Monday, September 19, 2016

Goddess Fish Book Blast: The Christmas Cookie Shop


The Christmas Cookie Shop
by Ginny Baird

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:


Come home this Christmas to…


CHRISTMAS TOWN, TENNESSEE


Where everyday dreams come true!


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird brings you the start of a brand new holiday series…


THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE SHOP


(Christmas Town, Book 1)


Hannah Winchester is down on her luck and disillusioned with love, but her fortunes are about to change. When Hannah inherits a defunct bakery in East Tennessee, her first thought is to sell it and settle her substantial debt. Then the townsfolk welcome her warmly and she’s taken with the joyful spirit of the place, where stores employ holiday themes and residents have surnames like Christmas and Claus. After a handsome lawman comes to her aid dressed as Santa, Hannah learns he’s more than a hot guy in a red suit and shiny black boots. Sheriff Carter Livingston has joined in the cause of rejuvenating the town, and he’s encouraging her to do her part. Hannah’s great-grandmother, Lena, sold special holiday cookies that brought hope and renewal to the people of Christmas Town. Yet Hannah has plans elsewhere and isn’t looking to stay. Can she possibly reopen the shop known for kindling romance—without sacrificing her heart?

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Excerpt:

Carter wondered what someone so young and pretty was doing in this neck of the woods. Christmas Town, Tennessee. Population: thirteen hundred. And, most of those thirteen hundred were over the age of sixty, which was probably why Carter couldn’t take his eyes off the striking brunette with warm brown eyes. Wispy raven tresses tumbled out from beneath a colorful knitted cap, framing her creamy complexion and lightly grazing her chin. She turned her eyes back on his and Carter’s heart stuttered. What was wrong with his ticker today? When he’d first laid eyes on her, it had skipped a beat. Now, it was slamming like a jackhammer. He pounded his chest with a fist to set it right before asking, “Long drive?”

She shook out her map and folded it, setting it aside. “I came here from Stafford, Virginia. Near Washington, DC.”

Wow. What did that take you? Seven or eight hours, I’d guess?”

Could have been less without the weather.”

I’ll bet.” A blast of cold air roared through the lowered window and the woman shivered, gripping her arms by the elbows of her tattered pea coat. “My apologies,” Carter said, embarrassed by his attempts to detain her. “Here I am keeping you, when what you asked for was help in getting under way.”

That’s all right.” Her pretty mouth drew up in a smile and heat warmed the back of his neck. “I’m new in town so I don’t have many friends yet.” The kittens mewed again. “Apart from those two,” she said with a laugh.

Then you’re in for a treat. Everyone knows everyone in Christmas Town. It’s a very friendly place.”

Mirth sparked in her eyes as she lowered her window even further and stuck out her hand. “I’m Hannah, by the way. Hannah Winchester. It’s nice to meet you, Sheriff.”

Call me Carter, please.” He latched onto her worn leather glove, thinking it felt warm and feminine in his calloused hand. Apart from patrolling, Carter did a whole lot of handyman work around town. All pro bono stuff to help the locals. Gave him something to do, since he’d only written one traffic ticket all year. Even then, he’d ultimately let the guy off with a warning.

Staying in Christmas Town long?” He tried to downplay the hopefulness in his voice, but he wasn’t completely successful.

She blushed and withdrew her hand. “Just passing through. I’ve rented a place for a month. But I might stay two, depending.”

Carter scolded himself for nearly hitting on the woman. But nearly wasn’t doing. Nearly only counted in horseshoes and hand grenades…

Copyright © 2016 Ginny Baird





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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Romance writer Ginny Baird has published novels in print and online and received screenplay options from Hollywood for her family and romantic comedy scripts. Whether writing lighthearted romantic comedy or spine-tingling romantic suspense, she delights in delivering heartwarming stories.
She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a Top 10 Best Seller on Kindle, NOOK and iBooks, and a #1 Best Seller in several Romance and Women's Fiction categories. When she's not writing, Ginny enjoys cooking, biking and spending time with her family in Virginia. Ginny loves hearing from her readers! She invites you to visit her website and connect with her on social media. http://www.ginnybairdromance.com/

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B006KH1S1M
WEBSITE / BLOG – www.ginnybairdromance.com
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/GinnyBairdRomance/
TWITTER – https://twitter.com/GinnyBaird
GOODREADS – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5374955.Ginny_Baird

BUY & TBR LINKS

Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JSTBE2Q

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01JSTBE2Q

Amazon CA
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01JSTBE2Q

Amazon AU
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01JSTBE2Q

Barnes & Noble NOOK
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-christmas-cookie-shop-ginny-baird/1124277151

Apple iBooks
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-christmas-cookie-shop/id1141489207

Kobo
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-christmas-cookie-shop

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31358784-the-christmas-cookie-shop



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Monday, September 12, 2016

Goddess Fish Promotional Book Tours: A Moment Of Bliss



A Moment of Bliss
by Heather McGovern

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:


Nestled in the lush green mountains of North Carolina, the Honeywilde Inn will be a romantic’s dream getaway—if only the Bradley siblings can keep it running. It will take a combination of hard work, good luck, and the kind of love that dreams are made of…

Roark Bradley is no stranger to responsibility. Growing up, he practically raised his younger siblings while his parents threw themselves into working the inn—and arguing with each other. Determined to make the Honeywilde shine once more, Roark jumps at the chance to conduct business with a no-nonsense event planner who approaches him about celebrity nuptials that could put the inn back on the map. If only it wasn’t so tempting to discuss some no-strings attached pleasure with her instead…

Madison Kline is done with weddings—at least personally. Her own youthful mistake is a well-guarded secret, and one she refuses to repeat. But as she and bold, broad-shouldered Roark work together to make a rock star couple’s wedding a reality, she finds herself wishing romance didn’t feel like a four-letter word. Can either of them surrender their hard-won independence and workaholic ways for something sweeter—and even more rewarding?...

