Hello friends! I am so happy to welcome back the lovely and kind Jennifer Redlarczyk to Austenesque Reviews today! We greatly enjoyed Jennifer’s stories and loved her fun modern-day holiday romance – A Holiday to Remember. Especially because of its midwest setting! We are so excited that Jennifer is here to celebrate her another fun modern-day Pride and Prejudice novella – A Taste of Peanut Butter!
Meredith, I am so happy to be back visiting your blog today with A Taste of Peanut Butter! In my latest novella, Elizabeth Bennet has a passion for baking and peanut butter happens to be her signature ingredient. In this scene Elizabeth is about to share some of her baked goods with the man who helped her after going through security at O’Hare International Airport. Shall we eavesdrop on their conversation?
Several minutes later, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome returning with beverages in hand. She could hardly wait to get his reaction when he tasted her baking.
“By the way, I’m William Darcy. And you are?”
“William Darcy?!” She sat up straight with a definite look of mischief written all over her face. “As in Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pride and Prejudice?”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam Alexander Darcy at your service. If you don’t mind, I prefer William.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t help but giggle. “What would you say if I told you my name was Elizabeth Bennet?”
“Well, if you are indeed Elizabeth Bennet, then I guess I’d better say here’s to Jane Austen.” The two of them laughed as they carefully clicked their paper cups and took a drink.
“Honestly, William, my name really is Elizabeth Bennet, but most of my friends call me Liz or 
Lizzy.”
“If you don’t mind, I quite like Elizabeth. It has such a classic sound.”
“Thank you.” She blushed and gestured to her blue plastic container. ”Please, help yourself. I kind of went on a baking spree before I left home, so there’s plenty to choose from. These three are apple peanut butter, and these two are chocolate chip peanut butter. Then we have peanut butter balls, peanut butter blondies and my latest creation…” She leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Blissful peanut butter-chocolate cheesecake in a cup.” She bit her lip, anxiously waiting to see which treat he would choose.
“You said blissful?” He arched an eyebrow in question.
“I did.” She beamed.
“Then blissful it is!” Within seconds, William took a bite and quietly moaned, delighting in the creamy rich flavour of the cheesecake. “This is incredible!” He licked his lips before taking the last bite followed by a sip of coffee. “You say this is your own creation?”
“That I did. I’m a finalist in the Pemberley Network’s Weekend Bake Off—Another Slice. This is one of my secret weapons. It’s an improved version of the recipe that got me into the contest.
William nearly choked on his coffee when she mentioned the network. “You’re not serious, are you?”
“Why wouldn’t I be serious? I have the letter in my wallet if you need proof.” Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest, appearing very indignant.
“Elizabeth, forgive me, I didn’t mean to insult you. When I heard you speaking with your sister about a bake off, I had no idea that you were…”
“Wait a minute, buster,” she said pointing an angry finger at him. “You mean to tell me that you listened in on my private conversation? The one where my sister warned me about letting a new date taste my cooking? The one about how all my guy friends treat me as their best bud hoping that I’ll cook for their next get together?”
“Yes,” he held up his hands. “I’m guilty as charged, but I swear, I’m nothing like those blokes she was referring to. Please let me explain, nearly everyone in my family cooks, and I.…”
“I’m sorry, but I have to go. Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Darcy. You’re welcome to finish what I baked. Have a nice life!” she said plopping her coffee down in such a way that it splashed all over William’s light coloured Chinos. Grabbing her belongings, Elizabeth walked as fast as she could towards gate C-21, without looking back.
♫
Well it looks like William and Elizabeth are off to a stormy beginning. Any speculations on how our guy might make it up to her? In the meantime how about a slice of Peanut Butter Lover’s Pie, or better still, follow Lizzy’s recipe and try your own hand at this delicious dessert. If you have time, please check out my Pinterest page and be sure to leave a comment for my giveaway of three eBooks. Enjoy!
♫
Peanut Lovers Pie
Total Time: Prep: 30 min. + freezing. Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons honey-roasted peanuts, divided
- 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 7 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 pints chocolate ice cream, softened
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon peanut butter, divided
- 3/4 cup coarsely chopped peanut butter cups, divided
- 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
Directions:
- Chop 1 tablespoon of peanuts; set aside. Place the remaining peanuts in a food processor; cover and process until ground. In a small bowl, combine the ground nuts, cracker crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. pie plate. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the ice cream and 1 cup peanut butter until blended. Spoon half into crust. Return remaining ice cream mixture to the freezer. Cover and freeze pie until almost firm, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with about two-thirds of the chopped peanut butter cups. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, re-soften remaining ice cream mixture. Spread over peanut butter cups (pie will be very full). Cover and freeze for at least 2 hours or until almost firm. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and remaining chopped peanut butter cups. Cover and freeze until firm, about 1 hour longer.
- Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving. Combine caramel topping and remaining peanut butter; drizzle some over dessert plates. Top with a piece of pie; drizzle with remaining caramel mixture. Yield: 8 servings.
~~~
Ooooh! This seems like an interesting scenario for sure! I love that Lizzy is a baker and appearing 
on a baking show! Sounds fun! Thanks so much for sharing a tempting looking recipe too, Jennifer! Doesn’t look like it would be too challenging to make!!
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~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Today Jennifer brings with her some lovely prizes for me to give away in celebration of her new release!! THREE ebooks of A Taste of Peanut Butter for me to give away to some lucky winners!!! Woot woot!!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, a question, or some love for Jennifer!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Jennifer!
- This giveaway ends October 2nd!
Poor Mr Darcy not having a chance to explain. This is such an interesting premise, thanks for the chance to win a copy.
My pleasure Darcybennet! Yes, Darcy was caught eavesdropping, but since this is a lighthearted novella, we hope his discomfort will be of short duration! Good luck in the giveaway! ♫
Warning: I gained five pounds just reading this book! 🙂 Seriously, I love peanut butter and the story made my mouth water. A fun read when you need a pick-me-up!
Thanks Brenda! I shall not disclose how many of Lizzy’s recipes I’ve actually tried, but my husband, who is always trying to stay away from sugar, has mounted a protest to my delicious baking. LOL
I think Elizabeth was a little too quick to storm off there! Poor Darcy! Luckily I know what happens next as I have already read this lovely book .
So please don’t enter me in the giveaway Meredith and thanks to you and Jen for sharing this excerpt.
Thanks for stopping by Glynis. Poor Lizzy was definitely a little sensitive about being overheard by our handsome Brit. But since this story has an HEA we are not to worry.
Looking forward to reading it. It sounds like ODC will have a few obstacles to overcome before their HEA.
Deborahanne2, thanks for stopping by. A few obstacles to overcome but filled with delicious bakes. Jen ♫
Looking forward to reading the entire story
HI Betty, it’s a fun little pick me up with lots of good treats on the side. I hope you will like my novella. Jen ♫
I want a snack! Sounds delicious, err, fun. Okay, both! Congrats on the new novella. 🙂
Thanks Lucy S! Delicious snacks are definitely high priority in this story. Good luck in the giveaway. Jen ♫
Yum, yum, thank you for the recipe (peanut and carmel what a combination). I am asuming if they meet again, EB will ignore hm. Mr Darcy will just have to intently and continuously stare at her until she crumbles and attend to him.
thank you for the chance to win a copy of this enticing modern variation.
Buturot! Did I say Humble Pie is also on the menu? Yes, that pie is delicious. Just wait till you see what I have in store for Darcy. His off-white chinos didn’t clean up too well so you can imagine her reaction when she sees him again. He! He! Jen ♫
This sounds a treat 😀
Nina, a treat, YES! Yummy desserts and a low angst happy ending via a delicious bake off at the Pemberley Network. Thanks for stopping by. Jen ♫
I love this fun, fluffy love story.. it just makes me smile, a good short to read for fun.. thanks for sharing it.
Thanks Carma, and for all of your help looking at recipes. I’m so happy you enjoyed my little tale. Jen ♫
This is adorable–and it made me hungry! Thanks for sharing!
Susan K. Yes there are lots of great treats in this story . If you have time, check out the yummy pictures on my Pinterest page for this story. Thanks, Jen ♫
I already have this delightful book, but want to cheer Jennifer on. It’s a great relax and get hungry read.
Thanks so much Diana, and for all of your Beta help! Yes, relax and get hungry read, indeed! Better have the frig stocked. Jen ♫
I generally don’t read moderns, though I love them when I do read them. Jennifer is one of the best authors in JAFF for supporting other authors, though, so I figured I’d better get in here and say hooray for your post on Meredith’s blog!
Thanks Suzan. This little modern is pure fluff with lots of Peanut Butter on the side. Great hugs and kisses plus a bonus Regency bake off short story at the end. A little bit for everyone. Jen ♫
PS I really appreciate your kind words. It’s my pleasure to support the authors whenever I can. ♫
Don’t include me in the giveaway… I already own the book. Oh, that recipe sounds divine and the picture looks simply delicious. Oh, I can’t wait to read this. Good luck to everyone in the drawing. Thanks for hosting, Meredith, say hello to your Mr. Bingley. Jen, wishing you the best in this new launch. I am so excited for you.
J.W. thanks so much. I hope you will enjoy my little tale. Definitely lots of treats. My Pinterest page for this story has even more. Thanks so much. Jen ♫
This story and the recipe both look absolutely delicious!! I am crossing my fingers and wishing hard to win a copy!!
Thank you, Jennifer, for this lovely post, and thanks, Meredith, for being the consummate [blog] hostess!
Warmly,
Susanne who loves peanut butter cookies!! 😀
Susanne, I’m sure you will love this little tale since you love peanut butter. You should check out the food pictures on my pinterest page. They look so yummy! Good luck in the giveaway! Jen ♫
Our dear couple are off to their usual misunderstandings. Will be interesting to read how they get together. Congratulations on your new release. As my husband says,”Peanut butter goes with everything”. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi Mary! Yes, in my family I have many who say PB goes with everything too. Since this is a novella, the misunderstanding is short lived, thank goodness. I hope you like how their relationship progresses and enjoy the network bake off which Lizzy is a contestant. Her competitors are Caroline B, Martha Long and William Collins. Can you image WC baking??? Good luck in the giveaway. Jen ♫
Oh yeah, they’re off to a stormy beginning. Delicious sounding recipe. Thanks, Jennifer!
Hi Sophia, Just a little stormy. Ha Ha! My story has lots of goodies like the recipe posted here. I hope you will enjoy a little bit of JAFF baking. Good luck in the giveaway. Jen ♫
I enjoyed A Holiday to Remember. Are there recipes at the end of A Taste of Peanut Butter? It seems that readers will be drooling over Darcy and the peanut butter treats which will be in the book. Darcy will probably be a judged and either he or Elizabeth will have to disqualify themselves. Thank you for the fun excerpt and giveaway.
Hi Eva, I’m happy you stopped by. I didn’t include recipes at the end because of copy write issues I did post more recipes on the D&L blog page if you are interested. My Pinterest page has loads of pictures to drool over. I think you will like how I worked out the contest. Good luck in the giveaway. Jen ♫
Will check the recipes out. Thanks.
If I hadn’t just brushed my teeth, I would’ve taken a spoon to the peanut butter jar. I want to taste those ‘Blissful peanut butter-chocolate cheesecake in a cup’ things. !!! Oops Darcy, peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth? Should’ve backtracked a little faster and more convincingly. This sounds really cute. I’d love to be included in the giveaway chance, thank you. Best of luck on your new book launch, Jennifer.
Michelle, I know what you mean about peanut butter. My husband, my son and I each have our own jars. LOL Don’t worry, Darcy won’t give up easily, those “blissful” treats are addicting. Good luck in the giveaway. Jen ♫
how did you know that stories with recipes are some of my favorite stories to read! And peanutbutter and Darcy, another plus for me!
Can’t wait to read iy
I’m with you about stories with recipes. Delicious treats are right up my alley and this story is filled with goodies. Good luck with the giveaway. Jen ♫
Though I’ve read the excerpt before, it’s good to re-read it again and imagine what it is like to be in Elizabeth’s shoes. But I feel she jump to conclusions too early without giving a chance for Darcy to explain himself.
Thanks Lúthien84. Lizzy was definitely defensive, but then she didn’t really know this guy. Of course considering his name was Darcy, hmmm…..
Congrats on your newest release Jennifer! Love the recipe too!
Dung, thanks so much for stopping by. The recipe is fun whether you make it or not. Good luck in the giveaway. Jen ♫
Just dropped in to wish you, Jennifer, the best of luck with you new baby!
Meredith, I hope you’re having fun! 😉
Thanks so much Alexandra! You are always such a great supporter. Jen