Homemade Chocolate Pudding with Meringue

This was my favorite dessert when I was growing up. Mom made it often because, living on a farm, she always had everything on hand to make it.

Ingredients:

Thickened Pudding

1 cup sugar

4 tablespoons cocoa

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

3 eggs, divided

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F

After Baking Meringue

In a medium saucepan, mix sugar, cocoa, flour and salt until well blended. Divide eggs, reserving whites for meringue. Whisk egg yolks into milk. Add milk and egg mixture to dry ingredients and whisk to blend and remove all lumps. Place saucepan on stove top with medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly as mixture thickens. When thick enough to coat a spoon, remove from heat. Add vanilla and butter and stir to blend. Pour into casserole dish. Bake for 20 minutes, or until pudding has set.

Remove from oven and top with meringue. Return to oven and bake 10 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown. May be served warm or chilled. Serves 4 - 6.

Notes:

Ready to Serve

The recipe can be doubled or tripled with good results.
If you skip the meringue, don’t add egg whites to pudding. They cause a grainy texture.

The best utensil for stirring the pudding is an egg turner with a flat edge that scrapes the bottom of the saucepan.

Watch the pudding carefully. “Stir constantly” means just that! 

If don't care for meringue, use butter to dot the top of the pudding before baking so it becomes a melted butter sauce. Whipped topping or ice cream may also be substituted for the meringue.

Meringue

Ingredients:

3 egg whites

½ teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)
6 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

Place egg whites in mixing bowl of electric mix at high speed, and beat until stiff peaks form. Mix sugar with cream of tartar, and add to beaten egg whites, one spoonful at the time on medium speed. Beat at high speed until sugar dissolves. Spread over the top of the pudding or pie. Bake at 400°F for ten minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

Notes:

Room temperature eggs whites will beat up into thicker, taller meringue.

If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can make meringue without it. The cream of tartar only stiffens the whites.

The secret to great meringue is to beat the whites until they form extremely stiff peaks, and only then add sugar.

You can make a meringue of any size by using a ratio of 2 tablespoons of sugar per egg white.

To test whether sugar has dissolved, rub a small amount between thumb and forefinger. If you feel sugar grains mix a bit longer.

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Since publishing her first book at age 27, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Blake has gone on to write over 65 historical and contemporary novels in multiple genres. She brings the story-telling power and seductive passion of the South to her stories, reflecting her 8th-generation Louisiana heritage. Jennifer lives with her husband in northern Louisiana.

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Southern Pecan Pie

Pecan pie (pronounced “puh-khan” where I live) is a holiday tradition in the South. I make two of these incredibly rich, wonderfully tasty desserts for Thanksgiving every year, plus two for Christmas—one is never enough! Vintage recipes for these pies were concocted to use the pecans native to the lower U.S., also the sugar cane syrup, butter and eggs plentiful in rural areas. My version came from my mom, who found it on a dark Karo corn syrup bottle in the Fifties, but has been adapted to my family’s taste.

Pecan Pie with Fluted Crust

Homemade pie crust is always better, but if pressed for time, I put a fluted edge on a crust from the diary case. Few notice the difference – or are too polite to mention it! I’m including my crust recipe in case you want to experiment. Whatever you do, enjoy!

Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

4 large eggs, whisked

4 tablespoons butter, melted

¾ cup sugar

1 cup dark Karo corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F

In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, salt, syrup, vanilla and butter. Add whisked eggs and mix well. Add pecans. Pour into unbaked pie shell.

Bake in center of oven for 60 – 70 minutes, until pie crust edges are brown and pecan filling is firm in the middle.

Notes:

Oven temperatures vary. If the crust appears to be browning too fast, cover the edges with aluminum foil.

Pie filling will deflate as it cools, forming a flat, candy-like crust on top on the pie.

Cane syrup may be substituted for the dark Karo corn syrup.

Real butter and real vanilla make the best pie.

Pecans may be left whole, broken, chopped or ground fine, as desired.

