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Liquid Friday With M. Flagg

July 17, 2026 edenfreed 1 Comment

You know I love a good vampire book, so I was delighted when this week’s author decided to join us. I hope you enjoy the book and give the cocktail a try safely at home. The air smells like burnt tires in NJ from Canadian wildfires, so I’m staying inside and reading today. Enjoy!

This week we’re hosting M. Flagg on our blog. Here’s a little about the author.

I’m a multiple award-winning paranormal fiction author whose imaginative world building echoes with the promise of destiny. Adventure, suspense, and romance are woven through plots brimming with supernatural tension where fate will always have one last card to play. After spending 40 years in education and administration, I’m now retired and loving it. I’m a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, NJRW, and the NJ Author’s Network. Always an avid reader, paranormal anything is my favorite genre. I enjoy the edit process and snuggling with my rescued Maine Coon. You can easily consider me a Jersey Girl, being a life-long New Jersey resident. Find out more about my novels at www.mflagg-author.com

Amazon Buy link:Amazon.com: Memories of A Hunter’s Moon (The Champion Chronicles Book 5) eBook : Flagg, M. : BooksAmazon Author Page: Amazon.com: M. Flagg: books, biography, latest updateSocial Media links:

Facebook – @mickey.flagg X – @mickey_flagg

TikTok – @micheleflagg7 Instagram – @mickeyflagg

Excerpt from Memories of a Hunter’s Moon:

He stood in front of a massive desk. Reaching out, her fingertips gently ran down his face. Their gaze locked to each other, drawn like magnets as he took her hand away and kissed her open palm. His touch trembled through her. Blood tears glistened in her eyes. They both stepped in at the same time, falling into an embrace she had yearned for every single night of this undead existence. Her head rested on his shoulder as his hands pressed to her back. Anxious to hear his rich, deep voice, she whispered, “My eternal love.”

“You should not be here,” he whispered in reply.

Luna heard just a trace of a French accent, yet his tone sounded like a scold, like she’d done something wrong. Her body stilled. Something inside shattered. It felt as if invisible shards of glass ripped open every vein. His hands braced her shoulders, pulled her away from the place of comfort she had longed for throughout decades without him. The study of his face told her nothing, the hollow look in his eyes, as though she stared into an abyss. The vampire standing before her appeared to be less about who he was and more about who he had become.

She took a step back. “Is this what the modern world has done to you, or was I so blinded by love that I did not see this coldness, Henri?”

“One sees what one wants to see. And please do not call me Henri. I prefer Draven.”

“Ah, yes, Draven,” she said with a tilt of her head, “The Gatekeeper of the portal, the owner of a trendy club, the worldly investor for sorcerer and sire alike. So many facets to this new persona. I suppose you had to destroy—to rebuild yourself.”

He appeared distant, disengaged. The reunion she had hoped for didn’t seem right. Instead of hearing a profession of love, perhaps even an apology, she’d been admonished for coming to him? Michael had said he needed her. Oddly, she didn’t see or feel his need at all.

It wasn’t upset that snaked through her. Not disappointment, either. What bloomed within felt like anger, at herself and at him. Had her romantic fantasy of this reunion been distorted by love and longing? Had she failed to realize that he had experienced many, many things while she stubbornly held on to the security of sameness? After eighty long years of waiting for his return, which had never happened, perhaps anger was bound to surface.

“Do I remind you too much of your past? Is that why I shouldn’t have come here?”

He replied without emotion, “You were safe where I left you.”

“Really. How would you know? You never returned. Yet every Hunter’s Moon I stand on the very spot where you left me to search the sea. How foolish I’ve been.” The realization caused another revelation, and her shoulders straightened.

“You have had a protected existence, which I have provided,” he said in arrogance.

“I have had a sheltered captivity, thanks to you.” She aimed the comeback perfectly and oh yes, she had much more to say. “Michael is right. You abandoned me. Left me vulnerable. That is not love. Seeing you now, I question why you ever chose to be so burdened with me.”

“You will stop speaking at once,” he snapped at her, as if he were in command.

“I choose to continue. Eighty years alone is more than a lifetime for most humans, and no, I will not stop speaking.” She eyed him from the top of his pulled-back hair down to the shine on his shoes. “Look at yourself. Put together in an ensemble that foretells the darkness in you. It is worshiped, isn’t it, this new persona? You, the lord and master over minions with your pockets overflowing. It gives you the thrill of power, of displaced ownership. I am thankful that Michael was candid, instead of coating the truth like honey coats a spoon.” Yet on the plane, she had insisted that he could not possibly be talking about her Henri. Well, she had been wrong.

