Cinderella Treasure Trove Book Release
What happens at midnight on New Years’ Eve?Aside from all the usual, the Glass Slipper Sisters who just released the Cinderella Treasure Trove will launch their Princess Pack Giveaway!
(Visit the Glass Slipper Sisters Facebook page for the announcement of when the party starts on New Year's.)
Cinderella Treasure Trove is a free book (see the beautiful cover to the left?) with excerpts from 15 captivating Cinderella romance novels. Also included are recipes, games, and party ideas.
We, the Glass Slipper Sisters, are giving away a Pamper Yourself Like A Princess Pack, which you won't want to miss. includes these fabulous gifts:
- a rhinestone tiara
- 3 movies (Enchanted, the 2015 live action Cinderella, and Ever After)
- a stash of pumpkin candy
- champagne glass filled with candy
- wire pumpkin decoration
- SWAROVSKI necklace
- 2 Cinderella coach necklaces
- a Cinderella charm bracelet
- a royal cookie cutter set
- head-to-toe Royal pampering body care set
- and a Cinderella Storage box to hold all the goodies.
Fifteen romance authors have served up delicious samples of their Cinderella-themed stories, along with a feast of tasty treats and glitzy party ideas. Tap into your inner princess and indulge in excerpts sparkling with dream-come-true romance, nail-biting suspense, haunting magic, bubbly chick lit humor and tear-jerking heartaches.
After sampling the tasty morsels, you’ll find a treasure-trove of recipes and ideas to inspire your next party.
Let the Glass Slipper Sisters style your regal table to perfection, thanks to the gorgeous, but quick and inexpensive adornments and easy-to-prepare scrumptious delights. You’ll even find a few party games that can be adapted for your royal guests whatever their age.
Excerpts from the following books are included within the pages:
Cinder the Fae by Rebekah R. Ganiere: Sometimes the greatest love of all, is the one you’ve had all along.
Cinderella Had it Easy by Jennifer Connor: After wishing on a magical locket, Cami has only 24 hours in her Cinderella body. Will she keep hiding or can she learn how to live life?
The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone: A scandal-ridden prince must marry a royal if he doesn’t want to be disowned, but he falls for the American sent to find him a princess bride. Could she be his Cinderella?
The Cinderella Series ~ the collection by Kae Elle Wheeler: Said the fairy godmother, “True sisters will always find their way, no matter the obstacles.” A dainty foot means nothing when one's eyes flutter furiously enough to change the weather."
Cinderella's Enchanted Night by Amber Daulton: Annalise just wanted one night with Elijah. But will an antique locket and a bit of Cinderella magic fulfill her every dream?
Fairy Tale Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories by Lisa Scott: Cindi’s an unappreciated housekeeper with an eye for designer goodies. Can she get the dream shoes and the guy?
Fooling around with Cinderella by Stacy Juba: When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. However, her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother.
Home Sweet Texas Home by Caroline Clemmons: Courtney believes an inheritance in West Texas is the answer to all her prayers--but Courtney learns that while money improves her life, it doesn’t guarantee happiness. This modern Cinderella encounters problems even a fairy godmother couldn’t imagine.
Nobody's Cinderella by Joan Reeves: A lie and a wish on a Christmas star…Uh oh! This Cinderella should have been careful what she wished for.
Pumpkin, A CinderMama Story by Ines Johnson: Having given up on fairytales after falling for her toad of an ex, Pumpkin is afraid to take a chance on town royalty Manny who believes she may be his soulmate.
Savage Cinderella by P. J. Sharon: Kidnapped and left for dead, Brinn Hathaway survives for years in the wild, only to be drawn out of hiding by a young nature photographer who steals her heart. Now she must decide if coming out of hiding is worth the hope—and danger—that may await her.
Second Chance Cinderella by Sharon Kleve: Raven St. James only has 24 hours in her Cinderella body. What will she do with it? Will she become the confident, strong, flirty girl she wants to be? Will she get the guy she has always wanted? Quinn.
Spellbound Cinderella by Angela Ford: If you had your dream body for only 24 hours… What would you do? One magical pendant gives Tess one wish to use before the clock strikes twelve.
The Thin Person Inside by Rochelle Weber: Kristen Jensen never expected to fall in love when she finally decided to address her morbid obesity by seeking addictions treatment—let alone with a rock star.
Wishful Thinking by Lynette Sofras: A struggling single mother and a pop-icon turned Hollywood star meet in unusual circumstances. Fate drew them together but the intrigue and trappings of stardom threaten to unravel love's ties.
It all begins at the stroke of midnight New Years’ Eve! So visit the Glass Slipper Sisters on Facebook to see the announcement of the New Year's Event.
Takeaway Truth
Add Cinderella Treasure Trove, this free book of excerpts from 15 Cinderella romances, recipes, and party ideas to your library.
Available here: Amazon Kindle * Google Play * Kobo * iBooks * Nook.
Free Christmas Book
I have 2 Christmas romances for your consideration: one is reduced from 3.99 to 99cents, and the other is free.
LuvU4Ever, a holiday short story romance, is free, and Nobody's Cinderella is reduced to only 99 cents.
This Christmas, Noelle faces the biggest decision of her life.
LuvU4Ever. That's what was engraved on the gold heart David gave her when he proposed. They've shared 10 years of joy in what she thought was a forever love.
I told you never to call me at home.
Can nine little words destroy her forever love? What will Noelle do? Will she walk away? Or dish out some payback? Or will she choose love?
Available at All Romance Ebooks * Amazon Kindle (Amazon has NOT price matched so it's still showing 99cents there.) * iBooks * Kobo * Nook (Nook has NOT price matched either so it's still showing 99cents.) * Smashwords and other ebook sellers.
Darcy Benton is the oldest cliche in the world—a woman in love with her boss. Other than that, she's no-nonsense, practical, mature, and sober. She's just the kind of woman Chase Whitaker wants as head of accounting for his company. She's definitely not the kind of woman he wants in his bed.
Enter Darcy's meddling, matchmaking best friend who has a plan to transform Darcy into a hottie designed to attract Chase's interest. All it takes? A couple of little lies...and a wish on a Christmas star. Darcy should have heeded that old advice: be careful what you wish for.
Available at All Romance Ebooks * Amazon Kindle * iBooks * Kobo * Nook * Smashwords and other ebook sellers.
Takeaway Truth
Books are the least expensive form of good entertainment, and ebooks are probably the biggest bargain of all!
Here We Go A'Caroling
I love Christmas music. A lot of people hate it when the Christmas tunes play in every department store, but I like it.I think it's interesting also to share the history of these songs with our kids (or grandkids). Amazon has a neat book that does just that. This info makes a neat holiday trivia game too.
The Kindle Edition of The Spirit of Christmas: A History of Best-Loved Carols
is on sale for only 99cents.Description
The history of our best-loved carols, including Silent Night; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; Ave Maria; and many more are included. The book is gorgeously illustrated throughout with Renaissance art.
Hardcover Edition
If you buy the Hardcover Edition of The Spirit of Christmas: A History of Best-Loved Carols
which is $13.99, you get a CD with complete lyrics provided to help you sing along.Takeaway Truth
Don't be a Scrooge. Get in the holiday spirit and sing along. That should put a smile on everyone's face.
12 Days Of Christmas: Christian Fact or Fiction?
I like knowing why things are...how things come about...the history and the story behind the story. That's why in 2006, I did a little research about the Christmas song The 12 Days of Christmas.I included the article below in my Christmas cards. Since I'm a writer, I always give a little "present" with the cards I send. That present is usually a piece of writing keyed to the Christmas holiday.
