Sad...

Happy New Year everyone!  

Just wanted to let you know my computer has been in the shop since Monday and I probably won't be back up til the 2nd week in January!  I'll be back as soon as I can!!!

Beyond Chance - Karice Bolton New Release

Happy Sultry Saturday y'all!

Today I'm featuring +Karice Bolton 's latest release

BEYOND CHANCE!

I love this series.  It's highly addictive and I can't wait to dig in!

Kindle

Nook

Romance

The fifth book in the Beyond Love Series...
Brandy hopes that moving to Paris with Aaron will shield her from the turmoil back in the states. With the trial about to start, she soon realizes running from her past only threatens her future. 

Sugar's Peace - Katie Mettner

Merry Christmas, Tobi! I'm so thankful for you all year long, and I'm very excited to be sharing Sugar's Christmas story on your blog today. Several years ago I wrote Sugar's Peace, before there was Sugar's Song, Sugar's Night, or Sugar's Faith. I ended Sugar's Dance on Christmas Eve, but it seemed people wanted more Sugar. They wanted to know what happened 'the day after'. They wanted to know how she spent her first Christmas of the rest of her life. So, I wrote Sugar's Peace, just a short five page story about Christmas morning, the 'day after', and the first Christmas of the rest of her life. Looking at it now, several years and three books later, I can see I already had in my heart the places Sugar still needed to go, even if I didn't know it in my head yet. Obviously, many of you already know the rest of the story, but I think you will enjoy reading about Sugar's first Christmas with her new family. I want to thank all of my readers for the support over the last year and wish you all a very happy holiday season! 

“Merry Christmas Ms. DuBois.” The soft words were murmured against my ear as his lips brushed my cheek. I was snuggled down deep inside the down comforter and could smell the sweet coffee wafting through the air.

“Aren’t you going to open those beautiful blue eyes?” Van asked as he pulled me in tight to him and twined his fingers in mine. A smiled played at my lips as I shook my head no. “And just why not?” he asked caressing my cheek.

“Because I’m afraid when I open them last night will have been a dream.” I said as his lips descended on mine and he kissed me slowly, pulling my hand to him and working the ring off my finger.

My eyes flew open, “What are you doing?!”

His eyes sparkled as he held the emerald ring, “I knew I could get you to open your eyes.” he said smiling at me as I grabbed at the ring. He jerked it back, “Let me prove last night wasn’t a dream.” he whispered. “Tula DuBois, will you marry me?” he asked very seriously and I burst out laughing as he feigned disappointment and hurt. “Is that a no?”

“That’s a yes, forever and always Mr. Bond.” I winked while he slipped the ring back on my finger and hugged me close. It was then that I noticed it was still dark outside, and the clock read six a.m., or o-dark thirty as my dad would say.

“Merry Christmas my love,” I whispered into his ear, “can we go back to sleep?” I asked and I felt his chest rumble against mine.

He sat back and handed me a cup of sweet creme liqueur, “No, no almost Mrs. Bond, we have things to do today, drink up.” he said as I brought the sweet nectar of the gods to my lips while raising a brow.

“Really? This early? You’re worse than a kid on Christmas morning.” I said around my mug and he laughed as he grabbed some clothes from the dresser and laid them on the bed and then leaned into me, kissing the coffee from my lips, “The presents can wait, I want to hold your hand and watch the éirí gréine, the first one of the rest of our lives.” he whispered and I smiled.

“Ah the sunrise. Excellent idea.” I grinned grabbing my jeans and pulling them on before snapping on my leg. He pulled me up off the bed into a tight embrace swaying as he sang, “Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now. With every step I take let this be my solemn vow; to take each moment and live each moment with peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

“Let There Be Peace on Earth, Vince Gill, waltz.” I whispered.

“Do you have peace?” he asked.

“Like I haven’t known in a very, very long time.” I said smiling up at him as he twisted the ring on my finger.

~~~

Van led me through the dark lodge and out the front door quietly, so we didn’t wake Lillie. I stood on the front porch as the swing rocked in the morning breeze and took a deep breath. The air was frigid, and the trees were covered in an icy white mist. The sky, still a murky black, fought against the rising sun. We walked hand in hand towards the lake, him stopping every so often to steal a kiss.

“I love you.” he said after breaking off one rather long lip lock.

“I love you too.” I sighed a little and he chuckled.

“Was that a sigh?” he asked chucking me under the chin and I swatted at him as he took off running toward the break in the trees that opened into my little piece of Lake Superior. By the time I caught up to him he had disappeared and I was standing in our spot doing a 360°, calling his name. On the 180° turn I saw it. There sat a cedar bench with a big red bow.

I ran my hand along the top of the bench that faced the lake in perfect alignment to watch the éirí gréine and luí na gréine. In the dawning light I could see a metal plaque on the bench and bent down reading it aloud, “I hope you dance.... V&T 4-ever.”

I felt him wrap his arms around my waist and lean his chin on my shoulder, “Merry Christmas, Mi Mot.”

I reached around and patted his face as the tears blurred my vision. I took a steadying breath, “I love it, thank you my love, its perfect.”

He turned me, kissing me softly and wiping away a tear. “In the spring we can have a concrete pad poured, so it will be ready for baby James to sit with his Aunt Sugar to watch the birds over the lake.” he whispered.

I laughed through my tears, loving him more than I ever thought possible. We sat on the bench snuggled together as the sky turned pink, and the sun begin to rise above the shore of the lake to break through the thin layer of clouds. I love the sunrise over Lake Superior because each day brings something different. Today I searched for one thing, one sign, to know they were here with us, but I saw nothing. The lake was quiet as the sun rose and my mind began to wander to the shore on the other side of the lake, the shore I couldn’t see. I felt his eyes on me and he slowly tipped my chin up, “Stop. The only shore you need to think about today is this one, the one we are sitting on together.” he said lovingly and I watched as his eyes swirled.

I nodded quickly. “The only shore that matters.” I whispered and laid my head on his chest.

The sun became a giant ball of pink in the sky and the woods came alive when the birds began to greet the day with their feathers plumped up against the wind. Van pointed out towards the lake, and I looked up to see a golden eagle taking flight from a tree branch of a red pine to swoop out over the lake. It wasn’t long and a second one joined in the flight. They flew away from us until they were black specks in the sky, but they were enough to remind me they were still here.

He bent down and kissed me slowly, his lips barely touching mine as my eyes fell closed and my heart overflowed. “Best morning ever.” he said against my lips and I smiled knowing that to be one hundred percent bang on. I sat up and took a deep breath ready to go shake Lillie awake for Christmas morning presents.

“Van, why do I smell a campfire?” I asked him and he had a grin on his face that told me he knew the answer.

“Come on!” he grabbed my hand and we jogged to the fire pit where Sharon, Lenny, Jessie, Julie and Lillie sat on their cranns with a fire blazing as they drank coffee from a thermos. Even Lillie who proclaimed she “hated coffee” when she first arrived yesterday had a cup in her hand.

“Merry Christmas, Sugar!” They all said in unison and I couldn’t stop the bubble of laughter that escaped.

“Merry Christmas to all of you, this is becoming a habit.” I laughed, hugging them all, remembering the campfire we had shared just a few hours ago. The campfire that changed my life.

Van and I sat on our cranns, his was a new tree stump we found one day in the woods and rolled to the fire pit. I hadn’t had much time to carve it, so it was pretty bare, but I noticed this morning there was a V&T 4-ever carved in the side. He gave me a little lip tilt as he handed me a cup of coffee and my heart smiled.

“So, what brings you out so early this Christmas morning?” I asked them and Jess snorted.

“We were encouraged to come for early morning caroling time by your new fiancé. I think he just wants you for himself for the rest of the day.” Jess said laughing and Van gave him a fist bump.

“Fair play!” he grinned at my brother.

Julie caught my eye and blew me a kiss and I blew one back, she looked so happy now that everything was out in the open.

“So caroling you say?” I asked, “That’s going to be a problem, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket and Nathan isn’t here to play the guitar.”

Van held up a finger and went to the small shed grabbing a guitar and slinging it around his neck, giving it a couple of strums for tuning. I noticed Lillie laughing at the shocked look on my face.

“I didn’t know he played.” I snickered and she nodded.

“Many things you have to learn to be a Jedi master.” She said in a deliriously funny southern Yoda voice.

Van took his place again on the crann next to me and we sang our hearts out as the fire blazed. They were singing, but I was counting the seven most important blessings in my life.

~~~ 

Whoever said Christmas is for children obviously never met my fiancé. After an impromptu Christmas breakfast of butter horn rolls and eggs, my family took their leave, I’m pretty sure to go back to bed. That left Van, Lillie and I alone in the lodge. The fire was burning in the fireplace and Lillie was stretched out in the chair snoozing as Van tucked me up under his arm on the couch.

“Whatcha get me for Christmas?” he asked for the thirtieth time.

“Nothing.” I said smiling and he faked a tear.

“That’s not true, I see my name on a couple of those packages under the tree. I'll get you to talk." He grinned, his hands tickling my ribs.

“Stop! Stop!” I laughed as his tickling became more intense, and my breath caught in my throat.

“Not 'til you tell me.” He urged, heading for the spot behind my knee.

“Okay, okay!” I yelled breathlessly and he stopped, waiting for my answer. I grabbed a couple of breaths in, “Underwear and socks.” I said straight faced and he attacked then, tickling me until I couldn’t breathe and Lillie finally broke it up.

“Y’all think you could keep it down over there? Or better yet, get a room.” She drawled in her soft southern way. Van’s hands stilled and we both died laughing at the stern look on her face.

He held up his hands, “Of course, I’m sorry mommy, I promise to be good.”

I clapped my hand over my mouth and waited. I hadn’t known Lillie long, but I knew she wasn’t going to let him get away with a comment like that. She swung her feet over the arm of the chair and covered the distance between us in two steps. At barely five feet the word intimidating wouldn’t come to mind at first glance, until you found out all five feet of her was spitfire.

“Mommy?” she asked. “Y’all gonna be begging for your mommy when I’m finished jerking a knot in your tail, mister.”

Van flashed her a thousand watt smile and threw his hands up, “Oh, I’m shaking in my boots. Did you hear that Tula? She’s gonna jerk a knot in my tail.” He drawled in his horrible southern accent.

