What happens when a romance author colleague’s heroine challenges your heroine to a cookie-baking duel?
You accept and let her know that your heroine is ready to crumble.
Welcome to the first romance novel bake-off.
What’s at stake? Bragging rights? A crown? A lifetime supply of cookies?
The winner gets the coveted Golden Spatula… and bragging rights for a lifetime of cookie domination.
Meet the Bakers
Kitchen One: In the small, functional, and delightfully chaotic kitchen, amid a bowl of gummy bears stuck to the rim, an empty bottle of tequila, and a stack of slightly singed cookie sheets (you’d have to read the chapter to get it) stands Ryan O’Flanagan, the quick-witted, dramatic, and always armed with comebacks sharper than her chef’s knife heroine from Decoy in Stilettos.
Kitchen Two: Spotlessly organized and deceptively serene, with counters gleaming and everything in its proper place, Madeline Crossman’s kitchen gives no hint of the unusual number of locks and bolts on the doors (a secret she keeps well-guarded). Amid the quiet hum of appliances and the faint scent of perfectly balanced vanilla, Madeline, the brilliantly educated, impeccably poised heroine is ready to execute her signature cookies with the precision of a master strategist. Madeline jumps off the pages from Alexandra Isobel’s recent release, Order & Chaos: Firehouse 21.
The Cookies at Stake:
Ryan learned the art of baking without a recipe in her Nonna’s kitchen, and is presenting orange-almond biscotti, crunchy, bold, and delightfully unpredictable, just like her humour.
Madeline whipped up a tray of her signature melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies. They’re perfectly balanced and refined, just like her, every detail carefully calculated.
Aprons on. Ovens hot. Opinions strong.
When these two finally face off, the conversation is snappy and fun as the baked goods themselves.
Madeline: “I trust you’ve reviewed the science behind optimal baking temperatures. Precision, after all, is key.”
Ryan: “Science? Seriously? I run on instinct and chaos. Prepare to be dazzled… or slightly scorched.”
Madeline: “Well, I do admire enthusiasm. Let’s see if you can pair it with competence.”
Ryan: “Competence is boring. Sass and Italian genes, on the other hand? Legendary.”
Madeline: “We’ll let the cookies speak for themselves.”
Ryan: “Right. Fire up the ovens. And get ready to crumble.”
Smack talk completed. Timers running. Let’s see what these heroines are baking.
Orange-Almond Biscotti
Ryan’s orange-almond biscotti is already a favourite on my blog. You can find Ryan’s full recipe here.
Madeline’s Melt-in-your-Mouth Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
¾ cup unsalted butter (1/2 browned, ¼ softened)
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated white sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour (1 cup all-purpose + 1 cup bread flour)
1 TBSP cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 TBSP finely blended oatmeal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup dark chocolate chunks
Directions:
Brown ½ cup butter until golden and nutty. Let cool.
Cream softened butter with sugars, until fluffier than Sebastian’s ego on a good day.
Add browned butter.
Beat in egg, yolk, and vanilla until glossy.
Add dry ingredients gently (over mixing ruins the magic).
Fold in chocolate.
Chill dough for 2 plus hours.
Pre-heat oven to 350 F
Scoop tall dough mounds and space out on the baking tray.
Bake for 8 – 10 minutes.
Trust the pale centers.
Let cool 5 minutes.
BLURB:
When danger comes to her doorstep, he doesn’t hesitate.
He steps between her and the world.
THE ESSENCE OF POSSESSIVE SEBASTIEN
He’s a protector who loves with the full force of a man who has seen too much loss and refuses to lose her.
He doesn’t shout his claim.
He moves it.
He stands for her.
Steps in front of danger for her.
Softens for her.
Burns for her.
And when Madeline finally lets him in?
It’s over.
She’s his home.
His peace.
His promise.
(Copyright Alexandra Isobel)
Enjoy this short Excerpt and read what those cookies do to a man:
Everyone froze and stared as their captain stormed into the room from the hallway.
“Thought you said you brought these in for me?” He glared at Madeline as he elbowed his way through his men.
“No, I didn’t. I said I brought them in for everyone to make up for the Barnes thing.” She stared in shock when he swiped the cookie straight out of Dexter’s hand and mouth.
“Hey,” Dexter protested. “That was mine!”
“Now it’s mine.” Sebastien pulled the platter to his chest.
“Oh my God, really?” Madeline gaped at the dark scowl on Sebastien’s face.
“Keep your hands off my cookies.” He tucked the dish under his arm and turned on his heel.
“They aren’t all for you.” Madeline stared as he marched out of the room.
“Re-gifter—” he tossed the accusation over his shoulder.
“What are you talking about!” She ran after him, fuming. “I am not! Give me back my cookies!”
So, the ovens have cooled and the crumbs have settled.
Are you Team Ryan—bold, crunchy, and a little chaotic?
Or Team Madeline—refined, precise, and irresistibly sweet?
Cast your vote in the comments, grab a cookie (or three), and don’t forget to check out Decoy in Stilettos and Order & Chaos: Firehouse 21 to see what these heroines, and the men who are brave enough to love them are really made of.
May your cookies be warm, your book boyfriends irresistible, and your bake-offs legendary.
—Selena Robins & Alexandra Isobel
Selena Robins, Author 
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