Unwrapping: 'Tis The Day After Christmas

Happy Boxing Day!
Well, Santa has visited, food and goodies have been eaten - probably to excess- and presents have been opened. Either all of the fuss and worry has been for naught or it's only just begun. How many of you will be standing in return lines this week? Don't you wish Santa had a return policy where he comes back to your house, retrieves the items that need to be returned and brings back its replacement or a refund?? 


Well, my hope is that the kids that my hubby, Kevin, and I visited on Friday evening were so thrilled with their gifts that Santa won't have to use that return policy. Our Santa Visits usually go off without a hitch but this year was a little different for us and for the kids.  [sigh]

You see, I, me, myself, Mrs Claus screwed up and left one of Santa's fur-trimmed boots at home. If I had lived closer and if I didn't know for a fact that traffic on the highway between my hubby's workplace and my house (a mere17 miles) was a virtual standstill, I might have gone home to retrieve the boot. Well, hubby dear, Santa refused to dress as Santa telling us all that he felt he would look ridiculous dressed in uniform wearing his work shoes rather than his boots.  I felt horrible. All I could think about was those sweet kids who had no homes, not much in the way of belongings and they were waiting for Santa to come to their party.

Over sized everything!

SO! I grabbed Santa's over sized red fur-trimmed, reindeer button trimmed coat and put it on. I snatched up his over sized fur-trimmed hat, which I later learned he had stuffed his gloves inside which might account for the way it kept listing toward the pompom side, and put it on.  We climbed into my Blue Meanie (my name for my Ford Focus) with me behind the wheel, with what felt like a furry animal between my legs where the coat was bunched, and sped off toward the homeless shelter. We arrived only minutes late, retrieved the gifts from the car and set up near the Christmas Tree. I left my camera in the car because I didn't think anyone would want to see pictures of Mrs. Claus substituting for Santa and didn't think hubby could handle being Santa's Helper and take pictures but now I wish I had brought it in.  I'm going to try to get copies of Mrs. Claus with the kids from the person taking pictures so if I do, I'll share later.

As soon as the kids came out and saw me, they all asked about Santa. We told them that Santa had a sick reindeer and had to stay at the North Pole because it was only one more day before his big run and he needed them all healthy. One of the kids immediately asked the most obvious question - which one? Kevin was quick and announced it was Rudolph - that his light was out in his nose. The kids just shrugged and that was that.  

As soon as I sat down by the tree, the kids were on me like a hoard of wild animals. They all wanted to sit with Mrs. Claus. The first little girl asked me about my clothes. I told her that since Santa couldn't make it that he had allowed me to borrow his coat and hat. She smiled sweetly and nodded her head before announcing, "that's why it's too big for you, right?"

The kids were great, all smiles and happiness which lightens the heart and fills it with Christmas cheer. It's amazing to think these little ones have no homes to call their own and yet, share with each other, take care of each other and smile at the simplest pleasure. They were excited about their gifts like any child would be but just getting to sit next to Mrs. Claus, get a hug and a candy cane seemed wonderful enough to most of them.  

Mrs. Claus waiting under the tree. ; )

Now I know why the guys like to play Santa ... it's the most incredible feeling in the world. I think the kids were as excited as I was and seemed more relaxed than I've ever seen them.  Kevin and I have been doing Santa Visits since 2001 and this group was amazing. They all gathered around me whereas they normally hang back a bit. They were asked to move back and wait so they plopped their fannies onto the floor and waited patiently. When I would ask who's next, all hands would go up with a resounding "Me!" 

Mrs. Claus and her crazy, alien-eyed, Rottie - Marco

I suspect it was because it was Mrs. Claus rather than Santa. Oh, Santa is loved and they get excited about his visit but I think Mrs. Claus was a bit less intimidating.  I think it was because as a woman, Mrs. Claus is more approachable and because she doesn't wear that big white beard and they can see her face, they felt more comfortable. No matter the reason, I had a great time. Kevin smiled the entire time he was helping and got to see the whole adventure from where I usually do. Thanks for allowing me to play Mrs. Claus/Santa this year ... don't be surprised if I 'accidentally' leave something behind some other year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas weekend, got everything they asked Santa for and more, had good company and lots of love and laughter. I hope y'all will come back and visit me on Wednesday, Dec 28th - have I got a wonderful treat for you! I'll just say that a New York Time's bestselling author will be visiting us and she's giving away a delightful treat. So come on back folks!

Happy Reading Everyone!

Unwrapping: Our Santa Visit is Today!

Less than two days left until Christmas is upon us!

Today is a busy day for me and Santa (my hubby) with some last minute preparations, I will load up the sleigh (my car) and take Santa his uniform. He'll dress and practice his Ho Ho Ho's and then we'll be off to the local homeless shelter where they throw a party for the children in residence. Santa will greet the kids, while some will be so excited that even seeing a six foot four inch Santa walk in won't deter them, others will shy away in awe. Eventually, nearly all will either climb into his lap or sit alongside to talk with Santa and receive their gifts.

Santa and a little fellow who isn't quite sure.

Our Santa Visit to the homeless shelter has become a tradition with us so much so that I made Santa his own Santa suit a few years back. Rich velvet, fur trim and even shiny gold buttons with reindeer on them. Fur trimmed hat, boots and a big buckled belt finish off the fashion - Santa is sight to see.

I know the children will be thrilled especially since the budget allowed for each child to get what they wished for from Santa this year which makes me, Santa's shopping elf/Mrs. Claus, very happy. 


Santa and I would like very much to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, or Happy Holidays ... whatever you do celebrate or don't, we don't judge, we just hope it's the best ever.  Thank you for visiting UNWRAPPING ROMANCE and I look forward to treating you to more delightful visits to come.

Santa waiting patiently to meet his fans
(he grew his beard out and I painted it white, he's not quite that grey yet)

So, have you been naughty or nice this year?
What would you like to ask Santa to bring you this year?

Well, whether you've been naughty or nice, I hope you get everything you wish for and more.

                       I hope Santa leaves something wonderful, delightfully sexy and oh so,
                                       romantic beneath your Christmas tree such as ...

A Wonderful New Romance Novel!!

Merry Christmas Everyone

and

Happy Reading! 

Unwrapping: Wacky Wednesday - Some Yummy Christmas Treats!

Well, the countdown to Christmas is nearing its end.  Christmas will be here before you know it. Are you ready? I know I'm not, I've got a ton of things to do yet. Since, stress is one of the major spirit dampeners during the Holidays, I thought you'd enjoy some Yummy Christmas Treats to inspire your imagination, and gift giving spirit.


1st Treat:  
A look behind the scenes at Harlequin when they celebrated their 60th Anniversary in 2009. Readings from some familiar faces among the tribute.  : )

2nd Treat:
Have you ever wondered about how some of the beautiful covers for our favorite Romance Novels are made? Well, here's a behind the scenes look at how they made the cover for SCANDALOUS DESIRES by Elizabeth Hoyt.

3rd Treat:
The delicious cover of Gaelen Foley's newest release MY RUTHLESS PRINCE coming on December 27th. It features the most beautiful blue and if it's half as good as the first three Inferno Club entries, we are in for a delightful treat post Christmas.

4th Treat:
The cover of Terri Garey's newest release, A DEVIL NAMED DESIRE, coming January 31st! Hang on to your panties ladies, this one's HOT, HOT, HOT!!

So what new releases are you hoping for under your Christmas tree this year?

Well, I hope you enjoyed some early Christmas Treats. Did they get you into the Christmas Spirit? Or merely make you wish it was after Christmas already?  ; )

Merry Christmas Everyone and Happy Reading!

 

Unwrapping: "The Gift of the Magi" and Giving Gifts

I remember reading THE GIFT OF THE MAGI by O. Henry when I was a teenager and being touched by the sentimental logic behind the story. I remember thinking how sweet, how romantic and how meaningful those gifts became even though they couldn't be used until her hair grew long and he bought another watch. I had an all new appreciation for it's the thought that counts. I began to view gift giving in a whole new light. After reading it, I tried to give my family and friends gifts that would mean something special rather than merely fulfill a need. I would think long and hard about the gifts I gave. I would try to find a gift that the person was least likely to obtain for themselves but wished to have - if it fit into my budget, of course.  I still approach my gift giving in this same way every year. It's tough to do sometimes and sometimes, I have to revert to giving something that's more a necessity than a need but at least I try.

I try because I love sentimental gifts, gifts that when I look at them or wear them remind me of the person who gave it to me. I am always hoping those that give me gifts are looking past my needs to my wishes.  I guess that's what remains of my reading THE GIFT OF THE MAGI.

I'm reminded of the narrator's remark at the end:

The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi. -- O. Henry, THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

Less than a week remains until Christmas Day, would you be willing to sacrifice something important, something you cherish, in order to purchase a very special gift for the one you love?

Do you think long and hard about the one you're gifting to at Christmas? Do you give a gift of sentiment that comes from the heart or just follow a list of wants and needs?
Have you ever gotten a gift that you not only cherished but resulted in a turning point in your relationship?

I hope the true meaning of the Gift of the Magi settles in your hearts this Christmas Season.

Happy Reading and gift shopping ... time's running out!  Merry Christmas everyone!

                                                                  

Unwrapping: Christmas Romance & the Movies

Every time my husband and I watch the movie, LOVE ACTUALLY, which by the way has become our Christmas Eve tradition, you can nearly hear a pin drop or the dog snoring when Jamie remarks to his girlfriend, who has just said she would marry him, "You learned English."  She responds with, "Just in cases."  That's our favorite moment in the movie followed by the ending when everyone at the airport is greeting their friends and loved ones while the Beach Boys sing, "God Only Knows."

I love Christmas, Christmas movies and Christmas songs but have you ever thought about how many times Christmas has been used as the backdrop for many films that are NOT really Christmas movies?  Well, there are many and I tend to watch these movies all year long because I enjoy the movie and not just because Christmas is mentioned it.

Take the movie, SERENDIPITY, starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. It starts out at Christmas and ends at Christmas but in between is where the story grows. The true delight is that the romance occurs because of Christmas. Love that about it.

Many of my favorites are older films from days gone by such as BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE starring Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart. It's Christmas Eve, she's a witch, he's a publisher, she hates his girlfriend, he's enamoured of her, she wants revenge, and he ends up the poor victim. Of course, after she uses magic to steal him away from the vicious girlfriend, she falls in love and well, her New Year doesn't quite turn out the way she expected. Love this one! 

And how about the most romantic, tear-jerker of them all - AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Is there anyone, anywhere, who hasn't wiped away a tear of joy when they embrace at the end? Come on, I know you're tearing up just thinking about it. Well, what time of year is it when he discovers she's crippled and that it was why she didn't meet him at the top of the Empire State building in June?? It's CHRISTMAS, of course! 

There are so many more wonderful movies that use Christmas as a backdrop or as an intricate part of the story and I could probably go on for days talking about them. For example, Tom Hanks has starred in a couple that I can think of right away.

 I hope this has inspired you to check out some that I've mentioned and perhaps seek out a few of your own forgotten favorites.  Perhaps you'll share one of your favorites with us.

Enjoy the season and Happy Reading (and Movie Watching) Everyone!

Unwrapping: Christmastime Romance

As I mentioned before, I believe Christmastime is the most romantic time of the year, even more so than Valentine's Day. Perhaps it's because it begins almost immediately following Thanksgiving and culminates with New Year's Eve.

From Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, there are so many wonderful reasons to ask out that special person for the first time ... Christmas parties, parades, family gatherings and the best of all, New Year's Eve celebrations.

By the following Christmas, if all goes well, there comes yet another wonderful time and opportunity to get engaged. How many of us have gotten engaged during the holidays or at least hoped to get engaged then? I had always thought it would be the ultimate romantic gesture to receive an engagement ring as a Christmas gift. How wonderful for those lucky gals to be asked to spend all the Christmas' forever with that special someone.

