How do you celebrate?

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Happy New Year's Eve!  What are you up to tonight?  Going out to a party? Staying in with friends and family?  Whatever you do, I hope you have a great time!  Stay safe out there!

A day in the life...

4:00 am

"Mom.  Mom."  Poke, poke.  "MOM!"
"Ugh.  What is it?"
"Oh, hey.  You're up.  We have a problem."
"We do?"
"Yes.  I can see the bottom of my food bowl."
"Is there still food in it?"
"Some.  But not as much as before.  I'm really hungry."
"Then finish the food that is there."
"But Mom, I'm starving here!"
"No, you're not.  Now let me go back to sleep.  Not all of us get to take 18 hour naps."
"Fine.  I'll just go gnaw on some books for sustenance."
"Sounds good."  Pause.  "Wait, what did you say?!"

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Greetings and salutations, my fellow book-lovers!  It's time for another blog giveaway! (pause for cheering)

I've got several goodies up for grabs on this hop!  First up are 3 copies of Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning.  If you like paranormal, urban fantasy romance, this is a series for you!  Darkfever is the first book in the series, so you haven't missed anything if you start with this one.  Here's the back cover blurb:

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

If you're in the mood for a romantic suspense with a holiday theme, I also have 3 copies of my December release, LETHAL LIES, up for grabs!

Trusting the man she loves could cost her her life

Putting her faith in someone who lies for a living isn't the safest thing Dr. Jillian Mahoney has ever done. But to stay alive, she has to believe the undercover agent—who's kidnapped her to prove his innocence—isn't a traitor to the FBI. And to help him, she must deny their intense attraction as they run from two vengeful killers.

Her captor, Alex Malcom, has lived a life of lies—some worse than others. Still, there's one truth he's reluctant to disclose to Jillian, the woman of his dreams. One that could stop their relationship cold.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You have until midnight, January 1 to enter.  US only please.  In the meantime, Happy Holidays!  And be sure to check out the other blogs participating in this hop!

Celebrate the Small Things - A Pause

I hope you've all had a great week!  Mister and I are on our way to New Orleans, so I'll check in with you next week!  Have a nice weekend :)

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

Celebrate the Small Things - Family edition

Yay!  The week is over!  We made it, guys!

This week, I'm celebrating getting to go see my brother.  He lives several states away, and since his job doesn't allow him to have time off for the holidays, my Mom and I are headed his way for the weekend.  Should be a nice time!

What are you up to this weekend?

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

Celebrate the Small Things - Weekend edition!

We made it through another week!  What's more, I've made it through another semester!  I'm not totally done yet, as we have finals next week and I still have grades to calculate, but since classes aren't meeting I'm going to consider it the end.  Phew!

My weekend plans...

This weekend, I'm celebrating the fact that I get to relax and hang out.  My book has been turned in, the edits have been completed, and I have a fair amount of time until my next deadline.  I'm going to take the weekend to just unwind and enjoy having nothing to do!

I'm also celebrating the fact that my third book, LETHAL LIES was released this week! Woo hoo!  If you haven't picked up a copy yet, I'd be very grateful if you did. :)

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle | Print

Barnes & Noble Nook | Print

Books-A-Million eBook | Print

Hope you all had a good week, and a good weekend!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

'Tis the season.... IWSG December

Time for another IWSG post!  Check out the website and sign up to join us!

This month, I want to take a moment and offer my thanks.  I've had a wonderful year, both personally and professionally, and I really appreciate all the support I've received from the blogging community.  This is a really great group of people, and I want you all to know that the time you've taken to visit my blog and your kind words mean a lot to me.

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday season!  See you next month!

Guest Blog!

Hi everyone!  I'm over at Just Romantic Suspense today and tomorrow, promoting my new release LETHAL LIES!  Drop by and say hi, and tell me about your favorite winter weather for a chance to win a print copy of my book :)

Trusting the man she loves could cost her her life 

Putting her faith in someone who lies for a living isn't the safest thing Dr. Jillian Mahoney has ever done. But to stay alive, she has to believe the undercover agent—who's kidnapped her to prove his innocence—isn't a traitor to the FBI. And to help him, she must deny their intense attraction as they run from two vengeful killers. 

Her captor, Alex Malcom, has lived a life of lies—some worse than others. Still, there's one truth he's reluctant to disclose to Jillian, the woman of his dreams. One that could stop their relationship cold.

Buy links!

Amazon Kindle | Print

Barnes & Noble Nook | Print

Books-A-Million eBook | Print

Celebrate the Small Things - Potpourii Edition

Hi everyone!  How was your week?  Not so bad, here.  In fact, I have a lot of little things to celebrate, which makes for an overall great week! :)

In no particular order...

1) I finished my edits for my May release, KILLER EXPOSURE (available for pre-order now!).  My editor reviewed and approved them (yay!), so now I get one more pass over the manuscript before it goes to the presses!

2) Mister and I are going to hang out with some friends tonight.  We haven't seen them in ages, and I'm really looking forward to catching up with them.

3) I've reached the point in the semester where my students are all giving their presentations.  It's kind of nice to be able to sit back and listen for a change!

4) I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping!  I'm trying really hard to finish soon, because I just don't want to set foot in the mall during December.  Who's with me?

Image source

5) We got a the lightest dusting of snow this past weekend.  It was lovely to look at, and thankfully it melted in a matter of minutes.  My heart goes out to the people of Buffalo--there is no way I could survive that kind of weather!  I'm a Texas girl, through and through.

So that's my good stuff for the week.  What about you?  How are things in your world?

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

P.S. I'm hosting a giveaway of LETHAL LIES on GoodReads!  Be sure to enter for your chance to win an early copy!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Lethal Lies

by Lara Lacombe

Giveaway ends November 24, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

LETHAL LIES giveaway!

In anticipation of LETHAL LIES coming out in a few short weeks (how the time flies!) I've set up a giveaway on GoodReads!  Stop by, or use the widget below to enter for your chance to win 1 of 5 copies!  US entrants only please.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Lethal Lies

by Lara Lacombe

Giveaway ends November 24, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Lethal Lies sample chapter!

Check out the first chapter of Lethal Lies! The book comes out in December, and is available for pre-order now! :)

Celebrate the Small Things - Better late than never edition!

Apologies to all--it's been a crazy couple of weeks, and I'm just now getting to sit down and update my sadly neglected blog.

But let's not dwell on that when we have fun things to celebrate!  I'm participating in the Readers & Ritas conference in Allen, Texas.  It's sponsored by Fresh Fiction, and I'm having a blast!  I've met so many new readers and fellow authors, and it's been a ton of fun.  This is my first year going, but I'm definitely going to make a habit of it!

I'm also celebrating getting my edits back for my May release, KILLER EXPOSURE.  I know a lot of authors dread having to do edits, but I like to think of it as a chance to make the book better, and I appreciate the fact that I have this opportunity.  My deadline is a little tight, but that just means I have to work smarter!

What are you celebrating this week?

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

Spooktacular Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to all who participated in this giveaway!  I'll have more books up for grabs in the coming weeks, so be sure to tune in frequently!

And now to the winners....

5 copies of FATAL FALLOUT

Courtney Whisenant
Anne
Elizabeth Hyatt
Amber Terry
Sean Chou

2 copies of The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

Elizabeth Holtrop
Stephanie Sandefur

Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

Judy Cox

Warrior Ascended by Addison Fox

Lindsey V.

A Demon Does It Better by Linda Wisdom

Lynn Croxton

Derik's Bane by MaryJanice Davidson

Brandi Dagwan

Celebrate the Small Things - Pumpkin edition

***BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO ENTER IN MY OCTOBER GIVEAWAY!  I've got lots of FREE BOOKS up for grabs!***

Congrats on making it through another week!  I'm about halfway through the semester, and I must admit, it's starting to wear on me.  Fortunately, I have two days to rest up and work on finishing my book, which is due on Monday!  Eeek!

This week, I'm celebrating that I get to help my Mom on Saturday.  She's a member of a charity that paints pumpkins as a fall fundraiser.  I usually help them paint, but my schedule didn't allow for that this year.  I do get to help them during the sale, which is on Saturday.  They've done a great job (as always) and it will be fun to help them sell their creations.  The money goes to help pediatric cancer patients, so it's a win-win all around.  Take a look at some of their work:

Which one is your favorite?  What are you celebrating this week?

***BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO ENTER IN MY OCTOBER GIVEAWAY!  I've got lots of FREE BOOKS up for grabs!***

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!

It's time for another giveaway!  I'm excited to participate in this month's hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.  Check out her blog for the list of participants!

I've got several prizes up for grabs, so be sure you scroll down to the end! You can enter each giveaway or just one--the choice is yours.

The giveaway will run until October 31.  On November 1, I'll post the winners.  Please note, this giveaway is for US entrants only.  Good luck!

Fatal Fallout by Lara Lacombe (that's me!) (5 signed copies)

Torn between duty and desire, two strangers must risk all for love 

Nuclear physicist Dr. Claire Fleming has one rule: never get close to anyone. But when her colleague is murdered and she's targeted next, she must place all her trust in FBI agent Thomas Kincannon. Soon Claire forgets her tenet as she fantasizes about Thomas's touch. 

Thomas is wildly attracted to Claire. But his life and his job are too complicated for any romantic entanglements. Despite this, they share a mind-blowing kiss, and there's no turning back. When Thomas's niece is abducted, the stakes become dangerously higher as Claire insists he trade her for the child. Somehow, Thomas must find a way to rescue his family and protect the woman who let her protective walls down just for him.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (2 copies)

24 new short stories from the hottest names

Fall in love with someone out of this world.

If love transcends all boundaries then paranormal romance is its logical conclusion. From the biggest names around, here are 24 tales to take you to another time and place.

Let Alyssa Day, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Cheyenne McCray, Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews, Kelley Armstrong, Maria V. Snyder, Carrie Vaughn, Allyson James Marland and others show you powers beyond your wildest imaginings.

Within these pages mythical beasts, magical creatures of all shapes and sizes, heart-stoppingly handsome ghosts, angels, and mortals with extra-sensitive sensory perception play out the themes of extraordinary desires.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione (1 copy)

They're here.

They ride.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . . 

LETHAL RIDER
Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, ReganCooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Warrior Ascended by Addison Fox (1 copy)

First in the dark and sexy paranormal romance series

Starring the immortal warriors of the zodiac

Charming, proud, and impulsive, Leo Warrior Brody Talbot is fighting what may be his final battle. Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity by harnessing the dark power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt. There's only one person who knows enough about the stones to help Brody stop her-beautiful museum curator Ava Harrison.

Never in all his centuries has Brody met a woman who enthralls him like Ava. But, bound to protect her, he struggles to deny his passion as they are drawn into a dark and dangerous final reckoning between good and evil.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
A Demon Does It Better by Linda Wisdom (1 copy)

A MADHOUSE IS NO PLACE FOR A CURIOUS WITCH...

After more than a century, Doctor Lili Carter, witch healer extraordinaire, has returned to San Francisco and taken a job at Crying Souls Hospital and Asylum, where something peculiar and wicked his happening. Patients are disappearing, and Lil wants to know why.

AND DOUBLY DANGEROUS FOR A DEMON...

Lili finds herself undeniably attracted to perhaps the most mysterious patient of all—a demented but seriously sexy demon named Jared. What's behind the gorgeous chameleon demon's late-night escapades?

Before long, Lili and Jared are investigating each other—and creating a whole new kind of magic.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Derik's Bane by MaryJanice Davidson (1 copy)

Derik's a werewolf with alpha issues--and a body to die for.

Sara is the personification of unspeakable evil--and smells like roses.

Now if they could just stop drooling over each other long enough to save the world.                  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrate the Small Things - Books in the Basin edition!

We made it to Friday!  Let's celebrate!

Today, Mister and I are driving to Odessa, Texas. Why, you ask?  Two reasons: Mister's mother and grandmother live there, and I'm participating in the Books in the Basin festival this weekend!  I have a session at 9:30 am on Saturday, and I'm part of a romance panel discussion at 2 pm.  In between, I have some book signings.  If you find yourself in the Midland/Odessa area this weekend, please stop by and say hi!

What are you up to this weekend?  Something fun, I hope!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

Free books!

Love romantic suspense?  Want free books?  Head on over to Just Romantic Suspense for the Fall for Suspense Giveaway!  It starts today and runs through October 5, and includes 30 books from some amazing authors!  I'm giving away a copy of FATAL FALLOUT, so be sure to enter for your chance to win!

Celebrate the Small Things - Concert edition!

Happy Friday!  Glad to see we all made it through another week.  What's going on with you?

Image credit

This week, I'm celebrating the fact that my Mom and I are going to see the Zac Brown Band concert tonight!  We're going early so we can check out the State Fair, which I'm looking forward to as I've never been to the State Fair before.  I can't wait to eat all the fried food!

What's on your weekend schedule?

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

IWSG - If it's not one thing.... (Writing entry)

Welcome, fellow IWSG'ers!  October is my favorite month, mainly because it's smack dab in the middle of fall, my favorite season.  In my mind, it doesn't get any better than cool days, changing leaves, and hot cider.

Fall also marks a return to my day job, and a shift in attitude.  Summers are laid-back and easy-going, but when the fall semester begins, I hit the ground running and don't stop until December.

No matter your career stage, be it unpublished author or multi-published superstar, it can be really easy to get caught up in work.  When you have deadlines, self-imposed or otherwise, it seems like every free moment is devoted to working toward that goal.

I'm not going to say that hard work is a bad thing.  Far from it.  But when we spend all day, every day working (day job, errands, chores, writing) it leaves no time for fun.  And if you're anything like me, down-time and fun help to rejuvenate my creativity.

I've been spending a lot of time working lately, and not a lot of time relaxing.  I've justified this because of my day job and looming deadlines, but I need to slow down and take time for myself.  If you find yourself in the same boat, I encourage you to do the same!

This is my entry for the IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond.  I give permission for this entry to be included in the anthology.  Here's my bio: Lara Lacombe writes romantic suspense with a scientific twist for Harlequin Romantic Suspense.  She blogs at www.laralacombe.com and loves to chat with readers!

Celebrate the Small Things - Fiddle Dee Dee edition

Happy Friday!  I hope you all had a good week.  I wish I could tell you that I've been up to something exciting, but during the week I just go to work and then come home and write.  Not exactly a thrilling time, but I'm not complaining.

This weekend, I'm looking forward to spending time with friends and family. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the release of the movie Gone With The Wind, and one of my area movie theaters is showing it on the big screen on Sunday.  I'm going with a group of friends and family, which should be fun.  I watched it on the big screen years ago with my mom, and it'll be nice to see it again.

What are you up to this weekend?  Did you have a good week?  Tell me about it!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?