Holiday Recipe & A Magic Redemption
Happy holidays to all! I’m so excited today is the release of A MAGIC REDEMPTION, the fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series. Yippee!! Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what A MAGIC REDEMPTION is all about! Also, check out my Holiday Recipe for Fantasy Fudge. Pssst. To celebrate my new release I’m giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift card. Read to the bottom of the post, tell me the name of Synn’s pup in the comments to be entered for a chance to win Thanks for joining us!
A Magic Redemption has been in the process for quite some time. Synn the heroine of the book has wandered in and out of most of the books in A Demon’s Witch Series. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she sees an escape and exchanges valuable information for protection and takes freedom in Ireland. Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.
I always knew I’d have to tell Synn’s story, but had to wait until all the pieces fell into place from the other books in the series. I’m super excited to share her incredible adventure and heart-warming story with you now. I certainly hope you enjoy reading A Magic Redemption as much as I did writing Synn’s tale.
Although A Magic Redemption is the fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series, it can be read as a stand-alone like all the other books in the series. Before we get into A MAGIC REDEMPTION, a little holiday fun and a recipe!
Twinkle Bright – Elves Secret Santa
Direct from the North Pole, welcome to the Elves Secret Santa party! Here at the North Pole it’s extremely busy, but we still have time for a little holiday fun and shenanigans.
Let me introduce myself. I’m an elf and my name is Twinkle Bright because my elf hat has twinkle lights wound all around the scalloped edge and the pointy top.
I make yummy Hot Chocolate for Santa and the elves from a secret family recipe passed down from generation to generation. My hot chocolate keeps everyone warm and toasty inside at the North Pole. There is even an automatic dispenser in Santa’s Sleigh providing him with hot chocolate during his travels on Christmas Eve. It goes good with the cookies the children leave for him.
While I am mixing up large batches of hot chocolate, I listen to Christmas Carols from a variety of pop, country and rock artists. I always taste each batch to insure it’s up to elf standards. . You would think I’d get tired of hot chocolate, but no — never. I love the steaming chocolaty drink. I usually keep mine in an insulated mug so it stays warm while sampling the cookies in the elves’ bakery. Frosted sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies are my absolute favorites.
Now, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. But you must promise not to tell…anyone.
We do a secret Santa gift exchange around here and this year I got Bob, her job at the North Pole is name checker to make sure Santa has all the correct spellings of the girls and boys. One year she spelled Chrys’ name Chris and wow what an uproar.
Luckily Santa caught it, but we had to rush to change all the tags on her packages. Whew!
I’m getting Elf Bobi a package of 120 different color markers in a jewel encrusted case for marking off the correctly spelled names after she checks them.
Do you think she’ll like that?
Do you like fudge? Great, I’ll share with you my favorite Fantasy Fudge Recipe.
3 cups of sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 – 5 oz can of evaporated milk (do not use sweetened condensed milk)
1 – 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 – 7 oz jar marshmallow cream
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
You may add chopped nuts if you wish
Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to a full rolling boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stir constantly
Cook for four minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees.
High altitude takes about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and marshmallow cream, stir until melted.
Add vanilla and nuts. Stir until blended.
Pour into a greased 9×13 pan, spread evenly.
Cool completely and cut into squares.
A sneak peek between the pages of A MAGIC REDEMPTION!
He showered, pulled on sweats, and stretched out on his empty king-sized bed. After his long flight, a peaceful sleep came quickly until Synn’s nightmare invaded his dream world. Gut wrenching terror tore through him until he was able to disengage himself from the nightmare. There’d be no phone call this time. For a moment he considered shifting, but he might need a vehicle after arriving at her home. He yanked off his sweats and pulled on jeans, a sweater, donned a coat, and grabbed his keys.
He found her sitting cross-legged on the bedroom floor. Storm curled in her lap. The usually active pup was lying still just peering up at her. When Gavin approached, Storm moved one ear forward and turned her head to look at him. “It’ll be okay, girl.” He knelt in front of Synn, brushed the hair away from her face. A vacant stare met his gaze into her eyes like she was in a trance. This couldn’t be good.
He’d seen her nightmare. Something was trying to control her. He wouldn’t let it happen. Releasing a breath, he took hold of her shoulders. She’d been like this once before. When she came out of it anyone within arm’s reach could be in danger. Though her magic was tempered these days, it wouldn’t be for long… Changing strategy, he repositioned himself behind her, caught her up in a bear hug, and pushed the pup out of her lap. Storm yelped and went grudgingly but refused to leave her side.
