Cupid Shot Me... #lucindarace

 Hello again,

 

Nine years ago, on February 11, my hubs proposed to me on a bitter, cold swept afternoon in Newport Rhode Island, King Park to be exact. Now, that date will always be special in my heart. 

 

We were shivering as we sat on “our bench”. I was shocked he wanted to just sit there and watch the waves. It’s nice on a warm day but in February, not so much. He’s definitely a traditional kind of guy, dropping to one knee as he held out a beautiful engagement ring and asked me to be his wife. Tears were dried before they froze on my cheeks and I said, YES! That was the beginning of our next great adventure. 

 

We had been friends for many years, our kids went to the same schools and we often talked about what they were up to, never dreaming that we’d fall in love and our lives would go in a new direction. Four short months later we got married in that same park, in the gazebo a few short feet from where he proposed. It was a small, heart-felt ceremony with close family and a few dear friends but it was perfect for us.

 

As we celebrated our engagement anniversary and Valentine’s Day I was reminded why I love writing romance, real love, like what I write in my books, adds an intangible richness to our lives, a sense of what is possible with the right person by your side through the ups and downs. But it’s not just about romantic love; my daughters, family and true friends ride the crazy rollercoaster with me. All of the people who surround me add joy and zest to my life. 

Meanwhile, I’ve been super busy in the writing cave, well not so much a cave as my pretty office, with Cinderella blue walls, white lace curtains and a beautiful blue floral rug. However as pretty as the office is, my desk is a hot mess. Hand and face lotion as the dry winter air is making me look 150 years old, water on one side and coffee on the other, a box of tissues and legal pads and pens along with hot pink post it notes. All essentials for writing romance books. 

 

Speaking of books things are busy in the editing and publishing world. Blends and Breathe are releasing in March, Crush, book 2 will be mid-May and I’m editing Blush, book 3. I’ve also drafted a Christmas novel, Holly Berries and Hockey Pucks, to be released in November but it needs lots of editing to be ready for your reading pleasure. 

 

But back to the Crescent Lake Winery Series… I am so excited to share this series with you. I came up with the idea when I was released Ready to Soar, Book 5 in The Loudon Series, it’s blast from the past where I introduce the Price family and the winery.  

 

In tasty news, I wanted to share with you, my homemade chocolate pudding recipe. It is so easy, delicious and creamy you just have to make it.

 

Easy Pudding 

1 cup sugar

¼ cup corn starch 

¼ cup salt

3 cups whole milk

4 egg yolks 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

2 tablespoons butter 

8 oz semisweet chocolate chips 

*Use brown sugar for butterscotch pudding – skip the chocolate chips. 

Or leave it plain for a delicious vanilla pudding. 

 

Whisk together sugar, corn starch, salt milk and egg yolks. Bring to a boil over medium heat whisking constantly (6-8 minutes). When it is thickened remove from heat and stir in chips. Put in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, chill a couple of hours and then be prepared for your taste buds to weep. Yup, it’s that good. 

So until next month, 

I wish you good health, happiness and love 

Lucinda