Book Title:"Princess Rose and the Crystal Castle"
Author:Pepper Thorn
Published By:Typing Cat Press
Age Recommended:10 +
Reviewed By:Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating:5

Review:This is a beautifully written book with richly creative characters and a wonderful plot that would appeal to the young and old. It was far more than just the cover are that inspired my own vision while reading. I kept seeing this story played out on the screen as a classic Japanimation creation. I felt it was worthy of being placed in the same league as "Howl's Moving Castle", "Spirited Away", and "Ponyo".

Pepper Thorn writes a classic fairytale story with a fresh new vision and an ending that is nothing like you'd expect. There's so much to say about this piece of work and still I feel I could not do it the justice it deserves. I hope Pepper will continue to write and I long for the chance to someday see her work in animation alongside some of the others, that as a huge Japanimation fan, I know and love so well.

This is definitely a book I could see becoming a classic.

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Book Title:"The Woman"
Author:David Bishop
Published By:Telemachus Press
Age Recommended:18 +
Reviewed By:Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating:5

Review:This book was fantastic and really packed a punch. Equal parts mystery and thriller this book also shows the darker side of politics and the lengths some will go to, to insure the 'right' candidate wins. When Lisa Darby is attacked one night after a scheduled meeting with a close friend ends in a no-show, in a dark alley she meets a stranger that saves her life from men sent to kidnap her. The only clue she is left with is a message from her savior that she should refrain from calling the cops. Confused and not knowing what to do she actively begins to seek out her friend only to find that Cynthia has been 'taken care of' by a mysterious person or people.

Lisa is forced to change her way of thinking, her life and everything she is use to simply to keep herself alive from someone that wants to make sure she doesn't know his true identity. The worst part is, Lisa doesn't know anything, was never told anything and she's running for her life, relying on the safety of a stranger for reasons she can't understand.

David Bishop spins an intriguing and exciting tale, one that mystery and thriller lovers will enjoy! This book was fast-paced with non-stop action and a plot to really sink your teeth into. I would definitely recommend giving this one a read!

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Book Title:"Myth of Gods"
Author:Leigh M. Lane
Published By:Cerebral Books
Age Recommended:18 +
Reviewed By:Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating:4

Review:In a time when there was but one true God, he comes to create five prophets, each one embodies a part of himself. This book shows what religion might have looked like through the eyes of God himself. It's a showcase of how religion can be twisted to serve only the hearts and will of man-kind.

I found the story intriguing and it kept me riveted until the very end. In many ways I found it to be an interesting parody of what religion can be like still to this very day. A great read and a well-written book with diverse characters and well thought out plot. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys reads based on religion.

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"ANDREA BUGINSKY'S, COMING OF AGE, NEW YEARS GIVEAWAY STORY!

Begin "Coming of Age" Story:

My teenage years were a bit different from the typical teen. I grew up with heart disease and missed a lot of school because of it. I didn't have a big group of friends like most teens, but a few very close ones. In my junior year of high school, I had surgery for my heart a couple of months after the start of the year. I was out for the remainder of the semester, and returned to school part-time in February. I completed half of my class load via homebound (tutoring).

When I returned to school, my best friend was hanging out with a new group of people, so I was introduced to them. They became the first big group of friends I ever had. We formed some wonderful lasting bonds that remained through our senior year. Two of them became very close friends that I'm still close with today. One of them is my best friend in the world and is like my twin sister. My best friend from high school is still a very close friend and my sister-in-law.

I'm very grateful that I met these wonderful women when I did, and that our friendship has grown and lasted all these years. They have helped me get through some of the hardest times of my life, both in school and out. I will cherish our friendships forever.

End "Coming of Age" Story.

Andrea Buginsky
Freelance Writer/Author
www.andisrealm.webs.com


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NOVEL PUBLICITY, WHIRLWIND TOUR FOR "FARSIGHTED" BY EMLYN CHAND

Announcing the Farsighted Social Media Whirlwind Tour! As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Farsighted eBook edition is just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 30th, so you don’t miss out.

1. Purchase your copy of Farsighted for just 99 cents on Amazon orBarnes & Noble

2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes

3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!

4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

5. DOUBLE BONUS: If I receive more comments than any other blogger, *I* win $100.

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

Monday, a guest blog on Novel Publicity! Emlyn kicks off the tour on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog by discussing her brightly burning passion for books in a guest post entitled “My journey through the pages and toward a life-long love of reading.” One commenter will win an autographed copy of Farsighted. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Looking for a fun read to round out your holiday break? The paranormal YA hit Farsighted is just 99 cents!http://ow.ly/81Dt1#whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Farsighted book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Farsighted book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs.
Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Farsighted either in paperback or on an eReading device, then post it toEmlyn Chand’s Facebook page or email a copy to [email protected]. You just way win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the photo with the most interesting setting (so put your holiday travel time to work for you). Another $50 will go the funniest photo, and one more prize of $50 will go the scariest photo—this is a paranormal YA book after all. An autographed copy of Farsighted will go to one randomly selected entrant. For more details about this contest, please visitwww.emlynchand.com.



About Farsighted: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Farsighted is the winner of the 2011 Dragonfly eBook Awards. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.


“Did Dad tell you? A new tenant moved into the old pharmacy next door.”

“Really?” I ask, not letting on I already know. If I feign ignorance, Mom’ll divulge all the details. “What is it?”

“It’s a psychic shop,” Her voice crackles with excitement like a fire that’s just beginning to burn. “The All-Seeing Miss Teak. Isn’t that cute? Miss Teak, Mystic. Ha, I wonder if that’s her real name.”

I laugh. “That is funny. Never had a psychic in town before. What’s she like?”

“Oh, she’s very friendly. Why don’t you go over and say ‘hi.’ I’m sure she’d like to meet you.”

“Okay, I think I will.” I’m incredibly intrigued, because first off, it’s a psychic shop—how weird is that?—and second, its presence made Dad super uncomfortable—also very cool. I waste no time heading next door to check out the scene.

As I step cautiously into the new shop, a recording of soft, instrumental music greets me. I can make out chimes and a string instrument I don’t recognize but for some reason reminds me of snake charmers. The smell of incense fills my nostrils, which explains the burning I detected earlier.

“Hello?” I call out into the otherwise quiet room.

Nobody answers. I walk in deeper, sweeping my cane out in front of me in a metronome fashion. This place is new to me, so I need to be especially careful while moving around.

Thump! Despite my precautions, I stub my toe on something hard, big, and made of wood. Just my luck to stub the same toe twice in one day. I reach down to press my fingers into my throbbing foot to alleviate some of the pain. Something teeters before rolling off of the chest and across the floor; the sound it makes indicates a curved path. Suddenly, the object stops. Somebody’s stopped it.

“Hello?” I call again.

“Hello,” a deep, feminine voice responds, placing more emphasis on the first syllable than the second.

“I- I’m sorry I knocked that thing over. I didn’t mean to…” I hope she’s not angry. Probably not a good idea to get on a psychic’s bad side.

“That wasn’t just a thing, it’s a crystal ball,” she says as she walks over, sending my blood pulsing through my veins. I sense her looking at me for a moment before she places the ball back on top of the chest.

“Can it see the future?” I ask, allowing my curiosity to outweigh my uneasiness.

“No.” After a pause lasting several beats, she continues. “But I can see the future sometimes when I look into it.”

“Oh, okay.” I tighten my hand around my cane and turn to leave. It may not be the most polite thing to do, but all of this hocus-pocus stuff is freaking me out more than I would’ve guessed.

The psychic lady speaks again, stopping me cold. “Don’t run away, Alex Kosmitoras.” She must’ve spoken to Mom earlier today. That must be how she knows my name.

“I’m not running away,” I say meekly. “I’m just going back over to Sweet Blossoms.”

“Don’t run away,” she repeats—this time she speaks louder and with more energy. “Don’t run away from your abilities. They are gifts.”

“What?” I ask in confusion. What abilities is she talking about?
“You already know. Watch. Listen. Be open to your gifts.”

I turn to face Miss Teak, but find she’s already gone, returning to wherever she was before I got there.

Is it safe to leave? I trail my fingers across the wooden box I ran into earlier; a thick coat of dust clings to the tips as I pull away. If this shop just opened, why is it already so dirty? I wipe my hands over my shirt to get the gritty substance off. Shivers rock my whole body. Something about this place is wrong, and I’m not sticking around to figure out what. Tapping my cane along the floor, I’m able to find the exit without knocking into anything else.

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"GOOD TIDINGS & TRIMMINGS" CHRISTMAS INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, TRACY FALBE

Thank you again for donating a book for our 1st annual "Good Tidings & Trimmings" e-book Giveaway! What book or books did you donate, tell us more about them.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your holiday giveaway. I am donating two novels to this event. They are Rys Rising: Book I and Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II. They are the first two parts of my new epic fantasy series that I have been developing for years. The next two novels in the series will be published in 2012. I like to describe the Rys Rising series as an epic told from many angles. This means that I have a large cast of characters. There are humans and two magical races, the tabre and the rys. Storylines are presented from every side of the conflict that involves two distinct civilizations and the rivalries within each society. I like to craft stories with friendship, passion, ambition, and life changing high stakes.

What is your favorite thing about the holiday season and what does Christmas mean to you?

Baking has been one of my lifelong hobbies, and I like making different kinds of Christmas cookies and trying new recipes. And now that I’m a mother, I enjoy watching my kids have fun at Christmas because the holidays are so much fun for children because they don’t have to figure out how to pay for any of it.

As for the meaning of Christmas, I see it as a time of renewal. Because I live in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is just a few days before Christmas. The short days and lack of sunshine trigger seasonal affective disorder in me, and it’s hard for me to be happy and energetic. Even when I lived in California, the short days in December still dragged me down. So I always try to participate in holiday activities even if I’m feeling glum. I believe that the parties, sweets, and spirits are meant to make people be convivial together and drive back the winter blues. Because Christmas comes right after the solstice and the days are starting to get longer again, I see the holiday marking a return of brighter times. A new year is starting and it’s time to open presents and enjoy new things.

What is your favorite holiday memory?

This is a hard question. Bad holiday memories easily come to mind, but I’ll try to think of something that I could call a favorite memory. I recall a Christmas party when I was in my early 20s. I got together with all my best friends from work and we threw ourselves a smashing little party and exchanged gifts. I remember enjoying myself so much and loving the fact that I had good friends and good times.

Do you still have any of the toys you got when you were a kid?

I have my toy horses and their wooden stable. I used to play with them a lot when I was a girl and I still enjoy looking at them.

How do you celebrate the holidays?

I celebrate in typical ways. Opening presents on Christmas morning. Having a nice dinner. I also like to make gifts of Christmas cookies for some of my neighbors. The last two years I have started a new tradition for myself. On Christmas Eve I like to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. That movie is so moving and powerful, and its subject matter is so timely for today. I really feel for George so much, and I like the message that even if life is difficult and you’re miserable, you can still have a positive impact on other people. Essentially, it says you’re needed.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Yes. It’s fun to believe in Santa Claus. Last December when I was talking to Santa, I noticed that his eyes were different colors and commented that he was like David Bowie. He laughed and explained that he wore blue contact lenses because people like blue-eyed Santas, but one of his contacts was bothering him that day, so he only wore one.

A lot of people get that warm, fuzzy feeling around this time of year. Are you one of those people?

Oh, I don’t know if I ever get warm and fuzzy. My natural cynicism prevents that from happening. I do try to be generous and compassionate this time of year.

Have you ever gone caroling or wanted to?

You know I love Christmas carols. I think the music is beautiful and I love all the old archaic references like yule logs, plum pudding, merry gentlemen, ha’pennies, and so forth. I’d like to go caroling but have never had the opportunity. Do people do that for real?

If you had a choice of the perfect weather for Christmas would it be cold and snowy, or warm and sunny?

Warm and sunny. Snow and cold are not necessary for having a great holiday. I’ve lived in both cold and warm climates, and I assure you that a warm and sunny Christmas day is perfectly festive.

Give us your links! Tell us where to find your books and more information about you!

Everything about my books can be found at my websitewww.braveluck.comand my blogwww.herladyshipsquest.com.At my website you can always get free ebook samples of the first novels of both of my series Rys Rising and The Rys Chronicles.

Also find my novels at these retailers:
Smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/braveluck
Amazon Kindlehttp://www.amazon.com/Tracy-Falbe/e/B002BLWI3S/
Barnes & Noblehttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/tracy-falbe
Apple iBookshttp://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/tracy-falbe/id365797627?mt=11
Sony Reader Storehttp://ebookstore.sony.com/author/tracy-falbe_160285

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"GOOD TIDINGS & TRIMMINGS" CHRISTMAS INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, SEAN ALLEN

Thank you again for donating a book for our 1st annual "Good Tidings & Trimmings" e-book Giveaway! What book or books did you donate, tell us more about them.

Thank you for inviting me—this is a great idea and I’m happy to be involved! I’m donating Death Drop, the first novel in my D-Evolution series, to the GT&T giveaway. If I had to paint it with a broad stroke, I’d say that Death Drop is a space opera story about a human girl who wakes up in a war-torn universe long after the last known human has been exterminated, and she doesn’t know how she came to be there (or how it’s even possible). As she searches for answers to the mystery surrounding who she is, she is framed for a high-profile murder and drawn into a plot that could destroy the universe.

What is your favorite thing about the holiday season and what does Christmas mean to you?

To me, Christmas always feels like coming home after being away too long. I look forward to forgetting the hectic thrum of the previous 11 months and spending time with the people that I care most about. Some of my favorite things about the holidays are the smell of a freshly cut tree in the house, old movies, the warmth of a fireplace, and finding the perfect gift for someone who doesn’t see it coming.

What is your favorite holiday memory?

My parents are from a part of Washington that can get quite a bit of snow around this time. When I was a kid, I remember going in front of our house during a good snowfall, and my dad would pull my brother and I up and down the street on a plastic sled. After he got tired, we would throw snowballs or jump on the piles of snow at the edges of the street. To bring the frosty festivities to a proper close, we would sit quietly and watch the snowflakes fall softly through the pinkish light of the streetlamp by our house. Good times.

Do you still have any of the toys you got when you were a kid?

Unfortunately, no. And now I’d like to take a moment of silence for the original Millennium Falcon that I tossed out of a second-story window when I was five. I was so sure that little plastic Han Solo and Chewbacca would kick-in the hyperdrive and jet off into the stratosphere. May they rest in peace.

How do you celebrate the holidays?

With as many friends and family members as possible, lots of food, and generous amounts of egg nog!

Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Why wouldn’t I?

A lot of people get that warm, fuzzy feeling around this time of year, are you one of those people?

I’m not a Scrooge, if that’s what you mean. I enjoy the holidays—there’s definitely something magical about this time of year for me. Warm and fuzzy? I guess that depends on how much egg nog I’ve had.

Have you ever gone caroling or wanted to?

I have this strange thing about singing: if I can’t hear myself, I won’t make a sound. So singing in groups is a little daunting for me, and going all by lonesome seems like it would be…well, lonesome.

If you had a choice of the perfect weather for Christmas would it be cold and snowy, or warm and sunny?

Living in Colorado for most of my life, I’ve experienced both of these weather patterns during Christmas, and I’m most certainly a snow guy. It just fits better with how I picture Christmas in my mind.

Give us your links! Tell us where to find your books and more information about you!

I’m a guy who has probably seen way too many movies in his life. I have a BS in Economics and a MS in Engineering and Technology Management from the Colorado School of Mines. Currently, I live in Colorado with my wife, our two dogs, and one big-boned cat named Frances. You can find information about my book Death Drop and the rest of the D-Evolution series on my website, Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Facebook, and Twitter. Thank you for this opportunity and happy holidays!

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Book Title:"Open Wounds"
Author:Joseph Lunievicz
Published By:Westside Books
Age Recommended:15 +
Reviewed By:Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating:5

Review:I feel "Open Wounds" is one of the greatest adventure books I've ever read. I have never given much thought to the art of fencing nor have I paid close attention to some of those old movies where such an art is or was used often, this book made me sit up and take notice. The story in and of itself is one of a timeless nature that can remind you what it was like to be a kid and what true friendship really meant. It is a coming of age story as well as a story that shows you are what you want yourself to be, not what your parents or others make you. It's a book about overcoming the obstacles that try to drag you down in life and rising above to become something great, to become your own person and to show the world your worth.

