A dragon on the loose!

The second in the Fire Riders series released on Tuesday!

Alin can’t believe he captured Geant. Even though he did it unfairly and feels badly about it, he feels his people need this leverage against Eastania. The grizzled captain of Eastania’s dragon riders is just as fascinating in person as he was on parchment. Geant wants his freedom and if his captor would just come in chain's reach, he could get away. But Alin the captain of Wardona’s dragon riders is a little too alluring and sexy, and too smart to take the risk.

When Alin finally does walk within Geant's chain's reach, many things could happen. But what does is nothing either man expected. Combustion. And not the kind that explodes dragon riders. Volatile chemistry of the sexual sort.

Then Geant’s mate Elesia shows up, along with the Eastania delegation ready to negotiate freedom for Geant; she knows one thing instantly. Someone else has been taking her mate. What she discovers is an attraction and an interest in Alin as strong as Geant's own.

War threatens to keep them apart. Can they deny how they feel, or will the fire within consume them all?

To read an excerpt.










A snoopy dancing Mechele
www.mechelarmstrong.com

Christmas Quickie Contest!

We're all so busy this time of year. There are halls to be decked, food to be prepared and presents to buy. Then there are all the social obligations, Christmas pageants and the like to schedule in. There's not much time for reading.


But there's always time for a Quickie. No, not that kind of quickie. (Although that's not a bad idea either.) But a quick read. Something you can pick up and read in one sitting while you're relaxing after a hard day of work or shopping.

I want to help you out this holiday season, so I'm giving away a free PDF download of one of my Ellora’s Cave Quickies each Friday between December 2nd and December 23rd. Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

Winning names will be chosen at random and announced each Friday until December 23rd. That means there are TWO drawings left!

You only have to enter once to be in all the drawings!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Book and a New Contest!

Looking for a quick holiday read? Check out my Ellora's Cave Quickie Jessamyn's Christmas Gift!

BLURB:

It's Christmas Eve and Jessamyn Parker waits by the fireside in her boyfriend's house. She expects him home any minute after being away for three months on business. Clad only in a slinky teddy and sprawled beneath the Christmas tree, she plans to surprise him. But instead of her boyfriend, a complete stranger surprises her.

Caleb Morgan is the new sheriff, and unbeknownst to her, he is also the new owner of the house. Jessamyn flees back to her own home, determined to forget not only her boyfriend's betrayal, but also the heated desire that Caleb has sparked within her.

While Jessamyn is shocked by his appearance, Caleb is enthralled by her. But Jessamyn has had more than enough of men. Now, one year later, it's Christmas time again, and Jessamyn is still swearing off men. But Caleb has other ideas. The only thing he wants for Christmas is the same thing he wanted last year and didn't quite get — Jessamyn Parker under his tree.

CHRISTMAS QUICKIE CONTEST!

We're all so busy this time of year. There are halls to be decked, food to be prepared and presents to buy. Then there are all the social obligations, Christmas pageants and the like to schedule in. There's not much time for reading.

But there's always time for a Quickie. No, not that kind of quickie. (Although that's not a bad idea either.) But a quick read. Something you can pick up and read in one sitting while you're relaxing after a hard day of work or shopping.

I want to help you out this holiday season, so I'm giving away a free PDF download of one of my Ellora’s Cave Quickies each Friday between December 2nd and December 23rd. Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

Winning names will be chosen at random and announced each Friday.

You only have to enter once to be in all the drawings!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

A Vampire For Christmas

A few weeks ago I got the official notice of return to me of the rights to my Christmas vampire story, A Vampire's Christmas Carol. This novella originally appeared in the Beneath A Christmas Moon anthology published by Cerridwen Press.

I decided to go ahead and re-publish it on my own. Converting an edited file for Smashwords, Nook, and Kindle isn't really hard, just a bit painstaking. But I followed the directions closely, created my own new cover for the story and posted it.

Here's the blurb for it: Can Christmas Eve get any more fun? On her way to her family's home, Carol Prescott’s car slides into a ditch in a deserted area with no cell phone signal. The only available shelter is already occupied…by a vampire. To Michael Carpenter, Carol is the bait of a trap.

