j. rose allister

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Crockpot Salsa Chicken - Guest Author Rebecca J. Clark

It's Too Yummy Tuesday!

On select Tuesdays I share delicious recipes either inspired by my books or that are just plain delicious! Today I'm happy to have special guest Rebecca J. Clark, author of The Checklist Diet. She's here sharing her recipe for crockpot chicken. Take it away!

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

This is my go-to meal when I have “nothing” in the house for dinner. I always have these ingredients on hand.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup salsa

1 can black beans, drained

1 cup corn (frozen or canned)

Dump all the above ingredients into the crockpot. Cook on Low all day or High for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken and pour over brown rice or wrap in a corn tortilla. Serve with a side green salad to round out your meal.

The book I’m promoting:

The Checklist Diet

Are you confused by all the contradictory diet information out there? Do you just want a simple and easy and FUN way to lose weight and improve your diet? Do you like making lists? Well, look no further than The Checklist Diet.

No more counting points or calories. No more depriving yourself of your favorite foods. No more dealing with hunger pains, because guess what? On The Checklist Diet, if you’re hungry, you get to eat! How cool is that?

This is the last diet plan you’ll ever need, because it’s not a diet. Diets are meant go on and off of. This is a way of eating you can stick with for life because it’s so easy, it’s so basic, and it’s so fun.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1d1BiTj

B&N: http://bit.ly/1dNE5B2

Website: http://RebeccaJClark.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorRebeccaJClark

About the Author

A former Golden Heart finalist, Rebecca J. Clark writes steamy and sweet contemporary romances for The Wild Rose Press and Bookstrand and is also proudly self published.

When she’s not writing, you can find her at her local gym where she trains clients & teaches kickboxing, yoga & Pilates. All this exercise allows her to eat her favorite comfort food—Cheetos—guilt free. Speaking of Cheetos and why you shouldn’t eat them too often, she also just released her first diet book, The Checklist Diet—basic, no-nonsense information like she’s been teaching her clients for the past 10+ years.

Becky lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband of 27 years and two almost adult kids (okay, so they’re both over 18 and technically adults, but they still live at home, so...), a German Shepherd beast who lives to chase her two cats who plot to kill the dog. Don’t get her started on the number of dust bunnies…

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Blueberry Almond Cobbler -Guest Dena Garson

J 12:00 AM 2 Comments

It's Too Yummy Tuesday!

On select Tuesdays I share delicious recipes either inspired by my books or that are just plain delicious! Today I'm happy to have special guest Dena Garson, author of Mystic’s Touch. She's here to share a recipe inspired by her book--and a Rafflecopter giveaway! Take it away, Wendy!

A big thank you to J. Rose for letting me drop in today! My new book, Mystic’s Touch, just came out on Thursday and I’m spreading the word and giving away goodies.

About the recipe inspired by Dena's book:

As a healer, Danet knows the value of eating healthy. Her house keeper, Ryana, works very hard to ensure both Danet and her father, a busy physician, take time from their hectic schedules to eat. And eat properly. She was kind enough to share one of Danet’s favorite desserts. It was modified slightly to accommodate our modern cooking styles.

BLUEBERRY-ALMOND COBBLER

Ingredients
1 cup reduced-fat all-purpose baking mix (i.e. Bisquick Heart Smart)

1/2 cup uncooked regular oats

1/4 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)

1/4 cup toasted almonds, chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup light butter, cut up and chilled

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

5 cups frozen blueberries

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

Combine baking mix, oats, brown sugar, almonds, cinnamon & nutmeg in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly and begins to stick together.

Combine sugar and flour.

In a medium bowl, toss together the sugar-flour mixture with blueberries and lemon juice. Transfer blueberry mixture to a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle oat mixture evenly over blueberry mixture.

Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

Mystic’s Touch
a Blush® fantasy romance from Ellora’s Cave

Buy Links: Ellora’s Cave | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Book Trailer Video: http://youtu.be/4rcPumYSe5w

When Prince Ceros returns home to take his place on the throne, he falls prey to a mysterious malady that leaves him unable to speak or move, though his thoughts and awareness remain intact. Danet, a talented healer, realizes the prince is alert inside his body. The two are able to share thoughts telepathically. Unfortunately her connection with Ceros may bring unwanted attention to her abilities and result in her banishment from the city.

Their unique bond grows as Danet races to find a remedy for the prince’s condition. Desire turns to love, which makes Danet fear for their future when he awakens. They seek out the villain attempting to take the throne and endeavor to find a way to stay together.

Inside Scoop: Ceros’ secret shifter status adds complication and intrigue to their budding romance.

About the Author
Mystic’s Touch is the sixth book by Dena Garson with Ellora’s Cave.

Dena is a mom to two rowdy boys, a lovable dog and a stuck-up cat. She loves to read romance—the hotter the better. When one of her BFFs said “one of us should be writing this stuff”, she took up the challenge. If she isn’t writing, she’s designing jewelry but somehow she still manages to make it into the office for her day-job on a regular basis.

Find her on the web at:

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Follow Dena’s link to Rafflecopter to take part in the book release celebration. Lots of goodies will be given away! Details on Dena’s Blog.

Link to Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

# Guest Blog # Post

Super Easy Pizza Dough -Guest Wendi Zwaduk

J 12:00 AM 1 Comments

It's Too Yummy Tuesday!

On select Tuesdays I share delicious recipes either inspired by my books or that are just plain delicious! Today I'm happy to have special guest Wendy Zwaduk, author of Drawn Together. She's here to share her recipe for pizza dough. I'm so excited! Take it away, Wendy!

Thanks to J. Rose for having me here today. I love sharing my recipe for Pizza Dough because it’s so easy.

SUPER EASY PIZZA DOUGH

Ingredients

1 tsp olive oil

1 pkg yeast

1 cup hot water

1/3 cup honey

Pinch of salt

Directions

In a large mixing bowl mix ingredients. Once mixed, let sit for at least five minutes for yeast to rise. After the yeast rises and foams, add flour. You’ll need 2 cups of flour, but you’ll want to add it ¾ cup at a time. Add ¾ cup, mix, repeat. Once all the flour is added, knead dough on floured surface. Once kneaded – you won’t have to knead it long, just enough to get it into a ball – place in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let sit two hours to rise.

Once risen, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut dough into 1/3 and 2/3 sections. Use the larger section for the actual pizza dough. The smaller section is great for home made garlic bread. For the pizza dough, place on a pan lined with parchment or greased. Place in oven for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, add the sauce, toppings – I use pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, onions and black olives – and place back in oven for another 10 minutes. After that ten minutes, add cheese and heat again until the cheese melts. Serve and enjoy!

For the garlic bread, press the dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment or greased. Place in oven for 10 minutes. After ten minutes, brush with melted butter and sprinkle on mozzarella cheese. Place back in oven until the cheese melts. Serve and enjoy!

Drawn Together

Wendi Zwaduk

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Novella

M/F, Spanking, Light BDSM

Available here: http://www.ellorascave.com/drawn-together.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ dp/B00HQH99KW/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk /dp/B00HQH99KW/

AllRomance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-drawntogether-1395216-340.html

Graig Case wants to teach history and coach baseball. Plain and simple. But nothing in his life has been simple. He’s also got a secret. He loves to watch the sexy woman across the courtyard dance. He’d love for his fantasy girl to be his best friend, but fantasy and reality don’t always mix.

Tessa Martin has given up on love. She’s played second fiddle most of her life. Guys like hanging out with her. But being one of the guys doesn’t keep her warm at night. Still, she indulges in her one treat—dancing naked at night for Graig. No emotions involved means no one gets hurt.

Except when they end up working in the same school, in the same hallway. Then all bets are off.

Inside Scoop: This lucky hero gets to take control when his new girl encourages him to spank her.

