Tag Archives: Holidays

A Paris Christmas

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AParisChristmas_850Surprise!

After my short vacation to Paris this fall, I came home re-energized to write a story that included the City of Love. Then a friend challenged me to self-publish a novella for the holidays. Since Christmas is my favorite time of year, it wasn’t a hard challenge to accept and my brain immediately began whirling with possibilities.

I’ve now typed THE END, worked through self-edits, and both of my critique partners have reviewed. My editor is now ready to wave her wand and help me polish the manuscript to a high shine this coming week.

So, stay tuned. My goal is to be live on Amazon by December 1st, if not before.

You won’t want to miss Bella and Adrien’s story of being stranded in the most beautiful city in the world on Christmas Eve. I hope it does justice to the amazing sights I visited and the wonderful people I met while there.

12 Days of Christmas

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On the 9th Day of Christmas …  We’re going to share recipes for easy holiday treats!

I have two cheese ball recipes that you and your guests will love.

First is a ham cheese ball:

1 package cream cheese softened                                                                                            3 green onions chopped fine                                                                                                  6-8 oz ham chopped fine. I prefer smoked or black forest.                                                   1-2 splashes of Worcestershire, more or less to taste

Using a fork, smash & stir all ingredients until they are mixed well. (Optional: You can chop pecans, cashews or almonds and either mix with other ingredients or roll chilled ball in mixture to create a light coating.) Place in decorative bowl or plate and surround with Townhouse, Wheat Thins, or Club crackers.

Next, is a chocolate chip cheese ball. (Yes, I said chocolate, yum yum)

1 package cream cheese softened                                                                                         1/2 cup butter, softened                                                                                                       3/4 cup confectioner sugar                                                                                                      2 Tablespoons light brown sugar                                                                                             1 splash of vanilla                                                                                                             Miniature chocolate chips – light or dark.                                                                                   Chopped pecans, candied pecans, cashews, peanuts or almond                                    Optional: dried cranberries chopped extra fine

Combine the butter and cream cheese, either with a fork or hand mixer, until smooth.  Blend in confectioner sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.  Next, mix chocolate chips and chopped nuts into the mixture, starting with a small amount and adding more gradually to desired strength.  (Optional chopped cranberries can be added at this time as well) Chill for 2 hours, shape into a ball, then roll in remaining chocolate chips and nuts.  Place in decorative bowl or plate and serve with graham crackers or chocolate wafers.

I hope you and your guests enjoy these yummy snacks.  For today’s contest, tell us what your favorite holiday treat is. Share a recipe if you’d like. Tell your friends to stop by and join in. Everyone who comments will be entered into today’s drawing for a $5 Starbucks gift card.

Yesterday’s winner is Crystal B. I’ve already sent you a link to your gift – the eBook copy of By Love’s Honor Bound.  Congratulations!

Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas

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On the 8th Day of Christmas … I have another title perfect for the holiday season.

Building a ChristmasBuilding a Christmas – Patricia Bond

Colonel Nathaniel Walker has been ravaged by the Civil War nearly as much as his country has. Now he seeks the sanctuary of home, hoping to find solace from the dreams that haunt him most nights. Instead, he finds an orphanage for war orphans has sprung up next door. Now, his guilt has faces – fourteen of them. And the woman who cares for them. Melanie Treymont exhibits more courage under fire than any soldier he’s ever seen. Is she the one who can help him rebuild his life and finally put his demons to rest?

Melanie Treymont hopes to make amends for her dead husband’s actions by taking responsibility for fourteen war orphans. But facing eviction, she may have to give up her plans of building a life for them. Help comes from an unexpected source, as her neighbor, Colonel Nathaniel Walker, steps up to the challenge, despite fighting his own inner battles.

These two tortured souls unite for the children, working to build a life for them as well as themselves. They start by Building a Christmas.

By Loves Honor boundPatricia Bond is also the author of By Love’s Honor Bound, exclusive on Amazon.

You can find out more about Patricia at her website, PatriciaBond.com

For today’s drawing, I’m giving away a copy of By Love’s Honor Bound. Simply go to her website and tell us one fact about Patricia.  Anything you find interesting about her. I’ll post the winner tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!