“My brother in blood has loose lips,” he growled with a sneer.

“Oh, were that true. I should have listened more and defended you less. You take what is offered and crave more. You suck dry the victims and then thirst for more. Calculating. Cruel. No mercy is in you because, indeed, you believe yourself lord and master. This office screams of wealth and power. So does what I see through that door behind your desk. Yet all of this is barren. Just like you.” Her eyes slid to the side before coming back to his. Then, one strong sniff told her more about him, something he’d regret. “I smell her… The last woman you had. Do you think so little of me that you clothe yourself in the scent of sex?” She let the remark sink in, took in another nose-full of female coming from the front of his trousers. “I have remained faithful, but to what, I ask myself. Decades of dreaming of your touch, your mouth on me. For what? From the moment of awakening in undeath in that room beneath Veronique’s villa only you have touched me.”

“You expect me to believe that you have never taken a human lover?”

Thinking his smirk rude, she stepped into him. That question fueled her anger. “I do. There were never lies between us. You may have changed, but I have not.” Yet again, that annoying smirk angered her.

“I have provided financial security. Had I known, I would have gladly provided that type of service as well.”

“You would have paid a man to be used for sex?” Her eyes narrowed, yet he continued to show nothing on his face, kept an arrogant stance as if he were above her. “It would have suited you to see me in someone else’s arms, with someone else’s mouth on me, yet you show no shame? Like a common pimp?”

“There is nothing common about me,” he replied with a lift of his chin.

“Oh, I believe that underneath this impressive display common thrives in you. So does emptiness because that’s where you reside. You might have made the suggestion to take hundreds of lovers. We had all that time on the ship together. You could have sat me down and said that you’d never return, that it was goodbye forever. I might have taken the next ship back to Europe. I’d be a very different vampire, wouldn’t I?”

Now onto the cocktail. This week we’re sipping a Hunter Cocktail.

This one is pretty simple to make and you could make one cocktail for yourself or make up a bunch for friends. It’s all about the ratios.

We’ll be sipping this one slowly while we enjoy our book, so put on your comfy clothes, and make it a night in. Trust me when I tell you to let the ice melt a little while sipping this strong drink.

Here is what you’ll need:

Glass

Ice-I prefer a lot of ice for whiskey drinks-get fancy with one of those skull shaped ice cubes if you want, just make sure your glass is big enough.

3 Parts Rye Whiskey (1.5 oz if that’s easier)

1 Party Cherry Flavored Brandy (0.5 oz if that’s easier)

Add alcohol to glass filled with ice and stir. You’re done. Pretty simple older drink back from over a century ago, so some of you vampires might remember it. Though this recipe may have been circulating for a while, it appeared first in Jack A. Grohusko’s 1908 book Jack’s Manual: Recipes for Fancy Mixed Drinks and When and How to Serve. Ah, the dangers of a photographic memory and a library card. Enjoy your cocktail safely, please don’t drink and drive or do anything else dangerous, like texting for that matter.

Enjoy the book and cocktail. Please, like and share.

Books worth checking out, Liquid Friday with Eden Freed, My Book, Short Stories from Eden's Garden, soccer mom updates

Happy Mardi Gras, Friday the 13th, Lunar New Year, and Valentine’s Weekend Edition of Liquid Friday Blog-

February 13, 2026 edenfreed Leave a comment

Be sure to get your freebie-see below

It seems that in the next few days we are celebrating EVERYTHING! It’s midwinter, so every culture and religion seems to be having some sort of festival to commemorate it. For me, the karate mom, writer, and mom to one Valentine’s Day birthday child-the pressure is absolutely on.

My latest book is in the hands of the publishing gods and hopefully we’ll see that before the weekend is up, fingers crossed. Otherwise, you can unwrap your Valentine a little later. I’ll post the links as soon as they are available.

I had my beignets last week, and I’m making cake pops and home made chocolates for the imps endeavors. The not so chubby hubby has invited me out for a wine tasting this weekend, and I may just have to take him up on it.

There is something altogether insane about this weekend. I love my slasher movies on Friday the 13th, but they’ll be playing in the background while I get some work done this weekend. At least I’ll have some bloodcurdling screams to comfort me.

The news from my endocrinologist is not good, and she says the medication I’m on to fight my autoimmune disease has probably caused the diabetes (not news). I’m watching my sugar and diet and everything is in normal range for now. I’m working very hard to keep it that way. I’ve been on insulin before and the thought of replacing a treatment I know that works (insulin) with a pill that hasn’t been effective for anyone I know on it, has made me a very good girl with watching what I eat and when. (Must be one of those things, since the insurance has to make insulin affordable they offer alternatives rather than pay for it. I’ve watched people have bouts of hypoglycemia and lose digits on the alternatives, so I’m just going to agree to disagree and we’ll see where we are on the next A1C. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers)

Back to all things fun and parties. 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 unless you’re skiing- hopefully no more snow. There is also a special birthday on Valentine’s Day, so happy 30th birthday Claire- may all your wishes come true!

If you’re a February baby like Claire, I hope you have a fun birthday, too. Since the Lenten time will soon be on us, I’m going to take a couple hours to plan out my menu during this critical time of the year. I have some in the family that adhere to traditions of fasting, some that eat meat, some with food preferences… so the meals they do eat need to be extra nutritious, while still being carb friendly (the hubby loves curried chicken, and it’s within his diet plan, so yea!).

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 happy hubby and I wear many hats that can mean entertaining for charitable walks, school events, fundraisers… or donating to some local charities or people in need. We already have some of those events lined up, and I’m happy to be able to bring a smile to children of all ages.

If you have read some books from the All Tied Up In Knots series, you understand the kind of crazy that goes with being a professional entertainer. I’ve drawn from my own experiences and that of other entertainers I work with to flesh out the characters. You have to have nerves of steel, a strong back, and a permanent smile. The excitement and joy children and adults get when they see the balloon decor, henna artistry, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, or face painting makes it well worth the effort.

For this weekend, I’ll focus on entertaining locally and getting those taxes started, lol. I’m having some friends over for 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 fried okra to go with hubby’s spicy curried chicken. The children have asked for eggrolls, but I have eggroll wrappers and ingredients, so we’re all set for that, too.

Regardless of what the Groundhog has foretold, Spring is on the way and I know the doggies can’t wait for their time on the cool green grass. I’m awaiting those long walks in the park, not mad dashes for the shelter of the car or the house.

Wishing you a week(end) of celebrating with family & friends.

***King of the Mardi Gras is a FREE download for 3 days only February 15th, 16th, & 17th on AMAZON***

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

Free download February 15th, 16th, and 17th!

Thanks for visiting. See you next week.

Books worth checking out, Liquid Friday with Eden Freed, My Book, soccer mom updates

Book Signing at Bruja’s Bazaar 8/9/2025

August 8, 2025 edenfreed Leave a comment

Not just a shameless plug. I’m working with some of my favorite people at witchy spooky fun event, perfect for my newest book signing, so come visit.

I hope you can come and visit us at this FREE to enter event (see, I even saved you the cover charge this time). I’ll be doing henna and signing books with my buddy Dimitri. He’ll be selling lots of baubles and balloons.

Those of you that know my numerous alter egos, know I’ve been a professional entertainer for many years. Working with adults at events is where a lot of my inspiration comes from outside of my insanely cute perpetual puppies Mooshu and Butler.

I forgot how crazy he looked in that photo. My littlest almost werewolf Mooshu the Chinese Crested puppy has been working through some medical problems. Anyone that has dogs knows that you would do everything in your care to help your ailing doggie. Mooshu has been a little sickly boy since we got him and we were told he wouldn’t be more than 8lbs. Little guy has some kind of undiagnosed bleeding disorder and it will remain undiagnosed because despite bloodwork, UA, and a battery of tests, the vet doesn’t understand what is wrong. It is possible it is some new genetic thing that hasn’t been seen yet, an autoimmune disorder, or a reaction to an immunization he got/gets, but we’re managing his illness with Chinese herbs. Despite his illness he is thriving with the occasional temporary set back and is 14+ pounds, the perfect size for his breed.

It doesn’t mean we will let our guard down. He smells like burnt popcorn from chronic microscopic blood, but knock on wood he has been without a frank bleed for a while and is trying to learn some tricks for treats. We can’t change anything in his environment: food, treats, water… because anything new can set him off again. Please keep him in your thoughts and his big brother Butler who must deal with the little rambunctious fluffball (that puppy energy!!!). Every event we do and book sales are for the time being are going towards Mooshu’s medical bills (don’t get me started on that one), so please like, share, and say a little prayer.

https://www.amazon.com/Desperately-Seeking-Werewolves-Wanted-Romance/dp/B0FF3R8Q5F

Available in Kindle, Audiobook, and Paperback (get your signed copy at the event above). This is an 18+ book, so keep that in mind if buying a gift for a friend.

blurb: What would you do if the guy you’ve been crushing on kept you in the friend zone and you found out it’s because you were betrothed to a werewolf? Sasha’s been in love with Jinx since she met him. He’s the perfect geek complete with tech pockets and wide rimmed glasses. She knows there is more to him than meets the eye, but then she meets her betrothed, the very sexy Werewolf King Gavin and sparks fly. Will she end up with her first love or embrace the King of the Werewolves?

