Thursday, July 30, 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.





Blurb:
It was my lunch break, so why did I have to pullover the jerk speeding down the street in an Aston Martin? If ever there was a time to look the other way, that was the moment, but ignoring crime in progress isn't my thing. My name is Brian Cordero, I’m a cop with the Alandale Police Force and I had no idea just how much my life was going to change the instant my fingers brushed Raphael Ledeo's.

​Now, I've been turned from human to demon, and that is just the beginning of this heap of trouble I've gotten myself into. Turns out, there are eight gates to hell, and one of them--the worst one--is open and a secret demon-hunting organization wants my help to close it. I'm in way over my head and It doesn't help that the demon inside of me lusts for the demon inside of Raphael, a man I'd rather steer way clear of, because I swear, I’m not into men… right? God, will I be able to resist the temptation and get used to my new demon life?  I just don't know.


Warning:  Reader Advisory: 18 and older. Content may be sensitive to some readers, discretion is advised.

(As per the author: this serial is highly erotic, violent, dark, and twisted. Prepare yourself.)


Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Tuesday Teaser



This is a teaser from Day's Light, book #2 in the Mystic Bay series. I'm a little over halfway through on it!


“Okay, so, I haven’t had a lot of time to go deep on your mate, but what I’ve found so far is all good. He’s the son of Judy and Gerald James, now deceased.”
“Speaking of, what’s going on with that?”
“The humans are investigating, but you know as well as I do they’ll never find who shot them. I don’t know if they’ve identified the parents yet, but it shouldn’t be much longer.”
“They haven’t?”
“No, those assholes took their wallets. I guess it was a miracle they dropped Mark’s, or we’d be in the same position. Mark has one brother, named Michael James. He’s a year younger. They lived in a suburb on the outskirts of New York City and appeared to be solid middle-class.”
“Any priors?” Hunter dumped the dressing on his salad and dug in.
“Nothing so far. There’s a couple of speeding tickets spread out through the family, but that’s it. I haven’t really had a chance to dig into the financials, but what I’ve seen says they lived within their means.”
Hunter bit into one of the rolls that came with his meal. Sissy really did have the best rolls in town. “Good.”
“On the surface they look like your average American family, and I really think they are.

Monday, July 27, 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, July 24, 2020

Finicky Friday - Strawberry Breakfast Cake


Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Yield: 9
Course: Breakfast
Author: Tricia


Ingredients
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream (8-ounces)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (113g or 8T)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup quartered strawberries, plus ½ cup halved strawberries for top
2 teaspoons coarse sugar for garnish




Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9x9-inch pan with vegetable cooking spray, then line with a piece of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together 2 cups of the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and ¾ cup of granulated sugar. Make a well in the center and set aside.

In a small bowl combine 1 cup of the chopped, quartered strawberries with the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Toss to coat.

In a separate small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, melted cooled butter, vanilla and the lightly beaten eggs. Fold together with a rubber spatula until blended. Add the sour cream mixture to the flour and sugar. 

Fold together until the dry ingredients are moistened. Gently fold in the 1-cup of chopped strawberries. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. 

Allow the cake batter to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.

Scatter the remaining ½ cup of sliced strawberries on top of the cake batter, then sprinkle with coarse or granulated sugar. Bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with no wet batter. The top should be light golden brown.

Cool slightly before serving either warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in the refrigerator

* * * * * 

The cake batter is nice and thick to hold up all the juicy fruit but it’s not dense or dry once baked. Toss the chopped strawberries in a portion of the flour to help them stay in place in the batter.

Feel free to bake this cake in a round cake pan, square or spring-form pan.

Watch the baking time if using a dark colored or glass baker. If you want to dress it up a bit, add a dollop of sweet whipped cream and sliced berries on top. That would be a nice play on strawberry shortcake, yum!

You can add a little sprinkle of coarse sugar on top for a nice sweet crust. Refrigerate leftovers if you have any and enjoy!


Link: https://www.savingdessert.com/strawberry-breakfast-cake/

Thursday, July 23, 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.






Blurb:
Devin thought fighting a war in Afghanistan had shown him the worst kind of horrors.
It turned out he was wrong.

A deadly virus has infected the world population, leaving only a few survivors and creating monsters. Devin is part of a group who have found refuge in a secure place. He risks his life daily to scavenge the cities and highways for food and supplies.

On one fateful venture, Devin finds a man with the potential to change the dark future of blood and heartbreak into one of hope and second chances.

He finds Noah Weber.

Word Count: 61,500





Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Tuesday Teaser


This is a teaser from Day's Light, book #2 in the Mystic Bay series. I'm a little over halfway through on it!



“Who are you? What’s happening to me? Why am I here? Why did you take me?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an alarm clock. It read ten at night, but ten at night on what day? How long had he been missing?
“My name is Hunter Day. What’s happening to you is that you’re going through the transformation. Being so ill is part of that. I wish there was something I could do to help, but there really isn’t, outside of making you comfortable.”
“Transformation? What does that mean?” What the hell was this dude talking about? Was this some kind of secret government operation where they experimented on innocent people off the streets?
“Where do you get this stuff from? Of course I’m not experimenting on you. I’m not planning to harvest your organs, by the way.”
So, he must’ve said that aloud.
“As to why you’re here, and why did I take you? Well, that’s a long story.”
Weren’t they all.

Monday, July 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.



Friday, July 17, 2020

Finicky Friday - Strawberry Shortcake Cookies


YIELDS: 12
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 20 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 45 MINS


INGREDIENTS
FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH
Cooking spray
3/4 c. chopped strawberries
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 c. plus 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

FOR THE FILLING
4 tbsp. cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp. powdered sugar
Zest of 1 lemon





DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.

Make cookie dough: In a small bowl, stir strawberries, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar until combined. Let sit 10 minutes, then drain.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter, remaining ½ cup sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract, then stir in flour mixture until just combined.

Using a wooden spoon, very gently fold in strawberries. Set aside.


Make filling: Line a large plate or baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest until smooth. Scoop into 12 small balls (about 1 ½ teaspoons each) and place on prepared baking sheet.

Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop heaping tablespoons of dough (about 24 balls) and flatten into pancake-like circles on the baking sheet. Place cream cheese filling on top of 12 pieces of dough. Place remaining dough on top of filling and pinch edges together. Roll gently into balls.

Arrange stuffed cookie dough balls 2" apart on baking sheets and bake until cookies are set and just golden around edges, about 18 minutes.

***refrigerated the dough and filling for few hours before working on them.  Makes it less messy.***


link:https://www.delish.com/cooking/g906/strawberry-desserts-round-up/?slide=6

Thursday, July 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: Adverse Effects (Saving Caeorleia Book 2) by Alicia Nordwell



Blurb:
Dade, human-Caeorleian hybrid and ex-military grunt, doesn’t fit in—not with humans, not with aliens, not anywhere. He’s always on the outskirts, angry, and people aren’t sure they can trust him. When he encounters a compatible tziu named Yaseke, secrets, misunderstandings, and attacks nearly prevent the two from making a connection Dade sorely needs. Dade and Yaseke face challenges that two newly-joined males should never have to endure.

From traitorous council members, to sadistic aliens who plan to sell them as slaves, to meeting a mysterious race of revered aliens called Collectors, Dade and Yaseke struggle to stay together—and even rescue two missing youths, who’ve also lost their parents to the same betrayer.

Someone from Dade’s past is at the root of everything he’s suffered. No way can he let them get away with what they’re planning, but can Dade stop them on his own? If he can’t let go of his isolation and risk the pain letting others—letting Yaseke—in will bring, can he save Caeorleia in time?


**Second Edition, Previously Published**
This book has been previously published. The cover may have changed, but the title, author, and story content have not changed from the first version originally published in 2014. If you have that version in your library, please do not purchase again.




Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Tuesday Teaser (on a Wednesday lol)


This is a teaser from Day's Light, book #2 in the Mystic Bay series

THIS TIME he dreamed of those men shooting his parents, of a smirking smile and yellow eyes. He woke screaming.
“It’s okay. I promise you, you’re safe.”
Mark jackknifed up in bed. The lack of agonizing pain in his belly barely registered. He glanced in the direction of that voice and screamed again.
“Mark, please, it’s okay. You’re okay. No one is going to hurt you.”
The stranger was one of those men with the funky eyes and fangs. Not a man. That insidious thought left him reeling. Visions of yellow eyes—he was calling it asshole yellow—and pointy teeth, along with sounds no human throat could possibly make, danced in his head. But that shit wasn’t possible. It was make-believe bullshit for movies and books. He must’ve been hallucinating due to shock and blood loss.
He’s not human.
Nope, he wasn’t going there. No way. Shit like that was not real, dammit. Neither are fangs and yellow eyes.




Monday, July 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, July 10, 2020

Finicky Friday - STRAWBERRIES & CREAM POKE CAKE





Ingredients
Cake:
1 15.25 oz boxed white cake mix

3/4 cup boiling water

1 3 oz box strawberry flavored Jell-O

1/2 cup cold water

Frosting:
1 8 oz tub Cool-Whip non-dairy whipped topping

1 8 oz tub ready-made frosting, any type {I like the whipped white frosting for this recipe}

1 tsp almond extract

+ 1 16-oz container fresh strawberries for topping





Instructions
Bake cake as directed on the back of the box for a 9×13 pan. {To make boxed cake mix taste better, I swap out milk for the water and add an additional egg – or egg white in this case!}

Let the cake cool for 20 minutes and “poke” the cake with a large fork. I space my pokes about 1/2? apart, covering the entire surface of the cake.

Stir the boiling water and Jell-O in a mixing bowl until the Jell-O is completely dissolved. Pour in the cold water and continue to stir, then pour over the cake.

Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about three hours.

Combine the Cool-Whip and frosting, stirring gently. Add in almond extract. Spread on top of the cake.

Wash, core and slice/ dice the strawberries. (You can even use a fancy strawberry slicer if you’d like!) Layer them on top of the cream when ready to serve. Store cake in the fridge.

Enjoy!


Thursday, July 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: Psycho Romeo (Ward Security Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott 



Blurb:
The Ward Security Series is a spin-off of the Unbreakable Bonds Series.

Geoffrey Ralse is known for being the life of the party. He loves the club scene, hanging with his friends, and flirting with whomever catches his eye. He certainly isn’t going to stop living his life just because some would-be stalker starts sending him threats.

But it all changes when Geoffrey is drugged and wakes up half naked in his own home with a new message from his stalker.

He needs help and there’s only one person he trusts…

Protective Agent Sven Larsen has been fighting Geoffrey’s flirtatious advances for months, even though he’s impossibly drawn to the man. There’s no way he can be around him twenty-four/seven and not finally crack. But one look at Geoffrey’s haunted eyes, and he knows there’s no way he’s letting Geoffrey walk out of Ward Security without him.

Even if it means breaking his own rules, he will keep Geoffrey safe.

Trigger warning: There is a very short section with sexual assault that some could find upsetting.



Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Tuesday Teaser




This is an teaser from Day's Light, book#2 in the Mystic Bay series. Mark is still going through the change and still kinda out of it, but that's all about to change.



NAUSEA CLAWED at Mark’s throat. He tried to force it back, but nope. Not happening. A small trashcan appeared in front of him, and he grabbed it. His stomach contracted violently, forcing whatever was still in him, out. The disgusting stench invaded his nostrils, and he heaved again, even though there was nothing left.
Had the food at one of the many casinos’ been spoiled? Food poisoning—just what he did not need. His belly cramped again. Yup, he’d learned that the hard way. Had he managed to catch Michael’s damn flu?
Michael had been puking up his toenails shortly before they left for vacation. If he’d caught the plague from Michael, he’d kick Michael’s ass when he got home just on principle.
“Why don’t I take that? The smell can’t be doing you any favors.”
Thoughts of the flu, promised ass kicking, possible food poisoning, and just about everything else vanished as his gaze flew to the owner of that compelling voice. It all came rushing back. Sure enough, the blond god was sitting there as calm as could be—as if puking into a trashcan was the most normal thing in the world. Maybe it was. Maybe for a kidnapper this was business as usual.

Monday, July 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, July 3, 2020

Finicky Friday - Strawberry Shortcake Shooters (Non-Alcoholic)





Prep 30 MIN
Total 1 HR 30 MIN
Servings 10

Simple and fresh, these bite-sized strawberry shortcake shooters are a fun take on a classic summer recipe.





Ingredients
Betty Crocker Super Moist™ white cake mix, prepared and baked according to package directions

1 1/2 cups strawberries, finely diced

1/4 cup sugar

1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping

10 small, whole strawberries


Steps

1 Cut the cake in half, wrap one half very well and store in the freezer for later.

2 With the second half of the cake, crumble it into small pieces. Press a small amount of cake into the bottom of 10 small shot glasses.

3 In a small bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar. Spoon a bit of strawberries over the cake layer into the shot glasses.

4 Place a second layer of cake just over the strawberry layer. Top with a spoonful of whipped topping. Garnish with a single strawberry atop each shot glass. Serve immediately, or store chill until ready to serve, for up to an hour.

Link: https://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/strawberry-shortcake-shooters/6c017ed1-3e25-4af1-a754-dbbec69c3acb

Thursday, July 2, 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: Tribute by Lisa Henry



Blurb:
When the fearsome warlord Brasius chooses Kynon as his tribute, Kynon tells himself it’s the price of peace, and that he can endure anything. If his slavery will save his father’s kingdom, then he will be a slave and submit to every indignity the warlord and the senate of Segasa require of him. He can live with the shame; it’s the mind-blowing pleasure that frightens him.

But the warlord wants more than a tribute who will respond eagerly to whips and bondage. The warlord might just want the man underneath: the prince, the soldier and the tribute, if Kynon can figure out who that is. On an enforced journey of self-discovery, Kynon learns that being the warlord’s tribute isn’t just about submission. And, to be the tribute that Brasius wants him to be, Kynon will have to defy all the traditions of Segasa and risk the wrath of the senate that really holds his chains.

Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: strong BDSM theme and elements, dubious consent, violence. Readers with a history of rape or sexual abuse may find elements of this story disturbing.


My thoughts:
Whoo boy, this is one of my all-time favorites. The blurb mentions a journey of self-discovery, and that describes it perfectly. It’s not an easy journey, either, so yeah, take the warning serious.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D9KXN7L