Tag Archives: **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Sharon Clare

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  Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with SHARON CLARE

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 his 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, SHARON CLARE, and her favorite recipe for CURRY GLAZED CARROTS!

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BOOK PEEK ~  Love of Her Lives by Sharon Clare

Calum and Beth are soul mates who have lived many lives together until Beth decides to live a life on her own. Left behind in the Upper World, Calum sees a wrongful imprisonment in her future, so he bargains with Finn, an elven trickster to return to Earth, rescue Beth and reclaim her heart. Unfamiliar with the twenty-first century, he must determine who plots against Beth while playing Finn’s passion-provoking game.

Beth has no recollection of their lives together and didn’t ask this sexually-charged stranger to come to her aid. She is horrified to find her house ransacked and her life threatened. With a secret to keep, she takes the greatest risk of all—trusting Calum. Her life soon depends upon re-evaluating everything she thought normal. Their eternal bond will only be saved if Beth can rescue the man who spanned worlds to rescue her.

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 About the author, Sharon Clare….

Sharon Clare lives in Ontario with her husband and three wonderful grown-up kids who come and go from the nest. She fell in love with writing at the University of Toronto where she graduated with a science degree in psychology and professional writing. She writes paranormal romance and has published short stories, art reviews, newsletter and magazine articles. Her favourite place to write is outside under the maple trees beside the trickling pond and blooming lilies.

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LOVE OF HER LIVES

EXCERPT

If the best way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, then tiramisu may just be the best way out of a man’s heart, or so Beth Stewart hoped. She needed all the help she could get. Breaking up with Matthew required tact and diplomacy. Her financial security depended on them remaining friends.

She stood at her kitchen counter, bent over a shopping list, considering the perfect break–up meal. He loved her sweet potato coconut soup, one of the few things about her he’d not tried to improve. Since it was vital they continued to work together amiably until their investment house in Belize sold, she would butter up his palate to ease the breakup.

Matthew, you deserve a woman who is crazy over you … Or one who didn’t see his endless suggestions as a need to control. Was that a good way to start the break–up conversation? Should she wait till dessert?

And what else to serve? Nothing that sparked romance, no chocolate–dipped strawberries tonight. Perhaps tiramisu was too decadent. Perhaps an old–fashioned apple pie to bring thoughts of support, community, the golden rule? Or was she reaching with that?

She should serve something to ensure Matthew left the house after dinner. Baked beans?

She chuckled as she approached her garden shed. A heaping plate of Rocky Mountain oysters would have him running for the curb before dinner. How do you prefer your bull’s testicles, Matthew? Rare? Well done? Roasted in their sac?

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Connect with Sharon Clare & Love of Her Lives

For more Love of Her Lives please visit sharonclare.com

Love of Her Lives is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Google Play (for epub file) and wherever ebooks are sold.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s, as well as the recipe Sharon is sharing with us today.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 58 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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Note from author, Sharon Clare:  Recipe comes from one of the best cooks I know, Barbara Urbain.

 

CURRY GLAZED CARROTS

12 carrots
2 tbsp. butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp. chopped or grated ginger root
1-1/2 tsp. curry powder
1-1/2 cups chicken stock
2 tbsp. honey

Peel carrots, cut into 1/4 inch slices. In a deep skillet, heat butter, garlic, and ginger root over medium heat for 1 minute. Add curry powder and cook for 30 seconds, stirring. Add carrots, stock and honey. Cook until liquid evaporates and carrots are tender and glazed. About 20-30 minutes.

Bon appétit!

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Sharon will give away an electronic copy of LOVE OF HER LIVES to one reader who comments on today’s Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog.  Winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday.  Thanks, Sharon, for sharing your story, and favorite recipe, with us!
Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Art Keller

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  Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 his 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, ART KELLER, and his favorite food and beer pairing recipe for OLD NUMBER 38 STOUT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE which he prepared with the assistance of his brother, DENNIS KELLER! (Read more with the recipe, below.)

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BOOK PEEK ~  Hollow Strength by Art Keller

Jeff Stein, author of “A Murder in Wartime,” and veteran Washington Post journalist an “Spy Talk” blogger: “Art Keller has definitely been there, done that.  As a former CIA operative in the agency division responsible for tracking black market nuclear weapons, he has seen enough to make his hair stand straight permanently, and in ‘Hollow Strength’ he’ll make yours stand up, too.”

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About the author, Art Keller….

Art Keller is a former CIA case officer in the Counter-Proliferation  Division, the part of the CIA charged with spying on and sabotaging  Iran’s nuclear program. He’s done commentary for CNN, CBS, The News Hour on PBS, Newsmax Magazine, and the National Geographic Channel.    He’s  also the author of the just released spy novel (espionage thriller)  about the CIA and Iran, Hollow Strength.

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Hollow Strength
EXCERPT

 Book excerpt, the big bang in chapter two that gets thing rolling:

Vahdat was reaching up to terminate his call when the limpet mines detonated. By a strange trick of the physics of shock waves and flying shrapnel, Vahdat’s cell phone, as well as the hand that had been gripping it, was blown free of the Shaheed and deposited by a blast wave into the blue-green waters of the Gulf. The synchronized crump of multiple mine detonations were clearly transmitted over the airwaves into Ziyaii’s voicemail box before the saltwater of the Persian Gulf shorted out Vahdat’s phone.

* * *

Within five seconds, catastrophic explosive flooding took the Shaheed from floating on the Persian Gulf to being in the Persian Gulf. The pressure and shock waves, the flying molten metal, superheated gases, and scalding flash-steamed water vapor created conditions as hostile to life as the cosmic furnace at the heart of the sun. The explosions left nothing that even the most hardened trauma surgeon, accustomed as they were to gruesome injuries, could have gazed upon without horror or pity. On a sunny June day, at 11:43 a.m. local time, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp Navy Destroyer Shaheed, carrying a load of VIPs and press on its maiden voyage, was lost with all hands.

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Connect with Art Keller & Hollow Strength

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s, as well as the recipe Art and Dennis are sharing with us today.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 57 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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NOTE: This food and beer pairing is prepared with the assistance of Art’s brother, Dennis Keller, a past-master at food and beer pairings. He used to be a chef and now works for the Northern California North Coast Brewery, a craft brewer that has become so popular that they are literally not able to keep up with demand.

