Tag Archives: Amazon

Mocktails & Mayhem

Cranberry Mint Mojito Mocktail

For dry January we have some fun mocktail recipes. Since the Lunar New Year is just weeks away we have guest author, Deserie Kelly, with some book previews.

Book 1

https://a.co/d/0EXoxo9

A bullied orphan. A life-changing martial arts contest. An ancient rivalry showing its bloody claws…

Chinatown, New York City. Silver is tired of never fitting in. After years of teaching at her adoptive uncle’s kung-fu school, the loyal seventeen-year-old is depressed to see a mediocre student promoted above her. So she’s thrilled at the chance to redeem her honor by competing in a high-level tournament where the winner performs the complex dragon dance during Chinese New Year.

Training hard to win, the determined young woman forces herself to ignore the instant attraction she feels to a handsome boy at a rival school. But after she emerges victorious, Silver is horrified when her triumph is rewarded with a deadly attack by a demon-in-disguise.

On the run from a sinister enemy she can’t remember, with only the cute kung fu master as an ally, will this accomplished fighter discover her destiny before her flame is eternally extinguished?

Book 2

https://a.co/d/43OTdF1

Kuàilè Shu has just settled into a new life and found her place in Silver’s Kung Fu school where she has both admiration and respect from other students, friends, and immortals. She’s now a junior in high school with all the hopes and dreams of any girl, mortal or otherwise: finding the perfect prom dress, going to college, finding love. Then, Monkey shows up…..
Thrown in the whirlwind of jealousy, insecurity and a mission she has left incomplete, Kuàilè bets all on a mortal existence. But is giving up immortality the right choice when a demon capable of possessing even the immortals themselves is after her and those she loves the most?

Book 3

https://a.co/d/86N1SSK

Kelly, one of the Zodiac Shifters, has a terrible secret that has kept her from pursuing love. She has all but given up on ever having happiness, but life is full of surprises. Jamin, for all his size and strength, is just as shy. Despite their personal hangups, it looks like the stars might finally align on the couple until tragedy strikes.


Silver is ready to have her baby when the magic begins to fade around her. Damian is off battling demons that have the worst timing, and that says a lot for a dragon capable of freezing time. Silver isn’t sure she’s even ready to be a mother. Fushi is there to help, but Silver needs Damian, now!


Can Kelly overcome her own dangerous secrets to save the love of her life or has time run out on her as a Zodiac Shifter? Will Silver have her baby on the earthly plane or make it back to the Jade Palace in time with Damian? Find these answers and more in the latest Tales of the Zodiac Shifters story: No Time for Regrets-Tales of the Zodiac Shifters Book 3

Tales of the Zodiac Shifters series has more books to come so catch up now before you are left behind.

Cranberry Mojito Mocktail Recipe

Before we get started, since I have diabetics in the family, I also offer substitutes for sugar whenever possible in my recipes.

Ingredients:

2-3 Tablespoons fresh or frozen cranberries

5-6 cranberries to garnish

1/2 ounce simple syrup/ or sugar free lemon lime soda

1/2 lime for juice

1 slice lime for garnish

1 sprig (7-8 leaves) mint for mix

1 sprig mint to garnish

Seltzer

(Optional) Alcohol free/ sugar free rum flavoring

Ice

You’ll also need:

Mortar and pestle to muddle cranberries and mint

Spoon to mix

Glass with ice and straw to serve

How to:

  1. Muddle cranberries and mint together until flavor is released
  2. Mix in simple syrup or sugar free lemon lime soda
  3. Pour over glass filled with ice and garnish with lime wedge, cranberries, and sprig of mint.
  4. Serve and enjoy

If you have trouble finding cranberries and mint you can use mint flavored seltzer and unsweetened cranberry juice or use cranberry juice cocktail (sugar free cranberry juice mixer) and omit the simple syrup/sugar free lemon lime soda.

