Blog Tour: Kick Start by Josh Lanyon (with giveaway info!)

Today we're happy to be part of Josh Lanyon's blog tour for his new release, Kick Start. Check out the awesome recipes, read about the book, and then enter the giveaway with the raffle widget below!

Dinner with the In-Laws

When Will brings Taylor home to meet the family, Bill Brandt slays the fatted calf -- well, no. But he does cook a hot and heart-warming Welcome Home supper. Maybe a little too heart-warming for Taylor.  You might also want to keep the Tums handy.

Bill Brandt’s Sirloin Chili

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds sirloin steak - cut into 1 inch cubes

2 onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 green chili pepper

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper

2 (29 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

Directions:

Come in from busting bad guys' chops all week and start Sunday dinner for your two hungry adolescent sons.

• In a large pot over medium high heat, combine the oil and steak and saute for about 5 minutes, or until steak is browned. Add the onions, garlic and chili pepper and saute for another 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
• Add the chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, tomatoes and kidney beans. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about one hour. Remove cover and simmer for another 30 minutes, or until you've reached your desired thickness.

(Makes 6 to 7 servings)

Grandma Mills' Cornbread

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable shortening, for skillet

2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons salt 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

3 eggs, beaten 

2 cups milk 

1/4 cup melted butter 

melted butter for brushing top

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Put oil or shortening in a 10-inch iron skillet and place in the oven to preheat while making batter. In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, and soda.
• In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and butter. Combine with dry ingredients and stir until all ingredients are moistened. Batter will be like a thick pancake batter.
• Carefully, with heavy oven mitts, lift skillet out and turn to coat all of the inside surface with oil. Pour in batter and return to oven. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, until browned. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.

***Suggested beverage pairing: Corona or Tecate beer

Red Chili-Spiked Chocolate Mousse (From Will's mom's recipe book)

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin

4 tablespoons water, divided

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-process

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons mild-to-medium New Mexican red chili powder, plus more for garnish

1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

3/4 cup low-fat milk

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

8 teaspoons dried egg whites (see Note), reconstituted according to package directions (equivalent to 4 egg whites)

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions:

• Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl; set aside.
• Combine cocoa, granulated sugar, chili powder, espresso powder and salt in a large saucepan. Whisk in egg, then milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until steaming and just beginning to thicken, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the softened gelatin, chocolate and vanilla. Stir until the chocolate is melted and fully incorporated.
• Beat egg whites, brown sugar and cream of tartar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high-speed just until firm peaks form.
• Stir one-fourth of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture until smooth. Fold in the remaining egg whites until fully incorporated. Spoon the mousse into 8 dessert glasses or cups.
• Chill the mousse until set, at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with chili powder, if desired.

(Makes: 8 servings, about 1/2 cup each)

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About the Book :

Series : Dangerous Ground, Book 5

Author : Josh Lanyon

Publisher : Just Joshin

Release Date : December 1 , 2013

Pages : 128 pages (e-book)

Blurb : Will is finally braced to bring Taylor home to meet the folks. Unfortunately, not every member of the Brandt clan loves Taylor the way Will does. Then again, not everyone loves the Brandts. In fact, someone has a score to settle -- and too bad for any former DS agents who get in the way when the bullets start to fly.

Purchase Links

Amazon I ARe I B&N I Smashwords

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About the Author

A distinct voice in gay fiction, multi-award-winning author Josh Lanyon has been writing gay mystery and romance for over a decade. In addition to numerous short stories, novellas, and novels, Josh is the author of the critically acclaimed Adrien English series, including The Hell You Say, winner of the 2006 USABookNews awards for GLBT Fiction and a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Gay Mystery. Josh is also the author of the definitive M/M writing guide Man, Oh Man: Writing M/M Fiction for Kinks and Ca$h.

But, really...do you care? Probably not. More to the point, Josh writes gay or M/M romance -- usually within the context of a mystery / romantic-suspense or action - adventure. Lanyon's particular brand of erotic romance features sexy cops and smartass writers, tough Navy SEALs and sensitive artists, hard as nail special agents and...other hard as nails special agents. Josh is an EPPIE Award winner and a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his Significant Other. You can find out more at the Just Joshin blog on Livejournal/Blogspot or through Josh's mailing list.

You can also find Josh at :

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There will be a total of NINE lucky winners, selected randomly across the entire BlogHop (Prize details listed below). For a chance to win one of these swagalicious giveaways all you need to do is follow the Rafflecopter link below, and fill in your details - BUT don't forget to comment here too. :)

Kick Start Giveaway Info :

• Begins Day 1 of Blog Hop, December 2, 2013
• Ends on Final Day of Blog Hop, December 7, 2013, at midnight EDT
• Drawings are open to both U.S. readers and international readers.
• PLEASE NOTE : Winners will be announced on Josh's Facebook Fan Page on Sunday December 8th, 2013 - there will be 9 winners in total (prizes as listed below)

Prizes :

• Grand Prize : Paperwhite Kindle with all "Dangerous Ground" books sent separately (including Kick Start) for winner to install.
• Kick Start T'shirt
• Kick Start Coffee Mug
• Set of Magnets
• 2 ebooks to 1 lucky winner from Josh's back catalogue
• 3 audiobooks to 3 lucky winners (1 each) from Josh's back catalogue
• Top Secret Special Edition Mug

Good luck! And thanks for stopping by!