There are no words to express the depth of pain in my heart for the parents of Newtown, CT who have lost their children to senseless violence. As a parent, I would do anything to keep my child safe, but those parents didn't have a chance. And, while I grieve for the parents, I also grieve for families who have lost a parent, aunt, uncle, or grandparent as well.

There are just no words. . .

Labels: Children, Deaths, Grief, Loss, Parents

So, I'm back from Germany, and today I'm on Jodi Redford's blog talking the best (slightly early) Christmas present ever. Drop over and leave a comment for your chance to win a $15 GC to Amazon.

Labels: blog hopping, Christmas, Give Away, Love for Christmas

As promised, here's another excerpt from my Christmas short story.

   Once on the ground, he found her directing one of the stable lads in cutting greenery from another tree. She still held Miranda in her arms and the little girl looked at him out of wide, dark eyes. She hadn't quite known what to think of him on the way out, but now she reached for him, surprising both he and Julianna.
   He hadn't realized he had snow on his shoulders until Julianna relinquished Miranda to him and the little girl immediately started blowing at him. Julianna laughed, sending jolts of awareness through him. By rights he should be cold, but standing beside Julianna, cold was the last thing he was feeling.
   "Do you want me to take her back?"
   "Not unless you really feel the need to," he responded. "For now she's comfortable."
   A clump of snow hit the bottom of Julianna's dress and they both turned in time to notice Joseph pick up a bit of packed snow and hurl it in their direction.
   "Not quite snowballs, but close enough," she said cheerfully. Picking up a handful of snow, she threw it into the air and watched it shower down over the little boy.
   There was something comfortable about watching her play with Joseph while he held Miranda that gave him a feeling of contentment such as he'd never felt before. This was right. He was meant to be part of her life. The catch was getting her to realize it too. Unfortunately, Vincent's ghost stood between them with a flaming sword. What would she do if she knew what he did about her deceased husband? Surely she wouldn't hold that knowledge against him. Would she?
   "Down!" Miranda suddenly moved and he caught her before she jumped from his arms. Setting her down, he made certain she was steady before letting her go to join the snow fight between her mother and brother.
   He glanced up at the sky, noting the gathering of clouds beginning to cover the sun. It would cool down rapidly soon, and possibly snow again before the day was through. Leaning back against the tree, he had turned his attention back to Julianna and her children when a hand clapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he found the viscount standing beside him.
   "Is it too early to ask if you have an honorable interest in my daughter?"
   He wasn't surprised. Hadn't Celeste told him that the viscount, while being overprotective, also wanted Julianna to marry again? Perhaps if Phillip leveled with him, he might find an ally.
   "I don't suppose it is since I do, but there are some things she doesn't know that might hamper the possibility."
   "Gampa! Gampa!" Joseph had noticed them and came running in their direction.   The snow, however, while not deep to the adults, was too deep for his short little legs and he tumbled headfirst into the soft powder.
   Phillip snatched him up before Julianna or her father could move, dusting him off and checking for injury. "Careful there," he said. "Looks like no harm done."
   Joseph looked at him as Phillip ruffled his hair to dislodge the dusting of snow on it. The resemblance to Vincent was uncanny and Phillip blinked quickly to dislodge the image. Perhaps the best thing he could do for Julianna would be to help her to raise her son and ensure he didn't turn out like his father.

Labels: Excerpts, Love for Christmas, Short Story, Victorian

It's release day! Now that the Christmas season is in full swing, it's time for those warm, cozy Christmas reads. Love for Christmas, at 18,000 words, is the perfect length for a quick read. And, just to stir your interest here's the blurb and a quick excerpt.


Blurb:

’Tis the season—for love.

Falling in love at first sight—with another man’s wife—was hell for Phillip Houghton. Never mind that he knew Julianna’s husband to be a thoroughly unsavory man, the ring on her finger meant she was off limits.

Even after the man’s untimely death, Phillip put even more distance between them, leaving the country to give her time to heal. Three years later he is back, and determined that nothing will let her slip through his fingers. Not even his status as a second son.

To all outward appearances, Julianna is content with her life as a widow with two small children. On the inside, the scars of her husband’s abuse feed her general distrust of men. Phillip makes her painfully aware of how lonely her life truly is, but why marry again when she has all the family, and security, she needs?

