Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Maddy Ginsburg has The Sweet Touch #Recipe #Vegan

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with No comments

My second contemporary romance for Soul Mate Publishing is titled “The SweetTouch”. The heroine, Kate Bromley, is a nutritionist and advocate for a mostly raw food diet. She teaches nutrition and gardening to elementary-age children and has private cooking lessons for adults at her home. At the close of each of the thirty-two chapters, there is a healthy vegetarian recipe. 
I spent a year testing and tasting different recipes in my kitchen before selecting the ones I liked. The recipe usually references the storyline. Either Kate is demonstrating that particular dish or the hero, Dan Brookhouse, owner of a chain of steak and rib restaurants, is experimenting with new dishes to put on the menu for his customers.
From desserts and appetizers to salads, smoothies and main dishes, there’s something for everyone. One that has become my family’s favorite is a mock tuna salad made with chick peas and toasted walnuts plus other tasty items. The recipe in chapter one – chocolate pudding – is made with raw ingredients such as avocados, bananas, cacao powder, maple syrup and vanilla flavoring.  Later in the book the reader will find a chocolate mousse containing coconut milk. Dan is a chocoholic so chocolate is heavily featured. “The Sweet Touch” was released as an e-book on September 18 and will be in print three to four months afterwards. Available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Enjoy.

Blurb

 After an early disastrous marriage, Kate Bromley is determined to obtain an education and pursue a career as a nutritionist. Platonic friendships are fine but never again will she depend on a man for her happiness. She’s content with her life as it is.
Single dad Dan Brookhouse owns a chain of restaurants featuring steaks and ribs. When he unexpectedly meets Kate at a demonstration she’s giving of raw food desserts, he feels an immediate attraction to her. When he tastes her chocolate pudding made with avocadoes and bananas, he’s determined to have her demonstrate for his chefs.
Kate doesn’t mind a business relationship with Dan but somehow that idea is nipped in the bud when she succumbs to their first kiss. Annoyed that she feels a magnetic pull to Dan, she gives him her “I don’t date” speech and insists she’s never swerved from her vow to stay uninvolved. Dan laughs at her proclamation and is determined to convince her she can still have her freedom as well as a relationship with him.
Can these two strong-minded people find happiness together?


Here’s an excerpt from the book:

Dan was pretty sure of himself, she thought uneasily. He was talking about their next encounter while she had no intention of seeing him again, at least in a personal way. “Dan,” she began hesitantly, “I should probably mention that I don’t date. I wouldn’t mind a platonic friendship, but anything more is not possible. I’m much too busy for any kind of involvement.” She sent him a glance and, when he didn’t reply right away, she added, “This isn’t a recent decision. After my divorce I decided to put all my energy into my own life, finishing my education and building a business. I’ve never allowed myself to swerve from that course. I hope you understand.” He suddenly started laughing. Shocked at his unexpected response, Kate turned toward him with a puzzled stare. “What’s so funny?” she demanded.
            “You,” he managed to say in a choked voice. “You sound so definite.” He pulled into the parking lot of the Brookhouse restaurant, turned off the ignition and looked at her, his blue eyes twinkling. “I’ll just have to convince you to swerve a little now and then, like our brief time in the greenhouse.” He reached out a hand to run a finger down the side of her flushed face. “That was just an introduction, mind you. I’m sure we’ll find more in common than you could imagine.” His tone was tender as he said this.
            She glared at him. “You are incorrigible. Did anyone ever tell you that?”
He nodded solemnly. “I’m sure someone has, but I can’t remember.” Then he spoiled it all by laughing again. He left the car to open her door. “Let’s concentrate on this presentation. Then we’ll talk about other things.”
When he helped her out he brought her close for a light kiss. His arms tightened around her for a few moments while he gazed into those melting brown eyes. “You have the most extraordinary eyes,” he murmured. “But then you know that.”
She was confused. She felt both comfortable and uneasy wrapped in Dan’s strong embrace. Part of her wanted to stay there and forget she’d made strong resolutions for her life. The other part told her to push him away before he could get a toehold and sink all her aspirations. Frozen between these opposing poles, she couldn’t come to a conclusion. The mousy outfit she’d decided to wear that day did absolutely nothing to diminish his interest, she thought with an inward sigh. What could she do that would turn him off?

This sounds like great fun. I was charmed by Maddy's first book, A Total Mismatch which is currently 1.75 on Kindle.

Here's the link to The Sweet Touch. 



Chocolate Pudding
1 medium-size ripe avocado, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 ripe peeled banana
1 tablespoon cacao (find this ingredient in health food stores)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (honey or agave will work also)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Makes enough for two small portions.

When Maddy sent me this recipe I had to try it. I have many vegan friends and I am always looking for new and delicious ways to feed. them. Note: be sure the banana is really ripe. I also added a teaspoon of almond extract. The result was delicious. Happy reading and Happy eating.  Happy reading.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

RaeAnne Thayne's New Christmas Story. #Giveaway.

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 3 comments

I received a paperback ARC of NYT and USA Today Bestseller RaeAnneThayne's new Christmas story. Coming Home for Christmas will be on sale September 24. If you like Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies I suggest you pre-order this one. I really don't want to give mine away.
I interviewed  RayeAnne several years ago and she told me one of her family traditions was to add a new Christmas book to their family collection every year. I want to Keep Coming Home for Christmas and add it to mine.
This heart-twisting story about why a woman disappeared from the small town of Haven Point seven years ago picked me up and wouldn't let me go.
When Elizabeth Hamilton walked out of her home one stormy night and disappeared many townspeople believe her husband had murdered her. Left alone to raise two small children there was nothing  Luke could do to dispel the whispers. When his FBI brother-in-law traced Elizabeth to a small town in Oregon, Luke had every intention of letting her stay lost. Until a hot-shot DA decides she's going to charge Luke with Elizabeth's murder.
Now, a week before Christmas, Luke has no choice but to bring Elizabeth back to Haven Point. He doesn't want to hear why she left or why she stayed away. He only wants to clear his name and end their marriage with a divorce.
Nothing is as simple as it seems. The woman  Luke finds who calls herself Sonia doesn't even look like his wife anymore. And that's as far as I am going with telling you the story. But it kept me reading for six hours straight. RaeAnne writes lovely Christmas stories and this is her best so far.
The thing is I always do a giveaway of the ARC. So here it is.  US Only, Sorry. Happy reading.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Meet Rhonda Frankhouser and her Award Winning Ruby's Ranch Series. #Giveaway

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 1 comment

Rhonda Frankhouser's Ruby's Ranch series has had a lot of critical acclaim since the first book in the series came out.
Escape from Ruby’s Ranch was runner up in the 2019 Raven Award for Best Contemporary. Her latest entry in the series, Legacy of Ruby’s Ranch came out last month and is listed under paranormal ghost stories. I’m interested!
Rhonda is giving away two ebooks of Legacy of Ruby’s Ranch at the end of the post.
And Book one of the award-winning Ruby’s Ranch Series, Return to Ruby's Ranch (RONE  Finalist) will be FREE September 14-16!!!! Follow the intrigue from the beginning. CLICK this link SEPTEMBER 14th to get the deal.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MREJNRY
 Rhonda, please tell us a little about yourself.
About me…it’s not too interesting a story, but I love it.
I was raised on a small alfalfa farm in California’s San Joaquin Valley. We had horses, and dogs, and rabbits and chickens, and the random pack of cats that kept the mice away. My father had a HUGE garden, with every sort of vegetable you can imagine. Our front pasture had all sorts of fruit and pecan trees.
     Dreamy right? I’ll admit, as the baby in the family being stuck with all the chores as my older siblings moved away, it kind of sucked back then. Now I cherish the memories and lessons learned. I wouldn’t change a thing.
     My life so far has been an interesting journey. Athlete to scholar, stockbroker to hospice worker, I’ve seen a few things. My love for reading, and subsequently, writing, came from hours of alone time growing up. I read to my animals and journaled about becoming a rich and famous author.
     It was only after I was diagnosed with Cancer in my twenties, did I realize just how short our time on Earth really is. I was lucky and caught it early, but that disease taught me to reach out and try things, even if I’m afraid of rejection.
     Overall, I’m one of the lucky ones. I’ve been married to my soulmate for nearly 15 years, and I’m living in the gorgeous state of Georgia, writing full time. I’m not sure how much more blessed I could be, but I’m looking forward to finding out.
    
