Kris Bock's Blog, page 33

Cherry Scone #Christmas #Recipe from the Cat Café sweet #MFRWhooks

The recipe below is something my mother made on Christmas morning for many years. We have it for breakfast along with Mexican hot chocolate. My cat café series features a bakery and two fantastic bakers. So of course I mentioned cherry scones in the second novel Kisses and Kittens at the Cat Café (available soon!).

Cherry Scone Recipe
This recipe also works well with dried cranberries or currents.
½ cup dried cherries, cranberries, or currentsapple juice or grape juice (about ½ cup) 2 cups flour¼ cup sugar½ tsp baking soda2 tsp baking powder½ tsp salt½ tsp nutmeg¼ cup cold butter1 egg½ cup plain yogurt (full-fat preferred)1 tsp. lemon or orange zest
Preheat oven to 375°. Soak cherries in juice for at least 10 minutes while you mix other ingredients.Mix the flour and ¼ cup of the sugar. Blend in the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture has fine crumbs. Stir in the egg, yogurt, and zest. Drain the cherries or other dried fruit well. Mix them in.Spray a baking sheet lightly with oil. Turn the dough onto the baking sheet. Pat it down into a 9-inch circle. Cut the dough into 8 wedges. Separate them slightly. You may sprinkle with additional sugar if you want them to sparkle a bit.Bake until golden and firm, about 20 minutes. Serve warm with butter … or clotted cream, orange marmalade, or jam.
Kittens and Kisses at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet #RomanceA single mother with a nine-year-old son. A younger man who has loved her forever. A box of orphaned kittens. Can they become a family?
Adam has loved Marley a decade, since he was 13, and she was his best friend’s free-spirited older sister. Now he’s 24, and the five-year age gap isn’t so serious. But will she ever see him as more than the kid from down the street?
Marley has protected her heart since the father of her child disappeared. Most men aren’t worth the trouble, and who has the time to date anyway? She’s a baker at the new Furrever Friends Cat Café, which is still trying to find its footing. Her nine-year-old son, Brian, loves animals but can’t have any pets as long as they live with Marley’s allergic mother. And now someone’s posted a flyer for a singing contest. She gave up that dream long ago, didn’t she?
Adam has always wanted to fight dragons for Marley. When someone drops a box of week-old kittens at the café, Adam jumps at the chance to be a hero. But caring for five needy kittens might be tougher than fighting any dragon, especially when two of them fail to thrive. Can Adam, Marley, and Brian, save the kittens and become a family?
Excerpt: Marley touched the kitten that had orange and white swirls. “Curled up like this, he looks like a cinnamon bun.”
“Mom, that one’s a girl.”
“Fine, she looks like a cinnamon bun.”
“That’s a good name,” Adam said. “Cinnamon Bun.”
They looked at him. Did they think it was stupid?
“Come on,” he said, “Cinnamon Bun is a cute name for a cat, especially one that turned up at a bakery.” He nudged Brian. “But it’s up to you.”
Brian gently scooped up the kitten in both hands and held it six inches from his face. “Cinnamon Bun.” His brows drew together as he studied the sleepy little face. “She likes it.”
“Excellent,” Marley said. “I’ll be able to remember this one and recognize her from her pattern. One down, four to go. Should we keep the bakery theme? We could call them, let’s see … Brownie, Lemon Bar, Scone, Muffin?”
Brian scrunched up his nose. “Not Muffin.”
Marley propped one hand on her hip. “Oh, you’re okay with Lemon Bar and Scone, but you draw the line at Muffin?”
Brian giggled. “I didn’t say the other names were okay.” He put Cinnamon Bun back in the box and studied the other kittens. “Maybe Brownie for this one.” He picked up the black kitten and gave it the same close scrutiny. “Yes, Brownie.”
Adam touched a kitten that was mostly black but with a white patch on the back, kind of like a saddle. He might have suggested an equestrian name, but the baked goods theme seemed to be working. “This one looks like a chocolate cupcake with white frosting. How about Cupcake?”
Over the next few minutes, they settled on Cupcake, along with Sugar Cookie (Sugar for short) for the white kitten with specks of tan, and Peanut Butter Cookie (Cookie for short) for the one with a light brown pattern.
“Okay.” Marley blew out a breath and pushed the curls off her forehead. “We have Cinnamon Bun, Brownie, Cupcake, Cookie, and Sugar.” She touched each of the kittens in turn. “I might forget and you’ll have to remind me, okay? I might accidentally call them Rocky Road and Banana Nut and Croissant. And of course, Muffin.”
Brian snickered. “It’s only five kittens, Mom.”
Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read! 
Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance What do you do when you meet the guy of your dreams? Set him up with your sister, of course.
Kari doesn't have time for love when she's opening her new cat café. Renovating an old restaurant, hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats – keeps her plenty busy. She's doing this for the cats, the community, and most of all her family. The café will give her sister, Marley, a job worthy of her baking skills.
Then a tattooed military vet wanders in claiming to be a master baker himself. The café doesn't need another baker, but maybe Marley needs a man. Surely she'll fall for a guy this sweet, this sexy, this tasty.
Colin has other ideas. It's Kari who makes him want to pour on the sugar and turn up the heat. But he's spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he really ready for a relationship? He's not even sure he should commit to Samson, the fluffy marshmallow of a cat who steals his heart.
Get this sweet romance on Amazon, or free with Kindle Unlimited. Kris Bockwrites novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.
Kris also writes romantic suspense set in the Southwestern U.S. If you love Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Sign up for Kris Bock’s newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more. Visit the Kris Bock website or Kris Bock’s Amazon page.