Old Number 38 Stout  CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

16 ounces Old # 38 Stout
8 egg yolks
8 egg whites
10 ladyfinger or macaroon cookies
9 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate
4 tablespoons butter room temperature
9 tablespoons granulated sugar

 

Reduce the stout by half over very low heat in saucepan and allow it to cool.
Melt the butter and chocolate while stirring over a double boiler, gradually add the sugar. Allow mixture to reach room temp, then whisk in the egg yolks and half of the reduced stout. Beat the egg whites until stiff in a separate mixing bowl. Fold the whites into the mouse gently. Crumple the cookies into serving glasses or plates. Drizzle the remaining stout over the cookies and cover with the mousse. Allow to set up in refrigerator over night. You can garnish with whipped cream and milk chocolate shavings.

 

Serve with cold Old # 38 Stout.
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I wish to extend my thanks to Art and Dennis for giving us a truly fun, out-of-the-ordinary, and creative recipe!
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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Art will give away a digital (mobi/Kindle or epub/Nook/iPad) copy of HOLLOW STRENGTH to up to five (5) lucky readers who comment on today’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench or Monday’s Interview blog.  Winners will be randomly selected and announced Monday.  Thanks, Art, for sharing your story with us!
Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Ashlynne Laynne

2 Comments

 

  Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, ASHLYNNE LAYNNE, and her favorite recipe for SAUSAGE-CHEESE BALLS!

<<<>>>

ASHLYNNE ~~First off, I’d like to thank Karen for hosting me again. I enjoy cooking and sharing recipes with others. After I tell you a bit about my latest release, Blood Bonds, I’m going to share a recipe from the Bisquick Cookbook for Sausage-Cheese Balls. This appetizer has been a holiday favorite and tradition in my family, and it’s super simple to make.

Blood Bonds Blurb (The Progeny Series #2)

“Forever. For always. For eternity.”

The ties that bind two hearts are powerful. For Ascher Rousseau and Shauna McCutchin, it’s more than just a blood bond. Their union is that of vampire legend. Their love is a predestined prophecy foretold centuries ago.

It’s a week before Ascher and Shauna’s sealing and the couple is making final preparations for their eternity, but Ascher’s ex has other plans. Ursula is hell-bent on revenge—revenge fueled by lover’s scorn and her father’s death—and she begins breeding a fresh army of newborn darklings to do her bidding.

When Ursula finds a new weapon—an ally with the capability to dismantle the Rousseau clan— Ascher and Shauna’s bond is tested and they must stand together against Ursula or lose each other for eternity.

  About the author, Ashlynne Laynne….

Ashlynne Laynne has always had a soft spot in her heart for vampires but grew tired of the garlic fearing, sun-loathing creatures of old. An avid horror movie fan, she tends to enjoy media and music that is of a younger, more eclectic nature. This was the catalyst for her writing The Progeny. The vampire/witch pairing is unique and different when most books pair vampires with werewolves.

Ashlynne loves writing on the edge and teetering between the erotica and romance genres, and thinks of Ascher and Shauna as the wicked, damned version of Romeo and Juliet. She is currently working on books three and four of her Progeny Series, book one of her upcoming Rocker Series, and an untitled novella WIP. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her family. She juggles the hats of wife, mother, full time employee and part-time writer, hoping to write full time one day soon.

Ashlynne lives in North Carolina with her husband and teenage son.

Connect with Ashlynne….

Buy the Progeny Series!!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 50 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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Sausage-Cheese Balls (From the Bisquick Cookbook)
Makes about 8 ½ dozen

3 cups Original Bisquick
1 pound uncooked bulk pork sausage
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup milk
½ teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh parsley or ½ teaspoon flakes

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a jellyroll pan. Stir all ingredients until they are mixed well, and you may have to use your hands. Shape mixture into 1 inch balls and place in pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until brown. Immediately remove from pan and serve warm.

 

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s with Elizabeth Haysmont

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  Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, ELIZABETH HAYSMONT, and her favorite recipe for MEXICAN STUFFED SHELLS!

BOOK PEEK ~ The High Bridge by Elizabeth Haysmont

Sandra Yorken made it her life’s work proving that spirit sightings are the result of wishful thinking or willful misconduct. She’ll go to any length to debunk a story that makes a location a ‘tourist attraction’.

When she crashes her bike on a remote mountain road while searching for the legendary Ghost Train of the Rocky Mountains, the last person she wants help from is the mysterious (and breathtakingly handsome) Seth ‘Monty’Montclair. If her altitude sickness and an evil spirit don’t kill her first, falling in love with the wrong man may just break her heart forever.

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THE HIGH BRIDGE by Elizabeth Haysmont

EXCERPT

July, 2004

Seasons Park, Colorado

Sandra Yorken adjusted the elastic band of the headlamp to stop it digging into her forehead. Moving slightly, she cast its bluish beam onto the electromagnetic field detector in her hand. She watched the numbers display as she moved the device along the headboard. It irritated her that she had to do this in the dark.

“This wall is absolutely hot with EMF,” she said.

Wade Conrad, amateur ghost hunter, looked up from the camcorder he was setting in the corner. “Hot? Really?”

“I’m spiking the scale,” she muttered, climbing off the bed. “There must be unshielded wires in the wall behind the bed here. We’d better warn the hotel not to allow any guests with pacemakers to sleep in this room.”

“You sure it’s wires? I mean… there have been so many sightings in this room…”

Sandra sighed. That was the problem with investigating haunt-sites with the Believers. Sometimes the hard evidence upset the Dream. She knew better than to stomp on them. It was a hard lesson learned after the article about thatOhiogroup. Boy, did she take the heat for that one.

“Listen, can we turn a light on for a little bit?” she asked. “I’d like to see what I’m dealing with here.”

“No, ’cause Mark says it messes with the night vision cameras.”

Sandra rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay, can’t go against my host.” She continued to trace the outline of the bed, checked the output of the bedside lamps and swept the television on the credenza. She bit her lower lip and flicked the EMF detector into a different mode and back again. “Everything in this room is hot.”

“Well, what did you expect? It’s a haunted room,” Wade said. After a moment, his white grin gleamed against his dark face. “It’s THE haunted room.”

