Merry Christmas

 

Christmas Horror: Everything Is Temporary by Jon Cohn

Everything Is Temporary
by Jon Cohn
October 31, 2023
Genre: mystery, horror, crime
Jump into the gripping world of "Everything Is Temporary," where the Barnes family's peaceful life takes a surprising turn after a tragic event rocks their world. As you read, you'll be drawn into the suspense, wondering how well you really know the people closest to you.

The suspenseful journey begins when Sarah's husband, Tom, starts acting strangely. His mood swings create chaos, leading to unfounded accusations against their thirteen-year-old daughter. But hang on tight, because the tension keeps rising as Tom's actions culminate in a shocking attempt on the life of an off-season mall Santa Claus. What's truly mysterious is Tom's year-round hatred for Christmas, a puzzle that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

In the midst of the turmoil, Tom clings to a forgotten book from his past—a disturbing story he wrote when he was younger. Its pages reveal a traumatic tale that's almost unbelievable, with talking Christmas trees, an army of living toys, and a sinister figure posing as Mrs. Claus.

"I was riveted by every word and couldn’t wait to find out how the story would progress. This is a brilliant portrayal of a family impacted by grief. Each character is relatable and likeable, and even though the situations they find themselves in are utterly crazy, their responses and emotions are believably written."
- MJ Mars, author of The Suffering

Jon Cohn, the author of "Slashtag" and "The Island Mother," is back with another thrilling story in "Everything Is Temporary." As you get into this exciting tale, you'll see just how good Cohn is at telling stories that keep you hooked. Jon's debut novel, "The Island Mother", won a big award - the Publisher's Weekly's Booklife Prize for Best Indie Horror Novel of 2022 - showing that Cohn really knows how to write spine-tingling stories.

In "Everything Is Temporary," you'll join Sarah on a heart-pounding journey against time and sanity. Can she uncover the bone-chilling secrets hidden in Tom's past, or will they all be trapped in an endless darkness? If you're looking for thrilling horror that keeps you hooked from start to finish, this is a must-read.

Amazon

About the Author
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Goodreads-Instagram
Pinterest
JON COHN IS A WRITER and professional board game designer based out of San Diego, California. You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joncohnauthor.

He would also love to give you free stuff like stories, audiobooks, and games by signing up for his mailing list at www.joncohnauthor.com.

Happy Holidays from I Smell Sheep!

Have a monstrous Christmas!

You better watch out

You better not cry

You better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is coming to town.

He's making a list,

Checking it twice;

Gonna find out who's naughty or nice.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping

He knows when you're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake.

https://x-ghxstgirl-x.tumblr.com/post/189616646079

This gif gives a whole different meaning to this song...

Have a monstrous Christmas! 

Action Lab Entertainment Christmas comic for kids!

Looking for Christmasy comic for your young ones? Check out Action Lab Entertainment's Northstars!

(Action Lab Danger Zone has some Adult Christmasy comics. You can check them out here.)

Northstars Vol. 1: Welcome to Snowville HC

November 6, 2018

Writer(s): Jim & Haigen Shelley
Artist Name(s): Anna Liisa Jones
Cover Artist(s): Anna Liisa Jones
Age Range: 9 - 12 years

Grade Level: 1 - 2

Series: Northstars (Book 1)
Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment

Join us for the magical adventures of Holly, the daughter of Santa Claus, and Frostina, a Yeti Princess, as they explore the mystical wonders of the land of Polaris. In this first volume in a series of oversized keepsake hardcovers, Holly and Frostina journey to the subterranean city of Undertown to investigate trouble in Troggie Town. There is an evil force scheming right below Snowville, and it threatens Chrishe Gryla!

Northstars Vol. 2: Yeti Wedding!
Writer(s): Jim & Haigen Shelley
Artist Name(s): Anna Liisa Jones
Cover Artist(s): Anna Liisa Jones
Age Range: 9 - 12 years
Grade Level: 1 - 2
Series: Northstars (Book 2)
47 pages
Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment
Princess Frostina cordially invites you to a royal Yeti Wedding! Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and their daughter Holly as they journey to the wintry kingdom of Yetisburg for the wedding of Frostina's aunt Brrronica. It's sure to be a grand affair... as long as Holly and Frostina can find a lost wedding ring, get a cake, decorate the chapel and make a bouquet, all while avoiding the mysterious chilly giantess, The Gryla!

ComiXology

Action Lab: Danger Zone Christmas comics for adults!

Looking for an adult Christmasy comic? Check out Action Lab Entertainment!

(Action Lab Danger Zone has some Kids Christmasy comics. You can check them out here.)

Sleigher: The Heavy Metal Santa Claus TPB

December 20, 2016

Writer(s): Rob Harrington
Artist Name(s): Axur Eneas (Art), Alessandro Alessi (Colors), Chas! Pangburn (Letters)
Cover Artist(s): Axur Eneas
128 pages

Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment

This is Spinal Tap meets a Rankin/Bass Christmas special!

The ultimate holiday tale for metalheads! Sleigher is the most recent heir of the “Santa Claus” mantle... even if it's not really his bag. He'd rather slam back bourbon than glasses of milk, and blast metal instead of carols. But when a long forgotten member of Santa's rogues gallery rears his ugly head to reap chaos and destruction, Sleigher may have found his true calling---dishing out a holiday ass whoopin!!!

Collects issues #1-4 of the high-octane holiday series!

Amazon-comiXology

 

Zombie Tramp Does the Holidays Paperback

May 10, 2016

Writer(s): Dan Mendoza, Jason Martin, Dean Rankine
Artist Name(s): Marcelo Trom, Dean Rankine
Cover Artist(s): Marcelo Trom
96 pages

Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment

Zombie Tramp is a special gal, she’s a zombie but she’s still got her brains, and supernatural powers too! So she recently had her own series of specials, where the undead queen made her way through the holidays many know and love one by one, in her unique style. And now you can collect all of those twisted tales in one special book!!

Special Notes:
Collects the three holiday specials, plus the hard to find short story from Itty Bitty Bunnies In Rainbow Pixie Candy Land!

Amazon

You can see some preview pages here (they are a little to risque to post ;)
https://goo.gl/K1s9tr

Selah's Manga Mania: Reindeer Boy by Cassandra Jean

Reindeer Boy

by Cassandra Jean

December 20, 2016

Quincy has the same dream every year on Christmas Eve - of finding a little boy holding a special gift for her under the tree - and every Christmas morning, she's awoken to find a gift wrapped in tinfoil with her name on it... 

When school resumes after the winter break, Quincy's class discovers they have an unusual new transfer student named Cupid. Ridiculously cute and friendly, the new boy has everyone both enamored and confused. Those antlers can't be real...can they?? With Cupid having seemingly set his sights on Quincy, it seems she'll be having a memorable year indeed!

I never expected to find reoccurring themes of this sort, but who am I to turn down fate? Plus, hi, built-in Christmas review!

I just never thought that part reindeer humans finding lurv was like a thing. Who knew?

Anywho, today we’re taking a look at Reindeer Boy.

Quincy has a dream that reoccurs every Christmas Eve – a little boy under her tree holding a gift for her. Every Christmas morning, she finds that gift wrapped in tinfoil waiting for her. After winter break one year, Quincy’s school has a new transfer student named Cupid…who has antlers. He’s popular, as are his kinda-siblings, though they stress they’re not all related. They also have antlers. Also, what are those bumps on Quincy’s head and why is Cupid aiming his affection at her?

So pretty much Twilight with no angst and antlers. I’m sorry, that’s what it is. And honestly? I don’t hate it. It’s…odd, I will give it that. At some points, the stakes seem almost a little too low for me, and I think this could actually have been a multi-volume title and done just as a well. But yeah, I read it and survived and actually like it just fine.

