When I was a child, waking up on Easter morning was even better than Christmas. Why? Because Easter morning meant candy. And not just any candy, but an entire assortment of strange and wonderful confections: pastel candy-coated marshmallows, a hollow chocolate bunny as big as my hand, candy buttons, tootsie roll bank tubes, and enough jellybeans to weigh down the not-so-tasty plastic Easter grass at the bottom of the basket.
Living in a household with an unforgivably strict (yes, Mom, I’m looking at you) sugar ban, this candy buffet was a HUGE event. Sure, at Christmas our stockings held a peppermint stick as big as a femur, but come on, I usually had 3/4 of the one from last year hiding in the “secret candy storage” in my dollhouse.
The candy bonanza was probably helped by the fact that my father (the OG EB in my life) had just ended a Lenten sugar fast and was probably just as eager to have some sweets for himself. So we all came out winners.
Mostly. I have to admit, however, that the EB didn’t always get it right. I mean, he kept putting the grossest jellybeans in my basket when he should have known that the black, purple, and white ones were disgusting. Ew! And Peeps? *shudders*
It was a good thing my sisters and I had a fair trade (or not so fair trade) system. Since I wasn’t that big into the gross stuff or even the Tootsie Rolls, I usually “traded” all of mine in order to have the empty bank tubes.
Now, the EB knows eggsactly (sorry, I couldn’t resist) what I like. While DS 1.0 and 2.0 receive baskets overflowing with foil wrapped chocolate eggs, jellybeans, Nerds, Skittles, and even Peeps (I think good taste skips a generation), all I need is a chocolate covered marshmallow bunny. Ears first, of course. 🙂
I’m so excited and feel blessed that I’ve had the opportunity to write Ellery’s story. And it’s all because of you–the fans who wanted him to have a happily ever after. Thank you! <3
In this story, Viscount Ellery is still on his quest for a bride. Dubbed the toast of theton, Sam should have no trouble finding a bride, right? Yet his cautious nature has not served him well so far.
After failing during the London Season, he is determined to host a party and choose a wife from one of his guests. Then a fateful encounter scatters his careful plans.
(Enter our unlikely heroine):
Gemma Desmond needs a new name. Her father’s evil deeds have tarnished the one she has, making her an outcast from polite society. The problem is, the only way to escape the stigma of a sullied surname is to marry. Because of her reputation, however, no decent man will have her.
Unfortunately for Gemma, Sam is a good, decent man, and it is far too easy to fall in love with him. Yet when a pair of conniving debutantes plot a terrible scheme against her, it proves that she will always be tainted by her father’s misdeeds. And that’s the last thing she would ever want for Sam.
She isn’t sure which will be the hardest thing she’ll ever do—letting him go, or choosing to stay.
GREAT NEWS!!! “The Duke’s Christmas Wish” (North & Ivy’s story) was chosen to be part of a Christmas anthology featuring stories from the incomparable Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, and Megan Frampton!
A Christmas to Remember goes on sale this September! (more news and links to follow in the coming weeks)
The timing couldn’t be more perfect! Just Another Viscount in Love (the final novella in the Season’s Original Series) goes on sale August 1st, which means that when A Christmas to Remember hits the shelves you can start the series all over again. 😉
The French edition of The Maddening Lord Montwood, Piège pour une beauté, is on sale today! In fact, the entire Rakes of Fallow Hall collection is now available through Harlequin Victoria. <3
As you know, I love a good cup of tea. So, in the spirit of this day, I want to share the love by giving away a $10 Starbucks e-gift card to one lucky winner.
To enter: Add a comment below, listing one thing that you find romantic
I’ll choose one (1) winner at random by 7 p.m. (EST) today and send the e-gift card directly to the email address linked to your comment.
Did you know that last night was Fix-the-leaky-toilet Eve?
I wasn’t even aware of this spectacular holiday until the great wet sock discovery at 10 p.m. (always pleasant). But since I just fixed the same problem on the upstairs toilet a month ago (loose tank bolt), I knew I could handle it.
I had one of those “stand aside peasants while I save the day” moments, only to discover that every piece of metal (from the bolts to the slimy chain to the oddly flimsy arm that is seemingly in control of the entire functionality of the toilet) was rusted. This meant that I couldn’t fix the toilet last night.
Worse, with every component too ancient and brittle, I broke the shut-off valve. I now have a lovely purple wrench attached to the bolt. It adds a little something to the room, I think.
On the bright side, today is (yup, you guessed it) Fix-the-leaky-toilet Day! And I have decided to celebrate it.
There’s something about watching muscular men face off on an open field, ready to crush each other, that makes people hungry. So just in case you need a snack for the big game today, I’m re-posting this family-favorite recipe for Easy Jalapeno Pinwheel Poppers. Enjoy!
Preheat oven to 375˚. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Ingredients:
1 8oz. tub Jalapeño cream cheese spread, softened
1 8oz. tub Chive and Onion cream cheese spread, softened
2 cans Pillsbury original crescent rolls
1 8oz. bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 3oz. pkg. Oscar Mayer “Real Bacon” pieces
In a medium bowl, combine Jalapeño cream cheese spread with the Chive and Onion spread. Set aside. Carefully open the first can of crescents (or, if you are a thrill seeker, just rip it open with a resounding pop). Keeping the dough in a log, roll it out (long ways) on the parchment paper, and then pinch the seams together until you have a rectangle. With a spatula, spread half of the cream cheese mixture in an even layer over the naked dough. Sprinkle with ½ of the bacon pieces, and ½ of the shredded cheese. Then, with a long side facing you, roll the topping-laden dough into a log. Using a serrated knife, slice dough into 16 even pinwheels.
* Baking tip: the warmer the dough is, the more it tends to smush during this process. If you don’t mind a misshapen but out-of-this-world-tasty pinwheel popper, then keep going. If you are striving for the perfect pinwheel, then may the force be with you and refrigerate for easier handling.
Arrange pinwheels (perfect or otherwise) in rows on the parchment paper-covered cookie sheet. Bake at 375˚ for 18 to 24 minutes until the edges are kissed with golden brown. Cool slightly before transferring to a baking rack. Then repeat the process with the 2nd can of crescent roll dough and the remaining ingredients.
*Baking tip: I’m sure you can see by now that the end pieces don’t look the same as the others do. Even pinwheels have a few black sheep in the family. On the bright side, these rebels just happen to make the perfect “sample” bites. 🙂
