* Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop *

 



Welcome to Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop

 

Thanks to our sponsors, there is a great grand prize at the end of this hop...

 

A brand new Kindle Fire

 

+

 

books from all the sponsors listed above :)

 

Along with the main prize, each blog included in the Hop is also giving away their own prize. 

~ ~ ~ ~

Do you know why we hang mistletoe above our doorways?  Well I was curious so i did some internet searching and ran across a post on Smithsonianmag.com.

Baldur, grandson of the Norse god Thor, woke up one morning certain that each and every plant and animal on earth wanted to kill him. His mother consoled him. His wife consoled him, but all to no avail. As Baldur cowered in his room, half-wild with fear, his mother and wife decided to ask every living thing to leave their poor Baldur in peace. They begged the kindness of the oak tree, the pig, the cow, the crow, the ant and even the worm. Each agreed. Then, as Baldur paused to celebrate his release from torment, he felt a pain in his chest. He had been stabbed and killed by an arrow made from the wood of a mistletoe plant. Mistletoe was the one species on earth his wife and mother had failed to notice.
Baldur died, but a lesson was learned: Never forget about the mistletoe. Mistletoe would come to hang over our doors as a reminder to never forget. We kiss beneath it to remember what Baldur’s wife and mother forgot. At least that is one version of the origin of our relationship with mistletoe.


Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Mistletoe-The-Evolution-of-a-Christmas-Tradition.html#ixzz2F1yzUN2g
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter

~ ~ ~ ~

Sad I know, but on a lighter note.... 

 

 

I'm having a contest, and it's pretty simple.  Have you ever kissed or been kissed under the mistletoe?  I'd love to hear about it :)  Leave a comment on this post, along with your email address so I can contact you,  1 winner...maybe 2, will have their choice .... from any one of the anthologies I have stories in. 

 

Don't forget to hop to the rest of the bloggers !!

Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop 2012

1.	PJ Schnyder (steamy)	19.	Natasha Blackthorne (steamy)	37.	Angelina Rain (steamy)
2.	Dana Marie Bell (steamy)	20.	Angela Campbell	38.	RomanceAuthorHotspot
3.	Vivi Dumas (steamy)	21.	DC Juris	39.	Shawna Thomas
4.	Monica Burns (steamy)	22.	Pippa Jay (all ages)	40.	D. B. Reynolds (all ages)
5.	Gabriella Edwards (steamy)	23.	Kate Richards (steamy)	41.	Carlene Love Flores (steamy)
6.	Yvonne Nicolas (steamy)	24.	Alexa Bourne	42.	Becca Dale (steamy)
7.	Cat Johnson (steamy)	25.	Valerie Mann	43.	Rebecca Hart (all ages)
8.	Seleste deLaney (steamy)	26.	Kay Keppler	44.	Bex Brennan (steamy)
9.	Stephanie Burke (steamy)	27.	Natalie J. Damschroder (steamy)	45.	Simply Ali
10.	Danielle La Paglia (steamy)	28.	Krista Ames	46.	Robert C Roman (all ages)
11.	Keri Stevens (steamy)	29.	Kaye Manro	47.	Maghon @ Happy Tails and Tales
12.	Christina Wolfer (steamy)	30.	J.M. Frey (all ages)	48.	Jenny Schwartz (all ages)
13.	Tee Morris & Philippa Ballantine (all ages)	31.	Margay Leah Justice	49.	Diane Dooley (all ages)
14.	Kat Latham (steamy)	32.	Annie Nicholas	50.	Lillie -Alise On Life @ Read My Mind (all ages)
15.	Jessica E. Subject (steamy)	33.	Veronica Scott (All ages)	51.	Harlie Williams
16.	Joely Sue Burkhart (steamy)	34.	Avery Flynn (steamy)	52.	Jane Kindred (steamy)
17.	That's What I'm Talking About w/Twimom227 (stmy)	35.	Nicky Penttila	53.	Jennifer Wright (steamy)
18.	Misa Buckley	36.	Liza O'Connor (all ages)	54.	Georgie Lee

Thanks for stopping and happy hopping !!

