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Beloved Enemy joined Starquest and Children of the Mist to continue the Destiny Trilogy and I'm thrilled to announce was shortlisted for the R.N.A. RoNA Awards 2017, awarded 2nd Runner up in the RONE Awards 2017 and was the winner in the SF/Fantasy category of the 'Best Banter Contest'.

Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday 10 November 2020

The Christmas Eve Promise - Spotlight and ReviewChristmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas


Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas


Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel (Christmas Eve Series, Book 4) by Elyse Douglas Publisher:  Broadback (September, 2020) Category: Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christmas Tour dates: September-November, 2020 ISBN: Available in Print and ebook,  405 pages The Christmas Eve Promise

Description Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel

 by Elyse Douglas

Eve and baby Colleen are travelling to Ohio for the Christmas holidays to spend time with Eve’s parents. After a few days in Ohio, they all plan to fly to Florida in Eve’s father’s private airplane.  Patrick will meet them there after he completes exams for his forensic psychology degree. Nothing goes as planned.  The day Patrick is to leave for Florida, he receives a shocking telephone call from one of Eve’s cousins.  Sobbing, she tells him a terrible tragedy has occurred.  It stuns him and shakes him to his heart’s core. His life shattered, Patrick knows he has but one chance:  he must use the time travel lantern to return to the past in order to prevent the current tragedy. But once again, the time travel lantern has a mind of its own, and Patrick is hurled back to a time where he must confront a strange, unfamiliar world and learn why the lantern transported him there. When Patrick comes face-to-face with a mysterious, beautiful woman who looks and acts like Eve, and whose name is Eve, Patrick is haunted. He recalls the promise he and Eve had made to each other on Christmas Eve the previous year—no matter what happens; no matter if they’re separated; no matter what time or place they find themselves in; no matter what obstacles they must face, they will always find each other, help each other, and love each other for all time. The Christmas Eve Promise is a journey about the enduring promise of hope and the infinite, unbreakable bonds of love.

Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

The Christmas Eve Promise
Elyse Douglas

Excerpt

In the early afternoon, Patrick sat alone on a park bench in Riverside Park, not far from their apartment.  The morning sun had fled, and the sky had turned overcast, with a chilly wind and a scattering of snow flurries.

Patrick tilted back his head and watched two squirrels in a game of chase, skittering along the branches of tall trees, leaping, clinging like acrobats.  One false step and they’d plunge to the ground.  But they didn’t fall.  They were skilled, fast, and daring.    

He turned his collar up against the blowing wind, noticing that he was the only person in sight, sitting on a park bench as if it were a beautiful spring day.

A dog walker came into view, a tall woman, wearing a long winter coat, boots and a red ski hat.  Her pet was one of those little waddling dogs, with fluffy white hair, a panting tongue and a springy step.  To Patrick, he looked like a wobbling snowball.

As she was passing him, she glanced over.  “Merry Christmas.”

Patrick nodded.  “Yes… Merry Christmas.”

The woman paused, her dog sniffing at the air.  Patrick thought she looked about his own age, somewhere in her thirties, and she was attractive, with a friendly face.  She looked him over. 

“So, are you escaping from the family for a while?  I am.”

Patrick lowered his eyes.  “No…”

She lifted a hand, catching snowflakes.  “We’re getting a white Christmas.  How nice.  I can’t remember the last time.”

Patrick thought he should say something, so he nodded.  “Yes, can’t remember.”

“You’re sitting on my grandfather’s bench.”

Patrick sat up, gently startled.  “Pardon me?”

“No… It’s okay.  It’s just that we dedicated that bench to my grandfather.  See the little bronze plaque on the back?”

Patrick stood up, turning to face the bench.  Sure enough, there was a small plaque screwed into the upper back rail, and he stooped to read it.

The woman said, “It says, To Amos Lewis, a Lover of Parks.”

Patrick straightened and looked at her.  “Yes, I’ve seen these inscriptions.  Very nice.”

“He used to sit there and smoke a cigar.  Smoking is prohibited in the park, but he did it anyway.  He was old school.”

Patrick nodded wistfully.  “Old school.  I can appreciate that.  The plaque is a good way to remember someone.”

“Are you Irish?” she asked, taking a step closer.

“No, not really.  I was born in New York.  My father was from Limerick; my mother from a village in County Clare,” Patrick said, again turning toward the plaque.  “How did you arrange to get the plaque?” he asked.

“You can go online, to the Riverside Park website.”

He nodded.  “Well, that’s a lovely thing, isn’t it?”

“Please sit down,” the woman said.  “I’m sorry if I interrupted you.  I often pass by and look at the bench.”

