Maxine Douglas Affairs of the Heart Newsletter

April 1, 2016

April showers bring May flowers! I hope your garden grows in abundance this spring. Reminder Passover begins at sunset on the 22^nd. Also, if you have a personal assistant/administrative assistance remember to show him/her how much you appreciate all they do for you on the 27^th by taking them out to lunch, sending flowers, giving them a card, or simply telling them how much you appreciate them. That kindness will go a long way.

In this Issue:

Quote of the Month

Featured Author

April Traditions

Recipe of the Month

News

Upcoming Book Signings/Appearances

Coming Next Month

Quote of the Month: “The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.” ~~ Christopher Columbus (1451-1506)

Featured Author: Beth Overmyer

I’ve always liked time travel (blame Back to the Future), and I enjoy children’s books, so writing a time travel book for tweens seemed like a no-brainer. The original draft had a cat at the center of Charlie’s travels through time, but Thomasin was written out before the first draft was completed. As for inspiration for my characters…they really just popped out of my imagination

Charlie Pickle can’t stay put in the year 1920, due to an annoying habit of time-traveling. On a trip back to 1910, he meets a man with a secret. Murder makes the headlines that day, and Charlie’s new friend knows who the guilty party is. Now, not only does Charlie have bullies and murderers to contend with, he’s got some history to fix.

Charlie swallowed so hard he felt his Adam’s apple bob. “What’s wrong? Do you know that guy?”

Even as Charlie spoke, the man waved. His countenance was unpleasant and all wrinkled as if he’d led a rough sort of life. His slicked-back salt-and-pepper locks were tucked under a black cap, and he listed to the right as he walked.

“I need you to go away, Charlie. Pretend you were begging from me or something,” Henry whispered.

Charlie’s brow crinkled. “But why?” He didn’t want to leave Henry alone, and to be honest, he didn’t want to be by himself just then. Though the approaching man was small compared to Henry, there was something menacing about him.

Henry turned on Charlie. “Beat it, kid, I don’t have any money. Can’t you see that—oh, hello.”

“Who’s your little friend here?” asked the stranger, a smirk settling onto his face. He didn’t give Henry a chance to answer. “What’s your name, son? Is old Henry your pal?”

“I don’t know him,” said Henry, totally blasé. “Just some stray. Didn’t I tell you to beat it, kid?” Henry glared down at Charlie, which would have been convincing if his eyes weren’t so full of panic.

The smirk on the stranger’s face became even more pronounced. “Nice try, Henry. Why didn’t you tell me you had a son? Boss wants to know such things.”

It felt as though a lump of ice had descended into the pit of Charlie’s stomach. He knew that voice; he had heard it on his first trip to that week in 1910. It was Karl, the man who’d wanted to kill the snitch.

Amazon / MuseItUp Publishing / B&N

April Facts: “April was the second month in an early Roman calendar, but became the fourth when the ancient Romans started using January as the first month. The Romans called the month Aprilis. It may come from a word meanting [sic] ‘to open’, or it may come from Aphrodite, the Greek name for the goddess of love.

Small animals that hibernate are usually coming out of their burrows in April. The birds fly back northward or they settle down to have their families. The bees and butterflies begin to gather nectar from the first flowers of the season. . . .”

Continue reading at Entourages

Below are more fun facts about April:

· Global Child Nutrition Month

· Humor Month

· Mathematics Awareness Month

· The Revolutionary War in America began on April 19, 1755.

· April 23rd is known as the Feast day of the Patron Saint of England.

· On April 4, 1818, a flag that contained 1 star for each state and 13 stripes was adopted by Congress.

· On April 6, 1917 the United States declared war on Germany in World War I.

· On April 4, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed.

· On April 11, 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island of Elba and he was abdicated as Emperor of the French.

See more at Famous Birthdays

More April Links:

· Pop Culture Madness

· Ten Facts

· The Free Source

· History Place

· Food Calendar

Recipe of the Month:

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich

3 Tbsp butter, softened

½ lb(s) mushrooms, your favorite kind, sliced thinly

Coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper

1 ½ Tbsp chopped fresh sage

8 slices country bread

⅓ lb(s) fontina cheese, grated

4 thin slices grilled pancetta

1. In a large frying pan, heat 1 tbsp. of the butter on medium heat.

2. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper.

3. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

4. Stir in the fresh sage.

5. Put the mushrooms in a bowl and wipe out the pan.

6. Butter one side of four slices of bread with the softened butter.

7. Put them buttered side down on a cutting board.

8. Top the unbuttered top of the bread with 1/2 the amount of cheese, then the pancetta and then mushrooms.

9. Top with the remaining cheese

10. Butter one side of the remaining bread slices.

11. Place on top of the cheese buttered side up.

12. Heat the frying pan on medium-low heat.

13. Add the sandwiches and cook, turning once, until golden and the cheese is melted, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Food Network

News:

Now FREE on Kindle Unlimited:

Affairs of the Heart: Excerpts of Eternally Yours, Knight to Remember, Blood Ties, Rings of Paradise, Road Angel, The Queen published novels/novellas by MuseItUp Publishing, plus sneak peeks at works in progress.

By the Blue Moon (Book 1, Blue Moon Magic Series): Inspired by the “beast” believed to be living in the Kettle Moraine Forest in south-central Wisconsin, the BLUE MOON MAGIC Series takes you into an erotic world where werewolves live amongst humans, and as they have for hundreds of years...we just didn’t know it!

In BY THE BLUE MOON, Chastity, the eldest of the Langford sisters, is coming into her wolfen heat and is trying to come to grips with her sudden infatuation with sex. Justin Matthews has finally been summoned by Charles Langford to claim his life-mate during the mating ritual of the Blue Moon. But there is a war brewing in the wolfen societies. Rowan Angus, leader of the lesser Beta clan, wants the Langford sisters for his breeding program and Charles dead. Who will survive the night of Blue Moon?

There are two more sisters and a long-lost brother dying to tell you their stories in Books 2 through 4. This collection contains adult language/situations, as well as highly erotic situations. This is the last book published as Debi Wilder.

Nashville Rising Star (Book 1 of the Nashville Duet): There were only three of them left now—Casey Montgomery from Oklahoma, the darling Emerald Braun, and Utah Sheridan. By this time next week, Utah was banking on only two left standing before the show even started. Emerald Braun wouldn’t be one of them. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. Everything he’d wanted the past few years depends on this...and what’s inside it. Unlike older brother James, Utah Sheridan intends to win Nashville Rising Star at all costs; will his bribe be the end of Emerald Braun?

Nashville By Morning (Book 2 of the Nashville Duet): Heather Jones is a frustrated writer who falls in love with the southern ways and decides to stay, intending to break into the country music business.

James Sheridan is the son of a legendary performer, and the total opposite of younger brother Utah, strives to make it on his own. After a breakout song is recorded a Montana storm causes an accident and James leaves the tour bus, and his band, in search of help. Instead he encounters the harsh storm and becomes lost.

Upcoming Book Signings / Appearances: