She’s not quite the Kardashians—gender transitions, marriages to wealthy rappers and online sex tapes are out of the question for Suz deMello, who lives quietly in northern California caring for her elderly mother. But her career in writing is anything but quiet. 2014 was a banner year for Suz—she published no fewer than ten works, a couple of them unexpectedly. She knew that Ellora’s Cave, her former publisher, had bought several of her works and planned to publish them, but she also found herself starting an anthology group and writing for another.

2015 has been a little calmer. The Naughty Literati have published three anthologies this year and plan two more. For them, Suz wrote three original short stories in different genres—a ménage historical, FemDomme, and New Adult. Book Boyfriends Cafe put out Summer Lovin’, which is still doing really well. Suz’s contribution to that was a novel, Fashion Victim, sexy romantic suspense.

She looks forward to a much quieter autumn, with only three publications in the hopper and one or two more planned. As four out of the five are anthologies, she’s enjoying the reduced stress of working with groups of like-minded authors. And she likes that she’s found herself stretching as an author by writing in different subgenres that are new to her.

Here’s what’s coming up:

September will see the publication of two boxed sets with stories by Suz. On September 22d, Falling in Love will appear on Amazon. Suz’s book in it is Walk Like A Man. Here’s what it’s about:

Macho quarterback Jim Wellman meets his match in bright and sassy physical therapist Marti Solis, who goads him out of his wheelchair, pushing him to walk again. Unlike every other woman Jim has wanted, she refuses to jump into the sack with the celebrity athlete. Though attracted to his bedroom smile and rugged good looks, she’s intimidated by his fame and turned off by his arrogance.

Can Jim become the lover Marti needs? Can he learn to walk like a man?

Set in California’s beautiful Napa Valley, this multicultural romance delivers humor and pathos, sparkling dialogue, layered characters, a heroine to root for and a hero who’s pure fantasy.

Preorder it here: http://tinyurl.com/qdpozkj

On September 25, the Naughty Literati will publish its fourth short story anthology, Naughty Reunions. Suz’s story is Ocean Dreams, about a marine biologist Sandi, who’s never forgotten Blue, the baby dolphin with whom she bonded. Reunited with him years later, she discovers he’s a shapeshifter in the sexiest possible way.

And lastly—Suz’s writing manual, About Writing, will be published in digital for on October first, just in time for NaNoWriMo participants to read it and absorb its lessons. It’s already available in print and large print editions—here’s the 4-1-1:

Perfect for the advanced or aspiring author, ABOUT WRITING includes both Write This, Not That! Suz deMello’s bestseller, and the newer Plotting and Planning, a primer on the basics: conflict and character, point of view, scene and sequel…plus much, much more, written in deMello’s engaging style.

ABOUT WRITING:  your essential writing manual!

Find it at http://tinyurl.com/deMelloAboutWriting   

And what does Suz say about her heavy schedule?

“All this work makes me want to take a nap.”

Hi everyone! Thanks so much to Delilah for hosting me here on her blog. Delilah and I first “met” (don’t you love the internet, where you can know so many people that you wouldn’t recognize if they bit you?) when I submitted to her Smokin’ Hot Firemen anthology, and since then, have appeared alongside her in Duty & Desire. She was a blast to work with for Firemen, and her work’s both amazing and fun. So, thanks to Delilah again, and it’s lovely to be able to chat with her readers and fans. Thanks for having me.

One of my favorite writers is quoted as saying, “When a man writes a romance, the woman dies. When a woman writes one, it ends all tidy and sweet.”

The Rainbow Connection, a series of novels I have been writing for the last four years, is a romance. Admittedly, it is a gay romance, and until very recently, the likelihood of it ending in legal wedding was up for debate. But it was always meant to end happily.

The truth is, I was inspired to write what started as a short story and grew into a series of novels (three have been, or will be soon, published. One that’s being written, and one — maybe two? — that are in preliminary planning…) from an event that took place shortly before another wedding, many years ago. I had a tumultuous affair planned, for characters who took on a life of their own, ripped my control right out of my hands, and took me on a ride that I’ll never forget.

