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What if characters could talk?  Communicate with the world outside their novels?  What would they say?

Just for fun, I decided to give my heroine Samantha Rawlings a voice outside her current starring role in LUST ON THE ROCKS.

So Sam, tells us a bit about yourself.

I practice law in a Miamihigh rise and where my office window overlooks beautiful Biscayne Bay.  Currently I’m on track to make partner—just have to prove myself on this one last case.  Other than that, my life is perfect.  I have freedom, money, and a slew of handsome men to choose from when I want companionship—and trust me, I want companionship—the hotter the better.

Betwewen you and Dianne, who is the giver and who is the taker? 

Well to be honest—which I always am—I’m a bit of both.  I take what I want, when I want it, but I’m the selfless sort when it comes to my friends and family and Dianne?  She doesn’t ask for much.  So when she does, I usually try an honor her requests.  Problem is, in this current novel that she’s written, Lust on the Rocks (I do like the title), she’s asking a hell of a lot from me.  Quite frankly, I’m not real sure I’m willing to give that much.  But we’ll see.  I’m open-minded, if I’m anything so I’m willing to play along!

If Dianne could spend her earnings from the sale of your current release, what would she buy? 

The woman enjoys fine wine but usually won’t spend the money to buy the good stuff.  She’s kinda cheap that way.  Says she’d rather drink water than cheap wine.  If I could, I’d buy her a case of her favorite Chardonnay (the Cabernet she likes is a bit pricey, even for me!) but if you ask me, the woman should definitely allot a chunk of her profits for good wine. Life’s too short, know what I mean?

If roles were reversed, what story would you cast Dianne in?

Something about an insane asylum—the woman’s schedule is nuts!  I don’t know how she accomplishes half of what she does, what, with two kids, a writing career, stay-at-home mom duties…  On top of that she insists on volunteering and don’t even get me started on that garden of hers—insane! Completely insane.  But she seems to like it, so I’d make the story fun.  Anyone who knows me knows I do like to have fun!

Tell us something about Dianne she’s unlikely to share. 

She reads palms.  She won’t tell you, because the minute she does, a line begins to form.  Now me?  I love the esoteric side of life!  My spirituality is a big part of who I am and I’d read palms just for the sheer voyeuristic quality to the encounter! But her?  It’s one of those things she’d rather forgo altogether, simply because it’s easier.  Sissy.

Do you have any bad habits?  How about Dianne?

I’d say martinis, except for the fact they bring me so much pleasure, I can’t possibly make the connection that they could be bad for me.  Illogical.  Now Dianne?  She makes piles in an effort to stay organized, but ends up forgetting what the heck she put where and loses ten minutes leafing through the darn things to find what she needs!  Did I mention she has insanity tendencies? 

What is your favorite food, drink, holiday, film, book, color?

My favorite food is a colossal meaty Reuben (reminds me of my current man), martinis (is there anything else?), Christmas (I have lots of nieces and nephews—not to mention my kids down at the Boys and Girls club to shower gifts upon), I don’t watch movies or have a lot of time to read, though if I did, it would be spiritual books with meaning as opposed to reading for entertainment (I AM the entertainment!) and my favorite color?  Red—on my lips, on my nails, in my attire and everywhere else in between.  Love it.  You didn’t ask me about my favorite music, but it’s Flamenco.

What are some of Dianne’s favorites?

Favorite food is anything sweet and her drink of choice is coffee in the a.m., water during the day and of course, a touch of Chardonnay with dinner.  Her favorite holiday would have to be fall, everything from Halloween straight into Christmas (kids and family and all that) while her favorite film changes.  Recently, it’s The Fugitive (I know, it’s a repeat, but she didn’t have time to see in the theaters).  It’s very action-packed with what I agree is a very honorable premise (man vows to hunt down the man who murdered his wife and bring him to justice).  Her favorite book?  Too many too choose from, but Atlas Shrugged remains memorable, The Davinci Code was exciting and you know the woman reads anything romance—probably because she’s been with the same man for sixteen years.  God knows if I spent that time with one man I’d need some fantasy romance escape!  Her favorite color is easy.  Fuchsia, or as I like to refer to it: hot pink, baby.  The hotter the better!

Would you and creator live or move in same circles?

Unlikely.  Outside of my volunteer hours with the kids over at the Boys and Girls club—and my own circus of nieces and nephews—I steer clear of children.  Had enough of the dreamboats when I was young, mind you (tends to happen when you’re the oldest and free when it comes to babysitting).

Give us a review of your book!

The book stars me so of course, it’s good.  Sexy, fast-paced, gorgeous man (he’s mine, but you can fantasize) and because Dianne insisted, a sub-plot is included just to make things more difficult for me.  She knows how protective I am when it comes to my family and well, let’s just say things get complicated for me in this book.  Makes no sense to me—I mean, I told the woman I could sell some mean erotica, but she didn’t bite.  Unfortunately, it’s not the book of her heart. *sigh* Maybe she’ll reconsider for a future book.  I could make her millions…

We see you again?

You bet your bottom you will—people love me!  Dianne would be a fool not to include sweet little old me in future stories and while she does tend toward—crazy!—she’s not stupid.  You’ll see me again.  Next book you’ll find me faithfully advising my pal Sydney Flores on her love and career decisions.  (I’m a fix-it kinda gal!)  And this is one story you don’t want to miss.  While mine is hot in a sexual sort of way, hers is 100% sensual and all-consuming “want” to the point that if you’re anything like me, you’ll drag that man by his ear to the bedroom.  (For God’s sake—I don’t have all day—let’s get to business!) Hmph.  To each his own, I guess.

Need a good reason to grow eggplant? Start with this amazing breakfast sandwich. That’s what I do as a Central Florida gardener. Eggplant is super easy to grow and delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eggplant loves our warm climate. And I love eggplant! But at times I grow tired of eating sautéed eggplant, Italian style, and prefer to mix it up a bit. I like to vary my diet and I’ve recently discovered the most delicious way to serve up this gem. Meet the Eggplant-Egg Breakfast Sandwich.

I sautéed two slices of eggplant in olive oil, adding a dash of salt and pepper during the process. (Above the eggplant is pictured sliced in lengths, but for my sandwich, I sliced in rounds for a better “fit.”) Once golden brown, I removed the eggplant from the pan and set it aside on a plate. In the same pan, I sautéed two cups of fresh spinach in olive oil along with a few dashes of garlic powder until soft, then set it aside on the plate. In the same pan, I fried an egg in prepared garlic butter and then set it aside, too. I cooked my egg over medium, so the yolk wouldn’t drain from my sandwich. Finally came the bread. I used a thick slice of bakery fresh multi-grain bread (12 grain seeded variety) and sautéed it in the same pan, grilled cheese style, using another dollop of garlic butter. For this recipe, I used prepared garlic butter, but you can create your own by adding garlic salt, garlic powder, salt and fresh basil to softened butter.

My sandwich was layered bread in the order: egg, eggplant, spinach, eggplant and topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. I deleted a bread top for an open-faced sandwich meal. This egg sandwich was amazingly delicious!!

Today the 7th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop begins! Oh, how I LOVE spring. Not only do April showers bring out the best in my flowers, my vegetable garden is brimming with beautiful bounty!! Woohoo! But I digress. You’re here for wonderful gardening tips and fabulous recipes and you’ve come to the right place. I’m about to share you THE most decadent healthy dessert you’ve ever unleashed on your taste buds. I’m not kidding. Have you heard of the “raw” eating health craze? It’s basically where you consume all your food in its purest, raw form. Nothing cooked that could kill the nutritional value. Nothing artificial or unhealthy. This recipe is the bomb.

An adaptation of a recipe created by Debbie Waddell, Vegan Brownie Bites, I’ve added a twist. A non-vegan twist, (unless you use non-dairy whipped cream), this dish will fool even the most discriminating chocolate lovers. 

HEALTHY BROWNIE PARFAIT

1/2 Cup Walnuts (or Pecans)

2 TBSP Unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 Cup Medjool Dates pitted

2 TBSP Raw Cacao Powder

1/4 tsp Pure Vanilla extract

1/4 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Honey

1 TBSP Crushed raspberries

Dollop of whip cream

PREPARATION

Place the nuts in a food processor and blend until almost a flour consistency.  Add the remaining ingredients and process until the mixture forms a dough like consistency. Using your hands, take a small amount and roll into a ball. Wedge into the bottom of a small glass. Spoon raspberries over brownie and top with whipped dream. Delicious!

The recipe will make approximately 8-1 inch balls of dough. I actually used 2 balls of dough for this dessert glass (size of a shot glass).

Can be stored in the refrigerator for several days–though it won’t last!!

Prefer to remain vegan and eliminate the cream? No worries! It’s just as decadent without it.

Now for my giveaway. For my stop on the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop, you have a chance to win a Bloem Box rose and lavender scented organic sachet, petit butterfly note pad, and a box of floral-themed note cards and envelopes.

Enter for your chance to win via the Rafflecopter below. Thanks for taking part in our blog hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You are also eligible to win the grand prize eReader (value $200). To win the grand prize, you MUST visit each and every author/blogger on the hop. Each site will post the links of participating authors but please feel free to reference my site to find the author link list at any point in time. Some authors might offer more than one entry to win, ie. a “follow” on Twitter or a “tweet,” maybe even a visit to their Facebook or Pinterest page, however only one entry is required to enter.

Don’t want to enter a particular giveaway on the hop? No worries. Simply enter grand prize giveaway here, then leave a comment in the author’s comment section of their Authors in Bloom post and you’ll remain eligible to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Giveaway ends April 27th at 11:59 PM EST. Open to Legal Residents (18 years of age or older) of the US only. Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. Winner will be selected by Rafflecotper.com and be notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that Dianne Venetta, host of the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop, is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you in obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you. The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.” VOID where prohibited by law.

Now get hopping, you have a bunch more chances to win!