Author: America's Test Kitchen
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
ISBN: 1948703084
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 377
Book Description
Make your decadent dreams come true with this chocolate-covered collection of more than 200 foolproof recipes that showcase the treasured dessert ingredient--from delicious morning baked goods and pick-me-up treats to rich after-dinner delights for special occasions. Chocolate may be the most universally loved (and craved) flavoring, and Everything Chocolate is the definitive guide to any sweet treat you can imagine featuring it, for any time of day. Wake up with streusel-topped Chocolate-Walnut Muffins that are easy to make or professional-grade Chocolate Croissants when weekend time allows. Pack lunches with pleasing Milk Chocolate Revel Bars or serve Magic Chocolate Flan Cake or Chocolate Pavlova with Berries and Whipped Cream after dinner. Much of why we fall for chocolate is because it brings back memories of candy bar snacks and sneaking just-baked chocolate chip cookies while they're still warm (we have the best recipe). We channel the nostalgia in recipes like Chocolate Fluff Cookies and Frozen Snickers Ice Cream Cake. But chocolate is also a grown-up favorite for black-tie desserts--think low, lush slices like Blood Orange Chocolate Tart or ganache-enrobed Chocolate-Pecan Torte (we'll teach you how to get a perfectly smooth coating). The full range of chocolate recipes is here, avoiding the pitfalls of unbalanced chocolate flavor (too bitter or too sweet) or dry, crumbly baked goods (chocolate contains starch and we've learned how to mind it). Become a home chocolatier by learning all about chocolate nomenclature, how to shop for the best-tasting cocoa powder, when you should use chocolate bars versus chips, decorating dazzling desserts with chocolate, and how to make candies and cookies with shiny, snappy chocolate coatings with our shortcut to tempering.
Everything Chocolate
Author: America's Test Kitchen
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
ISBN: 1948703084
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 377
Book Description
Make your decadent dreams come true with this chocolate-covered collection of more than 200 foolproof recipes that showcase the treasured dessert ingredient--from delicious morning baked goods and pick-me-up treats to rich after-dinner delights for special occasions. Chocolate may be the most universally loved (and craved) flavoring, and Everything Chocolate is the definitive guide to any sweet treat you can imagine featuring it, for any time of day. Wake up with streusel-topped Chocolate-Walnut Muffins that are easy to make or professional-grade Chocolate Croissants when weekend time allows. Pack lunches with pleasing Milk Chocolate Revel Bars or serve Magic Chocolate Flan Cake or Chocolate Pavlova with Berries and Whipped Cream after dinner. Much of why we fall for chocolate is because it brings back memories of candy bar snacks and sneaking just-baked chocolate chip cookies while they're still warm (we have the best recipe). We channel the nostalgia in recipes like Chocolate Fluff Cookies and Frozen Snickers Ice Cream Cake. But chocolate is also a grown-up favorite for black-tie desserts--think low, lush slices like Blood Orange Chocolate Tart or ganache-enrobed Chocolate-Pecan Torte (we'll teach you how to get a perfectly smooth coating). The full range of chocolate recipes is here, avoiding the pitfalls of unbalanced chocolate flavor (too bitter or too sweet) or dry, crumbly baked goods (chocolate contains starch and we've learned how to mind it). Become a home chocolatier by learning all about chocolate nomenclature, how to shop for the best-tasting cocoa powder, when you should use chocolate bars versus chips, decorating dazzling desserts with chocolate, and how to make candies and cookies with shiny, snappy chocolate coatings with our shortcut to tempering.
