Rebecca Besser's Blog, page 11

New Release – What Hell May Come by Rex Hurst

Now available!

[image error] Click on cover to visit title on Amazon!

 

What Hell May Come

by Rex Hurst

Based on the untrue writings of the Satanic Panic.

The Satanic Panic was a moral outcry in the United States over supposed “satanic” influence in media that were warping the youth of America. Claims that playing an elf in Dungeons and Dragons could lead to demonic possession, that playing heavy metal music backwards would reveal satanic messages, and that therapists could uncover repressed memories of satanic ritual abuse, were all too common.

Volumes and volumes of material were produced on this fake subject. These texts lead to What Hell May Come, which takes a look at what the world would actually be like if all of the claims of the satanic panic were true.

Set in 1986, Jon St. Fond’s life is a living Hell. Deliberately abused and neglected by his parents, the only joy he has in life is an escape into a fantasy land of role playing games. Soon he discovers that his parents are part of a secret occult religion with hidden ties all across the world.

As Jon and his friends dig, they learn more of the secret history of the world and discover the power of making deals with creatures from Beyond. However, power has its price, as Jon and his friends quickly discover. One-by-one they begin to become consumed by their own desires and hatreds.

Jon learns there is method behind the madness of his life, as his Father begins to bring him closer and closer into the ways of the cult. Ultimately, Jon must make a choice between all the pleasures of the earth and the future of his soul.

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.

Copyright © Rex Hurst and Crystal Lake Publishing 2020

 

Chaos and Confusion – Educate Yourself

Chaos and Confusion – Educate Yourself

By Rebecca Besser

 

I don’t think anyone in the entire world feels stable right now. Everyday something new, wrong, questionable, messed up, and unreasonable is being thrown at everyone in an attempt to make them afraid or confused. Let’s face it…we’re not being given any form of comfort or reassurance about anything from anyone.

Instead we get lies from every angle. We all know we aren’t getting the truth, or at least the full truth. We all know to some extent we’re being violated in some way by what someone else says, wants, or does.

We’re left to try to sort things out, to find what’s real and what matters. The hardest part is that the same things don’t matter to everyone. There are so many views and angles that it just adds to the overall confusion. And no one seems to want to sort that confusion out in any way that will actually benefit anyone.

Unfortunately people are accepting the fear and hiding from anything remotely close to the truth. Why? Because they can’t face what acknowledging it would make them feel or realize. No one likes to find out they’re wrong, or that something they’ve said or done has caused harm rather than good. No one wants to find out they’ve believed lies and based their reality and actions on those lies. In response, they swallow those lies, and more lies, scream that they’re truth, and lash out at anyone who says different than what they’ve been told to believe. Yes, told.

Most people who believe lies don’t look for truth. They hear something and automatically believe it’s the truth, because they don’t believe the sources would lie to them. Instead of looking deeper into things, researching fact, reading, looking at things from the angle they believe and from the angle of opposition to evaluate if they’re wrong or there’s more to an issue, they just believe. They trust with blind faith. They follow because they’re scared of the feeling of not fitting in or being liked. Unfortunately this leads to more lies and confusion.

As human beings, this is a pit that we easily fall into. We’ve done it in the past and we’ll do it in the future. But if we’re aware of it, we can do better. We can search for those deeper meanings, the truth buried beneath the shiny lies, and build our existence on knowledge and not fear everything that’s thrown at us.

We don’t have to be afraid if we learn the truth.

Instead, each and every person can look deeper, stop blindly trusting or following or accepting without question everything that gets thrown in our faces by the world every day.

It’s a personal choice.

We can make a choice to educate ourselves. We have the power over our minds and our lives, but only if we accept it and do something about it.

We have to educate ourselves. We have to take responsibilities for our thoughts, our choices, and our actions.

Are you scared of COVID-19? Do research! Do you know how the disease and treatments work? Do you know how the tests work? Do you know if they’ve isolated the virus to create the “gold standard” for test accuracy? Do you know how accurate the tests are? Are there tests that are more accurate than others? Do you know how the numbers you’re being told have been compiled? Do you know what studies have been done on asymptomatic transmission? Do you know what studies have been done on the benefits/harms of masks? Do you know why there’s a conflict in procedure from one health agency’s suggestions to another’s? Do you know why your governor or other leader is making the decisions they’re making? Do you know what data/science your leader is making decisions based on? Do you know what age group of people are being affected in your area? Do you know your actual risks?

Are you afraid of what’s happening with politics? Do research! What’s the candidate’s track record on the issues that matter to you? How have they voted in the past? What have they done to benefit/harm on the issues that matter to you? How do they treat different economic/social groups that matter to you? What have they done (good or bad) that will tell you if that candidate is the one you want to support? What do they support as far as healthcare and choices, taxes, upholding the people’s rights, etc.? (I’m talking about mayors all the way up to country leaders, as people’s eyes have been opened up lately as to the local government’s involvement in their everyday lives.)

