Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Yesterday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, so I thought I'd share my mama's recipe for chocolate chip cookies (see below). 

For years, I struggled to make chocolate chip cookies. They were too dry, too cakey, too flat, too ... something. 

After my mom passed away, I found a handwritten copy of her cookie recipe. I followed it to the letter and baked a batch of cookies that tasted like my childhood. 

In new new release, Sunrise Surf, the hero, Logan, loves anything with chocolate chips in them. In fact, he's quite taken with the cookies the heroine makes for a party for her nephew. 

You're probably wondering what a beach book has to do with cowboys. 

Logan grew up on a ranch in Central Oregon, and despite his work undercover for the Oregon State Police, he goes back to the ranch to see his family whenever he has a chance. 

So how does a cowboy end up posing as a surfer for the summer?

I'll let Logan explain ...

~*~

From the time he was seven until his grandfather passed away during Logan’s sophomore year of college, he’d spent two weeks every summer with his grandparents on the Oregon coast. After that, his grandmother couldn’t bear to visit the familiar places and walk through the memories the coast stirred in her thoughts.

However, it didn’t keep Logan away. He continued surfing every chance he got, even with his demanding and busy career as an Oregon State Police officer. Logan had known the first time he’d seen a state police car cruising down the lonely stretch of highway by his family’s ranch in the middle of nowhere that he wanted to work for them.

With that goal in mind, he’d pursued it until he’d become a respected member of the force.

Which is how he’d ended up undercover in Seaside.

~*~

When a police officer posing as a surfer and a doctor wading through the uncharted waters of parenting a teen join forces to dismantle a drug operation, anything is possible.

 Oregon State Police Officer Logan Wright swaps his badge for a board, posing undercover as a homeless surfer to infiltrate a deadly drug ring. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Seaside's rugged coastline, he struggles with his dual life, especially after meeting a beautiful doctor who turns his head and touches his heart. Troubled by the fine line between duty and authenticity, Logan fears sharing the truth of his identity will drive her away.

 Laken Hayes is a devoted doctor, fiercely protective of her teenage nephew, and determined to keep her hectic life in balance. But when a free-spirited surfer enters her world, nothing will ever be the same. Unexpectedly drawn to the charismatic man, Laken finds joy in his upbeat outlook on life while inadvertently becoming entangled in the web of Logan’s mission.

 As their connection deepens and mysteries unravel, Logan faces a heart-wrenching dilemma: will he continue the deception to protect his cover or reveal his true self to the woman who has captured his heart?

 Join Logan and Laken as they navigate a tide of secrets, false identities, and a wave of fast-moving danger in Sunrise Surf, a wholesome small-town romance that proves love may be the ultimate risk worth taking.

I hope you'll check out Logan and Laken's story, and have a beautiful August!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup salted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

2 1/2 cups flour

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugars. Add egg and combine. Add vanilla. Stir baking soda and salt into flour then add a little at a time to dough. Stir in chocolate chips.

Use a cookie scoop, or a tablespoon to drop dough on parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes until cookie are just set and barely starting to brown. Remove from oven and cool for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Yield: 36 cookies

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.

When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

Challenging the Chef

 

I am excited to have a new sweet and wholesome western small-town contemporary romance to share with you!

Challenging the Chef releases October 19. 

It involves a celebrity chef who can ride and rope with the best of them, a school psychologist who cooks as a way to deal with the stress of her job, and the town of Summer Creek, filled with a cast of quirky characters. 

When an interloper arrives in his kitchen, will romance start to simmer?

 Chef Owen Thorpe left behind his celebrity status when he moved to Summer Creek. The quaint town and country atmosphere allow him to seek solace in his recipes. His peace and quiet is threatened when he’s coerced into being part of a big auction package that includes the winner spending a week cooking with him in his restaurant. The last thing he wants is some chef wannabe in his way. However, the real danger he faces is losing his heart when the winner turns out to be a beautiful woman who knows her way around a kitchen.

 Burdened by the weight of her demanding career as a school psychologist, Tawni Young turns to cooking and gardening to escape from the never-ending stress of her work. When her aunt gifts her an auction package that includes cooking lessons in the small town of Summer Creek, Tawni realizes the chef she’ll be working with is none other than a celebrity she had a huge crush on during her college years. From the moment the two of them meet, an undeniable attraction sizzles while wits collide.

 As they embark on a tantalizing journey of culinary delights, will Tawni and Owen discover the most important ingredient is love?

 In this heartwarming and deliciously wholesome tale, Challenging the Chef takes readers on a savory adventure filled with sweet romance.

Writing this story made me so hungry. Here's one of the recipes shared in the book!

INGREDIENTS

CRUST

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

FILLING

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons corn starch

1 tablespoon lemon juice

20-ounce can crushed pineapple

1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts

1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

DIRECTIONS

Mix together flour, butter and cream cheese until dough forms a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for an hour (or overnight).

While dough chills, combine pineapple with sugar, corn starch and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stirring continually, bring to a boil (about 4 minutes) and continue boiling for two minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

When ready to bake tassies, preheat over to 350 degrees.

Spray a mini muffin pan with non-stick spray, then roll dough into balls about the size of a pecan and drop into muffin cups. Using a tart tamper, press it into the dough until it flattens on the bottom and comes up the sides of each cup. If you don't have a tart tamper, use the bottom of a small jar or glass to press the dough.
Stir nuts and coconut into filling, then spoon filling into each cup. Bake for about 30 minutes, until filling is bubbling and the dough is just starting to brown.

Cool  in pans, then enjoy!
Yield: 24 tassies

USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences.

Today, Shanna draws on her rural roots to create sweet romances filled with hope, humor, quirky small-town characters, realistic heroes, and women of strength.

When this award-winning author isn’t writing or testing out new recipes (she loves to bake!), Shanna hangs out at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, better known as Captain Cavedweller.

http://shannahatfield.com

Colorful Language and Characters by Paty Jager

 

Years ago, when I started writing historical western romance, I came across a book that I found interesting. It is titled: Cowboy Lingo by Ramon F. Adams. It was the sub-title that caught my attention. "A Dictionary of the slack-jaw words and whangdoodle ways of the American west."

I thought, this is a book I need. And sure enough, not only have I used it to reference information from ranching, nicknames and figure of speech, it has given me hours of entertainment. 

In the book it discusses how many a cowboy didn't use the usual one or two word words that are prominent today. They would put a whole string of words together to not only show their dismay or anger but to ridicule the person or critter who offended them.  "You flea-bitten sack of bones get your tail back over the fence." "If a house cat and a Jack rabbit were dumb enough to mate, you'd be the outcome."

I tend to use this philosophy with secondary characters who are older. Rather than have them spout curse words they have colorful expressions. These are mainly in my contemporary western romance and my mystery books. I find that by giving them these unusual phrases, it makes the reader remember them better than if they'd shouted a cuss word.  Mumbling "Corn mush and mosquito guts" catches the attention of the reader's attention better. 

Cowboy Lingo has also helped me with words that are still used in ranching and it has a section on brands and earmarks. If a book is set in cattle country, that's always a good thing to know.   

The chapters on cattle, riding equipment, horses and cattle also have helped me to make my characters knowledgeable and sound as if they do work on or own a ranch.

While this book was first published in 1936 it is still a very useful tool today. Especially for the writer of contemporary or historical western fiction.

You'll find a few uses of words I found in this book in my ebook box set or print anthology of the first three books in my Tumbling Creek Ranch series.  Yes, you read that correctly. You can purchase the first three books in one book in print if you prefer that over an ebook. If you would like a signed copy contact me through my website.

Love at Tumbling Creek Ranch

Three steamy contemporary western novellas set around a Dude Ranch in Montana.

8 Seconds to Love

The bull rider brought into Jared McIntyre’s ER is the girl he couldn’t get out of his head the last fifteen years. During his tour in Iraq, he lost another thrill-seeking woman, and he isn’t about to let this one destroy her life.

Love Me Anyway

Melanie Trask ran away from an abusive husband and found a job at a dude ranch with a wonderful caring cowboy, Brett Wallis. When they can no longer deny their feelings, Brett offers to help her divorce her husband. But she has one more secret she hasn’t revealed…

The Wrong Cowboy to Love

Ruby Cutter allows her cousin, the bride, to give her a makeover for the upcoming wedding because she wants to catch the attention of her high school crush. But while she’s infatuated with one man, she may be falling for another…

universal buy link https://books2read.com/u/mv5w8X

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 46 novels, 8 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

blog / website /  Facebook / Paty's Posse / Goodreads / Twitter / Pinterest / Bookbub

All About Bull by Paty Jager

I've got the bull by the horns- or not.  I'm currently writing the next story in my Tumbling Creek Ranch contemporary western romance series. The heroine is a rough stock contractor- specifically bulls.