So, when I offer forth this little short story, I say to you, this is not a true spoiler. You always knew we were going this way. The road has been long, it has been winding, and it has had a great many bumps in it. But you knew the destination when you got in the car with me…

These books were always meant to be a romance, and a romance often needs a good wedding…

From Torquere
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=4486

Catch up with Roll and Blues
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=4139
http://www.amazon.com/Roll-Lynn-Townsend-ebook/dp/B00IO4JNA2/
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=196&products_id=4347
http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Rainbow-Connection-Lynn-Townsend-ebook/dp/B00S31I3NE/

About the Author

Lynn Townsend is a geek, a dreamer and an inveterate punster. When not reading, writing, or editing, she can usually be found drinking coffee or killing video game villains. Lynn’s interests include geek comedy music, romance novels, octopuses, and movies with more FX than plot.

Social Media Links

Twitter: @tisfan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnTownsendwriter
Website: http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/
Blog: http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kthicks3/rainbow-connection-novels-storyboard-inspirations/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tisfan
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LynnTownsend
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5262501.Lynn_Townsend
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Townsend/e/B005OQA0AA/

Free Read: Wedding March

Part One, Wedding March is hosted at VL Locey’s blog, Thoughts from a Yodeling Goatherder.
link: http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/2015/08/monday-authorbook-spotlight-lynn.html

Part Two, Wedding March is hosted on EM Linley’s blog
link http://www.emlynley.com/blog/

Wedding March, Part Three
by Lynn Townsend

A short story, in parts…

“Vin, no,” Beau said. This was becoming almost annoying, and Beau suspected that once it had finished being annoying, it might come around to being funny. But it wasn’t funny just yet.

“Beau, yes, you absolutely have to. It’s a moral imperative.”

Beau looked back down at the glossy page, full of lovely young women all wearing horrible, pink, flouncy lacy dresses. Truth, they probably fell right out of a bad remake of Gone with the Wind. The Bollywood version.

“No. I really, really don’t. And even if I did have to, she would never in a million years agree to something like that.”

“You could convince her, Beau,” Vin said in his best wheedling tones. “She’d do it, if you asked her to.”

“Ann-Marie is my very best friend in the whole world,” Beau said, firmly. He knew Vin was right. If Beau asked, Ann-Marie would say yes. She’d also punch him about forty times in the arm and complain the entire time that he was making her hit him, but she would wear the ugliest dress known to man. If he wanted her to. The point, however, was that she was his very best friend precisely because he would never, ever do such a thing. “She can wear a nice pant-suit that matches with the cumberbunds. And if Mila wants to wear a dress, we can have one of those, made, too. There is absolutely no reason to make everyone unhappy.”

Vin grumbled for a moment, then conceded the point. “Well, can I at least threaten her with the picture?”

“Only if you want to die before the wedding,” Beau cautioned him. “You know how she feels about those sorts of things. And she would not entirely suspect you were joking.”

“That’s because I wouldn’t be,” Vin said. He turned the page, then stretched his legs out under the table, groaning. Vin’s knee injury still pained him, especially if he sat in the same position for too long.

“Let’s take a break, gentlemen,” the wedding planner said. “Walk down and get a cup of coffee?” There was a very nice coffee shop on the ground floor of the business center; they’d walked by it on their way up to the office.

“You said the magic word,” Beau said, as Vin nearly knocked over his chair in his enthusiasm. Beau’d never really gotten into coffee, himself. And the tea they served in Chicago was so unlike home’s “sweet tea” that they might only be loosely related beverages. But he thought he’d seen a deli on the first floor as well, and there was no reason why he couldn’t snag a Pepsi.

“So, Mila and Ann-Marie,” Vin said. “Who else are we actually asking to be in the wedding?”

“I ain’t asking Lee,” Beau said. He scuffed his toe on the carpet. His brother had finally apologized, and Beau had accepted. Family peace had been declared, sort of. But it would never be the same, and while having one’s brothers stand up at the wedding, Beau thought he’d just go ahead and dispense with that tradition. Aside from that, Gerald was still on speaking terms with Lee. Ginny and Lee actually attending the wedding might make things strained for his brother without adding an actual role in the proceedings.

“No? I thought I might ask my dad, though. Since it seems silly to have him give away the groom and all, maybe he’d like to be part of the ceremony.”

“Yeah, Jonah would get a kick out of that,” Beau said. “That’s a good idea.”

Vin suggested LeShelle Ross, one of the artists he worked with and had formed a strange bestgirlfriends sort of relationship with. She frequently called Vin her obligatory gay friend, with annoyed Beau, but didn’t seem to bother Vin in the slightest. To match numbers, Beau paired her up with Kate, his cousin.

“And I’d like to ask Lloyd,” Vin said, as they stepped into the line at the coffee bar. It might take a while to get drinks, based on the length of the queue. Beau chewed his lip for a moment, debating whether or not to continue this conversation at a later time. He hated when people stared at Vin and him as a couple. Hated it. He’d hold hands with his boyfriend and imagine every little snigger was directed at them. Even when he knew it wasn’t. Even when he knew he was being oversensitive and stupid. But sometimes, he’d see someone stare and see the loathing and disgust on their face and he’d be right back in the parking lot that cold, brutal night, and he’d see Chris’s leg coming for his ribs and not a damn thing he could do about it.

Sometimes, it was easier to just pretend he was straight.

I shouldn’t have to, he thought, sudden and angry. He twined his fingers with Vin’s and gave his fiancee his best grin. “That sounds great. Do you think David would stand up with me, if I asked him?”

David was Vin’s bodyguard and driver. He’d been working for the Reyeses as a man-Friday since Vin crashed two cars inside of two months. Vin and David weren’t friends; Vin thought of his driver as an employee — and sometimes a nuisance. David thought of Vin as his boss — and usually an idiot. But both of them would have taken a bullet for Beau without hesitation, and that bond kept them working together long after Vin outgrew the need for a babysitter.

Vin looked over from studying the chalkboard full of elaborate coffee-flavored drinks. “I can’t imagine that he’d say no. And he does look smart in a tux.”

***

This story will continue tomorrow on Delilah Night’s blog [http://delilahnight.com/] and the story in its entirety will be hosted on my blog in two weeks. http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/

I’ve spent the last year living in a Highland romance, writing the Untamed Highlander series for St. Martin’s Press, creating my wounded Waterloo warrior in Tarnished Honor and entertaining myself with the Dundragon Time Travel Trilogy. I fell in love with the characters, the settings and the mood of the work.

But I’ll be honest. It ain’t easy writing scorching Highland romances with big, brawny, savage heroes. Here are some of the challenges I faced in the past year.

But no worries, my darling reader. I am more than happy to take the bullet and suffer these trials. Just remember, I do it all for you!

The Top Ten Challenges of Writing Hot Highlanders

#10  Incessantly flipping through pictures of thousands of gorgeous, hunky men in kilts looking for exactly the right inspiration
http://giphy.com/gifs/drooling-nrBiXYVwpLBNS

#9 Taste tasting Scottish shortbread. You know. You make sure I “get it.”
http://giphy.com/gifs/like-monster-hungry-bp8WrM4ZJf2WQ

#8 Watching an endless loop of The Highlander to make sure I get the accent (and the swordplay) right
http://giphy.com/gifs/fantasy-highlander-christopher-lambert-VnBZbytQ7kS2s

#7 Picking a time period in the Scottish history where my beloved characters have a chance of living happily ever after post-story
http://giphy.com/gifs/frustrated-brave-tired-gVoQge4JXndPq

#6 Deciding how much dialog to “Scotify” so people get the flavor but don’t have trouble understanding what the characters are saying.
http://giphy.com/gifs/robert-downey-jr-what-12KIDmWGQGDKww

#5 Trying to find a location that is more than desolate sea coast and moors
http://giphy.com/gifs/artists-on-tumblr-photographers-algy-2lw2AV3K9R1iU

#4  Keep getting stalled on the sex scenes. (Needs more editing, or at least to be read again!)
http://giphy.com/gifs/reign-francis-mary-stuart-13ZqwZLulzhwis

#3 My heroes declare their undying love for me, causing an awkward situation with my heroines…
http://giphy.com/gifs/television-reign-mary-queen-of-scots-sQfzAKfGuCEtG

#2 Plotline inexplicably veers off into a Gothic Novel with Ghosts and dour Lairds
http://giphy.com/gifs/doctor-who-confused-kKPWz3TC2LBGo

#1 I keep getting distracted by my hero’s hotness
http://giphy.com/gifs/sexy-flirting-austin-powers-AZGzgV2q4MwVO

I’ve loved writing these books so much, I am even planning a visit to Scotland this fall. I’d love to hear your suggestions on things I should see and do (but be gentle. It’s my first time!)

http://giphy.com/gifs/excited-the-hobbit-home-lfQNNvl75HDY4

LOVE HIGHLAND ROMANCE?

Pre order your copy of Hannah and the Highlander (releasing September 1st) FINALLY!

http://giphy.com/gifs/happy-free-freedom-fPkWsBe1wWPtu

First in a brand-new series from New York Times bestselling author Sabrina York about the bold, brawny men of the Highlands-and the lovely lasses who bring them to their knees…

Scotland 1813:

Highlanders are her weakness.
Hannah Dounreay has no time for suitors who only seem interested in her family’s land, which she manages as well as any man. If she marries, she wants to be loved for the educated, independent woman she is. But when a strong, silent-and spectacularly handsome-Highlander saves her from a violent attack, her heart is stirred. Who is this man? And if he asks for Hannah’s hand, will she be able to resist him?

Love is the most powerful weapon of all.
Alexander Lochlannach, Laird of Dunnet, has no time to lose. The Highlands are in an uproar as clans battle for land-without mercy-and Alexander can’t afford to fall for the wildly attractive, strong-willed Hannah. What’s more, he has a desperate secret, one that could destroy them both. But as their attraction turns into an all-consuming passion, Alexander has no choice but to prove to Hannah that he’s the only man for her-body and soul…in Hannah and the Highlander.

PREORDER NOW: http://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Highlander-Untamed-Highlanders-Sabrina/dp/1250069696/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Susana and the Scot is coming in December!

A SCANDALOUS TEMPTATION
Andrew Lochlannach is famous for his conquests, on and off the battlefield. When a fellow warrior challenges him to a kissing contest, he wastes no time in planting his lips on ninety-nine lovely lasses-an impressive feat of seduction that gets him banished to the hinterlands. Still, Andrew has no regrets about his exploits-especially his embrace with the most beguiling woman he’s ever met…

AN UNDENIABLE PASSION
With flaming red hair and a temper to match, Susana is not some innocent farm girl who gives herself over easily to a man, even one as ruggedly handsome as Andrew. The wicked Scot may have won a kiss from the headstrong beauty in a moment of mutual desire, but Susana refuses to be just another one of his conquests. Andrew must convince the fiery lass that even though he is not playing a game, losing her is not an option…

PREORDER NOW:  http://www.amazon.com/Susana-Scot-Untamed-Highlanders-Sabrina-ebook/dp/B00Z65S84O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Check out the Dundragon Time Travel Trilogy!

LAIRD OF HER HEART
Book 1 in the Dundragon Time Travel Trilogy
By Sabrina York

When Maggie Spencer is mysteriously transported to the Scotland of her ancestors, she is stunned to come face to face with him. Dominic Dundragon, the man she’s been half in love with her whole life. A man who’s been dead for 700 years.

They both have enemies aplenty. Will she have a chance to win his love, or will this adventure end in disaster?

GET IT NOW! http://www.amazon.com/Laird-Heart-Dundragon-Travel-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B012EP0NT6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Happy reading my darling!
http://giphy.com/gifs/gifnewstest-scotland-eestfgviuTuVi

About Sabrina York

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance.  Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/free-teaser-books/ Get updates and alerts from Sabrina here: HotSheet Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/bj8tKb.

Bookshelf! http://sabrinayork.com/books/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bj8tKb
Website: http://sabrinayork.com/
Follow my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayork
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Like my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks
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Check out my Pinterest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SabrinaYorkChatAndContests/

http://giphy.com/gifs/awesome-brave-merida-ozjLCijOIW7a8

Hazards of Being A Character-Driven Writer
(with a dash of perfectionism)

First, I want to thank Delilah Devlin for letting me hang out here today. I have a day job, so I’ll try to check in as much as possible throughout the day.

There are so many things I love about writing. The characters, the setting, research, talking to readers, talking to writers, the 24-36 hour writing binges that leave me wrung out and exhausted, but oh so satisfied. There are also the things I don’t necessarily hate, yet wish I didn’t have to deal with, although I have no intentions of ever giving them up. (I know, I’m a sick, twisted puppy, but hey…I was a great masochist in past lives!)

Below is a list of six “things” that my perfectionist, over achieving, OCD writer needs to fall back on when writing feels more like the ninth ring of Hell rather than the Elysian fields:

1. Don’t put out crap

One glance at the number of revisions I’ve put out for each book, screams that I’m a bit manic about writing the best damn story possible. I mean, I can write rather quickly – once I know what’s going on in a story. But I don’t want to put out a story that I wouldn’t pay good money to read. So, go ahead, shoot me now for my perfectionist tendencies. But, go ahead and love me because I respect my readers, my characters, and myself way too much to put out crap.

2. Who’s driving this crazy train?

The characters

The determination not to put out crap is driven by my characters demanding I get the story right.

Don’t believe me? Well, check this out. I’ve got a book I’ve been working on for four years, yeah, I said four years. I have about 5 versions for a grand total of about 800,000 words and you know what my characters do? They keep nagging me. “You got that wrong.”  “You Dommed when you should’ve subbed, and subbed when you should’ve Dommed.” “You completely got the motivation wrong, but hey, you got the kink right. Thank you, RopePlay(dot)com.” And I’m telling you, that the taunting, teasing sing-song voice they like to use when they point out my mistakes grates on the nerves. If I weren’t so emotionally invested in this project (and if I didn’t know at least half a dozen people would string me up by my thumbs) I would give up. Tear up all that I’ve written. It wouldn’t help though…the characters are persistent, over-achieving nags.

3. Quality vs. Quantity

This particular rule goes right back to #1. I recognize there are some writers out there who complete full-length novels in the same amount of time it takes me to mow my lawn and weed my garden. (Sure, this looks like an exaggeration, but I live in the South and it’s been summer. So, go with me on this one, okay?) I am not one of those writers. I work at my own pace, which is usually at my characters’ pace and they let me know when they think a scene needs tweaking. Rushing them does no good and only tends to irritate them…kinda like poking a bear with a stick. Enough said, and I have the scars to prove it.

4. Follow the rules…

Rules Schmules, but spellcheck you better believe it – abou tit, inot, organisms not orgasms (or is that the other way around?)

You think I’m joking about the examples? I’m not. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone through a manuscript to find my “into”s have become “inot”s and that “about it” has morphed into “abou tit.” And the last little gem was courtesy of a friend of mine who discovered, only after she’d sent the report out to her main supervisors for comment and feedback that all the “organisms” in her report had morphed into “orgasms”. And while there’s only a difference of an “n” and an “i” in the words, it makes a huge difference when you consider your audience. So, while I’m not a big fan of all the writing rules, like, introducing the hero within the first three pages so the heroine is introduced to him as well, I do recognize that spellcheck can go a long way to making a writer appear professional.

5. Serial Commas? Oh, yeah I totally love serial commas!

I don’t know if it’s because of the editor I had at my publisher, or the fact that those are the rules I was given when I was in grammar school, but I will always put a comma before the conjunction (Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?…sorry, just had to say it). I’ll try to follow as many grammar and language arts rules as possible, once I understand them… like dangling participles and misplaced modifiers. Conundrums like sneaked and snuck – I’m still trying to figure that one out. But I’ve totally got em and en dashes. (Yay me!)

