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Tag Archives: Christmas
Dashing Through The Traffic on I10
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A fundinmental Holiday Adventure
Dashing through the…traffic on I10…
Bah…Humbug by Tony Bertauski @tonybertauski
I have been reading Tony Bertauski’s Christmas stories since the very beginning and have loved each and every one, so I was eager to get my hands on Humbug.
Be sure and check out his other books below, where you can find my review links.
MY REVIEW
Fantastic twist on a familiar tale.
Tony Bertauski has come away with another winner in Humbug. This is one of those books that is hard to review without giving away all the goodies inside.
You may think you know the story, but when Tony Bertauski spins a tale, he creates a world of his own, original, unique and highly creative.
I immediately thought steampunk because of all the technology involved, but cyberpunk will do just fine.
Ebenezer is constantly riding around his castle on a Segway. He is overweight and a bit lazy. He wants what he wants when he wants it and expects his androids to deliver. He doesn’t leave his castle and doesn’t want any human contact. No one knows what he looks like because he projects a created image when he talks ‘face to face’.
At times I felt like Ebenezer got what he deserved and other times I felt sorry for him. After all, we don’t always know what happens to shape a person into who they have become.
We do travel to the future, visit the present and go back to the past to find out his story.
The twists and turns kept me entertained and I surely never saw the end coming. I loved it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Humbug by Tony Bertauski.
4 Stars
AMAZON BLURB: Jacob Marley is dead. His business partner, Eb Scrooge, is left to run Avocado, Inc., an innovative technology business, all alone. An introverted shut-in locked away in a Colorado mansion, he changes the company’s mission statement. Only his servant droids keep him company.
Until the gifts arrive.
Each Christmas, a messenger forces Eb to look at his life in hopes he will change. But change does not happen in a single night. And only Eb can make it happen.
But who is sending the messengers?
ABOUT TONY BERTAUSKI
Get my books FREE. Tell me where to send them at http://bertauski.com
My grandpa never graduated high school. He retired from a steel mill in the mid-70s. He was uneducated, but he was a voracious reader. I remember going through his bookshelves of paperback sci-fi novels, smelling musty old paper, pulling Piers Anthony and Isaac Asimov off shelf and promising to bring them back. I was fascinated by robots that could think and act like people. What happened when they died?
I’ve written textbooks on landscape design, but that was straightforward, informational writing; the kind of stuff that helps most people get to sleep. I’ve also been writing a gardening column with a humorous slant. That takes a little more finesse, but still informational for the most part.
I’m a cynical reader. I demand the writer sweep me into his/her story and carry me to the end. I’d rather sail a boat than climb a mountain. That’s the sort of stuff I wanted to write, not the assigned reading we used to get in high school. I wanted to create stories that kept you up late.
Fiction, GOOD fiction, is hard to write. Having a story unfold inside your head is an experience different than reading. You connect with characters in a deeper, more meaningful way. You feel them, empathize with them, cheer for them and even mourn. The challenge is to get the reader to experience the same thing, even if it’s only a fraction of what the writer feels. Not so easy.
My reviews for Tony Bertauski’s books:
I am a Lion, Hear me Roar!
Just got back from a trip to New Orleans for Monday Night Football.
YAY! We won.
I’ve got the eye of the tiger lion…
Stopped by Biloxi on the way back and it has turned out to be a very Merry Christmas.
Hope the holidays are filled with family, food and fun for you and yours!
Release Blitz Giveaway for CHRISTMAS PETS & KISSES @BPICPromos
Christmas Pets & Kisses
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 6, 2015
SIXTEEN ALL-NEW, NEVER-BEFORE-PUBLISHED SWEET (PG-rated) CHRISTMAS ROMANCES
Ring in the Christmas cheer with sixteen all-new sweet and heart-warming romances from New York Times, USA Today and National bestselling authors. Don’t miss out on this romantic collection of Christmas tails…uh, tales as adorable pets with fins, paws, feathers, and hooves bring holiday magic with the gift of true love.
Golden Christmas – Helen Scott Taylor
Every Christmas Vicky hides so she doesn’t have to celebrate the date she lost her husband and son. She doesn’t want to see anyone but when she finds a dog’s lost ball she meets Jon, a wounded ex-soldier who’s struggling with his own problems. This brave man touches Vicky’s shattered heart and makes her realize she can’t hide forever. With his support, can she find the strength to love again?
