Saturday, January 21, 2012

CHARADE OF HEARTS WINS BEST ROMANCE SHORT STORY 2011






CONGRATULATIONS SHARON!
Sharon's gripping romantic suspense novella, 'Charade Of Hearts' in the Wild Rose Press series 'Jewel Of The Night', starring 'Oliver' won the 'Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll 2011.

If you haven't read this yet, I can heartily recommend it, here's  the blurb and an excerpt:

While scuba diving off the coast of Diamond Head with her diving partner on a quest to find a family heirloom, underwater photographer Dominique St. John witnesses his brutal murder and photographs it, ensnaring her in a deadly jewel ring. Then when the investigating officer turns out to be her partner’s identical twin, a man she knew nothing about, her life becomes a Charade of Hearts.
Welcome to the world of greed, intrigue, deception and murder. At its core is a blue diamond worth millions.
As honest as his twin was corrupt, Honolulu Homicide Detective Oliver Carvalho must convince Dominique that her diving partner and best friend was a crook. In a race against time, Oliver must rescue her from a ruthless killer, but his biggest challenge proves to be Dominique herself. Her heart has been torn by betrayal and can only be redeemed with love.
(Pages 122) Sweet

Excerpt:
 

The fog in her head slowly cleared.

She was on assignment in Hawaii, photographing the shipwreck that had taken her mother’s life. While she’d been shooting pictures, Roberto had been scouring the ocean floor for her mother’s blue diamond, her birthright. By some miracle, Roberto had managed to find the necklace. Just as they were about to surface, a diver came out of nowhere and stabbed him. Her eyelids flew open in shocked horror.

“Roberto!” Dominique screamed, her voice a nasally squeak. “My diving partner? Is he here? Roberto Carvalho?”

The nurse’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, Ms. St. John. You were the only patient brought in by emergency helicopter. You’re at the Honolulu clinic.”

Dear God. Killer sharks had been thrashing toward Roberto, jaws chomping. The words came out in a strangled moan. “The owner of the charter? Is he here?”

The nurse shook her head. “But there is someone anxious to speak to you.”

And that’s when Dominique spotted him, framing the doorway to the small room. He’d survived the shark attack. His name caught in her throat. “Roberto! You’re alive! How…”

He strutted toward her, his narrow hips swaggering as he closed in on her, stirring her blood with a primal lust she had never felt. And those dark, broody eyes, so alive with passion, like fiery comets.

He loomed above her, his lips pinched into a thin line. “I’m sorry, Ms. St. John, but I am not Roberto. He flashed a badge. “I am Detective Oliver Carvalho, Honolulu PD, Homicide. Roberto Carvalho was my identical twin brother.”

Sharon continues to make slow but steady progress.  you can read updates in the sidebar on the right and if you would like to send a card or personal message, just email me at Lyn@hywelalyn.co.uk and I'll let you have the address you can send it to.

Thanks for your continued prayers.  They are making a difference



Thursday, January 5, 2012

UPDATES ON SHARON (By Hywela Lyn)

1st Place in Preditors & Editors Poll

 (Updated 14th January)

As some of you may know, my dear friend  Sharon was due for a major heart operation Tuesday, but it was put back Wednesday and then delayed further until today (Thursday)  I have access to Sharon's Blog since I put up the pictures for her, so I thought the easiest way to keep people up to date with what's going on would be to start a post here, where you can leave messages for her.

Your Prayers would be so much appreciated.  She's been through so much and is so brave and determined as well as talented. I was able to speak to her on the 'phone last night and she sends her love and thanks to everyone who's been praying and sending messages over the last few days.

In case you didn't see Sharon's Editor, Lori Graham's comment,
I'd just like to add that her story in the WRP 'Jewel Of The Night' series  'Charade of Hearts' took first place for best short Romance in the Preditors & Editors Poll.
(It's the one starring  Oliver)   It's a wonderful story, full of suspense and romance. Many thanks on Sharon's behalf to everyone who voted for it.

Please  keep praying for her to be able to recover from
 this operation with Faith and courage,  and soon be on the road to recovery.


Sunday, December 25, 2011

SANTA CONTEST

OLIVER’S SANTA CONTEST

HO HO HO! Santa Oliver has come to town to announce the winner of his contest. He wanted to know what Christmas carol or movie makes you sentimental and why. After making a list and checking it twice, he has a winner. With no further ado, here’s Oliver.

A ho ho ho and a Merry Christmas! Thank y’all so very much for entering my contest. Each of your stories have moved me to tears. Here are the entries.

Well my favorite is the movie   frosty the snowman. The reason why is that I was living in the Gulf fand went on job interview. Well   a lady came  out of the house and then  I sat at the table and filled out the info for her;  well  she  said 'my husband has to d.Well  what come out my Mouth, Fosty the snowman  it just reminded me of him and he laughed and he said 'you be here tomorrow at  8 am' and then I worked
for him and his wife and his friends for over  2  years
Desi

I love watching The Christmas Card.  Both and my husband and I come from military
families and it means so much to us.
Every year we would have soldiers over for Christmas and share with them.  It made
it special for both of us.  Some of those Christmases stayed with me for a very long
time.
Debra Guyette

"It's a Wonderful Life"! I love this movie and every time a bell rings (lol around
christmas, at least) I always think "Huh, an angel just got his or her wings." lol
The reason why I love it is because this movie started me actually giving other classic
movies a chance, and I would have missed so many great movies if it hadn't 
Emily T

This year my christmas song is I'll be home for christmas . Last year hubby and my
dad wasnt able to get here for christmas but this year they are both suppose to get
home so i have been sing I'll be home for Christmas all month long .. there's just
nothing like have the whole family here :)
Jennifer Mathis

Hi Sharon,
My favorite classic movie is Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. I love when he
has a nervous breakdown and everyone want to go home and he blows up. At the end
he want some tylenol. That gets me everytime. I often wondered how many takes he
had to do or if it was one. Every year we watch this movie. I always feel like no
matter how bad things are they can never be as bad as Christmas Vacation. Especially
the turkey. LOL. Merry Christmas.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Sue Brandes

HI SHARON,
MY FAVORITE SONG IS "I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"  AND IT RINGS TRUE AS OUR SOLDIERS
ARE COMING HOME!
LIN

Hi,
My son has a profound hearing loss. At the children's Christmas concert he & his
classmates signed OH HOLY NIGHT as the music played softly in the background. Tears
streamed down my face the entire way through. It was incredibly beautiful.
Cheers!!
Mary Preston

My favorite holiday movie is ‘White Christmas’ with Bing Crosby and Fred Astair.
It just inspires me to think about other people during this time of the year when
we can all be overwhelmed by the commercialism of the season.   I love the songs
and the scenery, it does not hurt that it takes place in my neck of the woods up
here in New England.
Catherine Lemanski

DRUM ROLL

Oliver grins. And the winner is Mary Preston. Congratulations love. You and  your sweet son win a box of chocolates. All other entries win a pdf of Winter Wonders. Christmas Angel stars yours truly as leading alpha male. Happy reading. Stay tuned for more stories in 2012 starring Oliver. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

LOVE AND BLESSINGS

Sharon and Oliver

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Legend of Christmas Candle

According to legend, throughout medieval Europe, a large candle known as the Christmas candle was burned until the twelfth night in remembrance of the arrival of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. In Victorian times, the candle represented good will and was placed in the window from December 25 to January 6 to welcome any passerby in need of shelter and food.

Many legends and superstitions are associated with candles. Certain cultures believe the burning flame will frighten away evil spirits during the darkest evenings of the year. Norwegians believe that if the Christmas candle burns out on Christmas Eve, bad luck will befall on a family member.
Legends tell us that Christmas candles light the way for the Christ child on Christmas Eve as He wanders from house to house looking for a place to stay. For this reason, no traveler should be turned away on Christmas Eve should he be the Christ child.

The custom of lighting candles on indoor trees was started in Germany to symbolize stars and was a custom that found its way to America. In today’s culture, the lighting of Christmas candles signifies the season of Christmas.

In my house, we light blue candelabras in each window as a symbol of peace and tranquility. When it snows, nothing is more beautiful than serene blue flames reflecting on a blanket of downy white. In the living room, we light fragrant pillar candles to give the house and home a warm ethereal glow.


Where do you light your Christmas candles?

Sharon Donovan
Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith


My radio interview is live!

WIN A BOX OF CHOCOLATES
OLIVER’S CHRISTMAS CONTEST!
www.sharonadonovan.com

Follow me on Twitter

MY BOOKS

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE AND IN PRINT

Winter Wonders
ISBN-13: 978-1-936167-66-1



Her Biggest Fan
An edge of your seat chilling suspense
ISBN: 1-60154-813-3

Mask of the Betrayer
Book one in the Mask series
Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be
hooked from the first chapter.
ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7

Echo of a Raven