Maxine Douglas Affairs of the Heart Newsletter

February 1, 2017

   It’s time for Valentine’s Day! I don't know about you, but the above song clip always tugs at my heart and makes me teary-eyed.

   Do you have your hearts and flowers evening planned out yet? For me it all depends on whether or not my hubby is home. Valentine’s Day is extra special as that was the day he proposed to me at work in the cafeteria! Boy-oh-boy, I was only 46 years old then. LOL. I had found my knight in shining armor and I’m not about to let him slip away from me.  

In this Issue:

©     Quote of the Month

©     Check This Out

©     Featured Author

©     New Releases

©     Author Recipe of the Month

©     Upcoming Book Signings/Appearances

©     Coming Next Month

Quote of the Month: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ~~ Lao Tzu (Chinese Philosopher)

Check This Out:  

My husband and I took our eldest son (we have two of each, all grown) to the Cotton Bowl for the Wisconsin—Northern Michigan game (their fans were just as loud as the Badger fans). The staff at AT&T Stadium were friendly and helpful. I’m not a Cowboys fan at all (Packers all the way baby, so sad they lost to the Falcons) so being in their stadium was strange. With Wisconsin on the field and getting the “W” the day was fabulous! Spending time with family was priceless.

Our local police department started a Citizen’s Police Academy on January 19 and running through March 23, when we will have graduation. The first night was introductions of the “training” officers and a tour of the station. The room was full and I’m excited for each Thursday night. We are going to be learning things like shoot or don’t shoot, domestic violence, defensive tactics, community policing, etc. It’s a great way to know what your local police do each time they are on your streets protecting you and your friends/family. If your local law enforcement offers this program, I highly recommend you sign up! 

Maxine’s Bookshelf

Featured Author:  Nicole Fitton

   Forbidden Colours was the evolution of a question that had been rattling around in my brain. You know, those annoying questions that wake you at 4am and won’t let you rest until you’ve written something. Well, that’s how it was for me. I had read a newspaper article about the complexity of the human brain and well, it all started from there. Forbidden Colours is a gripping love story which contains elements of psychological suspense. It contains enough adrenaline fueled drama to power the national grid! Once I had the protagonist Midori Yates firmly fixed in my mind's eye she took charge and dictated the direction of travel. I have a passion for science and being able to incorporate that into a book is very exciting. The story centres around a new drug being brought to market that does not quite do what it is supposed to…. I shall leave it at that. As I said earlier I started Forbidden Colours with a question and everything flowed from there. So, I know you want to know, what was the question? It’s a question I often ask myself but seldom has it led me in such an unusual direction…... ‘What if?’

What if your memories were not your memories?

What if the drug hailed as a cure became a curse and ultimately your destruction?

Midori Yates works for pharmaceutical giant KLD. The launch of new drug Centoria has revolutionised the treatment of amnesia, with outstanding results. Trials exploring its use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s are on the horizon. But is it really as good as the data suggests?

     Neurologist Dr. Nick Campbell has seen amazing results with his patients and is ready to believe in Centoria’s transformational abilities…that is until his patients start displaying strange and worrying symptoms with drastic results. Determined to uncover the truth, Midori and Nick find a conspiracy that is to have devastating consequences for both of them. A dark world threatens to engulf them. Can they survive?

Available on Amazon

New Releases This Month: 

February 1  Book 7 of the Adventures in Amethyst Series The first girl Bud Marasek loved was Briar Sankey. Years later, he married, had a daughter, and his wife died unexpectedly. He turns to Briar for help in raising Harper. As if for the first time, Briar sees the man who’s been there for her all along. http://www.karenwiesner.com Facebook | Angelfire | Writers Exchange		February 7 Book 1 of the Last Cold Case series A homicide detective and FBI agent, hunts a serial killer who collects and kills women annually during the summer solstice. https://www.mjlabeff.com  https://www.facebook.com/LaBeffMJ Twitter: @MJLaBeff
February 15 COVER COMING SOON Sinbad's Pride Book 4 of the Adventures of Sinbad series Sinbad wants to make his planet the power it once was.  The only problem is, the men who can help him want him to take his daughters as concubines...and wife Andi isn't wild about that idea. https://www.facebook.com/tvsweeney https://www.classactbooks.com https://www.classactbooks.blogspot.com		February 24  What is a Lady Lawyer to do with a fraudulent Mail-Order Bride Agency, Leap-Year, a charming but shy groom, and a bicycle built for two? www.KristinHolt.com Excerpt | Amazon
February 28 Jennie follows her family to the Wild West city of Deadwood. She meets Aiden, a gold prospector, along the way. Can a man who might have a vice as bad as her father ever claim her heart? www.kariTrumbo.com www.facebook.com/karitrumboauthor

Author Recipe of the Month:  Anni Fife

It’s February, the month of love. I adore chocolate, and this is my favorite chocolate indulgence. So there’s only one recipe that’s going to do the job—Chocolate Indulgence in a Cup! Whether you’re in the lustful first months of a new relationship, or a loving marriage that has stood up to life’s many knocks, chocolate is the one delicious constant that we can always rely on. This recipe is not just silky and decadent to eat, it is quick and easy to make. It is inspired from different recipe books but refined by my mother. The orange addition is my own. I like to serve it in espresso cups with two raspberries, but go ahead and express your inner Valentine, and serve it to suit your mood!

Chocolate Indulgence in a Cup

7 oz quality dark chocolate (I use 2 oz of orange dark chocolate to add a sultry orange flavor to the mousse.)

2 large egg yolks (keep 1 egg white)

½ pint single cream

¾ oz butter

3 tablespoons of either premium brandy, or if you like the orange flavor like me, Cointreau or any good orange liqueur

1. Heat the cream until nearly boiling. It’s best to use a thick-bottomed saucepan
2. While the cream is heating up, break your chocolate into smaller pieces.
3. Remove the cream from the heat. Sing half your favorite song, and then add the chocolate to the cream. Stir and sing, and don’t stop until the mixture is silky smooth.
4. Beat in your egg yolks and add the brandy or Cointreau.
5. If the mixture is still hot, sing your second favorite song…when the mixture is cooler, add the butter. Stir until silky smooth again. Tip: If the mixture splits, let it cool further, then add a little milk and whisk hard.
6. Beat the egg white and fold it into the mixture. This will lighten the mousse.
7. Pour into espresso cups or individual serving dishes (keep portions small).
   

 Tip: Cover with plastic wrap and you can store in the fridge for at least 2 days

(Serves 4)

Anni Fife is the exciting debut author of Luke’sRedemption, a contemporary romantic suspense—steamy!—released November 2016. It is already receiving 5-star reviews from popular bloggers. But Anni’s favorite review is from an Amazon Reader:

“Whew! Honestly one of the sexiest books I have read. This book is like a really good thriller that surprises you on Sunday night TV: you start, next minute you are hooked and stay up way past your bedtime to see how it ends. And those steamy sex scenes… yes.”

To read more about Luke’s Redemption and Anni Fife visit her website

Upcoming Book Signings / Appearances:

• Third Saturday of the Month:  OKRWAMeeting, Oklahoma City, OK
• January 18—March23 (Thursdays):  Chickasha PD Citizens Police Academy, Chickasha, OK
• February 11, 2017:  Pioneer Hearts Reader Appreciation Luncheon, WinStar World Casino and Golf Resort, Thackerville, OK
• July 14-17, 2017:  A Weekend With The Authors, Nashville, TN

Coming Next Month:  Hywela Lyn and a few March holidays.

With much gratitude, until next time…keep reading.

Maxine

Spark your imagination and entice your mind

Be adventurous in your own mind

Take a journey into a new world and be inspired

Enjoy the pleasures of reading ~~

It does the mind and body good.

 Above photo from Pinterest

Blake Shelton - Austin (Official Video) found on YouTube