Friday, December 27, 2013

Jello-Pineapple Minis by Melinda Curtis

My mom is old school.  She likes to have a Jell-O salad as a first course at the holidays.  That used to mean Jell-O displayed on a leaf of lettuce and topped with mayonnaise.  The first time Mr. Curtis ate this, he thought the mayonnaise was whipped cream.  Oh, the face!


Several years ago, I picked up this recipe from Rachel Raye's magazine and, with some variations, made it my own - Jell-O-Pineapple Minis.  Much to my mother's chagrin, it isn't its own course.  And I don't serve it on a bed of lettuce.  I offer it as one of the many sides whenever we have a family get-together.  It's a crowd-pleaser.

1-20 oz. can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1-6 oz. pkg. Jell-O Strawberry Gelatin (choose another flavor if you feel daring)
1-small container blueberries (if you love cranberries, try a 16oz can of whole berry cranberry sauce)
2/3 cup walnut pieces (or pecans if you have some leftover)
1-small apple, chopped into bite size pieces
1-package holiday themed cupcake wrappers/muffin cups and cupcake tins to help Jell-O set

"Mash" the pineapple in the can, squeezing out as much juice as you can (this adds to the sweetness).  Add water to the juice to measure 2-1/4 cups.  Heat liquid to boiling either in a saucepan or microwave.  Pour liquid into bowl (one with a spout is useful) and mix with Jell-O about 2 minutes until completely dissolved.

Place cupcake wrappers into cupcake tins.  Recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 servings, depending upon how much fruit you add.  Pour Jell-O mixture into cupcake wrappers (I admit that I've made this for Christmas with Halloween cupcake wrappers - go with what you have!).  Add bits of crushed pineapple, blueberries (or whole cranberries as in the picture above), apple, and walnut pieces.  Refrigerate for 2-1/2 hours or until firm. 

Now, Rachel suggests you remove the liners and when you use expensive liners, they come out beautifully like the picture.  Despite me getting out my grandmother's china at the holidays, I admit I serve them in their cupcake wrappers.  Because when you use everyday wrappers, they don't come out so cleanly. 

Melinda Curtis writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet romances for the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”.  Melinda also writes independently published, hotter romances as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood's Golden Age except a lot hotter.”  Melinda is married to her college sweetheart, and has three kids in college.  She follows the NFL because one young quarterback is from her hometown, and follows Duke basketball because Mr. Curtis has a man crush on Coach K.
 

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Collections by Merrillee Whren

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the family get-togethers, the yummy food, and the beautiful decorations. Over the years I have collected a lot of Christmas decorations. I started a collection of international Santas when one of the local department stores starting selling a few each year. I collected them until I had one from most countries. There may be more, but I don't have more room, so, for me, the collection is complete. Here's a couple of photos of how I have them displayed this year.

I have also collected Christmas ornaments since we got married. I have a dated one from every year. Besides the dated ornaments, I collect them when we travel. Here is one of my favorite dated ornaments.
Here is one that was handmade in Russia.
Here is what I call our family tree versus the formal tree I have in the living room. The family tree is filled with these collected ornaments and ones my kids made when they were in school.

The best collection I have is the nativity scenes. After I started collecting them, people started giving them to me. Finally, I had to tell them to stop because I just didn't have room to display them all. This is my favorite and one of the first in the collection. My hubby snagged in an after Christmas sale.
If you'd like to see more of my collection you can visit my Facebook author page. Here is a link.

Do you have any favorite Christmas collections?

~ * ~

Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing or working for her husband’s recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her Web site at http://www.merrilleewhren.com or connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author

Check out her latest book

Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas Blues? Bah! by Sierra Donovan

We're getting down to the wire on Christmas, and everyone I know is starting to sweat.

Yes, the season started late this year. Thanksgiving fell on November 28th, the latest day it's possible for it to fall. And it seems like we've all been trying to make up for lost time ever since.

I'm pretty far behind myself.

Lights up? Check. House decorated? Check. Is it cleaned up for that party we're having tomorrow night? Gulp....

And let's don't even talk about the packages, or mailing our annual Christmas newsletter.

The thing is, Christmas was never meant to be a checklist. It was meant to be the celebration of a miracle. Every year I remind myself of that, and every year I stress about the things I haven't gotten done and might not get done.

If you're feeling that way right now, take a deep breath with me ... and fast-forward a few days.

