Green Tea

WHO IS YOUR IDEAL LOVER?

The fortuneteller in Mudflat does a lot of her work on the run and in odd places, and may have to base it on scant bits of information. Sometimes all she knows about a client is the hour of birth. Stir in a bit of inherited magic, and this gives her a clue. Check Claire’s guess about the kind of guy you are attracted to, whether he’s good for you or otherwise.

If you’ve read TARBABY TROUBLE, you know Claire. Here are her predictions based on the hour of your birth:

Midnight to 2 AM: Smart, you really like smart. You’re attracted to intellectual men as long as they know when to stop talking. Because a man who listens carefully to what you say is incredibly sexy.

2 to 4 AM: Handsome is fun for a flirtation, but money lasts. Sure, personality and character are what count most, but what’s wrong with diamonds? Find the right guy and you could be his best friend forever.

4 to 6 AM: You go crazy for handsome, love model-perfect features, and your friends know that you’re attracted to your own physical type. Ever had anyone ask, “That man you’re with, is he your brother?”

6 to 8 AM: Mystery men win your attention, sometimes against your better judgment. What is it about the unknown? You like danger, take chances, and that’s good to know about yourself. Be careful.

8 to 10 AM: It’s the big grin, the warm hug, and the guy who calls when he says he will. You’re not attracted by moody. Or by slackers. You like a guy who knows how to work hard and then go party.

10 to Noon: How to marry a self-made millionaire is the question. It isn’t the money that attracts you, it’s the ambition. You admire a man who pursues success, wouldn’t mind working along side of him.

Noon to 2 PM: The good looks might attract you to a first date, but it’s the inner man you adore. How hot is a guy who lives his beliefs? If he strives for fidelity, loyalty and spirituality, he’s on your wavelength.

2 to 4 PM: He’s gotta be hot! Sexy! Brave! Protective! Attitude is everything, and he can come on too strong to the wrong woman. He’s pretty much a love-at-first sight guy looking for his match.

4 to 6 PM: Laid back, easy going, happy to hang out anywhere, you’re attracted to that style. You like a guy who accepts you, has the don’t-change-a-hair-for-me attitude. Toss in a great speaking voice and he’s gotcha!

6 to 8 PM: A couch potato, no matter how handsome, won’t do for you. You love a guy who loves to hang out at a health club and keep in shape. Add a great tan to his great abs, and you’re smitten.

8 to 10 PM: A true romantic catches your attention every time. You love a guy who loves to say he loves you. If he’s the flowers-and-chocolates type, always kind and thoughtful, you’ll overlook most faults.

10 to Midnight: What could be sexier than a stay-at-home, play-at-home guy? If he likes to cook, garden, and fluff your pillows, plus he can’t wait to introduce you to his family, he’s hard for you to resist.

Katana Duet, Review, Video and Links....

Click below so all the links go live (^_^)

Wednesday's Words for July 16, 2008

I can remember as if it was yesterday rolling my eyes any time my father-in-law would utter the words, “back in my day”. A part of me would be thinking, “Times have changed, get over it.” And another part of me would be vowing that when I got older, such expressions would not be in my lexicon.

Ah, well. It’s amazing what interesting roads life takes us down, roads we were certain we would never travel.

Yes, times have changed. People have changed, too, I think. Is it my imagination that there seems to be a turning away from the concept of personal responsibility? Of course, hand in hand with that is a turning away from the flip side of that coin: personal accomplishment.

I had volunteered to do something for someone, and that something, as I was nearing the end of the task, suddenly turned a bit complicated and tricky and time-consuming. I muttered a comment as I worked away (Rest assured, it was a g-rated comment. I think I am finally used to having a young teen in the house). My grandson heard my muttering, understood the cause. His reaction? “You should quit. Tell them it’s too hard and just quit. I would.”

My reaction? “And be a quitter? No way!”

I thought there was something wrong with my grandson’s attitude, but as I raised my head out of my custom-designed ostrich hole, I realized that sometime in the last twenty years or so, being a quitter had lost its stigma. And it gets worse.

I’ve been paying attention to some of the younger (than me) people I’ve encountered lately. If it’s too tough, they don’t want to do it. If it’s too dirty a job, they avoid it. They have an inflated idea of their value, to the point that, if the job doesn’t pay enough, they won’t do it. “I’m worth more than that.” You think so? I’ve got news for you, cupcake. If you are not currently employed, you’re not worth nearly what you think you are. In fact, you’re not even worth the wage you’re not earning that you feel is beneath you.

I can recall my husband, during a time when he was out of work, going out in the middle of January with his shovel to clear driveways in order to put milk on the table.

The schools rarely fail a child these days. Did you know that? Everybody who tries out for the team gets on the team, and gets to have playing time. These, I am told, are so as to avoid frustrating the child or making him feel as if he is somehow inferior. Of course, this perfectly reflects what the child can expect from the world as an adult. Right?

No one believes in delayed gratification anymore, either. If they want it, they feel entitled to it, and that means right now. The first vacation my beloved and I went on was to Las Vegas. It was our honeymoon—on our seventeenth wedding anniversary. And we saved two years in order to be able to go.

People can live their lives however they choose. That’s a fact. No one has the right to tell anyone what to do or how to do it, and that’s a fact, too. And I’m not so much disgusted with this new way of living as I am saddened by it.

These people are missing out on some of the very best moments in life. They don’t know the sweet victory of struggling toward a goal, and then achieving it; the pride of doing a lot with very little and making it all come out right, somehow; of denying themselves so that someone else can have.

I’m told that life is kinder now than once it was, and that might appear to be true, on the surface.

But without that inner glow that comes with the pride of accomplishment, who’s going to want to bother to build the better mouse trap?

Love,
Morgan
www.morganashbury.com

Dessert Box by Anika Hamilton

Carmella Simone and Sandra Tucker have been together for the past ten years. Every year for Valentine’s Day, one or the other is tasked with creating a memorable and passionate experience.

This is Sandra’s year and she has planned the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat. She has commissioned a specially designed box, locking herself inside. Now Carmella must figure out the clues that will unlock her gifts: Sandra and chocolate.

Join them on their erotic journey of a sweet treat and body heat.

To read an excerpt or get your own copy of Dessert Box, click here.

Happy Reading,

Anika Hamilton

http://www.anikahamilton.com

http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/anikahamilton/

Author Discovery and Review for 'The Twist' by Lee Silver

Would you take an assignment that paid 12 million dollars a week?

Zane of Tollison Consulting is deep in debt and the offer from Clearwater Tabacco seems too good to resist. At first all seems well and Zane strikes up a sparky relationship with Kathy, the clever and cute researcher at Clearwater.

Soon however there are problems. He can't contact his wife Elsie. He's having stomach cramps. He seems to have changed from being right handed to becoming left handed. And those aren't the only changes....

The science in 'The Twist' is fascinating, clearly explained and wonderfully SHOWN. There is also romance and that too is very original and intriguing. The novel has some very interesting and wry things to say about gender and gender roles, with the added spice of danger and threat to life. How will Zane and Kathy escape the traps that are inexorably enclosing them? Lee Silver keeps you guessing right till the end.
All in all, an excellent, engaging novel.

Lindsay

10th Annual Harlem Book Fair!

Look for me at the 10th Annual Harlem Book Fair Saturday, July 19, 2008 from 11:00am-6:00pm on West 135th Street between Fifth Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd (7th Avenue), rain or shine! I will have a tent and table and will be selling several of my titles from Rapture Publishing, LLC and Siren Publishing, Inc.

For more exhibitor and program updates check website: http://www.qbr.com/.

Competition coming soon!

Flavia's Secret is coming out from Bookstrand on July 29, and I'll be offering some prizes - gifts from Roman Bath - to lucky readers who can answer a few questions based on my book. More on the 25th, when I'll post pictures of the prizes and on launch day, when I'll post the quiz.

In the meantime, here's some lavender - used a lot in Roman baths!

An Idiot's Guide to Book Trailers

Sigh, book trailers, an author's new night mare. You can't live with them and you can't live without them. As a video newbie, I thought I'd share some of the things I learned making my trailer for my new romantic suspense, THE TWIST.



If you are computer challenged like me,making a video is alot easier than building a website. They take a lot of time but they’re kind of fun to do. It’s sort of like making a scrapbook, except instead of choosing the mounts and page color, you pick transitions and background music.

All picture show software seems to work about the same. I downloaded several freebies off the net with some neat effect and transitions, but ended up using Microsoft Movie Maker (MM). The nice thing about MM is it has some audio editing capability. The freebies off the net either didn’t have audio, or it was awkward to add it to the video file. MM comes bundled with Microsoft XP, so you probably have it on your computer and don’t even know it.

Put all of the pictures and audio tracks you plan to use in a common file on a thumb drive before you start. MM creates its own working file but looks to the ORIGINAL location of the source files each time you open a project. If you are switching between computers, it will really cause you problems unless you keep the source files in the same location.

Back up often. I have run MM on two different desktop PC’s and two different laptops. It locks up often, usually at the worst time. Back up often. Did I say to back up often :)

Lay down your basic video track. Keep the text short and simple. It has high impact that way and keeps the viewer guessing. You should shoot for 60-90 seconds so you don’t lose your viewers attention. They tell me text should be displayed for as long as it takes for you to read it out load. Be sure to have a good ten second display of your contact information.

Now comes the fun part; adding music to your video! I strongly recommend that you use registered music. It is more professional than stealing a popular song that everyone knows you don’t have rights to. There are plenty of good inexpensive/free tracks on the net. I like Kevin MacLeod’s work. He only asks for credit and an optional $5 donation. Kevin has hundreds to choose from on his website and the music is arranged by mood with brief description, orchestration and sound bite. Here’s a link to his site: http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/

It starts to get a bit tedious then because you need to play with the video images, effects, transitions and timing so you can synch the video with high points in the audio track. I like to use common subtle transitions at similar breaks in the video and only use shocking transitions where I want to add drama. Use a simple fade unless you have a need for a more dramatic transition. This can take a lot of time. You may need to clip the front or back of the audio to get things to synch up. It will be worth the effort when you see the final video :)

Well, that’s about everything I know. Good Luck & have fun!

Lee

Lee Silver
Romance with a Twist
THE TWIST, Now on Siren-BookStrand's Bestseller's List
http://www.leesilver.org/

Ginger

Ginger is an important ingredient in Asian cuisine due to its distinct taste and scent. The part of the ginger plant used in cooking is actually the rhizome, or underground stem, however young ginger leaves can be used the same way as sweet or hot basil in stir fried dishes. Aside from adding flavor to food, it has numerous beneficial qualities for maintaining good health.

People who live in warm climates can easily grow their own ginger and enjoy the beautiful flowers by following the directions mentioned on this page:
http://www.gardening-guides.com/novelties/ginger.php

Purchase only firm, smooth and light colored ginger for cooking. Cut off pieces of ginger at the joints and wrap the remaining portion tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. You can also prevent oxidization by wrapping it with a dry paper towel and then placing it in a zip lock bag. If you want to store the entire unused piece, with the skin still intact, place it in a small brown paper bag and then the refrigerator.

Another clever way to store ginger is to grate the entire root into a piece of clear plastic, roll, wrap and freeze it in stick form which will allow you to break off pieces which can be melted into sauces or blend into fruit drinks. That nifty idea is from this site:
http://lunchinabox.net/2007/05/04/speed-technique-freezing-ginger/

Many Asian dishes begin with a mixture of chopped garlic and crushed ginger which are both used to flavor the hot cooking oil. I recommend first placing the garlic into the oil, adding meat, soy or fish sauce, vegetables and then grating the ginger over the cooking ingredients, turn off the heat, stir and serve. By grating the ginger into the dish near the end of the cooking process you are preserving the scent and taste of the plant rather than allow it to all evaporate due to excessive exposure to heat.

