Mary Morgan's Blog, page 41

Friday Feast | Celebrate Beltaine with Irish Rarebit

Welcome May Day! Sunshine, (well, in some places of the world), new life, laughter, and dancing. The night before is called Beltaine Eve in the Celtic world. It is said that on this night the faeries ride out into the world from their deep dwellings within the land. A magical time filled with great joy. May Day or Beltaine also marks the beginning of summer as well. Celebrations are held outdoors and no work is to be done. If possible, get out in nature today. I know times are difficult for so many, yet let this first day of May bring a smile to your face and peace within your heart. I'm sharing one of my favorites: Irish Rarebit! It's super easy and great with a mixed green salad. Sláinte IRISH RAREBIT 3 tablespoons of your favorite Irish stout 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon ground mustard (powdered) Dash of cayenne pepper 1 egg, beaten 2 cups Cheddar cheese, grated 4 slices thick sourdough bread Smoked paprika 2 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled Combine the Irish stout, Worcestershire sauce, mustards, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the egg and cheese, a little at a time. Mixture will be thick. Toast the bread slices, lightly. Spoon and spread mixture over bread. Sprinkle with paprika and place under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling. Serve with crumbled bacon on top.

The Coffee Pot Book Club Presents "The Du Lac Curse" by Mary Anne Yarde

I'm delighted to have my dear friend and talented author, Mary Anne Yarde in the Tavern today! We're celebrating her new release, The Du Lac Curse: Book 5 of The Du Lac Chronicles. Mary Anne has woven a new thread into the tales of King Arthur, and this series is one I highly recommend! God against Gods. King against King. Brother against Brother. Mordred Pendragon had once said that the sons of Lancelot would eventually destroy each other, it seemed he was right all along. Garren du Lac knew what the burning pyres meant in his brother's kingdom — invasion. But who would dare to challenge King Alden of Cerniw for his throne? Only one man was daring enough, arrogant enough, to attempt such a feat — Budic du Lac, their eldest half-brother. While Merton du Lac struggles to come to terms with the magnitude of Budic's crime, there is another threat, one that is as ancient as it is powerful. But with the death toll rising and his men deserting who will take up the banner and fight in his name? Available from these online retailers AMAZON UK | AMAZON US My Chat with Mary Anne Yarde Welcome, Mary Anne! Congratulations on your new release! With all my interviews, I like to begin with this question: Describe a typical writing day. Are you a morning, afternoon, or night-owl writer? I always write in the afternoon, usually between one and four. I do have a rather strict routine that involves copious amounts of tea, so the kettle has to be within easy reach! I always listen to music when I write, and what I listen to depends on what I am writing about. It can be anything from James Horner to For King and Country! I am a bit of a perfectionist; I do a lot of rewriting, and I cannot go on with the story until I am happy with the scene I have just written. Once I am satisfied with what I have done, I will continue — one paragraph at a time. Sounds perfect, Mary Anne! Tea is a wonderful companion near my writing table as well. Can you tell us about your current work-in-progress? I am currently researching for Book 6 in The Du Lac Chronicles series. I am also in the middle of writing a second edition of The Pitchfork Rebellion, which is an interim novella between Book 1 and Book 2. I'm delighted to hear there will be another book in the series! What inspired you to write this book/series? As a child, I adored the legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. I grew up near Glastonbury, England, where the story of King Arthur is woven into the very land itself. Many times I have witnessed Glastonbury Tor rise from the Fata Morgana — the mist — and every time I see it, I am enthralled. It is so easy to believe the stories of Arthur when set against such a backdrop. View of Glastonbury Glastonbury Abbey at Sunset After Arthur's tragic death, the story, however, comes to a sudden halt. No more is heard of Arthur's famous knights, and all we are left with is a whispered promise, that when Briton is in peril, Arthur and his Knights will ride again. I wanted to explore what happened after the death of King Arthur, and that is how I came up with The Du Lac Chronicles series. The Death of King Arthur by John Garrick Fascinating, Mary Anne. Thank you for supplying these wonderful pictures. What's your favourite item on your writing desk? My husband has recently commandeered my desk, so I now have a shelf! My favourite item on my shelf is my laptop, my notebook and my favourite pen! Ah, excellent to hear. You've been given a golden ticket to time travel into the past. Whom would you meet and why? That is such a difficult question to answer. I have never had any desire to travel back in time — I don't think I would last five minutes in another era! But if I had to, I would really like to meet my great grandfather. He died before I was born, but the stories that I have heard about him are fabulous. It would have been lovely to have known him. Thank you for spending time with us today, Mary Anne. Wishing you continued success with The Du Lac Curse: Book 5 of The Du Lac Chronicles! Meet the Author Mary Anne Yarde is the multi award-winning author of the International Bestselling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Britain and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed. Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood. Connect with Mary Anne here: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Long and Short Reviews Weekly Blog Challenge | 04.29.20

