On the Eleventh Day of Christmas–buon giorno

Tags

Anne Lange, Capri, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Traditions, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Italian Christmas, Italian Christmas Recipes, Italy, Loving Lady Lazuli, Noelle Clark, Rosamanti, Shehanne Moore, Villa Rosamanti

Ciao a tutti e spero che si sono impressi con il mio italiano–Good eh? I got it  off Babylon translator. Me speak Italian? Me speak any language come to that? I once tried Danish when we were lost in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Denmark  It was so bad the guy asked if I spoke French instead. Sanglante joue.

I wouldn’t like to say I am a complete Denholm Elliot’s character in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I am proficient at swearing and ordering a drink in every language going. The important things.

So, today as you can see, it is an advent calendar day.

Anne has the next line of our song  over on her blog.  OOH, we had sumexy pirates last time. I have to say, OMG! I would happily have done this next line too…especially given I don’t just write about pirates.

http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/23/eleventh-day-of-Christmas

Tomorrow…well, tomorrow we will be revealing certain covers.

It’s OKAY, I think I can get Kara to deal with Dug. IF she doesn’t hotfoot it to Anne’s blog today. Dug that is. Kara is too refined… Men in certain things do nothing for her whatsoever …ahem. It is very obvious when she first meets Callm.

I will also be revealing my book trailer.

TA-DAH… special big thanks to Incy Black for helping me NOT have a nervous breakdown at 1 am in the morning, when she’d no heating. Oh..and prising the 12 Days of Christmas song and the crummy accompanying naff illustrations off of it.

Guesses anyone as to what carol I kept??? It’s today’s BIG question.

Talking Christmas, Lady Fury has a special visitor on her blog

Yes…Ranting Crow, sharing not only some very questionable Dear Santa letters we must hope authors Antonia Van Zandt and Noelle Clark don’t see… Ranting didn’t write them, the pirates did. But Ranting does have that recipe for Dutch Apple Pie.

http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/ive-written-a-letter-to-santa/

Plus some fabulous pics of cocktail cup cakes.  Gorgeous all of it. What, or rather who I have today by way of something different again is  

Pietro Lombardi, hero of Noelle Clark’s lovely new book, Rosamanti set in Capri in Italy–what do you think I was speaking Italian for? The good of my health and the badness of everyone else’s?  Being as Pietro’s also a chef, do sit back. We are not only in for a special treat if you haven’t got the Christmas dinner sorted, look no further.

Buon giorno. My name is Pietro Lombardi and I am the owner and chef at Alberto’s. This Christmas will be our first, and my wife – Sarah – and I are looking forward to welcoming our family and friends to our restaurant for a traditional Caprese meal.

A lot has happened this year. I met the love of my life quite by chance, when she came to Capri from Australia, to stay at Villa Rosamanti – my Nonna’s villa, set high up on the cape near the ruins of Villa Jovis.

Christmas on the island of Capri is glorious. There are very few tourists, the weather is quite cool, and it rains a lot. The local Caprese people take this opportunity to meet up with family and friends, and enjoy the peace and quiet of our island.

There are many Christmas traditions here that my wife does not know. She comes from Australia, where Christmas is celebrated at the height of summer. She loves to come on la passeggiata with me around Capri, and especially at Christmas when la piazzetta is all lit up. Children gather in the towns and recite poems, and sing traditional Christmas songs. The children here have to wait until Epiphany – January 6^th – to open their presents, which are delivered by ‘Befana’, a kind, ugly witch who rides on a broomstick.

If you have read the book (Rosamanti), then you will know the history of Alberto’s. So, to honor my Nonna, our menu for Christmas dinner will be traditional Caprese fare, made entirely from ingredients from our very own land at Rosamanti. We do hope you will join Sarah and I, Therese and Bruno, our brave little friend Carlo, and of course Zia Maria, as we celebrate Christmas on my Island of Capri.

Buon Natale from Pietro and Sarah. Ciao.  Now the Menu! 

Starter: Potato and Cheese Pie, served with Caprese Christmas Wreath Salad 

(hmmmmm Very fantoosh)

Main Course: Traditional Caprese Ravioli

(like what’s on Anne’s blog today, a must have)

Dessert: Italian Panettone – which is a traditional cake filled with candied fruit that is very popular during the holiday season.

                              (Let us eat lots of it.)

Recipes:

Potato and Cheese Pie  serves  6

Ingredients

• 2 lb potatoes
• 7 oz ham
• 7 oz grated Parmigiano      Reggiano cheese
• 7 oz Emmentaler cheese
• salt to taste
• 1 ¾ oz butter

Preparation  –  15 minutes preparation + 1 hour cooking

Boil the potatoes in salted water, then peel them and cut them in rather thin slices.
Grease an oven dish, arrange a layer of potatoes in it, on top of the potatoes put the ham cut into slices, Emmental and Parmesan cheese. Continue to make layers of potatoes, ham, Emmental and Parmesan until all the ingredients are used up. Finally, put a few small knobs of butter then put in the oven at 350°F° for about 30 minutes.

Recipe from http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/search-recipes/potato-cheese.aspx

Ravioli Caprese style      

Filling Ingredients: 1/3  cup of ricotta cheese, 1 slice of mozzarella cheese, 1 table spoon of grated parmesan cheese, basil.

Preparation: To obtain the filling for our exquisite ravioli, mix together through a food processor ricotta cheese, mozzarella, basil, a handful of grated parmesan minimum one hour in advance and leave the mixture in the refrigerator. In the main time prepare the dough. N.B. It is advisable to buy all cheeses the previous day and keep them in the refrigerator.

Pasta Ingredients: 1 cup of regular white flour, ¼  cup of water, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, Italian pinch of sea salt.

