This or That: Kiss or Nibble

One of the hardest things about writing romance is writing the love scene especially after nearly 80 books (Hard to imagine that it’s so many but it is!) Why is it hard? Well, if you have to decide just how intense it should be for your readers and more importantly, for the characters in your story. Plus, you want it to be different and not the same as something you’ve done before. You also want it to be right for your characters. When I start to write the scene, I often think, will it begin with the kiss or the nibble on the neck? What do you think? P.S. If you like stories with a little bit of spice, you can read three of the novellas in the Dark Seduction series for free on Kindle Unlimited or specially priced at 99 cents at https://amzn.to/3AxbMgb.

this or that

Celebrate National Banana Split Day

It’s National Banana Split Day and who doesn’t love a good banana split! It’s been forever since I’ve had one but with the end of summer drawing close so quickly, it may be time to hop on over to the local ice cream shop and grab one. My favorite part of the banana split was having hot fudge on the strawberry ice cream. It’s one of my favorite combos although I’ve got a new favorite ice cream now thanks to Callie’s Creamery in Neptune City, NJ! They’ve got a fabulous chocolate peanut butter ice cream. If you’re in the area, please drop by and support a local small business. That gives me an idea! What about a book about an ice cream shop owner? What do you think?

banana split

Welcome to the Jersey Shore

Some of my favorite books are in the At the Shore contemporary romance series. I love the friendships between the three women and the strong alpha men who support them as they follow their dreams. I also love that the stories are set in some of my favorite spots in New York City but more importantly, along the Jersey Shore that I love! Today I’ve got a shoutout from EM & M Books for ONE SUMMER NIGHT, the first book in the series. And I’m excited to share that Amazon has discounted the box set of all three books to 99 cents! Don’t miss out on this deal and grab your copy today at https://amzn.to/4dRP3d8.

jersey shore romance

Happy Book Birthday

I love writing for Harlequin Intrigue and I love being a part of the Intrigue author family! I want to wish this month’s authors a very Happy Book Birthday! Congrats Juno Rushdan, BJ Daniels, R. Barri Flowers, Cindy Myers, Carol Ericson, and Barb Han. Wishing you many sales and many good reviews. You can download these wonderful reads at https://amzn.to/3T1QHBb. P.S. If you like Harlequin Intrigue books, please take a moment to check out mine at https://amzn.to/3WXPxrx.

harlequin intrigue

The Elusive and Exciting Century Plant

My husband sent me an article he read about the Century Plant at Longwood Gardens being in bloom and of course, my sister and I had to go see it for ourselves! We made the nearly two hour trip to one of our favorite places and went in search of the Century Plant. Along the way we were able to see so many beautiful orchids and other flowers until we reached the cactus area of the conservatory where the glass panes of the conservatory roof had been taken out to allow the century plant to bloom. A good ten or more feet of the bloom escaped into the sky! The Century Plant doesn’t bloom very often and while it doesn’t take one hundred years, it can take as much as twenty-five years for the plant to bloom so we weren’t going to miss out on this. The bloom will be visible through the early fall when we’ll be back to Longwood to see the opening of their new additions to the gardens. What do you think? Would you take a trek to see what might be a once-in-a-lifetime bloom? P.S. If you love books with people who love gardens, check out MORE THAN A MISSION, my romantic suspense about a chef who might be an assassin. Her garden which provides some of the herbs and spices for her cooking, but maybe also for poisoning a prince! Download your copy at https://amzn.to/3yvguoB.

century plant

Exclusive VIP Newsletter Giveaway

As my way of saying thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to sign up for my newsletter, I’m having an exclusive newsletter giveaway. Ten (10) lucky winners will receive an autographed copy of ESCAPE THE EVERGLADES and a coaster! Entries must be made by midnight EST on September 15. For a chance to enter the giveaway and stay up to date on the latest news, please sign up for my newsletter at https://bit.ly/CaridadsNewsletter. Once you sign up, you’ll be able to download a copy of SOUTH BEACH LOVE for free! P.S. If you haven’t started the SOUTH BEACH SECURITY series yet, you can download them at https://amzn.to/4dv2znn.

giveaway

Please Welcome Laurel Greer

I am so excited to have fellow author Laurel Greer here with me on the book birthday for her new release THEIR UNEXPECTED FOREVER from Harlequin Special Edition! It sounds like an amazingly emotional and happy book. I can’t wait to read it!

Thank you so much for having me here today, Caridad, and hello to everyone reading!

Does reading about food in a book ever make you hungry? Writing about it sure does for me. Caridad mentioned you love recipe posts, which is perfect because of all the food that plays a role in my new release, THEIR UNEXPECTED FOREVER. The hero, Matias Kahale, owns a pub and is starting a brewery, and the heroine, Violet, never says no to enjoying his culinary creations. When Violet mentions breakfast poutine one day (hello, pregnancy craving), he gets to work!

Here’s my take on the recipe, including my go-to Hollandaise sauce:

Ingredients:
1 package oven fries
6 breakfast sausages
4 slices bacon
4 eggs
2 c cheese curds
1/4 c diced chives

Hollandaise Sauce
4 egg yolks
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 c melted butter
salt and cayenne to taste

Directions:

Prepare oven fries as directed on package.

Cook sausages and bacon in a skillet. Crumble sausage, chop bacon, and set aside.

Prepare hollandaise: Whisk egg yolks and lemon juice in a double boiler over just-simmering water, until doubled. Whisk rapidly. Drizzle in melted butter. Whisk until hot and thick enough to coat a spoon. Remove from heat. Add salt and cayenne to taste. Whisk periodically while preparing other ingredients.

Soft poach eggs, or fry over-easy if preferred.

Layer the ingredients: fries, bacon and sausage, cheese curds, eggs, hollandaise sauce, and chives. Enjoy!

About THEIR UNEXPECTED FOREVER

He is the best man in more ways than one…

The test is positive! And so is Violet Frost about being a mom. The hardworking midwife had almost given up. But a sizzling one-night stand with her brother’s best man, Matias Kahale, has rekindled Violet’s dream. Her fertility struggles are real, and after she was jilted years ago by her fiancé, this may be Violet’s best and only possibility to have a child.

Matias Kahale never planned on having kids—but this chance with Violet has sparked the pub owner’s desire for a family. Until now, he was never the commitment type. And Violet has all but given up on relationships. They both want this precious gift, but will nine months be enough to bring two reluctant-to-love friends close enough to find true love?

Get your copy here: https://books2read.com/u/mKPOXV

If you’d like more content info on Violet’s fertility struggles and a pregnancy emergency she faces on the job as a midwife, I have an info page on my website: https://laurelgreer.com/their-unexpected-forever-content-notes/

contemporary romance