My family has made this recipe for as long as I can remember. I’ve made it for friends who rave… It’s really, really good, and a great item to bring to pot luck parties! One caution — it does contain nuts, and I don’t think it would be very good without them. And I use raspberry jello instead of strawberry because I like the flavor better, but that’s just me. Anyway, it’s easier to make than it sounds, and it’s even better after a day of refrigeration. Try it, especially if you need something different to take to Aunt Martha’s this holiday season!
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HOLIDAY CRANBERRY SALAD

(approx. 20 generous servings – can make 1/2 size with 0.3 oz. Jello pkg. and half all ingredients)

1 box sugar free JELL-O (0.6 oz) – red, may be strawberry or raspberry
1 bag fresh cranberries
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (in its own juice)
2 medium oranges (peeled)
2 medium red apples (may be peeled or not)
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Directions
1. Grind/chop the cranberries, oranges, and apples in a food processor and set aside
2. Pour 1-1/2 cups boiling water into a medium to large bowl, gradually add and dissolve the JELL-O in the water
3. Add the whole can (including juice) pineapple, nuts, cranberries, apples, and oranges to the mixture, stir well,
4. Add 1 to 1-1/2 cup cold water (depending on desired consistency) and stir again
5. Put in refrigerator and stir once or twice until begins to set (about an hour); salad will be completely set and ready to serve in approximately 6 hours.

This recipe is easy to prepare a day ahead. Cover with wrap until needed.

I opened my eyes. Looming over me was Verek. The last time we met on a beach he’d teased me and lost some clothes – a rather splendid sight. Right now, he looked grim.

“No more training tonight,” I told him warily. “I’m not up for it.”

Verek shook his head and squatted beside me. The muscles in his thighs bulged beneath the fine fabric covering them. “I’m here to serve summons on you, my lady.”

My lady? Usually he called me ‘Princess’ and only in the most mocking of tones. “That’s a little formal isn’t it?” I laughed. Verek didn’t. So I sat up. “Shit, Verek. What kind of summons?”

He sighed. “Tonight you will stand before the Nightmare council and face inquiry into your actions.”

My heart gave a thud. “My actions? What I have I done?”

He looked almost sympathetic. “The Warden was there when you brought Noah into our world, Dawn. You broke the rules and now you must stand before the counsel and explain yourself.”

Explain myself? Part of me wanted to tell him just what he could do with his summons – what the Warden could do for that matter. I hadn’t known when I brought Noah into the Dream Realm during our fight against Karatos that it was something I wasn’t allowed to do, never mind that it had been something I shouldn’t be able to do.

How could they punish me for doing something no one ever thought possible? But apparently it fell under some rule about not endangering humans. Please, I had been trying to save Noah, not hurt him.

“This is bullshit,” I told him. “The council is freaked out by me and is looking for a way to keep me under control.” I was daughter of the lord of this realm! Just who did this Warden person think he was?

“What if I refuse?” I asked.

Verek’s rugged features hardened. “Then I am to bring you back to the castle in shackles to await the proceedings.”

“My father won’t stand for that.”

Now he looked downright pitying. “It was your father who gave the order.”

Oh, damn.

Kathryn Smith 2009

Want more? DARK SIDE OF DAWN  will be on shelves Nov 24th! Haven’t read book #1? BEFORE I WAKE is available at bookstores and online.

Diana Wilson is our winner! Diana said:

“My number one rule when seducing a Duke is to remember that even the most subborn man can’t resist a determined seduction by a beautiful woman forever. Just keep at it.”

Rose, the heroine in When Seducing a Duke is exactly that kind of tenacious. Diana, please email me your snail mail address at katewriter @ gmail.com (no spaces of course!) and your copy of The Pearl will soon be on its way!