Aloha to SECRET SANTA - A Holiday Anthology by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine, and Cindy Myers

I listen to WGTS 91.9, contemporary Christian music, in my car (link).   This week, the DJ announced that WGTS will only play Christmas after Thanksgiving.  I agree with this philosophy, as Thanksgiving is often lost in the holiday hustle.  Yet here I am, promoting holiday books on my blog!  I do so to make sure readers receive books in plenty of time to read before Christmas.  Today I spotlight SECRET SANTA, a holiday anthology from Kensington (link):

Christmas is the time for miracles, mayhem, and holiday romance in these wonderful stories from four of today's most beloved authors…

"Mister Christmas" by Fern Michaels

A week before Christmas, attorney Claire O'Brien is summoned to Ireland to change her wealthy client's will--only to encounter resistance from his handsome nephew. Will Claire be forced to spend the holidays up close and personal with her irresistible Irish nemesis?

"The Yellow Rose of Christmas" by Marie Bostwick

Though Miss Velvet Tudmore wrote off romance years ago, rumor has it she has a secret admirer. And when her surprise suitor promises to reveal himself at the annual Christmas ball in Too Much, Texas, Velvet starts to wonder: is it ever too late to find love?

"Nightmare on Elf Street" by Laura Levine

Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa's elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she's teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he's found murdered on the job--and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer…

"Room at the Inn" by Cindy Myers

When a Rocky Mountain blizzard forces Barb and her husband to spend Christmas in a remote Colorado cabin with their fellow travelers, Barb struggles to cope--especially when her husband reveals troubling news. But sometimes a holiday shake-up is all a woman needs to discover what she's truly made of….

Lucky is ready for the holidays ... 

I requested to review this anthology for Laura Levine - I love her books with Jaine Austen, a freelance writer in LA whose best customer is a plumber seeking clever ads.   Jaine accidentally solves murders in this cozy mystery series with Prozac, her self absorbed cat, and Lance, her self absorbed neighbor.   NIGHTMARE ON ELF STREET hit the spot - I laughed all the way through this short story.   Highly recommend for longtime fans and new readers seeking a laugh out loud escape.   

I also enjoyed the other stories in this anthology - they were more sentimental.  I am giving away a print copy of SECRET SANTA to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Have you ever dressed as Santa, an elf, or a reindeer for any reason?   I have not, but I once wrapped gifts with another military spouse who had.  At a previous base, the commander's spouse ordered "sexy elf" costumes for the other spouses to wear during gift wrapping.   Hmmm, I don't think I look too sexy in a too short dress, covered with tape!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

... and so is Zsa Zsa!

Aloha to Jill Shalvis and CHRISTMAS IN LUCKY HARBOR

On this day in 1984, 36 musicians recorded Band Aid's DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS to raise funds (and awareness) for famine relief in Ethiopia.   Here's a link to the artists who participated in this humanitarian effort.

I know its Christmas with the holiday romances lined up on my bookshelf, including Jill Shalvis' holiday anthology, CHRISTMAS IN LUCKY HARBOR:

Love awaits you in Lucky Harbor . . .

Simply Irresistible
After losing her boyfriend and her job, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim her inheritance-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. She sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if she can give the inn the makeover it needs. Enter Jax, a tall, handsome contractor who knows exactly what Maddie needs...

The Sweetest Thing
Helping her sister set up the family inn is just the thing to make Tara forget her ex-husband and focus on her new life. Until she meets a sexy, green-eyed sailor determined to keep her hot, bothered, and in his bed. When her ex reappears, Tara must confront her past and decide what she really wants.

Kissing Santa Claus
NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?

Under the Mistletoe
There's no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts - and asking for forgiveness.

I am giving away a print copy of CHRISTMAS IN LUCKY HARBOR to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Have you kissed Santa Claus ... or another jolly fellow under the mistletoe?  

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.   I'll most the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Jill and her books, check out her website at jillshalvis.com.

Coming in 2014 

Holiday Giveaway - NO PLACE LIKE HOME by Linda Lael Miller, Kat Miller, Mary Carter, and Laura Florand

There's nothing more festive than a winter romance, and in these heart-warming stories, love is a gift that can take you by surprise. . .

The 24 Days Of Christmas by Linda Lael Miller

A matchbox advent calendar first brought Frank Rayner and Addie Hutton together. But that was years ago. There's no way the miracles of Christmas--and the magic of true love--could possibly be hidden under one of its tiny flaps. Or could they?

Christmas Angel by Kat Martin

When Angel Summers' first love, Josh Coltraine, joined the Army, she vowed to hate him forever. But now he's back in Savannah for the holidays--wishing for a miracle that could heal both their hearts.

The Christmas Carousel by Mary Carter

Single mom Georgia Bradley can't afford to fight the developers who want to tear down her beloved Rhode Island auction house--especially Adam Cavalier. But when she receives a mysterious gift, Adam becomes intrigued with its origin--and with Georgia...

A Rose In Winter By Laura Florand

Allegra Caldron knew the rule never to talk to strangers. But on a cold winter night in Provence, she breaks that rule--and more--with an irresistible man. Raoul Rosier seems thrillingly dangerous, yet why does Allegra feel so safe with him--even when she believes he's a thief?

I am giving away a print copy of NO PLACE LIKE HOME to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a special gift you have received during the holidays.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City