Thank you for stopping by Blogging
by Liza for today’s Mistletoe Madness spot. This year’s event is hosted by Blogging
by Liza, Books Make Me Happy, and That’s What I’m Talking About. It’s a two
week event where authors with 2015 winter releases (November 2015 – January
2016) will take over our blogs with guest post written from their character’s
POV with a holiday theme (Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, New Years, etc.). For
a line up of all the authors featured at all three blogs, please click on the
image above or go to the kickoff post from December 1, 2015.
Today’s Mistletoe Madness
author is…
Kelsey
Browning
Christmas
Baking with Delaney and Aunt Raylene
Delaney
Shields sat in the kitchen of her aunt’s B&B and watched the woman who was
more her mother than her own wash cake pans. Then she glanced at the Sexy as a
Playboy Bunny carrot cake waiting on the counter and reached out for it. Surely
Aunt Ray wouldn’t mind if she just—
“Don’t
even think about it.”
She
snatched her hand back as if the cake had burned it. “Fine. Carrot cake isn’t
exactly Christmas food anyway.”
“Are
you telling me it’s Christmastime already?” Aunt Raylene spun around from her
kitchen sink to stare at Delaney, a cake pan dripping suds onto the floor. Her
trademark over-the-top earrings, a cluster of bright plastic cowboy boots,
kicked back and forth like they were dancing the Cotton-Eyed Joe. “Please tell
me you’re kidding.”
Delaney
pointed at the window overlooking Aunt Ray’s Texas Hill Country backyard.
“Didn’t you notice the leaves have fallen off your Redbud tree?”
“Wasn’t
Thanksgiving just yesterday?” Her aunt’s tone was so bewildered, Delaney had to
laugh.
She
gave up her comfy spot at the island—and her close proximity to that tempting
cake—and strolled over to the cabinet where
her aunt kept the medicine. “Is a
Lynchburg Lemonade scenario or should we go straight to a double Cotton Candy?”
The
right side of her aunt’s mouth lifted. “Sugar, don’t you know it’s almost
Christmas? Mexican hot chocolate with a shot of Jameson is the only answer.”
“You
have any of those instant packets?”
Aunt
Ray glared at her but waved toward the coffee station where she kept drinks on
hand for her guests. “I guess it’ll have to do in a pinch.”
Delaney
assembled the necessary ingredients, pushed play on the microwave, and turned
back to find her aunt had already pulled out half a dozen cookbooks and had
them open on the kitchen island. “What are you doing?”
“No,
that won’t do. Too predictable,” Raylene mumbled to herself and skimmed a
finger down a page.
The
microwave dinged and Delaney added
whiskey to her aunt’s cup.
Raylene
glanced up and grabbed the now steaming mug from Delaney’s hands. A quick
cool-off blow, and she knocked back a Texas-sized swallow. When the cup came
away from her mouth, she gave a gasp. “A little hot chocolate with my whiskey
would’ve been nice.”
This
time, Delaney was the one to grin. “I don’t know why you’re digging through
cookbooks. You won’t be happy if you don’t work up something original.”
“What
do you think about Come Ye Adore Me divinity or Nuts About You peanut brittle?”
She slid Delaney a sly look. “And I know how much Cal loves my cinnamon rolls.
I’ll make you some for Christmas morning. A pan of warm dough, and that man’ll
be putty in your hands.”
Delaney
pulled her aunt in for a quick hug, so damn happy she’d found her forever home.
That she had a real family, including the man she’d loved almost half her life.
“I won’t say no to cinnamon rolls. But I promise you a pan isn’t the warm thing
Cal wants to wake up to.”
Aunt
Ray bumped Delaney’s hip with hers. “You’re a lucky woman, you know that?”
Her
smile came from somewhere deep inside. If Delaney had to put her finger on it,
she’d point directly to her heart. “I’ve never felt so lucky in my life.”
Book: A Love to Last
Release Date: November 9, 2015
Release Date: November 9, 2015
Her boots
were made for walking…
Drifter
Delaney Shields plans to breeze through Prophecy, Texas, before setting off on
an around-the-world trip of a lifetime. She never expects to see sexy-as-sin
Cal Maddox, the man she ran out on a decade ago. One look between them and
their past attraction ignites, flaming hotter than ever. But acting on it would
be disastrous because she’s not the sticking kind, and Cal has roots a mile
deep.
Cal Maddox
left the military only to find both the health of his dad and his hometown
failing. When Delaney walks into his father’s custom boot shop, she spurs
emotional memories and sexual fantasies Cal has no business indulging in.
Especially once he realizes she’s the next Prophecy bootmaker, the only person
who can design custom cowboy boots with the power to change a person’s destiny.
But if fanning those old flames will keep her in Prophecy, he’s willing to take
the heat, even if it means keeping secrets and risking his heart again.
Duty and
desire throw Cal and Delaney together, but will their feelings be strong enough
to forge a new bond or will they destroy their second chance at love?
Buy
Links
Amazon - http://buff.ly/1MW5Z2j
iBooks - http://buff.ly/1MW606h
Kobo - http://buff.ly/1MW5ZiA
Barnes & Noble - http://buff.ly/1MW60mJ
About the Author
Kelsey Browning writes
sass kickin’ stories of love, humor, and adventure. s. Originally from a Texas
town smaller than the ones she writes about, Kelsey has also lived in the
Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright
nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy,
Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a (fingers crossed) future therapy dog. For
info on her upcoming single title releases, drop by www.KelseyBrowning.com.
Giveaway
Kelsey is generously giving
away one (1) digital download of A Love to Last (Prophecy of Love series). To
enter through Rafflecopter, comment on Kelsey’s Facebook page AND leave a
comment telling us one of your favorite holiday treat. The giveaway is open during the time specified on the
Rafflecopter form. Winner(s) chosen at random from all eligible entries. This
contest is open internationally, where not prohibited by law. Open to
participants, 18 years or older, who are legally allowed to participate in such
a contest as allowed by their local laws. All federal, state, local, and
municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. No purchase
necessary. By participating in the contest, participants agree to be bound by
the decisions of the contest sponsor. Prize will be delivered by the author.
This blog, its reviewers, and the owner are not responsible for items lost in
the mail. By entering this giveaway, participants agree to abide by these
terms.
Now head over to BOOKS MAKE ME HAPPY to see today's feature with Paige Tyler and THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT to see today's feature with Alexandra Ivy
3 comments:
Liza - Thanks so much for having Delaney and Raylene on your blog today.
Happy holidays from all the characters in Prophecy, Texas!
Kelsey
I love the town of Prophecy, TX. This book has it all. Now...as for my favorite holiday treat?? Homebaked cookies. My favorite ones are the almond crescents that are dipped in confectioners sugar. My mother-in-law always called them Sand Tarts.
Christmas cookies are a favorite treat.
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