Climbing out from the Trenches

Maybe not so much a trench as the avalanche aftermath. Except, my pile was not snow. Instead, it was editing, revisions, and writing. This compounded with my day work (otherwise known as my "paying gig"), Thanksgiving, birthdays, and mommy duties have left my poor blog stranded for most of the month.

*pets blog and hugs her to reassure she is loved*

Okay, I'm back but since I'm just now getting back in the game I'm going to take it easy. So, let's talk quantum entanglement...

Heehee, just kidding.

No, today I just wanted to stop by, say hi, and maybe talk about a book I'm reading. Cloud Atlas. No, I'm not doing a review. No, I'm not going to go into the science behind the reincarnation and all that jazz.

No, no, no. I just wanted to get "on the line" with my geeky buddies and applaud the author for his use of setting and place in regards to the characters. In each vignette that carries the story along, the author has committed to the time period, in all its good and bad elements. Scene pacing, language and writing styles, and social/cultural timing all hit the particular eras perfectly.

Very beautifully done.

I can't wait to get to the future settings and see how he imagines that world to be.

Any-who. I'll be posting my SF geeky stuff starting later this week.

Ciao all!

Passionate Cooks Guest Post: Vallory Vance

Vallory Vance joins us today to talk about her passionate recipe and her newest release.

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When I serve the Second Chance Tortillas recipe from the Passionate Cooks cookbook for brunch with friends, I mix up a batch of Bloody Marys to go along with them. The spicy tomato drink is a great accompaniment especially on a cold day. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
• 4 cups tomato juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoons curry powder

• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups vodka
• Garnish Ideas – celery stalk, spicy pickled string bean, lemon wedge

Directions:
• Combine first 7 ingredients in a large pitcher. Chill overnight.
• Add vodka to pitcher; stir well. Fill glasses. Garnish as you like.

BIO

This new author is a color inside the lines Human Resources professional living in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex by day. After her family consisting of a husband of almost twenty years, three kids and two dogs have filled her evenings with laughter, she sits down to her laptop to write tales of the first moments of falling in love when nothing else seems to matter.

A a fortieth birthday present to herself, she decided to share her stories. Vallory Vance is the pen name she uses to write contemporary romances that range from sweet to spicy. You can find her most days on the Vallory V ~ A Romance Author Blog.

Music for Her Soul Summary

Lena Spencer is a practical woman whose world is carefully ordered by schedules and timelines and she doesn’t like surprises. So when she receives a call from a beautiful model detailing an affair with her boyfriend, her world is thrown into chaos. With the help of her boisterous sister and niece, Lena manages to pick up the pieces and resume her role as a single working mom with the added bonus of a few slinky dresses to show off the figure she’d always hidden. Feeling sexy and confident, she is almost prepared for Ethan’s return from a European tour. Almost.

Musician, Ethan Holden, realized too late that he’d miscalculated the level of Lena’s fury. A ten month tour through Europe and a crazed fan had proven too much for the both of them. Returning to his hometown, he is determined to win her back despite her resistance. But can he give up the music he loves if that’s the only thing she wants?

Available from Amazon.com as a Kindle Edition
Available from Barnes and Noble as a Nook Book
Available from All Romance in Multiple Formats

Online Connections:
• Blog: Vallory V – A Romance Author Blog
• Twitter: @ValloryVance
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vallory-Vance