Mincemeat Drop Cookies – Donna Alward

Only half of us in our family actually like mincemeat (I love it!).  So when we get some, it is usually a one-pie affair and we’ve had our fill. This recipe is something my mom used to make and even the non-mincemeat lovers in our family like them.

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¾ cup shortening or margarine

1 ½ cups brown sugar

3 eggs, well beaten

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp baking soda

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

1 tsp salt

1 cup mincemeat

1 cup chopped walnuts

Cream shortening and sugar; add eggs. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and add gradually. Then add mincemeat and walnuts.

Drop by teaspoonful on a greased cookie sheet (or use parchment paper, my personal fave). Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, or until tops are golden. Let rest on pan for a few minutes, then remove to a cooling rack.

First Responders, Book 2

Jake Symonds has been a thorn in Constable Kendra Givens's side since the night they first met, when she'd had to arrest him. In his boxer shorts. The drunken comments he made that night are worsened by the truth she'll never admit. For a fleeting moment, they'd connected.

Two years later, when she's called to investigate a break-and-enter at his pub, the last thing she expects is for the now-competent businessman to cook her breakfast. But she's no fool. The former bad boy still lurks beneath the charm. And his business involves the one thing that she's hated since it ruined her childhood. Alcohol.

As far as he's concerned, Jake has changed, but Kendra still has a stick up her butt. Yet he can't help but like her sass and quick wit. One well-aimed baseball at the carnival dunk tank later and he's got a date.

Their spark of attraction quickly flares out of control, but their emotional baggage is stacked too high to risk anything deeper - until one tragic night strips the barriers from their deepest fears. And Kendra realizes the greatest danger Jake presents is to her heart.

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www.donnaalward.com