Sloane Taylor's Blog, page 136
July 15, 2012
He's Debonair and All Male. Introducing...
Henry the Rat, one of the protagonists of Ted Mendelssohn's debut novel The Wrong Sword. So, Henry, why do you think Ted chose you to represent him?
Just lazy, I guess. I do the work while he takes the credit. Writers! Oh. You mean, why did he choose me instead of another character?
Um, yes. For instance, why not the Princess Mathilde? We understand she was very eager to do this interview.
I’ll bet. She never met an audience she didn’t like.
That’s an odd statement. We thought that you and she-
Shutupshutupshutup! Listen, she's a princess, I'm…really not. So just be cool. We're on the sub infra.
Okay. So, the other woman in your life-
Is a sword. Yes.
Excalibur, in fact.
Yeah, yeah, sword-of-kings-from-the-dawn-of-time.
You don’t sound very excited. Most warriors would kill to get their hands on a weapon like that.
Do I look like a warrior?
Frankly, no.
If you saw me in a dark alley, what would you do?
Check our wallet to make sure it was still there.
Exactly. Did you know the sword talks to me?
Really…
Stop edging away like that. I’m not crazy. It’s a magic sword. And it never lets me forget it. Do you know what was carved into the stone where I found it?
“Whosoever Pulleth the Sword From out the Stone Is Rightwise Born King of all England”?
No. “Hic gladio facit magna dolor in natibus.” You do the Latin.
This interview seems to have gotten a little off-track. Why don’t we go back to the prepared questions?
It’s your farthing.
When you were born?
Six years before Young King Harry of England burned my village to the ground.
Oh.
I don’t like knights much.
Okay, moving on, why should readers be interested in your story?
Evil princes, killer monks, hair-raising escapes, and the medieval version of three-card monte. Plus automatic shepherds.
Sounds fun.
Well, from my end of things, it's scary as hell. But if you're just reading it while you're safe and cozy at home, you'll have a great time.
THE WRONG SWORD
Ted Mendelssohn
ISBN 978-1-61937-195-8
Musa Publishing
For a thousand years, Excalibur has been the sword of heroes. Unfortunately, its new owner isn’t one.
BLURB:
Ever since he arrived in Paris, Henry the Rat has made a pretty good living selling "magic" swords to gullible knights. But when Henry sells one to Geoffrey Plantagenet, brother to King Richard, his happy days are over for good. Geoffrey forces Henry into a dangerous, uncomfortable quest for the most famous magic sword of all time, Excalibur, even though Henry is certain that it's just a myth.
Then Henry actually finds Excalibur - and his troubles really start: For Excalibur is not just the sword of heroes...it’s also the sword that won’t SHUT UP. It communicates with its owner, it knows what kind of owner it deserves, and Henry doesn’t even come close.
To keep Excalibur and the world safe from the appalling Geoffrey, Henry will have to masquerade as a knight, crash a royal wedding, rescue a princess, break a siege, penetrate the secrets of the Perilous Brotherhood, and find Excalibur’s rightful bearer, all while trying to reach an accommodation with a snotty, aristocratic hunk of steel that mocks him, takes over his body, and keeps trying to turn him into the one thing he hates most...a hero.
BUY LINK
After working as a lighting technician, a story analyst, and a paid Blackjack player, Ted Mendelssohn now writes ad copy and and speculative fiction, two entirely different kinds of imaginative literature. He lives in New York, is a graduate of several prestigious institutions of higher education, and knows the difference between a claymore and a pike.
Learn more about Ted and his uber creative work on his blog The Sword That Nagged.
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
July 10, 2012
It's Wednesday. So What's Cooking?
Chicken & Italian Sausage with Potatoes and Stuffed Tomatoes.
Summer is a busy time with family, picnics, sports, gardening, and so much more. So who has time for major cooking? This week it’s a one pot main course. Use a cooking dish that goes from oven to table for easier cleanup.
Chicken & Italian Sausage with Potatoes
Stuffed Plum Tomatoes
Fresh Italian Bread with Flavored Olive Oil for Dipping
White Wine – Pinto Grigio
Rosemary Flavored Olive Oil
A good quality olive oil
Sprigs of fresh rosemary
Fill a glass bottle or pitcher with olive oil. Add several sprigs of rosemary into the bottle. Be sure the herbs are completely covered. Store out of the sun for three days. Remove the herbs and discard. The flavored oil is good for two months.
This works well with all herbs and/or garlic.
Chicken & Italian Sausage
1 lb. chicken pieces of your favprites, if you use breasts they must be quartered.
1 lb. Italian sausage links cut in half
¾ cup chicken stock fresh or canned
4 gloves garlic pressed 1 – 2 lbs. red potatoes washed and quartered
rosemary flavored olive oil
1 red pepper seeded and sliced
1 yellow pepper seeded and sliced
3 tbsp. oregano
Parsley, preferably fresh, for garnish
Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat a large ovenproof dish with flavored olive oil. Lay in the chicken and sausage. Add the chicken stock and garlic. Bake 20 minutes. Stir the mixture once while it roasts.
Add the potatoes. Sir well and bake for 25 minutes. Again, stir the mixture once while it is roasting.
Add the peppers and oregano. Drizzle on the olive oil and bake another 20 minutes or until the potatoes are done. Test with a toothpick. It must easily pierce the potato.
Monitor the chicken stock level in your pan. Be sure to add more if it looks dry.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
Stuffed Plum or Italian Tomatoes
1 plum tomato per person, halved and scooped clean
½ tsp. oregano per tomato
½ tsp. basil per tomato
1 mini mozzarella ball per tomato chopped
1 small garlic glove per tomato pressed
1 tbsp. olive oil per tomato
Drain the tomatoes cut side down on paper towels.
Mix together the remaining ingredients. Scoop the filling into the tomato shells, mounding slightly.
Chill and serve as a salad or as a first course.
The leftovers from this meal also make a great lunch.
I'll be back Friday with a little more for aspiring authors. Until then...
Mangiar Bene!
Sloane Taylor
Summer is a busy time with family, picnics, sports, gardening, and so much more. So who has time for major cooking? This week it’s a one pot main course. Use a cooking dish that goes from oven to table for easier cleanup.
Chicken & Italian Sausage with Potatoes
Stuffed Plum Tomatoes
Fresh Italian Bread with Flavored Olive Oil for Dipping
White Wine – Pinto Grigio
Rosemary Flavored Olive Oil
A good quality olive oil
Sprigs of fresh rosemary
Fill a glass bottle or pitcher with olive oil. Add several sprigs of rosemary into the bottle. Be sure the herbs are completely covered. Store out of the sun for three days. Remove the herbs and discard. The flavored oil is good for two months.
This works well with all herbs and/or garlic.
Chicken & Italian Sausage
1 lb. chicken pieces of your favprites, if you use breasts they must be quartered.
1 lb. Italian sausage links cut in half
¾ cup chicken stock fresh or canned
4 gloves garlic pressed 1 – 2 lbs. red potatoes washed and quartered
rosemary flavored olive oil
1 red pepper seeded and sliced
1 yellow pepper seeded and sliced
3 tbsp. oregano
Parsley, preferably fresh, for garnish
Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat a large ovenproof dish with flavored olive oil. Lay in the chicken and sausage. Add the chicken stock and garlic. Bake 20 minutes. Stir the mixture once while it roasts.
Add the potatoes. Sir well and bake for 25 minutes. Again, stir the mixture once while it is roasting.
Add the peppers and oregano. Drizzle on the olive oil and bake another 20 minutes or until the potatoes are done. Test with a toothpick. It must easily pierce the potato.
Monitor the chicken stock level in your pan. Be sure to add more if it looks dry.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
Stuffed Plum or Italian Tomatoes
1 plum tomato per person, halved and scooped clean
½ tsp. oregano per tomato
½ tsp. basil per tomato
1 mini mozzarella ball per tomato chopped
1 small garlic glove per tomato pressed
1 tbsp. olive oil per tomato
Drain the tomatoes cut side down on paper towels.
Mix together the remaining ingredients. Scoop the filling into the tomato shells, mounding slightly.
Chill and serve as a salad or as a first course.
The leftovers from this meal also make a great lunch.
I'll be back Friday with a little more for aspiring authors. Until then...
Mangiar Bene!
Sloane Taylor
July 8, 2012
A Can of Wryms
by S.G. Rogers
Norse mythology isn’t warm and fuzzy. In fact, many of the legends are off-putting and gritty. The creation myth involves a giant (Ymir) who births a man and woman from his armpits, and whose blood forms oceans. The more I did research on the subject, the less inclined I was to use any of the nine worlds of Norse mythology in my new fantasy series.
Then, I had an epiphany.
Norse mythology predates Christianity. These myths, legends and beliefs circulated for two centuries before any actual recordation occurred. What if the scribes in Midgard (Earth) got their facts wrong, or spun the legends to suit their own purposes? What if Asgard (home of the Norse Gods) still exists, and continues to evolve to this day? Now that playground was something that seized my imagination.
Although I was aware meddling with tradition might be opening up a can of ‘wyrms,’ the runestones were cast. In The Druid, I set about creating a world where I chose what worked for my story, massaged those aspects that weren’t quite so appealing, and discarded what I didn’t like. Fans of Norse mythology will recognize certain elements I wove into the fabric of the tale, but no knowledge of Norse mythology is required to enjoy the story.
Controversial? Possibly. Provocative? Hopefully. My hope is that interested readers will be motivated to do their own research. In The Druid, I write about ‘the road less traveled by’ and to me, that made all the difference. ~ S.G. Rogers
THE DRUID
An Asgard Adventure, Book One
S.G. Rogers
ISBN: 978-1-61937-179-8
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Dani Avery is an ordinary girl wishing for adventure. She never expected to be kidnapped by mythological creatures and taken to a place she thought only existed within the pages of a book. Abandoned in Asgard, Dani must find her way home. Along the way, she meets the handsome Prince Rein. Sadly, the elf is not-so-charming and has issues of his own, leaving Dani disappointed and vulnerable. With nowhere left to turn Dani looks for help among the powerful Immortals, but gets caught in a trap that may leave her stranded and alone in Asgard forever.
EXCERPT:
Outside, a flickering light in the adjacent parking area cast a moody pall. Even though the lot was deserted, Dani quickened her pace. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two towering figures with indistinct forms and features pinned her from either side. One of them spoke in a voice that was neither male nor female—or human.
“Druid, we have you at last.”
She was too shocked to react for a moment. But when something like clammy tendrils of rubber cement began to curl around her wrists and upper arms, Dani was galvanized into action. Although she tried to beat the ectoplasm out of her assailants, the tendrils continued to form until she was nearly immobile. Then, the shadowy figures dragged her into another plane of existence.
No longer in the Avery Dry Cleaners parking lot, Dani and her kidnappers had materialized in a field of electric-blue grass laced with broad swaths of green four-leaf clover. The sunlit sky was unlike any Dani had ever seen. The color was a kaleidoscope of intense periwinkle, purples, and pinks, with an occasional silvery wisp floating past. Reminiscent of the aurora borealis, the effect was dazzling, but Dani could scarcely enjoy the view in her current predicament.
She was lying in the grass, trussed up like a turkey, and utterly helpless. Unable to speak because of the rubbery tendrils across her mouth, Dani could only glare at Ninn and Ginn. Moments ago, the creatures had appeared spectral, but now they were vividly clear. They were humanoid, but the facial features under their hooded capes were strangely avian. Ninn prodded Dani’s thigh with the toe of his black boot. “It’s a female,” he chirped.
“I hate to admit it, but this definitely ain’t the Druid.” Ginn massaged his beakish nose, swollen even larger from close contact with Dani’s knuckles. “A shieldmaiden, I’m guessing, from her combat skills,” he said. “What should we do with her?”
“Send her back to Midgard?”
“Can’t. She’ll warn the Druid we’re looking for him.”
“Let’s dump her in Helheim.”
“Ah, that would be too cruel,” Ginn said. He gave a diabolical chuckle. “But I like it.”
BUY LINK
Learn more about S.G. Rogers on her website . Stay connected on Twitter and Facebook .
Norse mythology isn’t warm and fuzzy. In fact, many of the legends are off-putting and gritty. The creation myth involves a giant (Ymir) who births a man and woman from his armpits, and whose blood forms oceans. The more I did research on the subject, the less inclined I was to use any of the nine worlds of Norse mythology in my new fantasy series.
Then, I had an epiphany.
Norse mythology predates Christianity. These myths, legends and beliefs circulated for two centuries before any actual recordation occurred. What if the scribes in Midgard (Earth) got their facts wrong, or spun the legends to suit their own purposes? What if Asgard (home of the Norse Gods) still exists, and continues to evolve to this day? Now that playground was something that seized my imagination.
Although I was aware meddling with tradition might be opening up a can of ‘wyrms,’ the runestones were cast. In The Druid, I set about creating a world where I chose what worked for my story, massaged those aspects that weren’t quite so appealing, and discarded what I didn’t like. Fans of Norse mythology will recognize certain elements I wove into the fabric of the tale, but no knowledge of Norse mythology is required to enjoy the story.
Controversial? Possibly. Provocative? Hopefully. My hope is that interested readers will be motivated to do their own research. In The Druid, I write about ‘the road less traveled by’ and to me, that made all the difference. ~ S.G. Rogers
THE DRUID
An Asgard Adventure, Book One
S.G. Rogers
ISBN: 978-1-61937-179-8
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Dani Avery is an ordinary girl wishing for adventure. She never expected to be kidnapped by mythological creatures and taken to a place she thought only existed within the pages of a book. Abandoned in Asgard, Dani must find her way home. Along the way, she meets the handsome Prince Rein. Sadly, the elf is not-so-charming and has issues of his own, leaving Dani disappointed and vulnerable. With nowhere left to turn Dani looks for help among the powerful Immortals, but gets caught in a trap that may leave her stranded and alone in Asgard forever.
EXCERPT:
Outside, a flickering light in the adjacent parking area cast a moody pall. Even though the lot was deserted, Dani quickened her pace. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two towering figures with indistinct forms and features pinned her from either side. One of them spoke in a voice that was neither male nor female—or human.
“Druid, we have you at last.”
She was too shocked to react for a moment. But when something like clammy tendrils of rubber cement began to curl around her wrists and upper arms, Dani was galvanized into action. Although she tried to beat the ectoplasm out of her assailants, the tendrils continued to form until she was nearly immobile. Then, the shadowy figures dragged her into another plane of existence.
No longer in the Avery Dry Cleaners parking lot, Dani and her kidnappers had materialized in a field of electric-blue grass laced with broad swaths of green four-leaf clover. The sunlit sky was unlike any Dani had ever seen. The color was a kaleidoscope of intense periwinkle, purples, and pinks, with an occasional silvery wisp floating past. Reminiscent of the aurora borealis, the effect was dazzling, but Dani could scarcely enjoy the view in her current predicament.
She was lying in the grass, trussed up like a turkey, and utterly helpless. Unable to speak because of the rubbery tendrils across her mouth, Dani could only glare at Ninn and Ginn. Moments ago, the creatures had appeared spectral, but now they were vividly clear. They were humanoid, but the facial features under their hooded capes were strangely avian. Ninn prodded Dani’s thigh with the toe of his black boot. “It’s a female,” he chirped.
“I hate to admit it, but this definitely ain’t the Druid.” Ginn massaged his beakish nose, swollen even larger from close contact with Dani’s knuckles. “A shieldmaiden, I’m guessing, from her combat skills,” he said. “What should we do with her?”
“Send her back to Midgard?”
“Can’t. She’ll warn the Druid we’re looking for him.”
“Let’s dump her in Helheim.”
“Ah, that would be too cruel,” Ginn said. He gave a diabolical chuckle. “But I like it.”
BUY LINK
Learn more about S.G. Rogers on her website . Stay connected on Twitter and Facebook .
July 3, 2012
July 1, 2012
Sara Daniel Writes What She Loves
which is irresistible romance and captivating family drama. Sara writes to entertain and to give people hope and a belief that everything can and will turn out happily ever after. With each terrific novel, no matter what genre she is writing, Sara succeeds to provide readers with what they have come to expect and a lot more.On the personal side, Sara’s a frazzled maid, chef, chauffeur, tutor, and personal assistant (aka mom). She was once a landlord of two uninvited squirrels. She’s crazy about country music and the drama of NASCAR. And she has her own happily-ever-after romance with her hero husband.
MR. FOREVER Sara Daniel
ISBN: 978-1-61937-001-2
Musa Publishing
The discovery of a secret baby threatens Caleb's professional reputation. Falling for the woman who loves this baby would ruin him.
Buy Links:
Musa Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
BLURB:
Marriage therapist Caleb Paden has just found out he has a son from a one-night stand, making a mockery of his core belief of stable relationships--"friendship above all physical encounters." On his way to take the child for a paternity test, a snowstorm leaves him stranded with single mom Olivia Wells, who blames his advice for breaking up her marriage. Caleb finds himself fighting the urge for the most basic of physical encounters. Olivia would like nothing more than to destroy the career he spent a lifetime building, but her maternal instincts draw her to help Caleb bond with his child. Soon, she finds herself falling for both of them. Nowhere in any of his advice does Caleb have an answer for how to make a relationship work if he loses his heart to love.
EXCERPT:
She shoved his hand away. "Don't give me that mellow, understanding voice. You're not my therapist."
"I'm not trying to be. But if there's a problem with Forever, I want to fix it."
"That's not what you want." Maybe coming close to her wasn't the best idea. She was livid. "You want me to tell you something I did, so you can prove your model's perfect and I'm at fault. Yes, my marriage failed, and I carry some responsibility. I blame myself for reading your books and believing they held the secret to everlasting happiness."
He'd met a lot of irate people over the years. But they were angry with their spouses, themselves, parents, and bosses. Not him. He was the one with the answers, the one who redirected the rage into something healthy. "I'd like to interview you after we've both cooled down and are well rested. We'll go through the points of Forever one by one and determine where your marriage broke down. If any problems surface with the model, I can address them in my next book."
"I'll tell you what's wrong. You underestimate the power of sex." She advanced toward him.
All the physical senses he thought he'd gotten under tight rein ran wild. Caleb backed up a step, trying to regain his control, but came up hard against the counter. Olivia kept coming, boxing him in. He pulled on his tie again, hoping it was knotted tightly. He needed his tightly buttoned image to remind himself he was a professional, and his question was strictly as a therapist. "How was the sex in your marriage?"
"Sometimes mediocre. Usually lousy."
With the unholy gleam in her eye, he had trouble comprehending the possibility of a sexual experience with her being less than earth-shattering. Heat radiated from her. His body was dying for her to lean her hips into his.
"How's your sex life?" She reached up and unknotted his tie with deft, sure fingers.
"Good enough," he lied. Too late he realized she'd broken the wall of one-way revelation he always maintained. Even with his lie for an answer, she'd drawn him in and was consuming him with sexual fantasies.
"Since you're judging me, I ought to get a chance to judge your statement for myself." She yanked the tie, sliding it out from under his starched shirt collar and heating the back of his neck.
"Stop it." He was unnerved to find his voice wasn't quite steady. Women who wanted to be part of his life wrote letters highlighting the benefits of friendship. "Let's focus on what went wrong in your marriage."
She worked her fingers under his collar, pushing the top button through the hole. "How can you stand having this so tight? You can't take a full breath."
He'd been able to breathe just fine until her knuckles rubbed over his Adam's apple. Her fingers were smooth and competent. Despite his resolve, he could feel his arousal pulsing with each of her movements.
Buy Links:
Musa Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Learn more about Sara Daniel on website and blog. Connect with her on facebook , her fan page , and twitter .
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
June 26, 2012
It's Wednesday. So What's Cooking?
Chicken Cutlets, Roasted Potatoes, and Candied Carrots.
A mouthwatering meal that's perfect for Sunday dinner any time of the year.
Chicken Cutlets
Roasted Potatoes with Thyme and Vinegar
Candied Orange Carrots
White Wine – Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
Chicken Cutlets
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, if not using fresh, I prefer Perdue frozen breasts thawed.
5 slices bacon chopped
¼ cup flour
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tbsp. butter
1 cup chicken stock fresh or canned
4 garlic cloves crushed
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice or Minute Maid frozen lemon juice
In a medium sized skillet, fry bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon onto paper towels to drain. Spoon off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.
Meanwhile, place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in flour, shake to remove excess. Add butter to the reserved fat in the pan and heat over high temperature, swirling to melt the butter.
When the foam subsides, reduce heat to med-high and cook chicken until browned on both sides, 4 – 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm in a 200° oven or tent with foil and leave on counter.
Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, rosemary, pepper flakes. Sauté about 45 seconds. Do not let the garlic brown. It will be bitter. Add broth and lemon juice, scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon, and simmer until slightly thick, about 4 minutes.
Return chicken and bacon to pan and simmer, turning chicken once, until sauce is thick and glossy, 5 – 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning with black pepper.
Roasted Potatoes with Thyme and Vinegar
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. cider vinegar
3 tsp. Kosher salt
2 lbs. potatoes quartered, but not peeled
1 tsp. dried thyme or 6 sprigs fresh
Preheat oven to 425° degrees.
In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, salt, thyme, and vinegar.
Place the potatoes in a large plastic bag. Pour the mixture over them and gently shake the bag to coat evenly.
Spread the potatoes in an even layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle any remaining mixture over them. Bake until potatoes are tender and slightly browned, about 50 minutes.
Candied Orange Carrots
½ lb. ready to eat carrots
Juice of one orange
1 pinch nutmeg
¼ cup maple syrup
4 tbsp. butter
fresh parsley chopped
Place all the ingredients together in a saucepan. Gently simmer, covered, until the carrots are bright orange and tender.
Garnish with the parsley and serve.
The leftovers from this meal make a perfect lunch and are easily reheated.
I'll be back Friday with more writing tips. Until then...
Happy Cooking!
Sloane Taylor
A mouthwatering meal that's perfect for Sunday dinner any time of the year.
Chicken Cutlets
Roasted Potatoes with Thyme and Vinegar
Candied Orange Carrots
White Wine – Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
Chicken Cutlets
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, if not using fresh, I prefer Perdue frozen breasts thawed.
5 slices bacon chopped
¼ cup flour
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tbsp. butter
1 cup chicken stock fresh or canned
4 garlic cloves crushed
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice or Minute Maid frozen lemon juice
In a medium sized skillet, fry bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon onto paper towels to drain. Spoon off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.
Meanwhile, place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in flour, shake to remove excess. Add butter to the reserved fat in the pan and heat over high temperature, swirling to melt the butter.
When the foam subsides, reduce heat to med-high and cook chicken until browned on both sides, 4 – 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm in a 200° oven or tent with foil and leave on counter.
Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, rosemary, pepper flakes. Sauté about 45 seconds. Do not let the garlic brown. It will be bitter. Add broth and lemon juice, scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon, and simmer until slightly thick, about 4 minutes.
Return chicken and bacon to pan and simmer, turning chicken once, until sauce is thick and glossy, 5 – 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning with black pepper.
Roasted Potatoes with Thyme and Vinegar
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. cider vinegar
3 tsp. Kosher salt
2 lbs. potatoes quartered, but not peeled
1 tsp. dried thyme or 6 sprigs fresh
Preheat oven to 425° degrees.
In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, salt, thyme, and vinegar.
Place the potatoes in a large plastic bag. Pour the mixture over them and gently shake the bag to coat evenly.
Spread the potatoes in an even layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle any remaining mixture over them. Bake until potatoes are tender and slightly browned, about 50 minutes.
Candied Orange Carrots
½ lb. ready to eat carrots
Juice of one orange
1 pinch nutmeg
¼ cup maple syrup
4 tbsp. butter
fresh parsley chopped
Place all the ingredients together in a saucepan. Gently simmer, covered, until the carrots are bright orange and tender.
Garnish with the parsley and serve.
The leftovers from this meal make a perfect lunch and are easily reheated.
I'll be back Friday with more writing tips. Until then...
Happy Cooking!
Sloane Taylor
June 24, 2012
Yum, Sexy Witches and Hot Heroes
My longtime friend Tabitha Shay is here to share her latest release Witch’s Moon. It is an awesome book and one I recommend to all paranormal romance fans. Tabs' other two books, Witch’s Brew and Witch’s Heart, are also terrific reads. Coming soon is the extended release of Witch’s Magic which I can't wait to read.
Now a few words from Tabs;
Good Morning Readers,
Before we get started, let me say a quick ‘Thank You’ to Sloane for having me as her guest today.
I hope you’ll enjoy the blurb and excerpt from my latest release, Witch’s Moon, book three of the Winslow Witches of Salem series.
Leave a comment today and I’ll drop your name into my witch’s hat for a chance to win a free E-copy of Witch’s Moon. Be sure you leave a way to contact you.
Hugs,
Tabs
WITCH'S MOON
Book Three
Winslow Witches of Salem series
Tabitha Shay
ISBN: 978-1-61885-286-1
Secret Cravings Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Ru-Noc: A magical world teetering on the edge of destruction.
Excited about her first Beltane, the feisty and strong-willed Princess of Ru-Noc makes plans to find her ideal mate. But Princess Kali's world is turned upside down when she finds herself whisked away and trapped in the mortal realm of vampires.
Captain Koran T knows he's in serious trouble when the King of Ru-Noc orders him to kidnap Princess Kali. He's no different than any other male of his species at mating time, so the urge to breed Kali is strong. But Koran T has a dark secret of his own, one that could have him banished from the coven.
Fall under the spell of a Witch's Moon-when dark forces gather to threaten the very existence of Ru-Noc--and Princess Kali and Captain Koran cross swords in a fierce battle only a witch can win!
EXCERPT:
Captain Koran T was still the waken who’d made it his personal business to make her life miserable. He always looked at her as if she’d crawled out from under a rock. As much as he detested her, she figured she’d live to be a very old witch before she ever got a chance to taste his mouth.
Kali licked her lips and tried not to devour the captain with her eyes, but it had been almost a year since she last saw him, and she couldn’t stop herself from searching out every feature about him.
The shorter strands of his hair fell over his thick brows in. For some reason, the unmanageable curls made him look boyish and vulnerable, but as always, it was impossible to read what he felt.
Captain Koran T was the only waken she knew who had hair so blond it was nearly white. As a rule, the males of her race were all dark haired, except for the occasional male with cinnamon colored hair like her brother Stry.
All males had jewel-colored eyes that sparked with duel colors during mating or at Beltane.
Koran T might have the duel-colored eyes the males displayed at Beltane, but that was where his appearance as a normal waken ended. Due to his Albino coloring and pink-rimmed irises, Captain Koran T was known as a ‘Pink’. In their society, the odd coloring was proof of a tainted bloodline.
