Holiday Cheer - St. Nicholas Eve

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Released

By Amber Polo

(The Shapeshifters' Library: Book 1)

 

Both “Released” and Book 2 “Retrieved” are filled with holidays. 

 “Retrieved” has Valentine’s Day, a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and a magical ending at the Summer Solstice.

“Released” has Halloween, St. Nicholas, and a magical ending on the Winter Solstice Eve.

And food! Lots of food! 

 

 

The St. Nicholas Eve Excerpt from “Released” 

Gregory and Liberty paraded back into the rotunda and on to the entrance to the Children’s Room. Children in pinafores and breeches clustered around Bliss in her shimmering princess dress. The children turned, saw Gregory, and little voices called, “St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas.”

Gregory placed his hand on Liberty’s waist and escorted her to the middle of the room. “Children, this is Lady Liberty.”

Children cheered and tiny hands clapped. “Lady. Lady.”

Gregory whispered to Liberty, “Say something.”

“Welcome children. To the library. On St. Nicholas Eve.”

The quartet’s violin player fiddled a merry tune, as a huge Newfoundland in a silver-studded harness pulled a cart to the doorway.

Gregory smiled. “And now, it’s time for presents.”

The children cheered. The dog lumbered in and small hands reached out to pat the gentle giant who, compared to the toddlers, appeared as large as a draft horse. Gregory stepped to the cart. “Stand back.” The children obeyed. “Now, one at a time.” He reached into the cart and took out a small toy horse and beckoned to a little girl in a crisp petticoat. She skipped forward to receive her painted wooden horse and a large orange. Liberty selected a book from the cart for the girl, who skipped off to show her friends.

Bouncing in stiff, shiny shoes, children waited their turns. Next a boy was given a miniature dog and cart. He held it high for all to see, then accepted his book. One by one, each child received a small toy, an orange, and a book. Every child seemed more thrilled with simple wood animals than if they’d received the latest electronic wonders. The entire scene was reminiscent of another more charming century.

When all the children had received gifts, the fiddler announced, “Time for St. Nicholas to leave,” and the children let out a collective, “Ah.”

Gregory reached one more time into the cart and presented a wrapped gift to Bliss. “Dear lady, for your kind ministrations to the children.” Bliss curtsied.

As children raced past to show toys to parents and grandparents, Gregory took Liberty’s arm. No longer the center of attention, the couple walked to the rotunda. Sparkling lights reflected like stars on the glass dome above.

“I cannot stay,” Gregory said softly. “I’m tired.”

Liberty nodded. “Thank you for making this night so beautiful.”

“Shipsfeather always celebrated St. Nicholas Eve like this. I am grateful your library made it possible once again. Now you see why this town and people are so special.”

“Where did the children’s gifts come from?” She looked around. “And where is the dog cart … and the music? This was the most magical night of the year.”

He laughed. “Ah, now you want magic explained. Tonight is only the beginning of the Season. The true magic will happen on the night of the Winter Solstice.”

“What could be more beautiful and amazing than tonight?”

“Nothing could be as amazing and beautiful as you. You are a most good and wonderful woman, Liberty Cutter, my Mistress of the Fete.” He leaned down and kissed her lips. A tender kiss tasting of cinnamon and warmed cider. Straightening, his eyes held her gaze.

“Tonight,” she whispered, “I feel like a princess.”

“You are a princess. My princess, dear one.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “Sweet Liberty.” He slid his hand into his jacket pocket. Holding her left hand, he slipped a ring onto her finger. “Forever, my princess, my love.”

She gasped as warm gold encircled her finger. She looked down at the intricately carved band. When she looked up, he was gone. Over the music and laughter, she heard the sound of boots descending the stairs.

 

St. Nicholas Wassail

From The Shapeshifters’ Library celebration in “Released”

4 cups apple juice or cider

4 cups cranberry juice

1 cup orange juice

1 cup pineapple juice

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 t. ground ginger

½ t. grated nutmeg

½ t. cardamom

3 sticks cinnamon

Fresh orange slices for garnish

Combine ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Then turn to low for 2-8 hours.

(In a hurry? Heat in just to boiling in a saucepan, then pour into a slow cooker to keep warm.)

Oranges on top make a pretty addition. 

What I love about this recipe is you can vary it to suit your taste in juices and spices (or what you have on hand). With our without alcohol (some revelers) add dry sherry or Madeira), a cup with fill you with warm holiday cheer. 

Amber Polo has had a lifelong love of libraries. A fascination with ancient libraries and curiosity about why werewolves outnumbered dog-shifters in literature inspired her new cozy urban fantasy series The Shapeshifters' Library filled with librarian dog-shifters. She’s not sure she loves all holidays, but she loves writing about them.

