Special Guest - Teri Wilson!

Hello Friends,

The WRIB authors opened up our blog for guests and today I'd like to introduce to you fellow TWRP author, Teri Wilson!

Teri Wilson loves romance, dogs and wearing pink. Her stories are often filled with happy endings, splashes of humor and a lovable critter or two. After all, Cinderella never would have lived happily ever after without a little help from her animal friends! Teri is the winner of the 2008 Pet Sitters International Humor Award, the 2008 Spaniel Journal Writing Contest, the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Angel on a Leash Writing Award and the 3rd place winner of the 21st Annual American Kennel Club Short Fiction Contest. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, son and three delightful dogs.

You can learn more about Teri and her books at http://www.teriwilson.net/.
Do You Hear What I Hear? Hoofbeats & Heartstrings Book One

Blurb: As a child, Simone Littleton adores the European folktale that animals are given the gift of speech at midnight on Christmas Eve. She makes a wish to talk to animals “forever and ever” and, when her pet Dalmatian asks her for a biscuit, she discovers her wish has been granted. Now Simone is all grown up and she uses her unique gift to rehabilitate unwanted horses. When race horse trainer Chet Wallace rolls into San Antonio, with chocolate eyes and dimples blazing beneath his black Stetson, romantic sparks fly. He is immediately drawn to the beautiful woman who has a mesmerizing affect on both his horses and his dog, but his less than enthusiastic response to Simone’s claims threatens their budding romance. It takes a scheming Jack Russell terrier and a fresh batch of rescue horses to convince Chet she just may be telling the truth.

Excerpt: “So this is why all your animals are named after artists.” Her gentle voice washed over him, soothing his nerves.

He turned and there she was, hair full of hay like always. She looked particularly welcoming today, though, wearing a soft pink sweater that hugged her curves. Her hair was on top of her head in a ponytail rather than her usual braid. He had to press down the urge to loosen the fastener and let it tumble over her shoulders in thick, blonde waves.

He gulped. Hard. Just looking at her was almost enough to take his breath away. “Happy Thanksgiving, Simone.”

She came closer, ponytail swinging, and stood next to him. Close enough so he felt almost intoxicated by the orchid fragrance. “Happy Thanksgiving. I can’t believe you painted this. It’s breathtaking. When I close my eyes and picture Buttercup in my mind, she looks exactly like this.”

It was a nice compliment. The special gleam in Chet’s eye came not from her kind words, but from the fact Simone stood close to him and looked at him in the way Ted had observed in the kitchen the night before. Yes, there was something between them all right. He felt it in every nerve ending in his body. “Thanks. It’s just a hobby really.”

“You are quite the Renaissance Man, Chet.” She punched him playfully in the shoulder.

“You’re just one surprise after another. What am I going to find out about you next?”

“Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?” His gazed locked with hers and he winked.

Do You Hear What I Hear? is available now in Ebook & Print from The Wild Rose Press!

A Resolution & Recipe by Karen Cogan

I'd like to introduce myself and welcome you to this blog. My name is Karen Cogan and I've been writing since I was a child. After numerous articles and short stories, a few years ago, I began to publish books in my favorite genres. I love contemporary romance, inspirational romance and historical romance. I have a number of novels out with one inspirational from The Wild Rose Press and two more coming out soon. I hope you enjoy the following blog and the recipe.

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions. It's too much trouble to make a list. Besides, if it's things I'm not already doing, I realize I probably won't do them anyway. However, as I thought about this at the beginning of January, I realized that I make resolutions each day. I keep a mental check list of all that I want to accomplish. Often, it is a ponderous list and I get frustrated trying to complete half of what is on it. There's simply too much to do and not enough time.

Does this sound familiar?

As I began to view my time stress in view of eternity, I wondered how I could manage a more realistic view of my time. Though I already prioritize, I need to cut more off the mental "to do". To enjoy accomplishing a few things well each day is my new goal. If I can't write an entire chapter, I can write 500 words. If I need to shop, clean, write and cook, all in one afternoon, I'll cut out whatever can wait (not writing, of course). I'm realizing that much of the stress in my life is self-imposed, put there by unreasonable goals.

In not making any sort of formal resolution, I left myself open to a tyranical daily schedule. So... my goal for 2009 is to enjoy life more and listen to my mental sargeant less. Each day only comes once. What a shame not to feel good about it when it's over!

MONKEY BREAD: 1 tbsp yeast,1tsp sugar, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup shortening, 1 tsp. salt, 1 1/2 cup unsifted flour, 2 eggs, 2 1/2 cups unsifted flour, 1/2 cup butter, 1 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 chopped nuts, 5 tsp. cinnamon,

Dissolve 1 tbsp yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water with 1 tsp. sugar.
Bring a cup of milk to the boiling point
Remove the heat and add 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 shortening, 1 tsp salt and 1 1/2 unsifted flour.
Mix well and add two beaten eggs.
Add 2 1/2 more unsifted flour and mix in well.
Place in ungreased towel covered bow and let rise until double in bulk. (hint: put a cup of water in the microwave, heat it, then put the bowl in the microwave with the cup; it keeps the dough moist and it rises faster)
Punch down and let rise again.
Knead the dough and mke into balls the size of walnuts.
Melt 1/2 cup butter and set aside.
Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 chopped nuts and 5 tsps. cinnamon.
Dip the balls into the butter, then in the sugar mixture.
Drop in an ungreased tube pan.
Let rise till about 3/4 full.
Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes before removing from the pan.

Along with my new resolution, is my intent to take a little time out for sitting down with friends to share a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. This recipe goes well with either and is perfect for a cold winter day.

Much happiness in 2009!
Karen Cogan
Website: http://karencogan.com/
Blog: http://kecogan.blogspot.com/