Karen Docter's Blog, page 199

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Amy Rose Bennett (Holly and Hopeful Hearts ~ A Bluestocking Belles Collection) #recipe ~ Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s

**AUTHOR SPECIAL**

with AMY ROSE BENNETT!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, AMY ROSE BENNETT, and her favorite recipe: DARK CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE!

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HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS

A Bluestocking Belles Collection

By AMY ROSE BENNETT, CAROLINE WARFIELD, JESSICA CALE, JUDE KNIGHT, NICOLE ZOLTACK, SHERRY EWING & SUSANA ELLIS

Blurb

When the Duchess of Haverford sends out invitations to a Yuletide house party and a New Year’s Eve ball at her country estate, Hollystone Hall, those who respond know that Her Grace intends to raise money for her favorite cause and promote whatever marriages she can. Eight assorted heroes and heroines set out with their pocketbooks firmly clutched and hearts in protective custody. Or are they?

***25% of the proceeds from HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS will be donated to the Malala Fund.***

HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS

A Bluestocking Belles Collection

By AMY ROSE BENNETT, CAROLINE WARFIELD, JESSICA CALE, JUDE KNIGHT, NICOLE ZOLTACK, SHERRY EWING & SUSANA ELLIS

The Bluestocking Belles’ 2016 Regency romance holiday box set, HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS, features eight novellas set in around a Yuletide house party at Hollystone Hall. My contribution is Dashing Through the Snow.

Dashing Through the Snow, by Amy Rose Bennett

Miss Kate Woodville, teacher and bluestocking, enjoys her independence, thank you very much. But when a very determined viscount insists she accompany him on a mad dash through the snow to Gretna Green to stop his younger sister, Violet, eloping with Kate’s own brother, she has little choice but to go. She’ll risk the ruin of her own pristine reputation if it means she can save Freddie from Lord Stanton’s wrath.

As they race along the road north and then back to Hollystone Hall in Buckinghamshire for a New Year’s Eve charity ball, hearts and wills are certain to collide. But will anyone—Freddie and Violet, or Kate and Lord Stanton—find the path to everlasting love?

EXCERPT

Kate Woodville, confirmed bluestocking, and Lord Stanton have found themselves—quite unexpectedly—sharing confidences late on Christmas Eve…

The heavy silence extended between them until Kate scraped up the courage to murmur, “Forgive me, my lord. Perhaps I have been too frank. It seems the wassail has loosened my tongue.” And made me fanciful.

“There is nothing to forgive,” said Lord Stanton. He gifted her with a warm smile that made her pulse dance oddly. “Thank you. For confiding in me. It cannot be easy to share such private matters.”

“No…” The moment stretched and Kate found that her gaze was trapped with Lord Stanton’s. The mood had shifted again, had become even more intimate. Tender yet also taut. Filled with expectation. It was too much to take in. If she stayed too much longer, she might begin to believe Lord Stanton cared for her which was utterly ridiculous.

She needed to go.

Kate stood and was taken aback to find she was a little light-headed from all the wassail and wine she’d drunk; she put a hand against the brocade covered back of the settee to steady herself. “I think I should retire.” She glanced at the mahogany longcase clock beside the door leading to the Great Hall and the stairs. It was almost midnight. “It is quite late.”

“Yes.” Lord Stanton rose also, a frown of concern creasing his brow as he regarded her. Perhaps he’d noticed she was slightly unsteady as he said, “Let me escort you.”

However Kate shook her head. “No, that won’t be necessary. Good night, my lord.” She crossed the room to the open doorway but as she took a step over the threshold, her slipper caught on the edge of the hall runner and she tripped. Gasping, she clutched at the doorframe but then strong male arms caught her and she found herself pulled up against Lord Stanton’s tall muscular frame, her back to his front.

“Careful now,” he murmured against her hair. His breath teased the hair at her temple, the curve of her ear, raising pleasurable goose-bumps along the exposed flesh of her neck.

“I… I’m not usually so clumsy.” She turned in his arms and attempted to take a step back so she could thank him eye to eye but Lord Stanton’s hold about her waist firmed.

“Well, well,” he said, his voice as rich and potent as the wassail punch they’d just been drinking. “Look where we are, Miss Woodville.” He glanced above their heads before his eyes met hers again. “Or may I call you Kate?”

“Whatever do you—?” Kate tilted her head up and then swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. Oh, no. A large garland of mistletoe—a kissing bough—hung from the carved wooden lintel right above them. “We don’t have to hold to tradition,” she whispered, her gaze returning to Lord Stanton’s.

“Oh, I think we most definitely do.” He pushed one of her curls behind her ear. “It’s Christmas Eve. It would be most remiss of us not to.” His gaze, as soft as moonlight on water caressed her face. Her lips. “May I kiss you?”

Oh, my goodness. I must be dreaming. Kate’s pulse thrummed with anticipation and her heart swelled with unexpected pleasure. Lord Stanton wants to kiss me. Before she’d even thought through the consequences her wassail-addled brain formulated a response and she whispered, “Yes.”

Lord Stanton’s mouth tipped into a devastating smile just as the longcase clock began to chime the hour of midnight. “Merry Christmas, sweet Kate.”

About Author Amy Rose Bennett.. 

Amy Rose Bennett has always wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. An avid reader with a particular love for historical romance, it seemed only natural to write stories in her favorite genre. She has a passion for creating emotion-packed—and sometimes a little racy—stories set in the Georgian and Regency periods. Of course, her strong-willed heroines and rakish heroes always find their happily ever after.

Website and Blog: http://AmyRoseBennett.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyRoseBennett.Author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyRoseBennett

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AmyRoseBennett/

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Links to The Bluestocking Belles Website, Books, & Social Media:

ABOUT THE BLUESTOCKING BELLES

The Bluestocking Belles, the “BellesInBlue”, are seven very different writers united by a love of history and a history of writing about love. From sweet to steamy, from light-hearted fun to dark tortured tales full of angst, from London ballrooms to country cottages to the sultan’s seraglio, one or more of us will have a tale to suit your tastes and mood. Come visit us at http://bluestockingbelles.net and kick up your bluestockinged heels!

