Where The Wicked Read.... My Spot To Talk About, Review, Share My Love Of Books, and Anything Else That Comes To Mind..

Sunday, October 31, 2010

And The Winner Is...

Happy Halloween,


I want to thank everyone who participated in the Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend giveaway.


And without further ado...



April X

Who said... Thanks for the giveaway :D This book sounds awesome!

  April has been notified, and her information forwarded to the giveaway sponsor.

Have a Happy & Safe Halloween Everyone!



Saturday, October 30, 2010

Recipe Saturday - Cheesy "Ham - witches" (Halloween)

Hi All,

Happy Halloween! The recipe I chose for this week is something fun and spooky for the kids. Me and my girls had a blast making these Ham witches, and I hope you have fun making them too.

Cheesy "Ham-witches"
Prep Time: 20 Min, Total Time: 40 Min, Makes: 6 Ham-witches

Ingredients
1. can (16.3 oz) Large Biscuits
6. square slices cooked ham (from 6-oz package)
6. slices (1 oz each) American cheese (from 12-oz package)
6. teaspoons yellow mustard, if desired
3. teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese, if desired
6. Bugles® corn snacks
6. pimiento-stuffed olives

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray cookie sheet with cooking spray; set aside. Remove 2 biscuits from can; place remainder in refrigerator. To form hat brims, pat or roll each biscuit into 4-inch circle. Cut each circle into 3 equal pieces; set aside.
2. Cut 1 inch from 2 opposite corners of ham and cheese slices; set aside.
3. For each witch, pat or roll remaining biscuits into 6-inch circles; spread mustard to within 1 inch of each biscuit edge. Top mustard with 1 slice cheese and 1 slice ham; bring edges of biscuit together in center over ham and cheese, pressing to seal. Place seam side down on cookie sheet.
4. For hat brim, place 1 piece from a cut biscuit on top of each biscuit sandwich, 1 inch from a pointed end. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on biscuit below hat brim. Use small knife or toothpick to cut mouth shape into biscuit. Press corn snack into dough to make nose, and top with olive halves for eyes.
5. Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

Happy Halloween & Enjoy!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

It's Thursday... What are you reading?

Hello My lovelies,

It's Thursday again, and you know what that means. It's time for me to rundown what I'm reading this week, and a chance for me to find out the same about all of you. The two books I'm in the process of reading, are books I won courtesy of Samhain publishing via the fabulous Samhain yahoo group. Let me tell you, I love being a part of that group, the authors and moderators are awesome, and I'm always discovering new books through them. OK.. Moving on...

This is what I'm reading this week...

A Little Harmless Sex "A Little Harmless Sex" (Harmless Book 1)by Melissa Schroeder

Blurb (Taken from publisher's Website)

Max has always been Anna’s knight in shining armor. But Max has always seen her as a charming, and very sexy, little sister.


Until Max’s cold fiancée dumps him, Anna unloads another of her many conquests and she invites him over for margaritas and Mexican food. Too much tequila, too much flirting, and too many years of fighting the attraction—Max loses control and has mind-blowing sex with Anna on her couch. And in her shower. And in her bed.

When the sun rises the next morning, both of them must face that their night together is just the first of many. For Max, he knows he wants Anna forever, but convincing a commitment-phobe like Anna is no easy task. For Anna, she can’t believe she has finally slipped beneath Max’s steely self-control. He is every woman’s dark, wet fantasy come true. But what happens when Max pushes Anna for more than just A Little Harmless Sex?

This book was previously published, but has been rewritten, revised, and reedited—more than doubled in length from its original version.

This is the first book by Melissa Schroeder that I've read, and I am really enjoying it. I already have book 2 downloaded and waiting for me.

I am also reading..

Eyes of Fire (Mylari Chronicles) Eyes Of Fire (The Mylari Chronicles Book 1) by. Cj England

Blurb (Taken from publisher's Website)

An ancient prophecy comes to life in an erotic tale of forbidden love.


Talia’s visit home turns upside down when dark, frightening creatures appear seemingly from nowhere and transport her to another world. The faerie world. In this mystical paradise, she finds her life and honor threatened for reasons she does not understand.


When Calion Sáralondë, Prince of the Calen’taur Elves, rescues the human female from an orcan stronghold, his attraction to her is immediate and strong. And the feeling is mutual. Though their love is sardai—taboo—Calion can’t bring himself to send her back to her world. Her presence sets a fire in his soul only mating with her can tame.

And their passion could be the answer to an ancient prophecy that saves his world.

This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release.

This is the first book by Cj England that I've read, but I'm sure it won't be the last. She weaves this story perfectly, and draws you in from the beginning.

Well That's My Rundown..

What Are You Reading?

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Review: Atlantis Betrayed by. Alyssa Day

Reviewer: Heidi Cheramie
Review: Atlantis Betrayed
Author: Alyssa Day



Blurb:

Poseidon’s warriors have learned that the battle to protect humanity produces unexpected enemies--and alliances. And one of the most powerful of all Atlantean warriors will soon find both…in one daring beauty.


A warrior’s mission, a woman’s desire…

What could Christophe, powerful Warrior of Poseidon, have in common with Fiona Campbell, prim and proper Scottish illustrator of fairytales by day and notorious jewel thief known as the Scarlet Ninja by night? Answer: The Siren, a legendary Crown Jewel that Fiona has targeted for her next heist. It’s said to be worth millions, but to Christophe it’s invaluable. For the Siren also happens to be one of the missing jewels from Poseidon’s trident.

And the unnatural evil that could destroy them both...

But breaking into the Tower of London is a two-person job, so Christophe and Fiona team up to commit the crime of the century. As newfound passions fire their motives--and cloud their judgment--they realize they aren’t the only ones after the priceless gem. A dark force is shadowing their every move, and threatening to shatter their trust with revenge, betrayal, and a haunting revelation about the past.


Atlantis Betrayed Review:

I loved this book! Atlantis Betrayed is Book Six in the Warriors Of Poseidon series but this is my first Alyssa Day book. I will read books one to five in this wonderful series. Christophe is a Poseidon warrior and his duty is to protect humanity. Christophe doesn’t really like humans but he does his duty. He is a grumpy, sarcastic, alpha male with a tortured childhood and it makes him slightly antisocial. I adored him! This book is full of humor, sexy chemistry, likable characters and a wonderful storyline.


Lady Fiona Campbell is the feisty heroine. She is a gentle children’s book author by day and the infamous Scarlet Ninja by night. She is a famous thief that steals from the rich to give to the poor. A wonderful take on the Robin hood story. Fiona is as lovable as Christophe is sexy.


Christophe is given the assignment to steal the Siren, a jewel of Poseidon from the British Museum. Fiona has also decided to steal the jewel and the characters meet while trying to steal the jewel from the sword of William the Conquerer. Alyssa Day writes a wonderful, exciting and humorous scene when the two thieves meet each other for the first time while both are trying to steal the jewel.


Fiona and Christophe’s emotional connection and budding love for each other is wonderful and I cried and laughed with them both. Also the sexual chemistry is hot! Fiona is a kick ass heroine as well as a polite lady of the manor. Christophe is the perfect alpha male with just the right mix of tortured soul, humor and hotness!


The setting is London and the book opens with Christophe ‘s encounter with a vampire while sitting on Big Ben. Funny! All the secondary characters were great and interesting from Fiona’s butler/ mentor that reminded me of Alfred from Batman, Fiona’s younger brother and Denal the young Poseidon warrior who has an interesting interaction with the Fae queen. Also enjoyed the Unseelie Fae and their friend/foe relationship with Fiona.


The third party trying to steal the jewel is the antagonist and he is a dangerous evil enemy. Fiona and Christophe must work together to defeat him and return the jewel to Poseidon where it belongs. I give this book FOUR STARS!!! Enjoy and Happy Reading!


