Romance Countdown 3days 'til to 2012 with Cynthia Owens

Quick Reminder before we start the 29th day of the “Romance Countdown to 2012.” Don’t forget to tune into Catz Radio and catch the Scot and Mercy Show and listen while enjoying today’s guest authors.

The link to my first commercial aired on Catz Radio is on the right sidebar. I hope you take the time to listen.


Romance Countdown to 2012 Author’s Holiday Giveaway Event
Click on Romance Countdown to 2012 image for the event rules and prize information.

Congratulations to the December 28, 2011 WINNERS...

Stacey Jo and Tracey!

Teri Gilbert’s winner is Stacey Jo

You won:
an ebook copy of “Legacy of Olympus” from Teri Gilbert
a “Legacy of Olympus” coffee mug from Teri Gilbert
a "When Hearts Collide" postcard from Kendra James
a “Sensoryops” bookmark from Nikki Duncan
a “Promise To Keep” bookmark from Char Chaffin
an autographed Angel bookmark from Deena Remiel
a "Little Red Riding Wolf" postcard from Jessica Aspen
a notepad of Post-it’s from M.L. Guida
a "Finding Ms Wright" bookmark from M.L. Guida and Hillary Seidl
an ink pen from Laura Kaye
2 “North of Need” trading cards from Laura Kaye
a “Protecting Rose” trading cards from Cheryl Yeko
a “Caribbean Scot” Trading Cards from Kimberly Killion
a “My Cursed Highlander” Trading Cards from Kimberly Killion
a “Spirit of the Wolf” bookmark from Karen Kay
a “Spirit of the Wolf” postcard from Karen Kay
a "Red Hawk’s Woman” postcard from Karen Kay
an autographed “Crystalfire” book cover from Kate Douglas
an autographed “Starfire” postcard from Kate Douglas
an autographed “Wolf Tales Series” postcard from Kate Douglas

Dianne Farb’s winner is Tracey

You won:
an ebook copy of “The Promise of Change” from Dianne Farb
a "When Hearts Collide" postcard from Kendra James
a “Mystic Ink” postcard from Casey Wyatt
a “Promises to Keep” bookmark from Char Chaffin
an autographed “Super Agent Series” bookmark from Misty Evans
a “The Diary” postcard from Adriana Kraft
a magnet from Maeve Greyson
a "Little Red Riding Wolf" postcard from Jessica Aspen
a "Finding Ms Wright" bookmark from M.L. Guida and Hillary Seidl
a notepad Post-It’s from M.L. Guida
an ink pen from Laura Kaye
a “Caribbean Scot” Trading Cards from Kimberly Killion
a “My Cursed Highlander” Trading Cards from Kimberly Killion
a “Spirit of the Wolf” bookmark from Karen Kay
a “Spirit of the Wolf” postcard from Karen Kay
a "Red Hawk’s Woman” postcard from Karen Kay
an autographed “Crystalfire” book cover from Kate Douglas
an autographed “Starfire” postcard from Kate Douglas
an autographed “Wolf Tales Series” postcard from Kate Douglas

Congratulations Stacey Jo and Tracey!
I'll be sending you an email to get your mailing address.

Let's start today’s fun with our guest blogger author, Cynthia Owens.

Welcome Cynthia!


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Author – Cynthia Owens

An Irish Christmas,



My books, In Sunshine or in Shadow and Coming Home, are both set in Ireland. I’ve been in love with Ireland and all things Irish since I was in my early teens. When I visited Ireland in 2009, I felt I’d finally arrived at my heart’s true home.

So during this holiday season, I’d like to share a few Irish Christmas traditions.

A Candle in the Window. There’s a lighted candle in the window of every Irish home on Christmas Eve. Its main meaning is to serve as a welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travel, looking for shelter. But during the penal times, it also indicated a safe place to perform mass. Tradition says the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the family, and only extinguished by a girl bearing the name “Mary.”

The Laden Table. On Christmas Eve, after everyone has eaten their fill, the table was again set. On the table was a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisin, a pitcher of milk, and a large, lit candle. The door of the house was also left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any other wandering traveler, would be welcome.

Decorations. The holly wreath originated in Ireland. Holly flourishes in Ireland at Christmas time, and poor people had ample means to decorate their cottages. All decorations are taken down by Little Christmas (January 6), as it’s considered bad luck to take them down beforehand.

In Coming Home, my second novel, Cavan and Ashleen Callaghan are looking forward to spending Christmas with her family…


…They walked slowly along the shore, arms about each other’s waists, as a shower of wet snowflakes spun crazily in the breeze. Ashleen reminisced, “When I was little, Mam used to tell me that when it snowed on Christmas Eve, the Christmas goose was being plucked in heaven.”

Cavan gazed tenderly down into her lovely face, aglow in the dark night. “What else did your mam tell you, sweetheart?”

“That a new moon was a lucky omen.” She pointed to the shimmering orb hanging high in the sky. “And that cold frosty weather means a mild spring and no illness.” …

Nollaig Shona Duit! ~ Happy Christmas to You!

My website: http://authorcynthiaowens.com/

Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaOwens


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TODAY’S GIVEAWAY PRIZE(S) ARE:

Leave a comment for Cynthia to enter a chance to win the following:

A autographed paperback copy of "Coming Home" postcard from Cynthia Owens
a bookmark from Cynthia Owens
a “Mystic Ink” postcard from Casey Wyatt
a “When Hearts Collide” postcard from Kendra James
a “Sensoryops” bookmark from Nikki Duncan
a “Super Agent Series” bookmark from Misty Evans
an autographed Angel bookmark from Deena Remiel
a "Little Red Riding Wolf" postcard from Jessica Aspen
a lighted keychain from J.L. Bowen
a "Finding Ms Wright" bookmark from M.L. Guida and Hillary Seidl
an ink pen from Laura Kaye
2 “North of Need” trading cards from Laura Kaye
a “Protecting Rose” trading cards from Cheryl Yeko
a “Caribbean Scot” Trading Cards from Kimberly Killion
a “My Cursed Highlander” Trading Cards from Kimberly Killion
a “Spirit of the Wolf” bookmark from Karen Kay
a “Spirit of the Wolf” postcard from Karen Kay
a "Red Hawk’s Woman” postcard from Karen Kay
an autographed “Crystalfire” book cover from Kate Douglas
an autographed “Starfire” postcard from Kate Douglas
an autographed “Wolf Tales Series” postcard from Kate Douglas

*************NOTE: ALL COMMENTS MUST INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS TO QUALIFY TO WIN *********

Thanks for stopping by today!

Thanks Cynthia for being today’s guest authors for our 29th day of the Romance Countdown to 2012 Author's Holiday Giveaway Event.

Please stop by tomorrow for the 30th day of the Romance Countdown to 2012 Author’s Holiday Giveaway Event. There’s only 2 days left ‘til 2012 and to win great author giveaway goodies! Our guest author is M. L. Guida

Best of luck to all that comment!

Blessings,
Mare