Krista

 

Still Moments Publishing Blog Hop & #Giveaway

 

 

Welcome to the

Still Moments Publishing Christmas Blog Hop Day #4

 

I am thrilled to be able to participate in this hop.  There will be lots of prizes available...many of the author blogs each day are doing their own giveaways but there are also grand prizes that will come from Still Moments Publishing.

 

Click here for a list of the participating authors and the overall prizes !!

 

 

My prize is going to be a digital copy of   SMP's Making Magic recipe collection           to one lucky commenter.  Just make sure you leave a comment below, including your email in case I need to contact you !

 

 

When I think of Christmas I think of my kids, presents and lots of cooking.  I always try to get my hubby to do the cooking because he's an excellent cook and a perfectionist but he looks at me like i'm nuts lol.  So...I do it :) 

 

My favorite Christmas dinner is a Ham with all the trimmings.  My husband is a Turkey man, or just a turkey but anyway, we save some of the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving so he's a happy camper and doesn't have to eat ham.  My kids like all the finger food stuff.  They'd be happy to take a plate to go while they're playing instead of sitting down at the table to eat a plate full of stuff they'd just rather not have.

 

I actually love to make the finger foods and i'd like to share some recipes with you today if you don't mind :)

 

 

 

 

 

Olive Cheese Ball

 

2 (8 oz.) boxes cream cheese, softened

1 (8oz.) pkg shredded cheese (I use colby jack)

1-2 pkgs dried beef(I use ham) quantit depends on your tastes

1 jar green olives with pimentos, chopped fairly fine

1 small onion (I use dried minced onion)

 

Mix and make into a ball.  Refrigerate.  Serve with crackers.

 

 

 

Cheeze Whiz Dip

 

1 (8oz.) jar Cheez Whiz

1/4 c. miracle whip or real mayo (your choice)

1 (8oz.) box cream cheese (softened)

garlic powder to taste

 

Mix and serve with crackers

 

 

and one for the sweeter side....

 

 

Fresh Fruit Dip

 

1 lg. jar marshmallow Cream

1 (8oz.) box cream cheese, softened

 

Mix and refrigerate.  Serve with fruit pieces.

 

~   ~   ~

 

 

Hope you enjoy the recipes and thanks for stopping by today.

 

Make sure you follow this link and hop on over to the other blogs !

 

Don't forget to leave your comment below and Happy Holidays !!!

 

Krista

 

 

Black Friday Blog Hop and lots of giveaways !!!

Welcome to the Black Friday Blog Hop with the Authors from Decadent Publishing!

 

I am very proud to be among these awesome authors with my new release...

 

Take Me Home, Cowboy

 

Ally Kincaid returns to Freewill, Wyoming, to see her father after a two year absence. Anticipating a quiet family reunion, she finds herself butting heads with her father’s foreman instead. The man’s arrogance and sexy drawl push all her buttons, making her wonder what he’s hiding beneath his cowboy swagger.

Matt Gentry walked away from the past and shies from the future. No ties means no one gets hurt…until the boss’s daughter, a hot, green-eyed blonde, tempts him to break his own rules.

When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy their growing attraction or show them the way home?

 

Excerpt:

“I need to buy that man an answering machine.” Furious, Ally held the receiver away from her ear, eyes closed as the phone on the other end rang continuously. “Come on, Daddy, where are you?”

She was ready to hang up in frustration when the receiver was picked up and then—by the sound of the loud clanging on the other end—dropped.

“Circle K,” said the deep male voice rather breathlessly.

“Where in the world were you?”

“Excuse me?” the husky voice asked.

Oh crap, that’s definitely not Daddy. She’d been so surprised her call had finally been answered, she hadn’t realized there was nothing familiar about the voice at the end of the line “I’m sorry….” she cracked. Wow, where did that high-pitched squeak come from? “I’m sorry, who is this?”