Preparation: Place the flour on the work top and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the egg and a pinch of salt. Use a fork to incorporate the flour, adding the water a little at a time. Cover with flour and pat down by hand. Knead until a smooth dough is obtained. Divide the dough into two parts. Take one half of the roll and roll until a thin base is obtained. Add flour to keep from sticking to surface and rolling up, but do not over – work this dough. Brush off excess flour from both sides of base. Brush the top of base with beaten egg. Place teaspoonfuls of the filling at a regular intervals on the base (you can also do little balls). Filling should be 2 finger – widths apart. Roll out the other half of the dough and place over the base. Cut out the ravioli using a ravioli cutters, smaller one to press, larger one to cut.

To cook: Place the ravioli in a pan of boiling salted water. After few minutes the ravioli will rise to the surface. Using a skimming ladle, remove the ravioli and add to the previously prepared tomato sauce. Sprinkle generously with grated parmesan and fresh basil and the dish is ready.

Recipe from http://www.amalficoastcookingvacations.com/recipes/caprese-ravioli-style

Recipe for panettone

http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/panettone.aspx

OF COURSE we can’t just have Pietro here. We need to find out more.

Fate drew her to Rosamanti. Love made her stay…

After the death of her husband, best-selling mystery author Sarah Halliman has lost her desire for just about everything. Desperate to break out of her funk and rediscover herself, she answers a newspaper advertisement—For lease: Isolated villa on Capri, Italy. Must love cats. Traveling alone to the beautiful island of Capri, she locates Villa Rosamanti, a gorgeous 400-year-old dwelling nestled in the hillside of Monte Tiberio. Above it lies Villa Jovis, the 2000-year-old villa of Emperor Tiberius, ripe with history and intrigue.

Sarah soon discovers a strong resonance with Rosamanti and its gardens and quirky pets. She begins to feel a deep connection to Elena Lombardi, the deceased owner. But it’s not just the villa Sarah’s fallen in love with. Elena’s grandson, Pietro, is handsome and charming, the epitome of the passionate Italian. His dream is to own a restaurant of his own, but such dreams are for wealthier men.

Between the sparks that Pietro kindles in Sarah’s heart—and her kitchen—and the mystery of nearby Villa Jovis, Sarah’s muse begins to stir. She senses stories in the ancient stones, and romance in the phosphorescent blue waters of the Blue Grotto. But when her curiosity takes her to Elena’s library, a child’s notes and maps lead Sarah to a mystery that could be the answer to everyone’s prayers—or perhaps, be the destruction of everything they hold dear…

Available now from:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

All Romance eBooks

Website and Blog   www.noelleclark.net

Facebook                  http://www.facebook.com/NoelleClark.Author

Twitter                      https://twitter.com/noelle_clark

http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/miladys-book-ckub-welcomes-noelle-clark/

On the Eighth Day of Christmas-meet the maids

Tags

Anne Lange, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Loving Lady Lazuli, Shehanne Moore, Twelve Days of Christmas

AHHHHHH. It’s that logo again…. The one that inspired me to find some new positions

and show you a piece of my Loving Lady Lazuli cover two days ago.

To mix up what day it was yesterday. (Keeping a low profile on that one. Attention to detail was never one of my finer points.)  But what I can tell you is that yesterday Anne added another line of the song. Another that leaves me having to resort to cheap scene-stealing tricks. (One of my not so fine points) to showing you another piece of my cover…. Yes. Toys, was what Anne showed you yesterday in our down to Christmas Eve cover reveals, for our new books  — 

coming soon from http://etopia-press.net/

There were rabbits there.

Although I don’t know Anne’s were the kind Alice followed into Wonderland. Mind you maybe she did? maybe that’s why it’s called that. Anyway, I digress. Today is the eight day, Anne is of course showing you what we’ve got so far and sharing something Christmassy over here,

http://authorannelange.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/white-christmas/

I am  as usual following her suggestions and instructions to the letter.

The song says 8 maids a’milking.

I am saying nothing re these blow up dolls ok. What I would say is that if my true love filled the house with all this junk on daily basis, I’d be  joining online dating.

Also put the boot on the other foot. You get some sexy milkmaids you know. Ladies, send eight of her to your partner,

be your partner male or female, you could be asking for trouble.

So what has Anne come up with? (Do you like how I blame her for all this naughtiness)…. Eight  Smexy Santas….

Hmmm. I am saying nothing about Decking or Halls.

I am going back to the maids a’milking for today’s tidbit from Loving Lady Lazuli. Let me introduce you to members of the Starkadder Sisterhood. The Jewel Thieves of London. Eight  maids a nicking. Each one a precious jewel in their own right. Each one owned and trained by the late  Nicodemus Starkadder. Each one now cast on fortune’s trading and changing winds….

             Jade

in a fist fight, she’d  win hands down.

Diamond

Every newspaper in London applauded her actions.

Splendor

Little Miss Do it all.

Pearl

Plain as milk

Ruby

A very refined girl

Amber

Not the kind to hang about.

Emerald

The mistress of crocodile tears.

And last but not least.

Sapphire

If he’d encountered her in a whore house he’d have put down his fortune to possess her.

So that’s it for today folks..  To enter the

just leave a comment….

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

Tags

Anne Lange, Antonia Van Zandt, Christmas, Crumpet recipe, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Heisse Liebe, Loving Lady Lazuli, Marinated salmon recipe, Ranting Crow, recipes, Seducing Amanda, Shehanne Moore, Wiener Schnitzel

Yes. It’s an advent calendar day, which means for the next line of the song you need to pop over to Anne’s

http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/17/seventh-day-of-christmas/

to find out what she is going to come up with next that I am going to have to follow on our

Naughty 12 Days of Christmas cover reveal and giveaway event. In the song it’s swimming swans.

   Goodness, look at this romantic pair.

I admit to certain trepidation and the feeling I may have to resort to more cheap tricks! Like another piece of cover.

Anyway, as if I am not resorting to enough, blog hop here, nervous breakdown there, I’m visiting with a fabulous writer pal, Sharon Struth today, http://sharonstruth.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/three-reasons-why-you-should-read-his-judas-bride-by-shehanne-moore/

talking not Lady Lazuli but three of my favorite  scenes from His Judas Bride. Naturally they involved the Wolf. Oooh-hooh.

But I behaved. Okay? I mean I can now and again. Look, I don’t want the song going, ‘On THE Day of Christmas Santa gave to me.. a great fat lu-ump of coal.’ So I never said when it came to why you should read it, cos he’s a hunk, cos he’s sumexy cos he’s good in bed. I felt like it but I never.

Shaz made a lovely image of Dug from the book…

I stuck the hat and bauble on. I don’t know Dug would like it but…

What treat is in store in the advent calendar?  SO far we’ve had, three specially written horror flashes from three fabulous horror writers, Cat Cavendish, Julia Kavan and Steve Emmett,  an interview with the wonderful NY musician, Tali ‘Icepack’ Jackson sharing stories of playing with Bob Dylan to name but one, the lovely author, Rhonda Laurel with her Christmas stocking hopes, AND the equally lovely, Elyzabeth M. Valey, another fabulous author, telling us about Spanish, Cuban, American Christmas traditions .

Followi9ng that we have something you will be relieved to know has nothing to do with me…..

Recipes

And not just any old recipes…TWO special sumexy sets from two special sumexy people in two special places…

So let’s hear it firstly for the lovely Antonia Van Zandt, author of Seducing Amanda….a most erotic Christmas tale…..as you can see….

Shehanne has asked me to come up with a couple of traditional Austrian recipes. The sort of food that would have soothed the troubled Amanda (Seducing Amanda) had she lived in Vienna rather than England. Actually, Shehanne didn’t used the word ‘soothed’, she used the words ‘made her hot’. (Shehanne…Moi?)

OK, let’s go for it.

To understand the many traditions that combine to create Austrian cuisine, you need to remember that this country was once a mighty Empire. A Dual Monarchy (with Hungary) ruled over by an autocratic Emperor, the most senior member of the Hapsburg family.

(Sorry just thought I would show that other Austrian family)

The First World War changed all that, and shrank the country to a fraction of its imperial size, but didn’t stop Austrians continuing to enjoy food that had its origins in all corners of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a result, you’ll find dishes from, what is now, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, parts of modern day Poland, Slovenia and even northern Italy all incorporated on restaurant menus and on dining tables all over the country.

Austrians love their food and are a great meat-eating nation. But they also love their wonderful, cream laden desserts too.

Today, I’m going to give you a traditional main dish and a naughty pudding.

Wiener Schnitzel

 

Couldn’t be more Viennese, could it? Not with a name like that. Actually, this is another hark back to the days of Empire and is not even Austrian in origin. It is reputed to have found its way to Milan courtesy of the troops of Charles V of Spain (who abdicated in 1556), where it became known as Costolleta alla Milanese. In the mid nineteenth century, it became a great favourite of Field Marshall Radetzky who came across it during the Italian campaign of 1848. He praised it to Austria’s Emperor, Franz Josef, who immediately ordered that the palace chefs be taught how to make it. The rest, as they say, is history.

Traditionally, the schnitzel is made from veal but, these days, many chefs use pork loin. When ordering in Viennese restaurants, you will frequently be asked, ,Kalb oder Schwein?’ (Veal or pork?). Whatever your preference, it is usual to serve Schnitzel with Kartoffelsalat (potato salad).

To serve four, you will need:

4 lean pork loin chops

1 egg

flour for dredging

fine breadcrumbs (enough to coat all four escalopes)

salt

oil for frying

3 bowls

I frying pan/skillet

1. Place loin chops between sheets of waxed paper and roll out (or use tenderiser mallet) to reduce thickness of chops to escalopes of approx. one eighth of an inch. Sprinkle each fillet lightly with salt

2. In one bowl, put the flour; in the next, the beaten egg, and in the third bowl, put the breadcumbs

3. Dip each escalope firstly into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs and ensure they are coated thoroughly and evenly.

4. Heat the oil in the pan (medium heat) and fry, turning when browned, for around 3 minutes each side.

5. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and potato salad (here’s a tasty recipe http://lakelurecottagekitchen.com/2013/01/17/austrian-potato-salad/)

Now for that deliciously wicked pudding. Guaranteed to turn a saint into a sinner with one mouthful:

Heisse Liebe (Hot Love)

– per portion

2-3 scoops of best quality vanilla ice cream

3 tablespoons raspberries

half teaspoon sugar (or to taste)

4 fl. oz. (125ml) water

whipped cream

1. Put fruit, water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat gently until raspberries are hot, but not boiling. Don’t allow raspberries to turn to mush.

2.  Scoop ice cream into chilled glasses. Pour hot raspberry mixture over. Decorate with whipped cream (you can add a wafer and/or fresh mint if preferred.

3. Serve immediately before the ice cream melts.

Orgasmus!

 Enjoy your meal. Or, as we say in Austria:

Mahlzeit!

…………………You too Antonia. I don’t know about anyone else BUT I am making that one for Christmas Dinner.

Seducing Amanda is available here:
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Barnes and Noble All Romance Books Kobo.

Let’s have the blurb followed by our next set of sumexy Christmas  recipes……

A lonely girl, a haunted house, and a ghostly passion from the past.

