Zelda Benjamin's Blog
June 18, 2023
JELLY BEANS AND SPRING THINGS
TODAY'S FEATURED AUTHOR—MICHELLE GODARD—RICHER
She's here today to celebrate the release of two new books for TWRP Jelly Beans and Spring Things series.
Buy links: https://www.books2read.com/BackinTime https://www.books2read.com/ForwardinTimeMichelle Godard-Richer
Back in Time with Jelly Beans (June 12, 2023)
Forward in Time with Jelly Beans (June 19, 2023)
(The Hinchcliffe Sisters Duology)
Genres: time-travel romance, historical romance
Welcome to the fictional town of Mayflower, Illinois during spring when the trees are budding, and the tulips are shooting out of the ground. The story begins in the year 2023 with Bella Thomas, a journalism student. While school is out for the summer, she digs into the history of her small town. In particular, a fire that burnt down the Mayflower Jelly Bean Factory, killed its handsome founder, Henry Hinchcliffe, and devastated the local economy.
In a twist of fate, she’s brought to the past a few months before the day of the fire in 1927. She meets the kind Hinchcliffe family and falls for Henry even though she believes he’s destined to marry someone else. Without any regard for herself, Bella is determined to prevent the fire that kills Henry, even if he can never be hers.
Jump ahead a few years to 1932, and Henry’s sister Henrietta’s story begins. She’s just graduated from medical school and reopened a clinic with another young doctor, but she doesn’t feel fulfilled. There’s an empty place in her heart that longs for a soulmate and the kind of enduring love her parents have.
Little does she know fate also has big plans for her. She’s snatched into the future then learns that unless she finds a way to save her nephew, he’ll be stillborn back in 1932. The answers to saving him may lie in the brilliant mind of a handsome doctor named Joshua Bingham.
Bio: Michelle Godard-Richer is an award-winning thriller and romance author living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. With her degree in Criminology, she writes edge-of-your-seat suspenseful stories with strong protagonists and diabolical villains.
For more information about my new releases follow me in any of these places:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michelle-godard-richer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellegodardricherauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle-godard-richer-author
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MGodardRicher
GOOD LUCK MICHELLE
Zelda
June 14, 2023
Baking With Cherries
Today is June 14—release day of my latest book, Cherry
Blossom Serendipity. I've been preparing for today with pink
drinks and cherry desserts—cookies, pie,
and a delicious cherry bundt cake (recipe at end of blog).
https://tinyurl.com/4cx2pzhbBlurb
A chance meeting lands dating
columnist Lexi Anderson an
invitation to the most sought-after
D.C. event. Seeking inspiration for her
spring column, she agrees to accompany an
older gentleman she met at the Vietnam
Memorial.Everyone lets go at the Pink
Tie Dinner. Navy Commander Steve MacDonald
is no exception. He’s attracted to Lexi and disappointed
she’s returning to New York in the morning. He
makes a plan guaranteeing he’ll see her during New York’s Fleet Week Lexi has
shared with her readers that she never gets involved with a man in
uniform. When the magic of the evening disappears, will Lexi hold
tight to her dating rule?
Research is always my favorite part of writing. Cherry Blossom
Serendipity is part of the Wild Rose Press' Jelly Beans and Spring Things
series. Jelly beans had to be mentioned in the story. I experimented with
different color beans to see how they dissolved in various liquids. The
primary ingredients for jelly beans are sugar, corn syrup, modified cornstarch,
and confectioner's glaze. Sugars dissolve easily in liquids. Easy enough—I had
the perfect technique to include jelly beans in my story.
Excerpt
“Would you like another drink, sir?” A server glanced at the untouched drink.
Springtime Magic MartiniSteve turned when Lexi laughed at something his
grandfather said. A cherry blossom necklace
shimmied with the movement of her chest. He looked
away and ordered a drink. “A ginger ale, please.” No
more silly pink beverages with jelly beans. He needed
a clear head. The situation required a plan, one to help
her see beyond the uniform. Next week, he’d be in
New York preparing for Fleet Week. Would she meet him for a real drink when
he was off duty?”
