Saturday, December 24, 2016

Happy Holidays...and a Quick Message!

8:19 AM 0 Comments
Happy Holidays! 


I spent the month of December posting holiday recipes from a number of fellow authors. I hope you enjoyed it!

I'm taking the next week or so off to make preparations for the new year, including my production schedule for upcoming book and story projects.

I wish you and yours all the best in this season, and I look forward to seeing you again in 2017!

--J. Rose

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Festive Holiday Punch: #Holiday #Recipe Exchange

12:00 AM 1 Comments
Instead of my usual Too Yummy Tuesday posts,  I’ll be featuring yummy recipes and delicious blurbs from some fellow romance authors throughout the holidays!

Today’s recipe comes from Brenda Sparks, author of Alpha Lover.



Festive Holiday Punch
Make a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld.

Ingredients

·         1/3 cup white sugar
·         1 quart cranberry juice
·         2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
·         3 tablespoons almond extract
·         1 (2 liter) bottle Lemon/Lime soft drink such as Sprite
·         1 pint of cranberries
·         Vodka (optional)

Directions

1.      In a large container, mix together sugar, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and almond extract. Refrigerate for 1 day.
2.     To serve, pour juice mixture into a punch bowl. Stir in Lemon/Lime soft drink.
3.     Garnish with cranberries
Optional:
4.     To make an alcohol version stir in vodka to desired taste


*~*~*~*~*~*

Alpha Lover
(Book 3 in the Alpha Council Chronicles series)
by Brenda Sparks   
Paranormal Romance

Starved for blood, vampire, Nicholai Peterhof is greatly relieved when two tourists decide to grace his restaurant, but one sip from the pretty brunette and his world is forever turned upside down. Juliette Staint-John is everything he could have asked for in a heartmate; pretty, smart, built with curves in all the right places…and totally unavailable.

Juliette doesn’t want anything to do with the handsome, young-looking Nicholai. As if their differences aren’t enough, the acute grief over the loss of loved ones keeps her heart guarded. He may be her fantasy, but that’s all he can ever be.

To get past Juliette’s defenses and in order to keep her safe, Nicholai must prove himself worthy of her love and trust. Unbeknownst to the couple, her personal demons are not the only ones threatening their relationship. Hiding virtually unseen by the vampires, Demon Royalty plots to destroy not only the couple but the entire vampire breed. Luckily, Nicholai will do anything for Juliette—even if it means sacrificing himself.

Excerpt:

     She had only a second to realize Nicholai stood in the doorway before Desmond’s powerful thighs brought him to the door in a single bound.
He grabbed Nicholai’s shirt with one hand, his other made a fist that landed squarely on Nicholai’s jaw.
Nicholai’s head snapped back. Shock took his face. With a mighty push, Nicholai threw Desmond backward across the room into one of the flowery couches. It moved under his weight, crashed into the end table, and the Tiffany lamp tumbled to the floor.
Julie’s eyes went wide. The two men became a blur of motion, bodies flying apart then back together. She had to concentrate to make out the shapes of hard forms in the powerful whirlwind.
Connor pulled, lunging at the whirling mass. His deep growls and barks added to the chaos as the two males swirled around the living room. They spun around the room like a tornado, moving so fast Juliette’s eyes did not register their kicks and punches. However, she heard bones crunch and the slap of skin while the two exchanged blows.
The furniture that exploded when the blurry mass neared evidenced the fierceness of their battle. Julie watched one piece of furniture after the next burst into pieces. First her delicate coffee table, next the end table where the Tiffany lamp had been, then the rocking chair. When the mass moved toward the antique credenza, Juliette screamed.
Her beautiful roses sprayed about the room. Red petals floated slowly to the floor in surreal contrast.

Buy Links:

Amazon buy link: http://mybook.to/AlphaLover

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alpha-lover-brenda-sparks/1124934443?ean=2940156932726

iTunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/alpha-lover/id1173716918?mt=11




About Brenda Sparks:
Born in Virginia, Brenda Sparks now resides in the Sunshine State.  Balancing her professional commitment to the local school district with her writing is challenging at times, but writing suspenseful paranormal romances is a passion that won’t be denied. Her idea of a perfect day is one spent in front of a computer with a hot cup of coffee, her fingers flying over the keys to send her characters off on their latest adventure.  Brenda loves to connect with readers.  Please visit her online or stop by her website to say hi.

Author Links:
Facebook Fan Page: 
http://www.facebook.com/forBrendaSparks
Twitter : @brenda_sparks https://twitter.com/brenda_sparks

Monday, December 19, 2016

Goat Cheese Tartlets with Spiced Apple-Fig Compote: #Holiday #Recipe Exchange

12:00 AM 0 Comments
Instead of my usual Too Yummy Tuesday posts,  I’ll be featuring yummy recipes and delicious blurbs from some fellow romance authors throughout the holidays!

Today’s recipe comes from Kathleen Rowland, author of Deadly Alliance.
 



Goat Cheese Tartlets with Spiced Apple-Fig Compote
This festive appetizer has 50 calories per serving and makes 30 tartlets.

Ingredients

30 item(s) mini phyllo shell(s)
1/3 cup(s) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/3 Tbsp soft-type goat cheese, softened (1/3 cup)
1 item(s) egg white(s)
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, coarsely grated (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup(s) jam, fig variety
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/4 cup(s) mint leaves, fresh, for garnish

Directions

1.      Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange phyllo shells on a cookie sheet.
2.     In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, egg white, honey and flour until thick and creamy, about 5 to 6 minutes; spoon 1 teaspoon of filling in each shell. Bake until set, about 15 minutes; remove from oven and let cool.
3.     Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine apple, jam and allspice; set over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until jam melts and mixture thickens slightly (juice from apples will evaporate); remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Just before serving, spoon 1 teaspoon apple compote onto each tart; garnish with mint. Yields 1 tartlet per serving.


*~*~*~*~*~*

Deadly Alliance
by Kathleen Rowland 
Romantic Suspense

Finbar Donahue, former Army Ranger, walked on the wild side in Iraq, but now he lives in the shadows. After his evasive partner, Les, was shot in a random drive-by, Finn discovers cash is siphoned monthly. He fights to keep his investment company afloat. When the late partner’s girlfriend, Amy Kintyre, applies for his bookkeeping job, Finn suspects she knows about his company drain and hires her.


Amy needs a nine-to-five with free evenings and weekends to get her fashion design business back on track. She unearths Les’ s secret bank account and alerts Finn. Freezing of the money laundering account sets off havoc within an Irish gang. Amy witnesses a gang fight between a brutal ISIS fundraising organization and the Irish. Desperate to escape a stalker’s crosshairs, she seeks refuge with Finn. As danger heats up, sparks fly hotter.

Excerpt:

     Finn’s phone vibrated, but he killed the call and darted into the first door he saw, the one with the frosted pink window. He spotted Amy at the sink and pointed his index finger up.
He took off his coat and wrapped it around his fist. After rapping on the glass, he wound up and threw a hard punch through the window. Glass splintered as he connected with the thug’s nose. Prepared to jump aside, he opened the door.
Amy followed and jumped over the guy spread on the floor, holding a hand over his bleeding nose.
 He struggled to stand. Finn patted him down, took his gun, and pointed it at him. After the guy stood, Finn walked him to a chair. “Don’t move.”
“I’ll phone the police.” A high-pitched squeal came from the back of her throat. “Never mind. Police are here.”
From the street, the blue light of a cop car radiated across the club’s interior like a strobe. Uniforms burst through the door.
The first officer made radio contact with homicide, and the second, much younger, rushed to the nearest thug and pulled out flex-cuffs.
“Stand over there, Amy.” Finn motioned toward a corner.
She rolled her eyes and dashed toward Burlie who wrestled with the Arab and tried to keep him from moving toward the young rookie. Amy pulled an item from her purse. A Swiss army knife? Out came a miniature cork screw.
The rookie cop turned the Arab around to be handcuffed and leaned him against a wall. The thug used the hard surface as leverage to throw himself against him.
Finn saw it coming. A switchblade sprung from the Arab’s sleeve. In a split second, he drove it into the cop’s shoulder, but Amy stabbed him in the back with the wine opener.
The Arab spun and pulled a knife from his jeans’ pocket. Amy dodged, but he thrust it into a cop’s gut before running.
Finn waited for an opening and shot him in the hip.
 Howling about uncivilized barbarians, he dropped.
Up from his chair, the loser with the broken nose swung his fists, raining blows and a kick to the nuts which Finn deflected.
“Don’t make me shoot you.” Finn stunned him with a chop to the neck, caught him in a headlock. With a gun at his back, he marched him forward.
Amy broke into the center of the room and turned around, taking in the menacing scene. The girl-next-door had street smarts, competency with the corkscrew, and fearless determination.
He walked over and touched her weapon-holding hand. “You didn’t have pocket-knife experience on your resume.” It didn’t make her invincible. Nor did it mean he should hire her.
She shook her head. “Never used it this way. It’s handy when hiking She looked at her pocket knife, folded and stuffed it in her pocket.  Her eyes blinked in frenzy in spite of her bravery.


