Sixty-one Days has December, and Other Senior Moments

All right, it’s the 61^st day of December 2020. How’re all doing? Ha! Kidding, of course. <G>

I do have great news, though. My three-book Silverstar Mates series with the Intergalactic Dating Agency is available everywhere now! Ready to dive into stories featuring seasoned heroes and heroines? Experience hilarious-encounters-of-the-golden-kind that redefine “senior moments?” Then you must check out this series!

Above the Storm

Love can be as elusive as stardust.
After thirty-five years married to a controlling husband, Robyn Martin Donahue now has her freedom, friends, and a job she adores. And there’s still room in her heart for a special someone. Where in the galaxy can she find a man who will love and respect her, not try to rule her?

By law, a monarch cannot govern alone.
Recently widowed Kyzel Raptorclaw, the remaining sovereign of his clan, is on the hunt for a new mate. This time he wants more than just an ally; he wants love. But breaking with his peoples’ ancient mating tradition comes at a personal price—one his new mate may not accept.

Can Kyzel convince Robyn they are better together, or will their happily ever after crash and burn before it has a chance to soar?

BUY

~*~*~*~*~*~

Wing and a Prayer

Happily ever after didn’t work out.
After her divorce, Meryl Faulkner decides to embrace all the best life has to offer: family, friends, and
retirement. She never expected a sexy winged alien to divebomb into her quiet, orderly life. And he seems to think he’s her mate!

Deemed un-mateable from birth.
Years ago, Rol Raptorclaw came to terms with the solitary life society thrust upon him. Serving his monarchs keeps him too busy to be lonely—mostly. So how is it that one maddening human female has inserted herself into his unworthy heart?

Rol is determined to convince Meryl he is not a flight risk, but can he do so before the trade negotiations with Earth wrap up and he must return home?

BUY

 ~*~*~*~*~*~

Trial by Fire

True love only happens once in a lifetime, right?

Nixy Vogel waited a long time for wedded bliss, only to find herself widowed two years later. Working for the Silverstar Agency has helped ease her grief. So, why is the alien who’s trying to put them out of business stirring such a longing in her shuttered heart?

Waiting several lifetimes for “the one.”
The ancient mate-matching tradition of Kai Firewing’s clan could end unless the Silverstar Agency is exposed as a fraud. Simple enough to do…until his rival lights a fire in his heart as only the soul mate of an immortal phoenix can.

Will Nixy embrace her second chance before it—and Kai—goes up in flames?

BUY

~*~*~*~*~*~

Lots of new things are coming in the next year. If you’d like to receive exclusive advance notice of any deals and updates from me, please subscribe to my newsletter, Lea’s Letters from Space. With your subscription, you can get a free copy of my Prophecy companion story, Space Ranger—part of the original Pets in Space®, and no longer available on any platform.

Since there is no Feb. 30th, I'll see you all in March!

XOXO,

~Lea

Being Positive with @meganslayer #positive #romance #paranormal #romance #gay #gayromance

 It's a new year and I'm determined to be positive. I am. I want to see the beauty in things and enjoy the world around me. There is so much good going on in the world. So that's my plan to see the good. Like sunsets, sunrises, my dog being nutsy, the cats being themselves and watching my tot grow. That's what my world is all about. 

It's also about writing. Writing and reading are positive things to me. What are you reading right now? How about Savage Protector?  It's hot, has hope and could be your next favorite read!

2nd Ed. Savage Protector (Forever Wicked) by Megan Slayer

Cover art: Renee' George

BIN: 05994-01923

Genre(s): Futuristic, Dark Fantasy, BDSM, New Releases, Romance

Theme(s): Second Editions, Werewolves, Shapeshifters (Other), Magic, Voyeurism and Exhibitionism, Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures, Dark Desire, Gay

Series: Forever Wicked Multi-Author (#11)

Length: Novella (Page count – 57)

Who knew walking in the woods would lead to the adventure of his life? Not Hans. Being held captive by robbers isn't his idea of fun, but there's a silver lining in the form of a hunky wolf shifter. Hans is coming into his own and realizing the depths of his brawn, but things aren't what they seem. Can Hans sort out his feelings for the wolf and defeat the forces working to keep them from their happily ever after before time runs out?

https://www.amazon.com/2nd-Savage-Protector-Forever-Wicked-ebook/dp/B074N3JTZ3

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/2nd-edition-savage-protector-megan-slayer/1126945689?ean=2940158733116

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/2nd-edition-savage-protector-forever-wicked

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/savage-protector/id1269304443?ls=1&mt=11

Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/3LrLx5

https://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1923

 

EXCERPT - ©2017, Megan Slayer, All Rights Reserved

Pietro drew circles on Hans’ mouth with his fingers. “I like hearing you pleased, but don’t want them to notice.”

