Autumn's Kiss Blog Hop

Welcome to Creative Hodgepodge!

THE AUTUMN'S KISS BLOG HOP HAS ENDED. WINNER OF MY GIVEAWAY IS MARY PRESTON.

Last year, I wrote a short story called Autumn Vows, and it was part of a lovely anthology called Autumn's Kiss. Seven other sweet romance authors collaborated on the project, and the result is a lovely collection of stories based on an autumn theme. We celebrated the release with a blog hop during autumn 2016, but then we realized that not everyone experiences the season at the same time - so we decided to recognize fall in the southern hemisphere by having another blog hop!

We decided that this time, we'd share our favorite autumn recipes. Since Autumn Vows takes place in my native West Michigan I decided to post instructions for making Spiced Apple Cider. In this part of the country we have lots of apple orchards, so apple cider fills the grocery store shelves all season. I love the smell of apples and cinnamon as it's simmering on the stove. There are lots of great recipes, but my favorite is quite simple: Take a gallon of cider, heat it in a large pan, add a little brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Let it simmer for a half hour (or until you can't wait any longer) and enjoy!

I like to sip on the cider as I'm writing, crafting, or watching TV. I keep lots of coasters around to protect my furniture! A friend showed me how to make these cute fabric coasters and since I've always got scraps of fabric around from recent projects, I made some four out of various colors of gingham to give away to a random commenter. To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me about your favorite cool-weather treat! I'll choose a winner on Monday morning, April 24.


But before you go, be sure to enter the Gift Card giveaway (one $100 prize and one $20 Gift Card) by entering your name, email addy and my favorite fall treat (see two paragraphs above) in the form below:

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

 Be sure to visit the blogs of all six participating Autumn's Kiss authors and follow instructions at each one in order to qualify for the Gift Cards, as well as the individual author giveaways. Here are the participating blog links:

An InLinkz Link-up

New Release: Autumn Vows

New release!

I'm so excited to be included in this collection of short stories. I love my story, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the contributions from the author authors in this group!

Ten sweet romance writers have combined their efforts to bring you Autumn’s Kiss, a collection of love stories set in the fall. Whether you enjoy contemporary, historical, or paranormal romance, you’re sure to find something you like in this anthology! Here are the stories included:

AUTUMN VOWS. Patricia Kiyono. Contemporary

For 30 years, busy wife and mother Yolanda Murray pushed aside her career for family. With the kids grown now, it’s her turn. But her husband Craig needs surgery, and his worries extend far beyond his health issues. Will this couple survive the changes in the autumn of their lives?

CAROUSEL MAGIC. LaVerne St. George. Contemporary.

For Thomas Martin, feelings don't get in the way of business. As the new owner of an amusement park, he's determined to replace the old carousel with video games. Mayor Ginger Fairchild is equally determined to save the vintage carousel. Can the carousel's magic touch two more hearts?

THE FALL APPLES AND MR. CRAIGSON. Kathy Bosman. Contemporary 

Trina knows most men are out for her money, so a fantasy rich husband acts as her shield. She hires attractive Seth Craigson to cut down unwanted trees, certain he won’t discover her secret. As Trina's heart leans toward Seth, he sees past her lie. Does he accept her for herself or see only her wealth?

FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN. Beth Barany. Paranormal/Time Travel 

Sexy Medieval stonemason Julien relies on his fiancée Rose to adapt to 21st century life and struggles to find his place in modern times. Holding down two jobs to support her and Julien in expensive San Francisco, software expert Rose has no time for romance. A weekend getaway may provide just the spark these time-crossed lovers need.

A HARVEST OF HOPE. Debby Lee. Historical  

After putting away a crooked bootlegger, Meggie and Luke Preston set out for California, hoping for a second chance at life. When their past catches up with them, Meggie must find the courage to face the issues that have driven a wedge into her marriage... or she may lose everything.

THE LONELY SHOPKEEPER. Cindy Flores Martinez. Contemporary 

Lately, Judy has been too busy for love. Running a small business in her hometown occupies all of her time. When she meets Graham, a visitor from Scotland, it's chemistry at first sight--and impossible. He's not here to stay. She's not willing to move. What will happen when they fall in love?

RUNAWAY LOVE. Nicole Zoltack. Historical 

After harvesting his crops, the last thing Corin Jannings expects is rescuing a woman tossed from a runaway horse. A woman who can't remember who she is. She's highborn, obviously, so it's only a matter of time before someone comes for her. And since she's a lady, Corin cannot dare risk falling for her.

SOFT BURGUNDY NIGHTS. Ruth Roberts. Contemporary 

For the first time since she was abandoned, Jessica Rayne has a real home and her dream job as manager of Marchetti Vineyard. After ten years, Rafaele Marchetti has returned from New York, still bitter over his father's mistakes. Rafaele may take away everything Jessica's worked for… or make her dreams of love come true.

 

VIKING FOR HIRE. Jo Grafford. Historical.

Branwyn O’Tyre is convinced her estranged brother plans to arrest her for witchcraft, so she drinks a protection potion before he arrives. A Viking sea captain, living under a curse, witnesses her magic and offers her an escape if only she will help him. The hitch? If she fails, Branwyn's heart will be his forever.

THE WITCHING WELL. KristyTate. Time Travel

Celia Quinn holds Jason West responsible for the demise of her grandmother's dress shop, so when she takes a sip of water from the witching well and is transported back to Regency England, Jason West is the last person she wants to see--or kiss.

Autumn’s Kiss is available now on Amazon.

The Busier I Get...

…the more I get done. I’m not sure why that happens. When I have lots of free time I tend to procrastinate and do little things that don’t matter so much. But when I have a big deadline and sixteen other irons in the fire, somehow most of it gets done.

Last week, for example, I had three blog posts, plus my usual tweeting and posting for myself and for EsKape Press. In addition to all the weekly things (grandkids on Monday, band rehearsal on Monday night, Quilting on Tuesday, Teaching on Tuesday and Thursday, and orchestra rehearsal on Wednesday night) I participated in a Facebook event for which I handmade my prizes. I completed a quilt for my grandson, drove my mother to her vacation condo, attended a writers’ group meeting, and watched another granddaughter play soccer.

I’m hoping all this busy energy will translate into more writing for me. I FINALLY finished and submitted my 2014 Christmas book (not totally happy with it yet, but since it’s been accepted I’m hoping the publisher will allow me to make several changes I it) and I have a short story coming out in an anthology very soon! So now I need to get going on a novella that I’ve been asked to write. It’s supposed to be New Adult and I’m not sure if I can pull it off, but I’m going to try. And I need to finish a couple of sequels – one, the Plum Blossom Covenant, is the sequel to The Samurai’s Garden and I’ve had it on my hard drive for quite a while, waiting to be dusted off and completed. Another, Sunlight and Shadows, is the story that will include my quiting friend, Diane Rose.

So. Now that I’ve got my plans outlined, I just need to get them done. In the meantime, let me share with you the cover of Autumn’s Kiss, the anthology of sweet romances that includes my short story “Autumn Vows.” Isn’t it pretty?