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
ISBN: 1948703084
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 377
Book Description
Make your decadent dreams come true with this chocolate-covered collection of more than 200 foolproof recipes that showcase the treasured dessert ingredient--from delicious morning baked goods and pick-me-up treats to rich after-dinner delights for special occasions. Chocolate may be the most universally loved (and craved) flavoring, and Everything Chocolate is the definitive guide to any sweet treat you can imagine featuring it, for any time of day. Wake up with streusel-topped Chocolate-Walnut Muffins that are easy to make or professional-grade Chocolate Croissants when weekend time allows. Pack lunches with pleasing Milk Chocolate Revel Bars or serve Magic Chocolate Flan Cake or Chocolate Pavlova with Berries and Whipped Cream after dinner. Much of why we fall for chocolate is because it brings back memories of candy bar snacks and sneaking just-baked chocolate chip cookies while they're still warm (we have the best recipe). We channel the nostalgia in recipes like Chocolate Fluff Cookies and Frozen Snickers Ice Cream Cake. But chocolate is also a grown-up favorite for black-tie desserts--think low, lush slices like Blood Orange Chocolate Tart or ganache-enrobed Chocolate-Pecan Torte (we'll teach you how to get a perfectly smooth coating). The full range of chocolate recipes is here, avoiding the pitfalls of unbalanced chocolate flavor (too bitter or too sweet) or dry, crumbly baked goods (chocolate contains starch and we've learned how to mind it). Become a home chocolatier by learning all about chocolate nomenclature, how to shop for the best-tasting cocoa powder, when you should use chocolate bars versus chips, decorating dazzling desserts with chocolate, and how to make candies and cookies with shiny, snappy chocolate coatings with our shortcut to tempering.
The Art of Chocolate
Author: Elaine Gonzalez
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9780811818117
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 188
Book Description
Demonstrates the art of working with chocolate, including candy making, cake decorating, and strawberry dipping.
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9780811818117
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 188
Book Description
Demonstrates the art of working with chocolate, including candy making, cake decorating, and strawberry dipping.
Old-Fashioned Homemade Ice Cream
Author: Thomas R. Quinn
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 048613587X
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 34
Book Description
Complete instructions and helpful advice for making delicious homemade ice cream, either in a hand-cranked or electric freezer. Includes 58 mouthwatering ice cream recipes, plus recipes for toppings and sauces. Introduction. Illustrated throughout.
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 048613587X
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 34
Book Description
Complete instructions and helpful advice for making delicious homemade ice cream, either in a hand-cranked or electric freezer. Includes 58 mouthwatering ice cream recipes, plus recipes for toppings and sauces. Introduction. Illustrated throughout.
The All-American Cookie Book
Author: Nancy Baggett
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780395915370
Category : Cookery, American
Languages : en
Pages : 454
Book Description
"The perfect book for every cookie-loving American" (Dorie Greenspan, author of "Baking with Julia"), this exciting and definitive collection of the nation's best cookies covers every cookie imaginable--from Key Lime Frosties to Pennsylvania Dutch Soft Sugar Cookies. Full color.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780395915370
Category : Cookery, American
Languages : en
Pages : 454
Book Description
"The perfect book for every cookie-loving American" (Dorie Greenspan, author of "Baking with Julia"), this exciting and definitive collection of the nation's best cookies covers every cookie imaginable--from Key Lime Frosties to Pennsylvania Dutch Soft Sugar Cookies. Full color.
Semisweet
Author: Johnny O'Brien
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1442232587
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 221
Book Description
The Milton Hershey School is the richest and wealthiest K-12 residential school in the world. Its $12 billion trust fund, financed by sales of the iconic Hershey candy, eclipse that of Cornell, Dartmouth, and Johns Hopkins combined. Even more stunning is that the school for orphans owns The Hershey Company and not the other way around. As the twentieth-century drew to a close, the School’s Board of Managers creatively interpreted the Founder’s mission and tried to turn the refuge for extremely needy children into more of a middle-class boarding school. The alumni “Homeguys” challenged the Board and, after a decade of legal struggle and national publicity, won the battle to reclaim the soul of the school. Johnny O’Brien, an orphan who lived at the school growing up, helped to lead the successful alumni protest. In a shocking turn of events, he was then selected to become Milton Hershey School’s eighth president and tasked with restoring the mission, morale, and character-building culture of “the Home.” He would need all his orphan resilience, Princeton and Johns Hopkins wisdom, and his good friends, to transform this unusual and remarkable school. In a riveting and haunting account, O’Brien tells a universal story about the vulnerability of needy children, describes the madness that consumed his beloved brother, explores the cruelty of bullies—both young and old, exposes the corrupting influence of money, and shows how the Milton Hershey School continues its sacred mission of saving thousands of America’s neediest children. See the website for the book at semisweetbook.com.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1442232587
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 221
Book Description
The Milton Hershey School is the richest and wealthiest K-12 residential school in the world. Its $12 billion trust fund, financed by sales of the iconic Hershey candy, eclipse that of Cornell, Dartmouth, and Johns Hopkins combined. Even more stunning is that the school for orphans owns The Hershey Company and not the other way around. As the twentieth-century drew to a close, the School’s Board of Managers creatively interpreted the Founder’s mission and tried to turn the refuge for extremely needy children into more of a middle-class boarding school. The alumni “Homeguys” challenged the Board and, after a decade of legal struggle and national publicity, won the battle to reclaim the soul of the school. Johnny O’Brien, an orphan who lived at the school growing up, helped to lead the successful alumni protest. In a shocking turn of events, he was then selected to become Milton Hershey School’s eighth president and tasked with restoring the mission, morale, and character-building culture of “the Home.” He would need all his orphan resilience, Princeton and Johns Hopkins wisdom, and his good friends, to transform this unusual and remarkable school. In a riveting and haunting account, O’Brien tells a universal story about the vulnerability of needy children, describes the madness that consumed his beloved brother, explores the cruelty of bullies—both young and old, exposes the corrupting influence of money, and shows how the Milton Hershey School continues its sacred mission of saving thousands of America’s neediest children. See the website for the book at semisweetbook.com.
