Romance Rekindled by Diane Burton #MFRWauthor #AHAgrp

Today I have my friend and author Diane Burton back on my blog with her new release, Romance Rekindled, and that's not all. She's sharing her family recipe of how to make ​Mom’s Streusel Coffeecake  Yum Yum.

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​Romance & the Holidays and a Family Recipe
 
During this season of the year, our hearts are open to joy, peace, and love. We gather with family and friends to celebrate joyful historical events—the miracle of the oil for the Temple lamp (Hanukkah); the birth of Jesus (Christmas); the birth of Mohammad (Mawlid); African heritage in America (Kwanzaa).
 
Besides the religious aspect, our celebrates Christmas with special meals and gift giving. In years past, we went with our daughter’s family to the children’s Christmas Eve worship service followed by Chinese take-out at their house. In the morning, while we grazed on breakfast goodies (my mom’s streusel coffeecake and monkey bread, plus other more nutritious dishes), we opened gifts. I would get so much joy watching the grandkids open their gifts, they had to remind me to open mine. My daughter let the kids play with and/or examine each gift after opening, which extended the gift opening through most of the morning. Now that we live close by, Hubs and I would go home then returned later in the day for dinner. With our son living close now, I’m sure we’ll develop new traditions. This will be Toddler Girl’s first Christmas with real awareness. Her excitement over the neighborhood light displays will pale on Christmas morning. The two-month-old twins will be oblivious. I’m sure TG will “help” open their gifts, too.
 
Family. To me, that’s what holidays are about. Gathering with our loved ones, enjoying meals together. The gifts are secondary.
 
In my new release, Romance Rekindled, family and traditions are important to Abby. For years, Christmas was always celebrated with just her daughter and her parents. Then, everything changes. With the introduction to her mother’s boyfriend (while the two were in jail), Abby is forced to change. She must open her heart to include him and his son into the family home as well as their lives. She must also open her heart to love again.

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I too enjoy certain family traditions, unfortunately, since I've moved out to Montana, I've had to create different ones. But I always cherish the ones I left behind. Tell us a little about your book, Diane.

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Blurb
 
Abby Ten Eyck likes her life the way it is. She runs a successful business, has a well-adjusted teenage daughter, and has managed to keep men at bay since her divorce fifteen years ago. Just before Christmas, she’s hit with change. Her mother decides to sell the family home. Then she’s arrested, with an unknown man. Could this new man in her mother’s life create more upheaval? Or could his handsome son be just what Abby needs to revive her dormant feelings?
 
Sam Watson embraces transition from frenetic Wall Street to a small Michigan resort town. His health is worth moving close to his dad who seems over the moon in love. But it’s the daughter of his father’s girlfriend who fascinates him. Abby Ten Eyck reminds him of his driven self. He must help her slow down before she burns out. Like he did.
 
Excerpt
 
Outside the courthouse, the bright sun made the snow-covered trees glisten like fairy-land. Mother hugged George again, then Sam and Bethany. She looked at Abby and sighed. “This was the most fun I’ve had in years. Don’t ruin it with a lecture.”
Abby thought of several things to say—none of them good. “It’s okay, Mother.” She gave her a quick hug. “Let’s go home.”
Mother said, “George, remember what I said when we were in the slammer. You and Sam come for Christmas dinner tomorrow. Abby’s cooking at my house. Two o’clock and don’t be late.”
George grinned. “You’ve told me so much about Abby’s prowess in the kitchen, I can’t wait.”
After Sam and George left, Abby turned on her mother. “Why did you invite them? Christmas is for family. Besides, we hardly know them.”
Mother tipped her head to the side. “When did you become so mean spirited? Christmas is a time of sharing, especially with those in need. And, believe me, those two men need a good home-cooked meal. You’re going to have to get used to George being around. Besides, I don’t want those two bachelors eating Christmas dinner at Denny’s or some such place.”
As they got in the van, Abby pondered what her mother said. Was she being mean spirited for wanting to spend Christmas with only her immediate family? While Thanksgiving had always been a day for the gathering of relatives, Father insisted Christmas was for the four of them. After Father died, Mother, Bethany, and she spent Christmas together.
Then the rest of what Mother said registered. “What do you mean we have to get used to George being around?”
“I love him.”
 
Romance Rekindled is available at:
Amazon  http://a.co/jlmHYD2
Amazon UK  http://amzn.eu/12TqpEM
iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/romance-rekindled/id1321141515?mt=11
Smashwords  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/764369

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The book sounds really intriguing and it sounds like the mother is just about to drop a 'surprise.'

​No​w for the moment we've been waiting for. How do you make Mom's Streusel Coffeecake????

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​Mom’s Streusel Coffeecake
 
1 package yellow cake mix
1/4 cup firm butter
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups (12 oz) sour cream
 
Heat oven to 350°. Spray a 13x9x2 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray (or grease and flour the pan). Measure 2/3 cup dry cake mix into small bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Mix in brown sugar and walnuts. This will be the topping. Set aside.
 
In a large bowl, beat eggs lightly with fork; stir in sour cream. Blend in remaining dry cake mix, scraping bowl often. (Batter will be thick and slightly lumpy.) Pour half of the batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle half the topping over the batter. Spoon and gently spread remaining batter in pan, top with remaining topping mix. Bake 40-45 minutes at 350°.
 
Enjoy.

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Now here's what I found out about Diane.

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​Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched and Outer Rim series, she is the author of One Red Shoe, a romantic suspense, and the Alex O’Hara PI mystery series. She is also a contributor to two anthologies: Portals, Volume 2 and How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in West Michigan. They have two children and five grandchildren.
For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com
Connect with Diane Burton online
 
Blog:  http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dmburton72
Facebook:  http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor
Goodreads: Diane Burton Author
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/
 
Sign up for Diane’s new release alert and receive a free short story: http://eepurl.com/bdHtYf

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Thank you so much, Diane, for dropping by and talking about family, holidays and your new release. I hope you have great success with it.

If you're a visitor, please don't leave without posting a comment letting us know you stopped by. We love to talk to our readers.

Merry Christmas all.
Connie

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