Shehanne Moore's Blog, page 39

January 10, 2014

When Security is at Stake….Who we gonna call?

Well, today it’s day four on the homecoming arrangements. Yesterday, author Antonia Van Zandt, having headed Tilly in the direction of the vino further collapso…

(MY God, slugged already)

Antonia got to grips with the music program. http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/having-met-the-family/

Meantime Pietro, author Noelle Clark’s hero has been busy in the kitchen -

http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/you-are-cordially-invited/

Obviously there’s still tons to be seen to as some fabulous ladies I’ve come to know

one gentleman

help me celebrate the release of my new book and series.

Let’s be clear, with a squad like the Starkadder Sisterhood about, nicking necklaces right left and centre, breaking open caskets, rifling drawers and safes, climbing chimneys to escape, we can’t take any chances on the security for the event. These girls are dangerous when cornered. Dev might get stolen before he even gets in the door, especially with folks like Anne Lange about. Or even Lady Fury bagging him for her blog.

So where better to put that worry but in the safe hands of Incy Black. Her heroes are all Black Ops guys…..

Antonia and I are NOT going to fight with her re Jack. Already it is bad enough we fight with each other. Yes. They are a little modern. Nick who is here today may have to look a bit more the part. Oh, tie the hair back, get on the cravat Do you seriously think I like guys looking like

okay…well… I’ll grant an exception for Colin.

But who better to deal with the security for a high octane gent than a high octane gent? When Incy sent me this piece she said, please adjust the characterization of Dev but I’m going to keep the delights of Dev’s character for the 16th of Jan chapter one reveal. Although I did remove the smiling references. Dev smile? How about wassthat?

To Catch a Thief by Incy Black

There is a gulp, maybe a charm, of magpies aflight in the area. Clever, devious thieves hell bent on gathering baubles and sparkles. And then there’s the recital. An evening of entertainment. A social gathering of the gem bedecked. A prize opportunity for those who would purloin. An imperative that they be denied.

Dev won’t be played for a fool. Not again. No jewels will be disappearing this night. History is for the making, not the repeating. Hence Dev’s turned to his friend Mashall for assistance, a spy, a master of security, a man as relentless (and reckless) in the pursuit of pleasurable escape as he. Come, let us eavesdrop on their preparations:

Sorry..in disguise of course.

Dev: “I’m not arming my footmen with pistols. Chances are they’d shoot me up the arse. It’s security I’m requesting, not a damned firing squad.”

Mashall: “So you don’t trust your own staff?”

Dev: “I don’t trust anyone.”

Mashall: “Wise, given your unfortunate experience, but…”

Dev: “No pistols! I can’t abide swooning females, and they’ll fall like swans shot at the sight of a weapon. It’s the godforsaken fashion.”

Mashall: “Then I’ll use my own men. They know how to be discreet. And whilst on the subject of discretion, kindly have the place aired before tonight. Opium’s not a scent to impress, not if the ladies are as delicate as you suggest. I had thought you’d forsaken that particular pleasure.”

Dev’s response, a half-muted muttering, is too filthy to share, but suffice to say Mashall, a champion of gutter language and anatomical description, barked a laugh of respect and admiration.)

Mashall: (Sobering) “My men. My rules. They’ll be patrolling the grounds and the corridors. You stick with the brandy if you’ve a need for numbness, but I want you alert. And present. No disappearing with a lady (or two). Not tonight. In fact I’ll be sealing all doors so the only caress you can expect is if our suspicions become aroused—then I’ll allow you a search of the culprit. Count your luck should the thieving bastard prove to be female.”

Dev: “I’d best order the fires to be kept well banked then. In my experience women recoil from cold hands as readily as pistols.”

Mashall (exasperated): “Stop focusing on the damned women.”

Dev: “I cannot. They’re the downfall of all good man, me included. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a hell of a way to stumble. Spent. Satiated. One’s skin still aflame with the remnant press of soft thighs and teasing tongue—”

Mashall (cocking a brow): Damn, but with the pistol you’ve just thrown, you’ll have the ladies swooning on arrival. Now get a grip and concentrate. No women. Definitely no opium, and easy on the brandy tonight. I’m putting you on Lady Lazuli. Keep your wits about you with that one. Watch her like a hawk.”

Dev “I always do. But it’s her companions I’m worried about. What is it you call a gathering of cats? A scratch? No, I believe it’s a destruction of cats—how very apt.”

Mashall: “Leave Lady Lazuli’s friends to me. I’ve a reputation for herding cats.”

Dev: Trust me, pretty as they are, these are no ordinary women. Maybe we should fix the punch. To subdue, and dull the sharpness of their claws.”

Mashall: “Now where would be the fun in that. At night’s end I’ll likely fancy a bit of companionship, and whilst compliance is to be valued, like all trained hunters, I enjoy a good chase.”

Dev “To the chase. To comeuppance.”

Mashall “And to the victor the spoils.”

Dev: Just so long as it’s only the family jewels that get exercised tonight, rather than gems better dangled around a throat or from an ear.”

Typical. You can hold a man from drugs, stay a man from drink, but keep them from the warm embrace of a woman…not a chance.

My thanks to Shehanne for allowing me to skulk. There’s no better temptation that watching men, however skilled in the physical arts, set themselves up for a fall. Dev, you’ll find out all about on 17th Jan, for Mashall’s tumble from grace you’ll have to wait until April when Hard to Hold comes into play. And even then, it will only be his great, great, great, great, grandson you’ll get to meet, but peas in a pod spring to mind, both men hard, bad and pissed off…and in dire need of the love of a dangerous woman.

It only remains for me to thank Incy, whose books will be out soon from Entangled, for coming along and ensuring that Chessington is jewel thief free. But what about Chessington itself? How will it look for Dev’s homecoming? Find out tomorrow when the lovely Alison Lodge reveals all.

http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/you-are-cordially-invited/

http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/meet-the-family/

Filed under: blogging, Guest bloggers, heroes, heroines Tagged: Entangled Publishing, Etopia Press, Hard To Hold, Incy Black, Loving Lady Lazuli, Shehanne Moore

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Published on January 10, 2014 07:51

January 9, 2014

Having Met the Family……

Well, I must say aren’t the Addams and the Griswolds popular bunches. Yes, the Waltons are there too AND the Von Trapps. SO far we prefer watching Downton Abbey to being a Crawley (maybe it’s the name). No-one wants to be a Robinson and live in space, or a Corleone. I think Dev would vote Coreleone. After all he makes Sapphire an offer she can’t refuse. Although he does say should she even think about doing so…

I’m not mean. You have ten minutes.

When it comes to head starts. He’s nice that way.

Of course, talking families, I never included this bunch.

A ton of pros. But the cons? Oh come on. Star inserts in your head. Hair that would hit the doorframe. Enough.

