Ghost at Work - Carolyn Hart, Author

Chicken Enchiladas - One of Carolyn Hart's Favorite Dishes

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso® enchilada sauce
1/4 cup cilantro sprigs
1/4 cup parsley sprigs
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 cloves garlic
2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
6 Old El Paso® flour tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package)
1 medium lime, cut into wedges

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In blender or food processor, place enchilada sauce, cilantro, parsley, lime juice and garlic. Cover; blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. In small bowl, mix chicken and 3/4 cup of the cheese. Divide chicken mixture among tortillas. Roll tortillas around chicken mixture; place seam sides down in baking dish. Pour sauce mixture over enchiladas. Cover; bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until hot. Serve with lime wedges. Garnish with additional cilantro sprigs if desired.

Ghost at Work - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

"He's dead!" Her voice was a whisper. "What am I going to do?" "Call the police." I clapped my fingers to my mouth. I hadn't intended to speak. "I can't." It was a moan. The moan turned into a strangled gasp. She looked wildly about. "Who's there? Where are you?" Skirting the body, she hurried to the back door, flung it open, clattered down the steps. In an instant she returned to the porch, dashed to the rectory back door, yanked it open, seeking the source of the voice.

Bailey Ruth Raeburn is dead and living the the glories of Heaven, but there are times when an "emissary" from Heaven needs to be sent back to earth to help out those in trouble. Bailey Ruth has never had the honor of being returned to earth as an emissary so Wiggins, who is in charge of this Heavenly task, must teach her the rules and prepare her before letting her depart. Unfortunately, there is no time for preparation. In Bailey Ruth's own home town of Adelaide, someone has murdered Daryl Murdoch right on the steps of the rectory. It becomes Bailey Ruth's job as an emissary to protect Kathleen, who just happens to be the pastor's wife, and hopefully find the real killer.

As Bailey Ruth approaches Kathleen, she knows that before she can help her she must first gain her trust without scaring her half to death. This isn't an easy task since Kathleen can hear Bailey Ruth but not see her. The solution to that is to appear but that is frowned upon in the Precepts, which are the rules an emissary must follow.

After Bailey Ruth and Kathleen finally get a grip on the real situation, it's decided that the best thing to do is to move the body away from the rectory. And where would be a better place to deposit a dead body in the cemetery. But doing that will take some imagination from Bailey Ruth. She can't just snap her fingers and have the body moved, so she must find a mode of transportation and the wheel barrow seems to be perfect vehicle. As she and Kathleen wheel Murdoch's body to it's destination, they discover that the cemetery is occupied by a couple of teens who are attempting to remove the greyhound statue that watches over the Pritchard mausoleum. She accomplishes this by grabbing the crowbar away from one of the boys and flinging it out into the darkness. But, Kathleen has already dumped the body on the steps of the mausoleum where it's discovered by the two frightened teens.

Ghost at Work is the first book written by Carolyn Hart in the Bailey Ruth series. In Ghost at Work, Bailey Ruth is an emissary in training and on probation. Following her antics as she tries to follow the rules of not appearing, speaking, nor scaring the living half to death unless completely necessary, I've found Ghost at Work to be humorous and creative. Hart's characters are not only believable but you find yourself completely wrapped up in them, not wanting the book to end. And fortunately, Bailey Ruth is carried forward in Hart's second book in the series titled Merry, Merry Ghost. I've had the enjoyment of reading both of these light hearted books and can't wait for the next.

I've read many series books which spotlight the same character and have found that after a while, the character becomes predictable and over years "aged." Bailey Ruth is one character that I feel that can never happen to. After all, she is a "ghost."

