Thank you for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for today’s Mistletoe Madness spot. For a line up of all of the authors featured here and at The Book Nympho, and to enter the overall event giveaway for a free book (two chances to win!), please click on the image above or go to the kickoff post on November 26, 2014.
Today’s Mistletoe Madness author is…
Anna Hackett
Book: On a Rogue Planet
Release Date: November 16, 2014
Publisher: Self-published
Christmas Decorations – Phoenix-style
“What the hell is Christmas?”
Dr. Eos Rai-Phoenix looked up from the ancient relic of a bronze sculpture she was cleaning and shot her husband an exasperated look. “It’s an ancient old Earth custom, Dathan.” She shook her head. “You’re the most famous treasure hunter in the galaxy, how come you don’t know this?”
“I hunt treasure, babe. I leave the astro-archeology to you and my big brother. I like the shiny stuff, you know, the stuff I can sell for a lot of e-creds.” He leaned against the wall and gave a mock grimace. “Although for some reason, I seem to donate a lot of it to museums these days.”
Eos smiled. Goddess, he was a handsome rogue with his blue eyes and dark hair, and he was all hers. Since he’d exploded into her life, every day was a grand adventure. And she knew he loved her…enough to stop selling so many pieces of history off to private dealers.
“So, you’re planning to resurrect some Terran custom and make us celebrate it?” His tone made it sound like she wanted him to jump out an airlock in the middle of a solar flare.
“Yes. From the records I’ve been studying, Christmas originally started out as some sort of religious festival, but over time it morphed into a more commercial holiday. Still, it was centered around family. They gave each other gifts, ate too much food together—” she broke off when she saw his indulgent grin. Okay, so she was prone of rattling off interesting historical facts. “Now that we have Lala here…I wanted to do something special. She’s only fifteen and she’s never had a family.”
Dathan raised a brow. “She’s a teenaged explosives expert who likes to blow things up. Half the galaxy’s terrified of her.”
Eos dusted off her hands. “She’s still a child. We’re celebrating Christmas, we’ll all get each other gifts, Lala’s going to cook—”
“Stars help us all,” Dathan muttered.
Eos hid a wince. The girl was a terrible cook, and some of her dishes were known to be poisonous, but she meant well. “And we’re going to decorate that.” Eos pointed.
Her husband’s cobalt blue eyes went wide. “Where the hell did you get that?”
The tree stood taller than Eos, probably level with Dathan at a few inches over six foot.
Dathan glanced out the open hangar doors. Beyond it was the purple shimmer of the huma-dome that generated the atmosphere over the headquarters of the Phoenix treasure hunting and salvage business. Beyond that was the gray, pock-marked surface of the captured-asteroid-turned-moon they called home. There wasn’t a tree in sight.
“I got it on Souk.” For the right price, you could get anything on the market planet their moon orbited.
“Why are we going to decorate it?”
“Because that’s what they did on Earth at Christmas.”
“Why?”
Eos shifted. “I don’t know. I haven’t found any explanation for the custom.” She shot him a narrow stare. “But every Phoenix is this building will be making a decoration to hang on it. Something that reflects the things you love.”
Dathan snaked an arm around her. “Then I should just hang you on a string.”
She melted against him. “I’m sure you can use the goods printer to make something creative.”
“Well, I know Niklas will probably make a mini-computer. The guy’s always glued to his.”
That was true. Her astro-archeologist brother-in-law was always researching something. When he wasn’t brooding over a certain rival treasure hunter that often tried to kill him. Not that Eos could cast stones about the research…she was usually doing the same thing. Only she preferred studying ancient books. “And Zayn’s will be a starship.” The youngest Phoenix brother was an ex-Strike wing pilot and lived to fly. Well, his wife probably ranked a little higher than flying now.
“Ria’s will be sharp and pointy. Still can’t believe my brother married an assassin.” Dathan paused, a strange look crossing his face. “I dread to think what Lala will come up with.”
Yes, well, Eos was a little concerned as well. She had to tell the teenager that nothing with actual explosive in it could go on the tree. “And Malin and Xander are flying in from Centax. I’ve already told them to make their favorite decorations.”
Dathan groaned. “We’re going to have the galaxy’s deadliest killer cyborg at our table again?”
“Xander sounded very interested in Christmas.”
“Because Mal will have told him to be. He may be part machine, but the damned cyborg is crazy in love with my cousin. He’ll probably make a Malin-shaped decoration for the tree.”
Or one of the implant enhancements his planet revered. “And Malin’s will be a multi-tool.” The salvage mechanic always had her beloved multi-tool on her. Eos grinned. The Phoenix gang was a unique and varied bunch. She was so glad they were hers.
Dathan let out a gusty sigh. “Okay, I’ll make a decoration. It’ll probably be treasure, and very shiny.” He tugged Eos closer. “But my greatest treasure is right here in my arms. I love you, Eos.”
She pressed her lips to his. “I love you, too. Happy Christmas, Dathan.”
About the Book:
Unlucky-in-love salvage mechanic, Malin Phoenix, didn’t intend to get caught up in a coup and kidnapped by a sexy cyborg. But she finds herself swept into an adventure to help the deadly, emotionless CenSec, Xander Saros, retrieve an ancient Terran artifact and save his planet.
