Holiday Cheer - Overcoming Bah Humbug

By W. Lynn Chantale

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.

 

Buy links:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon Kindle

Contact Links:

Download my free Author App to your Android or Apple IOS device.

Visit W. Lynn at:

 

Website: http://wlynnchantale.com

Blog:http://decadentdecisions.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/wlynnchantale

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/W.LynnChantaleAuthor

Holiday Cheer - A Hero For Christmas

By Cheryl Pierson

With the holidays upon us, I was thinking about traditions in our family and how much they mean in our memories.  Growing up, there wasn’t a Christmas that passed that my mom didn’t make divinity for my dad. A hard candy to make because of its temperamental proclivity not to “set”, when it “turned out”—it was a happy day. I didn’t care much for divinity—I’d rather have the other traditional candy we always had—fudge. But I still remember how my dad loved that white confection with the green and red candied cherries on top.

A tradition I started when I had kids was to buy them an ornament every Christmas. Every year, I think, “maybe this is the year to give them their collection”—they’re 23 and 26—and every year, I just can’t bring myself to do it.

 

And what could be more traditional for a good Christmas story than a handsome, to-die-for, hunk of a hero? Who wouldn’t want a hero for Christmas…or FOUR of them? And they’ll all fit snugly in a stocking or on your e-reader!

Yep, I’m talking about my latest release, A HERO FOR CHRISTMAS, which is a collection of four of my Christmas themed historical romantic short stories! These are all available separately, as “single sell” short stories for only .99 through Western Trail Blazer, as well. But I was thrilled when my publisher, Rebecca Vickery, suggested putting them all under one gorgeous cover and offering them as a collection.

 

A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES is the first story in the collection. It will always be near and dear to my heart because it was the first holiday story I ever wrote, as well as being the first short story (which really turned into a novelette.) I still just love the story of Angela Bentley and Nick Dalton. Angela’s a widow, alone on Christmas Eve. Gunman Nick Dalton stops at her cabin in gathering wintry twilight. Wounded, and with three children in tow, there’s no chance of Angela telling him he has to ride on.  Will this be A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES for them?

Legend says that miracles happen on Christmas Eve. Can a chance encounter between a gunfighter and a lonely widow herald a new beginning for them both? On this special night, they take a gamble that anything is possible–if they only believe! Available now with WESTERN TRAIL BLAZER PUBLISHING!

 

The second story is a very different kind of Christmas story, HOMECOMING. I wrote this story long before I ever even thought of selling it. In fact, I wasn’t sure I COULD sell it. But it turned out better than I ever imagined, with so much power and emotion, I’ve had many, many compliments on it. It still humbles me, to think of this story that came from nowhere, one I wasn’t sure would ever see the light of day—has now become one that so many people have enjoyed.

       A holiday skirmish sends Union officer, Jack Durham, on an unlikely mission to fulfill his promise of honor to a dying Confederate soldier—his enemy. In an odd twist of fate, a simple assurance to carry young Billy Anderson's meager belongings home to his family a few miles away becomes more than what it seems.

       As he nears his destination, the memories of the soldier's final moments mingle with his own thoughts of the losses he's suffered because of the War, including his fiancee, Sarah. Despite his suffering, can Jack remember what it means to be fully human before he arrives at the end of his journey? Will the miracle of Christmas be able to heal his heart in the face of what awaits him?

 

MEANT TO BE is the third story in the collection. It’s a time travel story of love that crosses centuries. The heroine, Robin Mallory, is stranded on Christmas Eve and begins to walk for help, only to find that she’s walked down a road to the past and into the arms of handsome a Confederate soldier, Jake Devlin. Will she stay in 1864, or will she return to the lonely life she left behind? (If he looked like Jimmy Thomas, that would be a very easy decision!)

        Robin Mallory is facing another Christmas all alone when she decides to surprise her aunt and uncle several hours away. A flat tire leaves her stranded near a desolate section of interstate. With a snowstorm on the way, Robin has no choice but to walk, hoping to find shelter before the storm hits full force. But the road she chooses leads her back in time, to a battleground she's only read about in history books.

