I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving Day. And I really can't
believe that Christmas will be here in four weeks. I say this every year but
this year has flown!
One thing I am thankful for every year is how the holiday season tends
to slow us all down. We notice our surroundings - family and friends at the
dinner table, light displays, an afternoon to build a snowman. I like that
we're nicer to one another, even the strangers, this time of year. I'm also
thankful that I started taking part in the #30DaysOfThanks meme that starts
going around Facebook and Twitter November 1...it's fun to think of one thing
each day for which I'm thankful.
Some days have silly thanks (like whoever invented those ice cube trays
in the shape of sharks and strawberries), and some are more serious. Most wind
up being slices of my life - memories of board games we played as kids,
memories of people who have touched my life in some way...traditions that are
so familiar they are part of my family.
Today, in addition to my 'thankful' post over on Facebook, I'm thankful
for shortcuts - I know, doesn't sound like something you should be thankful
for. But, in the course of my life, I've found that in some cases shortcuts are
the best options.
My dad, for example, taught me how to skip a step in Long Division by
cutting off a zero (or two, depending on the numbers being used) to come to a
problem solution.
My brother (shout-out, Trently!!) who taught me how to bait a hook. Not
that I actually bait hooks (too messy...and I don't like to look at worms as
they're dying).
And since we'll all be cooking like maniacs, the best short-cut of all:
My sister-in-law (shout-out, Janell!!) taught me how to cook a turkey (upside
down, thankyouverymuch) so that its the juiciest meat you've ever tasted.
Seriously, people will poo-poo you and you won't be able to use that stupid
turkey thermometer (but it doesn't work 95% of the time anyhow)...but your
turkey will be G.O.O.D.
What are you thankful for?
Blurb:
Some loves
deserve a second chance…
Coming
back to Gulliver Island after a ten-year absence to take care of his father
should have been simple. Emmett Deal would fix and sell the family home, and
return to Cincinnati with his ailing father in tow. Yet something compels him
to stay a little longer. The beautiful, bright eyes of Jaime Brown.
Ten
years ago, traumatic events changed the course of Jaime's life forever,
catching her in a small-town life she can't escape. Emmett's return stirs up
the memories she wanted to ignore…and dreams she had forgotten. Now she finds
herself with a rare opportunity—a second chance. Only this time, it's not just
for love…
Excerpt:
Kissing
Emmett was different and the same at the same time. Different in the way it had
made her feel as though she’d never been kissed before. The same because it was
Emmett and kissing him had always been familiar. Like coming home.
“God,
you’re so conceited. I kissed you as much as you kissed me. Women are allowed
to kiss men, you know. We even sometimes have the audacity to start the kiss
all on our own.”
“Jaime.”
“Emmett.”
She mimicked his tone, wondering why he was so annoyed when he’d started this
in the first place. She actively wanted the same things, and it was a little
scary, but she wasn’t about to turn away from any of it.
Jaime
didn’t say anything so she marched to his side of the room. “Kiss me.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“Why
not?”
“I
don’t kiss women who don’t know what they want.”
“Okay,
now you’re pissing me off. Since when do I not know what I want?”
(Longer
Excerpt)
He
reached out and tugged a lock of her hair. A Canadian Soldier, a tiny insect
that came out of the lake during the early summer months, alighted on Emmett’s
shoulder. Jaime flicked her finger at the mayfly then smoothed the material.
“Have
a nice night,” she said, her voice sounding rough to her ears.
“You,
too.”
Neither
moved. Emmett tucked the same strand of hair behind her ear or maybe he was
caressing it, Jaime couldn’t tell. And she told her hand to let go of his shirt
three times, but the order seemed to short circuit somewhere between her brain
and her hands.
“It
was good to see you, Jaime.”
Was
it her imagination or was his voice slightly more husky than normal?
“I’m
sure we’ll run into one another a few more times before you leave.” No guessing
about that, her voice was definitely huskier than normal.
“Probably
so. It’s only a mile-wide island.”
“Two
miles across, three miles around,” she said, hating the words even as they
passed her lips. Emmett knew the size of the island; he hadn’t been talking
literally. Just making conversation. And when had he stepped closer to her?
No,
wait, she was the one doing the stepping because his glutes were still very
much attached to the porch railing.
Not
smart, Jaime. Step away. Walk away.
But
she didn’t step back.
Jaime
swallowed and so did Emmett. She watched; her attention focused on the way his
Adam’s apple slid down and then up along the strong column of his throat. He
needed a haircut, she decided for at least the tenth time since recognizing him
in the diner, but hoped he didn’t get one. She liked the way the longer hairs
tangled against his neck. Wondered what his hair would feel like now compared
to the short spikiness of it when they were kids.
“I
should go.” She didn’t want to, but she should and maybe saying the words aloud
would force her feet to obey.
“Me,
too.”
“But
you’re already home.” This time her feet obeyed and Jaime stepped away from
him.
Just
then Emmett stepped forward, bringing his chest up hard against hers. His heat
seemed to wrap around her and her hands crept over his shoulders. He leaned in,
his lips brushing her cheek, singeing her. Jaime gasped at the contact, wanting
more and less at the same time.
“We
should try that again,” he said and didn’t wait for her reply.
Buy Links:
Amazon:
B&N:
KOBO:
iBooks:
Author Bio:
Once
upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to
meetings with local police--no, she wasn't a troublemaker, she was a
journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about
everything from a serial killer's capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along
the way, she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding
love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books,
she's living her own happily ever after.
Kristina
writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle
Best Seller Lists. She loves hearing from readers, so drop her a line!
Author Links:
Website:
http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/authorkristina/
Greetings Kristina, so glad to have you on the blog today. What a great thankful list. Will definitely have to try cooking that bird upside down. As someone whose cooking skills aren't all that hot, I will use all the shortcuts I can. Happy November.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to try the turkey thing--balance seems to be a little wonky. (I think I buy innebriated turkeys!) Have a great holiday!
ReplyDeleteHey, Angela, thanks for having me on today - try the turkey thing...it works!
ReplyDeleteLiz, happy thanksgiving...and I'll laughing about inebriated turkeys as I'm cooking this week!
Ooo...I'll have to try cooking the turkey this way, Kristina. I love tweaking recipes. Totally agree with you about how the holidays make us slow down and appreciate everything. Actually, I start this process in mid September--treasuring the last months of the year. Thanks so much for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Mary! I hope the rest of your year is perfect!
ReplyDelete