Advice from a Redhead

 I have been having fun with my Advice from a Redhead memes. The graphic is bright and fun, and coming up with witty advice keeps my creative juices flowing. I post these memes on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Post.News, Instagram - but I realize that some of my followers don't have social media accounts. So I thought I'd post a few on my blog so you could see them. Let me know what you think in the comment section.

My publisher, Montlake Romance, has lowered the price of RECLAIM MY HEART by 50%. The book will be priced at $1.99 through the month of January. #Ad

Stocking Stuffers for the Holidays

There’s still time to shop! Here are just a few of the inexpensive items I’ve purchased for family members and friends.

For the adults on your list:

For Teens:

For Kids:

As an Amazon, Nook, and iTunes Associate, Awesome Romance Blog earns from qualifying purchases. This post may contain paid links.

Unforgettable Christmas Miracles #99cents #Kindle

IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND CHRISTMAS IS ALL AROUND!

At this time of year, the fortunate rejoice with family and friends, but there are some who will have to rely on fate for their Christmas blessings. Enjoy stories of how these people find romance. Immerse yourself in their happiness as they delight in their newfound joy on that special day.

Celebrate the season with ELEVEN New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Authors as they spin a variety of romances – second-chances, romantic comedies, small-town, paranormal, historical, beach-theme love stories, and more – in this Unforgettable Miracles of Christmas collection.

UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS MIRACLES is available for Kindle readers.

This 11-Book Anthology is also available for Kindle Unlimited Members.

Books in this set -

Mimi Barbour: Christmas Is For Everyone - Blizzards, puppies, and lost people. Ginny rescues an old man from freezing and his handsome son saves her and her son from being evicted. Will these strangers discover the true meaning of sharing at Christmas? A small-town, caring family romance.

Rebecca York: Christmas Captive - His life was in her hands. Was it attempted murder or a boating accident? Psychic nurse Hannah puts her life at risk by investigating the conniving relatives who want to inherit the comatose man’s fortune. A paranormal romance.

Leanne Banks: The Billionaire’s Holiday Proposition – Falling for her had not been in his plans. Would she believe him? A billionaire romance.

Rachelle Ayala: Nick’s Christmas Ride – Nick Jolly's antique convertible turns into a wild ride when his best friend and secret crush, Hayley, chooses three social media starlets for his Christmas-promotional dates. Two irascible Texas Hold’em playing ancestors, three social media narcissists, an old-time fiddler, and a flying car seems kind of normal for Nick Jolly and Hayley Brockman's unexpected Christmas Creek romance. A fun romantic comedy.

Stephanie Queen: Small Town Glamour Girl Christmas – What chance does a poor small-town girl have at a romance with a rich big city boy? Julie and Jack had a special connection a long time ago as kids, but does he remember that time? The magic and charm of the small-town Christmas rekindles their connection, but would her small-town life be enough for the billionaire? A small-town, second-chance romance.

Yes, there's more!
Josie Riviera: Candleglow and Mistletoe – Their unexpected attraction kindles something as warm and sweet as a holiday candle. But the weight of their pasts could turn the promise of their love to ashes. A small town, sweet and wholesome romance.

Susanne Matthews: Forever In My Heart – There's nothing Michael Branscomb won't do for his brother, including marrying the woman his twin wronged, but will Callie give him a chance? A contemporary marriage-of-convenience romance.

Traci Hall: Mistletoe Christmas – West Coast – Fireworks ignite when a retired Navy officer inherits a seaside cottage, accidentally burning down the deck his first day only to be saved by a sexy firewoman and the station’s dog. Set in their ways, can Mistletoe over the holiday be the miracle they both need? A contemporary military romance.

Dani Haviland: Chasing Christmas – Only love could be sweeter than freedom. When Samuel arrived to ask her to join his tribe, rescued slave Annie thought her life couldn’t get any sweeter. But it did. 18th century American Native historical romance.

Taylor Lee: Reckoning – Christmas Finale – Nothing will keep Cal from marrying Scarlett, the beautiful blonde media sensation. But the crooked Attorney General is going to try. Romantic suspense.

Nancy Radke: The Bend In the Canyon – His wedding was scheduled in two weeks. Only a miracle could bring them together. A sweet, western romance.

 

Healthy Greek Yogurt Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

 I’ve been dieting for just over a month. You could say I’m preparing for the upcoming holidays. :::grin::: I’ve taken off over 10 pounds using 2 methods – intermittent fasting and eating in a calorie deficit. This seems to be the formula that works for me, but, of course, everyone is different. However, the point of this blog is to let you know that I’ve come up with a salad dressing that is tasty, fat-free, and low in calories. I hope you’ll try it. Let me know in the comments if you like it.

 

Greek Yogurt Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Makes about 3/4 cup of dressing (6 servings)    

Serving size: 2 tablespoons

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Greek Fat-Free Yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Buttermilk Powder
• 1 teaspoon Granulated Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Granulated Onion Powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Fresh Lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Zest

• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Dill Weed
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• Pinch of White Pepper
• 1 tablespoon Water (to thin)
• 1/2 teaspoon Honey (optional)

Directions:

1.    Add all ingredients to a glass jar and shake to combine. Store in the refrigerator. For best flavor, allow to sit for at least 4 hours. Shake before serving. Keeps for up to 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 

At just 20 calories for a generous 2 tablespoon serving, this dressing is good on green salads or grain salads. It’s also good drizzled on fresh vegetables (carrots, celery, zucchini, etc.). I also use this to make egg salad.

 

The Summer of Sorrow and Dance by Liz Flaherty

Book 3 in the Second Chances Series is here! 

In the midst of a summer of change, they’re both searching for an anchor.

Dinah is a mom, a giver, and a doer, so she’s used to change, but this summer is kind of overdoing that. The diner where she’s worked for half her life is closing, her college-age kids aren’t coming home for the summer, and a property on nearby Cooper Lake is calling her name, bringing long-held dreams of owning a B & B to the fore. Newcomer Zach Applegate is entering into her dreams, too.

Divorced dad, contractor, and recovering alcoholic Zach is in Fallen Soldier, Pennsylvania, to visit his brother and to decide what’s coming next in his life. He doesn’t like change much, yet it seems to be everywhere. But he finds an affinity for remodeling and restoration, is overjoyed when his teenage sons join him for the summer, and he likes Dinah Tyler, too. A lot.

Dinah and Zach each experience sorrow and tumult, but go on to dance in the kitchen. Together, they have something, but is it enough?

What readers are saying:

“A beautiful story told in Flaherty's unmistakable style…”

“This story has it all, a family secret, victory over addiction, and grabbing onto a sweet, second chapter of life that comes unexpectedly.”

Find this New Release:

Kindle

This book is available for Kindle Unlimited Members.

Look for other titles in the Second Chances Series:

A Year of Firsts, Book 1

Reinventing Riley, Book 2

As an Amazon, Nook, and iTunes Associate, Awesome Romance Blog earns from qualifying purchases. This post may contain paid links.

  

The Fireman's Christmas Wish by Nan Reinhardt

Book 3 of the Lange Brothers Series

Her heart is wide open, but he’s nailed his shut.

Preschool teacher Harley Cole has always viewed life through rose-colored glasses. With a career she loves, friends she enjoys, and a home that is her haven, there’s only one thing missing—finding her soul mate. As the holidays approach, Harley is inspired to help her former high school crush rediscover his holiday joy. It’s just a good deed...until the feelings she thought were gone come rushing back.

Fire Chief Becker Lange returns home to River’s Edge with a heavy heart. His divorce has emotionally ravaged him, leaving him more confused than ever about what women want. So to protect himself from another failure, he closes his heart. And then Harley Cole makes him a flirty dare that she can help him overcome the holiday blues. Beck’s not sure he wants to, but Harley’s a hard woman to tell no.

Can the magic of Christmas and a sweet stray kitten bring these two lonely souls together?

What readers are saying:

“A story of opposites attract … A delightful Christmas romance.”

“This story is going to stay with me a long time. I was so involved in it and didn’t want to see it end.”

Find this New Release:

Kindle 

Nook 

Kobo 

Apple iBooks 

Also available in Paperback 

Look for the other books in the Lange Brothers Series:

The Valentine Wager, Bk 1

Falling for the Doctor, Bk 2

As an Amazon, Nook, and iTunes Associate, Awesome Romance Blog earns from qualifying purchases. This post may contain paid links.

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread #Recipe

This chocolate zucchini bread is dense, moist, and has a decadently rich chocolate flavor. I started out with this recipe and did a little fiddling. I scrapped the honey and increased the brown sugar. I used butter where they called for oil. And I doubled the amount of vanilla and espresso powder. If you don’t have espresso powder or instant coffee, leave it out, but the coffee really enhances the chocolate flavor. The loaf doesn’t taste a bit like coffee, I promise. 

 

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (also called black cocoa)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee granules
• 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchinis)
• 1 cup dark chocolate chunks

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees and grease a 9” x 5” loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Mix together the melted butter and the brown sugar until smooth and glossy. Add the eggs and vanilla. Stir until fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and espresso powder. Add to the butter mixture and stir well. Batter will be very thick.
4. Using a sturdy spoon, mix the zucchini and chocolate chunks. Batter will be thick and stiff (think of the muscles you're developing!) 
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread batter into all corners of the pan. Use a silicone (or rubber) spatula to get every bit of batter from the bowl. Smooth the top, evenly. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool for 15 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. 

Enjoy! And Happy Autumn! 

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