Christmas Knight - from Christmas in a Flash - 3 Christmas shorts from Daryl Devore writing as VIctoria Adams #romance #Christmas

As Tamara leaned over the railing to peer at the Caribbean water a tear trickled down her cheek. It paused at her chin, wobbled then dropped, mixing into the briny sea. She dug a crumpled tissue out of her pocket, blew her nose, and sighed.

A toe-tingling whiff of aftershave wafted past her nose. She recognized the fragrance, wood smoke with a hint of evergreen. The intoxicating aroma belonged to the tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed man she'd passed when the passengers boarded the Northern Lights cruise ship. She'd also caught a glimpse of him in the audience when she'd performed her evening's solo dance. His brilliant eyes appeared to glow.

Tam gave her head a shake. Don't be silly. Eyes don't glow.

She stuffed her tissue into her pocket and glanced at her cell phone. Her parent's text still filled the screen. Sorry we missed the boarding. Horrible snow storms. Hundreds of flights cancelled. We arrived in time to watch you sail over the edge of the earth. Our first Christmas not being together. Tears are forming. Must go. Love, Mom and Dad.

Tam's chin trembled as her eyes filled with tears. It wasn't fair. It's Christmas. Everything's supposed to be perfect at Christmas. A sigh filled her lungs, and she released it with a hiccup.

"When it's such a beautiful evening—dark sky, twinkling stars, soft tropical breeze, why would anyone so beautiful be so sad?"

Tamara turned towards the sound of the voice. Her gaze met the crystal blue eyes she'd noticed in the audience. Her brain seized. Her vocal cords froze. Aware the man standing before her was waiting for an answer, Tamara managed a weak shrug and a loud sniffle. She lowered her head. Oh, great. I look a mess. All red-eyed and snotty-nosed, and he's standing there looking like a Dolce and Gabbana model. Kill. Me. Now.

She swiped at a tear with her fist. He waved a handkerchief before her. She lifted her gaze. A teasing smile crossed his lips, making her heart flutter. His bottom lip was the biteable kind—soft, full and enticing. The one you want to slide your teeth across. The handkerchief waved again.

"Uh, no thanks…thank you." She snapped herself out of the fantasy moment and fumbled through her pocket. "I have…uh...this."  Glancing down, her stomach dropped at the sight of the soggy, wet, white lump in the middle of her palm.

With the tips of his thumb and index finger, he lifted the tissue from her hand and placed the immaculate, white linen handkerchief on it.

An embarrassed flush flowed from her toes to her nose. Tamara turned towards the sea. Filled with curiosity, she snuck a peek over her shoulder. He was returning from the nearest garbage bin, wiping his hands against each other as if to rid himself of something disgusting.

Tamara gritted her teeth. "Oh, this just keeps getting worse and worse."

He leaned on the railing next to her. His eyes twinkled as a puff of ocean breeze nudged a locket of hair onto his forehead. "What keeps getting worse?"

Oh, crap! I said that out loud. 

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What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

The Herschel Space Observatory suggest comets are constantly smashing together. #NASA #Space #FridaysinSpace

• NASA ID: PIA15425
  
• Center: JPL
• Secondary Creator Credit: ESA
• Date Created: 2012-04-12
• Visit JPL Website

New data from the Herschel Space Observatory suggest comets are constantly smashing together around the star Fomalhaut, a young star, just a few hundred million years old, and twice as massive as the sun.

What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

The next author in my minis series of favourite authors is neither a British mystery writer or a female. #shouldbewriting

The next author is not a British mystery writer or a female – he’s American mystery writer Rex Stout the creator of Nero Wolfe.

Photo credit – Wikipedia

Rex Stout was born in 1886 and died in 1975. He wrote 30+ novels and 35+ novellas featuring detective Nero Wolfe and his hard working and totally loveable assistant Archie Goodwin.

Rex Stout began his writing career in the 1910s. He wrote more than 40 stories which spanned genres including romance, adventure, science fiction/fantasy, and detective fiction, including two serialized murder mystery novellas that prefigured elements of the Wolfe stories.

In 1929 he wrote his first published book, How Like a God, an unusual psychological story written in the second person, and published by the Vanguard Press, which he had helped to found.

In the 1930s, Stout turned to writing detective fiction. In 1933-34, he wrote Fer-de-Lance, which introduced Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.

In 1959 Stout received the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award. The Nero Wolfe corpus was nominated Best Mystery Series of the Century at the world's largest mystery convention, and Rex Stout was nominated Best Mystery Writer of the Century.

For absolute lovers of Nero Wolfe there is a website- The Wolfe Pack - http://www.nerowolfe.org/

Why do I love these books? I love the intellect of Nero. He rarely leaves his apartment – has a fabulous chef – everybody should have a Fritz – and yet he can solve the most baffling mysteries with only his mind. Plus – there is always Archie. Archie does the leg work and fights the fights and is about 2 steps behind Nero at figuring out what is going on.

These books are fun and the characters and plots just grab you.

If you prefer a video version – there was a series made and it is pretty good. The late Maury Chaykin played Nero and Timothy Hutton plays Archie. It’s fun to watch with the added bonus of the time period and the fabulous clothes. Oh - and the orchids!

What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

28 – Fridays in Space

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

A witch appears to be screaming out into space. #NASA #Space #FridaysinSpace

• NASA ID: 'Witch Head' Brews Baby Stars_10592267924_o




Keywords: NASA, space, star
• Center: GSFC
• Date Created: 2015-10-30
• Visit GSFC Website

A witch appears to be screaming out into space in this new image from NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. The infrared portrait shows the Witch Head nebula, named after its resemblance to the profile of a wicked witch. Astronomers say the billowy clouds of the nebula, where baby stars are brewing, are being lit up by massive stars. Dust in the cloud is being hit with starlight, causing it to glow with infrared light, which was picked up by WISE's detectors. The Witch Head nebula is estimated to be hundreds of light-years away in the Orion constellation, just off the famous hunter's knee. WISE was recently "awakened" to hunt for asteroids in a program called NEOWISE. The reactivation came after the spacecraft was put into hibernation in 2011, when it completed two full scans of the sky, as planned.
 Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech NASA image use policy. ( http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html ) NASA Goddard Space Flight Center ( http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html ) enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

22 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

23 - Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

24 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

25 – Closed for Christmas

26 – Closed for Christmas

27 - Thursday #Yoga

28 – Fridays in Space

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

Image showing an iconic supernova remnant in our Milky Way galaxy. #Nasa #Space #FridaysinSpace

• NASA ID: PIA17563
  
• Center: JPL
• Secondary Creator Credit: ESA/Herschel/PACS/MESS Key Programme Supernova Remnant Team; NASA, ESA and Allison Loll/Jeff Hester Arizona State University
• Date Created: 2013-12-12
• Visit JPL Website

This image shows a composite view of the Crab nebula, an iconic supernova remnant in our Milky Way galaxy, as viewed by the Herschel Space Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope.

What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

15 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

16-  Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

17 – Author Spotlight – Various Authors – Seduced Under the Mistletoe

18 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

19 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

20 - Author Spotlight – Georgia Lynn Hunter – Heart’s Inferno

21 – Fridays in Space

22 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

23 - Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

24 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

25 – Closed for Christmas

26 – Closed for Christmas

27 - Thursday #Yoga

28 – Fridays in Space

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

My Favourite Author - Agatha Christie #shouldbewriting

My Favourite Author.

Changing things up a bit for a couple of weeks - trying to get snap out of the winter blahs. It's only mid-Decemeber - a lot of winter and a lot of blah still to go.

I am posting about My Favourite Authors. These authors and their books have been my “friends” since I was quite young. To start my series, I guess I’ll start with number 1 – Agatha Christie. She is best known for her mysteries. Her two most famous detectives are Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

Photo – from the Agatha Christie Website - http://www.agathachristie.com/agatha-christie-unfinished-portrait/

Let’s run through the minutiae of this wonderful author

Agatha Christie was born on Sept 15, 1890 in England. She died Jan 12, 1976.

She wrote 66 novels and 14 short story collections and I have them all. Plus the 6 romances she wrote under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, Queen Elizabeth made her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Her books.

Her first book was The Mysterious Affair at Styles and not only introduced the world to her wonderful books, but also to the delightful Belgium detective Hercule Poirot.

Miss Marple was not introduced until 1927.

I have copies of some stories in different languages. Family have purchased them for me when away on holidays. Dame Christies is one of the top most-translated authors of all time. I have the Companion book that lists all the books in order and gives a synopsis of each story. I have her biography, the latest book about her mysterious disappearance and her posthumously published book about her world tour. Fascinating letters to her mother and daughter about her travels at a time when plane travel was not the norm.