Two Loves for Christmas – Mona Risk
Tabloid pictures of charming laywer, Josh Dutton, threaten his father’s senatorial campaign. The family decides he needs a sweet ‘temporary fiancée’ to repair the damage. With only her German shepherd for friend, Emma struggles with problems. Attraction sizzles between Josh and Emma but no one mentions the ‘fake fiancée’ detail. When the truth surfaces will Josh be able to prove that his kisses were not part of a charade?
Dog-Gone Christmas – Melinda Curtis
Widow Marnie Haywood wants Christmas hosting her in-laws to go smoothly. And it would – if her handsome neighbor and his friendly St. Bernard would stop coming over, mooching food, and stealing kisses.
His Christmas Promise – Alicia Street
A stray dog with a penchant for giving warm and fuzzy love finds refuge with an ex-Army helicopter pilot and helps restore his bedridden grandmother’s will to live. It seems like a Christmas miracle until the bachelor war vet discovers the mutt belongs to a little girl who wants him back—and a single mom who makes him rethink his freewheeling ways and maybe even believe in love.
We Wish You A Ferret Christmas – Nikki Lynn Barrett
Widower Lance Rossiter wants nothing to do with the pet ferret who caused his daughter to be hit by a car. Widow Cara McLean is shocked by the ferret her son finds and wants to keep. When Lance and Cara meet, sparks fly and love suddenly seems possible. Can a lost and found ferret bring two fractured families together?
Christmas Lovebirds – Rachelle Ayala
Melisa Hart has a soft spot for her brother Connor’s ex-best buddy, Rob Reed, who slept with Connor’s girlfriend. When her pet lovebird is mixed up with Rob’s, Melisa discovers he’s always cared about her. Can two little lovebirds and Christmas cheer open Melisa’s heart to giving Rob another chance?
Christmas on Cougar Mountain – Nancy Radke
Hard-working Zoey is dedicated to helping children learn, and has built her business to the neglect of having a family. When she rescues a dog on the freeway, she discovers that the escape artist brings a family with him, including a boy she would like to help, and as love grows, a man she would like to keep. But will Kellen ever trust her to help his son, much less give her his heart?
The Vet’s Christmas Pet – J.L. Campbell
The last thing Toni wants for Christmas is more responsibility, but her daughter has other ideas. A near accident not only brings them a dog in need of a home, but Matthias Laing, who Toni would prefer to keep in the past.
Tails, Time, and St. Nick – Mary Leo
Kris Timemaker has inherited a magical clock. Using the clock’s magic for anyone other than St. Nick on Christmas Eve has some grave consequences, but when his daughter’s beloved Westie goes missing, and his estranged wife asks for his help, Kris has no choice but to take a chance with time and try to win back his family in the process.
Graced – Jade Kerrion
Connor Bradley doesn’t have time for distractions, not while juggling single parenthood and his clinic on five hours of sleep a night. He most certainly doesn’t have time for Noelle, the high school flirt, who is prettier and more irresistible than he remembers. When Noelle’s father’s heart attack derails Connor’s plans for his first Christmas without his wife, Noelle wants to save the day for his adorable children, but can she also find her way into Connor’s guarded heart?
Unexpected Gift – Chantel Rhondeau
Aspiring decorator Cali Johnson moves to New York City—lonely, afraid, and far from home during the holidays. When she finds a lost cat in her apartment building, she strikes up an odd friendship with his reclusive owner, Marcus Ritz. If only she knew what he was hiding.
Minty’s Kiss – P.C. Zick
When newly divorced Molly retreats to a family cabin with Gracie, her ten-year-old daughter, she’s surprised to find her childhood crush, Nick, still living in the area. Can a small kitty named Minty help Gracie accept the love developing between Nick and Molly in time for her first Christmas in the mountains of North Carolina?
The Christmas Wish – Michele Shriver
Ashley McLaughlin is struggling to move on from her husband’s infidelity. Brennan wants to make amends for his transgression. Their young daughter, Hayley, has only one wish for Christmas- for her family to be together again. When Hayley suffers a head injury after a fall from her horse, will it help her get her wish? Or do the wounds from Brennan’s betrayal run too deep for Ashley to forgive?
Dante’s Gift – Aubrey Wynne
Seventy years ago, a collie mix brought two hearts together in war torn Italy. Will their story help their grandson find his own Christmas love?
Mavy’s Christmas Miracle – Sharon Coady
Anne Hurd returns to the Pocono’s to help her elderly grandfather. Six years earlier Kyle Shafer disappeared from her life. She rescues a kitten, takes her to a vet who turns out to be Kyle. Kyle can’t believe Anne walked back into his life. Will he scare her away, or will she give him another chance? Kyle decides to take a chance and try for the love he gave up on.
