Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Holiday Event: Pamela Sherwood, Waltz with a Stranger (Guest Post/Giveaway)

On the third day of our Holiday Event, Reading Between the Wines gave to me... historical romance author, Pamela Sherwood and Walt with a Stranger


These stovetop-made cookies are rich, decadent, and thoroughly addictive. They’re also very easy to make. Serve them chilled--they hold their shape best when they’re cold--with a glass of milk. I’ve found they go very fast, even when you make them on the small side so they’ll supposedly last longer.

For a fancy touch, try stacking them in a pyramid before serving. But they’re irresistible even as single layer on a large plate.  Enjoy!

Pamela Sherwood

COCONUT DATE BALLS

2 tsp. Butter (or a little more)
1 c. granulated sugar (or a little less; the dates are already very sweet)
2 well-beaten eggs
1 c. chopped, pitted dates

Mix in saucepan, cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes until dates are melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add:

1 1/2-2 c. Rice Krispies
1-1 1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2-1 tsp. Vanilla

Shape into balls (of whatever preferred size).  Keep hands dipped in cold water to prevent sticking. Roll balls in shredded coconut, and place on wax paper on cookie sheet to cool.

Yield: About 3 dozen medium-sized cookies.




Waltz with a Stranger
by Pamela Sherwood
Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
Publication: December 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402273223
Crippled after a riding accident, shy heiress Aurelia Newbold shuns Society--until a dashing stranger draws her into a secret waltz and awakens desires she has long thought dead. After a year abroad to regain her health, she comes home to find the one man she’s been dreaming of--now an earl--engaged to the one woman she would never betray: her beloved twin sister.
One night James Trelawney took pity on a girl he saw as a wounded bird. Now the Earl of Trevanan, he is not prepared for the vibrant woman who returns to London, intent on reclaiming her life. Nor is he prepared for his growing desire for that woman--especially after he has proposed marriage to her dazzling twin.
As the scene shifts from London's glittering ballroom to Cornwall's windswept coast, forbidden desires resurface, and inhibitions begin to melt beneath the summer sun. But even as James struggles to resolve his feelings for both sisters, the secret that killed his predecessor reaches out from the grave to threaten his life--and that of the woman he loves.

EXCERPT:

A moonlit encounter, a magical moment . . .

But, at first glance, the conservatory appeared to be deserted. Moonlight poured in through the glass-paneled walls, bathing the plants and stone benches in an otherworldly glow. Loosening his collar, James inhaled the warm, jasmine-scented air and felt himself relax for the first time that evening.

Hands clasped behind him, he strolled along the nearest walkway. Feathery ferns, sinuous vines, potted palms . . . he could not identify more than a few of the more exotic species, but it scarcely mattered: here, at last, were peace and tranquility.  Then he rounded a corner, came to a halt at the sight of the figure standing in the middle of the conservatory, the moonlight frosting her golden hair and casting a silvery sheen upon the skirts of her blue ball gown. Her eyes were closed, her slim form swaying gently in time to the waltz music drifting in from the ballroom.

James wondered if he’d lost his mind. Hadn’t he just seen her mere moments ago, dancing in the arms of an earl? Then, looking more closely, he saw that the shade of her gown was closer to turquoise than azure, her hair dressed a touch less elaborately: subtle differences but telling nonetheless. What had Thomas said?  “She and her mother and her sister . . .”

He must have made some sound, some movement, because the girl suddenly froze like a deer scenting a hunter, apprehension radiating from every inch of her.

James spoke quickly, seeking to reassure her.  “Pardon me, Miss Newbold.  It is Miss Newbold, is it not?”      




Pamela Sherwood grew up in a family of teachers and taught college-level literature and writing courses for several years before turning to writing full time. She holds a doctorate in English literature, specializing in the Romantic and Victorian periods, eras that continue to fascinate her and provide her with countless opportunities for virtual time travel. She lives in Southern California and is currently at work on her second novel.




~*GIVEAWAY*~
Sourcebooks is giving away one copy of Waltz with a Stranger to one reader (Open to the US and Canada only please. ) To enter, just leave a comment or question for the author on this post and then fill out the Rafflecopter below! Additional entries are available but not required. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 comments:

  1. Oooh... I would like to try the recipe this weekend. Sounds yummy. :)

    Congrats on your book. Sounds terrific and will put it on my TBR pile! :)

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  2. Hi, May--yes, this one's a favorite in our house. And they disappear with unsettling speed!

    Thanks for the congrats--I hope you enjoy Waltz with a Stranger.

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  3. Thanks for the recipe. Sounds delicious.
    Is this book part of a series or a stand alone?
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  4. Joanne, you're welcome and I hope you like the cookies if you decide to try them out.

    Waltz with a Stranger is part of a series but can be read as a self-contained title. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, and my second book, A Song at Twilight, is set several years in the future. It's almost more of a companion book than a direct sequel.

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  5. Great recipe. I think I may even like this one.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

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  6. Hi, Debby--I certainly hope that you do!

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  7. The recipe sounds delicious! I will have to pass it along to a family member that actually has some cooking/baking abilities (I'm sort of infamous for my lack of skills in that area.) :)

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  8. Seems like a simple enough recipe for me to handle. Thanks!

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  9. Congrats on the book! I look forward to reading it. I haven't read anything by you and the excerpt sounds awesome.
    Happy Holidays,
    lorih824@yahoo.com

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  10. What an unusual recipe, it sounds delicious. I'm looking forward to reading Waltz with a Stranger, it sounds fantastic.

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  11. I can't wait to read this book it sounds so good!!!

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  12. Jyl22075, oh it is a simple recipe, but delicious. Though I'd pass along the tip to make sure dry ingredients don't overwhelm the wet ones. The mixture should be lumpy but sticky, so the balls will hold their shape.

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  13. *yadkny*--it's definitely simple. Just make sure your mixture is sticky enough to hold together when you start forming the balls.

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  14. Beautiful Disaster, thanks for the congrats! Waltz with a Stranger is my first book, actually. A companion novel, A Song at Twilight, is slated for release next October.

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  15. Barbara E., cookies and books--what more does one need? Hope you enjoy them both!

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  16. Cassandra, thanks for your interest! I hope you enjoy Waltz with a Stranger!

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  17. Sounds fantastic! Congrats Pamela on the new release! Thanks for sharing ;)

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  18. I am really looking forward to reading WALTZ WITH A STRANGER. I love finding band new authors (no backlist to try to get, lol) and this story sounds good. I love that the heroine was injured yet has a "perfect" sister who is engaged to the man she loves, and that the hero cares for both and has to figure out who his true love is.
    The recipe looks good too! Thanks so much for it.
    June

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  19. June M., thanks for your interest. Love triangles are always a challenge to write--i wanted to create one in which all three parties were sympathetic characters with a legitimate point of view. The hero may come in for a bit of flak because of his choices, but I hope his motivations and his genuine feelings for both women are understandable, in spite of that.

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  20. The cookies look great and different from what we usually make. Happy Holidays!

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  21. Maureen, these cookies are definitely a change of pace. Not to diss other kinds--holiday cookies are love, period--but they can make a nice change from shortbread, sugar cookies, pfeffernusse(am I spelling that correctly?), and gingerbread men.

    Happy Holidays to you as well!

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  22. I like the recipe you gave. I've never had those, but I love rum balls. Yummy!! Thanks for giveaway/contest.

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  23. I wish I liked coconut!

    Have a Merry Christmas.

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  24. Queen of Books Sue, this recipe is definitely a favorite in our house. Rum flavoring can be nice too, especially in conjunction with chocolate.

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  25. Would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance and happy holidays

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  26. I usually make Rum Balls during the Holidays...no cooking required but the end result is scrumptious. I'll have to try your Coconut Date Balls this season.

    Your Waltz with a Stranger sound like a delightful read. I'm looking forward to reading it. Wishing everyone a wonderfully joyous holiday season.

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  27. would LOVE to win & read!
    I like hystericals - um - er HISTORICALS
    PICK ME

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  28. would LOVE to win & read!
    I like hystericals - um - er HISTORICALS
    PICK ME

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