Just Imagine

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Welcome to my blog! Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and read what's on my mind. I've a vicious sense of humor, an apprecation for romance and a mad addiction to writing.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Time-Travel Fantasy Romance. Trial of a Warrior by Mary Morgan.



Today it’s my pleasure to feature Trial of a Warrior, Legends of the Fenian Warriors, Book Three by Mary Morgan.  Enjoy the festivities as Mary whisks you away to 13th century Scotland for a Midwinter’s feast and shares a scrumptious holiday recipe!

Genre: Time-Travel Fantasy Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Date of Publication: December 12, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-5092-2359-6
ASIN: B07JGMH8XS

Number of pages: 386
Word Count: 92628

Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor

Will the burning embers of their past love spark a reunion or destroy a future?

Book Description

"You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!”

A warrior sentenced to die.

On trial for breaking a supreme Fae law, Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor has no regrets. He is prepared to accept his sentence—even if it means his death. However, freedom comes in an unexpected manner, and brings with it certain dangers as he travels through the Veil of Ages.

A princess honor-bound to remain hidden.

Princess Abela might be a priestess and the daughter of royalty, but that doesn’t prevent her from doing the unimaginable. She sacrifices duty and honor to set free the man who captured her heart so many years ago. No matter the severity of his crimes, she cannot let Liam die.

A rescue that will bring about a war and divide a kingdom!  

In their quest to secure a treaty to forestall Liam’s death sentence, they must fight their desires for one another, as well as the Fenian Warriors sent to capture them.

Amazon  

Let’s hear from Mary…

Come journey with me as I whisk you away to 13th century Scotland for a Midwinter’s feast. We shall arrive at Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness. This is the home of the Clan MacKay—the Dragon Knights. Their bloodline is steeped in ancient Celtic mythology. Though they respect the new religion that has swept across their land, the Dragon Knights continue to honor the old ways. Midwinter is a celebration of light and warmth here within the walls. The doors have been left open for all to enter in peace. Once you step inside, you are drawn to the holly boughs with ivy, bay, crimson-berried yew and fragrant bunches of rosemary.

The torches cast a welcoming light as you proceed onward. As we enter the Great Hall, you are met with boisterous laughter and gaiety. A bard is recanting the tale between the aging Holly King (representing the darkness of the old year), and the young Oak King (symbolizing the light of the New Year). Some of the older lasses have chosen to weave a sprig of holly onto their gowns and they nod at you in passing.

Candles illuminate the hall in a soft glow as you make your way toward the feasting tables. The Dragon Knights and their wives are seated at a longer table near the hearth. Ale and mead are flowing, along with the tempting dishes you survey as you take your place. You are tempted by the trencher of wild boar stuffed with onions and cabbages to your right. Or maybe you would prefer the spiced apples and damson tarts.

Afterwards, the minstrels begin to play a lively tune and a few of the couples grasped hands to join in the merriment.


Modern-day Version of the Recipe for Damson Tarts

PLUM TARTS aka…DAMSON TARTS***

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup finely chopped almonds

3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cut into small pieces

1 egg yolk

2 pounds firm, ripe plums, pitted and quartered lengthwise

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Combine the flour, almonds, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and the egg yolk. Mix by hand or with an electric mixer, until crumbly.

Press 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture in an even layer into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch springform or tart pan. Arrange the plums in the pan, skin side down to form a flower pattern; begin at the outside and work your way in.

Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture evenly over the plums. Bake the tart for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it’s lightly browned and the plum juices are bubbling. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and transfer tart to flat plate.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

***Damson: A small fruit with vibrant, dark blue skin and a strong sour flavor. Damsons are similar to plums. They have a large stone (pit) and are often juicy, but tend not to be eaten raw due to the tartness of their flesh.


A tremor of longing to be kissed filled Abela. She should flee this instant, but her feet refused to listen to her mind.

Liam reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. His finger trailed down the side of her neck, and she shuddered. “You have not answered me.”

“Yes,” she replied rapidly.

The smile in his eyes contained a sensuous flame, and she was drawn to him. A soft breeze billowed around them. She ached to press her mouth against his. Just one kiss.

As if reading her thoughts, Liam cupped her chin and stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. “Your mouth begs to be kissed, princess.”

She swallowed and did the unthinkable. “Then kiss me, Liam MacGregor.”

His groan echoed around them as he took possession of her mouth. The kiss sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl of delicious sensations. Abela’s body yearned to touch him, so she wrapped her arms around his neck. The contact of his skin against her chest ignited a burning desire for more.

Liam grasped her firmly around the waist with one arm and deepened the kiss. When his silken tongue sought entry, she opened fully to the seduction, tasting wine, apples, and his own scent. His moan resonated deep within her, and she found her body responding to a rhythm as old as the land they lived upon.

Never did Abela imagine the power behind a kiss—seductive, enchanting, shattering, and she craved more.


About the Author


 Award-winning Celtic paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling--writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.













Mega Giveaway!






Friday, December 14, 2018

Seduced Under the Mistletoe Anthology. #HolidayRomance



Love romance at the holidays? If so, be sure to check out Seduced Under the Mistletoe: 15 Passionate Historical Romances Christmas Anthology Boxed Set. It’s absolutely fabulous reading and only available for a limited time so treat yourself while you can and enjoy a wonderful holiday season full of unforgettable Yuletide stories!

What happens when powerful warriors and masterful lords meet fearless heroines?
Scandalous pleasures!

Fifteen all-new historical romances, brimming with sizzling passion and the promise of true love — told within sumptuous Christmas settings.

From the snowbound Highlands to candlelit ballrooms, this scorchingly hot collection contains wicked delights and wild fantasies, forbidden love and fierce abandon, submission, spanking and sensual surrender.

Buy Seduced Under the Mistletoe and lose yourself in 1000+ pages of passionate holiday romance!

This limited edition boxed set will be available for just three months, so don’t miss out. You'll be longing for more than twelve nights of Christmas.

Flash Sale!! Only .99 Cents for a few short days so scoop up your copy now!!


Unwrap these fifteen gorgeous historical romance novellas:

Peril with a Prince – by Emily Murdoch
Duke of Christmas – by Ellie St. Clair
The Night Before Scandal – by Scarlett Scott
Master of the Moor – by Emmanuelle de Maupassant
Wicked Deeds on a Winter Night – by Stacy Reid
My Lady of Misrule – by Amy Rose Bennett
Mistletoe Mistress – by Nicola Davidson
A Christmas Masquerade – by Vanessa Brooks
Bastian’s Surrender – by Carole Mortimer
The Marriage Game – by Gracie Malling
Her Mistletoe Promise – by Jaye Peaches
Trusting Her Highland Laird – by Brandy Golden
Yuletide Yielding – by Ashe Barker
A Bluestocking for Christmas – by Viola Morne
A Wicked Christmas Wish – by Em Brown


Monday, December 10, 2018

Highlanders for the Holidays! Time Travel Romance.



Happy Holidays! To celebrate the season, I’m offering the first three stories in my 20 book MacLomain series absolutely FREE now through Friday, December 14th, 2018. So if you love sweeping time travel romance and sexy Scottish Highlanders be sure to scoop up your copy at no cost!

Purchase at Amazon




HIGHLAND DEFIANCE- Mildred, a young woman living in New England during the onset of World War II, worries about her family. What is to come? Little does she anticipate change is to come not from war, but from an unexpected trip back in time to medieval Scotland. 

Laird Adlin MacLomain will never forget the moment he lays eyes on her. Mildred redefines the man he thought he was. Her quick wit and perseverance humble his natural arrogance. Her sensuality cripples his defenses. The maddened determination of a rival chieftain threatens their very existence. Caught together in time, they must find a way to evade the mighty MacLeods and keep peace in the Highlands.



HIGHLAND PERSUASION- Iosbail MacLomain will do whatever it takes to bring Laird Alexander Sinclair to his knees. Even if it means she has to travel through time to eleventh century Scotland and manipulate a king into marrying her off to the enemy. What she doesn't anticipate is a bitter rivalry between King Edgar and Alexander Sinclair. It seems the man she just married is by birthright a threat to the throne. Their lives on the line, Alexander and Iosbail are forced to flee across the country. Fraught with risk, adventure and wild, unexpected desire they struggle against overwhelming odds.



HIGHLAND MYSTIC- Alan Stewart loves the lasses. Beautiful all, he's never been one to settle. Until, that is, Caitriona appears. Shy yet alluring, her unexpected and rare gift gains his respect. But Caitriona is not who she seems. Her fate was foreseen long before birth and so important it will impact all future MacLomains. When dreams of Alan begin, she knows the time has come. But how to convince a Highland laird from another century that he must die for her? Especially when it soon becomes apparent that she couldn't bear his death. When their paths cross with Stephen and Arianna of the Broun clan, a powerful prophecy begins to unravel.

Purchase at Amazon


Monday, December 3, 2018

Tis the Season for Magic! Enchanting Yuletide: A Multi-Author Anthology.



Today it's my pleasure to feature Enchanting Yuletide: A Multi-Author Anthology as well as share a poem and recipe from a couple of its authors. So enjoy and Happy Holidays! 

Authors: Jena Baxter, Raven Williams, Ellie Lieberman, Barb Lieberman, Guy Donovan, CK Brewer

Genre: Holiday / Fantasy

Publisher: Pipe and Thimble

Date of Publication: November 15th, 2017

ASIN: B076LLT6JD

Number of pages: 184

Cover Artist: Raven Williams


Book Description

Six stories of the holiday season, guaranteed to put you in a festive mood. So, grab your hot chocolate and snuggle up to experience the season as you've never done before. After all, tis the Season for Magic!




Meet the Authors

Author Raven Williams shares a Holiday Poem


It’s Christmas

It’s Christmas.
A time of family and joy,
Delights for every girl and boy.

It’s Christmas.
A time to gather around the tree.
The children’s voices filled with glee.

It’s Christmas.
Santa’s come, leaving presents galore.
Wrapping paper strewn across the floor.

It’s Christmas.
The long Solstice night has come to pass.
The morning sun shines brightly through the glass.

It’s Christmas.
A time to spread love and good cheer.
Let’s continue to do so throughout the New Year.

©2018 Raven M Williams


About Raven Williams

A prolific writer, Raven began her career in 2010 with a blog and non-fiction, then moving to fiction in 2014, when she began Elven-Jumper, the first book in the Realm.

Jumper Chronicles. She now has 30 books to her name, spanning the Realm Jumper Chronicles, Raven’s Twisted Classics, and the Demon Stones Saga, as well as her non-fiction, with more planned.

When Raven is not writing, she is creating art in the form of abstract paintings, fractal designs, and jewelry pieces that tie into her stories. She is also a caregiver for a disabled family member and two cats. She physically resides in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, but spends most of her time mentally in her Mystic Realms.

Will you join her?

Sign-up for Raven’s Newsletter here: https://mysticrealmscurioshop.com/newsletter-sign-up


Raven’s Mystic Realms FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/mysticrealmscurioshop/







Author Jena Baxter shares a Holiday Recipe



I love special soaps and toiletries and sugar scrubs are on the top of my list. There are all kinds. Some require special attention, and others are downright easy. I don’t recommend the traditional oil and sugar, unless you want to slip and slide, then spend the day cleaning your tub. I think this one is much better, and the ingredients are easy to find. They make great gifts too.


Homemade Glycerin Soap Sugar Scrub Cubes


Once you have all your ingredients together prepare to work fast.


The first thing you need is a glycerin melt and pour soap base. Most craft stores carry it. Michael’s now carries some great detergent-free bases


You’ll also need a skin friendly oil. Fractionated coconut oil is a great choice and can be found in your supermarket. Sweet almond oil, avocado or olive oil will work well too. Macadamia is wonderful, but not as easy to find.


A SKIN SAFE scent and colorant if you want them. They will be available in the area you find the glycerin soap. Read the label, they MUST be skin safe. Don’t use candle colorant. Choose a nice fragrance for the season. Peppermint, pumpkin, cookies, or gingerbread.


Sugar – Sugar can have large or small grains. For this recipe, I use regular white granulated sugar. For a face soap, I would probably use brown sugar. For a foot soap, I’d use demerara sugar, because the granules are larger.


You will also need a mold. No need to run out and buy one for this recipe however. You can use a silicon mold or ice tray, or a sanitized milk carton cut to size; the box quarts are pretty perfect. Line it with saran wrap. You want the mold to give, so you can push the scrub out once it’s set. If you use the milk carton, you can carefully rip the paper off.


To Make Your Sugar Scrub


½ Cup Oil


Cup Melt and Pour base


Cups plus Sugar


Use drops or a half teaspoon to get the fragrance you want. Be cautious not to use more than necessary because even skin safe fragrance can be harsh on your skin. 1 teaspoon per pound of soap base is the limit.


Instructions:

Have your mold ready before you start and remember to work fast.


Melt your soap base on very low heat. A double boiler is good, or you can microwave it in 30 second pulses. I use 30 seconds to start and stir. If I need more time, I do 15 second pulses. You don’t want it to get too hot, because soap can burn.


When the base is completely melted, pour into a large bowl, add your oil. Mix well.


Add your colorant one drop at a time until you get the shade you want but use as little as possible; too much colorant can stain washcloths. Mix well


Add up to a half teaspoon of fragrance. Mix well.


Add your sugar and mix fast; You don’t want it to harden on you.  You want to pour it as soon as possible. When it’s incorporated pour it into your mold. If it’s too thick, spoon it in and press it down.


Once the soap is set. (I’d give it at least a couple of hours. I leave mine overnight). Carefully remove it from the mold, placing it onto a plate, or anything oil can’t seep through, because there is always some oil that seeps out of the soap. Work gently because the scrub will be crumbly.


Carefully cut it into 1-1 ½ inch squares. If there is a lot of leftover oil, I cover and leave
it, so it can soak some of that up. There will usually be seeping oil.


Your sugar scrub soap is finished and ready to package. You can use cellophane wraps or jars, label it, and add trinkets or bows to the top. Be creative. Just remember to use something the oil can’t seep through. I also place a note on the label telling people to be careful in the shower or tub, because oils can make it slippery.


Instructions: Break off a piece from the cube. Scrub an area until the sugar is gone. Rinse well, and pat dry. It usually takes one or two cubes per shower.


Have fun with it. Once you’ve tried these, I think you’ll be addicted.


WARNING: If someone is allergic to a food product, (Like nuts, avocados, etc.) they will be allergic to the oils produced by that item as well.




About Jena Baxter



A prolific writer, Jena Baxter creates characters with depth and stories filled with action, emotion, and a little bit of romance. She loves building fantastical worlds and cultures.


Living in Northern California with her husband, Jena enjoys soapmaking, her pets, and writer's conferences. She also reads for a screenwriting contest on an annual basis.