Anna Campbell's Winner!

 

The elves put all the names into a nice big shiny red & green bucket and have picked out a winner for Anna Campbell's novella, THE WINTER WIFE!

It's  

Mary Pitkin

Congratulations, Mary!  Can you please contact Anna at anna (at) annacampbell (dot) info and she'll give you the details for your download.

A Christmas Special with Anna Campbell

I'm thrilled to have lovely Anna Campbell here today to talk about her Christmas novella, THE WINTER WIFE, and to share some Christmas history.  So without further ado, I'm handing over to Anna...


Hiya Love Cats! 

This is just the purr-fect place for me to be today! I think you’re all the cat’s whiskers! OK, enough of the feline revelry, let’s get into some Regency revelry.

But first, a word from our sponsor – and no, it’s not Whiskas!

On 1st December, I published an e-novella with a Christmas theme, THE WINTER WIFE. It’s an extended version of my first reunion romance, written a couple of years ago for THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF REGENCY ROMANCE. I’d always wanted to go back and give the Earl of Kinvarra and his estranged countess a bit more room to breathe so this year, I thought why not? 

Here’s the blurb:

Will a chance meeting on Christmas Eve…

Alicia Sinclair, Countess of Kinvarra, cannot believe that fate has been so cruel as to strand her on the snowy Yorkshire moors with her estranged husband as her only hope of rescue. During their rare encounters, the arrogant earl and his countess act like hostile strangers. Now that Alicia has fallen into Kinvarra’s power, will he seek revenge for her desertion? Or does the dark, passionate man she once adored have entirely different plans for his headstrong wife?

...deliver a second chance at love?

Sebastian Sinclair, Earl of Kinvarra, has spent ten wretched years regretting the mistakes he made with his young bride, but after long separation, the barriers between them are insurmountable. Until an unexpected encounter one stormy night makes him wonder if the barriers of mistrust and thwarted desire are so insurmountable after all. When winter weather traps Sebastian and his proud, lovely wife in an isolated inn, could the earl and his headstrong countess have a Christmas miracle in store?

You can buy THE WINTER WIFE: A CHRISTMAS NOVELLA from Amazon - click here!

 





Given THE WINTER WIFE’S Christmassy atmosphere and the time of year, I thought I’d talk a little bit about Christmas in the Regency.

You might be slightly surprised to hear that Christmas as we celebrate it is mainly a Victorian invention. In fact, in the Regency there were people like Leigh Hunt the writer actively working to revive interest in Christmas which was fading from the public mind as a general celebration.

Can you believe that? The Sheriff of Nottingham nearly got his way! They almost cancelled Christmas! A large part of the revival of interest in Christmas can be put down to Charles Dickens and his A CHRISTMAS CAROL which was published in 1843, well past the Regency age.

So what would you do at a Regency Christmas? Well, you’d go to church. It was primarily a religious occasion. You’d do something charitable. If you were lucky, you might have a nice dinner with friends and family. Gift giving, especially among adults, doesn’t seem to have been widespread.

All the tinsel and stuff is a later tradition although “Deck the Halls” got it right – one of the oldest traditions was bringing winter greenery inside. You can see a trace of that in the picture with the holly in the chandelier. Kissing under the mistletoe was also a game people played – lots of romantic possibilities there! 

George III - portrait by Zoffany

A couple of unexpected facts. It’s generally accepted that the Christmas tree came to England with Prince Albert when he married Victoria. That actually isn’t so – George III married a German princess Sophie Caroline Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (long name to put on a Christmas card! Another Victorian tradition. First commercially available in 1843, clearly a BIG year for Christmas!). It seems she brought the tradition of having a tree in the house for Christmas with her, although the practice didn’t spread much beyond the royal family until after Victoria married Albert in 1840. Another surprise is that Christmas puddings (which originally included as much meat as sweet stuff) weren’t a widespread part of the season until the 1840s either.

So a Regency Christmas was a much quieter, less commercial affair than the day we enjoy in 2012. However you spend the 25th December, I hope it’s happy and full of love and laughter.

