Recipe for Romance: Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Recipe for Romance Two champagne glasses against a purple sparkly background with bells and ribbons at their base

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! We made it to 2025 and I’m both glad and apprehensive. I’m just kinda riding along and trying to miss the potholes. If you’re in the same SUV, how about some fantasy with a side of comfort food? Sound good? Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of ANGEL INK, book 3 in the Concrete Angels MC, available now.  Haley Michaels is a fluff-piece reporter and she’s covering a Museum exhibit. Until a hot guy appears out of nowhere, smelling like rosemary and basil. Available Now: ANGEL INK Damn, I was bored with writing fluff pieces. To be honest, I wanted to run through the vaulted rooms of the museum screaming, “Let It Go” at the top of my lungs. Maybe with a cute, long-haired electric guitarist following along. It would definitely be more exciting than this story. A scuffle in one of the side rooms drew my attention and I slipped to the entrance to see what was going on. A tall guy with angelic features around his large nose and wearing a leather cut ran through the room, but paused in front of a painting with light filtering through an autumn forest. For just a moment, I swore I saw huge black wings rising up behind him. He met my gaze and darted to me before he grabbed me by the strap of my camera bag, pulling me to his chest. He planted a hot and stunning kiss on my lips. I dropped my jaw and his tongue slid along mine, electrifying me more than the long-haired guitarist in my fantasy. I tasted cinnamon rolls and hot coffee before he pulled back with a wild smile. “I saw wings.” Okay, not the best response to a sexy kiss. “Don’t worry, love. It’s an illusion.” And then he was gone. I stood there, completely non-plussed and out of words for the first time in my life, only barely registering the rest of security streaming past me. It took me several minutes to get over the kiss and the scent of the man who’d laid it on me. He’d smelled like freshly baked bread with a hint of rosemary and basil. They reminded me of safe, comfortable places where I’d always had enough. My cellphone rang, bringing my attention back to the room. The art and people around me came back into focus like hoodoos reappearing as the fog retreats from the lowlands. Hell, a lot of them look like hoodoos. Gluten-Free Rosemary Focaccia Bread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5O_u3wfC2k For many meals, most folks want a good bread to go with it, but some breads take forever to make. Focaccia is a quick and easy bread that allows for all sorts of flavors. We’re making Rosemary Focaccia, but you could choose garlic, onion, tomato, olives, or any combo of flavors. INGREDIENTS 3 cups gluten free 1:1 baking flour 2 tsp salt 1 Tbsp sugar 1 pkg or 2 1/2 tsp instant active yeast 1 1/2 cups warm water 2 Tbsp oil in dough 1 Tbsp oil on bread 2 Tbsp dried Rosemary or 1 sprig fresh Rosemary 2 Tbsp grated hard cheese (Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Manchego) DIRECTIONS Add flour, salt, sugar, and yeast to a large bowl, and whisk it together. Add water, and 2 Tbsp oil, mixing until the dough is pliable. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for a short time until smooth. With gluten free dough, it’s dry enough you don’t have to work it hard or with much extra flour. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes. Because it’s gluten free, it won’t rise much. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and gently press risen dough out until it’s 1/2 inch (13 mm) thickness. Brush 1 Tbsp of oil over the top of the dough. Using a fork, make dimples in the dough all over. Sprinkle the cheese and Rosemary all across the top. Let rise for another 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375 F (191 C). Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve.

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Recipe for Romance: Rhubarb Crunch

Recipe for Romance Two champagne glasses against a purple sparkly background with bells and ribbons at their base

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of RUNNING FROM THE TEXAS MILLIONAIRE, book 5 in the Concrete Angels MC series, coming on May 13 2024, TOMORROW. Viper has found a baby and she’s the only one around to care for it. Guess she’s getting a crash course in motherhood. It’s Mother’s Day for those who celebrate and it’s also time for rhubarb to flourish in gardens all over Cheyenne. Great for making Rhurbarb Crunch. Coming May 13 2024: Running From the Texas Millionaire “Hang on a moment, let me check something.” I knew that tone of voice. Neo had discovered something off with this couple, and my gut said it was worse than I imagined. I went over to a tree and kicked the dirt and mud out of my treads before picking my way back to the trailer door, using the rocks to leave no footprints. Then I mounted the steps. The inside of the trailer was immaculate considering three people lived in it out in the wilderness. The remnants of breakfast sat in the pans on the little cookstove, but the counters were clean and all the excess dishes were stowed. There was no debris on the floor, things like toys or wrappers or even dust bunnies. Everything was in its place. Including the small wiggling bundle on the made bed. I must have made some sort of sound because the bundle let out an outraged wail and flailing limbs appeared above the pastel flannel blanket. I cooed and glanced around. The only things in the trailer that showed there was a baby was the car seat on the floor beside the bed, a diaper bag full of bottles, formula, diapers, some baby clothes, and another blanket. It looked like the parents had been ready to bug out of there when the killers showed up. “Oh shit. Viper, you need to get out of there, now.” “What? Why?” I grabbed the diaper bag and threw the strap over my head as I cradled the phone between my shoulder and ear. Then I unwrapped the wailing bundle and got my first look at the little human in front of me. “I’ll tell you when you’re safe. Get out of there and leave no trace of you. Call me when you’re home.” Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crunch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7seI1dAX9M This is a Muir family favorite and now it’s Gluten-Free. Remember, this is a high sugar recipe because of how sour rhubarb is. Recipe below. Happy Making, Happy Baking, Happy Eating, and Happy Reading. Ingredients for the crust 1 cup uncooked oatmeal1 cup GF 1:1 baking flour1 cup brown sugar1/2 cup butter 1/2 tsp salt1 tsp cinnamon1/4 tsp each of nutmeg, cloves, cardamom Mix oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom. Cut in butter with a blender or knife until crumbly. Place half the mixture in an 8-inch square pan. Ingredients for the filling: 3 – 4 cups diced raw rhubarb 1/2 cup granulated sugar1 tsp cinnamon1/8 tsp salt 1 Tbsp water Mix rhubarb with granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, and water. Spoon over oatmeal mixture in pan. Pat remaining oatmeal mixture over the rhubarb. Bake at 350 F (177 C) for 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes (the rhubarb will be very hot) then serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Image from thereciperebel.com

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Recipe for Romance: Blackberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Recipe for Romance Two champagne glasses against a purple sparkly background with bells and ribbons at their base