#Holiday Gift Guide: Romance, Romance, #Romance for #Christmas

Are you buying a gift for a romance lover? Or would you like a quick vacation in the pages of a book, to get you through the busy holiday season? Try one of these Kris Bock titles.

Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance
What do you do when you meet the guy of your dreams? Set him up with your sister, of course.
Kari doesn't have time for love when she's opening her new cat café. She’s busy hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats. She's doing this for the cats, the community, and her family. The café will give her sister, Marley, a job worthy of her baking skills.
Then a tattooed military vet wanders in claiming he’s a master baker. Surely Marley will fall for a guy this sweet, this sexy, this tasty.
Colin has other ideas. It's Kari who makes him want to turn up the heat. But he's spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he really ready for a relationship? He's not even sure he should commit to Samson, the sweet Siamese cat who steals his heart.
Get this sweet romance on Amazon, or free with Kindle Unlimited.Romantic Adventures for Adults
The Mad Monk’s Treasure   - When a quiet history professor uncovers a clue to the legendary lost Victorio Peak treasure, she prepares for adventure. But she’s not the only one interested. Is the handsome pilot who rescued her a hero or the enemy? “The story has it all—action, romance, danger, intrigue….”
The Dead Man’s Treasure  – Rebecca Westin’s grandfather left her a buried treasure – if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. Her half-siblings are determined to reach the treasure first. Good thing Rebecca has help, in the form of a green-eyed charmer determined to make their desert adventure sexy and fun. But a treacherous enemy will do anything to get that treasure – and revenge.
Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve. The Dead Man’s Treasure is book 2 in the New Mexico treasure hunters series. In book 3,  The Skeleton Canyon Treasure , sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. (Each book features a different hero and heroine, and stands alone.)

Counterfeits  – Jenny returns to her grandparents’ art camp in a remote New Mexico town after her grandmother’s sudden death. That night, staying alone in the empty house, she wakes to the noise of intruders. What do the strangers want? As more bizarre events unfold, Jenny starts to realize the people she thought she knew are not what they seem – least of all Rob, an old friend and the camp cook, whose past may be coming back to haunt them all.