“This is the Circle K Ranch. Who’s this?”

The man’s question held an impressive sexy drawl. Definitely not a voice she’d ever heard in New York City, and one she’d only be lucky enough to find in her dreams.

“I’d like to speak to Jesse Kincaid, please.” She did a mental inventory of all the ranch hands but couldn’t place the voice. And he obviously didn’t recognize hers either. Must be somebody new her father had hired since the last time she’d been there.

“Sorry, ma’am, he’s not here. What can I do for ya?”

“When will he be available, please?”

“Now, ma’am, I don’t guess I’m at liberty to say until I know exactly who it is I’m speaking at.”

God, men could be so arrogant. Why did he need to know who was calling? A simple answer would suffice.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but this is Ally Kincaid. Who exactly are you?”

“Well, well, isn’t this a nice surprise? Miss Ally Kincaid. Did your father know you’d be calling?

She gritted her teeth in frustration. Who does this cocky, know-it-all cowboy think he is? 

buy links:

Decadent Publishing   ~   Amazon   ~   B&N   ~   ARe  ~   Manic

 

AND

to one lucky person or maybe 2, i'll be giving way a digital copy of Take Me Home, Cowboy :)  All you have to do is leave a comment along with your email address below

AND

 follow this web page ! 

Dont' forget to hop to the other authors and enter their giveaways too! 

 List of participates at bottom of post.

And while you're in the hopping mood, don't miss out on the awesome 

Give a Reader a Reader hop put on by Decadent Publishing.  Enter either at  Decadent Publishing or my blog :)

 

Thanks for stopping by and happy hopping !!!

Krista

 

In honor...

of all those that have and are currently serving...

http://rcjrezine.com/?page_id=1257

I am participating (better late than never)  in the Veterans' Day Giveaway Hop hosted by RCJR eZine. 

Its an extreme pleasure to say that I know one or two that have been and are very active in our Armed Services and I'd like to share a little about them.

My nephew...

Travis Gaskill United Sates Air Force since 2003, SSgt C-130 Crew Chief ( Acft Maintainer/Mechanic) stationed at Little Rock AFB " Worlds Largest C130 Base"

"I am a Dedicated Crew Chief.  I have my own C-130 assigned to me.  I maintain and do all required maintenance on that aircraft as well as 9 others valued at $700 million.  I also supervise 5 crew chiefs directly and about 10 others on a daily basis.  I train/qualify my unit on C-130 ground handling and various CUT certifications.  I monitor upgrade training and also insure data integrity accuracy in all acft forms and various computer programs used to store acft data."


My step-dad...

"My name is Harry Zink and I joined the U.S. Navy in February of 1962.  After boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station I attended Radioman Communications School in Bainbridge Maryland.

When the Cuban crisis happened, I was pulled out of school early and was scheduled to go aboard ship.  The crisis ended very quickly so rather than go aboard ship, I spent a year in Washington D.C. working in communications.  After Washington I was sent to Adak Alaska, a part of the Aleutian Islands, for 1 year. 

My job was to monitor any activity happening in the Bering Sea.  From Alaska I was assigned to Commander Amphibious Squadron Seven, aboard the troop transport ship USS Bayfield APA 33.  Whiel aboard this ship I made two trips to Vietnam, delivering troops and supplies to the war zone.  We had the honor of deploying the first Korean Rock Marines to enter the Vietnam War.

I was discharged from the Navy in December 1966 and am very proud that I had the opportunity to serve my country."



I am very proud to say that he is now happily married to my mom and living a great retirement in Florida .



God bless the men and women of the armed services !!


I'd like to give away a copy of my novella Second Chances to one lucky commenter that can tell me about their favorite military hero.  Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

If you could get a Second Chance...

 

When the love of Dana's life leaves without a word, she is forced to move on with her life.  Despite loving him, she believes she will never see him again but, little does she know, she's being set up for a night that will change her life forever.

