#FridayFun One Summer Night Playlist #AttheShore

Admit it, there are some songs that bring back memories every time you hear them. Whether it’s thoughts of hitting the open road on your way to the beach (or the shore as Jersey folk like to say) or of a special time in your life, those songs stick with you.

Wouldn’t it Be Nice by the Beach Boys is one of those songs! Being down the shore on summer nights brings the sounds of the Beach Boys to mind for sure. But this song is doubly special because it’s “Our Song.” It was part of the soundtrack for the movie Shampoo which was my first date with my husband. Being without transportation, we went to see the movie together on campus at Villanova. Brings back good memories every time I hear it.

FYI – this song is from the Pet Sounds album which is considered one of the best albums of all time. If you love the Beach Boys like I do, check out Love and Mercy which is the Brian Wilson story and has a lot on the creation of the Pet Sounds album. Fabulous movie.

Have a great weekend and if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to sign up for the May 11 Cover Reveal event on Facebook.

Please click here if you can’t see the Beach Boys Video below or cut and paste this link: https://youtu.be/lD4sxxoJGkA.

May 4, 2017

#ThrowbackThursday Books, Wine & a Cover Reveal

Today’s throwback is not so far a throw! I’m taking you back to a fabulous book and wine event put together by the fabulous Roz Lee up at the Brook Hollow Winery that was held on April 22.

What could be better than good romance books, good wine, wonderful authors and even better guests for the event? I dare say that a wonderful time was had by all! Here are photos of all of the authors who were in attendance that day but before I do that, some news.

I’m so excited to let you know that we doing an #AttheShore Cover Reveal for One Summer Night on May 11. Sign up and get behind the scenes tidbits and a chance to win a slew of #giveaways! http://bit.ly/2qs0vYO

And now . . . books and wine! Slideshow will run automatically or click the arrows to advance!

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May 3, 2017

#WriteWed Bryant Park from One Summer Night #AttheShore

It seems odd to be chatting about Bryant Park when I’m talking about a contemporary romance series set on the Jersey Shore, but two of the heroines work in New York City and Maggie Sinclair, the heroine of One Summer Night, has her family’s beach home on the Jersey Shore.

I love Bryant Park! I walk through there every morning on my way to work and I’ll often post photos of the lovely flowers there. I couldn’t have a book where the two heroines work in another fav place, namely the Chrysler Building, and not have a scene set in Bryant Park.

Here’s my little tour of the park for you this #Write Wed. Click here to see the Bryant Park tour if you can’t see the video below!

May 2, 2017

#TastyTuesday Chicken & Rice #AttheShore

Just finished #2 in the At the Shore Contemporary Romance Series and I think it’s a story you will really love! It’s sexy, but tender and packed with emotion as the hero and heroine, Connie Reyes and Jonathan Pierce, learn to let go of the past so that they can build a future together.

In one of the scenes, Connie turns to her friend Emma (the heroine of #3) for some time away from Jonathan. As she stays with Emma at her friend’s Sea Kiss cottage, Connie decides to make Emma some Chicken and Rice as a way to say “Thanks.”

So here is my recipe for Chicken and Rice, a must have in any Latin kitchen. I’ve found that the easiest way to make it is in the oven, although you start it on the stove. If you have Corningware, Le Crueset or some other stove to oven cookware, even better. Who wants to spend time cleaning pots!

Chicken and Rice Recipe

Ingredients

One fryer chicken, cut into pieces
Olive oil
2 small cans tomato sauce
1 cup chopped red & green peppers
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups white rice
2 cups water
1 cup white wine
1 tsp BIJOL (this is a coloring agent you can find in the Latin cooking section of your market)
1 chorizo (also in the Latin section)
2 bay leaves
1 tsp oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

In your pot, put in a little olive oil and brown the chicken. Remove and set to the side.

