And The Winner Is...

Thanks to everyone who participated in my cupcake party. I wish you could all win, but if you didn't get lucky this time, subscribe to my newsletter. We have a contest every month there.

The winner of the prize for offering a recipe is Retta. The winner of the grand prize is Marybell. Ladies email me your address at elainecsc@aol.com I want to get your prize in the mail.

Let's have one excerpt from A New Dream. In this excerpt Matt and Violet meet for the first time. A New Dream is available at

“Psst, Marjorie, he’s here.”

Marjorie English finished the swirl of yellow roses on the
cake in front of her before she answered. “Who’s here, Violet?”

“The new manager,” she whispered.

Marjorie wiped her hands on a towel and joined Violet at the
front counter. “Poor man,” she remarked as a look of compassion
spread across her face.

“I thought he’d be all scarred up,” Violet confessed, “but
from a distance he looks fine.”

“He wasn’t hurt anywhere except his legs.”

Marshall Chapman, the retiring manager of Chef’s Pantry,
the largest grocery store in Wellington, had slowed his customary
brisk pace to accommodate the limping man beside him. He saw
Violet and Marjorie at the bakery counter and paused to introduce
them.

“Good morning, ladies. I’d like you to meet your new boss,
Matt McCallum. Matt, Marjorie English is the manager of our
bakery department, and Violet Emerson is her assistant.”

Matt shook hands with each of the women. “Tomorrow is
my brother’s birthday, Mrs. English. My mother asked me to order
a cake from you.”

Marjorie smiled at him, the open, friendly smile she
reserved for special people. “What would you like on the cake, Mr.
McCallum?”

“Please, call me Matt. She didn’t say what to get. He’s been
offered a football scholarship at Tri State Tech, so maybe a football
theme.”

“He’ll be playing for my son-­‐‑in-­‐‑law, Kurt Deveraux,”
Marjorie said.

“Well, how about that? They say he’s a good coach.”

Marjorie just laughed. “We think he is. I believe I’ll let
Violet do your cake if that’s okay. She’ll do a nice job for you.”

“That’s fine.”

“Leave it to me,” Violet promised. “I know just the thing.”

Marshall moved the new manager along, so the women
went back to work.

Violet reached for a sack of flour. “I wonder if he has a
girlfriend?”

“Who? Marshall? I think he’s married,” Marjorie teased.

Violet felt her face turn pink. “No, Matt McCallum.”

“Handsome, isn’t he?”

“He goes beyond handsome,” Violet declared, eyes
sparkling. “How tall do you think he is?”

“Oh, probably six two or six three,” Marjorie replied as she
boxed the cake she had just finished decorating.

“You could see the muscles in his chest through his shirt.”

Marjorie grinned at Violet. “I thought you liked brunettes.
Matt’s blonde.”

“Well, his hair is a dark blonde,” Violet defended herself.
“And his eyes are a pretty shade of blue.”

Marjorie laughed as she removed a pecan pie from one of
the store’s big ovens. “Violet, I think you’ve got a crush on the
man.”

Violet ducked her head. “He is awfully sexy. He can’t walk
too well, though.”

Laughter faded from Marjorie’s face. “He’s lucky to be
walking at all the way I hear it. They had to amputate his right leg
above the knee, and his left leg was so mangled and crushed he’ll
always walk with a limp.”

Violet stared toward the manager’s office even though Matt
was nowhere to be seen. “Can you imagine what it must be like for
him? He was a big football star. He was going to have the world on
a string, and now he can hardly walk.”

“And his brother has a football scholarship. That has to
hurt,” Marjorie observed with a shake of her head.
She tore off a piece of plastic wrap to cover the pecan pie.
“Violet, if you like Matt’s looks, why don’t you flirt with him?”

Violet laughed and rolled her eyes. “I’ll get right on it.”

“I’m serious,” Marjorie insisted. “I know you were a sickly
child, but you’re as healthy as a horse now. It’s time for you to
stretch your wings and start thinking about a family of your own.
Matt McCallum liked what he saw, and so did you.”

Violet cocked her head and thought for a minute. “How do
you know he liked what he saw?”

