Elves Christmas Celebration in the Red Barn
Welcome to the Highway Cafe Christmas Blog Tour. Come celebrate each day from December 4-8, visit new blogs along the tour for fun, prizes, recipes, and holiday tales.
It’s rumored that Santa has given the elves a night off before the big day to reward their hard work. To verify these speculations we scramble up the ladder outside the big red barn, climb into the hay loft to peer down. Sure enough the elves have gathered to party the night away beneath the white snowflake lights that cast a magical aura over the celebration.
We spy Twinkle Bright elf settled in a chair, her feet tucked in fuzzy red otter slippers propped on a large hay bale. She’s dressed in red jeans and green Christmas sweater with the words “Santa’s Team” 
emblazoned across the front. Her hands are wrapped around a large mug of steaming hot chocolate (her own secret recipe), overflowing with whipped cream and marshmallows as she sings Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer at the top of her lungs. Several elves are dancing around the huge Christmas tree which is decorated with strings of popcorn and cranberries. Bubble lights bubble merrily beside the twinkling lights and shiny baubles on the tree. Brightly colored packages, tied with ribbons and bows are stacked under the evergreen.
Just as Twinkle Bright set her mug on the floor, another elf rushes over and grabs her hand and tugs her to her feet.
“Lets dance.”
The plate with a piece of Fantasy Fudge flys off Twinkle Bright’s lap and crashes to the floor. “Look what you’ve done,” she squeals.
“Sorry.” The elf waves his hand in the direction of the mess, the dish repairs itself, the fudge returns to the plate and hovers in the air in front of Twinkle Bright’s face. “Okay the five second rule applies.” A wide grin spread across his face.
“Not even.” Twinkle Bright narrowed her eyes at him. “New piece of fudge (her famous recipe) on a clean plate.” She snapped her fingers.
“Yeah, yeah… after the dance.” He spun her onto the dance area the reflection from the white snowflake lights shimmer in her copper hair. Her red/green elf hat with twinkling multicolored lights sprinkled on it, bells on the tip flew across the room and smacked Goth Elf in the face. Strains of the Jingle Bell Rock shook the barn. After the dance, Twinkle Bright retrieved her hat as her elfin partner brought over two pieces of Fantasy Fudge on a festive holiday plate. She bit into a piece and closed her eyes. “Hmmmmm.”
“This is a great reward for a job well done.” Her elfin friend commented.
Twinkle Bright nodded in agreement. “Best job in the world.”
Recipe for Fantasy Fudge.
3 cups white sugar
3/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 (12 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add all ingredients to list
Directions
- Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix sugar, margarine, and evaporated milk in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Bring mixture to a full boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted and thoroughly combined. Beat in marshmallow creme, add nuts if you like, and vanilla extract. Pour fudge mixture into the prepared pan and let cool before cutting into squares.
Leave a comment here, like my author facebook page and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a $10.00 Amazon gift card, to be awarded at the end of the tour., December 11th. If you’re a fan of paranormal romance, sign up for my quarterly newsletter.
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Click on the cover to read more or buy.
Just in time for Christmas: A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE–Not what you’ve come to expect from a Vampire Tale! Exciting romantic fantasy where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries work together for the survival of man and magic kind alike. But will their intervention be too late? Just in time for Christmas.
A little more about A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance – Stefan is a Native American vampire, former assassin for the Vampire Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park where his secret is safe until…
Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.
Their union was foretold long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of man and magic kind. Is a trip to Ireland the key to unravelling secrets and returning the magic? And even more importantly, will their love survive the trip?
Available at: Amazon Amazon UK , Amazon AU, itunes, The Wild Rose Press and Barnes & Noble.
For more fun Christmas tales, recipes and giveaways follow the rest of the tour listed below:
December 4
Holland Rae – https://hollandrae.com/
Susanne Matthews – https://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/
Sorchia DuBois – www.sorchiadubois.com
Mariah Lynne –
December 5
Tena Stetler – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Maureen Bonatch – http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/
Peggy Jaeger – https://peggyjaeger.com/
Barbara Burke – https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/
December 6
Kelly Kalmanson – http://kkweil.blogspot.com
M.S. Spencer – http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Hywela Lyn – www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com
Reggi Allder – https://reggiallder.blogspot.com/
December 7
Denyse Bridger – http://www.fantasypages.ca
Clair de Lune – https://clairdelunebooks.co.uk/
Karen Blake-Hall – https://kaydenclaremont.wordpress.com/
Casi McLean – http://casimclean.com/a-christmas-to-remember/
December 8
Darlene Fredette – http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com
Daryl Devore – http://daryldevore.blogspot.ca
Gini Rifkin – http://ginirifkin.blogspot.com
Linda Carroll-Bradd – http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
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Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged A Vampire's Unlikely Alliance, Christmas, Elves, Highway Cafe Blog Hop, Highway Cafe Christmas Tour 2017, magic, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Twinkle Bright by Tena Stetler with 23 comments.