Before I could respond Lillie pounced on him attacking his midsection hollering for me to grab his arms. With a smile I did just that, knowing full well the two of us were no match for him, but I held his hands over his head while she tickled.

“Uncle, uncle!” he yelled and I threw my head back and laughed as she didn’t break stride.

“Okay, okay, mommy.” he shouted and her hands stilled. She stood, brushing the wrinkles out of her shirt, and fixing her hair.

“My job here is done.” she returned to her place in the chair, crossing one dainty leg across the other.

“Well, mine’s not.” I laughed and Van threw his hands over his head, waiting for the attack that never came. I chuckled as he slowly lowered his arms, and saw me standing by the Christmas tree.

He let out a breath, “Alright, present time.”

Lillie joined me by the tree and I handed her a package. She winked at me, “Guess we should probably let him open the first one?” She snickered, handing it to him.

He tore open the paper and stopped dead, looking up at Lillie. She sat down next to him as he flipped through the pages in the photo album.

“Lil...” he started to say and then stopped, closing the book and running his hand over the picture on the front of it. “Where did you get this?” he finally asked.

“When I was helping you pack up and move I found this old box of photos of you and Grandma Deidre. They were all mixed up and I thought it would be nice if we had them all in a book, so you could show your children some day. I had a friend help me with some of the older ones. He had them digitally enhanced and restored.” she explained, shrugging her shoulder a bit and folding her hands.

I walked over and gave him a kiss on his cheek, taking a look at the cover of the book. Having seen pictures of his mother before, I knew it was her smiling back at me with her arm around Van. “That’s a great picture of you and your Mom, Van. I’d love to frame it to go with the ones on the mantle.”

He looked up at me and nodded, then hugged Lillie tightly, “Best present ever.” he whispered in her ear. She smiled, her eyes swirling green just like his, and I gave her the thumbs up.

“Okay,” Lillie said, “whose next?”

Van stood and grabbed a long envelope from under the tree and handed it to me. “Sorry about the wrap job, it was last minute.”

“I thought the bench...” I started to say and he held up his hand. “Just open it.” He insisted, rocking back on his heels.

I carefully opened the envelope, pulling out two plane tickets to Dublin Ireland. I looked up quickly and he was grinning.

“Merry Christmas, Mi Mot, run away with me, or better yet, marry me, and then run away with me.”

I was stunned silent staring at the tickets in my hand, “In a heartbeat.” I whispered and he kissed me softly, his hands making their way under my shirt where they lay against the warm skin on my back. For a moment I forgot all about where I was as his fingers massaged my ribs and his mouth worked its way to my ear.

“Ahem.” Lillie cleared her throat and I looked up to see her rolling her eyes at us. Van quickly dropped his hands and smoothed my shirt, having the good grace to act embarrassed.

“Later.” he whispered as he walked past me, and I had to hide the smile as I bent down to grab a gift from under the tree.

“This one is from me, Lil.” I handed her the gift and she took it with brow raised.

“You didn’t know I was going to be here. How did you find time to get a gift?” she asked turning it over in her hands.

“Well, funny story,” I said sitting down next to her. “I ordered it figuring I had plenty of time to get it and mail it to you in Chicago, but then it took my guy too long to finish it, so it was going to be late. Now I see it was the Lord looking out for me since He knew you were going to be here. Go ahead, open it.” I clapped, motioning towards it.

“Your guy?” she asked with trepidation and I laughed.

“Yeah, my guy, open it.” I said again and she tore into the paper, revealing a jeweler’s box. I saw Van smile when he saw the insignia and she lifted the lid to reveal the seven pieces of jewelry displayed inside.

“Sugar?” she said my name breathlessly, and questioningly, as Van moved behind us to get a better look.

I put my arm around her shoulders, “Each year we have a piece of jewelry made for MAMBOS that we sell as a fundraiser. My jeweler only makes four original pieces, one for me, Julie, Sharon and the volunteer of the year, the rest are reproductions.” I took out the bracelet from this year’s dinner and clasped it around her wrist. “I asked him to make a fifth set, so all the girls in the family have one.” I said winking, and saw the tears in her eyes.

“It’s beautiful, Sugar.” she cried softly, looking closely at the bracelet. Van reached out and pointed to the wing of the largest butterfly.

“Look close Lil.” he whispered and it was then that she realized her name was engraved on the wing.

She threw her arms around me and hugged me tight, “I barely know you, but I already love you so much.” she whispered.

I rubbed her back and smiled, “I love you too, welcome to the family, sweetheart.”

God bless peace.

Want to know more about the Sugar Series? Sugar's Dance, the first book in this epic saga, is on sale for just $0.99 until 12/30/2014!

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Katie Mettner grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and moved to the Northwoods where she now resides with her husband and three children. Katie writes inspirational romance and is the author of The Sugar Series, The Northern Lights Series and the Snowberry Holiday Series. Her stories are a reflection of her love for family, intricately woven with life experience. When the gales of November blow early you can find her at the computer with a cup of joe working on her next adventure.

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Rise of the Faire-Amanti - Raine Thomas Release Day Blitz

Stranded in the desolate Dark Lands, Kyr and Ty share a bittersweet reunion. Alametria lies on the brink of darkness. Their people are still reeling, believing she’s dead at Ty’s hands. With no other choice, many have turned to the Guardians and Advisor Vycor for guidance, never suspecting they’re being led to slaughter.

Kyr and Ty encounter overwhelming challenges in their fight to save their people: a deadly environment, murderous Marauders, and powerful protections preventing them from reaching the palace. When the journey itself could mean their deaths, the one thing that keeps them going is the thought of bringing VycorDane to justice.

Facing a battle on multiple fronts, lacking resources, and significantly outnumbered, Kyr and Ty must rely on each other in the race to save their planet. Will they beat the odds and restore peace to Alametria...or will Vycor’s evil destroy them all?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GmUJH6

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/ROTFAAMZUK

iBooks: http://bit.ly/ROTFAiBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/ROTFAKobo

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/ROTFAGoodreads

Turning so he faced Kyr, he lifted a gloved hand to her shoulder. Are you sure you want to do this?

She nodded, but he saw the rapid pulse in her neck belying her fear. They were both struggling to ignore the flight reflex pounding in their minds.

He considered walking to the storage bay and pulling out the sleeping pallets Gren had packed for their use, but he worried that taking even that much time would have them both abandoning this plan and giving in to the protections. Instead, he bent down and kissed her.

The feel and taste of Kyr shoved every other thought to the far corners of his mind. Although it had only been a few days since he last touched her like this, he felt like a starving man being offered a sumptuous buffet. Her soft lips eased open beneath his, begging him to deepen the kiss. He obliged, rubbing his tongue against hers as she tasted him just as thoroughly.

He ached to touch her. He broke away from her long enough to yank off his goggles and gloves. She hastily did the same. As if of one mind, they didn’t stop there, stripping out of their flight gear with quick, purposeful movements. When Ty was done, he helped Kyr remove the rest of her clothing. Then they came together in a mad rush, their mouths once again finding each other in a searing kiss.

Open your mind to me, Kyr thought. Only to me.

Yes. Only you.

He barely processed her demand over the raging need coursing through his body, but understood what she wanted. Since their first time joining here in the Dark Lands, he had learned that he had to keep a barrier between them when they made love. If he didn’t, they ran the risk of their joined power spiraling out of control like it had that time. On the more practical side, there was also the fact that if he allowed himself to feel everything she felt, their lovemaking would be over practically before it started.

Trust in us, she encouraged him as her hands ran along the muscles of his arms and chest.

Heedless of the consequences, he did as she asked, fully opening his mind to hers.

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of bestselling Young Adult and New Adult fiction. Known for character-drivenstories that inspire the imagination, Raine recently signed with multiple award-winning producer Chase Chenowith of Back Fence Productions to bring her popular Daughters of Saraqael trilogy to the big screen. She's a proud indie author who is living the dream. When she isn't writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida's beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

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Catch up on the rest of the Ascendant Series here

AmazonUS:  http://amzn.to/1uEbWDk

AmazonUK: http://amzn.to/1EDzrEb

Nook: http://bit.ly/1oO3dCb

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1zl7CO2

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1pT1V9S

AmazonUS: http://amzn.to/1wPPIFV 

AmazonUK: http://amzn.to/1ICmIo0

Nook: http://bit.ly/1qxjAUI

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1vQSRTH

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ICnh1m

Another Shot at Love/Done With Love - Niecey Roy Promo

Wow, wow, wow!

Another Shot at Love & Done with love are some of my books and now 

they have amazing new makeovers!

These are some books you don't want to miss out on!

Kindle
Nook
Sexy RomCom
What's Love??? series
Imogen Gorecki has a problem—her twin sister just got engaged, and guess who’s the best man? That’s right, her scum-of-an-ex-boyfriend whom she caught cheating with a bottle-blonde, with fake breasts and a stripper’s flexibility. There’s a disturbing possibility her eyes will never recover. 

Hottie McTottie Monday/Cover Reveal Noel's Hart - Katie Mettner

Happy Hottie McTottie Monday Cover Reveal!

Today I'm featuring the 3rd book in the Snowberry Holiday Series, 

Noel's Hart!

This series is filled with sexy Hottie McTotties!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back Blurb: 

Psalm 61:4: “You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings.”

Savannah Hart grew up in the school of hard knocks and as an adult wants everything in her life to be perfect. She’s poured blood, sweat and tears into her home and her business to make that happen. Suddenly faced with choosing between her home, her shop, or her health, she discovers an added complication, Noel Kiss.

Noel Kiss is determined to stay in Snowberry and get to know his twin, December, again. He buys the local family restaurant, only to discover his new neighbor is Savannah’s Flower Emporium, run by none other than the mysterious Savannah Hart. 

Desperate for relief Savannah agrees to Noel’s crazy proposal. She tells herself when her life is perfect again she will tell him goodbye, but Noel knows his life is perfect with her in it. Can Noel convince her that his arms are the shelter she’s been looking for or will he be holding a broken heart on Valentine’s Day?

Here on Forget The Housework I like to interview the Hotties I'm featuring and I managed to convince mild mannered Noel to come by for a visit. 

Tobi: Welcome to Forget The Housework, Noel! I owe Jay a pizza from Gallo's for convincing you to come, but it was worth it!

Noel: Hi, Tobi, thanks for having me today. I'm laughing about the pizza. I was quite charmed to be asked and planned to come all along, but it was fun messing with Jay. My sister really picked a keeper when she married him.