Tonight, instead of wolfsbane shots to toast the book, I’m making some Tequila Sunrises because the sky is just lovely colors tonight.

Since I always tell you about the author, their book blurb, new books on the way, and favorite mocktail or cocktail I have some more goodies for you. We are a couple months away from the release of Knot A Psychic a book in the All Tied Up In Knots Romance Series. I couldn’t be happier with this book and it touches on a lot of my own professional work as a Psychic Reader/Entertainer, which is where my adult career began back when I was in high school and picked up my first deck of Tarot Cards. Yes, I was one of the odd kids into my music, astronomy, monster movies, science, and maybe a little bit of witchcraft, shh…. our secret.

I have acquired many tarot decks over the years and there is something special about the imagery in each one, something that puts me in the right frame of mind. Depending on who I am reading or my mood, I’ll bring one or the other to a party.

Maybe for my next book signing I’ll bring out my favorite tarot deck and do some readings. That could be a fun addendum to the festivities. What do you think?

I’d love to hear from you. Have you had any psychic experiences, gotten a reading, or just picked up your first tarot deck? Maybe you went to a haunted house or a cemetery tour, or maybe you just met me at a party or event.

thanks for visiting

Books worth checking out, Liquid Friday with Eden Freed, My Book, Short Stories from Eden's Garden, soccer mom updates

Desperately Seeking Werewolves- coming soon

June 20, 2025 edenfreed 2 Comments

Welcome back to our Liquid Friday blog. We’re excited to announce our next book in the Help Wanted Series.

Here’s the blurb:

What would you do if the guy you’ve been crushing on kept you in the friend zone and you found out it’s becuase you were betrothed to a werewolf? Sasha’s been in love with Jinx since she met him. He’s the perfect geek complete with tech pockets and wide rimmed glasses. She knows there is more to him than meets the eye, but then she meets her betrothed, the very sexy Werewolf King Gavin and sparks fly. Will she end up with her first love or embrace the King of the Werewolves?

Other books in the series:

While we wait for the gods of Amazon to pot our book, books 1 & 2 in the series are still available for purchase and now also on Audiobook with virtual voice narration.

https://a.co/d/e9G93DG

In her last year of college, with the promise of an exciting future in veterinary medicine, Autumn discovers she won’t live to see her next birthday.
Before she blinks out, her dying wish is to be immersed in her own movie fantasy of vampires and monsters, even if just for a moment.
For as long as Autumn can remember, Horror films were her favorites. She connected with those monsters on the screen, flawed, strange, and beautiful in their own way. Before the final curtain is drawn, Autumn wants to meet the monsters she’s dreamed of her entire life. She puts up a help wanted ad for a hospice nurse, titled: Desperately Seeking Vampire.
Andrei, a man hot enough to melt Autumns steel resolve accepts the job offer and agrees to play the game… but is he just pretending? And what happens when things get hot in the bedroom?
As Autumn begins to fall for Andrei, they embark on a monster seeking adventure, and she soon discovers that some fantasies are real.

https://a.co/d/4LhLGGn

After finding her twin brother murdered, Madison hunts down the suspected killers, only to find out they are vampires. Needles to say, she gets subdued, captured and placed on trial by the Conclave. She knows to much to be allowed to live, but they seem hesitant to just kill her. One of the Obsidians, a group of Conclave’s enforcers, named Gabriel saves her life by offering to keep her captive for the rest of her life or until she willingly chooses to become a vampire.

She vows to kill them all, even the one who saved her life, while she bides her time and plots to escape. She’d put a stake in his heart, but the longer she is around him the deeper Maddie falls in love with him.

To help put the ghost of her murdered brother to rest, despite never finding his body, she participates in his memorial celebration and all hell breaks loose as werewolves bent on world domination crash the event.

Will Maddie ever find out what happened to her brother? Will she kill every last member of the Conclave or spend eternity with Gabriel?

Butler and Mooshu- enjoying a little sunshine

Since we usually include a cocktail, I’ll be popping open a bottle of bubbly tonight to celebrate the completion of another book and enjoying some Mimosas tomorrow. Since I party with children and the two little werewolves, I’ll also have some sparkling cider, pear is my absolute favorite. If you’re drinking, stay home or uber back safely. Please don’t drink and drive.

While we wait for the big release day for book three, here’s a little author info-

About the author

Eden Freed approaches everything with a Jersey Girl tenacity, whether it’s researching material for her newest book, soccer mom duties, or training the “Perpetual Puppy” a.k.a. Butler the Chinese Crested Powderpuff and his younger brother from another mother, Mooshu. Eden loves the beach, a good cocktail, cozy reading time, and a good walk with Butler. Don’t forget to visit her blog for Cocktail Recipes, Guest Authors’ Insights, and Books . She loves your feedback, so please leave a review or a comment on her blog . Happy reading!

Thanks for reading!

Books worth checking out, Liquid Friday with Eden Freed

Mocktails & Mayhem

January 3, 2025 edenfreed Leave a comment

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.

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?

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?

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:

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

Books worth checking out, Liquid Friday with Eden Freed, My Book

Just In Time for Halloween Reading

October 4, 2024 edenfreed Leave a comment

Desperately Seeking Vampire Hunter: A Help Wanted Romance (Help Wanted Romance Series Book 2) has been published and we’re pleased as punch, cranberry punch to be precise (recipe below).

Cranberry Punch for your Halloween Party (see recipe below)

About the Author:

Since it’s me, I’ll be candid. I am a beach loving Jersey girl with a spooky obsession. I blame all those books on cryptozoology and monsters that I read as a child for making me the lady that’s just bat-shit crazy over Halloween.

Even before the autumnal equinox, I’m busy as a bee preparing for Halloween. It’s my absolute favorite holiday and I kinda put a spooky twist on everything, even my favorite treat- candy apples.

When you are a fulltime writer and Mom to a large family, you learn to make due and save the splurges for science center memberships and walking sticks for our hikes. Instead of buying overpriced costumes, I let the imps pick out cool weapons and implements (gotta have swords) and make more unique costumes for Halloween with the aid of a sewing machine (or 3) we use year round for alterations and my ebay store (paying for the tiny sickly canid monster’s medical care with my earnings).

This year my youngest imp, Soph, decided to make his own costume and I couldn’t be prouder. I supervised while he picked out a pattern, shopped for fabric (coupons, coupons, coupons), and read the instructions to prepare himself. He pinned and cut everything out and slowly the garment began to take shape. There was a small accident with pinking sheers that left a little hole as he was trimming his edges, but he patched it up and you can’t tell even up close. Costume finished, he put it on and paraded around the house, victorious.

His older brother Esteban found some cool weapons in one of the many Halloween stores we visited. Spirit Halloween is his favorite store and he will probably stop by every one within a two hours drive of our home-it’s an obsession. This year he needs a black cape for his costume and is now completely out of children’s sizes that we have at home, so it may give Soph an extra sewing project to do before Halloween.

Unless it’s raining, the plan is to put our the big folding table complete with spooky tablecloth, the black flame candle, the book, and wait for a virgin to arrive-or something like that. We will have safe spooky treats like spider rings and candy for the thirty to fifty trick-or-treaters brave enough to stop by and let me ooh and ahh over their costumes.

This will be my first year having two crazy canids (dogs) to dress for Halloween and I haven’t even started on their costumes yet, so I have to play catch-up now and come up with something truly brilliant. Wish me luck.

Book Blurb:

After finding her twin brother murdered, Madison hunts down the suspected killers, only to find out they are vampires. She gets subdued, captured, and placed on trial by the Conclave. She knows too much to be allowed to live, but they seem hesitant to just kill her outright. Gabriel, one of the Obsidians, a group of Conclave’s enforcers, saves her life by offering to keep her captive for the rest of her life or until she willingly chooses to become a vampire.

She vows to kill them all, even the one who saved her life, while she bides her time and plots to escape. Madison would put a stake in his heart, but the longer she is around him the deeper Maddie falls in love with him.

To help put the ghost of her murdered brother to rest, despite never finding his body, Madison participates in his memorial celebration and all hell breaks loose as werewolves, bent on world domination, crash the event.

Will Maddie ever find out what happened to her brother’s body? Will she kill every last member of the Conclave or spend eternity with Gabriel?