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of RUNNING FROM THE TEXAS MILLIONAIRE, book 5 in the Concrete Angels MC series, coming on May 13 2024. Viper has taken a sabbatical from the club and she’s going for her morning run in New Mexico while figuring things out. She just didn’t expect to come across a baby and its executed parents. Definitely going to need some comfort food. Coming May 13 2024: Running From the Texas Millionaire “Hey Neo, it’s Viper. I’m sending you some pics, and I need you to do something for me.” “You’re sending me pictures? Of what? New Mexico wildflowers?” He sounded amused. “Glory, I wish. No, not wildflowers.” I opened up the text feature and added the pics I’d taken. “Take a look for yourself.” It didn’t take long for him to receive them. “Holy shit, Viper. What the fuck did you do?” “I didn’t. I don’t even have a handgun on me. I found them like this.” I shook my head and spied my footprints in the muddy ground. Great, now I’d have to explain those to the cops. “Fuck, they’ve been executed.” “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I bit my lip. “It gets worse.” “Oh? How can this be worse?” “They left a baby in their trailer. The killer either didn’t know it was there or figured it would die of exposure and didn’t bother to use a bullet.” I rubbed my thigh to warm up my suddenly cold fingers. “I can’t leave it.” “Viper…” “No, you don’t get it, Neo. I can’t leave the baby. I can’t leave it to the system. It’s not the kid’s fault their parents got into trouble.” Neo sighed on the phone. “What are you going to do with a baby, Viper?” “Rear it to be a great human being.” I didn’t even hesitate though I had no experience. “Just do me a favor, Neo. Look up who these people are. Make sure there’s no extended family who might come looking for a child. I want to make sure I’m not taking someone’s family. Please?” “Viper, a baby’s not the same as a puppy or kitten. This will become a full person someday.” “Don’t patronize me, Neo. I’m very well aware what happens to human babies.” Gluten-Free Fruit Pizza https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMQuoiCwTeQ Originally, this recipe was Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, but we didn’t have raspberries or cream cheese. Don’t worry – it turned out awesome and delicious, and high in anti-oxidants. Plus, it’s delicious. However, it does take 4 bowls, so don’t be surprised that you’ll be washing things. INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING1/4 cup sugar8 oz cream cheese or goat cheese1 egg white1 cup blackberries (saved for later) To make the filling: Mix together cream cheese or goat cheese and sugar on medium-low speed until creamy. Add egg white and mix on low until combined. Set aside. (bowl #1) INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAKE 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (we used Bob’s Redmill GF 1:1 baking flour)1/2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp salt5.5 Tbsp butter – softened1/2 cup sugar1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature3/4 cup sour cream1 tsp vanilla extract To make the cake: Preheat oven to 350 F (177 C) and grease a 9 inch spring form pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and set aside (bowl #2) With your electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar on medium-low speed in a large bowl (bowl #3). Add egg and yolk, and vanilla. Slowly mix in the flour mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and smooth gently with a spatula. Spread cream cheese mixture on top of the cake batter. Place berries into the filling all over the cake top. INGREDIENTS FOR THE TOPPING 1/3 cup white sugar or packed brown sugar1/2 cup GF flour3 Tbsp butter – chilled and cubed To make the topping: Combine sugar, flour, and cubed butter in a bowl (bowl #4). Work with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture is crumbly and well combined. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the blackberries until completely covered. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool entirely on a rack. When cool, run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it from the sides of the pan and release the ring of the spring form pan. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days (if it lasts that long).

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Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday: Eric T.

Good morning! It’s another glorious Tuesday and a good time to enjoy a few hot men. Well, one in particular to start. We’ve come to the part of our program known as April Showers. Unfortunately, in Wyoming that means snow showers with a side of sleet. I was hoping for rain, but it’s just too cold. Looking forward to May and June when we get flowers and warmth. We definitely need a hot man to warm us up. This week, the hot man has the best of both worlds, he’s a tattooed teddy bear. My favorite. And he’s happy to share his ink with you. Meet Eric T. He’s one of PAUL HENRY SERRES PHOTOGRAPHY‘s models and he makes a great biker, doctor, cowboy, detective or billionaire hero. Eric is available for romance cover images to fit your taste. Wouldn’t you like him to take you on a wild ride? Thanks to Paul Henry Serres Photography for the permission to share this image with all y’all. Happy Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday!

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Snippet Sunday – Let’s Talk About the Fire

It’s time for Snippet Sunday. Last week I had a lot of questions about why Flint doesn’t celebrate Yule and why Rochelle’s place was burned down. Today’s snippet will answer some of the second question. So today I’m showcasing THE CONCRETE ANGEL, a cocky bikers holiday tale. In this snippet, we’re in Flint’s POV (all in first person) and he’s brought Rochelle to his place. She’s the first to speak. ~~~~~~ “Thank you so much for this meal. I wasn’t looking forward to cooking.” She grimaced and shook her head. “Guess I wasn’t going to do that anyway now that my kitchen is a smoking ruin.” I nodded and freed up my hands. “You’re welcome. Let’s talk about the fire. You said it was arson. And you think it was from someone named Creighton.” She wiped her lips with a napkin and nodded. “I won’t know for sure until I check the Cloud, as I said, but I’m pretty sure it was him. As I mentioned, Earl Creighton is a city councilman for Fort Collins, but he has an overwhelming hatred of witches and he’s targeted my family before.” “What?” I blinked. “When? How?” “I told you my mother was murdered a few years ago. It turns out she knew it would happen, and she knew who’d do it.” Rochelle rose and went into the bedroom. I almost got up to follow her, but she came back quickly with something in her hand. “I didn’t find this until yesterday. Well, my best friend Joslyn found it and gave it to me. I just read it today.” She sat down and tapped the edge of the envelope against the table as she considered me. “What?” I tilted my head as her eyes narrowed. “I’m going to tell you something about my family that most people don’t know, and I need you not to freak out.” I raised my eyebrows but nodded. “Okay.” She eyed me for a few more moments before she nodded. “Okay. So my family are witches, real witches with real connection to the elements. My mother’s line was of the earth witches, connected to the stones, the mountains, crystals, farming and gardens. But one of the extra talents my mother passed on was what she called the Goddess Messages.” ~~~~~~~ The first step to a good relationship is faith in one’s partner. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for THE CONCRETE ANGEL: Available now! The weather outside is frightful, and so are the goons trying to toss me off a snowy cliff… Rochelle Stone, Earth Witch Speaking out against a local bigwig who’s terrified of witches when you actually are a witch attracts trouble. Only the timely intervention of a big, hot biker dude saves me from a modern-day execution. He says he’s security for the Concrete Angels Motorcycle Club, but I know he’s more than that. I’ve always had an affinity for stones, and my affinity for Flint is through the roof. He’s hard as a rock and my hands tingle when I touch him. He doesn’t speak aloud, but his talented hands tell me plenty… Now if I can just get the jackass trying to kill me off my back, it’ll be a golden holiday for sure. Humans. They’re either gloriously happy or dismally miserable. Flint, Concrete Angels’ Security With the holidays just around the corner, I’ve been looking for a quiet place to collect my thoughts. But that’s when Earl Creighton’s goons try to throw a woman off my local cliff. I normally don’t get involved with human troubles, but something about this woman captivates me beyond reason. We share a one-night stand and I know she’s meant to be mine. But Rochelle is no one’s property and she might not sign Loki’s contract. If she refuses, I’ll have to let her go and that will crack the foundation of my soul. No pressure, right? Havoc, hexes, and holidays: It’s the most wonderful time of year…

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Snippet Sunday – One of My Many Talents

It’s time for Snippet Sunday and it’s Martin Luther King Jr’s weekend. Given the recent events in the US, it’s a good time to reflect on where we are, where we’ve come from, and what all is ahead of us. Systemic racism didn’t stop with the sixties (though it fell out of sight-out of mind for the white population) and now it’s being exposed again. We have so much work ahead, but it’ll be worth it.Take some time this weekend to reflect and see what small changes you can make in your own corner of the world. But today I’m showcasing THE CONCRETE ANGEL, a cocky bikers holiday tale, and a welcome fantasy and escape from the problems of our own world. In this snippet, we’re in Rochelle’s POV (all in first person) and she’s gotten home in time to see firefighters trying to stop her place from burning to the ground. Flint rides up on his bike and is the first to speak. ~~~~~~ “What the hell happened?” His sign language was short and angry. I grimaced. “Arsonist took out my shop and home because I’m a witch.” “Arsonist.” He repeated the word and his eyes narrowed. “Do you know who?” I shrugged. “Can’t be sure until I check the magical archives saved to the cloud, but I’m pretty sure it was Earl Creighton’s goons.” “Who’s Earl Creighton?” I grimaced. “Local city councilman. The bastards who were trying to throw me off the cliff mentioned him.” He nodded and a small smile quirked the corner of his mouth. “You can save magic to an archival cloud?” I couldn’t help the smirk. “Yup. One of my many talents.” “That’s fuckin’ cool.” Flint turned his head to watch the firefighters battling the blaze consuming my home. “So this Creighton tried to take you out?” I shrugged. “Yup. Twice now.” His expression turned to granite. “Then he’ll pay.” I nodded, but I was too tired to do anything about it that night. “It’s getting close to Yule.” He blinked. “Yule?” He spelled the word out in letters. “Yeah, you know, ‘deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la’?” I gave him a sardonic smirk. “Any of that ringin’ a bell?” To my surprise, he shrugged. “You don’t celebrate Yule?” He shrugged again. “Not for a long time.” His response totally derailed my misery and sorrow. “Well, we gotta change that. But first we have to find a place that’s warm, dry, and has good food.” He smiled and nodded to his bike. “I know a place like that.” ~~~~~~~ It’s always good to have backup and a warm place to go. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for THE CONCRETE ANGEL: Now Available! The weather outside is frightful, and so are the goons trying to toss me off a snowy cliff… Rochelle Stone, Earth Witch Speaking out against a local bigwig who’s terrified of witches when you actually are a witch attracts trouble. Only the timely intervention of a big, hot biker dude saves me from a modern-day execution. He says he’s security for the Concrete Angels Motorcycle Club, but I know he’s more than that. I’ve always had an affinity for stones, and my affinity for Flint is through the roof. He’s hard as a rock and my hands tingle when I touch him. He doesn’t speak aloud, but his talented hands tell me plenty… Now if I can just get the jackass trying to kill me off my back, it’ll be a golden holiday for sure. Humans. They’re either gloriously happy or dismally miserable. Flint, Concrete Angels’ Security With the holidays just around the corner, I’ve been looking for a quiet place to collect my thoughts. But that’s when Earl Creighton’s goons try to throw a woman off my local cliff. I normally don’t get involved with human troubles, but something about this woman captivates me beyond reason. We share a one-night stand and I know she’s meant to be mine. But Rochelle is no one’s property and she might not sign Loki’s contract. If she refuses, I’ll have to let her go and that will crack the foundation of my soul. No pressure, right? Havoc, hexes, and holidays: It’s the most wonderful time of year…

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Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday: Pete Towers

Good morning! It’s the new year and a time to get our ducks in a row – if you have ducks or even some sort of line to follow. I don’t but I’m trying. Mostly have dogs from the movie UP, where they see something and immediately go, “SQUIRREL!” So I think we need a true distraction and something to keep us focused, right? This week, the hot Tattooed Hero is all tattoo and very little teddy bear, but he’s here to warm up your fantasies. At that point you won’t need ducks or a row. We’re only 12 days into the new year and it’s already shaping up to be eventful. What’s that Chinese curse? “May your life always be exciting.” Yeah, okay, I’m good with some downtime, thanks. Maybe with this hot tattooed man. Meet Pete Towers. He’s a model for FURIOUS FOTOG and he makes a great bad boy. Pete is available for romance cover images. You can get this tattooed hot man in all sorts of settings. Check him out. There’s always enough bad boy to go around. Thanks to Golden Czermak of Furious Fotog for the permission to share this image with all y’all. Happy Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday!

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Snippet Sunday – Don’t Be Fooled

It’s time for Snippet Sunday. Happy New Year 2021! We made it to the turning of the calendar and all the possibilities for improvement are ahead of us. That’s something to be thankful for. I’m showcasing THE CONCRETE ANGEL, a cocky bikers holiday tale. And the cover is up at AllAuthor for Cover of the Month. Will you vote for it? In this snippet, we’re in Rochelle’s POV (all in first person) and she’s reading a letter her best friend found in her shop from her mother. ~~~~~~Recently, there’s been an election of the new city council for Fort Collins. Most of the candidates are pretty good people and seem to have good heads on their shoulders. They want to see the city progress toward inclusiveness, understanding, and wellness. But there’s this one guy, Earl Creighton, who has some destructive energy to him. I always feel uneasy when I’m around him and he appears to be rather fanatically fundamentalist in his approach to things. He doesn’t like me or our shop at all. I grimaced as I recalled Joslyn’s remarks about Councilman Creighton’s statements in the meeting. His views apparently hadn’t changed in the last three years. A few weeks ago, I received a Goddess Message. You were out with your friends doing the LGBTQ fundraiser and I’d closed the shop for lunch. The vision showed me I’m going to die, murdered by a goon trying to rob the shop. It’ll be presented as a robbery and the cops will see what they want to see and let it go at that. They won’t find who ordered the hit, but it’s meant to look like an unfortunate result of someone desperate for money. Don’t be fooled, Rochelle. It’s not that. The Goddess told me Earl Creighton is behind it and he will continue to erode all the good the new city council will try to build. He’s poison and decay for something so plain as money and perceived power. You need to be careful of him because he’ll come after you once he’s gotten rid of me. I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand as my tears flowed. Sweet Goddess, Earl Creighton had killed my mother! And she knew it was going to happen. Why, dammit? Why didn’t she do anything to stop it if she knew it would happen beforehand?~~~~~~~ That’s a horrible question and an awful choice. There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. And please Vote for the THE CONCRETE ANGEL in the Cover of the Month contest Here’s the blurb for THE CONCRETE ANGEL: Coming Soon! The weather outside is frightful, and so are the goons trying to toss me off a snowy cliff… Rochelle Stone, Earth Witch Speaking out against a local bigwig who’s terrified of witches when you actually are a witch attracts trouble. Only the timely intervention of a big, hot biker dude saves me from a modern-day execution. He says he’s security for the Concrete Angels Motorcycle Club, but I know he’s more than that. I’ve always had an affinity for stones, and my affinity for Flint is through the roof. He’s hard as a rock and my hands tingle when I touch him. He doesn’t speak aloud, but his talented hands tell me plenty… Now if I can just get the jackass trying to kill me off my back, it’ll be a golden holiday for sure. Humans. They’re either gloriously happy or dismally miserable. Flint, Concrete Angels’ Security With the holidays just around the corner, I’ve been looking for a quiet place to collect my thoughts. But that’s when Earl Creighton’s goons try to throw a woman off my local cliff. I normally don’t get involved with human troubles, but something about this woman captivates me beyond reason. We share a one-night stand and I know she’s meant to be mine. But Rochelle is no one’s property and she might not sign Loki’s contract. If she refuses, I’ll have to let her go and that will crack the foundation of my soul. No pressure, right? Havoc, hexes, and holidays: It’s the most wonderful time of year…

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Snippet Sunday – They Don’t Have a Good Rep

It’s time for Snippet Sunday, the last Sunday of 2020, and boy am I ready. It’s snowy and cold outside, so it’s a good time to snuggle up to a source of heat with a cuppa something good, and read. So today I’m showcasing THE CONCRETE ANGEL, a cocky bikers holiday tale. In this snippet, we’re in Rochelle’s POV (all in first person) and she’s trying to help her friend get a hot date before she lets some info slip. ~~~~~~ “How about you call him while I go pack a bag and I’ll help you lock up on my way out to take the deposit to the bank.” I headed for the stairs. “Whoa, whoa, whoa back there, girl. What do you mean ‘pack a bag’?” Joslyn’s brows knitted. “What kind of plans you got goin’ on tonight?” I shrugged with a smirk. “I can’t tell you that.” “Can’t or won’t? And all this after hounding me to call Andre.” “I actually can’t tell you. Flint invited me out tonight and told me to pack a bag. I guess we’re going somewhere far enough that we’ll stay overnight.” Joslyn lost her smile. “This is the same guy from the Concrete Angels?” She bit her lip. “You be careful with him, okay? They don’t have a good rep.” I dropped my smirk. “I know their rep, but my gut says he’s a good guy.” And not entirely human. “I haven’t gotten any Goddess Messages about him, but I have gotten messages about this place burning down, so packing a bag serves a double purpose.” “Wait, stop. Did you just say this place, our shop, is going to burn down?” Shit. I hadn’t meant to tell her the content of the Goddess Message. “Is that why we packed up so much of your stuff to the storage unit and you’ve been giving me merchandise for friends and family?” She came over to me and grasped my arms. “Sweet glory, Rochelle, is there going to be a fire here?” I sighed and bowed my head a moment to gather my thoughts. “I don’t know when or by whom, but someone is going to burn our shop down before Yule.” “Oh glory, Rochelle.” She gathered me into a hug. ~~~~~~~ At least they’ll both be safe. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for THE CONCRETE ANGEL: Coming Soon! The weather outside is frightful, and so are the goons trying to toss me off a snowy cliff… Rochelle Stone, Earth Witch Speaking out against a local bigwig who’s terrified of witches when you actually are a witch attracts trouble. Only the timely intervention of a big, hot biker dude saves me from a modern-day execution. He says he’s security for the Concrete Angels Motorcycle Club, but I know he’s more than that. I’ve always had an affinity for stones, and my affinity for Flint is through the roof. He’s hard as a rock and my hands tingle when I touch him. He doesn’t speak aloud, but his talented hands tell me plenty… Now if I can just get the jackass trying to kill me off my back, it’ll be a golden holiday for sure. Humans. They’re either gloriously happy or dismally miserable. Flint, Concrete Angels’ Security With the holidays just around the corner, I’ve been looking for a quiet place to collect my thoughts. But that’s when Earl Creighton’s goons try to throw a woman off my local cliff. I normally don’t get involved with human troubles, but something about this woman captivates me beyond reason. We share a one-night stand and I know she’s meant to be mine. But Rochelle is no one’s property and she might not sign Loki’s contract. If she refuses, I’ll have to let her go and that will crack the foundation of my soul. No pressure, right? Havoc, hexes, and holidays: It’s the most wonderful time of year…

