BOOK CLUB FRIDAY ON A WEDNESDAY--EIGHT COWBOY-LOVING ROMANCE AUTHORS

Today for Book Club Friday we’re featuring an anthology of cowboy romances. We sat down with the six contributing authors to ask why they write western romances. Here’s what they had to say on the subject:

Susan Fisher Davis

I write western romance because I've always had a fascination with cowboys. I married one. I just don't think there's a man who works harder or loves harder than a cowboy.

Melissa A Keir

I grew up with two amazing young men who spent their summers on ranches working as cowboys and ridging the trails. Their stories inspired me to write about men like them. And who doesn't adore a good love story? I believe that we need more happily-ever-afters in a world filled with angst and drama.

Leslie Garcia

My love for cowboys—and horses—defies logic. The only claim my parents had to the cowboy life was that my father briefly rented a boat slip three or four spaces down from Roy Rogers' yacht. But I became infatuated with cowboys because a) they had horses and b) they saved the world time and again. When I got older, and met real cowboys working on a Texas dude ranch, I realized that they were just as solid and dependable as the fictional cowboys I used to cherish, and writing their love stories became another facet of a lifelong passion.

Debbie Desmartea

My dad was a cowboy who worked as a ranch foreman. I often had a secret crush on his summer hired help as a young girl. Love a man in jeans! He taught me the importance of honesty, respecting others, lived by the good book, played harmonica with my mother on piano and was strong as an ox. I consider myself lucky to be a part of a cowboy’s life.

Stephanie Berget

I was born loving horses, a ranch kid trapped in a city girl’s body. It took me twelve years to convince my parents I needed a horse of my own. I developed a lifelong love of rodeo when I married my own hot cowboy. The Bronc Rider and I traveled throughout the Northwest while I ran barrels and my cowboy rode bucking horses. I began writing to put a realistic view of rodeo and ranching into western romance. 

D'Ann Linscott-Dunham

Cowboy bred, born and will die! Grew up with my parents running a dude string in Colorado (summers) and Arizona (winters). My mom was a city kid who always loved horses. My dad was the real deal--he broke horses the old-fashioned way--by bucking them out--when I was a baby. He roped calves like a pro, and had aspirations that way, but a growing family prohibited life on the road. He taught me to ride when I was three years old and break (gentle) my first horse when I was eleven. Later, he worked on cattle ranches and instilled his love of ranching in me. 

A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe

Christmas has always been a time for romance and love. Join six amazing and bestselling authors of western romance as they weave the sexiest cowboys into the holiday season. 

What are you wishing for this Christmas? How about a Cowboy!

Stories in the anthology include:

“A Cowboy for Christmas” by Susan Fisher Davis 

When Reid decides he needs to do one last thing to honor his best friend, will Lucy, his best friend’s widow, understand or say goodbye to the cowboy she got for Christmas.

“The Cowboy’s Christmas Hand” by Leslie Garcia 

Ty Olivares grew up cherished and surrounded by luxury--and lies she didn’t discover until her ex inherited the ranch that should have been hers. 

“Tempting the Cowboy” by Melissa Keir  

Johnson and Debra must trust in their love and rely on each other, because when temptation comes calling, only the strong will survive.

“A Different Kind of Gift” by Debbie Desmarteau 

Will a chance meeting between a forlorn cowboy and a woman who gave up her dreams a long time ago lead to love or just another set of broken hearts?

“Saving a Cowboy’s Christmas” by Stephanie Berget 

Gina’s been a lot of things but rebound girl isn’t the next on her list… even for a cowboy that’s always been out of her league.

“Noah’s Christmas Faith” by D'Ann Lindun 

Faith Cortland has to protect her teenage sisters left in her care, so she refuses to let any man get close. Will Noah Carpenter be able to break down her defenses and show her she can trust him?

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#COOKING WITH CLORIS--BAGELS AND INSPIRATION FROM AUTHOR ELIZABETH ROSE

Today, in our continuing series on how authors get their ideas, we feature Elizabeth Rose, bestselling author of more than 80 books and counting. Mainly known for her medieval series, she also writes paranormal, contemporary, and western romances. Learn more about Elizabeth and her books at her website. 

Starstruck Cowboy is a book that almost never got published. I started writing more than twenty years ago, and this was the third book I ever wrote and also the first contemporary romance.

Back then my works were stored on floppy disks. Well, I changed and updated computers several times since then. I couldn’t find a copy of this book and thought it was lost forever. Recently, I found it on a floppy disk but had no way to read it. So I bought a floppy disk reader and plugged it into my computer and was thrilled to see that the book hadn’t disappeared into a black hole after all. With a little revising and lots of editing, I am happy to say that Luke Tyler and Star Brighton’s story has been born after all.

As writers, our inspirations come from anywhere and everywhere in life. There is a scene at the beginning of this book when Luke and Star first meet. Luke is driving a limo with darkened windows. He turns off the highway and doesn’t pull back as Star Brighton is driving past. It almost becomes a game of chicken with the two of them, since neither of them wants to yield. Well, this happened to me many years ago. I was in Star’s position, and a limo with darkened windows almost ran me off the road. That got me fired up, and I decided to put the scene in my book.

At the end of this story, there is a cameo appearance by James Taylor. Not the singer, but the hero from Wrangling James – Book 6 of my Bad Boys of Sweetwater, Tarnished Saints Series, a twelve book series about twelve brothers who are sons of a preacher but far from saints. As a matter of fact, they’re nothing but trouble.

Tarnished Saints, is my favorite series of all the ones I’ve written because it’s inspired by my own life. It takes place in a small town and on a lake in Michigan. I grew up visiting my grandparents on that Michigan lake.

Getting back to Starstruck Cowboy, it’s a fun read about two people willing to do whatever it takes to save their ranches. I hope you enjoy a quick visit to Texarkana where Luke is about to find out that Star has a strong right hook.

Keto Bagel Recipe

(Low calorie and gluten free)

Yield: 6 bagels

Ingredients:

1-3/4 cups almond flour

1 tsp. each garlic powder, basil, oregano and parsley*

1 T. baking powder

2 oz cream cheese

2 eggs

salt

pepper

2-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese

chopped nuts

Asiago or Parmesan cheese

Mix dry ingredients and spices in one bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with a sprinkle of salt and ground pepper.

In a third bowl cube cream cheese. Add mozzarella and microwave till soft. (1 min & 15 sec at 70% power then mix, 45 sec 70% power, mix, 45 sec 60%.)

Mix eggs into cheese. Add dry ingredients.

Knead dough until completely mixed. (I refrigerate a little afterwards to make the dough less sticky and to shape it into bagels.)

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Separate dough into 6 pieces. Roll each into log and shape into round bagel. Top with chopped nuts and/or fresh Asiago or parmesan cheese.

Bake 12 - 15 min. at 400 degrees.

TIP: Put a 2^nd baking tray on bottom shelf while preheating. When bagels go in, put a few ice cubes on bottom tray for humidity to help the bagels rise.

Serve fresh or freeze.

* If desired, you can choose your favorite herbs and spices instead.

Starstruck Cowboy:

Working Man Series, Book 1

Luke Tyler is a cowboy turned stuntman, trying to raise money to buy back his ranch. When the low-budget movie shoots on location at Bright Star Ranch, Luke meets up with the feisty rancher’s daughter, Star Brighton. However, his charming ways don’t work on her. Star is a tough cookie, and can herd cattle and run a ranch with little to no help. But after one kiss from Luke, Star starts wishing she were playing the role of his leading lady instead.

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR MELISSA KEIR

Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car driver. Along with being an author, Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a movie reviewer, and the owner of a publishing company. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice. Learn more about Melissa at her website and blog.

Have Laptop Will Travel…

Laptops are my favorite writing tool. If I were to put a sticker on my laptop from each of the many destination sites it has been, the poor thing would be covered. I love that I can take my laptop and write anywhere. My favorite place to write (and where I’m writing tonight) is my bed. The king-sized bed has room enough for me to layback and type while my two doggies curl up at my feet. They are always around when I’m writing and keep me company. Even hubby likes to curl up with a book in bed while I write.

My laptop has allowed me to write on my honeymoon in Vegas, in the camper near the Michigan city of Cheboygan, where I enjoyed watching the ducks on the water and to my own living room couch. The only necessity is that I have Internet. So sometimes, I’m hanging out in a parking lot of the nearest library while I read and answer emails or post information on my blog. When I don’t have Internet…watch out! My darling hubby will tell you, I’m not the nicest person then!

Recently, I decided to stop teaching full time so that I would have more time for writing and the other work I do (publishing, radio movie reviews). I was finding that the downside of “have laptop will travel” is that I was grading papers during a family dinner at a restaurant, typing away during Hors d'oeuvres at my in-laws’ house and using every minute of my lunch to post and comment on blogs. There wasn’t time for my family or even myself.

Thankfully, I’ve found a way to balance my time on the computer.

Do you also use your phone or computer all the time? How do you step away from your computer to allow for time with family and friends?

Cowboys Forever

Six Women—Six Cowboys Forever

Six Cowboy Love Stories by the best-selling authors who brought you Cowboy Up 1&2

Claiming a Cowboy’s Heart by Melissa Keir

Even broken souls deserve a second chance at love…

Elementary Teacher, Michelle Alt’s faced untold trials in her life, yet she continues to do what’s right to make things better for the next generation.

Cowboy Veterinarian, Preston Hall has lost everything in order to follow his dreams and return to his grandfather’s small town practice.

These two broken souls recognize each other’s pain and come together to heal, but fear and misunderstandings send their blossoming relationship into a tailspin. Will they be able to put aside their pain to find the love of a lifetime?

Watch the book trailer. 

Marry Me Again, Cowboy by Allison Merritt

An unlikely match made in Texas...

Greer Daily is happy running the ranch she inherited from her father until a resort opens up next door and unruly guests terrorize her livestock and destroy her fences. After she confronts two of them and the situation gets sticky, she finds herself venting her fury on sexy resort owner Guy Carter. But the smooth-talking cowboy isn't getting out of this mess easily. She wants reparations for her trouble.

Guy's first initial meeting with Greer could've gone better, but he hopes to placate her fiery temper by making amends for the fences. When a judge calls them out for being irresponsible and self-absorbed, then orders them to marry, Guy's whole world is upended. Their choices: Six months of marriage or a month of jail time. How bad can a few months with the queen of the cattle range be? Heaven if he can get her to bend, hell if she maintains her starchier than pressed jeans attitude.

Just as something deeper than friendship blossoms between them, Guy's personal assistant throws a wrench into the marriage of inconvenience. If Greer and Guy can't overcome that particular pothole, they have more to lose than their freedom--a lifetime of love.

Cowboy Apocalypse by Leslie Garcia

Can a former Marine and a Hollywood diva facing apocalyptic changes in their lives salvage new beginnings together?

When Stone Winters joined the Marines, he always meant to come home. A woman’s impossible dream kept him away so long that he doesn’t think there’s anything left—especially not when he meets Price Adams, a film star with another impossible dream. He just doesn’t think he’s up for that again.

Price Adams traded in a childhood on her grandparents’ ranch for Hollywood glitz in spite of being a teenage mother. Torn between the stardom she won and full-time custody of her daughter, she accepts one last role—in Cowboy Apocalypse, an inane movie about zombies being filmed on ranches around deep south Texas. Burned by men more times than she can remember, Price doesn’t want a man in her life—especially not one who looks down on her career and the courage she needs to let it all go.

Rock-n-Roll Cowboy by Autumn Piper

Never judge a rock band by its cover song.

A cowboy leading a rock band? Logan gets an earful from his dad every time he leaves the house to perform. His rock persona destroys his ranching cred with the old-timers, and sticking to the cowboy life instead of running off to Hollywood cost him his girlfriend. Yet, he dreams of success in both worlds, and he’s determined to find a way.

Melody agrees to run a publicity campaign for a local rock band, fully immune to the sexy lead singer’s magnetism—she had childhood experience with a rocker’s absences. Still, Logan is charming, and vulnerable. And persistent…

Logan can tell Melody’s PR plan is his passport to popularity. He has to keep his hands off her, or he just might blow his one shot at making it big.

A Cowboy's Princess by Sara Walter Ellwood

Oil and water don't mix...neither does Texas oil royalty and an ex-Navy SEAL turned rodeo cowboy until danger forces them together.

All retired Navy SEAL turned rodeo cowboy Justin Tanner wants is to get to his next rodeo when a vision in a pair of tight fitting jeans walks up to him and hands him his deepest desire on a silver platter—the deed to his father’s ranch, land her grandfather had swindled him out of.

Lacey Mackenzie is true Texas oil royalty, but when her grandfather dies and leaves her the keys to the kingdom, she finds herself with more enemies than friends and only Justin’s name as the one who can protect her, but can he after she discovers only the oil under his promised ranch can save her company. When her enemies attack, he’s duty bound to save her, but can he give her the one thing she wants after a hot night of passion—his heart?

Ride, Cowboy, Ride by D’Ann Lindun

Can they find freedom together?

A locked up heart.

After imprisoned in a federal penitentiary for ten years over a woman's betrayal, the last thing Lyle Landry is looking for is love.  A quick tumble?  Sure.  A cold beer?  Absolutely.  And then he's on to the rodeo circuit to reclaim his title.

Broke, busted and blue.

After her ex-husband leaves her high, dry and dead broke, another man isn’t high on Sarah Reed’s list. Especially a sexy ex-con who makes it perfectly clear he’s not interested in more than a one night stand. But his determination to make something out of himself impresses her more than she wants to admit, and she falls hard for the cowboy.

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--INTERVIEW WITH ROMANCE AUTHOR RED L. JAMESON

Romance author Red. L. Jameson stops by for an interview today. Red writes time-travel romance and other romance sub-genres. Learn more about her and her books at her website and blog.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I’ve always been making up stories. My first memories were of inventing fantastical worlds and reading. However, writing a novel came much, much later.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

Ten long years. Did I mention how long those years were?

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

Well, first let me back up, and answer again about how long it took for me to become published. I was published in a few magazines when I was thirteen and through my teenage years for my poetry. After that, my undergraduate thesis was published in an academic journal. Then there were other small academic articles published here or there—I have another coming out this year regarding the historiography of Native Americans during the Seven Years’ War. However, through it all, my dream was to write fiction. It took a little over a decade for that to happen, and it was only because of the indie publishing movement that I could.

Where do you write?

Anywhere I can. I’m a mom, so I write wherever, whenever I can. Have laptop, will travel, or just lock myself in my bathroom for some quiet to write.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

My preference is silence. However, life interferes. So I listen to classical or instrumental music when I write.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

My characters are all drawn from people I know. Or I take something from someone I know and another aspect from someone else. Or I sometimes even take from myself. In Cowboy of Mine, my heroine plagiarized, which makes her feel like a thief and a liar. That was from personal experience. Although I never plagiarized from another writer, in graduate school I did self plagiarize, which is pretty dang bad. My only excuse was my exhaustion. Honestly, I don’t remember thinking through my actions. I was just so tired. I completely forgot about self-plagiarizing, until I was caught. Luckily, my professor was very kind and let me have another chance at that assignment. But I felt terrible about what I’d done. And all of that is channeled into my heroine, Meredith.  

Describe your process for naming your character?

You know, this might sound odd, but my characters tell me their names.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Real settings in different times, which means a lot of research for me. Yay! I love research.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

In the book I’m currently writing, tentatively titled Duchess of Mine, I have a duchess who wants to curse, run, get drunk, and get into fights. She cracks me up. I love her.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

Gosh, I’m such a nut, so my quirky quirks might make a pretty long list. Let’s see . . . I have had many years of training for operetta singing, but I never sing in public; I’m barefoot almost all the time, even in snow; I want to eat like the Paleo Diet, but I don’t like the taste of meat; and I don’t like weddings—never have.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s simply the best book. Ever.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

I think, in general, I wish I would slow down more. Take my time. Quit stressing about the little things. So my do-over would be for me to have many do-overs and enjoy the fun while I’m doing it.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

People who dictate the “rules” of grammar, but haven’t read a style manual themselves. I get a tick in my eye just thinking about them.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

I’d say my son, but that’s rather selfish of me, forcing my son on a deserted island. Gosh . . . I’d need a helicopter and pilot to get me off the deserted island and back with my son. ;)

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

When I was sixteen I was a janitor in a college girls’ dorm. Girls can be very messy. I only lasted a few months.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

As I mentioned earlier, I really like To Kill a Mockingbird.

Ocean or mountains?

Both! Hee-hee! I’m the kind of girl who wants it all. I did mention I’m a nut, right?

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

I’m a country bumpkin by heart. However, I have lived in Miami and love visiting cities.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I have another Glimpse Time Travel book coming out this spring.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

I’m so honored to be here! Thank you for having me! And I love hearing from my readers, so please find me through my website or blog!

Wishing everyone a beautiful day!

-Red

Cowboy of Mine

Book Three of the Glimpse Time Travel Series

The matchmaking, time-traveling muses have a huge problem. An angry Norse god has just captured one of their mortals, refusing to tell them where he took Jacob Cameron, let alone when.

As a seventeenth-century Highlander, being shuttled through time by a man calling himself Odin, might have been enough to crack Jake Cameron’s sanity. He’s kept his mind only through grit, gumption, and the single goal to somehow return to 1653 and his brothers. Landing in the freezing wilds of Montana in 1887, becoming the sheriff for a small mining community, Jake now needs to make a plan to travel back in time. However, when a wee fae-like woman walks into his life all his best-laid intentions becomes hazy.

As a thief and liar, Meredith Peabody knows she has no chance with the new sheriff in town. Although, he melts her frozen heart with his protection and smoldering looks. Even if she did have a chance with him, how could she ever relate she’s not from this time? She might never get the chance because as soon as she realizes her winter’s wish—for Jake to stay close—the criminal he’s hunting turns the tables on him. But there’s no way in h-e-double hockey sticks Meredith will let that happen.

The muses have their work cut out for this glimpse—chasing after a god, trying to find clues where and when their humans could be, and fitting in time for dress shopping has been murder. Gods, hopefully not literally!

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#COOKING WITH CLORIS--GUEST AUTHOR ANNE CARROLE AND BUTTER-BAKED CHICKEN

Anne Carrole was raised on a farm with horses, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits and whatever other animals she could convince her parents to shelter. Married to her own sweet-talking hero, she has a college-aged daughter and a sleek black cat with way too much attitude. Anne writes contemporary romances and gilded-age and western historical romances. Learn more about Anne and her books at her website. 

How did you learn to cook?

Many of us, I imagine, learned to cook from our mothers. My mother was a wonderful cook of basic recipes (I still use her pot roast recipe to family applause), but I have to thank my girlfriend, whose heritage is Italian, for finding a way to my Italian-American husband’s heart. I truly think my husband started thinking about marriage when I served him my homemade lasagna, following my girlfriend’s family recipe. (Thank you, Denise.)

Libby Brennan, the heroine of my latest book, signs on to nurse her ex-husband, Chance Cochran (they were married for all of forty-eight hours five years ago), attempting to make amends for how things turned out. Chance, a saddle bronc rider, has taken a spill that results in a broken foot and bruised ribs, and he can’t get around to help himself. Part of her argument to persuade our reluctant hero (he is so over her, or so he thinks) is that she can cook for him, as he obviously can’t get around to cook for himself. Only she can’t cook and she has to figure out how fast. Recipe books, YouTube videos, and Internet searches can’t save her from some spectacular disasters.

Libby finally does succeed, after a few struggles. Below is the recipe for her Butter-Baked Chicken.

Butter-Baked Chicken

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup crushed buttery round cracker crumbs (like Ritz crackers)

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 stick of butter cut into small pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

Place eggs and cracker crumbs in two separate shallow bowls. Mix cracker crumbs with seasonings. Dip chicken in eggs, then dredge in crumb mixture to coat. (Note: I use a plastic bag for the crumb mixture and do a little shake to coat.) Arrange coated chicken in a 9” x 13” baking dish. Place pieces of butter around the chicken.

Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, depending on thickness of breasts, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

So how did you learn to cook? Any spectacular disasters you care to share?

Loving a Cowboy

Saddle bronc rider Chance Cochran knows a bad omen when he sees one, and Libby Brennan isn’t just a bad omen, she’s the woman he was married to, five years ago, for all of forty-eight hours—before her father dragged her away and started divorce proceedings.

It isn’t by coincidence Libby Brennan shows up where Chance is celebrating the win that put him in the million-dollar cowboy class. Older and hopefully wiser, she’s come to clear up a legal technicality as well as ask his forgiveness. Then maybe she can move on with her life.

But saying she’s sorry won’t be enough to make amends to this cowboy who has endured a lifetime of people abandoning him. When Chance needs some help after sustaining an injury however, Libby may have a second chance—at love.