NutriBase Guide to Fat and Cholesterol
Author: Nutribase
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9781583331101
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 772
Book Description
Including listings for saturated and unsaturated fats, calories, and cholesterol, this book is the perfect guide to help dieters make smart choices in food selection.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9781583331101
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 772
Book Description
Including listings for saturated and unsaturated fats, calories, and cholesterol, this book is the perfect guide to help dieters make smart choices in food selection.
The Complete and Up-to-Date Carb Book
Author: Karen J. Bellerson
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9781583332436
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 630
Book Description
The Complete & Up-to-Date Carb Book is the next generation in carb management, providing a quick, comprehensive way for savvy dieters to take control of their food intake and smartly manage their health. By learning how to calculate their net carb intake, dieters will not fall prey to the popular fads in dieting today. Bellerson includes information on calories, fiber and sugar grams, and total carb numbers for brand-name and generic foods, fast foods, processed and prepared foods, as well as natural foods and snacks. In all, there are more than 20,000 entries ranging from A to Z. The introductory material explains the glycemic index and how to use it, and the importance of fiber and sugars in calculating carbohydrate values. The strategies outlined here are easily compatible with The Zone, South Beach, and other balanced diet plans.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9781583332436
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 630
Book Description
The Complete & Up-to-Date Carb Book is the next generation in carb management, providing a quick, comprehensive way for savvy dieters to take control of their food intake and smartly manage their health. By learning how to calculate their net carb intake, dieters will not fall prey to the popular fads in dieting today. Bellerson includes information on calories, fiber and sugar grams, and total carb numbers for brand-name and generic foods, fast foods, processed and prepared foods, as well as natural foods and snacks. In all, there are more than 20,000 entries ranging from A to Z. The introductory material explains the glycemic index and how to use it, and the importance of fiber and sugars in calculating carbohydrate values. The strategies outlined here are easily compatible with The Zone, South Beach, and other balanced diet plans.
Desserts Illustrated
Author: America's Test Kitchen
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
ISBN: 195421006X
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 585
Book Description
Finesse the final course with confidence using this must-have companion for making dessert magic with 91 types of sweets and 600+ foolproof recipes. Part cookbook, part handbook, Desserts Illustrated is the last word on the last (but definitely not least) course. In it, America's Test Kitchen far expands on previous explorations of the world of sweets, teaching all types of candies, custards, frozen treats, and fruit desserts in addition to a bounty of baked goods, and upping the ante on flavor. With 600+ recipes, you'll find modern desserts for bakers and nonbakers like Pear Crisp with Miso and Almonds and Ginger-Turmeric Frozen Yogurt living next to the classics like Shortbread and Sour Cream Coffee Cake. An innovative book structure organizes desserts within a tasty taxonomy: Find 91 types of desserts. Discover what ingredients and mixing methods turn out all your favorite subcategories of sweets like Chewy versus Crispy versus Cakey Drop Cookies. Take a deep dive into desserts you may not know like Pudding Cakes. See how the stages of caramel turn into soft Pralines to crunchy Chocolate-Toffee Bark. Learning transferable techniques makes you feel like a pastry chef: Once you’ve tempered eggs you can make any custard, pudding, or cream pie. Manipulate brownie batter for chewy, fudgy, or cakey squares—whatever you like. The only dessert book you'll ever need: This modern classic incorporates in-depth info on techniques new and timeless, lots of stunning dessert photos and informative illustrations, tutorials to make more challenging recipes easy to follow, and new recipes with fantastic flavor. With this forever dessert companion, you can impress for company—or quickly whip up something to satisfy a Tuesday sweet tooth.