The characters in this book are alive and vivid, you get the sense of being right there with them, living through their era and knowing what it was like to be surviving in one of the hardest times in history. The setting is placed during World War II at the cusp of immigration when so many have come to America to escape the overbearing presence of Hitler and his crusade for World domination. It's hard to believe that these times were once the norm and even though a lot of the immigrants came to America for the same reasons they still were at odds over religion, race, ethnicity, and creed. It was a time when friends made, were friends earned and often they remained friends for life.

There is a rich history to this novel as well as a story that is emotional, exciting, and will have you cheering long and hard for Cedric Wyman. I urge you to take this time machine back in history and allow your imagination to become one with Cedric as he takes you on a journey you will not soon forget. Joseph Lunievicz has written a novel that could easily become a classic and I hope to see more from this amazing writer. Though this book is written for the young adult genre I would caution parents to not give this book to children under the age of 15, due to minimum graphic language and a few graphic scenes seen through the mind of young Cedric. This is a book well worth its 5 Ravens and if I were able I'd give it many more.

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"GOOD TIDINGS & TRIMMINGS" CHRISTMAS INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, ROBERT GRUETT

Thank you again for donating a book for our 1st annual "Good Tidings & Trimmings" e-book Giveaway! What book or books did you donate, tell us more about them.

I donated The Vampire Patrons: A Vampire Comedy Legal Thriller.

The single greatest misconception about vampires is the notion they can't appreciate a good joke. So begins The Vampire Patrons, a comedic look into the dysfunctional lives of four vampires, all siblings, living in a modern-day world where vampires, werewolves, the undead, and human beings work and live side-by-side, tolerating each other as best they can. But all is not what it seems when a series of brutal maulings grips the city, and the four find themselves piecing together a murder mystery over their weekly dinners together at a second-rate diner - that is, when they're not busy arguing amongst themselves.

They say fortune favors the bold. But they don’t know a thing about dysfunctional vampire sibling rivalry.

What is your favorite thing about the holiday season and what does Christmas mean to you?

While I’m not crazy about the music, the decorations, or the food, when they all come together there’s nothing else like it. As for the meaning, that’s easy: Jesus all the way.

What is your favorite holiday memory?

My siblings and I staring down the stairs at our stockings on Christmas morning, trying to guess what was in them.

Do you still have any of the toys you got when you were a kid?

Just my Legos. Everything else ended up smashed, mangled, or lost somewhere along the way. I was a very destructive child. On a related note, Legos are surprisingly resistant to most methods of detriment available to a typical ten-year-old.

How do you celebrate the holidays?

By coloring eggs, watching fireworks, eating turkey, and opening presents. If I’m really lucky, I manage to do the right thing on the right day.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

It’s kind of hard not to when you see him and his entourage of half-dressed elves prostituting themselves out to screaming kids at every mall across the country for four weeks out of the year.

A lot of people get that warm, fuzzy feeling around this time of year, are you one of those people?

Only after too much eggnog, and only in my lower intestine.

Have you ever gone caroling or wanted to?

Yes and no. That is, yes, I have; and no, I didn’t, don’t, and don’t expect to again.

If you had a choice of the perfect weather for Christmas would it be cold and snowy, or warm and sunny?

It would be cold and snowy Christmas Eve, but warm and sunny Christmas morning.

Give us your links! Tell us where to find your books and more information about you!

• Author Website:http://www.nightfold.com
• FaceBook Page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-Gruett/219019364784805
• GoodReads Page:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5310726.Robert_Gruett
My books can be purchased through Amazon.com (paperback and Kindle), the Barnes & Noble store (Nook), the Sony Reader Store (Sony Reader), and the Apple iTunes store (iPad).

