Contemporary Holiday Romance. Marmalade’s First Christmas, by Paula Millhouse. #holidayromance

Today it’s my pleasure to feature Marmalade’s First Christmas, a novella by Paula Millhouse.

Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance

Formats: ePub, Mobi

Publisher: Paula Millhouse Digital

Date of Publication: October 25, 2016

Kindle ASIN: B01LY2AGJ5

Number of pages: 122

Word Count: 27,400

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Synopsis

When billionaire Jake Simons rescues a kitten the week before Christmas, the orange tabby cat leads Jake to the greatest gift of the season - Veterinarian Marley West.

The last thing Marley needs is a client meddling in her personal business, but Old Man Winter, Mother Nature, and Jake’s pregnant mares have other plans for her holiday. When she gets snowed in with Jake during the worst blizzard in racehorse country, sparks fly.

But will Jake be strong enough to let go of ghosts from his past? And, in this friends-to-lovers story, will Marley learn to trust that Jake just might be her very own Christmas miracle?

Excerpt

Jake woke to an empty bed, and he startled up. Where was she? He tugged on a pair of sweats and a shirt, and left the bedroom searching for her.

What he found both surprised and pleased him.

“You’re up early,” she said, grinning at him with that breathtaking smile. She was sitting on the cushions in front of the fire, sipping a mug of something warm, reading one of his mother’s old romance novels. Marmalade was purring on her lap, and the Christmas Tree, the only other light besides the crackling fire lit up the room. “I found hot chocolate in the kitchen,” Marley said.

Jake took the mug and sniffed it. “Oh, this won’t do. Give me a sec and I’ll make you something amazing.”

He got up to go make the drinks, and Marley followed him. She watched him like a hawk as he simmered heavy cream, cinnamon sticks, and carved a big block of dark chocolate. “The secret is in not letting the cream reach a full boil.” He turned to the pantry and pulled out a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream. “And Baileys, of course.”

He poured the steaming elixir into big cheerful Snowman Mugs, added a shot of the liqueur, and then stirred a striped red and white candy cane in each mug. “Merry Christmas.”

She took one sip, and her eyes rolled back in her head. “Oh, Holy Night, this is incredible.”

He laughed, and sipped his cup too. “Pretty tasty.”

“I love this time of year, you know. It’s as if this one week, everything is perfect. Unblemished. Full of possibilities.”

She had a chocolate mustache from the drink, and he reached in and touched her upper lip. “You got a little something right there…”

She giggled. He swiped his tongue across the chocolate on her lips. He groaned. Her soft full lips tasted even better with chocolate on them. “This is turning out to be my favorite week this year too.”

She blushed, and her whole face turned holly berry red. Her delicately curved neck too. He took the mug from her hands, set it down, and backed her up to the granite counter. He kissed her properly, thoroughly, deeply.

She sighed, so he knew he’d gotten it right. The tingly taste of peppermint and chocolate on her tongue instantly became his favorite new treat. “Mmm…”

The kitchen heated up with their kisses, but a few moments later she pulled away and said, “We should go check on the mares, and their babies.”

About the Author

I write books.

Books where romance, fantasy, and suspense collide.

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, where Spanish moss whispers tales in breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, as a child I soaked in the sunshine and heritage of cobblestones, pirate lore, and stories steeped in savory mysteries of the South. I graduated with honors from both Armstrong Atlantic State University, and Georgia Southern University.

I live in the mountains now with my husband, but honor my southern heritage as a storyteller by sharing high heat adventures in romance fiction with readers.

What’s in it for you?

A reward. Treat yourself to an entertaining diversion from your daily routine by reading my stories. You’ll find themes like, justice does exist, love is worth fighting for, and happily ever afters are expected. 

Find the Author on Social Media

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B006991RF8

Website https://www.paulamillhouse.com

Blog https://www.paulamillhouse.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/pmillhouse

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/paulamillhousefans

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PaulaMillhouse.Author

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5398221.Paula_Millhouse

GooglePlus https://plus.google.com/+PaulaMillhouse/posts

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/pmillhouse/boards/

You Tube https://youtu.be/q2FCU-gJPog

Tumblr URL: paulamillhouse.tumblr.com

Only Righteous Love Can Conquer All. Chalvaren Rising by Paula Millhouse.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome over Paula Millhouse, author of Chalvaren Rising, a Kingdom of Chalvaren Romance.

Publisher: Boroughs Publishing

Book Description

THE DRAGONSTONE HAS RETURNED

With the love of Kort, Chalvaren’s warrior-prince heir, Mia Ansgar will seize her birthright and become the great dragon-riding wizardess prophesied to free that elven kingdom from her embittered sorceress kin.

TO ASCEND TRIUMPHANT

Twenty-five years ago, Theo Ansgar abandoned the Kingdom of Chalvaren for a hiding place on another world. Some called him traitor. Some, thief. Now his fully grown daughter Mia must return to the land of her birth...and their war. 

It was the elf prince Kort Elias who brought her back. Theirs was an instant connection, an inescapable union of body, soul and sorcery, reminding Mia of what she truly is, and what she must become. There is also Magnus, destined to be more potent than any wyrm Chalvaren has ever seen, a three-day-old dragonlet Mia must nurture and then ride. And then there is the Dragonstone, an artifact of power nonpareil. Joined, they can tip the scales of battle against the wraith-possessed forces of darkness, of Mia’s own embittered kin. Redemption will be offered, the protected will become the protector, and an ancient prophecy will come to fruition, but only righteous love can conquer all.

Boroughs Publishing

Giveaway! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter after this post for a chance to win all sorts of goodies including $25 Gift Card to Boroughs Publishing Group, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble - Winner's Choice, 3 custom designed Dragonstone Book Thongs open to US Shipping, 2 e-copies of Dragonstone (Lunchbox Romance prequel to CR) and 2 e-copies of Chalvaren Rising.

Book Trailer

Let’s hear from Paula…

Character Interview with Paula Millhouse and Chef Thorvid and his Royal Recipes

I interviewed Chef Thorvid, an elf from Castle Elias on cooking for the Royal Family and what he loves about his job.

Paula: Chef – I understand you have quite a job on your hands. You’ve worked for King Lachlan and Queen Elissabet for the past 27 years. Could you tell the Readers what you like most about your position with the Royal Family?

Chef Thorvid: I like nurturing the elves of the castle with nutritious fare. Watching the little elves grow up tall and strong with full tummies makes me the happiest guy on Chalvaren. As you might imagine cooking for the family and their staff can sometime amount to a laborious task, what with well over a hundred mouths to feed every day. Sometimes I think the family believes I practice magic, or something!

Paula: So, yeah, that’s a ton of people to cook for. Do you have a staff to assist you? Or, do you practice magic?

Chef Thorvid: Magic didn’t come my way, darling. Everything to do with my menus is hands-on. The king likes it that way.

Paula: Speaking of King Lachlan, what’s his favorite food? Can you tell us?

Chef Thorvid: If I did I’d have to kill you. That’s top secret of course.

Paula: Oh…okay. Well, what about you? A big guy like yourself is obviously keen on his own cooking. What’s your favorite meal to prepare and eat?

Chef Thorvid: That’s a wonderful question, Paula. I like lazy summer afternoons where the entire family joins me outside for a cookout. I don’t usually do this sort of thing, but because you’re as good as family in Castle Elias now, I’ll share my favorite menu with you. Don’t let the word get out on these Dragon-Fruit Margaritas or you’ll have guests returning time and again to hound you for these cocktails. 

Chef Thorvid’s Summertime Cookout Menu

Dragon-fruit Lemonade Margaritas  

Ingredients:

• In a cocktail shaker add 2 Oz of your favorite tequila
• 1 Oz of triple sec
• 4 Oz of coconut water
• Juice from a half a lemon
• ¼ of a cubed, skinned, and macerated dragon fruit
• 1 tsp of simple syrup
• Add ice and shake, or blend.

Directions:

1. Pour into salt rimmed glass.
2. Garnish with a slice of dragon fruit.

Dragon Burgers

(We don’t use real dragon meat – we use beef)

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground chuck (you want the higher fat ratio ground beef for a burger – it does wonders for the flavor)
• 1lb ground pork
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Directions:               

1. Combine ingredients. When evenly mixed, divide into four chunks, form patties.

2. Chill for half an hour while charcoal grill warms up.

3. Grill until medium rare, and serve on buns with your favorite toppings.

Thorvid’s Magic Sweet Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled and coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 4 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup whole sweet peppers, chopped
• 3 green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt

Directions :

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl combine potatoes and oil. Season with salt, and pepper. Roast for 18 minutes or until just tender but still hold their shape. Remove.
2. Return potatoes to large bowl. Drizzle with vinegar; stir to coat. Cool completely. Add eggs, peppers, green onions, and dill. In a small bowl combine mayonnaise and yogurt. Pour over mixture; toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Castle Elias Cucumber Honeydew Slaw

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon poppy seed (optional)
• 1 medium honeydew melon seeded and cut in bite-size cubes (5 cups)
• 1 cucumber (12 oz.), unpeeled, and cubes (2 cups)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion, briefly rinsed
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill weed
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl pour lemon juice. Whisk in olive oil in a slow, steady stream until incorporated. Whisk in honey, salt, pepper, poppy seed, if desired, and pepper. Add melon, cucumber, onion, and dill weed. Toss to combine. Just before serving top with feta.  

About the Author

Paula Millhouse grew up in Savannah, Georgia where Spanish moss whispers tales in breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Intracoastal Waterway. As a child, Paula soaked in the sunshine and heritage of cobblestones, pirate lore, and stories steeped in savory mysteries of the south.

Paula lives with her husband at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains with their pack and pride of furry babies. In the southern tradition of storytellers, she loves sharing the lives of her characters with readers, and following her muse on the quest for happily-ever-afters in thrilling romantic fiction.

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