Soon she’s racing across uncharted space and is magnetically drawn to the cyborg whose strong arms and muscled body ignite a desire that burns brighter than a supernova. But Mal can never let herself forget that she can’t fall in love with a cyborg who can never love her back.
The crowning glory of the Centax Security program, Xander is heavily enhanced, his emotions dampened to nothing to allow him to be the most efficient, lethal killer in the galaxy. As he and Malin hunt for the remnant of the galaxy’s first computer, the Antikythera Mechanism, their quest leads them into the lair of a dangerous technomancer. But Xander can’t identify his greatest threat—the enemy or the fascinating woman who’s making him feel.
To learn more about the book and The Phoenix Adventures, visit: http://annahackettbooks.com/books/the-phoenix-adventures
Giveaway:
Anna is generously donating a $25 [US] gift card and digital copies of the first two books in her Phoenix Adventures: one of At Star’s End and one of In the Devil’s Nebula to give away to three (3) lucky commenters. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form AND leave a comment letting Anna know what your Christmas tree decoration would be. The giveaway is open during the time specified on the Rafflecopter form. Winner(s) chosen at random from all eligible entries. This contest is open internationally, where not prohibited by law. Open to participants, 18 years or older, who are legally allowed to participate in such a contest as allowed by their local laws. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. By participating in the contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of the contest sponsor. Prize will be delivered by the author. This blog, its reviewers, and the owner are not responsible for items lost in the mail. By entering this giveaway, participants agree to abide by these terms.
Please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com if you have trouble with the Rafflecopter form.
Now, head over the THE BOOK NYMPHO to see today’s feature with Jessica Scott.
My christmas decoration… hmmm either chocolate or baking utensils 😀
I really like how this book sounds!
Aly, I can completely get behind chocolate decorations!
They are the perfect blend of beauty and taste 😀
If there was a LIKE button, I’d click it (-:
Definitely a book! I loved the first two books in this series. I need to read Malin’s book!
Rebe, mine would be a book too! Or a Kindle. Woo hoo, so thrilled you loved the first books in the Phoenix Adventures. Hope you get a chance to check out Malin and Xander’s story.
Books,or chocolate 🙂
This series sounds good!
Thanks for the lovely post and great giveaway 🙂
Both great choices, Bube. Or how about both together — chocolate books!
Eos’ ornament would do for me. Or one with a needle and thread. I’ve been eyeing your Phoenix series for a while now. I’d love to read them!
Another book ornament fan! Good luck in the giveaway, Riley. Hope you get the chance to check out the Phoenix gang.
books, flowers or some crafting ustensils
thank you a lot for thio giveaway i must say that i’m really intrigued by teh books now
Miki, glad to hear you’re intrigued. I like your mix of decorations…and I’m intrigued about what kind of crafting you do.
^^ cross stitching, knitting and i’m learning crochet too ( also i create keychain and bookmark)
Very creative! I can’t sew, knit or anything like that. Not talented enough.
i’m only a beginner but i wanted to make special handme gift for my friends this christmas so i’m working on it ( not finishing all yet sadly) it’s quite relaxing for me too
That’s lovely. Always nice when you find something you love to you. Mine’s reading…and writing (-:
This book looks interesting. I don’t put up many Christmas decorations. I have a tree, a mini Winnie the Pooh tree and stockings (even though these are just for decoration).
Melanie, a Winnie the Pooh tree sounds lovely!
probably books 😉 LOL… with lots of tinsel!!! Thanks for sharing!
Erin, I’m not surprised books are a winner around here (-:
Ornaments of fave characters would be mine
Timitra, that’s a great idea! I’d love a mini Dathan decoration (-:
Mine would be a book or a pastry bag. Love to read and decorate cakes.
Stephanie, books and cakes…yum.
Mine would be a book. There’s just no getting around that one. lol
You’re definitely right, Rhianna, no getting around it!
My decoration would be a shiny blinged-out USB drive with all my fave books!
That would be so cool, BookAttict! A very awesome decoration.
It would be something with desserts since I have a big sweet tooth.
Yum, Jess1. I have a teeny tiny sweet tooth as well (-:
I made mesh ribbons for my Christmas tree. Your book sounds very interesting.
Thanks, Theresa! Your ribbons sound great. I made homemade decorations once…I still have them.
My decoration would be books for sure.
A good choice, Barbara!
I’d choose Zayne’s ornament; always wanted to travel in space!
It’s pretty cool, isn’t it, Janie. We have a spaceship ornament on our tree (Mr. H is a Star Wars fan).
Chocolates or books. Either way, the tree would be awesome!
I absolutely agree, Teja!
My ornament would be a tiny book.
Very popular around here, Michelle (-:
chocolate
Good choice, bn100!
Probably a book. 🙂
JoAnna, I’m not surprised to see so many readers around here would choose a book.
It’s a family tradition to make an ornament for the tree each year. This year we have made a few 🙂
What a fabulous tradition, Lori! I might have to steal that idea.
Chocolate and a book
Very popular choices, Donnas!
I think my Christmas decoration would be a group gathered together. I love my family and friends. I have enjoyed Jen Twimom’s reviews on this series, it’s on my TBR list.
Hi Una! I’d love a family decoration of my two monsters (I mean, boys!). Jen’s done a fab job with the reviews. Hope you enjoy the Phoenix Adventures!
My decoration would be a snowman family.
Perfect for Christmas, Maureen!
Books!!