“Synn, it’s me Gavin; you’re safe.” He gave her a little shake. Arms and legs began flailing. She let out a blood curdling scream and kept screaming until he thought the neighbors a few miles away would hear and call the police. He held her tightly, sat down on the floor, and pulled her into his lap. “Synn. Synn. You’re all right. We’re at the cottage.” The screams turned to sobs. She leaned her head back and blinked.
Panic seized her. “Gavin, you’ve got to get out of here. He’s coming for me and will kill everyone associated with me, including Storm.” She reached for the pup cuddling her close to her chest. “I’m so sorry. I knew this would never work. I don’t deserve a normal life.”
“That’s enough. It was a nightmare. That’s all.”
She turned her large aqua eyes on him and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, Kobo , itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Barnes and Noble Wal-mart.com
About the Author:
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance. She has an over-active imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a tween to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends. After many years as a paralegal, then an IT Manager, she decided to live out her dream of pursuing a publishing career.
With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of witches, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, and gryphons, with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in telling their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Thank you so much for indulging my excitement at the release of my eighth book with The Wild Rose Press and reading a bit about A MAGIC REDEMPTION! I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Magic Redemption, Fantasy Fudge, Ireland, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Twinkle Bright the Holiday Elf, Urban Fantasy, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Interview Karen Whalen Author of Just What I Kneaded
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Karen Whalen, author of Just What I Kneaded, A Dinner Club Murder Mysteries Book 5.
Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see find out a little about Karen and her cozy mystery, Just What I Kneaded. Thanks for joining us!
What is Christmas like where you live? Don’t be shy, tell us your secrets.
Christmas in Denver can be warm and sunny, even 60 to 70 degrees, but the National Park Service sells permits to cut blue spruce trees in mountainous areas that need to be thinned, so Christmas is full of pine scent even when the weather is nice. Of course, Denver can also be hit with blizzards at Christmas, too, but more often the weather is very pleasant. People expect Colorado to be snowy all the time because of the mountains. Don’t tell them how nice our weather is since everyone will want to live here
Favorite holiday memory
Listening to the transistor radio my parents gave me on Christmas morning when I was about 10 years old. I waited and waited to hear my favorite song by the Association – Everyone knows it’s Windy. I felt like a teenager!
Least favorite holiday memory
When my son traveled with the high school band on Christmas Day to play at the Rose Bowl game. We had Christmas on Christmas Eve, but it was still hard to put him on the plane that morning.
Funniest holiday memory
When my youngest was a year old he scrapped the color off the Christmas tree lights with his front teeth. He had bits of color flakes on his lips and the lights had teeth marks on the bulbs. What parent has to tell their child not to chew on the Christmas tree lights? Thank goodness he didn’t try to bite into one! We still tease him about staying away from the lights.
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
There are many culinary cozy mysteries, but my series doesn’t involve a bakery, a donut shop, or a wine and cheese shop. The dinner club series centers around foodies just like you and me. You don’t have to run a bakery or know about wine to relate to the main character who attempts to prepare gourmet meals and sometimes things don’t turn out like she plans. Who can’t relate to that?
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite Christmas movie: Elf
Favorite Christmas book: Bible
Last Christmas or holiday book read: cookbook
Favorite color: yellow
Stilettos or flip-flops or elf shoes: flip-flops
Coffee or tea or hot chocolate: coffee
EBook or audiobook or paperback: eBook
Pencil or pen or candy cane: pencil
Favorite Christmas Carole or song: Holy Holy
All-time favorite Christmas present: son
Favorite dessert: brownies
Christmas Candy or Cake: cake
Favorite thing to do to relax during the holidays: nap
Champagne or gin or eggnog: champagne
Paranormal or Historical: paranormal
Wonder Woman or Top Model or Tinkerbell: Tinkerbell
Favorite Christmas or holiday TV show:
Hot or cold: hot
POV:
I’d die if I don’t have: coffee
Review or Not: review
Tell us a little about Just What I Kneaded.
Vaughn jumped up to greet her when Jane and her friends crammed through the narrow door. “Hiya, Calamity Jane!” Sweat was dripping off his forehead and showed wet under his arms, but in spite of that he still looked breathtakingly gorgeous. He gave her a bear hug, and the odor of marijuana transferred to her clothes. The dinner club members’ jaws dropped. Even Olivia must’ve been stunned since she had nothing to say.
One of the guitar players, with black hair caught up in a man-bun, said, “That was my favorite movie as a kid, Calamity Jane.”
The drummer swiveled in a chair attached to the floor. “Wasn’t such a calamity, though, for you, was it, Vaughn?”
The rock star blushed and said in his British way, “Jane rescued me from the clutches of the coppers. They were questioning me like a common bloke. Me, Vaughn Zachman!” He stuck out his chest.
“They were just doing their job, Vaughn.” Jane took a seat opposite the famous rock star and her friends found places to lean against the tiny doorway and walls in the crowded, decked-out tour bus.
“It was pretty exciting, actually.” Vaughn flashed a smoking hot smile, like the sensitive, brooding, James Dean with a little of Johnny Depp thrown in. “Never thought I’d find a dead body. Did they catch the guy who stabbed that baker?”
“No.” Jane cast a glance at Dale and waved her arm first toward him, then at the other two. “This is my fiancé, Dale. I told you about him. And these are my friends, Doug and Olivia Ladner.”
Vaughn became chummy, saying any mates of Jane’s were mates of his. He gave them all bear hugs in turn. Was he high on drugs or high on adrenaline? Olivia didn’t want to let go of him and appeared as if she might faint, but he managed to extract himself from her arms. “I’ll never forget Jane, here. She waited while the cops grilled me and she made sure I got away from them. She was even going to call her attorney for me.”
“Just my boss. I’m sure he would’ve rushed over.” Jane patted his arm.
“She stayed and talked to me, kept me grounded, while I waited for my turn with the coppers.”
“I wonder why they questioned you for so long. I was the one who saw the killer, who heard his voice.” Jane stared off for a moment. “I’ll never forget those voices. The high one said, ‘Be reasonable. You’re in the way.’” She refocused on the rock star. “What do you think he meant by that?”
Vaughn repeated, “‘Be reasonable, you’re in the way.’ Hmmm. I don’t have any idea.”
“Well, then a voice said, ‘Taking care of business.’”
“Taking care of business? Did he mean the bakery business?” Vaughn’s tone was uncertain.
“And there was a deeper voice. He said, ‘I can’t.’”
Vaughn said after Jane, “I can’t. I can’t. What did the bloke mean by that?” It was surprisingly easy to get him to repeat the words.
“I wish I knew.” Jane could almost smell the cake just thinking about it, but her heart hadn’t raced as hard, and her mind didn’t flash back. She was getting calloused to it by now.
They both shivered, sharing a memory no one but the two of them could completely understand.
About the author.
Social media links:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/karen-c-whalen
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Just What I Kneaded!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Dinner Club Murder Mysteries, Ireland, Just What I Kneaded, Karen Whalen by Tena Stetler with 11 comments.
Exciting 99 cent sale – A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING
Click on cover to read more and purchase!
Its Sunday and A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING is on sale for 99 cents. What more could you want only a nine days from Halloween and the Holiday season fast approaching? Download your copy today!
After she set her glass down, Lathen brushed a couple strands of hair out of her eyes and searched her face. “Are you all right?”
“I’m tired, my wedding is in a couple weeks, I have ghosts fighting over who is going to do what. Guests that have no idea the place is haunted and… Your family and pack, my parents, Gwen… To top it all off, the head of my clan, who is a ghost, is sitting in front of me wanting to know who is coming to the wedding and whether the ghosts will be outed. How could I possibly be all right?”
“When you put it that way.” Lathen chuckled. “It sounds just a bit… I don’t know…crazy?” His right eyebrow winged up. She saw mischief sparkle in his eyes. “We could still elope,” he offered.
Available at: Amazon, Kobo, The Wild Rose Press, and Barnes & Noble
My celebration of three years of being a published author continues. Check back for more sales!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Holiday Wedding, ghosts, Ireland, magic, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Interview Karen Whalen Author of A Stewed Observation
Give a warm welcome to Karen Whalen, author of A Stewed Observation. By the way Karen will be a guest author at a facebook party August 10th from 6-9 p.m. EDT. Here’s the link – https://www.facebook.com/events/234885453771841/Stop by the party for fun games, a chance to win exciting prizes and giveaways. You don’t want to miss it!
Now, pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Karen and her A Stewed Observation!
What inspired this particular story?
A Stewed Observation is a cozy murder mystery that takes place in Ireland. The physical condition that causes the victim’s death is real, but not something I’ve ever seen before in a mystery. I learned about this condition while working on a case in my former job as a paralegal. My legal experience is incorporated into my writing, including uncovering facts that qualify as truth-that-is-stranger-than-fiction. Coupled with my love of travel, and in particular my fascination with Ireland, the two story lines came together organically. I enjoyed writing this book. It was like traveling to Ireland all over again.
