Karen Docter's Blog, page 242
June 9, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Only Marriage Will Do by Jenna Jaxon
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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ONLY MARRIAGE WILL DO
The House of Pleasure, Book 2
BY JENNA JAXON
Blurb
Happily-ever-afters don’t always begin at “I do.”
When the man of her dreams rescues Lady Juliet Ferrers from the villain claiming to be her husband, she is sure she has found her one true love. But is she free to marry him? Not to be deterred, Juliet arranges for her hero to escort her to her family estate in far off Northern England—hoping that along the way she can win his love—and his hand…
Captivated by Juliet’s sweetness and beauty, Captain Amiable Dawson can’t help but be spellbound by the promise of a life with her. But the spell breaks when questions arise about her marital status. Soon the upstanding Amiable is unsure if he is indeed married to Juliet. And when his rival absconds with her, Amiable must choose between the law of the land and his heart’s desire to rescue Juliet once more…
ONLY MARRIAGE WILL DO
The House of Pleasure, Book 2
BY JENNA JAXON
The Inspiration Behind Only Marriage Will Do…
When I first began writing in early 2009, I started reading historical romances non-stop to get a feel for the genre. I started with my fave author, Kathleen Woodiwiss, who wrote in all sorts of periods, but quickly branched off into LisOna Kleypas, Mary Balogh, Samantha James, and Jo Beverley. Of all these authors, Jo Beverley was the one that held me most spellbound. The first work I read of hers was a novella called The Determined Bride, set in the Georgian period and I simply fell in love. In love with Jo Beverley’s writing and with the Georgian period. I love her Regencies also, but the earlier period is much wilder, much bawdier, more dangerous. Men still fought duels with swords and wore very colorful clothing. The perfect time period for a scandalous romance.
And so The House of Pleasure series was born (the name of the brothel where several scenes from all the novels in the series are set) with Only Scandal Will Do. It had all those wonderful things like kidnappings, brothel auctions, and swordplay. My characters and I had a blast as the plot unfolded.
So I sailed right into the second novel, Only Marriage Will Do, about the sister of the hero of Scandal, who goes missing at the end of book one. I used information that had been woven throughout Only Scandal Will Do as back story for this totally new hero, Captain Amiable Dawson, and heroine, Lady Juliet Ferrers.
Amiable, whose name simply sprang forth during the writing of Scandal like Athena from Zeus’s forehead. I’ve never heard that word used as a name before, but there it was and I thought it was very different and cool, so Amiable he became. Dawson may have been from the hero of Titanic, Jack Dawson, but I’m not really sure about that.
His story is intertwined with Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam’s, the heroine of Scandal, as he is coming to see Katarina, whom he wanted to marry, only to find out she’s already wed to the Marquess of Dalbury. But that is how he meets Lady Juliet, at the beginning of Marriage.
Book one was all about scandal and how it brings the hero and heroine together. Only Marriage Will Do is all about marriage, the question throughout being to whom is Lady Juliet actually married. And again the setting of the untamed Georgian period makes for some wild and exciting adventures for the hero and heroine: a journey north at breakneck speed, an abduction by the evil viscount, and torture at the hands of the same man.
My great thanks to Jo Beverley for introducing me to the romance of the eighteenth century. I can hardly wait to travel back again and start book number three.
EXCERPT
London
July 2, 1761
The brass lion-head knocker under Amiable Dawson’s hand sent a sharp rap through the dark walnut door of Dunham House for the second time. The hot July sun hadn’t done his temper any good as he waited on the marble stoop for entrance to the Marquess of Dalbury’s townhouse. He’d been in a foul mood ever since the news of his beloved Katarina’s marriage to the marquess had reached him. Blast it to hell, the girl had accepted his proposal. At least he could make sure she was well and well taken care of by this man she had married.
At last a short, dark-haired maid opened the door. She took one look at him, gasped, and stepped back into the house. Her eyes widened and she glanced to her right, wringing her hands. “Who may I say—”
A man shouted from within. “No, I do not believe you.”
“I do not care what you believe. I told you the truth.” A woman’s voice, raised and sharp with terror, sent a chill through Amiable.
Katarina. What in God’s name?
He barged past the stunned girl and strode down the hall toward the commotion. He burst through the doorway, expecting to defend the woman he loved, only to stop dead at the sight of a man lunging across a sofa and grasping a woman by the wrist. Amiable had half drawn his sword before he realized the woman was not Katarina, but a complete stranger. He dropped it back into its scabbard. None of his affair after all.
The young man, foppishly dressed in a robin’s egg blue satin coat dripping too many layers of frothy lace at throat and wrists, looked at Amiable, a snarl on his lips.
Taking advantage of the distraction, the woman wrenched her arm from the man’s grip. “Praise God. He has arrived at last.” She staggered as she righted herself. “Now you will have to believe me, Philippe.”
The fop scrambled back off the sofa and groped for a black lacquer walking stick that lay on the floor. Lips pressed together, he glowered at the woman. “That remains to be seen, ma chère. In any case, I have shown you the papers. They speak for themselves.”
The woman ran from behind the sofa to Amiable’s side, grazed a kiss over his cheek, and whispered, “For God’s sake, help me. I am alone and he wants to force me to go with him. Please, agree with whatever I say.”
He smiled into her pleading face, then grasped her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze to signal his acquiescence. “Whatever is the matter, my dear?” Hell if he knew. However, he could play his part, even with little information. Let the lady lead and he’d follow as well as he could.
The woman swayed toward him, then took a deep breath. “My dear, may I present Viscount St. Cyr?” She nodded toward the fop. “Philippe, my husband, the Earl of Manning.”About the author, Jenna Jaxon…
Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. She has just finished her fifth full length novel, To Woo A Wicked Widow, set in Regency England and the first book in her five part series, The Widow’s Club.
Only Scandal Will Do, the first book in her Georgian House of Pleasure series, is available in both e-book and print. Only Marriage Will Do, second book in the series, is due to release early in 2015. Her medieval trilogy, Time Enough to Love, is published by Rising Phoenix Publications. Betrothal,Book 1, Betrayal,Book 2, and Beleaguered,Book 3 are now all available.
Jenna has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.
She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.
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Links to Jenna’s website, blog, books, etc.
BUY LINKS
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-marriage-will-do-jenna-jaxon/1120611643?ean=9781616506186
Find Jenna Jaxon online:
BLOG: https://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jenna_Jaxon
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570
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Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Thanks, Jenna, for sharing your story with us!
