June Harlequin Blog Tour: Her Rancher Bodyguard #giveaway

today's book in the June Harlequin blog tour is Her Rancher Bodyguard by, Brenda Minton. Here is a cool topic/recipe from the author.

Bon Appétit and a Book:

One of our favorite recipes for a light lunch, a snake or appetizer is Smoked Tuna Dip. Since I tend to make up recipes as I go,  this is ‘too taste.’   

June Harlequin Blog Tour: Bought for the Greek’s Revenge #giveaway

Hello to you! Today's book in the June book tour is Bought for the Greek's Revenge, by Lynne Graham.

Here is some info from the author. The Author's Writing Space:

Where the magic happens…

Every writer has a different process, but for me one of the most important parts of creating a story is where I do it. I have a room in my house that is solely mine. I fill it with all the things that inspire me. It has hundreds of books, maps, guides to far flung places where I set my romances. But it’s very much a working room.

I start writing at 9.00 am and work on through to 5.00pm. The only members of the family allowed in to my writing room are my three dogs. They curl up underneath my desk and keep me company. Most of the time they behave! Occasionally if I’m stuck on a plot, then I’ll take them for a walk and by the time I’m back in my room, all the kinks are magically resolved.

June Harlequin Blog Tour: Wed by Fortune & #giveaway

Hey everyone. I have 3 more books this month for the June Harlequin blog tour. Today I am spotlighting the book Wed by Fortune, by Judy Duarte.

Description

You are cordially invited to witness the courtship of Graham Fortune Robinson & Sasha-Marie Gibault Smith 

Graham has always thought of Sasha as his "little sister."

Sasha has always considered the rugged rancher out of her league.

Now that Sasha is all grown up, there is nothing keeping them apart… Except she has a daughter. An ex-husband. And a very noticeable baby bump. And the always proper Graham suddenly finds himself thinking very sexy thoughts about the sweet single mom!

Perhaps Fortune is finally smiling on Graham—in the form of the true love this rich, unencumbered cowboy has always longed for!

April Harlequin Blog Tour: Want Ad Wedding #giveaway

 The last book in the April Harlequin series is: Want Ad Wedding by Cheryl St. John. If you would like to read the other two posts and enter those giveaways too go Here & Here.

Here is a recipe from the author

Bon Appetit and a Book

I have a passion for cake, and especially Bundt® cakes. This one is probably one of my very favorite recipes ever and my family tussles over the last crumbs. I've included tips at the bottom, because this type of cake bakes differently depending on the pan and your oven, so experiment a little and watch the baking process carefully.

If you make this cake, do let me know how it was. I dropped one off to a neighboring daycare, and the report was, "This cake is evil. It's the best I've ever had." I think that means it's a winner.

Glazed Citrus Bundt® Cake

¾ cup softened butter

3 cups sugar

5 eggs

3 Tbsp lemon zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 - 2 tsp lemon extract

3 cups sifted flour

1 cup Sprite or Squirt

Preheat oven to 350°.

Grease and flour Bundt® pan well

Beat butter with hand mixer. Add sugar one cup at a time and mix until creamy.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing briefly after each.

Stir in lemon zest and extracts.

On medium speed alternate adding flour and Sprite. Don’t overbeat.

Pour batter into pan.

Baking time varies depending on your oven and your pan. I use my convection oven setting. My heavy NordicWare® pan bakes more quickly than my silicone pan. In the NordicWare® I bake this about 40 minutes, then cover with foil for another ten. Test and if a toothpick doesn’t come out clean, add more time. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack ten minutes. After ten minutes remove cake from pan and allow to cool.

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbsp Rose’s sweetened lime juice (I find this in the liquor section)

2 Tbsp lemon juice

Whisk until desired consistency and drizzle over cooled cake.

Bundt Cake Tips:

·        There is a difference between a tube pan and a Bundt® pan. A tube pan is more shallow, while a Bundt® pan has higher sides. Each will hold a different amount and will bake the same batter differently.

·        Cooking spray doesn’t cut it for a Bundt® cake. Grease with shortening and dust with flour to help the cake rise in the pan.

·        Always sift the flour.

·        Over mixing the batter gives cake a tough texture.

·        When creaming sugar and butter, have the butter at room temperature, mix on medium and add the sugar gradually.

·        Don’t overbeat eggs. Mix with a whisk or on low with the mixer, just until blended.

·        After removing from the oven, cool the cake on a wire rack for ten minutes. Any longer and you risk the cake sticking to the pan. Finish cooling on a rack.

After years of being asked for recipes, Cheryl St.John spent a summer writing down ingredients and baking times, baking and asking for beta testers in order to put together this collection of mouthwatering recipes for Bundt cakes.. Cheryl's philosophy: Eat cake! It's someone's birthday somewhere.

April Harlequin Blog Tour: Take Me, Cowboy #giveaway

Hi readers, Today's book is Take Me, Cowboy by Maisey Yates. If you would like to read yesterday's' post go here and there is a giveaway for that book too.

Q&A from author:

1. How did you first get started writing romance? I had always fiddled around with writing, but didn't know what I wanted to write until I picked up my first Harlequin Presents. That was when it clicked for me. So really, I started writing romance almost as soon as I started reading it. I fell in love, and that was it.

2. If you could be any villain from your favorite novel, who would you choose and why? I think I would have to be Narcissa Malfoy, from Harry Potter. Just because she has awesome hair and I have a thing for Lucius. (Well, as played by Jason Isaacs)

3. Out of all the books you’ve read, which one would you turn into a book to film adaptation, (if it has not been done before)? That's a hard one. I'm going to have to go with Megan Crane's Edge of Obsession. I love the world that she's created in that series, and I would really enjoy a chance to see these dystopian Vikings on screen.

4. List five adjectives to describe yourself.

Caffeinated. Busy. Creative. Hungry (typically). Bad dancer.  

7.      What’s your favorite place for inspiration? I get inspiration from everywhere. Music, the view, good weather, bad weather. That's the great thing about writing. If you really look around, and listen, inspiration is everywhere.

8.      Do you have one thing that can completely distract you while writing? My virtual social life. I have a few friends that I text way too often. And I can get involved in a conversation and forget that I'm supposed to be on task.

9.      What is your trick to getting over “Writers Block”? Writing through it. That's the only way I know to solve a problem with the book. If I leave it for too long, it becomes easier to stay away from it. I have to face it head on, or avoidance can become an issue.

10.   When it comes to book covers, what inspires you? Pinterest. I put together a board of visual inspiration when I plot my books, and then I usually send that board to the publisher.

11.   While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters? None of my characters are ever me exactly. But, I definitely borrow from real-life experiences and feelings. Particularly various issues and insecurities, though, I usually apply them to situations I've never been in, just to keep it removed.

12.   If you could ask any character in Take Me, Cowboy a question, what would it be? I would ask Anna where she got her great collection of old musicals on Blu-ray.

13.   What are you working on next? Right now I'm working on finishing up edits for Tough Luck Hero, and upcoming book in my Copper Ridge series.

April Harlequin Blog Tour: A Cowboy’s Claim #giveaway

Hey all, this week I have 3 books again for April's blog tour. The first book is A Cowboy’s Claim by Marin Thomas.

Here are some topics from the author for you to enjoy:

Ingredients

Flour, for dusting

1 recipe Buttery Pie Dough

8 tbsp. unsalted butter

1⁄2 cup packed light brown sugar

1⁄2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tbsp. for sprinkling

3 tbsp. cornstarch

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

15 soft caramel cubes

8 tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tbsp. water

Instructions

On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 disk of dough into a 12" round. Fit into a 9" pie plate. Trim edges, leaving 1" dough overhanging edge of plate; chill 30 minutes.

Melt butter in a 1-qt. saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and caramels; cook, stirring occasionally, until sugars are dissolved and sauce is slightly thick, 5–7 minutes.

Heat oven to 400°. Arrange apples over dough. Pour sauce evenly over apples. Roll remaining disk of dough into a 12" round and place over top of pie. Pinch top and bottom edges together and fold under; crimp edges. Brush with egg mixture; sprinkle with 1 tbsp. sugar. Cut three 1"-long slits in top of pie. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 1 hour. Let cool completely before serving.

The CEO's Unexpected Child Blog Tour March Harlequin Series & #giveaway

The last book in the March blog tour is The CEO's Unexpected Child, by  Andrea Laurence 

Please visit my other two posts for the other books and giveaway: Here & Here

Please read some topics from the the author:

A Forbidden Temptation: Blog Tour March Harlequin Series & #giveaway

The next book in the blog tour is A Forbidden Temptation by Anne Mather. See yesterday's post for the other book on the tour and giveaway.

Please read below for a Q & A with the Author Anne Mather

Sweet Seduction Blog Tour March Harlequin Series & #giveaway

Hey guys have another blog tour for you. Three books this week for you to check out with giveaways too! The first book is Sweet Seduction:

  

Here is description of author's work space:

With tons of windows, I love how bright and sunny my office space is. The windows also function as a bulletin board and a place to write encouraging messages to myself so that every time I look up, I’m inspired. From my office, I look out onto a lovely green space where deer wander by on a daily basis. I’ve got my sitting desk straight ahead, and to the right is my standing desk. The room has lots of bookshelves and I use my white board for plotting. Another essential piece of furniture is my red chaise lounge. This is a great place for me to read, to daydream, to work and occasionally to nap (don’t tell!). I also keep workout equipment in my office, mostly for decorative purposes and as toys for my pets ☺. Behind my chair are cross-country ski poles because when I need a break in the winter, I go skiing right out my back door. Ahh! Love my space!

