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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author ~ ~ ~ writing and streams of consciousness
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Who Wants To Live Forever - Short Story
This story actually started out as something much different, but took a turn of its own. First draft, and I'm sure it needs some work, but I hope you enjoy it.
Who Wants To Live Forever
"I don't understand, Professor Crims, wouldn't it be better for you to make this assessment?"
Alexander Crims simply shook his head and patted me on the back. "You'll do fine. Just remember not to let him get too close. You're the best I've ever seen, Jamie. Get inside his mind. Find out what makes him tick, but most of all, find out where he put those poor girls."
I stared though the glass at Daniel Desario. It wasn't hard to understand why the girls went with him. The dark curly hair and deep blue eyes. That sexy smile with perfect white teeth. Not to mention a body that made even the oldest woman on the street stop and stare. He was an Adonis. The perfect male specimen. And he was a killer.
"Shouldn't I at least look over the file? Get a feel for his method and why he took these particular girls?"
Sergeant Ames stepped up beside us. "The less you know the more likely he is to open up to you. Talk about the girls and why he killed them. Where he put them."
I glanced back at Desario to find he was looking at me. Straight through the glass, right down to my soul. A shiver ran down my spine, quickly followed by guilt. It wasn't a shiver of fear, but instead a shiver of excitement. One of anticipation. Almost sexual in its intensity. Dear God, what was wrong with me. This man had killed six women, and five of the bodies were still missing.
Picking up my notebook, I took a deep breath and gave Crims and Ames my best "shame on you" look. I felt like a fly caught in the spider's web, waiting for the moment when the poison would enter my bloodstream and life as I knew it slip away. "I hope you know what you doing."
The sound of laughter filled the room when I stepped inside. "Now this is just too rich. I think I've died already and gone to heaven."
Desario's voice shocked me. It wasn't loud and boisterous as I'd expected. Instead it was soft and soothing, with a quiet melody I couldn't quite put my finger on. Much like the sound of birds on an early spring morning.
"Mr. Desario, I'm Dr. Jamie Worthington. I'll be doing your assessment for the court. "
"Have a seat, Jamie. "
My hands trembled slightly as I pulled out the chair. My name had rolled off his tongue with just a little emphasis on the "Ja". The way a lover whispers your name just before he pulls you close and claims your lips in a kiss to die for.
Shaking my head to clear the image that had already started my blood on a slow boil, I opened the notebook and quickly jotted down the date and time, conscious that although we appeared totally alone, at least two sets of eyes were watching our every move, listening to every word.
"They didn't tell you, did they?"
I glanced up from my notes, seemingly calm and in control. "Tell me what?"
"Why you were chosen."
"I assure you, Mr. Desario, I was chosen because of my skills. Nothing more. Nothing less." I spoke the words with a confidence I didn't feel. "Now, why don't you tell me about yourself."
The deep blue eyes darkened. "Why don't we skip the bullshit."
I met his gaze, swallowing hard. I was out of my league. I knew it, he knew it and I had a sneaky suspicion that Professor Crims and Sergeant Ames also knew it.
"So what would you like to talk about?"
Desario smiled, white teeth gleaming. "Ask me what you really want to know. I just might answer it."
The spider was getting closer. Breathing down my neck. "All right. Why did you kill Tabitha Mars?"
He sat back, fingers linked in front of him, eyes locked on my face. Totally at ease. His voice dropped an octave as his eyes darkened in memory.
"I liked to watch her sleep. I could sit for hours watching the soft rise and fall of her bosom as she breathed. The gentle curve of her hip under the sheet. The delicate shadows beneath those long eye lashes. She was an angel of perfection. And that's why I had to kill her."
Desario gave me a dazzling smile. "No one understands. Perfection lasts for such a short time. But I preserve it forever."
Jotting down "crazy, crazy, crazy" I kept my voice steady. "And the others?"
"They were all perfect. Their skin soft as silk beneath my fingers. Hair that smelled like roses. Lips that tasted like wine."
Every word was a caress, washing over me. His voice mesmerizing. His eyes tempting me to explore things I had only dreamed about. He leaned across the table. "I only took what they freely offered."
"You took their life. Was that freely offered?" I had to get back to the job. Back to control before I found myself forever lost inside those eyes, that voice. Before I begged him to take to me too.
"They will remain forever perfect. Forever beautiful. Forever loved. It's what they wanted. What they asked me for."
Closing my notebook I stood up. I'd heard and seen enough to know for sure, and to make my recommendation to the court. The rest was up to Desario. We still had no idea where the bodies of Stacy Newton, Amanda Scarsborough , Katherine James, Beth Turner and Jennifer Strange were. And I knew asking him was a waste of time. He'd never tell me. "Thank you, Mr. Desario. I think we're through."
I walked steadily toward the door, proud that my inner trembling seemed totally masked.
"I'd love to show them to you."
Startled I turned back to Desario. "You'd what?"
He smiled at me, eyes never leaving my face. "I can see you appreciate perfection. I'd like to show them to you. Perhaps then you'll understand why you were here."
I knew Sergeant Ames was watching through the two way mirror. I could almost feel the tension through the glass. Sitting back down I opened the notebook again. "All right. Tell me where they are."
Desario laughed. "I said I'd show them to you." He nodded toward the glass. "I'll even let them come along for the ride."
# # #
The road was long and winding, the house totally obscured by trees. It almost looked out of place, as if it had been transported here from another time. Old and beautiful in a classic Dark Shadows sort of way. No one had spoken since we left the jail. Professor Crims and Sergeant Ames now whispered from the back seat as a group of six armed officers exited the car behind us.
Desario looked at me, his blue eyes darkening to almost black. "Welcome to my home, Jamie."
It was clearly an invitation. One he expected me to smile and warmly acknowledge. His gaze lowered to my breasts, watching the gentle rise and fall setting off a tingling that quickly consumed me. Damn him. He knew his attraction, and he knew how to use it.
"Gentlemen, would you like to come in and meet my family? Perhaps you'll grace us with your presence for dinner."
Crims and Ames exchanged looks before exiting the car. "You try anything funny and the only dinner you'll be having is dirt." Ames slapped the pistol on his hip. "Nothing would make me happier than putting one right between your eyes."
Turning to his officers he signaled them to spread out and start searching the area. "Stay close together. This psycho may not have worked alone."
The night grew quiet. Too quiet. No birds. No crickets. We were in the country, there should have been crickets. Desario turned to me, his voice a mere whisper. "I'd love for you to be a part of my family, Jamie. Stay with me. You'll be loved as you've never been loved before. You'll never grow old. Never wrinkle. You can stay as perfect as you are right now, forever."
I found myself whispering as I answered him. "What do you mean? No one can stay young forever."
He turned his gaze toward the old mansion. "They will."
I followed his gaze as five of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen walked out of the mansion. They could have been sisters, but I knew they weren't. And each of them could have been my sister.
Desario chuckled. "Now you know why they chose you."
They'd used me as bait hoping that Desario wouldn't be able to resist seeing me beside the others. Mentally adding me to his collection. "They're not dead. You said you killed them."
"I took their life and gave them a new one. One where they'll always be perfect."
"You're. . ." I couldn't finish the sentence.
"It isn't what you think, Jamie. If they had left us alone Tabitha would have joined my family, and we would have left with no one the wiser. They interrupted us before the process was finished." He gazed out the window, watching the women approach. "I didn't force any of them to stay with me. I merely gave them a choice."
Ames had pulled his gun. Crims was cowering behind him. "You kill people. What kind of life would that be?"
"We kill in self-defense. They threatened my family. Wouldn't you kill to protect your family?"
I watched as the women disposed of Ames and Crims. I'd expected an eating frenzy or something horrible like I'd seen on the movies. Instead with two swift twists of the neck they dropped the bodies beside the car and stepped back waiting. His hand touched mine sending sparks up my forearm. "You can leave, live out your life, grow old and die." He cupped my chin, his lips close to mine. "Or you can stay with me and never grow old."
My hands moved slightly, one quickly blinking the car lights on and off, as the other reached for the wooden stake just inside my jacket. The sounds of swishing arrows filled the night as I stabbed the stake just below his rib cage and up into his heart. "Yes, Daniel, I would kill to protect my family."
The car door opened behind me and Matthew pulled me out running his hands over my neck, checking for wounds. "You scared the hell out of us."
"I had to be sure she wasn't here." I turned watching as my three younger brothers walked slowly out of the forest. Twins share a bond few people understood, and I could feel Jasmine's pull. For just a moment I'd wanted to join her. Share the world she lived in now. For just a moment.
"Okay, guys, let's clean it up. I heard there were some strange disappearances in Kentucky."
Who Wants To Live Forever
"I don't understand, Professor Crims, wouldn't it be better for you to make this assessment?"
Alexander Crims simply shook his head and patted me on the back. "You'll do fine. Just remember not to let him get too close. You're the best I've ever seen, Jamie. Get inside his mind. Find out what makes him tick, but most of all, find out where he put those poor girls."
I stared though the glass at Daniel Desario. It wasn't hard to understand why the girls went with him. The dark curly hair and deep blue eyes. That sexy smile with perfect white teeth. Not to mention a body that made even the oldest woman on the street stop and stare. He was an Adonis. The perfect male specimen. And he was a killer.
"Shouldn't I at least look over the file? Get a feel for his method and why he took these particular girls?"
Sergeant Ames stepped up beside us. "The less you know the more likely he is to open up to you. Talk about the girls and why he killed them. Where he put them."
I glanced back at Desario to find he was looking at me. Straight through the glass, right down to my soul. A shiver ran down my spine, quickly followed by guilt. It wasn't a shiver of fear, but instead a shiver of excitement. One of anticipation. Almost sexual in its intensity. Dear God, what was wrong with me. This man had killed six women, and five of the bodies were still missing.
Picking up my notebook, I took a deep breath and gave Crims and Ames my best "shame on you" look. I felt like a fly caught in the spider's web, waiting for the moment when the poison would enter my bloodstream and life as I knew it slip away. "I hope you know what you doing."
The sound of laughter filled the room when I stepped inside. "Now this is just too rich. I think I've died already and gone to heaven."
Desario's voice shocked me. It wasn't loud and boisterous as I'd expected. Instead it was soft and soothing, with a quiet melody I couldn't quite put my finger on. Much like the sound of birds on an early spring morning.
"Mr. Desario, I'm Dr. Jamie Worthington. I'll be doing your assessment for the court. "
"Have a seat, Jamie. "
My hands trembled slightly as I pulled out the chair. My name had rolled off his tongue with just a little emphasis on the "Ja". The way a lover whispers your name just before he pulls you close and claims your lips in a kiss to die for.
Shaking my head to clear the image that had already started my blood on a slow boil, I opened the notebook and quickly jotted down the date and time, conscious that although we appeared totally alone, at least two sets of eyes were watching our every move, listening to every word.
"They didn't tell you, did they?"
I glanced up from my notes, seemingly calm and in control. "Tell me what?"
"Why you were chosen."
"I assure you, Mr. Desario, I was chosen because of my skills. Nothing more. Nothing less." I spoke the words with a confidence I didn't feel. "Now, why don't you tell me about yourself."
The deep blue eyes darkened. "Why don't we skip the bullshit."