June 8, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: All Of Me by Jennifer Bernard
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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ALL OF ME
Love Between The Bases #1
BY JENNIFER BERNARD
Blurb
Jennifer Bernard, the USA Today bestselling author of the Bachelor Firemen series, scores another homerun with a brand-new series about sexy, single baseball players.
Playing for the Kilby Catfish is hotshot pitcher Caleb Hart’s last chance to salvage his career after a major league meltdown. But the day of his opener with the minor league team, Caleb strikes out with the gorgeous woman who is delivering a petition to run the unruly Catfish out of town. Now to stay in the lineup, Caleb will need to score big with the feisty brunette he can’t keep out of his thoughts.
After the nasty lies Sadie Merritt’s rich ex-boyfriend spread about her all over town, she’s lucky to have a job at all. She can’t afford to screw it up by falling for the player who is supposed to be helping her change the image of the fun-loving Catfish. But that’s easier said than done when Caleb’s voice alone is enough to make her pulse race. And when he surprises her with a mind-blowing kiss, she knows there’s no turning back.
ALL OF ME
Love Between The Bases #1
BY JENNIFER BERNARD
EXCERPT
When Sadie glanced back over her shoulder, Caleb was chatting with two guys who must be fans, the way they were staring up at him in awe. She let out a long breath, grateful that she still had the ability to inhale and exhale. Caleb Hart was completely outside her experience. She’d known plenty of guys, of course. Boys at high school, boys at Kilby Community College. And the boy who’d ruined her life, Hamilton Wade.
But not even Hamilton had caused her heart to do this crazy cartwheeling Caleb inspired. She’d been swept off her feet by Ham, but in an awestruck, what-does-he-see-in-me way. He hadn’t made her hands damp and her thoughts scurry every which way like an anthill someone had stepped on.
Caleb had caught her at a vulnerable time in her life, that was all. There was a rational explanation for this crazy sensation, as if the ground wasn’t quite stable under her feet. Maybe there was a medical explanation, like vertigo. Or maybe Donna had spiked that White Russian. For sure, she couldn’t risk another devastating humiliation at the hands of a man.
She found Donna leaning on the bar, talking to Mike. “Donna, I have to go home. I told my mom I wouldn’t stay out too late.”
Donna turned a beaming, blurry smile on her. “Mike was just explaining the benefits of celibacy to me. Did you know it could raise my batting average by fifty points?”
Sadie smiled at Mike, who winked. “Thanks, Mike. It was nice to meet you, but I’m going to take Donna home now.”
She couldn’t help looking for Caleb as she herded Donna toward the exit. As one of the tallest men in the room, and the one all the girls kept checking out, he was hard to miss. By the time she reached the door, three girls had joined the two other fans. He leaned against the wall, listening patiently to the little knot of admirers. The low light created shadows under his cheekbones and made the stubborn line of his jaw stand out. A slight smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.
His eyes shifted so he caught her gaze in a sudden flash of steely silver. The half smile turned into a full-voltage grin that transformed his face into something that belonged on a movie screen. Her knees nearly buckled, but she couldn’t for the life of her stop the smile that spread across her face.
She gave him an awkward little wave, then nearly tripped over Donna, who had stopped to adjust her halter top.
Donna staggered, then grabbed onto a nearby table. Sadie hauled her back to her feet and then, her face burning, glanced again at Caleb.
His smile broadened even further. He put his hand to his ear in a “Call me” gesture, then pointed from himself to her.
Oh my God. He was going to call her.
About the author, Jennifer Bernard…
Jennifer Bernard is the USA Today bestselling author of the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriels series. She is a graduate of Harvard and a former news promo producer. The child of academics, she confounded her family by preferring romance novels to … well, any other books. She left big city life for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She’s no stranger to book success, as she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name not to be mentioned at family gatherings.
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Links to Jennifer’s website, blog, books, etc.
Link to Follow Tour:
http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/01/all-of-me-love-between-bases-1-by_31.html
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23166823-all-of-me?ac=1
Buy Links: Amazon | B& N | BAM | iBooks | Kobo
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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June 7, 2015
**Author Peek** Interview with Jenna Jaxon
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with
JENNA JAXON
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INTRODUCING…JENNA.
Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.
I am a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance who has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. I usually try to incorporate all of these elements into my stories. I live in Virginia with my family and a small menagerie of pets. When I’m not reading or writing or watching Outlander, I teach theatre at a university.
1. What genre(s) do you write and why?
I write historical romance in a number of periods and erotic contemporary. I write historicals because I love history and research (history major in college). I love reading them and writing them. The erotic contemporaries I kind of fell into when a member of one of my loops was launching his e-publishing house and sent out a request for erotic Fractured Fairy Tales and I came up with a fun take on The Three Little Pigs called Hog Wild. So I’ve been writing that genre as well ever since.
2. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?
Probably flying so I could get over my fear of heights. 
3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?
I’m not usually stuck and I’ve never had writer’s block (knock on wood), but the one time I did get stuck, I just kept writing, no matter whether it was good or not. The first thing my mentor, Judi McCoy ever said to me was “You can fix crap, you can’t fix nothing.” So I guess I just power through, no matter what.
4. What is your least favorite part of writing ?
Marketing. I love to create and revise, but then I hate having to stop the fun part and go on SoMe or figure out new ways to get the word out because it takes time away from the real work. A necessary evil, though.
5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
I would likely fix my best Old Southern Sunday Dinner: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, collards, squash and onions, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
6. What is your typical day like?
That depends on the time of year it is. If it’s during the school year, I get up early, maybe 6am, make hot tea and sit down to check email and do my duty on social media. If I have time, I may write a little before heading out to work. If I’m not in a production, I’ll be home by 6pm, fix dinner, make hot tea and head to the bedroom to write until midnight or 1:00am (maybe 2am). If I’m in a production, I won’t get home until midnight or 1am, so I have very minimal writing time. During the summer, however, I get up at about 7am, make my hot tea, sit and do SoMe, then start writing. I write as much as I can (with inevitable interruptions on the phone), take a break at noon for lunch. Back at the computer by 1pm, write all afternoon, fix dinner, socialize with my family, then back to writing until 2am or until I fall asleep at the computer.
7. What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?
I think characters are probably the most difficult of those three because by the time I sit down to write, I know the characters so intimately that I unconsciously assume that the reader knows them too, so I leave out stuff about their background or reasoning for their actions, only to have my beta readers say, “What the heck is going on here?” Thank God, for beta readers!
8. How likely are the people you meet going to end up in your next book?
Their names are more likely to end up in my books than the actual people. In fact, the villain of Only Marriage Will Do, has the name of two of my students from long ago. I just thought St. Cyr was a cool looking name, and Philippe sounded wonderfully French.
9. Tell us about your hero. Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.
The hero of Only Marriage Will Do, Captain Amiable Dawson, is one of my favorite characters. He is everything a hero should be, dashing, handsome, brave, and resourceful. His strength lies in his sense of honor and what is right. That is what grounds him. His weakness is his penchant for saving damsels in distress. He cannot resist rescuing a lady, which leads him into trouble from the beginning of Marriage.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?
My next book, Crashing Through Time, is a time travel novella, set in the present day England and 1868 Victorian England. It’s the story of a woman researcher who accidentally travels back to find the subject of her research and must decide if she will let history continue as written, which means the man must die, or if she will save him and risk changing the future as she knows it. Crashing Through Time is part of a boxed set, Crashing Into Love, with six other extremely talented authors, all writing stories involving a plane crash that leads to love. It releases July 1, 2015.
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Links to Jenna’s website, blog, books, etc.
BUY LINKS
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-marriage-will-do-jenna-jaxon/1120611643?ean=9781616506186
Find Jenna Jaxon online:
BLOG: https://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jenna_Jaxon
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570
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BE SURE TO COME BACK to read more about Jenna, her release, and an excerpt from ONLY MARRIAGE WILL DO on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
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Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Thanks, Jenna, for sharing your story with us!
June 4, 2015
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Linda Mooney
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with LINDA MOONEY!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, Linda Mooney, and her favorite recipe for QUICK & EASY BEEF TIPS with RICE (OR NOODLES)!
NEVERWYLDE
The Rim of the World, Book 1
B
Y LINDA MOONEY
Blurb
Two species, bitter enemies, are determined to destroy each other, until they realize they need one another to survive a major catastrophe.
As they race through a nebulous anomaly in the midst of a major battle, the Terrans and Seneecians are blown through a wormhole to crash land on an uncharted world. A half world. A world containing the remains of a long-dead civilization.
Lt. Kelen Chambliss knows she has no reason to trust the furred, humanoid creatures, but she and her crew members cannot survive without their help, and the Seneecians cannot survive without theirs. Neither can she ignore the fearsome-looking one called Kyber, with his wicked talons and piercing green eyes.
As they slowly come to realize there is no escape or forthcoming rescue from the barren planet, Kelen learns there is much about the enemy she never knew. Including the fact that Kyber’s formidable appearance hides a strong, brave, and caring heart.
Warning! Contains glowing glyphs, blue pancakes, eye worms, endless tunnels, and two people of different species daring to take their last and only chance at love
NEVERWYLDE
The Rim of the World, Book 1
BY LINDA MOONEY
EXCERPT
“Head’s up!” Sandow laughed and tossed cylindrical-shaped objects of a dark blue color at them. “I can’t vouch for its taste, but it’s edible.”
“It looks like blue thumbs, minus the nail,” Fullgrath groused, but bit into his anyway.
“How do you know it’s viable for us?” Tojun inquired.
Sandow paused in his chewing. “Not too bad. Crunchy, but not much of a taste. To answer your question, I’ve done a lot of studying on Seneecian physiology. It’s required by the potentate when entering the space force. Other than a few minor DNA strands, both of us are very similar. So what’s the verdict, gentlemen? Gentle lady?” He winked at Kelen and took another bite.
“Doesn’t taste like chicken,” Dox remarked sourly, earning a laugh from the other Terrans. Kyber made a note to ask Kelen later to explain the joke.
Sandow went back to his examinations, and Dayall continued. “We have water, we have sustenance, but we may not be safe. We have no way of knowing what creatures could be watching us this very minute, or if those eye worms can infiltrate down here.”
“What is this place? Any idea?” Fullgrath glanced around at each of them. “Is this a city? A temple? A garden?”
“Whatever it is, it was abandoned,” Kyber answered.
Kelen frowned slightly. “Abandoned?”
He looked over at the thick brush. “The vegetation. You can see where it was set into the stone. It was laid out. Designed. Planted in a pattern. That’s civilization. But the plants are overgrown. They’ve grown out of their planters, and the bearers haven’t been cultivated in at least one season.”
“How can you tell?” Dayall questioned.
“By the amount of deadfall on the ground. By the number of rotting fruit…or whatever we’re going to call this food.”
“So you think whoever, or whatever built this place, or lived here, may be gone for good?” Mellori probed.
“Gone or dead.”
Dayall cleared his throat. “Jules, how many hours of night did we have?”
“Six hours and six minutes, but that’s an estimate, since we have no idea what time of night we landed. And the fact that it’s freaking difficult to tell when this sun rises and sets, since we don’t have a horizon. I’m judging from the moment we noticed the sky getting brighter. We should know after another full cycle how long the days and nights are here.”
“Which still leaves us guessing about weather, the seasons…” Mellori’s voice trailed off.
“Are we settling here?” Gaveer inquired in Terranese.
“Settling?” Dayall scratched his chin. “Do we have any choice? For now, we’ll make this our base camp. There is no telling how far down this place goes. There could be another garden like this on another level. There could be another stream.” He shook his head in bewilderment. “We have no idea what we’ll find.”
“Lights.”
Dox’s interruption got their attention.
“What lights?” Mellori questioned the young man.
Dox waggled a finger, pointing at the windows. “Those are solar. They make the sun brighter. Stronger. Better for the plants.” He cocked his head. “Listen.”
Everyone stilled. It took Kyber a few seconds to catch on.
“It sounds like a machine. A motor or an engine.”
“A machine?” Kelen got to her feet and scanned the area. “Where? In here? Or on another level?”
“It sounds like it’s coming fr—”
Something moved behind them. Kyber caught a glimpse of it, and threw out an arm to shove Kelen onto the rock. He acted instinctively, launching himself at whatever appeared to be tracking them from the other side of the stream.
Before anyone else could question his actions, the plant life exploded.About the author…Linda Mooney.
Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel.
A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love.
She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid’s Author of the Year, and her book MY STRENGTH, MY POWER, MY LOVE was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book LORD OF THUNDER was named the Epic Ebook “Eppie” Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance.
In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith.
Links to Linda’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: http://lindamooney.com
Neverwylde Purchase Link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X4L3S5Q
Blog: http://lindamooney.blogspot.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicAndPress
Facebook Fan Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/735249946549380/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindaMooney
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lindam54/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/lindam54
I hope you enjoy the recipe Linda is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 203 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
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Note from Linda:
Two species have crash-landed on an alien world. They’re hungry, and all they have to eat, what little there is, are basic survival supplies. Outer space MREs.
Ever wonder what astronauts eat while circling the Earth? Check it out sometime. You might be surprised. They get meals like Barbequed Chicken, Beef Stroganoff, and Tuna Casserole, but it’s a paste and sometimes liquefied. It has to be sucked through a straw because of the lack of gravity. Same goes for desserts. Ever have a banana split from a packet?
In my book Neverwylde, I had to come up with an alien world with edible food for the survivors to eat in order to survive. But it had to be something two different species could consume without any disastrous effects. Actually, it’s fun creating a new food, with weird coloration, and an odd flavor and texture.
Fortunately, my Quick and Easy Beef Tips with Rice (or Noodles) is neither alien, strange looking, nor odd tasting. And my mostly meat and potato loving family enjoys it whenever I fix it.
QUICK & EASY BEEF TIPS
with Rice (or Noodles)
[8 Servings]
Ingredients:
1-2 lbs beef tips or beef cubes (You can also use stew meat.)
¼ small onion, chopped
2 tbl. Olive oil
1 packet brown gravy mix (I use McCormicks.)
1 can (drained) of sliced mushrooms – optional
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder
On medium heat, sauté the onions in the oil. Lightly salt and pepper the beef, along with a little garlic powder. (Or you can use garlic salt. Just don’t add more regular salt.)
Brown the beef tips in the oil and onions. If you like mushrooms, braise them along with the beef tips.
In a separate glass, mix the brown gravy with water, adding about another cup more of water than it says on the packet. Pour mixture over the browned beef. When mixture begins to boil, turn heat down to simmer but leave uncovered. Stir occasionally.
Fix rice or noodles while the beef tips simmer. When done, serve beef tips over the rice or noodles. Add a salad if preferred.
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Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Thanks, Linda, for sharing your story with us!
June 3, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Gambling On a Dream by Sara Walter Ellwood
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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GAMBLING ON A DREAM
Colton Gamblers #3
BY SARA WALTER ELLWOOD
Blurb
With Everything At Stake….
It’s been years since Sheriff Dawn Madison said goodbye to Texas Ranger Wyatt McPherson. She’s closed the door on the heartache of her past. But when the sleepy town of Colton, Texas, is rocked by a series of shocking murders, Dawn has no choice but to trust the man who broke her heart if she wants to protect the ones she loves…
All Bets Are Off
Four years have passed. But Wyatt hasn’t forgotten the bold, Native American beauty who stole his heart . . . and broke it. Losing her and the life they had hoped to share left him an empty shell of himself. But if he wants to stop the deranged killer terrorizing the innocent kids of Colton, he’ll have to let Dawn back into his life. It’s a risk he’s willing to take, even if heartache is all he takes home…
GAMBLING ON A DREAM
Colton Gamblers #3
BY SARA WALTER ELLWOOD
Editorial Note: This excerpt has been edited for language.
Excerpt
When the door closed with a resounding click, Dawn pounded a fist onto the table with enough force to rattle their coffee mugs. “Dammit, who is he protecting?”
He glanced back at the door. Talon had always had it rough, but no worse than his sister or younger brother. Sure, being one of Jock Blackwell’s ill-begotten sons wasn’t something he’d wish on a rabid coyote. However, Tom Madison had treated Talon like a son all his life, even giving him a third of his ranch when he retired.
Talon had changed, and not for the better. His problems didn’t come from how he was raised, or even the occasional bullying. He was a troublemaker, and nothing would have changed him.
He sat in the chair Talon had vacated. “Or the question could be what is he hiding?”
She ran her hands over her dark hair to the tight bun at the base of her skull. With jerky movements, she pulled out the band holding the twisted braid captive. As she ran her fingers through the long mass of raven silk, heat coursed through him at the memories of all that hair covering him like a blanket while they’d made love. When she bent over the table and scratched her scalp in pure frustration, all he could think about was her hair hanging down her back to brush and tickle his thighs as she rode him–her favorite position–to orgasm.
The erection was fast and furious and nearly had him groaning. Thank God, he was sitting. He forced his numbed mind to focus on the case.
“We have to find someone else who may have seen or knows something.” She glanced across the table at him and straightened. If there was ever the perfect picture of a beautiful Indian maiden, it was Dawn with her hair down. Had she ever had the stuff cut? He swallowed hard and shifted in his chair as his jeans strangled his c*^k. How long had it been since he’d had sex? He couldn’t remember, but refused to believe he hadn’t been with someone since Dawn.
With swift, practiced motions, she broke the trance he was under by daftly braiding her hair and wrapping it into a bagel-sized knot at the back of her head. She snapped the hair band over the bun.
He cleared his throat. “When are we talking to Chris’s friends?” His voice came out sounding a bit husky, even to his ears.
She stood, taking their coffee cups with her, and refilled them. After she dumped that god-awful crap pretending to be creamer into hers, she handed him a mug of black joe. Sipping her coffee from the extra-large, bright green mug he’d given to her for her thirtieth birthday, she returned to her chair.
“Hendricks and Kennedy are getting a list, but according to Julie, he didn’t have many friends in Colton.”
“How about Justin Vaughn? He’s always been a known dealer. Maybe he knows something.” He sipped his coffee.
She smiled, and he almost choked as he swallowed the hot, bitter brew. “Haven’t thought of him. We should talk to him. They’re about the same age. Vaughn’s working over at his uncle’s farm and garden market.”
He set his mug on the table and glanced at his watch. “I can’t today.”
“Hot date?”
Grinning, he stood. “No. I’m buying the Estrada Ranch.”
Her dark eyes widened. “Really? I heard Luis and Stella were thinking of moving to New Mexico, but I didn’t know it was a done deal. I figured it would go to either Jose or Mary,” she said, referring to the Estradas’ son and daughter. “How long has their place been up for sale? I haven’t seen a sign in their yard.”
He shrugged and reached for his hat where it sat on the edge of the table. “Luis and Stella told Mom and Dad they planned to sell the place a couple of weeks ago while playing Bingo at the firehouse. When they told me, I called the Estradas and made an offer. It never officially made it on the market. I’ve been looking for a small ranch.”
“We’ll be neighbors when you settle in there.” She cocked her head to the side. “I never knew you wanted to be a rancher.”
“You never cared about a lot of things I wanted.” His bitterness surprised even him.
She stood and picked up her mug, leaving his where it sat. As she headed for the door, she nodded toward it. “We have a policy around here. We clean up after ourselves. Something I seem to remember you have a hard time with.”
About the author, Sara Walter Ellwood…
Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up. She also publishes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name Cera duBois.
~~~~~~~
Links to Sara’s website, blog, books, etc.
Link to Follow Tour:
http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/01/gambling-on-dream-colton-gamblers-3-by.html
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23433644-gambling-on-a-dream?from_search=true
Goodreads Series Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/94823-colter-gamblers
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iBooks | Kobo
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
June 2, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Retribution by Kim Cresswell
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
RETRIBUTION
A Whitney Steel Novel ~ Book 2
BY KIM CRESSWELL
Blurb
Whitney Steel is back in RETRIBUTION (A Whitney Steel Novel – Book 2)!
THE WAR HAS JUST BEGUN…
Once the leader of the Sur del Calle cartel, Colombia’s largest drug trafficking organization, Pablo Sanchez patiently waits to exact his revenge against Blake Barnett, the FBI agent who killed his twin brother over a decade ago.
After one failed attempt forces Sanchez to flee the United States, he hatches a bold new plan. This time Blake has something to lose: his fiancée, Whitney Steel.
From the neon paradise of Las Vegas to the militant-infected jungles of Bogota, Blake must risk his life and infiltrate the cartel’s inner world and eliminate the ruthless drug lord.
The price of failure is higher than ever as he’s forced to use the woman he loves as a pawn in a deadly game–where the events of the past and present collide.
RETRIBUTION
A Whitney Steel Novel ~ Book 2
BY KIM CRESSWELL
Excerpt
Chapter One
Death by lethal injection.
Whitney had waited years to hear those four words. Final justice for a man who’d taken so much from her and her fiancé, Blake Barnett. She stood on the concrete steps outside the seven storey L-shaped courthouse waiting for her cameraman, Jerry Maxwell, to give her the on-air countdown. After a last minute microphone check, Whitney drew a deep breath then exhaled slowly.
Jerry held up his fingers. “In five…four…three…two…one.”
“I’m reporting live outside the district courthouse on South Las Vegas Boulevard. Moments ago, District Attorney Jason Kurz announced the jury had sentenced Nathan Shaw to death by lethal injection. Mr. Kurz stated the jury found, unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Shaw is a continuing threat to society.”
She swallowed hard, barely able to get the words out.
“A month ago, Nathan Shaw, owner of ShawBioGen, was found guilty on four counts of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of attempted murder of a federal agent.”
That FBI agent is the man I love.
The memory of that day was before her in all its bloody glory. The image of Blake shot and left to die played over and over in her mind. Perspiration broke out across her forehead.
Damn it. Not now. Breathe…
“Mr. Shaw had hired a hitman to kill Claire Barnett, a microbiologist with his company, Senator Mason Bailey, George Raines, an editor with WBNN-TV, and District Attorney Kate Leathham in hopes of covering up his illegal human cloning project.” Sadness tugged at her heart. So many lives lost. Her legs trembled. “Nathan Shaw will be executed at Nevada State Prison in Carson City. His attorney, Warren Demotteo, is expected to file a formal appeal later today.”
She paused to take a breath. “This is Whitney Steel. News3.”
Jerry gave a quick nod, his cue they were off the air.
Whitney lowered the microphone and kept it clutched in her right hand as she watched two workers at the other end of the courthouse dismantling the makeshift press conference tent used earlier.
“Are you okay?” Jerry removed the camera from his shoulder and placed it on the ground. “For a minute there, I thought you were going to pass out.”
Her body went limp with relief. Her gaze met his. She smiled and picked up her purse from the step and swung it over her shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”
It’s finally over.
With Nathan Shaw’s sentencing behind her, now she could focus on her upcoming wedding on August second which was less than three weeks away. She couldn’t wait. And neither could Blake.
In the parking lot, Jerry opened the rear door of the News3 satellite broadcast van and loaded their equipment.
Whitney eyed a white SUV with dark tinted windows stop a car’s length away. With the lot full due to the sentencing, the driver appeared to be waiting for their spot.
Jerry slammed the van door shut. “You ready?”
“Yeah, let’s get back to the station.” She glanced over her shoulder.
Three men jumped out of the SUV wearing black balaclavas.
They barreled toward her.
She spotted guns in their hands.
After a brief moment of paralyzing disbelief, Whitney clutched her purse and bolted to the passenger side of the vehicle.
“Get in. Hurry!” Jerry yelled.
She reached for the door handle but a strong arm looped around her neck and dragged her back.
The heels of her shoes scrapped against the pavement. “Let go—of me.”
The man covered her mouth with a leather-gloved hand and pulled her between the parked cars and out of sight.
She felt the muzzle of the gun jab into her back.
Moist breath brushed against her ear. “Shut the hell up.”
Another man held a gun to Jerry’s temple. “You’re going to film this. Live. Understand?”
Jerry held up his hands, his eyes wide. “Okay, okay. But—it’s going to take a few minutes to setup the feed.” He opened the van’s back door again and fumbled for his equipment.
Whitney squirmed.
The man tightened his grip around her neck.
She wheezed and fought for a breath.
Who were these men? What did they want?
The sane voice in her head ordered her to stay still. Even though she had a black belt in karate and was skilled at crushing a person’s windpipe or disarming a knife-wielding attacker, she wasn’t stupid enough to take on three guys that were double her height and weight with guns aimed at her. All she could do was watch, stay as calm as possible, and hope someone would see what was going on and call the police.
When Jerry had the live feed setup, he stood in front of them, camera ready. His voice trembled. “You’re on.”
The third man, the tallest of the group, pulled a red and white bandana out of a small plastic bag he had stuffed in the pocket of his jeans.
He pressed the moist cloth over her mouth and nose and held it there.
She squirmed and kicked but it was useless. Her head started to buzz. The sickly sweet smell mixed with the rotten odor of strong cleaning solution invaded her head.
Blood pounded in her ears and male voices turned faint and distorted.
As her breathing slowed every muscle turned to mush. Then blackness drowned her vision and she realized what the men wanted.
They wanted her.
About the author, Kim Cresswell…
Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a story-teller all her life but took many detours including; working in legal and adult education before returning to her first love, writing.
Her debut romantic suspense, Reflection (A Whitney Steel Novel), has won numerous awards:
*RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown Finalist (Romantic Suspense)
*InD’tale Magazine 2014 Rone Award Finalist (Suspense/Thriller)
*UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013)
*Silicon Valley’s Romance Writers of America (RWA) “Gotcha!” Romantic Suspense Winner (2004)
*Honourable Mention in Calgary’s (RWA) The Writer’s Voice Contest (2006).
Lethal Journey won RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown (Thriller) and was a finalist in From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW) Golden Gate Contest (2003).
Kim recently entered the true crime writing arena. Real Life Evil – A True Crime Quickie (two short stories) was published in January 2014. You can read her latest true crime stories in Serial Killer Quarterly, a new quarterly e-magazine published by Grinning Man Press. She is also a member of The American Investigative Society Of Cold Cases (AISOCC), a non-profit, volunteer based organization of professional investigators whose sole mission is to assist in solving cold cases.
~~~~~~~
Links to Kim’s website, blog, books, etc.
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Retribution-Whitney-Steel-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B00SYWNXPK/
Chapters:
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/retribution/9780992084172-item.html?ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=2
Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/438422
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121748063?ean=2940151870955
iBooks:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/retribution-whitney-steel/id985869734?mt=11
Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/retribution-109
Web Site: www.kimcresswell.ca
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/KimCresswellBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kimcresswell
The Independent Author Network:
http://www.independentauthornetwork.c...
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/1058957980944...
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bestwriter/
~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Kim is giving away an eBook of REFLECTION, A Whitney Steel Novel ~ Book One) to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Kim, for sharing your story with us!
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Witches Be Burned by Stacey Kennedy
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
WITCHES BE BURNED
Magic & Mayhem #2
BY STACEY KENNEDY
Blurb
In Stacey Kennedy’s steamy paranormal romance novel, a rookie guardian sworn to combat the undead risks life and love in a world of violence, witchcraft, and seduction.
Nexi Jones has lost her family, she’s been stripped of her guardian duties, and she’s still learning the ins and outs of white magic. At least she has Kyden, the smoldering hot elite guardian who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi completes her training, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Ready or not, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.
Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the Black Witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed Nexi’s blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock who covets Nexi’s heart. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.
WITCHES BE BURNED
Magic & Mayhem #2
BY STACEY KENNEDY
Excerpt
His eyes blazed, red-hot. “You could die.”
“You’re right, I could, and so could you.” She softened her voice, hoping to improve his mood. “There’s always the possibility of that, but I can’t live in fear.”
A pause. Then, “You make me live in fear.”
The haunted look crossing his face flooded her with a coldness that neither Kyden nor the warm bathwater could ease. Lazarus had created this—and she wished she would’ve made his death more painful, or at least longer than the few seconds it took her to kill him with her magic.
“I can’t stay in the Otherworld forever and do nothing,” she admitted to him, hoping honesty would help him understand her position. “It feels good to finally get back out there—to be doing something other than mourning everyone I lost. Just as you take pride in working for the Council, so do I.” The line between his brows deepened, the refusal right there on his lips, but she added for good measure, “I need you to support me, not grumble at me.”
More silence. Then, “I dislike these human conversations you subject me to. It’s ridiculous.”
She shrugged, not knowing what else to do. What could she say? She had been raised human. In the Otherworld, she’d noticed that some of the men were still stuck in the middle ages. They liked beating their chests and protecting what was theirs or mine, as they called it. Well, Nexi lived in modern times, and she would make damn sure no one forgot that fact. Her adoptive mortal parents hadn’t raised her to sit down and shut up, they’d raised her to stand up and fight.
Kyden stared at her. Right through her. Right into the depths of her soul. “That’s what you need of me? To support you?”
“Yes, that’s what I want.” Then she threw on the big finale that would push him past his domineering ways. “That’s what would make me happy.”
With his eyes instantly amused, he snorted a laugh. “You are too damn smart for your own good. You know this, right?” At her shameless grin and nod, he added, “Promise me this: If we fight, we fight together as we did tonight. Don’t be a hero. Don’t save someone else to the point that it puts you in grave danger. Promise me that will you think of your life before anyone else’s.”
She rolled her eyes, fully understanding—she often acted to save the ones she loved before she saved herself. But she was a guardian and she loved people, and that included being a brash fool at times in the fight against evil. “I promise I won’t put myself in unnecessary danger.”
His features went all stormy in the way they did when he was in Elite Guardian mode. “That’s not good enough.”
“Okay,” she said, rethinking, and quickly added, “I promise not to think I’m invincible. Plus, I won’t go jumping into a dangerous case on my own and will wait for backup. Better?”
“Yes,” he replied with a nod, shifting himself beneath her and sending the bubbles popping around them. “That will do.”
It took only a split second to realize that the position he was getting himself into would take her to places that didn’t involve talking. All the tension vanished from his expression in a millisecond and his grin turned downright sinful, making her ache between her thighs. The warmth of the water around her embraced her as he trailed his hands along her back and said, “Now, enough talking about how the fact that I want to keep you safe is a bad thing. Come here. I must punish you.”
About the author, Stacey Kennedy…
Stacey Kennedy is the USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin series. Growing up, Stacey’s mind wandered the path less traveled, and that path most often led to love. She has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion—always staying true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on Mom duty or plugging away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in the winter, and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones, and Sons of Anarchy.
~~~~~~~
Links to Stacey’s website, blog, books, etc.
Link to Follow Tour:
http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/02/witches-be-burned-magic-mayhem-2-by.html
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17927298-witches-be-burned?from_search=true
Goodreads Series Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/77793-magic-mayhem
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo | Publisher
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
June 1, 2015
Congratulations Week 04-27-15, 05-04-15, 05-18-15 & 05-25-15 #Giveaway #Winners!
CONGRATULATIONS WEEK
04-27-15, 05-04-15, 05-18-15 & 05-25-15
GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!
Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Linda Poitevin!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Linda is giving away a full set of Ever After ebooks (GWYNNETH EVER AFTER, FOREVER AFTER, and FOREVER GRACE) to one lucky reader (choice of format) who comments on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Thanks again, Linda, for sharing your book with us!
WINNER ~ BONNIE GONZALES!
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s with Diane Escalera!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Diane is giving away an eBook copy (Kindle or ePub format) of DANGEROUS DESIRE to one lucky reader who comments on her Killer Fixin’s blog. Thanks again, Diane, for sharing your book with us!
WINNER ~ TINA PETERSON!
Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Mariana Gabrielle!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Mariana is giving away an E-copy of Royal Regard (now) or La Déesse Noire: The Black Goddess (June 10 delivery) to one lucky reader (choice of format) who comments on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Thanks again, Mariana, for sharing your book with us!
WINNER ~ CATHERINE!
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s with Brenda Novak!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Brenda is giving away a digital copy of LOVE THAT! BRENDA NOVAK’S EVERY OCCASION COOKBOOK to one lucky reader who comments on her Killer Fixin’s blog. Thanks, Brenda, for sharing your story with us!
WINNER ~ MARION BARNES!
Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Mary Ann Edwards!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Mary Anne is giving away an E-copy of both BRILLIANT DISGUISE and A GOOD GIRL to one lucky reader who comments on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Thanks, Mary Anne, for sharing your stories with us!
WINNER ~ MICHELLE F!
Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Geri Foster!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Geri is giving away a copy of LOVE RELEASED, Women of Courage ~ Book One, to two lucky readers who comment on her Killer Fixin’s blog. Thanks, Geri, for sharing your story with us!
WINNER ~ ROBIN DRISCOLL & BN100!
Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Melissa McClone!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Melissa is giving away a prize pack that contains a $10 Amazon gift card, a Picture Perfect Love magnet, Ghirardelli chocolate bar and bookmarks to one lucky reader who answers the following question on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. QUESTION: HAVE YOU EVER FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO WRONGED YOU IN THE PAST? Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your story with us!
WINNER ~ KATHY LaMASTER!
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s with Jennifer Ammoscato!!
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Jennifer is giving away an Avery T-shirt and a box of Godiva to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Jen, for sharing your story with us!
WINNER ~ GRETCHEN!
~~
[All winners chosen by random.org from reader comments. Thank you.]
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Monthly Blog Subscriber #Winner!
Time to announce the JUNE 2015 #WINNER of my Monthly Blog Subscriber Giveaway, where special readers can win a read or coffee – two of my favorite things—on me!!!
And the winner is…
THEBUTTERFLY1…
Congratulations! You have won a $5 gift card from Amazon or Starbucks (your choice)! I’ll contact you privately to arrange for delivery of your gift.
Dear Readers,
If you missed this month’s giveaway, you can still subscribe to my blog at http://www.karendocter.com/ to get my blogs delivered straight to your email and be entered EACH MONTH into a random drawing for #FREE $5 gift card. On the first of each month, I’ll draw one name at www.random.org from all of my subscribers to receive the card.
More wonderful perks to subscribing to my blog? The blogs, when they appear in your Inbox, are pretty and easy to read. You can discover new authors, recipes and reader fun…and many of the authors have GIVEAWAYS.
If you’re only in the mood to receive my Special Release Alerts, you can subscribe to my mailing list instead. This is NOT a newsletter, but the occasional Karen/K.L. Docter news release.
Thanks for joining me on Karen’s Killer Book Bench!!
Karen/K.L.
To avoid SPAM filters, I will be announcing this random giveaway on the blog from now on because some have not responded to my emails about winning the drawing. If your name is announced and you don’t hear from me and can’t find an email in your SPAM folder, please contact me at kldocter@yahoo.com. Thank you!
Winners selected by random.org.
May 28, 2015
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Jennifer Ammoscato
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with JENNIFER AMMOSCATO!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, Jennifer Ammoscato, and her favorite recipe for ANNE BURRELL’S SHORT RIBS!
DEAR INTERNET: IT’S ME, AVERY
Avery Fowler 2.0 Series, Book 1
B
Y JENNIFER AMMOSCATO
Blurb
Oh, don’t judge me, people. We all do it.
Don’t try to tell me that you’ve never checked that weird mole on your thigh on WebMD. Or how to fold meringue on Epicurious. And, there’s no way that I’m the only one who clears her search history after looking up how to give a great bl—(Um, that last one’s not important.)
When newspaper reporter Avery Fowler discovers her husband is having an affair, the online help site HowTo.com is where she turns to navigate this challenging stage of her life.
If the Internet is Avery’s information god, then HowTo.com is her Holy Grail. Its live chat option is like having a virtual life coach (a snippy British chippy named Clementine) for the low, low price of fourteen ninety-five a month.
Add into the mix a new boss, Victoria van Horne, whose managerial style calls to mind the Wicked Bitch Witch of the West—or the Anti-Christ—and the poor girl needs all the help she can get! The stakes rise and hilarity ensues as our heroine struggles to take control of her personal life and topple her boss after she learns Victoria’s guilty secret.
With Clementine (virtually) in tow, our heroine tackles such tricky situations as dating after divorce, sex once nothing points north anymore, and how to cover attempted murder scenes (despite a paralyzing fear of blood) as the new and improved Avery Fowler 2.0.
DEAR INTERNET: IT’S ME, AVERY
Avery Fowler 2.0 Series, Book 1
B
Y JENNIFER AMMOSCATO
EXCERPT
DEAR HOWTO.COM: HELP! I’M KITCHEN CHALLENGED!
“Jordan, what does braised mean?”
“It means— Hey, wait a minute. You’re not trying to cook again are you?”
“Well, Raj is coming over and—”
“Ave, didn’t we learn our lesson after the flaming swordfish incident?”
I frown at my cell phone on the counter set to Speaker, then look back at the recipe I found on Pinterest. It doesn’t look that hard and I really want to show off for Raj by cooking a sumptuous meal. (Note to reader: I’ll settle for edible.)
It’s a warm Saturday afternoon so I’ve thrown open my windows to let the fresh air in and dissipate my memory of my awful yesterday. I still can’t believe poor Rebecca was fired. And, I set a hit a new, personal low by accidentally sending a sext to a man who—for all I know—may have already uploaded it to hotracks.com to make a bit of beer money. (Yes, I know that parts a complete exaggeration of the consequences. But I’m sure we can all agree—boobie pic to colleague—not one of my finer moments.)
I forcibly yank my mind back out that particular worrisome avenue and focus on the recipe. I spent the morning collecting the ingredients from three expensive specialty stores. Unfortunately, they didn’t come with a chef.
When it came to cooking in our marriage, Michael and I had an agreement: he would cook the food and I would eat the food. Our taste buds and the fire department had all come to that conclusion long ago that this was for the best. But that doesn’t mean I have to admit it to my teasing friend.
I defend myself. “That was ages ago and who knew wine was so flammable?”
“Avery, it was two months ago and everyone knows alcohol is flammable. Except you, I guess. Look, I’m not trying to be mean. I just don’t think that you should attempt any recipe containing the words ‘braising’, ‘sauté’ or ‘flambé’. And maybe not ‘meat’.” She doesn’t even attempt to smother her chuckle.
“Thanks for your confidence.” I poke at a package of short ribs on my kitchen counter.
“I want to impress Raj.”
“Order out.”
“Ha. Ha.”
Jordan doesn’t need a recipe. When I called, she was relaxing on the couch watching golf. What she and her husband will have for dinner hasn’t even entered her mind because she can cook a life-changing meal using only chicken, brussel sprouts and baking soda. She’s the freaking MacGyver of the kitchen.
“I’m going now,” I sigh, and mentally prepare for the battle ahead.
“I’ll watch for you on the news.” Smug bitch. But I love her.
Down to business. The recipe calls for chopped carrots, celery, onion and garlic. I can definitely handle that. Before I start to chop, I decide to first open up the full-bodied merlot that I’ll use for the sauce to let it breathe.
Now that I think about it, sipping wine while cooking just seems so civilized. I pour myself a glass. And take a fragrant sip. Yum.
Now, what am I supposed to be doing? Oh, yes—chopping. I set to work transforming my vegetables into neat, ½-inch chunks. Sharp knife. No blood. Always a good sign.
I’ve worked up a chopping rhythm. What else can I dice up? I attack the potatoes and green beans that will accompany the ribs. I sip more wine and chop.
Sip and chop. Sip and chop.
I may have refilled my glass.
When I’ve sliced and diced all the vegetables, I turn my attention to the meat. I need to preheat the oil in the pan. I pour in a few glugs from the bottle and turn the heat to high.
I take another sip of my merlot and remove the short ribs from the package. I try not to be grossed out by the blood on the Styrofoam container. Ugh.
I attempt to spear them with a fork to place onto a plate. The heaping pile of flesh and bone is heavier than I expect, however, and the plate tilts. A bloody rib slides toward my thumb.
Aaack! I involuntarily jerk the plate on a sharp angle to force the rib backwards and away from my hand. This only serves to force the outermost rib on the other side of the plate to abandon ship. It falls to the floor with a messy splash.
Damn it! Okay, I’m sure the ten-second rule applies here. I can still save the patient. I snatch the rib off the tile. Except that I don’t.
Instead, I cringe at the blood and let the meat slip from my fingers. It tumbles even further away, just out of my reach and right onto an obscenely large dust bunny that must have set up camp near the base of my stove some time during the 1990s.
I rescue it from the dust ball, sit on the floor and gaze at my very fuzzy piece of beef. Is there a 42-second rule?
No worries. I’ll just rinse it under hot water. That should do the trick. I turn the tap on full blast and wash the dusty beef, running the water extra long and extra hot just to make sure I get all the grime off.
When I turn off the tap, I stop and listen. What’s that noise? It sounds like sizzling. It sounds like—
Oh, my God! The oil on the stove smokes like a chimney. Before I can even think of what to do, the oil bursts into flames.
About the author…Jennifer Ammoscato.
Author Jennifer Ammoscato – solving the world’s problems one cosmo at a time.
Jennifer Ammoscato is a paid, productive member of society. Frankly, it’s not enough. Therefore, May 2015 will see the launch of her debut novel, “Dear Internet: It’s Me, Avery” (The “Avery Fowler 2.0” series, Book I).
During the day, she is an intrepid writer/editor for the public relations department of a Canadian university. By night, she fights crime and the urge to organize closets and stuff herself with salted chocolate caramels.
Jennifer began writing as a child, producing such classics as “The Occurrence” (she understood the appeal of werewolves long before Stephenie Meyer). She had to search for the courage to write a novel, though. “That’s so F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. I didn’t know if I had the alcohol capacity for it.” However, after being goaded (sorry, encouraged) by a friend, she took the leap.
Dreams do not inspire Jennifer’s books. In fact, they tend to terrify her. In particular, the ever popular naked-at-school or I-have-a-final-exam-and-didn’t-study dreams. She usually just makes stuff up.
She is married to her husband, Ezio. As opposed to someone else’s husband (insert name here). She is the proud mom of two very tall sons, Dante and Christian.
Links to Jennifer’s website, blog, books, etc.
Pre-Order on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Internet-Avery-Fowler-Book-ebook/dp/B00XNP1PLC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432131809&sr=8-1&keywords=dear+internet+it%27s+me+avery
I hope you enjoy the recipe Jennifer is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 202 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
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ANNE BURRELL’S SHORT RIBS
Recipe courtesy of Anne Burrell
Show: Secrets of a Restaurant Chef
Episode: The Secret to Short Ribs
[8 Servings]
Ingredients:
6 bone-in short ribs (about 5 3/4 pounds)
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 carrots, peeled, cut in 1/2 lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 1/2 cups tomato paste
2 to 3 cups hearty red wine
2 cups water
1 bunch fresh thyme, tied with kitchen string
2 bay leaves
Directions:
Season each short rib generously with salt. Coat a pot large enough to accommodate all the meat and vegetables with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Add the short ribs to the pan and brown very well, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not overcrowd pan. Cook in batches, if necessary.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
While the short ribs are browning, puree all the vegetables and garlic in the food processor until it forms a coarse paste. When the short ribs are very brown on all sides, remove them from the pan. Drain the fat, coat the bottom of same pan with fresh oil and add the pureed vegetables. Season the vegetables generously with salt and brown until they are very dark and a crud has formed on the bottom of the pan, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Scrape the crud and let it reform. Scrape the crud again and add the tomato paste. Brown the tomato paste for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan. Lower the heat if things start to burn. Reduce the mixture by half.
Return the short ribs to the pan and add 2 cups water or until the water has just about covered the meat. Add the thyme bundle and bay leaves. Cover the pan and place in the preheated oven for 3 hours. Check periodically during the cooking process and add more water, if needed. Turn the ribs over halfway through the cooking time. Remove the lid during the last 20 minutes of cooking to let things get nice and brown and to let the sauce reduce. When done the meat should be very tender but not falling apart. Serve with the braising liquid.
FMI & Photo: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/braised-short-ribs-recipe0.html
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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Jen is giving away an Avery T-shirt and a box of Godiva to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Jen, for sharing your story with us!
