Showing posts with label supernatural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label supernatural. Show all posts

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Bitten - Dan O'Brien, Author

 
Rich and Squidgy Chocolate Cake
(A O'Brien Special)
 
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup softened butter (or margarine)
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 cups cocoa
1 1/2 cups sugar
 
Directions:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 320°.
2. Cream the butter with 1/2 cup of the sugar.
3. Add the eggs a little at a time. If the mixture begins to curdle, simply mix a little flour into it.
4. Once all the egg has been folded into the mixture, add the flour about 1/2 cup at a time until the batter is smooth.
5. Place the cocoa and the remaining sugar into a separate bowl and pour 1/4 cup of boiling water into it. Stir until fully combined.
6. Add the cocoa paste to the cake batter and fold gently until combined.
7. Add a little of the milk and stir gently. Repeat until there is no milk left.
8. Pour batter into a greased cake pan, and bake for 1 hour or until a knife no longer comes out wet. (The mixture may still stick to the knife when it is done - but it should a have a fudgy appearance.)
Serve with cream.
 
 
Bitten – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and A Book and A Dish
 
“Agent Lauren Westlake.  Yes, I know about you Agent Westlake.  What are you an agent of I wonder?” posited the woman quizzically.  “Right.  So yeah, anyways.  About the creature?”  The woman folded her hands across her lap and sat back.  “There are many creatures in this world, Lauren of the Lake Tribes of the West.  My question is what are you an agent of?  We all represent something in this world.  What do you represent?”  Lauren looked at the woman strangely, feeling claustrophobic.  “I am an agent of the federal government,” she replied mechanically.  The woman was not convinced with the answer.  “That is to say you are an agent of a rock, Lauren of the Lake Tribes of the West.  Would you like me to read your life?”  “My life?  Lake Tribes of the West?  I thought you had information about the creature.”  “I have information on a great many things, Agent Westlake.  What information do you have for me?  Nothing in this life is free.  A cycle of reciprocity, surrounded and envelopes us, even if we do not see it.”  Lauren gripped the edge of the chair, lifting her body.  “I think there has been a misunderstanding.  I thought you had something to tell me…”  The woman waved the agent down with a quick movement of her hands.  “Let me begin then.  I am called Hecate.  I serve as the guide from this world.  Not the only guide mind you, but a guide nonetheless.  I am an agent of wisdom and of truth.  And you, daughter of the Lake Tribes of the West, what are you an agent of?”
 
Federal Agent Lauren Westlake had been in Locke, Minnesota for just a few days and she is now conversing with a another crazy woman.  The first was Madeline Leftwich who for years sat every night at the train station waiting on her mother to pick her up.  Now Madeline is dead and the particulars of her death are what keeps Lauren in her seat as she listens to the puzzling comments coming from Hecate.  Madeline, as well as another woman found at the lake, had both been murdered by what appears to be the same ‘person.’  Both were mutilated with patches of skin removed.  After catching a glimpse of what Lauren believes to be the murderer, she is convinced it isn’t a person she’s perusing but a monster of some type.  From what she saw, it’s large and it’s hairy.  Definitely not human.
 
Dominic McManus has had his own encounter with Hecate.  She has given him hope for the future.  She has ‘read his life’ and assured him that there will be someone coming that will help him.  But Dominic sees his time running out and needs help fast.  Could Lauren possibly be the one he’s been waiting on? 
 
While reading Bitten, I felt as if I was reading a possible script for one of the supernatural shows on television involving vampires and werewolves.  I also felt that it might even be a script for Criminal Minds.  This book would fit both.  The questions I kept asking myself as I read were – is this monster a werewolf?  - is Dominic the monster?  - could it really be just a crazy maniac?  And then I would tell myself – if this book were made into a movie I would spend more time hiding my face from the screen as a got the heck scared out of me.  Bitten is a true thriller!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Subspecies - Mike Arsuaga, Author

 



PAPA's Beef Stew
( A Recipe from Mike Arsuaga for those cold nights)

Ingredients:
2 tsp. of finely chopped thyme leaves
3 large onions
3 stalks of celery
8 oz. baby portabella mushrooms
1 lb. red potatoes
1 lb. beef cut for stew
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup sherry
2 cups pre-sliced carrots
1/3 cup flour
1 32 oz. box of beef stock
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Prep:
Remove stems. Chop thyme leaves.Slice onions and celery thinly. Cut
mushrooms into quarters. Cut potatoes into bite sized pieces.

Steps:
1. Preheat stock pot on med-high 2 to 3 min. Separately, season beef with salt and pepper. Brown beef.
2. Stir in onions. Cook 10 to 12 min or until onion is soft. Stir in
sherry. Cook until most of liquid evaporates, about four minutes.
3. Add celery, mushrooms, potatoes, carrots plus beef and onions to heated stock. Stir in flour for thickener.

Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Serve.

Subspecies - Guest Review by Matthew Morrison 

In Subspecies, Mike Arsuaga suspends the readers disbelief in horrific mythical
creatures by creating realistic settings, emotive characters (creatures,
really), and a very compelling plot.  The reader is initially lured into what
appears to be a fast paced Action/Adventure/Mystery.  Only too late does the
reader discover that this is actually a classic love story of Vampire meets
Lycan.  Mike Arsuaga explores, in detail, the frequent and varied expressions of
the couple's monster love.  Even after spilling the blood of innocents, he stuns
the reader with a style that eventually evokes sympathy for the plight of these
poor predators. 


Author of "Subspecies, Inc." Best Erotic Book for 2011 on
            the Preditors & Editors Reader's Poll. The sequel
            "Children of Subspecies" won Best Cover. Both are
            continuations of award winning  "Subspecies" about the deep
            love between two special beings as they shepherd lycans and
            vampires (The Subspecies) to their destiny within Creation.
            Coming soon, episodes four and five, "The Tenth Legion" in
            February and "Lagrange Point" in May.

Check out the full synopsis and excerpts of all stories at http://mikearsuaga.weebly.com
            or http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Mysteerie Manor II - Sharon Hays, Author



Maryanne’s delicious salad dressing in Mysteerie Manor II.
Maple Dijon Delight


This makes a good sized portion of salad dressing so you will have some for later!
(You could also cut recipe in half to make less, just in case)

3 to 4 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 parts oil to 1 part Dijon; 6 to 8 Tbsp. of a light tasteless oil *(I like grape seed oil, as is light, healthy and tasteless, but you can use your own choice of course. Also good for sautéing, if you’ve never tried it)
Whisk well to emulsify, as you drizzle oil into Dijon mustard while it thickens.
Add ¼ C fresh tarragon
S & P to taste
1/3 cup Maple syrup
Whisk in all three ingredients to the emulsified mustard and oil.
½ to ¾ c Raspberry Vinegar:  Add and whisk to emulsify well, to get to your desired consistency.

* (Honey may be used instead of Maple syrup, but I guarantee you will love the syrup combination!)
There you have a tasty new dressing that will delight your taste buds and healthy as well! 

 
Mysteerie Manor II - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘The fateful day she walked into the Valencia Manor, her life had taken many turns.  What had started out as a property investment opportunity had become an intriguing nightmare of unexpected events and mysterious, supernatural phenomenon.  Murder, strange accidents and tragedy all took their turns in the bizarre adventures at the Valencia Manor.  But through all of the mystery and misery, it had become a reality.  The Valencia Manor would be legally transferred into Maryanne’s name today… Maryanne was reluctant at first, to accept the unbelievable gift of the Valencia Manor, because she felt so bad about the death of the lovely Mrs. Dirkshire.  Maryanne spent weeks trying to find other relatives who might otherwise be next in line to inherit the property, but after careful searching, to no avail and legal counsel, she felt more at ease in accepting the gracious offer.’
 
The Valencia Manor was built in the 1800s.  After several mysterious deaths it was put on the market and bought by John Farthington.  The deaths continued with his child and wife both dying while living at the Manor.  After succumbing to illness himself, Farthington moved in with his sister Irene Dirkshire.  He later died leaving the Manor to her.  She, in turn, decided to sell and contacted Joan Bishop to be her agent.  Joan and Maryanne O’Donnell were close friends and when Irene saw how much Maryanne loved the old Manor she wrote a new will stating that if anything should mysteriously happen to her it was to go to Maryanne.  Upon her death a few weeks later, Maryanne inherited the Valencia Manor.
The Manor wasn’t the only thing that Maryanne inherited.  She acquired all of the ghosts, both good and bad, that called the Manor their home.  So she decided to sell her home and move into the Manor, but before doing this she first had to have the place completely renovated.  After finding the perfect contractor, her plans progressed with a good offer being placed on her home and Maryanne and her new husband Mario made plans to move into what was to be their new home at the Valencia.  Maryanne had already had the Manor swept of its spirits by her physic friend Vivian but when the contractor took out a wall and found an unexpected guest, Maryanne had to call on her friend again.  Vivian found more than expected when she returned to the Manor and with Mario informing her of the mysterious deaths that had been occurring around the area she had no choice but to give them her idea that they may be dealing with the “undead.” 
 
Reading Mysteerie Manor and Mysteerie Manor II made me remember reading my very first “horror” book.  It was called Salem’s Lot.  I read it at night, which was a mistake, and had trouble sleeping afterwards. I couldn’t even leave a curtain open for fear that an unsuspecting predator would be looking in.  That was years ago, but these two books bring some of those feelings back.  Author Sharon Hays has succeeded in giving me the creeps, even while reading during the day.
 
 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Sarah They're Coming For You - Susan Kronick, Author


My Family's Favorite "Jewish" Coffee Cake
  A Susan Kronick Recipe

This was always the cake that was sent to camp, college,
and is still requested by my family for Holiday tables. Enjoy!
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees, spray 2 loaf pans with non-stick spray.
Mix filling and set aside:

1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 TBL. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup “mini” semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
Batter:
1/2 cup softened, room temperature butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream

Sift flour, baking powder and salt in bowl, set aside.
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. This works well in bowl of a standing mixer,
as the batter will get thick.
Beat eggs into butter mixture, one at a time. Add vanilla and sour cream.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients, a little at a time, until well incorporated.
Spread 1/4 of the batter evenly in each of the loaf pans. Top with 1/4 of the filling
mixture. Repeat this step, ending with the filling mixture on top.
Bake for 50-65 minutes… Enjoy….Freezes and ships very well!!

Sarah They’re Coming For You – Review by Martha A Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
 
‘Each time the psychic buzzer sounded, she hoped the numbers indicated the time on the clock would be different, anything but the dreaded 3:33 a.m.  Sarah knew the sound existed exclusively within her own head, unheard by all others.  Still, she looked over at Richard in the same way she had long ago glanced at her sister Nancy.  Why can’t anyone else hear the buzzer, too?  She silently begged for an answer. Weary from her repugnant routine, Sarah prayed for protection from the inevitable parade of lost souls.  Slowly creeping closer and closer, any moment they would begin their morbid ascent into her bedroom.  The intense dread accompanying the gathered spirits had not dissipated at all throughout the years.  Drenched in a cold sweat that signified primeval fear, tense muscles throbbed in her aching neck, joined by an accomplice of terror so strong the blood in her veins ran cold and threatened to congeal in its tracks.  Her heart palpitated with such force thoughts of an imminent heart attack lingered in her mind.  Sarah knew what it meant to be scared to death.  The air was sucked from the room, and she struggled to breathe.  Heaviness paralyzed her limbs, rendering her unable to move.  The morbid chant assaulted her auditory sense.  “Sarah, they’re coming for you…Sarah, they’re coming for YOU…Sarah, they’re COMING FOR YOU.”
 
For most of her life Dr. Sarah Pullman has been haunted as dead figures ascend into her bedroom at night with one purpose which is to torment her.  Sarah having a Ph.D. in psychology with a specialty in paranormal studies has spent the last fourteen years investigating haunted houses across the world to Austria.  But nothing in her education, training nor experience has prepared her for the events to soon happen in her own life. 
 
Sarah had been invited to give a talk regarding the differences between the three different types of haunting, Sarah is approached by an older woman who introduces herself as Dinah.  She tells Sarah that she is the reincarnated soul of her great-great-great-grandmother and that she must trace her family history to find the answers to put an end to her own constant haunting by demons from the past. 
 
Sarah’s research ends taking her to a castle on the other side of the world, which had been owned by several generations of her past family, known as “Weiser Schloss.”  Dinah has agreed to be her travel companion as well as her tour guide since she was originally from the same area and could speak the language.  Along the way, the duo will encounter 12 of her own cousins who insist on claiming the castle as their own.  But with Dinah’s help and a trio of nuns they meet on their train ride across the country, Sarah is made aware that she must be the 1st to reach the castle if she wants to end her torture.  
 
This has been one fascinating book to read.  Author Susan Kronick takes us on a tour of Vienna that is so clear that you can’t help but picture each place as it’s described.  In Sarah They’re Coming for You I found Susan Kronick to be a writer with a very vivid imagination.
 
147 pages
2009
Wild Child Publishing
ISBN# 978-1-936222-32-2

 
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