Marjorie paused for a good laugh. “Can’t you tell when a
man likes your looks? He couldn’t take his eyes off you.” She
slapped a sticker on the pie and went to place it on the shelf beside
the muffins. She returned to the bakery and said, “You’re like a
breath of fresh air in a stuffy room. You aren’t selfish and jaded like
a lot of young women I know, which is a surprise because your
parents were so protective of you when you were younger.” She
reached for a bag of sugar. “So, why wouldn’t Matt be interested?”

Violet shrugged and threw up her hands, and Marjorie went
to take a birthday cake order from a customer. Could Marjorie be
right? Could Matt McCallum ever take an interest in someone like
her? Violet pondered the matter as she pulled out the ingredients
she’d need for Matt’s cake. He was like a fairy tale prince come to
life in a mundane setting like a grocery store.

When she was little, she had a storybook that told the story
of Cinderella. Matt McCallum resembled the story book prince in
so many ways. He was tall and blond as was Matt, and like Matt,
he had a handsome face. The prince in the storybook had six pack
abs, and from what little she’d seen of Matt, she’d bet he did too.

No matter what Marjorie said, she would never expect
someone like him to be interested in her. Superstars didn’t date
little violets. Oh, she guessed she was pretty; everyone said so but
inexperienced, gauche girls didn’t attract men like Matt McCallum.

It didn’t hurt to daydream about him, though. She’d make him a
beautiful cake. At least she could do that much for him.

New Review

The first review came in for A New Dream today. Clean Romance Reviews said,

I thought this book was very enjoyable. Well written with good side characters and a nice plot. Matt and Violet are sweet characters with good interaction. Matt was the best character though and showed a lot of strength and growth. Violet was easy to relate to, flaws and all. I got caught up in this story, especially as the plot thickened - I could really feel what the main characters were feeling. Great story about truly falling in love and what really makes your dreams worth living.

Did She Do A Job On Him!

In this excerpt, Matt meets with his physical therapist. If you want to read the excerpts in order, go the first cupcake post and work your way back. A New Dream is available at http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=2676585


Matt stared at the empty physical therapy room and took a
sip of the hospital brew the physical therapy assistant had given
him. It could use a little work, but it did have a much needed jolt of
caffeine in it. He sighed, blinking away sleep. Why’d they schedule
him so early in the morning? He could have slept a little longer. It
wasn’t like he had anything to do.

The door opened with a click, and a tall, well--built, young
man with dark hair entered the physical therapy office.
The man poured himself a cup of coffee. “Who’s the new
guy?”

The physical therapy assistant, Betty she’d said her name
was, shoved a folder at him. “Matt McCallum.”

“Oh, yeah. Man, that’s a shame.”

Betty scowled at him. “It’s always a shame when people are
hurt as bad as he was, Being a football player doesn’t make him
any different from anyone else.”

“I know and I didn’t mean anything bad. It’s just that he
played one year of pro ball, and it looked like he was going to be
one of the greats. Now, he’s here to get fitted for a prosthesis.”

“Well, I think he needs some counseling. He has that dull,
withdrawn, shell--shocked look on his face.”

“Most amputees feel that way in the beginning,” the man
answered. “We can schedule him with Dr. Whitney if we need
too.”

Matt’s fists clenched. Didn’t they know he could hear them?
Didn’t they know how it made him feel for them to talk about him
like he was an old, washed up nobody?

The man picked up a file and joined him in the waiting area.
“Hi, Matt. I’m Sam Dickson.”

He held out his hand, and Matt took it briefly.

Sam indicated the file in his hand. “It says here you got the
bandages off yesterday and that the stump is nicely healed. Is that
right?”

Matt shrugged. “I guess.”

“Your other leg is banged up pretty bad too, so we have to
work with that as well, but the sooner we get started, the better off
you’ll be.”

“That’s what they say.”

Sam nodded. “Okay, today I’ll show you how to take care of
yourself. After that we’ll fit you for a temporary prosthesis.”

Matt’s head spun; he swallowed hard and focused on a bar
mounted on the wall to steady himself. “All right.”