In an effort to hold onto his soul, Michael has resisted the urge to drink human blood for almost a century. Now he hovers between human and vampire. If he doesn’t drink from a human before the night ends, he’ll die. He’s desperately thirsty, but Michael has seen the soulless monsters vampires are and he prefers death. Carol is pure temptation to him, the Christmas present from hell…or is it from heaven?

I'm thrilled to say that A Vampire's Christmas Carol is now available in most e-formats. Better yet, it's only 99 cents on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and free on Smashwords.

Links:
Amazon Kindle
Nook
Smashwords

My Christmas present to you! But hurry, it's only free for a limited time. When the year turns to a new one so also will the price for the story.

If you're looking for a quick holiday read...

Looking for a quick, fun read this holiday? Be sure to check out Jessamyn's Christmas Gift my White Hot Holidays Christmas Quickie from Ellora's Cave.

BLURB:

It's Christmas Eve and Jessamyn Parker waits by the fireside in her boyfriend's house. She expects him home any minute after being away for three months on business. Clad only in a slinky teddy and sprawled beneath the Christmas tree, she plans to surprise him. But instead of her boyfriend, a complete stranger surprises her.

Caleb Morgan is the new sheriff, and unbeknownst to her, he is also the new owner of the house. Jessamyn flees back to her own home, determined to forget not only her boyfriend's betrayal, but also the heated desire that Caleb has sparked within her.

While Jessamyn is shocked by his appearance, Caleb is enthralled by her. But Jessamyn has had more than enough of men. Now, one year later, it's Christmas time again, and Jessamyn is still swearing off men. But Caleb has other ideas. The only thing he wants for Christmas is the same thing he wanted last year and didn't quite get — Jessamyn Parker under his tree.

Read an Excerpt

BUY THE BOOK

The monkey is out!!

Liquid Silver released Code Monkey on Monday! I'm so so excited.

Love my cover. Love Baxter. Love the story. Yep, I'm snoopy dancing right now!

Blurb: Baxter Savage is bored at his job as a code monkey (aka computer programmer). He dreams of leaving his job for better but his sensual dreams of the company’s receptionist, Anna Marie, keep him at his job for now.

Anna Marie is the low woman on the totem pole who wants to be more and dreams of hitting the big time. When she’s asked to spy on a suspected secrets thief for a promotion, she can’t believe her luck. Only it means spending time with a code monkey, namely Baxter.

Baxter is thrilled to have Anna Marie’s attention and Anna Marie soon finds that the code monkey is a lot more interesting than she ever thought possible.

When she finds herself falling for him, will she answer the call of her heart or of her dreams? Can they catch the real thief together or will the code monkey lose it all?

To read an excerpt (the first chapter).

Hope you enjoy the story as much as I did writing it.

Mechele

Who let the dragons out?

Loose Id did! Whooo hoooo. Taming the Fire released yesterday.



Blurb: Against the backdrop of a war over land where battles rage every night, Byron and Callum came together in an inferno of lust and they've been happy together. One problem, though; Byron is a dragon rider who is nearing the age when his fire build up will be too much and he’ll be in danger of combusting. It doesn’t help that Callum is a dragon rider too and raises Byron’s fire instead of lowering it. Only one thing will ease the fires within Byron.

A human.

Mira has been just existing, trying to stay out of everyone’s notice. Only she finds herself fascinated by two dragon riders who don’t act like the others. It’s a dangerous interest, and she should know. Her parents died as a result of dragon rider actions. But she hasn’t escaped Byron’s and Callum’s attention.

When Byron and Callum decide she’s the answer to their problems, will she rise above her problems and prejudices and step into the dragon’s lair to tame Byron’s fire?

To read an excerpt.


Where they be dragons, there is love!
Mechele

Love in Flames by N.J. Walters

Love in Flames, the third and final book in the Spells, Secrets and Seductions trilogy, is now available from Samhain Publishing! Each book can be read as a stand-alone read, but they all are connected through three good friends--Esther, Rhiannon and Maggie--and a candle magick spell they cast one night.

BLURB:

A love to last a lifetime…or a dream turned to ash?

Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 3

When Esther goes along with her friend’s candle-magick spell, it’s not because she wants a lover. But a good old-fashioned one-night stand could be just what she needs to get her mind off Ryan Jameson. Having lost her father in the line of duty, she has no plans to lose her heart to a firefighter.

