• Quick and Fun,  Romantic Comedy,  Small Town Romance

    Just Desserts and Other Stories by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman #RLFblog #romanticcomedy #sweetromance

    Just Desserts and Other Stories by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman #RLFblog #romanticcomedy #sweetromanceVicki Batman, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.

    Just Desserts…and Other Stories by Vicki Batman

    Genre: romantic comedy short story anthology
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG
    Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these clean and wholesome, heart-warming short tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.
    Included are:
    Bug Stuff ~ An accountant unites with a co-worker to exterminate a pesky adversary.
    Just Desserts ~ A political dinner gone disastrous brings together a reluctant attendee and her handsome seat-mate.
    With This Ring ~ When a wife forgets the all-important little black dress, the evening turns into something utterly unforgettable.
    Good Girls Finish First ~ When men friends are challenged to fix breakfast if they lose a race, one woman leads the pack and discovers finishing first leads to romance.
    Ouch ~ Who knew a yoga class would be so dangerous…and romantic?
    Man Theory ~ When a geeky co-worker espouses his theory on love, a friend risks her heart.
    Tommy and the Teacher ~ A young boy steals from the school’s book fair causing interesting possibilities to arise.
    Absolutely Positively Lost ~ Helping a map-challenged young man find his way is truly serendipitous.
    The Little Birdie Who ~ A new town, a new friend, a new beginning. Who would have thought a little bird could bring two people together?
    Check Her Out ~ It’s a sticky situation, especially between a store manager and Auntie Caren when her nephew must pay for the gum he stole.
    This Is Not Working ~ One of those days at a new job when nothing is going right, and then the boss steps in.

    QUICK

    Do you write more than one genre? If so, what are they?
    Yes, I do! Humorous romantic mysteries and romantic comedy short stories.
    How do you come up with ideas
    ?
    With short stories, sometimes, people say things and my head goes bing! and the story takes off. It is so gratifying and fun when that happens. I did take a short story class early on and we were challenged to study a picture and create a story from it. It worked!
    What is the single most important part of writing for you?
    I love when the story is roughed and I can get to work to make it better. I’ll finesse until I’m sick of it.
    When did you write your first book
    ?
    I wrote my first book about fourteen years ago after a friend challenged me. Handsome was floored.

    FUN

    Leather or lace? Cotton, lolol
    Black or red? Wear black, love red
    Satin sheets or smooth cotton? Cotton
    Ocean or mountains? Mountains
    City life or country life? City life
    Party life or evening at home? Evening at home
    Dogs or cats? Both!

    Where to buy Just Desserts…and Other Stories

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Desserts-Other-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B07CT8XC5F/
    Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-desserts-and-other-short-stories-vicki-batman/1128592107
    Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/823338/

    Vicki Batman Social Media

    Vicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way she has garnered awards and bestsellers. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and several writing groups. An avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Cat fancier. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??”
    Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html/
    Blog: http://www.vickibatman.blogspot.com/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Batman-sassy-writer-of-sexy-and-funny-fiction-133506590074451/
    Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/
    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman/
    Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman/
    Newsletter: http://www.vickibatman.blogspot.com/

     

  • RLF Gems

    #Romance Lives Forever @AnneKane @AlinaKField @VickiBatman #RLFblog

    #Romance Lives Forever @AnneKane @AlinaKField @VickiBatman #RLFblogBe sure to read What is RLF? Romance Lives Forever in 2018 for great new opportunities coming for authors and readers.

    The RLF Gems announcement last month was in the top ten. You are why I do this!

    The most visited page last month was Christmas Romance Day on Dec 23rd. Top Blogger for this month is Anne Kane. She wins a month of free advertising on the blog. Top chatter was Alina K Field. Top Blogger of 2017 was Vicki Batman, who won a year of free advertising for 2018.

    Top Blogger Anne Kane

    Website http://AnneKane.com
    Blog http://annekane.wordpress.com
    Twitter http://twittercom/annekane
    Facebook http://facebookcom/anne.kane.author
    Pinterest https://pinterest.com/annekaneauthor/
    Goodreads https://goodreads.com/Annekane
    Amazon Author Page https://amazon.com/Anne-Kane/e/B004FXZSQ4/

    #Romance Lives Forever @AnneKane @AlinaKField @VickiBatman #RLFblogThe winners are judged by page visits. Congratulations to these fine bloggers:
    Individual best page views: Anne Kane

    Christmas Romance Authors: Adele Downs, AE Wasp, Barbara Lohr, Barbara White Daille, Beppie Harrison, Christie Logan, Christine Young, CL Kraemer, Genie Gabriel, Grace Risata, Jean Joachim, Jody Wallace, Kayelle Allen, LA Remenicky, Laura Baumbach, Laura Haley-McNeil, Laura Strickland, Leigh Michaels, Liese Sherwood-Fabre, Linda O’Connor, Linda Rae Sande, Lisabet Sarai, Melissa McClone, Mickie Sherwood, PJ Sharon, Robin Michaela, Savanna Kougar, Seelie Kay, Staci Troilo, Vicki Batman

    Honorable mention: KG Fletcher

    Top Chatters for the Month

    The person who gets the most comments in a month is not always the person who gets the most page views. For that reason, I instituted the Top Chatter Award. This award is for the bloggers who receive the most comments.
    This month’s winners are:

    Christmas Romance Day authors
    Alina K Field

    Who among us doesn’t have a veteran in the family?
    Please support our veterans and their families personally
    and in your communications with Congress.

