Thursday, December 8, 2016
Oh! Nuts Nut Gift Basket
My husband is addicted to nuts. They are his favorite snack. This awesome Gift basket is going to be one of his Christmas presents, if I can keep myself out of them long enough. The gift box is a wooden reusable box with leather handles on the ends. I can see him setting it on his dresser as a catch all. Lord knows the man needs a 5 gallon bucket to catch all the junk he takes out of his pockets in the evening. There are 6 varieties of nuts in the set, pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, almonds and pistachios. Each nut is packaged in a separate plastic box. The pecans look to be sweet, most of the other nuts are slated and the walnuts are natural. I know he will love his gift and I love how nice the set looks. It does scream male but anyone would love this as a gift.
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.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
The Heartbeat Thief by AJ Krafton
I grew up in the four seasons of northeast Pennsylvania, where Decembers were snowy and cheer-filled. We wore skiddoos and went sleigh-riding and came in the door pink-nose and snow-crusted.
On Thanksgiving night, the borough would light the holiday street decorations for the first time. We'd sit at the front windows, cheeks against the glass, straining to see down the block to the main street, waiting for the moment the bells and candy canes would light up.
Those lights meant one thing: Christmas was almost here!
Some of my fondest memories are from our family Christmases, which were brimming full of special traditions.
Many of them came from my Polish grandparents, involving the crèche and the special Christmas Eve dinner. I think that I will forever see Christmas through the lens of my dad's old 8mm camera, sounds of laughter and singing replaced by the whir of the projection reels and the occasional comment about our early-seventies fashion sense.
Holidays have always held sentimental value, a sense of community and family and simple togetherness—not just for my Pennsylvania family in the plaid-stricken seventies, but for so many people and places, across the span of centuries.
In my voracious research of the Victorian era (while writing my historical fantasy THE HEARTBEAT THIEF), I encountered an entirely new world of Yuletide traditions.
Some are still widely celebrated (thanks to Doctor Who Christmas specials, my kids adopted a love for crackers) while some have largely fallen out of practice (such as a parlour game called Snapdragon, which seems like a good way to get a burned finger! Talk about dangerous drinking games…)
One Victorian tradition that has always appealed to me is Wassail. A verb, to wassail means to go singing door to door, after which one is invited to drink punch from the family's Wassail bowl.
A noun, wassail is the punch itself—and every family had their own recipe (kind of like Boilo recipes here in northeast PA). The punch was served in a wassailing bowl. A greeting, "wassail" was a wish for good health to those we cherish.
Everyone would drink the hot spiced cider together, fostering a lovely sense of community and togetherness, which is the truest spirit of the holidays.
Since immersing myself in the culture and traditions of THE HEARTBEAT THIEF, I wanted to find a recipe for my own family and promptly found about six million different versions (thanks, Google).
They all seem to have a few elements in common, though: apples, spices, and warmth. Some contain ale or wine while others are more kid-friendly; some involve baking whole apples and placing them in the punch bowl; some even contain a whipped egg mixture (like this one from Alton Brown. Considering he is the Einstein of food, I would NEVER refute his wisdom.)
I like this one the best, though—the tanginess of orange juice and the lemony zing of fresh ginger make my mouth water just thinking of it.
Plus, the convenience of a slow cooker is a must with my crazy schedule…not to mention that it's like potpourri you can drink while warming your hands! All wonderful things, especially when the weather turns chilly and grown-ups are stuck in the house, too old to go sleigh-riding or playing outside in the snow.
Recipe from A Spicy Perspective
Ingredients:
• 1 gallon Musselman's Apple Cider
• 4 cups orange juice
• 4 hibiscus tea bags
• 10 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp. whole cloves
• 1 Tb. juniper berries
• 1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, cut into slices
• 1 apple, sliced into rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
Directions:
1. Place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cover.
2. Turn the slow cooker on high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, until the color has darkened and the fruit is soft.
Remove the tea bags and serve hot.
Maybe when my kids are older, I'll adjust the recipe to a more adult version. For now, I'd like to make something the whole family can enjoy. It's tradition, after all, and where's the fun in a tradition that excludes some of us?
Happy holidays, everyone. Be sure to raise a glass to your loved ones!
Wassail...Drink Hale!
My Victorian fantasy THE HEARTBEAT THIEF follows the journey of the Forever Girl, Senza Fyne. Terrified of death, of growing old, of being forced into an arranged marriage, she makes a deal with the mysterious Mr. Knell and learns the secret of eternal youth and beauty…
I can picture Senza at a Christmas ball, in high London society, her hair upswept in a pile of curls the color of winter fire, her forever 18-year old figure trimmed out in a luscious gown of emerald silk and taffeta.