Pie Crust

Ingredients:

½ cup shortening’

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons ice water

Directions:

Sift flour and salt into a medium bowl. Add shortening and cut into flour with a pastry blender. Add ice water, and mix lightly until it forms a dough ball. Roll out on a floured surface to approximately 1 ½ inches larger than your pie plate. Place in the plate. Trim away excess dough and crimp the edge with a fork, or leave the excess dough and create a fluted edge.  

To make a fluted pie crust edge: Roll out the pie crust dough to form a circle approximately 1 ½ inches larger than your pie plate. Place the uncooked crust into the plate with excess draped over the rim. Lightly press the crust into the plate so it takes the plate form and there are no air pockets under it. Fold the excess crust under all the way around the pie plate rim to form a small ridge. Place the side of your index finger on the crust ridge at an angle and gently pinch the dough ridge with your thumb. Place thumb in the indentation just made, press down with your index finger at an angle as before, and pinch with your thumb again. Continue around the crust in this manner until you reach your starting point. The placement of your index finger doesn't matter as long as it’s held at approximately the same angle each time you press down. Practice makes this a fast and easy embellishment.

Notes:

For a flakier crust, place bowl with flour, salt and cut-in shortening in the freezer overnight.

Overworking the dough will toughen it; handle as little as possible.

For more varieties of pecan pies, also different pie crust edgings, see my Pinterest Board, “For Love of Pie”: http://pinterest.com/jblakeauthor/for-love-of-pie/

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Since publishing her first book at age 27, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Blake has gone on to write over 65 historical and contemporary novels in multiple genres. She brings the story-telling power and seductive passion of the South to her stories, reflecting her 8th-generation Louisiana heritage. Jennifer lives with her husband in northern Louisiana.

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Jennifer's Holiday Cookies

There’s something about this time of the year, isn't there? Like bears preparing for the long winter ahead, we begin to crave high-calorie food -- not to mention it being a major holiday tradition. The urge to bake strikes me at this season, with some of my favorite things being homemade bread, pecan and sweet potato pies, chocolate pudding and cookies that include nuts.

Mexican Wedding Cookies are special treats made with walnuts that are scrumptious with hot tea, cocoa, coffee or a cold glass of milk. Also known as Russian Tea Cakes, they're easy to put together, so let’s get started.

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

2 cups all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons powdered sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon cardamom (optional)

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1/3 cup powdered sugar for final dusting

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

In a medium mixing bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Sift together flour, 6 tablespoons of powdered sugar, salt and cardamom. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture a little at the time, to form a soft dough. Add chopped nuts and mix until just blended. Using a cookie scoop or teaspoon, form into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Do not compress.

Bake 12 minutes. Let cool. Place remaining 1/3 powdered sugar in a small bowl and roll each cookie in it.

Makes two dozen cookies.

Notes:

Pecans, almonds or hazelnuts may be substituted for the walnuts.

For best results, do not substitute margarine for the butter.

Rolling the cookies before they cool will cause the powdered sugar to melt.

Additional cookies recipes can be found at: http://www.allrecipes.com

Website Facebook Twitter

Since publishing her first book at age 27, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Blake has gone on to write over 65 historical and contemporary novels in multiple genres. She brings the story-telling power and seductive passion of the South to her stories, reflecting her 8th-generation Louisiana heritage. Jennifer lives with her husband in northern Louisiana.

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Special 99¢ Boxed Set Sale - The Love & Adventure Collection: Part 1

That's right - 2 classic historical romances by Jennifer Blake for just 99¢! What better way to relax after a long day of cyber-shopping? This is a limited-time special.

 LOVE AND ADVENTURE COLLECTION BOX SET: PART 1
 

99¢ 

Kindle version only available for now - we'll be publishing Jennifer's backlist at special pricing to other online bookstores beginning Spring 2013. 