BUY LINKS for HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS:

Amazon:  http://ow.ly/INwa3049Ey3

Kobo: http://ow.ly/Vx1n304jGzj

Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/LqCI304jGuS

iBooks: http://ow.ly/JcSI304jGWE

BLUESTOCKING BELLES ON THE WEB: Look for us online…

Website and home of the Teatime Tattler:

http://bluestockingbelles.net

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BellesInBlue

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BellesInBlue

Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/BellesInBlue

Amazon Author page: www.amazon.com/author/BellesInBlue

I hope you enjoy the recipe Amy is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 286 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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DARK CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE

 

NOTE FROM AMY ROSE BENNETT:  This is my version of the French Christmas cake, Bûche de Nöel that I make for my family—well the adults anyway! Although it’s nothing like a Christmas log, it is a gorgeous looking cake. It’s based on the following recipe for dark chocolate Guinness cake with Bailey’s cream cheese icing. Source: http://loveswah.com/2013/03/dark-chocolate-guinness-cake-with-baileys-cream-cheese-icing/

For the Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake:

250ml Guinness beer (1 cup)
250g butter (1 cup + 1 tbsp)
100g cup cocoa powder (2/3 cup)
400g caster/superfine sugar (1¾ cups)
140ml sour cream (2/3 cup)
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
250g plain flour (2 cups)
2½ tsp bicarbonate of soda/baking soda

For the Baileys Cream Cheese Icing:

500-600g sifted icing sugar/powdered sugar (4-5 cups)
100g butter at room temperature (1/2 cup)
250g cream cheese at room temperature (8oz)
4-6 tbsps Baileys Irish Cream (or to taste)

To Make the Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake:

Preheat oven 180°C/350°F and butter and line a 23cm (9″) springform tin.
Melt the butter into the Guinness in a saucepan over low heat.
Whisk in the cocoa and sugar and take the saucepan off the heat.
Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl until combined, than add to the beer mixture.
Whisk in the flour and bicarb until combined.
Pour the cake batter into the tin and bake for an hour. The middle of the cake may still be slightly wet when you take the cake out, but it will firm up as it cools down.
Leave to cool completely in the tin as it is quite a damp cake and could collapse.

To Make the Baileys Cream Cheese Icing:

Cream the butter and icing sugar together until well mixed.
Add the cream cheese in cubes slowly until incorporated.
Add in Baileys. Continue mixing for 5 minutes until the icing is light and fluffy.
Dollop lashings of the icing onto the top of the cake to recreate the froth on a glass of Guinness, or as I like to think of it, snow. If you are feeling particularly dexterous, slice the cake length-wise and fill the cake with the icing too (there will be definitely be enough icing).

Finishing Christmas Touches: I place decorative white pine cones on the snowy frosting then scatter silver cachous around to give the cake a festive finish.

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Thanks, Amy, for sharing your story and recipe with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this collection of stories!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Feliz Navidead, A Santa Fe Café Mystery by Ann Myers

 KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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FELIZ NAVIDEAD

A Santa Fe Café Mystery

By ANN MYERS

Blurb

Holly, jolly, and downright deadly—the third Santa Fe Café mystery unwraps surprises both naughty and nice . . . It’s the most picturesque time of theyear in Santa Fe, and Chef Rita Lafitte of Tres Amigas Café hopes the twinkling lights and tasty holiday treats will charm her visiting mom. Rita is also planning fun activities, such as watching her teenage daughter, Celia, perform in an outdoor Christmas play.

What she doesn’t plan for is murder.

Rita discovers a dead actor during the premier performance but vows to keep clear of the case. Sleuthing would upset her mom. Besides, there’s already a prime suspect, caught red-handed in his bloodied Santa suit. However, when the accused Santa’s wife begs for assistance—and points out that Celia and other performers could be in danger—Rita can’t say no. With the help of her elderly boss, Flori, and her coterie of rogue knitters, Rita strives to salvage her mother’s vacation, unmask a murderer, and stop this festive season from turning even more fatal.

FELIZ NAVIDEAD

A Santa Fe Café Mystery

By ANN MYERS

Chapter 1

Mom stopped mid-stroll, thumping one hand to her chest, gripping a hip-high adobe wall with the other. “I need to catch my breath, Rita,” she declared, rather accusatorily.

I murmured, “Of course,” and issued my best good-daughter sympathetic smile. I did, truly, sympathize. At seven thousand feet above sea level, Santa Fe, New Mexico, can literally take your breath away, and my mother had flown in only a few hours earlier from the midwestern lowlands. Adjusting to high altitudes takes time. About a week, the experts say, although I’ve called Santa Fe home for over three years and still blame the paltry oxygen when I pant through my morning jog and puff under overladen burrito platters at Tres Amigas Café, where I’m a chef and co-amiga. I’ve even postulated that the thin air makes my thighs look larger. Lack of atmospheric compression that unscientifically tested theory goes. The more likely culprit is my steady diet of cheesy chiles rellenos, blue corn waffles, green chile cheeseburgers, and other New Mexican delicacies.

Mom took deep breaths beside me. I wasn’t too worried. If Mom was at risk of anything, it was overacting. I strongly suspected she was making a point, something she likes to do indirectly and with drama. Things Mom doesn’t like? High altitudes, dry climates, hot chiles, and disturbance of her holiday routine. I knew she wasn’t thrilled to spend Christmas away from home. My goal was to win her over, and lucky for me, I had Santa Fe’s holiday charm on my side.

I leaned against the wall, enjoying the warmth of solar-heated adobe against my back. A group of carolers strolled by, harmonizing a bilingual version of “Feliz Navidad.” String lights and pine boughs decorated the porticos along Palace Avenue, and piñon smoke perfumed the air. To my eyes, the self-proclaimed “City Different” looked as pretty as a Christmas card. Once Mom got over the initial shock of leaving her comfort zone, she’d come around. I hoped . . .

Mom reached for a water bottle in her dual-holstered hip pack. “Hydration,” she said, repeating a caution she’d first raised nearly two decades ago, when I embarked for culinary school in Denver and its mere mile-high elevation. In between sips, she reminded me that proper water intake was the key to fending off altitude-induced illnesses ranging from headaches to poor judgment.

She tilted her chin up and assessed me through narrowed eyes. “You’re not drinking enough, Rita. I can tell. Your cheeks look dry. Your hands too. And your hair . . .” Mom made tsk-tsk sounds. “Perhaps a trim would keep it from getting so staticky. You do look awfully cute when it’s short.”

I patted my shoulder-length locks, recently cut into loose layers that emphasized my natural staticky waves. I could use a drink. A tart margarita on the rocks with extra salt would do. My mouth watered. Behave, I chastised myself. It wasn’t even two in the afternoon, way too early for tequila. Plus, I loved my mother and her cute silver-flecked pixie cut. Most of all, I was delighted that she’d come to visit me and my teenage daughter, Celia. It was nice of Mom. No, more than nice. The visit bordered on maternal sacrifice.

Meet Author Ann Myers …

Ann Myers writes the Santa Fe Café Mysteries. The first book in the series, Bread of the Dead (2015), introduced café chef and reluctant amateur sleuth, Rita Lafitte. Rita and her friends stir up more trouble in Cinco de Mayhem (March 2016) and Feliz Navidead (October 25, 2016). Ann lives with her husband and extra-large house cat in southern Colorado, where she enjoys cooking, crafts, and cozy mysteries.

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Links to Ann’s website, blog, books, etc.

Feliz Navidead: http://amzn.to/2g4nBQt

Please stop by and say hi or catch up on book news on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnnMyers.writer/

I also have some recipes and photos at http://www.annmyersbooks.com/

And you can find my books at

HarperCollins: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062382313/feliz-navidead

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Myers/e/B00V5307T0

Or order from your favorite local bookstore. A shout-out to some of my favorite indie booksellers: From My Shelf Books and Gifts (http://www.wellsborobookstore.com/, Wellsboro), Hooked on Books (http://hookedonbooksco.com/, Colorado Springs), Garcia Street Books (http://garciastreetbooks.com/, Santa Fe), and Tattered Cover (http://www.tatteredcover.com/, Denver).

