THE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

The names have been drawn for the most significant prize drawing I've ever had on my blog. I can't thank you all enough for your interest in this year's troop project and for your incredibly generous donations.
Below are the names of the winners - all winners have four days to contact me by email at ljodamron@gmail.com. If no contact is made, that winner's prize will be forfeited and a new name will be drawn. Also shown below is a listing of the contents of these prizes - I hope everyone, whether you've won a prize or not, will remember to check out the websites and the work of all of the authors who were kind enough to contribute a prize or prizes. Congratulations to all of the winners!!
Big hugs to all,
Laurie

Laura K. - Bundle One
Chris S. - Bundle Two
Helen W. - Bundle Three
Cheryl S. - Bundle Four
Cindy S. - $25. Gift Cert. to Barnes & Noble or Borders from Stacy Ahlgren
Barb V. - $25. Gift Certificate to Borders/Waldenbooks from Alane Coppinger
Cathy M. - $25. Gift Certificate to Gooseberry Patch online country store from Laurie Damron

BUNDLE ONE
Lori Foster autographed Causing Havoc
Jaci Burton Hunting the Demon
Surviving Demon Island
PC Cast Goddess of Love
Sam Cheever Heavyweight hooded sweatshirt w/cover of 'Tween Heaven and Hell
Beaded bracelet/matching earrings
Erin McCarthy When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys
The Night Before Christmas
Tori Carrington’s DIRTY LAUNDRY
Lucy Monroe Moon Awakening
Blackmailed Into Marriage
HelenKay Dimon When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys
Brenda Novak Every Waking Moment
Karen Kelly The Morgue, The Merrier
I’m Your Santa
Elizabeth Bevarly Do You Take This Man?
BUNDLE TWO
Lori Foster autographed Simon Says
Jaci Burton Exclusive
PC Cast Betrayed
Sam Cheever Heavyweight hooded sweatshirt w/cover of 'Tween Heaven and Hell
Beaded bracelet/matching earrings
Erin McCarthy Merry Christmas, Baby
The Naked Truth
Bad Boys of Summer
Mouth to Mouth
Gerry Bartlett’s REAL VAMPIRES LIVE LARGE
Lucy Monroe The Greek Tycoon’s Ultimatum
The Real Deal
And Able
Karen Kelly The Morgue, The Merrier
I’m Your Santa
Janice Maynard A Very Merry Christmas
Elizabeth Bevarly Motherhood
The Ring on Her Finger
BUNDLE THREE
Lori Foster autographed ARC of Hard to Handle
Erin McCarthy An Enchanted Season
Mouth to Mouth
Gerry Bartlett’s Real Vampires Live Large
Sharon Page’s Sin
Lucy Monroe And Able
Janice Maynard A certificate for The Perfect Ten, which releases Jan. ‘08
HelenKay Dimon Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy
Jaci Burton Wild, Wicket & Wanton
PC Cast Marked
Karen Kelly The Morgue, The Merrier
JT Schultz The Bride Wore Boots pack – signed book, a loot envelope and a t-shirt
Sam Cheever Sam Cheever Beaded bracelet/matching earrings
Kelley Nyrae A certificate for Getting Lucky with Luciano, which releases Jan. ‘08
Elizabeth Bevarly Destinations South
BUNDLE FOUR
from Lori Foster: autographed copy of Servant: The Awakening and x-large t-shirt for Servant: The Awakening
from Lorraine Heath the following seven items:
Tote bag
Spa set (valued at $40)
The Write Ingredients by Lori Foster and friends
Autographed hardback copy of A Duke of Her Own
Autographed hardback copy of Just Wicked Enough
Just Wicked Enough mug
Candle
Janice Maynard A Very Merry Christmas
Kate Davies Tease Me, Please Me
HelenKay Dimon Viva Las Bad Boys
Brenda Novak Dead Giveaway
Elizabeth Bevarly My Only Vice
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES:
$25. Gift Certificate to Borders or Barnes & Noble from Stacy Ahlgren
$25. Gift Certificate to Borders/Waldenbooks from Alane Coppinger
$25. Gift Certificate to Gooseberry Patch online country store from Laurie Damron