THE STORM AND THE SPLENDOR
Julia, involved in a dangerous international plot, becomes a sea captain's reluctant bride. When a violent storm flings them into the decadent splendor of a Turkish court, will they trust to love...or die in each other's arms?

LOVE'S WILD DESIRE 
Catherine, tricked into attending an infamous quadroon ball, masks her identity until it's too late. Forced to wed the handsome planter who compromises her, she seeks a place in his life. But the madman stalking her will not rest until she pays the price for...Love's Wild Desire.

And if you missed the days earlier this week when Part 2 was offered free, you can still pick up the digital boxed set of 3 books at a special price of just $2.99 for a limited time.

 LOVE AND ADVENTURE COLLECTION BOX SET: PART 2
 

$2.99

(Please note, these novels were first published in the 1980s when forced seduction in romance was not the hot-button issue it is today. If these types of scenes offend you, please consider other works by Jennifer instead.)

Blockade runners, soldiers and gamblers: Men of adventure who live hard and love harder, yet still crave the one thing these determined heroines have left to give. Three complete bestselling novels by one of the genre's true greats.

SURRENDER IN MOONLIGHT
Despair sends Lorna into the arms of a daring blockade runner in a deserted house, while Ramon's caresses are driven by retribution. Forced together during a harrowing flight from war-torn Louisiana, they discover the heart's-ease of passion - but can they escape the danger that awaits them on the high seas?

NOTORIOUS ANGEL
Eleanora is a respectable lady, widow of a Spanish grandee, former angel of mercy to the wounded in war-ravaged Central America - and keeper of a precious secret. She was also once the mistress of Colonel Grant Farrell. And the hardened soldier is coming for her....

GOLDEN FANCY
Serena never planned to wind up a gambler's woman and the toast of a gold rush town. Ward is beguiled by her innocence, but too scarred by the past to offer more than protection. Will their fragile bond survive as murder and madness close in around them?

 

Louisiana History Collection: Reading Order

Look below for huge discounts on SEDUCED BY GRACE in both print and ebook versions, news about THE TUSCAN'S REVENGE WEDDING, and a sneak peek at the boxed sets soon to be available for many of the titles Jennifer mentions in today's post!

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Are you a history buff or a person who prefers to read series books in order? Many people are both, including me! My Louisiana History Collection from Steel Magnolia Press isn’t exactly a series, as there are no character connections between the stories, but they do have a chronological order according to their historical events. For those who might want to read them that way, here is the list:

FIERCE EDEN - circa 1730, uprising of the Natchez Indians at Fort Rosalie
LOUISIANA DAWN - 1740s, early colonial period under the French
EMBRACE AND CONQUER - mid 1750s, transfer from France to Spain
SPANISH SERENADE - 1788, great fire that almost destroyed New Orleans
PERFUME OF PARADISE - 1803, transfer to the U.S. via the Louisiana Purchase
PRISONER OF DESIRE - 1858, political upheaval and the beginning of Mardi Gras
SOUTHERN RAPTURE - 1870s, Reconstruction period in Louisiana

Louisiana Dawn,
map of the state
 superimposed over
the image

In addition, SURRENDER IN MOONLIGHT describes the fall of New Orleans during the Civil War. Though the book starts in Louisiana at that time, its main setting is Nassau, Bahamas, center of blockade-running. For that reason, it was included in the Love and Adventure Collection, which will be releasing later this month.

The books of the Louisiana Plantation Collection deal with other aspects of Louisiana history during the antebellum period. MIDNIGHT WALTZ, for instance, gives the duties of the mistress of a plantation, plus details of the destructive hurricane that killed many wealthy planters at their summer homes on Isle Derniere in 1856. These stories have no particular reading order.

Finally, my 6-book Masters at Arms series illustrates social life in New Orleans in the 1850s as filtered through experiences with the dangerous sword masters, or fencing instructors, who taught men self-protection during this era of dueling. The books are available on Amazon from Mira Books. Their titles in order are:

CHALLENGE TO HONOR

DAWN ENCOUNTER

ROGUE’S SALUTE

GUARDED HEART

GALLANT MATCH

TRIUMPH IN ARMS

- Jennifer 

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 Kindle versions of The Louisiana History Collection, The Louisiana Plantation Collection and The Love and Adventure Collection titles can be found on these Steel Magnolia Press display pages right in the Amazon store.

  The Kindle versions of the Masters at Arms Series titles can all be found on this Amazon display page.

________________

SEDUCED BY GRACE, the second book in Jennifer's Three Graces Series - which can be read as a stand-alone - is now just $1.24 for the Kindle version, and $1.30 for the mass market paperback (plus being eligible for free shipping with a minimum purchase and for the 4-for-3 promo). How long will this sale last? We don't know! Mira is running the discount and we haven't seen their end date.

Kindle Version  |  Paperback Version

 ________________

Thank you to everyone who downloaded a copy of THE TUSCAN'S REVENGE WEDDING when it was free or purchased a copy at its introductory price of just 99c. We gave away over 47,000 copies, and have sold over 10,000 in less than 3 weeks. TUSCAN was in the overall Top 100 in the Amazon store for 2 full weeks, and is still in the Top 150 today! Kindle Version

  ________________

And finally, here's a sneak peek at the boxed collections mentioned in Jennifer's post that will be available -- along with several more boxed sets! -- on November 21.

Regular prices for each boxed set are listed below, but be watching here and in our newsletter for special promotions throughout the upcoming holiday season!

Louisiana History Collection: Part 1 - Reg. Price $7.95
Louisiana History Collection: Part 2 - Reg. Price $9.95
Louisiana Plantation Collection - Reg. Price $9.95
Love and Adventure Collection - Part 1 - Reg. Price 5.95
Love and Adventure Collection - Part 2 - Reg. Price 7.95

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Since publishing her first book at age 27, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Blake has gone on to write over 65 historical and contemporary novels in multiple genres. She brings the story-telling power and seductive passion of the South to her stories, reflecting her 8th-generation Louisiana heritage. Jennifer lives with her husband in northern Louisiana.

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Isn't It Romantic - Italy

Hadrian's Villa Ruins

It happened several years ago, but I’ll never forget. I was traveling with an English and American group that gathered for dinner at a restaurant outside Rome, near Hadrian's Villa. The others were boisterous, enjoying the free-flowing wine and each other’s company. I was bit out of it, being something of an introvert, but entertained myself by practicing the ultra-polite Italian form of "thank you" on the wait staff.

Come the end of the meal, and desserts were being served. Everyone around me received theirs, but the place in front of me remained empty. I’d been overlooked.

Oh, but then the server for our table appeared at my side. With a flourish and the greatest deference, he placed a special dessert before me. Not only was it beautifully garnished and twice as large as everyone else’s, but it was presented on a gold plate. “For the kind and beautiful lady,” he said.

Oh, the romance of the grand gesture. They do it so well in Italy. Is it any wonder that I love that country, or that I chose to write about it in The Tuscan's Revenge Wedding?

- Jennifer

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99¢ Through Oct 25 Only

If you missed THE TUSCAN'S REVENGE WEDDING when it was free -- Did you know it was the #1 free title in the Amazon store and that more than 46,000 readers downloaded it in only 5 days? -- you can still pick it up though October 25 for just 99¢. After that, it goes back to its regular price of $3.98.

Another new release you can pick up for 99¢ -- just in time for Halloween -- is Tamelia's Nightshifters, three paranormal romance stories first published by Wild Rose Press and now presented in a collected edition by Steel Magnolia Press. (Reg. price $1.99)

You'll find several more Steel Magnolia titles as well in a special 48-book "Fall Into Savings" promotion. All affiliate sales dollars earned when you use these links that take you right to your Amazon store will go to buy books for schools in need at Fill The Shelves. This promotion ends Oct. 25.

