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Happy Holidays friends and readers! Welcome to stop 69 on the hop! (Hmm... that should be my number on the Candy Cane Kink Giveaway Hop I'm also doing. Click here to enter that one too!)
Although everyone celebrates the holidays with different traditions and for a variety of reasons, most people do celebrate. It's a time to share with those who mean the most to us. And for me, that includes you--my readers. January will mark the end of my first year as a self-publisher, and thanks to all of you, it's been an amazing experience. This blog is my chance to give a little something back. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for the details on the giveaways and how to enter to win!
My Favorite Holiday Memory
When my oldest son was about four years old, he decided that all he wanted for Christmas was a beach ball because the one he'd gotten the previous summer had popped. He first mentioned this to me in early November, so for two months, I searched high and low for a beach ball. Ever try to find a beach ball in Chicago in the middle of winter? Talk about a mission impossible.
At the time, my husband was working in Memphis and was also searching for a beach ball, without much luck. When Christmas came around, I packed up the kids and drove sixteen long hours to my parents' house. My husband was to join us there as he was flying in from Memphis. The whole trip, I obsessed about the fact that all my son wanted was stupid $2 beach ball, and I couldn't give him one.
Fortunately, I'd brought his popped ball as a back up plan. I thought to give it to him attached to an IOU. Not that a four-year old would care about an IOU. The kid just wanted his ball. My brother-in-law, aka Mr. Fix-it, patched up the broken ball as best he could with his swimming pool liner repair kit. The ball could be blown up, but I could tell it wouldn't last five minutes once my son started to play with it.
On Christmas eve, my husband flew into town, arriving just as our celebrations began. And in his bag, he had the best surprise of all -- a brand new beach ball! How he managed to find it, I don't know. He must have had some help from above. Later that night, my son whooped and hollered when he unwrapped the new beach ball "Santa" had brought him.
My husband, the hero, saved Christmas for my little boy, and a merry time was had by all.
* Sniff, sniff *
Grand Prizes
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
Note: 1st and 2nd Grand Prizes are International. The 3rd Grand Prize is US-only.
To enter: Leave a comment below with your email address in the comment. Entries without an email address will be discarded.
Question: What's your favorite holiday memory?
My Prizes
As some of you may now, I've started a new erotic romance series called Six-Alarm Sexy. The prequel, "Aftershocks" is already available, and the first book in the series, Under His Command, is releasing on Monday (12/17/2012). So, my prize today is:
Two (2) ecopies of Under His Command,
or Deadly Obsession (the first book in my Deadly Vices romantic suspense series).
Winners choice.
To enter: Fill out the rafflecopter below. Please be sure to leave a comment with your email address so that I can contact you should you win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Title: Under His Command
Series: Six-Alarm Sexy
Author: Kristine Cayne
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: December 17, 2012
Description: A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust--and the sexual submission--of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.
Other books in this series: The Prequel - "Aftershocks," in Romance in the Rain (Available at: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords)
Title: Deadly Obsession
Series: Deadly Vices, Book One
Author: Kristine Cayne
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Heat: HOT!
Rating: 4.6 stars on 66 reviews (Amazon.com)
*** Currently on sale ***
Only 99¢ at Amazon ebook (77p at Amazon UK | 75p at Nook UK) | B&N | Kobo
Also available: $3.99 at ARe | Smashwords | iTunes/Apple USA | Diesel |Sony ($9.99 at Amazon print)
Want another chance to win a copy of Under His Command? Check out my pre-release contest page and enter to win one of five copies of Under His Command on release day (12/17/2012). It's super easy!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Title: Under His Command
Series: Six-Alarm Sexy
Author: Kristine Cayne
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: December 17, 2012
Description: A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust--and the sexual submission--of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.
Other books in this series: The Prequel - "Aftershocks," in Romance in the Rain (Available at: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords)
Title: Deadly Obsession
Series: Deadly Vices, Book One
Author: Kristine Cayne
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Heat: HOT!
Rating: 4.6 stars on 66 reviews (Amazon.com)
*** Currently on sale ***
Only 99¢ at Amazon ebook (77p at Amazon UK | 75p at Nook UK) | B&N | Kobo
Also available: $3.99 at ARe | Smashwords | iTunes/Apple USA | Diesel |Sony ($9.99 at Amazon print)
Under His Command Pre-Release Giveaway
Want another chance to win a copy of Under His Command? Check out my pre-release contest page and enter to win one of five copies of Under His Command on release day (12/17/2012). It's super easy!
