HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE! 

ENJOY THE MERRIMENT, THE WONDER AND AWE! 

BE SAFE!

To Dream of New Orleans Beignets!

A few years ago, I had the honor and pleasure of visiting New Orleans with my friends. Upon my return to the frigid Northeast, I told myself (and many others) that if I were to EVER move to New Orleans, it would be for the food, the whole food and nothing but the food.

Because the food down there is ridiculous and so good and so.....heavenly.

Until recently, I've been unable to find a decent replication of the ever-famous beignet. Then I was bought to the Grand Lux Cafe and holy good God, my friend and I positively tackled this basket of scrumptious beignet goodness. From the buttery flakes to the dusting of powdered sugar to the three choices of dipping sauces, it was a feast of dynamic proportions. Coupled with a whipped-cream-slathered hot mocha, I was transported back to the mellow, easy streets of New Orleans, complete with the casual gait of both tourists and locals and jazzy music that soothed the spurs in my soul. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a great day of thanks, good eats and even better company! Hold it all closely. You never know when it'll be gone!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, peeps! May your treats be tasty, your tricks be awesome and your screams of terror be loud!

(Yup, this is a pumpkin candle holder. A bit creepy, right?)

There Is Never a Bad Time for Baked Goods

See that glow? It's a ray of heavenly light because even God knows there's nothing more divine than a glass of iced coffee and a cupcake glazed with Oreo crumbs.

Opinions Wanted: Who Played It Better?

Okay, guys, I'm curious....

Who do you think played the Mad Hatter better?

Sebastion Stan

or

Johnny Depp?

All That is Unholy with Paranormal Author DeAnna Browne....Plus a Free Short Story!

Hey peeps! How goes it on this amazingly hot holiday weekend? Are the grills fired up? Is the beer cold? Is the whiskey on the rocks? Is the ice cream melting? If the answer is yes to all of these questions, then give yourself a pat on the back because you’re doing it right!

So while I wait for the burgers to cook, I am totally excited to have fellow author, DeAnna Browne, sharing some space on my blog today! It’s the perfect time to learn about new books, old books, book sales because you know and I know that the majority of people who read, right now, are at the beach.

So take a scroll on down and see what DeAnna is sharing with us today! 

*Scroll to the bottom for a chance to check out a FREE SHORT STORY*

Synopsis: Survival isn't guaranteed...

Years ago, dark magicians opened a dimension to another world and unleashed a new power on the earth. Governments toppled, millions died, and magicians became earth’s most feared predator. 

After rescuing her younger sister from the clutches of the coven, twenty-four-year-old Becca discovers her enemies have left an unholy gift behind−a demon bound to her sister’s soul. On the run from Ryma and his twisted coven, Becca joins forces with her best friend, Caleb, and a pyromancer who tempts her untrusting heart. 

Desperate to protect her sister and her friends, Becca finds temporary safety with a rogue faction she’s not sure she can trust. As war looms on the horizon, Becca is forced to pick sides in a game where survival isn’t guaranteed. .

Sound awesome? Check out the buy link here: Amazon

When asked about her writing inspirations behind her Dark Rising Series, DeAnna Browne considered one very important questions. What would happen if evil wizards took over the world? In many magical stories, the good characters win, but what if they lose? What if Voldemort actually beat Harry Potter? (that is a truly scary thought.)

But it helped DeAnna build the platform she needed for book two, Unholy Sundering. She told me, "I drew my inspiration from my love of water. My main character, Becca, finds a powerful rogue magician whose strength is in water, and the majority of the novel takes place sea side. Growing up in Arizona, I was in the pool every chance I could get and became a synchronized swimmer, competing all around the country. If I must pick a power or affinity with magic it would definitely be water."

To see how Becca's story begins, check out book 1 of the Dark Rising Series.

Synopsis: Some sacrifices cost more than death...

Thirty years ago, dark magicians unleashed new power on the earth fueled by demons. Governments toppled, millions died and magicians ended up on top of the food chain.

Twenty-four-year-old Becca survives these dangerous times by relying on her wits, her fists, and the limited goodwill of her boss, a local crime lord. When news comes of a fire back home and the family she left behind dead, she realizes her dark past has finally caught up to her.

On the hunt for her missing sister, she must rely on Darion, a treacherous ex-boyfriend with ties to the local coven for back-up. Problem is he’s a pyromancer that can’t be trusted, especially with her heart. Becca’s forced to navigate a dangerous web of deceit and must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to save her sister.

Check out the buy link here: Amazon

Here's more on DeAnna Brown:

She graduated from Arizona State University with her BS in Psychology. She finds it helps to corral those voices in her mind and put them to paper. Her debut novel, A Demon Rising, came out in 2017 with Black OpalBooks. An avid reader and writer, she has a soft spot for science fiction and fantasy adventures with a touch of romance. Despite her love for food and traveling, she always finds her way back to Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, children, and pet dog.

Contact Links:
Website
Amazon
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Instagram

As if these books aren't kick-ass enough, check out DeAnna's short story, free, for a limited time only!

Synopsis:

Joining a powerful coven comes with a stability and paycheck that Nevada has only dreamed about. But when he’s called to enlist, he finds just what it will cost him. For there’s no turning back on a bargain with a powerful wizard.

Check out the buy link here: Amazon

What's a Weekend Without Pastries?

Nothing spells W-E-E-K-E-N-D like delicious pastries! 

And I know, I know, everyone's getting ready their beach bodies ready but look, the longer you deny yourself, the harder it'll get to resist when someone shoves a cupcake in your face.

Am I right or what?

So, not to be an enabler or anything but here are some of the scrumptious treats I indulged in this weekend because, honestly, I have zero impulse control:

These cupcakes can be found at Alice's Bakery and Confectionary!

And these tasty cup of tea (black tea, strawberries, orange peels and sprinkes--yay!) paired with this equally-mouth-watering scone can be enjoyed at The Talking Teacup!

Let it be known that I am always on the look-out for new bakeries, coffee shops (besides Starbucks *wink*) and tea houses so if you've got one near you, leave a comment!

Writers After Dark: Lights Out Won The Chapter of Excellence Award!

So this happened.....

Honestly, I'm still in shock. I was not expecting to win this at all. When I got the email from Writers After Dark, telling me that my first chapter from Lights Out had won the grand prize, I almost fell right out of my chair! It's insane, right? And truly humbling. Thank you so much, Writers After Dark, for selecting my chapter! Check out the hyperlink to find all the winners! First chapters are more important than we realize!

New Year, New Coffee Shop

(picture above: Backyard Beans mocha and a salted caramel biscotti...so good!)

            Okay, so we’re a month into the New Year. By now, I’m sure most of your resolutions have sailed out the window but hey, no judgement here, believe me. I told myself on December 31^st that I would put this blog to good use much more than I have in the past and here we are, currently, on the first day of February and only now I’m putting a new post up.

            *sigh*

            But that’s all right because we need to focus on something more important than sticking to useless resolutions. Something that we all know, love and cherish.

            Coffee.

            If you’ve ever decided to expand your coffee palette, which is, quite frankly, easier said than done when there are fifty Starbucks within a five-mile radius from you at all times, you can find small coffee shops making an appearance, popping up like little mushrooms after a rainstorm. One such place I’ve come across is right in the middle of town called Backyard Beans.

            Sporting a minimalist lay-out that’s both startling and welcoming, this local hole-in-the-wall is a stone’s throw away from yup, you guessed it, Starbucks. But come inside and you’ll feel the quiet embraces you like an old friend. The menu is simple and so completely unencumbered, it’ll take you a minute to realize that no, you’re not missing anything. It takes you back to a time when things were simple, when coffee was a singularly easy task, brewed hot and delicious, light and satisfying.

            So, this year, don’t be afraid to branch out. Coffee was invented for us to gain the courage to try new things and you don’t have to wait till New Year’s to do it.