The Early Bird Gets The Present! Caroline Clemmons. Blog Event.

We’re well into the first week of December and my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event is chock full of yuletide fun! New to this event? Well, it all about different authors and vendors visiting every two days and putting something under this blog’s Christmas tree for YOU to win. In addition, every commenter between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 gift certificate from Amazon!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming over Caroline Clemmons. Caroline is giving away an Ecopy of Home Sweet Texas Home.

Let's hear from Caroline...

Christmas is my favorite time of year! Hello from Mrs. Claus, otherwise known as Caroline Clemmons. At this time of year, I can’t help feeling as if I am chief giver of gifts and chair of Christmas decorations...at our house anyway. My taking care of all the shopping earns me praise from Mr. Claus.

What’s more fun than shopping for the perfect thing for our loved ones? Sure I like getting gifts, but nothing is better than finding a special surprise I know will especially delight someone I love. This takes strategy, fitness, speed and, sometimes, bravery.

For instance, two years ago my youngest daughter and I stood in a long line in cold weather outside an electronics store waiting for a five am opening so we could snag a sale-priced gift I couldn’t afford otherwise--a large sized monitor my husband wanted for his computer. If you realize that neither my daughter nor I is even close to being a morning person, this sounds more self-sacrificing. Hey, we had to get up way early to get there and get in line before five! I’d like a little sympathy here. Thank you.

We planned while we were in line. My daughter asked a store employee where the sale monitors were displayed. When the doors opened, I headed for a shopping cart while my daughter sped to the location. By the time I wove through shoppers to reach her, she clasped the desired monitor...and the stack was entirely depleted. Disappointed shoppers circled my daughter, shooting her the evil eye as they closed in nearer and nearer. I feared she would be mugged any minute, so we put the monitor in the shopping cart and got out of Dodge. Our tremendous sacrifice (remember--sympathy!) was rewarded on Christmas Eve when my surprised husband was delighted with the unexpected monitor.

Maybe that’s not the real spirit of Christmas, but we were pretty happy. Yes, we’re supposed to show love, offer reconciliation and understanding, and relieve hunger, strife, and all the other ills of the world. We can’t achieve all of these, but the same daughter and I love to shop for an angel from the mall tree. On good years, we each take an angel or two; in lean years we share one angel. Either way, what fun! We imagine the joy a child will have and we delight in providing as much as we can for that person(s).

For me, one of the joys is decorating our home. I go crazy! My husband, who I’ve always thought of as the sane member of our partnership, tries to temper my enthusiasm. Poor man, he thinks having a tree IS decorating for Christmas. He sets up our artificial tree and adds the strings of lights. He would be perfectly happy if that took care of the house. Not me. I add so many decorations that the tree is barely visible. I have saved decorations from all the way back to the first year we were married and I’ve added more each year. Honestly, it looks terrific when it’s decorated. Trust me. (Sure, you can.) My snow village and electric train under the tree add to the festive air. I’m in heaven and the cats, dog, and I sit and gaze lovingly at the joyful sight.

Then I start on the house. Wreaths on most every door, swags of fake evergreen, nativity sets everywhere (did I mention I collect them?), Santa and snowmen spread throughout the house. Then there’s the outside--the plywood cut out of Santa in his toy-filled train, the lighted reindeer, and the lights on the hedges. (I eliminated the lights along the eaves after that little falling-off-the-ladder incident that almost broke my husband’s leg.) Once all the decorations are in place, I take delight in our home’s Christmas clothes. My sweet, tolerant husband is just happy I’m happy and will leave him in peace until time to put all this stuff away. What a guy! No wonder I call him Hero on my blog, right?

I send lots of Christmas cards. I mean lots. Many people have quit sending cards due to the expense. Others only send to people out of town. Not me. I love sending cards and my Hero is with me here. We enjoy receiving greetings and I reread them several times. I love those long (okay, one or two are boring) letters that some people include. My favorite cards come with a photo or two. I can’t figure out how relatives’ kids grow up when I haven’t aged a day since last year. And why are some of my younger relatives sporting gray hair? It’s one of the season’s mysteries.

And thinking of happy occasions and giving gifts reminds me of my books. I love writing and love when readers tell me they’ve enjoyed one or more of my books. (I love to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com ) So, I’ll let you in on a secret. I have seven of my backlist books and novellas in historical and contemporary romance and a mystery at only 99 cents each on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.

