All posts by Karen Docter

Christmas Special ~ ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas

December 3, 2013 Karen Docter 2 Comments

‘Twas the Week Before Christmas
By Karen Docter

‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the land
My dust bunnies had grown bold, joined the Editorial Band;

Revisions were hung by the critique rank and file,
In hopes that my manuscript would soon top the pile;

Characters were canoodling in their own special way,
While villains of danger snuck into the fray;

And my hero in his splendor, and heroine bathed in moon’s light,
Had just dissed their love for the fourth time this night;

When out of my brain there arose what I’d been missing,
Had to rush to the office to tweak a bout of kissing;

Away to my chair, I stumbled and swore,
Ripped open a Window and widened my eyes more;

The cursor, blinking cheerily on the computer screen, teased,
Tormenting my poor muse, more than it appeased;

When, what to my beleaguered senses should un-wend,
But my muse on a lotus blossom, and a close writer friend;

With a great mighty shove, so swift the prevention,
I knew in a thrice, this was editorial intervention;

So swift the editor kicked off her perch, ideas they came,
And my muse danced and sang, I knew this was the game.

“Now, Narrative! Now, Point of View! Now, Adjective and Verb!
On, Sentence! On Paragraph! On, Synopsis and Blurb!”

“To the top of the list! To the top of the pile!
Now print away! Print away! Print away, smile!”

As manuscript pages that before crazed muse envision,
When they hide behind walls, come out with permission;

So rise to the occasion the plot points they grow,
With a screen full of characterization, my muse did yet glow;

And then, in that moment, I heard my hero speak,
Those sensuous words and statement of love’s peak;

As I reached for the words, and was putting them down,
My heroine laughed and tried on her wedding gown;

From her fingers danced stars, my muse had donned glitters,
Her crown was tipped over from too many gin-and-bitters;

But she sat on my poor editor, not allowing her vent,
My muse looked like an angel, or maybe an agent;

Her face – how it glowed! Her dimples how naughty!
Her eyes full of mischief, her nose not one bit haughty!

Her gleeful expression was fixed on the page,
And the stubborn tilt of her chin was as firm as a sage;

An eraser-less pencil she clenched tight in her hand,
And an aura of contentment encircled the land;

She had purpose to her step, was lithe enough to bend,
To the winds of creativity, she was surely there to wend;

She was the vision of my heroine, an odd little perk,
And I laughed when I saw her, my psyche at work;

With a gracious smile and a nod in my direction,
She gave me the notion I could bow to her perfection;

She spoke not at all, but took over my work,
And filled all the holes; then turned with a smirk.

And saving her words, I would tomorrow sigh,
And giving me a look, out of the office she did fly.

She freed my sorry editor, dusted her off with a smile,
And away she tottered without the least bit of guile.

But I heard her exclaim, as she packed up her bikini,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good ‘Finis’!”

[[Inspired by ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.]]

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Kahlua Lace Sandwich Cookies

November 29, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me. I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy. It might be a main course recipe. A cookie or baked item. Candy. Salads. Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is KAHLUA LACE SANDWICH COOKIES!

I start thinking about Christmas over the Thanksgiving weekend — we usually start setting up our decorations — so it’s appropriate to start thinking about holiday baking! Kahlua Lace Sandwich Cookies are great to make that party cookie tray look and taste festive. They’re also extra-special for that gift basket you share with your friends and neighbors!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 119 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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KAHLUA LACE SANDWICH COOKIES
[Makes 2 dozen]

½ cup butter
½ cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup light brown sugar
4 tsp. powdered cocoa
½ tsp. instant coffee powder
1 cup flour
½ cup finely ground nuts
Kahlua filling (below)

Grease cookie sheets. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In saucepan, combine butter, corn syrup and brown sugar. Bring to boil and remove from heat. In bowl, combine remaining ingredients and stir into hot mixture. Mix well. Consistency will be like thick syrup. Drop by level measuring teaspoon about 2-inches apart. Bake 5-6 minutes. Cool 2 minutes and remove with spatula onto cooling rack. Use Kahlua filling to frost bottom of half the cookies. Join to another cookie to make a sandwich.

Kahlua Filling: Mix 1-1/3 cup unsifted powdered sugar, 6 T. cocoa, 4 tsp. hot water until smooth. Add 3 T. Kahlua. Stir well and it’s ready to spread.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Cate Beauman

November 22, 2013 Karen Docter 1 Comment

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with CATE BEAUMAN!!

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, CATE BEAUMAN, and her favorite recipe for EASY APPLE BRAID!

~~~

Hi, Karen! Thanks so much for having me on Karen’s Killer Fixins. I love connecting with readers of romantic suspense and the idea of blending killer recipes with suspenseful reading is fantastic! I would love to celebrate my first visit to your blog by offering one of my favorite fall recipes to go along with my latest best seller – Waiting For Wren!

It’s great to meet all of you,

~Cate

Cate Beauman’s newest best seller is available now through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Visit www.catebeauman.com for more information and to read excerpts from her romantic suspense series The Bodyguards of L.A. County.

About the author, Cate Beauman….

Cate currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, their two boys, and St. Bernard, Bear. She is the author of the best selling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Before her career as an author, Cate worked in special education for 12 years.

“I’m a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, two years later, I’m working on my sixth novel, Justice for Abby, and I’m an Amazon best selling author. I’m very grateful for the support and success I have had. – Cate “

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WAITING FOR WREN by CATE BEAUMAN

Book Blurb

When the past and present collide…

Wren Cooke has everything she’s ever wanted—a thriving career as one of LA’s top interior designers and a home she loves. Business trips, mockups, and her demanding clientele keep her busy, almost too busy to notice Ethan Cooke Security’s gorgeous Close Protection Agent, Tucker Campbell.

Jaded by love and relationships in general, Wren wants nothing to do with the hazel-eyed stunner and his heart-stopping grins, but Tucker is always in her way. When Wren suddenly finds herself bombarded by a mysterious man’s unwanted affections, she’s forced to turn to Tucker for help.

As Wren’s case turns from disturbing to deadly, Tucker whisks her away to his mountain home in Utah. Haunted by memories and long-ago tragedies, Tucker soon realizes his past and Wren’s present are colliding. With a killer on the loose and time running out, Tucker must discover a madman’s motives before Wren becomes his next victim.

WAITING FOR WREN by CATE BEAUMAN

EXCERPT

She pulled in her drive, dropped her phone, and gripped the wheel with trembling hands as heat from the vents rushed over her. She stared at her darkened front steps in the shadows cast about from the neighbors’ tall trees. What if he was here? His texts weren’t threatening, and technically neither were the flowers, but Rex wasn’t healthy. In the two years she’d owned her home, she’d never been terrified to get out of her car and go inside like she was now.

This is what he wants. He wants you to be afraid while he plays his games. Steeling herself, she grabbed her phone and got out with her key fob clutched in her unsteady hand. The cool rush of wind tossed her hair in her face, and she swiped wavy locks behind her ear as she strained to hear over the rustling leaves. She walked quickly, her eyes darting everywhere.

She just had to get to the door and step inside. The panic button was in the entryway if she needed it. The police would come help her, along with whoever was fielding calls at Ethan’s company tonight. “I’m almost there. I’m almost there,” she whispered, flinching, blinking, startled as the sensor lights flashed on to brighten the walkway. The security lights. It was just the security lights. She forgot she reactivated the feature the night of the gala. She took another step forward and saw the blood by the pretty pot of red mums. “Oh my god. Oh my god.” A black cat lay on her step, decapitated and bloated in a pool of dark, congealed crimson. “Oh my…”

Her breath rushed in and out as she stumbled back. The cellphone in her clammy hand rang, and she screamed. Blindly, she pressed “talk.” “Hell—hello?”

“Do you like it?” someone whispered.

She whirled, scanning, searching for Rex. He was here, somewhere. He had to be.

“Why won’t you call me?” The whisper turned into a pathetic whine. “Why won’t you call me, Wren?”

“Stop,” she shuddered out as she hurried to her car, looking over her shoulder from time to time, sure he was waiting to pounce. “Stop doing this. I’m calling the police.”

The whining stopped abruptly and turned into mad, riotous laughter. “They won’t believe you! They won’t believe you!”

“Leave me alone!” She hung up, gasping for air. Tears poured down her cheeks, and her hand shook as she opened her door, took her seat, and locked herself in. She had to get out of here. She had to get away. It took her two tries to shove the key in the ignition as she glanced at the bloodstained step once more and backed out with a squeal of tires. She sped off, heading toward Ethan’s until she remembered he was gone and a quarter of his house had been gutted for the new edition. All of them were gone—Ethan, Hunter, and Austin. She pressed ‘one’ on her speed dial, listening to the repetitive ringing. Ethan’s smooth voice told her to leave a message, but she hung up instead. She turned down another street, taking her farther from her home, and punched in Ethan Cooke Security’s twenty-four hour assistance line.

“Ethan Cooke Security. This is Mia.”

“Mia, it’s Wren.”

“Wren, are you okay?”

“Yes.” Her voice broke, and she shook her head as she clutched the wheel with one hand. “No. No, I’m not. There’s a dead cat on my porch.”

“Oh.”

That didn’t exactly describe the horror she’d just backed away from. “Someone killed a cat and left it on my front step.”

“Oh my god. Where are you?”

“In my car.” She sniffed. “Driving around. I don’t want to go back to my house alone.”

“Of course not. Let me patch you through to Tucker Campbell. He’s on call.”

Tucker? “No, wait—” But it was too late. Soothing music played in her ear.

“Wren?” Tucker’s deep voice hummed with concern.

Her lip wobbled, and tears began to fall again. “Yeah, I’m here.”

“What’s going on? Mia said something about a dead cat?”

“Someone chopped some sweet cat’s head off and put the body on my front step.”

He muttered a swear. “Are you there now?”

“No, I’m in my car, driving around. It freaked me out. I don’t want to be at the house by myself.”

“I don’t want you there either. Come to my place until we get this figured out.”

If choking fingers of terror didn’t have her by the throat, she would’ve refused, but Tucker was offering his help. She needed help. “I don’t—I don’t know where you live.”

“Ocean View Apartments, off Highway One.”

“What if he follows me? He might be following me right now.” She glanced in the rearview mirror and cringed as headlights trailed behind her.

“Who?”

“Rex.”

“Who the hell is Rex?”

“The crazy bastard who left the dead cat on my porch.”

“Son of a bitch, Cooke. Don’t stop. Don’t’ pull over. Drive on a flat tire if you have to. Just get here. I’ll be waiting outside.”

“Okay,” she sniffed, too afraid to be prideful. “I’m about ten minutes away.”