I met his gaze, swallowing hard. I was out of my league. I knew it, he knew it and I had a sneaky suspicion that Professor Crims and Sergeant Ames also knew it.
"So what would you like to talk about?"
Desario smiled, white teeth gleaming. "Ask me what you really want to know. I just might answer it."
The spider was getting closer. Breathing down my neck. "All right. Why did you kill Tabitha Mars?"
He sat back, fingers linked in front of him, eyes locked on my face. Totally at ease. His voice dropped an octave as his eyes darkened in memory.
"I liked to watch her sleep. I could sit for hours watching the soft rise and fall of her bosom as she breathed. The gentle curve of her hip under the sheet. The delicate shadows beneath those long eye lashes. She was an angel of perfection. And that's why I had to kill her."
Desario gave me a dazzling smile. "No one understands. Perfection lasts for such a short time. But I preserve it forever."
Jotting down "crazy, crazy, crazy" I kept my voice steady. "And the others?"
"They were all perfect. Their skin soft as silk beneath my fingers. Hair that smelled like roses. Lips that tasted like wine."
Every word was a caress, washing over me. His voice mesmerizing. His eyes tempting me to explore things I had only dreamed about. He leaned across the table. "I only took what they freely offered."
"You took their life. Was that freely offered?" I had to get back to the job. Back to control before I found myself forever lost inside those eyes, that voice. Before I begged him to take to me too.
"They will remain forever perfect. Forever beautiful. Forever loved. It's what they wanted. What they asked me for."
Closing my notebook I stood up. I'd heard and seen enough to know for sure, and to make my recommendation to the court. The rest was up to Desario. We still had no idea where the bodies of Stacy Newton, Amanda Scarsborough , Katherine James, Beth Turner and Jennifer Strange were. And I knew asking him was a waste of time. He'd never tell me. "Thank you, Mr. Desario. I think we're through."
I walked steadily toward the door, proud that my inner trembling seemed totally masked.
"I'd love to show them to you."
Startled I turned back to Desario. "You'd what?"
He smiled at me, eyes never leaving my face. "I can see you appreciate perfection. I'd like to show them to you. Perhaps then you'll understand why you were here."
I knew Sergeant Ames was watching through the two way mirror. I could almost feel the tension through the glass. Sitting back down I opened the notebook again. "All right. Tell me where they are."
Desario laughed. "I said I'd show them to you." He nodded toward the glass. "I'll even let them come along for the ride."
# # #
The road was long and winding, the house totally obscured by trees. It almost looked out of place, as if it had been transported here from another time. Old and beautiful in a classic Dark Shadows sort of way. No one had spoken since we left the jail. Professor Crims and Sergeant Ames now whispered from the back seat as a group of six armed officers exited the car behind us.
Desario looked at me, his blue eyes darkening to almost black. "Welcome to my home, Jamie."
It was clearly an invitation. One he expected me to smile and warmly acknowledge. His gaze lowered to my breasts, watching the gentle rise and fall setting off a tingling that quickly consumed me. Damn him. He knew his attraction, and he knew how to use it.
"Gentlemen, would you like to come in and meet my family? Perhaps you'll grace us with your presence for dinner."
Crims and Ames exchanged looks before exiting the car. "You try anything funny and the only dinner you'll be having is dirt." Ames slapped the pistol on his hip. "Nothing would make me happier than putting one right between your eyes."
Turning to his officers he signaled them to spread out and start searching the area. "Stay close together. This psycho may not have worked alone."
The night grew quiet. Too quiet. No birds. No crickets. We were in the country, there should have been crickets. Desario turned to me, his voice a mere whisper. "I'd love for you to be a part of my family, Jamie. Stay with me. You'll be loved as you've never been loved before. You'll never grow old. Never wrinkle. You can stay as perfect as you are right now, forever."
I found myself whispering as I answered him. "What do you mean? No one can stay young forever."
He turned his gaze toward the old mansion. "They will."
I followed his gaze as five of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen walked out of the mansion. They could have been sisters, but I knew they weren't. And each of them could have been my sister.
Desario chuckled. "Now you know why they chose you."
They'd used me as bait hoping that Desario wouldn't be able to resist seeing me beside the others. Mentally adding me to his collection. "They're not dead. You said you killed them."
"I took their life and gave them a new one. One where they'll always be perfect."
"You're. . ." I couldn't finish the sentence.
"It isn't what you think, Jamie. If they had left us alone Tabitha would have joined my family, and we would have left with no one the wiser. They interrupted us before the process was finished." He gazed out the window, watching the women approach. "I didn't force any of them to stay with me. I merely gave them a choice."
Ames had pulled his gun. Crims was cowering behind him. "You kill people. What kind of life would that be?"
"We kill in self-defense. They threatened my family. Wouldn't you kill to protect your family?"
I watched as the women disposed of Ames and Crims. I'd expected an eating frenzy or something horrible like I'd seen on the movies. Instead with two swift twists of the neck they dropped the bodies beside the car and stepped back waiting. His hand touched mine sending sparks up my forearm. "You can leave, live out your life, grow old and die." He cupped my chin, his lips close to mine. "Or you can stay with me and never grow old."
My hands moved slightly, one quickly blinking the car lights on and off, as the other reached for the wooden stake just inside my jacket. The sounds of swishing arrows filled the night as I stabbed the stake just below his rib cage and up into his heart. "Yes, Daniel, I would kill to protect my family."
The car door opened behind me and Matthew pulled me out running his hands over my neck, checking for wounds. "You scared the hell out of us."
"I had to be sure she wasn't here." I turned watching as my three younger brothers walked slowly out of the forest. Twins share a bond few people understood, and I could feel Jasmine's pull. For just a moment I'd wanted to join her. Share the world she lived in now. For just a moment.