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"GOOD TIDINGS & TRIMMINGS" CHRISTMAS INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, HEATHER MUZIK

Thank you again for donating a book for our 1st annual "Good Tidings & Trimmings" e-book Giveaway! What book or books did you donate, tell us more about them.

I was so excited to be a part of this wonderful giveaway that I couldn’t decide what to give… so I decided to donate all three of my books to the event. First, Celia’s Journey, is a drama about a family that is plunged into grief, guilt, and hopelessness when a young boy (a son and brother) is lost in a tragic accident. It is a journey through dark and light as the family learns to heal.

Second, 2 Days ‘Til Sundae, is a chick-lit style comic romp with a big thumping heart, as thirty-four-year-old Catherine Hemmings searches for a piece of her past—first online, where she loses an auction in its final seconds (we’ve all been there before) and then to a small town in Minnesota where she tracks down what is rightfully hers and finds so much more in the process. Last but not least, Apathetic, which admittedly offers readers no “Good Tidings & Trimmings” at all. This is a family horror story about a wife… a mother… a vicious sociopath. It is a disturbing tale of manipulation, abuse, and neglect that is all the more unnerving because it is all too possible.

What is your favorite thing about the holiday season and what does Christmas mean to you?

Family traditions are my favorite part of the holiday season—those special things big and small that give you that warm gooey feeling inside. For me, Christmas is a time to relish our families, find joy in our lives, and appreciate the blessing that is our existence. There is just something about soft Christmas music on the stereo and a sparkling Christmas tree in the room—plus a big mug of hot chocolate in hand—that makes reflecting easier.

What is your favorite holiday memory?

Hands down, it is the year that I went into labor with my second son just two days before Christmas. My husband was at work and I was in the middle of baking cookies and cleaning in expectation of two sets of grandparents arriving that afternoon. My son wasn’t due until early January so we were completely caught off guard, but it was the happiest of surprises. Thankfully we were able to bring our new son home in time for Christmas Eve dinner (cooked by our visiting relatives) and it was a glorious homecoming!


Do you still have any of the toys you got when you were a kid?

Funny you should mention this because it is just this type of question that was the impetus for my book 2 Days ‘Til Sundae. Just like the main character, Catherine, I have a sentimental streak a mile wide and infinitely long. I am extremely attached to things—so much so that clutter is something I must battle constantly. Unfortunately I only have a small box of toys left from when I was young, but in it is Caramellie (a tiny two-inch Liddle Kiddle doll who used to live in a sundae house—the toy that sparked the 2 ‘Til series of books).

How do you celebrate the holidays?

At home with close family. Christmas Eve is for games and gifts (serious and gag) between the adults, and Christmas day is for the kids. And of course there is a lot of feasting that goes on for days on end. I am HUGE into baking during the holidays so I will always try new recipes but I hate to phase out the old favorites, so everyone around here expects to gain a few sugarcoated pounds over the holidays.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

They tell me if you don’t believe you don’t receive… so I guess that would be a big… fat… YES.

A lot of people get that warm, fuzzy feeling around this time of year, are you one of those people?

And then some.

Have you ever gone caroling or wanted to?

Actually, I have gone caroling before. I am a terrible singer—just awful—but back in middle school I had a friend who had caroling parties at Christmas and it was a blast. A ragtag bunch of thirteen-year-old boys and girls going door to door—I’m surprised people didn’t lock their doors, shut off their lights and hide.

If you had a choice of the perfect weather for Christmas would it be cold and snowy, or warm and sunny?

Cold and snowy. This is a hard and fast rule—I won’t even watch Christmas movies that are set in warm locations because I don’t get that same feeling from them. Surprisingly though, I have spent many more Christmases in my life without snow on the ground—and several with temps more spring-like than wintry (hoping to rectify that someday).

Give us your links! Tell us where to find your books and more information about you!

Visitwww.heathermuzik.comto find out more information about me, my work, and upcoming releases. All of my books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in eBook format.

Celia’s Journey is widely available in paperback in bookstores throughout the web. 2 Days ‘Til Sundae and Apathetic are in limited release as paperbacks only through Amazon. And I am pleased to announce the second installment of the 2 ‘Til series is due out in February 2012—look for 2 Months ‘Til Mrs next year!

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