Matt was a quick study. He paid close attention when Sam
showed him how to clean and protect the stump. Then, Sam passed
him the sock that went over it. “You put it on,” he said.
Matt repressed the shudder that shook him as he pulled the
sock on and smoothed it.

“Very good,” Sam approved. “I hope
your motivation is this good once we get you up to walk.” He
laughed. “As a former athlete, a physical task might be more
appealing than what you just learned.”

Matt drew a deep, shaky breath. Of course he was
motivated! It humiliated him when anybody saw his legs or had to
help him get around. He was desperate to regain some control over
his own body.

A tall, striking brunette passed through the room and
waved to Sam who grinned and waved back at her. “Gorgeous isn’t
she?” he asked Matt, the look on his face reminding Matt of a
gamboling, goofy puppy. “Layla is her name. I’ve been trying to
get her to go out with me.”

Matt barely glanced at her. “Yeah, she’s pretty.”

Sam eyed Matt with a quizzical expression on his face.
“That was sure lukewarm, buddy. A woman that drop dead
gorgeous ought to get your heart pumping. Are you worried about
women now that you’ve lost your leg?”

Matt’s face colored, but he made no reply.

“Man, you need to think about how lucky you are. I know
you’ve lost a lot, but you can still be with a woman and father
children. Hurting your legs doesn’t mean the romantic side of life is
over for you.”

Matt raised his eyes to Sam’s for the first time. “You left out
one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Not too many women are interested in having sex with a
cripple. Seeing a stump like mine is a good way to kill the
romance.”

Sam squatted down so he and Matt were on eye level with
each other. “Matt, the nurses said you’re engaged. Have you talked
to your fiancée about all this?”

“That won’t be necessary. Stacey was with me yesterday
when the bandages came off. She turned as white as a sheet and
said she had to go home. A messenger brought her engagement
ring to me this morning.”

Matt cringed when he saw the look of pity of Sam’s face.
His stark, unemotional rendering of the facts hadn’t fooled the
therapist.

Sam slapped his shoulder and said, “Not all women are like
that, buddy. Some of them will stand by a man through thick and
thin. Next time you’ll choose better, right?” He stood up and took
hold of the handles on Matt’s wheelchair. “Let’s see about fitting
that prosthesis so we can get you walking again

One Of My Favorites

My heroine Violet Emerson is a baker so it seemed appropriate to share some cupcake recipes with you. This is one of my favorite cupcake recipes because I love Red Velvet cakes. I got this recipe from www.allrecipes.com, and they said it was one of their most popular recipes.

The photo is from www.luxuryrecipes.blogspot.com A New Dream is available at http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=2676585

Ingredients
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (1 ounce) bottle McCormick® Red Food Color
• 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
•
• Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 (16 ounce) box confectioners' sugar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.
4. Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, softened, butter, sour cream and McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.

Cupcake Party Continues

If you'd like to read the excerpts from A New Dream in order, just start with the first post and work your way forward. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win my cupcake prize. A New Dream is available at http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=2676585

This excerpt takes place right after the accident.

Marilyn McCallum drew a deep, shaky breath and groped
for her husband’s hand. “We’ve been waiting for hours now,” she
quavered. “What could be going on in that operating room, Rod?”

Rod never answered. His face contorted and he sprang to his
feet as a nurse approached. “Would you like some more coffee?”
she asked.

“We’d like to know about our son,” Rod answered. “Is
everything okay? He’s been in there so long.”

Nurse Whittaker patted him on the shoulder. “Please, don’t
worry. Dr. Williams is the best doctor on staff. He’ll do everything
he can.”

As she bustled away, Stacey Thomas, who sat beside
Marilyn, dropped her head into her hands. Marilyn tried to ignore
the smear of blood across the girl’s back. She swallowed hard
against sudden nausea. Stacey was fine even though Matt’s fate
was still up in the air. “Hang on. It can’t be long now.”

Tears slid down Stacey’s face. “This isn’t the way the day
was supposed to end. Matt and I had a beautiful time, but now…”

A tall man in sweat--stained surgical scrubs approached
them. “Mr. and Mrs. McCallum?” The doctor’s voice brought all
three of them to their feet.

