M.A. Church's Blog, page 71

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:  Rebel (Ballsy Boys Book 1) by K.M. Neuhold and Nora Phoenix 

Blurb: I’m everyone’s friend, but no one’s everything…

I love working for Ballsy Boys, but when you make the kind of videos I do, relationships are pretty damn impossible. Guys find me sexy and want to either be with me or be me, but no one has ever cared enough to see the real me.

Until I meet Troy...who shows up in a banana suit at my door. Long story.

Troy has no problem whatsoever with my job, but he’s determined to keep me at a distance. I get it, he’s been hurt before. But for the first time, a hook-up alone is not enough. I want more with him. Hell, I want everything. But he resists at every step until I’m about ready to give up. What do I need to do to show him that what we have is real and worth fighting for?

Rebel is the first book in the Ballsy Boys Series and is a sexy, emotional MM romance that will make you fall in love with all the Ballsy Boys. While this book and this series do contain some instances of sex outside of the main relationships, there’s NO cheating.


My thoughts: There are several books in this series! So yay for that, and every last one is awesome. The plot centers around porn stars. I have to admit, this was a first for me. I haven’t read something with kind of character, but I’m a fan of K.M. Neuhold and Nora Phoenix, so I took a chance. So there’s nothing growing a tail, or fanging-out, or throwing glowing balls of magic… but I loved every minute of it! I read all the books lol. Then I went on the hunt for more. And btw, Nailed (Four Bears Construction Book 2) just came out. I saw it on my Timeline recently. I reviewed book #1 several weeks ago. That’s on my TBR list as soon as I finish Bound by Love. Already got it ready to go in my Kindle lol.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TRZSYHZ

Tuesday Teaser

His mind jumped for one subject to another, unable to stay on any one thought. He leaned his head against the tile wall and tried to clear his mind, but his brain refused to cooperate. His body ached with weariness, but he couldn’t rest. Disgusted, he shut the water off and stepped onto the drying mat. Grabbing a towel, he dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist. He wiped the condensation off the mirror and stared at his face. There were slight shadows under his eyes, and his skin had a shallow tint. Even his eyes gleamed dully. Sighing, he opened the door and walked into the bedroom. A few crystal glowed softly, and the bed was turned down, but Neo had a large sheet spread out. “Come here.”Hamza admired the short robe Neo had changed into. It shimmered in the soft light. A shiver danced across his skin as he stepped toward the bed. “Take the towel off, and lie on your stomach, please.”A purr rumbled in his chest. He loved it when Neo took command. He stripped, letting the towel drop at his feet, and climbed onto the sheet, lying on his stomach. Crossing his arms, he rested his head against them. “Nope, hands by your sides.” Hamza unwound his arms.“Good.”There was a snick, and a light scent filled the room. The bed sank as Neo climbed on and then straddled Hamza’s hips, carefully moving Hamza’s tail out of the way. Naked warm skin touched his, and Hamza groaned. Neo wasn’t wearing anything under that short sexy robe. “This is massage oil.” Neo spread silken wetness across Hamza’s shoulders and down his back. “You won’t be able to smell any lingering traces of it tomorrow morning, but it’ll leave your skin soft.”

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 - 15 minute Chicken Pasta

Chicken and pasta in a garlic tomato sauce topped with mozzarella & parmesan cheese cooked in just 15 minutes could become your new favorite weeknight meal!


Ingredients

2 chicken breasts cut in strips

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium yellow onion chopped

1/2 bell pepper chopped

3 cloves of garlic minced

1/2 teaspoon EACH salt, pepper, & garlic powder

1 cup marinara sauce

1/2 cup mozzarella or Italian blend cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese optional

3 cups cooked pasta 1.5 cups dry pasta






Instructions

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of salted water to boil, pour 1.5 cups of uncooked pasta and 1 tsp salt into the water. Cover and allow to cook for 10 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking, cut chicken breasts and, onion and bell peppers. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy-duty pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and saute for 1-2 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and sautee 30 seconds or until lightly golden. Add the chicken, salt, pepper, & garlic powder and saute until the chicken is browned and almost cooked through.

Add the marinara sauce and allow to simmer for 5 minutes while the pan is covered. After 5 minutes, drain the water from the pasta and pour pasta on the chicken mixture. Mix well, add the cheese and turn off. The cheese will melt from the heat of the pan. If desired, broil the cheese under the broiler in the oven until bubbly.

Top with Parmesan and enjoy!

Link: https://gimmedelicious.com/quick-easy-15-minute-chicken-pasta/

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: In the Wreckage: (Metahuman Files Book 1) by Hailey Turner

Blurb: A Marine with honor.

After surviving a horrific chemical attack that turned him into a metahuman, Captain Jamie Callahan got a second lease on life. For three years he’s been working for the Metahuman Defense Force and leading Alpha Team—all against the wishes of his family. The job requires his full dedication, so it’s no surprise Jamie doesn’t have time for a relationship. An enticing one-night stand with a gorgeous stranger is all it takes to show Jamie exactly what he’s been missing. When a mission to take down a terrorist cell brings that same stranger back into his world, Jamie’s life gets complicated.

A soldier with secrets.

Staff Sergeant Kyle Brannigan was only looking to relieve some stress after a long mission. He didn’t know the hot guy he picked up at a bar was the leader of the MDF’s top field team. When Kyle and his partner get seconded to Alpha Team to help fight a terrorist threat, he has to balance his desire for Jamie against his duty to keep his secrets safe. That gets harder and harder to do amidst regulations both are tempted to break.

Two men trying to survive.

Giving into passion could cost both their careers. Abiding by the rules will only result in heartache. An attack on MDF headquarters brings with it a choice Jamie and Kyle can’t escape—duty, or love?


In the Wreckage is a 100k word steamy m/m sci-fi military romance with a HFN ending. There is military violence within the story that may not be suitable for everyone, as well as explicit intimate scenes not suitable for readers under 18.


My thoughts: Whoot! M/M sci-fi military romance! Can I get a hell yeah??? This is one kinky book. The sex scenes are smoking hot, which, YAY! But there is plot to this, a very well-thought-out plot. Plus, the book is long and is part of a series.


Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VY2PV5M

Tuesday Teaser

He couldn’t find Neo. Hands on his hips, he studied the area. He’d looked everywhere! It felt like he’d been hunting for days. Stupid hide and seek game. He’d been sure he’d find Neo with no trouble at all. “Atat? Where’s Neo?” Hamza demanded. He was hot, tired, and so over this game.“I can’t tell you. According to Dale, that would be cheating. You’re supposed to find him on your own. You know that.” Jolak looked up from the comm and grinned at Hamza’s look of frustration. “I’ve searched everywhere! In trees, in holes in trees, in tall grass, in the many, many sitting areas in your garden… and he’s gone. Poof! He could be lost. Maybe in danger.”Jolak tapped a finger against his lips. “I see.” “I think you should tell me where he is. It’s been unit hours since I stopped counting, Atat! I’m concerned.”“Uh-huh. My young, it’s been less than twenty unit minutes.”

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 - Bacon Ranch Chicken Bake

Ingredients-for 4 servings (fast and easy to make)

3 chicken breasts

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

6 tablespoons ranch dressing

6 slices bacon

4 oz cheddar cheese


Preparation

Preheat oven to 350˚F (200˚C).

Place chicken breast in a baking dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spread 1-2 Tbsp. ranch on each chicken breast.

Layer two slices of bacon on top of each chicken breast.

Top with cheese.

Bake for 40 minutes.



Note: I make something similar, and I'd suggest cooking the bacon before hand. Or broil it at the last few minutes before serving, otherwise the bacon might still be raw. And I like a lot of cheese, so I add more than what is used. :)


Link: https://tasty.co/recipe/bacon-ranch-chicken-bake

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:  Cronin's Key by N.R. Walker  



Blurb: NYPD Detective Alec MacAidan has always been good with weird. After all, his life has been a string of the unexplainable. But when an injured man gives him cryptic clues, then turns to dust in front of him, Alec's view on weird is changed forever.

Cronin, a vampire Elder, has spent the last thousand years waiting for Alec. He'd been told his fated one would be a man wielding a shield, but he didn't expect him to be human, and he certainly didn't expect that shield to be a police badge.

Both men, strong-willed and stubborn, are still learning how to cope with the push and pull of being fated, when fate throws them another curveball.

Rumors have spread quickly of turmoil in Egypt. Covens are fleeing with news of a vampire who has a talent like no other, hell-bent on unleashing the wrath of Death.

Alec and Cronin are thrown into a world of weird Alec cannot imagine. What he learned in school of ancient pharaohs and Egyptian gods was far from the truth. Instead, he finds out firsthand that history isn't always what it seems.
My thoughts: This is probably one of the best vampire books I’ve ever read. And to add to it, there are several more in the series. And to add to that, lol, each book is about Alec and Cronin… something you don’t see too often. Again, the worldbuilding is amazing and rich in the history of our (meaning human lol) world. You’ll have to read it to understand what I mean.

Tuesday Teaser

“I do want to address something you said earlier about Hamza’s reaction to this situation. My young, he’s reacting as any Tah’Narian would. I’m not sure why this concerns you,” Doc said.“Oh good grief, Doc, really? You’ve been mated to a human for how long now?” John pried the comm out of Doc’s hand. “And don’t flatten those ears of yours at me either.” Neo snorted. He knew that tone of voice. His dabba was in trouble.“Neo? I want you to remember that neither Duran nor Jolak are human. You, on the other hand, do have human DNA—mine,” John said. “I raised you to understand my culture and to understand human perspective. Hamza does not have human DNA. As your dabbasaid, he’s reacting like a Tah’Narian would. What Doc should have added was he’s reacting like a pure-blooded Tah’Narian. They were once a warrior race.”“Once?” Doc growled. “My love, we still are! We are fearless. We are merciless. We are—”“Hotheaded, and that’s putting it nicely.” John rolled his eyes. “Hamza is responding as his genetics demand. Do not look for human empathy, my young, because there is nothing human about your mate. Hamza is decidedly angry, and for a Tah’Narian, that can be deadly.”“Empathy and genetics aside, the Ne Reyn have committed a grave offense,” Doc added