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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Ann is giving away a copy of one of her books (Bread of the Dead, Cinco de Mayhem, or Feliz Navidead, winner’s choice) to one lucky reader who comments on her Author Peek Interview or Killer Book Bench blogs. Good luck!

Thanks, Ann, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Tru Blue by New York Times & USA Today Author, Melissa Foster

 KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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TRU BLUE

By MELISSA FOSTER

Blurb

He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover…

There’s nothing Truman Gritt won’t do to protect his family–Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother’s overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she’s left behind. Truman’s hard, he’s secretive, and he’s trying to save a brother who’s even more broken than he is. He’s never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he’s less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people’s lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman’s dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he’ll be faced with his toughest decision yet.

TRU BLUE

By MELISSA FOSTER

Editorial Note: Edited for language.

Chapter One

TRUMAN GRITT LOCKED the door to Whiskey Automotive and stepped into the stormy September night. Sheets of rain blurred his vision, instantly drenching his jeans and T-shirt. A slow smile crept across his face as he tipped his chin up, soaking in the shower of freedom. He made his way around the dark building and climbed the wooden stairs to the deck outside his apartment. He could have used the interior door, but after being behind bars for six long years, Truman took advantage of the small pleasures he’d missed out on, like determining his own schedule, deciding when to eat and drink, and standing in the f—ing rain if he wanted to. He leaned on the rough wooden railing, ignoring the splinters of wood piercing his tattooed forearms, squinted against the wetness, and scanned the cars in the junkyard they used for parts—and he used to rid himself of frustrations. He rested his leather boot on the metal box where he kept his painting supplies. Truman didn’t have much—his old extended-cab truck, which his friend Bear Whiskey had held on to for him while he was in prison, this apartment, and a solid job, both of which were compliments of the Whiskey family. The only family he had anymore.

Emotions he didn’t want to deal with burned in his gut, causing his chest to constrict. He turned to go inside, hoping to outrun thoughts of his own f—ed-up family, whom he’d tried—and failed—to save. His cell phone rang with his brother’s ringtone, “A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds to Mars.

“F–k,” he muttered, debating letting the call go to voicemail, but six months of silence from his brother was a long time. Rain pelleted his back as he pressed his palm to the door to steady himself. The ringing stopped, and he blew out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d trapped inside. The phone rang again, and he froze.

He’d just freed himself from the dredges of hell that he’d been thrown into in an effort to save his brother. He didn’t need to get wrapped up in whatever mess the drug-addicted fool had gotten himself into. The call went to voicemail, and Truman eyed the metal box containing his painting supplies. Breathing like he’d been in a fight, he wished he could paint the frustration out of his head. When the phone rang for the third time in as many minutes, the third time since he was released from prison six months ago, he reluctantly answered.

“Quincy.” He hated the way his brother’s name came out sounding like the enemy. Quincy had been just a kid when Truman went to prison. Heavy breathing filled the airwaves. The hairs on Truman’s forearms and neck stood on end. He knew fear when he heard it. He could practically taste it as he ground his teeth together.

“I need you,” his brother’s tortured voice implored.

Need me? Truman had hunted down his brother after he was released from prison, and when he’d finally found him, Quincy was so high on crack he was nearly incoherent—but it didn’t take much for f–k off to come through loud and clear. What Quincy needed was rehab, but Truman knew from his tone that wasn’t the point of the call.

Before he could respond, his brother croaked out, “It’s Mom. She’s really bad.”

F–k. He hadn’t had a mother since she turned her back on him more than six years ago, and he wasn’t about to throw away the stability he’d finally found for the woman who’d sent him to prison and never looked back.

He scrubbed a hand down his rain-soaked face. “Take her to the hospital.”

“No cops. No hospitals. Please, man.”

A painful, high-pitched wail sounded through the phone.

“What have you done?” Truman growled, the pit of his stomach plummeting as memories of another dark night years earlier came rushing in. He paced the deck as thunder rumbled overhead like a warning. “Where are you?”

Quincy rattled off the address of a seedy area about thirty minutes outside of Peaceful Harbor, and then the line went dead.

Truman’s thumb hovered over the cell phone screen. Three little numbers—9-1-1— would extricate him from whatever mess Quincy and their mother had gotten into. Images of his mother spewing lies that would send him away and of Quincy, a frightened boy of thirteen, looking devastated and childlike despite his near six-foot stature, assailed him.

Push the buttons.

Push the f—ing buttons.

He remembered Quincy’s wide blue eyes screaming silent apologies as Truman’s sentence was revealed. It was those pleading eyes he saw now, f—ed up or not, that had him trudging through the rain to his truck and driving over the bridge, leaving Peaceful Harbor and his safe, stable world behind.

Meet Author Melissa Foster …

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented.

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Links to Melisa’s website, blog, books, etc.

Link to Follow Tour:

http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2016/07/tru-blue-by-melissa-fosterhtml

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30073199-tru-blue



Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/d_etxqca1is

Buy Links:     Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

Author Links:   Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations Week 10-31-16 & 11-07-16 Blog Giveaway Winners!!

 CONGRATULATIONS WEEK

10-31-16 & 11-07-16

BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!

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Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Donna Schlachter…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Donna is giving away a print (US only) or ebook copy (winner’s choice) for THE PHYSICS OF LOVE to one lucky reader who comments on her Killer Book Bench blog. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story with us.

WINNER: ROSE ARBOR!

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Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Leeann Betts… 

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Leeann is giving away a print (US Only) or ebook copy (winner’s choice) of BROKE, BUSTED, AND DISGUSTED to one lucky reader who comments on her Killer Book Bench blog. Thank you, Leeann, for sharing your story with us.

WINNER: JUDY TULLOCH!!

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Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Kathy Clark…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**:

TAKE A HERO TO BED…EVERY NIGHT!

Win a king-sized satin pillowcase with a photo of Luke Archer, the secret service agent from ANOTHER CHANCE, our latest Austin Heroes Book. The pillowcase is perfect for your hair, plus the photo of Luke will give you sweet dreams.

Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your story with us.

WINNER: BN100!

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Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Eileen Dreyer… 

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Eileen is giving away an ebook copy of A SOLDIER’S HEART (upon its release) to one lucky reader who comments on her Killer Book Bench blog. Thank you, Eileen, for sharing your story and recipe with us.

WINNER: KATHLEEN BYLSMA!!

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EVERYONE’S A WINNER!!!

