Patricia Bradley
First I want to reveal the winners of our Rafflecopter from November 5 that just ended:
Dorothy Boucher
Ruth Kyser
Nancy Jones
Brandi Dagwan
Congratulations, ladies! Now for today's blog!
So, I popped over here to tell you about three books where the characters did talk to me. :-)
Today I'm talking about The Christmas Campaign.
In case you don't know, I write for Harlequin Heartwarming and also for Revell. Tomorrow I'll tell you about my latest book for them.
The Christmas Campaign was so much fun to write. Nicole Montgomery is an independent and sassy young woman, and she has not one, but two, men courting her. For a while, even I didn't know which one would get her...and you'll have to read the book to find out. :-)
Here's the letter I wrote to the readers of The Christmas Campaign:
We all want to win and we all want to be chosen. It’s starts in childhood when we want to be chosen first—not last—for a team and continues into our adult years when we want to be chosen by someone special.
And when it comes to winning, it’s a given that no one wants to lose. But what happens when winning becomes more important than anything else?
All their lives, Peter and Jake have competed against each other, and that doesn’t change when they get reacquainted with Nicole. Not only that, they are in a contest with a half-million dollars at stake.
I loved writing this story and hope you enjoy it as well.
To celebrate the release of The Christmas Campaign and Gone Without a Trace, I'm giving away a few things--your choice of a $20 gift card from a variety of places (like Amazon, Cracker Barrel, Logan's, TGIF--anything I can buy a card for in Corinth), a copy of...well, check out the Rafflecopter!
You can enter to win below...(print books will be awarded where for US addresses only. If the winner lives outside the US, a digital copy will be awarded). Winners will be announced December 17.
Come back tomorrow for a look at Gone Without a Trace! It's a romantic suspense and one of the questions posed on the Rafflecopter is whether an author can write in different genres. Be sure and check it out.
And on Friday, I'll be talking about another Christmas book-- an anthology with 12 stories in it, all of them set in Christmas Town, Maine.
I can't wait to read, The Christmas Campaign, Patricia. I loved the letter to the readers.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited Harlequin Heartwarming will soon be available in Walmart! Woot!
Me, too! Thanks for stopping by Jill...but you didn't enter the Rafflecopter!
DeleteWhen I was on earlier, it said it wasn't open yet. I'll do it now! :)
DeleteI had the wrong day! : -/
DeleteThe Christmas Campaign sounds awesome, I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy. Be sure and enter the Rafflecopter!
ReplyDeleteSounds good....you are going to make my TBR pile grow. :-)
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks for stopping by. I don't think the Rafflecopter was up when you posted. I hope you'll come back and enter!
ReplyDeleteIt finally popped up. Entered!
DeleteSee above...somebody put the wrong date...
DeleteI thinks it is fine when an author does more than one genre if they feel confident in doing it. But I also don't think they should feel the have to, if they are doing it just to keep up with society or what is liked out in the book world.
ReplyDeleteSo agree, Susan. I like the change of pace from romantic suspense to romance...and my books are really about relationships.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind if an author writes in more thanone genre. In some cases the author does very good writing in both genres which is a plus for him or her.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Jackie!
DeleteI think it's great when an author can write in more than one genre. There are some genres that aren't particularly my favorites. So an author who writes in more than one genre may be a favorite of mine in one genre but I may have little to know interest in the other; however, it keeps me interested in following that author.
ReplyDeleteI find that to be true, Edward. I read a few authors who write romantic suspense and some write what I call sci-fi and I rarely read those.
DeleteI like it when authors do have different genes. I know of a few who do contemporary and suspense. Also Contemporary and historical. I think if an author can write more than one genre it gives them the scope to do so. Why box them into a box. Its like readers most of us like more than one genre. If we didn't t could get quite boring. Or another analogy for some would be only being able to eat one food when we crave to eat others as well
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts, Jenny! I find the romance refreshes me for the romantic suspense and gives me more practice with the romance part. I write more about a developing relationship that focus on the romance part. :-)
DeleteNot sure I have a favourite Christmas Recipe but always make YoYo cookies.
ReplyDelete2 Oz Icing sugar,
6 Oz butter
2 Oz custard flour
6 Oz plain flour
pinch of salt.
cream icing sugar and butter, add flours and salt then press out with a cookie press or roll into balls and press with a fork.
cook for about 12 mins in a moderate oven turning once. then ice/frost when cool.
the alternative is to put cherries on top (roll in a ball then press a cherry on top)
Jenny, your Yo-Yo cookies sound so easy...what is custard flour, though? cornstarch, maybe?
Deleteno not corn starch you make custard with it.
Deletebut I did find this ubstitute cornstarch equally for custard powder when it is called for as an ingredient in recipes for cakes, desserts or sauces. For instance, if the recipe calls for 2 tbsp. of custard powder, use 2 tbsp. of cornstarch. Add vanilla extract to match the flavor of custard powder. You can also substitute 2 tbsp. of flour for 1 tbsp. of custard powder as a thickening in sauces or puddings. - See more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/486405-how-to-replace-custard-powder/#sthash.T7qtM9tq.dpuf
Hi, Pat. Just love the cover of The Christmas Campaign. And I know it's a terrific story!
ReplyDeleteAw, Johnnie! thanks. Looking forward to seeing you Saturday...And I'll bring your gift from Marion.
DeleteI think it's great if they write in different genres. It gives readers better choices.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you agree, Nancy!
DeleteGirl, you have been busy writing. This Christmas book sounds great as well as Gone without a Trace. I love a good mystery!
ReplyDeleteDana, I figured up the other day...by January 1, I will have written 225,000 words. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI'm all game for authors writing different genres. It gives them an outlet to other areas that might not be appropriate or right for the current one. Plus, we as readers can see the different approach a writer uses with different genres. I think it's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI like your comment!
DeleteSugar cookies recipes - Have you all try Ree Drummond's (aka The Pioneer Woman) cookie recipes? They are delish! It was a little long to post the recipe, so I just posted the link.
ReplyDeletehttp://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/my_favorite_christmas_cookies_from_childhood_and_beyond/
Thanks, I've heard of The Pioneer Woman, but haven't seen her recipes. Will check her out!
DeleteA simple recipe for my favorite Christmas dish - now that's a tough one for a guy like me who doesn't cook. I don't have any recipes. But I have a word of advice: if you're like me and don't cook, marry someone who is a great cook. I did and she has been such a blessing to me and many others. Quite honestly, she is far more than a great cook. That was a wonderful bonus that came with all her other great qualities.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on landing a great woman! Thanks for dropping in.
DeleteI love authors that write in multiple genres! It's more AWESOMENESS for us readers to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI really like writing in different genres...may try a cozy mystery some day.
DeleteLove those Hershey's Blossoms... Here's the link for the recipe.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.hersheys.com/celebrate/holidays/recipedetail.aspx?id=5191
Anything with chocolate in it is my favorite! Thanks Caryl.
DeleteI think authors who write in more than one genre are talented. I prefer to read Christian fiction but will occasionally enjoy a clean read in other genres
ReplyDeleteMy Heartwarming is not inspirational, but it is clean and sweet. With plenty of problems for my character. :-)
DeleteA very easy recipe we just call a Cookie Roll.
ReplyDelete1 box of thin chocolate wafers (I think the brand in Nestlé's)
Cool whip or real whip cream
Use an oval plate, not round
Stand the wafers on end one by one, holding them together with whip cream between them. When that's done cover the whole roll with whip cream, sprinkle crushed chocolate cookie crumbs, or any color sprinkles, on top and refrigerate for a few hours. (The cookies need to soften)
Cut on a diagonal so the slices look like stripes. Delicious!
That sounds wonderful, Bonnie! I love all these recipes.
DeleteIf an author wants to write in different genres, I think that's great. It expands their horizons, just like us, as readers, expand ours by reading more than one type of book. It makes life more interesting!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Bonnie!