Sandra shook her head, forgetting that the headlamp betrayed her movements. “There must be another explanation for this. I haven’t seen such high readings since the Boston Museum of Industrial Arts. They had this storage room that was right next to an electrical room. The fear cage it generated would have blown your mind.”

“You investigated a museum?”

The awe in his voice was unmistakable, and Sandra blushed. “Well, the Board wanted to clear up why the maintenance personnel kept quitting because of the headless man in the basement. It was a simple fix; just add lead shielding around the electrical room.”

In the dark, Wade let out a sigh, telling her it wasn’t the answer he wanted.

“Anyway, either my EMF detector was damaged during the flight fromBostontoDenver, or there’s something seriously wrong with this room.”

Sandra stifled a scream as suddenly both their headlights went out. In the dark, she heard Wade move, followed by a crash and clatter.

“Oh crap, I’m dead,” Wade muttered.

“What happened?”

“That was Mark’s camera,” he answered, dread weighting his voice.

Sandra groaned and pulled the lamp off her head, clicking the switch repeatedly. What else could possibly go wrong with this investigation? First the flight delay, then the shuttle van from the airport to the mountain resort broke down, now malfunctioning equipment.

“I swear,” she grumbled under her breath. “This event is jinxed.”

“Do you really think so?” Wade asked seriously.

“No,” she sniped back. “Everyone blames the supernatural when things go wrong. I think it’s more that I’ve come from sea-level to 8,000 feet and I’m just screwing up because I’m oxygen-deprived.” She gave up on the headlamp and felt her way towards the bedside light. “I have to turn this light on, Wade. I can’t see a thing.”

The young man agreed reluctantly, so she turned the switch. Nothing happened. She turned it again and it lit up. Must be a standard bulb in a three way lamp. She looked at Wade who was straightening from a crouch with several pieces of camera in his large hands. A tear gently streaked down his black cheek.

“Mark’s gonna kill me.”

Sandra stepped closer and winced at the broken plastic cradled in his pale palms. “Ouch! Did you step on it?”

“No! I swear that it just fell off the tripod. The attachment went from tight to disconnected in seconds.”

Another tear escaped his eye as Sandra stared at him. She didn’t understand all this emotion. She’d engaged in many conversations with Wade, trying to arrange this investigation with his amateur ghost hunting group. In every conversation, he was happy-go-lucky, friendly and cheerful, even during her butting heads with Mark after her late arrival threw off the group’s schedule.

It must be the elevated EMF she detected. It was known to have that effect.

Reluctantly she glanced around the elegant hotel room. “Okay, you win this round,” she murmured. “We’ll leave you alone now.”

Wade gasped. Both headlamps were on again. Sandra growled and turned hers off.

Coincidence. It had to be.

 

  About the author, Elizabeth Haysmont….

It seems Elizabeth Haysmont’s entire life has been dedicated to research. At least that’s the spin she’s putting on it when she tries to explain why so many of her real life experiences end up in her books. Motorcyclist, photographer, graphic artist, traveler, caver, history buff, rail buff, hiker, off-roader, musician, actor – Life has dragged her (with her husband of twenty-plus years) through 35 states and six foreign countries. She and her husband even chose an adventurous way to wed: in a cave nearSt. Louis, 50 feet underground.

She likes to think that with all this fodder for her imagination, her current friends are safe from being included in one of her novels.

But you never know.

Connect with Elizabeth….

The High Bridge by Elizabeth Haysmont is available!!

Passion In Print Press (ebook only): http://passioninprint.com/BookStore.php?bookid=EH_HIGHBRIDGE

Amazon: http://amzn.com/1608206556

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-high-bridge-elizabeth-haysmont/1111243476

And fine indie books stores across the country

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 44 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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MEXICAN STUFFED SHELLS

1 lb. ground beef
1 package low-sodium taco seasoning
4 oz. cream cheese
14-16 jumbo pasta shells
1.5 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce (This is a smooth, tomato based sauce found in the Mexican section)
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
3 green onions
Sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a frying pan cook ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.  Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and cool completely.  While ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.

Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish.  Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes, with the foil removed.  Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, etc.) Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa.

NOTE: The only thing I do differently is using Mexican table cream instead of sour cream  and use a Mexican mix shredded cheese but those are minor differences. Also my husband doesn’t like black olives so I’ll add that to mine after serving

(Found this one on Pinterest – http://thewaytohisheart.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/mexican-stuffed-shells/.)

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Elizabeth will give away a $10 Amazon gift card to one lucky reader who comments!  Winner will be randomly selected and announced on July 6th!  Thanks, Elizabeth, for sharing your story and your recipe with us!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Larissa Reinhart

9 Comments

 

  Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, LARISSA REINHART, and her favorite Japanese recipe for OYAKODON!

BOOK PEEK ~ Portrait of a Dead Guy by Larissa Reinhart

In Halo, Georgia, folks know Cherry Tucker as big in mouth, small in stature, and able to sketch a portrait faster than buckshot rips from a ten gauge — but commissions are scarce. So when the well-heeled Branson family wants to memorialize their murdered son in a coffin portrait, Cherry scrambles to win their patronage from her small town rival.

As the clock ticks toward the deadline, Cherry faces more trouble than just a controversial subject. Between ex-boyfriends, her flaky family, an illegal gambling ring, and outwitting a killer on a spree, Cherry finds herself painted into a corner she’ll be lucky to survive.

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  About the author, Larissa Reinhart….

Larissa Reinhart began her writing career in second grade when she sold her first publication to her neighbor for a nickel. After moving around the Midwest, South, and Japan, she now lives in Georgia with her husband, young daughters, and Biscuit, a Cairn terrier. Although she speaks without an accent, her writing is known to have a Southern drawl. Her debut novel, PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY, is a 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner, a 2012 The Emily finalist, and a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award finalist.

Connect with Larissa….

Twitter: @RisWrites https://twitter.com/#!/RisWrites

Facebook @Larissa Reinhart https://www.facebook.com/RisWrites

Pinterest @Larissa Reinhart http://pinterest.com/LarissaReinhart/

Website: http://larissareinhart.com/

 

Portrait Of A Dead Guy by Larissa Reinhart is available AUGUST 28, 2012!!

