For Readers

For the Love of Bookaholics

I have to admit I've been deep in my writer's cave the last few months, so I apologize profusely for my absence from blogging. I have been busy working my fingers to little bloody nubs on not one, but two upcoming releases!!! (*Party *)party timeIn addition to the books, I wanted to send a big fat thank you to all of my wonderful and supportive readers. Thanks to all of your support, I'm honored to let you know that Montana Mustangs won 2013 Reviewer's Choice Book of the Year!!! Thank you, you bookaholics! :) I'm also excited to tell you that this Award-Winning book was just released in PAPERBACK! (That's right, baby! Now you get to read in the tub! But please don't drop it!)  On a side note, the fourth book in the Nymph Series, Savannah Sacrifice, will be published June 7, 2014--so mark those calendars!Now back to you... I have put hours and hours of thought into what I could do to thank you for all of your voting, love and support. Let's face it, since I can't send everyone who voted champagne (I don't think they have a big enough delivery truck), I am going to do the next best thing. I'm going to let all of my loyal readers have a sneak peek at my next book, Island Bride. Island Bride is set to be released in early April... So no tears, you will be able to get your hands on the full book soon! :) 

Island Bride

Chapter One

 

While she waited in the New Zealand hotel’s bar for her assistant, Amy Oliver’s thoughts wandered to Jason. After a long day like this, she used to slip her fingers into his as soon as she sank into their bed. His fingers would collapse around hers, as if they had waited all day for her presence. Yet, the longer she held his hand, no matter how hard or how light her grip, the less and less she had felt his touch. Before long, just as she had lost the feeling of his fingers night after night, she had lost his love—even though their skins had been pressed together.The bar around her was almost empty except for a couple who sat in the shadows. Amy took a long drink from the glass of Chardonnay and sat it back down on the bar. Droplets of condensation pooled where her fingers had pressed against the glass. Love in a touch. Love lost in that same touch. It all depended on the force. How right they had been.Why hadn’t she listened?The Chardonnay tasted harsh and dry, but it was nothing compared to the Arctic chill that had invaded her core.“You ready, Amy?” Her assistant, Honeysuckle, called from the door of the hotel lounge. A large binder was stuffed against her blood-red business suit, like it was the only life preserver in a sea filled with sharks.What parent in their right mind would name their daughter Honeysuckle?The woman perched on the tips of her Choo’s like she was ready to pirouette across the bar. Her red hair was pulled back with one perfect little curl framing her face. No matter the amount of hairspray or thousand dollar suits, Honeysuckle still carried the shame of an overly sweet-scented name that must have been given to her by a tribe of left-over lovechildren.“Come on!” Honeysuckle made her way across the bar, unaware of the interruption she caused in Amy’s pity party. “The wedding starts tomorrow and the florist says they’re running late with a shipment. The orchids won’t be arriving until tomorrow morning and now he’s saying that there’s no way he can get all forty-seven arrangements completed before six.”Amy dipped her finger in the pool of condensation on her wine glass and licked it from her fingertip. Her chance at love may have come and gone, but that didn’t mean she could ignore the ignorant bliss of those who paid her to fantasize about theirs. Happy hour was officially over... --Hope you loved the sneak peek!! :)Happiest of Reading,Danica Winters

Paranormal Romance Guild Nominee for Best Book!

Montana Mustangs has been nominated for PARANORMAL ROMANTIC SUSPENSE BOOK OF THE YEAR!!  And I need your help!!

Dear Friends-  I'm excited to announce that my novel, Montana Mustangs, has been nominated by the Paranormal Romance Guild for PARANORMAL ROMANTIC SUSPENSE OF THE YEAR!To win this highly coveted award, I am asking that my fans vote each day through January 13, 2014 (You can vote by clicking here)!As always, I want to thank my wonderful, loyal fans. I love receiving your many notes and cards. Your kind words and support are truly amazing!Wishing you a Happy New Year!Thank you, Danica Winters   *I know many of you have fallen in love with Montana Mustangs, but for those of you who have yet to check it out, you can find it on all retail sites including Amazon. It will also be available in paperback soon!

                                                                                
Thank you for your help!!

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Dishwasher Salmon and an Unforgettable Story

salmondishwasher_previewMy latest short story, Christmas Wishes, which is also included in the bestselling anthology Christmas Romance (The Best Short Romances of 2013), is not only a story about love, moving forward, and wishing, but there is also a side story about a fish.A fish? Yes, a fish. And not just any fish, but a salmon to be exact.I have received many lovely letters about that silly fish. Most ask: "Can you really cook a fish in the dishwasher?" The answer is simple. Yes, you can cook a fish in the dishwasher. Yet, if you are like Lee from Christmas Wishes, I strongly suggest that you do so at your own risk! :)For those of us who can cook, here is the recipe for Dishwasher Salmon. Enjoy! (But remember to never use dish soap when cooking! LOL)

 

Dishwasher Salmon

 Ingredients

4 6-ounce salmon fillets 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper heavy duty aluminum foilDill Sauce: 2 tablespoons butter 2 leeks, white part only, finely chopped, then thoroughly washed 1 jalapeño chili, seeds and membranes removed, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock 1 1/2 cups lightly packed fresh dill, stems removed before measuring 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

  1. Cut two 12-inch square sheets of aluminum foil.
  2. Place two fillets side by side on each square and fold up the outer edges.
  3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon lemon juice over each fillet. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Fold and pinch the aluminum foil extra tightly to create a watertight seal around each pair of fillets. Make sure the packet is airtight by pressing down on it gently with your hand. If air escapes easily, rewrap.
  5. Place foil packets on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run dishwasher for the entire "normal" cycle.
  6. When cycle is complete, take out salmon, discard foil, place one fillet on each plate, and spoon a generous serving of dill sauce overtop.

Don’t have a dishwasher? Bake foil-wrapped packets in a preheated 400°F oven for 12 minutes.Sauce

  1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a sauté pan.
  2. Add the leek, jalapeño, and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the leeks are translucent—but not brown.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add the stock. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. (Adjust heat as required to maintain simmer.) The liquid should reduce by half.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. Transfer to a blender or food processor and add the dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Puree until smooth. Reserve and reheat just before serving. Stir in the sour cream at the last minute.

About Danica Winters: Danica Winters is a bestselling author who is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic. When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing).  She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.
 
Christmas WishesChristmas Wishes
Published September 26, 2013
Available in Paperback November 1, 2013
Length: Short Story
Publisher: Books To Go Now
ASIN: B00FHBT8G4
Purchase Links: Amazon | Kobo | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads              
Pages: 30
Blurb: For most, Christmas is a time for family, love, life, dreams, and wishes—but not for Lee Llewellyn, a mother who has recently lost her son to an accident and her husband to the resentment it caused.In a chance encounter, she is given the gift of company on Christmas, but is she ready to move forward and start living again?
Christmas Wishes

ChristmasRomance HighRes(1)Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romances of 2013)Short Story Anthology Authors: Danica Winters, Jennifer Conner, Sharon Kleve, Casey DawesBlurbs:Christmas Wishes-Danica Winters: For most, Christmas is a time for family, love, life, dreams, and wishes—but not for Lee Llewellyn, a mother who has recently lost her son to an accident and her husband to the resentment it caused.In a chance encounter, she is given the gift of company on Christmas, but is she ready to move forward and start living again?Central Bark at Christmas-Jennifer Conner: When Tennyson’s boyfriend left her for her best friend from high-school, all Tennyson received in the break up was her dog. She’s sworn off men and now is rebuilding her life. The only thing Par does is work. He barely has time to do anything he wants for himself other than take his dog to the dog park. When Par and Tennyson find an abandoned dog at the park named Duke. Will they find room in their hearts to take him in?And can this Christmas season weave some special magic for the two of them?Halo's Wish-Sharon Kleve: Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she's ever wanted.Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both before Christmas?Christmas Hope-Casey Dawes: Clara Misowski is convinced Sam Richards’ cheese making operation would be a perfect stop for her culinary tour group.He’s adamantly opposed to anything to do with a group of women on his farm.Can she convince him to open his heart to company, Christmas, and maybe even her?Check it out on Amazon!