Weekend Links

 Need some distraction from the cold wind outside and the fact that soooo much gift shopping needs to be decided??  I do!  (plus I just started writing a new book, which means Procrastination Station).  Here's a few things to read.  (Later this weekend, I'm going to try and post some of my favorite reads of 2025, so stay tuned...)

Every tiara worn to this week's state banquet...

December 5 is Krampusnacht!

Richard E Grant's stunning Christmas decorations! (If you haven't read his book A Pocketful of Happiness I highly recommend it)

25 iconic fashion moments in film

What I really, really want to watch--Fackham Hall

How Hans Holbein survived the court of Henry VIII

Book Launch and Holiday Giveaway

 Happy week after Thanksgiving!  We still have turkey left over in our fridge (I think it's time to make the soup) and the tree is decorated, yay!  (The dogs are loving their Advent calendar, a new treat a day).  In the meantime, my dear friend Kathy L Wheeler and I have a book launch.  This is volume 4 (and the last one) in our Regency Gaming Hell Christmas series, and I have loved this project so much,,,

 I am also having a holiday read giveaway!  (I was cleaning out some boxes of books and have soooo many copies left).  Just shoot me an email (amccabe7551 AT yahoo.com) or sign up for my newsletter to enter.  I will announce a winner this weekend and mail it out Monday, in time for your winter reading

Holiday Weekend Links

 Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone!!  I just turned in final revisions on the next book, and am getting ready to make pies for tomorrow.  I hope you're having a lovely autumn!  In the meantime, here are a few distractions...

5 ways to support a small business during the holidays (from Everyday Parisian, which is a wonderful site!)

What wine goes with your holiday meals

The best Thanksgiving cocktails

A royal wedding on November 20, 1947

Weekend Links and Book Giveaway

 

Happy almost-Thanksgiving, everyone!  If you're already in the holiday spirit (I had my first peppermint mocha today!), check out Regency Gaming Hell Christmas, volume 1, which is free this week.  (Volume 4 is out December 3).  I loved working on this project with Kathy L Wheeler, my writing bestie, and I love it when holiday novella time rolls around...

What I'm reading right now: Hong Kong Widow (so spooky)

What I'm watching: Wicked part one, getting ready for my tickets to Wicked: For Good on the 22nd!

And here's some fun reading for the weekend...

A Frida Kahlo self-portrait is going up for auction

How the production team of "Hamnet" built a Globe replica in record time

The death of Princess Charlotte of Wales on November 6, 1817

Upcoming exhibit I'd like to see!  "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style"

Jonathan Bailey is the sexiest man alive (this tracks)

The gold heart necklace of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

Actress Prunella Scales (aka Sybil Fawlty) has died

A history of Guy Fawkes Day (remember, remember, the fifth of November!)

Giveaway!

 

To celebrate the release of Book 3 in the "Matchmakers of Bath" series (How to Court Your Wife, available now!), I'm giving away the first two books in the series plus a cute Jane Austen bookmark!  Just email me at amccabe7551 AT yahoo.com, sign up for my newsletter here (if you're already subscribed, you're entered!), follow me on BookBub, or comment on my FB or Instagram feeds...

New book!!!

 

How to Court Your Wife is out in the world today!!!  This is the third of the "Matchmakers in Bath" trilogy, and I really loved writing it since Sandrine is a modiste, famous for designing "lucky" wedding gowns.  Since I looove fashion, it was hard to stop researching and start writing.  More historical research info in an upcoming post...

They married for convenience, now they have a second chance to fall in love! Enjoy the final installment of the Matchmakers of Bath series.

Falling for her husband

…all over again!

When Sandrine was forced to give up her dressmaking dreams to wed Alain, Comte d’Alency, she never expected to fall for her convenient husband at first sight! Only, her hopes were dashed after their wedding night, when she discovered Alain loved another, so she fled…

Years later, Alain encounters his wife again! Now a successful modiste, Sandrine no longer needs him. To make amends and reclaim his runaway wife, he’s determined to give her the courtship they never had. But Alain’s not the only one with a past to reconcile—Sandrine’s also been keeping a little secret…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

Matchmakers of Bath

Book 1: The Earl's Cinderella Countess
Book 2: Their Convenient Christmas Betrothal
Book 3: How to Court Your Wife

Autumn Cocktail

 From the Highclere Castle gin website!  (because it sounds yummy!  Let me know if you try it.  And I have bought bottles of the gin before, it's excellent...)

Pumpkin Pie Sour

2 oz Highclere Castle Barrel Aged Gin

1 bsp. Pumpkin Puree

3/4 oz Lemon Juice

1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup

Egg White

2 dashes Vanilla Bitters

Pumpkin Spice

Star Anise Garnish

Directions:  Add the puree to cocktail shaker. Then add the gin, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, egg white and bitters. Shake with ice for ten seconds and strain into a cocktail coupe.  Add some pumpkin spice to the top and garnish.

How to make the cinnamon syrup

1 cup of water

1 cup of white or raw granulated sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:  In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil and stir in the sugar until dissolved.  Reduce the heat and add the cinnamon sticks. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and keep covered. Allow the syrup to cool for at least 1 hour.  Remove the cinnamon sticks and stir in the vanilla extract.