Book Review: First Omega by Rebecca James

Next up we have...

This is an M/M book about werewolves and their pack.

This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.

A human is sent to learn about werewolves by spending a month with them, but he soon learns something about himself that will change his life forever...if he can live that long.

This is definitely a sex driven book, no doubt about that, but there is also a darker plot going on behind the scenes. While most of the book is spent making you suspicious of the werewolves through Josiah's eyes, it soon becomes apparent that not all is as it seems. I hope the dark schemes are solved in the second one, as this one leaves you hanging a bit at the end.

Book Review: Beneath the Layers Anthology

Ok, so I've recently joined a group on Goodreads that reviews books that are coming out to try and help authors get some publicity. I'm gonna be posting the reviews I do here as well. So, first off I have...

This is an M/M book that is an anthology about men and their love of satin and lace.

This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.

1. A Linebacker in Lace by Caitlin Ricci

An ex linebacker gets spotted wearing a pair of lady's underwear, and it leads him down a previously unknown path.

It was refreshing to see a manly man accepting that he liked being in lace. The way Brent was accepted without question by Arliss and his family was sweet as well. Gives warm fuzzies when you can feel the love coming from the story.

2. Satin Secrets by CL Mustafic

On a snowy evening a man gets an unexpected visit from a police officer. But is the officer there to warn him of danger, or is he, himself, the danger?

I'll have to admit that I've seen these characters before in the author's book Falling for Him, so I know a bit more of their personalities than the average reader would. (You should check out that book, it's their story) But I will try to review this as if I didn't know them. It was an intense story that leaves you worrying about what's going to happen next, but the twist makes it all better. It was cute getting to be in Gavin's head, seeing his fears and doubts, then seeing them put to rest.

3. Backwards and in High heels by Elizabeth Coldwell

A man takes dancing lessons to surprise his lover with his welcome home gift, but it's not the only thing he has up his sleeve that night.

It was sweet to see him work so hard to give his guy the gift of a dance together, and to have all of his gifts be accepted so well made me smile.

4. Angels in Delaware by Sita Bethel

A shy man takes a chance and goes home with a gay couple. Both of whom are looking for more than just a one night stand. Could this be the start of something new for all parties involved?

I like the characters in this. Delaware is a tough guy who just so happens to wear dresses and is genderfluid. Angel loves him just the way he is, and Beau is just the guy they are looking for to try and take a chance with them.

5. All That Entails by E.M. Hamill

A genderfluid prince is forced to take a bride for the good of the kingdom, but he may have found the perfect match in a woman who calls herself Henry.

Watching the difficulties the two of them faced because of who they are caused irritation. Not because of bad writing or anything mind you, but because I felt their struggle. I am glad they found each other and can finally be themselves, even if only in private.

6. After the Dance by Sydney Blackburn

A Cinderella story about a grease monkey who works on airships, and the owner of the company’s son.

A sweet story involving secrets, disguise, and love no matter what form it’s taken. The timeline was a little hard to place at times, maybe because I’m not as familiar with the era.

7. A Secret Shared by C.C. Blocke

A geeky dungeon master and his closeted football player boyfriend play a game when it’s finally revealed how much of a geek the little guy is. In return the jock has his own secret to reveal.

This story genuinely made me laugh several times. I am a geek and hearing the banter between the two was funny.

8. Ruffle My Feathers

A drag performer keeps it a secret from his fellow coworkers that the burly man likes to dress up on the weekends. At least it’s a secret until his boss comes in to see the show and recognizes him.

I like it when the tough guys have a softer side. I like it even more when they accept it, and own it. Well done.

Enchiladas

My roomie and I love to make these.

ground beef
sour cream
cream of chicken condensed soup
red enchilada sauce (optional)
taco sauce
taco seasoning
canned green chilies
flour tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 fahrenheit

Cook however much ground beef you need to fill however many tortillas you get. After fully cooked, drain the grease. Return to the pan and stir in a little water to get taco seasoning to stick, then add that and the green chilies to taste. In a large bowl add cream of chicken soup and sour cream in an equal amount. Add taco seasoning, taco sauce, and (optional) enchilada sauce to taste.

Line your cooking pan with foil, and (this is important) spray your foil with non stick cooking spray. Lay down a light layer of your soup goo. Add a cooking spoon or so of the goo to your meat and stir together.

Place ground beef in your tortilla and roll up like a burrito, place them in the soup lined pan. Pour remaining soup goo on top, then cover in shredded cheese.

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. If desired, broil for a short time to crisp the cheese a bit.

Also, these are really good topped with taco sauce, but that's a personal preference.

Pre-Oven

Post-Oven

Noms!

Moral: God I love these!

Tuesdays with Morrie

So, I finally took the advice of a friend of mine and sat down to read this. I knew going in basically what it was about, so I prepared myself to have a good cry.

I remained strong through it, but I had happened to see in the table of contents that there were 14 Tuesdays written about, with 14 titled something about saying goodbye. I didn't think anything about it until I happen to look up at the chapter title I am on. 9. Oh no, I'm on the 9th Tuesday! But 14 is right around the corner. At this point I begin to get a bit anxious, and the closer it comes, the more upset I'm getting. Then one sentence sets it all off. Morrie tells Mitch that if he had had another son, he would have been proud if he had been it. Annnnd cue the waterworks.

I keep reading, and the chapters are coming faster, the pages fewer as his visits become shorter, and Morrie grows weaker. The final goodbye let loose more tears from my already emotional self. It was a very good book, and I will recommend it to my friends. Just be warned, it will make you cry if you have even a tiny amount of love in you. But sometimes, crying is a good thing.

As Morrie says, "It's ok to cry."

Egg Dog Tortilla

Was bored and hungry, how else do these start? (still emptying the hard drive)

Spray/grease your pan and pour your scrambled eggs in.

Try to keep it round

Instead of cooking the eggs by constantly moving them, let it sit for a little bit, 'till you think it's solid enough to turn over in one piece without making a mess.

Hopefully you are a better flipper than I am

Add cheese, cuz cheese is awesome.

Yessss, cheeeeese

Now, pick up the egg patty thing with your spatula and put down a tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle cheese on top, then add your egg back on top.

It would be better if the two cheese sides were opposite though

When cheese is melty take off and heat up your hot dog, then place on top.

I hope yours is prettier

Now add mayo or ketchup, or whatever you do to your eggs.

Such graceful lines =P

Then roll up and enjoy.

Time for nomming

This was surprisingly good. Just be sure to pick a hotdog you like that's not too strong, or it'll overpower the eggs.

Moral: Very good, will do again

Sweet Dreams

Still emptying the hard drive. Last summer I finished the Sweet Dreams Afghan for a friend. I didn't have the right size needle or yarn, so I kinda made it up as I went. I followed the pattern except when it came time to do the edging. My stitches didn't match up, so I kinda fudged it. Ah well. But, since I'm an in progress kinda girl lemme show you my progress pics.

 Close up of the in progress texture with my needle

Here she is

She's gettin' bigger

Aaaaaalmost done

Tada! Ignore the uneven edging peeps

Don't know if you can tell in the close up or not, but every other cluster/shell is filled, so it makes this cool kinda diagonal pattern stripey thing.

I'm quite proud of it. It looks really good with a baby in front of it too, but I'm not gonna share pics of someone else's baby without permission. Seems kinda creepy you know?

Mini Posts

So, I've got a few pics that I only took a couple of, or even just one. Decided that instead of devoting an entire post to each, I'd just round up a few short ones and put them all in here. These are still coming off of my hard drive, so the pics are a bit old. Go with me here.

Kimchee Pizza

While at an asian market I wanted kimchee, but I didn't pay attention (plus I couldn't read it) and accidentally got the radish kind instead of the cabbage kind. My bad. I tried several ways of eating it, but nothing really flipped my switch. One way I tried was on a Totinos pizza. I placed pieces on the pizza, and baked it. Simple as that.

=P

Moral: Not doing that again.

Gravy Rice Sammich

My roommate made beef tips and rice one night, which is basically cut up beef, rice, and gravy. There might be other stuff in it, I'm not sure. I couldn't eat all of my rice, so the next day I had gravy covered rice, and no idea what to do with it. Most things can be improved with sammiches.

Rice, turkey, and cheese, what could go wrong?

...

Moral: Don't do this...seriously.

Taco Sammich

Speaking of sammiches. I had some of those leftover taco sauce packs from Taco Bell, and was struck with the question, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" Make a taco sammich, of course.

First, gather your ingredients: lunchmeat of some kind, bread, sour cream, and your taco sauce.

 And something to spread the stuff with, duh

Spread your taco sauce on one side, and your sour cream on the other.

Came out kinda wet

Add your lunchmeat and nom.

Cheese probably wouldn't hurt

It turned out a little wet from the sauce, so I wouldn't let this sit for long. It wasn't bad though. Not super fantastic, but not bad.

Moral: Meh, I might do it again to get rid of extra sauce...or I could just make tacos.