M.A. Church's Blog, page 74

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: Open Mind (Kink Chronicles Book 1) by Luna David and Morningstar Ashley 



Blurb: 
At twenty-eight, Jamie Gray has realized his dream of becoming a traveling nurse. After years of moving from place to place, he’s met so many new people but hasn’t formed any true connections. Jamie knows it’s time to stop avoiding his life, like he’s been doing since the death of his mother; his only family. Moving to the big city of Powell’s Point to share an apartment with his best friend is exactly what he needs. It feels like the best time to set down some roots and get into a routine...and maybe, just maybe find love.

Ronan Kincaid comes from a long line of doctors. Not being one to conform to the desires of his parents or society, his small practice focuses on the people in the BDSM community of Powell’s Point. Often misunderstood, the community needs someone who knows and lives their lifestyle...someone who will take care of them the way they deserve.

With his well-respected practice and exceptional bedside manner—coupled with afterhours scenes and kinky house calls—the nickname Dr. Kink takes hold, much to his dismay. Needing to replace his long-time nurse, he hires the best candidate for his growing practice, figuring his mild attraction is of no consequence. But as time passes, he finds it harder and harder to keep his thoughts and hands away from his new nurse. If only Jamie wasn’t so captivating, drawing Ronan to touch.

As their mounting attraction becomes impossible to ignore, their secrets are revealed, changing everything between them. Heated glances turn into heated touches, and they find themselves wondering: Is what they have a passing phase of pleasure and kink, or can they both open their minds to the possibility of a forever love?

Author’s Note: For those of you that prefer warnings use the “Look Inside” feature to find them within the first several pages. For those of you that prefer to be surprised, ignore them. . . Happy reading!



Loved the characters. Loved the kink (Don’t know which author came up with the name Dr. Kink but that was brilliant lol!). Loved the premise of this book. I read this in one sitting--I just couldn’t put it down, then read book #2. (This is also a series.) 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N3ZT8JX

Pucker Up Monday (slightly NSFW)

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

**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: Five Minutes Longer (Enhanced World Book 1) by Victoria Sue 



Blurb: Talon Valdez knew when he transformed into an enhanced human, his life and his dreams were finished. Reviled, mistrusted, and often locked away, the enhanced were viewed as monsters, despised by the public, and never trusted to serve in the military or any law enforcement agency.Years later he gets a chance to set up a task force of enhanced to serve in the FBI, but with one proviso: each enhanced must partner with a regular human.
Finn Mayer dreamed of joining the FBI from the time he was fourteen and made every possible sacrifice to make it happen, including living with his selfish mother and bullying, homophobic brother and never having a boyfriend. But his undiagnosed dyslexia stopped his aspirations dead in their tracks. His last chance is to partner with Talon, an enhanced with deadly abilities who doesn’t trust regular humans with their secrets and wants Finn to fail.
Four weeks to prove himself to the team. Four weeks for the team to prove itself to the public. And when another group threatens their success—and their lives—four weeks for them to survive.
***re-release 2020. Contains no significant story differences***


One of my absolute favorites. I remember reading this when it first came out and loving it. The worldbuilding is very interesting. You have enhanced humans, who each have different types of powers, then you have regular humans. Has a very Xmen feeling but set in today’s world. Now add in the ‘cop’ angle! (Only this is more FBI.)
This is also a series, and I’ve read all but the last book (and I’m working on it lol).


Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083NW1ZYC/

Dragon's Hoard is live in KU!

Dragon's Hoard-2nd edition 



Blurb:

To be loved by a dragon is to be treasured.

A hundred years ago, werewolf Alpha Montgomery took a risk driven by desperation—he borrowed money from the ancient dragon Warwick Ehecatl, putting up the pack lands as collateral. Now the debt is due, and dragons don’t forget—or forgive. 
Warwick demands Montgomery’s son, Avery, and three businesses as compensation. As an Omega, Avery knows he is basically useless to his pack, so he might as well agree. He soon has second thoughts, though. Warwick is fearsome, and he’s free to do as he likes with Avery.

Warwick knows his race’s reputation, and he even admits some of it is deserved. But he’d rather cut off his tail than let his innocent mate’s light go out. It won’t be easy, but buried deep, there’s something between them worth safeguarding.



**Second Edition, Previously Published**
This book has been previously published. The cover may have changed, but the title, author, and story content have not changed from the first version originally published in 2017. If you have that version in your library, please do not purchase again.


Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Hoard-M-Church-ebook/dp/B084FG3R2S

Little Red (Big Bad Wolves Book One) by Queenie Wise

**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: Little Red (Big Bad Wolves Book One) by Queenie Wise  

Blurb:
Peter “Penis” Caldwell (nickname bestowed courtesy of popular jock, Jackson Davis) didn’t necessarily have a lot of things going for him.

1. See “Penis”.

2. He attended high school in a small town that was as bigoted as it was boring. (Having the audacity to stand out was considered a major character flaw.)

3. He was maybe, sort of, a little bit (a lot) gay.

Not that anyone knew that last one.

None of that meant, however, that Peter was prepared for the consequences when he is bitten by a giant wolf during a reckless night of teenage adventure.

Consequences that smack him right in the face when he is simultaneously saved and snatched by a (hugely-muscled, obscenely handsome)... mentally-imbalanced man who’s convinced that he’s a long-distance relation of Jacob Black. That’s right: werewolf.

Mr. Big and Bad claims Peter is one, too, now that he’s bitten him.

The only thing worse than being kidnapped by a crazy person? A crazy person who’s right.
Forced to adjust to pack life in a hidden society, Peter’s not sure what he longs to do more: throttle the man who’s bitten him and ruined his life so conclusively, or throw himself on Mr. Big and Bad’s ridiculously firm… lap.

Yeah, lap.

Please note the trigger warnings in the front matter. The second book in the Big Bad Wolves series, and the sequel to Little Red - Big Bad - is now available!



Okay, so… this is an interesting spin on an old fairytale. The title was what caught my attention first, then the blurb, since it’s not your usual, everyday garden variety style written blurb! The beginning was a little dark… a little horror-filled. At least some might think so. *shrug* I didn’t, but some might. On a dare, a group of young men go to check out an abandoned house that rumors say is hunted. Or something lol. They end up getting more than they bargained for, Peter especially when he’s bitten by the ‘big, bad wolf”.

This is a new-to-me author, and I was so hooked on the book, I went and read book #2 immediately. This is one I can see myself reading again and again, I liked the style so much.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Red-Big-Wolves-Book-ebook/dp/B07XTQTM26

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.

New cover for The Harvest: A Tah'Narian Christmas

Nothing with the story has changed, I just wanted a new cover for it. :) I also want to give a shout-out to the cover artist, Morningstar Ashley. She did a wonderful job with this, and I highly recommend her.

You can find her here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoversbyDesignsbyMorningstar/?source_id=133431350625635
And her website is here: https://morningstarashley.com/



Blurb:
So what’s an alien to do when his mate refuses to say what’s bothering him? Why, he sends a deep space message to his mate’s mother on earth, what else?

Keyno not only learns the importance of Christmas to his chosen, he’s also shocked and confused as to why Dale hasn’t shared this with him. There is no such celebration on Tah’Nar, but that doesn’t stop Keyno from trying to bring happiness to Dale. He’s not only a starship captain, he’s also an excellent strategist. He gathers his closest friends—Doc and Gibor—and researchers the holiday.

He finds three important things about Christmas: First there is an older, heavyset male called the Santa Claus. The second is the holiday usually revolves around a tree laden with shiny baubles and lights with gifts under it. And finally they learn they’re supposed to eat way too much, then lie around and moan because they ate too much.

Humans are so odd.

These mighty warriors survived the birth of their young, surely an undertaking of this magnitude is not beyond their grasp. Hopefully Dale will be pleased with all the trouble Keyno went to. But just in case, Keyno has a very special surprise in store for his chosen for his first Tah’Narian Christmas.


Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018STI75E

One-Pan Apricot Glazed Walnut and Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast with Roasted Potatoes.

 prep time 15 minutes
 cook time 50 minutes
 total time 1 hour 5 minutes




INGREDIENTS

POTATOES
1 1/2 pounds small red and purple potatoes halved
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon seasoned salt + 1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves garlic minced or grated
zest of 1 lemon


CHICKEN
4 skin on boneless chicken breast
1/2 cup walnuts lightly toasted
1 cup fresh basil
1 clove garlic minced or grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 ounces brie cubed
2 ounces cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/4 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar




INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Add the potatoes to a large sheet pan with sides. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil. Add the seasoned salt, pepper, garlic and lemon zest. Toss well. Roast for 10 minutes or until you are ready to add the chicken to the pan.

Meanwhile, prepare the chicken. Place walnuts, basil and garlic in food processor and slowly add the olive oil until mixture becomes paste like.

Next add brie, cream cheese and egg to the food processor and pulse until mixed well. Season with salt and pepper.

Gently pull up skin from chicken breasts and spread about 1-2 tablespoons (depending on the size of your chicken) of cheese mixture under skin of each breast.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and slide them around a bit to make room for the chicken. Place the chicken on the pan. In a bowl, combine the apricot preserves, balsamic and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Brush the mixture all over the chicken breasts.

Place the pan back in the oven and roast for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes golden. If the potatoes are cooking faster then the chicken, just remove them a bit early to avoid burning. Serve the chicken with a side of potatoes and fresh basil for garnish.


Link: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/one-pan-apricot-walnut-and-brie-stuffed-chicken-breast-with-roasted-potatoes/

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: Witchblood (Kitsune Chronicles #1) by Lissa Kasey

Blurb: Sebastion survived a fox among wolves by running from everything he ever loved.Sebastian is an omega who has never even dreamed of finding his alpha. A fox raised among werewolves, Seb has spent his entire life fighting to survive, until Liam rescues him from a demon from his past.
As an alpha werewolf, Liam is everything Sebastian has spent the last year, and his entire life, avoiding. Except that when they are together everything makes sense, the stars align, and fated mates becomes Seb's reality rather than fiction.
When Seb's past catches up with them, he and Liam will need to accept the bond or die fighting the darkness that is determined to tear them apart.
This MM romance features fated mates, an alpha and omega, a ghost cat, a snarky kitsune, a lot of action, and some super hot romance.


Whew boy. This one will tug at your heartstrings. If you’re looking for fluffy/low angst, this isn’t it, so make sure you have time to get lost in the book because you won’t want to put it down.

In her bio, Lissa states she specializes in depth characters, detailed world building, and twisting plots. All stories have a side of romance and emotionally messed up protagonists. Take that seriously. Seb will make your heart bleed. I teared up a few times, and I don’t normally. The things he goes through are just devastating. Needless to say, his lack of trust is understanding.

The world building is phenomenal. And there is kitsune lore! And werewolves, fae, vampires, witches, and magic! There is twist on the usual shifter mythology, which I found creative. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can’t wait for book 2. (Which is in the works. It’s been written, and now has to go through the final stages. I can’t give a timeframe except to say it’s coming.)


Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Witchblood-Kitsune-Chronicle-Story-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B07NZ8RBQ1

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.