The Good: The cast is diverse, which right off the bat I think is awesome. Everyone seems fairly likable, and it avoids a lot of the token tropey drama that a lot of relationship manga has (like the friend backstabbing the heroine, dudes trying to date her out from under the hero, etc). Quincy has a lot of agency and a lot of the plot is her dealing with her own feelings and being drawn into this strange world. The world building is also fairly interesting. The take on Santa is new-ish, and the reindeer kids as delivery people through pocket universes works. In some ways, I think this could have been explored more, especially how things would work on actual Christmas. The art is lovely and easy on the eyes. It emphasizes the story well and I like how much thought went into the character designs.

The Bad: I just wish there was some more time taken and more development here. I don’t need a will they won’t they, but I would’ve liked a bit more than the brief explanation on the button ending about why Quincy was being reindeerized. She also just kinda seems to go with it as she succumbs to her feelings for Cupid, which seems like a lot of missed opportunities. Likewise, her affection for another dude is kind of pushed to the side as other reindeer kids show up and monopolize his time. It works, and it’s nice to not see some sort of love triangle, but it’s all just a little too easy. Cupid and his crew are fun, but it’s like every girl fantasy ever of normal chick gets sucked into this group of benign weird people who show her a new world and just adore her. I wish there would have been some more challenges thrown up, like her dad finding out, or maybe her feelings being harder to sort through. And it seems weird to me that just no one tries to bully or be mean to these kids who all have antlers. They just go their merry way (pun intended), and it’s all good. There are hints of unrest in different plot elements, but nothing ever actually gets in the way of things. It’s a natural plot progression, and while it’s really fun in a cuddly warm way, I would’ve liked just a little more.

The ick: Nothing. This is as sugary and cute as you’d want a Christmas title to be.

In some ways, I think this may be a stronger story than Sweet Reign (seriously, WHY is this a genre thing??). But…I kinda miss Sweet Reign’s over the top weirdness. I do think if this had more volumes it would be easier to compare the two, and in that regard, Sweet Reign was able to do a lot more, build up a lot more lore, and just show a more progressive growth in the relationship of the characters. For a one-volume title, though, Reindeer Boy does come out as more normal (if you can say that about the reindeer people high school romance genre). It’s definitely more calm and relaxed, which I appreciate. It’s also just beautiful to look at, so for that alone, it’s worth putting on your Christmas list.

3.75 antler-having sheep

About the Author:

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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.

Selah's Manic Manga Reviews: Sweet Rein by Sakura Tsukuba

Sweet Rein, Vol. 1

by Sakura Tsukuba
November 5, 2013

200 pages

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Genre: Fantasy, romance, manga, comedy

Demographic:  shōjo

3 Volumes
A magical romance from the creator of Land of the Blindfolded

Sad at the thought of spending Christmas alone, Kurumi Sagara goes out for a walk. While she’s crossing the street, a boy bumps into her, and a rein suddenly appears that binds them together. The overjoyed boy tells her she’s his master and that she’s a Santa Claus. Kurumi dismisses him as a crazy person, but then he transforms into a reindeer?!

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.

Since we’re still in the season, I thought it only appropriate to cover a series that not only encompasses the imagery of Christmas, but is also pure, unadulterated, sugary crack. I want to start sliding into some Shojo titles as we get into the new year and February (since so many titles are all about the lurv), but this one is perfect for the holiday season. This time, we’ll be taking a look at the delightfully over-the-top Sweet Rein.

Part of what I love about manga is the range of stories. You get things like 20th Century Boys which is somewhat close to a traditional plot arc (many times over), and there are titles like Natsume’s Book of Friends that are episodic and really take the time to delve into the emotional experiences of the characters.

Then there are the titles that seem like they’ve sprung from random word-association exercises. And while I may not always be the best source of how good these things are, I can tell you that in the right mood I absolutely live for stuff like this. And so do the friends who suffer through my texting them through each volume.

All I have to say is: reindeer shifter magically bound to a girl by invisible cords.

A quick tutorial for those unaware: Christmas in Japan is more or less focused on the secular and is more of a date night than what we consider the holiday. So it’s much more about Santas and getting cake and fried chicken (no, seriously), and hanging out with friends and crushes. Their new year is somewhat closer to what we’d consider our Christmas. Kinda. (Really, the best ways to get the feel of these differences is to just read a lot of manga). So if you’re expecting that this might offend any sensibilities whatever, nah, you’ll be fine. It’s mostly Christmas silliness throughout the whole year long (Reindeer on trips! Reindeer on the beach!)

Kurumi is the classic manga character whose parents are conveniently not around that much to interfere with the plot. She’s sad at spending Christmas alone, so she goes on a walk. She bumps into a random dude (Kaito), and out of nowhere a reign (like you use to drive a horse) appears, binding them together. Dude declares that she’s his master and Santa Claus because…he’s actually a reindeer shifter. Well, that’s my explanation for it because he does have a human form and I’m just really not sure I want to consider the other options. While a lot is explained, there’s a lot of subtext that will probably give you entertainment for whole other reasons if you’re older (or have a terrible mind, like me). Through the first volume we’re educated on what the Santa/reindeer contract is (Most of Kaito’s family are reindeer), and see Kurumi help deliver presents and come to grips with her new role (In this world, there are multiple Santas who help deliver presents, which is actually an interesting take on the whole situation).

The Good: It’s just adorable and if you’re looking at something for surface value, it’s a cute little romance. It’s cute and funny, and at 3 volumes, it’s not going to take much time to read it, and it’s a nice little alternative if you’re tired of traditional Christmas stories.

Also, I mean, come on, this is sheer insanity covered in frosting and It. Is. GLORIOUS. You meet the reindeer family and follow Kaito’s brother and his feelings on finding his Santa at one point, there are DARK REINDEER AND DARK SANTAS who put Kurumi and Kaito’s bond to the test, plus there’s the whole fact that they’re connected by this invisible ribbon and Kaito can be fairly tactile. There are plenty of transformation scenes and Kurumi trying to help Kaito cope as she struggles with her feelings for him. Because he’s a reindeer and kind of supposed to be somewhat subservient to her. I know! This really doesn’t delve much into innuendo like some Shojo titles do, though it’s a little impossible to read it without inserting some of your own, because I’m sorry, you cannot give me a book on a Santa and reindeer shifter bound by a contract with light exploration of power balance and expect me to not wonder what the heck that’s supposed to imply.

Plus, mating season is covered in volume three, so there’s that.

Look, I just review em, people.

Ahem. There’s some nice emotional exploration with Kurumi, and some fascinating little tidbits about the actual implications of reindeer/Santa bonds (what happens to one when the other dies, what if they start falling in love, what if one likes the other more than they like that person, what if they don’t connect and pass their tests). There’s some other, more cliché vignettes where Kurumi and Kaito make visits to people out of season (one where they visit and ailing boy springs to mind), which are interesting breaks in the main arc.

The Bad: I don’t think there’s anything really bad, just that the series really doesn’t go into a huge amount of depth, which is fine. It accomplishes its goal of being a cute little story, but I was a little confused as to whether the third volume was the definite end or not (I think it is? I doesn’t look like there’s anything published in Japan or in progress, but each volume seems to have followed each other after a wait, so I’m not sure). It also feels a little rushed in places, and some things could have been explored a little deeper. When it’s going with definite vignettes/side stories, it’s fine, but strangely, the parts that serve as the arcing plot never really are enough for me. I honestly don’t know what else you could do with something like this and keep it YA, so I applaud the author for that, but I did kind of want a little bit more to the actual story.

The ick: None. It’s all pretty clean, and anything that may have you going ‘wait, what’ is most definitely provided by your own thoughts.

I’d honestly recommend it if you want something different than the norm and still want your holiday vibes. It’s definitely something you can read on a holiday vacation or break. Plus, these are the kind of titles you read just to experience a chaotic jumble of plot elements that you normally wouldn’t necessarily see portrayed in this way. These are the titles that are AWESOME to tell your friends about, because there is nothing so effective as shutting down a conversation as saying “So I’m reading about this female Santa in a bond contract with a reindeer...oh, and there are dark Santas trying to keep them apart, and then they go to the beach.”

3.5 Sheep with antlers

***

About Selah Janel:

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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.

Winning the Internet this Week...Naughty and Nice pets

Here are the naughty pets...

https://ismellsheep.tumblr.com/post/168878229422/pr1nceshawn-someone-wants-to-ruin-christmas

Here are the nice pets...

https://ismellsheep.tumblr.com/post/168831344902/broodingsoul-not-to-be-dramatic-but-i-would

Winning the Internet this Week...Santa's Derpy Reindeer

http://cheezling.tumblr.com/post/36901889722/santas-derpy-reindeer-so-who-is-excited-for

Alpha Male Diner's Special: A Southern Man—or Two (Twelve Spirits of Christmas book tour) + giveaway

Cookin’ Up a Southern Man—or Two
By Kathryn M. Hearst

Twelve Spirits of Christmas (Tessa Lamar Novels Book Two)

Ingredients:

One Blue-Eyed Detective

· “You-know-I’m-Trouble” grin
· Eyes the color of the Caribbean Sea
· A butt made for a pair of jeans
· Tall, lean, and ready to get it done

One Nunnehi Bodyguard – (Nunnehi is a Cherokee Fae for you Northern Folks)
· Chiseled features
· Muscles to die for
· Dark soulful eyes
· Hair long enough to wrap around your hands

Instructions:
1. Marinade the Nunnehi for a century or two, until he’s confident, comfortable in his sexuality, fiercely loyal, and has enough patience to deal with even the most frustrating heroine.

2. Shape the detective by giving him a Southern momma to teach him manners and how to treat a woman, and a father to show him what it means to be a man. Pound the detective with the loss of his parents, long hours at the office, and a magical attack that leaves him fighting for his life.

3. Mix a cup of Nunnehi magic with the detective until the two men are linked. Allow enough time for male bonding.

4. Test the strength of their connection by introducing a woman, and stir the pot until they’re mixed-up.

5. Top with enough danger to weigh them down.

6. Broil until any insecurities, doubts, or inhibitions are gone, and they’re ready to love a strong woman.

Taste Test:

Aaron sat beside me. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s an entirely different situation with you and Darlene.”

“How in the hell did you know that’s what I was thinking?”

They laughed and pulled me from my chair. Aaron grinned like he knew the punchline, but didn’t share. I looked between them and for once didn’t feel like they’d ganged up on me. When we weren’t trying, the relationship eased into a yoga pants and T-shirt kind of comfortable.

Bryson wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “We know how you think.”

I poked his side. “Keep telling yourselves that.”

Aaron rubbed the back of his neck. “I should get going. It’s late.”

“Stay.” I glanced between them, holding my breath. The word hung in the air like a smoke ring.

“I’m good with that,” Bryson said.

“I could stay. I’m off tomorrow unless they call me in.” He shrugged.

“Good. We’re decorating Christmas trees before Mae has a fit. Everything is running late this year.” I smiled, knowing that adding Aaron to the mix meant we could finish in half the time.

Aaron asked, “Has she forgiven you for Thanksgiving?”

“Not exactly.”

Bryson shook me playfully and spoke with his lips against my temple. “Babe, you need to mend fences with Darlene.”

“She stopped by this morning. The fences are in the wood chipper.” With everything hanging over my head, I had my choice of issues to worry over. I glanced between the men and bit my lower lip. “Are we ready for bed?”

They both eyed me, but Bryson broke the silence. “We should talk about this first, make sure we’re on the same page. Tessa, I’m certain you have questions.”

Between Bryson’s arm around my shoulder and Aaron holding my hand, I’d settled into the idea of the three of us. Any discussion on the matter now would feel like greasing the tracks and threaten to derail us. “What did you mean, exactly, when you said Aaron and I should explore?”

“It means that I don’t have a problem with the two of you getting physical.” He nodded to Aaron. “He and I talked about this while you were out after the accident. We’re good with sharing, if you are.”