An Impossible Rescue – Annamaria Bazzi
Christmas is no joy for Julia who’s gambling husband comes around only to ask for money. When a handsome stranger and his cute Pomeranian puppy moves in next door, Julia feels guilty for their mutual attraction.Michael’s not the rescuing type, but when he spies Julia’s husband haranguing her for holiday cash, anger flares and he is determined to rescue Julia from another miserable Christmas.
99¢ for a Limited Time
Get into the Christmas Spirit and Holiday Cheer with Christmas Pets & Kisses
Helen Scott Taylor
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Helen Scott Taylor, had her first book released in 2009. The Magic Knot, won the American Title contest, was a Golden Heart® finalist, and was chosen as one of Booklist’s top ten romances of 2009. Since then, she has published other novels, novellas, and short stories in both the UK and USA. Her published works have been finalists in a number of contests including the Holt Medallion, the Lories, the Prism Contest, the Write Touch Award and the Maggies.
Mona Risk
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Mona Risk, recently received an Outstanding Achiever Award from Affaire de Coeur Magazine. Her name has often been posted on the Amazon.com 100 Most Popular Authors in Romance list. She’s a two time winner of Best Contemporary Romance of the Year from Readers Favorite; a winner of Best Romance Novel of the Year from Preditors & Editors Readers Poll; and an EPIC Award finalist.
Melinda Curtis
Melinda Curtis is an award winning, USA Today recommended, Amazon best selling author. She writes the independently published, steamy Hollywood Rules series as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood’s Golden Age except a lot hotter.”
Alicia Street
USA Today bestselling author Alicia Street is a Daphne du Maurier award-winner. She writes both sweet and steamier romances and sometimes collaborates with her husband, Roy. She spent many years as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher and is a compulsive reader of every genre. Alicia grew up with dogs and cats and could not imagine living without furry pals.
Nikki Lynn Barrett
USA Today Bestselling author Nikki Lynn Barrett
I’m an avid lover of books. I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first “book” by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I’ll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.
Rachelle Ayala
Bestselling author Rachelle Ayala I love the magic of the Christmas season filled with family and the spirit of giving and helping others. From romantic suspense to sweet contemporaries, I write from my heart and love to include children and pets in my stories. My stories range from steamy to sweet, so be sure to check the reader’s guide at my website.
Nancy Radke
Amazon Best-selling author, Nancy Radke, writes modern romance and suspense as well as a Western Pioneer historical series. A former special education teacher, her education background shows when she includes history in her books, or in the case of her novella for this set, reading problems. Her books are G-rated, no sex, no swearing.
J.L. Campbell
J.L. Campbell is an award-winning, Jamaican author who writes romantic suspense, women’s fiction, new and young adult novels. She has written thirteen books, three novellas and two short story collections. Her novels include the Island Adventure Romance series, which currently has four exciting, stand-alone stories and features feisty women and determined men. Campbell is a certified editor, who also writes non-fiction.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Newsletter
Mary Leo
USA TODAY bestselling author Mary Leo grew up in a complicated Italain family on Chicago’s Southside where she developed the art of storytelling. She writes with ironic humor, a bit of whimsy, some serious drama, and has a longstanding love affair with the American cowboy.
Jade Kerrion
Jade Kerrion writes award-winning and occasionally best-selling science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary novels anchored on unlikely romances you will root for and happy endings you can believe in. Her favorite romance is the Double Helix love triangle between Galahad—the lab-created perfect human being; Danyael—an alpha empath and Galahad’s physical template; and Zara—the woman who can wreak more havoc with love than most people can with hate
Chantel Rhondeau
Chantel Rhondeau is hooked on romance and suspense. She thinks there’s nothing better than a great mystery, but basically an optimist, Chantel loves a book to end ‘happily ever after.’ When she isn’t writing, Chantel enjoys playing cards with her family, bowling, and snuggling with her four kitty ‘children.’
P.C. Zick
P.C. Zick began her writing career in 1998 as a journalist. She’s won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and fiction. Today, she writes romance and contemporary literature with her pen drawing plots filled with love, hope, and forgiveness.
Michele Shriver
Michele Shriver writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance. Her books feature flawed-but-likeable characters in real-life settings. She’s not afraid to break the rules, but never stops believing in happily ever after. Michele counts among her favorite things a good glass of wine, a hockey game, and a sweet and sexy book boyfriend, not necessarily in that order.
Aubrey Wynne
Award-winning author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule and barn cats. She is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. Obsessions include history, travel, trail riding and all things Christmas.
