Monthly Archives: November 2016

Nov28

Recipe: Mac & Cheese

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stove top mac & cheese

This recipe is for a easy STOVE TOP MAC AND CHEESE.  It calls for ingredients that are usually on hand in most homes.  This beats any box mix that you might have.  Makes a great side or even as an entrée for lunch.  Enjoy!!

Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound dry small pasta, I used elbow
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups milk, I used skim
  • 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.       Drain and set aside.
  2. To prepare roux, melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for about 3-4 minutes until roux gets slightly darker in color. Slowly whisk in the skim milk, stirring continuously until mixture thickens, this takes about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in cheese until completely melted.
  3. Transfer the cooked elbow pasta to a large pot over low heat. Pour cheese sauce over top, stirring to combine.

Nov27

Review- Murder by the Spoonful: An Antique Hunters Mystery by Vicki Vass

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Murder by the Spoonful: An Antique Hunters Mystery

Author: Vicki Vass

Website: http://www.vickivass.com/

Series: Books In This Series (4 Books)

  • Print Length: 258 pages
  • Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (July 1, 2015)
  • Publication Date: July 1, 2015
  • ASIN: B010TB0WC0

Source: I purchased this book for my personal use.  Loved the book and decided to review it on my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION, FROM AMAZON

 

Anne Hillstrom is hunting antiques, a diet that works and her Great Aunt Sybil’s killer. This book tells the story of Anne and CC, two estate sale bloggers and antique hunters, who get more than they bargain for when they discover a killer who is hunting the antique hunters.

MY THOUGHTS

Anne had a love for antiques, just like her Aunt Sybil who passed away.  She was find of her aunt, but knew she could be a little rough around the edges.  Anne and CC, Anne’s best friend, hit the estates sales looking for a deal, but they found more then they bargained for when people were dying all around them.  they all seemed to have something in common, but Anne just couldn’t put her finger on it just yet.  With the help of CC will Anne find out her Killed her Aunt or will she end up a victim herself?

This is book one of a four book series, so far.  I was glad to read this book, I love the characters and I love hearing of all the adventures the antique hunters have, it makes me want to bargain hunt at aa estate sale.  A great cozy read, I highly recommend.

Nov26

NEW RELEASE SALE: Always Hope + GIVEAWAY

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 99c NEW RELEASE SALE 

Title: Always Hope
Genre: Chick-lit Romance
Release Date: November 26, 2016
Designer: Claire Smith
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Ten years ago Hope West left her hometown, attempting to outrun dissolved relationships, family secrets, and the broken heart caused by her first love, Samuel Mooney. When unforeseen circumstances force her to return, she realizes that her time away has done little to heal the pain of the past.
Never intending to stay in Woodridge, Hope slowly begins to understand that remaining there may be the only way to secure her future. Blossoming friendships and the discovery of a box of letters revealing the identity of her mysterious father all point Hope in the direction of reconciliation.
As she begins to mend her broken bonds, Sam reenters her life in an unexpected way, forcing her to decide if true love can really stand the test of time.
 On sale for 99c! 
books2read.com/alwayshope

 

Heidi Renee Mason is a passionate romance novelist and crafter of your next Happily Ever After. She loves listening to the voices in her head (from her characters, of course!) and creating worlds in which her readers can lose themselves for a little while. A native of the Midwest, Heidi now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three daughters.

 
Nov26

Sale: The Misguided Confession + GIVEAWAY

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 HALF-PRICE SALE 
books2read.com/misguided
Title: The Misguided Confession
Genre: British Paranormal Romance
Release Date: November 12, 2016
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Designer: Claire Smith
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Elaine Gibbs has been defined by other people’s words for much of her life: autistic, shifter, adopted, genius, Royal Marine. She has spent a year having her entire world spun around and just when she hopes things have stabilised, a zealot threatens everything she holds dear, including her life.Alim Kader grew up knowing his family’s expectations and is required to fall in line. Life, however, threw him a massive surprise in the body of the most fascinating woman he has ever known. Now if he could only convince her that his sole desire is to stand beside her, not rescue her.

Will love be enough for two people from different worlds to brave a storm of evil and come through the other side unscathed?

 

An exhausted Alim had been bouncing from country to country, sorting out issues with several of their family businesses. He’d returned to London feeling utterly spent and decided to head out of the city to the estate he owned in Kent.
He’d missed Elaine. They’d been together steadily since their Christmas tea. Each date had further cemented his desire to have her in his life.
It had started out with meals after work or the occasional weekend excursion. Elaine disliked crowds, a fact that made dating complicated. He’d gone so far as to book out an entire convention as a surprise for Valentine’s Day.
The little quirks of Elaine’s tended to make others uncomfortable around her. Alim found them charming. It dragged him deeper into love than he’d ever imagined possible.
 Travelling for an extended period had only reinforced it for him. He hadn’t been satisfied with phone conversations, particularly when Elaine hated them. Their attachment to each other had grown until they were far too intertwined to be apart for long. His niece, Alicia, had escaped to his home, but she wouldn’t mind him returning there. The house itself was large enough to allow her whatever privacy she wanted. Alim had no doubts Josh Withers would be with her. The man never seemed to leave his niece alone these days.
Striding through the front doors the butler opened for him, Alim paused at what sounded like an immensely large animal racing through one of the nearby rooms. He frowned at his butler, then froze at the loud roar that echoed through the mansion. His heart started to race while he grabbed one of the hunting rifles from a nearby cupboard and ran in the direction of the roar.
“No!”
Alim stopped short when his niece darted in front of what had to be the largest panther he could ever recall seeing. “Alicia?”
“You can’t shoot him, Uncle.” Alicia rested a hand lightly on top of the animal’s head.
“Him?” Alim frowned at her with the weapon held tightly in his hand. “Did Minxie suddenly grow while I was away?”
Alicia laughed behind her hand for several minutes while the panther made what sounded like a grumbling sort of snarl. “Play nicely, Joshua.”
“Joshua?” Alim stumbled backwards as the dots started to connect in his mind. His arm fell to his side letting the weapon point harmlessly towards the floor. “How is this even possible? Is this a joke? I am not amused, Alicia.”

 

 On sale for half price! 

books2read.com/misguided

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter
Dahlia Donovan started out working in the insurance world. After ten years, she morphed her love of investigating accidents and studying people into writing about them. She’s a bit of a hermit and despises being in front of a camera. Her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.

Nov24

FREE BOOK: Where Love Went: Holiday Special

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  FREE  

Title: Where Love Went: Holiday Special
Series: Sequel to Then Comes Love
A Where Love Went Companion Short
Genre: ChickLit
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With the holidays in full swing, it’s not long before the drama and hilarity unfold for Charlotte, Annie, and Ameila.Join the mayhem as this year’s festivities unravel.

Where Love Went: Holiday Special is a companion short and is not intended as a standalone. To fully appreciate and understand the events, Where Love Went must be read first.

 FREE DOWNLOAD LINKS 
Amazon US I UK I CA I AU 
– – – – –
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

BOOK ONE

 HALF-PRICE SALE  
Amazon: US I UK I AU I CA
iTunes I Nook I Kobo I ARe
– – – – –
BOOK TWO

Amazon: US | UK | AU | CA 
Nov20

Recipe: Peanut Butter Frosting

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Peanut Butter Frosting

I love a good cupcake.  I usually make butter cream frosting, but sometimes I just want something different.  That’s when I make PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING.  This recipe makes a creamy frosting that tastes delicious.  Goes great with a vanilla or chocolate cupcake or any flavor you choose.

PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Cream butter and peanut butter together.

Add half the powdered sugar and blend.

Blend in milk and vanilla.

Add remaining powdered sugar.

Stir until smooth and well blended.

TIP:  I use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.  It makes a creamy frosting.

Enjoy!!!

 

Nov20

Turkey Humor

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This recipe is perfect for those people who just are not sure how to tell when poultry is cooked thoroughly but not dried out. Give this a try.

BAKED STUFFED Turkey 6-7 lb. Turkey 1 cup melted butter 1 cup stuffing 1 cup uncooked popcorn salt/pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush turkey well with melted butter, salt and pepper. Fill cavity with stuffing and popcorn. Place in baking pan in the oven. Listen for popping sounds. When the turkey’s ass blows out the oven door and flies across the room, the turkey is done.

Hope you got a laugh!!!

Nov18

Mayhem + Giveaway

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 Free on KindleUnlimited 

Title: Mayhem: A Twisted Hearts Love Story

Author: Autumn Sand
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Before he became Tony Delaney’s right-hand man, Tick lost his dreams of being happy. After ten years, he is still haunted by the sudden loss of his fiancée and unborn son. Going through life thinking he doesn’t deserve happiness, his nights become filled with endless one-night stands. That is until he rescues Cyma. As quickly as he saves her, she walks out of his life, disappearing into the crowded Manhattan street. Days later, he accidentally runs into her at a party and his attraction grows stronger.
Cyma’s hard life has been nothing but pain and sorrow. She labels the charismatic stranger who saved her as a knight in shining armor. A chance meeting days later and Tick turns her world upside down. She’s scared to hold on to the fairy-tale dream of being with him, but she’s even more afraid to let him go.
Can these two somehow heal each other? Will their love survive all of the obstacles that are thrown their way?
Autumn works as an inventory manager for a major lingerie company by day and writes books at night. She loves laughing with her friends, and reading. Often found with her signature Jack and Coke in hand while doing the things she enjoys most.
Nov18

New Release: Titan Elite + GIVEAWAY

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What are you willing to fight for?


Title: Titan Elite
Series: Demigods, book 2
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: November 16, 2016
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All buy links
https://books2read.com/titanelite
With her experiences at the Academy behind her, Phoenyx and her fellow Titans leave the safety of the island and embark on the Titan Elite tour.
Battles won’t be the only fight they have ahead of them.
Expectations are high and nothing is as it seems.
Life off the island is a very different world, where money buys freedom and power is always for sale.
Stirring, she sits up, watching the note in my hand like it’s a loaded gun.
“Do you have any idea how it felt for me to find something like that, Marcus? To know I had sunk that low and you stepped in and just wiped it all away. I hate you for keep this a secret from me.”
“You needed to stop all of this wallowing in self-pity shit. I’ve got a tour to run, people’s lives are at stake, you needed to get your head in the game.” I have tried being patient and gentle with her, it obviously didn’t work.
Her glare sharpens and she clenches her fists. I’m glad she’s pissed off. I need to see the fire in her to remind myself why I have risked everything bringing her into all of this. Sometimes, I swear she’s more trouble than she’s worth but I didn’t save her all those years ago to let her go now. She’s my family, blood or not.
“Wallowing in self-pity? Oh, I’m sorry, I’m not completely dead inside like you are. This shit affects me. You… you put all of these things in my head.”
Losing it, I shout, “You asked for it! I told you that you didn’t want this shit in your head, but you kept demanding to know everything.” Taking a breath, trying to get my anger in check. “Did you want me to lie to you? Let you drag that knife across your wrist? Watch as Mason and Ianna die inside at the loss of your life? You forced my hand. I couldn’t spend every day worrying you would try to kill yourself the moment my back was turned.”
Why can’t she understand that I did this for her?
She scoffs, “You can’t keep changing me when I do something you don’t like.”
“I’m not changing you! I’m fixing you.” Sitting down beside her. “I can’t change the fact that we had a nightmare childhood, but we have grown stronger because of it. You are brave and talented. You are Phoenyx mother fucking Warren, kick ass demigod with more than one power under her belt. You are incredible. Why can’t you see that?”
Demigods Series
Phoenyx Rising
book 1
Amazon: US | UK | AU | CA
Kolleen is a wife, mom, author, beta reader and book blogger.
When she isn’t making her house a home for her husband and two children she enjoys reading everything from paranormal to romance to YA and dark stories. But she spends her free time being held hostage by her current work in progress and letting her characters come to life through her words on paper. That and binge watching Netflix.