sense of their solitude in the empty building. They were alone, all the other medical staff home safe in the face of the oncoming weather, and he was so hungry.
Dr. Cantora wheeled him into the X-ray room and turned one light in the corner.
“It’ll take a moment to warm up. Please remove your pants so we can take an accurate X-ray to see the damage.”
Drake gaped. “You want me to take off my pants?”
He’d never be able to hide his erection then.
“Yes.”
She strode out of the room and he cursed under his breath. This day couldn’t get any worse, unless he jumped Dr. Cantora and fucked her while he fed.
His inner beast cheered at that idea.
Drake levered himself up to his one foot using the bench bed to keep him stable then balanced while he fiddled with his fly. His cock throbbed with arousal from the doctor’s lingering scent and each brush of his fingers against the aching length eroded his grip on his inner beast.
He lost his balance as his hands began to shake from lack of fuel and he swore, fumbling with his zipper as he toppled against the bench. He released his pants to catch himself and they slid off his hips to tangle his ankles. With a cry of frustrated dismay, he toppled to the side, unable to stop his fall.
Fuck, I’m so completely useless.
Expecting the impact with the floor, he closed his eyes and completely relaxed his body…And landed against something warm, soft, and sweet-scented.
“I’ve got you, Mr. MacGregor. You seem to be having a little trouble. Are you certain nothing other than your leg is broken?”
 Drake wanted to answer, but the scent of her body so near to his nose and the blood under the silken skin of her throat destroyed his coherency. He wrapped his arms around her, throwing his weight against her chest, and nestled his nose at the base of her throat. Before his mind could stop his hunger, he’d driven his canines into her neck and filled his mouth with her sumptuous blood.
Two things registered to his hunger-fogged brain. The first was the unbelievable richness of her blood, richer than any blood he’d ever tasted. It filled his mouth like the legendary elixir of life and warmed his body from the inside out.
The second thing was a terrible snarl echoing through the room just before Dr. Cantora flung him bodily over the medical bench to crash into the metal shelves filled with lead aprons.
Drake opened his eyes to stare up at the woman towering over him, her eyes blazing with iridescent green fire as she held her neck with one taloned hand.
“What in the name of all that’th holy do you think you’re doing?”

Ah well, every couple has their quirks. Thank you for joining us on this hop. Remember, you must comment for a chance to win the iPad 2 and the Siobhan Muir tote full of swag (The mug in the photo is just for scale) All you have to do is leave a comment on this post about your favorite holiday tradition with a valid email address. My prize is open internationally, but only to those 18 or older, and please void where prohibited. Don't forget to visit all the other blogs on this hop, nearly 90 chances to win! Good luck and happy hopping!

80 comments:

  1. I'm so excited about the blog hop! Good luck to everyone, and hooray for Evernight! I hope I win the iPad2 so that I can turn around and give it away to a lucky, loyal Evernight reader. Cheers!

    AD

    P.S. Of course I've already liked the Evernight FB page, and I've joined your blog!

    adonis.devereux@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you for stopping by AND for following my blog, Adonii. Good luck in winning the iPad2! :)

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  2. Excited to be joining in with this!!!


    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  3. Fabulous excerpt. Love all the stories at each site! what a great way to spend a monday morning.

    beck(dot)paloma(at)gmail(dot)com

    I've already liked the fb fan page and I've followed your blog.

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    1. Thank you so much for the follow, Paloma. And thanks for stopping by. This is a great hop with great prizes. :)

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  4. Followed and commented! :-)

    adzmodeus (at) gmail (dot) com

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  5. My favorite Holiday tradition is on Christmas Eve. Santa arrives to talk to the kids. He has been making an appearance at our family gatherings now for 25 years. This year we have a whole new generation of kids to meet Santa. It's a blast watching the kids faces when he shows up. I follow you by GFC, angadair. I also FB 'like' Evernights. Thanks for the hop! angadair(at)nwcable(dot)net

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    1. That is a great tradition, Angie. One of my favorites is leaving a special gift for the kids on their bedside tables so they find it when they wake up and know Santa has been there. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

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  6. This blog hop is great fun.
    I am following on twitter and the blog.

    heathergeoffries@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Heather. :)

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  7. Would love a chance at an iPad but it's all about the books. I'm most definitely a bookworm. I'd be in a lot of trouble if books ever got outlawed. I'd be one of those people that would have to buy on the black market.

    Happy Holidays!
    Lynn
    lareynolds0316@gmail.com

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    1. I understand the need for books. My husband says I have to read three before I can buy another one, but I LOVE having piles of books everywhere, including on my Kindle. Thanks for commenting, Lynn. :)

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  8. a favorite tradition of mine is watching White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye

    Thanks to the awesome blog hop from Evernight I'm learning about alot of new authors. My reading list is getting longer and longer.. Thanks for an awesome contest.

    Kim
    KimmiesKreations@hotmail.com

    PS.. I follow evernight on FB

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    1. I remember that movie! I loved the dresses the ladies wore. Thanks so much for stopping by, Kim. :)

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  9. My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas goodie baking with my two sisters and my mother :) Thank you for such an awesome hop! :)

    Marie
    songbird1613 at yahoo dot com

    Facebook “Liked” Evernight! (Marie Haney)
    GFC Follower: mariehahn13

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    1. When I was a kid, I used to do it with my mom, her sisters, and my grandmother. It was so great to do it together - and eat the dough. ;) Thanks for stopping by, Marie.

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  10. Followed you on GFC and *like* Evernight on FB. Thanks for the chance to win.

    My fav holiday tradition is baking cookies with the family. Everyone gets involved.

    umavery@gmail.com

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    1. I love cookie baking, especially the peanut butter cookies with chocolate kisses. Thanks for commenting, Ursula. :)

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  11. LOL I loved the excerpt! The novel sounds promising!

    elyzabethmvaley @ gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Elyzabeth. I hope to have it finished by summer next year. :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. I love just being with the family, making fudge and playing Christmas music.

    GFC-BLHmistress

    Liked Evernight's page- Dawna Newman

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    Oh I loved the excerpt anything to with vampires I will read.

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    1. Oooooh! Fudge. You can come to my house with that, Dawna. :D Glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  13. Christmas is a special togetherness with family & friends.

    Loving this great Hop and awesome giveaways. Liked your FB page, Liked Evernight FB page, Tweeted & Shared event.

    gayle2b74@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Gayle. I love being with family and this will be the first time in several years that my new family gets together with my original one. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  14. Our favorite tradition is to bake goodies for everyone and deliver them.

    gigi

    gigis0426(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. What a great way to make someone smile, Gigi. Thanks for commenting. :)

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  15. I like EN on FB. Favorite tradition is our Christmas Eve pj exchange. Bring on the swag.

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    1. PJ, as in Pajamas? That's way cool, Nancy. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

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    2. ocanana@gmail.com Yep pajamas, funny ones preferred.

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  16. Thanks for the giveaway. Evernight FB follower.

    mythic021@gmail.com

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  17. my favorite tradition is Christmas jammies! thanks for you part in the hop. I liked Evernight on FB, Carin mawmom at gmail dot com

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    1. Do they come in fleece or flannel, Carin? LOL Thanks so much for commenting. :)

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  18. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Happy Holidays!
    I am stalking you on GFC - K April Holgate
    And I liked Evernight FB - April Holgate
    grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

    My fav tradition is watching A Christmas Story everyday until Xmas with my sister!

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    1. What a great girl bonding time you have, April. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

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  19. MY favorite tradition is when the kids get a visit from Santa (papaw dressed up) they love it and so do we!
    following your blog and liked Evernight on FB.
    ajcraig77@comcast.net

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    1. Oh, I can imagine that would be wonderful. I'll have to talk my husband into doing that when he turns more gray. lol Thanks for commenting, Amy. :)

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  20. *Happy Dance*
    I found a new author in you...Yay Me!!!
    Thanks for joining the hop and I can't wait to read your books..
    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Yay me, too! I'm so glad you discovered me, Michelle! :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  21. Thanks for the opportunity!
    I like Evernight on FB as smknmom Roberta Cash Horn.
    I follow you on GFC as Roberta.
    robertachorn (at) yahoo.com

    There are so many traditions we have that I love. I am going to share my middle daughter's favorite. She loves the cinnamon rolls I make for breakfast every Christmas morning. I have done that for as long as I can remember, but did not even consider it a tradition and I didn't even realize I did it EVERY year, cinnamon rolls, to me were just always an easy fix and not so huge as to mess with our Christmas dinner. One year, she came to me all excited and was like, mom, I can't wait for our annual Christmas cinnamon rolls! And I was like, huh??? Now, it is considered a tradition!!!

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    1. I'm so glad she helped you find your "new-old" tradition, Roberta. lol. I have a friend who used to bring in fresh cinnamon rolls to work and they were always the best this time of year. What a great tradition to have. Thanks for commenting. :)

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  22. Thanks for participating in the hop. It sure is fun. :D
    I "liked" evernight on facebook.
    planterofhope at aol dot com

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  23. Christmas tradition is leaving one present under the tree until after Christmas lunch.
    Good excerpt!

    nickj999@hotmail.com

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    1. That is a GREAT tradition, Nick! I'd never thought of doing that. :D Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

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  24. I love this hop! I follow Evernight via Twitter and 'liked' on FB. I'm a huge fan of Evernight and its publishers!

