7 Inspiring Quotes ~ Speaking Up for What is Right by Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz

I have always been awe-struck by those who are smart enough to speak out using indelible words that have the ability to change the hearts and the behaviors of others. Here are seven quotes I find inspiring.

“Strong people stand up for themselves; stronger people stand up for others.” ~Suzy Kassem

“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” ~Thurgood Marshall

“The only people who are angry at you for speaking the truth are those who are living a lie. Keep speaking the truth.” ~Unknown

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.”  ~Elie Wiesel

“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” ~Nelson Mandela

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” ~Dr Martin Luther King Jr

“In a world that demands you obey the wrong rules, being rebellious is right.” ~Jenna Galbut

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To celebrate Mother’s Day, I am offering readers my 2-book duet set, FALLING FOR A SINGLE MOM, on sale for just 99¢. Two books for under a buck? You can’t beat this deal. Click on the cover to be taken to the Kindle Store. The bargain price is available worldwide.

I offer the first book in 3 of my sweet romance series for 99¢ also. A BEAUTIFUL STRANGER is Book 1 of my A Family Forever Series. AN HONORABLE MAN is book 1 of The Black Bear Brothers Series. And SINGLE DADDY CLUB: DERRICK is Book 1 of The Single Daddy Club Series. Reviewers have said my sweet romance novels are reminiscent of Hallmark romance movies. Every time I see the comparison, I smile.

Wishing you and yours health and happiness.

DON’T FORGET to attend the Sweet Romance Reads Mother’s Day Party that will take place on May 7^th. The party will take place in the Sweet RomanceReads Café on Facebook.

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Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling Author. Her books have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have sold over 4 million copies worldwide. Learn more about her on her website. Sign up for her newsletter so you won’t miss a single sale or new release. Follow her on Amazon and Bookbub. 

Bacon Zucchini Fritters by Donna Fasano ~ #Recipes for #Foodies @DonnaFaz

I've had one of those days today. You know the ones, where you’re feeling creative in the kitchen. I pulled some ingredients out of my refrigerator and pantry, and I wondered what I could make with them. I had bacon, a zucchini, Locatelli cheese, eggs, flour, you get the picture. I came up with a recipe that is so delicious I decided to write it down. When you write it down, you know it’s good.

Bacon Zucchini Fritters 

Ingredients:

5 strips of bacon, fried crisp, drained, chopped

3 cups zucchini, grated (leave the skin on)

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced (slice a little extra for garnish)

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, or to taste

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for frying

Directions:

1. Mix together all ingredients, except the oil, until well incorporated.

2. Heat a frying pan on high until it’s hot, add oil to the pan, and then turn the pan down to medium heat. You want the oil almost to the smoking point.

3. Use an ice cream scoop (a large spoon works too) to portion out the batter and fry in batches for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and fry on the other side until golden. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm.

4. I served these fritters as a side dish, garnished with thinly sliced scallions and a dollop of sour cream.

Serves 3-4

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This is just one of the recipes you'll find in my Cooking In All Directions cookbook, a collection of 75 recipes for soups, salads, appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. The cookbook is available in these ebook outlets:

Kindle ~ Nook ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

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Also this month, I'm offering my Second Chance Valentine for just 99¢ – that's a $2 savings off the regular price. Here's more information about this sweet contemporary story:

As teens, Josie and Alex met under golden sunshine, frolicked in the surf and sand, and fell head over toes in love. But circumstances arose that ruined their one glorious summer, and Josie fled Ocean City with a broken heart.

Now Josie’s grandmother is ill and needs help with the family business, a thriving harbor-side diner called Joe’s Place. So after more than a dozen years, Josie returns to her hometown only to discover she has a 180 pound problem—Alex is the Kitchen Commander at Joe’s Place. Surely, Josie can work with Alex to keep the diner going and retain her dignity until her grandmother is back on her feet. However, when Alex’s little girl starts scheming, not a single heart will be safe against the twelve-year-old matchmaker.

This book contains bonus recipes from Joe’s Place!

This book is available for Kindle readers. 

As an Amazon, Nook, and Apple affiliate, I earn a couple of pennies 

on qualifying purchases when you use the links I have posted here.

Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling Author of women's fiction, contemporary romance, and sweet romance. Learn more about her at her website: DonnaFasano.com. 

Traveling ~ Recycle, Renew, Reuse by Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz

Years ago, I traveled to the south of France with my husband. We visited Antibes, Nice, Menton, La Grande-Motte, Montpellier, and other lovely little towns along the Mediterranean Sea. I have visited several towns and cities in Italy, and I’ve also visited the UK and Brussels, Belgium. One of the things that struck me on these travels was that everyone brought their own reusable shopping bags when they went to buy groceries. I wondered why we didn’t do that in the US. So when I returned home from that very first trip, I started taking reusable bags with me to the grocery store. Back then, cashiers didn’t like it when customers brought their own bags to the store because it slowed them down. I can’t tell you how many annoyed looks I received back then. But I’m happy to say, this attitude is changing!

Sandia Mountains, New Mexico

I visited Albuquerque, New Mexico last month. (I rode an aerial tram to the top of the Sandia Mountains. What a stunningly beautiful place! Please see the picture to the right.) I learned that the stores in Albuquerque charge 10¢ for each bag that is provided by the grocery story. I was very pleased that businesses in the south west are strongly encouraging customers to bring in their own bags. I am hoping businesses all over the country will soon do the same.

Did you know that there are some reusable bags that are made of recycled soda bottles? I love these bags I found on Amazon. You can even find light-weight reusable produce bags. How do you feel about recycling, renewing, reusing? Would you consider bringing your own reusable bags when you go shopping?

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Christmas is coming! To celebrate, I’ve put all three of my Christmas books on sale for 99¢ each. These heartwarming stories are sure to fill you with the spirit of Christmas. The Kindle prices are good worldwide and the links below should take you to your area Kindle Store. Happy Holidays!

Her Mr.Miracle  ~  An Almost Perfect Christmas 
Grown-Up Christmas List

As an Amazon affiliate, Donna Fasano earns from qualifying 
purchases. This blog may contain paid links.  

New Release from Donna Fasano #Kindle #99cents #KindleUnlimited @DonnaFaz

New Release for 99¢

Book 1 of the Black Bear Brothers Series:
AN HONORABLE MAN

Nothing can make Native American Mat Makwa give up being a New York City police officer… except one little girl—all alone in the world—who needs a father. Returning to his Kolheek reservation to take on the safer job of sheriff of this small, close-knit community, he never expects his heart might be in danger to school teacher Julie Dacey. 

Mat's six-year-old daughter Grace is a handful, and Julie finds herself getting to know Mat quite well during some intense parent-teacher meetings, which soon start occurring after hours. Then Mat begins mentoring Julie’s troubled teen-aged brother and her heart softens toward this honorable man. Despite being wary of relationships, Julie can’t deny how her soul soars when Mat is near. Is the attraction between the flame-haired beauty and the lawman destined to turn into love?

Find this New Release:

Kindle Worldwide

NOW available in Paperback

Although the books in this series are stand-alone novels, reading the books in order will offer the most enjoyable experience. Titles in The Black Bear Brothers Series:

An Honorable Man, Book 1

Woman of His Heart, Book 2

Healing Chay, Book 3

Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling Author. 
Learn more about her on her website.
Subscribe to her newsletter. (Donna will never share your email address!)

How To Sharpen Your Mind by Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz

Do you forget where you put your car keys? Or the name of the person you just met five minutes ago? Stay calm! It happens to all of us. As we age, our brains tend to shrink and not work as well. But there are things you can do to boost your hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for short-term memory.

·        Learn new things—Memorize quotes. Balance your checkbook without a calculator. Take dancing or violin or piano lessons. Learn a new language. Challenging yourself will help keep your memory strong.

·        Eat flavonoids—Consuming dark-colored berries, grapes, beets, dark chocolate and cocoa will improve brain function. A Harvard study showed that people who drank two cups of hot chocolate a day for a month had better memory performance than those who did not. 

·        Move—When you work out hard enough to break a sweat, you grow new brain cells in your hippocampus. How? Increased blood flow and a crucial protein called BDNF. Spending thirty minutes doing aerobic exercise and fifteen minutes of strength training four times a week is a great way to sharpen our memory.

·        Feed your brain—DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish that can increase the size of your hippocampus. The trouble is, you can’t get enough from your diet. So buy a supplement. Take 1 gram of this super brain food every day.

·        Decrease blood sugar and blood pressure—A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine states that elevated blood sugar puts you at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s. And even borderline blood pressure increases your risk of stroke and makes your brain sluggish. See your doctor to have your blood sugar and blood pressure levels tested.

Here’s an extra tip: Stress can stimulate chemical changes in the brain that can lead to memory problems. Practice deep breathing or other methods that calm your mind and your level of frustration.

Following these simple suggestions will help you sharpen your mind at any age!

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Celebrate Christmas in July with these holiday romances, reduced to 99¢ for a limited time only.

          

About the author: USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 40 romance and women's fiction novels. Learn more about her at her website.

Maryland's Smith Island by Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz

Every state in the US has its symbols. Maryland’s include the Baltimore Oriole (bird), the Blue Crab (crustacean), the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (dog), the Checkerspot Butterfly (insect), and the Black-eyed Susan (flower). On April 24, 2008, Smith Island Cake was officially chosen as Maryland’s official dessert.

Smith Island is a three-by-five mile chain of islands that lie across the Tangier Sound portion of the Chesapeake Bay and can only be reached by boat. No one really knows who baked the first Smith Island Cake, but this impressive 10 layer confection is delicious and versatile. The recipe below, with its cooked fudge frosting, is probably the most popular version, but I’ve filled and topped this buttery cake with peanut butter cream cheese icing, with lemon curd, with flaked coconut buttercream, and many other flavors. The layers are individually baked. I happen to own 10 9-inch cake pans, but you could easily use 2 or 3 and bake the layers in batches. I urge you to try your hand at baking this cake for your next family get-together. Everyone will be wowed!   

Smith Island Cake

For the cake:

2 sticks (8 ounces) butter, softened

2 cups sugar

5 large eggs

1 cup evaporated milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup water

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

For the icing:

2 cups sugar

1 cup evaporated milk

5 ounces unsweetened (baking) chocolate, chopped

1 stick (4 ounces) butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.     Preheat over to 350°. Lightly grease 9-inch baking pans with cooking spray.

2.     In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until well incorporated. Stir in the milk, vanilla and water. Add the flour, salt and baking powder, and stir just until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated into the batter.

3.     Measure 2/3 cup of batter into each pan, taking great care to level the batter evenly. Lopsided layers make for a sloppy (but still delicious!) cake. Leveling the batter in the pans is very important.

4.     Bake 2 or 3 layers at a time on the middle rack of the oven for 8 to 9 minutes. Cake layers should be cooked through, but not over baked.

5.     While the cakes are baking, make the icing. Combine the sugar and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chocolate and butter, stirring, until melted. Bring to a simmer and cook for for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. The icing will be thin, but will thicken as it cools.

6.     As the cake layers come out of the oven, run a spatula around the edge of the pan and ease the cake layer out and onto a wire rack to cool. Assemble the layers on a cake plate, spreading 2 or 3 spoonfuls of the fudge frosting in between each layer. Spread the remaining frosting on the top and sides.

Serves 16

Smith Island is a quaint and beautiful area of Maryland. I hope you get a chance to visit someday. More information about Smith Island and the Smith Island Museum can be found at www.SmithIsland.org.

What are some of the best known symbols of your town, area, state, or province?

~oOo~

This month, I’m celebrating Father’s Day by offering the books in my Single Daddy Club Series for 99¢ each. Books 2 and 3 of the series usually sell for $3.99 each, so please take advantage of this price reduction.

Is there anything sexier than a guy focused on raising happy, healthy children? I say no! Click here to buy the books: 

Derrick, Book 1  ~  Jason, Book 2  ~  Reece, Book 3

About the author: Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling and Award-Winning Author. Learn more about her on her webside: DonnaFasano.com. 

Birthday Reflections by Donna Fasano

I hit a milestone birthday last week and I’ve been doing some thinking about how I’ve lived my life. Have I achieved success? Have I helped others? Am I living with purpose? Have I learned from my struggles? Have I been true to my deepest values? Yeah. Deep, deep thoughts, right? 

I’ve spent a large part of my life writing romance novels. Now, I realize that I’ll never save the world with my writing. But I do feel that my happily-ever-after stories have the ability to lift spirits, warm hearts, and put smiles on faces.

One of my most memorable fan letters arrived in the spring of 1995 and was written by a woman who lived in Oklahoma City. She had lost eleven friends and family members in the horrible bombing. One of my Harlequin books came out that same month and the woman said that she had gotten lost in one chapter of my book each night for ten nights. She thanked me for giving her a respite from her grief. That letter made me cry.

Creating characters and inventing stories has brought me a great deal of joy. Will my books change the world? No. But I hope they’ve offered readers a bit of joy. In fact, if my life were a book, I think I’d like the title to be A Little Joy Every Day.

If your life were a book, what would your title be?

Please look for my novels wherever eBooks, Paperbacks, and Audiobooks are sold.

About the author: Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author of sweet romance, contemporary romance, and women's fiction. Discover more about her, her books, and her favorite recipes at her website. 

#SweetRomance #Bargain Books!

WHERE HER HEART IS
The McClains of Legend, Tennessee, Book #3
99 cents for a limited time!

Get your Valentines Day on with this small town sweet romance set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Betsy McClain left Legend, Tennessee two years ago, with a broken heart, a baby to care for, and precious little else. She's done well in the city, and so has daughter LizBeth Ann. A heartfelt request from Dorothy McClain is the only thing that could bring them back to Legend, even temporarily.

