THE WINNER OF SLEIGH RIDE IS: THE BRUNETTE LIBRARIAN! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO COMMENTED. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT: mariageraci1@gmail.com with your address so I can ship you your copy!
First off, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the Veterans out there who sacrifice so much to keep our country free. Thank you! We can never express our gratitude enough.
Earlier this year, the fabulous Malena Lott put a call out to authors interested in participating in a winter anthology. The stories were to be around 6-8,000 words in length, and must include a sleigh ride.
Confession time: I’d never written a short story before. But I’ve always wanted to, and having a deadline and a clear topic seemed like a good way to push me through that door.
Now, another confession: I’ve never been on a sleigh ride. Or even seen a sleigh for that matter. Unless of course, you count the end of the annual Christmas parade where Santa comes rolling by on his “sleigh” waving to the crowds (usually sweating in his Santa suit, since I live in Florida). But hey, just because I’m clueless has never stopped me before.
And in the end it all worked out because I wrote about what I know–living in Florida and yearning to see snow. There’s also a romance because I’m all about the happily-ever-after!
My story is called Noche Buena and it’s about a middle aged widow who has a huge crush on the guy who owns the local Cuban restaurant in her home town of Old Explorer’s Bay, Florida. Not much snow in Florida, but that’s okay, it all works out in the end.
Here’s a little bit more about the book and some awesome giveaways:
Seven short stories. Seven sleigh rides. Seven authors. Sleigh Ride: A Winter Anthology takes readers on a journey into the most wonderful season of all – where anything can happen. From drama to romance to adventure, Sleigh Ride sets the mood for the holidays. The Good Read/Good Deed project by Buzz Books USA will benefit the Alpha Chi Omega foundation for the domestic violence prevention cause. Award-winning writers include Megan Barlog, Maria Geraci, Malena Lott, Maggie Marr, Jenny Peterson, Dani Stone and Samantha Wilde. The book is available in trade paperback here (https://www.createspace.com/3703251) and on Amazon or as an ebook. For Kindle: http://ht.ly/7paVp
To kick off our launch, we’re hosting several fun contests, including a huge Sleigh Ride giveaway with books, a throw, coffee mug, Michael Buble’s “Christmas” album and Lady Antebellum’s “A Merry Little Christmas.” Meet the authors and win the ornament of the day and a chance to win a Starbucks gift card for seven days starting today over at www.buzzbooksusa.com.
I’ll also be giving away a print trade copy of SLEIGH RIDE. Just leave a comment below and I’ll let the random generator pick a lucky winner. Comments open till Sunday, November 13, 11p.m EST. Good luck!
What a nice thing to do. It sounds lovely! I’m going to check it out now.
Thanks, Edie!
I’d like to echo your sentiments with my thanks to all who have served and prayers for those serving.
Best wishes for success of Sleigh Ride.
Thanks, Liz
Congratulations on the anthology
It sounds really cute and its a wonderful collection of authors.
I can’t imagine living in Florida and not seeing snow! I live smack dab in the middle of Missouri…and it seems like from December – February we are completely covered in snow. Last February we even had a stinkin’ blizzard! Can you believe it? Oye
Brunette Librarian`s last blog was …Follow Friday
Yeah, snow is a big deal to us native Floridians. I remember the first time I ever saw it (northern Arizona, near the Grand Canyon). I was 26 and felt like a kid!
Come to central Indiana — we has flakes of snow swirling around… but no accumulation – thank goodness!
Cate,
I’ve never been to Indiana, but swirls of snow sound beautiful
Oh, yay!! What a great looking book! And I am so in the mood for a holiday/winter read!
Cynthia Eden`s last blog was …Happy Veteran’s Day
Thanks, Cynthia! I really love the cover.
Like you I have never seen a sleigh or ridden on one. I live in Phoenix, not much snow. Ha!! But I have seen all the sleigh rides in the old black and white movies. Beautiful scenes and up lifting stories. I hope to one day to experience a sleigh ride and hope to God there is great looking guy next to me. Romantic at heart. It’s on my bucket list. Love your blog and the cover of the book is fantastic. Everyone needs a little romance, snow and a sleigh ride in their life. LOL
Juanita Olson`s last blog was …Hanging Diapers!!!
Thanks, Juanita! I lived in southern Arizona for a couple of years after I was married (hubby was in the army stationed at Fort Huachuca) and it was during that period of time that we drove up to the Grand Canyon and I saw snow for the first time
I love Arizona! Such a gorgeous state!
Our winters are pretty mild and there are more green winters than winter. Not to say it doesn\’t snow, but when it sometimes does the snow usually melts right away.
I love holiday-themed stories. They are so cozy and heartwarming.
When it comes to the holiday season I like to avoid the crowds and stay in with a good book.
Me too! The holidays can be so stressful a good book is a sure fire way to relax.
Congrats on the release. What a great holiday read. Looking forward to it.
Thanks, Donna!
This is definitely putting me in the holiday spirit, Maria!!
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I loved hearing a little bit about your short story in the anthology and am very much looking forward to reading it!
Congrats
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Austen & the Magic 8-Ball
Thanks, Marilyn!
The antho sounds like a lot of fun. I remember Christmas in Miami as a kid. Good times.
Karin* Tabke aka Harlow!`s last blog was …National Bestseller
Karin, I grew up in central Florida and sometimes Christmas meant sweaters and sometimes it meant bathing suits! Yep, good times
This definitely sounds like something I want to read! Sounds amazing!
Thanks, Chelsea
Maria,
What a great post and thanks for your kind words! I echo that a short story can be tough – but wow you nailed it! Confession: I have a huge crush on Nestor! Your humor is wonderful and your characters spot-on. xo
Malena,
I have a crush on Nestor too
I always enjoy Christmas stories, and this anthology sounds like a fantastic one. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Thanks, Barbara
I love Christmas stories and, despite my Wisconsin upbringing, have never been on a sleigh ride! Maybe after reading these stories, I’ll find a way.
Deb Maher`s last blog was …The Times They Are A Changin’
Deb,
I so want to take a sleigh ride too!
Hi Maria! First off, congrats on the anthology! How exciting! I moved down to the Sunshine state 6 years ago from Jersey, so I’m well acquainted with snow. I might be crazy to admit this, but I miss it, especially around the holidays. Ahh, anyway, Florida has proven to be fun during this great time of year, snow or not
. Just because we don’t get snow doesn’t mean we can have our own special sleigh rides!
This is such a cool theme for an anthology! Sleigh rides are so romantic
I live in Michigan and we just our first snow– nothing like our friends in New England. It was soft and pretty:)
Thanks for the contest!
Brenda Hyde`s last blog was …Cowboy Crack: Interview with Vivian Arend
Hi Maria,
As a Florida transplant I miss snow terribly around the holidays -actually even just cold weather! This year I’m going back to Baltimore to visit relatives at Thanksgiving, and it would be wonderful to see a few flakes of the white stuff too. I plan on taking a copy of this anthology along, and that plus those cooler temperatures will really get me in the Christmas spirit. Let me also add my thanks to all our men and women in the military for the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. Those sacrifices are especially touching at this time of year. I look forward to reading your story. Happy Holidays!
HI, Maria! What a lovely idea! I have been on a sleigh ride up a mountain in Germany. It was cold, cold, cold! Can’t wait to read your story and the others as well. It’s for a wonderful cause! So great when women get together and do something like this!
Love the cover, Maria and what a great theme for an anthology. I’ve never been on a sleigh ride either, but they sure look fun in the movies. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I love holiday stories (more than the holidays themselves!) so I’ll put this on my Kindle. Since I lived in Florida for a short time and hope to move back there, I’m really looking forward to your story. Here’s to many sales, Maria!
Thank you to everyone who commented
The winner of the book is… the Brunette Librarian! Congratulations!