Mary Morgan’s A Highland Moon Enchantment
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Mary Morgan, and congratulations on her upcoming release A Highland Moon Enchantment. Tomorrow, November 17, 2017, is the big day! Mary also is the author of the magical Dragon’s Knight Series!
Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what A Highland Moon Enchantment is all about. Thanks for joining us!
Hi Tena! Thanks for having me on your lovely blog today! I’m excited to share my upcoming release (which is tomorrow), A Highland Moon Enchantment.
When the O’Quinlan brothers entered the story in Dragon Knight’s Axe, Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 3, I knew each would demand their own story. Desmond O’Quinlan kept tapping my shoulder (and yelling in my ear), requesting a rematch with Dragon Knight, Alastair MacKay. You see, dear readers, it seems he still has unfinished business with Alastair for leaving his sister, Fiona. In truth, I sensed a deeper meaning behind his foul mood and growing anger at the Dragon Knight.
I thoroughly enjoyed returning home to Urquhart, the Dragon Knights, and finding a wife for Desmond. In researching a name for the heroine, Ailsa MacDuff, the path was a serendipitous find one afternoon. I saw a clear picture of her features within my mind, so I went through several names to fit her character. When I saw the Gaelic name of Ailsa, which means “fairy rock,” I knew I had the perfect one for this lass. Yet it wasn’t until I saw the mention of “Ailsa Craig,” that my story was set in motion.
The island of Ailsa Craig does indeed exist. The island is approximately two hundred forty acres, which contains blue hone granite that was quarried to make hurling stones. It’s located about ten miles off the southwestern coast of Scotland. Currently, the island is owned by the RSPB Nature Reserve and is home for Europe’s biggest gannet colony and a significant number of puffins. I’ve seen pictures of this island, and it’s stunning. It was the perfect setting to place a fictional group of characters.
Tell us a little about A Highland Moon Enchantment.
Irish warrior, Desmond O’Quinlan has never surrendered his heart to any woman. He has no wish to have his soul tortured by love. Yet, the moment he locks gazes with Ailsa, his fate is destined for an adventure he never fathomed. He may have battled alongside a Dragon Knight, but his greatest challenge will come from within his own heart.
Ailsa MacDuff, a warrior among her clan, has no desire to have a man chain her to a life of obedience. However, that is before she meets Desmond. The temptation to allow this warrior inside her heart is a risk she dares to take, but one that could lead to a future of emptiness and sorrow.
When betrayal looms from within, the battleground of love is no match for these two warriors. Can the power of a Highland full moon be strong enough to unite or destroy them?
Peek between the pages of A Highland Moon Enchantment.
His mind screamed to stay rooted in his chair, but his body betrayed him. Standing, he reached for her hand.“I will escort ye to your chamber.”
She eyed him with curiosity and stood. “Nae. Take me to the north wall. I hear the view of the loch is one that steals the breath from your lungs.”
“Done.” When her fingers slipped into his, Desmond fought the urge to crush her to his chest.
Placing her soft hand in the crook of his arm, he led her quickly out of the hall and up the stairs. Bending to the left, he took her along a corridor and up a narrow circular pathway. The torches flickered as he approached the door leading to the north wall.
A cold draft blew by them, and she shivered. Instantly, regret filled him realizing he had not considered to bring a cloak for her.
Desmond paused by the door. “Ye should not venture out into the biting cold without a cloak.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I simply wish to capture a quick look, not spend the night sleeping out there.”
Shaking his head, he pushed open the massive oak door. Brittle air slapped at his face while they made their way up along the wall.
“’Tis cold,” she muttered, but chuckled softly and hugged his arm. “But ye are warm.”
“We shall not tarry long,” he assured her and placed a warm hand over hers.
“Oh, sweet Goddess. Look at the moon, Desmond. Her light shimmers over the water. I have now witnessed the charm of the loch in sunlight and moonlight. Though our rivers are stunning on their own, they cannae rival this view. As I have told ye, our island is shrouded in mists, so ye cannae see verra far out into the sea.”
Desmond’s focus was not on the moon, but the beauty standing beside him. To take what he dared not possess. He marveled at her delight of the striking scene.
Ailsa turned toward him. “Thank ye, Desmond, truly.”
Her nearness was overpowering, seducing him in a way he had never known. Desmond cupped her chin. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in invitation. Moonlight and lust danced within her eyes. No longer did he battle with his mind and body, and he slowly lowered his head.
