Adult Swap? 12 Days of Giving

Welcome to my stop on the 12 Days of Giving Hop. Thank you so much to Lia Davis for setting up this extravaganza.

Get your mind out of the gutter! We’re not talking swinging here. Instead, it’s the concept of adults exchanging gifts at the holidays. Some years, family do a “children only” gift exchange, some make gifts, some draw names and others go full out. What’s your take on gift giving?

Of course, the first issue is the budget. What can you afford to spend? Sometimes, there is a gift limit during an exchange. Plus, for me, it’s what can you feasibly do? I’m not much of a creative, gift-making person. I can bake, but shipping food stuffs isn’t the easiest thing. My fellow Black Hills Wolves pack member TL Reeve was making these adorable hot chocolate jars for the holidays. (Leaded or Unleaded, LOL.) Maybe I could handle that!

The next thing to keep in mind is knowing the person you’re buying for. Don’t buy a generic gift but something you think they would like. Easier said than done, right? Often, I employ the tactic of “Would I want this?” and I confess, at times, I even end up buying two!

Having a list or guidelines can be helpful. Notoriously, a few months after the holidays my stepmom returns or gives away presents that were bought for her (I often get them back!). My hubby probably still has clothes I purchased 10 years ago that he’s never worn because although I liked the style, he doesn’t.

For my birthday in October, I put together a wish list on Amazon and gave the link to hubby. He complained that everything on it was $10, and bought nothing. (Fortunately, my aunt gave me a gift card and I used it toward goodies.)

As I’ve gotten older, the surprise in gifts has decreased, which is probably why I’ve signed up for a few Secret Santa exchanges! And I’m super sad to be missing a get-together of friends next week where they’re doing a “naughty” gift exchange.

Tell me: What are your thoughts on gift giving? Too stressful? Are you still like a child? What’s on your wish list for this year? What is your favorite type of gift? 

Giveaway: A gifted copy of “Claiming the She-Wolf” (my first Black Hills Wolves book) via Amazon or ARe, and a Starbucks Hot Chocolate Kit (U.S. mailing)! Please leave a valid email address and comment.

~*~*~*

Winter Solstice Ménage

Sugar isn’t as sweet as her big brother, Yas, believes. After he leaves the big city to venture a small pack in the hills he’s heard about from their mom, she decides to let loose in all the best ways. Except when all hell breaks loose and she’s faced with some tough decisions, she runs … to her family. 

After growing up in Los Lobos, twins Derek and Tyler Baker lived through all the hardships under the former Alpha leader. While one twin is happy playing the dating field, the other wants something more special. They both find what they’re looking for when newcomer Sugar comes for a visit.

Where Sugar goes, trouble follows. It’ll take more than one member of this pack to tame the new shifter she-wolf. But will the Winter Solstice Ménage be enough to convince her to settle down? 

Available via Amazon, ARe, iBooks, Kobo.

Remember to enter the Rafflecopter for the major prizes!

Grand Prizes

1 Kindle Fire 7"

1 $50 Amazon Gift Card

5 $5 Amazon Gift Card

Make sure to visit the other stops on the hop:

post date	Name	Blog URL
12/1/2015	Lia Davis	http://authorliadavis.com/blog
12/2/2015	Kerry Adrienne	http://kerryadrienne.com/blog/
12/3/2015	Amy Gregory	http://www.amygregoryauthor.com/
12/4/2015	Merryn Dexter	http://www.makingmerryn.blogspot.com
12/5/2015	Lauren Smith	http://theleagueofrogues.blogspot.com/
12/6/2015	Jessie Lane	http://jessielanebooks.com/blog/
12/7/2015	Emmy Curtis	http://emmycurtis.com/blog-2/
12/8/2015	Virginia Cavanaugh	http://virginiacavanaugh.wordpress.com
12/9/2015	Louisa Bacio	http://louisabacio.blogspot.com
12/10/2015	Sheri Lyn	https://www.facebook.com/Sheri-Lyn-Author-1404626999860565/
12/11/2015	TL Reeve	http://www.tlreeves.com
12/12/2015	Alyssa Richards	http://www.alyssarichards.com/paranormal-romance-blog/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flash Fiction #ThursThreads 4X Winner!

I needed this!

Celebrate each success! Often, I act as a cheerleader for other writer-friends. We all go through self-doubt. Every acknowledgement adds to the well of good wishes. I have to give special thanks to author Siobhan Muir who every week offers a flash fiction challenge, #ThursThreads.

Yesterday, as I often do on a Thursday, I looked at the prompt first thing in the morning, and then went about my day. It ended up a bit crazier than usual: drop-off and pick up of my teen daughter at a “shadow day” at her high school of choice for next year; trip to the dermatologist for her, lunch and the “cool” mall near the doctor’s office because, you know, we were close.

We returned home half an hour before the tutor arrived, and during their session I stole some time to write my entry. Actual writing/editing time was less than 45 minutes. Sound fast? Too long? I have no idea how long others spend on the flash entries. Some days, I can write it early and tweak it a few times through the day before eventually posting.

The characters – Sam and Johnny – have lived with me for a few years now. They first surfaced in the full-length novel Sex University: Physical Education, which was recently re-edited and re-released, and I’m working on their story.

Before I spout on too much, here’s a link to the winning entry. Congratulations to all who entered, and to the honorable mentions.

http://www.siobhanmuir.com/siobhans-blog/thursthreads-week-195-winners

If you’re interested in reading more about Sam and Johnny first meet, including a sexy voyeuristic scene, here’s the info on Physical Ed. Hopefully, you’ll be reading more soon, which means I better get to work!

Physical Education

Tired of sexual norms and wanting to expand her pleasure, Amanda “Mandi” Wilkinson enrolls in summer school at San Francisco Sex University, an exclusive sex school located in the heart of San Francisco. What Mandi doesn’t realize is that not all the mysterious drop-outs are simply flunking sex-ed.

Reed McAllister came to Sex U. for reasons all his own. Undercover, he’s searching for a woman, the right woman, and so far he doesn’t have any leads. Reed never saw himself working at a place such as SFSU, let alone instructing, but he had to admit it – the job did come with its perks.

When Mandi turns up on the missing list, will Reed be able to save her and give her the lessons she so desires?  

Available now via Amazon, ARe, RAB, Smashwords and soon at other eRetailers.