Hello romance lovers! We all know falling in love isn’t easy. That is, unless you’re falling for my favorite slow cooker Italian beef. Looking for a meal as flavorful as your favorite hero? Give this a taste:

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Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Ingredients (about 10 servings)

3 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon onion salt

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 bay leaf

1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (Make it ZESTY!)

1 (3-5 pound) rump roast

Directions

1. Combine water with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix in a saucepan. Stir well, and bring to a boil.

2. Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat.

3. Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork.

4. Serve on fresh hoagie rolls.

As the nights turn cool and you’re looking for a little something to warm you from the inside out, give this recipe a shot. You can’t go wrong.

Of course, I said the same thing to the hero and heroine in my latest release, The Last First Date….

First date number forty-eight comes to a screeching halt for detective Langley Sheppard when his date lifts a pack of gum from the local convenience store. But things start looking up when he encounters spunky damsel in distress Jessica Vickers, who's stranded in the store parking lot. Now Lang is about to discover that on a night when everything goes wrong, falling for Jessica feels spectacularly right.

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Maggie-Wells.com ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ GoodReads

When I'm busy writing, dinner is the last thing I want to worry about- but when it comes to the crock-pot, I've always been a little picky. This easy comfort food recipe is one of my favorite go- to meals when I have a lot to do. Bonus: Not only is it a crock-pot recipe- it only takes 2 1/2 hours from start to finish!

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Busy Day Mac and Cheese

2 1/2    cups macaroni ( uncooked, elbow )
5    tablespoons butter
3   cups medium cheddar cheese ( grated )
1/2    cup sour cream
10 1/2    ounces (1 can)   cheddar cheese soup ( condensed )
1/2    teaspoon salt
1    cup milk
1/2    teaspoon dry mustard
1/2    teaspoon black pepper
2 Tbps dried onion flakes
1 tsp garlic powder

Boil the macaroni in water for six minutes and drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Heat over medium high heat and stir until the cheese melts. Spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Combine cheese mixture, sour cream, soup, salt, milk,  and spices in your slow cooker. Add the drained macaroni and stir again. Cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Sophia Randall had no intention on returning to her home in the polygamist community she grew up when she left Hiram Jefferson just hours before their wedding. Though she cared deeply for Hiram and his family, she was young and impulsive.
Ten years, two children, and one monogamous marriage later, returning to Green Valley after the death of her husband is the only option left.

Hiram was devastated when Sophia left him at the altar. With everything already on his plate-- between his job as the district superintendent, his large family, and one sick wife, the last thing he needs is the headache of Sophia being back in town.

When his wives go behind his back and form an alliance with Sophia, what is left for him to do but show them the error of their ways with a little old fashioned discipline. But what will happen when he finds out the true reason Sophia left him in the first place?

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http://rayannajamison.blogspot.com/

I’m an “everything but the kitchen sink” kind of cook and I love using my crockpot! A fave meal to do in the crockpot is Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine. I don’t use a recipe since it’s everything but the kitchen sink thrown in but here are my process/items I use (never the same twice LOL) to feed a family of 5.

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Ingredients:

5-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2-3 jars of Classico Alfredo (roasted garlic or original)

900g pkg of Fettucine noodles

Butter

Peppers, onion, garlic

Process:

1. Add chicken and alfredo sauce to crockpot.

2. Add peppers, onions, garlic for seasoning.

3. Cook all day – five hours is good too.

4. Once ready to cook noodles, boil for 15 mins in pot of water.

5. Strain noodles once cooked, let sit about 5 mins, then spread 2 tblsp of butter over noodles.

6. Cut chicken breasts into small chunks.

7. Dish up noodles and chicken onto each plate, then spread alfredo sauce over top.

8. Ready to eat!

Side dish can be whatever you want it to be. Often times, my kids prefer broccoli.

Bridget Guthrie and Zander Hudson have worked at Club Splendor together for years, sharing smoldering glances, flirting, and building a friendship. Thanks to the club’s strict policy of no staff fraternization, they’ve resisted how much they truly want each another.

With Bridget leaving to explore her dreams, they no longer have to hide their passions. After hours, in one of the pleasure rooms at Club Splendor, they finally give in to the burning desire they’ve held at bay for too long. She’s taken care of other people’s love lives for so long while at the club, can she find the courage to take care of her own needs and fantasies?

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www.kaceyhammell.com

I'm a pretty busy lady (as I'm sure most of you are!), so I lurve my crock pot. Here's one of my fav recipes to make, and it's suuuuper easy, with only 4 ingredients. We call it Dump Chicken, but since that's not very sexy, feel free to give it your own foxy title. ;-)

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RECIPE: 1 packet of taco seasoning

1 to 1 1/2 pounds of cubed, thawed chicken breasts (or thighs, if you prefer)

1 jar of salsa

1 jar of apricot jam

Mix all together in a crock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice. Voila--instant deliciousness!

TEN DAYS is a New Adult romance, based on the sci-fi short story “The Machine Stops” by E.M. Forster.

