Sunday, December 1, 2013

BRUNCH WITH BINGO! SWEET EXPECTATIONS: A PREVIEW WITH RECIPES AND A GIVEAWAY!

WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY"
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS WEEKEND'S
  SPECIAL "FOODIE" BOOK CHOICE IS.....
GIVEAWAY ENDED 
SWEET EXPECTATIONS
A Union Street Bakery Novel
BY MARY ELLEN TAYLOR
ABOUT THE BOOK: 
In SWEET EXPECTATIONS, Mary Ellen Taylor brings readers an intimate story echoing the emotion and sensitivity of The Union Street Bakery, as she explores dreams lost and found, the fear and joy of becoming a mother, and how the meaning of family transcends both time and DNA.
 
Daisy McCrae knows that change can be sudden—and devastating. And while it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, change has the power to turn your whole world upside down....

Running the family bakery and living in the store’s attic might not be Daisy’s dream life, but she’s beginning to understand what being content feels like. And then she gets some unexpected news. In one moment, Daisy’s calm existence turns into chaos. Now she’s struggling to keep it together, especially with renovations at the bakery spiraling out of control.

But when a box of recipes and mementos is found hidden behind a wall in the bakery, Daisy suddenly has something to cling to—a mystery that echoes her own troubles and gives her the opportunity to figure out what she really wants out of life... 

PRAISE FOR THE UNION STREET BAKERY NOVELS:
“When Daisy McCrae’s already semi-scrambled life abruptly turns even more upside down, it leads to deeper soul-searching, exploration of family ties, and a quest for the ultimate meaning of her purpose and direction . . . with Daisy’s narration alternating with her sister Rachel’s, the story unfurls at a slow yet steady pace, nicely layering characters, subplots, and backstory. “--Booklist

“Sweet and totally satisfying . . .  absorbing characters, a hint of mystery and touching self-discovery.”
--RT Book Reviews (4 Stars)

“A wonderful story about sisters, family, and the things that matter most.  I loved this beautifully written journey of self-discovery.”
--Wendy Wax, author of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey and Ten Beach Road

"Lots of good character development as Daisy comes to terms with herself and her family, deals with a couple of ghosts, and there are even a few recipes at the end. Thoroughly enjoyed this book."
--New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney at Word Wenches

"This book has mystery, history, a little romance, the paranormal, and a strong family saga. Nothing is over the top. Even the ghosts are just a thread in the pattern. Readers will love Daisy and the McCrae family and be engrossed in both the historical and the present puzzles Daisy and her family must solve. Taylor never takes the simple plot path or gives in to melodrama. The story feels real . . .highly recommended for anyone who loves family stories with intelligence and heart."
--Blogcritics

 
“Taylor serves up a great mix of vivid setting, history, drama and everyday life in THE UNION STREET BAKERY. Here’s hoping she writes more like it.”
--Herald-Sun, Durham, NC

"A superbly written book with emotional issues handled in a sensitive and delicate manner, and a finish with a feel-good ending."
-- The Courier, Montgomery County, Texas

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Ellen Taylor’s southern family has always enjoyed tall tales and good yarns. Early on, Mary Ellen realized that Story had tremendous power to inspire laughter, love, sorrow and even fear. It didn’t matter if the tales were found in the pages of a book, spoken in hushed tones around a campfire, or shared at an old-fashioned southern family reunion, stories created connections.

This appreciation of story motivated Mary Ellen to earn an English degree from Virginia’s Hollins University. After a decade of working in marketing and sales, Mary Ellen became convinced she could write and sell one of the many stories swirling in her head. Fingers crossed, Mary Ellen left the marketing profession and devoted all her spare time to writing a novel.

Under the name Mary Burton, she has written twelve historical romances for Harlequin Historicals, four short romantic suspenses for Silhouette Romantic Suspense and now writes single title suspense novels for Kensington. Mary Burton is a 2005 RITA Finalist (Short Historical) and a 2006 nominee the Romantic Times’ Critics Choice Award.

Mary Ellen is an avid baker who spends many afternoons testing and tweaking recipes. She resides in Virginia where she enjoys yoga, hiking and her two miniature dachshunds, Buddy and Bella.

You can find out more about Mary Ellen Taylor at her website HERE; like Mary Ellen on Facebook at facebook.com/pages/Mary-Ellen-Taylor; on Twitter @METBOOKS .

RECIPES FROM MARY ELLEN TAYLOR AND SWEET EXPECTATIONS AND THE UNION STREET BAKERY:
VANILLA TRUFFLES
INGREDIENTS:
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups white chocolate
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Confectioner’s sugar
  • Coconut
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Place heavy whipping cream in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring often. 
  2. When the cream is hot, pour over white chocolate and add vanilla. 
  3. Mix until the white chocolate is melted and blended. 
  4. Place white chocolate/cream mixture in a shallow dish and refrigerate for at least two hours. 
  5. When the mixture is solidified, scoop out, form into bite size balls and roll in coconut. 
  6. Chill.  Serve.  Enjoy!
   
JENNA’S PUMPKIN BREAD
INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup corn oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin 
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.
  2. In a separate bowl blend sugar and oil, and then mix in eggs one at a time.
  3. Add pumpkin to sugar/oil mixture.
  4. Add dry ingredients and beat until smooth.
  5. Put in an 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.75 greased pan lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 to 50 minutes.
  7. Makes 2 loaves. 
CREAM CHEESE ICING
INGREDIENTS:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 box 10x powdered sugar
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Cream together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until well blended.
  2. Mix in powdered sugar until smooth.   
SOME OTHER BOOKS BY MARY ELLEN TAYLOR/MARY BURTON:

                     

                       

GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO JOAN AND THE GOOD FOLKS AT
JOAN SCHULHAFER PUBLISHING & MEDIA CONSULTING,
I HAVE ONE COPY OF SWEET EXPECTATIONS
TO GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY READER

 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:


+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT SWEET EXPECTATIONS THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING AT MARY ELLEN TAYLOR'S WEBSITE HERE
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU CAN COMMENT SEPARATELY AND EACH WILL COUNT AS AN ENTRY 
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON A CURRENT GIVEAWAY THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED ON MY BLOG. IF YOU ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR EACH TO RECEIVE MORE ENTRIES
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 16
   GOOD LUCK!
A "WISE OWL" SPECIAL GIVEAWAY
(In this case, meaning one that was scheduled before my break from blogging)

100 comments:

Sue Farrell said...

MMMMMM That pumpkin bread recipe sounds good. I'll read this book for the recipes alone.
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Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.
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Sue Farrell said...

I follow on twitter as @Suekey12.
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Mary (Bookfan) said...

I love that some of my favorite author's loved the book!
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I follow via Bloglovin'
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Mary (Bookfan) said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/bookfanmb/status/407474904338944000
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Mary (Bookfan) said...

I love the recipe page on Taylor's website!
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Karen B said...

How did the box of recipes and mementos get hidden behind a wall in the bakery?
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Carol N Wong said...

I have the Union Street Bakery in my TBR shelves calling to me so I would love to read to continuationg of the story.

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Carol N Wong said...

I tweeted: http://t.co/UWiVsiz2Af

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Carol N Wong said...

I enjoyed reading about her first art class from a link from her blog link on her website. Think I would like to take that class!

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I follow with an e-mail subscription.

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I follow with Facebook.

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I follow with Networked Blogs.

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traveler said...

Wonderful and appealing novel. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

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traveler said...

the author has such talent and creativity. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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Rita Wray said...

I'd like to know who hid the recipes and mementos.

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Rita Wray said...

I thought it interesting that Mary Ellen is an avid baker.

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Rita Wray said...

Follow with email

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FB follower

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petite said...

What a unique and special story. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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petite said...

Her baking is wonderful. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would like to find out what unexpected news Daisy finds out. Sounds like a mystery to me.
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Unknown said...

/twitter.com/houdinibuddy/status/407731093442285568
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Unknown said...



BloggerMary Brandis posted a status
"Enter to win the giveaway by Bookin' with Bingo for the book Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor."
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Unknown said...

I went to Mary Ellen Taylor's website and found out that before writing fiction she worked in sales and marketing for a decade.
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debbie said...

I am really curious about the recipes in the book.
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debbie said...

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Linda Kish said...

There seems to be a bit of nostalgia to this book theme. I love it. This reminds me, I have to get out Union Street Bakery to read. Iwant to see the recipes, too. Those vanilla truffles sounds good. I don't like all of the chocolate ones.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

She has also written under the name Mary Burton.

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rubynreba said...

The recipes look so good - always enjoy books associated with food!
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