Product Details
Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Berkley (September 7, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0425238105

ISBN-13: 978-0425238103

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tuesday Is Poem Day! To Bloggers by. T.K. Varenko

My very good friend Tatyana sent me this poem, and I am excited to share this with all bloggers.
Enjoy!!


To Bloggers






Where do you get the time required

To cope with all the things you do?

You work, make chores, and feel inspired

To blog, to read, and to review!



Your energy seems everlasting

To keep responding to requests

Of authors hopefully entrusting

You with new books they put to tests.



And you are friendly and sincere

In every criticism you make

Bringing your point neat and clear

As if it were a piece of cake!
 
~ T.K. Varenko ~

Monday, October 25, 2010

Review: When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck

Reviewer: Heidi Cheramie
Review: When Blood Calls
Author: J.K. Beck



When Blood Calls Review

Sara Constantine is a prosecutor in the D.A.‘s office and after winning a big case she meets a sexy man in a bar. They have a passionate one night stand. The next day, Sara is promoted to work in a hush-hush division called Division 6 and assumes it is homeland security. Her life is turned upside down after finding out the division is the governing agency for Paranormals. A strong element is this book was the very complex, governing body called Division 6.

Sara doesn’t have time to get over the shock of a world full of vampires, werewolves and all types of supernatural creatures before she is told she will be prosecuting Lucius Dragos. He is a vampire and the sexy man she had a one night stand with. Except for his cheesy name Lucius was an interesting, compelling hero. However, his brooding and obsessiveness over his ward, Tasha was irritating. I never felt comfortable with his relationship and deep feelings for his mentally unstable ward.

Sara is presented as a strong, competent woman who sees the world in black and white. Her career is all important to her so it seems strange that she jeopardizes her career over lust. My biggest complaint with this book was the romance. I never felt the deep emotional connection between Sara and Lucius. Lust- but nothing deeper. Because I didn’t feel the main characters emotional journey it made the love scenes boring for me.

J.K. Beck’s world building was fantastic and that is what kept me reading this book. Several of the secondary characters were extremely interesting and their relationship with Lucius more compelling than his connection with Sara. Ryan Doyle was cool and we never found out why he hates Lucius and what destroyed their friendship. I also wanted to know more about Serge and his tortured journey dealing with his inner Daemon. I liked vampire, Nick Montegue a lot. The alliance between the werewolves and vampires also was intriguing with lots of mistrust and politics.

I felt the world building took a little too long in this book and it was complicated. There were lots of secondary characters. Maybe too many and too many points of view. Because the author had to take a lot of this first book to build the complex world I think the relationship between Sara and Lucius suffered. So I will read the second book in this series called The Shadow Walkers. I am hoping one of the books is about Doyle and that the emotional, romantic aspects of the story will improve because the world J.K. Beck has created is quite exciting. I give this book 3 STARS with high hopes for Book Two.


Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Bantam; Original edition (August 31, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044024577X
ISBN-13: 978-0440245773

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Recipe Saturday - Peanut Butter Cup Brownie S'mores

Happy Saturday My Darlings,

The Recipe I chose for this week is courtesy of my Paula Dean Cook Book. When I first read this recipe title, I was like WOW...  Chocolate, peanut butter cups, and marshmallow cream all in the same dessert. I definitely had to try that! This recipe is a little rich.. OK a lot rich, but I promise it's worth the calories. My girls love this, and we make it a lot on our movie nights. If you give this recipe a try I would love to know your thoughts on it.



Prep: 25 min, Cook: 35 min, Servings: 8


Ingredients



1 cup butter, softened, plus more for baking dish
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup marshmallow creme
8 chocolate covered peanut butter cups


Directions



1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish.


2. Using an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and mix well.


3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Spoon it into the baking dish and bake for 35 minutes. Let cool completely, then cut into 16 squares.


4. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.


5. Spread the marshmallow creme evenly over 8 brownies, and top with the chocolate covered peanut butter cups. Top with the remaining brownies. Wrap each brownie sandwich in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Grill for 4 minutes, turning once. Unwrap and serve immediately.

ENJOY!!


Friday, October 22, 2010

Review: Heidi Reviews Linda Castillo's Sworn To Silence & Pray For Silence

Heidi Cheramie
Review: Sworn To Silence
Review: Pray For Silence
Author: Linda Castillo

Sworn to Silence (Kate Burkholder)Pray for Silence: A Thriller (Kate Burkholder)


SWORN TO SILENCE AND PRAY FOR SILENCE

Linda Castillo, a successful romance writer has entered the mystery thriller genre with an interesting protagonist. Kate Burkholder, the police chief of Painters Mills, Ohio. Kate was raised Amish but left the Amish community after a horrible incident that occurred to her and her family when she was a teenager. This tragedy was kept secret by her Amish family and Kate has been living with this secret her whole adult life.

Kate is now thirty years old and has returned to Painters Mills to take the job as police chief. The setting of this northern Ohio Amish town is another character in the book. The story takes place in the dead of winter and you shiver feeling the cold in the icy Ohio snow. The author handles the Amish community with respect and sensitivity and this made the book very interesting. I enjoyed learning more about Amish customs and beliefs.

The book begins with a grisly homicide. A brutalized body of a young girl is found lying in the snow. Striking similarities to a serial killer that had killed sixteen years before is haunting. Is he back? And what is his connection to Kate’s past?

This book is a page turner, well written with many twists and turns, a well crafted plot, and maintains a high level of suspense throughout. The secondary characters are captivating and fun. They complement the main characters.

There is another main character in this book. It is John Tomasetti. He is a rogue state criminal investigator from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.(BCI). John is sent to assist Kate with this murder. She doesn’t know he is sent to Painters Mill as a punishment and with the intent of driving him out of the agency. John has experienced a tremendous tragedy and is addicted to pain killers and alcohol. He is a flawed and very interesting character. John and Kate have a complex relationship in this book. I really enjoyed their relationship and it adds a bit of romance to a grim plot.

I enjoyed Sworn To Silence very much and recommend it as a quick, suspenseful read. A good book for a long airplane trip. This is also a good mystery to pass on to friends and actually it has been read by four of my co-workers. The book just keeps getting passed on and everyone has enjoyed it.

I was excited to pick up Linda Castillo’s second Kate Burkholder book, Pray for Silence. This thriller begins with the horrific murders of an Amish family of seven. They are found bound and slaughtered in their home and barn. I enjoyed this mystery but not as much as the first book. This time I felt Kate did several things that made her appear a little foolish. She beats up a suspect who insults her, drinks in a bar in uniform, investigates a crime scene alone in the middle of the night.??? Also John Tomasetti is on a psychiatric leave and currently can’t work but shows up to assist Kate with this murder. I felt that was unprofessional and put the investigation in jeopardy.

Having said that I am still a fan of these novels and will read the next book in this series. People are flawed and certainly not perfect so I will forgive John and Kate since it makes them real, imperfect people. Pray For Silence was compelling and the mystery was well written and kept me on the edge of my seat. However I felt the murderer needed to be better developed.

Looking forward to the next Silence book and will keep cheering for Kate and John, the flawed emotionally damaged main characters. I give both books FOUR STARS! Happy Reading!



Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (May 25, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312374062

ISBN-13: 978-0312374068





Hardcover: 320 pages


Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1 edition (June 22, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312374984

ISBN-13: 978-0312374983

Thursday, October 21, 2010

It's Thursday... What are you reading?