Excerpt From: Zelda Benjamin. “Cherry Blossom Serendipity.” iBooks.
Cherry Bundt CakeThis is one of those recipes I make from a cake mix.
I follow the follow the directions on the box and
make a few adjustments.
6 ounces maraschino cherries drained
2 tbs flour to coat cherrie
8 tsp butter=1 stick I substitute butter for oil.
zest of 1 lemon
I add 2 1/2 tbs of almond four or crushed almonds
Preheat oven to 350
Cream butter, eggs, and lemon. Beat well by hand or electric mixer.
Mix in dry ingredients. Beat well
Cut dry cherries in half (I like big chunks of cherries) and fold into batter.
Pour into well-greased bundt pan
Bake for 35-45 minutes ( all ovens are different) Cake should rise and be golden
on top before cooling in tin for 10 min. Turn onto cooling rack.
You can ice with a lemon icing or sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
Celebrate and Enjoy!
April 16, 2023
Jelly Beans and Spring Things Stories
Today's featured author - Vicky Burkholder
She's here today to celebrate the release of Raining Jelly Beans
Blurb Delia loves her life at the lodge but when an email arrives threatening her happiness, she vows to fight to protect her children. Hoping her ex won’t follow through with his threats, she confides her concerns to a local cop and her brother’s best friend Noah.Noah has loved Delia from afar for a long time. But he knows she’s off limits because she’s Max’s little sister. So, when she asks for his help, he puts his love on the back burner to find her kidnapped twin girls and put her ex-husband behind bars.
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/bookauthor/vicky-burkholder Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Raining-Jelly-Beans-Spring-Things-ebook/dp/B0BVRQQMN4 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raining-jelly-beans-vicky-burkholder/1143016056 Google Books: Books by Vicky Burkholder on Google Play iTunes: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/raining-jelly-beans/id6445620749
Excerpt “Noah? What about him? We’re…friends.” Delia thought about her brother Max’s best friend, a tall, handsome local cop who lived about two miles down the mountain toward town. She’d had a crush on him in high school, but he’d been two years ahead of her and barely knew she was alive. She shrugged. “He’s Noah. I’m just Max’s little sister who was always in the way.”Gigi huffed at her. “You’re impossible. You do realize that he’s been dating you for months now, don’t you?”“Huh?” Her eyes went wide. “We’ve never been on a date.”Gigi rolled her eyes and looked at her, one eyebrow raised. “Think about the nights he eats here. Where do you sit?”Delia frowned and cocked her head, recalling all those nights. “We sit over by the fireplace.”“Uh huh. And where are the rest of us?”“You’re right there…” Delia’s eyes widened. “No, you’re not. You’re over near the buffet, with the kids.”“Yep. And what do you two talk about while you’re eating?”“We…” Another frown. “We talk about everything. About life, the girls…”“And that’s not a date? Delia, you’ve been dating that man for months. Tell me you haven’t.”
About Vicky
As her alter-ego, Vicky has multiple homes all over the universe. She looks human - for the most part - but when she starts writing about characters being able to move things or flicking fire from their fingertips, or changing the course of rivers, people tend to get a little freaked out. She found the one guy out there in the universe who loves her for who she is and they've been together forever and raised four wonderful (now) adults. Her career includes work as a technical writer/editor, a stringer for the local newspaper, and an editor and copy editor for various publishers. At various times in her life, she has been a teacher, a secretary, a short-order cook, a computer specialist, a DJ, and a librarian. When not editing or writing, she can be found in the kitchen creating gluten free goodies for her family.
Which genre is your favorite? In line with the answer above, I can’t pin down an exact favorite. But if I had to say something, I’d say probably cozy mysteries and romantic comedies (any era) in the style of Sandra Hill or a good futuristic like Susan Grant and Linnea Sinclair. I like a little tongue-in-cheek humor when I read. Something that makes me smile. But they all have to have a HEA.
To find out more about Vicky check the links below.
Website: http://www.vicky-burkholder.com Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Vicky-Burkholder Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1264928.Vicky_Burkholder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vicky-Burkholder-535739543163598/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickyburkholder Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vicky-burkholder
Good luck Vicky !
To my readers.Hope you enjoyed this blog and will stop by again to discover more new and exciting spring reads.
Zelda
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April 10, 2023
Colors of Spring
To help celebrate longer days, vivid colors, and packing away our winter clothes, I'm joining a group of Wild Rose Press authors with stories for their Jelly Beans and Spring Things line.
My spring story, Cherry Blossom Serendipity will be released on June 14.
Fun ResearchIn order to include jelly beans in the story, I experimented with different color jelly beans in very tasty pink drinks. 
Sugar content in jelly beans makes them dissolve. Added colors dissolve at different speeds. It was a fun experiment. You'll have to read the book to find out how I used the experiment to I write pink drinks and jelly beans into the story.
Spring FactsFor the next four decades the equinox will be on March 20.It's the only day you can get an egg to stand on its end. Place it large end down on a flat surface and be patient. Spring fever is not just a saying. Experts say the body’s makeup changes due to different diets, hormone production, and temperature.Jelly Beans and Spring Things StoriesUntil June 20, the last day of spring, I'll feature authors writing sweet to sexy springtime stories. Stop by and discover your next favorite author.
Monday April 17 meet Vicky
August 5, 2020
Marcia's Perfect Margarita Recipe
Today's guest blogger, Marcia King-Gamble talks about her latest release and her perfect margarita recipe. Thanks for stopping by.
Where is Last Chance Beach? It’s an island paradise. It’snowhere and everywhere, and the setting for the 14 short stories written by award-winning authors. I’m fortunate to be one of them.
Last Chance Beach is the island getaway everyone wants to go to. Think Kokomo.
When I was first asked to be a part of this boxset, I jumped at it. I’m an island girl and writing an island story just spoke to me. So, let me tell you a bit about the island’s background. Better yet pick up a copy of the boxset on Amazon at the bargain price of 99 cents.
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-Beach-Summers-End-ebook/dp/B08CV3GN3R
Legend has it that back in the day a poor man booked passage on a wealthy ship owner’s boat, fell in love with the tycoon’s daughter and got banished to the hold. The poor fellow managed to escape and swim ashore to the island. The distraught daughter goes in search of him to no avail. Running out of money, she ends up on Last Chance Beach and is taken in by the same minister and his wife who’d earlier rescued the battered and bruised fellow. Now they get a second chance at love.
Don’t you just love a second chance romance?
My contribution is titled One Last Shot. Just imagine what happens when a rising sitcom star’s sex tape goes viral, and she escapes to Last Chance Beach only to discover, renting next door, is a disgraced celebrity photographer. And heaven forbid she’s attracted to him.
Here’s an excerpt from my story.
Kael Huntington was hotter than a firecracker and someone she could be interested in, that’s if she were anyone other than Dania Browne. But sitcom-star, Madeline Miller was off limits. She was now considered damaged goods, making a relationship impossible.
Dania gulped back tears and hugged her knees to her chest. A nap hadn’t helped her mood one bit. How had she gotten herself into this mess? Bob lounging on the bed next to her, made a mewling sound, and gave a sympathetic lick to her face. She was the only one who believed Dania had been set up. Well, her agent, Maya Rosenstein believed in her too. Even her own family, the righteous pastor, Aurora Browne thought the video of her was a publicity stunt, done to further her career. Her mother had labeled Dania the devil’s spawn.
Who would have thought that low key John Lewis would act like a jerk when she broke things off? He’d sent a sex tape to the media; one she did not make. He’d been shrewd enough to photoshop the video, placing her head on another woman’s body. No one had even questioned why her size B ta-tas had ballooned into voluptuous triple D’s. As far as she was concerned, John deserved to rot in hell.
To get you in the mood, we offer a free drink recipe book you can download here:
https://www.amazon.com/Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach-Reeves-ebook/dp/B08DR4K3YX/ref
Last Call
Marcia King-GambleIngredients:
1 12 oz. can of Minute Maid Frozen Limeade
2 cans of water
2 tbsps. of sugar
2 cups of ice
2 ozs. of triple sec or Cointreau
6 ozs. of tequila or to liking
¼ cup fruit (strawberries, peaches, mangos) optional
Directions: Add ice to blender, frozen limeade, water, sugar, tequila, triple sec. Then blend about 30 secs. Add additional tequila, water, limeade as needed.
Serves: 4
Serving Suggestions: Pour into a margarita glass or mason jar. Use sea salt for the rim of glass if preferred.
While this may taste like a Margarita, it’s like no Rita you’ve ever tasted. The Last Call came about when a fisherman from the mainland, sleeping aboard his boat, challenged the Rods bartender to invent a refreshing drink for mainlanders. The fisherman’s boat broke down and he swam ashore, blender in hand, making it to Rods just seconds before Last Call. The bartender was then forced to whip up a batch on the fly. The patrons already on their way to La-La Land, pronounced the Fisherman’s drink the best they’d ever had. And so, his drink became The Last Call.
So, sit back, make yourself a cocktail, and enjoy the stories of romances found or rekindled on Last Chance Beach.
Thank you so much Zelda for having me.
Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This former travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, caring for her animal family, and trying to keep sane.
Instagram* Amazon* Website* Facebook* Twitter
February 26, 2020
Secrets of Star Bakers
Trial and error, time and a good reason are all you need to perfect your baking. Research for my new romance series was my reason to perfect my haphazard baking skills. Not only has it been the most tasty, but also the most rewarding of all my fact-finding adventures.
Trial and error means that sometimes your recipe will fail. I watch a lot of baking shows and see professional bakers make amateur mistakes that often have me talking to the TV. They should know that cake is not cool enough to frost. Of course, time is often not on the bakers' side in a competition. I once gave myself a time limit to bake a batch of cookies and failed miserably. Tip-don't rush the process you'll have a better chance of succeeding.
My cakes are most often semi-home sponges that I make ahead of time and put in the freezer. I make everything from log rolls to multi-layers with a simple recipe I found while doing my research.
Frosting and fillings are easier to spread on frozen layers.RECIPETip-Always preheat before starting
Preheat oven to 350 Tip - Have all your ingredients ready to go - butter needs to be softened and eggs may need to be at room temperature.
Sometimes I'm all set to go and realize I don't have enough sugar or eggs. My husband's a good sport about going to the supermarketer for something I forgot, but he's not always available. I also prepare my pans by spraying with a non-stick spray then cover the bottom with parchment paper.
Ingredients
1 BOX ANY FLAVOR CAKE MIX All commercial brands work for this recipe, but my favorites are Duncan Hines yellow, white or devil's food.
These companies have been making these mixes for decades and have it down pat. 6 eggs beat on high until lemon coloradd 1/2 cup of water 1/4 cup oil I like the hint of olive oil especially in chocolate cakes
Add cake mix
The recipe states to bake for 15-20 min until the center springs back.
Depending on your oven, the type of pan and altitude, baking time is definitely a trial and error moment.
I use 6" pans. I prefer more layers.Don't be afraid to experiment. I recently made a 3 layer Biscoff cake where I substituted 1 tablespoon of cookie butter for an egg. It gave the cake a subtle hint of flavor with most of the flavor coming from the Biscoff frosting and cookie crumbs between the layers. I'm definitely lacking in cake decorating skills. Sprinkles, cookie crumbs and nuts can be very forgiving. The smaller layers make it easy to roll the frosted sides in the topping of your choice.
Happiness is homemade.
Trial and error, time and a good reason are all you need ...
Trial and error, time and a good reason are all you need to perfect your baking. Research for my new romance series was my reason to perfect my haphazard baking skills. Not only has it been the most tasty, but also the most rewarding of all my fact-finding adventures.
Trial and error means that sometimes your recipe will fail. I watch a lot of baking shows and see professional bakers make amateur mistakes that often have me talking to the TV. They should know that cake is not cool enough to frost. Of course, time is often not on the bakers' side in a competition. I once gave myself a time limit to bake a batch of cookies and failed miserably. Tip-don't rush the process you'll have a better chance of succeeding.
My cakes are most often semi-home sponges that I make ahead of time and put in the freezer. I make everything from log rolls to multi-layers with a simple recipe I found while doing my research.
Frosting and fillings are easier to spread on frozen layers.RECIPETip-Always preheat before starting
Preheat oven to 350 Tip - Have all your ingredients ready to go - butter needs to be softened and eggs may need to be at room temperature.
Sometimes I'm all set to go and realize I don't have enough sugar or eggs. My husband's a good sport about going to the supermarketer for something I forgot, but he's not always available. I also prepare my pans by spraying with a non-stick spray then cover the bottom with parchment paper.
Ingredients
1 BOX ANY FLAVOR CAKE MIX All commercial brands work for this recipe, but my favorites are Duncan Hines yellow, white or devil's food.
These companies have been making these mixes for decades and have it down pat. 6 eggs beat on high until lemon coloradd 1/2 cup of water 1/4 cup oil I like the hint of olive oil especially in chocolate cakes
Add cake mix
The recipe states to bake for 15-20 min until the center springs back.
Depending on your oven, the type of pan and altitude, baking time is definitely a trial and error moment.
I use 6" pans. I prefer more layers.Don't be afraid to experiment. I recently made a 3 layer Biscoff cake where I substituted 1 tablespoon of cookie butter for an egg. It gave the cake a subtle hint of flavor with most of the flavor coming from the Biscoff frosting and cookie crumbs between the layers. I'm definitely lacking in cake decorating skills. Sprinkles, cookie crumbs and nuts can be very forgiving. The smaller layers make it easy to roll the frosted sides in the topping of your choice.
Happiness is homemade.
October 2, 2019
Baking the Perfect Sponge Cake
Let's start with a short history of my favorite sponge - a Victoria Sponge. The cake was named after Queen Victoria who always ate a slice with her afternoon tea. If you don't have the luxury of afternoon tea - it makes a great dessert cake too.
What makes this simple sponge cake different from other sponges is that the top of the cake is not iced or decorated. I'm not much of a decorator so this works well for me. All it needs is a dusting of powdered sugar. It traditionally has raspberry jam and clotted cream between the layers. Purist will say that if the cream is not Devonshire or Cornish cream it's not a true Victoria Sponge. If you don't live in the UK and have access to the cream - no worries. I've used fresh whipped cream, butter cream frosting and even a layer of Biscoff frosting.I'm not a fan of raspberry so I'll use any jam I have on hand as well as chocolate ganache. Peach Prosecco preserve by Mrs. Bridges is my favorite.
I use a simple semi-homemade recipe for all my sponges. The traditional cake calls for 6" tins, but any size will do. I use the same recipe to make chocolate log rolls.
RECIPEPreheat oven to 350 1 BOX ANY FLAVOR CAKE MIX My favorites are Duncan Hines yellow, white or devil's food. 6 eggs beat on high until lemon coloradd 1/2 cup of water 1/4 cup oil I like the hint of olive oil especially in chocolate cakesAdd cake mixBake for 15 - 20 mins or until the cake springs back when touched in the center
Devil's Food sponge log for July 4th
apple almond spongeI've made the sponges more than a week ahead. It freezes great. I usually add my center or fill my roll before freezing. Wrapped in a layer of plastic wrap then tin foil and another layer of plastic wrap it comes out fresh. If I'm frosting the cake, I do it while it's frozen and leave it in the fridge until a couple of hours before I serve. It tastes even better the next day.I want to thank my friend Alyssa Maxwell https://www.alyssamaxwell.com for the first photo with one of her lovely tea sets.
Enjoy!
July 31, 2017
5 Things I Learned at RWA 2017
#5 Pick Five Things You Learned and Apply Them to Your Writing
Everyone comes home with a long list of things they're going to do to make them a more efficient and prolific writer. Seriously, how many of those things did you accomplish or still practice after your last conference. By keeping it simple and making your five choices realistic you're more likely to meet those goals.
#4 Create a FB Author Page / Update Pinterest boards
I've been meaning to do this for some time. You need to have a profile page first - which I had. It wasn't difficult to do an author page. You create a banner, pick your audience and start posting. Followers will come.
https://www.facebook.com/zeldabenjaminwriter The most difficult thing about going on Pinterest is getting off. Update your Pinterest boards and make your books or writing info the first board. Make sure you add a description to each board and pin. It will help send traffic your way. Always include your website or blog address.
#3 Check Out Neflix and Amazon Prime for Research.
My current WIP is targeted for Intrigue. I found a great show on Neflix for understanding what goes into being a bodyguard for celebrities and dignitaries. Prime has a list of documentaries on Military History direct from the men and woman who experience it.
https://www.netflix.com/title/80147339#2 Make a Productivity Chart
I always liked lists. Some lists are floating around in my head while others, I actually write down. Keep your expectations realistic for your life style, writing ability and goals. Know what you're capable of. I'm not a fast writer so I set my daily goal for 500 words. Aim higher if feel you need to, but don't discredit a lower limit. In a week you can have a chapter. Meeting those goals will help you understand when you expect to complete your 1st, 2nd and 3rd drafts.
I like to do my stuff (exercise, social media and blog) in the mornings. I restart my day at 2pm when I sit down and write for 2 - 3 hours.
#1 BICHOK
Nothing will get done if you don't put your butt in the chair and your hands on the keyboard.
It's approaching the 2:00 hour so I'm off to reach my goal for the day.
#1 1/2 Eat Chocolate Everyday
May 5, 2017
Conception of a Sweet Romantic Series
Writing series romance was not something I planned to do.
When I wrote the first book in my Love by Chocolate series, I never imaged I would create a four book series plus one novella.
Somewhere in the first book I realized one of the minor characters, Chloe had a chocolate story to tell. Since the heroine in Chocolate Secrets, Alex an ER nurse had no intention of continuing on with the family business someone had to tell the next story. The chocolate was calling and Kooky Chloe was the one to tell it. Book 2, Chocolate Magic was born.
Chloe's life is a puddle of melted chocolate, but help is on the way. Alex is back and a new friend Maddie is introduced along with a sexy hero who has no time for chocolate. Maddie, a trained pastry chef has her own puddle to wade through. Book 3, Chocolate Muse became Maddie's story.
An editor once told me that the nice thing about reading a series in order is that the reader meets old friends when previous characters make a cameo appearance. Readers who have been introduced to characters also their share secrets. For readers who are picking up the book out of sequence a short paragraph intertwined into the story can explain their role in the hero or heroine's life.
The setting, a rejuvenated Brooklyn neighborhood was already there for Book 4 when I placed Lily's little pastry shop at 4 1/2 Smith Street. Chocolate Couture steps out of the setting and crosses the bridge opening the potential for a different backdrop for another story. I haven't gone there yet. Doing chocolate research is the best part of writing a series where chocolate becomes a character. But what to do with all that info? That's how the idea for my novella, Chocolate and Sensibility came about.
Topical rainforest walk at Fairchild Gardens.I took the information I had about chocolate production and set the story in the topics. The story belongs to Luis and Sophia, but it's a prequel to Lily's story. When writing a stand alone story, I'm never sure where the story will take me. Imagine the places you can go when writing a series.