Happy Holidays, please enjoy a Free e-book

Desperately Seeking Vampire: A Help Wanted Romance (Help Wanted Romance Series Book 1)

https://a.co/d/9FKYgje

Download your free ebook today, this offer end on Christmas Eve 12/24/2024

Around the holidays, I think back to my childhood and it was the Christmas lights, more than anything, that made me happy. The same still works today and I find myself leaving the holiday lights up all year and just changing the color for the next holiday.

It’s the Grinch!
We found him at Shadybrook Farms

Maybe it’s my inner Year of the Rat and love of all things shiny, but I go for long rides looking at the lit up houses and to every possible light show working a two hour ride(well, I make the mister drive it).

Spectacular Lights on one house we saw in PA

https://a.co/d/9FKYgje don’t forget the link!

With five children there is always the need to keep them entertained, so light shows are a big hit and help get them outdoors on cold evenings, when they’d otherwise be engaged in video games & online media.

We also do outings to Science Museums, Zoos, Art Galleries… and you can see a lot of them pull out all the stops for Holiday festivities.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

In the spirit of our Liquid Friday blog, I have to leave to you with a favorite holiday drink- hot chocolate!

Hot Chocolate Recipe below

Ingredients: (4 big servings)

8 ounces dark chocolate chips(semisweet) or chopped brick chocolate

4 Tablespoons sugar (or equivalent in your favorite sweetener)

5 cups milk- we use lactose free and omit the sugar, but any heat stable milk substitute works

Save your add-ins for the side and let guests customize their beverage

Add-ins:

Marshmallows

Peppermint sticks

Whipped Cream

Cinnamon stick

Pinch Cayenne Pepper, really warms you up

Directions:

Warm milk and chocolate in a pot on low to medium heat(stirring continuously to avoid scalding milk) until chocolate has melted and mixture is hot, add sugar to taste- alternatively you can put your milk and chocolate in a crock pot and keep it warm while children play outside

Stir again before serving as chocolate will settle

Serve warm and let guests choose their own toppings, for a special treat

Have a wonderful season of lights!

New covers for the Tales of the Zodiac Shifters series

We fell in love with this series with the first book. It has taken some time for the next two installments of the series to come in, but while you wait for book four- here are the new covers. Enjoy! I think they look every bit the porcelain like goddesses they portray. If you haven’t picked up the series yet, follow the links.

Book 1

Time of the Silver Dragon

Time of the Silver Dragon: Tales of the Zodiac Shifters – Book 1 https://a.co/d/a9XTJxm

Book 2

No Time for Immortality

No Time for Immortality: Tales of the Zodiac Shifters – Book 2 https://a.co/d/1nKb6e3

Book 3

No Time for Regrets

No Time for Regrets: Tales of the Zodiac Shifters – Book 3 https://a.co/d/dbd6unx

A limited number of books are available with the older covers, visit http://www.DeserieKelly.com for more information

We never have a Liquid Friday without a drink of some kind.

Outside of green tea which she drinks all day, Deserie is fond of 3 parts black tea (Assam is you have it- though any black tea works fine) and 1 part Passionfruit juice. No tapioca balls or sugar required- just serve over ice and enjoy.

We hope you try our mocktail and get some good reads in this week.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Mardi Gras

This week is so filled with celebrations, I want to take a moment and wish everyone Happy Mardi Gras, Happy Lunar New Year, Happy Valentine’s Day, and more. There is also a special birthday on Valentine’s Day, so happy birthday Claire- hope it’s the best yet!

If I missed any of our reader’s birthdays, I hope it was amazing and you had lots of fun.

Enjoy this last week before the Christian Lenten season begins and people turn to more spiritual pursuits.

During lent I look for organizations to work with either through sponsorship or stewardship to help out those in need, local and abroad. Since the troublemaker and I wear many hats that can mean entertaining for charitable walks, food pantries, fundraisers… or donating to some local charities or people in need.