In the same pot, add the red and green peppers and saute for about 5 minutes. Then add the chorizo and the onions. Saute for another 5 and add the garlic for just a minute. Then add the tomato sauce, bay leaves, oregano and wine.

Simmer for about 15 minutes to get rid of the raw tomato taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then add the 2 cups water and also, the Bijol. Give it a stir and add the rice. Stir again to mix and then add the chicken pieces. Arrange the chicken pieces so they are spread throughout the pot.

If you don’t have stove to oven cookware, make it in a regular pan and then move it a large enough rectangular aluminum foil pan.

Place the mixture in the oven and cover tightly. Cook for about 30 to 45 minutes until all the water is absorbed.

To serve, fluff the rice and also add canned peas and some sliced roasted red peppers.

If you can’t imagine eating peas straight out of the can, you can add frozen peas to the mixture in the oven during the last ten minutes of cooking.

Hope you enjoy this recipe!

April 24, 2017

#ManCandyMonday Dark Hair or Blonde?

The two brothers in the At the Shore Contemporary Romance Series are very different physically and have very different personalities.

Owen Pierce, the hero of book #1, One Summer Night, is dark haired and dark charcoal eyes. Owen’s a by-the-book kind of guy who is married to his work and not looking to get involved. Especially not with the daughter of his father’s worst enemy. Of course, that’s just who he is going to fall in love which makes for an interesting Romeo and Juliet kind of tale.

Jonathan Pierce, the hero of book #3, tentatively titled The Goodbye Summer, has sun-streaked light brown hair and sky blue eyes. Jonathan is a rebel of sorts. A genius who marches to his own drummer and has left the love of his life behind because she’s just too uber-responsible and career-focused. Jonathan will have his hands full in more ways than one in this second chance at love story.

But now, for today’s Man Candy, dark hair or light? I decided to do both in this series with the two brothers, but which do you prefer?

This is how I pictured Owen when he does shuck off that suit and lets himself spend some fun time in Sea Kiss, the fictional Jersey Shore town from the series. I’ll share my thoughts (and pictured) of Jonathan soon!

By the way, don’t forget that you have until April 30 to enter the giveaway for an ARC of One Summer Night and a collection of Jersey Shore Goodies. Just add One Summer Night to your Goodreads Want to Read pile. Click here or use this link: http://bit.ly/2q6OzIc.

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017

#FunFriday ONE SUMMER NIGHT from the At the Shore Romance Series

On a rainy and slightly chill Friday like today, my thoughts always turn to warm sunny days on the Jersey Shore. Sigh. Seems like the perfect time to give you a little teaser from One Summer Night, #1 in the At the Shore Contemporary Romance series.

This Romeo and Juliet story was such fun to write and I hope you’ll enjoy it as well and like getting to meet all the smart and determined heroines and sexy heroes in the series.

Blurb

Maggie Sinclair has tried everything to save her familyâ€™s business, including mortgaging their beloved beach house on the Jersey Shore. But now, sheâ€™s out of options.

The Sinclair and Pierce families have been neighbors and enemies for almost thirty years. That hasnâ€™t stopped Owen Pierce from crushing on Maggie, and heâ€™s determined to invest in her success. Now he has to convince her that heâ€™s more than just trouble with a capital Tâ€¦

Giveaway

Don’t forget you have until April 30 to add One Summer Night to your Goodreads Want to Read pile for a chance to win an ARC of One Summer Night and some Jersey Shore goodies! http://bit.ly/2o4WJRz

April 20, 2017July 9, 2019

Ocean Grove Memories & At the Shore #ThrowbackThursday

The fictional town in the At the Shore Contemporary Romance series, Sea Kiss, is actually a composite of several of my favorite towns along the Jersey Shore. For those familiar with the area, you may see descriptions of areas that match those of a particular town. It was fun for me to take the best of my favorite towns and create Sea Kiss.

Today’s throwback is to memories of one of my favorite towns – Ocean Grove. Don’t be surprised if the characters in the books also visit a cute little surf and skate shop there!