Not that Ryan doesn’t heat up her nightly dreams. Those erotic fantasies invariably end in deadly flames—a still-smoking echo of her ancestral namesake, whose wedding day ended in the fiery loss of her husband. A man whose dying breath was a promise to one day find his beloved.

All his life, Ryan’s dreams have taken him backward in time. As he matured, so did those dreams—erotic fantasies of a woman he loves but has yet to meet. Then he finds her in Burnt Cove. But she’s not only holding him at arm’s length, she refuses to acknowledge their time-proof bond.

On a magical Samhain night, undeniable desire is stronger than the walls around her heart. But time has one last test for them—one that will meld them into one, or drive them apart forever.


Product Warnings: This book contains a simple candle-magick spell, a hunky fireman, past lives, lost lovers and enough heat to start a bonfire.


Be sure to check out books 1 & 2--A Touch of Magick and Dreams of Seduction.

Lady's Minstrel by N.J. Walters

Lady's Minstrel is now available from Ellora's Cave!

BLURB:


Alicia was barely a bride before her husband Reys left on Crusade, and she has waited six years for any word on his whereabouts. Without a strong lord, the castle is in a precarious position and it is only a matter of time until the king orders her to remarry or tries to take the keep by force.

When a mysterious hooded minstrel shows up at the castle, the man’s furtive actions lead Alicia to believe he is a spy. She confronts him—and discovers he is no stranger. Reys is scarred emotionally and physically by his years in a foreign prison. Now both are left wondering if there is a future for them or if the love they once shared is gone forever.

Read an Excerpt

Buy the Book

The dust has settled ...

... and I am back. Not back to 'normal', of course -- we're in a new house, a new town and I have new routines that haven't been developed yet. But I am back to having regular Internet access and I'm slowly getting into a schedule.

I work at home now (telecommute to my job back in Minnesota and California), so that's been an adjustment. I truly love working out of a home office. Of course, I enjoy my job, so that helps a lot, too.

My other life as a fiction writer has been slowing down. I used to try to write at least an hour or two a day, but now I'm happy if I get an hour a day of writing-related activity, whether it be writing or promo or whatever. It seems like there is always something else that requires my attention -- new house stuff, or new town stuff, or new friend stuff.

I think in the winter I'll get more of a writing routine again. That's when I get all my best writing done anyway, so I'm starting to look forward to it. Let's face it, I had 8 books release this year: 4 new books and 4 re-releases. All before June. So I'm fatigued, I guess. I'm going to spread out my releases next year. One in January, one in May, one in October.

I think that'll keep me busy enough!

The Gift of Shayla by N.J. Walters

I’m thrilled to announce that The Gift of Shayla is now available from Carina Press.


BLURB:

Adam Lancaster has been in love with Rob McKeith—and attracted to Rob’s wife, Shayla—for years, but he fears their friendship would be over if they knew the truth. So he’s thrilled when his secret fantasy becomes reality and the couple offers him a very special gift: a sensual Christmas Eve in their bedroom…

A Touch of Magick now in PRINT!

I'm thrilled to announce that A Touch of Magick is available in PRINT today from Samhain Publishing!



BLURB:

If you go casting love spells, be careful what you wish for.

Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 1

Rhiannon Sparks admits she’s not a very good witch—she can’t even light a candle without a match—but she keeps trying. At least her talent for business has made her magick shop a huge success. Now if only there was even the faintest flicker in her nonexistent love life.

During a night of eating and drinking, she and her girlfriends cast a candle-magick spell for hot sex. All in good fun, of course. Except Rhiannon accidentally mixes up the words. Instead of a lover, she asks for true love.

Deputy Ryland Stone’s past keeps him firmly rooted in reality. Then he meets Rhiannon and sparks literally fly. One date leads to another, and then they’re practically setting the bedroom on fire…until she reveals the deal breaker.

Though love and magick have found Rhiannon at last, getting a handle on her newly unleashed power is the least of her problems. Unless Ryland accepts that magick exists, he will never accept her for who and what she is.

Buy from Samhain Publishing

Buy from Amazon

September Newsletter Now Available!

