CELTICLADY'S REVIEWS: Winter Lites: A Collection of Seasoned Tales Presented by Lavish Publishing!

Winter Lites: A Collection of Seasoned Tales

Presented by Lavish Publishing

By Samantha Jacobey, Annie Rose Welch, R.A. Carter-Squire, Desiree L. Scott, M.L. Steinbrunn, A.J. Nicky Hjort, L.A. Remenicky, Anita Cox

This fall and winter season, Lavish Publishing is proud to bring together five of our new and established authors along with a few of their friends to present Winter Lites: A Collection of Seasoned Tales.

Inside this boxed set of novellas, eight special journeys await – all clean reads, ranging from love stories to paranormal thrillers. Each is told in the authors' unique voice, all are professionally edited and proofed, and only available in this special bundle for the 2016 holiday season.

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Buy Links:

US Amazon: http://amzn.to/2eUjvp8

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/m0zloW

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This set includes:

The Binding ~ Samantha Jacobey

One cursed diary will change two strangers forever...

Merideth Monroe was born to a wealthy politician; luxury was her middle name. The happiest childhood, the finest schools, and landing her dream career; her future couldn’t have been brighter. She didn’t care that her mother wanted a different path for her; but when her mother is murdered and she appears to be next, nothing in her flawless life will matter.

Rider Bradshaw lived a carefree existence. Ex-military, he only wanted out of his family’s shaded history and chose to leave the sins of their past behind. However, when a girl he’s never heard of is placed in his charge by his father, protecting her becomes his obsession and keeping her safe his only reality.

Can Meri and Rider use her mother’s old book to figure out why someone is after them? Or will the guilty party succeed, ripping the tome away before killing them and then slithering back into the darkness…

About the Author:

Anyone who knows me could tell you, I am a friendly kind of person, never met a stranger and take up conversations anywhere at any time. I work hard, and my mind never seems to shut down, as I wake up often in the middle of the night with ideas pouring out and demanding to be dealt with. Of course that means much of my books were written in the middle of the night.

I grew up and still live in the great state of Texas where everything is bigger, where we have warm weather and a central location. I love my state, my town, and my family, which includes my four sons, my significant other, and many friends as well.

I have thoroughly enjoyed writing the books that are currently available and hope you will enjoy reading them just as much. And of course, there will be many more stories to come.

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Hazel Darling: Sweetest Sister ~ Annie Rose Welch

A pinch of a sordid past.

A dash of vices.

A heaping handful of sisters.

A bit of faith.

And a lot of baking.

Stir it all together somewhere new, somewhere like Carmel, California.

Hazel Little Darling is hoping this is a recipe for a new start. Hazel is banking on a life full of flour, sugar, butter, and fairytales to make all her dreams come true. A life far removed from the one she had been living—a life of secrets with her infamous gang of sisters. She swears off excess food, drinks, pills, and, boys, all in hopes of living the “good life.”

California brings the mysterious Tobias Jameson, who seems to materialize in the still of the night. Their fated rendezvous under the stars is a short one, leaving Hazel to draw her own conclusions about what exactly transpired between two passing souls. After their meeting, Hazel’s sure that she’ll never again see the handsome man who seemed to understand her without truly knowing her. Tobias has other plans, though, and he fights for a place in Hazel’s life— something Hazel has never experienced before and that makes her trust him even less. So when Hazel’s history is brought to light, she’s not sure whether her past will steal her happily ever after, or become the foundation of her life’s greatest recipe.

Her sweetest remedy, or nothing but a bitter goodbye.

About the Author:

Born and raised in New Orleans, Annie has a habit of shortening her words and telling long stories. She speaks with a southern flair and cooks with it too. At the tender age of twenty- one, she hitched up her wagons (took her first plane ride) and moved out west to the big shake (California).

Her passion for writing began one sleepless night when she imagined a gorgeous woman and a man with maniacal hair floating above her like lightening bugs falling from the sky. Curious about them, their story, and why they were floating around in her head, she sat down and penned (typed) her first novel, Marigny Street. A dream come true for her, she hasn't stopped writing since. She loves a damn good love story, always has, no matter what the genre. She is particularly moved by imperfect love that in its own unique way is perfect, the notion of love at first sight, soulmates, and things that are generally out of the norm.

When she's not writing she enjoys dabbling in photography and finding new, inspirational music to add to her collection. Deciding on a whim to hitch up those same wagons, Annie currently resides in Texas (where everything is bigger) with her husband, daughter, and their two peculiar dogs, Boudreaux and Tabasco (who, call her crazy, bark with an accent).

For lagniappe (a little extra), a virtual cup of café au lait and beignets, please visit Annie's website:

www.annierosewelch.com

She can also be found on Facebook & Twitter.

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Dirty Old Man ~ R.A.Carter-Squire

Roy Corwin, a simple man, widower, retired. A long life lived with a purpose, but don’t ever call him a Dirty Old Man.

Roy loved Halloween. He treated it as the most special night of the year, next to Christmas Eve. Decorations, spooky stories, kids dressed as ghosts and goblins running from house to house collecting enough candy to satisfy any sweet tooth for a year. That’s what he thought until this year.

Roy, a decorated Vietnam veteran, lives alone in his childhood home in a neighborhood where the only other occupied house belongs to a drug lord.

Two foes united by differing memories of Halloween, a visit from a lost friend. Years, of savagery in the jungles of a foreign country, struggling with the loss of his wife, and living with the stigma of a slanderous dark story from his past, have pushed him to the brink on this All Hallows Eve. Roy is taking back his self-respect.

About the Author:

Mr. Carter-Squire likes to write what he enjoys reading...thriller/mystery/horror. He's had the pleasure of reading most authors in these genres, from Doyle to Grisham, from Poe to King and everyone in between. The story is what compels him to read and continue reading. That's his plan when he writes and continues to develop his abilities to give you the reader, the best possible story to entertain you. Mr. Carter-Squire has achieved a top ten placement in the Horror Fans Fiction Appreciation competition. Competed in the World's Best Fiction competition and received a top 200 placing. Rick's work is supported by his amazing wife and family, because they are his first audience.

Please be kind and leave a review for any books you read. They help an author improve and gives them a sense of accomplishment. We write for our readers.

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Stranded on Vail Mountain ~ Desiree L. Scott

Stranded on Vail Mountain blurb

It was supposed to be a vacation, a time to save her marriage, but what Joan Clayton hadn’t counted on was Murphy’s Law of Vail Mountain and the secrets that had damaged her marriage beyond repair. It was over. Depressed and angry, she decided to venture directly into an oncoming snowstorm, one that would be known as the blizzard of the century.

Stephen Brockheart received the call concerning a missing tourist after working 26 hours straight. A park ranger for the mountain resort, he set out on the routine mission, knowing he was running out of time as the blizzard hit with visibility zero. What he hadn’t counted on was saving a beautiful woman and falling for her, a city girl who knew nothing about the dangers of the mountain. He had been there before and vowed never to return.

As Mother Nature raged, Joan was soon overcome by the feelings a complete stranger evoked in her, causing her to reevaluate her own life. Through the blizzard and stranded at the resort, death was imminent for any who would try to leave. Despite loss and secrets, can two people find love and happiness again?

Can they be given a second chance to make it real and lasting, or will that chance die with them?

About the Author:

Desiree L. Scott has been writing since she was sixteen years old. There have been many influences within her life that has set her on the path that she cannot help but walk. A few of those influences consist of Karen Rose, Lisa Gardener, Nora Roberts, Cynthia Eden, Catherine Anderson, Laura Griffin, Andrea Kane, and Lisa Jackson, just to name a few. This list by no means defines my own writing but they have indeed influenced her desire to live outside of her own world and to create the thrill of her dreams.

Desiree lives on 40 + acres in the SHOW ME state with her ten-year old daughter, with the wonderful addition of four dogs. The weather is unpredictable, but the surrounding beauty of the country helps her creativity as she sits on her top deck with her laptop and coffee close by. There is one incident that will always remain with her that really affected her determination on writing and she would love to share it with her readers......

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When I was eighteen years old, I had written ten VERY well-known authors, a few being Julie Garwood and Nora Roberts, just to name a few. Now keep in mind, I wrote a very long letter, asking for advice on writing and so forth. My letter was more gushing than anything else but still, ONE author wrote me back! By hand no less.

Her name was Andrea Kane, a suspense writer who crafts the most amazing stories and plots. But because of that one small act of kindness, she not only has my respect as an author but as a wonderful person who took the time to let me know about a few organizations and to wish me luck in my goals and ambitions through life. It meant the world to an eighteen year old girl and still does, as I have gotten older and continued my dream.

I hope that I make one small impact in the world at large and to readers, even if it's small. I have so many reasons to be blessed in life and hope that I never take those for granted. The support has been amazing and for that, I will never forget where I have come from, the struggles I have endured, and the blessings that I have been gifted with. Thank you all so very much!!

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Revelations: A Redemption Series Novella ~ M.L. Steinbrunn

I’m the princess of spin, an up-and-coming star on my way to becoming the best in the advertising business. I can make your company, your product, you, irresistible. The suits bend to my will; I sip their insecurities with my morning latte.

But then one serendipitous moment, one perfect stranger, turned my world upside down.

Nash Phillips waltzed into my office and managed to twist me into a knotted mess. The job was all I needed, now he's all I crave. But having him isn't that simple.

The truth is supposed to be easy, pure, even refreshing. However, in our business of half-truths and twisted realities, will our attraction survive the revelations of our true reality?

About the Author:

My name is M.L. Steinbrunn and I am a young adult and contemporary romance author. My work includes the popular Redemption Series and a young adult series, which includes my new release, A Beholden Heart.

In addition to writing, I work full-time as a high school educator and coach in rural Colorado where my husband and I are raising our four young children. Through education I have enjoyed guiding others on their paths and helping students build their own stories. After countless evenings of discussing story ideas, it was my husband who encouraged me to follow my own path of self-publishing.

