Where Romance and Suspense Collide

Tag: Series (Page 2 of 2)

Day 3 of Christmas Fun with SMJ!

Ready for more of SMJ’s Christmas Countdown?

Christmas Lights and a Sock MonkeyWe’re ready to do some work with the lights. Yes!

As you can see here, Lil Sock really likes bright shiny things. It took a while to dig him out of that bowl of bulbs. Do you remember the episode of The Big Bang Theory with Sheldon in the ball pit? You know, the one titled, The Einstein Approximation. Leonard tried to talk Sheldon into getting out of the pit so the security man could lock up, but Sheldon kept diving under the balls. then Leonard had to dive in and try to find him. Bazinga! That was me with Lil Sock in this big bowl of bulbs. This little guy is fast! I did finally get him out, but it was a chore.

Christmas cocoa mugs and 2 Sock Monkeys

Of course, afterward he wanted a treat because he was hungry, thirsty, and tired from playing. he ran over to the tray Sandra had set up with mugs. He thought the Sock Monkey figure holding a picture frame would help him argue his case. I guess he doesn’t quite have a grasp on real and play figurines. I know what you’re thinking. We’re monkeys made out of socks, we’re not real. Don’t get me started. Have you had the adventures I’ve had? Just check out my uncle Sock’s journey and my adventures ever since. Then we’ll see who’s real and who’s pretend.

Sock in Christmas Tree with the Browns Santa

Back to hanging lights. I gave up on the battle with my cousin and Sandra made us some hot cocoa. After we finished, I thought he would get back to work. No such luck. He ran to the tree and climbed up to the branch where the Brown’s Santa (that’s Sandra’s hubby’s favorite ornament) is lounging in a chair. I know, I know. Santa is supposed to be getting things ready for his big night of special deliveries. Calm down. It’s okay. He just took a few days to soak up some vitamin D and rest. He said the elves at the North Pole have been running him ragged.

You’re probably thinking, that’s not Santa. Santa is bigger and he always wears red. Take a minute and think about it. He’s trying to get some rest. If he went on vacation as he normally looks, kids would be lining up to talk to him everywhere he went. He wouldn’t get any rest. So, he used some of his magic Christmas snow from the North Pole and temporarily shrank himself and his beach attire. I promise, he’ll be back to regular size come Christmas Eve. Unlike Lil Sock, Santa takes his job VERY seriously.Lil Sock with a Christmas Sock Monkey

I guess Sandra finally put her foot down, because the next thing I saw was Lil Sock zinging around the tree moving the lights and hanging all his favorite ornaments. Of course, one of his Christmas Sock Monkeys visited with him. That’s Orna Sock Monkey with him in the picture. Some of his other ornaments are in the picture, too. Up at the top you’ll see a stick horse. Sandra’s mother-in-law made that a long time ago. Lil Sock really likes to ride it around the house during the holidays. He’s always tripping someone up when he does. Then there’s the little teddy bear ornament behind him. He likeIMG_20151116_094938s to use that one as a pillow for naps after all the hard work of decorating.

I did finally manage to get a couple of things done at my house. This first picture is black and white because I thought it made the cat’s eyes look like Christmas lights. I can’t remember which cat it was as we have four running around and two of them look almost identical. This is one of the twins as I call them. IMG_20151116_094218

This second pic gives you a better view of my tree. Isn’t it pretty? This is me hanging the first ornaments. You have to look close to see what they are. Yep, you guessed it, they’re shoes. These shoes are part of the cover for Sandra’s next release, Mastering the Brides.

As you can see we were quite busy yesterday. Lil Sock was busy being silly and I was busy running around after him trying to get him to help with the decorating. These crazy kids can wear a monkey out. Then again, they make all the holiday preparations that much more fun. I mean, who can’t laugh when they see a sock monkey next to Santa in a Brown’s shirt on a lounge chair. Am I right?

A little later today I’ll post our adventure of decorating Sandra’s office. This should be a blast.
So, what’s YOUR favorite Christmas ornament? Is there a story behind it? Tell me. I love Christmas stories.

Oh, and if you hurry, you can be the first one to pre-order the new Masters Men series novella, Mastering the Brides. It comes out the day after Christmas! Hurry, it’s available for pre-order on Smashwords right now. I’ll try and see if I can get more links later.

SMJ

 

Day 2 of 25 Days of Christmas Fun!

Welcome back to SMJ’s 25 day Christmas Countdown!

Okay, IMG_20151110_021056so I’m taking a break with some more hot cocoa because of technical difficulties at my mom’s getting things going. I know, it was a little misleading yesterday with me talking about Sandra going away for Thanksgiving. Sorry about that. I’m getting confused about where I am at any given time right now. Anyway, my cousin, Lil Sock sent me some pictures of him decorating Sandra’s house, so I thought I would share those with you. Fair warning though, he gets a little crazy sometimes.IMG_0968

Here’s Lil Sock taking a break after setting up the village in Sandra’s front window. If you look closely you you can see the lady from the quilt shop he’s sitting next to is handing out cookies. I wouldn’t put it past him to try and snatch one. Lil Sock has a real sweet tooth.

After theLSandSanta village (and his pilfered treat) he moved onto the step-case. I’ll admit, I’m a little jealous of this one. He got to ride in a big sled AND visit Santa’s workshop AND Santa. I want to meet the big guy too.  I may be older than Lil Sock, but I still believe in Santa. Don’t you? You better or you’ll get coal in your stocking. I don’t know about you, but I do not want coal. Hmm, I guess I better put visit Santa on my list so my mom doesn’t forget to take me.

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I’m sure Lil Sock drove Sandra crazy while she was decorating. Check out this picture and you’ll understand why. See the gingerbread men ornament? Look closely. Yep, that’s Lil Sock monkeying around. The kid never takes anything seriously. I guess I can understand, though. It is Christmas time and it’s so much fun playing with all the different decorations!

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Since it’s been pretty cold here in Colorado, Sandra hasn’t wanted to go out and play much. Actually, there’s not a lot of snow to play in anyway. That didn’t stop Sock. He still found a way to play with snowmen, snow-women, and snow kids! Leave it to my little cousin to know how to make a cold day fun. This kid rarely stops.

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Case in point, look to the right. If you look at the right hand side of the picture, behind the reindeer, you’ll see a stocking on the floor. Yep, that’s right. Lil Sock was supposed to be hanging the stockings, but he got distracted by the reindeer’s bells. That’s his story anyway. Oh, and there’s another reindeer (who’s not in this pic) that sings “Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer,” so, they were probably all having a grand time dancing and singing.

Well, folks, I’ve got to take a break and get some lunch. Just looking at Lil Sock’s pictures wears me out. Kids have all the energy. Sheesh, wish I was young enough to take a nap and not get teased. Oh well, I guess we all have to grow up a little, but never so much we stop believing. Right?

Later, we’ll join Lil Sock as he decorates the tree. I can see it now. Lights tangled, decorations every which way. But hey, he’s having fun.

Do YOU still believe in Santa? What do you want him to bring you for Christmas this year? Leave a comment below and tell me. I’ll send a special note to Santa to remind him for you.

SMJ

New Release & Series by Cynthia Woolf

I am thrilled to post about my friend Cynthia’s new release, Redeemed by a Rebel the first book in her new series, Destiny in Deadwood. Cynthia is an Amazon Bestselling Western Author among other genres. Please take a moment to check out her note below.Redeemed by a Rebel 300 dpi

I’m so pleased to announce the release of my new book, Redeemed by a Rebel. This is the first book in the Destiny in Deadwood series. Although I was inspired to write the book because I fell in love with the TV series Deadwood, that’s where the similarities end. I don’t have any of the language like they did in the miniseries or anywhere near the amount of sex, although there is some.  🙂 

Jake Anderson killed a man defending his fiancée from a brutal attack, but lost her and his freedom in the process.  Now he’s on the run, hunted by one of her murderers and tormented by the need for vengeance.

Becky Finnegan will do anything to escape her drunken father’s fists, including slave away at their mine.  Her only hope is to strike gold and make a new life for herself somewhere far, far away from Deadwood.  But then Jake arrives and does the unthinkable…forces her to feel, to hope…and to love.
Jake would give his life to protect Becky, but all he can offer her is a broken heart, a criminal’s life, and a past haunted by failure.  How can he save her when he’s already lost himself?  Will he destroy everything, or can the beautiful rebel redeem Jake’s lost soul?
 

Here is a link to Cynthia’s website for a quick excerpt:  Redeemed by a Rebel

Here are the buy links if you’re ready to take the plunge:

Amazon – http://amzn.com/B00I1GZAU0

Barnes & Noble – http://tinyurl.com/klf5546

Google Play –https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Woolf_Redeemed_by_a_Rebel?id=OXGpAgAAQBAJ&hl=en

All Romance eBooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-redeemedbyarebel-1404938-158.html

Preview about upcoming Blog Guest Post

Hi everyone! Happy New Year!

