Melanie D. Snitker's Blog, page 23

Finding Peace - On Sale for $0.99

Finding Peace , the first book in the Love's Compass series, is on sale today for $0.99. If you haven't read the book yet, don't miss out on this great deal! Book four, Finding Faith, will be released this winter! 

Frozen Beauty in the Backyard

Texas has definitely had its range of weather this December. We celebrated Christmas with family on the 23rd. It was in the 70s and we had the air conditioner running. Then temperatures fell the 26th. We had a sleet and rain mix all day yesterday then woke up this morning to 2.5" of snow. It's beautiful! We took the kids out to play in it, came in for some hot chocolate, and made snow ice cream. It's been a great day to stay indoors. This evening, a good deal of the snow has melted. But I'm thankful I captured some of the beauty from our frozen wonderland.

Guest Blogger: Seaside Christmas Blog Tour

Blog Tour Schedule Seaside Christmas by Stacy ClaflinHe can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink?

Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor.

When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about.

If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.
Meet the Hunter brothers of Kittle Falls…The Seaside Hunters novels are a series of contemporary sweet romances. They’re set in the beach town of Kittle Falls, following the Hunter brothers as they make their way back to their hometown and find the loves they couldn’t elsewhere. Each book is a standalone. Book Excerpt:

Cruz double-checked the house number and walked up the sidewalk and to their walkway. A street lamp turned on as he walked underneath. He’d gone over what he was going to say countless times. There weren’t any other buildings in town he could use for his tattoo shop—the city council had made it clear the only place he would be allowed to do business was the outskirts of town—so he needed to be convincing if he wanted to talk them out of the building.

His sense of humor and charm had always gotten him out of trouble growing up, so he needed to tap into that. So many times, all he’d had to do was tell a joke and laugh, and his teachers would just melt and let him get away with whatever trouble he’d created. It didn’t work quite as well now that he had facial hair and tattoos, but that wouldn’t stop him from trying.

Cruz walked up the steps to the porch and knocked on the door, avoiding a wreath. It smelled of pine, like it had been freshly made.

Noise sounded from inside, and then the door opened. The blonde chick from the day before—what was her name again?—stood before him, wearing another dress. It was bright yellow with a pattern of tropical flowers. Her hair was pulled back and a floral scent engulfed him—her perfume?

She smiled and stepped back. “Come on in, Cruz.”

And she remembered his name. He forced a smile and nodded a thanks, stepping inside. The house had bare furnishings and almost no decorations, spare a few holiday ones.

Blondie closed the door and then Cruz saw a pile of moving boxes. That’s right. They were new to town. “Nice place.”

“We’re still trying to figure out where everything is. You know how moving is.”

“Not really.”

She raised an eyebrow. 

“But I imagine it’s a pain in the—uh, neck. I grew up in one house, and the only time I moved was when I went to college, and all I packed fit on my motorcycle.”

Her gorgeous blue-green eyes widened. “Really?”

“Don’t look so shocked. I went to UCLA. I graduated, even.”

“That’s not what surprised me. It was because you got everything on a motorcycle.”

He shrugged.

“Isn’t UCLA hard to get into? Less than ten percent get in, don’t they?”

Cruz looked away. “I didn’t really pay attention. Just wanted to hang out in LA for a while.”

“What brought you back here?”

“Sure wasn’t the town. My dad had some health problems and I wasn’t really gettin’ along with the guy I was working for, so I just packed up my bike and came back.”

“Is your dad okay?” Talia’s eyes widened. “Do you guys need anything?”

“No, he’s okay now. Takin’ care of himself and everything. My mom and all five of us brothers help out, too.” 

“Oh, good. Well, if you do need something, you have our number.”

Cruz nodded and slid off his jacket. Her eyes widened as her gaze went over his heavily tattooed arms. He tried to tell if she was judging him or checking them out. It was hard to tell because her expression didn’t reveal anything. He’d been judged before by religious people, making wild assumptions based on his body art.

Cruz flexed both arms and then held out his jacket. “Someplace I can hang this?”Author Stacy Claflin

I don’t stick to a single genre in my writing, reading, or viewing. My favorite shows include Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars, Lost Girl, Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time.

I've been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble because I would try to convince others that my stories were real.

When I'm not busy writing, I like spending time with my family and friends. I also educate my kids from home.$25 Blog Tour Giveaway GiveawayEnter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/27/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
​a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recipe: Chicken-and-Vegetable Bean Soup

I'm always on the lookout for a new soup recipe in the winter. This particular recipe is in a Better Homes and Gardens Slow-Cooker Meals book. I actually looked all over for this particular one online so I could just post a link to it on my Facebook page. I was unable to locate it anywhere. So I'll write the recipe out for you here and if any of you run into the link online, please let me know. Thank you!

Chicken-and-Vegetable Bean Soup 1 cup dry Great Northern beans
6 cups water
1 cup chopped onion
1 medium fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 gloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp snipped fresh parsley
1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 tsp ground black papper 
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken
1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1. Rinse the beans and drain. In a large saucepan, combine beans and the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let it stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans. Or you can rinse the beans, place them in the water and put a lid on top of the pan. Then leave the beans to soak overnight. Drain and rinse the next morning.

2. In a 3 1/2 to 5 quart slow cooker, combine onion, fennel, carrots, garlic, parsley, rosemary, and pepper. Place beans on top of the vegetables in the cooker. Pour broth over everything. 

3. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. 

4. Stir in the chicken and undrained tomatoes. Cover again. If you are using the low setting, turn it to high and allow it to cook 30 minutes more until everything is heated through. 

Serve with cornbread or another favorite side and enjoy! 

** As a side comment, we've never added the fennel or the parsley. Celery is a great addition. We've also put in a can of tomatoes with chiles when we want some heat to the soup. It's a great recipe to play around with and add some of your family's favorite veggies. This soup rewarms nicely, too.

Enter the Holiday Giveaway!

Who doesn't like the chance to win a fun prize package, especially when there's chocolate involved? I had a lot of fun putting this particular one together for you all. 

Included is a paperback copy of Finding Peace, a pretty 5x7 picture frame, gourmet chocolate covered pretzels, a snowman ornament, a Hershey's chocolate bar, Faith wings magnet, and three old-fashioned candy sticks.

For your chance to win, enter below. The contest will run through the 15th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Unfortunately, this contest is open to those with a United States address. My apologies to all of you wonderful individuals living outside the states. 

Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This has been one of my favorite meals since I was a kid. This particular recipe is from my mom and I still absolutely love it. We made it last night and I thought I would share it with you all. This is a casserole that you can put together and toss into the fridge until you're ready to put it in the oven to cook. It freezes wonderfully as well. 

​So without further ado:  Chicken Enchilada Casserole Ingredients:
1 chicken (or 3 chicken breasts)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 (4 oz.) cans chopped green chiles (use one can if you don't like it spicy)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. sage
1/4 tsp. powdered chili
1 diced onion (we use 1/2 tsp. onion powder)
1 lb. grated cheese
1 dozen corn tortillas

Note: You can certainly  make your own cream of chicken style soup and I've made my own corn tortillas. So it doesn't all have to be from a can. I do most of my cooking from scratch so when I make this dish every once in a while, I just go with the cans to give myself a break. lol 
Directions:
Salt and pepper the chicken and then bake. When it's tender, allow it to cool. Remove the meat from the bone (or skip this part if you baked chicken breasts) and break into bite-sized pieces. 

In one bowl, combine the soup, chicken stock from the baked chicken, green chiles, and seasoning. Stir together well and set it aside. 

If you use chopped onion, I usually stir it in with the chicken. At this point you'll have three ingredient bowls: that with the soup mix, the chicken (and onions, desired), and the cheese.

Grease the casserole dish and layer the ingredients: Tortillas (3-4 per layer), chicken, soup mixture, cheese. Repeat these layers until everything has been used and top with extra cheese. 

Bake at 325'F for 35-45 minutes (it can take closer to an hour if you're pulling it out of the fridge). You'll know it's done with the sides are super bubbly. 

​I hope you and your family enjoys this recipe!

And a big thanks to my mom, Suzanne Allison, for the excellent recipe! 

Guest Post: Cover Reveal - Time for the Lost by Chess Desalls

Calla's disappearance leads her family and friends to suspect that she’s lost. In a desperate attempt to find her, Valcas seeks help from a man he betrayed. A new search begins, one that sounds promising, even if it forces Valcas to confront his past.

The travel team reunites for a mission they never saw coming: a journey to a world caught between life and death, and hidden within the deepest recesses of time. Ivory rediscovers a friend and Ray learns the meaning behind his tattoo. But the connections they make between travelers and the lost may twist the core of the Time and Space Travel Agency inside out.

Time for the Lost is the third installment in The Call to Search Everywhen serial series.

Catch up with Calla and Valcas' adventure before the third book releases in February 2016!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes ~ AudibleAbout the Author
Chess Desalls is the author of the YA time travel series, The Call to Search Everywhen. She's a longtime reader of fantasy and sci-fi novels, particularly classics and young adult fiction. Her non-fiction writing has led to academic and industry publications. She’s also a contributing editor for her local writing club’s monthly newsletter. The California Writers Club, South Bay branch, has awarded two of Chess’ stories first place for best short fiction. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys traveling and trying to stay in tune on her flute. Connect with Chess on:
Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr
Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

My Favorite Holiday Cookies - Recipes Included!