I sat slaving in my desk chair for months to produce these books (remember--sympathy!) and here I’m offering them to you for the bargain price of 99 cents each. What a deal! In the next month or so, I’ll be adding a western historical, BRAZOS RIVER BRIDE, that’s the first of a Men of Stone Mountain trilogy to my 99 cent books. And I’m placing one of these books under Sky’s Christmas tree for her to give away, winner’s choice. I’m also placing one of my releases from The Wild Rose Press under the tree, HOME, SWEET TEXAS HOME, a sweet contemporary romance that a modern day Cinderella story that has received rave reviews.

Purchase the .99 cent books at Amazon and Smashwords.

Purchase my The Wild Rose Press books HERE.

And while I have your attention, let me invite you to surf on over to my blog or catch me on Facebook. Follow me at Twitter.

Thanks to Sky for letting me share my love of Christmas, my books, and writing with you. Merry Christmas and I hope it precedes a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year!

Sky here. What a lovely post, Caroline! I give you and your daughter ALOT of credit for standing out in the cold at 5 AM to scoop up a deal. I'm totally not a morning person so I beyond sympathize! Wishing your and yours a wonderful holiday season this year.

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Friday, December 9th. 12 AM, EST.

CHARACTER BLOWOUT. Derek's Turn! HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME. Last Chance to Win!!!

Welcome  to day two of Caroline Clemmons’ END OF WEEK CHARACTER BLOWOUT. Ever heard of The Newlywed Game? Well, this event is sort of like that. Yesterday I interviewed Courtney Madison from HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME. Today, I have over hero, Derek Corrigan. I’ll be asking him the same questions I asked Courtney so we can see how well they know one another. Total blast!

As always, I’ll add little snippets of Courtney’s responses from yesterday but I highly recommend that you check out COURTNEY’S INTERVIEW to really ‘hear’ her voice.

Also, Caroline has graciously offered to host a contest. One lucky commenter will win a PDF of HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME!

Alright, let’s get started…

SKY: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Derek.

DEREK: I’m thirty-two now, and from the age eight I was raised by the kindest couple in the world, Maggie and Sam Warren, on a large farm near Sweet Springs, Texas. Those two are why I named my kids Meg and Warren. I haven’t trusted women for a long time, well, not until I got to know Courtney. I own a ranch as well as various other enterprises. I seem to be able to make any proposition I enter into make a profit. Courtney says people call me King Midas. Believe me, I’m not complaining about my “golden touch.” My financial security allows me to spend more time with my kids while I work most days from my home office.

(Courtney’s response… I’m twenty-five and grew up in Dallas, Texas)

SKY: Remembering the moment you first laid eyes on Courtney, what thoughts come to mind?

DEREK: Whoa! Who is that beauty whirling my way like a Texas tornado? Courtney wore this old gray dress like it was the best Neiman Marcus had to offer, and her golden hair looked like a crown. I’m telling you, I stood there like I’d been frozen to the spot. Even though I saw her heading my way, I just stared. She was lost in thought and hurrying, and ran smack into me. Like a jerk, I just stood there and let her. I even dropped my hat and the books I’d been carrying. .

(Courtney’s response… Dear heavens! He was the handsomest man I’d ever seen.)

SKY: She has one trait you adored from the start. What is it? Hands down, she appreciates one of your traits…what do you think that is?

DEREK: She would not back down! Still won’t as a matter of fact. Ha ha, she does what she thinks is right, and she always keeps a promise. You can take that to the bank.

Hmm, maybe she likes that I always put my kids first. Courtney’s really big on family responsibility. You know, she’s the legal guardian for her brother, Jimmy. Practically raised him herself. Jimmy hit a rough patch, but he’s a fine kid now.

(Courtney’s response… His eyes. Oh yes, you mean a trait, but you shouldn’t have made me think about his eyes. They are this amazing shade of blue and they twinkle when he’s mischievous. Of course, they also ignite sparks when he’s angry. Sigh, where was I? Oh, yes, you want a trait. Right away I noticed he’s an amazing father and had been a wonderful son to his adopted father, the man who left me my fortune.

What he seems to like about me is that I always get nervous around him and do odd things. Drat! I always do something outrageous when he’s around and embarrass myself something awful. It’s as if just looking at Derek subtracts IQ points from my brain.)

SKY: She has one trait you’d change if you could. What is it? You figure there’s probably a trait she might want to change about you… care to share?

