Jennifer Faye | The Way To A Prince’s Heart…

What’s Christmas without cookies? Some of my fondest memories are of helping my grandmother decorate Christmas cookies. I’ve got to say looking back now, she was a really good sport. I think more sprinkles ended up on the floor instead of the cookies.

And even now that I have a family, we always make Christmas cookies. It’s a family affair. And we aren’t going to discuss the sprinkles on the floor. ;-)

So what’s my take on cookies? They can bring a family together with some people decorating and others waiting to snag a cookie as they come out of the oven—the designated taste testers. ;-) But throughout the event there’s laughing, talking, sharing, and togetherness. It doesn’t get any better than that.

A similar event happens for Zoe and Demetrius in my Christmas release, THE PRINCE'S CHRISTMAS VOW. Lots of things get said over cookies. Can Zoe and Demetrius finally find some common ground?

Read the Excerpt

Demetrius was immediately greeted by the most delicious aroma of butter and sugar. Was Zoe baking? His steps came a little quicker as he made a beeline for the kitchen.

Sure enough, Zoe was pulling a tray of cookies from the oven. She glanced in his direction and smiled. “You’re just in time to help.”

“Help? With what?” He sure hoped she didn’t want him to bake anything. It’d end up burnt to a crisp. He sat down on a stool at the kitchen island and tossed the paper on a neighboring stool.

She slid another tray in the oven before turning to him. “Don’t look so worried.”

“What are all of the cookies for?” He’d never seen so many cookies decked out in red, white and green sprinkles.

“I thought I’d do something special for the workers at the mansion. They’ve really gone out of their way to make this whole project a success.” Worry lines creased her beautiful face as she looked around the kitchen at the dozens of sugar cookies. “Do you think it’s a silly idea?”

“Silly? Absolutely not. In fact, I’m jealous.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Oh, but I am. In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve never baked me cookies.”

“I did too.” She paused as though searching her memories. “Didn’t I? Surely I must have.”

He shook his head, knowing he was right. He’d never forget having such a pretty young lady present him with homemade cookies.

“Hmm…” Her lips pressed into a firm line. “Well, maybe you won’t even like them.”

“Why don’t you pass me one and I’ll let you know.”

She snatched up one in the shape of Santa with red and white sprinkles. She held it just out of his reach. “You can have it on one condition.”

He arched a brow. “What would that be?”

“You help me decorate the rest.”

He glanced at the two trays of bare cookies, then at the almost empty mixing bowl and at last he focused on that cookie in her hand—that very tempting cookie. “Okay, you’ve got a deal. Just don’t expect them to be pretty like yours.”

“Just do your best.” She placed the cookie in his hand.

Their fingertips brushed and a current of awareness zinged up his arm. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so tired. He eyed up Zoe, who was smiling at him.

And here’s Zoe’s recipe for some sugar cookies that are good enough for royalty. ;-)

Rolled Sugar Cookies

- 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tsp vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla until well blended.
3. Add baking soda. Blend. Slowly add flour, blending after each small addition until all flour is blended.
4. Place in a Ziploc bag.
5. Refrigerate for an hour minimum.
6. Roll and cut into your favorite shapes. And decorate.
7. Bake 6 to 8 minutes.

About Jennifer Faye

Award-winning author Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming romances. Jennifer has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous awards.

Now living her dream, she resides with her patient husband, amazing daughter (the other remarkable daughter is off chasing her own dreams) and two spoiled cats. She'd love to hear from you via her website.

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About THE PRINCE'S CHRISTMAS VOW

Secretly married…to a prince!

Zoe Sarris hasn't seen Crown Prince Demetrius Castanavo since their secret elopement. So she's shocked when he requests her interior design services. She's only just pieced her broken heart back together, and seeing Demetrius—as gorgeous and guarded as ever—threatens to shatter it all over again…

However, the shocking news that they are actually still married changes everything. Especially when Demetrius reveals he wants his princess back…preferably in time for Christmas!