Sharon Ledwith's Blog, page 6

Let the Thanksgiving Holiday Begin with Cookbook Author Sloane Taylor...

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. Every year Mike and I had at least twenty people for a sit-down dinner. We cooked the meal, and the guests supplied appetizers, deserts, and wine. It was a wonderful time to reminisce, over-indulge, and have fun. There comes a time when life must change. Several years ago, I passed the turkey baster on to my daughter Dru. She's a wonderful cook and it’s great fun to be her guest.  MENU Roasted Turkey Stuffing Mashed Potatoes Candied Sweet Potatoes Broccoli Stir-fry Canned Corn Cranberry Sauce Gravy White wine – Chardonnay 

Roasted Turkey Turkey 8 tbsp. (114g) butter2 leeks including some green, chopped 2 large onion, chopped 15 baby carrots, chopped 4 tomatoes, chopped 1 tbsp. (15ml) dried thyme 1 tbsp. (15ml) dried marjoram 1 large bay leaf Bacon strips to cover breast Chicken stock Disposable pan Cooking rack Cookie sheet – for stability 
 Place unopened turkey on a cloth lined cookie sheet and thaw in refrigerator 7 hours per pound or one day for every four pounds of frozen turkey. So, if you have a 20-pound (9K) turkey it will take 140 hours or a least 5 days to thaw in the fridge. 
Thanksgiving MorningIf the turkey isn’t completely thawed, set in a large pot of cold water to complete. Dispose of packet inserted in cavity. Rinse well, then pat dry with paper towels. 
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). 
Cooking Times10 – 18 lbs. (4.5 – 8kg) 2 - 2½ hrs. 18 – 22 lbs. (8 – 10kg ) 2½ - 3 hrs. 22 – 24 lbs. (10 – 11kg) 3 - 3½ hrs. 
Melt butter in a large frying pan. When the foam subsides, lay turkey, breast down, and brown first one side then the other until skin is golden. Be careful moving the turkey around, it’s heavy and awkward.
Set disposable pan on cookie sheet. Scatter chopped vegetables onto pan bottom. Insert cooking rack. Place turkey on rack breast up. Lay bacon slices over breast to cover well. Pour in enough chicken broth to cover the pan bottom by 1 inch (2.54cm). Cover turkey and pan edges with aluminum foil, crimping sides well. 
Remove from oven at the predetermined time. To test if the bird is done, use a paper towel or pot holder and shake hands with its leg. The leg should move freely. Tent with foil and allow to rest 30 - 45 minutes before carving. 
Remember – turkey, like all other meat, continues to cook long after it is removed from the oven.
Stuffing Stuffing is a winter food for us. I make a huge batch and freeze the unbaked extra in serving-size containers. Throughout the winter I’ll serve it with pork or chicken.  
1 package bread stuffing cubes, plain or seasoned ½ lb. (250g) breakfast sausage in a tube or bulk 8 tbsp. (1 stick) (114g) butter, melted 1 rib celery, chopped ½ medium onion, chopped 1 egg, lightly beaten 1½ tsp. (7.5ml) dried sage 1½ tsp. (7.5ml) dried thyme 2 cups (450ml) chicken stock, maybe a little more 
Empty bread cubes into a large bowl. 
 Fry sausage in a medium-sized skillet, breaking meat into small chunks, until no longer pink. Add sausage and its juice to bread cubes. 
Melt butter in same skillet. Add celery and onion when the foam subsides. Sauté 3 – 4 minutes until translucent, be careful not to let it brown. Add vegetables with all their juices to bread cubes. Mix well.Pour egg onto stuffing. Sprinkle sage and thyme across the top. Mix well. 
 Stir in chicken stock until mixture is very moist, but not soupy. 
To Bake as a Side Dish Spoon mixture into an ungreased baking dish. Do not pack it in. Cover tightly with foil. Refrigerate stuffing until you are ready to bake it, but no longer than two days. 
To Freeze Spoon mixture into freezer bags, label, and pop in freezer no longer than 3 months. I use several small bags that serve 2 at a single setting.No matter which route you take, remove stuffing from the refrigerator/freezer early in the day to allow it to come to room temperature. 
Preheat oven to 350° F (180°C). Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until the top is brown. 
Mashed Potatoes 1 small russet potato per person Chicken stock Butter Sour cream  Milk Pepper 
The Day Before Pour 1-inch (2.54cm) chicken stock into saucepan. Peel and quarter the potatoes, then place in saucepan. Add tap water to cover by 1-inch (2.54cm). Put a lid on pan and bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower temperature to a strong simmer. Cook approximately 25 minutes. Test for doneness by poking a fork into a potato. It should insert easily. 
Drain potatoes. Mash well without adding other ingredients. Cool completely in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover and refrigerate. 
Thanksgiving Day Remove potatoes from the refrigerator early in the day to allow them to come to room temperature. When you are ready to serve, microwave potatoes until hot. Stir in butter, sour cream, milk, and pepper to the consistency you prefer. 
Candied Sweet Potatoes 32 oz. (1kg) can of sweet potatoes½ cup (50g) brown sugar firmly packed 8 tbsp. (114g) butter  2 handfuls mini marshmallows 
Preheat oven to 375° F (190°C). 
Drain potatoes in a colander. Cut large pieces in half. Lay potatoes into a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 22cm) glass baking dish. 
Sprinkle brown sugar across the top, then dot with butter. 
Bake 20 minutes. 
Scatter marshmallows over the yams and bake for 15 minutes or until marshmallows are brown. 
Broccoli Stir-fry 4 mini carrots sliced on an angle ½ cup (50g) olive oil – possibly more ½ medium onion, sliced 1 in. (2.54) piece gingerroot peeled and cut into strips 1 head broccoli trimmed and cut into florets ½ small sweet red pepper cored, seeded and cut into strips ½ small yellow pepper cored, seeded and cut into strips 2 large garlic cloves pressed ½ tsp. (2.5ml) red pepper flakes 2 green onions sliced on an angle, include green 5 mini Bello mushrooms, cleaned and sliced into thirds 1 tbsp. (15ml) lime or lemon juice 
Have all ingredients prepped and, on the counter, before you begin cooking. 
In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add onion, carrot and gingerroot. Sauté until carrot is almost soft. Test by inserting a toothpick into the carrot. Remove as many gingerroot pieces as you can find. Don’t worry if some are left in the pan. 
Add broccoli, red and yellow peppers, and garlic. Sprinkle on red pepper flakes. Stir constantly to ensure broccoli is well coated with oil. Add more oil if necessary. Squeeze on lime or lemon juice. Sauté 2 - 4 minutes, but be sure broccoli and peppers still have crunch to them. 
Blend in green onions and mushrooms. Sauté until mushrooms are heated through. Serve quickly. 
Serves 4 – 6 so adjust accordingly. 
From the corn through the gravy you’ll see just how lazy I was on holidays. And I’m not ashamed. 
Canned Corn 1 can of corn per 4 people butter 
Drain corn, then pour into microwave safe bowl. Lay 2 or 3 pats of butter across the top. Microwave for 3 minutes, stir and serve. 
Cranberry Sauce 1 can of sauce per 6 people 
Lay sauce into a serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerator until ready to serve. 
Gravy 1 jar of gravy for 4 people Juices from the turkey pan 
Pour the gravy into a saucepan. Stir in ¼ - ½ cup (58 – 57g) of juice from the roasted turkey pan. Go easy so you don’t thin the gravy too much. Heat through and serve.
Have a happy and safe holiday!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.
To learn more about Taylor go to her website  Stay in touch on Blogger ,  Twitter , and LinkedIn .

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

The Sweet Life on a Tiny Budget by Paranormal Young Adult Author Leigh Goff...

  While we may not all have the bank accounts of the wealthy like the Diamonds & Pearls, the Southern socialites in my novel Koush Hollow, it's still possible to infuse a touch of luxury into our lives from Leigh Goffwithout breaking the bank (or adding corporate corruption to your resume). Here are some tips to help you live like the rich, even if you're not.Create an environment around you that exudes elegance and refinement. Declutter your space, invest in quality over quantity, and curate a collection of timeless and sophisticated items that bring you joy.Dress impeccably, even if your wardrobe consists of affordable pieces. Maintain cleanliness and tidiness in your living space. A well-presented appearance and environment can elevate your experience and create an aura of luxury.
  Look for opportunities to indulge in luxurious experiences at a fraction of the cost. Keep an eye out for discounted spa treatments, sample sales, or off-peak travel deals. Enjoy a gourmet meal at home by trying new recipes or hosting a themed dinner party. Luxury can be found in the little details and experiences.Rich living encompasses more than material possessions. Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. Incorporate simple wellness practices into your daily routine, such as meditation, exercise, or journaling. Nurturing your well-being is a priceless investment in yourself.Fill your surroundings with items that inspire and uplift you. Seek out affordable artwork, decorative pieces, or fresh flowers to add a touch of beauty to your space. Pay attention to lighting and ambiance to create an atmosphere of luxury and tranquility.Expand your knowledge and engage in cultural experiences. Visit museums on free or discounted days, explore public libraries for a wealth of books, or attend lectures and workshops. Enriching your mind with knowledge and culture adds depth and sophistication to your life.Living like the rich, as the corrupt Rayna from Koush Hollow would say, is about experiences, mindset, and attention to detail, and it doesn't have to be about the price tags. Embrace the art of elegance, seek out affordable luxury, prioritize self-care, and surround yourself with beauty. By incorporating these practices into your life, you can live a life that feels luxurious, regardless of your financial status.
 