And no – I’m not going to list all 66. Here’s the link to her website instead. http://www.agathachristie.com/christies-work/stories/

Why I like these books. As I said they are friends. On a snowy winter day, I love to cuddle under a blanket, near the woodstove, a cup of hot chocolate beside me and an Agatha Christie mystery in my hand. I have read them all numerous times.  t is a delightful to watch how she confuses the reader as it is to be surprised by the who-dun-it.

If you’ve never read an Agatha Christie book, purchase a paperback – as that’s how they are supposed to be read – and settle down for a quiet afternoon read. She will transport you back in time and wrap you up in a wonderful story.

What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

14 – Fridays in Space

15 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

16-  Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

17 – Author Spotlight – Various Authors – Seduced Under the Mistletoe

18 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

19 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

20 - Author Spotlight – Georgia Lynn Hunter – Heart’s Inferno

21 – Fridays in Space

22 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

23 - Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

24 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

25 – Closed for Christmas

26 – Closed for Christmas

27 - Thursday #Yoga

28 – Fridays in Space

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

Two bakers who instead of eggs broke each other’s heart. Newly released Christmas in a Flash - Victoria Adams #Christmas #romance #newrelease

Reese loosened her grip on the teacup handle and pasted a smile on her lips. The well-dressed, blonde reporter seated across from her droned on about how she'd always wanted to be a chef. The foodie life looked so glamourous. And sexy.

Glamourous? Sexy? Reese held back a snort. Burn marks on your inner forearms. Cuts on fingers. Splotches of icing decorating your face and white hair, not because of age, but because of flour. And the proverbial icing on the cake was stress.

She cast a glance at a half-iced wedding cake due to be delivered in twenty-four hours. Sadly, not her wedding cake. There was no one in her life right now. No one since…he left. Reese cringed, remembering the unfinished order for sixteen dozen Christmas cookies. Not a good time to be interviewed. Maybe if she locked the reporter in the freezer… Mentally slapping herself, Reese took a sip of her Chocolate Tea.

A curious emotion crossed the reporter's face.

Reese stifled a teenage eye roll. Here it comes. The dreaded question. So, what made you want to become a pastry chef?

The reporter shifted on the wooden stool. "So, what was it like dating Brandon Roberts?"

Reese coughed. "Sorry. Tea went down the wrong…" She cleared her throat. "I thought this interview was about The Christmas Dinner. Not my former…love life."

The Christmas Dinner was an annual fundraiser. Cat lover, Reese was thrilled because this year the funds would benefit the local animal shelter. Chefs' names were placed into a hat and two were paired up. Together they would create a traditional turkey dinner. One chef prepared the bird and the vegetables. The other created the breads and pies. Reese had already planned out the pies. She was thinking of trying a different mixture of spices for the pumpkin pies. Should I add walnuts to the apple pies? Maybe to some and not to others. Food allergies and all. She tapped her fingertips on the countertop.

The reporter giggled. "A bit of juicy back history will add some spice to the story." She leaned forward. "Did you really live with the Brandon Roberts? The sexiest celebrity chef on the planet."

"Brandon and I dated." Reese placed the teacup on the metal counter then folded her hands on her lap. Oh God, look at my hands. My nails are cracked and that splotch of red food colouring looks like blood. Look at her nails. Wonder where she gets them done. Uh. Focus. What was she talking about? Oh, yeah – Brandon. "Yes, we…dated, but it was a long time ago. Now, can we get back to the charity dinner?"

The reporter blinked. "You mean, you don't know?"

Reese checked the wedding cake and dismissed the vision of smashing it over the reporter's head. She really didn't have time to bake and ice another one. She brushed a stray hair off her forehead. "Don't know what?"

The reporter trembled with excitement.

What’s her issue?

"The names've been drawn for the event."

"I hadn't heard."

Christmas in a Flash

Victoria Adams – Daryl Devoré’s alter ego – has penned two flash Christmas romances. A flash is a short story based on prompts. These are meant to be read on break with a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits.

Gingerbread Dreams – Two bakers who instead of eggs broke each other’s heart. One stayed in the small town. The other took the cooking world by storm. Can gingerbread heal a shattered dream?

Christmas Knight – Tamara’s Christmas dream is shattered when her parents can’t meet her on the Caribbean cruise ship where she works. A handsome passenger with the initials S.C. spends Christmas Eve romancing her, but disappears at midnight. Is there a hope Tamara’s Christmas Day isn’t ruined?