Publisher: http://henerypress.com/books.htm

Amazon

Barnes and Noble in trade paperback & e-book

Sony Reader

Apple iPad

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 39 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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ABOUT OYAKODON

I’ve lived in Japan three different times in three different cities over the last fifteen years. We returned from our last stint a year ago where we lived in Nagoya for two years. That trip was especially memorable because it was the first time our children experienced Japan with us. After we returned, my kids and I were homesick for Japan. Not that we don’t like living back in Georgia (which we love), but reverse culture shock can be harder than regular ol’ culture shock.

One way I dealt with our reverse homesickness was to create a blog — The ExPat Returneth ( http://theexpatreturneth.blogspot.com/ )– to share what I missed with other expats. What proved most popular was when I shared the Japanese recipes I cook at home. I’ve been cooking Japanese food regularly for many years. I don’t cook Japanese food because I’m a foodie. I’m a lazy cook and find it easier than meals. It’s fast, the prep is easy, and the ingredients are usually cheap. Plus we miss eating out in Japan, so there’s the nostalgia factor. And we just like it. If you have 5 key ingredients in your cupboard — soy sauce, mirin, cooking sake, vinegar, and sugar — you can make most dishes.

Oyakodon literally translates as parent and child (oyoko) rice bowl (don), but the basic translation is chicken and egg on rice. A very traditional meal that you can find in many restaurants and homes in Japan, this is a simple and delicious Japanese dish that’s easy to make anywhere. This is my go-to meal when I don’t feel like cooking (which is a lot of the time), but have to anyway. (These kids and their constant need to be fed!)

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Photos, LEFT TO RIGHT

1.  Adding beaten egg
2.  Cooking the chicken & onion in the sauce
3.  Letting the egg set
4.  Oyakodon

[[These pictures are from my blog post on oyakodon: http://theexpatreturneth.blogspot.com/search/label/Oyakodon]]

OYAKODON
[Serves 4]

Ratios are easy to double.

*3-4 chicken thighs: deboned, deskinned and cut into bite-size pieces
1 onion, sliced thin
4 T. soy sauce
4 T. mirin (Japanese sweet cooking wine, easy to find now in major supermarkets)
3 tsp. sugar
1 cup water
3 beaten eggs

Hot cooked rice (3-4 cups). Japanese rice is short grain, stickier and less dry than long grain. But use what you’ve got. That’s my motto.

Combine all ingredients in a skillet except the egg and rice. Boil for about 4 minutes (until chicken no longer looks pink).  Add the beaten egg in a thin stream, turning the pan, so that it covers the cooked mixture.  Continue to cook until eggs are almost firm.  Scoop rice into individual bowls and ladle chicken and egg mixture on top of the rice.

You can’t get much easier than that!

*To make it healthier, you could use chicken breast meat. Japanese people generally use thigh meat, but we’ve cooked with breast. Just be sure not to over cook it.

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** Alexa Grace

1 Comment

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, ALEXA GRACE, and her favorite recipe for Alexa’s Pumpkin Bars!

BOOK PEEK ~ Deadly Offerings

Passion with a generous dose of suspense makes DEADLY OFFERINGS a must read at 99¢.

Anne Mason thinks she’ll be safe living in the Midwest building a wind farm. She may be dead wrong. Someone is dumping bodies in her corn field and telling Anne they are gifts—for her!

As the body count rises, Anne realizes a cold-blooded serial killer is patiently waiting and watching her every move. And he won’t stop until he ends her life. It is clear there are no limits to this killer’s thirst for revenge or how far he will go to get it.

Michael Brandt, the ruggedly handsome new County Prosecutor, is the last person Anne can trust, but may offer her only chance at survival from a psychopathic killer. But will she survive the passion that rages between them?

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Deadly Offerings by Alexa Grace

EXCERPT

Anne peered into her refrigerator.  Not a piece of junk food in sight. She opened the freezer.  How could she be out of ice cream at a time like this?

She had to get out of the house.  Tonight bad memories hung over her like a thundercloud.   She relived the humiliating divorce hearing over and over, becoming angrier each time.

She tried to sleep.  No success.  She got out of bed and pulled on a pair of jean shorts, a black glittery Lady Gaga tank top and her Reeboks.  She’d go for a drive to clear her head.  It was close to midnight but with any luck, she’d find someplace open to stock up on junk food.

She backed her SUV out of the garage, shoved the gear to drive and moved down the street, windows down, the breeze whipping her ponytail about her face.  She drove down Route 40 until she reached a section of fast food restaurants, bars and a mini-mart.  The mini-mart didn’t look busy so she parked in front.

She grabbed a shopping basket and strode down an aisle of the store picking up Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Butterfinger candy bars, tortilla chips, a jar of salsa, and a quart of soda as she went.  She moved to the refrigerator case and eyed the selection of ice cream.  She pulled out a couple of cartons of Ben & Jerry’s Red Velvet Cake then headed to the teenaged cashier whose eyes were plastered on her long legs.

She paid for the items, whirled around and slammed into the hard chest of a tall man entering the store.  Her items tumbled from the bag.  The salsa jar rolled across the store as did the bottle of soda.  The man uttered “sorry” as he bent to help her pick up the items.  He picked up the salsa and put it in her bag.  He moved down the aisle to get the soda that had rolled under a freezer then turned toward her. In a black leather jacket and snug faded jeans, he was one of those men that radiated testosterone.  And wasn’t it just her luck, or lack of, that Michael Brandt, her jerk ex-husband’s attorney was heading toward her holding her soda, sending her a dazzling smile that sent her stupid heart racing.  She yanked the soda bottle out of his hand, thanked him and resisted the childish urge to kick him in the shin. Instead, she rushed out of the store.

She opened the back of the car to place the groceries inside.  She pulled a Butterfinger bar out of one of the bags and got into the front seat.  As she opened the candy bar, she glanced at Michael Brandt, still inside the store, who was now staring at her with an odd expression on his face, hands on his hips.

She heard movement in the back seat then felt something hard slam against her face.  The candy bar flew out of her hand and landed on the floorboard.

“Drive.”

