Romance Under the Moonlight: Gifts

Showing posts with label Gifts. Show all posts

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent Christmas Romance: Gifts #wewriwa #snippetsunday

First, Happy New Year to everyone visiting the blog. I hope 2017 is off to a great start for you!

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

About this snippet: Reassurance.

ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

Famke reached out and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a fierce hug. He returned the embrace. She felt his muscles relax a bit and he pulled away, his gaze seeking hers.
"I'm staying right here," Famke mouthed, as her eyes grew moist.
He cupped her cheek and his thumb lightly stroked her jaw, "Thank you," he whispered.
Famke leaned close. Chris lowered his head and she sealed her promise with a kiss near his lips, afraid if they actually kissed, she'd break the last professional barrier between them.

He slowly drew away and removed his hand, "What now?"

GIFTS:

BLURB:

Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.

Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.

Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON: http://a.co/6oQwA7j

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

Smashwords :https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gifts/id894235912?mt=11

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271548-gifts

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer: "This love story is a joy to read."

5 stars, Delores Goodrick Beggs, Amazon Reviewer: "The touches of Old World Christmas combined with Olympic ice skating make this well-written story a special read I couldn't put down."

5 Stars, Diana Amper, Amazon Reviewer: "Excellent Short Story."

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Snippet Sunday: Merry Christmas! 99 cent romance: Gifts

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

About this snippet: Famke and Chris go Christmas shopping.

ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

Chris directed her toward the Kris Kringle market. Famke spied a big gray tent in the middle of the pedestrian area with a small grill station nearby, cooking various sausages and pieces of chickens.
"It smells wonderful," she said.
Chris thoughtfully nodded, but didn't reply. She hoped she hadn't made him feel uncomfortable with her compliment. Giving him time, she walked through the aisles between the wooden booths. There were handmade ornaments, gloves, hats, and clogs. Several booths sold chocolates, marzipan, candles, candies, taffies, scarves, and toys.
She danced up to a booth and pointed to a long, wide set of clogs decorated with painted blue tulips. "I think this pair is for you."

GIFTS:

BLURB:

BUY LINKS:

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Snippet Sunday: Gifts, 99 cents Christmas romance #wewriwa

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

About this snippet: Famke talks to her brother.

ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

They arrived at the rink and Stephen opened the door for her. They checked in with the security guard and approached the ice. Famke spied Chris concentrating on his footwork and axels.
"Are you Miss deVries?"
Famke tore her gaze away from Chris and discovered an older man walking toward her. He was of average height, balding, with bushy eyebrows, and a tad heavyset. He wore a blue sweatshirt and gloves.
Stephen placed his hand on her shoulder,"Maks, this is my sister, Famke."
He looked her over from head to toe, "You look like a skater."
She wrinkled her nose, "Thank you, I think."

GIFTS:

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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent Christmas romance: Gifts #snippetsunday #wewriwa

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

About this snippet: Famke talks to her brother.

ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

"Does Chris have a girlfriend?"
"No."
Famke poked her tongue against her cheek, but decided to continue, "He seemed a little sad to me yesterday."
"He had a skating accident last year. He and his partner were training at an outdoor rink and he stumbled on some uneven ice. She was in an overhead lift."
Famke covered her mouth with her hand, surprised to learn this, "Was she hurt?"
"No, Katrien was fine, but the way she fell, her blades cut him on the arm and on the side of his face. It took him several months to recover. She left him for a new partner."

GIFTS:

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BUY LINKS:

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent Christmas Romance: Gifts #wewriwa #snippetsunday #cheapread

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

About this snippet: Famke and Chris talk ice skating.

ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

"Have you skated pairs before?"
"No, but I'm game to try it."
He opened his palm up, "Put your hand in mine."
"Why?"
"Please."
There was something in the tone of his voice, something which implied he was looking for her trust, but there was also a hint of doubt. She slid her hand over his palm and he grasped her fingers, his grip firm, strong, and steady.
"Squeeze me back," he said, staring at her with such intensity, her heart tripped.
"All right," Her fingers clasped his.
"Good, our grips need to be similar so when I lift you, you trust me."

GIFTS:

BLURB:

BUY LINKS:

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Snippet Sunday: 99 cents Christmas romance: Gifts #wewriwa

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Gifts. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

About this snippet: Famke meets her new ice skating partner.

ENJOY THIS SNIPPET:

Chris had always been tall, but slim, with a wild haircut and a very pale complexion. He was still tall, but now he filled out his clothes well with his muscular frame and broad shoulders. His hair was golden- yellow, but he'd found a cut that framed his face to perfection. She spied a scar on his temple, and despite the imperfection, it gave him a very masculine appearance. Oh, dear. Christian Jansen had become a very handsome man.

He approached, his gait emphasizing the force of his thighs and the slimness of his hips. She prayed a man that good looking wasn't vain and self-absorbed. She couldn't work with anyone who was like that.

Christian stopped and held out his box, "Hi. I bought you a gift."
She pointed to her chest, a bit surprised, "For me?"

GIFTS:

BLURB:

BUY LINKS:

Monday, July 27, 2015

Christmas in July: 99 cent romance: Gifts #christmasinjuly

Enjoy this snippet from my 99 cent sweet Christmas romance, "Gifts," featuring Jimmy Thomas on the cover.

BLURB:

Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.

Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.

Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics?

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

He said nothing, only stared at her, and she knew she would have to give something of herself first.

"Stephen sacrificed a lot when I went to train in the States. He put our father in a care facility and I know that wasn't a decision he made lightly. You were there for him and I appreciate that."

A spark of some indefinable emotion grew in his eyes. He drew in a long breath. "About a year ago, I had my partner in an overhead lift and stumbled on some uneven ice. She fell."

"Was she all right?"

"Yes, but her blade cut my arm, breaking it. I suffered a sprained ankle, too. I spent several weeks recovering and in physical therapy. During that time, Katrien left me." His voice resonated with the same sadness Famke had seen earlier. A sudden thought came to her.

"Does Katrien have red hair?"

"Yes." He paused. "She was at the rink the first time you met Maks."

"I thought so. Look, Chris, I'm not going to leave you."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I mean it." Her voice was firm. "I'm not leaving you."

"Why?" His voice dropped in volume.

"Because you didn't leave my brother."

"He's my friend."

Famke reached out and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a fierce hug. He returned the embrace. She felt his muscles relax a bit and he pulled away, finding her eyes.

"I'm staying right here." Famke mouthed, as her eyes grew moist.

He cupped her cheek and his thumb lightly stroked her jaw. "Thank you," he whispered.

Famke leaned close. Chris lowered his head and she sealed her promise with a kiss near his lips, afraid if they actually kissed, she'd break the last professional barrier between them.

He slowly drew away and removed his hand. "What now?"

REVIEWS:

"A well written story I couldn't put down," 5 Stars, Delores Goodrick Beggs, Amazon Reviewer.

"This love story is a joy to read," 5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer.

"The characters are appealing," 5 Stars, Reader Forever, Amazon Reviwer.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00DPV86E8

Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

Smashwords:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/gifts-11

Giveaway:

Leave a comment and I'll pick one lucky winner on 27 JULY to receive a print copy of the 2012 Christmas Anthology where this story was featured.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Christmas in July: 99 cent sweet romance: Gifts #christmasinjuly

Chris entered the apartment and flicked on the light. They stepped into a living room area. Most of the furniture reminded her of pine wood. Wrought iron finishes and windmill portraits gave the room personality, but it needed a woman's touch. Chris walked down the hall and placed Famke's bag in a bedroom. She followed him and peered over his shoulder, placing one hand on his waist. He was all muscle. She wasn't sure why she had reached out to him, but she had a sense he'd been trying to shake off a lingering sadness since he saw the red-haired woman on the street.

"This is your room," he said softly.

She glanced up at his soulful, hazel eyes, convinced a certain melancholy haunted him. "Thank you," she said.

"You're welcome." His voice was quiet.

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" she asked.

"No." He turned to face her. "Have you skated pairs before?"

"No, but I'm game to try it."

He opened his palm up. "Put your hand in mine."

"Why?"

"Please."

There was something in the tone of his voice, something that implied he was looking for her trust, but there was also a hint of doubt. She slid her hand over his palm and he grasped her fingers, his grip firm, strong, and steady.

"Squeeze me back," he said, staring at her with such intensity, her heart tripped.

"All right." Her fingers clasped his.

"Good. Our grips need to be similar so when I lift you, you trust me."

Slowly, she released him. "All right."

He took a step back and offered her a small smile. "Maks and I use the Westergasfabriek ice rink." He reached into his pocket and handed her a business card. "Can you meet us there at two? It's the only time we could book for tomorrow."

"I'll be there."

He awkwardly gestured toward the hall. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Famke escorted him to the main door. She'd been brought up to always see a guest off when they left.

Chris paused in the doorframe and jammed his hands into his pockets. "Good night."

"Good night," she replied.

He departed and she closed the door. Drifting into the kitchen, Famke inspected her brother's cabinets, but her thoughts lingered on Chris. Something troubled him. But would trying to discover what it was cross the professionalism she wanted to keep?

REVIEWS:

"A well written story I couldn't put down," 5 Stars, Delores Goodrick Beggs, Amazon Reviewer.

"This love story is a joy to read," 5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer.

"The characters are appealing," 5 Stars, Reader Forever, Amazon Reviwer.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00DPV86E8

Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

Smashwords:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/gifts-11

Giveaway:

Leave a comment and I'll pick one lucky winner on 27 JULY to receive a print copy of the 2012 Christmas Anthology where this story was featured.