A Royal Christmas Wish and A Gingerbread Romance out now by Hallmark Publishing!

What could be more feel-good than watching a Hallmark Christmas movie?

Well, nothing before now, but with the arrival of a brand new series of heartwarming books from Hallmark Publishing based on Hallmark Original Movies, fans can bring the holiday movie magic into their homes in a whole new way!

Are you as excited as I am?

Some of the books are based on Hallmark movies you already know and love and some will be brand new novels with new characters, relationships, romances and riveting mysteries.

Each of the special books will be available in time for Christmas and holiday gift-giving in paperback, e-book or audiobook formats, and get this… they include an original recipe inspired by the story!

Take a look:

A Gingerbread Romance – Lacey Baker

With Christmas just weeks away, the architecture firm Taylor works for enters her in a contest in which the teams will design and build life-sized gingerbread houses. After the contest, Taylor will likely be getting a promotion to a position in another city. The firm teams her up with Annabelle, a renowned French pastry chef with whom Taylor instantly locks horns. When Annabelle backs out, Taylor stumbles into a local bakery and meets Adam, a baker and single dad.

In an act of desperation, Taylor convinces Adam to partner with her for the contest, arguing that winning would give the bakery and his designs much-needed exposure. For years Taylor has been resistant to call anywhere “home” for fear it will only be temporary. But the time she spends with Adam and his daughter Brook in their cozy home, decorating for Christmas, and exploring Philadelphia at Christmas, fills her with a longing for a place to call home.

Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Sauce Recipe

There’s nothing like the smell of gingerbread to make you think Christmas—but why build a house when you can eat Gingerbread Cake! In A Gingerbread Romance, Taylor finds herself baking and rebaking the layers needed for a life-sized gingerbread house, but you can pop this easy-to-make cake in the oven and sit back and enjoy your book while it bakes.

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

Gingerbread Cake
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ cup unsulfured mild molasses
¾ cup hot water

Lemon Sauce
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

As needed whipped cream

DIRECTIONS
1. To prepare gingerbread cake: preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
2. Combine butter and brown sugar in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg and salt; stir to blend. In a separate bowl; combine molasses and water; stir to blend.
5. Alternately add about 1/3 dry and wet ingredients to mixing bowl and mix until just combined. Scrape down sides of bowl; pour batter into pan.
6. Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on rack. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
7. To prepare lemon sauce: combine all ingredients in saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens.
8. Slice cake into wedges; top each with warm lemon sauce and whipped cream.

A Royal Christmas Wish – Lizzie Shane

Jenny knows she isn’t the princess type. Sure, she’s friendly and caring, but with her clumsiness and lack of self-confidence, glass slippers would only make her trip. When Dom, the cute guy she runs into in the park, turns out to be the prince of San Noelle, she figures he must not be her happy ever after.

But a mysterious countess grants Jenny’s one wish, and she finds herself married to this handsome prince! Unfortunately, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas night, her life will go back to normal.

In funny and touching ways, Jenny navigates royal traditions the best she can. But even as she grows closer to Dom, the clock is ticking. With love and a little holiday magic, could she somehow make the enchantment last forever?

Chicken Shawarma Recipe

In A Royal Christmas Wish, Jenny wakes up to find herself married to a real-live prince. As she attempts to navigate the royal lifestyle—with less-than-successful results—she does miss a few things about her old life in New York City, including the chicken shawarma from the place around the corner. Our recipe for it is so delicious, it’s fit for a princess. Make it once, and you’ll be craving it, too!

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Spice-Rubbed Chicken
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, smashed
3 large or 4 average boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Garlic-Cumin Sauce
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, fine minced
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Marinated Cucumber Salad
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
½ cup thin sliced cucumber
½ cup drained chickpeas
¼ cup thin sliced red onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon black pepper
8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water
4 naan (or pita or flatbread), warmed on grill, in oven or in a skillet
¼ cup spicy hummus
As needed, flatleaf (Italian) parsley, chopped
4 grilled lemon halves (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. To prepare spice-rubbed chicken: combine dry spices, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in a large bowl (or zip-lock bag) and stir to blend.

2. Slice chicken into thin 2-inch pieces: place in bowl with spice rub and toss to evenly coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

3. To prepare garlic-cumin sauce: combine all ingredients in bowl and whisk to blend. Refrigerate.

4. To prepare marinated cucumber salad: combine in ingredients in bowl and toss to blend. Refrigerate.

5. Heat grill to medium heat. While grill is heating, thread spice-rubbed chicken pieces evenly on bamboo skewers.

6. Grill chicken skewers for 10 minutes, or until fully cooked, turning frequently.

To assemble chicken shawarma: spread each piece of naan with hummus. Top evenly with marinated cucumber salad, spice-rubbed chicken skewers and garlic-cumin sauce. Garnish with chopped flatleaf parsley and a grilled lemon half, if desired.

How much fun will it be to read and bake along with your favorite Hallmark holiday movies? These books will completely delight Hallmark movie fans!

Get A Royal Christmas Wish and A Gingerbread Romance now and look for An Unforgettable Christmas Sept. 24 and Wrapped Up in Christmas Oct. 1

HALLMARK MOVIE BOOKS GIVEAWAY

(1) One winner will receive a copy of A Gingerbread Romance and A Royal Christmas Wish books.