Friday, October 19, 2012

Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays now available as an ebook on Smashwords, soon to be available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

By Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America
Rating: Not yet rated. 
Published: Oct. 19, 2012 
Words: 31201 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781301581375


Short description

This collection of romantic holiday stories from the Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America runs from sweet to poignant, darkness-tinged to comedic, but in all, people find the hope of love, and joy in the holidays. Stories feature married couples and those newly-met, some whose lessons lie in the past, and even vampires… all of whom find happiness and peace when they come Home for the Holidays. 

Extended description

This collection of romantic holiday stories from the Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America runs from sweet to poignant, darkness-tinged to comedic, but in all, people find the hope of love, and joy in the holidays. Stories feature married couples and those newly-met, some whose lessons lie in the past, and even vampires… all of whom find happiness and peace when they come Home for the Holidays.

“Coventry Arcade” by Becke Martin. Ben Whitaker is determined to get his beloved Lily the best gift very little money can buy in this homage to O. Henry’s classic story “The Gift of the Magi.”

In “The Holly and the Ivey” by Sandy Pennington, Jon thought bells would be ringing a merry tune when he did a surprise Christmas visit but it turned out to be a Ho! Ho! Oh, no! instead.

Aileen is frustrated when she has difficulties communicating with her mentally challenged brother. But Dr. Lew Bard shows her it’s really just a matter of “Speaking the Language,” by Ann Gregory.

There’s magic in threes in “Triple Trouble for Christmas Eve” by Becke Martin. With her dying breath, the triplets’ mother predicted they’d all find true love by midnight on Christmas Eve. Too bad Mom didn’t specify which Christmas Eve.

In “Merry and Bright” by Ann Gregory, Alex and D’Vee discover that a cup of spicy tea and a pair of fine brown eyes can both be inspiring. The Christmas season is the perfect time to kindle friendships and create possibilities.

Aiden Flynn is no Superman, but he does have a secret identity. And he just might be able to save Christmas for one young boy and his hardworking mom in “Silver and Gold” by Becke Martin.

Vampire Katarina thought she was drawn to the mortal who refused her gift of immortality 45 years ago, but on her “Last Christmas Visit” by Stacy McKitrick, she discovers the truth.

Christmas can be murder when a trip back in time pits Taylor Gressman against a murderous street gang, but through a new friendship, she learns the greatest gift is in the giving in “Time’s Holiday” by Jennette Marie Powell.

In “No More Resolutions” by Dakota James, Stella despises holidays. Now she has to find a husband for bosszilla, deal with a stripper pole in her house and work with Simon, the guy she loves to hate. Or does she?

Sunday, October 7, 2012


Interview with author Macy Beckett

Today I'm excited to share an interview with my friend MACY BECKETT, whose first book came out just a few days ago. I'm so excited for her!!



Becke: Hi Macy! How long have you been writing?

Macy: Hey there, Becke! Thanks for hosting me on the blog today. J I have an English degree, so I’ve been writing for decades, but I didn’t start crafting fiction until NaNoWriMo 2009.

Becke: You’ve recently made your first sale...and your second. Or is it third? Would you share your “call” story with us? (Even if it was an email rather than a phone call.) Give your books a plug, too!

Macy: Sure thing! The Sultry Springs series (3 books) was my first sale. The Alienated Series (2 books) was my second. Readers can find out about all of my books—for adults and teens—on my website. Today I’ll “plug” my debut romance, Sultry with a Twist. Basically, it’s about an Austin bar owner who’s forced to return to her tiny hometown for a month of community service…under the supervision of her first love and ex-best friend. It’s a hot and humorous story of reunited lovers. ::dreamy sigh::



“The call” for the Sultry series came when I was folding laundry one night. I jumped around and squealed, and my daughter came running into my bedroom to check on me. The second call (a sale to Disney Hyperion) came when I was in the New Orleans airport. I jumped around and squealed then, too. I’m pretty sure everyone in the terminal heard me.

Becke: Tell us about your interests and activities in your “real” life.

Macy: Juggling two series leaves very little time for a life. I spend most of my days and nights writing, blogging, promoting, etc. Oh, and parenting my three kids. Let’s not forget them. Sad but true.

Becke: Who are some of your favorite authors, and what are some of your favorite books?

Macy: I love light, funny contemporary romances, so my standby authors are Lori Foster, Carly Phillips, and Rachel Gibson. My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre, which is unusual for me because I typically don’t like dark, angsty plots.

Becke: Do you have a blog or a website?

Macy: Lordy, yes. I’m a blogging fool. But instead of listing all the places where I blog, I’ll just send you to my website. J 

Becke: Like me, you are also a member of the Ohio Valley chapter of RWA (woot!). Are you originally from Ohio?

Macy: My dad was in the Air Force, so I like to say I’m from everywhere. I didn’t settle in Ohio until 2005. This is the longest I’ve ever lived in one place!

Becke: Who are your hotties (in real life, fiction or TV/movies)?

Macy: Right now I’m crushing on JoeManganiello. I can’t pronounce his name, though, so I call him Joe McSexyPants. It fits.

Becke: What have been some of the highlights of your writing career?

Macy: Nothing beats getting the call, because it’s all excitement, hope, and pure potential. Holding my ARC was amazing, too. It was so cool to kick back in my chair and read my own book in BOOK FORM.

Becke: Thanks very much for visiting with us today!

Macy: My pleasure! Thanks for having me. J


Macy Beckett writes hot and humorous romances set in Sultry Springs, Texas: where first loves find second chances. Her debut novel, SULTRY WITH A TWIST, http://www.amazon.com/Sultry-Twist-Springs-Macy-Beckett/dp/1402270364 is now available in stores, and two more Sultry Springs romances will follow in 2013. Macy loves to hear from readers, so feel free to say hello on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMacyBeckett or via her website. http://macybeckett.com/