Archive for the ‘recipes’ Category

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza – Nicole Dennis

Dec 4, 2011 Filed under: guest blogger, holiday, Holiday Recipe Extravaganza, m/m, recipes, sweet treats, web event

When He Came Home

By Nicole Dennis

Blurb:

Kicked out after graduation by his strict, abusive father, Blake Denton didn’t return home for fifteen years. Now a psychiatrist and counselor to the GLBT community, he found forgiveness and love with his long-time partner, Sullivan Fitzgerald, and a home in Vermont. A phone call to his mother to wish her happy holidays ends with a plea for a visit home. This time, with Sully’s support, they drive to the farm and spend Christmas with his family. Things have changed since he left. All of his younger siblings have married and are parents. His mother is standing on her own at the door. His father isn’t within the home, but the memories of years of abuse linger everywhere. Can it ruin the first Christmas Blake has with his family?

Excerpt (unedited):

Fifteen years had slid by since Blake Denton last drove this winding route. For some reason, this path off the country lane that led to the old-fashioned farmhouse seemed to have lengthened since that long-ago night. His knuckles whitened around the steering wheel, gripping it harder than needed to control the SUV. The tires hit a pothole the shock absorbers couldn’t quite handle.

“Holy crap, Blake! Isn’t this thing paved?” Sullivan Fitzgerald cursed and grabbed the oh shit bar on his side of the car.

“Never. Around a farm, they put money where it’s needed most.” Blake maneuvered around another pothole in the driveway. Rather, he maneuvered around the ones he could see under the layers of snow. “Around here, everyone has big-ass trucks and Jeeps to handle this kind of shit, or they’re on tractors, which roll over anything in their path. They probably don’t even know about them.”

Sully grumbled and flexed his fingers around the handle when the SUV rocked.

Blake glanced at his partner and lover. Peeling his fingers from the steering wheel, he reached down for Sully’s hand. Their fingers entwined. “I wouldn’t make this trip without your support, Sully.”

“Taking a step forward and driving down to backwater, small-town North Carolina to start over with your family,” Sully said.

“Does anyone know we’re coming?”

“Just my mother.”

“Did she tell anyone else?”

“I asked her not to, considering Dad’s reaction to when I left fifteen years ago.”

Buy it here.

For my recipe, an old favorite twisted into something new.

Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow on a Stick

Hot Chocolate Fudge Ingredients: (Time: 12 hrs to Overnight to SET)

**Can Cheat and use a box brownie mix – I recommend Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownies – if you prefer brownies to fudge.**

• 1/2 c heavy cream
• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk (1 1/4 c)
• 3 c semisweet chocolate (3 c chopped chocolate bars or chips)
• 3/4 c unsweetened baking chocolate (4 ounces)

 

Tools:

• 9×9 pan
• Tinfoil
• Heavy bottom saucepan
• Rubber or silicone spatula
• Whisk
• Sharp knife to slice
• Cutting board

 

Directions:

1. Line a 9×9 pan with foil and set aside.
2. Combine cream and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until steaming, but not boiling, stirring occasionally to keep from scorching. (This is not the time to be wandering away, please.)
3. Add all of the chocolate and remove from heat. Allow the chocolate to melt, undisturbed, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, whisk firmly until it is thick and shiny.
4. Use a spatula to spread the mixture out evenly in prepared pan. Allow to cool at room temperature 12 hours or overnight so that it firms slowly.
5. Take fudge from the pan and remove the foil. Place on a cutting board. Using a knife heated with hot water and wiped dry, cut the fudge into 2” squares.

 

Homemade Marshmallows Ingredients: (Time: Up to 4 hours)

**Trust me, they’re easier than you think! If you must, then buy those new Square Marshmallows and use at least two for each Fudge square.**

• Vegetable oil, for brushing
• 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin (3 Tbsp plus 1 1/2 tsp)
• 3 c granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 c light corn syrup
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 c confectioners’ sugar

 

Tools:

• Candy thermometer **Must be one made for CANDY**
• Electric mixer w/whisk attachment
• 9×13 glass dish
• Medium saucepan
• Offset spatula
• Large dinner plate
• Parchment paper
• Sharp knife to cut
• Silicone brush for oil

 

Directions:

1. Brush glass dish with oil. Line with paper, allowing a 2” overhang on long sides. Brush paper with oil and set aside. **More oil the easier to remove the marshmallows at end**
2. Put granulated sugar, syrup, salt, and 3/4 c water in pan. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Clip thermometer to side of pan. Cook, without stirring, until mixture registers 238 degrees on thermometer, about 9 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, put 3/4 c cold water in bowl of mixer, sprinkle with gelatin. Soften 5 minutes.
4. Attach bowl with gelatin to mixer, turn on low speed, beat hot syrup into mixture. Gradually raise speed to high, beat until very stiff about 12 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Pour into prepared dish, and smooth with offset spatula. Set aside, uncovered, until firm, about 3 hours.
5. Sift 1 c confectioner’s sugar onto a work surface. Unmold marshmallow onto sugar, remove parchment. Brush knife and fingers with oil, then cut marshmallows into 2” squares. Sift remaining sugar on a plate, roll each marshmallow to coat all sides.
6. They can be stored in airtight container up to 3 days

 

To assemble:

• Long lollipop sticks
• Colorful plastic wrap or plastic bags
• Ribbon to tie

 

Place Fudge square on bottom and Marshmallow on top. You can decorate further with cocoa powder or broken candy canes, but I leave them alone. Poke the stick all the way through to bottom. Wrap with plastic wrap or place in bag and tie with the ribbon.

 

Find Nicole on the web:

Facebook

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Web/Blog

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza – Ashlynn Monroe

Dec 3, 2011 Filed under: guest blogger, holiday, Holiday Recipe Extravaganza, recipes Tags: Dreaming of a White Christmas, erotic romance, holiday recipe, venison chili

Charlie St. Claire didn’t mean to let herself love the three terrified little boys the day she became their caseworker, but she did. The boys had unique issues, but with her typical positive hopeful attitude, she decided that she could give them a better life.

Everything was going well with her plan to adopt them until their deadbeat biological father wouldn’t give up his rights. When the brave eldest brother asked to see his father for Christmas, it gave her the perfect opportunity to confront the jerk and demand he see that she was what was best for his kids.

Richmond Wolfe hadn’t seen his sons in years. He had no idea that his estranged wife had taken such a downward spiral until she died of a drug overdose. It was just one more thing for him to feel guilty about. He couldn’t help what he’d become, but he’d tried to make up for it by leaving. Now some city-girl do-gooder wanted his kids. He wasn’t willing to give them up because he loved them.

Soon Charlie discovers Richmond’s terrible secret. It explains so much, but also puts her and the boys in danger. Burgeoning feelings for the hunky outdoorsman fill her with confusion and something more.

If you want a sweet, albeit passionate romance this Christmas, try my story A Daddy for Christmas from Silver Publishing.  If you like adventure and werewolves, you’ll love this quick read.  In my story Richmond and his boys really like venison, my whole life I’ve had hunters in my life and as you can imagine game was often served on our table.  Christmas Eve supper was always a choice of venison chili or oyster stew growing up.  Here’s my recipe for venison chili.  (Turkey works just fine too.)

1 lb ground venison                                                1 can mild chili beans

1/2 lb ground beef                                                1 can red kidney beans

1/2 lb ground pork                                                1 can baked beans

1 small onion chopped,                                      1/8 cup chili powder

1 small green pepper chopped                                    2 stalks celery chopped

Mix the meat, peppers, celery, and onion together.  Brown over medium heat then drain, add chili powder and 1/8 cup water.  Cook for approximately five minutes.  Add beans, mix well, cook for another five minutes or until hot.  Serve with sour cream and cheese if desired.  This is great in bread bowls.

Learn more about Ashlynn at her website.

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza – Lee Brazil and Havan Fellows

Dec 2, 2011 Filed under: book release, guest blogger, holiday, Holiday Recipe Extravaganza, m/m, recipes, sweet treats

*Knock-knock* Hey, Silvia! I hope you don’t mind, I brought Havan with me and we brought you a sampler basket!

*bounces in and kisses Silvia on both her perfect cheekboned cheeks* He won’t let me peek in the basket! Something about things going missing last time and him having to spend all night fixing it…*eye roll as I hip bump my muse and reach for basket*

 Yum! I love sampling and Havan is always welcome here 🙂

Christmas is cookies for me. My mom baked several kinds, but a few years back I encountered a lady who baked a dozen different kinds of cookies at the holiday season for give-away baskets, and she showed me how to do this. This particular cookie *points to chocolate caramel cookie about to disappear into Havan’s mouth* is one of my favorites.

*slips cookie back in basket and hangs head mumbling* it’s not my fault she taught you so well!

You see, these are so easy to make. They’re really just a throw together!

Chocolate Caramel Wafers

1 14 oz package of caramels
¼ cup evaporated milk
1 12 oz package of vanilla wafers
8 plain milk chocolate candy bars
chopped pecans

1. Place caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high until melted (~ 2 minutes) Stir until smooth. Spread caramel over top of cookies. Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets.
2. Top each cookie with a chocolate square. Place in a 225 degree oven for 1-2 minutes or until the chocolate is melted. Spread with a knife. Sprinkle with pecans.

I guess I have cookie collections on the mind because Story Orgy has anthologies coming out this month.

Ooooh 2 Silvia…*bouncing and clapping hands*…we have 2 coming out this month!

Yay for more Story Orgy goodness!

A collection of stories, with something for everyone! Just like a cookie basket has something for everyone!

And this one is calling my name…it would be downright rude to ignore its plea, and Lee, you don’t like me being rude!  *giggles and snatches chocolate caramel cookie back from basket…takes a bite and sighs in bliss*

Today, Word Play, The Story Orgy’s new anthology from Breathless Pressreleases.