~~~

Did you enjoy the excerpt? You can read the first three chapters on my website, www.catebeauman.com, or you can finish the whole book here!

~~~~

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

Amazon Author Page

http://www.amazon.com/Cate-Beauman/e/B00A05KHVM/

Social links:

Twitter: @CateBeauman

www.catebeauman.com

www.facebook.com/CateBeauman

www.goodreads.com/catebeauman

~~~~

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 118 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.

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

EASY APPLE BRAID

Ingredients for apple mixture

3 medium granny smith apples

3/8 cups of brown sugar (1/4+1/8 cups)

1/8 cups flour

1/8 t cinnamon

2 Crescent roll tubes

Ingredients for glaze (mix together)

1/3 cups confectioner’s sugar

5 t milk

½ t vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Peel apples and cut into small chunks.
Mix apples with brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon and bake covered in a pie plate for 15-20 minutes until apples are tender.
While mixture is baking, roll crescent rolls out flat (length-to-length), using a rolling pin to smooth junction between the two rolls so that you have one long piece to work with. Cut two-inch slits evenly along the length of the dough (to create flaps to braid).
Pour hot mixture over center of crescent rolls, then braid the flaps over the mixture.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Top with glaze while still warm and enjoy.

~~~

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Cate will give away an ebook (Kindle or Nook) copy of her novel, WAITING FOR WREN, to three of her lucky readers who comment on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs!! Don’t miss this chance to read this bestselling new release!! Thanks, Cate, for sharing your stories with us!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Kelsey Browning & Nancy Naigle

November 15, 2013 Karen Docter 17 Comments

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

With Kelsey Browning & Nancy Naigle

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 co-authors, KELSEY BROWNING & NANCY NAIGLE, and their favorite recipe for CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE!

About the authors, Kelsey Browning & Nancy Naigle….

Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ love stories and Southern cozy suspense. Originally from a small Texas town, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a Canine Companions for Independence puppy. She’s currently at work on the next book in her Texas Nights contemporary romance series and The Granny Series. For info on her upcoming single title releases, drop by www.KelseyBrowning.com.

Nancy Naigle writes love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Nancy now calls a small farm in southern Virginia home. She’s currently at work on the next book in her Adams Grove series and The Granny Series. Stay in touch with Nancy on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to her newsletter on her website ~ www.NancyNaigle.com.

The Granny Series story…

We’re often asked how we decided to co-write The Granny Series. Well, we didn’t so much as decide on it as it decided on us. In early 2012, we were attending the Romantic Times conference in Chicago. Often at events like that, writer roommates invariably stay up late chatting about their latest projects, the industry, and chocolate. Since we’re both Southern gals, we also talked about our home states and our families.

One of Kelsey’s family stories was about a (hypothetical) threat her mom made against a former family member. Of course, it was all a joke, but they decided Kelsey’s mom would have to be the one to make good on the (hypothetical) threat because in prison, she’d get three square meals a day and free health care. Besides, Kelsey looks horrible in orange.

We laughed and laughed about that silly story. But in the morning, Nan woke up and said, “I think we should write that book.” By the end of the weekend, we’d brainstormed a variety of scenarios and laughed until we cried. But the idea stuck, and we began plotting the story that would become In For a Penny.

Of course, In For a Penny is only the start of what we have planned for Lillian, Maggie, Abby Ruth and Sera. Join us and the grannies on the first of their many adventures!

