A Sweet Treat and a Stroll in the Orchard

   Hand in hand, they strolled deeper into the orchard. Apple, peach, cherry, and pear trees stood in haphazard arrangement, dotting the landscape like fruit-laden scarecrows, their odd-shaped branches silhouetted against the moonlit skies. Anne breathed in the sweet fragrance that filled the night air.

   She saw both hope and hesitation in George's dark eyes as his gaze searched hers. She tried to look away, fearing that he might too easily see her true feelings, but she could not. She was not asking George to break his vow. Only to love her. Only tonight. 

From: Happily Ever After

Welcome to my blog! I'm so glad you've stopped by as part of the "Just Desserts" blog hop. It's a perfect hop for those of us who love "sweet" romances.

But...to tell the truth, I'm not a desserts lover. Nope. I don't drool over chocolates, and the mere thought of sugary cookies, cakes, and candies makes me cringe. When it comes to desserts, for me, only one thing will do.

Fruits. Fresh delicious fruits. Tasty, mouth-watering, delectable, healthy, wonderful fruits! Fruits are good for us -- a claim most desserts can't make -- and the truth is, most people don't eat enough fresh fruit. Nutritional guidelines suggest we have five servings a day.

Here's one delicious way of getting those five servings with a scrumptious fruit compote dessert:

Ingredients:

1/2 medium lemon
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup honey
2 cups sliced peeled apples
2 cups sliced peeled peaches
1 cup sliced peeled pears
1/3 cup apricot spreadable fruit
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup seedless red grapes
7 tablespoons vanilla yogurt

Directions

Cut two 1-in.-long strips from lemon peel. Squeeze juice from lemon. In a large saucepan, combine the water, honey, lemon juice and lemon peel strips. Add the apples, peaches and pears. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until fruit is softened.

Remove from the heat; discard lemon peel. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fruit to a large bowl; discard poaching liquid. Stir in spreadable fruit, strawberries and grapes. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon. Top each serving with yogurt. 

Yield: 7 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving (3/4 cup fruit mixture with 1 tablespoon yogurt) equals 166 calories, 1 g fat (trace saturated fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 14 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 2 g protein. 

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What's your favorite fruit?

Leave a comment below, and you'll be entered for a chance to win an e-book copy of

"Happily Ever After".

Contest runs through midnight, Sunday night.

Two lucky readers will win!

Drawing will be held early Monday morning, and winners will be notified.

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Can't wait to read "Happily Ever After"? 

Here are the links to use for purchasing the book. "Likes" are also appreciated, so please check out the different booksellers and share a little love for historical romance.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

$5.99

Available at:

Sweet Cravings Publishing

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

All Romance Ebooks

Bookstrand

For more "Just Desserts" from Sweet Cravings Publishing, click HERE!