![]() Mardi Gras may be over for this year, but the party is always in full swing. Did you know there are drinks that originated in New Orleans and the first cocktail was introduced in the crescent city? While you will find most locals indulging in beer and wine, there are some cocktails exclusive to this part of the country that you may want to try. You can make them yourself wherever in the world you are by simply following the recipes. Sazerac This drink is not commonly ordered by locals, but it does have its history. The Sazerac originated in New Orleans in 1838 when Antoine Amedie Peychaud served his friends brandy toddies made from his own recipe. The toddies were mixed in an egg cup called a “coquetier” from which the English word cocktail derived, introducing the world's first cocktail. 1/4 oz. Absinthe 1 sugar cube 1 1/2 oz. Rye whiskey or Cognac 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters serve straight up in an old fashioned glass Hurricane The most famous New Orleans cocktail is the Hurricane, a potent drink that originated at Pat O’Briens in the French Quarter. The Hurricane is served in the traditional Hurricane glass at Pat O’Briens. You can get this sweet, fruity drink at other local bars, but it will be served to you in a glass or plastic cup. I don’t know how the name “Hurricane” originated, but just as the name implies, it’s a category 5 drink, so my advice: go easy on them. 2 oz. Light Rum 2 oz. Dark Rum 2 oz. Passion Fruit Juice 1 oz. Orange Juice 1/2 oz. Lime Juice 1 tbsp. Grenadine Mix and Shake with ice, then pour into the glass and serve. The Pimm's Cup The signature drink of The Napoleon House, The Pimm’s Cup is a perfect drink for the hot and humid long New Orleans summers. Born in London and re-engineered in New Orleans, this cool and refreshing mixture of Pimms #1 and lemonade topped off with Sprite or 7-Up can be found in most local bars. 1 oz. Pimm’s #1 3 oz. Lemonade Top off with Sprite or 7-Up Cajun Bloody Mary Yes, you can get a Bloody Mary anywhere, but we like them a little hotter and spicier down here. Add enough garnishments to it, and you can have it for breakfast. 1.5 oz. Vodka 3 oz. Tomato Juice 1 dash Worchestershire Sauce 1/2 tsp. Horseradish 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper 2 tbsp. Lime Juice Tabasco Hot Sauce (to taste depending on how hot you like it) Garnish with celery stalks, lime slices, pickled okra, string beans, and olives
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Karina Kantas stopped by The Courtyard today to tell us all about Karen J. Mossman's new book, Distant Time. I'm adding this one to my TBR list.
Distant Time is an Electric Eclectic book, novellas designed to introduce you to new authors.
Description
Imagine visiting a village that has just been invaded by German WW2 soldiers. Now imagine you are no longer invisible. What would you do if you woke to find yourself in a strange place not knowing who you were? Running outside, you find yourself caught up in a war. Not only that - you run for your life and come face to face with yourself. Julie is time travelling and something has gone drastically wrong. Read this thrilling adventure where the future needs evidence collected from the past. Extract Every nerve in my body was on fire, my heart beating so fast, I could hardly breathe. I was about to run into the open, but saw a soldier aim a gun at a man on his knees. He fired. The man collapsed. I saw his family watching and heard their screams and cries. I stopped dead in my tracks, stared, horrified, before turning to vomit behind a wall. Wiping my mouth I crawled into a space between outbuildings. Balefully, watching the scene unfold, tears streamed down my face. Tanks were rolling through the village, crashing into buildings, running over fences, anything that got in their way. Some people were being killed; others herded up like animals for slaughter. Fear fizzed in the air and the noise of terror was just as deafening. Crouching down, my hands automatically covered my ears. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut. I didn’t want any part of this, yet here I was. I had no idea what to do or where to go. I didn’t want to die.
About the Author
Karen J Mossman is a multi genre author. This is her second novella under the Electric Eclectic brand. One Christmas was published in December 2017. She lives in north Wales on the Isle of Anglesey with her husband and Yorkshire Terrier, Tilly. See all Electric Eclectic book here. http://amzn.to/2EI8HbX Join their FaceBook page here. Social Media Website: https://magicofstories.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenjmossmanauthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenJMoss Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9814921.Karen_J_Mossman Amazon: Author.to/KM Distant Time Link BlurbSoldier. Traitor. Savior. In an empire where political power is everything, Captain Timothy Val wants one thing: to serve his empire with honor and distinction. But after a mission to quell a revolt goes terribly wrong, Timothy is branded a traitor and barely escapes with his life. His only hope of regaining his lost honor and clearing his family name rests in the hands of a senator planning to use him as the face of a revolution. With an intergalactic war looming and civil unrest spreading through the empire, Timothy must tread carefully. Assassins wait around every corner, and his new allies have made him powerful enemies, enemies that may not be entirely Human. To save the empire, Timothy will have to betray every oath he’s ever taken.
Aftermath: Chapter One excerpt http://brokenempire.bolidepublishing.com/aftermath-chapter-…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR E.A. Copen is a prolific speculative fiction author living in beautiful Southeast Ohio with her three kids, three cats, a dog, and a husband. She writes everything from space opera to weird west and all the strange genre mashups in between. When she’s not chained to her keyboard working on her next novel, she enjoys exploring old graveyards and other creepy places. On weekends, you can find her time traveling with her SCA friends, at least until she saves up enough money to leave the Shire and become a Jedi.
https://www.facebook.com/ecopen1
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1002317576536616/ https://www.facebook.com/brokenempire.eacopen/ ![]()
AVAILABLE TO PREORDER NOW. https://www.amazon.com/Aftermath-Broken-Empire-Book-1-eb…/…/
https://www.facebook.com/ecopen1 (Like E.Copen's facebook page for a chance to win this exciting novel in e-book format.)
My first novel, Song of the Vampire has been revamped. Why? Because as we learn and grow as writers, we get better at our craft. When I went back and revisited the book after some time had passed, I still felt connected to the story and the characters, but I knew I could make it better. The new 2nd edition contains major editorial editions, but the story is still the same. The prologue that had little to do with the story has been eliminated, and chapter one has been rewritten focusing more on the characters. There are some other insignificant parts that have been removed, and some fun additions have been included allowing the story to flow better. If you haven't read it, grab a Kindle or paperback copy now. If you have Kindle Unlimited, it's always free. ![]()
ENTER IF YOU DARE. A new Ghostly Writes Anthology for 2017, gives you sixteen authors from around the world with ghostly stories and poems for you to read. Each short story will take you to a new place, be it the future, present or past.
Plaisted Publishing House is happy to present this book to you - our readers. Please note that all stories are written in the English of the country the Author resides in. Amazon Link https://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Writes-Anthology-Writers-Group-ebook/dp/B076Y1NKK4 Kobo https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/ghostly-writes-anthology-2017 - Kobo says it isn’t available in UK… Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Ghostly_Writers_Ghostly_Writes_Anthology_2017?id=m7E7DwAAQBAJ Author Links http://www.claireplaisted.wordpress.com https://firefly465.wordpress.com http://www.elizabethhorton-newtonauthor.com/ https://mhembroff.wordpress.com http://www.charlottes-webstories.com https://www.facebook.com/Author.LynnMullican/ http://www.facebook.com/kyrenalynch1 https://www.facebook.com/MaraReitsmaAuthor/ https://www.facebook.com/cassandraswritingworld/ www.facebook.com/mlynesauthor Ghostly Writes is a group of Indie Authors from around the world who get together to produce an ebook for Halloween. You can find them at www.facebook.com/ghostlywritesanthology
A secret is a secret for good reason.