I did have an engagement ring by the time Christmas came around but got engaged the weekend before Thanksgiving, which was fairly close to my ideal. We had flown to Texas to attend my good friend's wedding in which I was the maid of honor. The evening before the wedding, my hubby asked me to marry him ... I won't go into details because it's a private moment that will forever stay just between us but let me just say that it was unexpected, spontaneous and totally romantic.  It was so spontaenous that he didn't even have a ring with him but I got a beauty.

Of course, if I could have managed it, I would love to have had a Christmas wedding ... what a wonderful time to get married. I envy Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley for having their Christmas wedding ... sooo romantic.  

When I think of Christmas, I think of all the romantic aspects ... the mistletoe to kiss under, cold winter nights to cuddle through by a roaring fire, and the songs! Songs like, "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "Santa Baby", "Winter Wonderland", "All I Want For Christmas Is You," and one of the sexiest, "Baby, It's Cold Outside".  It's no wonder that so many babies are born come Fall.

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Lindsay and Cameron (the Glee Project)

So what's the most romantic thing that's happened to you or that you would like to have happen to you at Christmastime?

In the meantime, Happy Reading - Romance Novels are always a good way to get into a romantic mood especially if you share reading time with that special someone. 

Unwrapping: Santa and Mrs. Claus - A Magical Romance

Ever wonder how Santa met and married Mrs. Claus?

I love Christmas movies and even the old claymation specials like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. I'm always very happy when they start running them. 
Call me sentimental but I think Christmas time is one of the most romantic times of the year perhaps even more romantic than Valentine's Day. 

My favorite holiday movies usually involve the magic of the season and a visit to the North Pole. These Santa movies tend to incite my imagination and make be wonder about such things as, are the elves immortal like Santa, do they fall in love, marry and have little elves?

But the questions that inevitably cross my thoughts concern Santa and Mrs. Claus. How did they meet? How did he woo her? And most importantly, how did he ever convince her to live at the North Pole?

Well, my curiosity got the better of me this year so I wrote a letter to the North Pole. No, I didn't write to Santa but to Mrs. Claus. I assumed it would get lost among all of the other letters to Santa or possibly opened by one of the elves who wouldn't understand that it was for Mrs. Claus but guess what? I got a reply ... color me Merry!

I was so excited to receive a response that I just had to share it with you all.  [giggle]
And I think she thought I was a kid. 

What a delightful letter she sent me!!

Of course, now this leaves me with so many more questions.

Is Santa an elf or a human who was raised with elves?

What was so special about their marriage that suddenly their little village was engulfed in a magical winter wonderland?

Does everyone there live forever? 

[Sigh] I don't suppose I could get a letter back in time for Christmas and I'm sure that Mrs. Claus is busy, so I guess I'll have to wait until next year to find out ... the rest of the story.

I do believe there's a kind of magic that surrounds the Christmas Season.  Do you? 

 

Happy Reading Everyone and busy, busy, there's only just over two weeks left before Nick leaves Merry behind to make his night long journey 'round the world.  

Unwrapping: Interview with KC Klein + Giveaway

I'm very excited today, I know it's Wacky Wednesday but this is special because we have a very special guest with us - KC KLein, author of DARK FUTURE, a sci-fi/urban fantasy romance. DARK FUTURE is her very first published novel and she's agreed to give away one e-book copy to one lucky commenter.  So I hope you will make her feel very welcome.

When I first read the back cover of DARK FUTURE, I knew I was interested but had no idea just how much I was going to enjoy this action-packed, fast-moving story.  Kris Davenport was just living her life, working hard to become a full-fledged doctor when one night her future self pays her a visit. Her life was about to change in ways she couldn't fathom. This is a once-you-start-reading-you-can't-put-down book ... in fact, I was up until nearly 5:30 AM reading it because I just had to know what happened next. I want to thank KC for sending me this fascinating, humorous yet dark and gritty romance ... it's a great read!

DARK FUTURE Back Cover Blurb:

Awakened in the middle of the night by a future version of herself, Kris Davenport is given a mission: go forward in time to save the world—and His life. Of course, her future self doesn’t tell her who he is, just sends her into an abyss and straight into an alien invasion.
He turns out to be ConRad Smith, the callous, untrusting Commander of Earth’s army and the world’s last defense. There’s only one way to know for sure if this strange woman is an alien spy—slice her throat. Except, he didn’t anticipate the heat he would feel as he interrogates the hot-tempered, warm-blooded woman. For a man whose sole focus has been survival, she’s more temptation than he can handle. But a world on the brink of destruction leaves no room for love…and time is running out.

Amy:   Without further ado, please welcome KC Klein!

KC:  First, I wanted to thank Amy for having me on her blog. I’m real excited to be here. I always love being able to talk with readers.

Amy:  It's most certainly my pleasure, KC.  After reading DARK FUTURE, I just knew I had to have you visit.  To start, I'm sure the readers would like to know a little bit about you.

KC:  I’m a mother of two beautiful girls, I work outside the home, and actually enjoy going out for a mile run. I’m also fortunate to have been married to my best friend for the past sixteen years.

Amy:  Sounds like a idealic life and now you've added being an author to it as well.  When was it that you knew you wanted to write?

KC:  I truly believe the desire to tell stories are weaved into the very essence of writers. No one would pick this career unless it was something that they were born to do. I still remember being in second grade and reading my first Judy Blume book. It was then when I realized that stories were a way of living outside of myself, and I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since.

Amy:  It's hard to escape that desire, I know.  KC, DARK FUTURE is your first published novel. Is it your first full-length work and what inspired you to write it?

KC:  Yes, it is. It took me close to nine years from conception to publication. So even though it was my first book I rewrote it over three times. I’m so glad I didn’t give up on DARK FUTURE. I think aspiring authors need to learn not to quit, not to throw in the towel even when the first love of the story has worn off.
I was inspired to write this story when, nine years ago, what I was reading wasn’t dark and gritty enough for me. So I wrote what I wanted to read, and DARK FUTURE was born.  : )

Amy:  Well, KC, I, for one, am very glad you never gave up and I agree that quitting is too easy. I like that since you couldn't find the kinds of stories that you wanted, you created your own. DARK FUTURE is very dark, gritty and as you called it, snarky! It immediately had me thinking of The Matrix and Terminator Salvation, did you intend it to be that way when you began writing it or did it just evolve?

KC:  I don’t know what I intended DARK FUTURE to be. Mostly it was me just listening to the characters in my head. In the beginning I was worried that people wouldn’t get the humor in the book, but after a while I stopped worrying. People will either find it funny or not, which is very typical of my sense of humor.

Amy: I caught the humor and appreciated it. It gave Kris an edgy sarcasm that contrasted a near innocence in the hard and rough ConRad. It was obvious he wasn't sure what to make of this woman from the past. Time travel is a difficult subject to tackle and I, for one, am always skeptical about most approaches but was quite pleased with how you handled it.  Did you research the idea or was your approach more a seat of the pants evolution?

KC:  Most everything I do is by the seat of my pants. My one secret weapon is that I keep at it. I’m like a dog with a bone. When I was writing DARK FUTURE I had to find a way of getting my modern, snarky heroine into a world that created my untrusting, callus hero. Time travel seemed the best fit.

Amy: Brava! A girl after my own heart. My favorite lines in DARK FUTURE come from the scene when Kris interrupts ConRad's workout and he, in turn, tells her she needs to workout. 
My mouth fell wide open and my brain had a hard time wrapping around the fact that he had just called me fat and stupid.
"I never said that you were fat. I said YOU - NEED - TO - WORK - OUT."  He spoke as if I was hard of hearing and ... stupid.
How about you, do you have any favorite lines from the book?

KC:  HA! I had a lot of fun writing that scene. Men are great, aren’t they? I can’t remember a favorite line, but one of my favorite scenes is when Kris is getting interrogated by ConRad when she first travels to Dark Planet. I really tried to push the boundaries in that scene. Judging by the reactions (readers either hated it or loved it) I accomplished what I set out to do. Folks, you get a sneak peek of that scene since I put it as a teaser further down in this post. So let me know what you think.

Amy: I know the scene and loved it, I hope y'all will, too.  Do you think there will be a sequel?

KC:  A sequel is always possible. I would love to write DARK FUTURE 2. I even have a title for it, The Breaking of Dawn. Of course, that was before the whole Twilight craze, so maybe not.  : )   I believe that Kris and ConRad’s daughter, Dawn, has a story to tell.

Amy:  I was hoping that was the case and I look forward to it happening.  Are you working on anything right now?

KC:  Right now, I am working on a fun, sci-fi, bodice-ripper, anthology with two other very talented authors, Jessa Slade and Erin Kellison. I do believe wine was involved when they invited me to do the anthology, but I accepted so fast they didn’t have time to retract the offer.

Amy:  Sounds like fun and I hope you'll give us a heads up when it's published. One more quick question before we get to the teaser you brought with you. If you could become any character in any book, which character and why?

KC:  Umm, I’m not sure. All the great characters I know have been through some really tough stuff, and I’m pretty much a wimp. I panic over a hang nail and wouldn’t trust myself with much more. I prefer sitting in my yoga pants, in the comfort of my own home, writing about a tortured character then actually being one. HA!

Amy:  LOL! As it should be. Thanks for being so candid.  Folks, KC was kind enough to bring a teaser from her novel, DARK FUTURE, to share with us today. We both hope you'll enjoy it enough to want to read more.

From DARK FUTURE by KC Klein:

“Mmm, you taste human. Like salt or more like … warm sunshine?” He pinned me with his gaze. His eyes spoke a primal language. Desire warred with anger; need against punishment.

I looked away. Embarrassed. Violated. His body crushed mine, suffocating in its nearness. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe without crushing my breasts against him. I always considered myself strong and physically fit, but he subdued me with barely any effort. Heart racing, I panicked.

The feeling of no control would break me—complete powerlessness always did. I used whatever weapon was available; whatever maneuvers would give me a fighting chance. This was no different. I turned my head, opened my mouth against his neck, and … sunk my teeth in.

He cursed. Grabbed hold of my shirt, picked me up, and slammed me back against the wall.

A painful whoosh came from my lungs. My vision rocked—brain swished inside my skull.

“You bit me.” He sounded shocked.

My head hurt so bad I had to blink hard to keep my eyes in their sockets. “You licked me,” I shouted back.

He assessed me, aqua blue eyes hooded with thick, long eyelashes, for what seemed like an eternity. “I will ask you one more time. Who are you?”

“I’ve told you everything.” My voice sounded desperate, tired, even to me. “I went running and fell into the dark … I’m a doctor at a hospital. If you don’t believe me, just call them. I’ve worked there for years.”

He stood still, his body hard against mine, creating an insurmountable barrier. His face so close I could see his pupils enlarge, almost hiding the hard blue of his irises. The rage in him lived and breathed. One hand ran along my scalp in a mock caress, grabbed hold of my hair and pulled.

“Liar,” his voice barely a whisper, the knife was back … shaking at my very exposed, very vulnerable artery. “There hasn’t been a hospital anywhere on Earth since the year 2075.” And in one efficient movement, he drew the knife across my throat.

Amy: Wow! You can't get more intriguing than that!!

KC and I would both like to hear what you think about the scene ... in addition, I was wondering what you would do or say if your future self showed up in your house one night. 

KC is graciously giving away an e-copy of DARK FUTURE to ONE (1) lucky commenter,  So please, include a valid e-mail address in your comment so we can contact you if you happen to be that lucky winner.  If you're worried about spam, please modify your address, example: admin.myblog AT aol.com.
(This giveaway is open only to US entries - sorry. Winner will be randomly selected from comments posted on or before Monday, Dec 12, 2011.) see my FTC guidelines for more information.

I want to thank KC for joining us today and to everyone, happy reading and GOOD LUCK! 

You can visit KC at her website, on Facebook, or at Twitter.

DARK FUTURE is available in Kindle or print at Amazon and all e-book formats at Avon Impulse.

                                         This Giveaway is now closed - the winner (mauratroy) has been notified, thanks to everyone who commented.