Happy Hopping!
You can find the other hop spots by going to the our Blog Hop Central: Website: http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/ or by clinking on the links in the list below.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!
~Kristine
Love the beach ball story Kristine! Christmas is a hard time for me, 22 years ago Christmas Eve, my mother passed away suddenly, she was only 40. Three weeks ago my husband and I separated after 20 years. As far as a favorite memory, regretfully, I do not have any children but I have always been blessed to have a roof over my head, a job and wonderful friends who are like family. Thanks for the chance to win ~ Can't wait for Under His Command to release and the rest of your Six Alarm Sexy series! Merry Christmas to you & your family!
ReplyDeletemisbaglady@yahoo.com
Oh, Missy. I'm so sorry. I'm glad that you have such good friends to help make this first year on your own an easier one. And Jamie from Under His Command will be there to keep you warm :D Merry Christmas and good luck with the giveaways!
DeleteWhat a cute story, Kristine! Favorite memory was at 10 years old, I opened an envelope under the tree (I thought it was money) and it said to go look out back. There, tied to the fence, was my first horse with a red ribbon in her tail.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your new series!!
sherifredricks @charter .net
Sheri - that sounds like a wonderful Christmas memory! I remember wanting a horse when I was a young girl. Of course we lived in a townhouse... :D Happy holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteFavorite Christmas memory...that's a hard one. I've been blessed with many great Christmases, it's hard to pick one memory. I guess spending Christmas in Disneyland with my family a few years ago would have to top the list. We never could've never afforded to take our entire family to Disneyland and stay in the Disneyland Hotel, but my husband received the trip as a Christmas bonus. Much better than cash. :)
ReplyDeleteFinished Deadly Obsession a few days ago and loved it! Great read, Kristine! I can't wait to read the sequel and start on the new series.
danao.b7(at)gmail(dot)com
Dana - that sounds like a terrific family holiday trip! I'm so glad you enjoyed Deadly Obsession. I hope that you will enjoy Deadly Addiction and Under His Command just as much. Happy Holidays!
DeleteOH Kristine, I cried a little with your story. Wow! Those are the best really. :)
ReplyDeleteI have so many great memories. But I guess in 1999, I was expecting my first child, she was ready to come out. She was not born in December, she waited one more week, but I remember my excitement and expectations. It was really a memorable Christmas.
Happy Holiday!
morebooksthanlivros@gmail.com
Isabelle - I'm such a wuss that I got all teary-eyed as I was writing that story. I kept seeing his sincere little face when he'd tell me that really, a beach ball was the only item on his list. :) Even though y our daughter was a little late, I'm sure she was the best Christmas present you could have received! Thank you for sharing. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
Deletefavorite christmas memory of mine is visting an aunt who lived outta town and being able to skate on a REAL frozen pond w/ my cousins on christmas morning
ReplyDeleteparisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Oh yes, Laurie! I remember skating outside when I was little. It was so much fun. Best of luck and Happy Holidays!
DeleteI've been blessed with many Christmas memories, but one of my favorite was the year my daughter gave me a baby bottle. You may ask "What the what?" She and her hubby had been trying to get pregnant for over a year. And that year, right before Christmas, she used the bottle as a way of announcing they were expecting.
ReplyDeleteI now have a beautiful 10 year-old granddaughter named Gracie, because Grace is a gift from God.
Two years after Gracie was born, my daughter gave birth to a son!
Kristine, I just recently became acquainted with your books and I really, really like them. Looking forward to much more.
Thanks for the chance to win some goodies!
Merry Christmas,
Gail
djgandyfan@gmail.com
GeeGee on Twitter
That is such a sweet story, Gail! I can imagine how elated you must have been when you opened your gift and saw that baby bottle. :) I'm thrilled that you discovered my books and enjoy them. I love talking with readers, so be sure to keep in touch. Good luck with the giveaways and Happy Holidays!
DeleteI have many great memories :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
So happy for you, Cassandra. May you have many more great ones! Best of luck with the giveaways and Happy Holidays!
DeleteI loved your story, I can just picture his face so excited. My favorite memory is when my son first realized/understood there was a Santa. His eyes lit up and his smile so bright. What the funny part was he had more fun with the boxes and paper than the toys LOL. Now he is a teen and I miss those days when he believed.
ReplyDeleteRafflecopter Name: Dawna Newman
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
Dawna - I miss those early years and the magic the children brought to Christmas. It's a lot more ho-hum these days. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteChristmas is my favorite holiday! Here we have snow every year during the holidays, so it's really beautiful! And of course I love spending time with my family!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you! Thank you for the giveaway!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com
I love when it snows on Christmas Eve and the snow reflects the holiday lights, Veronika. So beautiful. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteEvery year we drive around and look at the lights and then come home and have cocoa and cookies and I love it Thanks for the great giveaway Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeletecrystaley73 at yahoo dot com
That sounds like fun, Crystal! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteMy favorite holiday memory is the year that my husband, our 3 boys, myself and my husband's cousin, wife and 2 kids went out in the woods on our property and cut down Christmas trees to bring home. My son and his cousin both found Charlie Brown trees for their rooms and brought them home and decorated them! They were so adorable I couldn't possibly laugh at them!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway and have a Happy Holiday!
charmedbutterfly69@yahoo.com
Oh, I would have loved to see those Charlie Brown trees! I can just imagine how proud those boys must have been. :D Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteThanks for the great hop.
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
You're welcome! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
Deletei'm looking forward to spending more time with my kids. some are out of the house either married or in college. so this is the one holiday i really get to spend with the whole family. i loved the blurb and can not wait to read the book! thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeletemiriam.whitewolf@gmail.com
It's so great when we get to spend the holidays with family, Miriam! I'm glad you loved the blurb. I worked so hard on it. LOL! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteHi Kristine,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas memory is the last time I made walnut bread with my grandmother. She died a few weeks later. Though the new year opened with sadness in my heart, I got one last experience of joy with grandma before she passed away. Christmas is a special time for me because of that memory. It is very important to build a mental scrapbook of such experiences. Hope everyone's continues to expand. Happy Holidays!! susan_francesny[at]hotmail[dot]com
That is so bittersweet, Susan. But I'm glad you got to spend that precious one-on-one time with her while she was still able. I especially love your idea of a mental scrapbook. I think I'll be doing some scrapbooking of my own this year. Thank you! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteWhen I was a kid, I would go caroling with my friends with our homemade instruments.
ReplyDeletebituin76 at hotmail dot com
That brings back memories, JanD! I used to do that when I was a girl guide. And when my youngest was in Boy Scouts, we also went caroling. There's something a little magical about it. :) Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteFavorite memory is the times I got to share with my grandmother and grandfather on christmas. Grandma always got her shopping done. You could tell when she started we were not allowed in her room. It makes me miss her. It's been fourteen years since her death
ReplyDeleteraonaid at gmail dot com
That's a wonderful memory, Raonaid. I'm sure you miss your grandmother, but at least you have these sweet memories of her. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteHappy Happy Holidays! Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy fav thing about the holidays are the awesome sparkly lights! We drive around on Christmas Eve and see them all while singing along with carols on the radio! When I was a kid my grandpa started the tradition.
grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com
This is a great tradition, April! I love the idea of driving around to see the amazing Christmas decorations and singing carols as you go. Sounds like such fun! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
Deletei love looking at the christmas lights and i also love the hot cocoa i love dedcorating for christmas as well angelwolfmystic@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletefirst christmas with my husband. It was just us and we just had a nice time with just the 2 of us! Now we have 5 kids...not so alone:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
ajcraig77@comcast.net
Oh my! Five kids. I really admire you, Amy! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteHello, thanks for the giveaway! I have so many favorite Christmas memories. I just can't choose a favorite, because I love everything about this holiday. :)
ReplyDeleteskizzles_22_hju@yahoo.com
It's a super time of the year for me too, Holly! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
Deletewhen my grandmother came up from florida to stay for christmas
ReplyDeletekaholgate at ymail dot com
That sounds like it must have been such a joy, Kimberly! Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteI really enjoy the holiday season. I enjoy the smells, the food and lights. Oh and the music too. Not much into baking anymore. But I do enjoy tasting, ask my scales. Tee Hee. Thanks for being on the Holiday Blog Hop. Great blog. roya-clan@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteMary Frances, do I sympathize about the scale! LOL Enjoy an extra cookie for me. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteHappy Holidays! Great giveaway! Favorite memory is watching my children open their presents.
