Showing posts with label Guest Author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guest Author. Show all posts

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Happy Holidays Egg Nog Cake By Kelli Wilkins


Happy Holidays Egg Nog Cake

This easy (and delicious) egg nog cake is made from a boxed cake mix.

Ingredients:
1 (18 ounce) box yellow cake mix (with pudding in the mix)

14 cup vegetable oil, (adjust according to package directions, if necessary)
2 eggs, (adjust according to package directions)
12 cups eggnog, (substitute for water and adjust according to package directions)
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (add more to taste if you want a stronger flavor)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven and oil/grease your cake pan, so the cake doesn’t stick. (A Bundt pan works best for this recipe – or you could make cupcakes!)
Prepare cake mix according to the directions on the box – substituting the egg nog for the water. Add ground nutmeg to the mix and blend well.
Bake cake according to the package directions. Let cake cool before adding frosting or other toppings.

Topping Suggestions:
You can top the cake with vanilla frosting, thawed whipped topping, or make an egg nog glaze. (I used frosting for my cake.)

Egg Nog Glaze Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar   
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons eggnog
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ to 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, if desired
In a medium bowl, combine ingredients, adding enough egg nog for desired consistency. Drizzle over the cake and let set. If the glaze is too runny, add more powdered sugar.
Enjoy!!

As 2019 draws to a close, I’d like to share news about my new non-fiction guide to romance, 

Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love.
Whether you’re just starting out dating, in a committed relationship, newlyweds, or you’ve been married for twenty years, Romance Every Weekend will show you how you can strengthen the bond between you and your loved one and deepen your relationship.

Romance shouldn’t be reserved for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or an anniversary. Why should people wait for a special occasion to show someone they love that they care? Love can (and should) be expressed every chance you get.

Romance Every Weekend features 104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender, everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.

Some suggestions include:
* Today, tell your sweetheart: “I knew I loved you when…” Sharing your feelings and expressing
your love verbally has a deeper meaning than giving a gift or sending a card.
* Break out of your comfort zone. It’s time to try something new with your mate. Sign up for a class being offered today, in person, in your local area. It can be anything: cooking, Pilates, yoga, swimming, dancing, painting… Take the first class you find and run with it. (Whatever happens, remember, you’re in it together.)
* Watch the sun set together. No talking. But you can certainly hold hands. 
If you're looking for ways to keep your romance fresh, this is the book for you!

Romance Every Weekend makes a great holiday gift for you – or for your sweetie! Why not order it now and set a New Year’s resolution to try all 104 suggestions in 2020? (You may even come up with a few of your own!)
Order your copy here:
All other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3npVVP
Visit my website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com to learn about all of my books.
Enjoy the holiday season, and best wishes for a great 2020!
Kelli A. Wilkins


Sunday, August 11, 2019

Corn and Black Bean Salad by N. N. Light


Welcome N. N. Light to the After Work Cook. They have some good things cooking!
If you’re anything like us, when the humidity of August hits, the last thing you want to do is slave over a hot stove. In August, there’s so many fresh vegetables in season, it’s easy to incorporate them into cool dinners. No, I don’t mean hip but cool as in temperature. One of our favorites is Mr. N’s Corn and Black Bean salad. It’s easy to make with fresh in-season ingredients and can be used as a side or a main.

Corn and Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:

4 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1.5 kilo of frozen or fresh corn
½ cup chopped red onion
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/3 cup cilantro
1/3 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional but gives great flavor to the salad)
1 teaspoon cumin
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (best you can find)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine black beans, corn, red onion and red bell pepper. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix lime juice, olive oil, honey, hot sauce, cumin, salt and pepper. Whisk until it resembles a dressing.

Pour over vegetables and toss until dressing is coating vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Fold in cilantro and serve.

Will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a week to ten days.

Note: This recipe is adapted from a recipe MR N found on Epicurious.


Calling all readers! Feed your book addiction with N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Binge-Worthy Book Festival. 43 books featured plus a chance to win one of the following:

Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $25 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $15 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $10 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

I’m thrilled to be a hosting this event. You won’t want to miss it.

Bookmark this get-together and tell your friends:


Author Biography:
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 loves 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.

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.

Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/nnlight  



Sunday, May 12, 2019

Welcome N. N. Light!


Hey foodies, it’s May and that means the weather is warmer and the invitations flood your inbox for get-togethers. Today, we have one of our favorite vertical salads. It’s simple to create and one that’ll wow your guests. It’s our tomato basil mozzarella salad. Here’s what you’ll need:


One tomato for each guest (get beefsteak or tomato on the vine)
Whole basil leaves, cleaned
Fresh mozzarella, preferably ball-shaped
Balsamic vinegar (the best you have, ours is from Modena Italy)

Directions:
Cut three large tomato slices, at least an inch thick, for each person. Set aside. Wash and trim the stems off the basil leaves. Set aside three large or six medium per person. Slice the mozzarella into thick slices, preferably the same thickness as the tomatoes. Side aside.

Assembly – Take a plate and place a tomato slice in the middle of the plate. Place one large or two medium basil leaves in the middle of the tomato slice. Top with the mozzarella slice. Repeat twice so you’ll wind up with three tomato slices and three mozzarella slices. Drizzle balsamic vinegar down the tower so it drips down the sides of the tower.

Enjoy!

Title: N. N. Light's Book of Daily Inspiration
Author: N. N. Light
Genre: Inspirational, Motivational, Self-Improvement, Personal Growth

Book Blurb:
"Spread the Light and inspire others to do the same." -- N. N. Light


In 2013, we wrote a mission statement and started a blog. We wanted to test a theory. Could one person (or in our case, one couple) use uplifting words to create change?


The answer is a resounding yes! People from all over the world responded to our short inspirational thoughts of the day, and our following grew. What started out as a few people promoting kindness and goodwill turned into a movement. In every city, there are Light-Bearers making a difference and we want you to join us.


Everyone needs inspiration. It doesn’t matter what spiritual belief you hold dear, you have the Light inside you. Kindness, compassion, empathy, encouragement are all attributes of the Light. In this book, you’ll find a ninety second inspirational thought for each day of the year. You’ll be inspiring people to spread the Light daily with our collection of inspirational thoughts. From giving of yourself to simply smiling, these are easy concepts for anyone to apply!
Here's what readers/reviewers say:
"The inspirational quotes can be a tool to help all people live their best lives in 2018 and beyond. I plan to reread this throughout the year for daily inspiration myself." -- Mischenko, Goodreads 
"The husband and wife writing team of N.N. Light definitely found a perfect balance in how they wrote this book... from quotes across all walks of life (sports heroes, artists, motivational speakers, profits, philosophers, et al) to finding an interactive approach to applying the message to our every day lives." -- Jay, Goodreads 
"As is usually the case with such works, I found some parts particularly relevant, as if she was addressing some of my own thoughts and fears (synchronicity at work, I guess). My preferred way of reading it was to glance at it when I got frustrated at something or other in my own life." -- Award-Winning Author Nicholas Rossis, Goodreads 
"It’s filled with quotations, short stories, and reflections. It’s a wonderful way to start your day or end your evening." -- Lisa Reigel, Goodreads
"I liked the positivity and optimism of the author. I liked the layout of the book very much, and how she started each day with an encouraging quote. I enjoyed many of the messages. -- S. Daisy, Goodreads 
"If you’re looking for a devotional to uplift your spirits or simply want to jump-start your day with practical, down-to-earth advice, pick up this collection. -- Joanne Guidoccio, Amazon 

Buy Links:

Author Biography:
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 loves 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.


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.

Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/nnlight  

This is my Favorite Salad. Thank you for sharing!

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Welcome N. N. Light - March Madness Nachos!

March Madness Nachos!

Around this time of year, all our friends and family congregate at our house to watch college basketball Champ Week and March Madness. We always have a plate of nachos and it’s a big hit. We switch up the meat but the other toppings are still the same. Serve these at your next game night and see how easy it is to make restaurant-style nachos at home.

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup water
1 (18 ounce) package restaurant-style tortilla chips
2-3 cups shredded marble Cheddar cheese, or more to taste
1 lemon, cut in wedges
1 lime, cut in wedges
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream, or more to taste
1 cup bacon, crumbled (do not use bacon bits)
1 (10 ounce) can pitted sliced black olives, drained
2 green onions, diced
1 half red onion, diced
1 half white onion, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 (4 ounce) can green chilies, drained

Directions

Cook and stir ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until meat is crumbly and no longer pink, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in taco seasoning mix and water and simmer until beef mixture has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Spread tortilla chips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Top with cheese and spoon the ground beef mixture across the tray, making sure each chip has some ground beef. Do the same with the onions, black olives, tomatoes, green peppers and bacon. Cover the whole thing with leftover cheese. You want it to be gooey.

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, watching carefully to prevent burning, 10 to 15 minutes.

Drizzle lemon and lime juice across the tray. Trust us on this. It brightens the nacho flavors and brings everything together. Top nachos with salsa, sour cream, and green chilies.

Are you a booklover? Head on over to our website, N. N. Light’s Book Heaven, and check out all that we do. There’s book reviews, book spotlights, character interviews, author spotlights as well as a free monthly giveaway.

Life is meant to be lived; cherish the exciting moments, and relish in those all too brief moments of relaxation. I am here to live my own life, read as many books as humanly possible and live it passionately. N. N. Light's Book Heaven serves as a vessel to project my passions, and clue in my loyal readers as to what inspires me in this crazy world. So, sit back, relax, and read on.

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com

See you next month!

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 loves 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 spending way too much time on Instagram. They’re a proud member of ASMSG and Independent Author Network.

In addition to being authors, they’re also a top 300 Amazon reviewer 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.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Kelli A. Wilkins is in the kitchen!

Fast & Easy Chewy Chocolate Cookies
These yummy cookies are simple to make and taste like brownies!

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups butter (or margarine), softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup Hershey’s Cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Directions:
Cream butter (or margarine) and sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs and vanilla extract. Blend well. In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Blend into creamed mixture until well combined.
Drop cookie dough by teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes. (Ovens vary, so keep an eye on the cookies so they don’t burn!)
Cookies will be soft and puffy when removed from the oven, but will flatten upon cooling. For best results, let them cool on the cookie sheet for 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Options:
This simple recipe can be modified in a variety of ways. If you want to add an extra background flavor, swap out the vanilla extract for mint, orange, or almond extract.
You can also add a cup of any of the following to the batter:
* chopped almonds

* chopped walnuts
* white chocolate chips
* peanut butter flavored chips
* dark chocolate chips
* mint chips
* shredded coconut
* crushed candy cane pieces

Enjoy!
Here’s a look my flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes. These two volumes of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence. (Why not curl up with a few cookies while you read?)

Cupid’s Schemes - Volume 1
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

Order your copy here:
All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/boZxkZ  

And don’t miss Cupid’s Schemes - Volume 2
Another Collection of Sweet Romances

In these 12 mini-romances…
* a photographer falls for a sexy cowboy in a supposedly abandoned ghost town
* new neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a long-lost love returns in an unexpected setting

Order Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 2 here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFR25KF
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mYrBBd

Happy Reading!
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 January 2019 Kelli released the second half of her flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes. These two volumes of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.

She also authored 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/
 

Monday, November 5, 2018

Guest Cook Barbara White Daille

Welcome Barbara White Daille to The After Work Cook. Barbara is sharing one of her favorite recipes that she makes during the holiday.

Peanut Blossoms Recipe - Courtesy of Pillsbury

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
Sugar
48 Hershey's® Kisses® Brand milk chocolates, unwrapped 

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, shortening, peanut butter, milk, vanilla and egg; mix with electric mixer on low speed until stiff dough forms.
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake at 375°F. for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately top each cookie with 1 milk chocolate candy, pressing down firmly so cookie cracks around edge; remove from cookie sheets.

Thank you to Mary for inviting me to the blog!  I’m here today to chat about a favorite holiday recipe.  And I will confess, all of my faves contain an ingredient I totally love:  chocolate. 
Raise your hand if you agree chocolate’s so wonderful, it deserves to be its own food group.  ;)
My absolute favorite holiday dessert is a cookie called Peanut Blossoms.  They’ve been around forever, so you’ve probably heard of them, but just in case not, they’re your basic peanut butter cookie but with the yummy addition of a Hershey’s Chocolate Kiss on top.
What’s not to love, right?
This is the traditional recipe I use is a Peanut Blossoms from Pillsbury.
And after all my years of baking and eating these cookies, I’ve come up with some tips you might like to consider if you decide to make them yourself.
First of all, once the cookies come out of the oven and you’ve added a Kiss on top of each one, quickly transfer the entire batch to a separate (non-heated) cookie sheet or the inverted lids of large cookie tins.  Then put the sheet or tins into the freezer for just a few minutes. This keeps the Kisses from melting from the heat of the cookies, which also helps keep their “kiss” shape.
At that point, you can store the cookies in plastic containers or cookie tins.  They hold up extremely well in the freezer.  Just be careful to stagger the cookies to allow room for the Kisses when you stack them in the tin or plasticware; otherwise, the Kisses will press through the soft, freshly baked cookies and, I hate to say it but (groan alert) that’s the way the cookie crumbles.  ;)
When you’re ready to eat the cookies, I recommend heating them up again.  Depending on your microwave, this takes just a few seconds to a minute or so.  The cookies soften and the Kisses get gooey—and believe me when I tell you they are BEYOND AWESOME!
Hope you give the recipe a try.
And if you have a fave holiday dessert, I’m sure we would all love to know!

Barbara White Daille lives in the sunny Southwest where she and her husband love the lizards in the front yard but could do without the scorpions in the bathroom. She also loves writing, reading, and chocolate. Come to think of it, she enjoys writing about those subjects, too! 

Barbara “published” her first short story at the age of nine, then typed The End to her first novel many years later...in the eighth grade. Now she's writing contemporary romance on a daily basis. Currently, she’s hard at work at books in her two ongoing series, The Hitching Post Hotel (Harlequin Books) and Snowflake Valley (Entangled Publishing).

The first book in the Snowflake Valley series, Snowbound with Mr. Wrong, is on sale for 99 cents at all online etailers, all during November!

Worst. Day. Ever. After Lyssa Barnett’s sister tricks her into reprising her role at Snowflake Valley's
annual children's party, she doesn’t think anything can be worse than squeezing into her too-small elf costume. Then tall, dark, and way too handsome Nick Tavlock shows up to play Santa...and an unexpected storm leaves them snowbound in the isolated lodge.
The last thing Nick wants is to spend a cozy Christmas Eve with a trio of kids and the woman who dumped him. But as much as Lyssa frustrates him, he can't stop thinking about her. And soon, he's fighting very un-Santa-like thoughts of kissing a certain sexy Miss Elf under the mistletoe. As Nick starts to fall for Lyssa all over again, he knows it will take nothing short of a miracle to have Lyssa inhis arms on Christmas Day.
She hopes you'll check out her stories and look for her on social media.
Amazon author page  http://bit.ly/azbwd
Thank you, Barbara, for being my guest cook.

The best turkey meatloaf around!

The Best Turkey Meatloaf  1 1/4 pound      Ground turkey 1 4 oz.                G reen chili's 3/4 cup                Marinara sauce  2 ...