Sharon Ledwith's Blog, page 12

A Recipe and Read: A Taste of Mexico and an Inspirational Romantic Suspense from Catherine Castle...

The other day I wanted a quick easy meal, so I peeked into the pantry to see what I had on hand. I found cans of chicken, green chiles, corn, black beans and cream of chicken soup, and some tortillas, so I set out to create something. Here's what I came up with. We liked it, and I hope you will too.

Quick Oven Quesadilla

2-12.5-oz canned chicken, drained and broken up1-4-oz can diced green chilies1-2.5-oz can sliced black olives, drained1-15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed1-11-oz can whole kernel corn, drained1 can cream of chicken soup¼ or less cup water, start with a smaller amount. You only need enough water to mix soup other ingredients.1 cup finely shredded Mexican style cheese.   1 to 1½ tsp. taco seasoning, or to taste if you like it spicier.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese2 high-fiber large tortillas (or corn tortillas) or enough to fit a straight sided cake pan, or 2 high-fiber street tacos to make individual servings in a smaller pan.

Preheat oven to 350° F

In a skillet over medium high heat brown the tortillas on both sides.

While tortillas are browning, mix chicken, corn, beans, chilies, olives, soup, cheddar cheese and water. Heat the mix in a large saucepan stirring until well mixed and beginning to bubble.

Lightly spray the bottom of a cake pan or baking sheet. Lay one tortilla in the pan, top with about ¼ cup mix (for a large tortilla, less for smaller tortillas) onto top of browned tortilla, spreading mix almost to the edge. Top with ¼ cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese. Repeat with other tortilla and 3/4 cup mix. Save left over mix for another day’s use, or you can double the tortillas and make a bigger meal the first time.

Bake about 10-15 minutes or until cheese on top has melted and you can see filling bubbling. (I’ve also baked this for a shorter time at a higher temp when was in a hurry.) Turn off oven and switch to the high broil setting on the oven and broil until cheese on top begins to brown.

Remove from oven. Cut and serve with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, guacamole, salsa or other Mexican side toppings.

If you want to make several stacks at a time lay the base tortillas on a baking sheet and assemble as many as your ingredients allow. Number will depend on the size of your tortillas.

If you only make one stack, or 2 smaller individual servings, the first time you can use the remainder of the filling for a second quesadilla meal or as filling for enchiladas. It will make about 4-6 enchiladas depending on the size of your tortilla. Warm your ingredients before assembling the stacks or enchiladas to cut down on heating time in oven. Make a cheese sauce, or other Mexican sauce to cover the enchiladas and top with shredded cheese. Heat in a 350° oven until cheese has melted and is beginning to brown.

While your dinner is cooking, check out Catherine’s multi-award-winning Inspirational Romantic Suspense The Nun and the Narc. Partially set in Mexico, the heroine, Sister Margaret Mary, an adventurous novice, dines on some unusual marketplace snacks. 

Where novice Sister Margaret Mary goes, trouble follows. When she barges into a drug deal the local Mexican drug lord captures her. To escape she must depend on undercover DEA agent Jed Bond. Jed’s attitude toward her is exasperating, but when she finds herself inexplicably attracted to him, he becomes more dangerous than the men who have captured them by making her doubt her decision to take her final vows. Escape back to the nunnery is imperative, but life at the convent, if she can still take her final vows, will never be the same.

Nuns shouldn’t look, talk, act, or kiss like Sister Margaret Mary O’Connor—at least that’s what Jed Bond thinks. She hampers his escape plans with her compulsiveness and compassion, and in the process makes Jed question his own beliefs. After years of walling up his emotions in an attempt to become the best agent possible, Sister Margaret is crumbling Jed’s defenses and opening his heart. To lure her away from the church would be unforgivable—to lose her unbearable.

Amazon Buy Link
Multi-award-winning author Catherine Castle has been writing all her life. A former freelance writer, she has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit (under her real name) in the Christian and secular market. Now she writes sweet and inspirational romance. Her debut inspirational romantic suspense, The Nun and the Narc, from Soul Mate Publishing, has garnered multiple contests finals and wins.

Catherine loves writing, reading, traveling, singing, watching movies, and the theatre. In the winter she loves to quilt and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place to be is in her garden. She’s passionate about gardening and even won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club.

Learn more about Catherine Castle on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter . Be sure to check out Catherine’s Amazon author page and her Goodreads page . You can also find Catherine on Stitches Thru Time and the SMP authors blog site . thors blog site.

Guest Post: Abundance Fills the Open Mind by Author and Artist Linda Lee Greene...

