Sunday, December 23, 2018

Repost- Spicy Sweet Potato Casserole in time for the holidays!

This fun dish was such a hit in our household last year I decided to re-post.  Enjoy
Spicy Sweet Potato Casserole Serves 12

4 Med Yams or sweet potatoes, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Oregano (fresh if possible)
2 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp Black pepper
1 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper
4-8 cloves Garlic (depending on size), minced
1 bunch Green onions, chopped
1 Jalapeno seeded and chopped
1 cup fat free half and half

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, toss yams/sweet potatoes with the olive oil and coat well. Then
add the spices, garlic, onions, and jalapeno and mix thoroughly. Arrange the sweet potatoes in a 9 1/2-inch oblong baking pan, arrange in layers. Scrape out any chopped veggies over the top. Cover with foil and bake until tender about 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and pour the cream over it evenly. Return to oven and continue baking uncovered for approximately 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Have a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas.


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Monday, December 17, 2018

Welcome back Guest Cook Kelli A Wilkins

Spicy Ginger Cookies

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
4 ½ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ginger
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:
Cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the molasses.
Mix the dry ingredients together, then stir into the butter mixture until well combined.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes. (This makes for easier handling.)

Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (optional).

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. (Ovens vary, so keep an eye on the cookies so they don’t burn!)
Enjoy!

Note: You can modify the recipe based on your individual taste. If you like your cookies really spicy, add more ginger. You can also roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.

Looking for a few sweet reads? Don’t miss Cupid’s Schemes!
By Kelli A. Wilkins

Greetings everyone,
I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season. Today I'm sharing a look at my first collection of mini-romances...

Cupid’s Schemes - A Collection of Sweet Romances
In these 16 flash fiction vignettes, Cupid’s arrow hits the mark and ignites a spark between two strangers—whether or not they’re looking for romance. Their unusual meetings lead to new beginnings and new chances at love.

Sweet stories of couples falling under Cupid’s spell include:
* a Medieval knight courting a pretty lady
* two neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a dehydrated mermaid rescued by a handsome stranger
These lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.
 
Here’s an excerpt from Skating Sweethearts, the first story in this collection:
 “Turn! No, Jules! Not that way,” Cheryl cried out.

Julie yelped as she whisked along on the ice, barreling out of control and barely keeping her balance. Her ice skates seemed to have a mind of their own.

What should she do? If she tried to stop, she might trip and go flying head over heels. If she turned, she’d probably fall onto her side. Either way, she was doomed. God only knew what she’d break if she landed on the cold, unforgiving ice.

This was a bad idea. A very bad idea. Why did she let Cheryl talk her into coming here today? How is this supposed to be fun? She zoomed along, praying she wouldn’t crash into anyone. Thankfully, the outdoor rink wasn’t very crowded.

“Watch out,” she warned as she skidded past a teenaged couple holding hands. All of a sudden she spotted a man in a red ski coat right in front of her. Uh-oh.

Before she could stop herself, she plowed into the back of the tall man. To her surprise, he whirled around, caught her, and twirled them in a circle.

She closed her eyes as the world spun. Then, everything stopped.

“I’ve got you. Are you okay?” the man asked.

Julie relaxed in his grip. It took a second to realize that his strong arm was coiled around her midsection. Her gloved hand rested on his shoulder. Strong, stable, nice.

A blast of cold air blew a lock of blonde curls in front of her face and she brushed it away. She glanced up to see who this powerhouse was. She gazed into her rescuer’s cocoa-brown eyes. “I’m sorry I crashed into you.”

“You’re not hurt are you?”

“No, but my pride is wounded. I made a complete fool of myself in front of everyone. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

She licked her lips and realized the handsome guy still held her around the waist. He seemed to be in no hurry to let her go—and that was fine with her.

Julie studied his high cheekbones, Roman nose, and stubbled jawline. Dark hair peeked out from under his red knit cap. He appeared to be in his early thirties, like her.

She inhaled deep as the wind blew a whiff of his musky cologne in her direction. Whoever this guy was, he smelled wonderful.

“Thanks for rescuing me. I’m Julie.”

“Allan.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Feel free to need rescuing anytime.” He winked. “Let me guess, this is your first time skating?”

“It shows, doesn’t it?” She looked back over her shoulder. Cheryl stood at the far end of the rink, waving. “My sister gave me a push in this direction and… Oh.”

Now she understood exactly what Cheryl had done—sent her skating right into this hunk on ice. Cheryl had an annoying habit of always trying to hook her up with strangers. It was a nice idea, and she meant well, but how many times had she flirted like crazy only to discover the man wasn’t interested—or worse—have his wife or significant other appear out of nowhere? It was embarrassing.

***

I hope you’ll check out this collection of sweet romances. Each one is a unique look at fun first meets. Look for Volume 2 coming in 2019!

Order Cupid’s Schemes here:

Enjoy the rest of 2018!
Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories. 

In October 2018, Kelli published Cupid’s Schemes, Volume 1 – a collection of sweet mini-romances. (Look for Volume 2 coming in 2019!)

She also released her first online writing course, Fiction Writing for Beginners, through Teachable. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/ for more details.

Kelli’s historical romance, Redemption from a Dark Past, was published in 2018. This full-length Gothic novel is set in the kingdom of Hungary in 1723 and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense.

If you like horror fiction, don’t miss her latest novella, Nightmare in the North.

CATCH UP WITH KELLI
Here’s a full list of where you can find Kelli on the web.
Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb
Teachable Online Writing Course: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/

Thank you, Kelli, for visiting. 

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Monday, December 10, 2018

Guest Cooks, N. N. Light

Welcome N. N. Light to The After Work Cook. N. N. Light is the award-winning husband-wife writing team. I will be having them as my guest monthly. I can't wait to see all their recipes, talk about a yummy recipe! 


The holidays are fast approaching and where is Mrs. N? Why, in the kitchen baking up a storm, of course. Growing up, I would race over to my grandmother’s house after school to help her with the holiday baking. She’d make over a dozen different varieties of cookies for her cookie plate. But the one item everyone clamored for was her famous cinnamon rolls. From the time I was eight, I learned how to make them. When I got married, I carried on her tradition and make them every year for our family.
Nothing says the holidays like waking up Christmas morning like diving into a gooey cinnamon roll along with your hot beverage of choice. It’s a tradition we have in our household and we’d like to share the recipe with you. Enjoy!

N. N. Light Cinnamon Rolls:
Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (though I use brown sugar for extra richness)
1 teaspoon salt
1 package instant yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
½ cup warm water
¼ milk (I use 2%)
2 ½ tablespoons butter (don’t use margarine) 
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup brown sugar

Glaze –

1 cup powdered/icing sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 tablespoons cream/milk/coffee

Directions:
Set aside ½ cup flour. In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Set aside.

Warm the water, milk and butter together until the butter is melted (temperature should be between 115 and 120 degrees F). This is very important. Any less and the yeast will not activate and any more and it will kill the yeast. Stir the butter mixture into the flour. Add the egg and only enough of the reserved flour to make a soft dough. I end up using it all. Dough will be ready when it pulls away from the side of the bowl and has an elastic feel.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for five minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl and let rest for an hour.

Note: If you have a bread maker, do like me and throw all the ingredients in and run the dough cycle.

When it has risen to twice its size, punch down the dough and roll into a large rectangular. Spread the softened butter to cover the dough, leaving a half inch edge. Spread the sugar over the butter and then sprinkle with the cinnamon. Don’t worry about the measurements for the filling. I go all out and use generous amounts. Starting at the far right end, roll the dough tightly to make a thick log. Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut the dough into 12 even rounds and place in a 9x13 cake pan. If you’re unsure about them holding their shape, use a muffin tray.

Loosely cover with parchment paper and allow to rise for 45 minutes to an hour. When the rolls have doubled in size, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 20-25 minutes, depending on your oven.

For the glaze, mix the sugar, vanilla and 2 tablespoons liquid. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more liquid. If it’s too thin, add a little more icing sugar.

Right before serving, top your rolls with the glaze. My Christmas hack: forget the glaze and use one can of your favorite cream cheese frosting. I prefer the one that has the initials B. C. but you choose which one works best for you.

Enjoy!



Our small-town clean romance goes great with a cinnamon roll. We hope you enjoy the excerpt.

Title: Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella
Author: N. N. Light
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, New Adult Romance


The day her grandfather died, Sally’s life changed forever.

Twenty-Two-year-old Sally Rayton returns to the family farm she deserted four years ago to bury her grandfather. Her plan: to settle her grandfather’s estate and return to her life in the city with her boyfriend, Trevor Mattson.

Her childhood friend, Jack Smith, has other ideas.

Jack convinces Sally to transform the farm into a brewery and fulfill her grandfather’s dream while keeping the Rayton Farm in the family. Sally works side-by-side with Jack while Trevor is hundreds of miles away in the city. The more time she spends with Jack, the stronger her feelings are for him. Sally’s torn between her new feelings for her best friend, Jack and her boyfriend, Trevor.

When Trevor shows up to propose to Sally right before Christmas and finds her in Jack’s embrace, she’s unsure which man she loves. Will it be her best friend and farmer, Jack, or will it be rich, successful Trevor? City or Country… only Sally’s heart knows what’s right and true.

Excerpt:

Sally woke up the next morning to the sound of a chainsaw, multiple chainsaws. What  is going on? It's five-thirty in the morning! She threw back the bedcovers and grabbed her robe off the back of the bedroom door. Pulling it tight across her body, the floral soft cotton robe did nothing to conceal the fact she was naked underneath. She ran down the stairs and stomped out the door barefoot.

"So help me, I'm going to kill whomever is making that racket," she roared to no one in particular.

She craned her neck to hear where the sound was coming from. Turning left, towards the citrus grove, she saw Jack and two other men standing under the trees. All of the frustration from the past week poured out of her and she ran as hard as she could. When she came closer, she realized what they were about to do.

"Stop! Don't cut these trees down!" She panted. She put her hands on her hips to catch her breath.

Jack's eyes roamed the length of her body and Sally could feel a slight warmth heat her cheeks. She looked down at her disheveled robe and pulled her robe tighter. What's he staring at? She lifted her gaze and her stomach did a flip. Jack's shirt wasn't buttoned and she caught a glimpse of his tanned ripped stomach muscles. Oh my!

"Jack, what are you doing? Do you know it's five-thirty in the morning?"

He shook his head, as if that was an answer. She tore her eyes away from his abs to his face. She inhaled sharply. His hooded eyes looked ready to devour her. I must be seeing things. Maybe he's just hungry.

The two other men set down their chainsaws. "Listen Jack, we'll be over at your farm eating some breakfast. Come get us when you're ready."

Jack snapped his head around to the men. "Sure. I'll see you guys in few minutes." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I have to clear things up with Miss Rayton." Jack watched the men walk away and whipped his head back to Sally.

Sally rolled her eyes and said aloud, "Yeah, you just have to talk to the womanfolk." She spoke in a sweet Southern drawl. "Remember to speak nice and slow so she understands ya'll."




Author Bio: N. N. Light is the award-winning husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N. Mrs. N. has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let’s just say she was a born storyteller.

They’re blissfully happy and love all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports, trains, history, cooking and baking. Their mantra is to spread the Light.

Most of the time you can find them on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. They’re a proud member of ASMSG and Independent Author Network.

Subscribe to their author newsletter and you'll be eligible to win $5 Amazon gift card monthly:  http://ow.ly/jWec308TabL  

In addition to being authors, they’re also book promoters/reviewers, social media marketers/influencers and the owners of N. N. Light Author Promotions. They both love books, have ever since they were young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives them great pleasure.

They’d love to connect with you either via email or via these various social media sites:

Newsletter: ow.ly/jWec308TabL 

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Monday, December 3, 2018

Guest Cook Cathy Perkins

Grandma Dot’s Gingerbread Men

Grandma Dot Phifer’s much-loved recipe


Ingredients:
1 c.
Packed brown sugar
3
Eggs
1 c.
Margarine, softened (butter-flavored Crisco)
Molasses
1 tsp.
Salt
1 tbs.
Baking soda
1 tsp.
Cinnamon
1 tsp.
Ground allspice
1 tsp.
Ground cloves
1 tbs.
Ground ginger
3 c.
All-purpose flour (plus 5-6 c.)

8” gingerbread man cookie cutter (Grandma Dot:  I usually use smaller size.)
Directions:
1.      In large bowl with mixer at low speed, blend all ingredients except the 5-6 cups flour until just mixed, scraping bowl with rubber spatula.
2.      Increase speed to medium and beat 2 more minutes, scraping occasionally.
3.      Using wooden spoon, stir in additional 5-6 cups flour to make a stiff dough.
4.      Divide dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to 2 days.
5.      Preheat oven to 350o F. On lightly floured surface roll half the dough until – ¼” thick.
6.      Cut cookies and transfer to lightly greased cookie sheet.
7.      (Grandma Dot:  We decorate at this point with raisins or currants for eyes, candy cinnamon hearts for mouths, etc.)
8.      Bake approximately 12 minutes until edges are firm.
9.      Cool slightly. Remove to wire rack to cool. (Grandma Dot:  If you use frosting to decorate, wait til this point.)

One of the reasons I love these cookies is the memory of my mom making them with my children and nieces.

 Family—the importance of family—is a constant theme in my stories. Holly Price took a leave of
absence from her Seattle based career to help her mother run, and ultimately sell, the family business. Of course, she runs into trouble she never expected. With the latest installment in the series, IN IT FOR THE MONEY, her cousin’s troubles have crossed into her professional life, and added a new wrinkle to her relationship with JC.

IN IT FOR THE MONEY
Holly Price traded professional goals for personal plans when she agreed to leave her high-flying
position with the Seattle Mergers and Acquisition team and take over the family accounting practice. Reunited with JC Dimitrak, her former fiancé, she’s already questioning whether she’s ready to flip her condo for marriage and a house in the ‘burbs.
When her cousin Tate needs investors for his innovative car suspension, Holly works her business matchmaking skills and connects him with a client. The Rockcrawler showcasing the new part crashes at its debut event, however, and the driver dies. Framed for the sabotage, Tate turns to Holly when the local cops—including JC—are ready to haul him to jail. Holly soon finds her cousin and client embroiled in multiple criminal schemes. She’s drawn into the investigation, a position that threatens her life, her family and her increasingly shaky relationship with JC.

AUTHOR BIO
An award-winning author of financial mysteries, Cathy Perkins writes twisting dark suspense and light amateur sleuth stories. A contributing editor for International Thriller Writers' The Big Thrill, she also coordinated the prestigious Daphne du Maurier contest.
When not writing, she does battle with the beavers over the pond height or heads out on another travel adventure. She lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd.
Sign up for her newsletter on her website or follow her on BookBub for new release announcements.

Website               https://cperkinswrites.com
Facebook            https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCathyPerkins
Twitter                 @cperkinswrites
                                                https://twitter.com/cperkinswrites
BookBub – follow me! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cathy-perkins  

Sounds yummy, Cathy, thank you for sharing!

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Monday, November 26, 2018

Guest Cook Kathryn Elizabeth Jones


Blueberry Moose Pie
(Grandma called it simply “Blueberry Dessert”)
From the Kitchen of Opal Tolman, my grandmother

Filling:

1 square butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 can blueberry pie filling (Grandma always used the Wilderness, Duncan Hines brand).

Crush ½ box of vanilla wafers into fine crumbs. Pour the crumbs evenly into the bottom of a pie plate, saving half for the top. Whip all filling ingredients together. Spread over crumbs.

Over the filling mixture, spread the can of blueberry pie filling.
Spread sweetened whipped cream over the top, and sprinkle with remaining vanilla wafer crumbs.

Chill for at least an hour. No baking needed!
Eat with your favorite moose! I don’t know if my grandma did this, but anything closely resembling gooseberry pie is going to be a hit with a moose!

Mooseberry Mooseberry Gooseberry Pie is silly sensational fun! Whether the fun is swimming in the summer heat, singing the next up-and-coming hit, or holding your feet up from dancing too long, expect your favorite moose to be doing it!

The nonsensical rhyming wordplay by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, as well as the vivid watercolor illustrations by Cheryl J. Sachse, make this delightful book something to read often, whether you’re being read to, or tackling the fun words on your own!

So, sit down and take a load off! And hand me some of that gooseberry pie, will you?

Buy Link: FREE Nov. 27th thru Dec 1.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HFK8BZS/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i16
Kathryn is a lover of words and a bearer of mood swings. When she is feeling the need to inspire, she writes a Christian fiction book. If a mystery is waiting to be uncovered, she finds it. If something otherworldly is finding its way through her fingertips, she travels to it. 

Kathryn has been a reader since she was a young child. Although she took classes in writing as a teen, it wasn’t something she really thought would become her career until she was married. And even then, it took a few more years for something worthy enough to publish to manifest itself.

Kathryn’s first book was published in 2002. Since then, many other books have found their way out of her head depending on the sort of day she is having. Kathryn is a journalist, a teacher, a mentor, an editor, a publisher, and a marketer. 

Her greatest joy, other than writing her next book, is meeting with readers and authors who enjoy the craft of writing as much as she does.

Thank you, Kathryn, for visiting and sharing!


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Monday, November 19, 2018

Guest Cook Kelli Wilkins


Simple Side Dish: Wild Rice & Broccoli

1 or 2 boxes of Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice
2 lbs. (approx.) of frozen broccoli florets
1 or 2 cans of mushroom stems & pieces
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Prepare the Wild Rice according to box directions in a large (4 or 5 quart) pan. At the same time, cook the frozen broccoli until tender in another saucepan.
When the rice has finished cooking, let it rest and cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Drain the cooked broccoli and cut/chop it into smaller pieces with the edge of a spatula or a knife. (It should break easily.)

Drain the mushrooms and add them to the rice. Then, slowly add the broccoli into the rice mixture, stirring until everything is combined.

If you want to add a little more flavor, sprinkle a cup of shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese you like) on top or mix it into the rice.

Notes: This is a healthy side dish for Thanksgiving or any other meal. It’s also a flavorful and filling vegetarian option (without the cheese).

If you’re having lots of company, you can make three boxes of rice and adjust the portions of broccoli and mushrooms. If people don’t like mushrooms, it’s okay to leave them out.

If you prepare the dish the night before, make sure the rice & broccoli mixture is cooled completely before you refrigerate it overnight. To reheat, put it in a glass dish and put it in the microwave or the oven. (I add a little water and cover the dish to keep it from drying out.)

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look at my historical/pioneer romance, Loving a Wild Stranger. This full-length novel is set in the Michigan Territory and blends adventure with a sensual love story. (I’m happy to report that the book has received several great reviews!)


Loving a Wild Stranger 


By Kelli A. Wilkins
www.KelliWilkins.com

A woman running from her past… straight into the arms of an untamed man

In a moment of desperation, Kathleen Stanton flees her pampered life in Kingston, New York and ends up stranded in a small town in the Michigan Territory. Out of money and forced to rely on her instincts, she impersonates a handsome stranger’s mail-order bride. 

Committed to her deception, Kathleen calls herself Michelle and starts her new life with Luther in an isolated cabin in the wilderness. Luther can’t believe his luck when his beautiful bride arrives, but something doesn’t feel right about his new wife. Michelle has terrifying nightmares involving a man named Roger and is reluctant to talk about where she came from. 

Luther’s friend, Redfeather visits and tries to convince Luther to send Michelle back east. Distrusting Michelle, he warns Luther that his bride is not what she seems. But Luther is in love with Michelle, and he is harboring a secret of his own—one that might force Michelle to reject him when she learns the truth.

Michelle falls in love with Luther and adapts to her new way of life. Together, they face off against brutal townspeople and overcome harsh living conditions. When they finally give in to their desires and agree to become a proper man and wife, a dark figure from Michelle’s past resurfaces and threatens to destroy everything. 

Publisher’s Weekly says:
“Wilkins (Trust with Hearts) has created a wonderfully sweet romance. The fantastic tension between the two characters as they grapple with their sudden newlywed status and the awkwardness that comes with marrying a perfect stranger keeps this story emotional and realistic as they fall in love. The story flows nicely and does not rush the romance. Wilkins keeps readers interested with strong, complex characters. Fans of pioneer romances will enjoy this one.”

Long & Short Romances says:
“4 Stars! This book has the potential to be made into a movie. This book took over my life. I ignored everyone and everything. The writing style made the entire book come to life as if I were there. The plot was really great. Nothing was going to interrupt my time with Luther. I envied the heroine, Michele. Loving a Wild Stranger reminded me of the 1970s T.V. show, “Grizzly Adams” – one of my favorite childhood television shows.

The writing style made the entire book come to life as if I were there. It was clever how Ms. Wilkins incorporated many plot threads and weaved them all together. I recommend this book and will be keeping it on my keeper shelf! I would recommend reading Loving a Wild Stranger while relaxing by a lake!”

A mini-excerpt:
Kathleen’s knees shook as she strode down the sidewalk toward the livery. She had to get out of the store before there was trouble. She felt sorry for that man, Luther. He’d seemed nice enough when he gave her back her glove. 

The coach waited near the livery, and her trunks still sat on the sidewalk. She had some time left. What should she do? She didn’t dare get back on the coach, but this town was awful and she didn’t want to stay here. Perhaps she could throw herself on the mercy of the church. There had to be one somewhere and the reverend would take her in. Or would he? 

Kathleen crossed the street and entered the livery. A round-faced man slouching behind the counter straightened up. 

“You must be from the stage,” he said, gazing at the front of her dress. 

She folded her arms across her bosom and looked him square in the eye. “How did you know?” she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. 

“Because I’ve been with all the women in town and you ain’t one of ’em. You Clyde’s new girl? I’d pay two dollars for a night with you.” He winked. 

“How dare you! I’m looking for the church.” 

The man spit a stream of tobacco juice on the floor next to her brown boots. “We ain’t got a church. If you ain’t the new whore, then what are you doin’ here?” 

She spotted the newspaper the man had open on the counter in front of him. An advertisement for wedding lace gave her an idea. “I’m a mail-order bride.” 

“That so?” He scowled. “Who’s the lucky man?” 

Kathleen twisted her skirts and tried to stall for time. “There’s a problem with the papers you see…” 

She glanced out the window. The driver stood near the coach, scratching his head. A second later, she heard the familiar clomp of boots on the sidewalk. This was her one chance. It had to work. She had always trusted her instincts, and now she could only think of one answer. Her gut told her to take the risk. “Luther’s his name and—” 

“Luther?” The liveryman’s eyes widened. “Well, you’re in the right place.” He arched an eyebrow. “You sure it’s Luther?” 

She nodded as the coach pulled away. All hope of escape left town in a swirl of dust. Her trunks lay abandoned on the sidewalk. There was no going back now. This man thought she was a mail-order bride. She tried to remember what she’d read about them. It sounded simple, a man sent money to a company and they sent a wife. 

She tensed as the livery door opened. 

“Hey, Karl. I pulled the wagon—” Luther stopped as he spotted her. 

She averted her gaze and smoothed her skirts, suddenly ashamed of her appearance. What man would accept her unwashed and dusty? 

The liveryman laughed. “Hell, Luther, looks like ya got more than you thought goin’ home with ya.” 

“What’s that mean?” 

Kathleen closed her eyes. What had she done? This wasn’t a game anymore. 

“Seems your wife came special delivery on the coach.” 

“My what?” 

***
Order Loving a Wild Stranger here:
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4N1DGN 
Enjoy the Holidays!
Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories. 

In October 2018, Kelli published Cupid’s Schemes, a collection of sweet mini-romances. 

She also released her first online writing course, Fiction Writing for Beginners, through Teachable. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. 
Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/ for more details.

Kelli’s historical romance, Redemption from a Dark Past, was published in 2018. This full-length Gothic novel is set in the kingdom of Hungary in 1723 and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense.

If you like horror fiction, don’t miss her latest novella, Nightmare in the North.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor
Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com and blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ to learn more about all of her writings.

CATCH UP WITH KELLI
Here’s a full list of where you can find Kelli on the web.
Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb
Teachable Online Writing Course: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/

Thank you for sharing Kelli!


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