Happy last Wine Wednesday before Christmas everyone! Likely, you are doing the same thing I am and scurrying around to make last minute preparations for holiday celebrations. But I do hope you have time to take a moment for yourself and settle in with this week's wine / book pairing. Romance, Reads & Wine's couple today is brought to you by Jen Pfeiffer's The Rebel Cabernet Savignon (because, OMG, look at that label!) and USA Today Bestselling Author Celia Aaron's Christmas Cake. Christmas Cake promises to be as sweet of a read as the title denotes and the wine is a fun, sassy treat to be sure. So pull up a cozy spot, pour yourself a glass and grab a copy of this book for some holiday romance. Wishing you all happy holidays and, as always, happy reading!

"A Hallmark movie in book form!" - Goodreads reviewer

Now an Amazon Top 100 Bestseller

Ezra Grayson sits in his palatial estate and lords over the hamlet of Brooktown. He owns everything. Except her. Adeline Bishop runs Bishop Bakery, one of the last non-Grayson businesses in town. She's sent the mysterious Mr. Grayson one of her signature Christmas cakes--while also refusing all his offers to buy her bakery--for the past 5 years. This year's cake delivery brings their feud to a head. Ezra decides to confront Adeline, but he doesn't expect the curvy baker to be quite so sweet. When naughty meets nice, who will get their just desserts?

Author's Note: Merry Christmas! This is a safe, sweet* enemies-to-lovers Christmas novella. (*Author is not responsible for cavities or sugar highs as a result of reading.) The holiday collection stories are: Christmas Candy, A Cowboy for Christmas, and A Stepbrother for Christmas.

Christmas Candy
Olive had a major crush on Hank in high school. She was the too-smart, slightly chubby girl who gawked as Hank ran track and made all the cheerleaders swoon. After high school, the two went their separate ways. Olive opened a yoga studio and swore off sweets while Hank traveled the world. No problem, right? At least there wasn't a problem until Hank moved back to town and opened a candy shop across the street from Olive's studio. Now, Olive will do everything she can to shut her old crush down. But Hank has other plans, and all of them end with an Olive sundae.

A Cowboy for Christmas
I don't need a woman in my business--especially not one with a smart mouth and a curvy body. Molly Gale has been nothing but trouble ever since she showed up at the ranch next door. And now, right before a huge snowstorm hits on Christmas Eve, I have to go to her homestead. Have to see her, have to get another whiff of her strawberry scent. It's enough to drive a man mad. But I'll keep things professional, keep my hands to myself, and do what needs to be done. It's the perfect plan ...
Until my horse throws me and I need help from none other than the woman with the fiery tongue and the deliciously thick hips.
Yippee ki yay and Merry Christmas to me.

A Stepbrother for Christmas
Annalise dreads seeing her stepbrother at her family's Christmas get-together. Niles had always been so nasty, tormenting her in high school after their parents' had gotten married. British and snobby, Niles did everything he could to hurt Annalise when they were younger. Now, Annalise hasn't seen Niles in three years; he's been away at school in England and Annalise has started her pre-med program in Dallas. When they reconnect, dark memories threaten, sparks fly, and they give true meaning to the "hard and dirty holidays."

Here's a small, bit from Odile, Legend of the Black Swan. Happy Teaser Tuesday!

“Aye, right you are, dark maiden. We both are of the shadows—night creatures together. Our fire lies inside. Don’t fear it. We can burn in secret, the way you like, for only each other.”
She smiled, wishing once again that these rites they acted were for more than just show. Every black thing she’d been taught to hate about herself he brought to the light. At first she thought he exposed her but now she knew the truth. Each moment with him healed her, forced who she really was to the fore. Like the primitive sounds of the villagers’ music, he wove the frayed strands of her soul together in a song so wildly beautiful it could never be heard by anyone’s ears but his own. She’d burn for him forever.

Happy Wine Wednesday and Happy Holidays everyone!  If you're feeling a tad bit grinchy (because, well, Wednesday) then his week's wine / book pairing is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Romance, Reads & Wine brings you the gorgeous red and green bottle of Emmolo Savignon Blanc and Author Lucy McConnell's magical Marrying Miss Kringle romance, Frost. Frost is an enchanting tale that skips down all the way from the North Pole into the corporate world to save the Christmas spirit. Secret wishes, forbidden romance and Christmas miracles all work together in this story to promise an enchanting holiday read. So grab a copy of Frost, pour yourself a glass of Emmollo Sav and settle in with this pair for a perfectly, romantic reading experience. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and, as always, happy reading!

Frost buried her face in her hands, feeling all the pressure to save Christmas. Neither Stella nor Robyn had the potential for love yet. They were starting from scratch. But she had more than potential; she had an invitation. It was up to her to find Tannon; get him to profess his love to her; and save her family, the North Pole, and Christmas for children all over the world.
Oh, Tannon, I hope you're ready to love me.

Frost Kringle broke one of the North Pole's rules the day she replied to a letter from Tannon Cebu; but, her Kringle-enhanced empathy wouldn't allow her to walk away from the anguish in his words. What began as a disobedient impulse grew into friendship and eventually love. If her secret romance is revealed, she'll be banished from her home and family.

When the Kringles discover Christmas Magic is dangerously off balance, Frost musters up the courage to meet Tannon in person with the hope that they can marry and save Christmas. While she's away from her precious Letters Room, her secret is blown right open and she's exiled. In order to make it home for Christmas, Frost has to bring Christmas cheer to those who need it most.

