Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with PATRICIA BATES!
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, PATRICIA BATES, and her favorite recipe for CLASSIC COQ AU VIN!
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THE VICOMTE’S PRIZE
Historical Romantic Erotica
BY PATRICIA BATES
Blurb
When his younger brother is summoned to Versailles, Vicomte Frederique de la Tour decides to intervene and takes his place. King Louis’s XV court is stunned when instead of a lad, the legendary spy, known to his underworld associates only as The Wolf arrives.
Lady in Waiting Hélène d’Ètoilles’ life has been serene: Serve Her Majesty the Queen of France with grace and obedience. Now her life and her sense of self are in turmoil when she discovers she’s been gifted to a nobleman for his family’s loyalty and years of service. No longer a lady in waiting to the Queen of France, she’s thrown into a world of subterfuge and passion, of lust and power.
Publisher: Champagne Book Group (August 30, 2021)
Releases on: August 30, 2021
Genre: Historical Romance
Language: English
ASIN: B003U2RVAC
THE VICOMTE’S PRIZE
Historical Romantic Erotica
BY PATRICIA BATES
Excerpt
Hélène smothered a sigh as she settled at the table. Servants lit the lanterns and candles. Her reception to the de la Tour household grew no warmer with the meeting of Frederique’s brother, youngest sister, and father. The elder de la Tour had openly glared at her and ranted for the better part of an hour while Frederique sat idly in an overstuffed chair.
The younger brother, however, was another matter. He spent every moment eying her bosom like a starving man would eye a platter of roast venison. She wondered if they’d notice if she threw herself from the window.
“Why can’t I keep it?” Henri’s nasally voice irritated her last nerve. He sneered at her, his brown eyes firmly fixed on her breasts beneath her gown. “It was my gift from the king.”
“Because I said so,” Frederique retorted in a biting tone. “Madame d’Ètoilles is not an object; she is a woman—and mine. Show some manners before she believes us to be all untamed savages.”
“I’d not think it, I know it.” Hélène leaned toward him and whispered behind her napkin.
“You shouldn’t admonish your brother so. He is not your ward.” She caught the look of fury in his gaze and smiled sweetly at him before turning her attention back to her roast hen.
“Frederique is quite right, Henri. You should mind your manners. A lad of your age doesn’t need a gift such as the king would bestow.” Nicolaa sipped at the glass of port. She shot Hélène a venomous glare and turned her attention to her husband. “Does he, husband?”
“Non, he does not. I’d think the king would have figured out that we’re not interested in receiving his cast offs. Well, I assume you’ve thought of an appropriate place for her?”
Hélène ground her teeth at the condescension in his tone. No matter what was said, none of them believed her to be anything more than another of the king’s forgotten mistresses. Incensed beyond caution, she shot a quick, scalding look at the eldest de la Tour. “Indeed, he has. He’s quite insistent upon it, as well.”
“Oh? Where? In Paris? Surely you won’t house her—”
“Oh non, madame, certainly not in Paris. Why, if that were the case, I could have had my belongings carted over from the palace. Non, it’s much closer than Paris. Indeed, the best place he’s thought of putting me is beneath his—”
“She’s to live at Chateau De Tour.”
“Your own estate!” Nicolaa gasped.
“How on earth do you intend to find a bride with that whore living within your home?” “Mother, now is hardly the time.”
“It is the perfect time, son.” The Comte de la Tour spoke for the first time, his hard gaze on Hélène. “Your mother is quite right. You’re of an age to wed, the king will expect you to take a bride soon, and you’ll not find one so willing to tolerate your mistress in her home.”
Tossing her napkin onto the table, Hélène shoved her chair from the table and rose. An icy calm settled over her as she glanced at the startled faces staring back at her. “I am not here by choice, but by order of my king. You may judge me if it pleases you, however, if you wish to know the truth, ask Frederique. After all, I did not disobey the king and refuse to bed our king’s current mistress!”
Turning sharply, she stomped from the room. Her heeled shoes beat a rapid tap against the floor. Her eyes burned with tears. Desperate for fresh air, she raced down the stairs and out the front door. Curse them all! She’d done nothing to deserve this falsity. Indeed, she’d served the queen well for years and to be repaid in such a manner was an added insult to a wound that already festered.
About the Author Patricia Bates…
Canadian author Patricia Bates writes dark and edgy historical and contemporary suspense romances. Because to bleed is to survive, but it’s by loving that we truly live.
She has two Best Sellers under her belt for Champagne Book Group and Beachwalk Press.
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Links to Patricia’s website, blog, books, #ad etc.:
Amazon: http://mybook.to/ViscountPrize
Want more of Patricia Bates’s books? Insight into her characters?
Join her mailing list here: https://tinyurl.com/5cj4k5er
For more details on Patricia, you can visit her at her website: www.patriciabates.com
Or join her on www.facebook.com/romanceauther
www.twitter.com/PatBAuthor
www.instagram.com/patriciabatesauthor
I hope you enjoy the recipe Patricia is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 551 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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CLASSIC COQ AU VIN
[Courtesy of delish.com]
NOTE FROM PATRICIA:
Dear Readers:
When the Sun King sat down to eat, he dined at about 10pm at night and had a voracious appetite. While his choices were often healthy, he was known to consume a large amount of food… food which was typically prepared in the kitchens and then delivered by guards over a distance of ¼ of a mile away.
Below is a simple but delicious french meal. It would be a staple in the home of the wealthy rather than simply a treat. Easy to prepare, it has a unique and delicious flavor anyone would enjoy.
INGREDIENTS
3 lb. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 strips bacon, cut into 1″ pieces
8-oz. baby bellas, sliced
8-oz. pearl onions, peeled
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 c. red wine
1 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp. brandy
Small bunch thyme
3 tbsp. Butter
Freshly chopped parsley, for serving
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°. Season chicken all over with salt and pepper.
- In a large dutch oven over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crispy, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- To same pot, add chicken, working in batches as necessary. Cook until skin is golden, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate. Drain all but 3 tablespoons oil from pot.
- To same pot, add mushrooms, onions, and carrots and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Add tomato paste and stir to coat vegetables, then add flour and stir until vegetables are coated. Slowly pour in wine, broth, and brandy. Return chicken and half the bacon to pot. Add thyme, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, cover with lid and place in oven. Cook until chicken is cooked through and internal temperature reads 165°, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and place on a plate to keep warm.
- Return pot to stove over medium heat, add in butter, and simmer until sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Serve chicken with sauce poured over and topped with remaining bacon and parsley.
Find Patricia’s favorite recipe here: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a30875984/coq-au-vin-recipe/
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Special Giveaway: Patricia is giving away an ebook copy of THE VICOMTE’S PRIZE to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog.
Happy Reading!
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Thanks, Patricia, for sharing your story with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
tasty recipe
While historical tropes aren’t my cuppa, this is enticing as is the recipe….one of my favorites.
Thanks, Karen and Patricia.
Good morning, Patricia, and welcome to Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. I really enjoyed the excerpt and am intrigued by what’s going to happen to Helene. Poor women of that era didn’t have much to say about where they ended up and with whom. I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for sharing it with us today. Thanks, too, for the recipe. I used to make this for my family years ago but it’s been forever since I took the trouble. I need to make it soon!
never tried making COQ AU VIN… sounds yummy
Thank you for sharing your excerpt and recipe. Both enticing. Loved the excerpt!!