I normally enjoy baking. But when it comes to the Christmas season, my specialty is cookies. I bake a lot of them and enjoy every minute. I usually have more cookies I want to make than I actually make simply because there's no way my family can eat them all. So I find myself having to narrow down what kinds I'll make each year.

My husband's favorite cookie is the traditional chocolate chip. Mine is double chocolate with mint chips (which varies year to year depending on what mint candy is available in the store). Yum! But I thought I would share a couple of my favorite, slightly less common, cookie recipes. 

Coconut Cookies

Ingredients: 
2 cups flaked coconut
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt (I always bake without the salt)
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Glaze (Optional - I rarely make it)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup hot water

Directions: 
Heat over to 375'F

Spread coconut on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then stir every minute until toasted evenly. Let it cool.

Mix flour and baking soda. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture. By hand, stir in the toasted coconut. 

If the dough is super soft, chill for 30 minutes.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 3 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. 

To make the glaze, stir together the powdered sugar and hot water until smooth. Add hot water if too thick. Drop a hot cookie into the glaze, using a fork to flip it over if you want glaze on both sides. 

Makes about 36 cookies.  Peppermint Cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
3/4 crushed peppermints
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt 
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 large eggs
1 cup brown sugar, packed 

Glaze (the cookies are great with and without it)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1-2 drops red food coloring if desired

Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350'F

Lightly grease a baking sheet or use parchment paper **

Mix flour, oats, candy, and baking soda. Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs. On low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture. 

Drop onto baking sheets by rounded spoonfuls. Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.

** These are incredibly yummy, but I've personally started to bake them in a pan and then cut them into squares instead of trying to make cookies as they tend to really flatten out and stick together easily which makes storage difficult.  Gingerbread Cookies

This is a new recipe from last year and we loved it. In fact, we ended up making two batches last Christmas and when I started to talk about cookies the other day, this was the first recipe my daughter brought up. They are moist and just slightly chewy. So good! 

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. ground ginger
1 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
6 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 large egg 
1/2 cup molasses
2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 375'F
Line baking sheets with parchment paper

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. 

In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and egg until well blended. Add molasses and vanilla, mixing well. 

Gradually stir in all dry ingredients and blend until smooth. 

Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic. Let it stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours. (The dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days).

Place one of the halves on a floured surface. Use additional flour on the dough and the rolling pin. Roll it out to 1/4-inch thick and cut out the cookies with a cookie cutter. 

Space the cookies 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 7-10 minutes (the lower the time, the softer the cookies)

Don't remove them from the pan too quickly or they'll fall apart. If you need the cookie sheet to keep baking, you can drag the parchment paper from it and to a surface to allow the cookies to cool and that works well.  I hope you give these recipes a try. If you do, let me know what you think. Do you have a favorite cookie recipe? Feel free to share, I'm always on the lookout for new ones! 

Happy baking! 

Guest Post: Cowboys and Christmas - Shanna Hatfield

I'm so excited to welcome Shanna Hatfield back this year with her 2nd Annual Cowboys and Christmas Blog Tour. She has a lot of fun lined up for you all! There's the blog tour, a Facebook party, giveaways, and don't forget her two new releases. Check it all out below! 
​ Welcome to the 2nd annual Cowboys and Christmas Blog Tour!

Raising funds and awareness for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund

Ring in the Holidays with a Helping Hand November 1 through Dec. 24, 10 percent of the net proceeds from all Shanna Hatfield book sales will be donated to the  Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund . The JCCF is a non-profit organization that assists rodeo athletes who’ve sustained catastrophic injuries and are unable to work for an extended period. Every book purchased during this promotional period adds to the donation total. Don't forget to add books to your Christmas lists! USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.” Rodeo Love Growing up on a farm twenty miles from the closest town, we generally took our excitement anywhere we could get it.;"> Author with the neighbor's pet fawn.Each summer, I eagerly anticipated our small town’s biggest event of the year - the Fourth of July Rodeo.

Back in those days, it was a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo. Some of the top names in the circuit would join hundreds of rodeo fans for four days of rodeo, events in the park, a parade through town, and the annual Suicide Race (a crazy horseback race down a steep butte, across the highway, through the river, and into the rodeo arena).

The whole family looked forward to the celebration. My oldest brother regularly rode in the Suicide Race and some of my cousins often competed in the rodeo.

For a horse-crazy little girl who loved the smell of leather and the sight of cowboy hats, it was amazing. From an early age, I had a romance with the rodeo.