And under the silent whisper of a full moon, Desmond captured her soft lips within his own. He
could taste her sweetness mixed with the wine, and desire shot through his veins. His hands shook as he placed them securely on her waist. As he deepened the kiss, she placed her hands around his neck. Desmond groaned, crushing her body against him.
Buy Links:
AMAZON, Barnes and Noble, Apple iBooks:
More about the Author:
For those of you who don’t know Mary, She’s an Award-winning Scottish paranormal romance author who resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling–writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
Social Media Links:
WEBSITE: http://www.marymorganauthor.com
BLOG: http://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/mary.morgan.564
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/
PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan
ORDER OF THE DRAGON KNIGHTS
Dare to journey with the Dragon Knights of Scotland!
They were an ancient order descended from the great Tuatha De Danann, a tribe from the Goddess Danu. Half human and half fae, each blessed with mystical powers. They were also given holy relics and guardianship over the dragons.
With the dawn of Christianity, the dragons were systematically hunted down and slain leaving only one. The Dragon Knights took her from Ireland to a land across the sea, settling in the Great Glen near Urquhart. The clan was known as the MacKay clan, descendants from the MacAoidh.
Yet, there were those who deemed the Order had too much power, and they tried to possess it for themselves. They were evil and twisted, and their plan succeeded one fateful night. A battle was fought and their sister was killed.
The Clan Mackay is no longer.
The Dragon Knights scattered across the land.
Yet out of the darkness, they will each fight for redemption.
Available at most online retailers including Amazon:
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It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with A Highland Moon Enchantment! I can’t wait to read it!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Historical Romance, Holiday, Medieval, Paranormal Romance, Scottish, Time travel by Tena Stetler with 27 comments.
Writing The Wolf by Steffanie Holmes
Give a warm welcome to USA Today’s Best Selling Author Steffanie Holmes with her latest release Writing The Wolf!
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Steffanie and Writing The Wolf. OH… don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win Writing the Wolf.
Tell us a little about Writing The Wolf.
What inspired this particular story, Steffanie?
Writing the Wolf came about because I wanted to write more books with diverse characters. I think that’s a really important issue that isn’t being addressed as much as it should be in modern genre fiction. But I didn’t just want to stick a “token” person-of-colour in and call that “diverse”. I wanted a story that really hinged on how the character identified herself, and how others identified her.
I am not a person-of-colour, but when I talked to friends who are about their experiences, I realised I shared similar experiences as a person who was bullied for a disability. I knew what it was like to walk into a room and feel different from everyone else. I pulled up all those feelings and tried to use them to bring reality to Rosa’s character.
Writing the Wolf is all about escape, in both a literal and physical sense. Rosa runs away to Crookshollow Forest to escape the horrible people in her town, and she also writes to escape from the reality of all the abuse she’s endured. Caleb escaped from his horrible family, and now’s he’s trying to help Rosa escape from the situation he’s placed her in by declaring her his mate. Sometimes, escape is the right solution. Rosa absolutely should have left her town. But in the end, you can’t escape from yourself. You have to turn around and face your demons, and thats what both Rosa and Caleb do, together.
Sounds like an interesting read and something most people could relate to one way or the other.
Did you tell friends and family that you were writing a book? Or did it take a while to come out and tell friends and family you were a writer?
This is actually kind of a funny story. I write and publish dark dystopian fantasy under the name S C Green. My friends all knew about that. One day I was at a party and we were talking about 50 Shades of Grey. I’d read the first chapter but couldn’t continue because the writing was … not great, in my opinion. So I was spouting off about this to a friend, and she was rightly getting a bit annoyed with me acting all superior. So she said, “it’s not as if you could write a romance book, Steff.”
And I thought. “You know what? Challenge accepted.”
So I wrote my book Witch Hunter. And then I wrote the Crookshollow foxes and published all those. Then, and only then, did I tell my friends about my romance books. They couldn’t believe it!
I guess you showed them. LOL! Why do you write what you write? Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.
I write paranormal, because I love how you can use supernatural creatures and forces to play with different themes that have a direct impact on the real, tangible world. Often, you can say more when you’re not talking about something “real”. In Writing the Wolf, Caleb has to hide who he is from the world. How many of us feel as though that’s something we do every day?
Also, it’s just damn fun.
I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s great fun! So…what do you like to do when you are not writing?
All sorts of things! My husband and I live on a lifestyle block (homestead) in New Zealand, so there is always a ton of work to do on the house or in the gardens. We built this crazy house that’s inspired by medieval castle architecture, and we host these ridiculous medieval banquets and parties for our friends. I love to cook and brew my own alcohol, and we love to travel and explore the world together. We’re both into music (mainly heavy metal, but lots of other things, too) so we always go off to see bands or overseas to festivals.