Today, having met the lovely Hawleys, we continue Devorlane Hawley’s homecoming, kindly put on by a wonderful bunch of authors and writers I have come to know….

to help me celebrate the release of my new book, Loving Lady Lazuli AND the start of the London Jewel Thieves series, on Jan 17th. So far we’ve heard from Pietro Lombardi, the hero of Noelle Clark’s Rosamanti. Pietro is taking care of the nibbles.

http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/you-are-cordially-invited/

Today, it’s time to turn our attention to the music. Devorlane’s sister Tilly, organized a little recital but there’s a problem with Tilly…. As Sapphire says…

Oh, Tilly said? And she’s sober enough a quarter of the time to remember her own name, let alone anybody else’s?

And what Tilly’s busily arranging is a recital headed by Belle and Sapphire, playing and singing this number…

Yes. Except playing is a generous term when Sapphire can’t play and Belle can’t sing. And really, do we imagine a man bent on turning Chessington into a pleasure palace is going to want to listen even if they could? I don’t know Dev would like the music of the era.

So, here today we have the lovely Antonia Van Zandt, author of Seducing Amanda and Vienna Valentine, taking the program in hand.

The Jeanny Saga by Antonia Van Zandt

Johannes Hölzel – the Austrian rapper-singer-songwriter known as Falco – caused major controversy with his song Jeanny.

He was accused of glorifying rape and child abduction, even though the lyrics are nothing to do with that. They tell of a nineteen year old woman who goes missing. It is unclear whether the older man, who is the narrator of the song, has abducted her or if the pair always intended to cement their illicit relationship by running off together.

Whatever the cause of her disappearance, it is clear she is not an unwilling partner to the alleged crime that has been committed – i.e. her ‘abduction’.

The man sings of his determination that Jeanny should not be found. “Niemand wird dich finden. Du bist bei mir!” (“No one will find you. You are with me”.) In a passionate performance by Falco, we are left in no doubt of the man’s obsessive love for his young girlfriend.

The song was banned by various radio stations in Germany and Austria when it was first released in December 1985 – a fact that boosted sales and gave him one of his all time bestsellers. Should they have banned it? Have a listen (the lyrics are given in German and English and Falco sings the chorus in English as well)

http://youtu.be/R6pwwzsAuI4

Encouraged by the success of the song and the controversy surrounding it, Falco decided to follow it up a year later. Coming Home – Jeanny Part II brings us up to date with what happened.

From the lyrics we can safely assume that the couple were found and the man was convicted (of something not requiring him to serve more than a year in prison). Now he’s back and his love for Jeanny is as strong as ever. But will she be there for him?

This is a live version, so you can see the man himself in action. No screen lyrics this time, so I have included them below.

http://youtu.be/1g_g-3sbH3I

Coming Home

Trans. by David Hookham

One Year ago, a year like an eternity

But it was love at first sight

Nobody wanted to understand us.

You and I – against the world

You (the world) have condemned us – you have condemned me

But our time will come, if a dream becomes reality

Coming home, I’m coming home

Let me show you who I am

Let me show you I’m your man

I would give anything just to see you again

Coming home, I’m coming home

Let me show you that I care,

Let me show that I share

I would give anything to see Jeanny again – coming home

You have changed, we have changed

Life has changed

If you still think of me, you feel it still

For ever and ever, you are with me

I am very close – take care – because I’m

Do you still think of me?

Do you love me still?

Where are you?

Will you come back?

Do you still think of me?

Do you love me still?

Where are you?

Coming home, yeah he’s coming home

Love will never die, Love will never fade away (repeat*4)

Falco had planned a third and final song in the Jeanny Saga, but it wasn’t to be, despite some assertions to the contrary.

These relate to various, previously unpublished songs found in the years following his tragic death in 1998. None of these seem to relate to the continuing tale, so most people discount the claims.

I happen to believe that Jeanny had moved on in that year, leaving her much older former lover bereft and lonely in the night…….

So…There we have the first program item. I must say that Saff and Dev are roughly the same age. But let’s be clear he does come home to her…..

Is it in ways he has imagined for ten years though after she not only left him lonely in the night she saw he was banged up in the army for ten years ? For that you will have to wait till next week. It only remains for me to say three things. Firstly, thank you Antonia for dropping by to help Tilly. Secondly tomorrow we’ve got incy Black heading up the security…..

Vital with all these jewel thieves about. Some of them anyway. Thirdly it remains for me to show you Antonia’s fabulously sizzling work.

e9bcb9994c974f2ae10f34f86e66275e

You can connect with Antonia here:

http://antoniavanzandt.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/antonia.vanzandt

https://www.facebook.com/HotWriters

https://twitter.com/AntoniavanZandt_._,_.__

Her two sizzlingly erotic novellas are available on Amazon and other online bookstore:

Vienna Valentine

On a hot summer’s night in Vienna, wolves dream of passion…

http://www.amazon.com/Vienna-Valentine-Antonia-van-Zandt-ebook/dp/B00BCN1CVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388943483&sr=8-1&keywords=vienna+valentine

Seducing Amanda

A lonely girl, a haunted house, and a ghostly passion from the past.

http://www.amazon.com/Seducing-Amanda-Antonia-van-Zandt-ebook/dp/B00AK3LTI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388943680&sr=8-1&keywords=seducing+Amanda

January 8, 2014

Meet The Family.

At least some of them. Belle is actually a ward and perfect Mr Ardent, just above there on the right, has popped his clogs. As have ….

before I say Devorlane’s long suffering parents, maybe we should consider who exactly has been the longest suffering? Once I have chapter one up you can make your own minds up re that. Yesterday we had Pietro,

hero of Noelle’s Clark’s Rosamanti running about in the Chessington kitchens, in advance of Dev’s homecoming, throwing some fabulous Italian appetizer dishes together. Tomorrow we are going to be looking at the music program for the recital–sure Dev will be thrilled not– except it’s courtesy of Antonia van Zandt, another of the lovely author buddies, I have asked to help me ensure he gets in the door and more importantly stays there for the Loving Lady Lazuli launch on Jan 17th…..

The fact she’s female will award her 100 brownie points here.

Today, having shown you the creepy and kooky Hawley family, what I really want to do is look at a few famous families and ask when Dev has such difficulties belonging in his, which one could you stand to belong in? I mean…what are the pros and cons?

The Von Trapp Family.

Okay. So when you watched this as a kid you thought How smart. I want to be Gretel or whoever. And I get to learn to sing and dress like an Alpine gypsy. But could you really stand being warbled at day and night by a grinning, goat puppet wielding ex nun, hitting on your dad in these stakey clothes? Being made to dress in curtains, the yodelling alpine trousers either for that matter? Bring on the Baroness. Of course the choice is yours. (PS. They will NOT be attending the homecoming)

The Waltons.