What We Found –  When Audra stumbles on a murdered woman in the woods, more than one person isn’t happy about her bringing the crime to light. She’ll have to stand up for herself in order to stand up for the murder victim. It’s a risk, and so is reaching out to the mysterious young man who works with deadly birds of prey. But with danger all around, some risks are worth taking. Whispers in the Dark  – Kylie Hafford craves adventure when she heads to the remote Puebloan ruins of Lost Valley, Colorado, to excavate. Romance isn’t in her plans, but she soon meets two sexy men: Danesh looks like a warrior from the Pueblo’s ancient past, and Sean is a charming, playful tourist. The summer heats up as Kylie uncovers mysteries, secrets, and terrors in the night. She’ll need all her strength and wits to survive—and to save the man she’s come to love.
Read excerpts at www.krisbock.comor visit the Kris Bock Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.
You can see my other posts for Fun Books for Children #KidLit, Picture Books for Children and Nonfiction – Writing, Cooking and More!

A #Recipe from the Cat Café: Bacon Nut Brittle #MFRWhooks

My cat café series features a bakery and two fantastic bakers. So of course I must share recipes! The one below is perfect for people who like a little savory with their sweets. It's a nice gift for bacon-lovers who don't need a lot of stuff for the holidays. This will disappear in no time!
Bacon Nut Brittle RecipeCrunchy, salty, smoky, savory, and sweet. This combination of flavors makes for an unusual treat! You can use whatever nuts you prefer. If someone has nut allergies, use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead (or a vegan "bacon" alternative). If you don't eat pork, skip the bacon and try a mixture of different nuts and seeds to provide a variety of flavors and textures.
1/2 cup bacon crumbles (buy real bacon crumbles, or cook and cool 8 slices of thick cut, smoked bacon)1/2 cup water2 cups sugar1 stick unsalted butter1/3 cup light corn syrup1/2 teaspoon baking soda12 ounces roasted salted cashews1 teaspoon vanillacoarse salt
1.  Cook the bacon until crispy, cool, and chop into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch pieces.2.  Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spray the stirring end of a large, heat-proof spoon as well. 3.  In a large saucepan, combine the following: water, sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Safety Warning: The heated mixture gets very hot and sticky. Do not let it touch your skin!
4.  Attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Cook the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally. Cook to 300°F (adjusted for altitude if necessary), about 10 minutes. The caramel should be the color of a paper bag. Drizzle a bit of caramel from your spoon, and it should spin out a thread. 5.  Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully stir in the baking soda. This will cause the mixture to bubble. 6.  Stir in the nuts, vanilla, and bacon. 7.  Immediately pour the brittle onto the baking sheet. Use the back of the spoon to spread the brittle into a thin, even layer. 8.  Sprinkle with the coarse salt. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes. 9.  Break the brittle into large shards. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month.
Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance
What do you do when you meet the guy of your dreams? Set him up with your sister, of course.
Kari doesn't have time for love when she's opening her new cat café. Renovating an old restaurant, hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats – keeps her plenty busy. She's doing this for the cats, the community, and most of all her family. The café will give her sister, Marley, a job worthy of her baking skills.
Then a tattooed military veteran wanders in claiming to be a master baker himself. The café doesn't need another baker, but maybe Marley needs a man. Surely she'll fall for a guy this sweet, this sexy, this tasty.
Colin has other ideas. It's Kari who makes him want to pour on the sugar and turn up the heat. But he's spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he really ready for a relationship? He's not even sure he should commit to Samson, the fluffy marshmallow of a cat who steals his heart.
Get this sweet romance on Amazon, or free with Kindle Unlimited.


Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read!  Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.
Kris also writes romantic suspense set in the Southwestern U.S. If you love Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Sign up for Kris Bock’s newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more. Visit the Kris Bock website or Kris Bock’s Amazon page.

