Fridays Feast and Contest News

Do you like free books? Do you like autographed books? Just use your blog to tell other people about the awesome contest The Long and the Short of It is having.
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Click on the pie to play Friday's Feast with us.

Appetizer
Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.I would like to finish two of my four WIPs and submit them for publication. I would like to have my house remodeling at least close to being finished. It seems like we've been working on it forever. I've heard there are three ways to get things accomplished: well, quick, or cheap. You can get things done any TWO of the ways, but not all three....if you want it done well and quick, it won't be cheap; if you want it done quick and cheap, it won't be done well; and if you want it done well and cheap, it won't be quick. The last is us. chanel handbags

Soup
With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?According to this site I am....Peppe le Pew (without the smell).

You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to
enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments. A family
person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday.

Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

On the other hand, 'I'm a tweet little bird in a guilded cage, Tweety's my name but I don't know my age, I don't have to worry and that is that, I'm safe in here from that old puddy tat...!'
Cute and sweet you may be - but defenseless? No sir! Anyone (feline or otherwise) who takes you on is going to find out that they've bitten off more than they can chew!

a quiz by catz-eyes

Salad
What time of day (or night) were you born? Nine o'clock in the morning, according to my mother. I hadn't learned to tell time yet.

Main Course
Tell us something special about your hometown. Here's an article I wrote about Tifton several years ago.

Dessert
If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from? I've been pondering this question and I think I would love to receive a letter from someone who read one of my books telling me how it had affected their life for the better. I think that would be the ultimate letter.

Exciting News to End the Year.

We are so excited... LASR review site is half a year old! In the past half year, we've reviewed nearly 300 books and short stories. And, remember, if we don't like a book, we don't review it, so you KNOW these books are good :-)

To celebrate our milestone, we are sponsoring a brand new contest that is starting today.

We have several autographed books from some really fabulous authors to give away to ONE lucky winner.

So far, there are books from:

Alyssa Day
Lori Foster
Kara Lennox
Roz Denny Fox (2 Books)
Terry McLaughlin
Catherine Mulvany
Deborah MacGillivray (3 Books)
Janet Mullany
Delores Fossen
Gayle Wilson
Catherine Mann
Michele Dunaway

It's easy to enter. Go here to find out how!
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More exciting news:

E-Harlequin is giving away free books until January 1. I've already gotten mine for today and can hardly wait for tomorrow :-)

Today is the last day you can nominate your favorite romance for LASR Best Romance of 2007. The polls close at midnight tonight, Eastern time, and voting begins January 1. Don't miss out on a way you can acknowledge your favorite book.

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Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Bella Swan - You are intelligent and kind but not quite sure what you want out of life yet. You have a feeling there's something more out there for you. You're attracted to those who are real and avoid the fake. Sometimes you're a bit accident prone, but your true friends will always be loyal to you and come to your aid when you need it.
Take this quiz!








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Here's a review of Eclipse, the final book in the series.

Merry Christmas, Everyone

Christmas Countdown: ONE

Finished up with everything yesterday...going to start working on tomorrow's dinner, plus Ashley wants me to make some rabanada to take to work with her. So... I'll be doing that in just a bit. Hope you all have a wonderful and fun-filled Christmas Eve.

Christmas Countdown: TWO

I finished everything for the people who will be here. Our poor girls are going to have to wait til after Christmas... but, as my friend Jill said...we're just going to start considering that extending their holiday joy :-)

I found this and wanted to share it with you...it's long, but well worth watching.

Christmas Countdown: THREE

Off to Valdosta to do my Christmas shopping...NEVER AGAIN will I wait until the last moment!

Christmas Countdown: FOUR

Many thanks to Tracy Montoya for the heads-up about this song:

Christmas Countdown: FIVE

We went and picked Aaron up Monday evening...he was able to make it home for Christmas, which we are very thankful for. I finally got a tree...we went with live this year. It's small... a Leyland cypress... and looks really good in our living room. We thought...well, we can leave it in the pot and use it again next year. Then we read the tag that came on the tree! Did you know that it can grow up to three feet a year! AND, I just read on Wiki that, and I quote:

It is poorly adapted to areas with hot summers, such as the southern half of the U.S.A., and in these areas becomes very prone to the disease cypress canker caused by the fungus Seridium cardinale. This causes extensive dieback and ultimately death of the tree.

Anybody want to come adopt a Leyland cypress after Christmas?

Gifts from Margie:

A new fun way to shop for friends!

1. Go to Google images and type in the screen name of somebody who leaves comments on your blog.

2. From the first page of images pick a Christmas gift for that person.

3. Do it for seven or more people.

For Margie, a new car.


For Marianne- a winter long vacation at the beach


For Allie - a trip to Europe


For Michele, a trip to an island away from everything...except books


For Mert- a vacation to the shore (I'm noticing a pattern here)


For Jacquie, a new puppy...isn't he cute?


And.. also swiped from Margie:

Getting in the Christmas Mood 14

I watched this video again yesterday. It's one of my all time favorites. I really like Margaret O'Brien in this picture. Of course, she's one of my favorite of the kid actors, anyway. Enjoy this beautiful Christmas song.

Getting in the Christmas Mood 13

Getting in the Christmas Mood 12

I was so getting in the Christmas mood until Friday and now...well, now I'm a bit depressed. My laptop stopped working again...same problem. The good news...I didn't lose any work. The bad news, they don't have a clue why it keeps messing up. The better news, it's still under warranty and the people I've spoken to (so far) have been very helpful (not helpful enough to send me a loaner...but...) :-)

Anyway, it's back to sharing my DH computer. And, while he's very understanding and supportive of the editing and website working and writing, I hate taking it from him. This too shall pass...I hope.

Hey, did y'all notice the handy-dandy button on the sidebar? The one that says "Click here to nominate..."? Well, as soon as you finish reading this post, go click it and nominate your favorite romance book or story that was published this year. We have gotten some wonderful nominations so far. Don't let YOUR favorite miss out on being one of them because you didn't nominate it.

Also...take my Christmas Carol poll. I'm interested to know which, of the choices, is your favorite.
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You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace. You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy! You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better. You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that. Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

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Getting in the Christmas Mood 11

Good morning, all. You need to check out LASR this week. As always, we have some fun things going on.

Getting in the Christmas Mood 10

I promised you some big news today and today is here. Marianne and I are very excited to announce that The Long and the Short of It is going to be honoring the Best Romance Book of 2007, a "People's Choice" award, you might say. That's right... those of you who love romance novels, start thinking now about your favorite published this year.

The complete story can be found here, but the short version is:

--four categories
Best print short romance (150 pages or less)
Best eBook Short romance (150 pages or less)
Best print Novel Length romance (151 pages+)
Best eBook Novel Length romance (151 pages+)

You can nominate one book in each category. Nominations will remain open until December 26.

The top stories in each category will be entered into a poll here and the voting will run from January 1-January 31.

The winner in each category will receive a wonderful banner in three sizes with the author's name, title of their book and award name on it.

So... what are you waiting for? Go, nominate, and spread the word... after you see the following video :-)
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Getting in the Christmas Mood 9

There will be an announcement about some BIG news at LASR tomorrow, so come back to get in the fun.
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If it's Friday, that means it's time to play Friday's Feast again. Just click on the button above to play along, and don't forget to let me know you have.

Appetizer
What was the last game you purchased? I think it was one of the kids' computer games, but I honestly can't tell you. I've slept since then.

Soup
Name something in which you don’t believe. I don't believe in people being mean to each other for no reason other than you can. That's probably not the kind of answer you are looking for, but other "things"...even if I'm not convinced they exist, I try to keep an open mind. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, chanel handbags
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." (for extra points, tell me where that quote is from)

Salad
If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?Jennifer Aniston. She seems like she would be a fun person to work for and just to know.

Main Course
What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way? That I can't always do EVERYTHING...sometimes a person has to learn to say "no."