Hans froze. He’d given the robbers a cursory thought, but at Pietro’s comment the full force of their presence came to mind. Shit.

“Suck on me.” Pietro jabbed his index finger between Hans’ lips. At the same time, Pietro stroked Hans with his free hand. Hans bucked off the pile of blankets and sucked on Pietro’s finger. Goddess, he wanted to do this again and again. Wanted to taste everywhere on Pietro.

Warmth enveloped Hans’ cock. He glanced down at Pietro. His greedy lover licked and slurped all over Hans’ engorged dick. Hans’ balls tightened. He’d played with himself many times, but to have an actual partner… he’d jizz all over everywhere.

Hans gasped and fisted the blankets. He fucked himself on Pietro’s mouth. His body took over and his brain fizzled. Each swipe of Pietro’s tongue, each hum from his throat pushed Hans even closer to losing control. He clamped down on Pietro’s finger and released his seed. The room went fuzzy, and he slumped against the blankets.

Fuck. He couldn’t think or move -- just exist. He focused on Pietro, who sat happily at the foot of the pallet and grinned. Pietro wiped the corner of his mouth. “Told you. Tastes like heaven.”

Tasted? Hans wasn’t sure, but he felt like he’d gone to heaven. Pietro grinned wider, then stood.

“Don’t go,” Hans whispered.

“Don’t intend to.” Pietro shucked his pants and tossed his shirt toward the corner. He sprawled out beside Hans, clad only in boxer shorts. The skin-to-skin contact sent electric sparks through Hans’ veins. Pietro curled his arm over Hans’ chest. “You make me feel safe and sexy. I’m here as long as you’ll allow.” His breath fanned over Hans’ skin. He sighed and settled, his weight heavy on Hans’ arm.

Hans kissed the top of Pietro’s head. What an introduction to the pleasures of the flesh! Being with Pietro was better than masturbating any day, and he’d repay the favor -- eventually. Like in the morning. He closed his eyes and gave in to sleep. Tomorrow he’d make the rest of the changes in his life.

 

 

 

 

 

Shifters vs. Aliens with Jessica E. Subject #PNR #SciFiRom #Romance @jsubject

 

Shifters vs. Aliens

Hello everyone! It’s great to be back on Paranormal Romantics. I’m only guesting this time to talk about my new release, but I’m happy to announce that starting in February, I will be a regular monthly contributor on the seventh of each month. I’m so excited!

Last week, the fifth book in my Shifter Towers series, DEMON ON JACKSON STREET, released. It is an MPreg MLM Paranormal Romance. And today, I’m going to share some information about my aliens vs. my shifters. I started out writing sci-fi romance, but just finished writing a shifter romance series. With my next series, I’m going back to writing sci-fi romance, but I’m not ready to leave my shifters behind. I do want to go back to them after I write the trilogy I have planned.

So, in writing aliens and shifters, it’s important to note that my aliens and shifters aren’t going to be the same (have the same characteristics) as those written by another author. Sure, there will be some basic characteristics, but there are also many variables. Here’s a rundown of mine…

SHIFTERS

Who?

The shifters in my Shifter Towers series

What?

Though I do have a demon who can change his form, all the other shifters in the series are human and can shift into different animal forms. They include tigers, bunnies, wolves, mink, bears, jaguars, leopard cats, and more.

Where?

The Shifter Towers series is set in an alternate universe, but a world very similar to ours. The main city where the stories take place is the metropolis of Saramto.

When?

It is a time period very similar to ours, with the same technology, but not the same current events.

Why?

Before I wrote this series, I’d been reading a lot of published stories and fanfiction about shifters. I wanted to try writing a series about shifters of my own.

ALIENS

Who?

I have many stories about aliens, including my Alien Next Door series, and Galactic Defenders.

What?

By aliens, I mean, they were not born on Earth. Some of them can shift their form, but most of them remain static in their appearance. Most look humanoid with some variations, while others are not.

Where?

Some of their stories take place on Earth, some in space, and others on distant planets.

