Showing posts with label witchcraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witchcraft. Show all posts

Monday, August 5, 2013

Convenient Marriage - Maggie Tideswell, Author


Mini Chocolate Kahlua Pots
(A Maggie Tideswell Special)

100g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
150 ml single cream
2tablespoons Kahlua liqueur
4 glasses or ramekins


Place chocolate in a large bowl.
Heat cream just until it comes to the boil, then pour it over the chocolate and leave to stand.
Whisk until smooth, then add the Kahlua.
Spoon into the glasses/ramekins.
Leave in the fridge for 1 hour
Serve with crème fraiche and top with a coffee bean.


Convenient Marriage – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

‘Joshua skimmed down the page, not registering what he was reading, when a tiny advert squashed between Lost and Found and Obituaries jumped to his attention.  It simply read:

Husband needed.
Call Holly Turnbull 021 768 9223
No pranks please

Joshua read it a second time before he scrubbed both hands over his face, his elbows crumpling the newspaper on the table.  What was the world coming to, if women had to resort to dailies to get them a man?  he wondered.  Would this poor, misguided soul even want the kind of man who was like to respond to this silly ad?...  Surely this Holly woman didn’t think she was going to get a bona fide offer of marriage from this tiny advert, did she?... He waited for his laptop to boot up, then typed ‘Holly Turnbull’… Holly turned out to be a journalist and not bad to look at either.  He was impressed, even though it seemed odd that a woman like her would advertise for a husband.  Oh, well, each one to her own.  She would do nicely in his newly formed plan.’

Joshua Jordan has found a way to push Nicole, his fiancée of four years, into making the final commitment by scheduling a wedding.  He will give her an ultimatum of time and if she doesn’t find it within herself to meet the deadline, he will take this Holly woman up on her marriage proposal for just long enough to bring Nicole to her senses. 

Holly Turnbull didn’t actually place the ad for a husband in the daily paper, her three best friends and roommates did.  Holly’s ex-husband Donald has refused to allow her to see their two boys for long enough.  The girls believe that with a husband, Donald will have no excuses for not allowing her to see the boys.  The girls also believe Donald’s wife Gwen is the one that is really behind him not allowing Holly to see her kids.  So when the marriage proposal comes in from Joshua Jordan, Holly sees that this just might be the answers to her problems with Donald.  But with the proposal comes something that no one would have guessed... Moragh.  Moragh is a spirit from the past who starts sending Holly messages demanding that she ‘tell her story’ and to her surprise, the story starts at the very home belonging to Joshua.

This book has it all… murder, mystery, love, hate, ghosts, spells and the supernatural.  The tale is so twisted that you think you have it all figured out only to find that you’re wrong.  The characters are strong and if you believe in ghosts, very believable.  I really didn’t want this book to end but to just keep on going.  Convenient Marriage is a very entertaining book.  I loved it.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Dark Moon - Maggie Tideswell, Author


Flop-proof Apple Pie
(Maggie Tideswell's special)

1x can pie apples
1x cup flour
1x baking powder
1x egg
1x cup milk + half a cup for caramel sauce
1x cup sugar + half a cup for caramel sauce
1x tablespoon butter + half a table spoon for the caramel sauce
1x pinch salt

Pre-heat over to 180 farenheit. Greaze a pie tin and layer the apples in the bottom. Cream butter and sugar very well together, add the egg and mix well. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together and add alternatively with the milk to the egg mixture. Pour over the apples and bake immediately in the middle of the oven for 30 mins until golden.
While baking the pie, mix together half a cup of milk, half a cup of sugar and half a tablespoon of butter together, bring to the boil and simmer over very low heat, stirring frequently, until the pie is done. Pour the caramel sauce over the pie immediately after removing it from the oven. Serve hot with cream, ice cream or custard.

Dark Moon – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

“Well, my girl, I hope that boyfriend of yours is ready to make an honest woman of you.  Congratulations. Everything looks fine so far.”  Though he smiled, there was hesitation in his voice.  Biting her lip to save her cheek, Storm lost the battle with the tears that had been threatening all day and doubly so after Trevor’s rebuff.  Andrew pulled her head down to his shoulder, rocking her from side to side, as he had done many times before.  He let her cry, and then, after what seemed like forever, he said, “There, there, it’s not the end of the world.  You’re going to make yourself ill.  Come on, chin up.  Trevor seems a good sort.  You’ve been dating him for long enough.  Why aren’t you on the pill?”  “It makes me ill, and as there was no reason to suffer, I didn’t bother.”  Calm washed over Storm.  “Uncle Andrew, it isn’t Trevor’s,” she mumbled hoarsely.

Storm Fenton has just had confirmed what she and her best friend Donna had suspected – she’s pregnant.  Problem is, she has been dating Trevor for almost a year and he isn’t the father.  Actually she didn’t even know the name of the baby’s father.  Her pregnancy is the results of a ‘rape’ that wasn’t exactly a ‘rape.’  Maybe it’s best called ‘consented rape.’  But to Storm’s surprise, she will soon meet her mystery man and when he discovers her situation, she can’t seem to shake him.  When she finally tells Trevor that she’s pregnant with another man’s child his attitude splits.  He assures her that she will never have the baby while assuring her that she belongs to him and he will have her through marriage.  His motive as well as his actions come from deep within and he seems sincere when it comes to wanting Storm for himself and does all in his power to keep her away from Jarred, the baby’s father?

