TVBT: The Cupcake Diaries: SPOONFUL OF CHRISTMAS by Darlene Panzera #Giveaway #Recipe @tastybooktours @Avonbooks

 

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The Cupcake Diaries Series

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In this special Christmas novella from Darlene Panzera, THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Spoonful of Christmas continues the adventures of three cupcake-loving women who work to keep their dream cupcake shop open while balancing love, family, and friendship.

When businessman Preston Pennyworth offers to buy Creative Cupcakes for a million dollars, the women are startled by his offer. Friends Andi, Kim, and Rachel have put everything into the shop and don’t want to give it up. Despite refusing the expensive offer, their worries are starting to pile up—just in time for the Christmas season.  Between Andi’s concerns about a potential cross-country move, Rachel’s wedding-day stress, and Kim’s love life woes, the spirit of the season seems to be lacking! With the added stress of the holiday season, the women can’t help but imaging the possibilities of the offer.

Things change when Andi decides to organize a Christmas party for the foster kids in the area and the whole town gets involved. The women of Creative Cupcakes are reminded of what truly matters, as they realize the best things in life are close to home! But, when the shop is vandalized, the foster kids’ gifts are stolen, and Rachel’s wedding is sabotaged by a real life Grinch, the women can’t help but feel hopeless on Christmas.  Will their Christmases be saved?

In this warm and heartfelt add-on to THE CUPCAKE DIARIES trilogy, Darlene Panzera’s Christmas novella will captivate reader’s hearts and capture the true meaning of Christmas.

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This was the fourth installment in the series The Cupcake Diaries. It held true to form as the previous three. A Sweet and fuzzy romance, full of emotional pulls and comedy.

 

 Even in their happily ever after, their lives are still one obstacle after another. Adding the additional character’s POV was a little hard to read at first, but it eventually added even more sweet and joy to the story.
 

 This was all of what you would expect from a Christmas story. The warm and fuzzies are out in full force. It was a light and easy read and I read it just a short afternoon.

 

 If you are looking for feel good, heart-warming story just in time for the Christmas season this is your book:-)

 

~Reviewed by Nikki

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Wanda's Easy Black Bean Brownie Cupcakes

from Wanda DeGolier of Tacoma, Washington

(Vegan and gluten free, but ignore that part or you won't even try them.)

1 ¾ cup of black beans (that's about 1 can, but I make them fresh)

1 banana

3 Tablespoons coconut oil (or butter) melted

¾ cup of cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 ¼ cup of dry sweetener (your choice, sugar, Splenda, Xylitol)

½ cup of flour (you can use rice flour if you want gluten free)

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

Optional: walnuts

Preheat oven to 350

Mush all the above ingredients together except the walnuts. I use an immersion blender. (Not sure if a mixer would do it, but a regular blender would.)

 

You can add the walnuts now if you want them throughout the brownies, or you can sprinkle them on top before baking.
 

Put into an appropriate-sized pan (8" x 8" or 9" round). The bigger the pan, the less cooking time. Or pour into a cupcake tray. You can oil and flour the pan to prevent sticking, but I've never had them stick. Bake for about 25 minutes. (Longer for chewier brownies, less for gooier brownies/cupcakes).
 

That's it! Let them cool a bit and enjoy!

 

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About Darlene

Darlene Panzera is the winner of the “Make Your Dreams Come True” contest sponsored by Avon Books. The win led her novella, The Bet, to be published with Debbie Macomber’s Family Affair. The award-winning novella (chosen in a blind-read by Debbie Macomber) was then published as a full length novel retitled, Bet You’ll Marry Me. Born and raised in New Jersey, Darlene is now a resident of the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and three children. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, two horses, and loves: camping, hiking, photography, and lazy days at the lake.

 www.darlenepanzera.com

https://www.facebook.com/DarlenePanzera

@DarlenePanzera

https://twitter.com/DarlenePanzera

 

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