The Authors on Main Street would like to invite you to their Main Street Evening Christmas Bash that will take place today, Thursday, December 19, 2013, from 3pmEST to midnight at

 https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsofMainStreet

We are excited about spending fun time with you. We have planned activities, songs , games and prizes, even two Amazon cards of $25 and $50. We hope to have you visit with us to all get in the holiday spirit — feeling excited.

Presenting the 11 authors of CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET.

Have you read any of their books?

The Christmas Wish by Tori Scott. Page-turning stories from the Heart of Texas.

Her Christmas Cruise by Mona Risk. Around the world through Stories that Simmer with Emotion and Sizzle with Passion.

A Snowy Christmas in Wyoming by E. Ayers, Writing the Romantic Slices of Life.

The Christmas Con by Jill James. A little Sweet. A little Sexy. A lot Happily-Ever-After.

Small Town Glamour Girl Christmas by Stephanie Queen. Zing of Excitement; Zap of Wit; Long-lasting Zip of Feel Good.

The Christmas Gift by Pepper Phillips. Southern stories with a Touch of Heart.

A Potters Wood Christmas by Leigh Morgan. Strong Women, Strong Hearts

A Baby for Christmas by Susan R. Hughes. Sweet with a Touch of Heat.

A Light in the Christmas Cafe by Kristy Tate. Romantic stories laced with Humor, Mystery and a hint of Magic.

What if...this Christmas by Kelly Rae. Love really is all there is!

A Smoky Mountain Christmas by Carol DeVaney. It’s Love and the Little Things that matter.

Again, see you on  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsofMainStreet  at 3pm EST

On this cold morning, please welcome our guest, Kate Hill. While she sits down close to the fireplace and gets comfortable I'd like to share some things she told me about herself. Always a fan of romance and the paranormal, Kate started writing over twenty years ago for pleasure. Her first story, a short erotic vampire tale, was accepted for publication in 1996. Since then she has sold over one hundred short stories, novellas and novels.

When she's not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out and spending time with her family and pets.

She enjoys hearing from readers and she can be contacted at katehill@sprintmail.com. Visit Kate online at http://www.kate-hill.com.

Secondary Favorites

In many ways secondary characters are as important as the main ones. Often without secondary characters, there would be no story. No villains or sidekicks for the hero to fight or play with. Sometimes a secondary character stands out so much that they eventually become the hero of their own book.

One of my favorite feelings is when I’m working on a book and I see another story in the future for a secondary character. Usually for me that character is a villain or antihero. I love characters who walk the line between good and evil, sometimes crossing over to one or the other within the same story.

In Trouble in Paradise, I loved writing about the shady butler Charlton. A tough guy who seems willing to do just about anything for his evil employer, he is actually more than he appears to be.

As a reader or a writer, who are some of your favorite secondary characters?

Trouble in Paradise
by Kate Hill
Romantic Adventure

Before cell phones and reality TV, when women had big hair and men were all about action and adventure, a girl walks into a bar searching for a hero. She finds R. C. Benson, a soldier turned grave robber wallowing in past sins. With a marriage of convenience, a pet shark and a shady butler, Grace and R. C. have their work cut out for them, but that gives them the perfect chance to fall in love.

Excerpt from Trouble in Paradise:

“Do you know Charlton is watching us from the entrance to the great hall?”

“He gives me the creeps,” she whispered back, her mouth almost touching his.

“Kiss me.”

“R. C. --”

“He’s coming this way.”

Grace stood on tiptoe, her arms sliding around R. C.’s neck as his wrapped around
her waist. Her lips pressed against his. He lowered his lashes, wishing to close his eyes
completely to enjoy the kiss, but wanting to watch the towering butler who approached
silently, like an enormous shadow.

Charlton cleared his throat loudly and Benson broke away from Grace, pretending
to look startled.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Charlton asked.

R. C. smiled. “No. We were just enjoying the night.”

“We’re newlyweds.” Grace leaned her back against R. C.’s chest and guided his
arms around her waist.

“I see.” Charlton’s dark gaze roamed over the couple. R. C. stared at the butler in
the same discerning manner. He didn’t like the man. Charlton seemed polite as his
position dictated, however R. C. sensed an underlying threat, as if they were two lions
preparing to fight for the same pride. “I ask you to be careful out here.”

“Why?” R. C. asked.

“It would be unfortunate if one of you should slip and drown. The pool is quite
deep in places.”

“Well thank you for your concern, Charlton, but I’m sure we’ll be fine,” R. C.
told him.

“Still, Mrs. Van Lord has asked me to watch over our guests. She prefers visitors
to remain inside the castle at night.”

R. C. forced another smile. “We wouldn’t want to offend our hostess, would we,
Grace?”

“Of course not.” Grace’s fingers tightened slightly on his wrists. “But surely she
doesn’t want us confined to our rooms all night?”

“Certainly not, ma'am.” Charlton bowed from the neck. “The east and south
towers are yours to explore. Once the other towers are completed, I’m sure the Van Lords
will allow their guests access to them as well.”

“Thank you, Charlton.” R. C. nodded before he and Grace left the courtyard.


Available at:

All Romance Ebooks
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-troubleinparadise-1153845-152.html

Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trouble-in-paradise-kate-hill/1115078113?ean=2940044425507

Coffee Time Romance Book Store
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookStore/pubs_product_book_info/indie-authors-kate-hill-c-152_180/trouble-in-paradise-p-10631

Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/302667

When I was growing up my mom discovered this recipe and made a batch at Christmas time. The recipe ran her circle of friends and we have continued to make it ever since. I love it. This is a wonderful hot beverage on a cold night and even better when you have a sore throat, it's very soothing. (Contains vitamin C).


Start a Tea tradition in your family!

Prep time: 10 Min Serves: Makes about 7 cups = roughly 80 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups Tang orange drink mix
1 1/4 cup instant tea
12 oz lemonade mix
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a gallon size zip-top bag.
Seal and turn/shake to combine thoroughly.
To Serve: Use 2-4 teaspoons of mix per cup of hot water.
Optional: Add a slice of lemon and/or orange AND you have to try it with a slice of fresh ginger.
Store airtight, or use the mix for gifts in a jar.

Enjoy.
Deb

After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn
that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child
and you learn
to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...

Holidays are a time for family and friends, but with all we have to do it seems there is little time left over to spend with the family and friends. Let me share my philosophy, which might help relieve the stress your feeling. Your family and friends will never know or notice what you didn’t get done. They will only see all that you did do.

So this year, I’m baking a limited amount of Christmas cookies and not the piles I normally do. There are always so many left over and I’m the one who tries to eat as many as I can before feeding the rest to the birds and deer. I don't need or have time to spend extra minutes on the treadmill.



Everyone will get one wrapped gift this year, so they get that feeling of opening a surprise package but the rest of the gifts are going into bags or are card gifts.

Christmas breakfast will be a crockpot filled with cream chipped beef which can be made the day before. Christmas dinner will not be the sit down dinner that Thanksgiving was, but trays of lasagna which I also will make the day before. I'm using throw away trays mind you. WINK And, desert will be cookies, chocolates, fruit and maybe a pie or two.

Am I being lazy. No. My whole family isn't able to get together very often. Life is too busy for us all. I don't want to spend it in the kitchen. I'd rather enjoy them. Memories are made when you're together, not over the internet.

So do you have any time-saving hints or recipes for this holiday?

One of my favorite memories of making Christmas candy goes back to 1974. My BFF Vickie Pascuzzi and I got together for the first time to make candy.

We’d just come home from getting Chinese food for lunch, had filled our plates, and had started to make peanuts clusters.

The chocolate was melted and I was mid-bite when out of nowhere she launched a handful of hard crunchy chow mien noodles at me…most of it missed and landed in the melted chocolate. So naturally I had to retaliate. I grabbed a handful of peanuts and lobbed them at her. A few landed in the chocolate as well. Hey, no one ever said 15 years old girls had great aim.

We laughed, threw a few more then decided we better dig out the noodles and nuts before it hardened and we ruined the chocolate. We dug out scoopfuls and put them on some foil and finished our lunch. Before we finished eating the hardened candy was calling us. It was delicious and a new candy was born. I’ve been making these ever since. I can't look at them without seeing the mess we made. I may have to set up a play dated with her. (wink, wink)

Ingredients:
1 package dipping chocolate (I like Palmer brand, 20oz bar)
1 package crunch Chinese noodles (find them in your international aisle at the grocery store)
1 (12 oz) can your favorite nuts. (I like regular old Planters lightly salted cocktail peanuts for this one, for the salty/sweet flavor, but have used roasted peanuts, cashews, and even mixed nuts)

Directions:
Melt chocolate in large microwaveable bowl, at 30 second intervals usually takes 1-1/2 to 2 minutes total. (DO NOT SET MICROWAVE FOR 2 MINUTES STRAIGHT!!!)
Pour in noodles.
Pour in nuts.
Mix thoroughly.
Drop 1 Tablespoon full on foil covered cookie sheet.
Makes 2 cookies sheets worth.
Let set before putting in container.
If you’re in a warm climate, put in the fridge for 30 minutes.

I can’t make these and eat them without laughing and becoming 15 again.

Happy food fight to you, you never know what will happen.
deb

Rue Allyn is visiting with the Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers today. Please help me make her welcome. Rue decided to treat us to an interview with the perfect hero of her latest novel, A True and Perfect Knight. Welcome Rue!

“Getting to Know You”

Most of my author friends have characters who talk to them (mentally that is). I seem to be the exception to that rule. I write like I read, discovering the story and the characters as I go. Not until the book is finished (that’s after several rounds of revising) do I really have a handle on my characters, sometimes not even then. Frequently the characters hold something back. So I thought I’d give you and me a chance to pick the brain—so to speak—of one of my most reticent heroes, Sir Haven de Sessions from A True and Perfect Knight (recently re-issued from Samhain Publishing). Please say hello to Lord Haven de Sessions

1)      What do you do for work?

I’m a knight in the service of Edward I of England. He recently rewarded my service with an Earlship.

2)      Where are you from?

My parents lost their lands and lives during an uprising in Normandy where I was born, but I was fostered at the Dreyford demesne north of York.

3)      What is the one thing about yourself that you would like us to know?  

I am very serious—some say too serious—about my duty and had real difficulty when my loyalty to Edward I and my friendship with Roger Dreyford came into conflict.

4)      When was your last relationship and how long did it last?  

Before I met and came to know Genvieve very well, I didn’t have relationships. Most noblewomen, like those at court, are too shallow in their beliefs. Other women deserve more than I was willing to give.

5)      Do you want to marry or have you ever been married?

I never expected to marry, and I’d say that Genvieve was the last person I could imagine falling in love with. But she’s so strong and cares for everyone equally. How could I not love her.

6)      What do you do for fun?

I play with our children, hunt, and make love to Genvieve.

7)      What are you most proud of?

My wife.

8)      Do you believe in love at first sight?

No. Although I suspect I fell in love with Genvieve at first sight, I was blinded by prejudice and grief for the death of my friend Roger. He was Genvieve’s first husband, and I blamed her for his fall from grace.

9)      What is your most treasured possession and why?

After my family, my horses. A good horse is essential to a knight and almost impossible to replace.

10)  Do you like animals/keep pets? I value my horses and dogs highly but they are working animals. I don’t coddle them, so I wouldn’t call them pets.

11)  How do you spend your spare time?

I’m too busy surviving and keeping my family secure to have spare time. (I told you I was serious.) Thank the Lord for Genvieve. She forces me to sit down and relax with some mead at least once a day.

12)  Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I hope I’m just where I’m at. I can’t ask for more than a loving wife, good lands, good neighbors, peace and a just king.

13)  Do you believe a cup is half empty or half full?

My metaphorical cup is overflowing. J

14)  You have got six months to live, what will you do first?

Provide for the security of my wife and family.

15)  Is sexual compatibility important to you?

It is very important.

16)  Are you a morning person or a night person?

I’m always available, but I enjoy moments shared with my family most.

Thank you Lord de Sessions for taking the time to answer our questions.

“You’re welcome, Ms. Allyn, please tell readers a little bit about the story you gave me, A True and Perfect Knight.”

A True and Perfect Knight—Haven De Sessions knows a hundred reasons despise the widow Dreyford.  The widow is entirely too independent, and a suspected traitor.  Worst of all, she had been married to his best friend—a man Haven arrested for plotting against the king.  Haven believes the treacherous widow should have given up her head, not his childhood friend.  Now an oath to that same friend forces him to protect a woman he does not want and cannot trust.

Genvieve Dreyford has her own reasons to detest De Sessions.  The man is far too handsome, and his reputation as Edward I's most 'true and perfect' knight has swelled the baron’s head.  Worst of all, Gennie believes he betrayed his friendship with her husband to curry favor with the English king.  Now, because of Haven De Sessions, Gennie has lost her home, her title and nearly everything she held dear.  Only for the sake of her family, will Gennie place herself in the power of a man she fears and mistrusts.

So why does King Edward I of England believe theirs will be a match made in heaven?

You can read an excerpt from A True and Perfect Knight at my website or purchase directly from Amazon.com.

About Rue Allyn

Author of historical, contemporary, and erotic romances, Rue Allyn fell in love with happily ever after the day she heard her first story. She is deliriously married to her sweetheart of many years and loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real life adventures.  Learn more about Rue at http://RueAllyn.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RueAllynAuthor

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/RueAllyn

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5031290.Rue_Allyn

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rue-Allyn/e/B00AUBF3NI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 [Good link for purchasing any or all Rue Allyn books]

Blog:  http://rueallynauthorblog.com/

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, it was always filled with chaos and fun.

It was fated...even back then...the kitchen is my favorite room in the house.

Everyone baked. Grandma, Aunt Joyce, my cousin Lori, Mom and I spent a great deal of time time baking. If we were in San Luis Obispo for Christmas look out for Aunt Mary and cousin Sherry and their pies. Mary's pies were AMAZING. (I never did get her crust recipe.) Come Christmas, wherever we were, the house was always filled with the most heavenly smells.

In every one of my treasured childhood Christmas memories my Aunt Joyce made these wonderful cookies.

Some years she'd put a surprise in the center, whether it was a nut like a pecan or walnut half, a Hershey's Kiss, or other chocolate treat. It was always a surprise and left you licking your fingers.

I want to try them this year and put a variety of nuts in the center: Macadamia, Cashew, Walnut, Pecan, and the usual Hershey's Kiss.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cups finely chopped nuts (I prefer pecans)
1/4 teaspoon salt

(1 cup additional powdered sugar to roll them in when they're done)

Heat over to 400ºF.

Mix butter, powdered sugar and the vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts, and salt until dough holds together.

Shape into 1 inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.

Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar, cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.

I hope you enjoy and share your favorite memories with others.

deb

Please help me welcome Lisa Chalmers. Lisa is a friend of mine that I met through one of my Facebook groups. Lisa writes emotionally charged stories of life and love. Lisa is going to be giving away a copy of her book, If Tomorrow Never Comes. Be sure to leave a comment to get in on the drawing.

Lisa, tell us a little about yourself.
I spend way too much time listening to the character voices in my head, which explains the large number of started stories on my hard drive. I love anything paranormal, and have taken a couple courses in parapsychology to get a better understanding of things. My weakness is chocolate, root beer and hickory sticks and DQ Banana Split blizzards.

Do you have other talents? Or is there a talent you don’t have that you wish you did?
I’m actually a pretty good photographer and gardener. I definitely inherited my dad’s green thumb.
 
Tell us about your current series/WIP.
My current WIP is actually revisions for my next release DARK INTENT about a vengeance demon and the demon hating bounty hunter she finds herself stuck with, or at least that’s how she’d describe it. I already have the faintest idea for a second book about her best friend, so the seeds for a series are there.
 
Give us an elevator pitch for your book.
Ever wonder what would happen if GHOST met IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE? That’s the way I sorta see IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES.

What is most difficult for you to write?
Characters, conflict or emotions? Why? Conflict is always the hardest for me, especially if I’m focusing on writing it. If I don’t really think about it and just write, I’ll realize that it’s there later.  