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
ISBN: 195421006X
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 585
Book Description
Finesse the final course with confidence using this must-have companion for making dessert magic with 91 types of sweets and 600+ foolproof recipes. Part cookbook, part handbook, Desserts Illustrated is the last word on the last (but definitely not least) course. In it, America's Test Kitchen far expands on previous explorations of the world of sweets, teaching all types of candies, custards, frozen treats, and fruit desserts in addition to a bounty of baked goods, and upping the ante on flavor. With 600+ recipes, you'll find modern desserts for bakers and nonbakers like Pear Crisp with Miso and Almonds and Ginger-Turmeric Frozen Yogurt living next to the classics like Shortbread and Sour Cream Coffee Cake. An innovative book structure organizes desserts within a tasty taxonomy: Find 91 types of desserts. Discover what ingredients and mixing methods turn out all your favorite subcategories of sweets like Chewy versus Crispy versus Cakey Drop Cookies. Take a deep dive into desserts you may not know like Pudding Cakes. See how the stages of caramel turn into soft Pralines to crunchy Chocolate-Toffee Bark. Learning transferable techniques makes you feel like a pastry chef: Once you’ve tempered eggs you can make any custard, pudding, or cream pie. Manipulate brownie batter for chewy, fudgy, or cakey squares—whatever you like. The only dessert book you'll ever need: This modern classic incorporates in-depth info on techniques new and timeless, lots of stunning dessert photos and informative illustrations, tutorials to make more challenging recipes easy to follow, and new recipes with fantastic flavor. With this forever dessert companion, you can impress for company—or quickly whip up something to satisfy a Tuesday sweet tooth.
Author:
Publisher: S M
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
In this joyous and whimsical holiday novel, Debbie Macomber rings in the season with the return of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, delivering laughs, love, and a charming dose of angelic intervention. Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy know that an angel’s work is never done, especially during a time as wondrous as New Year’s Eve. With an apprentice angel, Will, under their wings, they descend upon Times Square in New York City eager to join in the festivities. And when Will spies two lonely strangers in the crowd, he decides midnight is the perfect time to lend a heavenly helping hand. Lucie Farrara and Aren Fairchild meet after bumping into each other—seemingly by accident—in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. They immediately hit it off and find they have a lot in common: Lucie is a burgeoning chef and Aren is a respected food critic. But just as quickly as they’re brought together, another twist of fate tears them apart, leaving Lucie and Aren with no way to reconnect. A year later, Lucie is the chef of an acclaimed new restaurant and Aren is a successful columnist for a major New York newspaper. For all the time that’s passed, the two have not forgotten their one serendipitous evening—and neither have Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and Will. To reunite the young couple, the angels cook up a brilliant plan: mix true love, a second chance, and a generous sprinkle of mischief to create an unforgettable Christmas miracle. About the Author Debbie Macomber, the author of The Inn at Rose Harbor, as well as the Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Five of her novels have scored the #1 slot on the New York Times bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly lists. Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle (2009) and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010) were Hallmark Channel’s top-watched movies for the year. This prolific author has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One “This is really Earth?” Will, the apprentice angel, asked, lying on his stomach on a low-flying cloud with his three mentors. His eyes widened as he gazed down on the crazed activity below. “This is Earth,” Mercy informed their young charge with a tinge of pride. For all its problems, Earth was a fascinating place to visit with the tall buildings that butted up against the sky and people milling about with such purpose, most of them unaware of the spiritual world that surrounded them. More times than she could remember Mercy had lost patience with humans. Those who were considered the apex of God’s creations appeared to be slow-witted and spiritually dull. Yet she loved them and treasured her Earthly assignments. “It’s New York,” Shirley added, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed longingly below. “Oh, I do so love this city.” “Manhattan, to be more precise,” Goodness clarified and ended with a little sigh, indicating that she, too, had missed visiting Earth. The four hovered near Times Square, watching the clamoring crowds jockeying for space on New Year’s Eve. Will’s eyes widened as he intently studied the scene taking place in the streets below. “Is it always like this—so busy and crowded, I mean?” “No, no, this is a special night. The people are gathering together to usher in the New Year.” Time was a concept reserved for Earth. In heaven it was much different. Consequently, the time restriction placed on the three Prayer Ambassadors when given Earthly assignments had caused more than one problem. “Did Gabriel want us—” “Gabriel,” Shirley gasped, and quickly cut him off. “He doesn’t exactly know that we’ve brought you here. It would probably be best if you didn’t mention this short visit to him, okay?” “Yes, please, it would be best not to let anyone know we’ve shown you Earth.” It went without saying they’d be in all kinds of trouble if Gabriel learned what they’d been up to. “Gabriel means well but he tends to get a little prickly about these things,” Goodness explained to their young charge. “Why is that?” Will stared at all three of them. “Well, you see, we . . . the three of us . . . thought we should give you a bird’s-eye view of Earth and these people God loves so much—strictly for training purposes.” Mercy looked to her friends to expound upon their intentions, which were honorable if not a tad bit sneaky. This Earthly visitation had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Mercy had been the one to suggest it. Naturally, Goodness was quick to agree, and after some discussion Shirley had seen the light as well. Will, an apprentice angel, had been placed under their charge, and given this honor, it was only right that he get a glimpse of the trials and tribulations that awaited him once he started working as a Prayer Ambassador. The job could be a bit tricky, and the more Will understood the idiosyncrasies of humans, the better he would do once given an assignment from Gabriel. Mercy was certain that under their tutorship, Will would make a fine Prayer Ambassador one day. He was young and enthusiastic, eager to learn about Earth and the role he would play. As Mercy, who had falsely been labeled a troublemaker, had pointed out, theirs was a duty that required serious dedication. She wasn’t alone in believing this. Goodness—oh, poor Goodness—had gotten something of a reputation, too, and Mercy felt partially to blame, but that was another story entirely. Shirley tended to be a bit more on the straight-and-narrow path and had worked hard to reform her friends. In fact, Shirley, a former Guardian Angel, had done such a marvelous job, Gabriel had offered to let them train the promising young angel who was with them now. Naturally, it was understood that if the three of them accepted this assignment training Will, then of course there would be no hanky-panky, no tricks, no nothing. All three had agreed. This was a high honor indeed and their intentions were good. Now here they were, New Year’s Eve in Times Square, in one of the most amazing cities on Earth. Mercy breathed in deeply, savoring the moment. Bringing Will had been a good excuse, but the fact of the matter was that she had missed visiting Earth. It’d been a good long while since their last assignment, and she missed the razzle-dazzle of the big city. “Isn’t Earth just marvelous?” Goodness said, her huge wings fluttering with delight. “Just look at all those neon lights. I’ve always been especially fond of light.” “As we all are,” Shirley reminded them. “Can we go down there with the people?” Will asked. “Absolutely not.” Shirley’s loud protest was instantaneous. “I don’t think it would hurt anything,” Goodness countered, her gaze still fixed on the bright lights of the city below. Will glanced from one to the other. “How will he ever learn about humans if he doesn’t have the opportunity to mingle with them?” Mercy asked, siding with her dearest friend. Shirley could be such a stickler for rules. Okay, so they’d originally promised not to get anywhere close to humans, but this would be a good teaching moment for Will. “How will he ever learn how to work as a Prayer Ambassador if he doesn’t become familiar with humans?” Goodness protested. Shirley wavered. While she might be opinionated on a number of topics, she could be easily swayed, which was the best part of working with her, Mercy felt. “Well . . .” “Do we hear the humans’ prayers?” Will asked. “Oh, no,” Shirley explained. “Only God hears their prayers, and then He talks matters over with Gabriel and then . . .” “Then Gabriel passes along those requests to us.” “And we assist in answering them.” “One of our roles is to help humans realize how much they can do for themselves with God’s help,” Goodness clarified. “We try as best we can without interfering in their lives,” Shirley added quickly, glaring at Goodness and Mercy. This was a warning and Mercy recognized it the instant her friend spoke. “But first, and this is the most important part,” Goodness emphasized, “it’s our duty to teach these humans a lesson. Then and only then are we able to help them with their troubles. “The real difficulty comes when they don’t want to learn.” Goodness shook her head because this aspect of the job was often a challenge. “Some people seem to want God to step in and do as they ask without making a single contribution to the effort.” “It doesn’t work like that,” Mercy said, although she’d done a fair bit of finagling to help these poor witless souls. In theory, answering prayers didn’t sound the least bit difficult. Unfortunately, humans were sometimes completely dense. “They can be so stubborn,” Goodness said, shaking her head again. “Strong willed,” Shirley agreed. “Oh, yes, and once—” Mercy snapped her mouth closed. It was best not to reveal their past antics for fear it would mislead their young charge into thinking that perhaps he should follow in their footsteps. Gabriel would take exception to that. “Once?” Will pressed. “What happened?” “Never mind,” Shirley said, reading the situation perfectly. “Some things are best laid to rest and not discussed.” “Can I go down and be with the crowd?” Will asked again. “I won’t say anything to Gabriel.” “He isn’t the only one,” Shirley blurted out. “I mean, we shouldn’t mutter a word of this to anyone in heaven.”