~~~~

IN FOR A PENNY by KELSEY BROWNING & NANCY NAIGLE

Book Blurb

Honey, these are not your momma’s grannies…

When Lillian Summer Fairview’s husband up and dies on her, it leaves the last living member of the most prestigious family in Summer Shoals, Georgia, in a hot mess. While Lil was busy being a proper Southern lady, Harlan squandered dang near the whole family fortune on lottery tickets. To keep her financial skeletons in the closet and give him a decent burial, Lil made a deal that has now landed her in prison.

Desperate to keep her troubles a secret and the family estate from falling down while she pays her debt to society, Lil entrusts Summer Haven’s care to her best friend, Maggie, who recruits two more over-fifty ladies to live at Summer Haven and help keep it afloat.

But when Maggie discovers that Lil’s restitution is ten times the amount she “borrowed” from the federal government, she’s convinced Lil has taken the fall for someone else’s crime. And these gals will use every trick in their little-old-lady bags to prove it.

IN FOR A PENNY by KELSEY BROWNING & NANCY NAIGLE

THE GRANNY TAKEOVER

Where did the idea for The Granny Series come from?

Kelsey and I shared a hotel room at a conference and one evening we were relaxing in our jammies – me in my scotty-dog jammies and Kelsey in her moose pants – and we got to talking about my ex-husband. That spawned a conversation about a former family member that Kelsey and her momma had once thought about “taking care of.” As she chronicled the details that she and her mom had brainstormed, I couldn’t help but laugh. Then, she said that her Mom said she should do it because then she could get three square meals and free health care in prison. Kelsey’s response to her mom was, “Good, because I’ve got some more things I want to do.” We went to bed late, late, late that night after hours of silly girl talk and giggles, but the next morning I just couldn’t quit thinking about that story and her momma, a granny, going to jail. We both knew we had to write a story like that…and The Granny Series began.

Each of you also writes romance. Why start a cozy suspense series?

All of my books always have a little suspense in them. The grannies leant themselves to the storyline. Vigilante grannies just sprang to life.

I never expected to be writing cozy (because in my contemporary romances, I write rather…ahem…hottish love scenes). But this idea just grabbed us. Anything that makes me laugh this much HAD to be written. By me 🙂 .

Do you have plans for more Grannies in future books?

Absolutely!! We’ve got five scoped out, but we’ll let the readers guide the pace and frequency. We’ve also talked about doing some novellas where Kelsey can bring her sassy sexy writing style to the page and “Make Teague’s day!”

How many more books in The Granny Series?

At least five, but the number really depends on reader response.

I noticed there’s some strong language in In For a Penny. That’s not normal for Nancy’s work – what’s up?

Blame it all on Kelsey. She has an incurable potty mouth. However, hopefully you noticed the language used in In For a Penny fit the voice of the character using it.

What’s next for the Grannies?

Oh, we can’t keep these gals off the page for long. It’s likely you’ll meet a new granny in the second book and she’ll be a big ole part of their next adventure!

Do you have a website for the series?

Sure do. www.TheGrannySeries.com

How do I get The Granny Series swag?

You can request granny swag through the grannies website www.TheGrannySeries.com or at Nancy’s online store at www.readrelaxrepeat.com.

~~~~

Links to Kelsey and Nancy’s websites, blogs, books, etc.

www.TheGrannySeries.com

www.KelseyBrowning.com

www.NancyNaigle.com

Nancy’s online store at www.readrelaxrepeat.com

Buy Links

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/17qDnf2

Amazon: http://amzn.to/HRRhL4

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I hope you enjoy the recipe Nancy & Kelsey are sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 117 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.

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

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE

Butter Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour (refrigerated)

⅛ teaspoon salt

½ cup cold butter

6–8 tablespoons cold water

The trick is in keeping the dough cold. Combine flour and salt in a bowl.
Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until mixture becomes pebbly. Stir in enough water with a fork, just until flour is moistened. Don’t overwork the mixture.
Shape dough into a ball and flatten slightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Fold into quarters and place in a pie pan. Unfold, pressing dough firmly against the bottom and sides. Crimp edges.
Prick the crust with a fork. Butter the bottom of a smaller cake pan and set it inside the pie crust in your pie pan. Heat for 8–10 minutes in a 475-degree oven until lightly browned.

Pie Filling:

4 Hershey’s chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounce size)

2 tablespoons margarine

3 large brown eggs

⅓ cup sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 handfuls of pecan halves

1 handful of coconut (optional)

Just a tap of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg

Put your butter crust in your favorite pie dish—Pearl was partial to ceramic pie plates.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a double boiler, melt only 3.5 of the chocolate bars and the 2 tablespoons of margarine. Stir until smooth. Let cool slightly while you eat that leftover half of a chocolate bar.
Whisk eggs lightly in medium bowl. Add sugar, corn syrup, chocolate mixture, and vanilla; stir until well blended. Mix pecans into chocolate mixture and then combine with the egg mixture.
Set pie shell on heavy-duty baking sheet and pour in filling. Sprinkle the coconut across the top.
Bake 50–55 minutes. The crust will be golden and a toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center.

Cool pie on wire rack to room temperature before cutting. Serve with whipped topping and a few shavings from the last bit of the chocolate bar if you haven’t already eaten it.

~~~

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Nancy and Kelsey will give away THE GRANNY SERIES swag pack of a drink huggy, ink pen & an autographed Keeper Kase Card to one of their lucky readers who comments on Friday’s Karen’s Killer Fixin’ blog!! Thanks, ladies, for sharing your story with us!

Announcement, Specials & Giveaways

Catch That Santa by Karen Docter On Sale Now

November 12, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

CATCH THAT CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!!

Today’s the day to catch that Christmas spirit!! I know many of you have enjoyed my romantic comedy release, SATIN PLEASURES, but haven’t had the opportunity to read my holiday story, CATCH THAT SANTA. Now’s your chance to snag a little something extra for your stocking!

CATCH THAT SANTA by Karen Docter

BOOK BLURB

When widow, Sara Marks, hears her Grams has gone on the lam from Happy Acres Residence on Christmas Eve – on Santa’s arm, no less — she teams up with sexy stranger, Francisco de la Vega, to chase the couple down with one thing in mind. Keep her Grams from becoming Mrs. Claus. Of course, Francisco’s grandfather is not really Santa Claus, but Grams did run off to Vegas to marry him and she’s obviously not in her right mind.

Sara leaves her seven-month-old baby, Lanie, with a friend and she and Cisco head west in the worst snowstorm in decades, chasing his grandfather’s ’57 Ford Fairlane over the river and through the woods.

Will they catch Santa and his crazy Mrs. Claus before it’s too late? Or will love stop them in their tracks?

(Novelette, approximately 50 pages)

CATCH THAT SANTA by Karen Docter

EXCERPT

Chapter One

“What do you mean, Grams ran off with Santa Claus?” Sara Marks stared at the first floor orderly, Buddy Cantor, who’d met her outside her grandmother’s room at Happy Acres Residence. She could barely catch her breath after dashing through the facility carrying her sleeping seven-month-old. It had taken her a full thirty minutes to drive from the church near her apartment across Denver’s snow packed streets in her crotchety, old Ford, when it should have taken ten. Twenty minutes too long if her grandmother was truly missing.

She should never have gone to the Christmas Eve service. She’d suspected Grams was up to something when she called and told her to come later so she could take a nap before their usual dinner together. There was something in her voice, but Sara hadn’t paid enough attention with little Lanie fussing in her ear. “Next thing you’ll tell me is Santa took her to the North Pole in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.”

“No. A gold ’57 Ford Fairlane convertible.” The man shuffled uneasily in the doorway. “And they’re headed to Vegas. We think.”

“Vegas.” Movement in her arms made her aware Lanie was fully awake and ready to play. She grinned up at Sara with two shiny new bottom teeth, like she’d woken up just to laugh at her great-grandma’s latest flight of fancy.

