The Jackal cover is HERE!

I am in love with Jackal, these characters, and this series and it has been so much fun writing with my best friend. I hope you love this cover as much as we do. #ComingJune29th #EndOfMenSeries

Jackal Emerson has never taken himself seriously. Dubbed the “orgy king,” he’s renowned for his reputation as the wild End Man. But with the uprising on the horizon and his best friend missing, Jackal is having a hard time living the same carefree existence.

And then he meets a thief and everything changes.

Phoenix Moyo, principal dancer of a notorious ballet company, lives a life of rigidity. When her world collides with Jackal’s, their chemistry is evident to everyone except her. Forced to work with him to steal the most precious commodity of the Regions, she realizes too late that there is no escaping Jackal’s charisma.

When unimaginable crimes come to light, the Regions begin to crumble. No one is safe. Families divide and secrets are exposed, danger running rampant on every side. For some, sacrifice costs everything.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40144365-jackal

Preorder on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LIR7XV

Catch up with the series today by reading Folsom for FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

https://amzn.to/2LMhM63

Signed copy of Folsom!

If you'd like a copy of Folsom signed by BOTH Tarryn and me, book orders will be open until Friday, June 8th! Tarryn and I will be together signing at the end of the month and all books will be shipped by July 14th. 

I'll have them on the website soon, but unless otherwise stated, it will only have my signature, not Tarryn's. :) 

http://www.tarrynfisher.com/product/signed-copy-of-folsom/

Folsom is LIVE!!!

Tarryn and I are so excited for the release of FOLSOM!

FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2L4mN9S
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2IRsGdH
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2L6ENR8
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2snsMi7

Enter the Release Week Giveaway HERE

The nation as we know it is a thing of the past.

With the male species on the verge of extinction, a society called the End Men is formed to save the world. Folsom Donahue is one of twelve men whose sole purpose is to repopulate the Regions. The endless days spent having sex with strangers leaves Folsom with an emptiness no amount of women, money, or status can fill.

Until Gwen.

Gwen has wanted a child for as long as she can remember, but when she finally gets a chance to have her own, she uncovers a long hidden truth. The injustice she sees moves her to help save the men whom no one else believes need saving.

A forbidden love, grown in a time of despair, ignites a revolution.

Folsom and Gwen, torn between their love for each other and their sense of duty, must make a choice. But some will stop at nothing to destroy them.

Folsom is book one of the End of Men series.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39934742-folsom

EXCERPT

It’s the little one who interests me, her hair more tangled than her sister’s, like she didn’t bother with it at all. Her eyes are curious and wild: brown, common and yet uncommon in the way they slant upward at the outside corners. She stands in the foyer, her hands clasped at her waist, but instead of studying my body like most women do, her head is tilted to the side, eyes fixed on my boots. I clear my throat to get her attention and she drags her eyes away from my feet and back to my face. She frowns and shakes her head like she’s just realizing where she is.
“Your boots are beautiful,” she finally says. From somewhere beside me her sister groans and her mother lets out what I take as an embarrassed laugh.  
“Thank you,” I say, unable to keep the humor from my voice. “I designed them myself.” I don’t usually tell people that but she seems genuinely interested.
“You design clothes?” she asks, surprised.
“You’re surprised that I’m good at something other than fucking?”
Her mother makes a choking noise, but we both ignore it, our attention solely focused.
“Yes, I’m quite surprised,” she says. “Though I can’t attest personally to the fucking part…”
“Yet,” I say.
“Yet,” she echoes, with a slight nod of her head.

Start Folsom TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2L4mN9S
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2IRsGdH
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2L6ENR8
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2snsMi7

One week from today!

I hope you fall for these characters as much as I did... Enjoy!

The nation as we know it is a thing of the past.
With the male species on the verge of extinction, a society called the End Men is formed to save the world. Folsom Donahue is one of twelve men whose sole purpose is to repopulate the Regions. The endless days spent having sex with strangers leaves Folsom with an emptiness no amount of women, money, or status can fill.
Until Gwen.
Gwen has wanted a child for as long as she can remember, but when she finally gets a chance to have her own, she uncovers a long hidden truth. The injustice she sees moves her to help save the men whom no one else believes need saving.
A forbidden love, grown in a time of despair, ignites a revolution.
Folsom and Gwen, torn between their love for each other and their sense of duty, must make a choice. But some will stop at nothing to destroy them.
Folsom is book one of the End of Men series.
Add to Goodreads --->
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39934742-folsom

#endofmen #fisherandaster #riseofthewomen #folsom

Folsom Teaser Tuesday!