Tobi: Wait, so I didn't have to offer pizza from the best place in town to get you to come here?

Noel: *Laughing* No, but we can let Jay think he had something to do with it, makes him feel special. I don't think Gallos is the best place in town though. Have you ever heard of Kiss's Cafe? That's the best place in town. *wink*

Tobi: Always the salesman, aren't you? I'm familiar with the Kiss's Cafe in Rochester, Minnesota. That's where we met you in December Kiss, but there isn't one in Snowberry? 

Noel: Yet. Give me another month or so and there will be. I'm remodeling Bucks Tackle Barn and turning it into a Kiss's Cafe. With both Kiss twins in the town there has to be a Kiss's Cafe there too.

Tobi: Congratulations, Noel! I know it will be a big success, Jay couldn't stop talking about that December Morning omelette you make. We know December lives in Snowberry, but are you moving there too? When we left Jay and December you were heading back to Rochester after Christmas.

Noel: *Shifts uncomfortably* I was, but then I needed a place to stay and Snow's best friend Savannah offered her spare room to me. I don't know why, she didn't know me from Adam, but it was very kind of her. Anyway, I couldn't stop thinking about December, Snowberry or Savannah after I returned to Rochester. Something was telling me I needed to go there to stay, not just to visit. It was quite unlike me I have to admit. I drove into town, bought a shut down restaurant and propositioned a woman all in the span of one day.

Tobi: *Raises eyebrow* Propositioned a woman? That sounds worthy of a read right there.

Noel: *Snort* It sounds far more studly than it was, actually. She needed help and I had the capacity to offer it, so I did.

Tobi: I don't think it's a bad thing to follow your gut. Sometimes those things we can't get out of our head are the ideas and plans that change our life, sometimes good and sometimes bad, but I'm betting this time it was good.

Noel: In this case it was good and bad. Savannah has been through so much I had no idea about until I got to know her better. I had a decision to make and I made it with the help of an angel. Once I made it felt relief that I was following the path He wanted me to follow, that made everything else that happened easier to deal with.

Tobi: An angel? That sounds intriguing.

Noel: *Shaking head* You should have been me waking up from that dream! I wondered if the white coats were going to come and haul me away or if I was even awake. It took a lot of coffee that morning to convince myself it was real, but I truly believe it was. I guess Savannah did too because when I told her she didn't tell me I was crazy and ask me to leave.

Tobi: *Laughing* I'm glad she didn't tell you to leave, because we just met you and I'm sure we will learn a lot about you in Noel's Hart. Maybe a little bit more about December too?

Noel: *Grinning* Yes! There is a lot to learn about the Kiss twins. I regret the years December and I spent apart and the pain I caused her. I know she has forgiven me, but I'm not sure I can ever forgive myself. I didn't do right by her. She was always my other half and I missed her so much those eight years we were apart. I didn't realize until Jay showed up in my cafe just how much was missing in my life because she wasn't part of it. I wanted to move to Snowberry so I could be there when my niece or nephew is born and be part of my sister's life again. 

Tobi: Whoa, niece or nephew? *Raises eyebrow high*

Noel: *Laughing* No, there is no baby yet, but someday there will be. Sorry to get your hopes up!

Tobi: *Sigh* Durn, I'm looking forward to all kinds of new babies in Snowberry! Snow and Dully's will be here soon and then I'm hoping a little December or Jay, and then, maybe?????

Noel:  Oh no, I'm not saying a word. No way, no how! 

Tobi:*Raises brow*

Noel: *Laughing* You do have a way about you, Tobi. I could tell you, but then what fun would it be to read Savannah's story? Nope, you will have to wait. 

Tobi: *Sigh* Okay, I'll be good, but not because I want to be. Before you go did you bring me anything to share with my readers?

Noel: Of course, Jay gave me a thorough lesson on what I needed before I came to visit.

Tobi: Yeesh, that makes me sound like a real hard nose.

Noel: *Laughing* No, not at all. It makes you a sucker for a great story, so I brought you one. Well, an excerpt anyway. This is the first time I saw Savannah again after I got back to Snowberry. It broke my heart, but definitely gave me the ammunition to stay and stick my nose in where it didn't belong. 

Tobi: Awwwww, I'm very glad you did and I know Savannah is too. Thanks for stopping by today and sharing this excerpt with my readers. I know they are going to fall in love with you and Savannah's story the same way they did with December and Jay. *Rustles around in pocket and hands over a twenty* Can you make sure Jay gets that pizza I promised him?

Noel: *Laughing* Keep the money Tobi, this pizza is on me. You might need that twenty to order pizza for your kids once you start Noel's Hart! Thanks for letting me sit in the Hottie McTottie Hot Seat today and the next time you're in Snowberry, stop by for a December Morning, on the house.

Tobi: Sounds great, Noel. Thanks for coming!

Excerpt of Noel's Hart:

I climbed out of the truck, my long legs stretching to the ground until my loafers hit the pavement. I locked the door and strode across the street, stepping onto the curb, and almost slipping on a patch of ice. “Grrrr, I hate dress shoes.” I muttered, as I straightened my suit jacket. I also hate suits, but sometimes they’re a necessity.

The only guy I’ve seen pull off a well cut suit lately was December’s husband, Jay. Now that guy can wear a suit. My skinny, string bean physique always makes me look like I’m drowning in pinstripes. I definitely preferred jeans and a flannel shirt to this any day. I stopped in front of Savannah’s Flower Emporium and took a deep breath. I haven’t seen her since Christmas Day, but sent her a few texts to check on her. She always assured me she was fine, but I knew she wasn’t. It only took one look at her face to see she was far from fine, but I prayed she had someone found some relief from her pain.

I pulled the door open and the smell of fresh roses, carnations and violets hit me in the face. I took a long deep breath of the fragrant petals, surprised by how it suddenly felt like spring in the middle of winter. I made a mental note to make sure I kept fresh flowers in my café during the winter. I grinned. Guess I knew just the person to get them from.

The door closed behind me, but I didn’t see Savannah anywhere. I waited by the counter for a few moments, but when she didn’t come out, I walked towards the backroom where she cuts and sorts flowers, and does paperwork.

“Savannah? Are you here?” I called, so I didn’t scare her if she just hadn’t heard the bell. I peeked in the open door and she had her back to me, wiping her face. “Savannah, are you okay?”

She nodded, wiping her hands on her apron. “Hi Noel, I wasn’t expecting you today.”

My eyes drifted to the desk where there was paperwork spread out and the computer that now had a black screen. She still hadn’t turned to me, so I walked in and put my hand on her shoulder until she did.

My eyes took in the sight before me. She was wearing one of her signature aprons, lions stalking prey, but today it wasn’t covered in flower petals and stems like usual. It was dry, but her face wasn’t. Her face was red, her eyes watery, and the right side of her face was pulled back in an unnatural position.

“Do you need help?” I asked quickly, worried she might collapse again like Christmas Eve.

She shook her head and took a shaky breath, “No,” her hand went to the side of her face to cover it, “everything is fine. I didn’t hear the bell. It’s nice to see you. What are you doing here?”

She ducked her head and tried to get around me, but I stayed rooted, so she couldn’t get by. “Take a minute and get yourself together, honey. There’s no one out there.” She nodded her head quickly, but kept her eyes pointed to the ground. “I brought you some coffee.” I told her, holding the cup out. She took it and whispered thank you.

Either she was lying to me about her face or something bad had just happened, because I could hear the tears in her voice. I knelt down on the floor, looking up at her under her long auburn hair. “Is it just one of those days where you could use a hug?”

“I suppose it would be, if I had someone to hug.” She said sadly.

I stood and took the cup from her hand, tugging her over into my arms. “You can hug me.” I assured her, feeling her slip her arms around my waist. At just a hair over five feet tall her head barely reached the middle of my chest, but I liked how easily it nestled there. “I’m sorry you’re having a hard day. Is there anything I can do?”
She sighed and shook her head no, so I tucked her hair behind her ear and tried to comfort her the only way I knew how. “Whatever it is, it will be okay. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will.” I promised.....

Bio: Katie Mettner grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and moved to the Northwoods where she now resides with her husband and three children. Katie writes inspirational romance and is the author of The Sugar Series, The Northern Lights Series and the Snowberry Holiday Series. Her stories are a reflection of her love for family, intricately woven with life experience. When the gales of November blow early you can find her at the computer with a cup of joe working on her next adventure.

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Mr. Good Enough - Jamie Farrell

Kindle
Nook
Romance
Maddie Mason isn’t desperate. She’s simply tired of waiting for the universe to deliver her Mr. Perfect. So she’s turning to the dating website she created, MisterGoodEnough.com, to finally find her future. 

Online matchmaking is perfect for Maddie, because: 
A) History has proven she’s a poor judge of decent husband material. 
B) The dating pool in her crumbling little hometown is all but dried up. 
C) She wants babies. 

Teen Tuesday/Never Forgotten - Kelly Risser

Kindle
YA Paranormal Romance
One minute Meara Quinn is making plans for the summer before her senior year. The next she finds out that her mother's cancer has returned and they're moving away from the only home she's ever known. Every day becomes a struggle as Meara tries to cope with her mother's illness while being forced to move to another country to live with grandparents who are strangers. 

Add weird visions of a father who was absent her entire life and top it all off with one whopping secret that everyone seems bent on keeping from her, and Meara has the perfect ingredients for a major melt down. The only things keeping her from coming unglued are some new friends and Evan—the son of her mother's childhood friend—who seems to know Meara almost better than she knows herself. 

Together with Evan and her friends, Meara embarks on a new journey to unlock the secrets that will not only tell Meara who she is, but what she is.

Hottie McTottie Monday/Sugar's Faith - Katie Mettner

Happy Hottie McTottie Monday!

Yes, I know it's no longer Monday but I lost my computer charger and my mind but,

today I'm featuring the 4th book in the epic Sugar Series, Sugar's Faith!

This series is filled with sexy Hottie McTotties!

Amazon

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 

When Donovan Walsh comforts his wife with the words, Níl aon suáilce gan a duáilce féin, there are no unmixed blessings in life, he had no way of knowing how quickly he would live those words. While visiting Ireland, Sugar and Van stay in a familiar place. A place filled with the ghosts and lies of his past. Stumbling through the deception of his early life Van waltzes dangerously close to losing his future. Will a voice from the past be the one to give him the answers, or will he find them in the blue eyes of his forever love? 