The September 2011 issue of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters—is now available.

Be sure to check out all the latest news, my husband’s popular column—Confessions of a Romance Author’s Husband—an excerpt, and this month’s interview with the wonderful B.J. McCall.

As always, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to the Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter.

Two New Releases!

I've got two new releases to share with you!

The first is Dreams of Seduction from Samhain Publishing. This book can be read as a stand alone read but is part of the Spells, Secrets and Seductions trilogy.




BLURB:

Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 2

Maggie O’Neill goes along with her two best friends’ candle-magick spell to summon a lover only because, well, they are her BFFs. She doesn’t really believe in this stuff. Yet the aftermath of the spell leaves her strangely hot and bothered, and then the dreams of a man start—and not just any man. Jed Bearson. Pity, since she’s sworn off men for the foreseeable future.

Jed, part-time deputy and painter, doesn’t tell many people that he has the ability to let his spirit travel outside his body. One night, despite his self-imposed rule to never invade anyone’s privacy, he follows an irresistible pull to Maggie’s bedside. He’s astounded to find her crying out his name in private pleasure. After months of giving her space, maybe it’s time to approach her.

Maggie and Jed’s first touch is lightning hot—and their passion is a thunderclap of erotic pleasure. But when Jed reveals he’s a spiritwalker, Maggie’s reaction is like a curtain of cold rain descending between them. Leaving him wondering what she’s afraid of. Magic? Him? Or of following her heart?

Read an Excerpt.

Buy the Book.






The next one is The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance, which contains my short story "Blind Date."

BLURB:

When her best friend sets her up on a blind date Audra Simmons is more than a little reluctant. She’s still trying to get over her break up with Tyson Brewer. It’s been eight long months since she’s seen him. She thought their relationship was headed somewhere special. Instead, it ended up in heartache.

She shows up at a local jazz bar for her “date” and is shocked to find it’s none other than her ex—Tyson. She thought she was over him, but it only takes one look for the passion to surge between them. He wants to talk. She wants a night of hot sex. This time, she’s going to be the one walking out the door.

But Tyson has a plan and it doesn’t include losing Audra for a second time.

Checking in!

I've had a busy spring and thus I have been absent. What's been going on?

1. We're moving. We bought a new house 250 miles away. I'm able to telecommute with my current job (which I love), so we decided to move (long story best told over a drink in a bar).
2. We sold our current house. Didn't have to put it on the market. Long story best told over ... you get the idea.
3. I self-published 3 books from my backlist, that were returned to me. Check out my progress here. I also have books on Smashwords and one in print. That has kept me busy.
4. I had 3 books release in the last 4 months. Check the Deadly Landscape Romances here.
5. An older book finally came out in print. Woo!
6. I work full-time and have had major deadlines in the Day Job.
7. My health has been shaky for the last year or so. It got very shaky this year. I'm stable now but it's been an interesting trip through Medical Land.

And, of course, I'm still writing -- I have 2 books ready to self-publish, I have one in progress, I have one to edit and get ready.

So I'm sorry I haven't been here as often as I would like, but hey -- I've got an excuse! And I apologize in advance if you comment and I don't reply. I have no idea when my Internet service will be viable again.

I hope to get back to regular postings once the dust settles in the new house. Until then -- have a happy summer and keep on reading (and writing!)

New in PRINT!

Isaiah's Haven is available in PRINT today from Samhain Publishing!




BLURB:

Isaiah Striker puts family first, the pack a distant second. Which is precisely the reason he’s in noisy, crowded Chicago instead of alone in his beloved woods. One look at the owner of Haven nightclub, however, and a simple favor for his brother turns into something else entirely.

Meredith Cross holds her small pack together with sheer determination. After years on the run, they hide in the glare of the city’s nightlife. Isaiah may heat her blood, but she can’t afford to risk the lives of the outcast half-breeds in her care. Once exposed, every bounty hunter and werewolf purist in smelling distance will hunt them down.

But when their sexual attraction spirals out of control, a moment’s distraction is all it takes to lead danger right to Meredith’s door. For Meredith there’s only one choice: her pack.

But Isaiah knows his mate when he sees her. And he’s not giving up without a fight.

BUY IT NOW!

New Book Available Today!