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HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE--GUEST AUTHOR MELISSA KEIR ON EQUINE THERAPY

photo by Gabuchitasilva 

Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car driver. Along with being an author, Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a movie reviewer, and the owner of a publishing company. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice. Learn more about Melissa at her website and blog.

Equine Therapy and Children

Equine Therapy is a growing field as more studies are conducted on the benefits of using animals to reach autistic children. While typical treatment programs for autism and Asperger’s focus on behavior modification or medication, equine therapy has shown the best results. The rhythmic motion of riding a horse forces the children to focus on the movement, which helps the child learn to focus better. In addition, tactile senses are stimulated. The horse’s skin is soft and fuzzy. The playful nature of the animals naturally engages the children. They learn to interact socially with not just the animals but also with the counselors and staff people. These sensations and discoveries draw out the children who appear trapped inside their heads. Verbal communication improves.

Having worked with autistic and Asperger’s students as a teacher, I’m familiar with some of the methods we use in the classroom to help them focus, such as “brushing” and weight vests. Children are unique with their symptoms as well as their responses to stimuli. Many of my students used “stimming” or “flapping” to help cope with stressors. Yet there are documented cases of children who have selective mutism. These children often will only speak to certain people or at certain times. I took my understanding of Equine Therapy and trauma to create my characters in The Heartsong Cowboy.

Jake Kyncade uses equine therapy with disabled children, but when he’s faced with a child who was the victim of trauma, he doesn’t know if the therapy will work. I believe that we are just beginning to see the benefits of animals in our lives. I know that dogs and cats are often brought in to interact with nursing home patients and provide help in schools and hospitals. Why can’t a horse help bring a traumatized girl out of her shell?

The Heartsong Cowboy

Part of the Cowboy Up book bundle, a boxed set of seven romantic novellas by seven award-winning authors.

Can two people, one horse and the power of love cure a little girl?

Angela French blames herself for her daughter’s lack of voice. Determined to do anything to correct the situation, she seeks out Jake Kyncade, the owner of The Heartsong Ranch.

Jake Kyncade hides his own sorrows behind his no-nonsense demeanor. Helping children becomes one way to correct his past. Using equine therapy, he sets out to make a difference.

Can Jake help Angela’s dreams come true or will Jake’s past bring more heartache? Will love save them all?

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COOKING WITH CLORIS--S'MORES MARGARITA RECIPE FROM GUEST AUTHOR ADELE DOWNS

Adele Downs writes contemporary romance inside the office of her rural Pennsylvania home. She is a former journalist, published in newspapers and magazines inside the USA, UK, and Caribbean. Learn more about her and her books at her website. Today Adele joins us to share a recipe for S’mores Margarita and tell us about her newest release.

S’mores Margarita

This decadent recipe for S’mores Margaritas from author Adele Downs, courtesy of Sauza® Tequila, is guaranteed to warm any cold January night. Enjoy this confection with kick while snuggling by a cozy fire. Posted with permission.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

6 parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila*

4 parts chocolate liqueur (like Godiva® Chocolate Liqueur)

½ cup chocolate syrup

⅓ cup cream

Ice

To garnish:

 Mini Marshmallows

 Toothpicks

 Chocolate-Marshmallow Creme Sauce (Blend & warm chocolate sauce & marshmallow fluff)

*If Sauza® Blue Silver isn’t available, try Sauza® Silver

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour into prepared glasses rimmed with Chocolate-Marshmallow Creme Sauce. Garnish with a skewer of mini marshmallows. Salud!

For more Sauza® Tequila recipes, visit http://us.sauzatequila.com/

Kissing Her Cowboy

A Lunchbox Romance Short Story

A cowboy with a fractured back and a cop with a broken spirit heal on a Texas ranch with the help of a stallion named Big Blue.

Treymont Woods is forced to take light duty work around Breezy Meadows Ranch after a rodeo accident. While Trey’s body heals, he offers riding lessons to Houston locals on the greatest horse that ever lived, Big Blue. When police officer Daisy Phillips arrives for her first session, sparks fly. But her invisible wounds run deep, making it hard for her to form connections. Kissing Her Cowboy is the story of two broken people who heal on the road to their happily ever after.

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