Buy Links:

Amazon US
http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Alliance-Kathleen-Rowland-ebook/dp/B019EE5OP8/

Amazon UK

Nook:



About Kathleen Rowland:
Kathleen used to write computer programs but now writes novels. She grew up in Iowa where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and raced her sailboat on Lake Okoboji.  Now she wears flip-flops and sails with her husband, Gerry, on Newport Harbor but wishes there were lightning bugs in California.

Kathleen exists happily with her witty CPA husband, Gerry, in their 70’s poolside retreat in Southern California where she adores time spent with visiting grandchildren, dogs, one bunny, and noisy neighbors.  While proud of their five children who’ve flown the coop, she appreciates the luxury of time to write. 

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Crock Pot Cheese Fondue Dip: #Holiday #Recipe Exchange

12:00 AM 0 Comments
Instead of my usual Too Yummy Tuesday posts,  I’ll be featuring yummy recipes and delicious blurbs from some fellow romance authors throughout the holidays!

Today’s recipe comes from Kris Brock, author of The Mad Monk's Treasure.



Crock Pot Cheese Fondue Dip 

This is a wonderful treat for a holiday party!

Ingredients:

1 (10.75 oz) can cheddar cheese soup
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
1/4 cup or more green chiles (these can often be found canned in the Mexican section of the grocery store)
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. chives
1 Tbsp. garlic
Serve with corn chips, celery sticks, cauliflower, etc. 

Directions:

1.      Combine all ingredients in a fondue pot or small crock pot.
2.     Heat on medium, stirring frequently, until smooth and well blended.
3.     Adjust heat to warm and serve in the pot, with chips or veggies on the side. If it starts to get too thick, stir in a little more milk.

See “the dead man’s treasure bonus material” in the left-hand column of Kris Bock’s website for more New Mexico recipes.


*~*~*~*~*~*

The Mad Monk’s Treasure
by Kris Brock
The lost Victorio Peak treasure is the stuff of legends—a heretic Spanish priest’s gold mine, made richer by the spoils of bandits and an Apache raider. When Erin, a quiet history professor, uncovers a clue that may pinpoint the lost treasure cave, she prepares for adventure. But when a hit and run driver nearly kills her, she realizes she’s not the only one after the treasure. And is Drew, the handsome helicopter pilot who found her bleeding in a ditch, really a hero, or one of the enemy?
     
     Erin isn’t sure she can trust Drew with her heart, but she’ll need his help to track down the treasure. She heads into the New Mexico wilderness with her brainy best friend Camie and a feisty orange cat. The wilderness holds its own dangers, from wild animals to sudden storms. Plus, the sinister men hunting Erin are determined to follow her all the way to the treasure, no matter where the twisted trail leads. Erin won’t give up an important historical find without a fight, but is she ready to risk her life—and her heart?

“The story has it all - action, romance, danger, intrigue, lost treasure, not to mention a sizzling relationship....”
“Great balance of history, romance, and adventure. Smart romance with an “Indiana Jones” feel.”
“Well-written with an attention to detail that allowed me to picture exactly in my head how a scene looked and played out.”


Excerpt:

Among all the legends, all the fact and fiction, one story stood out. The Victorio Peak legend had it all. A Franciscan priest and a swindler. Torture, murder, a government cover-up. Where was the truth, among all the stories? Erin wanted to find out. Over time, and with Camie’s encouragement, she’d started to take the treasure hunt more seriously. It wasn’t so much for the treasure itself—that would most likely belong to the government or the landowners. But it would make her reputation, open up new job opportunities—change her life in ways she hardly dared dream.

She touched the book gently. The pages were falling out; she didn’t want to risk carrying it around. Instead, Erin snapped a picture of the petroglyphs with her phone. That would be enough to show Camie for now.

The timing was perfect; she just had to turn in grades and field a few tearful last-minute requests for extensions, and she’d be done for the semester. What better way to spend the summer, than hunting for buried treasure?

Erin shook her head. Who would’ve thought that she, the quiet, studious girl who’d spent her entire adult life in academia in one way or another, would be planning such an adventure?

