Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with MIA HEINTZELMAN!!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, instead of one of my recipes, I will introduce you to a new author who will share a favorite recipe. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll also get a chance to check out some fantastic authors. Introducing author MIA HEINTZELMAN and her favorite recipe for VANILLA FRENCH BEIGNETS!
The Divorcétante
The Divatantes Book 1
BY Mia Heintzelman
Blurb
A scandalized debutante turned divorcée and a relentless architect clash over more than just a historic venue—because sometimes, reinvention means risking everything for a second chance at love.
Ebony Grace Livingston was raised to be flawless. A debutante-turned-elite event planner, she built a life around breathtaking galas, whispered exclusives, and the kind of connections money can’t buy. But when her husband’s betrayal turns her into high society’s juiciest scandal, Ebony decides she’s done curating perfection for everyone but herself.
With a high-profile wedding to pull off, a social media following obsessed with her every move, and a no-nonsense life coach reminding her that the real glow-up starts from within, Ebony is ready to write her next chapter — on her own terms. The only thing standing in her way? Lincoln Bridges, the maddeningly meticulous architect overseeing the historic venue she needs to transform. He’s stubborn, insufferably charming, and worst of all, the one man who saw through her marriage before she did.
Their creative clashes reignite old wounds, unfinished business, and the kind of chemistry that once felt inevitable. But in a world where power is played in private lounges, loyalty is measured in invitations, and champagne flows as freely as the gossip, Ebony will have to decide if rewriting her future means making room for something real.
Set in an exclusive world where wealth whispers, bottomless brunches double as battleground boardrooms, and reputation is the ultimate currency, Ebony is about to prove that reinvention isn’t just an option — it’s a luxury she’s finally ready to afford.
The Divorcétante
The Divatantes Book 1
BY Mia Heintzelman
Excerpt
“Accident reported ahead,” the GPS chimes, piercing through the calm. “Rerouting due to traffic. Follow the new path—”
“Nope.” I jolt upright, eyes wide, as Linc slows to a stop. I glance out the window at the thick, dark woods around us. “Absolutely not. This is how it happens.”
Linc drops his head back against the seat with a heavy sigh. The car goes still for a beat, the only sound the hum of the engine.
Then he bursts out laughing—genuinely, uncontrollably loud and hysterical. Most likely, because he’s been tossing back Sour Patch Kids for the past hour, and now it’s like the sugar rush just hit him. “How what happens?”
“You seriously don’t see this?” My voice wavers slightly, and my heart thuds in my chest. “We’re stuck out here, in the middle of nowhere, for who knows how long, with nothing but trees for miles, and now your British GPS is trying to send us down some random dirt road? This is exactly how every horror movie starts.”
“Oh, God, you’re killing me.” He laughs even harder, gasping for air. “But I’m definitely not driving down some random road.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You think I’m overreacting, but I’m telling you, this is exactly how it goes.” I throw my hands up. “A fun little road trip gets detoured, then we’re hacked to pieces by some creepy guy with a chainsaw.”
Linc’s laugh reaches a whole new decibel level. “But you’re the final girl, the scream queen! You make it out alive.”
I turn away, folding my arms, adrenaline pumping through me. My eyes are on the trees, though. Just in case.
Linc leans closer, his voice softening as he pries my hand free, intertwining our fingers, gently lifting them to his lips. “Ebony,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my skin, “you really think I’ve waited this long to be with you, and I’m going to let some creepy woods or a serial killer stop me from…this?”
I glance at him, my lips twitching despite myself. The absurdity of the moment—the sincerity in his eyes and the vulnerability in his voice—hits me all at once, and my heart aches. The world outside the car disappears for a second, and it’s just us.
The air between us crackles.
“All jokes aside—and hopefully, whatever’s going on up ahead, everyone’s okay—I’m glad that we’re stuck here,” he says softly, almost too quiet. “That I get more time with you. It feels like…”
“Like what?” I ask, suddenly desperate to know this rush of longing isn’t one-sided.
My heart thunders in my chest. No detail is too small or insignificant.
I need this to be real.
He takes a breath, tightening his fingers around mine, and presses our clasped hands to his chest like he’s grounding himself in the moment. “Okay, I think it’s safe to assume we both love movies, right? But what if this isn’t one of those final-girl stories? What if this is the other version of us, the one where we made different choices, and now we’re seeing what might happen if we choose each other?”
I stare at him, heart in my throat, trying to wrap my mind around dual timelines and parallel universes. Two divergent paths but one moment—one choice—changes everything.
What if we were supposed to be here all along? What if this is the version of our lives that was meant to be?
“You’re saying…we’re like the alternate timeline of our lives?” I ask.
He exhales deeply, like the weight of everything he’s been holding in is finally released. “Exactly. I know what my life was like without you in it. And now I’m excited to find out what it’s like with you in it.”
For a moment, everything else fades. The trees, the detour, even the absurdity of our being stuck in the middle of nowhere—it all slips away. All I can feel is the truth in his words, the quiet intensity behind them.
“Okay,” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath, “let see what happens.”
About Author Mia Heintzelman…
Mia Heintzelman is a bestselling author whose novels, including Monopolove, The Friendship Contract, and The Accidental Crush, have won the hearts of readers everywhere. Known for her fun, flirty, and fiery romances, Mia crafts stories about strong, unforgettable women and the men who are brave enough to love them. Her work has been celebrated on platforms like The New York Times, Book Riot, Romantically Inclined, and Readers Entertainment Radio.
Residing in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mia channels the city’s dynamic spirit into her writing. Discover more about Mia’s world at MiaHeintzelman.com, and join her journey on social media: @MiaHeintzelmanAuthor on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok.
Please direct all film/television/foreign translation inquiries to me(miaheintzelman@gmail.com). If you are requesting an ARC, please include all of your information (name, links, social media handles, etc.) Thank you!
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Links to Mia’s website, blog, books, #ad, etc.:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HLhfnt
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Karen
P.S. We’re at 746 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.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: If an author’s favorite recipe isn’t their own creation and came from an online site, you will now find the entire recipe through the link to that site as a personal recommendation. Thank you.
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VANILLA FRENCH BEIGNETS
INGREDIENTS LIST FOR VANILLA FRENCH BEIGNETS
- 1 cup warm water (around 110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
If you’re short on certain ingredients or want to make the recipe your own, here are some substitutions and variations you can try:
- Milk Alternatives: Instead of evaporated milk, you can use whole milk, almond milk, or even coconut milk for a slightly different flavor. The texture may vary slightly, but the result will still be delicious.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to use one that’s formulated for baking to maintain a similar texture.
- Sugar Substitutes: If you’re trying to cut down on sugar, you can use a sugar alternative like Stevia, Monk fruit, or erythritol. Keep in mind, the sweetness level may differ slightly.
- Flavor Variations: Try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a little lemon zest to the dough for a twist on the traditional vanilla flavor. You can also fill the beignets with fruit preserves or chocolate for a decadent treat.
STEP-BY-STEP COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Activate the Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly. This indicates the yeast is active and ready to use.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter until well-combined. Make sure the melted butter is not too hot, or it could cook the egg.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring as you go. You can use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment or knead the dough by hand.
4. Knead the Dough:
Once all the ingredients are combined, knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
5. First Rise:
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
6. Roll Out the Dough:
Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 2-inch squares.
7. Heat the Oil:
In a large, deep pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the oil is at the right temperature, as too hot or too cold oil will result in unevenly cooked beignets.
8. Fry the Beignets:
Carefully drop a few pieces of dough into the hot oil. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
9. Dust with Powdered Sugar:
Once the beignets have cooled slightly, generously dust them with powdered sugar. For extra flavor, you can sift some cinnamon into the powdered sugar mixture.
Vani
Happy Reading!
Special Giveaway: Mia will gift a print copy (U.S. Only) of The Divorcétante to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog. Good luck!
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Thanks, Mia, for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Both the book and the beignets sound amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing your book and recipe with us. YUM to both.
tasty recipe
Welcome to Karen’s Killer Fixin’s, Mia. Your story sounds intriguing, and the recipe divine. I’ve loved beignets ever since I went to New Orleans and tried them. I’m looking forward to reading your book. Thanks for sharing it with us today!
Nice to meet you, Mia…
Excellent excerpt! Now,tell.me what happens! 😉
Recipe sounds quite manageable, too.
Thanks, Mia and Karen
Good morning and welcome! Your book sounds and looks like a great read! Thank you for sharing the excerpt, I love the sound of it. Thank you also for sharing your Beignet recipe, it sounds delicious . Have a great weekend.
Second chance love stories are the best. Also, I’ve never had a real beignet, so I’m looking forward to trying these.
Thanks for sharing the recipe, would love to get a copy!
Looking forward to both the book and the beignets.