Showing posts with label The Kiss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Kiss. Show all posts

Sunday, January 13, 2013

New Year's Blog Hop - Day #3


Hello Hoppers!

Just a reminder that today is part of the New Year’s Blog Hop and below is what I’m offering.


If you are starting on my blog you’ll need to get the whole scoop about the blog hop! To go to the spot with all the instructions, just click on the logo and it will take you there.

My contribution to the hop is simple. Each of you will be entered into my daily drawing for a copy of my latest book, A Viennese Christmas. Second, have any of you heard of the painting called The Kiss? Here’s a copy of it in case you’ve never seen it:


This painting is by the artist Gustav Klimt and is a very famous painting that resides in the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria. It also happens to be just right up the street from my flat. Here’s more on the painting and the artist should you be so inclined to check him out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kiss_(Klimt)   

Now, you’re probably wondering just why I’m telling you this. My grand prize package will be a ‘Kiss’ package sent to you direct from Vienna. In it you will find notebooks, scarves, book marks, cards and anything in regards to the painting ‘The Kiss’ or Vienna itself. This is my best blog hop package yet.

About today: I am such a bad girl. First, let me apologize for not posting yesterday. It’s been such a lazy weekend since we once again have our flat to ourselves. The DH and I decided to have a quite weekend since the youngest went back to college in the States. And wouldn’t you know it...a cold front has blasted its way into Austria...and we’re getting snow and everything that comes with the weather. Including sketchy internet.

Second, because of this I am giving away two copies of A Viennese Christmas for Friday and Saturday. I’ll announce the winners at the end of the post. I also didn’t say last time just how I’m going to pick my grand prize winner. I will choose my big winner from all the comments from the four days. My grand prize winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 15 once all the comments are tallied. Last but not least, here’s another excerpt for Sunday’s copy of A Viennese Christmas.

Enjoy!



“Let me walk you to your door and I’ll be out of your hair.” It was if he understood her unspoken dilemma and took matters into his own hands.
“You’d don’t have to if you’d rather not.” She kept all emotion from her voice. It wouldn’t do to let him know of her interest...at least that’s what all the latest magazines said.
He shook his head. “My mother taught me to always walk a lady to her door.”
Her heart beat faster at the prospect. He treated her with such genuine respect that it made her want him more. “All right. We go in over here.” She headed toward a door in the building to their right. Each apartment had huge terraces and lots of windows. Putting her key into the lock, she pushed open the door.
The hall wasn’t long with an elevator at the end. The walls were white and the carpet new.
“Looks nice.”
“You can tell that from the hall?” She frowned.
He shrugged. “Actually yes. If the entrance looked old and worn, I’d worry about two things.”
“And those would be?” She was really interested in his opinion of the place she’d chosen as home.
“First, I’d worry about the maintenance of the place as well as the look inside the apartment itself. I’ve been in places that the entrance looked shabby and so does the inside. I also like that everything is so secure. I’ve seen some places where it was very easy to get inside if you knew the trick.”
She nodded in agreement. “I remember when I was looking for a place. Some were so out of date that I shuddered at the thought of living there. Others weren’t complete as they didn’t have a kitchen at all.”
He laughed. “That’s not uncommon for a place here to not have a kitchen or a bathroom. If that’s the case, something called an ablöse would be added to the lease.”
“An ablöse?”
“A clause that basically says the owner has to reimburse a tenant for any improvements made to the apartment. A tenant needs to make sure one is in place if they plan to make improvements to a rental space.”
Her eyes grew wide. There were so many things she didn’t know about living here. “I didn’t know that. There’s nothing like it in the States.
“Maybe, maybe not. It’s just the way the system works here and it’s been in place for years. I’m amazed that you didn’t get the information in your orientation.”
Amanda could feel her cheeks growing red. “I’ll admit, I skimmed that packet.” Turning away, she stepped inside the elevator and pressed P1. “I live in the penthouse furthest away from Belvedere.”
The door opened onto a small hall with a door at each end. Amanda turned right and fumbled with her key before finally getting it in the door.
“This is where I leave you.”
She turned fast and dropped her keys. “What? Don’t you want to come in?”
He shook his head then reached down to retrieve the keys, pressing them into her hand. “Not tonight. I’m not the kind who kisses and tells.”

What do you have to do to be entered you ask...comment and tell me one thing about the excerpt I posted from my latest book A Viennese Christmas. It’s that easy. Tell me whatever you want about my story...and do it often...every comment and item will be one entry into my contest. The more you comment, the more you’re entered not only in the daily contest but my grand prize one as well. Don’t forget to leave me your email address because if you don’t, and you don’t contact me within 48 hours, your prize will go to someone else.

Now to the most important stuff...Friday’s winner is crystaley73 and Saturday's winner is Christina Cole. If you left me your email addy like requested, you’re prize is already winging it’s way to you. If not, please contact me at oddlynn3@gmail.com and I’ll send you your copy of A Viennese Christmas!

See you all tomorrow...promise!

Lynn

Friday, January 11, 2013

New Year's Blog Hop


Good morning hoppers! Yes, you’ve come to the right place for the New Year’s Blog Hop. I’ve even got the graphic to prove it! LOL!



If you are starting on my blog you’ll need to get the whole scoop about the blog hop! To go to the spot with all the instructions, just click on the logo and it will take you there. I'm here for three days of fun, fun, fun and did I mention...PRIZES!!!

My contribution to the hop is simple. First, each of you will be entered into my daily drawing for a copy of my latest book, A Viennese Christmas. Second, have any of you heard of the painting called The Kiss? Here’s a copy of it in case you’ve never seen it:



This painting is by the artist Gustav Klimt and is a very famous painting that resides in the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria. It also happens to be just right up the street from my flat. Here’s more on the painting and the artist should you be so inclined to check them out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kiss_(Klimt)

Now, you’re probably wondering just why I’m telling you this. It's quite simple...my grand prize package will be a ‘Kiss’ package sent to you direct from Vienna. In it you will find anything and anything in regards to the painting ‘The Kiss’ or Vienna itself. Things like coasters, notecards, or keychains...but the best part is...this is a once-in-a-lifetime-gift. This is my best blog hop package yet IMHO.

So, what do you have to do to be entered you ask...simple...just comment and tell me one thing about the excerpt I post from my latest book A Viennese Christmas each day. It’s that easy. Tell me whatever you want about my story...and do it often...every comment will be one entry into my contest. Please, please, please do not forget to give me your email addy so that I can get in touch with you.  The more you comment, the more you’re entered. I will announce the today’s ebook winner at the end of tomorrow’s blog and the Grand Prize Winner will be revealed on Tuesday, January 15.

Here’s your first excerpt...enjoy!



Her disappointment must have been plain on her face as she found herself suddenly gazing into the greenest eyes in a very handsome male face. A question in German followed as she tried to ascertain just what he said.
“I’m sorry,” she stated, her confusion obvious. “I’ve only picked up a word or two since I’ve been here. Do you speak English?”
“You’re American?” he questioned without the accent most Austrians possessed.
“Don’t make it sound like such a curse. There are a lot of us, you know.” Her indignation evident in her tone.
His rich laughter filled the space, warming her to her bones in ways she hadn’t expected. “Sorry. I guess one does pick up the attitudes of where they live.”
She looked at him puzzled. “That’s that supposed to mean?”
“Henry Jager, American, at your service ma’am.” His sweeping bow brought a smile to her lips.
“Amanda Kranz and I hardly think I qualify as a ma’am.” She stuck her hand toward him. His firm grasp sent an electric sensation as she felt the spark deep within her. She swore he felt it too as his eyes darkened.
“Do you prefer Amanda or Mandi? I know there’s not much of a choice with Henry.” His serious gaze spot of his interest.
Laughter bubbled up in her, the first such emotion in weeks. “Henry is a fine, strong name. And it doesn’t matter much with mine.” His hot look made her want to shiver in anticipation of what she could only speculate.
“Really? I would have thought your business associates would call you Amanda. Now your intimate contacts I expect call you Mandi.”
She gazed at him. Intimate contacts, now there was a misnomer. It had been years since she’d had any intimate contacts of the male persuasion. “Sounds good to me.”
“You gave in too easy.” He reluctantly let go of her hand as his look took on a more serious aspect. “Are you meeting someone?”
She shook her head. “No one to meet.”
“Good.” He grabbed her hand again, placing it in the crook of his arm. “Have you ever been to one of these before?” Henry expertly meandered around people, baby carriages and more as he led her to the next booth.
“Not really. I saw them last year but being so new to the city, I couldn’t bring myself to go to one alone.” She gazed at the Rathaus beyond them, remembering how intimidated she’d been by building even though it had a Christmas tree in front.
His eyes narrowed. “Sounds like you’re still a relative newcomer.”
“I suppose so. I got here in November of last year.”
“Ah – your impression?” His brows lifted when he drew back as if to study her face.
“Very commercialized. I expected something more – ” she struggled to find the right word. “– more homey, more authentic – more Austrian.”
Henry gazed around a moment before looking back at her. “I see your point. This is probably the one Christkindlemarkt that’s got the least to offer in specialized, authentic goods in my opinion except it does have a certain ambiance. And of course, there’s the skating rink as well as the park decorations.”
Her brow arched in amazement. She really hadn’t expected anyone to agree with her. All the women she knew gushed over every one of them. “You agree with me?”
His naughty smile was breathtaking. “Most definitely. This is the one where most of the tourists come. While there are some very Austrian things here hidden amongst the drivel, most are not unique or special in any way.”
“My thoughts exactly. Where exactly does one find more traditional items?” Astonishment spread through her. She had not once heard anyone say a negative comment about Vienna. All her colleagues gushed over the city but as far as she was concerned, it was just another place to live.
They stopped in front of a food booth, the aroma tantalizing. “Would you like something hot to drink?”
The brisk breeze nipped at her cheeks and she felt the cold through her coat. She definitely could use something to warm her up. “Sure.”

See you all tomorrow!

Lynn