As the ice melts on Lake Superior, Sugar and Van dance together to find hope and love through Faith… 

Donovan Walsh and I are good friends and I was able to convince this Hottie McTottie to come back and tell me what's changed in his life this last year.

Tobi: Welcome back to Forget The Housework, Van! Do you have your coffee and are you ready to chat?

Van: Hi, Tobi, thanks for having me back! I have my coffee, but don't tell my wife. She's a little touchy about only getting one cup of coffee a day. 

Tobi: *Gasp* Is her coffeebone broken? One cup a day is unheard of for her!

Van: *Laughing* No her coffeebone isn't broken, but they say too much coffee is bad for the baby.

Tobi: *Squeal* Baby!? You're having a baby????

Van: Yes! Imagine my surprise when she told me one morning standing out on that pier. With the words, "you're going to be a daddy" she brought me to my knees. I've wanted to hear those words for so long, and now I'm about to be a granddaddy and a daddy.

Tobi: Congratulations, Van! And please, pass my congratulations on to Sugar as well. I can't imagine how surprised you were first to find out Lillie was pregnant and then Sugar, but you kinda already are a daddy.

Van: *Shrugs shoulder* Yes, I already raised Lillie, and she calls me dad, but I don't know. This feels different. I can't explain it very well, but every time I look at Tula now, I want to cry. She has given me so much and changed my world so completely in the last year. Now she's doing it again. 

Tobi: Sugar might say the same about you, only she would actually cry. 

Van: *Snort* Fair play! She always says I was the one that saved her, but she really has no idea how lost I was on November first last year. I was suddenly alone again, after all those years with Lillie, and adrift. I agreed to go to Duluth just to get out of my lonely apartment. I see now He was letting me walk through that so I would find my way to her.

Tobi: Truly a case of the Lord working in mysterious ways. My favorite memory of the first part of your story is when Sugar opened the door and saw you standing there. It was like she knew instantly she just found her soulmate. 

Van: She was so beautiful that day. Oh, you could see she was scared to death of me being in her space, but I tried to put her at ease. That ended when I spent the first night lying awake listening to her cry out from her room, all night. At about two am. when I was begging God to comfort her, I realized that's why I was there. I was there to protect her and somehow comfort her. From that moment on I was compelled prove that to her.

Tobi: *Heart melts* You're so romantic. 

Van: I've heard that a few times. Tula says its not a bad thing, but even if it was it isn't something I can change. Maybe it was raising a girl by myself for so many years. I never wanted to do anything that would hurt her. It was my job to protect her from pain. I guess it just added another layer to who I am. 

Tobi: *Laughing* No it's not a bad thing at all! When your story ended last time you and Sugar were headed to Ireland. Did you go? How was it? Just like you remembered? Did you enjoy a well poured glass of black stuff finally?

Van: *Grinning* Yes, life changing, yes, and yes finally! I probably had way too much black stuff, but it's just not the same here in the States. We drink it for breakfast, lunch and supper. We even cook with it. It's like milk here in the US, it's always in your fridge. 

Tobi: Life changing? I was going to ask you about all the things you did in Ireland, but your answer makes me wonder. The last time Sugar was here she told me she was looking forward to getting to know you on a whole new level, do you think that happened?

Van: You ain't codding...

Tobi: *Leans in* That's a loaded answer. Did something happen in Ireland, Van? I don't mean to pry, but you seem sad suddenly.

Van: Ireland was filled with ghosts and lies of my past, Tobi. I nearly lost my beautiful wife and child when I lost track of what's important. The things that happened were life changing, for both of us, but after everything we went through, and as much of a jackarse as I was to her, do you know what she told me? 

Tobi:*Shakes head no*

Van: She told me that when I was at my lowest, and thought all hope was lost, was when she had the most faith in me. She said I needed to go through all of that just to discover what my real gift in life is. 

Tobi: *Nods head* That sounds like Sugar. She's faith, love and hope all wrapped up in one beautiful package, to quote you. Do you think what she said was true?

Van: *Sighs with laughter* Oh, she was so right. I think it's why I picked this particular part of the story to share with your readers today. It was so easy for me to know without a question in my mind what her gifts are, but it was a lot harder for me to figure out mine. Well, the truth is, it really wasn't that hard. The hard part was for me to accept it.

Tobi: We all have gifts that He gives us, I agree. I think I know what your gift is, but I would love to hear what you decided. 

Van: *Whispers in Tobi's ear* Were you right?

Tobi: YES!

Van: *Laughing* See, everyone but me seemed to know what it was. I can tell you what your gift is.

Tobi: *Eyebrows up* Really? You know what my gift is?

Van: Yup, it's easy because I've already experienced it in just the short few minutes we've been talking. You're a listener and comforter. You know how to put people at ease, shore them up and encourage them all at the same time. You aren't condescending or fake, and you put your whole self into every encounter you have, even when you know sometimes people won't treat you with the same respect. 

Tobi: Eh, I don't know about that. I guess maybe. I never really thought about it much.

Van: *Chuckles* Eie, my lassie, ya be a special one. Don't ever change.

Tobi: Scouts honor, I'll stay true to who I am as long as you do too. I know your life is about to change so much in the next few months, though.