Plumbing Problems at Christmas? A #holiday #romance from @VickiBatman

Well, stuff happens. Plumbing problems come when we least expect them. I know I’ve been there, and I’m betting many of you have as well.
So why write plumbing into a holiday story? Like most writers, I’ve been asked where I get ideas. The idea to write about a Mr. Maintenance Man and a librarian hit me. I needed some catastrophe to bring them together, and voila! Plumbing.
I’ve also been asked if some of the things I’ve written about have happened in real life. And yes, they have. In “Holiday Disaster,” I write about a lost contact. When I was a single girl, this really did happen to me, except the maintenance man was in no way like my hero. No tool belt either.
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced plumbing problems. For example, the sewer backed up in my basement the day after a wedding reception held at my house. The plumber, my real-life hero, Roger, climbed on the roof to snake the drain through the vent. I’ve had pipes freeze, and again, Roger fixed everything. I’ve had potato peelings back up in the sink, and yes, Roger rescued me.
This past summer, Handsome and I traveled to Tuscany and stayed in an old farmhouse. A huge thunderstorm blew in and stayed for a whole day, which was great for reading and stitching. Then the power went out. Okay, not so bad. I had packed a book light. However, then the truth revealed itself—no electricity equaled no plumbing because the septic pump was … powered by electricity.
So yes, real life can provide fodder for books.
Here’s a bit about “Holiday Disaster”:
Hopes and wishes and holiday kisses...Sommerville holidays.
Days before Christmas, a librarian experiences plumbing issues and visits from Mr. Maintenance Man, who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus.


Merry Christmas to me. Not really.
Wrapping my hands around the older-than-time plumbing underneath my bathroom sink, I yanked, hoping-praying-hoping the darn thing would loosen, and all would be saved. But no. Nada. Too darn tight.
Obviously, somebody more muscular than me was required to strong-arm the pipe free. My shoulders hunched with helpless feelings. I should have closed the drain stopper to prevent my contact from swirling merrily away after it popped out of my eye and flew in the sink.
Feeling helpless sucks big time, and I hate it.
Not a great way to kick off the holiday season.
I should have paid more attention when Dad donned his Mr. Fix-it hat and repaired stuff in the family homestead. Maybe I would have learned something valuable, something resembling Plumbing 101. But like most little girls, playtime was ten times more fun than hanging with Dad and repairing broken stuff.
What to do. What to do.Nothing I could do. I declared “surrender” and called the condo’s emergency number. Mr. Maintenance Man told me he was on his way. I hoped he wasn’t humoring me. Lying—my number one enemy.

Vicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, three romantic comedy mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up some awards and bestsellers. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking, "What if??"
Find Vicki Batman at:Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/mor... Blog: http://www.vickibatman.blogspot.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Batman...  Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/    Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/    Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickiba...    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vicki... vickilbatman     

I hope your holidays are disaster-free and may your days be Merry & Bright!

#Romance and #Suspense Free! The Mad Monk’s Treasure

The Mad Monk’s Treasureby Kris BockFree until 12/2!
Genre: Romantic SuspenseBook heat level: PG (no explicit sex or swearing, action scenes with mild violence)
Praise for The Mad Monk’s Treasure:
“The action never stopped .... It was adventure and romance at its best.”
“Great balance of history, romance, and adventure. Smart romance with an ‘Indiana Jones’ feel. Well-written with an attention to detail that allowed me to picture exactly in my head how a scene looked and played out.”
“I couldn’t put this book down. You’ll love it.”

Get it here: Kris Bock at AmazonExcerpt:
   What better way to spend the summer, than hunting for buried treasure?
   Erin shook her head. Who would’ve thought that she, the quiet, studious girl who’d spent her entire adult life in academia in one way or another, would be planning such an adventure?
   She checked that the front door was locked, a habit left over from living in bigger cities, grabbed her bike helmet, and went out the back.
   Erin wheeled the bike around the front of her house and mounted. At the corner, she paused and looked both ways. The long frontage road was dangerously narrow, with a cement wall on one side and a ditch on the other. Fortunately, traffic was normally light, and at this time of day the road lay empty. Erin pushed off, still grinning from her find. She rode on the right side, by the ditch, instead of facing traffic, because it was just too frightening to ride alongside the wall when a car passed.
   She’d gone a block when she heard the hum of a car engine as it pulled out from a side street behind her. She rode along the very edge of the pavement, even though the car would have plenty of room to pass her without oncoming traffic.
   Erin glanced over her shoulder. The black SUV 20 feet behind her hadn’t bothered to pull out into the road at all. Jerk. When would drivers learn to share the road with bicyclists? Erin pulled onto the two-foot wide gravel strip between the pavement and the ditch. She couldn’t stop without risking a skid, but she slowed so the SUV could pass.
   The engine roared. Erin glanced back again.
   Black metal bore down on her. Her heart lurched and the bike wobbled. This guy was crazy! She whipped her gaze forward, rose up in the seat, and pumped the pedals with all her power, skimming along inches from the ditch. He was just trying to scare her. She’d get his license plate and—
   She felt the bumper hit her back tire. The bike seemed to leap into the air, and she went flying. The dried mud and weeds of the ditch seemed to rise up to meet her.
   She didn’t even have time to scream.
The Mad Monk’s Treasure , a fun romp through the Southwest, is free on Kindle until December 2. Check it out, and if you like it, please leave a review (and maybe try some of my other books too).
Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes.  The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. Each book stands alone with a couple who reaches their happy ending.
Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

A #Christmas #Recipe from the Cat Café: Rocky Road Fudge Bars #MFRWHooks

Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance by Kris Bock
What do you do when you meet the guy of your dreams? Set him up with your sister, of course.
Kari doesn't have time for love when she's opening her new cat café. Renovating an old restaurant, hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats – keeps her plenty busy. She's doing this for the cats, the community, and most of all her family. The café will give her sister, Marley, a job worthy of her baking skills.
Then a tattooed military vet wanders in claiming to be a master baker himself. The café doesn't need another baker, but maybe Marley needs a man. Surely she'll fall for a guy this sweet, this sexy, this tasty.
Colin has other ideas. It's Kari who makes him want to pour on the sugar and turn up the heat. But he's spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he really ready for a relationship? He's not even sure he should commit to Samson, the fluffy marshmallow of a cat who steals his heart.
Get this sweet romance on Amazon, or free with Kindle Unlimited.
This book is set at a café with its own bakery, so of course we have recipes! If you love chocolate and dense, chewy brownies, this will be a winner.
ROCKY ROAD FUDGE BARS
NOTE: frosting must be ready when bars come out of oven. Makes 3 to 4 dozen bars.
BAR: ½ cup margarine or butter 1 square (1 oz.) unsweetened chocolate 1 cup sugar 1 cup flour ½ to 1 cup chopped nuts 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs
FILLING:8 oz. cream cheese, softened (reserve 2 oz. for frosting)½ cup sugar2 tablespoons flour1/4 c. margarine, softened1 egg½ teaspoon vanilla1/4 cup chopped nuts6 oz. (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
FROSTING: 2 cups miniature marshmallows¼ cup margarine or butter1 square (1 oz.) unsweetened chocolate2 oz. reserved cream cheese1/4 cup milk3 cups powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla
o   Heat oven to 350°. Grease with butter (not oil) a 13 x 9 inch pan and sprinkle it with flour. o   In large saucepan over low heat, melt ½ cup margarine and 1 square chocolate. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add remaining Bar ingredients; mix well. Spread in prepared pan. o   In small bowl, combine 6 ounces cream cheese with next 5 Filling ingredients. Beat 1 minute at medium speed until smooth and fluffy; stir in nuts. o   Spread filling over chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; sprinkle with marshmallows. Bake 2 minutes longer. o   While bars are baking: In large saucepan, over low heat, melt 1/4 cup butter or margarine, 1 square chocolate, remaining 2 ounces cream cheese, and milk. o   Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Immediately pour over marshmallows and swirl together. o   Cool. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read! 