Kerry O’Brien has a secret so terrible it burns inside her. All she wants is to be part of a normal family, but with a step father like Bill, that is impossible. Set in the 1970s when secrets like this were only ever whispered about, Kerry somehow keeps her humour by pretending everything is fine. Then she meets biker Tommy, and he has his own secret; one that impacts on her. Kerry’s secret becomes harder to keep and the tell-tell signs are harder to hide. Can she keep it together? Can Tommy and Kerry get it together? Then the worst happens and Kerry’s secret is a secret no more. Universal Link Amazon UK Amazon US
I panicked to change the subject, and blurted, “You stole that money back and spent it on booze, didn’t you? How do you think we paid for this?” On reflection, it was probably not the best thing to say. The gleam in his eye snapped off and Mum and Jodie looked scared. “Oh? And how did you pay for it?” He knew, but I didn’t want to make him any angrier. “Kerry?” “I bought it,” I said, finally because I couldn’t think of anything else quick enough. His face turned to thunder. He picked up his plate and threw it at me. “Well you can fucking-well have it then!” I was so sick of treading on egg shells all the time. Sick of seeing Mum and Jodie constantly wearing frightened expressions. I couldn’t stop myself and sometimes I’m my own worst enemy. “Go on then, spoil it for everyone, like you normally do,” I retorted. He lashed out as I ducked. “You’re an ungrateful bitch!” He then picked up my plate to throw, and stumbled. It teetered on the edge of table before smashing on the floor. More food spread over the kitchen. I screamed. He got to his feet as Mum and Jodie scattered. “Didn’t I give you a roof over your head?” he yelled at me. “Haven’t I been paying for it ever since?” I yelled back. “Kerry, for God’s sake,” Mum screamed. Jodie was crying loudly and she couldn’t get out of the door because Bill was standing there and I could see Creepy Colin had come to see what the commotion was. What the readers are saying: Karen Mossman’s The Secret is the beautifully written story of high spirited, Irish-born Kerry O'Brien who struggles to walk a tightrope in her dangerous home life. Set in Manchester, England, in the 1970s, a more “innocent” time when family secrets could be even more deadly than today the cloud of secrecy over domestic abuse made it hard for victims to find a way out Lynne Murray The story is gripping and interesting, the romance warm and simmering. I absolutely loved the ending, which gives the story an almost fairy tale-like feeling. All in all, it was a very enjoyable two hour read, and I whole heartedly recommend it to fans of the genre. S Anderson I really enjoyed this book and I was automatically drawn into the characters world, from the very first page. Tommy treats Kerry like a queen and it's so refreshing to read a story where the man respects and truly loves the girl. Jenna Hodge The characters were so real and the story definitely so believable. These sort of secrets unfortunately still go on. Let's hope others can find the strength, just like Kerry to come out the other side. Lindy-Lou Karen J Mossman is originally from Manchester in the UK, but has now settled into retirement with her husband of nearly 40s. She lives on Anglesey, a small Island off the North Wales coast and says, ‘Retirement means I am busier than ever as I’m able to spend more time writing. I’m also an avid book reader and blogger. When I am not working on my computer, I belong to an embroidery club where I cross stitch and also involved in Anglesey Federation of Women’s Institute. So, retirement has improved my life by enabling me to do the things that make me happy.’ Karen is very active on Social Media and you can link us with her here: Google+ Website Book Blog
Resuscitation (The Trauma Series #3) by Cassia Brightmore Author Genre: Dark Romance Release Date: October 2nd, 2017 Cover Model: Lance Jones Photography by: Dave Kelley Cover Design: Concierge Literary Designs & Photography
Trust. No. One.
A mantra that Dr. Cian O’Reilly has lived by; never allowing any new insiders to pierce his inner circle. Until her. Dr. Athena Payne was his game changer, the woman he wanted to bring into his cloak of darkness; to share in his malicious desires of torture and terror as the executioner of all who escaped justice. But when faced with an alleged betrayal of that trust, how far will he go to seek his vengeance?
Love. Conquers. All.
Three words that Athena Payne has always believed whole-heartedly. In her determination to become a brilliant heart surgeon, her thirst for knowledge tossed her headlong into a hidden conspiracy, a deadly game of death intertwined with the complications of love. Trusting and loving Cian may very well be the last things she ever does as she’s faced with paying the ultimate price for allowing him into her heart.
Save a life. Take a life.
Will the hardest kill Cian’s ever faced be his last? As others circle closer to learning his true identity, interns and attendings alike face the possibility of losing everything they’ve fought so hard to gain.
Trust no one. Let love conquer all. And prepare for a shocking ending that you won’t see coming in this third installment of the Trauma Series.
Lincoln Hospital, where the cure can be your worst nightmare.
Warning: Contains violent and graphic situations not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen. This is the third book in the "Dexter" meets "Grey's Anatomy" series and ends on a cliffhanger. All books must be read in order to follow the series.
On the twenty-third day—he hunts, bringing the scum of the earth to justice; his justice. Ending up as a patient on Dr. O’Reilly’s table could either save your life or end it in the most horrific way.
New York City. The infamous city that never sleeps; the place where dreams either shine brightly or shatter into razor sharp pieces of metal. For Dr. Cian O’Reilly, it’s the perfect city to disguise his dark alter ego. As a top surgeon at Lincoln Hospital, he has access to resources far beyond the reach of the average person; the ideal cover for his double life. By day, he’s the epitome of professionalism. By night, the facade is stripped away and his true depraved self is revealed.