H

#BlogTour and #Giveaway book: BEAUTY, BEAST, AND BELLADONNA by Maia Chance

Hi guys the newest book on the blog tour is: BEAUTY, BEAST, AND BELLADONNA by Maia Chance

Here is an excerpt from the book:

BEAUTY, BEAST and BELLADONNA

Beware of allowing yourself to be prejudiced by appearances.  –Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, “Beauty and the Beast” (1756)

1

The day had arrived.  Miss Ophelia Flax’s last day in Paris, her last day in Artemis Stunt’s gilt-edged apartment choked with woody perfumes and cigarette haze.  Ophelia had chosen December 12th, 1867, at eleven o’clock in the morning as the precise time she would make a clean breast of it.  And now it was half past ten.

Ophelia swept aside brocade curtains and shoved a window open.  Rain spattered her face.  She leaned out and squinted up the street.  Boulevard Saint-Michel was a valley of stone buildings with iron balconies and steep slate roofs.  Beyond carriages and bobbling umbrellas, a horse-drawn omnibus splashed closer.

“Time to go,” she said, and latched the window shut.  She turned.  “Good-bye, Henrietta.  You will write to me—telegraph me, even—if Prue changes her mind about the convent?”

“Of course, darling.”  Henrietta Bright sat at the vanity table, still in her frothy dressing gown.  “But where shall I send a letter?”  She shrugged a half-bare shoulder in the looking glass.  Reassuring herself, no doubt, that at forty-odd years of age she was still just as dazzling as the New York theater critics used to say.

“I’ll let the clerk at Howard DeLuxe’s Varieties know my forwarding address,” Ophelia said.  “Once I have one.”  She pulled on cheap gloves with twice-darned fingertips.

“What will you do in New England?” Henrietta asked.  “Besides getting buried under snowdrifts and puritans?  I’ve been to Boston.  The entire city is like a mortuary.  No drinking on Sundays, either.”  She sipped her glass of poison-green cordial.  “Although, all that knuckle-rapping does make the gentlemen more generous with actresses like us when they get the chance.”

“Actresses like us?”  Ophelia went to her carpetbag, packed and ready on the opulent bed that might’ve suited the Princess on the Pea.  Ladies born and raised on New Hampshire farmsteads did not sleep in such beds.  Not without prickles of guilt, at least.  “I’m no longer an actress, Henrietta.  Neither are you.”  And they were never the same kind of actress.  Or so Ophelia fervently wished to believe.

“No?  Then what precisely do you call tricking the Count Griffe into believing you are a wealthy soap heiress from Cleveland, Ohio?  Sunday school lessons?”

“I had to do it.”  Ophelia dug in her carpetbag and pulled out a bonnet with crusty patches of glue where ribbon flowers once had been.  

BULLETPROOF BADGE, #blogtour & #giveaway

Next in the February Harlequin books is: Bulletproof Badge

• Writing Space Tour:

I’m really lucky to have a very nice office. My husband loves to build things–the desk, the cabinets, sliding keyboard drawer–and has plans for a few more cabinets to hold gadgets. The shelves on the wall were built by my grandfather when I was a child and hold writing and family mementoes. Last year with my royalties, I found my “diva” chair. I have to fight my pups for sitting room.

COLTON’S SURPRISE HEIR #blogtour and #giveaway

Hi again, I have 3 books for you this week. This is the first one in the February Harlequin tour.

please read some fun info below:


Bon Appetit and a Book

They say that there are two types of people in the kitchen – bakers and cooks. If I had to put myself into a category, I’d definitely lean toward baker. I have a few dishes that have become part of my standing repertoire, but as a recent attempt at a ham and bean soup will attest, my skills lean toward those recipes that involve copious amounts of butter and sugar, NOT meat, veggies or starch.

I’m not a southerner by birth, but I first moved to Texas nearly two decades ago. In the years since, I’ve learned about the fine art of casserole making AND just how many wonderful ways there are to combine butter and sugar. So…without further ado, here’s a personal favorite. I first heard it called Chess Cake but Paula Deen has perfected it as “Ooey Gooey Cake.” Regardless of what you call it, I can promise you it will be a dessert everyone loves.