Melissa Schroeder's THE SEDUCTION OF WIDOW MCEWAN

Author Melissa Schroeder has a new Samhain release, THE SEDUCTION OF WIDOW MCEWAN, available today! Here's a little blurb:

A younger man bent on seduction, an older woman determined to resist, and a love that could not be denied.
Jameson McEwan, known to almost everyone as Jamie, is happy with her lot in life. Married young to a powerful older man, she has had little romance and very little experience with men—other than ordering them around on her ranch. She’d actually been in love with her first husband not knowing he had seen it as an arranged marriage. After that heartbreak she is reluctant to even think about a marriage based on love again.
Seth Conner has always wanted Jamie. From the moment he met her, his best friend’s older sister has been a bit of an obsession for him. Even at the age of sixteen he knew he wanted her, but she was married to another man. And, sensing her reluctance, he never acted on his desires even after she became a widow. That is, until she says she’s marrying another man. He decides he has waited long enough.
Jamie never expected to find herself in bed, tied up and shivering with desire, especially not with Seth. But through one night and day filled with passion, she finds him as addictive as liquor. She knows it will never last. She is older and has too much responsibility. But, when he refuses to take no for an answer, she begins to think that maybe things could be different.
But someone is hell bent on making sure the two of them never find happiness and will do anything—including murder—to keep them from succeeding.
Explicit sex, spanking, seduction by a younger man, a little bit of bondage for fun, and a whole lot of teasing guaranteed to make ya hot under the collar and enough passion to give your spurs a twirl.

I haven't yet read all of Melissa's books, but I can tell you that many of them are on my TBB list! I have read A LITTLE HARMLESS SEX, a fun "friends to lovers" romance that is especially steamy. GRACE UNDER PRESSURE is another goodie - again, plenty of romantic spice, and a bit of suspense. THE SEDUCTION OF WIDOW MCEWAN is a western, and before you dismiss it as not being your style, I have to say that I typically prefer contemps, especially romantic suspense, and I absolutely loved this one. I was a tad hesitant because of the older woman/younger man theme - I tend to stay away from them. Again, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't made to be a huge deal - the age difference wasn't that great, although back then I'm sure that every year made a big difference in society's eyes. Anyway, I've done a brief review below, and seriously hope that you'll check this book out. I would add that despite the blurb's disclaimer about spanking and bondage, it's very mild and written lightly - sweetly erotic, I would say - so don't dismiss this book, thinking that it will be too dark.
Jamie McEwan had a loveless marriage to a man who preferred sexual encounters with prostitutes rather than his young wife. She always felt that there must be something wrong with her. When her husband dies, she throws herself into running their ranch, refusing the help of her father to take over for her. When Jamie's brother believes that she is considering marriage to another older man, a neighbor who only wants to join ranches, he asks his best friend, Seth, to step in and look out for her.
Seth steps in all right, but not in the manner Jamie's brother has in mind. He seduces Jamie while accompanying her on a cattle selling trip, making her feel beautiful and feminine. Seth wants more than just one night with Jamie though, and when she suggests they continue their relationship with a simple romantic affair, he begins to doubt whether he will ever convince her of his true feelings.
Jamie can scarcely believe the feelings that Seth makes her feel. She has known him for several years as her brother's best friend, and after his sweet seduction, she finds herself confused over the emotions he brings about. When Seth proclaims his love for her, she's fearful of ending up brokenhearted again once he tires of her.
Melissa Schroeder has an excellent voice and I'm confident that you'll enjoy her books just as much as I have. I'm intrigued by several of her other books and look forward to reading more of her work.

Thanks for checking this out!

Laurie

ROMANCING THE BLOG - MONDAY - BE THERE!

I'm the columnist at Romancing the Blog on Monday, 11/19 - I hope you'll stop by and leave a comment! Kelsey and I have a college visit scheduled at the Columbus College of Art and Design on Monday, so I'll be away for part of the day - will anxiously check the comments as soon as we get home!