Coffee Break Guide to Business Plans copy

I’m gearing up for an exciting, busy, energizing, focused, prosperous, and enjoyable new year, what about you?

Do you have lots of resolutions? If not, lots of plans both business or personal? Have you figured out how to make the most of your time, talent, and money? OR, are you still wringing your hands hoping next year will be smoother seas?

I hate to burst your bubble, but it isn’t likely. Life happens. It isn’t always easy or pretty. It usually smells like a gym  rather than a rose garden. However, there are ways to make it less stress-filled and more joy-filled.

Take my first blog guest for the year, Amy Denim. Amy is the author of the Coffee Break Series of books to help writers with the ‘business’ side of writing. That is, the part of writing most of us creative types resist – promotion, scheduling, deadlines, goals. She does it in a very comfortable, laid-back style that is easy to read and almost easier to understand. I say almost because I still struggle with putting myself into the business cage, but I’ll admit, Amy makes it easier.

I’m about halfway through “The Coffee Break Guide to Business Plans for Writers,” and have already filled out some of the forms she lets you download for free! Her conversational style makes you feel like she is sitting right beside you guiding you each step of the way. How comforting is that? It’s like having your own personal business planner only better.

Why better, you ask? Because instead of someone doing it for you, you LEARN, really learn how to do it yourself. I don’t know about you, but I always feel such a sense of accomplishment when I learn something new. Add to that, the fact that this is about making my business (yes, according to Amy, I AM a business) successful. Who could ask for more than that?

So, folks, click on the book cover to the left. That will take you to Amazon where you can buy Amy’s new book for just 99 cents. Yep, you read that right. 99 cents through tomorrow. I guess she wants everyone to have an opportunity to set up their business plan before the year gets too busy and at a super fantastic price!

Then, after you’ve bought the book, start reading it. As I said, I’m already about halfway through it (and no, I bought it – I didn’t ask her for one because she would be doing my blog). While you’re reading it, jot down any questions you might have because Amy will be here on Thursday, January 2nd to answer all of your questions. If you don’t buy the book before her ‘blog appearance,’ that’s fine, her post will give you more inspiration to set up a business plan and then you will want to buy it.

Stop back by on January 2nd for Amy’s post – Five Reasons YOU Need an Author Business Plan. She will  give a copy of the book in the winner’s choice of Kindle or paperback, too. There’s another reason to stop by!

Now, sorry, but I have to get back to reading the book so I can ask more questions.

Happy reading!

.

Sock Munkee Jr. is catching up before the next release!

Are you excited about the upcoming release, Sock?

Are you all caught up with the series? No? well, why not take this weekend to catch up so you know all the players who may appear in the next book. Not sure which books are in the series. Let’s see….

What was the first book in the Colorado Skies Series?

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That’s right, Sock! It was Dream Stalker. If you click on the picture of Sock Munkee Jr. holding a copy of Dream Stalker, you’ll see the YouTube video for it. Dream Stalker is available at these fine retailers:

SmashwordsCreateSpace - An Amazon CompanyDream Stalker - Sandra S. Kerns

Rose Cover

Okay, we’ve got the 1st book in the series. The 2nd is Rose of Steele.  This is a must read as at least one of the characters from Rose makes an appearance in The Butterfly Connection. No, I’m not going to tell you which one. You’ll have to figure that one out on your own. Of course, I have the handy links for you to purchase right here:      Smashwords        CreateSpace - An Amazon CompanyRose of Steele - Sandra S. Kerns

 

Okay, Sock, I gave you that one. Do you remember the 3rd book in the series?

009That’s right, Sock, it’s Callaghan’s Conundrum!  

I ‘ve heard you have a conundrum of your own. Can you tell us about it?

Oh, I see, you’re trying to figure out how to read all the stories before the new one comes out. Well, I see some late nights reading in front of the fireplace in your future. Just don’t tell your mom I said you could stay up that late. Here are the links to pick up Callaghan’s Conundrum.    Smashwords  CreateSpace - An Amazon Company    Callaghan's Conundrum - Sandra S. Kerns

 

 

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Don’t forget, you can pre-order The Butterfly Connection so you can start reading it before anyone else on November 12th! That way you’ll be ready for the contest I’ll be posting on release day. So be sure and check back for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Butterfly Connection and other prizes.

Until we post again,

Happy Reading everyone!

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