This week, the question posed by Romance Writers Weekly is, "What's the weirdest thing you've ever googled in the name of research for your writing?"

Ooh, I love this question. I started out writing Romantic Suspense so my browsing history was filled with questions about weapons and poisons, what sort of injuries were likely to result from various activities, and how quickly they would heal. It was fascinating. And, like most writers I know, my curiosity frequently sent me down weird rabbit holes.

Recently, things have been more...well, sedate's a word that I guess we could use here. Recently, for a short Valentine's Day story I was working on, I was researching Ruby Chocolate for a latte recipe my hero was working on (to impress the heroine, as one does) when I saw a mention of Blood Chocolate. And with vampires on my mind (thanks to next month's release of Light Up the Night) my initial response was, "Ooh! Shiny!"

See, somewhere in my future, there's a vampire wedding I need to plan and this sounded like something that should be on the menu. And this is still a possibility but...

My research turned up a few different things. One type of blood chocolate is not for consumption (although the vampires might see this differently). It's a medium for growing blood cells on. Another link, however, pointed to candy bars (manufactured in Russia, apparently) made with cow's blood which--as I understand it--were marketed as a healthy food supplement for people suffering from anemia.

Another link led to an Italian dessert I had not heard of before. Sanguinaccio dolce is a pudding made with chocolate and pig's blood. And yeah, I think enough about that. I'm sure my vampires will love it, Traditionally, it's prepared for Carnavale, but I'll stop there because otherwise we'll find ourselves down another rabbit hole. The etymology of the word Carnavale is fascinating.

Now, hop over to Brenda Margriet's page and find out where she writes. And don't forget to check out her new book, Turn the Next Page, available for pre-order now!

TURN THE NEXT PAGE is almost here!

Book Three in the Silverberry Seduction Seasoned Romance Series arrives Thursday! Pre Order Now $2.99 (also available in Print)

High school sweethearts, their marriage was shattered by tragedy. Thirty years later, a startling confession reignites long banked embers.

On the outside, politician Aubrey Windt is assured and assertive. On the inside, she’s a confused tangle of nerves and regrets. A lost election is the perfect opportunity to reset her life, and she’s going to take it, no matter what anyone says. This time, she means it.

Everything’s fine with Philip Church. Just fine. His second divorce was amicable, his twin sons are grown, and his landscape business runs itself. The fineness is driving him crazy. But reconnecting with his first love provokes an upheaval more potent than he’s ever imagined.

When Aubrey and Phillip learn a startling fact that will forever link their lives, they set out to find the brother Aubrey didn’t know she had. To do so, they must forge a new path, unexpectedly abetted by a stray cat and the eclectic members of a unique book club.

Buy it here: https://books2read.com/TurnTheNextPage

ALSO COMING IN DECEMBER:

Heather is having the worst Christmas ever! Or, at least, the worst Christmas since she was forced to become a vampire. Her sire's distracted, her nestmates have forgotten her, weirdos have taken over the lair. The only bright spot in her life right now is Drew--who didn't even used to like her! She knows he's fond of her now, but that's not good enough. She wants more. She wants everything. She wants him. And she's not giving up.

Drew Geiger gave up on love a long time ago. Such tender emotions have no place in a vampire's heart. But, somehow, the girl he once described as a "feral kitten" has got her claws in him, and she's not letting go. That would be fine, if only someone didn't want her dead--and if her sire didn't recall that it was Drew who once suggested that maybe she'd be better off that way.

Available for pre-order now: https://books2read.com/u/m0En1l

And read an excerpt here: http://rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com/2022/11/shall-we-dance.html