"A sweet treat with as many recipes as romance stories"
Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted August 26, 2015
Romance Contemporary | Romance Anthology
This anthology by eighteen authors at a British publishing
house has a winning title and comes packed with excitement
and recipes. Yes, in KISSES AND CUPCAKES you can get double
value for your money. Every short story has a recipe
attached. Let's get started and see if it's possible to
pick a favourite. LOVE RULES by Juliet Archer shows Kat, single and moody in
London, spending all her income on rent and travel, so she
can't afford to go home for her birthday. Nor can she
afford to treat the office staff to cakes, unless she makes
her own. Good idea, or not? MAKING FACES by Rhoda Baxter is a New Adult tale in which
Sara makes a new, spiky identity when she goes to
university, but the girl who baked with her gran is still
inside. A CAMBRIDGE RUMOUR by Clare Chase is a brave modern tale of
taking a chance when everyone else has made up their minds. TIME TO SAY GOODBYE by Linda Mitchelmore is my favourite
for scene setting as a girl revisits her family history in
a splendid tasting tour of Italy. CINDY'S FELLA by Berni Stevens is a wry fantasy, presenting
a twenty-first century faerie godfather. This turning the
tables story is the most fun! Making sweet-tasting treats can also make friendships, as
we discover in locations ranging from Manhattan to England,
Italy to Newfoundland. We analyse relationships in Jane
Austen, see cakes in kitchens and craft fairs, and indulge
in a sundae even in a crime tale. There's something for
everyone and the whole is a clean read so enjoy KISSES AND
CUPCAKES. Of the recipes: Chocolate Summer Fruits Cupcakes, Kate's
Summer Pudding, Chocolate Millionaire's Flapjacks, Rhubarb
and Custard Cupcakes, sound best to me, and some are gluten
free, so everyone can indulge in a sweet treat once in a
while. Make the most of your time and rediscover your
baking skills. Crafting great cakes is easier than you
think and you will just have time to savour a story or two
before they're ready to come out of the oven.
SUMMARY
New 2014 Choc Lit Love Match Selection!
A delicious selection of romantic short stories with
sumptuous recipes to match, from the Choc Lit authors. Perfect as a gift for Christmas or an indulgent treat for
yourself! Authors include: Jane Lovering, Juliet Archer, Margaret
James, Henriette Gyland, Christine Stovell, Liz Harris,
Sarah Tranter, Linda Mitchelmore, Kathryn Freeman, Janet
Gover, Laura E James, Berni Stevens, Alison May, Rhoda
Baxter, Clare Chase, Sarah Waights, Melanie Hudson and
Evonne Wareham.
18 Stories and recipes!
ExcerptPink Biscuit Type Things by Kathryn Freeman
‘This is no job for a man,’ Josh muttered as he stood at
the kitchen table, trying to force sugar and butter
together. How the devil were two solids ever going to
mix? ‘Mags, are you absolutely certain you need these flipping
things tomorrow?’ ‘You’re not supposed to swear in front of me. Mum says.’ ‘Your mum’s not here. If she was I wouldn’t be making
flaming cupcakes, would I?’ ‘Is flaming a worse swear word than flipping?’ Eight years old and she had him running round in circles.
Goodness knows what she’d be like at eighteen. ‘I’ll let
rip a few more before I get these blasted things in the
oven. And before you say anything, blasted, flaming and
flipping are all good, solid expressions of displeasure
that grown ups can say in front of children, but children
can’t repeat. Ever. Especially to their mums …’ ‘Okay.’ Maggie pouted at the congealed mess in the bowl,
which was looking even worse now he’d incorrectly added
the flour. ‘Are they really going to look like cupcakes
in the end?’ ‘Probably not.’ He glared at her. ‘But you’re going to be
grateful for whatever comes out of the oven, yes?’ ‘Yes.’ She scooped a bit of the stodgy mixture up with
her finger and stared at it. ‘Shouldn’t it have chocolate
in it? And when Mum makes them, she tells me to mix the
wet ingredients together first, then the dry ones. Then
you mix them all together.’ ‘Does she now,’ he remarked sourly. ‘Anything else I’m
doing wrong here?’ ‘She uses oil, not butter.’ He stopped his mixing and passed the spoon over to her.
‘Go on then, Miss Smarty Pants, you make them. I’m sure
that’s what the school expected you to do.’ ‘Maybe.’ She stuck her bottom lip out a little and if he
hadn’t known her better, he’d have said she looked cute.
Fair, curly hair escaping from a haphazard ponytail,
freckles on her cheeks, a dusting of flour on her nose. Truth be told though, she was a monster. Okay, that was a
bit harsh, but the cute looks were highly deceptive.
‘What do you mean, maybe? What did they actually say
about the cupcakes?’ ‘We had to come up with our bestest cupcake.’ ‘Favourite. Best.’ ‘That’s what I said.’ ‘Come up with as in write down, or come up with as in
slave over a hot stove and make?’ She didn’t answer. Instead she grinned at him in that
cheeky, gappy way she had – the one that made him want to
laugh and strangle her in equal measures. He sighed. ‘Am
I wasting my time here?’ ‘Nope. I want to see what they taste like. I can take
them in tomorrow as it’s my birthday. Plus Miss Baxter
will like them. She’s my new teacher and she says
cupcakes are her best food.’ ‘Favourite,’ he mumbled, feeling the hairs on the back of
his neck tingle. He had to will himself not to blush. How
embarrassing would that be, Mags knowing he had a crush
on her teacher? Still, he couldn’t stop himself asking.
‘So how are you getting on with this Miss Baxter, then?’ ‘She’s cool. And pretty.’ Yes, he’d noticed that. Very pretty, he’d have said.
Shiny blonde hair, a sweet smile and striking blue eyes
that caused his heart to jig whenever she looked in his
direction. Mercifully the phone rang, putting a halt to his wayward
thoughts. He tucked the receiver carefully under his chin, causing
minimal transfer of cupcake mess. ‘Hello, Taylor’s
bakery. Purveyor of fine cupcakes.’ Behind him Maggie let out one of her priceless giggles. Down the phone, he heard a deep sigh. ‘Evening, Josh.’ He waggled his eyebrows at Maggie. ‘It’s your mum on the
phone. Do you want to talk to her or shall I tell her
you’re really not bothered …’ The phone was snatched out from under his chin by eager
hands. ‘Mum. I’m making Coca Cola and marshmallow
cupcakes!’ Before he had a chance to take her to task over her use
of the word ‘I’, which surely implied a degree of
ownership to the whole making process, she’d disappeared
into the other room. It left him with the job of slopping
cocoa powder, milk and Cola into the already dodgy
looking mixture and then slapping the resulting goo into
fifteen cupcake molds. Heaven only knew how they’d turn out. Or their effect on
the stomach lining should anyone dare to eat one. Felicity Baxter, on early morning playground duty, tried
not to ogle too openly at the tall man with the floppy
brown hair and twinkling green eyes. He was the father of
one of her pupils. Ogling was totally wrong. Still, she couldn’t resist a few sneaky glances his way.
There was something about the man that made a woman want
to stare. Probably his smile, she mused as another one
lit up his face, making her heart flutter. The fluttering morphed into a thumping. He wasn’t
dropping his daughter off at the gate as she’d seen him
do every day since she’d begun working at the school a
few weeks ago. He was striding towards her, Maggie at his
side. And carrying a plate of … cupcakes? ‘Hi.’ A less than dazzling opening gambit. ‘What have you
got there?’ An even more cringe worthy follow up remark.
As if it wasn’t totally obvious. ‘I was told by Mags that you needed these today?’ He
stared down at the odd assortment of cakes, each sporting
vibrant pink icing that looked as if it had been troweled
on. ‘They’re meant to be cupcakes,’ he continued in a
deep voice that made her insides squirm. ‘But calling
them that might be against the Trade Description Act. I
should probably say they’re biscuit type things, topped
with pink stuff.’ ‘They’re Cola and marshmallow flavour,’ Maggie chimed in.
‘My two bestest …’ she received a dig from her father.
‘Favouritest things.’ He rolled his eyes at his daughter, though the boyish
grin still hovered around his lips. ‘Well, they look, umm, interesting,’ she ventured. ‘But
you didn’t need to actually make the cupcakes, Maggie.
Just think up a flavour.’ ‘Oops.’ She glanced up at her father, a wide smile
splitting her face. ‘But we had fun making them.’ ‘Which part was fun?’ His left eyebrow arched sexily.
‘The part where the bag of flour fell on the floor,
coating the kitchen in white? Which, incidentally, I had
to clean up. Or maybe the part where I had to scrape
sponge mixture off the bottom of the oven after the first
attempt spilt everywhere? Oh, you were probably in bed by
then, weren’t you?’ Though his words were said with more affection than
irritation, Felicity sensed an undercurrent of
exasperation. ‘Eating one was fun.’ He gave a despairing shake of head, but laughter danced
in his eyes – his sparkly, clear, very green eyes. ‘Well,
let’s see if Miss Baxter thinks so, too.’ He raised the
cakes a little higher. ‘Please, take one. No, take the
whole lot. It’s Maggie’s birthday today and I believe she
wants you and the class to sample them.’ He pushed the plate towards her and Felicity had no
option but to take it from him. ‘Well happy birthday,
Maggie,’ she said to the grinning girl. ‘And thank you
for the cakes. I think,’ she added to the father who gave
her an almost identical grin. ‘You won’t be thanking us tomorrow morning when you wake
up with gut rot.’ Just then the bell sounded and the children scampered to
line up, Maggie included. Felicity was left standing with
a handsome man and a plate of vivid pink biscuit type
things. ‘I guess I should let you get to work.’ He glanced
apologetically at her. ‘Sorry about the gut rot comment.
I’m sure you’ll be fine but it might be advisable to put
the lot in the bin rather than trying them, just in
case.’ He gave her a slightly awkward half smile, half grimace
and walked away before she could formulate a reply. For a
few precious seconds she enjoyed the sight of his broad
back and denim clad lower half before letting out a
wistful sigh and turning back to her class. Why was it all the best men were already taken? A fact
she knew from bitter experience. Sometimes they didn’t
even tell you they were taken, either. Not until they’d
hooked you right in and made you fall in love with them.
She’d been there, done that and still suffered agonies of
heartache, guilt and anger several years later. But maybe Maggie’s dad wasn’t married. She hadn’t
actually seen Maggie’s mother. Could he be a single dad? Her class settled into an unruly line and several pairs
of interested eyes gaped at the plate she was holding. ‘Cool, are those the cakes you brought in, Maggie?’ Maggie nodded. ‘Yep.’ ‘Did your mum make them?’ ‘No, she’s away. I made them myself.’ Well, that certainly put an end to her daydreams. Still,
Felicity couldn’t resist a smile at Maggie’s reply. She
wondered what Mr Sexy Eyes would have said if he’d heard
his daughter taking all the culinary credit. Josh kicked himself all the way back to his car. Gut rot?
Really, why the heck had he said that to the delicious
Miss Baxter? He’d certainly lost his touch with women.
Thirty-four and single – his last relationship over two
years ago. It didn’t exactly scream ladies’ man. His mobile phone went off as he slipped back into his
car. ‘Did I miss Mags?’ ‘I’m afraid so. She’s lining up now but don’t worry, in
her excitement over the cupcake debacle she didn’t
realise you hadn’t phoned.’ On the other end of the phone, Lauren let out a deep,
forlorn sigh. ‘I’m such a bad mother. I abandon my
daughter for months at a time, palming her off onto a
hapless male…’ ‘Thanks.’ ‘And now I can’t even phone her on time to wish her a
happy birthday.’ She sounded so low, Josh’s heart went out to her.
‘Firstly, you’re the best mother I’ve ever met. Secondly,
you’ve not abandoned her. You’re away serving your
country. It’s a job you enjoy, true, but also one that’s
noble, courageous and makes your daughter proud.’ ‘That’s kind of you—’ ‘I hadn’t finished. Lastly, I’m not hapless.’ ‘Oh, yes, sorry about that.’ She let out a soft laugh.