6. The real hazard, the one that really, really gets to me…

Readers who care

While I absolutely love to hear readers are looking for my next book, it’s like, “oh, yeah, no pressure” when they ask, “When is your next book coming out?” So, here’s me copping to it. I suck when it comes to deadlines. And I’m not talking mediocrity level sucking. Oh, no, we’re talking OCD, perfectionist level. I’m a professional at it. And for good reason. Because not being able to answer my dear readers’ question with the absolute truth inspires me to lay prostrate across the rails while the proverbial guilt train comes a chuggin’ on down the line. And that sends me to the ninth ring of writing Hell. So, here’s my pat answer to all those dedicated readers, “It’s coming out…SOON.” Which makes the heroine in my current manuscript pipe up and scream, “Yeah. Soon. Right after me. So, would you go ahead and finish this scene already?”

So, I’m putting it out there to you…

Authors, what hazards do you experience as a writer?

Readers, what hazards do you wish authors had respected before they published their books?

Qwillia Rain

I love shifter books.  I’ve written wolves, and jaguars, but when I saw all these amazing werebear books out, I knew I had to write one. Well, I’m writing several.  Wild, part 1 is the first in a series called Bear Essential Billionaire, about 3 brothers (Alex, Riley and Lee) who run an extreme adventure wilderness camp in the wilds of Northern British Columbia,  a place I’ve come to admire and love myself.  Here, they try and keep to themselves, having guests maybe four times a year, but soon they will find they can’t hide for long. Especially not when love comes calling.

I hope you will enjoy the first of what I hope is a long thrilling adventure into the wilderness of men and beast.

Here’s the book…

Wild, part 1 out for only 99 cents.  Part 2 is also available.  Part 3 will be out Sept 24, 2015
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Bear-shifter Alex Torben likes the quiet life.  He and his family run an adventure camp in the Northern British Columbia wilds, with guests four times a year at most. Away from civilization and complications, it’s the life Alex has always wanted.  It’s a life he’d go to extremes to protect.  All that changes when he finds a tormented young woman with a lot of secrets hiding in his boat…

Running. That’s all Sylvie can think about.  She needs to get as far away as possible before he can find her.  Nothing can protect her from his wrath.  There is no safe place.  But when Alex finds her and offers his help, she thinks maybe there could be some salvation after all.

Best,

Tawny/Vivi
NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author
http://www.vivianna.net
http://www.tawnystokes.com

FORBIDDEN: THE OTHER BROTHER, part 1
TABOO: THE OTHER BROTHER, part 2
ILLICIT: THE OTHER BROTHER, part 3
DAHLIA BY DESIGN – Tawny Stokes – coming soon
THE OTHER FIGHTER – part 1, 2,3 -coming May

Hey, there, Delilah fans! I’m so happy to be a guest on the blog today. Two days ago, my debut book was released by Samhain.  It’s an erotic romance called Cowboy Valentine. Cora is an 18-year-old honor student with a full ride scholarship to an Ivy League university. Caleb is her longtime cowboy crush, a local rancher’s son. The book is about the ultra-sexy fling they share the summer before Cora moves away.

Cowboy Valentine is set in a small town in the Central Valley, California’s rural heartland, home to many farms and orchards. One of the hottest love scenes in my book takes place in Caleb’s truck while he and Cora are parked in his family’s almond orchard! (Ooh la-la!)

Here’s what an almond orchard looks like when it’s in bloom.

I love to bake almost as much as I love to write. To celebrate the release of Cowboy Valentine, I’d like to share a recipe with you. This is a variation of old-fashioned peanut butter cookies but made with almonds and almond butter.  The cookies are soft and not too sweet. You can find the recipe below.

But wait! There’s more!

How about a contest? I’d like to offer a free e-book download of Cowboy Valentine and a $10 Amazon gift card to one randomly-chosen reader who answers this question in the comments below: What is your absolute favorite go-to dessert?

Please include an email address where I can reach you. Contest ends at midnight, PST, on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015. I’ll announce the winner by special newsletter first thing on Monday morning.

Thanks, everyone!