Yet as Phillip wins over her parents and children, she finds herself drawn to him. Dare she trust her mind—and her heart—for a second chance with forever written all over him?

Warning: Never underestimate a man who is willing to deal with a two-year-old in tantrum mode.



Excerpt:
    Uncle Arthur was not alone and Julianna felt a moment’s apprehension when he entered and introduced his companion. Once that wore off and she mentally acquitted her aunt and uncle of matchmaking, she had to discipline herself not to stare.
    Phillip Houghton’s tall, broad-shouldered frame dwarfed the small parlor. His wine-red hair was combed carefully back from a wide, smooth forehead above dark eyes that—had she imagined it?—turned warm as they were introduced. Full lips stretched into a heart-stopping smile and she had to school herself not to blush as they brushed across the back of her hand, sending a rush of awareness throughout her body and doubling her heart rate.
    “I realize that I’m a bit late, but please accept my condolences, my lady, on the loss of your husband.” His smooth, rich voice sent a pleasurable shiver down her spine.
Surprise held her immobile for a moment, then she responded in kind. “And, mine likewise, on the loss of your sister.” She paused when he seemed unresponsive. “It was about the same time, wasn’t it?”
    She remembered that both had died three years past, around the same time.
Mr. Houghton stiffened, but replied, “Yes, it was. Thank you.”
    Her aunt and uncle watched the by-play between them, seemingly surprised by such specific knowledge of each other’s families. It was not out of the ordinary. The ton was such a small, tight-knit society that very little happened to one of its members that didn’t eventually become known to the rest. Her aunt and uncle did not move within the ton’s circle, happy to remain within the academia of Oxford.
    “Come and sit, Phillip,” her aunt said, snapping her out of the haze she was floating in. “It’s good to see you again.”
    He smiled as he turned to her aunt. “Ah, Madam, you grow lovelier every year.”
She chuckled in response. “And you are still a rascal.”
    The four sat as Mary brought in a fresh pot of tea and two more cups.
    “How fares your brother in America?”
    Phillip accepted a cup from Aunt Celeste as he answered her question. “He is well and enjoying his new home. He has married and his wife is quite charming. They should have a new addition to their little family by now.”
    “You didn’t stay to meet your new niece or nephew?” Julianna asked.
    He shook his head. “No. I had the distinct impression I was in the way, and I wanted to return to England before the end of the year.” He paused and Julianna thought she saw a glimpse of sadness in his eyes before he continued. “It was a long enough way to travel to be the bearer of sad news so I stayed with them for three entire months before returning. Still, I was glad I made the trip. America is an interesting country.”
    Glancing up at the clock, she noticed the time and excused herself to wash and change for dinner. As she climbed the staircase, her thoughts strayed back to Phillip.
    Her best friend Corinna was his youngest sister, yet Julianna had never met him. Had she even noticed him before? She didn’t think so. He would have been difficult to forget. Even now, her heart was still racing at the warmth she’d felt when his eyes touched her. No one had ever affected her like that. Not even Vincent, and she had once imagined herself in love with him.
------------------------------------

I've already bought my copy. Do you have yours yet?

Buy links:
Samhain: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/love-christmas-p-7072.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-for-Christmas-ebook/dp/B009SQRZK0/ref=sr_1_8?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354038530&sr=1-8&keywords=love+for+christmas

B & N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-for-christmas-denise-patrick/1113675927?ean=9781619213166

I'll post another excerpt either this afternoon or tomorrow.

Labels: Love for Christmas, Release Day, Samhain, Short Story, Victorian

Are you ready for the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season? Does the thought of getting a great deal on Black Friday excite you? Or, do thoughts of all the crowds make you want to hide?

I don't mind crowds, for the most part. To me, they are part of the gaiety of the season. But, I don't go out and shop on Black Friday. I've only done it once in my entire life. And, while I was glad to get the items I did, it's just not something I have ever felt was that important.

Of course, I'm also a bit of a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to my holidays. I don't Christmas shop before Thanksgiving. When stores start putting out Christmas stuff, especially if it's any time before Halloween, I avoid them.The only time I ever shopped for Christmas before Thanksgiving was when I lived in Germany and I needed to insure that packages made it home by Christmas.

Regardless of your take on shopping and the season in general, I hope that your Thanksgiving and the upcoming Christmas Season are full of family, friends, and enough good feelings to last through the next year.

Labels: Christmas, holidays, shopping, Thanksgiving