B.A.K.E.: One of the Boys Series, #3

By Teresa Crumpton

Calla Bond and the staff of Belladonna cordially invite you to the New Year's Eve event of the season. As things have simmered in the kitchen, Belladonna is now the must-experience spot in Austin, and this New Year's Eve party is one not to miss!

Together with their favorite seven-year-old, the entire Belladonna team has whipped up special tasting and libation menus sure to make all mouths happy. Join us for a magical night as we ring in the New Year with joy, laughter, deliciousness, a champagne toast, and a midnight kiss theme!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa Crumpton
• Release date: Jan 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9798201198114

Book preview

Copyright

Copyright © 2018 Teresa Carol Galinari Crumpton

Published by Teresa Carol Galinari Crumpton

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, or other status is entirely coincidental.

Ebooks are not transferable. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever known, not known or hereafter invented, or stored in any storage or retrieval system, is forbidden and punishable by the fullest extent of the law without written permission of the author.

For more information, contact the author athttp://www.teresacrumpton.com

Published: Teresa Crumpton 2019

Cover Design: Kristen Hope Mazzola

Formatting: Kristen Hope Mazzola

Edited by:

Stephanie Taylor

Dedication

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To the Sinister Six.... Love you guys!

Foreword

Dear Reader,

With a New Year comes new possibilities and a blank slate! What a better way to ring it in than with stories to help create good cheer. So, whether it’s a happy ending or a happy beginning, we’ve got you covered!

These stories will have you falling in love, and grinning ear to ear as characters count down to a new year! Join us on this adventure, and remember, this is the first page of your new year. Make it shine bright!

May your glass of champagne never be empty, and may the clock strike midnight while you’re kissing the one you love!

Always,

Your Authors!

You are cordially invited to

Belladonna’s Arousing Kissable Extravaganza

A New Year’s Eve celebration!

The party begins at 8:00 PM

On Monday, December 31st, 2018

Hors d’oeuvres and champagne will be served

Please R.S.V.P. to Calla Bond by December 1st

B.A.K.E. Menu

Appetizers

Caprese Toasted Kiss

Sealed with a Kiss Mexican Shrimp & Avo bites

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom & Gruyere Kisslets

Asparagus-Prosciutto Rolls

Deviled Eggs (Because it’s not a party without them!)

Mini Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

Entrees

Bourbon Steak with Caramelized Onions, Kissed with Horseradish & Roasted Garlic Crostini

New Year’s Eve Ham and Black Eyed Pea Soup

Mini Spaghetti Cups

Kissable Bacon Cheeseburger Bites

Herbed Risotto

Mini Chicken & Waffles with Pepper Jelly Syrup

Drinks

Midnight Kiss Chocolate Champagne

Pomegranate & Ginger Spritzer/ Pomegranate Rosemary Spritzer

Blackberry Thyme Sparkler

Cranberry Gin Fizz

French Kiss

Whiskey Kiss

Desserts

Strawberry Empanadas

Mini Strawberry Champagne Cheesecakes

Sparkling Mini Parfaits

Chocolate Tuxedo Cups with Strawberries & Grand Marnier Whipped Cream

Chocolate Mousse Shot

Midnight Kiss Champagne Cake Shots

One

Ella

Pushing through the front door of Belladonna, I head straight for the kitchen. It’s been a long five days, and I can’t wait to see my dad and the rest of my Belladonna family. I mean, seeing my friends in Houston was great, so was visiting Mom’s family, but everyone’s still so sad, and spending all that time with Aunt Piper was a bit much.

Speak of the devil. Ella! Wait up! You can’t just go running off, Aunt Piper whines at me.

Rolling my eyes, I don’t even glance back at her. The text messages I got earlier told me to head to the kitchen when I arrived, and that’s what I’m doing...Aunt Piper be damned!

It’s a good thing Dad and everyone here hasn’t decided to add thinking cuss words to the swear jar. This week alone, I would’ve lost all the money they’ve put in.

Well, hello, Speedy, Uncle Adam comments as I dash pass the hostess stand. They haven’t started yet. They’re waiting for you, he adds.

Hey, Uncle Adam! Thanks. FYI, Aunt Piper’s in a mood, I tell him, sliding to a halt to wrap an arm around his waist, giving him a half hug before I continue on my way to the kitchen. His tosses the towel in his hand over his shoulder as his other hand pulls me into his side.

"When isn’t she in one? he whispers, hugging me back. Before you start helping, Aunt Nessa sent a present for you. It’s hanging in the office."

She’s not here? I ask, searching the dining room.

No, she’s at home since her part of set up is done. Plus, she wanted to rest because she’ll be doing more work tonight making sure the party goes off without a hitch.

Uncle Adam releases me, and I stare up at him, but he doesn’t give anything away. I know he and Aunt Nessa have been trying to have a baby, and it's been hard for them. I’ve overheard Dad talking about it, along with Nonna and Gramps. It worries