For this weekend, however, I’m going to some festivals and parties. I’ll be making some hurricanes (see my 2023 blogs for the recipe and make them at home or somewhere you don’t need to drive to, just to be as safe as possible) and some gumbo for one party and spicy chicken skewers for the other.

I’m also stopping by a Super Bowl party with some treats. I don’t know who you want to win this Super Bowl Sunday, but I’ll be watching and then continuing with festivities for Mardi Gras and the Lunar New Year.

Then, just when the week is going to start and you think there would be a break to settle down, blam!!! I’ll be making chocolate covered everything for Valentine’s Day (candied orange rind, strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzels).

All scheduling aside, I find myself working at lightning speed on my pursuits because I live day to day with an autoimmune disease that can shut me down for a week or two at a time. If I seem a little maniacal it’s only because I know I am racing the clock to get things done before something like pollen, perfume, dairy, or weather forces me to take a break.

I find myself planning things just to keep motivated, not that I need the extra work with a house full of imps that drive me bonkers and the cutest dog in creation, but still… I feel like Alice In Wonderland some days with one pill that makes me feel smaller and another that makes me feel bigger. Better living through chemistry has its moments. I’ve had undifferentiated autoimmune disease for about 14 years since diagnosis (probably an additional 14 years living with it before the doctor discovered what it was) at this point and sometimes I need to just live through my stories because the body won’t cooperate regardless of what potion I drink or eat.

We all have things we work through and I know it can be hard at times. I find something wonderful and go with it as long as I can. A supportive partner or friend is also a game changer, and sometimes if all you can have together is misadventures remember to laugh about it.

On the plus side, Spring is on the way. A few conspiring rodents decided it, so let’s just go with that.

Some goodies for our readers-

Don’t forget these two treats are available on KU for a limited time and are also at a special price for download or paperback.

King of the Mardi Gras: A Short Story From Eden’s Garden https://a.co/d/3AbiBmK

Desperately Seeking Vampire: A Help Wanted Romance (Help Wanted Romance Series Book 1) https://a.co/d/02rPlny

So have a happy!

In Favor of Horror Fans Everywhere

I think most of us began as fearless children, the ones that wanted to jump the highest on the trampoline, swing highest, build a ramp and take it at top speed, sit on the edge of a cliff and looked down, rode the Cyclone as many times as they’d let us in a row(trust me it was a lot)… we set the bar high.

What separated us from the rest of the pack wasn’t a lack of imagination of the bad things that could happen with our stunts. To the contrary, we probably had the best imaginations of the horrors that could occur, we just didn’t let fear stop us. We didn’t let anything stop us. We ate that fear like it was sugar coated cereal on a Saturday morning.

While our friends cringed and covered their eyes, ours were wide open. We waited for that little terror to make us giggle and make us feel alive. We were the first to tell spooky stories by the campfire and approached Halloween with religious reverence. (Still the best day of the year)

We played out Horror movies in backyards and parks and got into character, complete with black trash bag capes and weird smelling leftover plastic Halloween masks. The thrill was everything.

And with classic horror movies like Nosferatu, The thing With Two Heads, Mars Needs Women, Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Black Cat, Fall of the House of Usher, the Phantom of the Opera… we got hooked on the terror and the monster themselves. In the 1908’s we saw so many great monster movie remakes. They were brilliant and we were so ready for them.

Then came slasher movies like the Nightmare on Elm Street, Sleepaway Camp, Halloween. Puppet Master… How many of us bought that Freddy Krueger glove and sat in the movie theater for the third or fourth time scaring the wits out of unsuspecting people? Okay, I did but it was all in fun.

We’ve watch so many great vampire films like Near Dark, the Hunger, the Lost Boys, Fright Night… and laughed at so many cheesy ones like Modern Vampires, Vampire’s Kiss, Subspecies, My Best Friend is A Vampire, Vamp… while we were reading incredible books like Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire (we’ll chat about that movie later).

And we ate up movies with jump scares like Poltergeist, the Evil Dead, Pet Sematary, the Exorcist, IT, Cujo, the Descent, Hell House and others because we couldn’t get enough. It’s in our blood.