When Dr. Athena Payne joins the roster as a new surgical intern, Cian’s carefully constructed life is thrown into turmoil. With her sunny smile and wide-eyed innocence, she threatens to break through his iron-like exterior, exposing the man beneath. Following her dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon, her internship at Lincoln Hospital is the first step in achieving her goals. Something about the dark air of mystery that surrounds her new boss, Dr. Cian O’Reilly, leaves Athena questioning just what it is that the good doctor is hiding.
A killer on the loose. A doctor wielding a deadly blade. An intern caught in the midst of first love and a lethal web of murder.
Lincoln Hospital. Where the cure can be your worst nightmare.
Warning: Contains violence and graphic situations not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.
AMAZON US AMAZON CA AMAZON UK AMAZON AUS iBOOKS NOOK KOBO
Murder. Deceit. Revenge.
Within the walls of the prestigious Lincoln Hospital in New York City, a hunter awaits. A man with a thirst for blood and an appetite for vengeance. Dr. Cian O’Reilly, the city’s most respected cardiovascular surgeon, is living a double life, one bathed in torture and mayhem as he delivers final justice to the city’s most heinous criminals.
When a new influx of physicians joins the rotation, the struggle for anonymity intensifies as a nosy reporter inches closer to the truth about Cian’s true identity. In a dangerous game of kill or be killed, no one is safe and everyone is a potential victim.
A romance blossoming on the premise of murder. An escaped killer on the loose. A traitor in the midst intent on bringing them all down.
Lincoln Hospital. Where the cure can be your worst nightmare.
Warning: Contains violence and graphic situations not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen. This is the second book in the "Dexter" meets "Grey's Anatomy" series and ends on a cliffhanger. All books must be read in order to follow the series.
AMAZON US AMAZON CA AMAZON UK AMAZON AUS iBOOKS NOOK KOBO
Cassia Brightmore is a Canadian dark romance author. She loves writing dark stories with twisted characters that she hopes will thrill the reader as well as make them fall in love.
She loves hockey, video games and online shopping. If she's not writing or editing, you can usually find her doing one of these things. Writing is her passion and publishing her first book as an indie author is truly a dream come true.
Her titles include:
The Darkness Series Book One: Malevolent Book Two: Evanesce Book Three: Denouement Book Four: Repentance
The Trauma Series Book One: Lincoln Hospital Book Two: Flatline
Standalones Unworthy
FACEBOOK WEBSITE EMAIL INSTAGRAM
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Aaron-Michael Hall is a Speculative Fiction author (Epic Fantasy and Science Fantasy with an EDGE) originally from southern Illinois. Since August 2015, she has written eight full-length novels and published four. Her first novel, The Rise of Nazil has won numerous reader awards.
Now, when she is not interviewing indie authors on her Desu Beast Blog, being super mom, wrangling stampeding miniature dachshunds, or managing her 9 to 5, she is interweaving genres, creating languages, and adding just the right edge to keep you turning pages. Aaron-Michael created the Mehlonii language for her diverse Epic Fantasy series. Along with intriguing characters, multilayered plots, new species, deities, and creatures, the Mehlonii language adds that fantastical element missing from most modern Epic/High fantasy. You can listen to samples of the spoken Mehlonii language on her website’s Mehlonii page. When asked why she wrote this series, Aaron-Michael simply said, “It needed to be written.” It is her hope that the readers enjoy the wonders of Faélondul and Ahmezurhran even more than she enjoyed writing about them. Website: http://aaronmichaelhall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aaron.Michael.Hall.Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRiseofNazil Mailing list http://theriseofnazil.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6b56f127540fa86812db8fc01&id=2d8cf30afe YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronMichaelHall Science Fantasy Romance Duology by: Newland Moon
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Orphaned as a young child and growing up alone in the forest, Delina lives a life of isolation; her only companion a saber-toothed panther. Her strange eyes frighten those she occasionally encounters, so she keeps to herself, until a young, wounded warrior ends up at her doorstep. As she nurses him back to health, she discovers she is more than just a young woman with unusual eyes, she is a dragonblood, destined to become the ruler of Almar.
