My good friend author Marci Boudreaux in the kitchen with her daughters and all of them elbow deep in flour. Marci is a woman who does ten things at once and everything is completed successfully. I've always admired her energy and creativity. Here's her latest in fun food. Take it away, Marci!
Hi Everyone,
Easter has always been a time in my family for big meals and family gatherings. Now that I live far from where I grew up, our family consists of two ever-growing girls, my husband, and me. Big feasts don’t go over well with just four people. I still like to make a ham and way more side dishes and desserts than we will ever eat, but with four of us, the tradition has gone out the window and our holiday meals tend to go more toward the fun side.
This year, we’ve added Easter Bunny Butt to the menu.
Yes, you read that right. We’re eating the Easter Bunny’s Butt. Why? Because it’s so darn cute!
I actually found this recipe on the Box Tops for Education website (yes, I’m that mom). When it came time to offer up a holiday recipe to the girls, I just knew they’d love making this and they did.
It was relatively easy (although we used carrot cake and I don’t recommend that, it crumbled like crazy! I had to freeze it before frosting) and the girls, ages 7 and 11, did most of the work.
It was delicious too!
So, if you are still looking for the perfect dessert to take to your Easter gathering. Consider taking a little slice of Easter Bunny Butt heaven.
Easter Bunny Butt Cake
1 box white cake mix
1 container vanilla frosting
Red food coloring
3-4 cups shredded coconut
Green food coloring
Pre-heat oven to 325°F.
Grease 1 ½ quart ovenproof bowl with shortening (do not use cooking spray) then dust with flour. Lightly grease 3 muffin cups in regular-size muffin pan.
Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour cake batter in 3 muffin cups, filling two-thirds full. Pour remaining batter into pre-greased bowl.
Bake cupcakes 15 to 20 minutes, bowl 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Let cool enough to handle. Remove cakes from muffin cups and bowl. Place pieces on cooling racks. Cool completely—about 1 hour.
Cut off rounded tops of cakes.
Cut two cupcakes into triangle shapes for the feet.
Place bowl cake on tray cut side down and cover with 1/3 cup frosting over cake. Use toothpicks to adhere cupcakes to bowl cake for feet and bunny tail.
Spread thin layer of frosting over side and top of cake to seal in crumbs. Freeze cake 30 to 45 minutes to set frosting.
Spread remaining frosting over cake. Sprinkle with coconut; press gently to adhere.
Mix 1 cup coconut and 3 drops green food color until evenly tinted. Surround bunny with tinted coconut.
Mix a small amount of red food coloring and icing. Add to the bottom of the bunny feet.
Here's a little from Unforgettable You for your reading pleasure while you wait for the Easter Bunny Butt Cake to cool.
Is their love strong enough to survive their real lives?
Desperate to keep her ailing mother-in-law Doreen in the family home, Carrie Gable agrees to board a few of Hollywood’s elite actors. Despite her resentment of their demands, she can’t stop her attraction to actor Will Walker.
Will, out to save his failing career, agrees to a project that bores him. The more time he spends with his egotistical co-stars, the more drawn he is to their hostess. Long nights talking with Carrie make him realize he wants a simpler life, but his ties to L.A. refuse to let him go.
The temptation to regain stardom pulls Will in one direction while the obligation to family tugs Carrie in another. Against all odds, the couple struggles for a solution to save their new found happiness.
To read an excerpt from Unforgettable You, please click HERE.
Check out the trailer for Unforgettable You HERE.
Learn more about Marci Boudreaux on her website. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Monday with author Sam Cheever. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Is There Ever A Perfect Lie?
The answer is revealed in my new release Perfect Lie, available from Musa Publishing.
The Magnificent Men of Munich saga continues with a new addition. Book three brings us suave Max Brewer, better known as Heicke to his throng of ladies, and Francine Daniels, a spitfire he can't seem to tame.
A seedling of doubt will unravel even a perfect lie.
BLURB:
After two ex-husbands and a con artist, Francine Daniels has had it with men. Her life is finally the way she wants it — successful and complete. At least she thinks so until a working vacation in Munich brings her face to face with a sexy German hotelier who sees right through her brash exterior and makes her sizzle with his every touch.
Heicke Brewer enjoys his playboy image along with the collection of international beauties on his arm and in his bed. They are safer than another disastrous marriage. Until a chance encounter with a stubborn American pixie too hot not to handle threatens his hard won resolve.
As passion grows between Francine and Heicke, deception threatens to tear them apart, forcing them to fight their way through a perfect lie.
EXCERPT:
Hands clenched at her sides, she stretched to her full five feet three inches. With the movement, her breasts thrust forward and her hard nipples rubbed against the soft fabric of his shirt.
“I’m Francine Daniels and I work with Teddi Howard-Stiefle.” She almost burst into laughter at the shocked look on his face. “Anything else you’d like to know, Pup?”
He trailed his warm palm up her arm, his touch gentle, almost welcome.
“You are freezing.” He took both her hands in his and rubbed them. She pulled back, but he tugged her closer, wrapping his arms around her, enveloping her in a sensual blend of wet and man. “Pixie, I have no intention of harming you, but you need to get warm.”
His body heat and sexy accent conjured up pictures in her mind best ignored. She raised her head to avoid his crisp chest hairs that tickled her cheek, only to be lip level with his dark brown nipple. It looked so tempting. Tasty. Get your brain out of your silk panties.
He rubbed up and down her back, his fingertips grazing across the swell of her ass. His hands slowed to a sensual massage, warming her skin, sending electric shocks to her vagina. He pulled her tighter, his rock hard cock pushing against her stomach. She gasped as her body declared all out war on her common sense, leaving in its trail a burning desire to let herself go. Just this once.
Her breasts grew heavy, aching with each breath she drew. She squeezed her thighs together. Tight. Anything to stop the pressure building in her clit.
He raised her chin and stared deep into her eyes as if he were searching for her soul. After a long moment, while the world stood still, he touched his lips to hers, almost as if he were afraid his strength and size would hurt her. She wanted, no, needed more. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she hooked a thumb in his belt loop and molded her hips to his thighs.
His hands slid under her shirt, skimming upward. She shuddered from the sheer pleasure of his skin against hers. He glided his fingers up her back and flicked her bra hooks. She trembled again, only this time from anticipation. He grazed his fingertips along the sides of her breasts, then cupped them and rolled her nipples between his index finger and thumb. She clutched his back for support, afraid to let go. Afraid it would end.
She moaned as his hot tongue swiped across her lips then opened her mouth, hungry for his taste. Hungry to feel him inside her.
He grabbed her shirttails and drew them over her head. The chilled air stung her burning skin, but did little to cool her.
“You are so beautiful. So perfect.” His husky voice barely a whisper.