Escaping from a disastrous marriage, Amanda Dalton seeks a chance to  heal her troubled mind at Dalton Manor, the rambling Victorian mansion  recently inherited from her aunt. Her new home seems the perfect place  to recuperate, but the house has a secret or two of its own. A  mysterious couple comes to call–a beautiful man and woman who share  their passion and encourage Amanda to explore her deepest sexual  fantasies. But who are they? Where have they come from? Why won’t they  tell her their names?

When Amanda discovers she is not the first to enjoy a ménage a troi  with the couple, she’s drawn in ever deeper. She combs the house for  clues to their identity, her desire to learn the truth becoming an  obsession. But her work proves fruitless. With Christmas coming, Amanda  knows she will soon have to make a decision–one that will determine the rest of her life. The snow is falling as she sips her wine. In the  corner of her room, the lights twinkle on the Christmas tree near the  fire. All is still and quiet. Until there’s a knock at the door…

Oohhhh. So, who is my next guest? And where are they from? Well, it is none other than Ranting Crow, a top commenter here and also a fabulous writer, I hope to see in print. Although one recipe combines with another, Ranting has three recipes all told, but one  is specially for Lady Fury  And, knowing what she’s like I think we’ll let her have that one first…..

Ranting has winged his way from Holland with a special recipe for Crumpets…..which we all know what that word can also mean…

Breakfast crumpets

A delicious idea for a Christmas breakfast. Yes it is the Crow here keeping his word and giving you this recipe to try!

• 580 ml milk
• 360 gram flour (around 12 ounce)
• 1,5 tsp dried Yeast 1/8 oz 5 grams
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• Sunflower oil or any vegetable oil for   cooking
• 1 tbsp butter (not needed but love the  flavour)

Depending on the rings used. I used 4inch or 10cm you have about 8-12  I do not use water as a normal recipe would do. If the batter is a bit to stiff slowly add a little water to make it less dense.

Heat the milk to be a bit warmed but not to warm, NOT boiling. Mix up the dry ingredients. Flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in the milk with the dry ingredients to a nice slow flowing batter. If you feel it is a little to thick add a little water. Leave covered with shrink foil for about 30-60 minutes. Giving the yeast time to do its magic together with the baking powder. If all went well you still have a nice thick yet slow running batter.

Heat a small amount of oil  and butter in a frying pan and with some rings (used for baking eggs) to keep the batter together. Fill half a ring with the batter. In about 6 minutes you see air holes appear and batter is nice and firmed up. Take away the rings and turn. For another 4 minutes. Keep them coming till batter is gone.

Marinated Salmon

Have a nice piece of salmon no skin. Sprinkle some salt over the salmon. Put on the mustard and spread even Depending on your size a tablespoon should do on a piece of roughly 500 grams or 1 pound. Chop up the dill nice and fine and sprinkle over the mustard covered salmon.. Lay salmon on plate and cover with foil. Press nicely against the salmon till snug. Put to bed for about 6 hours in refrigerator with a plate on top upside down. Easy to be made the evening before.
Take out the salmon and slice thin slices to drape over a crumpet with a little touch of dill. Grind some sea salt and pepper to finish it.

Also nice with a preserves/comfiture of pears they are so nice this time a year that it fit Christmas very nicely. 3 nice ripe pears hand size. Peel and diced in a 100ml Applejuice, it is just about enough. At a table spoon of sugar on a half high fire and boil for about 10 minutes.

Or grilled ham with a little bit of honey and chives. Just a big sliced ham folded two times, grilled in pan and when gas if off drip over some honey and the chopped chives.

…………………..So there we go. It only remains for me to say thank you Antonia and Ranting for sorting the Christmas breakfast and dinner.

Oh and a very late addition here ..an added extra has just come in!! GO check it out. http://rantingcrow.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/champagne-parfait/

.

 

Related articles

• On the Sixth Day Of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
• On the Fifth Day Of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
• On The First Day of Christmas……. (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)

On the Sixth Day Of Christmas

Tags

Anne Lange, Christmas, Erotic Romance, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Loving Lady Lazuli, Noelle Clark, Romance, Shehanne Moore, Twelve Days of Christmas

Okay, so it’s an Anne and Shehanne naughty day in our special giveaway to in honor of the cover reveals for our same day upcoming releases from Etopia Press.

Day 6

on the song..which when I last added to it , looked like this.

Four red silk ti-eyes

Three French kisses,

 Two lace stockings,

And a brand new pretty red thong.

Yes Anne’s whose giveaway looks like this….

added another line on Friday there while I was offski being all industrious, nicely answering Christmas questions here….

http://t.co/jVUzbZ3pm3

Yes. Anne threw this into the mix….

Five of them. The lovely Noelle Clark was concerned that we might not be able to fit the words to the tune. But it’s not Five Harry met Sallys…

It’s five…look, I am sure Anne meant the drink. I mean, I hope Anne realizes the trouble I have had trying to find stock photo images here. And of course Anne and I have sung the song through. And we got it to fit perfectly. We just took our time.

So there is no reason for our lovely Noelle not to sing it specially for everyone.

As for following that….. There is only one way I can. That is by showing you all a piece of my cover. Here it is. Ta-Dah…

(Sprinkles glitter dust)

Now then, mine is the sixth day and on the sixth day the actual song says….

    Six–just let me make sure I spelt that correctly, these three letter words beginning in s and ending in x are hard.  Six geese a-laying.

I don’t know that needed to be changed. I have a hero who will lay anything….. No not eggs.  It just must be my mind is so grimy that …well…

Anyway  our line goes like this…

     SIX –

–again being very careful here…

          New Positions

So what are they? Well…

As you can see..