Bonus – Winter’s Chill – A dark tale seen through the eyes of the prey, the stalker and the protector. Can Silk survive the first snowfall of the year? Can Lucan satisfy his craving? Is Damien good enough to triumph over evil?

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What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

9- Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

10- Author Spotlight – Liza O’Connor - Saving Sentry

11- Author Spotlight – Isobel Blackthorn - Twerk

12- Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

13- Thursday #Yoga

14 – Fridays in Space

15 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

16-  Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

17 – Author Spotlight – Various Authors – Seduced Under the Mistletoe

18 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

19 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

20 - Author Spotlight – Georgia Lynn Hunter – Heart’s Inferno

21 – Fridays in Space

22 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

23 - Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

24 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

25 – Closed for Christmas

26 – Closed for Christmas

27 - Thursday #Yoga

28 – Fridays in Space

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

Image from NASA Galaxy Evolution Explorer is an observation of the large galaxy in Andromeda #NASA #Space #FridaysinSpace

• NASA ID: PIA04921



Keywords: 
• Center: JPL
• Secondary Creator Credit: NASA/JPL/California Institute of Technology
• Date Created: 2003-12-10
• Visit JPL Website

This image is from NASA Galaxy Evolution Explorer is an observation of the large galaxy in Andromeda, Messier 31. The Andromeda galaxy is the most massive in the local group of galaxies that includes our Milky Way.

What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

8 - SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

9- Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

10- Author Spotlight – Liza O’Connor - Saving Sentry

11- Author Spotlight – Isobel Blackthorn - Twerk

12- Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

13- Thursday #Yoga

14 – Fridays in Space

15 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

16-  Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

17 – Author Spotlight – Various Authors – Seduced Under the Mistletoe

18 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

19 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

20 - Author Spotlight – Georgia Lynn Hunter – Heart’s Inferno

21 – Fridays in Space

22 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

23 - Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

24 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

25 – Closed for Christmas

26 – Closed for Christmas

27 - Thursday #Yoga

28 – Fridays in Space

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years

What little trick do you have to get past a hump in the writing road? #shouldbewriting

There are times when the words won't flow. I'm not talking writer's block - just a stall in the word flow.

I posted a humourous vent on FB one day about this. I couldn't write 2 words without erasing 1 or both. I am quite sure by the end of the day I had a negative word count.

I don't usually set goals. I'll set deadlines - like the bathroom has to be painted by Friday or I'd really like the finish writing this book by the end of the month.

But the deadlines are these because I know something is happening - like  Saturday we're having company

So what do I do when the words don't flow? Confession time - I play games. My current favourites are Microsoft Solitaire, Mahjong, and Microsoft Ultimate Word Games.

Do you know what the missing word is?

 Do you know what the word is?

(if it's driving you crazy look in my tags)

Why do I "waste" precious writing time doing something so frivolous? Or why don't I do something more productive - go for a walk - clean the house.

A- Trying to force the words only frustrates me and that leads me to chocolate and I could do with a bit less chocolate at the moment.

B - Not going off to clean the house or go for a walk. If an idea does strike I can switch to word processor and type away. (Going for a walk isn't high on the list at the moment as the temp started today above freezing and is plummeting - not just dropping. It is plummeting like a cannonball out of the sky!)

C - This is the important reason I like to play games. Without going deep into the biology - when you perform a mindless task - the creative center of your brain (or muse) can work on the "problem".
I'll be shifting cards in a game of Solitaire and suddenly the solution to the corner I wrote myself into pops into my head. Thank you Microsoft. You've given me some fun times of idle playing and some moments of inspiration.

What little trick do you have to get past a hump in the writing road?

What's happening in December on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

7 - Fridays in Space

8 - SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

9- Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

10- Author Spotlight – Liza O’Connor - Saving Sentry

11- Author Spotlight – Isobel Blackthorn - Twerk

12- Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

13- Thursday #Yoga

14 – Fridays in Space

15 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

16-  Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

17 – Author Spotlight – Various Authors – Seduced Under the Mistletoe

18 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

19 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

20 - Author Spotlight – Georgia Lynn Hunter – Heart’s Inferno

21 – Fridays in Space

22 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

23 - Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

24 – Author Spotlight – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

25 – Closed for Christmas

26 – Closed for Christmas

27 - Thursday #Yoga

28 – Fridays in Space

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Victoria Adams – Christmas in a Flash

30 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

31 – Closed for New Years