Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

Last week, my daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas. She's five and spends her 50 cents a week allowance as soon as she gets it, so she has about 8 cents to her name. I couldn't think of a single thing to tell her. It was so incredibly sweet of her to ask me what I wanted. I wanted to tell her I just wanted to have a nice holiday with her or for everyone to stay safe and healthy, but I knew she wouldn't accept those answers. She wants to give me something tangible. I ran through the list I'd given my family, trying to think of something she could manage. Fitbit? No. Kindle? No. New running shoes? No. Finally Princess Galen chimed in: Mommy, I thought you might want a book to read. Me: Yes, I love reading books, but I can't think of any I want at the moment. (By which I meant, none she could get me) Princess Galen: Maybe I could write a book for you. Me: I'd love that. PG: I could draw all the pictures too. Me: That would be great. You...

You remember the part in A CHRISTMAS STORY when poor Ralphie gets that hideous bunny suit? Well, nothing like that happened to me this Christmas. All of my presents were awesome. They usually are. ...And I've noticed that Christmases seem to have different themes every year. One year, books, another movies, another, music, ... and cats. This year I think the theme was warmth. There was warmth of spirit with the gift of an awesome ratchet from my uncle, a note from my father that parts for my precious car would be forthcoming, custom erasers for my drawing projects from my best friend, and 10 copies of my book to use in giveaways from my roommate, a Nine Inch Nails concert tee from my brother, and other awesome gifts that were well thought out. Then I received an awesome set of fuzzy indoor socks from my stepmother, snow pants, gloves, and thick outdoor socks from my friend, and the softest blanket imaginable from my grandmother. Everyone seemed to know that I had few warm ...

by Olivia Cunning Happy Holidays! We're supposed to blog about what we want to find under out tree on Christmas morning, but what I really want for Christmas wouldn't fit under my tree. Granted, this would look nice under my tree. And I'm sure he'd fit. I wouldn't complain if I found this Santa under my tree Christmas morning. It would be incredible if all the members of the fictional band in my Sinners on Tour series were real for one day. I'd love to hang out with them. They're so sexy and fun! And this certainly wouldn't fit under my tree, but it would fit in my driveway, so feel free to indulge me. But considering that I live in Nebraska and it has been sub-zero cold and snowy for the past week, what I really want to find under my tree is this: I'm dreaming of a warm Christmas. Perhaps I should just move my Christmas tree to the beach. Problem solved. Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?

by Sharon Lathan Indeed, this is the most wonderful time of the year! I adore Christmas. It is my absolute favorite holiday for a host of reasons. The entire period from Thanksgiving through New Years is always a treasured time for me and I relish every crazed moment of it. This year the excitement of the season is increased by the upcoming release of my third novel – My Dearest Mr. Darcy . Of course that also adds to the workload, and both my well-laid plans and delight were dimmed slightly by the killer mutant flu from Hades that knocked me flat for 2 solid weeks. Nevertheless I managed to get most everything done before Christmas and I stayed in the holiday spirit! Our highlight and big family gift was a trip to Disneyland! I wrote about this on my Dec.16 blog , extolling our enthusiasm to see the Magic Kingdom all decked out for the holidays, and talking about our planned adventures. Every last moment was as magical and special as we anticipated. Dinner at the Blue Bayou was phenom...

By Christina Harlin Continued from December 4, 2008 There was the briefest moment of hesitation from her and then she sighed and melted against him, her slim pale arms winding around his neck and her lips parting beneath his. Blake, who had half-expected her to withdraw and slap him, or teleport him to another awkward scenario, hauled her into a deep and penetrating kiss. He could drown in the sweet golden smell of her, the long languorous stroking of her mouth against his. His hands molded to her back, feeling the tawny smooth skin beneath the very thin film of her golden gown, then stroked up her bare shoulders to wind into the heavy silk of her hair. Her tongue beckoned his to penetrate deeper into her mouth, and she arched her back so that her body— Then someone turned a page. Dimly he recalled that they were standing in the room with his ex-fiancée, who was waiting on her husband. Holly heard it to, because abruptly she pulled back, disentangling herself from him with an “Oh...

by Sharon Lathan In keeping with the holiday theme, I thought I would post part of the Christmas chapter from my novel, "Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Two Shall Become One." I did edit out quite a bit to keep it fairly manageable, but fear it is still rather long. I hope I have not exceeded the allotted limit! This is a taste of the Darcys first Christmas together. Enjoy! Lizzy did not rouse at the knock to their door but did at the hoarse rumble of Darcy’s voice, felt as well as heard through his chest where her head lay. She stretched and nestled closer to his side, his arms immediately tightening their grip. “Is it morning already?” she asked sleepily and yawned expansively. “I fear so.” He nudged her gently, rolling to his side with her in his embrace until he could see her face. “Happy Christmas, Mrs. Darcy,” he murmured with a tender kiss as he stroked her hair. “Hmmm … Happy Christmas, beloved. Must we rise straight away? Or do we have time to cuddle for a spell?” ...

By Christina Harlin Continued from November 17, 2008 Still, when they popped back into the world on his brother’s back porch, Holly was rubbing her arm self-consciously. Before he could comment on this she gestured to the lighted glass doors, through which he could see his brother Harold, and Harold’s wife and their three children gathering around the table for takeout pizza. “Debbie always orders pizza on Christmas Eve,” he explained. “She spends most of tomorrow cooking so she gives herself a break the night before.” “And they always invite you,” said Holly, smiling at the scene before them, the mess of wrapping papers in the corner, the skewed stacks of Christmas catalogs in the merrily sloppy house, “and there are always four presents under their tree for you, one from the family, three from your little niece and your nephews. And you show up a couple days later with cash. Honestly, Blake.” “I just don’t want to interfere with their fun,” he said. “Look what a good time they h...

This holiday season, my Casablanca sisters and I thought about presenting stories, some of which may be based on the holiday adventures of characters from our books. Since my own romantic suspense entry is not due to arrive until Spring 2009, I hesitated bringing the characters out to play just yet . . . I admit, I don’t want to give anything away. Therefore for my next three blog dates, I’m submitting this little Christmas story in three parts, with my sincere gratitude to Charles Dickens and his holiday standard, "A Christmas Carol" . His tale is endlessly borrowed, but there’s a reason for it: it’s a marvelous story. This is a personal spin on the story of Scrooge, and I hope Mr. Dickens’ own ghost will forgive me for the liberties I’ve taken. Christmas Present - Part One By Christina Harlin “I am the ghost of Christmas Present.” Blake peered with one half-opened eye at the apparition at the foot of his bed, from which this particularly sultry and provocative voice had...