Wishing you good reads (and good eats),

Mia

XOXO

Cowboy Valentines
a.k.a. Almond Butter Cookies

Adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Makes about 16 cookies

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
¾ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup almond butter
1 cup almond slivers

1. Whisk the first four ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, using a handheld mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter and both sugars on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add egg and vanilla extract to sugar mixture and beat for 1 minute, scraping down sides as necessary. Add the almond butter and beat for 1 minute. Slowly add the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold in the almond slivers.
4. Roll the dough into balls, about 3 tbsp of dough each. (I use my ice cream scoop.) Put the balls on a tray or large plate, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze until firm, two hours or overnight.
5. Preheat the oven to 350. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place the balls on the cookie sheet about 3 in apart.
6. Bake each batch for 12-13 minutes until very lightly browned. The cookies will look soft—that’s okay! Let cool on cookie sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Share with your favorite cowboy or cowgirl. Or don’t share. I won’t tell.

About Cowboy Valentine

Forget chocolate and flowers. This homegrown honey is all the sweetness he craves.

Small-town life is nothing but a waiting room for eighteen-year-old honor student Corazón Gomez. Work and school leave little time for love, but with a full-ride Ivy League scholarship and a one-way ticket out of the boondocks, who needs it?

The answer appears on Valentine’s Day when her old cowboy crush ambles into the ice cream parlor where she works, inviting her to go on a late-night ride in his truck. For the first time she wavers between staying on the straight and narrow, and going off-road with the handsome heartbreaker.

After four years working on ranches all over the country, Caleb MacKinnon is back on the family farm helping out his mom and brothers while his father fights cancer. The one bright spot: smart, funny, and wickedly sexy Cora.

From the start, they both know this blazing-hot love affair can’t last. But when autumn comes and Cora has to leave for the East Coast, Caleb must find a solution to keep himself—and his heart—from falling apart.

Reviews:

“Mia Hopkins’ sexy cowboy hero and sassy bookish heroine burn up the pages from the moment they lock eyes.” — Cat Johnson

“Beautifully descriptive…hot, sexy and full of yearning!” — Delilah Devlin

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About the Author

Mia Hopkins writes lush romances starring fun, sexy characters who love to get down and dirty. She’s a sucker for working class heroes, brainy heroines and wisecracking best friends.

When she’s not lost in a story, Mia spends her time cooking, gardening, traveling, volunteering and looking for her keys. In a past life, she was a classroom teacher and still has a pretty good “teacher voice” and “teacher stare.” She lives in the heart of Los Angeles with her roguish husband and two waggish dogs.

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First, let me thank Delilah for hosting me.

What is love supposed to look like? I asked my seven-year-old niece, who is obsessed with Disney Princesses, what she thought love was. Her answer? You’re supposed to like each other. Simple enough, and in all honesty not a bad answer. Growing up we all had that fairy tale that we would meet that special someone, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Love is much more complicated than that. Anyone who’s ever been in a relationship can attest to how much work they are. Compromise, fights, financial troubles, children… And just when you think everything has been worked out, something goes wrong. I know my marriage has been tested.

In paranormal romances things look a bit different, especially if one of the people is a creature. Can you imagine finding out the person you’re falling in love with is a shifter or a demon? When I was growing up, I wanted to be a mermaid, like Ariel. Or marry the Beast. Neither happened (Yay!).

In my newest release, Lyric never thought she’d find a man. Zombies have taken over. She has to do some less than desirable things just to eat. It definitely isn’t the life she’d pictured when she was young. When it comes to boyfriends, the last one she’d ever imagined herself with was a zombie. She’s more used to putting a knife between their eyes than staring into them for hours. Anson is different, and even though he isn’t what she would have chosen, he’s what she loves. For both love was never supposed to be a human and a zombie, but it’s what happened.

So my seven-year-old niece’s answer didn’t apply to Anson and Lyric in the beginning, but in the end they’d give their lives for one another.

-August Kert

Links
Blog: augustkert.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/augustkert
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bring-Me-Life-August-Kert-ebook/dp/B00WYTF3AM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433142563&sr=8-1&keywords=august+kert
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bring-me-to-life-sat-aug-01-00-00-00-cdt-2015-kert/1121848545?ean=9781619229907
Samhain: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5547/bring-me-to-life