The 12 Days Of Christmas: Christian Fact or Fiction?
by Joan Reeves©2006
In 1995, an essay entitled An Underground Catechism was posted by Father Hal Stockert on the online Catholic Information Network. Purporting to be the truth behind the popular song The 12 Days of Christmas, the article resulted in a storm of controversy and was subsequently found to be not historically accurate, resulting in the article being withdrawn. Now that article has been published again and amended to read:
“It has come to our attention that this tale is made up of both fact and fiction. Hopefully it will be accepted in the spirit it was written. As an encouragement to people to keep their faith alive, when it is easy, and when any outward expressions of their faith could mean their life. Today there are still people living under similar conditions, may this tale give them courage, and determination to use any creative means at their disposal to keep their faith alive.”
The essay by Father Stockert has been debunked by many people on the Internet through the years. As a Christian, I wish the good Father had posted the essay as his interpretation of the significance of the numbers from one to twelve, symbolic of the religious significance of the twelve days between Christmas Day and Epiphany, January 6, when the three wise men arrived on the scene.
So here's what I found out.
The True History of The 12 Days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Although first published in England in 1780, the song may be French in origin.
The song, whose specific origins are obviously unknown, may have begun as a Twelfth Night "memories and forfeits" game. A leader would recite a verse, each of the players repeat the verse, then the leader would add another verse, etc. until a player would make a mistake. The player who messed up the verses would have to pay a penalty, or forfeit, such as a kiss or a sweet.
The 12 days in the song are the 12 days starting Christmas Day. In some traditions, the first day is the day after Christmas, December 26, commonly called Boxing Day in England. (This day is also known as St. Stephen's Day, the feast day of St. Stephen Protomartyr.) The 12th day is the day before Epiphany, or the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6.
Twelfth Night is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking."
Over the Ocean to America
In 1910, the song came to the United States, courtesy of Emily Brown, of the Downer Teacher's College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who had found the song in an English music store. She is said to have used the song for the school Christmas pageant.
Now, I’d like to share with you Father Stockert’s essay. One can only assume that he must have come upon this explanation of the song at some point in his life and thought it to be the true record of the song’s history. Whether you find it spiritually rewarding or just a footnote as another Internet urban myth debunked, at least you’ll be entertained and learn the true history of the song, along with a little world history and Christian history in the bargain.
Father Stockert’s Essay
To most, the Christmas song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, is a nonsense rhyme set to music, but it’s more than just a repetitious melody about a bunch of strange gifts.
From 1558 to 1829, after Henry VIII abolished Catholicism and established the Church of England in order to facilitate and legalize his marriage to Anne Boleyn, Catholics in England were banned from any private or public practice of their faith. It was a crime to be a Catholic.
The Twelve Days of Christmas was written as a catechism song to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. A memory aid was necessary since to be caught with anything in writing that indicated adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned but also could get you hanged or beheaded.
The gifts mentioned in the song had hidden meanings. The true love mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The me who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so...."
The symbolism of the song in its entirety:
Day 1
A Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ, Our Lord
Day 2
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
Day 3
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Love, the Theological Virtues
Day 4
4 Calling Birds = the 4 Gospels and/or the 4 Evangelists
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Originally this was a colly bird. Colly means black as coal so a colly bird was probably a black bird.
Day 5
5 Golden Rings = the first 5 Books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy give the history of man's fall from grace. Originally this was a gold-ringed pheasant, another bird which re-establishes the first seven verses as being birds.
Day 6
6 Geese A-laying = the 6 Days of Creation
Day 7
7 Swans A-swimming = the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit: the 7 Sacraments
Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, and Compassion
Day 8
8 Maids A-milking = the 8 Beatitudes
Blessed are: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
Day 9
9 Ladies Dancing = the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control
Day 10
10 Lords A-leaping = the 10 Commandments
Day 11
11 Pipers Piping = the 11 Faithful Apostles
Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James. The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
Day 12
12 Drummers Drumming = the 12 Points of Doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell (the grave).
5. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8. the holy catholic (universal) Church, 9. the communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins, 11. the resurrection of the body, and
12. and life everlasting.
