Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Whoohooo - It's Party Time!!

by Tawny

I'm so ready to celebrate the holidays!! I love this time of year. All of it- the baking, the crafts, the gift wrapping, the pretty lights and the fabulous music. I'm a sucker for a holiday movie and a sap over anything wrapped by a kid. I adore the whispered secrets and have been known to get teary eyed over watching my kids decorating cookies with my husband's questionable help.

And this year, I'm celebrating a little bit extra. I am so excited to have a holiday story out, it's like that extra sparkle of tinsel on the tree for me.


A BABE IN TOYLAND Excerpt:

He could barely see her through the crowd. Bikers were shoulder to shoulder with what looked like bankers from the S&L on the corner. Mixed in were a few gals with huge hair that he suspected worked at the beauty salon in the mall.

“What the hell...” He stared, slack jawed, as Rita waved her hand, all game-show-hostess like, over the array of vividly colored items spread across the tailgate of his truck.

“What the hell are these?” she clarified, stepping around two blondes to greet him.

Even knowing he was no better than one of Pavlov’s pups, Tyler’s gaze swept over her face, now pinup girl exotic. Her hair, still in a ponytail, but she’d done something to make it look like all fifties-movie-star flirty. She was still in the same jeans she’d worn earlier, but she’d replaced her red puffy jacket with a black studded leather one.

Tyler’s mouth watered.

“These are toys,” she said. It took him five seconds and the direction of her pointing finger to remember the question.

“Toys.”

“Sex toys.”

“I realize they’re sex toys. Why are they here? Now? On my truck?” He stared, fixated, on a foot long, neon green monstrosity with a head—an actual face—of a dinosaur.

Her laugh was all it took to rip his gaze from the freakish dildo and back to her face. She ran her tongue over her upper teeth, to hide a smirk, he was sure.

“I see you’re interested in the T-Sex. The dinosaur of dildos,” she explained, sounding like a TV commercial hawking a new model car. “Guaranteed to make your woman roar with pleasure.”

“What...”

“What am I doing with them? Selling them, of course,” she said, indicating the little slips of paper she’d tucked underneath each toy. He squinted, seeing she’d not only written up descriptions, but detailed sex and position suggestions along with the asking price.

Tyler was grateful the icy wind was there to cool his cheeks before the heat became apparent.

Didn’t matter, though. Rita, probably having a special radar for that kind of thing, chuckled.

She leaned forward and gave his cheek a soft pat. The smooth touch of her fingers making him want to grab her wrist and nibble his way up her arm.

“Don’t worry, big boy,” she purred. “You can have first dibs. I’ll even give you a good-driver discount.”

The only thing that kept Tyler from grabbing her by that tiny waist, tossing her in the bed of the truck and showing her just exactly how good he could drive was the six-and-a-half-foot biker in studded leather who’d tapped her on the shoulder and asked the price of a set of candy cane styled nipple rings.

And that, my friends, is the beginning of true love :-)

To celebrate the release of A BABE IN TOYLAND and IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE, and because the holiday season just screams for a little extra fun - I'm having a contest trio. One contest on my website, one contest on my Facebook page and another for my newsletter. You can check them out --and enter any and all if you'd like --on my blog December first. But... that's not enough, is it? How about we kick it up even more and I'll give away three copies of IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE to three commenters today! To win, all you have to do is check out NAUGHTY IS NICE, my free read over on eHarlequin, and tell me in the comments which character is your favorite :-)

59 comments:

Fedora said...

Woohoooo!!! A Christmas story from Tawny!!!

Jane said...

Hi Tawny,
Congrats on the new release. I haven't had a chance to read your free story, but I would imagine Declan would be my favorite because he's the hero and I absolutely love his name.

Fedora said...

Dagnabit, Tawny! I was trying to hold off reading your serial until it was complete, but I couldn't resist! Declan is to die for! And Mari sure can hold her own! You sure can write 'em! Now I just want Friday to get here!!!!

And congrats on your Christmas anthology--I LOVE Christmas stories, and can't wait to read It Must Have Been the Mistletoe!

Tawny said...

Ho Ho Ho and a Merry Rooster Nabbing, Fedora LOL!!!

Tawny said...

Hi Jane :-) And thanks for the congrats!!

Declan was a sweetie pie to write. A smidge tortured, just a little bad, but so sweet inside. And so sweet on Mari :-)

And best of all, it was a lot of fun to explore his thoughts about his cousins since they are the heroines of IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE.

Fedora said...

Tawny, what I love is how your characters are all so complete! I think I have to choose Declan as my favorite (who can resist the town bad-boy coming home to make good?) but I loved all the characters, down to Mari's mom, and the scheming Sylvie... such a fantastic cast!

Tawny said...

Fedora lolol Will it put me on Santa's naughty list that I'm glad I lured you in to Mari and Declan's story :-D

I'm so glad you like it!!

I hope you enjoy Must Have Been the Mistletoe, too. I loved giving a classic holiday tale my own little twist - in this case, I revisited the Island of Misfit Toys and gave them a little more adult theme ;-)

Tawny said...

:-D Wow, you really did read it all, Fedora! I do feel kinda naughty now for luring you in :-D but not too naughty.

Thank you so much. I have to say, I thought A BABE IN TOYLAND was a challenge to write since it's only 20k - but NAUGHTY OR NICE at half of that taught me a thing or two about writing tight! I'm so glad the characters still came together clearly for you to read :-)

Nas said...

When I started reading Naughty or Nice, Declan was my favourite. He was the bad boy with the good heart. But then Mari was so strong and sweet!
The christmas story IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE sounds awesome!

Helen said...

Whoo Hoo Fedora have fun with him

Tawny

Way to go what a story I skimmed through it when I got home from work I can't wait to sit and read it properly WOW I am loving Declan but it is a close call because Mari is soo good.
I do so love Christmas stories and this book is on my list to buy I wouldn't miss it I love your stories and I too love Christmas although I do get a bit stressed anout all I have to get done LOL. I have made one Chrissy cake I have another 5 to go and I haven't started the shopping or my cards yet.

I am planning on getting a lot done this week

Congrats on the book Tawny

Have Fun
Helen

Donna MacMeans said...

Well jingle my bells - Tawny has a hot holiday story! I do love seasonal anthologies. Way to go, Tawny!

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Oh boy, oh boy, I can't wait. I start early November with my Christmas reads, I can' always start in October. I love Christmas stories.

Unknown said...

well done Fedora

I love Christmas stories Tawny and like Fedora I was waiting til it finished so had a quick look at it and like Declan.... but Marie is good too.
I have to make some cakes too ... have lined the tins tonight so they are ready for the cakes tomorrow when I mix them... I also make my own cards and they are now ready to write in and then send... I am a bit earlier this year than others

pjpuppymom said...

Congratulations, Tawny! Rita and Tyler's journey was such a fun ride! Can't wait to read Declan's story!

Christie Kelley said...

Congrats on the release, Tawny! I can't wait to read this one. I think I'll add this one to my kindle app today!

Trish Milburn said...

I love Christmas stories. So huge congrats on yours, Tawny.

My TiVo has been picking up Christmas movies on Hallmark Channel and Lifetime, and I've watched a couple already.

Fedora said...

Tawny, no matter what, you'll ALWAYS be on my nice list (even with that touch of naughty! ;)) And saints alive! Come on, Friday!!!!

Anna Sugden said...

WOOHOOO!! Another Tawny Weber book, just in time for Christmas! I can't wait to curl up in my chair and enjoy.

I loved Declan and Mari's story and can't wait to read about Declan's cousins. Declan really is a sweetie - he spoke to me *g* from the first moment I read him. Though, I must admit, I felt real kinship with Mari!

Minna said...

Congrats on the release!
Declan is my favorite!

Miljoonasade: Marraskuu (November)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxW6DeHJme4

Minna said...

I just visited the page of EHarlequin, and you know what? There are free ebooks! Go to advanced search, click price: under $5 and order by: retail price and submit and you'll see what they are offering for free.
http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/880DC648-A960-42B9-B689-9D5DD5788262/10/141/en/AdvancedSearch.htm
You must be registered in order to get them, though.

Oh, and Mills and Boon is offering a bunch of free ebooks, too:
http://www.everyonesreading.com/

Minna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
alinaduffer said...

Hi Tawny! Congrats on the new release! I can't wait to read it. I love Christmas time! The baking and decorating and everything!

I must say my favorite character has to be Declan. I love the bad boys who have huge hearts and are softies on the inside. Mari is a great character too. Love a woman who can hold her own in a story.

Have a wonderful day and a great holiday season!

Tawny said...

YAY - Thank you, Nas Dean! I'm so glad Mari won you over. I do hope you check out MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE, too :-) Tyler is very much like Declan, a little bad, a lot sexy and very worried about how fast he falls for his heroine LOL

Tawny said...