I'm thrilled to announce that MacNamara's Lady is available today from Ellora's Cave Publishing.

This is a stand alone read but anyone who has followed the Awakening Desires series will recognize both Missy and T.S.

BLURB:

Sixth in the Awakening Desires series.

Missy Sinclair knows what she wants out of life—a secure job, a fine home, financial independence and, eventually, a man to share it with. That man will have class and style, share her goals and tastes and like fine wine and classical music. Why then is she so attracted to T.S. MacNamara, who is the complete opposite?

T.S. makes no apologies to anyone for his life. He’s worked hard to make his general contracting business a success. He likes beer and football. He’s not looking for anything permanent. Problem is, he can’t stop wanting Missy.

When he rescues Missy from a violent mugging, the seething physical attraction that’s been shimmering between them for months finally explodes. Classy and rough, dark and light, educated and blue-collar. Opposites attract—at least in the bedroom. But they both have secrets that won’t stay buried…secrets that threaten to drive them apart unless they’re both willing to face their pasts.

Legacy Found available from Samhain Publishing!

Today is the day! Legacy Found, my 50th book, is now available from Samhain Publishing. I can't tell you how exciting I am about the release of this book. It represents a huge milestone in my life and in my writing career. Plus, I love this story!



BLURB:

She outran her memories. She couldn’t outrun her past.

Legacy, Book 3

Shelley is a killer. Never mind that her “crime” freed her from thirty-five years of brutal captivity—the bounty hunters on her trail don’t care. For the first time in her life, she is on her own, free to put the past behind her and explore what it means to be a werewolf.

James Riley is dead tired. After a week untangling legal and financial affairs his brother’s death left behind, he’s feeling every ounce of his new responsibility as Wolf Creek pack alpha. He’s not too tired, though, to notice his sexy waitress is a werewolf—one that strangely doesn’t recognize him as one of her own kind.

After his questions rattle her composure and get her fired, Shelley figures the least James can do is drive her to the next town, but he wants more. He wants to take her home. And despite her fear, something inside her is irresistibly drawn to his commanding yet gentle presence.

James is willing to give Shelley all the time she needs to embrace her heritage, her sexuality, and eventually his love. But her past will not be denied...and her secrets demand a price paid in blood.

BUY THE BOOK

Read an Excerpt

Operation Auction

Fatin Soufan has been an integral part of the romance community for years – she owns and runs the RR@H Novel Thoughts and Book Talk blog, is an administrator of the WriteMinded loop, an author assistant and a tireless advocate for romance novels. She is also a friend to many in this community. *

* On Tuesday, March 8th, she lost her husband in a senseless act of violence, leaving her alone with four children. You can read more about the tragedy here: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/9233067/

*

The romance community is rallying around her to raise money for her and her family. Operation Auction is now live on eBay. Many authors, editors and others have donated items for this auction.

*

Batch One will be up March 27th at 12:01 am PDT, ending March 30th at 12:01am

Batch Two will be up March 28th at 12:01 am PDT, ending March 31st at 12:01am

Batch Three will be up March 29th at 12:01 am PDT, ending April 1st at 12:01am

All listings will run for three days.

*

Click here to see items

*

I have a book bundle--two signed print books--up for bid in Batch Two. Please help if you can.

Check out My Item up for Auction

Check out all the items up for auction at Operation Auction

A question of balance

Like so many authors, I'm making a foray into self-publishing by uploading some old titles of mine. One book is out there -- it was called "Forgiveness" but I changed the title to "Penance" (my first choice for the book but I was overruled). I uploaded it last week. I hope to have the second book in the series uploaded soon and the third book in another month or so.

I figure this is a win-win for me. The rights were returned to me on these books, and I'm not out-of-pocket much (just the cost of cover art and formatting). I haven't done much promotion yet for the book(s). I hope to get to that once the Great House Hunt settles down.

Yes, we're hunting and we thought we had the perfect house. Sweet little layout, nice property, yada yada yada ... then we met with the owner and he gestured grandly toward the pasture in the distance. "That's where they say they might build the highway, but they've been talking about that for 30 years so ..."

SCREECH. Yep, we ground to a halt. My husband (bless him) immediately started calling the DOT, the mayor, the Planning Commission -- so small feat since we live in Minnesota and the house is in Iowa. The bottom line? The road will be built. Maybe 5 years, maybe 10. Maybe sooner. No one is sure.

So it's back to house hunting, which is a nice diversion from promotion, which is a nice diversion from house hunting. Maybe I'm finally getting this whole 'balance' thing figured out. It's just a matter of juggling the right kind of balls at the same time ....

Woven Dreams--One Hot Cover

Naughty Edition Reviews has featured Woven Dreams as one of it's "Hawttest Book Covers!

*

BLURB:

*

In Javara, women are scarce and brothers must share a woman, although only one can claim her as a wife. Scarred and maimed from a battle fought almost a year ago, Jarmon Bakra is afraid chances are slim that he and his twin brother, Garrik, will find a bride.

*

While on a hunting trip, the brothers stumble upon a woman claiming to be a tapestry bride. Now that fate has dropped a beautiful, courageous woman in their path, they will both use all their sexual skills separately and together to convince her to stay.

*

But Genny has secrets of her own and they have only three days to uncover the truth.

*

*

How nice to be back

I took a month off (in a way) and just spent the time writing and doing a little bit of promo for my book(s) that released.

I also redesigned my web site, making it a web slog--web site blog combination (see it here). I hadn't planned on redesigning my web site, but hosting issue meant I lost my old site, so I had to do something, and that seemed like a good idea.

I also started a regular gig blogging at two or three different sites. I blog at Savvy Authors and at the How To Write Shop as well as From the Heart Romance Writers. Each of them, once a month. That's always fun.


And, of course, there are the books to talk about. It seems like there are always books to talk about. Leap of Faith is the 3rd book in my New Human series (and it got a 4-star RT review, which thrilled me)!

Lie to Me is the 4th book in my RS series that started with Brilliant Disguise, a few years back.

And I have 3 more books (at least 3) releasing this year: they start in April then there's one in May, and one in June. Plus, if I get organized, I'll have 3 more old books (whose rights reverted to me) releasing in digital and print on Kindle, etc.

So much for time off!

Be My Moon

Be My Moon released on Tuesday! I'm so excited!

Buy Link

Blurb: Hilary is enjoying a night under the full moon when out of nowhere, comes a man. His first words are to ask her name so that he knows what to call her when he has her under him.

Rourke has been looking for another Moon Person for years and can’t resist Hilary’s scent. They are alike and the power release when they have sex is out of this world.

Only Hilary can’t quite believe the lore that Rourke is telling her about them, even though it makes so much sense. She can’t be a Moon Person. But when danger lurks and forcibly takes Rourke away from her, she can’t imagine life without him. It might be too late, but she has to try and get him back to ask whether he will be her moon.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse.


To read an Excerpt

I shall be dancing under the moon! And visiting Loose Id's home page for a while!

Mechele Armstrong
www.mechelearmstrong.com

A Book for Valentine's Day!

Looking for a romantic read? Check out my Ellora's Cave Quickie, Anastasia's Style. It's a Valentine's Day romance with lots of love and plenty of HEAT!


BLURB:

Anastasia Style, owner of Hassle-free Holidays, is having anything but a hassle-free Valentine's Day. Her normally reliable car has a flat and she has a delivery to make for a last minute, lucrative client. And if that wasn't enough to make a woman crazy, she still has to make it to her lawyer's office in time to sign her divorce papers.

She just has to set the stage for her client's romantic evening and then she's off to her lawyer's office to officially end her marriage to Mason Style. Except her client has other ideas about how Anastasia will be spending her evening, and he has no intention of ever letting her go.

Read an Excerpt

Buy the Book

Groundhog Day!

Today is Groundhog Day, and those of us in the United States and Canada watch carefully every year on this day to see what the groundhog will do. According to folklore, if the groundhog emerges from its burrow, that means winter will soon end. If the groundhog sees its shadow and goes back to its burrow we will have six more weeks of winter.

Some famous groundhogs who have helped predict our fate over the years are Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil, Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam and Alberta's Balzac Billy.

Personally, with all the bad weather hitting us I don't think it matters what the groundhog has to say this year. Winter is here and it isn't going anywhere for a while yet.

Happy Groundhog Day!