One of the few stores we had in town was a saddle-maker with a boot shop. When I was five, my dad took me to Leroy’s shop to pick out a new belt for the rodeo. It was the first time I could choose my own. Talk about excited!

As we walked inside, the welcoming aroma of leather filled the air. Dad led me to where Leroy worked on saddle at the back of the shop and they talked a few minutes. Impatiently waiting, they finally told me to go see what I could find. My gaze - and heart - immediately settled on a hand-tooled belt with little flowers stamped into the leather and a silver buckle with a gold saddle that glistened in the overhead lights.

I still have that little belt today along with my love of rodeo. It’s because of how much I enjoy watching rodeos that led to the creation of my Rodeo Romance series. 

Tate Morgan is a saddle bronc rider out to claim a championship title and the girl he loves inThe Christmas Cowboy, the first book in the series. 

Wrestlin’ Christmas, the second installment, shares Cort McGraw’sstory as a sidelined steer wrestler who falls for a widow down on her luck.

​In Capturing Christmas, Kash Kressley is a rodeo stock contractor who falls for a feisty rodeo photographer. New Releases To kick off the second annual Cowboys and Christmas Blog Tour and the JCCF campaign, two brand new holiday romances will release Nov. 12!  Capturing Christmas  is the third installment in the sweet holiday western Rodeo Romance series.

Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as the redheaded photographer he rescues at a rodeo.

Determined to capture the best images possible, rodeo photographer Celia McGraw is fearless and feisty. Not one to back down from a challenge, her biggest risk isn’t in her work. Danger lurks in the way her heart responds to one incredibly handsome stock contractor. Will Kash and Celia capture the spirit of the season?

​Pre-order  your copy  today!
​

Get all three books in the Rodeo Romance series! The Christmas Vow  is the fourth book in the Hardman Holidays sweet Victorian romance series.

Columbia River Pilot Adam Guthry returns to his hometown of Hardman, Oregon, after the sudden death of his best friend. Emotions he can’t contain bubble to the surface the moment he sees the girl who shattered his heart eleven years ago.

Widow Tia Devereux escapes her restrictive life in Portland, returning to the home she knew and adored as a girl in Hardman. She and her four-year-old son, Toby, settle into the small Eastern Oregon community, eager for the holiday season. Unfortunately, the only man she’s ever loved shows up, stirring the embers of a long-dead romance into a blazing flame. When her former father-in-law, a corrupt judge, decides he wants to raise Toby, Adam may be the only hope she has of keeping her son.

​You can pre-order  your copy  today for only $2.99! Don't miss out on the  Hardman Holidays  series! You’re Invited to PARTY!You’re invited to join in the online  Cowboys & Christmas Facebook Party , Thursday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (PST). Drop in anytime during those four hours to enter to win great prizes, chat with guest authors, and more (many of the giveaways will stay open until the following morning)!
Here’s the link to the party: 
http://tinyurl.com/cowboychristmasparty2

The talented guest authors joining in the celebration include:
10 a.m. - Carmen Peone 
10:30 - Kayla Dawn Thomas 
11 a.m. - Melanie D. Snitker, Author 
11:30 - Julie Cerniglia Lence 
Noon - Author CJ Samuels 
12:30 - Rachel Rossano 
1 p.m. -Author Kristin Holt 
1:30 - Dani Harper
​
Enter to Win Prizes! To enter the drawing for an Amazon gift card, Wrangler Tote Bag, Rock & Roll Cowgirl T-shirt, autographed books, chocolates, and more fun goodies, fill out this form. Winners will be randomly drawn and announced Nov. 16.Where to Find The Books

 Start the  Rodeo Romance  Series
​with  The Christmas Cowboy.
Kindle  |  Amazon

Travel back to a time of grandeur in the old west
with the Hardman Holidays series.
The Christmas Bargain  begins the popular series
and is available  free  for a very limited time!
Kindle |  Amazon
About Shanna Hatfield Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen, one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with characters that seem incredibly real.

When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

​This USA Today bestselling author is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, and Pioneer Hearts. 

Find Shanna’s books at: 
Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble |Smashwords | Apple 

Shanna loves to hear from readers!
Follow her online: 
ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Pinterest |Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter 

Make sure you sign up for her newsletter to get the latest on new releases and exclusive giveaways!  Newsletter

Finding Hope is FREE!

While I have not personally had cancer, I have several family members and friends who have. Their struggles and faith are what inspired me to write this book. 

Finding Hope is FREE through Friday, October 30th. If you haven't had a chance to read Lexi's story of hope in the face of cancer, I hope you'll take this opportunity. 

Whether you've struggled with cancer yourself, or know someone who has, I hope that this book will be an encouragement to you.