DEREK: If she would stop and think of the consequences before she does something, I’d be happier. Not that she does stupid stuff, mind you, at least not unless you count getting stuck in a window or losing her purse in a restaurant or....No, better not go there. Ha ha. She always has the best of intentions and things usually turn out well in the end, but she creates a few bumps for herself. And that means for me, too.

About me, hmm, have to think about that. Not that I’m perfect, mind you. No, I guess she’d say I’m stubborn, and maybe she’d be right. Ha ha. Plenty of people may have mentioned that to me, especially my best friend, Rusty McCullough.

(Courtney’s response… If I could change one thing about him, it would be to make him more trusting and realize what a wonderful and lovable man he is. Sigh. I told you how he’s the best father ever, but I didn’t mention how much he helps people in the Sweet Springs community. Everyone admires him. I mean everyone!

About me, well, he’d probably like it if I weren’t so impulsive. He thinks things through very slowly and analytically, you know? I do analyze, but not slowly, then tend to jump in.)

SKY: Ah, love is in the air. What is the single most romantic thing you’ve done for her?

DEREK: Probably taking her to the Midwinter Ball at the country club. Man, you should have seen her! Meg told us Courtney looked like Cinderella. She did, too. Never saw any woman look more beautiful in my life. She wore this take-no-prisoner’s dress the same color as her eyes.

(Courtney’s response… So many things, but the first thing was, Derek took me to Dallas when he went on business. Oh, I should add he also took his children and my brother, and that my brother and I stayed in one suite while he and his children stayed in another. But he took me to a lovely dinner atop Reunion Tower and then sightseeing the next day. Sigh. I’d lived in Dallas all my life, but had never seen the places we went--except the natural science museum. I couldn’t believe the luxury of the hotel or the restaurant. Secretly, I pretended that we were married and the kids were ours. But something so embarrassing happened at the restaurant. You know it revolves, don’t you? Yes, the entire restaurant moves slowly around so diners see the entire city by the time they’ve finished their meal. Oh, I can’t even talk about my “event,” as Derek calls it. He says I’m “event prone” and he’s right.)

SKY: She has a feature that draws your eye every time. Care to share? She can’t stare at you enough… but where is she staring? Now’s the time to gloat about your thick head of hair. *Sky sniggers* Truth! Do you think it’s your eyes? Chest? Etc.

DEREK: Courtney is one of those people who always looks at you when you’re talking with her. I can’t help looking at her eyes. Maybe they are the window to the soul. I’ll confess to you, Courtney had better stay away from playing poker--her eyes telegraph her thoughts and moods.

Since she always looks at me head on, maybe she’s looking at my eyes, too. Don’t know. Maybe she likes my hair. By the way, Miss Sky, my hair is thick.

(Courtney’s response… I can’t keep from looking at his eyes, did I mention that he has gorgeous cobalt blue eyes? Sigh. He also has the most kissable mouth of any man in the world. I mean the world! Totally! So, I guess I’d better say his face, so that I can use his eyes and mouth. He is so handsome, and he’s interested in ME. Really, I have to pinch myself sometimes to believe I’m so lucky.)

SKY: How do you think Courtney would answer the following… Our favorite thing to do together is…?

DEREK: Just spend time together, us and the kids. Might sound pathetic, but anytime I’m with Courtney is a favorite time.

(Courtney’s response… Just spending time together. Whatever we do is better if we’re together.)

SKY: You and Courtney don’t see eye to eye on what issue?

DEREK: Well, I have to admit I was against her coming to Sweet Springs. I apologized to her and admitted she was right. Then I was against her building new apartments and homes in Sweet Springs. Who knew people would like to live in Sweet Springs if there were decent places to live? Damn, Sam Warren knew, of course. That’s why he asked Courtney to move here and why he left her part of his estate.

(Courtney’s response… Well, at first, it was me coming to West Texas.)

SKY: She said one thing to you that you’ll never forget. What was it?

DEREK: She loves me, not my fortune. You have no idea how many women...no, make that people want to be around me because they want something from me. Courtney wants me for who I am and not for what I can buy her. Believe me, that’s a damn good feeling!

(Courtney’s response… Before he even said he was attracted to me, he said I was a good businesswoman. You have no idea how much that meant, and still means, to me.)

SKY: Thanks for joining me today, Derek. Sounds like you and Courtney are a winning pair!