Romance/Women's Fiction

Mystery/Thillers

Science Fiction/Fantasy

General Fiction/Non-Fiction

99 Cent Flash Sale - Today Only!

Newsletter subscribers knew ahead of time that Royal Seduction would be 99¢ today - and this is their reminder that today is the day to buy!

But why stop with just Royal Seduction? We've added 12 more titles to the 99¢ mix, including 3 more historical romances by Jennifer Blake at their lowest price ever, plus one of Christina Skye's latest!

Click here to purchase Royal Seduction from Amazon for just 99¢ (reg. $3.98).

Click here to purchase Royal Passion, Book 2 of the Royal Princes of Ruthenia 2-book series, for $2.99 (reg. $3.98).

Click here to see our Amazon page full of 99¢ specials at up to 78% off regular prices.

Sale ends Sept. 25.

5 New Releases, 2 New Additions and 11 Freebies - The Magnolias Are in Full Bloom This Month!

When you think Historical Romance from the golden age of the 80s and 90s, you think big, thick tomes lush with description, brimming with fully realized characters you're sorry to have to let go of, and settings that let you escape to times and lands rich in imagination.

This month, Steel Magnolia Press is re-releasing 2 grand-dame classics of historical romance. Books that helped to define the genre for a generation of readers. If you haven't read these watershed novels, now's your chance to get them at a reduced price - just $2.99 apiece.

ROYAL SEDUCTION
By Jennifer Blake

$2.99 through Sept 24
(Reg $3.98)

Mistaken identity, an abduction, passion, suspense, betrayal -- it's all here, wrapped in a romance that has become a genre-defining classic.







ROYAL PASSION
By Jennifer Blake

$2.99 through Sept 24
(Reg $3.98)

Mara has no idea how to seduce a royal prince, or what he will do when she betrays him…










We've also got the 3 books to complete your Louisiana History Collection on sale for a limited time. And if you act quickly, you can even get one FREE!

(See below for our freebie schedule for September.)

PRISONER OF DESIRE
By Jennifer Blake

$2.99 through Sept 24
(Reg $3.98)

Anya abducts the most lethal swordsman in New Orleans to prevent a death -- but how will he retaliate...?









PERFUME OF PARADISE
By Jennifer Blake

$1.99 through Sept 24 (Reg $3.98)

Hot, sultry passion blooms on a lush Caribbean island, but is it real? 

SOUTHERN RAPTURE
By Jennifer Blake

$1.99 through Sept 24 (Reg $3.98)

How wanton she must be that she can thrill so to the kisses of two different men…










New Additions to Our Catalog

The Magnolias are also helping out New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Christina Skye spread the word about the paranormal romances she's publishing herself set in the world of Draycott Abbey, first introduced in a popular Harlequin series.

And speaking of Harlequin, Christina has a new contemporary romance releasing this month through Harlequin. The Accidental Bride, #3 in the Summer Island series, is available for preorder at Amazon now. The print version releases Sept. 18 and the Kindle edition comes out Oct. 1.

CHRISTMAS AT DRAYCOTT ABBEY
By Christina Skye

$2.99 (novella)

As Christmas draws near and darkness veils the haunted English abbey, a tale of loss and love betrayed begins.









FALLEN, Book 1 of a New Draycott Abbey Series
By Christina Skye

$2.99 (category length)

In a night of dreams and danger, a Crusader knight is torn from the past on a mission of honor--and deadly revenge. Only through magic can he protect the innocence of a stubborn woman who has learned to trust no one.



 


Freebies!

We have 11 books up for grabs for FREE over the next few days (through Sept. 15). Not all books will be available all days, so make sure the book still shows as free before clicking the download button. Even if you miss out on the freebie dates, we like to think our prices are reasonable enough that you'll still purchase them if they tickle your fancy. And if you enjoy one of our books, it always helps other readers if you leave a quick review to help them decide whether they'll enjoy it too!

