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Wednesday, December 29, 2021

#COOKING WITH CLORIS--A VOLUME OF ROMANCE AND A COCKTAIL WITH AUTHOR VICKEY WOLLAN

Today we welcome back romance author Vickey Wollan to tell us about the First Coast Romance Writers' holiday anthology and share a cocktail recipe with us. Learn more about Vickey and her books at her website.

Most people have a variety of traditions relating to holidays. Everyone has their own version, and that’s a good thing. Ringing in the New Year is no different. Some folks eat certain foods or consume a specific beverage because that activity brings good luck for the upcoming year.

In Romancing the Holidays – Volume 2 one of the short stories, “Holiday Fixation” by Karen Renee, Alex (the hero) uses a drink to tell Deanne (the heroine) that he knows her better than she thinks. 

 

Deanne is the office manager at a PI firm and Alex is a lawyer at a firm that uses the investigative services of Deanne's employer. A subtle work-related change occurs that gives Alex the opportunity to show Deanne he’s wanted to date her for a long time. She goes to ask for a drink at a holiday party at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, but Alex places the order for her. A Sidecar is not a common cocktail. The fact the Alex knows Deanne’s drink of choice opens her eyes. How romantic is that?

 

This festive tale is just one of fourteen short stories, and some are written by newly published romance authors. Proceeds from this novel benefit First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW), a non-profit organization that helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the publishing industry. In 2020, FCRW started an annual tradition. The next volume releases on September 22, 2022.

 

It’s an amazing sight to see the joy of an author holding a book in which they are published for the first time. The FCRW members are incredibly supportive of one another. The amount of learning that occurs as the writers go through the steps of independently publishing a novel is immeasurable. 

 

Romancing the Holidays – Volume 1 and 2 include stories with Fall and Winter holiday themes. Thus, the inspiration to have Alex order Deanne’s sidecar. Romancing the Holidays – Volume 3 will include holidays celebrated throughout the year.

 

Since New Year’s Eve 2021 is upon us, First Coast Romance Writers wish all romance readers a safe and prosperous 2022. May a hero in your life do something incredibly romantic to show you how much you are loved. Happy New Year!

 

Classic Sidecar Cocktail

Ingredients

1-1/2 ounces cognac

3/4 ounces orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)

3/4 ounces lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Garnish: orange twist

Garnish: sugar rim (optional)

 

Coat the rim of a cocktail glass with sugar, if desired, and set aside. 

 

Add the cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. 

 

Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with an orange twist. 

 

Romancing the Holidays

Volume Two

 

Looking for a Happily Ever After? How about fourteen of them?!

 

Romancing the Holidays, Volume 2 is a collection of romantic short stories all with the happy ending you crave. Genres include: contemporary, historical, paranormal, romantic suspense and young adult. 

 

And what better time to find romance than during the holidays? Escape into these Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Three Kings Day and Valentine’s Day adventures, and swoon anew with each couple as they fall in love. 

 

Proceeds from this anthology benefit First Coast Romance Writers, a non-profit organization that helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the publishing industry.

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