Marie Force's Blog, page 32

Book Club: Next Up Just One Taste by Louisa Edwards with Giveaways!

JUST ONE TASTE

He has a hungry mind.

Bad-boy chef Wes Murphy dreads his final semester cooking class—Food Chemistry 101—until he meets the new substitute teacher. Dr. Rosemary Wilkins is a feast for the eyes, though her approach to food is strictly academic. So Wes decides to rattle her Bunsen burner by asking for her hands-on advice—onaphrodisiacs . . .

She's got love down to a science.

Rosemary is a little wary about working with Wes, whose casual flirtations leave her hot under the collar. But once they begin testing the love-enhancing power of chocolate, oysters, and strawberries, it becomes scientifically evident that the brainy science nerd and the boyish chef have some major chemistry together—and it's delicious . . .

We'll welcome Louisa to Book Club next Thursday, Dec. 9! Join me, co-host Mary G, and the rest of the whip-cracking book club wenches for lively discussion and recipes. In light of this week's book, I expect the food to be even more amazing that we've become accustomed to (no pressure Mary and Louisa) even though nothing is better than some Oreos with your romance!

Louisa has graciously agreed to donate signed copies of the entire trilogy to one lucky winner!



Start reading and get ready for another wild day of fun at book club!

Book Club: Rescue Me by Christy Reece with Giveaways!

We're really pleased to have NYT bestselling author and our good friend Christy Reece as our guest today. Author of the captivating Last Chance Rescue series, Christy has quickly become a leading voice in romantic suspense.

When today's co-hostess, Hope Frost, suggested Rescue Me for this week's book club, I was really excited because I've been wanting to read more of Christy's books. I read Last Chance, part of the second trilogy, earlier this year, and I really loved it. And, no surprise, I really loved Rescue Me, too. Eden and Jordan were a fabulous couple who sizzled on the page (and in the bedroom). The suspense was gripping, and the secondary characters were amazing. Meeting Noah in Rescue Me had me running over to Amazon to get Return to Me (Kindle app on iTouch: dangerous), which I've also finished and loved. Moving on now to Run to Me. Not sure I can keep up this reading pace that the "whip-cracking book club wenches" have inflicted on me, but for now, it's some kind of fun! Like with Pamela Clare's books, I love how Christy keeps the romance front and center in her romantic suspense. That's a critical element for me as a romance reader, and it has put both Christy and Pam at the top of my RS favorites list! (I'm traveling today for the day job, so I'll be in and out, but mostly in later tonight. Hope will be holding down the fort in my absence!)

From our co-hostess, Hope: Rescue Me was my very first Romantic Suspense book. I was at a point where I needed SOMETHING to read and the cover jumped out at me. I had gotten about half way through the book, and went back to the store to buy the other two that were already out. I was not an avid reader until I got in to this book, and had a hard time putting it down. It is hard for me to write about Eden & Jordan's story, for fear of revealing to many spoilers...

Rescue Me is an exciting and suspenseful tale that never seems to stop moving forward. Eden is a smart intelligent heroine who'd overcome so much which, while it made me like her even more, may be hard for Christy to top in my opinion. Christy paired Eden with a hunky hero Jordan. A man with a sense of honor, family, and a dedication to "right." Truth be told, he's the type of man that I would like to get to know A LOT better. The pairing of these two made for a very compelling story that I go back to over and over again. Christy Reece introduces us to compelling characters who pull us into the weave of soul-jerking pain, love of life and the desire to fight for others. Rescue Me is the first of six (so far). I laughed, cried and was on the edge of my seat, all of which has cemented Christy as one of my all time favorite authors.

Find Christy on her website, her blog (where she does a great feature called Recommend Mondays when readers can stop by to recommend their favorite reads of the week), on Facebook and on Twitter.

Since we're hanging out at Hope's house today, here's what she has in store for us on the buffet table:

Pesto Chicken Pizza
Pesto: (you can use store bought pesto, but it is yucky lol)

1 cup of basil
(you can also use the basil paste that you can get in the herb section in the produce isle, if you use that, use the whole tube)

2 - 3 cloves of garlic

1/3 - 1/2 cup of grated parmesan
(not the time for the cheap stuff girls)

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
(toast them until the have a little color)

1/2 - 3/4 cup olive oil

Combine everything but the olive oil in a food processor. After that is all chopped up, slowly start to add the oil. You want the consistency of thin peanut butter. You don't want to much oil. Taste and salt and pepper to your taste.

Chicken:
I use thighs cause they bake easier and don't dry out, but use whatever you want. I also make the chicken different ways. You can fry them with a little olive oil, lemon and herbs for a lemon chicken flavor. I also make it as a teriyaki chicken. What ever your feeling that night.

3-4 boneless skinless chicken thighs cubed

You will also need fresh mozzarella
(I have also used the marinated herb mozzarella balls. In that case I cube those)

So to put it together, just take your pizza crust (I usually use bobolli since it is quick) and spread the pesto all over the crust

Sprinkle with the chicken and cheese

add whatever toppings you like, Keith like tomato and fresh basil added.

Bake until the cheese is melted and yummy.


Banana Nut Bread
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts (optional)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy ;o)

To Review or Not to Review...

There's a great discussion going on over at Dear Author about authors reviewing other authors' books on Goodreads and other online venues. This issue is a murky, swampy mess for authors, and shocker, I do have an opinion on it. Rather than spout of on Dear Author, I am spouting here, in my own cyber living room.

I decided years ago to keep most of my opinions to myself when it came to the work of other romance writers. It goes back to the "do unto others as you'd have done to you" credo we were taught as children. If I don't want other authors spouting off about all the things that are wrong with my books, why would I do it to them? Why would I give a fellow romance writer a one-star review on Goodreads when I might someday be asked to work with her in some capacity or another? What do I gain from posting that negative review about her work in a public setting?

This goes for my friends, too. I would never give an author friend anything less than a five-star review on a public site. Why? Because anything less than a five suggests there were things about the book I didn't like. Maybe they were small things that really didn't matter much in the grand scheme, but I would not want my friend to wonder what it was about her book that made the difference between a four and a five for me. Why should she have that question in her head from me when she has so much other praise and criticism being hurled her way? Authors have enough arrows slung at them—friendly and not-so-friendly—to be wondering what it was about their book didn't work for their writer friends.

If I wouldn't give a friend less than a five-star review, that pretty much removes any value the reading public might place on my reviews, right? So why bother? The closest I will come to expressing an opinion is the list you see on my sidebar of books I've read in 2010 with stars next to the ones I truly loved. The remainder span a wide range from what would be a DNF on a traditional review site to a 4-star review. I don't feel the need to differentiate between them. That list began more as a curiosity experiment. I knew I read a lot, but I had no idea what the full number of books for a year would be. As the list unfolded, I realized I wanted a way to highlight the books I truly loved, thus the star. I never felt the same need to show which ones didn't work for me.

I was talking books yesterday with a group of reader friends and one of my all-time favorites came up. One of my close friends HATED that book. Another started it but never finished. How a story hits one reader vs. another is always going to be a subjective exercise. As an author, I believe it is far more important for me to be supportive of my author colleagues than it is for me to express my negative opinions about a colleague's work. And whether we know each other or not, whether one is small potatoes like me or a NYT bestseller like Nora Roberts, we are all colleagues in a business where we put our souls on display in every book. That's why when we started the book club, there was one major rule I emphasized and that was respect for the work. You don't have to like the book, I said, but you must respect the author. I believe that with every fiber of my being, and I try to live it in my online interactions.

What about you? Where do you stand on authors reviewing authors?

Giveaway and Next Up...

Thanks to everyone who came out to play at book club yesterday. I enjoyed the discussion about Pamela Clare's Extreme Exposure and her captivating I-Team series. I read all four books over the last week, and I'm hooked. Can't wait for the next one, out in May. Pamela offered up a signed copy of Hard Evidence, which will go to Judy F. Judy, please contact Pam on Facebook to arrange delivery! Congrats!! Thank you also to my co-hostess, Ronlyn Howe, who has single-handedly gotten us all hooked on the I-Team! Ronlyn's recipes sound awesome, and I can't wait to try the pico de gallo!