She looked in the rearview mirror and gasped; a sliver of panic cut through her.  A man in a black ski mask was slammed against her seat thrusting a gun in her face.

~~~~

About the author, Alexa Grace….

Even as a child, Alexa Grace knew she would write books. After an exciting career in Training & Development, her focus is on writing page-turning romantic suspense novels.

She currently lives in Florida with her daughter and is a member of Romance Writers of America as well as the Florida Chapter. Alexa is an avid reader of romantic suspense novels.  Her writing support team includes five miniature schnauzers, three of which are rescues. She has two degrees from Indiana State University.  As a writer, she is fueled by Starbucks lattes and chocolate.

Her first book Deadly Offerings is the first of her Deadly Trilogy.  Alexa’s next book Deadly Deception will be available in June 2012.

Connect with Alexa….

Deadly Offerings by Alexa Grace available at:

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 37 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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ALEXA’S PUMPKIN BARS

 

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 eggs beaten
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 cups pumpkin
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)  (Raisins are also great.)

Mix all ingredients together and bake in 9 x13 pan for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Icing:

  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 (8oz) cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Icing:  Beat cream cheese and margarine. Add vanilla. Blend in powdered sugar until smooth.

~~~~~~

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Alexa will give away one ebook  copy of DEADLY OFFERINGS to the first five lucky visitors who send her a message on the “Contact Alexa” Page.  Include KAREN’S KILLER FIXIN’S in the message!

Thanks, Alexa, for sharing your story and recipe with us!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** Marilyn Levinson

15 Comments

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, MARILYN LEVINSON, and her favorite recipe for Honeyed Carrots!

BOOK PEEK ~ Giving Up The Ghost

Gabbie Meyerson moves to the sleepy town of Chrissom Harbor, Long Island, to teach English at the local high school. She settles into her rental cottage above the Long Island Sound and discovers she has a housemate–the ghost of Cameron Leeds, who used to live in the cottage. Cam insists his death was no accident, and implores Gabbie to find out who murdered him eight months ago. After she recovers from her initial shock, Gabbie agrees to investigate. She soon discovers many people had reason to want Cam dead.

~~~~

Giving Up The Ghost by Marilyn Levinson

My new mystery, GIVING UP THE GHOST, is out in e-book format. Gabbie Meyerson moves to Chrissom Harbor, a village on Long Island, to teach English at the local high school. She discovers she’s sharing her cottage with the ghost of Cameron Leeds, the previous owner. Cam, the town’s former bad-boy, romeo, and wheeler-dealer, wants Gabbie to prove his death was no accident. Trouble is, Cam has no idea who killed him. Gabbie sets out to find his murderer. She talks to his former friends and lover and learns, to her dismay, that any one of several people might have done him in.

Aside from being a whodunit, several themes course through the novel. Gabbie is embarking on a new life. She’s recently been divorced, after having helped put her ex-husband in prison for criminal misdeeds. She’s now too poor to own a cell phone, and is nervous about teaching teenagers again for the first time in years. Her students are reading THE GREAT GATSBY. Through class discussions and assignments, Gabbie encourages them to understand the novel’s universal themes and their relevancy to their own lives. She also has to deal with two bullies who torment one of her students.

Busy as she is, Gabbie finds herself drawn to the local lawman, who was Cam’s best friend. Her first hurdle is to get Darren to reopen the case. A child disappears, someone else is murdered, and Gabbie’s life in put in danger.

 

  About the author, Marilyn Levinson….

Marilyn Levinson is a former Spanish teacher who writes mysteries and novels for kids. Her debut mystery novel, A MURDERER AMONG US, was awarded a Best Indie of 2011 by Suspense Magazine. She lives on Long Island with her husband, Bernie, and their cat, Sammy.

Connect with Marilyn….

Mysteries and children’s books by Marilyn Levinson available at:

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 36 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HONEYED CARROTS

This is a recipe I made up.  It’s easy and there are no measurements. The carrots are yummy, and I’ve never had any leftovers.

Wash, peel and cut up carrots. Or use baby carrots. Heat in microwave until they’re cooked but still firm. In a frying pan, melt a few tablespoons of butter. Dry carrot pieces and saute in butter over low to medium heat. Add honey (I’d say a few Ts), a pinch of salt, onion powder, dried parsley, and continue stirring. If adding fresh parsley, do this a minute before removing from heat. You can add pistachios or sauteed mushrooms if you like.

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Marilyn will give away one eBook or PDF copy of GIVING UP THE GHOST to one lucky reader who comments before Sunday, May 13th, at 6 PM!  Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, May 14th!  Thanks, Marilyn, for sharing your story and recipe with us!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** Sally Berneathy

6 Comments

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, SALLY BERNEATHY, and her favorite recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies!

BOOK PEEK ~ Death by Chocolate

Lindsay Powell’s only secret is the recipe for her chocolate chip cookies, but she is surrounded by neighbors with deadly secrets. Suddenly Lindsay finds herself battling poisoned chocolate, a dead man who doesn’t seem very dead and a psycho stalker.

Her best friend and co-worker, Paula, dyes her blond hair brown, hides from everybody and insists on always having an emergency exit from any room. Secrets from Paula’s past have come back to put lives in jeopardy.

Determined to help Paula and to save her own life, Lindsay enlists the reluctant aid of another neighbor, Fred, an OCD computer nerd. In spite of his mundane existence, Fred possesses tidbits of knowledge about such things as hidden microphones, guns and the inside of maximum security prisons.

Lindsay needs more than a chocolate fix to survive all this chaos.

~~~~

Death by Chocolate by Sally Berneathy

EXCERPT

“Are you in some kind of trouble?” I asked Paula. “Tell me, damn it! I’m your friend. Let me help you.”

She shook her head, chewed her thumbnail and looked across the room.

“Did your husband beat you?”

The crude question got her attention. Her head spun toward me so fast, I was afraid it would keep on going and we’d find ourselves in the middle of a scene from The Exorcist. Two pink spots stood out like clown makeup on her cheeks.

“Please don’t do this, Lindsay,” she said.

“Well, that answers that question! Since I already know he put that scar on your face and that you’re hiding from him, you might as well tell me the rest.”

Again she confirmed my speculation by failing to deny it. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am that you gave me a job and a place to live. You saved my life and Zach’s. You’ve always been there for me, and I’ll always be there for you. I’ll do anything you ask me to do, except tell you about my past.”

“Well, we’ve made some progress. This is the first time you’ve admitted you have a past and didn’t spring fully grown, from the front seat of that rolling wreck you used to drive.”

Paula bit her lip as if she regretted saying that much. Her blue-gray eyes clouded, and I realized the subject was closed.

I pushed myself up from the sofa. “I guess I’ll go see what I can do to get Rick out of the house with minimal damage to what’s left of my emotions.” I leaned over to Zach. “Give Aunt Lindsay a hug.” He reached up and hugged my neck then planted a kiss on my cheek. A bonus.

“I want you to know I’m not mad at you,” I told Paula, “just because you’re supposed to be my friend but you won’t even tell me the intimate details of your sex life.”

She relaxed enough to smile.

I ruffled Zach’s hair then crossed the room and unlocked the door. I turned back to say goodbye and wasn’t surprised that Paula had followed me. She’d have that door locked again before I was across the porch. “Time to touch up those blond roots,” I said, just to let her know I’d noticed. “And those blond brows and lashes are a dead giveaway.”

Paula blanched, losing what little color she’d regained. “Do you think they noticed?” The question came out in a desperate whisper, and I immediately regretted adding to her fear.

“I don’t know. Men can be pretty unobservant about stuff like that.” But I didn’t for one minute believe Trent had failed to notice. “Any time you need help, you know where I live,” I said.

Paula nodded, that jerky motion again, and twisted her lips in an imitation smile. “Thanks.”

I left her house feeling like a jerk for the blond roots remark and like I ought to do something to help her, but clueless what that something might be.

I wasn’t even sure I could help myself. I took my time going back toward my house. I wasn’t in any hurry to face the task of dealing with the man that one part of me wanted gone from my life and the other part wanted back. In a different way, I was every bit as terrified of him as Paula was of the abusive man, I was now positive, she’d known in her past.

I slapped the fender of Rick’s SUV as I went past, deliberately leaving fingerprints. He hated that.

I stepped up onto my porch and saw another problem. The cat was still there, lying on my door mat, draped over Taz, creating a perfect border for the Go Away! part. Obviously he couldn’t read.

But then, neither could Rick who had stood on that same mat last night and paid just as much attention to the message as the cat did.

“Go home,” I ordered.

He stood up and stretched, arching his back.

I picked up the newspaper, opened the door, and he darted inside.

Yes, it was pretty obvious this cat was a male. He ignored me just like Rick did.

“What’s that cat doing here?” Rick demanded as the feline leapt gracefully onto my faded rose-colored recliner. He was a big cat, completely filling the seat and draping his head and front paws over one arm of the chair. He looked up with those killer blue eyes and gave a contented meow before settling down, completely at home.

Rick sprawled on my sofa, making himself as much at home as the cat. I’d been gone long enough for him to shower, blow dry his hair with my dryer, shave with my razor, and slip back into his khaki Docker slacks, Italian loafers and white Polo shirt that enhanced his tan. To top it all off, he was drinking from my favorite mug, the one that said “Life is uncertain. Eat chocolate now.”

“Go home,” I repeated.

“Yeah, cat, go home.”

“I was talking to you. This is—” I looked at the regal creature in my chair— “this is King Henry, my new cat. He’s staying and you’re going.”

 

  About the author, Sally Berneathy….

I grew up in pre-television days in a small rural town in Oklahoma. Our favorite entertainment on summer evenings was to sit outside under the stars and tell stories. When I went to bed at night, instead of a lullaby, I got a story. That could be due to the fact that everybody in my family had the singing voice of a bullfrog with a cold, but they sure could tell stories—ghost stories, funny stories, happy stories, scary stories.

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a storyteller. Thank goodness for computers so I can write down my stories. It’s hard to make listeners sit still for the length of a book! Like my family’s tales, my stories are funny, scary, dramatic, romantic, paranormal, magic.

I have sold fifteen romance novels ranging from comedy to dark suspense. For these novels, I won several awards including National Readers’ Choice, Romantic Times Best Silhouette Romance and two Rita finalist slots.

“Death by Chocolate,” available as an e-book, is a cozy mystery with lots of humor and chocolate. My heroine, Lindsay, is a chocoholic who just wants to enjoy her brownies in peace and quiet, but her neighbor’s secrets put her life in danger. I’ve included some of Lindsay’s favorite recipes at the end of the book.

Connect with Sally….

Death by Chocolate by Sally Berneathy is available at:

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 35 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

 

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 T. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
dash of salt (bigger dash if you use unsalted butter)
1-1/2 cups flour
(optional) 1/4 cup finely ground nuts or nut meal (I love hazelnut or walnut)
1/4 cup oat flour (can be purchased or made in blender using oats)
10 (or more) oz. chocolate chips (I like to combine semi-sweet, dark and white)
1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans (or other nuts)

 

Cream butter with sugar. Add egg and vanilla and stir determinedly until well mixed. Combine dry ingredients and add to butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Dough should be very stiff and just a tiny bit sticky. Add more flour (wheat, oat or nut) or butter if necessary to achieve this state.

Form dough into balls and lay on cookie sheet. Bake at 375º for 8-10 minutes (depending on the size of the spoon and how crisp a cookie is desired).

Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies, depending on how big that spoon was and how many samples were tested before baking.

~~~~

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: As an extra special treat, Sally will give away a copy of DEATH BY CHOCOLATE  to one lucky reader who comments on her Killer Fixin’s blog post!  Multiple comments only count as one entry. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, May 7th.  Good luck!  Thanks, Sally, for sharing your recipe and story with us!

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** Cher’ley Grogg

2 Comments

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, CHER’LEY GROGG, and her favorite recipe for Linda’s World Famous Chicken Enchiladas!

BOOK PEEK ~ Stamp Out Murder

An amateur stamp collector and antique enthusiast, James Freeman, takes a vacation from his Washington DC accounting firm to acquire an exquisite French Armoire that he located on the internet. With his Mapquest print-out in hand, he leaves the comforts of the city and heads into the mountains of West Virginia.

He travels to the village of Wanton, where he ventures down the wrong road, and becomes the prime suspect in the drowning of Sam Austin. The locals believe The Cheat River Ghosts are responsible for this murder and the cold case murders from the past. Nevertheless, the Sheriff, who doesn’t believe in ghosts, is convinced that James came to his town for more than a piece of furniture.

The Cheat River has claimed one life from the McKeel clan for the last three generations. With steadfast determination, James fights with all of his might to break the curse, before the river claims the life of his newly found love, Carolyn McKeel.

Because of his meddling into the mysteries of Wanton, James wakes up battered, beaten and bruised in the hospital. This warning for him to get out of town only makes him more determined to find out who is responsible for his injuries, the death of Sam Austin, and the recent shenanigans in Wanton.

James has the life he’s always desired in Washington—A high paying career, a big, antiques-filled house, the freedom to pursue his stamp-collection hobby, and his solitude. Will he give it all up for love and the quirky friendships he makes in Wanton?

~~~~

Stamp Out Murder by Cher’ley Grogg

EXCERPT

“Just hold on, Mrs. Franklin.” Clay rose to his feet. “Mr. Freeman is a suspect in a murder investigation. He can’t just walk out of here.”

“Harry?” Linda glared at the mayor. She crossed her arms over her amble bosom. Her face appeared emotionless, smooth. The only thing she moved was her eyelids. Her majestic attitude showed a lack of patience.

Harry stood, moved close to Linda, turning his back to Clay and said, “I’m working on it, Vinnie. Don’t get your undergarments bunched up.”

Linda slapped Harry’s face.

He backed away, “Sorry. No offense intended.”

Linda glared at him for a couple of seconds and then turned back to the sheriff. Clay Talbert turned sideways to watch Mrs. Franklin and Harold Benson square off. James had a clear view of all three.

   About the author, Cher’ley Grogg….

Cher’ley Grogg first wants to greet you, “Howdy”.

Cher’ley writes different genres. “Stamp Out Murder” is her first novel to be published; however, she has many poems, short stories and articles published online and in print books. She has a children’s mystery book and a picture book completed, and a YA novel and a suspense novel that are waiting for editing.  Some of her hobbies are photography, and painting fine art. She has received awards in both mediums and she has art is in collections throughout the United States and foreign countries. She enjoys fishing, reading, walking, dancing, and long, long baths.

She loves the Lord, her husband, children and grandchildren, and loves spending time with each of them. Lizzie, her boxer is a true joy.

Cher’ley and her husband, Del, have seen the country through the windshield of a big yellow Kenworth Commercial truck, which they named Penelope, because with its blue fenders and spoiler, it reminded her of Penelope on Criminal Minds (the Blonde hair and heavy blue eye-shadow).  There are many beautiful and fascinating states, but none as pretty (to them), as West Virginia.

The Kanawha River is in their front yard and sometimes (not often enough), Cher’ley heads over the bank with her fishing pole, a few worms and Lizzie to see if they can catch supper.

Her very favorite thing to do is laugh. She looks for every opportunity to share in something fun and interesting. She also likes to apply different Bible verses to her life. During the publication process of her novel, the one that speaks to her the most is found in Philippians 4:8. She likes to close with that verse. ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’

She’d like to say, “Ya’ll come back to see me when you can.”

Connect with Cher’ley….

Stamp Out Murder by Cher’ley Grogg is available at:

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 34 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Linda’s World Famous Chicken Enchiladas

by Linda McKeel

 

This make enough to feed a small army.  You’ll probably have some left over for yourself too!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Large glass baking dish

Small glass baking dish

Large mixing bowl

Skillet or frying pan

Cutting board

Sharp knife

Wooden toothpicks (optional)

 

INGREDIENTS:

3 cans cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz)

1 can chicken broth (10.5 oz)

3 small cans CHOPPED green chilis

1/4 cup diced onion (I use a lot more)

3 lbs. chicken breast

20ish soft yellow CORN tortilla shells

4 cups mild cheddar or Mexican style cheese  (I usually use more. You almost literally can’t have too much)

Pinch of pepper

Vegetable oil

 

STEP 1

a.  Cut the chicken into small cubes; think about the size of a sugar cube. Helpful hint: partially frozen chicken is easier to cut in small pieces than thawed chicken.

b.  Use the vegetable oil (or non-stick cooking spray) to very lightly coat the pan — just enough to prevent the chicken from sticking to it.

c.  Combine the onions and the chicken in the frying pan, and cook over medium heat until thoroughly done. (Like you would do if you were browning ground beef.)

d.  Drain any excess grease or fat.

e.  Set aside for now.

STEP 2

a.  Clean the frying pan and dry THOROUGHLY.  (Or use another one.)

b.  Pour in a small amount of cooking oil (just enough to allow submerging the shells) and place over medium heat until oil is warm.

c.  Soften tortillas by dipping each one in warm oil for just a few seconds.  Too little time leaves them tough, too much makes them fall apart.   It may take a few attempts to get the hang of it.

STEP 3

a.  Place the first tortilla shell in the large baking pan, and spoon in some of the cooked chicken and onions.  Try to gauge the amount of chicken you have so you can place an equal amount in each tortilla.

b.  Sprinkle some cheese in each tortilla, but just a little.  The majority is to be used later.

c.  Roll the tortilla shell shut.  (I use a toothpick to help keep it closed)

d.  Continue filling tortilla shells with chicken, onions and cheese until both baking dishes are full.  If you have any chicken left over, it can be used later.  If you have any tortillas shells left over, you can discard.

STEP 4

a.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

b.  Combine the 3 cans cream o’ chicken soup, the 1 can chicken broth, the 3 small cans CHOPPED green chilis and the pinch of pepper (to taste) in large mixing bowl.  Any leftover cooked chicken can be added as well.  Mix thoroughly.

c.  Once mixed, pour evenly over all the enchiladas in both baking dishes.  The goal is to have all the tortillas covered as much as possible.

d.  IMPORTANT!  Remove toothpicks if you used them.

e.  Sprinkle the cheese evenly over all the enchiladas in both baking dishes.

d.  Place one or both dishes in preheated oven, and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and the contents are piping hot.

Serve with your favorite side dishes.

 

Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: **Author Special** Elaine Raco Chase

7 Comments

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, ELAINE RACO CHASE, and her Devil of a Chili Recipe!

