Monkeying around with Samantha March, plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

Samantha March fell in love with books at a young age, and that passion has followed her all through life. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa where she is already hard at work on her second novel. A tireless reader, writer, and blogger, you can check out her blog, Chick Lit Plus. She also blogs at her author page about becoming a writer, and all the joys and challenges associated with it. Samantha lives with her boyfriend, and is an avid Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs fan. We’re so excited to be giving away TWO e-books of her first novel, "Destined to Fail," to some lucky readers anywhere in the world. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Samantha!!

Want to learn more about what makes Samantha tick? Visit her at Facebook and Twitter.


About "Destined to Fail":
Jasmine Jones is ready to begin her new life as a college student, and is ecstatic to have best friend Abby by her side. But weeks into their new college life, Abby drops the bomb- she is pregnant, and dropping out of college. Jasmine can’t handle the fact that Abby is wasting her opportunity to get an education, and going back to her cheating, abusive boyfriend. She struggles to move on from her friendship with Abby, but befriends two new girls at college. Everything seems back on track for Jasmine- great new friendships and roommates, a strong relationship with boyfriend Nate, and excelling at her college courses. But Jasmine’s newfound happiness is shattered when her pregnancy test comes out positive. Does she have to drop out of college now and become a young mother? Will Nate stay with her? How can she afford a child? Jasmine’s life has been filled with obstacles and challenges along the way- from a missing father, sexual and physical abuse, and addictions that tore her family apart. With this latest setback, Jasmine fears her life will always be a struggle. Destined to Fail is one woman’s story about overcoming adversity in life, about taking the negatives and finding a positive, and about never giving up hope.

When Melissa informed me what the theme was for December, I was instantly worried. Recipe? Cooking? Baking? I’m sad to say these are foreign concepts in my house. I somehow missed all my mother’s baking genes, and actually had to throw away the last set of brownies I attempted to make. Phooey. But, one recipe that I do love (to eat) and at one time attempted to help make is monkey bread. First, the name always makes me laugh. Second, it wasn’t too difficult to coat little pieces of biscuits and arrange them around a tube pan. Third, it tastes delicious! Especially when coming right from the oven all warm and gooey. Current status: drooling. Here is the recipe that I have used:


• 3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

The one I helped make did have walnuts in it, but since I am not a fan of them, I didn’t include them on here. There are also recipes that have raisins in them, which I am curious to try sometime. And here are the directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 or 10 inch tube/Bundt® pan.
2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan.
3. In a small saucepan, melt the margarine with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the biscuits.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Do not cut! The bread just pulls apart.


The first time I tried monkey bread, I was smitten. I also ask for this around the holidays now, but need an adult to supervise me in the kitchen...it’s dangerous when I’m on my own! I would love to hear if you try this recipe or have your own version.


Happy Holidays everyone!

Thanks to Samantha for sharing her tasty looking recipe and debut novel with everyone here at CLC!

How to win "Destined to Fail":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is a failure or struggle that you have overcome in your life? (Or, what do you feel you are "destined" to do?)
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends January 3rd at midnight EST.