Don’t miss the SEASON OF SURVIVAL BOX SET:

3 Action-Packed Romantic Suspense Series Starters

By Bestselling Authors Kim Cresswell, K.L. Docter & Rachel Kent

*** NEW Release ~ Holiday Price Special ***

*** ONLY $.99 ***

See what you’re getting in this collection of three full-length novels…

REFLECTION (A Whitney Steel Novel – Book One) by Kim Cresswell

Blurb: Lunch with the ex-husband is not always a fun thing especially when bullets start flying and reporter Whitney Steel finds herself in the middle of a human cloning story that will rock the world…providing she lives long enough to get her byline.

“A deeply emotional romantic suspense that starts bold and holds you captive to the very end.” –New York Times Bestseller, Dianna Love

KILLING SECRETS (A Thorne’s Thorn Novel – Book One) by K. L. Docter

Blurb: Some secrets are better left dead. Too bad the Angel Killer’s digging them up. Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her traumatized child, his key to the James fortune. Patrick Thorne isn’t interested in helping another of his parents’ charity cases, especially after losing his unborn son and wife to suicide. Only trust will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a child of her silent prison, and save them both from a killer who stands too close.

“This romantic suspense is full of wonderful secrets, twists, turns and has an evil serial killing villain. The kind of killer we see on the TV show CRIMINAL MINDS.”–RT Book Reviews, Bernadette Cychner

BROKEN PIECES (Bits & Pieces – Book One) by Rachel Kent

Tara Jacobs had her life completely planned. She truly did have it all after a lifetime of struggles. Unfortunately, her stepbrother arrives in town and threatens to ruin her well-laid plans with some blackmail. Tara stops at almost nothing to keep her skeletons from tumbling out of the closet.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fwCWdl

Kobo: goo.gl/K86bZJ

iTunes: https://goo.gl/j3hlrt

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32764369-season-of-survival-box-set

*The Season of Survival Box Set contains adult situations, language and violence. Each story can be read as a stand alone. This is a reissue of the Seasons of Thrills Box Set.*

HAPPY READING!

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All giveaway winners chosen by random.org from reader comments with the exception of Rafflecopter giveaways which are determined and announced offsite by publisher/authors. Thank you!

**Author Peek** Interview with Ann Myers ~ Feliz Navidead, A Santa Fe Café Mystery

**Author Peek** Interview with

ANN MYERS!

INTRODUCING…Ann.

Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.

I grew up near Wellsboro, a small town in north-central Pennsylvania. It’s about four hours from Philly, Pittsburg, and NYC and a few miles from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. If you’re not from the area and know the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, I’ll be super impressed.

I’ve moved around a bit since and now live in southern Colorado with my husband and 22-pound housecat. We all spend as much time as we can in New Mexico. When I’m not writing (or thinking I should be writing), I love cooking, reading, and dabbling in crafts. My current craft loves are embroidery and papercutting. Neither requires a lot of supplies, and they’re fun and inexpensive to experiment with. I’ve also been taking blacksmithing lessons because wouldn’t it be cool to command steel! Unfortunately, blacksmithing is nowhere near as easy as it appears on YouTube videos. Even if I give up, I figure I’ll put a strong blacksmith character in a future book (or all future books!)

1. What genre(s) do you write and why?

The Santa Fe Café Mysteries are culinary cozies. They combine the two genres I can’t resist at bookstores and libraries: cookbooks and mysteries. I’ve long loved cozies for their fun themes—cooking, crafts, DYI—and for their every-woman heroines who solve crimes and would also make great friends in real life.

2. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?

Teletransportation! I love to travel but dread flying and long drives. How wonderful would it be to click your heels or magic ruby slippers and go anywhere? I’d visit my relatives without a three-flight haul, drop by Iceland and Scotland like I’ve always wanted, and show up in Santa Fe all the time for important culinary “research.”

3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?

I can usually force myself to write even if I’m not inspired. But then the problem can be slogging off in a wrong direction. In that case, I’ll try to re-outline or imagine the worst possibility for my character. I’ll also try to skip ahead a day or two in the story if my characters and I get bogged down.

4. What is your least favorite part of writing ?

First revisions can be painful. I’ll chop paragraphs, multiple chapters, even entire beginnings of books. When the word count plummets, it’s a terrible feeling that days, weeks, or months have been wasted. But if the story comes out better, the next revision is a lot more fun and worth the pain.

5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?

Oh, I’m so glad you asked. Meatballs! I’m always telling my husband (who likes grilling) that meatballs are the perfect dinner-guest food. They’re practically foolproof if you bake them or, better yet, braise them in their sauce. They’re comforting and you can fancy them up with different spices and serve them with pasta, polenta, couscous…practically anything! I could go on and on about meatballs. For vegetarians, I’d serve another favorite dish: spinach and mushroom lasagna.

6. What is your typical day like? When working on a first draft, I write almost every day, usually in the morning. I’ll try to resist doing anything fun or even non-fun (the tempting laundry or gym) until I meet my word-count or scene goal for the day.

7. What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why? Mmm…all of those can be difficult. I’m going to pick emotions. As a writer, you know if you’re building up a character’s hope and happiness so you can devastate her later. I feel bad for nice characters, anticipating what’s coming.

8. How likely are the people you meet going to end up in your next book? Ha! Truly, not very likely. I do keep a notebook of distinctive traits and things I can’t believe people actually say and do, but I’ve never tried to replicate anyone real in fiction.

However, if you ask my mother, she’ll swear she’s the visiting mother in Feliz Navidead. No, no. I merely incorporated a few traits my mom happens to share with lots of Southwest visitors, like concern for dehydration and fear that all those outdoor Christmas candles in paper bags will set the entire region on fire.

9. Tell us about your hero. Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses. Rita Lafitte is a forty-something, recently divorced mother to a teenage daughter. She’s not a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, but she loves her new hometown as well as her job as a chef at Tres Amigas Café. Rita’s biggest strength is her dedication to her friends and family. In all the books, she steps up when she thinks someone she loves might be in danger.

Weaknesses: like me, Rita can’t resist cheesy chile rellenos and other New Mexican culinary delicacies. She also has a weakness for a certain hunky, Stetson-wearing lawyer, Jake Strong.

10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?

Feliz Navidead, book three of the Santa Fe Café Mysteries, came out a few weeks ago (Oct. 25). It’s Christmas in Santa Fe, and Rita hopes the twinkling lights and tasty holiday treats will charm her visiting Midwest mom. She’s also planning fun activities, such as watching her teenage daughter, Celia, perform in an outdoor Christmas play. What she doesn’t plan for is murder.

When Rita discovers a dead actor during the premier performance, she vows to keep clear of the case. Sleuthing would outrage her mom. Besides, there’s already a prime suspect, caught red-handed in his bloodied Santa suit. However, when the accused Santa’s wife begs for assistance—and points out that Celia and other performers could be in danger—Rita can’t say no. With the help of her elderly boss, Flori, and her coterie of rogue knitters, Rita strives to salvage her mother’s vacation, unmask a murderer, and stop this festive season from turning even more fatal.

~~~

Be sure to come back to learn more about Ann Myers and her book, FELIZ NAVIDEAD on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

~~~

Links to Ann’s website, blog, books, etc.