If you love dogs and books and shifter romance, “Released” and “Retrieved” will warm your reader’s heart.

Amazon
Website
Wordshaping Blog (with more St. Nicholas posts)

And read Amber’s ebook novella Christmas on Wherever Island (light paranormal romance) for a quick Christmas escape. Find the magic Christmas cake recipe.

 

Holiday Cheer - What's Your Favorite Holiday Movies and Books

By R.T. Wolfe

Happy Holidays, readers and Anna Kathryn. I’m honored to be here today and will be giving away a free digital copy of my romantic suspense, Black Creek Burning to one commenter.

Do you get caught up in the romance of the holidays? Not just the romance romance, but the romance of the sights and smells and sounds? As an author, I find it’s hard not to.

I think I’ve rented the movie The Holiday with Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Kate Winselet each year since its release and am looking forward to Playing for Keeps with Gerald Butler and Jessica Biel. I also find myself diving into Nora Roberts book, Northern Lights, around this time not because it has a holiday theme but because it’s set in majestic snow covered Alaska…and because it’s Nora.

Book one in my romantic suspense trilogy, Black Creek Burning, begins right before the holidays in scenic upstate New York. Black Creek is not only the land form that separates the main characters but a metaphor referring to many of the scenes that happen in and around it. The dark water of the creek crawls around exposed rocks topped with snow like marshmallows floating in dark mocha. Mallards huddle near the part of the spillway that never seems to freeze as Nathan Reed’s new neighbor tussles with her golden retriever in her back yard. He came back to this place to learn to be a better father to his nephews, not fall in love and solve a murder. His unruly, adolescent Labrador has other ideas. It leaves a trail of muddy creek paw prints all through Brie Chapman’s kitchen. He discovers her curt, quirky and incredibly alluring. Sparks ignite during neighborly festivities but when he discovers the dead animals that have shown up on her porch and deck and the dozen of slashes in each of her tires the sparks turn into a protective need. The trick for Nathan is that Brie doesn’t want to be protected.

The powdery white of the winter season turns into the new growth of spring. Simultaneously, he finds new growth with both his nephews and his icy new neighbor. As the mystery unfolds, he helps Brie learn to trust as a passionate lover and as a mother to two boys who couldn’t make it without her.

As a debut author, I’ve been honored to step into the #1 spot on the Goodread’s New Authors to Read list and have earned a 4.8 star average on Amazon. The Black Creek Burning book trailer passed 800 hits in just over two months. I hope you find time to curl up in your coziest spot with a glass of your favorite drink in one hand and Black Creek Burning in the other. If you’re looking for a comfy holiday drink, here is my recipe for homemade Irish Crème:

Irish Crème

In a blender, mix…

1 ½ cups Canadian Club Whiskey (or rum)

3T Hershey’s chocolate syrup

¼ tsp. coconut extract

1 can Eagle Brand (14 oz.)

2-8 oz. whipping cream

Serve on the rocks, in hot coffee or blend with crushed ice for a smoothie.

 

 

 

Here’s a Black Creek Burning excerpt:

“Don’t talk about him like that,” Nathan growled.

“You should know I’m not above doing that. I can take care of my own car.” Brie turned as she thought of just how she was going to do that and reached to pull out a single tea bag and mug. “And there is no you and me. It was just a kiss. Now, we have to move backward for your nephew’s sake.” And mine, she thought.

He made his way to her in three long strides, picked her up by the shoulders and plopped her on the kitchen counter, smashing his mouth to hers. Framing the side of her face with one hand, Nathan laced his rough fingers in her pinned hair with the other.

She couldn’t think and for the first time in her life let go. Slipping away from her blessed control, she blocked out the possible consequences and surrendered to the now. Her skin nearly ignited from the feel of his body as she pulled him in closer. His toned lanky back, his strong arms, the feeling of his hands on her face, in her hair. His mouth and his tongue emptied her mind. She clamped her eyes shut and wanted to stay right there.

As he’d done at the midnight hour in her basement, he pulled away as quickly as he took her.

Nathan whispered close to her face, “Just a kiss my ass.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  

You can find the first chapter to Black Creek Burning on these purchase links:

Amazon/Kindle buy link: http://amzn.to/PqO2gE

Barnes and Nobel buy link: http://bit.ly/UsXZKD

iTunes buy link: http://bit.ly/UrUUHc

Google Plus/Android buy link: http://bit.ly/NMiHn1

R.T. Wolfe is the author of the Black Creek Trilogy. She enjoys creating diverse characters and twining them together in the midst of an intelligent mystery and a heart encompassing romance.

It’s not uncommon to find dark chocolate squares in R.T.’s candy dish, her Golden Retriever at her feet and a few caterpillars spinning their cocoons in their terrariums on her counters. R.T. loves her family, gardening, eagle-watching and can occasionally be found viewing a flyover of migrating whoooping cranes.

I’d love to join up with you on any of these sites:

The R.T. Wolfe website: http://www.rtwolfe.com

R.T. Wolfe’s Official Author Facebook Page: http://on.fb.me/OBG2HD

R.T. Wolfe on Twitter: http://bit.ly/N2a2uo

R.T. Wolfe’s Pinterest Pages http://bit.ly/NbfIA7

And

R.T. Wolfe’s Goodreads Page: http://bit.ly/RFrK5A

Holiday Cheer - A Different Kind of Holiday Celebration

By Linda Carroll-Bradd

My Thanksgiving holiday release was a bit different than one might expect. Over the years we lived in Texas, my husband and I loved to travel to small towns throughout the state and visit museums. In Fredericksburg is a pioneer museum that highlights the German immigrants who settled the area more than one hundred and fifty years ago. When I started plotting my story, I remembered the museum and created characters of German descent proud of continuing on the land (ranching and shop keeping) since that time. They don’t celebrate the fourth Thursday in November with the same traditions most of us know (turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie), and I had lots of fun researching cultural events and recipes. Here’s a recipe for hot chocolate like the one that the main characters share in On With the Show, my latest release from The Wild Rose Press.

German Hot Chocolate

·         4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1/4 cup sugar

·         3-1/2 cups milk

·         ½ cup sweetened condensed milk

·         ¼ teaspoon cardamom

·         1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

·         1/4 teaspoon vanilla

·         miniature marshmallows

Mix cocoa powder, sugar and spices in small bowl. Heat both milks to scalding. Mix about 1/3 cup of the hot milk into the cocoa-sugar mixture, then pour cocoa mixture into hot milk in the saucepan; stir until well blended. Stir in vanilla. Serve with mini marshmallows. Serves 4.

 

www.lindacarroll-bradd.com

BUY On With the Show NOW:

The Wild Rose Press   http://bit.ly/Ybzi89

Amazon                       http://amzn.to/WolfXF

Barnes & Noble          http://bit.ly/S3sG72 

On December 7^th, I will draw two names of those who either subscribe to my blog (http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com) or follow my author Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Carroll-Bradd-author/440814942635289) and those individuals will win a 2013 calendar highlighting covers from The Wild Rose Press.

Wednesday's Chow - Hot Cranberry Cider

by Callie Hutton

This week's geust offers up a yummy hot drink in time for the cool autumn nights.  Callie posted a wonderful blog on Monday about naming characters. If you haven't stopped by A Rose by Any Other Name... and read it yet, do so now! 

Hot Cranberry Cider

Apple Cider is very popular this time of the year, but I found this recipe for Hot Cranberry Cider, which is absolutely wonderful to sip while gazing into the fireplace. Be sure to have your romance novel handy, when you do!

This recipe is from the Food Network website, courtesy of Paula Deen & Friends, Simon & Schuster, 2005

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 cinnamon sticks, plus additional sticks to use at stirrers
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 8 cups cranberry juice
• 6 cups apple juice

Directions

Put the sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves in the basket of a large coffee percolator. Put the juices in the bottom of the percolator. Let the mixture perk as if making coffee. Serve with cinnamon stick stirrers, if desired.

 

 

 

Holiday Cheer - Apple Cider

In my holiday story A COWBOY'S DREAM, Leah hosts a yearly Christmas Eve party for her friends.  Marcus decides to crash it, in an effort to make up for a disastrous first date. The smell of Hot Apple Cider fills the apartment as the party goes on and Marcus hopes he doesn't strikeout again.

Here are two recipes for Apple Cider

Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients:

6 cups apple cider

½ cup real maple syrup

2 cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

6 whole allspice berries

1 orange peel, cut into strips

1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions:

Pour cider and syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange and lemon peels in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold sides of cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie up with kitchen string.  Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.  Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until it is very hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat and discard the spice bundle. Ladle into mugs and garnish each with cinnamon stick if desired.

Mulled Cider

Ingredients:

1 quart apple cider

2 cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

1 tsp whole allspice

1/8 tsp ground ginger

½ cup rum or brandy, optional

Directions:

Pour cider into a large sauce pan. Place cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger in the middle of a washed cheesecloth square.  Drop bundle to the apple cider. Heat until hot, but do not boil.  Add ½ cup rum or brandy, if desired. Remove spice bundle.  Serve warm.

Author Leah Smith has fantasized about her neighbor, Houston’s pro baseball player Marcus Slade, for years, but thinks it’s unlikely she’d catch the cowboy’s interest since her IQ is bigger than her bra size. Having already been hurt by a man who wanted size over substance, she’s not in a hurry to play in that ball field again. When an unexpected opportunity gets Marcus inside his favorite author’s apartment, he’s not about to let a second chance at love pass him by. Their attraction is quick and electric and has him instantly thinking about something more long-term. But when a woman from his past intrudes, his hopes of a cozy Christmas with Leah are buried beneath her cold shoulder. Risking a strikeout, Marcus has one chance left...go for the grand slam of his life and crash Leah's annual Christmas Eve party in hopes of convincing her she’s this Cowboy’s Dream.

If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.  -Unknown


Win a prize - leave a comment with your email to be entered in the drawing. This week's prize is Kohl's Cares Good Housekeeping "A Very Merry Christmas" Cookbook. It "features hearty dishes, mouthwatering cookies and traditional table centerpieces the entire family will enjoy." I'll draw a winner for it next Wednesday, Dec. 7th.

Apple Punch

I have given up my Wednesday's Chow recipes to guest bloggers, which means I don't post recipes (usually) on my own.  But I found this great punch recipe I wanted to share.  Unfortunatly, I made it for a wake, but it was very well received.  With the holidys just around the corner, I wanted to share it with you all.

Apple Punch


Ingredients

1 (32 fluid ounce) bottle apple juice, chilled
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate
1 cup orange juice
1 1/2 liters ginger ale
1 apple

Directions

In a large punch bowl, combine apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate and orange juice. Stir until dissolved, then slowly pour in the ginger ale.

Thinly slice the apple vertically, forming whole apple slices. Float apple slices on top of punch.

*** I didn't add any alcohol to this punch, but I'm thinking, rum or vodka would be a yummy addition!

Holiday Cheer - Mulled Cider

Mulled Cider


Ingredients:

2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
1 tsp whole allspice
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1 quart apple cider
½ cup rum or brandy, optional

Directions:

Add cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger to the apple cider. Heat until hot, but do not boil. Add ½ cup rum or brandy, if desired. Serve warm.

“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.” ~ T.S. Eliot

Holiday Cheer - Eat DRINK and Be Merry

What's a party without punch? Here's two recipes to fulfill the DRINK part of Eat, Drink and Be Merry.  I made the cranberry punch last year, and it is really good!  Who would think you can make punch out of canned cranberry sauce?

Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients:

6 cups apple cider
¼ cup real maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
1 orange peel, cut into strips
1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions:

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in a washed square of cheesecloth and fold up the sides to enclose the spices. Tie with a length of string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture. Heat over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until hot, but not boiling. Remove the cider from the heat and discard the spice bundle. Ladle cider into mugs and add a cinnamon stick to each if desired.


Sparkling Cranberry Punch

Ingredients:
 1 1-lb can jellied cranberry sauce
2 ¼ cup hot water
½ cup sugar
½ cup lemon juice
1 tsp lemon extract
1 ½ cup ginger ale
Fresh mint
Clove studded lemon circles
Fresh cranberries

Directions:

Heat cranberry sauce and water until sauce is melted. Add sugar and allow to cool. Stir in lemon juice, extract and one cup ginger ale. When ready to serve, add remaining ginger ale. Garnish with mint, clove studded lemon circles and fresh cranberries.

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. - Agnes M. Pharo

Holiday Cheer - Hot Apple Cider & Hot Cocoa

Well, we've had a week of goodies, so here's a couple of beverage recipes to go with them, Hot Apple Cider, curtesy of Leah Smith of A Cowboy's Dream and Hot Chocolate from Christina Scott of The Priceless Gift. ENJOY!

Leah's Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients
6 cups apple cider
¼ cup real maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
1 orange peel, cut into strips
1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in a washed square of cheesecloth and fold up the sides to enclose the spices. Tie with a length of string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture. Heat over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until hot, but not boiling. Remove the cider from the heat and discard the spice bundle. Ladle cider into mugs and add a cinnamon stick to each if desired.

Christina's Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup half-and-half
3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring to an easy boil while stirring. Continue to stir as mixture simmers for 2 mins. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs and add half-and-half to cool to drinking temperature.

This week's prize will is Warm Vanilla Sugar lotion and shower gel from Bath and Body Works. So be sure and leave a comment! I'll draw on Monday night, Dec. 14th.

Cate Masters won the $10 The Wild Rose Press gift certificate.

Tomorrow's recipe: Pumpkin Bread

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby