Festive #Holiday Punch #Recipe from #PNR Author @brenda_sparks

Christmas treats

Photo by belchonock from depositphotos.com

Paranormal Author Brenda Sparks is here today with an excerpt from Alpha Lover and a Holiday Recipe.

Festive Holiday Punch

” Make a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld.”

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 quart cranberry juice
  • 2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 3 tablespoons almond extract
  • 1 (2 liter) bottle Lemon/Lime soft drink such as Sprite
  • 1 pint of cranberries
  • Vodka (optional)

Directions

In a large container, mix together sugar, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and almond extract. Refrigerate for 1 day.

  1. To serve, pour juice mixture into a punch bowl. Stir in Lemon/Lime soft drink.
  2. Garnish with cranberries

Optional:

  1. To make an alcoholic version stir in vodka to desired taste

Alpha Lover coverAlpha Lover (Book 3 in the Alpha Council Chronicles series)
by Brenda Sparks
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Book Blurb:

Starved for blood, vampire Nicholai Peterhof is greatly relieved when two tourists decide to grace his restaurant, but one sip from the pretty brunette and his world is forever turned upside down. Juliette Saint-John is everything he could have asked for in a heartmate; pretty, smart, built with curves in all the right places…and totally unavailable.

Juliette doesn’t want anything to do with the handsome, young-looking Nicholai. As if their differences aren’t enough, the acute grief over the loss of loved ones keeps her heart guarded. He may be her fantasy, but that’s all he can ever be.

To get past Juliette’s defenses and in order to keep her safe, Nicholai must prove himself worthy of her love and trust. Unbeknownst to the couple, her personal demons are not the only ones threatening their relationship. Hiding virtually unseen by the vampires, Demon Royalty plots to destroy not only the couple but the entire vampire breed. Luckily, Nicholai will do anything for Juliette—even if it means sacrificing himself.

Buy Links:

Amazon buy link: http://mybook.to/AlphaLover

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alpha-lover-brenda-sparks/1124934443

iTunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/alpha-lover/id1173716918?mt=11

Kobo buy link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/alpha-lover

Wild Rose Press buy link: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4760-alpha-lover.html

Excerpt:

Julie’s gaze swept the landscape. The moon’s rays glittered on the snowy bows. The birch trees stood with their trunks painted white to match their limbs. Thick pine branches held fast under the weight of the new fallen snow, making them appear as if they wore white blankets made of virginal cotton about each limb. Sparkling mounds cluttered the ground between the trees, hiding the forest’s treasures beneath.

Save the sound of the hooves pounding on the ground, they journeyed through the silent night to a clearing in the trees. Nicholai clicked to his stallion, and with a flick of the reins, the steed increased into a rolling canter up a steep incline. Julie’s thighs pushed against the sides of the horse as she tried to match the new rhythm.

Nicholai’s breath warmed her ear when he spoke. “Not too much further. It’s right up ahead.”

“What’s up ahead?” Just as the words left Julie’s mouth, they crested over the ridge.

The frozen valley below took her breath away. A glaciate waterfall stood still as a statue against the rocky terrain. The cascading water, stopped as if by magic, reflected the moon’s soft rays and cast tiny prisms on the snow below.

Julie’s breath hitched in her throat. She took in the serene beauty of the land as they cruised at a slow trot. Debris rolled under Kedar’s hoofs. It created a hollow rattle in the night, barely audible to Juliette.

When they reached the valley, Nicholai pulled up the stallion and handed the reins to Julie. She patted the horse’s steaming neck as her lover dismounted with a fluid grace. He turned, grabbed Kedar’s reins, then reached up for Julie. Her thick coat seemed to melt as his strong hands clasped around her waist. She put her hands on his shoulders, and the bulge of muscle under his coat played under her fingers when he helped her down. A thrill went through her body.

Her breath frosted the air in a white plume. The lovers held each other, his hands about her waist, hers resting on his shoulders. Quiet as the moon above, they stared deeply into each other’s eyes. Nicholai captured her lips in a gentle caress that welcomed her to this special place.

Author Bio:

Born in Virginia, Brenda Sparks now resides in the Sunshine State.  Balancing her professional commitment to the local school district with her writing is challenging at times, but writing suspenseful paranormal romances is a passion that won’t be denied. Her idea of a perfect day is one spent in front of a computer with a hot cup of coffee, her fingers flying over the keys to send her characters off on their latest adventure.  Brenda loves to connect with readers.  Please visit her online or stop by her website to say hi.

Author Links:
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/forBrendaSparks
Twitter : @brenda_sparks https://twitter.com/brenda_sparks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/BrendaSparks   
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-Sparks/e/B00B7AJBBQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Website : www.brenda-sparks.com

New Release: Exquisite Christmas Short Stories & #HolidayRecipes #EQuills

New today, Exquisite Christmas: 21 Romance Authors Share Holiday Stories & Recipes by Rose Anderson and the Exquisite Quills Authors!

ExquisiteChristmasAd2We hope you enjoy this collection of heartwarming seasonal tales and delicious recipes by twenty-one Bestselling, Award-winning, and Multi-Published Authors from the international Exquisite Quills community: Victoria Adams, Rose Anderson, E. Ayers, Beverley Bateman, Lily Bishop, Barb Caffrey, Helena Fairfax, J.D. Faver, Jennifer Garcia, Romy Gemmell, Vonnie Hughs, Susan Jaymes, Gemma Juliana, Jean Lamb, Lyndi Lamont, Zanna Mackenzie, Janis Susan May, Dee Ann Palmer, Jane Leopold Quinn, Kaye Spencer, and M. S. Spencer.

Exquisite Christmas coverThe e-book is now available for at Amazon and coming soon to Barnes & Noble, iBooks and other retailers. The paperback is already available to purchase at Amazon. Print Length: 324 pages.

My story, A Kiss and a Promise, is a prequel to How To Woo… A Reluctant Bride, and gives the reader a glimpse of Lydia and her brother Harry when they were young and carefree. It also introduces Lady Sophia, the love of Harry’s life. Now if I can just finish writing Harry and Sophia’s story. Next year, I hope.