Valentine's Day Every Monday

Source: yourblockparty.com via Chris on Pinterest

Valentine's Day holds a very special place in most people's hearts. We begin in grade school giving valentine cards and little pieces of candy. Then as we grow older the gifts become more important and we don't give them to everyone we know.

The Angels wrote A VALENTINE'S ANTHOLOGY, which contains three novellas. Each story has its beginning or end around and concerning Valentine's Day. Amber's story is about a wacky inventor whose unique inventions don't always work the way he intended.

What is your favorite Valentine's Day recipe or food? 

Source:

1. Chocolate and any desert that contains chocolate. I love cheese cakes. So if one puts chocolate, one would have to say Chocolate Cheese Cake. (This is straight from Rose's Cook Book.)

Crust

1/2 cup sweet butter                                 1 tsp vanilla

2 tbls sugar                                               1 raw egg yolk

2 hard cooked egg yolks mashed             1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 tsp brandy                                            1/4 tsp salt

Thoroughly grease a 9" spring-form pan. Cream butter and sugar. Add brandy and vanilla to the yolks then add to creamed mixture. Blend in the raw yolks, flour, and salt. Pat the dough onto sides and bottom of pan.

Filling

10 oz sweet cooking chocolate                 4 cups heavy cream

2 1/2lbs cream cheese                               3 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups sugar                                       shaved chocolate

8 eggs separated                                       chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over hot water. Remove from heat and cool slightly, Mix cream cheese with half of the sugar and beat in the yolks. Fold in the melted chocolate. Beat whites until stiff and add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until well blended and very stiff. Whip 2 cups cream until stiff and pour over the egg white mixture. Add cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the flour on top, add vanilla, and fold all ingredients together very gently.

Pour the mixture into the crust. If the filling reaches the rim of the pan, put a 5" strip of greased foil around it and tie with heavy string--this will prevent the filling from spilling over. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off heat and allow cake to remain in oven with door closed for 3 hours. The cake may crack, but this is all right. Chill cake and remove from spring form. Whip remaining cream and spread over top and sides. Decorate with chocolate shavings on top and pecans around the sides.

Comment on any Rogue's Angels post, including goddessfish tours from January 1st to March 17, and you will be entered to win. 

Rogue's Angels will have drawings through January, February, and March. Grand prizes to be awarded on Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.

Prizes

Gift Cards: 2 $20 Starbucks GC

Name in next anthology (pending, I'm pulling for May Day) 

Bookmarks: to everyone who leaves a comment

Downloads of past anthologies (6): The Gift, The Lending Library, Chasing Rainbows, Star Crossed, Meadows of Gold, St. Batzy & the Time Machine

More gifts pending

I usually go to the nearest bakery to come up with delectable desserts. However, I found this recipe in the January 2012 issue of AARP magazine, and the picture makes it look absolutely delicious. 

MILLIONAIRE SHORTBREAD

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Crust:

In your mixer put 1 cup (2 cubes) of slightly soft butter, add 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 tsp salt.  Mix it up; then press it into a 9 x 13 buttered pan.  Bake for about 40 minutes.

Caramel:

In a saucepan melt one cup of butter over low heat. Stir in 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup and 1 can (14 oz) of sweetened condensed milk. Bring up the heat to med low and bring to a boil stirring all the time. Boil for 4 min. (this time is needed to be sure the sugar is melted) Remove from the heat and add 1 tsp of vanilla and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir, pour over the baked crust and let it cool.  

When cool, melt 3/4 lb (not cup....pound) of chocolate and pour over the caramel.  

When set, cut into squares.

If you make this dessert, let me know what you think.

~Amber Angel

How does hearing play a role in writing?

Earlier this week, I was faced with a horrifying possibility--total loss of my hearing. Don't get me wrong, I'm losing my hearing at an alarming rate, but what happened to me was so frightening I was in tears... and I don't often cry. This year the effect of the barometric pressure in the air here in Oregon has created health problems I don't ever recall. On Wednesday of the past week the effect was so devastating, I was unable to hear from my right ear and had limited hearing in my left.  I experienced loss of equilibrium and massive headache as well. To put it mildly, I was a mess.

How does this play a role in my writing? I try to utilize all the senses when I write--sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing. Observe the difference:

He stood on the cliff's edge peering at the river below.

He stood on the cliff's edge noting the unnatural silence of the local birds and peering at the ribbon of silver meandering through the gorge. The scent of new pine wafted on the slight breeze ruffling his hair. He reached up his hand to smooth the wayward strands smacking it against the rock retaining wall. Automatically, he put his aching appendage in his mouth. He wrinkled his nose. "Ugh! Onions!" He'd forgotten the tangy Walla Walla Sweets he'd generously added to his sandwich that now coated his tongue.

