Friday, December 14, 2012

Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop - Win prizes!

Welcome to my Hop Stop


When I was growing up, my dad used to play Santa Clause for the neighbors around the lake, and after he was done, he'd come by our house to take pictures. It was always a treat when we'd hear the jingle bells outside the door and his hearty, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"

He inspired the character of Santa Butch in my Romancing Wisconsin series, and I had a blast writing scenes with him. I plan to expand the series and continue cameos by Santa Butch, but in the meantime, you can read all about him and his matchmaking schemes in my brand new Holiday Boxed Set:


The Romancing Wisconsin Volume I (Holiday Boxed Set) includes the 2010 Write Touch Award-winning stories Mistletoe Mischief, Mistletoe Magic, Mistletoe Match-Up, and the brand-new exclusive bonus short story, Mistletoe Rules.

Christmas recipe for love—combine a matchmaking Santa, lots of mistletoe, one iron-clad rule, fated hearts; mix and stir. The Riley siblings don't stand a chance. 

MISTLETOE MISCHIEF: Christmas in July at the zoo is the last place single parents Eric Riley and Marissa Wilder expect to find love. Thanks to some mistletoe mischief in the form of their two young daughters and Santa, they discover mistletoe rules were not made to be broken.

MISTLETOE MAGIC: Major Mark Riley plays Court Jester to Janelle Walsh's Snow Queen at the Christmas Parade and is instantly captivated by the cute redhead whose grandpa just happens to be Santa. When Mark learns she's the tenant he evicted from his newly purchased property, it's going to take a little bit of Santa's mistletoe magic to save their romance.

MISTLETOE MATCH-UP: When Lisa Riley comes home for her brother Mark's Christmas Eve wedding, her high school rivalry with his wife Janelle's cousin, Derek Walsh, picks up right where it left off, only this time Derek has the upper hand. Santa bides his time as they battle it out because he's waited a whole year for this mistletoe match-up.

Exclusive holiday bonus story, MISTLETOE RULES: When Benedict Riley first meets Susan Whitcomb at a college holiday dance, she’s engaged to be married to another man. In this story where mistletoe rules, you’ll learn how the Riley Family Mistletoe Rules all began one fateful Christmas, not too long ago…

EXCERPT with Santa Butch from Mistletoe Mischief:

Eric braced a hand on each girl’s shoulder, waiting until the crowd thinned. “Thank Santa for the ride.”

Reese and Heather sounded a chorus of thanks before taking off across the asphalt path toward Marissa. Eric made sure they reached the tree before turning around to face the older man.

“This was great. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Butch shifted his gaze toward Marissa and the girls. “So, I expect you’ll be taking the lady and her daughter home?”

“Ah…” Eric frowned, wondering where the man would get that idea.

Butch backhanded him on the arm. “Open your eyes, boy. She can’t drive with her foot all wrapped up like that.”

Eric absently flexed his shoulder as Butch climbed back up to the driver’s bench. The old guy might be…old, but he still packed a wallop. Then his words registered. Eric’s gaze went straight to where Marissa sat, smiling up at the girls, her foot extended in front of her. He started to smile, too, unconsciously straightening.

Santa was absolutely right.

Butch gave a merry chuckle. “Got ya thinking, now, don’t I?”

Eric reached up to clasp the man’s hand with a grin of appreciation. He’d been dreading the end of the field trip without even realizing it. Now he didn’t have to figure out a clever way to see her again to collect on the invitation from earlier. When he started to back away from the wagon, Butch tossed a handful of leaves down toward him. Eric caught them, then laughed.

Mistletoe. Santa was handing out presents early this year. Eric eased the green sprig into one of his pockets, careful not to crush the precious gift.

Santa Butch winked at him before lifting the reins to urge the reindeer forward. Over his shoulder he called, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”


~~~
You can get your copy of the Boxed Set here:



  • Leave a comment telling me if you prefer SNOWMEN or SANTAS in your Christmas decorations (don't forget  your email address!)
  • use the Rafflecopter to enter the contest
  • and have a Merry Christmas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to visit the other blogs for chances to win TONS more individual prizes, plus...

Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop Prizes:

1st Grand Prize: Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: $200 Amazon or BN Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

Merry Christmas!

Stacey Joy Netzel

(who loves her Santa Butch, but collects snowmen because they're so cute!)


 

80 comments:

  1. OOOH WOWWWWWWWW:D!! I'M LOVIN' THE SNOWMA:N!
    thanQ 4 the giveaway!
    redz041@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. So, neither! I'm a Gingerbread Man kind of gal!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    tobihelton at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, you father seems like lots of fun! :)

    I guess I prefer Santa, if I were to pick one. He always reminds me of expectations, dreams and hope that he would bring me exactly what I had asked.

    Thanks for the giveaway,
    morebooksthanlivros@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stacey,

    I prefer snowmen because I don't feel the need to put them away not long after Christmas. They are wintry as opposed to holiday and time is precious these days. So I'm slowly giving away my Santas. :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah...I tend to leave things up a bit too long--even the 2 Santas I have. :) Keep at least one jolly Santa!

      Delete
  5. Never been asked this question, but definitely snowmen, but I am not sure why.....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hmm, probably snowmen because I love snow!

    Thanks for doing the hop!

    kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Santa Claus is great Ho Ho Ho My Mom loves snowmen so I like snowmen too
    crystaley73 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Snowmen

    Happy Holidays

    BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  9. Santa for Christmas decorating and Snowmen for winter decorating.

    Kathewv@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Snowman~thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
    Sue B

    ReplyDelete
  11. snowman~ You can make as many as you want


    kp_kazamei(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. My mother has a Santa room. So I get lots of Santas to decorate with.
    Mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. One of my favorite Christmas Romance Books is The Untamable Rogue by Annette Blair! The story is about Ashford Blackburne Fifth Earl and he has to get married and get his willing bride pregnant before Christmas or his grandfather won’t let him inherit his money. Ash truly needs to inherit the money because his late father squandered it all away and he is taking care of his mother. After getting stood up at the alter, again, Ash and his friends go to the local pub where the owner plays a drunken Ash in a card game…his consolation prize is the pubs daughter Larkin, who he wants to get ride of. Ash has to learn to forgive…Larkin has to learn how to trust…can two completely different people find love together. This is a cute, extremely funny, romantic story with a surprise Christmas ending!

    Angelheart618@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. i adore santas. they are so cute

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Both but snowmen a little more lol
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great giveaway. Hope I win.
    charraddon@pobox.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love both but if I had to choose one I would say Santas.

    Rafflecoper Name: Dawna Newman

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I prefer snowmen. Thanks for the contest and Merry Christmas.

    lizsemkiu@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I loooove Santa!! :)

    This is a wonderful holiday giveaway! What a way to end the year :)

    Rachel Ramos
    rachelanniramos@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Snowmen :)
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br

    ReplyDelete
  21. Santas can be creepy, so I'd prefer Snowmen.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Quick thanks to everyone for all the comments! I'm at my sister's house for our annual cookie bake with my two cousins. The 5 of us (includes my other sis) will be decorating lots of Santa and snowmen cookies today.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I prefer Snowmen! Thanks for participating!

    squiggles87(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. There's something about a snowman.

    sherryfundin69 at netscape dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Frosty, of course!

    Happy Holidays,

    Lasha
    mslasha at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Christmas is my favorite holiday! Here we have snow every year during the holidays, so it's really beautiful! And of course I love spending time with my family!
    Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for the giveaway!

    verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Actually, I like both. My tree has both and my entry way into my home has both. I really enjoy the holiday season. I enjoy the smells, the food and lights. Oh and the music too. Not much into baking anymore. But I do enjoy tasting, ask my scales. Tee Hee. Great blog. roya-clan@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As much as I love snowmen, I hate scales with equal fervor. :)

      Delete
  28. I prefer snowmen. Usually we don't get snow at Christmas but I still like them.
    bas1chsemail at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hello, thanks for the giveaway! I prefer Snowmen. :)

    skizzles_22_hju@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like snowmen better.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Snowmen as I live in NC and we don't get snow very often unlike Wisconsin. Not to mention They remind me of making snowmen in the Northwoods, freezing my ass of waiting for the bus and having to walk down the driveway though snowdrifts to get on... Love Wisconsin in the summer not so much in the Winter 9 years in the south has made me dislike cold lol.

    j.m.platt83@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Jeanette--your comment brings back SO many memories, and I still live here! :) I dislike cold, too.

      Delete
  32. I prefer Santas.
    bituin76@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. santas.
    thanks for the giveaway!
    miriam.whitewolf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Santas! We put up a Santa's Village set up every year, love it! Thanks for the great giveaway and a chance to win.
    kacidesigns AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Santas. Snowmen look a little out of place since we rarely have snow. We do have a four foot Santa that talks and oh Lordy, sings. We have to remember to keep the switch on "off" or it drives us battier than we already are that time of year.

    Thank you for the chance to win some goodies.

    I hope your holidays are merry and bright!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like snowmen and santas. I'm usually have both but looking around my house, I'd say I have more snowmen. Your books sound fantastic! Crossing my fingers for this giveaway. hthurmeier @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Happy Happy Holidays! Thanks for the great giveaway!
    I love snowmen!! I might have a littel crush on Frosty!
    grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I like snowmen. And penguins!

    jenalang(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. if its a nice hot santa i will vote for that
    kaholgate at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I like snowmen. My family always tries to outdo each other with different and crazy snowmen.

    proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Snowmen!
    Thanks for the chance to win and Happy Holidays!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Happy Holidays! Great giveaway!

    aprilnu2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Merry Christmas. Your boxed set sounds great.
    solerawinters@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snowmen! They make me smile. solerawinters@hotmail.com

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Solera! They make me smile, too. :)

      Delete
  44. I like snowmen :)
    laceyblossom1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Snowmen!

    Happy to have found WI books being a Milwaukee-gal myself! ;)


    deliachic3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay Milwaukee! I've got lots of cousins down there. :)

      Delete
  46. I prefer Santas.

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Snowmen! Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. i like snowpeople - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love snowmen!
    sheri
    feike@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Stacey,
    I have both Santa and Snowmen decorations on my tree but if I had to pick one, it would be Santa.
    I downloaded a copy of Mistletoe Mischief at All Romance Ebooks. I can't wait to read it. Before I forget, there is a Romancing the West Blog Hop taking place in February 2013. Sign up is here: http://cowboycharm.blogspot.com/2012/08/romancing-west-blog-hop.html
    in case you're interested in joining.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
    susan_francesny[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Signed up for the hop, Susan, thanks! Hope you enjoy Mistletoe Mischief.

      Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  51. Hard choice, but I love snowmen just a bit more :)

    Merry Christmas!
    ~Kym
    flwrs4ever(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I really, really look forward to reading your books. I am a snowman type person..they can have such character.smilz
    peach_hugs@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Snowmen!!

    Thanks for the chance to win :)
    raynman1979 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I like Santa.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Snowmen ....lol
    happy holidays
    missie25524@netzero.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Santas:)

    Thank you for the chance!

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  57. What an awesome hop!! And a fantastic giveaway! Thank you!! I like both Santas and Snowmen. I cant really decide which i like more. Happy holidays to you all! Best wishes and many blessings!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Snowmen:)I have lots sitting around here!
    Happy Holidays!
    ajcraig77@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  59. Snowmen. I'm spending this holiday season with my family and hoping to win so I can read more romances. I don't have an ereader. Happy Holidays! lisarayns at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Santa! merry Christmas:)
    allysonbrann06@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'll take the Santa since he can handle a little heat.
    planterofhope at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Santa! Thanks for the great giveaway!
    smoofrog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I like them both and you can do a mish mash and make a santa snowman!
    Z
    Seawitchreviews at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Mel B is the winner of the gift card...

    Thanks so much to all who participated!

    Merry Christmas. :)

    ReplyDelete