"Okay, guys, let's clean it up. I heard there were some strange disappearances in Kentucky."
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Full Confession - Short Story
Full Confession is now available Free at Feedbooks.com and Smashwords
Detective Tina Caprillo came face to face with her past, and the demon of her nightmares. She'd taken an oath to uphold the law. She couldn't just kill him. But she'd also taken an oath to protect the citizens. She couldn't let him live. She needed a full confession.
Feedbooks
Smashwords
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Ones Who Stayed Behind--A short story WIP
I started this last night, and it's actually a spin off from Tell Me Your Dreams, which I hope to enhance in the near future. I'd love your opinions on what you think of this. It's not my normal genre, although there will be a mystery aspect. It's also slipstream, which is something I've never tried before. All crits and comments are definitely welcome.
THE ONES WHO STAYED BEHIND
"Goodnight, Ms. Barnes."
"Goodnight, Jamie. Have a great weekend, and don't bother locking up I'm shutting down early tonight myself."
Closing the file on Sylvia Scott, Jenna Barnes breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction. Contrary to what most people believed, nightmares weren't always just dreams. Some became real, terrifying and deadly. The human psyche had an amazing ability to create things. Things that could actually manifest. Things that could not only scare you, but trap you forever in the nightmare of your dreams.
Leaning back she closed her eyes, allowing the quiet to relax the stiff muscles around her neck and shoulders. She felt it then. The slight chill in the room. Another amazing aspect of the human psyche. The subtle ability to sense what we can't see. The physical reaction to an unknown mental stimulation. The room grew colder. She could feel the hair rising on the back of her neck. The slight increase in heartbeat accompanied by shorter breaths. A surge of adrenaline creating a strange sensation in her bowels that slowly spread upward, down her arms, causing a slight tremor in her hands as they gripped the arms of the chair. Someone was watching her.
Opening her eyes she watched as her breath formed a small stream of mist. He was standing in the doorway, watching her with huge pale eyes the color of a cold morning grey mist. He was young. Five, maybe six. Sandy blonde curls were tousled as if he'd just woken. His clothing was period, but it was his feet that bothered her most. Barefoot and covered in mud that left small impressions on her Rose colored carpet. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in. I'm Dr. Jenna Barnes. And you are?"
"Matthew. My friends call me Mattie." He took a step into the room. "Are you the dream lady?"
"Some people call me that. Are you having bad dreams, Mattie?"
He nodded, shuffling one foot in front of him. "She wants to stay with them, but I don't want to."
Moving slowly Jenna reached for a note pad and jotted down several notes. A million questions were racing through her mind, but she knew she had to go slow. He needed to be able to trust her, and she would have to earn that trust. "Would you like to talk about it?"
He nodded, taking one step closer to the sofa. "It's my birthday."
"Really? Well, happy birthday. And that makes you how old?"
Reaching the sofa he rubbed one hand up and down the arm. "Six."
"You can sit down if you'd like, Mattie."
He walked slowly around the sofa, letting one hand slide gently over the fabric. "You can't help me can you?"
Jenna felt her heartbeat quicken as she sensed his retreat. She was going to lose him unless she acted quickly. And she knew she had to be honest with him if she was going to gain his trust. "I think I can, Mattie. Maybe not exactly in the way you really want, but I can help."
"I have to go now." He let his hand slide slowly along the back of the sofa, head bowed as he moved slowly toward the door.
"Would you like to make an appointment to come back? I'd really like to talk to you about your dreams."
He nodded, stopping just inside the doorway. Grabbing her appointment book Jenna turned the page. "How about the same time tomorrow?"
He nodded again, shuffling his feet slowly toward the front door. He turned, hand on the doorknob, pale eyes misty. "You know they're not really dreams, don't you?"
Jenna swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump that threatened to choke her. "Yes, Mattie, I know they're not really dreams."
# # #
Love the mystery and suspense of the The Killing? Check out The Jacody Ives Mysteries.
THE ONES WHO STAYED BEHIND
"Goodnight, Ms. Barnes."
"Goodnight, Jamie. Have a great weekend, and don't bother locking up I'm shutting down early tonight myself."
Closing the file on Sylvia Scott, Jenna Barnes breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction. Contrary to what most people believed, nightmares weren't always just dreams. Some became real, terrifying and deadly. The human psyche had an amazing ability to create things. Things that could actually manifest. Things that could not only scare you, but trap you forever in the nightmare of your dreams.
Leaning back she closed her eyes, allowing the quiet to relax the stiff muscles around her neck and shoulders. She felt it then. The slight chill in the room. Another amazing aspect of the human psyche. The subtle ability to sense what we can't see. The physical reaction to an unknown mental stimulation. The room grew colder. She could feel the hair rising on the back of her neck. The slight increase in heartbeat accompanied by shorter breaths. A surge of adrenaline creating a strange sensation in her bowels that slowly spread upward, down her arms, causing a slight tremor in her hands as they gripped the arms of the chair. Someone was watching her.
Opening her eyes she watched as her breath formed a small stream of mist. He was standing in the doorway, watching her with huge pale eyes the color of a cold morning grey mist. He was young. Five, maybe six. Sandy blonde curls were tousled as if he'd just woken. His clothing was period, but it was his feet that bothered her most. Barefoot and covered in mud that left small impressions on her Rose colored carpet. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in. I'm Dr. Jenna Barnes. And you are?"
"Matthew. My friends call me Mattie." He took a step into the room. "Are you the dream lady?"
"Some people call me that. Are you having bad dreams, Mattie?"
He nodded, shuffling one foot in front of him. "She wants to stay with them, but I don't want to."
Moving slowly Jenna reached for a note pad and jotted down several notes. A million questions were racing through her mind, but she knew she had to go slow. He needed to be able to trust her, and she would have to earn that trust. "Would you like to talk about it?"
He nodded, taking one step closer to the sofa. "It's my birthday."
"Really? Well, happy birthday. And that makes you how old?"
Reaching the sofa he rubbed one hand up and down the arm. "Six."
"You can sit down if you'd like, Mattie."
He walked slowly around the sofa, letting one hand slide gently over the fabric. "You can't help me can you?"
Jenna felt her heartbeat quicken as she sensed his retreat. She was going to lose him unless she acted quickly. And she knew she had to be honest with him if she was going to gain his trust. "I think I can, Mattie. Maybe not exactly in the way you really want, but I can help."
"I have to go now." He let his hand slide slowly along the back of the sofa, head bowed as he moved slowly toward the door.
"Would you like to make an appointment to come back? I'd really like to talk to you about your dreams."
He nodded, stopping just inside the doorway. Grabbing her appointment book Jenna turned the page. "How about the same time tomorrow?"
He nodded again, shuffling his feet slowly toward the front door. He turned, hand on the doorknob, pale eyes misty. "You know they're not really dreams, don't you?"
Jenna swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump that threatened to choke her. "Yes, Mattie, I know they're not really dreams."
# # #
Love the mystery and suspense of the The Killing? Check out The Jacody Ives Mysteries.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Amazon Kindle Top 10 Bestsellers in Psychological Thrillers
1. Now You See Her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (Kindle Edition - Jun 27, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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5. Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) by Linda S. Prather and Charles, Jr. Prather (Kindle Edition - Jun 30, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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6. Fifth Avenue (Book One in the Fifth Avenue Series) by Christopher Smith, Constance Hunting and Kathlyn Tenga-Gonzalez (Kindle Edition - Oct 13, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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7. Riptide by Michael Prescott (Kindle Edition - Jun 30, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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9. Mystery: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman (Kindle Edition - Mar 29, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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10. March Into Hell: Book Two (The Mark Taylor Series) by M.P. McDonald (Kindle Edition - Jan 28, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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Buy: $14.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(24)
2. The Rose Killer by Pat Gragg (Kindle Edition - Aug 27, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(31)
3. Before I Go To Sleep: A Novel by S. J. Watson (Kindle Edition - Jun 14, 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $12.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(131)
4. The Lincoln Lawyer: A Novel by Michael Connelly (Kindle Edition - Oct 1, 2005) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $7.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(492)
5. Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) by Linda S. Prather and Charles, Jr. Prather (Kindle Edition - Jun 30, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(9)
6. Fifth Avenue (Book One in the Fifth Avenue Series) by Christopher Smith, Constance Hunting and Kathlyn Tenga-Gonzalez (Kindle Edition - Oct 13, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(129)
7. Riptide by Michael Prescott (Kindle Edition - Jun 30, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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(5)
8. Liquid Fear (A Mystery Thriller) by Scott Nicholson (Kindle Edition - Mar 26, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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Auto-delivered wirelessly
(63)
9. Mystery: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman (Kindle Edition - Mar 29, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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10. March Into Hell: Book Two (The Mark Taylor Series) by M.P. McDonald (Kindle Edition - Jan 28, 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(12)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Amazon Best Selling Products and Top 20 Mystery/Thrillers in Kindle
July 4th--Amazon Best Selling Products
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1. Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) by Linda S. Prather and Charles, Jr. Prather (Kindle Edition - Jun 30, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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3. The Immaculata, a Mystery by Brad Fern (Kindle Edition - Sep 5, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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4. Where There's a Will ....There's Murder (Maggie Flaherty Murder Mysteries -#1) by Julie Ramson (Kindle Edition - Nov 7, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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5. COLD WINTER'S KILL (Jim WestTM Mystery/Thriller) by Bob Doerr (Kindle Edition - May 18, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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6. Blood & Ashes: The Debut Oscar Jade Thriller! by Mark Loeffelholz (Kindle Edition - Jul 26, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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7. Fatal Beauty, giving in to temptation can be murder... (Romantic thriller/mystery) by Yvonne Anthony (Kindle Edition - Dec 19, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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8. Sugar Daddy - A Dark Thriller by Jeff Menapace (Kindle Edition - Mar 4, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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9. Mystery at Geneva (An international mystery thriller classic!) by Rose Macaulay (Kindle Edition - Jan 9, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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10. Double Take: An FBI Thriller (FBI Series) by Catherine Coulter (Kindle Edition - Jun 24, 2008) - Kindle eBook
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11. Drop By Drop: A Thriller by Keith Raffel (Kindle Edition - May 19, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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12. Double Blind: A Mystery Thriller by Jim Ellis (Kindle Edition - Mar 25, 2009) - Kindle eBook
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13. The Unquiet (Charlie Parker) by John Connolly (Kindle Edition - May 15, 2007) - Kindle eBook
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14. The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) by Linda S. Prather (Kindle Edition - Jun 25, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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15. Caribbean Moon (A Manny Williams Thriller) by Rick Murcer (Kindle Edition - Mar 30, 2011) - Kindle eBook
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16. The Beneficiary by Marshall Thornton (Kindle Edition - Jan 30, 2009) - Kindle eBook
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17. Body Toll (Detective Clay Randall Murder Mysteries) by Bruce Thomason (Kindle Edition - Oct 8, 2008) - Kindle eBook
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18. The Inquisitor: A Medical Thriller by Peter Clement (Kindle Edition - Dec 28, 2004) - Kindle eBook
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19. The Big Ben mystery by Fernando Trujillo Sanz, Nieves GarcÃa Bautista, Javier Berzal Rojo and Jack Buckeridge (Kindle Edition - Aug 29, 2010) - Kindle eBook
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20. Other Than Murder by John Lutz (Kindle Edition - Sep 2, 2009) - Kindle eBook
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Related Searches: mysteries, mysteries and thrillers new releases, mystery novels.
Showing 1 - 25 of 16,676 Results
1. Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) by Linda S. Prather and Charles, Jr. Prather (Kindle Edition - Jun 30, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(9)
2. Mystery & Thrillers
Mysteries
Police Procedurals
British Detectives
Mystery Series
Thrillers
Suspense Thrillers
Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue
Technothrillers
3. The Immaculata, a Mystery by Brad Fern (Kindle Edition - Sep 5, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(4)
4. Where There's a Will ....There's Murder (Maggie Flaherty Murder Mysteries -#1) by Julie Ramson (Kindle Edition - Nov 7, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(6)
5. COLD WINTER'S KILL (Jim WestTM Mystery/Thriller) by Bob Doerr (Kindle Edition - May 18, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $9.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(8)
6. Blood & Ashes: The Debut Oscar Jade Thriller! by Mark Loeffelholz (Kindle Edition - Jul 26, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(20)
7. Fatal Beauty, giving in to temptation can be murder... (Romantic thriller/mystery) by Yvonne Anthony (Kindle Edition - Dec 19, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(3)
8. Sugar Daddy - A Dark Thriller by Jeff Menapace (Kindle Edition - Mar 4, 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $1.49
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(10)
9. Mystery at Geneva (An international mystery thriller classic!) by Rose Macaulay (Kindle Edition - Jan 9, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
10. Double Take: An FBI Thriller (FBI Series) by Catherine Coulter (Kindle Edition - Jun 24, 2008) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $7.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(79)
11. Drop By Drop: A Thriller by Keith Raffel (Kindle Edition - May 19, 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(9)
12. Double Blind: A Mystery Thriller by Jim Ellis (Kindle Edition - Mar 25, 2009) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(2)
13. The Unquiet (Charlie Parker) by John Connolly (Kindle Edition - May 15, 2007) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $7.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(49)
14. The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) by Linda S. Prather (Kindle Edition - Jun 25, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(13)
15. Caribbean Moon (A Manny Williams Thriller) by Rick Murcer (Kindle Edition - Mar 30, 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(31)
16. The Beneficiary by Marshall Thornton (Kindle Edition - Jan 30, 2009) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(10)
17. Body Toll (Detective Clay Randall Murder Mysteries) by Bruce Thomason (Kindle Edition - Oct 8, 2008) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $2.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(21)
18. The Inquisitor: A Medical Thriller by Peter Clement (Kindle Edition - Dec 28, 2004) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $7.99
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(10)
19. The Big Ben mystery by Fernando Trujillo Sanz, Nieves GarcÃa Bautista, Javier Berzal Rojo and Jack Buckeridge (Kindle Edition - Aug 29, 2010) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.00
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(7)
20. Other Than Murder by John Lutz (Kindle Edition - Sep 2, 2009) - Kindle eBook
Buy: $0.49
Auto-delivered wirelessly
(4)
Saturday, July 2, 2011
No One To Blame....but yourself!
439 words. I'd love to have a title for this. I wrote it as a writing challenge from Catrina Taylor at: Writer's Challenge
Used this as SampleSunday, but finally got my title.
NO ONE TO BLAME....BUT YOURSELF.
I knew mum would be angry, but I couldn't help myself. Her words rang inside my head as I hid behind the keg of ale. "Blimey, child, look at him. All campy and stiff like that bust of the general in the square. And did ye hear him talk? Breviloquent and all that, just like we wasn't nothing but dirt under this feet. He be nothing but trouble, and ye best be remembering that."
Mum was probably right, but I was bored. And even trouble was better than boredom. The stranger was tall. By far the tallest man I had ever seen. And his hands looked so soft. Not like Jeremiah's. I blushed thinking about those soft hands touching my bosom, opening up long denied emotion, entrancing me in an explosion of desire. I started to breathe in short gasps, as if I'd climbed a mountain. Loosening the top buttons of my blouse, I slipped the sleeves off the shoulders, revealing what most would consider an indecent amount of cleavage. I'd seen the way the stranger looked at me. The way a man looks at a woman he wants. Smiling I slipped from behind the keg of ale and made my way to his table. My eyes met his, and he smiled.
"I like it rough, girlie. You up for that?"
"I like it satisfying. Are you up for that?"
Downing the last of his beer he stood up taking my hand and leading me upstairs to his room. He turned once to look behind us as the patrons burst out in raucous laughter. "Come," I whispered.
True to his word, no sooner had the door closed than he ripped off my clothes, backhanding me hard when I started to protest. In moments he was on top of me grunting, and in less than a minute he rolled off. Rage started in the pit of my bowels, seeping into my blood. Not a single kiss. And he didn't even bother touching my bosom with those soft hands.
Pushing me off the bed he reached for his smokes, laughing softly. "Told you I liked it rough. Got no one to blame but yourself."
I laughed softly as I turned to him, glimpsing the first spark of fear in his eyes. Fear that quickly turned to terror as screams filled the night. In less than a minute I rolled off of him, licking the blood from my lips as the upper fangs slowly dissipated. He was still breathing, and I turned his face so his eyes met mine. "Told you I liked it satisfying. Got no one to blame but yourself."
Hope you enjoyed it, and if you can suggest a good title I would very much appreciate it.
Happy July 4th.
Love the suspense and mystery of The Killing? Check out The Jacody Ives Mysteries
Used this as SampleSunday, but finally got my title.
NO ONE TO BLAME....BUT YOURSELF.
I knew mum would be angry, but I couldn't help myself. Her words rang inside my head as I hid behind the keg of ale. "Blimey, child, look at him. All campy and stiff like that bust of the general in the square. And did ye hear him talk? Breviloquent and all that, just like we wasn't nothing but dirt under this feet. He be nothing but trouble, and ye best be remembering that."
Mum was probably right, but I was bored. And even trouble was better than boredom. The stranger was tall. By far the tallest man I had ever seen. And his hands looked so soft. Not like Jeremiah's. I blushed thinking about those soft hands touching my bosom, opening up long denied emotion, entrancing me in an explosion of desire. I started to breathe in short gasps, as if I'd climbed a mountain. Loosening the top buttons of my blouse, I slipped the sleeves off the shoulders, revealing what most would consider an indecent amount of cleavage. I'd seen the way the stranger looked at me. The way a man looks at a woman he wants. Smiling I slipped from behind the keg of ale and made my way to his table. My eyes met his, and he smiled.
"I like it rough, girlie. You up for that?"
"I like it satisfying. Are you up for that?"
Downing the last of his beer he stood up taking my hand and leading me upstairs to his room. He turned once to look behind us as the patrons burst out in raucous laughter. "Come," I whispered.
True to his word, no sooner had the door closed than he ripped off my clothes, backhanding me hard when I started to protest. In moments he was on top of me grunting, and in less than a minute he rolled off. Rage started in the pit of my bowels, seeping into my blood. Not a single kiss. And he didn't even bother touching my bosom with those soft hands.
Pushing me off the bed he reached for his smokes, laughing softly. "Told you I liked it rough. Got no one to blame but yourself."
I laughed softly as I turned to him, glimpsing the first spark of fear in his eyes. Fear that quickly turned to terror as screams filled the night. In less than a minute I rolled off of him, licking the blood from my lips as the upper fangs slowly dissipated. He was still breathing, and I turned his face so his eyes met mine. "Told you I liked it satisfying. Got no one to blame but yourself."
Hope you enjoyed it, and if you can suggest a good title I would very much appreciate it.
Happy July 4th.
Love the suspense and mystery of The Killing? Check out The Jacody Ives Mysteries
Whet your appetite! Great Mysteries--Great Appetizers
Cookouts just around the corner, how about some great appetizers to whet your appetite. And pick up a great mystery to read while the lights are flashing the rockets are exploding. Adds a little excitement to that edge of the seat page.
The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery
The sound of the door closing downstairs cleared her mind and spurred her on as she threw off the covers and stood on shaky legs. Fear was a great motivator. Nikki. She had to get to her. She stumbled, her legs still not obeying the commands her brain issued. The hallway stretched out before her. Tears filled her eyes. She felt weak, helpless. She hadn’t felt this way since—no, she wouldn’t think about that. That was another life, another lifetime. She was almost there. The same fear that had given her strength, now seemed to paralyze her. She forced her trembling fingers to open the door and flip on the light. Relief robbed her legs of the last vestige of strength. Sinking to the floor, she rested her head against the door jam, tears flowing down her face. Nikki lay, one hand tucked under her angelic face, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the darkness that surrounded them. Safe. It was just a dream.
Sarah pulled herself up and reached for the light just as her gaze fell on the stars floating above the bed. It hadn’t been a dream. Reaching out she touched a star, recoiling from the evil she felt there. He’d been here. In her house. In her daughter’s room.
Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery
Standing up Bud walked back to the window. “She’d a stayed if I’d a asked her to. But I had my pride.” His shoulders slumped. “You get old you realize pride ain’t so important. Family’s important. Somebody to love. Somebody to love you.”
Turning he faced Jacody, eyes pleading. “Seems like you’re pretty good at finding people, Mr. Ives. You can see I ain’t got much, but if you could find my little girl and bring her home I’d give you everything I got.”
Jacody felt the rage building as Bud’s pain penetrated the shell around him. Bud Lynton had grown up in a time where a man’s word and his handshake were all that were needed to seal a deal. Jacody extended his hand. “I’ll find her, Mr. Lynton. And I’ll bring her home.”
APPETIZERS
Chipped Beef
Combine
1 tsp. horseradish
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 (8-oz) carton sour cream
2 (8-oz) pkgs. cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. minced onion
Then add:
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper (I like red and yellow too)
1 (6-oz) jar chipped beef, chopped
Mix well in 1 quart casserole dish
Bake 20 minutes in 350 degree over
Cover with chopped pecans. Serve hot with shredded wheat crackers
Serves 8 to 10 people
One of my favorites
1 (12-oz) roll of braunschweiger
1 (8-oz) pkg. cream cheese
Cream together until smooth (I do this in the blender although it's hard to clean afterwards)
Add
1 envelop dry onion soup mix
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
Blend well. Serve as a mound on tray with crackers
Cheese Log
1 oz. Roquefort cheese
1 cup finely-grated pecans
1 (8-oz) box soft American Cheese
1/8 tsp. garlic power (or more or less to taste)
6 hard shakes of bottled hot sauce (or more or less to taste--I like it hot)
1 wedge (or 6 to 8 ozs.) extra-share grated cheddar cheese
Shape into two logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
Roll logs in chili power (about 1/2 of medium can) until heavily coated
Wrap logs in plastic wrap. Chill until firm. Cut into slices before serving. Serve with crackers.
Crab Meat Spread
Melt in top of double boiler: 1 lb butter
Add: 1 lb. soft, boxed American cheese cubed
Stir constantly with whisk or spoon until completely blended together.
Add 1 (6-oz.) can crab meat
Keep hot in chafing dish
Serve with sesame crackers
Sausage Balls
Combine
1 lb. sausage (I like it hot, but mild is fine)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups prepared biscuit mix
Blend well
Shape into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven.
You can freeze these for breakfast or snacks. If fozen, bake for 20 minutes in 400 degree oven.
Scalloped Mushrooms
Saute 1 lb. fresh mushrooms in 1/4 cup of butter for 5 to 10 minutes (you can substitute margarine for the butter if you like)
Season with salt and pepper. Spread in shallow baking dish, rouded side up.
Combine:
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 tbsps. very dry sherry
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. instant onion
Add a dash of hot sauce if you like things hot. Pour over mushrooms. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees until cream has been reduced to half and mushrooms are golden.
You can use this for a meat sauce also. If you're making it as an appetizer bake until almost dry and serve with toothpicks.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Brown 2 grated medium-sized onions in butter
Add:
1 1/2 lbs. ground veal
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
3 cups soft bread crumbs
3 tsps. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
3 beaten eggs
Form into bite-sized balls. Brown in butter in heavy skillet
Combine
1 (15-oz) can tomato puree
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
Pour over meatballs. Simmer 1 hour
Add
Juice of 2 lemons
1 cup brown sugar
Simmer another hour
Have a great holiday!
The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery
The sound of the door closing downstairs cleared her mind and spurred her on as she threw off the covers and stood on shaky legs. Fear was a great motivator. Nikki. She had to get to her. She stumbled, her legs still not obeying the commands her brain issued. The hallway stretched out before her. Tears filled her eyes. She felt weak, helpless. She hadn’t felt this way since—no, she wouldn’t think about that. That was another life, another lifetime. She was almost there. The same fear that had given her strength, now seemed to paralyze her. She forced her trembling fingers to open the door and flip on the light. Relief robbed her legs of the last vestige of strength. Sinking to the floor, she rested her head against the door jam, tears flowing down her face. Nikki lay, one hand tucked under her angelic face, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the darkness that surrounded them. Safe. It was just a dream.
Sarah pulled herself up and reached for the light just as her gaze fell on the stars floating above the bed. It hadn’t been a dream. Reaching out she touched a star, recoiling from the evil she felt there. He’d been here. In her house. In her daughter’s room.
Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery
Standing up Bud walked back to the window. “She’d a stayed if I’d a asked her to. But I had my pride.” His shoulders slumped. “You get old you realize pride ain’t so important. Family’s important. Somebody to love. Somebody to love you.”
Turning he faced Jacody, eyes pleading. “Seems like you’re pretty good at finding people, Mr. Ives. You can see I ain’t got much, but if you could find my little girl and bring her home I’d give you everything I got.”
Jacody felt the rage building as Bud’s pain penetrated the shell around him. Bud Lynton had grown up in a time where a man’s word and his handshake were all that were needed to seal a deal. Jacody extended his hand. “I’ll find her, Mr. Lynton. And I’ll bring her home.”
APPETIZERS
Chipped Beef
Combine
1 tsp. horseradish
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 (8-oz) carton sour cream
2 (8-oz) pkgs. cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. minced onion
Then add:
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper (I like red and yellow too)
1 (6-oz) jar chipped beef, chopped
Mix well in 1 quart casserole dish
Bake 20 minutes in 350 degree over
Cover with chopped pecans. Serve hot with shredded wheat crackers
Serves 8 to 10 people
One of my favorites
1 (12-oz) roll of braunschweiger
1 (8-oz) pkg. cream cheese
Cream together until smooth (I do this in the blender although it's hard to clean afterwards)
Add
1 envelop dry onion soup mix
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
Blend well. Serve as a mound on tray with crackers
Cheese Log
1 oz. Roquefort cheese
1 cup finely-grated pecans
1 (8-oz) box soft American Cheese
1/8 tsp. garlic power (or more or less to taste)
6 hard shakes of bottled hot sauce (or more or less to taste--I like it hot)
1 wedge (or 6 to 8 ozs.) extra-share grated cheddar cheese
Shape into two logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
Roll logs in chili power (about 1/2 of medium can) until heavily coated
Wrap logs in plastic wrap. Chill until firm. Cut into slices before serving. Serve with crackers.
Crab Meat Spread
Melt in top of double boiler: 1 lb butter
Add: 1 lb. soft, boxed American cheese cubed
Stir constantly with whisk or spoon until completely blended together.
Add 1 (6-oz.) can crab meat
Keep hot in chafing dish
Serve with sesame crackers
Sausage Balls
Combine
1 lb. sausage (I like it hot, but mild is fine)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups prepared biscuit mix
Blend well
Shape into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven.
You can freeze these for breakfast or snacks. If fozen, bake for 20 minutes in 400 degree oven.
Scalloped Mushrooms
Saute 1 lb. fresh mushrooms in 1/4 cup of butter for 5 to 10 minutes (you can substitute margarine for the butter if you like)
Season with salt and pepper. Spread in shallow baking dish, rouded side up.
Combine:
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 tbsps. very dry sherry
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. instant onion
Add a dash of hot sauce if you like things hot. Pour over mushrooms. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees until cream has been reduced to half and mushrooms are golden.
You can use this for a meat sauce also. If you're making it as an appetizer bake until almost dry and serve with toothpicks.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Brown 2 grated medium-sized onions in butter
Add:
1 1/2 lbs. ground veal
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
3 cups soft bread crumbs
3 tsps. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
3 beaten eggs
Form into bite-sized balls. Brown in butter in heavy skillet
Combine
1 (15-oz) can tomato puree
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
Pour over meatballs. Simmer 1 hour
Add
Juice of 2 lemons
1 cup brown sugar
Simmer another hour
Have a great holiday!
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