Enjoy a sneak peek into Folsom! Have you added it to your Goodreads TBR yet? #ComingMay29th

EXCERPT

I stop dead in my tracks. There’s someone else in here. At first I see only boots, large boots, too big for a woman. He hears me come in and perches forward on the sink to peer around the corner.

“You can’t read or you don’t care?” he asks.

At first I’m too shocked to know what he’s talking about, then I remember the Out of Order sign on the door.

“I can’t read,” I say. “I’m just another stupid woman trying to have a baby.”

He laughs. It bounces across the bathroom walls and hits me in the chest.

“Well, at least you have a sense of humor, stupid woman.”

I’m witnessing the very serious and stern Folsom Donahue laughing. I stand there staring at him, not knowing what to do.

And then I ask. “Are you hiding, too?”

“In plain sight,” he says. “Who are you hiding from?”

“Everyone.”

“How’s that working out for you?”

I eye his casual stance, the large hands resting behind him on the sink, the crossed ankles. “Not well, since you’re here.”

He laughs again, this time just a slow rumble while he watches my face.

“I have to go,” he says, pushing away from the counter. He walks toward me and my heart races. I’ve never been this close to a man. He’s just trying to get to the door, I tell myself. But, then he stops so he’s towering over me. I have to bend my head back to see his face.

“Have a good night,” he says. And I learn for the first time what a smirk is. Full lips … teasing ... I blink at him, my lips parting to answer, but then he’s gone and I’m not even sure it really happened.

ADD TO GOODREADS

My new book with Tarryn Fisher

Tarryn Fisher and I have been working on a series together and the first book will be out SOON! We are in LOVE with this cover. Add it to your Goodreads TBR! 😁

The nation as we know it is a thing of the past.

With the male species on the verge of extinction, a society called the End Men is formed to save the world. Folsom Donahue is one of twelve men whose sole purpose is to repopulate the Regions. The endless days spent having sex with strangers leaves Folsom with an emptiness no amount of women, money, or status can fill.

Until Gwen.

Gwen has wanted a child for as long as she can remember, but when she finally gets a chance to have her own, she uncovers a long hidden truth. The injustice she sees moves her to help save the men whom no one else believes need saving.

A forbidden love, grown in a time of despair, ignites a revolution.

Folsom and Gwen, torn between their love for each other and their sense of duty, must make a choice. But some will stop at nothing to destroy them.

Folsom is book one of the End of Men series.

Coming May 29th

Contemporary Romance with a side of Dystopian

Cover designed by Hang Le

The book formerly known as Whore...

For me the word is exactly what Lilith feels about herself ... it's more than her profession, it's her lack of self-worth, her shame, and her weariness with the lot she's been given. It's the word that's been stamped across her chest and what she's carried her whole life. The word that I've never liked just felt right, but I get how people who can't see inside my head might not appreciate being blasted with the word. There's only one other title I can accept and that is ... Lilith. Because really, it's always been about her and I want to keep it that way.

Not your typical prostitute ... this is a story of unconditional love.

Beautiful, intelligent, independent, strong-willed, wealthy—Lilith Fontenot seems by all appearances, to have it all. But that’s not how the highest paid prostitute in New Orleans sees herself.

A stain on society. A scourge. A waste. Outsider. Prisoner…

Any idyllic dream of the normal life she may have once imagined, Lilith buried long ago. Her only plan now is survival.

But mob boss Nico Santelli and community center owner Soti Christos have not given up on Lilith. Each has his own very specific, very opposing, plans for her, and neither will rest until it becomes a reality.

LILITH is a singularly bracing take on an ancient tale of tireless love, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.

GOODREADS

★ ★ ★ LILITH IS NOW AVAILABLE for free ON KINDLE UNLIMITED ★ ★ ★

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

EXCERPT

I take a sudden deep breath and my breasts brush against his chest. The contact surprises us both. I do it again, intentionally this time, trying to gain control in the only way I know how. His neck flushes and he takes a step back. I enjoy the rush it gives me, knowing that I affect him too.

