by Maureen L. Bonatch

 Ahh….Spring is in the air! For my hubby, and me that means getting ready to pull out the motorcycle to take for a spin. I’m on the back, of course, not quite brave enough to have a go at riding on my own. But this gives me the opportunity to let my muse, and my stories grow. Riding the back of that bike helped me put many of the finishing touches on Destiny Calling, which features a biker bar and a bit of baking.

Hope only wants to find out if her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with her touch makes her the devil’s spawn, or his exterminator. But when the woman who raised her is murdered by something not human, she loses the only family she knew and discovers one she might wish she hadn’t.

Drawn back to the home town she vowed never to return to, her ability is seen as an asset to everyone but Hope, and she doesn’t know who to trust. Her family wants her to help them overcome an enemy oppressing the human population, while the man of her dreams is courting her for the Underworld.

Time is running out, and Hope’s choice may be made for her, as she discovers she’s a pawn in a bigger game played by a merciless ruler who doesn’t lose.

In my book, Destiny Calling, Hope’s journey leads her to discover new family members, including her Aunt Ruthie. Ruthie’s gift is knowing. In particular she knows how to bake cookies that are always unbelievably delicious. I’m sharing Ruthie’s coveted No Bake Cookie recipe below that has been honed over the years to perfection for the chocolate lovers in your life.

But first, let’s let you meet Aunt Ruthie and her husband George with a little excerpt from DESTINY CALLING:

Ruthie’s voice became louder as she made her way to the living room. “George. I said, did you offer Hope iced tea?”

When he didn’t immediately respond, she raised her voice a few octaves. “George. How come you ain’t never listening when I’m talking to you?”

George held on to the armrests as he lowered himself into the recliner covered in a multi-colored afghan. As he leaned forward, the afghan abandoned its perch on the back of the chair and slid partially into the depths of the cushion. Tapping on the hearing aid occupying his left ear, he whispered, “That’s ’cause I turn this thing off when I’m tired of listening.”

His round cheeks and ginormous mustache rose up as he unsuccessfully attempted to contain his mirth. The sound escaping was comparable to the giggle of a small child. He covered his mouth with a large paw-like hand as his giggling subsided.

I smiled. If I hadn’t liked George instantly, his giggle would’ve clinched it.

“What’s that you say, George?”

Obviously, Ruthie didn’t have any problems with hearing loss. “Nothing, sweetie.” He smirked.

Ruthie burst into the room, balancing a silver tray baring an assortment of baked goods and a delicate silver teapot. She set it onto the coffee table and nodded to the small china plates. Being a slave to sweets, I didn’t need to be told twice.

“Since George here didn’t ask you””” She smacked George’s hand, which was making a beeline for the tray. “Guests first.”

Recipe for: DESTINY CALLING

• touch of romance,
• hint of suspense,
• sprinkle of humor
• heap of fantasy

Ruthie’s No Bake Cookies

(For the peanut butter lovers- see substitutions at the bottom)

~ 2 cups sugar                                  ~ 1/3 cup Hershey cocoa

~ ½ cup butter                                 ~ ½ cup milk

~ ½ cup peanut butter                    ~ 1 tsp. vanilla

~ 2 ½ cups quick rolled oats

1. On medium heat, mix: sugar, cocoa butter and milk. Stir constantly. Do not boil until at least 3 minutes, if it starts earlier, turn the heat down. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the stove.
2. Stir in peanut butter, then vanilla, then oats. Mix well after adding each ingredient. As soon as oats are mixed, drop onto waxed paper.

**For Peanut Butter cookies: Omit cocoa, increase to 3 cups of oats and 1 cup peanut butter

Ruthie’s tips:

To ensure your cookies form well, be sure to stir constantly and adhere to the recommended boil time.

If it is a very humid day, you may need to put your cookies in the freezer briefly to ensure they form well.

Are you a chocolate or a peanut butter lover? (Or a bad boy biker?)

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free e-copy of Destiny Calling. One random commenter will be chosen.

 Penning stories boasting laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world.

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