Virginia Campbell – a self-confessed bookworm who loves to cook – has created some marvellous recipes to match the food scenes in my “Australian Millionaires” series for Harlequin Desire.

In “The Tycoon’s Blackmailed Mistress”, the second book in Maxine Sullivan’s “Australian Millionaires”, awesome “Alpha Male” Flynn Donovan meets his match! Intending to seek revenge on the dead man who swindled him by seducing the man’s beautiful widow, Flynn is instead charmed and captivated by the lovely Danielle Ford. Fighting his attraction by continuing to remind himself that the widow is as guilty as her dead husband, Flynn cannot dismiss Danielle from his sensual imagination.

Discovering that she is pregnant by her late husband only increases his fascination, and he begins to wonder if she may be innocent of her husband’s misdeeds. Danielle is just as enthralled with Flynn, except that the last thing she wants or needs is another dominating, controlling man in her life. Her late husband brow-beat her into following his wishes, and after his death, his mother still tried to control Danielle. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Flynn must learn to let go, and Danielle must learn to accept. It’s a lover’s compromise worth the while when two hearts and true love are involved!
The “Alpha Male” is the dominant leader of the pack. They have qualities and strengths which make them “number one”! Along with all that greatness can come arrogance, a “my way is the only way” attitude, and a sometimes ornery personality. However, their fierce devotion to their loved ones, their loyalty and their innate honor all go together quite nicely to smooth the rough edges. I love big, gruff, tough men who have even bigger hearts and an inner core of compassion. I also appreciate intelligence and humor, but kindness is the essential quality. Vulnerability is sometimes the key to an alpha male. What he may consider to be his weakness is actually the inner force which makes him an alpha. Flynn Donovan is a delicious “Alpha Male”! Speaking of delicious, here are some wonderful recipes similar to the fabulous food served to Flynn and Danielle:

Grilled Salmon with Fresh Mango Salsa

4  (6-ounce) salmon fillets (about 1 inch thick)
small amount light cooking oil
salt & pepper

Brush salmon fillets lightly with oil, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Prepare grill or broiler. Place salmon on grill rack or broiler pan coated with nonstick cooking spray; cook 5 minutes on each side or until salmon is done. Serve with Mango Salsa, hot fluffy rice, grilled garlic toast, and a basic green salad.

Mango Salsa:

1 mango, peeled and finely diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro or mint
Zest of 1 lime
1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
Salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste

Combine all salsa ingredients in a small bowl, season to taste with salt, pepper, and hot sauce, and mix well.

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White Wine Sangria

1 Bottle of white wine (Riesling, Chablis, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 cup orange juice
3 oranges (sliced)
1 lemon (sliced)
1 lime (sliced)
1/2 liter of ginger ale
if desired, add more fruit such as sliced strawberries, peaches, fresh blueberries, raspberries, kiwi

Pour wine in a large clear glass pitcher and stir in orange juice. Add fruit and sugar. Stir well. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.

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Hazelnut Fudge Parfaits

In a tall parfait glass, place one scoop of your favorite ice cream. Crumble some cookies of your choice (good way to use broken pieces), and add enough cookie pieces to cover ice cream. Top with a little Hazelnut Fudge syrup (half chocolate hazelnut spread & half hot fudge sauce, mixed well). Repeat. Top off with whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, candy, cookie pieces…whatever you like. Just be sure to put a cherry on top :  )