Feb 11, 2010

Author J R Turner Writes About Romance and Chocolate (and includes a contest)

Romance and Chocolate
by J R Turner 
     
The contest portion has ended

There are few times in a person's life they get to experience a first. By it's nature, there can only be one. A first kiss, a first touch, a first love. These are the moments that linger with us for the rest of our lives. I still remember the name of the first boy who kissed me. For me, as a writer, I count myself ultimately blessed—I get to live these moments again and again—through my characters.

The Extreme Hauntings series didn't begin as a romance. As in most of my books, however, romance became an integral part of the story. In the third book, the one I'm in the "heart" of right now, my heroine Kaylee, just turned fifteen, is experiencing her first true love. The boy next door (literally) has become the young man of her dreams (literally.)

Through Kaylee, I'm recalling the way nothing in the world matters as long as the boy of your affections is by your side. I remember how little I cared about school or parents or being in trouble—as long as I had my first love. Drawing on these memories takes me to places I cherish, and creates a story people hopefully will find as satisfying to read as they I have to write.

There is only one thing that can accompany such wonderful memories. One thing in the whole wide world: chocolate! I am a chocoholic. My favorites are Dove's dark chocolate minis, Mounds, and when I'm feeling especially motivated—homemade chocolate chip cookie dough truffles. The recipe is simple and the family loves to help me eat them!



Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles



½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1-1/2 pounds semisweet candy coating, chopped
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 tbsp shortening.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour, milk, vanilla and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Shape into 1-in. balls and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt candy coating, stirring often until smooth. Dip balls into coating and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Melt white chocolate chips and shortening in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until runny. Drizzle stripes over truffles. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Yields 4 dozen truffles.







Contest
      
The contest portion has ended



Jenny will be giving away 3 book thongs to 3 readers. Contest runs for 3 days. (Use #3 when playing the lottery. It can't hurt)

To be eligible do one or more of the following:
* Leave a comment - 1 point
* Ask Jenny a question - 1 point
 * Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL - 1 point for each link

If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response. Contest ends Feb. 14 (Valentine's Day) at 11:59 PM PST.





J.R. Turner is the author of the Extreme Hauntings series. The first book, DFF: Dead Friends Forever is available at Amazon.com, Kindle, Fictionwise, and Echelon Press.com


PVN: Jenny, thanks so much for visiting Patricia's Vampire Notes! I cannot wait to try the recipe. I noticed you did not list the number of calories so I assume there aren't any :)

16 comments:

Julie S said...

Count me in the giveaway :) juliecookies(at)gmail.com

SandyG265 said...

Jenny I like dark chocolate too.
Haveyou tried the new dark chocolate Reese's minis yet?

Please enter me in the contest.

jellybelly82158 said...

Count me in the contest. Great interview.

Julie S.

jellybelly82158 said...

Do you have any other recipes to share?

Julie S

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Saved your recipe to my cookbook and add your name and book to my wishlist. Just love to find new authors( to me) that write what I love to read.

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

J.R. Turner said...

Hi everyone!! So cool for y'all to drop on by :) Thank you bunches for joining in on the fun.

YES!! Love the Reeses dark chocolate minis! :)

I've got loads of chocolate recipes ;) One of my favorites are the mashed potato chocolate balls from Hersheys. I found the same recipe on the internet: http://www.nancyskitchen.com/chocolate-recipes/chocolate-potato-candy.html

Enjoy! :) I'll be back again later to say hi and answer any questions anyone has.

Lisa, hope you enjoy the read! :)

Warmly,
Jenny:)

Sarah said...

Great post - the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles sound delicious so I'll definitely have a go at making them :o)

Thanks for hosting the giveaway

sarahsreviews at ymail dot com

BreiaB said...

Count me in, please. Great interview.

writtenwyrdd said...

I have to try that truffle recipe.

Vickie said...

Please count me in for the giveaway and for that umby-gumby recipe! Lady K and I both adore chocolate and playing...uh..creating in the kitchen. We have a chickie day coming up on Monday, this sounds like the perfect project.

Jenny: Do you work in quiet or do you have background noise?

Martha Lawson said...

I have got to try the truffle recipe - it looks so good!! Please count me in for the giveaway..

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

J.R. Turner said...

So glad everyone's enjoying the truffle recipe! :)

Vickie, I listen to music--mostly classic rock and heavy metal with a few "fun" songs like Sexy Thing and Play That Funky Music. Here's my playlist: http://www.playlist.com/playlist/15263170571

Warmly,
Jenny:)

Keta Diablo said...

Hi JR and hello Pat,

I loved the interview . . . and the recipe (who doesn't adore chocolate?). I also am very intrigued by that cover and the boy with the skateboard.

Wishing you much success with this new release JR and many more.

Crossing my fingers (and toes) that I win!

I tweeted about your interview here:
http://twitter.com/ketadiablo/status/9015720960

Best, Keta Diablo
http://www.ketadiablo.com

Spav said...

Count me in, please.

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

Miss Haley said...

+1 omg i know what im making for dessert tonite ;) those look yummy!!!

+1 posted at http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2010/02/few-contests.html

+1 posted at twitter.com/haleymathiot

haleymathiot@yahoo.com

thx!! :D

Cats on the Shelf said...

Count me in too!

catsontheshelf@gmail.com