Sounds like we have a lot in common. Love medieval castle architecture and those Medieval banquest and parties would be blast! New Zealand is on our travel plans one day too.
Do you have a snippet for us?
Rosa
Rosa just wants to be left alone to write her book, but when werewolves attempt to kidnap her, she realizes her neighbor Caleb is the only one who can protect her. But Caleb is hiding a secret of his own … fur and sparks fly in this hot paranormal romance.
I need to escape.
After those racist bastards destroyed my home, I can’t face the world again.
I’ve rented a cabin in the heart of the Crookshollow forest. I’m going to lock myself away and work on my book. I’m going to write my story.
And I absolutely, positively WILL NOT think about Caleb, the hunky labourer who’s fixing up my cabin.
No way.
I won’t think about the way his eyes melt my heart, and his smile melts my panties.
I’m too emotionally raw right now. I can’t handle a fling, especially not with a white guy.
Especially not a guy like him. A guy who shags and leaves. I can’t handle any more heartache.
Caleb
Rosa Parker – clever writer, black woman, total hottie.
The connection between us sizzles – there’s no denying it: this woman is my mate.
When I’m near her, all I want to do is claim her.
If only I wasn’t the biggest threat to her life right now.
With a rogue wolf pack after my hide, I can’t afford a distraction. Even a distraction as alluring as her.
I need to keep my wolfish instincts in check.
But I can’t help myself.
Rosa Parker has got under my skin.
And I won’t stop until I’ve made her mine.
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Writing the Wolf is a standalone novel with an HEA. It’s the second book in the hot new paranormal romance series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. Read on if you love spunky heroines, pack politics, and a hero so hot he’ll have you howling for more.
Amazon BN iBooks Kobo Google Play
About the Author:
Steffanie Holmes is a USA Today bestselling author of dark and steamy paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live?
Sign up for the mailing list! http://steffmetal.com/subscribe
Website: http://steffanieholmes.com
Blog: http://steffmetal.com
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Twitter @steffmetal
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Patreon: http://patreon.com/steffmetal
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Writing The Wolf.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Steffanie Holmes, Writing the Wolf by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Finding the Holiday Joy
Over the years, joy of the holiday season seems to be fading. Each year it seems harder and harder to get excited about putting up the brightly colored Christmas decorations inside and out. In search of the joy, I joined holiday blog hops, took the elf name of Twinkle Bright to participate in holiday events. Results, only a slight bump in the holiday joy meter. Huh.
Shopping, now that’s a real experience these days. Black Friday deals most of November, then the real Black Friday, Cyber Monday, harried shoppers looking for the elusive super 
bargain. It’s nuts. I shop most of year for just the right gifts, so my shopping is nearly done by the above events. One thing missing from these shopping experiences is the Christmas Cheer. Yes, I know the reason for the season, but it’s lost among the boxes, bows, and lack of goodwill toward anyone. Not to mention, the change in greeting of Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for fear of offending someone. Call me a rebel, but I still sing out Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
My hubby and I dared a visit to a big box retailer on Sunday after Black Friday. We talked with an employee there. His description, including entertaining animated gestures was blood bath, enormous crowd, grabbing, pushing, climbing over others, and shoving to get just the right popular computer watch (he worked in electronics). He buried his head in his hands on the counter at times during the discussion. We couldn’t help but laughed at his antics. Encouraged, he look up and grinned. At which time I dared to ask, “Do you have any of those second series watches left?” Wide eyed he laughed hysterically and shuffled to a locked glass case. He stared down at the one lonely box and pointed. “That’s it.” Just so happened the watch was a rose gold cased sport with a pink sand band. “Exactly what we are looking for,” I squealed. No waiting in line, no blood spilled, and the look on the clerk’s face was priceless. “Really?” He grinned wide and handed the box to us. “Fate,” he said, “Enjoy.” As we paid for our treasure, we chimed, “Merry Christmas.”
The fun of the holidays began to build with the first spark of goodwill. December 4th-17th, I am participating in Joy of the Season Blog Hop and December 5-7th Highway Café Christmas Blog Tour with prizes, giveaways, fun and games. You don’t want to miss out!
My contribution to holiday joy, A Witch’s Holiday Wedding, preorder today and it’s will be on your ipad or kindle on December 9th. A heartwarming tale of romance, family, wildlife rescue and friends with Christmas cheer and surprises.
A little about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
Sunday, December 4th the Blog Hop Fun begins with a trip to the North Pole, elves and all.<grin> Then December 8th an update on my search for holiday joy! If that isn’t enough, we’ll explore Christmas traditions the third week of December. What restores your holiday joy?
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Posted in Holidays, My Say What Blog and tagged black friday, Christmas, Cyber Monday, Happy New Year, Holidays, Merry Christmas, Paranormal Romance, Romance, shopping by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
