#COOKING WITH CLORIS--GUEST AUTHOR JOSIE RIVIERA AND AN OLIVE CHEESE BALL RECIPE

USA Today bestselling author Josie Riviera writes contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances Learn more about her and her books at her website. 

Does it snow in Portugal during the holiday season?

Feliz Natal means Merry Christmas in Portuguese!

I had such fun writing A Portuguese Christmas, my sweet romance contemporary novella. And, in turn, I learned a great deal about Portugal and the country’s lack of snow during the holiday season.

The story is set in December. Krystal Walters, the heroine, is an American professional surfer and is competing in Portugal during the holidays in a world-class surfing event. She misses the snow and envisions returning to her home in wintry Rhode Island to celebrate Christmas with her father.

However, the average temperature in Portugal in December/January boasts a high of 59 degrees, with temperatures dipping to a low 46 degrees. So, snow is very rare, especially in the cities, such as Lisbon.

Through my research, I also learned that Portugal’s climate is diverse. The river Tejo runs through Lisbon, and any regions south are warm and dry, and reportedly it’s only snowed there once in twenty years.

Any regions north of the river are rainy and cold in winter.

Adolfo, the hero, is an olive farmer. In the book’s first cover, he didn’t look like a man who farms. Those of you who’ve heard me praise my wonderful cover artist know I trust her judgment. However, in addition to a hero who didn’t fit my vision, the cover also included snow. There’s no snow in Portugal!

Do you like snow during the holiday season, or do you prefer warm, sunny weather?

In honor of Adolfo, here's an olive recipe from one of my readers.

Olive Cheese Ball



Ingredients:


8 ounce package cream cheese, softened


1/2 cup butter, room temperature


5 ounce jar pimento-stuffed green olives, drained and minced


1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder


1 cup chopped walnuts



In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese and margarine until well blended. Mix in the green olives and garlic powder. Shape into a ball, and roll in chopped walnuts, if desired, to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving, but preferably overnight. Serve with an assortment of crackers.

A Portuguese Christmas

Love can come softly, like holiday snow. Or sweep you away like a riptide.

The moment world-class surfer Krystal disappears under a mountain of seawater, Adolfo’s single-minded focus shifts from running his Portuguese olive farm to keeping the sun-kissed American spitfire safe. But first he’ll have to convince her that spending Feliz Natal with him isn’t the end of the world. Because she’s become the center of his.

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#COOKING WITH CLORIS--VALENTINE'S DAY COOKIES WITH GUEST AUTHOR JOSIE RIVIERA

USA Today bestselling author Josie Riviera writes contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. Learn more about her and her books at her website.


Today is Valentine’s Day, and although we normally think of it as a holiday for sweethearts, there are many other forms of love that warrant celebration. In my latest release I touch on international adoption, a subject close to my heart as my husband and I adopted our daughter from S. Korea. (Note the Asian child on the cover.)

Twenty-two years ago, my husband and I met our beautiful daughter for the first time at Boston International airport. She was six months old. Our international adoption process took over two years. She's now studying in Europe for her Master's Degree.

Thousands of families around the world have opened their homes and hearts through international adoption. In I Love You More, Soo-Min is the embodiment of many, many fortunate adoptive children and parents who’ve together created forever families.

Today in celebration of Valentine’s Day I’m sharing a family recipe for butter cookies. The recipe uses a small number of simple ingredients, resulting in a flavorful, delicious cookie.

Butter Cookies

Yields 3-4 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

2 sticks butter, softened (Do not use margarine or light butter.)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup powdered confectioner’s sugar

2-1/2 cups flour

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugar until well blended. Add vanilla, flour and nuts. Mix thoroughly.

Shape into small balls. Dough will be very crumbly, but the warmth of your hands will make them easier to shape. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in pre-heated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Watch closely as they will burn if left in oven for too long.

While still warm, roll in a small amount of additional confectioner’s sugar.

I Love You More

A billionaire and a single mother have more in common than they know.

He’s a billionaire businessman …

Luciano Donati, entrepreneur and eligible bachelor, lost his first wife to cancer. So though he lives in romantic Charleston, SC, he has every intention of ignoring the upcoming holiday for lovers … at least until he sets eyes again on his younger sister’s best friend.

He remembers Anastasia as a teenager who idolized him, not this lovely, fragile woman with heartbreak in her eyes. Heartbreak that he finds himself wanting to cure. Her smile warms his soul, her touch ignites his desire, and her little girl Soo-Min melts his frozen heart. Adopted internationally himself at a young age, Luciano understands all too well the strong need to belong somewhere.

She’s a single mom …

Anastasia Markow, cancer survivor and divorced mother, didn’t come to Charleston, SC, for romance. She's here to make sure she has custody of her adopted daughter, Soo-Min. But when she encounters the first man she ever loved, here in the city of horse-drawn carriages and candlelight, her battered heart can’t help but bloom again. And when Luciano and Soo-Min take to each other, resisting his charm becomes even harder.

Handsome, self-assured, every inch the successful billionaire, Luciano is out of Anastasia's reach. But when a hurricane strands them together and they must trust each other to survive … things heat up despite the driving rain and gale winds.

Can Valentine’s Day bring this unlikely pair together … this time for good?

Watch the video.


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GUEST AUTHOR JOSIE RIVIERA ON #ROMANY

Bestselling author Josie Riviera writes historical, inspirational, and sweet romances. Learn more about Josie and her books at her website. 

Exploring the Fascinating Culture of the Romany (Gypsies)

“Gadje Gadjensa, Rom Romensa.” This is a Romany (Gypsy) saying that means “Gadje with Gadje, Rom with Rom.”

So what is a gadje? A gadje in the Romany language means “not one of us.” Many Rom prefer to not allow outsiders (us) into their lives. It’s no coincidence that in my hours, days, and months of researching the Romany for Seeking Patience, little information was available. Odd, because the Rom have lived in many places throughout the world for centuries. They’re a widely traveled people. Yet there is little written history regarding their origins, although recent evidence points to an emigration from India 1500 years ago.

I believe the reason there is little information available is because the Rom simply prefer it that way. They are a proud people who keep to themselves. And they are nomads, forever on the move, traveling by horse and wagon in caravans.

It is no secret that the Rom have suffered persecution, prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination for centuries. The “Gypsy” stereotype includes a criminal, fortune-teller, blacksmith, thief, and musician, a dark-complexioned, shadowy figure. But why do so many of us harbor this unfair prejudice? Perhaps because of the Rom’s nomadic existence, lack of a solid religious belief, and exotic clothes and lifestyle. Their dialect is distinct and related to Sanskrit. Their tradition is oral, for they didn’t have the luxury of building libraries.

One belief shared by all Rom is cleanliness. Mahrime means unclean or polluted. To avoid mahrime, clothes covering the top half of their body are washed separately from clothes on the bottom. Certain parts of the female body are considered unclean, and doctors are sometimes avoided because they deal with illness. And, a Rom can become polluted by being too close to a gadje.

Seeking Patience

Do people prove their worth by strength, or by character?

Half-Romany, half-English lord, he lives a perilous Gypsy life … until a sweet English rose saves his life, and perhaps his soul. Widowed by a cruel husband, she's given up all hope of love. Brought together in peril, they dare to reach for a brighter future together.

Luca Boldor, Romany leader, lives a nomad’s life in Regency England with his Gypsy caravan. Believing his noble father abandoned him at birth, he refuses to acknowledge his English blood, or live a settled life. But when a vicious attack by a rival leaves him bleeding on an English lady's doorstep, he has no choice but to accept her help. Her gentle faith stirs his heart in a way he has long denied.

Lady Patience Blakwell, widowed countess, lives in near poverty. Her husband's heir uses threats to keep her from demanding her rightful inheritance. With a few faithful servants, she exists quietly in the country, only her faith keeping her strong … until the day a bold, handsome Gypsy collapses in her hall. He's unlike any man she's ever known, and she'll confront any subterfuge to keep him safe.

But when a secret from Lady Patience's past emerges, Luca must face his own past, or lose her and all hope of love. Will this strong man humble himself to open his heart for his lady?

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