I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.
I’m not exactly new to the writing game, though my first published book didn’t come out until 2016. I’ve had an agent for two decades, but it wasn’t until I really did my own research, did I find the perfect editor fit at SoulMate Publishing. My husband and I had just come home from a bucket list trip to Boston, when I opened my email and saw a contract offer for my debut novel, Return to Ruby’s Ranch. It was hilarious actually, I sat back in my chair, and thought I must’ve read it wrong. I read it again, then finally handed the phone to my husband and asked, “Does that say what I think it says?”
He hollered first, which kind of scared the crap out of me, but then we both started jumping around like we’d won the lotto. We opened a bottle of Jordan Cab that had been saved for a special occasion and toasted to new beginnings, and dreams coming true.
If it isn’t too nosy. How about the first time you kissed your true love?
This one’s easy. The sappy descriptions romance writers use about kissing your soulmate for the first time, are dead on target. It wasn’t wicked or nasty, it was just right. Easy, gentle, yummy. I kept him. 
Sounds like an excellent decision. 
What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
There are several, but one of my all-time favorites is when the darling cable installer recognized me after seeing book stuff all over my office. He said, “You’re Rhonda Frankhouser? You wrote Return to Ruby’s Ranch? Oh my God, my wife LOVES that book. She’s read it like five times. She’s not gonna believe this.”
Imagine me, looking like a rag doll who looked like I hadn’t bathed in days (it was the day after we moved in). I would’ve hugged him or at least have taken a selfie with him, if I wasn’t so gross. No need in scaring good readers away.
That was a great memory for sure.
What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
I love to read, obviously, binge watch Outlander and Downton Abbey, play golf with my gorgeous husband, and explore our new state. Moving to the East coast has been one new adventure after the other. There is so much amazing history everywhere. Yes, I did two years of high school in Atlanta and then came back and went to the University of Georgia. Beautiful state.
How do you motivate yourself when inspiration takes a vacation?
Motivation usually comes in the form of dreams, or people watching, or the random news article. If I’m not feeling the writing urge, I don’t waste my time. When the light bulb strikes, however, I might not come out of my room for hours at a time.
Any advice for new writers just starting out?
Put your self-doubt in a box and bury it in the yard. Don’t expect perfection with your first try and don’t read the reviews. This is a subjective business, someone will love your work. Leave the haters to their own devices.

Tell us about  Legacy of Ruby’s Ranch

FEISTY COWGIRL
HANDSOME WAR HERO
HAUNTING LEGACY

Legacy of Ruby’s Ranch is the third book in my award-winning Ruby’s Ranch Series. It goes back two generations from Book 1 (Return to Ruby’s Ranch), to tell the story of the original matriarch of a mystical village. Rube Gautier is a romantic who doesn’t want to be ruled by duty. When she meets Mackenzie Adams’, a war hero/village outsider, Ruby’s life takes a completely new path than an age-old legacy had in mind for her.


I LOVE LOVE LOVE this heroine. She has far more guts than I ever would. Her goals are clear as she steadfastly pursues them. Her hero, well, he’s everything any woman would ever want. Honest, sexy, strong and willing to do whatever it takes to have a future with his heroine.

I wasn’t sure where my writer’s brain was taking me with this story, but I’m glad I sat back and let the story come to me. It has intrigue, with a little mysticism, and a lot of heart. I hope readers will start from the beginning on this series, to experience the full build-up of why Rube’s story really matters.

What’s your current WIP?
I actually just finished a fun novella for this same series. Christmas at Ruby’s Ranch, gives a beloved secondary character some much deserved lime light. Writing a Christmas story and writing a novella, were both curiosities to me, and I’m here to say. I loved it. It will be out in October, if all the stars align.

There will be a final full-length novel in this series, coming out next year and then I’ll move back into my other WIPs. Revenge at Ruby’s Ranch will bring all the matriarch’s together to solve some final mysteries, and avenge some final wrongs. I will start work on that, probably before Thanksgiving.

And finally, where can we find you?
Readers and friends can follow me on any and all of these links. I’d love to have lots more subscribers, so please click the buttons. 
Thank you for being here, Rhonda. The giveaway is below. Happy reading. all.


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Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Gold medal and #giveaway.

Posted by Susan B James on 3:00:00 AM with 6 comments
On September 1st. Readers Choice awards were announced and Maybe This Time won the Gold Medal in Time Travel fiction.
I have an article in InD'tale September issue about making audiobooks.  https://www.indtale.com/
 My gold medal arrived in the mail on Friday along with a roll of shiny stickers to put on the books. Walter really loved the gold medal and I was happy to share it with him.
Happy September.  
This is my favorite month of the year. I never lost the feeling that a new year started with the school year.
 Autumn leaves. New Clothes. New books, And best of all, my birthday.
Next best was my sister Kelly's birthday. She was my birthday present. We are eight years and eight days apart. It only took a few days for me to forgive her for not being the pony I thought I was getting. She was so cute. Still is.

In September 1982 my wasband Barry Corbin finished filming on The Thornbirds on a Friday and started filming War Games on my birthday. Out second son Christopher was born two days later. I have so many blessings in my life and my sons are two of my best. And they keep giving us more.

Barry, Jim, Sue, Chris, Gingerbread Party 1986
Walter and Chris July 2019
Jim and Ella 


Since Maybe This Time is also a finalist for the 2019 RONE in the Audiobook General Category I am offering three free audio codes and three eBooks. Please leave a comment here or on my Facebook author page - https://www.facebook.com/SusanJames/

What do you like best about September?