Happy Holidays!

Decembers are always crazy, but this one seems to have been worse than normal. I've done quite a bit of traveling, which when combined with kids stuff, probably explains it. There is also the matter of a certain book that needs to get written! Deadlines don't care about the holidays, LOL.

Hope all of you are enjoying a great break with lots of family & friends. And for those of you like me who have to work--we can commiserate together.

Here's to a happy and prosperous New Year for us all! Can you believe it's almost 2012? Wasn't it just the millennium?

UPDATE: Sorry they're all gone

Cleaning Off the Bookshelf

I'm drowning in books! I realized I have a few extra copies of some of my books hanging around that need to find a home. Here's what I have: 3 copies of Highland Warrior, 2 copies of Highlander Unmasked, and 2 copies of The Hawk. I want to make this as simple as possible so my hubby can get them in the mail ASAP. If you want a copy send me your first two choices and your mailing address to the email here (make sure to check the "I'm a reader" box or it might get overlooked.) First come, first served :) Unfortunately, since my hubby is doing the mailing and wants to avoid the Post Office at all costs right now, only US addresses for this one. If you'd like it personalized let me know.

I also have some foreign copies of books to giveaway if anyone is interested in those (German and Spanish)--again only US addresses please.

I'm trying to think of a contest to do to giveaway a bunch of audio copies of THE HAWK as well, so look for that.

UPDATE: THE BOOKS ARE ALL GONE! Giveaway is over, thanks!

And the winners of the ARCs of RUN FROM FEAR are . . .

[Insert drumroll]

ShellyE who commented on the blog and Betty Kohler Hamilton who commented on Facebook!

Congratulations! Please send your mailing address to the email address on my website: http://www.monicamccarty.com/contact.php

Kicking off the Holidays Right! (With a Giveaway!)

The holidays are my favorite time of year and nothing sets the mood like getting together for a holiday luncheon with a fabulous group of friends. Actually, let me correct myself: there is nothing like getting together with a fabulous group of friends at Catherine Coulter's house for the holidays. To say it is decked out is an understatement. It's like walking into a winter wonderland. This picture shows the most miniscule part of it, but there are literally decorations everywhere--rugs, linens, wall-hangings, you name it. I am now officially in the holiday spirit!

So who are all those gorgeous women? From L to R: Barbara Freethy, Moi, Tracy Grant, Jami Alden, Catherine Coulter, Anne Mallory, Bella Andre and Veronica Wolff. Missing is Carol Culver who usually joins us but is traveling, and Penny Williamson who moved on us but we still miss. Pretty nice group of friends, huh? Not just one but two NYT #1 bestsellers in the group (Catherine & Barbara). Yes, I know, I pinch myself all the time at my luck. :) If you are wondering why Catherine is standing on a chair, it's because she always gives me a time for wearing high heels when I'm tall. This was to make her look not so petite in comparison, LOL.

To continue the holiday spirit theme, I thought it would be fun to giveaway two ARCs of Jami Alden's next release, Run From Fear, which hits stores in March. Jami is my CP, so you know how I feel about her books. We definitely share the same sensibility (or brain, LOL) when it comes to romance. This is the third book in her latest romantic trilogy. It's sexy, edgy, and has a hero to die for, what more could you want? All the usual rules apply (i.e. only one comment counts, must be 18 or over, must respond to email within 24 hours with snail mail addy, North America only, etc.). I will pick two winners from either the blog comments, Facebook comments or tweets.

During lunch, Catherine had the theme from Charlie Brown's Christmas playing. When she and the four(!) other ladies get together to decorate her house, that's what they listen to. Funny enough, Bella mentioned that it's the same music they play when they decorate. At our house, there are a couple favorites. I'm partial to John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas (it's what I remember from our family ski trips to Tahoe over the holidays), but my husband grew up with Johnny Mathis, so that's his holiday music of choice. I also like Elvis and Bing Crosby. Do you have any special holiday music that you like?

UPDATE: Oops, forgot to mention that I'll pick the two winners on Monday evening.