Land of Mountains - Jinx Schwartz, Author
2:41 PM Posted by MAC
Hetta Coffey's Washday Cobbler
A favorite recipe from Jinx Schwartz
4 cups fresh or canned fruit (try figs, you'll love it!)
1 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla (optional)
2 tsp. baking powder
Dash of salt
1 stick butter
1/4 c. brown sugar
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In medium saucepan over medium heat, cook fruit until boiling. Set aside.
In mixing bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, milk, baking powder, vanilla, and salt. In a two quart casserole, melt butter. Pour batter over butter. Gently spoon hot fruit on top, juice and all. DO NOT STIR!
Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Serves 4 to 6, unless Hetta is in the room. Then serves 1.
--
4 cups fresh or canned fruit (try figs, you'll love it!)
1 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla (optional)
2 tsp. baking powder
Dash of salt
1 stick butter
1/4 c. brown sugar
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In medium saucepan over medium heat, cook fruit until boiling. Set aside.
In mixing bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, milk, baking powder, vanilla, and salt. In a two quart casserole, melt butter. Pour batter over butter. Gently spoon hot fruit on top, juice and all. DO NOT STIR!
Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Serves 4 to 6, unless Hetta is in the room. Then serves 1.
--
Land of Mountains – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘Yep, that first year in Haiti was a ring-tailed tooter. I’d learned a new language, met a zombie, survived polio and malaria, and nearly started a revolution. I couldn’t wait for 1954.’
Elizabeth Ann, called Lizbuthann by most, is originally from Texas, but will soon find herself in what will become her "beloved" Haiti. Hopefully for her parents, she will stay out of trouble. But even at the tender age of 10, Lizbuthann has learned that she has always been and will always be in some sort of trouble. And moving to Haiti while her father helps build a dam isn't going to stop trouble from finding her or better yet, her from finding it.
So, her troubles start with the plane ride over. She was served some of the best snow cones she had ever eaten or should I say drank. But they didn’t call them snow cones on the plane. They called them frozen daiquiris and after gulping down two of them, Lizbuthann was feeling just fine. That is until the plane landed and she noticed 4 heads on stakes rotting in the heat. And this all happens on her first day there with much, much more to come.
Land of Mountains was a total surprise for me. When I saw the story took place in Haiti and zombies were involved, I expected a supernatural story. I was big time wrong. It’s actually the story of a young girl, her best friend and the antics they get into while trying to keep themselves amused in a foreign country. Lizbuthann goes from slipping out at night to observe a voodoo ritual to falling almost on top of an honest to goodness “zombie.” And it just gets better from there.
Once in a while I run across a book that I really sing praises to and Land of Mountains is one of them. I’ve laughed, come very close to crying and have really enjoyed this book. Author Jinx Schwartz not only entertains us with Land of Mountains, she also slips in a little Haitian history... the building of the dam, the revolutions and the dictators that rule and ruled the country. You can’t help but love Land of Mountains.
2010
Treble Heart Books
314 pages
ISBN# 978-1-936127-21-4
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, dam building, Haiti, Jinx Schwatz, Land of Mountains, Martha A Cheves, Stir Laugh Repeat, zombies
Tales From Gundarland - Hank Quense, Author
2:58 PM Posted by MAC
Parisian Bistro Food - A Hank Quense Recipe Favorite
Serves: 4
Time: about an hour
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces
Fresh ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons white champagne vinegar
5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons white wine
2 shallots finely chopped
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
16 oz chicken broth
1 pint heavy cream
Fresh ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons white champagne vinegar
5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons white wine
2 shallots finely chopped
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
16 oz chicken broth
1 pint heavy cream
Preparation:
Season chicken with pepper (and salt if desired). In a deep frying pan, combine oil and butter and heat over moderate heat. When fats are hot but not burning, add chicken, skin side down and brown about 5 minutes. Turn the pieces over and brown the other side. If necessary, do this in batches. Adjust heat to avoid scorching the skin. Transfer chicken pieces to a platter
Pour off fats and remove pan from heat. Add vinegars and swirl around. Place back on flame and add shallots and wine. Cook, covered over low heat, until shallots are soft, about two minutes
Return chicken to pan, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum to keep warm. Add tomato sauce and broth to pan and stir to blend. Add cream and cook uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes. Return chicken to pot and cover. Cook over low flame turning occasionally 10 to 15 minutes more.
Pour off fats and remove pan from heat. Add vinegars and swirl around. Place back on flame and add shallots and wine. Cook, covered over low heat, until shallots are soft, about two minutes
Return chicken to pan, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum to keep warm. Add tomato sauce and broth to pan and stir to blend. Add cream and cook uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes. Return chicken to pot and cover. Cook over low flame turning occasionally 10 to 15 minutes more.
Notes:
the sauce is great spooned over rice, noodles or mashed potatoes
Tales From Gundarland – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘The planet was named Gundar after the omniscient god who accidentally created the universe with an explosive sneeze caused by snorting a larger-than-average dose of his favorite recreational powder. The nodules of spittle flew through space and eventually solidified into suns, planets, comets and other celestial bodies. Gundarland is the largest land mass on the planet. Populated by diverse races such as dwarfs, humans, elves, half-pints, yuks and a few lesser races, these disparate races live cheek-by-jowl in many cases and get along with no more than the usual interracial hostility.
By ancient tradition, many warriors took a double major when they studied the arts of war. The double major came in handy during the occasional outbreaks of peace. Thus, in the early days, knight-accountants, warrior-chefs and soldier-lawyers roamed the countryside seeking combat and/or clients. The population of the planet has always been intrigued by magic. As a consequence, wizards were held in high regard, even the incompetent ones. Wizard schools even offered double majors as well as the combat schools.
Author Hank Quense has taken characters that we all recognize, put them into character form while having them live on the planet of Gundar. For instance we have Romeo and Juliet. Romeo Montague is a dwarf silver miner. Juliet Capulet is an elf. They met at a ballet class and fell madly in love with each other. But… Juliet’s brothers hate the Montague family and forbid their marriage. Will they end up like Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet? You will find yourself laughing out loud as you find out.
Next we have Zarro, black mask and all. Zarro is a dwarf who rides a donkey named Belinda. Belinda was won by Zarro’s father in a card game and she hated to be ridden but loved to sleep. In fact, the only way to mount Belinda was to cover her head with a blanket, which would put her into a snoring sleep immediately, mount, remove the blanket and prepare yourself for a bit of bucking.
The Long Stranger, another mask wearer, and his sidekick Pinto are out to save the country from the likes of Rolf and Ralf. Rolf and Ralf have taken on the task of relieving those traveling along the Trade Road of their rings, coins, jewelry and any other valuables they might find to pilfer.
These are just a few of the characters Author Hank Quense has brought to life in Tales From Gundarland. As I read each character’s story I couldn’t help but laugh. I also couldn’t help but picture Shrek as a character in most of the stories. This book would be perfect for a full series of new Shrek movies.
2010
121 pages
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, chicken recipes, cookbooks, dwarfs, elves, fairy tails, Hank Quense, Martha A Cheves, Stir Laugh Repeat, Tales from Gundarland, yuks
Momma's Rain - Tom Sterner, Author
4:18 PM Posted by MAC
Tater Tot Casserole - A favorite recipe of Tom Sterner
(handed down to me by my Mom. Great on a chilly evening
or when you need to make something fast)
Ingredients
Frozen Tatertots
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup OR cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup finely diced onion
Preheat oven to 350
Brown ground beef with diced onion
Place ground beef in bottom of a greased baking dish (oblong casserole dish)
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the 2 cans of soup and then spoon on top of the beef; spread
evenly over the layer of ground beef.
Arrange a layer of frozen tatertots on top of the soup mixture.
Place in heated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Momma’s Rain – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
“I was four-years-old in 1935. My mother took my twin brother and me to a mountain park in Colorado Springs for our birthday. It was July 31st, a hot and sultry summer day in Colorado. We rode ponies round and round the pony pole, my brother and me. I’ll never forget the flies, deer flies I think. They were huge and aggressive. They bit. After lunch Mother told me to go into the outhouse to go potty. I didn’t really have to go but would not consider speaking back to Mother ever, not in any way. She closed the door and Iwaited. When I tried to leave the shack with the dark stinky hole and light shooting through cracks in the wall, I discovered I was locked in. I began to cry. I never saw Mother again. I’ll never forget the flies, deer flies I think. They were huge and aggressive. They bit.” ‘This is the first story my uncle told me when I found him. That was in 1982 when I was nineteen-years-old. I was abandoned at Denver General Hospital in 1963 when I was born. My Mother put me up for adoption. She felt her eighth child should have a better chance in life then the seven before. Odd, but fitting, that I would find my uncle first when I came of age and went searching for my real family. He and I are the cull, those cut from the herd and left to forge on their own.’