Here’s a look at what’s inside this collection!

Yay! I love previews! *cops a squat and snags another cookie…dragging Silvia and Lee down with me*

Havan Fellows
Harlan’s Ryde

Ryder made a mistake Harlan can’t forgive. Will Ryder cross a line no man should cross to obtain a second chance?

Ryder Halloway made a life changing decision about his relationship with Harlan when he was young and stupid. Thanks to one rash moment, he lost it all. He lost the only man he would ever love, his drive to even try to finish college and his zest for life.

Seven years later finds him in front of Harlan’s house preparing to take back what he lost with a vengeance. He’s prepared to use all the tricks in his arsenal to plow through every wall, protest and excuse Harlan might come up with.

Of course, he never expected Harlan to put him in the hospital …

Harlan Mychels had his heart broken in college by the popular Ryder. He learned his lesson about love and since then hasn’t allowed anyone even remotely close to his heart. Then one morning he turns and sees the one person able to tear his walls down and destroy what is left of it.

He uses every defensive tactic in his possession to keep Ryder at arm’s length, but Ryder is persistent. Harlan’s not sure if he can stay safe from heartache … and he starts wondering what the real heartache is – letting Ryder in again … or letting him go for good.
Em Woods
Harper’s Discovery

When Harper finally sees the light and dumps his cheating boyfriend, can Pitt convince Harper to trust him enough to let it all go?

When Harper Evans discovers his boyfriend in yet another bar with yet another Joe, he makes the final break and kicks him out. More relieved than heart-broke, Harper turns his attention to the letter burning a hole in his pocket that could mean a fresh start across the country.
Pitt Mullen has been looking for just such an opportunity and pounces on it – and Harper – when it shows up. But not everything is as it appears. When Pitt gets a late night call and rushes to another, will Harper understand or cut his ties before he listens to the truth?

Hank Edwards
Wicked Reflection

A sexy, bad boy neighbor, a handsome detective investigating an unsolved murder, and ghostly warnings help Kirk uncover the deadly secret within his new house.

Kirk Stanford’s realtor never mentioned certain features of his new home during the walk through, such as mysterious rooms and brutal secrets. All Kirk knows is he has a lot of unpacking to do and a handsome, bad boy neighbor seems to have taken an interest in him.

But then the warnings begin to appear, written in steam on the bathroom mirror. At first, Kirk dismisses the messages, but when a prowler attempts to break into his house, and a handsome private detective shows up asking questions about the murder, Kirk realizes how much danger he is in. He’s invested too much money in his new house to just walk away, so his only choice now is to figure out for himself who the murderer is and what he still wants out of his house.

Dark secrets come to light and Kirk is forced to put his trust in a supernatural presence as he fights to survive.
Lee Brazil
The Park at Sunrise

First they were three, now there are two.
Can Jason and Morgan make a relationship work without Paul?

For years the three of them had been inseparable, first as friends, then lovers. It’s been ten years since they parted for what was supposed to be a year apart to pursue their dreams. This isn’t the reunion they planned then. It’s nine years too late for one thing, and they are one man short for another.
In the years since Paul’s death, Morgan hasn’t exactly been waiting for Jason to reach out to him. He’s been too busy trying to forget, to move on. Until Jason sends the right message. Is the painting just an excuse to see his ex again?

JR Boyd
Off the Beaten Path

Best Friends and landscaping entrepreneurs, Mitch Sterling and Colby Merritt, enjoy their comradeship. Can scouting country roads for business opportunities unveil a lifetime of passion?

Best friends, Mitch Sterling and Colby Merritt have spent their whole lives together in a small town in the Hill Country of Texas. At twenty-four, the two entrepreneurs run a small landscaping company. Mitch works out in the field, leading the landscaping crews and getting his hands dirty. Colby uses his college education to handle the business aspect of the company from their office.

Outside work, the two can always be found together. A Saturday morning drive leads them to a dirt road that neither has ever traveled. With the help of a few beers, the hot Texas sun, and a secluded country pond, Mitch and Colby find themselves exploring new territory Off the Beaten Path.

To learn more about Lee and the rest of the Story Orgyists, check out Lee’s blog.

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza: Cheese Biscuits

Dec 1, 2011 Filed under: book release, erotica, excerpts, holiday, Holiday Recipe Extravaganza, paranormal, recipes, sci fi, shapeshifter Tags: cheese biscuits, erotic romance, futuristic Regency, horse shifter, Regency sci fi

Stallion’s Accord will be available later today. In that story, Raya and Calder enjoy some cheese biscuits that are one of Calder’s cook’s specialties. While I’m sure she made her biscuits from scratch, as I do on most occasions, I’m sharing a quick easy and super crazy yummy recipe for garlicky cheese biscuits that I got from my mother-in-law.

The first time I had these biscuits, I was nineteen and I was staying at my then boyfriend, now husband’s house for New Year’s. His mother made two pans of these biscuits, set them on the counter to cool, and then went out to do some errands. Upon discovering them (with no note or explanation attached I might add), my boyfriend, his younger brother, and I decided they looked like a great snack. Yes, the idea that they’d been made for a particular occasion went through our minds, but here were these warm, delicious-smelling biscuits right there in front of us. We each ate few and then a few more and then a few more. (Warning: If you make these, make several pans, they are addictive.) By the time we finished there were none left, in either pan.

Around supper time, his mother was getting ready to go out to a party. She came into the kitchen and asked where the biscuits were. Poor woman, I think she thought we’d actually wrapped them up for her after they cooled. “Biscuits?” my boyfriend asked.

She narrowed her eyes at us. “They’re for the party. Did you eat some?”

“Some?”

She glanced toward the sink and spied the empty pans. The game was up. “We kinda ate them all,” I confessed.

Needless to say, she was not pleased with us. But once her anger had abated, I got the recipe and we’ve been making them at some point during the holidays ever since.

Garlic Cheese Biscuits

Makes 1 pan but I’d double or triple it.

1 can large refrigerated biscuits

1/2 cup butter, melted.

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

3 cloves garlic, minced (or 4 or 5 or as many as you like)

Stir cheese and garlic into melted butter. Separate biscuits and break them into quarters. Roll each quarter into a ball then roll dip it into butter/cheese mixture until thoroughly coated. Place in a 8 in round pan (cake pan). It’s ok if they are touching. Drizzle with some of the remaining butter and cheese mix. Cook according to biscuits directions.

Stallion’s Accord by Silvia Violet

Raya Varvara is what Orianians refer to as a techno snob. She thrives on her fast-paced urban life on New Earth. At least she did until she met Calder Brinkley, a horse shifter and regional governor on Oriana. Calder likes wide-open spaces, the fresh air of early morning, and turning off technology in favor of face-to-face conversation. He also likes Raya. He likes her so much he’s willing to alter some of what he enjoys about his low-tech planet.

When Raya returns to Oriana after a long, painful absence, she learns about the changes Calder introduced. Her certainty that she could never live on this backwater planet begins to falter. Can Calder convince her that being together is more important than either of them having their way, or will her stubbornness keep them forever apart?

Excerpt:

Raya leaned forward, tangling her hands in Obsidian’s mane, relishing the feel of his strength beneath her. She was thankful her lover needed to return home quickly after their tryst by the stream. Riding his alternate form exhilarated her. Discussing the fact that a confession of love had escaped her — as Calder worked her into a frenzy — would make her cringe.

She didn’t want to be in love. She couldn’t live on Oriana, and Calder wouldn’t leave. No matter how good the sex was, their lifestyles were incompatible. That’s why she’d run from what she felt months ago. She’d tried to deny what he meant to her, but seeing him again had brought all her feelings to the surface. Then he’d touched her, and she was lost.

But she wasn’t a coward. She wouldn’t deny what she’d blurted out in a fit of passion. She was in love with Calder, and she had to face the consequences of those feelings. But the longer she could put it off, the better. Perhaps Calder would give her one night to revel in their need for each other before questioning her intentions.

All too soon, the stable came in sight, and Obsidian slowed to a trot. Finlay, the stable master, was there to greet them. He gave Raya a sly wink. “I see you’ve returned, and you’re riding Obsidian as well as ever.”

She smiled and ignored the heat that crept into her cheeks. “Damn right I am.”

Obsidian snorted as they both laughed.

“I’ll see to him,” Raya said, sliding from her lover’s back and grabbing a currycomb from the wall, ready to give Obsidian a loving brush down.

“He’d certainly love that, Miss Varvara, but his guests have already begun to arrive.”

Obsidian whinnied loudly and gestured toward the door with his nose.

Finlay nodded. “I’ll take care of it, sir.”

Raya raised her brows in question.

“He needs privacy to shift, ma’am. Not all of tonight’s guests are aware that Obsidian and Lord Brinkley are one and the same.” Calder was an unregistered shapeshifter. His mother belonged to a centaur-like race known as the Canterini, but as a half-blood, he could shift between human and horse form.

“Ah,” she nodded. Guests. Ugh. The last thing she wanted to do was stuff herself into one of the fancy dresses she’d been forced to purchase for her business on Oriana and socialize with Calder’s guests. Maybe she could feign fatigue from the long journey. Or better yet from the thorough fucking he’d given her.

Finlay closed the stable doors and locked them. Obsidian shimmered briefly, and Calder stood where he’d been, naked and obviously ready to go another round with her. Finlay tossed him some clothes and boots, and he dressed quickly. He looked damn fine in the tight tan riding pants and tall polished boots. His black shirt strained across his powerful shoulders and muscular chest. He left the top two buttons open in a manner considered rakish on Oriana.

“Lord Partington has arrived with his daughter,” Finlay said as he unlocked the doors. The stable master looked pointedly at Raya. “Miss Varvara’s arrival will be of interest to them, I’m sure.”

Calder’s eyes brightened, and he smiled wickedly. “I do believe it will.”

Raya didn’t like the sound of that. “Who is Lord Partington?”

“An idiot who thinks I’d pay his debts in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“Fuck that.” Raya’s stomach churned. Calder was hers. She didn’t want to be in love, and she didn’t want to live on Oriana, but… damn it, he was hers.

Calder chuckled. “Try to keep your claws in.”

Raya glared at him. “Why are they here?”

“I’m hosting a party tonight to celebrate the conclusion of the legislative session.”

Raya pondered his words. “Is that customary?”

Calder nodded. “When the session ends, most of the regional governors return to their own lands, and life in and around the capital slows down for several months.”

Raya tried to imagine the pace of life being any slower than it already was and failed. She’d originally met Calder when her job at Intergalactic Investors Bank brought her to Oriana to broker a deal for a client. She’d hated everything about the backwater planet except for the fine horseflesh Calder owned and Calder himself.

She’d never let herself get involved with a client before, but she loved beautiful horses and beautiful men, and Calder literally brought all the untamed strength of a stallion into his human form. He’d been impossible to resist, but when he suggested she stay, she refused. No way could an urban girl from New Earth be happy here, not even with a stud of a man like Calder.

She’d ignored him for the intervening months just like she’d ignored the terrifying mix of hot and cold that raced through her when she thought of him. She had no place in her life for romance.

When she’d received the paperwork confirming her client’s purchase of Calder’s horses, she’d chosen to surprise Calder rather than be forced to explain why she’d failed to contact him for months. She caught a flight to Oriana that afternoon, barely taking time to comm her supervisor and let her know she’d be out of the office for the next week. Now here she was, admitting to feelings she’d didn’t want to have, confused and longing to ignore the world and spend the night making love to Calder. But he had a house full of overdressed, stuffy Orianians who would find her exotic if not downright crude.

As if hearing her thoughts, he glanced down pointedly, looking at her nipples standing out against the damp cloth of her dress. Between the heat and the dip she’d taken in the stream her dress looked rather disreputable.

“You’re going to scandalize my guests.”

Raya snorted. “Fucking prudes.”

Calder laughed. “My guests include some of the biggest gossips on Oriana. When we appear at the house together with you in that ensemble, rumors will spread like wildfire. By tomorrow everyone who’s anyone in Oriana’s capital will know we’re lovers. The only way I’ll be able to save your reputation is by marrying you.”

Marry me? Marry me? He has to be kidding.

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza – Bebe Burnside

Nov 30, 2011 Filed under: contemporary, guest blogger, holiday, Holiday Recipe Extravaganza, m/m, recipes Tags: gay romance, holiday recipe, holiday romance, m/m romance, salsa dip

I am not what one could call a gourmet chef.  I do, however, every Christmas Eve make this very simple salsa dip for my brother and sister-in-law’s annual Christmas Eve party.  It always goes over big.  I made the mistake of not making it one year and everyone was mad at me.

Salsa Dip

Start with a pie dish or something that is fairly shallow and microwave safe.

Cover the bottom with sour cream (light or regular, it’s up to you)

Next add a layer of salsa (I use mild; I’m a wimp, get as spicy as you like.  If your industrious feel free to make your own)

On top of that add shredded cheese (I use a Mexican blend, but again get creative)

Pop it in the microwave for about 3 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips, or crackers, or melba toast, or bread, anything that floats your boat.  It’s quick, easy, and ever so yummy.  It’s the exact kind of thing Bruce might have whipped up for Martin in The Prize, on a cold winter night when they just wanted to stay in and cuddle.

The Prize by Bebe Burnside

Blurb

High school English teacher, Bruce Michaels, has his life right where he wants it, or so he thinks. When his nose isn’t buried in a book, he’s teaching or taking a class for fun. When he learns that his favorite author is coming to the small Vermont town where he lives to teach a class in English literature, Bruce jumps at the opportunity to audit the class and get a chance to talk to Nobel Prize winning author, Martin Welder. But expectations rise when he finally meets the award winning author, and becomes interested in more than his mind.

Excerpt

“This is it,” Bruce said as they walked in. “Do you want anything?  I have wine, water, tea, coffee.”

“It’s adorable,” Martin said as he looked around. “Wine sounds nice.”

Bruce smiled and went to the kitchen to select a bottle of wine as he said, “Make yourself at home.”

Bruce chose a Merlot that his parents had given him.  He opened it and poured a glass for Martin and a half glass for himself.  After all, he would have to drive Martin home later.  Then he thought about it, they could always get Martin a cab.  The campus wasn’t that far away and Bruce would offer to pay for it.  He added the additional wine to his glass.

He walked into the living room to find that Martin had taken off his shoes, jacket and tie and was sitting on the couch.  He smiled at Bruce.  “Well, you did say make yourself at home and that’s the first thing I do when I get home.”

