There are few things more exciting than “The Call” from the editor saying that they want to buy your book.

But having your agent call to say that your book is going to auction because more than one publisher wants was just as exciting! Also nerve-wracking as we waited to hear from the various publishers what their offers would be.

That book that went to auction was TORI GOT LUCKY which was released under a name that shall not be mentioned because I truly did not like it.

My idea for TORI GOT LUCKY was that it would be a story about four friends and a surprise change in their lives that disrupts the close friendship between the women.

That break from each other allows each of them to truly explore what’s important in their lives and allows them to open themselves to various changes. Each of the women will confront family issues and their love lives. Each faces adversity of a different kind as the story progresses.

In the end, Tori and her friends will find new places with the men in their lives, their families and with each other.

So today’s Friday Read is an excerpt from TORI GOT LUCKY. In this scene, Tori and her lover Gil are breaking the news to Tori’s family about their upcoming wedding. It’s her family’s reaction that sets in motion the surprise that will challenge the friendship of all the women.

If you can’t see the excerpt below, you can click here to read it!

Tori Got Lucky: Friendships, Romance & Men

To Order TORI GOT LUCKY

Purchase the E-book at Amazon

I’m sorry I’ve been silent the last few days, but I’ve been home due to a minor illness and trying to juggle a number of things! I hope to be back with you on Monday, December 23 before taking a few days for the holidays and to get ready for a new release on Christmas Day!

Well, I hope I can get it released. I’m pushing right now to have it ready as an e-book with the print copy to follow within the week.

Which book is it? Well, it’s a re-release of a book originally released by Simon & Schuster. I’m giving it my original title, TORI GOT LUCKY. I’ve also done some editing and made some changes so that the book is more like I envisioned it when I first wrote it. I hope you’ll like the changes to this story about four friends and what happens when one of them decides to elope and upsets the entire balance of their relationship.

So here goes! The cover for TORI GOT LUCKY. What do you think?

With the winter chill and snow, there is nothing better than a nice hot bowl of soup to chase away the chill! I love Mexican food, so this is my little take on tortilla soup. This soup is relatively east except for possibly the shredded cooked chicken, but there are two ways to get that. The first is to buy a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local store. The second is to place the chicken in your slow cooker/oven with Rotel and cook for about two hours. If you don’t have chicken broth, well just cook your chicken breasts together with some carrots, celery and onions to make the broth. Once they chicken breasts are tender, they’ll be perfect for shredding at that point!

Ingredients

1/2 cup onion
2 chopped garlic cloves
1/2 cup red pepper chopped
1/2 cup green pepper chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
4 cups chicken broth
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can ROTEL
1 spoonful tomato paste
2 cups shredded chicken
Cumin
Chile Powder
Bay leaf
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

Place olive oil in a sauce pot. Saute onions, peppers and garlic in the oil.

Add the cumin and chili powder and just toast them for a moment to release the flavors. Then add the drained black beans, chicken, Rotel and spoonful of tomato paste. Give a few stirs to break up the tomato paste and add the chicken broth and bay leaf. Stir and cook for about 30 to 45 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Place in bowls and top with sliced avocado, strips of baked/fried corn tortillas, cilantro, cheddar cheese and a wedge of lime!

You’ll love this! To make it spicier, use a poblano chile instead of the red pepper or add a shot or two of your favorite hot sauce.

Today’s Friday Read is a blast from the not to distant past. August 2013 to be exact.

This book is one of my personal favs. I love the whole Russian royalty aspect and the glamour of Monaco. I also got to love the “villain” of the story, namely the cat burglar.

I liked him so much, that you’ll be seeing at least one story with him some time next year!

I hope you enjoy this little excerpt and have a great weekend!

If you can’t read the excerpt below, you can click here.

TO CATCH A PRINCESS Romantic Suspense