Marie Force's Blog, page 26

Next Up on Book Club: Hidden Away by Maya Banks

A man who shoots first and asks questions later…

Most people would take an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who's in hiding after witnessing a murder by Marcus Lattimer, her half-brother—and a personal enemy of KGI. This gig may be beneath a disciplined soldier like Garrett, but if he gets a shot at Lattimer, it will all be worth it…

…and the ultimate moving target.

But Garrett hadn't counted on falling for Sarah. He'd considered seduction as a tactical maneuver, but when he glimpses Sarah's dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe—even after she disappears on him. Garrett doesn't know exactly who, or what, Sarah's running from, but whatever it is, she's running for her life…

Join us Thursday, March 31, from 6 a.m. EDT on to discuss book 3 in Maya's exciting Kelly Group International series, which has become one of my favorites! Look forward to talking about Garrett, Sarah and the rest of the Kelly family!

Book Club: One Night Stand by Cindy Kirk

By: Kara Conrad

Weddings can make a girl a little crazy…

Which is probably why Marcee Robbens found herself in the arms of a sexy stranger before the bouquet was even tossed at her best friend's wedding. And after a night of knee-weakening kisses in handsome Sam McKelvey's arms, even happily single Marcee is humming the wedding march. So when the sun comes up and Sam hits the road, the usually tough-as-nails beauty finds herself nursing a tender heart…

Sam's not the kind of guy who would have a super-hot hook-up with a woman he barely knows. But something had him mesmerized—enough for this usually sensible single dad to abandon his responsibilities for one unforgettable night. But Sam never thought his one night stand would turn up as his new next-door neighbor. Or that once he glimpsed the soft side of this captivating woman, he'd find himself falling in love…

Shoes, chocolate, and dimples. Yep, in the first few pages of One Night Stand, Cindy Kirk manages to get in three of our favorite items.

This is a story of two people who have what they both assume is a one night stand, only to find it to be much, much more. Sam is a single parent trying to improve his relationship with his daughter, Fern. He is 'classically handsome' or 'hot and delectable', depending on which character you choose to listen to (neither option sounds bad, now does it?) While attending a wedding, Sam meets Marcee, who is trying to make big changes in her own life. Beyond these main characters is a memorable cast of secondary characters, some you will love and others you will love to hate.

I read the book several years ago when it was first released, and enjoyed it because of the romance and humor. Now that I am the proud, and often overwhelmed, parent of a teenager, I have a new appreciation for the story! Whether you live with a teen or not, you've no doubt heard of their unexplained mood swings and bad attitudes. Cindy's story also reminds us that teens can be incredibly insightful and, like all of us, do not need to be judged by their appearances.

If you've not read this book, you're missing out! If you have read it, let's have some fun today talking about the characters and scenes we like best. Cindy will pop in between work commitments, so if you have questions for her, have those ready. Cindy is giving away a copy of her latest Special Edition release, The Christmas Proposition. Find out more about her books on her website.

Now, if shoes, chocolate, and dimples are not enough to convince you to try this book, maybe this will do the trick: "Faster than she could say What the hell? a band of steel encircled her wrist." Aahhh, nothing says true love like a pair of handcuffs.

As for recipes, a mandatory part of our club, most of you know I am NOT a cook. In fact, 'Mom's turn to cook' usually translates into 'which drive-thru do we hit tonight?' However, there are a couple of recipes that are guaranteed hits at my house. Granted, there's no real cooking involved, but then, that's just part of their magic. I chose these two because it's 80 degrees here now and we are enjoying our Spring Break. If your corner of the world has yet to defrost, you may want to save these for later.

PISTACHIO PIE
1 package pistachio instant pudding
1 20 ounce can, crushed pineapples
1 8 ounce Cool Whip
(The recipe also calls for ½ cup coconut and 1/3 cup walnuts, both of which are left out in this house.)
Put pudding mix in large bowl and add pineapple (not drained). Fold in container of thawed Cool Whip. Add to a graham cracker crust and refrigerate for two hours. (My guys also like it frozen.)

BROCCOLI SALAD
4 cups broccoli florets
½ cup carrots, shredded
½ cup sunflower kernels
½ cup cooked bacon, chopped
½ cup purple onion, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
½ cup sugar
Mix broccoli, carrots, sunflower kernels, bacon, and onions. In a separate bowl, combine mayo, vinegar, and sugar. Fifteen minutes prior to serving, add dressing to salad and toss.

Next Up on Book Club: One Night Stand by Cindy Kirk

Weddings can make a girl a little crazy…

Which is probably why Marcee Robbens found herself in the arms of a sexy stranger before the bouquet was even tossed at her best friend's wedding. And after a night of knee-weakening kisses in handsome Sam McKelvey's arms, even happily single Marcee is humming the wedding march. So when the sun comes up and Sam hits the road, the usually touch-as-nails beauty finds herself nursing a tender heart…

Sam's not the kind of guy who would have a super-hot hook-up with a woman he barely knows. But something had him mesmerized—enough for this usually sensible single dad to abandon his responsibilities for one unforgettable night. But Sam never thought his one night stand would turn up as his new next-door neighbor. Or that once he glimpsed the soft side of this captivating woman, he'd find himself falling in love…

Join us Thursday, March 24, beginning at 6 a.m. EDT for a fun chat and tasty recipes!

Book Club: The Chief by Monica McCarty

By: Aly Hackett

Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. And to lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all.

The ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, Tor MacLeod has no intention of being drawn into Scotland's war against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not to his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his command of the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to Tor's bed may have won his hand, but she will never claim his heart.

Although her husband's reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in glorious moments of white-hot desire that disappear with the dawn. When Christina's reckless bid to win her husband's love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart—before it's too late.

I am not a Historical Romance reader. I have admitted to being a snot about Historicals because I would much rather read Austen, Dickens, Bronte, etc. Recently some people—ahem Book Club Wenches this is you!—kept telling me that I was missing out. So a month or so ago I read my first Historical and it was a fun, enjoyable! And now I have found myself in a very dangerous place with the second Historical I have read—falling in love with Historical Romance. Or at least those written by Monica McCarty!

Monica McCarty does a fantastic job with the history aspect of her story and I think that is what I loved most about The Chief. The weaving of fact and fiction is done so well that part of me wanted The Chief to be a true piece of history. But it isn't just the story that Ms. McCarty does so well.

The characters in The Chief are fabulous! Tor definitely comes across as a hard, obstinate, dedicated Highlander. But we get these glimpses of his soft side. His merry cast of men also have some intriguing qualities to their character. We only learn a little about each one in The Chief so it definitely makes you want more and more…and luckily enough for us, there are more and more!

Christina was a female character that I really enjoyed. She was naïve without coming across as an idiot and that is so important to me. She was intuitive enough to know not to let on that she was educated but still inexperienced enough to go out without an escort.

In the end The Chief was a fantastic read that kept me riveted and wondering who and what was around the next corner. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

Monica will be here with us today to chat about the book and the series. She's giving away a copy of The Hawk to one lucky reader today, so let us hear from you! Find out more about Monica and her books on her website.

And as for recipes…well Aly is not nearly as talented as the rest of the Book Club Hostesses so here are two very easy recipes from some fabulous blogging ladies!

Chicken and Dumpling Bake
From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish

Ingredients
3-4 cups of cooked chicken (or 3 to 5 pieces of raw chicken)
2 cups chicken stock/broth
1/2 stick of unsalted butter
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup milk
1 can Campbell's cream of chicken soup

Preparation Instructions
Use precooked chicken or poach raw chicken in the chicken broth or stock in a medium sized saucepan. Cook on a low simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is mostly done. It will finish cooking in the oven. Remove the chicken and set aside to cool but reserve the stock.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a Pyrex measuring cup, melt 1/2 stick of butter in the microwave and pour that into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Shred the chicken and spread it on top of the butter.

In that same Pyrex cup, whisk together the milk and the flour and slowly pour that over the chicken taking care not to disturb the chicken too much. Don't stir it up!

Strain the chicken stock through a colander into the same Pyrex cup (now you know why I wanted ya to melt that butter in it!) and whisk in the cream of chicken soup. Very carefully pour that over the flour and milk mixture and again, don't stir it up!

Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes, or until top is light golden brown.

Does not freeze well.

*Use chicken breasts, mixed chicken parts, leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or canned chicken

Source: http://deepsouthdish.com

And for dessert….

Apple Dumplings
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/20...

Ingredients
2 whole Granny Smith Apples
2 cans (8 Oz. Cans) Crescent Rolls
2 sticks Butter
1-½ cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Cinnamon, To Taste
1 can (12 Oz.) Mountain Dew Soda

Preparation Instructions
Peel and core apples.
Cut each apple into 8 slices each.
Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll.
Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan.
Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir.
Add vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over apples.
Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Next on Book Club: The Chief by Monica McCarty

AN ELITE FIGHTING FORCE UNLIKE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN . . .

Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. And to lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all.

The ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, Tor MacLeod has no intention of being drawn into Scotland's war against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not to his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his command of the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to Tor's bed may have won his hand, but she will never claim his heart.

Although her husband's reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in glorious moments of white-hot desire that disappear with the dawn. When Christina's reckless bid to win her husband's love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart—before it's too late.

Read more about Monica McCarty.

Book Club: Dark Deceptions by Dee Davis

By: Hope Frost
A-Tac is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. The members of A-Tac are assigned to the riskiest missions and the most elusive targets. I am not usually a huge stickler for reading in order, but I would say to for the A-Tac series. In the first book you are introduced to the team and give a little back ground, that being said....I was hooked on this series from the very first HOT paragraph.

Nash and Annie were not only partners they were lovers. But when Nash thinks that Annie is a traitor and not only left him for dead but she disappeared without a trace, he has no other option then to try and move on. He takes a job with A-Tac and 8 years later, his job and Annie cross paths again, but this time, she is on the wrong side of the law, or so Nash suspects. Annie is a trained assassin and the best in the business, until she retired. When her son is kidnapped, she is given no other choice but to follow through with an assassination plot the kidnappers have mapped out for her. If she refuses, her son dies. When Nash discovers that Annie is the assassin they are supposed to subdue on his latest mission, sparks fly!!!

One of the things I found interesting is that the members of A-Tac are actually professors. They each teach classes in their expertise, it isn't just a front. I loved that there are women on the team and they are protected but not coddled. I loved that you are kept guessing until the very end, I don't like figuring out the who-did-it part half way through the book, the intrigue is part of the fascination I have with romantic suspense.

The series book has it all, HOT love scenes , lots of hunky men and strong women...there is suspense in each story line and it is revealed that there is a traitor in the group. You gather clues throughout the entire series on this traitor and I was wrong about 10 different times and still wrong, and completely shocked when the truth was discovered.

Find out more about Dee's books at her website and check out the cool, interactive A-Tac site. Dee will be giving away copies of Dangerous Desires (Book 2) and Desperate Deeds (book 3) to two lucky participants today, so make sure you comment to win!

It is still cold in Southern Oregon, so I wanted to share my favorite recipe for Chicken & Dumplins (my kind of comfort food). And after mine, Dee has sent one of her favorites for readers to try!

CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS

Ingredients:
3 to 3 1/2 lb. stewing chicken, cut up
4 celery stalk tops
1 med. carrot, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 sm. onion, sliced
2 sprigs parsley
2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
5 c. water
1/2 c. Bisquick

DUMPLING DOUGH:
2 c. Bisquick
2/3 c. milk

In large saucepan or Dutch oven, place all ingredients, except Bisquick and dumpling dough. Cover pan and heat to boiling. Cook over low heat about 2 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken from pan to cool enough to chop. Add chopped chicken back in to pot and adjust heat to medium high.

Prepare dumpling dough from recipe. Drop dollops of dough directly in to boiling pot. Cook uncovered over Medium heat, 10 - 15 minutes....Enjoy!!

S'more Brownies
Ingredients
Crust:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch fine salt
Brownie:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 large cold eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Topping:
4 cups large marshmallows
Directions
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch.

For the crust: Lightly butter the foil with some of the melted butter. Stir the rest of the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the brownie. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted. Stir the light brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat vigorously to make a thick and glossy batter. Add the flour and stir until just incorporated.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can go quick), about 2 minutes. Cool on a rack, gently removing the brownies from the pan using the aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from the foil and fold away. Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.

And the recipe from Dee:
Macaroni and Cheese (adapted from recipe from Artisanal Fromagerie and Bistro, NYC)

Serves 6
This classic dish is served at Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro and is known as "the best macaroni and cheese in town."

Ingredients
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano
5 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
salt
Black pepper in a mill
3 cups Gruyere or Comte, grated (from 6 to 8 ounces)
1/2 cup mascarpone (can substitute ricotta or farmers cheese)
1lb dry pasta

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour 2 quarts of water into a 3-quart pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. In a small sauce pan, melt 2 1/2 tablespoons of the butter over low heat. Add the bread crumbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, toss well, and set aside.
3. Put the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a 2-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan and melt it over low heat. Add the flour and cook for 4 minutes, whisking constantly. Pour in the milk and cook for 4 minutes, whisking constantly. Add 2 teaspoons salt , 4 grinds of pepper (can substitute a shake or two of white pepper), the Gruyere and mascarpone, and continue to whisk until the cheese is well incorporated. Remove the pot from the heat and pour the cheese sauce into a large bowl.
4. Add 2 tsp salt and the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the macaroni in a colander and add it to the bowl with the cheese sauce. Mix well with a wooden spoon. (can just mix in the baking dish if your prefer).
5. Pour the macaroni mixture into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, approximately 40 minutes. Serve.

Also really good with one bag of Italian grated cheese (Kraft) – 2 cups. And chopped sharp cheddar. About a cup and a half. Instead of the gruyere and mascarpone.

Next Up on Book Club: Dark Deceptions by Dee Davis

A-Tac is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. Brilliant, badass, and seemingly bulletproof, the members of A-Tac are assigned to the riskiest missions and the most elusive targets.

TORN BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE
Covert operations expert Nash Brennon has spent the last eight years trying to forget Annie Gallagher, his former field partner and the only woman he ever loved. Annie betrayed him when he needed her most, then vanished without a trace. Now suddenly she's back in the game - this time as a suspected traitor and threat to national security.
Annie's son has been kidnapped by political terrorists. The price for his life? Assassinate a UN ambassador. When Nash and his group find her, the smoldering passion between Annie and the man she swore she'd never contact again blazes out of control. But can Nash trust her? The stakes couldn?t be higher: Their enemy's endgame is personal, and one false move could cost them their lives.

Join us Thursday, March 10, from 6 a.m. EST on for a discussion about this book and a visit with the author!

Book Club: Deadly Heat by Cynthia Eden

By: Mary G
I had Cynthia's book, Deadly Fear, in my TBR pile for a while. She was new to me. Then the dreaded thing happened. I was in the mood for a rom. susp. and since our faves, Christy Reece, Pamela Clare & Marie Force don't publish books every week (darn it) I dug Deadly Fear out of the pile. OMG a new found treasure!! What was even better was the timing. It was just a day or two before Deadly Heat released so no waiting between books. Today we're featuring Deadly Heat. We meet the hero, Kenton Lake, in Deadly Fear so they are both "must reads". Deadly Heat heroine, firefighter Lora Spade, calls in the FBI to track down a killer arsonist.

Smooth, suave Kenton Lake shows up at a fire in progress where he tries to be a hero. Lora is the one that pulls him out of trouble though he fights it. He doesn't know "the asshole who slugged him" is a female firefighter until she takes off her helmet & mask. This book literally grabs you right from this first scene. While he's thinking that she's sexy, she's calling him GQ and not in a complimentary way. She gets his name only to want to report him to his boss. This sets up such witty banter between these two. As the ambulance drives away with Kenton & the injured informant he'd been wanting to talk to:

Page12
"Prick." Lora Spade watched the ambulance pull away in a flash of lights and shook her head. These bureau boys always thought they ruled the world.
God's gift.
Okay, yeah, he had been hot, and not just because of the flames around him.
But still… a prick.

To say the chemistry between these two is hot is an understatement. Kenton is such an Alpha guy. Lora is a strong kick*** woman. When the arsonist makes Lora a target, Kenton goes into protective mode but never makes it seem that Lora can't take care of herself. Both are only interested in a temporary affair. I enjoyed the progression to permanence.

While there have numerous discussions on the right balance between romance & suspense in a good rom. susp., Cynthia goes beyond this. The romance & suspense are so intertwined that it is seamless. There is never a thought of – now they're on the case, and then, okay now it's time for sex. It's just all perfectly blended.

There is plenty of everything for everyone in this book. Humor as well as emotion, strong characters, a great plot & and an even better romance. I've got Deadly Lies on its way to me and I can't wait.

Cynthia is giving away two copies of Deadly Lies today, so make sure comment to be entered to win!

Now in honor of the hotness that is this book here's a recipe for one of our family faves :
Hot Buffalo Wings Recipe
Ingredients
Wings
2 lbs chicken wings (about 12 wings)
3 Tbsp butter, melted
4 Tbsp bottled hot pepper sauce (like Crystal or Frank's Original)
1 Tbsp paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 Cut off wing tips (discard or reserve for other use such as making stock). Cut wings at the joint. Put chicken wing pieces in a plastic bag. Set aside. Food safety note: when cutting raw chicken it is best to use a cutting board reserved just for cutting raw chicken. Wash thoroughly when finished. Do not let raw chicken juices come in contact with other food.
2 Create a marinade by stirring together the melted butter, hot pepper sauce, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the marinade over the chicken pieces in the plastic bag. (Reserve marinade for coating after the pieces come out of the oven.) Seal bag and let marinate at room temperature for half an hour. When marinating is finished, drain marinade and discard bag.
3 Place wing pieces on the rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for about 10 minutes on each side, until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Remove from oven and baste with reserved marinade.
Serve with Blue Cheese Dip and celery sticks. Makes approximately 24 pieces (about 12 appetizer servings).

Book Club: Next Week's Book and a New Logo

First things first! The lovely Kris Gilson has a friend who is a graphic designer and she has come up with an AWESOME new logo for the Romance and Oreos Book Club. I'm so excited to debut it here:



It was designed by Lori Lewellyn at Big Picture, Inc. (Lori@BPIWorks.com/LoriLewellyn_333@yahoo.com) and we love it. Hope all the book club wenches will like it just as much! Thank you Kris and Lori!

Next up for this week's meeting is Deadly Heat by Cynthia Eden.

She wants revenge . . .
Six months after her lover died in an arsonist's blaze, firefighter Lora Spade calls in the FBI's elite Serial Services Division to track the elusive killer. When Special Agent Kenton Lake is lured into a violent inferno, Lora pulls him to safety and is stunned - not by the fire, but by her own searing attraction to Kent. For the first time in months, she longs for something other than vengeance.

He wants her . . .
Kenton's interest in Lora should be purely professional. But one fleeting kiss and he can't get her out of his mind. Her combination of strength and vulnerability makes him want to protect her, and that means solving this case - and fast. For even the passion igniting between them can't hide a terrifying truth: Lora is the next target in a murderer's sadistic, fiery game.

A vicious killer wants only . . .
DEADLY HEAT

I can't wait to read this book! Only ONE more RITA book stands between me and getting back on track with book club! Can't wait. Hope to see you all at book club next week when the very sweet Cynthia Eden will join us for Oreos and chat.

Book Club: Everyone Loves a Hero by Marie Force

From Anne, who is delighted to be included among the "Whip Cracking Book Club Wenches":

"EVERYONE LOVES A HERO" -- AND SO DO I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In fact, there wasn't one tennsy-tiny thing I didn't love about Marie's latest book! "ELaH" was a first class flight from that first "jolt" to the final "pinky swear" deal.

Cole and Olivia are "steal-your-heart" characters and their "almost-fairy-tale-esque" love story runs the full gamut of emotions. A wonderful secondary cast of characters fuels the strong quality to this storyline as well. The skillful writing flows naturally and the dialogue is delightfully realistic. High Fives for the choice of marvelous localities ranging from our nation's capital to Chicago to San Francisco—and even a quick glimpse of Houston! Also, there was a welcomed surprise peek at a kinship between Olivia and Juliana, who found her HEA in "Love at First Flight."

From way-too-many exes to dysfunctional family issues, "ELaH" will capture your attention and you'll soon be cheering Cole and Olivia as they strive to overcome the stumbling blocks in their developing relationship. Their story is captivating, engaging, charming and, of course, generously threaded with sizzling hot romance (my favorite kind!). This book will flat-out appeal and satisfy romance readers. Once again, Marie has gifted us with a "keeper-shelf" addition.

Because I don't want to spoil the book for any readers who haven't read "ELaH", here's just a few highlights that made this latest gem special for me!

1. The to-die-for-work-of-art-hero, Cole (WOW, YUMMY, I WANT ONE FOR MYSELF!)
2. The alluring, talented Olivia, who is beautiful , quiet, shy, and reserved—who simply awakens, spreads her wings and takes flight
3. The powerful romance and the range of emotions shown and felt by both Cole and Olivia. Cole's determination to support and aid Olivia in her artistic career was outstandingly portrayed.
4. Olivia's "insistence" to drive that black Mustang GT (loved watching Cole squirm!)
5. The "pinky-swear" proposal
6. Did I mention the sizzle and heat?????

Share some of your favorites!

**Additional comments on "All Things Marie Force":

In 2008, I discovered Marie's marvelous writing! While searching Amazon.com for something new to read, I came upon a book entitled "LINE OF SCRIMMAGE" and was hooked. (The cover was an added incentive!) I devoured LOS (many times in the years since) and couldn't wait for the next book by this new-to-me-author. I went to Marie's website and read each and every word. I was caught up in the information there and captivated by Marie's "The House that Jack Built" – a collection of 3 books, which are yet to be published. The first, " Treading Water" is Jack's story. Jack stole my heart from only the tidbits posted by Marie. I will never be satisfied until Jack gets his book, along with the other two, published. They are a must for my keeper-shelf. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed and am praying that a smart publisher will wake up and get it done in the near future.

"Love At First Flight" came next and my addiction grew stronger. Marie's "Fatal" romantic suspense e-book series intensified my love for this genre. Nick and Sam are among my very favorite characters and their books are just plain fun to read! I can't wait for their September wedding. I'm eagerly awaiting the entire series in hard copy to be added to the dearly beloved keeper-shelf treasures. The "fixes" to my addiction continued in the form of more e-books entitled "True North" and "The Fall" – both of which are fantastic reads that I wouldn't mind adding to that "shelf" as well!! I'm all about the "Real Thing" when it comes to my favorite books and colas!

Some time down the line, I'm fervently hoping for another peek and update on Ryan and Susannah, along with their little daughter, Hope – and maybe even some additional little Sandersons. Can you tell I'm a major fan of "LINE OF SCRIMMAGE?"

Last, but certainly, not least – For your wonderfully addictive stories, your unending generosities, your kindness and friendship, THANK YOU MARIE!!!

Keep'em coming – please!!!

APPLE SAUSAGE QUICHE
(An easy and delicious recipe that has become a standard for our family's Christmas morning brunch, along with at least once a month, as well – fantastic reheated in the microwave, too!)

½ lb. sausage , cooked and drained well
15 oz. can sliced apples (frozen apples can be used)
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 eggs
1-1/4 cups milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 unbaked pie shell

Mix first three ingredients together. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Mix eggs, milk and salt together and pour over the apple-sausage mixture.
Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Top with cheese and bake an additional 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted well.



CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE
(Just because I love the combination of chocolate and raspberries, here's a quick and easy but nonetheless tasty treat!)

1-Chocolate Pie Crust (6 oz.)
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz.) Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (not evaporate milk)
1 egg
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups fresh or frozen raspberries (reserve a few for garnishment)
Chocolate Glaze

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy; gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add egg, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well.

Arrange raspberries on bottom of crust. Slowly pour cheese mixture over fruit. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool.

Top and spread evenly over cheesecake with Chocolate Glaze; chill. Garnish with raspberries. Refrigerate leftovers (if you have any!)

Chocolate Glaze: In small saucepan, over low heat, melt two (1 oz. each) squares semi-chocolate baking chocolate with ¼ cup whipping cream. Cook and stir until thickened and smooth. Remove from heat.