Sunday, September 10, 2017

The Soul of California - Cooking for the Holidays

Ruth de Jauregui

Smoked turkey, California-style black eyed peas, my own sweet potato pie and more fill the pages of this small cookbook.

The melting pot of California influenced my cooking style, combining West Coast, Mexican, Asian and Southern Soul into a unique combination of holiday recipes. Mix and match melt-in-your-mouth ribs, macaroni and cheese, greens with bacon and more to create your own holiday cuisine!


From Amazon: "excellent, very good description of the book. good facts and tips. I am sure your family loved to eat at your house. fast delivery"

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-California-Cooking-Holidays-Cookbooks-ebook/dp/B00AY1JGXM/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/272176

#TheSoulOfCalifornia-cookbook

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Cover Reveal ~ The Du Lac Princess #Arthurian #Histfic #ourAuthorGang

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I can finally reveal the cover of The Du Lac Princess (Book 3 of The Du Lac Chronicles). The Du Lac Princess has been an absolute joy to write, and I can not wait to share the next instalment to my award winning series, The Du Lac Chronicles, with you! 


Briton 500 AD

The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant.
Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.


Book Extract:

“Soon I will be entertaining some very important guests. I am celebrating my victory over Budic and his broth—”

“I need to know this because…?” Amandine queried, interrupting him. “Do you expect me to take part in the celebrations? Do you want me to dance on Merton’s grave? Will that satisfy the masses?”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Philippe scoffed. “You are not invited. It is your skill I desire. You were married to Garren. You know how such celebrations are organised.”

“You want me to plan it? Go to Hell.”

“I saved your life,” Philippe reminded her again.

“No you didn’t,” Amandine disagreed. “Don’t you understand? I died the same day he did.”

“I know that you are an exceptional seamstress, and you can make even the mundane look beautiful,” he continued as if he had not heard her.

“You are out of your depth, aren’t you?” Amandine realised, and a smile pulled at her lips. “You don’t know how to be a king, do you? You don’t know how to act, or how to entertain such influential people. You have no idea about the proper etiquette.”

Philippe raised his head and looked calmly into her face. “If you don’t help me then I am sure the Church would love to take you back under their wing,” he threatened.

But the threat did nothing to dampen Amandine’s amusement. “There are others you should ask. I am not the only one who knows how such things are organised and besides, no one would listen to me. You forget…I am damned,” she continued to giggle at the irony.

“I wasn’t expecting you to leave this room.”

“I see,” Amandine scoffed.

Philippe surprised her by kneeling down on the floor in front of her. Everyone knew that Philippe had a thing about cleanliness. He was obsessed with it. Kneeling on the floor was surely a no no, up there with petting the castle’s dogs. He must be truly desperate, Amandine thought but did not say.

Philippe’s hand reached for hers and then he paused, thought better of it, and his hand dropped away. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but Merton was a cruel, evil man and with time, you will come to see that. I saved you from him. I saved you from the consequences of loving him. I need your help. I have invited many dignitaries. I have to impress. Please, show me how and I swear,” he placed his hand on his chest, where his heart rested, “I will protect you forever.”

“Protect me?” Amandine laughed, although there was little humour in it. She watched as Philippe rose back to his feet. “I am a du Lac. You and I, we will always be enemies.”

Copyright © 2017 Mary Anne Yarde


Coming soon to an Amazon Store near you…

Catch up with the Award Winning series for Free with Kindle Unlimited Subscription.







Mary Anne Yarde is an award winning author of the International Best Selling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Briton and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, the Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Happy Birthday To Me! #OurAuthorGang

It's My Birthday


I'm not a fan of huge birthday parties and getting presents make me kind of uncomfortable.
When my friends ask me what I would like for my birthday, holidays, or other occasions, I tell them to buy one of my books for themselves, or if they read my books already, for their friends and family members.
Having my books read and enjoyed by children and adults is the best present for me.

I'm not too lucky with birthday cakes.

My 6th birthday was memorable. Mom baked a beautiful cake and dad carried it to the table. Well, he tried... The fancy paper under the cake slipped on the tray and the cake flew across the room as he scrambled to catch it. Mom saved some of the cake but I never got to blow out the candles because there was a very icy atmosphere in the house for days. 

One year when my coworkers surprised me with a cake but put a candle on it that shoots out flame and sparkles. I lost an eyebrow, lashes, and half my bangs because I didn't know I wasn't supposed to blow it out.

Another time I did CPR on a patient with chocolate icing on my face and scrubs because an overzealous coworker pushed my face into the cake. Of course, the code was called 2 seconds later and I had no time to clean up.

I just hope this year I'm not getting a cake from these guys LOL




Oh, yes, this post is going to be a shameless promo as it's expected from a writer. It's my Birthday after all, so I'm allowed to brag a little about my books. Right?

Let me brag about a few of my books that I'm very proud of: 

The Ancestors' Secrets Series: romantic fantasy, magical realism, historical fiction
Amazon eBook:
Amazon print:
B&N:
Universal link:
Amazon eBook:
Amazon print:
B&N:
Universal link:
Romance novella
Amazon:
B&N:
Universal link:
Bilingual children's book for ages 4-12
Amazon print:
Universal link:
Children's book for ages 4-12
Amazon eBook:
Amazon print:
B&N:
Universal link:
Children's book for ages 4-12
Amazon eBook:
Amazon print:
B&N:
Universal link:


If you'd like to see all my published books, click on this link:


Thank you for your interest and support!

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

The End of the Growing Season...Almost #OurAuthorGang

                                 
I've been a floral designer for over thirty years. As far back as I can remember, I loved picking sweet peas and dandelions that graced my beautiful mudpies. Little did I know when I was six years old that I would spend half of my life in the floral design/sales profession.

One of the wonderful things about working with flowers was that the flowers changed as the seasons changed.

Winter holidays such as Christmas and Valentine's Day brought out the reds and whites visible not only in flowers but plants as well.

                                      
March brought many small pots of Shamrocks and green carnations, while April was filled with spring flowers, bulb gardens, and Easter Lilies.


Summer filled with hanging baskets, outdoor planters, graduation and Memorial Day arrangements.

                                    
Now, we are at my favorite time of year, pre-autumn. It's a time when the normal growing season winds down and beautiful pots of mums take the place of the petunias and marigolds that have given color all summer. Sugar maples turn ablaze and acorns drop.


Jillian Stevens Halloran Dempsey owned Special Occasions, a flower shop in Acorn Hills. She sells her shop to her older son and begins living life her way in the 7th and final book of my Acorn Hills Series.  Here's a little snippet as she recounts her life...


       "Life isn’t about making money. It isn’t about social status. It’s about being kind and making a difference in the lives of those around you. It’s about doing good things, not expecting anything in return, and being all the better for it.
Thank God for Mom and Dad teaching me these important life rules. At the time I didn’t appreciate it, but as I wandered the path of my life, their words became my mantra.
I look back in time and shake my head. It’s a wonder I survived living in our haze-filled home. I went through most of my life in this weed fragranced stupor. It amazes me that I graduated high school with honors and continued on to college! Mind you, I never had to take a toke, I was high from the residual smoke that filled the house!
Marijuana was a normal diet at my house. My parents, God love them, considered the leafy green plants part of the basic food group. They were open about using around my brother and I, offered it to us if we wanted to try it, and in some instances supplied a couple well known Acorn Hills businessmen, as well as a few housewives.
Honestly, I wouldn’t change my life for anything. I learned good morals and values from two of the best people in the world. My parents, Bob and Sylvia Stevens, were both highly respected psychologists in the community.
After my brother, Christian, was born, Mom and Dad decided they needed to spend more time with us kids.
       As you well know in the 70’s women were just beginning to find their voice. My mother certainly found hers. There were very few female psychologists in the field of crisis counseling. Eventually she sacrificed her professional office to be a stay at home mom.
Dad decided to try something new and work from home. He talked Mom into joining him. They had the best of both worlds…they were home, could parent us kids during our teenage years, and still work to put food on the table.
We were a normal, middle-class family…you know pets, house, fence, and kids involved in any and everything possible. Mom and Dad had weekly card club at our house, Chris did his thing in the garage with cars or his makeshift band. I…well, I spent my last four years of school in the journalism department at Acorn Hills High."

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Writing Contest

Here is the challenge for Authors, Poets,
and Aspiring writers!


Read the details about this writing contest on this link:
http://www.goldenboxbooks.com/tell-your-story.html


This is a great promo opportunity for authors, poets, and aspiring authors to be promoted on our blog.

We will publish an anthology eBook next year with the best stories inspired by the pictures and promote the authors with author photos, bios, and links.


For people who love to write but haven't been published yet, it is a great opportunity to test the waters and get feedback on your writing. Plus, you can brag to your friends about having your story published on our website and in an anthology.

Advertise with us