Holiday Recipe & A Magic Redemption
Happy holidays to all! I’m so excited today is the release of A MAGIC REDEMPTION, the fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series. Yippee!! 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 MAGIC REDEMPTION is all about! Also, check out my Holiday Recipe for Fantasy Fudge. Pssst. To celebrate my new release I’m giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift card. Read to the bottom of the post, tell me the name of Synn’s pup in the comments to be entered for a chance to win Thanks for joining us!
A Magic Redemption has been in the process for quite some time. Synn the heroine of the book has wandered in and out of most of the books in A Demon’s Witch Series. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she sees an escape and exchanges valuable information for protection and takes freedom in Ireland. Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.
I always knew I’d have to tell Synn’s story, but had to wait until all the pieces fell into place from the other books in the series. I’m super excited to share her incredible adventure and heart-warming story with you now. I certainly hope you enjoy reading A Magic Redemption as much as I did writing Synn’s tale.
Although A Magic Redemption is the fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series, it can be read as a stand-alone like all the other books in the series. Before we get into A MAGIC REDEMPTION, a little holiday fun and a recipe!
Twinkle Bright – Elves Secret Santa
Direct from the North Pole, welcome to the Elves Secret Santa party! Here at the North Pole it’s extremely busy, but we still have time for a little holiday fun and shenanigans.
Let me introduce myself. I’m an elf and my name is Twinkle Bright because my elf hat has twinkle lights wound all around the scalloped edge and the pointy top.
I make yummy Hot Chocolate for Santa and the elves from a secret family recipe passed down from generation to generation. My hot chocolate keeps everyone warm and toasty inside at the North Pole. There is even an automatic dispenser in Santa’s Sleigh providing him with hot chocolate during his travels on Christmas Eve. It goes good with the cookies the children leave for him.
While I am mixing up large batches of hot chocolate, I listen to Christmas Carols from a variety of pop, country and rock artists. I always taste each batch to insure it’s up to elf standards. . You would think I’d get tired of hot chocolate, but no — never. I love the steaming chocolaty drink. I usually keep mine in an insulated mug so it stays warm while sampling the cookies in the elves’ bakery. Frosted sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies are my absolute favorites.
Now, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. But you must promise not to tell…anyone.
We do a secret Santa gift exchange around here and this year I got Bob, her job at the North Pole is name checker to make sure Santa has all the correct spellings of the girls and boys. One year she spelled Chrys’ name Chris and wow what an uproar.
Luckily Santa caught it, but we had to rush to change all the tags on her packages. Whew!
I’m getting Elf Bobi a package of 120 different color markers in a jewel encrusted case for marking off the correctly spelled names after she checks them.
Do you think she’ll like that?
Do you like fudge? Great, I’ll share with you my favorite Fantasy Fudge Recipe.
3 cups of sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 – 5 oz can of evaporated milk (do not use sweetened condensed milk)
1 – 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 – 7 oz jar marshmallow cream
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
You may add chopped nuts if you wish
Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to a full rolling boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stir constantly
Cook for four minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees.
High altitude takes about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and marshmallow cream, stir until melted.
Add vanilla and nuts. Stir until blended.
Pour into a greased 9×13 pan, spread evenly.
Cool completely and cut into squares.
A sneak peek between the pages of A MAGIC REDEMPTION!
He showered, pulled on sweats, and stretched out on his empty king-sized bed. After his long flight, a peaceful sleep came quickly until Synn’s nightmare invaded his dream world. Gut wrenching terror tore through him until he was able to disengage himself from the nightmare. There’d be no phone call this time. For a moment he considered shifting, but he might need a vehicle after arriving at her home. He yanked off his sweats and pulled on jeans, a sweater, donned a coat, and grabbed his keys.
He found her sitting cross-legged on the bedroom floor. Storm curled in her lap. The usually active pup was lying still just peering up at her. When Gavin approached, Storm moved one ear forward and turned her head to look at him. “It’ll be okay, girl.” He knelt in front of Synn, brushed the hair away from her face. A vacant stare met his gaze into her eyes like she was in a trance. This couldn’t be good.
He’d seen her nightmare. Something was trying to control her. He wouldn’t let it happen. Releasing a breath, he took hold of her shoulders. She’d been like this once before. When she came out of it anyone within arm’s reach could be in danger. Though her magic was tempered these days, it wouldn’t be for long… Changing strategy, he repositioned himself behind her, caught her up in a bear hug, and pushed the pup out of her lap. Storm yelped and went grudgingly but refused to leave her side.
“Synn, it’s me Gavin; you’re safe.” He gave her a little shake. Arms and legs began flailing. She let out a blood curdling scream and kept screaming until he thought the neighbors a few miles away would hear and call the police. He held her tightly, sat down on the floor, and pulled her into his lap. “Synn. Synn. You’re all right. We’re at the cottage.” The screams turned to sobs. She leaned her head back and blinked.
Panic seized her. “Gavin, you’ve got to get out of here. He’s coming for me and will kill everyone associated with me, including Storm.” She reached for the pup cuddling her close to her chest. “I’m so sorry. I knew this would never work. I don’t deserve a normal life.”
“That’s enough. It was a nightmare. That’s all.”
She turned her large aqua eyes on him and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, Kobo , itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Barnes and Noble Wal-mart.com
About the Author:
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance. She has an over-active imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a tween to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends. After many years as a paralegal, then an IT Manager, she decided to live out her dream of pursuing a publishing career.
With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of witches, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, and gryphons, with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in telling their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Thank you so much for indulging my excitement at the release of my eighth book with The Wild Rose Press and reading a bit about A MAGIC REDEMPTION! I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Magic Redemption, Fantasy Fudge, Ireland, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Twinkle Bright the Holiday Elf, Urban Fantasy, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Donna Kunkel Author of Magic in the Mountains
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Donna Kunkel, author of Magic in the Mountains. 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 Magic in the Mountains is all about. Thanks for joining us!
What inspired this particular story?
After getting the lucky opportunity to live in Hawaii for three years my husband and I try to take a vacation back every other year. On one of our trips, I woke up at 3:30 after dreaming about getting trapped in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains by a heavy snowstorm. A couple of years earlier I’d learned to immediately write down these story ideas before I forgot them. So I got up and started jotting down the dream. I spent that day and several others sitting on the beach, with clipboard-paper-clothespins, writing the beginning of this story. I’d look at the sandy beach, feel the cool breeze coming in off the ocean and write about endless snow and howling winds.
Tell us something about yourself and allow us to get to know you.
I was the quiet band and math geek who avoided English classes like the plague. When I lived in California, I started reading at the beach and finally became obsessed with books.
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
Many witches and wizards denied there magic during the Salem witch hunts and the Inquisition, so their descendants never knew they had magical abilities. My Aspen Glen Series is about these men or women finding out that they have magic. This novel is a light hearted romp about a witch trying not to use her magic, but fate has other plans. Take a trip into a world where magic exists, hidden from the normal world.
Favorite holiday memory?
The first week of our school’s Christmas break my dad would take a day off and our family of four would go to downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The cold wind would gust and blow through the canyons created by the towering skyscrapers. When we’d round a corner the frigid wind would smack us in the face and push our kid sized bodies back. Unfortunately it rarely snowed. I only remember once having a few flakes blowing around as we scurried from building to building. We’d shop for a few items that you couldn’t find in our small town.
There was one department store famous for its window displays. These windows were filled with animated, magical, tiny elves hard at work making toys or decorating trees. We would visit every window and watch spellbound. Then we’d go to the forest wonderland to see a reindeer and visit Santa.
For lunch we’d go to the best Jewish deli in the city for corned beef sandwiches. The booths were warm and cozy. No one ever had to wait long to place an order or get your food. The waitresses bustled around the busy lunch time crowd making sure everyone was taken care of, trying to keep the waiting line from getting too long.
After lunch, we’d head back to the department stores. In our town, a store would take up a slot in the downtown building and have at most only an escalator to a basement level. In Cincinnati a store would occupy the entire city block and extend up for at least six floors. There wasn’t anything more exciting than getting to ride an elevator or stopping on the mezzanine level. We rarely got the chance to shop downtown so when we did it was a major event. I still smile as I recall these happy family outings and the time we spent all together.
Least favorite holiday memory?
The year my mom was steaming the turkey carcass and she lifted the lid severely burning her arm. It took a long time, but her arm’s scar did disappear. We never had turkey for Christmas again.
Funniest holiday memory
My mother never had room to move the turkey to the refrigerator so she would thaw the bird in a sink full of water overnight. She came out in the morning and found four punctures in the bird. Apparently during the night, our German Sheppard tried to steal the bird, but it was too frozen and heavy for our dog. Everyone laughed when we told them about the still visible tooth marks.
SPEED ROUND
Favorite Christmas movie: White Christmas then the original Grinch
Favorite Christmas book: Skipping Christmas
Favorite color: blue
Stilettos or flip flops or elf shoes: elf shoes
Coffee or tea or hot chocolate: hot chocolate
E-book or audiobook or paperback: all
Pencil or pen or candy cane: pen
Favorite Christmas Carole or song: Bing Crosby singing White Christmas
All-time favorite Christmas present: my silver flute
Favorite dessert: chocolate
Christmas Candy or Cake: cookies
Favorite thing to do to relax during the holidays: enjoying good food
Champagne or gin or eggnog: champagne
Paranormal or Historical: paranormal
Wonder Woman or Top Model or Tinkerbell: Tinkerbell
Favorite Christmas or holiday TV show: Hallmark’s Mistletoe Inn
Hot or cold: Hot
I’d die if I don’t have: diet Pepsi
Review or not: review
Click on the cover to read more or purchase!
Tell us a little about Magic in the Mountains.
Sick and tired of magical men and mayhem, Alex a city witch, pledges to give magic a rest. Her vow is put to the test when she finds herself snowbound with a hunky mortal. She attempts life without magic even when faced with a demonic hen, a cow that acts like a dog, and a dog that acts human. But when all magic breaks loose and a unicorn shows up, it’s the last straw. How will she keep her magic a secret?
Steve, a reclusive prospector, lives alone in a remote Colorado valley because he doesn’t trust himself around humans, especially those of the female persuasion. Once he meets the feisty Alex, breaking self-imposed rules is just the beginning. But how can he keep her safe from what lives inside him?
Their connection grows, but the secrets they hide keep them from confessing their feelings. Will they be able to accept and control who and what they are in time to give their love a chance?
A sneak peek between the pages of Magic in the Mountains!
This was unbelievable. “My boss isn’t going to understand. This is just like my dog ate my homework. I’m stuck in the snow—for a month or more.” Her mind raced through the possible ways of traveling. “What about a snowmobile?”
“Unfortunately, the road you came in on is the only way in or out. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that an avalanche blocked the valley pass last night. If so, it’ll take a while before anyone can get through.” He watched her. “Why did you drive out this way? Why didn’t you stop at the hotel next to the highway?”
“What hotel?”
“If you had just driven under the highway overpass, you’d have been there. Why didn’t you follow the detour sign?”
“Oh great. That’s—just—great! The stupid detour sign blows away so now I’m stuck in the middle of nothing. I could have been tucked away in a nice comfortable hotel—with electricity and phones. But no—I’m stuck in no-man’s land. I risked life and limb trudging through the snow for what?” She sighed. “Now what?”
Buy links:
Amazon Barnes & Noble The Wild Rose Press
About the author:
Donna Kunkel is a paranormal romance author. Within the pages of her tales you can visit with witches, wizards, shape-shifters, and other fantasy creatures. Figurines of the magic realm surround her computer for inspiration. She lives at the edge of the Colorado mountains with her husband of many years and her two dogs. When not writing, you can find her browsing the fabric shops for her next quilt, stitching Japanese embroidery, or curled up with a good book. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, at Lake Tahoe, or relaxing on a beach in Hawaii.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonnaKunkelAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonnaKunkel3
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-kunkel
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Donna-Kunkel/e/B07JR32614
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18551108.Donna_Kunkel
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Magic in the Mountains!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Donna Kunkel, fantasy, Magic in the Mountains, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, snow, Winter, Witches by Tena Stetler with 23 comments.