    This is my least favorite time of the year so I don't really have a tradition other than waiting until the last possible moment to do my shopping. With any luck, the Mayans will be spot on and save me the horror of having to face the holiday crowds!

    blu AT mommysreading DOT com

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    1. I'm sorry you don't enjoy this time of year. I hope we improve it for you by giving you a prize or two, Blu. Thanks for commenting. :)

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  25. I love to sing carols :)
    GFC Cassandra Hicks
    I liked Evernight's Facebook page (Cassandra Hicks)
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

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    1. I love listening to the carols sung around town. My girls get a little carried away with it, but it's still fun. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  26. I don't really have any kind of traditions.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    GFC - Sherry S.
    liked Evernight on Facebook - Sherry Strode
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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    1. Thanks for making this hop a tradition this year, Sherry. :) Glad you stopped by. :)

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  27. Thanks for the opportunity. Following, commented and ‘liked’ FB

    hchandler3003@yahoo.com
    I love to watch all the holiday movies and cartoons this time of year.

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    1. My husband loves Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, the old animation film. It's his all time favorite this time of year. Thanks so much for commenting, HC. :)

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  28. My favorite tradition is taking the family out with a pot full of hot chocolate and looking at Chrimad lights!
    GFC follower: stephstime
    Facebook: liked Evernight

    stephstime (at) cox (dot) net

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    1. Oh, that is sooo fun, Steph! The Speedway here in Las Vegas does a light festival that is glorious with all the different lights. I think this year they had a dragon! Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  29. Happy Holidays!
    GFC: SheriV
    I like the Evernight FB page.

    smurfettev AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you so much for the opportunity!!!
    Liked on FB
    Jillian DeMarco
    jillianleighsk@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you for stopping by, Jillian. :)

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  32. My favorite tradition is decorating the tree. It's one thing the kids will all get together to do, somewhat peacefully. I love seeing all the ornaments from past years, many have special memories.
    Happy Holidays! and thanks for the giveaway.
    Following Evernight FB (Dee Dee)
    desfun1@hotmail.com

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    1. That's a great tradition, Deanna. We have something similar. My mom would always give us kids an ornament each year and now they're all on my tree. Great memories. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  33. My favorite tradition is wrapping present while watching Holiday movies :) Scrooged is my favorite and A Christmas Story is my husband's, so we alternate between the two. It never fails to get me in the Holiday mood! Thanks for the giveaway!
    Followed via GFC- Chrystina Williams
    Liked Evernight- Chrystina Williams
    bookliaison(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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    1. That's a great tradition, Chrystina, and so nice you alternate. Keeps you from getting sick of the same movie, too. Thanks for commenting. :)

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  34. Happy Holidays!

    I liked the Evernight FB page - Donna S

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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    1. Thank you so much, Donna. I hope your holidays are wonderful. :)

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  35. It is a tradition with my daughters and I that we take turns reading each page of the Polar Express on Christmas Eve...

    FB Liked Evernight since the beginning and friend requested you (beckeywhite)
    Twitter following (@beckeywhite)

    Thanks for having another fabulous hop, Evernight

    Happy Holidays
    BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

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    1. That's such a sweet story, Beckey! What a great tradition. Thanks so much for stopping by and the FB friend request. :)

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  36. We stay up on Christmas Even and open presents then, then wake up way late the next day to have some of my moms tamales!

    Happy Holidays to all and thanks for being part of such an awesome Blog Hop!

    Evernight fan page liked :)

    Eva
    evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I'm still trying to train my children on the whole sleep-in-on-Christmas thing. ;) Thanks so much for commenting, Eva. :)

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  37. Would love to win this. I love baking the week before Christmas with my mom and sister, it's a great bonding experience! I follow you via GFC as Joder and Like Evernight on FB as Jody Faltys.

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

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    1. The best part of the holidays are the connections we have and the goodies we bake. Thanks for commenting, Joder. :)

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  38. on christmas eve we go out walking in the neighborhod and look at all the lights
    GFC kimberly
    liked Evernight on facebook kimberly holgate
    kaholgate at ymail dot com

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    1. I love driving around town to see people's lights. Thanks for commenting, Kimberly. :)

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  39. We started a new tradition in my family about five years ago and i love it! On Christmas, instead of presents, we make a nice dinner, snack on candy and treats, play games, watch movies and sing christmas songs. Its so fun! What an awesome hop!! And a fantastic giveaway! Thank you!! Happy holidays to you all! Best wishes and many blessings!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. That is a great way to celebrate the meaning of the holiday, Shadow, :) Thanks so much for commenting. :)

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  40. Putting up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Our son comes to help. The box is big and awkward. After setting up the tree, we spend the rest of the day together just chillin'.
    This is a very fun hop. I'm having a blast. A lot of new to me authors and that mean a lot of books for me!!
    gfc: Julianne
    I "liked" Evernight's fan page.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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    1. That sounds like a nice way to reconnect with family, Julianne. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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Comments are on moderation, so they'll become visible once I've read them. Words, words, words. I love them. Have you a few to lend?

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