Takeaway Truth
Perhaps, the next time you hear what seems to be that silly nonsensical Christmas song, you’ll reflect on the fact that it's actually a chronicle of Christian history. May God bless you and your family this Christmas and every day of the New Year.
Thursday3Some: Cathy’s Angel by Pamela S. Thibodeaux
.About Pamela S. Thibodeaux
Pam is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, Inspirational with an Edge! ™ and reviewed as "steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message."
Visit Pam Online
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter
About Cathy's Angel
Single mom Cathy Johnson is tired of running her life alone…what she needs is a well-trained angel to help out. Jared Savoy gave up the dream of having a family when he discovered he is sterile. Can a confirmed bachelor and the mother of four find love amid normal daily chaos?
When did you write Cathy’s Angel?
Cathy’s Angel was written and published in 2007 by The Wild Rose Press for their White Rose (Inspirational) line. It continues to be a Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishing title.
What was the spark that gave you the story idea?
Way back in the 90’s I attended a workshop hosted by NOLA-RWA chapter in Shreveport, Louisiana, at which Nora Roberts was the guest speaker. She had us write an assignment, a “hook” and read it to the class. I wrote a scene about a woman jogging who resents the appearance of a newcomer–feeling as though he is intruding on her quiet time. I fleshed out the scene into a short story which was accepted but never published by a romance Ezine. When TWRP ventured into short stories as well as novels, I submitted it there.
Why do readers buy Cathy’s Angel?
Although the story contains a spiritual message as all mine do, people enjoy Cathy’s Angel because it is a light-hearted romance and a quick read.
Add Cathy's Angel to Your Library
Kindle * Pelican Book Group
Takeaway Truth
If you haven't read inspirational romance before, a short story is the perfect form to sample this popular genre.
Give-But Give Smart
During the holiday season, most people like to give to help others whether it's dropping money into the Salvation Army pot in front of their local stores or donating to an organized charity.We live in the land of plenty. I've traveled enough in other parts of the world to realize that the poorest person in this country is rich compared to many struggling to put food on the table each day...to keep a roof overhead...even to find clean water to drink each day.
Do Something Amazing
It's great to give to those not as fortunate during the holidays, but I'd like to challenge you to do something amazing. Adopt a charity or local group that you will support until next Christmas. Make a monthly gift, no matter how small, to a group that you've selected who are worthy of your support.
How to Find Worthy Groups
Before giving even a dime to any group, check them out on Top Rated by Charity Watch. The American Institute of Philanthropy, AIP, operates this watchdog group that rates charities from A+ to F based on how they use the donated monies.
Although Charity Watch now charges an annual membership fee to use their resources, they still offer their Top Rated lists free.
For instance, the American Cancer Society is not on the Top Rated list, but 13 other cancer charities including Cancer Research Institute are. (I don't know what their rating is now, but the last time I checked, American Cancer Society received only C+ because 97% of their overhead is paid for by contributions with only 60% of donation money going to the stated goal of the charity.)
My Support Requirements
Ability to donate in the name of someone else.
Ability to donate online with a card sent to the recipient.
Majority of the donated money goes to the programs, not staff salaries and bonuses.
No excessive funds held in reserve rather than used to help people.
No secrets--full disclosure of basic financial information.
Spend little on fund raising.
Visit Top Rated by Charity Watch
When you check the Charity Watch website, you can read their requirements. Of more than 500 charities rated, only a small percentage qualify for their Top-Rated listing which is B+ to A+.
Takeaway Truth
If you're like me, you work hard for your money. You want to give, but you want to make sure your money goes for the intended purpose, not to pay for some power lunch and not to pay to create a blizzard of other requests from them every time the moon changes. Be smart about giving so you make each dollar count. Happy Holidays!
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