“In whatever way you’re comfortable.” Aaron watched my reaction as if questioning a suspect.

“Sharing. Does that mean you each get alone time, or will it always be together?” I turned to Bryson. “We’ve been sharing a bed. Will that continue?”

“As long as you’re comfortable with it, yes.” He nodded. “I don’t have a problem with you staying with Aaron, or him staying here with us, when he isn’t working like a madman.”

Bryson met my gaze. “We’ll take things slow, talk about what worked and what didn’t, and put our relationships first.”

“I can do that.” I smiled, though doubt hovered on the edge of my conscience.

Bryson leaned in and gave me a hell of a kiss. He pulled back and watched me through half-lidded eyes.

I turned to Aaron, who wore the same hazy expression.

“Agreed.” Aaron brushed his lips across mine twice before teasing my lips apart with his tongue.

Bryson slid his hand down my side. I wanted this, wanted them, both of them. We’d slide down the long oily road to Hell in vinyl suits together.

Twelve Spirits of Christmas (Tessa Lamar Novels Book Two)
by Kathryn M. Hearst
November 8, 2016 
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Wyndham House
ASIN: B01MQ09LJU
Number of pages: 315 e-book 354 print
Word Count: 86,000
Cover Artist: Marcela Bolivar
Two amazing men. A serial killer. A Christmas to remember.

Tessa Lamar is dreading her first Christmas without her beloved grandfather. They say the holiday season brings out the best and the worst in people. This year, it’s brought out a serial killer, who chooses his victims based on the carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

As Tessa comes to terms with her life as a Nunnehi, the Cherokee equivalent to fairy, she finds herself in cahoots with a ghost to stop the Christmas Killer before he strikes again. She must wrangle her magic, manage family responsibilities, juggle the men in her life, and discover the person she was meant to be, in order to save…

Seven Swans a Swimming

Eight Maids a Milking

Nine Ladies Dancing

Ten Lords a Leaping

Eleven Pipers Piping

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Twelve Spirits of Christmas is the second of the Tessa Lamar Novels, Paranormal Romances with a Southern twist. If you like Southern humor, supernatural creatures, and a healthy dose of romance, then you'll love this series. Be sure to check out Kindle Scout winner, The Spirit Tree, to read the beginning of Tessa’s journey.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Y-hRMPwCTzM

Amazon

About the Author:
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amazon-goodreads

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Kathryn M. Hearst is a southern girl with a love of the dark and strange. She has been a storyteller her entire life, as a child, she took people watching to new heights by creating back stories of complete strangers. Besides writing, she has a passion for shoes, vintage clothing, antique British cars, music, musicians and all things musical (including theater). Kate lives in central Florida with her chocolate lab, Jolene; and two rescue pups, Jagger and Roxanne. She is a self-proclaimed nerd, raising a nerdling.

The Order of the Sinistra Dei is her first series and includes titles, Feast of the Epiphany and Feast of Mercy. Kate's novel, The Spirit Tree, won a publishing contract with Kindle Press through the Kindle Scout contest. Her short stories have been published in various anthologies.

Tour giveaway 

$50 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: On a Clear Winter Night: (An Irin Chronicles Short Story) by Elizabeth Hunter

On a Clear Winter Night: (An Irin Chronicles Short Story)
by Elizabeth Hunter
Pages: 52
A very special holiday short story for readers of the Irin Chronicles

Join Ava, Malachi, and their friends for Midwinter holidays in Prague. The Irin might not celebrate Christmas, but that doesn’t mean Ava has to give up on the holidays. With her children on the way, nothing will stop the newest Irina from celebrating with her growing family. But will lingering doubts and worries about fatherhood let Malachi celebrate the way he wants?

On a Clear Winter Night is a short story set after the first three books of the Irin Chronicles.

amazon

A nice little short story that detailed the joys of Christmas for a group of people who have never celebrated Christmas. Ava was raised in the human world, thus she celebrated Christmas. As she waits for the birth of her twins she is sad that the Irin do not celebrate Christmas. To cheer her up, her mate, Malachi decides to give her Christmas. All the Irin find how much they enjoy having the Christmas Tree and the joys of Christmas as they all wait impatiently for their new bundles of joy.