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Snippet Sunday – Cripple Creek Ice Festival

It’s time for Snippet Sunday. It’s snowy and cold outside, so it’s a good time to snuggle up to a source of heat with a cuppa something good, and read. So today I’m showcasing THE CONCRETE ANGEL, a cocky bikers holiday tale. In this snippet, we’re in Flint’s POV (all in first person) and he’s taking Rochelle on a real date to a small Colorado Town in the mountains. ~~~~~~ “Why are we in Cripple Creek?” She held the to-go cup between her hands as she gazed at the well-lit main street. The sounds of the slot machines were muted because the cold made them shut the doors and windows, but light blazed from every opening. “They have an Ice Festival every year.” I pointed beyond the buildings to the large county fairground field at the end of the brightly lit street. “Artists come from all over the country to construct the amazing and the fanciful. I thought it would be fun to see.” She gaped at me as we walked toward the fairgrounds. “Are you serious? I’ve lived in Colorado all my life and I never knew about this.” I gave her a smile. “It started when a local carpenter lost his wife and wanted to do something divert his kids from their loss. So he carved animals out of ice for them. He’d show his friends and neighbors his creations. For a while it was only locals who knew about it and he’d do it every year. When enough tourists found out, the city council invited more artists and set up a charity to help the man with his bills as he got older. After a while, it became such a big thing, they made it a competition with all the proceeds going to a fund to help people with loss and bereavement, mental health and substance abuse programs, and funeral costs. It’s now a big thing.” “Wow. That’s amazing. I wish I’d known about it.” She sounded so wistful, I shot her a look and signed, “What?” “Oh, my mom died a few years back. I don’t have any siblings and Mom never told me who the sperm donor was, so it was just me to take everything on.” ~~~~~~~ That puts a bit of a damper on the evening. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for THE CONCRETE ANGEL: Available Now! The weather outside is frightful, and so are the goons trying to toss me off a snowy cliff… Rochelle Stone, Earth Witch Speaking out against a local bigwig who’s terrified of witches when you actually are a witch attracts trouble. Only the timely intervention of a big, hot biker dude saves me from a modern-day execution. He says he’s security for the Concrete Angels Motorcycle Club, but I know he’s more than that. I’ve always had an affinity for stones, and my affinity for Flint is through the roof. He’s hard as a rock and my hands tingle when I touch him. He doesn’t speak aloud, but his talented hands tell me plenty… Now if I can just get the jackass trying to kill me off my back, it’ll be a golden holiday for sure. Humans. They’re either gloriously happy or dismally miserable. Flint, Concrete Angels’ Security With the holidays just around the corner, I’ve been looking for a quiet place to collect my thoughts. But that’s when Earl Creighton’s goons try to throw a woman off my local cliff. I normally don’t get involved with human troubles, but something about this woman captivates me beyond reason. We share a one-night stand and I know she’s meant to be mine. But Rochelle is no one’s property and she might not sign Loki’s contract. If she refuses, I’ll have to let her go and that will crack the foundation of my soul. No pressure, right? Havoc, hexes, and holidays: It’s the most wonderful time of year…

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