Snow Bound (In All the Right Ways)
Snow. The very sight and sound of it’s descent to the earth is magical. The hushed anticipation that comes with the first few snowflakes as they drift to the ground before melting.
I know those of you who live with it knee-deep several times a year might not feel the same, but for those of us living in the southern United States, the appearance of this enchanting weather phenomenon is few and far between. My debut novella opens with the little town of Cadence experiencing the worst snowstorm the Tennessee valley has seen in a decade. While it takes several feet to confine those of you in other places to your homes, down south whole towns can be incapacitated by a few inches because we don’t have the equipment to keep roads clear and make travel safe on icy highways.
I have wonderful memories of few and far between snow days. The still silence of standing in the woods while crystallized flakes blanket the ground in a crunchy white crust. Watching the first reactions of my babies, totally unused to this freezing ground cover. My father and neighbors clearing our little rural road with their own chainsaws after waiting days for the county to move downed trees. And refusing to get on the roads because, in case you don’t know it, us southerners are dangerous on ice! Not near enough practice, in my opinion. But one particular memory stands out in my mind.
During the first year of my marriage, we had a major snowstorm that covered the state with a layer of ice underneath the white stuff, along with a week of temps that kept the slick surface from melting. And since we weren’t keen on getting run over, my hubby and I holed up in the house with a heating unit not nearly adequate enough to keep the freezing air at bay. Best defensive action? 2 bodies. 1 blanket.
I guess I don’t need to explain where that type of scenario might lead? Especially for newlyweds. SNOW BOUND’s hero and heroine are certainly tempted to heat up their nights while snowed into the heroine’s isolated farmhouse – if they can keep safe from the past determined to terrorize their cozy little nest.
What’s your favorite way to pass the time if you’re SNOW BOUND?
Today I’m giving away a cute little “snow” pack to 1 lucky commenter, including hot chocolate, a snowman cookie, fuzzy lap blanket, and a $5 Amazon gift card. My heroine would most definitely approve!
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SNOW BOUND
Available now through Amazon and Smashwords.
The last thing Damon West wants is a trip to his bookish neighbor’s house in the midst of the worst snowstorm Cadence, TN, has seen in a decade. Still, his military instincts warn him that Miss Priss could use a little help. His arrival is met with an attack by an unknown assailant and the sight of Miss Priss in a sexy wisp of nothing-much, confidently wielding a double-barreled shotgun.
Tori Anderson carefully portrays herself as a responsible bookstore owner and capable young woman to anyone willing to look twice. But two men grappling in her backyard called for speed more than decorum. That’s how the guy she’d been secretly lusting after since he’d bought the house next door sees her in a silky robe and panties—with nothing in between. Damon’s sudden interest thrills her, but she can’t help worrying about the unknown threat scared off by her shotgun blast.
Trapped in her house under several feet of snow with no way to reach the outside world, Tori finally has the chance to indulge her wildest fantasies. But she isn’t sure which is more daunting—the abusive boyfriend back to punish her or her desire to have more than one night with the town’s most unavailable bachelor.
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There are a few things I like to do when snow bound (doesn’t happen very often here!). Baking cookies, cakes and such because it’s just makes the house cozy then curling up by a fireplace and reading a good book or hanging out with hubby.
Congrats on your debut release! Thanks for the giveaway!
suz2(at)cox(dot)net
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Definitely a warm blanket, a hot cup of cocoa or hazelnut coffee, and a good book. Depending on how good, the hubby might share my blanket! 😉
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Oohhh now that sounds like a great story!! Wrap up in a blanket or stay in bed all day;) Either way I can’t wait to read it!!
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Ohhh…wish I was snuggled up in bed with it right now!
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I miss the snow so much! I live in Alaska and Nebrask growing up and now live in Houston. We only see it once every couple of years. I love to snuggle and read…preferably with husband!
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Wow, should edit my entry before hitting submit. Sorry about that! “lived” and “Nebraska” and with my husband-geez.
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Reading and watching tv. I remember one snowstorm we got so much snow. We didn’t have heat or tv. We went to our local hotel and rented a room with heat and tv.
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I live in Maine so we get a lot of snow. We normally still have to go to work as usual…In fact I drove home from work in blizzard conditions last Wednesday! On those REALLY bad days or the occasional snowy day off though, I love to snuggle up on the couch with my husband and watch movies. Then see where the rest of the day takes us!! 😉
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Curling up in front of the fire with a hot drink and read a steamy book 🙂
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Ah, Susan, baking while we’re snowed inside always makes the kids happy! They get to eat and the house smells so good! 🙂 Great thing to do when you’re tired of being outside in the cold.
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Yep, a fuzzy blanket, good book, and hot chocolate seems to be a big hit! I definitely concur!
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Ah, poor Amy! The few times I’ve been in Houston in the winter I didn’t even need a coat! 😉 But living in the south myself, I totally understand. I wouldn’t want to have snow constantly, but more often than we get it here would be nice. Last year we had several good storms and I loved that!!!
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Amy S — must have heat!!!! Body heat is great, but after a while its nice if the rooms aren’t freezing. 😯
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Michele H, see that’s the beauty of the south, what snow we do get (even as little as an inch) can shut everything down. But I’m glad you get the occasional snowy day at home!
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My ideal way of coping with snowy weather is to camp out on the couch in front of the fireplace with my big comfy quilt sipping cinnamon hot cocoa (with whip cream and marshmallows). Reading a steamy book completes my dream day of course!
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Congrats on the debut, you must be so thrilled! I have discovered the lovely advantages of an electric blanket…so that, a light source and several books, plus a warm body to snuggle up to are ideal for me. Thanks for the giveaway.
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I’ll get comfy on the couch and watch some of my favorite comedies like Porky’s, The Hangover and The 40 Year Old Virgin.
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Ah, Joder! Y’all are making me wish I had a working fireplace. 🙁
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ELF, I grew up in an old farmhouse with wood stove heating, so electric blankets are a must!!!! If the hubby and I didn’t have a tempurpedic, I’d sleep with 1 every night. So snuggly!
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Jane, You would be a woman after Damon’s heart! He’s just the type of guy to watch comedies on a cold, snowy day. 😉
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Being a born and bred New Englander, I SO understand being SNOW BOUND. Thankfully, it wasn’t too bad, with the heat not going out, as we did not have a fireplace as we do now, living in North East Georgia. Almost 2 years ago, when the snow/ice storm shut down NEGA for a few days, we all hunkered down in front of the fireplace, told stories, and generally made the kids laugh. My older kids remembered snow from before we moved. The younger two only remember the dustings since we moved here. A dusting to us is anything 4 inches and less. :p
As a newly wed in MA with a snow storm that takes out the power? Don’t stay snuggled on the waterbed. After a bit, it starts getting COLD! LOL!
Stacy Wilson
dragn_lady at yahoo dot com
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Well, since falling on ice a 3.5 years ago, I try my hardest to stay put whenever there is snow & ice out. I curl up with a blankie and a good, hot romance. Some chocolate, either cocoa or some sort of candy makes it even better 🙂
Btw, the story sounds really good. I have not read any of your books but will have to check into them.
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LOL! Well, it depends on who I’m snowbound WITH! With family? Snuggly blankets, firewood, and some fun board games and craft supplies… Just DH? Maybe we can skip the board games 😉 In either case, also add lotsa books! Very fun, Dani!
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I wish I were snow bound right now, not just for a bit of good lovin’ either.
I am absolutely sweltering here today & it’s not even Summer yet. A storm is threatening, so fingers crossed.
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I live in Georgia – we freak OUT in snow
so – staying IN with blanket & good bood — or good hunk good idea!
P
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ok – OOPS 😳
I meant good BOOK
ok – maybe I had hunk with good BOD on the brain!!
it was the cover!!! of the book
made my brain all mushy
pretty MAN!!!
P
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Stacy, There was a huge discussion over the cover, because some people said, “That’s not enough snow to be locked inside.” 🙂 But that’s the south. I can’t imagine a dusting being 4 inches — we’d be locked inside for at least 2 days over that. LOL 😯
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If I am snowbound, I love to curl up on the couch either with a really good book or an even better movie with my family. Theres nothing better on a really cold, nasty day than to stay warm with everyone that you love!!
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I would sit by the fire curled up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. I would also play games with my family and watch movies.
lauratroxel@yahoo.com
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Going out to play in the snow, then coming in to a nice fire and cuddling with hubby.
panthers.ravens-at-yahoo-dot-com
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Dani, back in Massachusetts, they would not even cancel school unless it was over 6 inches of snow. 😉