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Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Melissa McClone

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CookingKaren’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with MELISSA McCLONE!

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, MELISSA McCLONE, and her favorite recipe for GINGERBREAD PEOPLE!

HomeforChristmas_medium

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
A Copper Mountain Christmas Novella
By MELISSA McCLONE

Book Blurb

Ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon…the smells of Christmas. The smells of home.

Rachel Murphy longs for home and family. Since childhood, she’s dreamed of owning her own pastry shop, but after being burned by a celebrity chef and losing her lease in Arizona, Rachel’s spending the holidays with her brother in Montana. To keep her dream alive, she’s creating custom gingerbread houses and selling them around town. All she needs is a bigger kitchen…and to stay away from her brother’s handsome boss.

Former venture capitalist Nate Vaughn has embraced his inner cowboy and now runs a successful dude ranch where Rachel’s brother works. Nate’s commercial kitchen is perfect for Rachel’s baking needs, and seeing the cute blonde’s business acumen, Nate knows she’d be the perfect partner for a new business. When he makes her an offer she can’t refuse, he discovers he’s interested in more than her gingerbread.
 
While Nate could make her dreams come true, Rachel’s heart, as well as her head, tells her mixing business with anything else could be a recipe for disaster. Should she return to Arizona, and leave Nate and her new eager-for-more customers behind? Or can Nate convince her that, here with him in the mountains of Montana, she’s already home? For Christmas…forever.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
A Copper Mountain Christmas Novella
By MELISSA McCLONE

Excerpt

Rachel leaned against the island counter, watching Nate Vaughn’s retreating backside, relieved to see him go. Forget about wanting a nice guy in her life, even flirting was too strenuous for her bruised heart. She only wished she hadn’t noticed how nicely Nate’s jeans fit or how his leather jacket showed off wide shoulders or how the duffel bag he carried made her wonder where he’d spent last night.

None of those things should matter.

Not to her.

He might be show-off sexy with that razor stubble on his handsome face and an I’d-like-to-get-to-know-you-better smile, but she didn’t need his business help or advice. She didn’t want anything from him. Well, except the use of his kitchen.

Nate glanced over his shoulder, meeting her gaze straight on.

Busted for staring. Heat rose up her neck. Good thing she was flushed from the heat in the kitchen. Maybe her blush wouldn’t give her away.

His lips curved into a wry grin.

Too late. Her face burned hotter. “Forget something?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, save a piece of gingerbread for me.”

By the time she finished baking, she would have platefuls of ends and cutouts. “No problem, as long as you don’t mind the scraps.”

“Don’t mind at all. My hungry stomach won’t know the difference.”

She expected him to turn back. Walk away. Let her work.

Nate continued staring. He must want another look at the gingerbread houses. Except… she wet her lips… he was looking at her.

The hunger in his eyes made Rachel’s blood simmer. His gaze ran the length of her slowly, appreciatively, like he wanted a taste of her.

Her heart thudded.

Something stirred inside Rachel. Excitement, yes. But also possibility.

He made her feel like an unexpected, but welcomed, guest at a cocktail party. That her flour-stained clothes were as appealing as a little black dress.

Did she dare let herself have some fun? Something missing from her life for a long time.

Self-preservation told her to look away. Run away would be better.

Safer.

She might not have dated many men, but she knew that look from the last cowboy who had broken her heart after Ty had broken his nose. Nate might be a great guy according to her brother, but she needed to keep her distance. She knew better than to think she could handle a man like Nate Vaughn.

melissa

 

About the author…Melissa McClone.

Melissa McClone has published over thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

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


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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 171 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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mcclonerecipe13-side2-FINALMelissa McClone’s Gingerbread People

Ingredients:

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar  
1 stick butter (or margarine), softened   
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses                                         
3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 or 2 tbsp milk
Food Coloring as desired

Directions:

At low speed, cream sugar and butter until thoroughly combined. Add eggs and molasses. Mix until combined. Sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and combine with a spatula. Remove dough from bowl; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Allow the dough to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Take 1/2 cup of dough at a time and roll onto a floured board until about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out with gingerbread boy and girl cookie cutters. Transfer the cookies from the board to the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, until just beginning to brown at the edges. Transfer to wire racks to cool. To make the icing, combine the confectioners’ sugar and milk. Divide mixture into thirds; leave 1/3 white, and color 1/3 green, and the final third red. Decorate piping eyes, mouths, buttons, and bow ties.

