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Monday, October 28, 2013

#Review Doctor Who Series 3 #SaveTheDay

Running. Not in the let's go for a run or even let's run from the bad guys who are trying to kill us for a wide variety of reasons and/or turn us into pick-your-creature. Running from...that's the theme of Series 3, of all of them actually. Running.

It's the first word the Doctor uttered in this new series, the very first word we hear out of him in Series 1's Rose. "Run!" And he hasn't stopped since.

The Doctor is running and he's so damn good at it he can't stop. Or doesn't want to. Or both.

Sometimes I think he's running in search of something, but it's so elusive and so evanescent, so fleeting, that the Doctor can't grasp it. But it's not. He thinks he is, thinks he's running in search of something, but he's not. He's always running away.

And it's heartbreaking to watch.

I didn't really mind Martha, she's a decent transition from Rose and all those messy (human) emotions between Rose and the Doctor which were so fantastic to watch grow. But she lacks a quality about her that makes her more than a mere audience tool to see the universe through new and wondrous eyes.

That and she so clearly hopes for more despite not getting it. No idea where the sudden I'm in love/lust with him came from when he was so clearly grieving Rose, but Martha grabbed that single emotion and held tight. Shame. I think she did deserve better, in fact, she did deserve better and should've had more confidence to grab for something more.

All in all, not my favorite season, but the overall arc was great! And those last 3 episodes of the season totally rocked. If you've seen this season, tell me you didn't totally crack up and rewind that part with the Master singing.

Don't get me wrong, but the individual episodes were weak. Though the first episode (Christmas Special: Runaway Bride) introduces Donna Noble and isn't a Martha episode, it's so important to the Doctor. Because running doesn't leave behind those things you're running from. They're always right there, haunting you.

A freaky, terrifying episode, Blink, features in just about everyone's nightmares and Captain Jack returns! Because who doesn't love Jack Harnkess?

Friday, October 25, 2013

Friday Recipe: Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Tis the season! The Halloween season! And who doesn't like cookies?

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Servings: 36
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
4. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

#BookBlast Romancing the Stars by Kacey Hammell




Romancing the Stars
~Fantasies that will make you see stars
Sexy stars abound in this collection of five, naughty stories that take you from red carpet premieres to time off from the screen and the auditioning, filming, and parties in between. Featuring young love rekindled, old lovers reunited, multicultural and interracial red carpet hook ups with the potential for more, and a BDSM couple with unexpected proclivities, there's something to curl everyone's toes and leave fans craving more.


A Sunday Kind of Love by Kacey Hammell
For Sunday Reardon, once an A-list actress, leaving the spotlight, hectic schedules and tabloid gossips behind for the quiet tranquility of her hometown was the best decision she ever made. She’s surrounded by her family, her gardens and has everything she needs. Except the love of her life, a past co-star who offered so many promises years ago, only to break them all.

When she’s nominated for an Academy Award, Sunday’s world shifts into confusion and what-might-have-beens as she comes face to face with the one man who broke her heart…and still sets her body on fire.


Read more about each Romancing the Stars story from these talented authors:


Excerpt © Kacey Hammell, 2013
“God, you feel so amazing in my arms. I wish you could come with me.”
Eyes closed, she nodded. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” Opening her eyes, she gazed at him. “Once the editing is finished, I need to get away from all this. I can’t deal with it any longer. And you know my dad’s having hip surgery. I need to help my mom.”
Shifting his stance, he slid his hands over the globes of her ass, urging her closer. “I know, babe. It’s okay. I won’t be gone long.”
She dug her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. “Nine months seems likes forever. You won’t forget me will you?”
A moan erupted from his throat as he dipped his head and latched his mouth onto hers. She savored him in her arms, revelling in his tongue dancing with hers. Passion, yearning, hunger, it was all there in his kiss.
Flexing his hips, Josh shifted his shaft to fit in the V between her legs. She gasped, her head falling back. Josh kissed his way down her neck, nibbling, biting, and driving the temperature a million times higher. She wanted to succumb to him now, to finally make love to him, but they couldn’t risk being caught.
He hauled her tighter, holding her so close she could barely breathe. But Sunday didn’t care. All she would ever need was this man in her arms. Feeling him against her, his body fevered against hers—nothing else mattered.
Josh lifted his head, his forest green eyes bore into hers. She could drown in his loving and hungry gaze. He knew her better than anyone else. While filming, they’d enjoyed so many secreted-away moments, revealing hopes and dreams and shared childhood stories imparting laughter. He was everything she’d ever need. And she couldn’t wait to tell the world.
But they couldn’t. Not yet.
“I know my leaving, since filming of my next movie is starting sooner, throws a kink in what we’d planned, but I promise, babe, I’ll be back as fast as I can. I’d rather be with you, starting our journey toward what I think will be a great future together. If I had any other choice—”
Understanding about commitments and responsibility, she covered his lips with her hand. “I know. It’s okay. We have time. We do. I’ll be waiting for you.”
He sighed. “I love you more than anything else.” He caressed her face. “I’ve waited so long for you already, it’ll be hell, but I know it will be worth it. Especially when we’re far away from prying eyes.”
She smiled, her heart booming with happiness. “And I love you.”
His cell phone vibrated. He yanked it from his pocket and groaned. “Damn, I have to go. They’re looking for me. Our flight leaves in forty-five.” His lips captured hers.
She poured all the love, hope, and belief of their relationship into the kiss. He had to come back. She couldn’t live without him now.
“I miss you already,” Josh whispered when he stepped back. His gaze travelled over her face as if memorizing every facet. Then he leaned down for his duffel bag. Straightening, he said, “I love you, Sunni.”
Tears in her eyes, she watched him walk toward the door. “I love you.”
He stared at her from across the room. Sunday wanted to rush over, wrap her arms around him and beg him not to go. But she couldn’t do that. She loved how dedicated and honest he was. There was no way she’d ever ask him to break his word.
With a last long, deep breath, he turned the door handle then exited the trailer. Feeling alone already, she sat in the vanity chair and gazed into the mirror. The love of her life had just walked out the door for war-torn Afghanistan. She worried for his safety but knew his people and the movie company would keep him safe while filming. All she could do was hold the love she had for him in her heart, and wait.


Available at:
Amazon US / Canada / UK

Avid Reader. Romance Author. Redhead…
Canadian-born author, Kacey Hammell is definitely a book-a-holic, who began reading romances at a young age and became easily addicted.  These days, as a multi-published erotic romance author, she enjoys adding a lot of heat, sass and emotion to the Contemporary Romances she writes.

A mom of three, Kacey has made certain each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right. She lives her own happily ever after with her perfect hero in Ontario, Canada, and is a true romantic at heart.


Connect with Kacey…

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

#BookBlast for Kelly Gendron's #newrelease Broken Fences



About the Author:
Kelly resides in a quiet suburb somewhere between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY. Her day job? Kelly works in health care representing a group of nursing facilities in the WNY area. She’s been faithfully writing for three years but did write her first book ten years ago. She put it down to raise her son as a single mom and then picked it back up when she and her son finally grew up. That's when she settled into her newly married adult life and started to seriously write again. She's dabbled with Romantic Suspense stories, but recently she's been on an Adult Contemporary Romance kick.
Where to find Kelly:



Kelly will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon gift card to two randomly drawn hosts.

Blurb:
Colden Saint James, Dusty Owens, and a single night of passion had equaled to poor old Mr. McAllister’s broken fence. Add six years, a troublemaking photo, and there’s not a fence in Texas that’s gonna be safe.

It took Dusty Owens two years to land Colden “Saint” James, even if it was for only one night, but the very next day, he was gone. Now, years later, the “Saint” has returned, but he’s no longer the do-gooder rookie cop Dusty remembers.

Dusty Owens always had a way of making every single one of Colden’s man parts go all hard. He’d been so close to falling for the girl before he’d left Odessa. Now, due to a troublemaking photo, Colden must return to his hometown to keep her safe. Trouble is, he’s a different man—not to mention the change. Well, it’s gonna cause all kinds of problems where Dusty Owens and all of his man parts are concerned.

Excerpt:
“No,” he said in a harsh whisper. Barely touching her, his large form hovered over her body.

She couldn’t move or say anything. Immobilized by the fear induced by the man who pinned her to the bed, her panting carried on in the shadowy room.

“No, don’t do this.” He cradled her face gently with large hands. “Don’t be afraid of me. Not like this. You hear me?” The moonlight illuminated his eyes. They glistened with affection. “You be frightened when I kiss you.” His mouth brushed over hers.

Her breath caught in her throat from the brief kiss and from the way he passionately gazed down at her.

“Be afraid of the feeling you get between your legs when I touch you.” The weight of his body lowered on hers, his thick hardness imbedding her flesh. “Fear me when I’m finally deep inside of you.” He pressed closer.

She let out a cry of desire, not from fear. Her hips moved as she tried to rock against him.
A smile touched his strong lips, and his tempting mouth lay suspended over hers. “You fear what we will become when I again make you mine, sweetheart.”

The warmth of his words cascaded her flushed face. The tenderness in his voice and the soft pressure of his palms upon her cheeks added need to her already desirous want.

“And what you should really be afraid of… what you need to fear,” his eyes dropped to her mouth, a rough thumb passed over her quivering lip, “is what you mean to me in here.” Colden tapped his chest as dark eyes lifted back to hers. “Because being trapped in here, Dusty girl…” He pointed to his heart. “Well, that should scare you a lot more than being safe out here with only your arms around me.”

Monday, October 21, 2013

#Review Doctor Who Series 2 #SaveTheDay

So, Series 2 of Doctor Who. I admit, after the heartbreaking ending of Series 1, I needed a couple days to continue on. Am I glad I did. Before I sat down and watched Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, David Tennant was my favorite; he's still the crazy, talkative Doctor I love but now I see so, so much more after watching and emphasizing with the Ninth Doctor. (And if you haven't seen David Tennant in Spies of Warsaw, do so. The Alan Furst book is fantastic and I think the adaption wasn't bad in bringing the book to life as a miniseries.)

Yes, the regeneration is a tad jarring, but overall Mr. Tennant embodies a slightly lighter but just as damaged Doctor. With crazy hair (and new teeth). The relationship between Rose and the Doctor evolves to a heartbreaking conclusion. Thanks, guys, for ripping my heart out twice in 2 seasons! Sheesh.

But the overall arcs are excellent as always, the supporting cast adds an emotional layer that make this more than a science fiction show where things blow up and aliens run amok. Which is actually what I love most about Doctor Who--the fact that the day can be saved without a Rock/Bruce Willis-type swooping in to save the day with the obligatory 5 explosions per minute.

Though something usually does go boom.

In the end, it's the characters that make this work. Characters and a deeply entrenched need to do better, be better, and heal the wounds of war and loneliness. Most especially loneliness, a theme we see revisited over and over, not just in Classic Who companions (School Reunion with Sarah Jane Smith) but in both Rose and the Doctor--together and separately.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday Recipe: Deviled Chicken Lollipops

Deviled Chicken Lollipops. Not as easy as I usually post, but it's definitely something tasty to eat during the (now) cool autumn days. For some reason I see these as a Sunday afternoon treat. No idea why!

Prep Time: 20 min
Inactive Prep Time: --
Cook Time: 25 min
Level: Intermediate
Serves: 4 to 6 hors d'oeuvres servings

Ingredients:

12 chicken drumettes, skin on
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
3 slices sandwich sourdough bread, crusts trimmed, torn into pieces
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 scallions, green and white part, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup honey mustard
Hot sauce, optional

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F or a convection oven to 425 degrees F.

Stand a drumette on its wide end and, holding the narrow bone at the top, use a paring knife to push and scrape the skin and meat downward to expose the bone and make a plump "lollipop" of chicken at the bottom. Repeat with the remaining drumettes. Season generously with salt and pepper and set aside.

Pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse bread crumbs, (about 12 times). Add the garlic, parsley, scallions, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, to taste, and continue to pulse until finely chopped but not a paste. Transfer the mixture to a shallow bowl and toss with melted butter.

Brush each drumette with some honey mustard. Then press and roll each one in the bread crumbs to coat. Arrange the drumettes (standing up if you can) on a rack set over a baking sheet. Roast until chicken is cooked and the bread crumbs are golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve drumettes hot or at room temperature with hot sauce, if desired.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Wednesday Edwardian: Parliament Act 1911

Why on earth is a Parliament Act of  1911 interesting to a romance writer? Because it's the basis for my Edwardian series. There's a lot of background to it; wasn't like suddenly in 1911 everyone decided that the House of Lords needed to reduce their power!

Suffice to say, there were 2 factions: Those who thought it a good idea to reduce their power and allow the elected House of Commons more say in the government and those who thought this a terrible idea.

Now I don't know for certain that people killed to secure their power, but not only is it totally plausible, but it makes for great fiction!

History of The House of Lords and a slightly longer Wiki article:

This clash came in 1909. The Lords refused to pass the budget prepared by David Lloyd George, Liberal Chancellor of the Exchequer. This so-called ‘People’s Budget’ had been touted as a mainstay of what was to become the Welfare State. There were many in the Liberal Party – who had won an overwhelming victory in the 1906 General Election – who saw the Lords as peers who simply abused their power and privilege. Over the next two years a campaign was started to reduce the power of the Lords. This culminated with the 1911 Parliament Act. The Lords still had the right to scrutinise bills passed by the Commons but they could no longer kill off a bill. The Lords could only reject a bill three times within one year. After this it became law