Van: *Winks* You ain't codding and I've never been more excited. My two girls are carrying the future generation of Walsh's, at the same time. In the not so distant future I'll be holding my child and grandchild in my arms, at the same time. I'll be a very happy man. Thanks for having me back today to visit, Tobi. I hope you fall in love with Faith the same way we have. 

Tobi: I'll tell you my secret now, I already have. *Wink wink* Before you go why don't you introduce the excerpt a little more to my readers, it's the first time we've ever gotten to hear your inner thoughts. 

Van: You betcha *chuckling, the northerners are rubbing off on me* This is an excerpt from our plane ride to Ireland. Tula was sleeping and I was trying to process the bombshell she had dropped on me earlier in the day. Amazing how the word 'daddy' can change your entire life the moment it's said. 

Tobi: You ain't codding! Thanks for stopping by Van. I always enjoy sharing a cup of coffee with you. *Claps hands* Okay, without further adieu I give you Sugar's Faith.

Van and Finn 2 months

Excerpt

A daddy. I stroked her arm as she shifted in her sleep until she settled her short leg between mine. When she tucked her right leg over my knee I cupped it gently with my hand, until she was comfortable and breathing evenly again. It was something I’ve done hundreds of times over the last year and it spoke volumes about how our relationship has evolved. When I first met her a year ago she couldn’t even tell me she was an amputee. She tried to hide it, to convince me she was just like every other woman.

The fact was I already knew she wasn’t. She was three times the woman of any I ever met, and when Jesse told me the truth I was stunned silent. Part of me suspected to a point she had a physical problem, and the cop in me at the time was screaming to call her on it. It was the man in me who couldn’t. When I look at her it’s the first thing I see, because for me it is the greatest part of her. She always cringes when I say that, but it’s how I feel. It’s the part of her she has overcome, not just physically, but emotionally. That night she lost the three most important people in her life, and her leg. Most people would have thrown in the towel, but not Tula. Even when she had every right to be angry and jaded about life, she just picked herself up and kept going.

I know she’s gone through some dark valleys. She’s told me just how hard it was for her to get where she is today, and I’ve experienced some of it firsthand. She was so broken when I first met her she was like an orphan, so devoid of love she didn’t know how to let her defenses down, and accept it.

I pulled her closer to me and rested my hand on her belly, closing my eyes, not that I was going to sleep any time soon. That one word had been running through my mind since she stood on the pier, the sun behind her, listening to her tell me my greatest wish was coming true. I was going to be a daddy. After our dance last night I honestly didn’t think I could love her more. I don’t know how she kept it together last night, knowing what she knew, going out there and dancing that kind of dance. But that is the essence of who she is. Grace under fire, with the courage to shut out all the other pressures and let the world see her soul. She floated in my arms last night, something I know is beyond difficult as an amputee, but when you’re born with a gift there is little you can’t overcome.

For Tula one of her gifts is dance. I can dance, but she has to dance to breathe. It’s something I’ve never experienced before in my life, and what left me so stymied the last few months. For the first time she struggled with putting aside all of the pressures from society, to do what her heart told her to do. That’s her real gift, her giving, loving, heart that has no end, even if she doesn’t realize it. I know it isn’t all that farfetched to say I’m partly to blame for all her indecision lately. Not because I don’t support her, but because we have already been through so many changes already. How could she ask me to begin another? Once she understood I wanted her to do what makes her happy she finally accepted that sharing her gift is what she is meant to do. I know without reservation that’s why she was left here that night. She simply had too many lives left to change. Mine, Lillie’s, Max’s, Nat’s and Maggie’s, just to name a few.

Sitting there this morning with my daughter on one side, and my wife on the other, both carrying my future left me short of breath. Raising Lillie was kind of thrust upon me, and I didn't have fatherly feelings for her right away. I loved her instantly, but first as a caretaker and protector, and then as a dad. I convinced myself it would be much the same way when I became a dad again, but I was so wrong. The words had barely left her lips and I was on the ground, my legs collapsing under me at the thought. This time it was instant love for a person I hadn’t even met. Most would say I'm far too protective of my women, but I don’t see that as a bad thing. I give them all the room they want to spread their wings and fly, but they also know they can run back to me for protection, and security. I never had a father, so when I was charged with raising Lillie I decided that’s the kind of father I would be. Turns out I’m not a very good father, but I do think I’m really good daddy. I guess some men would say there is no difference, but I know the truth. When I was growing up I knew about my father, the man who had helped create me, but that was all I ever knew of him. When I was raising Lillie she told people I was her ‘daddy’. I guess the difference is love.

 First thoughts after…

A perfect ending to a wonderful series.

How distracted did I get?
Sugar's Faith is an amazing conclusion to an awesome series.  Faith, who doesn't struggle with it at some point?  This story is about a husband/father to be struggling to keep his faith and deal with the mysteries from his past.  Van has been one of my favorite characters for a while now.  I felt for him as the story flew by though at times I wanted to say what the heck is wrong with you????  Once again Katie Mettner brings it home with a story that's not all rainbows and butterflies but deals with struggles and doubts many of us have in life, our relationships with loved ones and our relationship with God.  Doubt happens, faith waivers but LOVE prevails.  
I give Sugar's Faith…

5 Baskets!!!

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