Tannon, is tired of the corporate grind and wants out. He's decided to sell his paper mill and retire to a quiet corner where he can raise his son in peace. His announcement, right before the holidays, creates an uproar as employees wonder if they'll have a job in the New Year. No one in town feels like celebrating and they have little hope of a happy holiday.
If Frost can get Tannon, and the town of Elderberry, to believe in Christmas once again, she'll make it home and save Santa's workshop from turning into a block of ice and ruining Christmas for children all over the world. Trouble arises when Tannon's interest turn to Frost more than to Christmas. She walks a tinsel-fine line between falling for him and failing in her Christmas quest.

With her whole world out of balance, Frost must look deep inside herself to bring about a Christmas miracle--with a little help from her jolly family.

Hi everyone! I hope your week is off to a great start. Just a quick post today to tell you some exciting news. Pixie Forest Publishing has been gracious enough to include my book, Snow Maiden, in their Cozy December Book Box set. Since this is the gift hunting season, I wanted to be sure to let you know about this fabulous deal. The set is packed with not only Snow Maiden but other terrific, winter themed reads by indie authors Kari Holloway, Jennifer M. Baldwin and Donise Sheppard, as well as super fun gifts and book swag. Head over to www.pixieforestpublishing.com to purchase for the book lover in your life. Or treat yourself... go ahead... I won't tell anyone. Happy Holidays and, as always, happy reading!

Direct link: https://pixieforestpublishing.com/2018/12/03/cozy-december-box

Here it is! I love this cover so much. A huge thank you to cover designer Kellie Dennis of Book Cover by Design for her beautiful work. I couldn't have envisioned this cover any better.

Pale, cold mistress of the serpent’s lair, blood red lips and coal black hair…
 
Enter the world of the Black Swan, a dark and seductive tale where things are not always as they seem. Odile is the reviled villainess of Aarroughac, a castle inhabited by the evil wizard, Count Rothebart. After a sinister magic sweeps through the land and results in death, Odile is accused of the crime. Von Rothebart vanishes, leaving her to face the wrath of an entire kingdom alone until a mysterious stranger with powers of his own comes along.  
 
With vengeance as his guide, Lord Azarus di Caspari hunts an ancient curse. When he crosses paths with the Black Swan of legend, he immediately makes up his mind to use the temptress’s magic for his own devices. But when Azarus learns that the story of the sorceress might not be true, disappointment gives way to desire. Spells are cast and secrets are revealed, but can love exist in the shadow of two dark hearts such as theirs?
 
Are the tales of the Black Swan true? Is she a murderess and an evil sorceress to be feared or is she the only thing standing between true evil and the fall of a kingdom?  Only time will tell as the magical story of the Black Swan unfolds.
 
 
Odile, Legend of the Black Swan is a fantasy, fairy tale romance inspired by the legendary ballet, Swan Lake.
 
An Enchanted Lands Romance.

http://bookcoverbydesign.co.uk

#bookcover #bookcoverreveal #darkfairytale #gothicfairytale #gothicromance #fantasyromance #paranormalromance #swanlake #balletstory

Happy Wine Wednesday! I hope that everyone's December is off to a great start. This month on the blog, I will be bringing you holiday themed romances and, of course, great wines to get things into the festive spirit.
This week's wine / book pairing is brought to you by Crane Lake Cellars' chardonnay and Wall Street Journal bestselling Author, Winter Renshaw's Exmas. This book definitely fits the season. Exmas is a
hot, business, "enemies to lovers" romance that looks like a lot of fun. I can't wait to read this one. In all the holiday hubbub, find the time to settle in and join me for this great, holiday romance read and glass of Crane Lake chard. Happy holidays and, as always, happy reading!

This Christmas, I’ll be getting a visit from a man in a suit, only it won’t be Santa.

Let me first say: Reed York was never my boyfriend. He was the pen. I was the company ink. Though if you want to get technical, we were more like colleagues-who-hated-each-other … with benefits.

Everything was fine until the charming jerk went behind my back, stole my promotion, and became my boss—literally overnight.

Refusing to work beneath him (professionally speaking and otherwise), I transferred 2,014 miles away to our Chicago division, and I’ve spent the past year trying to remember how much I hated his panty-melting smirk so I can forget how much I secretly loved the way his ocean eyes lit every time I walked into the room.

But he’s just announced a last-minute site visit the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and on top of that, he’s audaciously designated me as his ‘right hand gal’ during his visit. If he thinks he has a snowball’s chance in this hell at getting back in my good graces, he’s got another thing coming.

Reed York might be a man used to getting everything he’s ever wanted, but Joa Jolivet is a woman that never forgets.

He can put me on his Christmas list all he wants, but everyone knows naughty boys only get coal.

Since I am planning a cover reveal for Odile, Legend of the Black Swan this week, (that's right, people - this week!) I thought I would tease today with the opening Legend from the book. Happy Teaser Tuesday and have a wonderful rest of your week!

The Legend of the Black Swan
 
Pale cold mistress of the serpent’s lair
 
Blood red lips and coal black hair,
 
Your deepest mysteries, tales untold,
 
Too hidden away for man’s lips to hold.
 
They’ll bring death’s heart cold and vile
 
Dare not look on the maiden’s smile.
 
For in the labyrinth she waits
 
To lure you past the sorcerer’s gates
 
And turn your human heart to dust
 
Past Hell’s own walls, your heart in trust.
 
Keep clear of the lake from dusk till dawn
 
Lest you lose your life to the death black swan.

Stay tuned to the blog and my social media because the fun is just beginning!

Social Media Links:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/amandavshane
Twitter - www.twitter.com/AmandaVShane1
Instagram - www.instagram.com/AmandaVShane
Amazon - www.amazon.com/author/amandavshane
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/AmandaVShane

Here is a tiny peek of the cover for Odile. Stay tuned to the blog for the full cover reveal this week! (if you want to see it before anyone else, join the Amanda V. Shane mailing list.)

Coming January 2019