One thumb glided over her left nipple, shooting desire throughout her body, and she arched her back from the intense pleasure of his touch. He raised her right breast to his lips and kissed the tip, nuzzling her swollen areola. He devoured both of her nipples, sucking and tugging on them until …
BUY LINK
I'll be back Wednesday with a new recipe. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane
The Magnificent Men of Munich saga continues with a new addition. Book three brings us suave Max Brewer, better known as Heicke to his throng of ladies, and Francine Daniels, a spitfire he can't seem to tame.
A seedling of doubt will unravel even a perfect lie.
BLURB:
After two ex-husbands and a con artist, Francine Daniels has had it with men. Her life is finally the way she wants it — successful and complete. At least she thinks so until a working vacation in Munich brings her face to face with a sexy German hotelier who sees right through her brash exterior and makes her sizzle with his every touch.
Heicke Brewer enjoys his playboy image along with the collection of international beauties on his arm and in his bed. They are safer than another disastrous marriage. Until a chance encounter with a stubborn American pixie too hot not to handle threatens his hard won resolve.
As passion grows between Francine and Heicke, deception threatens to tear them apart, forcing them to fight their way through a perfect lie.
EXCERPT:
Hands clenched at her sides, she stretched to her full five feet three inches. With the movement, her breasts thrust forward and her hard nipples rubbed against the soft fabric of his shirt.
“I’m Francine Daniels and I work with Teddi Howard-Stiefle.” She almost burst into laughter at the shocked look on his face. “Anything else you’d like to know, Pup?”
He trailed his warm palm up her arm, his touch gentle, almost welcome.
“You are freezing.” He took both her hands in his and rubbed them. She pulled back, but he tugged her closer, wrapping his arms around her, enveloping her in a sensual blend of wet and man. “Pixie, I have no intention of harming you, but you need to get warm.”
His body heat and sexy accent conjured up pictures in her mind best ignored. She raised her head to avoid his crisp chest hairs that tickled her cheek, only to be lip level with his dark brown nipple. It looked so tempting. Tasty. Get your brain out of your silk panties.
He rubbed up and down her back, his fingertips grazing across the swell of her ass. His hands slowed to a sensual massage, warming her skin, sending electric shocks to her vagina. He pulled her tighter, his rock hard cock pushing against her stomach. She gasped as her body declared all out war on her common sense, leaving in its trail a burning desire to let herself go. Just this once.
Her breasts grew heavy, aching with each breath she drew. She squeezed her thighs together. Tight. Anything to stop the pressure building in her clit.
He raised her chin and stared deep into her eyes as if he were searching for her soul. After a long moment, while the world stood still, he touched his lips to hers, almost as if he were afraid his strength and size would hurt her. She wanted, no, needed more. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she hooked a thumb in his belt loop and molded her hips to his thighs.
His hands slid under her shirt, skimming upward. She shuddered from the sheer pleasure of his skin against hers. He glided his fingers up her back and flicked her bra hooks. She trembled again, only this time from anticipation. He grazed his fingertips along the sides of her breasts, then cupped them and rolled her nipples between his index finger and thumb. She clutched his back for support, afraid to let go. Afraid it would end.
She moaned as his hot tongue swiped across her lips then opened her mouth, hungry for his taste. Hungry to feel him inside her.
He grabbed her shirttails and drew them over her head. The chilled air stung her burning skin, but did little to cool her.
“You are so beautiful. So perfect.” His husky voice barely a whisper.
One thumb glided over her left nipple, shooting desire throughout her body, and she arched her back from the intense pleasure of his touch. He raised her right breast to his lips and kissed the tip, nuzzling her swollen areola. He devoured both of her nipples, sucking and tugging on them until …
BUY LINK
I'll be back Wednesday with a new recipe. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Scallops Are Scrumptious
I'm very pleased to bring you Gabriela Sneider, an intelligent young woman with serious goals for her future. Gab has free rein over my blog every third Wednesday of the month when she'll present wonderful food suggestions for all of us to enjoy. Take it away, Gab...
Thanks for sharing your blog with me, Sloane. I'm excited to write about eating healthy from a college student's perspective.
I am a 3rd year student at University of California in Santa Barbara and I love reading your food blog! As a college student, it is important to keep a healthy and balanced diet in order to perform well in school. Now that I am living on my own as opposed to living in the dorms, I have learned to cook healthy meals for myself. Personally, I enjoy eating a sustainable seafood diet. I feel as though I have seen a dramatic change in my health, mostly a weight change as well as feeling more energized and overall healthier due to this seafood diet.
Are you looking for a healthier diet? Stay away from artificial foods and move towards a sustainable seafood diet! Who knew seafood could have so many health benefits? I sure didn't until I researched and learned about all the benefits of eating local seafood.
As a college student, it's difficult to find time in my busy schedule to cook a healthy meal. However, there are some quick and easy ways to make seafood. Scallops, specifically, are delicious and extremely easy to cook. They can be broiled or seared and by adding a few savory spices you create a scrumptious and healthy meal. Coming home from school, all I want to do is relax and eat a yummy meal. Scallops have been my go-to because they are an easy way to enjoy a gourmet delicatessen at home. Eating sustainable seafood makes me feel like a better person because I am supporting local fisherman while still enjoying a delicious meal.
Scallops are incredibly high in nutrient content including vital minerals such as, magnesium, selenium, and potassium. These minerals act in a way, which prevent and protect our bodies from harmful conditions.
5 Top Health Benefits from eating scallops:
1. It is a great source of vitamin B12!
2. Incorporating scallops into your diet 2-3 times a month may prevent ischemic stroke
3. It is rich in fatty acids (omega-3) which help reduce inflammation throughout the entire body
4. Extremely high in protein!
5. Eating scallops can protect against many serious conditions such as, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
How to prepare scallops?
You have to be careful when cooking scallops because you don’t want to overdo it! Too much heat will cause the scallops to become tough and rubbery. Setting a timer is a great way to avoid this issue!
A Few Quick Tips:
• Broil scallops in the oven, skewer them and add a hint of olive oil. Broil 6-8 minutes or until scallops begin to turn golden. Get the easy recipe HERE.
• Sear scallops in butter and oil while adding a few spices like paprika, cayenne, or nutmeg. Get an easy recipe without spices HERE.
• Make a delicious lemon sauce to pour over the yummy scallops. For lemon sauce click HERE. For a lemon cream sauce click HERE. For a lemon basil sauce click HERE.
What to serve with scallops? Any or all of the below are wonderful accompaniments.
o Green salad with tomatoes and cucumbers
o Rice
o Boiled and buttered potatoes
o Asparagus
o Broccoli
Eat Well!
Gabriela
Gabriela Sneider is a business development associate for Santa Barbara Fish Market where you can support the local fishermen and buy fresh seafood online or buy fresh fish online.
I'll be back Monday with Lizzie T. Leaf. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
Thanks for sharing your blog with me, Sloane. I'm excited to write about eating healthy from a college student's perspective.
I am a 3rd year student at University of California in Santa Barbara and I love reading your food blog! As a college student, it is important to keep a healthy and balanced diet in order to perform well in school. Now that I am living on my own as opposed to living in the dorms, I have learned to cook healthy meals for myself. Personally, I enjoy eating a sustainable seafood diet. I feel as though I have seen a dramatic change in my health, mostly a weight change as well as feeling more energized and overall healthier due to this seafood diet.
Are you looking for a healthier diet? Stay away from artificial foods and move towards a sustainable seafood diet! Who knew seafood could have so many health benefits? I sure didn't until I researched and learned about all the benefits of eating local seafood.
As a college student, it's difficult to find time in my busy schedule to cook a healthy meal. However, there are some quick and easy ways to make seafood. Scallops, specifically, are delicious and extremely easy to cook. They can be broiled or seared and by adding a few savory spices you create a scrumptious and healthy meal. Coming home from school, all I want to do is relax and eat a yummy meal. Scallops have been my go-to because they are an easy way to enjoy a gourmet delicatessen at home. Eating sustainable seafood makes me feel like a better person because I am supporting local fisherman while still enjoying a delicious meal.
Scallops are incredibly high in nutrient content including vital minerals such as, magnesium, selenium, and potassium. These minerals act in a way, which prevent and protect our bodies from harmful conditions.
5 Top Health Benefits from eating scallops:
1. It is a great source of vitamin B12!
2. Incorporating scallops into your diet 2-3 times a month may prevent ischemic stroke
3. It is rich in fatty acids (omega-3) which help reduce inflammation throughout the entire body
4. Extremely high in protein!
5. Eating scallops can protect against many serious conditions such as, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
How to prepare scallops?
You have to be careful when cooking scallops because you don’t want to overdo it! Too much heat will cause the scallops to become tough and rubbery. Setting a timer is a great way to avoid this issue!
A Few Quick Tips:
• Broil scallops in the oven, skewer them and add a hint of olive oil. Broil 6-8 minutes or until scallops begin to turn golden. Get the easy recipe HERE.
• Sear scallops in butter and oil while adding a few spices like paprika, cayenne, or nutmeg. Get an easy recipe without spices HERE.
• Make a delicious lemon sauce to pour over the yummy scallops. For lemon sauce click HERE. For a lemon cream sauce click HERE. For a lemon basil sauce click HERE.
What to serve with scallops? Any or all of the below are wonderful accompaniments.
o Green salad with tomatoes and cucumbers
o Rice
o Boiled and buttered potatoes
o Asparagus
o Broccoli
Eat Well!
Gabriela
Gabriela Sneider is a business development associate for Santa Barbara Fish Market where you can support the local fishermen and buy fresh seafood online or buy fresh fish online.
I'll be back Monday with Lizzie T. Leaf. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
Amazon Author Page
Monday, March 18, 2013
WHY I WRITE SEX
by Arley Cole and Leigh Daley
I write under two pennames—Arley Cole for my YA-friendly fantasy and Leigh Daley for my steamy romance. Arley Cole keeps it out of the bedroom, but Leigh Daley gets into some seriously R-rated territory.
This makes life difficult for me in my tiny Alabama hamlet. When people ask about my latest release, I have to make a quick judgment—do I tell them about the Leigh Daley stuff or will it scandalize them? What would the little women in my church say about me if they read my Leigh Daley stuff? Would they ask me to put a scarlet letter on my choir robe?
But the truth is sex has a hugely important place in women’s lives. We think of men as being the sex-driven beings, but human relationships are cemented together by the physical act of belonging to one another. If we want stronger relationships, we need to be having frequent, mutually beneficial, loving sex.
That is not to say that I am at all in favor of the “jump in bed first, ask questions later” school of relationships. From personal experience, that attitude leads to sleeping with frogs rather than princes. My characters sometimes do sleep with each other before they should – that’s one of the relationship minefields we have to navigate. When they do, I am compelled as a story-teller to deal with their actions in the most realistic way possible. Sex too soon causes trouble they have to work out together.
But sex in the fullness of time in a relationship binds two people together in ways very little else can. I truly enjoy writing about a couple’s exploration of each other. In loving someone else, we really do discover things about ourselves. The sex act opens up all kinds of emotional territory for us, and I love to show my characters discovering themselves through their physical loving of each other.
Our sexual experience affects us profoundly, no matter our age, background, or gender. As an erotic writer, I try to treat the subject with the respect and integrity it deserves. If my readers sometimes find themselves inspired to jump their partners after reading, I am glad of that. Anyone fortunate enough to be in a loving, committed relationship owes it to that relationship to invest in it physically as often and as jubilantly as possible. In fact one of my personal goals as a romance author is to inspire my readers to have more sex!
In my latest Leigh Daley release, Storm Duty - Finally Ever After, a natural disaster shakes up divorced couple Kyle and Jenna. In the midst of the chaos, they both have to learn that all that really matters is who we love, and their love scene is one of my favorites because of the healing that takes place between them.
At this season, especially after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, I think we all need to remember to hold close the ones we love. So I’m going to keep writing romance, and I hope you all will keep reading. Now, go hold somebody!
Leigh Daley
Their careers drove them apart--could disaster bring them back together?
BLURB:
In the aftermath of a series of tornadoes, Kyle Mathis just wants to guide his linemen to restore power to the devastated town of Milton. When reinforcements in the form of corporate deskjockeys come to work storm duty, he's glad for the extra bodies to help serve food and support the crews working eighteen hour days.
But Kyle is not prepared to face one of the latest arrivals, his ex-wife Jenna. Jenna left him years ago, choosing her career over their marriage. However, being back together in their home town brings back memories and desire--for both Kyle and Jenna.
Can Kyle and Jenna find each other again in the midst of the devastation? Or will their jobs pull them apart and leave not only their homes but their hearts shattered?
EXCERPT:
The instant Jenna Harlow heard her ex-husband’s voice, she wished she hadn’t agreed to come.
She certainly wanted to help and Cedar Hill had been home once. But as she stood and saw Kyle face to face, she wished she hadn’t. There were just too many memories.
“Yeah, I’ve got some made already,” she answered him, aware that his eyes had widened at the sight of her. She covered her own desire to stare by pouring him a cup. “Do you still take cream and sugar?” she asked, trying to keep her tone light even though her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her fingertips.
“I’m drinking it black these days,” he answered, his tone just as even.
As she passed him the cup, her hand trembled. He took the coffee, but the hot liquid splashed out a little over the side. His hands were shaking too.
