Maggie Marr: Home For The Holidays

I love the holidays. Every year I express my joy about the holiday season by writing a holiday book. My past books have included A Christmas Billionaire http://amzn.to/2gn0cuO , The Christmas Wish http://amzn.to/2g1gHvd , and A Billionaire for Christmas http://amzn.to/2f4SOhL  . This year, I had the extra-special gift of sharing my love for the holidays with nine other authors. I was invited by Allison Bell to be a part of a Holiday Anthology. I was both delighted and excited by this invitation.

Amazon  http://amzn.to/2f4O1wE

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/home-for-the-holidays-allison-gatta/1125113885?ean=2940153494753

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/home-for-the-holidays-54 

The theme for our project was 'coming home for the holidays' hence the title Home For The Holidays. I'll also admit that my excitement wasn't just about the subject matter, my excitement was also over the fantastic authors I got to work with. I am a *BIG* fan of authors. I've worked with all kinds of famous-types from politicians to directors to producers to actors and I have to say the most fan-girl swoony I get is with authors. 

I adore authors. 

To the point where sometimes around an author I'm particularly fond of, it's hard for me to speak. Seriously, I have a hard time forming words--and words are my business. 

The line up in Home For The Holidays is just that fabulous. I've downloaded my copy and read every story and I have to say I've enjoyed each and everyone. Much like the holiday season, this anthology is only around for a limited time so if you'd like to read 10 romances at the extra low price of .99 go on and get your copy of Home For The Holidays now. I know that my fellow authors' stories have really put me in the mood for the holiday season and I hope they do the same for you!

Happy Reading!!

xoMaggie

Lisa Plumley Has a Christmas Confession

I’ve done it. I’ll bet you have, too. If you’re a parent, you might even have guessed what I’m talking about, especially since Christmas is right around the corner. If not, I’ll give you a hint: My name is Lisa (hi, Lisa!), and I’ve gone to absolutely crazy lengths to try to make sure my children have a wonderful Christmas.

I’ve baked cookies until I thought I’d go cross-eyed at the sight of another silver dragée. I’ve stayed up until the wee hours of Christmas morning wrapping gifts or helping to assemble brand-new bicycles. I’ve snacked on “Santa’s” cookies and milk, made sure the “reindeer” noshed on the carrots left for them, and left small, ashy, pretend “Santa tracks” on the mantelpiece. I’ve waited on line in the predawn cold at my local big-box store to get my hands on a coveted Pokemon video game (multiple times!). I’ve visited endless stores in search of exactly the right Lego model. I’ve taken sleigh rides and crafted homemade ornaments and raided the household for crucial last-minute batteries to power those Christmas toys. I’ve traveled approximately one zillion miles to visit family and friends. I’ve fashioned handmade bows and stamped my own gift wrap. I’ve even seen The Smurfs Christmas Special in its entirety. And why did I do all those things?

Because I thought they would make my kids happy. Of course! So I could really relate to Karina Barrett, who, in my newest book, Holiday Affair, is facing her first Christmas after her divorce and wants nothing more than to give her three children an extra-special holiday.

To that end, Karina accepts an all-expenses-paid vacation to snowy Kismet, Michigan, site of The Christmas House—a B&B that specializes in all-inclusive holiday packages, complete with tinsel, evergreens, eggnog, sleigh rides, and a few surprises. There’s a catch (of course!), but Karina doesn’t mind—especially not when she meets hunky stand-in innkeeper Reid Sullivan and his two daughters. As a globe-trotting adventurer, Reid is a little out of his depth when it comes to Christmastime traditions, but he’s promised to do his best at running the family B&B this year—and that includes making sure his guests (including Karina!) have the best holiday of their lives. Naturally, nothing goes smoothly for anyone, but good cheer abounds—and isn’t that what the holiday season is about, after all?

So tell me: What crazy, unusual, and/or tireless efforts have you made to try to perk up your family’s Christmas? I’d love to know!
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Lisa Plumley is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen contemporary, historical, and paranormal romances. Her newest book, Holiday Affair, is a featured selection of the Doubleday, Rhapsody, and BOMC2 book clubs and was awarded 4½ stars from Romantic Times magazine, 5 hearts from The Romance Reader, and 5 blue ribbons from Romance Junkies. Her next book, Mail-Order Groom, is the latest in her popular “Morrow Creek” series for Harlequin Historicals and is on sale now. You can find her on Facebook or Twitter, or visit her Web site to read first-chapter excerpts from any of her books, sign up for new-book reminder e-mails, and more!

*****Leave a comment for the chance to win a book autographed by Lisa! Three winners will receive their choice of either Home for the Holidays or My Favorite Witch. Good luck!

Christmas Traditions

Over the course of all the Christmases I’ve celebrated as an adult, I’ve probably made hundreds of ornaments--out of clothespins, recycled paper, pipe cleaners, hand-painted ceramics, cross-stitched fabric, and (memorably) star-shaped baked cinnamon sludge that still carries a spicy fragrance years later. I’ve wrapped hundreds of gifts--sometimes using hand-stamped paper and handcrafted ribbons. I’ve made holiday mix tapes, CDs, and playlists. I’ve trimmed dozens of evergreen trees and hung miles of multicolored lights. I’ve probably baked (quite seriously) millions of sugar cookies, spritz cookies, and frosted gingerbread teddy bears (my family’s personal specialty--so cute!). I’ve even gone Christmas caroling. But only once. I don’t know why the other carolers didn’t ask me back.

Actually, I do. But that’s a story for another day.

So why am I telling you this? Because I do all these things for the same reasons that YOU probably do, when it comes to your personal holiday traditions. I love seeing the people around me smile. I love surprising children with gifts, friends with goodies, and family members with unexpected favors. When it comes to Christmastime, I’m easy. I can’t say no.

That gives me a lot in common with the hero of my current book, Home for the Holidays. Reno Wright is the “go-to” guy in his small Midwestern town. His friends and neighbors rely on him for expertise, advice, and hands-on know-how...and Reno never says no. Behind his tough-guy demeanor (he’s a former NFL kicker!) hides a big heart. Even though Reno is busy running his successful sporting goods store, dealing with his divorcing parents’ ongoing feud, appearing as Santa in his niece’s grade-school holiday play, and trying to win the town’s annual holiday lights contest, he agrees to play Christmas Cupid for his best friend...and that’s where all the trouble starts. Because pretty soon, all Reno wants for Christmas is his best friend’s dream girl...and he doesn’t know how much naughty or nice one man can withstand before he finally gives in.

Sound like fun? It is! I promise. I’m crazy about the holidays, and I hope my enthusiasm for all things red, green, shiny, or spangled shines through in Home for the Holidays. I did my best to pack the story chock-full of Christmas cheer. I truly hope you’ll check it out.

In the meantime, I’m dying to know... What are YOUR favorite holiday traditions? How did they begin? And are there any new traditions you’re thinking about starting? Let’s dish!

Lisa :)

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Lisa Plumley is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen contemporary and historical romances. Her book Let's Misbehave was named one of Booklist magazine's Top Ten Romances of 2007, earned a 4-1/2 star Top Pick! rating from Romantic Times, and was a finalist for the Booksellers Best Award in the mainstream/single title category. She's excited to have two new books on the shelves right now: Home for the Holidays (Zebra) and Hallowe'en Husbands (Harlequin Historicals). You can find her on MySpace or Facebook, drop by her blog or visit her Web site to read first-chapter excerpts from any of her books, sign up for new-book reminder e-mails, download her reader newsletter, and more!

You Can't Go Home Again...Or Can You?

That’s what they say, but I just realized something: I don’t believe that. In fact, I’m kind of obsessed lately with the idea of a “do over.” In my books, I love to send my characters back to a place they’d thought they’d left behind forever...and make them deal with the consequences. So far, I’ve sent a showgirl to her former hometown to claim an inheritance that’s under dispute by the local bad boy (Josie Day Is Coming Home. I’ve booted a down-on-her-luck fashion stylist from Hollywood and sent her to the snowy Midwest to deal with a hunky former pro-football player while she rebuilds her career (Home For The Holidays). And right now, I’m sending a runaway witch back to her old magical stomping grounds to learn about...whoops! That’s my work-in-progress, and it’s top secret until I turn in the manuscript.

Ahem. Moving on... In a similar vein, I’ve also reunited a few ex-lovers in my books (Reconsidering Riley, The Honeymoon Hoax, Her Best Man, My Best Friend's Baby). Because if you ask me, a lovers’ reunion is just another version of returning home again. After all, these people are truly meant for one another. What’s more of a homecoming than returning to the arms of someone you loved (and lost)? I’m crazy about the idea that everyone deserves a second chance...and would rise to the occasion if that second chance ever arrived.

Which is weird, actually. When I’m not wearing my author hat, I’m a very forward-looking person. If I could go back and change anything in my life, I wouldn’t do it. Period. I’m happy where I am now. But my poor characters don’t have that option! They have to go where I send them. And I have to admit...they cope admirably with the challenges they face, right up to their (much deserved) happily-ever-after endings. So why am I so obsessed with filling my stories with “do over” scenarios? It’s anyone’s guess. But as long as I keep finding interesting ways to refute Thomas Wolfe (at least some of the time), I think I’ll keep it up.

So... Do YOU believe in second chances? Would YOU like to have a “do over” of your own? Let’s discuss!

~Lisa

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Bestselling author Lisa Plumley has written more than two dozen books for Zebra Books and Harlequin Historicals, including contemporary romances (Home For The Holidays, new!), western historical romances (Hallowe'en Husbands, in stores now!), and stories in romance anthologies (Santa Baby, reissued!). Her funny, warmhearted style has been likened to such reader favorites as Rachel Gibson, Jennifer Crusie, and LaVyrle Spencer, but her unique characterization is all her own. Please visit Lisa at www.lisaplumley.com, be her friend on MySpace or Facebook, or drop by her personal blog today!