 Erin wheeled the bike around the front of her house and mounted. At the corner, she paused and looked both ways. The long frontage road was dangerously narrow, with a cement wall on one side and a ditch on the other. Fortunately, traffic was normally light, and at this time of day the road lay empty. Erin pushed off, still grinning from her find. She rode on the right side, by the ditch, instead of facing traffic, because it was just too frightening to ride alongside the wall when a car passed.

She’d gone a block when she heard the hum of a car engine as it pulled out from a side street behind her. She rode along the very edge of the pavement, even though the car would have plenty of room to pass her without oncoming traffic.

Erin glanced over her shoulder. The black SUV 20 feet behind her hadn’t bothered to pull out into the road at all. Jerk. When would drivers learn to share the road with bicyclists? Erin pulled onto the two-foot wide gravel strip between the pavement and the ditch. She couldn’t stop without risking a skid, but she slowed so the SUV could pass.

The engine roared. Erin glanced back again.

Black metal bore down on her. Her heart lurched and the bike wobbled. This guy was crazy! She whipped her gaze forward, rose up in the seat, and pumped the pedals with all her power, skimming along inches from the ditch. He was just trying to scare her. She’d get his license plate and—

She felt the bumper hit her back tire. The bike seemed to leap into the air, and she went flying. The dried mud and weeds of the ditch seemed to rise up to meet her.
   
She didn’t even have time to scream.

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon pageSign up for Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.


Instafreebie is quick and convenient for people to grab their favorite file type, and you can even set it up so it knows your preference. Feel free to grab a copy! Honest reviews are always appreciated.


About Kris Brock:
Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Quick Peach Cobbler: #Holiday #Recipe Exchange

5:46 PM 0 Comments
Instead of my usual Too Yummy Tuesday posts,  I’ll be featuring yummy recipes and delicious blurbs from some fellow romance authors throughout the holidays!

Today’s recipe comes from Tina Gayle, author of Marketing Exec's Widow.



Quick Peach Cobbler

Ingredients
1 large can of peaches
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 box of vanilla wafers
1/4 cup of butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350.  Pour can peaches, sugar, and cinnamon in a casserole dish large enough to hold everything I use the 2quart size. After stirring these items together, then add most of the box of vanilla wafers, set enough aside to pull on top.  Once you have the wafers arranged on top, slice the butter in to small pieces and set on top of the wafers.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.


Serve with ice cream or whipping cream.


*~*~*~*~*~*

Marketing Exec's Widow
by Tina Gayle

Four women...
One fatal car wreck...
Everyone's lives changed...


Letting go and rebuilding a life comes at a price.

Having come to terms with losing her husband, Jennifer is ready to move on, but she faces opposition from her friends, in-laws, and brother-in-la. He see himself as her future husband. None of them know of Jen’s marital problems and she is afraid of their reaction when they learn she has a date for Friday night?



Hagan Chaney is not anything like Craig. He tempts Jen into the future but is she willing to give love another chance after the heartache she faced the 1st time around?

Excerpt:

   “Thank you.” Jen tilted her head and narrowed her gaze. His tall, lean form topped hers even with three-inch heels on, a welcome rarity from the men she usually met. In addition, he had strawberry-blond hair, a known weakness of hers. The reddish-gold locks danced along the collar of his black shirt, teasing her with the idea of running her hands through the thick mass. Her fingers twitched. She dropped her gaze. Tight jeans covered a round, squeezable butt. Hot awareness suddenly sizzled, stunning Jen with its power. She knotted her hands into fists and fought the unwelcome attraction.
No way, Im his real estate agent, not his date for the evening. And its only been four months since...
 “Elkhorn’s main street isn’t large, but the Little League baseball field and the restaurants should attract people to the area.” Hagan’s dark brown…no, hazel, his eyes were hazel she realized abruptly when his gaze met hers. He cocked a brow. A sexy smile teased the corner of his lips. Oh, darn, the man had nailed her ogling his backside.
Heat burned her cheeks. The air between them sizzled. Goose bumps popped out on her arms. Her internal timer ticked off each day she’d gone without sex—well over a year.
His smile grew wider and visions of his mouth melting onto hers slammed home the impossibility of the situation.
Give it up, girl. Its not happening.
She swallowed and searched the room for a distraction, some way to gain control of her raging hormones and maintain the professional image she’d strived so hard to develop the last five years. “I agree. It is in a great location.”


