Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Elizabeth Allen

July 26, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with Elizabeth Allen

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, ELIZABETH ALLEN, and her favorite recipe for HOMEMADE TOM GAI SOUP (Thai Coconut Soup) or what Elizabeth likes to call, THAI ONE ON!

About the author, Elizabeth Allen….

Liz is a Florida girl – born and raised in the Sunshine State. Her career path has spanned from physical to fiscal to literary starting in nutrition, then riding the roller coaster we call the stock market as a financial advisor and ultimately penning her first book at age 49. Before meeting her husband and marrying in 1992 Liz lived in New York City and Los Angeles. In 1995 she had a child but fear and impatience with unpredictable earthquakes in California motivated her to move back to Florida in 1999 – just in time for that y2k scare….

Liz’ debut novel “Who Got Liz Gardner” was published in April 2009 as the result of an international contest and is now enjoying tremendous popularity in book clubs around the world. Recently, some critics have called her novel “the intelligent and better-written ‘Fifty Shades of Grey'”. She was also reviewed and highly recommended by USA Today in April 2012. The sequel to WGLG – Discovering Arugula – was released January 2011. She recently released her third novel “Ima Pigg” a young adult/scifi tale which has been described as “Charlotte’s Web” meets “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”.

Liz has been a contributing writer for several women’s magazines as well as a popular speaker for women’s groups.

Liz lives with her husband, daughter and Catahoula Leopard dog. Her unrealized dream is to ride horseback across the fields of Provence for one week. In the meantime, she rides dressage once a week and goes to Epcot. She will not ride Mission Space. She does, however,practice her high school French when she orders crepes.

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WHO GOT LIZ GARDNER by ELIZABETH ALLEN

Book Blurb

When Liz, a married financial advisor and mother of one, logs on to her high school website in an attempt to generate business leads, she inadvertently lands in a chat room made up of her male classmates (and former lovers) from 30 years before. There she witnesses a testosterone-laden discussion and a much unexpected question, “Does anyone know who got Liz Gardner?” The sheer irony that she would be a topic of this world wide circle jerk on her one and only visit catapults her into a graphic and relentless exploration of her life’s journey–with all the erotic, tragic, and hilarious affairs, lessons, and detours that inevitably led to the one “who got her.”

Did she make the same desperate mistakes as her mother, or worse? Was she destined to become her mother?

Her journey takes her from Florida to New York to California with a spicy layover in Denver. She grows and evolves from dealings with divorced parents, abortion, love triangles, infidelity, confused intentions, homeless junkies, aliens, vegetarians, stalkers, past life lesbians, ghosts and angels. Oh, and men. Definitely men.Who Got Liz Gardner is a complete meal with flavors, textures and ingredients reminiscent of “50 Shades of Grey”, and “Sex and the City” combined with a dash of “Fear of Flying”. Readers who enjoy feasts of this caliber will want to indulge in this extraordinary repast and encourage others to take a taste! However, be warned – while some like it hot, this meal hits the top of the Scoville scale. Muy caliente!

WHO GOT LIZ GARDNER

Excerpt

Chapter 1
Atticus Finch

Accolades of “Brilliant! Fantastic!” could be heard amidst the applause usually reserved for rock stars, but this wasn’t a concert. It was a psychiatric convention and Mike Gardner was a key speaker. A celebrity in the ambiguous world of mental health, his psychiatric observations were legend having been published in the most prominent journals. His evaluations were sought on the highest profile criminal cases and his conclusions were instrumental in verdicts. That was the public Mike.

And he was very generous with his sperm. Enthusiastic, some might say.

His given name was Melvyn, but he hated it and went by Mike. A slim, stunning man, he bore an uncanny resemblance to Gregory Peck. The facial arrangement of a sexy smile and deep soulful eyes was magnetic to men and women alike. He was a hugger; no one could escape his warm embrace as he bellowed “hellooo!” in lieu of handshakes. Every crushing squeeze was accompanied by that unique whiff of Brylcreem.

He had conformed and married his college sweetie. Realizing the American dream with a thriving practice and four young children was within his reach when he hired Radiance as his receptionist.

Radiance was a four-time divorcee and had a ten-year-old daughter, Bobbie, from the second marriage. She was a diminutive spitfire and like the saying goes—dynamite comes in small packages. Radiance was explosive. What she lacked in stature, she more than made up in attitude. She maintained a knock-out body, shamelessly tempted men with indigo eyes and used her sex appeal brilliantly. She could shift into an adorable Betty Boop voice while thrusting her perfect B cup breasts toward any man she wanted—the way her mother had taught her. She also bore a remarkable likeness to Ann Margret.

Her life had not been easy, especially starting off with a moniker like Radiance. Her father, Louis, died when she was ten years old. She never recovered from the loss and was traumatized into believing men were unreliable and would always leave her—and they always did.

Radiance may have let four husbands get away, but she hadn’t lost her touch. Within two months of employment, Mike left his wife and kids for her and for two years, Mike was in orbit around this red-haired vixen. He severed all ties to his first family, never returning sobbing calls from his children. In 1956, he married Radiance and adopted Bobbie, her daughter. Less than nine months later, my brother David came along. Fifteen months after that, I landed on the planet.

For more, read the Amazon Sample, which includes Prologue & Chapters 1 & 2: http://www.amazon.com/Who-Got-Gardner-Elizabeth-Allen/dp/184923888X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373293746&sr=8-1&keywords=who+got+liz+gardner

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

www.elizabeth-allen.com

http://www.amazon.com/Who-Got-Gardner-Elizabeth-Allen/dp/184923888X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373293746&sr=8-1&keywords=who+got+liz+gardner

http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Arugula-Book-GARDNER-Series/dp/1432766627/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17664477-ima-pigg

http://www.amazon.com/Ima-Pigg-ebook/dp/B00BUVDMEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373293623&sr=8-1&keywords=ima+pigg

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 101 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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HOMEMADE TOM KA GAI SOUP
(Thai Coconut Soup aka Thai One On)

1 can coconut milk

Thai fish sauce

lemongrass stalk

lime

brown sugar

ground garlic powder

toasted sesame oil

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup chopped vegetables ( broccoli and napa cabbage work nicely)

1/2 cup chopped scallions

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 cup cooked chicken tenders (or shrimp)

Bring coconut milk to low simmer and add 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, the cup of chicken broth, 3 teaspoons of fish sauce, the lemongrass stalk, the juice of one lime, the garlic powder and a touch of sesame oil. Bring back to low simmer and add vegetables for five minutes. Turn down heat and add cooked chicken.

Can be served over rice or Thai rice noodles. If you like it spicy, add a dash of cayenne to taste!

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Elizabeth will give away a Kindle version of both of her releases, WHO GOT LIZ GARDNER and DISCOVERING ARUGULA, to one of her lucky readers who comments on Friday Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** blog!! Winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday, July 29, 2013. Thanks, Elizabeth, for sharing your stories with us!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Blueberry Buckle

July 19, 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 BLUEBERRY BUCKLE!!

I love blueberry pie for a change once in a while but I haven’t nearly the time I used to have to make pie crust. I’m more inclined to throw together a buckle or crisp because it’s easier. Not to mention delicious ~ I’m a crumb topping lover!! This is a great special dessert for your next summer picnic!

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 100 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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BLUEBERRY BUCKLE
[Serves 6]

½ cup butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar
1 egg, beaten to blend
1 cup flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
½ cup milk
2 cup fresh or frozen, thawed blueberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter 9-inch square baking pan. Cream butter with sugar three minutes. Add egg and beat 1 minute. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture in 4 batches, alternating with milk. Turn into pan, spread evenly. Top with berries.

Crumble Topping:

¼ cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
½ cup flour
½ tsp. cinnamon
Whipped cream

Cream butter with sugar, add flour and cinnamon and blend until crumbly. Sprinkle over blueberries. Bake @ 45 minutes (brown & bubbly). Serve immediately with whipped cream.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Christine Warner

July 12, 2013 Karen Docter 8 Comments

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with CHRISTINE WARNER

Introducing author, CHRISTINE WARNER, and her favorite recipe for THE JUICY LUCY!

About the author, Christine Warner….

Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.

Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmitic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.

A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and her website.

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[Editor’s Note: Entangled Publishing is revamping their Indulgence Line covers and Christine’s cover will be replaced July 15th. To avoid confusion, I’m placing both covers here so you, my wonderful readers, know what you’re looking for.]

BACHELOR’S SPECIAL by CHRISTINE WARNER

Book Blurb

Jill Adgate wants three things from life: a successful catering business, a family, and the love of an exceptional man. What she has is no job, a mounting pile of bills, and her outspoken best friend—who sets her up on a blind date with the man who inadvertently ruined Jill’s life.

Chet Castle is a businessman who has everything, except the ability to trust. Burned by a money-hungry fiancée, he refuses to get involved in any relationship that has a shelf life longer than a head of lettuce.

Intrigued by her ambition—and determined to get her in bed—Chet offers Jill the chance of a lifetime: work as his live-in chef and he’ll help her get her catering business off the ground. When sparks fly in the kitchen, Jill realizes what’s cooking is a recipe for disaster…

BACHELOR’S SPECIAL

Excerpt

Author’s Note: The excerpt I’m sharing has a little taste from both Jill and Chet’s perspective. ENJOY!

Her body hummed as his smile wavered. Although he wore sunglasses, she’d bet her last dollar his gaze swept across her chest, lingering on the betrayal of her pert nipples pushing against the fabric of her suit.

Until this moment, shyness had never been a trait she possessed. Air stalled in her lungs, her palms grew sweaty, and she itched to cover herself with a towel. Even though her replica vintage swimsuit hid more than most sets of women’s underwear, she felt too exposed. She turned to the side slightly and folded her legs up. Not that it helped, but it made her feel a bit less exposed.

Chet slid his feet from his sandals, brushing a hand through his hair. The heat from the sun wasn’t the only thing scorching her skin. She trickled several droplets of water over her arms, but she couldn’t drag her focus from his toned flesh.

Jill soaked in his ripped abs and the obvious package of goodies covered by his brown swimsuit—the same sexy brown as his hair. Damn, did a man have a right to fill out a pair of swimming trunks like that? Flecks of hair, just enough to give him a manly appeal, covered the etched muscles of his long, tan legs.

She licked her lips, hoping she could still speak. “Do you want some privacy?” Yes, say yes. She needed an excuse to make an escape without coming off like someone desperate to be making an exit.

***

Hell no, he didn’t want privacy. Through the shield of his sunglasses, he inspected her body from the tips of her pink-painted toenails to the top of her brightly flowered swimming cap. Did people still actually wear those things? “No, you look comfortable. Stay and enjoy the day.”

“Oh…are you sure?”

“Sure.”

Amazed at his own ability to talk without his tongue hitting the cement, Chet turned to throw his towel and sunglasses on a nearby lounge chair. Damn.

The red and white polka-dot halter-style suit featured a tight bodice, but her slender hips and shapely thighs hiding beneath a matching skirt grabbed his attention until all oxygen left his blood. Even showing less skin than the average girl on the beach, she far exceeded sexy and alluring.

Get a grip, Castle. She’s off limits, no matter how delectable.

He turned and stepped onto the diving board. He bounced along the surface as he made his way over the water. When he looked at Jill’s bathing cap covering her head, he held back his grin. The neon rubber flowers reminded him of something his grandmother would’ve worn, but there the similarity ended.

Everything beneath that cap was far from making him think of Grandma.

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CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE AND HER BOOK:

Website: http://christine-warner.com/

Twitter under @ChristinesWords: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristinesWords

Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Warner/143430882396013

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5763713.Christine_Warner

BUY LINKS:

Barnes & Nobel: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bachelors-special-christine-warner/1115250848?ean=9781622661312

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bachelors-Special-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00CNTSVB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369342052&sr=8-1&keywords=christine+warner

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Bachelors-Special/book-ymNN_qSIaUi8PBWwPe_JyA/page1.html?s=K2kMxRAOXE-3u7T7udMTew&r=2

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 99 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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THE JUICY LUCY
[Makes 1 Burger]

The recipe Christine is sharing is one that is mentioned in Bachelor’s Special. Jill is a chef, but one night Chet decides to take Jill out to the Burger Bar and give her a break from the kitchen. In the process Jill has an adventure with a new burger.

THE JUICY LUCY…perfect for this summer’s menu.

Lightly mix 6 ounces ground beef chuck with a big pinch of salt. (I use sea salt)

Form into two equal balls, and then shape into two flat patties.

Take 2 slices of your favorite prepackaged cheese. (I use American and Swiss). After I open each slice and divide into 4 smaller individual slices…so I finish with 8 tiny squares. You can also leave them whole if you prefer and just lay each slice on top of the other on one patty.

After you have your cheese on one patty, place the other patty on the top and crimp along the edges so that the cheese is hidden and you have 1 patty total. Make an indentation in the center of the patty.

Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; sprinkle the skillet with salt. Cook the burger 4 to 5 minutes per side. Serve on a soft bun with your favorite toppings and enjoy the gooey cheese-filled center when you bit into your Juicy Lucy.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: BBQ Mexican Sandwiches w/Tomato Salsa

July 5, 2013 Karen Docter 2 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Since this recipe uses tortillas and not bread, some might quibble about calling these sandwiches. But not quibbling! These are a flavorful lunch or dinner, and sooooo easy to make with just a little forethought for marinating time. Have to love the grill cooking, too. No heat in the kitchen…a real bonus if it’s a hot, summer day!

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 98 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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BBQ MEXICAN SANDWICHES

¼ cup olive oil
1 large 1 ½ lb. flank steak
¼ cup white vinegar
12 large flour tortillas
½ tsp oregano
1 ripe avocado
1/8 tsp pepper
3 cloves garlic

Stir together oil, vinegar, oregano pepper and garlic. Pour over meat in close-fitting container, marinate for 6 hrs to overnight. To cook, drain meat and place on grill. Cook 5-8 min each side. Cut across grain for thin slices. Heat tortillas, stuff with meat, top with salsa.

Tomato Salsa: Use container with lid, combine 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped, 3 finely chopped green onions (include tops), 2 T. chopped canned green chiles, 2 T. chopped cilantro and 1 T. olive oil. Cover and refrigerate at least 5 hrs. Fold in chopped avocado before serving.

Karen's Drop-In Diary

Karen’s Killer Drop-In Diary ~ 07-04-13 ~ And We’re Off to RomCon 2013! Part 3

July 4, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

[[Welcome to my writer’s diary where I’ll share my “Woot Woot!” moments and the not so “woot woot” moments of my writing world. And, yes, I might even share the occasional musing or two about reading and writing, two of my favorite things!]]

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Dear Diary,

It’s Tuesday ~ 07/04/13 ~ and…

This is my final installment of RomCon 2013 festivities! I left off on Tuesday with the events of Friday, June 22. Let’s take a peek at Saturday!

Saturday morning breakfast started with a wonderful surprise! RomCon organizer, Michele Callahan, announced that SATIN PLEASURES was a Reader’s Crown Award finalist!! This contest was judged by readers and had to receive a score of 8.0+ out of 10 to be included in the finals, not an easy feat! I was thrilled that so many readers enjoyed Dan’s & Tess’s story.

For some reason, I don’t have photos for the first two events I attended. Clearly, my camera was having issues. Or maybe it was operator error. Nah!

Anyway, I went to A Field Guide To Surviving The Apocalypse and helped save the world from zombies! Along with paranormal author, Shannan Albright, our band of merry women donned oodles of fun skills and special clothing. We had a witch, a wind dervish, and flying dragons to name just a few. I had a special tattoo on my back that swept over my body as armor (shades of Stargate?) so I was one of the warriors. I carried a bat-leth so I could cut a swath into the enemy. Is that cool, or what? For that kind of skill, I might even get a tattoo. Good thing there isn’t really a zombie apocalypse, though. I DID pass out when I got my ears pierced as a youngster. 🙂

After saving the world, I moderated the Romantic Suspense Chat Panel with Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Rebecca York, and Bob Mayer. Readers did not run out of questions for this wonderful group of authors and there was a lot of laughter thanks to the stories they shared with us.

The next event I attended strictly as a reader and mom. It was a wonderful moment when I walked into the Young Adult and “New Adult” Romance Chat/Mixer, where my daughter, JM Kline (far left in 1st & 3rd photo), had her debut moment as an author. She published a short story in December 2012 called THE CHRISTMAS SHIFT. She launched the first of her young adult Shadow Shifters series novels, SHIFTING DREAMS, two days before RomCon!

In case you missed all of the rooftop shouts about JM Kline’s new release, you can find her novel at Amazon. Even if you aren’t a “young adult”, this is a wonderful story. You don’t have to take my word for it. Check out what this teacher had to say about the story: “This book rocked, and I can’t wait until it comes out in paperback to add to my class library….”

Needless to say, Mama’s proud. 🙂

My next event was What’s My Story?, an opportunity for readers to build a character from the ground up. I participated in, and moderated, this event so no pictures this time. Sorry! At least one author sat at each table with readers. Our mission? To uncover the story for one of four handsome male model photos. It was a difficult job but someone had to do it! 🙂 Toward the end of the hour, we read some of the stories we’d created. We came up with such fun, and very different, stories!

I took an hour off to check out the vendor tables. Found some fun goodies, a gorgeous purple bracelet and a pair of mirrored “lure” earrings that really sparkled at Casino Night. I also added several new dragons to my collection. Have I mentioned how much I love dragons? Anyway, one dragon has a place of honor in my office. It’s a brass, cone-style incense burner. I can’t wait for my first opportunity to wear the blue dragon necklace & earrings.

After exploring the vendor tables, I went to my daughter’s autographing session and sat with her, again the proud mama. 🙂 They raffled off all of the wonderful baskets and giveaways donated by authors, the proceeds going to breast cancer research. (See first RomCon 2013 Diary for a photo of my contribution.) Over $2,200 was collected!

Saturday night was the Wild Rose Press Casino Night & Dinner Event. They sponsored a game around their authors, where we matched the authors with secret information. The authors went from table to table to share their secrets so we could check them off our list. Fun prizes were raffled.

Many of us played at the casino tables set up for after dinner fun. There were poker tables, Blackjack, Craps and Roulette, and everyone played with fake money chips.

The evening didn’t end there for many readers and authors. There was a Romance Idol Karaoke Challenge with celebrity judges, Heather Graham, Barbara Vey, Melissa Mayhue and Maggie Mae Gallagher. Singers competed for books.

Hang in there…I’m almost done! Getting tired yet? 🙂

The RomCon 2013 convention culminated at the Reader’s Crown Brunch & Awards on Sunday morning. My romantic comedy, SATIN PLEASURES, was not only a Reader’s Crown Award finalist but entered in the 2013 RomCon Book Cover Contest. I was Cover #5. Readers voted by number through the weekend. It was exciting thinking about what I’d accomplished even if I didn’t ultimately win.

I was fortunate to meet Elizabeth Essex, standing with me near the book cover contest board. She was also a finalist in the Reader’s Crown Award in the Historical category. I was excited when RomCon organizer, Michele Callahan (left), announced that Elizabeth won her category. I didn’t ultimately win the Contemporary category but that’s okay. I’m just thrilled so many readers enjoyed my book.

As you can see, we had a wonderful time at RomCon 2013, June 21-23, in Colorado Springs. Despite the heat. Despite the fires in the area. Yes, we had to deal with smoke in the air but we had so many reasons to stay in the hotel and just play. Thankfully, we’d had a couple of days of overcast days and rain that helped firefighters begin to get a handle on the fire that was raging near Colorado Springs the week before RomCon. Still, the smoke in the air was a constant reminder of what they were still fighting outside the city limits. I know I wasn’t alone in thinking about about all of the fires across our fair state.

It was wonderful to meet so many readers and authors, connect with friends I’d made last year, and enjoy an entire weekend of celebrating our favorite reading material. Romance novels. I can hardly wait for next year and, if you didn’t have the opportunity to join us this time, I hope to meet you then.

HAPPY READING and HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, my friends!

(For more pictures of events ~ I couldn’t attend everything ~ be sure to check out the photos at the RomCon site at http://www.romcon.com.)

See you on Thursday for another rousing entry in Karen’s Diary Drop-In….

Karen's Drop-In Diary

Karen’s Killer Drop-In Diary ~ 07-02-13 ~ And We’re Off to RomCon 2013 Pt. Deux

July 2, 2013 Karen Docter 4 Comments

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Dear Diary,

It’s Tuesday ~ 07/02/13 ~ and…

I missed posting last Thursday thanks to a flu I brought home from Colorado Springs with me from RomCon 2013. Clearly, I overdid preparing for the convention and didn’t move fast enough to stay out of the bug’s clutches. But I’m feeling much better now. 🙂

As a reminder, last week I began sharing some of the events that took place at this fabulous romance fan convention so that you might see some of the things that happen at these conventions. It was such a full weekend that there is still much to share.

One of the fun events I was able to organize on Friday was the Super Sleuth game, a Romantic Suspense Author Mixer, for the suspense readers.

Thirteen suspense authors participated…as suspects in our own variation of the Clue game! Each game table had 5 teams of two, with 2-3 participating authors. My talented daughter, JM Kline, created all of the cards we used, as well as emceed the game. The object of the game was to identify which of the authors was the murderer, with what weapon, and in what room.

An added twist was that the authors moved to another table every 3-5 minutes. We had so many cards, our emcee went from table to table to turn over the occasional card to help us eliminate suspects or weapons or rooms. When it was all over, there was one grand prize, a book bag that included a book from every suspense author. Everyone also received fun giveaways each of the authors brought. No one left empty-handed! Even the authors got to take home their personalized Clue games. It was tremendous fun!

I don’t know why I don’t have pictures of the autographing that took place later in the day. I know someone took pictures on my camera! 🙂 Anyway, I had a wonderful time, made lots of new friends and signed my heart out. I autographed my romantic comedy, SATIN PLEASURES, and held a raffle for the candy dishes with the special code card in the bottom for my upcoming suspense release, KILLING SECRETS. Over 30 people signed up to win. It’s always exciting to give away goodies!

Friday evening we had a rip-roaring time after dinner at the Comedy Improv Dinner with the Stick Horses in Pants Comedy Improv Troupe. I don’t think this group of young men and women knew what they were getting into with a room full of romance writers! There was one memorable moment when a troupe member inadvertently uttered something that fed the laughter in the room with unintended consequences. You had to be there, and that’s all I’m saying! 🙂

My roomie, Lori, is always game to get involved in the fun stuff. She and another volunteer from the audience moved two of the players to fit the story that was being told…to much hilarity. You go, Lori! She even provided the story of being bitten by a raccoon to prompt another of their wonderful skits. I can see this band of players coming back again next year. It was a favorite!

It wasn’t enough that we laughed until our sides hurt at the Comedy Dinner but the finale of the night was A Very Virginal Bachelorette Party with a room full of fun games we could play, oodles of delicious chocolate to nibble on, and prizes to win. This was a messy variation of bobbing for apples. The thought of whipped cream in my nose while I bobbed for a cherry kept me from doing more than taking pictures. Maybe next year I’ll be more adventurous!

We’re finally through Friday, our first day of the convention, and I still have a lot more pictures and stories to share, so join me again on Thursday. In fact, the photos I have to share are a drop in the bucket. I couldn’t attend every event all weekend, so be sure to check out the photos at the RomCon site at http://www.romcon.com/.

See you on Thursday for another rousing entry in Karen’s Diary Drop-In….

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Rice Pudding

June 28, 2013 Karen Docter 6 Comments

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Rice pudding is one of my husband’s favorites. It’s funny I didn’t learn that early in our marriage. As the “perfect” wife, you’d think I’d have figured it out. Although it kind of fit into the same “I should have known” story I tell of when I went to the trouble of mastering the “over easy” egg. I didn’t eat eggs back then so I had to work really hard to learn how to make them, only to find out years later that he actually preferred his eggs with broken yolks and over hard! 🙂 Ah, well, at least I can now make eggs any way anyone likes them.

When my husband reads today’s Fixin’s, he’ll be craving a batch of rice pudding. It’s been a while. Nice thing is he can have his pudding, and eat it, too! This one won’t heat up the kitchen. He might even make it himself. Wanna bet it’s a double batch? 🙂

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 97 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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RICE PUDDING
[Serves 6-8]

3 beaten eggs
½ tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 cups cooked rice
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup raisins
1 tsp. vanilla
ground cinnamon
light cream

In 2-quart casserole, combine eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add rice and raisins. Mix well. Microwave, uncovered, just until thickened, 8-10minutes, stirring every 1½-2 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Let stand 30 minutes without stirring. Serve warm or chilled with light cream.

Karen's Drop-In Diary

Karen’s Killer Diary Drop-In ~ 06-25-13 ~ …And We’re Off To RomCon 2013!

June 25, 2013 Karen Docter 5 Comments

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Dear Diary,

It’s Tuesday ~ 06/25/13 ~ and…

I haven’t shared any news with you for awhile. It’s been a crazy time in my office lately so I have a lot to catch up over the next few weeks. I’ve been on a motorcycle vacation in Florida, prepared for and attended RomCon 2013. Since I’m just home from RomCon, I’ll start there.

It has nothing to do with the fact that I haven’t yet sorted out the vacation pictures. Well, maybe it does…just a little!

For those who’ve never been to a romance fan convention, I thought you might to see some of the things that happen at these conventions. So I’m going to take my time and share more than one blog about the event so maybe you’ll be intrigued into joining us next year. 🙂

I was incredibly busy these past few months preparing for RomCon 2013, an annual romance fan convention that took place in Colorado Springs, Colorado this past weekend. I’m a volunteer on staff and did my best to take care of the attending authors, organizing their schedules, etc. The last week before conference was N.U.T.S. Why is it that, no matter how long you’ve been working on a project — we’ve been working almost a year — there are millions of last minute things that still need doing at the eleventh hour? Thankfully, with a little bit of effort, everything got done.

It was the best RomCon yet! Everyone I talked to, authors and readers alike, had a wonderful time. When I drove from Denver to Colorado Springs, I had a truckload just for the events I was involved with or organizing.

I donated a Queen For A Day basket to be raffled off at RomCon. The proceeds from the baskets and giveaways donated is going to breast cancer research. RomCon collected more than $2,200 from the raffle, thanks to all of the readers who purchased raffle tickets! You’re the best!

I didn’t get a photo of the reader who won my basket (pictured above), but I did get a chance to talk to her. I hope she has fun with the goodies I included: Earl Grey tea & European biscuit cookies for breakfast, a DVD of The Time Traveler’s Wife along with movie time popcorn for afternoon fun, some yummy smelling bubble bath along with a novel, my romantic comedy Satin Pleasures for evening enjoyment. There were candles and sparkling apple cider to sip from two champagne glasses and a vase of white silk roses filled with chocolates for bedtime. Everyone should have a day to pamper herself, don’t you think?

I personally raffled off the candy dishes filled with chocolates (shown above) — and a special code to win a Kindle copy of Killing Secrets when it’s released on July 31 — to three readers who signed up at my Speed Dating and Autographing sessions. Thirty wonderful readers stopped by my tables to chat and sign up for the raffle. Nadia Holmberg, Joy Virgin, and Robin Martin each won one of the dishes. Joy was sightseeing and unable to pick up her dish so she generously told me to pick another name. I had to leave RomCon early to take someone to the airport so I’m not sure who ultimately won the dish. It was given away at the Sunday Reader’s Crown brunch.

I also took a lot of swag for the readers who participated in the same events. I found the most delicious smelling bubble bath — 4 different flavors like Hawaiian Blossom & Plum and Bali Mango & Mandarin — to share with readers who played Super Sleuth and What’s My Story? with me. I envision a lot of bubble baths happening across the country in the weeks to come!

When I arrived at the hotel on Thursday, a bunch of us spent a couple of hours stuffing these wonderful canvass bags for the over 300 attendees. We stuffed books, bookmarks, postcards, a water bottle, candy, and all sorts of wonderful swag attending authors had sent for registered readers. It was so full, we had to tie the handles to keep everything in. Does it get any better than SWAG? The goody bag also included our weekend program where I had an ad for my romantic comedy. No, it doesn’t get old seeing my book cover in public. Always a thrill!

RomCon organizer, Michele Callahan, launched the convention Friday morning at breakfast. Yep, that’s me looking over my shoulder! Connected with some old friends from previous RomCon convention, and made some new ones!

Meet some of my friends! We bumped into each other throughout RomCon, and had so much fun! (I’m not tagging anyone since I don’t know if they want to be tagged. 🙂 If you recognize and want to tag yourself, feel free!)

The first event I participated in on Friday was SPEED DATING. What F.U.N.!!!! It’s just how you imagine speed dating works in the dating world. Every couple of minutes, someone tells all of the readers to move one chair where they’ll spend the next two minutes talking to a new author. I met so many delightful readers…and they met me. 🙂 I was also fortunate to be sitting next to an author, Vicki Batman, who I’ve been Facebook friends with forever! It was wonderful to finally meet face-to-face.

This was only the beginning of my schedule on Friday, and I have a lot more pictures and stories to share, so join me again on Thursday for more.

I know, I know, tease, tease, tease!

See you on Thursday for another rousing entry in Karen’s Diary Drop-In….

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Maple Barbecue Ribs

June 21, 2013 Karen Docter Leave a comment

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any pork recipes. In keeping with my “no heating the kitchen” theme from last week, I chose these ribs because they can be done quickly on the grill. It also has a flavor variation you might find appealing for another night. Sweet or Tangy? You’ll have recipes for both. Make up a moist, flavorful potato salad. Microwave some fresh peas, and you’re good to go!

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

Karen

P.S. We’re at 96 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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MAPLE BARBECUE RIBS
[Serves 6]

¼ cup maple sugar
1 T. firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp. paprika
1½ tsp. dry mustard powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
4 racks (1½ lb. each) baby back pork ribs

To make marinade, place all ingredients except ribs in large bowl. Stir well to combine. Place ribs in bowl in batches and rub marinade over surface to coat. Cover and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight, in refrigerator. Preheat broiler or grill to medium heat. Place ribs under broiler or on grill, reserving marinade. Cook, turning occasionally, until cooked through, 25-30 minutes. Baste with any extra marinade during cooking. Serve immediately.

NOTE: For tangy ribs, replace Worcestershire sauce, mustard and spices with ½ tsp. five-spice powder and 2 tsp. grated ginger.

Karen's Killer BOOK BENCH

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Shifting Dreams by JM Kline

June 19, 2013 Karen Docter 3 Comments

KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH

Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where, every Wednesday, readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

SHIFTING DREAMS by JM KLINE

Book Blurb

The town of Shadow Hills has secrets.

Nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains lays the town of Shadow Hills. Driving through, you would never suspect the town’s inhabitants have secrets.

Tessa’s is the biggest secret the town’s seen in a century.

Tessa Brooks has lived all her life in Shadow Hills. She’s always thought she was just another ordinary girl. She is wrong.

When her parents reveal the town’s Big Secret the day before she’s supposed to start high school, she thinks it’s the worst thing that could ever happen to her…and that’s when things get even weirder.

The question is…is Tessa up for the task at hand?

Tessa tries to balance high school, family, friends, a new maybe-sort-of-boyfriend with new powers and responsibilities she’s not ready to embrace. Her life as she knows it has ended, and a new one is beginning. Whether she’s ready or not.

SHIFTING DREAMS by JM KLINE

Excerpt

Thank you so much for having me on your blog this week, Karen! I am so excited to share with you my book, Shifting Dreams.

As my first full-length story, Shifting Dreams has taken me a while to write, but I feel it’s been well worth the wait. Tessa’s story came to me in a dream, and I knew I had to share it.

As adults, we sometimes forget what it was like to go through high school, worrying about what other people think about us, worrying about what’s going to happen after high school, or just plain worrying. I thought it might be interesting (okay, I have to admit I had fun with this) putting a teenager into yet another volatile situation: learning she isn’t actually human after all.

I had a lot of fun writing this book, and I hope everyone has a lot of fun reading it.

ON TO THE EXCERPT! Tessa has just been told that she is a shape shifter. After talking with her best friend about it, she is wrought with worry. Read on to find out how she deals with this worry….

I sighed and left. When I crawled into bed that night, my mind was racing. What was school going to be like? I’d imagined high school to be pretty similar to middle school, only a lot harder. Now I had to wonder if I would walk in to class and see an ostrich. I had no idea what to expect.

A lot of my classmates got really excited about the new werewolf movies and stuff, but I’d never been into that sort of thing. Now that seemed to be my life.

I pictured myself as a slobbering half-human monster and shuddered. Just because Mom and Dad looked like “normal” animals when they changed in front of me doesn’t mean that I was going to be as lucky. What if I changed into some human-animal monster? Good luck trying to find someone who wants to date that.

I flopped to my side and stared at my door. My whole future changed and I had no idea what I was in for. That probably explained what happened next.

I noticed the dark first. I looked around and realized I was in a cave. An eerie blue light emanated from the center, where a cluster of quartz jutted from the earth. The top was flat and almost smooth and came up to my knees.

As I walked toward the pedestal – I realized now that’s what it was – I saw more details. I could see the ceiling, the same smooth red limestone that made up the foothills around my home. I looked down and saw I wore a white linen dress and no shoes. The stone was cool on my feet. I heard a humming noise coming from all around me and looked up, searching beyond the reaches of the faint light.

Several sets of glowing eyes emerged from the dark. As my eyes adjusted, forms started to materialize. I saw my parents in their animal forms – a beaver and a golden eagle. Behind them were an owl and a deer. When I saw the bear, I thought I should be frightened, but the sight actually made me feel better, maybe even a little safer.

I stepped up onto the pedestal and knelt in the center. My knees pressed into the rough quartz and I was grateful for the linen dress I wore, even as thin as it was. I heard a shuffling, and my dad pressed his head against my hand. Feathers ruffled beside me and my mom leaned into my left side.

The humming got louder and the animals moved close to me, creating a circle. I noticed some smaller animals I hadn’t seen earlier – a snake, a fox, a ferret, and a German Shepherd.

Suddenly, I felt a searing pain that started in my toes and worked its way up through my body and exploded in my head. I cried out and the pain stopped as quickly as it started. I heard my dad’s voice. It’s over sweetheart. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. The cave had gotten bigger. Or maybe… I looked down and saw my paws –

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!

Meet JM Kline, Author….

JM Kline was born in Colorado, and was raised to love books by her mom, a published author. While she grew up reading many different genres, anything with paranormal or fantasy elements caught her eye most often. She grew up writing fantastic stories about Rindercella and her Prince, talking monkeys, and fairy princesses.

JM Kline brings a fresh voice in the Young Adult scene. She writes paranormal stories about shape-shifters living in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Colorado. Her first publication is a Christmas short story, full of love, laughter, and holiday spirit. The Christmas Shift is available on amazon.com for Kindle only.

When she isn’t writing, JM spends her time with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two rambunctious dogs. She enjoys reading and crocheting in her spare time.

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

BECOME A FAN! Visit JM Kline at www.facebook.com/jmklineauthor to get updates on books, websites, blogs and much more!

Purchase The Christmas Shift, a holiday short story for Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Shift-Shadow-Shifters-ebook/dp/B00AN9928Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371333345&sr=8-1&keywords=the+christmas+shift

Purchase Shifting Dreams on Amazon for Kindle on June 19, 2013 and in paperback shortly thereafter!

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: JM will give away a Kindle or PDF copy of her new release, SHIFTING DREAMS, reader’s choice, to one of her lucky readers who comments on either her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs!! Winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday, June 24, 2013. Thanks, JM, for sharing your stories with us!

Karen's Book Bench