Monday, December 19, 2011

Rachael Johns is challenging us to a (yummy) snowball fight and has a book to give away

**Giveaway is now closed**

Congratulations to Rachael Johns! Today is the publication day for her novel, "One Perfect Night." We are delighted she is here today to share with us her success, along with her fun-and messy-holiday recipe. You can definitely say Rachael is one pretty busy lady. She is a wife, 24/7 mom to three children, supermarket owner and a retired teacher. Since she has joined the Romance Writers of Australia, she has received numerous awards and has been a finalist in a bunch of contests.

She's giving away ONE e-copy of "One Perfect Night" to a lucky reader anywhere in the world.

You can visit Rachael at her website, blog, Facebook and Twitter.


Synopsis of "One Perfect Night":
Peppa Grant’s fellow employees may call their new CEO Mr. McSexy, but she’s also heard that he’s aloof and distant. Cameron McCormac certainly seems cold toward Christmas when she meets him at the company’s annual party...but he’s also the sexiest man Peppa has ever seen. And when he offers to forgive the damage she accidentally caused to his expensive car in exchange for accompanying him to his family’s holiday get-together, she agrees.

Cameron needs a date to the family party to get his matchmaking relatives off his back. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, leading to an incredible one-night stand. But Peppa wants love and family, while Cameron’s only interested in temporary pleasure. When their relationship takes an unexpectedly serious turn, will he run the other way—or will he give love a second chance?

When I think of Christmas I think of spending time with my family and watching my kids delight in the plethora of joys – presents, food, Christmas Carols, waiting for Santa, taking part in the school nativity play, decorating the tree. So, when it comes to cooking for Christmas and organizing presents for people beforehand, I like to involve my three boys as much as possible.

This year, we decided to make their teachers little baskets of home-made goodies. I’d like to share with you one of our favourite, easy-to-make and even easier-to-eat Christmas treats. This time round I made it with my two youngest and we had a BALL!


White Chocolate-Coconut Snowballs

Ingredients:
• 250g plain sweet biscuits
• ½ cup desiccated coconut
• 50 grams chopped glace cherries (we’re not cherry fans so we chopped raspberry jelly sweets instead)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can (395g) sweetened condensed milk
• 375g packet of white chocolate melts
• 2 teaspoons desiccated coconut

Method:• Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Put biscuits in food processor and process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to large bowl. Add coconut, cherries, vanilla and milk. Stir until well combined.
• Using damp hands, roll 1 teaspoon of mixture into a ball. Place on tray. Repeat with remaining mixture. Freeze for 1 hour.
• Place chocolate in heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on MEDIUM for 3 to 4 minute, stirring halfway during cooking with a metal spoon or until melted and smooth.
• Dip each ball into melted chocolate and then coat with coconut.
• Refrigerate until set. Serve.

Warning: Be prepared for a lot of MESS if doing this with young children

Thanks to Rachael for sharing her recipe with us and her book with one of our lucky readers.

How to win "One Perfect Night":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is your idea of a "perfect night?"
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends December 26th at midnight EST.

14 comments:

Stephanie said...

A perfect day would be me being able to have a day that's free of chaos.

I'm a gfc follower.

skk25@aol.com

Jeryl M. said...

A perfect night would be one with no screaming kids who don't listen, a husband who is happy and in a good mood. and time and energy to actually get done with everything that needs to be done for a change.

I am a subscriber.

I am a Facebook follower.

Rachael Johns said...

I hear ya Stephanie - that sounds like BLISS!!

Yay MeandMom I like your suggestion too! Very much :)

Amy said...

A perfect day would be lying on the beach on Maui. That's it. Now I just need someone to fund my trip :)

I'm a gfc follower

amyrbromberg (at) gmail (dot) com

StereoQueenBee said...

1. Please tell us: What is your idea of a "perfect night?"

A night spend with my love.

2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).

Already follow.

3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.

Facebook - Sabrina-Kate Eryou
Twitter - stereoqueenbee

4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

Am a member.

queenofcrunk at gmail dot com

Rachael Johns said...

Amy and Stereo Queen Bee - you are both ladies after my own heart! Two perfect nights :)

Anonymous said...

a terfect night for me , would be snuggled up warm with my hubby , chocs and wine and watch a nice
grahams.mum@hotmail.co.uk

Anjana said...

Heya!

Anjana Vasan

vasan.anjana@gmail.com

My idea of a perfect night is a night without any work/other commitments, just me, a good book & some hot cocoa curled up in the couch.

*sigh* I haven't got to do that in ages!

Already a follower!

Tweeted about it : https://twitter.com/#!/anjanavasan/status/149519680418230272

Facebooked about it too : https://www.facebook.com/anjana.vasan

Already joined you on FB!

Rachael Johns said...

HI Graham's mum - LOVE your perfect night. Seems at heart, we are all quite easy to please :)

Hi Anjana - I am SO there with you for your perfect night. Promise I won't make a squeak, I'll just read beside you!

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this
book.

A perfect night for me would be snuggled up on my recliner with a good book, warm drink and my little dog...with all the other dogs put to bed for the night so they don't bother me. Right now there are 3 on my lap and one behind my head.

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Rachael Johns said...

LOL Linda - sounds like a good night but HOW many dogs do you have??

Kristen said...

A perfect day... it used to be filled with all kinds of activities, but now I think it's a day where I don't HAVE to do a thing.

I follow on email and db.

Kly(dot)327(at)gmail.com

Kristen said...

I'm learning how to post from a new toy. Sorry if this goes twice!

Perfect night is a night you don't HAVE to do anything!

I follow on email and db.

Kly(dot)327@gmail.com

Rachael Johns said...

I LOVE your idea of the perfect night Kristen :)