Dominique Eastwick

by Suzanne G. Rogers  Whenever I’m writing Victorian-era English romance, I will often consult Mrs. Beeton’s The Book of Household Management (1861), for ideas on how things were done. Mrs. Isabella Mary Beeton was the Martha Stewart of the age, writing a highly-plagiarized cookery column for "The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine." Her book covers diverse topics such as household duties, dining, kitchens, servants, doctors, and the rearing of children, as well as detailed recipes for everything from soup to nuts. I’ve downloaded the manuscript onto my computer from Project Gutenberg, which makes it available to everyone in all different formats HERE . Since it’s winter, I thought I would share one of Mrs. Beeton’s recipes for Hot Punch, which sounds perfectly delicious and terribly intoxicating. TO MAKE HOT PUNCH INGREDIENTS. —  ½ pint of rum,  ½ pint of brandy,  ¼ lb. of sugar,  1 large lemon,  ½ tspoonful of nutmeg,  1 pint of bo...

IN THE NAVY They never eat a Bean Soup as good as the one Regency Romance and Cozy Mystery author Emma Lane prepares. Emma brings us a delicious and easy recipe for a hearty soup sure to keep you warm. The kitchen is all yours, Emma!   Navy Bean Soup 2 strips bacon 1 med, onion, chopped 3 cups water 1 med. white potato, peeled and cubed 1 can navy or great northern beans, drained 1 clove fresh garlic, chopped fine (optional) Sauté' onion and bacon until onion is pearly-colored and bacon is crisp. Crumble bacon and add both to pot. Stir in water, beans, potato, and garlic. Simmer for at least an hour. Stir occasionally. Do not add more water before serving. Top the serving with a spoonful of grated cheese or a dollop of sour cream. Serve with a pear salad and a loaf of French bread or hard rolls. Pear Salad l can pears halves or slices, drained lettuce dollop of sour cream sprinkle of nutmeg Assemble on individual salad plates. Chill until ready to ...

The incomparable Janis Lane has stretched out of her comfort zone into a new genre with her delightful new release Angels Abound with Love . Here is a brief introduction for your reading pleasure. In a small town, a series of mysterious coincidences tests and strengthens the faith of a group of friends and neighbors. Love is in the air. A coincidence is an angel-delivered message from God vows her vivacious nurse to young Doc Cathy. To a science educated person, this seems a bit far-fetched. On the other hand, is it? The doctor is in as episode after episode tests her faith and her education. To her delight, love enters her life in depths she could never have imagined. A handsome detective is too busy with his good works to ask for help either from his church, friends or his God. When he encounters the lovely Doc Cathy his horizons expand beyond his wildest imagination, and he suddenly remembers to include his most powerful partner. Love is the message.   EXCERPT ...

Toffee for your Valentine by Sara Daniel Buying your valentine chocolates? Yep, you and millions of other shmucks. Going with flowers? Ditto. Sorry. How about making a sweet for your sweetie this year? It’s sweet, chocolate-y, and easy to make. And the personal effort is worth far more than that bouquet of roses you were eyeing. Chocolate Toffee 1 ½ cups butter 1 ½ cups sugar ½ tsp. vanilla Pinch salt 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ½ cup chopped almonds ½ cup chopped pecans  Sea salt  Combine butter, sugar, vanilla and salt in a saucepan over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring constantly with a spatula. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spread toffee mixture. Top with chocolate chips. When chips begin to melt, spread chocolate over toffee. Sprinkle with almonds, pecans, and/or sea salt. Refrigerate for 1 hour then break into pieces.  Serve with a Sara Daniel romance for the sexiest Valentine’s Day ever! The Bad Boy...

I am pleased and proud to bring you a new release by Elliott Baker , an exciting author who weaves fact with fiction to create a thrilling swashbuckler that plunks you right in the middle of the action. Kirkus Review says it best. “Alexandre Dumas meets Horatio Hornblower and The Mummy in this sweeping, swashbuckling tale.” For three thousand years a hatred burns. In seventeenth century France two souls incarnate, one born the child of a prosperous merchant, the other, determined to continue an incarnation begun long ago. In ancient Egypt, there were two brothers, disciples of the pharaoh, Akhenaten. When the pharaoh died, the physician took the knowledge given and went to Greece to begin the mystery school. The general made a deal with the priests and became pharaoh. One remembers, one does not. The year is 1671. René Gilbert’s destiny glints from the blade of a slashing rapier. The only way he can protect those he loves is to regain the power and knowledge of an ancient ...

Sharon Ledwith is in the kitchen to ward off the cold with her hearty soup. Take it away, Sharon! This is a fantastic soup to serve to your crew, and freezes well. Salad, hard rolls, and wine (red or white) complete this meal! You can make it 24 hours ahead of time without the noodles and wait to add noodles when you reheat the soup to serve.   SAVORY SAUSAGE SOUP 1½ pounds sweet Italian sausage* 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 small onions, chopped 2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes 1¼ cup dry red wine 5 cups beef broth ½ tsp. dried basil ½ tsp. dried oregano 2 zucchini, sliced 1 green bell pepper, chopped 3 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped 1 (16 ounce) package spinach fettuccine pasta (or plain, whatever your heart desires) Salt and pepper to taste In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Drain fat from pan, reserving 3 tablespoons. If desired, instead of ground sausage, cut sausages i...

She’s caught between the para and human world…he’s always been an outcast. At the Wiccan Haus, they’ll find each other and paradise. As a crossbreed good fairy, Bliss is tired of goodness, light, and everything that’s right. Talk about boring. Her human half demands a bad boy. Someone who’ll curl her hair and toes, while also cherishing her. In other words, the whole enchilada. Enter Fallon. Tall, dark, handsome, and seriously dangerous. No, seriously. He’s a reaper. Trouble is he’s started to covet human emotions. Longing. Lust. Love. He needs healing fast to get his head screwed on right and go back to the way he was. Bliss doesn’t agree and is determined to show him another way. Sometimes you have to break all the rules to find your destiny. “What are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” He did but there wasn’t any way around the truth. “A reaper.” Bliss’s mouth hung open. He jabbed the lobby button. “I’ll go back down and...