Live to Love on the Edge Blog

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Freaking Out About Christmas Shopping

I don’t know about you, but I feel as if I don’t have enough time to finish all my Christmas shopping for presents and all the food we’ll be having on Christmas Eve. I’ve made my list, I’ve checked it multiple times and I still feel as if I’m forgetting something. I think a big part of the reason why I’m feeling so freaked out is because Thanksgiving was so late this year and so December seemed to rush at me. Plus, I have a new release on December 24th. Yes, a release on Christmas Eve. I’ll be busy cooking with my daughter all day and getting ready for our guests, but I will celebrate that day with you, both the coming of our Lord as well as the arrival of DANGER IN DADE. Pre-order it today at https://amzn.to/4dt8sk3. Grab your copy of KILLER IN THE KENNEL too if you don’t already have it! How do you feel about your Christmas shopping? Did you finish before Thanksgiving or are you still trying to find things for the people on your list?

christmas shopping

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Chef Anita’s Champagne Sangria Recipe

Harlequin Intrigue novels, including DANGER IN DADE, are packed with action and suspense. But in between that danger, there is time for romance and getting to know each other moments. I can definitely see that in one of special times, Chef Anita might make her popular Champagne Sangria to accompany one of the tasty meals she’s making for old flame Brett Madison, the K-9 agent that South Beach Security has assigned to protect her until they solve the mystery around the murder of a hotel owner. This recipe is adapted from a fabulous sangria we had at the Columbia restaurant in Tampa! Columbia is a fabulous Cuban restaurant, is Florida’s oldest restaurant, and is still family-owned and operated! If you’re ever in Tampa or in one of their seven other locations, you must go eat there! P.S. OMG, I can’t believe there are only 4 days until the release of DANGER IN DADE (and Christmas Eve)! Pre-order it today at https://amzn.to/4dt8sk3. Grab your copy of KILLER IN THE KENNEL too if you don’t already have it!

Ingredients

1 bottle chilled champagne (you can also use prosecco or an Asti spumante)
1/4 cup ounce brandy
1/4 cup ounce orange liqueur
1/2 can lemon-lime soda
2 oranges
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup grapes

Directions

Cut oranges into slices and save some for garnish. Cut grapes in half. Cut frozen strawberries in half.

Place fruit in a pitcher and add brandy and orange liqueur. Let the fruit and alcohol macerate for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator. The flavors will be better if you can wait longer.

Add chilled champagne to fruit and alcohol mixture. Add the can of lemon-lime soda.

Remove some fruit from this mix and place in individual glasses. Pour champagne mixture into the glass and serve.

What I like about this mix is that the addition of the soda and orange liqueur adds extra fruitiness and sweetness, and you don’t have to add sugar to achieve that sweetness.

Some recipes call for lemon but I find that the lemon makes the mix too acidic and the soda provides the needed pop of lemon-lime. For a change of pace, cube some apples and toss them in, or go tropical with some pineapple and mango. You can also change the champagne to a red or white wine. A white sangria is great on a hot summer day or a tropical Miami night.

Hope you enjoyed today’s Foodie Friday!

free recipe

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2024 Christmas Decorations

I’ve mentioned that we had to change things up this year since the baby’s swing is in our traditional tree area. That meant a smaller artificial tree and also not having as much of the Christmas village out. The Christmas village has changed a lot since we’ve downsized and now my daughter has several of the pieces that she puts out in her home. But there’s still a good amount of decorating to do around the house and today I’m sharing this little video of how the Christmas decorations started and how it turned out this year. If you have pictures of your Christmas decorations, please share! I love to see all the amazing things that you do! P.S. Only 5 days until the release of DANGER IN DADE (and Christmas Eve)! Pre-order it today at https://amzn.to/4dt8sk3. Grab your copy of KILLER IN THE KENNEL too if you don’t already have it!

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Meet the Heroine

I’ve written a number of books with chefs but it seemed right to have another heroine as a chef in DANGER IN DADE. In this story, chef and restauranteur Anita Reyes witnesses the murder of a local hotel owner late one night. As the sole witness to the murder and with a look at the killer’s face, she needs protection until the police can apprehend him. But it becomes immediately apparent after an attack at the police station that Anita needs more protection than the police can provide. That’s when South Beach Security comes to help and K-9 Agent Brett Madison is assigned to the case. There’s just one problem: Brett ghosted Anita years earlier after returning from a deployment. Together, Brett and Anita will face constant danger from the killer and his accomplices. But they will also have to battle the passion and love that is rekindled as they fight to save Anita’s life. P.S. Only 6 days until the release of DANGER IN DADE (and Christmas Eve)! Pre-order it today at https://amzn.to/4dt8sk3. Grab your copy of KILLER IN THE KENNEL too if you don’t already have it!

heroine romantic suspense

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This or That: Choose Your Christmas Tree

This year we didn’t do our traditional Christmas tree routine. Normally we go to the Anne Ellen Christmas Tree farm and cut down our tree. Nothing too big since we have a smaller place now. This year our usual Christmas tree spot is occupied by the baby’s swing so we had to go with the small artificial tree route. But even though it wasn’t a real tree, I decorated it with some cute mini wooden ornaments and lights. Hubby likes all white but I like color so we had both on the tree. What about you? Do you like a traditional tree or something more modern? P.S. Only 8 days until Christmas Eve and the release of DANGER IN DADE! Pre-order it today at https://amzn.to/4dt8sk3. Grab your copy of KILLER IN THE KENNEL too if you don’t already have it!

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Name Your Favorite Christmas Tunes

During the Christmas season, hubby and I regularly have Christmas music on. We always play Christmas tunes while I put up the Christmas village, tree, and other Christmas decorations. We’re even introducing our new little grandson to it! My fav three tunes are All I want for Christmas, The Christmas Song, and Feliz Navidad. But who can’t resist singing along to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree or It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

christmas music

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