Amazon Encore!

I'm happy to announce that two of my titles from The Wild Rose Press, Alaska Heart and Firefly Mountain, have been republished by Amazon Encore. This program seeks to get previously published books by "emerging authors" in front of readers with a magical Amazon push. I'm excited about the possibilities.

And about being called an "emerging author."

Firefly Mountain re-release date was August 25th.
Alaska Heart re-release date was September 1st.

Both are now available for download. Read more about Amazon Encore here.

Firefly Mountain

Firefighter Patrick Barre is determined to hide away in the woods of Vermont. He's content to do his job, remodel his house, and enjoy the company of his arson-detection dog, Midas. Scars from the fire that destroyed his family keep him from letting anyone into his life.

Gini Claremont uses her camera to celebrate the beauty of life. Nature soothes her, while anger is dangerous for Gini--and anyone near her. If she doesn't guard her emotions, her surroundings could go up in flames. Living alone, keeping busy, and letting her family keep watch on her is best for everyone.

When an arsonist declares war on their town, Patrick and Gini reluctantly band together to sift through the ashes, each holding a secret close to the heart. As the arson escalates, so does their mutual attraction. Will teaming up put out the fires, or start a whole new one?

Alaska Heart

Alaska is supposed to be cold, so why is Alanna Cormac on fire? 

Sent on a dream assignment to Denali National Park, nature magazine writer Alanna Cormac has no intentions of falling in love with Dale Ramsden, sexy Iditarod winner. When Dale, his family, and even his eighteen sled dogs charm their way into her heart, however, Alanna’s fast-track New York instincts crumble. The Alaskan landscape and the caress of a man too good to be true ignite feelings she never had time to explore before. Feelings that have her so blissfully busy she’s unaware she’s being watched. Judged. Targeted. 

She’s next.

Love will either save her or swallow her whole. Is there a difference?

Toodles,

Chris

www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

The Maple Leaf Series – Books One to Four now available – More Than Pancakes, Book One is always FREE!

More Than Candy Corn – A Maple Leaf Series Halloween Novella, coming October!

8 Things That Should Always Be Cold

 

1.      Ice cream – Peanut butter cup ice cream is only good if it causes peanut butter cup-induced brain freeze.

2.      Snow – Imagine sledding or skiing in a bikini. It just wouldn’t be right. Cold is part of what makes snow so pristine.

3.      Sangria – Fruit meets booze on the rocks. Has to be cold. Must be.

4.      Christmas – I went to Disney once at Christmas and it was weird. After thirty-something cold Christmases, a gal can’t just go warm all of a sudden.

5.      Watermelon – The juice dribbling down your chin in a cold stream is half the fun of eating watermelon. Room temp melon is just wrong.

6.      Air conditioning – Blast it, baby. No such thing as too cold.

7.      The Arctic – C’mon. The polar bears need ice and shit. Save the Arctic.

8.      Villains’ hearts – I like over-the-top villains who don’t think twice about being cold and nasty.

 

What would you add to this list?

For some warm-hearted fun in a cold place, try my book Alaska Heart. One sexy Iditarod winner who likes racing in the cold weather, one nature magazine writer interested in writing the cold truth about Denali, and eighteen sled dogs who like to mush on cold snow combine to give you a hot romp, Alaska-style.

 

 

Toodles!

 

Chris

www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

Vacation Destinations Numbers 1-5

And now to conclude my list of vacation destinations. If you missed numbers 6-10, find my August 4th post and catch up!

5. Bermuda

People keep telling me I should go, so I'll pop it on this list. Hey, I'm always open to suggestions. Especially ones that involve packing only a swimsuit.

4. New Orleans, Louisiana

I heart Harry Connick Jr. and Harry Connick Jr. hearts New Orleans. So...that's it.

3. Vermont

I have a place here. I eventually want to live here, but for now, I'll take weekending in this beautiful state with the quiet mountains. That's the view from my great room windows. Sick, right?

2. Bon Temps, Louisiana

Okay, okay, I know it's not a real place, but damn! I want to go there soooo bad. Click HERE to see a fun website about the True Blood fictional town.

1. Alaska

I went on a cruise here in 2000. Best vacation EVER! I'd love to go back and do a more land-focused tour. Get up close and personal with some Alaskan wildlife. Sometimes I reread parts of my book ALASKA HEART to pretend I'm there. Seriously, if you haven't been, go. You won't regret a single minute of it.

So I guess I'd better start saving for some of these excursions so I can cross them off my list. I do so love crossing things off lists.

Do you have any trips planned? Where to?

Toodles,
Chris
www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com Adult Romance
www.christymajor.weebly.com YA Romance
www.christineteaches.weebly.com Teaching Writing

Who is Dale Ramsden?

Welcome to our guest today, Dale Ramsden of ALASKA HEART, by Christine DePetrillo. Oops, sorry. My mistake. We’ve got a barking Siberian Husky here pretty upset that I didn’t mention her too. My apologies, Gypsy. We’re glad you’re here as well.

Dale: She doesn’t like to be left out.

Christine: Nobody does and I’m glad you brought her.

Dale: I don’t know that I actually brought her. Gypsy seems to think she’s got the right to go wherever I go. She’s a little headstrong like that.

Christine: It’s what makes her a good lead sled dog, right?

Dale: Absolutely. I never would have won the Iditarod Race without her at the front of the pack. She keeps everyone in line and always gives 110%, right, girl?

Gypsy: Ruff, ruff, ruff.

Christine: Sounds like she agrees. How is the rest of the pack?

Dale: Everyone is doing well. In top shape. Eager to train for the next race.

Christine: And you’re working at your father’s tavern, Ram’s Den, between races, correct?

Dale: Yep. You should come in for a piece of Dad’s peanut butter pie. It’s killer.

Christine: And a wonderful way to be killed, I’m sure. I’ll be sure to swing by. Do you like to cook like your father does?

Dale: I don’t mind cooking, but I’d rather be working with my dogs or building things. I don’t like to be inside for long periods of time.

Christine: Even in Alaska where most of the time it’s not exactly beach weather outside?

Dale: Eh, I’ve lived in Alaska my whole life. I’m immune to the cold. Most of the time I’m not just standing still outside either. The key is to keep moving. You know, work up a sweat.

Christine: Right. Any favorite ways you like to work up a sweat?

Dale: I like to vary it. Don’t want to get bored.

Christine: It’s important to keep it fresh. Next question, what made you get into sled racing?

Dale: I guess it goes back to not wanting to get bored. With sled racing, there’s always something going on. Whether it’s raising the dogs, training them, finding new trails to explore, or actually racing, there’s never a dull moment. I never get the feeling that I have nothing to do, and I like to be busy. I also like the survival element involved in the Iditarod. It’s fun and a challenge battling the elements with nothing but the equipment on your sled and the dogs.

Christine: Isn’t it dangerous too?

Dale: There is that, but I’ve got Gypsy here, and she’s saved me before. I can count on her.

Christine: She’s a handy dog to have around.

Gypsy: Ruff, ruff, ruff

Dale: I believe she thinks so too.

Christine: Okay, final question, Dale. Would you recommend hopping online to find a soul mate?

Dale: Absolutely. It worked for me. I have to say, I never thought Alanna would actually come to Alaska from New York when I told her to in an email, but I’m soooo glad she did. She’s part of our pack now, and we’re all better off because of it.

Gypsy: Ruff, ruff, ruff

Christine: Thanks for joining us today, Dale AND Gypsy. Good luck in the next Iditarod Race.

Dale: Thanks for having us.

Folks, pick up your copy of ALASKA HEART today! Visit www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com to learn more about the book.

Toodles,

Chris

www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

www.nighteternal.weebly.com  

What if Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day

A fellow Rose of Prose told me about this odd observance for March 4^th - What if Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day. Well, I can tell you this, I’ve got two cats and a dog, and if they had opposable thumbs, they’d be doing some chores around the house to help me out.

Here are my darlings:

Anubis

Shikari

Jamu

All three of them do an enormous amount of sleeping while I’m running around like a nut taking care of…well…everything! They’re lazing in the sunshine, chilling out on their beds, basically living the life I want to live, darn it. They never have to get up, get dressed, go to work. They have a roof over their heads, food in their tummies, all the petting and playing an animal could ask for, and they don’t have to do a thing for all this.

Slackers. Leeches. Infidels!

Ahem, sorry. Got carried away there. Where was I?

Ah, yes, opposable thumbs. If my animals had these, the cats would be charged with dusting. Their ability to reach high places would make them uniquely qualified to get at those pesky dust bunnies. I think they could also manage some small gardening jobs, weeding in particular. I hate weeding. It’s a futile job perfect for felines.

The dog could handle more strenuous tasks. He’s a big boy at over 65 pounds at just six months old. He’d be good with the vacuum, and it would serve him right for getting stuck with that chore since he’s the one dropping hair all over the house and dragging in dirt and grass from outside. He’d be good at shoveling snow too and mowing the lawn.

I could load my furry residents with duties, I suppose, but does having opposable thumbs guarantee that they would do the jobs correctly? I have high standards for cleaning and landscaping. I don’t know that they could make the grade. They’re good kids and all, but I’ve seen the way they live. They’re slobs.

I love them, but they’re slobs.

As I think more about this, I’m afraid that I will have to keep doing the chores myself. I’m just too Type A to let the responsibilities fall into their paws. I’ll stick to tossing balls and Frisbees, taking long walks, chasing string, and snuggling with my feline and canine kids. That’s why I have them anyway.

If you’d like to read about some amazing canines, pick up ALASKA HEART at these locations:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble    

Christine

www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com