Feliz Navidead: http://amzn.to/2g4nBQt

Please stop by and say hi or catch up on book news on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnnMyers.writer/

I also have some recipes and photos at http://www.annmyersbooks.com/

And you can find my books at

HarperCollins: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062382313/feliz-navidead

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Myers/e/B00V5307T0

Or order from your favorite local bookstore. A shout-out to some of my favorite indie booksellers: From My Shelf Books and Gifts (http://www.wellsborobookstore.com/, Wellsboro), Hooked on Books (http://hookedonbooksco.com/, Colorado Springs), Garcia Street Books (http://garciastreetbooks.com/, Santa Fe), and Tattered Cover (http://www.tatteredcover.com/, Denver).

~~~

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Ann is giving away a copy of one of her books (Bread of the Dead, Cinco de Mayhem, or Feliz Navidead, winner’s choice) to one lucky reader who comments on her Author Peek Interview or Killer Book Bench blogs. Good luck!

Thanks, Ann, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Judith Hudson (Home for Christmas, Fortune Bay Series #3) #recipe ~ Santa’s Dark Secret Cookies

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s

**AUTHOR SPECIAL**

with JUDITH HUDSON!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, JUDITH HUDSON, and her favorite recipe: SANTA’S DARK SECRET COOKIES!

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HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Fortune Bay Series #3

By JUDITH HUDSON

Blurb

Sometimes falling in love means risking it all.

Just out of pastry school, Louise [Ingstrom] is back in Fortune Bay for Christmas before returning to her dream job in Seattle.

She’s staying in the Murphy’s cabin for the month, and her oldest friend Blue is there to warm it up. He is determined not to get caught up in her life again though, especially if her new boyfriend is coming to visit.

Blue has stood by Louise forever—ever since they were kids and she lost everyone she cared about. But it’s time to get on with his own life. With or without her.

As Christmas festivities swirl around them, fate steps in again and Louise’s plans for a new life begin to crumble.

But will Blue be there this time to pull her through?

Welcome to Christmas in Fortune Bay.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Fortune Bay Series #3

By JUDITH HUDSON

EXCERPT

Louise was back.

After they unloaded the car, Blue stood in the cold, damp night, staring out at the black void that was the lake. He knew he shouldn’t have gone to the cabin tonight, but he didn’t want her coming back to a cold, dark house. What kind of welcome was that?

It had taken the whole time she’d been away to get her out of his system. Well, mostly out of his system. And he was determined not to let her mess with his head again.

He looked at the warm light falling from the cabin window. Who was he fooling? As soon as Sean had said she’d be staying at the cabin for December, his longing for her had uncoiled in his gut.

It was stupid, stupid and useless because she was already at it again. Had another guy on the hook. Hadn’t been back for two minutes before she dragged him out and flashed him like a trophy.

“Expecting company,” he mimicked, under his breath.

Some reunion.

Blue pulled his knit cap down over his forehead. He didn’t want to go back to the shop. There were problems there, too. Instead, he turned down the shoreline path toward his new house, glad there was one place he could go to get some peace. Free from the women who were messing with his head.

About Author Judith Hudson.. 

Judy grew up in Toronto Canada and St. Louis MO, then moved to the Pacific Northwest where she now lives on beautiful Vancouver Island.

Her romantic women’s fiction series, Fortune Bay Books, is set in the Pacific Northwest. In each book, someone at a crossroads of their life moves into a ramshackle cabin on Majestic Lake where they work through their problems with the help of friends and family, and the occasional nudge from the friendly spirit of Aunt Augusta. If a romance grows in the process, and it always does, well, so much the better.

As an landscape artist and photographer, the setting of the story is very important to Judy. “I’ve painted in the area for many years and I think it helps me make the setting real for the reader, helps draw them into the story. My characters are often artists, like Maddie, the darkroom photographer in Summer of Fortune who is at Fortune Bay for the summer to work on her first professional show, and Stephanie, the widowed matriarch of the clan who is finding a new life as a painter.”

~~~

Links to Judith’s Website, Books, & Social Media:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fVesdW

Barnes & Noble: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1124998220?ean=9780995170469

Website:  www.JudithHudsonAuthor.com

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/Judith-Hudson-Author-219980644725291/

I hope you enjoy the recipe Judith is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 285 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SANTA’S DARK SECRET COOKIES

[Makes 8 dozen]

NOTE FROM JUDITH: This recipe was invented specially for this book, Home for Christmas, by my amazing baker of a daughter-in-law, Vania Hudson. It’s the double chocolate plus cookie that Louise makes for Blue to thank him for welcoming her home.

1 ½ (generous) cups butter

¾ cups white sugar

1 1/3 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 ¼ cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

½ cup cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

¾ tsp salt

¾ cup chocolate chips

¾ cup dried cherries

1.       Cream butter. Add sugars and mix well. Add eggs and mix.

2.       In a separate bowl mix 2 cups of flour with the other dry ingredients. Add in three batches to butter mixture mixing well between each addition.