“Hey, would you like to come around the corner with me to—”

I swallow my surprise and shake my head, holding my hand up before he says anything else.  

“Please,” he says louder.

“What’s your name?”

“I am Sotirios … Soti.”   

“Soti, what makes you think you know anything about me?”

He tries to make eye contact, but I focus on a spot just past his left ear.  

“I just want to help you…” His words trail off.

The wind blows my hair forward, a sheet of black coming between us until I smooth the long strands down on either side. I gaze down the street and see a blurry little girl with black hair down to her waist in middle school, standing shy and hopeful in front of a group of girls.

“We know what you are,” they said. They hurled spit and names on her and she stood there, taking it, until the teacher came and helped her.

Help only got me so far.

“You listen to me, okay?” I say so softly he leans in to hear me. “I was born for this.”

When my eyes finally land on his again, I know his face will haunt me forever. He looks as bleak as I feel.

I clear my throat. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

With that, I loop my hand through the arm of my next income source, calculating how I can get the most money out of him for the least amount of time. It takes every ounce of willpower I own to not look Soti’s way one more time. Once we round the corner and I know he’s out of sight, all the adrenaline leaves my body, and I’m actually glad to have someone to hold onto.

I avoid my reflection as we walk back to the house. I don’t want to know what the rest of the world sees when they look at me.

Enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

★ ★ ★ LILITH IS NOW AVAILABLE for free ON KINDLE UNLIMITED ★ ★ ★

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Changes for Whore Coming Soon!

It happened a lot sooner than I thought it would, but I am planning on moving Whore from iTunes, B&N, Kobo to Kindle Unlimited (Amazon) only. There are more changes coming soon for Whore—I will also be changing the cover and title soon. This took a lot of thought—I agonized over this when I first put it out. I went through a lot of names: Maison D'amour, House of Love, Out of the Ashes, Ashes, and one other kept lingering in my mind, but I went with what felt the strongest and most like what I wanted to say ... Whore. 

I talk a little bit about what inspired Whore at the back of my book and on another blogpost, but feel like I've explained the title a lot more during one-on-one time with readers. Why Whore? is what people ask before they read the book. Other authors love the title and I've gotten good feedback from readers about it too, but I've also seen a LOT of reviews saying, "Don't judge this book by the title!" And if I've kept someone from reading it because of that, I'd like to try again.

For me the word is exactly what Lilith feels about herself ... it's more than her profession, it's her lack of self-worth, her shame, and her weariness with the lot she's been given. It's the word that's been stamped across her chest and what she's carried her whole life. The word that I've never liked just felt right, but I get how people who can't see inside my head might not appreciate being blasted with the word. 

There's only one other title I can accept and that is ... Lilith. Because really, it's always been about her and I want to keep it that way. 

The original cover and title will always be available on my website. I plan to also do one with the original cover and titled Lilith. But soon an entirely new cover will be coming and I'm excited for you to see it.

For now, get it while you can!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2p9LTM1

Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2FCjbh6

B&N Paperback: http://bit.ly/2FR58TX

If you would like to take part in the announcement of the book's changes, please sign up here --->

https://goo.gl/forms/ddQCCmkfjkwxYrSA3

Graphic created by Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads

Chasing Sanity

This has been an eventful year so far! A trip to London for the RARE18 London signing, which was INCREDIBLE, my latest book has been out a while and I'm well into another one, the podcast has been so fun and is staying booked months out, my puppy keeps me on my toes, I have two teenagers now instead of one, my music world with my husband is busy and fulfilling ... life is wonderful and chaotic.

I thought I'd tell you five things I do to stay sane.

*EAT healthy food, typically vegetarian or once in a while pescetarian, and track it all on My Fitness Pal to make sure I'm getting the nutrition I need and staying within a certain caloric range.

*WALK as much as possible. Sometimes I forget to have my Fitbit on while doing it (or it's on but has been dead for days, ugh) but I love when it's working and I can track that too.

*SLEEP. If you follow me on Facebook, you know I've given up coffee, which was a heartbreaking decision to make. I'm still mourning the loss. I thought it might be the reason I never slept well and sadly, I was right. For the first time in over a decade, I sleep through the night. Life-changing.

*LAUGH my head off as much as possible. It's not hard with my son around.

*WRITE all the emotion out. If I've done all of the things above, it's easier for me to do that. I was stuck for a while and I think a lot of it was just exhaustion and being unhealthy.

I'd love to hear how you stay sane when your life is crazy.

Whore is LIVE!

I am so excited that Whore is finally LIVE! Get it now at the release price of $2.99 (prices will go up to $3.99 later this week). I hope you enjoy Lilith's story!

Make sure to also enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card - Good luck!

Advanced Praise for Whore:

This was one of those books I had no idea what to expect but was totally not prepared to be knocked off my feet. Stunning. Gripping. Amazing. I couldn't get enough of this incredible story. -A.L. Jackson, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author

In WHORE, Willow Aster forgoes the predictable, the pedestrian, and offers the exceptional. She unflinchingly wrestles with difficult themes and distinguishes herself as a master storyteller. I was riveted by this brave tale from the first page. An epic journey of unconditional love and unlikely redemption! - Kennedy Ryan, Top 100 Amazon Bestseller

If you look up the phrase ‘page turner’, you’ll find this book. The characters are incredibly relatable, the story is intriguing, tantalizing and impossible to put down. Get ready to pull an all-nighter for this one! - Claire Contreras NYT Best Seller

First she f*cks you slow and steady then she f*cks you hard and fast. Willow’s best book. Couldn't put it down. - Tarryn Fisher, NYT Bestselling Author

 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2B0fsEe
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2yY5D83
B&N: http://bit.ly/2iQYB1U
iTunes: http://apple.co/2yZTvHV
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xx0EL8
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2yDAaHh

 

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 12: Michelle Warren

Today we welcome Michelle Warren to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: I love Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt or any of the older Christmas classics.

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: I make a ton of cookies over the holiday, but my favorites are peanut butter cookies topped with a mini Reese Cup. Yum!

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Elf. It has so many great one-liners!

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Spending time with my family and friends.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: All gifts are nice, even the lopsided hats and scarfs that may have been crocheted by my MIL.

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Decorating the tree with my hubs. He's kind of like Clark Griswold.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts? Both, of course!

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: Is it sad I can't think of one thing?! I need to have a little more fun this holiday. 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Italy is always at the top of my list. Boun Natale!

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Milo Ventimiglia (team Jess 4eva!)

What's at the top of your list? A lot more kindness and empathy in this crazy-ass world. 

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Evan Wade. (There's a reason I wrote him into a book. Good guys rule!)

If Michelle Warren had a spirit animal, it would be a tiger in a pink tutu, riding a Harley through a ring of fire. She lives in Chicago, dreams of California but hails from Baltimore. She has a slight obsession with travel, sunshine, Milano cookies and writing novels. She didn’t travel the road to writer immediately. She spent over a decade as professional Illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel, Wander Dust. 

You can follow Michelle and purchase her books below:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

BOOKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 11: Kate Stewart

Today we welcome Kate Stewart to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Oh Holy Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Chocolate Ice box cake. My grandmother's recipe. 

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: The Grinch-Jim Carrey

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: When my mother sent me a cookbook of all our family recipes. It's my most prized possession.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Fiber optic teddy bear. No. Just no. 

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve feast. Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon. Cheese Log, Crab dip, Shrimp, Shirley Temple's laced with cherries, music and family. It's better than Christmas Morning for me.. 

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: I just love giving at this point honestly. It's more fun. So I guess seeing my husband's face light up when I got him just the right thing. 

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: When I was young, I used to get so excited on Christmas morning, I would throw up. 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Some awesome cabin with tons of windows and snow falling. The ideal I guess. 

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): And what would I be doing with this person? LOL. I've always wanted to hang out with Adam Sandler. I think he's amazing. 

What's at the top of your list? Lots of smiles, food and naps. I'm easy. Gift wise, I really can't think of anything. 

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Hmmmm, this year I have a few. If I have to choose it would be Theo from All In by Emma Scott.

Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.

You can follow Kate and purchase her books below:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

BOOKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

Goodreads

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 10: Kennedy Ryan

Today we welcome Kennedy Ryan to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: "All I Want for Christmas" - Mariah Carey

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Sweet potato pie

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: About A Boy

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Weekend away

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: socks - LOL

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: just dinner together on Christmas day

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Day!

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: playing Spades and other games with my family

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Australia

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Idris Elba

What's at the top of your list? a new charm for my Tiffany bracelet

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Grip James ;-)

Kennedy Ryan is a Southern girl gone Southern California. A Top 100 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy writes romance about remarkable women who find a way to thrive even in tough times, the love they find, and the men who cherish them.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Georgia families living with Autism, Kennedy has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other outlets as a voice for families living with autism.

You can follow Kennedy and purchase her books below:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

BOOKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 9: Calia Read

Today we welcome Calia Read to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Christmas/ Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: This is like Sophie's Choice. It's impossible to pick one! lol. So I'll say they're all my favorite. 

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Elf! 

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Anything book related. :)

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Jewelry. I can't stand wearing it. 

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: It's torture for my kids, but I have them open their gifts one at a time (from oldest to youngest) so that I get the chance to see their expressions. :) 

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Christmas Day. 

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: I honestly can't think of one. Mr. Read and I don't go to many holiday parties; that would get in the way of me being a complete hermit. ;) 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Anywhere with snow. I desperately want a white Christmas! 

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Armie Hammer. Not exactly the most charming name, but I'm willing to ignore that fact. 

What's at the top of your list? new iPad. Mine has seen better days. It looks like it's been dragged behind a semi. 

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Oh! This one's easy. My newest book boyfriend, Rhett Rabideaux from How to Date a Douchebag: The Learning Hours by Sarah Ney.

Calia Read lives in Texas with her husband and their five kids.

You can follow Calia and purchase her books below:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

BOOKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

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Whore Excerpt Reveal

Whore is coming on December 26th and I can't wait to finally get it out to you! I am revealing an excerpt today on a bunch of blogs and doing a giveaway on my Facebook page HERE.

Enjoy the sneak peek below. Becca the Bibliophile also created a trailer for me which I am in love with! :)

SYNOPSIS

“I need a reason to exist.”

Beautiful, intelligent, independent, strong-willed, wealthy—Lilith Fontenot seems by all appearances, to have it all. But that’s not how the highest paid prostitute in New Orleans sees herself.

A stain on society. A scourge. A waste. Outsider. Prisoner…

Any idyllic dream of the normal life she may have once imagined, Lilith buried long ago. Her only plan now is survival.

But mob boss Nico Santelli and community center owner Soti Christos have not given up on Lilith. Each has his own very specific, very opposing, plans for her, and neither will rest until it becomes a reality.

WHORE is a singularly bracing take on an ancient tale of tireless love, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/WhoreGoodreads

EXCERPT

“I don’t need any money,” I tell him. “I can make enough in the next few hours to cover me for the week.”

He flinches and turns toward me. The expression on his face makes my gut cinch. His eyes are like copper in the sun. So bright I have to look away.

I swallow and my voice shakes when I speak. “Thank you for everything. I won’t forget this.”

I put the phone in my pocket and decide to go while we’re on the topic.

“Wait, take this, please.” He reaches in his pocket and gives me a crumpled up wad of cash. “It’s not as much as I’d like to give you, but it’s all I have right now.”

“Can I do anything for you?” I ask, stepping toward him.

“No. Not everyone sees you as a business transaction, Lili,” he says softly.

My face is heated as I take the money and shove it in my pocket. I turn around and rush to the door. Before I leave, I chance another look at his face, but when we make eye contact I’m even more unsettled.

I lift a hand, whisper my goodbye, and stumble out of there. My eyes burn as I walk down the stairs, and even though the community center is bustling at this time of day, I don’t notice anyone else. By the time I step outside, tears are streaming down my face. I don’t even know why. His kindness … it confuses me.

12 Days of Giveaways—Day 8: Cat Porter

Today we welcome Cat Porter to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song:  “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: my Tiramisu in my big glass trifle bowl!

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” and “The Christmas Story” for a tie!

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Years ago my husband got me the most perfect jewelry box—a blue velvet box with garnet beading and gold wire trim from my one of my favorite stores in New York City, ABC Carpet & Home.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: when I gave my husband a huge pack of hangers which I’d gotten from a friend of mine who owns a clothing store. It truly was the perfect gift for him, because he really needed them and they were excellent quality, but they were still hangers. His face was priceless when he ripped open the wrapping paper. We had 3 small toddlers, I never got out of the house and there wasn’t much cash, so it was an efficient gift and at least he got to open something from me! LOL

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve is my birthday, so I grew up spending the day doing something special with my parents in New York—a museum trip, lunch at a special restaurant, shopping, wandering around the city, sometimes the theater. Then we’d go to church, have my birthday cake after, and stay up late and watch classic film favorites like “The Red Shoes” or “Rebecca.”

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: I grew up opening gifts on Christmas Eve night, but now we open my birthday presents and go out for dinner on Christmas Eve and then Santa delivers his presents when everyone’s sleeping and the kids open them Christmas morning.

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: When my sister-in-law thought she was whispering to me and her best friend - “I think I’m pregnant” - but she was actually talking really loudly over the music and her husband heard her and he flipped out.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: London! I went with my parents when we lived in Europe when I was ten, and it was perfection! Although now I think I’d like to do Scotland maybe…

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass?: artist & model William Tyler.

What's at the top of your list? This year it’s an essential oils diffuser. And silver jewelry. Always silver jewelry.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Ethan Blackstone, baby! (and Joe Callahan!)

Cat Porter was born and raised in New York City, but also spent a few years in Europe and Texas

along the way, which made her just as wanderlusty as her parents. As an introverted, only child, she had very big, but very secret dreams for herself. She graduated from Vassar College, was a struggling actress, an art gallery girl, special events planner, freelance writer, restaurant hostess and had all sorts of other crazy jobs all hours of the day and night to help make her dreams come true. She has two children’s books traditionally published under her maiden name. She now lives on a beach just outside of Athens, Greece with her husband and three children, and freaks out regularly and still daydreams way too much, and doesn’t give as much of AF. She is addicted to the History Channel, her iPhone, her husband’s homemade red wine, coffee, and a bunch of other stuff she’d rather not discuss. Writing keeps her somewhat sane, extremely happy, and a productive member of society. At least on the outside.

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 7: A.L. Jackson

Let's welcome A.L. Jackson to the blog today who will be sharing her favorite things with us.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: O Holy Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Traditional frosted Christmas Cookies

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Christmas Vacation

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Jammies

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Candy

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Watching my kids dump out their stockings. I don't know what it is about it - I just love it.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Both 

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: When my in-laws tree fell over. 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: I always want to be at home for the holidays. 

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Bahaha my husband says I'm allowed no free passes because I might actually try to make it happen ;) 

What's at the top of your list? This year, my Christmas present is remodeling my bathroom! Hopefully it will actually be done by Christmas.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? My Lyrik West from Where Lightning Strikes

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 6: Kim Holden

Kim Holden is joining us on the blog today to tell us more about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Song: Elvis singing "Blue Christmas" always does it for me. "Carol of the Bells" is probably my all-time favorite though.

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Dessert: I loved making cookies every Christmas with my mom when I was little. We had cookie cutters in the shape of a tree, a bell, and Santa, and we used red and green food coloring to dye the frosting. My mom always bought sprinkles too (that was a BIG deal). I was always overly generous with the frosting and a bit aggressive on the sprinkles.

Best Christmas Gift: Best Childhood Gift: When I was ten Santa brought a foosball table. I have no idea how many hours my dad and I racked up playing over the years, but I would wager it was several hundred. We wore the thing out.

Best Adulthood Gift: Our son, Phoenix, made us a snowman out of paper plates and construction paper when he was in preschool. It gets hung on our refrigerator every year at Christmas. It's my favorite, even though it's nine years old now and looking a little ragged. I'll keep it forever.

Best Christmas Tradition: Every Christmas Eve for the past seventeen years, my husband, son, and I go out for dinner. We always try to pick a restaurant where the servers work their butts off but probably don't make a killing in tips and would rather be home with their kids and families.
Waffle House has been our go-to the past few years. We enjoy our meal and chat with our server and when we get our check, we pay with cash and then leave them a holiday card and a one hundred dollar bill for the tip. We hurry out before they get to it and then watch inconspicuously from the car. More often than not, they cry. And more often than not, I cry. Because that, to me, is the spirit of Christmas - showing some love and helping a stranger. I read a book called The Christmas Jar years ago and got the idea from it. We save up our spare change all year in a jar and then cash it in just before Christmas and use that for the tip. I look forward to doing it all year long.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts: Always Christmas morning. It feels like cheating if anything gets opened on Christmas Eve.

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: My grandma used to put carrots and raisons in her lime jelly, does that count?

Dream Christmas destination: Hawaii would be nice. I'm a Colorado girl, but I hate the cold. I would love to spend Christmas vacation somewhere warm and tropical just once.

What's at the top of your list? Honestly, there's nothing on my list this year. Just looking forward to spending the day with my husband and son and watching A Christmas Story on TV.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Easy peasy. Paul Hudson.

Some of my favorite things:

Reading (YA or New Adult), writing (especially on a productive day), the two coolest guys on the planet (my husband and son), my bicycle (hand built by my husband), Facebook (it’s an addiction at this point), iced coffee (hazelnut from McDonalds), and music (LOVE Sunset Sons, the 1975, Dredg, the xx, Balance and Composure, Teenage Bottlerocket, Manchester Orchestra, and 30 Seconds to Mars).

I also love dreaming. Big. Writing a few years ago was an elusive dream until I grabbed a hold of it with both hands and refused to let go. Keep chasing YOUR dreams …

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 5: Amy Harmon

Today, we welcome Amy Harmon to the blog!

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Oh Holy Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Thick frosted, soft sugar cookies

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: It's a Wonderful Life

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Husband bought me a new wedding ring two years ago. So beautiful.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: As a kid, I hated getting underwear. Now I don't mind. 

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve at Grandma's

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Christmas Day

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: I switched nametags with my sister on a present she knew was hers. Her face when I opened it . . . ha ha ha.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: No place like home for Christmas

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Daniel Craig (James Bond)

What's at the top of your list? I don't want a single thing! I just want a few days of no work and long naps.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? I'm a little obsessed with my newest leading man, Dr. Noah Andelin, from THE SMALLEST PART.

Amy Harmon is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in seventeen different languages, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written eleven novels - the USA Today Bestsellers The Bird and The Sword, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as From Sand and Ash, The Law of Moses, The Song of David, Infinity + One, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her latest novel, The Queen and The Cure, book two in The Bird and The Sword Chronicles, was released May 9, 2017.

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 4: Mary Elizabeth

Today on the blog, we welcome Mary Elizabeth!

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Silent Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: I can basically eat pumpkin pie from the beginning of November through the New Year. I also have a soft spot for anything peppermint mocha.

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer give me the same cozy feelings they did when I was a kid. You know it’s Christmastime when  those movies are on TV.

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: My favorite gifts every Christmas are the ones my kids make me at school. We have a separate tree in our second living room dedicated to the ornaments and crafts they’ve made since preschool. It’s sentimental, and that’s what Christmas is all about.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Those tins full of popcorn are pretty awful.

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Every Christmas Eve our entire family—brothers, sisters, and all of my nieces and nephews spend the night together so we can open our presents at the same time Christmas morning.

This is something we’ve done since before any of us had kids, so 15 years later, our tradition has definitely grown. 

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Christmas Day.

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: My husband and I were probably 20 years old. I was pregnant with our twins, so I couldn’t do much myself. Mr. Elizabeth was setting up a place for us to sleep at his parents house on Christmas Eve, like I mentioned above, our entire family spends the night together. So, Jason was carrying an inflated air mattress from one room to another when out of nowhere his younger brother literally karate kicked him. It sent my husband flying back until he fell with the mattress on top of him.

To this day that memory still gets to me. It was so unexpected, and I’ll never forget the way Mr. Elizabeth’s face looked when he was falling. I laughed all night. It’s such a happy memory.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: I was just telling my husband we should travel somewhere tropical for Christmas when our kids are grown and have their own families. Until then, I love being home for the holidays.

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): I’d love to hang out with Will Ferrel for Christmas, just to have him dress as the Elf and tell me jokes all night.

What's at the top of your list? I’d really love a new laptop this year!

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? This is an easy one! Jacob Grace from Heart-shaped Hole. 

Mary Elizabeth was born and raised in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She's a hairstylist by day but contemporary fiction, new adult author by night. 

Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it's perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she's not letting go until every story is told. 

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