Publisher: S M
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
In this joyous and whimsical holiday novel, Debbie Macomber rings in the season with the return of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, delivering laughs, love, and a charming dose of angelic intervention. Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy know that an angel’s work is never done, especially during a time as wondrous as New Year’s Eve. With an apprentice angel, Will, under their wings, they descend upon Times Square in New York City eager to join in the festivities. And when Will spies two lonely strangers in the crowd, he decides midnight is the perfect time to lend a heavenly helping hand. Lucie Farrara and Aren Fairchild meet after bumping into each other—seemingly by accident—in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. They immediately hit it off and find they have a lot in common: Lucie is a burgeoning chef and Aren is a respected food critic. But just as quickly as they’re brought together, another twist of fate tears them apart, leaving Lucie and Aren with no way to reconnect. A year later, Lucie is the chef of an acclaimed new restaurant and Aren is a successful columnist for a major New York newspaper. For all the time that’s passed, the two have not forgotten their one serendipitous evening—and neither have Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and Will. To reunite the young couple, the angels cook up a brilliant plan: mix true love, a second chance, and a generous sprinkle of mischief to create an unforgettable Christmas miracle. About the Author Debbie Macomber, the author of The Inn at Rose Harbor, as well as the Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Five of her novels have scored the #1 slot on the New York Times bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly lists. Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle (2009) and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010) were Hallmark Channel’s top-watched movies for the year. This prolific author has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One “This is really Earth?” Will, the apprentice angel, asked, lying on his stomach on a low-flying cloud with his three mentors. His eyes widened as he gazed down on the crazed activity below. “This is Earth,” Mercy informed their young charge with a tinge of pride. For all its problems, Earth was a fascinating place to visit with the tall buildings that butted up against the sky and people milling about with such purpose, most of them unaware of the spiritual world that surrounded them. More times than she could remember Mercy had lost patience with humans. Those who were considered the apex of God’s creations appeared to be slow-witted and spiritually dull. Yet she loved them and treasured her Earthly assignments. “It’s New York,” Shirley added, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed longingly below. “Oh, I do so love this city.” “Manhattan, to be more precise,” Goodness clarified and ended with a little sigh, indicating that she, too, had missed visiting Earth. The four hovered near Times Square, watching the clamoring crowds jockeying for space on New Year’s Eve. Will’s eyes widened as he intently studied the scene taking place in the streets below. “Is it always like this—so busy and crowded, I mean?” “No, no, this is a special night. The people are gathering together to usher in the New Year.” Time was a concept reserved for Earth. In heaven it was much different. Consequently, the time restriction placed on the three Prayer Ambassadors when given Earthly assignments had caused more than one problem. “Did Gabriel want us—” “Gabriel,” Shirley gasped, and quickly cut him off. “He doesn’t exactly know that we’ve brought you here. It would probably be best if you didn’t mention this short visit to him, okay?” “Yes, please, it would be best not to let anyone know we’ve shown you Earth.” It went without saying they’d be in all kinds of trouble if Gabriel learned what they’d been up to. “Gabriel means well but he tends to get a little prickly about these things,” Goodness explained to their young charge. “Why is that?” Will stared at all three of them. “Well, you see, we . . . the three of us . . . thought we should give you a bird’s-eye view of Earth and these people God loves so much—strictly for training purposes.” Mercy looked to her friends to expound upon their intentions, which were honorable if not a tad bit sneaky. This Earthly visitation had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Mercy had been the one to suggest it. Naturally, Goodness was quick to agree, and after some discussion Shirley had seen the light as well. Will, an apprentice angel, had been placed under their charge, and given this honor, it was only right that he get a glimpse of the trials and tribulations that awaited him once he started working