Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Saddest Christmas Songs



Saddest Christmas Songs
I don't know if it's my age, or the times we live in. This Christmas/Chanukah season, I have heard more people say "I just want to get through the holidays" than ever before. As sad as that sounds, I think it's okay to honor how hard the holidays are for a lot of people. I asked my Facebook friends for their input about the saddest Christmas songs, and boy, did they come through! There are some tunes I expected on this list, and some I'd never heard of.

So if you're missing a loved one, having a tough time dealing with festive music/people/surroundings, or you have bad memories from this time of year, please give yourself permission to be sad and have a good cry for a bit. And then I hope you'll find a way to move on. Put one foot in front of the other, count your blessings right here and now, and smile whenever you get the chance. I know I'll be trying right along with you. 


1. The Christmas Shoes
Okay, I know I said these were in no particular order, but this song was mentioned so many times, that it really does sort of take over the #1 position. The song even inspired a movie (get the tissues if you dare to watch). 

2. Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogleberg
This one is a big "what if?" that all of us can relate to.

3. Blue Christmas
This song got a lot of votes for saddest song. It's one we all probably know, but it still hurts to hear it if you're missing someone this time of year.

4. A Soldier's Silent Night
I dare you not to cry. Thank you to all who have served our country.

5. Where Are You Christmas?
For anyone wondering where the Christmas spirit is...or missing someone who makes and toughing it through this season. Featured in the Jim Carrey version of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."

6. I'll Be Home For Christmas
Sad...because you think the singer will be home for Christmas. But the only way it will happen is in his dreams. One Facebook friend said she was away from home for the first time at Christmas, in Africa, and a choir sung this song, making her homesick.

7. All I Want For Christmas is You
Although this can be considered an upbeat song (and hey, it's not materialistic, which is nice), one friend said this song is sad because it can make you miss someone who can't be with you. Her husband was deployed overseas and she wasn't able to be with him at Christmas, making this a hard song to listen to.

8. Please Come Home for Christmas
All of the cheerfulness of people celebrating around you...yet you're missing the one you love.

9. Merry Christmas, Darling
Karen Carpenter's voice makes this an even sadder song. All she wants is to be near the one she loves.

10. Hard Candy Christmas
She's trying to do what she can to be "fine" and distract herself from the holiday.  But it's like getting only hard candy for Christmas.

11. Last Christmas
Wham! Learning life's lessons by giving away your heart to someone who doesn't deserve it.

12. Do They Know It's Christmas?
We who have food, shelter, and peace can share with those who don't, can't we? 

13. Another Lonely Christmas
This one is made so much sadder because Prince is gone. 

14. The Cat Carol
Wow. If you haven't heard this one yet, be prepared to sob. One friend said it represents Jesus. 

15. Christmas in the Trenches
If you have loved ones fighting overseas, this one hits home. Again...thank you to those who have served and are serving our country.

16. Light One Candle
Peter, Paul and Mary sing this Chanukah song of hope. Sad for the memories it evokes and the memories it pleads for us to keep alive.

17. I Believe in Father Christmas
The words are sad, dark, and...well, a story of disillusion.

18. Fairy Tale of New York
A friend says,  "this one sounds upbeat, but the lyrics are pretty sad." Do fairy tales really come true?

19. It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without You
Speaks to the importance of those we love surrounding us this time of year. 

20. Wintersong
If Sarah McLaclan's sad voice and piano playing aren't enough to get your tears going, listen to the words, and feel the pain of missing someone. 

21. River
Joni Mitchell speaks to the side of us that wants to "skate away" from the hardest parts of life...including the holidays.

22. Christmas Time
Being lonely at Christmas sucks. Andy Davis makes this clear with his words and voice.

23. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Is this one sad? Maybe. If you're feeling nostalgic for things that used to be a certain way. Regardless, it's always nice to listen to Frank Sinatra, right?

24. My December
Maybe you can relate to this song because your December is like this, too. Linkin Park makes you feel like you are not alone if you're pretending to be happy through this month.

 And a few honorable mentions because a lot of people view these songs as disturbing:
1. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
I know, I know. It's a parody. It's tongue-in-cheek. But really?

2. Baby, It's Cold Outside
I've got to admit, I've never thought of this one as disturbing, but one friend says her son calls this the "date rape" song and another (nurse) friend says that the old Johnny Meyer version of this song refers to "getting pneumonia and dying." Sheesh! 
An interesting update here: a couple named Lydia Liza and Josiah Lemanski has rewritten this song to stress the importance of consent in this version: 



Do you have any songs to add? 

Maybe all you need is a good cry to make it through this season. But if you need more, please remember, if you need help through the holidays, or any time of year, the National Suicide hotline is there for you: Call 1-800-273-8255.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

New Book Review Blog Launches Today! #amreading

Cheers to Grace and My Book Snack

If there's one thing authors love as much as writing and reading, it's blogs about books!

I'm thrilled to share in the absolute fun of revealing my good friend Grace Z.'s romance book blog. I can't wait to see the books and information that My Book Snack blog will feature in these coming weeks. Today's post is definitely one with good timing--a delicious cookie recipe just in time for the holidays. Paleo Hot Cocoa cookies with vanilla bean frosting. Can you say YUM?!! :)

Check out this blog today! You'll be glad you did. And congrats, congrats, congrats, Grace! You've earned the right to call yourself an expert. :)
Click here to visit: My Book Snack

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A Day of Fire, A novel of Pompeii #NewRelease


At long last, this riveting story about the final days of Pompeii is
available in e-book and print!

“This truly is the finest book I have read this year, an emotional
roller-coaster that educates while it entertains. Its impact will stay with me
for quite some time.” ~Parmenion
Books

“Despite knowing what happens in Pompeii and to the majority of
its citizens, A Day of Fire is a book full of suspense, fear, and unexpected
bravery.” ~Ageless
Pages

“I can’t praise this book highly enough. It’s a rattling good
tale of disaster, death, resolution and rebirth.” ~Dodging
Arrows

“I LOVED this! The writing style, the choice of stories told,
the evolution of characters, the drama. I couldn’t have asked for anything
better.” ~The
Maiden’s Court

"Each one of these authors deserves a huge amount of
praise for putting this impressive piece of art together.” ~Steven
McKay

DESCRIPTION:

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the
shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius
erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed.
Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . .
and these are their stories:

A boy loses his
innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding
day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his
entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A
crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his
rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as
the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as
the town is buried.

Six authors bring to life
overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains
and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will
escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Buy Now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Friday, October 24, 2014

Four Spooky Romances #giveaway #Halloween

We're giving away some awesomely fun and spooky books! I'm joining talented authors KELLY MORAN,  KATHRYN KNIGHT, and DENISE MONCRIEF for this contest.
 
One lucky person will win an e-copy of all four spooky romances on October 31st!
 
 
 
 
HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
#1: Like all 4 author pages listed below and Follow on Twitter.
#2: COMMENT with "done" and TAG FRIENDS.
 
Thanks for participating and Happy Halloween!
 

Monday, October 13, 2014

Release Day Blitz! Delphina Henley's new release #99cents for limtied time

My good friend Delphina Henley's book is available now for only .99 cents! Limited time, so grab your copy now.
Is this a great title, or what? It's a New Adult Paranormal Romance. Check out some of the fun details about this book below and be sure to scroll down to enter a really cool Rafflecopter with awesome prizes, too.

Buy now on  Amazon


Unless You Can Be A Unicorn Banner


Happy Release Week Sale!!! Only $.99 for one week only!
Unless you can be aUnicorn_high
Always be yourself... that was the last advice Scout's Grandma Nora gave her before she died. Scout has spent her life trying to be anything but, but she has a chance to start anew as she moves several states away to college. She had always thought the glowing aura she saw around some people was a childhood fancy, but when it starts coming back just as she's starting her new life, she learns there was much hidden about who she truly is.
Thankfully, she has a motley crew to help her along the way: a spunky bookseller, a trustworthy pub owner, a commanding grandmother, a possible best friend, and a hot rocker boy who only has eyes for her.
Unless You Can Be A Unicorn is a New Adult Paranormal Romance with content appropriate for a Young Adult audience.
Unless you can be aUnicorn_Final
Giveaway: Be sure to enter to win a Ginormous Gift Pack of Awesome including a GC, Books, swag and more :You can check out the prize pack on the FB Release Day Extravaganza page and join the fun!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Links for UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN:
Amazon

Friday, September 5, 2014

Laura Kaye's Newest Release Available Now! #HardToHoldOnTo

My good friend and NYT/USA Today bestseller Laura Kaye has a new release. It's a quick read, a Hard Ink novella, and you'll be hooked on the series.

Here's a description of Hard to Hold On To. Get your copy today!


Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.


Edward "Easy" Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves—which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna's the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago.
Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can't describe how he makes her feel—and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her stretch far beyond gratitude.
When the pair is thrust together and chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: The things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.


Available now!
Amazon   Barnes and Noble

Saturday, June 28, 2014

TAKING HER HOME: new #eroticRomance by Jolene Beauchamp #swingers #swingersparty

Jolene's newest ménage release tests the boundaries of love and relationships...one sexy move at a time.

Blush (if you must) as you read this blurb, and then enjoy Rafe and Emma's story!



            Emma Anderson is always taking care of others. If it’s not the preemie babies at work, it’s her blind dog and ailing grandfather. She’s generous, trusting and loving…sometimes too much so. Neglecting her own needs on the process of helping others, she returns to her home town to care for her grandfather.

Rafe McCormick—the man who took Emma’s virginity years ago—still resides in their hometown. He’s hot, sexy, and carries two secret passions.  One will help Emma find a new side of herself in the sexiest way possible as he introduces her to the erotic world of swingers. The other will force him to reveal his deepest desire…

Will his penchant for being a swinger bring them together as a couple, or pull them apart forever?



On Sale Now! Amazon (Kindle)  B&N (Nook)

As always! Thanks for reading! xxoo