Dish The Pie With Monique & Guest Alicia Dean: Strawberry Delight and Escape to Africa #Anthology #99Cents #MustRead

Dish The Pie with Monique & Alicia Dean

Today Alicia Dean is joining me on Dish The Pie. Alicia is an editor for The Wild Rose Press Suspense line. She is also a fab author of Romantic Suspense and Paranormal stories, and one of my very dear friends. 

Alicia is here to dish the pie on her new 6-author Anthology entitled Escape to Africa. And to share her favourite pie recipe with us. Please help me welcome Alicia!

Welcome, Alicia! I'm so happy to dish the pie with you! The first question I always ask my guests is...

Do you like desserts? What is your favourite and would you share the recipe with us?

Alicia: I love desserts! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but it would definitely contain strawberries. I’ve chosen one of my simplest and most delicious recipes to share. (It’s more or less my own creation, modified from a ‘Chocolate Delight’ recipe I’ve been making for years.)

Monique: Oh yum! Anything containing strawberries has got my attention. Can't wait for you to share the recipe! 

Recipe for Strawberry Delight     

Crust:

Strawberry Delight

• 1 cup crushed graham crackers
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar

(Or you may use a ready-made graham or shortbread crust)    
               

Filling:

Bottom layer:

• 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
• 8 ounce whipped topping
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Middle layer:

• Small box instant vanilla or French vanilla pudding
• 1 ¾ cup milk

Top layer:

• 10 to 12 oz sliced, sweetened strawberries (fresh or frozen, drained)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together the graham crackers, sugar and melted butter

Press into the bottom of a 9 or 10 inch pie pan

Bake for 10 minutes, or until crust layer is lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely (if using ready-made crust, no need to bake)

In a small bowl, prepare pudding per package directions except cut milk back to 1 ¾ cup. 

In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth

Fold in HALF of the whipped topping, and mix well to combine. Reserve the other half for top of pie.

Spread evenly over cooled crust

Spread vanilla pudding over cream cheese layer

Spread strawberries on top of pudding layer. Top with remaining cool whip. (Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired)

Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 1 hour.

TIP: This dessert is great with other fruits, such as canned peaches, cherry pie topping, blueberry, etc.

Monique: I'm looking forward to trying a slice of this. Have you ever eaten pie for breakfast? If so, what was it? 

Alicia: Definitely. The morning after Thanksgiving or Christmas, I used to LOVE eating my mom’s pumpkin, chocolate, or coconut pie for breakfast with a big glass of milk! :) 

Monique: Coconut pie! You have got to come back and share that recipe with us! I insist! What sort of things do you find funny?

Alicia: I usually don’t find really explicit humor all that funny. I find spontaneous remarks funny. I also find dark, twisted humor funny. And, random humor like “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey”  I love sitcoms, including a lot of British comedies...which I guess YOU just call ‘comedies’, Monique😉. (I am currently looking for one to watch, by the way, if anyone has any recommendations) My dad was hilarious and my siblings and I often reminisce about what we call ‘Daddy’isms’ – They were little spur of the moment funny lines he used to say. I was just thinking about one of his Daddy’isms this morning because of an ant issue I’m having. I keep trying to get rid of the little fiends, but they seem to be multiplying. I remember one time Dad was swatting flies (he was our resident fly-assassin), and there were many of them. It was summertime and they were thick. He shook his head in frustration and said, “Damn. You kill one of the s.o.b.’s and a thousand come to its funeral.” LOL. He was quick witted and naturally funny like that.  

Monique: Humour is very subjective. I think people say the funniest things. I also can't stop a belly laugh at the sight of someone falling over...sorry...😀. Your dad sounds so lovely. The fly comment made me laugh. Can you remember your first crush? Want to share?

Alicia: Funny you should ask (it’s really odd that two of your questions have been related to memories I’ve had just today! Hmmm…wonder if that means something). Anyway…I had a few grade school crushes, but my first ‘real’ crush was a boy named Jerry Vanderpool when I was in the seventh grade. I actually DREAMED about him last night! How’s that for freaky? In my book, Death Notice, I used his name as a ‘crush’ my main character had on a boy in school, and I ran across that part a few days ago, which is probably why I dreamed about him. Still, kind of weird. 

Monique: That's cool. Maybe we're in sync or something. Interesting about the dream. Perhaps you'll run into him again before long.  What do you think of PDA? (public displays of affection)

Alicia: Ugh, do NOT get me started. PDA annoys me, greatly. I find it highly discomfiting and unnecessary. I don’t even like it when a couple sits on the same side of a booth when they are the only ones at a table. Really? Is it worth it to give up elbow room and a handy place to keep your purse nearby, just to sit next to your significant other? I think not. 

Monique: LOL! I'm more than happy to give up elbow room. Plus, sitting next to someone, if you work it right, can keep the draught off you! 😁. When it comes to you as a writer, do consider yourself a— morning Lark, afternoon Hummingbird, or night Owl? (which time of day is your most creative time?)

Alicia: Morning, no doubt. I’m useless in the creativity department by the time afternoon rolls around.

Monique: You're such a busy person that I bet being at optimal creativity in the morning works out perfectly! So tell us about your new release?

  

Escape to Africa Anthology

~6 stories by 6 Authors~ 

Denyse Bridger; Lynn Crain; Alicia Dean; Gemma Juliana; Marie Laval; Jenny Twist.

Take a trip to fascinating, breathtaking, beautiful Africa, without ever leaving your home! These stories will send you on a journey filled with danger, love, and excitement. Travel from Casablanca to Morocco, across the plains of the Serengeti, to the ruins of Carthage, from the desert of Algeria, to the shores of Tripoli. Six international romance authors share spellbinding love stories told across time.

6 stories by 6 Authors for ONLY 99 cents!!

Dangerous Liaison - Historical Romance by Denyse Bridger

In late 1942, Casablanca, liaisons can be deadly, especially those that involve intelligence the Germans are willing to kill for...

A Pirate’s Lady – Time Travel Romance - Lynn Crain

Amanda Hoskip, a Time Travel Bureau agent, is intent on discovering who is tampering with time. But when she’s captured, she must pretend to be the wife of fellow agent and rescuer, Trevor Haines, which seems impossible because he thinks she’s failed her mission.

Dying to Love You - Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Elements by Alicia Dean  

To avoid purgatory, unloving and unlovable Autumn Baines is sent to the Serengeti where she must perform a selfless deed and find someone to fall in love with her. What she didn't count on was falling in love herself, or that her selfless deed could save a life, but sentence Autumn to eternal damnation.

Treasured Times - Romantic Suspense - Gemma Juliana

Nerissa Noir is a woman with many secrets. Leon Rizzo intends to figure them out, without revealing his own. From the shops of the exotic souk in Tunis to the ancient ruins of Carthage and beyond, deadly mysteries must be solved before time unravels… can they trust each other?

The Ravine of the Wild Woman - Historical Romance by Marie Laval

Algeria, North Africa, 1865.

Lenora Sharp is Azerwal's perfect woman. Brave, determined and unconventional, she is also related to the man who stole his name, his childhood and his identity - the very man and he has vowed to destroy, even if it takes him all the way to hell. Will love get in the way of revenge, or will Azerwal lose his soul before he loses his heart?

An Object of Desire - Romantic Suspense by Jenny Twist

Two students on holiday in Morocco discover that two sinister looking characters are following them. They meet an attractive man who offers to take them to their next destination.  All seems well until one of the girls disappears.

Available on pre-order now!

AmazonUS | AmazonUK | AmazonCA | AmazonAU | 

Find excerpts and more here: World Romance Authors

Dish The Pie With Monique And Guest...Elizabeth Bailey #Romantic #Suspense & Yummy Sticky Marmalade and Banana Bake

Dish The Pie with Monique and Elizabeth Bailey

We're back with another Dish The Pie guest. Please help me welcome Historical author Elizabeth Bailey. She's here today to dish the pie on Silence of a Stranger, her Romantic Suspense novella, and to share a recipe with us. Yummy Sticky Marmalade and Banana Bake is Elizabeth's very own creation. 

So, tell me, Elizabeth...

Do you like desserts? What is your favourite and would you share the recipe with us?

Elizabeth: I love desserts but I’m horribly deprived these days as I’m off sugar. But I did treat myself to my favourite Christmas Pudding on Christmas Day. No recipe for that as I buy the most nutty one I can find and shove it in the microwave! Once hot it is covered in boiling brandy and set alight. Then grab your serving, cover in brandy butter and cream and stuff your face.

But I will share a very easy unnamed recipe of my invention which has a similar effect of yummy stickiness.

Monique: Can’t wait! Here's the recipe, guys.

Yummy Sticky Marmalade and Banana Bake

Ingredients

Any packet of old biscuits too soft to eat (for UK biscuits read cookies in the US)

Alcohol of choice (sherry or port is good)

Marmalade

Bananas

Cream if you wish

Method

Bash up the biscuits into chunky crumbs and lay them in bottom of oven dish.

Splash in as much alcohol as you like, spreading it about.

Add a layer of thickly sliced banana.

Spoon marmalade over the top.

Bake in the oven for about 15-20 mins.

Serve hot, with or without cream.

Sticky and yummy.

Created by Crystal Swan for Dish The Pie With Monique

Monique: Have you ever eaten pie for breakfast? If so, what was it?

Elizabeth: I have eaten a pork pie in the morning, a mini one, but can’t remember if that was breakfast or not. I love pork pies, a traditional British pie so I don’t know if you have them in the States, and I like them hot so pop them in the microwave. Never buy cheap pork pies! Just not the same. Always worth spending an extra few pence to get the better flavour.

Monique: Pork pie wasn’t the sort of pie I had in mind, but since you’re off sugar I’ll let you get away with it. What sort of things do you find funny, Elizabeth?

Elizabeth: I’m a sucker for wacky humour that is also clever like Monty Python, and I love witty stuff like Noel Coward. Friends is right up my funny bone. The gags that get me on Facebook are those which take something well known and give it a silly twist. The antics of cats are funny, and dogs just have to trot along the road to make me laugh. I laugh a lot. Life is often funny.

Monique: You're a girl after my heart, Elizabeth. I love to laugh and do a lot of it, although I have to admit that even after living in the UK for over 30 years, I still don’t get British humour... When was the last time you cried?

Elizabeth:  When I was writing a scene in my current novel the other day. And don’t get me started on sad moments in movies! I once started crying at the last half hour of The Champ and I hadn’t even seen the film. Funnily enough, I don’t cry about life much if it’s my story. Far more likely to cry in sympathy with others.

Monique: I adore authors who can make me laugh and cry. Those are the books I treasure. Which season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) is your favourite, Elizabeth, and why?

Elizabeth: I love Autumn (or Fall) because of the colours. I wait for the leaves to turn gold and red and am always disappointed if the winds blow them away before I get a chance to admire them. Also it’s never that cold in our Autumn in the UK, so the horrible weather hasn’t set in yet. Of course it rains, but then it always does over here!

Monique: My mum loves Autumn also. I’m not a fan. I do hope we have more of a Summer this year. I’m so over the stormy weather. Describe your view of bliss?

Elizabeth:  A slow hot bath with lots of bubbles, followed by a comfortable bed and a really good book. I’m not that hard to please really. I usually do the bed and book on a daily basis, but the hot bath tends to be in the mornings and it isn’t nearly as blissful that way round. Oh, and add hot chocolate and I’d be in heaven.

Monique: Oh...utter bliss.

Thank you so much for dishing the Pie with me, Elizabeth. Would you please tell us a bit about your book?

Silence of a Stranger

by

Elizabeth Bailey

A Romantic Suspense Novella

Her car broken down, Bea Russell goes for help and walks straight into hell. Three armed men and no answers. Held captive, strip searched, her dignity in shreds, Bea is horrified when she responds to the attraction of the man who grabbed her out of the dark.


Who is the fugitive Rad? Escaped rapist or spy? No one will talk. Yet Bea is forced to share the danger, fleeing across rough fields in the deep night hours. At a deserted house by the sea, she looks fate in the eye. One wrong move could change her life forever.

Bea crossed over to the desk and glanced furtively at the papers. They looked like letters. One with a signature lay on top: Rad.

‘Haven’t you taken off those wet things yet?’ said his voice from the doorway.

Bea jumped, looking round.

‘You told me to wait.’

He threw her a large towel and she caught it, hardly aware that she did so as she heard his next curt command.

‘Strip off.’

‘What?’

‘You heard.’

His manner unsettled Bea. In the kitchen, he had seemed to champion her against the others to some degree. Alone with her, he had grown harsh, as grim a captor as Lyle was proving to be.

As she stood there, uncertain, she saw him begin to undress himself, ripping off his jumper to expose the bare tanned flesh of his chest.

‘Get on with it,’ he snapped, without looking round, and she quickly turned away as he began to peel off his jeans.

With caution, Bea took off her jacket and slid the damp sneakers off her feet. She sat on the bed to remove her socks.

‘Get off there, idiot! You’ll make the duvet damp.’

She leapt up again.

‘You don’t have to shout.’

Rad wrapped a towel about his waist and slipped his underwear down beneath it. His eyebrow lifted as she stared.

‘Did you think I was going to stay in wet clothes just to spare you embarrassment?’

‘You could have gone into another room.’

‘And leave you to palm anything you want to hide?’

It took a full minute for the significance of this to penetrate. Appalled, Bea gazed at him.

‘You’re not going to stand there and watch me undress.’

‘Yes.’

A cold monosyllable, as he dug into the chest of drawers. He glanced at her over his shoulder.

‘I’m supposed to search you, remember? Now strip off as I told you, and be quick about it.’

Bea trembled, half in anger, half in fear. What had she got herself into? Defiant, she glared at him.

‘What if I refuse?’

He threw a sweatshirt onto the bed and paused.

‘I can easily hand over the job to Tate or Lyle if you prefer. I can assure you their search would be far more thorough—and far more intimate.’

Amazon US | Amazon UK

I grew up in Africa on a diet of unconventional parents, theatre and Georgette Heyer. Eventually I went into acting and trod the boards in England until the writing bug got me, when I changed to teaching and directing while penning historical romances and edgy women’s fiction. My 8 year apprenticeship ended with publication by Mills & Boon, and 18 historicals. Latterly I had two historical mysteries published by Berkley and I’m hoping to release more Lady Fan novels. Meanwhile, it’s wonderful to be able to return to my first love and put out new and old releases in ebook.

Dish The Pie With Monique and Guest Nicole Fitton #Chicklit with a twist & Sticky Toffee Pudding

Dish The Pie With Monique and Nicole Fitton

I know! Two lush pie recipes in one week. Forget the New Year diet and let's eat pie, and talk books! Today I'm dishing pie with Nicole Fitton and talking about her book, All Tomorrow’s Parties. Welcome Nicole, so happy to have you here. I can't wait to hear about your book, but before we do, I have to ask you...

Do you like desserts? What is your favourite and would you share the recipe with us?

Nicole: I love desserts, probably a bit too much for my own good. My absolute favourite is Sticky Toffee Pudding. It sings of winter evenings by the fire, real comfort food. Perfect for this time of year, although I could eat it at any time of year to be honest! My recipe is so simple to make I can promise you that once you’ve made it you will want to make it again!

Monique: Ohhh...I just love this pudding all warm and sticky. Let’s have the recipe, then!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Pudding:

• 75g/2 3/4 oz Sultanas 

• 150g/5 ½ oz stoned dates chopped

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 2 tbsp butter, plus extra for greasing

• 200g/7 oz soft light brown sugar

• 2 eggs

• 200g/7 oz self raising flour; sifted

Sticky Toffee Sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter

• 175ml/6 fl oz double cream

• 200g/7 oz soft brown sugar

• Zested rind of 1 orange

• Freshly whipped cream to serve ( optional)

Method:

1. To make the pudding put the sultanas, dates and bicarbonate of soda into a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and leave to soak.

2. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Grease a round cake tine, 20cm/8 inches in diameter.

3. Put the butter in a separate bowl, add the sugar and mix well. Beat in the eggs, then fold in the flour. Drain the soaked fruit, add to the bowl and mix. Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared cake tin.

4. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for approx. 35-40 minutes. The pudding is cooked when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

5. About 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time

Image from Ocado.Com

make the sauce. Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat. Stir in the cream & sugar, bring to the boil stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 mins.

6. Turn out the pudding onto a serving plate & pour over the sauce. Decorate with the orange zest and whipped cream if desired.

Remember the recipe is for 4, although you will definitely be tempted to eat more than 1 portion!!!! Enjoy.

Monique: Have you ever eaten pie for breakfast, Nicole? If so, what was it?

Nicole:  I must admit I have not. I shall make 2016 the year that I do. I’m thinking apple crumble as that’s vaguely breakfastie! Oh am I missing the point? OK well then it would have to be flapjacks, something with a bit of a bite!

Monique: LOL. That’s cheating! How important is humour to you?

Nicole: Humour is really important to me. Humour has stood me in good stead over the years and even in the darkest of days it helps to shine a bright light. Throughout my career whether in PR or nursing, humour has been there helping to smooth out the bumps. I try to get a bit of humour into most things I write. It’s part of who I am so I try to make it a part of my characters too.

Monique: I do love a book with humour. How often do you laugh?

Nicole: I laugh every day. Whether it’s the dog being cheeky (and believe me she is very cheeky) or laughing because I’m embarrassing the kids. I try to embarrass the kids at least once a day! They are teenagers now and think that mums can’t be cool, after all, we’re mums! How wrong they are right??

Monique: Absolutely! There’s nothing like the joy of embarrassing one’s kiddies. What’s your philosophy in life?

Nicole: My philosophy in life is to live each day to the max and see where it takes you. As clichéd as that may sound, it is something I wholeheartedly believe in. Each day truly is a gift and cannot be replicated. A few things have happened over the years which make me realise that life is precious and nothing can or should be taken for granted. We are all guilty of complaining about this or that but the reality is we have so much to be thankful for. I try to start each day thinking positively about the day ahead, it doesn’t always work but I try.

Monique: Stellar philosophy. Start each day with thanksgiving. I like it. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever done?

Nicole: I’m not sure this qualifies as weird or exciting or both but I did once travel in a helicopter over the black forest in Germany with Bon Jovi, now that’s a whole different interview!

Monique: Oh, I would love to hear the details of that story. Thank you so much for joining me on Dish The Pie, Nicole. Would you tell us a bit about your book, please?

All Tomorrow’s Parties 

by 

Nicole Fitton

Set in the music industry of 1980's London, All Tomorrows Parties is a journey through life and love. Laine Marshall isn’t a product of the 1980’s she is the epitome of it. 18 years of age and working for one of the hippest labels around Vestal records. She takes the day to day hedonism of working for Vestal in her stride and experiences every emotion under the sun except the one she craves the most - love. 

She has a DJ boyfriend Danny she ‘likes’ and a music editor lover Tony ‘she could love’, but no smack bang between the eyes kind of love. That is until a chance encounter in Italy sets her pulse racing and her heart in pieces. With her life turned upside down she tries to navigate towards love with tragic consequences. Someone is trying to derail her happiness but who and why? Can her heart be broken and rebuilt?  

Set against a backdrop of pop culture All Tomorrows Parties details what it’s like for a young girl entering the workplace for the first time. Into a world that for all its forward thinking is still struggling with the changing role of women and flavours of this are peppered throughout the book. 

It is a story about the inception, development and completion of love. Sometimes you have to play the cards you’ve been dealt and hope. Hope that there is more than making do, hope that with every set back you grow taller and stronger 18 year old LAINE MARSHALL exemplifies hope.

“Let’s find a café somewhere, grab some lunch and plan our day, agreed?” said Andy as they finally stood on the quayside. 

They made their way to Café Pietro just off St Mark’s Square. After a quick lunch and glass of wine, they all decided to go their separate ways and explore elements of the city that appealed. They agreed to meet back at the quayside to catch the vaporetti at 6pm.

Andy, Pete, Mary and Ella went straight to St Mark’s Basilica whilst John whispered to Laine he had a surprise to show her and they headed off towards the waterfront. “You’re being quite secretive John, what’s this about?”  asked Laine.

“Ah you’ll see”, he said, grabbing her hand and moving towards a small ferry. 

The boat took them to the small island of San Lozarro deli Armeni. The island was home to the order of Mekhitarist Monks, originally from Armenia. John explained that the island had been a place of love for the poet Byron. He knew from their conversations that Byron held a special place in Laine’s life. It was also fortuitous that San Lozarro deli Armeni was also home to some of the world’s rarest roses – a favourite for them both. Walking along the beach that first night, they had both been surprised by the other’s love of roses. It had sparked a debate on the origins of the rose and a discussion around why both the UK and the US had adopted it as their national flower. It had been the first of many coincidences.

As they approached the island they were struck by its beauty. The monastery tower framed picture perfect against the powder blue sky, the jade blue sea contrasting against the backdrop of the soft coral stonework of the island. The island itself seemed to be perfectly square with the monastery centrally placed.

Laine had heard of the island when she had read about Byron’s life and his love of Armenian culture but had never expected she would be able to visit it. “This is amazing John - how did you know about this place?” she said, taking hold of his hand. “One of the guys at the base mentioned it a while back, it’s not that well-known, but really worth the trip. When you mentioned you loved Byron, well, it all kinda fitted together”, he said, squeezing her hand just a little.

They walked hand in hand through the cloisters of San Lorrazo del Armeni. The air was heavy with hints of musk and tea rose. Their olfactory senses at first overwhelmed as the subtle changes in scent presented itself, ebbing and flowing like the tide. The roses in the gardens were nurtured like much loved children, now resplendent in a wild spectrum of colours. A monk knelt, a trug by his side. His secateurs delicately dead heading the myriad of rose bushes. He turned and nodded as they passed.

These roses had seen lovers come and go. The memory of their scent imprinted, able to trigger emotions of either love or sorrow. Petals fell as the breeze drifted through and scattered them onto the cobbled path. A carpet of resplendent blooms in multiple colours lay ahead of them. They walked slowly along the path; petals appeared to drop from the sky as if heralding their arrival. Instinctively, Laine took off her sandals. A mix of smooth velvety gloss and heat from the cobbles tickled the soles of her feet. John smiled. The more time he spent with Laine the more he realised how similar they were –both cherished simple beauty where they found it. 

You can grab your copy of All Tomorrow's Parties from Amazon.

Nicole Fitton is a freelance writer who lives in Devon with her children, husband,10 old hens, 1 very old rabbit, an even older cat and a very young springy springer. Her first novel – All Tomorrow’s Parties released in July 2015 is a contemporary romance set in the heady world of the 1980’s music industry. Chicklit with a twist is how it has often been described and has received many a rave review. Her career to date has spanned 3 decades working in PR and marketing within Europe and the USA. She currently works within healthcare management in the UK. When not ‘doing the day job’ and apart from writing she enjoys field trialing her spaniel (who is very trialing!), playing golf (badly) and drinking copious amounts of coffee. She likes all things shiny and really really likes fast cars.

She is a member of the group Authors Helping Authors. Her second novel is due for release in 2016.

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Dish The Pie With Monique and Guest...Maureen L. Bonatch #CandyHeartsRomance #ValentinesDay and Peanut Butter #Pie

Dish The Pie With Monique and Maureen L. Bonatch

Today on Dish The Pie I have Maureen L. Bonatch, a fellow author in the new Candy Hearts Romance series from The Wild Rose Press. Forget Me Not is released today! Congrats, Maureen, I can’t wait to hear a little more about Forget Me Not, but first I need an answer to my most pressing question... 

Do you like desserts? What is your favourite and would you share the recipe with us?

Maureen: Yes! Who doesn’t? One of my favourite desserts is peanut butter pie and I will gladly share the recipe with you. It’s so easy, and delicious! (I must confess- I adore peanut butter!)

Monique: Yumbo! So do I! Quick, give us the recipe!

Photo: Maureen L. Bonatch

Peanut Butter Pie

1 chocolate pie crust
1 8 ounce cream cheese (softened)
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon butter (softened)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 12 ounce Cool Whip

Created by Crystal Swan for Dish The Pie With Monique

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and mix well.
Fold in ½ to ¾ of the container of Cool Whip. Spoon the mixture into the crust and then spread the remainder of the Cool whip on top.
Refrigerate. 


Monique: Have you ever eaten pie for breakfast? If so, what was it?

Maureen:  Yes. Most recently it was a piece of this peanut butter pie since I made one to get a nice picture for all of you. 

Monique: LOL! And delicious it looks too! Can’t wait to try this pie. Maureen, how important is humour to you?

Maureen: Very important. I incorporate it into my everyday and my writing. Life is stressful and serious most of the time, it’s helpful to be able to laugh. I’m drawn to people with a sense of humour. They make living life more fun.

Monique: I tend to like the zany types too. How often do you laugh?

Maureen: I try to laugh everyday. Either with my family or the people I spend my time with, a good movie or the books I love to read.

Monique: Laughter therapy is the best therapy. So, you must like films that make you laugh. Which movie is your all-time favourite? The one you watch so often you know every line?

Maureen: This is a hard question, but to choose an all-time favourite, I’d say My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I’m so excited that a second movie is being made for release in March. I can’t wait to revisit this hilarious family.

Monique: I do agree that this is a good film. Good choice. Which type of music do you like? Do you have a favourite artist? Does your music tastes ever change?

Maureen: I love music. Depending upon my mood, I listen to different types and have a long list of favourite artists. I enjoy listening to metal as much as I enjoy what I’d consider dance music, alternative, oldies and occasionally jazz. The only music I don’t really care for is country, although once in awhile a song will catch my ear. 

Monique: You’re my second guest who doesn’t like country. How is such a thing possible? I love country… I love Josh Turner… surely, he can turn anyone on to country?

Okay, enough about pie and crushes... or is that just me? Tell us about your new release, Maureen.

Forget Me Not

A Candy Hearts Romance

 by

Maureen L. Bonatch

The car accident totaled Sabrina Post’s convertible and reinvented her memories. She can't recall dumping Cole Dawson ten years ago. What her new clairvoyant visions tell Sabrina is he’s her husband. Any practical girl would question her sanity. But if Sabrina wants to make this imaginary future a reality, she'll have to regain Cole’s trust and eliminate her rival, the coffee shop waitress who’s pegged Cole as husband #4. To prove she’s foreseen their destiny, Sabrina stirs Cole’s interest by revealing specifics about him she couldn’t have otherwise known. Unfortunately, the one detail he vividly remembers is the pain when she left him and their "rinky-dink" town in her rearview mirror.

If Cole can't believe she's a changed woman, can Sabrina accept the only second chance she has at love exists in her memories?

The boxes of candy hearts Julie forgot spilled across the floor.

Cole hunkered down and gathered the papers. His mouth formed a hard line as he glanced at Sabrina’s leave paperwork with the end date prominently circled. He replaced it on the table under the keys.

“No really, I can do it. You stay, Cole. I’ll be right back.” Sabrina caught her reflection in the mirror on the wall. The quest for a coat resulted in her hair looking as if she’d stuck her finger into an electrical outlet. Her appearance matched her desperation. She ran her hands over her head, but the static filled strands resisted smoothing.

“I need to check on Dad anyway, and it’s on my way. I’ll take Josie.” Cole extended his elbow, and Josie latched on like a lifeline, her fingers digging into the leather of his jacket. She skittered across a few of the remaining candies, crushing Be Mine and Love Me on the floor. “Thanks again for dinner, Marge.”

“Cole wait.” Despair leaked into Sabrina’s plea.

He glanced toward the papers on the table and sighed. “I waited for years, Rena. It’s you who waited too long.”

As the door closed behind him, so did the future with Cole that she’d imagined. Her shoulders fell. She knelt to collect the candy hearts scattered on the floor. Forget Me Not and Hug Me taunted her with their cheerful words. Lacking a garbage bag, she shoved a handful of the candies into her jacket pocket. Several hearts were trodden into tiny pieces, like her own.

You can grab your copy of Forget Me Not from The Wild Rose Press | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | IBooks |

Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

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