6th Day of Christmas: Krista Ames

Cate: Krista just arrived by special delivery! Krista, please tell us a little bit about yourself.Krista:  Hi Cate, thanks so much for having me here to spread the holiday cheer !!  I am a stay-at-home wife and mom of 4 and a full-time author in between all that wife/mom stuff J  I live in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan where we definitely get some snow.  Those are the days I wonder why I ever left Florida lol. 
I also love visitors and hope that readers will come see me at my blog,  http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.comor my website, http://www.kristaames.com
Cate: What do you love most about Christmas?Krista:  You know, I think the thing I love most is seeing how excited and happy my kids are come Christmas morning.  There’s no better feeling. 
Cate: I agree. :) Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past?Krista:   I don’t’ think I’ve ever had a bad Christmas really.  The  biggest surprise I think I ever got was before I was married.  We went to my mom and dad’s house for Christmas morning and after everyone was done unwrapping and cleaning up, he sat me on the floor and sat a huge box in front of me.  I got super nervous lol.  I unwrapped the big box only to find another box inside, a bit smaller and wrapped as well.  That went on for about 5 more boxes until I got down to a tiny box that turned out to be a ring box.  I was in a bit of shock but when I opened it, there was no ring, only a folded up piece of paper.  I didn’t dare look around because I knew everyone was watching me.  So, I read the note, crying as I finished it and when I looked up he was on his knees in front of me holding the ring.  Of course I said yes J
Cate: That's so sweet! And romantic. :) If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for?Krista:   For my kids to all have long and happy lives!
Cate: What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special?Krista:   I’ve received so many over the years but my favorites have been the ones hand made by my children. 
Cate: Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share?Krista:  Oh of course :)
These are 2 I love to make for any of our get-togethers…
** Cream Cheese Bars
2 (8oz) pkgs. Cream Cheese(softened) (I microwave 30sec to 1 min.)2 tubes Croissant Rolls¾ c. sugar½ stick butterCinnamon-sugarPreheat oven to 350deg. Mix sugar and cream cheese, set aside.  Spray bottom of 13x9 pan.  Spread 1 can of Croissant rolls in bottom of pan.  Cover the rolls with the cream cheese mixture.  Carefully spread the 2nd can of Croissant rolls over the top of the cream cheese mixture.  (I do this last task in triangle sections.  I spread them out on a cutting board then place them on top so the cream cheese is all covered)  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over the top and dot with butter.Bake 20-25 min. or until rolls are browning.  Cool before cutting and serving.

Pineapple Cake
Cake2c. flour1 tsp. baking soda2 c. sugar2 eggs1 can crushed pineapple and juice (Large can)Mix all ingredients well.  Bake at 350 deg. 30-35 min. in 13x9 pan or Texas sheet cake (jelly roll) pan.  (I use the jelly roll pan, makes the cake last longer and the pieces aren’t so thick.)
Frosting1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese½ c. powdered sugar½ stick butter1 tsp. vanillaBeat all til creamy, frost while cake is hot!
Cate: Mm, I'm going to try those! Now for the real goodies - tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.Krista:  Sure, my latest release is called Take Me Home, Cowboy in the Western Escape series at Decadent Publishing.
Buy Links:
Decadent:  http://www.decadentpublishing.com/
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Take-Cowboy-Western-Escape-ebook/dp/B00AA3PA52/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1353466393&sr=8-7&keywords=Krista+Ames
B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/take-me-home-cowboy-krista-ames/1113823704?ean=2940015728804
ARe:  http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Krista:   Of course…how about both ?
Blurb: Ally Kincaid returns to Freewill, Wyoming, to see her father after a two year absence. Anticipating a quiet family reunion, she finds herself butting heads with her father’s foreman instead. The man’s arrogance and sexy drawl push all her buttons, making her wonder what he’s hiding beneath his cowboy swagger.
Matt Gentry walked away from the past and shies from the future. No ties means no one gets hurt…until the boss’s daughter, a hot, green-eyed blonde, tempts him to break his own rules.
When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy their growing attraction or show them the way home?
Excerpt: “I need to buy that man an answering machine.” Furious, Ally held the receiver away from her ear, eyes closed as the phone on the other end rang continuously. “Come on, Daddy, where are you?”
She was ready to hang up in frustration when the receiver was picked up and then—by the sound of the loud clanging on the other end—dropped.
“Circle K,” said the deep male voice rather breathlessly.
“Where in the world were you?”
“Excuse me?” the husky voice asked.
Oh crap, that’s definitely not Daddy. She’d been so surprised her call had finally been answered, she hadn’t realized there was nothing familiar about the voice at the end of the line “I’m sorry….” she cracked. Wow, where did that high-pitched squeak come from? “I’m sorry, who is this?”
“This is the Circle K Ranch. Who’s this?”
The man’s question held an impressive sexy drawl. Definitely not a voice she’d ever heard in New York City, and one she’d only be lucky enough to find in her dreams.
“I’d like to speak to Jesse Kincaid, please.” She did a mental inventory of all the ranch hands but couldn’t place the voice. And he obviously didn’t recognize hers either. Must be somebody new her father had hired since the last time she’d been there.
“Sorry, ma’am, he’s not here. What can I do for ya?”
“When will he be available, please?”
“Now, ma’am, I don’t guess I’m at liberty to say until I know exactly who it is I’m speaking at.”
God, men could be so arrogant. Why did he need to know who was calling? A simple answer would suffice.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but this is Ally Kincaid. Who exactly are you?”
“Well, well, isn’t this a nice surprise? Miss Ally Kincaid. Did your father know you’d be calling?”
She gritted her teeth in frustration. Who does this cocky, know-it-all cowboy think he is? 
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme?Krista:  Cowboys in general J  I love cowboys and I love the west and one day the storyline just popped in my head so I wrote it down. 
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?Krista:  Just want to thank you so much for letting me be a part of your 12 Days of Christmas!  I had a lot of fun!
Cate: Woot! Krista has her Santa hat on.Krista:  I would love to give away an ebook copy of Take Me Home, Cowboy to one lucky commenter that can tell me what they like most about Christmas !!  and don’t forget to leave an email address so I can contact you!
Cate: Thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday!