Who am I kidding? Finger food?

You had me at…no dishes.

As I’ve already confessed in another blog, I’m a grazer. I’m always looking for finger food! (And a good book…) But, I digress, as I’m sure you’ve come here looking for something, anything, to throw together for a last minute party, or when an unexpected guest shows up and you suddenly have to become the hostess with the most-ess.

Don’t worry, I’ll hook you up with something, fast, easy and delicious.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

-1 8 oz cream cheese room temperature                    – 2 T brown sugar

-1 stick butter at room temperature                           -3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

-1/2 t vanilla                                                                    -chopped walnuts or pecans

-3/4 c confectioners sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter together in bowl.  Add vanilla, confectioners sugar and brown sugar. Stir in chocolate chips.

Serving method #1:

Mixture will be soft. Leave in bowl and refrigerate until mixture can be shaped into one or two balls. After mixture is firmer, roll the ball(s) in walnuts or pecans.

Serving method #2:

Mixture is so soft that it can be served in a dip. Simply place mixture in a bowl.

Serve with chocolate graham crackers.

What? You need a good book suggestion? Well check out my guest today, Ryan Jo Summers and her book When Clouds Gather.

When Clouds Gather by Ryan Jo Summers

Darby Adams has a successful Bed & Breakfast Inn, a wonderful son and a happy life in the coastal town of Driftwood Shores. Then a guest is found dead in one of her rooms. Suddenly she is the number one suspect and her world is spiraling out of control.

The surviving family wants answers so they hire new-in-town private investigator Sam Golden to undeniably prove her guilt and have her put away. Sam begins his new case in a dual role, in the guise of being Darby’s much needed friend while looking for the evidence to send her to prison.

Until strange things begin happening at the B & B–scary things. Finally Sam has to question his thoughts on her guilt or innocence. Meanwhile, Darby leans on Sam to weather each new challenge and threat. Feelings begin to develop between Darby and Sam. Until Sam is forced to tell Darby the truth about him, effectively destroying what trust they had.

Until a new threat forces Darby to trust Sam once more. She will bet her freedom and life on his skills, but can she trust her heart?

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Ryan donated a pair of hand-painted ceramic penguin holiday mugs, paired with a $5 Amazon card from Sophia Kimble to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Ryan Jo Summers is a North Carolina writer who pens contemporary romance blended with an unexpected twist. “Whispers in Her Heart’ combines mystery and horses with the mystical paranormal.

Her latest book out, “Shimmers of Stardust” combines Christian elements in a time travel love story. Next up will be “When Clouds Gather”, a romantic mystery.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter
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The post When Clouds Gather, I’m always looking for some fingerfood appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Eating small portions, but wanting to snack all the time. So appetizers are just awesome-sauce in my mind! Those little tidbits that let you try a bunch of different things without having to make the decision of what you really want to eat, cause you get to eat a bit of everything.

This is an appetizer that usually shows up at most of our family holiday gatherings and doesn’t stick around long. The kids even enjoy it- not caring one bit that they are actually getting some veggies in!

Vegetable Appetizer

2 pks crescent rolls                                                 1 pk cheddar cheese

1 8oz cream cheese                                                 Veggies: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots etc.

1 cup mayonnaise                                                   1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch party dip

Spread rolls and bake as directed, until light brown (350 degrees for 10-12 minutes). Let Cool. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and ranch dip and then spread over. Layer with veggies and cheese, pressing down lightly onto the cheese. Refrigerate. Cut into squares and serve and enjoy!

Now, enjoy this excerpt from my guest author, Linda O’Connor and her novel, Perfectly Honest.

Perfectly Honest by Linda O’Connor

You never know where your words will take you.

When Mikaela Finn agreed to be Sam’s ‘fiancée’ for a weekend, she probably should have told him that she’s a doctor.

Sam O’Brien, aka ‘Dr. Eye Candy’, is trying to shed his playboy reputation and convince a small town hospital that he’s ready to settle down. But when his ‘fiancée’ helps deliver a baby in the middle of the meet and greet, it’s a bit of a shock. If he’d known the whole truth, he might have done things a little differently because somehow his ‘fiancée’ ends up stealing his job and his heart. Not exactly the change he wanted.

Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven!

Perfectly Honest will be available at Amazon on January 14, 2015.

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Linda donated a $5 Amazon card and ebook copy of Perfectly Honest to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

I’ve been writing for three years, and I’m thrilled that Soul Mate Publishing will be publishing my latest novel, Perfectly Honest.I love reading romantic comedies so naturally that’s what I write. I never aspired to be a writer, but now I’m addicted. I love it. I balance writing with my work as a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic and being a mom to three sons (luckily grown and capable of throwing together a decent meal, in a pinch). Plus I like to keep active and cycle, cross-country ski, skate, walk with my husband, or dance every day.The idea to write came after working with young adults. There were some basics I thought they should know – mental health symptoms, birth control myths, how to take ownership of their health. I thought hey, if David Chilton of The Wealthy Barber fame can dole out financial advice in a barbershop, maybe I could dole out medical advice in a Romance novel. That’s how my first novel, She’s Not a Fan, was born.

For many years, I taught clinical skills to medical students and spent a lot of time writing detailed roles for actor-patients. It was great practice for developing characters in my stories. Joining the Romance Writers of America, taking online workshops, (and reading) all helped improve my writing. Medical school was challenging, but it was nothing compared to figuring out where commas go, POV, or sorting out verb tense (simple past, past perfect, past perfect progressive – did they know there were 25 other letters they could have used to name those things?)

Obviously I’m still learning, but I love the process.

I don’t write about people I know, but I definitely take inspiration from snippets of conversations or from the emotion I feel when I talk to people. My designated writing space is any place with a view of Lake Ontario, preferably outside (for three of the four seasons).

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

The post To be Perfectly Honest, I love appetizers appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.