| Beautiful New Cover Art for Giving Up- Truth or Dare Book 3 Release Date: August 5th
|
7/06/2011
Cover Art for Giving Up
7/05/2011
In the Kitchen: More Cookie Making
Made these the other day. I was bored. They looked damned good. Guess what? They taste even better. Cherry Magic Cookie Bars |
"A graham cracker crust is topped with chocolate chips, cherries and coconut in a chewy caramel layer."
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 stick butter or margarine, melted 1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk | 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained, patted dry and chopped 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut |
DIRECTIONS:
1. | Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees F for glass baking pan). In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan. |
2. | Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly with fork. |
3. | Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature. |
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com | Printed from Allrecipes.com 6/20/2011 |
| 1. | Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees F for glass baking pan). In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan. |
| 2. | Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly with fork. |
| 3. | Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature. |
| ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com |
7/01/2011
Breathless Press Newsletter: Answering Your Questions
Hi, readers! Just got this in fresh from the Marketing Desk at Breathless Press, thought I'd share with you so you can participate in the fun!
Do you have a question for one of the Breathless Press authors? Are you a writer and have a question for an editor? Maybe you're a reader and want a few recommendations specially tailored for you?
If so we have just the thing. Starting next week we will be answering readers questions in our newsletter.
Please send your questions to marketing@breathlesspress.com with Newsletter Question in the subject line. We look forward to reading your questions.
Do you have a question for one of the Breathless Press authors? Are you a writer and have a question for an editor? Maybe you're a reader and want a few recommendations specially tailored for you?
If so we have just the thing. Starting next week we will be answering readers questions in our newsletter.
Please send your questions to marketing@breathlesspress.com with Newsletter Question in the subject line. We look forward to reading your questions.
6/30/2011
Sizzling Summer Reads
On July 1, The Romance Reviews will be hosting the
Sizzling Summer Reads (Erotic and GLBT)
and it promises to be an awesome event!
Thank you for being a part!
My Q&A will appear on July 8 and 26.
Hey Readers!You need to register at TRR before you can play the game.
Go here and register now,
then log in on July 8th and 26th for chances to win
Keeping House and Telling the Truth!
6/29/2011
Now Available :Telling the Truth
Available at
Telling the Truth
Truth or Dare
book 2
The Blake brothers have upped the ante in their weekly poker game. The week Terry loses, he finds that paying his debt of telling the truth sets him free to pursue a fantasy he never dreamed could be reality.
Terry has lived his life according to the guidelines, by studying accounting, getting an MBA, and working for the family business. And while his work has its own rewards, something has been missing, and his eyes have only just been opened to what--or rather who--that could be.
Terry's brothers have upped the ante in their weekly poker game. A Truth or Dare challenge. Terry can handle any dare his brothers dish out, but the demand for Truth is a different matter. Unable to hide behind his pristine reputation and fancy business suit, Terry is honor bound to divulge secrets he’s been ashamed to admit even to himself in the privacy of his own bedroom.
Twins Dex and Trick have finally found acceptance for their relationship in the homes of their friends. They would never do anything to jeopardize that newfound sense of belonging. Fooling around with Mischa’s prissy, domineering, oh-so-sexy older brother is risky. A one night stand might be okay, and the boys happily indulge, but then close ranks afterward, pushing Terry aside.
Terry isn’t going to back down without a fight. He’s convinced that Dex and Trick are meant to be his, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make them realize all the safety and protection they need can be found in his arms.
Excerpt:
When he opened his eyes again long moments later, he caught sight of two young men, nearly identical in appearance standing in the shade of a leafy palm tree directly in his line of vision. Stunned, he stared in disbelief. They were absolutely beautiful. Were they actors from the studio? Pale skin, black hair, identical bright blue eyes, rosy-red lipped mouths, slender athletically built, they were so absorbed in one another they seemed alone in the crowded yard.
As he watched, the boys turned closer in to each other, leaning forward to whisper together. Lowering his lids, Terry watched covertly. There was something illicit about the pair, something almost sexual. But surely they were related? Two young men who looked so much alike had to be brothers.
One of the boys tugged the other deeper into the shadows of a tree and the privacy fence. They looked around, and when one bright blue glance settled on him for a minute, Terry's heart rate increased and his skin heated. They couldn’t tell he watched from under his lashes could they? Apparently deciding that he was asleep and no threat, the two embraced, sharing gentle kisses and petting each other with slim white hands.
Enthralled, Terry stifled a groan as his cock stirred against the zipper of his khaki shorts. Damn. That hadn’t happened with so little effort in a long time. What the fuck? He tried to look away from the boys, told himself he should be disgusted, but he couldn’t. Bottom line, he’d never been so turned on in his life. He’d spent his whole life doing and feeling exactly what everyone felt he ought, and what had it gotten him? A corner office in the family business and a lonely bed at night. Fuck it. He was done living for everyone else. If Mischa could find his own way, then Terry damn well could too. And he’d get started on doing that as soon as his erection subsided enough to get out of this chair without causing himself a lot of embarrassment. He crossed his hands over his lap and continued to watch the boys in the corner of the yard.
Mmm, and why rush off? This lovely couple was really getting into their embrace now, and since no one else seemed to notice, Terry felt kind of included, almost as though he were participating in the act instead of witnessing it. He could practically feel the sweep of tongues in his mouth, the touch of two sets of hands tracing his shoulders, his abdomen. Damn, he really wished he had Dan’s bold personality or Mischa’s rebellious streak. He’d be over there in a heartbeat taking his share of kisses.
Down boy, he whispered to his newly overactive libido. Baby steps; we’ll get there eventually. Jumping from mild-mannered straight accountant to gay threesome in seconds made for too drastic a change.
“Terry? Are you all right? Do you need a drink or something?”
Damn. Somehow Mischa had walked up and knelt next to him without him noticing.
“I’m fine. Fine. It’s a little hot here, that’s all.” Terry spoke, but he didn’t look at Mischa.
6/28/2011
In the Kitchen with LeeAnn Sontheimer Murphy
In the kitchen today sharing coffee and recipes, and talking books, of course, with LeeAnn Sontheimer Murphy author of Love Scars from Evernight Publishing
Since my heroine, Cara, is a Texas girl, I have no doubt she can make great chili. Although I'm not Texas born (although I've spent a little time down in the Lone Star state), I have a family heirloom chili recipe that I thought I would share. The beginnings of this recipe date back to World War I when my grandfather was sent to what was then Camp Hood for Army training. He fell in love with both Texas and the spicy food so when he returned to Missouri, years later, he brought his chili recipe with him. Now chili wasn't a common dish outside of Texas at the time and the old school version was made with beef chunks rather than ground meat. After his death, his sons tinkered with the recipe until my dad perfected his version. Cara's version is really what I like to call "chili Sontheimer style" but here it is:
Ingredients:
6/24/2011
Released Today!
Releasing today from Breathless Press
Available at All Romance eBooks,
Telling the TruthTruth or Dare
book 2
Telling the Truth- Truth or Dare book 2
Blurb
The Blake brothers have upped the ante in their weekly poker game. The week Terry loses, he finds that paying his debt of telling the truth sets him free to pursue a fantasy he never dreamed could be reality.
Terry has lived his life according to the guidelines, by studying accounting, getting an MBA, and working for the family business. And while his work has its own rewards, something has been missing, and his eyes have only just been opened to what--or rather who--that could be.
Terry's brothers have upped the ante in their weekly poker game. A Truth or Dare challenge. Terry can handle any dare his brothers dish out, but the demand for Truth is a different matter. Unable to hide behind his pristine reputation and fancy business suit, Terry is honor bound to divulge secrets he’s been ashamed to admit even to himself in the privacy of his own bedroom.
Twins Dex and Trick have finally found acceptance for their relationship in the homes of their friends. They would never do anything to jeopardize that newfound sense of belonging. Fooling around with Mischa’s prissy, domineering, oh-so-sexy older brother is risky. A one night stand might be okay, and the boys happily indulge, but then close ranks afterward, pushing Terry aside.
Terry isn’t going to back down without a fight. He’s convinced that Dex and Trick are meant to be his, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make them realize all the safety and protection they need can be found in his arms.
