Friday, December 14, 2012

#HolidayLove Blog Hop - The Holidays in Mauritius!

Hey beautiful people!

Awesome to be getting a chance to take part in yet another of Carrie Ann's lovely hops, and one about Holiday Love, too!

There are 200+ of us telling us about the holidays and romance in this hop. Goodies galore to be won at every stop, and don't forget - there's a chance to win the Grand Prizes by commenting at every stop. The more you comment, the better your chances. And look at this lineup - pretty swish, innit?

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

So, what is it about holidays, and romance?

I don't do Christmas, not the celebration per se, but I do indulge in the holiday season. At this time of the year, in the southern hemisphere where Mauritius is located, the full of summer is blazing. So you're more likely to see everyone spilling out of their houses and hitting the numerous beaches on the island. Not to mention that the kids are on summer break, so the holidays become a prone time to spend treasured moments with your family.

There's a bash - usually a barbeque! - just about every weekend, family members taking the relay each week to host lunch or dinner. The kids all get to meet, and madness is magnified. :)

And that, to me, is what holidays are about. Ties, affection, love, a feeling of belonging while you let go of your day-to-day concerns and bask in a casual moment when you look at what really matters, and no longer sweat the small stuff.

Romance, too, in this time, is that to me - the notion of family, of ties, of finding a place to belong. Any romance that brings people together - the more unlikely the mix, the better - is a sure-fire bet for me to sit down with during the holiday season.

In fact, I started writing one such story two holiday seasons ago, in 2010. The idea came to me about a cold, reserved, and uptight forensic pathologist who suddenly lands custody of an 11-yr-old tween... which totally throws her orderly world and locked heart into a tailspin. The notion of family, of belonging, is alien to this woman, Margo Nolan, and Emma, the girl she must now care for, tests the frozen limits of her heart at every moment. Between cuddly moments and tantrums worthy of the most demanding diva, Emma rocks the life Margo had resigned herself to live. And when the handsome, very sexy, and much younger village doctor, Jamie Gillespie, starts to poke his nose into their affairs, things get even more complicated for Margo, because suddenly, the woman she had buried at the heart of her starts to batten down the hatches, eager to be heard, and given a chance at love...



I titled this story Calling Home - and it came out last year in December. To celebrate this anniversary, and to comfort the idea of holiday love, I am offering a download copy of this novel to a lucky commenter today.

Very different are my Corpus Brides heroine-centric espionage/romantic suspense series, or my 1NightStand offerings, but somehow, some way, family and ties play a big, big role in all my stories. I hope you'll deign take a chance on some of my books. *grin*

Tell me - what does Holiday Love spell out to you?

Leave a comment (and don't forget your email address! We can't add you to the prize draws otherwise) and let me know!

And don't forget to check the other 200+ participants on this hop - I'm certain they'll appreciate a visit. This is the link where you can find them all.

Thank you for taking some of your precious time to drop by!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

68 comments:

LM Spangler said...

For anyone who likes a sweet, romantic read, then Calling Home is for you. And if you like spies and suspense, then the Corpus Brides series would definitely strike your fancy. Her 1NightStand offerings are just as awesome. If you haven't read any of her stories yet, hurry up and purchase one. You won't regret it :-)

Nancy Reece said...

Holiday love is the love of family and friends coming together in the spirit of the season. The love of watching the Christmas play at church. It is the time of the year when it becomes more about others than ourselves, and that is very sexy!

Sheri Fredricks said...

I don't care if people call it Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, or whatever - we each hold our own beliefs. And that belief is based on LOVE.

Have a great holiday, Zee!! Hugs.
Sherifredricks @charter .net

Anonymous said...

Christmas used to mean finally getting something that maybe I had wanted for the last year. But as I got older, so is really nothing I need but my family around me. I love to give to my kids and grandkids, but don't wait until Christmas if there is something they really want and I know I can provide.

Thanks for the bloghop chances to win.

Gail
djgandyfan@gmail.com

laurie said...

thanks for the great blog and wonderful giveaway

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

H.C. Brown said...

Hey Zee,

happy to be hopping over to your place :-)

Zee Monodee said...

Aww, thank you so much for those sweet & lovely words, Lynn! You're a gem! XOXO

Zee Monodee said...

Nancy, it's definitely a time about others and less about oneself. That could be the beauty of this moment... :)

Zee Monodee said...

Very well said, Sheri! Much, much LOVE to you too, my dear friend xoxo

Zee Monodee said...

Gail, the more time passes, the more we get to realize it's less about physical things and more about the feelings and emotions. :)

Zee Monodee said...

You're most welcome, Laurie! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Hey H.C.! Lovely to see you here, lady! xoxo

Cassandra said...

To me it's the love of not only your friends and family but the love you feel in the meaning and celebration of the Lord :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

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

BLHmistress said...

Holiday Love means being with the loves you love more than life it's self. Seeing their smiling faces and laughter.

Dawna N.

vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

Zee Monodee said...

Cassandra, it is indeed a time of spiritual awakening... :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mydurango618 - that story sounds absolutely delightful! Thanks for the req, I'm definitely gonna check it out :)

Zee Monodee said...

Dawna N - smiling face and laughter, that's what life is all about :)

crystaley73 said...

Family thanks for the chance to win

crystaley73 at yahoo dot com

Mary Preston said...

Holiday Love for me spells family. It's a time to reach out & reconnect.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

JanD said...

Holiday love means family and friends celebrating together.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com

Veronika said...

Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for the giveaway!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

LEENA7 said...

One thing the economy is teaching us is, how it isnt the material things that matter but who we are and the relationships we have formed. People being nice to each other, helping each other out, and more smiles with less stress, That feeling in the air that means everyone is on the same goal, to bring something special to their home for Christmas.
peach_hugs@yahoo.com

Zee Monodee said...

crystaley73 - family indeed sums it up :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mary, holiday time is the perfect moment to reconnect :)

Zee Monodee said...

JanD, friends are our extended family, very true :)

Zee Monodee said...

Merry Christmas to you too, Veronika! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Leena, that is very true - in our times, it is less and less about material things and mostly about bringing that intangible something special :)

Raonaid Luckwell said...

Holiday magic - and not meaning the arcane sort of magic.. Doesn't really explain it right does it?

Raonaid at gmail dot com

Linda said...

The holidays usually are wonderful but I just lost my father; however, I wish everyone a very happy holiday!

Unknown said...

Happy Happy Holidays! Thanks for the great giveaway!
grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

magic5905 said...

Thanks for the great hop.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

Liese2 said...

It's spending time baking and watching Christmas movies with my family.
Every Christmas Eve we go out to dinner and come home to watch the movie Elf.
Thanks for the chance and Happy Holidays!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

spending time together playing games eating food and watching thesmiles as they open the gift they didnt expect

kaholgate at ymail dot com

Tonda said...

Holiday love to me is being with family and friends, doing for others and not thinking of self.
smoofrog@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Happy Holidays! Great giveaway!

aprilnu2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Hi Zee I look forward to being able to read your work.

Happy Holidays and keep cool on the beach. I'm just a bit jealous of your island life. :)

solerawinters@hotmail.com

Natasha said...

Thanks for the chance to win!
Happy holidays!
Family is what the holidays mean to me.
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

Amy said...

Happy Holidays!
ajcraig77@comcast.net

Zee Monodee said...

Raonaid, holiday magic spells everything out perfectly! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Linda, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Big hugs, please know you have all our support and love in this trying time

Zee Monodee said...

April, happy holidays to you too! :)

Zee Monodee said...

You're welcome, magic5905! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Liese2, I love Christmas movies, though the family balk at watching with me (macho guys at home, lol). Love Actually is so not their cup of tea! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Kimberly, the smiles at gift-opening time are absolutely priceless! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Tonda, I definitely hear you about the 'doing for others and not for oneself' part! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Happy holidays to you too, Shar! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Thanks, Solera! Lol, island life mostly looks good during summer. The rest of the time, it's the regular harrowing Mummy-crazy existence :)

Zee Monodee said...

Thanks, Natasha - happy holidays to you too! And family meaning holidays - totally agree with you. :)

Beckey said...

When I saw the word "Holiday Love" my mind went into the direction of romance which isn't something that happens here. Unless I am reading about it in a book.

Happy Holidays
BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

Stacey Brucale said...

Thanks for participating in the hop! Happy holidays!

squiggles87(AT)aol(dot)com

Krysta B. said...

Just being with my family :)

Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

Carla said...

My favorite thing about this season is cookies; I love making and eating them. Everyone is so willing to share.
planterofhope at aol dot com

Kym said...

Christmas is about love and spending time with those that matter in your life. I have tried hard to instill that into my children.

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

Anonymous said...

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. Thanks for being part of the Holiday Blog Hop. Great blog.
roya-clan@sbcglobal.net

Missie1 said...

Family :D thats how u spell love.
Happy Holidays, Big Hugs
Missie Jones
missie25524 @netzero .com

Zee Monodee said...

Beckey, holiday love makes me think of the movie Love Actually. Here's to wishing more romance in your holiday season :)

Zee Monodee said...

Welcome, Holly! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Happy holidays to you too, Squiggles! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Much love, & happy holidays, to you too Shadow! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Krysta, that's The Life, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Carla, I love cookies! Can't for the life of me make a good batch that's not scorched or undercooked, but I'll definitely join in eating them :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lisa, I hope you win tons of great romances through this hop! Happy holidays to you too :)

Zee Monodee said...

Kym, when we have kids, it's all about passing the relay to the new generation, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lol, Mary Frances! I think we all put the scales to the test during this season. Then, too, that's what New Year resolutions are here for *wink* :)

Zee Monodee said...

Missie1 - I love your answer: Family is how you spell love. :)

Zee Monodee said...

And finally, I wanted to say a huge, huge thank you to all of ye who dropped by, and left a lovely comment. That's the best part of those hops - to meet so many amazing, lovely people and getting to interact with ye all :)

Happy holidays to everyone! I hope you get to enjoy a superb season with all your loved ones and dearest friends! XOXO

Zee Monodee said...

And the winner from my giveaway is.... Raonaid Luckwell!

Congrats, darling! I'll be in touch shortly to get you your ecopy of Calling Home. :)

Thanks everyone for participating! XOXO