Dessert
Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room. It doesn't necessarily have to be big, but soft lighting, comfortable recliners, good enough lighting for reading, a stereo in case we wanted music, and (above all) no phone or TV.

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You Know a Lot About Christmas

You got 7/10 correct You know tons about the history and traditions surrounding Christmas. When you celebrate the holidays, you never forget their true meaning - or all the little fun details. Random Christmas fact: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is the first Christmas carol. It dates back to the 12th century.

How Much Do You Know About Christmas?

Getting in the Christmas Mood 8

We have some exciting things coming up in the following weeks at LASR so stay tuned for the announcements. But now...if you've ever wanted to try your hand at writing...have I got a deal for you. Go to our free short story and YOU can be a part of it. We've posted the first quarter (250 words) of a Christmas story. It's up to you to write the next 250 words. For submitting a segment, you can get an additional entry into our weekly contest AND have the opportunity to have it posted next week. Come play along with us...it will be fun. I'm looking forward to seeing what all my friends come up with.

Now, it's off to work... I have a HUGE oak stump to grind this morning. Til later... toodles, friends.

Getting in the Christmas Mood 7

Another Christmas meme, but this is one you'll definitely want to try out. Because, it's not just a meme, you see...it's a way of getting one of the most awesomeness of prizes, or at least a chance at one, and just in time for Christmas. The Book Binge is giving away this wonderful ebook reader.
And, entering the contest is as easy as eating that Christmas pudding. All you have to do is answer the followign meme on your site and then go and leave a comment here letting them know you did and where your answers are. Go on, you know you want to... just... don't win, okay? 'Cause it would be so super cool to win that.

Christmas Meme:

1. What is your favorite Christmas romance to re-read each year? My favorite Christmas romance is actually a new romance out this year. The Christmas Curse, by Marianne Arkins. It's a fun read I never get bored with.

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show? It's a toss-up between A Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life.

3. What is your favorite Christmas cookie? I like the way gingerbread smells, but for just plain Christmas snacking give me a good ol' sugar cookie anytime.

4. When do you start Christmas shopping? A lot of times I hit the day after Christmas sales...but not this year. I've hardly started at all. I have a LOT to do!

5. Do you re-gift? Sometimes, depending on what it is and who it's from.

6. What is your favorite Christmas song? I have too many to list... everytime I hear one on the radio or television, I'm like "that's my favorite"... until another one comes on!

7. When do you get your Christmas tree? Whenever we can find time to go and get it... we still don't have one this year.

8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it? Love it, love it, love it...put a sappy Christmas movie in...have everything spread out in the living room and nobody's allowed in.

9. Who is the hardest person to buy for? Normally my hubby...but he made it easy for me this year :-)

10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial? Real

Don't forget to play along.

Getting in the Christmas Mood 6

Be sure to join us at LASR for two GREAT giveaways: Melissa McClone has a treasure trove of holiday joy to send one lucky reader and Lucy Gordon is giving away an autographed copy of her brand-new book, being released this week, The Millionaire Tycoon's English Rose. You don't want to miss either one of those.
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And, since Marianne didn't do a quiz today, but instead put up a game I can NOT play, I decided I would set up our own game and would love for you to play along. It's fun, it's free, and we can return every day. This link will be set up permanently in the sidebar. Have fun.

Play our Daily Trivia Game! New Questions Daily!

Getting in the Christmas Mood 5

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I'm partipating in a Pay It Forward gift exchange courtesy of Marianne. Here's how it works:

I will send a handmade gift to the first 2 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. The only thing you have to do in return is Pay it Forward by making the same promise on your blog. I have a really cute idea in mind, so get busy - comment and then PAY IT FORWARD!

This will be fun! Play along.

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Your Expression Number is 8

Driven and ambitious, you have the potential to reach great things. You're both good with money and good at getting things done quickly. You are an excellent leader and a great judge of character. Full of energy and confidence, you undertake projects that seem impossible. Dependable and determined, you are able to understand the bigger picture. Even if you are not in a position of power right now, it will fall to you. At times, you can be very materialistic - and obsessed with status and power. While this isn't always a bad thing, you sometimes take it to the extreme. In order to be truly happy, you must balance the material and spiritual in your life.

