Springtime in the Country Blog Hop $100 GC to be won! #RomFantasy

For a lot of people, Spring is their favourite time of year. My mom was always a lover of Spring, and my sister, too. Apart from the warmer temps here in Eastern Canada, there is the sense of the world waking up and coming to life again after a winter sleep. I like the longer days, a lot.

For me, the beauty of Spring is equalled only by the splendour of Autumn in this area, but Spring is when I am once again able to get out to the local walking park I love so much, and just breathe in the amazing scent of the air, and the awakening foliage. The squirrels and other wildlife in this park are busy running around and there is a sense of freshness that permeates everything.

Where I come from, we are known for growing the best strawberries in the world, so I thought I’d share a simple recipe for Strawberry Shortcake:

"An old-fashioned, tender shortcake with two layers of strawberries topped with whipped cream."

This recipe is designed to serve four people.

Ingredients:

 3 cups fresh strawberries

 1/4 cup white sugar

 1 cup and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

 2 teaspoons baking powder

 1 tablespoon white sugar

 1/8 teaspoon salt

 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons shortening

 1/2 egg

 1/3 cup milk

 1 cup whipped heavy cream

Slice the strawberries and toss them with 1/4 cup of white sugar. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease and flour one 8 inch round cake pan.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, 1 tablespoon white sugar and the salt. With a pastry blender cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and milk. Stir until just combined.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool partially in pan on wire rack.

Slice partially cooled cake in half, making two layers. Place half of the strawberries on one layer and top with the other layer. Top with remaining strawberries and cover with the whipped cream.

This is lovely, and refreshing!

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I’ve never been “out west” really, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed stories and shows about cowboys, I’ve been known to say on more than one occasion that I was born in love with Richard Boone’s Paladin from Have Gun, Will Travel–a show that was on the air before I was born. However, the urbane and deadly Paladin is in many ways the template for every western hero I write.

As you no doubt have guessed, I write historical heroes of the American West, though I did try my hand at a contemporary hero recently. Here’s a quick look at both my current releases, with very sexy but different cowboy heroes.

Amazon  |  ARe Romance eBooks

Chase Jordan is a man with half his life missing since his return from the war in Iraq. He arrives back in Texas, a drifter looking for home. When he arrives at the Double D ranch, the owners know him, even if he can’t remember them. Cheyenne’s been infatuated with Chase since her high school days, but Deke MacKenzie’s already made it clear to Chase that his kid sister is off limits.

A loner by nature, and even more so now as PTSD plagues him, Chase rejects Cheyenne’s efforts to seduce him. He senses complications he wants no part of if he gets too close to her, and part of his soul is very much at home on the Double D. When an old boyfriend of Cheyenne’s goads him into a fight, his anger put him on all kinds of edge–and Cheyenne’s determination to turn up the Texas Heat get her in over her head...

Chase has warned her, he doesn’t play nice. When she ignores his invitation to leave, she puts herself at the mercy of his anger, his lust, and the most explosive passion she’s ever experienced... But what happens when the “job” is over, and Chase turns his back on her again? Memories are waking, the kind that will change both their lives in dramatic ways.

CHAMPAGNE AND CHOCOLATE: Historical Western romance

ON SALE at the publisher for March only!

Publisher  |  ARe Romance  |  Smashwords  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon

Austin Standish is a man of refined tastes. Intelligent and educated, Austin enjoys all of the best life has to offer. A gambler, a gunslinger, and a man who has plans to taste the sweetest prize at The Palace Casino and Saloon - the lovely owner, Chantille L'Amour, the most sought after jewel on the Barbary Coast.

Running a high-class brothel and casino isn't exactly the life she was born to but Chantille is determined to overcome the ruin her family was left in once the Civil War ended. But, she has chosen a difficult path... one that demands much and leaves her lonely. She's noticed the handsome man who comes into her world from time to time, and when she chooses to give in to desire, the passion evoked by Austin's touch may change her life forever....

Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to keep hopping, there are a lot of wonderful authors with goodies to share. If you leave a comment, I’ll choose a random winner for a special surprise, so don’t forget to leave your email address, as well! And fill out the Rafflecopter for your chance to win a $100 Gift Card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble - Winner's choice!!

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