6/23/2011
6/22/2011
New Excerpt from Upcoming Telling the Truth
Telling the TruthAvailable June 24th from
Excerpt 2
Shit. This wasn’t going well. Did you really expect it to? Why? You didn’t enjoy hanging out in clubs as a straight man, why did you think you would find the smoke, noise, and crowd more appealing now that you’re gay? Good point that. He didn’t like this scene, straight or gay. Nodding, decision made, he dropped a bill on the bar next to his untouched drink and headed for the door. No meat markets, gay or straight.
He had nearly achieved his objective when a hand from nowhere yanked him onto the dance floor and he found himself playing pole to a wildly gyrating dancer in a miniscule pair of black leather shorts. The dancer rubbed his obviously aroused cock all over whatever parts of Terry he managed to reach and draped his arms around his neck. Stunned, Terry waited for his body to respond. Nope. Nothing. Sighing, he raised his hands, looked at the other man’s nearly naked body and grimaced. He’d had this problem when his first prom date wore a backless strapless dress, too. No safe place to put his hands.
Finally, he settled for pushing the tips of his fingers against the man’s shoulders, trying to get some distance between them. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
He backed away from the disappointed guy and then turned to make another break for the door. He assiduously ignored the straying hands that patted at his ass and groped his body, maintaining a steady pace toward the door.
At last he stood in the clean, sweet air outside the club, sucking in deep breaths. With fresh air came a return of sanity. What the hell did he think he was doing anyway? He wasn’t some kid out looking to get laid. He was a grown man who’d had a moment of epiphany. His personality hadn’t changed. He’d just fallen in lust. Ok, maybe after six months he could consider the possibility that it might be more, but he certainly hadn’t become promiscuous just because he’d admitted he was gay. He wanted two men, and only those particular two men would do. Looking for substitutes in bars was the stupidest idea he’d ever come up with. No, he could blame that idea on Mischa, the little shit.
Calm settled over him. Yeah, Mischa. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pressed the rapid dial button programmed with Mischa’s cell. He’d met his twins any number of times at Mischa’s house in the past six months. If he stuck close to Mischa he was certain to encounter his obsession again. Next time he met up with the twins, he’d be ready. No more wussing out. Next time, he’d ask them.
***
“He was here.”
Dex turned to stare into Trick’s blue eyes. He smiled; such a beautiful face his brother had. “I saw him, too.” Dex replied, pulling his brother back down onto the chair next to his own at the tiny table along the furthest wall of the club. “He stood at the bar for a while.”
Trick leaned forward across the tiny table to whisper in his ear in order to be heard over the loud music. “I told you he was gay.”
“He was straight at that party six months ago. I saw him arrive with that slutty actress, Marissa “Look I Have Boobs” Matinson.” Dex shivered as Trick’s warm breath caressed his ear. He swept a swift glance around the crowded club, but no one seemed to be paying any attention to them.
“We arrived at that party with Bella, does that make us straight?” Trick flicked Dex’s earlobe with his tongue, sending more shivers through his frame. “We should have gone over to him, said hello.”
“Quit teasing,” Dex demanded, twisting to press a kiss to the tormenting lips. “I want him, too. And I will concede that his presence here does give a strong indication that he might be gay. But,” he cautioned as he saw the fire light in Trick’s eyes, “being gay doesn’t mean he’s going to be into being with both of us.” Oh shit, he hated seeing that devastated look in those beloved blue eyes. Lifting a hand, he pushed straight black locks behind Trick’s ear and kissed him again, a little harder this time, trying to distract him from the possibility that their crush might not want them. Terry Blake always seemed vaguely startled to find himself with Dex and Trick. Every time they met he’d introduce himself as though he’d forgotten who they were, make some vague comment about the weather, stare around desperately, and make some shallow excuse to leave them. Sometimes, Dex thought he saw the slightest hint of heat, an ember of desire, but always it disappeared.
Sighing, Trick pushed him away, and then grasped his hand. “I know. But I didn’t like seeing him here. I didn’t like Calvin flirting with him, I didn’t like that little creep dancing with him, and I didn’t like seeing all those guys grabbing his ass. He’s ours, I know it.”
God bless Trick. He was always so certain things would turn out the way he wanted them to. No matter how many times life reared back and slapped them in the face, he always seemed to hold hope in his heart. Dex pulled Trick into a comforting embrace, and whispered into his ear, “I didn’t like seeing that either, doll. But I did like that he didn’t seem to care about those other guys.”
“What do you mean?” Trick gazed into Dex’s eyes, seeking reassurance.
“I mean the hottest guys in this room gave him the eye, and he didn’t even notice. I don’t know why Mischa’s brother came here tonight, but I do know he left alone and he didn’t have to.”
Fuck. Mischa’s brother. There was a timely reminder. After years of rejection and snide remarks from family, friends, and complete strangers, Trick and Dex had finally found friends who accepted them for who they were. Mischa, Donovan and Bella didn’t look at them as though they were perverts because they loved one another. They didn’t insist on looking the other way when he and Trick showed their affection for one another, and they didn’t demand prurient details about how deep that affection went.
He looked over at Trick again. He wanted above all things to see his brother happy. Six months ago when they caught the gorgeous accountant watching them at a barbeque at Mischa’s house, they’d both felt an instant surge of desire. Terry’s expression showed fascination, not disapproval or disgust. The potential loss of Mischa’s friendship made the price of taking Terry to their bed too high.
6/21/2011
In the Kitchen with Pender Mackie
Chicken Sausage and Shrimp Paella
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
2 Italian sausages, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 pound of shrimp, shelled and deveined (can use frozen)
2 onions, finely chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
10 whole cloves garlic, peeled
28 ounce can of tomato pieces
2 cups Arborio rice (make sure it’s Arborio rice)
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup of red or white wine
2 or 3 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Olive oil
Method:
Heat a large heavy frying pan or traditional paella pan.
Add a splash of oil and brown the chicken and sausage chunks.
Set aside when browned.
Sauté onions in pan (add a little oil if needed).
When onions are golden brown, add garlic and sauté for a few minutes.
Add tomatoes then rice, chicken stock, wine, bay leaves, rosemary, red pepper pieces,
and the previously cooked chicken and sausage.
Add fresh or thawed shrimp.
Simmer and cook over medium heat until the liquid has absorbed and the rice is tender.
(Should take about thirty minutes.)
Serves four.
Scent of Attraction by Pender Mackie
Blurb
When Shawn takes a job at a cologne counter in a busy department store he hopes it’s the beginning of a successful career in the health and beauty industry.
But almost two years later Shawn is frustrated with his job and his love life. He’s still working the cologne counter, still single and still spending every night alone.
His job allows him to meet plenty of good-looking men but most of them are straight, and even when they aren't, Shawn is shy. He gets nervous and tongue-tied when he’s around a hot guy and the thought of going on a date with a complete stranger makes his stomach churn nervously.
When he meets friendly and outgoing Graham the attraction on both sides is intense and immediate.
Shawn might be willing to step out of his comfort zone this time, but there’s just one problem. Graham's already with someone else.
It looks like their relationship is over before they even share a kiss…
Excerpt
Shawn groaned quietly. Another day dealing with good-looking straight boys. He really wasn’t in the mood for them today. He groaned again and resisted tugging on his short, carefully gelled hair. Besides being an annoying reddish blond and ridiculously fine, if he touched it too much the spiked bits would flop over, ruining the overall effect. Plus, he'd look about twelve years old instead of the twenty-five he actually was.
He stood in the center of his workspace, grimacing at the glass and chrome-trimmed counters that surrounded him. The glare—combined with the insipid store music and the smell of too many competing colognes—was starting to give him a headache. His shift had barely started and it was the middle of the January sales so the store would be full of shoppers looking for things they wanted, but didn’t get for Christmas.
It was Shawn's least favorite time of year. He didn't much like winter and he didn't like the frenzied shoppers and their mindless consumerism. And he hated how the stores—including this one—pushed to sell more of everything from perfume to kitchen gadgets, as if people hadn't bought enough unnecessary junk at Christmas.
Shawn's bad mood wasn't really about gray skies or bargain-hunters, though. He knew the real reason. He'd been working at this stupid cologne counter for almost two years and still no promotion.
When he'd finished university and taken this job in a brand new city, Shawn had known he'd be pushing fragrances and skin products, but that was okay. He'd done his research. This company was one of the best in the industry and he knew they liked to promote from within, liked their executives to have ground-floor experience. It was even rumored that a couple of the VPs had started out on the fragrance or cosmetics counter, and Shawn was willing to pay his dues. He just hadn't expected it would take so long to get his first promotion, and his lack of progress was making him moody and frustrated.
But there were some good things about this job. He got to see a lot of nice looking guys—though most of them were straight. He didn't have to spend much time with Mandy; the annoying saleswoman working the cosmetics counter, and his coworker, Stefan, was great.
He'd met Stefan when he began this job and they'd become almost instant friends. Stefan was a few years older and in a long-term relationship, but he'd made an effort to befriend Shawn and show him around the city. His partner, Anthony, had been just as outgoing, and now Shawn had a couple of good friends so his social life was doing all right even if his career and love life sucked.
Stefan's shift would start soon, and Shawn knew he'd be here any minute—his coworker was obsessively punctual. As Shawn glanced at his watch, Stefan glided towards their counter in his usual snazzy business attire and, for some unknown reason, a ridiculous-looking, puffy down-filled coat. The coat was open and his hands were stuffed in the pockets. Stefan was wearing his best bland expression. That meant he was up to something.
"Morning, Shawn. Ready for another fun-filled day of adventure?"
Shawn shrugged, feigning indifference as he leaned against the counter.
"You could be a little more enthusiastic since I'm about to make all your dreams come true. Guess what I've got in my pocket?"
"Unless it's a dehydrated, instant boyfriend and a bottle of water, I don't want to know."
"Ha ha. Funny," Stefan huffed. He looked around carefully. “Where's Mandy?"
"Probably fixing her face."
"If she wears any more makeup she's going to need a heat gun to peel it all off. Here, I smuggled us in some coffee." Stefan carefully drew two takeout cups from his pockets.
Shawn brightened and pushed off from the counter. "Thanks." He accepted the coffee gratefully, taking greedy sips before stashing the cup behind the cash register sitting on the island in the middle of their station. Caffeine was almost as good as aspirin. He could actually feel the headache receding.
"Maybe you aren't making all my dreams come true but you're definitely at the top of my list of favorite people today."
"Aren't I always?" Stefan asked, grinning. He sipped his own coffee more sedately. "I like your dehydrated boyfriend idea. You could order him from the back of a comic book, like those sea monkeys."
"Yeah. You could skip the 'I like him, does he like me?' phase and the awkward first date stuff," Shawn joked. He was getting into this now. "Just add water and ta-da! Instant boyfriend. Plus, if he did something to annoy you, you could leave him on top of the radiator to dry out and shrivel up again," Shawn suggested, laughing.
"Please! Don't use the words 'shrivel' and 'boyfriend' together." Stefan shuddered theatrically as Shawn snickered.
* ** *
"Lord have mercy," Stefan muttered.
Shawn looked up, his knees stiff from prolonged kneeling. Stefan was gazing across the department store floor.
"What?" He turned awkwardly and sat on his haunches. Damn. His foot was asleep.
"Hot man at ten o'clock. To your left." Stefan spoke from the corner of his mouth as if he was in a prison yard relaying a message—jailbreak tonight, pass it on.
Shawn thought maybe Stefan had seen too many movies. It took him a few seconds to figure out where to look and when he did, he couldn't see beyond the counter from his position.
"He's coming over. Get up here!"
"Why?"
"He's hot and who knows? Maybe he's single."
"And gay?" Shawn asked only half-sarcastically.
"Maybe. Just get up here!" Stefan strode towards him and reached out to grab his arm. They both froze as the man reached their counter. Shawn looked at him, curious to see what all the fuss was about.
The man wasn't particularly tall but he did have a nicely muscled frame, light olive skin, and dark wavy hair pushed back from his forehead. The whole package was presented in a dark business suit and a crisp white shirt. Shawn's pulse picked up. He loved the sight of a good-looking guy in a smart suit, and this one was gorgeous.
Available at:
I have a few short free reads posted on my blog at: http://pendermackie.blogspot.com
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