A word from the Author, Eden Freed:

I hope you get to read Desperately Seeking Vampire Hunter: A Help Wanted Romance (Help Wanted Romance Series Book 2). Yes, Autumn is still in there, but we have switched focus to Madison for this book. I have some more fun in store for Book 3 and even bigger plans for the series. If you have KU, you’ll get to read them all for FREE. I’ve kept the price down for eBooks and you can always order a signed copy from me or get yours at one of my book signing events. If you’re saving your money for Halloween costumes and candy, ask your library to order a copy.

I always appreciate likes, stars, and shares for both the blog and the books, so thanks for making this Jersey girl smile. It take a lot of juggling squeezing in writing time with two amazing dogs and five busy children, but you keep me motivated, thanks. Enjoy the recipe below.

Cranberry Punch Recipe: Perfect for Cocktails, Mocktails, and little Monsters at the door

Ingredients:

64 ounces Cranberry Juice (cran-grape or sugar-free work great, too)

1 liter Gingerale or Lemon Lime Soda(can be sugar-free)

Juice of 1 lime

Juice of 1 lemon

Optional: Gummy spiders, gummy worms, and gummy bugs to adorn glasses, eyeball ice cubes look cool floating in the punch.

Optional: Add 1/2 liter of your favorite vodka and 8 oz blackberry brandy for partygoers over 21

Instructions:

Mix ingredients in a large punch bowl with plenty of ice and serve. Have some Gummy body parts, eyes, spiders, worms… to adorn glasses for extra fun.

Caution: If serving children and adults, make it alcohol free. Children tend to try everything at a party, so its safer to stick with a mocktail. You’ll be certain adults can drive their children back home safely, if they haven’t ingested alcohol. If it’s only an adults party and you are drinking, pre-plan transportation (party bus, Uber, Lyft…), so everyone is as safe as can be. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE

Have a Safe and Spooky Halloween!

Books worth checking out, Liquid Friday with Eden Freed, My Book

Desperately Seeking Vampire Hunter- Cover Reveal

August 2, 2024 edenfreed Leave a comment

We’ll have this book available for purchase soon but in the mean time a little teaser is in order. Let’s start with the cover.

Since the vampires won’t be drinking cocktails, we’re making Assam Iced Tea- directions below.

About the book-

Madison is an a vlogger, filling her days with adrenaline and candy fueled adventures her brother arranges. It seems like the perfect life until her brother is killed.

She blames vampires for his murder, and after losing her temper in front of the conclave ends up beholden to Gabriel, oldest of the Obsidians.

On the other side of the world, Queen Autumn is bringing the clans together. Her dream of peace is almost within reach. Meanwhile, several high ranking members of the conclave and rival clans want nothing more than to see Queen Autumn’s plans foiled.

Madison is about to find out not all vampires are out for blood, but which ones can she trust? What happens when clan politics are put to the test?

Sometimes you just need to call in a vampire hunter.

Assam Iced Tea-

What you need:

Water

2 Heaping tablespoons Assam Black Tea

Lemon to taste

Honey or sugar to taste

Ice

I steep my Assam Tea in a small 2 cup glass pot for an hour- bitters have health benefits and I don’t rush the process. This also lets the tea concentrate cool naturally.

As this is now a concentrated tea, I fill a tall glass with ice and pour enough of the concentrate to fill in the gaps(usually 1/2 cup to 1 cup). Add a wedge of lemon or freshly squeezed lemon juice for a vitamin c pick me up.

Books worth checking out, Liquid Friday with Eden Freed

New covers for the Tales of the Zodiac Shifters series

June 7, 2024 edenfreed Leave a comment

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!

Liquid Friday with Eden Freed

Liquid Friday on Location

May 3, 2024 edenfreed Leave a comment

We’re privileged to be at Brook Hollow Winery this evening for an author meet and greet.

I’ve got a glass of the Rose, a perfectly grilled hamburger, and my bestie Dimitri for company. He hasn’t written anything this time but my vampire book is turning pages as we listen to John Cain singing.

We’ve been waiting all year to come out for this event and we hope you can make it. Deserie Kelly’s Zodiac Shifter trilogy and a Sci-fi book will be available in limited quantities. If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, why not get a signed one for yourself and a friend?

Come for a wine tasting and stay for the books!

Come joins us for music, stories, and lots of amazing reads!

I’ve heard from Dimitri himself that he will have balloons courtesy of MoonOnTheWater Entertainment so bring the kiddies.

Enjoy your Friday. Hope to see you tomorrow.

I’m going back to my Rose and the other authors. Ciao.

Liquid Friday with Eden Freed

Happy Mardi Gras

February 9, 2024 edenfreed Leave a comment

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