Sometimes it takes a while to get to get the e-books up and approved, but this one sailed through. I’m hoping the paperback will be released soon, but in the meantime I’m so excited to share this with you.
Knot A Psychic, is book number 9 of the All Tied Up In Knots Series. It is the third full length book and a crossover book between the All Tied Up In Knots Series and the Help Wanted Romance Series (supernatural & monster books). I wanted a fun way to mix things things up in time for Halloween, so I hope you love this book as much as I do.
Many of you know me from my side job as a Psychic Reader. I’ve always had a love of all things carnival. I think I have Seaside Heights and Six Flags to blame for my cheap thrills addiction. Now, I chase carnivals, whether its for the beautiful belly dancers, clever balloon twisters, candy floss (cotton candy) and sweet makers, henna artists, or other entertainers who knows, I love them all.
Having worked with many other entertainers over the years has given me some insight into the personalities behind the performance. Instead of killing the magic, it has done the opposite and I often find myself making pilgrimages to one faire or another for the rush of adrenaline fueled by thrill rides and excited screams.
My children are equally big on cheap thrills and we get season passes for places I know they’ll stay from the time they open until they shut down for the night. Whether it’s a magician or the thrill of lit up carnival rides after dark that get’s you, you know that feeling of excitement.
Before the big venues shut down for the season, I’m going to go on one more roller coaster (as soon as the weather lifts) and maybe have one last candy apple before Halloween.
Now, back to the book… Knot A Psychic
Here is the blurb:
Mystic, psychic reader extraordinaire, can help everyone else with their troubles but is completely lost when it comes to her own messy life. Her whisperers offer advice but she can’t force people to bend themselves to her will and change the future for the better. It cost her the love of her life, Mike, because he refused to listen to her pleas and succumbed to injuries caused by a motorcycle accident. Bereft, Mystic decides to live her life out alone, away from people.
Johnathon Riley convinces him to do one more gig, an annual event for charity. Chaos ensues, when a serial murderer comes to destroy the only person who might be able to identify him, Mystic. Together with Detective Steve Turner, Mystic is determined to flesh out the criminal, even though it means attending a BDSM event on a cruise under a different identity with no way out if things go wrong.
Ghoulish fun at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ
Since I always include a segment about the author and a recipe, let’s combine the two. I’m a huge fan of apple picking and apple cider-hot, cold, with alcohol… doesn’t matter-just love the stuff. Since I’ve picked up a gallon of apple cider which will last about a day with the imps in the house. It’s cocktail time for me.
Top Shelf Caramel Apple Cocktail-’cause you deserve the good stuff
Ingredients:
Ice
Apple Slices for Garnish
Chopin or Belvedere Vodka
Butterscotch Liqueur
Apple Liqueur
Apple Cider (to taste)
Caramel Drizzle
Fill tall glass with ice and add equal portions (1/2 jigger of each) of Vodka, Butterscotch Liqueur, and Apple Liqueur. Add apple cider to taste and drizzle over caramel for that syrupy sweet taste. Garnish with a slice of orchard fresh apple and serve.
We are just weeks away from the big day! As many of you know, this is my absolute favorite time of year. We’ve been picking apples at our favorite orchards. I’ve sampled some local wines at chocolate pairings… a girl must get her antioxidants and polyphenols, after all. The pups have gotten their costumes and the children have visited the costume store and some specialty online retailers for embellishments to theirs. My small skeleton is smiling from inside the front window and I have my orange and purple lights up. I’m pretty much finished decorating for the season, because my home is spooky year round.
This year, the family has adopted a divide and conquer mentality. Some will be trick-or-treating (weather permitting), some will be handing out sweets at home, and I’m handing out sweets at the mall this year with our martial arts school. I’ve even signed up for some spooky vending opportunities. You’d think I was all set for Halloween.
However, I’m not the traditional spooky Mom with inflatables and pumpkin spice lattes. I swap out haunted hayrides for time alone on completely empty beaches with a book or my work in progress and a hot apple cider. As the roar of the ocean booms over a silent beach, I’m home. There is much to be discovered in the stillness, and I always take time mentally preparing myself for big holidays. It’s a witchy thing, grounding yourself when you need to and I have my favorite ways to ground.
I know that the children will be excited for loot, seemingly ill gotten gains they politely ask for in the form of whatever delectable sugary sweetness is available. I have tiger pops this year and gummy brains, since an itty bitty mentioned a chocolate allergy last year. I also have spider rings and things that are completely sans sugar, since some trick or treaters can’t have any sugar at all. Still, despite the pleasure from seeing children run amuck in their alternate personas, my thoughts return to the family members and pooches that won’t be with us this year. My beloved dead are well cared for in my thoughts and there is not only the memory of the times that we shared held dear in my heart, but the ways in which they forever changed me. I’m kind of like a Frankenstein’s monster in that way, a collection of parts taken from other people and held precariously together.
However, I am exchanging my dumb supper for the mirth of children, something I know my beloved dead would have been most eager to see and hear and I will share that with them this year and for as many years as I drag this body around the earth. It’s my tribute to them in a way, as I know every doorbell ring would have got them up and to the door with candy, maybe not the dogs, but they would have barked their fool heads off in excitement. The thing about loving anyone (even a dog) is you feel their loss acutely, but you also remember their joy. To the matriarch and sister that showed me grace, to the aunt and uncle that showed me perseverance, and to the dogs that gave me endless affection, visit with joy when the veil thins and return with a little of our happiness.
Take a moment to remember your beloved, breath in their wisdom, breathe out despair, and then re-enter the world inspired.
Now, back to the mundane.
With the coming Nor’easter, I have my candles ready.
I have recently submitted a crossover book, something that bridges the gap between my All Tied Up In Knots Series and my Help Wanted Romance Series and now, I’m waiting for the gods of Amazon to release it officially, so I can bring you all the spicy and gory news of it’s arrival.
In the meantime, you have a moment to catch up on both series. Today I’m going to showcase the full length books in the All Tied Up In Knots series. Rope is near and dear to my heart, and I hope I’ve portrayed it in the best light. Rope suspension can be freeing and I hope you have a chance to experience it, whether it’s at a dungeon, a rope event, or one of the many rope shares.
Violet, a young acting student, sees her last chance to get picked for the lead role in the school’s stage production slipping away. Knowing that a talent scout will be there at the opening performance, she must win the lead and cement her chances for stardom or put the last nail in the coffin of her future as an actress.
“You can’t take directions! Seven performances, seven dress rehearsals, and you treat each play as if you personally wrote it.”
But there is still a glimmer of hope. Violet still has four weeks to re-fashion herself into a star, but it’s going to take more than learning lines. She has to reach into everything she has buried down deep inside and find out who she really is.
She meets Jericho Blythe, a strong attractive man, who after making a fortune on Wall Street, dedicated himself to pursuit of darker pleasures. He agrees to train her, if she gives him full control of every aspect of her life for the next critical four weeks.
Time is short but the romance between the two of them will either have them burning as hot as a bright star or leave them scorched forever.
Holly, a former runaway, returns to her hometown to reclaim her life, but it might prove more difficult than she thought. She was the only witness to a double homicide. Her father, a detective, and her mother are both gone and even though she was shot, Holly can’t recall any of the event at all.
Focusing on her future, Holly attends a local college, gets a part time job and is consumed with the desire to learn some fancy pyrotechnics from a renowned expert in the field. As fate would have it, Mr. Riley, is a master of more than one skill and soon she begins to fall for him.
Now that Holly is back and surrounded by people, places, and things from her past, the tumultuous memories begin to resurface. She begins to suspect that she might just be the killer and part of an elaborate cover up. She is torn between her desire for love and the fear of what she might be capable of. Will the truth set her free or destroy everyone she loves?
I always include a recipe of some sort with my blog, and instead of sitting down with a nice amaretto, I’m adding 1/2 shot to my cupcake batter-trust me it’s delicious.
I always include a recipe, and since we are a few weeks away from Halloween, this gives me the perfect chance to give you a super quick cupcake recipe-you can modify it to your taste and I have included some options below, but this is great if you have a school bake sale or just need a cupcake.
Ghost Cupcakes- so good they’ll disappear
Ingredients:
2 cups flour- I use unbleached
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt- you need it to bring out the sweet
1 stick unsalted butter (or 1/2 cup butter substitute)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup whole milk (or milk substitute-I use Lactaid, hubby prefers oat milk)
optional add-ins: a few drops food coloring, 1 bar melted dark chocolate, 1/4 cup coconut flakes, 1 Tablespoon amaretto (trust me, it’s delicious), 1Tablespoon lemon juice… just go with whatever flavor profile you’re in the mood for
supplies:
measuring cup/spoons
bowls
whisk or mixer
cupcake liners 20-24
cupcake baking pan
Hot to make it:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (325 degrees Fahrenheit if using nonstick pans) or 177 degrees Celsius. Give it a good ten minutes or so to get warm.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. You can do this by hand or with a mixer. If you are adding in some melted chocolate this is the time to do it.
Add in your vanilla and any liquid flavorings or coloring
Add eggs one a time (always check your eggs first). If you get a shell in, wet your finger and grab it out-works every time. If you want super light cupcakes, whip your egg whites and fold in wet ingredients before adding dry. There are just so many variations on the same recipe.
Combine your dry ingredients in a separate bowl and mix (sift if you light light airy cupcakes)
Add milk to your wet ingredients and mix until smooth. This is your last wet ingredient and you will start to stir in your dry ingredients next, so make sure your bowl is big enough to handle everything.
Gradually add in your dry ingredients 1 cup at a time and stir until incorporated. I try not to over stir as the gluten makes the cupcakes chewy instead of fluffy, but you need all of your flour and dry ingredients incorporated.
Sprinkle some rice onto the bottom of your cupcake baking tray in each space. This will stop the bottoms of your cupcakes from burning. Then, line cupcake baking pan with paper liners and add enough cake batter to fill 1/2 to 2/3 of the liner. The baking powder will make them fluff up so you want to leave some room so they don’t spill over and become one giant monster cupcake.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-25 minutes (this varies with your oven and altitude). You can check doneness with a toothpick(should come out clean) or but lightly touching surface. A cooked cupcake will spring back, a raw cupcake will compress.
Once done, let cupcakes cool on wire rack, so they don’t continue cooking in the hot pan.
Decorate with your favorite vanilla icing and chocolate jimmies or mini chocolate chips.
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.
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.
It’s almost officially summer! As a summer baby, I love the beach, carnival rides, and of course being outside with my children, both human and canine variety. Since I’m often the one packing for our adventures, I always toss in a couple books or my Kindle, home to lots of books and my comics.
For car rides, I put on Audible books. Family friendly adventure books work out if I play them on the speakers in the car, or I can go with spicier books if I use my Beats headphones.
Since my hands are often busy with tasks, I’ve found that I can use my Kindle for narration for books I don’t have a chance to page turn. Knowing that lots of readers prefer to have an audible version of books available, I have gone ahead and listed my books available for Audible download through Amazon. We used an ai voice instead of a human voice so we could get it out to you sooner. That being said it may have some of the more comical ai pronunciation mishaps I’ve heard in other books, so if you catch and error please message me and I’ll try and get it corrected. If you have a prime account on Amazon, you may even be able to get these books free-just click the links and check. I’m hoping to have the next book in the Help Wanted Romance Series available in late June and the next book in the All Tied Up In Knots series should be coming out in time for Halloween, edits, edits, edits…
Remember these books are all stand alone books, so you can read just one or all of them. I just didn’t want readers that missed a book to feel overwhelmed when the next one comes out and they feel like they have two to read or need to read them in a specific order. I despise cliffhangers. As a reader, waiting for that next book to drop while I’m stuck on a cliffhanger ending just kills me, so you get a complete story in every book.
Please, also check out your local authors. The only thing holding them back from reaching bigger audiences may be your five (5) star review. Ah, algorithms!
Since this is a Liquid Friday listing, I am also including today’s drink.
Ready for Summer Iced Tea-(serves 4)
What you need:
Tea pot (to brew the tea)
Pot to boil the water (it’s ok if you boil the water in a glass pot and add the loose tea in that, however you make tea works)
4 Glasses
6 cups water
2-3 Tablespoons loose assam tea in a tea ball or 2-3 of your favorite teabags(you can get creative and mix and match flavored teas or go for high antioxidant teas for your health)
Sliced lemon or other fruit
Ice
Flavored alcohol/spirits (optional- I’m going without so I can hydrate today)
How to:
Bring the water to a boil and carefully pour over tea leaves in a pot/carafe… whatever heat safe container you have. Nothing stings like a burn, so be careful here and if you’re using glass make sure its heat safe borosilicate glass with no defects or cracks.
Steep the tea. I like bitter so I do 5 minutes or omit the tea ball completely and just leave the loose tea to settle and continue to steep. You can do 2-3 minutes if you like a more mild taste.
Let the tea cool before you add the fruit, so you get some vitamin c
Add lemon slices, fruit, herbs… to reach the right flavor profile. I’ve done everything from cranberries to grapefruit and mint, so good.
Optional: Add 3 to 6 ounces of flavored alcohol to the carafe for guests over 21 (should be .75 ounce to 1.5 ounce per serving). I like Peach Schnapps or Blackberry Brandy, but I’ve heard Lemonade Flavored Vodka is great, too. It’s always a good idea to list the ingredients for your guests, since lots of people have allergies or choose to opt out of alcohol. Serve teas with alcohol exclusively to adults and get juice boxes or water bottles to younger guests so there are no mix ups.
Serve and enjoy
Now, onto the books. I have links below to the books, just select the audible versions. If you have an Audible Premium Plus account, they should be free, otherwise they are the low price of $3.99 plus tax.
Here are the links:
My monster series, ’cause every good girl loves things that go bump in the night.
