Articles

Happy Independence DayJul 4, 2018

For all of my American friends, have a fun Fourth of July full of food, family, and festivities!

Happy Canada DayJul 1, 2018

It's Canada's birthday! She's 151 years young! How are you celebrating? Barbecue? Fireworks? Running through the sprinkler?

I'm planning on all of the above. Have a great day, whatever you're doing!

Happy SolsticeJun 21, 2018

female hand appears to hold up the sun This is it, Canada. The day we waited for all through those long winter nights. The longest day of the year. I can't speak for your area, but Winnipeg is HOT. And sunny and altogether delightful today. I hope you can get outside and enjoy it. Don't forget to watch the sunset tonight - it'll only be earlier from here on in.

Recipe PollFeb 13, 2018

I am adding a new feature to my newsletter - a dedicated monthly recipe section. I've sent out a lot of cookie recipes (and will continue to do so, because cookies!) but I'd like to know what kind of recipes you enjoy trying.

Please leave a comment to tell me which of these options appeals, or if you'd like something else.

Commenters will be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card. (Comments Closed)

RECIPE CHOICES

  • Appetizers
  • Baking only (cookies, cakes, desserts)
  • Easy Entrees
  • Kid-chef friendly
  • Vegetarian/Vegan
  • Change it up every month
  • add your own option

It Girl on SaleFeb 9, 2018

Rock goddess. Television star. Movie scene-stealer. Caitlin Kelly is taking Hollywood by storm as the new It Girl everybody wants.

And if you want her, you can get her book for only $0.99 until the end of February! Happy Valentine's Day to you!

***

Sean Glenn fell for Caitlin the first time he saw her, almost a year ago. Now that the rising star is working on his show, he could finally have a shot with her, if it weren’t for his well-known history as a player. Sean has his work cut out for him.

Entertainer Caitlin Kelly has spent the last decade taking every job she could get. Now all her hard work is paying off. When her new role on a hit show brings fame and a potential real-life love interest, she has to make some serious choices about her priorities.

While Caitlin is torn about decisions the spotlight forces on her, especially those regarding Sean, the actor is suffering his own problems with stardom. Sean finds himself in a stalker’s sights, and the safest place for Caitlin may be far away from him. Is love strong enough to keep them together?

Find the e-book on sale for only $0.99 at Amazon.com, Kobo, and Google Play, (Check the price at arnes and Noble and iBooks before you click - they are a couple days off the others).

Introduction to Romance WritingFeb 4, 2018

I have teamed up with the Manitoba Writers Guild and am putting on an evening seminar to cover the basics of romance writing. If you are in the Winnipeg area, it will be in the ArtSpace Building (218-100 Arthur Street) on Thursday, February 15th from 6-9:30pm.

Please feel free to share with any writers you know. Tickets are available here.

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As Valentine's Day looms, minds wander to thoughts of love (and heart-shaped, chocolate-filled boxes.)

MWG can help you with the love. If you are a romance reader and have always wanted to write one, Elle Rush will start you on your way with this Introduction to Romance Writing workshop.

Topics will include:

  • What is a Romance? How does it differ from love stories, women’s fiction, and erotica? Participants will also examine the various sub-genres within romance, including Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, and more.
  • How do I plot the story? There are four basic 'Acts' or segments of the romance story, each important to the plot. Find out what they are and how to 'flesh them out'.
  • How do I avoid romance stereotypes? Elle will discuss common and popular tropes, character development for your protagonists, and why references to Fabio should be left in the 80s.

Newsletter newsJan 9, 2018

I'll be changing direction in 2018, and that path will be leading directly to sweet romance. I've decided to step away from romantic suspense for a while, and concentrating on what makes me happy - namely, a lot of flirting, a lot of laughing, and a kiss to seal the deal when my characters fall in love.

That said, I'm also changing up my newsletter to include more than book sales. In five weeks, my Valentine's newsletter will be going out. What would you like to see in it?

  • Gardening news and tips?
  • Updates on my crafting projects and links?
  • Recipes?
  • Travel snippets and pictures?
  • Quick reviews about movies I've seen and books I've read?

The newsletter is for you, so I want to ensure you get something out of it. Do any of these topics appeal? Do you have any other suggestions? Please let me know in the comments. Thanks!

Christmas Recipes 2017Dec 23, 2017

I spent the weekend baking (SO MUCH BAKING!) and have decided to do my future self a favour and put all my recipes under one post to find for next year.

Most of these (with the exception of the Candy Cane Cookies) are kid-friendly when it comes to baking and cooking, so give them a try!

And if you are reading this before December 31, 2017, don’t forget to download your free copy of 12 DATES FOR CHRISTMAS for over a dozen family-favourite holiday recipes, and sneak peeks at twelve holiday romances – including DECKER AND JOY and HOLLIS AND IVY.

Rolled ShortbreadDec 22, 2017

This is a very fast recipe to make, and you probably have the ingredients in your house already. If you need to kill an hour or two, you should get something tasty out of it.

(If you are on a holiday baking kick, try my Candy Cane Cookie recipe.)

ROLLED SHORTBREAD

1 cup salted butter, softened (or margarine)
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
(if using unsalted butter, add 1/3 teaspoon of salt)
Sprinkles and coloured sugar (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour. Roll out to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters (or cut squares with a knife).  Bake at 300F for 12-15 minutes.  (If your cookies are more than 1/4″ thick, you may need to bake longer.) Let cool on tray for 3-5 minutes before moving carefully to cooling rack.  Makes about 3 dozen.

Decorate with sprinkles or coloured sugar before baking, or frost cookies after they have cooled.

Chocolate DropsDec 4, 2017

I haven’t had these since I was a kid. Then we saw them at a bake sale and decided they were something that needed to be brought back into fashion for Christmas this year.

So far we’ve made two batches. I don’t know how they disappear so quickly. Fortunately, they are very easy (and kid-friendly) to make.

Boiled Chocolate Drops AKA Chocolate Haystacks

1/2 cup butter or margarine (125mL)>
1/2 cup milk (125mL)
2 cups granulated sugar (500mL)
1/2 cup cocoa (125mL)

2 1/2 cups rolled/quick oats (625mL)

Put first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 full minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in rolled oats. Drop by teaspoon full onto trays covered with waxed paper. Let harden. Makes 4 dozen.

Coconut fans can replace 1/2 cup of oats with 2/3 cup of coconut.

These harden quickly, so get them onto the tray ASAP.

(The recipe books says is great for first-time cooks, and they are. Easy and quick to make – there is no downtime to get bored.)