V-Day Giveaway and What’s Your Love Language

What’s the best expression of love? I’ve been debating this lately because I write romantic fiction, because Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and because…well…I’m female. But the answer is not a simple one. Everyone thinks a little differently. In fact, there have been entire books devoted to this.

In The Five Love Languages, Dr. Chapman tells us there are several unique ways to express love. Here’s a summary:

·         Words of Affirmation

Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

·         Quality Time

In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

·         Receiving Gifts

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

·         Acts of Service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

·         Physical Touch

This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Here’s a link if you’d like to take a 30 question quiz: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/

So what’s your love language? How about that special person in your life? Is his entirely different? Is it time to learn to speak HIS language?

To celebrate the release of the print version of Uncorked, I’m giving away this cute little heart shaped necklace with matching earrings. If you’d like to enter the drawing, just leave a comment and I’ll throw your name in the hat.

 

(Drawing to be announced here at Riding on February 14th.)

http://www.amazon.com/Uncorked-7-Lois-Greiman/dp/1468145347/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327776689&sr=1-2

Visit Chrissy on Facebook just for fun http://www.facebook.com/ChrissyMcMullenMysteries

 

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Freebies Are Fun!

Just a couple book announcements today…

A while back I was invited to write a short story for Harlequin’s latest anthology, SIX DEGREES OF ROMANCE.  Six authors were each given the same opening paragraphs, and asked to write a story to go along with it.  The result was truly a fun time, and very interesting to see how each author took the beginning in their own direction.  Of course, I was asked to represent Nocturne, so I actually stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to do zombies.  Yes, zombies can find love, too.  (Really, they can!)  So I hope you’ll enjoy my story, NIGHT OF THE LIVING WED.  The anthology is currently available at Amazon for a mere .99 cents, but it should also be free at the Harlequin website any day now.

Also this month, if you’re in the UK, you can download HER VAMPIRE HUSBAND for free.  It pairs Creed Saint-Pierre (vampire) with Blu Masterson (werewolf) in an arranged marriage.  Love arranged marriage stories!  The cover they created for this free version is very cool.  If you click on the cover gif, it should take you to a new page where you can watch the animated version of it.  Neat, huh?

And if you’re in the US, have you picked up a copy of KISS ME DEADLY yet? It is yet another of my stories Harlequin has made a free download at your favorite online retailer.  That, and I have a novella, SIN EATER’S PROMISE, that you can find online as a free download as well.

Speaking of free…   What’s your favorite kind of freebie?  I love free books, but I really love when you walk into the grocery store and they’re giving away free samples.  Or if I buy tea online and they send along a few extra packages of different flavors to try.  What about you?

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Jo Beverley, a Storyteller For All Seasons

bev3 Readers have been devouring Jo Beverley’s bestselling novels for many years.  Her shelves are loaded with RITA trophies, and she was one of Romance Writers of America’s first inductees into the RWA Hall of Fame.  Her stories immerse us in accurately detailed settings with exquisitely drawn characters.  Romance with a capital R.  Welcome to the convertible, Jo!  Please tell us about your latest book and your recent travels.

bev2 A SCANDELOUS COUNTESSis mostly set in the summer of 1765, but it opens in June 1764, when Georgia Maybury’s husband is killed in a duel — rumored to be a duel over her honor. Her family sweep her off to their stately home in Worcesterhire, (pronounced Wustershuh) to let the scandal die down.

Go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcestershireto see where that is in England. You can read all about it, but fair warning, it doesn’t play much part in the book. (If you’re interested, I now live in Devon, which is the second bit up on the SW toe of the map. The furthest south is Cornwall.)

Georgia doesn’t intend to spend her whole mourning year at vast, cold Herne House — heaven forbid! — and has plans to celebrate Christmas at the house of her best friend, but then her mother-in-law dies.

She writes to her friend.

December 6th, 1764

Lizzie! Have you heard the news? Dickon’s mother has departed this life. I suppose I should express my grief, but as she was relentlessly unpleasant to me for most of my marriage, I will not play the hypocrite.

How unfair she was to blame me when we moved to Town when it was Dickon who was desperate to escape as soon as he was of age and in control of his fortune. Yet it was to me she wrote, complaining of our extravagance.

Oh, but I complained of all that at the time. Did I tell you of the letters she send after Dickon’s death? I think not. Written in acid with a fiery pen. I tried to respond moderately, Lizzie, I truly did, for I understood the anguish of a mother who had lost her only child, but in the end I had the letters kept from me. I didn’t return them, for I feared that would cause her greater pain, but I could not read any more of them.

She believed the foulest stories about me. I not only took Vance as a lover, but every single man in my court, and of course I seduced Vance into getting rid of my unwanted husband….

Oh, I will write no more of her, think no more of her! But alas, I fear I cannot visit you at Christmas. I won’t play the hypocrite, but I must give my husband’s mother the honor of at least a month of mourning.

If you and Torrismonde don’t go to Town for the winter season, perhaps I may visit you in January. For now, I am gathering my shawls, thick stockings, and woolen mitts in hope of surviving to see you again.

Your frozen friend,

Georgia M

 

I sympathize with Georgia, for though England doesn’t get extremely cold in winter — it’s rarely much below freezing — it’s a damp cold that can eat into your bones. I grew up in Lancashire, known for its damp climate, without central heating, but at least it was a fairly small house, not a palatial seat mostly floored with marble! Even with a comfortable, well-heated house, we’re spending January in southern Spain. There’s a picture of the local beach, with the port of Malaga in the distance, and another of the local delicacy — sardines cooked over a wood fire on a sugar cane skewer.

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In the letter, Georgia writes of the winter season. For a long time I didn’t know about it, for it was less important in the Regency period, though still a courtly fact. In the Georgian period it officially began with the king’s birthday on the 18th January, when anyone who was anyone should be in Town and at the court celebrations, but in effect it started with New Year’s celebrations.

London in winter? Why?

Remember the weather and consider Georgia’s options. Herne House, mostly unusable in winter. Her friend Lizzie’s house, which is a manor house, but with small rooms that can be kept warm will be much better, and then she intends a move to a London town house, which would be very cosy.

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London town houses in the 18th century weren’t the grand places seen in Upstairs Downstairs; they were tall, narrow houses in terraces, so less heat loss through side walls, and with modest sized rooms.  This picture (above, left) taken on a recent trip to London, shows a row of late Georgian houses. They’re hotels now, but you can see that the original houses were only two windows wide. There’s another picture (right) of a larger house, but you can still see that the rooms would be quite small. What’s more, a having a life in London didn’t risk health and safety with rural journeys in bad weather. A short walk or a ride in a sedan chair, perhaps warmed with some hot bricks on the floor, and one could visit friends, theaters, assemblies and balls.

By the way, the beauty of a sedan chair was it could be carried into the house so the user could get into it in comfort — cold, rain, or wind — and exit it the same way at the other end.

So Town or country in winter in the 18th century? Which would you prefer?

Georgia doesn’t escape winter at Herne, but she’s determined to move to Town as soon as her mourning is over in June, because Town is life and excitement. Before then, however, she encounters an interesting man during her last weeks of mourning.

Her father has arranged a private horse race at Herne, setting his prize mare against one owned by the new Lord Dracy. Until recently, Dracy was a naval officer, and he’s not a man of fashion. He knows nothing about Georgia or the scandal. Here’s how he first hears about her. He’s on the course, waiting for the race to begin.

Cartagena was perfectly conformed. Even his cousin Ceddie had seen that. The fool had ruined the estate with his taste for London life and the latest fashions, and he’d sold off his father’s famous thoroughbreds to pay for gewgaws. He’d kept Carta, however, called the Midnight Jade then, hoping she’d eventually show well in races and sell for a high price.

Carta had been Ceddie’s gamble, and now she was his, renamed for the best battle he’d taken part in. Do or die, then and now.

“Here we go,” Knowlton said, as the jockeys mounted.

Hernescroft’s man wore green and yellow silks, Dracy’s black and red lozenges. The two horses eyed each other as if they knew everything rested on this contest of speed and stamina.

“The deuce!” exclaimed Knowlton.

“What?” Dracy looked around for some unexpected hazard.

“The Scandalous Countess. Over there, in men’s clothing.”

Dracy looked and saw a man cramming a wide-brimmed hat back on the head of a laughing, red-haired woman.

“You could object to that,” Knowlton said. “She could jinx the whole thing.”

“I don’t believe in jinxes.” Dracy returned his attention to important matters. Devil take it, Carta was starting one of her fidgets. Perhaps she objected to red hair.

“Got Maybury killed in a duel over her lewd behavior.”

“Who?”

“Lady Maybury. The Scandalous Countess.”

“She planned it?” Dracy asked, a scrap of attention caught.

“No, no. At least, I don’t think so. Husband dead, Vance fled the country, but there she is, merry as a may fly. Maybury was an amiable fellow.”

“If he was amiable enough to let her stray, he should have been too amiable to challenge someone over it.”

“Devil take it, Dracy!”

“I’ve no interest in Lady Maybury or her lovers. Calm down, Carta. Calm down. At this rate she’ll burn off her energy before the race starts.”

“Too high spirited.”

“There’s nothing wrong with high spirits.”

“A true beauty,” Knowlton said.

“Isn’t she just?”

“But too wild to handle.”

“Jorrocks and she understand each other.”

“Who? Damme, Dracy, I was talking about Georgia Maybury.”

“To hell with Georgia Maybury. They’re readying for the off.”

You can read their first encounter on my web page, here. http://www.jobev.com/ascancexc.html

A SCANDELOUS COUNTESS is a Romantic Timestop pick, and it’s getting rave reviews.

Here’s one from Reader to Reader:

“Jo Beverley has once again proven why her novels are so popular with readers and critics alike. A Scandalous Countess, part of the Malloren World series, has everything from unrequited love to a good old-fashioned mystery, along with fascinating historical details about areas as diverse as the water system in London in the mid-18th century to the life of a young widow and the role defined by that status. The day to day life of London’s wealthiest citizens is detailed, but so is the contrasting life of those who rusticate in the country, all in perfect balance. The romance between Dracy and Georgia is unexpected and charming, and readers will root for love to win the day. Intelligent, intriguing and entertaining, A Scandalous Countess is enthralling, a book difficult to put down once the first page is turned.”

Have you had much experience of winter cold without modern conveniences? How do you think you’d do if suddenly transported back to the 18th century? Assuming you’re transported back as an aristocratic lady, hat sort of home would you prefer in winter, and what sort of comforts would you demand?

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I’ll give a copy of the previous countess book, AN UNLIKELY COUNTESS, to a random pick of one of the comments that answers any of my questions.

Have fun and keep warm!

Jo

For more news and views from Jo and 28 of her closest writer friends (including Kathleen)  be sure to “like” The Story Garden on Facebook and enter The Story Garden’s February contest for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and more wonderful books!

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Winner Cindy Gerard book giveaway

Congratulations to Donnas and Taryn Lisa!  Your names have been randomly selected as winners of the book of your choice from Cindy’s backlist.  Please contact Cindy at:  cgerard@iowatelecom.net to claim your prize

 

winner

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LAST MAN STANDING RELEASE Day – and Cindy’s Birthday!

Can you believe it? After 45 plus books, I actually have a book release on my birthday. Well, okay. Technically, January 30th is my birthday. January 31st is the release date for Last Man Standing. BUT, let’s think about this. It’s my birthday until midnight on 1-30 and when that second hand ticks by midnight, it’s THEN release day. If only a second (or less) separates b’day from r’day doesn’t that make them practically the SAME day? You may have guessed by now that I’ve decided it does. :o )

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Okay, now that THAT’s settled, let me tell you a little bit about Last Man Standing. Here’s the blurb from the back cover of the book.

9781451606829 

Special operative Joe Green has gone vigilante.  His mission, avenge his Black Ops.,Inc. brother’s death during a bloody ambush years ago in Sierra Leone.  He refuses to drag the BOI team or his lover, Stephanie Tompkins, into the hunt for the man responsible, so when he finds himself beaten, starving, and alone after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of a Freetown priest, he knows he’s as good as dead.

Joe meant to protect Stephanie when he walked out on their relationship, but he can’t stop her now from executing his escape.  Breaking him out of prison is the easy part.  After Joe’s explosive theory pans out and his cunning enemy emerges as the front runner for a high level presidential appointment, he and Stephanie must race to derail the traitor’s conspiracy if they are to save their loved ones, the nation and each other.

I’m really excited about this book – a little sad too. This is the 7th and final chapter in the Black Ops, Inc series. I’m going to miss these guys … in fact I knew I was going to miss them so much that told my editor that if she didn’t want me to go into withdrawal, she was going to have to let me write them into my NEW series as secondary characters. Bless her, she told me to go for it. So you will be seeing the guys again – just not in staring roles – in One-Eyed Jacks. I’ll give you more scoop on the new series in another post. For now, here’s a link to the opening scene of Last Man Standing . excerpt

So to celebrate my birthdayreleaseday (ahem), I’m going to give everyone who comments today a chance at winning 2 of my backlist titles. My gift to you!! And for the record, thank you all for being such wonderful supporters of my books! Means everything.

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