The spring weather makes me think of easier ways to cook dinner. This week I'm sharing one of our favorite meals. It's easy, not expensive, and clean up is a breeze. Hope you enjoy it.:)
Turkey Breast on the Grill
Baked Potatoes on the Grill
Sautéed Broccoli
White Wine – Riesling
Turkey Breast on the Grill
1 leek - chopped
1 large onion - chopped
10 baby carrots - chopped
3 tomatoes - chopped
Turkey Breast
Bacon strips to cover breast
Chicken stock
Disposable pan
Cooking rack
Cookie sheet – for stability and to prevent pan from burning
Thaw turkey breast in refrigerator for at least one day. Dispose of packet inserted in breast. If not completely thawed, set in a large pot of cold water to complete. Rinse well.
This method is for a gas grill. Preheat grill, both burners, on medium for 15 minutes. Total cooking time is 2 to 3 hours.
Set disposable pan on cookies sheet. Insert cooking rack. Add chopped vegetables. Pat turkey skin dry then place on rack breast up. Lay bacon slices over breast to cover well. Pour in enough chicken broth to cover the pan bottom at least 1 inch. Cover the turkey and pan edges with aluminum foil, crimping the sides well.
Place pan in the middle of the grill. Close lid.
Check the liquid level every hour of roasting. Add water as needed.
Remove foil after 1 ½ hours to allow turkey to brown a bit.
Remove from heat when done. Allow to rest 15 minutes before carving.
Baked Potatoes on the Grill
1 russet potato per person
Olive oil
Aluminum foil
Butter
Sour cream
Chives
Pepper
Wash and dry the potatoes. Rub a little olive oil over each potato to moisten the skin. Rip off aluminum foil square large enough to wrap each potato separately.
Place potatoes on upper shelf of grill or, if you have enough space, alongside the turkey pan. Grill for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Test if done by poking a potato with a toothpick. It should insert easily.
To serve, remove foil, slit potatoes open, press the sides together to allow potato to mound. Top with the butter, sour cream, chives, and pepper.
Sautéed Broccoli
1 fresh broccoli
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 glove garlic pressed
¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Cut broccoli segments from the stem. Discard stem.
Preheat a frying pan over medium heat. Pour in olive oil, then add butter. When the foam subsides, add the broccoli pieces, turning them to coat well with the oil and butter. You may need a little more oil. Be careful not to add too much.
Add the pressed garlic over the top of the broccoli. Sauté until just tender, about 6 minutes.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
I'll be back Friday with another writing tip. Until then...
Happy Eating!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Are You into Speculative Fiction?
Or are you not quite sure what that is? This genre includes science fiction, fantasy, steampunk and more. Musa Publishing has a dedicated line, Urania, you definitely want to check out on their easy to maneuver website.
Among their noted authors is award-winning, multi-published, Mary S. Palmer. Her new release is TIME WILL TELL. This outstanding novel is destined to be a best seller.
For those of you not familiar Mary, she writes beautiful poetry along with fiction and non-fiction books and short stories. Mary makes her home in Alabama and currently teaches English at Faulkner State Community College and Faulkner University.
Mary holds a BA (Cum Laude) in English and an MA in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing from the University of South Alabama.
Among her many awards, she was also selected for Marquis’ Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2002 and in 2005 also for Who’s Who in America (2005)
TIME WILL TELL
Mary S. Palmer
ISBN 978-1-61937-107-1
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Reporter Mona Stewart finds herself in another world of warring factions and one of them holds the key to immortality and cures for fatal diseases.
In the inner space of outer space, an earthling, reporter Mona Stewart, discovers that living almost forever in idleness, and without challenges, is much worse than having too much to do. The only reprieve from boredom for the Svarians is outwitting the Aliens.
EXCERPT:
The car skidded, swerved sideways and spun around three times before cascading into the gully below. There were no houses on this stretch of the sparsely populated road in west Mobile County and traffic was light at one a.m., so no one saw the accident happen. The driver lay critically injured at the bottom of the ravine.
Mona Stewart was motionless. Life was rapidly oozing out of her twenty-eight year-old body. The thirty-foot drop had left the little red Volkswagen bug in one piece but all sides were damaged. It landed right on top of Mona and threw one sharp piece of window glass directly through her abdomen. The heavy rainstorm, which had contributed to the accident, continued. Blood and water formed a puddle of red liquid. Pep, her little Beagle who was also in the car, revived and staggered over to his mistress, sniffed around and began to lap at the puddle. It did not suit his taste, so he crawled under the car, snuggled as close as he could to Mona and lay down on the ground to stand guard.
In her unconscious state with her life ebbing away, Mona’s mind reviewed her existence. In flashes she relived the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, her parents’ untimely death in a plane crash, her marriage and divorce. A couple of dateless years for fear of having a failed relationship. Now, in the last hour, she had to face the discovery that her current boyfriend was no longer interested in her. He had even laughed when he left her apartment saying, “What did you expect? I promised you nothing and that’s exactly what you’re getting. There were no commitments.” She should have known this would happen. The notoriously fickle Lee Black, III, was chased by girls because of his rugged good looks and his charming, though superficial, personality. He had never been noted for his loyalty.
Nevertheless, Mona was crushed and outraged. Feeling that she had to get out of that apartment, she’d hopped in her car and sped away into the humid summer night, roaming around aimlessly, not even knowing or caring where she was. When an announcer’s voice blared out of her radio that “Hurricane Dennis is on a path headed directly for Mobile, Alabama bearing one hundred and thirty mile per hour winds; please take heed and go to a safe place—shelters are open now,” thinking that it was no match for the storm going on within her, Mona clicked off the radio. She couldn’t run from either one. Then a sudden downpour made driving hazardous. She’d never been on this road before and did not even see the curve.
Now, strangely enough, as she relived the experience in her mind, she no longer felt resentment toward Lee or anyone else who had ever wronged her. Instead, she felt a sense of forgiveness toward them. A bright light seemed to hover over her. With it came a complete sense of peace.
“Gr-rrr,” Pep growled. Then he emitted a bark that sounded more like a frightened yelp than a threat. But when two people came over to his mistress, raised the car up and lifted her out of the pool of blood, the dog instinctively knew they were trying to help her. He backed off, following as they carried her to a shelter.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Mary S. Palmer on her website and her blog.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Among their noted authors is award-winning, multi-published, Mary S. Palmer. Her new release is TIME WILL TELL. This outstanding novel is destined to be a best seller.
For those of you not familiar Mary, she writes beautiful poetry along with fiction and non-fiction books and short stories. Mary makes her home in Alabama and currently teaches English at Faulkner State Community College and Faulkner University.
Mary holds a BA (Cum Laude) in English and an MA in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing from the University of South Alabama.
Among her many awards, she was also selected for Marquis’ Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2002 and in 2005 also for Who’s Who in America (2005)
TIME WILL TELL
Mary S. Palmer
ISBN 978-1-61937-107-1
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Reporter Mona Stewart finds herself in another world of warring factions and one of them holds the key to immortality and cures for fatal diseases.
In the inner space of outer space, an earthling, reporter Mona Stewart, discovers that living almost forever in idleness, and without challenges, is much worse than having too much to do. The only reprieve from boredom for the Svarians is outwitting the Aliens.
EXCERPT:
The car skidded, swerved sideways and spun around three times before cascading into the gully below. There were no houses on this stretch of the sparsely populated road in west Mobile County and traffic was light at one a.m., so no one saw the accident happen. The driver lay critically injured at the bottom of the ravine.
Mona Stewart was motionless. Life was rapidly oozing out of her twenty-eight year-old body. The thirty-foot drop had left the little red Volkswagen bug in one piece but all sides were damaged. It landed right on top of Mona and threw one sharp piece of window glass directly through her abdomen. The heavy rainstorm, which had contributed to the accident, continued. Blood and water formed a puddle of red liquid. Pep, her little Beagle who was also in the car, revived and staggered over to his mistress, sniffed around and began to lap at the puddle. It did not suit his taste, so he crawled under the car, snuggled as close as he could to Mona and lay down on the ground to stand guard.
In her unconscious state with her life ebbing away, Mona’s mind reviewed her existence. In flashes she relived the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, her parents’ untimely death in a plane crash, her marriage and divorce. A couple of dateless years for fear of having a failed relationship. Now, in the last hour, she had to face the discovery that her current boyfriend was no longer interested in her. He had even laughed when he left her apartment saying, “What did you expect? I promised you nothing and that’s exactly what you’re getting. There were no commitments.” She should have known this would happen. The notoriously fickle Lee Black, III, was chased by girls because of his rugged good looks and his charming, though superficial, personality. He had never been noted for his loyalty.
Nevertheless, Mona was crushed and outraged. Feeling that she had to get out of that apartment, she’d hopped in her car and sped away into the humid summer night, roaming around aimlessly, not even knowing or caring where she was. When an announcer’s voice blared out of her radio that “Hurricane Dennis is on a path headed directly for Mobile, Alabama bearing one hundred and thirty mile per hour winds; please take heed and go to a safe place—shelters are open now,” thinking that it was no match for the storm going on within her, Mona clicked off the radio. She couldn’t run from either one. Then a sudden downpour made driving hazardous. She’d never been on this road before and did not even see the curve.
Now, strangely enough, as she relived the experience in her mind, she no longer felt resentment toward Lee or anyone else who had ever wronged her. Instead, she felt a sense of forgiveness toward them. A bright light seemed to hover over her. With it came a complete sense of peace.
“Gr-rrr,” Pep growled. Then he emitted a bark that sounded more like a frightened yelp than a threat. But when two people came over to his mistress, raised the car up and lifted her out of the pool of blood, the dog instinctively knew they were trying to help her. He backed off, following as they carried her to a shelter.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Mary S. Palmer on her website and her blog.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Friday, April 13, 2012
THE SHOW AND TELL GAME
Show don’t tell is a confusing phrase that has many new writers yanking their hair out. What does it mean? How do I do it? Leave those Clairol locks in place because the explanation is simple.
Showing is action. It is what your character is doing at that moment. Telling is passive writing, a weak way to explain what your character is doing. It can also be considered author intrusion, a big no-no to editors.
Here are a few examples;
Telling – Liz had on a red suit with a white rose in the lapel and a white linen blouse.
Showing – Liz plucked a white rose from the bouquet on the coffee table. Carefully, she slipped the thorny stem into her lapel. She glanced in the mirror and smiled at how perfect the flower’s creamy color looked against the red jacket. With a tug on her blouse cuff, gently so as not to wrinkle the linen, Liz headed for the door.
Telling – There was shouting from the balcony.
Showing – Shouts echoed from the balcony.
Telling – The dog show was judged by Frank.
Showing – Frank judged the dog show.
Telling – Mary was sad.
Showing – Mary turned toward Joel. His heart broke when he saw her lips tremble and the pain in her eyes.
In many cases, showing requires more words to paint the right picture and that’s a good thing if they enhance the scene.
To easily locate the places where you "tell", hold down the Control key while you press the letter F key. It will bring up a Find and Replace panel. Type in a word not used in your book, then click ‘Find Next’. Read each sentence and/or section that appears. Should it or could it be more active? You may be surprised at how your novel will improve by this simple exercise.
Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back Monday with Mary Palmer and her new book TIME WILL TELL. Until then...
Happy Writing!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Showing is action. It is what your character is doing at that moment. Telling is passive writing, a weak way to explain what your character is doing. It can also be considered author intrusion, a big no-no to editors.
Here are a few examples;
Telling – Liz had on a red suit with a white rose in the lapel and a white linen blouse.
Showing – Liz plucked a white rose from the bouquet on the coffee table. Carefully, she slipped the thorny stem into her lapel. She glanced in the mirror and smiled at how perfect the flower’s creamy color looked against the red jacket. With a tug on her blouse cuff, gently so as not to wrinkle the linen, Liz headed for the door.
Telling – There was shouting from the balcony.
Showing – Shouts echoed from the balcony.
Telling – The dog show was judged by Frank.
Showing – Frank judged the dog show.
Telling – Mary was sad.
Showing – Mary turned toward Joel. His heart broke when he saw her lips tremble and the pain in her eyes.
In many cases, showing requires more words to paint the right picture and that’s a good thing if they enhance the scene.
To easily locate the places where you "tell", hold down the Control key while you press the letter F key. It will bring up a Find and Replace panel. Type in a word not used in your book, then click ‘Find Next’. Read each sentence and/or section that appears. Should it or could it be more active? You may be surprised at how your novel will improve by this simple exercise.
Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back Monday with Mary Palmer and her new book TIME WILL TELL. Until then...
Happy Writing!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
It's Wednesday, so What's Cooking? Barbequed Meatloaf
After all the holiday cooking and cleanup, it’s time to treat yourself to an easy meal. This is one of Studs’ favorites. I think you and yours will enjoy it, too.
Barbequed Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Canned Corn – my favourite is Green Giant Niblets
Tomato Salad
Iced Tea
Barbequed Meatloaf
1cup of bread crumbs
½ cup milk
1 ½ pounds ground chuck
½ pound ground pork *
3 tbsp onion chopped fine
1 egg
Scant ½ cup barbeque sauce
* If you prefer not to use pork, increase the ground chuck to 2 pounds
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Soak bread crumbs in milk for 5 minutes, then strain them to remove any excess liquid.
In a medium size bowl, combine bread crumbs, ground chuck, onions, egg, and barbeque sauce. Mix well with your hands, then shape into a loaf.
Lay the loaf in a nonstick bread pan. Bake for 1 hour. Carefully drain off the accumulated juices. Allow loaf to cool about 5 minutes, then slice into the required number of serving pieces.
Leftovers freeze well and make great sandwiches. After dinner, I slice the meat sandwich size pieces, then cling wrap them individually for easier use later.
Mashed Potatoes
1 russet potato per person
Sour cream - a very large dollop
¼ cup milk set out to reach room temperature
3 TBS butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Peel and quarter potatoes. Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or so. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender. Drain pan.
Add sour cream, some of the milk, all of the butter, and the pepper to the pan. Mash the potatoes. Add small amounts of additional milk until you achieve the consistency you prefer.
Keep warm in the turned off oven while you slice the meatloaf.
Canned Corn
1 can of corn
2 tbsp butter
Salt
Drain corn. Pour into a microwave safe bowl. Add the butter and a dash of salt. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and serve.
Tomato Salad
1 roma tomato per 2 people sliced ¼ inch thick
¼ tsp. garlic pressed
½ cup olive oil
Fresh ground pepper to taste
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. scallions sliced thin
1 tbsp. finely cut fresh basil or 1 teas. dried
1 tsp. parsley dried – if you use fresh, chop well
Arrange the tomatoes in slightly overlapping concentric circles on a deep, round plate or platter.
Prepare the dressing by blending the oil, vinegar, basil, garlic and pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture over the tomatoes. Combine the scallions and parsley, then sprinkle evenly over the top. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
I'll be back Friday with a new writing tip. Until then...
Eat Well!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Barbequed Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Canned Corn – my favourite is Green Giant Niblets
Tomato Salad
Iced Tea
Barbequed Meatloaf
1cup of bread crumbs
½ cup milk
1 ½ pounds ground chuck
½ pound ground pork *
3 tbsp onion chopped fine
1 egg
Scant ½ cup barbeque sauce
* If you prefer not to use pork, increase the ground chuck to 2 pounds
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Soak bread crumbs in milk for 5 minutes, then strain them to remove any excess liquid.
In a medium size bowl, combine bread crumbs, ground chuck, onions, egg, and barbeque sauce. Mix well with your hands, then shape into a loaf.
Lay the loaf in a nonstick bread pan. Bake for 1 hour. Carefully drain off the accumulated juices. Allow loaf to cool about 5 minutes, then slice into the required number of serving pieces.
Leftovers freeze well and make great sandwiches. After dinner, I slice the meat sandwich size pieces, then cling wrap them individually for easier use later.
Mashed Potatoes
1 russet potato per person
Sour cream - a very large dollop
¼ cup milk set out to reach room temperature
3 TBS butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Peel and quarter potatoes. Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or so. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender. Drain pan.
Add sour cream, some of the milk, all of the butter, and the pepper to the pan. Mash the potatoes. Add small amounts of additional milk until you achieve the consistency you prefer.
Keep warm in the turned off oven while you slice the meatloaf.
Canned Corn
1 can of corn
2 tbsp butter
Salt
Drain corn. Pour into a microwave safe bowl. Add the butter and a dash of salt. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and serve.
Tomato Salad
1 roma tomato per 2 people sliced ¼ inch thick
¼ tsp. garlic pressed
½ cup olive oil
Fresh ground pepper to taste
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. scallions sliced thin
1 tbsp. finely cut fresh basil or 1 teas. dried
1 tsp. parsley dried – if you use fresh, chop well
Arrange the tomatoes in slightly overlapping concentric circles on a deep, round plate or platter.
Prepare the dressing by blending the oil, vinegar, basil, garlic and pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture over the tomatoes. Combine the scallions and parsley, then sprinkle evenly over the top. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
I'll be back Friday with a new writing tip. Until then...
Eat Well!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Monday, April 09, 2012
For Historical Lovers
Centuries of war torn Europe are a writer’s mental playground, conjuring stories of love, hate, power, and torment. Only a talented author can skillfully bring all the passion from any of those eras to life. Emma Lane is such a novelist. DARK DOMINO, her latest release, is set during the Regency period and is one of her best works.
For those readers not familiar Emma, she lives in Western New York near Lake Erie on a few picturesque acres with her ever patient husband. They own and operate a small herbtique which keeps their days busy and interesting during the summer months. They have two brilliant adult children and a wonderful pair of grandchildren. In one way or another, the entire family contributes to her stories. They are her biggest fans and she is ever thankful for it.
DARK DOMINO
Emma Lane
ISBN 978-1-61937-155-2
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
Sarah Louise and Ethan have loved each other all their lives, but a war and time apart may have jeopardized their relationship.
BLURB:
Ethan has been away at war for six long years—without a single letter to the young girl he left behind. He is certain she has forgotten him, but he is still drawn to her. Dressed for a masquerade in a dark domino, he leads her to the garden and tries to steal a kiss. Sarah does not know why the man in the dark domino is so familiar, and why a stranger should give her a feeling of home. When Ethan reveals his identity, Sarah’s anger and hurt overwhelm even her love. Can a new life be built on the foundations of a first love? Or will the Dark Domino remain alone forever?
EXCERPT:
The mask he wore gave him a sinister look exacerbated by his luxurious dark hair which was worn too long for fashion. It framed his face and highlighted a square, firm jaw line. The slight smile he sent to her revealed white teeth in stark contrast to his tanned skin. She felt a chill run up the back of her neck. Did he masquerade as a poet—or a pirate?
The stranger held out his arm to her and for some reason she could not comprehend, she took it. He led her away from her friends and through the crowd toward a set of French doors at the end of the ball room. They stood open and she could see various couples strolling in the garden beyond.
“Do you mean to kidnap me, Dark Domino?” she asked looking up into his face. “Should I be fearful?” She was only half teasing.
“Do not be afraid. It’s cool in the garden. I thought we could get some fresh air.”
He talked in a low voice, but gruff as if he had a cold. She listened intently, but could not identify the man. Yet he seemed so familiar. Surely he was one of her friends intent on teasing her by making her guess his identity. Then she would play the game as well.
“Then lead on, Dark Domino. I will follow where you take me.”
She smiled gaily as they left the ballroom and entered the semi-darkness of the garden. The fragrance of late season roses drifted by them; candle-lit lanterns hung here and there marking the pathways. Abruptly the stranger swung them into an unlit pathway and pulled her toward a white bench set against a lush vine twirled around an arbor. A fountain gurgled nearby. He pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and swept the bench clean.
“My lady,” he said and bowed her onto the bench. She sat and looked up at him still standing before her. Tension tingled her senses; she was not really afraid, but the excitement of being in the semi-darkness with a strange man was beginning to disturb her.
“It is almost midnight, sir. Should we not reveal our identities a minute or two early?
“Yes, we can do that. But first…”
He pulled her up and into his arms. His head came down, his hand cupped the back of her head and his lips found hers. His other arm came around her waist and pulled her close. As their lips touched he released his breath in a long sigh and held her tenderly, not moving. Sarah Louise was too surprised to move. She did not feel afraid or offended. She felt comforted for some reason and rested against him with her lips pressed close. He wrapped both arms around her and pulled her closer.
Sarah almost swooned with the feelings that overwhelmed her senses. The Dark Domino suddenly increased the intensity of the kiss, roaming his lips around hers almost hungrily. He pulled her so tightly against him she gasped for breath. As she opened her lips, his tongue probed desperately into her mouth.
“Sir, you forget yourself!” Sarah pulled away almost reluctantly. Why had she felt so at home there in a stranger’s arms?”
BUY LINK
Learn more about the diverse life of Emma Lane on her blog and keep up with her on facebook.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
For those readers not familiar Emma, she lives in Western New York near Lake Erie on a few picturesque acres with her ever patient husband. They own and operate a small herbtique which keeps their days busy and interesting during the summer months. They have two brilliant adult children and a wonderful pair of grandchildren. In one way or another, the entire family contributes to her stories. They are her biggest fans and she is ever thankful for it.
DARK DOMINO
Emma Lane
ISBN 978-1-61937-155-2
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
Sarah Louise and Ethan have loved each other all their lives, but a war and time apart may have jeopardized their relationship.
BLURB:
Ethan has been away at war for six long years—without a single letter to the young girl he left behind. He is certain she has forgotten him, but he is still drawn to her. Dressed for a masquerade in a dark domino, he leads her to the garden and tries to steal a kiss. Sarah does not know why the man in the dark domino is so familiar, and why a stranger should give her a feeling of home. When Ethan reveals his identity, Sarah’s anger and hurt overwhelm even her love. Can a new life be built on the foundations of a first love? Or will the Dark Domino remain alone forever?
EXCERPT:
The mask he wore gave him a sinister look exacerbated by his luxurious dark hair which was worn too long for fashion. It framed his face and highlighted a square, firm jaw line. The slight smile he sent to her revealed white teeth in stark contrast to his tanned skin. She felt a chill run up the back of her neck. Did he masquerade as a poet—or a pirate?
The stranger held out his arm to her and for some reason she could not comprehend, she took it. He led her away from her friends and through the crowd toward a set of French doors at the end of the ball room. They stood open and she could see various couples strolling in the garden beyond.
“Do you mean to kidnap me, Dark Domino?” she asked looking up into his face. “Should I be fearful?” She was only half teasing.
“Do not be afraid. It’s cool in the garden. I thought we could get some fresh air.”
He talked in a low voice, but gruff as if he had a cold. She listened intently, but could not identify the man. Yet he seemed so familiar. Surely he was one of her friends intent on teasing her by making her guess his identity. Then she would play the game as well.
“Then lead on, Dark Domino. I will follow where you take me.”
She smiled gaily as they left the ballroom and entered the semi-darkness of the garden. The fragrance of late season roses drifted by them; candle-lit lanterns hung here and there marking the pathways. Abruptly the stranger swung them into an unlit pathway and pulled her toward a white bench set against a lush vine twirled around an arbor. A fountain gurgled nearby. He pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and swept the bench clean.
“My lady,” he said and bowed her onto the bench. She sat and looked up at him still standing before her. Tension tingled her senses; she was not really afraid, but the excitement of being in the semi-darkness with a strange man was beginning to disturb her.
“It is almost midnight, sir. Should we not reveal our identities a minute or two early?
“Yes, we can do that. But first…”
He pulled her up and into his arms. His head came down, his hand cupped the back of her head and his lips found hers. His other arm came around her waist and pulled her close. As their lips touched he released his breath in a long sigh and held her tenderly, not moving. Sarah Louise was too surprised to move. She did not feel afraid or offended. She felt comforted for some reason and rested against him with her lips pressed close. He wrapped both arms around her and pulled her closer.
Sarah almost swooned with the feelings that overwhelmed her senses. The Dark Domino suddenly increased the intensity of the kiss, roaming his lips around hers almost hungrily. He pulled her so tightly against him she gasped for breath. As she opened her lips, his tongue probed desperately into her mouth.
“Sir, you forget yourself!” Sarah pulled away almost reluctantly. Why had she felt so at home there in a stranger’s arms?”
BUY LINK
Learn more about the diverse life of Emma Lane on her blog and keep up with her on facebook.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Friday, April 06, 2012
So You Want To Be An Author Part Three or...
Who Thought That?
Let’s discuss the topic POINT OF VIEW, commonly referred to as POV, and what it means to your novel. Following are the frequently asked questions by new writers;
1. What is Point of View?
POV is the thoughts and five senses of a specific character. You can not write POV effectively if you don’t know your character. Hence the reason to write characterization sheets.
It also allows your reader to “get inside David’s head”. What the hell is that, you ask? Simple. For your reader to love (not like, but LOVE) your book and recommend it to others, they must feel a rapport with your hero, in this case David. It can not be accomplished if you haven’t given David enough time to develop.
2. Why use a specific POV?
Doesn’t it seem you should be able to just tell your story and get on with it? Not have to worry about all this technical stuff? Here’s a heads up; readers today are savvy. They want to like your main characters, especially in a romance. They want to relate to your hero and heroine. Unless you PROVE your characters to be living, breathing, beings, the reader will never be happy. For that fact, neither will a publisher, therefore no sale, hence no readers. It’s your decision but if you want to sell you MUST master POV.
3. How do you determine who should have a POV in a specific scene?
This isn’t always easy to decide. You, the author, must choose whose POV you need to use at that critical moment in your story. Consider these points;
• Who has the most to gain in this particular scene?
• Who has the most to lose?
• Which character’s part of the story needs to move forward the most at this exact moment?
• Which character’s POV will be the most interesting to the story at this exact moment?
4. Length of POV?
As long as the scene warrants. Most, if not all editors, want to read a minimum of 500 words in a specific POV which is easy to accomplish in your edits.
5. What is Head Hopping?
One of my greatest, and funniest, mistakes when I first started writing was head hopping. It means each paragraph of a specific scene is in a different POV and very confusing to the reader. A good author controls this rotten phenomenon while writing. I correct it in my edits.
6. What POV can’t be;
It can not include lines such as;
The car roared to life and he peeled out onto the street, cutting off a delivery truck. David never noticed the driver when he flipped him off.
A very dramatic way to write, but if David can’t see the driver flip him off then it never happened or the scene is in someone else’s POV. Your POV character sees everything that occurs around him or her, just as you do in life.
The POV character can not see the color of his or her own eyes or hair at that moment. Therefore she can’t think, “My green eyes have brightened at the sight of David.”
The POV character doesn’t think of their own name or the full name of their parents or friends. Would you?
Other characters thoughts cannot jump into the middle of your hero’s or heroine’s POV with their thoughts.
Consider yourself when you’re watching or speaking with someone. What is it you see, do, and think? It’s the same actions and reactions your POV character will have.
7. Correcting POV
We have finally hit on something easy. When I edit the first draft I mark the margin in whose POV the paragraph was written. Should I see, and believe me I do, a mix of POV’s in one scene I go back and rework asking myself the questions from above number three.
Many times it only requires changing a few words or dropping them. See the examples below;
• Original which should be in David’s POV
David stared into Gwen’s eyes searching for an answer, his own burning with lust. Beyond this incredible desire to be in her, he realized he really liked her. She was kind, funny, and intelligent. Her ability to discuss any topic sensibly excited his brain, perhaps even more so than her scent and soft eyes sent his body into a sex-driven frenzy.
• Corrected which now is in David’s POV
He stared into Gwen’s eyes searching for an answer. Beyond this incredible desire to be in her, he realized he really liked her. She was kind, funny, and intelligent. Her ability to discuss any topic sensibly excited his brain, perhaps even more so than her scent and soft eyes sent his body into a sex-driven frenzy.
• Original which should be in Gwen’s POV
David watched through narrowed eyes, his mouth grim. A blue vein throbbed in his forehead and his hands gripped his glass like a vice. Unmistakably, he was pissed watching Gwen enjoy herself with another man.
• Corrected which now is in Gwen’s POV
She noticed David watching her through narrowed eyes, his mouth grim. A blue vein throbbed in his forehead and his hands gripped his glass like a vice. Unmistakably, she thought, he was pissed watching her enjoy herself with another man.
Just a few word changes will bring the paragraph into the right POV and maintain the continuity of the scene.
Go through your work and edit it to be sure you have all the correct POV’s within your scenes. Your writing future depends on it.
Wishing you all joyous religious holidays! I'll be back Monday with Emma Lane and her new release Dark Domino. Until then...
Happy Writing!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Let’s discuss the topic POINT OF VIEW, commonly referred to as POV, and what it means to your novel. Following are the frequently asked questions by new writers;
1. What is Point of View?
POV is the thoughts and five senses of a specific character. You can not write POV effectively if you don’t know your character. Hence the reason to write characterization sheets.
It also allows your reader to “get inside David’s head”. What the hell is that, you ask? Simple. For your reader to love (not like, but LOVE) your book and recommend it to others, they must feel a rapport with your hero, in this case David. It can not be accomplished if you haven’t given David enough time to develop.
2. Why use a specific POV?
Doesn’t it seem you should be able to just tell your story and get on with it? Not have to worry about all this technical stuff? Here’s a heads up; readers today are savvy. They want to like your main characters, especially in a romance. They want to relate to your hero and heroine. Unless you PROVE your characters to be living, breathing, beings, the reader will never be happy. For that fact, neither will a publisher, therefore no sale, hence no readers. It’s your decision but if you want to sell you MUST master POV.
3. How do you determine who should have a POV in a specific scene?
This isn’t always easy to decide. You, the author, must choose whose POV you need to use at that critical moment in your story. Consider these points;
• Who has the most to gain in this particular scene?
• Who has the most to lose?
• Which character’s part of the story needs to move forward the most at this exact moment?
• Which character’s POV will be the most interesting to the story at this exact moment?
4. Length of POV?
As long as the scene warrants. Most, if not all editors, want to read a minimum of 500 words in a specific POV which is easy to accomplish in your edits.
5. What is Head Hopping?
One of my greatest, and funniest, mistakes when I first started writing was head hopping. It means each paragraph of a specific scene is in a different POV and very confusing to the reader. A good author controls this rotten phenomenon while writing. I correct it in my edits.
6. What POV can’t be;
It can not include lines such as;
The car roared to life and he peeled out onto the street, cutting off a delivery truck. David never noticed the driver when he flipped him off.
A very dramatic way to write, but if David can’t see the driver flip him off then it never happened or the scene is in someone else’s POV. Your POV character sees everything that occurs around him or her, just as you do in life.
The POV character can not see the color of his or her own eyes or hair at that moment. Therefore she can’t think, “My green eyes have brightened at the sight of David.”
The POV character doesn’t think of their own name or the full name of their parents or friends. Would you?
Other characters thoughts cannot jump into the middle of your hero’s or heroine’s POV with their thoughts.
Consider yourself when you’re watching or speaking with someone. What is it you see, do, and think? It’s the same actions and reactions your POV character will have.
7. Correcting POV
We have finally hit on something easy. When I edit the first draft I mark the margin in whose POV the paragraph was written. Should I see, and believe me I do, a mix of POV’s in one scene I go back and rework asking myself the questions from above number three.
Many times it only requires changing a few words or dropping them. See the examples below;
• Original which should be in David’s POV
David stared into Gwen’s eyes searching for an answer, his own burning with lust. Beyond this incredible desire to be in her, he realized he really liked her. She was kind, funny, and intelligent. Her ability to discuss any topic sensibly excited his brain, perhaps even more so than her scent and soft eyes sent his body into a sex-driven frenzy.
• Corrected which now is in David’s POV
He stared into Gwen’s eyes searching for an answer. Beyond this incredible desire to be in her, he realized he really liked her. She was kind, funny, and intelligent. Her ability to discuss any topic sensibly excited his brain, perhaps even more so than her scent and soft eyes sent his body into a sex-driven frenzy.
• Original which should be in Gwen’s POV
David watched through narrowed eyes, his mouth grim. A blue vein throbbed in his forehead and his hands gripped his glass like a vice. Unmistakably, he was pissed watching Gwen enjoy herself with another man.
• Corrected which now is in Gwen’s POV
She noticed David watching her through narrowed eyes, his mouth grim. A blue vein throbbed in his forehead and his hands gripped his glass like a vice. Unmistakably, she thought, he was pissed watching her enjoy herself with another man.
Just a few word changes will bring the paragraph into the right POV and maintain the continuity of the scene.
Go through your work and edit it to be sure you have all the correct POV’s within your scenes. Your writing future depends on it.
Wishing you all joyous religious holidays! I'll be back Monday with Emma Lane and her new release Dark Domino. Until then...
Happy Writing!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
It's Wednesday, so What's Cooking? Easter Dinner
Our family celebrates Easter with a mountain of appetizers, a great meal, and lots of laughter. We usually have twenty-one for a sit-down dinner and each family brings a contribution to enhance the event. Below is what Studs and I prepare. Hope you enjoy it.
Ham Baked in Bread
My Mom’s Potato Salad
Fresh Green Beans
Black Olives in Oil
Fresh Fruit Salad
White Wine – Riesling
Ham Baked in Bread
7# smoked ham – I use Kentucky Legend. It’s excellent, but this recipe works for all hams.
3 packages prepared pizza dough found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
½ cup water for sealing seams
Preheat oven to 350.
Roll the dough into a rectangle. Lay ham curved side down onto dough. Gently lift the dough to wrap the ham securely. Be careful not to rip the dough.
Dip your fingertips in the water, then rub them along the seams to seal. This may take several water dips to achieve. Place the ham seam side down, so it doesn’t burst during baking, on a non-stick cookie sheet or shallow roasting pan. Bake 20 minutes per pound or until bread is toasty brown.
Remove the ham from the oven and let cool until you can touch the bread without burning your hands. With a sharp, thin knife, cut off just the top portion to create a lid. Carve the ham and remaining bread into slices. Don’t worry if the bread falls apart as you slice it. This can happen. Discard any scrapes. Lay the ham and bread on a serving platter. The bread will be a little soggy, and that’s good, because it has soaked up the ham juices. Cover with the lid you cut off earlier.
Right before you serve, cut the lid into neat slices, lay them around and over the ham. Your guests will love it.
My Mom’s Potato Salad
1 red potato per person
1 hard boiled egg for every 2-3 potatoes
one stalk celery for every 7 potatoes chopped fine
½ med onion for every 7 potatoes chopped fine
Pepper
Mayonnaise – NO substitutes
Boil the potatoes in their jackets until just fork tender. Remove from pot as they are done and allow to cool. Scrape the skins off. Slice in half widthwise then lengthwise. Slice into the bite size pieces.
While the potatoes are cooking, lay the eggs in a saucepan, cover with water, and place a lid on the pan. Bring to a boil, then shut off the heat and allow to sit on the burner for 7 minutes. Cut into quarters, then slice. Set aside covered with plastic wrap or a paper towel to eliminate drying out.
Combine celery and onion in a large bowl. Grind in a healthy amount of fresh pepper. Stir in several large spoonfuls of mayonnaise. You have to gauge by the number of potatoes you use. Mix well.
Add the potatoes, two at a time and mix well. Continue until all the potatoes are added. Check the salad for dryness. It should be moist but not swimming in mayo. Add the sliced eggs and stir again. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Fresh Green Beans
1 lb. fresh green beans trimmed
Water
2 – tbsp butter
Fresh ground black pepper
Bring large pot of water to a hard boil. A high heat setting is best.
Drop the beans in by the handful. Boil 10 to 15 minutes or until the beans are just tender. If you plan to reheat the beans, boil for less time as the reheating will cook them further.
Drain beans in a colander. Add butter to the hot pot and swirl to melt. Return beans to the pot. Toss with butter and coat well. Season with pepper to taste and stir again.
They may be made earlier and reheated on low heat. Be careful not to scorch them or burn the butter.
Black Olives in Oil
1 can medium pitted black olives
3 garlic cloves
Olive oil
Glass jar with a secure lid
Drain the black olives and pour them into the jar. Crush the garlic into the jar. Pour in the olive oil to cover. Refrigerate at least 1 week. The mix will become thick and cloudy. It’s okay, that’s the oil solidifying.
To serve, set the jar on the counter until the oil becomes clear and returns to its normal consistency, which may take several hours. Spoon out the quantity of olives you wish to serve into a pretty dish. Be sure to have toothpicks. Put the jar back in the fridge for future use. You can refill with more olives. The mixture will stay good up to two months.
Fresh Fruit Salad
Banana sliced
Cantaloupe sliced
Pineapple sliced
Kiwis sliced
Red grapes seedless halved
Blueberries
Raspberries
Combine all the fruit into a mixing bowl. Add a few drops lime or lemon juice to stop the bananas from turning brown. Gently stir to blend the fruit.
Pour into a glass bowl, cover and chill until time to serve.
My good friend Yasmine Phoenix emailed to tell me about The Spice House where you can find everything at reasonable prices. This amazing store is on North Wells in Chicago's Old Town. Don't let that bother you, they ship.
Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back Monday with Emma Lane and her new release BLACK DOMINO. Until then...
Happy Cooking!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Ham Baked in Bread
My Mom’s Potato Salad
Fresh Green Beans
Black Olives in Oil
Fresh Fruit Salad
White Wine – Riesling
Ham Baked in Bread
7# smoked ham – I use Kentucky Legend. It’s excellent, but this recipe works for all hams.
3 packages prepared pizza dough found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
½ cup water for sealing seams
Preheat oven to 350.
Roll the dough into a rectangle. Lay ham curved side down onto dough. Gently lift the dough to wrap the ham securely. Be careful not to rip the dough.
Dip your fingertips in the water, then rub them along the seams to seal. This may take several water dips to achieve. Place the ham seam side down, so it doesn’t burst during baking, on a non-stick cookie sheet or shallow roasting pan. Bake 20 minutes per pound or until bread is toasty brown.
Remove the ham from the oven and let cool until you can touch the bread without burning your hands. With a sharp, thin knife, cut off just the top portion to create a lid. Carve the ham and remaining bread into slices. Don’t worry if the bread falls apart as you slice it. This can happen. Discard any scrapes. Lay the ham and bread on a serving platter. The bread will be a little soggy, and that’s good, because it has soaked up the ham juices. Cover with the lid you cut off earlier.
Right before you serve, cut the lid into neat slices, lay them around and over the ham. Your guests will love it.
My Mom’s Potato Salad
1 red potato per person
1 hard boiled egg for every 2-3 potatoes
one stalk celery for every 7 potatoes chopped fine
½ med onion for every 7 potatoes chopped fine
Pepper
Mayonnaise – NO substitutes
Boil the potatoes in their jackets until just fork tender. Remove from pot as they are done and allow to cool. Scrape the skins off. Slice in half widthwise then lengthwise. Slice into the bite size pieces.
While the potatoes are cooking, lay the eggs in a saucepan, cover with water, and place a lid on the pan. Bring to a boil, then shut off the heat and allow to sit on the burner for 7 minutes. Cut into quarters, then slice. Set aside covered with plastic wrap or a paper towel to eliminate drying out.
Combine celery and onion in a large bowl. Grind in a healthy amount of fresh pepper. Stir in several large spoonfuls of mayonnaise. You have to gauge by the number of potatoes you use. Mix well.
Add the potatoes, two at a time and mix well. Continue until all the potatoes are added. Check the salad for dryness. It should be moist but not swimming in mayo. Add the sliced eggs and stir again. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Fresh Green Beans
1 lb. fresh green beans trimmed
Water
2 – tbsp butter
Fresh ground black pepper
Bring large pot of water to a hard boil. A high heat setting is best.
Drop the beans in by the handful. Boil 10 to 15 minutes or until the beans are just tender. If you plan to reheat the beans, boil for less time as the reheating will cook them further.
Drain beans in a colander. Add butter to the hot pot and swirl to melt. Return beans to the pot. Toss with butter and coat well. Season with pepper to taste and stir again.
They may be made earlier and reheated on low heat. Be careful not to scorch them or burn the butter.
Black Olives in Oil
1 can medium pitted black olives
3 garlic cloves
Olive oil
Glass jar with a secure lid
Drain the black olives and pour them into the jar. Crush the garlic into the jar. Pour in the olive oil to cover. Refrigerate at least 1 week. The mix will become thick and cloudy. It’s okay, that’s the oil solidifying.
To serve, set the jar on the counter until the oil becomes clear and returns to its normal consistency, which may take several hours. Spoon out the quantity of olives you wish to serve into a pretty dish. Be sure to have toothpicks. Put the jar back in the fridge for future use. You can refill with more olives. The mixture will stay good up to two months.
Fresh Fruit Salad
Banana sliced
Cantaloupe sliced
Pineapple sliced
Kiwis sliced
Red grapes seedless halved
Blueberries
Raspberries
Combine all the fruit into a mixing bowl. Add a few drops lime or lemon juice to stop the bananas from turning brown. Gently stir to blend the fruit.
Pour into a glass bowl, cover and chill until time to serve.
My good friend Yasmine Phoenix emailed to tell me about The Spice House where you can find everything at reasonable prices. This amazing store is on North Wells in Chicago's Old Town. Don't let that bother you, they ship.
Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back Monday with Emma Lane and her new release BLACK DOMINO. Until then...
Happy Cooking!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Monday, April 02, 2012
Into Mystery or Suspense? How About Zombies?
If so, then DEAD RECKONING, the debut novel by Paul Stansfield, is the book for you.
For those readers not familiar with Paul and his work, he was born and raised in New Jersey, and graduated from Rutgers University. He works as a field archaeologist. When Paul’s not excavating prehistoric sites or exhuming graves, he enjoys writing, mostly in the horror/thriller/suspense genres.
The future is bright for this talented author. Paul’s had short stories published by Bibliophilos, Mausoleum, Mobius, Ragshock, Morbid Curiosity, Generation X National Journal, Cthulhu Sex Magazine, Aoife’s Kiss, and Conceit.
DEAD RECKONING
Paul Stansfield
ISBN: 978-1-61937-244-3
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
This time, the zombies aren’t the bad guys.
Kurt Minnifield is a fledgling actor playing a zombie in a low budget horror movie. The director and crew decide to move their shooting to lovely and isolated Watkins State Park...only they don't get proper permission.
Victor Newsome is a thirteen year old trying to both shed his nerdy image and learn outdoor skills at a special survival camp. After teaching the boys how to make shelter and kill their own food, the counselors decide to take a day trip to the neighboring state park--Watkins.
A series of ethical lapses, poor decisions, and bad luck lead to a colossal misunderstanding. Violence erupts as both sides fight desperately against a dangerous set of foes. Who will be more savage--the literal "monsters," or the boys equipped with deadly weapons, and the knowledge of how to use them?
EXCERPT:
Kurt struggled to catch up as the unknown actor continued to track the other zombies. Now he saw that the other actors must have seen or heard the guy—they’d turned around and were advancing on him. The guy wasn’t anyone he recognized, either, this was definitely somebody new. So what happens now? No one had any special effects gear, so unless this man ran away the unscripted shooting was over.
The actor wasn’t fleeing. He raised his gun and aimed it at the zombie in front, Will. His hand shook for a second, and then he fired.
The crack of the shot was loud, and Kurt nearly fell over in shock. That was no blank! That sounded real! What the fuck? Blood was running from a hole in Will’s chest. Kurt gasped. Will had been the last zombie to be made up before Kurt—he was positive that T.J. hadn’t put any squibs on him.
Will had stopped, and his zombie claws went to the wound, and he stared at the hole wonderingly. The zombies nearest him—Tabby, Henry, and Ed, all dropped their arms down and were staring at Will too, and then back at the mystery man with astonished expressions on their faces.
The guy hesitated, and then raised his gun a little, and fired again. There was a second boom, and then Will’s eye broke up, followed almost immediately by the back of his head. Blood, and pieces of whitish skull and grayish brains splattered out, onto the forest floor. Will fell on his side with a strange gurgling sound.
Holy Shit! thought Kurt. That was no squib either. This was real! This guy is psycho! He watched as Tabby took off, into the bushes to the side of the clearing. Henry and Ed crouched by Will’s body, and struggled to communicate with the alien assassin. They waved their arms wildly, trying to signal “Stop” with their palms held up. Their grunting was noticeably louder, but still inarticulate.
The armed man paused a moment more, and then aimed once again. The two zombies tried to duck behind Will’s slumped corpse. Two shots whined past, and then a third hit Henry in the shoulder. Just then he whirled in Kurt’s direction and fired again, just as Kurt threw up his hands. As soon as the gunman turned, Ed and Henry were in the bushes right behind Tabby.
Fire rushed through Kurt’s left hand, just above the wrist. He groaned as he saw blood, and tendons, and even bone through the hole in his mangled hand. He dove to the ground, just as another bullet hit a tree right where his head had been. And then he was gone, tearing through the bushes and trees almost without looking.
The man trotted up to Will’s body, and kicked at it curiously. He looked briefly at the spot where the hand-shot zombie had disappeared, and then he turned back and went after the first three zombies.
BUY LINK
Learn more about the interesting life of Paul Stansfield on his blog.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new Easter menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
For those readers not familiar with Paul and his work, he was born and raised in New Jersey, and graduated from Rutgers University. He works as a field archaeologist. When Paul’s not excavating prehistoric sites or exhuming graves, he enjoys writing, mostly in the horror/thriller/suspense genres.
The future is bright for this talented author. Paul’s had short stories published by Bibliophilos, Mausoleum, Mobius, Ragshock, Morbid Curiosity, Generation X National Journal, Cthulhu Sex Magazine, Aoife’s Kiss, and Conceit.
DEAD RECKONING
Paul Stansfield
ISBN: 978-1-61937-244-3
Musa Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
This time, the zombies aren’t the bad guys.
Kurt Minnifield is a fledgling actor playing a zombie in a low budget horror movie. The director and crew decide to move their shooting to lovely and isolated Watkins State Park...only they don't get proper permission.
Victor Newsome is a thirteen year old trying to both shed his nerdy image and learn outdoor skills at a special survival camp. After teaching the boys how to make shelter and kill their own food, the counselors decide to take a day trip to the neighboring state park--Watkins.
A series of ethical lapses, poor decisions, and bad luck lead to a colossal misunderstanding. Violence erupts as both sides fight desperately against a dangerous set of foes. Who will be more savage--the literal "monsters," or the boys equipped with deadly weapons, and the knowledge of how to use them?
EXCERPT:
Kurt struggled to catch up as the unknown actor continued to track the other zombies. Now he saw that the other actors must have seen or heard the guy—they’d turned around and were advancing on him. The guy wasn’t anyone he recognized, either, this was definitely somebody new. So what happens now? No one had any special effects gear, so unless this man ran away the unscripted shooting was over.
The actor wasn’t fleeing. He raised his gun and aimed it at the zombie in front, Will. His hand shook for a second, and then he fired.
The crack of the shot was loud, and Kurt nearly fell over in shock. That was no blank! That sounded real! What the fuck? Blood was running from a hole in Will’s chest. Kurt gasped. Will had been the last zombie to be made up before Kurt—he was positive that T.J. hadn’t put any squibs on him.
Will had stopped, and his zombie claws went to the wound, and he stared at the hole wonderingly. The zombies nearest him—Tabby, Henry, and Ed, all dropped their arms down and were staring at Will too, and then back at the mystery man with astonished expressions on their faces.
The guy hesitated, and then raised his gun a little, and fired again. There was a second boom, and then Will’s eye broke up, followed almost immediately by the back of his head. Blood, and pieces of whitish skull and grayish brains splattered out, onto the forest floor. Will fell on his side with a strange gurgling sound.
Holy Shit! thought Kurt. That was no squib either. This was real! This guy is psycho! He watched as Tabby took off, into the bushes to the side of the clearing. Henry and Ed crouched by Will’s body, and struggled to communicate with the alien assassin. They waved their arms wildly, trying to signal “Stop” with their palms held up. Their grunting was noticeably louder, but still inarticulate.
The armed man paused a moment more, and then aimed once again. The two zombies tried to duck behind Will’s slumped corpse. Two shots whined past, and then a third hit Henry in the shoulder. Just then he whirled in Kurt’s direction and fired again, just as Kurt threw up his hands. As soon as the gunman turned, Ed and Henry were in the bushes right behind Tabby.
Fire rushed through Kurt’s left hand, just above the wrist. He groaned as he saw blood, and tendons, and even bone through the hole in his mangled hand. He dove to the ground, just as another bullet hit a tree right where his head had been. And then he was gone, tearing through the bushes and trees almost without looking.
The man trotted up to Will’s body, and kicked at it curiously. He looked briefly at the spot where the hand-shot zombie had disappeared, and then he turned back and went after the first three zombies.
BUY LINK
Learn more about the interesting life of Paul Stansfield on his blog.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new Easter menu. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Friday, March 30, 2012
So You Want To Be An Author Part Two
You’ve written your characterization and now you’re good to go. Wrong!
Time to consider the back-story. What’s back-story? It’s the life chronicle of your characters. All of your characters. Every person in your novel has a past which is why you wrote characterizations. They think, feel, and act based on their history just as we do.
If you don’t have critique partners, get some. Not your mom or best friend. They truly can’t be objective. Hook up with writer’s groups, workmates willing to share their opinions, or friend who love to read. Empower them to be honest. You’ll be glad you did.
My CPs are always willing to read a member’s work and constructively correct the flaws at any time. They’re also brutal about sloughing off. Back when I was green and dumb, Beth Anderson took me under her wing. She sent me an insightful e-mail after reading my first chapter.
“A suggestion is to perhaps cut the back-story a little. I’d like to see your heroine’s issues be a mystery to me as a reader. After reading the first chapter there’s no mystery. I understand her, I understand her issues, and I know her history. Let her be more of a mystery, don’t tell me everything, let it come out in dribs and drabs.” Beth’s words made me think.
At our next meeting I broached the subject. Melissa Bradley, an author and friend who speaks her mind, said it was “too much, waaaay to soon”. Of course, the others agreed. These buds made me think even more and to these authors I am forever grateful.
This is what I finally learned;
If little Johnny peed his pants in third grade and the teacher shamed him in front of his class, readers don’t care. It’s only important as a brief mention or a thought timely planted in the story. Johnny knows what he did and the reader only wants an indication if it brings out some deep dark secret which leads him to act as he does in your book.
This is what I finally figured out to correct my problem;
1 - List all the high points from your characterization. (Don’t panic; remember on Thursday we’ll discuss characterization.) Skip the height, weight, etc. You only want the important events, ie;
a. Johnny peed his pants
b. He feels shame whenever he wears brown
c. He won’t talk in front of groups
d. He has a fear of public bathrooms
Get the idea?
2 – Write your story and drop in a line of back-story here and there but only where it’s appropriate.
3 – Cross out the line from your list after you use it and note in the margin which page it’s on.
This method taught me to sprinkle in the back-story for the proper effect and not put the reader in a coma.
There will be pages in your book with plenty of back-story, but if the timing’s right it’s perfect.
Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back Monday with Paul Stansfield and his exciting suspense book DEAD RECKONING. Until then…
Happy Writing!
Sloane Taylor
www.facebook.com/AuthorSloaneTaylor
Time to consider the back-story. What’s back-story? It’s the life chronicle of your characters. All of your characters. Every person in your novel has a past which is why you wrote characterizations. They think, feel, and act based on their history just as we do.
If you don’t have critique partners, get some. Not your mom or best friend. They truly can’t be objective. Hook up with writer’s groups, workmates willing to share their opinions, or friend who love to read. Empower them to be honest. You’ll be glad you did.
My CPs are always willing to read a member’s work and constructively correct the flaws at any time. They’re also brutal about sloughing off. Back when I was green and dumb, Beth Anderson took me under her wing. She sent me an insightful e-mail after reading my first chapter.
“A suggestion is to perhaps cut the back-story a little. I’d like to see your heroine’s issues be a mystery to me as a reader. After reading the first chapter there’s no mystery. I understand her, I understand her issues, and I know her history. Let her be more of a mystery, don’t tell me everything, let it come out in dribs and drabs.” Beth’s words made me think.
At our next meeting I broached the subject. Melissa Bradley, an author and friend who speaks her mind, said it was “too much, waaaay to soon”. Of course, the others agreed. These buds made me think even more and to these authors I am forever grateful.
This is what I finally learned;
If little Johnny peed his pants in third grade and the teacher shamed him in front of his class, readers don’t care. It’s only important as a brief mention or a thought timely planted in the story. Johnny knows what he did and the reader only wants an indication if it brings out some deep dark secret which leads him to act as he does in your book.
This is what I finally figured out to correct my problem;
1 - List all the high points from your characterization. (Don’t panic; remember on Thursday we’ll discuss characterization.) Skip the height, weight, etc. You only want the important events, ie;
a. Johnny peed his pants
b. He feels shame whenever he wears brown
c. He won’t talk in front of groups
d. He has a fear of public bathrooms
Get the idea?
2 – Write your story and drop in a line of back-story here and there but only where it’s appropriate.
3 – Cross out the line from your list after you use it and note in the margin which page it’s on.
This method taught me to sprinkle in the back-story for the proper effect and not put the reader in a coma.
There will be pages in your book with plenty of back-story, but if the timing’s right it’s perfect.
Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back Monday with Paul Stansfield and his exciting suspense book DEAD RECKONING. Until then…
Happy Writing!
Sloane Taylor
www.facebook.com/AuthorSloaneTaylor
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
It's Wednesday, so What's Cooking? Pork Chops
One thing I've always had trouble cooking was pork chops. They usually tasted good, but never failed to be tougher than the soles of my shoes. After years of failed recipes, not to mention embarrassment, I finally took matters in hand and created today’s recipe.
Like all the menus posted here, this has been prepared many times for tough critics and has always been well received. Give it a try and, please, let me know how your critics respond.
Marinated Pork Chops Braised in White Wine
Boiled Potatoes
Steamed Asparagus
White Wine – Soave Bolla
Marinated Pork Chops Braised in White Wine
1 teas dried sage or 4 fresh leaves
1 teas dried rosemary or 5 fresh sprigs
1 teas dried thyme or 5 fresh sprigs
1 teas pressed or finely chopped garlic
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Olive oil
4 pork chops with or without bones 1 inch thick
¾ cup dry white wine
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp chopped parsley fresh or dried – optional
Lay herbs into a glass dish large enough to hold the chops in one layer. Sprinkle garlic over the herbs. Carefully pour about 1 cup olive oil into dish so as not to disturb the herbs, then add the pepper. Lay the chops across the herb mixture. Add more olive oil until the chops are barely covered.
Marinade in the refrigerator for 2-5 hours. Turn the cops once during the time you’ve allowed.
Remove dish from fridge 1 hour or a little less before cooking. The meat cooks better if it’s nearer room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 250 F.
Add a little of the marinade to a medium size frying pan and heat on medium high until the oil shimmers. Add the chops and brown about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Transfer the meat to an ovenproof plate. Pour off all but a thin film of oil, add ½ cup of the wine and bring to a boil. Return the chops to the pan. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, basting with the pan juices occasionally, until they are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. Return the meat to the ovenproof plate, cover, and set in oven while you finish the potatoes and asparagus.
Prepare the sauce just before serving dinner. Skim as much fat as you can from the braising liquid and pour in the remaining ¼ cup wine. Boil it over high heat, stirring and scraping in any browned bits that cling to the bottom and sides of the pan, until the liquid has reduced to a syrupy glaze.
Off the heat, swirl in the butter and parsley, pour over the pork chops and serve.
