Words in Winter to Warm You Up

The Holidays: Christmas, Hanukah, New Year’s. Just say; the words and
a nice warm feeling starts to flow through you. It’s that magical time once
again. But what to read?

The Night Before Christmas is a classic Christmas Eve story for millions
of households. For those who love merry ole England we have A
Christmas Carol, which inspired at least six movie versions and three
cartoons.

For something a bit more modern there is the beloved How the Grinch Stole
Christmas. And many people choose A Christmas Box as their favorite
yuletide tale.

There are several new releases which have a Christmas theme. Debbie
Macromber entertains readers with two stories for the price of one in
Glad Tidings: Here Comes Trouble\There's Something About Christmas.
Mary Higgins Clark writes with Carol Higgins Clark in what seems to be
an annual holiday tradition and gives us The Christmas Thief. For
something a bit unusual but still very merry Christmas try Comfort
& Joy by Kristin Hannah.

If you’ve always wondered what Christmas was like in heaven, take a peek
at Christmas in Heaven by the renowned psychic Sylvia Browne and her
just as well known psychic son Chris Dufresne. Yes there is snow in
heaven according to Sylvia, but it’s warm and fluffy, not cold and icy.

For the downside of Christmas, John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas fills
the bill, (spoiler here - it does have a happy ending.) Or the recently re-
released The Twelve Terrors of Christmas: drawings by Edward Gorey,
written by John Updike.

And from another top of the bestseller list author there is The Christmas
Train by David Baldacci. Love, romance, warm and fuzzy, this is not
your typical Baldacci read.

What is it about Christmas that inspires authors? Is it the easy hook of a
major holiday which is sure to drive up sales? Permission to write outside
their genre as Grisham and Baldacci have done and not irritate their fans?
Or is it something deeper? Perhaps it’s the desire to catch the spirit of this
hopeful time of year and hold it between the pages of a book, where,
whenever we need “a little Christmas,” we can always find it.

Below are more stories, essays and novellas to warm up your holiday.  

Make sure you get past the HOT AND SPICY warning to the five free 

novels.   

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 Calico Country Christmas by Sharon K. Garner, The Wild Rose Press $1.50 

(3,600 words) What does a Christmas breakup and reconciliation look like from a cat's 

point of view? Noel, a calico cat who was almost born on Christmas, is snowbound on 

her birthday with two humans who have a relationship to sort out. It's no easy task, but 

it is one that Noel handles with humor and delightful insights into human mating rituals.

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook41797.htm

***** 

MysteryAuthors.com just posted A Mysterious Holiday, a trio of Christmas-

themed flash stories. It’s free at http://www.mysteryauthors.com just go to 

New Holiday flash fiction on the right hand side bar.   

*****

CHRISTMAS SHOWDOWN, The night before Christmas, a deadly

blizzard traps a lawman and a madam with a price on her head in a 

deserted town with a sadistic outlaw hell-bent on revenge.

High-class madam, Katherine Winter, caters to wealthy men and vows nobody in her
Kansas bordello will suffer the abuse she endured in the horrific marriage she’d
escaped. She can choose her lovers, but longs for one who can match her in bed
and out. Her senses tell her Daniel Creed is the man she's longed for—a man with
a dark secret like herself, a man who'd do anything to protect what’s his. But he's a
lawman, and dallying with him is playing with fire.

Sheriff Daniel Creed has known Katherine Winter is the husband-killer on the
wanted poster since she came to his town. The reward he'd get for turning her in
would make him rich, but something about the aloof beauty stirs longing inside him.
There's no future for a half-breed gunslinger hiding behind a badge and a wanted
woman except life on the run. So he keeps his mouth shut, figuring the most he
can ever hope for is to love the lady from afar—and protect her.

He never banked on the bounty hunter from his past hunting down Katherine, then
setting the town ablaze to force Daniel into a fiery showdown.
Availability: Dec 19, 06 from Samhain Publishing http://www.samhainpublishing.com ,
or from the link on http://www.jankenny.com.

****

The Christmas Star – by Janet Lane Winters -- In trying to impress her mother and
sister with a perfect Christmas dinner and the perfect house, Ruth has lost the meaning
of Christmas. Her frantic preparations leave her little time for the real meaning of the
holiday until a bright star points the way. The price is 1.OO for a download. It's also
available in print. Price 5.50 for the mini-book, Janet Lane Walters
http://www.bookswelove.net/walters.html

****

Christmas Bells, by Dee Davis -- Free -

just go to http://www.deedavis.com/christmas.html
The cold wind blew up the busy street. Christmas shoppers hurried home, trying to beat
the quickly descending darkness. Shop windows glittered like jewels, dressed in their
Christmas finery. Everything was the same. Everything was different.

****

The Twelve Lies of Christmas by Kate Johnson -- Nate Kelly is a spy. At least,
he is until Christmas, when he's retiring to take up something more peaceful,
like alligator wrestling or bomb disposal. Because while he's tired of being shot
at, he's also not sure he really wants to live the life of a civilian. First, of course,
he has to finish his current case, complete with arms dealers, mobsters, and
celebrity parties.

Not to mention the glamorous Russian femme fatale who's hacking into the

same computer files as Nate, lying to the same people, and incidentally has

the worst Russian accent he's ever heard. But just because she's his enemy's

enemy, doesn't necessarily mean she's his friend. The Twelve Lies of

Christmas ..my true love lied to me

http://samhainpublishing.com/coming/the-twelve-lies-of-christmas

****

"Just 24 Days Till Christmas." Here’s a remedy for what
ails the modern Christmas. a book for all ages which delivers what
today’s Santas can’t—directions and fun for celebrating Christmas
as a family. A smorgasbord of activities foreveryone, young and
old, children and adults. This book has a story,activity and
recipe for each of the 24 days leading to Christmas.
You can read more about it at website

http://www.daytodayenterprises.com

WARNING SPICY ROMANCE AHEAD,

You won’t need a cup of cocoa to warm you up if you read these.

****

OUT FOR CHRISTMAS by Emila Elias, is a gay romantic novella.

Christmas honeymoon in Australia $15,000

Refund on returned engagement ring 2,000

Taking the first step out of the closet  ”PRICELESS”

 Zach Myers dreamed of a Christmas honeymoon on Australia's Gold Coast for as 

long as he could remember, but having his bride back out only weeks before their 

wedding put something of a damper on his plans.With the trip already booked and 

paid for, he decides to go anyway. Besides, some time alone might help him 

decide why he's having these strange urges to stare at other men. 

 Sexy Aussie bartender Mitch Grey occupies much of Zach's mind during the first 

week of his vacation, only adding to his confusion. Mitch, however, isn't a bit 

confused. He's been "out" for years and knows a good thing when he sees it. 

Now he just has to convince Zach that coming out might be the best Christmas 

gift he can ever give himself.

http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/amelia-elias 

****

 Echoes From Heaven. by Mackenzie McKade www.ellorascave.com,

Celena, a Christmas angel, has been given the devil of an assignment—to teach Lon

Townsend how to love again. But the man is bad to bone—a playboy to the nth

degree—with no desire to change his wicked ways. Not to mention he makes her

incorporeal body burn with desire, which is wrong on so many levels.

The redheaded beauty in Lon’s bed is surely the present his friends promised. When
she explains she's been sent down from Heaven to find him a mate, he knows she
must be a fantastic actress or certifiably insane, but she is the sexiest little nut he
had ever seen. He can't keep his mind or hands off her.

Bound For The Holidays by Mackenzie McKade, releases with Samhain Publishing (www.samhainpublishing.com) on December 19th. An invitation too hot to pass
up, Angela Clarke finds herself bound for the holidays, literally. Not by one, but two
gorgeous men—a powerful executive and one sexy cowboy. Angie expected to spend
Christmas alone, not in the arms of her new boss after the office party. Their attraction
is hot enough to melt ice, and his wicked promises alluring. What he's offering she has
only fantasized about. To her surprise, the night not only involves silk scarves and a
set of handcuffs, but one tall dark cowboy. Ryan Tyler has never thought twice about
sharing his women with his best friend—until Ryan touches Angie. She stirs something
deep inside him. But it’s too late to stop the decadent night from unfolding. What starts
as hot sex with a warm, willing woman turns into something more. After tonight, Ryan
knows he'll never be satisfied with just one taste.

Could his fantasy lead to something lasting, or will it only be one night of pleasure?