I want to send a huge thank you to those who have been overwhelmingly supportive of this journey.

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Where Tyndra Turns To Ardnyt ~ A. Nicky Hjort

In the center of a magical world there grows a beautiful and terrible chasm of climbing plants. On one side of the Ivy Wall we find the hell-of-Tyndra, on the other, the heaven-of-Ardnyt. But legend has it that in the middle…lives a preternatural beast that imprisons and tortures the children from both sides.

When the war against time begins, Azza will have to cross over the Ivy Wall, something that has never been done before by a living being. But if she does make it through, she just might discover who she really is and how she became trapped in this alternate reality.

A fairytale at heart, this is the first chapter in the epic saga of the youngest and most fickle of the four Norn Sisters. The same feisty immortal creature who must escape her inherent inner darkness to learn the meaning of love.

A veritable palindrome from start to finish, the narrative of Where Tyndra Turns to Ardnyt journeys through duality to discover what shocking truths emerge when up becomes down, life becomes death, suffering becomes release, and the most unexpected endings become the most surprising beginnings.

Welcome to a place where forwards and backwards are exactly the same direction. Here Where Tyndra Turns to Ardnyt.

About the Author:

A. Nicky Hjort is originally from Arlington, Texas- the second of five siblings, all of whom have strong creative talents. She currently lives in coastal central California where she practices medicine as an Ob/GYN. In between being a lovingly devoted mother and delivering babies, she writes stories that cross multiple genre lines- from Sci Fi to high fantasy, but all of her stories have thriller and strong romantic components. And for her clever reader, all of her manuscripts are subtly connected to each other, with their purpose to explore all facets of Love and Light. She likes to say that her stories write themselves, and in the process, often write her, or at least the next version of her hoping to emerge. A lover of all the arts, A. Nicky Hjort hopes her stories might inspire you to find your inner creative genius.

Connect with her on FB at https://m.facebook.com/Author.A.N.Hjort, Twitter at @A_NickyHjort, or Goodreads under A.Nicky Hjort

Her website is www.ANickyHjortBooks.com

She thanks you for your attention to her work.

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Love On The Double ~ Loving Jessie's Girl ~ L.A. Remenicky

Until AJ Monroe left Indiana after college he had always lived in his identical twin brother’s shadow. He had made a life for himself in Denver, Colorado, away from Jessie, away from Indiana. But when AJ feared for his brother's safety, he left everything behind to step back into the shadow he thought he had outgrown. Finding his brother was AJ's only concern...until he met Jessie's girl.

Fiercely independent, Rina Abbot hid her true situation from everyone, including her best friend, Jessie. Out of money and unable to care for her rescue dogs she had no choice but to accept the help of the handsome stranger with a familiar face. Afraid to trust him, she tried to ignore the feelings he stirred within her as they searched for his missing brother.

But secrets never stay secrets for long. Finally open about their feelings for each other, Rina’s secrets began to wreak havoc on their lives. Would Rina’s secrets force AJ to give up his dream of loving Jessie’s girl?

About the Author:

L.A. Remenicky ~ Love Stories With A Twist

L.A. Remenicky is a forty-something wife and mother of three fur kids. A payroll professional by day, she writes out the stories in her head by night.

An avid reader all her life, she finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) during NaNoWriMo in 2012 and has never looked back. When she’s not typing away on her latest story with music playing in the background, she can usually be found spending time with her family and friends.

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Unexpected Gift ~ Anita Cox

Jake Baker, Alpha of the new Special Forces unit of the Federation of Supernatural Entities, spends his time tracking down members of a diabolical group known as the Separatists. These members will stop at nothing to keep the species divided and embattled.

He finds himself constantly missing a human, Susan Sweeny. Knowing a relationship with her would be bad for the both of them, he tries to shake his feelings for her but finds he spends an inordinate amount of time staring at her photos on his laptop.

A call from the Lycan Queen brings him home for the holidays where he’s hit with the shocker of his life. The human is pregnant with his child. But what is he to do now?

Can he overcome his bias toward the humans and do what’s right by human and their half-breed child? Will she accept him as a mate, even though they cannot bond? Or will love and fate come together to give Jake what he’s yearned for ever since he could recall?

About the Author:

Anita Cox is a bestselling author of a growing number of novels. For over ten years, she's written contemporary, erotic, and paranormal, romances via traditional, independent, and audio publishers.

An only child born and raised in the Midwest, Anita enjoyed reading novels as a way to occupy herself and set her imagination free. That propensity blossomed into creations of her own as she began crafting novels of her own. As she matured, she began writing more adult tales and donned the pen name Anita Cox.

Anita resides in Indiana with the last teenager in her herd, a fluffy-not-fat cat named Tommy Chong, Titan the English Mastiff and the husband that helped create her creative pen name. In her free time, Anita enjoys fishing, gardening, and devouring equal portions of strong coffee and heart-stopping novels.

Find out how to get specials and behind the scenes info by visiting her website at www.authoranitacox.com

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