Unwrap your gift(s) and project news

Dear reader,

Holiday hugs and a surprise for you!

I’ve got a little post-Xmas treat just for you: A copy of “Crushing on my Billionaire Best Friend.”

It’s my gift to you—completely free.

Hurry, though. This exclusive ebook offer expires on December 29th 2023.

I just moved in with my billionaire best friend (and secret crush),

Oliver Humphries.

He’s the all-star. The jock. The golden boy—

and I’m no match.

I’m the nerdy, frizzy-haired, not-so-skinny friend.

The moment I met him at fourteen, I was in L-O-V-E.

I’m under no illusion I stand a chance.

Living with him?

Not a problem. In fact, it’s a brilliant idea. I’m good at hiding my feelings.

Until I play “Truth or Dare” with him.

Oh, good grief!

Did I just tell him I want him to be my first?

“Crushing on my Billionaire Best Friend” is the #1 Bestseller in American Humorous Fiction and is the first book in my “Kiss a Billionaire” series. It can be read as complete standalone. No cliffhanger. Enjoy!

Hold on, there’s more!

I’m teaming up with fellow romance authors to bring you a one day book blast.

Embark on a fun romance extravaganza with us: over 2000 free books across all romance subgenres await you today in the Stuff Your eReader promotion: 

Currently in the works:

Book Project 1: I’m crafting a fresh billionaire series set in the bustling city, and I’m itching to spill the beans with more details come 2024.

Book Project 2: For those of you who’ve been on this journey with me, you know I have a soft spot for inked guys on bikes. Alongside the big city series, I’m in the middle of writing a book set in a small town. While this book strays from my typical style, there’s definitely a dash of fun in the mix. Can’t wait to share more soon!

Book Project 3: If all goes according to plan, I should be wrapping up Book 3 in the “Faking it in NYC” series by the end of the next year. (Unless my characters decide to go on strike.)

🎧 Exciting news on the audiobook front: “One Bossy Date” (Book One of my “Faking it in NYC” series) is in the works for an audiobook debut. In the early weeks of the upcoming year, I’ll be teaming up with two narrators I haven’t collaborated with before but greatly admire. Keep an ear out for sneak peeks and teasers.

Wishing you a beautiful winter season and a fantastic New Year!

Cheers,

Here’s to a love-filled 2024!

Jolie Day

Real Fake Husband is live

Dear reader,

“Real Fake Husband” is here, just in time for the holiday season.

Marrying my childhood bully? Monumental mistake.

He called me “Goody-Goody.”
He called me “Nosy-Josie.”
He called me other things while he pulled my pigtails.

Two decades later, I’m shocked to find my name on his grandmother’s will.
We’re set to inherit a fortune, split 50-50.
The catch?

We have to tie the knot.
We have to live in her tiny NYC apartment (with just one bed).
We have to keep up the fake marriage for one month.

Luckily, I have a strategy:

Ignore his sizzling looks and sinful tattoos.
No accidental lip-locking (the first one was a mistake).
Absolutely no sketching him in his birthday suit—and definitely don’t let him catch me.
Resist his bedroom antics, even if he calls me a “princess.”
Never, ever fall in love.
Survive the month, snag the inheritance, and exit swiftly.

But then, just when I think it’s going smoothly, things go terribly wrong.

The book is now live. This is an all-new standalone romance in my “Faking It in NYC” series. Get your copy now and enjoy a special price.

🎧 The audiobook is on its way and should be available approximately in the middle to the end of November.

The sinful bad boy and the sassy good girl are tying the knot. Get ready for the hottest month of their lives.

Definitely for adult readers only. 😉

Enjoy reading!

Real Fake Husband is available on Amazon.

Kindle Special Edition Cover:

Less than a week to go!

“Real Fake Husband” hits the shelves in less than a week. 

Josie’s about to tie the knot with her childhood bully, all for the sake of a hefty inheritance.

She had no idea he’d turn out to be tall, tattooed, and drop-dead gorgeous. 
She certainly didn’t expect there would be only one bed. 
And what she had no way of foreseeing was just how “close” she’d end up getting to him.

“Goodnight, sweet thing.” He laughs sleepily, burying his face in my hair.

“Night, Cal.”

He falls asleep almost immediately.

I listen to the sound of his breath evening out, feeling the soft rise and fall of his chest against my cheek.

But I don’t sleep.

Not right away, at least.

A million things race through my mind. I replay every moment, every gasp, every movement.

More importantly, I think about how he made me feel.

Like I was the most gorgeous woman in the world.

Like he only has eyes for me.

Like I was the happiest girl alive.

Coming soon! The book goes live on November 1st.

This is an all-new standalone enemies to lovers romance in my “Faking It in NYC series.”

Preorder your copy now: Real fake Husband on Amazon

Cover Reveal (and some of Josie’s artwork): Real Fake Husband

The cover for “Real Fake Husband” is here. 

Special Kindle Edition

Kindle and Paperback Edition

He called me “Goody-Goody.”
He called me “Nosy-Josie.”
He called me other things while he pulled my pigtails.
Now, his grandmother left us a surprise inheritance…with strings attached.
We have to live together in a small NYC apartment.
For a month.
With just one bed.
When I arrive, he’s not the cheeky jerk I hated.
He’s piping hot.
Tall.
Sinfully tattooed.
A stunning villain.
And that damn smirk on his face?
This will be one hell of a month.

Coming soon! The book goes live on November 1st.

This is an all-new standalone romance in my “Faking It in NYC series.” The scorching enemies to lovers forced proximity romance drops soon. Preorder your copy now and enjoy a special price.

Will there be an audiobook?
The audiobook is in the pipeline for a release in the near future.

Get a closer look at what Cal and Josie’s love story is about:

So, how did I even come up with the idea for this book?

Well, it all started with my background in art—particularly my experiences in nude portraiture classes. From there, the character of Josie, a young waitress and aspiring artist with big dreams, began to take shape in my mind.

Her journey unfolds alongside an unexpected surprise: a reunion with her childhood bully, now a tattooed, motorcycle-owning tycoon with several thriving dealerships across the nation.

I’m genuinely excited, and I hope you are too!

Keep an eye out, it’s dropping early November.

Secret Butter Cookies Recipe

Here’s the “secret family 🍪 recipe” that’s been passed down to me by my grandmother. Grandma was notoriously secretive about her recipe, but after much persuasion (and a few glasses of red wine), she finally gave in and handed down her treasured recipe. These butter cookies are buttery, crumbly, and simply melt in your mouth.

As a kid, I remember spending countless afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen, and it was always a special treat to have a warm cookie straight from the oven.

Now, I’m excited to share her recipe with you.

Psssst. Grandma’s secret ingredient is finely chopped white chocolate, which gives them a rich, indulgent flavor.

So let’s get baking and enjoy these delicious butter cookies – just be sure to keep the recipe a secret, or my grandma might come after me!

🌱 For a vegan version, you can replace butter and white chocolate with vegan alternatives.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter (at room temperature)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped white chocolate (Grandma’s secret ingredient)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
  6. Divide the dough into two equal halves. Add the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and chopped white chocolate to one half of the dough and knead it until everything forms a smooth mixture.
  7. Wrap both dough halves in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for one hour.
  8. Shape separate dough rolls with a diameter of about 1 cm and place them closely together, one dark roll and one light roll side by side.
  9. Now, using a sharp knife, cut off a piece of the juxtaposed rolls, about 2 to 3 cm in size, and loosely twist the black and white dough piece around each other, so that the light piece wraps around the dark (or vice versa).
  10. Shape the dough pieces into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.
  11. Flatten each ball slightly with a fork.
  12. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  13. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Keen-eyed readers may notice a delightful difference: Just like every great romance, Blanchie’s cookie recipe had a few embellishments along the way to make it fit perfectly into the story. As you whip up these real-world versions, remember that it’s your unique touch that makes them truly special, and don’t be surprised if the cookies in your kitchen turn out even more enchanting than the ones on the pages!

Happy baking!

The Merlot Baroness, reigning supreme on her cherished couch.


Ready for more fun? Subscribe to my VIP mailing list here. Subscribers to my mailing list will be the first to know when a new book hits the shelves. You’ll also enjoy delightful surprises and exclusive opportunities to read (or listen to) new releases for free.

Cal and Josie are coming soon

He’s the man she hates the most: Callum Ashford. 

Josie is a waitress who dreams of being an artist (nude portraiture). 

He was her bully back in school. 

He called her “Goody-Goody” and “Nosy-Josie.” 

He called her other things while he pulled her pigtails. 

And, he teased her about her art.

Now he’s her 30-day husband.

Coming your way this early November! The steamy enemies-to-lovers forced proximity love story of Cal and Josie. Standalone romance in the Faking It in NYC series.

🥵 Enemies to Lovers
💍 Fake relationship (married for one month)
🛏️ One bed
🤦‍♀️Finds her nude art
🏍️ CEO-Biker
👠 Curvy FMC
🔥“You look exquisite on my lap. Hold still.”