Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Dana Bate bakes a delicious treat...plus a book giveaway

We're so glad to have Dana Bate back at CLC for a third visit! She recently published her third novel, Too Many Cooks, in the US and to celebrate, Kensington has THREE copies for some lucky readers in the US and/or Canada!

Since Dana's last visit, I had the opportunity to interview her for the Jewish Food Experience. Then the rugelach recipe she shared was selected as a favorite by a local synagogue's sisterhood! She's here today to talk about food as well, and is helping us kick off our "Something Sweet" month!

To learn more about Dana and her books, visit her at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Synopsis of Too Many Cooks:
When Kelly Madigan is offered a job abroad right after reading a letter from her late mother urging her to take more risks, she sees it as a sign. Kelly's new ghostwriting assignment means moving to London to work for Natasha Spencer--movie star, lifestyle guru, and wife of a promising English politician. As it turns out, Natasha is also selfish, mercurial, and unwilling to let any actual food past her perfect lips.

Still, in between testing dozens of kale burgers and developing the perfect chocolate mousse, Kelly is having adventures. Some are glamorous; others, like her attraction to her boss's neglected husband, are veering out of control. Kelly knows there's no foolproof recipe for a happy life. But how will she know if she's gone too far in reaching for what she wants? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

Favorite holiday for dessert or candy and favorite dessert or candy from that holiday: 
Thanksgiving...and pie. Any kind of pie. PIE PIE PIE.

Favorite sweet drink: 
Red Jacket strawberry apple juice. Addictive.

Favorite movie involving dessert or candy? 
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! (Waitress is also a great one. Because...PIE.)

Favorite dessert to have at a restaurant: 
Something warm and fruity with ice cream on top (ex: warm apple crumble with a melty scoop of vanilla ice cream).

Favorite kind of muffin: 
The millet muffin from Metropolitan Bakery in Philadelphia. I love it so much I even worked a version into my second book.

If you could invent a new dessert, what are three must-have ingredients and what would it be called?
For me, a perfect dessert -- the kind of indulgence I dream about -- needs a balance of salty/sweet, creamy/crunchy, and rich/light. There are infinite ingredients that could achieve that balance, but combining toasted/salted nuts, whipped cream, and brown butter with other baking ingredients will almost always result in deliciousness. As for a name...I'm terrible at that kind of thing. Maybe "X-Rated" because it would be that sinfully delicious.

Thanks to Dana for making our mouths water and to Kensington for sharing her latest book with our readers!

~Introduction by Melissa Amster

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

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US/Canada only. Giveaway ends November 8th at midnight EST.

20 comments:

Janine said...

I like Thanksgiving because I love pumpkin pie and pecan pie

Patricia said...

I miss my grandmother's holiday cookies so much.

Anonymous said...

I love pumpkin pie topped with cool whip, home made fudge that me & my husband make over Thanksgiving & Christmas. Linda May

Suburban prep said...

I like the eggnog chocolate chip cheesecake bars I make and I also like the pumpkin crisp that we make.

Unknown said...

I have to say Christmas for chocolate chip cookies. My weakness. Mine are the best. Just sayin'. For the record, I can't even make them anymore, but my son does a marvelous job.

Letty Blanchard said...

That's a tough one because I love Thanksgiving desserts, pumpkin pie and pecan pie, and Christmas because I LOVE making and eating cookies. Especially my Mexican Wedding Cookies.

traveler said...

I enjoy Apple Cake for Chanukah since it is very special, tasty and soothing and the holiday is filled with fun.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I love pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving!

jpetroroy said...

Mint brownies on Christmas Eve.

Rita Wray said...

Love Thanksgiving and pumpkin pie.

susieqlaw said...

Thanksgiving
Pecan pie

Bonnie K. said...

I always have to have the pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. While Thanksgiving is enjoyable, my favorite holiday is Christmas. There are so many options for desserts but for fun, I always like having the plum pudding with brandy poured on it and then lit up. Beautiful.
bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I like the cut out frosted sugar cookies at Christmas.

bn100 said...

apple pie

Melanie Backus said...

I am a chocolate pie lover anytime. It is always special to me so I really enjoy it at Christmas when everyone is together.

Linda Kish said...

Thanksgiving because of the pumpkin pie.

Grandma Cootie said...

Christmas - peppermint bark.

rhonda said...

Pecan pie whip cream

Kathy E. said...

I like Valentines Day because there is always something chocolate to indulge in! I love chocolate cheesecake!

Nova said...

I love Easter because of PEEPS & PHILADELPHIA Easter Mini Cheesecakes!