Ann Roth: Christmas in October

October seems a little early for a Christmas book. On the other hand, just blink and the season will be here in full force.

A Rancher’s Christmas is the last book of my five-book Saddlers Prairie miniseries. I’m going to miss the friendly town of Saddlers Prairie, Montana, and I know my readers will, too. But never fear–I’m hard at work on a new miniseries in the new fictional town of Prosperity, Montana.

 I had a great time writing A Rancher’s Christmas, which features  Gina Arnett, a high-powered marketing whiz, and Zach Horton, a ranch foreman. Gina likes living in sophisticated Chicago, but when her uncle dies she heads back to her hometown of Saddlers Prairie for the funeral and to put Uncle Lucky’s ranch on the market. She won’t be staying long, and certainly doesn’t intend to find love. But you know how that goes. J

 If you want to know more about the story, pick up a copy. Order from my website, www.annroth.net, or from any e-bookstore. Or head for a brick and mortar store that sells Harlequin Americans.

A RANCHER’S CHRISTMAS

A Holiday Change Of Heart 

Gina Arnett comes home to Saddlers Prairie to say goodbye to her uncle and sell the family ranch she’s just inherited. Her focus is on getting back to Chicago and her high-powered job. Two things change her plans: a sudden blizzard that causes the town to be snowed in, and Zach Horton—the ranch foreman who tries to convince her to stay. 

Gina’s boundless ambition is something Zach understands all too well. He’s kept his past a secret, and to uncover it, she’ll have to reveal her own uncomfortable truths—and her growing feelings for Zach. He’s not the kind of man she dreamed of falling for. But at the Christmas season, all dreams seem possible….

For a chance to win an autographed copy of A Rancher’s Christmas, leave a comment.

This has been fun! 

Before I go, here’s a holiday favorite of mine to kick-start the holiday season.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

Brownies:

2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 cup flour
dash salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts

 Filling:

2 Tbsp soft butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp milk or cream
green food coloring
3/4 tsp peppermint extract

 Glaze:

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

2 Tbs butter

Brownies: Grease a 9-inch square pan and set aside.  Melt chocolate and butter over hot water.  Beat eggs until frothy and stir in sugar, chocolate mixture and flavoring.  Add flour, salt and nuts.  Mix thoroughly.  Pour into the pan and bake 20-25 minutes.  Cool.

Filling:  Stir ingredients until smooth. Spread evenly over cooled brownies.  Refrigerate while making glaze.

Glaze:  Melt chocolate and butter over hot water.  Mix well.  Drizzle over brownies.  Refrigerate 5-10 minutes, then cut into squares.

Reading through this recipe… I’m drooling! 

Award-winning author Ann Roth lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband. After earning an MBA, she worked as a banker and corporate trainer. She gave up the corporate life to write, and if they awarded PhDs in writing happily-ever-after stories, she'd have one. In 1999 Ann won the prestigious Golden Heart award for unpublished writers for best long contemporary series. Since then she has sold numerous romance and women's fiction novels, as well as a novella for an anthology, a serialized online romance and many short stories.

Visit Ann on Facebook (Ann Roth Facebook Author page)  and Twitter (@Ann_Roth).

***Penney is the winner!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing address!***