What does the phrase “do no harm but take no crap” mean to you? Some people interpret it to mean living your life on your terms but being sensitive to the needs, wants, and expectations of others. Or being empathetic, but not at the expense of your soul. Staying in your lane and minding your business but helping when and how you can. Being a good citizen but also taking care of yourself. No matter what you decide, it’s a philosophy that is impacting a lot of people in many different ways. Self-care comes to mind for me when I think about how I apply this to my life…setting aside time to take care of myself and do the things that feed and inspire my soul. And yes, that means cutting out the toxic elements that pop into my world here and there. I’m the kind of person who likes to help others but I’ve learned over the years that there are people who will take advantage of that and will, without hesitation, drain you dry. So having a philosophy like this one makes it easier to draw the line when a situation is getting out of control. I still…

In this scene Nicholas has let Zelda’s down and she knows that he’s a professional illusionist, it’s the show that matters not the people around him, but he proves there is more to him than the showman. *** Nicholas stood in Zelda’s kitchen, wondering what the hell he was doing. He’d come out here not because of the kid… Well, maybe a little bit, because Stetson reminded him of himself in some ways. But also for her. Her house felt homey, comfortable—the kind of place he imagined normal families lived. He’d grown up in a brick and stone 12 bedroom mansion with a kitchen that had been meant for a large staff of workers, and he and his grandfather had always eaten in the master suite to be near his grandmother. He’d grown up believing that his parents had died when he was a baby. His grandparents had raised him in their big mansion, treating him like he was a special gift in their lives. It had only been after they’d died that he’d realized everything he’d known had been an illusion. He’d been an adopted baby they’d used to replace the son they’d lost as an adult. He shook…

The Valentine’s Day celebrations continue with SUSAN STOKER! Don’t forget to follow our recipe roundup all week long!  *** I watched a show on television about a missing little girl. She was three when she disappeared. But it got me to thinking about what happened if that little girl was found years later? What had she gone through? What was her life like? I wrote Defending Zara with that in mind. When Zara was in elementary school, she was on vacation with her parents in Peru. They were killed and she was dumped in a barrio. She grew up there, eventually learning Spanish and how to survive in the poorest sections of the city. Fast forward years and years, she’s now an adult and runs across Meat, a Mountain Mercenary in the country to try to save children from a human trafficker. It’s a story of despair, hope, luck…and love. One of the first meals Zara shares with Meat is a simple fare of Chicken soup. It had been so long since she’d had such a wonderful meal without having to beg or steal for it. I imagine her and Meat sitting down in their house back in Colorado Springs…

Welcome to the Valentine’s Day Recipe Roundup! Follow along all week for great authors, delicious food, awesome books, and fun book giveaways. Each day, two authors will share a recipe they think their main characters would enjoy together. We hope you enjoy, add some meals to your recipe collections, and learn about some fabulous books along the way!  *** Piper J. Drake’s Butter Mochi In FOREVER STRONG, just released January 28, Ying Yue, has been kidnapped and subsequently rescued by Zu, leader of the Search and Protect team. She’s made welcome by Pua with snacks and refreshing drinks. Later, Kalea cooks for the team and the food she provides represents safety and a sense of home. As the chemistry between Ying Yue and Zu grows stronger, Zu finds himself wishing he could cook some of his favorite dishes for her. Food, the sharing of it, and the heart that might go into the cooking of it is a key element in the way I build my characters and their relationships. It can bring together a team and give you the sense of family, either born or found. Butter mochi is a Hawaiian treat made with sweet rice flour, resulting in…