No matter what gets done or undone, Christmas Eve will come, right on schedule. Night will fall. The stores will close. The streets will get empty ... and a certain stillness will fall.

Things will be as done as they're ever going to get.

I already know how I'm going to spend my Christmas Eve: dozing in the living room with my husband, while some of our favorite instrumental Christmas discs play on our old CD player.

Once we're done being frantic, we'll remember what Christmas is all about. A time of peace on earth ... even if it has to be reinforced by malls closing. A time for gazing at the tree lights, remembering the Christmas miracle and anticipating the morning.

Take heart, everyone. We'll get there.

Merry Christmas to all!


~ * ~

Sierra Donovan is a wife, a mother of two and a writer, though not always in that order. Her job and greatest joy is helping people find true love on the printed page. She's a firm believer in old movies, Christmas, chocolate fudge and happy endings. To find out more, feel free to drop by her website.

~ * ~

Sierra is the author of Meg's Confession and Love on the Air, which was a Holt Medallion finalist. Her next novel, No Christmas Like the Present, is due out in October 2014 from Kensington Books. Her books are available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Last Minute Gift Ideas: Cocoa Mix by Aileen Fish

As we get closer to Christmas, many of us go into panic mode. We need a quick gift for teacher, or a neighbor pops by with a tin of cookies and we want to reciprocate. My daughter just made a batch of hot cocoa mix to package for stocking stuffers and employee gifts, so I thought I'd share the idea.

Hot Cocoa Mix

Yield: 5 1/2 cups dry mix
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

    2 cups powdered sugar
    1 cup cocoa
    2 1/2 cups powdered milk
    1 teaspoon salt
    2 teaspoons cornstarch

Optional Ingredients:

    1/2 cup mini marshmallows
    1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
    1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
    a pinch of cayenne pepper
    1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:

    To make the mix

    1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until evenly incorporated.
    2. Pour hot cocoa mix into an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.

    To make hot cocoa

    1. Fill a mug half full with the hot cocoa mix and pour in hot water.
    2.Stir to combine.

Gift Ideas

  • Package the mix with mini marshmallows in an airtight container and top with a bow.
  • Stick a baggie of mix in a pretty mug; add a cinnamon stick or peppermint stick
  • ~*~

    Aileen Fish, author of The Bridgethorpe Brides series, writes traditional Regency romance, young adult romance and has a few contemporary romance plans for 2014. She is also an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families, and her fairy princess granddaughter.

    Stay up to date with book releases at her website http://aileenfish.com or on Facebook

    Monday, December 16, 2013

    Streusel-Topped Pies – 2 recipes! by Donna Fasano


    As Christmas draw nears, baking ramps up in many kitchens. Today USA Bestselling Author Donna Fasano shares with us two streusel-topped pie recipes!

    Blueberry Pie

    1 9-inch deep dish pie shell, unbaked

    5 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
    1 tablespoon lemon juice
    1 cup white sugar
    ½ cup flour
    ½ teaspoon salt
    ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    2 tablespoons butter

    Streusel-Topping

    3 teaspoons butter, softened
    ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
    ⅓ cup flour

    To assemble:

    Sprinkle blueberries with lemon juice. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine. Cut better into tiny bits. Combine sugar/flour mixture and butter with the berries. Pour into pie shell.

    To make streusel:

    Add softened butter to a bowl. Using a fork, stir in brown sugar and flour until it looks like crumbles. Sprinkle evenly over blueberries.

    Place pie on an aluminum covered baking sheet (to avoid overflow mess in the oven) and bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until the berries are bubbly and the topping is golden.

    Apple Cranberry Pie
    Apple Cranberry Pie

    1 9-inch deep dish pie shell, unbaked

    2 apples, peeled and sliced
    1 cup fresh cranberries
    1 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
    2 large eggs, slightly beaten
    2 tablespoons water
    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    Streusel Topping

    4 tablespoons butter, softened
    ½ cup flour
    ½ cup brown sugar, packed
    ½ cup pecan pieces
    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    To assemble:

    In a bowl, stir to combine the sweetened condensed milk, eggs, water, and cinnamon. Add cranberries and stir. Pour into the pie shell. Arrange the apple slices on top.

    Make the streusel:

    Combine all ingredients with a fork until mixture resembles crumbles. Sprinkle evenly over apples. Place on an aluminum covered baking sheet (to avoid overflow mess in the oven) and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then turn oven down to 350 degrees and back for another 30 minutes.

    ~ * ~

    USA TODAY Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written of over 30 novels that have sold nearly 4 million copies worldwide. You can find her on the internet: at her blog, and on Facebook, and on Twitter. She loves to hear from her readers. Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, Sony, and Apple iBooks.

    Friday, December 13, 2013

    An Old-fashioned Christmas

    ~by Aileen Fish

    I admit it - I'm old-fashioned. I love spending the holidays with family, as many generations as we can gather, and often friends, in-laws and roommates, depending on who is hosting the gathering that year. Our traditions are pretty basic these days, since the group seems to get larger each year. We open gifts either from youngest to oldest or the other way around. Years ago when my girls were little, my sister-in-law (who was eleven years older than my brother) insisted she was twenty-one, so each year she would be in a different spot as the rest of us aged.

    That worked until my oldest was five or six and remembered the year before. After that, Sis had to start aging like the rest of us. We lost her four years ago, but every year I always pause when we're trying to determine who goes next and I want to slip her into the early-twenties crowd.

    The most important part of the holiday for me is family, and we juggle our schedules each year to suit everyone's availability, and manage to squeeze as many hours together out of the day as we can. Since I write historical romance, I spent a lot of time researching how the English celebrated Christmas in Jane Austen's time. We think of Scrooge and Santa Claus, but they both cam later in Victorian England. Queen Victoria is said to have brought the Christmas tree tradition to England. So, how did Jane Austen celebrate?

    From her letters we've found it was a quiet celebration, church in the morning and a special dinner later. Things became more festive the next day, Boxing Day, when gifts were given to the servants and employees on an estate. Some families held onto baking and decorating traditions like those I used in Helena's Christmas Beau, while others were more like Duncan in that story and felt those ways were old-fashioned.

    Old-fashioned. Baking together; sharing a special meal with family, and finding a small gift, perhaps, for the people important to you. Letting them know they are loved, and enjoying the time spent with them.

    Yes, the more I read about old-fashioned Christmases, the more certain I became. I am old-fashioned, and will always cling to those aspects of the holiday.

    ~*~
    Aileen Fish, author of The Bridgethorpe Brides series, write contemporary and historical romance. She is also an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families, and her fairy princess granddaughter.

    Stay up to date with book releases at her website http://aileenfish.com or on Facebook

    Wednesday, December 11, 2013

    Discover a New Culture by Mona Risk

    Any reader would probably wonder why I set my book AN UNUSUAL CHRISTMAS in a little known country such as Belarus.

    During the mid-nineties, I have often traveled to Russia and Belarus for business and kept copious notes. I was quite impressed by the Russian culture and hospitality and decided to set my new book in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. With my heroine, Dr. Jillian Burton, you will discover a different civilization, visit interesting places, marvel at the Russian architecture, taste the exotic food, toast with vodka, wear the warm chapka, experience many of the local customs, and fall in love with a gallant Belarusian doctor.

    In Belarus, the government stops the heating between May 1st and October 31st. I went to Minsk for the first time in October 1994 and was greeted by a freezing rain and a brisk cold that seeped through my clothes. Do I have to mention that I was shivering outdoors and indoors, and I never drank as many cups of hot shaye—tea?

    Our first official meeting attended by officers, chemists and doctors, took place in a government building called the Hall of Officers. After a series of speech, our Belarusian hosts invited us to celebrate the new contract with toasts of vodka that we were supposed to drink bottoms up while saying Na Dzhrovia—cheers. No orange juice or ice was added to dilute the 40% alcohol drink. My throat burned and my stomach caught fire. Eventually I got used to their strong drink and find it a practical way to stay warm. When I got sick, my Belarusian friends insisted on treating me with vodka, their universal remedy against cold, cough, stomach pain, and headaches!

    The Belarusians are very hospitable people. We were invited for dinner in many homes. After the inevitable toasts of vodka, we ate the delicious stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, orange caviar, black bread and sausage. The children impressed me with their impeccable manners and their fluent English. They often acted as interpreters for their parents.

    In Minsk, I used a car with an excellent heating system and a chauffeur who spoke English. My rental car became a haven during the freezing months of winter and the only place where I felt warm and comfortable.

    What part of the world would you like to discover?