 

Nicholas, A Navy man, did the only thing he could to save the woman he loved.  Driven by a secret, he disappeared and now returns, years later, with hope for love.  With one opportunity, will he be able to make things right, or is it just too late?  Will she deny any desire for Second Chances?

 

Thanks for stopping by and happy hopping !!

Krista

My Cover Reveal and release date !!

   I'm so thrilled to share that I finally have a new cover and am now allowed to show it !!!

 

My release date has been scheduled for November 21st...just in time for Thanksgiving :)

 

Yay, my first book with Decadent Publishing !!!

 

 

 

 

Blurb:

Ally Kincaid returns to Freewill, Wyoming, to see her father after a two year absence. Anticipating a quiet family reunion, she finds herself butting heads with her father’s foreman instead. The man’s arrogance and sexy drawl push all her buttons, making her wonder what he’s hiding beneath his cowboy swagger.

Matt Gentry walked away from the past and shies from the future. No ties means no one gets hurt…until the boss’s daughter, a hot, green-eyed blonde, tempts him to break his own rules.

When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy their growing attraction or show them the way home?

 

Excerpt:

“I need to buy that man an answering machine.” Furious, Ally held the receiver away from her ear, eyes closed as the phone on the other end rang continuously. “Come on, Daddy, where are you?”

She was ready to hang up in frustration when the receiver was picked up and then—by the sound of the loud clanging on the other end—dropped.

“Circle K,” said the deep male voice rather breathlessly.

“Where in the world were you?”

“Excuse me?” the husky voice asked.

Oh crap, that’s definitely not Daddy. She’d been so surprised her call had finally been answered, she hadn’t realized there was nothing familiar about the voice at the end of the line “I’m sorry….” she cracked. Wow, where did that high-pitched squeak come from? “I’m sorry, who is this?”

“This is the Circle K Ranch. Who’s this?”

The man’s question held an impressive sexy drawl. Definitely not a voice she’d ever heard in New York City, and one she’d only be lucky enough to find in her dreams.

“I’d like to speak to Jesse Kincaid, please.” She did a mental inventory of all the ranch hands but couldn’t place the voice. And he obviously didn’t recognize hers either. Must be somebody new her father had hired since the last time she’d been there.

“Sorry, ma’am, he’s not here. What can I do for ya?”

“When will he be available, please?”

“Now, ma’am, I don’t guess I’m at liberty to say until I know exactly who it is I’m speaking at.”

God, men could be so arrogant. Why did he need to know who was calling? A simple answer would suffice.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but this is Ally Kincaid. Who exactly are you?”

“Well, well, isn’t this a nice surprise? Miss Ally Kincaid. Did your father know you’d be calling?

She gritted her teeth in frustration. Who does this cocky, know-it-all cowboy think he is? 

 

 

 

Krista

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Hoppin Howloween blog hop....

 

Welcome to the Howloween Blog Hop

sponsored by

The Blog Hop Spot

 

 

 

I LOVE Halloween, how bout you??

 

 

When I was a kid, I never wanted to give up the fight when my parents suggested I might just be too old to trick-or-treat and I can't even remember now when that age really was but I sure hope my own kids will keep up that same fight and I don't think i'll make them stop til they're ready.  My 13 year old I think is starting to consider she might be getting too old but then the next day she's talking about what costume she'd like to wear so who knows...

 

 

As I got older, I did realize that I didn't need the embarrasment of dressing in a costume anymore and that I loved going to anything haunted even though it scared the daylights outta me :)  Since I have kids as young as 6 and no way are they doing anything scary, I don't get an opportunity to do the scary adult stuff right now.   Much to my dismay I'm stuck in the elementary age corn mazes and I at least can get a good chuckle out of watching my younger ones get the pants scared off them.

But... i'm keeping up the fight again that as soon as they all hit at least teenage years, they can either tag along or stay home but I'm going to a haunted house dang it !!!!

 

 

So...in honor of Halloween and trick-or-treating, i'm going to be giving away a treat during this blog hop!!  It'll be quite simple really, just leave me a comment on why you like Halloween and don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll give away a digital copy (winner's choice) of one of my books along the right side bar :)

 I'll be glad to reciproate if you would be so kind as to follow me on Facebook and twitter, along with joining my web page along the right side bar, either via Networked Blogs, google+ or via email subscription.
 

Hope you all have a great Halloween season and don't forget to visit more blogs in the hop and you can find them here !  Just to help you out, i'll list the next 5 after me :)

 

Val Muller:

[Author] {m/f } (sweet )

Shira Anthony:

[Author] {m/m } (erotic )

BC Brown:

[Author] {m/f } (spicy )

Corinne Davies:

[Author] {menage } (erotic)

CS Maxwell:

[Author] {m/f } (erotic )

 

Make sure you also visit The Blog Hop Spot for great prizes they are giving away!!

 

The blog will last as follows::

 

Starts:

 

Friday October 26, 2012

 

Ends:Monday, October 29, 2012 @ midnight

 

On Tuesday October 30th, I will draw 1 lucky person via Random.org

 

Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Howloween Hopping !!

Alpha Males...my favorite :)

Have you ever been asked what you like about Alpha Males?  Well I never had before but when I think about it, the Alpha Male is always the one that draws me in when I read a great book.    He's just got this unbelievable presence he exudes, one that makes you stop and take notice.   He makes me want to be the heroine just so I can have him :)  He doesn't give a sh** what others think of him and that makes him even more attractive.  He's always confident and sure about himself but even if he's got doubts, you'll never know about them.  He takes charge in every aspect of his life, dominates.  Of course the gorgeous and sexy part isn't a bad thing either. 

So what exactly do you like about an Alpha male??    Well today i'd love for you to leave me a comment telling me what you like, what makes you pick the Alpha every time.  And, if you'd rather have the Beta, well tell me about that too!  Dont' forget to leave your email address in case you win!  Today I'm giving away an ebook copy of any ONE my 5, all listed on the sidebar plus a $5 Amazon gift card.
 

While I would have so much trouble picking just 1 Alpha Male that i've fallen in love with in a book I've read, I think my favorite I've written so far has been Nick in Second Chances...

If you could get a Second Chance...

 

When the love of Dana's life leaves without a word, she is forced to move on with her life.  Despite loving him, she believes she will never see him again but, little does she know, she's being set up for a night that will change her life forever.

 

Nicholas, A Navy man, did the only thing he could to save the woman he loved.  Driven by a secret, he disappeared and now returns, years later, with hope for love.  With one opportunity, will he be able to make things right, or is it just too late?  Will she deny any desire for Second Chances? 

 

 

 

ps:  dont' forget to follow along the right sidebar, never know when there'll be another contest  or a new book release :)

 

 

~          ~          ~          ~

 

 

Who doesn't love second chances?  Well during this hop you'll have over 200 chances to win alot of great prizes.  This hop starts today and will run until October 22nd at 11:59 pm.  You as a reader can go to each of the blogs involved and leave a comment with your email address and be entered to win.   

So what are the prizes you ask?

 

 

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

So, what are you waiting for??  Just click on any name in the list below and get to hopping!! 

 

And to find all the other awesome places to hop and enter to win the grand prizes, go to the following link:

http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com

Call for Submissions @stillmomentspub

Still Moments Publishing

is seeking submissions in the following categories:

 

Themed anthologies:  Frost Bite, A Twist of Tales,
and Unexpected Bumps.

http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/search/label/Open%20Anthologies

 

                                                         LAST CALL
                                                                            for
                                                             Frost Bite

                     February 2013 Anthology

                     deadline:   10/1/2012

A Twist of Tales
March 2013 Anthology
deadline: 10/15/2012


                         
                           Unexpected Bumps
                         April 2013 Anthology
                         deadline: 10/31/2012






Series: The Match Maker, Moonlight Mysteries, and Bullets & Boots.
http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/search/label/Open%20Series

Single Short stories and Full Length in the following romance categories: Chick Lit, Romantic Comedy, Contemporary, Fantasy/Magical, Historical, Inspirational, Mystery/Suspense, Paranormal, Western, Young Adult. For complete submission guildelines, please visit: http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/p/submissions.html



Still Moments Publishing has something for every romance reader. Visit our library. http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/search/label/Our%20Library

A Hero's Blog Hop and Giveaway

Welcome to A Hero's Blog Hop !

Today is officially THE day, the start of A HERO'S BLOG HOP!! It will run from today, July 27 thru Tuesday July 31, just like the banner says :)

The point of this blog hop is to talk about our heros so I would like to introduce you to my hero......or at least the hero from my current release :)

I love this hero because he is just so sweet but sexy at the same time and of course he's a Navy man and that makes him just that much more perfect for me !

 

I'm going to let my hero Nicholas say a few words if you don't mind.....

Hey there, my name is Nicholas Prescott and I’m the hero in 'Second Chances'.Welcome to A Passion for Romance and let me just send thanks to Krista for letting me say a few words today.

Krista tells me this is A Hero’s Blog Hop? Interesting, so, what do you think makes a great hero?

I don’t think any of us sets out to be one, it just happens…and they come from literally all walks of life.

It's really about being completely unselfish and doing good for someone or something, an act of bravery. I sure didn’t feel much like the hero in Second Chances in the beginning. In case you aren’t familiar with the book yet, I fell in love with an amazing woman (Dana). Seriously, she was the best thing in my life and I would do anything for her or to protect her.

 Well, unfortunately some things happened that I couldn’t tell her about. I was forced to make a choice and I left her.  And didn’t look back, didn’t say goodbye.

Hardest day of my life…anyway….

Now for Dana, what choice did I really give her but to move on with her life without me?  It wasn't an easy feat but I'm super proud of her for doing her best.  She travels to Seattle Washington for her best friend's wedding but little does she know there's so much more planned for her.  

The only fear now...will she deny any possibility of second chances?

I can’t really tell you what happens next but you should definitely buy the book to find out. It's a sweet romance and it's available at Ruby Lioness Press or Amazon.

~Nicholas Prescott

I think Nicholas makes a good hero becuase he was compassionate toward Dana, he couldn't stand to see her hurting. He was willing to do anything to make it up to her, to protect her, even if she didn't realize it.  And of course on another note, he was a member of the Armed Services, the Navy...doing his duty to his country.  Can't get much more honorable than that. 

Wouldn't you love a hero like that? I have one of those heros in my own life as well...my hubby is a wonderful man and is always willing to do for me and our children before himself much like my own father was. It's the little things....when I sneeze, he blesses me. When we go somewhere, he always opens the Qualities like that say alot about a man. I hope my son grows up to be just like him and can also be someone's hero !

So, in honor of our romance heroes and thanks to our sponsors Fated Desires Publishing, Heartthrob Haven and Carrie Ann Ryan, we all bring you A Hero's Blog Hop. 

There are over 100 authors and bloggers (complete list at theend of post) all with a post of their own and a giveaway to a lucky commenter from each blog, plus......

There are 3 GRAND prizes...

you as the reader will want to go visit as many of the blogs as you possibly can ! 

Now what are those grand prizes you ask?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack! 

On this particular blog, I will be giving away a $5 Amazon gift card to a commenter to be drawn for using random.org. 

You must leave a comment to be qualified for the contest. 

Please make sure you also leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win :)

~ ~ ~

The linky list of our participating authors and bloggers is at the bottom of this post....make sure you visit them all to give you the best chance of winning a prize!!!

Thanks so much for coming by during this blog hop 

and joining in on the fun!

Please don't forget to leave me a comment and if you want, tell me what your ideal hero is like and remember, leave your email so you can qualify for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card and a chance at any of the Grand Prizes, all to be awarded on August 1st !!!

Thanks again and happy hopping !!

Krista