Espresso Brownie #Recipe from Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Sweet #Romance by @Kris_Bock #MRFWhooks

Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café is set at a café with its own bakery, so of course we have recipes! 

In the book, Kari is opening a cat café with an in-house bakery. When a master baker shows up, Kari thinks he might be perfect for her sister, Marley. But Kari's heart has other plans. Here's a quick excerpt with the sisters. (Brian is Marley's nine-year-old son.)

Kari unwrapped an espresso brownie.

“Ahem.” Marley tapped the plate. “These are for paying customers.”

“Put it on my tab.” Kari took a bite. “I skipped breakfast.”

“Then this will really calm you down.” Marley shrugged and took one for herself.

“When I met Colin, I thought he might be good for you,” Kari said. “At first, I was thinking about a fun romance. As I got to know him …”

“You fell for him yourself.”

“No. Well, yes. But I meant I still thought you two should be together, only something more serious. I want you to be happy.”

“I want to be happy,” Marley said. “I am happy. More now than I have been in ages. I have a job I love. My son is getting more independent and turning into a cool human being. I have a loving sister and mother. I have a great new friend. What more could I ask for?”

Kari brushed brownie crumbs from her lips. “A partner?”

“Sure, that would be nice, but I’ve gotten along without one for this long. If the right guy shows up, and it works with Brian in my life, I won’t turn him away. But I don’t need a man.”

“Of course you don’t. No one does. Still.”

“Still, they do round out a life nicely, if you get the right one.” Marley took a bite of her brownie, chewed, and licked her lips. “Does this mean you’re going after Colin?”

Get this sweet romance on Amazon, or free with Kindle Unlimited.

And Here's the Recipe:

Easy Espresso Brownies

1 cup salted butter, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1/3 cup espresso powder, such as DeLallo

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup chocolate chips, optional

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
• Cream the butter and the sugar. Blend in the eggs.
• Mix in the espresso powder. Blend in the flour and cocoa powder.
• Stir in the chocolate chips if you want extra chocolate. (I never don't want extra chocolate.)
• Pour the batter in the baking pan.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes. Test with a toothpick or knife. Remember that these will set more after you pull them out. If you like gooey brownies, stick to the shorter end of the baking time.

Do you have a favorite recipe for muffins, scones, cookies, or other baked goods? What would you serve at your cat café?

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.

Kris also writes romantic suspense set in the Southwestern U.S. If you love Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Sign up for Kris Bock’s newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more. Visit the Kris Bock website or Kris Bock’s Amazon page.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 5)

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at Petroglyph National Monument. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. 

About 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 “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

About Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyphs are rock carvings, which are made by scratching or carving the rock surface with a stone chisel and a hammer stone. (Rock paintings are called pictographs.) This chips away the desert varnish coating the rock, exposing the lighter service underneath. 

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail. The trail has a couple of loops and a final spur, which you won't want to miss. Maps are available from the Visitors Center, or online.

This selection is of hand carvings we saw. The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

Most of the rock art at Petroglyph National Monument was carved by the ancestors of today's Pueblo people. They were most active here from about 1300 through the late 1680s. A few images may date back as far as 2000 BCE. Others may have been carved by the early Spanish settlers, starting in the 1700s. 

Learn more about petroglyphs from the National Park Service.

Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

“The Dead Man's Treasure is fast-paced and a perfect read for the weekend. I highly recommend this one.”

“I can't say enough how much I loved this book! It has mystery, adventure, danger, romance, and above it all family remains a huge theme.”

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. 

Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 4)

Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. Most of these rock art designs and symbols were carved onto volcanic rocks by the Pueblo people 400 to 700 years ago. A few were carved by Spanish settlers later.

If you go, stop by the visitors center for information and maps. From there, you'll have to drive a few miles to get to any of the three trails. You could do all three trails in one day, but focusing on one might be better, especially if it's hot.

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail, a 1.5 mile trek with a couple of side loops.

This selection is of mainly abstract shapes we saw. The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

Stop by next week for more photos from Petroglyph National Monument.

Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. 

About 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 “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

“The Dead Man's Treasure is fast-paced and a perfect read for the weekend. I highly recommend this one.”

“I can't say enough how much I loved this book! It has mystery, adventure, danger, romance, and above it all family remains a huge theme.”

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 3)

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at Petroglyph National Monument. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. 

About 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. 

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 “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

About Petroglyph National Monument.

Petroglyphs are rock carvings, which are made by picking the rock surface with a stone chisel and a hammer stone. This chips away the desert varnish coating the rock, exposing the lighter service underneath. 

Most of the rock art at Petroglyph National Monument was carved by the ancestors of today's Pueblo people. They were most active here from about 1300 through the late 1680s. A few images may date back as far as 2000 BCE. Others may have been carved by the early Spanish settlers, starting in the 1700s. (A few scratchings are clearly modern graffiti.)

This selection is of human or humanoid shapes we saw. The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail. The trail has a couple of loops and a final spur, which you won't want to miss. Maps are available from the Visitors Center, or online. Learn more about petroglyphs from the National Park Service.

Finally, here's some modern artwork seen at a gallery in Albuquerque's old town. Can you see a connection to the petroglyphs?

Stop by next week for more photos from Petroglyph National Monument. Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

Kris Bock  lives in New Mexico, where she enjoys hiking, watching the sunset from her patio, and hanging out with her husband and their ferrets. Her BFA in photography is used mainly to show Facebook friends how lovely the Southwest is. Kris writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. 

Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Whispers in the Dark: #Romance and #Suspense at an Archaeology Dig #MFRWHooks

Archaeology student 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 dark. She’ll need all her strength and wits to survive—and to save the man she’s come to love. 

“This book was a delight from start to finish!"

Whispers in the Dark Excerpt:

The night filled with sounds as dusk fell. Birds, insects, and rustling in the dark. I strained my ears and tried to identify the sounds. Bird calls were easy enough. That low buzz had to be some kind of insect, and I convinced myself it was only creepy because I wasn’t used to it. Rustling in the bushes was harder to dismiss. I forced myself to breathe deeply and repeated in my mind, Just animals. Just animals. You’re safe here.

A squirrel scurried up a tree nearby, proving my point, and I let out a burst of nervous laughter.

I went back to my deep breathing. I didn’t want to crawl into my tent until I felt comfortable there, or I knew I’d spend the night imagining monsters sneaking around the thin protection of my nylon walls. I could sleep in my car, as I had done several times on the drive out, when I wasn’t sure of my security. But this campground would be my home for weeks. I had to get used to it, face my fears until they disappeared. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the cool air on my skin, the soft breeze.

I heard voices in the distance and a thump like something being dropped. I told myself it was good to know others were within hailing distance. I breathed, and listened, and finally felt my heart slow and my muscles relax. I thought I might be able to sleep.

A new sound drifted through the air, and my breath caught in my throat. I heard a soft sobbing, like a woman crying.

Should I check it out, see if someone needed help? But no one was calling for help, and I couldn’t target the sound.

It was probably some animal or bird, but still, I felt goosebumps prickle my skin. I went to my car for a sweater, trying to blame the drop in temperature for my chills.

When I opened the car door, the overhead light came on, shockingly bright. I jumped and glanced around, feeling oddly guilty, as if I’d insulted the night. I grabbed my sweater, closed the door quickly, and stood for a minute waiting for my eyes to readjust as the darkness pressed around me.

The crying seemed to ripple in the air, coming from nowhere and everywhere.

And then it faded, leaving only the echo of its memory in the dark, and a great sadness.

Whispers in the Dark, romantic suspense set in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, will appeal to fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell. This title stands alone and is not part of a series.

“This book kept me turning pages until the end. The plot was full of twists and turns, always keeping the reader rooting for the heroine. Excellent read!”

Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read! 

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle.

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 2)

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at Petroglyph National Monument. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. About 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 “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

About Petroglyph National Monument:

Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. 

The rock art designs and symbols are 400 to 700 years old. Most were carved onto volcanic rocks by Native American Pueblo people, with a few carved by Spanish settlers. This selection is of human/humanoid shapes we saw.

If you go, stop by the visitors center for information and maps. From there, you'll have to drive a few miles to get to any of the three trails. You could do all three trails in one day, but focusing on one might be better, especially if it's hot.

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail, a 1.5 mile trek with a couple of side loops.

The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

Stop by next week for more photos from Petroglyph National Monument.

Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Whispers in the Dark: #Romance and #Suspense at an Archaeology Dig #MFRWHooks

Archaeology student 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 dark. She’ll need all her strength and wits to survive—and to save the man she’s come to love. 

“This book was a delight from start to finish!"

Whispers in the Dark Excerpt:

I hurried along the trail until I reached the canyon rim, where I stopped and grinned. The canyon cut across the land in front of me—maybe more of a ravine, really, several miles long but only a quarter-mile across and a few hundred feet deep. The bottom looked shady and cool, while the sun lit up the small ruin to my right. ...

I couldn’t wait to explore further. Of course, regular tourists weren’t allowed to leave the trail, but one of the perks of being an archaeologist was special access. For the next few weeks, this would be my playground.

The next site on the map was just a vandalized rock shelter, and the trail guide complained that people had torn down the walls before it could be excavated. Only part of one wall and a jumble of stones remained. But the guide also mentioned that the site might have yielded storage jars or food remains, had it been left for archaeologists. Since my interest was ancient food, I decided to creep down for a closer look.

I moved carefully, so as not to disturb the loose rocks, and squatted near the biggest pile of rubble. I gently lifted a few broken pieces, putting them back in exactly the same place after I’d examined them. I couldn’t do much with the fragments, but as always, I marveled over touching something from the ancient past.

Tomorrow would be soon enough for scientific method, for testing and hypothesizing. Tonight I only wanted to touch the magic of this ancient world. I closed my eyes and tried to feel some ancient presence, to hear whispers from the past.

The air seemed to tremble with possibilities. If only I believed in magic—

A shout slashed the air. I twisted so fast I tumbled onto my backside.

I gaped up at the man towering over me. Bare chest, muscular and bronzed. Black hair pulled back from a face full of sharp planes and angles. Dark eyes fierce under scowling brows.

My heart jolted painfully. I’d come face to face with an ancient warrior. He was gorgeous.

And furious.

At me.

“Don’t you read signs?”

I blinked at the apparition. “Uh....”

He gestured back at the main path. “The signs at every turn saying ‘Stay on the path’? The notice at the entrance telling you to leave artifacts alone? I could have you arrested and fined.”

Oh. I felt color flooding my cheeks. My pounding heart refused to slow yet, and the rush of adrenaline turned my arms and legs to jelly, but I rose steadily enough. I tried to ignore the heat in my face and the queasy feeling of panic in my stomach, which hadn’t yet accepted the message that I wasn’t in danger. “I’m Kylie Hafford,” I said coolly. “The archaeologist. Are you Danesh?”

I saw a satisfying flash of surprise and then guilt. Or maybe I had just imagined it, as his face settled immediately into a neutral mask. “Yes, I’m Danesh.” He hesitated before adding stiffly, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine.”

He must have caught my irony, because he almost smiled—I think. He said, “I’m sorry I startled you. I wasn’t expecting you yet, and....” He shrugged. “I’ve been noticing scuff marks in the ground, off the trail where tourists aren’t supposed to go. I figured someone was poking around, maybe looking for treasure.”

“And you assumed I was your treasure hunter?”

Whispers in the Dark, romantic suspense set in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, will appeal to fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell. This title stands alone and is not part of a series.

“This book kept me turning pages until the end. The plot was full of twists and turns, always keeping the reader rooting for the heroine. Excellent read!”

Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read! 

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. 

What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle.

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 1)

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at Petroglyph National Monument. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. About 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. 

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 “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

About Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyphs are not that unusual in the Southwest. I know of a couple of hikes near Socorro, in the middle of New Mexico, that lead to petroglyphs. These are not in any way identified are marked for tourists.

Stumbling on petroglyphs is a great surprise, but for maximum impact, it's worth visiting Petroglyph National Monument at the edge of Albuquerque. Archaeologists believe there may be over 25,000 petroglyphs within the Monument. Three trails each lead past several hundred petroglyphs.

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail. In theory, the trail length is 1.5 miles, but I'm sure we wound up walking more than that. Be sure to grab a map, as the trail has a couple of loops and a final spur, which you won't want to miss.

This selection is of animal shapes we saw. 

The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

Stop by next week for more photos from Petroglyph National Monument. 

Kris Bock  lives in New Mexico, where she enjoys hiking, watching the sunset from her patio, and hanging out with her husband and their ferrets. Kris writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. 

Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.