Victoria Alexander needs no introduction. But just in case, check out my interview with Victoria at this link. Victoria's HIS MISTRESS BY CHRISTMAS was released as a paperback in September. But I have a hardcover copy to giveaway today:
For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow—and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him.
Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks—if his family deems him responsible enough. There’s no better way to prove his maturity than with a wife. But though Veronica will share his bed, she refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan: An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica’s mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And he intends to persuade his Christmas mistress that they belong together—in this, and every season to come ...
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| HAPPY CHRISTMAS by Johansen Viggo |
To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about holiday parties - can you share a funny story from your office luncheon, neighborhood get together, and/or your family dinner.
Just after I was engaged to hubby, I hosted my parents for Thanksgiving in my Pentagon City apartment. I also invited a college friend, Bill, who lived in Washington, DC. He came without a coat or socks. My mother ranted that he should wear a coast and socks! Ah, but I have traveled with Bill and other friends throughout Europe, so I was not surprised! Fifteen years later, Bill is married, with kids, but we always tease him about "no coat and socks".
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, November 10, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 11.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Victoria and her books, check out her website at victoriaalexander.com.
| My favorite book from Victoria ... |
| ... my husband's favorite book! |
I can remember twice wrapping someone's sweater that they left at our house as a Christmas present and them saying they really liked it and they owned something very similar lol.
ReplyDeleteLOL... Work Christmas party... Karoke.. Embarrassing everyone. We will leave it as that! LOL
ReplyDeleteMy funniest story is my brother's partner creeping into the kitchen in the middle of the night with a flashlight to peek into the turkey and look for the 'innards'. It was mostly a case of the clueless leading the ignorant...thank goodness for cookbooks.
ReplyDeleteWhen my old cat was still alive we had interesting christmasses. He loved christmas decorations with a passion. He stole the christmas ornaments from the tree. Played with the garlands & cookies. Stole the baby Jesus figurine from the crib. We found it stuck behind a cabinet weeks later :D
ReplyDeleteBut the funniest thing he did was jump on the tree when we were having dinner one christmas day. He hang on the side of the tree for a few moments and then the whole tree started to fall. We managed to catch it before it fell to the ground but it was a funny sight, him clutching the tree for dear life. Shame we did not get it on camera. We still mention it every year though when setting up the tree.
It will be my new kittens first christmas & I'm interested to see if they too love holiday decorations :)
I remember one year I was admiring the tree when all of sudden it started to fall over. My two cats had climbed to the top and overbalanced it.
ReplyDeleteThere are a LOT of us, so every family gathering is momentous. I do remember my older sister waking everyone up way before sunrise on Christmas morning. Naps all round after lunch.
ReplyDeleteMy father's job required him to work on Christmas day. So as we (I'm one of nine siblings) all woke up on Christmas morning, we would have to wait at the top of the 2nd floor steps watching the front door for Dad's return to the house after checking in at work. Once he returned we would again have to wait untill Mom told us it was OK to come down the stairs..... then all "heck" broke lose. I remember so many wonderful Christmases in that home.
ReplyDeleteMore or less two years ago, when our neighbors started lighting their fireworks, our cat got really scared of the noise, he jumped in the table, sank his paws on our Christmas/Birthday cake (we we're also celebrating my mom's birthday)and jumped on the cabinet to hide. Instead of being mad, we we're all joking that maybe he didn't like the cake as much as we do. :>
ReplyDeleteOver the years we've bought many Christmas trees...some big some small-depending on the house. But one year, we went to the tree farm and brought one home... decorated all 15 feet of it [house with loft in living area]... then hubby realized it [gasp!] wasn't taking up water!!!! Yikes! Removed ALL Decorations! Dropped tree - Cut off more trunk...waited to see if water was being taken in by tree.... Redecorated entire tree.... enjoyed Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI love Victoria's books and I enjoy reading Christmas stories. I did invite a friend for dinner once and it was uneventful. :(
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Prince's Bride (like your husband) and Till We meet again.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... not much funny stories that I can think of. Except for kids saying silly things like wanting to go home right after they get their gifts!
The only slightly funny Christmas party occurrence happened years ago, at Mom and Dad's house. The smoke alarm went off in the very crowded house, and only two people reacted--Mom and me, who met in the bathroom and doused the floral arrangement that had caught fire. I guess if there's enough good food and drink around, folks are happy no matter what.
ReplyDeleteNo funny stories to share.
ReplyDeletesometimes we only doing a bbq party :)
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas parties but don't have any fun stories to tell. I guess were kinda boring! Lol!
ReplyDeleteI always loved the Christmas parties at my sister's house. She loved to host our family gatherings and there was always great food and lots of fun. The highlight for me was always after dinner, when my sister and I (and anyone else who wanted to come along) jumped in the car and drove around town looking at all the holiday lights and decorations. Then we came back to the house for some pie (mine was always pumpkin). :D Now we live on opposite sides of the country and that's the part of the holidays that I miss the most, being with my sister and our annual drive around town.
ReplyDeleteI remember one Thanksgiving that was my first as a married wife and we were having it at our house. We had bought an oven to cook the turkey in but it didn't work, so we had to take it back after Thanksgiving. We borrowed a big pan from our next door neighbor. My pies turned out terrible and the potatoes were runny, but everyone praised my meal. Lol!
ReplyDeletePS: My grandmother got us a big roasting pan for Christmas that year.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy holiday parties, especially the food! Can't think of any funny stories at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIt's tradition to have a family dinner/get together on Chinese New Year's eve where I'm from & everyone tries to come home for it. Since both my sisters live in different states/countries it's especially special time for us all.
ReplyDelete