Congratulations to Miho Li, winner of my New Year Blog Hop! Milo will receive copies of Surrender to Sanctuary and Adrienne's Ghost. (Miho, I've sent you a separate e-mail. If you don't receive it, please contact me directly at leah(at)leahstjames(dot)com.)
Congratulations as well to our "hop's" grand prize winners...
The KINDLE FIRE was won by Lilaz (Malia Mallory's site)
The $80 Amazon Gift Card went to June (VK Syke's site)
Again I want to thank everyone for stopping by. I had a terrific time, and I hope you did too!
Showing posts with label Adrienne's Ghost. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adrienne's Ghost. Show all posts
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Year Blog Hop - My Favorite Memory
Hello and welcome to the 2012 New Year Blog Hop! I'm thrilled to be part of this group of authors and reviewers who are sharing favorite memories and traditions of ringing in the new year. I'll be giving away a copy of my 2010 release Surrender to Sanctuary, and a copy of my recently released e-book novella, Adrienne's Ghost (random drawing, one winner drawn). Please leave a comment (with your e-mail address) to enter.
This tradition (of having no tradition) continued when I married my husband, and especially after our boys were born. We typically spent quiet evenings at home, with a bottle of champagne that we'd share after putting the kids to bed. As much as I enjoyed those evenings, in the back of my mind I longed for just a little excitement. Something fun to do...in close proximity to a bathroom!
I got my wish by the time the kids were in school. We had become close friends with some like-minded parents who invited us to gather at their house each year. Their home was warm and welcoming, decorated for Christmas with twinkling lights, scented candles and a stunning tree that reached the ceiling. While the parents played cards and chatted, the kids (about a half a dozen boys and one lone, very brave girl) would retreat to the family room and play video games. Food was delicious and plentiful, and the time passed quickly until the countdown to midnight began. Then we'd all gather in the living room, and when the ball (whose progress we'd monitor on the TV, of course!) dropped, we'd pop the champagne and toast each other.
After exchanging hugs all around, we'd go back to our activities (the kids to their video games, the adults to their cards), more food would be brought to the already groaning table, and eventually we'd head home, sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. At least that's what usually happened.
But one year, about seven or eight years ago, one of the boys, now in his mid-teens, had gone through an enormous growth spurt over the previous summer and fall. By New Year's Eve, he'd reached a height of six feet plus, and a weight of over 200 pounds, and decided to impress the gathered guests with newly discovered brawn. He'd been verbally sparring with our host earlier in the evening, claiming he could pin him (wrestling), a claim which our host laughed off. That wasn't odd; the two had spent a lot of time together in Boy Scouts, and our host had mentored this boy in several areas, so their relationship was close, and I often heard them in spirited discussions. I think that's what gave the boy the courage to do what he did.
It happened just at the stroke of midnight, as the assembled guests strained the limits of the living room, glasses raised in toast to the new year. This boy-man chose that exact moment of distraction to test his theory and launched himself onto our host's back. One of them must have shouted, because we turned as one toward the sound to see the boy-man draped over our host who, somehow, managed to remain upright with this weight on his back, while still holding a full glass of champagne (and never spilling a drop!). Time stopped for a split second while we (the bystanders) sucked in a collective gasp. Then my husband grabbed the host's glass, freeing his hands, and the two began grappling like two kids in a schoolyard.
Their bodies crashed to the floor and rolled toward the tree. We gasped again, and the hostess rushed to move furniture from their path of potential destruction. They struggled some more, grunting and straining, while the rest of us watched, transfixed, half horrified and half wondering just what consequences would befall this boy. Then our host, a man who'd been a star football player in high school, offense and defense, lifted this giant of a "boy" from him, dropped him to the floor, grabbed his arms behind his back, leaned his forearm (and all his weight) into the boy and said, "Now THAT'S how you pin someone."
We still talk about that night, laughing a bit but mostly thankful that no one got hurt, thankful there was no damage, to man, boy...or tree!. But I think it was awhile before our host turned his back on that kid again!
What is your favorite New Year memory? Leave a comment to be entered into my drawing. And check out all the blogs. The more comments you leave, the better your chances to win one of the grand prizes: a KINDLE FIRE and an Amazon gift card for $80!
***
I've never been one of those people who goes out partying on New Year's Eve. Maybe I spent too many years as a child watching the ball drop in Times Square...too many hours watching a million-plus people standing in the frigid cold while chaos reigned around them...and nary a restroom in sight! (I mean, what do those people do for hour after hour, and nowhere to take a potty break? The thought terrifies me! <grin>)This tradition (of having no tradition) continued when I married my husband, and especially after our boys were born. We typically spent quiet evenings at home, with a bottle of champagne that we'd share after putting the kids to bed. As much as I enjoyed those evenings, in the back of my mind I longed for just a little excitement. Something fun to do...in close proximity to a bathroom!
I got my wish by the time the kids were in school. We had become close friends with some like-minded parents who invited us to gather at their house each year. Their home was warm and welcoming, decorated for Christmas with twinkling lights, scented candles and a stunning tree that reached the ceiling. While the parents played cards and chatted, the kids (about a half a dozen boys and one lone, very brave girl) would retreat to the family room and play video games. Food was delicious and plentiful, and the time passed quickly until the countdown to midnight began. Then we'd all gather in the living room, and when the ball (whose progress we'd monitor on the TV, of course!) dropped, we'd pop the champagne and toast each other.
After exchanging hugs all around, we'd go back to our activities (the kids to their video games, the adults to their cards), more food would be brought to the already groaning table, and eventually we'd head home, sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. At least that's what usually happened.
But one year, about seven or eight years ago, one of the boys, now in his mid-teens, had gone through an enormous growth spurt over the previous summer and fall. By New Year's Eve, he'd reached a height of six feet plus, and a weight of over 200 pounds, and decided to impress the gathered guests with newly discovered brawn. He'd been verbally sparring with our host earlier in the evening, claiming he could pin him (wrestling), a claim which our host laughed off. That wasn't odd; the two had spent a lot of time together in Boy Scouts, and our host had mentored this boy in several areas, so their relationship was close, and I often heard them in spirited discussions. I think that's what gave the boy the courage to do what he did.
It happened just at the stroke of midnight, as the assembled guests strained the limits of the living room, glasses raised in toast to the new year. This boy-man chose that exact moment of distraction to test his theory and launched himself onto our host's back. One of them must have shouted, because we turned as one toward the sound to see the boy-man draped over our host who, somehow, managed to remain upright with this weight on his back, while still holding a full glass of champagne (and never spilling a drop!). Time stopped for a split second while we (the bystanders) sucked in a collective gasp. Then my husband grabbed the host's glass, freeing his hands, and the two began grappling like two kids in a schoolyard.
Their bodies crashed to the floor and rolled toward the tree. We gasped again, and the hostess rushed to move furniture from their path of potential destruction. They struggled some more, grunting and straining, while the rest of us watched, transfixed, half horrified and half wondering just what consequences would befall this boy. Then our host, a man who'd been a star football player in high school, offense and defense, lifted this giant of a "boy" from him, dropped him to the floor, grabbed his arms behind his back, leaned his forearm (and all his weight) into the boy and said, "Now THAT'S how you pin someone."
We still talk about that night, laughing a bit but mostly thankful that no one got hurt, thankful there was no damage, to man, boy...or tree!. But I think it was awhile before our host turned his back on that kid again!
What is your favorite New Year memory? Leave a comment to be entered into my drawing. And check out all the blogs. The more comments you leave, the better your chances to win one of the grand prizes: a KINDLE FIRE and an Amazon gift card for $80!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!
Well, it's just after 7 a.m. on the East Coast of the U.S. My husband and I are up and about already, excited to start celebrating. Our "kids" (ages 27 and 23) are still fast asleep. We're making as much noise as we can to wake them "accidentally." So far no luck. :-)
We've been talking about favorites through this blog hop, and I couldn't let the event pass without sharing my favorite Christmas cartoon, and my favorite clip from that cartoon...
I'd love to hear what your favorites are.
Today is the last day of the Holiday Blog Hop, and the last day to enter the drawing for a copy of my paranormal romance novella Adrienne's Ghost (will be giving a total of 10). One of those 10 will win my "grand prize" of a $25 Amazon gift certificate, and all of my winners will be entered into the Holiday Blog Hop's contest for the super grand prize, a KINDLE FIRE!
If you'd rather not leave a comment, please send me an e-mail (leah@leahstjames.com) and let me know you'd like to enter.