He cursed under his breath as he sat the cup down on the table and grabbed a napkin to mop up the spill.
“Don’t worry,” she insisted. “I’ll clean it up.” She looked at his face in the dim light. His eyes that same dark green, his hair the same light brown—still cut the same as she remembered from seven years ago.
But his shoulders were broader, and he stood taller, more muscular. His jaw had a strong, determined set, and little sun crinkles had begun to frame his eyes. She’d always thought he was good-looking, but now in the fullness of manhood, he was downright gorgeous...
To read more of Storm Duty, please click HERE.
BUY LINKS
Musa Publishing
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance E-books
Leigh Daley lives with her husband and kids in the wilds of West Alabama along with her dogs Bruno and Jack. Now on her fourth career, she has spent most of her life writing for other people, but these days she is writing for herself. She eats like a cavewoman, posts crazy fanfic as Arcole, and tries to meet her creative needs by writing romance as Leigh Daley and fantasy as Arley Cole. She’s a really big fan of happily ever after.
Learn more about Leigh Daley on her blog. Stay connected on Facebook.
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
I write under two pennames—Arley Cole for my YA-friendly fantasy and Leigh Daley for my steamy romance. Arley Cole keeps it out of the bedroom, but Leigh Daley gets into some seriously R-rated territory.
This makes life difficult for me in my tiny Alabama hamlet. When people ask about my latest release, I have to make a quick judgment—do I tell them about the Leigh Daley stuff or will it scandalize them? What would the little women in my church say about me if they read my Leigh Daley stuff? Would they ask me to put a scarlet letter on my choir robe?
But the truth is sex has a hugely important place in women’s lives. We think of men as being the sex-driven beings, but human relationships are cemented together by the physical act of belonging to one another. If we want stronger relationships, we need to be having frequent, mutually beneficial, loving sex.
That is not to say that I am at all in favor of the “jump in bed first, ask questions later” school of relationships. From personal experience, that attitude leads to sleeping with frogs rather than princes. My characters sometimes do sleep with each other before they should – that’s one of the relationship minefields we have to navigate. When they do, I am compelled as a story-teller to deal with their actions in the most realistic way possible. Sex too soon causes trouble they have to work out together.
But sex in the fullness of time in a relationship binds two people together in ways very little else can. I truly enjoy writing about a couple’s exploration of each other. In loving someone else, we really do discover things about ourselves. The sex act opens up all kinds of emotional territory for us, and I love to show my characters discovering themselves through their physical loving of each other.
Our sexual experience affects us profoundly, no matter our age, background, or gender. As an erotic writer, I try to treat the subject with the respect and integrity it deserves. If my readers sometimes find themselves inspired to jump their partners after reading, I am glad of that. Anyone fortunate enough to be in a loving, committed relationship owes it to that relationship to invest in it physically as often and as jubilantly as possible. In fact one of my personal goals as a romance author is to inspire my readers to have more sex!
In my latest Leigh Daley release, Storm Duty - Finally Ever After, a natural disaster shakes up divorced couple Kyle and Jenna. In the midst of the chaos, they both have to learn that all that really matters is who we love, and their love scene is one of my favorites because of the healing that takes place between them.
At this season, especially after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, I think we all need to remember to hold close the ones we love. So I’m going to keep writing romance, and I hope you all will keep reading. Now, go hold somebody!
Leigh Daley
Their careers drove them apart--could disaster bring them back together?
BLURB:
In the aftermath of a series of tornadoes, Kyle Mathis just wants to guide his linemen to restore power to the devastated town of Milton. When reinforcements in the form of corporate deskjockeys come to work storm duty, he's glad for the extra bodies to help serve food and support the crews working eighteen hour days.
But Kyle is not prepared to face one of the latest arrivals, his ex-wife Jenna. Jenna left him years ago, choosing her career over their marriage. However, being back together in their home town brings back memories and desire--for both Kyle and Jenna.
Can Kyle and Jenna find each other again in the midst of the devastation? Or will their jobs pull them apart and leave not only their homes but their hearts shattered?
EXCERPT:
The instant Jenna Harlow heard her ex-husband’s voice, she wished she hadn’t agreed to come.
She certainly wanted to help and Cedar Hill had been home once. But as she stood and saw Kyle face to face, she wished she hadn’t. There were just too many memories.
“Yeah, I’ve got some made already,” she answered him, aware that his eyes had widened at the sight of her. She covered her own desire to stare by pouring him a cup. “Do you still take cream and sugar?” she asked, trying to keep her tone light even though her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her fingertips.
“I’m drinking it black these days,” he answered, his tone just as even.
As she passed him the cup, her hand trembled. He took the coffee, but the hot liquid splashed out a little over the side. His hands were shaking too.
He cursed under his breath as he sat the cup down on the table and grabbed a napkin to mop up the spill.
“Don’t worry,” she insisted. “I’ll clean it up.” She looked at his face in the dim light. His eyes that same dark green, his hair the same light brown—still cut the same as she remembered from seven years ago.
But his shoulders were broader, and he stood taller, more muscular. His jaw had a strong, determined set, and little sun crinkles had begun to frame his eyes. She’d always thought he was good-looking, but now in the fullness of manhood, he was downright gorgeous...
To read more of Storm Duty, please click HERE.
BUY LINKS
Musa Publishing
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance E-books
Leigh Daley lives with her husband and kids in the wilds of West Alabama along with her dogs Bruno and Jack. Now on her fourth career, she has spent most of her life writing for other people, but these days she is writing for herself. She eats like a cavewoman, posts crazy fanfic as Arcole, and tries to meet her creative needs by writing romance as Leigh Daley and fantasy as Arley Cole. She’s a really big fan of happily ever after.
Learn more about Leigh Daley on her blog. Stay connected on Facebook.
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Amazon Author Page
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A Special Treat from Down Under
Please allow me to introduce you to an author you definitely want to read who is also a phenomenal baker Eva Scott.
Take it away, Eva.
In The Reluctant Wedding Planner Mrs Winter, one of Georgi Mac Intyre’s clients, bakes some delicious Monte Carlos biscuits. Now for those of you who don’t know, Monte Carlo biscuits are an Australian classic. There are a few variations on the theme kicking about but here’s the Australian Women’s Weekly version – tried and tested and scrumptious to boot!
MONTE CARLO BISCUITS
125g (8 tablespoons) softened butter
¾ cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons honey
a pinch of salt
2 cups self raising flour
1/3 cup raspberry jam, warmed
2 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)
15g (1 tablespoon) softened butter, extra
1 teaspoon vanilla essence (vanilla extract)
2-3 tablespoons milk
Preheat oven to 180°C which is 350°F.