3.       Stir in chocolate chips.

4.       Mix cherries with ¼ cup of flour, and add to batter and mix.

5.       Drop round balls of dough on cookie sheet.

6.       Bake 7 minutes in a 350° oven. Makes 8 dozen.

Santa will be begging for more!

~~~

Thanks, Judith, for sharing your book and recipe with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Another Chance: An Austin Heroes Novel by Kathy Clark

 KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

~~

ANOTHER CHANCE

An Austin Heroes Novel

By KATHY CLARK

Blurb

Blending seductive romance with explosive suspense, bestselling author Kathy Clark burns up the pages in a captivating novel about a real-life hero and a gorgeous lawyer who are reunited under chilling circumstances—sure to please fans of Nora Roberts and Karen Robards.

 

Homeland Security agent Luke Archer returns home to Texas on a dangerous mission—a hands-on fight against a terrorist organization that has infiltrated the United States—yet it’s a chance encounter with his high-school sweetheart that really gets his blood pumping. Luke considers himself a lone wolf who doesn’t need a woman in his life. But as memories of their sweet, innocent affair stir him body and soul, Luke starts to wonder whether he should give love another chance.

A high-powered attorney, Bella Shaw has never forgotton how Luke left her behind in Austin to chase his dreams. But when she’s being totally honest with herself, Bella can’t deny that Luke is the one man she ever truly wanted. Though he tells her that the terrorists are using her land, she’s more worried about defending her heart from the advances of the sinfully sexy lawman. Still, Bella is willing to trust him again—if Agent Archer proves he’s worthy.

Praise for the novels of Kathy Clark

 

“Fast-paced, riveting . . . Playful dialogue between Nick and Jamie certainly kept me entertained, and I loved every moment they were together as their banter increased the sexual tension between them. . . . [The author] did justice to their instant and intense chemistry.”—Harlequin Junkie, on After Love

“A deeply touching story of a woman’s profound healing, and the amazing man who’s with her every step of the way.”—USA Today bestselling author Tina Wainscott, on Deep Night

“Throughout the whole story, I got the feeling of realness and empathy for the characters. If you are looking for a well-written romance story, then you have found it!”—Night Owl Reviews, on Cries in the Night

ANOTHER CHANCE

An Austin Heroes Novel

By KATHY CLARK

Random House Loveswept, Release Date 11/1/16

Everyone remembers the sweetness and heart-racing excitement of their teenage romances. What if you had the chance to re-unite with your high school sweetheart? ANOTHER CHANCE is about all the pleasure of first love, the crushing pain of a break-up, and the awkwardness of a reunion several years later.

I really enjoyed writing this book because I got to relive my own first romances. It made me think…What if?

Luke (the youngest of the Archer brothers) took a job as a Homeland Security Agent in Washington DC so he could escape the broad shadows cast by his two older brothers (Nick and Justin). When he comes back on a special assignment, he bumps into the woman he had loved deeply, madly, wildly…when they were both eighteen. But college and life separated them. Had too much happened since that last kiss for the spark to re-ignite? Had it been real or just the passion of youth?

I also had the opportunity to write a parallel lost-love story about Grammy and the young man who stole her heart back in the Sixties when she was trying to make a splash as a singer. It was so much fun to flashback to that very colorful, free-spirited era and to give the very popular character of Grammy some back story. You’re going to love how she deals with an unexpected reunion.

ANOTHER CHANCE is the last planned book of the Austin Heroes series, but I’ve already thought of a couple of spin-off ideas. I loved my Denver Heroes series, but I will definitely miss hanging out with the Archer brothers.

Next up for Bob and me is a new series called Breathless set in the quaint mountain town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Have you ever heard of the Two-Mile High Club? More about that later. Plus, we’ve just self-published our fifth YA romance/time travel/mystery novel, NOT MY LIFE. It’s already gotten a five star review from Readers’ Favorites.

As always, we love to hear from our readers. Let us know if ANOTHER CHANCE took you down memory lane…and if it was as good as you remembered. Your reviews are always welcomed.

Meet Author Kathy Clark … 

Long ago and far away (in Alvin, Texas) Kathy Clark began her career writing and performing plays for the neighborhood kids. She charged a nickel, but the attendees got a free bottle of ice cold Coke along with their entertainment. Flash forward a few years and Kathy Clark still loves telling stories.

She started writing solo for such publishers as Harlequin and Dell. In 1993, she met and married her prince charming, and after his career as a business executive, he became her co-writer.   Together they have had fourteen books published, bringing her total to thirty-seven. Their books are about real people caught up in unexpected and extraordinary circumstances, and just happen to fall in love in the process…just like Kathy and Bob did!

They currently live in Colorado Springs near their five sons. When they’re not plotting their next book on what they call their Authors’ Deck with a glass of wine, they love to travel to far-away places…always together.

LIST OF BOOKS

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE PUBLISHED BY RANDOM HOUSE/LOVESWEPT

After Midnight (#1 Denver Heroes Series)

WINNER BEST INDIE BOOK SUSPENSE OF 2013

READER’S FAVORITE SUSPENSE 2013

Cries in the Night (#2 Denver Heroes Series)

FINALIST COLORADO HUMANITIES AWARD 2014

Deep Night (#3 Denver Heroes Series)

After Love (#1 Austin Heroes Series)

Almost Forever (#2 Austin Heroes Series)

Another Chance (#3 Austin Heroes Series)

EROTIC ROMANCE

Fantasy Suite (#1 Room Service Series) Published by Loose Id

Master Suite (#2 Room Service Series)

NEW ADULT

Life’s What Happens

FINALIST BEST INDIE BOOK OF 2013

READER’S FAVORITE MAINSTREAM 2014

Due Dates (Book #1 of Scandals Series)

Killer Date (Book #2 of Scandals Series)

Worst Date Ever (Book #3 of Scandals Series)

Dating For Dollars (Book #4 of Scandals Series)

YOUNG ADULT

Change the Past (Book #1 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Oh My God (OMG)

WINNER BEST INDIE YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2013

Day at the Beach (Book #2 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Be Right Back (BRB)

WINNER READER’S FAVORITE 2013

Runaway Lover (Book #3 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Believe it or Not (BION)

READER’S FAVORITE YOUNG ADULT 2014

Forever Love (Book #4 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Rest in Peace (RIP)

Not My Life (Book #5 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat)

CLASSIC ROMANCE & CONTEMPORARY WOMEN’S FICTION

Angel of Mercy (#3 Angel Series)

Another Sunny Day

Born to be Wild

Cody’s Last Stand

Cold Feet, Warm Heart

Count Your Blessings

Golden Days (sequel to Another Sunny Day)

Goodbye Desperado

Hearts Against the Wind (Crystal Creek Series)

Kissed By an Angel (#1 Angel Series)

No Satisfaction

Passion and Possession

Phantom Angel (#2 Angel Series)

A Private Affair

Risky Business

Sight Unseen

Stand by Your Man (Crystal Creek Series)

Starry Nights

Starting Over

Stroke of Midnight

Sweet Anticipation

Teacher’s Pet

Tempting Fate

~~~

Links to Kathy’s website, blog, books, etc.

NOT MY LIFE on Amazon:

http://lrd.to/not-my-life

ANOTHER CHANCE on Amazon:

http://lrd.to/another-chance

Website:  www.LoveRealityRomance.com

Email:  LoveRealityRomance@gmail.com

Twitter: @93NightWriter

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Kathy-Clark-Reality-Romance-1608739986057729/

Goodreads:

www.goodreads.com/author/show/150098.Kathy_Clark

Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/BobKat1993/

Wikipedia: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Clark_(American_author)

Sign up for our newsletter at www.LoveRealityRomance.com or drop us a note at Kathy@nightwriter93.com.

~~~

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**:

TAKE A HERO TO BED…EVERY NIGHT!

Win a king-sized satin pillowcase with a photo of Luke Archer, the secret service agent from ANOTHER CHANCE, our latest Austin Heroes Book. The pillowcase is perfect for your hair, plus the photo of Luke will give you sweet dreams. Comment on Kathy’s Author Peek Interview or Killer Book Bench blogs. Good luck!

Thanks, Kathy, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: A Soldier’s Heart by Eileen Dreyer w/a Kathleen Korbel

 KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

~~

A SOLDIER’S HEART

By EILEEN DREYER w/a KATHLEEN KORBEL

Blurb

Twenty years ago in an EVAC hospital in Vietnam, Claire Henderson saved Tony Riordan’s life. Now, Claire is the one who needs help. She just doesn’t realize it will involve her heart.

She once saved his life. It’s his turn to save hers.

“A wrenching, emotional tale of war and remembrance” Affaire de Coeur

“A Keeper” RT Bookclub

A SOLDIER’S HEART

By EILEEN DREYER w/a KATHLEEN KORBEL

It was time for Tony to face the truth.

He had come for one purpose and stayed for another. And now he knew he would fight for a third.

He was falling in love with her.

Claire needed his sense, his compassion, his support. She needed a friend, and he wanted to be her lover.

He stared at the cluster of snapshots without really seeing them. He saw instead Claire as she’d been the night before. Open, anxious, trembling. And for one unforgivable moment, he wished he had refused to let her back away from him.

He should have been a lot more surprised by the realization. Outraged. Terrified. Appalled. He had no business falling in love with this woman. It certainly couldn’t help her. In truth, it could do nothing but hurt her.

Meet Author Eileen Dreyer … 

New York Times Bestselling, award-winning author Eileen Dreyer has published 40 novels and 10 short stories under her name and that of her evil twin, Kathleen Korbel in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, mystery and medical forensic suspense. A proud member of RWA’s Hall of FAME, she also has numerous awards from RT BookLovers and an Anthony nomination for mystery. She is now focusing on what she calls historic romantic adventure in her DRAKE’S RAKES series. A native of St. Louis, she still lives there with her family. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.

~~~

Links to Eileen’s website, blog, books, etc.

A Soldier’s Heart: Available 11/20/16

http://eileendreyer.com/

~~~

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Eileen is giving away an ebook copy of A SOLDIER’S HEART (upon its release) to one lucky reader who comments on her Killer Book Bench blog. Good luck!

Thanks, Eileen, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

**Author Peek** Interview with Kathy Clark ~ Another Chance: An Austin Heroes Novel

**Author Peek** Interview with

KATHY CLARK!

INTRODUCING…Kathy.

Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.

I’m the luckiest woman in the world because my husband and I work as a team to write books for our numerous series. Together, we have had forty books published, both traditionally and self-pubbed for a total of over 3.5 million in sales worldwide. Writing has got to be the best occupation ever because you can be anyone you want and do anything you want (and some things you don’t want!), and be anywhere you want. My favorite part of a book is about a third of the way through when the characters take over and write the book for me. After that, I just sit back and write down what they’re saying.

Bob and I love to travel. We’ve been lucky enough to visit several countries (including Australia, Ireland, Amsterdam, Paris, England, and numerous Caribbean islands). We have been in the process of relocating from Austin to Colorado Springs and fixing up our house for the past year and a half, and we are drastically overdue for a vacation. I just had my right knee replaced, so now I have a wicked scar to show off during our next visit to the beach, hopefully in the spring.

We love to hear from our readers. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for updates on new releases, household hints, recipes, and fun giveaways. Most of all, we hope you fall in love with our characters because we’ve had so much fun spending time with them while we were telling their stories.

We write our adult books under the pen name of Kathy Clark and our YAs under the pen name of Bob Kat (because our adult books are a little too spicy for younger audiences).

1. What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I like to jump around. I started writing romances because they were the hot genre at the time. But I got tired of reading them because the stories were so simple. When I wrote for Harlequin American, they encouraged more complicated plots, and I kind of pushed their boundaries with my books. Now Bob and I write romantic suspense, new adult romantic suspense, and YA time travel/romance/mystery. It’s fun to switch back and forth because the characters in the adult romances and the YA are so different. But it’s all living vicariously which is great fun.

2. What’s your favorite beverage?

No doubt about this one. I grew up in Texas where we drink Diet Coke for breakfast. But it has to have lots of ice. Bob has a more sophisticated palate and prefers dry Chardonnay. If I’m going alcoholic, I love frozen margaritas, especially at Chili’s, Outback, or Texas Roadhouse.

3. If you had to listen to one song over and over again for a whole day, what would it be?

I often set my phone on repeat and listen to a song over and over. But I have over 200 songs on it, and I like to shuffle. I can’t pick just one, but I’m crazy about In My Life by the Beatles. It’s sort of Bob’s and my theme song. But right now I’m also into Home by Phillip Phillips, Stay Alive by Jose Gonzalez, 100 Years by Five For Fighting, Welcome Home by Radical Face, and the Outlander theme (which is also my ringtone). My playlist has a lot of diversity.

4. What is your least favorite part of writing?

Blank pages. That’s what I love about having Bob as my writing partner. We sit on our deck and plot the books out in great detail. Then he’ll write the first draft, usually giving me about 30,000 words. The beauty in that is that I never have a blank page. I add the color, the emotion, the passion, and the details of the relationship (he focuses on the execution of the plot) which will double the size of the book. It’s a beautiful partnership.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why ?

I love Colorado. Plus, we’re close to our kids. But if they were out of the equation, we’d probably live in Australia or somewhere in the Caribbean. We love beaches and sunshine. Bob grew up in Ohio, so he hates the snow. But I grew up in Texas, and I love it, so Colorado is wonderful for me. He’s compromising because he loves me. Ahhhh!

6. Are you an avid reader? When you do read someone else’s writing, what is your favorite genre?

I used to be an avid reader, but I don’t read as much as I’d like now. I love romantic suspense and an occasional mainstream. I also sneak in an erotic romance every now and then.

7. Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

Real life is the best place for crazy. Just take something out of the newspaper and “what if” it until you have a plot. We also go to a lot of movies, and something will jump out and generate an idea for a new plot.

8. Tell me about your ideal reader .

Our ideal reader is someone who loves strong characters and interesting stories. If you’re looking for gimmicks (i.e. shapeshifter, mermaids, vampires), our books aren’t going to do it for you. Our books are about real people in challenging circumstances who succeed in the end.

9. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?

I don’t know if it’s a superpower, but if it isn’t, it should be. I’d like to time travel. How much fun would it be to skip back and forth through time and experience life in different eras and different places!

10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?

Another Chance is the last planned book in the Austin Heroes. It’s about the youngest Archer brother, Luke, who is a Homeland Security Officer sent back to his hometown of Austin on a case. He bumps into his high school sweetheart and the old flames are still there. But the circumstances of their break-up and life in general work against them. I love the first love/second chance trope, and this one has all that and more. Plus, I just love the Archer brothers. I think Nick is one of my all-time favorite heroes (Book #1, After Love). We also have a YA time travel book out this month called Not My Life.

Our next series is called Breathless and is set in historic Cripple Creek. The first book in that series (Fool’s Gold) is almost finished.

~~~

Be sure to come back to learn more about Kathy Clark and her book, ANOTHER CHANCE, on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

~~~

LIST OF BOOKS

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE PUBLISHED BY RANDOM HOUSE/LOVESWEPT

After Midnight (#1 Denver Heroes Series)

WINNER BEST INDIE BOOK SUSPENSE OF 2013

READER’S FAVORITE SUSPENSE 2013

Cries in the Night (#2 Denver Heroes Series)

FINALIST COLORADO HUMANITIES AWARD 2014

Deep Night (#3 Denver Heroes Series)

After Love (#1 Austin Heroes Series)

Almost Forever (#2 Austin Heroes Series)

Another Chance (#3 Austin Heroes Series)

EROTIC ROMANCE

Fantasy Suite (#1 Room Service Series) Published by Loose Id

Master Suite (#2 Room Service Series)

NEW ADULT

Life’s What Happens

FINALIST BEST INDIE BOOK OF 2013

READER’S FAVORITE MAINSTREAM 2014

Due Dates (Book #1 of Scandals Series)

Killer Date (Book #2 of Scandals Series)

Worst Date Ever (Book #3 of Scandals Series)

Dating For Dollars (Book #4 of Scandals Series)

YOUNG ADULT

Change the Past (Book #1 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Oh My God (OMG)

WINNER BEST INDIE YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2013

Day at the Beach (Book #2 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Be Right Back (BRB)

WINNER READER’S FAVORITE 2013

Runaway Lover (Book #3 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Believe it or Not (BION)

READER’S FAVORITE YOUNG ADULT 2014

Forever Love (Book #4 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat) Formerly titled Rest in Peace (RIP)

Not My Life (Book #5 of the Time Shifters Series under pen name Bob Kat)

CLASSIC ROMANCE & CONTEMPORARY WOMEN’S FICTION

Angel of Mercy (#3 Angel Series)

Another Sunny Day

Born to be Wild

Cody’s Last Stand

Cold Feet, Warm Heart

Count Your Blessings

Golden Days (sequel to Another Sunny Day)

Goodbye Desperado

Hearts Against the Wind (Crystal Creek Series)

Kissed By an Angel (#1 Angel Series)

No Satisfaction

Passion and Possession

Phantom Angel (#2 Angel Series)

A Private Affair

Risky Business

Sight Unseen

Stand by Your Man (Crystal Creek Series)

Starry Nights

Starting Over

Stroke of Midnight

Sweet Anticipation

Teacher’s Pet

Tempting Fate

~~~

Links to Kathy’s website, blog, books, etc.

NOT MY LIFE on Amazon:

http://lrd.to/not-my-life

ANOTHER CHANCE on Amazon:

http://lrd.to/another-chance

Website:  www.LoveRealityRomance.com

Email:  LoveRealityRomance@gmail.com

Twitter: @93NightWriter

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Kathy-Clark-Reality-Romance-1608739986057729/

Goodreads:

www.goodreads.com/author/show/150098.Kathy_Clark

Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/BobKat1993/

Wikipedia: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Clark_(American_author)

Sign up for our newsletter at www.LoveRealityRomance.com or drop us a note at Kathy@nightwriter93.com.

~~~

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**:

TAKE A HERO TO BED…EVERY NIGHT!

Win a king-sized satin pillowcase with a photo of Luke Archer, the secret service agent from ANOTHER CHANCE, our latest Austin Heroes Book. The pillowcase is perfect for your hair, plus the photo of Luke will give you sweet dreams. Comment on Kathy’s Author Peek Interview or Killer Book Bench blogs. Good luck!

Thanks, Kathy, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

**NEW Release** Season of Survival: 3 Action-Packed Romantic Suspense Series Starters by Bestselling Authors Kim Cresswell, K.L. Docter & Rachel Kent!!!

NEW RELEASE!!!

SEASON OF SURVIVAL

3 Action-Packed Romantic Suspense Series Starters

By Bestselling Authors Kim Cresswell, K.L. Docter & Rachel Kent

 

*** NEW Release ~ Holiday Price Special ***

*** ONLY $.99 ***

 

See what you’re getting in this collection of three full-length novels…

REFLECTION (A Whitney Steel Novel – Book One) by Kim Cresswell

“A deeply emotional romantic suspense that starts bold and holds you captive to the very end.” –New York Times Bestseller, Dianna Love

Blurb: Lunch with the ex-husband is not always a fun thing especially when bullets start flying and reporter Whitney Steel finds herself in the middle of a human cloning story that will rock the world…providing she lives long enough to get her byline.

Bio: Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a story-teller all her life but took many detours including; working in legal and adult education before returning to her first love, writing.

Her debut suspense novel, REFLECTION, has won numerous awards: RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown Finalist (Romantic Suspense), InD’tale Magazine 2014 Rone Award Finalist (Suspense/Thriller), UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013), Silicon Valley’s Romance Writers of America (RWA) “Gotcha!” Romantic Suspense Winner (2004), and an Honourable Mention in Calgary’s (RWA) The Writer’s Voice Contest (2006).

Kim’s short novel thriller LETHAL JOURNEY won RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown (Thriller/Suspense) and was a finalist in From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW) Golden Gate Contest (2003). Her high-octane thrillers have been highly praised by reviewers and readers. As one reviewer said, “Buckle up, Hang on tight!”

She also recently published two action-packed Kindle Worlds novellas featuring characters from her Whitney Steel series and JET from Russell Blake’s New York Times bestselling action JET series.

Connect with Kim:

Website: www.kimcresswell.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimCresswellBooks/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/kimcresswell

KILLING SECRETS (A Thorne’s Thorn Novel – Book One) by K. L. Docter

Blurb: “This romantic suspense is full of wonderful secrets, twists, turns and has an evil serial killing villain. The kind of killer we see on the TV show CRIMINAL MINDS.”–RT Book Reviews, Bernadette Cychner

Some secrets are better left dead. Too bad the Angel Killer’s digging them up. Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her traumatized child, his key to the James fortune. Patrick Thorne isn’t interested in helping another of his parents’ charity cases, especially after losing his unborn son and wife to suicide. Only trust will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a child of her silent prison, and save them both from a killer who stands too close.

Bio: Bestselling Author Karen Docter writes contemporary romance. When she feels the need to feed the dark side, she writes intense suspense thrillers as K.L. Docter. She’s an award-winning author, a four-time Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist, and won the coveted Kiss of Death Romance Writers Daphne du Maurier Award Category (Series) Romantic Mystery Unpublished division.

When she’s not saving her characters from death and destruction or helping them to fall in love, she loves camping and fishing with her family, reading, gardening & cooking. If she can do most of those things over a campfire, all the better!

Connect with Karen/K.L.:

Website/Blog: http://www.karendocter.com/

Twitter: @KarenDocter

Karen Docter FB: goo.gl/6TXc5X

K.L. Docter FB: goo.gl/uD1iGL

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/bsswDd

BROKEN PIECES (Bits & Pieces – Book One) by Rachel Kent

Tara Jacobs had her life completely planned. She truly did have it all after a lifetime of struggles. Unfortunately, her stepbrother arrives in town and threatens to ruin her well-laid plans with some blackmail. Tara stops at almost nothing to keep her skeletons from tumbling out of the closet.

Bio: Rachel Kent is a 30-something mother of two who has been writing since the 7th grade. When she’s not writing she follows her other passions — working out, practicing yoga, or dancing.

She loves writing steamy romance and steamy romantic suspense.

Connect with Rachel:

Website: http://www.rachelkentbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelkentbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelkentbook

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fwCWdl

Kobo: goo.gl/K86bZJ

iTunes: https://goo.gl/j3hlrt

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32764369-season-of-survival-box-set

*The Season of Survival Box Set contains adult situations, language and violence. Each story can be read as a stand alone. This is a reissue of the Seasons of Thrills Box Set.*

HAPPY READING!