Clicking the following link will take you directly to our special freebie page on the Amazon site in your region (.com or .uk. depending on where you're clicking from) where all SMP books currently available for free are listed. We keep up with the dates so you don't have to!

http://smarturl.it/SeptFree

Extra-Special Summer Sale Savings

Say THAT 5 times fast!

For 2 days, Aug 23 and 24, you can pick up 5 recent releases you may have missed -- at bargain prices.

Fresh Leaves Newsletter subscribers knew to wait till today to pick up Louisiana Dawn for just 99¢ and save almost $3. Be sure to subscribe so you're "in the know" too.

Remember, all books in the Louisiana History Collection - Part 1 go back to their regular price of $3.98 on Saturday, Aug 25. Look for 3 new digital editions in the Louisiana History Collection - Part 2 debuting next month.

LOUISIANA DAWN
by Jennifer Blake

99¢
(Reg. $3.98) 

Historical Romance Novel

Life would be perfect - once rid of her tiresome virginity...

FIERCE EDEN
by Jennifer Blake

$1.99
(Reg. $3.98)

Historical Romance Novel

What has he done with his devil's bargain?

MIDNIGHT WALTZ
By Jennifer Blake  

$2.99
(Reg. $3.98)  

Historical Romance Novel 

He came to her in the dark of the moon...

NIKO'S STOLEN BRIDE
by Lindy Corbin 

99¢
(Reg. $2.99)
 
Contemporary Romance - Category Length 

Is the Greek captain who saved her from pirates the greater threat?

DEADLY IMAGE
By Tamelia Tumlin

99¢
(Reg. $2.99)

Inspirational Romantic Suspense - Long Novella

Did Lexi abduct her own child? Can evidence lie?







 

Have Book, Will Travel

by Tamelia Tumlin 

Pack your vitural bags and get ready to travel! From August 12th -20th I will be taking my latest book, Deadly Image, on a virtual book tour. Can you tell I really love to travel even if it is just in cyberspace? I will be a guest on several blogs during the week where I'll be blogging on topics such as "Plotter, Pantser or In Between," "Christian Characters Are People Too" and "Character Development." I will also be interviewed by Jennifer Blake and Always A Booklover. Deadly Image will be reviewed on Jettie's Ramblings and Books Before Food. I will share 5 personal secrets on It's Raining Books. And last but not least, I will be interviewing Ace and Lexi from Deadly Image on my blog, Tamelia's Tidbits. 

Join me at each blog stop for your chance to win one of two copies of Deadly Image in PDF or PRC Kindle format. Check with each blog host to see how to enter. Some may use rafflecopter and some may simply ask you to comment on the guest post, review or interview.
At the end of my book tour I will be giving away two $10.00 Amazon gift cards. To be eligible to win, you need to follow my tour each day and stop by my website to enter the rafflecoptor. There are three ways to enter. 'Like' my Facebook fan page, follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest (this one can be done daily for addional entries). All of the entries MUST be done through rafflecopter to count. So come on! Let's have a little book fun! I hope to see you there! Click on the links to go to each tour stop!

As a special treat to kick-off the book tour, Deadly Image will be free until the evening of August 12 - only on Amazon! If you miss your chance to get a free copy, Deadly Image will be on sale for $1.99 for the entire tour!

If you would like kindlegraphs for Deadly Image or any of my other books, then go to my website and click on the kindlegraph link. (Please note that Amazon may charge a small delivery fee for the kindlegraphs. I'd rather they didn't, but that is out of my control.)

