Flame and Snow Cover Reveal!

Ahhh! It's been a long time and I'm sure no one wants to hear about my busy life--but!--I'm still writing! And I've got a new project coming out very soon. This one is totally different, too. No longer am I writing cozy mysteries! (I might go back someday though.) This new novel is a paranomal fantasy. Think shifters with magic powers in a second-world fantasy setting.

A little bit about it...It definitely has a strong fantasy flavor to it. I had a lot of fun describing the world and the places in it, and how the main characters related to it all. Because of course they're from the middle of nowhere, just trying to get by in their lives and not be discovered as shifters. Only...there's obviously a shifter nemesis with devious plots, and who could possibly stop him?

Probably the main characters. Probably. Check out the blurb:

Generations ago, shifters -- many with magic powers -- were accepted throughout Emylnor. But a war with the nearby dragon nation bred concern, and though Emylnor's forces beat back the invasion, the shifters retreated into hiding.

Akton is a weasel shifter who seems to have no magical talents. When he is hunted, Talfryn joins the fight, finally able to flex his salamander flame powers. But while they make a good team, the thrill quickly wears off when they uncover recruitment orders. A shifter named Basil is building an army.

Someone has to warn Queen Ylenia before Basil can launch Emylnor into another war. When Akton and Talfryn volunteer to deliver the information to her, they have no intention of getting deeply involved with the fight -- or each other. But to stop Basil, they need to learn to trust each other completely, and fast. Or all of Emylnor will burn ...

And now for the cover!

Perfect for a fantasy, right? You can preorder the ebook (which will be out on May 20th!) here, and the paperback (out on May 31) here.

Cheers!

A Cake a Month: March

I know it's a little late for it but this month I decided to make a king cake! After last month's ridiculously rich and sweet monstrosity this yeast dough-based cake seemed like a good idea.

There's an unending amount of king cake recipes online, but I used this one. I put food dye in my icing instead of using sprinkles because I didn't have sprinkles, and it still turned out looking impressive. It tastes good, too, and is great with coffee in the morning. Although I say that about every cake I make...Well, it's not a lie!

Cheers!

Yolks on You Box Set

The mysteries have all been cracked, the perps have all been apprehended, and the heroes have stumbled upon an egg-filled ever after, so what's next? A box set, of course! I'm very egg-cited to announce that all five of the Yolks on You mysteries are going to be available as a box set! Just look at that bright, happy cover.

I had so much fun with Kiko and Dom and the ridiculousness of their town, Mount Angus, that it's been hard to leave them and move on. But I was running out of people to murder! I hope you've enjoyed following along with them yourself, and if you were interested but didn't know where to start...try the beginning! The box set is available here, and hopefully you'll find it all it's cracked up to be!

Happy reading and cheers!

A Cake a Month: February

This barely adequate photo does not do this cake justice. I'm into month two of the "bake a cake a month" goal on my Day Zero Project list, and this is better than the last. I think this goal will probably kill me.

So, above is a thin slice of Epic Chocolate Stout Cake with Chocolate Bourbon Sour Cream Frosting (recipe here), which is just as epic as it sounds. Really. If you have the time and want to impress people (for the love of all that is good and chocolatey, if you make this, make this for a group of people), this will do it. It is rich, oh so rich you can only eat a small piece at a time.

Or maybe that's just me...Cheers!

Eggs and Kisses Bonus Recipe

I don't even know how to begin this post--today's the release of the last Yolks on You book! I've had so much fun writing about Kiko and Dom's mystery solving and watching how their relationship develops that it's hard to let them go. But alas, it was time to tie their storyline up in a nice little bow, and I think this is a good place to end the series.

I hope you've had as much fun reading about them as I've had writing about them! As usual, you can find an ecopy of Eggs and Kisses at the JMS Books site (they have reward points now!) or you can get a print copy. Find out what sorts of chaos they get themselves into over Valentine's Day!

The recipe this time is an easy way to make a sweet breakfast! I give you: Nutella Cherry Heart Pies!

Nutella Cherry Heart Pies

1 15 oz box pie crusts (two crusts)
1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
nutella
cold water
powdered sugar (for serving)

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Roll out crusts and cut into quarters (like cutting a pizza).

2. Place one quarter over another (see picture below) to make four pairs. If some are slightly bigger, place the bigger ones over the small ones.

3. To make the pies heart shaped, cut out a little triangle from the middle of the curved part of the crust, and cut each of the side corners off (see picture below).

4. Flip the top crust up and add nutella and cherry pie filling, leaving space at the edges for pressing the pies shut.

5. Dip your finger in the cold water and run it around the edges of the crust (this will help seal the pies). Flip the top crust down and pinch the edges shut with a fork. Poke a few holes in the top (so your pies won't explode in the oven!).

6. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges of crust are golden brown. Serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and enjoy!

Easy to make (even if you can't cut hearts!) and definitely tasty enough to impress! (Plus, if you don't have a valentine, you have them all to yourself! I see no downside.)

Cheers!

A Cake a Month: January

You all probably know by now that I enjoy doing the Day Zero Project. I never get it all done, but I love having that list to prompt me to get up from the desk and do something else. This time around I'm baking a cake a month for a year--and figure I might as well tell you all about it!

That picture above is what happened when I attempted January's cake, Chocolate Candy Cane Swirl Bundt Cake (recipe here). I skipped the topping and just made the cake, and it was delicious! As a fan of all things mint, I can definitely say the peppermint swirl bit was the best! I've been pulling it out in the mornings with coffee, and it's a sweet way to get a little writing done. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm just finishing up the Yolks on You mysteries--but I'm cooking up something new, so stick around for that. And feel free to check out my various goals on Day Zero!

Cheers!

Yolks on You #5 Cover Reveal!

It's time to announce the fifth--and last--Yolks on You mystery! I don't know how to feel or what to say. I've had a great time writing Kiko and Dom, getting to know them and watching them solve mysteries in their weird little town, but here was the natural ending point, so end it must. I'm going to miss them!

Thanks for following along with them, and I hope you enjoy their last case. It's a sweet end to the series. So before I break down in tears as I wave good-bye to them, here's the cover:

And of course it's going to be arriving in time for Valentine's Day! You can pre-order Eggs and Kisses now and it'll be available on February 11th. Oh, and if you didn't already know this, JMS Books now has reward points! Just another egg-cellent reason to pick up a good book.

Cheers!