Friday, December 30, 2016

Christmas in Southern California #christmas

Christmas is one of my favorite times, so I thought I'd share some pictures and links to some fantastic pictures of Christmas around the world.

I live in Southern California and snow is hard to find, but when I visited Magic Mountain the other day there was a ton of lights.  Enjoy this Christmas in So Cal pictures.


Candy Canes near Katy's Kettle in Magic Mountain



In the "Gleampunk" district, w/Menorah


Blue Lights & Tree


Stephanie & Bugs


2 Boys in a Sleigh


Happy Holidays from Magic Mountain & Holiday & the park

You can go here to visit Christmas Eve around the world!  Enjoy!
Smiles
Stephanie Burkhart & Boys


http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161224/news/161229388/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2016/dec/24/christmas-eve-around-the-world-in-pictures

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Snippet Sunday: Merry Christmas! 99 cent romance: Gifts

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:





About this snippet:  Famke and Chris go Christmas shopping. 



ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

Chris directed her toward the Kris Kringle market. Famke spied a big gray tent in the middle of the pedestrian area with a small grill station nearby, cooking various sausages and pieces of chickens.
"It smells wonderful," she said.
Chris thoughtfully nodded, but didn't reply. She hoped she hadn't made him feel uncomfortable with her compliment. Giving him time, she walked through the aisles between the wooden booths. There were handmade ornaments, gloves, hats, and clogs. Several booths sold chocolates, marzipan, candles, candies, taffies, scarves, and toys.
She danced up to a booth and pointed to a long, wide set of clogs decorated with painted blue tulips. "I think this pair is for you." 

GIFTS: 

BLURB:  

Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.

Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.

Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics? 

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON:   http://a.co/6oQwA7j

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

Smashwords :https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gifts/id894235912?mt=11

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271548-gifts

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:  "This love story is a joy to read."

5 stars, Delores Goodrick Beggs, Amazon Reviewer: "The touches of Old World Christmas combined with Olympic ice skating make this well-written story a special read I couldn't put down."

5 Stars, Diana Amper, Amazon Reviewer: "Excellent Short Story." 

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Snippet Sunday: Gifts, 99 cents Christmas romance #wewriwa

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:





About this snippet:  Famke talks to her brother.



ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

They arrived at the rink and Stephen opened the door for her. They checked in with the security guard and approached the ice. Famke spied Chris concentrating on his footwork and axels. 
"Are you Miss deVries?"
Famke tore her gaze away from Chris and discovered an older man walking toward her. He was of average height, balding, with bushy eyebrows, and a tad heavyset. He wore a blue sweatshirt and gloves.
Stephen placed his hand on her shoulder,"Maks, this is my sister, Famke."
He looked her over from head to toe, "You look like a skater."
She wrinkled her nose, "Thank you, I think."

GIFTS: 

BLURB:  

Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.

Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.

Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics? 

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON:   http://a.co/6oQwA7j

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

Smashwords :https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gifts/id894235912?mt=11

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271548-gifts

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:  "This love story is a joy to read."

5 stars, Delores Goodrick Beggs, Amazon Reviewer: "The touches of Old World Christmas combined with Olympic ice skating make this well-written story a special read I couldn't put down."

5 Stars, Diana Amper, Amazon Reviewer: "Excellent Short Story." 

Friday, December 16, 2016

Book Review: The Fever Code by James Dashner #bookreview #mazerunner



Book Review for: The Fever Code
Book 5 in the Maze Runner Series
Written by: James Dashner
Published by: Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House
ISBN: 978-0-553-51311-0

I read: the ebook

5 Stars

Dashner pens an edge of your seat thriller in the 5th installment of "The Maze Runner" series with "The Fever Code." Teresa and Thomas are tapped by WICKED to help build the maze, look for variables in killzone patterns, and are groomed by Chancellor Ava Paige to carry out WICKED's objectives.  But, is WICKED truly good?

The novel starts with Teresa and Thomas, young immunes taken in by WICKED. They are studied and challenged by the organization. WICKED desperately wants to find a cure for the Flare and believes the immunes they collected (aka invited) to the WICKED facilities in Alaska are the key. Perhaps the one variable they don’t count on is the growing sense of independence of thought Thomas struggles with.

Soon Thomas and Teresa make friends with other immunes at the complex. As the cure alludes WICKED, they resort to more extreme measures with the belief the cure is close. Is the cure truly close or is WICKED grasping at straws?

This installment of the series helps to explain motivations for Teresa, Thomas, and WICKED. Dashner's writing style is easy to read. His short sentences and concise word choices help to increase the suspense and heighten the anticipation of the events to come.

"The Fever Code" is dystopian fiction and geared for a young adult audience. The main characters are endearing. Thomas, Teresa, Chuck, and Newt will tug on the reader's heartstrings. Paige embodies WICKED's values and yet there are moments of humanity in her actions which makes the readers question her choices.


Overall, "The Fever Code" is a gripping tale of a desperate future and can be read as a stand alone in the series.  This is a must for fans of the Maze Runner series.  I couldn't put it down!

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent Christmas romance: Gifts #snippetsunday #wewriwa

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:





About this snippet:  Famke talks to her brother.



ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

"Does Chris have a girlfriend?" 
"No."
Famke poked her tongue against her cheek, but decided to continue, "He seemed a little sad to me yesterday."

"He had a skating accident last year. He and his partner were training at an outdoor rink and he stumbled on some uneven ice. She was in an overhead lift."
Famke covered her mouth with her hand, surprised to learn this, "Was she hurt?"
"No, Katrien was fine, but the way she fell, her blades cut him on the arm and on the side of his face. It took him several months to recover. She left him for a new partner."

GIFTS: 

BLURB:  

Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.

Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.

Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics? 

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON:   http://a.co/6oQwA7j

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

Smashwords :https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gifts/id894235912?mt=11

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271548-gifts

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:  "This love story is a joy to read."

5 stars, Delores Goodrick Beggs, Amazon Reviewer: "The touches of Old World Christmas combined with Olympic ice skating make this well-written story a special read I couldn't put down."

5 Stars, Diana Amper, Amazon Reviewer: "Excellent Short Story." 

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent Christmas Romance: Gifts #wewriwa #snippetsunday #cheapread

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:





About this snippet:  Famke and Chris talk ice skating.



ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

"Have you skated pairs before?" 
"No, but I'm game to try it."
             He opened his palm up, "Put your hand in mine."
             "Why?"
             "Please."
             There was something in the tone of his voice, something which 
implied he was looking for her trust, but there was also a hint of doubt. She slid her hand over his palm and he grasped her fingers, his grip firm, strong, and steady.
"Squeeze me back," he said, staring at her with such intensity, her heart tripped.
"All right," Her fingers clasped his.
            "Good, our grips need to be similar so when I lift you, you trust me." 

GIFTS: 

BLURB:  

Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.

Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.

Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics? 

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON:   http://a.co/6oQwA7j

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

Smashwords :https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gifts/id894235912?mt=11

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271548-gifts

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:  "This love story is a joy to read."

5 stars, Delores Goodrick Beggs, Amazon Reviewer: "The touches of Old World Christmas combined with Olympic ice skating make this well-written story a special read I couldn't put down."

5 Stars, Diana Amper, Amazon Reviewer: "Excellent Short Story."