Exciting 99 cent sale – A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING
Click on cover to read more and purchase!
Its Sunday and A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING is on sale for 99 cents. What more could you want only a nine days from Halloween and the Holiday season fast approaching? Download your copy today!
After she set her glass down, Lathen brushed a couple strands of hair out of her eyes and searched her face. “Are you all right?”
“I’m tired, my wedding is in a couple weeks, I have ghosts fighting over who is going to do what. Guests that have no idea the place is haunted and… Your family and pack, my parents, Gwen… To top it all off, the head of my clan, who is a ghost, is sitting in front of me wanting to know who is coming to the wedding and whether the ghosts will be outed. How could I possibly be all right?”
“When you put it that way.” Lathen chuckled. “It sounds just a bit… I don’t know…crazy?” His right eyebrow winged up. She saw mischief sparkle in his eyes. “We could still elope,” he offered.
Available at: Amazon, Kobo, The Wild Rose Press, and Barnes & Noble
My celebration of three years of being a published author continues. Check back for more sales!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Holiday Wedding, ghosts, Ireland, magic, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Discussion with Nancy Gideon Author of Prince Of Dreams
Give a spooktacular welcome to Nancy Gideon author of Prince of Dreams. Today she’s graciously agreed to talk about Vampires verses Werewolves in honor of upcoming All Hallows! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Nancy Gideon and her Prince of Dreams as well as her take on Vampires and Werewolves. Pssst…Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post.
A peek between the pages of Prince of Dreams . . .
An unnatural being from a family of shapeshifters.
Even now Ophelia didn’t know whether to laugh or weep at the absurdity of it. Things like that didn’t exist. Except she knew they did, just outside the peripheral, where worlds of fact and fiction met and mingled and blurred. She’d felt their presence in the shadows of reality all her life. She met them in her dreams and visions.
Kip Terriot gave them gorgeous face and form, but underneath, he was that creature with red eyes and sharp teeth. Her big, bad wolf, who’d protected her from a robber and defended her from abuse, who’d rescued her sister from the attack she still refused to acknowledge. Who loved his family and would do anything for them?
Who she loved too much to let go but couldn’t give what he needed because she wasn’t his kind.
Which was the greater fear, what he was or that she’d fail him?
“What are we going to do, Phe? I don’t want to lose this.” He brought her knuckles to his lips for a kiss.
“I don’t want to lose you. But I already have, haven’t I? You’re a million miles away right now and almost out of reach.”
“I’m right here.” His argument brought her to him, her knees stepping over his lap to straddle him, arms circling his shoulders, face nestling against the curve of his throat where she rode his hard swallow. He held tight, trying to believe they could make this moment last, this glorious, fiery, tender moment that offered so much and promised so little.
“You are my prince,” she whispered, breath moist and soft against his neck. “My Prince of Cups. You rode into my life bringing romance, shaking my world to its foundation that first night I met you. It was in the cards.”
“Fate,” he murmured, smile in his voice. “No escaping it.” His fingers threaded through her hair, pulling back gently to tip up her face, offering sweetly parted lips and glistening eyes.
He’d planned a sweet kiss but the taste of urgency and need in the sweep of her tongue ruined that noble ambition. They feasted upon one another for long, desperate minutes until she rocked back, thumb swiping the dampness from his mouth.
“Go, be who you need to be for them. Then come back and be who I need you to be.
About the Author:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/109994-nancy-gideon-by-moonlight
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Prince of Dreams!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged House of Terriot-book four, magic, Nancy Gideon, Paranormal, Prince of Dreams, Shapeshifters, Vampire by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
