Book Club Preferences - Print vs Digital

Have you selected the Montlake Romance release of SWEET TEA AND SECRETS for your book club read of the month? Now available in print, digital and audio, too. If your an Amazon Prime member you can get your kindle version for free.

Does your book club prefer one format over the other, or is it a mix? It's interesting to watch the rapid growth of digital publishing, and the shifting attitudes about reading devices versus holding a paper book in your hands.

I like the fact that we have options. In some cases, the digital option gives us a great way to sample new authors in a less expensive way. I'm hearing more and more that people are balancing both digital and paper formats in their personal reading habits based on what's going in their life (traveling, reading on the run, budget) and that's pretty cool.

One thing that my author friends and I've heard is the disappointment in not being able to get your digital books signed , or going to book signings in a bookstore only to feel like you have to apologize for buying the digital copy instead of the print book.

I am here to tell you that we appreciate you buying our books no matter what format you prefer.
If you purchased a digital copy of any of my books, you can still get an autograph. You can send me a SASE to Nancy Naigle ~ PO BOX 723 ~ Emporia, VA 23847 and I'll happily send you a KEEPER KASE card that has the book cover on the front and a personalized autograph on the back. These cards are the brainchild of my author friend, Dianna Love, and they are really becoming popular. They are in a handy 4x6 size so you can collect them in a standard photo album.

If your book club would like autographed cards to distribute on your book night ... just let me know. I'd be happy to send enough for everyone in the group, and I'll even personalize them.
Hugs and happy reading~

A summer treat

June is when we all think about all those years as kids when we had the summer off.
No matter where you are the temperatures are rising and we all want to spend a little less time in the kitchen.

Here's a couple options for a cooler meeting:

• Serve southern iced tea for a change. You can get Pearl's Perfect Sweet Tea recipe here
• Find some good old fashioned ice trays and pop a piece of fresh fruit in each divet....add water and freeze for a beauiful garnish to your refreshments.
• Pinwheels - Easy as can be and yummy, too. Use large flour tortillas and spread a generous serving of your favorite filling (pimento cheese, tuna salad, egg salad) roll and slice into colorful bite size tidbits.
• Watergate salad - Whip up a lovely green (hey, it matches my book cover!) treat by mixing a tub of cool whip, pistachio pudding packet dry, can of crushed pineapple drained, marshmallows and chopped nuts if you like. waaalaaaa....pretty and delightfully refreshing.

What are your favorite quick and easy get together dishes??

Fa-la-la-lala Bon-Bons

For any holiday party, gift, or next book club meeting that you want to have a melt-in-your-mouth to-die-for chocolate treat . . .

This easy Chocolate Truffle will make you the star of the day.

You will need:
One Box Cake Mix (Dark Chocolate/Milk Chocolate - whatever your pleasure!)
oil and eggs as indicated on the box mix

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup apricot preserves (I promise you this is fab -- use it!)
1 tsp vanilla
2 pkg (8oz) semi sweet chocolate chips/squares

Step by Step:
Step One: Bake a chocolate cake following the directions on the box. Set aside and let cool.
Step Two: In a large pot slowly melt the butter.
Step Three: Add cocoa and sugar. Stir until smooth and glossy.
Step Four: Crumble the baked/cooled cake into the mixture.
Step Five: Add the apricot preserves, confectioners sugar and vanilla to the pot.
Step Six: Mix well blended and moist.
Step Seven: Roll the mixture into one inch balls or form small cubes. (You could use small ice trays or candy forms if you are feeling adventurous.
Step Eight: Place in refrigerator to chill. This makes dipping the treat into chocolate easier!)

DIPPING and DECORATING:
Melt the semi-sweet chocolate over low heat and stir until smooth.
Dip truffles into melted chocolate and place on wax paper. Let stand for an hour.

*Decorating:
You can drop sprinkles across the top of the truffles, or I like to get white chocolate and drizzle or draw a swirly circle on top. A wreath or holly leaf with berries using different colored decorating gels is a cute holiday theme as well.
If you are feeling especially adventurous, roll the still moist truffle in coconut or chopped nuts. The possibilities are endless!

Place them on a plate and wrap with cellophane and a bow, use a tin, or a little chinese take out box.

Pass along and share the delight!
~Hugs and Happy Holidays
Nancy

There's a Holiday for everything - We're no exception!

We know that a good read is a great reason to bring us together and share some fun. That's exactly why we're in a Book Club or getting ready to start one of our own.
BUT
Did you know that October is NATIONAL READING GROUP MONTH sponsored by the Women's National Book Association. Visit their site at www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org to take advantage of all the special things they have planned this month.

Since it’s our month ... I say our Book Club should celebrate!


How about book club Mimosa’s?
Ingredients:

Carton of Orange Juice

Bottle of Champagne

Just a little Orange Juice and a splash of champagne and you’re in business.
Break out the crystal or go for a bag of those flutelike plastic numbers from the Dollar Tree.
Want to really go crazy? Slice a strawberry or kiwi and garnish the rim and raise a pinky.
Cheers!