Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Incest, Murder and a Miracle - Cheryl and Robert Currio with Morgan St. James, Authors



Herb Butter Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs

Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
30 mins

Easy, healthy, garlic herb butter salmon and asparagus foil packs are a quick and tasty 30 minute meal for summer nights, camping, and cookouts. The flaky salmon and tender asparagus will melt in your mouth!
Serves: 4

Ingredients
·        4 boneless skinless salmon fillets
·        salt and pepper to taste
·        1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
·        1 lemon, thinly sliced, (plus additional wedges for garnish)
·        ½ cup butter, at room temperature
·        3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
·        3 teaspoons minced garlic
·        fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish
·         
Season salmon generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Arrange one salmon fillet and ¼ of the asparagus in the center of one 12x12 inch piece of foil. Repeat with remaining salmon and asparagus on 3 other pieces of foil. Slide lemon slices under the salmon and asparagus.
In a small bowl mix butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Drop large dollops of the herb butter on top of the salmon and asparagus.

Fold the foil tightly around the salmon and asparagus, being sure to seal the ends together tightly so the juices and butter doesn't run out while cooking. Grill over medium high heat for 6-8 minutes on each side, OR bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until asparagus is tender and salmon is flaky.

Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the top and serve immediately

Incest, Murder and a Miracle - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

I always tried to be the "peacemaker" because I didn't want anyone to be mad or upset, especially at me.  My father had conditioned my obedience well by using abuse and degradation.  Maybe that's why I never told anyone what was going on and meekly submitted  to his quirks and demands.  In a small way I'm still like that, but now with everything I've gone through with Rob being sick, then dying, I speak up.  Life made me tough.  When you go through what I did, you have some choices.  Remain the meek, battered person or get stronger.  I got stronger and will never allow myself to be a victim again.  You have to stand up for your rights.  If I hadn't, Rob would not be with us today.

These are the words of Cheryl.  At the age of eighteen Cheryl was sentenced to jail for her part in arranging the murder of her sexually abusive father in an attempt to keep him from abusing her younger sister.  After her jail time she married her longtime best friend and the love of her life Rob Cuccio.  Even with her PTSD caused by the tramas of her childhood, life was finally becoming something that was livable, until Rob's heart attack hit.  He was pronounced dead which simply wasn't acceptable for Cheryl.  She begged the doctor not to give him and was finally told they would try for just 10 more minutes.  After over 43 minutes his heart refusing to beat and no oxygen to his brain, a miracle happened and Rob came back to life, starting another phase in the lives of two people who had already lived through hell once.

As I read this book I had to keep reminding myself that these events actually took place.  The sexual abuse by the father, which happens so often but seems to be pushed away.  The reporters who treated Cheryl as if it was all her fault and built the father up as a wonderful, loving person, which also happens to so many children that have been molested by family members.  The nightmares and PTSD that Cheryl went through and still does.

Then there was Rob who was laughed at by his doctor when he went in for severe chest pain.  He was basically told it was all in his head and caused from his smoking.  After several visits to the doctor with the same problems he was brushed off and not given the proper tests to determine that he really was a walking dead man.  This came to a head when he went to the hospital in cardiac arrest with one artery 90% blocked and another 100% blocked.  This is also when he actually died for over 40 minutes.  Then came the malpractice suit against the doctor who refused to believe he had a problem.

I read page after page and can tell you that I believe every word to be the truth.  I've actually known young girls who have gone through what Cheryl went through, not with their father but brothers, cousins and their friends.  They were afraid to tell anyone because of the threats that were made to them.  Like Cheryl, these were kids who actually feared for their lives and the lives of those they loved.  As for Rob, his death is a documented event.  There have been others before and after him to actually die just to be brought back but very few who were dead for so long.  His physical and mental abilities were severed to a degree but today, five years later, he is recovered without any significant physical damage or brain damage remaining.  He does what he can to keep going with his new gift of life and was named Nurse of the Year-New York in 2015.  As for his 'doctor,' you'll have to read the book to know how that turned out.

This book is well worth reading for anyone of just about any age.  As Cheryl says about their lives being made public through this book  'even if I help just one person, it will be worth it.'  I agree with her.

Friday, July 7, 2017

Freedom's Light - Robert J. Saniscalchi, Author



Gloria's Chicken Mix

Ingredients:

1) 4-Fuji Apples peeled and sliced
2) 1- medium red onion sliced 
3) 3- Red Potatoes peeled and sliced
4) 2- Chicken Breasts
5) chopped garlic to taste
6) Seasoning to taste

Cooking:

A) Pour some olive oil into large frying pan with medium heat.
B) Add Ingredients and after ten minutes put cover on and low heat.
C) Stir and Turn over chicken.  Continue cooking until potatoes are soft.
D) Slice up cooked chicken breast and mix everything into a large bowl.
E) Season to taste  

    Enjoy with a nice glass of your favorite wine.

Freedom;'s Light - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

Rob was interrupted from his peaceful sleep by the ringing and vibrating of his phone.  He reached over Ashley to grab it, and what he heard coming from the other end of the line froze him, words that took some time to sink in:  "Eagle's Claw," the recording repeated over and over.  Rob put the phone down.  "Damn it!  Ashley, honey, you need to get up, sweetie," he said gently nudging her.  Ashley was slow to wake but realized something was dreadfully wrong, as soon as her sleepy eyes landed on his distressed face. "Rob, what is it?"  "Something bad has happened," Rob replied, frantically searching for the TV remove.  "I need to see the news.  There's been...some kind of major terrorist event," he said. 

What had happened was one of the worse attacks the U.S. had ever seen.  Two planes had just flown into the World Trade Center.

Rob is a member of an elite team called Light Force.  They were being sent on a mission to investigate and report back the activity that was taking place at a terrorist base in Afghanistan.  Washington believed it to be a missile with the intent to make another attack on the U.S.  What Rob and his team find is far more dangerous than a missile and they find themselves without radio contact in which to order an air attack.  Their only option is to destroy it themselves.

I'm not a fan of books regarding war but I did watch on television as the towers came crashing to the ground and the thousands of innocent people crashed with them.  After reading the first few pages of this book I found myself wanting to read more.  What takes place within the pages are fiction, I assume since I've never seen news of these events, but the possibilities of this having taken place are quite possible.  It brought home to me the true acknowledgement of those brave men and women who protect us every day at the risk of their own lives.  I recommend this book to be read by everyone in the hopes that the next time you see one of these brave men and women, you'll take a minute to stop and just say "Thank You!"

This is one of those books that I would love to see made into a movie.  You can bet I would go to the movies to see it!

Monday, July 3, 2017

Ghost Hunting Diary Volume VI - T. M. Simmons, Author



Ghost Hunting Diary Volume VI Recipe

Aunt Belle and I stopped at a little café beneath a river bridge one day. We ordered the catfish basket and it came with really delicious cole slaw. The slaw dressing had sweet relish in it, the first time we had ever tasted anything like this. Since then, we always add sweet relish to our slaw dressing.

Easy Cole Slaw

I package cole slaw mix from deli
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sweet relish

Add salt and pepper to sugar, stir to blend
Blend salt/pepper/sugar mixture into mayonnaise
Stir in sweet relish

Pour over cabbage slaw mix and chill for an hour or so

Ghost Hunting Diary Volume VI - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

Nearly every call I get pleading for help from a person distressed over a haunting begins with them insisting they have a demon in their home.  In thirty years of investigating the paranormal, I've only encountered what I believe were three actual demons.  Unfortunately for me, one of those infiltrated my own home and tried to abolish what I hold dear.  Have no doubt - demons are real, and they're the nastiest, most malicious entities on the face of the earth.  They have no conscious, and while they do know right from wrong, wrong and destruction of your life (both physically and emotionally) are what they wish on their human prey.  They have patience far beyond anything within our human ability and begin their destructive infiltration slowly, in a barely perceptive manner.  If not exposed early on and banished, they will weak havoc on your entire life.

I believe I've read everything written by Author T. M. Simmons and am never disappointed.  In Book VI we go through crossing overs, of those that didn't take advantage of the crossing when they died.  You'll learn about one of her favorite cemeteries 'Cottonwood Cemetery' as well as an old nursing home 'Calvert' where many have died and many are still hanging around.  But for the first time since I've been reading this Author's work, I've never heard her write about demons and after reading her experience with one that invaded her home, I'm glad to hear that they are seldom encountered.

You may not believe in ghosts, spirits, demons, nor other super-natural beings but I can assure you that if that is the case, after reading this book you'll at least start questioning your belief.  I personally feel that I've run into maybe 2 spirits in my life.  One was standing on the side of the road in front of a cemetery.  It was raining and when lightning flashed I saw him with a child standing there in the pouring rain.  After the flash, it was gone.  No there was no place for them to hide.  The area was open and even if they ran they wouldn't have been able to hide.  This little experience was what made me want to learn more about spirits.  Yes I said learn about the, not see any more of them.  The more I read and learn the more I want to stay 'unseeing.'

So, if you are in the least bit curious, this book, along with the whole series of Ghost Hunting Diary, are a must read.  I've surely enjoyed them.  This author also writes some really good mysteries involving some of her ghosts.  Check out Silent Prey and Northwood Prey for some enjoyable reading.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Trudy, Madly, Deeply - Wendy Delaney, Author


Sylvia's Funeral Tuna Casserole

1 lb egg noodles, cooked, drained shopping list
4 cans albacore tuna fish, drained shopping list
4 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup undiluted, low sodium if possible shopping list
1/2 soup can of heavy cream shopping list
1 cup frozen green peas, thawedshopping list
1-2 tsp celery seed or to taste shopping list
salt and pepper to taste
1 small bag of potato chips crushed

Combine everything with the cooked noodles except the potato chips.
Mix with a fork to separate the tuna into edible chunks
Place mixture in a large casserole dish
Cover with crushed potato chips
Bake in a 350F oven about 30 minutes
Sprinkle top with a bit of paprika if desired
Serve hot, chips will soften when cold.
Simple mix into casserole when reheating.


Trudy, Madly, Deeply - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and a Dish

Gloria's unpainted lips pulled back into a lopsided grin. "Weren't you the one who sold me a cinnamon roll last Thursday?"

"That would be me."

"Interesting career path."


Tell me about it.'  I just prayed that path wouldn't lead to me wearing my breakfast on my shoes before the day was over.

She grabbed a form from behind the counter and slid it toward me.  "Fill this out."

Fifteen minutes later, Gloria handed me a laminated badge with the county seal that looked about as official as my library card.

"That's it?"

"That's it, hon.  She patted me on the hand.  "Try not to lose it or do anything to get the county sued."

Charmaine 'Char' Digby had just been sworn in a a deputy coroner.  Her last job, at Duke's Cafe, owned by her great-uncle Darrell Duquette, was where she served meals to most of those she would now be working with and unfortunately some that she would be investigating.

Her first 'case' turned out to be the death of a family friend who had been hospitalized for pneumonia but turned up dead due to asphyxiation.  According to one of the doctors, this was a bit unusual.  Apparently the Doctor didn't believe her death was an isolated incident.  There appeared to be several more recovering patients that died mysteriously, just before being released.  Char's task now is to find the person responsible for these deaths before another happens.

This book turned out to be one that was so different from any I've ever read.  It was an enjoyable book to curl up with at night.  It had humor and suspense, which made it even more appealing.  I followed Char through her suspicions and agreed with her, at times.  But when the true story of what was going was disclosed I was shocked.  It wasn't the 'who nor why' that I expected.  I'm now ready to go to the next chapter with Char in Book 2 'Sex,Lies, and Snickerdoodles.'






Thursday, June 22, 2017

Salads Omelets & Quiches - Arlene Lee, Author



Coconut Carrot Salad

1 cup flaked coconut
1 1/2 cup shredded raw carrots
1/4 cup seedless raisins
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 cup mayonnaise

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Chill.  Serve on top of crisp lettuce with additional mayonnaise, if desired.  Garnish with drained canned mandarin oranges.


Salads Omelets & Quiches - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

This is a truly unique cookbook.  It not only contains delicious, simple recipes but also word search puzzles using the ingredients and pages for coloring.

I've tried several of the recipes, including the one above for Coconut Carrot Salad.  I've made it with and without the ginger, testing it on some of my own food testers.  Some liked it with the ginger, some without but either way, the addition of coconut is wonderful!

There is a recipe for Broccoli Salad which is out of this world!  The biggest problem I had with it was sharing.  I actually wanted to keep all of it just for me.

The third recipe I tried was for a Spinach and Bacon Quiche.  It too was a hit with my food testers as well as myself.  Yes, I made a change.  I eliminated the crust and baked it in a casserole dish.  So delicious!

So, if you want some really simple recipes that are simply tasty, you might want to check out Salads Omelets & Quiches.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Charge of an Angel - Linda Diane Wattley, Author



Shrimp with Garlic Cream Sauce over Linguine

1 cup hot water
1 cup Original COFFEEMATE Powdered Coffee Creamer
8 large cloves garlic, unpeeled
16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
3/4 cup Buitoni Refrigerated Freshly Shredded Parmesan Cheese (5 oz.) 
1 pkg. Buitoni Refrigerated Linguine (9 oz.) , prepared at the last minute
Directions:
WHISK together water and Coffee-mate until smooth.

BRING 6 cups water to a boil in medium saucepan. Add garlic; cook for 2 minutes. Add shrimp; cook for 2 minutes or until they turn pink. Drain. Peel and chop garlic.

HEAT oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.

