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!

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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!

 

 

Against the Magic by Donna K Weaver

Reese Hamilton has big plans to help make the world a better place and a new job lined up to help her do it. Before starting work, she heads to England for a Regency immersive experience. She doesn’t expect her best friend to invite her heart-destroying brother to join them. Two years hasn’t been long enough for Reese to forget him. Then fae magic rips them back to 1850. It’s a time when women have few rights. It’s also a time when a determined woman could make a difference, with the right man at her side. Reese finds she will have to choose between two men and two times.

Jem Taylor messed up big when he walked away from Reese to pursue his dream job. He hasn’t been able to forget her and jumps at his sister’s invitation. Suddenly hurtled into Victorian England, he has the chance to woo Reese again. But to do it, he’ll have to fight the magic that brought her to 1850 and an Earl with the means to keep her there.

 

“I don’t usually like time travel novels but the humor, banter and the attraction kept me enthralled. A great love story with a little history lesson, a happy ending and a hook.” ~K.B.

“A magical read” ~ Jennifer Soppe

“And where might you be going, Miss Hamilton?” The Earl surveyed the items stacked behind her.

“To your tenant village, my lord.” When his gaze darted to hers, she arched a brow, daring him to stop her.

“My tenants are none of your business.” His voice had turned hard, unrelenting.

“One visit there showed me they have been none of your business either,” she said sharply before remembering he could stop her efforts right now. “My lord.”

The Earl shot her another of his hard glances. “I shall accompany you then.” He waved to the groom. “In the back.” When the young man had vacated the seat beside her, Gareth took his place. He snapped the whip and the horse surged forward. “I have not visited there in years.”

“That was obvious,” Reese muttered. “Do you have someone handle the management of your estate for you?”

“Yes.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “My man of business.”

“You might want to consider hiring a new one then,” she said, “because I’m underwhelmed.”

“Underwhelmed,” the Earl repeated. “I don’t believe I have heard that word before. Is it something you Americans invented?”

“Yankee ingenuity,” she said.

“Yankee arrogance, I would say.”

“Americans don’t have a monopoly on arrogance.” Reese kept her face forward.

 

 

Author Donna K. Weaver

Award-winning author, wife, mother, grandmother, Harry Potter geek, Army veteran, karate black belt, and online gamer girl.

 

 

Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 3/12/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Thirty-Two Going on Spinster by Becky Monson

Julia Dorning is a spinster, or at least on the road to becoming one. She has no social life, hates her career, and lives in her parent’s basement with her cat, Charlie.

With the arrival of Jared Moody, the new hire at work, Julia’s mundane life is suddenly turned upside down. Her instant (and totally ridiculous) crush on the new guy causes Julia to finally make some long-overdue changes, in hopes to find a life that includes more than baking and hanging out with Charlie.

But when the biggest and most unexpected change comes, will the new and improved Julia be able to overcome it? Or will she go back to her spinster ways?

 

 

 

Thirty-Three Going on Girlfriend by Becky Monson

Julia Dorning thought she would die a lonely spinster. That was until nine months ago, when her world was turned upside down. Now she’s got a dream career as a bakery owner, and a relationship with handsome Jared Moody—a life she never thought possible.

Just as she’s starting to feel comfortable in her new life, Julia is invited to battle it out on national television making cupcakes. An amazing opportunity, if she can muster up the confidence to do it, that is. Then, out of the blue, Jared goes and throws a rather large wrench in their relationship causing Julia to have to make some big decisions.With her two trusted confidants off in wedding la la land, Julia is on her own to figure everything out.

Left to her own devices, will Julia be able to work things out for herself? Or will she make a disaster of it all? Find out in Becky Monson’s sequel to Thirty-Two Going on Spinster!

 

 

 

Thirty-Four Going on Bride by Becky Monson

Julia Dorning is about to lose it. Between her over-the-top wedding that her sister, Anna, took upon herself to create, and the under-staffed popular bakery that she runs, she can barely find time to breathe.

All Julia ever wanted was a quaint wedding on the beach with family and friends. But now Julia has to contend with not only her sister’s plans, but those of her future mother-in-law, as well. Not wanting to step on anyone’s toes, especially her mother-in-law’s, Julia just goes along with it.

She can only take so much, though, and when her newest employee, Kate, makes things harder at the bakery, Julia has to find a way to simplify her life.

Can she do it or will she end up a basket case? Find out how she does it in this hilarious conclusion to the Spinster series!

 

 

 

 

 

“Becky Monson has given readers a light concoction that they won’t want to put down.” -InD’tale Magazine

“Dear fans of Bridget Jones, Sophie Kinsella, and Marian Keyes, I have found an American author for you to meet and watch!” -Andi’s Book Reviews

“This is true Chick Lit…relatable, quirky, and downright hilarious.” -Brookeblogs.com

 

TAKING A CHANCE is a fun romantic comedy novella!

Liza Parker has a fear of heights, crowds and small spaces. So what’s a girl like her doing on a crowded elevator going to the top of the Empire State Building? Freaking out, that’s what she’s doing.

Enter Jay Sanders, a tourist who thinks he might be able to help Liza face her fears, but she has to be willing to spend the day with a complete stranger. Maybe taking a chance on Jay is just what Liza needs.

Author Becky Monson

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. An award-winning* author, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.

 

 

 

 

 

Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 3/11/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway