Do you like Jello? Under my real name, I write a series of mysteries with recipes, based on my 1000+ vintage cookbook collection. I also give talks at libraries on food trends and history, including everything from Jello to WWII foods to favorite holiday cookies and candies. Who knew so many people liked Spam?
Of course, like all of you, I also love romance books. As a librarian and reviewer, it is my pleasure to read and help people find favorite authors all the time. Reading the previous posts here this month about all the delicious cowboys has only made me hungry for more books!
When I started writing spicier books as Lia Violet, I found that my love of food followed. My writing partner Ginger Leone complained that in my first draft for Sweet Hearts I wrote more loving descriptions of the baked goods than the characters and passionate scenes! Sweet Hearts is the first in our Hot Hearts Café series about an establishment run by faeries, in which the cinnamon rolls inspire love in those who taste them. And not just love for the cinnamon rolls.
Here’s a quick scene from My Cinnamon Roll, my story in Sweet Hearts:
Kellan slid another tray of cinnamon rolls out of the oven and turned to see his cousin Honey starting to glaze the previous tray hat was cooled while closing her eyes and humming.
“Honey, seriously? These people aren’t meeting their mates through the cinnamon rolls. Couldn’t we just let them enjoy the food?”
“You don’t know that they don’t all meet their mates. Just because you can sense it sometimes.”
“I can sense when couples are true mates.”
“Don’t you think people can be happy with those who aren’t their true mates?”
“Too early for a philosophical discussion. I know that Mr. Burtz and Ms. Aquin were not mates and I saw them kissing out by her car after they both bought from the same batch you glazed and ate them in the cafe.”
Sweet Hearts is free for a few days beginning today! Here’s a vintage recipe for Cinnamon Fluff, which is less labor intensive than cinnamon rolls.
Cinnamon Fluff
- ½ cup butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1 cup sour milk
Cream butter and sugar. Blend in eggs. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with milk. Pour into greased pan and set aside while fixing topping.
Topping: 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ½ cup sugar. Mix together and drop on top of cake batter. Bake at 325F for 35 – 40 minutes.
Hint: Extra delicious to eat while reading romance novels.
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card: What is your favorite baked treat?
Lia Violet is an author of a bestselling Amazon mystery series with recipes who enjoys heat in and out of the kitchen. She and Ginger Leone write stories with humor and heat. www.liaviolet.com
I love blueberry muffins.
Me too, but they are my younger son’s absolute favorite! He like to bake them, too! 🙂
I have a weakness for baked treats, so I’m not sure I can pick one! Maybe chocolate chip cookies or pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’m going to give it a try.
Amy R – congratulations! Please email me at liavioletauthor@gmail.com to get your prize!
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