Guest Blogger - Katie Hines, YA author

Children's Author Katie Hines joins me today....talking about how to help your muse along. Don't forget to leave a comment....you'll be eligible to win the monthly prize (see to the right). Thanks for stopping by, Katie!

Coming soon in 2009
"Guardian" a middle grade urban fantasy

Imagine you have made a secret promise that can lead you to an incredible treasure and an ancient power. But in order to fulfill that promise, you must defeat an age-old sect determined to claim the treasure and power themselves.

Fireworks, Sparklers & Writing

Do you get to the point where you don't have a clue what to write? Your Muse isn't shut down, it's just not working overtime. Perhaps you're the one who worked overtime, and are having a hard time reconnecting.

I find myself in that position this morning. As I contemplated various witty repartees, started several drafts of a blog entry, I realized they were "blah." Who, I wondered, would be interested in these drafts? Why would anyone on God's green earth want to listen to my rants and raves?

How do we make our writing sizzle and spark? To be relevant? To wax eloquent with lovely visual word paints? I've got so many things on my mind this Monday morning that are not writing related. If I'm going to light my writing up like a fireworks sparkler, I'm going to have to stop, regroup, rein my thinking in, and focus on the task at hand.

Am I organized enough to trust that what I'm thinking about can be added to a mental list of things to do later? Nope! My papers are organized, but if I have an idea that is butting against my thinking, I need to write it down, and focus on the task at hand. Create a to-do list. Again. I cannot depend on my thinking to keep track of it for me. If I do, I find the same thoughts running through my head over and over again without landing somewhere and finding a home until I can get to them.

Lists are great and awesome things. They keep me on track with my projects, they keep me from going on mental overload, and they keep remembering things I want to do without me having to run them through my mind over and over. Even the most organized person uses lists. Perhaps I should rephrase that and say, "The most organized people use lists to stay organized."

I could have all kinds of ideas about what I want to accomplish during the day, but not make it to more than one or two because I haven't committed those ideas to a list. I find when I make a list, it frees my brain up to think, whether it is about my current novel, or about writing a book review, etc.

Today, my list is 16 items long. Not all of them are to be completed today (thank God!), but I'm keeping track, and it's keeping me on track. How about you? Do you have a written list? Are you making organization work for you?


Katie Hines
Children's Author
http://katiehines.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Katie-Hines/1442953493
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/katiehines

Four Days Left To Enter My Contests

I have three contests going on during the month of June, which means you have only FOUR DAYS left to enter them. They are listed on the right side, but here's the run down on them:

The first contest is a Cowboy Lovin' Basket. This basket will be filled to the brim with a silver-toned cowboy boot necklace, a CD copy of SALVATION BRIDE, a cowboy hat keychain, and other cowboy goodies. To enter to win this basket just visit my website http://www.aklanier.com/ and leave a comment about your dream wedding in my guest book. (More info on the contest can be found on my contest page).

The second contest will be a plaque with a quote by Deborah Rozman, "Joy: Find your joy by following your heart." (see picture on the right, scroll down a bit). To be eligible to win it, just leave a comment during June on any blog....the more comments, the more chances you have to win!

The third contest is a basket of 12 romance books, just in time for your summer reading:

WHAT A LADY WANTS by Victoria Alexander
TEMPTING THE PRINCE by Patricia Grasso
SKINNY DIPPING by Connie Brockway
THE SHOE QUEEN by Anna Davis
THE WINTER ROSE by Jennifer Donnelly
NIGHT KEEPERS by Jessica Andersen
GARDEN SPELLS by Sarah Addison Allen
SECRETS Vol. 2, multiple authors
LA VIDA VAMPIRE by Nancy Haddock
A LITTLE BIT WICKED by Victoria Alexander
TALK NERDY TO ME by Vicki Lewis Thompson
A CD copy of my novella SALVATION BRIDE

Just visit The Roses of Houston's blog for all the details: http://rosesofhouston.blogspot.com/2009/06/anna-kathryns-june-give-away-basket.html

The Friday Record - On Vacation

Sorry, folks, there will probably not be a The Friday Record for awhile. Since last Sunday, my three grandchildren, aged 4, 2 and 19 months, have been at my house. The 19-month-old's mom is also here, but it's still hectic to say the least, especially with a day camp thrown in. I've not had time to research something to post. The kiddos will be here through Sunday, July 5th, so busy next week too. Then I do have a week off, but I'll be preparing for my trip to National and making sure I'm caught up on work before leaving. Then, I'll be gone 2 weeks for National.

So, The Friday Record will be taking a vacation through July.

I hope everyone has a GREAT summer!

Anna Kathryn
www.aklanier.com

Wednesday's Chow - Savory Bruschetta

This is a nice recipe for a potluck, Fourth of July gathering, or just as an appetizer for a dinner. Once again, quick, easy and delicious.

Savory Bruschetta

¼ cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 loaf French Bread, cut in half length-wise
1 8-oz pkg cream cheese, softened
3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons chopped, pitted ripe olives
1 cup chopped tomatoes
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Preheat oven 400°. Mix oil and garlic and spread over the bread. Bake 8-10 minutes, until lightly brown. Allow to cool.

Meanwhile, mix the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese until well blended. Stir in the olives. Spread mixture over the toasted French bread. Top with the tomatoes and fresh basil. Cut into 24 serving-size slices.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
http://www.aklanier.com/

Paty Jager on Critics

Critic- 1) one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter esp. involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique. 2)one given to harsh or captious judgment.

This word carries a negative connotation, yet, doesn't every one want an honest evaluation even if it is of one person's opinion? One person's view be it full of compliments can make your day or one person's view which judges or tells their thoughts that are unflattering can also spoil a day. Yet, when it comes down to it, both the good and bad comments can be used to make you better at what ever you do.

I know I've cringed and fumed a time or two over comments from writing contests or even from my own handpicked critique partners, but when I let the information settle and think it over, I realize there is something I need to consider. So, I've come to value critique and have used it as a means to strengthen my writing.

Of course you have to have a thick skin to take some things that may be thrown your way, but if you do step away and come back later, nine times out of ten you realize they were right.

Then there is the glowing critique- those we can never get enough of! LOL My last book Outlaw in Petticoats received glowing reviews from reviewers, yet my oldest daughter (my toughest critic) and my best friend, both, didn't care for the book. They thought I didn't dig deep enough and make it a fulfilling read. This bugged me. They both loved my book Gambling on an Angel which is more character driven and less action packed.

Well, my daughter took home my newest release, Miner in Petticoats, when she was visiting. She called me a few days after she went home, "Mom, I read your book." I held my breath, fearing what would come next. "And this is now my favorite of your books, it even surpasses Gambling on and Angel." That made my day and my week.

But I'm holding my breath- I've yet to receive a review on the book from a review site. So if my daughter didn't like the last book and the reviewers did.... Does this mean because my daughter likes this one the reviewers won't? I don't have time to worry about that I'm working on the next book.

Blurb for Miner in Petticoats:
Shouldering the burdens of his family and the mining community, Ethan Halsey devotes himself to providing for his brothers’s growing families.

However, Aileen Miller, a widow, also looking out for her family’s interests, refuses to part with the land he needs. As they battle- one to push his dream to reality and the other to prove no man will hurt her again- their lives become enmeshed and their hearts collide.

Excerpt:
“Mrs. Miller?” he asked, extending his hand. She kept her head tipped forward just enough her
face was shadowed and hidden behind the brim of the hat.

“Who be askin’?” Her voice caught his attention with its deep, lyrical tone.

“I’m Ethan Halsey. My brothers and I have a claim just over the ridge.” It aggravated him he couldn’t see her face and register how she took his words.

“Are ye lost?” The voice vibrated under his skin, causing his body to warm.

He cleared his throat. “No, I’m not lost. I’m looking for Mrs. Miller. I’m assuming that is you,
since you’re the only grown woman I see here.”

“Ah m Aileen. Ah dinnae fancy bein’ called Mrs. Miller.”

This disclosure piqued his curiosity. “Mrs— Aileen. I’ve come with an offer.” Her head tilted, tipping the wide-brimmed hat to the side and revealing a slip of her face.

“And whit may this grand offur be?” He saw the slightest curve on one side of her lips.

“Ma’am, not to sound bossy, but I’d like to see your face as we discuss this proposition.” Her
shoulders dipped slightly before she squared them, stretched her neck to its full length, and
whipped the hat from her head. Copper sparks reflected off her hair as the sun lit her dark locks.
Ethan hadn’t believed the words of a cowardly man like Miles, and he was happy to see there
wasn’t any kind of mark on the woman’s face, at least none put there by the devil. Her skin was
abundantly sprinkled with angel kisses. That was what his mother had called the freckles on her
face. Angel kisses. He’d always had a fondness for freckle-faced women and children.

“Thank you, I appreciate seeing people’s eyes when talking business.” Ethan took a step closer
to the porch, waiting to be invited to the shade.

“And whit be yer business?” The woman didn’t seem inclined to invite him any closer.

“I’ve scouted the land all around our claim. The five acres of your land down where Cracker
Creek drops in elevation is the perfect spot to set up a stamp mill. The side of the canyon has the
right slope and the water is moving fast enough to power the mill.”

“So yer business is askin’ me tae sell ma land?” She clamped work-reddened hands onto
those ample hips and glared at him.

“We’d give you a fair price for the five acres, and you could use the stamp mill to claim more
gold from your mine.” The information didn’t seem to change her opinion. She still glared at
him. “We’re allowing the nearby claims to build rails to bring their ore to the mill. They can use
the stamp mill, giving us a small cut of their profits.” He smiled at his family’s generosity.

“So ye’re doin’ this oot o’ the goodness o’ yer heart? Takin’ yer neighbor’s land and their gold.”
Her light green eyes flashed with indignation.


If you would like to learn more about my books and myself hop on over to my website www.patyjager.com and while you're there enter my monthly contest.

Anna Kathryn, Thank you for having me here today!

Ask an Author

Congrats to last week's Winner: soche.
Congratulations soche! To claim your prize, email me at author @ ingelahyatt (dot) com . Please email me ASAP as you have 72 hours to claim your prizes...
This week (June 15 to 22) we're giving away:


Romancing the Holidays by Deborah Shelley(print)
The Ghost Amethystby Sherry King (ebook)
What A Scoundrel Wantsby Carrie Lofty (print)
Targets of Affection by RG Willems (print)

To enter, all you need to do is stop by the Romatic Ramblings Blog, and leave a comment on anyone of the Ask An Author posts. The more comments you leave, the more chances to win!
This week we ask our authors: What is the "coolest" or most interesting thing that has happened to you since becoming a published author?

Go to Romantic Ramblings Blog: http://www.ingelahyatt.com/blog/ for the answers (and to leave a comment!)

Tip: The more comments you leave, the better chances you have to win...

Blogging at Seduced by History

This has been a busy week, and my plans (as usual) to do dual blogs today (one for here and one for Seduced by History) didn't happen. Not only did I not get one blog done, I got zero blogs done. So, I stole a blog from here and posted it at Seduced by History. It's a good blog...worthy of reading again, if you caught it the first time, and even worthier if you didn't catch it the first time.

So stop by and read about the struggle women had trying to get the right to vote:

http://seducedbyhistory.blogspot.com/

Wednesday's Chow - Sautéed Zucchini

Sautéed Zucchini

3 medium zucchini (1 pound)
½ cup chopped onion
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Olive Oil

Cover bottom of frying pay with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Slice zucchini into small slices. Place in heated frying pan and oil. Add remaining ingredients, except poppy seeds. Sauté until tender. Remove from heat and toss with poppy seeds.

Serves 4.

Welcome Aboard Flight 6578….

Good morning! A huge thank you to Anna for having me visit today. Let me just say that I’m thrilled to be here. As thrilled (but in a good way) as an experience I had a couple of months ago….

I’ve been flying for years. For the past ten I’ve traveled by air 3-4 times annually for work, plus usually took some sort of vacation with my sisters or family. No problem. Board. Stuff my carryon in the overhead. Take my seat and hope for the best--that is, hope not to be scrunched by the person next to me as his or her arm or leg encroaches into my area. I hate that. I always keep my arms within my allotted space. But isn’t it amazing how, without even the slightest twinge of guilt, someone can keep their arm on the entire armrest for the whole trip? It happens all the time. Once I sat next to a man who, for no reason I can fathom other than wanting to be contrary, wedged his briefcase and knees—didn’t know it was possible-- against the back of my seatback so I couldn’t recline.

During flight I’m not much for talking, but I will if my neighbors seem friendly and want to. I’m happy to carry on a conversation. But mostly I read or sleep or think. It’s amazing how trusting we are as a whole, allowing a total stranger, the pilot, to hold our lives in the palm of his hand, whether it be a steady, trustworthy one, or one less experienced. Who’s to know?

This is where my story begins. In March, my extended family--sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces and grandnephew--had to travel from California to Kentucky. We were all on one flight, and the reason for that would be a topic for a whole other blog. First let me say, I had the worst seat on the plane. Last row, middle seat, engine covering the window. There was no way of seeing anything unless I got up and looked over the shoulder of the person in the row ahead of me. We were descending into our connecting city, Fort Worth.

On my right was a sleeping soldier, and on my left my husband, next to the isle. When you can’t see, everything seems to slow down, so I wasn’t surprised when I began to fret that our descent seemed to be taking a very long time. Just then the plane surged forward, as if the pilot had stepped on the gas for some reason, instead of slowing down. I froze. The acceleration let up. I exhaled. Moments later we plunged forward and slightly downward again, like a rock pitched by a mighty arm. This time I grabbed for my husband’s arm and gave him a look. His eyebrows arched up knowingly. I looked around. Tried to stay calm.

The plane continued to surge forcefully forward, then let up for a moment or two. Each time it happened, I thought that would be the end of it. My husband, realizing my state of near-panic, began to crane his neck around to see out a window; then he told me we were almost down. He could see the ground. We would touch the tarmac in moments. Well, if that was the case, why were we thrusting forward yet again with a power I’d never experienced before?

It was then I knew this was it. I believed with all my heart I was about to die. At least my boys aren’t on this plane, I thought desperately. My youngest couldn’t get out of his advanced individual training with the Army and my oldest, who was in school at Purdue, was driving down. Thank God they would be spared.

The plane was deadly quiet, as I believe everyone was having the same thoughts as I was. We were ready for anything. To crash. To explode. Something was very wrong. Then, again unexpectedly, the nose pulled up sharply and the throttle, if that is what it’s called in a plane, felt as if it had been pushed completely forward, the ascent was so strong. Of course I was praying for all I was worth. After a minute or two, the pilot came on the sound system. He said that the wind was very strong and the gusts (I was so rattled I can’t remember how strong he said they were) were making landing too dangerous. As a result, the tower had advised him to abort the landing and try coming in from the other direction, where we’d be going into the wind, instead of with it. From there it was an easy landing, if you can call drenched in sweat and shaken to the core “easy.”

In my eyes, this pilot was a hero. He brought us back to earth in one piece and, happily, I’m here to tell the story. Like a bad dream, it’s in the telling that makes the nightmare less potent. I’m sure lots of you have similar accounts. Since we’re all getting ready to board for Nationals, I thought (in a crazy sort of way) it would be fun to share our stories. Have you had a flying experience that was less than wonderful in some way? Or, on the other hand, what is it about flying that you absolutely adore? We’d love to hear....

And, speaking of flying high, to celebrate the coming release of my debut novel, Where The Wind Blows, I'm giving away an advance copy to someone who leaves a comment. Also, August 1st. will kickoff my Under a Western Sky Contest, with a grand prize of a night’s stay in a bunkhouse (with an outdoor shower and a bed as big as Montana!). So be sure to check out my website www.carolinefyffe.com for all the details.

Don't know why my book cover uploaded in the strange blue tones. Just pretend it's at night.....

I'm Guest Blogging Today

I'm guest blogging today at Slip Into Something Victorian. Stop by and learn about the conflicts women faced when they stepped outside the box society put them in during the 1800's. Leave a comment and you could win a copy of my novella, SALVATION BRIDE.

Anna Kathryn

My Stories are ON SALE

It's Cactus and Yellow Rose month at The Wild Rose Press. That means, ALL my stories on are on sale at The Wild Rose Press. You can get Salvation Bride, A Cowboy's Dream, and The Priceless Gift at 10% off each.

She rode into town for her own deliverance, but will Doctor Laura Ashton heal Sheriff David Slade's pain before the dark secret in her past turns up to steal his SALVATION BRIDE?

SALVATION BRIDE has received a 5 book review from Long and Short of it Reviews.

Lilac said, “"Salvation Bride" is a wonderful story that I would definitely recommend!”
Read Lilac's review here.




Pro ball player Marcus Slade wants to run the bases with author Leah Smith, but will his past pitch him a strike out instead of a home run?


A Cowboy's Dream is a delightful story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TessY Grillo

Will Santa bring Christina and Gavin what they really want for Christmas? Each other?

"Ms. Lanier hooked me from the first sentence."
~ Jannine Corti Petska


Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
http://www.aklanier.com/

The Friday Record

Well! I hate computers. I'm the contest chair for an RWA chapter's contest. This is the week we have to get all the judges lined up for the entries. And though I had most of them set up already, there's always a last minute rush to fill spots. So, needless to say, I've been busy this week. I'm very grateful for my category chairs, who are helping me keep my head on straight.

So, how does that tie into my hate of computers? Well, I've been so busy with the contest that I didn't get my planned blog on the San Francisco earthquake and fire done. Instead, I started a short and quick blog on a different subject for The Friday Record, only to have my document program freeze on me, and since I hadn't 'saved' the three paragraphs I'd thus far written, I lost them. And frankly, I decided I didn't want to rewrite them. So, instead of a blog about Tomball, TX (interestingly enough, named after a congressman Tom H. Ball), you get a directly cut and pasted paragraph on Pens from On This Day. I thought pens were a good subject for writers to read about and discuss....and unlike computers, they don't crash and loose your copy!

Fact of the Day: Pens

Reed was the first real "pen" (c 3000 BC) and the first inks contained a gelatin derived from boiled donkey skin, which gave the ink its viscosity - but also a very unpleasant odor that had to be perfumed with musk oil. Around the 6th century BC and for more than a thousand years thereon, the quill reigned as the standard writing instrument for people of many civilizations. Swans, turkeys, and geese's large wing feather made the best quill pens. Archaeologists discovered bronze pen points embedded in the ruins of Pompeii but not until the late 1700s were stell-point pens used. A century later, fountain pens were developed - the name chosen because the ink of these pens flowed continuously, like water in a fountain. L.E. Waterman, a New York stationer, devised the practical ink reservoir system. Lazlo Biro relied on improved methods for grinding ball bearings for machines and weapons and produced the first ball-point pens suitable for writing on paper around 1944. The Pentel, introduced by Tokyo's Stationery Company, was the world's first felt-tip pen, c 1960.

http://www.reference.com/thisday/

So, do you have a favorite writing instrument? I don't....whichever pen is available, I'll use it. My mom had a favorite pen type, one she used for years, but I think we've had trouble finding it the last few years. Sucks for her. I like getting free pens and will use them, especially if they're from writers. And I'll leave them at places, so others can steal them and learn about the writers, too.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
www.aklanier.com

Wednesday's Chow - Corn Casserole

With Memorial Day behind us, Summer is officially here, no matter what the calendar says! With summer comes picnics and pot lucks, bbq's and family dinners. So here's a quick and easy casserole dish to take along and share.

CORN CASSEROLE

2 cans creamed corn
1 can whole corn
1 cup sour cream
1 cup Jiffy corn mix
2 teaspoons sugar
1 stick butter, melted
1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a 3-quart casserole dish. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Yields 6 to 8 servings.

I have a confession to make. I've never made this recipe and it didn't say what to do with the butter. I really doubt we're supposed just plop the whole stick of butter into the thing. I decided it should be melted.

But what do you think? Should the butter be melted or sliced into small pieces and mixed into the casserole?

P.S. Leaving a comment will make you eligible for the monthly drawing (see plaque to the right).

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
http://www.aklanier.com/

LEARNING TO LET GO

Or – how to deal with life’s little (and large) hiccups.

An hour ago, this post began in a totally different way. I’m sure it was deep and meaningful. Probably because I was not quite awake yet and let myself think that.

But life, as often happens in my house, interrupted. The car port scheduled to arrive at 8 am showed up at 6:45. Before the livestock had been fed, the dogs let out, or the tractor moved out of the way. Fifteen minutes of chaos (interspersed with my husband’s mutterings about timing) followed, and now all is well AND I’m awake!

How often do we let these little interruptions ruin our day? It’s very easy to take one little hurt, one angry thought, or a sudden inconvenience become a cloud we’re determined to hang on to. True, there are varying degrees of emotion with many hard to get rid of for days, weeks, or a lifetime.

One of the worst things that ever happened to me was calling my father (four thousand miles away), only to have my stepmother tell me she had bad news. He’d passed. Then she hung up on me. True, she didn’t like me, or the rest of his family, no matter how hard we tried. I was in understandable agony for several days, and flew over for the funeral. My aunt could not understand why I was kind to my stepmother, but I’d decided I was not going to let one person affect the rest of my life. Especially as I would probably never see her again. I let go of that pain.