For those who may not know a lot about rodeos, rough stock are the animals used in rodeos. The bulls and bucking horses that are rode and the steers that are rope and bulldogged. There are ranches and individuals who raise the livestock that is used in the rodeo world. The bulls and horses, when they are athletic and best the riders more than the riders besting them, get their photos and names in the Rodeo Hall of Fame.

The first book of this series had a woman bull rider. There aren't many at the professional level but having a friend's daughter ride bulls in high school, I wanted to have a woman who made it to the NFR- National Finals Rodeo. And that was how my character was born.

It happens that twin sisters, who I knew through 4-H and my husband knew the family through his job with a fertilizer outfit, started their own rough stock company. They raise and breed for bucking bulls. Knowing them and using them to learn more about the business of rough stock, I decided my heroine needed to be a contractor who supplied bulls to rodeos.

Here is a bit of what I've learned about a rough stock contractor:

The ranch needs safe fencing to keep the animals in and not have them come to harm.  Just like an athlete animals need to be well fed and have plenty of fresh water and exercise. Some contractors have bull riders come to their ranches on the off season to practice and to see how up and coming bulls buck.

It helps if the contractor or someone in their employ knows about the health and care of the livestock. There are injuries, vaccinations and breeding to be dealt with and determined. As much care as the owner can do on his own without a veterinarian, is more money in his pocket. There needs to be younger stock coming along to replace the older stock.  A good contractor also has mares or cows to breed to keep the herd growing and to find the most athletic and responsive buckers.

Another asset to the contractor is to have trucks and trailers to haul the animals safely to the rodeos or to contract the hauling. It needs to be decided if they will do their own hauling or contract it out. This is all knowledge and business sense that is needed to have a profitable organization. Someone needs to find the rodeos that work for their stock and to keep track of the expenses.

Depending on the size of the event a contractor can get from $100 - $8,000 per animal that is being used at a rodeo.   In addition, bulls that are used in special bucking events can win up to $250,000. These are the most athletic or cunning bulls that have a reputation of being hard to ride. 

Having gained all this information and the questions I sent to the twins about day to day information, I feel like I'm prepared to tackle a character with a unique occupation.

Myself, having visited with some bull riders in Deadwood a few years ago before a PBR event, I respect that they feel the need to get on a 2000+ creature and prove they can stay on, but I don't see the thrill and cringe most of the time when bodies go flying through the air and a bull comes down on a rider. I can't stomach it. But I admire the almost gypsy way of life and pride they have in what they do.

Have you ever been to a rodeo or a bull riding event? 

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 45 novels, 8 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

This is what Romance Junkies has to say about the Tumbling Creek Ranch series: “There are twists and turns to the story with a nice flow and a depth to the characters. The vivid scenic descriptions made me feel like I was there… I hope to return to Tumbling Creek Ranch over and over again.”

blog / website /  Facebook / Paty's Posse / Goodreads / Twitter / Pinterest / Bookbub

photo source: Paty Jager

What is it About a Horse Whisperer? by Rhonda Frankhouser

Okay, on the scale from 1 to 10, how sexy is a horse whisperer? To me, maybe a 50. Especially when Robert Redford played the part. Mercy.

Copyright to the owner from the motion picture, The Horse Whisperer

The art of communicating with horses is an age old art form, performed, unfortunately, by fewer and fewer experts as time goes on. The technical definition of horse whisperer, according to www.yourdictionary.com, is, "A horse trainer who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs, and desires of the horse, based on modern equine psychology." 

I've researched the techniques used by a few working horse whisperers, though I'm sure there are a million more that I could share. 

Steve Harris - Photo rights to owner.

Well known horse whisperer, Steve Harris', main premise is not to break the will of the horse, but rather to use the gentle side of force. Thanks to a fabulous article by Jack Dunigan, The Gentle Side of Force, here's a summary of his techniques.