Okay, it's a little extreme, but you can see how the senses add to your work. Hearing lets the hero hidden in the brush guarding his damsel-in-distress know when an intruder has arrived by the snap of twigs in a normally quiet wood. The screech of tires warns the preoccupied heroine she has walked into the street and nearly gotten herself killed because she was too busy pondering the covert message left on her voice mail.

Losing this ability, for even one day, sent a panic through me I haven't experienced before. I know my years are limited to enjoy the sounds of grandchildren and the soothing baritone of my husband's voice, but I don't want it to end too soon.

I have too many stories to tell and need my ears to observe the sounds of locations I use in my writing. It's one more facet that, hopefully, brings my stories closer to the readers.

Sable Angel

Cliff Hanger Saturday Just Like the Matinees of Old

Source: aubreyroad.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

Cliff Hanger Saturday is a place where you can post your favorite "cliff hangers" of all time or just good writing at the end of the scene. (if not your own work, please give credit to the author and the book.) We all know, a scene should not end with anyone going to sleep. YAWN. But sometimes we see this. If the characters go to sleep, so do we.

So share favorites or write one here.

I have been posting excerpts for advertising and Rogue Phoenix Press. If you are writing an excerpt for something make sure that excerpt ends making the reader turn the page and read on. Do we want the reader up all night? Of course we do.

Here is a cliff hanger from Safari Moon by Christine Young writing as Ann Christine.

He pulled his hand back and rested it on her hip. She rolled onto her back. With the movement, his hand slid across her hip until his fingers lay on her stomach. Her eyes still closed, she made a sleepy sound, her hand coming to settle on his own.

“Solo?” she asked in a soft sexy voice. “Wouldn’t you like to come to bed?

Friday's Featured Title Safari Moon by Christine Young writing as Ann Christine

Please welcome Christine. Safari Moon is Christine's first contemporary romance. It is set in the Alaskan wilderness.

First lets learn a little bit about Christine.

Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children.  Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Blurb

Solo St. John, a wildlife photographer, is preparing for a trip to Alaska.  Suddenly, Solo finds women of all sorts invading his privacy, his home and his office, all cooing nonsense words and blatantly throwing themselves at him.  Solo doesn't know why, and he has no idea how to rid himself of the persistent women.  He finally decides to beg a favor of his best buddy Nyssa Harrington. 

In love with Solo for the past ten years and knowing he doesn't return her feelings Nyssa doesn't want to talk to Solo.  She knows if she accepts his phone call, she will not be able to resist the temptation to hope again.  

Excerpt

Safari Moon

Christine Young writing as Ann Christine

Excerpt Heat Level: 2

Book Heat Level: 2

Buy at: www.roguephoenixpress.com

Wanted: A professional wildlife photographer to take pictures in the Alaskan wilderness. Experience first hand a real safari moon. Call(555)381-1252 or send resumes to 2286 Main, Suite 2D Bend, Oregon.

Solo St. John was in the middle of an erotic dream about his buddy, Nyssa Harrington, when the click of his front door shutting brought him to instant alert mode. 

Solo looked up, caught a flashing glimpse of a good deal of naked flesh; long legs, perfectly rounded derriere, and a waist he could span with his hands. The intruder's long blond hair curled around her shoulders an inch above the ties of her bikini top.

Then he saw the skunk. He blinked twice.

This woman and the skunk were not the subject of his brief and very strange dream, a fantasy that made his mind speed along at sixty in a residential zone. This was someone he had never seen before and he resented the intrusion.

"Hello," she cooed seductively from his living room. "Will you come out and play?"

The skunk stuck a black and white head around the open door to his bedroom. A second later the animal turned and lifted his tail before disappearing into the living room.

Solo was out of bed and pulling on his jeans before the count of five. Yet in that short time, the lady in question, along with the skunk that was now exploring his fireplace hearth, had taken over his living room.

The lithe, supple blond sported an expensive camera, and all the while the lady in question babbled nonsense words.

"I'm willing, able, and eager." She posed for him, a pose meant to entice.

"You're insane?" He hesitated then said to the lady, "Get that animal out of here!"

"I read the ad in the newspaper for a wildlife photographer, and I wanted to be the first one here." She smiled and tugged on a leash which was connected to the skunk. "Juniper is my pet. She's deperfumed or whatever."

Pet?

He had never, to his recollection, set eyes on this woman. Frozen stock-still in his bare feet between the bedroom and the living room of his rustic forest retreat in the hills outside Sisters, Oregon, Solo St. John was completely, utterly baffled.

After all, he had placed the ad in a few of the most widely distributed papers in Oregon. That was two days ago. Yesterday, having second thoughts and knowing he didn't want to train an assistant, he pulled it. Although none of this made sense, instinctively, he knew she told the truth. The ad was the cause of this phenomenon in his cabin.

"Come here and play." Posing seductively once again, she beckoned him with one slim index finger.

Why didn't he want to play? Wouldn't any normal, warm-blooded American male dream of waking up to an almost naked blond bombshell in his living room? Wouldn't that male want to play?

Why didn't he feel turned on and excited. Why didn't he fantasize about what would happen if he obeyed? All those lush curvaceous parts on display didn't interest him in the least.

He closed his eyes for a brief count of three. No, this wasn't a dream and the slap on the face he gave himself didn't cause the vision to disappear. He still had a good view of long, shapely legs and a bust line that threatened to pop the seams of her minuscule top.

"Lord." Only now, he realized he must have left his front door unlocked. He pulled his gaze from the fiasco on his hearth and reminded himself that a gentleman didn't stare.

"Smile." She brought the camera up and clicked a sideways snapshot of him before she stepped back and captured a print of the skunk. "You did want someone who could photograph wildlife. Didn't you?"

Solo raked a hand through short, ragged blond hair he knew had begun to stand on end. He didn't need this, and he was always hard pressed to put two and two together this late at night. He was a morning person, up before dawn. Even if he'd had all his wits about him, he wouldn't know how to politely rid himself of this strange intruder and her pet skunk.

He didn't want to admit, even to himself, but it looked like she was disrobing. Stripping was a better term. All she needed were a pair of tassels and music.

As he stepped forward in an attempt to stop her, she slipped off her top and twirling it around her index finger tossed it at him. The bikini bra flew past him and missed his nose by less than an inch. The bottoms landed squarely against his chest and slid down his body to land on his bare feet. Before he could reach her, she stood in front of him, all kinds of pale pink flesh revealed and waiting for him.

Join The Weekly Check IN

Source: flickr.com via Kiana on Pinterest

Manhattan at night: This one is for my daughter in NY.

This is the Rogue's Angels weekly check-in. Every Thursday we encourage the Angels and visitors to let us know how their writing is going.

How well are you doing?

Had problems this week? That's ok. Just sit down this coming week and write. Whatever you do, don't let difficulties from the week before get in your way this week.

Every word is one word closer to the finished product.

Had a great week? Keep it up, the momentum is on your side.

Wednesday What If...

Source: preposity.tumblr.com via Jennifer on

What if you had enough time to read every book on your wish list?

What would those books be?

Would the book encompass more than one genre?

Right now I am trying to find the time to read the George R. Martins book in his Game of Thrones series. I enjoyed the first book but it took me several months to finish it. I need a nice long trip...

In the last month I have read several books for RPP, all soon to be released. I've read sci/fi, Satire, Young Adult, Fishing stories,  and now horror. I have loved them all.

What books are on your wish list?

Comment on any Rogue's Angels post from today to March 17, and you will be entered to win. 

Rogue's Angels will have drawings through January, February, and March. Grand prizes to be awarded on Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.

Prizes

Gift Cards: 2 $20 Starbucks GC

Name in next anthology (pending, I'm pulling for May Day) 

Bookmarks: to everyone who leaves a comment

Downloads of past anthologies (6): The Gift, The Lending Library, Chasing Rainbows, Star Crossed, Meadows of Gold, St. Batzy & the Time Machine

Moonstruck Chocolates GC

More gifts pending

Please Welcome Marie Astor author of On the Rim of Love

Marie will be awarding a custom made jewelry set (necklace and earrings) to one randomly chosen commenter and to the host with the most comments (excluding the host's and Marie's) -- US / Canada only, please.


Marie is part of the goddessfish virtual book tour: please follow her tour at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-book-tour-on-rim-of-love-by.html
the more times you comment the better your chances of winning.

Author Bio

Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre.

Marie is the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love, Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.

In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player.

Currently, Marie is working on her next novel - stay tuned for details! If you would like to receive updates about book releases and events, please visit Marie’s website at: www.marieastor.com or visit Marie at her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorwrites.

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Rim-Love-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005TOWI7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320616758&sr=8-1

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-rim-of-love-marie-astor/1107065056?ean=2940013215627&itm=1&usri=on2bthe2brim2bof2blove

Website: http://www.marieastor.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/marieastor

Interview

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

My love of reading – I have always been a passionate reader and it has always been my secret dream to become a writer.

2. How did you come up with your idea for On the Rim of Love?

I think that there is something unique to the atmosphere of ski towns and tightly-knit communities that inhabit them, which is why I chose a ski town as the setting for On the Rim of Love. Skiing is one of my favorite pastimes (when I get a chance to do it!) and I always have to have a love story in my book, so I thought that it would be an exciting concept to combine the two.

3. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

Source: livehonestly.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kellie on Pinterest

I intensely dislike all insects (even butterflies) with the exception of ladybugs – I think they’re adorable!

I love hot chocolate.

I hate it when people don’t smile back.

I somehow managed to go through childhood without ever learning how to ride a bike – I still have not learned (!).

I love going to the movies – sometimes, even if there is not anything good playing, I’ll go just to be in the movie theatre.

Working Girl is my favorite movie of all times – I find it irresistible how Melanie Griffith gets Harrison Ford in the end.

I think I’d better stop now before this list takes over the entire interview!

4. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I am currently working on my next contemporary romance – a love story involving the sultry dance of tango. Please visit my website, www.marieastor.com, it you’d like to be added to my mailing list.

5.  If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

Taylor Denton – he is such hot stuff! Besides, it would be fun to know what it’s like to be a guy.

6.  Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?

Of course! Here is a blurb and a quick excerpt: 

Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking, successful Jeffrey Preston for two years. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage a week after Maggie’s college graduation, she is no longer sure if she wants to marry a workaholic TV producer.

Her doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia, Maggie meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier who is the complete opposite of Jeffrey. It does not take Maggie long to realize that she has fallen in love with Taylor and she decides to break off her engagement with Jeffrey. But just when she thinks she has found the love of her life, an ill-fated misunderstanding tears Maggie and Taylor apart.

A week later, Maggie is told that Taylor has died in a tragic ski accident; yet, her heart refuses to believe in Taylor’s death. When Maggie returns to Taylor’s native town, she learns that Taylor is indeed alive, but has been seriously injured. Resolved to bring her lover back to life Maggie stands by Taylor’s side, convincing him to embrace life again.

The bulletin board was filled with countless notices and announcements, but the one that drew Maggie’s attention was a picture of a skier flying down an endless expanse of snow. Taylor Denton having another great day on the mountain, said the caption next to the picture. Maggie stared at the photo, as though she were frozen still. The skier in the photo was wearing helmet and goggles, but the same confident grin shone on his face, the same golden ponytail flew down his shoulders, and the same neon jacket covered his back.

Now, she had a name to connect with the face, and, suddenly, Maggie realized the true reason why she had been so nervous about coming to the Owl Lodge.

“I’m Taylor, Taylor Denton.” The younger man stepped forward without waiting for Jeffrey’s introduction.

I already know that, Maggie thought. For a moment, she was rendered speechless as her gaze remained glued to the dazzling green of Taylor’s eyes: there was something in his open, fearless gaze that unnerved her. “Very nice to meet you, Taylor,” Maggie struggled to keep her voice leveled as she shook Taylor’s hand – his hand was warm, and his grip had just the right amount of pressure. He held her hand in his for a moment longer than necessary, or it might have been just her imagination, but the electrifying sensation she felt at the touch of Taylor’s hand filled her with guilt anyway: her fiancé was standing right there, and she had no business having these kinds of thoughts about some daredevil skier she had just met.

7.  Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I currently do not belong to a critique group, but that is something I might consider for the future.

8.  When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I started writing seriously three years ago, thinking that if I didn’t start then, I never would. It was daunting at first, but my love of writing helped overcome my initial intimidation – I simply enjoy the process too much not to do it.

9. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

The worst: It’s impossible to get published - you’ll never make it, just give up…

The best: Don’t listen to other people’s advice.

10. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

It is very helpful to have an outline – the process is tedious, but an outline really saves you a lot of time, so I try to outline as much as I can.

11. How do you maintain your creativity?

I get ideas all the time – I’ll be walking down the street, and then all of a sudden I get an idea for a love story. I write the concept down and let it simmer – about ninety five percent of these potential plot lines are discarded later on, but some of them have made into my novels Lucky Charm and On the Rim of Love, as well as my short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories, and some of them are still waiting to be written.

12. Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?

I know that an author is not supposed to have favorites, but I have to say that Taylor Denton is my favorite character in On the Rim of Love. He is handsome, confident, outspoken, fearless and righteous – a man who lives life on his own terms. Maggie can’t help but fall in love with Taylor, and I think that if I met him in real life, I’d be smitten too.

13.  Anything else you might want to add?

Thank you very much for inviting me to Rogue's Angels and giving me the opportunity to talk about my writing and my most recent novel, On the Rim of Love.

Kindle Link: http://www.amazon.com/Rim-Love-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005TOWI7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323483112&sr=8-1

Marie Astor’s website: http://www.marieastor.com/

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

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

Want to win the custom made jewelry set? make sure you leave a comment!

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