That’s five and now we have one more.

Sorry. Were we meaning other positions? Well…okay. Let’s  take it from Harry and Sally.

The crouch……

                             The wishful thinking

                     The Mile High club…not…

               Aliens just put their elbows together.

                  In the street with a tree  as cover. Aka the Fooling Santa. Or even the having had enough of this Christmas shit, ramming the tree where the sun doesn’t shine.

                    the It was this size honey.

  Oh, all right…

says there’s a hundred, so, it should be no trouble to find six. Do Saff and Dev, my heroine and hero? Now that would be telling. Let’s just say they find quite a few.

There you have today’s line and of course what Anne is sharing on her blog. http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/16/joy-to-the-world-and-lazy-geese/

As well as today’s tidbit from Loving Lady Lazuli.  I gave you that piece of the cover. What more do you want? Oh all right. The other day we had what they want. Now we have what they are…..

You might know I don’t do perfect heroes and heroines. As for their backstory that snowy Christmas Eve…..it’s simple..

Remember to enter the

forget last week’s naughtiness regarding bedrails, ties and the When Harry Met Sally charade poll, just tell me your fav Christmas Song. Oh and please join me tomorrow when I have some fabulous recipes to share. Not mine by the way, so it’s quite safe.

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• On the third day of Christmas…it’s (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
• On the Second Day of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
• On The First Day of Christmas……. (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)

On the Fifth Day Of Christmas

Tags

Anne Lange, Christmas, Christmas carols, Christmas Food, Christmas in Spain, Cuban Christmas traditions, Elyzabeth M. Valey, Giveaway, The Uncertain List

You know, just when I thought I was involved in one blog hop along came another…

Snazzy huh? Sumexy too.

What can I say though except you think I would learn to keep my big gub shut?  More of the TNT Confidential 12 Days in a mo. I hope you are as mixed up as I am with this incestuous blog-swap/hopping.  For the time being let us return to the present which means this.

Sorry this…

Wonderful, benevolent ones…especially to my copyeditor who may, or may not see  my copyedits on the agreed day….  Of course she will. Just kidding.

So today is an advent calendar day, a rest day for me on the

giveaway to celebrate our same day, forthcoming releases from Etopia Press. That’s a rest day as opposed to an arrest day the kind of things we have been posting..

 Today Anne adds another line to the song. (Tomorrow I sit in a heap foaming at the mouth) This is the fifth day line…

Just thinking Charades here…. a popular Christmas game. So, it’s your turn and you reach in the bowl and you draw out the slip of paper. You unfold it and it says….

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

How would you do this charade. Would you do…four words. Film.  Second word and fourth word, name.  Third word sounds like wet. Or would you just go for broke and ….give a long passionate moan……

Why am I asking? Well Anne’s day five is somewhat daring….

http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/13/fifth-day-of-christmas/

I have no idea how on earth I am going to follow that….At least I have till Monday to figure it out. I might have to scene steal this by showing a bit of my cover…. Seriously go pop over to Anne’s blog and tell her your fav carol. It’s all you have to do to enter her fabulous giveaway. To enter mine today. Please leave me a comment answering my charade question.

Now I said OTHER BLOG HOP . And yes I am moonlighting. I also have here today the organizer of that hop, my fabulous and special doodle pal, the lovely author Elyzabeth M. Valey. 

No she ‘s not here to tell us about the hop (I will at the end.)  I promised you different things this Christmas and Elyzabeth, who lives in Spain is here to talk about——

The American+ Cuban+ Spanish way of Christmas

(P S…get ready to lick your lips!!! Here goes)

‘I love Christmas! Love, love, love it! Every year I look forward to this time of year.  I wish I could say why exactly, but I have no idea *shrug*  I guess it’s the magic in the air *smiles*or the way I celebrate Christmas. Due to my cultural background and my place of residence, you could say that my Christmas has always been and is still special.

  (AWWW. A little Elyzabeth in Brazil.)

Food:  Ah, the food, one of the best part of Christmas is that you can eat all you want and it never makes you fat,  right? (Yeah, yeah,I know, wishful thinking there).

Anyhow, at my house we have Christmas dinner on December 24^th. It begins at around 10pm and last until 11pm or so because we are a small family. We follow a more Latin approach to the meal and eat a pork dish, rice, black beans and yuca. In my house dessert varies with each person, but usually we will bake something like a cake or cupcakes for the occasion.

For breakfast the next day we like to have pancakes and maple syrup, something not common here in Spain as many Spaniards still confuse pancakes with crepes and don’t even know what maple syrup is*sigh*.

Spaniards also have Christmas dinner or cena de Noche Buena on December 24^th. Their meal also begins at around 10pm and can last several hours (depending on the size of the family). A lot of the time it includes appetizers like ham, chorizo, cheese, salchichón…  and most families have fish and shellfish for dinner. Some popular Spanish sweets are turrón and polvorones.

The typical turrón is made of almonds, honey, sugar and eggs, but every year new flavors come out. My favorite is the white chocolate one and that’s a must buy at my house since the end of November when they start appearing in stores.

Polvorones, are a sort of soft and crumbly short bread. Can’t really explain more because I don’t like them much, *Shrug*

*Roscón de Reyes* This sweet oval cake is worth mentioning because it’s very typical and yummy, but it’s not eaten during Christmas. Instead, Roscón de Reyes is sampled on January 6^th, Día de Reyes, which is when most Spanish children get their gifts. The Roscón has sugar and dried candied fruit on top.

Some come with whipped cream filling too. Finally, most Roscón have a hidden figure inside. If you find the hidden figure (I’ve found anything from a baby to a bird to a Donald Duck) you’ll have a year of good luck. However, if you find the haba (a bean) you’ll have to pay for the Roscón.

Gifts: Santa has always been the Big Boss around my house. Ever since I can remember, letters were written to Santa and the jolly old man delivered the gifts on the 24^th and we opened them early on the 25^th. Now a days, we don’t wake up so early any more but we still open gifts on the 25^th *smile* 

(EVEN bigger AWWWWWWWW Elyzabeth and her sister with the 3 kings)

Since my mom is Cuban she didn’t want us to lose her part of the Latin heritage so The Three Kings also came to my house. Los Reyes Magos  brought their gift/ gifts on the night of January 5^th to be opened on the morning of January 6^th. Spain celebrates Reyes more than they celebrate Santa. As a matter a fact, most children (and adults) only get presents from the Three Kings.  Part of the Spanish tradition is to put the children’s shoes out under the tree so that the King’s can know for who the toys are. (In my house we put up stockings).

Some other fun curiosities…

If you’ve misbehaved… (Shehanne looks innocent.)Here, if you’ve been naughty parents will tell their children that the Reyes will bring them Carbón or coal. A few years ago (well, more than a few) we discovered that they actually make candy called sweet coal and well, it looks like coal.

(One I snapped last year)

Ornaments: At my house we set up the tree, the stockings, the lights and my dream is to have a train going around the tree. Spaniards and Cubans like to place nativity scenes or what is called a Belen. When I was a kid we used to set up a small one with Jesus, Joseph , Mary, the Three Kings, and the animals, but Belenes can be huge.  A good example is the one set up by the Madrid Town Hall every year. If you ever visit Madrid during Christmas time it’s well worth the visit even if the lines are long because the detail of the figures and the way they’re set up is overwhelming. You can get an idea in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVfKYoV-gyE

Music: Spanish Christmas carols have nothing to do with those from the USA or Britain. In Spain we call them Villancicos and most of them have a religious connotation.

Some popular ones are Los Peces en el Río, Campana sobre Campana, 25 de diciembre fum fum fum, Ande, ande, ande la Marimorena.

This is Campana sobre Campana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXyxXPok4hE

As for me, I fill my mp3 player with songs such as Here comes Santa Claus, Santa Claus is coming to town,  Let it Snow, Jingle Bell Rock, All I want for Christmas is you, Twelve Days of Christmas,  and so on… both in a more traditional and a more metal version *wink*’

Happy Holidays!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDl0rIOr5Zw

Okay. Hope you enjoyed hearing about Christmas in Spain. Two things…

One Elyzabeth has a new release here. A Christmas one!! Ideal for thus presently naughty blog.  OOOH. ‘The Uncertain List.’

Tristan’s job is to investigate those people on Santa’s Uncertain List  and determine whether they’re truly Naughty or Nice. His last mission of the year is Amy, a sweet girl with a kinky streak that will make his  job harder than expected.

• Available at:
  
  • Silver Publishing
  • Amazon.com
  • Amazon.co.uk
  • All Romance Ebooks
  • Barnes & Noble

AND there is her blog hop.

http://inadreambeyond.blogspot.com/

It starts today and  features

Doris O’ Connor Freddy Mackay Nicola Cameron JC Wallace Melissa Hosack

Shehanne Moore Carlene Love Flores Iyana Jenna Victoria Adams Julie Hayes

AND her good self of course. Every day until December 24^th (included), one of us will pop in for a merry visit, share a  holiday anecdote, talk about the season and their seasonal book. On December 25^th all winners will be announced.

 Each author comes bearing with them gifts. All you have to do to win is come visit each day and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

Furthermore, there is also a Grand prize of $30 Amazon Gift Card, so by entering each author’s individual contest you also get an entry for the card.

What are you waiting for.

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• On the third day of Christmas…it’s (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
• On the Second Day of Christmas (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)
• On The First Day of Christmas……. (shehannemoore.wordpress.com)

On the Fourth Day of Christmas…..There be dragons

Tags

Anne Lange, Christmas, Crimson Frost Press, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Jane Hunt, Loving Lady Lazuli, Shehanne Moore, The Dragon Legacy, Twelve Days of Christmas

Yep, it’s that banner again. SO-

Welcome to Day 4 of the Anne and Shehanne giveaway

…and more besides..

where we’re re-inventing the lyrics to a certain fabulous Christmas song and putting our own sexy twist on it in honor of the cover reveals for our same day upcoming releases from Etopia Press. Ooh-hoo

Between times we’re posting other Christmas things…As you can see with Anne’s blog today

http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/12/o-holy-night/

Returning to the song, yesterday Anne did line 3. Very, very smexily too.

http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/11/third-day-of-christmas/

So smexily I have to show it….

The Twelve Naughty Days of Christmas…

One the third day of Christmas, our true love gave to us…

Three French kisses,

 Two lace stockings,

And a brand new pretty red thong.

Today, I have line four….

In the actual song that’s four calling birds

    Well they are, aren’t they?  At least that one at the head of the line is. Of course maybe you were thinking this…

What are they saying?

It could be some real sexy calling birds…..

But our song isn’t crude like that. Our song is worse. And today what our true love gave us are four red silk ties……..

Yes. Now…clearing the throat here after  Day 2’s extract involving bedrails and things led to you ignore my request for your fav song and come up with suggestions as to what was going to happen next instead. I mean ..heavens I don’t want you all thinking I have a thing for bedrails and ties…..just because a few sentences later, it says….

 “So don’t be coy,” she whispered. “Or I’ll have to tie your ankles as well.”

“Is that so, Miss Armstrong?”

“Cassidy. You should call me it.”

But do feel free to let your imaginations run wild as to what happens next. You can see constraint does somewhat feature…..

