Her sexy neighbor turns savior in this next Dangerous in Dallas romance!
Despite her job as a wedding planner, Violet Richardson doesn’t believe a happy-ever-after is in her future. And when she’s kidnapped by a killer, she’s surprised that rescue comes in the form of her tempting yet irritating neighbor Max Baldwin.
Trying to forget his dark past, Max never meant to take on his attractive neighbor’s troubles. But now the bickering pair must outrun a thug who’s determined to get his hands on mysterious jewels he thinks are in Violet’s possession. And as they race for their lives through Dallas’s summer heat, Max and Violet may finally open their eyes to the burning passion they share.
Thanks so much for having me today on the blog! I love talking books and I love talking food so I figure today’s sort of my idea of blog heaven.
So a few things to know about me. I love to eat. You’ve got a serious foodie here and there’s very little I won’t try or don’t enjoy. I also think that food is a wonderful way to spend time. There’s an intimacy that builds when you eat with someone and whether it’s family or old friends or the process of getting to know someone new, food has a wonderful ability to bring us together.
I think that’s why romance writers blend food scenes so often into their books. When you’re writing a story about two people and the increasing intimacy between them, time spent getting to know each over a meal is an essential way to do that.
Now, while I will admit to being somewhat better at actually eating my food than cooking it, I do have a few dishes that are my specialty. I often default to what I call “Oven Fried Chicken” as a place to start. It’s pretty much universally enjoyed and it’s easy to make before everyone arrives and then pull out of the oven to enjoy with a few quick sides. You can easily manage hostess duties and cooking duties and make it look effortless!
OVEN FRIED CHICKEN
[One quick note – chicken thighs actually work best with the recipe, either bone in or deboned. Breasts work well, too, but if you use them you definitely want to pound them a bit and/or do them as chicken strips to let them get juicy all the way through while they cook.]
- 1-3 pounds of chicken pending party size (estimate about a pound to every 3 people)
- Bread crumbs
- Mayo
- Cooking spray for cookie sheet
1 – Clean the chicken of any extra fat and coat in a layer of mayo, then a layer of breadcrumbs. Make sure the pieces are well-coated for cooking (and for yummy deliciousness while eating)
2 – After coating with the mayo and breadcrumbs, place close together on a greased cookie sheet
3 – Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, then turn each piece, cooking another 20-25 minutes.
[Note – if you’re making bone-in pieces, cooking time is more 25-30 minutes per side. If it’s boneless, 20-25 should do it.]
And there you have it. Easy prep, easy clean up and a delicious meal everyone will love. These also make outstanding leftovers so don’t hesitate to make a little extra and enjoy for a few more days or as pieces to cut up on salads.
While I haven’t incorporated Oven Fried Chicken into any of my books yet, I definitely think this is the sort of first meal my heroine, Violet, would cook for my hero, Max. Max is a big man – salt of the earth and ex-military – and he’s the sort to enjoy home cooking and hearty sides in equal measure. Their adventures take center stage in my October release, THE PROFESSIONAL, out in early October.
Thanks so much for joining me today!
XO,
Addison
Bio:
Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and – thankfully – doesn’t have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, THE PROFESSIONAL, will be out in October from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com