Purple Death - Brian L. Porter, Author

Onion Bhaji
a favorite Brian Porter snack

100g / 4oz Chick-Pea Flour or Gram Flour
1/4 teasp Chili Powder
1/2 teasp Turmeric
1/2 teasp Baking Powder
Salt
1/2 teasp Ground Cumin
1 Large Onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 Green Chili, deseeded and finely chopped
25g / 1oz finely chopped Fresh Coriander
Cold water to mix
Vegetable oil for deep frying

How to make Onion Bhaji

Sift the flour, chili, turmeric, cumin, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped coriander, onions and chili and mix well. Preheat the deep fat fryer to 180ºC / 350ºF. Gradually add enough water to the flour mixture to form a thick batter mixing very well so the onions are well coated. Very carefully drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil and fry until keep warm whilst you cook the remaining bhajis. Drain well on kitchen paper and serve very hot.
Serves 10 -12

Purple Death - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

'Sam tried to move his legs and instead fell in a crumpled heap on his office floor. He felt more than just 'ill' now. Fear gripped Sam while the sweat on his brow began to run down into his eyes. He felt a constriction in his chest, as if someone had suddenly placed an iron barrel ring around him and was tightening it by the second. The life was rapidly being crushed out of his body, but with nothing and no one there to offer help. Sam Gabriel had never felt so frightened and alone.'

Sam Gabriel will become just one of several to die a gruesome death by poisoning. The poison 'aconite' is being administered by what Detective Inspector Shawn Connor has decided is a serial killer. D.I. Connor, who heads up a team of investigators, is baffled as to how the poison is being induced. This question is finally answered after the third victim is killed. Now Connor must determine if there is a connection between the victims and follow what few clues he has to determine who will be next.

DI Connor has determined that a woman is involved but doesn't feel that she's alone. Due to the timing of the deaths and the locations of the victims, there has to be more than one person involved.

Connor and his team finally come up with a clue which seems to connect most of the victims. The clue pertains to events that happened over 30 years earlier with most of those involved being deceased. To Conner, it appears that with each clue that surfaces, another victim turns up poisoned. He seems to hit nothing but dead ends.

I've read all but 2 books written by Brian Porter and I have to say that if you've never read his writings, you're losing out. Purple Death has taken me on a road with many curves, most of them sharp. Porter grabs your attention in the beginning of the book with his Welcome message and your reading experience goes up from there. He has got to be one of the best mystery writers I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

A Lesson in Murder - Augustus Cileone, Author

Lemon Nut Cookies - Compliments of
Augustus Cileone

1 1/4 cups pine nuts, toasted
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus 1 cup for rolling
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus 2 teaspoons
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


In a food processor, pulse together the nuts, flour, cornmeal, and salt until finely ground and smooth.

Using a hand-held or stand mixer, beat together the butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a medium bowl until light and creamy. Add the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon zest, and vanilla and beat to combine. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 batches until just combined; be careful not to over-mix. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

In a shallow bowl, combine the remaining sugar with remaining zest. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Transfer the dough onto cookie sheets and bake until firm and very pale golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.

While the cookies are still warm, roll each cookie in the sugar mixture. To achieve a solid coating, roll each of the cookies a second time in the sugar mixture.

A Lesson in Murder - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

'George Wheeler sat in the driver's seat, looking as lifeless as the car in which he was sitting. On the seat next to him, was a stuffed animal which looked like Walt Disney's Pluto. A large, flat, hardback book lay open in his lap. Wheeler's usual black horn-rimmed glasses had been replaced with large, bright yellow-framed spectacles. Barnum again peered in the window quickly. Wheeler's tan, healthy-looking face had been smeared with what appeared to be charcoal ashes.'

George Wheeler usually met with his advertising agent at 6:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for their jogs in the park. During this time, Wheeler who was in the pharmaceutical business would pitch ideas to Barnum as they ran. But as Barnum soon found out, Wheeler had performed his last job and pitched his last idea. Someone had murdered him.

