Excerpt Monday – Holiday Free Reads

I don’t have my free read up yet. I’m still working on editing it. But I hope to post it before the new year. In the meantime, here are a few free reads brought to you by Excerpt Monday.

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Welcome to the special Christmas/New Year Full Reads for Excerpt Monday. This month, in addition to our typical excerpt week, we’re having a week of full stories written by several fabulous EM writers.
Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

A Dragon Caern Christmas – Historical Romance by Emily Bryan (PG13)

A Mistress by Design – Historical by Sabrina Darby (R)
Over and Out – Contemporary Romance by Inez Kelley (R)
Belle’s Christmas Carol – Historical by Charlotte McClain (R)

Space-D: Epsiode 2 – Science Fiction by Ella Drake (NC-17)
Le Nouvel An – Fantasy by Aislinn Kerry(NC-17)
A Saint Nicholas Surprise – Fantasy by Aislinn Kerry(NC-17)
Getting Personal – Contemporary by Elise Logan (NC-17)

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
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Photo of the Week – Christmas Snow

christmas snow, originally uploaded by renowiggum.

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  • 14:43 @angelajames – Well I had a pop tart for lunch. Your lucky charms sounds better. #

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Excerpt Monday – How to Survive Anything

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Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

How To Survive Anything – Women’s Ficton

Excerpt:

My mother is the queen of multi-tasking. When I got into the car after my latest treatment, my mother was simultaneously on her cell phone and giving orders to my older sister Irene. I eased into the backseat, with the help of Irene, still nauseous and dizzy from the treatment. Mom has taken her to be her personal flunky since Irene took a leave from work after my cancer diagnosis.

“Make sure the photographer uses a warm gel, maybe some pink to get across the theme.” My mother said into the phone before turning to my sister, “Make sure Natalie has a decent suit something in blush or coral, pinkish but not overtly so. And since Derrick is insisting on being at Jeremy’s arraignment. Make sure he is sober, clean and has a proper fitting suit. It’s bad enough we have to go through this. We don’t need him casting another black mark over us.”

I closed my eyes, tried to block out my  mother’s voice. All I wanted was to go back to the house and rest.

“Sit up Natalie and put on some makeup. Do something with your hair. You’re going to have to get yourself together and presentable for the photos.”

“Photos?”

“Yes. I told you we had a lot to do today. Posters for the benefit, you’re lucky your treatment didn’t interfere with my schedule.”

I bit back a laugh. Or it could have been nauseau. It was hard to tell with my mother. I was the one with breast cancer and she had made it about her, and the family, as usual.

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers”

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

Joining us this week:

The Excerpt Monday hosts:

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

Kaige, Historical Romance (PG13)

Jeannie Lin, Contemporary (PG13)

RF Long, Fantasy Sword and Sorcery (PG13)

Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG13)

Debbie Mumford, Flash Fiction (PG13)

Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, Erotic Contemporary (R)

KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)

Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (R)

Cate Hart, YA Paranormal (R)

Inez Kelley, Contemporary Romance (R)

Jeannete Murray, RomCom (R)

Christa Page, Regency Paranormal (R)

Michelle Picard, Paranormal (R)

Jeanne St James, Erotic Rom M/M (R)

Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Fantasy (NC17)

Emily Ryan Davis, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)

Ella Drake, Erotic SciFi Romance (NC17)

Angeleque Ford, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)

Jamal W Hankins, Dark Fiction/Fantasy (NC17)

Bryl R Tyne, Transgender M/M (NC17)

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Info Roundup – Friday Edition

The interesting posts from the people in the book world this week.

The Rappaport Agency is Closing

Kirkus Reviews to Close

Warrior Writers – Are You a WRITER or an AUTHOR?

Evil Editor – Writing Exercise (EE is visited by Ghost of Christmas Past, Deadline Sunday, 10 AM eastern.)

Authors Advising Authors #6 – Allyson James

Royalties First and Second Hand

Why Third Party Royalties Matter

Nathan Bransford – Should Publishers Delay E-Book Releases?

Agent Advice – Adriann Ranta of Wolf Literary Services

Lucienne Diver – Publishing Futures

The Simple Dollar – The Best Career Advice: Do Stuff (Not necessarily book world related but still interesting.)

Deadline Dames – Getting Published

Edittorrent – Deep POV

Genreality – What Do You Want To Be?

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Recipe – Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler

This is one of my favorite recipes. And the first dish I ever made alone (i.e. without mom). This is a double crust cobbler.

Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

Crust -

* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping and rolling
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 4 to 5 tablespoons ice water

Filling -

* 4 pounds fresh peaches – peeled, pitted and sliced
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
* 1/4 cup orange juice
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 2 teaspoon vanilla

Crust topping -

* 1 tablespoon white sugar
* 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, and salt.Add in butter. Mix until crumbley, add water and mix well. On a floured surface, knead the mixture several times (or about 3 to 4 minutes). Cut mixture in half. Work with hands to form dough into two balls.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll out half of dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Place in a 9×13 inch baking dish, covering bottom and halfway up sides. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

3. In a large saucepan, mix the peaches, lemon juice, and orange juice. Add 1/2 cup butter, and cook over medium-low heat until butter is melted. In a mixing bowl, stir together sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch; mix into peach mixture. Remove from heat, and pour into baked crust.

4. Roll remaining dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into half-inch-wide strips. Weave strips into a lattice over peaches. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon melted butter.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top crust is golden brown.

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  • 00:20 The EM holiday full read is nearly done. Different than my usual writing. Don’t know if that is a good diff or a bad diff yet. #
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