Wine Wednesday: Sweet Cheeks Sauvignon Blanc

 

So this was a very interesting wine. It's one of the few wines my husband also liked! He termed it "delicious and drinkable". 

I chose to pair this wine with Indian-TexMex fusion cuisine. I don't go for very spicy food, but you can't really combine those and expect bland. So, obviously, there was some heat and this wine stood up well to it. It's a very full bodied wine--odd for a Sauvignon Blanc. It's a pale straw color. Very floral nose with hints of candied orange rind and pineapple. The lingering finish had notes of burnt orange, ruby grapefruit. Really delightful.

Romance Writers Weekly ~Favorite summer drink recipe ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to, "Choose one of your characters and share their favourite summer drink recipe."

Shockingly, this one is easy! I have characters in two separate books (which happen to be in two separate series) that each have mentioned the same summery drink choice: Sangria!

Allegra (from Que Será, Syrah) actually wrote a song about it (which is sung to the melody from How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria):

How Do You Make a Pitcher of Sangria?

 

How do you make a pitcher of sangria?

What do you need besides the perfect wine

(Something that’s young and bright and not too oaky)

A cinnamon stick, some fizzy water, a lime? 

 

Plenty of recipes will tell you one thing,

Plenty of them will tell you the reverse.

But, where do you set the bar?

Is mango a fruit too far?

Do we need an extra bottle to rehearse?

Oh, how do you make a pitcher of sangria?

How do you make that sweet, sweet, summer wine?

I'm mixing things up a bit with my recipe, however, and urging you to try frozen sangria. 

For the ingredients you'll need:

    1 bottle wine 

    3 cups frozen fruit (I suggest peaches and either blackberries or cherries)

    1/3 cup orange liqueur like Triple Sec

    1/2 cup orange juice

    And then sweeten to taste using 2 – 3 tablespoons of something like simple syrup or agave nectar (honey and sugar just don't dissolve like they should. 

First you'll want to freeze some of the wine--an ice cube tray worth of wine should be enough--overnight. And chill the rest of the bottle while you're doing so. When you're ready to drink it, blend the frozen wine and the frozen fruit, add the rest of the ingredients and there you have it.  

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to find out what her charaters are drinking this summer. And don't forget to check out her book, Colorado Sunset, which is FREE for the next two days!

FREE EBOOK AUGUST 5-6

COLORADO SUNSET

Go back to where it all began, with this first book in my Peakview Series. When June’s car breaks down near the tiny town of Peakview, Colorado, she hopes to find a mechanic but finds so much more in the handsome rancher, Jeff Walker. Could it be that this unexpected stop will turn into a forever home?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UNP0GTW

POUR DECISIONS

New, Multi-Author Series!

Meet the Martinelli sisters: Rosa, Bianca and Allegra. These partners in wine have just inherited a once-storied winery in the heart of Napa Valley. They’re living the dream, right?

 

Not so fast! Because, as it turns out, not everybody is happy for them. And that includes their Uncle Geno who’d assumed the property would come to him.

 

There are hoops to jump through, barrels to get over, and a mountain of regulations they'll have to scale. But the sisters are crushing it—and we don’t just mean the grapes. They’re making wine, falling in love, and working together to restore their inheritance to its former glory, one pour decision at a time.

https://Books2Read.com/Pour-Decisions

Musical Monday: Dizzy (Tommy Roe)

 

This week's song is yet another from my Summer Playlist. This is one of the earliest songs I remember, and it's one that I definitely associate with SUMMER. I recall being very young and on a carnival ride with my cousin (who's a year older than I am) and her insisting we sing this at the top of our lungs as we spun around. 

We, of course, thought we were hilarious. But I'm pretty sure you'd have had to have been there (and been us) to have appreciated that. 

And since I've somehow gotten on the topic of New Jersey and cousins...

Atlas Beach: Come for the fun and games, stay for the love, the laughter, the family complications, and, oh, yeah: the occasional ghost! ​

https://www.pgforte.com/games-we-play-series-1

A quirky, family-owned resort on the Jersey Shore is the setting for this erotic, lightly paranormal series. Cousins Brenda, Luke and Gwyn are determined to turn their failing hotel business around. They have no time for love. They're in no mood for games. But it's not going to matter. Not when they're up against a handful of ghosts, a mischievous boggart, a family curse, and destinies written in stone.

https://www.pgforte.com/games-we-play-series-2

The Games We Play crew are back! This time, with two new stories featuring Kristy's brothers. Tino and Rocky only received a passing mention in the first books, but this duology is All About the Bros!

https://www.pgforte.com/games-we-play-series-3

I'm excited to introduce the Whole Latte Love Collection; three new stories set in my favorite fictional New Jersey small town. 

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Summer Playlist ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "What songs are on your summer playlist?"

Which is another great question. But I figured instead of telling you all about it, I'd share my playlist with you. And yes, that cute and colorful QRC does work!

I threw together a bunch of songs that I remember from summers past--they span decades. I absolutely love it. My husband, OTOH, not so much. lol 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6YzQTEtRPGQD7PyhyQchQg

Anyway, hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's page to find out what she's listening to. 

FREE DOWNLOAD

Such Fleeting Pleasures

An Oberon Prequel Novella 

Love wasn't always strawberries and cream for Lucy and Dan Cavanaugh...or was it? In this Oberon prequel, we travel back in time to see how it all began. 

Most of the material in this prequel novella (which is set some eighteen years before the series begins) also appears as flashback scenes in A Taste of Honey.

You can access a FREE DOWNLOAD of this novella when you join my Facebook group: The Crone's Nest​

Or at this BookFunnel link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5xxljdbblb

Musical Monday: Last Dance (Chuck Mangione)

 So, this wasn't the song I was planning on posting today, but then Chuck Mangione died and it seemed appropriate. As I mentioned when I posted his song, Feels So Good, this is from an album I listened to quite a lot when I was first married. We had no TV, so we listened to music a lot and we didn't have very many albums, so we listed to the ones we had over and over again. Actually, that fits my MO most of the time for so many things. I also went through a prolonged period (while I lived in NYC, immediately across the street from a tiny ho.e-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant) where I ate cold sesame noodles at least twice a day/every day. It's still one of my favorite dishes. 

But I digress...

I was going through a jazz phase at the time. It felt very grown up. lol Anyway, RIP Mr Mangione!

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Beach Reads ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "What book would one of your main characters bring on a beach trip — and what does that say about that character?"

Well, that's a question, isn't it? I wonder if my characters actually read? It's funny to me how many of my friends and family don't. I do have one character who reads--Julie from the Children of Night series loves Vampire Romance--much to her brother's disgust. They both are vampires, in case that wasn't immediately clear. And I think what it says about Julie is that she likes romance she can relate to. lol

HOWEVER, they don't generally spend much time at the beach, so I guess I'll have to look elsewhere.

I think Gwen from the Games We Play series would love the Outfoxing the Paranormal series by Jordan Hawk--because she also has experience with ghosts. I think her ghosts would look down their noses at that, too. 

I'm sensing a pattern here.

Gabby and Claire from the LA Love Lessons series would read books that could be turned into movies and might have a part for them. Which would be rom-coms in Gabby's case. Although, at this point, I think she's probably reading baby books. Claire is mostly retired, but I think she could be enticed back if the part would allow her to really showcase her talent. Both of their partners would be supportive. Just sayin'

 Everyone in Oberon likes paranormal romance and wishes I'd write more of those. As you can see here:  https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/tFfHiT3M

Anyway, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to learn what books her characters are reading this summer. And don't forget to check out her book, FOLLOW ME.

A FOLLOW ME

Harper Forbes’ best friend has disappeared without a trace. So she embarks on a journey of a lifetime as she follows Skye to Scotland, only to discover that she, too, has been mysteriously transported back in time to the 1500s. In this unfamiliar and perilous world, Harper must navigate through dangers and challenges she never could have imagined. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, she finds not only her friend but also a love that transcends time itself. What will fate have in store for her? Join Harper on an unforgettable adventure filled with romance, danger, and the timeless power of true love.

https://shorturl.at/DnYjN

Christmas in July!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/mmchristmasjuly/axz26pawrn

Christmas Angel

​

Being fully transparent is good for a relationship, right? Well, maybe not when it’s literal.

 Christmas Angel is a second-chance, MM, holiday romance with a celestial twist.

Probationary angel Jake Hennessy's been sent back to earth to mend fences with his ex. Or has he?

Certainly Tony doesn’t seem to think that's the case...

Romance Writers Weekly ~ What's More Romantic? ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "What’s more romantic: a slow burn under the summer sun or a whirlwind July affair?"

Well, that's a question, isn't it? I honestly think that it depends on the story because I think they can both be equally romantic. I think my preference is for the slow burn, but I'm open to having my mind changed about that. lol!

Anyway, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to learn where she stands on the "more romantic" question. And don't forget to check out her book, A Peakview Christmas to Remember.

A Peakview Christmas to Remember

Celebrate Christmas in July

Author Jill Haymaker returns to the tiny mountain town of Peakview, Colorado for this holiday romance about starting over and finding a second chance at love.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLQMMYT6

Christmas in July!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/mmchristmasjuly/axz26pawrn

Christmas Angel

​

Being fully transparent is good for a relationship, right? Well, maybe not when it’s literal.

 Christmas Angel is a second-chance, MM, holiday romance with a celestial twist.

Probationary angel Jake Hennessy's been sent back to earth to mend fences with his ex. Or has he?

Certainly Tony doesn’t seem to think that's the case...

Musical Monday: Let the Sun Shine In

 

So, I never saw HAIR the musical, although I grew up on the soundtrack and lyrics. It's weird how this song seems to mirror the way I think, and the way the world is now. I miss the time when the world made sense. 

Musical Monday: Both Sides Now (Josh Groban & Sara Bareilles)

 

I generally love original songs, and I especially love anything that reminds me fondly of the sixties and seventies. But this is a lovely cover of this Joni Mitchell song. 

Wine Wednesday: William Cris Winery Skeleton Key Sauvignon Blanc

 

Unfortunately, this was another white wine that was served to cold to have any kind of nose. I did pick up some lemon, maybe a little honey, but that's about it. According to the tasting notes I'm supposed to have noticed "wilting white flowers, beeswax and roasted nut". Not sure what beeswax smells like, and what type of nut? 

But, I digress. 

This is a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend, aged in oak, giving it a Chardonnay feel. II paired this with a very TEXAS entree: the 'Forbidden Taco' at North Street Curry Shop in San Marcos. It's an Indian/TexMex fusion dish and I think they went together well. The wine stood up to the spice, cut through the creaminess and provided balance. 

There were notes of peach and melon, traces of salinity, and hints of baking spice. 

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Summer Setting ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "Which summer setting do you love most for yourself or your stories: lakeside cabin, vineyard, small-town fair, or coastal inn?"

Sounds like an easy question, doesn't it? Well, it's not. I love all of those settings--both in real life and in books. I'm pretty sure I've written stories set in all of them. Or, at least most. Maybe not the lakeside cabin...yet.

The Oberon series has all three of the others. Games We Play is set in a coastal inn. Que Sera, Syrah is set in a vineyard. I guess the lakeside cabin is still in my writing future.  

Anyway, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page to learn about her favorite summer settings. And don't forget to check out her book, Mountain Fire.

A mountaintop mystery leads two conservationists to dangerous obsessions and violent passions

Natural resources student June Brandt climbs Longworth Mountain for some alone time. But when Conservation Officer Alex Weaver arrives to look into the death of a grizzly bear, June is caught up in the investigation—and fascinated by Alex.

Alex is attracted by June's competence and coolness under fire—as well as her lithe body and honey-blonde hair. Although their mutual interest in protecting the natural wonders of the area brings them together, they soon realize they view love from very different angles. He offers passion and pleasure, but June wants more. 

When one of Alex’s colleagues is murdered, June and Alex must work together to find the poacher before other lives are lost. And Alex must look deep inside to discover if he can give June what she deserves.

https://books2read.com/MountainFire

Christmas in July!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/mmchristmasjuly/axz26pawrn

Musical Monday: You Can Close Your Eyes (James Taylor and Carly Simon)

 So this is an old song that has nothing to do with anything I'm writing, but two years ago today I lost my dog and I'm feeling weepy and sad. I miss him.

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Go-to Summer Read ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "What’s your go-to summer read when you want heat, heart, and happily-ever-after?"

Wow.  This is surprisingly difficult. As a kid, I had several books that I wanted to read again each summer. Nowadays? Not so much. I mean...Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca, I guess? Or Jayne Ann Krentz' Eclipse Bay trilogy? 

I guess I really want to say my Oberon series, because it feels like so much of that series was set in summer--the first, fifth and ninth books in the series, and at least two of the novellas. Also I definitely spent several summers writing it, so...

Here's a link to a free download to the series' prequel novella: Such Fleeting Pleasures. 

 TL Schaefer has a book that also feels like summer to me, The Summerland. https://tlschaefer.com/books/summerland/

Kelly Jamieson has TWO series that also say summer to me--although I can't remember offhand if they are actually set in the summer.  But, on the other hand, they're set in Southern California, so they'll feel like summer to most people, anyway. lol! 

The Last Shot Series 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVWPPDFS

San Amaro Singles

https://www.amazon.com/San-Amaro-Singles-Kelly-Jamieson-ebook/dp/B07B281YCR/

You can find more buy links on her website. 

Then, of course, there's the new POUR DECISIONS trilogy, most of which takes place over the course of one summer. 

https://books2read.com/Pour-Decisions

Anyway, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to learn about her go-to summer reads. And don't forget to check out her book, Come Back to Me.

This week only! Book One in my time travel series, “Come Back to Me” is on sale for .99!!!!!

What would you do if you could go back in time to find your soulmate? For Skye Blaine, the answer is clear: she would do whatever it takes to be with the one she loves. Follow her as she travels through time in search of her heart's desire, finding that the path to true love is never easy, but always worth it. Will she find her happy ending? This page-turning story of love, sacrifice, and courage is sure to captivate and inspire. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey through time!

https://amzn.to/3thW8BR

POUR DECISIONS

Check out this new, Multi-Author Series.

Meet the Martinelli sisters: Rosa, Bianca and Allegra. These partners in wine have just inherited a once-storied winery in the heart of Napa Valley. They’re living the dream, right?

 

Not so fast! Because, as it turns out, not everybody is happy for them. And that includes their Uncle Geno who’d assumed the property would come to him.

 

There are hoops to jump through, barrels to get over, and a mountain of regulations they'll have to scale. But the sisters are crushing it—and we don’t just mean the grapes. They’re making wine, falling in love, and working together to restore their inheritance to its former glory, one pour decision at a time.

https://Books2Read.com/Pour-Decisions