Congrats to tetewa, the winner of Kay's contest!!

Don't forget the troop holiday project - time is winding down - scan down a few posts for details. The prize drawing will be held next Saturday, 11/24. The prizes are many and all are very generous - you won't want to miss out on a chance at them!

Laurie

Kay Stockham's A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER - and A CONTEST!!

AND THE WINNER IS . . . TETEWA!! Please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com so I can mail your books out! If I don't hear anything by Saturday, I'll draw a new name. Thanks so much to everyone for sharing your Christmas memories - I can't tell you how much I enjoyed them! I truly think this has been my favorite contest because of your great comments!

Kay Stockham has a new release - a heartwarming Christmas story, A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER.
I’ve written a review below, following which are the details of a contest for two of Kay’s books. I have from Kay an autographed copy of her previous release, HIS PERFECT WIFE, and I’m chipping in a copy of A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER for one lucky winner!
My review:
When Beau Buchanan wakes to find himself in a military hospital, the severe pain of his injuries and the inability to recall the explosion that put him there are seriously troubling, but it’s the not knowing his own identity that causes him the most distress. Once he has healed sufficiently, he goes home and begins the trying task of getting back into the workforce as an electrician with his father’s company. An attractive woman doing landscaping in the same housing project catches his eye and as soon as she recognizes him, she tears into him, obviously very upset to see him. Of course, he doesn’t recognize her and is determined to find out what happened between them to cause the pain in her eyes. Beau keeps pushing until he finds that her name is Marley Pierce and that they had a brief past together, one that ended with her pregnant and him skipping out on her. He is shocked to think that he could act so abominably towards her. As he begins to experience glimpses of his past in brief flashbacks, he is more confused than ever when they just don’t seem to fit with the man he has become.
Marley is shocked to see Beau Buchanan working across the street. He broke her young heart years before, ditching her and leaving her alone and pregnant. Marley’s pregnancy was a major source of painful gossip in their small town, contributing to her mother’s breakdown, and no one in her family could forgive Beau for the destruction his actions caused within their family. The more time Marley spends with this very different Beau, the more she begins to question her feelings for him as well as her relationship with her family, especially her mother.
Kay Stockham never fails to deliver an emotion-packed story with characters whose lives and backgrounds are realistic and slightly flawed. A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER is no exception, proving that things and people aren’t always what they seem. Marley and Beau had troubles in their past, but new discoveries and revelations could open their future to unexpectedly brightness, but only if they are willing to open their hearts. This book belongs on every holiday shopping list!
Now for the contest! Everyone who leaves a brief comment about a favorite Christmas memory will be entered in this contest. As I often do, I’ll put your name in the drawing twice if you send a friend over and they mention your name. I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday evening, so you have plenty of time to give your friends a shout!
Thanks for stopping!
Laurie

ANOTHER CONTEST COMING SOON!

Okay, since the winner of Sasha's contest has been named, I'll give a heads up that another contest is coming very soon, hopefully in the next two days. Up for grabs this time? Two great books for one lucky winner - Kay Stockham's current release A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER and an autographed copy of her previous release HIS PERFECT WOMAN. I hope you'll check back for the details.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Laurie

FROM SASHA WHITE - SEXY DEVIL - AND A CONTEST!

DRUMROLL, PLEASE!! The winner of the advance copy of Sasha's SEXY DEVIL is STACY S!! Congratulations! Stacy, please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your mailing info so I can pass it on to Sasha! If I don't hear from you by Monday evening, I'll draw another name. Thanks so much to everyone who entered, and especially to Sasha for the advance copy of SEXY DEVIL!

