This month I’ve invited some of my author friends to post literary inspired recipes on their blogs/websites. So hop along for new recipes to try, new books to read, and a chance to win free stuff!
 
Here’s where to begin:
 
Author J.S. Marlo shares a recipe for Apple Chocolate Chip Muffins from her book, Unearthed – “Shaped by regrets. Bound by duty. Driven by secrets. Rowan's future is jeopardized by the regrets she harbors and the deadly secrets she unearths.”
https://sites.google.com/site/jsmarloauthor/blog-hop 
 
Elizabeth Fountain shares the recipe for Molly the bar owner's irresistible oven-fries from her book
You, Jane - "Once upon a time could ruin Jane's life, or lead her to a happy ending she never expected."
http://wp.me/pWrDR-Ug
 
Author Celia Breslin shares a recipe for Snickerdoodles inspired by her book, Under A Mating Moon – “While visiting her brother in Los Lobos, free-spirited Lexi Luparell is shocked to encounter the Wolf she’d denied when they were teens. Now she must face her guilt for the cruel way she spurned him all those years ago, make amends, and admit the truth. Jake was right all along—they’re meant to mate.”
http://wp.me/p2fl3L-Xk
 
Pippa Jay is sharing a recipe for Time Traveler’s Soup (aka Throw In Anything Vegetable Soup.) a quick, easy, healthy soup recipe inspired by her book Keir – “A demon waiting to die. A woman determined to save him.”
http://pippajay.blogspot.com/2016/06/lets-eat-time-travellers-soup-scifi.html
 
Olga Godim shares her flash story, Hannah's Rugelach, plus a recipe for making rugelach - the Jewish cookies. The story is about love, survival, the Holocaust, and the second chances. And of course, rugelach.
https://olgagodim.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/lets-eat-rugelach/

Susan Stec shares a recipe for a Witchy Tale inspired by her book, Witchy – “Skylar is a good witch with poor relationship choices.”
http://thegratefulundead.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
 
Author Joyce Proell shares the recipe for The Best Brownies Ever from her book, A Deadly Truth – “A man obsessed, a woman willing to risk it all…”
http://www.joyceproell.com
 
I am also sharing a recipe for no-bake dragon cookies, from my short story Dragon Cookie – “It’s green; it’s lumpy; it smells like peanut butter and vanilla; and it’s moving.”
http://www.audramiddleton.com/monthly-blog/the-dragon-cookie-an-excerpt

Enter here for a chance to win $15 in Amazon gift cards from Elizabeth Fountain & myself, the ebook A Deadly Truth by Joyce Proell, the ebook Keir by Pippa Jay, the ebook Witchy by Susan Stec, and the ebook Middle Eight by me!
​

Audra Middleton here, and I am one of over 100 authors/bloggers on ‘the Little Things Blog Hop!’ Make sure you visit each stop and enter their posted giveaways, be sure to enter the amazing ‘little things’ rafflecopter too, which has a ton of prizes to be won!*

Thanks so much to author CS Myers, for inviting me to be a part of this blog hop. It’s all about appreciating those little things that make life a sweeter.
 
As for me, here’s a few of those little things that make life awesome…
 
Teaching five-year-olds how to make a paper snowflake for the first time – There’s nothing like their delighted coos and the surprise in their eyes when you unfold that paper.
 
Bidding on ebay – It’s competitive shopping. What’s not to love? I mean, besides my credit card bill.
 
Playing air guitar to Juke Box Hero – Everytime. Got stars in my eyes, baby.
 
A good twist – There’s nothing more satisfying than an exciting twist that brings the whole story together.
 
The Shamrock shake - I don’t know if it’s the entirely unnatural green color, or just the fact that it’s only available one month per year, but it’s enough to make me ditch the diet and pop a blood vessel trying to get that minty goodness up the straw.
 
The meadowlark’s song – It’s cheerful, but not in an annoying way.
 
Striped socks – Everything’s better with stripes.
 
When embarrassing things happen to me – it makes for awesome blog material.

And now, hop on!

Visit Spreading the Word next: https://www.facebook.com/Spreading-The-Word-113263318845485/?fref=ts

Join the Little Things Blog Hop Event for more fun https://www.facebook.com/events/562506680576207/

Here's the link to all the Blog Hop spots:  http://theclubbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2016/02/LittleThingsBlogHop.html

Thank you for hopping by!

*Winner (s) will be chosen by random and announced on this page and on the Little Things Event Page by April 6th.
FB is not in any way responsible or affiliated with this giveaway or the Little Things Blog Hop.

Be sure to enter these Rafflecopter Giveaways: ​

For my last blog hop this month, I'm joining Linda Ulleseit's Back to School Blog Hop. This is also a preview to next month's blog theme: Villain Visitations, since I'll be interviewing the villain of Linda's novels, On a Wing and a Dare and Under a Wild and Darkening Sky.

And now, let me introduce Evan...

1. Tell us, Evan, what is your ultimate goal?

 As leader of a barn full of flying horses, I am always searching for ways to improve my herd’s performance in the Aerial Games. Some people may not like my methods, but I will do whatever it takes to get the best horses in my herd. I like white horses since my mother rode a marvelous white mare. A herd consisting of all white winged horses would make an impressive sight against a blue sky, don’t you think? I’m surprised more riders don’t realize that. The townspeople’s views don’t matter, of course, but those that ride winged horses must surely be interested in staging a good performance. I must be the most forward-thinking of all the barn leaders.

2. What makes you so driven to accomplish this goal? 

My father was a well-loved, successful barn leader. I can achieve and surpass his record with the right team of riders and superb mounts. My parents would be proud of me, especially since my little brother is worthless in a barn.

3. If you could choose anyone from the literary world as your partner in crime, who would you choose and why?

I would recruit Cinder. Even though she’s not completely human, she’s smart and clever. I like that she has a firm sense of duty. I could trust her to do what she’s told and not ask questions.

4. Describe yourself in three words or less. 

Persistent, ruthless, visionary

Thanks so much for joining us today, Evan. To read more about Evan and those flying horses, pick up Linda Ulleseit's books on Amazon or visit her sites today:

http://www.amazon.com/Wing-Dare-Flying-Horse-Books-ebook/dp/B00B3OF412/

http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Danger-Flying-Horse-Books-ebook/dp/B00BAYT09C/

http://www.amazon.com/Under-Darkening-Flying-Horse-Books-ebook/dp/B00KEB20NU/

http://ulleseit.wordpress.com

flyinghorsebooks@gmail.com

Next stop on the back to school blog hop: http://purejonel.blogspot.ca

September is hoppin’ here on my blog. I’ve been invited to join some blog hops & so I thought I’d get in on the fun. This week, author Elizabeth Fountain has invited me to participate in the ‘Meet my characters’ Blog hop. I’ll be answering some character related questions about my latest novel, Abomination…

1) What is the name of your character?  Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

Princess Willow has a gift for debate. She is a fan of satin, lace, and getting her own way. She is the strong-willed daughter of Watcher and Benaiah, the King and Queen of Forest End, which is a fictional land from my fantasy series.

2) When and where is the story set?

The story is set in a medieval style fantasy world called Anthelion, where everyone is blessed with one special gift. Most gifts are mundane; for instance, one might be a talented cook or seamstress. Some people, however, have powerful, supernatural abilities. These are the people about whom legends are told.

3) What should we know about your character?

Willow may be a bit of a brat, but she is also clever and as the child of prophecy, she has the ability to change the world.

4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

In the beginning of the book, Willow is kidnapped by an enemy kingdom. She finds herself in a strange land in the company of a young man who is nearly impervious to her gifts of persuasion.

5) What is the personal goal of the character?

Six year old Willow would very much like to fulfill her role in the prophecy already so she can get back home to her riding lessons.

6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

This book is called Abomination. Here are some reviews that will tell you a bit more…
http://authoreverleigh.blogspot.com/2014/08/blog-tour-abomination-by-audra.html
http://myaddictionisreading.blogspot.com/2014/08/blog-tour-abomination-by-audra.html http://www.lilacreviews.com/book-reviews/review-abomination/ 
http://pratr.wordpress.com/2014/08/31/abomination-by-audra-middleton/ 
http://texasbooknook13.blogspot.com/2014/08/blog-tour-abomination-by-audra.html
http://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/09/abomination-by-audra-middleton.html

7) When can we expect the book to be published?

This book is now available on Amazon and iBookstore as an ebook or paperback.

And next week (Sept. 16) you’re invited to check out the following author's “Meet My Characters” responses…

Kenneth Schultz - "I like to make things and writing allows me to create whole worlds, the people in these worlds, and challenges to confront my people. Writing also lets me explore issues facing mankind, like the impact on civilization of the exhaustion of fossil fuels. Sci Fi is my favorite genre and fits well with my background in engineering, science, and economics. I presently make my home on Washington's picturesque Olympic Peninsula."
LINKS: www.kennethdschultz.com
                  www.facebook.com/KennethDSchultz

Stay tuned Sept. 28 for my part in Linda Ulleseit's Back to School Blog Hop!

Valentines were always a source of anxiety for me growing up. First, I had to talk my mom into buying the pre-printed Valentines depicting a non-embarrassing cartoon character. Heaven forefend I end up with Snoopy Valentines. Everybody knew only losers gave out Peanuts cards. It had to be Garfield or Strawberry Shortcake or the mean girls would giggle and whisper and run from me feel like I had cooties.

Even if I did get the proper cards, I had to sort through the 24 count set and throw out any that hinted at romantic love. Anything that said, “Be Mine” or “Hugs and Kisses” was definitely out. If the wrong person received a “Forever in my Heart” card from me, I could be sure that the mean girls would have the card-bearer and myself ‘sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g’ until the cows came home.

One year, after sorting through my Tweety Bird cards (seriously, Mom, were they out of Garfield or what?), I came up one short. I made sure the mean girls and my friends got the ‘good’ cards, but I needed one more card for a boy I'll call Ted. I didn’t feel right about leaving Ted out entirely, so I made him a card in the shape of a whale out of construction paper hearts. There was nothing romantic about a whale, but it was made of hearts so it counted as a Valentine. Problem solved.

A funny thing happened. Ted sought me out after the class Valentine party. He thought my whale Valentine was really cool. I explained that I had run out of my store-bought ones. This was my elementary school way of informing him that I was not in love with him. Of course, he never assumed I was. Romance is probably the farthest thing from an eight-year-old boy’s mind. He just thought it was clever, and thoughtful, unlike the store-bought cards everyone else passed out.

It stuck with me, all these years. I wonder what would have happened if I had spent less time and energy trying to impress the mean girls, and more time being creative, and thoughtful. I’m pretty sure the mean girls would have invented new ways to make my life miserable, but maybe it would have been worth it.


Thanks to J.A. Garland for inviting me to join her Love-Struck blog hop. The big blog-hop giveaway ran from Feb. 10- 14th. Congrats to Lori, the grand prize winner!

You can still enter to win a free e-book of Watcher from me (See Rafflecopter giveaway below)!

I’d like to thank author Celia Breslin for inviting me to be a part of the Next Big Thing Blog Hop this month.  Each author on the hop will be answering the following questions about their latest works in progress…

 1. What is the working title of your book? 
This hop is about works in progress, so today I’m going to discuss a book of
mine that’s awaiting the editing process called The Middle Eight.


2. Where did you get the idea for this book?  The farm where
the main character, Ray, grew up is based on a farm not far from the
neighborhood where I grew up. Also, I know a thing or two about drummers,
which helped with another character named Van.


 3. What is the genre for this book? The Middle Eight is
a romantic comedy.


4. If you could pick actors to play the lead characters in your story,
who would you pick?  Ray is an anal-retentive accountant with a dry
sense of humor and a body like a brick house, so I’m thinking someone like
Chyler Leigh (Lexis from Grey’s Anatomy). Van is a tall, lean, muscular drummer
with long wavy light-brown hair, the quiet-type with a mischievous smile… so I
have no idea what young actor would fit the bill. Let me know if you have any ideas
so I can stalk him. I’d love to see Melissa McCarthy as Macy, Ray’s best friend.


5.  What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?  When the
normal life Ray has always dreamed of unravels, she falls for a drummer, comes
to terms with her unconventional childhood, and discovers that normal was never
really in her best interest.


6.  How will your book be published, submitted through a traditional
publisher or through Indie Publishing methods?  I am still editing this
one, and will look at submitting it for publication this winter.


 7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of this
book?  The first draft only took me 8 months to write, start to finish.


8. What other books within your genre are similar to yours?
Was While You Were Sleeping based on a book? Something with a flawed main
character who falls in love with someone she doesn’t expect to.


9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? It was
definitely not inspired by a very sweaty picture of a young David Grohl,
drumming like his life depended on it, and I certainly don’t have said picture
as my screensaver on my laptop, because grown women who are obsessed with
celebrities tend to end up with restraining orders.


10. What about your book will pique the reader’s interest? 
This story has great characters, fun twists, sex, drugs, and rock and roll. What
more could you want?


Please keep the hop going and check out the following authors to learn about
their upcoming books…

Celia Breslin

Justin Swapp

I’d like to thank author J.A. Garland for inviting me to be a part of the
Next Big Thing Blog Hop this week.  Each author on the hop will be answering the
following questions about their latest works in progress…

1. What is the title of your next book?  My book,
Watcher, is due to be released the first week of January, but this hop is
about works in progress, so today I’m going to discuss a book of mine that’s
awaiting the editing process called The Hitchhiker.


2. Where did you get the idea for this book?  Growing
up, my family always had an appreciation for conspiracy theories and liked to
watch The Twilight Zone.  Seeds were planted early for this one.  Also, I
was a teacher for several years, so that’s where the education angle to my story
came from.


3. What is the genre for this book? The
Hitchhiker is a humorous paranormal thriller.  It seems an odd combination,
but I think it works.


4. If you could pick actors to play the lead characters in your story,
who would you pick?  Ainsley, a teacher/FBI recruit, is cute and
lovably sarcastic, so I’m thinking someone like Zooey Deschanel.  I think Jesse
Eisenberg would capture my schizophrenic genius’ personality well, but he’d have
to darken his hair and grow it out more.  I specifically describe Jack, the
smarmy conman, as a Matthew McConauhey look-alike, because every story needs
some eye candy.


5. How would you describe your book in one sentence? 
(10 words or less)  A misfit teacher helps FBI freaks uncover a bizarre
conspiracy.


6. How will your book be published, submitted through a traditional
publisher or through Indie Publishing methods?  I have submitted
this to a small publishing house that I have worked with before, and am waiting
to hear if it is something they’re interested in.


7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of this
book?  This one only took me a year to write, start to finish. 
Once I got the conspiracy hashed out, the characters pretty much took over and
wrote themselves.


8. What other books within your genre are similar to
yours?  That’s a tough question.  I’m sure there are other
humorous paranormal thrillers out there, but I’ve never read one myself.  Janet
Evanovich does humorous crime novels, but I don’t know that I’m in her league
and my story has some dark/supernatural elements to it.


9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?  I had
spent years writing my first novel, a fantasy, and I was looking to write
something a little lighter, set in modern day USA so I didn’t have to create a
whole new world.  I decided to start by ‘writing what I knew,’ so I made my main
character a sarcastic middle school teacher, and then for fun I gave her an
unusual talent: the ability to hitch a ride in other people’s central nervous
systems.  Naturally, with a talent like that the FBI would be interested in her.
  It just kept going like that, one idea building on the last until I had myself
a quirky little novel.


10. What about your book will pique the reader’s
interest?  Peculiar paranormal talents and twisted conspiracies
make the story lively, but it’s my zany characters that will really keep the
reader’s attention.


Please keep the hop going and check out the following authors to learn about
their upcoming books…

 J.A. Garland

 Leia Getty

 Susan Stec - Will post December 25th or 26th – with a *giveaway*!