Hi All,

Well... It's Thursday again, and time for me to give my rundown of what I'm reading this week. I also do this to find out what all of you are reading. I always find great reads through other people, and that's one of the main incentives for doing my blogging thing. I have to admit, I have been reading a lot of erotica this week. I have had some request to review a few erotica books, and since it's one of my favorite genres to read I had no problem reading them. The erotica I usually read is of the fanged or furry variety, but through being a member of the Samhain Yahoo group, I have discovered some great contemporary erotic reads too. Oh,  before I forget let me just say, The Samhain yahoo group is AWESOME! I love those ladies, and we have a lot of fun in that group. I'm always up to date with new releases, and I constantly find myself picking up new books that I would have missed otherwise. Anyway... Getting back to this post.. I did refrain again this week from buying any new books, because there are so many books that I haven't had a chance to read that are sitting around my house, and on my computer waiting for me. I also refrained from spending, because there are a whole lot off books coming out next week, and the first week in November that I MUST have. It's been hard, but I'm keeping with my resolve on this . OK.. Enough of my musings.

This is what I'm reading....

Tequila TruthTequila Truth by Mari Carr

Product Description:

One's the loneliest number. Two's company. Three's a fantasy come true. The rules of Tequila Truth are quite simple. Shots are poured, a question asked, and only absolute truth can be the answer. Kylie Halston has been playing the game with her roommates, Colt and Heath, since their freshmen year of college.



On his twenty-fifth birthday, Heath poses a question: "What is your ultimate sex fantasy?" While Colt and Heath's fantasies are too hot for words, it's Kylie's sex dream that hits a little too close to home for all of them. Her wish? For a menage a trois with two men, complete with bondage and a bit of spanking for good measure.


Colt and Heath are only too willing to make Kylie's fantasies come true and they make a proposal—one no-holds-barred, sexed-up weekend where nothing is off the menu. The only question is, come Monday, will their platonic relationship survive the passion?


Warning, you will need to crank up the air conditioning before reading as this title contains all the following erotic goodies: explicit sex, menage a trois (m,f,m), anal sex, spanking, bondage, and graphic language.

The description of this book pulled me in. Really, how could you not read this book after reading that description? I have read one other book by Mari Carr it's called Sugar & Spice. I really really enjoyed that book, and I know it will be the same with this one.

I am also reading....

The Dragons' DemonThe Dragon's Demon by Marie Harte

Product Description

A prank gone wrong throws three unlikely partners together: A demon. A dragon. And an egg. I Dream of Dragons I In the ordinary world, forces are at work which keep the balance of the universe in order. Enter Eve Sinclair, a higher demon with a mission — to sway those souls on the brink of Decision, to push them toward heaven or toward hell, as they are meant to go. After a prank played by her brothers, Eve finds herself holding the proverbial bag, accused of stealing a precious dragon egg. Worse, it's a royal egg, as she learns from Ranton, the furious commander of the dragon legion. Not a creature to have on one's bad side, Ranton shifts between his human and dragon forms, keeping Eve off-balance and off her game. Normally a master at manipulating males, Eve finds that Ranton is more than a match for her...as is his brother, the new dragon king. In their arms, she's mere putty. And soon they're not only molding her desires, but her heart. Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, menage a troi, and steamy dragon love.

This is the first book by Marie Harte that I have picked up. I didn't read any of the reviews, but I did check out the ratings and they were very high. I just started this story, but I must say it is already pulling me in. I'm confident it will be a good read.

So, That's My Rundown.

What Are You Reading?







Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Review: Sex, Lies and Vampires (The Dark Ones, Book 3) by. Kate MacAlister

Tawania
Review: Sex, Lies and Vampires (The Dark Ones, Book 3)
Author: Kate MacAlister






Blurb: Taken from Author's  Website

Take a flawed charmer named Nell, add a cursed Dark One called the Betrayer who has sold his own kind for centuries to a demon lord, and throw them together in a desperate attempt to save an innocent child…while along the way unentangling themselves from a Welsh knocker named Gigli who runs a house of ill repute for poltergeists, avoiding death by a revenge-minded vampire, and trying to convince a group of mummies that dead really does mean forever.


Review:

Let me just say that Katie MacAlister is one of my favorite paranormal authors. Her Dark Ones novels are on the top of my list in the favorite vampire series category. Her humorous, passionate, and sexy characters stay with you long after you finish reading her books. I also love that her heroines are all flawed in some kind of way, but they always get their man in the end. Katie proves that in romance it's not always the prettiest girl, or the perfect body that snags the hero, you can be wonderfully ordinary, and still have a Happily Ever After.