Leigh Goff writes young adult fiction. She is a graduate from the University of Maryland and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).Born and raised on the East Coast, she now lives in Maryland where she and her husband enjoy the area's great history and culture.Learn more about Leigh Goff on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and Goodreads . 

A Recipe and a Read: Breakfast Made Better and a New Series by Author Stella May...

I love to cook, especially when the dish is easy, and this one is. My family enjoys these omelets for breakfast or lunch. For breakfast I add a fruit salad and toast. Lunch is when I include a small green salad, or sautéed green veggie, and a croissant to round out the meal. 
Fluffy Omelet 
2 eggs per person* 1 tsp. butter 1 tbsp. olive oil Pinch of salt ⅓ cup shredded Mozzarella or your preferred cheese ⅓ cup thinly sliced sauteed mushrooms, optional ¼ cup of chopped green bell peppers, optional 
Use two bowls to separate egg whites from yolks. Add a pinch of salt to the whites then beat them with hand mixer on high speed until it forms firm peaks. 
Add yolks, one at a time, and continue to beat at low speed until well blended. 
Warm a skillet on medium heat, add butter and olive oil. Turn the heat to low and pour in eggs. Cover with lid and let it set 2 – 3 min. 
Sprinkle on cheese. 
Scatter sauteed mushrooms and bell pepper across the omelet. 
Cover for another 1 min, then use a spatula to flip over half of the omelet. Turn the omelet over and cook for 1 min. 
*I use large brown eggs straight out of the refrigerator. 
Here is a peek at my new series, the Rostoff Family Saga. New Dawn is book one soon to be followed by New Hope, New Life, and New Horizon. 

Lovewasn’t part of their agreement. Neither was being caught in a brutal web oflies.

International playboy and owner of a jewelry empire that spreadsacross three continents, Dmitry Rostoff holds a memory close to this heart thatnot even his best friend Vlad Albrecht knows. When Dmitry learnsthe Russian ballerina, he had a passionate affair with died in childbirth, bitternessand hate overrule all other emotions.

Taking the baby out of Russia is an impossible snarl of red tape,but Dmitry gets his way, even if he leaves a trail of chaos in his wake.

Natasha Sokolova planned to turn over the baby to Dmitry then walkaway. Instead, she is on a plane to San Francisco with the baby and a cold,emotionless man who makes her heart pound with scorching attraction.

The family matriarch and evil to her core Elizabeth Rostoff plotsto gain control of the baby, no matter what it costs or who it hurts, and willdo anything to make that happen. She blackmails Marie Dubois, the manager oftheir elite Paris store, to seduce Dmitry. But Marie reneges on the deal when formerSpecial Forces officer Vlad Albrecht storms into her life.

Once in America, Natasha finds herself entangled in a sticky webof lies created by the brutally calculating family matriarch. A web that forcesNatasha to make a heartbreaking deal with the devil to protect the children—andman—she’s come to love.

AMAZON BUY LINK and OTHER SUPPLIERS

 

Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website.

Stella writes fantasy romance as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 'Till Time Do Us Part, Book 1 in her Upon a Time series, and the stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book and paperback through all major vendors. 
When not writing, Stella enjoys classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean with her husband. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 25 years and their son George. They are her two best friends and are all partners in their family business. 
Follow Stella on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Alcohol and English by Paranormal Romance Author C.D. Hersh...