Line a biscuit tray with baking paper also known as parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar until well blended. Add egg, honey and a pinch of salt. Fold through sifted flour.
Roll mixture into a log. Cover with plastic and allow to rest for about 20 minutes.
Uncover and slice into 1/2 centimeters or 1/4 inch slices. Place on tray and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
While still warm brush ½ the biscuits with the jam. Set aside to cool.
Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add butter, and vanilla essence. Mix in enough milk to form a thick icing. Spread other half of the biscuits with the icing and sandwich together.
Serving size: Serves 10 or more
Cooking time: Less than 60 minutes
Here's a little from my latest release to enjoy with your biscuits.
Not only flowers bloom...
BLURB:
Dr Camden James is a rural vet, not a wedding planner, so he quickly feels out of his depth when, in a fit of generosity, he offers to glam up his sister's budget wedding in a secret move designed to surprise her. With only six weeks to make this the wedding of his sister's dreams he needs to move fast.
Stumbling around in the largely female world of weddings he gets a lead on the go-to girl for wedding flowers - Georgiana Mac Intyre. Georgi, reeling from a very public breakup, is not interested in men in anyway shape or form. Not even super-cute vets - even when they are clearly interested in her.
Cam shamelessly uses his story to get her to help. It has all the elements; romance against the odds, true love, orphans (you can't have good story without an orphan or two), and a bride.
To read an excerpt from The Reluctant Wedding Planner, please click HERE.
Eva Scott lives on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland Australia with her fabulous husband and gorgeous little boy. When she's not writing romance, you can find her on the water kayaking, fishing or swimming. When on dry land its all about the shoes and the coffee.
Learn more about Eva Scott on her website. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Monday with Arley Cole and Leigh Daley. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane
Take it away, Eva.
In The Reluctant Wedding Planner Mrs Winter, one of Georgi Mac Intyre’s clients, bakes some delicious Monte Carlos biscuits. Now for those of you who don’t know, Monte Carlo biscuits are an Australian classic. There are a few variations on the theme kicking about but here’s the Australian Women’s Weekly version – tried and tested and scrumptious to boot!
MONTE CARLO BISCUITS
125g (8 tablespoons) softened butter
¾ cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons honey
a pinch of salt
2 cups self raising flour
1/3 cup raspberry jam, warmed
2 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)
15g (1 tablespoon) softened butter, extra
1 teaspoon vanilla essence (vanilla extract)
2-3 tablespoons milk
Preheat oven to 180°C which is 350°F.
Line a biscuit tray with baking paper also known as parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar until well blended. Add egg, honey and a pinch of salt. Fold through sifted flour.
Roll mixture into a log. Cover with plastic and allow to rest for about 20 minutes.
Uncover and slice into 1/2 centimeters or 1/4 inch slices. Place on tray and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
While still warm brush ½ the biscuits with the jam. Set aside to cool.
Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add butter, and vanilla essence. Mix in enough milk to form a thick icing. Spread other half of the biscuits with the icing and sandwich together.
Serving size: Serves 10 or more
Cooking time: Less than 60 minutes
Here's a little from my latest release to enjoy with your biscuits.
Not only flowers bloom...
BLURB:
Dr Camden James is a rural vet, not a wedding planner, so he quickly feels out of his depth when, in a fit of generosity, he offers to glam up his sister's budget wedding in a secret move designed to surprise her. With only six weeks to make this the wedding of his sister's dreams he needs to move fast.
Stumbling around in the largely female world of weddings he gets a lead on the go-to girl for wedding flowers - Georgiana Mac Intyre. Georgi, reeling from a very public breakup, is not interested in men in anyway shape or form. Not even super-cute vets - even when they are clearly interested in her.
Cam shamelessly uses his story to get her to help. It has all the elements; romance against the odds, true love, orphans (you can't have good story without an orphan or two), and a bride.
To read an excerpt from The Reluctant Wedding Planner, please click HERE.
Eva Scott lives on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland Australia with her fabulous husband and gorgeous little boy. When she's not writing romance, you can find her on the water kayaking, fishing or swimming. When on dry land its all about the shoes and the coffee.
Learn more about Eva Scott on her website. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Monday with Arley Cole and Leigh Daley. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Queen of Hot is Back
That's right, Jan Springer is here with a thigh-clenching novel that requires buckets of ice at your side. Use those chilly crystals as you see fit while you indulge in RESISTANCE. Check it out.
RESISTANCE
Book five in the Outlaw Lovers Series
Jan Springer
ISBN 978-1-41994-006-4
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Ménage à trois
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Fugitive female… Renegade Resistance leader Reena “Red” Wilde is in for the fight of her life when she experiences an erotic attraction to the two most dangerous men she’s ever met.
Black ops assassin… Months ago, Will “Blade” Smith spent one sizzling evening in the arms of a red-haired seductress. Now she’s his next assignment. One look into her gorgeous eyes and he’s wrestling his heated cravings all over again.
Bounty Hunter… When Cade Outlaw nabs his bounty, sexy-as-sin Reena Wilde, his profession dictates she’s hands-off. But he can’t ignore the magnetic sparks between them…or that she is the biggest temptation of his life.
Resistance is futile… After Reena escapes Cade and Will and falls prey to a band of evil hunters, she’s grateful her sexy hunks come to her rescue, and in return, saves their lives. Trapped in a solitary cabin during a wicked snowstorm, she can’t resist her two well-hung studs, nor can she deny they’ve claimed her heart.
EXCERPT:
Blade’s finger tightened on the rifle trigger when he caught the petite red-haired woman in the scope. Red was flanked by two people. A man and woman who were friends of Blade’s.
Pull the fucking trigger. That’s why you’re here, dammit! Kill her!
Try as he might, though, he couldn’t bring himself to shoot the redhead. It should have been easy. He’d killed people before. He’d obeyed orders. Killed men and women who were trouble for the U.S. Government. But he’d never killed a woman he’d had sex with before.
Unfortunately, SKULL considered this woman a military object of elimination. He didn’t agree. She was more of a…nuisance to the government. A woman heading a resistance in order to get all rights back for women shouldn’t be hunted down like a dog. It was wrong.
Three months ago, she’d been the best fuck of his life. Now he’d been ordered to kill her. He’d no idea the woman SKULL had rescued from a pleasure house had actually been the leader of the U.S. Resistance Movement. He’d had no clue he’d fucked someone so goddamned important.
Dammit! Hell of a time to sprout a conscience.
Maybe he could wait until she was alone? Kill her then?
Blade frowned. The finger on the trigger eased as guilt slammed into him.
You’re stalling, Blade. Take her down in front of witnesses. Follow your orders or there will be hell to pay.
This was the perfect opportunity. The two witnesses would report back to the Resistance that their leader was dead. The cause would collapse. Or so the government hoped.
Personally, he believed killing her would only make the Resistance stronger. Besides, he hated doing this right in front of people he knew. They were good people. Tyler Outlaw and his woman Laura had some rough years apart, but now they were back together. He didn’t want to cause trouble for them.
They would just have to deal with this assassination. Just as he would have to deal with it.
Once again his finger tightened on the trigger, but he quickly eased off as cold metal kissed his temple.
“I don’t think you want to do that, do you, Blade.” He knew that deadly calm voice. Cade Outlaw, the brother of his ex-SKULL partner, Colter Outlaw.
“This isn’t your concern, Outlaw,” Blade warned coolly.
“You’re on Outlaw land. It is my business. Drop the gun.”
The icy threat sent shivers up his back. Blade hesitated.
“I know we’re friends, Will, and I hope you won’t hold it against me if I blow a hole in your head, but I will unless you drop the rifle.”
And he probably would, too. Cade was just as much a killing machine as Blade. If not more. Especially if those rumors about him being a torturer during the Terrorist Wars were true. A man had to have a strong stomach to do that sort of work.
Blade sighed and dropped the gun. From the other side of the bushes laughter erupted. The two women hugged. They were saying their goodbyes. His gut twisted as the best opportunity for carrying out his job slipped through his fingers.
“She’s your SKULL assignment, isn’t she?” Cade asked.
Blade said nothing.
“You’ve been sent to kill her. Kill the leader of the Resistance. As if that will stop women from fighting to regain their freedom.”
“She’s a marked woman. If I fail, someone else won’t,” he replied.
“You’ve failed, Will. Tell your boss the leader of the Resistance is under Outlaw protection now. Anyone who tries to go after her will have us to answer to. Got it?”
The two of them stood in silence as the Resistance leader waved goodbye to her friends. A moment later, an entourage of her supporters came out of the trees edging the field. The entire group vanished into the neighboring woods, the success of his mission disappeared and, strangely enough, relief poured through him.
Sure, he’d lost an opportunity to kill her. And yes, there would be hell to pay when he reported his failed mission. But at least he could live with himself tomorrow. That is, if Cade didn’t kill him.
BUY LINK
Jan Springer lives in Ontario, Canada and writes full time. She enjoys kayaking, hiking, photography and gardening. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Passionate Ink and The Author’s Guild. She also loves hearing from her readers.
Learn more about Jan Springer on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
RESISTANCE
Book five in the Outlaw Lovers Series
Jan Springer
ISBN 978-1-41994-006-4
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Ménage à trois
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Fugitive female… Renegade Resistance leader Reena “Red” Wilde is in for the fight of her life when she experiences an erotic attraction to the two most dangerous men she’s ever met.
Black ops assassin… Months ago, Will “Blade” Smith spent one sizzling evening in the arms of a red-haired seductress. Now she’s his next assignment. One look into her gorgeous eyes and he’s wrestling his heated cravings all over again.
Bounty Hunter… When Cade Outlaw nabs his bounty, sexy-as-sin Reena Wilde, his profession dictates she’s hands-off. But he can’t ignore the magnetic sparks between them…or that she is the biggest temptation of his life.
Resistance is futile… After Reena escapes Cade and Will and falls prey to a band of evil hunters, she’s grateful her sexy hunks come to her rescue, and in return, saves their lives. Trapped in a solitary cabin during a wicked snowstorm, she can’t resist her two well-hung studs, nor can she deny they’ve claimed her heart.
EXCERPT:
Blade’s finger tightened on the rifle trigger when he caught the petite red-haired woman in the scope. Red was flanked by two people. A man and woman who were friends of Blade’s.
Pull the fucking trigger. That’s why you’re here, dammit! Kill her!
Try as he might, though, he couldn’t bring himself to shoot the redhead. It should have been easy. He’d killed people before. He’d obeyed orders. Killed men and women who were trouble for the U.S. Government. But he’d never killed a woman he’d had sex with before.
Unfortunately, SKULL considered this woman a military object of elimination. He didn’t agree. She was more of a…nuisance to the government. A woman heading a resistance in order to get all rights back for women shouldn’t be hunted down like a dog. It was wrong.
Three months ago, she’d been the best fuck of his life. Now he’d been ordered to kill her. He’d no idea the woman SKULL had rescued from a pleasure house had actually been the leader of the U.S. Resistance Movement. He’d had no clue he’d fucked someone so goddamned important.
Dammit! Hell of a time to sprout a conscience.
Maybe he could wait until she was alone? Kill her then?
Blade frowned. The finger on the trigger eased as guilt slammed into him.
You’re stalling, Blade. Take her down in front of witnesses. Follow your orders or there will be hell to pay.
This was the perfect opportunity. The two witnesses would report back to the Resistance that their leader was dead. The cause would collapse. Or so the government hoped.
Personally, he believed killing her would only make the Resistance stronger. Besides, he hated doing this right in front of people he knew. They were good people. Tyler Outlaw and his woman Laura had some rough years apart, but now they were back together. He didn’t want to cause trouble for them.
They would just have to deal with this assassination. Just as he would have to deal with it.
Once again his finger tightened on the trigger, but he quickly eased off as cold metal kissed his temple.
“I don’t think you want to do that, do you, Blade.” He knew that deadly calm voice. Cade Outlaw, the brother of his ex-SKULL partner, Colter Outlaw.
“This isn’t your concern, Outlaw,” Blade warned coolly.
“You’re on Outlaw land. It is my business. Drop the gun.”
The icy threat sent shivers up his back. Blade hesitated.
“I know we’re friends, Will, and I hope you won’t hold it against me if I blow a hole in your head, but I will unless you drop the rifle.”
And he probably would, too. Cade was just as much a killing machine as Blade. If not more. Especially if those rumors about him being a torturer during the Terrorist Wars were true. A man had to have a strong stomach to do that sort of work.
Blade sighed and dropped the gun. From the other side of the bushes laughter erupted. The two women hugged. They were saying their goodbyes. His gut twisted as the best opportunity for carrying out his job slipped through his fingers.
“She’s your SKULL assignment, isn’t she?” Cade asked.
Blade said nothing.
“You’ve been sent to kill her. Kill the leader of the Resistance. As if that will stop women from fighting to regain their freedom.”
“She’s a marked woman. If I fail, someone else won’t,” he replied.
“You’ve failed, Will. Tell your boss the leader of the Resistance is under Outlaw protection now. Anyone who tries to go after her will have us to answer to. Got it?”
The two of them stood in silence as the Resistance leader waved goodbye to her friends. A moment later, an entourage of her supporters came out of the trees edging the field. The entire group vanished into the neighboring woods, the success of his mission disappeared and, strangely enough, relief poured through him.
Sure, he’d lost an opportunity to kill her. And yes, there would be hell to pay when he reported his failed mission. But at least he could live with himself tomorrow. That is, if Cade didn’t kill him.
BUY LINK
Jan Springer lives in Ontario, Canada and writes full time. She enjoys kayaking, hiking, photography and gardening. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Passionate Ink and The Author’s Guild. She also loves hearing from her readers.
Learn more about Jan Springer on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Amazon Author Page
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
RAGIN' CAJUN JAMBALAYA
by Rita Monette
Jambalaya is a favorite meal for Nikki Landry. Without the wine of course, because Nikki is the main character in my YA book, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island.
This is the closest to my mom's recipe I could find. I see some recipes where they serve it over rice. The rice should be steamed with the ingredients (as shown) for best flavor.
Bon appétit!
RAGIN' CAJUN JAMBALAYA
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
½ cup chopped celery
1 lg. bell pepper, finely chopped
1 ½ lbs. sliced sausage (kielbasa or andouille)
2 lbs. cooked shrimp, chicken, crawfish, or any combination
2 tbsp. olive, vegetable oil, or bacon drippings
1 cup fresh, chopped tomatoes, optional
1 ½ cup uncooked long grain rice
3 cups chicken or seafood stock
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. onion salt
1 tsp. black pepper **
1 tsp. white pepper **
1 tsp. cayenne pepper **
1 tsp. thyme
1 tbsp. file
1 tsp. oregano
2 bay leaves
Tabasco or Louisiana hot sauce to taste
Place a large, heavy pot on the stove at medium to medium high temperature, sauté sausage in oil until well browned; drain well.
Add chopped onion, garlic, celery and bell pepper, saute until almost tender.
Add seasonings and continue to sauté for 1 minute. If desired add fresh, chopped tomatoes.
If using chicken, add cooked chicken pieces to take up flavors.
Add chicken or seafood stock and rice. Turn heat down to gentle simmer and cover for about 20 to 25 minutes.
If using cooked shrimp or crawfish, add at the end of cooking time to prevent breaking down.
Add hot sauce to individuals taste. Serve with favorite wine and French bread.
**Whimps use ½ teaspoon each of black, white, and cayenne pepper; "Cajuns" use 2 teaspoons each.
While your jambalaya simmers, take a peek into young Nikki Landry's life.
Papa says every legend starts with a truth. But what is the truth behind the legend of Ghost Dog Island?
BLURB:
Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry. Her fisherman father relocates their raggedy old houseboat several times a year in search of better crab fishing spots. However, their latest move has brought her to a mysterious bayou where she feels like something is watching her and her beloved dog Snooper from a nearby island. But when Papa tells her about a local legend that something sinister might be living nearby and stealing the souls of dogs, she fears for her constant companion’s life. Join Nikki as she seeks to discover the truth behind the legend…before it’s too late.
To read an excerpt from The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, please click HERE.
Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. After retiring from her “real” job as an administrative assistant, Rita began doing what she always wanted to do…write and paint. Five long years later, Musa Publishing offered her a contract for her debut middle grade novel, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, which also includes her artwork. Her stories are set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state. Rita now resides with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee.
Learn more about Rita Monette on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Monday with Jan Springer. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
Jambalaya is a favorite meal for Nikki Landry. Without the wine of course, because Nikki is the main character in my YA book, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island.
This is the closest to my mom's recipe I could find. I see some recipes where they serve it over rice. The rice should be steamed with the ingredients (as shown) for best flavor.
Bon appétit!
RAGIN' CAJUN JAMBALAYA
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
½ cup chopped celery
1 lg. bell pepper, finely chopped
1 ½ lbs. sliced sausage (kielbasa or andouille)
2 lbs. cooked shrimp, chicken, crawfish, or any combination
2 tbsp. olive, vegetable oil, or bacon drippings
1 cup fresh, chopped tomatoes, optional
1 ½ cup uncooked long grain rice
3 cups chicken or seafood stock
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. onion salt
1 tsp. black pepper **
1 tsp. white pepper **
1 tsp. cayenne pepper **
1 tsp. thyme
1 tbsp. file
1 tsp. oregano
2 bay leaves
Tabasco or Louisiana hot sauce to taste
Place a large, heavy pot on the stove at medium to medium high temperature, sauté sausage in oil until well browned; drain well.
Add chopped onion, garlic, celery and bell pepper, saute until almost tender.
Add seasonings and continue to sauté for 1 minute. If desired add fresh, chopped tomatoes.
If using chicken, add cooked chicken pieces to take up flavors.
Add chicken or seafood stock and rice. Turn heat down to gentle simmer and cover for about 20 to 25 minutes.
If using cooked shrimp or crawfish, add at the end of cooking time to prevent breaking down.
Add hot sauce to individuals taste. Serve with favorite wine and French bread.
**Whimps use ½ teaspoon each of black, white, and cayenne pepper; "Cajuns" use 2 teaspoons each.
While your jambalaya simmers, take a peek into young Nikki Landry's life.
Papa says every legend starts with a truth. But what is the truth behind the legend of Ghost Dog Island?
BLURB:
Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry. Her fisherman father relocates their raggedy old houseboat several times a year in search of better crab fishing spots. However, their latest move has brought her to a mysterious bayou where she feels like something is watching her and her beloved dog Snooper from a nearby island. But when Papa tells her about a local legend that something sinister might be living nearby and stealing the souls of dogs, she fears for her constant companion’s life. Join Nikki as she seeks to discover the truth behind the legend…before it’s too late.
To read an excerpt from The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, please click HERE.
Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. After retiring from her “real” job as an administrative assistant, Rita began doing what she always wanted to do…write and paint. Five long years later, Musa Publishing offered her a contract for her debut middle grade novel, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, which also includes her artwork. Her stories are set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state. Rita now resides with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee.
Learn more about Rita Monette on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Monday with Jan Springer. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
Amazon Author Page
Labels:
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Monday, March 04, 2013
ONLY A HERO WILL DO
The latest release by Susan Lodge.
Hetty’s desperate gamble to avoid an odious match lands her all at sea. Can an overbearing ship’s physician really be the hero she needs to escape her treacherous family?
BLURB:
Marriage to a cruel dandy is not how Hetty Avebury envisions spending the rest of her life. Determined to raise funds to escape the match she earns money the only way she knows how—gambling. Her plans go astray and she finds herself onboard a man-of-war under the care of its stern physician. But Hetty soon realizes that the disapproving Doctor Withington is not at all the man she had first imagined.
If it wasn’t bad enough declaring one of the pressed men as a woman, Robert has been tasked with the tiresome job of returning her safely back to her dysfunctional family. It was ten years ago when his father gambled away his inheritance, home, and any chance of marrying the woman he loved. So when Robert discovers Hetty gambling he takes drastic action to cure her of the habit.