“How is he?” begged Marilyn, her eyes anxious, wide, and
staring in her white face.

“Better than I expected,” the doctor admitted. “His left leg
was mangled from the knee down. It took a long time, but I think
we’ve saved it. He has four screws and two plates, and he’ll
undoubtedly have a limp for the rest of his life, but we did save his
leg.”

“He kicks with his right leg anyway,” Rod muttered.

“Ah, well, that’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you
about. I’m sorry, Mr. McCallum. I saw him play last year, so I know
he had a wonderful career in front of him, but in spite of everything
we did, his right leg was hurt too bad to save. We had to amputate
right above his knee.”

“At least he’s alive,” Marilyn sobbed as she rhythmically
shredded a tissue. “I don’t care about his leg; I just want my son to
live.”

“I can almost promise you he will,” the doctor comforted
her. “Barring unforeseen complications, he’s going to be fine, and
as soon as his leg heals we’ll fit a prosthesis on him and teach him
how to walk again.”

“When can we see him?” Marilyn begged as she wiped away
her tears.

“He’s in Recovery now. We plan to put him in ICU until he’s
stable. The last thing we need is an infection, and we can watch him
better there. We’ll let you know as soon as he gets there. Then you
can see him for a minute.”

Rod groped for the sofa and fell backwards onto the
miserable thing. “The best kicker in thirty years,” he whispered,
quoting what a sports announcer had said on TV only hours earlier.
“The best kicker in thirty years, and now they have to teach him to
walk again.”

He jumped up as if he’d sat on a porcupine. “I’m going
home, Marilyn. Are you coming?”

Marilyn’s eyes bugged. “Are you serious? I’m not leaving
until I’ve seen him.”

“Stacey?”

“I… I’ll… go with you. I need to tell my parents Matt’s out
of surgery.”

Marilyn watched in amazement as Rod and Stacey hurried
away and sat back to continue her vigil alone.

Welcome to My Cupcake Release Party!

Welcome to my cupcake release party for A New Dream! Why a cupcake theme? Because my heroine Violet Emerson works in a bakery, and because cupcakes are tiny little works of art. During the day I’ll be posting excerpts and some of my favorite cupcake recipes. If you comment on any of the posts you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a cupcake prize consisting of a cupcake stand, cupcake decorating kit, cupcake recipe and decorating book, and some cute little cupcake cups. If you share a cupcake recipe of you own you’ll be entered in a drawing for a second prize, a trinket box shaped like a cupcake with a bunny on top.
My first post is a blurb and the first part of the prologue from A New Dream. Hope you enjoy it! The buy link is http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=2676585

Blurb:
After an auto accident destroys his pro-football career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.

Violet works in the bakery department, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef’s Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. And she thinks the new manager’s broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.

Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a common dream for their lives, but a loose end from Matt’s past returns to jeopardize their future. Will love be enough to save their new dream before it turns into a nightmare?

Prologue

The red convertible cut a path through the moonlight, its
headlights dancing along the arched limbs of the trees above the
road.

“Oh, Matt, it’s such a beautiful night,” Stacey declared with
a sigh. “I’m going to miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

Matt reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’ll
miss you too, but if I don’t report on time, I’m in trouble with the
coach.”

“That’s what I get for falling in love with a pro football
player,” Stacey teased, her blonde hair turned to frosted silver by
the light of the full moon above them.

Matt squeezed her hand that wore his engagement ring. “It’s
too late to back out now,” he teased. “You’re mine.”

“Mmm, do I like the sound of that!”

The car rounded a curve, and without warning a deer
bounded across the road.

“Look out!” Stacey screamed.

Matt braked sharply to avoid the animal. The tires slid on a
patch of loose gravel in the road, and he lost control of the
convertible. It fishtailed and started to spin in the road.
Matt hauled the steering wheel to correct the slide, but it was
useless. The car turned around once more and skidded backwards
for a short distance before it charged off the road. It jumped a steep
ditch and went airborne. All Matt could see was a blur of trees and
darkness as the car careened into the woods. It made a lazy turn in
the air and came to rest bottom side up.

The last thing he remembered was the sound of Stacey’s
screams.
****