Tag: caridad

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#ThrowbackThursday & ONE LAST NIGHT #Giveaway

Wow, is this week flying by! Today’s Throwback Thursday is to yesterday when I got a surprise and was able to go see the filming of the Rachel Ray show! Actually part of one show and then a whole show. What we taped yesterday will be on air on October 24 and November 6. I must set my DVR to tape the shows and see if we’re visible. Actually, my sis got to ask a question on one of the shows, so I know for sure that she’s visible.

As for the ONE LAST NIGHT giveaway, visit with me at Bitten by Books for a chance to win a $25 gift card! Yeah! I’ll be there until October 25. You can use this link to visit: http://bit.ly/1ykPKSL

Also, if you use social media at all, please consider sharing a post through my Thunderclap to help our military heroes! You can click here to help out. You will only share this one post automatically and not receive any other messages or posts. Thank you!

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#WriteWed FOLLOWING JANE Inspiration

Following JaneToday’s Write Wednesday is dedicated to my fabulous daughter and her debut novel, FOLLOWING JANE.

Samantha was lucky enough to spend a semester in London and when combined with her love of Jane Austen and an assortment of boy bands, it was only natural that she mix up all three loves into a fun and emotionally compelling story.

FOLLOWING JANE is a young adult romance that combines a scavenger hunt left behind by none other than Jane Austen with a young woman’s desire to fulfill her dying mother’s last words: to take up an adventure that is “just around the corner.”

The heroine, Lizzie (of course), sets off to London and along the way meets a young boy band member who will soon assist her in her quest and also present another challenge: romance.

Congratulations Samantha on this debut novel! I am so proud of you! What do others have to say about this novel? Here’s just one of the many 5 star reviews:

“I literally could not put this book down. It follows a young woman around England in such a way, you feel as if you are there yourself. With a little love, lots of laughs, tears, and mystery, this book is a must read. For the 20-somethings, the 30-somethings, and beyond, Jane will show you how to be independent, brave, and true to yourself. Kudos to the author for taking us on this journey!” Meaghan Abell, Reader

samauthorAbout the Author: Debut author Samantha Scordato has been penning stories in her journals for many years. She fell in love with Jane Austen at an early age and kept up with her love through an undergraduate degree in Fashion Merchandising and an MBA from Philadelphia University. After graduating, Samantha turned her attention to her two loves: Running a surf and skate shop and writing. FOLLOWING JANE is Samantha’s first novel, but she has already finished another novel. For more information, please visit www.lifemythlegend.com.

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Shrimp Stir Fry

Last week was a clean the fridge out kind of dinner and I had a craving for something Chinese. So I came up with this combination of veggies and shrimp for a quick meal. I always keep pre-cooked frozen shrimp in the freezer since it’s so easy to whip up a meal with them!

Ingredients

2 tbsp peanut oil
1 cup thinly sliced baby carrots
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
3 cups cooked and sliced string beans
1/2 cup cashews
2 cups pre-cooked frozen shrimp – thawed, tails removed
1 tsp corn starch
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup low salt soy sauce

Directions

In a wok or big saute pan, heat the oil and start cooking the sliced carrots.

After about 3-5 minutes, add the mushrooms. Keep it on high heat to dry off the moisture the mushrooms emit, otherwise everything will be soggy.

Once most of the mushroom liquid is gone, add the string beans, garlic, sesame oil and cashews. Toss it up and cook for about 5 minutes.

Add the teriyaki and soy sauce. Cook for another few minutes and then add the shrimp to warm it up. Do not overcook at this point. Just 2 to 3 minutes on high heat.

You should have some moisture still in the pan from the shrimp, etc. Mix the corn starch with about 2 tbsp of water in a separate dish. Once the corn starch is dissolved, add that to your shrimp and veggies and stir. Within a minute or so you’ll see the whole mix get a nice glaze to it and the liquid left in the pot should tighten up and not be so runny.

That’s it! Time to eat. You can serve this over white or brown rice, but I’m watching my carbs so I ate it just as it is! This recipe is about 2 hearty servings. You can change it up by adding bean sprouts, water chestnuts, baby corn, etc. or using cooked beef or pork.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! See you on Monday (and Tuesday) for our big Seductive Supernatural Release party! We’ll have prizes and more for you!

Also check out our contest at Fresh Fiction which has over $250 in prizes! Woo hoo!
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#Throwback Thursday #Halloween

I love Halloween and it’s not just the paranormal romance author in me that loves it. It’s the kid who couldn’t wait to dig through the family closets to try and put together an outfit to go out and get some tricks or treats. I loved the fantasy of it, of pretending to be something that I wasn’t.

I love decorating for Halloween and greeting the kids at the door, usually with something costumey on. One of my fondest memories is of answering the door with a wolf paw on one hand and a fake bloodied bandage on the other. An adorable little princess was on the other side and she looked at me wide-eyed and said, “I think you need to go to the doctor.” LOL!

Today’s Throwback Thursday is a shot of my house with the Halloween decorations. We had a lot of kids that year, including that little princess, I think. I’m hoping we’ll have more kids this year. Last year was kind of a disappointment.
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#TeaserTuesday Getting Ready to Fight #VAMPIRE REBORN

Seductive SupernaturalsSo excited! It’s almost time for the official release of SEDUCTIVE SUPERNATURALS, the paranormal romance box set I am doing with some buddies.

My contribution to the set is VAMPIRE REBORN from THE CALLING IS REBORN Vampire Novel Series. I just love exploring where FBI Agent Diana Reyes and vampire Ryder Latimer are going in their relationship and I hope you’re enjoying it as well.

Since it’s Teaser Tuesday, here’s a little teaser from VAMPIRE REBORN.

Teaser

Although his vampire blood called on him to rest during the day, Ryder regularly fought that need in his desire to be more human. To share time with Diana the way normal couples did. He had worked at his desk in the morning, checking on his various investments, and now the two of them were in the gym, working out.

Ryder moved through the steps in the kata, Diana beside him, shifting in unison.

A left turn to face forward followed by a low block with the left hand.

A step ahead with a sharp right-handed punch.

A quick whirl and back to the front for another low block.

They glided, pushed forward and back, almost as if in a ballet.

Pivot, forward, punch, and then retreat.

An upper cut followed by a drop of the hands to the hips with another one hundred eighty degree turn and a double high block.

From the corner of his eye, he measured Diana’s movements and strength since he hadn’t been the only one who had almost lost his life weeks earlier.

Not that you could tell from her fluid and powerful movements. There wasn’t a hint of hesitation or fragility to attest to the fact that his wife had not only been on death’s door, but that she’d recently given birth. Well, almost nothing. Her warrior’s body wore its lean muscled strength nicely, but the womanly curves were ever more rounded, especially her breasts.

Her command came in his head through their shared connection. Focus.

The warning made him stumble through the final punch and slide of the kata, but he recovered to end it gracefully.

They faced each other and bowed to acknowledge the completion of the exercise.

With the kata finished, she grinned and rolled her eyes. “Men. Show a little tit and it totally throws you off.”

Reaching out, he playfully squeezed her breast and said, “Nothing little about those.”

She slapped at him and he recognized the invitation in her gaze. “Think you can boss me around?” he asked.

“I know I can, remember?”

Yeah, he remembered all right. She’d beaten him more than once during their workouts, but he’d been training hard and this time, he planned on coming out on top. Literally.

“Prove it,” he challenged and put his hands up in a fighting stance.
She arched a brow and her demeanor grew a tad too serious for his taste. “Are you sure?”

“If you’re meaning to ask if I’m up to it – ”

“Are you?” she asked, but raised her hands and braced her legs slightly apart, ready for battle.

Her words stung more than any punch she could have landed. “Don’t patronize me, darlin’. I’m fit enough to protect you and Charlie.”

Seductive Supernaturals

SEDUCTIVE SUPERNATURALS is a collection of 12 paranormal romances! It is specially priced at 99 cents for a limited time. You can purchase it at the following locations:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/AMZSeduceMe
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Xy9hBO
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1p4Q81O
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1uMBeTy
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Lower Fat/Carb Mac & Cheese

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? It’s the kind of comfort food that warms the belly and calms the soul, but oh man, talk about fat and carbs.

There is a way to cut back on both and still have a hardy and rewarding meal with a little less guilt or worry. This is my version of a lower fat/lower carb Mac and cheese. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

Ingredients

4 cups Cauliflower
1/2 pound pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped ham
1 chopped onion
3 cups 1% milk
2 cups cheddar cheese
Panko bread crumbs

Directions

Cut the cauliflower into one inch pieces. I was able to find an orange cauliflower at a local farm stand for only $2.00! Yes, I love being frugal also! Steam the cauliflower until just a little tough to a poke with a fork. It will cook some more when you bake it. After steaming, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking while you assemble the rest of the ingredients.
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Cook the 1/2 pound of pasta until al dente. I used cavatappi since they hold the sauce and add a little fun to the mix. After draining the water, rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking while you assemble the rest of the ingredients.
mac2

Chop the ham and cook in the olive oil to get rid of that extra moisture. Then add the onion and cook until just translucent. Turn down the heat a little and add the flour. Mix it all up until it’s a little on the dry side. If you’re using some kind of cast iron stove to oven pan, this will happen quickly from the pan retaining the heat, so really turn it down until you add the milk.
mac3

Add the milk to the ham, onion, and flour mix. Stir until sauce is thick enough to coat the spoon. Add the cheese and stir. Then add the cauliflower and pasta and mix well.

If you haven’t used a stove to oven baking pan/dish, place the mixture in a greased baking dish. Top with the Panko and if you’d like, some additional cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes and then broil for about 2-4 to brown the top! Voila, you are done!

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#WriteWed Lunar Eclipse Inspiration

This morning I was up in time to catch the start of the lunar eclipse. I’m attaching some of the photos for you to see.

People often ask me where I get the inspiration for my stories. Sometimes it’s just every day things like a news item or an interesting name I see. Sometimes it’s things like today’s lunar eclipse.

If vampires could come out to play during a solar eclipse, I wonder who comes out when there’s a lunar one? Or could some kind of alien invasion happen as the earth block’s the sun’s rays on the moon?

What do you think? Time for a sci fi kind of novel?

Post by Caridad Pineiro.
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