Did you know that the English language alcohol content is more than 22.5 percent?
  What in the world, you ask, does that mean?It’s hard.
Hard liquor can make you dizzy. 
Trying to figure out the English language can make your head spin too. English is hard for newcomers to the language and hard for many of us who’ve been speaking it all our lives—especially if you’re looking into the definitions of homonyms and paradoxically phrases. 
We can’t take any credit for today’s blog. We found it buried in a file of interesting writing emails we had saved from 2005. We don’t know where it came from so we can’t give the original author credit. It’s just one of those things that floats around on the internet that we thought was worth keeping. After reading it, we’re sure you’ll agree that English can be a screwy language … and don’t depend on your grammar check to fix it. 
Here are a few gems to consider. • The bandage was wound around the wound. • The farm was used to produce produce. • The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. • We must polish the Polish furniture. • He could lead if he would get the lead out. • The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert. • Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present. • At the Army base, a bass was painted on the head of a bass drum. • When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. • I did not object to the object. • The insurance was invalid for the invalid. • There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row. • They were too close to the door to close it. • The buck does funny things when the does are present. • A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line. • To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow. • The wind was too strong to wind the sail. • After a number of Novocain injections, my jaw got number. • Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear. • I had to subject the subject to a series of tests. • How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend? 
Screwy pronunciations can mess up your mind! For example, if you have a rough cough, climbing can be tough when going through the bough on a tree! 
We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? 
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which an alarm goes off by going on and you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway. 
Do you have a favorite crazy English paradox, homonym (words that sound alike but have different meanings), homophone (a type of homonym that sounds alike and has different meanings, but has different spellings), homograph (words that are spelled the same but have different meanings), or heteronym (a type of homograph that is spelled the same and has different meanings, but sounds different)? If so, write them down for us and we’ll be right grateful that we’ve learned something from your learned contribution. 
Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They've written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after, and that’s why they write romance. 
The second edition of the first four books of their paranormal romance series entitled The Turning Stone Chronicles are coming soon. 
In addition to writing Catherine and Donald love antiquing, traveling, singing, and going to the theatre. Catherine is also an avid gardener and has drawn Donald into her garden as a day laborer. They figure the couple who plays together and works together, stays together—and that's just what they aim to do.
Social Media Info: Website: https://cdhersh.wordpress.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdhershauthor  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCDHersh Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/CDHersh 
Blog: https://cdhersh.wordpress.com/blog-2/

Recipe For A Zombie...

Much has been written about thewalking dead we’ve come to know as ‘zombies’. Immortalized in movies,television shows, books, comics, and music videos (remember Thriller?), zombies have become so mucha part of our culture that people can’t get enough of these brain-eating horroricons. When researching for The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave , the third installment of my young adulttime travel adventure series, I wanted to incorporate a Voodoo ceremony thatincluded creating a zombie. Oh, where to start, I asked myself, as there was somuch information out there to glean, and only a chapter to fit it in.

So do zombies exist? The people ofHaiti certainly think so. Here they are considered to be more than spookystories, but rather very real entities. Stories of zombies persist in Haitiright up to the modern day, with sightings of the poor, haggard creaturesfairly common in many rural areas. In fact, cases are so prevalent that therehave been wild estimates claiming that there are as many as up to one thousandnew cases of zombies a year. Wow, that’s a lot of the undead roaming around asmall island! Zombification is even a crime under the Haitian Penal Code(Article 246), in which it is considered to be on par with murder despite thefact that the zombified individual is technically still alive.

Bet you’re dying to know how to makea zombie? Read on…

The zombies of Haiti were said to becorpses that were reanimated through black magic by powerful
Voodoo sorcerersor priests known as bokors, for manual labor on farms and sugarcaneplantations. Zombies can allegedly be made from those who are still living ifthe bokor is powerful enough to wrest the victim’s soul from their body. Theprocess of turning a living person into a zombie is said to follow certainsteps. First, the bokor will place a hex on the target of the ritual, who willsubsequently fall mysteriously ill and die soon after. The exact methods andconcoctions used vary among the bokors, but many use a powerful neurotoxin derivedfrom pufferfish. Some zombification processes use blood and hair from theirvictims in addition to using Voodoo dolls. Ohers involve a carefully preparedmixture called ‘coup de poudre’ (powder strike) made of mystical herbs, humanremains, and animal parts. Administrating this mixture can also vary fromingestion, injection, or even a blow dart.

Once the family of the victimpronounces the victim dead, he or she is buried in the family tomb (usuallyabove ground), where the responsible bokor will steal the body from its graveand set about reanimating it through dark sorcery. Next, the bokor performs anancient Voodoo rite where he or she captures the victim’s ti bon ange (the part of the soul connected to an individual)within seven days following the death of corpscadaver, while it is still hovering over the corpse. This effects a splitin the spiritual parts of the victim and produces two complementary types ofzombies: the spirit zombie and the zombie of the flesh. The bokor then trapsthe spirit zombie in a small clay jar or container, and replaces it with theloa (Voodoo spirit) that the bokor controls. The container is hidden in asecret place and is wrapped in a piece of the victim’s clothing or some otherpersonal possession.

After a day or two, the bokor thenadministers a hallucinogenic mixture called the ‘zombie cucumber,’ (made fromthe plant Datura stramonium) thatrevives the victim and is used to keep the zombie in a state of submissiveconfusion. In this brainwashed condition, the zombie cannot speak, has nomemory, and no longer resembles its past human personality. Now easy tocontrol, the zombie is completely under the control of the bokor who createdthem until the bokor dies. Once released from bondage, the zombies can finallyreturn to their home village or place of burial, and die.

There seems reason to believe fromwork and research done in the past that there may possibly be a concrete, scientificbasis for stories of zombies, so perhaps time will tell. For now, thesemysterious creatures lurk along the fringes of Haitian villages and ourimaginations. Whether drug addled slaves or corpses reanimated through darksorcery, the enigma of real zombies beckons us. Perhaps one day we will bringthem out into the light and have the answers we seek.

With that, I’ll leave you with thisline in the song Thriller, by MichaelJackson: It’s close tomidnight! Something evil’s lurking in the dark! Hopefully, it’s not ablood-thirsty corpse. Stay safe this Halloween, my zombie-loving readers!

Spooky Mommy Magic by Sweet Romance Author Catherine Castle...

I got a text message from my daughter the other day. 
“I need your Mommy magic,” she said. “Help me find my missing items. Text me and let me know where they are.” 
She was looking for: a pill cutter, a monkey necklace, and a pair of orange-handled scissors she travels with. 
Her Dad told me to text her that they would be in the last place she would look. I did, but then I sent her the locations of the items. 
“The pill cutter will be on a shelf, possibly with some bottles. The necklace is hanging from something, and the scissors are in your kit bag, train case, or a suitcase pocket,” I said.A few minutes later my daughter’s text came back.
“The pill cutter was with other bottles of hubby’s medicine, in a ziplock bag. I told him, ‘Dang, she’s good!!!’when I read your description.”Hah! Mama’s still got the Mommy Magic! 
A few days later she told me she found the scissors in a travel bag. 
Then she called and said she’d lost her pill case. I saw the hallway bookshelves. So she went on a house-wide search looking on all the book shelves. 
When she couldn’t find the item, she called back and said, “Nope. What else did you see? What colors?” 
“Blue,” I said. “Like a blue carpet.” 
“I said the pill case was blue, Mom,” she said. 
“I don’t remember that,” I replied. “I just know I saw blue when you asked me where it was.”
"But the hall carpet’s not blue,” she replied.
“Well, I saw blue. Look for it around something blue.” 
And they were off on another search. A few minutes later, she texts me a photo of a popcorn box with the message, “Ur all wrong about the carpet.”
But I was right about the blue! 
They found her pill box, in front of the popcorn box, which is mostly blue. I missed the carpet, but, Hey, I got the color right! 
At the writing of this post, I don’t know if she found the necklace where I predicted, but 99-percent of the time when she sends me on a long-distance hunt for lost items, I can see the general location of the lost items.I have no idea why I can do this. When she asks me to find a lost item, a picture pops up in my brain. I go with it. I have to say the first picture I see, even if it makes no sense—like it’s in a small, dark place. That was a real response once, and she found the item in a black, velvet bag after asking me what color I saw in the vision. Or if I envision something that is in my own house, like where my own pill cutter resides—on a shelf—possibly with other bottles—I still go with that first image. That was the first thing I saw that day. If I don’t go with the first thing I see, the magic doesn’t work quite as well.
Sometimes, even though she swears she’d looked in a location I’ve seen, a second search in the place I said to look will turn up the item. Other times she says she would never put it there, but that’s right where she finds the missing object. Occasionally, I get accused of sneaking into her house and placing the lost article where I predict just so she’ll find it there.
Trust me, I don’t. 
I’ve even found things long-distance for my daughter’s neighbor. 
Funny thing about this Mama-lost-item-finding power…it doesn’t work for me. I can lose things for weeks on end, searching unsuccessfully in every corner I can think of. Once I lost my Kindle and went into a panic. I found it weeks later at the bottom of a pile of papers on my desk. Every time I do a sweep to clean the house quickly and dump every loose item I can get my hands on into a box, I’ll lose something. Sometimes for months on end, because I forget what I swept up in the frantic cleanup and where I put the box. Which begs the question: If I forgot what I lost, is it really lost or just forgotten? 
Next time I lose something, I should call my daughter and ask her where it is. If I have this power, shouldn’t she? After all, she is my daughter. 
What about you? Can you find lost items? Magically or otherwise. 
If you’ve lost something and can’t find it, take a break after searching and pick up a copy of Catherine’s award-winning romantic comedy with a touch of drama, A Groom for Mama. You’ll laugh as you watch Mama search for a husband for her daughter. 
One date for every medical test—that’s the deal. Allison, however, gets more than she bargains for. She gets a Groom for Mama.
Beverly Walters is dying, and before she goes she has one wish—to find a groom for her daughter. To get the deed done, Mama enlists the dating service of Jack Somerset, Allison’s former boyfriend.

The last thing corporate-climbing Allison wants is a husband. Furious with Mama’s meddling, and a bit more interested in Jack than she wants to admit, Allison agrees to the scheme as long as Mama promises to search for a cure for her terminal illness.

A cross-country trip from Nevada to Ohio ensues, with a string of disastrous dates along the way, as the trio hunts for treatment and A Groom For Mama.

Second Edition Coming Soon!
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 . 

This Canadian Thanksgiving, Get Together with Family and Friends, and Change Up the Menu with an Italian Slant...

The one theme I love to weave throughout my two-book series is the importance of family. We hold each other tight when times are tough, and on the flip side we can tear each other apart during times of stress and worry. Food seems to be the source of comfort in all family matters.
Meals bring us together to celebrate, cry or support each other in so many ways. The characters in The Last Timekeepers young adult time travel adventure series were originally thrown together, despite their differences, and have had to learn how to act like a family by trusting and working with one another through each Timekeeper mission. In my Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls teen psychic mystery series, the main characters change with each book, but the setting remains the same, I focused on the tribal matters of the town, and what’s best for the whole. Again, my characters must overcome differences and obstacles in order to keep Fairy Falls’ sense of community safe and intact.

I recently came across my father’s lasagna recipe, and a wave of emotions and memories rushed through me. I loved his meaty take on a popular Italian dish. My dad’s been gone since 1983, and I still miss him deeply, especially when our family gets together over holidays, events or Sunday dinners. So, I thought I’d share his special family recipe with you with the hopes of adding this mouth-watering pasta entree to your menu one day. Bon appetite!

Dad’s Mouth-Watering, Meaty Lasagna

1 lb. lean ground beef
½ lb. ground pork
1 can (28 oz.) whole tomatoes
1 can (12 oz.) tomato paste
2 tsps. garlic salt or powder
1½ tsps. oregano leaves
1 tsp. basil leaves
2 cups cottage cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 packages (4 ounces each) shredded mozzarella cheese
12 oz. lasagna noodles, cooked and well drained (we use precooked noodles)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a Dutch over or large skillet, cook and stir meats until brown. Drain off fat. Add tomatoes; break up with fork. Stir in tomato paste, garlic, oregano and basil. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered 20 minutes or until mixture is consistency of spaghetti sauce.

Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).

Stir together cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Set aside 1 cup meat sauce and ½ the mozzarella. In ungreased baking pan, 13 x 9 x 2 inches, alternate layers of ⅓ each noodles, remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella, and cottage cheese mixture.

Spread reserved meat sauce over top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Scatter reserved mozzarella across lasagna.

Bake uncovered 45 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting. Cut into 3-inch squares.

Serves 8 of your hungriest family members or friends.

And there you have it! A feast fit for any family who loves getting together to share good food, and create happy memories. So, now that you’ve cooked to your heart’s content, and your belly is full, why not escape from the dishes and curl up with one of my books? May I suggest a visit to Fairy Falls or go back in time with The Last Timekeepers? Just remember to pack lightly.

The LastTimekeepers Time Travel Adventure Series:

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

MIRROR WORLDPUBLISHING׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE ׀
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 FallsTeen Psychic Mystery Series:

Lost and Found, Book One BuyLinks:

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Your Fridge: What does it say about you? Author Anne Montgomery Wants to Know...

What’s in your fridge?I discovered my “staples” have one thing in common. 
What that says about me isdebatable.

Eighty-two percent of Americans form anopinion about someone after viewing the contents of their refrigerator. I guessthat means folks are routinely sneaking a peek in the fridge, which, in and ofitself, is a little creepy.

Still, when I read the statistic, I justcouldn’t help myself. I bounded – in my mind I bound – off to the kitchen andopened the door to see what the stuff in my refrigerator might have to sayabout me.

There’s an awful lot jammed on those shelves –some things, quite frankly, I’m not sure I want to look at too closely – so Idecided to list the foods that jumped out at me, figuratively speaking, ofcourse.

Fifteen containers of mustard, all used atsome point and lining a door rack, stood out. Now I’m not a complete wack job.They are different kinds of mustard: honey, spicy brown, sweet hot pepper,Coney Island hotdog, roasted garlic, and Jack Daniels horseradish, to name afew.

I did a little research and found an article titled “What yourfavorite condiment reveals about your personality.” (In case you think I madethis up, here’s the link: https://www.dressings-sauces.org/what-your-favorite-condiment-reveals-about-your-personality.)

