What Every Woman Wants Under Her Christmas Tree. Renee Vincent's Emerald Isle. Chance to win autographed books and Celtic jewelry!

Welcome to my What Every Woman Wants Under Her Christmas Tree blog event! It’s been nothing short of a festive splash of absolute perfection so far. First time to this blog? If so, you’ve popped in at the right time! Now through Christmas day I’ve got some exceedingly talented authors and a super creative jewelry artist who will be joining me here at A Writer’s Mind. Each and every one will be leaving a little something beneath this blog's Christmas Tree. What does that mean? Simple. There will be a contest held to give away whatever they donate!

This week I’m so thrilled to welcome an author who is definitively a cut above the rest when it comes to Irish and Norse romance. I ‘met’ Renee Vincent earlier this year at Coffee Time Romance and knew instantly that I would someday consider her a friend. I wasn’t wrong! Not only is she an amazing writer, but a wonderful person. Author of the Emerald Isle Trilogy, Renee is a true talent. No doubt about it, she had to be part of my Christmas blog event. Invitation sent, she responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes!” and so here we are.

Renee wanted to do things a little differently and skip the interview. Totally works for me! Besides, wait until you read what she has to say about what she wants under her Christmas tree. *Wide smile* And you certainly won't be dissapointed by all the goodies she’s put under this blog’s tree. Too gracious by half. Thank you Renee!

So now I give you Renee Vincent. What every woman wants under her tree...from her lips to my blog…

"Hm…well, I’m not certain what every woman wants, but I do know what I want. I want Gerard Butler dressed in nothing but his crimson cape and cod piece from 300 (six-pack abs included of course) singing to me in his beautiful Phantom of the Opera baritone voice, “I am your angel of good news” while holding a rolled newspaper in his hand which claims Renee Vincent is the next New York Times Best Selling Author!

What? That doesn’t count?

Oh, you mean realistically. My apologies Sky. I thought we were delving into the aspects of a fantasy world, considering Christmas is the season for magic and dreams coming true.

Ok, so realistically…I want a Kindle this year under my tree. Yes, that’s right, Renee Vincent, who swore to only read from paper and ink, is now looking toward the horizons of digital books. What convinced me? I actually don’t know the answer to that. But I do think it’s because there are a lot of e-books I’ve been dying to read recently and can’t unless they go to print. I’m not that patient and I refuse to read off of a computer screen at my desk. I still like the notion of curling up on the couch with a warm blanket, a cup of piping hot coffee, and a great read without having to be chained to my writing desk and a laptop. And with a Kindle, I believe I can still divulge my reading desires without having to compromise comfort.

Plus, I can keep the Kindle in my purse and pull it out during those surprise moments when the kids are taking too long picking out their books at the library, or the quick run-in-and-run-out intention at the dentist becomes a please-make-yourself-comfortable-in-the-waiting room kind of afternoon. Most times, I forget to bring my book along and then have to resort to reading the outdated Redbook and Highlights magazines.

And I’m not going to mention that having a Kindle will save me money on book costs. Sure, e-books are drastically cheaper than print books, but I know having a Kindle will not save me money at all…it will just make me want to splurge on more e-books, thus tilting the scales the other way.

But I can argue convenience. I like the direction the wave of technology has flowed—giving us instant gratification at the click of a button. And not having to pay higher shipping costs to get it.

And on that note, I would like someone to invent a button I can click on to get my dream hero, Gerard Butler, instantaneously under my Christmas tree, darnit! Is that really too much to ask?

*sees Sky crossing her arms and rolling her eyes* Fine. I’ll settle for a Kindle.

So what would you like under your Christmas tree? And let’s make this more interesting with a two part question. Give us both your fantasy wish and your realistic one. Come on…let’s have some fun! And if you do, I’ll send one lucky commenter autographed copies of both Ræliksen and Mac Liam as well as a Celtic bracelet hand-made by Kristy's Kreations! How’s that for a great Christmas gift?"

Sky here! OMG, still laughing away. You’re too funny, Renee. Gotta tell ya, I bought a Kindle this year and LOVE IT!!! I know, I know, not what you want to hear not owning one yet but wow, it was worth the cost. It fits nicely in my purse (not the hand held sort ladies- over the shoulder type) and super handy during those appointments. Mine’s already gone on an airplane. No problem with security and I could even access Amazon under 10,000 ft. *winks* Aye, no worries, you can still read away when you’re at 30,000 ft. Internet access however, a little tricky.

The movie 300 is to this day one of my all time favorites and the man himself, it's mouth-watering hero, Gerard...*Sighs* Oh yeah...the dramatic *swoon* as well. How could I not? Bloody Scotsman has me by the....anyways...

I can't help myself, have to share a little about each of the books Renee is so graciously giving away!

Raeliksin (Book I Emerald Isle Trilogy)...

Mara, the daughter of an Irish clansman, was raised to believe the men of the North are heathens - murderous pagans without a moral bone in their bodies. Despite warnings of the Northmen's raids, and the growing threat of another incursion, Mara is continually drawn to her favorite place - the River Shannon.

Dægan Ræliksen, a wealthy chieftain from Norway's frozen fjords, secretly discovers Mara at the water's edge. He is charmed by her beauty and sensuous grace. As the days pass, his contentment with simply watching her grows thin. He can no longer deny his unabated desire for the young maiden. His search for a wife has ended.

However, Mara and Dægan come face-to-face in a time when Ireland is in turmoil - when every Irishman is being called up to fight against the Nordic foreigners. In these times of upheaval, how can Dægan make peace with Mara's father and acquire the woman he treasures? Furthermore, can Mara move past her fears and find the noble man within the savage? Read an excerpt here. Watch a book trailer for this novel on YouTube.

Mac Liam (Book II Emerland Isle Trilogy)

A tortured soul…. Breandán Mac Liam, the strapping young hunter from Ireland’s lush forests, is in love with Mara, an ineligible beautiful princess. For seven long years, he has been vividly haunted by her memory, taunted by the throes of his heartache. And not even the thought of her marriage to a Northman can extinguish the fierce, burning desire running rampant through his soul.

An innocent heart…. Mara, the spirited Connacht princess, has no idea she is the object of the Irishman’s longing. She is living out her days on Inis Mór, raising a troubled son and trying to endure the cruel loneliness that afflicts her heart.

A deadly secret…. Ordered by the king on his deathbed, Breandán must return to Mara and bring her through the perilous lands of Connacht to fulfill her father’s last dying wish. But as their worlds collide, Breandán not only finds himself wrapped in the arms of Mara’s embrace, but thrown into a struggle to defend his honor.

With Mara caught between the family she loves and the father she knows, can Breandán uncover the mystery of her past and still protect her from a secret that threatens them all? Read an excerpt here.

Interested in learning a wee bit more about Renee? Visit her at her Website and Twitter. Find Renee on Facebook as well. Blogger? Don't wait a second longer, join Renee at her fabulous blog, Past the Print. Can't wait and want to purchase Renee's books now? Buy now at Amazon (&Kindle), Barnes & Noble (& Nook) and many more bookstores.

It’s been so great having Renee over to share a little bit of what she wants under her Christmas tree this holiday season. *Sky and Renee try to yank Gerard in either direction, he's all ours!* C'mon, don't look at us that way...wouldn't you do the same?!

I almost forgot...there will be a second winner drawn from every post now through December 24th. On Christmas day all winners will be announced and given a little something extra. My treat!

Hmmm, before we vanish, I think I'd like to toss up a fun extra. From ME to YOU, RENEE. You had to know visiting my blog and mentioning Gerard that I might pull something like this. You bring out the 'let's have some fun in me, girl!" While I’m proud to be American, Ireland owns my heart…Scotland my soul. SO, to you Renee, my readers, blog followers, visitors and friends…here’s just a wee bit more of what every girl should most definitely have beneath their tree this year…a few moments with sexier than sexy, Gerard Butler. Enjoy a man with a great sense of humor. Sit back, take a breather from your busy holiday shopping and enjoy. He's funny as heck.Will make you smile, swoon, ‘then some’ I’m sure! (Speakers up lassies...soak up that accent!)



Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Saturday, December 18th 12 AM EST. Winner will be announced next week on the right hand side of this blog.

A very Happy Holiday to you and yours.

~Sky