About the author

I’ve always dreamt of writing the stories in my head. Tall, dark, and handsome heroes are my favorites, as long as he has an independent woman keeping him in line. I love playing with words and letting the characters run wild.

NASCAR, Ohio farmland, dirt racing, animals and second chance romance all feature prominently in my books. I also write under the pen name of Megan Slayer. Come join me for this fantastic journey!

If you like my work, tell your friends and email me. I love hearing from readers!

Site: http://wendizwaduk.com/

Blog: http://www.wendizwaduk.net/

Wordpress blog: http://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendiZwaduk

Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendi-Zwaduk/195277927167481?ref=tn_tnmn

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/wendizwaduk

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3495446.Wendi_Zwaduk

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/wendizwaduk/

On Google+ : https://plus.google.com/115637543946745656739/posts

On Romance Novel Center: http://www.romancenovelcenter.com/wendizwaduk

Newsletter sign up: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj

# Guest Blog # Post

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Hold Nothing Back -Snippet Sunday

J 12:00 AM 6 Comments

~~Warning: mature themes~~

On Sundays, I share tidbits of my works in progress as part of Weekend Warrior’s 8-Sentence Sunday.

I'm finishing up DISARMING COWBOYS, book 7 of the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series. Skipping ahead a bit from last week, Jayel is still on the battlefield where she'd gone to help her mates and brother.

Others from the allied packs were gathering around to stare down at Jayel, but she quickly forgot everyone else when David kissed her. His lips were hungry and desperate enough to give every inch of her sharp goose bumps. She closed her eyes and returned the kiss, and for the first time, she did so without holding anything back. She gave him everything she was while she smelled his sharpening need, tasted the perfection of his desire, and felt the quiver of his muscles when her fingers trailed across his chest.

To her disappointment, he broke off far before she was ready to relinquish his lips. “Jayel,” he whispered.

“See?” she asked with a smile. “Everything’s going to be all right.”

So, what do you think?

Find my Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or at Bookstrand here:

http://www.bookstrand.com/j-rose-allister

Trailer for the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series:

~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *

For more awesome snippets, check out

Weekend Writing Warriors!

~~~~

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

# #8 Sunday # Post

Friday, February 14, 2014

Sarah Leyton Talks Writing Process

J 12:00 AM 1 Comments

I like to share tips and insight about writing craft on my blog. Today's post is from Sarah Leyton, the author of Sharing Annabelle, who is here to talk about her writing process.

Espresso and Moleskine

Sarah Leyton

I majored in English in college, which you can’t always tell by my grammar (or lack there of), but it did instill in me a certain writing process. I start my books by creating a journal. I have a different colored Moleskine for each book because then I have all my notes in one place, and it's small and lightweight so it can travel everywhere with me. I always begin the journal with character outlines and descriptions of the settings. From there I create a general book outline for interactions I want to happen or particular scenes I want the characters to engage in. Once I’m satisfied with the small outline I start writing some of the scenes because then I can really get a feel for my characters and how I want them to interact. Finally comes the big, detailed outline of every scene, every character and every interaction I want to include. When the outline is complete I pick and choose which scenes I’m in the mood to write and fill in the book piece by piece until it’s complete.

My writing day starts by walking into my local coffee shop and the baristas getting me my usual order and then mocking me for coming in for the millionth time that week. Then I take my coffee with a super-human amount of espresso to my usual table by the window. Then begins the procrastination. I people watch, drink my coffee and review what I’ve written and my book journal. That’s when the espresso kicks in and the mad rush of typing begins. I write until the espresso wears off and call that a good job. I don’t ever force myself to write because then it becomes a job instead of something fun that I love to do.

Sharing Annabelle

By Sarah Leyton

http://www.bookstrand.com/sharing-annabelle

Annabelle Rawlings has fallen for not one but two men. When Callum McCray and Mason Webb set their sights on Annabelle, they refuse to give up until they've made her realize that she belongs to them—no matter how many times she tries to deny it. They know she has dark, kinky desires that only they can satisfy. When the guys are forced to deny their love, and hers, and push Annabelle away because of a deadly threat from their past, they doubt whether they’ll ever be able to win her back again.

About the Author

Sarah Leyton is a former para-trouper with a love of deep sea diving off the coast of Fiji and a pet coyote named Spartacus. Just kidding! If it makes you feel better she welcomes you to believe that's her life. The truth is that Sarah has spent half of her life in one-mile Kansas farm towns and the other half in bustling metropolises. This unique perspective opens up ideas for characters from all walks of life with stories that take on lives of their own.

She’s a woman who loves all books, snarky sitcoms and her tiny dog, D’Artagnan. With a perverted sense of humor and a mouth like a sailor, especially while behind the wheel of a car, she has an abiding obsession all things Hello Kitty, photography and Michael Kors. She wishes all of you, readers and writer a like, the most fulfilled life possible!

Connect with Sarah:

SarahLeyton.com

https://twitter.com/LeytonSarah

# Guest Blog # On Writing

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Double Chocolate Pound Cake -Guest Author Debra Ann Fisk

J 12:00 AM 1 Comments

It's Too Yummy Tuesday!

On select Tuesdays I share delicious recipes either inspired by my books or that are just plain delicious! Today I'm happy to have special guest Debra Ann Fisk, author of Irresistibly Delicious. She's here sharing a sinfully good chocolate cake recipe just in time for Valentine's Day! Okay, Debra, take it away!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE

Makes 1 9×5″ loaf; double the recipe for a bundt cake.

You can doubled the recipe, which fills two 8″ round pans, plus an extra 6″ round. Baking time for the layers would be between 30 and 45 minutes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened (the more softened, the better–leave the stick of butter out overnight to soften if you can)

1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt or sour cream

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 Tablespoon half and half

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder)

3/4 cup mini-chocolate chips ( I used dark chocolate chips)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×5″ loaf pan; set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sour cream, sugar, and half and half, blending ingredients well. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Add half the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture and blend well; then add the remaining flour mixture and blend everything well. Fold in the mini-chocolate chips, stirring to distribute the chips evenly in the batter.

Pour or spoon batter into prepared loaf pan and bake at 325 degrees for 70 to 75 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean (your toothpick may not come out totally clean because of the melty chocolate chips in the loaf; be careful not to overbake or loaf may be a little dry). Cool in loaf pan 10-15 minutes; then remove from pan and cool completely (that is, if you’re planning on frosting it…it’s great unfrosted, too, right out of the oven when the chocolate chips are warm and melty!)

Mine did at 73 minutes. I also substituted Brown Rice flour to make it Gluten free at times too.

About the Author

Debra Ann Fisk grew up in a small town New Jersey but relocated to Central Florida because she love the warm weather.

While working at one of her first jobs she discovered the world of romance novels and fell in love. She is the wife to a doctor, the mother of a son and five fur babies. Her first book Irresistibly Delicious hit number three the Bookstrand Bestsellers list for over 5 weeks straight.

She loves to connect with readers at www.debraannfisk.com and on
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debraannfiskauthor.

Twitter

Irresistibly Delicious
by Debra Ann Fisk
Buy Now

One feisty Southern chef. One sexy city doctor. One thousand miles apart. Trauma draws them together, but will circumstances pull them apart?

Chef Olivia Carson’s painful past haunted her until she discovered the healing solace at the Cozy Cove Inn. She fell in love with the bed and breakfast, while befriending the owner, Myra. But her world is rocked to its core after Myra has a life threatening emergency.

When Brady Matthews, Myra's son and a well-known cardiologist in NYC, shows up to care for his mother sparks fly in more ways than one. Olivia and Brady disagree about everything, all the while fighting the sexual attraction that draws them together. As Brady begins to reevaluate his life and Olivia creates a new career for herself, the risk of scandal and past secrets threatens to rip them apart.

Will a headstrong surgeon and a gourmet chef learn to accept love? Or will they choose professional success with a side order of loneliness?

# Guest Blog # Post

Monday, February 10, 2014

Random Acts of Valentines

J 12:00 AM 25 Comments

Welcome, readers and hoppers! This post is part of Skye Warren's Valentine's Day Gift Hop, where every stop shares a little love and the chance to win fun prizes--including the grand prize of a Kindle paperwhite! Comment on this post for a chance to win a digital copy of Suite Seduction, book 1 of my Immortal Paradise series. Be sure to include your contact email in case you win! And visit the other hop stops for more prizes.

Random Acts of Valentines

by J. Rose Allister

What comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day? Love, roses, champagne, and chocolates? I like to think of Valentine's Day as one of many opportunities to celebrate romance. Why not make this Valetine's the start of a new year-round tradition by taking one day each month as a personal Valentine's Day? Even better, keep this a secret and surprise that special someone when they least expect (or most need) a random act of Valentines!

Ideas for Random Acts of Valentines:

1. Throw a wine tasting party for two. Fruit and cheese are welcome, but no glasses allowed. Sample favorite wines off each other's flesh.

2. You've heard of breakfast in bed...try a dinner in bed! What you decide to serve for dessert is purely up to you. :)

3. Naked movie night! Cuddle up under a shared blanket with a movie rental and some snacks. Bonus points if you don't make it to the end of the flick.

4. Special delivery! Arrange to have something special delivered to your lover at work: flowers, edible arrangements, etc. Keep the accompanying note Fit For The Workplace, but flirty enough to hint at the promise of things to come.

5. On a practical note, purchase goodies on clearance after Valentine's Day and stash them to hand out throughout the year.

6. Attention writers: create a short, but hot scene featuring your valentine as the star character. Leave it on their pillow or in a jacket pocket/briefcase where they'll be sure to see it. Then bring the scene to life later on.

7. Send your lover on a sex toy treasure hunt. Hide an assortment of fun items--lotion or oil, a collar, edible panties, body paint, etc--around the house, along with notes containing clues to find the next time. Extra points if you include clever and naughty suggestions as part of the clues to build anticipation! The last item is you in the bedroom, naked and waiting to try out the treasure hoard!

Have fun sharing random acts of Valentines!

Suite Seduction
by J. Rose Allister
http://bookstrand.com/suite-seduction

A hotel room mix-up at a hot island resort gives Collier and Julietta the passion of a lifetime--in the arms of a total stranger.
They must come to terms with the fallout from their unexpected encounter, unaware that their time together was no accident. Supernatural strings are being pulled by two immortals in a contest to prove whose powers are greater. And where Love and Lust come out to play, none will remain untouched.

Official rules for my Suite Seduction giveaway contest:
Prize: 1 digital copy (winner's choice of format) of Suite Seduction

* No purchase necessary to enter.

* You must be 18 years of age to enter.

* All prizes which require mailing are for US entrants only (unless otherwise indicated).

* The winner will be determined from among eligible commenters via random.org
*Winner will be announced here and notified by email on February 16, 2014.

* The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.

* Your entry gives permission to use your name on this website as a contest winner, as well as on my social networking sites.

* Void where prohibited by law.

~~~~

# Contests # Post

Sunday, February 9, 2014

What Have You Done? -SnippetSunday

J 12:00 AM 7 Comments

~~Warning: intense snippet, reference to violence~~

On Sundays, I share tidbits of my works in progress as part of Weekend Warrior’s 8-Sentence Sunday.

I'm hard at work finishing up DISARMING COWBOYS, book 7 of the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series. In this snippet, Jayel joined in a werewolf battle to help her mates and brother, despite knowing what it could cost.

Crouched under a beam of moonlight, Jayel gaped at the animal rage her mate had just unleashed. Fury and vengeance poured out of David like the blood flowing from Randall’s neck. When David raised his head to look at her, his eyes dimming to gold and blood dripping from his chin, she saw not only a wild beast, but a man who seemed desperate to take back the events of the last few seconds.

He raced toward her, dropping to his knees on one side while Jerrod made it to the other. The tang of blood overwhelming David's masculine scent was so strong that it burned her nostrils.

“What have you done?” David asked, stroking her face.

“I did what I had to,” she said. “It’s okay.”

So, what do you think?

Find my Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or at Bookstrand here:

http://www.bookstrand.com/j-rose-allister

Trailer for the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series:

~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *

For more awesome snippets, check out

Weekend Writing Warriors!

~~~~

# #8 Sunday # Post

Friday, February 7, 2014

Amore and Pinot Grigio -Veronica Bell Writing Post

J 12:00 AM 1 Comments

I sometimes spotlight other authors and their books on my blog. Today I'm pleased to welcome Veronica Bell, who is here to talk about her book Amore and Pinot Grigio. Take it away, Veronica

Writing From Her Worldview

Veronica Bell

On a practical level, I am a pretty nine-to-five writer. I don’t stay up till the wee small hours working – I like a sane work day where I have time for my husband and, of course, my pets. But like anyone in any field, I need some inspiration. This quote is taped up on the wall above my computer.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn’t matter a damn how you write.

- Somerset Maugham I guess it was pretty easy for a writer of Somerset Maugham’s calibre to say such a thing, but I still think it is an excellent quote for aspiring (and actual) writers to contemplate. After all, we can’t all be a Somerset Maugham or an Emily Bronte or a Dante. But we all have experiences and worldviews that could be of interest or help to someone else. And if you are inclined to write about those experiences then I think keeping this in mind is helpful, rather than holding yourself up against an impossible standard. When I decided to try and write a romance novel, I wanted to create characters that to me seemed more realistic than the usual 20-year-old wilting virgin, for example. As a reader, I got tired of the angst-ridden, silly girls who seemed to populate so many stories. And yes, I realize that in romance writing you want fantasy – you want a millionaire hunk and you want an idealized woman and you want a beautiful back-drop, because our own lives so often lack beauty. But as a middle-aged woman who has many university degrees, I wanted to create heroines who might be the type of woman with whom I would be friends. Hence, Sigrid, heroine of Amore and Pinot Grigio, a woman who teaches and who is funny and who volunteers for a cat rescue (I’ve been volunteering in animal shelters since I was a teenager – a long time ago!). I have actually visited the shelter in Rome where she works. It’s a beautiful place. It was also important to me that the hero not be intimidated by the heroine’s wit – indeed, I think Sandro dishes it out as well as he takes it. And I have been grateful for the feedback and reviews I have received which have commented on these factors. In particular, I was humbled by a recent review at The Romance Studio, where Amore and Pinot Grigio was described as ‘magical’. It makes me happy to know that readers can get some escape and joy from my story. Read full review here.
About the Author

Veronica Bell is a Canadian writer currently living in Italy with her husband and pets. She grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia and has far too many university degrees. A life-long animal lover, she began writing as a way to finance veterinary bills and huge bags of kibble!
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Amore and Pinot Grigio: A Guido la Vespa Christmas Tale
By Veronica Bell
Buy Now

The story of a Canadian woman and an Italian man who meet rescuing an injured cat. That they happen to all be in Rome, Italy, makes things sexier, and indeed, the book was given a ‘steamy’ rating by its publisher, SirenBookstrand. The woman has a pink Vespa named Guido and a serious chip on her shoulder after discovering the infidelity of her fiancé. The man just wants to have fun…or so he thinks. It is a Christmas tale only in that it unfolds at Christmas – this story of boy meets and loses and finds girl again can be enjoyed any time of year and is the first in a proposed series.