Read a bit more about HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME…

Two million dollars? What a fortune to inherit! Coutney Madison has battled poverty her entire twenty-five years but is determined to make a safe and happy home for her teenaged brother after the death of their mom. She thinks her inheritance in West Texas is the answer to her prayers--but Courtney's problems are definitely not over yet.

Derek Corrigan suspects the worst of his new neighbor and vows to fight his attraction for her. He knows what women do to him--they always leave and take chunks of his heart with them. He's been there, done that, had the vaccination and is cured. Isn't he?

Caroline’s Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Contact address: caroline@carolineclemmons.com

Don’t forget that there’s a contest running. One lucky commenter wins a PDF of HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME. Contest ends Saturday, July 16th, 12 AM EST.

Best Always,

~Sky

CHARACTER BLOWOUT. Caroline Clemmons', HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME. Chance to WIN!!!

Welcome! We’ve arrived once more at A Writer’s Mind, End of Week Character Blowout. For those of you unfamiliar, this particular blog event is sort of like The Newlywed Game. On Thursdays, I invite over the heroine from some of your favorite tales. On Friday, the hero. It’s all about seeing how well they really know one another when asked the same questions.

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over Courtney Madison from Caroline Clemmons’, HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME. Caroline joined me last week for A Writer’s Mind, Monday Covers It feature to chat a bit about the ‘story’ behind the cover for HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME. Click HERE to check it out.

CONTEST! One lucky commenter will win an Ecopy of HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME! Those who commented on Caroline’s Monday Covers it feature are also in the race.

Before I begin the interview, let’s learn a bit about this fabulous book…

Two million dollars? What a fortune to inherit! Coutney Madison has battled poverty her entire twenty-five years but is determined to make a safe and happy home for her teenaged brother after the death of their mom. She thinks her inheritance in West Texas is the answer to her prayers--but Courtney's problems are definitely not over yet.

Derek Corrigan suspects the worst of his new neighbor and vows to fight his attraction for her. He knows what women do to him--they always leave and take chunks of his heart with them. He's been there, done that, had the vaccination and is cured. Isn't he?

Time for the interview!

SKY: Tell us a little bit about you, Courtney.

COURTNEY: I’m twenty-five and grew up in Dallas, Texas. My dad died was a policeman. My mom had two miscarriages before my brother Jimmy was born, and we were so happy when he arrived when I was ten. When Jimmy was only an infant, my dad stopped to help a motorist change a tire, and a drunk driver hit him. Dad and the woman he stopped to help were killed. My mom had never worked and didn’t even know how to balance a checkbook. She went to work in the school cafeteria, and I sort of took over the finances. Then, when I was starting high school, she was diagnosed with ALS and became increasingly ill and difficult. Poor Jimmy hardly remembers the wonderful Mom she was before Dad died and before she became ill. I worked part-time in high school for an independent book store in downtown Dallas, and eventually became the store’s manager.

SKY: Remembering the moment you first laid eyes on Derek, what thoughts come to mind?

COURTNEY: Dear heavens! He was the handsomest man I’d ever seen. His cobalt eyes and dark hair, his height and regal bearing--a prince couldn’t have looked more impressive. He wore a western cut dark gray suit and carried a light gray Stetson. Honestly, people stare at him he’s so handsome. And I was in such a hurry I ran right into him. What a horrid first impression of me he must have had.

SKY: He has one trait you adored from the start. What is it? You know without doubt he appreciates one of your traits. Share what you think that is.

COURTNEY: His eyes. Oh yes, you mean a trait, but you shouldn’t have made me think about his eyes. They are this amazing shade of blue and they twinkle when he’s mischievous. Of course, they also ignite sparks when he’s angry. Sigh, where was I? Oh, yes, you want a trait. Right away I noticed he’s an amazing father and had been a wonderful son to his adopted father, the man who left me my fortune.

What he seems to like about me is that I always get nervous around him and do odd things. Drat! I always do something outrageous when he’s around and embarrass myself something awful. It’s as if just looking at Derek subtracts IQ points from my brain.

SKY: He has one trait you’d change if you could. What is it? Oh yeah, there’s a trait you know he’d change about you…fess up!

COURTNEY: If I could change one thing about him, it would be to make him more trusting and realize what a wonderful and lovable man he is. Sigh. I told you how he’s the best father ever, but I didn’t mention how much he helps people in the Sweet Springs community. Everyone admires him. I mean everyone!

About me, well, he’d probably like it if I weren’t so impulsive. He thinks things through very slowly and analytically, you know? I do analyze, but not slowly, then tend to jump in.

SKY: Ah, love is in the air. What is the single most romantic thing he’s done for you?

COURTNEY: So many things, but the first thing was, Derek took me to Dallas when he went on business. Oh, I should add he also took his children and my brother, and that my brother and I stayed in one suite while he and his children stayed in another. But he took me to a lovely dinner atop Reunion Tower and then sightseeing the next day. Sigh. I’d lived in Dallas all my life, but had never seen the places we went--except the natural science museum. I couldn’t believe the luxury of the hotel or the restaurant. Secretly, I pretended that we were married and the kids were ours. But something so embarrassing happened at the restaurant. You know it revolves, don’t you? Yes, the entire restaurant moves slowly around so diners see the entire city by the time they’ve finished their meal. Oh, I can’t even talk about my “event,” as Derek calls it. He says I’m “event prone” and he’s right.

SKY: He has a feature that draws your eye every time. Care to share? His eye constantly roams to a particular part of your person. Tell, tell!

COURTNEY: I can’t keep from looking at his eyes, did I mention that he has gorgeous cobalt blue eyes? Sigh. He also has the most kissable mouth of any man in the world. I mean the world! Totally! So, I guess I’d better say his face, so that I can use his eyes and mouth. He is so handsome, and he’s interested in ME. Really, I have to pinch myself sometimes to believe I’m so lucky.

SKY: How do you think Derek would answer the following… Our favorite thing to do together is…?

COURTNEY: Just spending time together. Whatever we do is better if we’re together. We try not to overdo leaving the kids, but Jimmy babysits Meg and Warren whenever we ask. Most times the five of us go places together, though.

SKY: You and Derek just don’t see eye to eye on what issue?

COURTNEY: Well, at first, it was me coming to West Texas. Derek thought I should just sell out to him for all cash, but I desperately needed a reason to get Jimmy away from his awful new friends who encouraged him to cut classes--and who knows what else? Besides, Sam Warren left me the estate because he wanted me to live there. In exchange for two million, the least I could do was go along with Sam’s wishes.

SKY: He said one thing to you that you’ll never forget. What was it?

COURTNEY: Before he even said he was attracted to me, he said I was a good businesswoman. You have no idea how much that meant, and still means, to me.

SKY: Courtney, it was great having you over today. Can’t wait to chat with Derek tomorrow!

Caroline's Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Blogspot  (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Team blogs http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/ on the26th

http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com/ on the 20th

http://seducedbyhistory.blogspot.com/ on the 7th

Contact address: caroline@carolineclemmons.com

Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win an Ecopy of HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME! Be sure to join as tomorrow as I welcome Derek Corrigan to A Writer’s Mind, End of Week Character Blowout.

Cheers,

~Sky

MONDAY COVERS IT. Caroline Clemmon's, HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME. Contest!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

I hope everyone has enjoyed their holiday weekend. This Monday Covers It feature focuses on the ‘story’ behind Caroline Clemmon’s, Home Sweet Texas Home.

Caroline is graciously hosting a contest. One lucky commenter will be chosen from her posts this week to win a PDF copy of HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME.

From Caroline’s lips to my blog…

"I wanted people shown on the cover, preferably the hero, and HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME’s cover is perfect for the story. Hero Derek Corrigan has two children, Warren aged eight and Meg aged five. Derek is a wealthy widower--a rancher and business genius--whose world revolves around his children. He protects them while providing them with a good home and a lot of his time.

The book has only been released July 1st, so it hasn’t had reviews or a chance to win an award yet."

Sky here. Congratulations on Home Sweet Texas Home’s release!

A bit more about HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME…

Two million dollars? What a fortune to inherit! Coutney Madison has battled poverty her entire twenty-five years but is determined to make a safe and happy home for her teenaged brother after the death of their mom. She thinks her inheritance in West Texas is the answer to her prayers--but Courtney's problems are definitely not over yet.

Derek Corrigan suspects the worst of his new neighbor and vows to fight his attraction for her. He knows what women do to him--they always leave and take chunks of his heart with them. He's been there, done that, had the vaccination and is cured. Isn't he?

Purchase Home Sweet Texas Home.

Caroline Clemmon’s Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Be sure to swing in Thursday as the hero and heroine from Caroline Clemmon's, HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME join A Writer's Mind, END OF WEEK CHARACTER BLOWOUT!

~Sky