Getting 4.5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
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Elizabeth Hunter is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance writer. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught a kindergarten class, but decided that middle school was far less frightening. Thankfully, people now pay her to write books and eighth-graders everywhere rejoice.

She currently lives in Central California with her son, two dogs, many plants, and a sadly dwindling fish tank. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries and Elemental World series, the Cambio Springs series, the Irin Chronicles, and other works of fiction.

Alpha Male Diner: Galen (Holiday Spirit) by Dani Harper + print giveaway

On the menu today: GALEN MCALLISTER, ghostly hero of
THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Your chef: Dani Harper

PS - for dessert, you’ll have a chance to win a paperback copy of this yuletide paranormal!

INGREDIENTS:
-Take 220 lbs. of hardworking man (you know, the kind that could portage a piano without breaking a sweat…)

-Add golden brown eyes. Must be capable of one helluva glare, knee-weakening seduction, or irreverent mischief.

-Blend in equal parts courage, humor, and PURE sex appeal (No substitutions!) Combine with a heart that’s true, and don’t forget a generous dollop of tenderness.

-Season with boldness, a tendency to run towards danger, and most of all, an overwhelming desire to protect others at all costs.

-Bind strongly with an ancient curse.

-Fold in an air of mystery due to the dark hoodie he always wears. (It’s so unfair. Ghosts—even ones that aren’t dead—don’t get to choose their outfits.)

-Marinate with determination, and the ability to innovate whenever physical actions are called for.

-Braise at high heat until steaming.

(Chef’s tip: This dish is best served in the shower!)

TASTE TEST:

“Wait, you carried me? That’s how I got to bed?” Most women would find that endearing, romantic, even exciting—and she might too if Galen was inside his big strong physical body. Given his current state, however, Kerri found herself more appalled than anything.

Galen seemed unaware of any problem. “I didn’t want to leave you sleeping at your desk. Well, technically, you were sleeping on your keyboard. What kind of man would I be if I let you wake up with square marks on your face?”

“You. Carried. Me. All the way up the stairs?”

His brow furrowed in puzzlement. “Yeah, well, firefighter here.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t exactly use your firefighter muscles to do it. I’d have some faith in those! For heaven’s sake, didn’t Everett say something? He must have seen you carrying me.”

“Sure he did. He warned me not to bang your head on the newel post at the top of the landing.”

“Don’t bang my head? That’s all?” She was stunned. Her friend and roommate was not just protective but often overly so. What the hell?

“You have to admit it was pretty good advice. And I did get you to your room without a hitch.”

“Why didn’t you just put me on the couch?” That much she could probably have handled.

“I thought of that. But you were so tired, I figured you’d rest better in your own bed. And it worked, right?”

She put the heel of her hand to her forehead, searching for words. “You’re so not getting this. Not a happy camper, here. I’m really uncomfortable with the idea of being levitated in my sleep!”

“I would never let you fall,” he said solemnly.

Kerri believed him, but he was missing the point. “This is about boundaries, mister.” She pointed her finger at him. “Do not take matters into your own hands. Do. Not. Levitate. Me. I know you meant well, but if I’m asleep on a bed of goddamn nails, just leave me there. Okay?”

“You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

She stared at him for several seconds, then mentally threw up her hands and headed to the kitchen without another word. It took two cups of coffee before her brain cleared and she felt like a functional human being. She was contemplating a third when Galen appeared at last. To his credit, he looked somewhat contrite.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I get where you’re coming from now. Honest, I didn’t think it through. Didn’t even think about boundaries and shit, but I should have. From now on, I promise not to float you anywhere without prior written permission.”

