Monday, December 30, 2019

@CeliaBreslin's Sweet Treats & #Vampires for New Year's Eve

Happy Holidays Everyone!

 Wow, it's almost 2020...! I'm here today with a sweet treats recipe I post yearly around this time. Make a platter of these goodies for your New Year's celebration. You'll love them! I've tossed in some holiday paranormal viewing recommendations, too. Vampires, of course. Enjoy!

Celia’s Holiday Caramel Candy

Recipe compliments of my grandmother.

1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 cups white sugar
2 cups white Karo Syrup
1 stick of butter (1/4 lb.)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Mix together the first three ingredients (milk, sugar, syrup) in a large bowl.
2. Melt the butter in a large heavy kettle, pour in the mixture and bring to a boil.
3. Stir continuously while mixture boils until it reaches the temperature of 245 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer (can take up to 25 minutes).

Note: If mixture overcooks, candy gets too hard.

Once the 245-degree temperature is reached, remove kettle from stove. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, then pour mixture onto a large buttered cookie sheet or flat pan.

Allow to cool.

Cut into pieces, wrap with plastic wrap or your candy covering of choice (or eat All The Candy, LOL).

Celia’s Vampire Viewing Picks for the Holidays

It’s always time to watch vampire shows in my world. Here are my recs for some fun holiday viewing!

“tranquilli
  • “Amends” - Buffy the Vampire Slayer, S3, Ep10. A brief happy moment for Buffy and Angel. Plus, snow in Southern California.
  • “Once More With Feeling” S6, Ep7. Because it’s the best episode ever.
  • “Bring on the Night” – Buffy, S7, Ep10. Multiple slayers, an uber vamp, and an Xmas tree lot.
  • “Reunion” – Angel, S2, Ep10. Drusilla and Darla running amok.
  • “O Come All Ye Faithful” – The Vampire Diaries, S4, Ep9. A Winter Wonderland theme-party aaaaand naughty, naughty Klaus.
  • “Through Your Eyes” – S6, Ep10. Christmas reminiscing and one evil Kai.
  • “Cold As Ice” – The Vampire Diaries, S7, Ep9. Holiday toy drive and a pesky Phoenix Stone.
  • “Savior” – The Originals, S3, Ep9. Amid much drama, Klaus and Cami share a kiss.


Have a great January, Dear Readers, and I'll see you back here on January 30th!

xo,
Celia


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Saturday, December 21, 2019

Christmas Traditions

I love this time of year—the music, the colored lights, the tree, the holiday movies and the excitement. Like most families, we have various traditions that have changed or evolved over the years. But one tradition that never changes is my mother’s fruit cake.

Yes, I said it. Fruit cake. We’re big on this holiday staple in my family and all of us would feel slighted if our mother didn’t make us one of her amazing cakes. Heck, when I was a kid, I used to ask for one for my birthday every year. Mom would make a fruit cake for the family celebration and a chocolate one for the party with my friends. I don’t know what makes hers so special. Maybe it’s the rum, maybe it’s the love. All I know is Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it.

Another tradition is chocolate fudge, but not just any fudge. I use the same recipe my mother used when I was a kid. It’s fast and delicious.


Five Minute Fudge (From the Carnation Milk Cookbook)

2/3 cup of Carnation milk
1 2/3 cups of sugar

~Bring sugar and milk to a boil and boil on low heat for 5 minutes. Stir constantly. Remove from heat.

Add:
1 ½ cups chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet dark chips)
1 ½ cups of plain mini marshmallows (I use Kraft minis)
1 tsp of vanilla flavouring

Stir until smooth and pour into greased 8” X 8” pan.

Cool and cut into squares.



And if you’re looking for a calorie-free treat to help get you through the season, be sure to pre-order Naughty Heroes now for only 99-cents. Price will go up soon after it releases.




NAUGHTY HEROES: In And Out Of Uniform A collection of UNFORGETTABLE HEROES

MARINE ON A MISSION 
N.J. Walters 

When Mitch McCoy left rural Kentucky to join the U.S. Marines he never thought he'd return. Now he's undercover with a state drug task force. He's not only facing his past, but also Sara Hawkins, the woman who broke his heart. This investigation will risk their lives and their hearts. 

 SEX BOMB 
Nicole Austin  

From first sight I knew Marine Lieutenant Harlie Savage wasn't fragile like a flower—she was fragile like a bomb. Definitely not some princess who needed to be saved, either. She was a queen who only lacked a sword, and I vowed to be her weapon. 

HER SOLDIER OF FORTUNE 
Belle Scarlett 


Leia has no idea who ex-Marine Major Tate McIntyre is when he saves her life in a dark alley. Yet Tate's certain Leia is his to have, hold, and protect. He vows to keep her safe at any cost. His only price is her heart. Semper Fi! 

THE NIGHT WATCHMAN
Katherine Kingston

A disabled vet rescues a woman on a mission to collect evidence, saving her from the men chasing her. As Jace and Shannon race to survive and outwit a traitor, a deep connection grows between them. But staying alive long enough to explore the attraction will take everything they've got.

MILITARY BLUES
Elizabeth Lapthorne

Luke is struggling to recover from a career shattering IED blast that sees him permanently discharged. Milly's career self-destructed and she's moved cities in the hopes of starting again. Can this new life and new relationship be a second chance for them both?




N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit me at: Website: http://www.njwalters.com
Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Christmas Gifts for Those with a Sense of Humor

It's that time of year again--time for me to help you out with holiday shopping. Christmas time seems to bring out the absurd, but if you have to buy a gift for someone who is, well, equally absurd, then it's a win-win situation. Just make sure they have a sense of humor!

Behold my picks for the year:


Are you parents of a child in their 20s who still lives at home? Looking to give them a subtle nudge to leave the nest? Luggage makes the statement without having to spell it out.




How about a gift for your child's teacher? This gift will keep on giving for years to come and hopefully, make the "problem" students think twice.

Dads are so hard to buy for, aren't they? But something that all dads have in common is the ability to fart. A lot. And often. Dads also like to think they're the best at everything, so this T-shirt will make them feel like they're a winner.



This is the perfect gift for Mom. I'm a mom and I must say, "Seriously?" at least 50 times a day. So much so it'll probably be inscribed on my tombstone. 

Every grandchild thinks they're the favorite. Make sure you constantly reinforce it with this ornament, and don't forget to encourage Grandma or Grandpa to hang it somewhere all year round as a gentle reminder.  




HAPPY HOLIDAYS!




Christmas is Tiffany N. York's second favorite holiday after Halloween. Feel free to visit her website at tiffanynyorkauthor.com

Saturday, November 30, 2019

@CeliaBreslin's #Holiday Extravaganza: #Recipes, #Books on Tour, & More!

Hi Everyone!

“Tranquilli

 The holiday season is upon us! I'm kicking off the holidays with a fun multi-author book tour for my Tranquilli Bloodline vampires and Black Hills wolves, plus a fab giveaway, December 2 - 20. Visit my website in December for more info. To help you get in the holiday spirit, here are tunes you might like to check out, and...cookies! Enjoy!

Celia's Holiday Spritz Cookies “our
Cookies are one of my favorite, sweet indulgences for the holidays. My family makes spritz cookies every December. Delicious! Here’s my mother’s recipe (that I love to post every year around this time). Requires cookie press.

3/4 cup regular sugar (some recipes call for “powdered”, but mom swears by regular!)
1 cup margarine, or butter, or shortening (mom uses shortening; I use butter. Both are delish.)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a bowl, mix together margarine (or butter or shortening), sugar, vanilla, egg until fairly fluffy.
3. Stir in flour, salt, baking powder.
4. Optional: separate dough into bowls, add food dye of your choosing (see photo).
5. Fill cookie press; press dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.
7. Remove from sheet and cool on cookie rack.
8. Eat. All. The. Cookies!

 

“Black

Celia’s Holiday Playlist

Music is a big part of our holiday celebrations. Here’s one of our playlists for the December holidays. Happy listening!

  • “Another Christmas Song,” Stephen Colbert
  • “Not Tonight Santa,” Girls Aloud
  • “Frosty the Snowman,” Cocteau Twins
  • “Christmas Time Is Here Again,” Ringo Starr
  • “Sleigh Ride,” The Ronettes
  • “The Lonely Jew On Christmas,” Kyle Broflofski with Special Celebrity Guest
  • “Santa’s Beard,” They Might Be Giants
  • “Winter Wonderland,” Cocteau Twins
  • “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” Darlene Love
  • “Thanks for Christmas,” XTC
  • “December Will Be Magic Again,” Kate Bush


Have a great December, Dear Readers, and I'll see you back here on December 30th with some holiday viewing recs and another tasty recipe, just in time for New Year's Eve.

xo,
Celia


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Thursday, November 21, 2019

GIVING THANKS

It’s the time of year when we all stop and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. We’re getting ready to roll into the holiday season. It’s a festive time for many of us. I like to stop and think about everything wonderful in my life. I’m healthy and have a wonderful family. I have a roof over my head and food in the kitchen. I’m able to make my living doing something I love. Life is good.



Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I wish you peace and prosperity in the days and months ahead. I hope you enjoy a festive meal with family and friends.

And if you’re looking for a sexy holiday read to help you unwind after the holiday madness, you might want to pick up Naughty Temptations: Collection Two—a collection of bestselling stories from the Naughty Literati (Berengaria Brown, Katherine Kingston, Nicole Austin, and N.J. Walters). It includes two of my previously published novellas—Unmasking Kelly and Lady’s Minstrel.




UNMASKING KELLY by N.J. Walters
It’s Halloween and a masquerade party is in full swing at Brannigan’s Pub. Waitress, Kelly Allen, has been in love with her boss—Liam Brannigan—almost from the first. Tonight, hiding behind her costume and mask, she can keep her identity a secret as she attempts to seduce him into one long, hot night of pleasure.

LADY’S MINSTREL by N.J. Walters
Barely a bride before her husband left on Crusade, Alicia now fears the king will order her to remarry or take the castle. The arrival of a mysterious hooded minstrel makes her wary. She’s shocked to discover he is no stranger. But her husband is not the man he was. Can their love be rekindled or is it gone forever?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z219NXQ
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940163576005
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/naughty-temptations-collection-two
IBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1483717734
Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1699316228
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/bPRlNA




N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit me at: Website: http://www.njwalters.com
Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

Friday, November 15, 2019

EXCERPT FROM THE MEATBALL MISTRESS

Available on Amazon in paperback or FREE on Kindle Unlimited
* * *

As the weather turns colder and activities switch more to indoors, I thought I'd share an excerpt from my romance which takes place in a small beach town on the east coast during the summer months. Cara Manzoni flees Bensonhurst, Brooklyn to the Jersey Shore after catching her fiancé cheating with her hairdresser. Problem is she has no clothes, no money, and no place to go. This is not where she thought she’d be at almost thirty years old.

Ryan Garridy is a diehard commitment-phobe, struggling to keep his Italian restaurant afloat. The last thing he wants is a high-maintenance woman in his life. So when Cara runs out on her check, and then faints at his feet the next day, he knows this woman is trouble with a capital T. It still doesn’t stop him from offering Cara a job and a place to stay. There’s something feisty and compelling about her, and no matter how hard he tries, he just can’t seem to say no to her. Or her Sicilian meatballs.

Since Cara has sworn off men, it’s no big deal that Ryan is sexy and charming—until she decides the only way to stop obsessing over her ex is to obsess over someone new. Ryan makes her forget about her ex a little too well, but falling for him could set her up for a whole new world of hurt.

If the undeniable passion between these two doesn’t keep them together, the mouth-watering food will. One man, one woman, both wounded by love. Will they be able to overcome their demons and learn to trust again?

EXCERPT

It was the Fourth of July. Everyone expected the restaurant to be bursting to capacity. Brady had taken the weekend off to go camping with his family, so the assistant chef was fully prepared to handle the onslaught of customers that never came.
            Ryan paced the bar area, nervously running his fingers through his hair. Every once in a while, he’d step outside, his eyes sweeping left to right. Then he’d sigh and come back inside to pace some more.
            When Ginny said, “I have an unhappy guest who’s complaining about her spaghetti swimming in oil,” Ryan pulled out a roll of antacids from his pocket and popped two of them before dealing with the disgruntled customer.
            Ginny turned to Oz. “I need a ring-up for a cheesecake.”
“Do you—” he started to say.
            Ginny held up her hand to stop him. “Save it, loverboy, I got a screaming baby at Table 9 and one of my customers just asked me how much a soda costs, which gives me a glimpse of the tip I’ll be getting. I’m not in a good mood.”
            Oz switched his attention over to Cara. “Do you have a library card? Because I’m checking you out.”
            “That doesn’t even make sense,” Cara said to Ginny.
            “Did you expect it to?”
            Oz was summoned by a group of three giggling girls at the end of the bar.
            “I think Oz might have a crush on you, Ginny,” Cara told her.
            “Lucky me, I already have a boyfriend,” she said.
            Ryan returned with a fake smile plastered on his face. “Give her the Filet Mignon and bill her the same price as the spaghetti. Oh, and she wants the steak cremated,” he said through gritted teeth.
            Ginny shook her head and went to put the order into the kitchen.
            Oz said, “The girls sitting over there are asking for a drink called ‘What the Hell.’” He gave Ryan an exasperated look. “Apparently, there’s an Avril Lavigne song with the same title, because they keep singing it to me.”
            “I’ve never heard of that drink before,” Ryan said. “Unless they can tell you what goes in it—”
            “Gin, dry vermouth, apricot brandy, and a dash of lemon juice and grenadine,” Cara said.
            Ryan and Oz stared at her. Finally, Oz said, “You’re good,” and went off to make the drinks.
            “Make an extra one for me,” Ryan called to Oz. “How in the world did you know that?” Ryan asked Cara.
            “It’s a gift.”
            Johnny-boy came shuffling over. “My last table just left. Mind if I take off since it’s slow?”
            “How’s it going?” Cara asked him.
            “Can’t complain,” Johnny answered.
            Cara waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. He just stood there, rocking back and forth on his feet.
            Ryan checked his watch. “I suppose so. Go watch the fireworks.”
            Johnny went up to an older woman who was sitting on one of the bar stools and kissed her on the cheek. They left the restaurant together arm-in-arm.
            How sweet. That must be his mom.
“Johnny never says much, does he?”
            “One less headache for me.” Oz handed Ryan the drink and he took a sip. “It’s not half bad for an ‘Estro’ drink.”
            “An ‘Estro’ drink?” Cara said.
            “There’s ‘Estro’ drinks and ‘Testo’ drinks—you know, estrogen and testosterone drinks—frou-frou drinks and manly-men drinks,” Oz said.
            “Oh brother. Let me guess, examples of ‘Estro’ drinks would be Sex on the Beach and a Screaming Orgasm, whereas ‘Testo’ drinks would be a Kamikaze or anything involving Jägermeister?”
            “Brains and beauty. You’re killing me here,” Oz said.
            Cara bit her tongue to refrain from calling them both chauvinistic idiots. “I think I’ll go check on my last table.”
            She returned in time to see Ryan ushering a couple into the restaurant. “It’s only 9:59 and we don’t close until 10,” he told them in an overly enthusiastic voice. “You are more than welcome to have dinner.” He pulled Cara aside. “Let the kitchen know there’s one more order and tell Ginny she can leave if she wants. I’ll take care of this.”
            When she poked her head inside the kitchen and said, “Hey guys, one more damn order and then you’re done for the night,” they all groaned and spat out curses. One of the line cooks threw a dish towel at her. “I’m just the messenger!” she shrieked, making a hasty retreat.
            And when she let Ginny know she could take off if she wanted, Ginny practically left skid marks in her wake.
Everyone has a life but me, Cara thought miserably. Here it is, Independence Day and I’m finding independence to be way overrated. Even Oz had plans for the night with friends.
“You’re invited to come along,” he said.
“I think I’ll hang around to see what Ryan’s doing.”
Oz grinned. “Knowing Ryan, I’m sure he has someone lined up for tonight.”
What was Cara thinking? Ryan was a horny man like the rest of them. Of course he would have plans for later. She waited around until the last couple had finished dinner and dessert. When she was sure they were done drinking for the night, Cara slid out without saying goodbye. She went down by the pier in search of fireworks, but the show had been over for a while. Smoke lingered in the salty air. The crowds had thinned. The only people left were obnoxious drunk guys egging each other on to see who could burp the loudest, so Cara made her way back to the restaurant.
She had just reached the side alley to the kitchen when she noticed a man with a bicycle standing at the back door. He looked to be about in his seventies and had a fierce resemblance to Abraham Lincoln. He rapped on the door three times. Cara stepped back into the darkness and waited.
Ryan stuck his head out. “Hi, Edward. How are you this fourth of July?”
“Very good, Sir. How’s business treating you?”
“Could be better, my man. Give me a minute and I’ll wrap some things up for you.”
Cara watched Ryan disappear into the kitchen. When he returned, he handed Edward a plastic bag filled with two large take-out containers.
“We had lots of leftovers tonight.”
“Thank you, Sir. You’re a good man, Mr. Garridy.”
“Let’s keep that between you and me.” Ryan took out his wallet and handed Edward a twenty.
Edward bowed, and then rode off into the night with the bag of food swinging from his handlebars.
So, Mr. Ryan Garridy, you’re a man who tries to pass himself off as an emotionally unavailable, womanizing jerk, yet you take damsels in distress into your life and feed the homeless.
She wasn’t sure what to make of this revelation, but it certainly made her see Ryan in a kinder, softer light.
Cara saw the half-empty bottle of scotch on the counter right away. Ryan was sweeping the kitchen floor with a push broom in one hand, an empty glass in the other.
“Did the kitchen staff leave a mess?” she asked.
He looked up at her with eyes that were tired and bloodshot. “Brady may be a drunken nut, but at least he’s a neat freak.” He leaned the broom against the wall and went to pour himself another drink.
Cara took the bottle away from him. “Speaking of drunk, don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
He leaned in so close to her she could smell the scotch on his breath. “You sound like my mother, Cara.” He grinned. “Do you think I need another mother?”
“No, but I don’t think you need another drink.” She held the bottle behind her back.
“What do you think I need?” His voice was low and seductive.
She inched back slowly until her tailbone hit the counter. “I think you need to stop this self-destructive path you’re on.”
He narrowed his gaze. His eyes had turned a fierce dark green. “That’s not the right answer.” Ryan moved toward her slowly, like a jungle cat about to pounce. His arms trapped her in place. “Try again.”
She gave him a small nudge. “Alcoholics Anonymous?”
Ryan pressed his body against hers. “I don’t like that answer, either,” he whispered, his hot mouth pressed up against her ear. “You have one more chance.”
He was hard against her. Cara’s mouth went dry as other parts of her became wet. “I think…”
He ran his lips down her neck, then his tongue. “Tell me.”
She felt chilly and feverish at the same time. “…you need…” to kiss me just once so I can see if that makes Robbie disappear.
He took her hand and placed it on his crotch. “Can you feel how much I want you right now?”
“Ryan?” a female voice called from the doorway.
Ryan spun around. “Barbara? What are you doing here?”
The woman ventured further inside. She was thin and blonde, with excellent bone structure. “I hated the way we left things…” She caught sight of Cara. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”
Cara placed the bottle of scotch back on the counter where she had found it. “I was just leaving.” She rushed up the stairs to the apartment in the blink of an eye before Ryan was able to get a word out.

Tiffany N. York prefers warmer weather to cold, which is why she pays over four dollars for a gallon of gas in southern CA. You can visit her website at tiffanynyorkauthor.com