Wishing you and yours a day blessed with joy, love and laughter.
Merry Christmas!
We've been talking about favorites through this blog hop, and I couldn't let the event pass without sharing my favorite Christmas cartoon, and my favorite clip from that cartoon...
I'd love to hear what your favorites are.
Today is the last day of the Holiday Blog Hop, and the last day to enter the drawing for a copy of my paranormal romance novella Adrienne's Ghost (will be giving a total of 10). One of those 10 will win my "grand prize" of a $25 Amazon gift certificate, and all of my winners will be entered into the Holiday Blog Hop's contest for the super grand prize, a KINDLE FIRE!
If you'd rather not leave a comment, please send me an e-mail (leah@leahstjames.com) and let me know you'd like to enter.
Wishing you and yours a day blessed with joy, love and laughter.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Holiday Blog Hopping ... and Disappearing Days!
A terrible thing happened this morning when I got up. I looked at the calendar.
That's "terrible" because I saw the date and realized I'd done it again. I'd lost whole days, maybe weeks, into some vacuum of space time continuum, or something...whatever it is that makes time simply disappear!
Somehow in my brain, days pass, but not dates. I know that's probably a difficult distinction for many of you to grasp, but it's a common problem with me. I can't keep track of dates! (I remember dates, like birthdays, just not when they're "up" on the calendar!)
I blame a job I had about 20 years ago for this mental deficiency. I was working for one of the federal agencies, managing a program that recognized employees for length of service. They got small tokens (and I do mean small) for 10, 20, 30 years of service, etc., and it was my job to monitor those names and make sure the employees were duly recognized at the appropriate time. As a necessity, I was always working six months in advance.
Well, ever since then, dates are just a quasi-meaningless jumble in my head! I go to write a check, and my hand freezes on the date line. If it's December, I start to write June or July. (See? Six months ahead!)
Why do I bring this up now, while we're Holiday Hopping? Because I just realized it's December 19th! Less than a week from Christmas and I still have gifts to buy for about six people who are very special in my life. That's not enough time! Especially considering I don't have a clue what to get them. And several of them live hundreds of miles away! (I hate when I do this!)
I know I'm not the only person who waits until it's almost too late. How about you? Will you be scouring the pick-over shelves with me over the next few days, or do you have a stash of already wrapped gifts in some corner, ready to grab and distribute when needed? (You can tell me! I promise, I won't hold it against you! My own wonderful older sister falls into the latter category!)
Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a copy of Adrienne's Ghost (I'll give out a total of 10). One of those ten will win my "grand prize" of a $25 Amazon gift certificate, and all of my winners will be entered into the Holiday Blog Hop's contest for the super grand prize, a KINDLE FIRE!
If you'd rather not leave a comment, please send me an e-mail (leah@leahstjames.com) and let me know you'd like to enter.
Happy December 19th, everyone!
That's "terrible" because I saw the date and realized I'd done it again. I'd lost whole days, maybe weeks, into some vacuum of space time continuum, or something...whatever it is that makes time simply disappear!
Somehow in my brain, days pass, but not dates. I know that's probably a difficult distinction for many of you to grasp, but it's a common problem with me. I can't keep track of dates! (I remember dates, like birthdays, just not when they're "up" on the calendar!)
I blame a job I had about 20 years ago for this mental deficiency. I was working for one of the federal agencies, managing a program that recognized employees for length of service. They got small tokens (and I do mean small) for 10, 20, 30 years of service, etc., and it was my job to monitor those names and make sure the employees were duly recognized at the appropriate time. As a necessity, I was always working six months in advance.
Well, ever since then, dates are just a quasi-meaningless jumble in my head! I go to write a check, and my hand freezes on the date line. If it's December, I start to write June or July. (See? Six months ahead!)
Why do I bring this up now, while we're Holiday Hopping? Because I just realized it's December 19th! Less than a week from Christmas and I still have gifts to buy for about six people who are very special in my life. That's not enough time! Especially considering I don't have a clue what to get them. And several of them live hundreds of miles away! (I hate when I do this!)
I know I'm not the only person who waits until it's almost too late. How about you? Will you be scouring the pick-over shelves with me over the next few days, or do you have a stash of already wrapped gifts in some corner, ready to grab and distribute when needed? (You can tell me! I promise, I won't hold it against you! My own wonderful older sister falls into the latter category!)
Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a copy of Adrienne's Ghost (I'll give out a total of 10). One of those ten will win my "grand prize" of a $25 Amazon gift certificate, and all of my winners will be entered into the Holiday Blog Hop's contest for the super grand prize, a KINDLE FIRE!
If you'd rather not leave a comment, please send me an e-mail (leah@leahstjames.com) and let me know you'd like to enter.
Happy December 19th, everyone!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Holiday Blog Hopping ... and Food!
Thanks to everyone who either stopped by or left a comment yesterday. I love hearing what other people think. :-) Winners to my contest will be announced on December 26.
As I might have mentioned, I've decided to talk about holiday themes throughout this event. Yesterday's topic was favorite holiday music. Normally I would have been spending a good deal of time yesterday thinking about what to write about next, but we were having a luncheon at my day job and everyone brought in their favorite dishes and desserts. I over-indulged a bit and went home quite full, to the point where I told my husband I wasn't going to eat dinner, he was on his own. As a peace offering, though, I did bring home a few pieces of one of the cakes (marble with chocolate mousse filling and really good butter cream icing...not that thick stuff that makes me think I'm eating pure lard! So yummy). At least I intended the cake to be for him....sorry, honey! :-)
I did manage to not eat dinner but my growling stomach woke me around 2 a.m., which got me to thinking about food. It finally occurred to me—that's a great topic for the holiday blog hop . . . favorite holiday foods!
In my house, it's not Christmas until I bake a giant batch of my husband's grandmother's Christmas Cookies. Grandma Rose was a tough German lady with a heart of gold. Every year she'd go into a baking frenzy at the holidays—fruitcake (yes, the real, home-made stuff), and all sorts of cookies, including this one that reminded me more of sweet biscuits than cookies. I'm not sure what the real name is; we only know them as "Christmas Cookies," probably because that's the only time of year she made them.
What are your family's must-have holiday foods?
Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a copy of Adrienne's Ghost (10 to be given) and a $25 Amazon gift certificate. My winners are also entered into the Holiday Blog Hop's contest for the super grand prize, a KINDLE FIRE! (Geez, I wish I were eligible!)
Or....I know not everyone wants to leave a comment (and sometimes technology stumps us!). To enter without leaving a comment, you can simply e-mail me (leah@leahstjames.com) with a note that you'd like to enter.
As I might have mentioned, I've decided to talk about holiday themes throughout this event. Yesterday's topic was favorite holiday music. Normally I would have been spending a good deal of time yesterday thinking about what to write about next, but we were having a luncheon at my day job and everyone brought in their favorite dishes and desserts. I over-indulged a bit and went home quite full, to the point where I told my husband I wasn't going to eat dinner, he was on his own. As a peace offering, though, I did bring home a few pieces of one of the cakes (marble with chocolate mousse filling and really good butter cream icing...not that thick stuff that makes me think I'm eating pure lard! So yummy). At least I intended the cake to be for him....sorry, honey! :-)
I did manage to not eat dinner but my growling stomach woke me around 2 a.m., which got me to thinking about food. It finally occurred to me—that's a great topic for the holiday blog hop . . . favorite holiday foods!
In my house, it's not Christmas until I bake a giant batch of my husband's grandmother's Christmas Cookies. Grandma Rose was a tough German lady with a heart of gold. Every year she'd go into a baking frenzy at the holidays—fruitcake (yes, the real, home-made stuff), and all sorts of cookies, including this one that reminded me more of sweet biscuits than cookies. I'm not sure what the real name is; we only know them as "Christmas Cookies," probably because that's the only time of year she made them.
There are only a few ingredients, all simple staples from the cupboard, except for one—baker's ammonia. In Grandma Rose's heyday, it was called Hartshorne and was procured at the local drugstore because of the "ammonia" component. One year Grandma had shared this recipe with a friend who in turn made it for her family. When the friend's husband accused her of trying to poison him (with ammonia), Grandma had to go to court to testify on her friend's behalf. (I've always wondered what happened to that couple!)
If you'd like to try making them yourself, here is the recipe:
If you'd like to try making them yourself, here is the recipe:
Ingredients
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup milk
1-1/2 teaspoons baker's ammonia (or a "lump"
about the size of a quarter, in Grandma's day)
Flour – about 4 pounds
* Combine sugar with softened butter until well blended
* Add eggs, mix well
* Warm the milk in microwave to warm/hot (not scalding)
* Dissolve the baker's ammonia in the warm milk
*Add the milk mixture to the rest, mix well
*Add flour, a little at a time, until it doesn't stick to the hands or rolling pin
* Roll dough between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick (depending on preferences) and cut with cookie cutters
* Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350° about 8 minutes, or until light gold in color
* Cool and enjoy!
What are your family's must-have holiday foods?
Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a copy of Adrienne's Ghost (10 to be given) and a $25 Amazon gift certificate. My winners are also entered into the Holiday Blog Hop's contest for the super grand prize, a KINDLE FIRE! (Geez, I wish I were eligible!)
Or....I know not everyone wants to leave a comment (and sometimes technology stumps us!). To enter without leaving a comment, you can simply e-mail me (leah@leahstjames.com) with a note that you'd like to enter.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday ~ 11/27
It's time for Six Sentence Sunday! Continuing with my latest release, Adrienne's Ghost, I'd like to take a step back to where Rachael is contemplating her first close encounter with the ghost of murder victim Adrienne Garza, former FBI recruit and "friend" of investigating agent Jackson Yates...
.....................
The shrouded images flickered through Rachael's mind like a music video, its soundtrack a muted mix of cryptic phrases and laughing murmurs. She'd felt the sensations too, as if they were hers. The stroke of a hand along the woman's leg, a whisper of a caress. A lover's touch. Shivers had raced down Rachael's spine, to her scalp and the tips of her fingers and toes. Yet she had experienced it all through the eyes and ears, the skin of a dead woman.
..............As always, I hope you enjoyed these six! If you'd like to read more from Adrienne's Ghost, click here.
Be sure to stop by Six Sentence Sunday for more samplings from some amazing authors! Sunday, November 20, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday ~ 11/20
Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday, a chance for writers (like me) to post a sampling of just six sentences from one of our projects. I'd like to offer another six from my current novella release, Adrienne's Ghost.
Last week's post highlighted the yearnings that Rachael and Jackson were starting to feel toward each other. This week's six take us a step closer...
___________________He slid his hands, big hands, down her back, to the curve of her hips and below. His fingers ignited sparks along her nerve pathways wherever they touched, like their tips were implanted with firecrackers.
For a moment, Rachael wondered if even her brain was sizzling, and she struggled with the need to maintain her precious control, versus the need to let go and let this man have his way. While his lips trailed down her throat, nuzzled the soft flesh where her neck and shoulder met, she somehow found the will to whisper, “What are we doing?”
As a cascade of shivers ran from his lips all the way down to her feet, she heard him say, “Damned if I know. Just don't make me stop….”
For a moment, Rachael wondered if even her brain was sizzling, and she struggled with the need to maintain her precious control, versus the need to let go and let this man have his way. While his lips trailed down her throat, nuzzled the soft flesh where her neck and shoulder met, she somehow found the will to whisper, “What are we doing?”
As a cascade of shivers ran from his lips all the way down to her feet, she heard him say, “Damned if I know. Just don't make me stop….”
________________
(I sure hope I counted right!)
Hope you enjoyed! If you'd like to read more from Adrienne's Ghost, click here.
Hope you enjoyed! If you'd like to read more from Adrienne's Ghost, click here.
Be sure to stop by Six Sentence Sunday for more samplings from some wonderful (talented!) authors!Sunday, November 13, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday
Welcome, everyone! Thanks for stopping by!Today is Six Sentence Sunday, a chance for writers to share bits of their stories, but just six sentences. Today my six are from my new paranormal romance novella, Adrienne's Ghost.
FBI Agent Jackson Yates and paranormal psychologist Rachael Sullivan have joined together to find a killer but discover there might just be something else drawing them together....
________________
“Coffee?”
“Maybe. Later.”
Even as she ran her gaze over every inch of his face, subconsciously looking for proof of his goodness, or maybe sanity, she inched forward. Bewildered, wondering what had driven her to break every intelligent woman's rule and allow herself to be swept along to a strange man's home in a tide of curious passion, she reached for him in the same moment he reached for her. Like they'd been trapped in the same inescapable flow of hormones, infected by the same undeniable yearnings.
________________
Be sure to stop by Six Sentence Sunday for more samplings from some wonderful authors!
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