Oh, Grams, what have you done?

Snag this cute, Christmas story today for your holiday reading pleasure!

Only $.99 on Amazon!!

http://www.amazon.com/Catch-That-Santa-ebook/dp/B00ACDF0EG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353766171&sr=1-1&keywords=catch+that+santa

~ Sale Ends Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2013 ~

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Cabbage Rolls

November 8, 2013 Karen Docter 2 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

I have kept an eye out for an easier (faster prep) version of this recipe but, have to admit, I keep coming back to this recipe when I’m in the mood for this fabulous comfort food. It’s just THAT good! The great thing about it is that it’s inexpensive and makes enough so there are leftovers. I can skip cooking until we finish them off. If you love cabbage rolls, this is the recipe for you!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 116 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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CABBAGE ROLLS
[Makes 12 rolls]

1 lb. ground beef
3 T. uncooked rice
1 grated onion
½ cup water
½ tsp. salt
12 large cabbage leaves
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
4 T. vinegar
6 T. sugar

Combine meat, rice, onion, water, salt and pepper. Boil cabbage leaves until tender. Drain. Divide meat into 12 equal parts. Roll in cabbage leaf. Place seam side down in baking dish. Combine tomato sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Pour over cabbage rolls. Bake, covered, 325 degrees, 3 hours. Baste rolls with sauce.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Ralston Cinnamon Crunch Muffins

November 1, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

I have to admit that I’m not much for “healthy” muffins. They’re usually too dry and/or too tasteless (only my experience talking) for me to bother eating, let alone making. This recipe, however, is one that I do enjoy and it made my “keeper” recipe book years ago. Hope you discover the same!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 115 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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RALSTON CINNAMON CRUNCH MUFFINS
[Makes 12]

Topping:

½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup Ralston 100% Wheat Hot Cereal
¼ cup chopped nuts, optional
2 T. flour
2 T. margarine, melted
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Muffins:

1¼ cups flour
¾ cup Ralston 100% Wheat Hot Cereal
1/3 cup raisins
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
¼ cup vegetable oil

To prepare Topping: Combine sugar, cereal, nuts, flour, margarine and cinnamon; set aside.

To prepare Muffins: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottoms or paper-line 12 muffin cups. Combine flour, cereal, raisins, sugar and baking powder in large bowl; add ½ tsp. salt if desired. Combine milk, egg and oil in separate bowl. Add to cereal mixture all at once; stirring just until moistened. Place 1 tsp. topping into each prepared muffin cup. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Top with remaining topping. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Announcement, Specials & Giveaways

Catch That Santa by Karen Docter @ RomCon Blogs Today!

October 31, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

RomCon is highlighting CATCH THAT SANTA, a Christmas novelette by Karen Docter, today on their Contemporary Blog!

http://www.romcon.com/blog-contemporary

Comment for a chance to #WIN $10 Amazon Gift Card!!

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Catch That Santa

Blurb

When widow, Sara Marks, hears her Grams has gone on the lam from Happy Acres Residence on Christmas Eve – on Santa’s arm, no less – she teams up with sexy stranger, Francisco de la Vega, to chase the couple down with one thing in mind. Keep her Grams from becoming Mrs. Claus. Of course, Francisco’s grandfather is not really Santa Claus, but Grams did run off to Vegas to marry him and she’s obviously not in her right mind.

Will they catch Santa and his crazy Mrs. Claus before it’s too late? Or will love stop them in their tracks?

“An octogenarian escaping her retirement home to elope with the visiting Santa? And the grandkids are left to be the responsible ones? How can you resist?” ~ KarmaBites

Now available on Amazon for only $1.99!!

http://www.amazon.com/Catch-That-Santa-ebook/dp/B00ACDF0EG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353766171&sr=1-1&keywords=catch+that+santa

Catch that holiday season!!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Ava Miles

October 25, 2013 Karen Docter 4 Comments

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with Ava Miles

Introducing author, AVA MILES, and her favorite recipe for GINGERBREAD MEN!

About the author, Ava Miles….

Ava Miles burst onto the contemporary romance scene after receiving Nora Roberts’ blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts’ name in her debut novel, NORA ROBERTS LAND, which kicked off The Dare Valley Series and brought praise from reviewers and readers alike. Much to Ava’s delight, BlogCritics says “It [NORA ROBERTS LAND] captures the best of…a Nora Roberts novel,” while USA Today’s Happily Ever After blog praises the series noting its “wonderful, idyllic setting… [and] great characters.” Ava continued The Dare Valley Series in FRENCH ROAST, which Tome Tender says “raised the entertainment bar again” and then THE GRAND OPENING, which reviewer Mary J. Gramlich says “is a continuation of love, family, and relationships.” Now, Ava releases the fourth book in the series, THE HOLIDAY SERENADE, with her recognized wit and charm, creating happy endings with humor and heart. A descendant of generations of journalists, Ava—a writer since childhood—now lives in her own porch-swinging-friendly community with an old-fashioned Main Street lined with small businesses. Much like Dare Valley.

THE HOLIDAY SERENADE, Book 4, The Dare Valley Series, by Ava Miles

Contemporary Romance/Fiction/Original

October 2013/On Sale 10-21-13/$2.99 (eBook), ISBN: 9781940565026

www.avamiles.com www.facebook.com/AuthorAvaMiles www.facebook.com/NoraRobertsLand

www.twitter.com/authoravamiles www.pinterest.com/authoravamiles

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THE HOLIDAY SERENADE by AVA MILES

Book Blurb

Professional gambler Rhett Butler Blaylock is everything Abbie Maven doesn’t want in a man—flamboyant, flashy, and unreserved. After a horrible experience in her youth, she has spent her life trying to make all the right choices, pouring her energy into being the best possible single mother to her son. But though Rhett doesn’t seem to be husband and stepfather material, he awakens emotions in her that are as frightening as they are powerful. They had a fling she’s never forgotten, and now he has followed her to Dare Valley, Colorado with the intention of winning back her heart…this time, forever.

Rhett’s determined to show Abbie he can be the man of her dreams. He’ll do whatever it takes for the woman he loves, including giving up his flamboyant lifestyle and bad-boy image. As Christmas approaches, he prepares a special surprise for her, hoping the holiday will work its magic and grant him a miracle. Will his holiday serenade heal Abbie’s heart and convince her to give love a second chance?

What Happens When Rhett Butler Wants Martha Stewart?

So, hi there. I’m Ava Miles, a contemporary romance writer of the new Christmas story called THE HOLIDAY SERENADE, part of my Dare Valley series. I want to thank Karen for hosting me today to talk about the heroine of my newest novel, Abbie Maven, who really wants to be Martha Stewart when she grows up.

Abbie loves Christmas, and she loves baking. In fact, she even bakes my family’s gingerbread men recipe, which gets her into a little trouble with the hero, who teases her about only making men. Well, let me give a little more background here. My hero, Rhett Butler Blaylock (yes, you heard me right), is a professional poker player, and he’s carefully crafted a bad-boy image, which includes these two women who serve as his scouts disguised as well…poker babes. They wear beauty pageant wigs and lots of sequins, and they’re beyond embarrassing to Abbie. I mean, she’s a single mother and Rhett’s…well, Rhett. Here’s an excerpt.

THE HOLIDAY SERENADE by AVA MILES

EXCERPT

Instead she gestured toward the remaining dough in the bowl, which gave off that special gingerbread scent she loved, redolent of coffee and spice. “Since your poker babes have such remarkable attributes, perhaps you should be the one to shape some female cookies?”

He must have caught the challenge in her eyes. Their ongoing battle over his poker entourage was one of the main reasons why she’d refused to renew their relationship when he moved to her new town of Dare Valley, Colorado, months ago with the sole purpose of getting her to agree to marry him. He’d played poker in overseas venues for a year after she broke off their secret relationship. He’d returned six months ago, declaring his love for her and saying he wouldn’t ever leave her again. And, shockingly, he’d stuck by that vow.

Dustin angled his head to the right and flashed a smile at their ongoing banter, and suddenly he reminded her of his father, a man whom she’d believed to be sincere and kind until he’d blown that illusion to smithereens.

Trusting men hadn’t been her strong suit since then. Add in the fact that she and Rhett were still ill-suited beyond words, and she hadn’t caved to Rhett’s dogged pursuit.

If there was one thing Abbie had learned to value in life, it was order. Okay, and control, but that made her sound like a control freak, which she was so not. Mostly.

“I just might do that,” Rhett replied, pinching some of the dough out of her holiday Christmas bowl and rolling it into a ball.

“Sweet!” her son cried, jumping up from the bar stool right in front of her kitchen island like he was preparing to make Playboy centerfold gingerbread cookies, a teenager’s Christmas fantasy.

Like she would ever allow that to happen in her home.

Rhett put a hand on Dustin’s shoulder, and he eased back into his chair, about as deflated as an undercooked soufflé.

“Maybe we can just put a dress on them,” Rhett said. “That way your mama can still maintain her dignity, Dustin.”

The compliment did little to diffuse her. As a poker player, and a flamboyant one at that, Rhett had created a rough-and-tumble image for his act. Every time he played poker, he was accompanied by his poker babes—two women clad in tight, low-cut, often sequined gowns, with death-defying cleavage.

Few knew these women were total brainiacs who worked as his scouts. Frankly, she didn’t care that they both had MBAs from Harvard and that he’d never been anything but professional with them.

They were embarr-a-ssing, and she didn’t want them anywhere near her son.

Plus, how could Rhett expect her to walk into a poker tournament with him if his poker babes were flanking them? Abbie wore conservative Ann Taylor suits most days. She was a single mother. Being respected and respectable was important to her, and she’d fought hard for it. She wasn’t about to give it up.

Especially after the horrible way in which Dustin had been conceived when she was just eighteen. Why couldn’t he understand that?

Peggy dropped a plastic container filled with the silver balls in front of Rhett. “If you’re going to make women with dresses, this might work for sequins.”

Abbie gave her future sister-in-law a smile of genuine appreciation. Though there had been some bumps in their relationship, she and Peggy got along pretty well now. True, they didn’t always understand one another. As Dare Valley’s deputy sheriff, Peggy was a cop to the core, and Abbie really did aspire to be Martha Stewart. But they shared a more important commonality—they were both single mothers.

“What a great idea!” Rhett agreed with his usual aw-shucks ease. “Do you have any of these bells in gold? I don’t always like my poker babes to wear the same outfits.”

~~~

And that’s pretty much the push-pull relationship Martha (oops Abbie) and Rhett have.

So, if you could have Abbie bake your favorite holiday treat, what would it be?

And now, here’s the gingerbread men recipe (or gingerbread women). And FYI, my own church-going mother makes both sexes, which makes all of us sometimes uncomfortable. But I can tell you this: they are definitely a conversation piece. 🙂 Enjoy!

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

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZ5H8Q4

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-holiday-serenade-ava-miles/1117165589?ean=2940045327824

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id725314543

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-holiday-serenade-dare-valley-series-4

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/366988

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 114 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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GINGERBREAD MEN (& WOMEN)

Recipe by Ava Miles’ Great-great Grandma Miles, circa 1900
Baked by Abbie Maven at Christmas

Gingerbread

1 c. butter
1 c. sugar

Cream these two ingredients.

Add ½ c. hot coffee
¾ c. molasses
5 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 ½ tsp. ginger
½ tsp. cloves

Mix the ingredients. Chill for at least 1 hour. Overnight is best.

Form them into gingerbread men or other shapes and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Then decorate to your heart’s content.

Icing

4 egg whites
5 c. sifted powdered sugar

Beat egg whites until stiff and slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep covered when not using since the icing dries quickly.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

October 18, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Hot Fudge Sundae? Cake? How can y0u go wrong with this cake?! You can’t! It’s even easy to make because it uses a box cake mix.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 113 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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HOT FUDGE SUNDAE CAKE
[Serves 12-16]

1 pkg. Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
½ gallon brick vanilla ice cream

FUDGE SAUCE:

1 can evaporated milk
1¾ cups sugar
4 squares (1 oz. each) unsweetened chocolate
¼ cup butter or margarine
1½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt

Whipped cream, for garnish
Maraschino Cherries, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 13x9x 2-inch pan. Prepare, bake and cool cake following package directions.
Remove cake from pan. Split cake in half horizontally. Place bottom layer back in pan. Cut ice cream into even slices and place evenly over bottom cake layer (use all ice cream). Place remaining cake layer over ice cream. Cover and freeze.
For sauce, combine evaporative milk and sugar in medium saucepan. Stir constantly on medium heat until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Add unsweetened chocolate and stir until melted. Beat over heat until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in butter, vanilla and salt.
Cut cake into serving squares. Spoon hot fudge sauce on top of each cake square. Garnish with whipped cream and maraschino cherry.

Tip: Fudge sauce may be prepared ahead and refrigerated in tightly sealed jar. Reheat when ready to serve.

NOTE: Change up the flavor by changing your ice cream flavors…Hot Fudge Strawberry Sundae Cake, anyone? Coffee? Cherry?

Karen's Book Bench