    Top Bloggers of 2017

    #Romance Lives Forever @AnneKane @AlinaKField @VickiBatman #RLFblogOne author made the list as top blogger due to having the most page views twice. She was also often in the top five or an honorable mention: Vicki Batman. Vicki wins a year of free advertising on Romance Lives Forever, a $120 value.

    Other top bloggers during the year (in alpha order by first name) include: Alexa Aston, Anne Kane, Clare Dargin, Faye Hall, Kara James, Karen Michelle Nutt, Kayelle Allen, Kayla Drake, NJ Walters, and Saraya St Clair.

    New Server — New Power

    RLFblog has attracted so many visitors we crashed the server three times in the past month. On September 20th, we had no visitors on the blog so that we could move to a new, more powerful and roomier server. This should hold us for a bit! It also means I can add even more services. Look for new things in 2018, such as Free Book Friday and other goodies for readers (and authors)!

    Not only does RLF post automatically to Triberr with a reach of several million, each post is also featured on the Romance Lives Forever Pinterest board http://www.pinterest.com/kayelleallen/romance-lives-forever-rlfblog/ as well as on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/RomanceLivesForever/ and Twitter https://www.twitter.com/kayelleallen When you like, follow and share it increases the reach. Thank you for sharing with your readers and friends!

    Be a Guest Author

    Romance Lives Forever uses Signup Genius to schedule guests. The system also reminds authors of their visit. One post is available each day. Once you choose a date, no one else will be able to take it. You can sign up for more than one visit; however, each visit must be in a different month.

    Reserve a date between January – March 2018
    http://bit.ly/rlf1Q2018

    Reserve a date between April – June 2018
    http://bit.ly/rlf2Q2018

    Reserve a date between July – September 2018
    http://bit.ly/rlf3Q2018

    Reserve a date between October – December 2018
    http://bit.ly/rlf4Q2018

     

    Sign up for #FreeBook Friday

    Each week, five books will be offered http://bit.ly/rlf-free

     

    My thanks to all who took part this month. You made Romance Lives Forever a great place to discover new books and authors. Other guests during the month are (in alpha order by first name):

    Alina K Field, Angela Scavone, Barb Caffrey, Beverley Oakley, Cailin Briste, Cynthia Sax, Daryl Devore, June Kramin, Karen Cino, Kristina Knight, Kryssie Fortune, Livia Quinn, Liz Flaherty, Meredith Bond, Peter Perrin, Robin Michaela, Rolynn Anderson, Valerie Ullmer

    Do you want to BLAST PIRATES?
    I recommend Blasty. When you use it, please mark Romance Lives Forever as a legal site. Thank you!

  • Christmas or Holiday

    Christmas Romances for the holiday spirit in all of us #Christmas #Romance #RLFblog

    Christmas Romance Month

    Love Christmas Romance? Presenting holiday romances by various authors. Be sure to bookmark the blog and come back for more great books every day. Scroll down for blurbs and buy links.

    A Real Christmas

    Christie Logan
    Christmas hasn’t been the same for Allison Voss since losing her husband, but she’s determined to make it merry for her daughters’ sake. But the odds are against her. She’s between jobs and simply managing day to day is a struggle—until a stranger’s act of kindness changes everything.
    Ward Haysgard is not a fan of Christmas. He’s seen plenty of greed and selfishness and not much good will toward men. But Allison’s plight touches him. As he gets to know her and her girls, they work their way into his heart. A heart he thought had hardened long ago.
    As the holiday approaches, an old secret threatens their growing closeness. Allison concentrates on giving her girls “a real Christmas” with gifts and treats, but she and Ward will both discover that the only thing that makes Christmas real is the love of family and friends.
    Rating: PG
    Amazon http://a.co/fimHffj

    Christmas Crush

    Mickie Sherwood
    Although Ashley Wagner feels more like Scrooge than Santa, she keeps her promise and accompanies her sister back home for a Christmas wedding. Her three-day weekend is off to a rocky start, thanks to the unexpected run-in with her womanizing ex-husband, and his very pregnant new wife. She manages to get away with her dignity intact, but later, with old wounds ripped open, the professional crisis manager ends up in the middle of her own life-altering predicament.
    Then, sports journalist Craig Johnston, wheels to her rescue.
    Will Ashley spend Christmas brooding over bitter memories? Or will Craig, a dynamic paraplegic, present the deserving divorcĂ©e with a gift she can’t resist?
    Rating G
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Crush-Bayou-Love-Romances-ebook/dp/B00QQFBW1Y/

    Christmastime on Donner’s Mountain

    Laura Strickland
    For most of her life, Becca Monroe’s been running. The urge to see what lay beyond the next horizon took her away from Donner’s Mountain and the man she loved. Now, back for what will surely be her grandfather’s last Christmas, she’s caught in a tangle of unresolved emotions that leave her torn between the impulse to flee and the desire to stay.
    Jack Donner never stopped loving Becca, even though she deserted him. Better than anyone else, he knows how cruel it would be to fetter her wild spirit, and he doubts she could ever be happy living in one place, on his mountain.
    Can memories of Christmases past remind Becca what truly matters? And can love convince Jack to give her one more chance, even if it means risking his battered heart?
    Rating PG
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Christmastime-Donners-Mountain-Laura-Strickland-ebook/dp/B075XFHNQ8/

    Crystal Creek Christmas

    Laura Haley-McNeil
    When a blinding snowstorm shuts down the Crystal Creek Ranch’s cattle operation, the Whitlochs have one mission – save the cattle. ER doc Jake Whitloch joins in the rescue, but the form he finds in a snowdrift is no cow. It’s a woman, a woman who consumes his thoughts despite that two carat diamond sitting on her ring finger.
    Noelle BeauprĂ© thanks the rugged doctor for rescuing her from freezing to death and the Whitlochs for taking her into their home, but now it’s time for her to leave the ranch. She longs to stay with the man who’s determined to protect her, but she doesn’t dare. Her deadly secret is in hot pursuit. Any delay and she’ll endanger the family who opened their home to her.
    Noelle leaving Crystal Creek Ranch? Jake can’t let her go, but how can he convince her he’ll to anything to keep her safe?
    Rating PG
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Creek-Christmas/dp/1505698561/

    Last Chance Christmas, A Fairfield Corners Novella

    LA Remenicky
    From the outside, Brent Halston and Jordan McKenna had the perfect life: the house, the dog, fulfilling careers, and their love. However, Jordan’s past refused to leave her alone, threatening to destroy all they had built together. Without explanation, Jordan pushed Brent out of her life, leaving him devastated and confused. In an attempt to start over, Brent relocated to Fairfield Corners, bought an extravagant house, and mourned the loss of his Jojo. To keep herself from drowning in her own grief, Jordan gave everything she had to her career as a doctor, running the free clinic on the rough side of town. As the holiday season approached, a frantic phone call from Jordan’s brother pulled Brent back into Jordan’s life, giving them the opportunity to reconnect. Battling the past and present, can their love survive secrets and betrayal? Would this be their last chance Christmas?
    Rating PG
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRZK0Z4

    Once Upon a Christmas Moon

    Christine Young, Genie Gabriel, and CL Kraemer
    Twelve Days To Love
    When Archer Steele shows up at Calanthe Durand’s failing plantation with
    an alligator over his shoulder, Cali thinks she’s never seen a more
    handsome man. Independent and self-sufficient, she vows to never marry. But Archer has different ideas. The first time Archer sees Cali in town, he feels an instant attraction. He decides he will convince the beautiful Calanthe he is worthy of her love. During the weeks before Christmas, he gives her twelve gifts in hopes she will fall in love with him.
    Boots And Blades
    An ancient evil from the old country has arrived in the high desert of
    Oregon. Gnome children are vanishing then re-appearing, showing various
    stages of traumatization. Tiamoon, warrior gnome, will put her skills to
    use alongside Killian, a handsome warrior, also in need of a cause.
    Christmas Pawsibilities
    With their world destroyed and their space ship malfunctioning, the
    dogizens of Planet Canid have little choice but to crash land on Earth.
    They face tortuous experiments at the hands of the Geeks in Green…or
    they can trust an eccentric inventor and his zany family to deliver the
    Canine Queen’s puppies and help them celebrate new lives.
    Rating PG
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Christmas-Christine-Young/dp/1979071098/

    Reindeer Wars

    Liese Sherwood-Fabre
    Tina has a tendency to go a little overboard when decorating for the holidays, but Brian decides her skills are just what he needs to get into the Christmas spirit. Can this budding relationship survive when they find themselves in a knock-down-drag-out competition to win the office’s “most outrageous holiday sweater?”
    Rating PG
    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Reindeer-Wars-ebook/dp/B009P6HWHO

    Santa to the Rescue

    Adele Downs
    Firefighter Jamey Tucker knows three things in life to be true: an honorable man doesn’t go back on his word; never hurts a woman; and lasting love isn’t a myth. But with his recent move to a new job at Appleton Fire Station, the long hours don’t offer hope of finding the love he’s looking for.
    When Jamey meets beautiful pediatric nurse Heather Longhurst after hearing her sing “Santa Baby” in a supermarket aisle, he offers her a promise he discovers he can’t keep. Heather has been betrayed by men in the past, making it hard for Jamey to gain her trust. Determined to find a way to win her heart, Jamey uses firefighter engine-uity and Heather’s favorite song to prove he’s got Christmas spirit she can believe in all year.
    Rating PG
    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Rescue-Entangled-Bliss-Adele-ebook/dp/B00G1IM260/

    Sweet Holiday Wishes

    Melissa McClone
    Lizzy Hamilton wants to skip Christmas this year. Working as a nurse while holding her marriage to an Army Ranger together has drained her energy and joy. She’s a pro at caring for others, but she needs someone to look out for her, too. However, when her soon-to-be ex-husband, Mitch, asks if she’ll spend the holidays with him–just as friends–so he won’t be alone, she can’t say no because, other than his platoon, she’s the only family he has.
    Staff Sergeant Mitchell Hamilton wants only one Christmas gift–his wife. Frequent deployments and training exercises sent him away from home, and he had no idea how taken for granted Lizzy felt until she asked him for a divorce two months ago. Now his mission is to show his wife he’ll do anything to save their marriage. He only hopes his plan to win her back with a holiday vacation to Indigo Bay, a coastal resort town, works. He can’t–won’t–lose Lizzy forever.
    Rating G
    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776ZDH46/

    The Unlikely Santa

    Leigh Michaels
    In the retail business, Christmas isn’t a holiday, it’s an endurance contest – and as manager of the Tyler-Royale department store in a major Chicago shopping mall, Brandi Ogilvie knows that surviving December will be a challenge. Merchandise is going astray and her staff is decimated by flu, but at least Brandi has a full roster of Santas. Then Zack Forrest shows up in her store, insisting he’s the perfect candidate to fill Santa’s red velvet suit.
    Brandi’s new Santa is too tall, too lean, too dark, and way too sexy for the role. But he’s enough to make a jaded department store manager think twice about what she’d like to find under her tree on Christmas morning – if only she wasn’t so certain that Zack is hiding something.
    The Unlikely Santa was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America RITA contest for best sweet traditional romance of the year.
    Rating G
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/The-Unlikely-Santa-ebook/dp/B00F6LL1Y2

    A Chance at Christmas

    Beppie Harrison
    A Chance at Christmas tells the story of a Christmas that very nearly never happens for Catherine and her younger brother, struggling with poverty and the boy’s serious disabilities. But an invitation does come for a splendid Christmas at a friend’s great house, and Catherine dares to form a plan that might provide a future for her brother. What she never dreams of is a future for herself as well. Can romance come as a shocking Christmas surprise?
    Rating PG13
    Amazon https://www.amzn.com/dp/B019A67PTS

    Holiday Disaster

    Vicki Batman
    The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus.
    Rating PG13
    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Season-Magic-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B00OZ136A6/

    Court Me, Cowboy

    Barbara White Daille
    The End…Just the Beginning?
    Gabe Miller’s marriage ended so fast it had hardly begun. Which is why he couldn’t quite believe his luck—or his “ex”—when she returned a few months later with the news that legally they were still husband and wife. And that the child she was carrying was his son.
    Gabe feared Marissa would bolt again, making a custody battle his only option–unless he could turn back the clock and woo her the way he should have during their whirlwind romance. But even with his boy’s future at stake, mending fences with a woman–especially the one he loved—wasn’t something the strong, silent type found easy to do…
    Rating G
    Amazon https://www.amzn.com/dp/B00EM36HD0

    One Week to Win Her Boss

    Barbara White Daille
    Single mom Amber Barnett loves family, kids, Christmas…and unfortunately, her boss, confirmed bachelor Michael DeFranco. It’s a crush she really needs to get over. Except, when she’s temporarily forced from her apartment, her only option is to stay at Michael’s private ski lodge, where she’s the housekeeper. No problem. Her handsome boss rarely visits Snowflake Valley unexpectedly, plus he’s spending the holidays with his family. Or so she thinks…
    A stormy Christmas Eve reunion leaves Michael seeking the solitude of his lodge, where he finds Amber in residence—and in trouble. Attempting to save her from her matchmaking family, he announces they’re a couple. His good deed backfires when they’re instantly included in each and every holiday event in town. So much for solitude.
    Only the more time he spends with the beautiful, cheery brunette, the more he yearns to make things real between them. But he and Amber want different things, and Michael could never be the family man she’s looking for.
    Rating PG13
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076PJ7SNN

    Perfectly Christmas

    Linda O’Connor
    On the first day of Christmas, his true love said to him, “Sorry, I have to work.” That’s the life of a surgeon, and Dr. Madison Hayes wouldn’t have it any other way.
    Dr. Quinn Malone has another priority. In the countdown to Christmas, he needs to convince his old flame that there’s more to life – and love – than the job itself.
    This time, his heart is in it for the long haul. Really. Romantic and . . . complicated – it’s Perfectly Christmas!
    Rating PG13
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYW5T7X

    Sami’s Christmas Wish List

    PJ Sharon

    All Samantha Owens wants for Christmas is a working car, a miraculous improvement in her grades, and a boyfriend who sees her as more than just a friend with benefits.

    But with a single mom who’s struggling to make ends meet, presents seem unlikely, and with legal troubles looming over her head, she’ll be lucky not to be spending the holiday in juvenile detention. When she’s forced to do community service at the local church, she finds that wishing her life was different won’t make it so, and that avoiding her past may be what’s standing in the way of her future.

    It doesn’t help that Travis Vance, a freshman in college and intern for a teen drug and alcohol treatment program, is hanging around and pushing her buttons at every turn. Or that her friends are all going through their own dramas—most of which seem far worse than her own.

    Can Sami bring everyone together to save the church in time for Christmas? Or is hoping for a happy ending one more wish that will never be granted?

    Rating PG13
    PJ Sharon http://www.pjsharon.com/ya-books/#toc-5

    The House-Sitter’s Christmas

    Jean Joachim

    At Christmas, Laura Fleming lived her fantasy adventure. Paid to house-sit for the fabulously wealthy financier, C.W. Banley, while he traveled, she eagerly headed for New York City. As mistress of his elegant townhouse, she baked cookies and dressed the old gent’s richly-furnished residence for the holidays.

    As December rolled around, the lonely, lovely writer eagerly anticipated soaking up the Christmas atmosphere in the grand city. With only the cat for company, she’d turn Banley’s elegant home into a wonderland of sparkling lights, fragrant garland, and shiny tinsel.

    Every year, she wished, in vain, for a happy ending. Will this be the year that Miss Fleming discovers her dreams can come true, even in a big city, like New York?

    A sweet, New York City Christmas Fairy Tale.
    Rating PG13
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075ZQ7BJS

    The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal

    Barbara White Daille
    The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal
    A husband for Christmas?
    Mitch Weston’s back in Cowboy Creek, and self-proclaimed matchmaker Jed Garland has his single granddaughter Andi on his mind. Mitch is a lawman, good with the little ones and easy on the eyes. He and Andi were high school sweethearts, for heaven’s sake! Why can’t they see they’re perfect for each other?
    Because Andi already lost one husband to a dangerous job, and now she’s all about playing it safe, for her sake and her children’s. Being a cop is everything to Mitch. After discovering Jed’s plan, Mitch and Andi come up with their own: they’ll pretend to get engaged and then break up due to irreconcilable differences. Jed’s got his work cut out for him –because this match needs a Christmas miracle!
    Rating PG13
    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Lawmans-Christmas-Proposal-Hitching-Hotel/dp/0373755961

    The Southern Comfort Christmas

    Barbara Lohr
    Mistletoe and magnolias turn to wedding mayhem when Chicago in-laws mess with the Savannah bride and groom in this sweet Christmas romance.
    Rating PG13
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQ411ZO

    Boy Toys: Hot Off the Ice at Christmas

    Amy Wasp-Wimberger
    10 siblings, 7 fish courses, 6 hockey players, 5 cousins, 4 calling birds, 3 spouses, 2 houses and 1 night that changes everything.
    Betrayed by first his body and then his girlfriend, Liam O’Reilly, assistant coach of the Seattle Thunder, is not having a very merry Christmas. So when a smoking hot hockey player in a Santa suit offers himself up like a present begging to be opened? Well, it’s a freaking Christmas miracle.
    If only the man in question wasn’t hockey’s own bad boy, Joey ‘the Looch’ Luciano, his best friend’s little brother and the same kid who used to trail behind Liam like a loud, mouthy shadow.
    When the last present is opened and the Christmas lights go dark, will Joey and Liam’s night together be just another Christmas memory or can the holiday magic they made survive the pressures of the real world?
    Boy Toys is a heart-warming Christmas story featuring the inappropriate use of a Santa suit, sibling bribery, and ninety separate instances of the F-word.
    Joey and Liam’s story continues in Boy Next Door: Hot Off the Ice #4, releasing March 2018!
    Rating R
    Amazon (Kindle Unlimited) https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Toys-Hot-Off-Christmas-ebook/dp/B077GRJGH4/

    Champagne For Christmas

    Jean Joachim
    A contemporary holiday romance that starts in the country and travels into the glitzy glitter of New York City at Christmas. A steamy, funny, emotional story with a happy ending you’ll never see coming!
    Rating R
    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Champagne-Christmas-Jean-Joachim-ebook/dp/B00PQMB2SQ/

    The Christmas of a Countess

    Linda Rae Sande
    The Torringtons are off to Northumberland for the holidays! When the weather forces the servants to remain behind at a coaching inn, the newlyweds must fend for themselves while their valet and lady’s maid discover just how much they have misjudged one another. A sensual tale of a couple’s first holiday away from home.
    Rating R
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074PLTQHB

    The Christmas Present From My Past

    Grace Risata
    Prepared to be alone for the biggest holiday of the year, Rachel’s life takes a dramatic turn when she bumps into her old high school crush while volunteering at a charity meal on Christmas Eve.
    Once Shawn recognizes the sweet, shy girl from his sophomore year Chemistry class, he realizes she’s all grown up…but the chemistry between them is still hotter than ever.
    Is the past a faded memory in the rear view mirror…or can these two lonely souls come together for one remarkable holiday hook-up? Perhaps Rachel’s greatest Christmas present will come from her past…
    Author’s Note: This is a 15,500 word Christmas story that has a guaranteed happy ending, a steamy encounter between the main characters, and a heaping spoonful of holiday cheer.
    Rating: R
    Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Present-My-Past-Holiday-ebook/dp/B0776XGNKT

    Genetic Snare

    Laura Baumbach
    A Christmas story set in the far future. Betrayal, passion, adventure, primal sex, and a fight to the death. Mating a 26th century Oracan Bounty Hunter with an 18th century Earth pirate has its little glitches.
    Bounty hunter Talos bows to pressure to bring his life mate home for the completion of his strict warrior culture’s bonding ritual. Aidan, displaced 18th century Earth pirate — light- fingered, sly, charming, and understandably naive about the new world he’s been thrust into — can’t wait. Even if it turns out someone wants him dead. The 26th century looks different, but it turns out to be a lot like his old life!
    Rating R
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Genetic-Snare-Details-Book-2-ebook/dp/B077RVW2N5/

    Gray Christmas

    Lisabet Sarai
    You’re never too old for some holiday naughtiness
    Widowed author Emma Granger has reconciled herself to spending Christmas Eve in snowy Boston, with a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio and her cat Vronsky. Her daughters have their own lives on the West Coast. Emma knows she can’t expect them to visit every holiday.
    A loud crash from the apartment above her overturns her plans for a quiet evening at home. When she investigates, she meets Nick North, an energetic iconoclast with a gray ponytail, a silver earring and bright blue eyes that kindle feelings she’d thought were gone forever. Nick is her own age, maybe older, but his lean body and impish grin affect her as if she were a horny teenager.
    Although Emma makes her living writing spicy romance, sex with a stranger seems ludicrous when you’re an arthritic grandmother in your sixties. Still, the attraction she feels for her charismatic upstairs neighbor appears to be reciprocated. A Christmas fling might be just what Emma needs to brighten her holiday.
    Rating R
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6JJIQD/

    Holiday On Ice

    Jody Wallace
    Travel Queen Survival Tip #23: If you get stuck in an ice storm, find a hot guy to melt it!
    Travel agent Darcy Burkell has a secret. Because she’s claustrophobic, she doesn’t precisely jet around the world despite what’s implied in her popular newsletter about vacation destinations. When she hires photographer James Jones, who grew up in the same town she did, to illustrate her stories, they become cyber-friends.
    James decides Darcy might be the one woman to help him settle down–or at least someone who’ll travel with him instead of expect him to stay home all the time. Right before Christmas, he shows up unannounced and suggests they take a holiday trip together.
    Darcy’s too embarrassed to admit her phobia and turns him down flat. She knows what kind of woman he wants, and she’s not it. Her resolve is tested when she and James become gridlocked near the same bridge by an ice storm. Impassable roads force them to spend hours together in his vehicle…shivering. And cuddling. It’s freezing outside, but inside it gets hot enough to melt all the ice in Alaska. The question is, can their affection remain toasty after Darcy confesses her secret?
    Rating: R
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0769SMC1N