END OF HOT AND SPICY WARNING

*****
Because We are Friends by Mabel Leo includes a heartwarming memory
about Christmas and her grandma -- CHRISTMAS SECRETS -- She made
dolls from socks and taught me to use blossoms from hollyhocks as ballerinas
and tree bark for play money. She fashioned a little hoe so I could help in the
garden. In summer, water for my bath was warmed by the sun in a tin tub
hidden behind the black walnut trees. In winter, she made ice cream from
fresh snow. She was a good grandma but she didn't like to play games or
listen to scary stories on the radio. She didn't have any imagination.
Available at http://www.booksbyleo.com

*****

Gifts That Keep On Giving by Pamela Brooks, Free -- A relationship with a
sister is like no other. It is not just the sibling rivalry or camaraderie; it is a bond,
a true sisterhood. It is a special kind of love and forgiveness, give and take and
trial and error. It evolves and grows like so many other relationships, yet has a
special connection that makes life both bearable and magnificent. She gave the
GIFT OF LOVE.
http://www.plbrooks.com/art-gifts.html

****

FREE

we're giving away special ebook downloads of our five Christmas-themed 

novels as part of a poll we're doing to select a  name for our soon

-to-be romance imprint. The poll runs through the  15th, so there's 

still time if you want to vote. All people have to  do is send an 

email to mailto:name_that_imprint-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  then 

vote in the poll. The ebooks are available in the Files section-- 

three adult romances and two books for kids. When the poll is done,  

all the emails in a "bowl" and three winners will be drawn for $100, 

$50, and $25 Visa gift cards donated by our authors. Those emails 

will then be deleted.   

Our offerings are:

Christmas Paradise by Gale Storm: 

http://www.zumayapublications.com/title.php?id=8

A Christmas with Sarah by Janet Miller: 

http://www.zumayapublications.com/title.php?id=10

The Christmas Village by Linda Andrews: 

http://www.zumayapublications.com/title.php?id=140

Bluegum Christmas by Marlies Bugmann: 

http://www.zumayapublications.com/title.php?id=5

A Troll for Christmas and Other Stories by Harley L. Sachs: 

http://www.zumayapublications.com/title.php?id=9

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About the Authors:

Brian Hill and Dee Power were inspired by their
own publishing experiences to research and write
“The Making of a Bestseller.” Hill and Power have
also co-authored “Inside Secrets To Venture
Capital” and “Attracting Capital From Angels.”

Besides nonfiction books on the exciting subject
of ‘success,’ they write novels and screenplays
in the suspense and action/adventure genres. Both authors have
Master of Business Administration degrees. Power has been interviewed
as a publishing industry expert from the author’s point of view by
the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press and
Publishers Weekly. Contact them through their website
http://www.BrianHillAndDeePower.com

And another easy recipe.

Oriental coleslaw with or without chicken

Very easy, chop the following:

one cucumber
two stalks celery
one can water chesnuts
two cloves of garlic
one tablespoon of ginger
two bunches scallions (green onions)

Add small package frozen peas
and a package of peanuts about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup

To the above mixture add:
1/2 cup peanut oil
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon seseme seed oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
If you like spicy food, add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper.

Mix.

In a separate big bowl, open a broken up package of uncooked raman noodles.
add one package coleslaw (no dressing just the cabbage) or 4 to 6 cups shredded cabbage. Poor the dressing and other vegetables over the cabbage noodle mixture and toss throughly.

You can add a couple of shredded or chopped cooked chicken breast meat if you want the salad to be a main course.

Put the salad in the fridge for at least a couple of hours for the raman noodles to absorb some of the dressing.

Dee author of
Over Time, the novel Money, Love, and Football: All the Important Things in Life

I have a couple of recipes I use during the holidays or any time of year when things get hectic. This pasta recipe is yummy, easy, and you can vary it.

Cook pasta for as many people as you're feeding. In the last few minutes of cooking the pasta add a bag of frozen vegetables, bring back to a boil, and cook three or four minutes. The veggies will still have some crunch but won't be raw.

Drain pasta and veggies

Add oil or butter

Add chopped fresh herbs

Add one chopped fresh vegetable

Add grated cheese

Add nuts

Toss. Serve immediately

Italian version
Add frozen chopped spinach to the pasta, add olive oil, chopped basil, chopped tomatoes, parmesean cheese, and pesto nuts (or almonds)

Old England
Add frozen peas, add walnut oil, blue cheese, chopped parsely, chopped carrots and walnuts

Greek
Add frozen string beans, add olive oil, add chopped rosemary, chopped olives, feta cheese, and shelled sunflower seeds. If you want to go all out garnish with cherry tomatoes.

American
Add mixed vegetables, butter, chopped thyme, chopped scallions, cheddar cheese, garnish with crumbled bacon instead of nuts.




Dee

Co-author of The Making of a Bestseller: Success Stories From Authors and the Editors, Agents and Booksellers Behind Them.

Stepping stones, ladders and bridges.

Start small work your way up. Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves. Climb the ladder one rung at a time. Get your foot in the door and the rest will follow. Well worn platitudes all. But what does it have to do with writing?

Many writers think that the secret to getting published by a major house is working their way up. Write a book, get it published by a vanity/utility publisher and that’s the first rung on the ladder to success. But is it? Do these books count for anything other than massaging the ego of the writer that they are indeed now ‘published’?

No. The publishing industry doesn’t consider a vanity book as a writing credit because it hasn’t been vetted. No one has determined that the book is well written or has market value. Quite a few agents and publishers look down on a writer that includes a vanity book in their resume as being unprofessional and naïve. Some even consider it a disadvantage because they assume the writer couldn’t get the book published or they would have. A vanity book indicates to them poor writing.

What about the motivation that is sparked by holding your very own book in your very own hands? Well odds are your hands will be the only ones holding that book. The average number of copies a vanity published book sells is about 100. Most literary agents are unimpressed until the sales level reaches 5000 or so copies. And those copies have to verified, the author can’t just go on a credit card spending spree and buy tons of their own book.

It’s not really a fair assessment because it is next to impossible to get a vanity book stocked in a bookstore. Bookstores are where most books meant for the public are sold. The stores demand 90 day payment terms and most vanity books are publish on demand which means paid for when ordered. Most publish on demand books are not returnable and bookstores want to return unsold copies. Publish on demand books are priced from 30% to 50% higher than an offset printed book. Bookstores want competitively priced books. And finally publish on demand houses don’t offer discounts that allow enough profit margin for the stores.

Vanity published books are appropriate in lots of circumstances. The author has a book that appeals to a niche market that is too narrow for even a small press. The author lectures and speaks and wants a book that can be sold in the back of the house. The author has a book that is meaningful to their family or other personal relationship group but doesn’t have much appeal outside that group.

However much writers would like to believe it, a vanity published book is not a step up the ladder to a writing career, or a stepping stone to greater publishing achievements.

Dee

A day in the life of literary agent Jean Naggar

Jean V. Naggar is the founding agent of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. Her agency is responsible for many book sales every year. Naggar was a former president of the AAR organization of agents. She is most interested in agenting strong, well-written mainstream fiction, literary fiction, contemporary, and suspense.

I would start by saying that there is no typical day.

That is the fun of it!

I never know if a phone call, an email or a letter will change someone's life for the better forever, make me able to dazzle by realizing a dream, or if the day will hold nothing but complaints and almost-offers that fizzle to nothing when an eager editor takes the project "to the board..."

I never know when I open a manuscript box and start reading if this manuscript holds infinite promise or will send me to sleep a few pages in. When a colleague steps into my office, I never know if I will have to help problem-solve or share in a triumph.

When I go to a meeting or a lunch date with a publisher or an editor, I never know if our conversation will offer me the link I have been wanting for a hard-to-place manuscript, or reveal a hobby that immediately speaks to a manuscript sitting on my desk to await resubmission.

Sometimes I make a new friend and hurry back to the office, energized and ridiculously optimistic.

Sometimes a difficult lunch meeting resembles nothing so much as playing tennis with a dud tennis ball. I patiently keep lobbing out the shots and the ball keeps falling flat at my feet. So I keep lobbing and smiling and munch on my lunch and heave a sigh of relief as I make my way back to the office.

I guess my typical day consists of answering emails, listening to my colleagues, proffering advice when asked, responding to correspondence and phone calls, soothing troubled spirits and castigating the tardy, running through the office to show off a wonderful jacket design that has just come in and making persistent and unwelcome phone calls about the jacket that the author and I hate and that the editor and the sales force love.

Yes, negotiating comes into it and offers its own challenges and rewards, as does the painstaking review of new contracts, as does the day-to-day runningof the business.

Manuscripts are strictly read in home time, evenings or weekends, and rarely encroach on the busy work of the day and the constant effort to wrestle the persistent avalanche of input into something resembling order.

Bored? Never!

Glamour? Rarely.

Multi tasking? The name of the game!

Disappointment and exhaustion? Par for the course.

But nothing beats the wild pleasure and satisfaction of being able to call an author with a good deal that I know will surprise and delight. (And they have usually gone away for a couple of weeks and forgotten to leave a forwarding address...)

In the end, that is what it is all about.

In the end, that is the joy that lies hidden in the relentless demands of every day, none of which is ever typical!

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Dee Power is the author of The Making of a Bestseller: Success Stories from Authors and the Editors, Agents and Booksellers Behind Them and the novel, Over Time, A letter travels thousands of miles and through 20 years to reunite four friends and throw the game