When it's still warm...there is nothing like it on an autumn evening.
Scottish Gingerbread
Makes 1 - 9 x 13 inch cake
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 3/4 cup molasses 2 eggs 1 cup beer 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup diced candied orange peel 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
Steps:
Stir together the flours, spices, and baking soda.
In a large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with the sugar and molasses. Beat in the eggs, then the beer. Beat the flour mixture into the creamed mixture.
Stir in the raisins, orange peel, and almonds.
Turn the batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 40 minutes, or until done.
an old basketball, soccer ball or beach ball (not to big)
a broomstick handle or stick about four foot long
string
This is a cheep outside decoration, and quickly made. You take the sheet and make a very small pinpoint hole at the very center. Then take a small size ball (about the size of your head works best). An old one that isn't inflated hard. Wrap string around it in several directions and tie it so the ball is in a "net."
Take a second piece of string and attach one end to the top of the ball's "net". Tie it securely. Run the other end through the hole in the sheet (this you will hang from a tree limb).
Taking the broom handle or stick, slide that through the netting under the bottom of the ball, so the "ghost" will have shoulders.
Tie in a tree high enough so it gets wind. This is a simple cheat decoration that can really spook people!!
Prizes: A copy of 1) Autographed copy Riding the Thunder 2) Autographed copyThe Invasion of Falgannon Isle, 3) A CD of Mike Duncan's songs featured in Riding the Thunder and a 4) Bottle of After The Rain, a Scottish Perfume
Paranormal Romance Reviews has a lovely yahoo group called The Haunt. A few weeks back they asked me to be Stephanie McGrath's co-host, and I agreed, very honoured they wanted me. It's a wonderful site and Stephanie and I had a great time working together. However, her new job as editor was taking more and more of her time, she so stepped down a couple days ago. They asked me to take over as hostess there and I agree.
So come by and join the fun! Promo days are Thursdays and on the Weekends. Covers are on parade every Monday.
213 SINGLE SCOTSMEN There was something about the Brigadoon-like Falgannon, something that kept most of its male inhabitants unwed. From Michael the Story to Callum the Bicycle—and we mustn’t forget The Cat Dudley, the slyest poker-playing moggie in the Outer Hebrides—every male of the Isle had happiness dependent upon that of its Lady. So things had been since Pictish times, and so they would be long after the present day.
Despite her machinations, to this point B.A. Montgomerie had been unable to make her men happy. Her first marriage had been against their advice; her husband had been an Irishman, true, but he had failed to meet other necessary requirements...and things had ended badly. Now, another Irishman had come—and was making the natives restless. Yes, the men of Falgannon could sense Desmond Mershan’s conquering Viking spirit and his desire for B.A.—which B.A. could sense herself. And while her men would never let anything happen that she didn’t want, this Irishman had come to pillage and loot, and nothing was going to stop him. Staring into his vibrant green eyes, B.A. anticipated the battles to come.
To enter for your chance at an autographed copy of today’s Book of the Day, check out the Contemporary authors on AuthorIsland to find out who is the happy mother of four kids. Email your guess to AuthorIsland at yahoo.com, along with your name and address and please put "Book of the Day" in the subject line. Good luck!
Asha Montgomerie is the proprietor of the Windmill, which consists of a motel, swim club, restaurant, laundromat, and drive-in. She has tried to keep it in it’s original state ever since she became the owner, especially since the place is haunted from ghosts that refuse to leave. Jago Luxovius Fitzgerald Mershan is the head man for the Trident Ventures, the huge investor that wishes to purchase Asha’s horse farm and Windmill. He is the one sent to Kentucky to try to convince Asha to sell to them. When Asha first meets Jago, she considers brushing him off like most other men who eased passed her no trespass sign. Then she gets a glimpse into his green eyes, and something inside her can’t say no. Jago and Asha share some moments together as he tries his best to persuade her to sell the property. No matter how hard he pushes, she stands firm against selling. The Windmill is too rich in memories especially with the ghost residents of Tommy, Laura and the simultaneously playing jukebox. As flashbacks of Tommy and Laura creep into the life of Asha, it appears Asha and Jago are linked somehow with the young couple that was killed, and if that is the truth, they could be the next ones in line.
Riding the Thunder is a riveting and thrilling read. It certainly gets the adrenaline racing. I love the part with ‘they’re coming to take me away.’ The sudden playing of the jukebox was enough to send shivers down my spine. I enjoyed the dialogue between Asha and Jago, not to mention their chance meetings whenever they get together. The sprinkling in of the past and present, especially the songs on the jukebox, even had this reader reflecting back on many things. Deborah MacGillivray takes her audience deep into the heart of the characters. I found the wonderful cast of all the players a great asset to the storyline. There are a few humorous highlights in the book that bring on a smile with the jukebox. I love the addition of the ghosts in this unforgettable read that left a lasting impression with this reader.
Six talented authors delight readers with six sumptuous stories created around man’s favorite machine… the Harley.
SECRETS AND LIES by Rebecca Andrews tells the tale of Wess McKade, hired to protect Ella Preston, supermodel and former high school sweetheart. Why did Wess leave all those years ago and can the two rekindle their love?
LEADER OF THE PACK by Debi Farr begins as Charlie, dressed as a hooker, is on her way to a Come-As-You-Aren’t party. She has a flat tire and is rescued by a cop on a motorcycle who just happens to be going to the same party.
HITTING PAYDIRT by Billie Warren Chai gives us a look at Vic, a woman working along side the roughnecks bringing in oil wells for the family business. How can she get Craig Ferguson, her brother’s best friend, to see her as a desirable woman instead of Lil’ Bits.
TEACHING LOVE by Patricia Frank relates the tale of Jenn, a widow, rescued by a biker when she spins her car into a ditch. Will she be able to let go of her husband’s memory and love again?
THE MAN RIDES A HARLEY by Diane Davis White finds Susannah taking her sister’s place in a parade, riding a motorcycle, behind a hunky biker. What happens next is embarrassing but just may lead to true love.
BAD TO THE BONE by Deborah MacGillivray revisits the Windmill restaurant and its famed haunted jukebox as Gabriel returns to Kentucky, a success, to buy the house he was never allowed to enter in his youth. He reconnects with Jocelyn, the rich girl he always craved, and finds he still wants more than her house.
Perfect summer reading, LOVE ON A HARLEY entertains from page one. This anthology has something for everyone, especially those wanting to experience Love on a Harley
Rowena Cherry will roll her usual fun show - this time focusing on sexy knights on her show Crazy Tuesday. Tentative scheduled are Jade Lee, Cynthia Breeding, Denise Lynn, Diana Groe and Diane Thompson(sister of Dawn Thompson), will joined me in naturally Rowena discussing her upcoming Dorchester release, October 2008 - Knight's Fork, and myself nattering about my sexy Dragons of Challon
Tuesday 12th, August - 10 am - noon 0n Internet Radio. Check page later and I will have a MP3 loaded of the wonderful chat about those sexy knights we so love.
A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing - my book video for my upcoming release for Dorchester book (2009) won the Best Contemporary Romance category and also won the Best Overall Video at The Romance Room.
My video for In Her Bed, my award-winning historical romance, second the the Dragons of Challon series, won the Best Historical Romance category as well.
I just received word that Riding the Thunder was the first place winner of The Beacon Award in the Single Title category with the First Coast Romance Writers RWA chapter.
This is so exciting since this book won the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for Best Long Contemporary Romance this year.
Paranormal Romance Reviews is a place I have added reviews for about seven years. They recently opened a new Yahoo Group called The Haunt. They do chats, promos, special features and discuss paranormal romance books. Stephanie McGrath is the staff host of this very friendly spot. PRN has asked me to join the staff as her co-host. I was very thrilled as this honor and have accepted.
Monika Wolmarans, the very talented proofreader who vets my books, is redoing my website. It's been two years, and original design has become quite boring. She has launched the make over. There are still a few pages that will need to be updated so check back and see them. She has really done a super job. I just love it! Check it out.
Long and Short Reviews is celebrating their anniversary with a tour of 27 authors websites, and prizes galore!!
I am August 3 and have a goodie big basket for someone to win that won't quite.
