HAVE A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN!!!
Oct31
Monthly Archives: October 2017
Oct30
Apple Cake
Looking for a fall theme dessert? This apple cake is really fast and easy to make and made with simple ingredients. It tastes delicious on its own even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
APPLE CAKE
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 medium apples
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup granulated sugar (will be separated)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (will be separated)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
Directions:
* Preheat oven to 350 degrees * melt butter, set aside to cool.
* peel core & cut apples, like you would for an apple pie.
* Combine apples, 1 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, coat apples.
* place apples in a greased, 8 or 9 inch baking dish, or a pie dish. spread out to make an even layer
* In a new bowl, add remaining sugar, flour, and baking powder. mix to combine.
* add in slightly beaten egg and butter to flour mix.
* mix just until combined. Do Not over mix.
* batter will be stiff, carefully spread batter over apples.
* Bake in preheated oven 40-45 minute
* cool pan on wire rack 15 minute.
* Serve warm or room temperature.
Oct29
New Release: Trusting Him
Title: Trusting Him
Author: Laura N. Andrews
Series: Bromley Brothers, Book 1
Genre: Gay Romance
Release Date: October 28, 2017
Cover Designer: Claire Smith
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Buy now for half price!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vI8seA
All others: books2read.com/trustinghim
Event coordinator Trey Bromley is the youngest of three brothers and is out and proud. The last thing he’s looking for is a man who doesn’t know what he wants.
After a chance meeting with David Rossi, a security guard who has recently discovered his bisexuality, Trey begins to question exactly what he wants and how much he’s prepared to bend his own rules.
Buy now for half price!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vI8seA
All others: books2read.com/trustinghim
Canadian born Laura N. Andrews moved to Australia when she was three years old. When she finished high school, she successfully completed her studies in law enforcement. Since then, she’s been working for over five years as a pharmacy assistant. When she’s not working or spending time with family and friends, you can find her either curled up with a book or writing one of her own.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed274/
Oct27
Countdown To Christmas
For all of you out there that enjoy an early Christmas, Hallmark started the movies today. You can catch the Christmas movies on regular Hallmark channel now and at 8 pm eastern time on Hallmark movies and mysteries. Happy Holiday!!!
Oct27
Available Now: Something That Simple + GIVEAWAY!
Author: Kari Nelson
Title: Something That Simple
Series: Duet Book 1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 27th, 2017
Avery’s parents’ divorce was bad enough, but when her mother seeks the ultimate revenge against her father for his lies, deceptions, and marrying another woman, it sets Avery’s life on a path of destruction. Avery’s mother’s failed attempt at ruining her father’s honeymoon ends up leaving Avery all on her own to suffer through the aftermath that spans a lifetime.
It should never have been Matt who had to come to Avery’s rescue. But somehow, he always finds a way to aid Avery when she needs it most.
He isn’t exactly the knight in shining armor type, but when it comes to Avery, he gives her no less than the absolute best.
Her contempt for him breeds his love and devotion for her that won’t be denied.
Though he has loved no other woman and had no intentions of falling for Avery, Matt finds himself trapped in a battle of right and wrong as he fights to make Avery believe in true love, and that they have always been meant to be together.
This is a duet series told from the POV of Matt and Avery as they struggle in their love for each other; fighting scandal, family ties, and against each other every step of the way.
Nothing can ever be Something That Simple… as love.
WARNING: TRIGGERS, SEX, VIOLENCE & MURDER -This is not for the faint at heart. It can be disturbing. It is a bad, bad world we live in.
***Good does triumph over evil***
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2zIHFhp
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2hebv6u
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2i9j4Lh
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2i9tpH1
Kari Nelson is not a conventional writer. She’s extremely daring and willing and able to take plenty of risks with her writing. Pretty much writing things that go into her head, and probably shouldn’t come out, as she attempts to lead readers on a journey they wouldn’t expect and perhaps, never knew they wanted to go on.
She is very unpredictable; because what fun is there in being predictable and reading about it?
Her stuff can be raw, raunchy and downright dirty at times. Her stories can also be a roller coaster of emotions that can leave one breathless with literary prose or throwing a fit out of sheer frustration of it not going in their desired direction.
She loves the possibilities in insanity and the deeply deranged. She will take you to the brink of crazy and slowly bring you back to normal.
As a genre jumper, due to her fascination with sexuality, religion, and politics, she often finds herself in hot water because her thoughts on these heated-debate topics are unconventional, and cannot be placed in a box. But as a freethinker, she refuses to conform.
Website: https://karinelsonbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GatorGirlBooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FL_G8rGrl
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
Oct22
Chocolate Fudge Frosting
I love having holiday theme desserts. I especially love when I can whip something up really fast and make it look like you spend more time on it than you actually did. This is easy because its a box cake with a cooked frosting that is easily poured onto the cake. Add sprinkles to match any holiday or occasion.
Chocolate Fudge frosting
Bundt cake, made with a box mix per directions. you can use any recipe also if you like for your favorite cake.
In a medium sauce pan bring to boil
4 Tablespoons butter, I use unsalted
3 tablespoons milk
Once butter is melted, remove from heat.
Add 2 tablespoons cocoa, whisk to incorporate
Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 pound of confectioner sugar, add a few tablespoons at a time until you get the right consistency. May need more or less than the 1/2 pound.
Whisk until smooth. The frosting will be runny, but it should not be to runny, add more sugar if you feel it should be thicker.
But it should be thin enough that when you pour it on the cake it will spread out evenly almost by itself.
Pour warm frosting over the cake. Work fast to smooth it, it dries fast.
Before the cake frosting dries, now is the time to add sprinkles.
Let cool and slice to eat.
Oct22
NEW RELEASE + SALE: Inked Hearts
Title: Inked Hearts
Author: Lindsay Detwiler
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 21, 2017
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: Claire Smith
On sale for half price!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2uOxzwg
All other links: books2read.com/inkedhearts
“Six years, a complex about my freckles, a love for pastrami, and a fear of failure. That’s what he gave me before slaughtering my heart and my faith in men.”
Suffering from the sting of betrayal, twenty-eight-year-old Avery Johannas quits her job and moves hundreds of miles away to Ocean City, the beach town of her dreams. With the help of her zany roommate, Jodie, Avery finds a new career, home, and freedom. Throughout her self-exploration, she makes only one rule: She won’t give her heart to a man again. She’s living for herself this time.
But then she meets Jesse.
A tattoo shop owner, the green-eyed Jesse Pearce is wild with a touch of mystery. As Jesse and Avery explore Ocean City and their friendship, they’ll have a hard time drawing a line in the sand between their hearts.
When summer nights get a little more heated than either expected, they’ll have to ask themselves: Can they let go of their notions of love, or will their hearts be permanently inked by past pain?
On sale for half price!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2uOxzwg
All other links: books2read.com/inkedhearts
A high school English teacher, an author, and a fan of anything pink and/or glittery, Lindsay’s the English teacher cliché; she love cats, reading, Shakespeare, and Poe.
She currently lives in her hometown with her husband, Chad (her junior high sweetheart); their cats, Arya, Amelia, Alice, and Bob; and their Mastiff, Henry.
Lindsay’s goal with her writing is to show the power of love and the beauty of life while also instilling a true sense of realism in her work. Some reviewers have noted that her books are not the “typical romance.” With her novels coming from a place of honesty, Lindsay examines the difficult questions, looks at the tough emotions, and paints the pictures that are sometimes difficult to look at. She wants her fiction to resonate with readers as realistic, poetic, and powerful. Lindsay wants women readers to be able to say, “I see myself in that novel.” She wants to speak to the modern woman’s experience while also bringing a twist of something new and exciting. Her aim is for readers to say, “That could happen,” or “I feel like the characters are real.” That’s how she knows she’s done her job.
Lindsay’s hope is that by becoming a published author, she can inspire some of her students and other aspiring writers to pursue their own passions. She wants them to see that any dream can be attained and publishing a novel isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed271/
Oct21
BLOG TOUR: Appointed By Fate
Author: Skye McNeil
Title: Appointed by Fate
Series: The Mobster Files, Book 1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 30, 2017
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: Claire Smith
One of Iowa’s most prominent criminal attorneys, Joci Dorous is ruthless and devoid of emotion in the courtroom. It’s what makes her the best. Her most recent client allegedly committed murder and, despite a rocky start, Joci is determined to win Cameron Shearer’s case.
Since this is her first homicide, she has the support of a second-chair attorney—her ex who wants her back. To make things more complicated, her hunky cop of a booty call, Cameron’s arresting officer, isn’t quite ready to let her go either. Who knew being surrounded by three hot guys could be so deliciously exhausting?
As the mystery of the case unravels, she soon discovers the true reason behind Cameron’s impromptu visit to Iowa. It’s this knowledge that endangers all those she holds dear. Caught up in confusion, chaos, and criminal law, how will her heart survive the final verdict?
They sat in comfortable silence, Cameron’s warmth spreading over her and compelling her eyes to close. No doubt it was way beyond the normal time she fell into bed at night.
“Just so you know, neither the attorney douche nor the cop stripper will work for you,” he whispered into her ear, forcing her eyelids to stay open.
Joci grunted. “You wouldn’t know who works for me.”
