M.A. Church's Blog, page 82

Update

So, I have an announcement to make. Because of on-going payment issues for over a year now, I've asked for my rights back from Dreamspinner Press. Come June 30th all my English titles at Dreamspinner Press will be pulled. All fourteen books will eventually go back up, but it'll take time for me to self-pub them. Some covers I’ll get, others I’ll have redone. I’m in the process of that, starting with Trouble Comes in Threes.


I’m finishing the last werecat book now and will eventually start a spin-off series that has to do Carter’s wolves. They were introduced in Aidric’s story.


As hard as this decision was, I feel it was the best thing for me.
~M

Finicky Friday - Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

TOTAL TIME:18 minutes
PREP TIME:10 minutes
COOK TIME:8 minutes

Bacon wrapped chicken bites are the easiest appetizer, made with just TWO ingredients. Using the air fryer, the bacon comes out crisp on the outside, and the chicken juicy and tender inside.

INGREDIENTS:

1.25 lbs (3) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in 1-inch chunks (about 30 pieces)

10 slices center cut bacon, cut into thirds
optional, duck sauce or Thai sweet chili sauce for dipping






DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the air fryer.

Wrap a piece of bacon around each piece of chicken and secure with a toothpick.

Air fry, in batches in an even layer 400F  for 8 minutes, turning halfway until the chicken is cooked and the bacon is browned.

Blot on a paper towel and serve right away.



NUTRITION INFORMATION
Yield: 10 servings, Serving Size: 3 pieces



Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 98 calories
Total Fat: 3.5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 44mg
Sodium: 130.5mg
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 16g


Read more at https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-bacon-wrapped-chicken-bites/#IgdMawfkO0cDHBJe.99

Tuesday Teaser - The One and Only

His cell rang, and he fished it out of his pocket. Seeing the name on the screen, he exhaled deeply. “Speaking of drama….” He unlocked it and answered. “Hey, you. What’s up?”“The sky,” Breanna quipped.“Oh, ha-ha.” Brier rolled his eyes even though his sister couldn’t see him. Breanna moved back to the clowder not long ago and had made it her mission in life to annoy the shit out of him it seemed. “That was funny when we were kids.”“And yet you keep falling for it.”“Did you call me for something?” Brier actually dreaded her answer. After listening to her whine endlessly about the snow where she lived, he’d told her to come home if she was that unhappy in Philadelphia. Should’ve kept his mouth shut, because the next thing he knew, she was calling with a moving date. “Or was it just to rag on me?”“Calm your tits.”“Damn, really? You have got to stop hanging around Janelle.” Breanna went to work at Janelle, Marshell, and Lawson’s car wash business as an accountant. She and Janelle hit it off at once.“I’ll make sure and tell her that.”“No! Don’t you dare.” Knowing Janelle, she’d take it out on him the next time they had a training session. She was a beta, and a totally badassed Vetala.“Now, see, what I heard was you’re open to blackmail. Excellent. Unless you want me squeal, you better swing by my apartment later.”“I hate you.” “Bullshit. I’m your favorite sister.”“You’re my only sister.”“Semantics. So, when can I expect you?”

Finicky Friday - Chunky Cheesecake Brownies

Chunky Cheesecake Brownies
55 m16 servings244 cals

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt


Directions


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

Combine cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 egg in a mixing bowl; beat until smooth. Stir 1 cup chocolate chips into the cream cheese mixture. Set aside.

Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat off, and set a heatproof mixing bowl over the water. In the mixing bowl, combine butter with the remaining cup of chocolate chips; stir until just melted and blended together. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 2 eggs, then sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into chocolate until evenly blended.

Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate layer. Top with remaining chocolate mixture (this doesn't need to completely cover the cream cheese layer). Using a knife, swirl the top chocolate layer into the cream cheese to make a marble pattern.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is crinkled and edges pull away from sides of the pan. Cool thoroughly. Cut into 12 to 16 squares. Store in the refrigerator or freeze.





Tip: Parchment can be used for easier cleanup/removal from the pan.

Nutrition Facts: Per Serving: 244 calories; 15 g fat; 27.1 g carbohydrates; 3.7 g protein; 58 mg cholesterol; 125 mg sodium.

link: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/54787/chunky-cheesecake-brownies/?internalSource=streams&referringId=1557&referringContentType=Recipe%20Hub&clickId=st_trending_s

Tuesday Teaser - The One and Only

PrologueIn the distance, a twig snapped, the sound sharp and explosive. Unease pricked his skin. Slowly he opened his eyes, scanning the darkness around their campsite. Shadows danced at the edge of the dying light from the fire. Silence reined. No leaves rustled as small animals scuttled along the forest floor. No crickets chirped. No frogs sang. Gently he nudged his mate, who slept in shifted form in his arms. Eerie blue eyes popped open, bright and clear, but he made no sound. His whiskers twitched, and his nose wiggled as he sniffed. Those beautiful eyes widened as he understood danger stalked them again.Yeah, they’d dealt with this before.They’d been so careful, but then, they normally were. Once more it didn’t seem to matter. Why can’t they just leave us alone? They never bother anyone—never stayed in one area long—but trouble always found them. So, who had their panties in a twist now? When it came to his mate, every damn shifter in the world appeared to had a problem with the beautiful redheaded Omega. Well, fuck every last one of them. They’d learn the hard way not to mess with what was his.The soft tread of footsteps on grassy ground came closer. Whispers floated on the breeze. “One smells human.” “Good. Then we don’t have to worry about him.”He smirked. They always thought that. They were always wrong.“Go, babe,” he whispered, loosening the grip on his mate. “Find that tree we agreed on. Stay there until this is over.” An escape plan was always a must.The werecat in his arms shot away, a red blur.“Dammit, the freak heard us! It’s running!” Annoyed he pushed to his feet. His mate was not an ‘it’ nor was he a freak. The shifter in human form took off after the werecat. The sound of one of the men shifting carried on the breeze. He didn’t have the strength to take on a shifter, but he did have something else. He tackled the huge wolf before the shift was finished. Together they rolled toward the base of a tree and into the shadows. Keeping a tight hold on the furry, muscular body, they disappeared into his world, a void that was eternal. And of the deepest black. No light eased the unrelieved darkness. No sound disrupted the never ending quiet. No scent to evoke memories. Complete isolation with no escape. It was a bleak prison, a land of nothingness, where he abandoned any threats. In the emptiness, they only had their mind to keep them company as they stumbled through the darkness, waiting to die.Served them right.The creature in his arms whimpered, snapping his massive jaws and fighting violently for release. Shoving the shifter away, he left the wolf to his fate and stepped out from the shadow world. Before him stood the other man at the base of the tree where a red werecat hissed down at him.“You freak of natural.” The werewolf growled, cracking his knuckles. “If you come down now, you won’t suffer for days. After we’re done with your freaky ass, we’ll make your death quick, you fucking halfbreed. If I have to come up there and get you, I promise my buddy and I will take turns with you.”Coldly he stared at the werewolf’s back. Idiot hadn’t even realized he was there yet. “You really shouldn’t have bothered us. Now you pay.” He reached out, snagged the shifter by the shoulder, and pulled the shadows to him. Threaten his mate and the price was a slow, silent death.

Finicky Friday - Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

1 h
6 servings
232 cals


Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the honey, mustard, basil, paprika, and parsley. Mix well. Pour 1/2 of this mixture over the chicken, and brush to cover.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn chicken pieces over and brush with the remaining 1/2 of the honey mustard mixture. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.


link: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8847/baked-honey-mustard-chicken/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringId=14485&referringContentType=Recipe%20Hub

Tuesday Teaser

This little snippet comes from the last werecat book, The One and Only.  It's unedited too, so forgive any mistakes. :)~M

Pulling into Arches, Brier lucked out and quickly found a parking space. Sam’s restaurant employed both humans and paranormals, but he always filled the managerial positions with werecats. Lately Sam had focused on employing more women from the clowder, which, of course, hadn’t gone over well with the elders. He’d bet Janelle was behind that move. He walked inside, hunted down the manager, and informed her he’d be prowling around out back. He headed to where Sam said he noticed the scent. Thanks to a weak streetlight, shadows reached from darken spaces. Tree limbs rustled in the lonesome breeze. Fuck, it was really isolated back there. The opened dumpster sat behind the restaurant in a small alley. A vacant lot with overgrown trees was across from the back of the restaurant. The closer he got to the dumpster, the more the hair on his neck stood up. His cat suddenly growled. Not one to ignore such a warning, Brier expanded his senses, looking for whatever was disturbing his animal, but there was nothing… nothing but an odd, faint scent under a confusing melody of smells.  His cat stalked in his mind, tail swishing.Brier sniffed. There was the barely-there tang of werecat, but it was so faded, so… weak. Generic. But even that was nearly drowned out by much stronger chemical-based notes—oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen… and water? What the hell? His nose twitched, and he mindless rubbed it. Sam was right—something was seriously off with the odor. Confused, he stared at the dumpster. What he smelled reminded him of… dammit. It reminded him of a human, not a werecat. Then it nailed him between the eyes. “Holy shit, there’s no personal scent marker. At all.” His cat yowled.Reeling, Brier stumbled backward. All werecats had a personal scent. All of them. His own was sweet, light, and fruity. Sort of citrusy—or so he’d been told. How could a werecat, who had obviously been here in shifted form, not have a personal fucking scent? He’d never heard of anything like that. How was it even possible? Fuck, he couldn’t tell if the shifter was male or female.

Night's Fall is now live on Amazon!

link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MXNPXSR

Blurb:

Things do go bump in the night.

Running from a tragic loss, worrying over a missing brother, and flustered about dreams he can’t explain, Michael James searches for a peaceful place to call home. A quaint little town on the Florida coast promises to be just what he needs to start a new life.

Then myth clashes with reality, and Michael’s life is upended. Vampires, werewolves, and other magical paranormals prowl the city of Mystic Bay, his new home.

And not all of them are friendly.

Clayton Night, a seductive, powerful vampire, desires more than Michael’s blood—he wants Michael for eternity. The mighty
Clay Night has fallen, but can his love keep Michael safe from an enemy seeking revenge?

As darkness closes in, Michael has a choice to make—a short mortal life or an eternity of love and danger?

*Previously published as Darkness Awaits. This book has been revised and expanded considerably from its original version to alter both characters and plot events to enhance the reader’s enjoyment.

Night's Fall cover reveal

Cover by:  Simply Defined Art


Blurb:

Things do go bump in the night.

Running from a tragic loss, worrying over a missing brother, and flustered about dreams he can’t explain, Michael James searches for a peaceful place to call home. A quaint little town on the Florida coast promises to be just what he needs to start a new life.

Then myth clashes with reality, and Michael’s life is upended. Vampires, werewolves, and other magical paranormals prowl the city of Mystic Bay, his new home.

And not all of them are friendly.

Clayton Night, a seductive, powerful vampire, desires more than Michael’s blood—he wants Michael for eternity. The mighty Clay Night has fallen, but can his love keep Michael safe from an enemy seeking revenge?
As darkness closes in, Michael has a choice to make—a short mortal life or an eternity of love and danger?


Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43556139-night-s-fall

Finicky Friday - CREAMY GARLIC MUSHROOM CHICKEN

Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken
Tender and juicy chicken in the most amazing creamy and delicious garlic mushroom sauce! This makes one incredible 30 minute meal!


Prep time 10 minsCook time 15 minsTotal time 25 mins
Serves: 4-6


INGREDIENTS1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, or breasts2 Tablespoons olive oil8 ounces sliced mushrooms3 garlic cloves, minced or whole (whatever your preference is)1 cup chicken broth½ cup heavy cream2 ounces cream cheese, softened1 teaspoon garlic powder½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon pepper1 Tablespoon flour



INSTRUCTIONSIn a large skillet add olive oil and cook the chicken on medium high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side or until brown on each side and cooked until no longer pink in center.
Remove chicken and set aside on a plate. Add the sliced mushrooms and garlic and cook for a few minutes until tender. Remove and set aside.To make the sauce add the chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat and whisk until smooth.
Add the flour and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until it starts to thicken. Add the mushrooms and garlic to the sauce followed by the chicken and coat in the creamy sauce.
Heat for a couple of minutes and serve immediately.





link: https://therecipecritic.com/creamy-garlic-mushroom-chicken/