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Wednesday, November 2, 2016

One More Breath by Amber Garr blitz


One More Breath
Amber Garr
Publication date: November 1st 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Sydney Westbrook has had enough.

After a fight with her abusive ex-boyfriend leaves her in the hospital once again, she knows it’s time for a change. Just out of college, Sydney decides to accept a position as a live-in nurse. But leaving the comfort of Atlanta and the support of her small circle of friends is hard to do. And when she meets her ailing, stubborn client, Sydney second guesses all of her choices.

A southern family with a social status to maintain, the McNamara’s think very little of Sydney, especially since she reminds Mrs. McNamara so much of the daughter-in-law she never accepted. But when Sydney encounters Quinn, the defiant grandson, her views of the family begin to change. And her heart begins to heal the hole left behind by the abuse.

Sydney and Quinn may have little time together, but they make the most out of it. A public display of their relationship is short-lived when Sydney learns just how far her client will go to save her family’s namesake. And when Sydney’s past suddenly rips into her new world, her happiness with Quinn threatens to come to an end.

But truth and friendship will help Sydney finally live the life she’s chosen while loving the one she chose.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

The music changed to something fast. Way too fast. The dancer in me watched the feet of the couples who obviously knew what they were doing. Two forward steps, two back, and then one, one, merengue. Okay, got it.

Quinn’s hand rested comfortably against my lower back, his fingers spreading wide enough to graze the top of my behind and hit the open back of my dress. Shivers trickled over my skin despite my sharp focus on the dance floor.

“You ready?” Quinn’s hot breath against my ear melted my insides. That was it. I was pure mush for this guy I hardly knew. Might as well enjoy it.

“Are you a good dancer?” I lifted my cheek toward his lips so that he could see the side of my face. A wave of boldness ripped over my bones. I was young. Single. Quinn was gorgeous, smart, and savvy. We could have a lot of fun together.

“So I’ve been told.” His lips brushed my face as he repeated the same words I’d heard in the garden.

With a smile and a new-found sense of confidence, I channeled my inner-Cass and pulled Quinn onto the dance floor. I heard him laughing behind me as we weaved in and out of the gyrating bodies. In just a few strides, Quinn had wrapped both hands around my hips, guiding us to an empty spot. If I was being honest with myself, I may have pushed back against him a little more than necessary, enjoying the hardness of his abs and the slightly possessive way he held on to me.

Once we found a space large enough for the two of us, I turned and wrapped my arms over his shoulders. His height required me to reach higher than I would have normally been able to, so I was extremely grateful for the high heels.

“Let’s do this,” Quinn said. With a quick snap of his hands, he yanked me even closer to him and began moving his hips. I stared into his eyes, feeling lost in an ocean of teals and turquoise. The beat soared through me, my hips lining up perfectly with his as we swayed.

At first, we didn’t move our feet, just enjoyed the feeling of each other’s bodies against each other. Quinn leaned forward far enough to rest his forehead against mine, neither of us taking our eyes off each other. The move was so…intimate, so personal, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t pulled away yet. Perhaps it was from the two shots of tequila and half a vodka martini. Or maybe it was because Quinn had this instant ability to make me feel safe and secure when I’d always experienced fear before.

As the beat got louder and the music began to ramp up for the final chorus, Quinn smiled down at me. “Okay, let’s go.”

Without another warning, he pulled me around the floor, blending with the rest of the couples. I worked on my foot placement, being careful to let him lead and not step on his feet at the same time. The music pulsed around me like a veil, blocking out all of my insecurities and allowing me to get lost in the moment. In no time at all, we were laughing and smiling and rubbing against each other in a way that might even make Cass blush.

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Author Bio:

Amber Garr spends her days as a scientist and nights writing about other worlds. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain she has a supernatural sense of smell. Amber is a multiple Royal Palm Literary Award winner, author of the bestselling Syrenka Series, The Leila Marx Novels, the award-winning Water Crisis Chronicles and Georgia Girls Series, as well as the Death Warden Series. When not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter


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Everything Bundt the Truth by Karen C. Whalen blitz


Everything Bundt the Truth
Karen C. Whalen
Publication date: November 2nd 2016
Genres: Adult, Mystery
Recent widow, Jane Marsh, is determined to recapture a rich, full life. She strives for youthful fun by riding a bicycle downtown on her lunch hour in a suit and heels, smoking cigars, eating at hipster restaurants, and re-entering the dating scene, even if her dates prove to be peculiar.
Her most fervent desire, though, is to join an exclusive dinner club. She auditions, but is barred when her housekeeper is found murdered, and she and her guest list become the suspect list. Her, a killer? So what if her two late husbands died under suspicious circumstances. It doesn’t make her a killer.
Having passed off a store bought Bundt cake as her own creation, she may have committed a culinary crime, but never murder!
SNEAK PEEK:
She grumbled during the drive home from the bakery. What kind of a housekeeper would show up late on the first day on the job? What if Monica was still there when the guests arrived? She had Cheryl’s vote of approval, but the other club members may not accept Jane if the dinner did not go smoothly. Well, a delicious Bundt cake would help—or was that cheating? Would the group reject her if they found out she hadn’t made the entire dinner from scratch? Once home, she threw open the door and walked inside. “Monica? You here?” Where was she?


Author Bio:
Karen C. Whalen is the author of a culinary cozy series, the dinner club murder mysteries, the first of which is Everything Bundt the Truth. She works as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver, Colorado and has been a columnist and regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. She has hosted dinner club events for a number of years.

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Chayil Champion - Majesties of Canaan: The Goliath Project - PROMO Blitz




Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Date Published: May 27, 2016




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The next Superhero adventure installment of the Dark Spores Series from acclaimed author Chayil Champion. 

2035. It’s the dawn of a new era where power-hungry war generals are forming a New World Order. The nation of Israel comes under attack by evil Tanwar Terah, a Syrian mastermind in science and politics. Through Terah, five countries are united in order to form The Caste Republic. Under his rule, The Caste Republic uses neoteric technology to create new weapons, genetically altered beasts with super powers, and human giants - a new breed of super villains -wreak havoc and put fear into the hearts of humanity. But seven soldiers, led by Jewish-Italian Lieutenant Peter Carmoni, are released among several military sleeper teams to locate Terah and destroy his campaign before it is too late. In their journey to find the evil dictator, they are detoured and find themselves taking cover in a peculiar cave where they are introduced to Oramite, an element that changes their DNA and renders them with new super powers and abilities. Now, it is up to these seven super heroes to learn to hone their new powers and use it against their enemies in the biggest war the world has ever seen…or all will be lost.




Excerpt

The smoke cloud now appeared in the lobby, growing into a portal. The remaining six jumped out. Both giants stepped forth. Blessed and Aganathin, who stood at six-foot-six and six-foot-eight respectively, looked like dwarfs next to the two twelve-foot giants.


“You’re not one of us, puny people,” said one giant in his deep voice that echoed throughout the lobby.”


“No, you’re right. We’re none of you at all,” said Blessed.


At that moment, Blessed’s fists and arms became coated with the Oramite material. With all his might, he punched the giant in the mid-section, bringing him down on his knees, grunting. The giant’s face was now within reach. Blessed cocked back for another punch and broke the giant’s helmet, sending him flying into the wall, unconscious.


Slaycick saw the other giant draw his weapon and before he could get a shot off, he ran with Mach speed towards the giant slicing through his arm with his Oramite sword. The armored suit of the giants was no match for the Oramite weapons. The giant’s arm fell off with the gun still inside his hand. He screamed, and his yell could be heard throughout the whole building. Slaycick sent one more slice with his sword across the giant’s leg, severing him at both kneecaps. Blood began gushing out onto the lobby floor.


“Let’s get to the elevators!” yelled Blessed. “I’m sure there’ll be more giants and soldiers on their way.”
As they headed to the elevators, the two soldiers from outside came charging in. K’nia spotted them and hit them with two Oramite stars shot from her hands. More soldiers were running into the main lobby only to see the two giants decommissioned and on the floor. The team entered the elevator and rapidly punched in the first code. As the elevator doors were closing, Rekluse took a grenade from her hip and rolled it out the door towards the oncoming soldiers who were now firing towards the team. The doors closed as the grenade exploded.


Once they got to the underground level, the doors opened and the team stepped out with their weapons drawn. The few scientists left in the lab quickly stopped what they were doing and raised their hands. Kasitia’s voice could be heard over the COM links.


“Hey, gang. Someone radioed Tanwar. They know you’re here, and you got giants coming your way. They’re starting to open the hangar now so the aircrafts can leave. I’m going to try to halt them.”


“Be careful,” said Blessed. “We’re coming to you now.”


Slaycick took several plastic handcuffs out of his vest pockets and began tying up the scientists with super speed, then had them sit on the floor. “You all stay put now you hear?” he joked. “Now, which one you know the combination to this door?”


“We don’t need a combination,” said Blessed.


Blessed walked up to the huge, steel-plated door and punched a hole in it with his fist and then pulled it off its hinges. Coming down the corridor were three huge giants with large hydrogen-powered guns aiming straight at Blessed. They fired a few shots, which he managed to dodge as he took cover to the side of the broken doorway.


“I have an idea,” said Tenan as the giants approached. He quickly created a portal in the doorway.


The giants ran through it, thinking it was only black smoke. They stepped out and found themselves falling thousands of feet out of the sky. Tenan quickly closed the portal as the group made its way down to the second elevator door leading to the underground hangar. Blessed typed in the second set of code numbers and they made their way down to assist Kasitia.


When the doors opened, the team stepped out amongst gunfire and panic. Kasitia was going in and out of shadow form, killing Tanwar’s soldiers, who were in a state of confusion. Several of Tanwar’s soldiers started firing towards the team when they entered.


“Split up and let’s finish these boys off!” yelled Blessed.


Two of the aircrafts had already taken off with the giants’ pods attached them.


“We can’t let the other carriers take off, gang!” said Blessed. “Let’s stop them and worry about the other ones later.”


“Tenan, give me three of your timed explosives,” said Slaycick.


Tenan handed Slaycick the bombs, and in a blur, he swiftly placed the three bombs on aircrafts that were preparing to take off. He ran back and hid behind a computer board, undetected. The aircraft carriers exploded and caught on fire, never having a chance to leave the ground. Suddenly, the pods opened and the other giants stepped out running from the planes that just caught fire.


The crew was now split up, fighting off soldiers and giants. Aganathin’s axe ripped through the giants as he swung with one motion. Rekluse and Tenan fought off soldiers with precise shooting and some ballistic, martial art techniques. One soldier swung at Rekluse. She blocked his punch, and while still holding onto his arm, she jumped in the air, wrapped both of her legs around his neck, and brought him to the ground. With her sheer strength, she hyper-extended his arm with a strong twist, causing an extreme fracture to his limb. She then pulled a Desert Eagle handgun from her hip and stuck it in the soldier’s mouth. Squeezing off two rounds, she then moved on, continuing to dominate enemies using hand-to-hand combat.


Soldiers from Tanwar’s army were dying by dozens. The hangar was filling up with bodies as more men kept falling.


Slaycick zoomed around the hangar, slicing down giants and soldiers with his double swords. Blessed went on a rampage with one hand on his gun, and with his free hand, he knocked out anyone who was close enough to him. K’nia shot down giants with her stars, while her sister flashed in and out of shadow form, catching her enemies off guard with deathblows and stabs to the heart. The battle lasted less than ten minutes before every giant and soldier was put down by the seven super soldiers.


“Kasitia, where’s Tanwar?” asked Blessed.


“He’s over there, unconscious. When they heard you people storm the building, he made a run for it with General Selur and the doctors. I snatched him in shadow form, knocked him out, and dragged him back behind the barrels. By that time, his men were shooting at me, so I had to begin the fight without you.”


“We’ve finally come face to face with Tanwar Terah. The dictator and leader of The Caste Republic. Finally, in our hands,” said Aganathin.


“No time to relax now. Two carriers got away, carrying ten giants apiece. They’re headed to Israel where their alliances have already been given orders to attack,” said Kasitia “We need to get to Jerusalem to notify Prime Minister Mashol and let him know we have Tanwar.”


“Good work, Kasitia. You’re getting into a habit of knocking out men. Keep it up and you’ll be single for the rest of your life,” joked Slaycick.


“Very funny,” retorted Kasitia, rolling her eyes.


“All jokes aside, because of your smart thinking, we have our guy. Let’s tie him up before he comes to,” said Tenan.


“You’re right,” acknowledged Blessed. “You did what you had to do, Kasitia. Great job.”


Tenan created a portal leading back to Jerusalem. “Let’s get back. Time is not on our side right now,” he reminded the crew.


“One sec,” said Slaycick. The speedster disappeared and reappeared in one second, carrying two scientists on his shoulder. He ran back and got the other scientists who were tied up. He also unhooked several computers from the lab and brought those back.


“We need them to learn more about these giants that were created,” Slaycick continued.  “If one doesn’t talk, we’ll make an example so the other ones will. I’m sure these computers have valuable information on them as well.”


The team entered the portal with the captured dictator, the scientists, and the confiscated computers. A brief victory was won for the moment. 

About the Author


Chayil Champion is a graduate of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida where he double-majored in both English and Journalism while competing as a two-sport athlete in both football and track. After graduating from UM in 1998, Champion received his masters and doctorate degrees in education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He embarked on a career in education as an English teacher and vice principal in South Florida’s Dade County and West Palm Beach County public school systems respectively before moving to Los Angeles, California in 2009.

 A native from Evanston, Illinois, a suburb that borders Chicago’s north side, Champion developed a love for writing at a young age which carried well into his adult years. After penning his first book in 2009 upon his arrival to Los Angeles, Champion has gone on to write five more books, which include the Young Adult fiction novels, Affiliated and Going Pro, both from The Lost Souls literary series. Champion also wrote Exiting The Wilderness and But He Said He Was A Christian, two nonfiction Christian self-help books. His latest book, Majesties of Canaan: The Goliath Project is a Young Adult, super hero novel. It is the first book of many within the Majesties of Canaan Superhero Series and the second book of The Dark Spores Series where Champion has partnered with best-selling authors Keshawn Dodds and Braxton Cosby to form the new superhero universe and to collaboratively pen the upcoming superhero novel Infinity 7 due in early 2017.

Outside of his love for writing, Champion, runs his own education consulting company in Los Angeles where he continues to teach and tutor students. In his free time, Champion focuses on fitness as he is a gym rat, frequents movies, and enjoys spending time with his daughter Vanessa.

Contact Links

Twitter: @chayilchampion

Purchase Links



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Reveal: Trying Sophie, A Dublin Rugby Romance by Rebecca Norinne


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Trying Sophie

by Rebecca Norinne
Dublin Rugby #1
Publication Date: December 6, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Rugby, Sports Romance

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SYNOPSIS:



She doesn't date players...
Sophie loves her life: she's travelled the world and lived by her own rules. But when she finds out about her grandfather's heart attack, she drops everything and boards a plane to Ireland. Two weeks, that's the plan. Until one look at her childhood nemesis has her rethinking everything. She's sworn off athletes, but she might just give him a try...
He's the biggest player of all.
Sex and rugby. Those were the only two things Declan cared about, right up until his first love waltzed back into his life. Even as he slept his way through Dublin, he never stopped thinking about her. Never stopped wondering if she thought about him, too. So even though he's never gone after a woman the way he chases down opponents on the field, this time, he won't let her get away.
On the field, he's invincible, but she just might break him.
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EXCERPT

With my arm wrapped around her shoulder and her head resting against my chest, Sophie had fallen silent. Listening to her deep and steady breathing, I realized she was asleep.


I used the quiet moment to assess my earlier reaction and examine my feelings. Even though I’d pursued her with a single-minded focus, I hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. At first I’d told myself we’d have a good time, enjoy each other’s bodies, but it wouldn’t go any further. But I knew I’d been fooling myself from the get-go. I’d fallen hard … and fast. So incredibly fast. The joke was on me though because for once I was the one looking for commitment from someone who couldn’t return the sentiment.


The way my chest hurt every time I thought about her leaving let me know I wasn’t going to handle it very well when the day came. I’d already watched her leave Ballycurra once with a lump in my throat. I didn’t need a repeat performance. What I needed was to put pull back now, put some distance between us while I still could.


I nudged her shoulder. “Sophie, wake up. We’re home.”


Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes. “Home?”


“My house,” I clarified.


“Oh, right.”


Paying the driver, we exited his car and stood side by side on the wet pavement outside my house.


“It rained,” she observed groggily, wrapping her arm through mine. Looking up at me with a shy smile, she added, “Thanks for today, by the way.”


“You’re welcome.”


“I had a good time,” she continued, her eyes searching my face.


“I’m glad,” I answered, refusing to meet her stare. “Be careful, the tiles can be slippery, especially in those shoes.”


Clinging tighter, she whispered, “You won’t let me fall.”


“Nope, you’re safe.”


“I am, aren’t I?” she asked as I fitted my key in the lock. “Safe?”


I dragged my eyes to hers. I couldn’t be sure, but suddenly it felt like we weren’t talking about slippery walkways anymore, that there was hidden meaning in her words … and mine.


“Always,” I intoned, pulling her through the door and into me. With her palms resting flat against my chest, I was sure she could feel my heart hammering against my sternum.


Despite the pep talk I’d just given myself, I couldn’t deny how I felt about this woman. She was in my veins. I knew she didn’t trust me not to break her heart, not yet, but I was just as vulnerable. And even though I was probably setting myself up for further rejection, I needed her to know she had a home here. That there was a place for her in my life if she’d only let herself take it.


“You’re safe with me Sophie,” I repeated, my lips dropping to hers. “All you have to do is let me in. I’m yours for the taking.” I kissed her again. “Please, take me.”

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ABOUT REBECCA NORINNE

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Rebecca read her first book when she was four years old and has been hooked on the written word ever since. While working in technology PR in Silicon Valley, she began writing her debut novel and eventually published it six years later. At the end of 2014, she left behind her career in corporate communications to become a full time author. When she's not writing, you can find Rebecca exploring her new city of Dublin, Ireland, watching Leinster Rugby matches, or traveling the globe searching for inspiration for her next book.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Newsletter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Profile



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Worthy of Song and Story by Neal Chase



Worthy of Song and Story
Stian the Viking Series
Book  One
Neal Chase

Middle Grade Fantasy

Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing

Winter 2016

Book Description:

Twelve year-old Stian’s plans to be The Greatest Viking Ever appear to be over before they even begin. He’s captured by Dahlia—a dark elf and a girl. If that wasn’t bad enough, he discovers he may be the son of Loki, the greatest enemy of the Viking gods and the one foretold to bring about the end of the world.

Knowing he is meant to be extraordinary, Stian decides to discover the truth for himself and free Loki from the clutches of Odin. Only then, will he discover who he is and what he is meant to do.

Stian must out-think, misguide, and defeat Thor’s children. To do this he will need the power of Gram—a sword with magical powers. There is one catch, only one pure of heart with the desire to help others, is worthy of wielding it. If Stian succeeds, he will become the world’s most famous Viking, but if he fails he will fall victim to the gods’ merciless justice.






About the Author:

Neal Chase lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife, two children, two dogs, and a bird, which strangely has the same name as his dad. He is a member of SCBWI and the Writers’ League of Texas. When he is not writing and reading, you can find Neal coaching football or adventuring with the help of his PlayStation.



Giveaway:
5 ebook copies Worthy of Song and Story






LUZO Jewelry Men's Stainless Steel Vintage Large Ruby Dragon Claw Cross Ring



Very nice men's ring. In the front center is a large Ruby colored stone. On each side are 2 raised crosses. The ring is Stainless steel and is silver toned.  The ring looks like it would weigh more then it does but in actuality it is pretty light weight. It seems very sturdy though. I tried squeezing it to see if it would bend. It did not. The ring comes inside of a velvet pull string bag. This ring would make a great gift for a man. It could be worn daily or for dress up.  I am going to give this ring to my Step Son for Christmas. He loves rings.

I received this free but am not required to write a review, but  I decided I should let people know about my experience with it.



Tuesday, November 1, 2016

BOOK TOUR: THE BREEDLING & THE CITY IN THE GARDEN


Book Description:

Absolute obedience, servitude, neutrality.
These were the laws that once governed Bartholomew, an immortal soulcatcher, until one ill-fated night when he was forced to make a choice: rebel against his masters or reveal an ancient, dangerous secret.

He chose defiance.

Imprisoned for centuries as punishment for his decision, Bartholomew wastes away—until he creates an opportunity to escape. By a stroke of chance, Bartholomew finds himself in the human world and soon learns that breaking his bonds does not come without a price. Cut off from the grace that once ruled him, he must discover a new magic in 1930s Chicago.

Armed with only a cryptic message to give him direction, Bartholomew desperately tries to resume the mission he had started so long ago. Relying on the unlikely guidance of the streetwise orphan Charlie Reese, Bartholomew must navigate the depressed streets of the City in the Garden. But in order to solve this riddle, he must first discover if choice and fate are one in the same.

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Author's Bio:


Kimberlee Ann Bastian has a unique love affair with American nostalgia, mythology, and endless possibilities. This melting pot of elements is what prompted the creation of her epic ELEMENT ODYSSEYS series, starting with the reboot of her debut novel now titled THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN.

When she is not in her writer's room, working her current "day job", or consuming other literary worlds, she enjoys hiking and cycling around the bluffs of your Southeastern MN home and catching up on her favorite pop culture. ​

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~Pinterest  ~ Instagram

Interview with Kimberlee Ann Bastian


  1. Where do you get inspiration for your stories? There were two crucial points of inspirations. The first is the genesis of the series, which can be found in the chapter Jack O’ Lantern when the Tales Teller recites the legend of Stingy Jack, which is based on an Irish myth. The second is important because it gave me the idea for the time period I wanted to play with and was inspired by HBO’s short-lived series Carnivale. To explain any further would be its own short story.

  1. Describe your book using other books? The Breedling and the City in the Garden has the relationship factor of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist; Charlie being the Artful Dodger and Bartholomew being Oliver. Setting wise it has the same feel as Irene Hunt’s No Promises in the Wind with subtle odes to Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It also has a splash of original ground laying mythology which is hard to pinpoint as it is a melting pot of various myths, legends, folklore and religious themes.  

  1. Where do you write? Predominately, in the “writing room”, which is cooler than saying the office. I do migrate once and awhile to the living room if it’s quite or the sunroom, which is excellent in the early part of the day.

  1. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)? How incredibly crazy I am. In a good way of course. I mean I started with a simple scene in a tavern to plotting out a run of nine books with three to four companion books.

  1. What do you like to do when you're not writing? I love to cook! #kitchenfool If I could write and cook all day that would be the ultimate!

  1. Favorite dessert? This is a hard one, because I have been experimenting a lot with deserts lately. But my all-time fav would be Grandma Phyllis’ Homemade Apple Pie with a slice of cheddar cheese

~Thank you for having me, Teresa. It has been a pleasure chatting with you.
Giveaway:​

Prizes:
  • 8 winners will each get a print or ebook copy of The Breedling & The City in the Garden (print open to USA & Can / ebook open Int’l)
  • 1 winner will get the Chicago Swag Box (USA only) Prize contains: Jay’s Potato Chips, Wrigleys Gum, mug, a book on history of Chicago (Then and Now), a magnet and a few other items
  • Ends Dec 17