    ~ ~ ~

    Mona traveled to more than fifty countries on business or vacation. Eventually she left a scientific career to share with readers the many stories brewing in her head. She writes contemporary romances, sweet or not so sweet, with suspense elements or medical themes. Sprinkled with a good dose of humor, her stories are set in the fascinating places she visited, from exotic Belarus, and historical France, to the beaches of Greece, the monuments of Egypt and the mysterious Islands of Seychelles--or more simply in Ohio, Florida, Boston and Washington, DC. Her titles garnered many awards. A winner of Best Romance Novel at Preditors & Editors, Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite, Epic Award Finalist, first-place wins in Enchanted Quill, Launching a Star, and Wallflower. Find Mona on Facebook, or Twitter, or visit her website.

    ~ ~ ~

    Mona’s latest releases are boxed sets for Christmas and Holidays, all available at Amazon, KDP:

    Christmas Here and There: 3 romance novels, with emotion and humor. Christmas at the beach, on a cruise, or in Russia.

    Holiday Babies Series: 3 bestsellers novels, about Christmas and holidays, with twin babies and humor.

    Foreign Lovers: a different genre of contemporary novels with sizzling romance, sensual tension, and suspense in international settings.

    Monday, December 9, 2013

    12 Hours of Christmas Bash Recap by Beate Boeker

     If I'm perfectly honest, I have to admit that I'm not a great party-goer. While I'm not an introvert, I'd rather snuggle up with a book than go to a party any time. So I signed up as one of the hosts for the Sweet Romance Christmas Bash with trepidation, but I did it because I really wanted to know what all this partying on Facebook was all about! It couldn't be as bad as that, I figured, after all, I didn't even have to dress up.

    Well, it was a steep learning curve - and it was more fun than expected! When we put our twelve heads together, it soon became apparent that we had a great mix of authors here. Everybody contributed something - and I don't only mean money for the big prize and free e-books for lucky winners - no, I mean talent. Some of our authors are power women with exceptional organizational skills and the talent to keep all of us in line while fighting illnesses and writing with tight deadlines, others contributed pictures and created artwork and answered technical questions, one knew how to master the Rafflecopter, one organized a huge spreadsheet with every post detailed in advance, one gave a loan of her personal assistant, so she could pre-set everything on Facebook - the list is endless! I was impressed and grateful to be part of such an energetic and professional group.

    And then the big day dawned, and I can tell you, I was very nervous of dropping the drinks (or maybe not even finding them during this cyber-party!). However, it worked out very well. Slightly out of breath, I jumped from post to post much as a hosts goes from group to group and learned so much. I loved the way our readers shared their Christmas experiences - some sad, some uplifting - how some told us that the hero they wanted most underneath that mistletoe was still their husband, and of course, the singing. Oh, the singing. The idea was that everybody enters one line of a song, and the next commenter enters the next line. However, due to slight delays while posting, several of us sang the same line and maybe it was a good thing after all that you couldn't really hear us - but it was fun!

    Over 60 prizes were awarded to readers/party goers and Eileen Aberman-Wells won our grand prize - $100 Amazon Gift Card! We're still contacting winners (and if you think you've won something but haven't heard from us, please drop us a note on our Sweet Romance Reads Facebook page). The best part about having this party was getting to know new readers, to touch them with our stories and our gifts, and to make them a little bit happier than they were before. Thank you to all who joined!

    You can find more info about Beate at her website. Her new release Stormy Times is available at Amazon.

    Friday, December 6, 2013

    That Christmas Magic by Ginny Baird

    I still recall the weight of winter blankets keeping me warm. I’d pull them up to my chin, imagining – if I just waited long enough – I’d hear sleigh bells. But try as I might, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I’d drift off to sleep then awake the next morning to a welcoming Christmas bounty. While there were always nice gifts and stockings filled to the brim for my four siblings and me, in my little-girl heart I couldn’t help but be disappointed. I’d gotten the prize, but had missed the magic. I couldn’t have known how wrong I was.

    It took growing up to understand the far reach of magic. All of us experience magical moments throughout our lives: some of them great, others small. But there’s something extra special about the magic that occurs at Christmas. When we first plug in our tree and it shimmers with colorful lights, I gasp with wonder. As we hang stockings from the mantel and I think of our beautiful blended family, I feel a happy lift in my soul. And when my husband takes me in his arms under the mistletoe, I still glimpse magic in his eyes.

    Christmas is the season where much of the world pauses together to reflect on faith and new beginnings. At Christmas, we have cause to trust – not just in others, but also in ourselves. As a character in my story The Holiday Bride says, “It’s not so much about the man in the red suit as it is about what’s in your heart. All you have to do is open yourself up to the magic and believe.”

    This December twenty-fourth, will you be listening for sleigh bells? I know I will. What’s more, I trust I’ll hear them.

    ~ ~ ~

    Ginny Baird is the author of novellas in the Holiday Brides Series and numerous other titles. She’s a big believer in magic and the power of what’s in our hearts. You can visit Ginny’s at her website or connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

    ~ ~ ~

    Book 5 in her Holiday Brides Series, Baby Be Mine, is now at Amazon.

    Thursday, December 5, 2013

    12 Hours of Christmas Facebook Bash


    Today 12 Sweet Romance Readers are throwing a party on Facebook! You can join us at the SRR Facebook page. We'll be there from 10 am to 10 pm ET then have a two hour after party until midnight ET when we award the Grand Prize and door prizes. But they'll be giveaways all day long along with games, books and fun, too! Please join us!







    Wednesday, December 4, 2013

    Not Your Grandma's Oatmeal Cookies by Donna Fasano

    Christmas is coming! And there is one delectable treat I always make to usher in the holiday. You got it. Oatmeal cookies. Sweet, chewy rounds of goodness. Mmmm! However, these cookies aren't like any your grandmother made—not unless she was privy to my secret ingredient, that is.

    What's the secret ingredient? Shredded coconut. That's what makes these mouth-watering morsels of oaty goodness so moist and delicious.

    So heat up the oven, pull out your best mixing bowl, and let's bake up a batch of cookies.

    Raisin Oat Cookies

    1 cup butter, softened
    1 cup white sugar
    1 cup brown sugar, packed
    2 eggs
    2 teaspoons vanilla
    2 cups flour
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    ¾ teaspoon salt
    2 cups raisins
    2 cups quick-cooking oats
    1 cup sweetened, shredded coconut

    Preheat oven to 350º. Cream the butter and the sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Stir in raisins, oats, and coconut. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a light greased baking sheet. Bake for approximately 15 minutes (or until golden around the edges). Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

    ~ ~ ~

    Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling Author whose books have sold nearly 4 million copies worldwide. She loves to hear from readers. Contact her through her website.

    Monday, December 2, 2013

    The Magic Of Learning ... Through Reading

    Most of us learned to read as children.

    We kept reading as adults because the power of story is magical. This is a reader's group, so I am sure you all agree.

    To get our discussion going today, let's begin with a few basic questions.

    Q4U= Why do you like to read?

    Sadie= I read to learn. No fiction for me.

    Angela= You can learn a lot from fiction.

    Sadie= How? Isn't fiction just a bunch of lies?

    Angela= Well written fiction is based on true principals. Long before the written word was available to the masses, history tells us our ancestors passed on our value system and lessons with story.

    Noelle= I like to read when I am blue. Reading a good story will lift my spirits.

    Sadie= But isn't that just ... well a crutch?

    Noelle= Is Insulin a crutch? Is food and shelter a crutch? Reading is food for the mind.

    Sadie= Then be careful what you read.

    Angela= Exactly. And statistics prove that children who read fiction are more adaptable to the society around them.

    Zelda= I feel sorry for those who don't read fiction. Novels open up all new worlds to me.


    Sadie=. Maybe I am missing out on something. Okay, I'm game to test you on that one. So suggest a book for me to read. What was the very best novel you have read this year.

    Q4U= Readers, can you help out us out? What books can you suggest for Sadie?

    ~ ~ ~

    Sharon A Lavy lives on a farm, with her husband, in SW Ohio. When not reading, writing, or sewing for her family, she enjoys traveling with her husband in the small plane they call Papa. 
    She is best known in the novel writing community, as that German Baptist lady.
    In the Old German Baptist community, she’s a dressmaker, a pattern maker, and the sister who writes.
    And in her own mind, she’s a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, but above all a child of God. 
    Her greatest desire is to be a woman after God’s own heart
    Because when it’s all said and done
     It’s all about relationships. 

    Website/Blog: www.sharonalavy.com         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharonALavy


    ~ ~ ~

    Sharon's books can be found on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and Books-A-Million.