Royal Wedding

Like millions of people, yesterday I spent my day in England. Glued to the TV, I followed the crowd to the wedding of bonny Prince William and the lovely Kate Middleton.

I woke up at 5:00 am and settled on my sofa with a cup of coffee. Did you notice how they decorated Westminster Abbey with little trees that gave an outdoor feeling to the somber church?

The entrance of the children with Pippa Middleton deserves a Best Picture of the year and Pippa herself was stunning from front and back.

Now the bride stole the show as it should. My mother was a fashion designer and I consider myself a self-proclaimed expert in fashion. The bridal gown was exactly what I expected Kate to wear, simple but so elegant, the lace of the top lending a touch of endearing old-fashioned to the perfect bell-shape line of the skirt. I loved her hair down and flying with the veil when she turned to smile at the crowd.

It was funny to see Harry turn around to peek a look at the bride and whisper something to his brother, probably: “Lucky bastard, she’s gorgeous.” William stoically avoided to turn his head but then smiled to his ears when she reached his side.

I was hoping the groom would forget to be a stuffy prince and kiss his bride right after the vows, but the Archbishop never gave permission and the regal grandma wouldn’t have approved a display of bad manners, American style, right in her church. So the newlyweds acted properly and curtseyed to the queen after signing their wedding contract. With the crowd I clapped hands and waved as they passed in their carriage.

As a multipublished romance writer, I know a thing or two about happy ending and I can assure you, their smiles revealed genuine happiness. When they appear on the balcony to greet the crowd, Kate couldn’t hold a: “WOW” We all read her lips. Notice he gave her a quick peck on the balcony, then decided what the heck, and gave her a second longer kiss. Way to go, Your Highness.

Wishing them a long happy life together.


Blurb:
Fyodor Vassilov is a Russian widower, surgeon and officer. Duty demands he provide a mother to his four little boys and marry a woman who loves children and a big family.
Jillian Burton is an American pediatrician on a mission to improve medical conditions in Belarus.
She blames herself and her ex-husband for their son’s death, and has lost her illusions about men and marriage.
When they work together for six months in his hospital, their fascination with one another shocks them both. Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN winner of 2009 Best Romance Novel at Preditors & Editors and winner of 2009 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite.

Rx FOR TRUST, winner of 2010 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite and 2011 EPICON.

Rx IN RUSSIAN just released by TWRP
http://www.monarisk.com/

The Wild Rose Press 5th Anniversary

We are celebrating 5 years!

Five days and more than $500.00 worth of prizes.
April 27th - May 1st on the Wild Rose Press yahoo groups.

Join us for a celebration in the garden.

The Wild Rose Press Yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thewildrosePress/

How to Win...

For chances to win more than $500.00 worth of prizes all you have to do is party with us. Everyone who participates will be entered into the prize drawings. Non-stop fun from Wednesday, April 27 - Sunday, May 1st. Join the fun and help us celebrate 5 years in the garden.

An American Pediatrician
A Russian Surgeon
A man with four adorable sons who badly need a mother
Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN winner of 2009 Best Romance Novel at Preditors & Editors and winner of 2009 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite.

Rx FOR TRUST, winner of 2010 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite and 2011 EPICON.

Rx IN RUSSIAN just released by TWRP
http://www.monarisk.com/

Easter

Happy Easter

to

our family and friends

For the first time in my life I will celebrate a quiet Easter Day with my husband.

Last night we attended the midnight Mass, cracked colored eggs and ate the Easter cookies.

The children and grandchildren didn't come from the north and the extended family is staying home.

One of our friends was rushed to the hospital on Friday.

My mother is no longer with us.

We will make it an easy day and enjoy walking on the boardwalk or reading on the beach.

Wherever you are,

Happy Easter.

Cannelloni Recipe

If you'd like to cook a delicious gourmet meal for Easter, try my Italian Cannelloni Recipe. I served it last night as I entertained twenty guests to celebrate the recovery of a friend who had a recent surgery. In addition, I cooked grape leaves(Middeleastern), moussaka (Greek), spinach spinakopica, (Greek) eye round roast, baked potatoes, ragout oakra, rice with vermicelli, and salads. Cannelloni Recipe 1- Prepare the mix: Mix together in a blender or mixer-- 3 eggs-- 1 ¾ cups of 2% milk--1 Tsp of butter-- 1 cup of flour.

2- Prepare the pancake: Use an electric skillet or any other type but adjust the stove temperature to 400o-- Melt ½ a Tsp of butter in the skillet at 400o-- Measure ¼ cup of the mix and pour over the melted butter --Spread evenly in the skillet --Remove when cooked and slid in a plate-- Repeat until the whole mix is made into pancakes-- You usually get 13 big pancakes with one dose of mix. I like to cut the pancakes in half.

3- Prepare the filling: 1 lb of ground beef-- 1 small onion-- 1 tsp all spice-- Salt and pepper-- 1 cup Ragu tomato sauce --Darken and cook the ground beef, onion and spices, until well cooked. Add the sauce and simmer till the meat is done. Set aside.

4- Rolling the cannelloni: Use a clean plate to transfer a half-pancake on it. Add one Tsp of ground meat over the pancake and roll it over to form a cannelloni. Repeat with the rest of the pancakes. With this dose of mix you can prepare 26 small cannellonis or 13 big ones. 5- Cooking: Spray the the pan with Pam. Brush the bottom with tomato sauce. Arrange the cannellonis in a 9x13 pan in two rows. Pour enough tomato sauce to cover each cannelloni. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese or Romano cheese. Bake at 300o for 20 minutes. Bon appétit.

Here is adinner scene from my latest novel Rx IN RUSSIAN:

“Dinner time,” Babushka called as she carried in a big platter covered with stuffed cabbage rolls.

Fyodor set his glass on the table and rushed to take the load from her hands. “It is too heavy, Mama. Give me that.” The last time he had given her a physical, he’d noticed an irregularity in her heartbeat.

“Do not pay attention, Dr. Jillian. My son always acts as if I am a fragile old woman.” She shrugged and relinquished the plate to Fyodor. “Careful, do not spill the sauce,” she warned, waggling her finger at him as if he were still her little boy.

He laughed, not one bit offended, and winked at Jillian. “My mother should have been a general like my father. She is so good at ordering people around.” Jillian smiled, obviously amused.

“How do you expect me to raise your little devils if I am not tough?” Babushka protested. “They are turning into good children, well-disciplined. I do not spoil them like you do.”

“Oh Mama, I hardly see them.” He placed the basket of bread Andrei handed him on the table. “I am starved. Can we start eating?”

“Of course. Dr. Jillian, sit here. Fyodor, on her right. Alexander, next to your papa. Andrei, next to Dr. Jillian. I will keep Igor and Sergei at my side to help them eat cleanly.”

Amazingly, the independent and assertive Dr. Burton smiled and obeyed as quickly as his kids. “Please, Mrs. Vassilov, will you call me Jillian?”

“Da, da. Jillian. You call me Babushka, like everyone in the building. Give me your plate, dear.” His mother served Jillian generously and kept on chatting without taking time to breathe. “We have stuffed cabbage today. I hope you like it. Later you will taste my homemade dessert, rice pudding. Fyodor, give me your plate.”

“Not so much.” He laughed at the mountain of cabbage his mother piled on his plate. “I will help myself. Take care of the children, Mama.”

His mother gave each of the children their share of the meal and cut the cabbage rolls into small pieces for the toddlers. “Fyodor works very hard at the hospital. He should be home more often. If only he could find—”

“No hospital talk, please.” Fyodor raised a hand. “We are here to relax.” Knowing his mother, she would soon embark on her favorite subject—finding a good wife for her son.

RX IN RUSSIAN available at The Wild Rose Press, ebook and print.

A Fan's message on Facebook

A reader, or rather a fan, read my new book, Rx IN RUSSIAN, and left this message on Facebook on my wall.

~Oh boy!!!! I started Rx in Russian last night around 10pm and didn’t go to bed until 4am. Woke up at 7am took my kids to school and finished the book. I love medical romances. Maybe because I'm in medical field myself? Anyways my theory is: if the book keeps you awake at night, there are no words to describe how good it is. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you Mona, but I was hoping to read an epilogue maybe 5 years or so later, but still the book was lovely and I enjoyed every sentence of it.~

An epilogue means a next book for a series! I guess we all write to hear words like that.

Dear Fan:

You made my day and my night. I am going to sleep with a big smile tonight!!!

And I promise you I will start thinking, plotting and outlining my next medical romance right away. Actually, I already wrote the first chapter of a new medical last week. I haven't given it a name yet but my heroine will be named Ashley after you.

Blurb for Rx IN RUSSIAN:

An American Pediatricin / A Russian Surgeon

A woman who lost a son and frantically avoids marriage and family

A man with four adorable sons who badly need a mother

Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

Wednesday April 12

I am blogging about setting and inspiration at Savvy Authors. Please join me to discover how the setting influences the characters. http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/content.php?1079-SETTING-Traveling-Inspiration-by-Mona-Risk

I am still at Autumn Jordon' blog, blogging about Russian gifts: lacquer boxes and Matryoshka dolls at Autumn Jordon's blog, AJ's Notes http://tinyurl.com/6czfe5c

Tuesday April 12

My new release Rx in RUSSIAN is available in print and ebooks at The Wild Rose Press.

Today I am blogging about Russian gifts: lacquer boxes and Matryoshka dolls at Autumn Jordon's blog, AJ's Notes http://tinyurl.com/6czfe5c

And I am presenting the beautiful Baltique amber stones on the Pink Fuzzy Ladies: http://pinkfuzzyslipperwriters.blogspot.com/ Come and enjoy two special posts.

I hope you will get my book as soon as possible and send me a review. Since my book is set in Belarus, I will pick from among the reviews two lucky winners and send them a Belarusian gift: A Belarusian handmade box or a Russian genuine amber pair of earrings I bought from Minsk. I will upload their pictures in my next blog. My offer is opened for a month, until May 5th, 2011 to give you time to read my novel and write your review. I will be very grateful if you follow my blog.

Today at LASR

Today I am a guest blogger at the LASR--the Long and Short Reviews for a blog about Spring where I am talking about spring in Ohio, in Florida and in Belarus of course.I am also posting an excerpt about spring in Minsk, Belarus.

Come and join us at http://lasrguest.blogspot.com

for the chance to win a Nook, a Kindle or other gifts...

Minsk, the capital of Belarus

My new romance novel, Rx IN RUSSIAN, is set in Minsk, Belarus, where I traveled in the nineties for business. Let me tell you about a city I enjoyed so much. Minsk is the capital and largest city in Belarus, situated on the Svislach and Nemiga rivers. The earliest references to Minsk date to the 11th century (1067), when it was a provincial city within the principality of Polotsk. In 1242, Minsk became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and it received its town privileges in 1499. From 1569, it was a capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

From 1919–1991, Minsk was the capital of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Minsk was initially founded on the hills. However, in the 20th century, it grew to include the relatively flat plains in the southeast. The western parts of the city are the most hilly. Minsk is located in the area of mixed forests typical for most of Belarus. Pinewood and mixed forests are still present at the edge of the city, especially in the north and east. Some of the forests were transformed into parks as the city grew. Here is the Church Of Mary Magdalene behind the hotel where I stayed. After Germany invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, Minsk immediately came under attack. The city was bombed on the first day of the invasion. Communists and sympathisers were killed or imprisoned; both locally and after being transported to Germany. Homes were requisitioned to house invading German forces. Thousands starved as food was seized by the German Army and paid work was scarce. Some anti-soviet residents of Minsk, who hoped that Belarus could regain independence, did support the Germans, especially at the beginning of the occupation, but by 1942, Minsk had become a major centre of the Soviet partisan resistance movement against the invasion. For this role, Minsk was awarded the title Hero City in 1974.

In Rx IN RUSSIAN my hero, Dr. Fyodor Vassilov guides the heroine, Dr. Jillian Burton, through his city and describes it with pride and patriotism.

Jillian opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. She slipped his chapka from her head and handed it back to him. Her perfume lingered on the fur and wafted toward him, a floral scent Fyodor breathed discreetly when he took the hat without comment and climbed into the car.

After settling in the back, he gave Tatiana the directions to the restaurant and relaxed, his gaze trailing the delicate profile of his guest as the car wove in and out of traffic and zoomed onto a large avenue.

“Here is our Victory Monument with the eternal flame of the Unknown Soldier.” He pointed to the statue at the center of an intersection and leaned forward, trying to see if she admired the places that filled him with pride. “And this large building is the Hall of Officers, the military headquarters. It’s an old imperial palace.”

“I wish I had my camera with me. As soon as I have some time off, I’ll visit Minsk thoroughly.”

Her enthusiasm delighted him. “When spring comes and the weather improves, I will be happy to show you our capital and...”

What a foolish offer. Come spring, would he be free to play guide to his gorgeous visiting physician? Tatiana dropped them in front of the restaurant and asked Jillian to call her when they needed to return. A hostess took Jillian’s coat and seated them at a table near the window overlooking the river.

Jillian surveyed the restaurant. “Wow, it’s so richly decorated. Is this an old palace too?”

Pleased with the approval in her voice, Fyodor chuckled. “We have so many palaces. Many old mansions are now used as hotels, restaurants, or official buildings. From here you can see the Svislach River.” He pulled the curtains aside for her to have a better look. “Minsk was destroyed during both World Wars. Many parts of the city still look devastated. We are rebuilding very slowly.” He would hate for her to misjudge his beloved country.

"What a beautiful view.” Her smile of admiration pleased him more than a shot glass of vodka. Unease prickled his nape. Why did her approval of his hometown matter so much to him?

Rx IN RUSSIAN is available at the Wild Rose Press in print and ebook.

One thing I've learned from reading your books: They take you to exotic lands and you totally lose yourself in the story!~ Molly Daniels

"Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.

The Long And The Short Reviews~ Mona Risk’s writing sweeps you into the story from the first page, and keeps you turning the pages.

WRDF Review~ What a great read, romantic and at times bittersweet.Enjoyable from beginning to end.

The Romance Studio: Sweetheart of the Week. ~ Ms. Risk is one of those authors who puts together a tale that’s captivates from first page to last. I’ll have to look for more of her work in the future.

I hope you will get my book as soon as possible and send me a review. Since my book is set in Belarus, I will pick from among the reviews two lucky winners and send them a Belarusian gift: A Belarusian handmade box or a Russian genuine amber pair of earrings I bought from Minsk. I will upload their pictures in my next blog. My offer is opened for a month, until May 5th, 2011 to give you time to read my novel and write your review. I will be very grateful if you follow my blog.

Rx IN RUSSIAN

My D-day came a day earlier. The official release day is April 8, 2011.

My book is already available at The Wild Rose Press and at Amazon.com both in print and in Kindle.

I hope you will get it as soon as possible and send me a review.

Since my book is set in Belarus, I will pick from among the reviews two lucky winners and send them a Belarusian gift: A Belarusian handmade box or a Russian genuine amber pair of earrings I bought from Minsk. I will upload their pictures in my next blog.

My offer is opened for a month, until May 5th, 2011 to give you time to read my novel and write your review. I will be very grateful if you follow my blog.

Blurb for Rx IN RUSSIAN:

An American Pediatrician / A Russian Surgeon

A woman who lost a son and frantically avoids marriage and family

A man with four adorable sons who badly need a mother

Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.

The Long And The Short Reviews~ Mona Risk’s writing sweeps you into the story from the first page, and keeps you turning the pages.

WRDF Review~ What a great read, romantic and at times bittersweet.Enjoyable from beginning to end.

The Romance Studio: Sweetheart of the Week. ~ Ms. Risk is one of those authors who puts together a tale that’s captivates from first page to last. I’ll have to look for more of her work in the future.

Excerpt:

Tilting her head, she smiled at him. His smile faded.

Slowly their faces moved closer and closer, and she inhaled his aftershave. His lips touched hers. She didn’t back away. His hand cradled her nape as he slanted his mouth and tasted hers.

It was a sweet kiss, not too deep and not too demanding, a get-to-know-you-better kiss in a crowded place. But a kiss that left her thirsty for more.

When he moved away, she inched forward and touched the tip of her tongue to his bottom lip, tracing its contour. He responded to the invitation and claimed her mouth again, molding their lips together and sucking on them until she couldn’t breathe. She pulled away this time.

“An officer and a doctor,” she murmured. Reveling in the amazing pleasure of their first kiss, she licked her lips to savor the taste of his mouth a bit longer. “No wonder you never married. Like me you were too busy with your studies and then your career.”

She knew now why she was so attracted to him, in spite of their different nationalities and backgrounds, in spite of her pledge never to let a man get under her skin. They seemed to be on the same wavelength, one of a kind in their way of thinking and acting.

Silence danced between them for long seconds.

She smiled. He frowned.

“You are wrong, Jillian.” He pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows, giving her a speculative look. “I was married.”

Superstition

Before reading this post please take a look at this link. http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Authors/Mona-Risk.aspx

Superstition is a credulous belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge. The word is often used pejoratively to refer to folk beliefs deemed irrational. This leads to some superstitions being called "old wives' tales". It is also commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy and spiritual beings, particularly the belief that future events can be foretold by specific unrelated prior events.

I don't think I am superstitious. Yet, my key holder has a bunch of little blue pearls hanging. I heard it keeps the evil eye away. Oh, no I am not superstitious but I believe in my dreams and I believe in other small signs that indicate things.

My great-grandmother put a bible under her daughter’s pillow for her to have a baby. My grandmother used to say that if your right hand itches you will greet a visitor. If your left hand itches, you will receive money. If your left eye tingles, someone is gossiping about you. If your right eye tingles, you may hear bad news. If you see the green color in your dreams, relax that's great. If you see black, brace yourself for a drama.

Yes, I believe what my grandmother said, but I insist I am not superstitious. Even if I hang a blue eye, a horseshoe and a Fatma's hand in my kitchen to protect me from evil eyes. Well, better be safe than sorry.

I heard that French freak when a black cat crosses their path. Middle eastern sell hundreds of blue articles for protection and Arabs never talk about plans without adding Inch Allah, God willing.

Here are some Occidental superstitions:

Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.

An apple a day Keeps the doctor away. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

You must get out of bed on the same side that you get in or you will have bad luck. If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff you will get your wish.

If you say good-bye to a friend on a bridge, you will never see each other again.

Do not lean a broom against a bed. The evil spirits in the broom will cast a spell on the bed. If you sweep trash out the door after dark, it will bring a stranger to visit. If someone is sweeping the floor and sweeps over your feet, you'll never get married. Never take a broom along when you move. Throw it out and buy a new one. To prevent an unwelcome guest from returning, sweep out the room they stayed in immediately after they leave.

It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match.

Evil spirits can't harm you when you stand inside a circle.

It's good luck to find a four-leaf clover.

It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.

Cows lifting their tails is a sure sign that rain is coming.

If your right ear itches, someone is speaking well of you. If your left ear itches, someone is speaking ill of you.

For good luck throughout the year, wear new clothes on Easter.

If an eyelash falls out, put it on the back of the hand, make a wish and throw it over your shoulder. If it flies off the hand the wish will be granted. If the bottom of your right foot itches, you are going to take a trip.

Superstitions about Weddings: The first gift the bride opens should be the first gift she uses.

Everything the bride says as she opens her gifts will be repeated on her wedding night. Somone should be assigned to write down these comments during the shower. The person who gives the third gift to be opened will soon have a baby. Save the ribbons from the shower gifts to make a mock bouquet to be used at the wedding rehearsal.

FOR A LUCKY BRIDE Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue, And a lucky sixpence In her shoe.

WEDDING DAY Good Omens: seeing a rainbow having the sun shine If the groom drops the wedding band during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed.

The new bride must enter her home by the main door, and must

The spouse who goes to sleep first on the wedding day will be the first to die.

Can you share some of your superstitions?

PRESCRIPTION IN RUSSIAN Short Synopsis:

Dr. Fyodor Vassilov is a thirty-eight year old widower and devoted family man with four little boys who need a caring mother. Still emotionally crippled by the loss of his wife, Fyodor can’t allow himself to get close to a woman again. Having a fling is okay but love? Forget about it! He has to protect his kids, and his heart, from any further harm.

Jillian Burton is an American pediatrician on an official mission to improve health care conditions in Belarus. A few years ago, she lost her son and her illusions about men, marriage and family, and she won’t risk being hurt again. Feeling guilty about her son’s death, she travels to third-world countries to cure and save children but she never allows herself to get emotionally attached to a child.

Fyodor’s mother presses him to marry a healthy woman who wants a big family and loves children. The last woman who fits the bill is Jillian, a woman who considers herself incapable of mothering a child, a doctor who can’t stop roaming the world.

When Fyodor and Jillian work together in Belarus, their cultures clash and their painful memories still hurt, but their attraction defies all odds. Can love overcome duty and guilt? If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances.

I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with passion.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN winner of 2009 Best Romance Novel at Preditors & Editors and winner of 2009 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite.

Rx FOR TRUST, winner of 2010 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite and 2011 EPICON.

Rx IN RUSSIAN just released at TWRP http://www.monarisk.com/