Maxine's Musings -- February 2014

It’s the month for Love!  Let’s have a collective SIGH.  February has spawned marriages, engagements and otherwise unusual happenings when it comes to the matters of the heart.  I hope everyone’s Valentine’s Day is filled with warm, love, happiness and a special night with the special someone.  The big party night before Cupid’s Arrow strikes happens at Mardi Gras a/k/a Fat Tuesday on February 5th!  Get your King Cake in time and see who gets the baby this year.

 

In this Issue:

          Quote of the Month

          Recommended Read of the Month

Interview with Sir Reynold Roddington of Knight to Remember

Valentine Traditions

          News/Updates

          Coming next month

 

Quote of the Month:  “All that we are is a result of what we have thought.”  Buddha (563 BCE - 483 BCE)

 

Recommended Read:  I found Do You Believe? in a Dollar General store one day.  Although this book was published in 2005, I’m sure you’ll be able to find it on Amazon.  It is a definite book that makes you think about the differences between good and evil and how sometimes their paths cross in one’s life.  You can read a full excerpt at the author’s website:  http://www.annlawrence.com/

 

DO YOU BELIEVE?

Rose doesn't believe in evil . . . or love. Vic is determined to change her mind about both.

"With its paranormal energy, English ambience and steamy sex scenes, this book won't disappoint fans of Lawrence's previous supernatural romances."

--Publisher's Weekly

"...an intriguing and steamy mystery that will keep you awake at night, DO YOU BELIEVE is a read you won't want to miss. This reader couldn't put it down!"

--Leslie Tramposch for PNR Reviews

" ...Ann Lawrence captures the reader on the first page."  --Romantic Times Magazine

 

Interview with Sir Reynold Roddington a/k/a The Black Knight in Knight to Remember

 

Q:  Sir Reynold, please tell us what brought you to our land.

Roddington:  Black magic.

 

Q:  Black magic? Really now, can you honestly say you believe in magic in the modern world?

Roddington:  In thy world, mayhap not. Magic is a way of life in my land and practiced by Queen Isabel for her own gain.

 

Q:  And what of Queen Isabel? What is the relationship between the two of you?

Roddington:  We grew up as children playing within the castle walls with Thomas and Kathryn. Isabel took over the crown when her father, King David, died. I swore on his deathbed to protect her and the lands of Heartsease, not to lay in her bed. ‘Tis was her jealousy of my love for the Lady Kathryn which hast sent me to thy lands; deception and trickery.

 

Q:  Ahhh, another woman. I’d say typical male, but you’re anything but typical. Are you in love with Lady Courtney?

Roddington:  Thee hast but to look into my eyes to see the truth. Lady Courtney is my life and soul now as she was as Lady Kathryn.

 

Q:  Tell my readers just what it is that makes you defy your queen for another woman.

Roddington:  A passion for people, love of thy country. My heart speaks louder than any of the Queen’s threats upon my life.

 

Q:  Is there a happy ever after to your story, Sir Reynold?

Roddington:  M’lady, if I revealed such a secret there’d be no reason for your readers to seek out our story, now would it?

 

Q:  You are so right. Thank you, Sir Reynold for your time and insight.

Roddington:  ‘Tis been a pleasure, m’lady.

 

 

Valentine Traditions:  Valentine's Day always falls on February 14, and is the traditional day on which lovers in certain cultures let each other know about their love, commonly by sending Valentine's cards, which are often anonymous. The history of Valentine's day can be traced back to an obscure Catholic Church feast day, said to be in honor of Saint Valentine, are discussed below. The day's associations with romantic love arrived after the High Middle Ages, during which the concept of romantic love was formulated.

 

Some legends go back to erotic festivals in ancient Rome that happened to take place during February. Women would dress up as wolves and wait to be whipped by men wearing loin cloths. Today in Italy and Greece, young men still chase young women while brandishing whips - made of plastic. The Lupercalia (February 15), was a fertility festival until 495 A.D., when a pope put a stop to it.

 

Valentines Day Chocolate Love Potion

 

2 pods of vanilla                       

1 liter of milk

2 tbs spoons of pure cocoa                 

1 quarter of liter of tepid water

2 tbs spoons of honey               

2 tbs spoons of brown sugar

1 half tea spoon of Tabasco or Cayenne pepper

1 pinch of salt                                     

1 glass of rum or tequila

 

Preparation
- Heat the vanilla pods 10 minutes in milk.
- Withdraw the pods, press them to extract all juice from it and scrape them to preserve small seeds.
- Add the pure cocoa to water with a quarter of tepid liter of water.
- Add hot milk while stirring up well, then to add honey, and the brown sugar.
- Incorporate while whipping: Tabasco or Cayenne pepper, salt, and rum or the tequila.
Is useful hot or cold. Drink in very good com

pany!

 

Valentine’s Day Weekend!  Nashville Rising Star

 

Utah Sheridan intends to win Nashville Rising Star at all costs; will his bribe be the end of Emerald Braun? Sure, one hundred thousand would be the answer to some prayers, but she couldn’t keep it…could she?

 

 

With much gratitude, until next time…keep reading.

 

Maxine                                    

Spark your imagination and entice your lover

Be adventurous with each other

Take a journey into a new world and be inspired

Enjoy the pleasures of reading ~~

It does the mind and body good.