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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Hot Winter Nights Giveaway Hop

Wow, so it's December already!  That means so many things- winter, Christmas, and cooler weather? I say that because I'm in Phoenix, and we're still in and around the 80's...that doesn't feel winterish to me!

But the nights are cool...and to me, Hot Winter Nights are ones made up  of spending it with the one you love. Often times, what my husband and I do is take a walk, though we take our 3 year old son, and tire him out!  We usually wind up at our QuikTrip for hot chocolate, or in my case lately, blueberry tea. Then, we go home, snuggle up, drinking our hot drinks, and watch something either on the DVR, or a movie we rent.

One of the things I used to love to do was walk with my husband in the rain. Yes, we're that crazy. But winter to us means long walks, because that's what we used to do. We were both going through a rough time, and ended up walking to talk about it. Long, late night walks and talking, and falling in love. So winter has a special meaning for me. It's almost to the five year mark for us dating, come this December, so I know we'll keep up our walking tradition for these hot winter nights. :)

What is a perfect hot winter night for you? What kind of winter nights do you enjoy reading about?  Does Christmas bring out the best in hot winter nights?



Nikki Lynn Barrett lives in Arizona with her husband and son. She's an avid reader, a dreamer, and loves everything about books. She runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance. Nikki can also be found outside with her camera when a storm is near, snapping photo after photo. Her dreams of becoming a writer started when she was young, when she started writing books in one subject notebooks by the fifth grade. The Secret Santa Wishing Well is her debut book. You can visit Nikki's site at: www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com for more information. She is working on her next book. Nikki would love to hear from readers. Email her at nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com


The Secret Santa Wishing Well, a Christmas contemporary romance, out now!

(talk about hot winter nights!)

Blurb: The magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at the mall, hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn't seem to work, until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special wish...
Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without the help of her ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter's existence and doesn't provide for the son he does. This Christmas is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last, until her son Ben's kind actions lead a stranger to them.
Ah, but it's Christmas time and the magic has begun.
When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise that require they spend more time together, their feelings grow stronger and stronger.
With Christmas fast approaching, the pair learn what matters most in life. Now, if only they could ditch the ghost of Christmases past.
Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes come true- for everyone after all.


Excerpt:


It didn't take long for her to come back. Jacob moved to the living room, standing and waiting. When he saw her coming, he closed the gap between them. Before he could could think twice, he touched her shoulder gently, wanting to thank her for the evening.
But instead of talking, he leaned in and kissed her. Just a light kiss. Gentle. Friendly.
Until she responded. She had her arms around him, pulling him for another kiss. Deeper. Sweeter. She tasted so sweet. Her need made him swell. He could do this all night. Jacob pressed her against the wall, their kisses deepening with urgency. He ran his fingers through her fine hair. Hers wrapped around. his neck, rubbing lightly.
Jacob pulled back abruptly. “Cheyenne," he ground out. “We have to stop.” Before I lose it. He didn't want to stop. He never expected her to reciprocate like this. Wow. Maybe it wasn't one sided after all. Jacob sighed.
That halted everything. She pulled away, looking at him with wide, beautiful eyes. “I'm sorry. I pushed. You must think I'm a fool. I thought, when you kissed me...” Cheyenne attempted to move out of Jacob's embrace. Oh, damn. She thought he didn't want her. He did, oh, how he did.
“No, no. Honey, that's not it at all. Kissing you was magical. Amazing. But we just met. I don't want to take things too far. But I would love to see you again.” He pushed back loose strands of her hair that hung over her face when she'd moved. She looked so vulnerable. Was she going to cry? Oh hell, he wouldn't be able to handle it if she did. The last thing he wanted was for her to be upset with him.
“I'd like that, too. It was a wonderful, amazing day, and I have you to thank for it.” She nearly whispered the words, choking up on the last part. “God, I'm a mess. I'm sorry. There's been so much going on, and my signals are going crazy at the moment.”
Yours aren't the only one, Jacob thought. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, typing in her name in the contacts and handing it to her. “Can I have your number?”
She laughed. “Of course.” Her fingers brushed his as she took the phone from him, tapping in her number. She handed it back to him. Electric shocks of awareness zipped through him. His gaze lingered on her, knowing he needed to get the hell out of here before he lost it completely.

Buy on Amazon Kindle

Buy on B&N Nook

So, here's my prize offering! How about a $5 to Amazon? Just leave a comment! And, since I'm a newbie blog and debut author, I'd love a follow.

Now, that's just the prize I am giving away. There's also a GRAND PRIZE for following along the blog hop!!





$50 Amazon Gift Card - $10 Bookstrand Bucks - eBook prize package including:  11 eBooks.

41 comments:

  1. thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  2. I like to snuggle with my kindle on the couch! Thanks for the chance to win :) raynman1979 at yahoo dot com

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  3. I love to read a good love story on a cold winter night.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm a GFC follower :)
    Lacey
    laceyblossom1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. thanks for the sexy excerpt! It was def a great day to warm up my afternoon!

    grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

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  6. great giveaway. GFC follower susanmplatt


    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

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  7. I love sitting in the hot tub with hubby watching the stars
    msboatgal at aol.com

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  8. Thanks for the chance to win. Great movie and a good glass of wine.

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  9. Thanks for participating. I'm stopping by the blogs of all who are participating!

    jenndiggy at gmail dot com

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  10. Thanks for the great giveaway hop! I like spending my winter nights curling up on the couch with my favorite read and some hot chocolate!
    GFC follower: Kaci Verdun

    kacidesigns AT yahoo DOT com

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  11. I also love long walks ,especially when it's snowing.. then come home and have a cup of hot green tea with gingerbread cookies :)
    swordlily_girl[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  12. My favorite thing to do in the winter is snuggle up under my blanket (electric preferred as I live in Indiana), with a cup of coffee in one hand and my Kindle in the other. The dogs will almost always cuddle with me, unless dad is eating! He doesn't like walking much and I hate the cold weather so that is out for us. New GFC follower!

    Thanks so much for the great giveaway and being a part of this amazing hop.

    Happy Holidays,
    Marlena
    charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. I love Christmas! And I'd rather snuggle up with a good book than go out in the cold.

    www.lynnhubbard.com
    authorlynnhubbard@gmail.com

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  14. I love to cuddle in my fleece plaid on the couch and watch a sappy movie with my parrot that comes cuddeling in my neck or lap.

    but at night I grab my laptop to read a naughty books with some yummy men (yes men ^_^) under the blankets with a cold beverage in arm's reach

    Follow via GFC:Rose Mchallen
    rosemchallen[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. GFC follower. I love a fire, my fuzzies, a good book and music and I am set for the night. Thank you for the giveaway and for being a part of the hop.

    cmucha319@yahoo.com

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  16. Thank you for the post!
    verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

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  17. GFC follower JeanMP
    Thanks for the giveaway and being part of this fun blog hop.
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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  18. I love to cuddle up with my dogs and read a good book unless someone else happens to be there. ;) Thanks for the chance to win!

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  19. i love cuddeling up with my nook and reading thanks for the hop

    terrilee.byles@yahoo.com

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  20. Congrats on your book! And much thanks for the giveaway! I followed. :)

    JYL22075 at gmail dot com

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  21. I love to just cuddle with my honey on the couch on a cold winter's night.

    Dawna Newman

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Started following you :)

    Thank you for participating in the blog hop!

    eliseandtegan@gmail.com

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  23. A hot winter night to me is either sitting by the fire snuggling under a comfy throw just talking or watching a movie with the love of your life…that is heaven! You can’t ask for anything better…

    Thanks for the opportunity to share, meet new authors and perhaps snag new books to read.

    Belinda G
    belgre AT Comcast DOT net

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  24. This time of year is special to me too. Your personal story (congrats on 5 years) is so romantic and sweet and it reminded me of my own. This Dec 20th will be my 15 yr anniversary. When we got married, I got married in a red dress because I was his christmas present and We spent our honeymoon in Vegas - LOL

    I love the hot winter nights, hubby and I still snuggle and hold hands and this time of year is so special. I love sitting in front of the fireplace, drinking some wine and reading a hot book too.

    Wishing you many blissful hot winter nights this holiday season
    Ronda Tutt
    mrsqueentutt@gmail.com

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  25. Since we live in the south-hot winter nights actually mean hot winter nights..ha ha. Seriously I would love to have a HUGE snow for Christmas so I could use my fireplace and not melt. I love the whole holiday season and would just love to sit by a fire, read a good book and drink some adult beverage.
    Anne
    clarkac64 at yahoo dot com

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  26. Thanks for the great post!
    Cuddling up by the fire is my favorite!
    Thanks for the chance!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

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  27. I love to curl up by the fire on a cold winter night with the hubby drinking hot chocolate toddies and watching a movie, or reading a HOT romance book if hubby is working. Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win. <^_^>
    reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  28. laying in my bed cuddled up with hubby dont have to do anything just lay close. one with a happy ending it's not a must with me for my books but i dont like it if a christmas one dosnt have one. sense i prefer my hotness outside i would say no but stories sure make it sound good
    kaholgate at ymail dot com

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  29. I like to snuggle in my warm blanket and read on my Nook :) I follow on GFC:Brandi Slater Thanks for the giveaway!
    flava_sava_chick@yahoo.com

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  30. I love to snuggle up with a warm blanket, hot coffee and a hotter book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    GFC - Sherry S.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  31. Great excerpt! Looking forward to some Christmas spirit myself.

    Stacy Wilson

    dragn_lady at yahoo dot com

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  32. Beautiful cover & loved the excerpt! I don't get the winters here in FL that I used to when I lived in NJ. No snow & don't have to get all bundled up. Can't remember the last time I held a snow shovel in my hand. But we do get cooler nights in Dec & Jan & my favorite way to spend it is either snuggling with my husband or cuddling up with a great book & hot drink. Thanks for the giveaway & being part of this hop.

    JessieL62 at comcast dot net

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  33. Thank you!

    I am following you now :)

    booksconsidered[at]gmail[dot]com

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  34. I definitely like to snuggle up with a book on the couch by the fire!
    Great giveaway!
    Merry Christmas
    swkimbell@yahoo.com

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  35. Thank you for the chance!



    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

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  36. I like to stay warm by snuggling underneath a blanket and reading a good romance book! Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaway! Best wishes and many blessings to you and yours!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. Great excerpt. I love to snuggle up with the honey and babies (the dogs) in front of the fire place.

    blinkysthebest at aol dot com

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  38. Good excerpt. Thanks so much for thaking part in the blog hop. I am now following via GFC (June M.)
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  39. * Waves at Nikki! * Hey hun! LOL I recognized your name. Thought I was GFC following your blog. I may have to change that!

    Raonaid at gmail dot com

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  40. I follow GFC as Katie Amanda. Thanks for participating! katieamanda1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  41. I love newbies. You are all fresh and shiny and not hardened or beaten down. Yeah!!!
    planterofhope(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete