Margery Scott's Blog, page 4
January 11, 2014
Spotlight Saturday: Hollywood Scandals, by Gemma Halliday
Welcome to another Spotlight Saturday. This week, I’m reading Hollywood Scandals (the first book in the Hollywood Headlines series) by Gemma Halliday. Formerly published under the title SCANDAL SHEET. Fun book! Love Tina Bender, the main character.
Title: Hollywood Scandals (book 1 of the Hollywood Headlines series)
Author: Gemma Halliday
Genre: Cozy mystery/romance
Description:
Tina Bender is the gossip columnist at the infamous L.A. Informer tabloid. She knows everything about everyone who’s anyone. And she’s not afraid to print it. That is, until she receives a threatening note, promising, “If you don’t stop writing about me, you’re dead.” Now her managing editor, Felix Dunn (from the High Heels Mysteries), has her teaming with a built bodyguard, a bubbly blonde, and an alcoholic obituary writer to uncover just which juicy piece of Hollywood gossip is worth killing over.
Buy links: Amazon Barnes&Noble iTunes Kobo
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January 10, 2014
EASY-PEASY POTATO SOUP
Winter arrived earlier – and has been more brutal – than usual this year. A good part of Canada and the northern US is in a deep freeze right now, so what better time for a big pot of soup. But I’m all for simple and quick. This is one of the easiest soups ever to make. Because it’s just a basic recipe, you can add other ingredients/spices to customize it. I’ve made it adding cooked chicken, mushrooms, carrots, etc.
EASY-PEASY POTATO SOUP (serves 4)
4 medium potatoes
1 large onion, diced
1 celery stalk (including leaves), diced
1-1/2 – 2 cups milk, half-and-half or cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Peel and dice the potatoes. Put them along with the onion and the celery into a saucepan. Add just enough water to cook the vegetables, but don’t cover them.
Bring the saucepan to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or so, until the vegetables are tender. Here’s where you have to make a decision. You can mash the potatoes, but leave some chunks, or you can use a hand blender (or put the veggies in a blender) and completely blend everything. I’ve done it both ways, but since I couldn’t find my hand blender, I went with chunky this time.
Add enough milk or cream to thin the mixture to the consistency you like. I usually use a mixture of milk and cream only because I’m trying to cut down a little on the fat. No cream in the house? No problem. Just add about 1 tbsp. of melted butter to a cup of milk (whole milk works best but I’ve done it with 2% and even 1%).
Add salt and pepper to taste. It does take a fair bit of salt and pepper, so be sure to taste test.
And there it is! The easiest potato soup you’ll ever make. With some crusty bread and a green salad, it makes a nice lunch or a light supper that’ll warm your insides.
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January 8, 2014
Kristina Knight and The Saint’s Devilish Deal
I’m thrilled to have my friend and fellow loop member, Kristina Knight, on my blog today. Her latest book, The Saint’s Devilish Deal. Welcome, Kristina. Btw, I love the cover of this book. Stuck in a deep freeze, I need all the photos of beach and sun and sand I can find to remind me that yes, we will see summer again. Eventually.
Here’s a little about Kristina.
Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. When the opportunity to focus a bit of energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it. And she’s never looked back. Now she writes magazine articles by day and romance novels with spice by night. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and daughter. Happily ever after.
Margery: And she tries to keep warm 
Take it away, Kristina. The blog is yours.
Today I’d like to share a little behind-the-scenes action from my contemporary romance, The Saint’s Devilish Deal. As with most of my books, music played a part throughout the writing – some songs were representative of the hero, some of the heroine and a couple just had that vacation feel that I wanted for the book.
Here are the top four songs that helped me write The Saint’s Devilish Deal.
4. Long, Hot Summer by Keith Urban – how could a book set in Mexico in the heat of summer not have this song on the playlist?!? Okay, even if it wasn’t a summertime setting and even if the characters were located in Alaska I’d have fit it in because this song represents both Esme and Saint – they’re both falling back into love (without wanting to admit it) from the word go!
3. It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing by Shania Twain – This song is totally Esme. She puts up a great front – she’s got the job, the clothes, the attitude. But inside she’s still a mess, both from her past pre-Santiago and because of what happened with Santiago before the book began. But even though she’s been hurt, she keeps moving forward…
2. Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding – This song is sooo Santiago. He’s made a life out of seeming to not to anything – at least since the fiasco that broke his relationship with Esme the first time around. He likes the surfer image because it keeps people from depending on him…the only problem is he has a loyal streak that won’t allow him to sit by and see anyone hurt…
1.Love You Til The End by The Pogues – I’ve loved this song for a long time, primarily for the Irish feel of the music. But it’s such a great fit for this book – I love the message of this song. There are hiccups and big messes that we all have to deal with but if we keep love at the forefront, we can make it through. Part of Esme and Saint’s journey is figuring out that the sometimes you just have to trust your heart…
Margery: Love your song choices, Kristina, although I’ve never heard the last one. I’ll have to go check it out on iTunes.
The Saint’s Devilish Deal:
A billionaire surfer… A down-on-her-luck hotelier… One hot summer fling…
Blurb:
Esmerelda Quinn has one shot at saving her aunt’s beloved vacation villa – and the only home she has ever known. Putting up with ex-surfer Santiago Cruz’s antics? He’s burned her before but she can handle The Saint, this time around.
Santiago Cruz wants out of Puerto Vallarta in a bad way but after hearing the stipulations that could cost Esme her beloved villa, he can’t leave. And as long as she’s willing to play by his rules, they might just have some fun along the way…
As long as he plays by her rules, Esmerelda knows she can salvage the estate – and keep her heart intact. The only problem? The Saint’s charms are hard to resist…and soon she finds herself falling for the rich boy down the hall – all over again.
Excerpt:
“You forget yourself, Esmerelda. You’re talking about making this simple for the staff, that doesn’t mean I need to come to you for every new guest registration or idea I have. Besides, we need this campaign.”
Santiago waved his hand. “We need more guests of a certain means to make the villa stand out. Families are great, but they won’t make Casa Constance a go-to destination. These people will. So, we use our new guests as features in a new campaign for the high-end travel magazines. A few shots in the tabloids wouldn’t hurt, either.”
“You weren’t even going to discuss this with me?”
“I’m telling you now. While we’re on the subject—” he tossed a few magazines from his desktop onto her lap “—what do you see in these pictures?”
Esme sent him a killing glance and then flipped through the pages. “Boring. Bland. Not home.”
“Exactly. This isn’t a home, or it shouldn’t be a home first. If you want Casa Constance to succeed you need to treat it like a business. So, make-over, what do you like?”
She tossed the magazines back onto the desktop. “Our guests love the color and textures of Old Mexico. They say so all the time.”
“Your guests haven’t been in residence, at least not actively, in more than a year. We aren’t appealing to anyone right now and we need to. So, makeover starts this afternoon and your new training begins in the morning.”
“I know what I need to know about running a vacation resort.”
“You need to experience a vacation to sell it. We need day-trips, we need amenities. I’ll bet you’ve never gone para-sailing or sky diving, much less enjoyed a couple’s massage.” Her cheeks pinked at the last suggestion and Santiago smiled. “Celebrities visiting Casa, playing on our private beach, being featured in an advertising campaign—with a few pictures leaked to the tabloids to get the word out even sooner. Casa needs this.”
Esme took a few breaths and then settled back into her chair. “I can’t afford to pay the salary of a New York advertising crew. Seriously, Santiago, you have to cancel.”
“My three months, remember? It won’t cost you a thing. The photographer owes me a favor. The only cost will be the campaign copy, which will be negligible. I do know what I’m doing, Esmerelda.”
“Okay, mail.” Esme shook her head as if clearing thoughts of the upcoming ad campaign from her head. “Marquez usually separates bills from letters—”
“As the mail will be delivered to the front desk, I’m happy to see to it. And let’s cut to the chase.” He leaned back in the chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “I don’t want to be tied down to a vacation villa for the rest of my life. But if you really want this, there is something you have to do for me. First.”
Esme swallowed, crossed and re-crossed her legs before clasping her hands in her lap. “What do you want? A payoff? You’ve seen the books, you know there isn’t much money. But if it’s money you want, I’ll agree to your price. I just need time to come up with the capital.”
She really didn’t know him at all. He shouldn’t be surprised, but he was. Surprised and a bit disappointed. “I need your money like I need another surfing championship,” he said, sitting up straight. “No, what I want from you is a bit more. . . ephemeral. I want your time. For three hours each day, you belong to me. No villa work. No guest handholding.” He walked around the desk to rest his hip against one corner. “No conferences with staff. No following the maids on their routine cleanings and no visits to the kitchen to give Gloriana instructions. For three hours each day, your time is my time.”
“You can’t be serious. That. . . that’s just. . .” She trailed off when his index finger traced the line of her jaw. He lowered his voice.
“No work. No phones. No villa. You do what I say, what I want.”
The Saint’s Devilish Deal is available now on Amazon.
Learn more about Kristina and her books:
Website: http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kristinaknightromanceauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorkristina
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kristinaknight
Thanks so much for visiting with me today, Kristina. Best of luck with The Saint’s Devilish Deal. And stay warm
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January 6, 2014
Do you remember …?
I heard a joke once (I can’t remember where) but the punch line is something like “Am I going upstairs or down?”
That seems to be the story of my life these days. My memory is going. I never thought it would happen, but more and more I find myself forgetting what I went into a room to get, forgetting things, losing things. Now, names I used to remember easily sit on the tip of my tongue and I can’t get them out until hours later. It’s time to exercise my memory the same way I exercise my body, which also isn’t nearly in as good shape as it should be but that’s for another post.
Last week, I forgot to put something in my purse that has resulted in major inconvenience and a few words not fit to print. I thought it was there, but I’d apparently taken it out and forgot to put it back.
So I’ve resorted to making lists. I have lists everywhere – on my bulletin board in my office, on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror. Without a list, I’ll never remember what I need to buy at the grocery store, what I need to pack for vacation, etc. Now, if there’s something I can’t afford to forget to take, it’s on the list taped to the front door of my house so I can’t miss it.
I’ve been trying a new website www.lumosity.com that has exercises for your brain.
I’ve always enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. In fact, I used to create and sell them to one of the most popular puzzle magazines in the country. Lately, other things have filled my free time, but apparently doing puzzles is a great way to keep your brain healthy. Now where did I put that puzzle book?
And I’ve been paying more attention. Lately, my brain seems to be a bit scattered, trying to do three things at the same time. I used to be able to multi-task much more efficiently than I do now, so maybe it’s time to stop trying. I need to take notice of what I’m doing instead of being absent in the moment and working out other problems.
I’ll work on these three for a while and see if they help. I’ll let you know – unless I forget J
What about you? How’s your memory?
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January 4, 2014
Spotlight Saturday: The Edge of Trust by KT Bryan
Welcome to another Spotlight Saturday. This week, I’m reading The Edge of Trust, the first book in the Team: Edge series. Great book!
Title: The Edge of Trust (Book #1 of the Team: Edge series)
Author: KT Bryan
Genre: Romantic suspense/thriller
Description:
When EDGE operative Dillon Caldwell was given a mission to infiltrate the Sanchez Drug Cartel and bring down its head, Rafael Sanchez, Dillon figured it would be a long, grueling year that he might not survive. He had no idea it would be three horrific, gut-churning years, or that the price paid for his efforts would be a nightmare worse than abject failure.
Then, after his cover was blown, he watched in horror as his wife was slain in front of him. His parents were next. And his sister, who died, broken and burning, in his arms.
Dillon, wracked by loss and guilt, is nearly rabid in his hunt for Sanchez, intent on ending his reign of terror. What he finds along the way, though, will change everything Dillon thought he knew to be true. Washed up on a nearby beach, badly beaten and suffering from exposure, is the woman he thought dead for the past twelve months. His wife Sara is alive.
Dillon’s stunned relief and joy are short-lived, however, shredded by the razor-sharp fangs of betrayal and kept secrets, scorched by the obvious disdain from a woman who may as well be a stranger. And if that’s not enough, not only is Sanchez is still out there, but Dillon can’t even trust the people he works for. Not when they kept the truth about his wife from him, not when someone on the inside burned his cover.
He’s got a sadistic, murderous drug kingpin after him and someone from his own country betraying him. He’s got a wife who is alive, but looks at him with loathing. And he’s got the knowledge that, despite all best efforts, he has failed every single person he loved. Struggling with that burden is bad enough, but Dillon’s plate isn’t yet full. The stakes that he’s played with for three years are raised higher still when he finds out that Sanchez has something of his, something Dillon didn’t even know existed. And it’s a game-changer in every way.
Buy links: Amazon Barnes&Noble iTunes Kobo
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January 3, 2014
Knit one, purl one
When I’m not writing, chances are you’ll find me with a pair of knitting needles in my hands or doing some kind of handiwork. Crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, you name it, there’s something about needles and yarn or thread that soothes me.
At the beginning of a brand new year, I take stock of all the projects I’ve started that haven’t been completed yet. I have at least a dozen Rubbermaid containers filled with yarn, patterns, craft supplies I’ve yet to use. So why do I keep buying more?
I love fisherman knit sweaters. Over the years, I’ve made them for my boys, for friends, for anybody who asks . This is the sleeve of a sweater I started last winter. It’s almost finished, but for some reason I can’t remember now, I didn’t finish it.
Likewise with this afghan I’d hoped to give away as a Christmas gift. Of course, I waited until it was too late before I started it. It’s a really pretty pattern, and should be finished within the next few days. I’ll show it to you next time.
I did manage to make several scarves with Red Heart Boutique Sashay yarn in different colours. Isn’t this cute? And it’s so easy!!! This is the link if any of you are interested. http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns...
I could keep going and list every project in my to-finish pile, but it would end up to be a novel-length post
So for 2014, I’m going to make a goal – to finish what I start. How about you? Do you like to knit or crochet? And if so, do you finish every project you start?
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December 31, 2013
January 1, 2014
Happy New Year!!!
Are you ready? Have you made your resolutions yet? I’ve decided not to make resolutions, since they seem to imply that I’m going to give up something. Instead, I’m going to think positive and make goals or start projects. It’s all in the wording. Instead of saying “I’m not going to eat any more junk food”, (which is setting myself up for failure before I even start), I’ll say “I’m going to eat something healthy every day.”
I’m hoping I can stick to the goals and commitments I’m making. If I can, there will be changes in my life. They’ll be small, so small probably no one but me will even notice, but they should make me to a happier, more fulfilled person.
Even here, there will be some changes, so stay tuned. For now, the plan is that I’ll post something on Monday that relates to my life. I’ll have guest authors on Wednesday, and on Friday, I’ll post something food-related and something craft-related on alternate weeks. Saturday is Spotlight Saturday (featuring the book I’m currently reading.
I hope you’ll visit often, leave comments and give me your opinions, whether you agree with me or not. Start a conversation. Ask a question. Without you, this blog is nothing.
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Thank you all for your support and encouragement during the past year. I wish you all the very best in 2014.
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December 28, 2013
Spotlight Saturday: Maid for Love by Marie Force
Welcome to another Spotlight Saturday. This week, I’m reading Maid for Love, the first book in the McCarthys of Gansett Island series.
Title: Maid for Love (Book #1 of the McCarthys of Gansett Island)
Author: Marie Force
Genre: Contemporary romance
Description:
Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long. When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love.
Buy links: Amazon Barnes&Noble iTunes Kobo
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December 21, 2013
Spotlight Saturday: From Undone: A Storm of Love by Terri Brisbin
Welcome to another Spotlight Saturday. This week, I’m reading an historical novella set in one of my favourite places on the planet – Scotland.
Title: A Storm of Love
Author: Terri Brisbin
Genre: Historical romance
Description:
The wild lands of Argyll hold no promise for a woman cast away–until a younger lover draws Agneis of Mull into a strong embrace. Breac’s tender touch erases all sorrow…and his compelling sexuality brings her to ecstasy!
But when her past comes to haunt her future, will their love be strong enough against magic of the Fae and the curse she carries?
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December 16, 2013
I wish I were a bear (for the winter)
It’s winter. Cold, cold, winter. Today, the temperature is going up to a balmy 14 degrees.
I’m already tired of winter and it hasn’t even officially started. I’m cold. I don’t like having to bundle in coats and hats and gloves and boots before I venture outside to scrape the ice and snow off my car. I don’t like worrying about black ice under the snow on the roads, or drivers who don’t realize they should slow down. In fact, I can’t think of one thing I’d miss about winter, other than an excuse to curl up in front of a roaring fire with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book.
Animals are smart. When the weather starts to get cool, the eat themselves silly, then hibernate until spring. We’re animals, right? So doesn’t it make sense that we should do that, too?
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