Author Override: Katie Lane and Hope Ramsay

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

The holidays just wouldn’t be the holidays without the Lane Family Sugar Cookies. And while the frosted confections are very similar to Lays Potato Chips—you can’t eat just one—it’s not the cookies themselves that have become the tradition as much as “sugar cookie baking day.” I don’t remember my very first baking day, but my mother often told the story of me biting my Granny T on the leg when she refused to let me eat the raw dough. (Okay, so I was a wee bit spoiled, but I was only two.)

My mom would always make the cookie dough the night before and put it in the refrigerator where the quadrupled recipe took up one entire shelf. The three mixing bowls of dough would make enough for our large family of six and half the neighborhood, which was why it took an entire day to bake and decorate the cookies. It was such a tedious process that my older siblings took shifts. I, on the other hand, remained right next to my mother’s side, waiting for that chance to sneak some dough.

Over the years, I’ve become the host for “sugar cookie baking day.” Like my mother, I make the dough the night before. Unlike her, I only double the recipe. The following morning, my daughters arrive bright and early with excited grandbabes in tow. While Christmas carols blast from the iPod player, we roll, cut, bake, and frost until my kitchen is filled with the scent of almond extract (family secret) and my counters are filled with bright red and green frosted cookies. My oldest granddaughter likes to choose the cookie cutters, my youngest likes to break the eggs—usually by squeezing them in between her chubby, little fingers. And when their mommy isn’t looking, they both love to sneak the dough.

This Granny doesn’t say a word:o)

Lane Family Sugar Cookie Recipe

¾ cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Cream butter and sugar with a mixer. Mix in almond extract and eggs one at a time. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt and gradually add to the butter and egg mixture until incorporated. Refrigerate dough for 3 hours or overnight. Roll out dough and cut into shapes, place on ungreased cookie sheets, and bake at 375 degrees until set. (7 to 8 minutes) Cool and frost with your favorite vanilla cream frosting.

Hi, everyone! I would love to hear about your holiday traditions. And be sure to stop by www.katielanebooks.com and say “hi” anytime.

Before I was born, my parents lived in a small, two-bedroom apartment in Elmhurst, NY in the borough of Queens. My father was Jewish and Brooklyn-born, while Mom was an Episcopalian farm girl from South Carolina. So holidays were problematic from both a faith and space viewpoint. There wasn’t much room for a Christmas tree in the tiny apartment, there was no hearth to hang stockings on, and Pop was ambivalent about both Christmas and Hanukah. (Much like my heroine’s father in Last Chance Christmas.)

So Mom tried to keep holidays low key. But Mom’s older sister, my Aunt Annie, who had also emigrated to New York from the South, was definitely not down with Mom’s program. She felt that every child should have at least a secular Christmas. And she was not about to let her two, young nephews go without stockings big enough for Santa to fill with lots and lots of loot.

Annie was quite a seamstress, in addition to being a nurse at St. Luke’s Episcopal hospital in Manhattan. She pulled out her Singer Featherweight sewing machine and made red felt stockings for everyone in the family – not just my brothers – but for Mom and Pop and even for herself. The first year my family used these stockings, they were hung on the brand new television set in the tiny living room of the Elmhurst apartment. And Aunt Annie had a pipeline to Santa, because those stockings were filled on Christmas morning.

The next year – the year I was born – the family moved into a new house with bedrooms galore out in the suburbs of Nassau County. A new, matching sock was created for yours-truly, and an angel applique was added to every stocking to celebrate my arrival. The applique began a very long tradition.

Aunt Annie added appliques every year. And when my brothers got married, new socks were made for them and their wives and then their children and the applique collection would start from scratch. When I was twenty-five and a young wife, Aunt Annie turned the stocking tradition over to me. I made appliques for years until I the family got so big I had to turn over part of the job to my niece. The original felt stockings are long gone, worn out with much use and covered over with appliques. But many new stockings have been made over the years.

Last year was my granddaughter’s first Christmas. So I had to make a new sock for her. Her name is Isabella, but we call her Ella. So I put the short name on her sock, and dressed up a lower case “I” for her applique. I patterned the sock it after her father’s, whose first name just happens to be Ramsay. Here are some photos of the sock as it was put together.

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10/6: http://happilyeverafter-reads.blogspot.com

 

Always putting business before pleasure, Cassie McPherson works hard for her family's construction business. That might explain why she doesn't have a date for the company Christmas party. But it doesn't quite explain why she's crazy enough to hire an escort for the event or - crazier still - why she's dying to unwrap him like a present . . .

With whiskey-colored eyes and a killer smile, James is one gorgeous hunk who really knows how to fill out a tuxedo. He charms everyone, including Cassie. And when the night ends, the party doesn't stop. As Cassie falls, literally, into his bed, James falls head over heels in love. Now he has to figure out a way to tell her the truth: he's not an escort. He's her family's fiercest business rival. But all he wants for Christmas is her . . .

Dear Reader,
I've been wishing for a miracle for my oldest boy, Stone, and this Christmas my prayers might just be answered!

Her name is Lark, and she's here in Last Chance, looking into her father's past-and stirring up a whole mess of trouble without meaning to. As the chief of police, Stone sure has his hands full trying to keep up with her. Ever since his wife died, Stone's put everything into raising his daughters and dodging the Christ Church Ladies' Auxiliary matchmakers. And it's clear Lark has been through some trouble and could use a place to finally call home. I only hope Stone can let go of the past soon enough to keep her . . . Goodness, I need to stop talking and finish up Jane's highlights so we can make the town tree-lighting. You come back by because the Cut 'n' Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, fresh-baked Christmas cookies-and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

Forever Romance is hosting a wonderful giveaway!  One lucky maiden will get these two books (finished copies), plus an ARC to Katie's next book TROUBLE IN TEXAS which comes out in December and a free read of Hope's e-only novella LAST CHANCE BRIDE with a link through netgalley! 

US ONLY!

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Blog Tour with Hope Ramsay and Bella Riley

Hey Maidens! Today we are taking part in the Hope Ramsay and Bella Riley blog tour with Forever Romance publishing. Under the Covers got the chance to ask a couple of quick questions with Bella Riley, the author of WITH THIS KISS, the second book in the Emerald Lake series. Check out what the awesome Ms. Riley had to say!

Tell us three things that readers would be surprised to know about you.

1. I’ve been an opening act for Jewel and Santana.
2. I’ve dragged my kids to a David Archuletta concert instead of the other way around. (Which they loved!)
3. I don't particularly care for chocolate.

Do you have a writing process? Do you have to listen to music, have complete silence, write only on a full moon?

I do love listening to music while I write. Sometimes I’ll get obsessed with one particular song and listen to it over and over again, especially if it helps meet get into the headspace of a character. “Last Kiss” by Taylor Swift was the song I listened to most often while writing WITH THIS KISS.

Thanks for your time, Bella! Both Hope Ramsay and Bella Riley are great contemporary romance authors, so if you haven't had to chance to check out their books, you can find more information about them on their websites: Bella Riley | Hope Ramsay

 

With This Kiss

(Emerald Lake # 2)

by Bella Riley

Rebecca Campbell, the innkeeper at Emerald Lake has always dreamed of finding everlasting love. When she sees how deeply her friend, Andi has fallen for her soon-to-be husband, Nate, she realizes that the love between her fiancé, Stu isn’t like that at all.

Upon this realization, she finds Stu to tell him how she feels. However, Stu has some words of his own that he wants to share. It turns out that Stu doesn’t want to get married anymore. He has found someone new and when you read this book, you’ll realize that this isn’t necessarily an asshole move. It was clear from the beginning that Stu and Rebecca got along well. They laughed, shared many memories together, but that didn’t translate to sparks that lit up their worlds.

When Stu asks Rebecca to keep his secret while he tries to figure out where his life will take him now, Rebecca shows her love for Stu by promising to keep their inn running even though they won’t be getting married anymore.