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.
Kris also writes romantic suspense set in the Southwestern U.S. If you love Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Sign up for Kris Bock’s newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more. Visit the Kris Bock website or Kris Bock’s Amazon page.

A #Recipe from the Cat Café: Thumbprint Cookies #MFRWHooks

Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance is now available free for review – click here to claim your review copy (Kindle, ePub, or PDF).
Since I'm writing about a café, of course I mention recipes. Here's a favorite. These cookies are easy to make, looks pretty, and people adore them. Since you add the toppings after baking, you can easily do several varieties – I like lemon curd or lime curd, jam, and ginger spread.
Baked cookies with lime curd and apricot jamThumbprint Cookies
These pretty cookies are perfect for a party. Get several different types of jam in bright colors. What else could you use in place of jam? How about a small square of cream cheese or a small piece of soft caramel candy? Or try a few chocolate chips for chocolate thumbprints.
You can even press a chocolate kiss or miniature peanut butter cup into the cookie. In that case, bake the cookies 10 to 12 minutes first, until they are done. Once you add the candy, do not bake them anymore.
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature2/3 cup sugar1 large egg yolk1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/4 cups flour1/2 teaspoon salt6 ounces jam, any flavor
    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a cookie sheet, or use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.    Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium-high speed.       Separate the egg yolk from the white. Reserve the egg white for another use. Beat the egg yolk and vanilla extract into the batter. Add the flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together in a ball.    Scoop up spoonfuls of dough and form them into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on the cookie sheet at least two inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your thumb or the back of a small spoon. You want an indentation in the center, like a little bowl.    Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until bottoms barely start to turn golden. Remove the baking sheet from oven.    Use the back of a spoon to press the indentations in a little more. Fill each one with about 1/2 teaspoon jam. Bake for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, so the jam or chocolate melts slightly and the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden.    Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.Tip: Use two spoons for the jam. Scoop the jam with one spoon. Then use the back of the other spoon to slide the jam onto the cookie.


Coffee and Crushes atthe Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance
What do you do when you meet the guy of your dreams? Set him up with your sister, of course.
Kari doesn't have time for love when she's opening her new cat café. Renovating an old restaurant, hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats – keeps her plenty busy. She's doing this for the cats, the community, and most of all her family. The café will give her sister, Marley, a job worthy of her baking skills.
Then a tattooed military vet wanders in claiming to be a master baker himself. The café doesn't need another baker, but maybe Marley needs a man. Surely she'll fall for a guy this sweet, this sexy, this tasty.

Colin has other ideas. It's Kari who makes him want to pour on the sugar and turn up the heat. But he's spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he really ready for a relationship? He's not even sure he should commit to Samson, the fluffy marshmallow of a cat who steals his heart.

Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read!

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.
Kris also writes romantic suspense set in the Southwestern U.S. If you love Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter  for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Espresso Brownie #Recipe from Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Sweet #Romance by @Kris_Bock #MRFWhooks

Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café is set at a café with its own bakery, so of course we have recipes! 

In the book, Kari is opening a cat café with an in-house bakery. When a master baker shows up, Kari thinks he might be perfect for her sister, Marley. But Kari's heart has other plans. Here's a quick excerpt with the sisters. (Brian is Marley's nine-year-old son.)
Kari unwrapped an espresso brownie.
“Ahem.” Marley tapped the plate. “These are for paying customers.”
“Put it on my tab.” Kari took a bite. “I skipped breakfast.”
“Then this will really calm you down.” Marley shrugged and took one for herself.
“When I met Colin, I thought he might be good for you,” Kari said. “At first, I was thinking about a fun romance. As I got to know him …”
“You fell for him yourself.”
“No. Well, yes. But I meant I still thought you two should be together, only something more serious. I want you to be happy.”
“I want to be happy,” Marley said. “I am happy. More now than I have been in ages. I have a job I love. My son is getting more independent and turning into a cool human being. I have a loving sister and mother. I have a great new friend. What more could I ask for?”
Kari brushed brownie crumbs from her lips. “A partner?”
“Sure, that would be nice, but I’ve gotten along without one for this long. If the right guy shows up, and it works with Brian in my life, I won’t turn him away. But I don’t need a man.”
“Of course you don’t. No one does. Still.”
“Still, they do round out a life nicely, if you get the right one.” Marley took a bite of her brownie, chewed, and licked her lips. “Does this mean you’re going after Colin?”
Get this sweet romance on Amazon, or free with Kindle Unlimited.
And Here's the Recipe:

Easy Espresso Brownies1 cup salted butter, softened2 cups granulated sugar4 eggs1/3 cup espresso powder, such as DeLallo1 ½ cups all purpose flour1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 cup chocolate chips, optional
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.Cream the butter and the sugar. Blend in the eggs. Mix in the espresso powder. Blend in the flour and cocoa powder. Stir in the chocolate chips if you want extra chocolate. (I never don't want extra chocolate.)Pour the batter in the baking pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Test with a toothpick or knife. Remember that these will set more after you pull them out. If you like gooey brownies, stick to the shorter end of the baking time.
Do you have a favorite recipe for muffins, scones, cookies, or other baked goods? What would you serve at your cat café?

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.
Kris also writes romantic suspense set in the Southwestern U.S. If you love Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Sign up for Kris Bock’s newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more. Visit the Kris Bock website or Kris Bock’s Amazon page.

Bedeviled: Romantic Suspense by @madisonmichael_ FREE November 7-10

BedeviledThe Beguiling Bachelors, Book 3By Madison Michael♥♥♥ ~ Free November 7th - November 10th Only ~ ♥♥♥About Bedeviled:
If You Build Your Love on Lies, You Better Run Faster than the Truth

Newly appointed Finance Director, Charlotte Roche escaped dangers lurking in Boston by moving to Chicago. A new name, a new beginning - all built on lies. Believing she is safe, Charlotte drops her guard and sets her sights on her ruggedly handsome and wildly sexy running partner, Alexander Gaines. Can she advance their relationship from the track to the bedroom and still maintain her charade? or will Alex's probing questions pierce her carefully rehearsed story?

Alex, with unrevealed secrets of his own, struggles to hold the irresistible Charlotte at arm’s length. But when Charlotte sustains a suspicious injury, Alex seizes the opportunity to cuddle up to the sassy beauty. Does he dare risk his reputation, his fortune, his friends, and his heart by letting her get close?

How can they build a bond with deceit on both sides? With exposure imminent, their freshly forged relationship is in jeopardy and so are their lives. Can their love survive or are they bedeviled? 

Join Alex and Charlotte, in this steamy romance, the third in the five-star rated Beguiling Bachelor series. The suspense builds as the characters you’ve met and loved in “Bedazzled” and “Beholden” help tackle the maze of half-truths and cover-ups threatening the lovers.

