Christmas Book Recommendations.

It has been far too long since a wrote a personal post. To remedy that, I've decided to share a list of books that would make great presents.

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For kids:

Mo Willems is my favorite modern writer of kid's books. His stories and characters are charming and funny and kids love them.

Check out the pigeon books! This one, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late is quite charming.


For Middle Grade Readers:

My niece has been reading the Fairyland series and loves it. It looks fantastic (I mean I'm tempted to get copies for myself.) Start with The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

I'm going to throw in a classic here too: The Phantom Tollbooth. I love wordplay!

Of course most of my recommendations will be romance.

For Upper YA/NA:

I've only read the first two books in Keira Cass's Selection Series so far, but I'll be reading the rest soon. 

Got a teen who like's a supernatural twist? I love Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers Trilogy.

For Lovers of Sweet Paranormal Romance:

I think this series is categorized as NA, but it is absolutely appropriate for teens and adults alike. The Elsker Saga by S.T. Bende

For Someone Who Loves Holiday-Themed Romantic Comedies: 

Gina Henning's Home for the Holidays series.



For The Paranormal Fan Looking for Something Different:
The Darkness Saga by Kat Daemon--you'll be charmed by the devil himself.

The Phasms series by Barbara Garren--like nothing else you've read.

For The Romance Reader Looking for The Next Nora Roberts:

Anything by Sophie Moss. She's a wonderful storyteller.

For Someone Who Likes Their Romance Hot:

Hot vampires: Cherry Stem by Sotia Lazu
Contemporary Sexy: Firsts by Rosalie Stanton

For Someone Looking For Something Other Than Romance:

Yes Please by Amy Poehler- I especially recommend the audio version.

For Someone Who Wants to Read One Of My Books: 

Okay-this is not a real category, but if you're looking for a romance with comedy and just a splash of steam, my stuff might fit the bill.

Here is my Amazon Page, but my books (and most if not all of the others here) are also available from Barnes & Noble and other book retailers.


The Books on my Christmas Wish List:

Prince Lestat: The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

Not Quite Darcy by Terri Meeker

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Deep Dark Secret by Sierra Dean

Time Out Valentine by Melinda Dozier

Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Happy reading and happy shopping!

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Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you all a safe and festive Fourth of July!

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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!

The Little Drummer Boy by Sydney Logan-Release Day.

It's release day for Sydney Logan's latest holiday short story, "The Little Drummer Boy!"

 

It’s Christmas Eve, and Justin Banks is on the hunt for a last-minute gift for his wife, Megan. With the help of a homeless man and the beat of a drum, Justin stumbles upon the one thing Megan has always wanted. The one thing money can’t buy. It's amazing what we can hear if we just take a moment and really listen.

Rum pum pum pum.

It’s faint, but it’s there. A quiet, rhythmic beat that blends into the night. How this old man heard the sound is beyond me. “You hear it, don’t you?”

With a nod, I look around, hoping to find the source of the sound. The man points toward the coffee shop’s covered alleyway.

“Back there,” he says.

The carolers begin their rendition of “O Holy Night,” and once again, I hear the “rum pum pum pum” coming from the darkness.

Intrigued, I step away from the old man and walk slowly toward the alley. Each step brings me closer to the beat, until finally, I see a little boy, nestled in the corner. His only light comes from a lantern, and a snare drum rests in his lap. The drum is scarred and the strap is frayed, but it’s obviously his most prized possession.

Probably his only possession.

Does he live here? In this filthy alley? And where are his parents?  

His clothes are dirty and ragged, and the faded blue jacket he wears is about three sizes too big.

“Shall I play for you?” he whispers.

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Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education and lives in East Tennessee. With the 2012 release of her novel, Lessons Learned, she made the transition from bookworm to author. Her second book, Mountain Charm, was released in 2013. She is also the author of three short stories. When she isn't writing, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.

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