Tuesday Bits and Pieces

The best thing I ever have in My Kitchen is a Friend that can cook. Help wanted!~~From a kitchen placque my friend gave me thirty five years ago. It's still true.

My friend Dorian gave me the placque during the period that she was teaching me to cook. I could burn boiled water. Yep, I could. Needless to say it was an uphill battle.

First we went grocery shopping. I was several months pregnant with baby number three. She had two, I had two, and she babysat for three more under four years of age. Grocery shopping was a true adventure as we also took her eighty year old grandmother with us. Looking back on it, obviously we were insane, but then we were so young we didn't know that.

Anyway, with the shopping done, I would pack all the stuff willy-nilly in the refrigerator or freezer and collapse. Then each morning, I called her up and asked what to take out of the freezer. Later in the day, with the phone tucked between my shoulder and my chin, I would follow her directions on how to cook that day's special. It must have worked as I haven't poisoned anyone so far. Of course, there's always tomorrow or next week, but that's another blog.



Tomorrow is the release day for Honeysuckle, book two of the Flowers of Camelot. The fine handsome fellows on the cover are Dick and Peter Hieney, superspies for King Arthur and Camelot. They work for Nathan the Sneak, head of King Arthur's security forces. There is mischief afoot in Camelot.

Enter Honeysuckle. She has their number. Yes, she does. Stay tuned to see who comes out on top...

There are a few other assorted villians and heroes--Prince Daz, the unicorn prince, Robin Hood, Morgana the sorceress and Vivian, the queen. So get in line to buy your copy and find out just who wins the battle of sexes. My money is on Nanny Anny... or Merlin.

If you were here yesterday, you know that we have a plethora of contests. (I always wanted to use that word.) Amarinda has a contest--see http://www.amarindajones.blogspot.com/ for the details. Prize? A free copy of her first Vampire romance, Shades of Gray. *delicious shiver*

And Kelly has a wonderful contest--see http://www.kkirch.blogspot.com/ for the details on how to win a beautiful silver and garnet necklace. Ummm. I always love garnets and silver. And it would match my ring...

On Friday, I will have all the details for a month long scavenger hunt on my newly refurbished webpage. No, no, no--it's not finished yet, but on Friday, all will be ready. Until then you'll just have to be patient. Prize will be announced then also. Until then, it's a deeeeeep, darrrrrk secret.

Now you would think that would be enough contests, but NO! We want you to win, win, win! So we have the Eternally Yours Contest! Fabulous prizes if you are the lucky winners!

Yes, that's correct. There will be three lucky winners.

What could you spend an eternity doing? What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire? Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website. Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books
Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

And the authors? Moi, of course, Kelly Kirch, Amarinda Jones, N.J. Walters, Mona Risk, Cindy Spencer Pape, Sandra Cox, Bronwyn Green, Jacqueline Roth, and Brynn Paulin. How is that for a fabulous line up? As one of them said, "I would like to win these books!"

Other bits and pieces--On February the 4th, we will be kicking off the contest with an Eternally Yours chat at Love Romances Cafe from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please stop by, meet the ladies, and sample some delicious excerpts.

Tomorrow on January 30th, Cindy Spencer Pape will be hosting a list mom chat at the Ellora's Cave chat loop to celebrate her new release and those of her friends. Plan to spend the afternoon with us while we chat and post excerpts for your pleasure.

Blessings on your day!

Anny