My favorite moments at the winter games so far.

Writing Worth More Than Gold for the Love and Other Games anthology definitely made me think about the Olympic games in a whole new way and I have totally caught Olympic fever this year.

Here, in no particular order, are a few of my favorite Olympic moments so far:

Jeremy Abbott finishing his short program despite a horrible fall. Yeah, the falling was awful. He was hurt physically and undoubtedly heartbroken, but he got up and with extraordinary support and applause from the crowd he skated the rest of his program perfectly.

Noelle Pikus-Pace jumping off her sled and into the stands to hug her family and celebrate her medal winning run.  Back in 2005 her leg was shattered when she was hit by a bobsled, it's pretty much amazing she can walk but with a lot of support from her family she's Olympic champion. Awesome.


Snow boarder Gus Kenworthy deciding to bring home more than just a medal. He's adopting an entire litter of stray Sochi puppies and their mother. Seriously, check out these photos and prepare your collective "Awww!"

Watching Meryl Davis and Charlie White win gold! They are definitely the stars of these games for me. I'm utterly enchanted.

The Canadian ski coach who brought a Russian skier a new ski when his was broken so he could cross the finish line with dignity. Right?

And while we're discussing the awesome stuff Canadian's do. This is hilarious and made of cool. I know it's a promo gimmick, but it works and it makes people smile.

Seeing Yuzuru Hanyu skate his short program during the team figure skating competition. The kid is simply amazing. 

And the dancing during the opening ceremonies:  Wow.

 

Image Credit:
"Female Snowboarder In Powder Snow" by franky242- freedigitalphotos.net

What have you loved this year?

Noelle Pikus-Pace​

Noelle Pikus-Pace

Noelle Pikus-Pace

Noelle Pikus-Pace

Last Day for Love and Other Games Sale!

Hi all,
I just wanted to give everyone a heads up. Today is the final day to buy Love and Other Games, our sexy Olympics anthology, for only 99 cents.

We've had some wonderful reviews for this anthology and with the winter games mere days away, I'll bet some of you will be in the mood for a little gold in your romance reading. :)

Buy it on Amazon! 

Buy it on Barnes and Noble.com!

Thanks,
Ana

"Love and Other Games is an anthology of some of the best sweet and sexy stories I have ever read. It is hard to pick a favorite because they are all top notch..." -The Suburban Eclectic

" I would say its like a rom-com marathon with lots of sexy included. Who knew the Winter Olympics were so hot?" - Bookie Nookie

"If you are looking for a quick read that gives you that warm fuzzie feeling and leaves you with a smile on your face, be sure to pick up a copy of Love and Other Games today!" - White Zin Bookends Reviews

Happy New Year!

Image Credit- Keattikorn from FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

Wow. I'm going to say that again: wow. 2013 was a wild year for me. One year ago today, I had signed my first publishing contract but I hadn't even begun the editing process. I had no idea what I was in for there. :) Now, a quick glance at Goodreads will show that I have four titles out there in the world. FOUR! Okay, one of them is a freebie, but it's a cute little story that I'm proud to share with readers nonetheless.

It's been a wild ride and sometimes it still seems unreal, but I've learned a great deal and made some wonderful friends. Who knew the romance writing world would be so incredibly warm and welcoming?

This is starting to sound like bragging and that is not my intent. What I want to say at the end of this wild year, and before I begin a new one, is thank you.

•  Thanks to all the readers, bloggers, fellow writers, editors and publishers who helped me get my stories out into the world. 

•  Thank you to each and every person who left a review on Amazon, Barnes &Noble, Kobo, Audible or Goodreads (yes, even the ones who didn't like the story). You are all part of a wonderful community that keeps books alive. 

•   Thank you to my husband, for being the best part of my happily ever after. 

•  Thank you to my family and friends for all their support. I couldn't do it without you.

   

  Best wishes to you all for a fabulous 2014!!!

Holiday Greetings.

I love the holiday season. I start itching to put up my Christmas decorations in mid-November, I actually enjoy those commercials where classic holiday tunes are rerecorded with altered lyrics about shopping at various stores and I consider wrapping presents an excellent creative outlet. Seriously, you should see my ribbon curling skills. I don’t want to brag, but if there were awards for ribbon curling…yeah, this post just took a weird turn. 

The point is I also understand why many people fall victim to holiday stress. Going to holiday parties, hosting holiday parties, finding the perfect (because it really does always have to be perfect) present for your loved ones, traveling to visit said loved ones or opening your home to guests who traveled to visit you-it can all add up. 

I’m going to suggest that, even though the season has added a thousand things to your to-do-list, you take a little time for yourself. Watch a great movie (I like Love Actually!), curl up with some hot cocoa and a word search, take a bubble bath or treat yourself to sexy, new book. Love and Other Games is pretty much awesome and on sale for only 99 cents right now, but I’ll avoid the hard sell here. My goal is to encourage you to relax a little and enjoy yourself. You’ll be in a much better place to make everyone else’s holiday jolly as well.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Image from jannoon028 at freedigitalphotos.net. -Thanks!

Love and Other Games. Release Day Celebrations and Giveaways.

It's here! Today is Love and Other Games' Release Day!  I'm so excited to share these stories with you all. We have a bunch of fun stuff planned and lots of cool prizes to giveaway so make sure to join us for the Facebook Party tonight and bring your friends!!!

 As always, on release day and every day, I like to give thanks to my friends and family for their love and support. I'm a lucky girl.

Now-get to know Love and Other Games!!!

Love and Other Games is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and Kara Leigh Miller.

Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze

Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running.

Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium. With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.

Ana Blaze's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Trouble With Gold by Melinda Dozier

US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.

Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she's not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way. A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult.

Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

Melinda Dozer's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

The Girl Behind the Gold by Aria Kane

Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans' hearts.

“Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia.

The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want - but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need.

Aria Kane's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller

Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player. Despite Brenna Jessup's abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she's hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn't want apologies -- he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it -- and her -- in the process.

Kara Leigh Miller's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

The authors are hosting a Facebook party on release day filled with fun, surprises, and PRIZES! You can find the event here!

Be sure to check out the #OtherGames hashtag every day in October for winter Olympian sexiness! 

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Autumn.

I'm getting pretty excited for fall.

For years, summer was my favorite season and maybe it still is, but fall is definitely starting to give it a run for it's money. It may have a lot to do with moving south. Summer in New England is lovely but below the Mason-Dixon line it gets pretty hot. It gets hot enough that I start dreaming about cool, crisp autumn evenings wearing fleece and snuggling with the hubby. Snuggling is less sexy when it's 100 degrees. It just is.

This fall is going to be especially awesome because I have two new books coming out, A Late Thaw and Worth More Than Gold, my addition to the Love and Other Games anthology.

So I was thinking about all the things I'm looking forward to this fall and I decided to make a list.

1.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes- I know, I might as well be drinking a candy bar, but they are so yummy. I let myself have one or two every year. Okay-maybe three. :)

2. Halloween- I love costumes, candy and jack-o-lanterns. We've moved recently and I cannot wait to see all our new trick-or-treaters.

3. Fresh Pumpkin to cook with. I think I'll make a pumpkin gnocchi this year. Definitely lots of pumpkin soup.

 Check out this recipe for Spicy Pumpkin Soup.

4. Apple picking. My hubby is tall and very good at reaching the high branches. I will reward him with an apple pie.

5. Sweaters
6. Nesting in our new home. (We haven't had a chance to finish unpacking, painting, etc. So it will be a busy fall for us.)
7. The scent of falling leaves.
8. TV!!! New Once Upon a Time, Grimm, Scandal, TVD, The Good Wife, Nashville, Hannibal, etc. Can't Wait.

9. Boots. It's too warm to wear cute boots during summer. I love cute boots.
10. Two new book releases!!!

And...extra awesome bonus-- we gained two new nieces this summer, so we now get to share all the awesomeness of Autumn with fresh eyes. 


So what are you looking forward to this fall?

Love And Other Games Cover Reveal.

I'm super excited to share with you all the cover for 
Love and Other Games!!!!

Love and Other Games is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and Kara Leigh Miller. It releases October 1^st from Swoon Romance in all major electronic formats.

Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze

Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running.

Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium. With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.

Ana Blaze's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Trouble With Gold by Melinda Dozier

US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers. 

Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she's not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way.  A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult. 

Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

Melinda Dozer's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

The Girl Behind the Gold by Aria Kane

Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans' hearts.

“Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia.

The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want - but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need.

Aria Kane's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller

Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player. Despite Brenna Jessup's abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she's hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn't want apologies -- he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it -- and her -- in the process.

Kara Leigh Miller's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

To celebrate the cover reveal, we (the authors) are giving away a $20 gift card to the (online) bookstore of the winner's choice. Check out the rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest void where prohibited.