She studied his face, but there was no trace of humor in his expression. In fact he looked, well, kind of adorable really, as he tried to apologize. She’d have to be made of stone to resist those golden-brown eyes…even if her inner voice was making fun of her for being such a softy. “Well, I guess I get where you’re coming from too,” she said at last. “You were just trying to make me more comfortable.” It was easy to picture any one of her older brothers doing the same. In fact, wasn’t that a guy thing, to simply see a need and fix it without worrying about all the little social nuances involved? “I’m sorry if it seems like I’m overreacting. But how I feel is how I feel.”

He nodded. “So we’re good?”

“Yeah, we’re good. Especially after that incredible sandwich you left me,” she said, and grinned as his face lit up. “I admit I ate the whole darn thing before I came downstairs. You’re a pretty good cook. And there’s this too.” She raised her empty cup.

“So my clever master plan to become indispensable is working. You have to forgive me or you won’t get any more of my coffee!” he teased.

Kerri fired a potholder at his head, hitting him right between the eyes—

Except that the potholder sailed on through until it landed on the other side of the kitchen. Galen blinked in surprise, and Kerri began to laugh. After a moment, he joined her. And there it was again, that strong sweet connection that throbbed with a heartbeat all its own. The space between them evaporated and it seemed the most natural of things to find her face close to his. He smiled, and stroked a finger over her temple, drawing away a wild curl. The connection created that odd little electrical tingle she’d felt before, and suddenly she wanted to feel that on her lips. She tipped up her face just as Everett stuck his head into the doorway.

“Your aunt just drove up!” he announced, and she practically jumped away from Galen like a guilty teenager. “Oh and Waldo is scratching at the door to the office. Got himself shut in again.”

The man beside her silently smacked his forehead. “Damn, I forgot him. He was sound asleep.”

“He’s usually sound asleep. He’s a pug—it’s his natural state,” said Kerri, straightening her clothes as if she really had been wrapped in Galen’s arms. Her pulse was hammering behind her ribs and her heartbeat pulsed in her ears. Holy cow, if I can get this wound up just wanting to kiss him, what will it be like if I really do? She ignored her inner voice that insisted she had no business thinking—or doing—any such thing, but she had to work harder to ignore the hot ache inside that wanted to pick up right where they left off…

And keep on going.

STILL HUNGRY? Use the “Look Inside” feature to read a different sample of this story on Amazon, at
http://www.amazon.com/HOLIDAY-SPIRIT-wants-Christmas-ghost-ebook/dp/B013Z0F31M/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1446797260&sr=8-1&keywords=the+holiday+spirit

THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

by Dani Harper
A woman who talks to ghosts.
A man mistaken for dead.
An ancient evil that stalks them both.

Writer Kerri Tollbrook spends her free time counseling the newly departed, but the tall, dark and handsome spirit she meets at the shopping mall claims he’s not dead. Is he just in denial? Or is something more sinister at work?

Firefighter Galen McAllister has felt like The Invisible Man ever since a malicious spell separated him from his still-living body. Kerri is the first person he’s met who can actually see him. Now if only he can get her to listen … because the nightmare creature that trapped him between two worlds is far from finished!

About the Author:
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Dani Harper is a former newspaper editor whose passion for all things supernatural led her to a second career writing paranormal fantasy. There isn’t anything she likes better than exploring myths and legends from many cultures, which serve to inspire her sizzling and suspenseful stories.

A longtime resident of the Canadian north and southeastern Alaska, Dani now lives in rural Washington with her retired mountain-man husband. Together they do battle with runaway gardens, rampant fruit trees, and a roving herd of chickens, with the assistance of three dogs and several grandchildren.

GIVEAWAY

Answer one (or more) of the following questions in a comment on this blog post, or make up one of your own!

· Would you like to have lunch with a ghost?
· Why are firefighters so darn sexy?
· Do pugs have hidden powers?
· What’s YOUR favorite holiday? Least favorite?
· Why are firefighters so darn sexy? (I asked this before, but I really want to know!)

Contest closes at midnight EST Sunday, November 15th, 2015. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, November 16th. Prize – A paperback copy of THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, delivered via Amazon. Open to USA, UK, and Canada.

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