Maxwell Hunter is an English teacher for Eastern Friends School in Pennsylvania. Eastern Friends School (EFS) was originally a private school for the wealthy but had started adding a few students, through grants, that were exceptionally intelligent. Hunter has a passion for mystery solving and is a stickler for details. That and Hunter's familiarity with the people involved prompted Lt. Frank DiSalvo to ask Hunter for his help in solving the murder of George Wheeler. But, as it turns out, Wheeler wasn't the only one to be murdered and each murder is in some way connected with the school.

As I read A Lesson in Murder I found myself second guessing my own ideas as to who the killer was. And I have to say that I was surprised with the ending. I had several suspects in mind but never really narrowed it down to one. I really enjoyed reading A Lesson in Murder and recommend it to anyone who would like a quick read mystery.

1st Edition 2007
Oak Tree Press
185 pages
ISBN 978-1-892343-03-1

Merry, Merry Ghost - Carolyn Hart, Author

Carolyn Hart's
Gluten-Free Brownie Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine
1 teaspoon GF vanilla
1 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup rice flour
16 ounce can chocolate syrup
1/2 cup potato starch

Directions

Cream the margarine and sugar; add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Spread on a cookie sheet; bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. While hot, drizzle with raspberry sauce for an added treat.

Merry Merry Ghost - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

Susan shakily reached out for the mask and held it to her face. Slowly her breathing eased. The bluish tinge faded from her face. She put aside the mask, sank back against the chair. "I'm tired now." Her voice was faint. "Tomorrow I'll read everything." Her voice was flagging. Susan gathered up the papers, replaced them in the envelope. "Mitch's little boy... tomorrow... some toys... I'll talk to Wade... He'll take the proper steps, make everything official." Tears glistened in her eyes. "Mitch's little boy..." She twisted to look up at Peg. "Take good care of him."

Susan Pritchard Flynn is the last living Pritchard. At least that's what she thought until Keith showed up at her door shortly before Christmas. He arrives with a note stating that he is her grandson. His father was Sergeant First Class Mitchell Pritchard Flynn who had been killed in the line of duty. Keith also carried an envelope that contained his father's medals and a birth certificate from the military hospital in Germany. Susan and her deceased husband Tom had two children. Their daughter Ellen had been killed in a car accident and Mitch had left home shortly afterwards. They had not heard from him since. And when she was notified by the military that he had been killed, she was without true Pritchards to pass her estate on to. But Keith's arrival changed all of that.

It also threatened the inheritance that was expected by Tom's relatives who had lived with her and through her generosity. Susan's original will was to leave the main house to Jake who had spent years taking care of the house and Susan. Tucker, who was currently maintaining the ranch would have it signed over to him upon her death. The others, Gina, Harrison and Peg would receive equal shares of the balance, amounting to several million each. And then there was Peg's boyfriend Dave who hounded Susan to loan him enough money, interest free, to open his own clinic. So what steps will be taken to keep Susan from signing a new will leaving everything to Keith? And who will take those steps?

That is where Bailey Ruth Raeburn comes in. Bailey Ruth is a ghost who lived in Adelaide, OK before her death. She and her husband were on their boat when it capsized. Their bodies never found. Bailey Ruth is spunky and even though she tries, she doesn't always follow Heaven's rules of how an "Emissary" is supposed to act. She sometimes fudges just a bit but all in the line of accomplishing the task at hand. And that task is to keep Keith safe.

When I read Merry Merry Ghost, I had one author come to mind... Mary Higgins Clark. This book is so light hearted and loving...yet it's still a murder mystery. The characters are so believable and their thoughts and actions are so understandable under the circumstances. Even Bailey Ruth becomes so real that if you don't already believe in Angels, you just might start. This is the first book I've read by Carolyn Hart but I can promise you, I will be reading more.

Click to order Merry, Merry Ghost

Marrying Mallory - Diane Craver, Author

Macaroni and Cheese
Diane Craver & Seth's Favorite Recipe

8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups Colby Jack cheese
2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
2 cups crushed seasoned croutons

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Stir in the milk and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and add shredded cheeses one cup at a time until completely melted. Add salt, pepper, mustard and red pepper flakes and stir until smooth. Stir in cooked pasta and coat evenly with cheese, then pour into shallow 2-quart baking dish.
Sprinkle crushed croutons over top and bake for 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Marrying Mallory - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

'In the past, Mallory Harrington felt cursed at times. Too many things had gone wrong in her thirty-two years of life. Her father had left when she was five and never even said good-bye. As a seventh grader, Mallory climbed a tree, slipped before reaching the ground and ripped her cheek on a barbed wire fence creating a cut that required thirty stitches. She was robbed of being valedictorian a few weeks before graduation due to another students grades being just a little higher. When she married Toby Harrington, she finally felt blessed. Doubly blessed when she gave birth to their son, Joshua. But her happiness ended the night Toby asked for a divorce. On top of everything else, she had inherited her father's big nose. She was jinxed. The name Mallory meant luckless'

Mallory can see no future of happiness in her life. When she married Toby, her vows were given in the presence of God and could never be taken back. Even though Toby was the one to commit adultery while married to Mallory, she still felt that in the eyes of God she was still married to him. She feels that if she had been prettier, Toby's eyes wouldn't have strayed and they would still be married. So to make herself more beautiful Mallory decides to have something done about her big nose. But what she didn't know was that when she meets Dr. Seth Whitman, her whole life is about to change.

In today's world, divorce is so common that it's actually hard to find a man or woman over 50 that hasn't been divorced at least once. To most of us, it's more surprising to find a couple that has not been divorced. Marriage is made up of sacred vows that are usually committed to in the name and eyes of God but, as Mallory learns, 'what we assume God wants for us isn't necessarily correct.' After reading Marrying Mallory, I was reminded that by believing in Him and accepting His guidance, we will find what he wants for us without assuming.

Crossroads - Steven Nedelton, Author

Steven Nedelton's Cajun Fried Fish

This fish in toasted pecan butter sauce recipe takes the homey flavors of a back country Cajun fish fry and merges them with the elegant nuances of a New Orleans restaurant. Pureed toasted pecans add incredible depth and silky texture to a garlic and hot pepper-infused butter sauce. This fantastic meal can be made so easily that it works for a thrown-together weeknight meal or a planned dinner party.

Cook’s note: This recipe calls for trout fillets, but any firm-fleshed fish will do.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Ingredients:

* Sauce:
* 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
* 2 tablespoons chopped yellow onion
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* 1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped
* 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
* Fried fish:
* 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
* 6 trout fillets, 4 ounces each (substitute any firm fish)
* Oil for frying
* 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional)

Preparation:

To make the sauce:

Blend the butter, 1/2 cup toasted pecans, onion, lemon juice, garlic, and hot pepper sauce in a food processor until it is smooth. The sauce is ready when it is completely smooth and has thickened a bit. Set the sauce aside at room temperature while the fish cooks.

To fry the fish:

Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a deep skillet to 350F. Mix the Worcestershire sauce, milk, and egg together. Stir together the flour and Cajun seasoning. Pat the fish fillets dry and dredge them first in the egg mixture and then in the flour mixture.

Fry the fillets in 2 batches of 3 each, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. The fish is done when it is deep golden brown and flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve the fish hot, garnished with the toasted pecan butter sauce and toasted pecans.

This fish with toasted pecan butter sauce recipe makes 6 servings.


Crossroads - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

"Psychic Spying? The CIA, the Pentagon and the Russians Probe the Military Potential of Para-Psychological Spying" Washington Post, 1977.

"Mind-Altering Microwaves, Soviets Studying Invisible Ray," Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, November 22, 1976.

"V.S., a scientist from Kiev, claims that the practical testing of a 'new kind of weapon' based on the impact of certain frequencies on the human body occurred in 1965." Chicago Tribune, August 13, 1977.

While reading Crossroads, I couldn't help but think about the many books on the market that talk about controlling your life, wealth and desires by using your minds. 'If you want that new car bad enough, believe that you already have it in your possession.' 'If you want to loose weight, picture yourself at the weight you desire and "poof" you will obtain that weight.' I don't necessarily believe in these mind over matter promises but I can't actually say that they are completely impossible. There have been times that I've thought about someone, have the phone ring and it be that same person I was thinking about. I've pulled into a parking lot during a downpour of rain, found myself "lucky" in find a car pulling out of the perfect spot at the front of the store. And yes, I was probably thinking about finding that perfect spot when I left home. Maybe we do submit waves that are picked up by others. I'm not a scientist so I'll never know.

In Crossroads, this mind wave power is used not only to control the enemies of the users but it's also used to explore the unknown. If a man's mind can be trained to leave the body, travel thousands of miles, control the objects they are presuming, then why can't it travel into outer space, bringing back answers to our questions of "are we alone?" But what country will be the first to concur controlling the mind? Will it be the US? Russia? China?

I enjoyed reading Crossroads and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a truly intense spy/espionage read. Crossroads is a book that needs to be read with an open mind. Keeping in mind that it is fiction, or is it?

Published September, 2009
Asylett Press
268 pages
ISBN #1-934337-56-0

Whitney in Charge - Diane Craver, Author

EASY CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Diane and Whitney's favorite recipe



A bit of soup, some vegetables, Ritz crackers, and sour cream make a nice little sauce for baked chicken, and it's really easy to prepare. It's tasty, and kids love it.

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
½ cup of milk
Large can of mixed vegetables (optional)
1 cup sour cream
1 tube or sleeve of Ritz crackers (crushed into crumbs)
1 stick of butter
1/4 cup chopped onion (optional)
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms (optional)
Preparation

Step One:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step Two:
Boil chicken breasts until white and tender.
Tear or chop into bite size pieces. Or Quick Method: To cut back on time, Whitney uses chicken that's already cooked.
Mix soup, milk, sour cream, onion, large can of vegetables and mushrooms in large bowl. Mix chicken with soup mixture. Whitney didn't put onion in her casserole because she thought Ben's young son might not like onion.
Crush crackers in tube.
Melt butter and mix in crushed crackers. Place chicken mixture into a casserole dish, top with Ritz mixture.
Step Three:
Cook for 20 minutes on 350 degrees or until hot and bubbling. This is also good served over rice.

Whitney in Charge - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

"You've got all kind of kisses, right? There's the routine kiss. It's a quick brush on the lips when one or both of you are leaving for work or going some place. Usually there's brief eye contact with it so it makes it a bit meaningful. And there's an absentminded kiss, which is in a separate category from the routine kiss because the giver isn't aware of it. And might not even remember giving it because it's automatic. There's the---"

At the time of her husband's death, Whitney was living in New York and working as the producer for The Bold News. Shortly after his death, she left her dream job and moved back home to Cornett to take care of her dying mother. Whitney had seen more sadness in the last couple of years than any 31 year old should see. Now she needed some happiness in her life. That would soon be taken care of by her 2 older sisters as they search for ways to get her back into the dating game. The problem comes when they find not one perfect man for Whitney but two. Ben is an anesthesiologist with a six year old son who moved next door to Whitney. Jack is a paramedic who works with Whitney's brother-in-law Casey. Whitney is attracted to both men and both men are attracted to Whitney and find themselves competing for her attention.

Following these 3 sisters as they discuss everything from the different types of kisses, to the death of their mother, to going into business together, gave me a glimpse of what true closeness should really be among family. Their conversations will make you want to laugh, as well as cry along with them. Their attempts to make decisions that will take into consideration the differences of their three lifestyles are inspirational. Through Whitney in Charge, Diane Craver has truly expressed the perfect bond of sisterhood, as well as the ups and downs of creating this wonderful bond.

Desert Breeze Publisher
July, 2009
ASIN B002K2QMAI