I must confess that this week's challenge had me recalling many of the series I enjoy reading. I longed to go back at the beginning and start over with a few, but I have so many on my list to read. Perhaps another time. The topic: Reason why I stopped reading a series I loved. Yes I will admit to going no further in finishing a series. Why? Several reasons. The story felt like the writer rushed to finish the book, found another voice, or decided to be creative and head hop (writers call this pov shifts, or point of view) all over the scenes. The flow of the writer's pace and familiarity of their voice was gone. I no longer knew the series. It appeared entirely different and not in a good way. Usually I can overlook a lot in a story. Trust me, nobody is perfect. But when I fall in love with a series, it's because of the writer and their certain style of telling the tale throughout. I'm one of those readers who look forward to another book in a series by a favorite author. You can almost hear me sigh as I open to the first page. I've come home and want to curl up within the pages. If you disappoint me, I'm gone. What about your reason(s)? I'd love to hear your thoughts. To read what the others are saying, hop on over here. See you next week. Be safe and well. xo

RONE Award 2020 Voting | TO WEAVE A HIGHLAND TAPESTRY

I'm thrilled to be nominated for the prestigious RONE Award from InD'tale Magazine! To Weave a Highland Tapestry is a nominee in the Time Travel/Science Fiction category, and I'm asking for your help, dear friends. I need your vote to make it to the finals where the story will be judged by reviewers and readers. All you have to do is login and cast your vote. And a reminder that you can only vote once in each of the categories. Here's the link: https://indtale.com/rone-awards-week-... I truly enjoyed writing Patrick and Gwen's love story. It's dear to my heart for so many reasons. Thank you! xo And one more note, Medieval Monday returns next Monday with a brand new theme: Nature! I hope you'll join us.