1. Over a dozen Books 2. a CD of Mike Duncan's beautiful songs, some heard on my videos
3. and a beautiful set of a Scottish perfume, After the Rain.
This will launch to the redo of my website http://deborahmacgillivray.co.uk
There are a still a few pages to make over, since my site is massive, but it's nearly completed. Monika Wolmarans of Moonmonika has done a wonderful job. http://moonmonika.purpleraindesigns.co.uk/
Monika is a very talented lady and one of the best proofreaders going. I am lucky to have her to vet all my books.
So check out the Long and Short Reviews anniversary page to find out details how to win my goodie basket!
Deborah Macgillivray Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Winner - Best Long Contemporary Romance
A Restless Knight, Kensington July 2006 In Her Bed, Kensington, August 2007 One Snowy Knight, Kensington, October 2009 Redemption, Kensington, 2010 Yield to the Knight, Kensington, TBA 2010 The Invasion of Falgannon Isle, Dorchester 2006 Riding the Thunder, Dorchester October 2007 A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing, Dorchester June, 2009 http://deborahmacgillivray.co.uk http://www.myspace.com/deborahmacgillivray
Jocelyn rolled the bright red car to a stop, staring at the open gates. Presumably the realtor had given out the keys so they could inspect the house and grounds. “Greedy gut Carson will have the skin blistered off his ears for that stupid move.” He wasn’t supposed to hand over the keys to anyone without her permission.
She hesitated in putting the car in gear, unsure why. A strange vibration filled the air. A ripple of unease. Not fear precisely. Unable to define what was setting the small hairs on her neck to rise, she released the clutch, pushed on the gas, and rolled through the gates. Maybe it was merely the air charged from the coming storm.
More likely, it was going home for the first time in four years.
In the beginning, she used to come often. Make sure the house was locked up tight, that vandals hadn’t targeted her. Then as she slowly accepted Watch Hill wasn’t really hers in more than name, she stopped coming. It proved too painful. She loved the place. There was something special about the house that was over 170 years old. It wasn’t memories. Life had never been very happy here―a father who couldn’t have cared less that she existed, drank too much; a grandmother too busy lecturing her on what it meant to be a Bouchard than to show warmth or love. An only child, she had often been lonely here, and in that isolation, she had imagined marrying a man who loved her, and one day they would live here and fill Watch Hill with the laughter and love that it deserved.
“Like so many other things in my life, it was nothing but a dream,” she spoke to the woman staring back at her from the rearview mirror.
As the three-story, white house came into view, she searched for the car of the potential buyer. None was in sight. She made the turn in the circular drive, coming to park directly under the portico and then shut off the engine. Her eyes glanced fleetingly around the outer buildings―the playhouse, pool house, five car garage and stables. Giving a shrug, she picked up her purse.
Then she caught sight of the man.
He was sitting sideways on a black motorcycle, his legs stretched out before him and crossed at the ankles. He watched her with a hooded predator’s gaze that set off female alarms. Even from this distance he had a blatant sexuality about him, the type of man that set any sane woman running. The question would be whether she’d be running to him or from him! Pretending to be unperturbed by his still presence, she swung both legs out of the car and started to stand.
“Damn,” she cursed lowly. She was still in the wool, pencil skirt of her business suit. In order to get out, without half crawling from the small British car, she’d have to show a large amount of leg. Well, no way around it. Standing, she straightened her skirt and tried to appear calm. The man on the bike flashed a brief grin, then slowly stood as she started toward him.
“I’m sorry, but you need to leave. This is private property. The house isn’t open for tours.” She tried to sound clipped, business like, hoping he wouldn’t give her any grief over being booted off the property.
Instead of replying, he placed his jacket across the bike’s seat, then held up the key ring from the realtor’s and rattled it in the air. “I have the open sesame.” Jocelyn pulled up short. That voice. She knew it. Deep, husky, with a hint of Scottish burr, the kind of voice a woman wanted to hear whispering to her in the middle of the night. She just couldn’t place it. Maybe she didn’t want to place it. Some part of her did. Her heart jumped, slamming itself against her ribcage until it felt bruised from the erratic pounding.
Picking up the jacket, he said softly. “You’ve changed, Jocelyn.”