Mike McClain wants to get to know his only child, but Betsy isn't cutting him any slack. Good looks and the old McClain charm seem to be failing him. Betsy is not the same love-struck girl he married, nor the girl who left Legend in a flurry of anger and tears. But he's changed too. Can't she see that?

Mike has won his daughter's heart. Can he also regain her mother's trust?

Apple Books
Kindle
Kobo
Nook

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Second Chance Valentine - The Ocean City Boardwalk Series
On sale for $0.99 for a limited time! 

Save $2 off the regular price.

One romantic summer at the beach with Alex left its mark on Josie, but she left town with a broken heart. Now years later, she’s back, and cupid shows up in the form of a little girl turned matchmaker who just might give Josie and Alex a Second Chance Valentine.

Available in the Kindle Store

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A Love Song for Kayla is free until Feb. 16th

When two strangers cross paths their lives are forever altered.

Kayla Russel hates Valentine's Day and has all but given up on finding love until a new guy to town walks into her flower shop right before her least favorite day of the year. There is something mysterious about him that intrigues her, but when she finds out the truth everything changes.

Derek Parker wants to leave his old life behind, but it proves to be harder than he'd anticipated when his past finds him. Now the woman he has come to care for feels deceived.

Will his secrets come between them and destroy what could have been something wonderful?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sH1C9F

When Wade Dalton moves to a small Florida beach community for peace and quiet and a new job, he encounters the four little kids next door who are anything but quiet. Because of difficult circumstances, the little noisemakers live with their young aunt, Cassie Rankin, who is their guardian. Wade is drawn to her determination, giving nature, and beauty, but she’s at least a dozen years younger than he is—way too young for him. At least that’s what he keeps telling himself. Besides, he has issues that would only make life more challenging for Cassie and her charges. So he plans to stay out of their lives, but four little blessings refuse to let that happen.

You can get FOUR LITTLE BLESSINGS now for 99 CENTS!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WSuvL2
B&N: http://bit.ly/2tglNsd
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2SkoojY
iBooks: https://apple.co/2tc8FEH

How to Win a Man's Heart - #ValentinesDay #Recipes

Remember the old adage win a man’s heart through his stomach? Well, I’m about to share a recipe that will help win a man’s heart, AND his body, AND his soul. Ha! Valentine’s Day will be here in two short weeks. This Lemon Poppy Seed Cake topped with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting is moist, rich, and decadently delicious. Give it a try.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

For the Lemon Poppy Seed Cake:

3 cups cake flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lemon zest

8 ounces butter, room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

8 ounces unsalted butter, softened

4-6 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Make the Lemon Poppy Seed Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter and lightly flour three 8″ round pans. Line pan bottoms with parchment.

2. Whisk together 3 cups cake flour, baking powder and salt. Add lemon zest and whisk again. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine milk and lemon juice.  Stir to combine and set aside for milk to curdle.  This is similar to making homemade buttermilk.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high using the paddle attachment.  Beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl. With the mixer on low, add eggs one at a time.  Mix well after each egg. Add vanilla extract. Mix to combine.

5. Add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.  Do not over mix. Add poppy seeds and mix to combine. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl and the mixer blade. Batter will be thick and fluffy.

6. Divide batter evenly between the three 8″ round pans. Smooth tops with rubber spatula or knife to evenly distribute batter in the pan. Bake for 25-27 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and cream cheese until smooth.

2. Add vanilla, lemon zest and juice and mix until combined.

3. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, adjusting amount, until desired sweetness is reached. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Whip until smooth.

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 I’m celebrating February by putting my book, SECOND CHANCE VALENTINE, on sale for 99¢ for the whole month. You save $2 off the regular price. The book is only available in Amazon’s Kindle Store, but you can download a free Kindle app here. It’s a free read for Kindle Unlimited members.

About the book:

As teens, Josie and Alex met under golden sunshine, frolicked in the surf and sand, and fell head over toes in love. But circumstances arose that ruined their one glorious summer, and Josie fled Ocean City with a broken heart.

Now Josie’s grandmother is ill and needs help with the family business, a thriving harbor-side diner called Joe’s Place. So after more than a dozen years, Josie returns to her hometown only to discover she has a 180 pound problem—Alex is the Kitchen Commander at Joe’s Place. Surely, Josie can work with Alex to keep the diner going and retain her dignity until her grandmother is back on her feet. However, when Alex’s little girl starts scheming, not a single heart will be safe against the twelve-year-old matchmaker.

This book contains bonus recipes from Joe’s Place!

Click here to buy the eBook for 99¢. Also available in paperback.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women’s fiction novels. Her books have won awards and have sold 4 million copies worldwide. Her work is available in paperback, audiobooks, and ebooks for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iBooks, and Google Play. Learn more about her at her blog, check out her books, and connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest. She loves to hear from readers.