Kali caught her breath as Koran suddenly leaned close to her and snapped, “Stop looking at me like that.”
She blinked, jarred back to her surroundings by his sharp tone. “How am I looking at you, Captain?”
Kali caught herself on the verge of clutching her run-away heart. Gods, his scent assailed her senses. Heat curled in her stomach in a tangled knot. She clenched her thighs and tried desperately to ignore the dampness pooling there.
“Like you want my mouth all over you.” He skimmed his gaze over her breasts, lingered on the stabbing buds of her nipples. His eyes flickered, then he shifted quickly to her mouth. “Is that your desire, Princess? You want my mouth on you? Everywhere?" He said the words slowly, huskily, and so low only she heard them.
Kali snorted. “You wish.”
Deny as she might, her body quickened with lust.
A wicked gleam lit his eyes. “I know.”
BUY LINK
Learn more about Tabitha Shay on her website and blog .
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Now a few words from Tabs;
Good Morning Readers,
Before we get started, let me say a quick ‘Thank You’ to Sloane for having me as her guest today.
I hope you’ll enjoy the blurb and excerpt from my latest release, Witch’s Moon, book three of the Winslow Witches of Salem series.
Leave a comment today and I’ll drop your name into my witch’s hat for a chance to win a free E-copy of Witch’s Moon. Be sure you leave a way to contact you.
Hugs,
Tabs
WITCH'S MOON
Book Three
Winslow Witches of Salem series
Tabitha Shay
ISBN: 978-1-61885-286-1
Secret Cravings Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Ru-Noc: A magical world teetering on the edge of destruction.
Excited about her first Beltane, the feisty and strong-willed Princess of Ru-Noc makes plans to find her ideal mate. But Princess Kali's world is turned upside down when she finds herself whisked away and trapped in the mortal realm of vampires.
Captain Koran T knows he's in serious trouble when the King of Ru-Noc orders him to kidnap Princess Kali. He's no different than any other male of his species at mating time, so the urge to breed Kali is strong. But Koran T has a dark secret of his own, one that could have him banished from the coven.
Fall under the spell of a Witch's Moon-when dark forces gather to threaten the very existence of Ru-Noc--and Princess Kali and Captain Koran cross swords in a fierce battle only a witch can win!
EXCERPT:
Captain Koran T was still the waken who’d made it his personal business to make her life miserable. He always looked at her as if she’d crawled out from under a rock. As much as he detested her, she figured she’d live to be a very old witch before she ever got a chance to taste his mouth.
Kali licked her lips and tried not to devour the captain with her eyes, but it had been almost a year since she last saw him, and she couldn’t stop herself from searching out every feature about him.
The shorter strands of his hair fell over his thick brows in. For some reason, the unmanageable curls made him look boyish and vulnerable, but as always, it was impossible to read what he felt.
Captain Koran T was the only waken she knew who had hair so blond it was nearly white. As a rule, the males of her race were all dark haired, except for the occasional male with cinnamon colored hair like her brother Stry.
All males had jewel-colored eyes that sparked with duel colors during mating or at Beltane.
Koran T might have the duel-colored eyes the males displayed at Beltane, but that was where his appearance as a normal waken ended. Due to his Albino coloring and pink-rimmed irises, Captain Koran T was known as a ‘Pink’. In their society, the odd coloring was proof of a tainted bloodline.
Kali caught her breath as Koran suddenly leaned close to her and snapped, “Stop looking at me like that.”
She blinked, jarred back to her surroundings by his sharp tone. “How am I looking at you, Captain?”
Kali caught herself on the verge of clutching her run-away heart. Gods, his scent assailed her senses. Heat curled in her stomach in a tangled knot. She clenched her thighs and tried desperately to ignore the dampness pooling there.
“Like you want my mouth all over you.” He skimmed his gaze over her breasts, lingered on the stabbing buds of her nipples. His eyes flickered, then he shifted quickly to her mouth. “Is that your desire, Princess? You want my mouth on you? Everywhere?" He said the words slowly, huskily, and so low only she heard them.
Kali snorted. “You wish.”
Deny as she might, her body quickened with lust.
A wicked gleam lit his eyes. “I know.”
BUY LINK
Learn more about Tabitha Shay on her website and blog .
I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
June 22, 2012
Sorry Folks
an unexpected snag has caused me not to blog today.
I'll be back Monday. Until then...
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sloane Taylor
I'll be back Monday. Until then...
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sloane Taylor
June 19, 2012
It's Wednesday. So What's Cooking?
Pan Fried Ham Steak, Sweet Potatoes, and Peach Salad
A nice easy meal for a hot summer day.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Peach Salad
Pan Fried Ham Steak
Steamed Broccoli Flowerets
White Wine - Chardonnay
Baked Sweet Potatoes
1 potato for each diner, rinsed but not scrubbed
Vegetable oil
Butter
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Rub a little vegetable oil on the potato skins to keep them moist while baking. Lay the potatoes into a cookie sheet, set in the middle of the top shelf. Bake for 50 minutes (depending on their size) or until a tooth pick inserts easily.
Serve with butter as you would a baked Idaho potato.
Peach Salad
Cling peaches canned in lite syrup
Cottage Cheese
Nutmeg
Scoop out the quantity of cottage cheese you like in separate salad bowls.
Open the canned peaches, but do not drain them. A bit of juice flavors the cheese.
If you used sliced peaches, lay them decoratively around the mound of cottage cheese.
If you chose peach halves, place them in the bowl first, then top with cottage cheese.
In either case, sprinkle a dash of nutmeg over the top. It adds a dash of color and a nice flavor.
Store uncovered in the fridge until dinner.Serve with the meal.
Broccoli Flowerets
Broccoli heads rinsed and trimmed, allow five medium-size pieces per person
½ cup chicken stock fresh or canned
Tap water
2 tbsp. butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Pour chicken stock into a saucepan. Add enough water to come up to the bottom of your vegetable steamer. Cover and simmer until just tender, about 4 minutes.
If you don’t have a steamer, drop the broccoli into the simmering water mixture. Cover and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes.
Carefully spoon broccoli into a serving bowl, dot with butter, then add pepper.
Pan Fried Ham Steak
1 Ham steak
½ tsp. ground cloves
Parsley sprigs
Use your favorite large frying pan over medium heat. Lay the ham into the pan. Sprinkle half the ground cloves over the ham. Heat about 4 minutes, then turn over. Sprinkle with remaining cloves and hear through.
Garnish with a few parsley springs when you serve.
I'll return Friday with more writing tips. Until then...
Stay cool!
Sloane Taylor
A nice easy meal for a hot summer day.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Peach Salad
Pan Fried Ham Steak
Steamed Broccoli Flowerets
White Wine - Chardonnay
Baked Sweet Potatoes
1 potato for each diner, rinsed but not scrubbed
Vegetable oil
Butter
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Rub a little vegetable oil on the potato skins to keep them moist while baking. Lay the potatoes into a cookie sheet, set in the middle of the top shelf. Bake for 50 minutes (depending on their size) or until a tooth pick inserts easily.
Serve with butter as you would a baked Idaho potato.
Peach Salad
Cling peaches canned in lite syrup
Cottage Cheese
Nutmeg
Scoop out the quantity of cottage cheese you like in separate salad bowls.
Open the canned peaches, but do not drain them. A bit of juice flavors the cheese.
If you used sliced peaches, lay them decoratively around the mound of cottage cheese.
If you chose peach halves, place them in the bowl first, then top with cottage cheese.
In either case, sprinkle a dash of nutmeg over the top. It adds a dash of color and a nice flavor.
Store uncovered in the fridge until dinner.Serve with the meal.
Broccoli Flowerets
Broccoli heads rinsed and trimmed, allow five medium-size pieces per person
½ cup chicken stock fresh or canned
Tap water
2 tbsp. butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Pour chicken stock into a saucepan. Add enough water to come up to the bottom of your vegetable steamer. Cover and simmer until just tender, about 4 minutes.
If you don’t have a steamer, drop the broccoli into the simmering water mixture. Cover and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes.
Carefully spoon broccoli into a serving bowl, dot with butter, then add pepper.
Pan Fried Ham Steak
1 Ham steak
½ tsp. ground cloves
Parsley sprigs
Use your favorite large frying pan over medium heat. Lay the ham into the pan. Sprinkle half the ground cloves over the ham. Heat about 4 minutes, then turn over. Sprinkle with remaining cloves and hear through.
Garnish with a few parsley springs when you serve.
I'll return Friday with more writing tips. Until then...
Stay cool!
Sloane Taylor
June 17, 2012
The Perfect Summer Read
is by SS Hampton, Sr. from Melange Books. INTIMATE JOURNEYS is an awesome book sure to satisfy readers of every genre. It is a collection of thirteen short stories that include a variety of entertaining and sympathetic characters.
Here's a brief glimpse of three; a lusty and determined incubus who has a young woman cornered in a church, a middle-aged Army National Guard soldier facing demobilization when the Army withdraws from Iraq, and my personal favorite, a curious traveler who listens in on a lusty sexual afternoon tryst through a motel room floor heating vent.
Hampton's stories have the power to make you gasp, swipe away a stray tear, and laugh out. This is a book I highly recommend to all adult readers.
INTIMATE JOURNEYS
SS Hampton, Sr.
ISBN: 978-1-61235-332-6
Melange Books
BUY LINK
Every journey through life is an intimate journey simply because it is someone’s personal journey. Sometimes the journey is like being alone in a small boat at the mercy of wild ocean currents, and sometimes the journey is like being part of a crew in a strong ship with billowing, wind-filled sails.
The most intimate journeys, though they are polar opposites, involve the unparalleled pleasures of sex and the inevitable unknown of death. Both are an experience unlike anything else; one is sought by everyone, while the other is avoided by everyone – for as long as they can. Sometimes these polar opposites complement each other.
However, alone or with a companion, ultimately all journeys through life are intimate in nature.
BLURBS:
Rose Cliffs
Archaeologists accidentally set free survivors of an ancient race, who require sexual sacrifices to bring back more of their kind.
The Christmas Queen
A young man returning home for Christmas encounters a legendary succubus who wants him for her lover.
No. 55 Cherry Apple Court
Believe it or not, sometimes within a gated community there are worse things than a home owners association.
The Whisper of Ereshkigal
An immortal Sumerian in love with a human woman is finally discovered by pursuing goddesses determined to take him to the underworld.
Imnachar
A frustrated incubus has a young woman cornered in a small country church, and he attempts to entice her to leave her sanctuary.
Galleria Millennia
An unusual group of female artist-collectors descend on a city at the edge of the Rocky Mountains before Y2K.
The Samar Café
On the eve of joining his combat ship during an interstellar war, a young sailor spends the night with a prostitute, with surprising results.
A Harsh Lesson
A female military officer dons a haunted Waffen SS jacket and attends a costume party, where she intends to kill a Senator.
Aztec Ridge
An Aztec goddess claims a lover from the same family line every 52 years, and now it is time for her to take a new lover.
Dawn at Khabari Crossing
As the US combat role in Iraq ends, a middle-aged soldier faces the uncertainty of demobilization and returning to Ground Zero of the Great Recession.
Beween Flagstaff and Gallup
They say curiosity killed the cat, but what happens if it didn't, and the cat is still alive?
The Ledger
A married sutler, unhappily retired and in ill health, remembers the example of the love of a young 7th Cavalry trooper for an Irish laundress.
Grandpa's Bon Qui Qui
While deployed to Afghanistan, an older soldier in a May/December relationship must decide if the young woman really loves him, and if he really loves her.
BUY LINK
For those of you who aren't familiar with SS Hampton, Sr., he is a full-blood Choctaw of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a divorced grandfather to 13 grandchildren, and a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle (2004-2006) and Iraqi Freedom (2006-2007). He continues to serve in the Army National Guard, where he holds the rank of staff sergeant.
Hampton is also a published photographer and photojournalist, an aspiring painter, and is studying for a degree in anthropology. His writings have appeared as stand-alone stories and in anthologies from MUSA Publishing, Melange Books, Ravenous Romance, and Dark Opus Press. He also has stories in Horror Bound Magazine, Ruthie’s Club, Lucrezia Magazine, The Harrow, and River Walk Journal, among others. In 2012 he has another story forthcoming in an anthology from Edge SF & Fantasy (Danse Macabre), as well as a new book releasing from MuseItUp Publishing.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Here's a brief glimpse of three; a lusty and determined incubus who has a young woman cornered in a church, a middle-aged Army National Guard soldier facing demobilization when the Army withdraws from Iraq, and my personal favorite, a curious traveler who listens in on a lusty sexual afternoon tryst through a motel room floor heating vent.
Hampton's stories have the power to make you gasp, swipe away a stray tear, and laugh out. This is a book I highly recommend to all adult readers.
INTIMATE JOURNEYS
SS Hampton, Sr.
ISBN: 978-1-61235-332-6
Melange Books
BUY LINK
Every journey through life is an intimate journey simply because it is someone’s personal journey. Sometimes the journey is like being alone in a small boat at the mercy of wild ocean currents, and sometimes the journey is like being part of a crew in a strong ship with billowing, wind-filled sails.
The most intimate journeys, though they are polar opposites, involve the unparalleled pleasures of sex and the inevitable unknown of death. Both are an experience unlike anything else; one is sought by everyone, while the other is avoided by everyone – for as long as they can. Sometimes these polar opposites complement each other.
However, alone or with a companion, ultimately all journeys through life are intimate in nature.
BLURBS:
Rose Cliffs
Archaeologists accidentally set free survivors of an ancient race, who require sexual sacrifices to bring back more of their kind.
The Christmas Queen
A young man returning home for Christmas encounters a legendary succubus who wants him for her lover.
No. 55 Cherry Apple Court
Believe it or not, sometimes within a gated community there are worse things than a home owners association.
The Whisper of Ereshkigal
An immortal Sumerian in love with a human woman is finally discovered by pursuing goddesses determined to take him to the underworld.
Imnachar
A frustrated incubus has a young woman cornered in a small country church, and he attempts to entice her to leave her sanctuary.
Galleria Millennia
An unusual group of female artist-collectors descend on a city at the edge of the Rocky Mountains before Y2K.
The Samar Café
On the eve of joining his combat ship during an interstellar war, a young sailor spends the night with a prostitute, with surprising results.
A Harsh Lesson
A female military officer dons a haunted Waffen SS jacket and attends a costume party, where she intends to kill a Senator.
Aztec Ridge
An Aztec goddess claims a lover from the same family line every 52 years, and now it is time for her to take a new lover.
Dawn at Khabari Crossing
As the US combat role in Iraq ends, a middle-aged soldier faces the uncertainty of demobilization and returning to Ground Zero of the Great Recession.
Beween Flagstaff and Gallup
They say curiosity killed the cat, but what happens if it didn't, and the cat is still alive?
The Ledger
A married sutler, unhappily retired and in ill health, remembers the example of the love of a young 7th Cavalry trooper for an Irish laundress.
Grandpa's Bon Qui Qui
While deployed to Afghanistan, an older soldier in a May/December relationship must decide if the young woman really loves him, and if he really loves her.
BUY LINK
For those of you who aren't familiar with SS Hampton, Sr., he is a full-blood Choctaw of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a divorced grandfather to 13 grandchildren, and a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle (2004-2006) and Iraqi Freedom (2006-2007). He continues to serve in the Army National Guard, where he holds the rank of staff sergeant.
Hampton is also a published photographer and photojournalist, an aspiring painter, and is studying for a degree in anthropology. His writings have appeared as stand-alone stories and in anthologies from MUSA Publishing, Melange Books, Ravenous Romance, and Dark Opus Press. He also has stories in Horror Bound Magazine, Ruthie’s Club, Lucrezia Magazine, The Harrow, and River Walk Journal, among others. In 2012 he has another story forthcoming in an anthology from Edge SF & Fantasy (Danse Macabre), as well as a new book releasing from MuseItUp Publishing.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