“Mustard usage is strongest among consumersage 35 to 64 and is also favored by those who consider themselves ambitious,self-disciplined and family-oriented,” the article said. “Mustard lovers alsorate themselves as more shy than any other condiment-favoring group.”

All of that worked for me, accept the bashfulpart. Shyness is simply not incorporated into my DNA.

Also in my refrigerator, just above themustard, were fourteen bottles of hot sauce. (Perhaps I’m a hoarder. I’ll haveto revisit this possibility.) Again, all containers had been previously opened.They included Chipotle Tabasco, West Indian Hot Sauce, Brimstone Caribbean Red,Orange Pulp Habanero, and Big Black Dick’s Hot Cayman Islands Rum Sauce. (It’sa real thing, so stop snickering.)

Who craves hot sauce?

“If you are a man aged 18-34 living in thesouth or west, you probably prefer hot sauce to all other condiment sauces,”the above-mentioned article said. “You likely. . . are a competitiverisk-taker. . .(and are) more happy, ambitious, spontaneous and risk-lovingthan other condiment users.”

While I’m a woman and the age bracket is wrong– I’m 62, but I’m pretty sure I look much younger – the rest is spot on.

Elsewhere in the fridge there are two crisperdrawers, ostensibly for fruits and vegetables. And one does, in fact, house alarge array of colorful healthy foods. However, the other drawer is filled with. . . chocolate: dark and milk, chips and cookies and my favorite toffee andcaramel and nut confections. Wee Snickers bars peek from the clear plasticedges of the drawer. Multiple varieties of those chocolate slabs Trader Joe’selves place by the checkout counter rest, half eaten, in a pile. That drawer isstuffed to the brim with sweet things, as if, perhaps, my unconscious mind isprepping for the zombie apocalypse.

“A sweet tooth has been shown to be linked toa willingness to help people out, but chocolate lovers are also emotionallyvulnerable,” said another online article. “They’re charming, flirtatious andmay even have a penchant for drama.”

While the rest of the fridge was filled with the usual stuff –eggs and bacon and milk, myriad cheeses – I love cheese! – yogurt andcontainers of things that should have been pitched long ago – it was the wine Ifocused on. There are always a few bottles chilling, as well as others in racksaround the house. (Think the aforementioned zombie apocalypse here. One must be prepared.) 

So, what does all this say about me? I haven’ta clue. Unfortunately, the statistic did not come with an answer key, whichmight have proved useful. So, I considered what mustard, hot sauce, chocolate,and wine all have in common. What did I come up with? They’re all pretty much indestructible.Really. Have you ever seen mold on mustard, hot sauce, chocolate, or wine? No!of course not. They have the half-life of plutonium. Proof: I visited theCayman Islands nine years ago, which is when I acquired my Big Black Dick hotsauce. And it’s still perfectly fine.

What this all says about me remains elusive. Perhaps you’ll haveto come over, sneak a peek in the fridge, and tell me what you think.

Please allow me to give you a brief intro to my latest women's fiction novel for your reading pleasure.

The past and present collide when a tenacious reporter seeks information on an eleventh century magician…and uncovers more than she bargained for.

In 1939, archeologists uncovered a tomb at the Northern Arizona site called Ridge Ruin. The man, bedecked in fine turquoise jewelry and intricate bead work, was surrounded by wooden swords with handles carved into animal hooves and human hands. The Hopi workers stepped back from the grave, knowing what the Moochiwimi sticks meant. This man, buried nine hundred years earlier, was a magician.

Former television journalist Kate Butler hangs on to her investigative reporting career by writing freelance magazine articles. Her research on The Magician shows he bore some European facial characteristics and physical qualities that made him different from the people who buried him. Her quest to discover The Magician’s origin carries her back to a time when the high desert world was shattered by the birth of a volcano and into the present-day dangers of archeological looting where black market sales of antiquities can lead to murder.

Former television journalist Kate Butler hangs on to her investigative reporting career by writing freelance magazine articles. Her research on The Magician shows he bore some European facial characteristics and physical qualities that made him different from the people who buried him. Her quest to discover The Magician’s origin carries her back to a time when the high desert world was shattered by the birth of a volcano and into the present-day dangers of archaeological looting where black market sales of antiquities can lead to murder.

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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 .

Grass Skirt is Optional with this Hawaiian Crock Pot Dish Served by Romantic Suspense Author Vonnie Hughes...

This easy and delicious crock-pot supper is the perfect dish to break into the autumn season, and is much cheaper than booking a trip to Hawaii. Head cook and author extraordinaire, Vonnie Hughes is certain you and your family are sure to enjoy this tasty island dish. So, shake out that grass skirt, and take it away, Vonnie...

SWEET HAWAIIAN CROCK-POT CHICKEN
2 lbs chicken tenderloin chunks
1 cup pineapple juice
½ cup of brown sugar
⅓ cup of soy sauce

Combine all ingredients together and cook on low in your crock-pot (slow cooker) for 6 hours. That’s it!

Because this does not contain vegetables you need to serve this either with a crisp green salad that contains red bell peppers for colour, or with a couple of vegetables such as kale and shallots tossed for a minute in garlic infused olive oil so that the crispness contrasts with the chicken.

Here is a peek at Vonnie's latest romantic suspense.

Who can you trust if you can’t trust your own mother? Through the clammy fog, Celie Francis hears the chilling message. “I know who you are, Celie. I know where you live.” And in the terrifying aftermath she reconnects with her dysfunctional family in ways she had never imagined.

BLURB:
Abused and abandoned as a child, Célie Francis knows better than to trust anyone. But after she witnesses a murder, she's placed in the Unit "New Zealand's witness protection program" where she's expected to trust strangers with her life.

It's psychologist Brand Turner's job to ease witnesses into their new identities, not to protect them, but Célie stirs feelings in him that are far from professional. When it appears someone is leaking critical information that could endanger Célie, Brand will do anything to protect her. But first he has to convince her to trust him.

Adrift in a frightening world, Célie would like to believe the handsome psychologist is everything he seems, but as witnesses are murdered and danger swirls around them, Célie must decide "can she trust Brand with her life?　

Please click the link to read more from Lethal Refuge.

Vonnie Hughes is a multi-published author in both Regency books and contemporary suspense. She loves the intricacies of the social rules of the Regency period and the far-ranging consequences of the Napoleonic Code. And with suspense she has free rein to explore forensic matters and the strong convolutions of the human mind. Like many writers, some days she hates the whole process, but somehow she just cannot let it go.

Vonnie was born in New Zealand, but she and her husband now live happily in Australia. If you visit Hamilton Gardens in New Zealand be sure to stroll through the Japanese Garden. These is a bronze plaque engraved with a haiku describing the peacefulness of that environment. The poem was written by Vonnie.

All of Vonnie’s books are available on The Wild Rose Press and Amazon .

Learn more about Vonnie Hughes on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Goodreads .

Sip and Scribble by Young Adult Paranormal Author Leigh Goff...

Wine tasting and writing fiction may seem like two very differentrealms, but when you look closer, you'll see that they share intriguingsimilarities. Both experiences involve sensory exploration and the art of storytelling.

I recently began a journey into wine tasting and am now studyingfor my level 2 certification (yes, the homework rocks). How wine tastingappeals to me was similar to how I feel about writing. After some research, Idiscovered there was a connection. Just as a wine taster engages their sensesto explore the intricacies of a wine, a fiction writer harnesses the power ofsensory details to bring their story to life.

A highly skilled winemaker tends to the grapes and the winemakingprocess to produce a wine like a Napa Cabernet that boasts flavors of ripeblackberries, velvety dark chocolate with subtle hints of cedar, culminating ina full-bodied magical experience on the palate. When I craft a story, Iconstruct compelling plots, drawing on my sensory experiences to enhance themand then refine the work through editing and revision. In my first novel,  Disenchanted , the story I createdwas filled with sensory details. I wanted to immerse the reader in the magic ofSophie's world, her star-crossed romance, and the haunting history of OldWethersfield.

Some writers through the centuries, such as Jane Austen, wereknown to imbibe on too much wine. Research from the University of Grazshows that drinking wine enhances creative thinking for writers. Of course, itdoes! Now winemakers are harnessing the art of storytelling to enhance theirconnection with consumers. Using a new phone app called Winerytale, theuser can read the story about a wine of their choice and learn about thewinemakers.

While wine tasting and writing fiction may seem unrelated, theparallels are undeniable. Both pursuits involve sensory exploration, layeredcomplexity, subjective interpretation, storytelling, and a blend of artistryand craftsmanship. The next time you savor a glass of wine or dive into acaptivating novel, take a moment to appreciate the shared essence of these twoworlds, where sensory delights and imaginative tales intertwine. 

Cheers!

Leigh Goff writes young adult fiction. She is a graduate from the University of Maryland and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).
 She has three published novels, DISENCHANTED, BEWITCHING HANNAH, and KOUSH HOLLOW. She is also a member of SCBWI and a graduate from the University of Maryland.

Learn more about Leigh Goff on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and Goodreads .