Two days later, a brisk breeze snapped through the city, kicking up fallen leaves and swirling them in a graceful dance, as Faelen walked into Jumelle to meet Maxen. He’d been inordinately disappointed that they’d been unable to manage to see each other before today, but Maxen’s work had kept him busy. Faelen was happy they’d found this time, and not only because Maxen greeted him with a parcel of cinnamon twist pastries sticky with sweet icing.
Though he was happy about those.
They strolled as they ate and talked, catching up on the details of the last few days and remarking on things they saw in shop windows. The rambling conversation turned to the book Maxen had sent Faelen. He was surprised to find that Maxen had finished it as well—Faelen seldom found anyone who was as voracious a reader as he and was delighted to discover Maxen was also. Delighted too with the discussion.
-The Merchant's Love
Though he was happy about those.
They strolled as they ate and talked, catching up on the details of the last few days and remarking on things they saw in shop windows. The rambling conversation turned to the book Maxen had sent Faelen. He was surprised to find that Maxen had finished it as well—Faelen seldom found anyone who was as voracious a reader as he and was delighted to discover Maxen was also. Delighted too with the discussion.
-The Merchant's Love
I have another The Merchant's Love with baked goods photo for you today. Faelen has such a weakness for books and baked goods (and who can blame him?), and so much of the bonding courtship in this book involves the two that it seemed like fun to take some photos and share recipes and snippets from the book. I hope you're enjoying it. Today's recipe is for brownies. They're really fudgy and chocolatey and flourless, so gluten free. This has become my go-to brownie recipe. Let me know what you think if you try it.
Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies
1/2 butter
2 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease.
Melt the butter and chocolate together in a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch. Add in the butter/chocolate mixture, and whisk until well-combined. Whisk in the vanilla and salt. Whisk in the eggs on at a time. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes until the brownies are set around the edges. Cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies
1/2 butter
2 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease.
Melt the butter and chocolate together in a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch. Add in the butter/chocolate mixture, and whisk until well-combined. Whisk in the vanilla and salt. Whisk in the eggs on at a time. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes until the brownies are set around the edges. Cool completely in the pan before slicing.
About The Merchant's Love:
Faelen, cousin to the prince and son of a diplomat, has finally come home to Tournai after years away. The pull to return was almost tangible, and the sense of rightness at being back is absolute. He wants nothing more than to put down roots and build a life among family while pursuing his linguistic studies. Becoming involved in magic meant to protect Tournai isn’t part of his plans…and falling in love is even more unexpected and unfamiliar, but he finds himself doing just that as his friendship with Maxen deepens into something more.
Maxen, second son of a wealthy merchant family, longs to leave Tournai and visit everywhere he can. All his life, he’s found places on maps and dreamed, planning out routes to get to them. For now, he’s tied to Tournai’s capital city by family obligations and his position in their shipping business. Someday, though, he’ll be able to travel. His sudden attraction to Faelen shocks him, but their friendship soon becomes a necessary part of his life. Love, however, has no place in his plans, especially not love for a royal cousin with secrets who wants nothing more than to stay in one place.
For Faelen and Maxen to build something real between them, they must resolve their differences, but when magic goes awry and all Faelen’s secrets are revealed, will Maxen remain at his side?
Add The Merchant's Love to your Goodreads shelf.
Preorder The Merchant's Love:
NineStar Press
Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Kobo
Maxen, second son of a wealthy merchant family, longs to leave Tournai and visit everywhere he can. All his life, he’s found places on maps and dreamed, planning out routes to get to them. For now, he’s tied to Tournai’s capital city by family obligations and his position in their shipping business. Someday, though, he’ll be able to travel. His sudden attraction to Faelen shocks him, but their friendship soon becomes a necessary part of his life. Love, however, has no place in his plans, especially not love for a royal cousin with secrets who wants nothing more than to stay in one place.
For Faelen and Maxen to build something real between them, they must resolve their differences, but when magic goes awry and all Faelen’s secrets are revealed, will Maxen remain at his side?
Add The Merchant's Love to your Goodreads shelf.
Preorder The Merchant's Love:
NineStar Press
Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Kobo
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