Cameron circled a bold arm around her waist, pulling her flush to him. His mild scent filled her senses, lulling her. “Maybe not yet, but I can tell neither guy could make you happy. Not in the long run.”
Lifting her eyebrows, she let her eyes linger on his torso. He was magnificent up close, but even more so because she felt him beside her. She’d never thought the lanky kid with Metallica T-shirts would grow up to be more handsome than the majority of her exes. Why she allowed him to grip her like this, she’d never understand, but it was familiar.
“How would you know who would bring me happiness?” she questioned.
“I just do.” With fluid movements, he reached back and tugged at her ponytail. “I hate these things, by the way.” He clutched the hair tie and slid it down until her hair fluttered into her face. “Much better.”
“Why are you so much nicer when it’s the two of us?”
He tilted his neck and trailed his hands up her sides. “I don’t know. You’ve got this effect on me. I’m either an asshole because I want to see that angry crinkle on your brow.” He smirked when she obliged. “Yeah, that. Or because I want to know how your lips taste on mine.”
Joci’s breath caught in her throat. No words could form in her mind. She couldn’t admit to having reciprocal wayward thoughts. They were friends. Even if he was my first crush. Instinctively, her eyes lowered to his mouth. That was a mistake. His full lips curved in a smile.
“You too, huh?” Cameron’s hands disappeared, making her whip her attention to where they were going.
With care, he eased her back to the couch and tucked her under his arm. She expected him to make a move—they both wanted it—but he didn’t do anything. He simply kept her safe in his arms. With heavy eyes, Joci sensed her body drifting to sleep. The steady rhythm of Cameron’s heartbeat in her ear calmed her. She shouldn’t stay, but her tired body swayed her from the thought. Falling asleep in the sturdy arms of an ex-convict who also happened to be her oldest friend was her best definition of perfect. They used to build forts in the basement of his house and spend the night in sleeping bags, so what was the harm?
Startled to consciousness sometime later, Joci sat up and gasped. Somehow, the lights had been turned off, save the lone one above the kitchen sink. She glanced around the room and saw the clock on the wall. Shit, it’s three in the morning.
Cameron shifted beside her, and her pulse quickened. He looked too damn handsome for a murderer, with his unruly curls and long eyelashes. The darkness hid his tattoos, but she ached to turn on a light to see them. They were always a deterrent before, but the ones he wore fit him and drew her in more each time she viewed them.
“Aren’t you going to make me breakfast?” his sleepy voice mumbled when she managed to retreat from the cozy couch.
Cursing, Joci turned around to see him studying her. “It’s not morning yet, so I’m off the hook,” she teased.
He didn’t try to stop her, just watched her instead. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your boyfriend wannabe or your fuckboy about this.”
Joci was startled when she realized that possibility didn’t bother her. Thinking on it, she wasn’t sure how either Adrian or Quinn would react to hearing she’d slept in Cameron’s arms. She wasn’t in a relationship with either one, so it didn’t matter. Adrian would curse her out for putting herself in a compromising position with the ethics board, but they hadn’t done anything, and they were friends long before her firm was retained for the case. Plus, it was sleeping, not screwing.
“It’s fine,” she reiterated, searching for her purse.
“Then you’d want to do it again?” Cameron appeared at her side.
“Shit, you move like a ninja.”
He clicked his tongue. “Not an answer.”
Swinging first her coat and then her purse over her shoulder, Joci shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, Cameron. It can’t happen again. I’m your attorney, whether we knew each other years ago or not.”
His arms were around her in a flash, sending her off-balance. Cameron caught her against the wall, his dark eyes scouring her face. “Pretty soon you won’t be.” He pressed his body to hers, the act sending a ripple effect through Joci. “But it is kinda hot this way too.”
She should move away from him, but the tender yet steady way he held her made Joci second-guess herself. By the time she talked her body into escape, his lips were there to silence her.
Erratic butterflies swarmed her gut when his mouth fastened to hers. Cameron plunged his hands in her tousled hair and tilted her head up to meet his. Any gasp she wanted to muster dissolved at his prodding tongue. The more he kissed her, the more Joci was positive this was a dream. She couldn’t be kissing a client like a slut! It was a dream and nothing more, she was certain—until he came up for air.
“I want you to remember this in the morning, Ms. Dorous.” His eyes dropped to her neckline and he let out a shaky breath. “Because you would be the type to think you’re imagining this.”
Not given the chance to answer, Joci’s moan echoed in his mouth when his hands cupped her ass. His kiss bolted her feet to the floor, hurling her mind into fathomless wonder. Leisurely, his lips moved to her neck, then lower until he reached her shirt.
“Don’t say I never gave you anything,” he warned, dropping to his knees and lifting her shirt.
Joci’s breath hitched. Having him in front of her in such an intimate way sent naughty visions through her imagination. She dug her nails into his shoulders when his lips clashed with the tender flesh of her breast. Her brain screamed at her for allowing his daring act, but the delightful pain he caused in her veins silenced her.
When he detached his mouth from her, Joci whimpered at the loss. Time was a foreign concept as he stood to tower above her. His breath washed over her face.
“Better scurry home, Joci. If you stay here much longer, I won’t have any control of myself,” he warned, his brown eyes filled with longing. His hand traced the breast he’d left moments prior. “Sweet dreams.”
She bobbed her head in agreement. She needed to get out of there before he killed her with his lips. On a cloud of desire, Joci moved to the exit and felt his gaze on the back of her head. Checking over her shoulder, she spotted his tall figure, but couldn’t decipher the emotions on his face.
Once outside the apartment, her hand fluttered to her chest. She reached the elevator and pressed the button for the ground level. What just happened couldn’t be described. She didn’t know why it happened or what it meant, but her body wanted more of it.
Curiosity got the better of her and she yanked up her shirt. “A hickey! That son of a bitch gave me a fucking hickey!” She yelped at the sight of the red love mark. A smile overwhelmed her face before she could stop it. She had to hand it to Cameron; she wouldn’t be forgetting what transpired anytime soon, thanks to his reminder on her body.
It was then that she was thankful she refused both Adrian’s and Quinn’s proposals for relationships. After feeling a portion of what Cameron could give her, she couldn’t think about, much less accept another man’s touch. The problem was she wanted more of what he offered. A craving that was both foolish and erotic.
Available now!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2w4UaSs
All others: books2read.com/fate
Skye McNeil began writing at the age of seventeen and has been lost in a love affair ever since. During the day, she moonlights as a paralegal at a law firm favouring criminal law.
Skye enjoys writing romantic comedies and cozy mysteries novels that leave readers wanting more and falling in love over and over. She writes contemporary and historical novels ranging from sweet and sassy to steamy and sultry.
Her constant writing companions are two cats and two dogs. When she’s not writing, Skye enjoys spending time with family, photography, volleyball, traveling, and curling up with a cup of coffee and reading.
Sign up for Skye’s newsletter HERE.
Oct16
Halloween Meringue Cookies
A quick and easy Halloween treat that would be great for any party.
MERINGUE COOKIES
Ingredients
2 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sprinkles (optional)
melted chocolate for dipping, (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 200°F. Grease 2 large cookie sheets with cooking spray. In small bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with electric mixer on medium speed until foamy. On high speed, add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until sugar is dissolved, meringue is glossy and very stiff peaks form. Beat in extract.
Use disposable decorating bag or gallon-size food storage plastic bag with 1/2-inch hole cut in one bottom corner of bag (if desired, fit large star tip in decorating bag or in hole of plastic bag). Spoon meringue into bag; twist top of bag to seal. Squeeze bag to pipe meringue into bone shapes or 1-inch puffs onto cookie sheets.
Bake on middle oven rack 2 hours. Immediately remove cookies from cookie sheets; place on wire racks. Cool completely, about 5 minutes
Optional- dip in chocolate then add sprinkles for a holiday theme cookie
TIP- if you want to be sure sugar dissolved, turn mixer off take the mix and place it on your finger, with your thumb and pointer finger feel the mix, if it is grainy mix again until you feel it is smooth.
Enjoy!!
Oct15
New Release: The Royal Marine
Author: Dahlia Donovan
Title: The Royal Marine
Series: The Sin Bin, Book 4
Genre: Gay Romance
Release Date: October 14, 2017
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: Claire Smith
On sale for half price!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2wsjMg0
All others: books2read.com/themarine
Who keeps the Royal Marine’s heart safe when he’s running headlong into danger?
Akash Robinson fuses his Indian and British heritage into his baked creations. His life is all things sugar and spice, especially when a blind date leads him to the older military man of his dreams. Family, friends, and an unwanted admirer all threaten both his sanity and his budding romance.
Hamish Ross carries the names of his lost soldiers on his back. He takes his work seriously with no time for love. All it takes is one impulsive kiss to lead him into uncharted romantic waters.
When a sarcastic baker mixes with a stoic alpha marine, who will come out on top when the flour settles?
The Royal Marine is book four in Dahlia Donovan’s international bestselling gay romance series, The Sin Bin. Each one features hot rugby players and the men who steal their hearts.
On sale for half price!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2wsjMg0
All others: books2read.com/themarine
~~~~~~~
Other Books in The Sin Bin Series
The Wanderer
Book 1
The Caretaker
Book 2
Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed269/
Rae's Books & Recipes 