1. Establish a partnership between the rider and horse by showing you're a confident leader.

2. Establish two-way communication by talking face to face.

3. Establish who is the leader and who's the follower by being associates, rather than buddies.

4. Maintain a connection by spending time and being present.

5. Prove you're trustworthy by repeating behaviors to show your integrity.

6. Test respect by not 'demanding' but 'asking' them to follow.

7. Clarify what you want by being very clear with directions.

8. Once respect and enthusiasm is established between horse and rider, then ride and enjoy the symbiotic relationship.

Mark Rashid - Photo rights to owner.

Another approach comes from multi-published, horse whisperer, Mark Rashid, who employs the simple technique of 'don't fight, and be clear', to create a mutually respectful relationship between rider and horse. In his interview with PBS/ATL, NATURE Horse and Rider, he shares the following:

1. The rider must truly understand what it is they want from their mount before 'asking' the horse to follow direction. 

2. Recognize the horse's good behavior and build on that, rather than focusing on bad behaviors.

3. Horse's don't usually willingly disobey, they often misunderstand. Be sure to be 'speak the same language' and be clear what you're asking them to do.

4. Be certain the horse is healthy and not suffering from an ailment that would aggravate the training. (i.e. mouth or foot issues).

5. Use a steady stream of affirmation language to communicate what you want the horse to do and to be sure he/she understands. He suggests repeatedly using "good" for wanted behavior and "no" for unwanted behaviors. 

As luck would have it, my childhood neighbor, a delightful, strong, silent construction worker, transformed into an amazing horse whisperer working with our horses on the farm. This Nevada native, was born into the incredible horse-savvy Spanish Basque culture. One minute he was a jokester, but when he climbed on to the saddle of the meanest gelding in the barn, his attention was strictly focused on the fidgeting animal. 

We all stood around the pen, amazed as the horse settled down, perked his ears back, and followed the commands by this very quiet, very calm, very confident rider. I was sooooooooooooooooooooo envious how he could make that ornery horse do whatever he wanted. Even more so when he dismounted and the gelding followed dutifully behind without nipping or lunging (as was his favorite thing to do with me).

So really it seems, creating a good relationship between horse and rider is more about respect and trust, rather than the command of the rider over the mount. Come to think of it, that's a good adage for all relationships. Wouldn't you say?

Have you ever seen a horse whisperer in action? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After fourteen years in hospice care management in central California, Rhonda Frankhouser now writes full time from her lovely Atlanta, Georgia home. Rhonda's award-winning Ruby's Ranch Series, earned a finalist honor in the Uncaged Review Raven Awards; a second runner up in the prestigious InD'Tale Magazine RONE awards and a Book and Benches, Reviewers Top Pic ~ Books of Distinction award. Her follow up Shadowing Souls Series and Let Yourself Believe Series, have captured the attention of both romance and mainstream readers alike. Rhonda is a happily married stepmom to three beautiful daughters; two adorable pugs and a lazy Labrador named Dutch.

Follow Rhonda on www.rhondafrankhouserbooks.com, Bookbub, Facebook, Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter.  

Check out Rhonda's Award-Winning Ruby's Ranch Series on Amazon. Book 1 will be FREE on Freebooksy September 14-16. Check this link on September 14th to get your copy!!!

Christmas at Ruby's Ranch - A Novella will be available soon!

Interview With Maggie Carpenter. New Cowboy Kisses Blogger - Posted by Maggie Carpenter

AN INTERVIEW WITH MAGGIE CARPENTER. 

USA Today Bestselling - Award Winning Author

Author of over 70 romance novels, including historical and contemporary western romance. 

Hello everyone. I'm so pleased to be here. It was suggested an interview would be the best way to introduce myself. Pasted below is one I recently gave an online blogger for Hunks and Horses, my new contemporary western series.

What genre would you consider your books to be?

I write romance, most times with an element of suspense covering all genres. Cowboys, SciFi, Historical. You name it. Love comes in many forms, but it’s always love.

What can you tell me about your book, To Kiss A Cowboy. 

This is the first book in a contemporary cowboy series called, Hunks and Horses. It’s a western romance laced with a paranormal element. But there’s more. I wrote a book called, COWBOY: His Ranch. His Rules. His Secrets over a year ago, and the novel continues to shine. I decided it was the perfect vehicle from which to launch a new series. Hence, Hunks and Horses was born. While all the books are standalone and HEA, the characters from COWBOY return for a visit in each of them.