EXCERPT:
“Annie, will you please walk beside me? Try to remember, I am supposed to be your brother not your employer. You must keep your arm on mine.” Annie pursed her lips but did as she was told.
At five foot four, Hetty was tall enough to masquerade as a male. Her disguise was not of fine quality this time, as she had no desire to stand out in the crowd. It was serviceable and clean, if a little ill-fitting.
She resembled a rather youthful clerk.
They had left in the early hours after Hetty had written her aunt a short note to tell her not to worry. She couldn’t risk anything else, as she knew Stark and her father would ask too many questions. If she knew nothing, Aunt Amelia wouldn’t have to lie—something she didn’t like to do.
After a moment, Hetty and Annie searched for a respectable inn, both having missed breakfast. It was only after they had seated themselves in the Boar's Head and ordered a modest meal that Hetty realized it was a bad choice. The tables were occupied by groups of unsavoury looking males, half of whom were staring at Annie in a very vulgar way. Hetty looked around with a feeling of foreboding while picking at a cold rabbit pie. The room started to empty as a strange murmur of discontent rippled through the establishment.
Annie fidgeted beside her. “I don’t like it, Miss Hetty! It ain’t right.”
Hetty groaned. “Harry—not Miss Hetty! For heaven’s sake, Annie!”
“Beg pardon…Harry,” she said, as though the name was blasphemous, “but I think we should go now.”
Hetty agreed and prepared to rise when the door shot open and the remaining customers scattered in all directions. A small party of hefty men, armed with wooden batons, sauntered in and stopped in the center of the room, assessing the occupants.
Annie grabbed Hetty’s arm. “It’s the press-gang!”
It took a moment for Annie’s words to register then Hetty swallowed violently. If only her skirts were back on. One of them noticed her and narrowed his eyes with a terrifying gleam like a predator. He pointed his finger her way. “Now, lad, I reckon you look ripe for adventure. Eager to serve your king, I wager.”
Hetty shook her head and grasped Annie. “No, sir, I have my sister here to look after.”
The man wandered closer, his fleshy face beamed and his voice cajoled. “What’s your name, lad, and how old are you?”
“Harry Blake. I am fourteen." Surely that is too young.
The man considered her for a moment, and Hetty didn’t dare to breathe.
“Bring him.”
Logic ceased. Hetty ducked under the table and tried to crawl toward the door, but one of them crunched a foul-smelling boot down on the small of her back, and her breath escaped in one whoosh of pain. A large hand hoisted her up by the neckcloth and placed her on her feet.
BUY LINK
Susan Lodge is a life long writer, but has marketed her work just these last few years. When she is not writing, Susan tinkers on her piano, enjoys the company of her children, or takes long walks along the coastline with her real life hero.
Once asked the most important piece of advice she had been given in pursuit of publication, Susan answered -
The only difference between the unpublished writer and the published writer is the fact that the published writer didn't give up.
Catch up with Susan on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
Hetty’s desperate gamble to avoid an odious match lands her all at sea. Can an overbearing ship’s physician really be the hero she needs to escape her treacherous family?
BLURB:
Marriage to a cruel dandy is not how Hetty Avebury envisions spending the rest of her life. Determined to raise funds to escape the match she earns money the only way she knows how—gambling. Her plans go astray and she finds herself onboard a man-of-war under the care of its stern physician. But Hetty soon realizes that the disapproving Doctor Withington is not at all the man she had first imagined.
If it wasn’t bad enough declaring one of the pressed men as a woman, Robert has been tasked with the tiresome job of returning her safely back to her dysfunctional family. It was ten years ago when his father gambled away his inheritance, home, and any chance of marrying the woman he loved. So when Robert discovers Hetty gambling he takes drastic action to cure her of the habit.
EXCERPT:
“Annie, will you please walk beside me? Try to remember, I am supposed to be your brother not your employer. You must keep your arm on mine.” Annie pursed her lips but did as she was told.
At five foot four, Hetty was tall enough to masquerade as a male. Her disguise was not of fine quality this time, as she had no desire to stand out in the crowd. It was serviceable and clean, if a little ill-fitting.
She resembled a rather youthful clerk.
They had left in the early hours after Hetty had written her aunt a short note to tell her not to worry. She couldn’t risk anything else, as she knew Stark and her father would ask too many questions. If she knew nothing, Aunt Amelia wouldn’t have to lie—something she didn’t like to do.
After a moment, Hetty and Annie searched for a respectable inn, both having missed breakfast. It was only after they had seated themselves in the Boar's Head and ordered a modest meal that Hetty realized it was a bad choice. The tables were occupied by groups of unsavoury looking males, half of whom were staring at Annie in a very vulgar way. Hetty looked around with a feeling of foreboding while picking at a cold rabbit pie. The room started to empty as a strange murmur of discontent rippled through the establishment.
Annie fidgeted beside her. “I don’t like it, Miss Hetty! It ain’t right.”
Hetty groaned. “Harry—not Miss Hetty! For heaven’s sake, Annie!”
“Beg pardon…Harry,” she said, as though the name was blasphemous, “but I think we should go now.”
Hetty agreed and prepared to rise when the door shot open and the remaining customers scattered in all directions. A small party of hefty men, armed with wooden batons, sauntered in and stopped in the center of the room, assessing the occupants.
Annie grabbed Hetty’s arm. “It’s the press-gang!”
It took a moment for Annie’s words to register then Hetty swallowed violently. If only her skirts were back on. One of them noticed her and narrowed his eyes with a terrifying gleam like a predator. He pointed his finger her way. “Now, lad, I reckon you look ripe for adventure. Eager to serve your king, I wager.”
Hetty shook her head and grasped Annie. “No, sir, I have my sister here to look after.”
The man wandered closer, his fleshy face beamed and his voice cajoled. “What’s your name, lad, and how old are you?”
“Harry Blake. I am fourteen." Surely that is too young.
The man considered her for a moment, and Hetty didn’t dare to breathe.
“Bring him.”
Logic ceased. Hetty ducked under the table and tried to crawl toward the door, but one of them crunched a foul-smelling boot down on the small of her back, and her breath escaped in one whoosh of pain. A large hand hoisted her up by the neckcloth and placed her on her feet.
BUY LINK
Susan Lodge is a life long writer, but has marketed her work just these last few years. When she is not writing, Susan tinkers on her piano, enjoys the company of her children, or takes long walks along the coastline with her real life hero.
Once asked the most important piece of advice she had been given in pursuit of publication, Susan answered -
The only difference between the unpublished writer and the published writer is the fact that the published writer didn't give up.
Catch up with Susan on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Amazon Author Page
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