ReplyDeleteaprilnu2003(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Shar - I agree. Christmas isn't quite the same when the children are grown. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteI love Christmas memories!!! Merry Christmas!!!
ReplyDeleteFavorite memory was getting my first dog, Snoopy for Christmas!!! Had him until I turned 15 years old! I was only 3 years old when I got him :)
angelarosebooks@yahoo.com
Wow! I can understand why that would be your favorite memory. Doesn't every kid want a puppy? LOL. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteMy favorite holiday memory is made every year when I watch the kids open their gifts! hthurmeier @ gmail . com
ReplyDeleteExactly, Heather! Creating that photo book of memories is so important. Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteI love hearing about everyone's family traditions. Liese, yours sounds like fabulous fun. :) Happy Holidays and best of luck with the giveaways!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite holiday memory is of my grandfather and I decorating the tree.
ReplyDeleteMorganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com
My favorite holiday memory is the year that my husband, our 3 boys, myself and my husband's cousin, wife and 2 kids went out in the woods on our property and cut down Christmas trees to bring home. My son and his cousin both found Charlie Brown trees for their rooms and brought them home and decorated them! They were so adorable I couldn't possibly laugh at them!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway and have a Happy Holiday!
charmedbutterfly69@yahoo.com
I love that story Kristine! My favorite holiday memory is the Christmas my family spent in Australia. My oldest daughter was only 3 at the time, and it was about 80 degrees out. My parents couldn't find a Christmas tree anywhere! They finally found one that looked suspiciously like Charlie Brown's tree. It was awesome!
ReplyDeleteSheri - feike@juno.com
Opening presents when I was little.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
My favorite holiday memory is waking up to a white Christmas when I was five or six, it was just so beautiful! It hasn't happened since then, I keep my fingers crossed each year but oh well.
ReplyDeleteorangepeacock313atgmaildotcom
My favorite x-mas was Tatiana's first Christmas with us. She was in awe at her gifts
ReplyDeletestaci1964@hotmail.com
Fun memory - reminds me of the year the only thing my daughter wanted was "the little singing snow men" she saw on a Hallmark commercial. Of course they were sold out everywhere. We recruited a lot of help and got six variations on the singing snowmen, but not the exact one she wanted.
ReplyDeletelolakarns(at)gmail(dot)com
Decorating the tree at my Grandparents how with all the other cousins!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win :)
raynman1979 at yahoo dot com
My favorite memory is going to the Theatre for a Fairytaile production on the 24th with my sisters. In the meantime my parents would decorate the tree, but we did not get to see it until it got dark. Those were the longest afternoon ever. I should mention I grew up in Germany and we did not put our tree up until the 24th. It was such a magical time.
ReplyDeleteConny
Kismet83@comcast.net
My favorite holiday memories are still happening, I love listening to my son sing during the Christmas Eve program at church!
ReplyDeletesmoofrog at gmail dot com
What an awesome hop!! And a fantastic giveaway! Thank you!! I have a lot of favorite memories. One of them is always making sugar cookies on christmas eve with my cousins and my mema. Then we'd open presents, and talk about family stories. So many funny ones! Happy holidays to you all! Best wishes and many blessings!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite thing about this season is cookies; I love making and eating them. Everyone is so willing to share.
ReplyDeleteplanterofhope at aol dot com
I love Christmas and everything about it:) But this year has been so much fun with my 3 year old, he is so excited! I love your beach ball story:) Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteallysonbrann06@yahoo.com
My favorite holiday memory? Just seeing my mom. She past away 2 yrs ago and it was her fav holiday. She went all out with the decoration, food, presents. I miss her sooo much.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays, Big Hugs
Missie Jones
missie25524 @netzero .com
Being with my mom her last Christmas the year I turned 13.
ReplyDeleteDeliachic3@hotmail.com
I am no longer sure the place you are getting your information,
ReplyDeletehowever great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or figuring out more.
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