It is then that Sean Murphy, Stu’s brother comes along, hoping to attend his brother’s wedding. When he learns it’s been called off, he becomes very suspicious of Rebecca.

WITH THIS KISS is a sweet romance that has the ability to lift spirits and make you fall in love. It was really easy for me to enjoy this book because Rebecca is such an admirable character. She was strong when she needed to be, sure of herself even in the most confusing of times, and loving as she showed Sean what her heart was capable of.

Similarly, Sean was also a great character. He has this scar on his face that makes him feel dangerous, but not overly so that you are intimidated by him. He rarely smiles which makes you want to squeeze that little smirk out of him and grin like a fool when he does. What is great about Rebecca and Sean was that they seemed like genuine people who slowly learn to trust each other and eventually, fall in love.

Bella Riley does a great job of bringing the atmosphere of Emerald Lake into her books. The writing is smooth, light-hearted and felt like a great escape, almost as if you were at Emerald Lake on a little vacation. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to return to Emerald Lake soon! WITH THIS KISS is the perfect weekend read.


*ARC provided by publisher

 

 

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Dear Reader,
Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty?
Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same.
Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and remember: the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.
See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

*Blurb taken from Hope Ramsey site 

Purchase Links: 

 

Forever Romance is graciously giving away three US RESIDENTS both books! So to enter, please:

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Review: Small Town Christmas by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay and Katie Lane

 

Small Town Christmas

(Lucky Harbor #2.5)

by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay and Katie Lane

Kissing Santa Claus by Jill Shalvis

This is Logan and Sandy’s story. In book two of the Lucky Harbor series, Tara’s ex-husband, Logan fights for his chance to get his wife back. Tara is in trouble because the man is a charming one - which makes him dangerous because although I was rooting for Ford and Tara to get together, it was hard to push Logan out of the way because he is so nice!

Finally, Logan has his own time to shine with this novella. He finds the girl of his dreams in Sandy Jansen and after their hot-as-hell fling five months ago, Logan made the big mistake of leaving Lucky Harbor. And Sandy.
So when he turns to Lucky Harbor, the small town welcomes him with open arms. Unfortunately for him, Sandy doesn’t.

It’s up to Logan to fight for what he wants. And boy, does the man know how to charm. He had me swooning a few times.

I thought this novella was very well paced and the only complaint I have is that I wished it was ten times longer than it was. Logan and Sandy deserve their own full-length book, but Shalvis did a fantastic job of incorporating heat and heart into his warming Christmas story.

I’ll be Home for Christmas by Hope Ramsay

Annie Roberts is expecting a dull Christmas. And Army sergeant Matt Jasper is thinking the same thing.
But it’s little kitty, Holly that seems to think that maybe these two could have a merry Christmas if they weren’t so alone...

Matt finds the small kitten in the Christmas display, crushing baby Jesus. Thinking that good fortune will be coming his way if she saves baby Jesus from this feline, he takes the small kitten inside a church, hoping to find its owner.

There he hears the voice of an angel. Or, rather Annie Roberts as she sings her favourite carols and the both of them hit it off.

This would be my first delve into Hope Ramsay’s books. I enjoyed the story but didn’t feel like the characters stood out for me. Matt was memorable and I really enjoyed the presence of his fallen brethren, Nick throughout the story. It was very heartfelt.

I liked how two lost souls found peace within each other. Very romantic.

O’ Little Town of Bramble by Katie Lane

Samantha Hendersen has returned to Bramble, Texas and stumbles upon Ethan Miller. While I haven’t read anything by Katie Lane before this, I found that I enjoyed her writing style. I could tell right off the bat that there was a solid friendship between the hero and heroine. They definitely had that vibe going on, but there was also undeniable attraction. The way Lane plays it out is very cute and interesting and I found myself becoming more intrigued by the characters as the story went on. I hope to read more of Katie Lane’s books in the future.

 

 Purchase Links: Amazon