Highschool ended and I packed up my things (movie posters included) to take with me to college. The first day I went room to room knocking on every door trying to find all the horror film fans I could and I brought out my shoebox of vhs horror films and we sat and giggled our asses off watching them. They were also the same group that went to comic book conventions and got the very best vampire/monster/horror comics, some wrapped in brown paper for mature audiences only-but they got them all the same in vinyl bags with backboards or cruised the mall for the bookstores and read every scary word they could find. You know your people and where to find them.

Now we are streaming horror films and playing the audio in our cars or as ringtones on our phones and why not? It’s all in fun, right? Break out the popcorn for viewers in the back while we drive to the latest horror film, horror book signing, vampire convention, book store hunt, or other dark broody adventure.

So, in that same adventurous giddy horror bound spirit, I give you Autumn Ravenwood, our heroine in Desperately Seeking Vampire: Help Wanted Romance Series now available free on Amazon KU, for ebook or paperback purchase. https://www.amazon.com/Desperately-Seeking-Vampire-Wanted-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CLXV6GNG?

If your the choosy connoisseur and prefer a signed copy, those will be available directly from me at Vampires of New Jersey Convention on November 18, 2023 from 2p to 8p at QXT’s Night Club, 248 Mulberry St, Newark, NJ.

I think we’re going to have a fabulous day with lots of people in the horror movie industry, writers, vampires… who knows. You don’t want to miss it, so get your tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vampires-of-new-jersey-convention-tickets-655033150787

I’m going to be there and we’re going to have some fun, talk about horror films, books, comics… Promise I’ll keep the Freddy Krueger glove at home, so the scares will have to come from someone else this time (maybe).

Claire will be vending jewelry to die for and I’m going to have some kooky things like filled coffins, goodies, give aways, and we’ll also have Deserie Kelly’s Zodiac Shifters books.

What’s your absolute favorite horror film?

Halloween Happenings

New Book for Spooky October

Though I try and celebrate everyday, Halloween is extra special for me. I decorate, bake, make up goody bags with lots of candy, snacks, and prizes for my trick or treaters(sometimes overwhelming them with my costumed dog- Butler), but it’s all in fun.

In that same playful spirit, I am releasing my newest book, Desperately Seeking Vampire: Help Wanted Romance Series to Kindle unlimited and ebook on Amazon (link below the image)

https://a.co/d/eBe60IM

Get your copy now and tell me what you think of it. Does it get you in the mood for some spooky fun?

So easy to get spooky!

I’ll be mixing up a batch of cocktails this evening, before I break out a bottle of Apothic Red Wine and my favorite NY aged cheddar. You can turn any drink spooky with a black olive stuffed cocktail onion. If you’redrinking adult beverages take and Uber or Lyft home and save that blood for a vampire.

Liquid Friday Book Blog

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXCKH8P3

We are featuring a paranormal teen fantasy this week, so we’ll keep our treats fun and light.

Time of the Silver Dragon: Tales of the Zodiac Shifter Book 1 currently available on Amazon

Storyline: After years of hard work, practice, and sacrifice, Silver has earned the honor of entering the coveted underground martial arts tournament in Chinatown. Her excitement is only matched by her fear of failure. Little does she knows that the tournament is not the end, but the beginning of trouble, trouble times twelve.
After the tournament is over she must face the wrath of the grandmaster, her illusions about herself, and find out who her real friends are. She finds out that the myth of the twelve zodiac animals great race, the Jade Emperor, and even demons are real. In this frightening new reality, will she have the strength to save humanity?

Our recipe: Silky Onion Dip with veggies and crisps

Ingredients

  • 1 container silky tofu
  • 1-2 packages vegan onion dip mix
  • Fresh Veggies (carrot sticks, celery sticks, snow peas, sugar snap peas, cucumber slices, green and red pepper slices, blanched asparagus spears)
  • Crisps (your favorite chips, pretzels, or fried wonton wrappers)

Cut silky tofu into small squares and pulse in food processor with package of onion soup mix until blended. Add more soup mix to taste and put in a bowl surrounded by your favorite munchies- it’s that simple.