Outsidethe kitchen window of our home on Long Island, New York, it was a cold andwindswept November morning of 1970. Thanksgiving Day was approaching, and Imissed my family back in Ohio sorely. Oh, how I wished I could be with them;but it wasn’t to be. I needed a distraction and decided the best way toaccomplish it was to lose myself in a painting. I gathered fall deco items Ihad placed around the house and set them up on my kitchen table in acomposition I deemed worthy of a still life. A sheet of watercolor paper tapedto my board, and with my simple little pads of watercolor paints, a couple ofbrushes, and a stick of charcoal to rough in the initial shapes, I got to work. 

The charcoal shapes came together easily.As is typical of the way I tackle most jobs, I touched my paint-loaded brush tothe item on the paper that I thought would be the most difficult to render—whichwas the stem of the pumpkin. My first attempt was a total bust, as was mysecond and my third. By then, my heart was galloping in my chest with utter furyat myself. I pushed away from the table and paced the floor—across the lengthof the kitchen, into the hallway, into the living room, and back again andagain…pace, pace, pace…and then a voice sounded ‘round my ears. “Empty your mindof what you ‘think’ a pumpkin stem looks like and paint only what you actuallysee!” I had heard the instruction from my teacher in a painting class I hadtaken years before, but obviously it had failed to register in my brain. Ireturned to the table, emptied my mind, and painted only what I saw with myeyes. Voila! In no time at all, the still life painted in a primitive style Ihad hoped to execute appeared with what seemed very little further effort on mypart. It was almost like magic. 

I learned a big lesson that day, notonly related to the art of painting, but also to the art of living. Ourpreconceived notions (opinions, prejudices, attitudes, and so many otherabsolute doctrines we hold in mind) blind us to the truth of things.

With my humble painting titled,CORNUCOPIA, I wish all of you an open-minded, a clear-eyed, and a very happyholiday season.

Linda Lee

Here’sa peek at multi-award-winningauthor and artist Linda Lee Greene’s latest book, Garden of the Spirits of the Pots, A Spiritual Odyssey. It is a blend of visionary andinspirational fiction with a touch of romance. The story unfolds as ex-patAmerican Nicholas Plato journeys into parts unknown, both within himself andhis adopted home of Sydney, Australia. In the end, the odyssey reveals to himhis true purpose for living. The novella is available in eBook and paperback.

Driven by a deathlythirst, he stops. A strange little brown man materializes out of nowhere andintroduces himself merely as ‘Potter,’ and welcomes Nicholas to his ‘Garden ofthe Spirits of the Pots.’ Although Nicholas has never laid eyes on Potter, theman seems to have expected Nicholas at his bizarre habitation and displaysknowledge about him that nobody has any right to possess. Just who is thismysterious Aboriginal potter? 

Althoughthey are as mismatched as two persons can be, a strangely inevitable friendshiptakes hold between them. It is a relationship that can only be directed by anunseen hand bent on setting Nicholas on a mystifying voyage of self-discoveryand Potter on revelations of universal certainties. 

A blend ofvisionary and inspirational fiction, and a touch of romance, this is a tale ofNicholas’ journey into parts unknown, both within his adopted home and himself,a quest that in the end leads him to his true purpose for living. 

AMAZON BUY LINK 

Multi-award-winning author and artist Linda Lee Greene describes her life as a telescope that when trained on her past reveals how each piece of it, whether good or bad or in-between, was necessary in the unfoldment of her fine art and literary paths.
Greene moved from farm-girl to city-girl; dance instructor to wife, mother, and homemaker; divorcee to single-working-mom and adult-college-student; and interior designer to multi-award-winning artist and author, essayist, and blogger. It was decades of challenging life experiences and debilitating, chronic illness that gave birth to her dormant flair for art and writing. Greene was three days shy of her fifty-seventh birthday when her creative spirit took a hold of her.

She found her way toher lonely easel soon thereafter. Since then Greene has accepted commissionsand displayed her artwork in shows and galleries in and around the USA. She isalso a member of artist and writer associations.

Visit Linda on her blog and join her on Facebook. Linda loves to hear from readers so feel free to email her.

is available ineBook and/or paperback on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/GARDEN-SPIRITS-POTS-SPIRITUAL-ODYSSEY-ebook/dp/B09JM7YL6F/

Pastelsand acrylics painting, “Coppers” by Linda Lee Greene

This November, Get Stuffed with a Classic Recipe and a Young Adult Read...