What's Your Expression Number?

Getting in the Christmas Mood 4

SENDING PRAYERS AND WARM THOUGHTS FOR ALL MY FRIENDS IN THE NORTHEAST.. HOPE THE STORM DOESN'T LAST LONG AND Y'ALL STAY SAFE AND REASONABLY WARM!!!

EDITED: NEW VERSION OF VIDEO SINCE OTHER HAD BEEN PULLED

Swiped from my friend Jill, the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Leave me a note if you play along so I can come visit.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper
2. Real or artificial tree? real
3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever we find the time to go get one
4. When do you take the tree down? Before New Years Day
5. Do you like eggnog? Yep, esp. homemade
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my bike... or the complete set of Anne of Green Gables books
7. Do you have a nativity scene? several
8. Hardest person to buy for? My son and son-in-law... men in general are hard for me to buy for
9. Easiest person to buy for? the girls
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I've ever received a really bad gift
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? yes :-)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th St.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? normally the day after Christmas... this year I'm way late
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? everything! lol
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? I don't have one favorite. I like most of them.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen; Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all.... Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? depends.. sometimes one, sometimes the other, sometimes a big bow...
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? How early it seems to start any more... Christmas stuff was in the stores before Halloween! Does anyone else remember when they started putting it out closer to Thanksgiving?
23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? different colors depending on my mood.
24. What do/did you leave for Santa? when I was growing up it was milk and cookies. All the kids are grown now, so we don't leave anything out

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Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Getting in the Christmas Mood 3

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My good friend, Hootin' Anni created this wonderful Christmas meme. To play along, just click the picture above and let us know you are playing.

1. Christmas is wonderful. [fill in the blank with ONE WORD]

2. In memories, what was the best part of your Christmases past? Going as a family to pick out our Christmas tree. I remember being sad when my mother bought our first artificial tree. It just didn't seem quite Christmasy that year.

3. Was Santa ever good to you? [describe how and what] Santa has always been good to me. Of course, last year, he really outdid himself by buying me the camera of my dreams. I still love it and use it almost every day.

4. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both? Only on Christmas Day. When the kids were little they could open one gift on Chrismas Eve, but it wasn't really fair to them, because I picked out which gift they opened, and it was always the new Christmas pajamas I'd bought them so they would be dressed in matching PJs for Christmas morning pictures. Yeah, I know... I'm a bad mom ;-)

5. Is there something you make each and every year? [craft or recipe] Homemade cranberry sauce for my husband. And, sometime during the holidays, rabanada. This recipe is different from the one I use, but I might have to give it a try. I would probably not use the cocoa it calls for though.

6. What is your favorite five[5] Christmas songs/hymns?I don't know if I can hold myself to five. Let's see... what about if I just list the first five that comes to my head? "Do You See What I See?", "What Child is This?", "Winter Wonderland", "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", "Santa Baby". Eclectic, huh? :-)

7. Is there a new tradition for Christmas since your childhood days? Only if you count all the kids coming home for Christmas, which isn't really a tradition, though we would love to make it one. Last year was the first time it happened, but this year, for various reasons, it doesn't look like it's going to happen, and that makes me sad.

8. Describe one of your Christmas trips. [whether it's across town or across country] We're stay-at-homers for Christmas, unless you count going to look at the Christmas lights. And we don't do that every year.

9. Do you have a special Christmas outfit to wear for the day?Yeah... my pajamas as long as I can get by with it. It's a pretty lazy day for me, except for cooking

10. Have YOU or any of your family members sat on Santa's lap? Not since I was a little girl... unless you count my hubby's lap. I sit on that every chance I get!

11. What is/or will be on your Christmas tree this year?This year we are going with a peppermint theme. Only red and white on the tree... white lights and garland, red decorations/bows. And peppermint potpourri in the air.

12. Do you/or have you decorated your yard for Christmas? Other than outside on the house, no... not in the yard

Let me know if you play along so I can come visit you!

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What is YOUR holiday personality?