I admit to quite a few vices. Some of them harm my bank account and lead to storage issues, like my book and footwear addictions. Others have the potential to impact my health—such as my terrible sweet tooth. I blame my forebears for that one. My ancestors came from Central and Eastern Europe, and I’ve learned during my travels in those places that a predilection for sweets is common. In most cities you can hardly go a block without encountering tempting bakeries or deliciously scented chocolate shops. And don’t even get me started on the gelato and ice cream….
Given my own vice, perhaps it’s no surprise that Peter, one of the main characters in Ante Up, has a taste for sweets. In fact, sugary stuff comprises most of his diet. (You’ll have to read the book to learn why!) It’s a bit of a contrast to the other protagonist’s meals: Ante is a vampire, so while Peter’s gobbling pie and candy, Ante is satisfied with some nice A-Pos. Especially if the blood in question is Peter’s. (Don’t worry—Ante is careful when he snacks on Peter.)
In Peter’s honor, I thought I’d share a somewhat unusual recipe for something sweet. This was my grandmother’s recipe—I have no idea if she invented it or got it from somewhere—and it’s one of my favorite comfort foods.
Rose’s Rice Pudding
1 cup raw rice
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp almond extract
7/8 cup orange juice
1 cup raisins
Cook rice. To warm rice, add butter, eggs, vanilla, almond extract, OJ, sugar, and raisins. Mix. Spread in greased 9×13 baking pan. Bake at 325F for 40 minutes. Cut into squares. Can be eaten warm or cold.
What sweet do you have a weakness for? Comment with your favorites, and don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter below.
Check out Ante Up today!
Blurb:
Love is a high-stakes game.
A century and a half ago, Ante Novak died on a Croatian battlefield—and rose three days later as a vampire. Now he haunts Las Vegas, stealing blood and money from drunken gamblers and staying on the fringe of the powerful vampire organization known as the Shadows. His existence feels empty and meaningless until he meets beautiful Peter Gehrardi, who can influence others with his thoughts.
An attraction flares instantly, bringing a semblance of life to Ante’s dead heart. But the Shadows want Peter too, and they’re willing to kill to get him. As Ante and Peter flee, they learn more about themselves and each other, and they discover that the world is a stranger place than either of them imagined. With enemies at their heels and old mistakes coming back to exact a price, how can Ante and Peter find sanctuary?
Author Bio:
Kim Fielding is the bestselling author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They’re usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.
After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.
Follow Kim:
Website: http://www.kfieldingwrites.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/KFieldingWrites
Twitter: @KFieldingWrites
Email: [email protected]
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bau3S9
A complete list of Kim’s books: http://www.kfieldingwrites.com/kim-fieldings-books/
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