Boiled Potatoes
1 Idaho potato per person
1 cup Chicken stock
1 bay leaf or 1 tbsp dried basil
Tap water
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Butter to taste
In a medium size saucepan add chicken stock and the herb you choose. Peel potatoes, rinse, then slice in thirds, place into pot. Add tap water to cover the potatoes by about an inch or so. Too much water and the potatoes will be soggy. Not enough and they’ll be raw on the sections above the water.
Cover the pot and heat on medium until the potatoes come to a boil. Adjust the heat and/or the lid to maintain a decent boil, but not a hard one, until potatoes are fork tender. It takes about 15 minutes after they begin to boil.
Drain and return potatoes to pot. Discard bay leaf. Stir in butter and pepper and serve.
Steamed Asparagus
1 bunch asparagus
½ cup chicken stock
½ cup dry vermouth
Tap water
2 tbsp butter
Metal vegetable steamer
Add chicken stock and dry vermouth to a medium size saucepan. Insert vegetable steamer, then add tap water to just below the bottom holes.
Snap off the ends of the asparagus and trim the spears to fit your saucepan. Add spears and cover. Bring to a boil over medium heat, adjusting the heat to a strong simmer. In 4-5 minutes the asparagus should be crisp tender.
Lay asparagus in a serving bowl, then spread the butter over them and serve.
Happy Cooking!
Sloane Taylor
website
Like all the menus posted here, this has been prepared many times for tough critics and has always been well received. Give it a try and, please, let me know how your critics respond.
Marinated Pork Chops Braised in White Wine
Boiled Potatoes
Steamed Asparagus
White Wine – Soave Bolla
Marinated Pork Chops Braised in White Wine
1 teas dried sage or 4 fresh leaves
1 teas dried rosemary or 5 fresh sprigs
1 teas dried thyme or 5 fresh sprigs
1 teas pressed or finely chopped garlic
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Olive oil
4 pork chops with or without bones 1 inch thick
¾ cup dry white wine
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp chopped parsley fresh or dried – optional
Lay herbs into a glass dish large enough to hold the chops in one layer. Sprinkle garlic over the herbs. Carefully pour about 1 cup olive oil into dish so as not to disturb the herbs, then add the pepper. Lay the chops across the herb mixture. Add more olive oil until the chops are barely covered.
Marinade in the refrigerator for 2-5 hours. Turn the cops once during the time you’ve allowed.
Remove dish from fridge 1 hour or a little less before cooking. The meat cooks better if it’s nearer room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 250 F.
Add a little of the marinade to a medium size frying pan and heat on medium high until the oil shimmers. Add the chops and brown about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Transfer the meat to an ovenproof plate. Pour off all but a thin film of oil, add ½ cup of the wine and bring to a boil. Return the chops to the pan. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, basting with the pan juices occasionally, until they are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. Return the meat to the ovenproof plate, cover, and set in oven while you finish the potatoes and asparagus.
Prepare the sauce just before serving dinner. Skim as much fat as you can from the braising liquid and pour in the remaining ¼ cup wine. Boil it over high heat, stirring and scraping in any browned bits that cling to the bottom and sides of the pan, until the liquid has reduced to a syrupy glaze.
Off the heat, swirl in the butter and parsley, pour over the pork chops and serve.
Boiled Potatoes
1 Idaho potato per person
1 cup Chicken stock
1 bay leaf or 1 tbsp dried basil
Tap water
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Butter to taste
In a medium size saucepan add chicken stock and the herb you choose. Peel potatoes, rinse, then slice in thirds, place into pot. Add tap water to cover the potatoes by about an inch or so. Too much water and the potatoes will be soggy. Not enough and they’ll be raw on the sections above the water.
Cover the pot and heat on medium until the potatoes come to a boil. Adjust the heat and/or the lid to maintain a decent boil, but not a hard one, until potatoes are fork tender. It takes about 15 minutes after they begin to boil.
Drain and return potatoes to pot. Discard bay leaf. Stir in butter and pepper and serve.
Steamed Asparagus
1 bunch asparagus
½ cup chicken stock
½ cup dry vermouth
Tap water
2 tbsp butter
Metal vegetable steamer
Add chicken stock and dry vermouth to a medium size saucepan. Insert vegetable steamer, then add tap water to just below the bottom holes.
Snap off the ends of the asparagus and trim the spears to fit your saucepan. Add spears and cover. Bring to a boil over medium heat, adjusting the heat to a strong simmer. In 4-5 minutes the asparagus should be crisp tender.
Lay asparagus in a serving bowl, then spread the butter over them and serve.
Happy Cooking!
Sloane Taylor
website
Monday, March 26, 2012
So You Want To Be An Author
Many readers have emailed me asking what it takes to become an author. The easiest way to answer is by posting a collection of writing tips I've learned over my years in the business. Starting this month, a new post will share some insight and, hopefully, help you achieve your dream.
So - Attention Everyone - Class is now in session.:)
CHARACTERIZATION
Characterization isn’t about the fool at your last holiday party everyone laughed at then dissected on the drive home. It’s the life of your hero, heroine, and all secondary characters beyond their height, weight, and eye color in your novel.
Let’s do a cast call.
Starring Roles;
Johnny the Hero
Liz the Heroine
Supporting Cast;
Fred – Johnny’s best friend
Pam – Liz’s best friend
Marge – Johnny’s mother
Walk-Ons;
Taxi Driver
Waiter
Hairdresser
Of the above group, the only roles needing a characterization are the stars and supporting cast. The Walk-Ons are too minor to worry about.
Award-winning author, and mentor extraordinaire, Beth Anderson spent many a long night explaining to me why creating a characterization is important to any well-written book. Since we don’t have forever here, I’ll crunch it down.
You, the author, must know the history of your characters. Their past events are what make them be the people they are today. It is what has driven them to be honest, strong, or steal. You won’t know why your hero runs into the burning building to save the heroine if you don’t understand his history.
So how do you so this? Very easy, but a little time consuming. Don’t fudge on this. It’s too important to writing a novel that will impress an editor and create a reader following.
The stars need an extensive characterization. Following is the simple process;
1 - Park yourself at your computer. Each characterization will take several hours so relax and enjoy.
2 - Choose one of the lead characters.
3 - Imagine you are that person. We’ll use Johnny for the example.
4 - Just type. Bang out his life starting at boyhood. Write in his voice. It’s amazing how your phrases will alter as he ages. Bring him up to the starting point of your novel and no farther. Include every detail no matter how insignificant it may seem. Let your mind run on and you will be Johnny, living the high points, and lows, of his youth and what drove him to the man where your story begins. You’re in Johnny’s point of view. Did he pee his pants in third grade? What really happened? What did he see, smell, and feel inside?
Don’t worry about punctuation, grammar, or spelling. Just type. No one else will ever read your work.
Do this with your heroine as well.
You have finally finished your stars. It’s time to begin on your supporting cast. They’ll take much less time since they aren’t nearly as important. You don’t have to start in their childhood. Type up a brief bio, something similar to an obituary of a famous person.
I took Beth’s method one step farther to help me drop the back-story, which we’ll discuss Friday, into my novel.
Below are the four easy steps;
1 – Print out each characters history.
2 – List all the high-points on a separate sheet of paper. The order doesn’t matter.
3 - As you write your novel drop in a line or two of back-story at the appropriate time to enrich the action of your character.
4 – Cross off the lines used and write next to them which page you’ve inserted it.
This method will help you build stronger characters with real motivation your reader and editor will love.
I'll be back on Friday with more writing tips. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
So - Attention Everyone - Class is now in session.:)
CHARACTERIZATION
Characterization isn’t about the fool at your last holiday party everyone laughed at then dissected on the drive home. It’s the life of your hero, heroine, and all secondary characters beyond their height, weight, and eye color in your novel.
Let’s do a cast call.
Starring Roles;
Johnny the Hero
Liz the Heroine
Supporting Cast;
Fred – Johnny’s best friend
Pam – Liz’s best friend
Marge – Johnny’s mother
Walk-Ons;
Taxi Driver
Waiter
Hairdresser
Of the above group, the only roles needing a characterization are the stars and supporting cast. The Walk-Ons are too minor to worry about.
Award-winning author, and mentor extraordinaire, Beth Anderson spent many a long night explaining to me why creating a characterization is important to any well-written book. Since we don’t have forever here, I’ll crunch it down.
You, the author, must know the history of your characters. Their past events are what make them be the people they are today. It is what has driven them to be honest, strong, or steal. You won’t know why your hero runs into the burning building to save the heroine if you don’t understand his history.
So how do you so this? Very easy, but a little time consuming. Don’t fudge on this. It’s too important to writing a novel that will impress an editor and create a reader following.
The stars need an extensive characterization. Following is the simple process;
1 - Park yourself at your computer. Each characterization will take several hours so relax and enjoy.
2 - Choose one of the lead characters.
3 - Imagine you are that person. We’ll use Johnny for the example.
4 - Just type. Bang out his life starting at boyhood. Write in his voice. It’s amazing how your phrases will alter as he ages. Bring him up to the starting point of your novel and no farther. Include every detail no matter how insignificant it may seem. Let your mind run on and you will be Johnny, living the high points, and lows, of his youth and what drove him to the man where your story begins. You’re in Johnny’s point of view. Did he pee his pants in third grade? What really happened? What did he see, smell, and feel inside?
Don’t worry about punctuation, grammar, or spelling. Just type. No one else will ever read your work.
Do this with your heroine as well.
You have finally finished your stars. It’s time to begin on your supporting cast. They’ll take much less time since they aren’t nearly as important. You don’t have to start in their childhood. Type up a brief bio, something similar to an obituary of a famous person.
I took Beth’s method one step farther to help me drop the back-story, which we’ll discuss Friday, into my novel.
Below are the four easy steps;
1 – Print out each characters history.
2 – List all the high-points on a separate sheet of paper. The order doesn’t matter.
3 - As you write your novel drop in a line or two of back-story at the appropriate time to enrich the action of your character.
4 – Cross off the lines used and write next to them which page you’ve inserted it.
This method will help you build stronger characters with real motivation your reader and editor will love.
I'll be back on Friday with more writing tips. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
It's Wednesday, so What's Cooking? Merluzzo Alla Livornese
This is the time of year many people elect to eat fish on Friday. I see some of you wrinkling your noses. No need. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the tantalizing aroma from this easy recipe and the taste is superb. Studs and I have served this menu to skeptical guests and they fell in love with it.
Cod Livornese (merluzzo alla livornese)
Whole Grain Spaghetti
Tossed Salad
Italian Bread
White Wine – Pinot Grigio from Bella Sera is perfect
Cod Livornese (merluzzo alla livornese)
2 tbsp olive oil
½ medium onion sliced thin
3 garlic cloves pressed or chopped fine
½ cup dry white wine
1 14-½ oz. can diced tomatoes or 7 large Roma tomatoes chopped
½ cup sliced black olives
4 tbsp parsley fresh (chopped) or 2 tbsp dried
2 tbsp washed, drained and chopped capers – optional, but they really add flavor
½ tsp crushed red pepper
4 pieces cod about 6 oz. each and cut to handle easily
1 tbsp fresh basil chopped or 1 tsp dried
In nonstick large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat until it shimmers. Add onion, stir until translucent and lightly brown. Stir in garlic, cook 30 seconds. Add wine, cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes with the juice, olives, parsley, capers and red pepper. Heat to boiling.
Lay cod fillets over tomato mixture. Lower heat to medium. Cover skillet and cook until cod turns opaque throughout and flakes, about 9 minutes.
Sprinkle basil across the top.
Serve over whole grain spaghetti.
Makes 4 servings
Don’t prepare extra. Leftovers have a stale taste and tend to be tough.
Whole Grain Spaghetti
Prepare according to package directions
Tossed Salad
Lettuce from 2 different types torn into bite size pieces, red leaf and head are excellent choices
Tomatoes chopped
Cucumber peeled and sliced
Zucchini diced
Green Onions sliced, be sure to add some of the green
Mushrooms sliced
Black Olive
Pepperoncini
Combine everything, or any grouping you like. Cover with a damp paper towel and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Toss with a good Italian dressing. Newman’s Own Family Recipe Italian Dressing is ideal. Periodically, check out this link for coupons.
Be careful not to add too much dressing or the lettuce will get soggy. Should you mix in too much dressing, dump the salad in a colander for a minute or three to allow excess dressing to drain off.
Several of you have emailed me about writing. Monday, I'll begin a series of tips and suggestions to stretch your talent. Until then...
Mangiar!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Cod Livornese (merluzzo alla livornese)
Whole Grain Spaghetti
Tossed Salad
Italian Bread
White Wine – Pinot Grigio from Bella Sera is perfect
Cod Livornese (merluzzo alla livornese)
2 tbsp olive oil
½ medium onion sliced thin
3 garlic cloves pressed or chopped fine
½ cup dry white wine
1 14-½ oz. can diced tomatoes or 7 large Roma tomatoes chopped
½ cup sliced black olives
4 tbsp parsley fresh (chopped) or 2 tbsp dried
2 tbsp washed, drained and chopped capers – optional, but they really add flavor
½ tsp crushed red pepper
4 pieces cod about 6 oz. each and cut to handle easily
1 tbsp fresh basil chopped or 1 tsp dried
In nonstick large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat until it shimmers. Add onion, stir until translucent and lightly brown. Stir in garlic, cook 30 seconds. Add wine, cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes with the juice, olives, parsley, capers and red pepper. Heat to boiling.
Lay cod fillets over tomato mixture. Lower heat to medium. Cover skillet and cook until cod turns opaque throughout and flakes, about 9 minutes.
Sprinkle basil across the top.
Serve over whole grain spaghetti.
Makes 4 servings
Don’t prepare extra. Leftovers have a stale taste and tend to be tough.
Whole Grain Spaghetti
Prepare according to package directions
Tossed Salad
Lettuce from 2 different types torn into bite size pieces, red leaf and head are excellent choices
Tomatoes chopped
Cucumber peeled and sliced
Zucchini diced
Green Onions sliced, be sure to add some of the green
Mushrooms sliced
Black Olive
Pepperoncini
Combine everything, or any grouping you like. Cover with a damp paper towel and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Toss with a good Italian dressing. Newman’s Own Family Recipe Italian Dressing is ideal. Periodically, check out this link for coupons.
Be careful not to add too much dressing or the lettuce will get soggy. Should you mix in too much dressing, dump the salad in a colander for a minute or three to allow excess dressing to drain off.
Several of you have emailed me about writing. Monday, I'll begin a series of tips and suggestions to stretch your talent. Until then...
Mangiar!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Monday, March 19, 2012
Step into a World of Paranormal Heat
Raine Delight is with us today to share her award winning paranormal novel STICKY MAGIC, book one in her critically acclaimed Devon Falls series.
For those of you who don't know, Raine Delight is a pseudonym of a self professed book lover and after one too many Too Stupid To Live characters, decided to see if she could write something a little better. Many drafts later, the Devon Falls series came together and her fans are ecstatic it did.
Her muse is a male nut who leaves her to sip Mai Tais on the beach and floundering for words; though eventually he takes pity on her and gets those words flowing.
Raine lives with her two kids, a significant other who supports her every move in writing and doesn’t mind she wakes at 2 am to work on the computer.
With a love for Johnny Depp, movies, and 80’s hair bands, Raine finds a way to bring all her chaotic thoughts into a story that tells her readers about love and romance. Here, see for yourself.
STICKY MAGIC
Book One in the Devon Falls Series
Raine Delight
Secret Cravings Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Jenna never expected to see the one man to make her heart spin and her body clench in desire walk into her Candy Shoppe. With just one look, Marc du Bree captures her elusive heart and takes her on a journey that will either make her his for all time or have her run away as fast as she can.
EXCERPT:
Marc couldn’t believe the erotic picture he saw with Jenna sliding her hands up around his cock. Closing his eyes in the ecstasy of her touch and talented tongue had him almost coming right then and there if not for sheer will power on his behalf.
“Please, sweetheart, enough, or I am going to come all over myself.” Marc huskily said as he pulled her up along himself.
Jenna leaned down and kissed him sweetly as she sat up and positioned herself over his straining cock. She tenderly slid down inch by inch, and his hardness was welcomed in the velvet wetness of her pussy, gripping him in anticipation only he could deliver.
Groaning, Marc restrained himself from slamming into her as his eyes started to light up again.
Soon, he was encased in Jenna’s pussy and as she began to get her rhythm, Marc teased her nipples with light tugging and teasing, forcing a husky, desire-laden groan from her.
“Let it go, mia cara. Let me feel you come over my cock.” Marc said as he heard, then felt, her orgasm scream through her. Feeling her pussy walls tighten and grip his cock had Marc thrusting faster until he moaned with desire as his orgasm literally overflowed Jenna’s pussy.
Panting softly, Jenna slumped over his body, exhausted and still trembling from the effects of their joining. She turned her head and kissed Marc’s shoulder as she tumbled into sleep.
“Ahhh, cara mia, you delight me.” Marc said as he ran a hand from the nape of her neck to her hip. Making sure she was comfortable, he tumbled off to sleep as well, content in knowing she was right there beside him forever.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Raine and Devon Falls on her website. Catch up with her on facebook. Raine also has a fun reader's loop and blog you’ll enjoy.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new recipe for Cod Livornese. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
For those of you who don't know, Raine Delight is a pseudonym of a self professed book lover and after one too many Too Stupid To Live characters, decided to see if she could write something a little better. Many drafts later, the Devon Falls series came together and her fans are ecstatic it did.
Her muse is a male nut who leaves her to sip Mai Tais on the beach and floundering for words; though eventually he takes pity on her and gets those words flowing.
Raine lives with her two kids, a significant other who supports her every move in writing and doesn’t mind she wakes at 2 am to work on the computer.
With a love for Johnny Depp, movies, and 80’s hair bands, Raine finds a way to bring all her chaotic thoughts into a story that tells her readers about love and romance. Here, see for yourself.
STICKY MAGIC
Book One in the Devon Falls Series
Raine Delight
Secret Cravings Publishing
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Jenna never expected to see the one man to make her heart spin and her body clench in desire walk into her Candy Shoppe. With just one look, Marc du Bree captures her elusive heart and takes her on a journey that will either make her his for all time or have her run away as fast as she can.
EXCERPT:
Marc couldn’t believe the erotic picture he saw with Jenna sliding her hands up around his cock. Closing his eyes in the ecstasy of her touch and talented tongue had him almost coming right then and there if not for sheer will power on his behalf.
“Please, sweetheart, enough, or I am going to come all over myself.” Marc huskily said as he pulled her up along himself.
Jenna leaned down and kissed him sweetly as she sat up and positioned herself over his straining cock. She tenderly slid down inch by inch, and his hardness was welcomed in the velvet wetness of her pussy, gripping him in anticipation only he could deliver.
Groaning, Marc restrained himself from slamming into her as his eyes started to light up again.
Soon, he was encased in Jenna’s pussy and as she began to get her rhythm, Marc teased her nipples with light tugging and teasing, forcing a husky, desire-laden groan from her.
“Let it go, mia cara. Let me feel you come over my cock.” Marc said as he heard, then felt, her orgasm scream through her. Feeling her pussy walls tighten and grip his cock had Marc thrusting faster until he moaned with desire as his orgasm literally overflowed Jenna’s pussy.
Panting softly, Jenna slumped over his body, exhausted and still trembling from the effects of their joining. She turned her head and kissed Marc’s shoulder as she tumbled into sleep.
“Ahhh, cara mia, you delight me.” Marc said as he ran a hand from the nape of her neck to her hip. Making sure she was comfortable, he tumbled off to sleep as well, content in knowing she was right there beside him forever.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Raine and Devon Falls on her website. Catch up with her on facebook. Raine also has a fun reader's loop and blog you’ll enjoy.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a new recipe for Cod Livornese. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Friday, March 16, 2012
WE HAVE WINNERS
I run an easy contest in my quarterly newsletter with at least two winners, offering free downloads as the prize. The last contest was to email me with NEWSLETTER in the subject line for a chance to win a copy of WARM RUSH, book one in the Chasing Winter series, by Rowan McBride.
And the winners were:
BARBARA
GTW
Here’s a little about the book these happy people are now enjoying.
...When Jesse Winter left Connecticut to attend his business overseas, he had no idea that he would be gone three long years. His homecoming is a bitter one. An accident has left his body shattered and his heart cloaked in ice, and he knows he'll never be warm again.
But Keith Taylor, just fifteen when Jesse skipped the country, has other ideas. He's all grown up now, and he's been waiting for Jesse to come home.
Keith's determined to bring the fire back into Jesse's life, and he knows he's strong enough to do it...
My quarterly newsletter always has a Members Only contest that is super easy. To join in the fun and a chance to win, go to my website and click the Newsletter link on the sidebar.
Hope you have a fun-filled St. Paddy's day! I’ll be back Monday. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey…Hotter than Hell
And the winners were:
BARBARA
GTW
Here’s a little about the book these happy people are now enjoying.
...When Jesse Winter left Connecticut to attend his business overseas, he had no idea that he would be gone three long years. His homecoming is a bitter one. An accident has left his body shattered and his heart cloaked in ice, and he knows he'll never be warm again.
But Keith Taylor, just fifteen when Jesse skipped the country, has other ideas. He's all grown up now, and he's been waiting for Jesse to come home.
Keith's determined to bring the fire back into Jesse's life, and he knows he's strong enough to do it...
My quarterly newsletter always has a Members Only contest that is super easy. To join in the fun and a chance to win, go to my website and click the Newsletter link on the sidebar.
Hope you have a fun-filled St. Paddy's day! I’ll be back Monday. Until then…
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey…Hotter than Hell
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
It’s Wednesday, so what’s cooking? Leftovers.
That’s right, a tasty way to use those bits of beef you’ve frozen and promised yourself to reheat before they ended in the trash. This recipe works well with all types of beef and pork, or a combination of the two. Be sure to include any of the juices that have collected in your container.
Shepherd’s Pie
Salad
Fresh Italian or French Bread
Beer – for this menu, my favorite is Harp
The Filling
2 TBL olive oil
1 TBL butter
1 large onion chopped fine
1 large carrot chopped fine
3 gloves garlic pressed
1 ½ pounds leftover beef chopped bite size or smaller
4 sprigs rosemary leaves removed or 1 teas. dried
4 sprigs thyme leaves removed or 1 teas. Dried
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 teas. Worcestershire Sauce
½ can tomato paste
¼ cup dry red wine
½ cup beef stock
Pour olive oil into a large, hot frying pan and stir in butter. Sauté onion and carrot until the onion is translucent and tender, but not brown, about 5 - 7 minutes.
Add garlic and stir for about 30 – 60 seconds.
Blend in the meat, herb leaves, and pepper.
Stir in Worcestershire Sauce, stir, tomato paste, stir, red wine and cook for 2 minutes.
Pour the stock into the pan and heat through for 3 minutes.
You don’t have to be adamant on all the times. They are merely guides so you don’t rush the process.
Mashed Potatoes
5 russet potatoes
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
3 ½ TBL soft butter
1 egg yolk
Freshly ground pepper to taste
½ cup Parmesan cheese
Peel and quarter potatoes. Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or so. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender. Drain pan.
Add sour cream, some of the milk, all of the butter, and the pepper to the pan. Mash the potatoes. Add small amounts of additional milk until you achieve the consistency you prefer. Add the egg yolk and half the Parmesan cheese. Stir well.
Cover with aluminum foil to keep from drying out until you assemble the pie.
Assemble the Pie
Preheat the oven to 400F
Scoop the meat into individual ovenproof dishes or a deep casserole. I prefer the individual dishes as this recipe freezes well or will hold in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Fill bowls no more than ¾’s.
Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top and spread to the edges. This can be a little tricky. Don’t press down on the spoon or the juice will flood over the potatoes. Sprinkle with a generation portion of Parmesan cheese.
Set bowls on a cookie sheet to protect the oven should they boil over. Bake 20 minutes or so to lightly brown the potatoes and set the pie.
If you use the individual bowls, serve them on a dinner plate to protect your tabletop from the heat. The pie is extremely hot. Be sure to warn your diners so no one burns their mouth.
Tossed Salad
Lettuce from 2 different types torn into bite size pieces, red leaf and head are excellent choices
Tomatoes chopped
Cucumber peeled and sliced
Zucchini diced
Green Onions sliced, be sure to add some of the green
Mushrooms sliced
Combine everything, or any grouping you like. Cover with a damp paper towel and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Toss with your favorite dressing, for this menu I prefer Italian. Be careful not to add too much dressing or the lettuce will get soggy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you a Vin Diesel fan? If so, my good friend Yasmine Phoenix is blogging about The Chronicles of Riddick at on her website. Check it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll be back Monday with Raine Delight and her thigh-clenching book STICKY MAGIC. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Shepherd’s Pie
Salad
Fresh Italian or French Bread
Beer – for this menu, my favorite is Harp
The Filling
2 TBL olive oil
1 TBL butter
1 large onion chopped fine
1 large carrot chopped fine
3 gloves garlic pressed
1 ½ pounds leftover beef chopped bite size or smaller
4 sprigs rosemary leaves removed or 1 teas. dried
4 sprigs thyme leaves removed or 1 teas. Dried
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 teas. Worcestershire Sauce
½ can tomato paste
¼ cup dry red wine
½ cup beef stock
Pour olive oil into a large, hot frying pan and stir in butter. Sauté onion and carrot until the onion is translucent and tender, but not brown, about 5 - 7 minutes.
Add garlic and stir for about 30 – 60 seconds.
Blend in the meat, herb leaves, and pepper.
Stir in Worcestershire Sauce, stir, tomato paste, stir, red wine and cook for 2 minutes.
Pour the stock into the pan and heat through for 3 minutes.
You don’t have to be adamant on all the times. They are merely guides so you don’t rush the process.
Mashed Potatoes
5 russet potatoes
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
3 ½ TBL soft butter
1 egg yolk
Freshly ground pepper to taste
½ cup Parmesan cheese
Peel and quarter potatoes. Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or so. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender. Drain pan.
Add sour cream, some of the milk, all of the butter, and the pepper to the pan. Mash the potatoes. Add small amounts of additional milk until you achieve the consistency you prefer. Add the egg yolk and half the Parmesan cheese. Stir well.
Cover with aluminum foil to keep from drying out until you assemble the pie.
Assemble the Pie
Preheat the oven to 400F
Scoop the meat into individual ovenproof dishes or a deep casserole. I prefer the individual dishes as this recipe freezes well or will hold in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Fill bowls no more than ¾’s.
Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top and spread to the edges. This can be a little tricky. Don’t press down on the spoon or the juice will flood over the potatoes. Sprinkle with a generation portion of Parmesan cheese.
Set bowls on a cookie sheet to protect the oven should they boil over. Bake 20 minutes or so to lightly brown the potatoes and set the pie.
If you use the individual bowls, serve them on a dinner plate to protect your tabletop from the heat. The pie is extremely hot. Be sure to warn your diners so no one burns their mouth.
Tossed Salad
Lettuce from 2 different types torn into bite size pieces, red leaf and head are excellent choices
Tomatoes chopped
Cucumber peeled and sliced
Zucchini diced
Green Onions sliced, be sure to add some of the green
Mushrooms sliced
Combine everything, or any grouping you like. Cover with a damp paper towel and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Toss with your favorite dressing, for this menu I prefer Italian. Be careful not to add too much dressing or the lettuce will get soggy.
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Are you a Vin Diesel fan? If so, my good friend Yasmine Phoenix is blogging about The Chronicles of Riddick at on her website. Check it out.
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I'll be back Monday with Raine Delight and her thigh-clenching book STICKY MAGIC. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Monday, March 12, 2012
TURN UP THE HEAT
Jennifer Loy is with us to share her new release SUNSET SIZZLE. And it is a scorcher.
Jennifer has been writing romantic novels since 2005 and continues her membership with the RWA Aloha chapter. While spending a short time in Hawaii, she discovered that poetry wasn’t her only creative outlet. The beautiful beaches and friendly people inspired her to write romantic tales. In one year she produced five novels. Unfortunately, her time in Paradise ended, but her writing thrives.
Now living in Southern California, Jennifer is writing more than ever and loving every minute of it which shows in her well-crafted work.
I guarantee you there is never a dull moment in her books. You’ll certainly get a good laugh, and always have a happily ever after, so enjoy!
SUNSET SIZZLE
Jennifer Loy
Champagne Books
BUY LINK
BLURB:
To keep her job, Sarah Hart needs a sizzling article for her romance column. While on vacation in Hawaii, she grabs the first handsome tourist on Waikiki Beach, and makes him a deal. She’ll set him up on a few dates, all expenses paid, and watch him fall in love. Then she'll take his story, say sayonara, and still have a job. But Keith Hanover is no player, he’d rather charm Sarah. His deal is if she can’t find him true love, than she must meet him on Sunset Beach for a date.
Her search for his perfect match begins an unruly adventure of close talkers, criers and a few Abbey-normals. There's shark diving, a mad scientist, crazy roadside fruit stand kids, Dole ice cream lickers, and paparazzi. Will Keith even make it to the date with Sarah before running from her set-ups?
EXCERPT:
“I have to be honest with you, Keith, because I don’t have much time with you.” I continued to scan the poolside. “Once we find you a girl to ask out, you really have to make an effort to pursue her. I mean, life is too short to let that special someone get away, you know? Romance doesn’t come easily, and if you wait, you just might miss your opportunity to start up a long intimate affair. Do you get what I’m telling you? Find a girl here, ask her out, kiss her passionately with plenty of tongue, and take her to bed for a night to remember.”
Keith jumped in the pool causing a giant splash beside me. I stepped to the pool’s edge, leaned down, and watched Keith surface. He wiped the water from his face, took in a deep breath, and glanced at my cleavage. He covered his eyes and turned around. “What is the matter with you? Did you hear anything I said?”
“Yeah,” he replied.
“Well, are you gonna do it?” I asked.
Keith turned around slowly as I lifted my sunglasses. He held out his hand.
“What?” I asked.
He quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me in. I let out a quick startled scream and plunged into the cool water. When I surfaced his face was close to mine.
“I wasn’t actually going to swim. I usually only lay out.”
I went to swim for the stairs. Keith blocked my path and wrapped his arm around my waist. He looked into my eyes and quickly moved in. His lips met mine as he closed his eyes.
I hadn’t been kissed in a long time. What was he doing? His lips were soft and strong, and his broad shoulders were drawing me closer. I closed my eyes and felt his mouth open. I wanted more. I hadn’t given out more since my last mistake with Max, the real photographer of The Southern Shore. He wanted nude pictures of me so he could submit them to Playboy. What a bad judge of character I was. Keith’s tongue slowly entered my mouth, and my heart raced. I pulled back quickly.
“What is happening here?” I asked, pushing him back.
Keith opened his eyes. “I’m sorry. Was that too forward, too fast?”
I ignored his question and swam to the steps. Marching toward my towel I felt confused. How dare he kiss me? What did he think he was doing? Adam was right, people only came here for flings, and I was not one of them.
I yanked the towel from the chair and dried off my hair and face.
Keith strode toward me. “With all that stuff you said, I thought you wanted me to kiss you,” he said, with his hands out, looking confused.
I burst out into laughter. “Not me. Stay focused. You’re supposed to find someone else! Wow, you are forward. Are you like this all the time?”
Keith shook his head then ran his hand slowly down my arm. “Why can’t you be the someone else?”
“Because I’m the writer for the romance article. I scope out people falling in love and post their unusual encounters, romantic courtships, proposals, stuff like that. I can’t be the story. Do you want me to write about you or should I find someone else?”
He combed his hand through his hair and picked up his towel. “Here, I thought you were interested in me and practically begging me to be aggressive. I haven’t met a romantic interest in two years, and I’m not about to just pick up anyone, sleep with her, and give you a story.” He wrapped the towel around his waist and picked up his key card. “Good luck, finding a fling to follow.”
I grabbed my notepad and hurried behind him. “Wait!”
Keith turned around. “What?”
“You mean, you’re telling me if you found a woman on your vacation and ended up in bed with her that you would fly home and not consider it a fling?”
Keith moved in, hooked his index finger on my bikini bottom at my hip, and tugged me closer, his answer breathing into my ear. “I only go to bed with women I’m in love with. If I fell in love on my vacation and ended up in her bed, I’d fly to the ends of the earth to follow her home.”
A chill went up my spine.
He quickly released me, and without looking back, walked away.
I flipped open my writing pad. Not a fling man. His honorable philosophy intrigued me but left me without a story. I rushed up to his side.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Jennifer Loy and her awesome books on her website. Also, check out her yahoo group Extraordinary Romance and catch up with her on facebook.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a tasty recipe for Shepherd’s Pie. Meanwhile, take a look at the can't-get-enough recipe Phil Renda created for penne pasta with vodka sauce on my website.
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Jennifer has been writing romantic novels since 2005 and continues her membership with the RWA Aloha chapter. While spending a short time in Hawaii, she discovered that poetry wasn’t her only creative outlet. The beautiful beaches and friendly people inspired her to write romantic tales. In one year she produced five novels. Unfortunately, her time in Paradise ended, but her writing thrives.
Now living in Southern California, Jennifer is writing more than ever and loving every minute of it which shows in her well-crafted work.
I guarantee you there is never a dull moment in her books. You’ll certainly get a good laugh, and always have a happily ever after, so enjoy!
SUNSET SIZZLE
Jennifer Loy
Champagne Books
BUY LINK
BLURB:
To keep her job, Sarah Hart needs a sizzling article for her romance column. While on vacation in Hawaii, she grabs the first handsome tourist on Waikiki Beach, and makes him a deal. She’ll set him up on a few dates, all expenses paid, and watch him fall in love. Then she'll take his story, say sayonara, and still have a job. But Keith Hanover is no player, he’d rather charm Sarah. His deal is if she can’t find him true love, than she must meet him on Sunset Beach for a date.
Her search for his perfect match begins an unruly adventure of close talkers, criers and a few Abbey-normals. There's shark diving, a mad scientist, crazy roadside fruit stand kids, Dole ice cream lickers, and paparazzi. Will Keith even make it to the date with Sarah before running from her set-ups?
EXCERPT:
“I have to be honest with you, Keith, because I don’t have much time with you.” I continued to scan the poolside. “Once we find you a girl to ask out, you really have to make an effort to pursue her. I mean, life is too short to let that special someone get away, you know? Romance doesn’t come easily, and if you wait, you just might miss your opportunity to start up a long intimate affair. Do you get what I’m telling you? Find a girl here, ask her out, kiss her passionately with plenty of tongue, and take her to bed for a night to remember.”
Keith jumped in the pool causing a giant splash beside me. I stepped to the pool’s edge, leaned down, and watched Keith surface. He wiped the water from his face, took in a deep breath, and glanced at my cleavage. He covered his eyes and turned around. “What is the matter with you? Did you hear anything I said?”
“Yeah,” he replied.
“Well, are you gonna do it?” I asked.
Keith turned around slowly as I lifted my sunglasses. He held out his hand.
“What?” I asked.
He quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me in. I let out a quick startled scream and plunged into the cool water. When I surfaced his face was close to mine.
“I wasn’t actually going to swim. I usually only lay out.”
I went to swim for the stairs. Keith blocked my path and wrapped his arm around my waist. He looked into my eyes and quickly moved in. His lips met mine as he closed his eyes.
I hadn’t been kissed in a long time. What was he doing? His lips were soft and strong, and his broad shoulders were drawing me closer. I closed my eyes and felt his mouth open. I wanted more. I hadn’t given out more since my last mistake with Max, the real photographer of The Southern Shore. He wanted nude pictures of me so he could submit them to Playboy. What a bad judge of character I was. Keith’s tongue slowly entered my mouth, and my heart raced. I pulled back quickly.
“What is happening here?” I asked, pushing him back.
Keith opened his eyes. “I’m sorry. Was that too forward, too fast?”
I ignored his question and swam to the steps. Marching toward my towel I felt confused. How dare he kiss me? What did he think he was doing? Adam was right, people only came here for flings, and I was not one of them.
I yanked the towel from the chair and dried off my hair and face.
Keith strode toward me. “With all that stuff you said, I thought you wanted me to kiss you,” he said, with his hands out, looking confused.
I burst out into laughter. “Not me. Stay focused. You’re supposed to find someone else! Wow, you are forward. Are you like this all the time?”
Keith shook his head then ran his hand slowly down my arm. “Why can’t you be the someone else?”
“Because I’m the writer for the romance article. I scope out people falling in love and post their unusual encounters, romantic courtships, proposals, stuff like that. I can’t be the story. Do you want me to write about you or should I find someone else?”
He combed his hand through his hair and picked up his towel. “Here, I thought you were interested in me and practically begging me to be aggressive. I haven’t met a romantic interest in two years, and I’m not about to just pick up anyone, sleep with her, and give you a story.” He wrapped the towel around his waist and picked up his key card. “Good luck, finding a fling to follow.”
I grabbed my notepad and hurried behind him. “Wait!”
Keith turned around. “What?”
“You mean, you’re telling me if you found a woman on your vacation and ended up in bed with her that you would fly home and not consider it a fling?”
Keith moved in, hooked his index finger on my bikini bottom at my hip, and tugged me closer, his answer breathing into my ear. “I only go to bed with women I’m in love with. If I fell in love on my vacation and ended up in her bed, I’d fly to the ends of the earth to follow her home.”
A chill went up my spine.
He quickly released me, and without looking back, walked away.
I flipped open my writing pad. Not a fling man. His honorable philosophy intrigued me but left me without a story. I rushed up to his side.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Jennifer Loy and her awesome books on her website. Also, check out her yahoo group Extraordinary Romance and catch up with her on facebook.
I’ll be back Wednesday with a tasty recipe for Shepherd’s Pie. Meanwhile, take a look at the can't-get-enough recipe Phil Renda created for penne pasta with vodka sauce on my website.
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
WHAT'S COOKING?
How about an eye of round roast cooked to perfection and all the tasty fixings? The beautiful aroma from this meal will draw your family to the table ready to feast.
Eye of round is a lesser priced beef roast that can be tasty and tender if prepared the right way. Give these recipes a try and, please, let me know what you think.
Eye of Round Roast with Sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Sautéed Broccoli
Red Wine - Bolla Valpolicella
Roast
2 ¼ - 3 pound eye of round roast
2 TBL olive oil
1 cup beef stock
Remove meat from refrigerator 2-3 hours before cooking. Meat needs to be almost room temperature for this dish to work.
Preheat over to 325F
Heat olive oil over medium high heat until it shimmers. Using tongs or wooden spoons, brown the roast on all sides. Set a cooking rack in a roasting pan. (If you don’t have a rack, line the roaster with aluminum foil being sure to have it hang a little over pan sides.) Lay beef on rack or foil. Pour beef stock into bottom of the pan, not over the meat.
Topping
4 TBL mustard either yellow or Country Dijon
2 large garlic cloves pressed
¼ cup parsley chopped fresh or dry
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Mix above ingredients in a small bowl. Spread over the top and a little on the sides of the beef.
Roast in oven for 1 hour or until 140F on the meat thermometer. Don’t overcook or the meat will be tough. Check the liquid level and add more stock if it runs dry or the pan will burn. When meat is cooked, remove from oven, set on a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm.
Sauce
¼ cup dry red wine
1 cup beef stock
1 TBL red current or seedless raspberry jelly
1 TBL butter
Time to deglaze the roasting pan. It’s very easy and requires little effort.
If you used the aluminum foil, carefully remove it from the pan and discard.
Place the pan over a burner set on medium. Add the red wine and scrape in all the browned bits clinging to the pan.
Turn the heat to medium high. Pour in the stock. Boil until sauce has reduced to about half while scraping in anything that clings to the side of the pan.
Remove the pan from the heat and swirl in butter. Keep sauce warm on very low heat while you carve the roast.
Carve into thin slice. Dribble sauce over meat to moisten. Serve extra sauce on the side.
If you have leftovers, freeze the meat and sauce separately. Next week, I’ll have a dynamite recipe to use them, so be sure to stop back.
Makes 4 servings or two with great leftovers
Mashed Potatoes
1 russet potato per person
Sour cream - a very large dollop
¼ cup milk set out to reach room temperature
3 TBS butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Peel and quarter potatoes. Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or so. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender. Drain pan.
Add sour cream, some of the milk, all of the butter, and the pepper to the pan. Mash the potatoes. Add small amounts of additional milk until you achieve the consistency you prefer.
Keep warm in the turned off oven while you assemble to meal.
Sautéed Broccoli
1 bunch broccoli
5 TBS olive oil
1 TBS butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Cut the flowerets off the broccoli. Save or freeze the remainder to make cream of broccoli soup.
In a heated medium frying pan, add the olive oil and butter. Heat until the oil shimmers. Add flowerets and stir them through the oil until they are coated on all sides. You may need a little more oil, but be careful not to drown the broccoli. Sauté until crisp tender, about 7 minutes.
Sprinkle with pepper and serve.
I'll be back Monday with Jennifer Loy and her new release SUNSET SIZZLE. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Eye of round is a lesser priced beef roast that can be tasty and tender if prepared the right way. Give these recipes a try and, please, let me know what you think.
Eye of Round Roast with Sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Sautéed Broccoli
Red Wine - Bolla Valpolicella
Roast
2 ¼ - 3 pound eye of round roast
2 TBL olive oil
1 cup beef stock
Remove meat from refrigerator 2-3 hours before cooking. Meat needs to be almost room temperature for this dish to work.
Preheat over to 325F
Heat olive oil over medium high heat until it shimmers. Using tongs or wooden spoons, brown the roast on all sides. Set a cooking rack in a roasting pan. (If you don’t have a rack, line the roaster with aluminum foil being sure to have it hang a little over pan sides.) Lay beef on rack or foil. Pour beef stock into bottom of the pan, not over the meat.
Topping
4 TBL mustard either yellow or Country Dijon
2 large garlic cloves pressed
¼ cup parsley chopped fresh or dry
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Mix above ingredients in a small bowl. Spread over the top and a little on the sides of the beef.
Roast in oven for 1 hour or until 140F on the meat thermometer. Don’t overcook or the meat will be tough. Check the liquid level and add more stock if it runs dry or the pan will burn. When meat is cooked, remove from oven, set on a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm.
Sauce
¼ cup dry red wine
1 cup beef stock
1 TBL red current or seedless raspberry jelly
1 TBL butter
Time to deglaze the roasting pan. It’s very easy and requires little effort.
If you used the aluminum foil, carefully remove it from the pan and discard.
Place the pan over a burner set on medium. Add the red wine and scrape in all the browned bits clinging to the pan.
Turn the heat to medium high. Pour in the stock. Boil until sauce has reduced to about half while scraping in anything that clings to the side of the pan.
Remove the pan from the heat and swirl in butter. Keep sauce warm on very low heat while you carve the roast.
Carve into thin slice. Dribble sauce over meat to moisten. Serve extra sauce on the side.
If you have leftovers, freeze the meat and sauce separately. Next week, I’ll have a dynamite recipe to use them, so be sure to stop back.
Makes 4 servings or two with great leftovers
Mashed Potatoes
1 russet potato per person
Sour cream - a very large dollop
¼ cup milk set out to reach room temperature
3 TBS butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Peel and quarter potatoes. Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or so. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender. Drain pan.
Add sour cream, some of the milk, all of the butter, and the pepper to the pan. Mash the potatoes. Add small amounts of additional milk until you achieve the consistency you prefer.
Keep warm in the turned off oven while you assemble to meal.
Sautéed Broccoli
1 bunch broccoli
5 TBS olive oil
1 TBS butter
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Cut the flowerets off the broccoli. Save or freeze the remainder to make cream of broccoli soup.
In a heated medium frying pan, add the olive oil and butter. Heat until the oil shimmers. Add flowerets and stir them through the oil until they are coated on all sides. You may need a little more oil, but be careful not to drown the broccoli. Sauté until crisp tender, about 7 minutes.
Sprinkle with pepper and serve.
I'll be back Monday with Jennifer Loy and her new release SUNSET SIZZLE. Until then...
Bon Appétit!
Sloane Taylor
www.sloanetaylor.com
Monday, March 05, 2012
Good Monday morning everyone! Today we have Marie Tuhart with us to share her new release HIS FOR THE WEEKEND. Marie's writing is strong with characters that draw you into their lives. This is an author you want to read.
HIS FOR THE WEEKEND
Marie Tuhart
The Wild Rose Press Scarlet Rose
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Cassandra Adams has a problem and its name is Marcus DeLuca. The man is quite determined to have her--on his terms. Cassie has had enough of domineering men in her life, yet she's drawn to strong, virile Marcus. Tempted to get that man out of her system once and for all, she agrees that she will be his for a weekend only--but then he must leave her alone forever.
Marcus will do anything to get sexy, non-committal Cassie into his arms, into his bed--failure is not an option. He wants nothing more than to keep Cassie in his life, but he senses a secret that keeps her from being able from committing--from submitting--to any man. Will Marcus's special brand of domination free her to be his for more than a weekend?
EXCERPT:
“I can’t take this anymore.” Her voice was whisper soft, but he heard the words as clear as if she had shouted them.
His heart leaped—now he could prove to her there was more to him than a co-worker and give their relationship a chance. “What are you willing to give me?”
Her head snapped up and she gnawed on her lip. “Twenty-four hours.”
“Not enough. A hundred and twenty.”
Her mouth opened then closed. Her gaze darted left, then right, before settling back on his face. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. A good sign—she was willing to be his.
“Too long. Forty-eight.”
He stood and crossed over to her. He needed to be close to her as they negotiated. “Still not enough. Ninety-six uninterrupted hours with you.”
Her nose scrunched up and her lashes swept down, cutting off the view of her expressive eyes. “Sixty—six tonight until six Monday morning.”
He noted the stubborn set to her chin. It wasn’t ideal, but he could do it. He would not fail in winning her over. Leaning close, he whispered, “I’ll take it.”
She exhaled, lashes rising until she stared at him. “What are the ground rules?”
“There are none.”
Her eyes widened. Oh, yes, he had her now and he wasn’t letting go.
“No barriers. No rules.”
Her shoulders dipped, then straightened. She acted like she was preparing for a battle, but it would be a battle of sex. “All right, but when the sixty hours are done, we’re finished. I mean it. No flowers, no gifts, no mention of this weekend. Ever.”
Without another word, she spun on her heels to walk out of his office.
He was quick to cross the room. He captured her by the shoulders, bringing her to a halt. His lips brushed her ear and a shiver shook her. “Remember what I said at the party?”
She didn’t answer him, but her swift intake of breath was the only answer he needed.
“You belong to me.”
“I belong to no man.”
He slid his hands down her arms, past her clenched fists and encircled her waist, bringing her back flush against his chest, her breathing shallow.
She didn’t struggle, not even when he tilted his hips, letting her know how much she aroused him.
“You will belong to me. I promise.”
BUY LINK
Escape to fantasy and learn more about Marie and her terrific books on her blog or her website. Marie is also on facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Wednesday with a mouthwatering recipe for Eye of Round Roast. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
HIS FOR THE WEEKEND
Marie Tuhart
The Wild Rose Press Scarlet Rose
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Cassandra Adams has a problem and its name is Marcus DeLuca. The man is quite determined to have her--on his terms. Cassie has had enough of domineering men in her life, yet she's drawn to strong, virile Marcus. Tempted to get that man out of her system once and for all, she agrees that she will be his for a weekend only--but then he must leave her alone forever.
Marcus will do anything to get sexy, non-committal Cassie into his arms, into his bed--failure is not an option. He wants nothing more than to keep Cassie in his life, but he senses a secret that keeps her from being able from committing--from submitting--to any man. Will Marcus's special brand of domination free her to be his for more than a weekend?
EXCERPT:
“I can’t take this anymore.” Her voice was whisper soft, but he heard the words as clear as if she had shouted them.
His heart leaped—now he could prove to her there was more to him than a co-worker and give their relationship a chance. “What are you willing to give me?”
Her head snapped up and she gnawed on her lip. “Twenty-four hours.”
“Not enough. A hundred and twenty.”
Her mouth opened then closed. Her gaze darted left, then right, before settling back on his face. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. A good sign—she was willing to be his.
“Too long. Forty-eight.”
He stood and crossed over to her. He needed to be close to her as they negotiated. “Still not enough. Ninety-six uninterrupted hours with you.”
Her nose scrunched up and her lashes swept down, cutting off the view of her expressive eyes. “Sixty—six tonight until six Monday morning.”
He noted the stubborn set to her chin. It wasn’t ideal, but he could do it. He would not fail in winning her over. Leaning close, he whispered, “I’ll take it.”
She exhaled, lashes rising until she stared at him. “What are the ground rules?”
“There are none.”
Her eyes widened. Oh, yes, he had her now and he wasn’t letting go.
“No barriers. No rules.”
Her shoulders dipped, then straightened. She acted like she was preparing for a battle, but it would be a battle of sex. “All right, but when the sixty hours are done, we’re finished. I mean it. No flowers, no gifts, no mention of this weekend. Ever.”
Without another word, she spun on her heels to walk out of his office.
He was quick to cross the room. He captured her by the shoulders, bringing her to a halt. His lips brushed her ear and a shiver shook her. “Remember what I said at the party?”
She didn’t answer him, but her swift intake of breath was the only answer he needed.
“You belong to me.”
“I belong to no man.”
He slid his hands down her arms, past her clenched fists and encircled her waist, bringing her back flush against his chest, her breathing shallow.
She didn’t struggle, not even when he tilted his hips, letting her know how much she aroused him.
“You will belong to me. I promise.”
BUY LINK
Escape to fantasy and learn more about Marie and her terrific books on her blog or her website. Marie is also on facebook and Twitter.
I'll be back Wednesday with a mouthwatering recipe for Eye of Round Roast. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
After several long illnesses and a world of computer pain, I'm back among the living.
To celebrate, I'm blogging with Marie Treanor at http://romanticthemeparty.blogspot.com/. Please stop by for an easy chance to win one or two my hottest Amber Quill books.
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
www.sloanetaylor.com
After several long illnesses and a world of computer pain, I'm back among the living.
To celebrate, I'm blogging with Marie Treanor at http://romanticthemeparty.blogspot.com/. Please stop by for an easy chance to win one or two my hottest Amber Quill books.
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
www.sloanetaylor.com
Friday, April 22, 2011
SPIRIT INTERVENTION
Born in England, Margaret West moved to the Kent countryside five years ago to get away from the busy life in London. She’s married with two grown children and has worked in various fields. She is a Clair-knowing medium, Crystal Therapist, Parapsychologist and Psychic development tutor.
Margaret has been writing for over 20 years and has numerous short stories, novels and articles published. She writes romance and paranormal novels, incorporating her spiritual experiences, into her books.
Below is a sample from her latest release.
SPIRIT INTERVENTION
Margaret West
ISBN 978-1-61572-282-2 E-Book
ISBN: 978-1-61572-283-9 Print
Eternal Press
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Patricia is a mother who refuses to stay out of her daughter’s life even when she dies. Sally can hear her mother, but she can't see her spirit. At first she welcomes her return, but as the month’s progress she starts to feel increasingly peeved by her mother’s constant interference in her life. When she tells a few white lies on a dating application form, Patricia sets out to prove that lies are not a foundation for a healthy relationship.
Patricia sabotages a relationship between Sally and Emilio to prove her point, not realising her interference has caused a catastrophic chain reaction in the spirit world. The children allocated to Emilio and Sally can no longer be born. It is now down to the spirit of Emilio’s grandmother to put things right. But has Patricia caused too much damage for her to mend?
EXCERPT:
Sally opened her eyes and sat up. She wished for the courage to say, come in and scrub my back, darling. Although her thoughts were filled with erotic images, her life was more ordered and mundane. She got out and dried herself off, combing her fingers through her curls, knowing they would erupt on her head in a mad tangle of tiny springs as they dried. With her underwear washed and drying on a radiator, Sally wrapped a towel tightly around herself. Conscious of her nakedness, she left the bathroom. She saw Emilio seated on a biscuit-colored sofa, looking freshly showered and dressed in a clean, white shirt and blue trousers.
You are a sexy goddess, she told herself as she walked toward him.
She sashayed closer and an effervescent pleasure washed over her as Emilio’s eyes widened. She dipped her eyes and flicked her lashes, which she hoped looked provocative. Sally met his smile with a slow one of her own.
“I’ve ordered breakfast. I hope you don’t mind. I chose a selection. We can eat while we wait for your clothes to come back from the laundry. In the meantime, you might be more comfortable in this.” He handed her a heavy, blue, shapeless bathrobe.
Disappointment pushed the smile from her face. Her attempt at seduction failed miserably. She might as well wear a dust sheet. Embarrassed, she snatched it from his hand and stalked to the bathroom.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Margaret West and her thrilling books on her website and blog.
Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter. I'll be back Tuesday with a new teaser. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
website
Born in England, Margaret West moved to the Kent countryside five years ago to get away from the busy life in London. She’s married with two grown children and has worked in various fields. She is a Clair-knowing medium, Crystal Therapist, Parapsychologist and Psychic development tutor.
Margaret has been writing for over 20 years and has numerous short stories, novels and articles published. She writes romance and paranormal novels, incorporating her spiritual experiences, into her books.
Below is a sample from her latest release.
SPIRIT INTERVENTION
Margaret West
ISBN 978-1-61572-282-2 E-Book
ISBN: 978-1-61572-283-9 Print
Eternal Press
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Patricia is a mother who refuses to stay out of her daughter’s life even when she dies. Sally can hear her mother, but she can't see her spirit. At first she welcomes her return, but as the month’s progress she starts to feel increasingly peeved by her mother’s constant interference in her life. When she tells a few white lies on a dating application form, Patricia sets out to prove that lies are not a foundation for a healthy relationship.
Patricia sabotages a relationship between Sally and Emilio to prove her point, not realising her interference has caused a catastrophic chain reaction in the spirit world. The children allocated to Emilio and Sally can no longer be born. It is now down to the spirit of Emilio’s grandmother to put things right. But has Patricia caused too much damage for her to mend?
EXCERPT:
Sally opened her eyes and sat up. She wished for the courage to say, come in and scrub my back, darling. Although her thoughts were filled with erotic images, her life was more ordered and mundane. She got out and dried herself off, combing her fingers through her curls, knowing they would erupt on her head in a mad tangle of tiny springs as they dried. With her underwear washed and drying on a radiator, Sally wrapped a towel tightly around herself. Conscious of her nakedness, she left the bathroom. She saw Emilio seated on a biscuit-colored sofa, looking freshly showered and dressed in a clean, white shirt and blue trousers.
You are a sexy goddess, she told herself as she walked toward him.
She sashayed closer and an effervescent pleasure washed over her as Emilio’s eyes widened. She dipped her eyes and flicked her lashes, which she hoped looked provocative. Sally met his smile with a slow one of her own.
“I’ve ordered breakfast. I hope you don’t mind. I chose a selection. We can eat while we wait for your clothes to come back from the laundry. In the meantime, you might be more comfortable in this.” He handed her a heavy, blue, shapeless bathrobe.
Disappointment pushed the smile from her face. Her attempt at seduction failed miserably. She might as well wear a dust sheet. Embarrassed, she snatched it from his hand and stalked to the bathroom.
BUY LINK
Learn more about Margaret West and her thrilling books on her website and blog.
Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter. I'll be back Tuesday with a new teaser. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
website
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