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EXCERPT:

Wright named them that. Says it’s because they’ll make your eyes roll back in pleasure. His words, not mine. And he calls the frosted ones Frosty Fixations.”

She rubbed at her mouth to hide her grin over the ridiculous names.

He’s a fanatic, I’m telling you. But I can’t eat just one. Would you like to try a Pumpkin Pleasure Roll?”

Would she like to try one?

She barely managed not to laugh like a hyena. Hell yes, she would like to try a whole plate of them and then roll around in the crumbs, but she was not going to fall victim to the inn’s goodies yet. Not until she knew this deal wasn’t going to blow up in her face.

No, thank you.”

Seriously?”

She couldn’t believe it either. The self-restraint she was practicing right now would impress a nun.

Roark stepped aside. “Suit yourself then. Feel free to have a look around the kitchen. You’ll see the enormous vat of vanilla mixture over there. It’s been known to attack. Give it a wide berth.”

Madison turned away so he couldn’t see her smile. She was here to work; to broker a deal that meant she was capable of succeeding on her own. That deal meant practically taking over his inn for a weekend and pulling off the impossible in about three weeks. She was not here to smile and laugh with the good-looking inn owner.

The kitchen was clean but recently used and cluttered. Wright might be a messy chef, but he tidied up afterwards. The revamps Roark had mentioned showed in the new commercial oven and appliances.

Luckily, she was capable of doing a thorough yet speedy overview of everything. The longer she spent in this kitchen, the more tempted she was to stuff a cookie in her mouth.

A scenario ran through her mind. What was the likelihood she could scarf down one, possibly three, cookies without anyone noticing?

She finished checking out the kitchen and wound back around to the front, right in time to find Roark polishing off a Pumpkin Pleasure Roll.

His cheeks full, he dipped his chin, color rushing to his face. When he got done chewing, the strong line of his jaw was back in place, but his cheeks were still pink. Roark’s flush was a complete contradiction to his steady gaze and serious look. He wiped his fingers on a napkin and smoothed his shirt down, as though straightening a tie that wasn’t there.

Busted.” He smiled, showing the tiniest hint of a dimple in his right cheek.

In that moment, Madison finally admitted the truth to herself. Between the cookies and the resort owner, Roark Bradley was the yummiest choice.



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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Heather McGovern writes contemporary romance in swoony, southern settings. While her love of travel and adventure takes her far, there is no place quite like home. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and son, and a collection of Legos that's threatening to take over the house. When she isn't writing, she's working out, or binging on books and Netflix.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America, as well as Carolina Romance Writers, and she's represented by Nicole Resciniti of The Seymour Agency.
Connect with Heather on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or her group blog. She'd love to hear to from you!

Buy the book:




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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE



The authors will be awarding digital copies of all 3 books on tour to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


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Sunday, September 4, 2016

Movie Review: Hello My Name Is Doris

I remember when Sally Field was doing the talk show circuit for this film. I wanted to see it then and I'm glad I finally got around to it.

This film is so much more than what you'd expect it to be. There are times when you will laugh out loud and other times when you will be near tears for Doris, and other times when you will want to shake her.

Most of all you will feel sorry for her.

She's a woman of a certain age. I'd say Doris' age is close to Field's own, 69. She's spent her life taking care of her mother and when her mom passes, she seems to have nothing, until the hunky new art director shows up.

Doris crushes on him really hard. Yet in a total round about and totally schoolgirl fashion, he becomes are friend.

Doris is so awkward and beautifully played by Field. There are times when you can see the young Gidget emerging in Doris, especially when she is listening to the electronic band John likes for the first time. I loved her quirky fashion sense. It seemed to suit Sally really well.

She makes some horrible choices too that mess things up for the people that she cares about. That's when you will feel the most sorry for her. She's given up a lot in her life. Her mother is a hoarder, she's a hoarder, though that aspect of her life doesn't play as it should considering. She's discovering life for the first time since she was a very young woman.

Max Greenfield plays John perfectly, humoring the older lady, however he's the one character I really could have slapped. No guy could have been as clueless to Doris' feelings as he was. She was pretty obvious in her feelings from the start.

The best parts, and the funniest parts of the film deal with Doris' fantasies about John.

The other character that you will love is Roz, played by Tyne Daley. She is brilliant. She's the type of friend you want to have.

The film itself needed more though. It was an hour and thirty five minutes long, and the characters really were the kind that you liked a lot. I wanted to know more, especially about Doris. We only got snippets about her past, when she talked to John at the diner and when her brother and his nasty wife (played by Wendi McLendon Covey) scheduled an intervention about the hoarding and about the house she lived in.

The ending is rather bittersweet. There's not much in the way of closure for the characters, but it left you feeling proud of Doris that she was going to make her way in the world, at last.

The one thing you will take away from this film is that Sally Field is really a great actress of the caliber of Meryl Streep.

Highly recommended.