Now hunted by the dark sorcerer who murdered her father, usurped his throne, and killed all her kin, she must find out how she can release the essence of the dragon inside her to defeat him. Everything depends upon her willingness to embrace her legacy and reclaim the Dragon Throne.
Excerpt from Dragonblood Throne: Legacy, by Tom Fallwell
Copyright © 2017 by Tom Fallwell – All Rights Reserved
Ignoring the two scribes fidgeting nervously behind him, Kargoth anxiously watched the cosmic tableau of the moons unfold in the darkened sky from his balcony. The rare, lunar eclipse was only moments away from its apex, the new moon phase of Tibel almost centered within the bright ring of Sianor behind it.
While he would never admit it, not even to himself, Kargoth was fearful as he waited to see if the prophecy was true, if there would be a sign indicating a dragonblood still lived in Almar. The words of that prophecy played continually in his mind as he waited with bated breath.
Ring of the heavens,
Ring shining bright.
Darkness the lesser
Than greater moon's light.
When the ring glows bright
As the moons above turn,
Blood shows the sign
Of the dragons return.
A dragon reborn
From an innocent child.
The power will grow
As emotions run wild.
The dragon will rise
When all hope seems lost.
All evil will pay
The dragonblood's cost.
The dragonblood comes,
The darkness will die.
The dragon wings spread
And the dragon will fly.
“Here it comes,” Kargoth said, never removing his gaze from the moons. “Now we’ll see if there is any truth to this prophecy.”
The scribes trembled, fearing their High Lord's wrath, as Tibel firmly centered itself in front of Sianor. The light in the night lessened momentarily as Tibel covered much of Sianor's full and bright splendor.
The slim circle of light around Tibel began to burn brightly, becoming a brilliant glowing ring in the night sky. For a moment, the scholars hoped that perhaps the prophecy was false, but a red glow began to fill the darkness of Tibel. It was as if some celestial being had poured a bowl of blood into the mold of the darkened Tibel, now glowing with a red, unearthly light. The eclipse became a white circle filled with a blood-red glow.
The prophecy was true! It was a sign of blood! Of dragonblood!
The scribes slowly backed away from the balcony in fear, anticipating the wrath of their lord. They could almost hear Kargoth's rage brewing inside him as he suddenly turned on them, his steel eyes boring into their souls.
“It's true! That beast, Jeraldin, had another child!” His anger turned on the two robed figures. “You should have known this sooner! You impotent cretins!”
He raised both hands in front of him, palms outward. The terrified scribes turned to run, but it was too late. A dark fiery energy streamed from both his hands, as jets of black, searing flame engulfed the two men. Their horrifying screams of agony echoed throughout the chamber and into the halls beyond as their bodies were consumed by the deadly power Kargoth had loosed upon them. Within seconds, only smoldering piles of ash remained on the floor.
Dropping his hands in frustration, a deep and tortured frown peeked from the shadows of his hood. Kargoth stormed toward the throne room door. “Guards! Guards! Get my generals! Now!”
Whoever this dragonblood was, Kargoth had to make sure they never lived long enough to be a threat to his power. He would scour the entire kingdom and find this dragonblood. He couldn’t allow one of their kind to live.

Early in life, Tom Fallwell discovered a love for fantasy and science-fiction, delighting in the wonderful escape into realms undreamed of. Weaned on the greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert E. Howard, Roger Zelazny, Robert A. Heinlein, and Michael Moorcock, just to name a few, Tom's imagination was forever inspired by those marvelous tales.
One day, he discovered a simple book of rules called 'Chainmail', by Gary Gygax, and found a new love: the love of creating adventures and stories of his own. 'Chainmail' evolved into 'Dungeons & Dragons', and Tom played consistently with friends as both a player and a dungeon master (DM) for decades. Such activities helped him develop his ability to create worlds and stories for other players to enjoy.
Now retired from his long career as a software developer, Tom writes all the adventures and characters that constantly fill his mind and shares them with the world.
Website: http://tomfallwell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTomFallwell
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Fallwell/e/B00IV2JSJI
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11303749.Tom_Fallwell
Rangers of Laerean Series: https://www.facebook.com/RangersofLaerean
Dragonblood Throne Series: https://www.facebook.com/DragonbloodThrone
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073SYDP68
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/735008
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NEW ORLEANS VAMPIRES/GHOSTS Of HISTORY AND LEGEND