Christmas Archives - Author Maureen L. Bonatch https://www.maureenbonatch.com/category/christmas/ Stories with Hocus Pocus & All That Thu, 30 Nov 2017 20:52:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 The Posts of Christmas Past and a Dancing Elf https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2017/12/the-posts-of-christmas-past-and-a-dancing-elf/ https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2017/12/the-posts-of-christmas-past-and-a-dancing-elf/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2017 09:44:32 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=3351 Welcome to the Highway Cafe’s 2017 Christmas Blog Tour! The blog hop promises fun, festivities & prizes from Dec 4th through the 8th. The holiday blog tour will get you in the mood for the season by featuring holiday themes, recipes crafts and you can enter to win a prize at every stop. You met them last […]

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Welcome to the Highway Cafe’s 2017 Christmas Blog Tour! The blog hop promises fun, festivities & prizes from Dec 4th through the 8th. The holiday blog tour will get you in the mood for the season by featuring holiday themes, recipes crafts and you can enter to win a prize at every stop.

You met them last year, and they’re back to put some jolly in your holly. Some jingle while you mingle. They know how to help make this your best holiday yet. They’re the experts in the field of all things holiday and have prepared for this month all year.

Who are they? The Christmas Elves.

Yep, for these five days the blog is being hosted by SugarPlum Silverfluff. You may have met her last year as she talked about the sinister dolls she creates while indulging in holiday libations. (Check it out here and get some Christmas cocktail recipes). Let’s find out what SugarPlum is up to.

Dancing Elf Queen

The holiday festivities are in full swing as Christmas approaches and Sugarplum isn’t going to miss an opportunity to put on her dancing shoes. A year of making toys has her ready to stretch her toes and hide out with a few of the other elves in the big red barn.

She’s listening to a few of her favorite christmas holiday tunes. She’s singing along to her favorite song, All I Want for Christmas Is You, although she’s singing it to a martini glass. Most likely if it’s not full of one of the cocktail recipes she gave us last year, then it might have one of these christmas concoctions (pineapple upside-down cake martini or christmas punch).

Christmas Sugarplum Don’t Care Package

When I asked Sugarplum to give us a few recipes, or gift and decorating ideas for Christmas, she slurred a response that sounded a lot like, “Been there done that” and then resumed dancing. I gave up trying to reason with her once she started swinging on a big candy cane.

Luckily for us, I was able to surmise that she was referring to all the christmas posts from the past. Those links can give us the whole christmas package to get us in the mood for the holidays and provide us with extra time to watch a few of our favorite holiday movies.

Posts of Christmas Past

I posted links above for libations to enjoy or serve to enhance the holiday festivities and a listed a post with a few christmas tunes. Let’s get the rest of the holiday package.

Desserts

Appetizers

Gift Ideas

Decorating

 

Need a Break from the Christmas Festivities?

Follow Sugarplum’s lead and grab a book, like Grandma Must Die, and find a nice hiding place to relax and recharge before you jump back in the christmas fun.                                                                 

Carman has worn out more towns and last names than impractical shoes protecting the secret of her magic blood. But when a Grandma Must Diefriend goes missing, and another is infected with a deadly spell, Carman must choose. Expose her magic blood by curing the spell—or stop the infection from spreading by killing the source…the grandmother.

Magic bounty hunter Dylan has scoured libraries of banned magic paraphernalia seeking a method to distinguish genuine witches from impersonators. He suspects unorthodox librarian Carman might hold this information tighter than the hair he’s dying to unleash from her bun. With a past as hidden as his sleeve of tattoos, Dylan discovers he’s been used to gain Carman’s trust and their passion risks more than mixing mortals and magic.

 

 

Scruff Christmas sweater
Scruff does not approve of christmas sweaters.

Want Your Own Elf Name?

christmas

You might feel like an Elf yourself now that you’ve gotten all the goods for the christmas season and now I want to play santa.santa

I’ll randomly choose someone who comments about the best gift you’ve ever gotten  (come on elves, I need gift ideas!) and announce the winner of a five dollar Amazon gift card on Dec 11th.

 

 

 

 

Follow the Highway Cafe 2017 Christmas Blog Tour  and meet some more elves, hear about their favorite holiday song as you gather gift ideas and recipes. Don’t forget to enter to win a prize for you!

christmas blog tourDecember 4

Holland Rae – https://hollandrae.com/

Susanne Matthews – https://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/

Sorchia DuBois – www.sorchiadubois.com

Mariah Lynne –

December 5

Tena Stetler – http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/

Maureen Bonatch – https://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/

Peggy Jaeger – https://peggyjaeger.com/

Barbara Burke – https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/

December 6

Kelly Kalmanson – http://kkweil.blogspot.com

M.S. Spencer – http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com

Hywela Lyn – www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com

Reggi Allder – https://reggiallder.blogspot.com/

December 7

Denyse Bridger – http://www.fantasypages.ca

Clair de Lune – https://clairdelunebooks.co.uk/

Karen Blake-Hall – https://kaydenclaremont.wordpress.com/

Casi McLean – http://casimclean.com/a-christmas-to-remember/

December 8

Darlene Fredette – http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

Daryl Devore – http://daryldevore.blogspot.ca

Gini Rifkin – http://ginirifkin.blogspot.com

Linda Carroll-Bradd – http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com

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Highway Cafe Christmas Blog Tour https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2016/12/winter-christmas-blog-tour/ https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2016/12/winter-christmas-blog-tour/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:55:41 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=2341 Welcome to the Highway Cafe Christmas Blog Tour! The blogs promise fun, festivities & prizes from Dec 5, 6, and 7th. Featuring holiday recipes and crafts. They know how to make this your best holiday yet. Because they’re experts in the field and have prepared for this month all year. Who are they? The Christmas Elves. Yep, […]

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Welcome to the Highway Cafe Christmas Blog Tour! The blogs promise fun, festivities & prizes from Dec 5, 6, and 7th. Featuring holiday recipes and crafts.

They know how to make this your best holiday yet. Because they’re experts in the field and have prepared for this month all year.

Who are they? The Christmas Elves.

Yep, for these three days the blog is being hosted by SugarPlum Silverfluff. Take it away SugarPlum.

Get your own Christmas elf name from the Christmas elf name generator!

 

SugarPlum here and we’re at the final countdown at the North Pole.

What Is SugarPlum’s Job at the North Pole?

I usually like making beautiful dolls, but after slaving away all year I’ve become a bit passive aggressive and have tired of those sappy smiles, so now I prefer making my dolls with a sinister edge.

How about a Christmas Carol, SugarPlum?

Eleven months of Christmas songs has me sneaking in a little heavy metal music like Red & Saint Asonia to pass the time. Cause listen up dolls, as Adam would say from Saint Asonia, your fairy tale is at it’s end!

Nah, actually they’ll enjoy their new homes much more with some lucky little girls—just hope the girls like my dolls.

Who’s Up for Cookies & Cocktails—or Maybe Just Cocktails?

I’m sharing some of my favorite holiday drinks from the christmas partyparty going down right now with the elves while I’m snacking on hummus and pita chips (gotta fit into my tights).

But before you start indulging in some holiday beverages (okay, go ahead, I’ll wait) I want to let the cat out of the bag (tell that dancing mouse to hide!) 

Secret Santa Elf Revealed!

img_1976
My Secret Santa “cyber” Gift!

I want to share who I’m a secret santa for- Granny VanElfington! As the nanny to the elves, I’ve driven her a bit crazy this year since my dolls have been creeping out the kids. So I made a special beautiful doll just for her this holiday. Okay, we both know I bought that doll, since mine usually look more like this… doll

Grab a cocktail, Granny- you deserve it!

christmas cocktails
Yum! Just like a caramel apple!

 

apple-cidersalted-caramel-vodka
Man, I hope this picture from the office party doesn’t turn up on the bulletin board.

 

cranberry-juicebubbly-garnish-with-limeoptional_-dip-glass-in-sugar
Kicking my heels up with some bubbly! No need to wait for the New Year!

 

Moon, Mist & Magic

 

Get ready to be enchanted by mythical beasts, magical creatures, and moonlit nights. Enjoy your favorite author, and perhaps discover someone new, in these five fantastic tales of paranormal romance woven with moon, mist, and magic…

My Story is: Witch You Were Here

Lucy is a witch with a successful business righting magical mischief. A call for help from her high-school heartache, Shane, prompts Lucy to manage his magical mayhem herself. No longer a nervous, hormonal, teenager, Lucy takes the case to force an apology and bury her past humiliation. To her surprise, Shane insists he couldn’t forget Lucy—because she hexed him ten years ago. Will Shane and Lucy put their past behind them, or will the spell prove permanent?

Available now at Amazon and other online retailers. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

Make Your Own Elf Name. Pick it off the top of your head, generate it, dream it up, or use the nifty name generator I made up below—but share it in the comments.

One lucky, random commenter will be announced by Thursday, December 8th to win their choice of one of my ebooks.

your-elf-name

 

 Follow the Highway Cafe Christmas Blog Tour- You Don’t Want to Miss a Stop!

   Darlene Fredette      Tena Stetler      Barbara Burke      Stacy Holmes      M.S. Spencer   NancyFraser        Sorchia Dubois        Carol Henry            Hywela Lyn     Casi McLean ‎     Kayden Claremont.    Mariah Lynne     K.K. Weil   Clair de Lune      

Linda Carroll-Bradd (Dec 6th only)

Christmas Cafe Blog Tour

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Holiday Sale at The Wild Rose Press https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2015/11/holiday-sale-at-the-wild-rose-press/ Thu, 26 Nov 2015 06:25:50 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1593   The Wild Rose Press is putting the catalog on sale from Thanksgiving day through cyber Monday! Who to say that while you’re picking up gifts for everyone on your list that you can’t shop for your yourself for the holidays?  Sneak away while the pie is baking, or when you need a few minutes […]

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authorsalebanner

 

The Wild Rose Press is putting the catalog on sale from Thanksgiving day through cyber Monday! Who to say that while you’re picking up gifts for everyone on your list that you can’t shop for your yourself for the holidays? santa-hat

Sneak away while the pie is baking, or when you need a few minutes to yourself to escape from your family into a good book.

Who knows what you like better than you!

Happy Holidays!

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Merry Christmas https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/merry-christmas/ Thu, 25 Dec 2014 10:30:55 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1131 Merry Christmas to all! I hope you’ve enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas. Perhaps you picked up a recipe, a tip here or there or just a smile to brighten your day. Thank you for sharing the holiday season with me and the other authors particpating in the 12 Days of Christmas! Maybe you’ll win […]

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12 Days of Chrismtas Blog Hop Buttons

Merry Christmas to all! I hope you’ve enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas. Perhaps you picked up a recipe, a tip here or there or just a smile to brighten your day.

Thank you for sharing the holiday season with me and the other authors particpating in the 12 Days of Christmas! Maybe you’ll win a prize and have a gift for yourself today.

Happy Holidays!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

The time has come to announce this year’s 12 Days of Christmas winners.

Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter where the 16 winners are listed. If you are a winner, please click HERE to send your home address so your prize can be mailed this next week.

ON BEHALF OF ALL PARTICIPATING AUTHORS IN THIS YEAR’S BLOG HOP

Final Picture2

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When Clouds Gather, I’m always looking for some fingerfood https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/when-clouds-gather-im-always-looking-for-some-fingerfood/ Sat, 20 Dec 2014 10:30:15 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1121 And a good book to curl up with when it’s raining or snowing outside. Who am I kidding? Finger food? You had me at…no dishes. As I’ve already confessed in another blog, I’m a grazer. I’m always looking for finger food! (And a good book…) But, I digress, as I’m sure you’ve come here looking […]

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And a good book to curl up with when it’s raining or snowing outside.

Who am I kidding? Finger food?

You had me at…no dishes.

As I’ve already confessed in another blog, I’m a grazer. I’m always looking for finger food! (And a good book…) But, I digress, as I’m sure you’ve come here looking for something, anything, to throw together for a last minute party, or when an unexpected guest shows up and you suddenly have to become the hostess with the most-ess.

Don’t worry, I’ll hook you up with something, fast, easy and delicious.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

-1 8 oz cream cheese room temperature                    – 2 T brown sugar

-1 stick butter at room temperature                           -3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

-1/2 t vanilla                                                                    -chopped walnuts or pecans

-3/4 c confectioners sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter together in bowl.  Add vanilla, confectioners sugar and brown sugar. Stir in chocolate chips.

Serving method #1:

Mixture will be soft. Leave in bowl and refrigerate until mixture can be shaped into one or two balls. After mixture is firmer, roll the ball(s) in walnuts or pecans.

Serving method #2:

Mixture is so soft that it can be served in a dip. Simply place mixture in a bowl.

Serve with chocolate graham crackers.

What? You need a good book suggestion? Well check out my guest today, Ryan Jo Summers and her book When Clouds Gather.

When Clouds Gather by Ryan Jo Summers

Ryan Jo Summers When Clouds Gather  Book Cover

Darby Adams has a successful Bed & Breakfast Inn, a wonderful son and a happy life in the coastal town of Driftwood Shores. Then a guest is found dead in one of her rooms. Suddenly she is the number one suspect and her world is spiraling out of control.

The surviving family wants answers so they hire new-in-town private investigator Sam Golden to undeniably prove her guilt and have her put away. Sam begins his new case in a dual role, in the guise of being Darby’s much needed friend while looking for the evidence to send her to prison.

Until strange things begin happening at the B & B–scary things. Finally Sam has to question his thoughts on her guilt or innocence. Meanwhile, Darby leans on Sam to weather each new challenge and threat. Feelings begin to develop between Darby and Sam. Until Sam is forced to tell Darby the truth about him, effectively destroying what trust they had.

Until a new threat forces Darby to trust Sam once more. She will bet her freedom and life on his skills, but can she trust her heart?

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Ryan donated a pair of hand-painted ceramic penguin holiday mugs, paired with a $5 Amazon card from Sophia Kimble to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Ryan Jo Summers is a North Carolina writer who pens contemporary romance blended with an unexpected twist. “Whispers in Her Heart’ combines mystery and horses with the mystical paranormal.

Her latest book out, “Shimmers of Stardust” combines Christian elements in a time travel love story. Next up will be “When Clouds Gather”, a romantic mystery.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Finding time to decorate when you have no time https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/finding-time-to-decorate-when-you-have-no-time/ Fri, 19 Dec 2014 10:30:38 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1119   Do you know what I know? Most likely you’re going to have some company over the holiday season and everyone wants to have thier house decorated from top to bottom for the holidays, looking as if it’s straight out of a Norman Rockwell photograph. Unfortunately, most everyone doesn’t have time to do that and […]

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IMG_2593

Do you know what I know?

Most likely you’re going to have some company over the holiday season and everyone wants to have thier house decorated from top to bottom for the holidays, looking as if it’s straight out of a Norman Rockwell photograph.

Unfortunately, most everyone doesn’t have time to do that and maintain thier sanity during the holiday season. You don’t have to do it all, but you can still look like you do.

Do you see what I see? 

This is not my Christmas Tree. (Psst…the dim lighting was intentional! Keep reading to find out why) Fooled ya, huh? We have another Christmas Tree that I’ll show you on another day, this just happens to be a artifical decorative tree that’s up in our house all year long. Throw on some extra bulbs and a string of lights and we’ve can sprinkle a bit of Christmas in this corner. You can do the same for a plain wreath with a string of lights. I put extra bulbs around the house where the Christmas spirit is lacking.

No one will notice the dust bunnies hiding in the corners, or that you really wanted to mop the floor again if you dim the lights. Let your colorful bulbs do their magic by enhancing the holiday spirit. Light some candles, put on the fireplace if you have one. Put a stack of books on your coffee table to draw your guest’s gaze to, and it’s a nice convesation starter. You can start with my guest’s book Rogue’s Son. (Then maybe add Destiny Calling to that pile.)

Do you hear what I hear?

Play holiday music to get your guests into the holiday mood. Say tuned to the holiday blog hop on the 21st and you might get some ideas of songs to choose to play.

Do you smell what I smell? 

Your home is only as clean as it smells…so….scented pinecones! You get a two-for-one deal by getting a nice decoration for the season and a wonderful scent to fill your home. There are a ton of aromatic air fresheners you can choose from, or fragrant candles. It’s the first thing people notice when they walk into your home.

After you read a bit about my wonderful guest author Darcy Flynn and her book, Rogue’s Son, feel free to share some decorating tips of your own.

Rogue’s Son by Darcy Flynn

Darcy Flynn Rogue's Son Book Cover

Tough, driven Kit Kendall has replaced her frills and dresses with no nonsense haircuts and wranglers, years ago. As owner of Sage Brush, the once thriving west Texas bed and breakfast ranch, she now struggles daily to keep her business afloat. Since McCabe Resort Lodge reopened next door as a multi-million dollar hotel, her financial difficulties compound, as she suffers one cancellation after another.

Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Kit’s childhood sweetheart turned nemesis returns as the new owner of the resort that’s now putting her out of business, resurrecting memories she thought she’d buried long ago.

Cowboy, entrepreneur Sam Dawson has returned to Sugar Creek, Texas after six years of exile with a secret that could destroy Kit’s happiness. He left town because of it and for the past two years has secretly tried to make it right. Having failed, he now returns to make one last attempt to undo the tangled web created by his father.

Set in motion by his father’s Last Will and Testament and with the clock ticking, Sam has only weeks to convince Kit to sell him her ranch or reveal the truth that will break her heart.

Pick up a copy today at Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Darcy donated a package full of author swag, paired with a $10 Amazon card from Jennifer Faye to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Joy Dent writes sweet contemporary romances as Darcy Flynn. Her life is a gumbo world. Take a little New Orleans heritage, some art, music, dance and add a lot of love and time to simmer and all you have is spice, flavor, and a memory of something so fine you can’t wait for another helping. Her fiction is a few B&Bs, a bit of moon magic and a lot of problems mixed with a healthy portion of sweet romance. Add a dash of sizzle and a lot of sass and all that’s left is magic.

A native of New Orleans, Darcy swapped her city roots for garden boots when she and her husband moved to their farm in Franklin, Tennessee, where Darcy is surrounded by her beautiful gardens and a menagerie of living creatures–English setters and Millie Fleur chickens, being her favorite.

Although, published in the Christian non-fiction market under her real name, Joy Dent, it was the empty nest that turned her to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, is set in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay. Her short story, Sealed With a Kiss: Prequel to Keeper of My Heart is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google+

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To be Perfectly Honest, I love appetizers https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/to-be-perfectly-honest-i-love-appetizers/ https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/to-be-perfectly-honest-i-love-appetizers/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:30:52 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1117 I have to admit, I’m a grazer. Eating small portions, but wanting to snack all the time. So appetizers are just awesome-sauce in my mind! Those little tidbits that let you try a bunch of different things without having to make the decision of what you really want to eat, cause you get to eat […]

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I have to admit, I’m a grazer.

Eating small portions, but wanting to snack all the time. So appetizers are just awesome-sauce in my mind! Those little tidbits that let you try a bunch of different things without having to make the decision of what you really want to eat, cause you get to eat a bit of everything.

This is an appetizer that usually shows up at most of our family holiday gatherings and doesn’t stick around long. The kids even enjoy it- not caring one bit that they are actually getting some veggies in!

Vegetable Appetizer

2 pks crescent rolls                                                 1 pk cheddar cheese

1 8oz cream cheese                                                 Veggies: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots etc.

1 cup mayonnaise                                                   1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch party dip

Spread rolls and bake as directed, until light brown (350 degrees for 10-12 minutes). Let Cool. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and ranch dip and then spread over. Layer with veggies and cheese, pressing down lightly onto the cheese. Refrigerate. Cut into squares and serve and enjoy!

Now, enjoy this excerpt from my guest author, Linda O’Connor and her novel, Perfectly Honest.

Perfectly Honest by Linda O’Connor

Linda O'Connor  Perfectly Honest   Book Cover

You never know where your words will take you.

When Mikaela Finn agreed to be Sam’s ‘fiancée’ for a weekend, she probably should have told him that she’s a doctor.

Sam O’Brien, aka ‘Dr. Eye Candy’, is trying to shed his playboy reputation and convince a small town hospital that he’s ready to settle down. But when his ‘fiancée’ helps deliver a baby in the middle of the meet and greet, it’s a bit of a shock. If he’d known the whole truth, he might have done things a little differently because somehow his ‘fiancée’ ends up stealing his job and his heart. Not exactly the change he wanted.

Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven!

Perfectly Honest will be available at Amazon on January 14, 2015.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Linda donated a $5 Amazon card and ebook copy of Perfectly Honest to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

I’ve been writing for three years, and I’m thrilled that Soul Mate Publishing will be publishing my latest novel, Perfectly Honest.I love reading romantic comedies so naturally that’s what I write. I never aspired to be a writer, but now I’m addicted. I love it. I balance writing with my work as a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic and being a mom to three sons (luckily grown and capable of throwing together a decent meal, in a pinch). Plus I like to keep active and cycle, cross-country ski, skate, walk with my husband, or dance every day.The idea to write came after working with young adults. There were some basics I thought they should know – mental health symptoms, birth control myths, how to take ownership of their health. I thought hey, if David Chilton of The Wealthy Barber fame can dole out financial advice in a barbershop, maybe I could dole out medical advice in a Romance novel. That’s how my first novel, She’s Not a Fan, was born.

For many years, I taught clinical skills to medical students and spent a lot of time writing detailed roles for actor-patients. It was great practice for developing characters in my stories. Joining the Romance Writers of America, taking online workshops, (and reading) all helped improve my writing. Medical school was challenging, but it was nothing compared to figuring out where commas go, POV, or sorting out verb tense (simple past, past perfect, past perfect progressive – did they know there were 25 other letters they could have used to name those things?)

Obviously I’m still learning, but I love the process.

I don’t write about people I know, but I definitely take inspiration from snippets of conversations or from the emotion I feel when I talk to people. My designated writing space is any place with a view of Lake Ontario, preferably outside (for three of the four seasons).

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Money can’t buy love, so buy stuff instead https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/money-cant-buy-love-so-buy-stuff-instead/ https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/money-cant-buy-love-so-buy-stuff-instead/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:30:04 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1115 We all need them. Stocking stuffers, gifts for teachers, hairdressers, coworkers, the hostess of the party or that guest that might pop in at the last minute. The gifts for people that you might not be sure what to get them, but what you want is something that most anyone would like. I’ll give you […]

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We all need them.

Stocking stuffers, gifts for teachers, hairdressers, coworkers, the hostess of the party or that guest that might pop in at the last minute. The gifts for people that you might not be sure what to get them, but what you want is something that most anyone would like. I’ll give you a few suggestions of my favorite go-to gifts, and I’d love to hear some suggestions from yours. (Because I’m not done shopping!)

  • Books (Really? You didn’t know this would be my number 1?)
  • Journals (I’m a writer, remember? Any office product has my name written all over it and I only assume others would love them as well.)
  • Speaking of office products: cute tablets, awesome pens, colorful sticky notes (who has enough sticky notes? I could wallpaper a room with mine)
  • Picture frames (For people, unlike me, who get those photos out of cyberspace)
  • Big candy bars (no explanation needed and if you don’t like chocolate, I’m open to having them re-gifted back to me)
  • Lottery tickets (Cause your gift could be bumped up into super-awesome…but just remember the generous person who bought it for you..key word there- generous.)
  • Bath and body lotions – because everyone wants to be sweet smelling (My guest author Sloane knows everybody loves this! It’s part of her prize package!)  

Speaking of my guest… check out Sloane B. Collins book! Could be a great gift for a friend, sister, coworker…or you!

Love Redesigned by Sloane B. Collins

Sloane B Collins LoveRedesigned400 Book Cover

Give American cake artist Genevieve Haywood a picture of anything, and she’ll turn it into a sweet and decadent creation. She’s not going to let hard work or competition stop her from opening her dream business. But when she’s hired as the cake artist for her cousin’s wedding in France, she never expected to run into the French fashion designer who broke her heart fifteen years ago.

Roman Duchaine is done with living life in the fast lane. Tired of being in the haute couture spotlight, he’s moved back to the small French village where he was born and raised.

Roman’s ready to settle down and have a family until the lost love of his life arrives for his cousin’s wedding. Seeing her reminds him just how devastating falling in love can be.

Their fragile truce is meant to last through the wedding, yet every second together makes their attraction and long-buried feelings undeniable. But old habits and hurts die hard, and while Roman is ready to weave their lives together, Genevieve can’t afford to lose herself in his shadow.

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Sloane donated a Paris-scented shower gel/lotion/mist set to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Debut author, Sloane Burke Collins, is thrilled to be a Soul Mate author. Her novella Love Redesigned won 1st place in the Contemporary category of the 2013 Indiana Golden Opportunity contest. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Dallas Area Romance Authors, and Contemporary Romance Writers.

Since Sloane and her husband love to travel, she has vowed to write a novel set in just about every place they visit. From the wilds of Maine, to the rocky coast of Oregon, to the lush paradise of Oahu, and the rolling hills of Ireland, all of it is fodder for Sloane to craft stories of love, intrigue, and perhaps a Paranormal or two.

Sloane is a fifth-generation Texan, and after a stint in Missouri and Florida, she is back home now and lives in the Dallas area with her husband of over twenty-six years, and their four rambunctious cats (all named after characters in her favorite Julia Quinn novel).

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Don’t Play with my Heart, with cake in a glass https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/youre-playing-with-my-heart-with-cake-in-a-glass/ Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:30:18 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1113 When it comes to cocktails, I’m more of a straight shooter kinda gal.  I stick with wine or drinks with few ingredients to avoid those sugar induced migraines, but there are a few exceptions…and a couple that really could Play with my Heart…and one exception would be the… Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini.  Now I […]

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When it comes to cocktails, I’m more of a straight shooter kinda gal.  I stick with wine or drinks with few ingredients to avoid those sugar induced migraines, but there are a few exceptions…and a couple that really could Play with my Heart…and one exception would be the…

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini.  Now I know right now you’re grabbing your tablet and getting ready to jot down the exact ingredients, well I’ll give you the ingredients but cross out the exact part. That’s because I was introduced to this drink by my sister in law, who happens to have done a lot of bartending so she can do that ‘eye ball’cartoon-eyes-popping-guy kind of thing that I hate in most recipes…you know, a splash, a pinch of this, a smidge of that…but not here because, come on, it’s a drink that tastes like cake!

Here’s the ingredients:

Disaronno, pineapple juice and maraschino cherries. Put in the pinapple juice and Disaronno and pour in some of the juice from the jar of cherries and a few cherries…viola! You’re drinking pineapple upside down cake just like my grandma used to make (and it’s pretty to look at too.)

Now for some other pretty things to look at, check out Meda’s beautiful cover and she’s got some things to make you sweet smelling that you could sign up to win!

Play with my Heart by Meda White

Meda White PlayWithMyHeart850 Book Cover

Southern musician and closet geek Liz Baker enjoys her quiet life. While in Los Angeles helping her brother with a house project, the simple life gets complicated when British television actor Ian Clarke walks into the picture.