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Or a bit of both? What do those terms mean to you?
To me, a panster is someone who writes whatever comes to mind without a real road map of where the story is going. A plotter knows pretty well where the story is headed before they even put a word down on paper. I’m definitely more of a pantster, I’ve taken plotting workshops and thought great now I can plot, but my mind still goes if it’s plotted, it’s already written and wants to move on to the next project. But I usually have a slight idea of where the story should go when I’m done the first chapter.
 
What is your writing routine like?
Mornings/early afternoon are usually catching up on emails and workshops if I’m taking any. Real writing is afternoon/evenings most days. For some reason I write better and a lot more at night.
 
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do to combat it?
I get writer’s block at least once or twice a manuscript. Usually I’ll switch to another project or take a break for awhile, catch up on my TBR pile, watch movies for awhile, just put my focus somewhere else. I’ve learned it means I’ve either written myself into a corner and need to go back and fix something or I’m going in the wrong direction and I haven’t realized it yet.
 
We’d love a blurb and an excerpt from your latest book.
Blurb:
Josh Collins has the perfect life—a beautiful girlfriend and a baby on the way, until an accident takes his life and he’s suddenly forced to fight for everything and everyone he loves.
Alone and pregnant, Avery Rhodes is suddenly thrust into a painful new reality. Life without the man she loves is turbulent. Nothing feels the same any more without him and she finds herself facing the unimaginable.
 
With his newfound guide Gabriel, Josh is forced to learn what happens IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES .
Links to buy:

If Tomorrow Never Comes

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-tomorrow-never-comes-lisa-chalmers/1115292097?ean=2940044514737
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/if-tomorrow-never-comes/id646062728?mt=11
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-iftomorrownevercomes-644636-140.html
Author links:
Website: http://lisa-chalmers.com/
Giveaway: Would love to give away an ebook of IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES.
 
Excerpt:
The sudden jolt of music playing pulled Avery from her restless sleep. “Josh…Josh honey…” she mumbled, rolling over to the empty side of the bed, the cool sheets brushing against her bare legs. She listened for the sound of the shower in the distance, but only silence met her. And that’s when it hit her.
 
He was gone.
 
She stifled a sob as she pushed herself across the bed, her fingers shaking as she turned the radio off. She couldn’t take it. Didn’t want to see the neon numbers mock her, reminding her that just a few short hours ago Josh had been there on that very side of the bed, doing exactly what she’d been doing. She leaned forward more, her fingers searching for the cord. With one quick yank, she freed it from the wall, and the numbers went dark.
 
She breathed out a shaky breath and forced herself to take another, trying to get enough oxygen into her body to take away the pain. Her tears burned like lava behind her eyes as she stayed there frozen, everything coming back to her. Every minute of the last twenty-four hours flashed through her mind, every emotion rearing its ugly head until she couldn’t take it anymore. She slid deeper under the covers, rolling back onto her side. She blinked, wishing all the emotions away, all the pain. She just wanted to breathe without feeling like she had a boat parked on her chest.
 
Josh stretched out in bed beside her. He’d sensed her wake up and, before he realized it, was right there with her. Just being that close to her made his heart ache. He watched her lie back down in bed. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms. He wanted to reach out, to run his fingers through her hair one more time, to comfort her somehow. “Why can’t you believe me, Avery? I’m right here.” He ran his hand over her arm, already knowing to keep it a bit above her so it wouldn’t go through. He just wanted her to know he was there. “I’m not leaving you, baby, not now. Not ever.” He meant every word of it. He wasn’t about to leave her alone. 

If you’re on the look-out for an easy to make gift, here is a delicious treat that goes back to when I was a kid in elementary school.

It’s very versatile and you can choose any variety of nuts to mix and mingle.

There were four of us kids and every year mom would make Cinnamon Spiced Nuts and put them in glass jars which would be our Christmas present to our teacher. Mom never wavered from her recipe. I, however, am a nut lover, I make a separate batch of each of the four nuts listed below.

The dollar store is a great place to pick up jars to hold these babies, or pick up a fancy jar and be creative.

Ingredients:

1 cup Sugar
1/8 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
2 cups nuts (Almond, Walnuts, Pecans, Cashews…anything you like)

Cook to soft ball stage.

Add 2 cups walnuts. Stir until nuts are well coated and fall apart.

Once nuts have been added you need to keep them moving. By keeping them moving air helps separate them. Do not make if you don’t have the time to concentrate on stirring…it doesn’t take long at all, but you do need to pay attention. Once they’re separated pour out onto a cookie sheet pan to cool.

In my opinion the Cashews are the best. And this recipe is easily doubled, no problem.

I’d love to hear from you after you make them, let me know what you think.

Deb

It's Harlequin Historical Giveaway time! Every year, a group of Harlequin Historical authors hold a series of individual contests in the weeks leading to Christmas. Each author offers her own prizes, and there's a Grand Prize at the end. This year, it's a Kindle Fire HDX WiFi tablet!
 
Today, December 5th, is my contest day. I'm giving away a $25 gift certificate to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, a paperback copy of the anthology A Scandalous Regency Christmas, and a pair of Christmas socks -- because I love buying socks, and I have too many of my own! To enter my contest, to to my website (http://www.BarbaraMonajem.com). There you will be directed to read an excerpt from my new historical novella, Under a Christmas Spell, and answer a question.

Hampshire, 1815

Dissolute aristocrat Lord Valiant Oakenhurst hides a sexy, supernatural secret—as a powerful incubus, he is able to influence others through erotic dreams. At an exclusive Christmas house party, his latest mission is compromised by the beautiful but deadly succubus Lucille Beaulieu. Though still drawn to his former lover, Val cannot forget her betrayal….
Hoping to atone for her past, Lucie uses her seductive powers to help couples find happiness. But she is distracted from her task by her own delicious dreams of the dark and dangerous Val.
As the riotous festivities begin, their passion is rekindled, but can a little Christmas magic restore their lost trust?

Here is this year's calendar for the Harlequin Historical Giveaway. For a calendar with clickable links, go to Jeannie Lin's blog. (http://www.jeannielin.com/harlequin-historical-holiday-giveaway-3/) For the rules, go to Michelle Willingham's website. (http://www.michellewillingham.com/official-rules/) Enter every day for more chances to win!

Every childhood Christmas memory I have and hold sacred is of being in the kitchen, helping my mom make cookies, candy, and the ever dreaded fruitcake. When I was old enough to make them on my own I started trying variations. Mom liked the straight foreward recipe, not me...I had to make my own. Whether it was using dark chocolate or white chocolate instead of milk chocolate, or adding spices and extracts. Now I just add booze...and before anyone decides to slam me with negativity, by the time it's done cooking, the alcohol has boiled out.

I'll be starting my Christmas baking soon, on the top of my list is always the fudge. The holidays aren't the same without it.

When it comes to fudge, this is the best recipe I’ve ever tasted. There is one downfall, it doesn’t last. I usually end up making 3 batches per season just for my family.

Ingredients:
2 packages, milk chocolate chips (12 oz. each)
1 packages, semisweet chocolate chips (12 oz. each)
2 jars marshmallow cream (7 oz. each)
2/3 cup Saint Brendan’s® Irish Cream Liqueur
2 cups chopped nuts (Walnuts or Pecans)
4-1/2 cups sugar
1 can evaporated milk (12 oz.)
½ lb. butter Line a 10” x 15” pan with foil and grease lightly with butter.

Combine chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, Saint Brendan’s® and nuts in a large bowl and set aside.

Combine sugar, evaporated milk and butter in a medium, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 11 minutes, stirring constantly.

Pour milk mixture over chocolate chip mixture and stir slowly by hand. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until set.

Enjoy!

I hope that everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family. The deals, as expected, rolled in all weekend and are slowing down. However, there are 2 deals today to share: Papa John's is offering a free pizza for each $25.00 gift card purchased, a great deal if your family orders pizza out. Kohls.com is selling NCAA Fleece Hoodies for $17.59 after coupon CYBERWEEK, which includes free shipping. Enjoy!