Do you have a favourite Christmas romance? One of my favourites is LoveCat Michelle Douglas’s CHRISTMAS AT CANDLEBARK FARM, a beautiful story. I love to read Christmas books at this time of year so I look forward to hearing your recommendations. 

Thanks, Anna!  I always enjoy your fascinating historical snippets!  

Anna is giving away a download of THE WINTER WIFE: A CHRISTMAS NOVELLA to one lucky commenter!  This contest is open internationally!  Good luck, everyone!   

Books for babies?

By Leah Ashton

As many of you know, I'm currently 35.5 weeks pregnant, and am due to give birth in early January. This is my first baby, so it's both super exciting and rather intimidating!

In between finishing up my day job (temporarily) and finishing my latest book, I'm feeling a bit behind as far as preparing for the impending arrival of Baby Ashton. We've bought the absolute essentials (pram, car seat, bassinet, sheets, nappies) and that's about it. It's such a bizarre time - I feel so ignorant (and I hate buying stuff that I may turn out not to need) and yet I'm about to be responsible for a little one. Eek! There are so many unknowns - obviously the birth itself, but also whether I'll be able to breast feed, how my baby will sleep (or not), how I'll react to the birth (having had close friends deal with post natal depression I'm very aware of that possibility), even whether it's going to be a boy or a girl!

Anyway - there are a few parenting things that I do feel confident about. The big one is that I want to do everything I can to encourage my child to read. Growing up, I read constantly. I would get into trouble for reading too late into the night, or being late for school as I'd decided to read one extra chapter before getting out of bed in the morning. More than one Christmas afternoon I spent in my bedroom reading my beautiful new Christmas book rather than socialising :)

As a shy, rather awkward teenager who was far from popular - and who wasn't kissed until she was 18! - I had lots of self doubt growing up. But because of books I always had this deep down belief that I was going to be okay. The books I read (and lots of them were romance novels!) taught me that I could be loved and respected for who I am (as I am) and that I was deserving of love. They taught me that I didn't have to be the most beautiful or most talented or most popular. Books certainly contributed (along with my wonderful family of course!) to my inner strength and belief in myself. They also helped me at school - by broadening my knowledge, vocabulary and writing skills.

But really - I don't need to tell anyone visiting this blog how awesome books are :)

So, I fully intend to start reading to Baby Ashton right from the get go. But, I don't even know where to start!

Do you have any book recommendations for Baby Ashton? I'd love to hear them!

Just for fun!

Ooops, we've had a hiccup with our scheduling so no blog for Monday!

So for fun, we're popping this puzzle in to the Tuesday slot!

Hope you enjoy this muddy pup from Jigzone...

Sunday Smooch: Anna Hackett

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from Winter Fusion by Anna Hackett, but first ...

the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is -- Kaelee!


Congratulations, Kaelee! Can you please contact Helen Lacey via the contact form on her website and she'll send you a copy of Marriage Under The Mistletoe.

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Winter Fusion by Anna Hackett...

Blurb:

Ex-space marine Savan Bardan survived the Galactic Wars to become the most ruthless trade negotiator in the galaxy. His planet needs energy to survive, and he’ll do anything to close the deal for the Perman fusion crystals that can provide it—even if it means seducing his beautiful, infuriating opponent, a rival icier than her planet.

Perma’s top negotiator, Brinn Fjord, lost her father when Savan delayed her planet’s Trade Guild membership years ago. She hates the handsome Rendarian and the planet he represents. She’s determined to finish the deal and get rid of him as quickly as possible, so she can celebrate the holidays.

But soon the rival negotiators are in a fight for their lives. Besieged by mysterious accidents and unforgiving weather, Brinn and Savan have no one to depend on but each other. As they put the past aside, they uncover a desire hot enough to melt ice, and Brinn discovers a secret that may keep them apart.

28,000 words

Set-up: Rival intergalactic trade negotiators, Brinn Fjord and Savan Bardan have just been blindsided by a little girl during the Yule winter festival on the ice world of Perma.

“Now you must honor Fria,” the little girl pronounced, pointing above them.

Oh, no. With dread churning in her gut, Brinn looked up. Sure enough, a small bunch of mistel, with its green leaves and white berries, hung above them on a wooden arch.

“Who’s Fria?” Savan asked.

The girl bounced on her heels. “The wife of Odinn. Goddess of the frost but also goddess of love. Now you kiss.”

If things had been different, Brinn would have laughed at the surprise on Savan’s features. The girl’s excited face looked up at them expectantly.

Brinn waited for Savan to disappoint the girl, but when he gripped Brinn’s wrist, she gasped.

“The Code of Conduct says a negotiator must follow the customs of the world he’s visiting.” His hands slid up her arms.

“Bardan—”

He tugged her close to his body. “I wouldn’t want to insult your goddess.”

She felt small beside this man. Protected. Feminine. She pressed her gloved hands to his chest, trying to keep some distance between them. He was a merciless trader, and because of him she’d lost so much. He was a cold man with no feelings.

Except after watching him drink glogg, give an apology and humor a small girl, Brinn wasn’t so sure her first impression of him was correct.

He pulled her closer, until the scent of him filled her senses. Pure male. He smelled like warm skin and the sea breezes she’d smelled on the ocean planet, Duna. And under it a darker, intoxicating scent that was all Savan.

He tilted her head back. “One quick kiss. For tradition’s sake.”

This was nothing but business. He was just following the rules. Odinn, the man was tall. They were just keeping a little girl happy.

His head lowered, and in her mind, Brinn cursed herself as weak. Because despite everything, despite what she blamed this man for, she desperately wanted to feel his lips on hers.

***

Savan was shocked at the desire coursing through him. Desire for this icy Perman negotiator.

He rubbed a strand of her golden hair between his fingers. Hated that he was wearing gloves and couldn’t feel the silk of it.

She lifted her face and her cheeks were flushed, her blue eyes glowing.

The young girl and the Code of Conduct were just excuses. He wanted to taste this woman.

Before he could examine his motivations, he leaned down until their lips were a whisper apart. He smelled the spicy fragrance of wine on her lips. She sucked in a breath, her fingers gripping his suit.

Then he kissed her.

She was stiff at first, her body rigid against him, her mouth closed. But as he teased her lips, traced them with his tongue and slid an arm around her waist, she started to melt.

Her slim body leaned into the shelter of him, and he felt the press of slim curves and small, high breasts. Rendarian women were shorter, curvier, and Brinn’s long, lean contrast made her all the more alluring.

Desperate for her taste, he deepened the kiss. Her mouth opened and he swept his tongue inside. Then she gripped his arms and kissed him back.

Heat roared through Savan. Desire was a sharp ache that begged for more of her. Every day he contained himself, controlled his reactions at the trade table. The only time he let it loose was on the all-too-rare occasion he took a woman to bed.

Now he wanted Brinn Fjord naked beneath him, her long legs wrapped around his waist. He slid his hands under her heavy coat, anxious to feel her skin.

“Wow, Brinn, way to build Perman-Rendarian relations.”

The sharp female voice crashed through the haze of passion. It was followed by a child’s giggle.

Savan and Brinn jerked away from each other.

He was breathing heavily, and she swiped a hand across her mouth.

The action made his gut spasm. Like she wanted to wipe away the taste of him.

The little girl clapped her hands. “That’s the best kiss so far.”

Winter Fusion is also available as part of the sci-fi romance holiday anthology from Carina Press, A GALACTIC HOLIDAY, with stories by Stacy Gail and Sasha Summers. Out December 3^rd.

WINTER FUSION – Carina Press | Amazon | B&N | All Romance

A GALACTIC HOLIDAY – Carina Press | Amazon | B&N | All Romance

To learn more about Anna:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

To be in the draw to win a download of Winter Fusion, just leave a comment and tell me, what’s your favourite sci-fi show, movie or book?

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from a Nikki Logan book will be posted!