Now, I am going to be very careful here because I know some of you like the Waltons. But then some of you probably like Maria Von Trapp-film version-and think she’s a lovely woman. SO, why bother? Let’s look at the plus side. ’Relatives and strangers occasionally pass by’. Sounds good to me. The negative…you’d need a millionaire’s bankroll for the throat lozenges..all these ‘Goodmight Ma’… ‘Goodnight Sue Ellen..’s

Oh sorry , she’s in the Ewings.

consider the merits. At least they got J R. The downside? All that dosh, all that oil, all that conniving, if you’re anything like the Borgias…is there one?

inspired by the Borgias… Corleones.

Well. We did have an Italian influence yesterday. They’re not very nice to horses, let’s face it. This could be difficult if as a kid you loved Black Beauty and My Little Pony and just suppose you crossed grandad. But they do make offers you might find hard to refuse so who knows?

Well, I got the HAWLEY BUNCH, so I might as well have the Crawleys. The pros…you get waited on hand and foot AND have Maggie Smith as your grandma. AS well as slug copious amounts of port and let’s face it they aren’t on soggy pretzel, Christmas leftover rations. The cons….you seem to go about with a greeting face half the time.

Which brings us to…look I never watched the Brady Bunch okay? So forget the Brady bunch. We don’t need no Brady Bunch

The Robinsons

The pros…as a kid..getting to live on a fancy planet and be in danger every week. Yes! As an adult insufficient hot partners.

The Griswolds

I don’t know if I could stand having Mr for a father. He’s such a dork, and as for Mrs trying to ignore that other hand on her butt. Like you’d think she’d know it’s not his. Or maybe she does? But hey, over Christmas at least he does decs even if they are over the top. And he does take his family to Wally World after all.

Finally…

well of course I was a little gothic brat as a kid so I am struggling to think of a con. Who wouldn’t want a mum like Mortiicia? A dad who adores her like Gomez does? Or a sister like Wednesday? Come to think of it I was probably the sister like Wednesday. But I am sure there are cons and you will tell me them.

So before normal service resumes tomorrow, please vote on the family you would love to belong in. WordPress, knowing how much time I have to play with here are of course not letting me have more than four answers SO that’s why there’s 2 polls.

Take Our Poll

Take Our Poll

Filed under: Lists of, writing Tagged: Dallas, Downton Abbey, Etopia Press, Families, Loving Lady Laziuli, Lsot In Space, Shehanne Moore, The Addams Family, The Godfather, The Griswolds, The SOund of Music, The Waltons

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Published on January 08, 2014 06:52

January 7, 2014

You are cordially invited

So I’ve been busy punting the Starkadder Sisterhood, oh and my cover, AND Anne Lange’s cover–before you all think I’m a greedy self promoting git– the Hawley family, and more importantly poor Dev, ain’t getting a look in. My God, even the pirates have hooked up with some of the sisters over at Lady Fury’s blog. Benito and Amber do make quite a couple…..

But before anyone goes OHHHHHH NOOOO. NOT MORE PROMOTION, it’s ok. WOOSA.

Or maybe that should be WOOFA.

Yes, the first chapter of Loving Lady Lazuli does start with Dev’s homecoming after him spending ten years in the army for a crime he didn’t commit. And yes I am going to share that chapter here on Thursday next week, before the book goes live. But in the meantime you lucky, lucky people, I have asked my own little author sisterhood to assist with the homecoming program for Devorlane.

Ladies who have all been wonderfully kind to me, whose friendship I value in this sometimes crazy biz.

You see Devorlane isn’t coming home to be nice. He’s now duke and a pretty pissed off one at that. So this kind of thing….is a big no no. What Dev’s interested in is…..

only you can forget the song. That’s low down his list of priorities. When Dev’s for turning Chessington into a pleasure palace where he can drink and take drugs, gamble and have as many women as he wants all day and every day long, do you think he wants to listen to some female caterwauling in his lug hole while he’s about it? Some guy either? Hell no. He’s human that way.

The family–what’s left of them– they can go run up seams in a garret somewhere. So let’s just see if we can keep him on the straight and narrow shall we, by arranging a little program of events? Kicking off we really need to look at the food when it’s a homecoming party.

SO WHAT CAN WE EXPECT in 1809 and will it tempt a completely jaded palate? Worse, given there’s war on, will Pietro even get here?

A note from Pietro Lombardi – chef, born and bred Caprese, and hero of ‘Rosamanti’.

First of all, thank you for the invitation to the recital. I am thrilled to be able to serve your esteemed guests with authentic Caprese morsels.

In the year of 1809, Sir Sidney Smith,

(Sapphire would think Sir Sid a coot.)

a trusted British Naval officer under Lord Nelson, (Him too) invaded the Island of Capri, forcing the current foreign occupants – and former invaders - France, to capitulate. The locals suffered the indignity of forced foreign rule from various countries over hundreds of years, however managed to retain their own culture.

In his comprehensive history of the British in Capri 1806 – 1808, Sir Lees Knowles, (we’ll gag Sapphire about him ) describes the local Caprese cuisine in great detail. Vineyards covered the island, he said, as well as olive and fig groves.

The locals grew all their own food, and harvested the bounteous fruits of the sea.

For the recital to which I have been invited to celebrate the release of Loving Lady Lazuli, I have chosen to create exquisite canapes for the guests. Each recipe is representative of the typical Caprese food back in 1809 when the British and French played argy bargy, imposing themselves on the innocent islanders of Capri.

Buon appetito!

Caprese Pizza Rounds

Caprese Toasts

Gorganzola, Fig and Prosciutto di Parma Bruschetta

Crab Claw canapé

So? What do we think of the plans so far? Answers are welcome in the comment boxes plus any fav recipes. I’ve got to say it’s pretty damned tempting AND good of Pietro braving bullets to get here, when Dev’s been on the opposite side. (Not that Dev exactly gives a monkey’s about that. The only side Dev’s on is Dev’s.)

Tomorrow we are going to actually meet the Hawley family. In the meantime to thank Noelle, here’s a look at her lovely book, set in Capri and featuring Pietro.

Fate drew her to Rosamanti. Love made her stay…

After the death of her husband, best-selling mystery author Sarah Halliman has lost her desire for just about everything. Desperate to break out of her funk and rediscover herself, she answers a newspaper advertisement—For lease: Isolated villa on Capri, Italy. Must love cats. Traveling alone to the beautiful island of Capri, she locates Villa Rosamanti, a gorgeous 400-year-old dwelling nestled in the hillside of Monte Tiberio. Above it lies Villa Jovis, the 2000-year-old villa of Emperor Tiberius, ripe with history and intrigue.

Sarah soon discovers a strong resonance with Rosamanti and its gardens and quirky pets. She begins to feel a deep connection to Elena Lombardi, the deceased owner. But it’s not just the villa Sarah’s fallen in love with. Elena’s grandson, Pietro, is handsome and charming, the epitome of the passionate Italian. His dream is to own a restaurant of his own, but such dreams are for wealthier men.

