Tag Archives: Destiny

Giveaway, Guest Post & Excerpt for Santa’s Destiny by Tami Lund @RoxanneRhoads

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So I’m a romance author. That means a lot of things, but mostly, it means I crave a happily ever after so much that I feel inclined to write about it, over and over again.

Is there a reason I feel compelled to figure out a happy ending for every heroine in every book I ever have – and ever will – write? Is it because reality is so terrible that I just need to escape from it, through the written word?

Let me tell you how my husband and I met…

I was 25. He was 31. I was at a point in my life where I was finally happy; secure, comfortable being single and living on my own. Throughout college I dreamed of finding Prince Charming and settling down and birthing adorable little babies. Unfortunately, the boys I dated in college, and shortly thereafter, were anything but Prince Charming. Eventually I realized I was having far too much fun simply hanging out with my girlfriends and I figured if Prince Charming existed, he’d come along… Someday.

I should mention that, at the time, I lived in Louisiana and the hubs-to-be lived in Michigan.

Before you think, how in the world…? Let me add that I am originally from Michigan and the vast majority of my family still lives there.

We met in May.

A dear friend was graduating from broadcasting school (in Michigan) and asked me to go to the ceremony and after-party. I had some vacation time, and I hadn’t been home in a while, so I decided to burn two weeks and spend it up north.

Turns out, the hubs-to-be was graduating from broadcasting school, too. At the same time. In the same class. Notable event from the graduation ceremony: My girlfriend’s brother and I sat in one row, while her parents sat two rows behind us. I asked my future in-laws to please move for a moment so I could take a picture of my friend’s parents.

My future husband and I didn’t officially meet at the ceremony. Nope, not yet.

It was at the party, afterward. My friend’s brother and I sat at a table in a corner, indulging in alcoholic beverages and pretending we were commentators on The Talk(or whatever version of that show existed back in 1998), while my social butterfly friend flitted about the room, celebrating with her classmates. At one point, she was out on the dance floor with my hubs-to-be and a few minutes later, she came bee-bopping over to our table.

“Hey, Tami. See that guy out there?” she asked, motioning toward the dance floor.

I nodded.

“He wants to know if you’d be interested in a one-night stand.”

What?!

(The joke I like to tell now a-days is, “He sure ended up with a hell of a long one-night stand.”)

I was naturally affronted and maybe a little intrigued (oh yes, this is reality; you are not reading a novel right now), so I downed the rest of my drink and headed out to the dance floor. To this day, I have no earthly idea what I intended to do or say. All I know is that we immediately began dancing, then we eventually took a break so that I could go to the restroom, and when I returned, he had a plate in his hand with a piece of cheesecake perched on it, and he fed me the cheesecake.

Let me be clear: He fed me cheesecake. Swoon.

I probably would have gone home with him then and there, except the biggest joke of all is that he absolutely was not that kind of guy. He had been trying to be funny. Instead of a laugh, he ended up with a wife. Joke’s on him…?

We spent quite literally every single day of the rest of my vacation together. I met his parents (officially). We discussed bridesmaids and groomsmen (nope, not kidding). I met his best friend, who had to give his stamp of approval before the hubs-to-be could officially date me. (Apparently he had a history of picking up the wrong kind of woman. Maybe he should have changed his pickup line. Or maybe not.)

The day I left to fly back home to Louisiana, I had his demo tape tucked into my luggage. At the time, I worked in PR, and was friendly with the general manager of one of the local television stations located in the city in which I lived. The hubs to be was trying to break into the industry, and wasn’t particular about whether that would occur in his home state of Michigan or somewhere else.

We met on May 1st. The week of Memorial Day, he flew down to visit me and interview for a job at the local television station. They offered him the job that same day.  My BFF had to meet him and give her stamp of approval (hey, fair’s fair, right?).

At the end of the week, he flew home and gave his two weeks’ notice at the current job. He moved into my apartment six weeks after we met. And proposed at Christmas. We were married six months later. And still are, 22 years later.

Mostly happily.

So why do I write romance? I guess the answer is: because it happened to me.





Santa’s Destiny
Tami Lund

Genre:  Paranormal Romcom/Chick Lit
Publisher: Tami Lund
Date of Publication:  12/1/2021
ISBN:9781005702335
ASIN:  B09HQ2XDFZ
Number of pages:  68
Word Count: 17,851
Cover Artist: Kathryn R. Biel 

Tagline: This elf is in for the sleigh ride of her life

Book Description: 

Des (don’t call her Destiny—she hates that name) is an elf with a problem. A jolly, red-suit wearing, gift-bearing, reindeer-loving problem.

Turns out, someone has stolen Santa Claus’s magic. And it’s three days before Christmas. What’s an elf to do?

Help him out, of course. That’s her specialty, after all.

Except that creates a whole new problem: Des has to work closely with the Man in Red while keeping her presents under wraps, because there is definitely one thing she will not do.

Ride in Santa’s sleigh tonight.


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“Get up. It’s time to go.”

“I’m already up,” Santos, aka Santa Claus, replied while rolling his hips, which earned him a scowl from me and a giggle from his companion.

I turned to the blond bimbo. Okay, to be fair, I had no idea if she was a bimbo. Santos had the ability to pull pretty much all women from rocket scientists to, er, candy cane lickers under his seductive spell. Truth be told, they all became candy cane lickers once he set his sights on them.

“Listen, honey, he’s a one-and-done kind of guy. He’ll use you to get his rocks off”—Christmas euphemisms were Santos’s thing, not mine—“and walk away and never talk to you again. Is that what you really want?”

She eyed the still-impressive bulge in his shorts. “If I get an orgasm out of it, I’m game.”
Mentally, I slapped my palm against my forehand. In actuality, I ground my teeth. “You’ll be out of luck. Giving, at least in that respect, is not how he rolls.”

“Hey—” Santos started.

“How do you know?” Blondie interrupted.

“Yeah, do tell,” Santos added. “Did I miss something along the way? Did I stuff your stocking and neglect to eat your milk and cookies? Maybe we need a do-over.” He eyed me like I’d seriously ever give him a first time let alone a do-over.

“Never have I ever, and never will I ever,” I proclaimed. “I know of him. His reputation. We’ve run in the same circles for a long time.” A few centuries too long, but who was counting?
Blondie’s focus shifted to my outfit. “Why are you wearing so many clothes?”

“Yeah,” Santos said, “you should take them off. Unwrap that present for me.”

Blondie giggled. I glared at her. “Do you even realize that he’s flirting with me?”

She shrugged. “He flirts with everyone. And everything he says makes Christmas sound so dirty.” There she went, staring at his candy cane again.

I bent and grabbed a sheer wrap and tossed it at her before slapping Santos’s leg. “Time to go, Father Christmas. You’re under my protection now.”

He groaned. “You aren’t seriously still doing that whole saving souls gig, are you, Des?”

“As you well know,” I retorted, “since you’ve been dodging me for days now.”

“Sugar plum, if I’d known you were chasing me, I would have slowed my sleigh so you could have a ride.”

“Don’t fucking call me that.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “Should I call you Mrs. Claus instead?”

“Don’t ever fucking call me that.”

The jerk had the gall to laugh at my obvious indignation.

“Do you ever stop?” I demanded.

He rolled his hips again. “Wanna climb my North Pole and find out?”




About the Author:

Tami Lund—author, wine drinker, award winner. Lover of romance. Writing happily ever afters, one book at a time. 

Those happy endings come in contemporary and paranormal, so pick your poison. Or try them all. You’re bound to find something that curls your toes and makes you smile.



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Review: When Shadows Fall by Bruce Blake

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When Shadows Fall

A battle between the Gods, with mankind caught in the middle.

Who will prevail?