I noticed you have many western romance books. Is there a reason? 

Who doesn’t love a sexy cowboy? Besides that, I’m a horse owner and lover and I know about horses. It’s really annoying to read a cowboy book written by someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Not that I have much time for reading these days.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I researched animal totems and spirit guides, and all my books are based around personal events. I can’t say more than that without giving away the story.

What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

ALL DAY. I WRITE ALL DAY. Except when I’m at the barn with my beautiful mare or walking my dog. 

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

I always have a new book in the making. I have finished the Hunks and Horses series for the moment, though a new story may come into my head, and I’m currently writing about a very sexy alien. No title yet, but I’m into the final chapters.

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

Very important. I often change the name of a character as I write. Sometimes I know their names off the bat, like Sassy Cassy in The Cowboy’s Rules, or Avery Madison, in The Billionaire’s Beach, but if I start a book and I’m not happy with the name, I don’t worry about it. The characters will eventually tell me who they are.

Where do your ideas come from?

I dream them. Literally. Every single time. Occasionally something will come to me while I’m riding.

  

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Titles and typos. The two dreaded T’s.

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I produce my own trailers. I wish I had the time to produce one for every book. I have about 20 to date.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

Spy, Warlock, Motorcycle Master, Loved From The Grave,  Cowboy: His Ranch. His Rules. His Secrets, and the four cowboy books of Hunks & Horses. Elizabeth’s Education Books One and Two are also unique, but they are very erotic. 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Living through my characters, finishing a book and smiling, then crashing for a day. Such a great feeling.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living in a lovely barn surrounded by four-legged friends and comfortably supporting them. 

Have you always liked to write?

ALWAYS.

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Read as much as you can. Write what you know. Feel what you write.

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

Marketing and promotion. 

  

Can you give us a tasty morsel from one of your cowboy books?

Sure. From To Kiss A Cowboy. And the first line of the tidbit is meant to say, to kiss a cowboy. It’s not a mistake. 

To kiss a cowboy. 

Especially Caleb.

Was it too much to ask?

Dropping her eyes to the huge glittering diamond resting on her finger, Connie let out a heavy sigh. 

Yes it was. 

Lounging in a recliner on the terrace outside her bedroom, Connie missed Caleb already. He’d be leaving shortly to collect the rest of his belongings. Martha, her long-time friend and housekeeper, absolutely adored him, and in a few short days he’d transformed the barn. The many odd jobs were underway. The feed room had been re-organized, the tack room had never been cleaner, and when she ran into the workers they were polite and respectful.

Then there were the lessons.

Caleb made them fun and positive, and when she climbed off Domino she was excited, not frustrated. Her handsome new trainer often hugged her, exclaiming his pride in her progress, but he hadn’t engulfed her in his arms as he had that first day. 

The all-consuming, time-stopping, melting-into-him hug. 

The memory kept her up at night, and sent her fingers between her legs. Caleb King. Even his name sounded sexy, and when he tilted his head to the side, crossed his arms and captured her eyes, the butterflies in her stomach burst to life. 

“To kiss him just one time,” she mumbled, gazing across at the paddocks. “I want to so badly.”

  

Where did your love of books come from?

An angel. Fate. God. I have no idea. It just lives inside me. 

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

Absolutely impossible. :) 

  

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both. 

  

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I write what comes to me. My brain isn’t that analytical. 

  

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

How to work your butt off and make 2c an hour. (Grinning).

Where can your fans find you and follow?

http://www.Amazon.com/author/maggiecarpenter

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-carpenter

http://www.MaggieCarpenter.com

http://pinterest.com/submaggie/

https://www.facebook.com/MaggieCarpenterWriter

www.youtube.com/channel/UC34D1JhwfFecUe6-ebPbC-w

https://twitter.com/naughtynell101

Feel free to email me at any time. MagCarpenter@yahoo.com.

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LOGAN.

GIVE ME MY FREE COPY OF LOGAN. 

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Thanks so much for stopping by and reading this. I'm delighted to be a part of the Cowboy Kisses family, and I hope you have a super week.

Maggie.