WHISK in Coffee-mate mixture and cornstarch; whisk until cornstarch is dissolved. Cook, whisking occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Stir in parsley, cheese and shrimp. Season with salt and ground black pepper. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to coat.

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1/4
Servings per recipe: 4
Calories530
Calories from Fat180
Total Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 11g53%
Cholesterol 180mg59%
Sodium 410mg17%
Carbohydrates 50g17%
Dietary Fiber 2g7%
Sugars 1g
Protein31g
Vitamin A8%
Vitamin C10%
Calcium20%
Iron15%

Charge of an Angel - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

"I will never know who I would have been if this hadn't happened to me.  That is so hard for me to live with.  I don't know the real person I was, and I never will.  How can I live with something like that?  I feel robbed - cheated.  First, my mother and my brother are taken from me.  I found out that my father is not my father, and then I find out my virginity, youth, and innocence was stolen right in front of my face.  Why me?"

Her name is Leona Marie Tillard and her life has been turned inside out.  One night she, her mother, father and two brothers went to bed as a family.  When she woke her mother was gone.  Sometime later her brother went away and Daddy will tell her nothing about where they are or why she can't see them.  Daddy was lost without her mother and needed someone to 'comfort' him.  With Leona being the only female in the house, she stepped into that position.  Then comes her Daddy's marriage to another woman who has three children of her own and her family is complete again.  So she thought.

When I ask Author Linda Wattley if this book was fact or fiction she assured me it is both.  After talking to her, we both confirmed we knew young girls who were put into a position of being sexually abused by parents, other relatives, and adults that were in their lives.  The same adults that were supposed to take care of them and lead them in the right direction chose instead to impose their own sick needs on these innocent children.  And in some instances they even included boys in their desires.

Are the children to be blamed for not telling?  No way.  The threats they receive if they tell is too fearful.  They are brainwashed to believe that what they are doing isn't wrong. Supposedly, it's all done as an act of love, a way of showing love, and proving they are loved.  If they are found out they are treated by others as being sick as well and that they should have known better, known it was wrong, refused what was being done to them.  How can you know something is wrong if someone who is supposed to take care of you and teach you right from wrong is committing the crime against you?  You simply can't.


Charge of an Angel is book one of three.  It takes you through the abuse that Leona endures, her feelings, and her ways of escaping from realty.  It will make you hurt for her and those like her.  It will make you want to really hurt the person doing this to her.  And it will have you waiting to see how life treats her as she gets out of her abusive life and goes on as a young adult.  I know I'm patiently waiting on book 2.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Crossover Murder: Reality TV Cozy Mysteries 2 - Nikki Haverstock, Author



Strawberry Daiquiri from Captain Morgan

1.25 ounces of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
1.75 ounces of Sweet and Sour Mix
3 ounces of frozen strawberries
1 cup of ice 
Blend and garnish cup with sugar


Enjoy responsibly with a favorite book - Nikki :)

Crossover Murder:  Reality TV Cozy Mysteries 2 - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

The plan was that we would try another live cast over the Internet of Heather welcoming Texas Shore Cowboys to the area.  Then she'd pass the microphone over to Peppin, the star of the bank and the show, who would announce the private concert the following evening at Priscilla's theater, the Fish.  Peppin would hype up the even, and we would stop the live cast.

Tomorrow, we would also do a quick live cast of the first few minutes of the convert.  Both the live casts would serve to advertise next week's episode.  One of the biggest issues with promoting the show had been a lack of commercials.  How could you advertise upcoming episodes when they weren't even filmed yet?  The best approach so far had been to have a murder on set - then the media did the advertising for you.

The cast of Savv Socialites of Fishcreek Falls, is back and Melissa finds herself solving yet another murder.  The reality show joins temporary forces with the band Texas Shore Cowboys which spices up the story as well as the action.  You'll meet Peppin who is the lead singer of the Cowboys, as well as some of the others in the band, as they come into Fishcreek Falls with their desire to party, fight and have a good time.  You'll also enjoy the sneaky antics of Heather as she does her best to discredit and destroy Melissa.

I read a lot of books and can normally come up with the 'bad guy/gal' at least half way in.  With this Author Nikki Haverstock, it seems that I know who I think it will be but the more I read the more I doubt my choice.  She will take you to the end before giving you full confirmation as to whether you are right or wrong, and that I like in a good mystery.  Oh yeah!  Bubbles is in full character throughout.  If you read Book 1 you'll remember Bubbles as being the 'gassy' dog that Melissa adopted from the shelter.  He will keep you smiling and laughing from beginning to end.

 
Design by Wordpress Theme | Bloggerized by Free Blogger Templates | coupon codes