Many of you already know it, but I simply adore Sasha White! http://www.sashawhite.net Her upcoming release, SEXY DEVIL, is just one more shining example of her incredible writing talent. This anthology has two connected stories with psychic/paranormal twists. I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC and have written a little review, hopefully to tease and tempt!
THE DEVIL INSIDE
Psychic Gina Devlin’s erotic dreams about a nameless, faceless lover leave her unsatisfied night after night. When she has a chance encounter with Caleb Manner and acts on the opportunity to spend an incredibly intimate night with him, she does so. If she tells a small fib in order to make this magical night happen, no harm done, right? However, it isn’t long before Gina realizes that Caleb is the mystery lover in her dreams. Caleb’s displeasure over Gina’s deliberate deception quickly passes as he finds himself undeniably attracted to her and wanting to spend more and more time with her. When her psychic abilities are revealed, he’s initially a bit confused and very skeptical, but not altogether disbelieving.
When Gina discovers that Caleb is hiding issues of his own, she is more determined than ever to make him see that they are meant to be together.
DEVIL’S JEWEL
Jewel Kattalis and her sister, Nadya, live with their fellow clansmen, a band of Romanian gypsies. But the group’s numbers are dwindling and when Nadya is inexplicably taken, they move on, leaving Jewel behind to find her sister on her own. When it becomes clear that she and the Hunter Protection Group are looking for the same person of interest, albeit for different reasons, they join forces in the search. Jewel and Angelo “Devil” Devlin are immediately attracted to each other, although they have a strange way of showing it with their frequent bickering. Angelo’s sister, Gina, adds her psychic powers to Angelo’s powerful mind reading abilities and they soon discover that they are dealing with a force much more powerful and deadly than a simple kidnapping. Jewel is unsure of where she and Nadya will go and how they will live, if and when she is found, but she knows that before they can even begin to think about the future, they must survive the threatening darkness in their present.
These two stories are highly erotic; Sasha’s readers expect nothing less! In my opinion, hot sex alone doesn’t make for a good story. I don’t want to sound like a prude, but I want more. I want a well-written, thought-out storyline, likeable, intelligent characters, and intrigue – Sasha never fails to deliver all of those things. Her heroines are always strongly independent and boldly confident, living life to the fullest. What I wouldn’t give to have some of their moxie! Her heroes are always too good to be true, smoothly and capably handling any situation that comes along.
Sasha is generously offering an advance copy of SEXY DEVIL for one lucky reader here! (US/Canada addresses only, please) All you have to do is leave a post – maybe share whether you’ve read any of Sasha’s books, which one is your favorite, or just tell us what you’re currently reading, have read or are looking forward to reading! Or if you prefer, just say you’re interested in the contest, I’m not picky! I’ll draw a winner on Saturday November 10. I wish everyone could win a copy, but since that’s not possible, I strongly suggest that if your name isn't chosen, you get your hands on a copy of this book - you’ll be a winner either way!

Thank you, Sasha, for asking me to read and review SEXY DEVIL, and also for the contest copy – you’re going to make someone very happy here!

Hugs,
Laurie

IT'S OFFICIAL! THE '07 TROOP PROJECT HAS BEGUN!

NOTE: I neglected to say in my original post that additional prizes are expected, so be sure to stop back occasionally to check out the prize bundles! AUTHORS: If you still want to participate, it's not too late! Email me if you're interested in donating a prize!

Okay, this is going to be a lengthy post because I have lots to cover!
It's time for the '07 Holidays for the Troops Project and we are hopeful that this will be our most successful campaign to date! Below are details about the project, and an impressive listing of prizes generously donated by authors and readers alike. These prizes will be drawn for at the end of the project.
Most of you probably know how this works since this is the third year we've done it, but here goes:
Donations of either items to be sent to the troops or checks, money orders or gift cards to be used to shop for and ship items to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are being collected. This link - http://lorifoster.com/author/militarytribute.htm - will take you to a detailed listing of suggested items in the event you would like to do your own shopping for the troops. In addition to the items on this list, holiday items such as lights, decorations, ornaments, cards, etc. are much appreciated. If you don't have time to shop or don't want to be bothered with shipping, please consider sending a check, money order or gift card. Stores that I frequent when shopping for the troops are WalMart, Target, Meijer, Kroger and CVS.
The deadline for donations will be Saturday, November 24, when I will draw names. Winners will have four days to claim their prize; if contact is not made within that time, a different winner will be chosen for that prize. Cards and letters from those who donate are also welcome and greatly appreciated. All donations should be mailed to me:
Laurie Damron
146 Page Court
Delaware, OH 43015
If you have a blog it would be appreciated if you could give a little shout about our project and provide my email addy, ljodamron@gmail.com as a contact for more information or for answers to any questions.
Please note that there is absolutely nothing political about this project. It is simply a show of support for the men and women who serve our country.
Now on to those amazing prizes!!
BUNDLE ONE
Lori Foster autographed Causing Havoc
Jaci Burton Hunting the Demon
Surviving Demon Island
PC Cast Goddess of Love
Sam Cheever Heavyweight hooded sweatshirt w/cover of 'Tween Heaven and Hell
Beaded bracelet/matching earrings
Erin McCarthy When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys
The Night Before Christmas
Tori Carrington’s DIRTY LAUNDRY
Lucy Monroe Moon Awakening
Blackmailed Into Marriage
HelenKay Dimon When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys
Brenda Novak Every Waking Moment
Karen Kelly The Morgue, The Merrier
I’m Your Santa
Elizabeth Bevarly Do You Take This Man?
BUNDLE TWO
Lori Foster autographed Simon Says
Jaci Burton Exclusive
PC Cast Betrayed
Sam Cheever Heavyweight hooded sweatshirt w/cover of 'Tween Heaven and Hell
Beaded bracelet/matching earrings
Erin McCarthy Merry Christmas, Baby
The Naked Truth
Bad Boys of Summer
Mouth to Mouth
Gerry Bartlett’s REAL VAMPIRES LIVE LARGE
Lucy Monroe The Greek Tycoon’s Ultimatum
The Real Deal
And Able
Karen Kelly The Morgue, The Merrier
I’m Your Santa
Janice Maynard A Very Merry Christmas
Elizabeth Bevarly Motherhood
The Ring on Her Finger
BUNDLE THREE
Lori Foster autographed ARC of Hard to Handle
Erin McCarthy An Enchanted Season
Mouth to Mouth
Gerry Bartlett’s Real Vampires Live Large
Sharon Page’s Sin
Lucy Monroe And Able
Janice Maynard A certificate for The Perfect Ten, which releases Jan. ‘08
HelenKay Dimon Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy
Jaci Burton Wild, Wicket & Wanton
PC Cast Marked
Karen Kelly The Morgue, The Merrier
JT Schultz The Bride Wore Boots pack – signed book, a loot envelope and a t-shirt
Sam Cheever Sam Cheever Beaded bracelet/matching earrings
Kelley Nyrae A certificate for Getting Lucky with Luciano, which releases Jan. ‘08
Elizabeth Bevarly Destinations South
BUNDLE FOUR
from Lori Foster: autographed copy of Servant: The Awakening and x-large t-shirt for Servant: The Awakening
from Lorraine Heath the following seven items:
Tote bag
Spa set (valued at $40)
The Write Ingredients by Lori Foster and friends
Autographed hardback copy of A Duke of Her Own
Autographed hardback copy of Just Wicked Enough
Just Wicked Enough mug
Candle
Janice Maynard A Very Merry Christmas
Kate Davies Tease Me, Please Me
HelenKay Dimon Viva Las Bad Boys
Brenda Novak Dead Giveaway
Elizabeth Bevarly My Only Vice
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES:
$25. Gift Certificate to Borders or Barnes & Noble from Stacy Ahlgren
$25. Gift Certificate to Borders/Waldenbooks from Alane Coppinger
$25. Gift Certificate to Gooseberry Patch online country store from Laurie Damron

Note: There will be included with all prize bundles an assortment of autographed coverflats, bookmarks and other author goodies.

Whew! Thanks for checking this out - don't hesitate to contact me should you have questions.
Laurie