Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Wednesday's Herb - Found Awesome New Herb Site

I love looking around the web for new sites and I found this one.


It has everything to do with herbs and natural remedies, as well as recipes. 

Yes I think I'm going to try this for the summer!!

and how about...

Anyone with fur babies, knows how hard that is. Especially this Spring! It seems the little buggers just don't want to be killed by the baths and 'medicine' you put on the back of their necks.

Lots of GREAT info at 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

May 2014 Release


Wills clash when a hot Alpha and a determined Guardian come head to head about protecting their town.


Alston guardian Olivia Roven, knows how dangerous her job can be, and has felt the darkness that can tear families apart.  Rushing home to save her aunt from a Dragon Hunter, Olivia discovers a bigger plot against Alston.
Livi radiates sassiness, especially toward Tommy Moilanin, her former childhood friend, and unbeknownst to Livi…her future mate. Kept apart so she could concentrate on her training, Livi realizes how strong her bond with Tommy is.
Tommy is a Lyken warrior, strong and proud, and he makes sure Livi’s guardian side understands his dominance as their bond grows into a relationship they both yearn for.

RELEASING MAY 2014


Friday, April 25, 2014

Fun Drink Friday - Watermelon Coolers (kid friendly)

Photo: Charles Schiller; Styling: Stephana Bottom


Pair the sweetness of frozen watermelon cubes with the spicy bite of ginger ale and the tart flavor of limeade for this refreshing, icy sipper.

Yield: Serves 8


Ingredients
  • 8 cups seeded 1/2-inch watermelon cubes
  • 2 cups chilled ginger ale
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 6 ounces frozen limeade concentrate

Preparation

  1. Arrange watermelon cubes on a baking sheet. Freeze 30 minutes, or until solidly frozen. Working in batches, blend frozen watermelon, chilled ginger ale, 1/4 cup water and frozen limeade concentrate in a blender until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses.
I thought, why not an alcoholic free drink that the kiddos could enjoy as well. 
And found this yummy concoction over at:


I love watermelon and think I'll be giving this cooler a try!!

Here's some nutritional info as well...
  1. Nutritional Information

    Amount per serving
    • Calories: 133
    • Fat: 0.0g
    • Saturated fat: 0.0g
    • Protein: 1g
    • Carbohydrate: 34g
    • Fiber: 1g
    • Cholesterol: 0.0mg
    • Sodium: 12mg


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Wednesday's Herb -- Noon Wine with Sage and Elder Flower Concentrate

Photo Credit: Janis Nicolay 


When making drinks with fresh herbs, mix beverages only a few hours before serving to keep flavors crisp and distinct. To make our Noon Wine cocktail a little lighter, use equal parts sparkling water and sangria when pouring individual servings.

Ingredients
U.S.MetricConversion chart
  • 1/4 cup(s) elderflower concentrate
  • 3 tablespoon(s) sugar
  • 12 large sage leaves
  • 1 bottle(s) (750 ml) sauvignon blanc
  • 2 peaches, ripe
  • 1/2 cup(s) raspberries

  • Directions
    1. To make white sangria, stir elderflower concentrate, sugar, and sage leaves with 750ml of sauvignon blanc. Add two sliced ripe peaches and raspberries. Let fruit mascerate 2 hours before serving.
    Serves: 4
    Total Time: 5 min

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Friday, April 18, 2014

Fun Drink Friday - Dollar Martini


I love Semi Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee.

While running through recipes I found this little delight.
I've never had a martini, but I think I'm going to have to give them a try

Ingredients

1 cup vodka

1 cup water

1 (8-ounce) can frozen limeade

2 tablespoon lemon juice


Directions

In a large pitcher, combine vodka, water, limeade and lemon juice. Pour into martini glasses.
Total Time:   3 min                  Prep:    3 min

Yield:4 servings                  Level:Easy


Sunday, April 13, 2014

Writing Inspiration - Passion Flower Vine


My husband and I were strolling down the gardening aisles of Lowe's and he maneuvered me over to the section with the vines and shrubs, saying I have to check out these vines, they'd be awesome for our trellis.
So as I follow him glancing here and there at the different blooms, thinking okay, I'll let him show me, but I'm really not enthused, because he wants to replace my choice of flowering vine for our trellis. He stops and points, saying, honey I really like this one.

I look over, my eyes widen as I take a step forward. I LIKE IT.

As he's talking about it's self climbing, we don't have to train it to go up, I'm thinking, this is the coolest looking flower I've seen in a long time. Leaning over I smell it, then rub the petals gently between my fingers. I turn to look at him with a smile.
I like it.
He smiles, really? let's get it.
O.K. 
as  he's loading two onto our cart, I start...
that looks so sci-fi to me, I love it and the color (purple is one of my favs). My eyes go wide and I smile, I know exactly which book I want to put this in.
He looks at me and smiles.
I start blabbing all the way around Lowe's gardening center, through check out and into the car.
My husband finally turns to look at me and says...you're a chatty little thing today.
I'm like I know right  See what happens when you inspire the writer in me. 


So there is where one of my writing inspirations came from. 
The Passion Flower Vine .

Passiflora, known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 500 species of flowering plants, the namesakes of the familyPassifloraceae. They are mostly vines, with some being shrubs, and a few species being herbaceous. For information about the fruit of the passiflora plant, see passionfruit. The monotypic genus Hollrungia seems to be inseparable from Passiflora, but further study is needed.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Fun Drink Friday -- Smirnoff's Light Tropical Martini



Does this look yummy or what!!
I think it's a need to try. :-)

MIXED WITH SMIRNOFF SORBET LIGHT™ MANGO PASSION FRUIT

WHAT'S INSIDE:
1.5 oz SMIRNOFF SORBET LIGHT™ MANGO PASSION FRUIT
1.5 oz coconut water
1 oz pineapple juice
Glasswear: martini
Garnish: pineapple wedge or lime wheel with a cherry

HOW TO MIX IT:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, shake, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish.


Calories – 103; Carbohydrates – 7.4g; Protein – 0g; Fat – 0g Per 5 oz serving

SMIRNOFF Sorbet Mango Passion Fruit. Made With Smirnoff Vodka Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol.

Per 1.5oz serving: Calories 78, Carbohydrates 1.3g, Fat 0g, Protein 0g* 25% Fewer calories than the leading dessert inspired vodka


Read more at: Smirnoff

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Guardian's Bond - Story Board on Pinterest


Pinterest has been interesting indeed 


I originally started the Pinterest account to do story boards for my books that are releasing or out. 

The Guardian's Bond story board is finished and I'm working on one for The Minotaur's Mate (releasing July 2014 with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid).

I found that I really like it. I love searching through the pictures posted and have more than several boards going 

How much fun!


Friday, April 4, 2014

Fun Drink Friday -- White Wine Spritzer


I found this little lovely on Food Network. Thought it'd be a nifty little drink for Spring.

Ingredients
3/4 glass super-chilled white wine (very, very cold!)
1/4 glass super-chilled club soda (again: very, very cold!)
Slice of lime
Directions
Fill a wine glass halfway with the super-chilled wine - the glass should frost - that's when you know your wine's cool enough.

Splash in the club soda until the glass is three-quarters full. (Note: You can also use ginger ale or lemon lime soda!)

Then take a slice of lime and put it on the rim of the glass.

Total Time:
5 min
Prep:
5 min
Yield:1 serving
Level:Easy

Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond
2012 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved
SHOW:
The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE:
Ten Things I Love


Read more at: Food Network

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

The Wedding Dress Hunt...and the Wedding have happened!!


OK, so it was over, little over a year ago. 
And we've since celebrated out first married year.

Yes...it's been great!!

The reason I've posted is because I've been getting quite a few hits from my ... 'The wedding dress hunt has began' blog, and a few emails asking if I'd found one.
Sorry peeps, I sometimes don't blog that well.

We had a very small, very intimate wedding with our closest family and friends at The Alling House Bed & Breakfast. The owners are simply wonderful and have a passion for their guests.

So my dress was found at David's Bridal - Tampa, FL = Great Service!  and worn wonderfully, thanks to my seamstress, in Deland, FL.

*  Wedding / Event Planners, Stephanie Mullins with Soiree Solutions (They're soooo awesome!!), 

*  Photos taken by Tim with Honor Photography

*  Caterer's Blade and Co for our meal, 

*  along with 151 West Bread Co. for those awesome rolls, 

*  as well as Wild Flour Cakes

Thanks Stephanie and at the time a very pregnant assistant Alexa you two were and still are GREAT!!!!! 
(and thanks for letting me grow my own lavender and letting you figure out how to mix it in with the decor  )
SOOOOOO TALENTED YOU ARE!!!!!!!!

So anyone in the Orlando, FL area looking for greatness I say hit them all up!!