Friday Feast | Crock Pot Chili and a New Book by Nancy Lee Badger

I'm delighted to introduce my very first guest in the Tavern for Friday Feast! Please make welcome my friend and talented author, Nancy Lee Badger! Not only does she have a delicious recipe to share, but she also has a new book release, Heaven-sent Flame. I'm eager to try her recipe and her new book! A Message from Nancy Lee Badger I know. It is officially spring in the southern United States, but we have been through a long hard March and April. A little comfort food goes a long way to brighten the day. With the Coronavirus pandemic raising its ugly head and with our stove disconnected (3 months!) I had to resort to my toaster oven, microwave, crock pot, or take-out. This is a recipe which I use for my 4-quart electric crock pot. 1 ½ lbs. hamburger, cooked, chopped, drained (I use 80/20) 1 28 oz. can petite diced tomatoes 1 6 oz. can tomato paste or puree 1 10-16 oz. can chili beans or kidney beans, liquid poured off (optional but a good source of protein) 1 or 2 diced yellow onions (my hubby LOVES onions) 1 Tablespoon Cumin 2 Tablespoons Chili powder Hot sauce, to taste Add all ingredients to the crockpot and set on high. As it cooks, stir hourly and taste-test. If you want it spicier, add more chili powder and hot sauce. I turn it to low once it bubbles and its ready any time after 4 hours. If you need to leave it unattended all day, cook on low setting. Serve with cornbread. Since my oven wasn’t hooked up (that is a long story!), I served it by adding shredded cheddar cheese on top. My chili hit the spot and it is featured in my new book, Heaven-sent Flame, when my hero, Sam, takes Marigold to his cousin’s home. Here is a short excerpt: “These are stainless-steel appliances, a heavy-duty metal. The countertops are carved from granite,” Gwen added. “The green and yellow wallpaper is not really our style, but this is a rental home.” Marigold sat where Sam pointed and gobbled whatever Gwen had placed in a bowl in front of her. The stew was hot and spicy, like nothing her coven cooked in their pots over a fire pit. The bread was warm and crusty, slathered with butter. She knew the hours it took to churn sweet butter. An English lass grows up in a Scottish coven only to awaken in a strange new world with sculptures, a handsome man, and a hate-filled demon. Falling in love while saving the world was not the plan! Heaven-sent Flame is the 3rd book in the Warriors in Bronze series and is a paranormal time-travel romance set in both ancient Scotland and present-day North Carolina. It was released April 22, 2020 by Soul Mate Publishing. Available from these online retailers AMAZON | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CAN | AMAZON AUS Meet the Author Nancy Lee Badger grew up in Huntington on New York’s Long Island, where school field trips to lofty museums were the norm. After attending Plymouth State, in New Hampshire, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education and met and married her college sweetheart. They raised two handsome sons in Rumney, New Hampshire, where Nancy volunteered as an EMT and firefighter while working full-time. When the children had left the nest, and shoveling snow became a chore, she retired from her satisfying job as a 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Dispatcher and moved with her husband to North Carolina, where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and the Triangle Association of Freelancers. She loves to travel and attend Scottish Highland Games and is never far from her laptop. She finds story ideas in the most unusual places. Connect with her here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Blog | BookBub | Goodreads

The Coffee Pot Book Club Presents "The King's Retribution" by Mercedes Rochelle

Please make welcome to the Tavern, Mercedes Rochelle! We're celebrating her new release, The King's Retribution, Book 2 of The Plantagenet Legacy. I've recently been studying the years of King Richard II, so this story is one I'll be reading. I hope it will intrigue you, as well. If you read A KING UNDER SIEGE, you might remember that we left off just as Richard declared his majority at age 22. He was able to rise above the humiliation inflicted on him during the Merciless Parliament, but the fear that it could happen again haunted him the rest of his life. Ten years was a long time to wait before taking revenge on your enemies, but King Richard II was a patient man. Hiding his antagonism toward the Lords Appellant, once he felt strong enough to wreak his revenge he was swift and merciless. Alas for Richard, he went too far, and in his eagerness to protect his crown Richard underestimated the very man who would take it from him: Henry Bolingbroke. Available at these online retailers AMAZON US | AMAZON UK A Special Message from Mercedes Rochelle Like many of us, I first learned of Richard II from Shakespeare. Even though I knew nothing about him, I was totally captivated during the prison scene while he bemoaned the fate of kings—and I never recovered! I first saw the BBC production with Derek Jacobi and Jon Finch way back in the late ‘70s. But I had other things on my mind, namely Macbeth, Harold Godwineson and the Anglo-Saxons. Once I got those four books out of my system (it took me over thirty years) I was ready to finally tackle Richard II. I was surprised at the complexity of his story. It goes way beyond the events of this play; in fact, Shakespeare only covered the last two years of Richard’s life. He told us nothing about what led up to the famous scene between Bolingbroke and Mowbray, where their trial by combat was interrupted and they were sent into exile. This was indeed the crisis that led to the king's downfall, but Richard's story is much more convoluted than you would ever think from watching the play. It took two volumes to cover the events of Richard’s reign; luckily for me, it was broken into two parts—his minority and his majority. Both portions are filled with conflict and tragedy for him. In book one, his overbearing uncles and nobles force him to their will, taking down his friends and advisors along the way. In book two, King Richard wreaks revenge on his enemies, though eventually he goes too far and everything comes crashing down on his head. Henry Bolingbroke, his cousin and antithesis, must put things to right, but he must go all the way or risk losing his own life. The issues were difficult to unravel, and it’s hard to decide whether Richard is to be scorned or pitied. My heart goes both ways. What about Henry? His story is definitely not “happily ever after” as king. First of all, he is dogged by revolts, especially for the first nine years of his reign. His government was constantly on the verge of bankruptcy. Personally, I think he never got past the stigma of the usurper king. And then, near the end of his life he is plagued by a skin disease so disfiguring that everyone thought he had leprosy—as punishment from his crimes, of course. He did not get along with his heir, the future Henry V; in fact, young Henry led a palace coup in an attempt to force him to step down after he got ill. Over the years, historians have pointed to Richard’s usurpation as the cause of the Wars of the Roses—or at least the catalyst. Nowadays the consensus is a little less certain. It’s a difficult question to answer, but I will continue to explore it through the rest of the Lancastrian kings. By the time we get to Henry VI, the dynasty seem pretty tapped out. Perhaps England was ready for a change? I’ll find out when I get there! Meet the Author Born in St. Louis MO with a degree from University of Missouri, Mercedes Rochelle learned about living history as a re-enactor and has been enamored with historical fiction ever since. A move to New York to do research and two careers ensued, but writing fiction remains her primary vocation. She lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves. Connect with Mercedes here Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Long and Short Reviews Weekly Blog Challenge | 04.22.20

Hello everyone! This week's topic: My silliest pet peeves was definitely a challenge. I've been thinking on this one for days. In truth, I had to go to my husband. Ha! His first response had me laughing for several minutes. What is it? A lawn free of magnolia leaves! I can't stand to see them cluttering up our pretty green lawn. I've been known to go out in the rain and scoop them into a bucket. Even though we have others who take care of our lawns (we live in an HOA community), I'm always out there doing my daily chore. And for the record, I don't believe these trees should have been placed so close together. They're beautiful but not appropriate for our neighborhood. Some houses have small front lawns and the roots of these trees can do some mighty damage. We had ours removed last year, but sadly, our neighbor did not. Enough of my rant about leaves, which I do think are pretty in the autumn, just not on my lawn. If I can recall any other silly pet peeves, I'll jot them down in another post. :) What about you? Do share and then hop over here to read what the others are saying. See you next week! Be safe and well. xo

Friday Feast | Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes, Leeks, and Spinach

As with any pasta dish, I tend to have lots of grated or shredded parmesan cheese on my dish. In truth, I've been known to say, "I like a little pasta with my cheese." :) Feel free to use sweet Italian sausage, instead of spicy, and kale instead of spinach. It's all about your own taste preference, right? Another good alternative I've used in place of spinach is chopped zucchini. Just saute the zucchini with the leeks before adding with the rest of the ingredients. Easy, peasy. Orecchiette...

Dare to Solve the Mystery in "Domin8" by Stephen B King

Have I sparked your curiosity? Then I dare you to grab a copy of "Domin8" by the talented author, Stephen B King! Intriguing? You bet! Steamy? Oh, yes! Let's take a look at his new book release... After his wife loses interest in him, fifty-year-old Dave Barndon turns to the dark side of the Internet and sex chat rooms. There he finds willing partners who are happy to fulfill his needs with no strings attached. But they aren't the only ones looking to play. When a woman he had an affair with...

Long and Short Reviews Weekly Blog Challenge | 04.15.20

Without a doubt, this week's challenge was an easy one: Characters I'd invite to a dinner party. These particular ones were the first to explode within my thoughts. Why? Because they have lived within my mind for twenty long years. Truth! These characters have haunted my dreams, tormented my days, made me furious, sworn at me, sneered at my plots, and yet, allowed me to write their stories. Stories of finding redemption and love. Trusted me to find the perfect woman who could stand beside...