A Day For Dreams

Twenty-four hours from now, cell phones across the world will start to ring....or remain obstinately silent. The RWA website will be compulsively downloaded. Chocolate, coffee, cola, and eventually champagne will be consumed in mass quantities.
                           It's Golden Heart and RITA time!

The excitement is contagious, especially the joy expressed by those experiencing their first nomination. Twitter and Facebook will be ablaze with results, but you can also follow along at these sites (just click on the names for a direct link):

 The Ruby Slippered Sisterhood will be a wonderful place to celebrate with the finalists!

Judy Fennell throws a rockin' blog results party!

Harlequin has a GH/RITA waiting room that's sure to be buzzing!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow!  Enjoy the celebrations!

For Your Pleasure

Is there anything more delicious than Alan Rickman?  I think not. Enjoy his rendition of Sonnet 130....

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
   And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
   As any she belied with false compare. 

Romantic Reads and Treats

First the delightful read: Sara Ramsey's Heiress Without A Cause, first in the Muses of Mayfair series, about a group of women who each have a secret artistic vocation in Regency England. Exclusively on Nook until the 24th, and then at all your other favorite on-line vendors.

Is the cover not stunning?You can read more about Sara's lovely debut here at the Dashing Duchesses blog.

To enjoy with our new read, a serving of decadent Strawberry Mascarpone Crepes.... I'll take mine served in bed, please. :)

 

 

 

Ingredients

• BATTER:
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 5 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• FILLING:
• 1 cup (8 ounces) Mascarpone cheese
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 3 to 4 teaspoons minced fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• STRAWBERRY TOPPING:
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon strawberry or vanilla extract
• Dash salt
• 4 teaspoons butter, divided

Directions

• In a blender, combine the batter ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, for filling, in a small bowl, combine the cheese, confectioners' sugar, basil and lemon juice. Gently fold in strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• For topping, in a small bowl, combine the strawberries, sugar, orange juice, extract and salt. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• Melt 1 teaspoon butter in an 8-in. nonstick skillet over medium heat; pour about 1/4 cup batter into the center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to coat bottom evenly. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between.
• Spoon filling over crepes; roll up. Serve with strawberry topping. Yield: 8 crepes.

Romantic Treats and Reads

Let's celebrate February!

Today we'll kick off a tasty mix of delicious recipes and the perfect books to accompany your indulgent treat.

Our romantic read of the day:  An Affair With Mr. Kennedy by Jillian Stone. A sensual, intelligent adventure set in 19th century London. 

Chocolate Pizza Heart

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 3/4 cup miniature marshmallows
• 3/4 cup chopped salted peanuts
• 3/4 cup crushed potato chips
• 2 tablespoons flaked coconut
• 7 maraschino cherries, halved
• 1/4 cup milk chocolate M&M's
• 2 tablespoons vanilla or white chips
• 1/2 teaspoon shortening

Directions

• Using a pencil, draw a 10-in. heart on a waxed paper. Place paper, pencil mark down, on a baking sheet; set aside.
• In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips; stir until smooth. Stir in the marshmallows, peanuts and potato chips. Immediately spread on prepared pan into heart shape. Sprinkle with coconut; top with cherries and M&M's.
• In a microwave, melt vanilla chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over top. Refrigerate until firm, about 1-1/2 hours. Remove waxed paper. Let stand for 10 minutes at room temperature before cutting. Yield: 1-3/4 pounds 
• Do you have any favorite new releases? Any favored winter treats?

Holiday Fun

Hope everyone is having a bustling, blessed holiday season!  Here are my favorite Cranberry-White Chocolate cookies:

 

 

Recipe from

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups white chocolate morsels
• 1 (6-ounce) package sweetened dried cranberries

Preparation

1. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; set aside.
2. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
3. Add flour mixture to butter mixture gradually, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in white chocolate morsels and cranberries.
4. Drop cookie dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets.
5. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

My holiday wish for each of you is the time to enjoy these while reading a wonderful book!

Happy Thanksgiving

A blessed Thanksgiving day to each of my friends and loved ones. I am grateful for each one of you!

May peace, contentment, and a table full of friends, family, and delicious food grace your day.

The Night Before the Ball...

And I'm giddy with excitement!  Come join me at the Dashing Duchesses romance blog Monday the 14th to discuss the romance, fascination, and celebration of history! If any of my visitors are unfamiliar with historical romance, let me assure you it runs a full gamut, from prairie school marms to the ballrooms of Regency England to eighteenth century Japan to the Ottoman empire!  There are a wide variety of sensuality levels as well, from erotic to inspirational.

The Duchesses adore all historical romance, so come dressed as your favorite heroine.

Stomp those cowboy boots!         Twirl those flapper beads!





Our doorways arch nicely, so don those exquisite Georgian gowns. We have plenty of room, and the party won't be the same without you!

What's your favorite historical time period or location?