When?

Some of their stories are set in the present, while many are set in the future.

Why?

I’ve always been fascinated by space, science fiction, and the idea that aliens exist somewhere beyond our own planet. My first published story was sci-fi romance, as are the majority of the stories I’ve written.

What characteristics do you think are important in any shifter or alien characters you read about?

DEMON ON JACKSON STREET

Shifter Towers #5

by Jessica E. Subject

Jet

Once upon a time there was a demon who was the best at convincing people to sell their souls. That was me. Is me. And now I have a new assignment, one Father told me would be difficult. I didn’t know what “difficult” meant until I met the young man, someone who has barely anything. Collecting his soul should be easy, right? There are so many things I can give him. Except, he doesn’t believe he deserves a better life. I have to find something he desires before the assignment is given to my brother. Because Crow uses the most villainous means to obtain souls. Lines I don’t cross. And I don’t want to see Toby hurt. There has to be another way.

Toby

I’m not like them. I can’t shift into a predator to defend myself, or even into a small rodent to run and hide. The wolf shifters know that every time they rough me up and steal my food. I always wish for a guardian angel to protect me from them. Then one day Jet appears, looking nothing like the angel I’d imagined. But I don’t know if I should trust him. He makes me feel things no other alpha ever has. Dangerous things. Not good when I have to stay focused on my grandmother. I don’t know how much longer I’ll have her around.

Available from:

Amazon US | Universal Book Link | Paperback

You can find me here:

Website | Newsletter | Twitter

Facebook Page | Instagram

BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads

Shadow of the Eclipse: 99 Cent Sale by L. A. Kelley

Shadow of the Eclipse

Ancient evil prowls the shadow of the eclipse, but the key to saving the present can only be found in the past.

On Sale for 99 Cents until February 5

Excitement brews in Crossroads for everyone but lawyer, Callum MacGregor. This year, the town harvest festival coincides with a total eclipse. With a recent breakup, Cal has no desire to attend until a visit from his old law partner, Isaac Bingham, drops a bombshell. Twenty years before Cal’s birth, his grandfather, Phillip Bingham, extracted a promise. Isaac must get Cal to the harvest festival or the world would face unparalleled disaster.

            Cal is stunned. How could Phillip know Cal would be born and live in Crossroads? Why this nonsensical warning? The mystery deepens when Isaac tells him he’s not the only one to receive a mysterious summons.

Accountant Meg Adler’s day stated badly when her boss fired her for refusing to cook the books, but then a letter arrives from a man named Bingham. It contains a lucrative job offer—details to follow. All she has to do is attend the Crossroads Harvest Festival on opening day and meet his representative to discuss details. Meg is leery, but it’s not the end of the world if this doesn’t pan out. Right?

Ancient evil prowls the shadow of the eclipse, but the key to saving the present can only be found in the past. In a time-traveling adventure, Cal and Meg enter a mystic maze and journey to Babylon, the Dark Ages, and 1906 San Francisco hot on the trail of two magic artifacts lost in the recesses of time. Can they dodge demonic forces, fulfill a dead man’s mission, and discover a new future with each other?

EXCERPT

 Meg cocked her head toward the entrance of the corn maze. “Do you hear that? Someone called for help.”

“Probably lost in the maze. George made it extra challenging this year.”

“No, it’s different.” She sucked in a breath. “M-my name—I swear I heard my name.”

A gust of wind rippled the stalks. They bent toward the entrance, fluttery hands beckoning them inside. Cal strained to hear past the whispery rustle of the leaves.

Almost as if they were voices…

“I’ll check it out,” he said. “Maybe someone fell and got hurt. Wait here—”

“Not a chance.” Meg bolted into the maze, and Cal ran after her. They came to the first intersection, and she skidded to a halt. “Which way?”

“Left,” Cal said without hesitation.

They dashed deeper into the field, now left, now right, now straight ahead. With each step, Cal’s path became surer as if something pulled him with an invisible cord.

Meg puffed beside him. “How do you know which way to go?”

“I-I can’t explain it.” With every breath, the air around Cal became hotter and more oppressive, pressing on his shoulders like a stifling blanket. Humidity dropped to nothing. Beads of sweat on his brow evaporated. Cal licked his dry, cracked lips and grimaced at the gritty feel of sand on his tongue.

Sand in a corn maze?

They turned a corner and stumbled into a clearing. In the center was an arbor that arched over a circle of flagstones on the ground. A glowing flame hovered above the stones, suspended in midair. Meg and Cal exchanged dumbfounded looks and stepped forward. The clarion note of a distant horn sounded a soldier’s call to action. A surge of adrenaline flooded Cal’s veins. He hadn’t felt like this since his days on patrol with the Army. Unconsciously, Cal’s hand went to his hip, reaching for the sword. He stared at his empty hand. Sword?

The flame grew larger and brighter, shooting through the arbor into the heavens.

“Cal!” Meg’s voice sounded very far away.

“I’m here!” Cal reached for her, but the flame blinded him, blotting out the maze, blotting out the sun, blotting out the world.

Nothing remained but the roar of the cheering crowd.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON

ITUNES

L. A. Kelley writes fantasy and science fiction adventures with humor, romance, and a touch of sass.

What Could be Better than FREE?! By Nancy Gideon

I won’t have a new book coming out for some time, as I’m just starting the first round of edits on my new romantic suspense. So how to keep my name visible during a time where there’s a huge captive audience still at home and looking for something to read?

With many readers on tight budgets, and some with no income at all, what would get them to look my way? 

I’ve never given away one of my titles before, so I’m waaaay overdue! But which one? Though I’ve written 70 books, I only have the rights to half of them, and most of those are out of print books that need to be scanned before reissuing. So . . . putting on thinking cap . . . what about one that would lead readers to pick more in the same series? My completed “By Moonlight” shapeshifter series has 15 titles in it, but only the final seven are mine to do with as I please. So, I picked one that would bring new readers into the world without them getting lost in the web of plotlines and characters. What could be better than through a main hero who has lost his own memory? While he’s learning who and what he is, the reader can discover that past right along with him!

Here’s a look at REMEMBERED BY MOONLIGHT, Book #9 in my “By Moonlight” series. 

REMEMBERED BY MOONLIGHT will be FREE!! during the month of February and I could use some help getting the word out there. If you’d be willing to give me and REMEMBERED BY MOONLIGHT a shout out on your blog or other social media avenue, let me know in the comment section and I’ll be in touch (in a socially distant way, of course!). Here’s me, thanking you! 

♚♚♚♚♚

Nancy Gideon on the Web

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group

Follow @NancyGideon

Gardens, House Plants, What Ifs, Oh My! by Tena Stetler #romance #timetravel #paranormal #gardening

I love to garden both flower and veggie. There’s something about digging in the dirt and watching things grow that is therapeutic for me. But, in Colorado those activities are available only for approximately three months of the year. So to compensate, I also have a full house of plants. Several

Christmas Cactus including one that is huge and over forty years old, a ruffled fern that is twenty-five years old, and a snake plant that was my grandmother’s making it over one hundred years old. Did you know they actually bloom? I also have orchids and African violets, succulent cactus, and a miniature orange and pomegranate tree.

Last year for my birthday, my hubby brought me a curly hose that cuts the watering time in half. What a thoughtful gift. I used to fill gallon bottles with water and carry them all over the house to my plants.  Or maybe he was tired of wet spots all over the floor on watering day. I have well over thirty-six plants. I love looking at them, watching them grow and bloom. I guess you’d say I have a green thumb. Did you know plants keep your house healthy? Even a small plant in your home can help remove three times household toxins commonly found indoors.

In the 1980s, scientists at NASA discovered that plants remove chemicals such as benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air, making the air cleaner, fresher and healthier for humans to breathe. A medium-sized plant (anything above about eight inches) in a room is all that is required to make significant reductions to the purification of toxic chemicals in the air.

So back to orchids and what ifs. One day, as I was staring at my orchids and wondered what if you could splice bioluminescence into those petals. Yeah, did I mention I write paranormal romance/mystery and fantasy? It’s the what ifs that give me the greatest pleasure and bring about intriguing story lines. I also cavort with magical creatures on a daily basis? Just don’t tell anyone.

This particular what if, brought to life Mystic Maples, a novella from the  Deerbourne Inn series. It’s a fun, feel-good tale  with a bit of mystery mixed in.  It’s on sale for 99 cents right now for a limited time. 

Let me tell you a little about Mystic Maples.  Earth/Fire witch Mercy Rose has an insatiable curiosity that always gets her in trouble. After a break-in at her Colorado flower shop, and a court battle that came to a screeching halt in her favor, she arrived at Deerbourne Inn for a much needed getaway. Looking for peace and quiet, she found just the opposite in a startling handsome but mysterious man and his dog.

Silvanus Forrest’s gypsy/fae heritage is a double edged sword. The land he inherited from his parents is rumored to be enchanted. But when Mercy discovers the truth, his well-ordered life unravels and they’re catapulted into the past to right a wrong. Along the way their lives intertwine and they discover the true meaning of family and love.

Silvanus keeps his family secrets locked away. Mercy is a tenacious creature. If he won't divulge his secrets, she'll discover them on her own but at what cost?

One last revelation, I too, like my character Mercy Rose, have an insatiable curiosity that always gets me into trouble., coupled with my over-active imagination these traits contribute to intriguing story lines for my books. LOL Until next time, don’t take yourself too seriously and have fun.

To Epilogue or Not?

Epilogues are one of my favorite tools as a romance writer and one of my favorite additions to books as a reader. With romance, they are almost a must in my opinion.

According to Writer’s Digest there are six common uses for epilogues:

• Wrapping up a story’s events after a violent climax
• Highlighting consequences of the story’s events
• Wrapping up loose ends
• Suggesting the future for the protagonist(s)
• Giving a realistic finale
• Providing data on a large cast of characters

I would add one more... 

• Creating a set up for a continuation / next in series

In romance, epilogues are most frequently used to give the reader a quick window into the life of the couple after the HEA (happily ever after). And indeed, as a reader, I’m no longer satisfied with “I love you” followed by fade to black with the words “and they lived happily ever after.” I want to sigh over the proof that they did live happily every after, and the epilogue can give me that.

In paranormal romance in particular, but also any romance series that will be a continuation of an overarching plot or characters, epilogues can also be used to foreshadow the next books and leave the readers both satisfied with the book they’ve just finished as well as wanting the next one. Sort of a cliff-hanger, but not really, which I know is totally cheating.

In particular, I use this method with my paranormal romances, hinting at the next villain, the next romantic conflict, the next conflict set up, and so forth, on top of giving that window into my current couples HEA. Check out the example below from TRY AS I SMITE.

So what about you? Are you a fan of epilogues? What do you like or not like about them?

How to Find Ideas to Write About by Elizabeth Alsobrooks

Sometimes you go somewhere and a story idea presents itself to you. Maybe you imagine a person you see as a character in a story and imagine what they might be like and what they might have done, or what they are doing in the place where you happen to see them. Perhaps you wonder about where they might be going and who they might be meeting, and why. 

Other times, you might just happen upon a setting for a story you've already written and imagined, but never visited in person. It can give you ideas for future stories too.  This happened to me recently when I visited a park not far from my home, in Tucson, Arizona.  Now the story it reminded me of actually took place in a desert much closer to Cairo than Tucson, but it's just as I imagined. A true desert oasis doesn't just fall into your lap every day, but I saw one in real life and instantly said, "this is the oasis from my romance story, Stolen Secrets."

As an artist, I try to visit some beautiful locations to take photos for paintings, but I just never imagined I was going to walk into a park that could have been a setting for a scene from The Arabian Knights. I'll post some photographs and you tell me what you think.

Although my oasis was smaller, in my head/story, this one took my breath away and started my imagination spinning.  If you'd like to read about my oasis and the hero who gets wet in it, take a look at Stolen Secrets:

Offered an enormous sum by an anonymous benefactor for the acquisition of an ancient ceremonial relic, a sum that would keep the antiquities shop in Cairo her father left her afloat while she continued her own archaeological pursuits, Lady Isabella Valentine was distracted rather than tempted, then suspicious, when the dashing young Bedouin slipped in just before closing and promised her a deal she couldn’t refuse--for the very same relic. Despite his sensual appeal, she did refuse him, sending him away.

 

Prince Mukhtar, son of Sheikh Abdul Kummel al-Rahman, leader of the Hassana, is on a sacred Illuminati mission for Isis to retrieve something stolen from one of her temples over a thousand years ago. This mortal disbeliever though an enchanting English rose, however beautiful she might be, is clearly in the power of the Usurper and must be persuaded to help him, one way or another.

Upping our Verb Game

Sure, you’ve combed your pages for typos and missing punctuation marks, but have you ever considered your action words? If you find yourself in the revision stages of your novel, why not take an extra look at your verbs.

We all know that first drafts just have to exist. They are perfect even though they’re messy because it’s exciting to see a story go from your head to the page. Never stop patting yourself on the back for writing those chaotic first drafts. Second drafts and onward are where we start honing in on the craft we’re trying to improve with each story we write and powerful verbs play a big role in that.

In your draft you might have a sentence that reads: She walked to the window.

You might have passed over it several times while working on bigger plot issues. But now that those are sorted what if you were to swap out the verb “walk” for something more descriptive. Now, if your character is walking quickly you could try: She raced to the window. The reader has a much better sense of the character’s mood now that we’ve added some urgency with our verb choice.

But if she was walking slowly we might try swapping out the word “walk” for something like: She padded to the window. The word gives us the sense that she’s not in a hurry, but also that she’s quite comfortable in her surroundings.

You might just be surprised at how much tension and description you can add to a story just by swapping out regular and overused verbs for something with a bit more flair.

Happy writing.

New Year's Eve Gatsby Style

 

NYE party dull?  Watched TV as the ball drops too many times? Don’t despair. I have an idea. Next year, (and we all hope for a better 2021) have a Roaring 20s party. The 20s were all about opulence and excess. Sometimes, I think I’d have liked to live then—especially if I was a friend of the young Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, later Edward VIII, who, after his abdication, was the Duke of Windsor). Ahem. Back to the subject. There are several sites that offer Art Deco decorations, so party on.

 

But, you say, no one dresses up anymore. Well, that just happens to be my soap box. I love formals and wearing them. What is it about a tux that scares modern man? The 2000s is an era of t-shirts and jeans. Bah. If you think you can get away with it for your NYE party, request invitees to wear tuxes and gowns. If they’d rather stay home than dress-up, leave them sitting in their living room watching the ball drop, missing the food, champers, and fun. Kidding. Politely ask them to wear cocktail attire.  Dressing up transforms a regular party into a festive occasion. Besides, it’s New Year’s Eve. At a Roaring 20s party, sequins, beads, and pearls are as mandatory as the champagne. What would Gatsby say!

 

Gatsby would’ve catered in Oysters Rockefeller and Clams Casino, but you can do something as delicious and impressive without hiring a serving staff. A charcuterie board isn’t difficult to make, and when it is done right, it makes for a nice presentation and a delicious centerpiece. Choose three different cheeses, three different meats, add some figs, grapes, a few rosemary sprigs and voila. There you have it—the focal point of the table.

 

Serving oysters is a simple way to impress your guests. The seafood itself looks super fancy, and all you really need is ice, lemon and a knife. If you want to click it up a notch, add cocktail sauce or mignotte (shalotts, red or white wine vinegar, a pinch of sugar; salt and pepper to taste). Even though it sounds rather posh, mignotte comes together in a snap.

MAKES ¼ CUP

¼

cup red wine vinegar

1

tablespoon minced shallot

¼

teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

12

large oysters, freshly shucked

Prep:

Stir vinegar, shallot, and pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle over oysters.

~*~

Serve your favorite vegetables with a garlic-infused mayo, otherwise known as aioli. Your friends will think you are the gourmet. For the eve of a brand new year, tossing a few chips into a bowl isn’t going to do the trick, but you can come up with a gorgeous that would please Gatsby himself and won’t require servants.

 

When people hear champagne, they assume expensive, but there are amazing options right at your grocery store that are that perfect price point and taste as good as Dom Perignon. LaMarca Prosecco and Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut are two recognizable labels that are perfectly delicious bottles for under $15 at Kroger. If you can find Gruet Brut or JCB no.21, both are very good for under $25. These sparkling wines won’t break the bank.

Try adding a dash of Chambord, a dark berry liqueur. When mixed with champagne, the combo is called a “Kir Royale.” It’s the swankiest-sounding drink, considering it’s only two ingredients. Plop in a raspberry for garnish and watch your guests top off their glasses all night long.

 

 Have you made reservations for champagne brunch on New Years’ Day? Remember the Roaring 20s were all about excess!  Hope you had a very happy NYE with oysters and champers (maybe from a fountain?)

 

In my books, the heroes aren’t afraid to wear a tux, and they all look sharp in their finery. 

My Amazon page is:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Nightingale/e/B005OSOJ0U?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1610547123&sr=8-1

 

 Wishing you the happiest 2021. Stay safe, healthy, and have fun!  Linda