Nell is a history professor, and  "Charmer" (spell caster) She is led to the Czech Republic in search of a priceless breast plate. When Nell arrives she learns from the woman  Melissande who brought her there, that she is a charmer, and that she needs Nell's help in rescuing her nephew and brother. Melissande's brother and Nephew are being held by a Demon Lord named Asmodeus. Nell reluctantly agrees to help her find them, but she adamantly refuses to do any charmer woohoo. The one and only time Nell tried using her charming ability to charm a curse, her best friend was killed and Nell suffered permanent damage. She doesn't ever want to do anything like that again.

When searching Christian Dante's house for clues, Nell runs into a dark One named Adrian or better known as The Betrayer. Adrian is also cursed, and forced to betray his fellow Dark One's. When Nell and Adrian meet, there are sparks instantly. Nell was led to believe by Melissande that Adrian is the cause behind the abduction of her brother and nephew. Adrian convinces Nell that he is also in search of the clues to help find Melissande's nephew, and that he and Melissande are in fact sister and brother.

Adrian needs Nell to help him, she has to charm the curse to free them all. He is also not at all happy to discover that Nell is his beloved, and they share a psychic connection. Adrian knows they can never be together as long as he is bound by his curse. He also knows that he can't fight his feelings for her no matter how hard he tries.

As Nell and Adrian fight for their lives, Nell starts to recognize how wrong everyone is about Adrian. She see's his goodness over and over again, and realizes that he is worth saving. Nell knows that if they can stay one step ahead of the enemy, their is a chance that they might have a chance. Adrian doesn't believe his soul can be redeemed by his beloved or that he even deserves one. Nell is determined to show him that as long as you have hope anything is possible.

Nell knows she can save Adrian, and everyone else even if he doesn't believe it. She's determined to prove to him that they were meant to be together, and she's not going to let anyone stop her.

As I stated earlier in this review, I love this series and Katie didn't miss a beat in this installment. Nell and Adrian are the perfect compliment for each other. Throw in a Knocker, some poltergeist, kabolds, and some very confused 5,000 year old cursed mummies, and you have the formula for some good fun storytelling. This story lays out everything I love about Ms. MacAlister's story telling. There is the perfect amount of sexual tension, humor, hot sex, twist, and turns to keep your eyes glued to the pages. I often find myself opening the book, and rereading scenes. Now if that behavior doesn't prove that this book keeps you entertained, then I don't know what does.


Also, as I stated before, I love that the heroines aren't perfect by physical standards, it seems that Katie often cast her heroines as ordinary everyday women with the normal body issues, and insecurities that 90% of the female population deal with. She makes it so easy to identify with the characters, you could absolutely see yourself in their shoes.


I love this series, and I know that if you gave it a try you would too :)

4 1/2 Stars

Books in the series:

Book 1. A Girl's Guide To Vampires
Book 2. Sex And The Single Vampire
Book 3. Sex, Lies, And Vampires
Book 4. Even Vampires Get The Blues
Book 5. Last Of The Red Hot Vampires
Book 6. Zen And The Art of Vampires
Book 7. Crouching Vampire Hidden Fang
Book 8. In The Company Of Vampires (Releases Nov 2, 2010)

Product Details

Mass Market Paperback: 342 pages
Publisher: Love Spell; Reissue edition (January 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0505525550
ISBN-13: 978-0505525550









Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Tuesday Is Poem Day! On The Corner Of Progress And The Past by. C.Fern Cook

On The Corner Of Progress And The Past



Sitting under the elm that still stands on what was a show place farm.

I watch the traffic race past, am I the only one who fears future's harm?



This piece of fertile ground lays hollow, a pasture laid to rest.

The farmhouse already gone, nothing lives here, nothing comes to nest.



Last week I watched a squirrel forage for food, now it rests permanently on the road.

Go ahead run over it one more time. No one stops to move it off the road, no one could be so bold.



The progress is spreading from across the road, a gas station and car wash have sprouted up.

Black pavement is worth more than land that grows, we cannot stop progress we'll go belly-up.



The farmhouse next door is vacant and waiting to be sold.

I am not sure I want to see the rest of this progress unfold. 

~C.Fern Cook~

Monday, October 18, 2010

And The Winner Is....

Hi All,
I first want to thank everyone who participated in my C. Fern Cook, Moira Rogers, and Susan Hanniford Crowley giveaways. I really appreciated your comments and participation. I have some more giveaways coming up, and something special  for Halloween, stay tuned details are coming soon. So without further ado, the winners are as follows...

The winner for Guest Post with Author C. Fern Cook of the Wild Series & Giveaway is... (Insert Drumroll)

Debbie! Who said... I really enjoyed this interview. I love learning about folklore in different cultures, it gives insight to what people were thinking. I would really like to read this series.

Congrats Debbie!

A Safe Harbor: Building Sanctuary, Book 1 The winner for  Contest Time! Win A Copy Of Safe Harbor by Moira Rogers is (Insert Drumroll)

Tore! Who said.. I really would love to read this books. Sounds like a very good story. Please enter me in contest.

Congrats Tore!

The Stormy Love Life Of Laura CordelaisThe winners for  Giveaway & Guest Post with Author Susan Hanniford Crowley & Vampire David Hilliard is... (Insert Drumroll)

Melanie! Who said.. This sound like a great series! To answer the question, Laura thinks his blood tastes like ginger tea with a citrus tang. ("The warmth reminded her of ginger tea with a citrus tang.")

Thanks for the chance to win!! :D

Congrats Melanie!

and Mona! Who said... Susan!! I am so Glad I was able to make the interview even if I am Late. I just love when you and David Interview together he has such a personality and you are gracious as always! Can't wait to get my hand on the new one out!! And thank you Tawania for having them!! Hugz Mona

Congrats Mona!

A Big Congratulations goes out to all the Winners!


*All The winners have been notified, and info forwarded to the Authors.*



















Saturday, October 16, 2010

Recipe Saturday - Chicken Alfredo Skillet

Hi All,

It's Saturday, and recipe time again. The recipe I chose for this week is for Alfredo lovers. I love Chicken Alfredo, and when I make it, I usually try to make my Alfredo sauce myself homemade. When this recipe showed up in my inbox a few weeks ago I was skepticle, but it seemed easy enough and perfect for a week night meal when you don't have a lot of time. I prepared it using store bought Alfredo sauce, and it was delicious. This recipe is perfect for the working mother or father who needs something quick and easy for dinner. Here is the recipe..

Chicken Alfredo Skillet
Prep time: 20 min, Total time: 40 min, Makes: 4servings



Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked rotini pasta (6 oz)
1tablespoon olive oil
2lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin slices for stir-frying
2medium zucchini, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced (2 1/2 cups)
1small onion, chopped (1/3 cup)
2cloves garlic, finely chopped
1jar (16 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
1jar (2 oz) diced pimientos, drained
1/4cup grated Parmesan cheese
2tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, if desired


Directions:


1. Cook rotini to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; cover to keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken; cook and stir 8 to 10 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Remove chicken from skillet; cover to keep warm.

3. Reduce heat to medium. To same skillet, add zucchini, onion and garlic; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Add cooked chicken and Alfredo sauce; mix well.

4. Add cooked rotini and pimientos; cook and stir just until hot (do not boil). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

5. Serve with garlic bread.

Enjoy!!

Friday, October 15, 2010

It's Giveaway Time! Win A Copy Of Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend!

Win a copy of A Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend!
Wolf Signs
Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.
Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death.
Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf.
Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full.
Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind...
Leave a comment with your email address by Oct. 29th for a chance to win a digital copy of Wolf Signs!
This contest is a part of Moira Rogers & Vivian Arend's Fall Frenzy Event. For your chance to win books, gift certificates, ereaders and more, visit http://www.moirarogers.com/contests/

This Giveaway is open internationally, and the winners will be announced, and notified on October 31st.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

It's Thursday... What are you reading?

Hello All,

Well.. It's Thursday again, and you know what that means. It's time for me to give you my weekly reading rundown, and for me to find out what all of you are reading. I have to admit, I didn't buy any new books this week, because I couldn't justify it. I really splurged last week on books, and I have been quite lucky in winning books lately. Let me tell you.. It was HARD for me not to hit that one click button on Amazon, but I was strong. I'm making no promises about next week though. I have so many books to read that I'm considering a challenge for myself, so that I can get through them all. My Catering business has been really keeping me busy lately, but this is the time of year when things slow down before the holidays. Hopefully I will have the time then to get through them all. OK... Enough with my rambling, this is what I'm reading this week.

Mercy Mercy by Eleri Stone

Description (From Publishers Website)

To the Yaguara, an ancient jaguar shape-shifting people living deep in the Amazon jungle, nothing matters more than strength. Iada is their champion; genetically pure, she has been trained since birth to fight. Her destiny is to become the next Queen of the Yaguara by winning the tournament of succession—a battle to the death.

Her opponent is Gabriel, a half-blooded outcast whose mother was human. To everyone's shock, he defeats Iada but does not strike the death blow—instead, he extends mercy, thereby claiming her as his mate. 

Despite their enmity, the attraction between them is powerful, and soon they are mates in more than name only. Their mutual distrust serves only to fuel their passion—two champions bested only by their overpowering desire for each other.

But Gabriel has an agenda that threatens the most basic tenets of Yaguara society—and that will force Iada to choose between her people or her King.

I have heard nothing but good things about this Novella. I didn't read any reviews, because I haven't read it yet, but I did notice all the 4 and 5 star ratings. I am excited to be reading this, and I can't wait to share my thoughts on Mercy with you.

I am also reading..


 Demon's Fall by Karalynn Lee

Description (From Publishers Website)

She was an angel at the gates of Hell.


When Kenan, an incubus, finds a caged angel for sale in the Hellsgate marketplace, he sees her as a challenge. Certain that his skills in seduction will work as well on a heavenly creature as they do on mortal women, he buys Jahel, intent on having her soul as a novelty in his collection.

Knowing he must gain Jahel's trust if she is to come to his bed willingly, Kenan treats her more as his guest than as his slave. When she reveals what brought her to the mouth of Hell in the first place—retrieving the soul of a young girl she was guarding—he even offers to help her complete her mission.


Though he has promised Jahel freedom, Kenan soon realizes she has captured his heart instead. And as their passion for one another grows, they find themselves caught in a struggle between Heaven and Hell, one that will lead them to the very edge of the apocalypse...

This book isn't scheduled for release until Oct. 25. Thanks to Netgalley, and the awesome people at Carina Press, I was given the opportunity to read it now, and it's really good. I'm hoping to finish it today. This is the first book I have read by Karalynn Lee, and I'm not dissapointed.


Well... That's my rundown.

What Are You Reading?


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tuesday Is Poem Day! The Dark Hour by. W.H. Davies

The Dark Hour


AND now, when merry winds do blow,

And rain makes trees look fresh,

An overpowering staleness holds

This mortal flesh.



Though well I love to feel the rain,

And be by winds well blown --

The mystery of mortal life

Doth press me down.



And, In this mood, come now what will,

Shine Rainbow, Cuckoo call;

There is no thing in Heaven or Earth

Can lift my soul.



I know not where this state comes from --

No cause for grief I know;

The Earth around is fresh and green,

Flowers near me grow.



I sit between two fair rose trees;

Red roses on my right,

And on my left side roses are

A lovely white.



The little birds are full of joy,

Lambs bleating all the day;

The colt runs after the old mare,

And children play.



And still there comes this dark, dark hour --

Which is not borne of Care;

Into my heart it creeps before

I am aware.
 
 
~ W.H. Davies ~