FreshFiction...for today's reader: 12/13/09

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Sara Reyes | Something Delicious in the Kitchen means...

It's the time of year when I need an extra special escape moment or two so I do my old handy escape -- fall back into a book. I feel a bit sad because my mother is not longer here, my "old" home in Pennsylvania belongs to Amish families and I feel separated from my roots. It's a time of reflection on the good old days, or as my son states, "anything in the pass was golden." That is not true naturally but it does seem sad that I'll no longer be able to wistfully pine on not being able to go east to the snow and see family. Of course, I had not been able to do that in about 20 years anyway but the point I can not do it ever again makes it all the more poignant.

So to return to present day, it's also the time to be happy for what I do have. First and foremost I have memories and the cookbooks to create some good times for my family today. We practice making the cookies from the MENNONITE COOKBOOK, my grandmother and mother's only "cookbook." I mean, if it wasn't in the MENNONITE COOKBOOK you didn't need a recipe! Okay, I learned to supplement with a composition book with notes of interest: don't be afraid of lard, just need to find good quality in a speciality store; butter is not evil; stone-ground flour is better; and best of all what a pinch, thimble, palm measure out to be. Poor kids they've never seen a thimble much less have a clue what it would hold!

My edition of the MENNONITE COOKBOOK is the original 1950 version but I know there is a "newer" edition with "modernized" measuring but I find it comforting to read the old directions, try to figure out the differences between "sweet" milk and "sour milk" and not to be confused with buttermilk, and to read about gone-by-times. Seriously, are you going to be participating in a barn-raising this weekend? Think of it as food with history, so it's educational!

So I'm curious, do you have special traditions with "food?" If so, what are they? If not, then what would be your perfect tradition?

Until next time...

Get out there and READ a book...

Sara Reyes

DFW Tea Readers Group

Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 12-14, 2010!

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Fresh Pick | DAWNKEEPERS by Jessica Andersen

January 2009
On Sale: January 6, 2009
Featuring: Nate Blackhawk; Alexis Gray
480 pages
ISBN: 0451225759
EAN: 9780451225757
Paperback
$7.99

Romance Paranormal
Buy at Amazon.com

Dawnkeepers by Jessica Andersen

A Novel Of The Final Prophecy

The countdown to the end of days has begun—and Only the Nightkeepers can stop the annihilation of all mankind...

Though a Nightkeeper, Nate Blackhawk refuses to allow others to control his fate. The gods have even tried to influence his love life, sending him visions of Alexis Gray, a sleek blonde who is everything he’s ever wanted in a woman.

The two warriors can’t deny their attraction. But a frightening vision leads Nate to distance himself in spite of the intense passion he feels. Thrown together once more, they must reassemble seven Mayan artifacts that hold the key to preventing the end of the world…

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Saturday Smackdown: Gandalf versus Dumbledore

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations

Ah the beauty of the holiday season! We kick off our last week in a countdown towards Christmas with last minute shopping, sending holiday cards and sadly, a head cold for the midget. Today's smackdown is a look at the great wizards of two fabulous series. Both wizards inspire, guide and are tremendously powerful in their own right. I can hardly choose between them and cannot compare them as which is more powerful or which is more inspirational. Therefore, I ask only that you choose which one is your favorite. I know which one is mine.

Gandalf the Grey (later the White)

Gandalf is a fictional character with major roles in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head (after Saruman's betrayal and fall) of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West. In THE LORD OF THE RINGS, he is initially known as Gandalf the Grey, but after assuming leadership of the Istari, he becomes known as Gandalf the White.

Albus Dumbledore

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a fictional character within the Harry Potter novels written by J. K. Rowling. For the majority of the series, he is the headmaster of the Wizarding School Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As part of his back-story, it is revealed that he is the founder and leader of the "Order of the Phoenix", an organization dedicated to fighting the main antagonist of the series, Lord Voldemort.

Great Deeds

Among Gandalf's great deeds is guiding the Fellowship, saving Faramir, defeating the Balrog and hiding his possession of the third Elven ring of power for centuries. As a guide to young Frodo and the other Hobbits, he inspired greatness. He chose to leave Middle Earth with the other ring bearers including Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond and Galadriel.

Dumbledore, like Gandalf, inspired greatness in his students and acted as secret keeper for the Order of the Phoenix. His deeds are many, including defeating one of the most powerful wizards. Dumbledore was far more passive, choosing peaceful methods and reason above outright shows of power. He served as a foil for Voldemort for decades, fending the dark wizard off until Harry was old enough to face him directly. Dumbledore's death was by his own choice, a necessary sacrifice.

Neither wizard sought greatness, yet they both served to inspire the heroes of their novels and left a legacy of wisdom, spirit and determination.

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Friday, December 18, 2009

Fresh Pick | MAYAN SECRETS by Ciar Cullen

February 2009
On Sale: February 1, 2009
208 pages
ISBN: 1605041092
EAN: 9781605041094
Trade Size
$12.00

Romance Suspense
Buy at Amazon.com

Mayan Secrets by Ciar Cullen

Passion and danger on a collision course with the Mayan Underworld.

If you found an antique journal with the map to the Mayan Underworld, would you follow it? If you're Tyre "Indiana" Rasmussen, you would. Tyre's reputation for unorthodox treasure hunting is matched only by his reputation for breaking hearts.

The ever-professional Troya Twamley is determined to get her hands on the secret journal of a great explorer, even if that means joining forces with the sexy renegade and his oddball crew. Tyre and Troya think they're about to discover an ancient treasure, but instead find a horror that might end their torrid affair-and their lives.

Warning: This story is graphic! Do not read if you dislike hot naked archaeologists doing the Mayan horizontal mambo, exotic locales, and spine-tingling suspense. If breathing and pulse rate increase, seek help immediately.

Excerpt

“Your ten minutes are up.” Tyre kept hold of her wrist and heat seared up her arm as he rubbed his thumb across her pulse. She felt the beating of his heart beneath her palm and pulled back. He was close enough to kiss. Close enough to feel his warmth, the smell of his soap and the kiss of Scotch on his breath.

Tyre leaned in another inch and ran his hand along her arm, both thrilling and terrifying her with his touch. He looked at her lips.

“I don’t think you want me to leave, Professor Twamley. I don’t think my ten minutes are up at all. In fact, I think you’re dying for me to kiss you. What a confused woman you are. One moment you’re terrified of me, the next…”
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Jill Myles |Gentlemen Prefer....Holiday Bark

As we wind through the holidays, my mind is set on my upcoming book release instead of the actual Christmas holiday itself. The stockings are hung, the tree is up, and my mind is still fixated on succubi, vampires, and fallen angels.

Not an entirely terrible problem to have, of course. My first novel GENTLEMEN PREFER SUCCUBI comes out on December 29th, so it’s understandable that I’m starting to babble to myself and spend all day either clicking on Amazon.com to check my book ranking or mailing out bookmarks. Or weeping incoherently. But that doesn’t put the holiday goodies on the table, right? And when family is expecting you to bring over something tasty and delicious and holiday-themed, this could leave you in a bit of a quandry.

To read more of GENTLEMEN PREFER HOLIDAY BARK please click here.

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Fresh Pick | JAKE RANSOM AND THE SKULL KING'S SHADOW by James Rollins

Jake Ransom #1

April 2009
On Sale: April 15, 2009
Featuring: Jake Ransom; Kady Ransom
256 pages
ISBN: 0061473790
EAN: 9780061473791
Hardcover
$18.50

Young Adult, Young Adult Adventure
Buy at Amazon.com

Jake Ransom And The Skull King's Shadow by James Rollins

When a mysterious envelope arrives for Jake Ransom, he and his older sister, Kady, are plunged into a gripping chain of events. An artifact found by their parents—on the expedition from which they never returned—leads Jake and Kady to a strange world inhabited by a peculiar mix of long-lost civilizations, a world that may hold the key to their parents' disappearance. But even as they enter the gate to this extraordinary place, savage grackyls soar across the sky, diving to attack. Jake's new friends, the pretty Mayan girl Marika and the Roman Pindor, say the grackyls were created by an evil alchemist—the Skull King.

And as Jake struggles to find a way home, it becomes obvious that what the Skull King wants most is Jake and Kady—dead or alive.

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Jessica Inclan | Make The Coffee If You Can

People who haven't had coffee shouldn't make coffee.

I relearned this important lesson a couple of mornings ago upon finding my pot of coffee spilled like a slick across the counter, dripping over the edge, pooling in a coffee pool on the floor.

What had I been thinking? Oh, yeah. I hadn't.

And yet, all of us do things we can't do in order to figure out how to do them. This living thing is a process, and yet, most folks want to avoid the process altogether because it is so damn time consuming. We want to figure things out without having to figure anything out at all. We want the easy bake way of living and haven’t yet realized that the easy bake cake wasn’t very tasty.

To read the rest of MAKE THE COFFEE IF YOU CAN and to comment for a chance to win please click here.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Magic of Christmas: Books

The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Whether you call it Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or simply: the holiday season. I love this time of year from the hustle and bustle of shoppers to the profusion of Christmas lights springing up like a verdant field of wild, glowing flowers in the night. Some areas are decorated to the nines, with specialized themes or stories told in imagery while others are simply lights spilling out like gems for the night sky to admire.

Finding the Perfect Gift

The season is a challenge to how much you know about the people you love. Do you find them the gifts they asked for? The gifts that they would appreciate? Do some items stand up, waving their arms and yell: I would be perfect for him or her! The retail stores are packed to the gills with new items from clothes to books to music and electronics. Video games are often popular and the tried and true stuffed animal remains a seasonal favorite.

It doesn't matter that the stores have been laden with holiday ornamentation since October (and sometimes even earlier). They take on an ethereal shine when we are in the thick of the holiday shopping. We examine each item with care giving as much thought and consideration to the Jack Sparrow nutcracker as we do the thick, plush blanket and the warm snuggle of holiday pajama. We take the time to look at the crystal and how it catches the light as we do the fat turkeys, hams and roasts that beg to be served for the holiday supper.

It is a time of magic and wonder as more people donate their time, their energy, their money and their items during the holiday season than any other. We ask ourselves: would she like this? Would he appreciate that? What do I get him or her? How do I make that magic of the holidays happen so that when they open the gift, that warm, rosy pleasure spreads up from their bellies to light up faces brighter than any star decorating the top of a tree?

That is the challenge of the holiday season. This season, I've picked out a few gifts for people that I know will make them smile, will make them laugh and in some cases, even jump up and down with the simple joy of it all. The sound of the ripping paper, the fire crackling in the fireplace and the music of the holidays drifting through the air – yes, I do so love this time of the year.

Giving Books

It is a sure bet that I will give books at the holidays, I always do. From picture books to young adult reading to romantic suspense, science fiction and even a zombie or two this year, I will sort through the stacks at the bookstore to find the perfect book for each of the members of my family. They know they will get at least one and I work so hard to match book to personality and taste that I am often rewarded with thrilled smiles in the weeks to come as they read those books. Therefore, my holiday picks for gifts this year (and in no particular order) are:

*THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore

*THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH by Rick Riordan

*THE LAST OLYMPIAN by Rick Riordan

*39 CLUES: MAZE OF BONES by Rick Riordan

*THE DOG WHO THOUGHT HE WAS SANTA by Bill Wallace

*IRIDESSA LOST AT SEA by Lisa Papademetriou

*MOON CALLED by Patricia Briggs

*IMAGER'S CHALLENGE: THE SECOND BOOK OF THE IMAGER PORTFOLIO by L.E. Modesitt, JR

*NO REGRETS by Shannon K. Butcher

*FIRST LORD'S FURY (Codex Alera Book 6) by Jim Butcher

*I SHOT YOU BABE by Leslie Langtry

And those are just a few. What books will you give this year?

A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book Remembering Ashby is available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban fantasy: PRIME EVIL. The Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather enjoys.

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Fresh Pick | 2012: THE WAR FOR SOULS by Whitley Strieber

July 2008
On Sale: July 1, 2008
320 pages
ISBN: 0765358670
EAN: 9780765358677
Mass Market Paperback
$7.99

Science Fiction
Buy at Amazon.com

2012: The War For Souls by Whitley Strieber

December 21, 2012, may be one of the most watched dates in history. Every 26,000 years, Earth lines up with the exact center of our galaxy. At 11:11 on December 21, 2012, this event happens again, and the ancient Maya calculated that it would mark the end, not only of this age, but of human consciousness as we know it.

But what will actually happen? The end of the world? A new age for mankind? Nothing? The last time this happened, Cro-Magnon man suddenly began creating great art in the caves of southern France, which to this day remains one of the most inexplicable changes in human history.

Now Whitley Strieber explores 2012 in a towering work of fiction that will astound readers with its truly new insights and a riveting roller-coaster ride of a story. A mysterious alien presence unexpectedly bursts out of sacred sites all over the world and begins to rip human souls from their bodies, plunging the world into chaos it has never before known.

Courage meets cowardice, loyalty meets betrayal as an entire world struggles to survive this incredible end-all war. Heroes emerge, villains reveal themselves, and in the end something completely new and unexpected happens that at once lifts the fictional characters into a new life, and sounds a haunting real-world warning for the future.

Excerpt

General Alfred William North entered his superior officer’s luxurious suite in the Pentagon. General Samson had been appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff last year, and had taken Al with him into the stratospheric world of high-level military politics.

General Samson’s orderly had not been present to announce him. Given the present state of chaos within the military, that wasn’t too surprising. He was probably on some detail or other within the vast building, and there hadn’t been anybody available to spell him.

They were due at the White House in ten minutes, so Al didn’t stand on ceremony. Knocking once, he entered the office. Al had met Tom Samson when he’d been promoted to Air Force Chief of Staff. He’d been a very efficient officer, and personable.

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Christie Craig | Ten Things A Christie Craig Hero Would Never Say

Recently I blogged about ten things a Christie Craig heroine would never say. Well, living in an equal opportunity world, giving the male gender their equivalent time in Blog Sphere-hey, I love my heroes!-it’s only fair that I tell you the things their testosterone-laden counterparts would never say. Then for kicks, I’m gonna explain why one of my yummy guys would never let those words slip from their lips. Please note, that I didn’t say they wouldn’t think the words-my heroes are still men, they are just smart enough to never say them. Or at least smart enough to only say ‘em once.

1)"Wanna hear me make farting noises with my armpits?"

We all know men are just little boys at heart. And we love it when they are nervous and go out of their way to impress us. But a CC hero has come to understand that what impresses his homies, i.e. burping lyrics to songs, clearing out a room after ingesting a bean burrito, isn’t always appropriate behavior with his woman. At least not until after the honeymoon.

To read more of TEN THINGS A CHRISTIE CRAIG HERO WOULD NEVER SAY please click here.

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