Between the sparks that Pietro kindles in Sarah’s heart—and her kitchen—and the mystery of nearby Villa Jovis, Sarah’s muse begins to stir. She senses stories in the ancient stones, and romance in the phosphorescent blue waters of the Blue Grotto. But when her curiosity takes her to Elena’s library, a child’s notes and maps lead Sarah to a mystery that could be the answer to everyone’s prayers—or perhaps, be the destruction of everything they hold dear…

Available now from:

Website and Blog www.noelleclark.net

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NoelleClark.Author

Twitter https://twitter.com/noelle_clark

Filed under: blogging, Guest bloggers, heroes, heroines Tagged: Capri, Capri in the Napoleonic Wars, Etopia Press, Italian Cuisine, Lord Nelson, Loving Lady Lazuli, Noelle Clark, Rosamanti, Shehanne Moore, Sir Sidney Smith, The Napoleonic Wars

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Published on January 07, 2014 07:30

January 3, 2014

London 1809 and a Blog of the Year Award

Happy New Year to you all. I know I should start with some…

maybe even some….

But let’s just look at that poster there. I do go to festivals and I do dance. I tell stories. I read poetry. See a play? Oh come on. So instead when it comes to resolutions, I kept it simple. I kept it something I know I can keep.

After all Ranting Crow says I am better at being bad, so why not? As for the fireworks, these have been going on over at Lady Fury’s blog I am ashamed to say. I have had to go and get my new heroine, Sapphire back from there. Not that Sapphire can’t take care of herself. We just don’t want a catfight now do we? Both their quite lovely dresses ripped to shreds? So….

and this gentleman…

Nicodemus Starkadder, and of course the ladies at the top of the blog, what are they all to one another, not to mention London in 1809, what was it like?

Starting with the latter question, Britain was a country at war. Certainly in the Portuguese Peninsular, oh and in the Baltic and just about everywhere else you care to name. And while all this was going on, was there peace at home? No. The Berners Street Hoax and the Old Price Riots–over the cost of theatre seats, no less, certainly kept the nation on its toes.

It’s just the time and place for a gang of jewel thieves to thrive. And run by Nicodemus Starkadder, that’s what they’ve been doing for several years. Or rather he has thrived, while they’ve been owned. Now he’s dead, courtesy of Diamond…

the good ladies have been scattered to the four winds. Even before that the action in book one, Loving Lady Lazuli, has been moved from London to quiet, rural Hampshire, where Sapphire, Ruby and Pearl are hiding out. But Starkadder had a right hand man, Gil Gressingham…

who has a great fondness for Sapphire. Of course he’s not the only one. Lord Devorlane Hawley has a fondness for her too. Or rather an inclination to see her dangle on a rope end after what she did to him ten years ago.

I’ve been keeping Gil Gressingham dark,. But Fury has the first bit of this extract over on her blog

http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/if-he-had-encountered-her-in-a-whorehouse/

and some of you were asking me where’s the next bit. So I’m sharing it specially today. There’s more about the ‘sisters’ here

http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/the-starkadder-sisterhood-london-jewel-thieves/ not to mention on Pinterest.

And the lovely Noelle Clark is shortly going to spill even more, especially about Pearl..

For today I have this…..

‘Cass’s hackles rose. Why, he himself used the word rape. Did he think she wouldn’t accuse him when her back was to the wall like this? Though the thought stole that stepping out here, dressed as she was, might require no small explanation.

Would it not be better to placate him? Or best still, push the stick herself in the hope he might take it as an invitation to depart before he got into trouble? She tightened her grip.

”How dare you speak to my companion this way. Ruby, stay exactly where you are.”

Yes, it would be better to placate him. But if anyone was going to order Ruby, it would not be him.

”Wif pleasure, Cassidy.”

Another vicious jerk of the stick. His breath, like hers, like Ruby’s, hit the air in a freezing white puff. It also hit her. “Very well. How about I tell this man here—what’s the name?”

”’Ee touch a solitary ‘air on moih lydy’s ‘ead—”

”How about I tell Barron about the man who will touch not just that solitary hair, Lady Armstrong? The one with the nice length of rope who will touch your whole head, with a sack, who will put that rope ‘round your—”

”Get ’im, Pearl!”

Dear God, while that would be very nice, if Cass didn’t do something, blood would be spilled. His. Of course it would be his own fault. But it would also be hers if she had to bury him in her herb garden. Besides she was unsure about Barron. Where he would stand on the matter of assistance. A broom handle may have been sawing his windpipe, but it did not mean he was one of them. What might be around the county tomorrow about her?

“Kill ’im! Toffee-nosed snout.”

Ruby sprung and Devorlane Hawley did not hit her back. Cass’s throat constricted, the noise that came from the back of it not one she would usually make. Men, certainly those of her acquaintance, would never do such a thing. Did or did her own back not bear witness to that fact? What Starkadder had done to her that day. And not just that day. Every day she’d refused to steal.

Of course, a corpse would make things inconvenient for her. Who would have thought he’d have retaliated like this, a powerful man like him, who had no fear of arrest, though? Plainly not herself or she’d never have opened her mouth. Let alone row with him over a kiss, a kiss she gave him so she could worm off the hook, a kiss which would be a complete waste if she didn’t stop this unraveling further, if they had to flee the county.

”Ruby. Ruby—no. No.”

“Get orf of me, Cass.” Ruby tried wrenching the handle free—no doubt because her fists weren’t good enough. “I knows whot I’m doin’. Stickin’ it ‘round ‘ere like ‘e owns the bleedin’ place. Smarmy—”

”No, Ruby!”

”’E thinks ‘e knows. ‘E don’t know jack-shit. ‘E—”

”Ruby!”

”What the bloody hell is going on here?”

The voice—given it wheezed worse than a rusty gate hinge—still held that note. Unmistakable. Unbelievable. The one that always knifed right through Cass’s senses, freezing her. Bones. Marrow. Thoughts. To quote what Ruby had just said wasn’t this just shiny bright?’.

copyright Loving Lady Lazuli Shehanne Moore. Etopia Press. ……………………..So there we go , it only remains for me to show this….

And to say the wonderful Anne Belle of Tales Along the Way…. http://talesalongtheway.com/ (which I just posted wrongly there as Ales along the way.. A very nice thought‎. Sorry Anne.) …just totally made my day by giving me it.

Okay we know it is now 2014 and a whole new round on this award. But Anne has been pretty caught up with her family. She put this out anyway, with the proviso that those she nominated proudly display the logo just the same. So damn right I’m doing it.

As with Amelia, I am truly honoured Anne follows me. Her blog… ‘Through my eyes and words, I want each of you to experience this exotic, ancient country, India,’ has nothing to do with erotic romance. For me that’s what makes my day.

Filed under: blogging, heroes, heroines, writing Tagged: Blog of the Year, Etopia Press, Loving Lady Lazuli, Old Price Riots London, Sapphire, Shehanne Moore

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Published on January 03, 2014 04:54

December 30, 2013

An A.B.C. Award.

‘I don’t know if you accept awards,’ the lovely Amelia Curzon asked the other week. Right in the middle of that naughty blog hop.

Like Jack Niicolson doesn’t accept Oscars, I don’t. Let me tell you first of all about Amelia Curzon. She’s firstly a wonderful children’s author. Yep. I am really proud that a children’s author follows me. But she not only wrote this….

Mungai and the Goa Constrictor, set in a rainforest of an unnamed Continent and told through the eyes of animals, Amelia is an amazing spokesperson for all these creatures we share the planet with.

SORRY. Amelia know I’d pull something like that ….if only… and if you think that’s bad you should see Incy Black’s zoo.

Seriously,visit Amelia’s blog, if you don’t believe the work she does for all the endangered species.

Wonderful animals who can’t speak for themselves.

Cute huh? You can see more here at her official blog site.

http://t.co/G9CmQkNot9 as well as book on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Mungai-Goa-Constrictor-ebook/dp/B005H2EHAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319975582&sr=1-1

I’m honoured she thought of me for this award. Even reading the rules, I’m honoured–unlike certain of my heroes when it comes to rules The first two rules are simple. Display the logo and link back to the person who gave you the award and nominate some other blogs. Now we come Rule 3. To quote my hero, Flint at this stage. ‘You mean there’s more?’

YEP Flint, there is… like even you didn’t imagine. Rule 3 –work through the alphabet writing one word or phrase about yourself or things you like or associate with yourself that begins A…B….C…. All 26 of them. So here goes. (No. Not going to moan like Flint here)

Awful Bad

C….. Christmas DECORATIONS

Easygoing -not (Oops skipped )

Fanciful. (My god, keeping this clean and not just naming 26 sumexy guys here is a killer…like G is For….)

Glencoe

Instead of Gerard Butler

Hell…..

if I named Rhett Butler there with Gerard that wouldah taken care of R too, don’t you think? .

So where are we now? Oh definitely

Inn – the Clachaig especially

J..Oh come on. I can’t take not showing one sumexy guy.

This being good stuff is killing so here’s the one guy Tuan Ho says he’d turn gay for. Josh Holloway.

Kilts…… (Easy-peasy.) (Gerard in a kilt)

Sean in a kilt

Callm in a kilt

(Did I say something about behaving ? )

Love –hell romance writer amn’t I?

Mountains Music Mr Shey The hell with one.

Some rules are made to be broken.

(Ok, so I reckon that takes care of N O and P. Hell Q and R too and brings us to

Sumexy guys…

All right…all right… I will be good. (One day)

Tilos

Vow (How) vould (would) I vnow…viv I vas a varanormal vriter vit vould ve vampires

Wine- buckets of it.

X-rated

York

Zodiac

There done it. So now, we come to the nominees. These bloggers whose content is awesome. I know many bloggers here and ALL their blogs are fabulous, but I am trying to choose those whose content is either different, or who make the usual seem that way. And yes there are some regulars but that is why. But there’s some new ones. Please check them out. Here goes.

Catherine Cavendish http://t.co/un1uiotgNq

Poet Quinn Tales From A Silver River. http://perspiringpoet.wordpress.com/

Noelle Clark Journeys With Noelle http://t.co/f36t0xR1dx

Tales Along the Way http://talesalongtheway.com/

Anne Lange http://http://t.co/lXAPDLHZBo

Antonia Van Zandt http://t.co/c8lM9ewJDU

Dean J Baker http://t.co/uzIEy9M43B

Ranting Crow http://t.co/sdilVDNjdt

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Published on December 30, 2013 07:02

December 27, 2013

Dare you Wish?

Just when you thought it was safe to come back on here, I have one more advent calendar post to go. I hope you all enjoyed Christmas. The lengths I had to go to after that naughty blog hop with Anne Lange to get Santa to stop at my door were pretty extreme however.

They included whipping up a storm to blow a tree down just outside. Do you know people put little bits of tinsel on it as Christmas Day went on? Some even stood about forming little deputations in the hope some others of us would perhaps, in true Brit/grit spirit, assist in moving it so that one of the only two roads through the village was open?

Naturally Mr Shey in true Brit-grit Christmas tradition told them where to put themselves. Are there no workmen, he asked prior to shutting the door and stuffing himself with even more Christmas pud at our awfie fantoosh dining table.

Daring to wish? Well, anyone daring to wish we were going to break our backs on December 25th, had a big ungranted wish coming. Anyway, I have one post sitting here. It’s from the remarkably stalwart Tracey Rogers and it’s sat here so long, she’s had another book out in the meantime.

Anyway, we authors know there’s no such thing as late publicity, any more than there is any such thing as bad publicity. AND after all, the really fabulous thing here for Tracey is that she has had two books out virtually back to back.

It’s almost New Year now and that’s a time when we do make not just resolutions but we make wishes too about what the next year may bring us.

So, without further delay….

Let’s have the drummers drumming again.

And let’s here it for e lovely

Tracey Rogers

and her first release

Daring To Wish

Thank you for inviting me here Shehanne.

(Naturally Tracey agreed to the hat. IT’s Christmas still in’it? Look, last time she agreed to Brad Pit!)

Shey. Tracey you’ve been here before–lucky you– and described a little of your journey, you describe yourself as a writer, reader, dreamer. Can we take it words mean a lot to you and you don’t like Sudoku then?

Tracey. Sudoku? LOL. Never met him. But if he has anything to do with numbers then no I won’t like him at all. Words are amazing, they can mean different things to different people and take you on a journey.

Shey. Of course not all readers are writers although I don’t know how well that works the other way round, when you first put pen to paper did you think about being a published writer?

Tracey. I think when I was about eight I imagined that authors lived in castles or stately homes.

(preferably with Brad Pitt. Sorry I will start being good now. it is my resolution.)

So although I dreamed of being an author then, I knew it was just a dream. Grown up me in all honesty, that didn’t happen until I typed The End on Daring to Wish. That was when I decided to try to become published.

Shey. But before this way back you were a lithographer with the pottery industry? Kind of the thing you do before you become a writer…not!

What did this involve? Not images of Brad Pitt I hope?

Tracey. Lithographing is decorating pottery ware by manipulating transfers onto pottery using a squeegee and craft blades. I used to decorate the dinner ware usually only bought out to use at Christmas that’s too expensive for children to touch.

And actually that job was a great opportunity to think up new story ideas. The work was all hand eye coordination so I could often drift off into my own little world. Also working in a factory with lots of other people – loads of potential writing material. There was lots of laughter and sometimes tears shared at that place, and some stories that would make Jeremy Kyle blush!

Shey. Again I am saying nothing. You write romance, what drew you to that genre as a writer?

Tracey. I used to watch lots of old movies with my grandparents, heaps of romance in those, so I think that might have something to do with it. Then I used to read my nana’s books so lots of Catherine Cookson, Danielle Steel, Carole Mortimer and Penny Jordan.

Then I discovered Vicki Lewis Thompson and Gina Wilkins in my teens, so less about swooning and more romance with fun. Now I have too many faves to mention as my reading taste has expanded. I still want romance in my books though. Love adds conflict and makes people do the craziest things. Even J.R. Ward’s tough guy Brother’s can be brought to their knees by love. And don’t we all need something to fight for?

Shey. Abso. I personally don’t take kindly to the swooning stuff. So now you have books out yourself, how hard a journey was that towards publication?

Tracey. That wasn’t a hard journey at all really because I wrote for pleasure without thinking of publication until it was complete. I had the rejection experience but decided to try elsewhere and thankfully it all worked out and I got my happily ever after!

Shey. YAY! That is what we all like to hear here.

Tracey. Book two however, that’s a different story.

Shey, Yip tell us about it!

Tracey. That’s writing with expectation at the back of your mind and a whole lot of doubt. Once you get past the author/publisher special speak code…

(There must be a translation book out there somewhere) and you embrace the learning curve of edits, promo and the whole process of publication it’s a journey to enjoy. Of course it’s easier with a fab group of writer friends there to offer support.

Shey So Daring To Wish, what’s the one line pitch?

Tracey. What happens when you dare to wish?

Shey. Where did the idea come from?

Tracey. It all came from one of those ‘what if’ thoughts. When you think how your life could be completely different if you made one decision change in your past. So then I thought what if somebody actually did that? What if somebody stepped out of their comfort zone and made changes in their life and had fun doing it?

Shey. Can you spill a little about what it’s about?

Tracey. Shy Eve Ward writes a daring ‘before I’m thirty’ wish list intended for her eyes only.

When she meets a sexy stranger perfect for one of those wishes she starts to earn even more ticks on her list. Lucas is a bad boy trying to be good, but when he sees Eve’s list he decides being good can wait. Eve is gaining confidence and having the time of her life. It all seems too good to be true –Is it? And are those ticks what she really needs?

Shey. You write contemporary but like paranormal. Any plans to write a paranormal?

Tracey. I just might be dipping my pen into paranormal. I have an idea for a story that I want to write for fun—then who knows?

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today! So pleased to be sharing Daring to Wish with you.

Shey. Trace, it was a pleasure. Sorry for the delay!

Blurb

What happens when you dare to wish?

In an effort to regain her independence and break out of her shell, shy Eve Ward writes a daring wish list of all the things she wants to do before her thirtieth birthday. It’s a good thing the list is for her eyes only, because some of the items are pretty risqué.

Adrenaline junkie Lucas Riley becomes Eve’s “victim” in a kiss-a-stranger dare, and she thinks he’s perfect for her one-night-with-a-stranger wish.

With Eve, Lucas thinks he’s found the distraction he needs before he has to say goodbye to his bad boy image. When he finds Eve’s sexy wish list, he can’t keep himself from giving into temptation and sneaking a peek, and wish number eight is impossible for him to resist. Being good can wait.

Eve is thrilled when, out of the blue, Lucas offers to take her skydiving. Her sexy stranger has helped her tick so many wishes off her secret list. Her confidence has grown and now she’s having fun both in and out of the bedroom. It seems too good to be true…is it? She can’t shake the niggling suspicion that something’s not quite right.

Content Warning: contains dizzying heights and sensual sex

Genre(s): Contemporary Romance

Beachwalk Press Buy Link

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Barnes and Noble

Excerpt

“Wait.”

Eve froze mid-turn, halted by his husky command and the tingle radiating from his hand lightly grasping her wrist. She met his gaze and realized how wrong she’d been. He was a million miles away from being uncomplicated. The startling blue of his eyes revealed depths Eve could only imagine drowning in.

“Did you say…nice?” He leaned closer. “I would say that was a lot better than nice. I’m sure if we tried again we could manage spectacular. Don’t you agree?” he drawled.

Maybe nice had been the wrong word to choose Eve relented as she noted his husky tone. It was infinitely better than nice. Try amazing! Her breath hitched as she thought of his kiss again. Knowing he enjoyed it too sent a surge of pleasure through her that settled deep within her belly. Obviously she could do some things right.

If she intended to fulfill her wishes she was going to have to find some confidence from somewhere—and fast! At the moment her confidence seemed to be firmly in the area of her knickers.

Running and hiding now seemed out of the question. Maybe confidence practice would be the lesser of two evils? She paused before turning to face Mr. Hotness for confidence lesson one.

“Hmm…” She pretended to consider. “Maybe you’re right. However, as this was a dare I’m afraid it was a one time opportunity,” she added with mock apology. “So I guess we’ll never know.”

“You kissed me for a dare?” His brow arched.

Eve nodded. “Uh-huh. My dare was to kiss a stranger.”

“A dare, huh? I feel so…so violated.” He clutched his free hand to his chest in feigned hurt, although his eyes brimmed with humor and a smile tugged at the corner of his delicious mouth.

“Don’t be offended. I did actually choose you,” she blurted before forgetting her cool, calm, and confident aim.

“So you really thought you could violate me then run?”

“That was my plan, yes,” she said with a confidence she didn’t quite feel, especially as she was distracted by the thumb lightly stroking her wrist.

“And I didn’t even try to play hard to get. Guess you got lucky.”

“Or maybe you did,” she countered without thought, mortified as a blush warmed her cheeks at his responding grin.

He grinned, releasing her hand. “Tell me. Do you like to be dared?”

Her eyes widened at the loaded question. “I…I find a challenge hard to resist.”

“Damn good thing I’m a challenge.”

Author Bio…Tracey Rogers.

A devourer of books from an early age, I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn’t searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana’s books. I’m still in that world and refuse to leave.

I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around.

You can find me here: http://traceyrogers.wordpress.com/

On twitter: https://twitter.com/TraceRbookworm

Or email me at: traceyrogersaut@gmail.com

Or visit my author page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracey-Rogers-Author/197643867052117

Filed under: Author Interviews, writing Tagged: Beachwalk press, Best Fake Day, Daring To Wish, Tracey Rogers

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Published on December 27, 2013 07:31

December 24, 2013

On the Twelth Day of Christmas…..Anne and I bring to you.

And Dug brings you this ULTRA special piccie of herself

I said she would nab that hook as a paw. But the kilt? Well, blame Anne Lange yesterday. Sumexy men in kilts indeed. How did she go land one of the things I like to write about? (Hmmm. Perhaps cos I got to keep the sumexy pirate Flint? Naturally had I got 11 Kilted Kilties, I woulda had 11 pix of Callm up. Of course he wears a plaid. (Not very often when Kara’s around)

You are expecting something else no doubt? Like the last line of our song? Not to mention our sumexy cover reveals?

Oh all right…for this one day of the year, I will stop teasing…Line 12 of the song…my God I will never mix it up again..

12 Drummers drumming

Sure there’s a few sumexy ones in there. Of course kilties drum. Just look at this pic of the City Of York Pipe Band. Yeah English but run by a Scot I believe.

They got a pile of drummers.

Okay I am going to stop making Anne Lange wish she had never done this blog with me. AND show you today’s line…

It’s 12 Firemen…..( I don’t know it was a very wise thing to give me. Already I am sure you know who I am going to show….) hosing.

Here’s another four plus a tot.

Double the two pix and you’ve 12.

Oh…all right. Having got in that Hot Off with Nikki Dee Houston…here’s a few of hers… The line is Smokin’ Firemen

Anne has the full song. All 12 lines. All the Sumexy pix. Having wasted half this post blethering isn’t the only reason I’m asking you to pop over to hers to sing along. Just mind and come back. Anne is the one who did all the hard work in terms of thinking this song up. Lazy-assed me? I came up with pirates and kilties.

I don’t know what pic she will have found but to quote author Emily Guido, it is sure to be ‘HAWT.’ http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/24/day-12-and-fwb-cover-reveal/

SO. In plenty time for our release date 17th January, it’s time to reveal things like Anne’s cover. TA-DAH…

Can a summer of sexual exploration, lead to an unconventional forever.

FriendswithBenefitsbyAnneLange_PrintMaster Gorgeous Huh? Part of a series too.

It’s also time to reveal mine, starting with the trailer, which shows the cover. As I said yesterday, as I flung this together during God knows what tiny hours of the morning, I have Incy Black to thank for keeping me right. AND sitting on the other end of the email with me as this *^£$)%* binged back and forward, a bit like the ding dang dong on it.

But if you can’t wait to see the cover here it is…piece by piece

OH OKAY…..

ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS TO SEE HER DANGLE….

(Saying nothing. Of course I will change that tagline later to something like will this Christmas Eve be their absolute last?)

You know she’s kinda been under your noses for weeks! She’s also been sitting quietly on my website. http://shehannemooreweeblycom.weebly.com/‎

Personally, I love it. It’s modern for a historical but hey that’s in keeping with Etopia’s new look and also how I tend to write. I love my banner too.

I’ve waited a long time to have the kind of year I’ve had. I m just thrilled when last Christmas Eve I didn’t have a book out. It’s been quite a journey and I’ve met some fabulous people.
Now you already know the blurb. But Anne and I agreed ..yeah, yeah yeah. And she is one of these fabulous people. So…

Only one man in England can identify her. Unfortunately he’s living next door.

Ten years ago sixteen year old Sapphire, the greatest jewel thief England has ever known, ruined Lord Devorlane Hawley’s life. Now she’s dead and buried, all the respectable widow, Cassidy Armstrong, wants is the chance to prove who she really is.

But not only does her new neighbor believe he knows that exactly, he’s hell-bent on revenge. All he needs is the actual proof. So when he asks her to choose between being his mistress, or dangling on the end of a rope, only Sapphire can decide…

What’s left for a woman with nowhere left to go, but to stay exactly where she is?

And hope, that when it comes to neighbors, Devorlane Hawley won’t prove to be the one from hell.

Merry Christmas to you all and may this Christmas Eve be anything but your absolute last! xxxxxxxxx

And ps….in case you didn’t catch it first time!!!!!

Filed under: blogging, heroes, heroines, writing Tagged: Anne Lange, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Kilt, Loving Lady Lazuli, Pipe band, Shehanne Moore

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Published on December 24, 2013 01:22

December 22, 2013

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas–buon giorno

Ciao a tutti e spero che si sono impressi con il mio italiano–Good eh? I got it off Babylon translator. Me speak Italian? Me speak any language come to that? I once tried Danish when we were lost in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Denmark It was so bad the guy asked if I spoke French instead. Sanglante joue.

I wouldn’t like to say I am a complete Denholm Elliot’s character in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I am proficient at swearing and ordering a drink in every language going. The important things.

So, today as you can see, it is an advent calendar day.

Anne has the next line of our song over on her blog. OOH, we had sumexy pirates last time. I have to say, OMG! I would happily have done this next line too…especially given I don’t just write about pirates.

http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/23/eleventh-day-of-Christmas

Tomorrow…well, tomorrow we will be revealing certain covers.

It’s OKAY, I think I can get Kara to deal with Dug. IF she doesn’t hotfoot it to Anne’s blog today. Dug that is. Kara is too refined… Men in certain things do nothing for her whatsoever …ahem. It is very obvious when she first meets Callm.

I will also be revealing my book trailer.

TA-DAH… special big thanks to Incy Black for helping me NOT have a nervous breakdown at 1 am in the morning, when she’d no heating. Oh..and prising the 12 Days of Christmas song and the crummy accompanying naff illustrations off of it.

Guesses anyone as to what carol I kept??? It’s today’s BIG question.

Talking Christmas, Lady Fury has a special visitor on her blog

Yes…Ranting Crow, sharing not only some very questionable Dear Santa letters we must hope authors Antonia Van Zandt and Noelle Clark don’t see… Ranting didn’t write them, the pirates did. But Ranting does have that recipe for Dutch Apple Pie.

http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/ive-written-a-letter-to-santa/

Plus some fabulous pics of cocktail cup cakes. Gorgeous all of it. What, or rather who I have today by way of something different again is

Pietro Lombardi, hero of Noelle Clark’s lovely new book, Rosamanti set in Capri in Italy–what do you think I was speaking Italian for? The good of my health and the badness of everyone else’s? Being as Pietro’s also a chef, do sit back. We are not only in for a special treat if you haven’t got the Christmas dinner sorted, look no further.

Buon giorno. My name is Pietro Lombardi and I am the owner and chef at Alberto’s. This Christmas will be our first, and my wife – Sarah – and I are looking forward to welcoming our family and friends to our restaurant for a traditional Caprese meal.

A lot has happened this year. I met the love of my life quite by chance, when she came to Capri from Australia, to stay at Villa Rosamanti – my Nonna’s villa, set high up on the cape near the ruins of Villa Jovis.

Christmas on the island of Capri is glorious. There are very few tourists, the weather is quite cool, and it rains a lot. The local Caprese people take this opportunity to meet up with family and friends, and enjoy the peace and quiet of our island.

There are many Christmas traditions here that my wife does not know. She comes from Australia, where Christmas is celebrated at the height of summer. She loves to come on la passeggiata with me around Capri, and especially at Christmas when la piazzetta is all lit up. Children gather in the towns and recite poems, and sing traditional Christmas songs. The children here have to wait until Epiphany – January 6th – to open their presents, which are delivered by ‘Befana’, a kind, ugly witch who rides on a broomstick.

If you have read the book (Rosamanti), then you will know the history of Alberto’s. So, to honor my Nonna, our menu for Christmas dinner will be traditional Caprese fare, made entirely from ingredients from our very own land at Rosamanti. We do hope you will join Sarah and I, Therese and Bruno, our brave little friend Carlo, and of course Zia Maria, as we celebrate Christmas on my Island of Capri.

Buon Natale from Pietro and Sarah. Ciao. Now the Menu!

Starter: Potato and Cheese Pie, served with Caprese Christmas Wreath Salad

(hmmmmm Very fantoosh)

Main Course: Traditional Caprese Ravioli

(like what’s on Anne’s blog today, a must have)

Dessert: Italian Panettone – which is a traditional cake filled with candied fruit that is very popular during the holiday season.

(Let us eat lots of it.)

Recipes:

Potato and Cheese Pie serves 6

Ingredients

2 lb potatoes
7 oz ham
7 oz grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
7 oz Emmentaler cheese
salt to taste
1 ¾ oz butter

Preparation - 15 minutes preparation + 1 hour cooking

Boil the potatoes in salted water, then peel them and cut them in rather thin slices.

Grease an oven dish, arrange a layer of potatoes in it, on top of the potatoes put the ham cut into slices, Emmental and Parmesan cheese. Continue to make layers of potatoes, ham, Emmental and Parmesan until all the ingredients are used up. Finally, put a few small knobs of butter then put in the oven at 350°F° for about 30 minutes.

Recipe from http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/search-recipes/potato-cheese.aspx

Ravioli Caprese style

Filling Ingredients: 1/3 cup of ricotta cheese, 1 slice of mozzarella cheese, 1 table spoon of grated parmesan cheese, basil.

Preparation: To obtain the filling for our exquisite ravioli, mix together through a food processor ricotta cheese, mozzarella, basil, a handful of grated parmesan minimum one hour in advance and leave the mixture in the refrigerator. In the main time prepare the dough. N.B. It is advisable to buy all cheeses the previous day and keep them in the refrigerator.

Pasta Ingredients: 1 cup of regular white flour, ¼ cup of water, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, Italian pinch of sea salt.

Preparation: Place the flour on the work top and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the egg and a pinch of salt. Use a fork to incorporate the flour, adding the water a little at a time. Cover with flour and pat down by hand. Knead until a smooth dough is obtained. Divide the dough into two parts. Take one half of the roll and roll until a thin base is obtained. Add flour to keep from sticking to surface and rolling up, but do not over – work this dough. Brush off excess flour from both sides of base. Brush the top of base with beaten egg. Place teaspoonfuls of the filling at a regular intervals on the base (you can also do little balls). Filling should be 2 finger – widths apart. Roll out the other half of the dough and place over the base. Cut out the ravioli using a ravioli cutters, smaller one to press, larger one to cut.

To cook: Place the ravioli in a pan of boiling salted water. After few minutes the ravioli will rise to the surface. Using a skimming ladle, remove the ravioli and add to the previously prepared tomato sauce. Sprinkle generously with grated parmesan and fresh basil and the dish is ready.

Recipe from http://www.amalficoastcookingvacations.com/recipes/caprese-ravioli-style

Recipe for panettone

http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/panettone.aspx

OF COURSE we can’t just have Pietro here. We need to find out more.

Fate drew her to Rosamanti. Love made her stay…

Available now from:

Website and Blog www.noelleclark.net

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NoelleClark.Author

Twitter https://twitter.com/noelle_clark

http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/miladys-book-ckub-welcomes-noelle-clark/

Filed under: blogging, Guest bloggers, heroes Tagged: Anne Lange, Capri, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Traditions, Etopia Press, Friends With Benefits, Giveaway, Italian Christmas, Italian Christmas Recipes, Italy, Loving Lady Lazuli, Noelle Clark, Rosamanti, Shehanne Moore, Villa Rosamanti

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Published on December 22, 2013 15:50

December 20, 2013

On the Tenth Day of Christmas…….

Look, please don’t blame me. Blame the dug. I don’t want to ask Callm to take her in about any more than I want to rescue our banner. When it comes to carols, I am hoping to play a few at Christmas. Maybe even the 12 Days. To do that I need both hands. Already Dug’s eaten

3 pine cones,

two fancy ribbons

a-and half a tre-eh-eh branch.

As for Callm…well, I can’t recall off the top of my head what the body count in His Judas Bride was, but I would like to see Christmas Day, although I am sure his skills with a knife might prove useful for cutting some of my baking….

Do you know I had to move last night’s special meal from India to Hawaii, after I mistook the ginger jar for the curry one? Mr Shey was, of course, very understanding about it, although it was not to say that he ate it.

Anyway, I stagger up to day ten on Anne Lange and my Naughty Twelve Days of Christmas cover reveal and giveaway.

A bit like Dug is trying to be. Which one of you said she was adorable? Stand up now so I can smack you senseless.

I mean we can imagine it, can’t we? The cover reveal?

So, the tenth day of Christmas…..

Well, I am very excited to be doing this one, not to mention surprised Anne let this slip past her. And I am excited for two reasons.

One, the song says

10 Lords a’Leaping… More of in a mo. As you can see here, some of them are even

Pirates…. Today’s line from our reworking. 10 smexy pirates. You think they can’t be? That they go about looking like this…

saying, ‘Arrrrrr, Jim lad’ and ‘shiver me timbers’? Wearing……….this kind of thing

not to mention waving this….(maybe Dug shouldn’t see this. She is minus a paw after all.)

Or worse…. Wear enough mascara to resemble Cher.

With a moustache of course.

Well, to quote Lady Fury…’Not at all.’ She has Captain Flint after all, her bad boy privateer, who is so sumexy she makes rules to keep him at bay, knowing just what he’s capable of. Why, she won’t even let him take his clothes off. So pirates? Oh yes.

But lords…? Well, my new hero, Devorlane Hawley is a lord. (He’s… ahem… a lot of things actually.) And he’s very good at leaping in and out of lady’s beds. He would be better at actual proper leaping if he his thigh hadn’t been shattered at the battle of Corunna–something he lays at Sapphire’s door. SO, today’s tidbit? Here’s one card Dug is NOT getting to show.

Not a very good recital by the looks of it.

‘To manage through the first line with Devorlane Hawley’s openly contemptuous stare burning holes in her, and Belle’s vaulting soprano bawling in her ears was going to be a miracle that ranked with some of that same God’s finest. And she didn’t manage it. The opening bar…Lord, what was that twang? That screech too?

“I woulds’t but fly all day. Fl-ah-ah-ah-eye away.”

Belle’s screech soared to the rafters as if she were going to follow by sprouting wings, to the horror of the assembled multitude, and fly about the beams—lovely but worth sod all except for firewood

Devorlane Hawley’s twisted, furrowed brow suggested his agony. Whether it was due to Belle’s caterwauling, or her own appalling efforts at accompaniment, or the wound he’d suffered in the Peninsular, or the choice of this particular song for his home coming, or the fact he’d come home at all, or all five for that matter, was hard to divine. But she very much wanted to get up and run.’

Remember to pop over to Anne’s blog . http://authorannelange.com/2013/12/20/some-xmas-classics/
I’ll be back on Monday with a special post from Noelle Clark.
Filed under: heroes Tagged: Anne Lange, Christmas, Christmas Day, Etopoa Press, Friends With Benefits, Hawaii, India, Loving Lady Lazuli, Shehanne Moore

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Published on December 20, 2013 02:10

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