M.A. Church's Blog, page 55
April 9, 2021
Finicky Friday - Waffle Sandwich with Cheese, Spinach and Spicy Mustard
Prep: 15 mins (will need a waffle iron)
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 2
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredient
1 roma (plum) tomato, thinly sliced
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons butter, softened
4 thickly-sliced pieces multigrain bread
1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
1 cup fresh spinach, or to taste
4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons chopped sweet onion
Directions
Step 1 - Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.
Step 2 - Arrange tomato slices on a work surface, pouring off any excess juice. Season tomato slices with salt and pepper.
Step 3 - Spread 1/2 teaspoon butter onto 1 side of each bread slice. Lay 1 bread slice, butter-side down, in the hot waffle iron. Spread 1/2 teaspoon mustard onto bread slice in waffle iron; top with 1/4 cup spinach, 2 slices mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon onion, half the tomato slices, and 1/4 cup spinach, respectively. Lay 1 slice bread, butter-side up, atop the spinach layer.
Step 4 - Close waffle iron and toast sandwich until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 284 calories; protein 18.6g; carbohydrates 24.2g; fat 14.3g; cholesterol 51.2mg; sodium 656mg.
Link: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/236550/waffle-sandwich-with-cheese-spinach-and-spicy-mustard/
April 8, 2021
Thursday Book Recommendation
These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.
This week is:
Blurb: The object of Parker Montgomery's crush is big man on campus Colton Butler, who is much more than he appears to be.
Colton has been watching Parker from a distance, patiently waiting for the day when he will finally be able to claim his destined mate.
When Parker is threatened by a rogue wolf, Colton's instincts take over and he finds that his actions have consequences that threaten to tear his pack apart.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IPUMQ0O
April 6, 2021
Tuesday Teaser
Short excerpt from Bound by War (The Next Generation)
“He was unconscious when found, so because of his injuries, it was best to keep him sedated during treatment.”
They thought he was sedated. Foolish Tah’Narians. Their king’s mate was standing within striking distance, and no one had double check to see if he was indeed knocked out. He also was not restrained.
Did they feel that safe around him? Or was it because he had been beaten? He’d had far worse and still did what needed to be done. And Tah’Narians called their selves warriors. They should know better than this.
On the other hand, his body wasn’t responding like he’d have liked. Between the drowsiness and the feelings of heaviness, maybe he wasn’t the threat he normally was. Even his thoughts were somewhat sluggishness. A headache hid behind his eyes, but that was probably from the numerous hits to the head thanks to Ogill.
“He’s… he’s….”
The sweet sound of bells tinkled as someone tiptoed closer until they were right beside the medibed. He purposely kept his body relaxed so not to give away the ruse that he was unconscious. Amazing how close they came to him. No Blishue would take such a chance.
The cooling unit kicked on, and a breeze drifted across him. It brought with it a tantalizing scent. Brine. Salt. Seaweed. Tangy, but coldly fresh and invigorating. Made him think of sunlight reflecting off gently rolling waves and warm breezes.
April 5, 2021
Pucker Up Monday
Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.
April 2, 2021
Finicky Friday - Grandma's Famous Salmon Cakes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
1 (14.75 ounce) can salmon, drained and flaked
2 eggs, beaten
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Directions
Step 1- Pick through the salmon and remove any bones. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add the diced onion, salmon and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Step 2 - Shape into 2 ounce patties; about 7 or 8 patties. *I'd refrigerate the cakes once shaped for 20-30 minutes then go to the next step. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Fry each patty for 5 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden brown.
Link: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24509/grandmas-famous-salmon-cakes/
April 1, 2021
Thursday Book Recommendation
These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.
This week is:
Blurb: Nicholas Sayers, needing money for college, takes a job as assistant to infamous photographer Damian Wolfe. It's just taking pictures, right? Wrong. While Nick has never questioned what kind of man he is or what he truly wants in life, working for Damian during a BDSM photo shoot opens his eyes to all sorts of sexual possibilities, and many of them include the handsome Mr. Wolfe.
Damian has serious doubts about getting involved with a younger man who knows nothing about the BDSM lifestyle, but Nick's adventurous and humorous approach to new experiences is far too alluring to resist. Although he knows it might be a mistake, Damian takes Nick into his life.
Flirting on the edges of control, submission, and pain excites Nick more than he would have ever dreamed possible. With Damian, Nick learns about his own deeply hidden desires and finds out that relinquishing control doesn’t make him weak—having someone else in control of his sexual pleasure simply heightens it. And the reverse is true for Damian: Control turns him on. So they set out to explore these sensual boundaries together, neither expecting to find love along the way.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Hand-Catt-Ford-ebook/dp/B0026FCJY2
March 31, 2021
Tuesday Teaser (a day late lol) for Bound by War
“OH MY gods.”
The sudden exclamation jerked Torin awake, but he kept his eye closed and maintained his steady heart rate while trying to figure out where he was and how much danger he was in.
“He’s quite the specimen, isn’t he? I was going to comm you later. How’s Kia doing?”
Torin flipped through his mental database trying to place the name, but he was still too foggy.
“He’s fine. I think seeing Ogill killed helped him move on.”
He still couldn’t place the name Kia, but he’d worry about that later. Hearing Ogill was dead thrilled him. Good. That meant Dossi more than likely had assumed Ogill’s position, that was if Dossi was still alive.
She had been taken captive by the queen, who was also her mother. Dossi had been tortured for standing against the crown. The females in power were nearly as twisted as the Blishue. It was the ultimate compliment as far as a Blishue was concerned. He no longer agreed.
“Oh gods, Neo. This is the Blishue who helped the resistance, isn’t it? Is he okay?”
Torin struggled to keep his breathing steady. Neo. Well now, he certainly knew that name, and it helped explained where he was. Neo was king consort and mate to Hamza, the ruler of Tah’Nar. The Tah’Narians knew he was a double agent, but for one of them to be concerned about his welfare was shocking. Even more so was the effort put in to save him.
“He’s okay, and yes, he’s the spy. Unfortunately, we don’t know his name yet.”
So they hadn’t figured out his identity. Interesting. Eyes still shut, he listened closely. The king consort moved to the foot of the bed and picked up something that rattle. Ah, yes, that was right. Neo was a doctor too, so that rattle was most likely his chart.
“He was unconscious when found, so because of his injuries, it was best to keep him sedated during treatment.”
March 29, 2021
Frost's Bite (The Mystic Bay Series Book 3) has been released!
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0912Q73ML
He’s what things that go bump in the night fear.
Tragedy brings the ice elemental, Nicholas Frost, to America and lands him on the doorstep of the High Council. While surrounded by a group of Guardians who question his offer to kill the vampire Jackson, Nicholas stumbles across the man fate has decreed his. Although overjoyed, the secret he hides is now in jeopardy of being revealed.
Something lethal lurks within.
Cold. Powerful. Feared. A killer. Like the softly falling snow, Nicholas is silent and deadly. Always alone. Always guarded. His abilities are unrivaled, and other paranormals avoid him. With good reason.
And the man fate has paired him with is a truthsayer—a living lie detector.
Guardian Jonas Parker is convinced fate has made a monumental mistake. Guardian lifespans are practically eternal. Elementals only live a couple of hundred years. No way that golden thread which links them means what he thinks it does. Surely fate wouldn’t gift him with a man he’ll outlive?
Jonas is a truthsayer, which is difficult enough. Add in the chance of an accidental surface reading if he touches bare skin, and no one is willing to get close to him. Jonas can dig into anyone’s psyche and unearth all their secrets regardless if they’re willing are not.
No secret can remain hidden from him.
While Nicholas and Jonas struggle to figure out how a mating can work between two such different paranormals, Jackson plots. As the final battle looms on the horizon for the men of Mystic Bay, a terrifying prospect has emerged—something not even Nicholas and the others may be able to defeat.
March 25, 2021
Thursday Book Recommendation
These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.
This week is:
Blurb: Imprisoned pickpocket Loth isn't sure why a bunch of idiots just broke into his cell claiming they’re here to rescue the lost prince of Aguillon, and he doesn’t really care. They’re looking for a redheaded prince, and he’s more than happy to play along if it means freedom. Then his cranky cellmate Grub complicates things by claiming to be the prince as well.
Now they’re fleeing across the country and Loth’s stuck sharing a horse and a bedroll with Grub while imitating royalty, eating eel porridge, and dodging swamp monsters and bandits.
Along the way, Loth discovers that there’s more to Grub than meets the eye. Under the dirt and bad attitude, Grub’s not completely awful. He might even be attractive. In fact, Loth has a terrible suspicion that he’s developing feelings, and he’s not sure what to do about that. He’d probably have more luck figuring it out if people would just stop trying to kill them.
Still, at least they’ve got a dragon, right?
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BTJH8GF
Frost's Bite is available for pre-order!
#PreOrder
Frost's Bite
𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘉𝘢𝘺 3
by M.A. Church
Release Date: March 29, 2021
𝙃𝙚’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝙤 𝙗𝙪𝙢𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧.
Tragedy brings the ice elemental, Nicholas Frost, to America and lands him on the doorstep of the High Council. While surrounded by a group of Guardians who question his offer to kill the vampire Jackson, Nicholas stumbles across the man fate has decreed his. Although overjoyed, the secret he hides is now in jeopardy of being revealed.
𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙠𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣.
Cold. Powerful. Feared. A killer. Like the softly falling snow, Nicholas is silent and deadly. Always alone. Always guarded. His abilities are unrivaled, and other paranormals avoid him. With good reason.
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧—𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧.
Guardian Jonas Parker is convinced fate has made a monumental mistake. Guardian lifespans are practically eternal. Elementals only live a couple of hundred years. No way that golden thread which links them means what he thinks it does. Surely fate wouldn’t gift him with a man he’ll outlive?
Jonas is a truthsayer, which is difficult enough. Add in the chance of an accidental surface reading if he touches bare skin, and no one is willing to get close to him. Jonas can dig into anyone’s psyche and unearth all their secrets regardless if they’re willing are not.
𝙉𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙢.
While Nicholas and Jonas struggle to figure out how a mating can work between two such different paranormals, Jackson plots. As the final battle looms on the horizon for the men of Mystic Bay, a terrifying prospect has emerged—something not even Nicholas and the others may be able to defeat.