Her award-winning short stories Merry Christmas, Henry (2013) and Pete’s Mighty Purty Privies (2014) won the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Choice Award. Aubrey’s latest Christmas story, Dante’s Gift, is part of the boxset Christmas Pets and Kisses and will also be sold as a single title.
Sharon Coady
Sharon Coady lives in Florida with her husband, three of their daughters and five of their eleven grandchildren. She wrote two books before discovering Romance novels. She has now written a romantic suspense, a romance novella and is currently writing a Christmas novella. She has two published novels. When not working as a nurse for the Veterans Administration or writing she enjoys spending time with her family and riding behind her husband on their Harley.
Annamaria Bazzi
Although born in the United States, Annamaria Bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish. Annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. Annamaria lives in Richmond, Virginia with her small family.
99¢ for a Limited Time
Get into the Christmas Spirit and Holiday Cheer with Christmas Pets & Kisses
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Teaser Tuesday #29 ~ My Christmas Soldier by Elizabeth Rose
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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MY CHRISTMAS SOLDIER by Elizabeth Rose
Tis the season for some warm and cozy Christmas reads.
Maybe a little Christmas magic too.
MY TEASE
(28% on Kindle)
“It’s Christmas ~ the magical time of year when hopes and wishes turn into reality.
You wished for this, and here it is.”
SYNOPSIS
A Short Story
Lana Davis hates Christmas because it brings to mind the loss of her husband. But when an old eccentric woman at the nursing home gives her a present as well as advice, her life takes a mysterious turn.
With one shake of a snowglobe magic happens as the Nutcracker Christmas Soldier inside it suddenly comes to life. But can Lana listen to the old woman’s advice about letting the past go and living in the now? And will her Christmas soldier bring her the happiness she’s had locked away inside herself, or will her own fears and guilt keep her living in the past?
A woman trapped in her past and a soldier released from his, come together in My Christmas Soldier.
Short story approximately 6,000 words.
Excerpts included at end of story.
All Books .99! Enter to win a $100 Gift Card Now!
ATOMR Tours Presents: The Post – Christmas Holiday Book Sale
The Post-Christmas Holiday Book Sale, hosted by the Indie Book Festival, will kick off on December 28 and run through December 31. All books will be .99!! The Indie Book Festival will be posting the participating books to their Facebook page as well.
The Indie Book Festival website is the premier online website for seasonal ebook sales events! From Halloween to Valentine’s Day – we’ll celebrate it by bringing you bestselling books by today’s hottest Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal and Young Adult indie authors.
Indie Book Festival | Facebook | Twitter
You can also enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card now!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Awakenings: Remembering our Soldiers at Christmas
See on Scoop.it – America & Beyond
Not everyone will be home for Christmas. Support our Troops for they support you!
Sharla Shults‘s insight:
While celebrating during the Christmas season Always remember those away from home Keep them in your hearts, cherish them in your soul A day may come when you find yourself alone
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
WINNER!!! of the North Pole High Giveaway
My favorite time of any giveaway is announcing the winner. So without further ado, the winner of North Pole High by Candace J. Kringle is:
Ann Herrick
Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I hope you will continue to follow fundinmental.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
Related articles
- A Joyous Romp at North Pole High by Candace J. Kringle (fundinmental.wordpress.com)
- Freebie – North Pole High Beginnings (fundinmental.wordpress.com)
- USPS offers North Pole postmark for Santa letters (fox13now.com)
Freebie – North Pole High Beginnings
North Pole High: Beginnings
(Reblogged from northpolehigh)
Ever wonder how Rudy ended up at North Pole High?
If penguins only live in the South Pole, how did Santa Claus meet Chefy, his personal penguin chef?
How did Santa and Mrs. Claus first hook up?
Find the answers in this hilarious new collection of short origin stories from the Kringle who brought you North Pole High: A Rebel Without a Claus.
Where to get this FREE Christmas present from critically-acclaimed author Candace Jane Kringle:
Download the epub version from Goodreads at
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17080132-north-pole-high
(then click on “download ebook”)
Download all other formats from Smashwords at
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/265896
(Note: Smashwords messed up the formatting a little. The elves are trying to get the properly-formatted Kindle version uploaded to Amazon. Check back here to find out when it’s up.)
(UPDATE: It’s on Amazon now, at http://amzn.to/RB0WKj, for $0.99. Elves still trying to get Amazon to lower the price to FREE, but if you’re in a giving mood, I won’t object to you buying it for $0.99.)
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And don’t forget to have yourself a MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS!!!! 😀
Love,
Candycane Claus
Related articles
- A Joyous Romp at North Pole High by Candace J. Kringle (fundinmental.wordpress.com) Giveaway and Review
- All my Giveaways, go HERE.