Cate Masters's Blog, page 17

Claire Fogel joins the holiday party!

Cate: Happy holidays, Claire! Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Claire:  I’m retired from the business world, a grandmother, recently moved from Los Angeles to a small town in the mountains, about a hundred miles north of L.A. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, and I’ve always liked small towns. Which must be why the setting in my book is a small town! After forty years of business writing, I didn’t begin writing fiction until I was 70, publishing my first book of fiction at 72.  My theme song should be “At Last.”
Cate:  Better late than never! What do you love most about Christmas? Claire:   Getting together with family and hearing from friends and relatives who live far away. I love my Christmas tree! Always hate to take it down after New Year’s Day.  I’m still waiting for a white Christmas, something I haven’t seen since I left N.J. Maybe this year!
Cate:  We’re happy to share our snow, lol. Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past? Claire:  So many! But one from the year I was seven. I still believed in Santa, but from the top of the stairs, I could hear my father and a few of his friends dragging something in from the garage, and I admit I took a peek. It was a beautiful, old desk in olive green, covered with Chinese figures and pictures in reds and golds. I’d asked “Santa” for a desk, and I think my Dad found it at a pawn shop owned by a friend of his. Of course, it was hard to keep up the Santa pretense after that!  I loved that desk for many years.
Cate:  Great story! If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for? Claire:   Good health for at least a few more years. This past year has been a rough one, health wise.
Cate: Sorry to hear that. Hope 2015 is better for you. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special? Claire:   That desk I talked about! No one I knew had a desk anything like it. It was old, beautiful (in my eyes), and totally unique.
Cate:  Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share? Claire:   Nope! I make the kinds of things lots of people make: Baked Ham, Potatoes au Gratin, sometimes Lasagna, and lately my husband likes to grill marinated chicken outside on holidays. I have no recipes that are strictly for Christmas.
Cate:  Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Claire:   My first book, “Blackthorne Forest,” is a Young Adult/Teen novel full of magic, fantasy, first love, and coming of age experiences. It’s about a teen, Cara, who lives next to a beautiful, mysterious forest that has always fascinated her. She’s read folklore that insists magic was present in the forest hundreds of years ago, and just before her sixteenth birthday, she discovers she holds some powerful magic of her own. She’s never known her father and starts to wonder if he has anything to do with this magic, as well as the forest she’s always loved.  When she finally finds answers to her questions, she discovers a magical world she never knew existed, and her life is changed forever. This is a clean read for ages 11 to 18, although adults enjoy it too! It’s available only at Amazon.com. http://amzn.com/0990892301
Cate:  What inspired you to write about the theme? Claire:   They say, “Write the kind of book you enjoy reading.” I’ve always been a bookworm, and I own thousands of books. There’s at least one bookcase in every room in my house! But several years ago, I realized I was tired of reading books that were full of blood and guts, excessive violence, profanity on every page, and graphic sex.  People were raving about “Twilight,” so I picked up a copy and loved it. I began reading Young Adult novels more than any other kind. I found I could relate to them; I have vivid memories of my own teen years, and I loved the innocence, the striving to grow up, the characters need for independence, all aspects of my own teen years. There were so many things I didn’t do during my teen years that I later wished I had done, that I wanted to encourage kids to do through my books; Parts of the growing up process that I skipped altogether, which held me back going into my twenties. Of course, I grew up in a “simpler” time, but I’m convinced we need to allow our kids to express themselves, to make their own decisions, even if they fall on their faces. We just have to Cate: Very cool! Anything else you’d like to share? Claire:  “Twilight” had such a positive impact on me and on the books I’m writing, I really owe Stephenie Meyer a big thank you!
Cate:  Thanks for joining the holiday party, Claire. 

Taryn Kincaid brings us a howling good holiday

Cate: *howls* Taryn Kincaid is here to spread some holiday cheer! Taryn, please tell us a little bit about yourself. Taryn: Well, as I think you know, Cate, I am a world-reknowned 5-star Michelin chef, and I also sell automobile tires on the side. I always plead bafflement and confusion when guests complain chicken tastes like rubber. You can see how easy it is to mix up my two endeavors, right? I mean, come on. Basically, tires are just giant black doughnuts. We call them tirnuts. They sell like hot---well, um, no. They sell like tirnuts.
Cate: lol What do you love most about Christmas? Taryn: This will come as no surprise to those who know and, um, put up with me.I am somewhat of a Scrooge about Christmas. Though I must say New York City gets all beautifully bright and sparkly and colorful. Also brisk and crowded. But the store windows are phenomenol. Yes, I guess I love those. Except when they show up right after Labor Day and before Halloween, when we’ve all had scarcely a chance to make sure everything we ingest and imbibe is pumpkin spiced.
Cate: I love NYC at the holidays too. The window displays are amazing. Soooo, do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past? Taryn: We really leaned more to the Hannukah thing in our house. When I was a kid, I had a Barbie, of course, although I never saw the big attraction with dolls, either, being more of a  bike-riding, hurdle-jumping kinda kid. My main interest in Barbie was creating involved romantic scenarios for her and her milk-toasty, whitebread beau, Ken. But I did have a Tammy doll that I was pretty partial to. Tammy was more like a real high school kid and she came in a red and white letter sweater and cheerleader’s outfit. The sweater was white with a big red “T.” So, of course, I immediately related to that! (It would turn out, much later, that my high school colors were red and white!) Anyway, you may know that Hannukah lasts eight days. Since my birthday is in January, I would often get combo presents. But one year, my mother, a stay-at-home mom at that time with an excess of creative energy, hand sewed a little wardrobe for Tammy and would give me a different outfit  each night. My favorite was a little fully lined raincoat, cloth inside and plastic outside. It was totes adorb. And stunned all my friends. Which, really, is what you’re looking for in a gift, isn’t it?
Cate: We should have been playmates, lol. If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for? Taryn: World peace. Oh. Wait. I forget for a second that I’m not running for Miss America. Or elected office. But honestly? I would wish that the world, in general, and everyone I know, in particular (especially my own self) would just calm down. The stress levels make my head explode.
Cate: What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special? Taryn: Oh, see above. And what made it special was that my mother made it all by hand, clearly an immense labor of love.  
Cate: Wow, incredible. Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share? Taryn: I will give you the traditional Hannukah recipe for latkes, which are potato pancakes. They are made with oil, which symbolizes the miracle of Hannukah, the festival of lights. This recipe is from epicurious.comand is the basic, gets-the-job-done recipe.
LATKES: 1 pound potatoes (any kind) ½ cup finely chopped onion 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 large egg, lightly beaten ½ teaspoon salt ½ to ¾ cup olive oil (or corn oil) Sour cream and/or applesauce Peel potatoes and coarsely grate by hand, transferring to a large bowl of cold water as grated. Soak potatoes 1 to 2 minutes after last batch is added to water, then drain well in a colander. Spread grated potatoes and onion on a kitchen towel wring out as much liquid as possible. Transfer potato mixture to a bowl and stir in egg and salt. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 4 latkes, spoon 2 tablespoons potato mixture per latke into skillet, spreading into 3-inch rounds with a fork. Reduce heat to moderate and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes. Turn latkes over and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes more. Transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt. Add more oil to skillet as needed. Keep latkes warm on a wire rack set in a shallow baking pan in oven. Top with dollops of applesauce (my preference) or sour cream.
Cate: Yum! Thanks for sharing. Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Taryn: My latest release is WOLF’S SONG, part of Decadent Publishing’s brand new Black Hills Wolves line of shifter romances, which will debut in January. WOLF’S SONG is the 4th book in the series and releases on 1/30/15. But it’s available by pre-order on AmazonNOW! The Black Hills Wolves is a multi-author, shared world series about a wolf pack living in a place called Los Lobos, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It’s the brainchild of Rebecca Royce, who wrote the 1st book in the series.  Amazon Pre-Order link
Cate: Great cover! Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Taryn: Yep!
BLURB: Ten years ago, visions of death and the babble of lupine voices in his head, drove lone wolf Brick Northridge to challenge his cruel and greedy pack alpha. Beaten by the alpha’s thugs and banished from the pack, Brick lives a life of seclusion in a mountain cabin in the Black Hills. Born into a rival clan of feline shifters, skinwalker Summer McCoy, in her guise as a raven, watches Brick from afar, giving him back a reason to live through her sweet songs and special gifts. But when her clan attempts to tear them apart and threatens the pack that banished Brick so many years before, will their love be strong enough to withstand the forces bent on their destruction?
EXCERPT Summer McCoy perched in the uppermost branches of her special Ponderosa pine, in raven guise, engaging in her favorite pastime, spying on the lone wolf chopping wood below. Two days’ worth ofwhiskers shadowed his rigid jaw. Sheloved when he forgot—or didn’t bother—to shave. Scruffy stubble suited him. Thesun beat down on the back ofhis bronzed neck and shone onhis hair, the color of roasted coffee, a shade lighter than the dark shadow that charcoaled his face. She fluffed her feathers in anticipation. Take your shirt off, Brick.She’d heard thegiant werebear, Gee,call him that name a decade ago. He’d made somejoke about a wall and the hardness of the male’s head. But Brickhadn’t laughed back then. Not ever. He’d fascinatedher from the moment he’d arrivedin the glade, bruised and battered. Once she’d learned his name, she’d treasured it, taking pleasurefrom repeating it often. Secretly, of course. Unwrapping thesyllable frequently to admire its radiance in the privacy of her tree house, the way a woman wearing pearls against her warm skin enhanced their luminosity and iridescence. Now, asif he’d heard her silent urging, he complied with her plea, shrugging out of the plaidflannel and flinging it onto a tree stump. Her beakopened as she suckedin breath. Sweat glistened on his torso, glazing rippling pecs and abs, shoulders broad enough to span the Badlands. A huge, incredible specimen of masculinity. Thick biceps flexed as he wielded theax. Her heart beat faster than a hummingbird’s wings. Heat licked her.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share? Taryn: I’ve also got another new release, IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, which will release from in February from Fated Desires Publishing’s new special line, “Give Me A Taste. It’s a contemporary foodie romance with a totally mouth-watering hero. It’s available for pre-order now at Amazon | Kobo | Google play |iBooks
Cate: Coolness! Congrats, and thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday!

Kathleen Ann Gallagher's come over the river and through the woods to join the party!

Cate: Yay, Kathleen Ann Gallagher is here to spread some holiday cheer! Kathleen, please tell us a little bit about yourself.Kathleen: Hi Cate! It’s great to be here. Thank you for putting together this fun holiday party. I write paranormal and contemporary romance. My husband and I live in New Jersey with our two furry babies, Chaz and Luc. I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family where we were encouraged to use our imagination. Since my father was a professional magician, he encouraged me to be creative.
Cate: Always happy to welcome another Jersey girl here. :) What do you love most about Christmas? Kathleen: I love the sense of wonder during the holidays. Christmas brings out the kid inside of all of us. There’s something magical about the season of giving.
Cate: So true. Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past? Kathleen: Some of my favorite memories of Christmas are the times I tagged along with my dad to his holiday shows. I was thrilled when I got picked to be Santa’s helper and hand out the presents to the children.
Cate: Very cool! What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special?Kathleen: The best gift I ever received was my puppy, Luc. He’s a white Coton de Tulear, and he is the most lovable, playful, and sweetest boy. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood with Luc around. He’ll give you a million kisses and all he wants is love…and a treat.
Cate: He is adorable! Love when you share his pics on Facebook. Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share?Kathleen: This is a favorite recipe of mine. It’s easy to make and it makes a hit whenever I serve it. 
Cream Cheese Pie2- 8 oz. packages cream cheese2/3 cup sugar3 eggs½ teaspoon almond extract
Beat above ingredients until creamy. Pour into greased 9 inch pan. Bake 350 for 25 minutes.
Topping½ pint sour cream3 tablespoons sugar’1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix and pour onto top of pie. Return to oven and bake at 350 for ten more minutes. Sometimes I add canned cherries around the top. You can use blueberries if you prefer.
Cate: Yum! Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.Kathleen: Savannah’s Journey, book 1 in the City Lights Series is a contemporary romance. It’s available here. http://amzn.to/1mHtNXz
Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Kathleen:  I’d love to share a teaser.
*Blurb**                       Savannah Mason, a career minded journalist, spends long hours at work, hoping to take the spot as anchor. She continues to fight for independence and refuses to allow her demanding father to take control of her life, despite his wish for her to take over his surgical practice. On her darkest day twelve years prior, she agreed to give her baby up for adoption. Now, on her daughter’s birthday, a chance encounter gives Savannah an opportunity to explore a corner of her heart she thought was lost forever. Rob Sinclair a renowned surgeon and NY Times best-selling author has a new release and needs a promo spot on the television show, The News Stop. When Savannah gets to conduct the interview, a door opens to her future. But can she walk through that door? The last thing she wants is a relationship, especially one with a divorced doctor who happens to have two small children. This man who seems all wrong for her slowly weaves his way into her heart. But before she is free to accept this love, she must face the unsettled issues in her life. Rob’s commitment to climbing the ladder of success and providing a good life for his children, keeps him on the road for days at a time. When he meets the assertive newswoman, desire and passion awaken his broken spirit. Savannah and Rob’s strong attraction is undeniable as they journey to a place where honesty and the power of forgiveness can guide them both home. Will it be enough to heal the scars of the past and allow them another chance at love?
****Excerpt****

She got up and slowly moved toward him. Her chest tightened with each step. As she approached him and admired his broad shoulders, it dawned on her he could be a candidate for People’s sexiest man alive. Control yourself.
“I’m happy here,” she admitted. “I love it when the morning light shines on the water and it mimics fine pieces of crystal.”
Rob slowly approached her. His gaze fixed on her, sent shivers from head to toe. Afraid of what might happen next, she turned away. They were too close for comfort. An electric energy surged between them. Before she could stop him, Rob reached for her and pulled her up against his chest. “You’re an amazing woman, Savannah.” His lips met hers and he cradled her head in his hands as if she was a precious jewel. It all happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to react. The warmth of his touch sent waves of heat down her stomach and in between her legs as the world stood still. When Rob’s hands moved slowly across her back, it took her to a level of arousal she never expected. She found herself spellbound by the feel of his rock hard body pressed up against her chest. All of the emotions she’d kept inside emerged when Rob held her tight. When they finally parted, she stood frozen in shock with her heart pounding and her ears ringing.
His expression made him look as if he broke the law with his eyes practically popping out of his head. He quickly took a step back. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry for my rude behavior.”
“You weren’t rude. I didn’t stop you.”
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?Kathleen: Book 2 in the City Lights Series, Perfect For Her is coming soon. Here’s the blurb.
Perfect for herThe energetic and motivated Angela Carne landed her dream job in NYC, as an editor for a news show. Her career is thriving, but her dating life leaves something to be desired. After a break-up with Mr. Wrong she’s determined to leave the past behind. Angela has high hopes when she meets Dr. Eric Bradley while preparing for her best friend’s wedding. He’s got a body to die for, a dynamite personality, and he’s recently partnered with a medical team. What not to want? Eric Bradley is determined to have it all. He graduated from medical school top of his class, bought and renovated a house, landed a spot in an established family practice, and now it’s time he caught up in the dating world, that is, if the woman he wants understands his situation at home.   Angela and Eric discover the passion between at the rehearsal dinner, but after the reception everything changes. Three weeks fly by without a word, and Angela loses hope of a real relationship, until he shows up at her job.  Love blossoms, and then… If only Eric was able to spend more time with her. Instead, he has to juggle time between his career and caring for his eighty-year old grandfather. Devotion and family honor comes first to the up and coming new doctor. Family ties and her own regrets get in the way, but Angela can’t resist Eric’s passionate embrace and she can’t keep her hands off him. Is she wrong to want more? She’s frustrated and ambivalent. Will she be able to stand aside while Eric honors his grandfather, or will the lonely nights and broken promises force Angela to leave behind the man she knows is perfect for her? 
I love hearing from my readers and making new friends. Here’s some of my hangouts.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathleenAnnGallagher?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
TWITTER https://twitter.com/Kathleenwrites
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE http://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Ann-Gallagher/e/B00J7NQF9Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1417533709&sr=1-2-ent
GOOGLE https://plus.google.com/u/0/117606070036565136137/posts
BLOG http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/
Cate: Congrats! And do I hear the jingle of bells? Yes, and Kathleen's driving the sleigh, ready to toss out a gift to you lucky people.Kathleen: I’m giving away a print copy of Savannah’s Journey. Comment to be entered in the random drawing. Join me on Twitter, Facebook, and at my blog for more chances. Don’t forget to leave me your email address.
An evening curled up on the sofa watching Christmas movies is part of the tradition at my house. What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
Cate: Thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday!Kathleen: Thank you again! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Tara Andrews is here to spread some holiday cheer

Cate: Thanks for joining the holiday party, Tara! Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Tara: I’m a mom of two beautiful kids, ages 6 and 9, who are the light of my life, but challenge me daily! LOL. Together with my husband, we live in New York about an hour north of Manhattan. On an average day, we’re doing those normal things – get up, work, school, dinner… but after bedtime I sit down to write. This year, my longtime dream came true and I was published – not once, but twice, by Decadent Publishing.
Cate: Very cool! What do you love most about Christmas? Tara: Watching my children on Christmas morning. Their excitement, wonder, and joy become mine for a short time – reminding my grown up self to slow down and enjoy.
Cate: So true. Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past? Tara: Well, if I go waaaay back in my memory bank, one that sticks out is how my sister and I would wake each other up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning ready to see what Santa left. My poor parents always looked exhausted dragging themselves out of bed to watch us open gifts. Most years they only got about three hours of sleep – or so they say. LOL. Then my mom would go make us a big special breakfast while we played with the new toys.
Cate: Love it. If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for? Tara: My only wish is for my kids to be happy.
Cate: Aw, so sweet. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special? Tara: Okay, I’m not making this up (because I’m an author and all), but honestly it was my first Nook. I’m not kidding. It’s not like me to ask for anything specific, but when the Nook first came out, I wanted one so bad. Not only because of the convenience it promised, and how eReaders were oh-so-cool, but I had about 12 Pampers boxes (the BIG ones) in the basement filled with paperbacks. My husband desperately wanted to get rid of them, and of course, the thought just filled me with separation anxiety – LOL. I saw this as a solution to all my storage problems! Except, I still manage to collect books someway, somehow. :)
Cate: lol Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share? Tara:  I do, though its super simple and really just a slight variation from the standard chocolate fudge recipe. I only consider it a “Christmas” recipe because I make around this time of year to bring to work and to my mom’s on Christmas Eve (otherwise, it’d be great whenever!):
Andes Chocolate Fudge
2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ½ cup Andes Crème de Menthe candies broken up or chopped 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk Or Eagle Brand® Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Dash salt 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Line 8- or 9-inch pan with wax paper. Melt chocolate chips, Andes candy pieces with the sweetened condensed milk and salt in heavy saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan and cut into squares. ~~~~~
I came up with this because I find peppermint a little too strong, but the mint is perfect. Also, I always associated Andes Candies (as we called them) with Christmas because my dad would find a package in his stocking every year. It’s was one of his favorites.
Cate: Yum! The grandboys would love this, thank you. Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Tara:  Her Everything came out September 26th. It’s my second contribution to Decadent Publishing’s popular 1Night Stand series and one that was a pleasure to write, and not just because there’s a hot rock star… well, maybe a little.
Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Tara: Yes, I’d be happy to!
Blurb Rachel Turner made a mistake—a couple, in fact. Ruining a surprise meeting with the front man to her favorite band is just the beginning. But agreeing to switch places with her famous sister may spell the end of both of their careers. With rumors flying and an unexpected invitation from Madame Eve, Rachel hopes she can put the mistakes behind her. Attending an event to support a charity close to his heart, Mark Travis wasn’t looking for love, or even company—and definitely not with a fan. But when he puts in a hasty bid at a silent auction and wins the services of 1Night Stand, Madame Eve has something different in mind. A single evening with a woman she claims can fulfill his needs. But one night might not be enough. Come morning, will Mark and Rachel’s unexpected one-night stand give them more than they bargained for?
Where to find: Decadent Publishing Amazon Barnes and Noble All Romance eBooks Kobo
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme? Tara: Actually, the whole premise of the story stemmed from watching a VH1 Documentary Nicole Scherzinger. Though aside from the fact my character, Rachel, is the sister to the lead of a girl group (inspired by the Pussy Cat Dolls) it’s where the similarities end. However, writing a story where music plays a big role in the characters’ lives was more than fun because it also plays a part in my creative process. A song’s lyrics or tempo can set up a scene in my mind and helps me “see” my story more clearly. So there can’t be anything more inspiring to me than music. (Not that I can play a single note!)
Cate: Thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday! Tara:  Wishing you a wonderful holiday, too! Thank you for having me here today.

Cara Covington brings double the Christmas cheer!

Cate: Please help me welcome Cara Covington with some holiday cheer! Cara, please tell us a little bit about yourself. Cara: I’m a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother! I had to “retire” from working outside the home at the age of 48 after triple by-pass surgery. That’s too young to retire, so I decided to try to make my life-long dream of being an author come true. It worked! I have 2 pen names, Morgan Ashbury and Cara Covington. As Cara, I’m the Cara of the Lusty, Texas series published by Siren Publishing. The 22nd book in the contemporary series will be out December 19th! This will be my 40th published title.
Cate: Wow, very impressive. :) What do you love most about Christmas? Cara: I love the feeling of hope. I love that it’s a season of giving (I’m a giver) and that at this time of year more than any other, people are moved to do good things for others.
Cate: Wish that could last all year. Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past? Cara: I recall Christmas as a child, when both parents were still alive. We didn’t have a lot, but somehow they made Christmas seem magical. Santa was generous, and always left a really big orange in the toe of my stocking!
Cate: So sweet. If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for? Cara: That all my readers have a very merry Christmas!
Cate: Even sweeter! What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special? Cara: Actually, I just got the best gift I have ever received last week. My street team got together and sent me a large – very large wall picture that had their photos in it, and that was accompanied by a book of “messages” for me—how my words made a difference to them. Seriously, that was the most amazing thing!
Cate: How cool is that? Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share? Cara: Oh, yes! Here it is, a “steamed” Christmas pudding:
2/3 cup of flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¾ teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 2/3 cup sugar 2/3 cup raisins 2/3 cup currants 2/3 cup grated raw carrot 2/3 cup grated raw potato 1/3 cup of milk Butter a one quart casserole dish. Set your steamer on to get making that wonderful steam. Mix together all the dry ingredients. In a small bowl, place all the liquid ingredients (the grated veggies and the milk). Pour the liquid into the dry, stirring just until mixed. Pour into the buttered dish, and put in the steamer. Steam for 2 to 2 ½ hours, until the top is set.
Sauce for Pudding ¾ cup brown sugar 1 cup light corn syrup ¼ cup butter 1 cup light cream Mix sugar, syrup, butter in a sauce pan, then heat and boil for five minutes. Add cream and bring just to a brisk boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Spoon over Carrot pudding.
Cate: Yum! Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Cara: Love Under Two Outcasts will be available for “pre-order” on December 9th, available for download December 19th. All my books are held exclusively at my publisher’s e-tail site, Bookstrand, for 4 to 6 weeks. Here is a link that will take you to my page there, where the book will be listed on December 9th: http://www.bookstrand.com/cara-covington
Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Cara:  Here is a small excerpt: Charlotta retrieved three bottles of water from her small office fridge. She set theirs on the table before them and then sat across from them in the chair closest to Jesse. “I understand you’ve only been in Texas for a couple of months. What prompted your relocation? Was it employment related?” “No, ma’am,” Jesse said. “It was personal. Our brothers settled in the area about a year ago, and we offered to come and help them get their ranch up and running.” “We also have a sister who lives a couple of hours away from us, in a town called Divine,” Barry said. “Divine?” It was all Charlotta could do not to shout the name of the town. “Have you heard of it?” Jesse asked. Charlotta felt blindsided, hearing that name and being asked that question, especially after having talked to Camilla earlier today. She made it a rule to keep her past in the past. She had only to think back to her broken engagement to understand why that was such a good idea. Still, there was something about the genuine interest in those two sets of Benedict eyes—one grey, the other deep brown. Oh, what the hell. “One of my best friends lives in Divine.” “It’s a small world,” Barry said. She wondered if either of them was going to ask if maybe her friend, or she, for that matter, knew their sister. But neither man asked. We’re not playing getting to know you here, for goodness sake. I’m supposed to be interviewing them. Focus, Shar. Focus! As she did, she realized the conversation had naturally veered close to the question she needed to ask. “I spoke with Dr. Wainwright. She was very impressed with not only your horsemanship, but your ability to communicate with and relate to some of her clients. She was understandably disappointed that you had to leave. So I need to ask you, is this something we have to worry about in the near future? Do you think you might leave the area, and the program, within a few months?” “No, ma’am.” Jesse’s response was quick. A little too quick? She didn’t know him well enough to say. “I’m not ma’am. I’m Charlotta.” “That’s a pretty name,” Barry said. She met his gaze and he blushed. “Thank you.” “You don’t have to worry about us pulling up stakes, Charlotta.” Jesse sat forward, resting his forearms on his legs. “We didn’t leave Montana on a whim. Also, we’ve recently bought property—actually the property that lies between our brother’s spread and that of our cousins’. We’re going to be amalgamating our ranching operations, and that’s going to take us years to fully develop. We’re here for the long haul.” “You have cousins here, then, too? As well as your brothers and a sister?” Charlotta knew that family tended to stick together. Their having family in the area suggested they would have more reason to sink down roots. Jesse laughed. It was Barry who answered. “We have cousins, aunts, uncles…though in actual fact they are all mostly cousins to one degree or another. Our grandfather was born and raised in Benedict County—in a small town called Lusty. That’s where we’ve moved to. I guess you could say, in some ways, we’ve actually come home.” Hell. They were a part of those Benedicts. She was Texas born and bred. To her the name Benedict—especially the Benedicts from Benedict County—was synonymous with wealth. They were cut from the same cloth as Roger Brown and his family. She’d heard of Lusty, too, of course. One day when she’d visited Camilla they’d talked about the Parks’ ménage marriage, the logistics and the many—according to Camilla—benefits. Then Camilla had told her that not only were there several such unions in and around Divine, but there was another small town where ménages not only flourished, they were considered normal. But until this moment she’d never, in her mind, connected the Benedicts of Central Texas to the town of Lusty. Hmm, maybe they’re not quite like Roger Brown and his pompous parents after all.
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme? Cara: The theme is redemption and second chances. Everyone deserves the latter and can achieve the former, if they want to.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share? Cara: Only that I’m grateful for the opportunity to chat with you. I hope some of your readers will pay a visit to Lusty, Texas – and let me know what they think!
Cate: Cara has her Santa hat on, you lucky peeps! Cara: Bookstrand is an e-book bookstore with not just Siren titles, but also titles from many other publishers including Harlequin and Kensington. I’m offering a $5.00 giftcard, called “strandbucks” to a winner of your choice, which they can use toward the purchase of any e-book sold there.
Cate: Thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday!
Here's more about Cara:
The only dream I’ve ever had was to be a published author. It was a dream formed in childhood and held onto through the business of growing up, getting married, and raising my family. Being an author was a dream deferred, not a dream abandoned and now I have not one, but two stunning careers. Under the pen names of Morgan Ashbury and Cara Covington, I write Erotic Romance for adult women who like something extra with their love stories. Romance is a wonderful genre that accommodates every other. Comedy, mystery, western, paranormal, suspense, or science fiction, romance embraces them all. Erotic romance gives the reader all of that, and so much more. For readers who want all the best that Romance has to offer — great characters, compelling stories, and a happy ending — and for those who like their Romance served hot and spicy — I invite you to read one of my novels and tell me what you think. Morgan Ashbury or Cara Covington — two different pennames, one dedicated author.

Links:BlogWebsiteCara Covington’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaraCovingtonCara Covington’s Facebook Fan Page: facebook.com/pages/Cara-Covington/616302148428229
Cara Covington’s Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/caracovington
Cara Covington’s Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3504559.Cara_Covington

Morgan Ashbury’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/morganashburyMorgan Ashbury’s Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/morgan.ashbury?fref=tsMorgan Ashbury’s Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Ashbury/e/B00326WQQU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1412184410&sr=1-2-entMorgan Ashbury’s Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/712375.Morgan_Ashbury
Morgan/Cara’s Siren-BookStrand Page: http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Lisa Lawmaster Hess is here with her Santa hat on!

Cate: Woot! Lisa Lawmaster Hess is here to spread some holiday cheer! Lisa, please tell us a little bit about yourself. Lisa: Hi, Cate! Thanks for having me. I’m a transplanted Jersey Girl who has been writing for more than 20 years. I’ve written columns for local publications, as well as numerous articles for national and online publications. I’m also the author of three books. Acting Assertively and Diverse Divorce that grew out of lessons and small groups with my students and my first novel, Casting the First Stone, was released last January.
Cate: Yay for Jersey Girls! lol What do you love most about Christmas? Lisa: It’s a toss-up between the music and the decorations, especially the lights. I’m not wild about the all-Christmas-all-the-time radio play in November, but come December, that’s what I’m listening to...and singing along with, if I’m alone in the car (and sometimes even when I’m not).
Cate: It is infectious! Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past? Lisa: It’s more like flashes of memories from a variety of Christmases. The Christmas we celebrated at the house where I spent my teenage years, when my daughter was just a month old. The year my daughter and my niece and nephew were small and continuously ran the loop through my parents’ kitchen, into the dining room, then the living room, then back again. The year it snowed so much we couldn’t make the trip to NJ and my daughter cried when we had to turn around and come home, then fell asleep on the living room floor in front of her new dollhouse. Dinners at my aunt’s house. Baking cookies. The Christmas open houses we used to host before we were parents.
Cate: Nice. If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for? Lisa: Continued good health for those I love.
Cate: Excellent wish. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special? Lisa: The best gifts I’ve received haven’t come at Christmas, and they’ve been in the form of people and opportunities.
Cate: Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share? Lisa: I am sooo not a cook...but I have a chocolate chip cookie recipe I got from my friend Ginny that’s become my dad’s favorite.Unfortunately, it’s not mine to share.
Cate: Such a tease, lol. Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Lisa: My latest release is nearly a year old -- I can hardly believe it! It’s called Casting the First Stone and it revolves around a custody dispute that arises when the man who wanted nothing to do with his child or her mother comes back to pursue full custody just before his daughter turns 13. The story is told in alternating point-of-view, moving back and forth between Charli’s mother, Marita and her stepmother, Angel.
Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Lisa: Of course (and thank you)!
Angel Alessio and Marita Mercer are linked by only one thing -- the man one loves and the other despises. When Angel’s husband decides to pursue custody of the child he fathered with Marita, both women are forced to consider what they will -- and won’t -- do to protect the lives they have built and the families they have created.
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme? Lisa: As a school counselor, I worked with lots of kids whose parents were divorced or never married and I learned that most of the time, finding the “best” answer for the kids is complicated. Marita actually grew out of a character I created for a novel for a middle grade novel (a manuscript that’s still tucked away). I tweaked her so she’d be a protagonist on her own instead of a secondary character. Angel was the perfect counterpoint.
Cate: So heartbreaking to deal with sad stories in real life. Anything else you’d like to share? Lisa: Hmmm...books make great Christmas presents? 
If you’d like to read more about me or my books, drop by my blog, The Porch Swing Chronicles (www.L2hess.blogspot.com) or visit me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Lawmaster-Hess-Writer/173899286016304?ref=hl). If you’d like to be added to my author newsletter email list, send me an email (jerseywriter @yahoo.com) with “Author Newsletter Mailing List” in the subject line.
Cate: Lisa has her Santa hat on! She is giving away a copy of Casting the First Stone. Lisa: Yes, I am! To enter, email me at jerseywriter@yahoo.com with “12 Days Giveaway” in the subject line.
Cate: Thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday! Lisa: You, too, Cate! Thanks for having me!

Landra Graf kicks off the 12 Days of Christmas

Cate: Yay, Landra Graf is here to spread some holiday cheer! Landra, please tell us a little bit about yourself. Landra: Thanks for hosting this awesome event, and what an honor to be on the launch pad. A little about me, I write sexy contemporary and historical erotic romance. I've had a couple releases in 2014, including my first book ever. So this whole year is has been like one big Christmas present.
Cate: Thanks for helping to get us in the spirit! What do you love most about Christmas? Landra: It's hard to pick one thing, but if I have to... the emotions the holiday evokes. I'm very family and friend oriented, I love the sights, the sounds, and the good feelings from spending time with my family to baking cookies. I love curling up on the couch in front of the tree and cold weather blustering about outside.
Cate: Sounds perfect. Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past? Landra: As a child Santa always brought me a Holiday Barbie for Christmas. One year it looked like Santa wasn't going to get it to me, there was a shortage of Holiday Barbie's. Yet miracle of miracles on Christmas morning the Barbie was there. When I got older I found out my grandmother located my prize two states away, this was before the time of Amazon and Ebay, and had my godfather drive one state over to get it from her and bring it to me in time for Christmas morning.
Cate: How sweet is that? If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for? Landra: This is a hard one for me, but I'd wish for the money to buy my house and get it fixed up. To have the security of your house being completely paid for is something special, though I'm happy to have a roof over my head.
Cate: I hope Santa grants you your wish. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special? Landra: A ring and a question were the best gifts I ever received. Two Christmas's ago my husband proposed on Christmas day. It was a surprise and one of the best ones ever. Definitely a long time coming since it took him nearly thirteen years.
Cate: Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share? Landra: Ooh, Christmas recipes. My favorite thing to make is Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies. This is a classic recipe you can find on the Nestle Tollhouse website. My father made them with me as a child and I make them with my children. My daughter has already asked me if we're baking cookies for Christmas. I have some new recipes for butter cookies and sugar cookies I plan on trying. Another favorite Christmas recipe for me is banana bread. My secret is to get it out of the pan five minutes after pulling the loaf out of the oven and seal it in a gallon size plastic storage bag so the top will get soft.
Cate: Mm, yummy. Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Landra: My latest release, With This Kilt I Thee Bed, is a collection of short stories, each one about a hot highlander finding love in the most unlikely places. I've also featured a heroine in each story who has fallen from grace. No simpering misses in my book. Readers can purchase ebook versions at Amazon~ Barnes and Noble ~ Allromanceebooks~ Kobo
Cate: Love that title, lol Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Landra: They’re not your traditional highlanders.

Rafe Gordon, Laird of Nairn, is searching for release from the nightmare of his wife’s passing. When Elsie, his daughter’s new governess, brings with her the temptation of passion and a less-than-perfect-past, Rafe must decide if love truly can conquer all.

Innes Gordon is looking for a good time. When that good time turns out to be the childhood-friend-turned-kept-woman Catriona, he finds himself torn between claiming her ‘til death do us part’ or simply sharing her with his twin.

Hamish Gordon is seeking a woman all his own. While his family’s home is invaded with nuptial ceremonies, Hamish is sent to patrol his older brother’s hunting grounds in search of a thief. Discovering his prey yields the biggest surprise — and Athdara needs his help as much as he needs hers.
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme? Landra: A challenge to myself and originally a short story submission call for hot highlanders, which quickly escalated into some else.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share? Landra: My first erotic historical romance has been doing so well I'm planning another one. More highlanders, more challenging secondary characters and even some highwayman thrown in for good measure. The book should be out Summer of 2015.
Cate: Woot! Landra's playing Santa today! Comment for a chance to win a copy of With This Kilt I Thee Bed. Landra: I'd say it's the perfect way to keep warm in the winter time or simply a quick read that will have you feeling jolly.
Cate: Thanks so much for launching the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday!

Casting Call: Goddess, Spellbound

It feels like I've been waiting forever to reveal this cast for Goddess, Spellbound! Now that it's released, I finally can show you. This might be my favorite cast yet.

The main character, Sandy/Sanura goes through quite a change during the story. From insecure and somewhat shy to a true goddess. As a descendant of the goddess Bastet, Sanura has always envied the sleek grace of cats, and she can't go anywhere without cats surrounding her.

Sanura's obsessed with all things Egyptian, so when her museum scores a world-class exhibit of Egyptian artifacts, it's the thrill of a lifetime for her. Until the warrior mummy awakens, and a dead vizier tries to kill her.

Emma Stone can play fragile and fierce equally well, and would make a perfect Sanura.


Iker, the warrior who served under the queen pharaoh Hatshepsut, has been tasked with ensuring the queen pharaoh's soul finally sails off into the Afterlife, but first he has to convince Sanura that she's the only one who can perform the Pyramid Text spells to free Hatshepsut's soul.

Strong and sensitive, Iker was always Shemar Moore in my mind.


Sanura's intern, Howie, has a few surprises up his, er, sleeve. He's less interested in artifacts than revenge, and once he reveals his true self, Sanura's not sure which version of Howie she dislikes more.

I can't give away any more than that. You'll have to read the book to find out for yourself.

Matthew Gray Gubler was always Howie.


User, the vizier who returns through the false tomb door on exhibit at Sanura's museum, is the worst sort of villain. He's already dead, so there's no use trying to kill him. And he's been waiting for final victory over Hatshepsut since her death in 1548 B.C. He helped erase her from history, but won't rest until he makes certain the queen pharaoh's soul doesn't reach the Afterlife.

Sir Ben Kingsley would make a wonderful User.



Bastet is a multifaceted goddess. Not only is she the daughter of the sun god Ra, but she's the goddess of cats, a a warrior, but also a gentle protector of home and children, a healer and dancer, moon goddess, a goddess of pleasure. She goes by many names: Lady of Flame, Eye of Ra, Lady of the East, Goddess of the Rising Sun, The Sacred and All-Seeing Eye.

Another easy choice. No one but Angelina Jolie could play Bastet. 




Mrs. Allgood has a small but vital role in the story. She's a generous benefactor who donates more than money to the museum.

But she's another character I can't reveal too much about. She was a lot of fun to write, and especially when I imagined Dame Judi Dench as wielding her cloisonne walking cane.




Finally, the queen pharaoh herself.

Hatshepsut ruled from 1478 B.C. until her death twenty-two years or so later. Though Hatshepsut is generally considered one of the most successful rulers, history doesn't reveal much about her. After her death, her likenesses were chiseled from monuments, and her deeds stricken from pharaonic records. She was not buried in her official tomb, probably for fear of someone disturbing her remains.

She's the central part of this storyline, the wronged queen who seeks only justice and final release.

Minnie Driver would make an excellent Hatshepsut.


I love that there are so many strong female characters in this story. And the setting allowed me to explore ancient Egypt, which has fascinated me since I was little.

You can find out more about Goddess, Spellbound here.

Happy Thanksgiving

I've been taking a short break from blogging (I was sick, then the grandboys were sick). And yesterday's snow knocked out our cable and Internet for a bit, but today it makes everything look festive, doesn't it?

May your day be spent surrounded by those you love. Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving.

Goddesses and cobras and mummies, oh my!

Egypt has fascinated me since I was a kid. I've wanted to see the Sphinx, ride a camel across the desert and most of all, visit the pyramids to see hieroglyphics in person. Cleopatra fascinated me even more - a strong female leader who had incredible charisma as well as power. I didn't learn about Hatshepsut until much later.

I came across a couple of articles a few years ago detailing the unearthing of important artifacts from that time, and saved them. Experts believed they'd discovered the queen pharaoh's real burial site, as her tomb contained someone else's remains. During her reign, Hatshepsut did much to advance Egypt but after her death, her legacy was destroyed, and she was all but erased from history.

So when I found another article about the discovery of one of her vizier's false tomb doors, I saved that too. The third article was fairly short, but no less important - the mummy of a warrior who served under Hatshepsut had also been found about the same time.

I love it when the universe sends me little gifts like that. It played in perfectly with my (then) new idea for the Goddess Connection series. All I needed was an Egyptian goddess... 

Bastet seemed a perfect choice. There are tons of Egyptian gods and goddesses, but many of them have some connection to death. Bastet is most famously known as the goddess of cats. She's a warrior, but also a gentle protector of home and children, a healer and dancer, moon goddess, a goddess of pleasure. She goes by many names: Lady of Flame, Eye of Ra, Lady of the East, Goddess of the Rising Sun, The Sacred and All-Seeing Eye.

As a daughter of the sun god Ra, she would also be a target for her father's enemies - especially the serpent Apep. Which made it all the more fun when writing, and one of my characters surprised me by becoming a cobra shifter!

 And so, I'm thrilled that nearly two years after starting to write Goddess, Spellbound, it's finally available.

Here's the blurb:  

Ancient pyramid tomb doors. Mummified warriors. Artifacts appearing from nowhere.  And that’s just Sandy Whitaker’s work as museum curator. When spells become curses, and the dead return for vengeance, her dream job turns into a living nightmare.

The warrior Iker’s triumphed over difficult pharaohs and returned from battles victorious, but dealing with Sandy Whitaker is his hardest task yet. A descendant of Egyptian goddess Bastet, she’s headstrong, naïve and completely alluring. Can he convince her to perform the ritual spells to save the Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s eternal soul? More importantly, can he help her realize she doesn’t need to be descended from a goddess to be one herself?

Sandy reluctantly embraces her heritage as Sanura, demi-goddess of cats. But even with her new powers, can she fulfill her destiny? If she can survive being kidnapped by a cobra shifter, she’ll do her best to perform the Pyramid Texts ritual spells so Hatshepsut can sail into the Afterlife at long last. But once the queen pharaoh is gone forever, will Iker leave her too?

Goddess, SpellboundThe Goddess Connection, Book 3Fantasy/paranormal romance novelHeat level: SensualAbout 68,400 wordsAmazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords Goodreads



You can read the first chapter on WattPad. I hope it leaves you spellbound!