       Confederate Jake Devlin, an officer in Stand Watie's Cherokee forces, is shocked when the spy he jumps turns out to be a girl. She's dressed oddly, but her speech and the ideas she has are even stranger than her clothing. Where did she come from, and what is he going to do with her? Will he be able to hold on to his heart? Is it possible for a love this strong to span centuries? It is, if it was MEANT TO BE…

 

And last but not least is a story I have wanted to write since I was a little girl. If you’ve ever heard the old folk song, SCARLET RIBBONS, perhaps you’ll understand why. In the song, the  singer (I love the Harry Belafonte version more than any other) tells of hearing his little girl praying for some scarlet ribbons for her hair. Everything is closed for the night, and there’s no hope of him being able to buy them for her; such a simple request and no way to grant it. All night long he’s thinking about it and finally goes to peek in on her only to find her asleep, the scarlet ribbons on her bed. “If I live to be a hundred, I will never know from where…came those lovely scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons for her hair…” Well, I can never get through that song without getting misty eyed, but I always wondered about the story behind the scarlet ribbons…so I wrote one.

       Miguel Rivera is known as El Diablo, The Devil. Men avoid meeting his eyes for fear of his gun. Upon returning to a town where he once knew a brief happiness, Miguel is persuaded by a street vendor to make a foolish holiday purchase; two scarlet ribbons.

       When Catalina, his former lover, allows him to take a room at her boarding house, Miguel soon discovers a secret. Realizing that he needs the scarlet ribbons after all, he is stunned to find them missing. Can a meeting with a mysterious priest and the miracle of the Scarlet Ribbons set Miguel on a new path?

Now, you can get all these stories under one cover! In one final note, I will say that after I wrote these stories and put them all together, I noticed something that is certainly NOT traditional—each of them as a special twist, the magic of Christmas working in a way that truly does bring about a miracle in each case. These stories are rated sweet to sensual.  I will be giving away a digital copy today to one lucky commenter!

For all my books, short stories and anthologies, visit my Amazon author page here:

https://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson

And one more bit of tradition—a recipe that we can’t live without for very long here in the Pierson household—I’ll be making this tomorrow for sure. It’s the first thing I ever learned to bake and no matter what other fancy desserts are on the table, this is always the one I go for.

BLONDE BROWNIES

4 eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla1½  cups flour

2 ½  cups brown sugar

½ tsp. salt

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

½  cup (OR MORE!) choc. Chips

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Beat eggs well. Add brown sugar gradually, beating until well mixed. Add vanilla, flour, salt and mix well. Add chopped nuts and mix. Pour into a greased, 9x13 pan and sprinkle chocolate chips over top of the batter. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes (depending on your oven). This makes a 9x13 pan of brownies. You can half this recipe for an 8x8 pan, and reduce cooking time to 25 minutes.

Wednesday's Chow - Fudge Brownies

Fudge Brownies
Ingredients:

2 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups butter
5 (1-ounce) squares of unsweetened chocolate
6 large eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts or almonds
Fudge Frosting

Directions:

Preheat oven 350°.

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; cook over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring often. Remove from heat, and cool 10 minutes. Stir in eggs, flour, and nuts.

Pour batter into greased and floured 13x9x2-inch pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Pour Fudge Frosting over top; chill 15 minutes, and cut into squares. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired. Makes 4 dozen.

Fudge Frosting:

Heat 1 cup whipping cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 12 ounces (squares or chips) of semi-sweet chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Makes 2 ½ cups.

Holiday Cheer - Blondies

Here's a different kind of 'brownie' for your next holiday gathering.

BLONDIES

Ingredients
2 cups (12 oz) white chocolate chips, divided
¼ cup ( ½ stick) of butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Powdered sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 13X9 baking pan.
In a large saucepan over low heat, milt 1 cup of white chocolate chips and butter. Remove from heat. Stir in the flour and baking powder until blended. Add sweetened condensed milk, egg and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in pecans and remaining white chocolate chips until blended. Spoon into greased baking pan.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cool. Lightly dust with powdered sugar. Makes 2 dozen.

Tomorrow's recipe: Cookies in a Jar


There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. ~ Erma Bombeck, I Lost Everything in the Post-Natal Depression

Wednesday's Chow - Mississippi Mud Brownies

I'm back and with a great desert recipe from my mother-in-law's cookbook - Mississippi Mud Brownies. Very fattening, I'm sure, oh, so delicious.


Mississippi Mud Brownies

1 bag Martha White chewy brownie mix
1 cup nuts or more
1 bag chunky chocolate chips
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 jar caramel sauce

Preheat oven to 350º Mix brownie mix as directed. Then add nuts, chips, and marshmallows. Bake in a lightly greased and floured 9x13-inch baking dish for about 15 minutes. Heat caramel sauce in microwave and pour over brownies. Bake another 15 minutes.

What's your favorite brownie recipe?

Anna Kathryn
www.aklanier.com