Audio-Books

The audio-book versions of The Princes of the Golden Cage and The King's Daughters are going to be available soon. They are produced by Amazon Audible and narrated by David Marantz. Amazon bought the audio rights from Skyhorse Books which acquired them when it purchased the original publisher, Night Shade Books. I own the rights of the third books in the series, Death in the Traveling City, so it’s not part of the deal. I should look into getting it done too. Anyway, both titles are scheduled to be released on January 27, 2014.

Dumb Movie Ways to Die - Dumb Ways to Die Parody

Just because. =)

What’s new for 2014

For once, we’re not moving to New Brunswick. I’m quit happy about that; B.C. is my home. We might buy a new house in Prince George though.

 

 

My New Year resolution this year is the same as last year: lose weight and get in shape. The difference this time is that I’ve already lost five pounds since the beginning of January. Woo hoo!

Work is progressing well. I started the second draft of the first book in the Parallel War trilogy, a young adult sci-fi.

I’m going to Vegas with friend in April and to the fantasy world convention in November.

Also, I had two requests for full manuscripts, an urban fantasy and a sci-fi, from two different publishers. One asked for it before Christmas the other after New Year…fingers crossed.  =)

Yummy Cake

Tomorrow is one of our dear friends’ birthday. There is a party and I’m bringing the cake. Knowing that he is a fan of my cheesecake, I made this one for him.  This is a new recipe for me. Fortunately, the cake tuned out exactly like the picture. I hope it is as good as it looks.

Layered Mocha Cheesecake

Ingredients

·                         1-1/2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs

·                         1/4 cup butter, melted

·                         FILLING:

·                         2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules

·                         1 tablespoon hot water

·                         1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·                         4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

·                         1-1/2 cups sugar

·                         1/4 cup all-purpose flour

·                         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·                         4 eggs, lightly beaten

·                         2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled

·                         GLAZE:

·                         1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

·                         3 tablespoons butter

·                         Chocolate-covered coffee beans, optional

Directions

1.            Place greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.

2.            In a small bowl, mix cookie crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom of prepared pan. In another bowl, mix the coffee granules, hot water and cinnamon; set aside.

3.            In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.

4.            Divide batter in half. Stir melted chocolate into one portion; pour over crust. Stir coffee mixture into the remaining batter; spoon over chocolate layer. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.

5.            Bake at 325° for 60-65 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack for 10 minutes; loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

Back on the horse again

After over a month hiatus from writing (mostly spent entertaining during the holydays and enjoying my husband’s return home — he was gone for almost four months for work), I'm happy to say I'm back on the “proverbial” horse. It feels good to return to my usual work routine and reconnect with the characters of my unfinished YA novel.


I’m about to start the second draft, but first I must do some more research. Because it is set in a multiverse I need to brush up on my physics before I begin. I only have a few points left to clarify; then I’ll be good to go…can’t wait.