Next up is Christy Reece's Rescue Me! On Dec. 2, we're moving back to our regular Thursday meeting. Our co-hostess will be Hope Benison! Here's a little about the book:

DARE TO SURVIVE
The first adventure in this action-packed, romantic suspense trilogy features a beautiful operative for an elite rescue organization, dealing with a rugged new partner, a dangerous mission …and her own secret past.

A covert operative of Last Chance Rescue Enterprises (LCR), Eden St. Claire has made secrets her life's work. Seven years ago, an evening of emotional vulnerability and pure pleasure almost destroyed her. Now Eden wears her beauty like a mask, concealing any hint of vulnerability or demons of her past.

A daring rescue of an innocent girl on a Greek island leads Eden to a new partner. Jordan Montgomery, new to LCR, has been looking for Eden—though he knows her by another name, from another time. But his search for her is overshadowed by a case that's gone international. A powerful, ruthless, organized network is stealing women and children around the world—as a lover, a traitor, and a killer all wait for Eden's next move.

Christy is giving away two copies of RESCUE ME. She'll also offer one copy of NO CHANCE, which is the first book in the 2010 LCR trilogy. Looking forward to next week's meeting. Hope to see you there!

In other Book Club news, thank you to Sabrina (About Happy Books blog) for featuring our book club on her blog!

If you have a book you'd like to suggest for a future meeting, contact me at marie@marieforce.com.

Book Club: Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare with a Giveaway!

From today's co-hostess, Ronlyn Howe, who suggested Extreme Exposure for today's Book Club: When I first met Pamela Clare I admit, I hadn't heard of her. So, imagine my surprise one day when I was out shopping and I came across a historical romance with her listed as the author. Once I'd read that first book I quickly hopped on Amazon and ordered everything I could find that she'd written, including the very first Romantic Suspense book to grace my heavily historical shelves, Extreme Exposure.

I'd always avoided contemporary romances, feeling, "why read it when I could live it?" Cuz, yeah, everyone I ran into and dated was a gajillion-aire with the body of a Greek God and dodged bullets while saving the girl. Isn't that how it is for everyone? *rolling my eyes* Anyhow, I was hooked from the very first scene where journalist Kara McMillan gets a bit tipsy and asks some very interesting questions of hunky State Senator Reece Sheridan...right before her best friend waltzes out of the restaurant ditching Kara (and the bill), forcing her to lean a bit on Reece for some help. The attraction is instantaneous and practically sparks from the page, despite Kara's efforts to remain aloof. Before long they're into each other, as well as a dangerous investigation, up to their necks.

Part of what makes Extreme Exposure so wonderful is the great host of complex secondary characters that you can't help but either love or loathe. Or, in the case of Tom Trent, love to hate. The introduction of the I-Team, Denver's top investigative journalists, is so catching and gripping. I never would have thought that a bunch of journalists could capture my attention and imagination.

Add to that the laugh out loud funny moments (Mr. Jiggle Stick anyone?) and I couldn't put it down. Needless to say, Pamela is the reason I started reading Romantic Suspense.

From Marie: I really enjoyed this book and quickly devoured book 2, Hard Evidence, which was also SOOOO good (and scary and heart-pounding). I'm now pretending like I don't have a book of my own due Nov. 30 as I race through Unlawful Contact. I think it's safe to say I'm hooked on the I-Team. Thanks a lot, Ronlyn. LOL! We'll definitely have to delve into some more of the I-Team books when everyone gets caught up on their reading—meaning, get reading these books! You won't be sorry! Pamela has graciously agreed to provide a copy of Hard Evidence to one lucky commenter today, and trust me when I tell you that you WANT to win this book! So tell all your friends to come on by today!

Buy Extreme Exposure here.

Buy Hard Evidence here.'

Read a great interview with Pamela Clare for more info about her writing process and inspiration. She also offers some great tips on getting published and staying published.

Visit Pamela Clare's website.

Pamela is on deadline, but she's hoping to swing by today. I understand that parts of Extreme Exposure are based on some real-life events during her tenure in the newspaper business. As a former reporter myself, I'd love to hear more about that!

Okay, now back to Ronlyn's house for the yummy stuff! As far as a menu, it was pretty obvious what I needed to serve: margaritas. And to balance out the booze, fajitas with pico de gallo and guacamole.

