Thursday, January 30, 2020

Little Red (Big Bad Wolves Book One) by Queenie Wise




**Thursday book recommendation**

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.



This week is: Little Red (Big Bad Wolves Book One) by Queenie Wise  


Blurb:
Peter “Penis” Caldwell (nickname bestowed courtesy of popular jock, Jackson Davis) didn’t necessarily have a lot of things going for him.

1. See “Penis”.

2. He attended high school in a small town that was as bigoted as it was boring. (Having the audacity to stand out was considered a major character flaw.)

3. He was maybe, sort of, a little bit (a lot) gay.

Not that anyone knew that last one.

None of that meant, however, that Peter was prepared for the consequences when he is bitten by a giant wolf during a reckless night of teenage adventure.

Consequences that smack him right in the face when he is simultaneously saved and snatched by a (hugely-muscled, obscenely handsome)... mentally-imbalanced man who’s convinced that he’s a long-distance relation of Jacob Black. That’s right: werewolf.

Mr. Big and Bad claims Peter is one, too, now that he’s bitten him.

The only thing worse than being kidnapped by a crazy person? A crazy person who’s right.
Forced to adjust to pack life in a hidden society, Peter’s not sure what he longs to do more: throttle the man who’s bitten him and ruined his life so conclusively, or throw himself on Mr. Big and Bad’s ridiculously firm… lap.

Yeah, lap.

Please note the trigger warnings in the front matter. The second book in the Big Bad Wolves series, and the sequel to Little Red - Big Bad - is now available!



Okay, so… this is an interesting spin on an old fairytale. The title was what caught my attention first, then the blurb, since it’s not your usual, everyday garden variety style written blurb! The beginning was a little dark… a little horror-filled. At least some might think so. *shrug* I didn’t, but some might. On a dare, a group of young men go to check out an abandoned house that rumors say is hunted. Or something lol. They end up getting more than they bargained for, Peter especially when he’s bitten by the ‘big, bad wolf”.

This is a new-to-me author, and I was so hooked on the book, I went and read book #2 immediately. This is one I can see myself reading again and again, I liked the style so much.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Red-Big-Wolves-Book-ebook/dp/B07XTQTM26

Monday, January 20, 2020

Pucker Up Monday




Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.



Saturday, January 18, 2020

New cover for The Harvest: A Tah'Narian Christmas



Nothing with the story has changed, I just wanted a new cover for it. :) I also want to give a shout-out to the cover artist, Morningstar Ashley. She did a wonderful job with this, and I highly recommend her.

You can find her here:

And her website is here: https://morningstarashley.com/




Blurb:
So what’s an alien to do when his mate refuses to say what’s bothering him? Why, he sends a deep space message to his mate’s mother on earth, what else?

Keyno not only learns the importance of Christmas to his chosen, he’s also shocked and confused as to why Dale hasn’t shared this with him. There is no such celebration on Tah’Nar, but that doesn’t stop Keyno from trying to bring happiness to Dale. He’s not only a starship captain, he’s also an excellent strategist. He gathers his closest friends—Doc and Gibor—and researchers the holiday.

He finds three important things about Christmas: First there is an older, heavyset male called the Santa Claus. The second is the holiday usually revolves around a tree laden with shiny baubles and lights with gifts under it. And finally they learn they’re supposed to eat way too much, then lie around and moan because they ate too much.

Humans are so odd.

These mighty warriors survived the birth of their young, surely an undertaking of this magnitude is not beyond their grasp. Hopefully Dale will be pleased with all the trouble Keyno went to. But just in case, Keyno has a very special surprise in store for his chosen for his first Tah’Narian Christmas.


Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018STI75E

Friday, January 17, 2020

One-Pan Apricot Glazed Walnut and Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast with Roasted Potatoes.




 prep time 15 minutes
 cook time 50 minutes
 total time 1 hour 5 minutes




INGREDIENTS

POTATOES
1 1/2 pounds small red and purple potatoes halved
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon seasoned salt + 1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves garlic minced or grated
zest of 1 lemon


CHICKEN
4 skin on boneless chicken breast
1/2 cup walnuts lightly toasted
1 cup fresh basil
1 clove garlic minced or grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 ounces brie cubed
2 ounces cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/4 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar




INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Add the potatoes to a large sheet pan with sides. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil. Add the seasoned salt, pepper, garlic and lemon zest. Toss well. Roast for 10 minutes or until you are ready to add the chicken to the pan.

Meanwhile, prepare the chicken. Place walnuts, basil and garlic in food processor and slowly add the olive oil until mixture becomes paste like.

Next add brie, cream cheese and egg to the food processor and pulse until mixed well. Season with salt and pepper.

Gently pull up skin from chicken breasts and spread about 1-2 tablespoons (depending on the size of your chicken) of cheese mixture under skin of each breast.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and slide them around a bit to make room for the chicken. Place the chicken on the pan. In a bowl, combine the apricot preserves, balsamic and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Brush the mixture all over the chicken breasts.

Place the pan back in the oven and roast for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes golden. If the potatoes are cooking faster then the chicken, just remove them a bit early to avoid burning. Serve the chicken with a side of potatoes and fresh basil for garnish.


Link: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/one-pan-apricot-walnut-and-brie-stuffed-chicken-breast-with-roasted-potatoes/

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Thursday book recommendation



These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.




This week is: Witchblood (Kitsune Chronicles #1) by Lissa Kasey


Blurb:
Sebastion survived a fox among wolves by running from everything he ever loved.
Sebastian is an omega who has never even dreamed of finding his alpha. A fox raised among werewolves, Seb has spent his entire life fighting to survive, until Liam rescues him from a demon from his past.

As an alpha werewolf, Liam is everything Sebastian has spent the last year, and his entire life, avoiding. Except that when they are together everything makes sense, the stars align, and fated mates becomes Seb's reality rather than fiction.

When Seb's past catches up with them, he and Liam will need to accept the bond or die fighting the darkness that is determined to tear them apart.

This MM romance features fated mates, an alpha and omega, a ghost cat, a snarky kitsune, a lot of action, and some super hot romance.



Whew boy. This one will tug at your heartstrings. If you’re looking for fluffy/low angst, this isn’t it, so make sure you have time to get lost in the book because you won’t want to put it down.

In her bio, Lissa states she specializes in depth characters, detailed world building, and twisting plots. All stories have a side of romance and emotionally messed up protagonists. Take that seriously. Seb will make your heart bleed. I teared up a few times, and I don’t normally. The things he goes through are just devastating. Needless to say, his lack of trust is understanding.

The world building is phenomenal. And there is kitsune lore! And werewolves, fae, vampires, witches, and magic! There is twist on the usual shifter mythology, which I found creative. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can’t wait for book 2. (Which is in the works. It’s been written, and now has to go through the final stages. I can’t give a timeframe except to say it’s coming.)



Monday, January 13, 2020

Pucker Up Monday



Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.



Friday, January 10, 2020

Finicky Friday - Taco Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole



Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Servings: 6 people



Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

2 cloves garlic minced

1 oz packet taco seasoning

10.5 oz cheddar cheese soup

32 oz frozen tater tots

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided




Instructions

Brown your ground beef with garlic and drain

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together, except for 1 cup of shredded cheese and pour into lightly greased 6-quart crock pot or casserole crock pot

Top all the ingredients with your remaining cheese

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-2.5 hours

If desired and using a oven safe crock, place in broiler on high for approximately 90 seconds to brown cheese on top

Link: https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/taco-crock-pot-tater-tot-casserole/


Thursday, January 9, 2020

Thursday book recommendation



These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.




This week is: Untouchable Beauty (The Cubi Book 1) by Meraki P. Lyhne

Whoot! So, we have incubus and succubus, who are an ancient race who feeds off sexual energy. Pretty much what the mythology says, right? But they’re not demons. They describe themselves as a mutation. Since they need sexual energy to live, they collect beautiful young humans as sexual slaves for the cubi.


There are definite themes of dubcon/noncon, so be prepared for that. Also want to point out that this *is* a romance. But this first book (and the entire series to some extent) is dark.





Blurb:
Business school is not for Daniel. Not after making the cover of Teen Model. The only problem is that his parents don’t agree, and Daniel skips school to set his plans for fortune and fame in motion. Meeting the award-winning photographer Heimli will change his life, but not in the ways the nineteen-year-old young man expects.

At the age of four hundred thirty-six, Seldon has fed on more beautiful men than he can remember. Living in seclusion from the human world, humans are brought to the Incubi and Succubi as slaves to feed on. Amongst these slaves are the rare Untouchables. When Seldon is entrusted with the safekeeping of one, he has his work cut out for him—especially since this Untouchable gets on his nerves. And under his skin.



  

Monday, January 6, 2020

Pucker Up Monday


Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.




Friday, January 3, 2020

Finicky Friday - ASIAN SALMON IN FOIL




  • Yield: 4 SERVINGS
  • Prep time: 10 MINUTES
  • Cook time: 20 MINUTES
  • Total time: 30 MINUTES


  • INGREDIENTS:

    1/4 cup honey
    3 cloves garlic, minced
    2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
    1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
    1 tablespoon sesame oil
    1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
    1 teaspoon Sriracha, optional
    Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    2 pounds salmon
    2 green onions, thinly sliced
    1/2 teaspoon sesame seed


    DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, Sriracha and pepper, to taste. 

  • Place salmon onto the prepared baking sheet and fold up all 4 sides of the foil. Spoon the honey mixture over the salmon. Fold the sides of the foil over the salmon, covering completely and sealing the packet closed.

  • Place into oven and bake until cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.* Open the packet and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until caramelized and slightly charred.

  • Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.


  • NOTES:
  • *Baking time may need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of the salmon.