‘It was only my frustration talking. You’re fantastic to
look after her for months at a time. I’m truly grateful,
you know I am.’ ‘Yes, I do,’ he replied quietly. ‘But equally I’m truly
grateful for the opportunity to take care of a girl I
happen to love and adore, so we’re even.’
There was silence at the other end and Josh could imagine
her wiping her eyes. Heck, he felt like crying himself.
‘Tell me something silly or stupid to stop me from
bursting into tears,’ she mumbled finally. ‘I fancy Maggie’s teacher,’ he blurted. ‘There, I think
that happily fills both your criteria.’ ‘Oh my God, the new teacher? The apparently awesomely
clever and looks like a princess, Miss Baxter? He felt his cheeks redden and shut his eyes. Thank God
she couldn’t see him. ‘Yes.’ ‘And does she? Look like a princess, I mean.’ ‘She doesn’t wear a tiara, but she is like a male fantasy
version of Cinderella.’ ‘Wow, you sound like you’ve got it bad. Does she know you
fancy her?’ ‘Of course not.’ He quickly crossed his fingers,
wondering if she’d seen him gawping at her. ‘Anyway, it’s
not like anything’s going to happen.’ But it didn’t stop
him wondering whether she’d be interested, though
considering his track record, the probability was pretty
low. Before Lauren could ask any more questions – knowing
her as he did her mind was probably buzzing with them –
he got in one of his own. ‘How are things with you,
anyway? All those men, so little time, eh?’ ‘All these men and nobody of interest, more like. Look,
will you tell Mags—’ ‘You called, of course I will.’ ‘And tell her—’ ‘You love her. Yes, already done. Don’t worry, she knows,
just as she knows you’ll phone again the moment you get
the chance.’ ‘Okay. Right. I’d better go then. And Josh -‘ ‘Thank you. Yes, I know that, too and it’s no problem.
When I’m not cooking, the pleasure is all mine.’ He ended the call, his eyes wandering over to the
playground, and to the lovely Miss Baxter. Would she be
interested? Did he dare to find out? It was the end of the school day and Felicity found
herself on gate duty again. The joys of being a new
teacher. Speaking of joys, Maggie’s dad was heading purposefully
towards her. Compose yourself. He’s just another parent.
‘Is there a problem, Mr Taylor?’ she asked, finding it
odd that he’d come to her and not to his daughter who was
still in the playground, giggling with her friend. His smile was a little tense. ‘No, no problem.’ He
hesitated, the pause so long she wondered if he’d
forgotten why he’d come up to her. ‘How were the
biscuits-masquerading-as-cupcakes?’ he finally asked.. ‘Good thank you, but I’ll know better when I’ve made it
through the next twenty-four hours.’ Another tight smile, this time accompanied by a rake of
his hand through his hair, which settled disarmingly over
his forehead. ‘I hope you don’t mind me approaching you
like this, at school, but I was wondering …’ he trailed
off and cleared his throat. ‘I was wondering if you
fancied a drink sometime?’ He must have seen, and
misunderstood her look of shock because he hastily added.
‘I’ve cleared it with Maggie’s mum.’ He’d done what? Got permission to ask another woman out?
Maybe she’d got this wrong. Maybe he and Maggie’s mum
were estranged. ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking, but do you still live
with Maggie and her mum?’ He blinked. ‘Well, yes, sort of. At least I do for half
the year, but don’t let that put you off, please. I am
let out for good behaviour.’ His smile licked at her insides but Felicity hardened
herself. She had no intention of being the other woman
ever again. ‘I’m sorry Mr Taylor, but I have no interest
in having a drink with you.’ Clear green eyes blinked again and a slight flush crept
up his neck. ‘Well, that put me in my place. I’m sorry if
I’ve embarrassed you.’ Shoulders held rigidly straight, he went to find his
daughter. When the pair of them returned through the
gate, Felicity deliberately avoided his eyes, turning to
talk to one of the parents. Only when she’d mentally
counted to thirty did she dare to glance back. Had she
unconsciously given him I fancy you signals? Or did she
have slut who’s prepared to sleep with a married man
tattooed on her forehead? ‘I see you’re eyeing up Maggie’s uncle. I can’t say I
blame you.’ The mother she’d been speaking to smiled, nodding over in
the direction of Maggie and her… ‘Sorry, what did you
say? Isn’t that Maggie’s dad?’ ‘Oh no, her father upped and left years ago. Maggie
doesn’t remember him. She lives with her mother but
Lauren’s in the Navy so when she’s at sea her brother
comes to take care of Maggie. Josh Taylor. He’s a writer,
so I guess he can work anywhere.’ Felicity’s heart began to thump. Oh God, had she just
turned down the chance of a drink with a very sexy,
funny, single man? ‘Excuse me, I just remembered I need to tell Maggie … umm
… something.’ Without stopping to think she ran over to where Maggie
and her uncle were getting into his car. ‘Mr Taylor, can
I have a minute? Please.’ He paused, his usually dancing green eyes guarded. ‘Mags,
be a good girl and wait in the car a second.’ After checking she was safely strapped in he moved away
so they were out of earshot. ‘Look, if this is about me
asking you out, I repeat: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to
offend you.’ ‘I thought you were Maggie’s dad.’ The words tumbled out
of her. ‘Which I don’t believe was an unnatural
assumption as every day since I started here I’ve noticed
you drop her off and collect her. Plus you answer to Mr
Taylor. And you live with Maggie’s mum.’ For a moment he didn’t move, didn’t speak, didn’t change
his stiff expression. Then understanding slowly dawned on
him. ‘You thought I was married? To Maggie’s mum. My
sister.’ ‘Yes.’ Some of the tightness left his face and he gave her a
slight smile. ‘God forbid.’ There was an awkward silence
and Felicity had a terrible feeling he was going to leave
it at that. Simply walk away from her. But then he
coughed. ‘You noticed me every day, huh?’ She flushed scarlet. ‘Yes.’ ‘And now you know I’m not married. That I am, in fact,
very single?’ Her pulse quickened. ‘Now I know that, I’d love to have a
drink with you.’ His face relaxed and the flashing grin returned in force.
‘How about tomorrow evening? We could meet for that drink
and if you haven’t regretted your decision after the
first hour, maybe we could move on to dinner?’ Felicity knew they’d be having dinner. ‘I’ll look forward
to it.’ With a nod and another stomach pulverizing grin he turned
back to his car. Just as he was climbing in, he spoke
again. ‘Oh and if you’re really unlucky, I’ll bring you a
few cupcakes for dessert.’ Marshmallow and Cola Cupcakes
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Appearance may
vary.
(Makes 15)
Ingredients:
Cola Cupcakes:
60g chopped dark chocolate
15g cocoa powder
120ml Cola (not diet)
150g flour
1 tsp baking powder
100g butter (room temperature)
200g white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
120ml milk
Marshmallow Cream Frosting:
100g butter (room temperature)
Dash of vanilla essence
1/2 jar marshmallow fluff (more if you like it to really
taste of marshmallow)
100g icing sugar
2 tbsp whipping cream (optional)
Dash of pink food colouring – or more if you want them to
look like Maggie’s.
Chocolate Cupcakes (the correct, non-Josh version):
1. Preheat oven to 180 oC and line 15 muffin cups with
paper liners. 2. Melt the chocolate and cocoa powder in a pan and add
the Cola. 3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder
and a pinch of salt. 4. With an electric mixer beat the butter until smooth
and creamy and gradually add the sugar and continue
beating until the mixture is fluffy. 5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each
addition. Then add the vanilla extract and melted
chocolate/Cola mixture and beat to combine 6. Add the milk and finally the flour mixture. 7. Evenly divide the batter among the muffin cups, and
bake for about 20 minutes.
Marshmallow Cream Frosting:
1. Beat the butter until smooth and add the vanilla
extract and marshmallow fluff. Gradually beat in the
icing sugar.
2. Add the whipped cream (if you fancy it) and pink food
colouring and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Trowel on.
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