Bar Bites: A Man of the Month Cookbook....Sandie's post

I have a really fun blog post for today!!!

On May 15th J. Kenner released:

Bar Bites: A Man of the Month Cookbook

In this book, you get a story and recipes. How fun is that? I was contacted by her publicist and asked if I would make one of the recipes in the book. Since I like to cook and drink 

I figure this would be a great way to help promote the book and learn to make a quick easy snack for my guests (mainly my BFF and sis in law when they come over to drink).

About the book:

Before Austin’s hotspot The Fix on Sixth became known for its sexy and fun Man of the Month calendar contest, the fictional downtown bar had already developed a reputation for fabulous drinks and mouthwatering bar bites—exactly the kind of venue to take a date and strike up a romance. Now it’s your chance to see exactly what’s on the menu … and to get a peek at the private lives of the men and women who not only work at The Fix, but who’ve made it the place to be in Austin, Texas.

Join Man of the Month creator, New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner and USA Today bestselling Southern food expert Suzanne Johnson as they guide you through the favorite bar bite and drink recipes served at The Fix on Sixth. Learn how to make the delicious bar bites that Tyree’s bar has become famous for. Whip up your favorite cocktail with the same flare as Cameron or Eric. And don’t forget to spend some time learning a little bit more about the private lives of your favorite characters in all new snippets and short stories!

Most of all, come share a drink, a bite, and a laugh with us! We’re so glad you’re here.

So pull up a chair, raise a glass, and dig in with your favorite Man of the Month characters, and meet a few new ones, too!

Cheers! 

Sounds pretty good right? I thought so too.

I decided to make the Veggiedillas with Avocado Dipping Sauce

The recipe was easy to follow and didn't require much prep time. I really wanted to make a video because honestly, I feel that anyone can make this and like I said very little prep time but alas, school took priority because it is finals week and I've been studying for the past 2 weeks. It's worth it since I graduate on Friday!! YAY 

Anywho's I always get off track 

My process in pics...

I gathered my ingredients, and well this isn't all of them I forgot like IDK 5 items because sometimes my brain goes 5 million miles an hour and I forget to put everything in the pic.

oooohhhh look the butter in a hot pan is melting...

That is what the last pic reminds me of.

After the butter melted I added in the veggies that will go in the middle of the quisadilla...rather veggiedilla. Looks good right? 

I cooked all that up for a grand total of about 13 mins. 8 mins I sauteed the veggies. I added taco seasoning for flavor then grabbed a large tortilla from this package...

put it on a hot skillet, filled half the tortilla with the veggies and added cheese (Mexican blend, already shredded). While that was cooking I made the avocado dip. Now many of you know that I am deathly allergic to avocado's so you're probs wondering "Sandie why would you make that?" I live through everyone else so I make guac and avocado dip and make the hubby, kids and friends eat it so I can see how much they enjoy it and it brings me joy.

Okay, so back to the recipe... in the blender, I added the avocados, yogurt, lime, minced garlic, and salt.

FINAL PRODUCT READY?

Easy peasy leamon squeezy! It's delish (okay well my family said the avocado dip is really good since I can't try it) but I know that the veggiedilla is 

and easy to make. Alright well, I escaped for about 45 mins to make the food and this post but now duty calls and sadly I must return to studying so I can pass my finals. Be sure to check out J. Kenner's latest cookbook/book to get the full recipe. Trust me you need this!!!

Until next time.

Where to purchase the book:

Amazon

Blog Tour for RISING by Jessica Ruben EXCERPT + REVIEW

We're celebrating the release of RISING by Jessica Ruben! One-click your copy today!

NA Contemporary Romance
Cover designer: Okay Creations
Release date: May 1, 2018

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2HxzVmH
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Kdnmym
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2r1OFDT
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2vOEM1r
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2KhW75N

As the bus approaches my stop on the Lower East Side, I raise the hood of my black sweatshirt. Anonymity is key in my neighborhood—particularly as a lone female walking at night.

All I want is to leave my crime-ridden shadow of a home in New York City. I’ve done everything I can to keep my head down and focus on my studies. College is my only goal; love has never been on the map…
That is, until my sister brings me to an underground fight, where I meet a gorgeous and mysterious man: Vincent.

He is the ghost in my shadows, showing up to feed me pieces of his upper-crust life, then evaporating into darkness until his next visit. I’m falling hard and fast. How can I trust him amidst the depth of his secrets?

Vincent may be even more dangerous than the dark world I’m trying to escape.

“Carlos is out,” she says in a rush. I look at her face, feeling my stomach sink. She’s playing with the hem of her shirt and glances at me nervously. Finally, her gray-blue eyes bore into mine, and I know that she’s gearing up to tell me some serious shit.

With trembling hands, I put down my coffee mug. “Tell me.”

“Yeah. Well, I heard he made bail—” She stops, clearing her throat. “I also heard that he’s, um, angrier than usual.” She stands, bringing the rest of the carafe of coffee to the table and pouring more into my cup.

I lick my dry lips. “What do you mean?”

She moves to the edge of her seat, pushing sugar my way. “Well, I was on the stoop yesterday. It was my day off. I was hanging out with everyone and listening to Mr. Samson talk about a new jazz club that recently opened up in Harlem. We were all getting high with someone’s hash, shooting the shit—”

“And?” I raise my eyebrows, waiting for her to get to the point.

“Juan came over, and sat with me.” She slightly shifts her head to the side and presses her lips together. “Well, he told me that Carlos is out now. And, he’s been talking shit all over town that he and you have some unfinished business. Juan wanted to tell me because he’s scared for you. I know he’s an annoying little shit, but after he heard...” her voice trails off.

I blink once, twice, three times.

“There’s more,” she says on an exhale. “Apparently, he hooked up with some girl last night. Beat the shit out of her. Ms. Santini from Three-A was on her way to work and stopped to drop off her trash by the dumpsters. Apparently, she heard a moaning sound. When she saw the girl, her clothes were torn. She was beaten up and started bawling about Carlos…”

My head gets dizzy, but I force myself to hear every detail. “An ambulance took her away, but she was in pretty bad shape.”

I want to ask more questions, but the terror has a clamp on my throat.

“I think you need to stay close to me for a while, okay? The Snakes are getting more aggressive. They want the Blue Houses as their own territory, and it looks like they’re trying to instill some bigger fear on the streets.” She drops her gaze. I know she’s afraid. Every girl in the Blue Houses probably heard the story by now.

“Yeah. Okay. I’ll make sure Angelo knows I need to leave before it gets dark out.”

“Good idea. We need to sync our schedules so you aren’t walking alone at night. I’m gonna talk to some other people and try to get their schedules down so that everyone has a buddy or something at night. I’m sure when everyone hears about this, we won’t be the only ones who are scared.” I nod my head and stand up mechanically, rinsing my mug and walking to my room to digest the new information. After grabbing my stuff, I check my purse to make sure that my gun is still inside. I lock myself in the bathroom and load and unload the gun a few times, reacquainting myself with the weapon. If Carlos comes, I’ll be ready for him.

Getting to work, I let Angelo know the details of what’s new with Carlos. He’s angry and continues to tell me that I shouldn’t be so stubborn and I need to let the Borignones get involved. But I refuse. I still don’t want any debts to my name. I’ve made it this far, and I believe I can wait it out a little longer.

Work passes in a blur. I’m convincing a girl to sell her diamond ring while Angelo sells the two violins and a Cartier watch to an elderly couple who want to buy something for their grandchildren.

When the day is done, Angelo insists on calling a car to take me home. I sigh deeply, knowing that the driver will be one of Angelo’s associates. But considering the fact that Carlos is out of jail, I’m not going to complain. I nod my head and take his ride in the name of safety.

I get in the huge black Escalade and see a massive man sitting in the driver’s seat. Swallowing hard, I remind myself that he’s not an enemy, but on my side. He drives me right up to my building and I gingerly walk out, my shaking hand inside my purse, gripping my gun. I’m scared as hell, but it makes me feel a modicum of control. The driver enters the building with me and steps into the elevator as well.

We reach the fourth floor when I tell him he can go. “I can get into my apartment fine now.” He nods his head wordlessly and re-calls the elevator to bring him back downstairs.

I get up to my door without incident and let out the breath I was holding while I pry my fingers off my gun. “I’m okay,” I say out loud, turning my head and letting my gaze run up and down my hallway. It’s empty. I pull out my key and step forward onto my threadbare Welcome mat when I feel like I’ve kicked something. I look down, confused at what’s on the floor. It must be Janelle’s sweater that she dropped on her way out. I bend down to pick it up and freeze.

Alright, people, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!! You all need to get this damn book ASAP. I literally read it in one sitting. I was taken in by the writing and then the characters and OMFG I don't know how to put this into words. I don't want to give too much away because I feel like you all need to experience this first hand. 

Vincent is this mystery snack that I wanted to eat FOREVER! He was always at arm's length from Eve, all I wanted was for her to smash through his wall but little by little I learned more and I was so here for it.

Eve is quiet and keeps her head down she is 18 and about to leave for college if she can survive her gang-ridden, drug infested and full of crime neighborhood. Boy oh boy could I so relate to her here. I know all about keeping my head down, trying not to attract attention because I have lived this life and believe me it's not fun. I think this is what connected me so much with Eve because I made it out and I know how tough it is, so to basically see myself in a different way hit close to home. 

There is mystery and suspense and most of the time I was biting my nails trying to read faster because I HAD TO KNOW what happened next. This author did an amazing job of not only keeping my picky ass entertained but glued to and in the story the ENTIRE TIME!!! If you are picky like me and need something to satiate your hunger for a sensational, jaw-dropping, all encompassing book then get this one ASAP!!!

Jessica Ruben lives and works in New York City, where she spends her days dominating in the court room as an attorney. Come nightfall, she writes romances centering on gorgeous alpha males and the intelligent women who love them.

Jessica is an insatiable reader, and will devour a few books a week without batting an eyelash. Books have always been her drug of choice, and she has no plans on detox anytime soon. She has three wildly delicious children and a husband who, for reasons unimaginable to her, loves her brand of crazy.

http://jessicarubenauthor.com