HI Helen :-D

Only one cake so far? Go girl, go!!! I hear you on the stress, there never does seem to be enough time to get everything done. I hope you get some nice, mellow relaxing in there between it all, though.

Fingers crossed this is a mondo-productive week for you :-)

Tawny said...

Heeheee, I love that saying.

Jingle my bells, indeed, Donna :-D

Tawny said...

Dianna, I love that we can get a hold of Christmas reads earlier than December now. I remember way back when (yes, the dark ages, but I had more reading time then *g*) when we had to wait until Dec. I tend to save my fave holiday stories so I'd start them on Nov. 1st, savoring and building up anticipation for the new releases.

Tawny said...

Way to rock the holiday prep, Barb :-)

I've made my own cards a few years in the past, but didn't get it together this year :-( It's fun to do, though, isn't it.

What kind of cakes do you make? Similar to the Christmas cakes that Helen creates?

and thank you :-)

Tawny said...

AWww, thanks, PJ :-) You and the gals over at Romance Dish are always so awesome. And you rock the reviews *ggg*

Tawny said...

Yay and thanks, Christie :-D

Are you reading on a Kindle? Or via the app on another reader? I have the Nook app on my iTouch, but have my Nook as well.

Tawny said...

LOL Fedora - thanks! I'm pretty sure the naughty list has more fun, but the nice list gets better presents :-D

Tawny said...

Anna, thank you so much. It's thank to you that Mari and Declan have a solid story to be read *g*

Declan's cousins are a whole LOT of fun. Their musical, talented and, well, I'm biased because I love Kate and Rhonda's writing, but I do think they are fabulous stories :-)

Tawny said...

Thanks, Minna :-D Declan's an easy guy to fall for, isn't he?

Tawny said...

Minna, eHQ has some awesome deals going on! Definitely, everyone should check it out :-)

Tawny said...

Thanks so much, Alina. I'm with you - the entire holiday package is just amazing fun and wonderful to experience.

YAY that you're loving Declan. I adore the Cole family, to tell you the truth :-) I've always got a soft spot for the bad boys and girls.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Tawny! 'Tis the Season, for sure. Your BABE IN TOYLAND sounds naughty AND nice!

Joan said...

Wow.....that's all I can say about this excerpt is wow.....

Hot and fun and hot and (fans self)

I love your name for the dinosauer um, implement :D

The cover is hot too though I'd think you'd have to worry about pine needles.

Congratulations on your latest and greatest T Depp...you rock!

chey said...

Congrats, Tawny!
I haven't read the whole story, but so far Declan is my fav.

Cassondra said...

Woohooo Tawny!

I've been waiting for this book. I love Christmas stories.

Have not been to your free read yet but am going there to read this evening.

It's just gotten cold here. Although I hate the cold, it makes it perfect weather to curl up with something warm to drink and a good book.

BTW, I knew your story in this anthology was A Babe in Toyland, but I did NOT know it was about sex toys! *grin* That's a perfect setup for both sexy and funny.

Classic Tawny. I can't wait to read this.

Beth Andrews said...

Happy Launch Day, Tawny!! I loved A Babe In Toyland - Rita is such a fabulous heroine and Tyler is so sexy :-)

As for Naughty Is Nice, I adore Dec! I'm so glad it's a daily read so I can read a new chapter each morning *g*

And I love holiday themed stories and movies and TV shows! I remember watching Laurel and Hardy in Babes In Toyland when I was a kid (holy cow, I'm old!) I do love the classics, though :-)

Kate Carlisle said...

Well, I WAS feeling cold and shivery, but now ....whew, I'm HOT!! Dang, Tawny, that's quite an excerpt! I just went and ordered it because I hate to be left, you know, hanging. :-)

And only you would get us all stirred up, then leave us ROTFL at the biker stud looking for candy cane nipple rings. LOL!

Congrats on snagging the bird, Fedora!

Christine Wells said...

Tawny, congrats on your new release!! Trust you to come up with a sexy take on Toyland.LOL Can't wait for this one!

Loving this online read! Mmm sexy Declan would have to be my favourite:) You write such great heroes, Tawny!

Cassondra said...

flchen said:

Tawny, what I love is how your characters are all so complete!

Yes, this. And that's what I admire about anyone who can write anthologies this way. If I ever had to write one, I'll be in full-on panic. Short is much harder to write than long IMO. To get that character development that I want as a reader just takes more pages for me as a writer.

Tawny is good at it.

Cassondra said...

Helen said:

I have made one Chrissy cake I have another 5 to go and I haven't started the shopping or my cards yet.

Helen, you and your cake baking always shows me up for the slacker I am. Nothing like a lot of food around to make the holidays festive though.

I gave up mailing cards a few years back, but I want to start again. Every year I try. :0( It falls by the wayside.

Tawny said...

YAY - thanks Jo. I hope readers think it's naught and nice, too!

Tawny said...

LOL Joanie, thank you :-)

You know how when you're writing a story, often a bit of dialogue or a scene or a character hit you first? That, um, toy, was the first thing I thought of for this story. So really, the entire A BABE IN TOYLAND is based on the T-Sex. Yep, really.

;-)

heeheee - pine needles indeed.

Tawny said...

Thanks, Chey :-)

Declan is a sweetie, I'm so glad you like him!

Joan said...

Well, Tawny I won't ask WHERE you came up with that, all I can do is admire your use of power tools in your stories

;-)

Tawny said...

brrrrr, Cassondra!! It's definitely warm cocoa and reading weather here, too. I'm jazzed at all the fabulous holiday books out now and can't wait to curl up with a few myself.

LOL on the story hook :-) I had a good time making up those toys and imagining them decorated with bows and tinsel *g*

Tawny said...

Beth :-D Hi!! And thank you -for the story love, and for all the work you did to make them into finished products LOL

I have to admit, I don't remember Laurel and Hardy in a Christmas movie. Hmmm.... I'm going to have to look that up. Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein, maybe, but that's not what you're talking about, right?

I adore the books and movies this time of year. Yours, for instance, rocks! What's more fun that your very own Marine for Christmas? Maybe we could combine them, and the marine could bring sex toys... hmmm....

maybe not *g*

Tawny said...

LOL Kate :-D No way would I want you left hanging!!

I'm glad I got you riled and inspired giggles :-) That's always my writing goal (really, it is).

Tawny said...

Christine, thank you so much :-)

I love heroes, and am always hoping the ones I write will come alive for readers and make them sigh like my faves do.

I think, even as we empathize and relate to the heroines, it's the heroes we read for. That fun feeling of falling in love with him through the heroine's eyes. What do you think?

Tawny said...

Yes, this. And that's what I admire about anyone who can write anthologies this way. If I ever had to write one, I'll be in full-on panic. Short is much harder to write than long IMO. To get that character development that I want as a reader just takes more pages for me as a writer.

Tawny is good at it.


:-D thank you!!! I am so glad I was able to ease into the shorter writing, though! First I wrote a 30k novella for the BLAZING BEDTIME STORY earlier this year, then A BABE IN TOYLAND came in at 20k. The online read, NAUGHTY IS NICE, is 10k.

I honestly don't think I could have started with the 10k, though. That's hard to bring a story alive in such a short time. I'm in awe of people who do it regularly.

Tawny said...

Ooooh the mailing of Christmas cards :-(

Cassondra, I used to vow to make my own every year. I only manage it about every 5 years, with skipping any cards entirely about every 3 *g*

It's such a busy time, and seconds just fly past, don't they?

Tawny said...

Joanie said: Well, Tawny I won't ask WHERE you came up with that, all I can do is admire your use of power tools in your stories

ROFLMAO

Then I won't say anything... I'll just sit here, smiling mysteriously ;-)

Louisa Cornell said...

Fedora believes in Santa Claw (aka the GR!)

Wow, Tawny! That was SMOKIN'!

I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter and can't wait to read the rest.

All of your characters are so intriguing and real and fun! I have to say my absolute favorite is Declan. I have a soft spot in my heart for the bad boys!

Pat Cochran said...

Hey Tawny,

Just read all the chapters that
are available, it's a great story!
And it's going to be difficult to choose between the two characters. Declan is such a strong lead and
Mari is a sweetheart. Just as in
the story, it's a TIE!

Pat Cochran

Tawny said...

Santa Claw? OMG I love it, Louisa!!! You are so clever :-)

Thank you so so much for the wonderful compliment :-D I'm so glad the characters come alive - that's so important to me. The heat is a good thing, too *ggg*

Tawny said...

Ties are a GOOD thing sometimes, aren't they, Pat? :-D Thanks tons - I'm so glad you enjoyed Mari and Dec. The story finishes up on Friday so you can read The End then if you'd like :-)

Tawny said...

Karyn, thank you so much :-D