Patrick kept his eyes on the plaque.

“Is there someone…” The woman said, then hesitated.  “Are you thinking of someone you’d like to dedicate a plaque to?”

Patrick turned, folding his arms across his chest.  “Perhaps.”

The woman didn’t move, but her dog was itching to go.  He looked up at her and whined.

Patrick didn’t meet the woman’s eyes.  “I guess he has squirrels to chase,” he said.

The woman lowered her chin.  “Yes.  Well, yes, I should go.  Enjoy the bench.  By the way, do you smoke cigars?”

“Not in a while… I used to, but that was a long time ago.  Centuries ago.”

She smiled sweetly.  “Perhaps you should have one someday while you join my grandfather on the bench.”

“Perhaps… Yes.  Perhaps I will.”

And then she started off.  “Merry Christmas.”

Patrick gave her a little head bow.  “And Merry Christmas to you and to your family.”

He eased back down on the bench, his low mood falling deeper into darkness. 

Why had he put off the inevitable?  Why had he refused to enter Eve’s bedroom closet, kneel by the safe, open it and remove the lantern?  Yesterday, in a drunken stupor, he’d almost summoned the courage, but he’d stopped in the doorway, stopped cold.

 

MY REVIEW (four stars)

This is the fourth in this time travel series, and although I hadn't read any of the previous books, I was able to follow it with no trouble, and soon got to know the various characters, who were easy to like and identify with.

I won't go into details about the plot, apart from the fact that it  features a mysterious lantern which has enabled Patrick to travel from the past to the 21st Century, and the book begins with a promise that he and his wife, Eve, will always find each other and always love each other, no matter what time period they find themselves in.

I would have given five stars, but withheld one star for several instances of wandering body parts: (there are a couple of instances with eyes roaming around 😊) and a tendency to change p.o.v. mid-scene. A bit picky, I know, but these did 'suspend my belief' for a minute or two, which was a shame as it is such an intriguing and enjoyable story.

 Yes, I did enjoy this book and will be checking out the others in the series, and I do like the fact that while there is obviously scope for a follow up book, and although it is a series, this story did not end in a 'cliffhanger' like many books do these days. This is a definite page turner and should appeal to any reader who enjoys a proper 'time travel' story where the main character ends up in a time they weren't expecting and needs to get back again.

 

 Praise for theChristmas Eve Series by Elyse Douglas

“The Christmas Eve Letter is a beautiful, poignant story. It is well written and will have you turning the pages eagerly. All of the characters are well thought out, and believably written, together with the well-constructed scenery, that has you feeling as if you yourself have just stepped into the past. The story is unique and moving. It will hold you long after you turn the last page. A perfect Christmas tale of love and hope.”-Whispering Stories “This book is the perfect vehicle for a movie, and I can only hope that there will be more in the series. This novel is truly as close to perfection as the reader could imagine! 5 Stars!”--My Devotional Thoughts Blog and Reviews “I enjoyed the new characters, an update on characters from the first book, and the possibility for more books.  If you enjoy time travel-themed novels you will love these books!”--StoreyBook Reviews “I am most impressed that this book did so well as a stand-alone novel. Kudos to the author! If you are looking for a good Christmas book with time travel, give this a go!”--Carole's Bookshelves “I love this whole story, and I especially love Patrick and Eve's romance and all of the adventures that they go on together. Eve is exactly my kind of character.  I still can’t stop thinking about the feeling that it gave me and the arc that the characters went on. Everyone really developed a lot in this story and it was so rewarding as a long-time reader to watch that happen. It feels like every new book in this series just keeps getting better and better and I love these characters more and more. Every time a new one comes out I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. The Christmas Eve Secret is my favorite in the series so far, but if you have not read the first two books I would recommend doing that as soon as possible! If you enjoy romance, time travel, mystery and great writing, I promise that you won't regret dipping a toe into this series.”--Cuzinlogic

Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

About Elyse Douglas

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a master’s degree in English Literature.  She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress and a speech-language pathologist. Douglas has worked as a graphic designer, a corporate manager and an equities trader.  He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years. Website: www.elysedouglas.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglaselyse Facebook: www.facebook.com/elyse.authorsdouglas
 

Buy Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

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Giveaway Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas This giveaway is for 1 copy for 3 winners. Print is is open to the U.S. and Canada only and ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends November 26, 2020,midnight pacific time. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Sunday 26 January 2020

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - Megan needs to watch herself...



                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.


Hi folks, 

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

She has dropped by Glyn Phillips' farm in time to see his son, Huw, riding the strange pony that mysteriously appeared in one of his paddocks, and seemed to be unrideable. Skipping ahead a few pages, Glyn takes her into the kitchen to see how his old dog is doing, and the younger dog jumps up at her,
almost knocking her over.

SNIPPET

“I'm so sorry, I try to stop him jumping up at people - he’s only young, as I said, and he gets over excited.”

 “It’s okay,” she said with a grin, giving the collie a hug, “I love dogs. We always had dogs when I was a child and I really miss having one now.”

“You should get one then, there are plenty in the rehoming centre looking for a good home. I wouldn’t be without a dog, myself.”

“Oh, I’d love to,” she said, giving a little sigh, but it wouldn’t really be fair, since I’m at work a lot of the day. I’m thinking about getting a cat from the rescue centre though, although I’m really more of a dog person really. Perhaps one day, if I come into money and can retire…”

Glyn chuckled softly. “Sometimes if we want something enough we can find a way to make it happen.” 

Hmm, the man was a philosopher too, as well as devilishly handsome. She’d have to watch herself. It would be easy to fall for his gentle manners and good looks, and she wasn’t ready to commit to another relationship yet. It was rather satisfying to be completely independent, and to be able to organise her life to suit herself without having to consider someone else’s arrangements. Besides, she’d fancied herself in love once before and had her feelings and her trust betrayed. She wasn’t about to allow it to happen again.




 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.








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Sunday 5 January 2020

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - and some memories of Christmas just gone!


                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.


Hi folks, 

I hope everyone who celebrates it had a lovely Christmas and that the New Year will bring you much happiness, health and contentment. I've been away from here longer than I intended, so many apologies.

After a trip to my beloved homeland to visit family and friends, just before Christmas, we spent a day at a local 'stately home', Waddesdon Manor.  Every year they decorate the grounds with lights in the trees, and illuminated models. There is a Christmas Market, with lots of beautiful craftie things, and food, and the inside of the house has several rooms all decorated for Christmas to a special theme. The theme this year was Christmas music. Forgive me for going back in time, it's been less than two weeks but I know Christmas now seems like an age away already, and I wanted to share some pictures with you.




This is the entrance to what used to be the stable yard,but it is now shops and cafes, with outdoor seating. There were two enormous illuminated baubles in the yard, which were quite spectacular - one could wander in and out of them.







 There were many decorated rooms, each with a gigantic Christmas tree, to celebrate Christmas songs, from While Shepherds watched their flocks by night' to The Nutcracker. I immediately thought of ED - and his great Christmas SF romance, ALIEN CONTACT FOR A CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER!















Anyway, back to today!

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

Megan has inherited an old cottage and started a new life, and a new job at the veterinary surgery, Her nearest neighbour is Glyn, a single dad and his young son, Huw. A mysterious pony has appeared in Glyn's horse paddocks and even his experienced horse breaker, Evan, can't seem to handle her. Meanwhile, objects have been disappearing and reappearing at the cottage, and Megan isn't sure if she's imagining things.The next snippet finds her about to deliver some medication from the vets for Glyn's dog.



SNIPPET

The late afternoon sun shone golden through the lush canopy of trees lining the drive up to the house. as Megan  drew up at the gate to Hafod farm. She opened the gate and parked in front of the house and breathed in the warm, earthy-scented air. There was something about a balmy spring afternoon like this, which made one glad to be alive. A host of birds chirped as they made their way to their roosts for the night, and somewhere an owl hooted.

There didn’t seem to be anyone around, so, clutching the package of medication for Bob, she walked down to the paddocks.She stopped in her tracks and blinked. Glyn Phillips and the stable hand, Evan Griffiths stood as if mesmerised. The chestnut pony, which was supposed to be un-rideable, trotted sedately around the schooling area, with Glyn’s son, Huw, on her back.

She shaded her eyes against the glare of the sun to make sure she wasn’t mistaken. As she approached, Glyn turned and beckoned to her to come and stand beside him and she obliged, trying to hide her amazement as the boy cantered the pony up and down, made a few circles and figures of eight, and then took her over a series of small jumps situated along one side of the school. It hardly seemed like the same pony she’d watched unseat Evan a few weeks earlier.



 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Thursday 1 November 2018

Holiday shopping made easy!




Well, Halloween is over for another year. Hope you had fun and enjoyed the trick or treating, if you participated. We had several little trick or treaters, and I love to see them in their cute costumes - I didn't realise we had a little 'Dracula' living next door! Of course, there were some sweet treats left over - oh dear, hubby and I will just have to finish them off ourselves!

So now it's time to think about Christmas and buying gifts for friends and loved ones.   why not take a trip to NN Light's Book Heaven Holiday guide.