I have also added an author reading of an excerpt from Deadly Image on my website through Cinch. Stop by if you get a chance and listen to part of the first chapter of this Christian romantic suspense! 
But, before you do sit back, grab a little popcorn and watch the book trailer for a sneak peak at Deadly Image.                                                                              
 
                           

Blog Tour Schedule

Aug. 12 Where Imagination Blooms (Kickoff Blog Tour)
Aug 12-31 Q & A with Tamelia Tumlin on Goodreads  (Ask the Author) (Note: only 2 free copies of Deadly Image given away from Aug 12-31, not 2 a day)

Aug. 13 The Plot Thickens (Guest Post - Plot Development)

Aug. 14 The Book Connection (Guest Post - Christian Characters Are People Too)

Aug. 15 Books Before Food (Review)

Aug. 16 Jennifer's Journal (Author Interview - Hosted by Jennifer Blake)

Aug. 17 The Character Connection (Guest Post - Character Developement) 

Aug. 18 Stop 1 Jettie's Ramblings (Review)

Aug. 18 Stop 2 Always A Booklover (Author Interview)

Aug. 19 It's Raining Books (Guest Post- 5 Secrets About Me)
Aug. 20 Stop 1  Romance-Book-Club (Author Interview/ Book Review)

Aug. 20 Stop 2 Tamelia's Tidbits (Character Interviews with Ace and Lexi, and Author Reading of an Excerpt of Deadly Image )

Deadly Image

Gone without a trace ...

Lexi Yates knows she hasn’t harmed her three-year-old daughter, yet the Louisiana town of Gator Bayou seems to think she’s guilty. With her daughter missing, the evidence stacking up against her and her faith in God tested to the limit, Lexi must find a way to convince FBI agent Ace Valdez she’s innocent before she becomes the next target.

Ace Valdez doesn’t trust easily, and he certainly knows better than to fall for a case, yet there’s something about the widowed mother that makes him want to believe she’s innocent. But evidence doesn’t lie. Or does it?

Long Novella - about 36,000 words

______________________________

Tamelia Tumlin has worked with several online publishers, but is now writing exclusively for Steel Magnolia Press. Juggling motherhood, teaching and writing is a challenge, but one she welcomes to pursue her passion. Her romance novels range from sweet and sassy to dark and dangerous.

______________________________

4 New Releases + Freebies!

We know our putting a lot of new titles out at once can be hard on the budget. That's why we're rolling out Jennifer's backlist of 36 titles a little at a time - plus, we're making it as affordable for you as possible by offering some really super deals. Be sure to sign up for our Fresh Leaves Newsletter to be in the know as to when you can pick up the newest releases for the best prices.

August New Releases:
4 Louisiana History Collection Titles

 

Spanish Serenade
by Jennifer Blake

FREE Aug 10 (and maybe a little longer!
Check the price before purchasing)
Otherwise, $2.99 through August 24
(Reg. $3.98)

Will the fire of revenge bind them or destroy them?

Fierce Eden
by Jennifer Blake

$1.99 through August 24
(Reg. $3.98)

What has he done with his devil's bargain?

Louisiana Dawn
by Jennifer Blake

$2.99 through August 22
(Reg. $3.98)
Look for extra special pricing Aug 23-24!

Life would be perfect - once rid of her tiresome virginity...

Embrace and Conquer
by Jennifer Blake

$2.99 through August 24 
(Reg. $3.98)

The handsome mercenary demands her surrender ...
 

 FREEBIES! 

Pieces of Dreams
by Jennifer Blake

FREE - but only till about 8:00 PM Central Time on Aug 10

A choice fueled by stormy passion...

Historical romance novella (Reg. $2.99)

Deadly Image
by Tamelia Tumlin

FREE - August 10 and 11

Did Lexi abduct her own child? Can evidence lie?

Inspirational romantic suspense - long novella (Reg. $2.99)

SECTOR C
by Phoenix Sullivan

FREE - but only till about 8:00 PM Central Time Aug 10

10,000 years ago a pandemic wiped out much of the world. It's back.

Medical thriller (Reg. $4.39)

Plus a bonus - a New Release from one of our good friends,
another New York Times and USA Today bestselling author!

Fallen 
A New Draycott Abbey Series (Book 1)
by Christina Skye 

FREE Aug 10 (and maybe a little longer -
check price before purchasing)

Eternal desire, trust and deadly revenge

Paranormal romance - category-length
(Reg. $2.99)