Ian enjoys his celebrity status in Hollywood and is determined nothing and no one will get in the way of his plans for success on the big screen. He never counted on meeting a woman like Liz, but she’s the only one who can help him with a personal problem.

Forced into close quarters where priorities and cultures clash, an intense attraction catches them both by surprise. Secrets, old lovers and the paparazzi threaten their new dreams and a chance for love could be lost forever.

Play With My Heart is a finalist in the 2014 BTS Reader’s Choice Red Carpet Awards.

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Meda donated Bodycology Moroccan shower gel & lotion, plus author swag to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Meda White was born with Georgia clay running through her veins, and she continues to enjoy the Southern lifestyle with her husband and Collie.

She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and affiliate chapters: Southern Magic, Georgia Romance Writers, and Contemporary Romance Writers.

When not writing, you might find her singing harmony, attempting to play guitar, shooting zombie targets, quoting movie lines, traveling, teaching yoga, or explaining the meaning of her unusual first name.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The post Don’t Play with my Heart, with cake in a glass appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

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Can you pick just one favorite Christmas Movie? https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/can-you-pick-just-one-favorite-christmas-movie/ https://www.maureenbonatch.com/2014/12/can-you-pick-just-one-favorite-christmas-movie/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:30:52 +0000 https://www.maureenbonatch.com/?p=1110 I can’t. That’s like eating one potato chip. This is just a sampling of my favorite must watch Christmas movies each year. I admit. There are more. But this sampling gives you a good enough idea without having me look as if I spend the entire month parked in front of the television, sitting by […]

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I can’t. That’s like eating one potato chip.

This is just a sampling of my favorite must watch Christmas movies each year. I admit. There are more. But this sampling gives you a good enough idea without having me look as if I spend the entire month parked in front of the television, sitting by the fireplace on with a glass of wine…sigh…but, I digress.  If I have to pick a favorite…

Once the table is cleared, the turkey and leftover stuffing is tucked away and the last guest has left it’s time for…Christmas Vacation!

No, not an actual vacation but a family tradition of sitting down to watch the first Christmas movie of the season. Granted, we haven’t always gotten to it on this night anymore, as the effects of the Thanksgiving celebrating and stuffing of our faces gets to be too much and the thought of staying awake for anything becomes an impossible feat. But it IS the first one we watch every year.

Now… for a good friend, and a great author whose novella is what all ladies want for christmas…

A Mighty Good Man by Rebecca E. Neely

Rebecca Neely  A Might Good Man  Book Cover

3 days. 2 people. 1 story.

‘Hank’ Jerry, a down and out writer, and Jack Darcy, a former gang leader, team up to write his story for mutual gain and end up falling for each other.

It’s not long before their romance is as hot as the copy she’s writing, but they’ve both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces, and with time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they’ve forged survive the ultimate test?

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Rebecca donated a $10 Amazon GC to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Rebecca E. Neely was born and raised in a small town in western Pennsylvania. Her father, an English teacher and a writer, instilled in her a love of words, and literature, especially short stories, at a young age. Her mother, a voracious reader, gave her Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild as a Christmas gift when she was nine, and Rebecca’s been hooked on reading stories of all stripes ever since.

Rebecca’s family also owned and managed a restaurant until she was about sixteen, and she grew up in the business, working, cooking, and eating. Rebecca enjoys finding, and reading new authors via her Kindle. Live music inspires her, as do the characters she’s blessed to have in her life, including her daughter, her boyfriend, and her mother. She loves drawing, crafting, walking, and camping. She also enjoys traveling, going to music festivals, and exploring cities she’s never been to before with her daughter.

In a former life, she earned a B.S. in Accounting, and worked in that field for about a decade. Since 2001, Rebecca has freelanced, writing a wide variety of copy for local magazines, and businesses all over the country. She is a member of Savvy Authors, and a PRO member of Romance Writers of America.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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