Karen’s Killer Fixin’s
**AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with CINDY CHARITY!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, CINDY CHARITY, and her favorite recipe for POTATO SOUP!

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THE COMPASS
The Divided Star Series Book 1
By CINDY CHARITY

Blurb

Darkness is coming…..in truth, it’s already here. The only thing that can defeat it is the Compass. Only problem is…..she doesn’t know.

Feisty and defiant, Ali Hayes is determined to break free from her controlling parents. New York is the perfect place to assert her independence and prove once and for all, that she wasn’t crazy. However, strange events begin to happen, threatening to open the door to the past that she swore she had nailed shut. And when a sexy, immortal warrior, claiming that she was needed to save the world, tries to abduct her off the street, Ali has to rethink the whole sanity thing.

As a warrior of Agrona, Finn O’Shea was tall and imposing, in battle, he knew no equal. He had come to Earth’s realm in search of the one destined to save his world. When he finds her, he soon learns that he would need more than just his sword…..he needed magick. The very thing he had turned his back on.

THE COMPASS
The Divided Star Series Book 1
By CINDY CHARITY

EXCERPT

Ali always thought that the phrase, ‘seeing red’, was an overreaction, but it perfectly fit how she was feeling right now. Her head hurt, her body ached, and she smelled like a sewer. And the one responsible was standing in front of her, relaxed, looking like cover model in his too well fitting jeans, too form fitting shirt, and badass leather jacket; telling her that she needed to calm down. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. She took several menacing steps forward, holding her purse in a tight, doubled fisted grip. Her goal was to gain the satisfaction of hitting him. But her heel caught, and she was propelled forward.

Finn only had a second to react. He caught her, grunting under the surprise. He had a moment to enjoy the feel of her soft body. Then, she punched him, catching him under the jaw. It was a paltry punch, but it did shock him.

“Get your hands off of me!” When she found herself released quickly, Ali stumbled, and nearly fell before he grabbed her—again. “Stop it.” She pulled away and the heel of her boot was snagged once again. Only this time, there was the sickening sound of wood splintering. “Oh no—oh please no.” She went down—hard.

Finn had no idea what was happening, only that she had yanked herself out of his grasp, and was now sprawled on the ground. Energy snapped in the air, a result of her high emotional state. He crouched down to aid her only to have his hand slapped.

“You’ve done enough.” Tears clogged her throat. Her right boot was now missing its fabulous heel. One tear fell, followed by another. This just bites! Glaring up at Finn, Ali laced her words with acid. “These are my favorite boots and cost me a small fortune.”

The attachment mortal females had to shoes and clothes never made sense to him, but seeing how upset Ali was over this particular pair, had him wanting to fix it. “I can repair your boot.” Without pause, and ignoring another swipe of her hand, Finn took hold of her and lifted her to her feet. She hobbled due to the broken heel. To regain her balance, she placed her hand on his bicep. Her touch ignited a firestorm within. Hot, and powerful, the energy raced through his system like lightning, rooting him the ground.

The muscles in his neck corded as he fought against it. His body struggled to absorb it, to try to neutralize it, but it was too strong. He watched Ali’s eyes widen and glaze over, her nails dug into his arm. Seeing her in distress ripped a roar from him, yet, he could do nothing. The sheer force of having so much power travel through him was enough to send him to his knees. This went beyond the desire he had felt when he had connected to her mentally.

She was on fire, she had to be; her blood felt like it was boiling. Ali tried to let go of Finn, tried to step back, but she couldn’t move. Her muscles seized, causing sharp, jabbing pains. Something in her shifted, it was dark and menacing. She didn’t like it, it made her feel sick. Her vision went in and out of focus; she saw Finn’s face, it was set in hard lines of pain. For some reason that bothered her more, she didn’t want to see him in pain. Her throat felt swollen and it was so dry, it would be agonizing to speak. But he was the only one who could give her an answer. “What’s happening to me?”

All her ire was gone, replaced by vulnerability. As much as he wanted to—needed to, Finn couldn’t answer her. His body was dealing with the force of her touch. The leather of his jacket could not protect his skin, it burned where her fingers clutched. It was like thousands of tiny living barbs were digging their way into his flesh, burrow deep and anchoring there. And while they were digging, pulses of energy shot into his system. In his mind he saw bright lights in various colors. They pulsated and flashed with frenzy.

Finn!

Cian’s voice, filled with panic, reached him. He sounded like he was millions miles away. Through the torment, Finn responded. Her touch, it scorches. I cannot stop it—the lights, there’s something in the lights but I cannot see what it is. He felt Cian’s attempt to interfere, but all it did was strengthen the connection, and pain unlike he had ever known, cleaved a bellow from him. To put it in mortal terms, it was like sticking a fork into a light socket. He knew he had to remove Ali’s fingers, but his brain wasn’t listening to his commands. It was though they were fusing together, her energy and his.

Her eyes began to drift close. Ali fought against it. She still hadn’t told Finn what she thought of him. He needed to hear it; he was too bossy, and way too sexy. She rarely lost her temper so completely, but she sure had now—the gorgeous oaf. She moved her mouth, tried to form the words. Frustration had her growling. Then, just as suddenly as it had happened, everything stopped, like a switch being flicked off. Her hand slipped off of his arm and fell limply to her side. She was so dizzy. Why was she so dizzy?

Finn doubled over and struggled to get air into his lungs. His body was racked with spasms. Raising his head, he saw Ali. She weaved a bit. Her eyes were cloudy. He immediately dismissed his own condition and focused on her. “Ali, lass, look at me, concentrate on me, on my voice.” He saw her try, and for a brief second, he believed she gained clarity.

“I’m so going to kick your ass when I wake up.” She crumbled to the ground, her bones like liquid. Finn was on her in a flash. He gathered her limp body into his arms, ignoring the stench that wafted off of her. He bent his head to her chest and breathed a sigh of relief. She lived. Cian’s voice came to him.

Get her home, Finn—there’s nothing more we can do this night. We will provide all the protection we can.

Staring down at Ali’s face, he committed every line to memory. The curve of her cheeks, the way her nose tipped ever so slightly at the end. Her lips were slightly parted, Finn found himself fixated on them. Unlike most mortal women, Ali wore no color on her lips. Ever so lightly, he traced a finger along a cheek, marvelling at the softness of it. A smile tugged at his mouth. She looked so peaceful, but he had been subject to her temper.

Rising, he held her close to his chest, jolting when she curled inwardly into his embrace. Her brow wrinkled and she murmured something he couldn’t quite decipher. However, he got the feeling that it had something to do with him. Shifting her slight weight, Finn collected her purse, and then brought the address of her building to mind. He felt Cian’s boost and soon, he and Ali faded from the alleyway.

About Author Cindy Charity.. 

Cindy lives on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron with her husband, three kids, Murphy (a Great Dane) and a cat named Albus. A long time lover of the written word, Cindy decided to try her hand at writing when her eldest daughter was born.

Writing in both the paranormal and contemporary genres, allows Cindy the freedom to explore both sides of her personality (her family claims she has more than two, but that’s another story!)

When she is not thinking of ways to test her characters, Cindy is an Early Childhood Educator, as well as an Educational Assistant. When not writing, or wrangling kids and pets, Cindy enjoys reading (of course!) hiking, time with family and friends, and chocolate (and wine! Must not forget the wine!)

You can connect with Cindy on Face book, Twitter, or fire off an email; she’d love to hear from you!

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Links to Cindy’s Website, Books, & Social Media:

Amazon, The Compass: http://amzn.to/2kzJcCM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRCCharity

Pinterest: https://www.pintrest.com/crazykool

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cccrazycanuck

Blog: www.cindycharity.wordpress.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ccdugan

Amazon Author Page: 
www.amazon.com/author/cindycharity

Contact: cindycharity@live.ca

I hope you enjoy the recipe Cindy is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 295 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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POTATO SOUP
[Recipe courtesy of www.allrecipes.com]

NOTE FROM CINDY: Although I love to cook (everyone in my family does!) I don’t have a recipe book, and I don’t have recipes that were passed down to me. We’re more of a ‘let’s see what happens when we add this and this’. Sometimes it works, most times….it doesn’t. But I do like to try out recipes and the one I’ve included here is one that I found at: www.allrecipes.com

It is hands down, the best potato soup I have ever tasted (even my kids love it!) for the Dutch oven, a large pot will do. 

• 1 pound bacon, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cups chicken stock, or enough to cover potatoes
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 3 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste

1. In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until done. Remove bacon from pan, and set aside. Drain off all but 1/4 cup of the bacon grease.
2. Cook celery and onion in reserved bacon drippings until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Add cubed potatoes, and toss to coat. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Return bacon to the pan, and add enough chicken stock to just cover the potatoes. Cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender.
3. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream, tarragon, and cilantro. Bring the cream mixture to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir the cream mixture into the potato mixture. Puree about 1/2 the soup, and return to the pan. Adjust seasonings to taste.

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