BOOK PEEK ~ Dare The Devil

Welcome to Glacier Country! Luthor Devlin and his ranch hands were out tracking 20th century rustlers when they stepped into a time warp!

There on the jagged cliffs was a woolly mammoth, a sabre-toothed tiger and her – a tawny, near-naked savage. She was a primal fantasy come true – that left him stunned!

His gaze was locked onto hers. “I’d really appreciate an explanation of all this. You, the hairy elephant, and the cat with the overbite are not the norm in Montana. And I know you can understand my every word. So anytime you’d like to begin.”

Her relaxed appraisal hadn’t gone unnoticed by either the man or the large tiger. The latter proved her undoing. His mouth opened not to snarl again but to emit a long, loud, kittenish yawn. The tiger rolled over, rubbed his back and shoulders into the ground, his hind legs spread-eagle, yawned again, and pawed sleepily at his face. To the amazement of everyone, his sword-like teeth fell out.

“Damn it, Pumpkin, why couldn’t you have just growled!” She extended her hand. “Cam Stirling, action technician.” At his confused expression, she sighed. “Stunt woman.”

She was wild, irresistible – and he was the man to tame her. She dared the devil every day – why not Luthor Devlin!

~~~~

Dare The Devil by Elaine Raco Chase

 EXCERPT

The men were now only twenty feet away.  A silent battle ensued.  She stared at them.  They stared at her.  Astonishment, incredulity, and intrigue chased themselves over assorted sun-bronzed masculine faces.

She decided to play dumb.  Let them make the first move.  Perhaps keep them guessing, keep them wondering, keep them off-balance – just until the others arrived.

Her inherent sense of self-preservation and survival took over.  She judged each man individually, assessing her own odds.  The three teenage boys were quickly dismissed.  Her eyes gauged the others.  They varied in age from mid-twenties to sixties.  Bodies matched faces – tough and strong, courtesy of hard, physical labor.  She knew she could disable six of the wranglers rather quickly.

Her gaze shifted to the man leading a wild-eyed buckskin stallion.  Despite the fact that no one had violated the silence, she did not doubt that he was the boss.  While the black hat he was wearing cast a shadow on his face, she easily recognized an unmistakable air of self-confidence and authority.  It showed in his powerful build, in his walk and his impressive carriage.

And if such nicely packaged masculine charms had been displayed in any other place and under any other circumstances, she would have been the first one to show appropriate feminine appreciation.  But this was not the right time or the right place.

She did, however, notice a subtle change in a few of the younger cowboys.  It was her fault, she quickly acknowledged.  The silence had gone on too long.  While she had been assessing them, they had been assessing her.  Caution and disbelief had been replaced by that old hormonal curse – lust.

When she saw leers slant half-dozen lips, her thumb, and forefinger pressed into the cat’s neck.  His wide mouthed, fanged snarl immediately sent the horses into hysterics and restored more respectful expressions on the men’s’ faces.

Her victory, however, was brief.  One minute later, she heard the distinct snap of a bolt-action repeating rifle and found three of them aimed at the cat and a fourth at her.

“Hold it, boys.”  Devlin stepped between the guns and their targets.  “Let’s keep calm.  Buck, pull the horse’s way back.  All right, relax, everybody.  There’s no need to get trigger happy.”

“Maybe she doesn’t understand English,”  Nate piped, observing her moccasins.  “Let me try some Blackfeet.”  He cleared his throat and offered, “Kokipi sni menuah.”

Devlin exhaled a painful groan.  “Nate!  I don’t think ‘do not fear, let’s take a bath’ is very appropriate!”

With one eye on the men, she lowered her chin and tried hard to control the laughter that threatened to bubble forth.  Her left hand made a graceful gesture that shielded her smile and then moved on to straighten the bear-claw necklace at her throat.

The instant the man called Devlin advanced two more steps toward her, she stiffened in wary attention.  Fingers tightened on the cat’s leather collar, her left hand dropping against the ivory handle of the knife sheathed in her loincloth.

Suddenly, he found himself facing two predators.  He didn’t miss the lethal quality in her taut, ready-for-combat stance.  Neither had the saber-toothed tiger.  A growl rolled in his throat; powerful haunches were tensed for attack.

  About the author, Elaine Raco Chase….

I write sassy, sexy, LOL contemporary romance novels. Often they start with “love at first sight.” I was thrilled read some wonderful stats:

According to match.com – 59% of men believe in love at first sight!
Prevention Mag. says 60% of Americans believe in love at first sight!
Prevention also noted that women see brooding men as significantly more
sexually attractive than happy fellows! (is this the “bad-boy?”)
Prevention again recorded the world’s longest kiss: 46 hrs/24 min/9 sec!

Fabulous! My dad fell for my mom – as he watched her chase her dog! I told him that was the silliest thing I ever heard, they hadn’t even said a word to each other. He winked and said “sometimes you just know”..they were married for 57 years.

Hubby and I are headed for 43 years this October..he said it was “lust at first sight” – yeah! That works too!

I am originally print published, with over 3 million books in print and just about all my romances were #1 bestsellers – currently 8 of my contemporary romances have all been updated, expanded and enhanced (most are explicit) with four more romances to come as well as updating, enhancing, expanding my best-selling mystery series featuring Roman Cantrell and Nikki Holden.

Connect with Elaine ….

Website: http://www.elaineracochase.com

Dare The Devil by Elaine Raco Chase is available at:

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 33 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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DEVIL OF A CHILI RECIPE

1 lb of rough ground (chili ground)  top sirloin, bison meat or even ground turkey
2 cans of dark red kidney beans – rinsed
1 can of Progresso Soup – your choice:  Tomato Parmesan OR Creamy tomato basil
I usually add in mushrooms and chopped onions
Season as spicy as you like it with chili powder Or red pepper flakes

*  I don’t use any salt at all.

*  Also fun add-ons:  sour cream, chopped onions for toppings
It’s heart healthy (low salt/high fiber). Can be ramped up with spices for ‘heat’ and increased for a crowd but upping the meat/beans/soup proportions.

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Elaine will give away copies of her novel, DARE THE DEVIL, to four (4) lucky readers who comment!  Winners will be randomly selected and announced at 12:00 PM (Noon) MDT on Monday!  Thanks, Elaine, for sharing your story and your fabulous recipe with us!