Dear Friends and Readers

Here we are again – Christmastime! I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve finally gotten used to the fact that it’s going to sneak up on me and leave me wondering where the rest of the year went. Here, I’m going with the flow, working hard, and enjoying little Christmasy moments as they come along. I hope the same is true for you (except maybe for the “working hard” part ; )).

And hey, if you’re stuck for gift ideas, might I suggest a shiny new Toni Blake book for the reader in your life? ; ) LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER is still on the shelves in some places, and if it’s sold out at your favorite bookstore, it can be ordered, along with TEMPT ME TONIGHT and SWEPT AWAY from Amazon.com, BN.com, or whatever bookstore you’re shopping at.

And speaking of LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER, it’s up for an online reader award at Night Owl Romance. If you’d like to vote, you’ll find LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER is in the Best Contemporary Romance category on the lower right side of the page – the entry is about three quarters of the way down the list.

What’s Next

Welcome to Destiny! What’s that mean, you ask? Well, Destiny is the name of the small town in which my upcoming series of books for Avon is set! I’m so excited that Avon has invited me to write a group of linked stories – so far, it’s been great fun, and I can’t wait to share the first book with you: ONE RECKLESS SUMMER will be available in June ’09. The books in the Destiny series will be just as sexy yet heartwarming as my previous books, so I hope you’ll enjoy them!

Check my website soon for the lovely cover (a whole new look for my books!) and more information about Destiny and its residents (which happen to include a lot of hunky, sexy guys – along with the women who fall for them.)

Fun Stuff

Every December I co-host my best friend’s annual - and extremely popular! - cookie exchange. And if you want some delicious and super-easy buckeyes (a yummy Midwestern candy in case you live someplace where you’ve never heard of these), you’re in luck, because that’s what I’m making this year and I’m nice enough to share the recipe ; ). Which comes, by the way, from my friend, Sarah Patrick – thanks, Sarah!

SIMPLE BUCKEYES
Melt 10 oz. of peanut butter chips in the microwave. Stir them into 16 oz. of vanilla cake frosting from a can. From the mixture, form one-inch balls and dip into melted chocolate coating (12 oz., but you may need more) with a toothpick, then set on wax paper.

That’s it! Pretty easy, yes? And they taste fabulous, too! Enjoy!

What other fun stuff do I have for you this time around? Well, you know how much I like shoes. But I haven’t bought any cute ones of my own lately, so I’m featuring more guest shoes this time around – and here are a pair over which I have serious shoe-envy. These belong to friend and fellow author Kay Stockham – she wore them to the Rita awards this year and I was practically drooling over them! Wouldn’t these be great for a fancy holiday party?

And last but not least, my husband and I have put together a travel journal of our trip to Italy, so if you’re interested in learning more about our time there, please visit our journal, and feel free to leave a comment!

For a Good Cause

Want to send a holiday card to a member of our military who may not have much holiday cheer this year? This address will get it there:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

And if you’d like to do even more, learn about additional options and ideas through Red Cross's Holiday Mail for Heros or Operation Gratitude which sends care packages to troops.

I know we’re all busy, busy, busy right now, so I’m keeping this newsletter short and sweet, but wishing you all a fabulous holiday filled with good friends, good times, and of course, good books!

Sincerely,
Toni

P.S. Interested in chatting with other Toni Blake fans about my books and lots of other fun subjects? Join our discussion group at Toni Blake Fans @ YahooGroups. We have guest authors, contests and prizes, and you get sneak peeks at excerpts from my upcoming books before anyone else.

December 8, 2008

	What’s Next
	Fun Stuff
	For a Good Cause

Letters to a Secret Lover

The perfect stocking stuffer!  Buy the book at B&N.

What I'm Reading

The Department of Lost & Found by Allison Winn-Scotch
It’s not holiday-themed, but is too good a book not to recommend to you.

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
Einstein=complex & fascinating²

What I'm Watching

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
I have the 50th anniversary edition on DVD!

It’s a Wonderful Life
 I never get tired of it – I always feel George’s wrenching anguish every single time.

What I'm Listening To

Stay a Little Longer, Santa
by Shemekia Copeland
I love, love, love this super fun and sexy holiday tune.

Winter Wonderland
by Jason Mraz
Mr. Mraz puts a funky, jazzy twist on it which I totally dig.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
A modern holiday classic – what more need I say?

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