# Guest Blog # Post

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Interview with Mackenzie Lucas

J 12:00 AM 9 Comments

From time to time I spotlight other authors on my blog. Today I'm sharing an interview with Mackenzie Lucas, author of Essence. She's also doing a giveaway--see the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

Interview with Mackenzie Lucas

Do you have any phobias?

I have a little bit of a fear of driving over water, especially when my kids were little and strapped into car seats. I was always afraid we’d end up in the water and I wouldn’t be able to get to them. There’s a writer’s active imagination for you!

Ever broken any bones?

No. Never. Thank God. I have torn ligaments and had sprains. But no broken bones.

Any weird things you do when you’re alone?

Hmmm. No. I don’t think so.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Anything super chocolatey. Double Chocolate. Chocolate Brownie Truffle. Double Dutch Chocolate. You get the picture.

Which mythological creature are you most like?

I’d say a dragon, because I adore them. I have a paranormal series I’m writing about Dragon Shifters of Derkesthai. So I’d say I’m like a dragon, just because I’d want to be. And since we’re imagining it, why not? My dragons have special magickal abilities, though. So I’d be able to do something extra special beyond “normal” dragon skills/talents.

What are four things you can’t live without?

My computer, internet connectivity, coffee, and chocolate.

About the author:

Mackenzie Lucas is a lover of story in any form. She’s an avid reader of genre fiction, she writes contemporary and paranormal romance, and she listens to an eclectic mix of music that spans from pop/rock to country to gospel. She loves a good story whether it’s an erotic short, a full-length romance novel, or the narrative slice-of-life found in country music. In any story, emotional integrity and authenticity are most important to her as well as a big dose of romping hot sexual tension. She enjoys smart-mouthed, sexy heroines, hunky alpha heroes who know how to take care of their women, and plot twists that surprise her, but most of all, she just wants to experience a satisfying emotional arc of a character falling in love and finding what he or she needs most in life.

Mac is a small-town country girl with a world-traveler’s soul. She grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and she’s lived in Dublin, Ireland, within spitting distance of New York City in Long Island, and now in the Washington, D.C. area. She obtained her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Dickinson College and received her M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She’s currently an author, writing coach, a mother, and a wife.

With Mackenzie Lucas--whether you’re reading her light paranormal romance, her small-town-based contemporary romance, or her steamin’ hawt erotica--you’ll always get a story about connectedness, community, and emotional authenticity, and, at its core, love. No, and it doesn’t hurt that all her heroes are panty-melting gorgeous alphas and all their sexy, sensually aware heroines know how to stand up to them, give no quarter, and love them just as they are.

Links:

Website: http://www.mackenzielucas.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacLucas_writer

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Essence

by Mackenzie Lucas

All Haven Jameson ever wanted was to own a little piece of paradise. Now, she does, having established a successful luxury spa in St. Augustine, Florida. But when the property next door is sold to a mega developer and his pro-golf celebrity brother who design trendy, bustling playgrounds for the rich and famous, she fears her dream could slip away. Confronted by her late husband’s infidelity, Haven learns everything she believed about her marriage was a lie; so she finally sets aside her grief and opens her heart to loving the widowed pro-golfer who is her biggest professional competition. In the end, Haven discovers that living a safe, loveless life is far worse than embracing passion and taking a chance on a man who’s vowed never to love again. And that, sometimes, no matter how high the risk, the best paradise of all can be found inside our own hearts.

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# Guest Blog # Post

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Crockpot Salsa Chicken - Guest Author Rebecca J. Clark

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Blueberry Almond Cobbler -Guest Dena Garson

Super Easy Pizza Dough -Guest Wendi Zwaduk

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Hold Nothing Back -Snippet Sunday

Friday, February 14, 2014

Sarah Leyton Talks Writing Process

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Double Chocolate Pound Cake -Guest Author Debra Ann Fisk

Monday, February 10, 2014

Random Acts of Valentines

Sunday, February 9, 2014

What Have You Done? -SnippetSunday

Friday, February 7, 2014

Amore and Pinot Grigio -Veronica Bell Writing Post

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Interview with Mackenzie Lucas

The Writer is: IN

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