DeleteI've read a few authors that write both contemporary and historical novels, and it's interesting. Most manage to do it well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Patty! When I was a kid, I wanted everyone to call me Patty instead of Patsy. :-)
DeleteSending my grandmothers recipe for Christmas Candied Pecans - they are so delicious and makes the house smell great!!
ReplyDelete1 pound of whole pecan halves
1 egg white
1 tablespoon of water
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Whip egg white with water until stiff.
Add pecans and mix to coat pecans.
Mix sugar, salt and cinnamon - then pour over coated pecans.
Mix until all pecans are coated.
Spread coated pecans on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 250 for 1 hour - turning pecans every 20 minutes.
These can be made ahead and stored in the pantry for 2 weeks - or refrigerated or frozen for later use.
Enjoy! and Merry Christmas!
Oh, I love these!! And I didn't have the recipe until now. Thank you, Pam!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love these!! And I didn't have the recipe until now. Thank you, Pam!
ReplyDeleteI love more than one genre per author . . . .get tired of reading the same 'plot' over and over . . . . and when I find an author I like that is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteComing up with different plots is truly a challenge! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI think authors who write in more than one genre must be exercising their writing skills and want a challenge :)
ReplyDeleteThat's two reasons I write in different genres, Heidi. Romance is probably the hardest thing for me to write, and writing for Heartwarming helps me to develop into a better writer. My editors, both in romantic suspense and romance are wonderful! They have helped me so much.
DeletePeppermint Candy from Taste of Home
ReplyDeleteIngredients:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, divided
1 cup white baking chips
3 teaspoons peppermint extract
2 to 3 drops green food coloring
Directions:
In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips with 3/4 cup condensed milk over low heat, stirring occasionally. Line an 8-in.-square dish with waxed paper; butter the paper.
Spread half of melted chocolate mixture into pan; chill for 5-10 minutes (let remaining melted chocolate mixture stand at room temperature).
In another saucepan, melt white baking chips. Stir in remaining condensed milk until smooth. Remove from the heat; add extract and food coloring. Refrigerate until set. Spread over chocolate layer; spread with reserved chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until set. Cut into 1-in. pieces.
I think it's terrific if an author can write in different genre, it gives me more to read by them :-)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunatly there's nothing to "Pin" when I try to do the two Pinterest entries!
DeleteTrixi, I don't know why the link doesn't work...unless I did it wrong...which is quite possibly true. I'm sorry. I'll have to figure that out before the next Rafflecopter. If you know how, let me know!
DeleteOh dear, Patricia, I am of no help whatsoever!
DeleteI'm just guessing here, but you'd probably need to link a "pin" so that when a person clicks on it (the Pin it logo on Rafflecopter), it will take them to the Pinterest board where they can "re-pin" it to one of their boards (for example, I have a Giveaway board I pin things on for contests). I have no idea if that makes any sense, I would have no idea how to fix it though :-( And no worries about it, I just thought I'd give you a heads up. Don't know if anyone else had the same thing happen or not.
Blessings!
Something my Grandma made at Christmas (I have yet to!)
ReplyDeleteAlmond Bark Pretzels
1 12oz package almond bark
1 9oz package small pretzels
Slowly melt almond bark in an appropriate pan or follow directions on package.
Dip pretzels in white chocolate and lay on wax paper to firm.
When firm, you may put in a covered bowl or in a bag.
Enjoy! These were my favorite growing up, she used both white (vanilla) and chocolate almond bark.
Sugar cookie dough, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy and bake as told on package.. We also like the almond bark pretzels mentioned :)
ReplyDeleteDeanna, that sound great. If I get out of this season without gaining five pounds, I'll be lucky!
DeleteI have no problem with an author writing different genres. It's really cool when they can cross them over, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a simple Christmas recipe except the pumpkin pie recipe on the can of Libby's pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the pins go, I found your boards, and pinned 2 items about your writers' group. I hope that's ok.
I think a writer should be able to write what they like. If your enjoying the journey the end result will so much greater!
ReplyDelete