Desperately Seeking Vampire, Book 1: Help Wanted Romance Series
Every author loves five(5) star reviews and of course, I’m no exception, so please leave a review. It helps me fight the algorithm and get my books on the first page in their category, so I can reach lots of readers like you.
Don’t forget your purchases support our crazy Chinese Crested puppies. Mooshu is still fighting his blood disorder like a champion and Butler is giving him all the love a big brother can.
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
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.
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.
We’re past the middle of Dry January 2023 and two weeks into Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. What better time to mix up a batch of Virgin Hurricanes and check out the parade?
To see this year’s parade route, click on the link below. Recipe to follow.
Tonight’s featured book is Knot A Criminal from Eden Freed’s All Tied Up In Knots Series. Scroll down to see tonight’s cocktail and a note from the author, herself.
Holly is on the run from the past that involves a double homicide. She has no recollection of the events and wants to keep it in the past for a reason, she might just be the killer. Focusing on the future has Holly hopeful to learn pyrotechnics from a master of more than one skill. As she begins to fall for him, her past starts catching with her. Now, she is torn between her desire for love and the fear of what she might be capable of.
From Eden-
I’ve always considered myself to be a people watcher., but at best you only observe a small piece of their story. Imagination has to fill in the gaps. Could the people a few feet away from you in a shopping center be a couple in love, people going about their daily routine, spies, or aliens… whatever they are is left up to the flights of fancy your mind wants to take you on, no basis in reality required. Often we draw our own conclusions based on our own real world scenarios, hopefully none of them involve aliens, but I won’t judge either way.
The hardest thing to do is get people to stick to each other like magnets and if you’ve ever tried to fix up two of your friends or associates, you know what I’m talking about. You might push them in the right direction and find out their poles didn’t align and they just bounce off of each other. I do the same thing when I write, seek out the couples that need to flip around until they just fit right and connect in a way that is meaningful and lasting.
Knot A Criminal is the second full length BDSM novel in the All Tied Up In Knots Series. A little mystery, a lot of kink, and some New York excitement all go into making this book an interesting read. I hope you enjoy Holly and Johnathon’s adventure as much I did writing their story for you.
Excerpt from Knot A Criminal
“It was my fault. I shouldn’t have bragged that I could do it blindfolded with my hands behind my back. I didn’t expect him to take me up on it.” From a distance DJ Sean smiled at Crystal and gave a little thumbs up while picking up the coffee.
“Do exactly what blindfolded?” Crystal stood up. Her expression changed from one of curiosity to vexation. The sound of her knuckles cracking told me everything. She was getting ready to stomp over to Mr. Riley’s and let all hell break loose.
“Calm down, just the balloons,” I said and motioned for her to sit. “I made a death’s head moth and an owl.”
“Next time tell me that first. I was about to go open up a can of whoop-ass on him, boss or no boss. To think of everything that I went through to set it up so Johnathon would play you right after the interview, I’d have to go over there and stomp him into next week if this didn’t work out,” Crystal said.
“You didn’t!” I exclaimed.
“The hell I didn’t,” she laughed. “Remember when you were with Paul, how you said that you submitted an application for an interview with Johnathon Riley. I nearly pissed myself. Johnathon and I had a nice conversation about you. I never gave him your last name, so he wouldn’t know you from any other Holly on the street. Then, I made him wait until I was certain you had an interview for the job. No harm in keeping a man waiting.”
“That’s illegal at the very least, isn’t it?”
“Where you see legal issues, I see opportunity…”
Hypnotic and Absinthe make this cocktail dazzling
Tonight’s Steampunk Themed Cocktail: Blue Skies Ahead
Ingredients:
1 ounce Absinthe
2 ounces Hypnotic- one of my absolute favorite’s to mix cocktails with
1/2 ounce sour mix
2 ounces 7-up
slice of starfruit and green cherry garnish
Fill half a glass with ice and pour in the ingredients (add the soda last for a little fizz), garnish with slice of starfruit and green cocktail cherry. It’s a simple drink with a great presentation. Remember: Drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive. Be safe and have fun.
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 during 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?
Why did I write the work? Life takes us on many twists and turns and in mine I have worn more hats than a the mad hatter. I’ve been a donut froster, short order cook, dos programmer, website creator, entertainer, boo-boo kisser , IT instructor, puppy mom, and even a nose for a brief period of time- though a good bottle of wine, figs, and excellent cheddar still gets me. We’ve all struggled in some way and I, through my writing, embrace the struggle. Women in acting careers have changed the moniker to actor becuase of the difference in treatment between male and female performers. I’ve been propositioned, grabbed, and manhandled as an professional entertainer, so I get it. Sometimes you just need to live the part for a while to get through it, and sometimes you fight back.
I hope when you read this, you find cause to smile and remember the power of naivety, and some kink. Live the part!
edenfreed.com 