And another fantastic Friday rolls around. This week I’ll actually get some Swans footy!

With my darling boys having a bye last week it was all a bit colourless in the Hein house, although the neighbours were probably grateful. No mad yelling at the telly to put up with. There was the Open golf, of course, but that’s not really a sport to get yelly on the couch about, is it?

Which brings me to some Us Heins Weren’t Meant To Play Golf news. Despite not playing to the handicap I already have, I somehow managed to shave another stroke off it over the weekend. ‘Tis this newfangled Slope/GA Handicap system. It can sneak up and bite you on the bum and not even offset the pain with a win!

Speaking of winning, this could be you on Friday Feast this week. But more on that later…

Today’s guest is Christina Phillips, an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their family. Christina writes scorching-hot paranormal, historical and contemporary romance. Not only are her stories super steamy, they’re gorgeously written, which is why she’s a triple finalist in the 2013 ARRA Awards for Favorite Erotic Romance, and finalist in the 2012 ARRA Awards for Favorite Paranormal Romance. Christina is a also a double finalist in the EC Golden Ankh Awards for Favorite E-book of the Year 2014.

Check out Christina’s latest release, Her Vengeful Scot.

HER VENGEFUL SCOT

Her Vengeful ScotTo avenge his sister’s honor, he must destroy the woman he wants most in the world…

Ordered to remain in Pictland, Cameron MacNeil fights the lust that consumes him whenever he encounters the aloof princess, Elise. Not only is she a cursed Pict, she belongs to the man he has vowed vengeance upon.

Despite her reputation, Elise has no interest in men until she meets Cameron. Lacking the famed Scots charm, his blunt ways enchant her and he ignites a passion she long thought dead. When she is freed from her difficult marriage, Elise places her trust in the tough Scot warrior who has stolen her heart.

Bound by blood oaths, the only way Cam can protect Elise from political schemes is to make her his bride. When Elise discovers the truth, she fears everything she knew about her husband was a lie. All she can do is trust her goddess was right and Cameron is her one true love.

Go on, admit it. You’re after a bit of hot Scot right now, aren’t you? So get clicking! Buy Her Vengeful Scot right now from Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, All Romance eBooks, Barnes & Noble, or the publisher Ellora’s Cave,

All loaded up? Excellent. Now give a big welcome to Christina.

Hunting Out Good Food

Thank you Cathryn for inviting me onto your Friday Feast today!

Well over in WA it’s been both cold and wet (I know I should be used to this kind of weather since I hail from England but uh, no.) So I thought today I’d share a yummy winter meal that my mum used to make when I was a child. She only made it on rare occasions, probably because it takes two and a half hours prep time (excuse me while I laugh hysterically at this point! And never fear, this version takes about 10 minutes prep time which is not only far more civilized but also about my limit!!)

We knew it as Chicken Hunter Style and to my shame it was only when I was an adult that I realised it was an Italian dish by the far more exotic name of Chicken Cacciatore 🙂

There are of course many variations of this dish, including adding various peppers. I don’t bother adding peppers to anything since my darling family will meticulously fish out every single one on their plates before they can take the first bite. On the other hand I do add celery because I love cooked celery even though said beloved family… don’t 🙂

Chicken Hunter Style Recipe

Chicken Hunter Style

One four pound chicken cut into pieces

Salt

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 thinly sliced medium onion

226g thickly sliced mushrooms

2 thinly sliced garlic cloves

1/3 cup red or white wine

1 810g can of plum tomatoes in their juice (or 21/2 to 3 cups of peeled and chopped firm ripe tomatoes with their juices. Guess which I do…)

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dry thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)

1 teaspoon dry oregano (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)

Method

Rinse, pat dry and season chicken with salt. Heat oil on medium heat and brown the chicken pieces. Set chicken aside.

Add sliced onions and mushrooms to the pan (and any peppers or celery 🙂 ) Cook until onions are translucent then add the garlic and cook for another minute.

Add the wine and give it a good stir. Simmer until the wine is reduced by half and then add the tomatoes and stir in the pepper, thyme, oregano and a teaspoon of salt. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Place chicken pieces on top, skin side up, lower the heat and cover with the lid slightly ajar.

Cook on a low simmer, turning and basting from time to time, until chicken is tender (about 30 to 40 minutes).

 

Ah, now there’s a lovely fast recipe to keep the hordes happy this winter. Thanks, Christina. I can just imagine this with a load of crusty bread to mop up all the juices. Mmm.

Speaking of juicy things, we have a…

GIVEAWAY!

Christina is very generously offering one lucky reader the chance to win an ebook copy ofhersavagescott_msr the first in her Highland Warrior Series, Her Savage ScotAll you have to do is tell us in the comments what your favourite casserole is. Easy!

Perhaps you’re a bit partial to an Irish stew, or lean toward the spicy with some chilli con carne. Maybe a vegetarian stew is your go? Share, and we’ll pop you into the draw to win an ebook copy of Her Savage Scot.

Giveaway closes midnight Tuesday AEST, 29th July 2014. Open internationally. Rah!

If you’d like to learn more about Christina and her wonderful books, please visit her website. You can also connect via Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter using @christinaPh_

This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations to Meredith who has won her own sizzling hot Scot! Thanks to everyone for playing along. Always a hoot!

 

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