Guest Post- Kryssie Fortune

In time for the holidays!

Sweet Treats Werewolves Love 

Hi,

Kryssie Fortune here. I’ve dropped by to tell you about the heroine in my latest book. She spent two years running the Lykae Army Mess. She discovered the way to a werewolf’s heart is to feed him cake. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Joel, the werewolf she loves.

Last time I saw her, she gave some of her recipes to share with my friends.

Excerpt

She stared at him as though he’d sprouted wings and flown around the room. “Last time I was alone with you, you couldn’t get away fast enough. I’m going nowhere with a louse like you. Go away. My cakes are better company than you.”

Not exactly the reaction he’d hoped for. Normally women fell over themselves to attract his attention. Ellie refused to fall for his charm, but he deserved every angry word she threw at him. It rocked him when he realized he’d treated his mate with the same disdain Olivia showed him.

“Ellie, please…” For once Joel didn’t know what to say. He blamed himself for the coldness between them. Before he could find the right words, his pack mates were back, all of them trying to flirt with Ellie. They polished off the first tray of tarts, then jostled to get at the ones Ellie had just taken out of the oven.

Recipe for Ellie’s Coffee and Walnut cake

For the sponge

Ingredients

50 grams walnut pieces

225 grams caster sugar

225 grams soft unsalted butter (plus some for greasing)

200 grams plain flour

4 teaspoons instant espresso powder

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

4 large eggs

1 - 2 tablespoons milk

For the buttercream frosting

350 grams icing sugar

175 grams soft unsalted butter

2 ½ teaspoons instant espresso powder (dissolved in 1 tablespoon boiling water)

approx. 10 walnut halves (to decorate)

Method:
Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4/350°F.

1. Butter two 20cm / 8inch sandwich tins and line the base of each with baking parchment.
2. Put the walnut pieces and sugar into a food processor and blitz to a fine nutty powder.
3. Add the 225g/2 sticks butter, flour, 4 teaspoons espresso powder, baking powder, bicarb and eggs and process to a smooth batter.
4. Add the milk, pouring it down the funnel with the motor still running, or just pulsing, to loosen the cake mixture: it should be a soft, dropping consistency, so add more milk if you need to. (If you are making this by hand, bash the nuts to a rubbly powder with a rolling pin and mix with the dry ingredients; then cream the butter and sugar together, and beat in some dry ingredients and eggs alternately and, finally, the milk.)
5. Divide the mixture between the 2 lined tins and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until the sponge has risen and feels springy to the touch.
6. Cool the cakes in their tins on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, before turning them out onto the rack and peeling off the baking parchment.
7. When the sponges are cool, you can make the buttercream.
8. Pulse the icing sugar in the food processor until it is lump free, then add the butter and process to make a smooth icing.
9. Dissolve the instant espresso powder in 1 tablespoon boiling water and add it while still hot to the processor, pulsing to blend into the buttercream.
10. If you are doing this by hand, sieve the icing sugar and beat it into the butter with a wooden spoon.
11. Then beat in the hot coffee liquid.
12. Place 1 sponge upside down on your cake stand or serving plate.
13. Spread with about half the icing; then place on it the second sponge, right side up (i.e. so the 2 flat sides of the sponges meet in the middle) and cover the top with the remaining icing in a ramshackle swirly pattern.
14. This cake is all about old-fashioned, rustic charm, so don’t worry unduly: however the frosting goes on is fine. similarly, don’t fret about some buttercream oozing out around the middle: that’s what makes it look so inviting.
15. Gently press the walnut halves into the top of the icing all around the edge of the circle about 1cm apart.

 

Happy baking!

While you are here, please take a look at my book

To Mate a Werewolf

Blurb

The scars on Ellie Padget’s cheek are a constant reminder of the times she tried to escape from sexual slavery. Two years ago, Joel—alpha in waiting of the Tundra-Tough pack—led the rescue party that freed her. She’s loved him ever since.
Their relationship finally explodes into steaming sex, but he offers to pay her off. She walks away with her head high and her heart shattered. When she learns of a plot to destroy Joel and his pack, her only option is return to his side and warn him.
Joel has to fight to retain the pack that should be his by right, and no one can leave until the pack has a new alpha. He’s horrified when Ellie turns up on the night he’s to meet the woman he’s agreed to marry but never met. She’s stuck there until he claims his birthright. Finally, he realizes Ellie’s his true mate. Now he has to choose between his arranged marriage, and the one woman he truly loves. Will he choose with his head or his heart?
To Mate a Werewolf is a stand alone story within the Scattered Siblings series.

Buy Link

http://www.loose-id.com/scattered-siblings-to-mate-a-werewolf.html

Amazon US http://amzn.to/1xR1pf2

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1ACMsOT

Amazon AU http://bit.ly/159aunB

Social Media

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kryssie.fortune

Twitter https://twitter.com/KryssieFortune

Recipe couresy of Nigella.com

#recipe #cupcake #Lykae #am reading #kindle #romance

I'm tickled to have Melissa Snark drop by today. She's sharing a recipe for Cinnamon Roll Swirl Cake as well as information about her newest release. 

Hello! My name is Melissa Snark, and I'm a fantasy and romance author. If I could have a moment of your time, I'd like to ask for your help as a reader. Please consider nominating my Norse folklore fantasy novel Battle Cry on Kindle Scout.

Amazon's new publishing program is called Kindle Scout, an innovative platform that provides readers with a sneak peek at unreleased books as well as the opportunity to have a say in what gets chosen. The timing of Scout was amazing. The announcement came just as I neared completion of my novel. The terms being offered are attractive. As a publisher, Amazon has as much clout as one of the traditional publishers. This simply seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass on, so I submitted Battle Cry for consideration.

Per the FAQ: How does Kindle Scout benefit readers?
Kindle Scout readers get to preview new, never-before-published books and influence which ones are made available to millions of readers on Amazon. In addition, any time a reader's nomination gets published, they will receive a free copy.

I appreciate your support! To nominate Battle Cry, you only need to be logged into your Amazon account. You can head over to the Kindle Scout website and view Battle Cry's profile page. If you like what you see, please consider voting for Battle Cry. Thank you so much!

Nominate BATTLE CRY to Kindle Scout

BATTLE CRY

Book #2 in the Loki's Wolves series

Melissa Snark

Genre: Norse folklore fantasy

Number of pages: 375 approx.

Word Count: 95,000

Cover Artist: Farah Evers  

Goodreads Want to Read

Tags: #Fantasy #Amreading #Kindle @MelissaSnark

Promo Tweet: One man dares defy Fate. Please nominate BATTLE CRY on #KindleScout. #Fantasy #Norse #amreading @MelissaSnark

Logline: One man dares defy Fate.

Survival demands sacrifices; healing requires forgiveness.

Men revere him; monsters fear him. Jake Barrett, the notorious Hunter King, values loyalty to family and followers above all else. When the daughter of his closest ally murders Daniel, his oldest son, it sets off a chain reaction of violence and destruction that claims the lives of both wolves and hunters. Determined to avenge his son, Jake seeks the truth at any cost.

After losing her lover and then her mate, Victoria Storm simply wants to get on with building a new life in Sierra Pines, California. A vengeful Jake Barrett and his organization aren't going to make that easy, especially with the unwelcome attraction between her and the Hunter King's second son. Perils beyond the mortal coil plague Victoria.

When the Norse Fates predict Victoria will destroy the world, her duties as a priestess of Freya come into conflict with her responsibilities as a Valkyrie of Odin. When they tell her she will do it to save her unborn child, she's not so sure they are wrong.

Sawyer Barrett has been trying to kill Victoria for so long, he doesn't know whether he loves her or hates her. Desperate to end the war, he's willing to take chances with everything–except his heart. The hunter harbors a deadly secret he can't reveal without risking the ceasefire and his life.

At Sawyer's urging, Victoria agrees to peace talks with Jake. All the while, an ancient vampire plots the destruction of wolves and hunters alike. If the embittered rivalry between hunters and wolves doesn't end—and fast—there is no hope for Victoria's pack... or for their world.

Attribution: Norns weaving destiny, by Arthur Rackham (1912). Public domain.

Short excerpt (PG):

Shade enshrouded Skuld, and her voice manifested upon the air, thick and oppressive, closing in from all sides. "Your daughter will not grow to adulthood in Midgard."

Victoria's heart slammed against her breastbone. Her breath expelled in a horrified gust. The bowl dropped from her hands and flew to protect her abdomen. "What do you mean?"

"Your daughter will be taken from you on the eve of her third birthday," Skuld said. "The one you trust most, a member of your own pack, will give the child over to your greatest enemy."

A growl trembled in Victoria's throat, and her entire body shook under the dual assault of fear and rage. The suggestion of betrayal from within her own pack filled her with disbelief to the core of her being. It was unthinkable. Gritting her teeth, she sought a solution, refusing to dwell on it. "How am I to prevent this?"

"We speak of what will come to pass," Verðandi said in a sympathetic tone.

"Your predictions are not carved in stone," Victoria said. Arguing with Fate was a foolish endeavor, but she refused to accept their prophecy.

The old woman, Urðr, smiled with a frightening gleam in her eyes. "Predictions, carved into the trunk of the World Tree, carved into the spiritual fabric of the world."

Stubborn determination settled over Victoria like armor. Her mother had taught her there was no absolute fate, just as there was no absolute free will. Life consisted of a wide range of possibilities between the two extremes. She refused to allow her daughter to die at three years of age. She would move worlds, alter fate, slay gods.

Whatever it took.

"Do you wish to save your child?" Skuld asked.

Victoria answered without thought. "Yes. I'll do anything. Tell me. Please."

"The final days are upon us," Verðandi said.

Skuld took over speaking. "To save your daughter, you will side with Loki against the Aesir. You will use your enchanted dagger to cut the binding of the great wolf Fenrir. You will be responsible for freeing the beast that kills Odin."

Victoria's stomach turned. Her head shook in automatic denial. "When the gods imprisoned Fenrir, my people pledged fealty to the Aesir. We have served them loyally ever since. Even when we were driven from the homeland, almost a millennium ago, we remained faithful. I will never cut Fenrir's bonds. To do so would end the world we live in and doom us all."

Skuld's gaze held steady. "You will."

Victoria snarled her denial. "No. I will never become the servant of the Trickster or willingly take part in bringing about Odin's death."

Skuld turned her head and pinned Victoria with one black eye that rolled in its socket like a liquid marble. "To save your daughter, you will."

Fast Facts About Melissa Snark:

• 
  Melissa Snark is published with The Wild Rose Press & as an Indie author with five unique titles: A CAT'S TALE, THE MATING GAME, LEARNING TO FLY, THE CHILD THIEF, and HUNGER MOON.
• Her Loki's Wolves series includes THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON and BATTLE CRY.
• She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, three children and a glaring of cats.
• She is a professional cat herder and unrepentant satirist who blogs about books and writing on The Snarkology.

Connect with Melissa Snark:

Author Website

The Snarkology

Email: melissasnark at gmail.com

Facebook Author Page

Twitter: @MelissaSnark

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

And now the recipe!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so I'd love to share a delicious dessert with you. This cake is a yummy treat that will fill your entire home with the tempting aroma of cinnamon and sugar. Enjoy it after your evening meal... or as a tempting breakfast pastry.

Cinnamon Swirl Cake

Ingredients:

Batter:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Topping:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
2. Mix milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir thoroughly.
3. Pouring slowly, stir wet mixture into dry ingredients.
4. Slowly add butter, stirring until batter is mixed.
5. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. 
6. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
7. Sprinkle evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. 
8. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes.
9. Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes before glazing.

Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 5 Tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined.
2. While the cake is still warm, drizzle the glaze over the top. 

L.J. Harris

I'm pleased to welcome L.J. Harris and her new release "Just Like Pulling Teeth"

A trip to the dentist has never been so… interesting…

EXCERPT:

“BOLLOCKS,” I groaned, failing at my attempt to chew on the wedge of pickle-covered cheese. It was only Tuesday, and yet, as I sat at the end of the bar at the Thistle and Lion, whining and moaning with every bite of my ploughman’s lunch, this particular week had already begun to drag. I’d had the mother of all headaches for two days, and throbbing gums for three, the pain so bloody awful I’d been driven to take some long overdue time off work. My bite had been out of alignment for weeks, thanks to the swelling in the back of my mouth, and everything above my shoulders hurt.

Even my sodding hair.

The ibuprofen I was taking was no longer helping, and I hadn’t slept well in days. Luckily my sister, Rachel, was able to secure an appointment with a new dentist near where she worked. Dr. Anderson had been looking after my teeth ever since I was a young lad, but retired earlier in the year. As much as I felt awkward around new people, I figured I’d give this new bloke a shot, considering my dear sister had been gushing about how wonderful he was non-stop for the past few weeks. It wasn’t as though I had much choice, anyway. The other dentists I’d contacted, including every one of them at the Holistic Solutions Clinic, were booked solid for months ahead.

I didn’t even give a toss if I had to get my teeth pulled, if it meant the pain would go away.

Unable to finish my meal, I downed the rest of my pint to help sate my hunger and perhaps give me a little Dutch courage before I left a tenner on the end of the bar and headed for the men’s to carefully floss and brush.

It was torture, yes, but no sense in grossing out the new dentist with my recently acquired mustard pickle and beer breath.

I made my way across the cobbled alleyway that was a stone’s throw away from the city centre, the London sun shining and the air brisk with mid-October winds, until I found myself standing in the lobby of the two-storey building. Quickly checking the directory located next to a small cafe, I made my way up the single flight of stairs, passing by everything from chiropractors to physiotherapists, acupuncturists to hypnotherapists.

I was certain the name on suite door number ten, Acacia Dental Spa, was a contradiction in terms.

JUST LIKE PULLING TEETH is also a part of the BOLLOCKS! Anthology

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US I Amazon UK I Amazon AU

Barnes & Noble

All Romance Ebooks I Wayward Ink Publishing

L. J. HARRIS is a mother of teenage twin boys who she loves with all her heart. Her family is her life, her soul, and the very reason she gets out of bed every day. Coming a close second to her family is her writing.

She only just discovered a passion for writing in the past five or so years. She'd always written little poems in birthday cards for family members, but that was as far as her writing aspirations went...until she decided to write poems and give them to family members as homemade gifts.

It was then a spark was lit, and ever since, she hasn't been unable to switch off the urge to write.

After a close family member fell ill, she began questioning what she wanted and searching for answers. Unable to sleep one night, she sat up and typed out her feelings on the laptop. Her husband read what she'd written and encouraged her to write more. It was then she knew she wanted to share her thoughts with others. She began with writing what she knew--her life story, but couldn't get into it. Instead, she decided to write about something not based on fact, but fiction, and wrote a dream sequence which she showed to her family. They encouraged her to expand on it, and she hasn't stopped since.

L.J. Harris discovered that as much as enduring pain, loss, betrayal, or any other negative thing in our lives can be devastating, if she hadn't experienced them for herself, she not only wouldn't have found some lifelong friends, she doubts she would have been able to write the feelings of anguish and loss that some of her characters have had to endure.

L.J. has been previously published and has shared several online stories and looks forward to continuing to share her work.

CONTACT LINKS:

Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads

Also by L.J. Harris:

Heart of Glass

Interview with Gavin from Wolves' Pawn

For those of you that didn't read this when it was on Linda McLaughlin's  blog, here it is:

Me: Gavin, you fell for Dot almost immediately. What attracted you to her?

Gavin: Her eyes, I think. She has beautiful eyes and they are so expressive. I dated lots of women from both my pack and others, and none of them ever attracted me like Dot did. Her courage shines through them, and that’s what got to me.

Me: Is Dot really as tough as she acts?

Gavin: Tougher, maybe. I think there are still things she hasn’t told me about her past because she’s afraid I’ll try to take revenge on the people who hurt her.

Me: You chose not to challenge your father for pack leadership for a long time. Why not?

Gavin: He was doing a good job, and I didn’t see any need to take over. He was open to suggestions and made some changes to make the pack more modern, and the pack, for the most part, seemed content. I saw how much of his time was spent keeping the pack functioning, and I didn’t want to be tied down like that if I didn’t have to be.

Me: Which form do you prefer to see Dot in—human or wolf?

Gavin: (laughs) I know better than to answer that question. She’s beautiful no matter which form she’s in.

Me: We’re running out of space, so one last question. Have you and Dot discussed adding any little ones to the pack?

Gavin: We’ve talked about it, and that’s all I’m going to say right now.

Me: From the smile on your face, I think there’s something you’re not telling me. But I know our time is up, so I want to thank you for your time today.

Gavin: Thank you for stopping by.

Do you have any questions for Gavin? Drop them in the comments, and I'll see if I can get an answer.

You can still see the post in it's original glory at http://lindalyndi.com/interview-with-a-wolf-shifter-wolves-pawn-by-pjmaclayne/