Add to Goodreads
MY REVIEW
Priestess: Rak’bana
Priest: Ine’resi, her twin brother
The Goddess is angry and rains fire down on the temples. They have no choice but to flee. They must pass on the warning to future generations.
Is it the ultimate betrayal or punishment?
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“We are no longer human, Vesi.”
“No, I suppose not. We are closer to Gods, aren’t we? Small gods perhaps.”
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That was in the opening pages. Makes me think there will be much action to come.
I meet Horace, a sailor, who will hold a prominent place in the novel. I couldn’t help but laugh at his thoughts. I love him. He is rude and crude.
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…felt pretty good on the whole for a man what been drowned like a bilge rat and ate by an angry god.
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Now, we meet Danya and Teryk, the prince and princess.
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I love the princess. She has a great attitude about life and runs barefoot through the book. She is matter of fact and has no air of superiority.
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Trenan is a master swordsman and we are going to spend a lot of time with him. By the time he grew on my, I wanted him at my side, always.
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Danya and Teryk find the scroll the Gods had hidden. It holds magic for Teryk and he feels it holds his destiny. I knew what he was going to do…I knew what she would do too. I was surprised she fell for his ruse, but they are both young and naive. I worry about Teryk. I don’t think he’s capable of taking care of himself. He is a lousy swordsman and doesn’t realize how helpless he really is.
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In the beginning I was confused. There was so much going on and the back and forth had my head spinning.I find this happens to me sometimes, when the book is divided into ‘episodes’ and I feel like I am reading the introduction.
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When Shadows Fall by Bruce Blake hooked me in the beginning, but I think most of the book laid the groundwork for the future books and it took a while for the pieces to begin to fall into place. I have become invested in the characters and wonder what will become of them. What dangers and perils will they need to survive, in order to fulfill the scrolls destiny. And I wonder, who’s destiny is it? With all these questions, I must know the answers.
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Oh man, it’s just getting good and I can feel the end approaching.I read along, rating the book in my head. I do that sometimes. It was a three for most of the novel and I had to keep it there, but those darn cliffhangers, and, yes, there is more than one, have me saying, “Where is the next book?”
 .
I anticipate the story getting better and I will find out, in Book II.
I received this ARC in return for an honest review.
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Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  3 Stars
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SYNOPSIS.
A hundred hundred seasons have turned since the Goddess banished the Small Gods to the sky, leaving the land to mankind alone..
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For Prince Teryk, life behind the castle walls is boring and uneventful until he stumbles upon an arcane scroll in a long-forgotten chamber. The parchment speaks of Small Gods, the fall of man, and the kingdom’s savior—the firstborn child of the rightful king. It’s his opportunity to prove himself to his father, the king, and assure his place in history. All he needs to do is find the man from across the sea—a man who can’t possibly exist—and save mankind.

But ancient magic has been put in motion by a mysterious cult determined to see the Small Gods reborn. Powerful forces clash, uncaring for the lives of mortals in their struggle to prevent the return of the banished ones, or aid in their rebirth.

Named in a prophecy or not, what chance does a cocky prince who barely understands the task laid before him stand in a battle with the gods?

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Do you have a favorite God or Goddess?

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Cover Reveal/Giveaway – Destiny by Laura DeLuca

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Add To Goodreads
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Destiny
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Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn’t remember.
She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was
murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother’s death has set
his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the
dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother’s spirit is reaching out
to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the
spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella.
Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way
more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty
rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabriella and Darron at odds.
There is more to the story than Gabriella and Darron could even
imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and
lives will be lost. Only after Gabriella and Darron both come to terms with who
they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they
have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.
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Available on Amazon;, Smashwords; and Barnes & Noble.
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Add To Goodreads 
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Destiny Unveiled
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Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over
when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks
Gabriella’s help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella
discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic
in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella’s coven sets out on a journey that
may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating
treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within
themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never
knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is
in her hands.
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 Available on Amazon;, Smashwords; and Barnes & Noble.
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About the Author

Website Facebook Twitter GoodreadsLaura
“Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and
four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it
keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is
also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama.  Her current works include Destiny,
Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Demon and Player.
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The Giveaway

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To celebrate the release of the new covers, Author Laura DeLuca is giving away a prize pack that includes a oil diffuser, incense and burner, decorative wooden keepsake box, lavender scented drawer liners, a crystal point, stone pendant, and signed copies of Destiny & Destiny Unveiled with the original covers.

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The Whimsical Pixie Etsy
Shop is also donating a beautiful altar set inspired by the original
cover of Destiny Unveiled.
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The book’s cover was recreated on the altar box lid; the design was
first set in pyrography, painted, stain and given a protective coating
of high gloss polycrylic. The flower Celtic knot pentagram is worn by
Gabby and her friends as a symbol of unity and has been pyrographed on
the altar tile. Red paint was floated around the perimeter to
coordinate with the Blood Moon of the cover. A red rose in full bloom
was used on both millefiori* pieces; the censor and charcoal tongs. It
symbolizes the Gabby’s destiny being unveiled.
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A scene in the
book tells of the young hero doing spell work on the beach using a drift
wood wand to cast a circle and sea shells to form a pentagram. Both of
these have been included as well as censor sand and a roll of charcoal
disks so you can perform your own ritual. Whether you’re just starting
to walk the path or have for years, this kit makes an attractive
addition to your ritual tools.
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One lucky winner is going to receive both these fabulous prize packs. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter
form
below. This giveaway will end on  3/28/13. Open to
the US only. The
winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply.
Thanks again to The Whimsical Pixie and the author for offering this fantastic prize.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

To Purchase any of Laura’s books from Amazon, simply click on the cover below.

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