Karen’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 SANTA FE SALAD!
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KISS ME, COWBOY
By MELISSA McCLONE
Book Blurb
She didn’t mean to kiss him…
When dude ranch wrangler Charlotte – aka Charlie – Randall kisses Zack Harris in an act of empathy, she falls hat over spurs for the handsome military veteran turned cowboy. Zack has too many demons, however, and refuses to get involved. A year later, he’s still stonewalling, and Charlie needs to move on with her life so she can find a fulfilling relationship, not frustrating unrequited love. Putting distance between them seems the best way to get Zack out of her head and heart…but that means quitting the job she loves and accepting a position in Colorado.
He didn’t mean to kiss her back…
Growing up, Zack longed for a real family, and had one with his squad while deployed in Afghanistan. Now, he’s back in the States and doesn’t want anything messing up his new ranch family, no matter how much he’s attracted to the sexy, hard-working Charlie. She could break his heart and ruin the comfortable working relationship they and the other wranglers enjoy. Besides, her friends claim she’s looking for the perfect guy, and perfect he’s not
A kiss is just a kiss…or is it?
When Zack learns Charlie’s thinking about leaving the ranch, he decides to find her a boyfriend — someone so good, so perfect, she has a reason to stay in Montana. Until he realizes too late that the only cowboy he wants her kissing is him. Can he commit to love and convince Charlie not to leave? Or has she made up her mind to put the past, and the kiss that started it all, behind her and move on without him?
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Hands-on Ranch Research
for
Kiss Me, Cowboy
with
Melissa McClone
I’m so happy to be on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog today! Karen and I go way back. I’ve known her longer than I’ve known my husband and we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary next year.
My release Kiss Me, Cowboy features a cowboy hero named Zack. There’s also Charlotte, a cowgirl heroine who goes by Charlie. Both work as wranglers at a dude ranch in Montana called the Bar V5. I did a little hands-on ranch research this summer. After a long day trail riding or driving cattle, you need two things—a shower and a hearty meal! Doesn’t matter if you’re a cowboy, cowgirl or guest!
By the time we finished a cattle drive I was starving. Tired and sore, too. Muscles I didn’t know existed ached. Walking normally was impossible. And I was covered in a mix of dirt and sweat with a few branches and leaves tossed in there from riding through trees and shrubs.
After a long day of riding and work, the thought of any kind of food sets your stomach grumbling. Pretty much anything would taste like an award-winning meal at that point! But at a ranch like the Bar V5, the food is as much a draw to guests as the activities, so I thought I’d put together a meal you might find served after a day on the trail!
Dinner at the Bar V5
Appetizers:
Cheese plate with crackers and sliced pears
Chips with Salsa and Guacamole
Beverages:
Strawberry lemonade
Iced Tea
Beer
Dinner:
Tossed Green Salad with poppyseed dressing
Santa Fe Salad (recipe below)
Baked Potato
Smoked brisket
Rolls & cornbread
Dessert:
Texas Sheet Cake
Fresh berries with whipped cream
Think that would fill you up after a long day on horseback? I would have loved to have a meal like this when I was up at cowboy camp, but we made do with soft tacos and campfire hobo stew. Our first stop after we left the ranch and made the hour drive to the nearest town was a coffee shop! A breakfast burrito had never tasted so good! I left very little on my plate. What do you think would taste good after a day of horseback riding?
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 Melissaa’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com
FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaMcCloneBooks
Twitter: @melissamcclone
Purchase link:
http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Cowboy-Montana-Born-Rodeo-ebook/dp/B00NF0LNFI/
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 167 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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Note from Melissa: This recipe, from my friend Annemarie, feeds a crowd. There are many variations of it on the Internet, so do a quick search if you don’t like certain ingredients in this one. The first time I made this was for a Texas Hold’em Party & BBQ. It was a big hit.
SANTA FE SALAD
[Serves 8 as a side dish]
Salad:
3 cups corn (I use canned)
2 15 oz. cans of black beans
2 medium zucchini chopped
2 avocado chopped
2 red bell peppers chopped
2 small red onions chopped
Dressing:
4 small green onions
1 cup cilantro chopped
1 cup fresh lime juice (I use bottled lime juice)
2 tbsp oil
1 tpsp sugar
1 jalepeno pepper
1 tpsp salt
Put all dressing ingredients into blender and blend! Dressing will be green! Pour over salad and toss!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Melissa is giving away a swag mini-pack with an autographed book from her backlist, $5 Starbucks gift card and swag (bookmark, recipe & cookie cutter, etc.) to one lucky winner who comments on her Killer Fixin’s blog. Don’t miss this chance to read this great story! Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your new release and recipe with us!
Thanks so much for having me as a guest today, Karen!!!!