Over a hundred authors are featured in the Holiday Gift Guide from N. N. Light’s Book Heaven, including the three books in my Destiny Trilogy:

STARQUEST
Love can sometimes be so close there is a danger it might not be recognized until it is too late.

CHILDREN OF THE MIST
The danger to her heart is as real as the danger to her planet.

BELOVED ENEMY
Falling in love with the man she'd sworn to kill wasn't part of her plan.

 Here's that link again NN Light's Book Heaven Holiday guide. You'll find loads of wonderful books there, such a great variety you're sure to find something for everyone - all in one place and easy to click on and purchase!

Check them out now!




For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Wednesday 6 December 2017

The Christmas elves party at the red barn.



Greetings everyone, Lindy Lou here!  I'm so excited. This year the elves are having a party in the red barn and we're dancing to our favourite songs.  

Hywela Lyn, who kindly gave me a lift here in her starship (well there were so many elves on the sleigh it was a bit cramped, you see) anyway,  Hywela  Lyn wanted me  to go with "A Spaceman Came Travelling'' which would have been very appropriate, but we finally decided on another one of her favourites "Driving Home For Christmas" Now for me, that means going back to the North Pole and celebrating with all the othe elves, but for her, this song always makes her think of driving to Wales to visit her family, who she misses very much the rest of the year. 

Whatever, it's a great song to dance to, with your favourite elf!
Last year's Christmas tree

What's that? Oh, Hywela Lyn says I've hogged her blog for long enough and can she have a few words now? OK, over to you, Hywela Lyn.

Christmas Traditions
You know, Lindy Lou, Christmas time is my favourite time of the year, it's so magical. I love the twinkly lights, the decorations and the carols, and how everyone seems so much happier and kinder, at this time,somehow. I don't like Christmas to start too early though.  We don't usually put up our decorations until about the middle of December and then I go all out with fairy lights and holly, and evergreen garlands indoors, and outside we decorate the house with icycle lights, coloured lights along the fence, little illuminated  'snowflake' trees and a model Santa and his reindeer also made out of fairy lights. 

Christmas tree farm
Over the years my husband and I have established a few customs. There is the annual pilgramage to Wales, of course, to deliver  and collect my family's Christmas gifts, and as soon as we get back we go to the local Christmas tree farm, where Santa is waiting at the gate to greet us,  to choose our Christmas tree. I love decorating the tree, it takes hours, and I like to buy a new decoration every year. Most years it's an angel, but this year it was a little Breyer horse all decked out in Christmas finery.
Choccy's new jumper

Then there are so many Christmas Fayres, including the Blue Cross, which is a local animal rehoming centre, where we got our little terrier Choccy from. It's a lovely day out, with stalls selling pet supplies, as well as Christmas gifts and decorations, and everyone there remembers Choccy and makes a big fuss of him. This year he dived straight into the 'Lucky Dip' box and came out with a squeeky chicken! I fell in love with a pretty red doggy Christmas jumper and had to buy it for him! 


Me at the garden Centre

We also visit the local  garden centre which always has a
lovely display of  Christmas decorations, woodland animals, gifts, and seasonal plants. 
Garden Centre Animals


Garden Centre goodies
 And - this year, for the first time, we are going to visit a local Stately Home, just before Christmas, where they're holding a 'Light Festival' which promises to be quite spectacular with Christmas lights in the grounds, and a display of illuminated animals in the house itself, so that's something I'm looking forward to. 


Are there any special events or things you and your family like doing every Christmas? Let me know in the comments.  On the 11th December I'll draw one name to win a download of the second book in the Destiny Trilogy 'Children Of  The Mist.' It can be read as a stand alone and I thought it was appropriate because it takes place on the snowy planet Niflheim, and we all think of snow at Christmas, don't we!

Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone!






BELOVED ENEMY -  Book 3 in the Destiny Trilogy (
can be read as a 'stand alone')


Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.

Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.

Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to 
destroy him?


Available on AMAZON
Don't forget to visit the other elves taking part in this Blog Hop - just follow the links below and leave a comment to be in the running for one of the great prizes on offer.


December 4
Sorchia DuBois - www.sorchiadubois.com
Mariah Lynne - 
December 5
Peggy Jaeger - https://peggyjaeger.com/
December 6
Kelly Kalmanson – http://kkweil.blogspot.com
December 7
Denyse Bridger - http://www.fantasypages.ca
Karen Blake-Hall - https://kaydenclaremont.wordpress.com/ 
Casi McLean - http://casimclean.com/a-christmas-to-remember/
December 8
Linda Carroll-Bradd - http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com






For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join