HOCKEY TIME!

Mike Richards, Drew Doughty, Dustin Penner, Jeff Carter

For those of you who aren't hockey fans, the 2012/13 NHL season was postponed because of an owner lockout. After months of nail-biting exasperation on my part, I was THRILLED to find out they finally came to an agreement.

We've got a (short) season!

I am trying to go to one of their practice sessions in El Segundo, which are open to the fans. I want to see, hear and breathe hockey atmosphere. For the book. It's all for the book, of course.

There are a whole bunch of practices scheduled but I need a buddy to go with me. I'm not brave enough to do that kind of adventure alone. Wish me luck!

Photo by JulieandSteve (cc)

Entertaining Kate #5

Jack Reacher is a movie taken from a book series written by Lee Child. I really enjoyed it, even if I saw the twist coming. Regardless of Tom Cruise's personal life or beliefs, I think he is a good actor. There was only one line that my son and I thought was stupid. Reacher has proven himself to be a lethal fighter, and a young woman, awed, attracted to and a little scared of him, says something like, "Really, mister, who are you?"

Otherwise, I liked the action, the plot, the cast. The scary dude was really scary, and I might compare it with Taken, in that it also features a man on a mission who doesn't play by all the rules, but who thankfully has a set of morals to balance his skills.

Salted Toffee-Chocolate Squares

• This is a FANTASTIC recipe. It's super easy and fast, too. I make these at holiday time for the neighbors, who rave about them. The recipe is from Martha Stewart Everyday Food magazine, but I  reduced the amount of nuts because these cookies are a bit pricy to make. 

Go here to see a video of them being made.

• 
  
• Salted Toffee-Chocolate Squares 

INGREDIENTS

• 14 graham crackers
• 1 bag (8 ounces) toffee bits
• 1 cup coarsely chopped toasted natural almonds
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup (4 ounces) bittersweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place graham crackers in a single layer on sheet, edges touching. Sprinkle toffee bits, almonds, and chocolate chips over graham crackers.
2. In a small saucepan, bring sugar and butter to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is syrupy, 2 minutes. Immediately pour over graham crackers. Bake until sugar topping is bubbling, 12 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle salt over graham crackers. While still hot, cut into 2-inch squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Let cool completely on sheet on a wire rack. (Store in an airtight container, up to 1 week.)
   
   
   (Photo from the Martha Stewart website)

Entertaining Kate #4

I like to do crafty things from time to time. I recently bought a loom kit with some birthday money. I went online and learned to knit a scarf using the rectangular loom, but it wasn't as easy as it looked because during one step--pushing down the loops--my loom had notches on each post. I believe the notches were designed to prevent the loops from coming off, but it also hindered my attempts to push the loops down. I dealt with it and I now have a pretty scarf.

However, when I attempted to learn how to make something with one of the round looms, I discovered that the loose pegs at the bottom of the box weren't extras, as I'd assumed. They were pegs that had broken off the looms! If you look closely at the photo, you can see where the pegs are missing.

I have the original packing slip, so I think I'll be fine. 

Dirty Review

I rarely get reviews on my books, so I'm always excited when someone takes the time to let the world what they thought of my story, even if they were less than thrilled. I can always take that constructive criticism and apply that to my future books.

Cecile Smutty Hussy had this to say:

If your man wants to read what you are reading, get him this book. Believe me, he will be able to relate to this book...

This is a new to me author and I was very entertained by Ms. Kate. She has a wonderful voice when writing. Her characters are real; well, as real as they can be on paper. But you will relate to them. No matter who is reading the book. The story line is something out of every man's fantasy. And it will leave him with a wet spot in his pants and a smile on his face!

This is an explosive, impulsive, high risk taking story that will...get you hot under the collar! 

Woot! She liked it. For the whole review, click here.

To buy Going Down Dirty by yours truly, click here.