It’s great to have you with us, Melissa. Thanks for stopping by to share your new book. Love the photos. I’ve gone on one ride like this, although it was short. Thank goodness! You never think about how sore your muscles can get just riding along at a sedate pace. Food was definitely welcome at the end! 🙂
That recipe sounds wonderful. Will need to save and make. My daughter and her husband are vegetarians, so will share with them. As you know I love your Tule books.
Thanks, Shari! Another friend used the recipe for her son’s friends, some if I remember correctly were vegetarians and it was a big hit. I hope they like it! I know my carnivores enjoy it 🙂
Also for a smaller crowd, just half the recipe and don’t use all the dressing!
yummy recipe!
Love your stories, Melissa! I gobble them up each time they’re released.
Thanks so much, Denise! So glad you enjoy them 🙂
I agree with you Melissa that meal after a long horseback ride would be just the ticket to ending a good day on a ranch. Thanks for the recipe I’m going to make it for my son and I over the weekend. . Congratulations again on your new books.
Thank you so much, Barbara! If it’s just the two of you, half the recipe. I think the original I had from my friend was that, (the dressing is the same, but I didn’t use all of it cause it seemed to much to me) but I make this for crowds so just doubled everything and that became my recipe! Make the dressing as is and just save to use on something else what you don’t use.
Love trying new recipes; so thanks for that and for your wonderful books.
You’re welcome, Pam. I’m lucky that my hubby likes to do most of the cooking, but I do the special meals and when he’s out of town and always looking for new things to add to the menu! I’m currently collecting holiday baking recipes I want to try! So much fun looking at stuff. Though it makes me hungry!
That recipe sounds yummy. I will definitely have to try it!! Thank you for sharing it. Love your books too!!
Thanks Eileen! It’s tasty and easy. My fave kind of recipe. So happy you enjoy the books 🙂
I’m envious of the hands-on research! Something I would love to do one day. Sounds like work, but very rewarding… and fun! Thank you for the giveaway and chance to win!
Blessings!
Kelly Y
Thank Kelly. The research was interesting. That’s for sure. If you go, make sure you really check out who you use. Ask questions like how long they’ve been in business, what you’ll be eating, etc. It’s easy to make a pretty website that says all the right things!
I enjoy trying new recipes and I will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing and also for offering the wonderful gifts. I wish you continued success!
Connie
cps1950 at gmail dot com
Thanks Connie! I hope you like the salad!
Sounds like a fabulous recipe!
Will have to try it!
Love your blog.
Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl! Hope you like the Santa Fe Salad!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Kate! Appreciate you stopping by! Thanks!
Thanks for the recipe. Can’t wait to read your new book. You’re a new author to me, but I have 3 of your books and really enjoy your writing.
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much! You put a big smile on my face this morning!
Thanks for the recipe. Congratulations on KISS ME, COWBOY.I enjoy reading your books.
Thanks so much Emma! So glad you enjoy the books! I had never written cowboy stories until writing for Tule. It’s been fun!
The recipe sounds really good. I like the Bar V5 menu too.
Thanks Janine! I had fun making that! I worked in a restaurant for 6 months helping out the owner, a friend. Learned a lot and gave me much research to someday use 🙂
recipe sounds great. I’ll have to give it a try. I love Charlie from Kiss Me, Cowboy.
Thanks so much Rosemary! Very happy you like Charlie! I really enjoyed writing her. Hope you like the salad!
Haven’t heard of this kind of salad before; sounds tasty
Hi bn100! I hadn’t heard of it either until my friend emailed the recipe for our party. It’s very easy to make and tasty!
Thanks for the recipe. It sounds delicious. Congratulations on KISS ME, COWBOY.I enjoy your books.
Thanks, Patricia! The salad is one of my faves. So glad you enjoy the books! I have the best job ever 🙂
That sounds delicious, Melissa–thanks for sharing the recipe! And thanks for the intro to Kiss Me, Cowboy–that sounds like a treat, too!
Thanks for stopping by flchen1! Really appreciate it 🙂
It depends on the season as to what tastes good after horseback riding. If it was hot, chicken salad, tuna salad, ice cold fruit etc.. If it is cold stew, chili, steak and potatoes. What was most welcome was a cold adult beverage and a hot tub!!
Our weather changed from hot to cool, Jean. I liked it cooler! I wished we would have had a hot tub, but the shower really helped! I was starving almost the entire time, even after meals. Just couldn’t get enough to eat with all the work we were doing 🙂
The recipe sounds great. I’ve been enjoying your books.
So glad you like the books Kimberly. Thanks for stopping by!
Fab. sounds delish
It’s very tasty, Gretchen. And even though it uses canned beans and corn, tastes fresh!
Congratulations!