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
In the dinner club series, paralegal Jane Marsh, a widow in the empty nest stage of life, is always game to try new things, including joining an exclusive dinner club. Stumbling across dead bodies and solving murder mysteries has developed into one of her hobbies, as well. Jane solves crimes with her paralegal know-how and help from contacts she has in the medical and legal fields. A handful of mysteries with paralegal amateur sleuths have been written in the last few years, but not many. There are quite a few legal thrillers where the main character is an attorney. I can think of half a dozen off the top of my head and I’ll bet you can, too. Even in the cozy genré, the flower shop mysteries by Kate Collins are about Abby Knight, former attorney turned florist. Paralegals have different expertise and experience than attorneys, more along the lines of a private investigator, plus they have a working knowledge of the courtroom. However, Jane’s character is multi-dimensional. This series not only takes the reader down legal paths, but also dining experiences, from gourmet dinners in the club members’ homes to Irish stew in a castle in Ireland.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
Of course. Jane is a paralegal, as was I for many years. And, I’m in the empty nest stage of my life, like Jane. Plus, I’ve hosted dinner clubs, although murder was not involved. Yes, I see myself in Jane, as I do in all the other characters. Many of the events, especially the dinner parties, were inspired by my own experiences (a dinner menu with a chocolate theme, chefs coming to the house to cook the meal, cigar smoking around a fire pit). Jane is much braver than I am, though. She’s feisty and eager to try new things. She encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and I’m hoping she will also inspire readers to embark on adventures of their own.
If writing is your first passion, what is your second?
I loved my career as a paralegal of 33 years at the same law firm in downtown Denver. The work was interesting, varied, and meaningful. The legal profession works with words, from reading voluminous documents and writing motions and briefs to pinning down witness’s statements and words under oath. It’s natural for legal types to turn their work with words into the writing profession, as many lawyers – and paralegals – have done. I’m thankful for the legal background I can bring to my writing.
Tell us a little about A Stewed Observation.
The Gourmet Dinner Club travels to Ireland to enjoy Irish cuisine while staying at a medieval, ivy-covered castle. Jane hopes Dale will ask her to marry him at this romantic dream destination. But her plans are put on hold when the elderly owner of the castle becomes violent, one of the club members tries to restrain him, and he collapses and dies. The police believe the mysterious death is murder and begin to suspect one of the club’s members. Dale leaves for home on a business emergency, and as the lone single gal in the club full of couples, Jane is thrown into the company of the handsome Irishman who stands to inherit the castle. Jane must prove her friends innocent by solving the crime. Which one of the sweet-tempered Irish could be a callous killer?
A Sneak Peek between the Pages of A Stewed Observation:
“I guess you’ll need to trust me.” Griff’s blue eyes danced in his handsome face. The moment was suspended in the air for a few heartbeats. Then he leaned over and put his lips on hers. She smelled his scent, like the salty sea and the smoldering peat and the burning malt of the Guinness. His lips tasted like Guinness, too.
Had she fallen asleep into a dream? She murmured, “The Irish are certainly a friendly people.” She turned to stare out the car window, aware that Dale might be waiting for his connecting flight from Boston to Denver.
As if reading her mind, Griff asked. “Are you upset about Dale leaving? How serious are you two, anyway?”
Jane lowered her seat back to recline and closed her eyes. “I thought he was going to ask me to marry him on this trip.” Were they even together anymore? They were likely on the outs.
“There’s something you should know.” He was silent for a few seconds as he inspected the steering wheel. “I overheard Dale’s telephone conversation, while I was at the receptionist desk, while you were having breakfast. He was talking to someone called Polly.”
“Y-yes?”
“He was standing right next to me. I couldn’t help hearing it.” Griff turned the ignition switch and pulled out into the traffic. “Dale told Polly he loved her.”
Her breath caught in her throat. At least she knew now. Dale had abandoned her for Polly.
To grab your copy of A Stewed Observation stop by:
Amazon The Wild Rose Press BarnesandNoble itunes
About the Author:
Karen C. Whalen is the author of a culinary cozy series, the “dinner club murder mysteries.” The first three in the series are Everything Bundt the Truth, Not According to Flan, and No Grater Evil. Everything Bundt the Truth tied for First Place in the Suspense Novel category of the 2017 IDA Contest. Whalen worked for many years as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver, Colorado and has been a columnist and regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. She believes that it’s never too late to try something new. She loves to host dinner clubs, entertain friends, ride bicycles, hike in the mountains, and read cozy murder mysteries.
When she’s not figuring out who done it, you can find Karen at the social media links below:
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with A Stewed Observation! And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the FB Party tomorrow, August 10th, 6-9 p.m. EDT.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Stewed Observation, Castle, Dinner Club Cozy Mystery, Ireland, Karen C. Whalen by Tena Stetler with 12 comments.