    The Santa Bargain

    Robin Michaela
    Santa’s gifts can be both nice…and naughty.
    Coffeehouse entrepreneur, Maria Thompson, has sworn off men ever since her young son’s father walked out of their lives. But, when she literally runs into sexy carpenter, Joe Sinclair, she wonders if it’s time to rethink her plan.
    Joe Sinclair doesn’t need or want romance or a family. He was raised in the foster care system and learned long ago not to get attached to anyone. Now, if he could just remember that, he could put the sensual owner of Copper River, Colorado’s new coffee shop out of his mind.
    After Maria and Joe volunteer to work together on the town’s first Christmas festival, their attraction lights up brighter than a new a string of holiday lights. When Santa comes to town, will they finally find everything they’ve ever wished for under the tree?
    Rating: R
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077996MP2

    When We Finally Kiss Goodnight

    Staci Troilo

    Chloe Upshaw suffers from what she calls the trifecta of awful—unfulfilling job, disappointed family, bad luck with love. Just before Christmas, she travels to Pittsburgh hoping to land a job that will change her career. But not only is she in stiff competition for the position, she angers her mother by rejecting her matchmaking efforts and not going home. Worse, she runs into the guy who got away—and this time, no matter how many lies she tells to protect her heart, she leaves herself vulnerable to hurt.

    Britt Garris’ callous and careless behavior in college cost him his dream girl. When fate crosses their paths ten years later, he thinks it’s serendipity. And he launches into one deception after another to win her back, including an auspicious trip for the two archaeologists to Gettysburg. Britt plays on Chloe’s love of history to spend time with her. He doesn’t count on the local lore and legend predicting their future—a future his duplicity puts at risk.

    When their lies finally crumble, their budding relationship is threatened. Their dishonesties and disillusions may be impossible to overcome. But maybe the magic of the season can make their dreams come true.

    Rating: R

    Books 2 Read https://books2read.com/STkiss

    A Touchdown To Remember

    Seelie Kay

    It takes more than a hard knock on the head to keep running back Tim Wheezer Douglas down. When life pelts him with the proverbial lemon—a career-threatening concussion—he simply runs the other way, right into the arms of litigator Laura Adler.

    When a second concussion sidelines Milwaukee Greyhound running back Tim Douglas, the rest of his life continues full-speed ahead. A some-time law student, Tim is faced with a classic Catch 22: Whether to continue to play football and risk a third and possibly life-altering concussion or quit the game altogether to pursue a career as a sports agent. He loves the game, but his priorities change when he meets Laura Adler, a sassy, sexy young attorney and rabid Greys fan. Their sizzling romp of a romance turns serious and Laura demands that he make a decision about football before she accepts his marriage proposal. Will Tim choose football or the law, and what role will Laura play in his future?

    Rating: R

    Extasy Books http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1504-4-a-touchdown-to-remember/

    A Romance for Christmas

    Kayelle Allen
    A sweet feel-good holiday romance that reaffirms all you love about Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves was lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.
    Rating PG
    Amazon https://amzn.to/1wpW8qE

    Come back every day for more good books!

  • Christmas or Holiday

    10 Sweetly Spicy Holiday Romances Sweet to PG13 #Christmas #Romance #RLFblog

    10 Sweetly Spicy Holiday Romances

    Every Saturday during December Romance Lives Forever will present holiday stories by various authors. This week features Sweetly Spicy Holiday Romances. Be sure to bookmark the blog and come back for more next week.

    Book Rating

    This week, all books are Sweetly Spicy Holiday Romances rated PG to PG13.

    A Chance at Christmas

    Beppie Harrison

    A Chance at Christmas tells the story of a Christmas that very nearly never happens for Catherine and her younger brother, struggling with poverty and the boy’s serious disabilities. But an invitation does come for a splendid Christmas at a friend’s great house, and Catherine dares to form a plan that might provide a future for her brother. What she never dreams of is a future for herself as well. Can romance come as a shocking Christmas surprise?

    Rating PG13

    Amazon https://www.amzn.com/dp/B019A67PTS

    A Romance for Christmas

    Kayelle Allen

    A sweet feel-good holiday romance that reaffirms all you love about Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves was lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.

    Rating PG

    Amazon https://amzn.to/1wpW8qE

    Holiday Disaster

    Vicki Batman

    The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus.

    Rating PG13

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Season-Magic-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B00OZ136A6/

    Court Me, Cowboy

    Barbara White Daille
    The End…Just the Beginning?
    Gabe Miller’s marriage ended so fast it had hardly begun. Which is why he couldn’t quite believe his luck—or his “ex”—when she returned a few months later with the news that legally they were still husband and wife. And that the child she was carrying was his son.
    Gabe feared Marissa would bolt again, making a custody battle his only option–unless he could turn back the clock and woo her the way he should have during their whirlwind romance. But even with his boy’s future at stake, mending fences with a woman–especially the one he loved—wasn’t something the strong, silent type found easy to do…
    Rating G
    Amazon https://www.amzn.com/dp/B00EM36HD0

    One Week to Win Her Boss

    Barbara White Daille

    Single mom Amber Barnett loves family, kids, Christmas…and unfortunately, her boss, confirmed bachelor Michael DeFranco. It’s a crush she really needs to get over. Except, when she’s temporarily forced from her apartment, her only option is to stay at Michael’s private ski lodge, where she’s the housekeeper. No problem. Her handsome boss rarely visits Snowflake Valley unexpectedly, plus he’s spending the holidays with his family. Or so she thinks…

    A stormy Christmas Eve reunion leaves Michael seeking the solitude of his lodge, where he finds Amber in residence—and in trouble. Attempting to save her from her matchmaking family, he announces they’re a couple. His good deed backfires when they’re instantly included in each and every holiday event in town. So much for solitude.

    Only the more time he spends with the beautiful, cheery brunette, the more he yearns to make things real between them. But he and Amber want different things, and Michael could never be the family man she’s looking for.

    Rating PG13

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076PJ7SNN

    Perfectly Christmas

    Linda O’Connor

    On the first day of Christmas, his true love said to him, “Sorry, I have to work.”

    That’s the life of a surgeon, and Dr. Madison Hayes wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Dr. Quinn Malone has another priority. In the countdown to Christmas, he needs to convince his old flame that there’s more to life – and love – than the job itself.

    This time, his heart is in it for the long haul. Really.

    Romantic and . . . complicated – it’s Perfectly Christmas!

    Rating PG13

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYW5T7X

    Sami’s Christmas Wish List

    PJ Sharon

    All Samantha Owens wants for Christmas is a working car, a miraculous improvement in her grades, and a boyfriend who sees her as more than just a friend with benefits. But with a single mom who’s struggling to make ends meet, presents seem unlikely, and with legal troubles looming over her head, she’ll be lucky not to be spending the holiday in juvenile detention. When she’s forced to do community service at the local church, she finds that wishing her life was different won’t make it so, and that avoiding her past may be what’s standing in the way of her future.

    It doesn’t help that Travis Vance, a freshman in college and intern for a teen drug and alcohol treatment program, is hanging around and pushing her buttons at every turn. Or that her friends are all going through their own dramas—most of which seem far worse than her own. Can Sami bring everyone together to save the church in time for Christmas? Or is hoping for a happy ending one more wish that will never be granted?

    Rating PG13

    PJ Sharon http://www.pjsharon.com/ya-books/#toc-5

    The House-Sitter’s Christmas

    Jean Joachim

    At Christmas, Laura Fleming lived her fantasy adventure. Paid to house-sit for the fabulously wealthy financier, C.W. Banley, while he traveled, she eagerly headed for New York City. As mistress of his elegant townhouse, she baked cookies and dressed the old gent’s richly-furnished residence for the holidays.

    As December rolled around, the lonely, lovely writer eagerly anticipated soaking up the Christmas atmosphere in the grand city. With only the cat for company, she’d turn Banley’s elegant home into a wonderland of sparkling lights, fragrant garland, and shiny tinsel.

    Every year, she wished, in vain, for a happy ending. Will this be the year that Miss Fleming discovers her dreams can come true, even in a big city, like New York?

    A sweet, New York City Christmas Fairy Tale.

    Rating PG13

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075ZQ7BJS

    The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal

    Barbara White Daille

    The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal

    A husband for Christmas?

    Mitch Weston’s back in Cowboy Creek, and self-proclaimed matchmaker Jed Garland has his single granddaughter Andi on his mind. Mitch is a lawman, good with the little ones and easy on the eyes. He and Andi were high school sweethearts, for heaven’s sake! Why can’t they see they’re perfect for each other?

    Because Andi already lost one husband to a dangerous job, and now she’s all about playing it safe, for her sake and her children’s. Being a cop is everything to Mitch. After discovering Jed’s plan, Mitch and Andi come up with their own: they’ll pretend to get engaged and then break up due to irreconcilable differences. Jed’s got his work cut out for him –because this match needs a Christmas miracle!

    Rating PG13

    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Lawmans-Christmas-Proposal-Hitching-Hotel/dp/0373755961

    The Southern Comfort Christmas

    Barbara Lohr

    Mistletoe and magnolias turn to wedding mayhem when Chicago in-laws mess with the Savannah bride and groom in this sweet Christmas romance.

    Sweet romance; mild love scenes/closed door

    Rating PG13

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQ411ZO

    [bctt tweet=”It’s never too early for a Christmas love story at Romance Lives Forever! Here are 10 Sweetly Spicy stories #RLFblog #Christmas #Romance” username=”@kayelleallen”]

    See you next week for more Christmas Romance!

    Be sure to bookmark this page and come back. Click here to find more holiday romances.

     

  • RLF Gems

    #Romance Lives Forever @liviaquinn @SylvieGrayson #RLFblog

    #Romance Lives Forever @liviaquinn @SylvieGrayson #RLFblogThe most visited page last month was the Salute to Veteran Authors on Nov 11th. Top Blogger for this month is Livia Quinn. She wins a month of free advertising on the blog. Top chatter was Sylvie Grayson. Top Blogger of 2016 was Susan V Vaughn, who won a year of free advertising for 2017.

    Top Blogger Livia Quinn

    Website: http://liviaquinn.com
    Blog: https://liviaquinnwrites.com/livias-ramblings
    Twitter http://twitter.com/liviaquinn
    Facebook http://www.facebook.com/liviaquinnauthor
    Pinterest http://pinterest.com/liviaquinn
    Google+ http://bit.ly/2guNZn9
    Instagram http://instagram.com/liviaquinnauthor
    Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/livia-quinn
    Goodreads http://bit.ly/22VXuev
    Amazon Author page amazon.com/author/liviaquinn
    Livia Quinn Readers Group http://bit.ly/2gBFQ12
    Newsletter http://eepurl.com/W94bb

     

    The winners are judged by page visits. Congratulations to these fine bloggers:
    Salute to Veteran Authors
    Livia Quinn
    Barbara White Daille
    Constance Bretes
    Aurora Springer
    Honorable mention: Diane Saxon, Vicki Batman, Anne Kane

    Top Chatters for the Month

    #Romance Lives Forever @liviaquinn @SylvieGrayson #RLFblogThe person who gets the most comments in a month is not always the person who gets the most page views. For that reason, I instituted the Top Chatter Award. This award is for the bloggers who receive the most comments.
    This month’s winners are:

    Sylvie Grayson
    Salute to Veteran Authors
    Vicki Batman
    Constance Bretes

    New Server — New Power

    RLFblog has attracted so many visitors we crashed the server three times in the past month. On September 20th, we had no visitors on the blog so that we could move to a new, more powerful and roomier server. This should hold us for a bit! It also means I can add even more services. Look for new things in 2018, such as Free Book Friday and other goodies for readers (and authors)!

    Not only does RLF post automatically to Triberr with a reach of several million, each post is also featured on the Romance Lives Forever Pinterest board http://www.pinterest.com/kayelleallen/romance-lives-forever-rlfblog/ as well as on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/RomanceLivesForever/ and Twitter https://www.twitter.com/kayelleallen When you like, follow and share it increases the reach. Thank you for sharing with your readers and friends!

    Be a Guest Author

    Romance Lives Forever uses Signup Genius to schedule guests. The system also reminds authors of their visit. One post is available each day. Once you choose a date, no one else will be able to take it. You can sign up for more than one visit; however, each visit must be in a different month.

    January – March
    http://bit.ly/rlf1Q2018

    April – June
    http://bit.ly/rlf2Q2018

    July – September
    http://bit.ly/rlf3Q2018

     

    My thanks to all who took part this month. You made Romance Lives Forever a great place to discover new books and authors. Other guests during the month are (in alpha order by first name):

    Anna Durbin, Cailin Briste, Izzy Szyn, Jenny Lynn, Karen Cino, Kayla Drake, Kris Bock, Lillian Duncan, Linda Mooney, Lindsay McKenna, Mary E Thompson, Mary Marvella, Miguelina Perez, Nancy Gideon, Stephen Bentley, Valerie Ullmer, Veronica Scott


    Do you want to BLAST PIRATES?
    I recommend Blasty. When you use it, please mark Romance Lives Forever as a legal site. Thank you!

    Support Our Veterans

    Who among us doesn’t have a veteran in the family? Please support our veterans and their families personally and in your communications with Congress.

  • Anthology,  Christmas or Holiday,  Small Town Romance

    Holiday Disaster by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman #RLFblog #Holiday #Romance

    Holiday Disaster by Vicki Batman @VickiBatman #RLFblog #Holiday #RomanceWelcome Vicki Batman, author of Holiday Disaster, a holiday romance in the Season of Magic anthology.

    Christmas Keepers

    Every year, my family went to my grandmother’s for Christmas Eve. She provided the ham and my aunts brought the sides and dessert. It was a joyous time with family members we didn’t see regularly. Cousins, aunts and uncles, new babies. Newlyweds to be inducted in our group. After dinner, we watched Grandmother open presents. For a long time, she gave gifts too. I still have the sapphire ring and the silver ID bracelet with my name inscribed in cursive.

    One year, I received a huge flat box of crayons. My mom said that it was for my sister, but I was having none of that. I loved crayons, and I’d never had anything more than the standard box for school. There were flesh colors. Gold, silver, copper. Vibrant shades of blue, coral, and greens. I could not wait to try them out.

    As Christmases passed, shopping became difficult for Grandmother, and she began giving us checks, which was welcomed as it’s than making our own selections. But none have lasted like the jewelry she’d lovingly selected.

    Do you have a gift from your childhood you’ve kept?

    And here’s a nice gift for you! The Season of Magic boxed set is FREE. It’s full of fun and good short stories, including mine, Holiday Disaster. (Bad plumbing + Christmas = Holiday Disaster).

    Noel Noel Noel by Merry Holly ~ Dumped and lonely, is it possible to find love at the local mall? Noelle thinks not, but a chance encounter with Chase Clayborne while Christmas shopping has her rethinking her rigid set of rules.

    A Cinderella Christmas by Cara Marsi ~ Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently.

    Matchmaker Matchmaker by Bobbi Lerman ~ With Chanukah around the corner, is there enough magic left for a matchmaker to bring Molly’s cynical heart back to life?

    Yuletide Bride by Gerri Brousseau ~ The Dowager Duchess’s decree that her grandson must marry before Twelfth Night or relinquish his title and fortune sends him into a tail spin. Without any prospects and with only two weeks until Christmas will Stuart Nelson find himself destitute or will he find The Yuletide Bride?

    Holiday Disaster by Vicki Batman: The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus.

    Join all our freebie fun at:
    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Season-Magic-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B00OZ136A6/
    Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/season-of-magic/
    Find Season of Promises for 99 cents at: https://www.amazon.com/Season-Promises-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B01LQUP9AS/
    Find Season of Surprises for 99cents at: https://www.amazon.com/Season-Surprises-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B014LZJRVM/
    Follow Season of Anthologies at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASeasonOfMagic/

    Vicki Batman Social Media

    Like some of her characters, award-winning author, Vicki Batman has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm–the list is endless.
    Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories to True Love, True Romance, True Confessions, Noble Romance Publishing, Long and Short Reviews, Museitup Publishing, and The Wild Rose Press. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.
    Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if?”
    Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman
    Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1ipdLkv
    Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman
    Google+: http://bit.ly/1zUggDF
    Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman
    Amazon Author page https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman
    Plotting Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com