It doesn’t happen too often, but I’ve been some what of a bah
humbug mood. One theory is that there’s no snow on the ground. I live in
Michigan and well, in December we are at least ankle deep in snow. There have
been other personal changes and though everyone is happy, healthy and looking
forward to celebrating Christmas, I’m ready for January or at least the day
after Christmas.
In the meantime I’ll have to stare at old photos of snow or
rather the snow fort my son built a few years ago and make brownies. Brownies
are always good on a cold winter’s day. And you can enjoy them with an ice cold
glass of milk or a warm cup of cocoa. That may be chocolate overload for some,
but chocolate will be the only thing getting me through this snowless holiday.
Brownie Fudge
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup chopped nuts
2 teaspoons vanilla
Fudge Topping (recipe
follows)
Directions
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Butter a 13x9 inch pan. Melt
chocolate and butter in a small heavy sauce pan over low heat. Stirring until
completely melted, cool. Beat sugar and eggs in a large bowl until light and
fluffy. Gradually whisk chocolate mixture into egg mixture. Stir in flour. nuts
and vanilla. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or just until
set. Do not overbake. Meanwhile prepare Fudge Topping. Immediately pour over
brownies. Spread evenly. Cool in pan on wire rack. Place in freezer until firm.
Cut into 1-inch squares.
Makes about 9 dozen brownies
Fudge Topping
4 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
1 package (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
Directions
Combine sugar, butter and milk in large saucepan. Bring to a boil
over medium heat; boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add
remaining ingredients except nuts. Beat until smooth. Stir in nuts.
STEALING CHRISTMAS Blurb:
Secrets abound in Benson's Bakery. A crazed Santa wants
something valuable hidden inside the building, and only two things stand in his
way...Jake and Sara.
When Sara Henderson receives threatening letters just days
before Christmas, she asks sexy bread baker Jake Benson for help. Jake is more
than happy to provide the muscle to keep the beautiful cake decorator from
harm, but he has an ulterior motive--to steal a kiss under the mistletoe. Sara
wants that kiss as much as he does, but first they have a mystery to solve.
Will they find out who is stalking Sara, or will Santa succeed
in stealing Christmas?
Excerpt:
Once Tori arrived, Sara returned
to the office. Jake stood in the prep
area, still up to his elbows in dough.
He glanced up as she walked by.
“I’m going with you to the bank.”
“You’re behind on the breads. I
can take Tori with me or wait until Seth gets back.”
“I won’t be that long, Sara.”
She faced him. “Neither will I.”
He plopped a portion of dough on a
scale, checking the weight before rounding it in a ball. “I’ll be done by the time you’re finished
with the deposit.”
She groaned. He wouldn’t leave her alone until she agreed
to his company. “Fine, I’ll even start
the car to give you extra time.”
Jake inclined his head and
continued his task. Sara studied the way
he manipulated the dough, used the heels of his hands to push the bread away
and his strong fingers to fold it over and bring it back. Over and over, he tugged and pulled, kneading
and twisting. For a moment, Sara envisioned
him doing the same thing to her, even when he occasionally pinched the dough to
see if it was ready.
“You’re staring,” he said.
She swallowed. “I wasn’t.
How long will the dough take to rise?”
“Depends on how much heat and
moisture it gets.”
“What happens if there’s too much
heat and moisture?” She met and held his
gaze.
“The dough gets too sticky and it
won’t rise as much.” He never stopped
moving his hands.
She wondered what would get a rise
out of him. “I-I’ll be in the office.”
He rounded the dough. “I’ll be here.”
She spun on her heel and bumped
into the door, her face burned when he laughed behind her. Head held high she
entered the office and closed the door.
What was she doing thinking about Jake like that? Could he really want to pursue something with
her now? She put her hands to her flaming cheeks, glancing through the door
window. He still had his eyes on her. She spun away, and leaned against the
door, a hand over her racing heart. A faint smile brushed the corners of her
mouth as she went to the safe and pulled out the deposit.
Ten minutes later Sara had the
money bundled, her change order ready, and her coat on. She stepped out of the office, digging in her
purse for her keys. “I’m starting the
car. It’s snowing again.”
“Wait for me. I just have to wash
my hands.” Jake placed the last of the
dough in loaf pans.
“My car is three feet from the
door.” She shook her head. “I’m just warming up the car!”
He chuckled. “I still have to wash my hands.”
With a huff, Sara stepped into the
back alley and slammed the door. She
paused, thumbing through the jumble of keys for the right one and peered around
the drab gray world. Her car wasn’t
exactly three feet from the door, more like thirty. She pulled her hood over her ebony hair and started
forward.
She was perfectly capable of going
to the bank by herself, but now that she was in a winter wonderland alone, her
bravado failed. Sara crunched across the
snow, bare asphalt peeking through in spots.
The keys jangled as her foot slid on an icy patch. She stuttered stepped
and came to a bone-jarring halt. That could’ve been bad, she’d have to throw
down more salt. Drawing in a deep breath, she moved forward again.
Rough hands seized her jacket.
Sara struggled for purchase while
jerking away from her assailant. How
could she have been so stupid? Panic turned her limbs to jelly, her breath came
in stuttered gasps. She had to get away. His strong grip held her purse and
jacket. She pried at his hands, but he
refused to release her. Twisting in his
grasp, she stared into his cold eyes, his thin lips curling into a sneer.
“Let go!” she shouted.
“Give me what I want!”
Sara wrenched away from him,
ripping her coat. He struggled to retain
his grip, yanking the purse tangled around her arm. If she could get enough
room to maneuver she could get away. His fingers slipped. She raised her foot
and kicked, her boot connecting with his shin.
He howled, but didn’t release her.
He seized her arms, lifting her.
Sucking in a breath, she squirmed this way and that to break his hold. Santa’s
sleeve fell back. Her eyes fastened on the bit of ink ringing his wrist. She
struggled harder. A shriek left her lips and disappeared into the snow. She
kicked her legs, hoping to connect with a body part. Nothing but air. He swung
her around. She should’ve waited. The door scraped open. He gave her one final,
violent shake, dropped her and fled.
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Website: http://wlynnchantale.com
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7 comments:
I love a great Christmas read. You are new to me author, but not for long. Your book is now on my TBR list.
Deb T
mammy4423(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Deb. Thanks. I hope you enjoy the story. :-)
Hi, W. Lynn. Thanks for being my guest today. I love brownies and your recipe sounds yummy. Thanks for sharing your book with us too.
In Australia, as you can perhaps imagine, we NEVER have a white Christmas. It's been sweltering recently, though today is a touch cooler.
Merry Christmas!!
Lynn, sounds like an intriguing book. With or without snow, Merry Christmas. Anna Kathryn and I won't have snow, either.
LOL, that's right, Caroline. It's supposed to be in the 70's Down here in Houston, with rain. Bah Humbug! At least it could do is snow, or not rain!
Love Christmas reads. Romance in the air...
kmnbooks at yahoo dot com
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