Are you interested or concerned about a movement and/or organization? Do research! What do they believe in? What’s their mission? What’s their end goal? Where does the money from donations actually go? How can you get involved in supporting/opposing? Why are they doing what they do? Are their claims valid?

You get the idea. Whatever is paramount in your mind or life: Do reseach!

You have the tools to educate yourself. You have to choose to do it. You have to choose to learn things for yourself. You have to ask the hard questions and find out what you believe and act on what you want.

Don’t leave your mind/thoughts and/or the basis of your actions up to anyone else. Don’t let their thoughts be your thoughts because you’re too lazy to find things out for yourselves.

Read the articles, watch the videos (or full videos if you’ve only seen shortened clips), and talk to someone who believes different than you who’s willing to discuss the topic in a calm, mature fashion.

#educateyourself

New Release – Hunted: A Suspense Collection

Available today for Kindle!
Hunted: A Suspense Collection for $0.99

 

[image error] Click on pic to visit title on Amazon!

Get ready to dive into these five captivating novels that will have you feeling like you’re on the edge of your seat…

– HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GIRL? by Carissa Ann Lynch –

Wendi was lured away from a local skating rink, at the age of thirteen, and held captive in a place she calls ‘The House of Horrors.’ Dumped off blindfolded on the side of a dirt road, Wendi soon discovered that she was addicted to the drugs they fed her while she was captive. Too scared to go home, she hopped on a bus, vanishing from the family she loved.

The town of Flocksdale is littered with fliers with a grainy image of young Wendi, and the words ‘Have You Seen This Girl?’ written below. Now, eight years later, she’s on a mission—a mission to find the mysterious house from her youth and the monsters who dwell inside it.

– DARKNESS LURKS by J.L. Drake –

Jimmy Lasko is a psychopath, and Emily is his greatest obsession. He is watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike, and that time is coming soon; he’ll make sure of it.

When Emily begins hearing noises and suspects someone has been in her house, Seth urges her to get a roommate. But after a search, she realizes a certain attractive cop would be the perfect choice, so Seth moves in. In all areas of his life, Seth sees himself as a protector and he’s determined to keep Emily safe.

But is it worth the risk to bait the trap with what he wants most?

– NOT FORGOTTEN by Camille Taylor –

Detective Matt Murphy is assigned the case no one else wants. The Butcher is a ghost, killing all over Australia for years, and now he’s made the small coastal city of Harbour Bay his hunting ground.

Gifted psychologist Natalie Miller is no stranger to a violent past and wants to help Matt solve this unsolvable case.

Matt races against time to stop the bloody rampage, and Natalie might hold the key to breaking the case. But will they survive with their lives and hearts intact?

– NURSE BLOOD by Rebecca Besser –

Agent David McCoy vows to find out how and why his twin brother disappeared. When the evidence finally uncovers the shocking truth that Daniel’s disappearance is linked to organ harvesters, David knows his brother is most likely dead. But he’s determined to stop the villains’ killing spree before they strike again.

One last harvest is all Sonya and her team need to put their murderous past behind them…

Will David unravel Sonya’s wicked plans in time to avenge his brother and save an innocent family or will Sonya cash in her final kill and escape for good?

– THE TEN by Luke Swanson –

Thou shall not steal.

Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

Thou shall not kill…unless it’s torture.

Abel believes he is chosen by God to rid the world of the unrighteous. One by one, he hunts down those who break the Ten Commandments and plots heinous deaths.

Jason has been to more crime scenes than he can count. As the bodies continue to surface, Jason knows he is out of time. He has only two choices…

Track down the elusive serial killer and save the next target from a grisly demise, or wait for Abel—the self-proclaimed assassin of God—to trigger the most horrifying religious war of his time.

– AMBER ALERT by Sara Schoen –

Anna was taken…

Taken from her home to live out a sick game that a guy has been playing for the last ten years. With no certainty that anyone is looking for her, and seemingly hours away from home, she’s forced to play housewife with a man that has had twelve other ‘wives’ each of them now dead.

With 12 rules and the obvious exits blocked, from the previous girls attempts to flee, is Anna’s only way out to play along and become a ‘loving wife’? Or will she die during the chase?

Would anyone even know what happened to her?

 

Simple Eating – Smoothie

I picked out an Instant Pot Ace blender for my Mother’s Day gift, which I got early. My son, who is obviously schooling from home right now, is taking a Principals of Food class for school. This means he has assignments to make food. He had to make a microwave breakfast sandwich, and there was a “bonus” smoothie he could make. So, naturally, we made one because I had this awesome new blending toy. And, we’ve pretty much had a smoothie every day since. We’re now addicted to smoothies. I don’t feel bad about it either. They’re healthy and delicious, and they’re a great source of vitamin C, protein, and a zinc boost for the immune system (with spinach, fruit, and greek yogurt)! Below is the simplest form of the recipe I’ve been using to make these vitamin and fiber packed treats.

 

Smoothie
By Rebecca Besser

 

1 single portion yogurt (6-8 onces)

1 cup juice

1 cup ice

1 cup frozen fruit

Optional:

1 small handful of raw spinach

1 banana broken into three or four chunks

 

Instructions:

Put all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.

Pour into glasses and enjoy!

Yield: 2 large servings, or 3 to 4 small ones.

Warning: If you add too much ice or frozen fruit, the smoothie gets too thick and doesn’t blend well. You want a slightly thick consistency, but you also want it runny enough to suck through a straw with ease (if you’re using a straw).

 

[image error] Mixed Berry Banana Smoothie

 

Note: I use greek yogurt because it’s thicker and has more protein than regular yogurt. I’ve also been using apple juice, but plan to experiment a little with some other varieties.

 

Copyright © Rebecca Besser 2020

Simple Eating – Ranch Tuna

Another lovely lady shared this recipe with me on Facebook when I asked for simple, easy recipes using limited ingredients.

Ranch Tuna
by Elisa Fisher

 

– 1 can tuna, drained

– 1/2 block of cream cheese, softened

– 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning

Mix well.

Serve with crackers, or butter some bread and put some of the tuna mix inside, and grill it like a grilled cheese. You can even add some lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and/or extra cheese.

 

Copyright © Elisha Fisher 2020

Happy Easter Weekend – Free Ebook

Twisted Pathways of Murder & Death by Rebecca Besser is free on Kindle from April 10th-12th (2020).

Happy Easter!

 

[image error] Click on cover pic to visit title on Amazon!
Twisted Pathways of Murder & Death
by Rebecca Besser

 

When emotions go to extremes murder happens.

Sometimes it’s because of betrayal.

Sometimes it’s in revenge.

Sometimes it’s to hide a lie or in self-defense.

Sometimes it’s to feed a secret hunger.

Whatever the reason, the human mind lends itself to twisted pathways that lead to murder and death…

 

Copyright © Rebecca Besser 2020

Simple Eating – Stir Fry Sauce

We’ve been eating a lot of stir fry and rice lately. I went online to look up how to make my own sauce and found some simple and easy recipes. I modified what I found and since it’s easy to make and delicious, I’m sharing it with you!

 

Bec’s Stir Fry Sauce
by Rebecca Besser

 

1/4 cup water

3 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp corn starch

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 Tbsp honey

 

Mix well and add to stir fry during the last minute of cooking. Stir well. The longer you cook it the thicker it gets.

*Enough for 1 pound of meat and 3-4 cups veggies.

*The honey makes the sauce less salty. Can be left out if desired.

Note: You don’t need a wok to make stir fry. Just half-cook your meat in a large skillet and then add in fresh or frozen vegetables (usually three to four different vegetables) and cook until  vegetables are warmed through. Add sauce (recipe above), stir in, cook for a couple minutes, and serve over rice.

 

Copyright © Rebecca Besser 2020

New Release – Arterial Bloom Edited by Mercedes M. Yardley

[image error]

Click on cover to visit title on Amazon! 

Arterial Bloom
Edited by Mercedes M. Yardley

 

Lush. Brutal.

Beautiful. Visceral.

Crystal Lake Publishing proudly presents Arterial Bloom, an artful juxtaposition of the magnificence and macabre that exist within mankind. Each tale in this collection is resplendent with beauty, teeth, and heart.

Authors include: John Boden, Kelli Owen, Todd Keisling, Naching T. Kassa, Ken Liu, Armand Rosamilia, Christopher Barzak, Jennifer Loring, Dino Parenti, Jimmy Bernard, Grant Longstaff, Linda J. Marshall, Daniel Crow, Steven Pirie, Jonathan Cosgrove, and Carina Bissett.

Edited by the Bram Stoker Award-winning writer Mercedes M. Yardley, Arterial Bloom is a literary experience featuring 16 stories from some of the most compelling dark authors writing today.

With a foreword by HWA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Linda D. Addison, you are invited to step inside and let the grim flowers wind themselves comfortably around your bones.

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.

 

Simple Eating – Great Depression Cooking

When I asked for easy recipes with simple ingredients on Facebook to share with you, someone shared this link with me. I haven’t gotten to explore this YouTube channel as much as I’d like, but you might find it worth checking out. During The  Great Depression things were much tighter than they are now and people survived it. There are so many things we can learn from the past…we shouldn’t lose that knowledge.

Great Depression Cooking by Carla

Simple Eating – Cherry Dump Cake

Ursula Raphael is a book reviewer that I meet online. She quickly became one of my favorite ladies in this world. You can find her reviews here: Astradaemon’s Lair. And you can find a quick and super easy recipe for cake she shared with me below. No eggs, butter, or milk required (scarce ingredients right now)!

 

Cherry Dump Cake
by Ursula Raphael

 

Ingredients:

1 box of cherry cake mix

1 can of Cherry Dr. Pepper

 

Instructions:

Mix and bake as instructed on the box.

 

It doesn’t get much simpler than that! Enjoy your cake.

 

Copyright © Ursula Raphael 2020