It’s the winter of 1957 in Billings Montana. At seven years old, Timmy is the oldest child in the Turner family. At this time he has two younger brothers and a two year old sister. But more will come bringing the number of children in his family to seven, all before he reaches the age of twelve. Timmy’s dad is a
roofer, a job that is dictated by the weather. He’s also an alcoholic and a mean one at that. Timmy’s brother Jerry as well as his mother can vouch for that. Almost daily Jerry will do something that his dad doesn’t like leading to a beating with the belt and standing in the corner. And heaven forbid if he comes home drunk, looking for a fight. That's when Timmy's mother get the bad end of his fist and boot.
Timmy’s mother, Kathy, is the glue that keeps the family together. She does everything she can to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. His dad, on the other hand, will blow every penny he can get his hands on to keep him in alcohol. The kids can go hungry and the landlord can evict them, as long as he has his drinking money. And that’s exactly what happened more often than not. They are constantly without food and being removed from their "living space" by the Sheriff at the request of the owner.
Reading Momma’s Rain filled me with many feelings, most from my own childhood. When I was in elementary school there were kids that I feel sure fit in with the life lead by Timmy and his family. And just as it happened when Timmy went to school, we kept our distance from these kids. We never gave thought to the possibility that these kids were possibly being beaten at home, that they might be hungry, and not just hungry for food but also for a kind word and a little friendship. We never gave much thought that they might be smart, even smarter than we were. After all they had to be to survive what they went through daily.
Author Tom Sterner has written a book that will break the hearts of every reader. It will also wake the reader up to the injustice most of us seem to perform not only as children but also as adults. It’s made me see the man or woman on the street with a different eye. One with even more compassion for them and their challenge to survive. I recommend that you not only read Momma’s Rain but that you also teach the lessons learned to the kids and grandkids in your life.
Author Tom Sterner has written a book that will break the hearts of every reader. It will also wake the reader up to the injustice most of us seem to perform not only as children but also as adults. It’s made me see the man or woman on the street with a different eye. One with even more compassion for them and their challenge to survive. I recommend that you not only read Momma’s Rain but that you also teach the lessons learned to the kids and grandkids in your life.
Now I wait impatiently to read the continuation – Momma’s Fire. It can only get better for these kids, I hope.
2005
Gatto Publishing
349 Pages
ISBN# 978-0954484699 Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, children of the 60, growing up, growing up poor, Martha A Cheves, Momma's Rain, Stir Laugh Repeat, Tom Sterner
Miss Hildreth Wore Brown, Anecdotes of a Southern Belle - Olivia deBelle Byrd, Author
5:31 AM Posted by MAC
Coconut Sheet Cake - A Olivia deBelle Byrd Favorite
1 Box yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines Butter Recipe)
Bake in 9" X 13" pan. Bring to a boil while cake is baking:
2 cups milk
1 cup sugar
Remove cake from oven and punch holes in hot cake. Pour hot liquid over cake, spreading
1/2 of a 14 oz. package of frozen coconut over top.
Cool completely and spread with 12 oz. Cool Whip and sprinkle remainder of coconut on top.
Keep refrigerated. It is even better second day.
Miss Hildreth Wore Brown – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
Weddings
‘I woke up the other morning, took one look in the mirror, and went and called my children. “You have to get married. My face is falling. People are going to think I’m the grandmother of the bride/groom instead of the mother, for Pete’s sake! Do you really want me walking down the aisle on a walker with oxygen attached?” The last time my son had a girlfriend and met her mother, the first words out of my mouth were, “How old does she look?” Not, is she a nice person or even is she sane? The other day a friend asked me if my son was dating anyone special. “No,” I replied, “but I’m down to anyone who’s not a hooker.” One friend inquired about recovering hookers. I told her I’d have to get back to her on that one. But giving it some thought, people deserve a second chance, don’t you think?’
This is just the beginning of Olivia deBelle Byrd’s feelings on “Weddings” and just the beginning of many other Anecdotes of a Southern Belle. I’ve had good laughs over her feelings about Victoria’s Secret, Robert Redford, Christmas Sweaters and New Neighbors, just to name a few. With both of us coming from the South, I can even relate to what she has to say about most of her topics. And if you aren’t from the South then I suggest you read Miss Hildreth Wore Brown very carefully so you will acquire a real understanding for our way of thinking. This book will keep you laughing from beginning to end.
I do want to add that I’ll have the pleasure of meeting Olivia deBelle Byrd at a book signing coming up in October in Charlotte, NC. I can’t wait to meet this funny lady face to face.
2010
Morgan James Publishing
157 pages
ISBN# 978-1-60037-748-8
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: anecdotes, Book Reviews, cookbooks, Martha A Cheves, Miss Hildreth Wore Brown, Olivia deBelle Byrd, southern belles, Stir Laugh Repeat
This is How Honey Runs - Cassie Premo Steele, Author
3:19 AM Posted by MAC
Bees-to-the-Picnic Honey Pie -
A Cassie Premo Steele Recipe
1 cup honey
3 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1 unbaked pie shell
Mix pecans with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom; set aside. Bring honey to a boil in a medium saucepan. Beat eggs quickly into honey; remove from heat. Add butter, vanilla, and pecan mixture. Pour immediately into pie shell and bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until set. You may garnish with fresh seasonal fruit and serve with whipped cream.
This is How the Honey Runs – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
There are 15 ways to create healing
1. Ask yourself who you are
2. Know there is no right answer
3. Listen to the squeaky wheel
4. Grease it for once
5. Enjoy the silence
6. Ask yourself who you will become
7. Know there are many answers
8. Pick one
9. Know you have just begun
10. Start over each morning
11. Ask a question
12. Hear an answer
13. Act
14. Rest
15. Begin again
In this new collection of poems, Author Cassie Premo Steele uses poetry as a way to co-create a life of balance and beauty and to inspire people. Poetry, or journals in general, can become a healing tool for those going through some of life’s everyday storms. It’s also a helpful way for women to bring the person inside to the surface and realize how important they really are, especially to themselves. As I read This is How Honey Runs, I found myself relating to many of the writings and I feel sure you will too. And I especially loved the message given in “15 ways to create healing.”
2010
Unbound Content, LLC
51 pages
ISBN# 978-1-936373-04-8
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, Cassie Premo Steele, Martha A Cheves, poetry, Stir Laugh Repeat, This is How the Honey Runs
Requiem for the Ripper - Brian L. Porter, Author
3:12 PM Posted by MAC
Beef Fajitas - A Brian L. Porter Favorite
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup tequila
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro leaves
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried crushed Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 2 pounds flank steak, fat trimmed
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Lime wedges, accompaniment
- Cold Mexican beer, or tequila shots
Remove the meat from the bag and pat dry. Season on both sides with 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Preheat the grill to high, and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Wrap the tortillas in foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes to warm and soften. Remove from the oven and keep warm in the aluminum foil. Cook the steak over the grill to preferred temperature, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and onions, and cook, stirring, until soft and slightly caramelized, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic, remaining teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant and soft, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Thinly slice the steak against the grain. Divide among the warmed tortillas and top with the vegetables. Squeeze with lime juice and serve immediately with cold beer or tequila shots.
Requiem for the Ripper – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘Forbes jumped, nerves getting the better of him, and in an instant the fear had returned. As a bolt of brilliant lightning rent the sky and lit up the room through the sturdy windows of my home, William Forbes shrank still further into himself. I watched, fascinated, as the well-built solicitor, a man whose entire life should have been built around logic, order, and the law, and who I’d have imagined to be one of the least likely to panic at the forces and sounds of nature, backed away from the window, until, his eyes once ore displayed the fear of one hunted by terror unknown, his back came to rest against the wall beside the fireplace. His body shook and his mouth opened in fear. His lips moved, but not a sound came from them. Though he remained in the room with me, I felt as though William Forbes were no longer with me, but had retreated to some dark place, locked away in his own private world of fear and dread.'
David Hemswell, a criminal psychologist and William Forbes, solicitor to the serial killer Jack Reid, have now been admitted into the world of Jack the Ripper. Forbes seeks the help of David to dispel the spirits that are threatening his own being. According to Forbes, David came recommended as the person to help. Question is, who recommended him and can he really help? After meeting Forbes, David decides to ask for the help of his old and dear friend Kate Gooddard who is a paranormal investigator. By combining their own knowledge and forces, the two hope to save Forbes from what he believes to be the spirit of Jack the Ripper.
A Study in Red, Legacy of the Ripper and now Requiem for the Ripper have been three books that held my attention through every page. Each book has its own distinctive ending, or should I say continuation but only a writer such as Brian L. Porter can give the whole story an ending such as the one in Requiem for the Ripper. I promise you, the ending will shock you as it did me. Great writing!
Available in paperback and e-book
Available in paperback and e-book
2010
Double Dragon Press
214 Pages
ISBN# 978-1-55404-763-5
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: A Study in Red, beef fajitas, Book Reviews, cookbooks, jack the ripper, Legacy of the Ripper, Martha A Cheves, Requiem for the Ripper, Stir Laugh Repeat
Devil's Dance - Arliss Adams, Author
11:58 AM Posted by MAC
DELIGHTFUL DEVILED EGGS (From author Arliss Adams)
Deviled eggs are always a hit and such a snap to make. This recipe is for a platter of twelve halves, but it’s easy to make as many as you want from individual servings to enough for a huge crowd. The preparation is the same.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
· Small Bowl
· Fork
· Small Spoon
· 6 hard boiled eggs - shell removed
· 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
· 2 TBL Dijon Mustard
· 3 tsp Sweet Pickle Juice
· 1 TBL Pickle Relish
· Dash of Salt
· Deviled Egg Tray or Platter
· Paprika
EASY PREPARATION
Place eggs in a sauce pan and cover with an inch or two of cold water. Put the burner on high and remove from flame for a few seconds as soon as the water comes to a boil to let it cool a bit. Turn the heat down to low and place pan back on the burner.
Cook for about a minute, remove from heat and cover. Let it stand covered for about 12 minutes. The time can vary depending upon the shape of the pan and number of eggs. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and cool in a bowl of ice water. HINT: Adding a teaspoon of vinegar to the water while it is coming to a boil will help to keep whites from running out if the shells crack.
Peel, then cut the hard boiled, cooled eggs in half. Using a teaspoon scoop out the yolks and place in a small bowl. Carefully place the whites on the platter to avoid tearing them.
To make the filling, add the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, pickle relish, and salt. Then mash and stir everything together with the fork until the mixture is smooth. If it seems a little thick you can add a tiny bit more mayonnaise. Also Miracle Whip can be substituted for the mayonnaise if desired.
Pick up one egg white half at a time and spoon in about a teaspoon of the yolk mixture. Try to have it arc rather than filling it flat. When all of the filled halves are arranged on the platter, lightly sprinkle with paprika, cover with plastic wrap or waxed paper and chill. Serve and enjoy.
CAUTION: Never leave deviled eggs or any mixture like tuna salad or potato salad in the heat or the sun.
Devil's Dance - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘A woman’s voice said, “Come on, come on, okay. Pulse coming up a little. Gotta get her body temperature up. No telling what’s been done to her. We’ll get some pictures when she stabilizes a bit more. See what’s going on inside. My money says she was raped.” Then a voice with a familiar Chicago twang added, “Doc, we haven’t got a clue about who she is or where she came from. When they found the poor kid, she was naked. Not a lot of places to hide any ID you know. If those little boys hadn’t found her, she would have frozen to death.” The man they called Doc smoothed his hands against my forehead, and tried to calm me. He muttered, “Okay, guys. Time to assess the damages.” As he bent closer, he crooned in a soft voice, “It’s okay now, Princess. You’re safe. We’ll take care of you.” My shrieks softened to whimpers. “Who does stuff like this? Probably some wacko.” “Poor kid. Dehydrated as hell. Let’s get drip fluid going. Come on! Do it!” The prick of the needle was just one more pain. I barely noticed it.’
Jenny Conner is one of the most promising ballet dancers Nadya Vaganova has ever seen. She is so good that Nadya has contacted a friend with the New York City Ballet Company asking that they send a scout. The scout was so impressed that he had the famous choreographer George Balanchine himself come to see Jenny dance. That’s when Jenny was offered a contract to work the Ballet Company. Unfortunately, this wasn’t to happen. Jenny’s mother decided that 16 was too young to be committed to something as silly as dancing. Down went Jenny’s life-long dreams. Then came the kidnapping. Jenny was sold into sex slavery by someone she felt was her best and actually only friend in life. After a bad beating Jenny is left for dead in the freezing snow.
Life for Jenny Conner becomes a roller coaster. She feels it impossible to deal with the mother who killed her dreams so after leaving the hospital she moves in with her father and his young wife, creating a problem between the two of them. This leads her to making the decision that she has to get away and start life fresh in another city far away from her family.
In Devil’s Dance, Jenny is tossed from the highs of life to the lows of hell. But she’s a fighter and nothing nor no one will keep her down for long. She will succeed and one day she'll complete her dreams and dance again, but at what cost. I really enjoyed the fast pace of Devil’s Dance and look forward to reading the continuation The Devil's Due. Jenny has a spirit to be admired and I hope the strength for revenge.
2010
L&L Dreamspell
225 Pages
ISBN# 978-1-60318-228-7
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Arliss Adams, ballet, Book Reviews, dancing, Devil's Dance, Martha A Cheves, sex slavery, Stir Laugh Repeat
Fakin' It - Diana Rubino, Author
1:17 PM Posted by MAC
Entrecote Marchand de Vin, (Steak with Wine Sauce)
A Diana Rubino Favorite
- 4 steaks, sirloin porterhouse or T-bone
- 2 teaspoons minced shallots or onions
- 1/3 cup red wine, preferably Bordeaux
- 1 pinch each salt and pepper
- 2/3 stick of butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- PREPARATION AND COOKING: Heat half of butter and oil in a frying pan. Cook the meat 10 minutes on each side, then salt and pepper it. Remove the meat from the pan. Keep warm in oven. Place the wine and shallots in a small saucepan. Heat over low fire till reduced to 2/3. Off the fire, beat in remaining butter to thicken the sauce.
- PRESENTATION: Place steaks in middle of a platter. Garnish with small steamed potatoes that have been rolled in butter and parsley. pour wine sauce over the steaks.
Fakin’ It – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
“This is no whim, and I’ll tell you why. It’s because the man I want doesn’t exist out there – or anywhere – except on the pages of my books and in my mind. Now it’s finally feasible to… well, attain this dream I’ve always had of finding Mr. Right. You’re designing the perfect creature, but he’ll need a personality. You can make the prototype in the image of Race.” She knew she was talking too fast, so she slowed down. “Of course he’ll need someone to satisfy his needs, to take care of him, and to love him. I can take that on, help you to perfect him.” He leaned on the windowsill, palms flattened. “Judi, he won’t need emotions. He won’t have the capacity to feel love. He’s only going to resemble a human. He won’t be able to love. He’ll have no feelings.” Spurts of adrenaline rocketed up her limbs and into her brain. She paced around and then halted beside him. “But you could give him emotions if you wanted to.” She gestured toward her heart. “You’re the creator.”
Judi is the author and creator of ten novels featuring her character Race Parsec. Race is her idea of the perfect man. He’s loving, kind, understanding, and completely devoted to his woman. Oh yeah, he is also a space traveling hero that will protect earth no matter what it takes.
Felix is a childhood friend from Judi’s past. They had been best friends from an early age but lost contact several years earlier when Felix and Judi married… other people. Finding each other again after years is the best thing that could happen to either of them. Both are coming from bad marriages and their friendship is exactly what they need to complete their lives, at least that’s what Judi thinks. Felix is a world known scientist and has been commissioned to create the world’s first non-human space traveler. Judi’s idea is that he first create her the perfect mate. Felix’s “friendship” for Judi is so strong that he can’t resist anything she requests from him.
So, what would it be like to design your own mate? He or she would be perfect in looks and manners. They would be 100% devoted to you and any desire you might have. That person could cook, play the piano, sing and be the perfect housekeeper. And when it came to your more personal desires, nothing would be left unattended. When I first started reading Fakin’ It, I, like Judi, thought this would be the perfect companion. I’ve now changed my mind. I think I’ll take the imperfects of having an imperfect human as a mate. Judi realizes this too but how can she tell Felix that she no longer wants the creation he has created for her? And even if she does tell him, what will he ever do with the perfect man they have named “Leo?”
2009
The Wild Rose Press
ISBN# 1-60154-710-2
261 pages
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: Book Reviews, cookbooks, Diana Rubino, Fakin It, Martha A Cheves, perfect mate, science, space travel, Stir Laugh Repeat
"This book is made up of 3 individual stories. All three are short reads and other than the setting, which is Mexico, all three are completely different."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"You'll follow Logan as she tramples through kudzu, goes to her first Testicle Festival, rents a room from a woman who runs around at night in the nude and connects with a wolf. You will also follow her as she gets her man, or should I say men."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Will the people of Hollow Gap pull together and defend themselves from the Indian up-rise or will they fall apart. Find the answers to these questions and more when you read this book of taming the West through love."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I would NEVER have guessed the turn of events that make up the last 20 pages of Fresh Frozen. The hiring of the spy will surprise you and the murder will surprise you even more. So if you love a good mystery, this book is definitely for you."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"As I read I felt as if I was a witness watching this evil man do the things he did to these young women. As I read through the trial I felt like one of those ready to convict him. As I listened to the comments by his wife, I could feel her pain and confusion."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"After reading Breaking My Silence I saw Jane as a strong person who was determined to do whatever was needed to get her children back into her life and to do whatever it took to make her life as complete as possible without the prostitution. This was one of the most informative books I've ever read about a subject that is normally kept behind closed doors."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"
While reading Genesis Beach I found myself not wanting to put it down. Each page had a piece of evidence that would help me solve the mystery before Logan. I really thought I had pin-pointed the murderer. Boy was I in for a shock."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I've enjoyed reading this book. It's a cross between a "fiction" and a "true crime." So if you enjoy either genre you will enjoy A Study in Red. Do keep in mind that this book is very descriptive."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"The story captured me from the beginning, the evil of Rovella never ceased to amaze me, and the love that was always there but didn't surface due to guilt made me feel the pain that I'm sure she felt. The ending was perfect."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"This has been a really enjoyable book.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Beth, don't change your way of writing! I've really enjoyed reading Basket Case and will be reading more of Beth's books."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I feel this is a wonderfully written book that would be helpful not just for young people who are overweight but also for those who look at a person, no matter the age, call them names, shun them and refuse to accept them as they are."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Bertha Speaks Out is a very enjoyable book to read. Bertha finds herself in positions that will make you laugh and cry. You will feel her pain but also feel her pride when she stands up for what is right. It’s a must read for children as well as adults.
"
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Read Thicker than Water and ask yourself these questions. Did the wife make the right choice? Was her decision worth 15 years of her family’s life? Would you have made the same decision?
I highly recommend Thicker than Water. As I said, it was a joy to read."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"As I read I kept asking myself “Who would put out a hit on David and why?” “Who are The Chosen Few and what do they have to do with David?” “Will Max get to David before it’s too late?” You will have to read The Chosen Few yourself to find the answers to these questions."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"This book has taught me that life is like a chain. Everyone we meet becomes a link in our chain. Some links may be weak, but the strong ones keep the chain from breaking. And as memories and secrets are shared with those strong links, they become even stronger."
(Martha A. Cheves)
I'm from Georgia, moved to North Carolina by way of Florida. I've been in Charlotte for 14 years and love it. The recipes in my book Stir, Laugh, Repeat are all tested by "Food Testers" of which I now have 24. They try a dish and rate it from 1-10 with only those scoring at least an 8 making the book. My website is a holding place for my 2nd book Stir, Laugh, Repeat... Again. Please visit my site to find new recipes and tips. All recipes are easy, using common ingredients and according to my testers, great!