She'd be the girl with whom every gentleman must dance, the one with whom everyone sought introduction. If you were lucky enough to speak with her, she might treat you a glimpse of her wit and wisdom, far beyond her years…to the sound of her charming laugh…and perhaps she'd touch your hand in a personal gesture.
One touch, and your heart might skip a beat. An entire dance and you just may be left reeling, your senses spinning. Senza Fyne tends to have that effect on a person…
Soon it would be time to gather around the wassail bowl, the spicy sweet scents of apple warming the air, reminding us all of the bounty of harvest and fortune, the cheer of friends gathered for Yuletide.
You might be tempted to raise a glass to her in particular…but your wish for good health would be better spent on someone else. Senza Fyne had no need for wishes, not when her immortal youth, beauty, and perfection were secured by the strongest of magicks.
But you wouldn't know that because it's a secret she'd never tell. If she did, the heartbeat thief would be caught.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Seek out THE HEARTBEAT THIEF
Haunted by a crushing fear of death, a young Victorian woman discovers the secret of eternal youth—she must surrender her life to attain it, and steal heartbeats to keep it.
In 1860 Surrey, a young woman has only one occupation: to marry. Senza Fyne is beautiful, intelligent, and lacks neither wealth nor connections. Finding a husband shouldn’t be difficult, not when she has her entire life before her. But it’s not life that preoccupies her thoughts. It’s death—and that shadowy spectre haunts her every step.
So does Mr. Knell. Heart-thumpingly attractive, obviously eligible—he’d be her perfect match if only he wasn’t so macabre. All his talk about death, all that teasing about knowing how to avoid it…
When her mother arranges a courtship with another man, Senza is desperate for escape from a dull prescripted destiny. Impulsively, she takes Knell up on his offer. He casts a spell that frees her from the cruelty of time and the threat of death—but at a steep price. In order to maintain eternal youth, she must feed on the heartbeats of others.
It’s a little bit Jane Austen, a little bit Edgar Allan Poe, and a whole lot of stealing heartbeats in order to stay young and beautiful forever. From the posh London season to the back alleys of Whitechapel, across the Channel, across the Pond, across the seas of Time…
How far will Senza Fyne go to avoid Death?
About
the Author:
the Author:
AJ (Ash) Krafton writes because
if she doesn't, her kids will…and NOBODY wants that. A speculative fiction girl
through and through, Ash writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels as
well as poetry and short fiction. Her work has won a bunch of awards and was
even nominated for a Pushcart Prize. When she's not writing, she's practicing
Tai Chi, listening to loud rock and metal, or crushing on supervillains.
if she doesn't, her kids will…and NOBODY wants that. A speculative fiction girl
through and through, Ash writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels as
well as poetry and short fiction. Her work has won a bunch of awards and was
even nominated for a Pushcart Prize. When she's not writing, she's practicing
Tai Chi, listening to loud rock and metal, or crushing on supervillains.
Most recently, she's re-released
her urban fantasy trilogy THE BOOKS OF THE DEMIMONDE because she never really
left the world of Sophie and her Demivamps.
her urban fantasy trilogy THE BOOKS OF THE DEMIMONDE because she never really
left the world of Sophie and her Demivamps.
Find out more when you visit www.ashkrafton.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ashkrafton
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ashkraftonauthor
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/Ash_Krafton
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/demimondeash
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ash_krafton
Website: http://www.ashkrafton.com/
Newsletter: http://www.subscribepage.com/b1w9p1
When Blood Reigns by Barbara Custer blitz
When Blood Reigns
Barbara Cluster
Publication date: December 5th 2016
Genres: Adult, Horror, Science Fiction
Marked for death, Alexis accompanies her lover, Yeron, and four survivors of a zombie invasion on a search for the renegades who created a chemical that induces a zombie-like state. On the way, ravenous flesh-eaters attack Alexis’s team; one survivor turns on her. She realizes too late that the renegades have been tracking her every move. When officials capture her, she becomes deathly ill. Can DNA splicing save her? Will Yeron’s attempts at rescue jeopardize all their lives?
—
EXCERPT:
Teodon pointed toward Laurel and held a finger to his lip.
“Do not speak out loud. I will understand the answers you think.”
Okay, Yeron’s badly hurt and so am I. I can’t move him without making his injuries worse.
“All right, then I will levitate him. I know how and I will not see him die. Go ahead of us and lead me to Quyeba’s laboratory. You must forget your injuries and pain. It may seem impossible, but Yeron needs your help. I cannot carry two injured people safely, and if you stay, Laurel will come after you again.”
I understand. Alexis struggled onto her hands and knees.
Harsh chewing and slurping sounds issued from Laurel. Despite the pain wracking her body, Alexis crawled toward the door.
She had to find her way back to the lab. Yeron was moaning, and his cries were growing weaker. Teodon lifted him. He depended on her to lead the way. Any second, Laurel would tire of Woehar and come after her.
Never mind the pain. Find help.
Gritting her teeth, Alexis began her Bataan Death Crawl. Her incisions telegraphed bolts of stabbing pain with each movement. It doesn’t matter; Yeron’s life is on the line. She mind-opened the panel and led Yeron and Teodon through the exit.
Once in the hallway, Teodon hesitated.
“Left or right?”
Woehar had made a sharp right to enter the killing field, Alexis remembered. Left.
She edged along the long stretch of hall. The throbbing from her incision and back brought to mind the pain she’d felt from the rheumatoid arthritis during her job as a respiratory therapist. Her chest tightened at the prospect of navigating that long corridor the way it used to when she faced a heavy shift. No painkillers were forthcoming. She kept going.
It was simple. Woehar had guided right from the laboratory, and then a long stretch of hallway, past two sets of doors, before making her right into the death camp. So Alexis retraced Woehar’s steps and looked for steel doors on her left leading to the lab. Adrenaline would carry her. She’d once read a tale about a mother whose adrenaline rush allowed her to lift a car off her child’s injured body.
Agony bled into her incision with every shift of her knees. The pain was worse in her lower back, where Laurel had kicked her. Sweat rolled down her forehead, dripping on the grid floor. She was leaving bloody handprints and a ribbon of blood. None of that mattered. She strained her ears, listening for familiar voices.
Seconds later, she did hear Quyeba and Zoltar. A few paces further, ungodly spasms tore through her back. The black dots returned. She called for help. She last saw Teodon kneel over Yeron, placing something on his wounded shoulder. Behind them, Laurel emerged from the corridor, growling, her mouth opened wide. The dots swelled and the screams died in Alexis’s throat as the darkness took her.
Author Bio:
Barbara lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she works full time as a respiratory therapist. When she’s not working with her patients, she’s enjoying a fright flick or working on horror and science fiction tales. She’s published Night to Dawn magazine since 2004.
Other books by Barbara include Twilight Healer, City of Brotherly Death, Infinite Sight, and Steel Rose; also novellas Close Liaisons and Life Raft: Earth. She enjoys bringing her medical background to the printed page, and then blending it with supernatural horror. She maintains a presence on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and The Writers Coffeehouse forum. Look for the photos with the Mylar balloons, and you’ll find her.
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
VBT: His Montana Rescue by Vella Munn
His Montana Rescue
by Vella Munn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: contemporary romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Former firefighter Echo Rose may have recovered from the injuries that nearly ended her life but the emotional scars still linger. She now devotes herself to protecting wildlife and sheltering her heart until local contractor Rey Bowen reminds Echo that life can offer so much more.
Rey Bowen is not the only one at Lake Serene with secrets and a desire to reboot his seriously derailed life. Meeting Echo reminds him that life can sparkle with joy and laughter and passion, but can he show the cautious Echo how to love again even as he struggles to trust his own heart?
Rey Bowen is not the only one at Lake Serene with secrets and a desire to reboot his seriously derailed life. Meeting Echo reminds him that life can sparkle with joy and laughter and passion, but can he show the cautious Echo how to love again even as he struggles to trust his own heart?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt Two:
“I’m under pressures you’ll never understand,” he said so softly she had to strain to hear. “Pressure that goes much deeper than being able to bring in roofing trusses.”
Both fascinated by what he hadn't said and determined not to go beneath the surface with the big, distant man, she started back toward her vehicle.
“We all do what we have to,” she said over her shoulder. “Priorities that drive us. I’ll leave a printout with you so you know exactly what you can and can’t do until the restrictions are lifted.”
“Who made up those rules?”
She was tempted to counter that the rules hadn’t been fashioned out of thin air as he seemed to be indicating but that wouldn’t get them anywhere. For as long as Rey and she were at Lake Serene, they’d have to work together. She had no control over how he handled his side of the relationship, but she intended to be as professional as possible.
Professional?
Easier said than done, because he’d joined her and was matching his stride to hers, his arm occasionally brushing hers. Touching her in ways she'd nearly forgotten were possible. Reminding her she was a woman.
She started to put distance between them but was distracted by what might be the chipmunk she’d seen earlier. Its life could depend on what she said today.
“Your employee can’t smoke outside,” she told Rey as they neared the cabin with the cigarette-smoking workman now standing in the doorway.
“That’s one of the regulations.”
He stopped, gave her no choice but to face him. “That goes without saying. I’m not an idiot.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Vella Munn freely admits to being a dedicated and sometimes demented fiction writer. She has always been drawn to nature and those who feel at home in it. A career writer, she has had way over 60 books published, most of them romances both past and present. As far as personal statistics go, she has one husband, two sons, four grandchildren, and is owned by two rescue dogs. Home is southern Oregon within a two hour drive of Crater Lake. She frequently visits Montana in her mind and heart.
Interview with Vella Munn
How did you come up with name of this book?
Sorry but I can’t take credit for the title His Montana Rescue. This and the other books in the Montana Lakeside contemporary romance series is with Tule Publishing. They came up with the titles and I’m delighted with their decision because the Montana wilderness is basically a character in the stories.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I don’t often admit this, but maybe because I spend my days writing fiction, it’s hard to find something that really turns me on. Romantic suspense gives me the combination of relationship and strong plot I enjoy but I’d love to find some more true life/survival nonfiction like Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air. Anyone have some suggestions for me?
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Music please, usually from Pandora. Nothing too harsh. Often country and western. Silence makes me uneasy for unknown reasons. That said, I seldom really hear what’s on. The songs are there in the background, soothing me.
If you could choose one of your books to be made into a movie which would it be and why?
Oh that’s an easy one to answer. Early next year I’ll have a three-book romantic suspense series out called Feral Justice. The first one, Punish which is out, is about a teacher trying to re-connect with her step father and a burned out animal control officer. The step-father raised three large gray puppies he found on a Hopi reservation. Now adults, the dogs attack animal abusers. It goes without saying that the dogs do what I wish I could to anyone who abuses animals.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
One at a time although there’s always something percolating in the back of my mind. (Like right now) I know some writers can juggle more than one set of characters at the same time, but I’d just confuse myself more than I already am.
p.s. Thanks for the questions. You made me think.
Vella
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Vella Munn will be awarding a several photographs of Montana's wilderness sent via email (international and U.S. giveaway) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Allure by Grace White
Allure
by Grace WhiteThe Lilituria Prophecy #2
Publication Date: 2017
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance
From the moment Kai Stanton laid eyes on Daiya, he knew something was special about her. But a haze surrounds them, and like a dark cloud, it shadows their relationship. What if his feelings aren't his own? Can he trust himself? Can he trust the girl he’s almost certain he’s falling in love with? With Kai’s father back and insistent on inserting himself into his life, everything starts to spin out of control. He doesn't know what—or who—to believe anymore.
Daiya Cattiva knew awakening would be difficult, but she had no idea she would find herself at the center of an ancient prophecy that could change everything. She knows her destiny is entwined with Kai’s, but how can she be sure what he feels is real and not just the allure of the demon inside her? Either way, Kai’s life hangs in the balance, and Daiya must make a choice: save Kai over the greater good, or be with Kai and risk her demon consuming him.
It only takes one touch ... the next could be their last.
Purchase: Amazon US | Amazon UK
For Daiya Cattiva, turning eighteen is a nightmare come true. Once she Awakens, her body will no longer be her own, and she will thirst for physical connection—need it to survive. But the bond is only temporary, and Daiya will be forced to satiate the demon inside her, time and time again. For that is the burden of the Lilituria.But Daiya doesn’t want to hurt anyone—especially not the cute guy in class, with his annoying charm and fervent persistence. Staying away from Kai Stanton is the smart thing to do. The only choice she has. But when she loses control and kisses him, everything changes, and Daiya knows their connection is deeper than just fleeting lust.
Determined to uncover the truth, Daiya finds herself at the heart of an ancient prophecy that could alter the balance of good and evil forever.
She was never supposed to fall in love, but their love will change everything.
Book #1 in a brand new mature YA / NA paranormal romance series.
Suitable for readers 17+
About Grace White
Grace White is author of the upcoming ‘Lilituria Prophecy Series’, a mature YA / NA paranormal romance.
She resides in the UK with her family and enjoys reading, binge watching series on her Amazon Firestick, and losing herself in a good book.
Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter | Instagram
Hungry as a Wolf by Alma Black Release Blitz
Book Title: Hungry as a Wolf
Author: Alma Black
Genre: Shifter Paranormal
Release Date: December 7, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
What happens when two shifters meet? They're ravenous for love.
Luke knows how to get what he wants. A lone wolf at heart, he has no problem filling his bed with willing partners. But love? It's not in the cards. But when he matches with his best friend's little sister on the dating app, Shifter, everything changes. Jasmine is a fiery lioness and totally off limits--but that makes her all the more alluring.
Jasmine has had a crush on Luke as long as she can remember. He's sexy, powerful, and alpha. But as his best friend's little sister, Jasmine knows she doesn't stand a chance.
When Luke swipes right on her Shifter profile, Jasmine is shocked. Could this be the start of something more?
But Power Shift is out for blood. They hate any interspecies dating, and will stop at nothing to keep the shifter lines pure. When they attack, can Jasmine and Luke protect each other? Can their newfound love survive?
Warning: this book contains crazy chemistry, lots of sex, and a little violence to keep things spicy. If those things don't appeal to you, this book is not for you!
Luke knows how to get what he wants. A lone wolf at heart, he has no problem filling his bed with willing partners. But love? It's not in the cards. But when he matches with his best friend's little sister on the dating app, Shifter, everything changes. Jasmine is a fiery lioness and totally off limits--but that makes her all the more alluring.
Jasmine has had a crush on Luke as long as she can remember. He's sexy, powerful, and alpha. But as his best friend's little sister, Jasmine knows she doesn't stand a chance.
When Luke swipes right on her Shifter profile, Jasmine is shocked. Could this be the start of something more?
But Power Shift is out for blood. They hate any interspecies dating, and will stop at nothing to keep the shifter lines pure. When they attack, can Jasmine and Luke protect each other? Can their newfound love survive?
Warning: this book contains crazy chemistry, lots of sex, and a little violence to keep things spicy. If those things don't appeal to you, this book is not for you!
“You’re using a matchmaking app?” Rachel was flabbergasted. “You don’t need that.”
“It’s Max’s invention. It’s pretty popular, Rach.”
“Luke is using a matchmaking app? That’s surprising,” Rachel frowned. She opened her mouth to continue but stopped as the waitress came up and delivered her drink. They both gave their lunch order and Jasmine let out her breath in a huff when they were finally left alone.
“That felt like ages,” Jasmine commented.
“So Luke is looking for a mate?” Rachel asked, lifting up her drink and taking a sip. “Are you okay with that?” She looked at Jasmine with concern.
This time, Jasmine couldn’t hold back her reaction. She rolled her eyes.
“Listen very carefully, Rachel. He. Liked. My. Profile,” Jasmine annunciated each word precisely. “We m-a-t-c-h-e-d.” Jasmine spread her hands out, her own eyebrows rising with a do-you-understand-now expression.
“Wait, what?” Jasmine couldn’t believe her best friend could be so dense. “Are you kidding me?” Finally, Jasmine thought. Lightbulb.
“Yes! I know, I know. I can’t believe it myself. But look,” She pushed her phone across the table, her and Luke’s profile pictures side by side, a heart surrounding them with big green lettering stating ‘MATCHED’ at the top of the screen.
Rachel’s eyes widened and Jasmine nodded, still barely believing it herself. Realization and excitement dawned on Rachel’s face and she gasped. Jasmine nodded again, seemingly unable to do anything more. It was real. Proof Jasmine wasn’t dreaming written all over Rachel’s face.
“Holy shit, Jaz,” Rachel looked up, a huge smile on her face. “What are you going to do?”
“I believe you meant who am I going to do.” Jasmine grinned. Rachel laughed.
She couldn’t help the first thought that popped into her head was her and Luke, naked in bed doing the dirty. He’d been every single one of her secret fantasies. She had a lifetime of ideas stored inside her, ready to explore.
Yet, Rachel’s statement continued to echo in her mind, pushing aside delicious thoughts of licking Luke from top to bottom. Rachel was right, what was she going to do?
“Jaz?” Rachel’s expression turned concerned.
Holy crap, Jasmine thought. What could she do? This undeniable attraction she’d had for Luke for years had been a dream. Wishful thinking.
But now? Now there was a real possibility Luke and her could become something more than friends. That something she’d secretly yearned for in the dark, not truly voicing aloud, could actually come true.
Alma lives in Los Angeles, and wishes with all her heart that there was paranormal dating app that had eligible mates in Southern California. Until then she uses regular dating sites to bring you these stories, inspired by her actual dating life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)