M.A. Church's Blog, page 66

Tuesday Teaser

This is a teaser from Day's Light, book #2 in the Mystic Bay series. 


“There was no way you could’ve known I was awake. Hell, I didn’t even move when I first opened my eyes.”Hunter let out a long breath. “Your heart rate changed, so yes, I did know you were awake. Werewolves have excellent hearing and sight, plus our sense of smell is ridiculously strong too. That one can be a bit of a pain in the ass, though. I’m sure you’ve noticed your vision is better. You’ve already mentioned you’re hearing things a human can’t. The sense of smell will be next, if it isn’t already improving.”Mark dropped the spoon, and it clattered against the bowl. “You’ve noticed things, huh?”“That… that just isn’t possible.”“I know this is hard to believe, but you have got to stop denying what is right in front of your face. Yes, it is possible,” Hunter said. “Werewolves exist. I exist. I bit you, and now you are going to be a werewolf. I can’t know how scary this must be since I’m a born werewolf, but you’re still the same person, Mark. You’re just a bit more than you were before, that’s all.”

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.

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:It was my lunch break, so why did I have to pullover the jerk speeding down the street in an Aston Martin? If ever there was a time to look the other way, that was the moment, but ignoring crime in progress isn't my thing. My name is Brian Cordero, I’m a cop with the Alandale Police Force and I had no idea just how much my life was going to change the instant my fingers brushed Raphael Ledeo's.
​Now, I've been turned from human to demon, and that is just the beginning of this heap of trouble I've gotten myself into. Turns out, there are eight gates to hell, and one of them--the worst one--is open and a secret demon-hunting organization wants my help to close it. I'm in way over my head and It doesn't help that the demon inside of me lusts for the demon inside of Raphael, a man I'd rather steer way clear of, because I swear, I’m not into men… right? God, will I be able to resist the temptation and get used to my new demon life?  I just don't know.

Warning:  Reader Advisory: 18 and older. Content may be sensitive to some readers, discretion is advised.
(As per the author: this serial is highly erotic, violent, dark, and twisted. Prepare yourself.)
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0841ND2GK

Tuesday Teaser

This is a teaser from Day's Light, book #2 in the Mystic Bay series. I'm a little over halfway through on it!


“Okay, so, I haven’t had a lot of time to go deep on your mate, but what I’ve found so far is all good. He’s the son of Judy and Gerald James, now deceased.”“Speaking of, what’s going on with that?”“The humans are investigating, but you know as well as I do they’ll never find who shot them. I don’t know if they’ve identified the parents yet, but it shouldn’t be much longer.”“They haven’t?”“No, those assholes took their wallets. I guess it was a miracle they dropped Mark’s, or we’d be in the same position. Mark has one brother, named Michael James. He’s a year younger. They lived in a suburb on the outskirts of New York City and appeared to be solid middle-class.”“Any priors?” Hunter dumped the dressing on his salad and dug in. “Nothing so far. There’s a couple of speeding tickets spread out through the family, but that’s it. I haven’t really had a chance to dig into the financials, but what I’ve seen says they lived within their means.”Hunter bit into one of the rolls that came with his meal. Sissy really did have the best rolls in town. “Good.”“On the surface they look like your average American family, and I really think they are.”

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.

Finicky Friday - Strawberry Breakfast Cake

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Yield: 9
Course: Breakfast
Author: Tricia


Ingredients
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream (8-ounces)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (113g or 8T)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup quartered strawberries, plus ½ cup halved strawberries for top2 teaspoons coarse sugar for garnish




Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9x9-inch pan with vegetable cooking spray, then line with a piece of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
In a large mixing bowl whisk together 2 cups of the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and ¾ cup of granulated sugar. Make a well in the center and set aside.
In a small bowl combine 1 cup of the chopped, quartered strawberries with the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Toss to coat.
In a separate small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, melted cooled butter, vanilla and the lightly beaten eggs. Fold together with a rubber spatula until blended. Add the sour cream mixture to the flour and sugar. 
Fold together until the dry ingredients are moistened. Gently fold in the 1-cup of chopped strawberries. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. 
Allow the cake batter to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.
Scatter the remaining ½ cup of sliced strawberries on top of the cake batter, then sprinkle with coarse or granulated sugar. Bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with no wet batter. The top should be light golden brown.
Cool slightly before serving either warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in the refrigerator

* * * * * 
The cake batter is nice and thick to hold up all the juicy fruit but it’s not dense or dry once baked. Toss the chopped strawberries in a portion of the flour to help them stay in place in the batter.

Feel free to bake this cake in a round cake pan, square or spring-form pan.
Watch the baking time if using a dark colored or glass baker. If you want to dress it up a bit, add a dollop of sweet whipped cream and sliced berries on top. That would be a nice play on strawberry shortcake, yum!

You can add a little sprinkle of coarse sugar on top for a nice sweet crust. Refrigerate leftovers if you have any and enjoy!


Link: https://www.savingdessert.com/strawberry-breakfast-cake/

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:Devin thought fighting a war in Afghanistan had shown him the worst kind of horrors.It turned out he was wrong.
A deadly virus has infected the world population, leaving only a few survivors and creating monsters. Devin is part of a group who have found refuge in a secure place. He risks his life daily to scavenge the cities and highways for food and supplies.
On one fateful venture, Devin finds a man with the potential to change the dark future of blood and heartbreak into one of hope and second chances.
He finds Noah Weber.
Word Count: 61,500



Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N46NXFQ

Tuesday Teaser

This is a teaser from Day's Light, book #2 in the Mystic Bay series. I'm a little over halfway through on it!



“Who are you? What’s happening to me? Why am I here? Why did you take me?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an alarm clock. It read ten at night, but ten at night on what day? How long had he been missing?“My name is Hunter Day. What’s happening to you is that you’re going through the transformation. Being so ill is part of that. I wish there was something I could do to help, but there really isn’t, outside of making you comfortable.”“Transformation? What does that mean?” What the hell was this dude talking about? Was this some kind of secret government operation where they experimented on innocent people off the streets?“Where do you get this stuff from? Of course I’m not experimenting on you. I’m not planning to harvest your organs, by the way.” So, he must’ve said that aloud. “As to why you’re here, and why did I take you? Well, that’s a long story.”Weren’t they all.

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.

Finicky Friday - Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

YIELDS: 12
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 20 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 45 MINS


INGREDIENTS
FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH
Cooking spray
3/4 c. chopped strawberries
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 c. plus 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

FOR THE FILLING
4 tbsp. cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp. powdered sugar
Zest of 1 lemon





DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.

Make cookie dough: In a small bowl, stir strawberries, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar until combined. Let sit 10 minutes, then drain.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter, remaining ½ cup sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract, then stir in flour mixture until just combined.

Using a wooden spoon, very gently fold in strawberries. Set aside.


Make filling: Line a large plate or baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest until smooth. Scoop into 12 small balls (about 1 ½ teaspoons each) and place on prepared baking sheet.

Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop heaping tablespoons of dough (about 24 balls) and flatten into pancake-like circles on the baking sheet. Place cream cheese filling on top of 12 pieces of dough. Place remaining dough on top of filling and pinch edges together. Roll gently into balls.

Arrange stuffed cookie dough balls 2" apart on baking sheets and bake until cookies are set and just golden around edges, about 18 minutes.

***refrigerated the dough and filling for few hours before working on them.  Makes it less messy.***


link:https://www.delish.com/cooking/g906/strawberry-desserts-round-up/?slide=6