@TTCBooksandmore 12 Days of #giveaway Event | Day 5 Author BG Thomas @Dreamspinner

Happy Holidays and welcome to the TTC Books and more 12 Days of Giveaways Event! 

I've teamed up with 12 amazing Authors to put together 12 days of fun that will include promos, spotlights, reviews, special Christmas guest posts and... giveaways! Each day starting today and going through December 23rd will spotlight a different Author, and each Author is offering up a giveaway on their day. You could win e-books, giftcards, swag and more. For day 5, let's go shopping! 
Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf, by BG Thomas

Kit Jefferies, a part-time department store Christmas elf, is an artist who loves life and his family. Unfortunately, his car dies at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere as he is heading home for Christmas. Enter Nick St. George. 

Nick is a very unhappy man—he's achieved his professional goals only to find the rest of his life bleak and empty. Deciding there was only one way to make everything right, he is on his way to San Francisco on a dark mission, and even the horrible sleet storm that blocked his path won't deter him. That's when he found Kit. 

At first, Nick is pretty sure rescuing Kit was a big mistake. Kit's personality is just too, well, effervescent. But as the miles go by, Kit begins to bring light to his dark heart. It might even be bright enough to illuminate a Christmas miracle. 

Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Audio | Audible

And now, a super special Xmas post from the Author...

Holiday Stories; A Wonderful and Magick Tradition

For as far back as I can remember, I have loved Christmas stories. I suppose it was such specials as “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and most especially “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” that started it. I was between four and six when these specials first premiered, which is dating me, but then wasn’t I lucky to see these when they first came out? And to have grown up with them? And to have grown up having to wait a year to see them? Having that anticipation? Not being able to just pop in a tape or DVD and see them whenever I wanted? I think I appreciated them more. Oh! I almost forgot! “The Little Drummer Boy!” A story about a boy all alone in the world except for his animal friends, and how the Christ’s birth story changed his life and helped him forget the anger in his heart, and to forgive and love again....

That’s a big part of it for me. Love and forgiveness and remembering the reason for the season. And I’m not saying that is reserved for Christianity! I know far too many beautiful people who are Jewish or pagan or even have no religion at all who love this time of year. So many people, those who haven’t been drowned in commercialism, love the holiday season as well.

There were some powerful science fiction stories in there as well. And if you have never read “The Star” by Arthur C. Clarke, you should. You will never look at the story of the Star of Bethlehem the same way again. Oh! And the Christmas stories of Connie Willis, Grand Master of Science Fiction! She even has a collection out called “Miracle and Other Christmas Stories.” They range from tear jerkers to laugh-out-loud tales and even have some cool science thrown into at least one of them. You will love them, I promise!

As a matter of fact, it was the esteemed Ms. Willis who inspired me! I think it is wonderful that as a writer, I quite suddenly had my chance to join in this great tradition and add tales of magick and love for this Merry Yuletide. Most especially magick. Because it was the ringing of the bell on the tree that told George Bailey that an angel had earned his wings, the sound of the Whos singing rising over the snow, and the little lamb that came back to life and leapt into the arms of Aaron that got me to crying joyful tears each and every time I watched those shows that made me love holiday stories. By becoming a writer, I knew I had a chance to add to the magick!

So that is why I wrote “Christmas Wish,” where a bear who hates his life and his body is given a gorgeous studly body only to find that his fantasy isn’t what he thought it would be. Or “Christmas Cole,” where the opposite happens—a gorgeous leatherman is hit with a Beauty and the Beast curse, gay Christmas style. Magick! And I loved writing “Grumble Monkey and the Dept. Store Elf,” a bah-humbug story if ever there was one. And “Bianca’s Plan!” Where a little girl sets her lonely dad up on a series of horrible dates in order to help him find true love—and the sneaky inner plan she had all along. There are more, including helping another bear find love in “The Beary Best Holiday Party Ever,” and “All Snug,” the story I wrote from an idea my husband gave me. The ending makes me cry every time (in a good way). And finally, this year, “Mele Kalikimaka.” I wanted to do something different, and I was talking to my friend Noah Willoughby, who lives in Hawaii and who I have been wanting to write something with for some time, when suddenly it occurred to me that I had a story right there! Christmas in Hawaii, and a chance to show how different (and the same) Christmas is in our 50th state. It was also a delight to write it with Noah.

And guess what?  I am already getting ideas for next year’s story!

I love this holiday season and I love telling stories and I really love telling tales where a little magick changes hearts and brings love.

I hope this season brings you all of that and more. Forgiveness where it needs be. Change where that needs to come. And most of all, love, love, love. To me, that’s the reason for the season.

Merry Christmahanayulekwanzika!

And a very Happy New Year.

B.G. “Ben” Thomas

B.G. Thomas lives in Kansas City with his husband for nearly fifteen years and was legally married in 2014. Ehey have a fabulous little dog, Sarah Jane. He sees his wonderful daughter just often enough to miss her when she isn't there! He has a romantic soul and is extraordinarily lucky to have many friends.

He loves science fiction & fantasy, horror, romance and more, has gone to SF&F conventions his entire adult life, and been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers. He is a “Star Trek” and Joss Whedon fan from way back!

He has written all his life, it is where he finds his joy. In the 90’s, he wrote for gay magazines, but stopped because they wanted him to cut out story and romance, and write only sex.

Then through a few friends, he discovered the growing market of M/M Romance and was thrilled beyond words. FINALLY, a way to write the stories he always wanted to write. Adventure, romantic comedy, science fiction, and more, but with gay characters. And he wouldn't have to fade to black! People wanted to read the erotic as well. Plot and sex! HURRAY!

B.G. Thomas very much believes in The Law of Attraction and that "thoughts become things." A lot of things all started happening at once. He heard the words, "Leap, and the net will appear," and something re-kindled inside. He sent out a story and was thrilled when it was almost immediately accepted.

He believes that we are divine expressions of the Universe, each and everyone. "It is never too late!,” he states. “Pursue your dreams! They will come true!"

Website: www.bgthomas.t83.net

Thank you so much for that amazing post Ben! Now for the goodies. 

Each author is giving a little something away each day. Entry is easy, just complete the rafflecopter below and at midnight each day a winner will be pulled for that days giveaway. See the complete list below for what's up for grabs and have a very Merry Christmas everyone!! 

December 12th - Andrew Grey 

(Winner's choice e-book from Grey's backlist)

December 13th - Teodora Kostova

(Surprise Swag)

December 14th - Jeff Adams

(1 winner e-book and audiobook of Rivals)

December 15th - Susan Mac Nicol

(Winner's choice e-book from Mac Nicol's backlist)

December 16th - BG Thomas

(e-book copy of Grumble Monkey and the Dept. Store Elf)

December 17th - Cate Ashwood

(Surprise Swag)

December 18th - Joe Cosentino

(Audiobook copy of THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TALES FROM FAIRYLAND)

December 19th - Dirk Greyson

(Winner's choice e-book from Greyson's backlist)

December 20th - LC Chase

(1 winner e-book copy of An Unfortunate Blizzard - 

1 winner audiobook copy of An Unfortunate Blizzard)

December 21st - Charlie Cochet

($10 Amazon giftcard)

December 22nd - LE Franks

(E-book or Audiobook copy of Snow Globe, Winner's choice)

December 23rd - AE Via

(E-book copy of Nothing Special "V")

a Rafflecopter giveaway