Happy New Year from Anastasia and the Gang!
Friday, December 31, 2021
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
#COOKING WITH CLORIS--A VOLUME OF ROMANCE AND A COCKTAIL WITH AUTHOR VICKEY WOLLAN
Most people have a variety of traditions relating to holidays. Everyone has their own version, and that’s a good thing. Ringing in the New Year is no different. Some folks eat certain foods or consume a specific beverage because that activity brings good luck for the upcoming year.
In Romancing the Holidays – Volume 2 one of the short stories, “Holiday Fixation” by Karen Renee, Alex (the hero) uses a drink to tell Deanne (the heroine) that he knows her better than she thinks.
Deanne is the office manager at a PI firm and Alex is a lawyer at a firm that uses the investigative services of Deanne's employer. A subtle work-related change occurs that gives Alex the opportunity to show Deanne he’s wanted to date her for a long time. She goes to ask for a drink at a holiday party at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, but Alex places the order for her. A Sidecar is not a common cocktail. The fact the Alex knows Deanne’s drink of choice opens her eyes. How romantic is that?
This festive tale is just one of fourteen short stories, and some are written by newly published romance authors. Proceeds from this novel benefit First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW), a non-profit organization that helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the publishing industry. In 2020, FCRW started an annual tradition. The next volume releases on September 22, 2022.
It’s an amazing sight to see the joy of an author holding a book in which they are published for the first time. The FCRW members are incredibly supportive of one another. The amount of learning that occurs as the writers go through the steps of independently publishing a novel is immeasurable.
Romancing the Holidays – Volume 1 and 2 include stories with Fall and Winter holiday themes. Thus, the inspiration to have Alex order Deanne’s sidecar. Romancing the Holidays – Volume 3 will include holidays celebrated throughout the year.
Since New Year’s Eve 2021 is upon us, First Coast Romance Writers wish all romance readers a safe and prosperous 2022. May a hero in your life do something incredibly romantic to show you how much you are loved. Happy New Year!
Classic Sidecar Cocktail
Ingredients
1-1/2 ounces cognac
3/4 ounces orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
3/4 ounces lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Garnish: orange twist
Garnish: sugar rim (optional)
Coat the rim of a cocktail glass with sugar, if desired, and set aside.
Add the cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Volume Two
Looking for a Happily Ever After? How about fourteen of them?!
Romancing the Holidays, Volume 2 is a collection of romantic short stories all with the happy ending you crave. Genres include: contemporary, historical, paranormal, romantic suspense and young adult.
And what better time to find romance than during the holidays? Escape into these Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Three Kings Day and Valentine’s Day adventures, and swoon anew with each couple as they fall in love.
Proceeds from this anthology benefit First Coast Romance Writers, a non-profit organization that helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the publishing industry.
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Monday, December 27, 2021
M.R. DIMOND'S AMATEUR SLEUTH JD THOMPSON ON GRILLED CHEESE, TOMATO SOUP, ABBA TRIBUTE BANDS, CAT RESCUES & MURDER
What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?
Boring. A late twenty-something with all the trappings of a successful life, I wondered when it was going to deliver happiness. I went to my good corporate legal job every day to do nothing I ever wanted to do. I dated a woman because I didn’t want to be back on the dating apps and in the bars. The only excitement was when our ABBA tribute band got a gig, and we were supposed to be too grownup for that.
What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?
I’m a listener. It makes me a good mediator, which I prefer to court battles. I hear both what people are saying and what they don’t.
What do you like least about yourself?
I wish I’d had the courage to do what I really wanted, like my friend and bandmate Chantal Gaumont. Only I wanted to be a poet. Or a musician. Neither pay a living wage, so I became a lawyer in the family tradition. Only the kind of law I want to practice doesn’t pay much either. I hated myself when I accepted a clerkship with a judge and later a position in a corporate law firm. The idea was to pay my dues so later I could do what I wanted. But by the time the firm’s partners got far enough up the ladder to do what they wanted, they’d forgotten what that was, or at least why they wanted to do it.
What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?
On what day? I’ve examined corpses while filling in for the Assistant Justice of the Peace. I helped Animal Control catch a bobcat in downtown Beauchamp. Dianne and I chased a client cross-country to Washington, DC. And wearing satin suits to sing in an ABBA tribute band is nowhere near as bad as blowing through a trombetta squash in the Beauchamp All-Vegetable Orchestra. This lady lives to put me in weird places.
Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?
Adverbs. And profanity. She tries to smooth out my language in all kinds of ways, and my language is not smooth. On the upside, I can hand these stories to my grandmother.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing somebody important to me. My mother died of cancer when I was nineteen. That was bad beyond belief. Then I found out there are other ways to lose people, like when my friend Johnny crashed right into the psych ward after nine years of higher education. I’ll never forget his dead, blank eyes. I thought he was gone forever, even if his body kept moving. If that could happen to Johnny, the best and brightest of us, it could happen to any of us, a sorry reward for being the good children we were.
What makes you happy?
Lots of things:
- Making that wall of sound with my friends, belting out “I’ve Been Waiting for You” full voice, full keyboards, until the walls shake, with the audience flailing to the sound and their own memories. Collapsing afterwards, still vibrating, a cold drink soothing the vocal cords, and jumping up again to do my own dancing--with Dianne, I hope, the best dance partner ever.
- Going to court with someone about to be crushed by the system and convincing the judge or jury that justice is more important than money and power, just this once. Bringing everyone in a mediation to a workable solution is the same kind of joy.
- Waking up in that limbo between night and dawn, with Johnny and Dianne off on their morning Tai Chi, yoga, running, or whatever, and settling into that place where the poems come unbidden, and I just set them down as they whisper to me.
If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?
My mother wouldn’t have died, for sure. Maybe Dianne and I would never have broken up, even the first time, which was more for stupidity’s sake than anything.
Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?
Besides my father, who isn’t a regular, but there’s still too much of him—Dianne and her eternal spreadsheets that keep track of our bank balance and household chores. Mind you, those are her good traits too.
Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?
It’s got to be Chantal Gaumont, Agnetha in our ABBA band. Despite getting the accounting degree her family wanted, she’s determined to be a singer. You can hear her most nights in Austin and Lockhart clubs, with or without the rest of us. She’s living her dream, and I wish I had that kind of courage.
Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?
Her first career was as an orchestra cellist, but she always wanted to sing, so we get to. She spent decades rescuing cats, so Johnny gets to do that. She loves to dance and she’s good with numbers and organizing, so Dianne gets to do those things. And she’s read mysteries ever since she could read, especially mysteries about friends who solve them, so here we are. Her website is https://dimond.me, where she’d appreciate it if you would sign up for her newsletter. She promises not to send it too often.
She’s got a blog there, too. My partners and our intern are so mad that I’m doing this interview that they’ll be posting their own interviews.
What's next for you?
My 20-year-old twin sisters will get into trouble, because that’s what 20-year-olds do, in a book currently called Family Matters. I’m not looking forward to it. I’ve already lost my mother. Then for the fall, there’s book about holidays, starting with Ascension of the Virgin Mary, then Jewish High Holy Days, Halloween, and All Saints Day. A murder happens somewhere in all that. The book’s called Hallow at this point, though it sounds more like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
I understand you like crafts and cooking here. I do a lot of crafts, because my partners don’t accept excuses like “I don’t know how” when there are holidays to decorate for or costumes to make. It turns out there’s always a task any idiot can do, which seems to be me, but you probably know everything I know.
As for cooking, breakfast is the only thing I’m good at, and everybody knows how to make a pancake, so I asked Johnny for a holiday treat recipe. He gave me one for those Hanukkah jelly donuts, sufganiyot. But Hanukkah was a month ago, so you’re stuck with my signature dinner: Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Avoid the house brand of soup. They’re all thin as water. Pro tip: If you buy artisanal bread and deli cheese, people complain a lot less, especially if the weather’s turned cold suddenly. They never stop complaining if you use the plastic cheese substitute wrapped in plastic.
It’s been great getting to know you. I hope you’ll join our Christmas grand opening in Birth of the Black Orchids. Or just stop by Gregg House any Friday night, when Johnny cooks for half the town. Watch out for the kittens on every surface.
A Black Orchids Enterprise Mystery, Book 1
What if the American dream was living and working with your best friends? Millennials Johnny Ly, Dianne Cortez, and JD Thompson decide to find out when they quit their high-powered jobs to operate out of Johnny’s ancestral home in a small Central Texas town.
It’s such a nice old house. Too bad about the murder, which they’d better solve before it ruins their Christmas grand opening. Can they rise to the occasion with their skills as a veterinarian, accountant, lawyer, and an ABBA tribute band?
Bonus story: “The Way Old Friends Do”
A few months into the new year, income is low for the Black Orchids, with the town of Beauchamp happily using the free coupons from the grand opening. So Dianne expands their services to what JD calls “baby-sitting old ladies”—an easy job, until the clients run away.
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Friday, December 24, 2021
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
#COOKING WITH CLORIS--CHRISTMAS MORNING APPLE/ZUCCHINI CREAM CHEESE MUFFINS
Only three more days until Christmas. Here’s an easy and delicious muffin recipe to whip up for Christmas morning breakfast or brunch. Or New Year’s Day. Or anytime. Enjoy!
Christmas Morning Apple/Zucchini Cream Cheese Muffins
Servings: 12 muffins
Muffin Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup grated zucchini
1 small peeled and diced apple (any variety suitable for baking)
Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:
6 ounces whipped cream cheese (room temperature)
1 egg yolk (room temperature)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry muffin ingredients except the sugar.
Using a stand mixer, whisk together the oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Fold in the zucchini and apples.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together only until combined.
Using the stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Using a 1-tablespoon scoop, place a scoop of muffin batter into each muffin cup. Add a scoop of the cream cheese mixture. Then another scoop of muffin batter.
Bake at 425F for 5 minutes. Leaving the muffins in the oven, reduce the temperature to 350F and continue baking for another 15 minutes.
Cool muffin tin on wire rack before removing muffins.
Monday, December 20, 2021
AUTHOR LOIS WINSTON WROTE A CHILDREN'S BOOK!
If you have a young child on your holiday shopping list, you might want to consider purchasing a copy of The Magic Paintbrush as a gift. Without being preachy, The Magic Paintbrush addresses the issue of differences, in this case, a kingdom that’s all pink at war with a kingdom that’s all blue for longer than anyone can remember—so long that no one even knows what started the feud. It takes two children from another land to point out to the rulers of both kingdoms how we're really all the same inside and the benefits of everyone getting along.
Now if only people in the real world would do likewise….
Lois originally wrote this story for her own grandchildren (yes, she's that old!), but the reception she received convinced her she should send it out in the world for others to enjoy—and learn from—because the lesson taught is one the world really, really needs right now.
Happy holidays!
When nine-year-old Jack and his seven-year-old sister Zoe are snowed in for days with nothing to do, their complaints land them in every guy’s worst nightmare—the kingdom of Vermilion, a land where everything is totally pink! At first Jack is mistaken for a spy from the neighboring kingdom of Cobalt, but Zoe convinces Queen Fuchsia that they’re from New Jersey and arrived by magic.
Queen Fuchsia needs a king, but all the available princes in Vermilion are either too short, too fat, too old, or too stupid. Jack and Zoe suggest she looks for a king in Cobalt, but Vermilion and Cobalt have been at war since long before anyone can remember.
Jack and Zoe decide Vermilion and Cobalt need a Kitchen Table Mediation to settle their differences. So they set out on an adventure to bring peace to the warring kingdoms—and maybe along the way they just might find a king for the queen.
The Magic Paintbrush is suitable for children eight years of age and up to read on their own. Younger children will enjoy the story if it’s read to them. You can read an excerpt here.
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Friday, December 17, 2021
BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--NOIR DETECTIVE FICTION AUTHOR R. WEIR'S TWO PROTAGONISTS CHAT OVER BEERS
A Divine Chat Over a Beer
I was wiping down the counter at my Denver bar on this quiet middle of the week, hoping for more customers, when low and behold I got my wish. Walking in was a stout good-looking man dressed casually, taking a seat on the other side of the counter.
“A beer please…whatever you have on tap,” he said with a tired deep tone.
I grabbed a frosty mug from the cooler and filled it to the brim, sitting the frothy liquid before him. He took a long sip, the foam sticking to the upper part of his wrap around goatee at first, before dissipating. The bald dark-skinned man releasing a tension-filled sigh confirming he enjoyed the taste.
“A tough day?” I asked while tossing a bowl of pretzels within his reach.
“You have no idea,” he replied after another long drink.
I’d heard many fascinating stories in my recent years behind the bar, and I was interested in his. “Bartenders are great listeners.”
The man grabbed a couple of pretzels, swallowing them. “I was chasing down a criminal who had injured a woman during a burglary. Damned if I just missed grabbing him.”
“Are you a cop?” I inquired, curious about the man’s profession.
“A former US Marshal…now working privately.”
“Former, you say. Any particular reason you no longer work for the Feds?”
Wrinkles formed on his forehead, anger in his tone. “A kid I was guarding was murdered. His father was a US Senator, and I was blamed.” He took another drink of his beer, the liquid level below half. “Even though he was killed by an assassin from long range.”
“That sucks. I’ve learned the hard way when working cases that those in power often step on those who aren’t.”
The man’s eyes locked onto mine. “You work in the business?”
“Private eye, at one time. I retired—mostly—to own and run this place.” I held up my hand and waved all around me. “Thanks to two bullets, I found this life to be easier on my soul and body. But occasionally I still dabble in the business.”
The man nodded. “I understand. I’d love to find a quieter life, but I can’t stop until I track down the killer. In the meantime, I chase down bad guys for our clients. It’s rough sometimes but I have team members to help.”
“Sounds interesting. By the way, I’m Jarvis, formerly Jarvis Mann PI.” I extended my hand.
Reaching across, the man shook my hand with a grip of steel. “I’m Hunter Divine, now working freelance as a troubleshooter.” Hunter smiled and reached into his pocket, handing me a card. “If you’re ever interested in getting back into the game, I’m always looking for good help.”
I looked down at the card reading it, his business name and logo revealing. Leading me to wonder what the hell this man delved into when it came to his work. It appeared he was a troubleshooter who lived on the edge.
“The Divine Devils,” I stated with surprise. “Is that some type of inside joke?”
Hunter finished his beer. “Not at all. It’s what we call ourselves. We’re willing to move heaven and hell to get the job done.”
I glanced down at the card again and tucked it in my back pocket for future reference. With a name like The Divine Devils, I didn’t imagine many wanted to mess with this man and his team. I grabbed his empty mug and filled it again, then got one of my own.
“This one is on the house,” I said, holding up my beer. “Here’s to you and your Divine Devils and hoping I never get on your bad side!”
Hunter laughed, followed with a hearty “Amen”.
“Maybe I should tell you the story about my case of The Front Range Butcher,” I declared, a cold shiver running down my spine at the gruesome memory.
“That was you?” Hunter replied, his interest piqued. “Spill the beans. I’d love to hear everything about that sick serial killer.”
“Where do I begin…”
A story I happily shared, the two of us chatting the evening away, bonding over the challenging and dangerous cases we’d both survived.
The Case of the Invisible Souls
A Jarvis Mann Detective Mystery, Book 6
With Christmas a few weeks away…Happy these last few months had been quiet, Private Detective Jarvis Mann decides to take on an interesting case. A homeless veteran knocks on his door with a story. Several of his homeless companions have been bribed, then taxied away never to return.
Taking pause to the man’s story at first, Jarvis digs deeper, learning of plans to clear out the homeless. When the man is attacked and seriously injured, Jarvis goes undercover, learning more about life on the streets than he ever knew, becoming one of the Invisible Souls in search of an answer.
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