Which, in a really strange and convoluted way, brings me to talk about my debut novel, LEARNING TO LET GO. It’s under contract to White Rose Publishing and I hope it will be released later this year. I can hope! Check my website
for updates.

Blurb:

Pastor’s daughter Emma Chandler canceled her wedding and put her life on hold when she discovered her fiancé’s betrayal. Three years later, she is sure God wants her to befriend the Sullivan family and show His love to the motherless children. Falling for their father would repeat her mistake; his heart will forever belong to someone else. Can she risk living in another woman's shadow?

Busy neurosurgeon Keith Sullivan still holds on to the memories and possessions of his late wife. He realizes his two young children need more than their live-in nanny can provide, but he doesn't know how to help them. It's obvious the beautiful and kind Emma could fill the void in their lives and painfully clear she'd bring joy back to his. Would loving two women be a sin?

I love to throw conflict at my characters and these two are no exception. Just when you think everything is going to work out for them – he calls her by his dead wife’s name. Oops.

When work, life, the weather, loved ones, etc. get me down, I often turn to my iPod. A variety of music helps me to let go of my problems and find a more positive frame of mind.

What do you do?

A huge thanks to Anna Kathryn Lanier for letting me share a little of my life, and my story, with her readers.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Elizabeth
http://www.elizabethpina.com/

I'm blogging at Roses of Houston Today

Join me at the Roses of Houston blog today, where I'm blogging about pitching to agents and editors. Leave a comment and be eligible for the daily prize. And be sure to check out the other prizes available on the Roses of Houston blog - a summer reading basket and a $50 gift certificate.

http://rosesofhouston.blogspot.com/

Anna Kathryn

The Friday Record - Words from the Middle Ages 1

In the past I've done blogs on Western Words. I'm going to do same thing here, but use words commonly known in the Middle Ages. I've gotten these words and definitions from Sherrilyn Kenyon's book EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES: The British Isles from 500 to 1500. (and I had no idea this book was by Sherrilyn until I just now looked to see who wrote it).

So, what do you do? Match the words with the definitions. As in 1. Z 2. Q 3. G. There won't be a special drawing for today, but leaving your guesses will make you eligible for the plaque I'm giving away for my June prize (see right). Have fun and good luck!

1.Cauda
2.Ling
3.Fisyk
4.Chandler
5.Randy
6.Vassal
7.Fosse
8.Manches
9.Dresser
10.Loophole

A. Made candles
B. Arranged food on a serving plater
C. A ditch
D. Medicine
E. Type of fish
F. A tiny opening from arrows were shot
G. Long Flowing Sleeves
H. A servant who had sworn allegiance to an overlord
I. A train of a gown
J. Promiscuous

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
http://www.aklanier.com/

Wednesday's Chow - Decadent Chocolate Delight

Want a yummy dessert, but don't want to heat up the kitchen cooking it? Then try this crock pot recipe for a sweet, chocolate cake.


DECADENT CHOCOLATE DELIGHT

1 package chocolate cake mix
1 8 oz container sour cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup water
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 4-serving size package of instant chocolate pudding and pie filling mix

Coat crock pot with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl; mix well. Transfer to crock pot.

Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or high 3 to 4 hours. Allow to cool in stoneware at least 5 minutes. Serve hot with ice cream.

Makes 12 servings.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
http://www.aklanier.com/

Anna Kathryn's June Give Away Basket

Did I ever tell you I sucked at titles? Thus the catchy and romantic "Anna Kathryn's June Give Away Basket" title. Well, it's not the title that counts, but what's in the package, right? And in this package, you'll get a basketful of summer reading:

WHAT A LADY WANTS by Victoria Alexander
TEMPTING THE PRINCE by Patricia Grasso
SKINNY DIPPING by Connie Brockway
THE SHOE QUEEN by Anna Davis
THE WINTER ROSE by Jennifer Donnelly
NIGHT KEEPERS by Jessica Andersen
GARDEN SPELLS by Sarah Addison Allen
SECRETS Vol. 2, multiple authors
LA VIDA VAMPIRE by Nancy Haddock
A LITTLE BIT WICKED by Victoria Alexander
TALK NERDY TO ME by Vicki Lewis Thompson
A CD copy of my novella SALVATION BRIDE


Just visit The Roses of Houston's blog for all the details: http://rosesofhouston.blogspot.com/2009/06/anna-kathryns-june-give-away-basket.html

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
http://www.aklanier.com/
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/