ASIN: B06WLQL2FTGenre: Steamy Romantic Suspense Amazon Buy Link: https://amzn.to/321d24H
Excerpt from Bedeviled:
Keeping his mind on the topic always took all of Alex’s effort anyway. When Charlotte sat hip-to-hip with him as she had today, he felt the heat of her skin, saw the long length of thigh exposed in front of him, heard her heavy post-run breathing until he was in sensory overload. She smelled so good, not stinky and sweaty like he must. She smelled classy and expensive with all those clean, floral scents. She smelled like a woman he could trust.More like a woman I want to trust.Thinking back, Alex recognized that she had been hiding something all along. When he wasn’t lost in a sensual fog, he was able to zero in on where the conversations lagged, when she got testy with his probing or tried to change the subject. It had something to do with her life in Boston before she moved to Chicago and it was something that had been going on for a while. She was practiced at her excuses by the time she used them on him. She was making too many trips back East for ‘Harvard stuff.’ She had met Regan Howe through this same ‘Harvard stuff’ yet Regan went back to her alma mater only once or twice a year, if that.Oh yeah, Charlotte is definitely up to something and I intend to find out what. I have been patient long enough.Sitting waiting now for Charlotte to arrive at Starbucks, Alex promised himself that he would get to the bottom of this or walk away.Since she had declined his offer of a ride, Alex currently sat at a shady outside table enjoying the last of summer, waiting for her to walk over and speculating on her possible secrets. He was planning his subtle interrogation during the few minutes Charlotte would need to make her way across the park,Stubborn. She should have just accepted the ride.You driving over or walking?” she had asked him, once they caught their breath.“I have the car if you want a ride?” When she hesitated, he tried tempting her. “I have the new car.”Alex was the proud owner of a brand new Mercedes AMG. The sleek, luxury sports car suited him despite most people’s image of him as logical, conservative and staid. The need for speed was actually deep in his blood. “You will love it, tight on the curves, fast and quiet. She purrs,” he had bragged.Charlotte hesitated on his last remark and Alex had been sure she would accept. “The new car, huh?” she sounded intrigued. “I am excited to see it at last, Alex. You have certainly been talking about it long enough.”“I need to walk off this tight hamstring, so I’ll have to pass this time,” she had replied reluctantly. “Meet you there in five.” Of course, Charlotte had been Charlotte, and that included being unpredictable.Charlotte, leaving Alex standing there, had taken off across the park without a backward glance. Alex stood dumbfounded a moment, watching her slow jog-walk toward the trail across the grassy lawns of Lincoln Park. She was heading directly toward their usual post-run Starbucks and if he didn’t get moving, she would be there first.Still he stood, willing her to look back and flash him that smile that changed her whole face. She didn’t, of course, and Alex was left standing there, admiring her lithe figure and the smooth bunch and release of her muscles in those tiny running shorts as she moved into the distance. Reminding himself to close his gaping mouth, Alex jogged to the parking lot, trading an extra moment of admiring a beautiful woman for a few short moments admiring his beautiful new car.Arriving at the coffee shop several minutes before Charlotte, Alex was forced to cool his heels. He spent the time piecing together anything he could think of to uncover Charlotte’s deep, dark, secret. Admittedly, he needed the ten-minute head start away from her to give his overheated blood a little cooling time too. He kept envisioning the two of them in that sweet ride, sitting close with their sweat-slicked bodies. The image had intensified the jolts of.electricity already coursing through his veins from running beside her scantily clothed body.Too bad she turned me down. One of these days we will be in tight quarters, all alone, and I will make my move. I have resisted too long already.

About Madison Michael: Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.

A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.

After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.

Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing,, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally iil or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?

Social Links:Website: http://madisonmichael.net/
Maddy's Romance Madness: https://www.madisonmichael.net/maddys-romance-madness/
Maddy's Blog: https://www.madisonmichael.net/maddys-blog/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/madisonmichaelromance
Twitter: http://twitter.com/madisonmichael_
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/Madison-Michael/e/B01EVUGG6G/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/madisonmichaelromance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonmichaelromance/

Sweet, Swoon-Worthy #Romance plus #Recipes and Cats

Sweet, Swoon-Worthy Romance Small towns and big cities, rock stars and Billionaires, Christmas stories ... all in KU, if that helps you. This group promo is for books that are “clean,” with a sweet, mild heat level. Get these books fast! This promotion ends November 8.

In other news ... 

I'm writing a series about a cat café. But I don't have cats. Huh?
I love cats. I have known cats and enjoyed them in small doses. But tragically, I am very allergic to cats, so I cannot let one keep me as a servant. (I'm getting allergy shots, so maybe that will change in the future.)
Instead, my husband and I keep ferrets. They are similar to cats in some ways. When they play, they are as rambunctious as kittens. Like adult cats, they sleep most of the time.

So I will write about a cat cafe, which gives me a chance to look at lots of pictures and videos of adorable cats and kittens.