Storm is a psychologist who tries to help Elle, an attorney, find a murdering/rapist who has killed 7 women already in a ritual fashion.  Elle also turns out to be his 8th victim and the only one that was spared her life.  But Elle’s life is not only disrupted by the rape but by the appearance of her birth mother who inform her not only that she is a witch but that the murder is her own son, making him Elle’s brother.  The two must band together to destroy him before he kills again and before he performs his final ritual that will give him the powers he desires.

So, who is the killer - is it Trevor or is it Jarred?  Or is it someone else entirely?  Who is really looking out for Storm’s best – Trevor or Jarred?  And which will end up with her in the end – Trevor or Jarred?  Dark Moon is one of the most unusual books I’ve read.  It has everything – murder, rape, witchcraft, fear and even love.  And it left me with a feeling that there just might be a book 2, I hope.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Slade's Destiny - The Witchcraft Wars Book 3 - Tracey Alley, Author


CORN AND BACON QUICHE
(A Tracey Alley Special)

INGREDIENTS
2 X Rashers of Bacon
1 X Can of Corn Kernals 440 g
5 X Eggs
1 x Small bottle of cream 300 g
1 x Sheet of short crust pastry

METHOD 
Chop 2 rashers of bacon into bite sized squares and lightly fry
Add one can 440g of corn kernals
In large mixing bowl add 5 eggs and 300mg cream
Grate 1 cup of cheese into mixture and stir well combining all the ingredients
After well mixed pour mixture into a lined dish with the short crust pastry on the bottom
Cook in moderate over for approximately 30 mins or until you can insert a knife and it comes out clean.

x = 1 of or 2 of
1 can corn kernals or
1 x can corn kernals

Slade’s Destiny – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds

‘Ming could hear the click of armor and the rhythmic pounding of many, many feet as they drew closer.  She could feel her heartbeat increasing and pounding heavily in her chest, using the exercises and skills taught to her as a monk she tried to quiet her rapidly beating heart.  Panic and fear would only cause her to make mistakes; she needed a cool, clear and calm head.  It was one of the first lessons learned in the warrior training at the Black Lotus.  Less than an hour had passed before the group got their first look at the approaching army.  In spite of the lanterns it was still shadowy along the length of the underground roadway.  They could not be certain who they faced but she noted with a sense of relief that the army, and an enormous army at that, seemed to be primarily made of up the very dwarves that Zexsan had been leading them to see.  In the very back she could just make out a group of taller figures that indicated an almost equally large human following closely behind the dwarves.’

Ming is just one of the key elements that must put a stop to the witch Shallendara’s attempt to open the portals that will cause total destruction to their world.  Slade and his sister Ursula, as well as many others, have vowed to rescue their father King Erich after his kidnapping.  To do this they must stand against their older brother Ulrich who has taken over the throne.  Both realize his evilness and also the fact that he may have had a hand in the kidnapping as well as the death of their mother.  But time is running out.  Shallendara has learned what is required to open the portal.  She must acquire two of the three gemstones required for the opening.  When these two are brought together, the third will follow.  The mystery is her motive.  With the destruction of the world how does she expect to survive?  How can she be stopped?

Then there is Nexus who has worked with Shallendara as a joint quest to find the stones and open the portal.  But can she really trust him?  Is his motive real or does he have ideas of his own?  Will the two continue to work together or will they betray each other?

Book Three of the Witchcraft Wars has been a true page turner.  I couldn’t wait to see Slade’s Destiny would really become the end of the series or hopefully lead to a 4th.  I was completely surprised by the ending!  And to my delight, there are many possibilities for continuation.  Hopefully soon.  My advice, read the complete set of the Witchcraft Wars in order.  You won’t be disappointed.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Cold Hearted Son of a Witch - The Dragoneers Saga II - M. R. Mathias, Author


Nacho Pie
A M. R. Mathias Special
1 pound ground beef 
1/2 cup chopped onion 
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 
2 tablespoons taco seasoning 
1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls 
1-1/2 cups crushed nacho tortilla chips, divided 
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream 
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
 
  • In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, separate crescent dough into eight triangles; place in a greased 9-in. pie plate with points toward the center. Press onto the bottom and up the sides to form a crust; seal perforations.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup chips over crust. Top with meat mixture. Carefully spread sour cream over meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and remaining chips. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Cold Hearted Son of a Witch – Dragoneers Saga Book II – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds – Desserts


‘The Crown Prince lay peacefully, as if asleep, inside the currently green-colored magical field.  He was afflicted with the Goblin King’s poison, a terrible stuff that had maddened and then slowly corroded from the inside out anyone who’d breathed it.  If the stasis failed before an antidote was concocted, he would surely die.  Jenka knew Herald was right about what had to be done, but that didn’t relieve the urge Jenka was feeling to just ignore common sense and keep his word by saving his fellow Dragoneer.  


The Dragoneer’s Lair, as the hall was now called, was an intensely morbid place.  Queen Alvazina was often found there arguing with her husband or weeping over her son’s body.  Like Mysterian, she was a witch of the Hazeltine, and she fully understood the magnitude of the situation.  She knew Richard’s life hung in the balance, and that there was no certainty about the antidotal potion Mysterian hoped to brew.  Her sorrow seemed to sap the hope out of some of the others, thus the hall was sometimes the quietest place in Mainsted.’


In his first book, Mathias introduced us to Jenka De Swasso, Rikky Camille and Zahrellion, along with their dragons Jade, Silva and Crystal.  He took us through the battle with the Gravelbone and the poison that put Prince Richard into his state of suspended animation.  We saw King Blanchard and Linux change places for the benefit of the war.  We also learned the prophecy of what is called the “Confliction” that will be fought by 10 – 5 Dragoneers and 5 dragons.  But what is the “confliction” and who are the other 2 Dragoneers?  Where will they come from?  Where will the battle take place?  Will the antidote, once brewed and administered to Prince Richard, counteract the poison and bring him back to help fight in the confliction?  And will Linux and the King finally make the switch back into their own bodies?

It didn’t take me long to read M. R. Mathias’ first book.  It was packed with action, excitement, suspense and a little humor now and then, making it a fast enjoyable read.  When I read his second book in this series Cold Hearted Son of a Witch, I expected more of the same.  Well, he didn’t disappoint me.  It has everything that the 1st book had and more.

I’ve never been a big fan of fantasy books but this author is changing that.  He could carry this book into a series of 10 and I’ll read, and am sure, enjoy every one.  I love reading this series.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Ursula's Quest - Book Two of the Witchcraft Wars - Tracey Alley, Author

 
Vegetable Puffs
(One of Trunk and Tracey's favorite dishes)

Ingredients
4 sheets of puff pastry
1 small tin of champagne mushrooms, equivalent fresh if you can get it is preferable
1 medium sized tin of corn kernels, again fresh is better but depends on supply
1 small red capsicum chopped into small squares
Cup full of baby peas - fresh or frozen as you can get
Cup of tasty cheese grated
Tablespoon of Sweet Chili Sauce

Method
Cut the pastry sheets into four squares each and set aside.
Combine all the vegetables and cheese, add sauce and mix well.
Spoon a small amount into each square and fold up the pastry giving it a small twist to the end.
Place in a medium oven and cook for about 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown.

Serve as an entree with extra chili sauce or as a unique way of getting kids to eat their veggies.


Ursula’s Quest Book Two of the Witchcraft Wars – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
 
“Tell me Slade, do you know much about the legend of the Temple of Life?”  “Yes, it’s a very old legend.  It comes from Kemet I think.  Something about the gods building a temple to guard a portal that supposedly led to the realm of the gods.  I don’t remember all of it but it’s nothing more than a legend.”  “But what if the legend were true?”  Slade started to laugh until he saw how serious Nikolai was; he actually believed in the myth.  “You may well laugh but I have come across many strange things in my studies.  Strange and troubling things,” Nikolai said.  “About the Temple?”  “Yes and no.  I believe that outside the legend itself very little has ever been said or is known about the Temple.  I have, however, discovered from my research that portals from one dimension to another do actually exist.”  Slade looked hard at Nikolai, his immediate thought was that the necromancer’s brain had been addled from the blow to his head, but he could see that Nikolai clearly believed what he was saying was the truth.  “What other dimensions?  There is only this world and the realm of the gods,” Slade said eventually.  “To the sight and understanding of most people that is true but I assure you I have found that we are but one of many different dimensions.”  “I don’t understand.  Do you mean other worlds like our own or…” Slade trailed off, he didn’t even really know how to frame the question.’
 
In book one of the Witchcraft Wars, Slade, as well as several others that escaped with him, are traveling in hopes of finding the answer to his dreams where he believes his father High King Erich is talking to him.  In his first dream he was told to follow the trunk which turned out to be a human that helped him in his escape.  In his second dream his father sends him on a search for the Dragon Clan hopes of finding the Great Dragon.
 
Ursula, Slade’s sister, is having dreams of her own that she believes are coming from their father.  In her dream King Erich tells her to search the ruins for the key.  So with the help of Ming, her childhood playmate, as well as three others that join them, she finds herself deep in the Temple looking for the answers and the key.  As it turns out, there are three keys that must be found and so far Ursula knows of one while Trunk knows of the second.
 
Both brother and sister must complete their mission before the war between the kingdoms gets underway and before the witch known as Shallendara finds the key herself.  Shallendra’s quest, so it appears, is to use the key to open the portals to the gods and increase her own powers.  But, opening the portals will not only destroy the world but Shallendara too will be destroyed. 
 
As in Book One of the Witchcraft Wars, author Tracey Alley has created a story that holds you spellbound and hoping that someone will find the key soon before all is lost.  I’m again anticipating Book Three to see who the holder of the third key turns out to be.  And to see if Ursula and Slade are able to save the world from the destruction caused by Shallendara.  With author Tracey Alley, anything could happen, good or bad.

 
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