About Tina Gayle:

An author with over 30 books, Tina Gayle writes in a number of different genres: Romantic contemporary (as Tina Gayle) and  Erotic Romance. Her books range from contemporary, paranormal to mystery and suspense

As an indie author, she has worked hard to have a social presence and reach her readers. You can visit her website and read the 1st chapter of any of her books.  Or you can download a free ebook and join her newsletter group. http://www.tinagayle.net//newsletter.html


Monday, December 12, 2016

Irish Porter Cake: #Holiday #Recipe Exchange

12:00 AM 0 Comments
Instead of my usual Too Yummy Tuesday posts,  I’ll be featuring yummy recipes and delicious blurbs from some fellow romance authors throughout the holidays!

Today’s recipe comes from DW Alder, author of The Spring of Seduction.



Irish Porter Cake
In honour of my Irish main character, I present a holiday treat from Ireland!
(from olums.ie/recipies/porter-cake/)

Ingredients

450g / 1lb Odlums Cream Plain Flour
Pinch of Salt
1 level teaspoon Baking Powder
1 level teaspoon Mixed Spice
225g / 8oz Sugar
225g / 8oz Butter
450g / 1lb Sultanas
125g / 4oz Candied Peel
300ml / 1/2 pint Guinness (Porter)
2 Eggs (beaten)

Directions

Preheat oven 180°C/350°F
Line a 20cm/8″ round cake tin with greaseproof paper.
Sieve the flour, salt, baking powder and mixed spice into a bowl and add the sugar.
Rub in the butter and add the fruit and mix.
Add the porter to the beaten eggs and add to fruit mixture.
Mix well.
Transfer to the prepared tin and bake for approximately 2 hours.
Place on a low shelf position in the oven.

NOTES:

Check cake after an hour and if it is browning too quickly, cover with a double layer of greaseproof paper until baked.


*~*~*~*~*~*

The Spring of Seduction
(Shelter from the Winter series Book 1)
by DW Alder
Paranormal LGBTQS Romance/Erotica

Brijit McRaith has been on the run for centuries. Pursued by her mad creator for most of her years as a vampire, she has finally found peace and sanctuary in her native Ireland. But a modern world on the brink of war has caught up with her and after decades of quiet, Brijit finds herself on the run again. To add to her personal chaos, she becomes smitten with mortal Kelly O'Donnell, and Brijit’s initial plans to lay low fall by the wayside. With an uncertain future ahead of her, can Brijit protect her newfound love from a world on the edge of destroying itself?

This book contains scenes of explicit erotica and is meant for readers 18 years of age or older.

Excerpt:


Brijit reached up and put her hand behind Kelly’s head, intertwining her fingers with curly locks of dark red hair. “You feel it too, don’t you?”
   Kelly’s breathing quickened and her cheeks burned red as Brijit’s touch made her body tense with conflicting emotions. Her eyes closed halfway and the fear started to morph into something resembling ecstasy. “Uh huh,” she murmured. “What have you been doing to me all evening? I can’t think straight when you look at me.”
   Brijit stroked Kelly’s hair, pulled her hand away and pushed her fingers back through the strands, starting at her temples and ending at the back of her head. Her fingertips pressed into Kelly’s scalp with the slightest of pressure, which excited the nerves in her skin. “I’m not doing anything. I don’t do vampire mind tricks. I feel this connection with you…it’s rare that it’s this strong. There haven’t been many over the centuries that make me feel like this.” 
   Kelly looked into the green eyes and felt the fear and terror turn to waves of want and lust. She brought her hands to Brijit’s face, feeling the soft yet strong skin so very cold beneath her fingertips. Brijit smiled and leaned in slowly. Her lips found Kelly’s. Slowly, she brushed by them.

   Kelly felt her breathing quicken as the vampire teased her, their mouths hovering near each other. Finally she moved in closer, craving the touch of Brijit’s lips. She pressed into them gently and felt their softness meet her own in a kiss that was gentle yet tentative at the same time…



Buy links:
From my publisher, eXtasy Books: http://www.extasybooks.com/dw-adler/




About DW Alder:
DW Adler ("Call me Don") was born and raised in beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada. After receiving a degree in psychology and an almost-minor in Irish Studies, he learned how to fix computers. He now sweats profusely in Florida where he does IT support for a living when he's not writing.
Don counts such authors as Anne Rice, JRR Tolkien, and Edgar Allan Poe, as well as a love for Irish/Celtic myth and folklore as his influences. He loves to read sci-fi, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and anything having to do with vampires.
Other than sipping tea and writing, Don dabbles in computer animation and graphic design, is a doting father to his little girl, and a loving husband. He is constantly plotting how to get back home to Nova Scotia and flees there whenever the sight of snow becomes a necessity.
No, he will not fix your computer.

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