Serve your Silky Onion Dip and munchies to friends or just have a snack anytime. We absolutely love this with gingerale mixers (1 ounce pomegranate juice, matcha tea, grape juice, or orange juice to 4 parts gingerale).

Freebie Friday!

It’s Mardi Gras and we couldn’t be happier! We’re making enough sweets and treats to keep us busy until Fat Tuesday(shrove Tuesday), but rather than give you a recipe, we’ve got a FREE ebook short story for you today on Amazon.

Just click the link below to download your copy (this weekend only) and get you in the Mardi Gras mood. Relax with a nice chicory coffee and some warm beignets or a slice of King’s Cake. Pick your favorite jazz artist from Louisiana and enjoy our short story.

https://www.Amazon.com/dp/B079WJGTC7

If you enjoyed King of the Mardi Gras, leave us a review and check out our other books. Our All Tied Up In Knots series has 2 full books and 6 short reads- perfect to keep you busy between Mardi Gras parties.

Laissez les bons temps rouler. 🎺 (Let the good times roll.)

Liquid Friday with Author and Host Eden Freed

Today we are featuring lite BDSM Erotica writer Eden Freed.

“First and foremost I would like to thank all the wonderful authors who have contributed to my blog so far.  I know many of you are having a blast at the #RWA16, I wish you success and lots of fun. You are all amazing and I could not have done this without you. For those readers who missed their posts, I’ll make it easier for you to catch up, just use the links below.”

belvedere“This week instead of just one featured cocktail I went with two.  Variations of both drinks often crisscross, so have a Hollywood Cocktail and a Raspberry Smash and think about our favorite starlet, Violet.  A couple of these gets me in the mood to continue her second adventure in the Acting the Part Series.”

Ingredients for Hollywood cocktail:

  • Strawberry / Lime Wedge for garnish.
  • Pineapple Juice
  • 1/2 oz Black Rasberry liqueur
  • 1 1/2 oz Vodka ( Belvedere or Chopin for the Top Shelf Crowd)

Preparation:

  • Fill glass with ice.
  • Pour vodka and liqueur to cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
  • Strain into glass with ice
  • Garnish with lime and strawberry, serve and enjoy

Ingredients for Raspberry Smash (makes two):

  • 2 lime wedges
  • Sugar (for dipping)holl cock
  • 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
  • 6 tablespoons vodka
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups ice cubes
  • 1/4 cup chilled Champagne

 

Run 1 lime wedge around rims of 2 old-fashioned glasses. Dip rims in sugar. Place both lime wedges, raspberries, vodka, and 4 teaspoons astisugar in cocktail shaker; using muddler or wooden spoon handle, smash fruit mixture. Add ice; shake 10 seconds. Divide between glasses (do not strain), top with Champagne, and serve.

“Can’t wait to release book two, but in the mean time, take a look at book one “Violet Blooms” and get ready for things to get shaken up.”

chopinWhile we’re chatting, lots of our favorite characters will be back to shake things up in book two. Be ready for a virtual rollercoaster ride, as Violet perfects her art and gives the performance of a lifetime.  Kick back and relax for a moment with these delicious beverages, and read up about  Violet Blooms. (now also available on iTunes)

A young aspiring actress, majoring in Theater Arts in her last semester of school, must overcome mediocrity and learn to take direction in time to be discovered by a talent scout VioletBloomsActingThePart1during her final performance. Her new acting coach decides to teach her direction through a non-conventional method: introduction to BDSM. Will Violet have what it takes to learn the art of role playing or will she end up on the “casting couch?”
Here is an excerpt from our book:

Excerpt:

Jericho Blythe sighed, “Chase was right. You are a handful.  Let’s go back to rule number one.”  He opened another file, Rules.  “Rule one.  Speak only when spoken to.  I can train you better than any actress to anticipate and respond to direction.  I give orders.  You take orders.  It will be like dancing.”  He put an arm around my waist and I gasped.  “I’ll lead and you’ll follow.  If your timing is right, it will be beautiful and if something is off I will offer correction until you achieve perfection.  Perfection is what a director will expect from you.  He will not tolerate excuses.”