To enter the giveaway it’s all you need to do–leave a comment.  Also….do please help me welcome my special guest today, debut author and all round nice girl, Jane Hunt, who does a ton of work for other people. Jane is here today as part of a blog tour, which I signed up for before Anne and I got going. So that is why there be dragons here today too. No. Not Jane..her book. On the very first stop of her tour too!

Actually, I thought it was Jane, but it’s not, it’s her heroine….  Fleur, from The Dragon Legacy, just released by Crimson Frost Books. AND there’s a giveaway. Yes! The link is below at the end of the post. A piccie of some of the prizes too….

                       Oops…sorry….wrong one. Jane’s not giving away them. Are you kidding? She’s keeping every one.

Fleur:  It’s lovely to be here Shehanne.

Shey. Oh. that’s what they all say to start with. A pity I hadn’t know YOU were coming along, we could have brought out the hot seat and put Jane in it, so you could grill her.  But you’re up for a few questions are you?

Fleur :Ask away…

Shey.  What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

 Fleur : I recently hid in a dark creepy cave even though I hate confined spaces.

Shey : Hmmm. I have a hero does that.  So you’re impulsive?

Fleur. I never used to be. More timid, afraid to make any decisions on my own but meeting Lukas changed me. So did the world he exposed me to. I’ve a strong survival instinct now and will do what it takes to cheat death.

Shey : Sounds like you’ve had a wild adventure can you tell us about it?

Fleur : Well I never expected a murder mystery event to be so surreal. Forget ‘Professor Plumb’ and’ Colonel Mustard’

(He did it with his moustache)

and meet Lukas Draco and Xavier Serpente.

Shey . Lukas? Hmmmm. Xavier…So are they as hot as they sound?

           (Or maybe it was with that yellow playing piece? Could be nasty.)

Fleur . Mmm and some, in ways you couldn’t imagine.

Shey.  Intriguing you would think that…

Fleur.  Xavier isn’t my type too smooth. I like a man to have rough edges to hold my interest. Lukas is different he has a wildness which attracts me…

‘His face was the epitome of masculine beauty, characterized by well-defined angular cheekbones, covered with pale, almost translucent skin. Its apparent delicacy did not detract from his masculinity; he looked like a fallen angel.’

Shey… OOOH……..Sumexy. I’m glad we’re not talking about Colonel Mustard.

(My god, I know he said the rope…but….)

 Fleur (blushes,) I’ve probably said too much…

 Shey. No you haven’t said enough. So was it Love or Lust when you first met Lukas?

Fleur.   Neither Lukas frightened me; a passionate stranger who threatened my heart. I wanted to run but I kept turning round to make sure he was following you know what I mean?

Shey . I really can’t imagine (Winks) Do you believe in ‘Happy Ever After?….With a man like this??????

Fleur . I want to. Don’t we all if we’re honest.

Blurb

‘When emotionally fragile Fleur Curwen decides she wants excitement in her boring life she signs up for a Murder Mystery Weekend in the wilds of the English Lake District. She enters a paranormal world where
danger and death are common occurrences.

Demon slayer Lukas Draco is a loner. He lives by two simple rules: No
emotional entanglements and duty must remain his first priority. His
beliefs are challenged when he’s inexplicably drawn to Fleur, a human
woman with an unusual psychic aura. Sparks of sexual attraction ignite
threatening both his search for the dragon’s egg he buried a thousand years ago and Fleur’s life. Under the cover of a murder mystery weekend an apocalyptic hunt begins’

Author Bio: As a child Jane  had a complete stable of make believe horses and her imagination remains as vivid. Now it creates characters and scenarios which provide the inspiration for her  stories.

She is  so excited to finally have career as a writer.

Her  love affair with the written word started as a teenager. She secretly dreamed of writing the romantic novels she loved to read. Life had other plans for her. Marriage at twenty-one whilst still at university launched her into a career in health service management. She  often thought about writing in her spare time but her career and two wonderful children kept her occupied 24/7.  Illness forced an abrupt end to her  career. Always the optimist she  seized the opportunity to write full time in 2012.

The Dragon Legacy is her first published novel and she is excited to be sharing it with a wider audience.

When  not writing she  enjoys reading, book reviewing, social media and walking in the countryside. She is  passionate about animal welfare.

Connect with Jane Hunt on Social Media:

  Jane Hunt Writer Website

Jane Hunt Facebook

Jane Hunt Writer Facebook Page

The Dragon Legacy Facebook Page

Twitter

Goodreads

Jane Hunt Pinterest

Jane Hunt Google+

My Books Google+ Page

Jane Hunt Writer Book Reviews Google+ Page 

The Dragon Legacy — 20 December 2013

Link for Rafflecopter Giveaway:

The Dragon Legacy Blog Tour Giveaway

Prizes are:

The Dragon Legacy e-book (2 prizes)

Birdcage Necklace by Megan Jane

Crackle stone Bracelet by Megan Jane

Flower Bracelet by Megan Jane

£5 Amazon Gift Certificate (2  prizes)

 

So today…on the October calendar it’s…

Tags

All Fired up by Nikki Dee Houston., Catherine Cavendish, Etopia Press, Fire Prevention Day, Giveaway, Moldy CHeese Day, Nikki Dee Houston, Shehanne Moore, Tara Lain

Fire Prevention Day AND -dare I mention it – Moldy Cheese Day? That’s as in the Etopia Press Faceook Fest GIveawa

and something I sort of whisper  because of course Lady Fury, my heroine of

has got Moldy Cheese Day. Why has she got Moldy Cheese Day instead of Mother-In-Law Day, at which she would have excelled? Well, ducking for cover here, since the last time I interviewed her here, the last time she interviewed me, and the only time she interviewed Callm , the Black Wolf of Lochalpin, there were unfortunate scenes. Yes,  caused by her flashing pictures of Italian organ grinders about and throwing herself at the Black Wolf.

I can however say… Fury,  you would not like people to think you did not like Lady Margaret, thought of her as the Dowager Toad and kept her son in a box in the cellar, now would you? Fury of course has her own say on the subject here http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/moldy-cheese-day/

So? Moldy Cheese?

Moldy Cheese is a dawdle by comparison.  Why does she have that day? Well because she has bills.  ‘Bills from everyone in Genoa it was possible  to have bills from’.  (Know the feeling) She also has a certain very demanding gentleman to keep……

“Anything will do.” He wrapped the towel around himself and padded across the floor. “I’m not fussy. Just whatever you have in your kitchen.”

That would be a scrap of bread and some moldy cheese. There were some tomatoes on the plant in the garden. Some being the operative word. At the last count it was three. If she gave him one that would be two.’

So there we have it. Phew……  The Unraveling of Lady Fury is up for grabs today over with Etopia Press on Facebook. If it’s not like…now.. the other books either, it will be later. https://www.facebook.com/etopiapress

The lovely  Catherine Cavendish’s book

very apt for the time of year,  is also there for Fire Prevention Day– thrilled to be sharing a spot with a fav Etopian. Tara Lain’s, Fast Balls. is there too.  Oh the Spooky Theme I was blogging yesterday over at the lovely Faith Ashlin’s blog

That’s obviously Sherlock Holmes by the way not Faith. part of the  subject… well think Hounds, think Baskervilles, think where the story really originated. http://faithashlin.blogspot.com/2013/10/please-welcome-epically-amazing.html?spref=tw

BUT to return to Fire Prevention Day..and things being hot as hell in this October season, it is my pleasure to introduce a new Etopian, MZ Nikki Dee Houston, my special guest today, whose book is also up for grabs in Etopia’s Facebook Fest!!!   So here she is…Nikki Dee.

 

Fires aren’t all that’s sizzling at Hillwood Station….Nikki Dee Houston.

‘Firstly, I’d like to thank you for having me on your wonderful blog. I’m a little nervous, as I know you run a very ‘clean’ ship here, and I don’t want to offend any of your readers. I’m…um…one of those *looks left, then right* erotic romance writers. But I promise to keep my chat with you ‘suitable’ for your very righteous readers.

A little about myself, you ask? Well, I’m fortunate to be living an idyllic existence where the mere glance of the blue sea, white sand, and swaying palm trees from my living room, infuses me with the need to be creative. Yes, I live on an island. Fate brought me to this place, and the muse found me here. I couldn’t be more happy with my life if I tried.

My debut novella, All Fired Up, is not set anywhere near as peaceful and serene as my own surroundings. Rather, it is set in a suburban Fire Station, where the characters work hard to keep their community safe.

(Shehanne…yes we can see this can’t we?)

I like my female heroines to be strong, independent, even feisty. They often are women who are employed in normally male-dominated work, and I like to show that their determination to succeed is not uncommon. Many women – even company executives – encounter the need to break through the glass ceiling sometimes, and achieve their ambitions.

My leading men? Ooooh, now they have to be strong both of body and mind. Not Neanderthal strong – but strong enough to make the heroine fall in love with him, and to bring out her very tender feminine side. I love allowing my characters to peel off various layers, exposing another, deeper, side to their nature. It’s a bit like plucking petals from a rose. As each one is removed it gets closer to revealing their innermost selves.

Do I like Fire Fighters? Hell yeah!! They are the real deal. They are brave, compassionate, hardworking, often they are family men. They are the first people we call on when disaster strikes. They are real heroes, that’s for sure.

All Fired Up will be released on November 1^st through Etopia Press.

Nikki’s Blurb……I tell yah…bring that fire extinguisher over here.

Cindy always wanted to be a fire fighter. When she tops the class in the rookie academy, her first posting is the small but busy Hillwood Fire Station—and she’s their first female firefighter. For some of the crew, the thought of a woman in their male-dominated world is too much, and Cindy gets a hostile reception from some.

When Cindy comes face-to-face with a real-life fireman calendar pinup, she is stunned at how much better looking he is in person. Cindy’s no weakling, but even she finds herself gasping for breath when confronted by those bright green eyes.

Only problem is—he’s her boss—Captain Dave Johnson.

Sparks fly both within Hillwood Fire Station, and in the dangerous spate of factory fires that the crew risk life and limb to control. Cindy’s ability to cut it with the men is on show to all, and she’s determined to not just keep up with them, but to excel as a firefighter.

Events turn nasty when a dark past comes back to haunt Cindy, jeopardising her career before it’s even started, and she has to prove that she’s not just a pretty face. Fanning the flames of contempt, she faces danger head on, eventually earning the respect of the team.

Meanwhile, the fires aren’t the only thing smoldering. Cindy and Dave are irresistibly drawn to each other. Their sizzling hot attraction is enough to make Hillwood Fire Station spontaneously combust. The more they try to douse the flames, the hotter it burns. There’s enough heat at Hillwood to burn fiercely for a long time.

Contact Details for Nikki Dee.

Website and Blog http://www.nikkideehouston.com/

Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/NikkiDeeHouston84

Twitter   https://twitter.com/NikkiDeeHouston  I tweet under @NikkiDeeHouston

Manic Readers http://www.manicreaders.com/NikkiDeeHouston/

That’s it for today folks… but we’ve other visits scheduled from some fabulous authors, plus more spooky posts.  Remember if you want to enter the Facebook Fest giveaway you know where to find it.