Calling all readers AND cooks: Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Cookbook

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that welcomes readers of all ages with an open mind and a never ending bookshelf....Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

We all know what today is.  For the last thirteen years, we've marked this tragic anniversary with remembrances, memorials, words and tears.  Our hearts were forever marked by the lives lost...and yet out of that despair and hopelessness, we found new strength as a nation, as people united by more than the soil we choose to live on but by the truths we hold self-evident.  With that in mind, let us give a few moments of our day to honor those that can't be here with us, but will never truly be lost.....

....thank you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, you might be wondering why I chose today of all days to host a blog tour here on the site in lieu of a simple remembrance post.  Good wonder, guys!  (^_^)  It's simple.  I wanted to help create a new memory for this day, provide a distraction from the sadness, and simply bring a smile to your face.  

With that in mind, did you know what else today is?  It's National Hot Cross Bun Day!  Yep, that's right!  That tasty delicious treat is celebrated every 11th of September...and the day's name could also ironically be applied to today's book feature...if you know what I mean....*wink wink*.  (Did it work?  Are you smiling?  Well, only YOU can be the judge of that...but if you're at least thinking about smiling right now, we're on the right track.)

Today's blog tour guest comes to us courtesy of Amy (~waves~) at McAllister PR and features the latest release from an author known for her romance series yet making her debut (to my knowledge) in the...cooking arena?  Why yes, yes indeed, but this is not your average cookbook ladies and gents.  It ties directly into the lives of those that live in Fool's Gold, California....a place fans of her series will recognize in a heartbeat and clamor to grab a piece of, even if they have to don their kitchen aprons.  But wait...I said this wasn't your usual cookbook for a reason....curious why?  Well, let's meet the wordy dear properly and then we'll get right on that.  Today's blog tour guest and book of choice is...

Susan Mallery's

Fool's Gold Cookbook

Harlequin

978-0-373-892815

Now that you've been formerly introduced....don't you just want to pull up a chair at that table on the cover?!  From the visible foodage to the breathtaking scenary, I'd say, that's one delightful spread I'd love to be a part of....and thanks to the collection of foody fun, you can!

First and foremost this is a cookbook.  It has recipes that are for the most part easily accessible to the average John or Mary (or Gina...*ahem*  ^_^) due to the actual ingredients used, time it takes to prep/cook, and the potential for tasty results.  The book is sectioned off into the four seasons offering a menu if you will of delectable treats no matter what your palette seeks.  From Birthday Party Banana Layer Cake to Cheesy Bread Blossom, Double Swiss Omelets to Tiny Lemon Cakes, there is something for everyone.  (For a complete listing courtesy of the author, just click HERE!)  Did the names of a few of those scare you off?  Stop right there!  The recipes are made for beginners through intermediates so as long as you know your way around a kitchen to some degree, you'll be set.  Don't believe me?  Well, you don't have to take my word for it...after all, the author herself was put through the paces of several of these and when asked which was her favorite, here was the winning contender....

Pretty cool, right?  Looks tasty too.  Definitely gonna have to check that one out.
Now, I know what you might be thinking, this is a book blog, not a cooking blog, what gives?  Ah, but I told you there was something special about this particular cookbook now didn't I?

The fun doesn't end once you enter the kitchen to create one of these masterpieces of your own.  No sir-ree-bob.  There is additional treasure to enjoy while perusing the pages and marking your favorite recipes....an actual story.  *gasp*  Yes, you read that right....there's a special novella type story told throughout the book that actually features the cookbook in it as well, in a cool little twist.  We learn the story behind Ana's food truck business and her constant battle to be number one since grade school when a particular little boy snagged the spotlight and just wouldn't give it back.


That little boy's name....Greg, but trust me, he's not such a little boy anymore, and he's definitely not what Ana had in mind when considering a partnership in any fashion.  Oh but you know how life and love can be; the ways of the heart are a mystery to the most watchful of us.  *sigh* We don't get too involved (again due to the length) but we are placed within their world just enough to see how the dots connect to make the final picture presented. Do they get together?   Do they battle it out in the kitchen arena and bid each other adieu?  You'll have to read it to find out...and when you do, you'll totally have to share your thoughts on the potential romance AND tell me what recipe you chose to create first!

Review copy received courtesy of Amy (Publicist extraordinaire), affiliated with McAllister PR, and Harlequin!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to visit them online.  To discover more about the author behind the work as well as catch up on all there is to know in the Fool's Gold world, stop by the author's site, visit the official Fool's Gold site, like her on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  Recommended read for teens through adults...readers AND chefs alike.

ALSO...for those interested in picking up a copy of this fab book pronto, the author has a $2.00 off coupon on her site good through October 4th!  Even if you miss the discount though, it's still TOTALLY worth it.

Until next time...happy reading!