Bruce grinned, handing one glass to Martin before taking a seat on the easy chair next to the couch.

Martin took a sip of the wine. “Mmmm, this is good.  A Merlot?”

“My parents gave it to me for some occasion, probably my birthday or Christmas.”  Bruce took a sip. He wasn’t surprised that it was good; his parents did have good taste in wine.  They both drank in silence.  Bruce wanted to invite Martin to stay, but he suddenly felt shy.  Why would a Nobel Prize winning novelist want anything to do with him?  He could just lean over and kiss Martin and see what happens.  After all, Martin did agree to come over.  It was probably assumed something might happen.

“Are you coming back soon?” Martin asked softly.

“What was that?” Bruce asked.

“You seem to be thinking about something.”

“I’m sorry,” Bruce said, realizing that he’d been distracted by the wine and worrying about Martin. “Um, well, I’ll be blunt.  I would like you to stay the night.  It’s been a while for me, but I really like you and, well, I would like to…well, that is, um, I mean.”  Bruce couldn’t believe he was so tongue tied.

Suddenly Martin was kneeling in front of his chair.  “Let’s see if I get your drift. ”

Check out The Prize at amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Seventh Window.

Learn more about Bebe Burnside at her blog or Facebook.

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza – JR Loveless

Nov 29, 2011 Filed under: contemporary, excerpts, guest blogger, holiday, Holiday Recipe Extravaganza, m/m, recipes, sweet treats Tags: gay romance, holiday recipe, holiday romance, m/m romance, pumpkin bread

Since I was a baby, my mother has always made pumpkin bread from a recipe she’s had since before I was born. Whenever I have it, it brings back memories of family, friends, and loved ones.  I wanted to share this amazing recipe with everyone along with an excerpt from my new upcoming Silver Publishing’s Dreaming of  a White Christmas release ‘White Rain’. Snow brings memories back for the main character, reminding him of the one person he loves more than anything. Enjoy a slice of the most amazing pumpkin bread while reading my newest release due out December 8th! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

 

***

 

Pumpkin Bread

 

1 tsp nutmeg

                  3 cups sugar

                  1 tsp cinnamon

                  4 eggs

                  1 cup oil

                  1 1/2 tsp salt

 

Mix the first six ingredients. Add the following in order:

 

                  1 cup canned pumpkin

                  2/3 cup water

                  2 tsp baking soda

                  3 cups flour

 

Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans or 3 (1lb) coffee cans. Bake at 350 degrees about 1 hour. Check with a toothpick, if it comes out clean, that means it’s done.

 

***

 

Silver Publishing’s Dreaming of a White Christmas ‘White Rain’

Blurb:

Brand has spent the last four Christmases without the one man he loves more than anything. After Kia left for college, everything changed. Can Brand forget Kia, or will Santa Claus bring him what he wants most for Christmas?

Excerpt:

Kia stared at his best friend’s back in silence. He watched Brand’s muscles ripple beneath the dark gray shirt he wore. Brand looked even more beautiful than the last day he’d seen him. He still had a good six inches on him, but Brand’s body had filled out in all the right places. Amber haircut and combed neatly made Kia’s fingers itch to muss it all up, and it stung that he didn’t have the right to do it anymore. Not yet at least. The steel gray eyes he adored had seemed so cold as they’d studied him out on the front porch. Even now Brand refused to look at him.

Watching his friend setting a fire to crackle in the fireplace sent melancholy spiking through him. He’d missed Brand every single day, so much so it began to feel as though he couldn’t breathe, but he’d been determined to give Brand a reason to be proud to have him in his life.

 

Pain twisted his insides at how much he’d hurt Brand in his selfishness. It wasn’t until he’d spoken to Brand’s mother that he realized how much he had. She’d told him that Brand was  always alone and seemed so withdrawn from people after he’d left. The solemn facade had drawn him to Brand in the beginning. They’d met when they were thirteen; Brand kept to himself, either reading a book or staring into space. Regardless of the cold reception he received at first, Kia kept trying day after day to draw him out of his shell. It took time, but eventually he’d succeeded and Brand had opened up to him. It appeared that his desire to protect himself had only served to return Brand to the solitary person he’d once been. His throat felt dry as he searched for the words to explain why he’d stopped calling Brand, stopped writing or e-mailing him. How could he make him understand that he’d only done it because it hurt too much? Every time he’d talked to Brand on the phone, every letter or e-mail he’d read about his friend’s life, sent a knife straight into his heart. “I missed you, Bran,” he finally choked out around the lump in his throat.

 

Brand gave a cynical snort and turned hard eyes toward him. “Missed me, Kia? When? When you were too busy to come to the phone? Or maybe it was when you never returned my letters?”

 

Kia moved toward Brand only to stop as Brand took a step back. His heart sank even lower into his stomach, but he persisted in trying to make the one man he loved more than anything understand why he’d done what he had. The silence stretched out for long moments between them before he found what to say. He hugged himself as he started talking, staring anywhere except at Brand. “When I left for college, it was hard, Bran. So hard to be away from you. I wanted nothing more than to come home. But I couldn’t. I had to finish because I didn’t want to end up like my mom.”

 

Brand didn’t reply.

 

“I thought the more contact we had, the easier it would be. But it wasn’t. It was harder and made me miss you even more. So I selfishly started avoiding your calls and replying to your letters. At least, sending my replies to you. I wrote a letter every week telling you about school, work, and any little thing that came to mind but I never mailed them. I couldn’t.”

 

He had an entire bag filled with the letters he’d written Brand. One long letter every week for two years was a lot of letters. He’d planned on giving them to Brand when he returned and they were still in his suitcase out on the front porch. “I need you to understand, Bran. I wanted you to be able to be proud of me and have someone in your life worth knowing. Not someone who’d come from a poor family and has a weak mother with a bastard for a stepfather.”

 

“I didn’t care about that,” Brand said hoarsely, his hands clenched at his sides. When he looked up at Kia, Kia’s heart broke even further at the anguish in Brand’s eyes. “I needed you, Kia. You promised you’d never leave me.”

 

Kia took a tentative step forward, his heart lifting when Brand didn’t move away this time. He continued until he stood right in front of him. Brand’s dark amber hair seemed longer than he’d remembered it, and there were lines around his mouth and eyes that hadn’t been there before. He reached up to lightly trace those lines with the tip of one finger. “I didn’t leave you, Bran. You never left my mind, my thoughts. All I could think about was getting home to you. I’m sorry. I never realized how much it would hurt you.”

 

Brand’s lips twisted and he reached up, grabbing Kia’s wrist to stop his movements. But he didn’t push Kia’s hand away. He merely kept it in the loose manacle his fingers made. “Not hurt me, Kia? I…” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

 

“What, Bran?” Kia pushed closer until the fronts of their bodies rested against one another. “Talk to me. Please.”

 

It didn’t look like Brand would say anything at first. His mouth opened and shut several times but nothing came out. Kia’s face fell. He wondered if maybe Brand had moved on without him and no longer loved him. He’d known how Brand felt about him. He’d seen it in the way he looked at him, the way he would unconsciously move his body toward him when they talked or almost hovered over him protectively in large crowds. It had taken the knowledge of Brand’s feelings to make him realize he didn’t want Brand saddled with a high school graduate who would go nowhere in life.

 

A whisper of words left Brand’s lips, sending agony crashing over him like a tidal wave. “I loved you, Kia. You broke my heart when you left, when you stopped replying to my e-mails and returning my phone calls.”

 

Loved? Did Brand no longer love him? Kia’s eyes grew moist but he blinked back the tears. He knew he had no right to expect him to love him after he’d practically cut all ties with him. “I’m sorry, Bran,” Kia murmured. “I always intended on coming back. I could never leave you

for good because I’ve loved you almost from the moment I met you.”

 

Brand stiffened, his gaze snapping up to meet Kia’s in shock. Kia smiled softly, reaching to cup Brand’s cheek. “Why do you think it hurt so much to leave you and why I wanted to come back home so badly? I do love you, Bran. I always have and I always will. Can you forgive me and

allow me to earn back your love?”

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza – Deanna Wadsworth

Nov 28, 2011 Filed under: book release, excerpts, guest blogger, holiday, Holiday Recipe Extravaganza, recipes, sweet treats, web event Tags: erotic romance, holiay romance, recipe, sexy elves, vegan chocolate cake

Grandma Helen’s Chocolate Cake

This recipe is totally vegan!!

mix 1 1/2 cup flour, 1cup sugar, 1/3 cup baking cocoa, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt

add- 1 tablespoon vanilla, 1tablespoon cider vinegar, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup water
DO NOT OVER MIX

put in greased 8×8 pan

375degrees 25-30 min.

Garnish with powdered sugar

This has been my favorite chocolate cake since I was a child. I hope you enjoy it as much as I always have.

And if you like chocolate….I have another way to get your chocolate fix!

Wouldn’t it be great if other things could taste like chocolate? Well, in my latest holiday story, Book One of THE NAUGHTY NORTH POLE– MS. CLAUS’S LIST, Ms. Claus gets a special kind of chocolate in the bedroom….and oh yes, I’m talking about what you think I am. Candy flavored cum! LOL

Stay tuned for Book Two PIP’S BOXING DAY WISH coming soon from Decadent Publishing!

 

Ms Claus’s List by Deanna Wadsworth

Blurb

I am Ms. Claus.

Note the Ms. not the Mrs.?

Santa is my twin brother…not sure how the married rumor got started, eeew!…but he runs the North Pole except for that one most magical night of the year: Christmas Eve. When Santa is away, the elves will play. With me, if they’re lucky enough to be picked from my List.

Please, no nice elves need apply. Because I really want to find out how naughty you can be!

Excerpt

With a whistle, Nick shouted out, “Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer!”

Those weren’t the names of these particular reindeer, of course, but the call had become tradition. The elves and I joined in with the chant, too.

“Now, Prancer, and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!” Laughing, I looked down at Donna. Her face had flushed with excitement and cold.

Okay, I know it was cheesy, but hey. It was Christmas. If you couldn’t be cheesy at Christmas, when could you be?

Whoosh!

Magic sparks in red, green, and silver blasted from the back end of the sleigh, the release of magic, which made it fly. Another resounding cheer went up. I had to wonder if it was just the excitement of a year’s hard work being done and the joy of Christmas, or the show about to go down tonight, which had everyone so worked up.

The reindeer started to run in place above the ground as if they were on a treadmill, their hooves gaining speed. They might be awful creatures, but the sight they made was spectacular.

Nick raised his right arm and dropped it.

“Merry Christmas to all!!!”

On that command, the snarling beasts lunged forward faster than I had ever seen a reindeer move. All shouts and well-wishes were lost in a loud explosion, like blast of hot air from a gasoline-drenched pile of wood ignited by a firecracker. A rush of heat blew my hair back and the sleigh, our grandmother’s modified magical chariot, rose in the air. The jingle of bells and cheers were lost in the power of the vehicle.

Then my brother and his sleigh disappeared in a flurry of sparkles and heat.

It took a moment for the oxygen to sneak back into my lungs and I patted my face to be sure my eyebrows hadn’t been singed off.

“Dramatic much?” Donna whispered.

I sniffed in agreement. “You know Nicky.”

The two elves manning the entrance pulled the levers back. The doors slowly closed. When the last cog locked into place, shutting out the cold air and the last sight of the sparking comet trail of the sleigh, the launch chamber fell silent.

All eyes went to me.

Donna stepped back, as did those nearby.

I did a slow, dramatic turn, clutching the front of my cloak. I smiled at all of my people, two forgotten races of elves who vowed to keep me and my brother company for all eternity.

I slowly strutted into the space Nick had recently vacated with his sleigh, hesitating before I spoke, to allow Donna ample time to maximize impact.

Stopping, I faced the largest collection of eager elves, all of them atwitter with anticipation. The light faces, the dark ones, the black eyes and the green, all locked on me, holding their breath in anticipation of my next words. Smiling at my people, I knew what they needed. Sure, Nick cared for all their needs, gave them a purpose with which to devote our eternity. But only I knew what they craved.

Then, very dramatically, I dropped my cloak, revealing the skin-tight, red velvet halter top and too-short mini. I raised my arms in the air and let out a delighted squeal, finishing up Nick’s cry—

“And to all a good night!”

Deanna Wadsworth lives in a small town in Ohio with the love of her life and three dogs. When she isn’t writing stories she likes to chill in her basement bar or hang out with her friends on her boat. You can find her at her blog and on Facebook and Goodreads

Holiday Recipe Extravaganza

Nov 27, 2011 Filed under: excerpts, holiday, recipes, sweet treats, web event

Writing, reading, and baking. Three of my favorite things so this holiday season, I’ve combined them to bring you lots of food and sexy reading for the holidays.

Every day from November 28-Dec 21, authors will be sharing a holiday recipe and an excerpt. I have two releases in December, One Kiss (m/m) and Stallion’s Accord (m/f). And I have recipes to share with both.

So check back here each day for a little sexy escape and something yummy to make.

 

Sweet Treats: Chocolate-Black Pepper Cookies

Nov 11, 2011 Filed under: recipes, sweet treats

It probably won’t shock you that I’m all kinds of crazy about holiday baking. I’ve been known to make over a dozen different kinds of cookies during December and all my relatives know they’ll receive a cookie basket from me. One of my favorite holiday activities is pouring over the recipes in the Martha Stewart Living holiday special edition. A few years ago, one of the treasures I discovered there were these chocolate-black pepper cookies. They are a wonderful combination of chocolate and spicyness. And you can make the dough, roll it into a log and freeze it until you are ready to bake. It’s like your own homemade slice and bake.

Apple Pie and Paws on Me

Oct 30, 2011 Filed under: bears, book release, erotica, m/m, paranormal, recipes, shapeshifter, sweet treats

Like apple pie? So do my men in Paws on Me. They like it A LOT. They like to eat it in non-traditional ways 😉

When I make an apple pie, I use my favorite crust recipe:

Silvia’s Pie Crust

For a 2 crust pie

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 pinch baking powder
8T cold butter cut into small pieces
2T shortening
8-9T ice water with a few drops of lemon juice added

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter and shortening. Do not overmix. Add water and mix with a fork. Turn out on a cutting board or other hard surface. Split in half and form into two flattened disks. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.

Filling

I use the filling from this recipe. And bake 15 minutes at 425F and then 30-45 minutes at 350F.

To find out how to use an apple pie to spice up your life, go read Paws on Me.