Cherry Scone #Recipe from the Cat Café for #Christmas - plus enjoy this #Romance series for #ContemporaryRomance #SweetRomance

The recipe below is something my mother made on Christmas morning for many years. We have it for breakfast along with Mexican hot chocolate. My cat café series features a bakery and two fantastic bakers. This cherry scones recipe is mentioned in the second novel, Kisses and Kittens at the Cat Café. 

Find the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series at all retailers.)

Cherry Scone Recipe

This recipe also works well with dried cranberries or currents.

½ cup dried cherries, cranberries, or currents

apple juice or grape juice (about ½ cup)

2 cups flour

¼ cup sugar

½ tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

½ tsp nutmeg

¼ cup cold butter

1 egg

½ cup plain yogurt (full-fat preferred)

1 tsp. lemon or orange zest

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• Soak cherries in juice for at least 10 minutes while you mix other ingredients.
• Mix the flour and ¼ cup of the sugar. Blend in the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
• Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture has fine crumbs.
• Stir in the egg, yogurt, and zest. Drain the cherries or other dried fruit well. Mix them in.
• Spray a baking sheet lightly with oil.
• Turn the dough onto the baking sheet. Pat it down into a 9-inch circle.
• Cut the dough into 8 wedges. Separate them slightly. You may sprinkle with additional sugar if you want them to sparkle a bit.
• Bake until golden and firm, about 20 minutes.
• Serve warm with butter … or clotted cream, orange marmalade, or jam.

Kittens and Kisses at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet #Romance

A single mother with a nine-year-old son. A younger man who has loved her forever. A box of orphaned kittens. Can they become a family?

Adam has loved Marley a decade, since he was 13, and she was his best friend’s free-spirited older sister. Now he’s 24, and the five-year age gap isn’t so serious. But will she ever see him as more than the kid from down the street?

Marley has protected her heart since the father of her child disappeared. Most men aren’t worth the trouble, and who has the time to date anyway? She’s a baker at the new Furrever Friends Cat Café, which is still trying to find its footing. Her nine-year-old son, Brian, loves animals but can’t have any pets as long as they live with Marley’s allergic mother. And now someone’s posted a flyer for a singing contest. She gave up that dream long ago, didn’t she?

Adam has always wanted to fight dragons for Marley. When someone drops a box of week-old kittens at the café, Adam jumps at the chance to be a hero. But caring for five needy kittens might be tougher than fighting any dragon, especially when two of them fail to thrive. Can Adam, Marley, and Brian, save the kittens and become a family?

Excerpt: 

Marley touched the kitten that had orange and white swirls. “Curled up like this, he looks like a cinnamon bun.”

“Mom, that one’s a girl.”

“Fine, she looks like a cinnamon bun.”

“That’s a good name,” Adam said. “Cinnamon Bun.”

They looked at him. Did they think it was stupid?

“Come on,” he said, “Cinnamon Bun is a cute name for a cat, especially one that turned up at a bakery.” He nudged Brian. “But it’s up to you.”

Brian gently scooped up the kitten in both hands and held it six inches from his face. “Cinnamon Bun.” His brows drew together as he studied the sleepy little face. “She likes it.”

“Excellent,” Marley said. “I’ll be able to remember this one and recognize her from her pattern. One down, four to go. Should we keep the bakery theme? We could call them, let’s see … Brownie, Lemon Bar, Scone, Muffin?”

Brian scrunched up his nose. “Not Muffin.”

Marley propped one hand on her hip. “Oh, you’re okay with Lemon Bar and Scone, but you draw the line at Muffin?”

Brian giggled. “I didn’t say the other names were okay.” He put Cinnamon Bun back in the box and studied the other kittens. “Maybe Brownie for this one.” He picked up the black kitten and gave it the same close scrutiny. “Yes, Brownie.”

Adam touched a kitten that was mostly black but with a white patch on the back, kind of like a saddle. He might have suggested an equestrian name, but the baked goods theme seemed to be working. “This one looks like a chocolate cupcake with white frosting. How about Cupcake?”

Over the next few minutes, they settled on Cupcake, along with Sugar Cookie (Sugar for short) for the white kitten with specks of tan, and Peanut Butter Cookie (Cookie for short) for the one with a light brown pattern.

“Okay.” Marley blew out a breath and pushed the curls off her forehead. “We have Cinnamon Bun, Brownie, Cupcake, Cookie, and Sugar.” She touched each of the kittens in turn. “I might forget and you’ll have to remind me, okay? I might accidentally call them Rocky Road and Banana Nut and Croissant. And of course, Muffin.”

Brian snickered. “It’s only five kittens, Mom.”

Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café: A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance

What do you do when you meet the guy of your dreams? Set him up with your sister, of course.

Kari doesn't have time for love when she's opening her new cat café. Renovating an old restaurant, hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats – keeps her plenty busy. She's doing this for the cats, the community, and most of all her family. The café will give her sister, Marley, a job worthy of her baking skills.

Then a tattooed military vet wanders in claiming to be a master baker himself. The café doesn't need another baker, but maybe Marley needs a man. Surely she'll fall for a guy this sweet, this sexy, this tasty.

Colin has other ideas. It's Kari who makes him want to pour on the sugar and turn up the heat. But he's spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he really ready for a relationship? He's not even sure he should commit to Samson, the fluffy marshmallow of a cat who steals his heart.

Find the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series at all retailers.)

Kris Bock writes romance, mystery, and suspense. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery. Who wouldn't want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves.

Kris writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie.

Kris also writes mystery and suspense. In The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven. 

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. Kris’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest will grab fans of romantic suspense by Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels. 

Learn more at www.krisbock.com or visit Kris Bock’s Amazon US page or Amazon UK page. (For other countries click here.)

#Cookie Dough Brownies from the Cat Cafe - a #holiday #recipe #Christmas

The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series is set at a café with its own bakery, so of course I mention several amazing baked goods! 

This recipes is included at the back of the first novel. I add a from-scratch brownie recipe there, but here's the quicker version.

Cookie Dough Brownies

Dense, chewy chocolate brownies are so good. But chocolate chip cookies are amazing too. How do you decide which to make? With this recipe, you don't need to choose! A rich brownie layer is topped with raw chocolate chip cookie dough.

Brownie Layer

Your favorite brownie recipe or boxed mix. (I prefer Ghirardelli mix), prepared and bake as directed.

Cookie Dough Layer

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1 cup chocolate chips

1. Prepare the brownies as directed in your recipe or on the box.

2. Make the cookie dough layer: Cream the butter and both sugars in a mixing bowl. Blend in the milk and vanilla. Blend in the flour. Stir in the chocolate chips.

3. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the cooled brownies. Spread the cookie dough layer evenly. Cut the brownies into squares or bars and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Tip: Food safety experts suggest you don't eat raw cookie dough, because raw eggs can lead to food poisoning. The cookie dough layer here does not contain eggs.

Kris Bock writes 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. Visit the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series page.

Check out the Furrever Friends Cat Café with a free sweet romance novella complete at 35 pages. Get Lions and Love at the Cat Café free when you sign up for the Kris Bock email newsletter.

Christmas Cookies at the Cat Café: Christmas isn’t the same since Diane’s kids grew up and her husband died – so when her high school sweetheart comes back to town, maybe it’s time for some cozy new holiday traditions.

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.

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.

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.

The Dead Man’s Treasure: #Romance and Suspense excerpt 2 #MFRWauthor

Excerpt from The Dead Man’s Treasure:

Rebecca’s hand shook as she reached for the box. It was a metal candy tin for peppermint bark. Maybe Grandpa had a sweet tooth? Or was this some random trash left by a tourist too lazy to bring it back to his car? She straightened and gazed down at the box. It had to hold the next clue. It would be too much of a coincidence – and too heartbreaking – if it were anything else.

She glanced at Sam and he nodded in encouragement, drawing close to her side. She swung open the lid. Several folded pieces of paper lay inside. A strip of masking tape on the inside lid had words in marker: “Take one and leave the others unless you are the last.”

Rebecca pulled out the top piece of paper and unfolded it.

Are they witches in disguise

Or prophets of the future?

The men who came here didn’t know.

They had destruction on their minds.

And they changed the world.

They ate of the flesh among bombers and bullets.

And so should you!

Then past the dead soldiers you’ll find a dead end.

One is the loneliest number

Walled off from its fellows.

Pay your respects and do not forget.

Another baffling poem. Rebecca wrinkled her nose. “This one’s kind of gruesome.” She closed the box and stood.

For a moment, the world spun. She took a quick breath.

Sam’s arm came around her. “Okay?”

Two more deep breaths and she could answer. “Fine now, thanks. Just a little lightheaded.” She was tempted to lean into him, to relax against his shoulder. She resisted the urge. “I know, I know, drink water. Let me put this back.”

She returned the box to its hiding place, picked up the bottle she’d set down while looking at the clue, and finished the water. Sam hovered closely, as if to support her if she needed help. She couldn’t quite decide if she wished she needed help or was glad she didn’t. She wouldn’t fake helplessness, though, and the weakness had passed.

She gave Sam a bright smile. “All better now. I just stood up too fast.”

He studied her intently. She hadn’t realized how green his eyes were, or how the tiny laugh lines around them made him both sexy and approachable. Her heart thudded in her chest. You keep looking at me like that, and I won’t be fine.

Browse all the quick peeks of my books.

The Dead Man’s Treasure

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.

Okay, first of all, I love that the author makes this book interactive – if the reader wants it to be. You can go online and download a printable copy of the treasure map and try to decipher the clues yourself. I found that it be a fun addition to the book, plus you'll also get awesome Southwestern recipes. … The Dead Man’s Treasure is fast-paced and a perfect read for the weekend. I highly recommend this one. - A. Brantley

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

 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.

The Dead Man’s Treasure: #Romance and #Suspense #MFRWauthor

Chapter 1

Rebecca peered through the small, cloudy window into the machine shop. Inside, someone held a flaming welding torch to an odd jumble of metal. She couldn’t see the person’s features beyond the face shield, but a glimpse of tousled, dark blond hair suggested it might be the woman from the article. The treasure hunter.

The woman who could help. If only she would.

Rebecca made sure her blouse was neatly tucked into her skirt and pushed through the door. A burning, metallic smell hit her. The new angle gave her a glimpse of the welder’s shoulders and she reversed her opinion. That was no woman.

He turned off the torch and removed the welding helmet. “Hey.” He was average height, with sun-streaked hair and a killer smile. Sweat glistened on his face and lean, muscular arms. He was sexy in an athletic way, though she preferred the work-obsessed brainiac type.

Rebecca gave a brief nod of greeting. In the clutter of odd machinery, it took her a moment to spot the woman leaning against a long metal table. Curly blonde hair, curvy figure in jeans and a tank top. That was whom she’d come to see. “Camille Dagneau?”

“Call me Camie.” The blue eyes studied her with open curiosity.

Rebecca forced a smile, hoping her fatigue and anxiety didn’t show. “I’m Rebecca Westin. Can we talk?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Rebecca glanced at the man, but he was poking at his project, testing the weld or something, and it would be rude to insist he leave in the middle of his work. He was probably a student, though he looked close to thirty, and the metal thing looked more like an artistic sculpture than an engineering project.

She moved closer to Camie and spoke in a low voice. “I read about you in a National Geographic article. And when I found out you were here, in New Mexico…. Well, it seemed like too good a coincidence to pass up. I’m hoping I can convince you to help me find another treasure.”

Behind her, the man said, “Wait a minute, if this is a treasure hunt, I want in this time.”

Rebecca shot him a frosty look, but he kept smiling. He was probably used to getting whatever he wanted with that smile. But this wasn’t a game. Her future was at stake. She turned back to Camie, shifting slightly to block out the man, and waited for a response.

“You want to hire me as a treasure hunting guide?”

Here’s where things got tricky.

Stop by next week for another excerpt, or browse quick peeks of other books in this series.

The Dead Man’s Treasure

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.

“… it’s all good, suspenseful fun as Rebecca and Sam traipse the New Mexico desert, deciphering clues and trying to outwit Rebecca’s half siblings.” – Publishers Weekly BookLife

Okay, first of all, I love that the author makes this book interactive – if the reader wants it to be. You can go online and download a printable copy of the treasure map and try to decipher the clues yourself. I found that it be a fun addition to the book, plus you'll also get awesome Southwestern recipes. … The Dead Man’s Treasure is fast-paced and a perfect read for the weekend. I highly recommend this one. - A. Brantley

I would give this 10 stars if I could!! 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. … I was literally like a kid in a candy store turning page after page reading this story. - Jules-Mighty Tired Mom

Kris lives in New Mexico, where she enjoys hiking, watching the sunset from her patio, and hanging out with her husband and their ferrets. Her home office looks out on nature, complete with distracting wildlife such as roadrunners and foxes. Her BFA in photography is used mainly to show Facebook friends how lovely the Southwest is.

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.