Nineteen-year-old Cally isn’t like the others. In her society, the Machine caters to every whim, ensuring people don’t have to leave their pods. But Cally and her best friend Marshal find themselves drawn to how things used to be, when people lived on the surface of the earth and relied upon manpower, not technology. When physical contact wasn’t uncivilized, and love was normal, acceptable, embraced. Cally tries to swallow down her increasing dissatisfaction with the “rules,” as well as her rapidly developing feelings for Marshal, a task getting harder each day.

Then, things start going downhill, fast. Food is spoiled. Air grows musty. The population panics about the dysfunction–is it sabotage? Anarchy? But Cally and Marshal discover the truth: The Machine, the answer to all their problems for longer than anyone can remember, is breaking down. Now, these two have to risk it all to save themselves and the people they care about…before their entire world destroys itself.

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oliviamayfield.com

Lemme tell ya, for those of us that work 8-12 hours a day outside the home, (yes, I have a day job) the crockpot is an absolute LIFESAVER! Nothing like coming home to “supper’s done.” Makes the whole house smell yummy—and makes everyone hungry. I love mushrooms, so this recipe is right up my alley! You want to add the sour cream last minute, so it doesn’t break down.

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3-4 lbs. beef sirloin steak, cubed

2 cans chicken broth

1 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms

1 can regular cola

½ c. chopped onion

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. dried parsley flakes

½ tsp. black pepper

***

2 envelopes dry country gravy mix

2 c. sour cream

Hot cooked egg noodles

In slower cooker/crock pot, combine first nine ingredients. Cover and cook on low for7-8 hours until meat is tender.

With a slotted spoon, remove beef & mushrooms. Place gravy mix in large saucepan, gradually whisk in cooking liquid. Bring to a boil, cook & stir for 2 minutes until thickened. Add sour cream immediately before serving. Serve beef & mushrooms over noodles, top with gravy.

Worst case of mistaken identity EVER…

Guardians of Light, Book 6

As a teacher, Maili is adept at juggling multiple tasks, but this is ridiculous. Erotic dreams make her sleep anything but restful. Her father wants to marry her off to a neighboring chieftain’s son. Her grandmother’s whispered blasphemy about doubting the gods has the local volcano threatening to split wide open.

As she prays in the temple for mercy on her grandmother, Maili expects the mountain to smoke and rumble. She doesn’t expect Afu himself to pop through a dark fissure and squash her flat.

The last thing Dax remembers is vowing to prevent his queen’s assassination. He wakes up in an island paradise, where the primitive natives worship the statue of a troll named Afu. And they expect him—their fyre god incarnate—to stop their cranky volcano from blowing up.

As an incentive, they’ve given him a maiden sacrifice/bride, a dark-eyed beauty who’s just as determined to seduce him as he is to return home in one piece.

While she’s less than thrilled to be traded like a chicken, one thing is certain. Dax is the man in her dreams…and she’s hell bent on making them come true. Or her people may die.

Warning: Contains erotic dreams, volcanic-hot love scenes, one edgy F/F interrogation scene and some self-loving. Also treason, black sorcery and an evil witch doctor who shrinks heads.

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http://reneewildes1.wordpress.com

On Passover last year, my family was in charge of bringing the brisket. Since I notoriously can’t cook (When I moved from our house in New York, my neighbor told me she’d miss seeing me every night, opening the front door to fan the smoke out of the kitchen!) my husband insisted on making a “back up brisket.” I made this one, and he made another one in the oven.

Everyone loved and gave the highest compliment: “Shoshanna, we never in a million years would have guessed you made this brisket all by yourself.” LOL *Hangs head*

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Easy Crock Pot Brisket:

Ingredients:

A big package of brisket (it’s a fatty cut of beef)

A jar of Garlic Onion Tomato sauce

Directions:

Slather the brisket in tomato sauce and put it in the CrockPot. Pour the entire jar in there on top, too.

Cook for 10 hours on low.

That’s it!

Ellie's been pushed back in time by her vengeful ex-lover. Now a tribe of frighteningly large, muscular, and very sexy cavemen are holding her captive. And they *all* want a turn.

Warning: This 45 page short novella contains dubious consent, forced seduction, the threat of real violence, some m/m action, and a four-cavemen-against-one-modern-woman gangbang--not rape. This is not a romance, it's erotica. Just to be clear...happy reading.

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Sexily *Evers* After… www.ShoshannaEvers.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShoshannaEvers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoshanna.evers

Leave it to me to be on a health-kick lately! The truth is though, I have a real sweet tooth and dessert is my favorite, so I’ve recently begun working on less guilt-inducing, but delicious and satisfying end-of-meal treats. One I’ve found and is a perfect lead in to my sizzling read about two top chefs competing on a reality show and happens to be a tasty dessert to boot! The best part--it’s all done in a slow-cooker!

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Poached Pears with Raspberry Sauce

4 cups cran-raspberry juice cocktail

2 cups white grape juice (make it a fruity white wine if only serving grown-ups)

1/4 cup sugar

2 cinnamon sticks, halved

4 to 5 firm Bosc or Anjou pears (peel, core, and remove the seeds)

1 package (10 ounces) frozen raspberries (in syrup, if you’d like a little more sweetness and thawed)

Fresh berries for edible garnish

Combine juice, wine, sugar, and halves of cinnamon sticks in slow cooker. Submerge pears in mix. Cover and cook on low 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until pears are tender. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks.

Mash raspberries until smooth (or use a food processor or blender for an easier route); strain the seeds. Spoon raspberry sauce onto serving plates; place pear on top of sauce. Dress with fresh berries.

Months after he stole her affections—then her executive chef position—Shyann and Luke meet again under sizzling circumstances, competing head-to-head on a televised cooking show called Kitchen Twist. Each arrives with a motive: Luke intends to win back Shyann’s heart, even as she wants closure on the not-so-tasty heartbreak he once served up.

Luke knows culinary masterpieces require a delicate touch, but that knowledge is tossed out with the leftovers as he works to show Shyann he’s not such a bad guy. Now he pushes his skills to the limit to win the competition and satisfy a bet.

Can two top chefs resist each other as they move out of the pan and into the fire?

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http://www.cheriemarks.blogspot.com

The smell of food cooking all afternoon is soothing. Call me crazy, but it does! This recipe has the benefit of not only smelling great all afternoon, it's also something the whole family will enjoy – in one simple dish!

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Ingredients:

½ cup butter or margarine
2 cups milk
Family sized can of chicken broth
4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped up (I usually make this dish after baking chicken for another night, cuts the prep time. If you're cooking from scratch, bake the chicken for 30 minutes until done and then chop)
1 can Ro-Tel Tomatoes (Mild, Medium, HOT, your choice), drained
8 oz Velveeta cheese cubed or shredded
4-5 oz Mexican blend or Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
1 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder (3-4 tsp if you like really spicy)
Salt/Pepper – to taste
5-6 tortillas, cut into 2" strips

Preparation:

Spray the crockpot sides with cooking spray and turn it on low if you have all day, if you only have a couple of hours, medium or high). Toss all the ingredients except the Colby-Jack cheese and tortilla strips in and close the lid. Stir every half hour. About 15 minutes before dinner time, deep-fry the tortilla strips until they are a golden brown; each batch of the strips should take only 15 seconds or so, but they burn easily so small batches are better than tossing them all into the deep-fryer. If you don't have a deep fryer, use a large frying pan. Cover the bottom of the pan in canola oil, heat and fry. Again, only about 15 seconds. Drain the strips so they aren't greasy.

Serve:

Spoon a ladle of soup into a bowl, add a handful of the shredded cheese and then another ladle of soup. Place several tortilla strips on top (this is to your taste, add a lot or a little, your choice). Serve.

**Note: I like my tortilla strips to get a little soggy, so I put the tortilla strips in the middle with the shredded cheese. My husband likes his strips crisp so he leaves them on top. Your choice.

Esmerelda Quinn has been looking for a place to belong since her parents were killed in a car crash when she was young. The closest thing to home has always been Aunt Constance's villa in Puerto Vallarta, so after a string of dead-end hotellier jobs, she's coming home to run the villa.

Santiago Cruz has called the villa home for as long as he can remember. In between surfing events, Constance has always had a room for him. Color him surprised when Constance decides to retire - and leaves a joint interest in the villa to both Santiago and Esme.

Esme isn't thrilled to share ownership of the villa with the the youngest Cruz brother - especially when she learns Santiago's brother has been after the villa for years. But Santiago has grown up while she's been away at school and soon she finds herself falling for the rich boy down the hall.

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Website: http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com

My recipe is SO easy I feel like I’m cheating. But I’m a busy mom and a busy writer, so that’s just the kind of meal I need! (Bonus, this is low fat and low calorie!)

I call this Salsa Chicken (inventive, yes?) and my whole family loves it!

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You need: 1lb-2lbs of chicken breasts. (it would work with a whole chicken, but I’m lazy and go with the trimmed, boneless skinless portion of the chicken)

1 Jar of salsa

Taco seasoning (to taste)

1/2 a cup of chicken broth (optional, I like it because chicken breasts can tend to get a little dry)

Put your chicken (it can even be frozen) in the crock pot along with the salsa, taco seasoning and broth and turn it on high. Cook it until it pulls apart easily with a fork, then shred it up. Serve with rice, on tortillas, in a bowl...however you like!

Beauty…

Princess Katharine has always been destined for a political marriage. Her heart heavy, she prepares to meet her future husband-the man whisperers in his royal kingdom call The Beast of Hajar…

…and the Scarred Sheikh…

Concealing his disfigurement from public scrutiny, Sheikh Zahir rules his country from within the castle walls, allowing no one in. Until duty demands he carry on the Hajar family dynasty and allow his new bride to cross the threshold.

Zahir expects Katharine to flee at first sight. Yet her unflinching gaze fires Zahir’s blood, and their attraction burns hotter than the scorching desert sands…

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You can find me on Twitter, where I am often inappropriate as maiseyyates or on my website www.maiseyyates.com