Friday, November 22, 2013

And the Winner Is....

Karen Michelle Nutt is the winner from Wednesday's Blog Hop!! Congratulations!!!

Contact me with the information on where to send.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Lizzie

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The King of the Vampires Talks & Does the Blog


I'm delighted that Daniel, King of the Vampires in the DEAD series agreed to stop by today.  It isn’t often one gets to sit across from a vampire, let alone royalty.

Interviewer:  Your Majesty, thank you for joining us today.  It is really kind of you to take time from you busy schedule.

Daniel:  Thank you for asking me.  Yes, things do get a little hectic, especially when my lovely wife, BJ and her friend Dovey are out trying to rescue the world.  Then add in all the beings who want to control everything and everyone, a ruler has to stay on his toes.

Interviewer:  I’m sure you do.  Would you mind sharing a little about how you became a vampire and also, the ruler of their world?

Daniel:  (Big Yawn)
Interviewer:  Oh, dear.  You must get asked that often if it bores you.

Daniel:  (waves hand dismissively) I’ve had to explain this lots times and all the information is in the books, but since you’re so nice, I’ll give you a brief summary, A foolish shortcut through the woodlands of my native England better than a thousand years ago turned me into the male in front of you now.  As for the king situation, that came about recently when one of the mistresses of our former ruler became a little too possessive.  If she couldn’t have him all to herself, then no one could have him and she removed his head from his body.  Unbeknownst to me, he’d named me his successor.

Interviewer:  Really!  You had no idea.”

Daniel:  (Raises his eyebrows and glares.)  Isn’t that what I just said?

Interviewer:  Okay, then.  Well, I know you are the mentor for Aaron, the one who created Dovey.

Daniel:  Yes, Aaron is like a son to me.  Being new to the vampire world and overcome with passion he made a mistake.  Have you read that book?  Dovey is a handful.  She drives me crazy at times.  (Daniel’s lips twitch in what could be a smile) But she is a very determined female and I have to admire that in her, even if I don’t tell her.

Interviewer:  And your wife?  I understand Dovey created her which makes her a very young vampire.  Why did you decide to marry after such a long time and why did you select someone so new to the vampire way of life?

Daniel:  My, you are full of questions, aren’t you?  Yes, my wife, BJ is Dovey’s creation.  Obviously you haven’t met her or you’d understand why she’s the one woman I couldn’t resist committing to.  She’s beautiful, very intelligent and possibly even more frustrating than Dovey.  She’s very determined, but at least she’s cleaned up her slang and I can understand what she says now.  She’s southern, you know, and they can use words that leave one lost on the translation.

Interviewer:   (Laughs) So, you like women who challenge you?

Daniel: (Glances at his watch)  Yes, I do.  And I have to admit this interview isn’t challenging me, and as nice as you are, I have other matters I need to address.

Interviewer:  (Feels a little hurt) Okay.  Thank you for your time. Wait, where did he go?  I wanted to ask him how he helped Santa out?

 


MUSA Publishing
Word Count: 40000
Author: Lizzie T Leaf

ISBN: 978-1-61937-355-6

Blurb:

Waking up to discover you're a vampire then fanting at the sight of your number one food source isn't healthy.

Billie Joyce’s dream visit to New York City turned into a nightmare. Now not only is she one of the living dead, but she has to contend with a know-it-all vampire who wants to tell her how to talk. Not gonna happen!
 

Excerpt:

“There’s no blood in your line of sight at the moment so you can open your eyes.” Daniel’s voice had an edge to it as he resumed his position beside Aaron. “How long has this been a problem?”
“Since I was a little girl. As far back as I can remember, even a little pinprick would knock me out deader than a door nail.”

Daniel shook his head in confusion. “Deader than a what?”
“I think she means out cold.” Aaron translated as he came up behind Dovey and began to massage her shoulders.

God, that feels good.
Dovey leaned back against him as his magic fingers continued to work the knots away. She hadn’t realized how tense this situation had made her.

“Why didn’t she say so?” Daniel demanded in a petulant tone. “If she would speak English we could understand her.”
“Now you listen here, Mister Smarty Britches,” Dovey noticed Billie Joyce didn’t seem concerned about modesty when her temper flared. She leaned forward to glare at Daniel. “You can’t even get a girl’s name right.”

“If the girl would pick one name to use, that wouldn’t be an issue.” Daniel stepped closer to the bed. “Would it?”

“Enough, you two.” Dovey moved to position herself between them. “You can argue over who calls who what later. Right now, we need to come up with a plan to get sustenance into Billie Joyce. She’s going to weaken if she doesn’t feed and I don’t intend to lose my first creation because she’s anorexic.”
Daniel glared over Dovey’s shoulder. “Fine. Aaron and I will go get a couple of thick steaks. Rare meat will tide her over while we work on another plan.”

“I eat my meat well done, thank you.” Billie Joyce wrapped the sheet around her again and stuck her nose in the air.
“As in shoe leather. Maybe we should raid Dovey’s closet instead.”

Leave it to Daniel to be a smart ass.  Maybe my foot up his behind would show him real shoe leather.

“Well, I never!” Billie Joyce swung her feet over the edge of the bed and stared at Dovey. “Sugar, are you going to let him talk to me like that?”

“Daniel, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
God, my head hurts and I need to eat again.

The scent wafting from the half-empty bottle of blood across the room was driving her crazy. “We have a situation here and your assistance would be helpful.”
When had Daniel become so temperamental?  Haughty, cold and withdrawn she was used to. This sniping childishness was a new side of the Ancient One. She’d never seen him lose his cool before.


All the books in the DEAD series are also available at Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and All Romance eBooks shortly after the Musa release. 

DEAD Santa releases 11/29...Santa's latest Christmas Eve deliveries earns him a gift, and one he's not too happy to have received.  Can the Vampire King help him or have things gone too far. 
Connect with Lizzie at:



Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizzietleaf

 
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Thursday, November 7, 2013

Travel Wednesday (Okay, Thursday) - Are You Up for a Wee Dram?

Okay, you are awake and yes, it's not Wednesday. I'm a day late with my post.  Things got hectic yesterday!  But no matter the day, we're talking whisky!

If you enjoy whisky (note this is the Scottish spelling) or learning about the drink of the gods...hey, I have Scotland in my blood...then here's a place you want to visit, even if only by internet.  Here's the link and if something catches your eye you can place orders.  They ship to the U.S. if your state allows, plus all over the world. https://www.google.com/#q=cadenhead's+whisky+shop+and+tasting+room+London



Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop and Tasting Room was one of the stops on our trip.  Stephen was in residence the day we showed up in his tasting room, and we were able to spend an hour (or longer) visiting and enjoying a sample or two. 

 

My enjoyment of scotch is my husband’s fault. He is a scotch advocate, loving the smoky taste of the Islay distilleries and I, who once would never taste the stuff, have come to appreciate sherry cask varieties. 

William Cadenhead started bottling and selling the pure product of local distilleries in the Victorian era, 1842 to be more precise.  Today, the independent bottler continues to offer excellent qualities of scotch, blended and non-blended varieties, as well as other fine spirits. Yes, they do have yummy rum, too!

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get into one of the weekly tasting, but they did have the bottling my husband wanted and held it for us to pick up when we returned to London on the backend of our trip.

The regular tastings are limited to 12 people, and a seat in the tasting room for an event is a high demand item, so if you are planning on being in London and want to attend, inquire well in advance of your intended trip.

A few casks waiting for bottling

 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Sam Cheever's Comfort Food!

The weather is cold here this morning with possible snow on the way.  Even the Beast doesn't want to get out my lap.  Mac & Cheese sounds like the perfect stick to the ribs sort of comfort food I'm in the mood for today.  Here Sam Cheever shares her recipe as well as an excerpt from Cupid Only Rings Twice.
 
Amazingly Simple Mac & Cheese
from Sam Cheever

We've just moved the zoo to a new house. With all the unpacking and disorganization I needed a quick but tasty dinner for us humans. A quick rummage through two boxes and the fridge and I was good to go. Here is last night's dinner. We loved the clean taste and I think you will, too.



2 cups dried pasta
2 cups 2% milk
1 cup loosely packed shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Dijon mustard

Combine the pasta and milk in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir often. Cook over low heat until the pasta is soft, approximately 20 minutes. Do not allow the milk to boil.

Stir in the mustard, salt, and cheese (if you’re going to bake it, reserve about ¼ cup of the cheese for sprinkling over the top).

Cover and let stand for 5 minutes, then stir well and serve. Or bake it in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted.

Add 1 can of drained tuna and bake as above to make tuna casserole!

Now if you want something with more bite, here's an intro from my erotic romance Cupid Only Rings Twice.




This Valentine’s Day, Rori’s gonna meet an honest to god Cupid. And he’ll use more than arrows to win her love.

Rori Foster is too beautiful to find love. Men just can’t seem to look past her exterior to recognize the human being inside.

Unfortunately he’ll have to save her from the bad intentions of a cocky Love Demon first.

But Damios is determined to protect her. Even if he loses her in the process.

MINI EXCERPT:

Damios lowered his head, capturing her exquisite lips in a kiss that was less a tender wish and more an urgent promise. Her mouth opened under his and he accepted her offer, slipping his tongue past her lips to savor her sweet taste.

She moaned softly as his hands slipped around her waist, up her back, and pulled her tightly against his chest. Her body heated under his kiss and her incredible scent slipped over him.

Damios broke the kiss long enough to say, “I lied. I want to come inside.”

They both stilled for a moment, Damios realizing how his declaration had sounded and Rori’s lips twitching under a suppressed grin.

He rested his forehead against hers, finding it hard to breathe. “Sorry. That came out wrong.”

She chuckled huskily, skimming the tip of one velvet thumb across his bottom lip. “No. It came out just right.”

Damios bit her thumb softly and slipped his hands down her body, cupping the firm roundness of her buttocks. His lips found hers again and he groaned as she ground herself against him.

 Their kiss gained heat, their bodies thrumming under the imperative of a building need. Their tongues tangled, danced, and their hands skimmed, exploring with growing intensity...

To read more or purchase Cupid Only Rings Twice please click the vendor's name.

Musa Publishing  |  Nook  |  Kobo  |

Sony  |  ARe  |  Kindle  |  Amazon.uk


IMG_7837_120x180Sam Cheever writes mainstream romantic suspense and fantasy, all heat levels; and Declan Sands for M/M romantic suspense and fantasy. Her books are fast paced and fun loving. Not one of them will solve a single world problem, but you definitely won’t be bored while reading them!

Sam’s published work includes 40+ works of young adult, romantic suspense, and fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won the Dream Realm Award for fantasy, been nominated and/or won several CAPAs, were nominated for Best of 2010 with LRC and The Romance Reviews, and won eCataromance’s Reviewer’s Choice award. She is published with Ellora’s Cave, both Romantica and Blush; Changeling Press; Electric Prose Publications (her own imprint), and Musa Publishing.

She lives on a hobby farm in Indiana with 11 dogs, 2 horses, and one husband.

Learn more about Sam Cheever on her blog Eclectic Insights. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find Sam on Goodreads.