Monday, December 21, 2015

Give Yourself the Holiday Gift of an Adventurous Read

Whether you "jingle all the way" or find the holidays stressful, set aside some time to indulge in a good story. If you like adventure, mystery, a touch of romance, and dramatic southwestern scenery, try one of my romantic suspense novels.

The Mad Monk’s Treasure: The lost Victorio Peak treasure is the stuff of legends—a heretic Spanish priest’s gold mine, made richer by the spoils of bandits and an Apache raider. When Erin, a quiet history professor, uncovers a clue that may pinpoint the lost treasure cave, she prepares for adventure. But when a hit and run driver nearly kills her, she realizes she’s not the only one after the treasure. And is the handsome pilot who found her bleeding in a ditch really a hero, or one of the enemy?

The Mad Monk’s Treasure ebook by Kris Bock is 99 cents at Amazon and FREE at Nook, ARE, Smashwords, Kobo and Apple/iTunes.

The Dead Man’s Treasure: Rebecca Westin’s grandfather left her a buried treasure – if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. Her half-siblings are determined to reach the treasure first. Good thing Rebecca has help, in the form of a green-eyed charmer determined to make their desert adventure sexy and fun. But a treacherous enemy will do anything to get that treasure – and revenge.

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve. The Dead Man’s Treasure is book 2 in the New Mexico treasure hunters series. (Each book features a different hero and heroine, and stands alone.) 

Counterfeits
Jenny returns to her grandparents’ art camp in a remote New Mexico town after her grandmother’s sudden death. That night, staying alone in the empty house, she wakes to the noise of intruders. What do the strangers want? As more bizarre events unfold, Jenny starts to realize the people she thought she knew are not what they seem – least of all Rob, an old friend and the camp cook, whose past may be coming back to haunt them all.

Counterfeits is romantic suspense in the New Mexico mountains:


What We Found: When Audra stumbles on a murdered woman in the woods, more than one person isn’t happy about her bringing the crime to light. She’ll have to stand up for herself in order to stand up for the murder victim. It’s a risk, and so is reaching out to the mysterious young man who works with deadly birds of prey. But with danger all around, some risks are worth taking. 

What We Found is mystery and romance in small-town New Mexico.

Whispers in the Dark: Kylie Hafford craves adventure when she heads to the remote Puebloan ruins of Lost Valley, Colorado, to excavate. Romance isn’t in her plans, but she soon meets two sexy men: Danesh looks like a warrior from the Pueblo’s ancient past, and Sean is a charming, playful tourist. The summer heats up as Kylie uncovers mysteries, secrets, and terrors in the night. She’ll need all her strength and wits to survive—and to save the man she’s come to love. 

Monday, December 7, 2015

Quick and Easy New Mexico-Style Recipes

New Mexico green chile, 
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I have a recipe and tips in this book: We'd Rather Be Writing: 88 Authors Share Timesaving Dinner Recipes and Other Tips. Check it out if you'd like to find some quick recipes and other timesaving tips, and meet some authors writing in a variety of genres.


I sent in my Quick Enchilada Casserole recipe for the book. Here are a few additional super-easy and quick (if not necessarily healthy) meals or snacks.

New Mexico Mac and Cheese
Mix roasted, chopped green chiles, or green chile sauce, into your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe. Or use your favorite salsa. Adjust the amount to your taste.

Chile Cheese Tater Tots
Cook tater tots according to directions. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped, roasted green chile. Bake until everything is hot and cheese is melted.

Chili Cheese Tater Tots (Sonic style)
This is one of the few  New Mexico dishes that use chili instead of chile.
Cook tater tots according to directions. Top with canned or homemade chili with meat and beans. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until everything is hot and cheese is melted.

I write novels of adventure and romance set in the Southwestern United States. The novels touch on local culture, including food. For my most recent romantic suspense, The Dead Man’s Treasure, I put together a recipe booklet of foods mentioned in the book, including this delightful breakfast classic. (See also my posts Red or Green: The New Mexico Chile, Homemade Green Chile Sauce, Breakfast Burrito, Huevos Rancheros, Enchilada Casserole, and New Mexico Green Chile Chicken Soup Recipe – use these links or simply click on the “Recipe” label down to the right.) See the DMT page of Kris Bock’s website for a printable version of all recipes from the book.


Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help.

Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge.

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. See the DMT page of Kris Bock’s website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

The first book in the Southwest Treasure Hunters series is The Mad Monk’s Treasure. The Dead Man’s Treasure is book 2. Each novel stands alone and is complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with “closed door” romance. The stories explore the Southwest, especially New Mexico.

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