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IMG_2230**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**:  Melissa is giving away a $10 Starbucks card with three recipe cards including her Gingerbread People one, autographed backlist book, two gingerbread cookie cutters, gingerbread cupcake kit, Sweet Treats 2015 date book, Moonstruck dark chocolate bar, Montana Born Books Post-It Notes and Tule Publishing Nail file to one lucky winner who comments on her Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** blog. Don’t miss this chance to read Melissa’s holiday story. Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your release and favorite recipe with us!

239 thoughts on “Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Melissa McClone”

  3. Pingback: Melissa McClone » Contemporary Romance » Home for Christmas Gingerbread and Giveaway!

  9. I love reading your books!! This recipe sounds so delicious and easy. I am going to try making some for Christmas. Thank you for sharing

    Reply

  12. Thank you for the recipe. It’s something I’ll have to try with my kids. Thank you for the giveaway too. I’d love to win.

    Reply

  15. Love your books, they are awesome! The recipe is something I will try out shortly when I decide in my free time not to read lol

    Reply

  17. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe with your fans. Here’s to happy baking. Can’t wait to give it a try.

    Reply

  19. Yum, Melissa! The gingerbread sounds so delicious! I printed it out and am going to make some next weekend! Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply

  27. Oh my gosh! I can’t stop thinking about gingerbread and coffee now. This is a perfect giveaway and one that I would love to win. Look at all of the goodies! Thanks for you continued generosity!

    Reply

  29. Mmmm….I’ve never made ginger-man cookies from scratch, but you’ve made me so hungry for it. Plus my three grandsons would love it.
    I always love your post and your books. Thanks for thinking of us.

    Reply

  32. Thanks so much for the new recipe, I will definitely try it. Also, thank you for the giveaway. Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  41. Thanks for the recipe , we always bake gingerbread , and the kids decorate the gingerbread people and we always have so much fun

    Reply

  44. I’ve been looking for a good recipe for gingerbread people. I bake a lot but this is one that has eluded me…good gingerbread people. I think this might be the one. Thanks!

    Reply

  45. Thank you for the recipe! I am going to make these with my grandkids. My Mom and I both are looking forward to reading the book!

    Reply

  47. I bought your book last Christmas – loved it. It will be a reread coming up soon when I sit down and devour all my Christmas books. I especially liked this book as I have been making homemade gingerbread house with my kids for the past 15 years. I grew up having my mother make them and she also sold them. I’m not that talented but love making them with my kids. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas Melissa!

    Reply

    1. Oh, thanks Lisa! What a great tradition you have with your kids. And wow on your mom selling hers! Very cool! We’ve only used kits, but one of these day’s I’d like to try making one ala my heroine Rachel!

      Reply

  48. I’m going to make ginger bread for the first time this year. I even bought little Ninjabread men cookie cutters for my son.

    Reply

  49. I’m going to try this recipe for Christmas this year. I love gingerbread but nobody in my family makes it. I can’t wait. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply

  51. HI Melissa,
    Gingerbread cookies are one of my favorites for the holiday season.
    I used to love making them when my daughters were younger.Thanks for the new cookie recipe.
    I can’t believe I missed reading Home For Christmas.
    I will have to start reading right away.

    Reply

  55. I love to bake cookies to send to my family at the holidays. I bet those cookies would be good with a hot cup of tea and your book.

    Reply

    1. Oh, you’re the type of family I’d love to have. Nothing beats homemade goodies for the holidays, Leanna! you’re loved ones are lucky to have you! And if you check out my website, you pretty much described what I use as my pic/brand. Only not a gingerbread person!

      Reply

  57. Your recipe looks easy and delicious. I can’t wait to try it with my kids. Thank you for sharing it. I love the excerpt to this book! Melissa’s books are one of my go to’s when I need a pick me up. Thank you for the chance to win. Have a great weekend.

    Reply

  58. Oh your book sounds awesome and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the recipe, I will have to try it. I have never made gingerbread before.

    quiltlady110 AT gmail DOT com

    Reply

  60. We love gingerbread. Thank you for the recipe. I love trying new recipes. The book sounds wonderful. I definitely need to pick this up. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings

    Reply

  61. Thank you for the recipe. I must try it. The package is very festive. Can’t wait to read the book. Happy Holidays.

    Reply

  63. I’m getting ready to do my Christmas baking. I’m going to try the gingerbread recipe. Thank you for the great giveaway.

    Reply

  64. Karen, thank you for featuring Melissa today. Melissa, I enjoyed the excerpt and I especially appreciate you sharing your recipe. It sounds delicious!
    Blessings to both of you and Happy Thanksgiving!
    Connie
    cps1950 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  70. Ginger Bread has always been a favorite of mine so i love the recipe.Thanks Melissa for the recipe and giveaway.It all looks delicious!

    Reply

  75. Hi Karen, Home for Christmas in on my reading list for my Holiday reading. I really enjoy keeping holiday books til this time of year for my reading pleasure during our break from a hectic schedule. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season.

    Reply

  78. I’m doing a gingerbread theme table for the Christmas Tea at my church. I’ll have to try your recipe. Can’t wait to read the book!!

    Reply

  80. All of Melissa’s book are great. I am going to try the cookie recipe, I do a lot of cookie baking during the holidays so it’s fun to have a new one to try.
    Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

    Reply

  84. I have enjoyed reading Melissa’s books and always look forward to the next. This recipe sounds really good. I will have to try it when I get some free time.

    Reply

  87. I have not made gingerbread before but this sounds “not-too-difficult” for this non-baker! I think they would be fun to bring to work. And they would go wonderfully with some Starbucks hot cocoa!

    Reply

  94. I loved this Christmas story. I think it is really neat when authors come up with and pair recipes with their stories.

    Reply

  97. I love gingerbread but I’ve never made it myself so I think this might give me the courage to try it out! Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply

  98. What a great prize package! The recipe seems pretty easy & way delish! Toy two make a great team! Thank you. Enjoy your wknd!

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Donna. I hope you come back often. My author guests usually have wonderful blogs and prizes. If you haven’t had a chance to read any of Melissa’s books, I can highly recommend. 🙂

      Reply

  104. The gingerbread Cooke recipe sounds good. I’ve never made them before, so I’ll have to try this. Oh, and I love Christmas novels. My mother and I look forward all year to reading them.

    Reply

  105. What a nice giveaway – thank you so much! I’ve never made the cookies but love warm gingerbread with lemon or raisin sauce.

    Reply

  107. I will have to try your recipe. I saw a cute idea where you turn the gingerbread man upside down and decorate with icing and it looks like a reindeer with the legs and arms being the antlers.
    Reading books during the holidays is one of my favorite things to do.

    Reply

  110. I can’t wait to read the story. Your recipe looks similar to mine. When my kids were younger they would always help me make & decorate gingerbread cookies. Those are some powerful memories, since my kids are now 31, 28, 25, & 22.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by my blog, Pamela. I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipes and author highlights. If you want the blogs to come to your Inbox when they’re posted, please subscribe so you don’t miss anything. Have a great night!

      Reply

  116. Thank you for the recipe. I enjoy making gingerbread cookies with my grandkids so I’ll definitely try this one out.

    Reply

  117. The recipe looks scrumptious. Thank you !
    I have wonderful memories of making gingerbread men with my Grandmother. We had so much fun rolling,cutting out and decorating. Now I do this with my 12 children at Christmas time and it’s creating such fun memories and special laughs for all of us. Your giveaway says Christmas through and through. I am excited for the season and to share his goodwill with others. The book cover is so pretty. I love Christmas stories. Thank you.

    Reply

  123. Thanks for sharing! Looks really good. I’m definitely going to try them soon and I think the little ones will love it!

    Reply

  129. What a wonderful Holiday treat !! Thanks for the Gingerbread People Recipe and the opportunity to Win your Winter Goodie Package !! The book looks like a delightful Holiday read along with a wonderful treat package to enjoy with the family over the Holidays. Have a Great Holidays !!

    Reply

  130. I have never made Gingerbread men but I love eating them. I think with your recipe me and my little girls will have fun making them!! Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply

  132. Haven’t had the chance to get this yet and read it but really want to!!!! Thanks for being an amazing source of fireside, tea drinking, snuggled under a blanket, chilly fall evening, escape from reality.

    Reply

  134. My family was hoping to do gingerbread houses this year. Maybe we can try this recipe? Or possibly just make it to eat while we are building!
    Thanks for the tasty recipe!

    Reply

  136. This is such an awesome, generous giveaway. Thanks for the giveaway. I love gingerbread, but never made it. I will have to check out your book, too.

    Reply

  139. I’m going to have to think about trying the recipe. Baking and I just have a hard time mixing. But thanks for the recipe and giveaway.

    Reply

  141. the ginger bread sound great remember makeing them when we wer kids and then putting on tree or tkeing them to other houses

    Reply

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