In closing I'd like to include a couple simple ways to incorporate ginger into your everyday cooking.

Chili Ginger Oil
This oil can be used in stir fried seafood dishes, poured over steamed vegetables, dumplings, pasta salads or even steaks and grilled chicken.

You'll need chopped garlic, ginger, whole dried chili, vegetable oil, sesame oil, sea salt thick or plain soy sauce.

Turn on the vent over your stove and open the windows. Warm the dried chili in a pan, then add vegetable oil. Once the oil is warm (not smoking) quickly add the garlic, sea salt and grated ginger. Turn off the heat before the garlic burns and stir in the sesame oil. Lastly you can add in soy sauce or thick soy sauce which will cause the mixture to sizzle.

Gari
Gari is thinly sliced preserved ginger which is usually eaten with sushi. You can pull out some gari and blend with olive oil, toasted sesame seeds or a small amount of peanut butter and soy sauce to create an exotic salad dressing.

As in all recipes for pickling you follow the two-two-three rule. Use two cups of salt to coat thinly sliced ginger for one hour or longer. You can either wipe off or shake off the salt with the aid of a strainer and place it into a clean glass jar. Melt two cups of sugar in three cups of rice vinegar in a pot and then pour the mixture on top of the ginger. You can cool the ginger quickly by placing the glass jar in a bowl of cool water, before placing it into a refrigerator. There is no need to add any red or pink food coloring as the ginger should turn pink naturally. Old ginger will not change its color however it does not seem to affect the taste of the gari at all.

Chrysanthemum and Ginger Iced Drink

Ginger is a "hot" ingredient however you can use it to cool off this summer I recommend combining ginger with dried chrysanthemum flowers which can be purchased at any Asian grocery store. Simply grate fresh ginger into boiling water (please use bottled water). You can add either plain sugar or brown sugar or even honey. Then turn off the heat and place the flowers into the liquid. Allow it to cool in the refrigerator for a few hours. You may leave a few flowers in the drink if you are serving it in a clear glass pitcher.

Grated ginger can also add a bit of zing to iced-teas.


~Tiffany ~ Silapa Jarun

SilapaJarun.com
KATANA DUET: Samurai's Forbidden Love
Available at Bookstrand.com
http://tinyurl.com/6hqpog

FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS ~ 5/5 Angels!
http://tinyurl.com/5dowxz

Anne Krist's 'Burning Bridges'

I read 'Burning Bridges' by Anne Krist in one sitting. From its powerful, immediate opening I was captivated. In Sarah and Paul we meet two young people who are passionate, committed and deeply in love. Anne Krist perfectly captures that youthful love and later, the profound emotional devastation, when, as the result of Sarah's well-meaning but meddling parents, Sarah believes that Paul has died in the Vietnam war and Paul is convinced that Sarah never wrote to him. How these two come together again and finally acknowledge their undimmed feelings is wonderfully evoked in the novel and the ending is a real five-hankie moment!
All relationships within the story are handled with great understanding and compassion, especially the romance of Paula, Sarah's daughter, and her lover Dan, and the mother-daughter relationship between Sarah and Paula. Later, the 'new' father-daughter relationship between Paul and Paula is gripping in its mix of tough and tender.
There are twists and turns throughout the story and I always cared for and believed in the characters - I really wanted them to win through in the end. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil the story for anyone else, but if you are looking for a poignant yet powerful love story, 'Burning Bridges' is it.

The Dance Release Contest--Win this Gift Bag

Check out this link or read below for how you can win a San Juan Islands gift bag. All entries must be received by Friday, June 11, at 7 am Pacific time. I'll announce the winners at 9 am tomorrow.

http://home.att.net/~jamidavenport/WhatsNew.htm
Stayed tuned throughout the day, as I'll give members of the Siren Readers loop extra chances to win.

Using the listed links, answer these five questions. Send your answers to jamidavenport@... before 7 am Pacific time on Friday morning.

Each correct entry will receive their name in the hat for the drawing to win this gift bag, which includes: An Orca Whale cloth tote bag, three types of soaps, Starbucks Coffee, Pike Place MarketSpice tea (for the tea lovers), Rosario mug and shot glass, chocolate spoon for stirring your coffee, a glass ornament, Orcas Island keychain, and a wooden Orca Whale bookmark.

The winner will be drawn and announced on Friday morning at 9 am Pacific time.

Questions:

The hero has two names, what are they?
What is Mariah’s horse’s name and what does it mean?
What does Rico want to do to his neighbor?
What is the name of the Island that is the setting for the book?
What are the San Juan Islands known for?

Where to find the answers:

http://www.sirenpublishing.com/jamidavenport/td.asp
http://home.att.net/~jamidavenport/TheDance.htm

Wednesday's Words for July 9, 2008

Our trip to Philadelphia on Thursday and Friday of last week was all we could have hoped it would be, and more. Imagine our surprise when we saw the Seaport Museum, which had as a special attraction two actual ships in permanent dock.

The Olympia, an armored cruiser, served in eighteen-ninety two as the flag ship for Admiral Perry during the battle of Manila Bay. The other was a boat—a submarine, the Becuna, which was active during the Second World War and was only decommissioned in the 1960s. My husband went through these of course. My beloved is convinced that in a previous life he was a seafaring man – a pirate, to be exact. So any time we get near ships, he’s there. On an earlier vacation we toured Patriot’s Point in Charleston, South Carolina where, among their treasures they counted the USS Yorktown, a World War Two aircraft carrier.

Across the Delaware River from our hotel, anchored in Camden New Jersey stands the Iowa class battleship, the USS New Jersey. This ship was decommissioned in 1991, and was the most decorated vessel of its class. We both wished we’d had time to take the tour. It’s on our list for next visit.

One more ship lay in permanent anchor at Penn’s Landing, and that’s the Moshulu – a four-masted steel barque built in Scotland in 1904—one of the last steel barques to be built to the River Clyde. Today it is a restaurant with a unique atmosphere and a wonderful menu.

We also dined at the old original Book Binder’s Restaurant—an establishment that has been in operation for more than a century and is considered a Philadelphia landmark. The list of people who’ve dined there reads like a Who’s Who of Hollywood and Washington. We didn’t see anyone famous there Thursday night, but we did have a terrific dinner.

But by far the most impressive experience we had during our two days in Philadelphia was attending the Independence Day Ceremony held by the City in front of Independence Hall. How amazing, two Canadian tourists could find themselves seated just rows from the stage. We were made to feel very welcome, and even given small American flags so that we fit right in with the crowd.

There was the usual – music, speeches by the Mayor, a City Representative, and the Superintendant of the Independence National Park. Major General William Monk, III presided over a re-enlistment ceremony. But the most moving moments, I think, came when some high school students, selected as ‘best of class’ in tandem read The Declaration of Independence.

What a provocative document that was in 1776! Do you realize that? The concept of democracy was first put forth long before the United States was discovered by European explorers. Athens experimented with direct democracy it in 5th Century BC, and it was again tried in 13th century Switzerland.

But basically, the concept that “all men are created equal” was beyond cutting –edge. It was Avant Garde. To say a people had the right to end the ties of Imperialism and form their own government—this was unheard of! Everyone knew that Kings ruled by Devine right, and although the nobles in England had altered the concept of monarchy with the institution of the Magna Carta in 1215, the rule of law in 1776 in Europe was still the rule of the noble classes.

But in 1776 a group of men dared to dream of a new idea, and dared even further to see it to fruition. Your Declaration of Independence is one of the greatest documents of all time, and the creation and enacting of it among the boldest changes ever instituted by modern man.
I felt privileged indeed to be a part of paying tribute to that moment, and it was the perfect way to end our vacation.

So now I’m back home, and back at work. Oh, and you’ll all be pleased to know the people at the hotel in Philadelphia are kindly sending me, via courier, the drawer full of clothes I left behind there—at my expense, of course.

Love,
Morgan
http://www.morganashbury.com/
www.myspace.com/writer_morgan_ashbury

Young Coconut

Since ancient times, entire cultures have thrived on the entire coconut tree for medicine, cooking, cosmetics and even housing. Nearly every part of the plant can be used for survival. Modern science will continue to pursue the value of coconuts but time has already proved that human ingenuity when applied to the entire plant reveals that it can help us sustain a more environmentally friendly way of life as well.

This article will explore how easy it is to open a young coconut to enjoy it as a healthy and exotic treat.

Some interesting facts about coconuts:

Due to it's same “electrolytic balance as human blood,” it was used as an IV drip during WWII when solutions were scarce.

The clear water found in young coconut is rich in minerals such as potassium and manganese.

The fats in coconut oil are similar to those found in mother's milk and according to Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus from Michigan State University, have “similar nutriceutical effects.”

During my many trips to Thailand I always watched with both fascination and anxiety as the light green outer husk of coconut is peeled off to reveal the stringy white fibrous layer. After removing the fibers, the top of the nut was removed with a large knife which would be brought down on the “skull” of the nut expertly and accurately while it was still being held. If you ever become an expert at the more traditional method then I'm sure you can thrill your guests at a tropical theme party.

If you aren't a thrill seeker then you may prefer a more safe way of opening a coconut.

Asian and Latino/Hispanic markets usually carry nuts which are only covered with the white husk and usually plastic wrapped. Pick clean undamaged husks. Do not worry about the cleanliness of the sweet water inside the nut because the layers of outer skin provide a natural and safe barrier. In fact during times of flooding, storms, famine or war these nuts saved people's lives because they were the only source of clean water.

Remove the plastic wrap and set the nut on its side on a layer of newspapers or a cutting board and use a sharp cleaver to carefully remove the husk at the top. Remove enough of the husk to see the entire top of the brown skull. Then bring down the corner of the knife along half the perimeter of the top. Do not raise the knife very high or use too much force as it is both dangerous and unnecessary. The brown layer encasing the water and flesh is actually very thin and sometimes tapping it with the corner of the knife is adequate. Use your fingers to pry open the top of the nut carefully and you are done!

This video also explains the process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPvhxeg_PUA

Sources used for this article:

http://www.vegparadise.com/highestperch58.html

http://www.coconutwaterdiet.com/coconut-water-facts.html

~Tiffany ~ Silapa Jarun

SilapaJarun.com
KATANA DUET: Samurai's Forbidden Love
Available at Bookstrand.com
http://tinyurl.com/6hqpog

FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS ~ 5/5 Angels!
http://tinyurl.com/5dowxz

Fun Intro to the website and new titles

This post is a spin-off of what Lee Silver, author of THE TWIST had started here.

I want to let all your readers in on a DELICIOUS SECRET, but TARBABY,I don't want to start BURNING any BRIDGES or cause any TROUBLE.

All right, I won't hold you HOSTAGE anymore.

Siren-Bookstrand has the best reads on the web but you can only buy the
titles once you've come out of the ROUGH and are READY for more fun,LOVE, LUST and SCANDAL than you can pay for in SIN CITY, LAS VEGAS.

Come out of the internet MIST and stop by the site as soon as possible
and AT ANY COST. It is a great DESTINATION to read free excerpts, book reviews and VENTURE forth into FORBIDDEN LOVE.
THE METHOD for success used by this publisher is to simply find the best stories and make them accessible to you.

Here is the TWIST, not all of the titles are available for purchase yet.
So please BEAR with us as more sexy titles are uploaded.
We promise the experience will be the high-LIGHT O' your day!
If you want more INTIMATE CONTACT then sign up at our mailing list
where we'll be waiting to WELCOME you day or NIGHT.

~Tiffany ~ Silapa Jarun
SilapaJarun.com

KATANA DUET: Samurai's Forbidden Love

Available at Bookstrand.com July 16th
FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS ~ 5/5 Angels!http://tinyurl.com/5dowxz

Wednesday's Words July 2, 2008

I’ve come to an important decision. I’m going back to making lists.

This is the second trip in a row now where I’ve gritted my teeth and not given in to the urge to be completely anal and make a thorough, detailed list. And yes, this is the second trip in a row now where I’ve forgotten to pack some of the things I fully intended to bring. The fact that I’m really not missing those items so badly is entirely beside the point. So I’ve decided to stop fighting my nature. I know that as a result, I will once again be the target of jokes and the source of hilarity amongst my loved ones. But at least they’ll be smiling.

Today is day 6 of our vacation, and we’ve been having a good time. We’re staying in a different hotel than the one we stayed in last time, and we quite like it. They provide a continental breakfast which has a varied selection, including eggs. I’m completely in favor of anything that’s ‘free’.

Our room has a king sized bed, a very nice table for me to work at, a sofa, television, and a fridge and microwave. Um, about the fridge. It appears to have only two temperatures – semi-warm, and explode-the-cans-of-pop-in-the-middle-of-the-night-cold. That’s quite a sound to awaken to, let me tell you.

Do you suppose someone told the staff we were here from “the great white North”? I only ask this question because it’s just possible that they had arctic water brought in for the pool especially for us.

I have never gotten into a pool that was so cold in all my life. I credit my daily swims back home as the reason I was able to get into it at all. Once in the water it seemed not so bad. I checked the temperature (there was a thermometer dangling into the water) and it was 66 degrees Fahrenheit – that’s about 18 degrees Celsius. I enjoyed the swim, actually, although it did take me a couple of hours to get warmed up fully once I got out of it.

We don’t let little things like exploding pop cans or icy swims bother us. We usually just laugh, because we’re in vacation mode. Do you go into vacation mode when you travel? We always have, as if the act of leaving home removes all the stress we normally live with. I think that’s the main reason my beloved enjoys travel so much. Well, one of the reasons, at any rate.

Our friend has been very patient with me, taking me to his grocery store even though he thought it a silly thing to do. His niece asked, “Why on earth do you want to go there?” My answer was simple. I’ve been a wife and mother longer than I’ve been a published author. Going to the local grocery store I can see what people here eat, what’s available here that we don’t have at home. It’s another way for me to understand the different ways people live.

Our room has a magnificent view of a valley. Being in the mountains is different than what we’re used to. We enjoyed a thunderstorm Sunday night. The sky turned an absolutely menacing black, and then a heavy rain began to fall. The lightning strikes were happening on the other side of the hotel, acting like strobe lighting on the world outside our window. This morning, I awoke to a vista of pure white. The fog was so thick, I wondered if we’d have to change our plans for the day. I can tell you, as familiar as I am with this area, I wasn’t certain I wanted to drive anywhere in that kind of weather. As I sit here watching, the fog is rolling up the mountain, wisp upon curl and I can now see the entire valley.

That’s rather like life, don’t you think? Things might look really bleak, but sometimes if you just wait for a little bit, the situation clears. Now, over by the far edge of the valley I can see a bright, glowing spot. The clouds have parted, and some people are living in sunshine.

I hope the sun is shining wherever you are, and that if it rains, you don’t let it interfere with your day.

Love
Morgan
www.morganashbury.com

LET'S CELEBRATE: The Twist, Coming JULY 8

***Help Me Celebrate My NEW Romantic Suspense Coming JULY 8***

It’s Easy & Fun! THREE chances to win over $25 in valuable Siren-BookStrand gift certificates and prizes to celebrate the JULY 8 release of THE TWIST. Details at http://www.leesilver.org/

ZANE TOLLISON’S wife is running through their cash fasterthan he can make it. A “Hail Mary” contract with Clearwater Tobacco arrives in the nick of time to keep his fledgling, consulting firm afloat and to unchain him once and for all from his narcissistic wife. Beautiful, brilliant and estranged, KATHY DAVIS is desperate for a new beginning. The feisty post doc bio-geneticist jumps at an offer from Clearwater, pouring her soul into a development that will revolutionize the tobacco industry.

The two are unwittingly reeled into a convoluted plan to steal $12 million; Zane is changing into a carbon copy of Kathy, a pawn in a bizarre genetic metamorphosis, entangling Kathy in a sinewy web of seduction and deceit. Forging a bond that will set the course of their destiny, they fight to overpower the diabolic hold that has taken over their lives.

Read an excerpt from THE TWIST at http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/leesilver/tt.asp

Lee

Lee Silver

"Romance with a Twist"

THE TWIST, Coming JULY 8, 2008 from BookStrand Publishing

http://www.leesilver.org/

Book Trailer for Love and Seduction in Las Vegas

Hi everyone. My new book, Love and Seduction in Las Vegas, is coming out on July 9th. I hope you'll give it a spin. I think you'll like it. In the meantime, in order to whet your whistle here is a trailer of my book.

Allie K. Adams - AT ANY COST

Allie K. Adams - AT ANY COST

Coming to BookStrand, September, 2008

Welcome to the world of counter-terrorism. A world of intrigue, danger, and agents sworn to protect our way of life AT ANY COST. The National Agency for Safety, Security, and Defense, or NASSD, is an underground government agency whose single purpose is to defend everything we hold dear. The agents who work for NASSD are calculated, precise, and sexy as hell. So pick up a NASSD novel and hold on for the thrilling ride of a lifetime!

AT ANY COST is the first in the NASSD series. Please read on for the back cover 'blurb':

When a NASSD double agent steals the technology for a deadly virus known as LEON, counter-terrorist agent Dan Weber is more than ready to take on the complex and potentially deadly mission to hunt down the technology he once protected with his life, even if it means babysitting a gorgeous, yet reckless tomboy agent.

Rookie JT Turner is hungry to prove her worth in a profession dominated by men. Even though she can hold her own against a dozen trained agents, she's been labeled a screw up after too many mishaps. JT would do anything to redeem herself, even accept a shady mission to track down a phantom disc NASSD denies ever existed.

Undermanned and unarmed, can they unravel a madman's plot and remove the threat before it is unleashed? In a race against time, the line between desire and destiny will blur, and their true desires will finally be met.

If you'd like too read more, or are interested in viewing the trailer for AT ANY COST, please visit my website at http://www.alliekadams.com/.

Thanks!

~Allie

Wednesday's Words for June 25, 2008

Ground Hog day received due homage, winter has finally receded, and both Victoria Day in Canada and Memorial Day in the United States have been celebrated and put to bed. All this can only mean one thing: vacation time is upon us once more.

The Ashburys are leaving very, very early Friday morning (my dear one needs to be on the road a.s.a.p. so that he feels he’s on vacation). We’re en route to our friends in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.

This has become an annual trip for us, one we took in September last year. The first time we traveled to this beautiful part of north-eastern Pennsylvania was in 2004. My beloved, an avid history buff, had longed to see Gettysburg, and we decided to journey a few hours beyond to meet our friend face-to-face for the first time.

Our friend John—who was actually my friend first—is a cop, and in his spare time, a writer. We met through our online writing group that has its home on Kelley Armstrong’s web site.

My daughter was aghast when she learned of my plans for that trip. She kept referring to John as my “alleged” cop friend. She took her father aside to instruct him that he must be with me when I met this gentleman (as if he wouldn’t have been). I could certainly understand her concern to some degree; meeting people in person you’ve met on line is something to be done thoughtfully, and with great discretion. The next year, when our friend journeyed north for a writers’ conference, and then had dinner at our house, the first thing he did was show her his official identification.

While in Hazleton, we’ll visit near-by historic sites and places of interest. There’s a haunted prison in the town of Jim Thorpe that’s on our list, and a scenic train excursion in that community as well. We may take another tour of the restored Miners’ Village in Eckley, and David will no doubt want to re-visit Steam Town, the train museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Not far from that city they have tours of actual underground coal mines, and he and John did that together the first day we met.

If we go there again, I will—as I did the last time—stay on top of the grass.

One of the things we do when we’re visiting is go to the near-by shooting range. For any writers who are planning forays into the genre of suspense, having your own personal weapons trainer—one who also has a military background and is a trained EMT as well—is a wonderful thing.

When our friends have had enough of us, we’re heading south two hours to Philadelphia. We’re delighted that we will be spending the American Independence Day holiday in such an historic city. Here, I’ll squeeze in more research, and spend some time checking my facts, because part of my up-coming novel, The Seductress, takes place in this city. We’re staying in a very nice hotel on the Delaware River, and I’m very much looking forward to playing tourist for a couple of days.

I can be reticent when going on vacation, but not when the purpose of the vacation is to visit friends. This is the part of traveling I enjoy, spending time with those who’ve touched my life, sharing meals and conversation. There may even be a swimming challenge to be met, since our friend likes to tell me that I should be able to swim longer and faster than I do.

My husband says his money is on me, but that could just be because he loves me—and he has a theory about that whole cop and donut thing. That’s not an unfair charge, really, since John has recently told us that there’s a chipmunk he’s bribing to stay away from his pepper plants, and the bribe of choice is small strawberry filled donuts.

All the years we were raising our children, we never once considered that we might someday get to a place in life where we could travel as often as we do. Growing up, I was taught that vacations were rare rewards for hard work well done, taken perhaps two or three times in a lifetime. I think in those days vacations were exactly that, as traveling was an avocation reserved almost exclusively for the rich. If fuel costs continue to skyrocket, it may become so again.

So I’ve decided that, for the most part, I’ll restrain myself from bemoaning all the gallivanting about that my wander-lust-filled husband craves.

I do know that this is a lifestyle that others would love to have, and for that reason, I’ll smile and do my best to enjoy myself this year, and consider myself blessed and highly favored.

I also know that life can be suddenly uncertain and oft times far too short. While we’re both still able to, now is the time to see what we can of this world of ours.

Love,
Morgan
www.morganashbury.com
www.myspace.com/writer_morgan_ashbury

IF YOU DON'T GO TO THE PARTY, YOU DON'T GET A BALLOON!

My niece Flaminia once said, “If you don’t go to the party, you don’t get a balloon.” She was only about seven or eight at the time (she’s ten now), and I doubt she realized how profound her words actually were. But her spontaneous words of wisdom reflect her personality. Flaminia is a clever, determined little girl who doesn’t just rise to challenges, she creates them. And when she goes to parties, she comes home with fistfuls of balloons.

I like balloons too. The trouble is: I’m a chicken crossed with a scaredy cat. Put me in a challenging, unfamiliar situation and I feel the fear. My half-Italian origins erupt in my armpits, my pulse risks a speed ticket, my bladder becomes super demanding. My instincts urge me to never say boo to a sparrow, let alone a goose. My list of favorite things read like that annoying song in The Sound of Music (which is now going to be stuck in my head all day… grrrr).

But life isn’t all whiskers on kittens and when the tough gets going, retail therapy doesn’t provide any answers. As my dressage teacher says (when Kwintus, my horse, has personal opinions that clash with mine), “Push him through it.” Five hundred kilos of equines opinions can be daunting, but when the argument ceases and harmony prevails, there’s no feeling like it.

“You should enter Kwintus in the competition this weekend,” said Pam, my dressage teacher’s daughter last Friday, shortly after having seen me enjoying a particularly harmonious equestrian moment. “He’s going really well. It would be a pity not to.”

My heart skipped the country and raced off along a German motorway (German motorways have no speed limits). My bladder threatened to pull the plug. What? Me? Compete? No! I suck! I don’t know the dressage program. And even if by some miracle I manage to learn it, I’ll get inside the arena and forget it. I’ll fall off. I’ll throw up in front of the judges. Besides, I’ve gained weight and my white jodhpurs won’t fit me. I need new ones (retail therapy!!!), but the shop closes in an hour and they probably won’t have my size anyway.

Pam raised an eyebrow and gave me one of her sly smiles. She’s not a chicken crossed with a scaredy cat. She’s one hundred percent lioness.


“Sure you can! Come on! Just learn the program and leave the rest up to Kwintus. He’s a pro. He’ll take care of you,” she said, striding off in her shiny boots.

My heartbeat stayed on the German autobahn. I was torn. I wanted to rise to the challenge, to show the world what a fabulous horse I have. The other half wanted to hide in a soft cozy place until the horsey weekend was over and it was safe to practice my flying changes incognito again.

But Kwintus nuzzled me. I looked into his kind, brown eyes, stroked his soft, cozy nose and decided he deserved to show off the smooth moves he’d been so generously sharing with me. With my heartbeat still powering towards Hamburg and my body as floppy as a soft toy, I staggered off to find Pam and stammered something about being up for it. Then I hopped into my car and rushed off to the horse equipment shop to buy new jodhpurs. They didn’t have my size.

Oh well! Never mind. That’s that, then! I cruised home, certain that I’d never get into my old ones. I’d just have to phone Pam and tell her I couldn’t ride the competition. Saved by excess blubber!

The old ones fit perfectly.

Panic set in again. I printed out a copy of the dressage program and started prancing around an imaginary arena in the garden while my husband looked on, shaking his head and laughing his cute little bottom off. I ignored him and continued to prance, stopping only when I was I’d been brainwashed to enter at A, halt at X, etc… I didn’t sleep well and was a basket case throughout Saturday. Heck, I couldn’t even breathe properly! All I could think about was how terrified I was about riding Kwint in front of the judges first thing Sunday morning.

But when I woke up Sunday morning, something inside me felt different. My heart had given up speeding and was gradually cruising home. I was ready to go to the party. And I really fancied a balloon…

“I can do this,” I repeated over and over to myself, driving towards the stables at the crack of dawn.

And I did. I held it together. I didn’t suck. I didn’t vomit. I didn’t fall off. And people actually cheered and clapped when I made my final salute. I dropped my reins and gave my horse a hug. I even gave him a kiss. He deserved it. And what do you know? We finished in third place, coming away with more than just a balloon.

I’m not going to wax lyrical on the moral of this story; it’s not exactly a psychological breakthrough! Nike said it all in their famous slogan: “ Just do it!”

All I’m saying is that some challenges are worth getting hot and flustered for. Winning my husband’s heart and raising a family together are obvious examples. Getting my first book, “Mucho Caliente!”, published is another example that springs to mind. I may be a chicken crossed with a scaredy cat but, increasingly, I realize I have a quiet resilience that can get me through tough moments and frustrating situations. Not only do I dare to dream, I also dare to do! It’s exhilarating, though no less terrifying. My half Italian origins will always erupt in my armpits. So what? I’ll just buy extra strength deodorant! My bladder will continue to make unreasonable demands. Pff! I’ll engage my pelvic floor! Dealing with my speed buff heart will be more of a challenge, but I’m pretty sure that, sooner or later, the German government will impose speed restrictions on its motorways. And when it does, my pulse won’t have any more reason to skip the border, and will instead cruise calmly ever after along our radar infested Swiss motorways. I hope so, because it would certainly take the edge off bringing balloons home from parties.

Take care,

Francesca Prescott

Green Tea

Tea is culture, art and history in liquid form. If the scientific studies, some impartial some biased, can be believed, green tea may also be the ultimate health drink.

Unfortunately “green tea” flavored goodies are starting to appear all over the place, mixed in with sugar and artificial coloring. These products are preying on consumers who have come to recognize green tea as a health term which can bring in the big bucks.

This short article will help you enjoy this drink in its pure form and more importantly take the mystery out of brewing the perfect cup.
The many benefits of green tea are enjoyed by the Japanese because they drink the brew in place of pure water. In other words, the lowered risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity among green tea drinkers is due to the fact that they consume several cups a day consistently over an entire life time.

One reason why tea has not caught on in the United States is because it is not “instant”. Green tea absolutely must be brewed carefully. Rather than carry a teapot and tea leaf container to the office you can cut some corners by acquiring high quality tea bags.


Here is a list of things to assure a fast and flavorful brew:
Look for an expiration date or packing date on the box.
The bags should be made of nylon mesh which do not add a paper “flavor”. If you must use paper bags you'll be able to assess quality if the bags are “yellow” and therefore old.
The tea should not be “dust” but fine leaves. If you want to spoil yourself, buy “sencha” grade tea which has a pleasant delicate taste. Good tea has a slight sweet and grassy taste and a light yellow or green color often compared to that of spinach water.

Green tea is very delicate and is best brewed at 175 degrees from 1.5 to 2 minutes maximum. If you don't have access to a kettle to boil water simply pour bottled water into your mug and microwave it. If you measure the water with a thermometer a few times you will be easily able to determine the exact number of minutes and seconds to set the microwave. You may do the finger test to be sure the water is not too hot nor too cool. Of course, this last technique requires cleanliness and some experience.

Although the tea may be a bit expensive just remember that each bag may be used more than once. After removing the bag from your mug you can place it in a tall thermos full of warm water and take it to your cubicle or you can place it in a tall glass pitcher full of cold water.

As mentioned earlier, green tea is not instant like most of the coffee we drink but perhaps the 2 minutes spent allowing the leaves to expand in the water is much needed time for you to close your eyes, relax and block out all the noise and electronic chatter pervasive in our daily lives. You can use this moment of quiet to count how many breaths you take, stretch your muscles or go through the motions to alleviate neck and back strain from sitting in front of the computer too long.

The last reason why green tea may not be promoted as much in the United States is that it cannot be paired up with the sugar industry nor flavored dry and liquid creamers. Green tea is always taken without sugar nor cream however people who are not used to the grassy taste may add small amounts of honey to the drink and gradually lessen the amount over time.
Many people have heard of the elaborate tea ceremony in Japan where people not only enjoy the simple brew but the serene space shared with friends. While we may not bring that ritual into our daily lives, it is still possible to enjoy green tea on the go.

Remember healthy living means great loving.

Silapa Jarun is the author of the mxm erotic work of historical fiction KATANA DUET: Samurai's Forbidden Love . The story is set in war torn Japan and in Wisconsin during the nineteenth century. The bond of brotherhood between the samurai grows into a forbidden relationship as they realize "Katana Duet" is not the only stage show they must perform for money but they must also play out an elaborate act to free themselves from a deadly game in a household full of secrets.

KARLY'S DRIFTER (RODEO COWBOYS) by SAGE BURNETT

Blurb: In spite of Hawk Rivers refusal to share in her book, Karly yearns to know the real man who guards a secret with his life. Hawk insists he's bad for her even while at the same time expressing his desire for her in no uncertain terms. Attracted to him beyond reason, Karly willingly tumbles into bed with him, knowing in her heart she will definitely get hurt. As Karly follows the rodeo circuit, snapping photos of the cowboys, her focus remains zeroed in on one particular mysterious, sexy cowboy--the cowboy who already has the power to break her heart.

Excerpt:

This time when Hawk Rivers wheeled around to face her, murder gleamed in his dark, fathomless eyes. Uh...oh. Maybe she'd gone a tad too far.

"I'm parked over there." She stood on tiptoes and pointed over his shoulder. "You must be, too. What a coincidence."

Before he could say anything, Karly breezed past him, flipping her shoulder length hair with one hand.

Sensing his masculine heat following her, she wrestled back the urge to spin around and go another round with him, since she wasn't sure who had won the first two.

When she reached her small motor home, she dug her keys out of her jeans pockets. Karly knew Hawk Rivers was still behind her because she felt his presence like a dozen people crowded together on a packed city bus. After she unlocked the door, she stepped inside.

Karly dumped the camera, two extra telephoto lenses, and the leather tote that carried extra film and equipment on the small kitchen table. "Care for something to drink?" She glanced over her shoulder at him. He stood outside, hands planted on his hips, the chaps emphasizing his groin. "Well?"

Lifting her shoulder with a casualness she didn't feel, she angled over to the small refrigerator and grabbed two bottles of water. Karly walked back to the door and held one bottle out to Hawk Rivers. When he snatched it from her hand, she figured he might crush the bottle inside his palm instead of drinking it. Fascinated, Karly watched as he twisted off the cap and guzzled down the twelve-ounce bottle in one long swallow. "Feel better?"

Hawk replaced the cap. "No pictures."

Rolling her eyes, she looked up at the ceiling. "Why the hell not? You're the epitome of a cowboy."

"I'll buy the film from you. What do you want for it?"

Karly was starting to believe Hawk Rivers could possibly be on the wrong side of the law, but if he was a fugitive from justice, he wouldn't be flaunting himself in front of three hundred people at a public event. "It's not for sale."

"Now if you'll excuse me." She started to shut the door, but his hand blocked it.

"I don't want my pictures in a damn book." Anger burned in his eyes, like the scorching late afternoon sun.

KARLY'S DRIFTER, Book 2 of Rodeo Cowboys, the Series, From Siren Publishing

http://www.sirenpublishing.com/sageburnett/kd.asp

Sage Burnett

Ian O'Neill

Hello All,

My name's Ian O'Neill and my mystery/thriller, Endo, is out November (April '09 in print). If you want to know a bit more about me, check out my Author Page at BookStrand's site. I hope you'll drop by my website (okay, it's my blog - you got me) and have a read of a few articles I've written. That's where I've spent most of my writing life, freelance non-fiction.

Just in case there is a question or two to be asked about my introduction, here are a few answers to consider.
42
Left
Average of six cups
Mars
Canadian
Toronto Maple Leafs (sadly)
Formula One

Anyway, it is so nice to be here among very talented people.

Cheers,
Ian

Hello

Hello!

I would like to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Francesca Prescott and I live in a small village in the French speaking part of Switzerland. My first novel, “Mucho Caliente!, is a romantic comedy set on the Spanish island of Ibiza that will be published by Bookstrand in November 2008.

““Mucho Caliente!”?” I hear the Spanish experts among you squawk. “What kind of Spanish is that?”

Yes, I know that my title is grammatically incorrect Spanish and that something super hot would be described as “muy caliente.” I’m nowhere near fluent in Spanish, but that I do know!

My book is called “Mucho Caliente!” because Gemma, the main character in my story, is going to feel a whole lot of heat when she meets Emilio Caliente, aka “el divino,” on the plane to Ibiza. She’ll get so hot she’ll be molten, dizzy, ditzy and dazed. Way hot!

Emilio Caliente is a Latino pop star. Actually, he’s pop music’s Latino sensation, the ultimate superstar. His concerts sell out in nanoseconds. He’s cardiac arrestingly gorgeous, lusted after by women all over the world. He’s officially 27, legally 29. His almond shaped eyes are the color of warm caramel and edged with thick black eyelashes so long they shade half his face. He tans to that incredible, incandescent, gingerbread-amber color. His dark brown, sun-streaked hair is alluringly disheveled. Even his breath smells of cinnamon…

Perfect? Well, he’s pretty damn cute, although he does have a couple of blackheads on his nose. And hairy toes, as Gemma quickly points out...

Basically, Emilio could have any supermodel in the world. Why then does he seem so interested in thirty-seven-year old, recently divorced Gemma? And why the heck does destiny insist on playing matchmaker when common sense is urging Gemma to stay well away from Emilio Caliente? The last thing Gemma needs in her quest for a creatively satisfying, financially independent, bohemian lifestyle on a Spanish island in the sun is a love affair with a pop music superstar eight years her junior. Not to mention that Emilio’s life is in turmoil, his latest single has bombed, his record company wants him to go electro, the press want to see him naked and his hellacious manager seems not only increasingly deranged, but also fixated on plotting Gemma’s downfall.

With all that in mind, would you dare wish upon a Latino superstar on a beautiful Spanish island in the sun?

More importantly, will Gemma?

“Mucho Caliente!” is a funny, effervescent love story. I sincerely hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Take care,

Lots of love,

Francesca