as a Prayer Ambassador. The job could be a bit tricky, and the more Will understood the idiosyncrasies of humans, the better he would do once given an assignment from Gabriel. Mercy was certain that under their tutorship, Will would make a fine Prayer Ambassador one day. He was young and enthusiastic, eager to learn about Earth and the role he would play. As Mercy, who had falsely been labeled a troublemaker, had pointed out, theirs was a duty that required serious dedication. She wasn’t alone in believing this. Goodness—oh, poor Goodness—had gotten something of a reputation, too, and Mercy felt partially to blame, but that was another story entirely. Shirley tended to be a bit more on the straight-and-narrow path and had worked hard to reform her friends. In fact, Shirley, a former Guardian Angel, had done such a marvelous job, Gabriel had offered to let them train the promising young angel who was with them now. Naturally, it was understood that if the three of them accepted this assignment training Will, then of course there would be no hanky-panky, no tricks, no nothing. All three had agreed. This was a high honor indeed and their intentions were good. Now here they were, New Year’s Eve in Times Square, in one of the most amazing cities on Earth. Mercy breathed in deeply, savoring the moment. Bringing Will had been a good excuse, but the fact of the matter was that she had missed visiting Earth. It’d been a good long while since their last assignment, and she missed the razzle-dazzle of the big city. “Isn’t Earth just marvelous?” Goodness said, her huge wings fluttering with delight. “Just look at all those neon lights. I’ve always been especially fond of light.” “As we all are,” Shirley reminded them. “Can we go down there with the people?” Will asked. “Absolutely not.” Shirley’s loud protest was instantaneous. “I don’t think it would hurt anything,” Goodness countered, her gaze still fixed on the bright lights of the city below. Will glanced from one to the other. “How will he ever learn about humans if he doesn’t have the opportunity to mingle with them?” Mercy asked, siding with her dearest friend. Shirley could be such a stickler for rules. Okay, so they’d originally promised not to get anywhere close to humans, but this would be a good teaching moment for Will. “How will he ever learn how to work as a Prayer Ambassador if he doesn’t become familiar with humans?” Goodness protested. Shirley wavered. While she might be opinionated on a number of topics, she could be easily swayed, which was the best part of working with her, Mercy felt. “Well . . .” “Do we hear the humans’ prayers?” Will asked. “Oh, no,” Shirley explained. “Only God hears their prayers, and then He talks matters over with Gabriel and then . . .” “Then Gabriel passes along those requests to us.” “And we assist in answering them.” “One of our roles is to help humans realize how much they can do for themselves with God’s help,” Goodness clarified. “We try as best we can without interfering in their lives,” Shirley added quickly, glaring at Goodness and Mercy. This was a warning and Mercy recognized it the instant her friend spoke. “But first, and this is the most important part,” Goodness emphasized, “it’s our duty to teach these humans a lesson. Then and only then are we able to help them with their troubles. “The real difficulty comes when they don’t want to learn.” Goodness shook her head because this aspect of the job was often a challenge. “Some people seem to want God to step in and do as they ask without making a single contribution to the effort.” “It doesn’t work like that,” Mercy said, although she’d done a fair bit of finagling to help these poor witless souls. In theory, answering prayers didn’t sound the least bit difficult. Unfortunately, humans were sometimes completely dense. “They can be so stubborn,” Goodness said, shaking her head again. “Strong willed,” Shirley agreed. “Oh, yes, and once—” Mercy snapped her mouth closed. It was best not to reveal their past antics for fear it would mislead their young charge into thinking that perhaps he should follow in their footsteps. Gabriel would take exception to that. “Once?” Will pressed. “What happened?” “Never mind,” Shirley said, reading the situation perfectly. “Some things are best laid to rest and not discussed.” “Can I go down and be with the crowd?” Will asked again. “I won’t say anything to Gabriel.” “He isn’t the only one,” Shirley blurted out. “I mean, we shouldn’t mutter a word of this to anyone in heaven.”
Nestle
Author: Praphulla Prabhākara
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Indic fiction (English)
Languages : en
Pages : 72
Book Description
A novel based on the prostitutes in Mumbai City, India.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Indic fiction (English)
Languages : en
Pages : 72
Book Description
A novel based on the prostitutes in Mumbai City, India.