Starts today! Hosted by I Am A Reader Not a Writer, this blog hop is all about giving gratitude for our blessings, and mine include YOU. Authors go nowhere without readers and we value you your time and attention immensely.

For my spot on the hop, I’m giving away a $10 gift card for Amazon, iTunes, Nook, Google Play–you name the reading spot and I’m in! And because it’s the holidays, I’d like to share a wonderful recipe with you for the holidays…

Ashley’s REAL Pumpkin Pie

(Ashley is a spitfire character in my holiday novel, LADD CHRISTMAS, now available for ereaders)

3 cups cooked pumpkin, mashed

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp ground ginger

Note: you may use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon, cloves, allspice & ginger

1/2 tsp salt (optional – I didn’t use)

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cans (12 oz.) evaporated milk

Pie pastry – use store-bought or make your own!

Mix ingredients well using a hand blender or mixer.  Pour mix into pie shells, about 1/2 in. from top.  If soupy, don’t worry – it will firm up during the baking process.  Bake pie at 425°F for the first 15 minutes, then turn temperature down to 350°F and bake another 45 – 60 minutes, until a knife inserted comes out clean.  For my convection oven, it’s closer to 35 – 40 minutes.

Enjoy warm or chilled, whipped cream or ice cream.  Let your taste buds be the boss! This recipe is included in the back of my novel, Ladd Christmas — all of my books include recipes in the back (because I love to eat!).

Another delicious recipe for this time of year is Cranberry Orange Bread. This stuff is amazing, truly, and our much-anticipated holiday teacher gift!) It and other recipes are available on my garden blog, BloominThyme.

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Today begins my Facebook Release Party for Silver Creek! Not Without You is book one and goes live on November 11th at all your favorite retail outlets. To celebrate, I’m hosting a party, dishing out Colorado trivia and of course–giveaways. What fun is a party without party favors?

Not much in my world! So be sure and stop by any time this week, M-F, on my Facebook page and join the fun. Know something about Colorado? Do share! My guess is there will be a bunch of new tourists to the state come 2015 after this shindig.

Also releasing on November 11th is Ladd Christmas. It’s a reunion of sorts, where you’ll catch up with all of your favorite characters as well as get a taste of what’s to come. **wink, wink** And DO try your hand at making REAL pumpkin pie this season–it’s easy & delicious! You can find full details on my garden blog.

Looking forward to seeing you this week! And please share–the more the merrier always applies to parties. :)

Twitter/Facebook Blast $229 Giveaway

22 bloggers, authors & publishers have joined together to offer you 1 fabulous prize.

The winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HDX 7″ or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!

For all those who hate the long rafflecopters you should appreciate the fact that this one is much shorter. Just liking on facebook, following on twitter, a free entry and 2 options to share the giveaway make this much faster to enter.

Win a Kindle Fire HDX 7″, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HDX (US Only – $229 Value)

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

Each of these bloggers/authors paid to help sponsor this giveaway.

Sponsor List

1. I Am A Reader
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Life of a Writer
4. Elizabeth Isaacs
5. Book Lovers Life
6. Jo Noelle
7. Pauline Creeden, Author
8. SFK Books
9. LeahSay’s Views
10. More Than A Review
11. Mama Monkey
12. Dianne Venetta
13. Bonnie Blythe’s Pure Romance
14. Bella Street Weird Romance
15. BookBunnyPR
16. Hope with Q
17. Danyelle Ferguson
18. Words Wit and Wisdom
19. Katie’s Clean Book Collection
20. Jenn’s Book Reviews & Giveaways
21. Start Publishing
22. True North Publishing
23. Whiskey Creek Press

Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here:

http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7″ HDX (US Only – $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 9/18/14

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 participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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