I'm on a roll!

Dearest readers,

It's been an incredible couple of weeks!

A MIDNIGHT DANCE

I heard back from my editor.  She *loves* A MIDNIGHT DANCE!  Oh, and that's not all....The edits are light!  I'm just so thrilled!! As I'm going through the book once more, I'm falling in love with this story all over again. I can't wait for you to meet my newest, devastatingly sexy rake -- Jules de Moutier.  A delicious bad boy with definite heroic qualities.  He's every bit the "Prince Charming" in this steamy Cinderella retelling. *winks*

AWAKENED BY A KISS

AWAKENED BY A KISS has received another raving review!!  It's a Joyfully Reviewed RECOMMENDED READ!!   You've just got to read THIS.  It put a huge smile on my face. *big grins*


THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED

Last, but certainly not least, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED was selected as one of Rita's Best Reads in 2010!!   Not only that, but AWAKENED BY A KISS is in her READERS' CHOICE AWARD POLL.   I'm just so darn honored to be in such fine company.  I can't believe my name is listed among THOSE ladies!!!! (I may have overused the exclamation mark in this post...hehe)

NEW YORK CITY. . .

At the beginning of the month, I spent four awesome days with hubby and the kids in New York.  I've been to NYC before, but never at Christmas time.

Here are some of the highlights:  We shopped.  We ate (oh, how we ate!).  And we saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, with its fabulous Rockettes.  (Man, I wish I had legs like those women.)  I had lunch with my awesome editor.  Oh, and someone shoplifted green Lego at the Lego store.  (Is there a black market for green Lego that I'm just not aware of?)

In all honesty, I just love this city!  I had so much fun chatting it up with the cabbies...And I signed copies of my books in many of the Borders and Barnes & Noble stores there, as well as Posman Books at Grand Central Terminal. 

Here are a few pics from my trip:

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree ~ Night and Day

 

Lobby of Radio City

Okay, so this next one isn't very Christmas-like. To be precise, it's a birthday card that was on the sidewalk.  And it stopped me in my tracks.  The person receiving it discarded it.  I can't imagine why! *snort*  I also can't imagine sending this card to someone.  Well...perhaps that one woman at the grocery store that time....LOL  No.  Seriously.  Would you send this card to someone you knew? (If you click on the image you will get a larger view)

I can't wait to return to NYC this summer for the RWA National Conference. For the first time ever, I'll be participating in the Literacy Book Signing.  Hope to see you there!

Finally MOI . . . 

My dear husband and kids know how much I adore Christmas ornaments.  Under my tree this year . . .

. . . I got these ornaments from them.  Aren't they pretty?  I had to hang them immediately.  :)

ONE LAST NOTE . . .

2010 has been an incredible year for me--and it's all because of you!  Thank you for your many emails, comments on this blog, on Facebook and Twitter.  I can't tell you how thrilled I am each time I hear from you.  Or how moved I am when read how much you enjoyed my books.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for taking the time to share, to tour with me on my blog tours, to celebrate with me at my blog party.  To chat and giggle with me on the net as a whole.  

You are the best. 

I must dive back into my edits, but before I do, I want to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!  May 2011 be the best one yet!  God bless.

Hugs and love,
Lila   XO

  

Winner and a Holiday Video I just have to share!

Dearest readers,

We had a delightful time with Virginia Campbell and we now have the winner to the Giveaway!

Congratulations to:

Valerie
in Germany

Email your mailing address to lila@liladipasqua.com

A very good friend of mine, Kathy Ireland, sent me this video.  It made me smile and I hope it will make you smile as well. It's the perfect video for the holiday season!  A big hug from me to you!

Wishing each and everyone a wonderful holiday and good health, happiness and prosperity in 2011.

Oh, what a treat!

I'm so delighted to have Virginia Campbell here today!  She's an absolutely lovely person and has a particular talent I envy. Of the culinary variety. You see, I'm not very good in the kitchen.  Passable at best.  When I saw Virginia's recipes posted elsewhere, I was inspired and asked her if she'd be my guest here at A WRITER'S SALON. She has graciously agreed to share some of her wonderful recipes with us--and family holiday traditions, too!  Welcome, Virginia!

It’s time for good cheer—almost a new year! Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, not enough sugar and too much spice—let the fun in! Food should be a pleasure to prepare and to serve. Getting together with family and friends is for enjoyment and making happy memories. Food is a very large part of daily family life, and it is even more important during the festiveness of the holidays. The good eats and sweet treats you offer during the holidays can be simple and sensational, allowing you more time to participate in the celebration. I hope you enjoy my recipes for some delicious nibbles and bites!

I’d love to hear your favorite holiday traditions and funny stories! I absolutely adore Christmas music, even if some of it does make me cry! My mom and I both loved all-out, over-the-top, sing-your-heart-out Christmas music. We had a tradition of loading up our dogs in the car one night each holiday season to go see the Christmas lights throughout the area. Mom and I would sing holiday songs at the top of our voices, and the dogs were a captive audience. We always ended the evening with a trip to the ice cream store! Mom got eggnog ice cream; I got peppermint candy cane ice cream, and the dogs got vanilla! By the way, occasionally our singing did set the dogs off, and then there was howling and singing.


Candy Bar Brownies

1 box fudge brownie mix (for 13in x 9in baking pan)
1 box of thin mints or thin chocolate bars (like Andes candies), or larger flat candy bars (like Hershey’s) broken into pieces, or miniature chocolate bars (like Hershey’s miniatures)
if desired for topping, ready-made frosting and sprinkles or crushed hard candies

Prepare brownie mix per box directions. Pour half of batter into greased and floured baking pan. Place candy pieces evenly across batter. Top with remaining batter and bake per box directions. Allow to cool before cutting into squares. If desired, top with frosting and sprinkles or crushed hard candies or peppermints. So easy, so good and so pretty!

Spicy Cheddar Cheese Balls

3/4 cup flour
1 and 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Combine all ingredients together and mix well. Roll into balls one inch in diameter and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen.

Creamy Dessert Dip

1 pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese
1 jar (7 oz) Marshmallow Crème
1 tsp orange marmalade or strawberry jam

Mix all ingredients until well-blended. Serve with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, ginger snaps and assorted cut-up fresh fruit.

Pizza Pasta Salad 

I box tri-color spiral pasta
1 red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper (or red or yellow), chopped
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
1 small can sliced black olives, drained
1 small pkg. sliced pepperoni, slices halved
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large bottle favorite Italian dressing
Cook pasta in cups boiling water to al dente. Don’t overcook. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add to remaining ingredients in an extra large bowl, then toss with enough dressing to coat well. After salad has thoroughly chilled in refrigerator, may have to moisten with additional dressing. If desired, top with additional shredded mozzarella cheese before serving.
Brown Sugar Blondies
4 eggs
1 (1 lb) Box Brown Sugar
2 Cups Biscuit Mix
2 Cups Chopped Pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Mix above ingredients and pour into greased 13x9 pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Insert knife. If it comes out gooey, bake for another 10 minutes and check again. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.

Savory Onion Casserole

2 large white onions
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms
1/2 lb. Swiss cheese
10 or more slices French bread (buttered)
2 T. butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Butter a 9 x 13 inch casserole pan. Chop onions. Slice mushrooms. Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter and pour into casserole. Top evenly with shredded cheese. Butter French bread on both sides. Place bread on shredded cheese. Mix soup, milk, soy sauce, salt and pepper; pour over bread. Make this a day ahead; refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serves 10-12 people.

Olde World Christmas Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup molasses
1 egg
4 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda

Blend shortening, sugar, and molasses. Add beaten egg. Sift dry ingredients and combine. Mix well, roll out, and cut in shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. If desired, when cookies are completely cool, can decorate with frosting, sprinkles, colored sugar and chopped nuts.
Holiday White Wine Punch

2 bottles of white wine (Riesling, Albarino, Chablis, Gewurztraminer, Rioja, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
1 (64 oz) bottle of white cranberry juice or white grape juice
1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled
1 small pkg frozen raspberries, unthawed
2 limes, washed and sliced into thin round slices

Allowing time for mixture to become well-chilled, combine wine and juice in a large punch bowl. Refrigerate. Just before serving, add chilled ginger ale to punch. Add frozen raspberries and gently stir to begin separating raspberries. Float lime slices on top.

Question:  As Virginia mentioned in her post, "I’d love to hear your favorite holiday traditions and funny stories!"

One lucky commenter will win a Cinderella Slipper Ornament (last chance to win one of these this year!)---signed by me....and well, since it is the holiday season, I have a small little gift to add to that as well.  *smiles*

GIVEAWAY OPEN WORLDWIDE.

A Holiday announcement full of AWESOME!!

Dearest readers,


It's been so much fun partying with you in October.  Touring with you in November....but what about December, you ask?

Well, dearest readers, I have a thrilling announcement...

A ONE-TIME HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Courtesy of my awesome publisher, Penguin/Berkley, a total of 35 copies of THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED will be given away from Dec. 6th to 10th at the participating blogs below !!

Oh, but that's not all!  Due to the popularity of the ornament I gave away {an ornament in the shape of Cinderella's slipper, in keeping with the fairy tale theme, the holiday season and in celebration of my upcoming Cinderella retelling--A MIDNIGHT DANCE}, I'm personally including 35 *autographed* Cinderella's Slipper ornaments!!  An ornament for each winner.  YAY!


Dec. 6th
Lovin' Me Some Romance
Fiction Vixen Book Reviews

Dec. 7th
Book Lovers Inc.
Seductive Musings

Dec. 8th
Book ♥ Soulmates

Dec 9th
Bitten By Books

Dec. 10th
Babbling About Books and More.

If you already have a copy of THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED....WIN ONE FOR A FRIEND! Books make the best gifts. *winks*


THIS WILL BE YOUR FINAL CHANCE TO WIN THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED.

Good luck, everyone!  And happy holidays to you and yours!!

I'm at Write Life!!

Dearest readers,

I want to thank you for celebrating with me, both during my month-long Princess Blog Party we held here and my month-long blog tour.  Just a reminder that the Princess Blog Tour ends on Friday.  For the rest of the week, you have a chance to win my triple prize---a signed copy of THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED, a copy of STUD MUFFINS and a Cinderella slipper ornament---signed by me!

Stop by WRITE LIFE each day for the remainder of the week.  There will be something new at WRITE LIFE everyday until Friday!

See you there.  :)

Oh, and do continue to visit me here!  I'm always cooking up something fun---and unexpected. *winks*