Lyncee Shillard's Blog, page 7
October 25, 2018
Thirsty and Tasty Thursday
Hey Hey! Welcome to this week’s Thirsty and Tasty Thursday. While this week’s vodka magic isn’t seasonal…it’s soooooo yummy!
I made the cheesecake this weekend. I needed a break from apple and pumpkin – I like them but I’ve got an entire month left. This cheesecake features not one, not two BUT THREE kinds of vodka…
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What you need…
For the Crust
1 1/2 C of coconut cookie crumbs
1/2 C shredded unsweetened coconut
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
5 Tbsp butter, melted
For the Filling
3 8oz. packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 C granulated sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1/4 C cherry vodka
1/4 C coconut vodka (or coconut water)
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla exact
1/4 tsp fine sea salt
For the Whipped Cream Topping
1 C heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp unflavored gelatin
4 tsp whip cream vodka
1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted
1 Can Cherry pie filling
What’s you are going to do…
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line the outside of a 9 inch springform pan with aluminum foil (to catch any dripping butter).
In a medium bowl, add the cookie crumbs, coconut, 2 tbsp sugar and melted butter. Mix well until the crumbs are completely moistened. Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan and press evenly along the bottom and halfway up the sides of the pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the crust is set and slightly toasted. Let sit on a wire rack to cool slightly while preparing the filling.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the eggs one at a time until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Mix in the sugar, vodkas, cornstarch, vanilla, and salt. Mix well, about an additional minute.
Pour the batter into the prepared crust and bake at 325 degrees for 60-75 minutes, depending on your oven. Mine took exactly 1 hour. The center will still be jiggly (think jello shots) but should not be liquid. Turn the oven off and keep the cheesecake in the oven with the door CLOSED for 1.5 hours. Then crack the oven door and let it cool in the oven with the door cracked for another hour and then remove from the oven and cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Once the cheesecake is room temperature, let it chill in the refrigerator overnight.
To make the topping, add the gelatin and vodka to a small sauce pan and stir to combine. Heat the gelatin over medium-low heat until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool while preparing the whipped cream – DO NOT LET IT SET.**
In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer to whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until soft peeks form. Mix in the gelatin and whip until firm peaks form. Evenly spread the whipped cream over the top of the cheesecake and top with the toasted coconut and pie filling for garnish. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
October 23, 2018
#MFRWhooks Beware: This Halloween the treats are deadly
Welcome to this week’s Hooks!
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I’m all about Halloween… and of course murder…and well doughnuts…and vodka. This is my front yard!
So it was only logical that I would a Halloween book and that book would have some serious creepiness to it.
My newest book – Murder and Treats – is a novella about all those things!
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Blurb
Lila Maxwell is coaxed into attending All Treats, a Halloween speed dating event by her best friend. Instead of the soul mate promised one Halloween ghoul after another appears at her door until Cowboy Bill.
Jax Carlson has spent the last year focusing all of his attention on starting his own business. Hiring Lila Maxell over the Internet as his project manager was the final piece to his prefect plan. Set to open for business in three days, Jax plans on spending a couple of days on his boat relaxing. However, his friend Erik has a different idea – a speed dating Halloween party.
Jax has spent the night plotting the best revenge possible for Erik until Sally opens the door. The woman dressed in the pale lavender Harem costume ignites a fire that Jax thought was impossible without the aid of his formulated dating list.
After a night of mind-blowing sex, Lila sneaks out before they exchange real names believing it was no more than a one-night stand.
Lila’s first day is full of surprises, the biggest being Cowboy Bill is actually her new boss, Jax Carlson. She thinks keeping her hormones in check while convincing Jax that love doesn’t follow a formula is complication enough until she learns the participants of the All Treats speed dating event are being killed.
And just a peek…
Jax opened his door. The faint early morning sun casting long shadows across his yard. He shook his head and walked over across the dew soaked grass. He would never understand why kids found it funny to wrap empty milk jugs in a bags cover them with cloths then leave them in people’s yards. Jax’s steps faltered as he got closer.
The mound in an evening gown wasn’t empty milk jugs and bags.
Murder and Treats is available at
https://www.books2read.com/u/3nYk7B
Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to check out the other hooks this week – here
Mindset Monday
This my mindset is Gremlins… you know that really old movie… with these guys…
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I loved this movie. I had the stuffed gizmo when I was younger (I’ve moved many times and I’m not sure what happened to it). Okay back to the focus of this post.
I sort of relate to the Gremlins. I mean I have a nice fuzzy side. This side crochets, writes young adult and tween books, and makes crafts with my 7 year old’s class. And eats carrots and drinks a lot of water.
Then someone spills a little vodka on me and WATCH OUT! I turn into this guy…
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I write steamy suspense romance (with covers soooo hot that they are banned from Facebook –[image error])
With some really out there serial killers. I make vodka magic in a glass. I make entire meals that feature vodka in every dish. I eat doughnuts – lots of doughnuts. Basically, I become a wild woman!
Then my 7 year old comes in. And I become the nice fuzzy Gremlin.
Sometimes, it can be a bit overwhelming bouncing back and forth between the two. And I think about giving it up BUT then I remember I really like being both.
So do you have two or more sides?
October 12, 2018
Friday Read
This Friday’s read… is awesome!
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BLURB
Luke
Playing the field is my thing. Beautiful hot women even hotter sex
I was always upfront. They knew the deal. I never wanted anything more.
Until that night.
That woman.
The inexplicable connection.
I finally found that something more.
But then she was gone.
Life moved on. Women came and went. They just never compared.
Until Zoe. Why does she feel so familiar, yet so new?
Have you ever had that weird sensation when you meet for the first time?
Her eyes fascinate me, her body talks to me.
She is by far my biggest temptation.
A force that draws me to her, like I’ve been here before.
Which is impossible.
Or is it?
Zoe
Life wounded me. Yet made me stronger.
Taking control, it’s time to change my direction.
He inspired that. Making me feel things deep down in a place I never knew existed.
Today is my new beginning. The life I long for starts now.
This job will be the leap forward I need. No stopping or looking back.
Until that moment. The one that makes me freeze, my breath catches.
This day was never meant to happen.
I had tried so hard to leave that life in the past. My identity a secret.
No matter how hard I try to resist, he draws me in.
I try to hide them, but my lies will come out. They always do.
I know I’m finally home, but will I be able to stay?
Can we survive the truth?
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40238929-love-s-hiding
PURCHASE LINKS – 99c for a limited time
US: http://1click.bz/LovesHidingAMZNUS
UK: http://1click.bz/LovesHidingAMZNUK
CA: http://1click.bz/LovesHidingAMZNCA
AU: http://1click.bz/LovesHidingAMZNAU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE
Love’s Wall
US: http://amzn.to/2jL3m9R
UK: http://amzn.to/2Aqgj2O
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Free in Kindle Unlimited
Love’s Dance
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AU: https://amzn.to/2GlUKUA
Free in Kindle Unlimited
AUTHOR BIO
Karen Deen has been a lover of romance novels and happily-ever-after stories for as long as she can remember. Reaching a point in her life where she wanted to explore her own dreams, Karen decided now was the time to finally write some of her own stories. For years, all of her characters have been forming story lines in her head, just waiting for the right time to bust free.
In 2016, Karen put pen to paper for the first time, with Zach and Emily being the first characters fighting to have their story written. From that first word, she hasn’t been able to stop. Publishing Love’s Wall (her first novel in the Time to Love Series) in 2017 has ignited her passion to continue writing and bring more of her characters to life.
Karen is married to her loving husband and high school sweetheart. Together, they live the crazy life of parents to three children. She is balancing her life between a career as an accountant by day and writer of romance novels by night. Living in the beautiful coastal town of Kiama, Australia, Karen loves to enjoy time with her family and friends in her beautiful surroundings.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://www.karendeen.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karendeenauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karendeen_author
GIVEAWAY
To enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card … Click here
Thanks for stopping by…
September 24, 2018
Mindset Monday – Hard Calls
I started a new adventure last week. I so excited. It would open so many doors for my journaling workshop. And I love the program. A winner!!!!
They served doughnuts the first day and I was giddy with excitement. Then half way through the first day, I began to question if this was really for me. But I stayed and tried to keep an open mind.
By the end of the first day, I had serious doubts. I came home and thought about it. I went back Friday but decided it honestly wasn’t for me. It was a hard call. When I called to let the facilitator know I was withdrawing from the program, she went on and on about what a strong leader I was. How I would relate to the participates, etc.
And while that was an ego boost, bottom line it wasn’t what I wanted. I had to thank her and say no.
It sucks making hard calls…it just does.
Another hard call I had to make this week was in my writing. Writing is not for the weak. It’s really really hard. There are a lot dark alleys you can get sucked down. I decided to withdraw from an anthology. I created some hard feelings. But it was turning in directions I wasn’t comfortable in traveling…I’m sure they don’t have doughnuts in those places.
While I’m not trying to tell people what to write or how to write it. I just really felt that my writing wasn’t going to ‘fit’. I still wish them the best of luck and will feature the anthology comes out on my blog.
So after a week of hard calls, this week’s focus is trust the gut. It’s really important to be true yourself. Both things I had to make hard calls on were ‘good’ things…only not good things for ME. And it was my gut that told me that. Once the hard calls had been made peace settled over me. Then I could my doughnut and drink my vodka in happiness not stress.
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So remember when you start doubting something take a minute and really ask yourself why. Is it because you are stepping outside your box and growing – that’s good. Or because it just doesn’t feel right for other reasons. That’s not so good.
I’m also still working on my ‘planner peace.’ So I added another insert – hahaha. I know I need serious help! Click the pictures for descriptions and links if available.
On to positive… I’m starting an youtube channel! I’m reviewing fine tip markers later today and I’m posting my review here.
The nice me has 2 young adult fantasy books coming out! Pretty crazy. And very exciting.
So overall, I’m rolling into this week smiling and waving a doughnut.
September 21, 2018
Not your usual ghost story – Kayelle Allen’s Lights Out #SpaceOpera #SciFi
If you knew this was your last day to live, what would you do? Would you face the end with a clear conscience? Would you fight for one more day?
Look for that person you wronged and make it right? Run away? Turn and fight? What would you do?
In Lights Out by Kayelle Allen, the hero knows his end is near. Instead of running, Tornahdo makes a choice. He will face death with a clear conscience and the knowledge that his death will serve mankind. He will join…
GHOST CORPS
He can save mankind. After he does one important thing. Die.
Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You’ll live forever, they said. You’ll save mankind, they said. They didn’t say that to do it, first he had to die.
When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he’s assigned duty on Enderium Six.
He’s facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists.
Do they expect him to win? Fat chance. Tornahdo and his team are already dead and this mission is codenamed “Lights Out.” No, there’s more to this than he can see.
To discover the truth, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time–somehow–find a way to keep himself alive…
Excerpt, Lights Out by Kayelle Allen
The air reeked of antiseptic and starch stiffened the pillowcase. If only the mind-numbing jabbering would stop.
Tornahdo pried open his eyes. The flattened blood bag above him, stenciled equipment and gray walls screamed military hospital.
He’d died. Again.
Spanish curses slipped out. His abuela would’ve taken a switch to him. He made the sign of the cross and kissed his fingertips.
After yanking the tube out of his arm, he pressed a thumb over the entry point. Thankfully, this time, he wasn’t writhing on the floor in agony. Well, not yet.
A faceless android in a Ghost Corps uniform loomed over a bank of equipment displaying Tornahdo’s name and vitals. First impression was right. Military hospital.
The weapons-grade yapping continued.
“Did you hear?” a youthful voice bragged. “He killed six of ’em last night.”
“Yeah, but they don’t stay dead. They never do.”
“If Ultras didn’t come back to life, their plasma wouldn’t bring our own people back.”
The transfusion of enemy blood healed the hole in Tornahdo’s arm in seconds. He thumbed off the red smear and rolled over on the gurney.
An open door led to a sink and toilet built to let gravity do its work. Which meant this was a planet. You hadn’t lived until you were in space, floating in zero gravity while your body’s final twitches sent your corpse spinning.
Notices on the wall confirmed this was San Xavier in the Colonies of Man. Same place he’d bought it the first time.
This was getting old.
Lights Out
part of the Science Fiction/Space Opera anthology
The Expanding Universe Vol 4
edited by Craig Martelle
Available Sept 17, 2018
Exclusively on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
https://kayelleallen.com/lights-out-save-mankind/
Peek Inside Lights Out
Go behind the scenes with the world and characters of Lights Out with an exclusive illustrated PDF book. Nothing to sign for or opt in to get. Just click and read:
http://bit.ly/peek-lights-out
About Kayelle Allen
Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi and Space Opera with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She’s a US Navy veteran who’s been married so long she’s tenured. She is the author of seven books, three novellas, and multiple short stories.
Kayelle’s Contact Information
Website https://kayelleallen.com
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
Amazon Author page http://amazon.com/author/kayelleallen
Join one of Kayelle’s reader groups and get four free books right away https://kayelleallen.com/reader-groups
September 20, 2018
September 19, 2018
#MFRWhooks- What’s lurking this Halloween??
Happy Wednesday and thanks for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying this weeks [image error]
This week, I’m doing a cover reveal as well as the hook…I’m sooooo excited about the cover…I love it!!! A story is a like an author’s child and the cover is the really cute outfit you dress them in. In my case it’s the slightly sexy and dark outfit.
I’ll stop rambling…
Here’s a sneak before the hook…
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BLURB –
Lila Maxwell is coaxed into attending All Treats, a Halloween speed dating event by her best friend. Instead of the soul mate promised one Halloween ghoul after another appears at her door until Cowboy Bill.
Jax Carlson has spent the last year focusing all of his attention on starting his own business. Hiring Lila Maxell over the Internet as his project manager was the final piece to his prefect plan. Set to open for business in three days, Jax plans on spending a couple of days on his boat relaxing. However, his friend Erik has a different idea – a speed dating Halloween party.
Jax has spent the night plotting the best revenge possible for Erik until Sally opens the door. The woman dressed in the pale lavender Harem costume ignites a fire that Jax thought was impossible without the aid of his formulated dating list.
After a night of mind blowing sex, Lila sneaks out before they exchange real names believing it was no more than a one-night stand.
Lila’s first day is full of surprises, the biggest being Cowboy Bill is actually her new boss, Jax Carlson. She thinks keeping her hormones in check while convincing Jax that love doesn’t follow a formula is complication enough until she learns the participants of the All Treats speed dating event are being killed.
AND NOW….the cover
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It’s it great???? Michelle at WLF Book Promotions did it.
AND the hook….
Walking into her bedroom, Lila froze mid-stride. On her bed was a knife coated with blood and small plastic number five. The glass slipped from her hand and fell to the floor, spraying her foot and leg with red wine.
It will be available for pre-order September 26th and live on October 16.
Thanks for stopping by! To enjoy the rest of the hooks click HERE