My eyes widened. Some part of my idle brain woke up and understood what he was talking about.  I backed away from him.  This was more than I bargained for.  I shook my head no.

“Rule three,” Blythe said.

“No way. You thought I was, that I was…”  I started laughing.

Blythe looked furious. His blue green eyes got squinty and the corners of his mouth turned down a little before I saw him reach behind the counter for something and walk toward the couch.  DSC02921Looking at his serious face made me laugh even harder.  I grabbed my middle with one hand and covered my mouth with the other.  My eyes began to tear from trying to hold the laugh in but it didn’t last long.  The thought that I could be into that, whatever it was, kink, was more than my fragile mind could take.  In a moment, I was near hysterical with laughter.

He sat down on the round red leather couch and pulled me over his knee. Slowly, Blythe explained that my actions required punishment.  He asked for me to consent to punishment.  I thought the better of shaking my head no and a little voice inside jumped out and agreed.  Yes! Yes, please!

I felt him lift the back of my skirt up and tug my panties down. Crack!  I felt a sharp but brief pain on my rear and then his firm hand rubbing the sore spot.  It was electric.  I was melting into the sensation, melting into his strong warm hand on my tender skin.  I didn’t understand why, but instantly I loved it.  You’re crazy. What are you doing, Violet?  Wake up, stupid!

The shock of what I was feeling had me up to my feet, pulling up my panties, and heading out the door. What WAS I doing?  I wanted to stay and I wanted to run.  My body followed the latter suggestion.  Blythe didn’t shadow me even though I wanted him to.  I walked quickly past people clueless to what had happened only a moment ago.  Their eyes seemed focused and restrained, but I felt as wild and reckless as the night.  I was down the block at the crosswalk before I decided to turn around.  My feet carried me back to the shop as though I no longer had a will of my own.  My owns thoughts DSC03024frightened me and I felt my heart beat in a quick rhythm trying to get oxygen to the brain that was clearly working against me, against the very nature of my being.  How could I want more?

Blythe was typing on the keyboard, when I opened the door. He picked up his head long enough to smile at me.  I bit my lower lip, wondering what was next.  My heart was still racing and my cheeks felt warm.  I needed reassurance.  Mentally, I was torturing myself for my excitement over something I had been told countless times was wrong.

My own mother, Barbara, never even raised a hand to me. Any time I made a mistake or irritated her, I spent some ‘quality time’ in the corner while she sat there chatting on the computer with her latest internet flame. Come to think of it, I spent an awful lot of time in the corner, maybe too much time. As I stood there pondering the misgivings of my childhood, Blythe looked up and spoke.

“Remind me to shackle you next time before you are punished. Fight or flight response is normal but I want you to be as safe as possible.  Feeling any better?”

“Yes,” I said but my mind was racing.

“Yes, Master Blythe,” he said.

“Yes, Master Blythe,” I repeated, slowly, almost vacantly. He handed the iPad back to me.

“Read through the rules. We’ll talk shop later.  Make sure you understand the rules first,” he said but what did any of it really mean?  How could I even know?  There was a part of myself that I was just waking up to, a part I didn’t even know was there hiding under my skin like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Blythe was patient and waited for me to collect my thoughts. He stood there without any condescending looks or giggles.  I chewed on my lower lip confused and excited at the prospect of this new me I had found.

If you are interested you can get your copy from Amazon Kindle or  download with iBooks on your Mac or iOS device, and with iTunes on your computer.

To learn more about the author Eden Freed,  Just click here.