Pico de Gallo

½ teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced
3 large, ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2-3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

1. On a cutting board, sprinkle the salt over the garlic. Mash to a paste with the flat side of a heavy knife.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mashed garlic, the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapenos, and lime juice. Refrigerate at least ½ hour before serving to allow all the flavors to blend.

Guacamole

2 avocados-peeled, pitted & diced
1 tomato, diced (roma works best)
½ onion, diced
1 serrano chile pepper, seeded and minced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3 drops hot sauce
6 cilantro leaves, minced
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Combine everything in a bowl and mix. Pour lime juice over the top, serve immediately.

Fajitas

I don't really have a recipe for fajitas. I just chop some meat (either chicken or steak), and toss it in a pan to cook. I'll season it with some chili powder and cumin. In another pan I'll sauté some chopped onion, bell peppers, sometimes adding sliced jalapenos. Once the meat is cooked through I'll add the veggies to that pan. Then it's a dish however much you want onto warmed flour tortillas, topping with sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

Margaritas-either on the rocks or blended. With salt of course. Enjoy!

Gratitude

How did it get to be Thanksgiving week already? In my mind, it's still Fourth of July, but the calendar tells me I need to get caught up. One of the things I love best about Thanksgiving—other than the apple pie, pumpkin bread and STUFFING—is the opportunity it gives us all to take a moment remember all the reasons we have to be grateful. My gratitude list this year is a cornucopia of family, friends, readers, books, community and a darling puppy named Brandy who has brought such joy and laughter to my life this year. So without further ado, here is my 2010 gratitude list. Please give me your list in the comments. I'd love to hear it!

1. My Family
This one is rather obvious, of course, but I have been blessed with the loveliest of families. This past weekend, Dan and I had the supreme joy of watching our Emily shine once again on stage. At 15, she is a gifted actress, and I believe her talent is going to take her as far as she wants to go. As she races toward adulthood, there's not a single thing about her we would change (well, except for the landfill she calls a bedroom). And then there is our buddy Jake, 12 years old and into every sport there is. He's recently taken on hockey and is turning into quite the skater. We're proud of him for working harder in school and taking on new challenges for himself by venturing into hockey. We feel very lucky to have two outgoing, personable kids who make us laugh (often inappropriately—they get that from their father, I swear!) and make us proud every day. Dan will tell you that I got lucky in the husband department with "one of the good ones." Don't tell him that I agree. I do have to live with him, you know! In addition to my fabulous foursome here at home, I also am grateful for the continued good health of my dad, who as many of you know is truly one of my BFFs. We are also surrounded by an enormous extended family on both sides, including my unruly posse of cousins (speaking of inappropriate laughter: churches, funeral homes, weddings—nothing is off limits).

2. My Friends
I have the best-est friends—the ones I see every day, the ones I keep up with from afar and all the new ones I've never met in person but who've become such a big part of my life. I'm grateful for the group of high school classmates who've become later-in-life friends, and I so enjoy the time we get to spend together with our families. I said to one of them recently: old friends who are new friends are the best friends, and that is SO true.

3. My Job
I love my day job! In January, I'll mark 15 years as the communications director for AGA. I work with and for great people promoting the worthwhile cause of advancing government accountability. I get to work on all sorts of fun stuff every day, and it's still interesting and challenging after all these years.

4. My Books
Well, 2010 has been quite the year! Did I really sign three contracts with Harlequin or did I dream that? I'm so very pleased and grateful for the success of my Fatal Series. After a tumultuous run (read more about that here) the Fatal Series has a found a home at Harlequin's Carina Press. I'm delighted that Fatal Affair will be released in print by Harlequin in July 2011. Also coming in 2011:
Jan. 3: Fatal Justice
Feb. 1: Everyone Loves a Hero
July 1: Fatal Affair in print
July: Fatal Consequences
October: Fatal Destiny
In addition, I've begun offering some of my other books to readers via Amazon and Smashwords. The first of these is True North, which I posted this week. Here's a brief synopsis:
The first time Travis North lays eyes on Liana McDermott, she's wearing the most hideous bridesmaid dress he's ever seen. He doesn't immediately recognize the world-famous super model who is attending her cousin Enid's wedding at the country club he owns. Thanks to Enid's shameless matchmaking, Travis and Liana become acquainted and later embark on a two-week fling intended to be free of emotion and entanglement. As Liana's return to work gets closer, however, Travis wonders how he'll ever let her go when the time comes while Liana considers whether he might be her true north. Two high-powered careers, two amazing weeks and a love that comes along just once in a lifetime. Is she ready to give up her career for a different kind of life? Does he want the same things she does? After insisting on an emotionless affair, she can't very well ask him. Or can she?

5. My Readers
I can't say enough about how much I love my readers. So many of you have become close friends and provide me with endless entertainment and laughter. Hanging out on Facebook with y'all has been so much fun, and I'm thrilled that we formed the book club so we can dish on our favorite subjects, romance and Oreos, every week. It's not lost on me that 2010 turned into such a great year because of so many of you and your support of my books. I KNEW there were readers out there who would love a romance series featuring the same couple in every book. Thank you for proving I was right about that and for embracing Sam and Nick the way you have. I hope you'll enjoy the next books in the series, coming soon!

6. My Dog
Brandy came to live with us on March 16, and for a while there we wondered if she'd blend into our family. Well, rest assured she has more than blended in. She has become an essential part of us, and I couldn't love her more. After losing Consuela last year, I wondered if I could ever love another dog. When Brandy was first here, I tried to protect myself from falling in love again. That didn't work out so well, to say the least. She has wormed her way into my heart (and my bed) and now I can't imagine life without the little devil. One of my favorite things about Brandy is how besotted my dad is with her. She brings him joy. That brings me joy.

7. Oreos
I don't drink. I don't smoke. I probably eat too many Oreos. I'm okay with that.

Now, let me hear your list! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Book Club: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

The best part of promoting this delightful book this week was learning how to type the word irresistible correctly the first time. Took a while, but I think I've got it. Who knew irresistible was one of my uh-oh words? Let me say that Jill had me in chapter 1 with salt and vinegar potato chips. If they didn't taste so yucky with Oreos, I would've brought some to this week's meeting. I agree with Jill's character Maddie: they do cure a WORLD of hurts. Not sure if it's the vinegar, the chips or the salt—perhaps all three—but they rank right up there with Oreos as one of my favorite food groups. Speaking of Oreos, I haven't seen Mr. Oreo today. Must rectify that... Anyway, about the book...

My co-hostess this week is Kris Gilson, who suggested this book and invited Jill to join us today. So, without further ado, here's Kris with some thoughts about the book and a couple of yummy-sounding recipes!

I loved reading Simply Irresistible. Jill's books always have a great blend of humor and sweetness. Our heroine, Maddie, is just out of a bad relationship, her life is in the toilet, and she doesn't want to be involved with any man. But she can't help but gravitate toward Jax. I love those characters who, when they're around that one person, they just can't think straight or keep their resolve.

As the story progresses, we learn more about Jax and how he found himself in the position of turning into a type of person he didn't want to be and made some serious changes. I couldn't help but fall in love with him, too! He is such a sweet, caring, and protective man, always helping out those in need and giving back to his community.

My favorite scene is when Jax is on the jet ski to bring in the shrimp boat parade and it is freezing out. The person who guesses the right number of shrimp gets to kiss the Mayor (Jax) and a bunch of townspeople submit Maddie's name mulitple times in an effort to get her to win. She is mad at Jax from a fight the previous night, but kissed him anyway and then whispers that it could have been Lucille (one of the older women in town) kissing him. I just thought that was a funny scene and Maddie saying Lucille could have won in her place was a pretty laugh-out-loud ending.

I also really liked it when Jax was chopping wood for Maddie and she makes him go shirtless just so she can ogle him. Now that left me with some smokin' hot images!

Maddie had known that Jax was keeping stuff from her and she shows her anger and hurt at him for doing that. But, when all the secrets come out, she seems more easily forgiving of her sister. I thought that she should have been a little angry at her sister for at least a little bit. What did you think: was it typical of Maddie's character to easily forgive her sister or would you have expected her to show her anger and hurt similar to how she reacted with Jax? Let's hear what you thought of the book!

Because I rarely entertain and being a part of this book club is very special to me, I'm making my favorite goat cheese pizza. AND of course, in honor of both Marie and Jill, what would this book club be without cookies??? The triple chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies are fabulous with plenty of chocolate (did you see the word "triple"!!!), but also some cranberry and oatmeal so you can convince yourself they're HEALTHY!!!

Shiitake and Chanterelle Pizzas with Goat Cheese Dough
• 2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour or bread flour
• 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour or bread flour
• 3 tablespoons vital wheat gluten flour or bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Additional unbleached all purpose flour (for kneading and shaping)

Topping
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing
• 6 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, thinly sliced
• 6 ounces fresh chanterelle mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (packed) coarsely grated whole-milk mozzarella cheese
• 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 ounces chilled soft fresh goat cheese, coarsely crumbled
• 2 tablespoons sliced fresh chives
For dough:
Combine all flours, coarse salt, and sugar in processor. Stir 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water and yeast in 2-cup measuring cup. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons oil. With machine running, pour yeast-oil mixture through feed tube. Blend until ball of slightly sticky dough forms, about 1 minute.
Transfer dough to lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if very sticky, about 5 minutes. Rub with 1/2 tablespoon oil; place in resealable 1-gallon plastic bag. Seal bag. Let dough rise at room temperature until doubled, about 2 hours. Open bag; punch down dough in bag. Reseal. Chill overnight, punching down occasionally. Divide into thirds. DO AHEAD Wrap pieces separately; freeze up to 1 week. Thaw 2 pieces in refrigerator before continuing. Let 2 wrapped pieces stand at room temperature 1 hour before shaping.
For topping:
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sprinkle with salt. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, cover, and chill.
Sprinkle 2 large sheets of parchment with flour. Roll out 2 dough pieces, each on separate parchment sheet, to 10-inch rounds, letting dough rest a few minutes if springing back. Brush with oil; sprinkle each with 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan. Top with mushrooms, then dot with goat cheese. DO AHEAD Slide pizzas on parchment onto baking sheets; cover with plastic. Chill up to 4 hours. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
Position 1 rack in bottom third and1 rack in top third of oven; place heavy baking sheet on each and preheat oven to 450°F for at least 30 minutes. Slide 1 pizza on parchment onto each hot baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes; reverse sheets. Bake pizzas until crusts are brown at edges and on bottom, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chives.

Triple-Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries

2 ounces milk chocolate or white chocolate, chopped (for drizzling)

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in large bowl until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture and oats and stir until blended. Stir in all chocolate chips and cranberries.

Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until edges are light brown, about 16 minutes. Cool on sheets 5 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool completely.

Stir chopped milk chocolate in top of double boiler until melted and smooth. Using small spoon, drizzle melted chocolate over cookies in zigzag pattern. Let stand until milk chocolate sets, about 1 hour. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)

Ready for Book Club Tomorrow? And, Announcing Next Week's Book!

Tomorrow, my co-hostess Kris Gilson and I welcome Jill Shalvis to Book Club to discuss her book Simply Irresistible. We're really looking forward to a lively discussion about this fun contemporary! Kris has included some AMAZING recipes that will have your mouth watering, so make sure you come by and check them out and let us know what you thought of the book!

Next week, we'll start in on Pamela Clare's I-Team Series, which a favorite of co-hostess Ronlyn Howe. The first book in the series, Extreme Exposure, was a 2005 Daphne du Maurier Finalist. Ronlyn wants to get us all caught up before the next book in the series releases in 2011. NOTE: Due to Thanksgiving in the U.S., we'll hold Book Club on Friday, Nov. 26, this week only.

About the Book
It's been years since her child's father dumped her, and since then investigative reporter Kara McMillan has kept men at bay—although every day she aches more for a lover's touch. But to get that, the hard-boiled journalist must become vulnerable—a feeling she vowed never to have again.

With his dangerous good looks, charm, and power, Senator Reece Sheridan could have just about any woman he sets his piercing eyes on. But he's intrigued by only one. This Kara, this gutsy investigative reporter, has a sensuality that arouses him to no end. If she's a firebrand in print, he guesses, she must be just as fiery in bed…

But this is no fling. A sudden political scandal—and attempts on Kara's life—could very well drive them apart. Or maybe, just maybe, adversity could draw them into a bond even more intense than their steamy sexual embraces…

I'm really looking forward to this one! Hey, know anyone else who has written a book with a senator hero? Hmmm! Look forward to chatting with you all about it on the 26th. See you there!

Have a book you'd like to share? Sign up to be my co-hostess. Email me at marie@marieforce.com to get your favorite books on the schedule!

Next Week's Book: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Join us Thursday, November 18, for our second Book Club meeting where we'll discuss Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis. I'm pleased to report that Jill has agreed to come by and take your questions and participate in our chat. Yay! We open for chatting at 6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, and go all day until we run out of stuff to say. Best part of our online book club? Haven't read the book yet? No problem! Read it when you get around to it and pop back in to restart the chat. We're always ready to talk about books we love! See you there!


About Next Week's Book:

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

Come early, stay late! We'll be open all day Thursday for discussion about the book, about food (Oreos are always welcome) and boys. We like boys.

Romance & Oreos First Meeting: Happy Ever After

Welcome fellow romance novel and Oreo lovers. I'm so glad we've decided to form a book club to talk about our favorite things: romance novels served with a plate of Oreos and your choice of beverage. Our first book was the delightful Happy Ever After, book four in Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet. I've been eagerly anticipating this one, because I've loved the uptight, anal-retentive Parker in the previous three books and was looking forward to Parker Brown of the Connecticut Browns getting her Happy Ever After.

As with the first three books, I enjoyed spending time with the four life-long friends, their assortment of men and the lovely housekeeper Mrs. Grady. The Brown estate, the girls' home as well as home to the Vows wedding business the four women founded, is a comfy place to pull up a sofa and settle in for a cozy contemporary romance. As in the first three books, Nora gives us a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the wedding business and all the accompanying issues the wedding planner and her friends—the photographer, florist and cake maker—encounter. I'd also been eagerly awaiting Parker's romance with bad-boy-with-a-good-heart Malcolm Kavanaugh, who we met in earlier books.

What I Loved
Seeing Parker tricked out on a Harley was fun. Watching her encounter something she couldn't seem to control—her growing feelings for Mal—was engaging, right down to her rapport with his mother and her attempts to get him to reveal more of himself to her. She wants real intimacy, she says at one point, and until he's prepared to tell her about his difficult past, she worries that they won't get there. Watching them figure out their relationship as the ladies prepare for the first of their own weddings made for a couple of late nights reading.

I love the tradition of each friend having her moment with the perfect wedding dress Parker finds for them. And the moment at the end when the girls surprise Parker with her perfect wedding dress was also memorable.

Left Wanting
Upon reflecting on the book and the series, there were a few things I would've liked to have seen included. For one, I realllllly wish Mac's mother Linda had done something at Mac's wedding to force Parker and Kay Kavanaugh to have to work together to get her out of there. I also thought it was odd that after Parker went to the trouble to bring Mac's dad in for the wedding, we never got to see him face off with the unpleasant Linda. That would've been cool.

I would've liked to have known more about what happened to the Brown parents (maybe I missed that somewhere...) But I was waiting for the scene where Parker bares her soul to Mal about losing her parents and what happened that day. I would've liked to have heard about that from her point-of-view.

I would've liked a moment alone with the previous three couples in book four, just to see them in their happy ever afters.

Those are my thoughts. What did you think? I'll pop in and out during the day to share a few of my favorite lines. Have fun and remember, be kind to my fellow author, even if she is the No. 1 bestselling author in the world. :-) To get the discussion started, tell me, are you Mac, an Emma, a Laurel or a Parker?

On the Buffet Table
Now, if I was having ya'll over for book club, here's what we'd have:
Some Oreos (of course), wine (of course), a number of alternative beverages...

Two of my favorite appetizers:

Artichoke Dip
2 cans artichoke hearts, sliced and diced
1 cup (or more) of mayo
3 cloves of minced garlic
Mix all that, sprinkle grated cheese on top and bake at 400 for about 20 minutes. I usually serve that with Triscuits

Buffalo Chicken Dip
1 lb cooked chicken
1 small bottle of blue cheese salad dressing
2 TBS of buffalo sauce
1/2 pkg of shredded cheddar cheese
(some people also add cream cheese to this, but I like it without)
Heat at 350 for about 20 minutes and serve with Scoops

Enjoy!