Harvest Cookies #Recipe ~ The Flavors of Autumn @DonnaFaz

I came up with this recipe because I had some canned pumpkin left over from making Thanksgiving dinner. My husband loves molasses, so I decided to add a dash of that. And who doesn’t love the taste of pumpkin pie spice? It’s warm, aromatic, and makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a hug. The results of this recipe were outstanding.

Soft and sumptuous, these dark cookies are moist and cake-like. They’re rich with the flavors of autumn and absolutely delicious paired with hot tea or coffee. Try them, you will love them!

Harvest Cookies

2 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
8 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup molasses
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg

1. Pre-heat oven to 350° F and line 2 baking sheets with Exopat or parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.

3. In a second bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until well incorporated. Add the molasses, pumpkin, and egg. Stir until all the ingredients are mixed well.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl containing the dry ingredients, scraping the bowl to get every last bit of deliciousness! Stir everything together just until all the flour is incorporated. Do not over-mix. You will have a very soft dough.

5. Using two teaspoons, scoop small balls of dough onto the baking sheets (see picture), about twelve to a sheet. Do not crowd. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the top feels set to the touch. Remove baking sheets from the oven. Let the cookies cool a couple of minutes on the sheets before transferring them to a cooling rack. Makes about 2 1/2 cookies.

6. Make a cup of your favorite tea and enjoy!

What dessert shouts AUTUMN to you?

Wishing YOU a great Thanksgiving Holiday! From @DonnaFaz

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I spent the day with my family and friends. Today, after doing a bit of holiday shopping on-line, I'm back to writing. Have a great weekend!

HER FAKE ROMANCE by @DonnaFaz 99¢ for #Kindle @iBooks #Nook @Kobo

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"The author's style was pure delight, fun and funky. Modern and very entertaining. I never would have thought a fake romance could be so funny and emotional at the same time. HJ Top Pick!"  ~HarlequinJunkie.com ♥♥♥♥♥

"Mom, get a life!"

Her teenage daughter's words are daunting. True, struggling single mom Julia Jones hasn't had a date in over a decade, but she could still catch a man--if she needed to! So Julia, who claims not to want a husband, finds herself entangled in a fake romance.

Ryan Shane is tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome. And he just so happens to need a no-strings date himself. Their plan is perfectly thought out. Until a conveniently staged good-night kiss turns into very inconvenient passion...

This book contains bonus material that includes several delicious recipes!

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Also available at regular price in audio from Amazon and iTunes

Authors! Need a Word to Describe that Scent? Help is Here!

As writers, we strive to use all five senses to create a full experience for our readers. The human sense of smell pales in comparison to that of other animals, yet an aroma has the powerful ability to churn up strong feelings in us. A certain smell can bring back a memory like nothing else can.

I am always looking for a unique, just-perfect word to describe scents. I happened upon a wonderful website that offers an A-to-Z listing of common fragrance descriptions. This list has been helpful to me, so I thought I would share with you.

Many thanks to Bois de Jasmin, The World Through Our Senses for building this comprehensive list and making my job a little easier. Victoria, the owner of the site, shares her love of perfume, food, and other sensory pleasures. Enjoy!

Choosy Bookworm and #eNovAaW Holiday Extravaganza #Giveaway!

Welcome to the Choosy Bookworm Holiday Extravaganza! 

Choosy Bookworm has partnered with eNovel Authors at Work to bring you a month long celebration with great books, great book deals, and let's not forget the great giveaways! 

Check out today's featured authors and books, then head on over to the event page and enter to win one of two $250 Amazon Gift Cards or Paypal Cash!

Be sure to check out the featured books and the awesome author sponsored giveaway below!

Million Dollar Que$tion

by Ellie Campbell

Genre Chick Lit

Just as a huge financial scandal throws New Yorker, Olivia Wheeler, from wealth and success to bankruptcy and shame, struggling impoverished single-mother Rosie Dixon wins an unexpected million pounds. Good luck? Bad luck? Who can tell? Both women have more in common than they realize. While Olivia struggles to survive her humiliations, fleeing broke and homeless to London, shy unassuming Rosie discovers sudden riches arrive with their own mega-load of problems.



Two strangers who’ve never met. Yet neither realizes how each is affecting the other’s destiny or the places their paths touch and fates entwine.

Goodreads ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK

Meet Ellie Campbell



Ellie Campbell is a pseudonym for sisters, Pam Burks and Lorraine Campbell who collaborate across the mighty Atlantic, finding writing together the perfect excuse for endless phone conversations. Although Pam lives near London, England, while Lorraine is on a Colorado ranch– they both believe in enjoying life to the fullest.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Amazon

An Almost Perfect Christmas

by Donna Fasano

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pediatric Nurse Christy Cooper teams up with single dad Aaron Chase to give one special little girl AN ALMOST PERFECT CHRISTMAS.

Goodreads ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Meet Donna Fasano



Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling Author whose award-winning books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages and have sold 4 million copies.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Amazon

Always a Bridesmaid

by Melinda Curtis

Genre: Bridesmaids, #2



Nicole Edwards has walked down the aisle as a bridesmaid thirteen times! Thirteen times! In an effort to change her luck, this master baker plans to give up waiting for Jake – who doesn’t know she’s alive – sell her business in New York City, buy a food truck in Los Angeles, and find her own happily ever after.



Chef Sean O’Malley could use Nicole’s dessert skills at his restaurant in New York City. In fact, he’s banking on a joint venture with Nicole, although he hasn’t yet approached her about it. When he learns during a pre-wedding event they’re both working that she’s moving to L.A. because she’s giving up on Jake, he decides to give her a crash course on how to be noticed. Sean has, after all, three younger sisters. He knows how a woman’s mind works. But he doesn’t factor in how his heart works or how easily it could be broken.

Goodreads ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google

Meet Melinda Curtis



Melinda Curtis is an award-winning USA Today bestseller writing sweet and traditional romance, as well as romantic comedy.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Amazon

Head on over to the

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Lemon Squares #Recipe ~ Yum!

I don’t think I have shared this recipe on my blog before, but even if I have, that's okay because this is one of my favorites so I’m sharing it. (Maybe, again! LOL) I hope you enjoy!

After The Lovin' Lemon Bars

Ingredients

·        1 cup flour

·        1/2 cup butter, softened

·        1/3 cup powdered sugar

·        2 eggs

·        1 cup granulated sugar

·        1/2 teaspoon baking powder

·        1/4 teaspoon salt

·        2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

·        3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

·        Powdered (confectioners) sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together the flour, butter, and powdered sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of an ungreased square 8" X 8" pan, building up 1/2-inch edges (to hold in the filling). Bake the crust for 20 minutes.

3. Beat the remaining ingredients until light and fluffy. Pour lemon filling over hot crust and bake approximately 25 minutes, or until no indentation remains when lightly touched in the center. Cool and cut into squares. Sprinkle with a little powdered sugar. Enjoy these lusciously sweet lemon bars after the lovin'! 

Make Your Own Christmas Gifts ~ #DIY Holidays ~ #Crafters

I can’t believe I’m saying this… but Christmas is just 7 and a half weeks away. I can hear you groaning! You’re talking about Christmas before Thanksgiving? Yes, I am. And there’s a good reason.

Homemade gifts are the absolute best. Giving family and friends an item that you took the time to make yourself offers a profound message about what they mean to you. And in order to find time to make DIY presents, an early start is necessary. Here are some cute and easy ideas I found on-line.

 

1. Bath Bombs – Every woman in my life loves the luxury of a long, hot soak. These fizzy bath bombs would add a spa-like feel to any bath. They look very easy to make. Find the instructions at Something Turquoise. 

2. Family Photo Collage Letters – These wooden letters are available in any craft store, and so is Mod Podge. All you need are some family photos and a pair of scissors, and you’re all set to craft a fun gift that any of your friends would love to hang on their wall. Find full instructions at House on the Way.

3. Body Butter – Three ingredients, all natural, I might add, are all you need to make this luscious body-softening cream that can also be used as lip balm. This is a gift that will help alleviate the dry skin problems brought on by the cold winter months. Find out how to make this gift at She Wears Many Hats.

Do you give DIY Christmas gifts? What are some of the best DIY gifts you have given and received?

~  ~  ~

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A TOUCH OF PASSION

12-Book Romance Bundle

Including NY Times & USA Today bestselling authors.

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