Ready for an easy take on a classic recipe? Thenlet’s get stuffed! Of course, I’m talking about gorging on my Savory StuffedPeppers. The bell pepper is an excellentvessel for stuffing meat, rice, and, of course, cheese. It's strong enough tohold its shape in the oven, and the flavor is subtle enough to go well withjust about anything. This perfectcomfort food will fill you up, and keep you satiated for hours. Plus, it’s agreat recipe to cook in your home, cottage, or camper any time of the year.With a prep time of 15 minutes tops, and total time of 1 hour, 20 minutes,these tasty mega-morsels will serve 6 of your famish family members or friends.Serve with a salad of your choice and a glass of your favorite red or whitewine. Cheers!

Savory StuffedPeppers

½ cup uncookedrice
2 tbsp. extra virginolive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 medium onion,chopped
2 tbsp. tomatopaste
3 cloves garlic,minced
1 lb. (454 gram)ground beef (or swap out for ground pork, chicken or turkey)
1-14.5 oz. candiced tomatoes
1½ tsp. driedoregano
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly groundblack pepper
6 large bellpeppers, tops and cores removed
1 cup shreddedMonterey Jack cheese
Freshly choppedparsley, for garnish
 
If you desire, adda spicy kick to your stuffed pepper with a few splashes of hot sauce. 

Preheat oven to400° F (200° C). 

In a small saucepan, prepare riceaccording to package instructions.

In a large skillet over medium heat, heatoil. Cook onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlicand cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook,breaking up meat with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, 6 minutes. Drainfat.

Return beef mixture to skillet, then stirin cooked rice and diced tomatoes. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Letsimmer until liquid has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes.

Place peppers cut side-up in a 9” x 13”baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Spoon beef mixture into each pepper andtop with Monterey Jack cheese, then cover baking dish with foil.

Bake until peppers are tender, about 35minutes. Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbly, 10 minutes more.

Garnish with parsley before serving.

While you’re digesting your stuffedpeppers and finishing off the last sips of your wine, why not put your feet upand relax on the couch with a good book? May I suggest a visit to Fairy Falls, or if you’re feeling reallyadventurous, a trip back in time with TheLast Timekeepers? Whichever you choose, either series willtransport you to another time and place, leaving the busyness of life farbehind.

Here's a glimpse of the premises for both my young adult series

The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventures…

Chosenby an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary time travelers sworn to keephistory safe from the evil Belial—five classmates are sent into the past torestore balance, and bring order back into the world, one mission at a time.

Children are the keys to our future. And now, children are theonly hope for our past.

Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls Teen Psychic Mysteries…

Imagine a teenager possessinga psychic ability and struggling to cope with its freakish power. There’s nohope for a normal life, and no one who understands. Now, imagine being uprootedand forced to live in a small tourist town where nothing much ever happens.It’s bores-ville from the get-go…until mysterious things start to happen.

Welcome to Fairy Falls.Expect the unexpected.

The LastTimekeepers Time Travel Adventure Series:

The LastTimekeepers and the Noble Slave, Book #3

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The LastTimekeepers and the Dark Secret, Book #2 BuyLinks:

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The LastTimekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, Book #1 Buy Links:

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Legend ofthe Timekeepers, prequel BuyLinks:

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Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls TeenPsychic Mystery Series:

Lostand Found, Book One BuyLinks:

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Blackflies and Blueberries, Book Two Buy Links:

MIRRORWORLD PUBLISHING ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES& NOBLE׀ 

Guest Post: November is National Caregivers' Month by Author Anne Montgomery...

Forty-eight million Americansserve as caregivers for friends and family members in need.

I havealways considered myself strong and quite capable of taking care of myself, butlife has a way of swatting our perceptions away. I came to this conclusion whenI was stricken with Covid-19—despite being fully vaccinated— a broken leg thatrendered me unable to walk for two months, and an eye infection that affectedmy vision. (No, I never do anything halfway.)

I admitthat I rarely thought of caregivers before, but as I stared up from mybed—broken and sick— at the face of my masked sweetie pie, I was struck by myutter helplessness. In the beginning, I was too sick to consider how much workI’d become. Nor did it register that I wasn’t the only person in Ryan’s care.His prime caretaking responsibility is his 85-year-old mom who is losing hereyesight and suffers from dementia.  

So, Ry was now faced withtwo of us. When the Covid started to ease, I jokingly called Ryan Ethan Frome, the title character in the 1911 novel byAmerican author Edith Wharton. For those who are unfamiliar with the story,poor Ethan, who has a disabled shrew of a wife, falls in love with a prettyyoung woman. Then, with no way out, they decide to commit suicide together,however the plan goes awry. They both live, but the woman becomes disabled, soEthan now has two sickly people to care for.

Ryan, as my caregiver, had todo everything when I was sick and broken.

Accordingto the AARP, “Every day, some 48 million Americans help parents, spouses andother loved ones with medical care, meals, bathing, dressing, chores and muchmore. They do it out of love, not for pay.”

When Iwas well enough to notice, I realized the enormous pressure Ryan faced. He hadto feed his mother, monitor her medications, and tend to grocery shopping andmedical appointments, as well as weather her constant confusion and memoryissues. Then he had to come to my house and care for all my needs, as well. 

As youcan imagine, caregivers are suffering. “Family caregivers now encompass morethan one in five Americans,” says the research series Caregiving in the US. “The study also reveals that family caregivers are in worse healthcompared to five years ago.” Caregivers spend a whopping 13 days each month “ontasks such as shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry,transportation, and giving medication.”

Theseconstant demands force caregivers to push their own lives and needs aside,often causing burnout. Between 40 to 70% of caregivers are said to suffer fromdepression, with those attending to patients with cognitive decline being themost likely to be affected. Also, chronic illnesses like diabetes, arthritis,high blood pressure, heart disease, and immune system disorders can worsen.

Ryan stepped up and became acaregiver when I needed him. I will always be grateful.

Whatcan caregivers do? First, ask for help, if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Thereare agencies all over the country that offer services to caregivers that canhelp lighten the load, so check the Internet and your insurance company to seewhat’s available. Do the best you can but forgive yourself when days don’t goas planned. And carve out some time out for yourself.

EveryTuesday, Ryan goes to lunch with his long-time buddies. The gathering is hisone time of respite during the week when most of his efforts revolve around meand his mom. He always seems more energized when he returns from theseget-togethers and happily tells me what’s new with the boys.

Novemberis National Family Caregivers Month, so I’d like to give a big shoutout tothose who shoulder the responsibilities for others. Caregiving is anexhausting, often overlooked effort. So, thank you to all the folks who supportthose of us in need.

And, ofcourse, I’m especially grateful for Ryan who jumped in with both feet when myhealth failed, never getting angry, and doing his best to cheer me up when Iwas down.

Thankyou, Ry. I love you!

Here is a look at one of my thrillers for your reading pleasure.

Ancient ruins, haunted memories, and a ruthless criminal combine with a touch of mystic presence in this taut mystery about a crime we all must address.Maggie, a National Park Ranger of Native American descent, is back at The Castle—an ancient pueblo carved into a limestone cliff in Arizona’s Verde Valley.

Maggie, who suffers from depression, has been through several traumas: the gang rape she suffered while in the Coast Guard, the sudden death of her ten-year-old son, and a suicide attempt. 

One evening, she chases a young Native American boy through the park and gasps as he climbs the face of The Castle cliff and disappears into the pueblo. When searchers find no child, Maggie’s friends believe she’s suffering from depression-induced hallucinations. 

Maggie has several men in her life. The baker, newcomer Jim Casey, who always greets her with a warm smile and pink boxes filled with sweet delicacies. Brett Collins, a scuba diver who is doing scientific studies in Montezuma Well, a dangerous cylindrical depression that houses strange creatures found nowhere else on Earth. Dave, an amiable waiter with whom she’s had a one-night stand, and her new boss Glen. 

One of these men is a serial rapist and Maggie is his next target. In a thrilling and terrifying denouement, Maggie faces her rapist and conquers her worst fears once and for all. 

Available at Amazon and all major vendors.

Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia . Stay connected on Facebook , Linkedin , and Twitter .

Author in the Kitchen: A Halloween Feast Fit for Goblins and Ghouls by Cookbook Author Sloane Taylor...

Halloween October 31 -  Centuries ago ancient Celtics believed that at summer’s end the barrier betweenour world and the world of spirits thinned, allowing evil to cross over to us.Time passed and people dressed as saints and went door to door which is theorigin for tonight’s ghosts and goblins to magically appear at your front doorto trick you if you don’t treat them. 

Invite friends over and celebrateHalloween with this menu that will tame your creatures who go bump in the night.

 

MENUAppetizersBarbequed MeatballsGarlic Dip &PretzelsSangria

 

Main CourseBraised Short RibsMashed PotatoesVeggie SautéDry Red Wine –Pinot NoirAppetizers
Barbequed Meatballs

Thisis an easy appetizer recipe you adjust to suit you. Add more jelly if youprefer a sweeter taste or cut jelly amount and increase barbeque sauce if youwant a tangy taste. Plan on 4 – 5 meatballs per person.

112 oz. (340g) jar grape jelly1– 2 bottles barbeque sauce50precooked frozen Italian style meatballsToothpicksfor serving

Scoopjelly into a medium-sized saucepan set over medium heat. Add 1 bottle barbequesauce. Stir until jelly melts. 

Addmeatballs. Stir in more barbeque sauce if needed. You want the meatballscovered but not swimming. Simmer 5 – 10 minutes, stir occasionally. 

Servewarm.

GarlicDip & Pretzel Twists8oz. (226g) cream cheese, softened1tbsp. (15ml) garlic powder, not saltPinchsalt2tbsp. (30ml) milk, possibly more 

Laycream cheese in a medium-sized mixing bowl. I know this seems too large, butyou need the room. Use a wooden spoon to mash the cheese against the sides ofthe bowl. 

Sprinkleon garlic. Stir well. Add salt and stir well. Taste for flavor. Add more garlicif necessary. Don’t add more salt. You’ll get plenty of that flavor from thepretzels. 

Drizzlein milk. Stir well. Carefully stir in milk until you reach a consistency softenough to dip the pretzel without breaking it. 

Scoopinto a serving bowl, cover with cling wrap, and refrigerate. Remove from fridgea half hour or so before serving. This dip lasts 1 week in the fridge. 

Sangria½ lemon, peel intact and slicedthin½ orange, peel intact and slicedthin½ lg. apple, cored and sliced thin¼ cup (30g) superfine sugar1 bottle dry red wine, Portugueseor Spanish preferred¼ cup (60ml) brandy or cognac1-liter club soda, chilledIce

 

Combine lemon, orange, apple, and sugar in a largepitcher. Stir in wine and brandy. Taste for sweetness. If the punch is stillnot sweet enough, carefully add another ¼ cup (30g) of sugar.

Refrigerate for several hours to intensify the flavors.

 

Just before serving gently stir in club soda. Fillwine glasses with ice and pour in Sangria.

MainCourseBraisedShort Ribs2 – 3 lbs. (1 – 1.5kg) beef short ribs, cut into 2 inch (5cm) or so piecesfreshly ground pepper to taste½ cup (60g) flour½ tsp.(2.5ml) thyme2 tbsp. (30ml) lard or solidshortening2 medium onions, chopped½ cup (60g) carrot, chopped1 tbsp. (15ml) garlic, pressed or chopped fine1 cup (250ml) beef stock2 small bay leaves1 tbsp. (30ml) Worcestershire Sauce

 

Preheatoven to 325° F (160°C).

Pat ribs dry. Grind pepper over meat. Pour flour and thyme into a paper bag.Add 2 – 4 ribs at a time. Shake bag gently to coat meat. Remove ribs and set ona large plate. Continue until all ribs are coated.

Melt lard or shortening in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until itshimmers. Carefully add ribs and brown them on all sides. Don’t crowd the pan.Best to brown meat in batches so the cooking temperature remains constant.Return ribs to plate. Lower heat to medium.

Add onions and carrots to the same pot. Sauté until onions are soft andtransparent. Add garlic. Cook 45 – 60 seconds.

Stir in stock. Bring to a boil over high heat. Scrape in any brown bitsclinging to the bottom and sides of the pan.

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in bay leaves and Worcestershire sauce.

Nestle ribs in pan and bring to a boil. Cover and then place in oven. Braiseribs for 1½ hours or until meat shows no resistance when pierced with the tipof a sharp knife.

Arrange ribs on a clean platter and tent with foil to keep them warm.

Strain braising liquid through a fine sieve into a saucepan. Press down hard onvegetables to extract juices. Discard vegetables. Skim off surface fat. Bringto a hard boil. Cook 2 – 3 minutes to intensify flavor.

 

Pour sauce into a gravy boat andserve alongside ribs.

Mashed PotatoesChickenstock, not broth1small russet potato per person, peeled and quartered3tbsp. (43g) butterSourcream, a very large dollop¼cup (60ml) milk, at room temperatureFreshlyground pepper to tasteParsley,snipped or chopped for garnish

Preheatoven to 220° F (100°C).

Pourone-inch (2.5cm) chicken stock into saucepan. Place potatoes in saucepan. Addtap water to cover by at least one inch (2.5cm). Cover the pan and bring to aboil over medium heat. Lower temperature to a strong simmer. Cook approximately20 - 25 minutes. Potatoes are done when a fork inserts easily into a section.

Drainpotatoes. Stir in butter, sour cream, and pepper. Mash well. Drizzle in milk.Mash and continue to add milk until you achieve the consistency you prefer.

Keepthe saucepan warm in the oven while you finish preparing dinner.

VeggieSauté

Leftoversfrom this easy recipe make a tasty lunch when reheated in a little butter andserved with crusty bread and a glass of cold white wine.

8 oz.(250g) baby bella mushrooms2tbsp. (30ml) olive oil1 zucchini, sliced thin1 red pepper, seeded and ribs removed1 yellow pepper, seeded and ribs removed1 small onion, sliced thin½ tsp. (2.5ml) garlic powder, not saltFreshly ground black pepper to taste

Clean mushrooms with a paper towel to removebedding soil. Slice them in half lengthwise if medium size or into thirds iflarge. 

Dribbleoil into a medium-sized frying pan set over medium heat. Do not let it smoke.

Add all the vegetables except mushrooms. Turn upheat to medium-high. Sauté about 4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Lower temperature to medium. Stir in mushrooms,garlic powder, and pepper.

Continue to cook 3 minutes or until peppers areat the crispness you prefer.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with good friends, laughter, and seated around a well-laden table ~ Sloane

Sloane Taylor is an Award-Winning author with a second passion in her life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.

Taylor's cookbooks, Date Night Dinners, Date Night Dinners Italian Style, Summer Sizzle, and Recipes to Create Holidays Extraordinaire are released by Toque & Dagger Publishing and available at all book vendors.

Guest Post: Inspiration by YA Paranormal Author Leigh Goff...

Whatinspires a writer?

Forme, it was a perfect storm of three factors. Simultaneously, I suddenly hadmore time to devote to personal projects, I enrolled in a world mythologycourse at my university, and there was a story spiraling to life inside me. 

Inthe course, I learned about the common elements in myths across many cultures,the hero cycle, and how the characteristics of ancient heroes are the same asthose of modern-day heroes.

Itwas fascinating to find out that nearly every culture has a flood myth toexplain that there are consequences for disobedience and bad choices. I lovedthe course, and it inspired me to get my story down on paper—digital paper thatis. 

Thestory I was working on was Disenchanted. My hero was a sixteen-year-oldgirl who had to break her ancestor’s true love curse carried down throughgenerations onto a boy she was destined to fall in love with. The setting, OldWethersfield, Connecticut, is the home of the first American witch trials (notSalem). Witch trials--talk about consequences for bad choices! I was inspiredby one of those Wethersfield witches who went to trial, so I cast her as theancestor that curses the family of the witch trial judge. 

Sourcesof inspiration are different for everyone. If you’re seeking inspiration forwriting or creating, unplug from social media, take a class like I did, changeyour environment even for just an hour, visit a museum, or take a nap anddream. Let the wonders of the world around you spark your imagination!  

Leigh Goff is an author of three published young adult novels. She is working on her next novel, a young adult thriller, while her current manuscript, Wicked Sweet, is on submission.

You can find her current published novels at Audible | Amazon | Apple   

Learn more about Leigh Goff onher website and blog.Stay connected on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkTree

Cover Reveal: It Hurts Every Time by L.P. Mills...

Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions present the cover reveal for
It Hurts Every Time by L.P. Mills
About It Hurts Every Time:

“Death is not the end, sir,

No, sir, not the end of the line,

Just remember what I say to you;

It hurts, baby,

It hurts every time.”

Pluto Garcia is a lieutenant in the Community Militia of Morrisette, a post-communist city-state where a miracle drug has advanced enough to allow the dying a second chance at life by launching them into the nearest available universe in which they are still alive.

In his latest incarnation, Pluto is tasked with investigating the death of Krishna Klein, a brilliant but troubled philanthropist who has been found with a bullet in his head following a week-long bender. With the aid of his assigned partner, Esther Dupont, Pluto uncovers a techno-fascistic plot to plunge the flawed Utopia of Morrissette into authoritarian control once and for all.


Release Date:
December 1, 2023
Pre-Order:
Mirror World Publishing Pre-Order Discount:

https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com?cc=PREORDER

Use coupon code PREORDER to save $3.00 off your preorder! 

Or use the QR Code:

Paperback: https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/it-hurts-every-time-by-l-p-mills-paperback-/107?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false
Ebook: https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/it-hurts-every-time-by-l-p-mills-e-book-/108?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

Amazon:

https://amzn.to/3ZUeghc
Meet the Author:


LP Mills is an author, game designer, journalist, and beard owner. He currently lives in front of a computer screen in Nottingham, UK, where he feverishly tells stories in an attempt to ignore his day-to-day responsibilities. His dog, Jack Daniels, has yet to compliment him on his writing.

Find L.P. Online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/liampmills10

Author Website: https://sealightstudios.bigcartel.com/

Publisher Website: http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Author in the Kitchen: Ramp up Halloween with this Cheese Ball Pumpkin Appetizer by Helen Carpenter...

October is National Pumpkin month, but we think such a beautiful fruit should get more than just one month of notoriety. So smile, say cheese, and make your own yummy appetizer for Halloween or any holiday get-together.

Cheese Ball Pumpkin
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
4 ounces crumbled feta or blue cheese
4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. prepared mustard
½ tsp. onion powder
Paprika
The stem of a green bell pepper

Place all the cheeses in a large bowl and let soften to room temperature.

When cheese is soft, add Worcestershire and mustard. Blend with electric mixer or food processor on low speed. Scrape bowl and beat blended mixture on medium speed 1 or 2 minutes more until well mixed (do not over-beat).

Turn the mix onto plastic wrap. Pull the wrap up and secure with a twist tie. Shape the wrapped mixture into a ball. Score the pumpkin “ribs” onto the cheese ball with your fingertip or a flat knife.

With the plastic in place, set the cheese ball in a bowl and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Before serving, sprinkle with paprika and add a bell pepper stem to top.

Keep refrigerated until the crowd arrives, then serve with assorted crackers.
Once upon a time there was a mother/daughter author duo named Helen and Lorri, who wrote as HL Carpenter. the Carpenters worked from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories was unreal but not untrue. Then one day Lorri left her studio to explore the land of What-If, and like others who have lost a loved one the magical place lost much of its magic. But thanks to family, plus an amazing group of wordsmiths named Authors Moving Forward (AMF), the magic is slowly returning.

Helen Carpenter loves liking and sharing blog posts from other authors. She lives in Florida with her husband of many years  and appreciates everyday, especially those without hurricanes.
Stay connected on her blog and Facebook.

What I Want My Readers to Know…

Since it’s the Canadian Thanksgiving today, I thought I’dmake it all about my readers! Yay! Authors wouldn’t be anywhere without theirreaders, so me being me, I thought it would be fun to share what I think myreaders would want to know about me, on this day of gratitude in Canada. Sending my readers a BIG thanks for hanging out with me, one book at a time. I appreciate you!

I want my readers toknow something personal about me…

My sense of humor is my super power. WheneverI connect with people, I try to make them laugh, smile, or uplift them. I’m also an empath. Yeah, I feel you. Wink. I also loveexploring anything arcane, attracted to unsolved mysteries, and enjoy singlemalt scotch.

I want my readers toknow something about me as a writer…

Whatever Iwrite is my journey—from seed idea tofinished product—and all that’s happened in between. It’s the way I serve you,my readers. I want to deliver the best possible story I’ve got in me, whileentertaining and inspiring my audience at the same time. In a nutshell, I want youto feel my journey through mycharacters’ stories.

 I want my readers toknow where my motivation to write began…

I had anover-active imagination in school, and found it hard to concentrate on mundanesubjects. I often drifted off into the land of story-making until the teachercalled out my name. Yeah. I wouldn’t advise that. As I grew older I neverthought I could channel those stories into something as concrete as a book, butone evening almost thirty years ago, I was inspired to do so by a deep,spiritual desire that whispered into my ear, ‘You can write’. True story. Now with six books and two series onthe go, I’m glad I listened to that Divine voice, and haven’t looked back.

I want my readers toknow the grand purpose I have for my work…

The young adult genre is my calling card, andI play in the realms of fantasy and supernatural. I’ve got two YA series on thego. I’veplanned for a total of ten books, plus the prequel for The Last Timekeeperstime travel adventure series. So far, I have four books in this seriespublished. For my Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls teen psychic mysteryseries, there are five books planned, two of which are already published.Currently, I’m working on the third book in this series, so as you can gather,I’ll be one busy gal for years to come.

I’ve learned never to rush the story. Even when you’re writing a series, each bookhas something to say in its own time, and that every book has a soul andpurpose. So I step aside, and allow the story’s own unique voice to develop.After all, every author has their own unique voice too.

I want my readers tohave a sneak peek of my work-in-process…

Presently,I’m working on the third installment of Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls, andis titled Sticks and Stones. It’scoming along great, and should be out sometime in 2024, if all goes well. Here’sthe premise:

From an early age, Thane Berg found out that he canbend spoons when angered, then bend them back when calm. He has never toldanyone about his psychic ability which has gotten stronger as he ages. Nowfourteen-years-old, Thane is forced to live with his estranged father while hisjournalist mother goes off on an extended business trip around the world. Tomake matters worse, Thane must also start over in a new school—Fairy Falls HighSchool—leaving his familiar life behind.

Trying to juggle high school, feelings for his father,paranormal lessons from an eccentric neighbor, hiding his psychokineticabilities from his new friends, and steering clear from the school bully is noeasy feat for Thane. In fact, it’s damned impossible most days.

Then, when Thane and his three classmates chance upona huge illegal marijuana grow-op, things really start to get complicated. Thaneis put to the test and must use his unique psychic powers to save his friendsand himself from an uncertain future, and bring about a just outcome.  

I want my readers toknow the dreams I have in my writing life for the future…

I would love to reachreaders on an international scale. In other words, acquire a foreign rightsagent to broker a deal with publishers from other countries in order to get mybooks translated into different languages. I also want to convert my books intoaudiobooks in the near future to make them more accessible on a grander scale.That said, what author wouldn’t dream of having a movie made from their book?Present company included. Living the dream!

I want readers to know my personal motto that keepsme going…

Slow and steady progress assures success.

Lastly, I want my readers to know the sageadvice I’ve picked up on my journey along the road less traveled…

I’ve learned that a career in publishing is a dedicated path. There’s noshort cut to fame or fortune, if you’re even lucky enough to get decently paidfor your craft. However, seeing the finished product in my hands is anamazing feeling, and one that I’ll never tire of. So, whatever your heart callsyou to do, jump in, enjoy, and be amazed at where it will lead you. Trust me,it’s so worth the journey!

Recipe and a Read: Down Home Thanksgiving Dressing and a Cozy Mystery by Emma Lane...

We’re from the South so my family loves corn bread stuffing with a varietyof meals. Below is our family’s favorite recipe that is only served atThanksgiving. Make your holiday dinner complete by serving giblet gravy with slicedturkey and cranberry sauce, steamed broccoli, and dinner rolls. Don’t forgetthe pumpkin pie with dollop of whipped cream for dessert! 

Corn Bread Stuffing

1 box Jiffy CornBread Mix2 tbsp. butter1 celery stalk, chopped 1 med. onion, chopped 2 cups chicken stock 2 eggs, beaten½ tbsp. dried sage½ tsp. dried rosemary 3 whole walnuts, optional

Preheat oven 350° F. 

Bake corn bread mixaccording to box directions.  Allow tocool then crumble. 

Melt butter in a mediumsize frying pan. Sauté celery and onion to opaque stage, about 7 minutes. 

Combine all ingredientsin bowl. Turn mixture into a greased pan. 

Bake 30 minutes. 

Place walnuts on top for garnish. 

Happy Thanksgiving,

Emma and Family

Here is a brief intro to the cozy mystery series Emma writes.

MURDER in the JUNKYARD sees the demise of a man no one likes, a romance, and plans for a wedding as Detective Fowler and his friends keep their small-town America free from danger.

Detective Kevin Fowler is furious that low life has targeted his town where people live in blissful safety. Brenda Bryant is out junkn’ for good things when she stumbles over the grotesque body of a man beloved by no one. Suspense heats up when large sums of money are found in two different places. Drug money is suspected and Brenda targeted by someone who wants the money returned. Detective Fowler faces surprise after surprise as he peels back the surface of Hubbard, New York and deals with its shocking underbelly. Meanwhile romance infiltrates the group of friends with a wedding in the making.

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Emma Lane is a gifted author who writes cozy mysteries as Janis Lane, Regency as Emma, and spice as Sunny Lane. 

She lives in Western New York where winter is snowy, spring arrives with rave reviews, summer days are long and velvet, and fall leaves are riotous in color. At long last she enjoys the perfect bow window for her desk where she is treated to a year-round panoramic view of nature. Her computer opens up a fourth fascinating window to the world. Her patient husband is always available to help with a plot twist and encourage Emma to never quit. Her day job is working with flowers at Herbtique and Plant Nursery, the nursery she and her son own. 

Look for information about writing and plants on Emma's new website. Leave a comment or a gardening question and put a smile on Emma's face.

Stay connected to Emma on Facebook and Twitter . Be sure to check out the things that make Emma smile on Pinterest .