So many books today! Take a look:
Thank you for watching!
Some book trailers to go with the books. The Born To Bite trailer is my favorite!
Hellfire by Kate Douglas
Dark Peril by Christine Feehan
The Native Star by M.K. Hobson (Thank you to InkGypsy for pointing out this video.)
Born to Bite by Lynsay Sands
Sixty-One Nails by Mike Shevdon
What did you pick up today?
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon - Dark Hunter 19 - September 7, 2010
I've had the pleasure of meeting Sherrilyn Kenyon more than once. I've also interviewed her about her video gaming habits. You can see that here if you're interested.
On Septemeber 7, 2010, the 19th (!) Dark Hunter book will be released - No Mercy. It's on my must buy list. It's a Were-Hunter story. You can read about Were-Hunters and see the books in the Dark-Hunter series here: http://were-hunter.com/.
Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before.
Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he’s seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.
The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn’t unravel the universe as we know it.
Here's the book trailer:
Are you a Dark Hunter fan? Who is your favorite?
On Septemeber 7, 2010, the 19th (!) Dark Hunter book will be released - No Mercy. It's on my must buy list. It's a Were-Hunter story. You can read about Were-Hunters and see the books in the Dark-Hunter series here: http://were-hunter.com/.
Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he’s seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.
The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn’t unravel the universe as we know it.
Here's the book trailer:
Are you a Dark Hunter fan? Who is your favorite?
The View From Monday - August 30, 2010 - Attack of the TBR
My small humans started school today. I have visions of getting much done this week! Over the weekend I started rearranging the TBR bookcase. I'd like to finish that today though I most likely will not. Lots of books that I'd like are coming out tomorrow so I may wait one more day to finish. Look for a New Release Tuesday Vlog tomorrow. Not sure what's on tap yet for Wednesday or for Thursday Flicks yet. Photos are already taken for Friday unless I change my mind about that.
Some Twitter friends (I am looking at you mark_henry and johnnie_cakes and psynde) suggested that I show you some of the TBR process. There were also suggestions of rolling around in books, but I would never ever do that. Book covers and pages could get damaged! Not going to happen.
I did make a little video though (excuse the sniffles, please):
Some Twitter friends (I am looking at you mark_henry and johnnie_cakes and psynde) suggested that I show you some of the TBR process. There were also suggestions of rolling around in books, but I would never ever do that. Book covers and pages could get damaged! Not going to happen.
I did make a little video though (excuse the sniffles, please):
I picked out some series to read next: Jes Battis' OSI series and Marc Del Franco's Connor Gray series and Laura Blackstone series.
I did a little Halloween shopping this morning. I found an awesome little skull:
I also picked up these adorable window gels. Love window gels!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
August Winners ... so far
It appears that I am considerably behind in posting winners.
1) As Lie The Dead by Kelling Medding goes to mbreakfield.
2) A mash-up of the winners choice goes to donnas. Please remember to list 3 books in your email back to The Qwillery so you can be assured of getting one of the books. Some are hard to find.
3) Shadow Bound and Shadow Fall by Erin Kellison go to Jessica.
and
4) As Shadows Fade by Colleeen Gleason and Kiss of the Rose by Kate Pearce go to stacey.
Winners have been notified. Winners have until Sunday, September 5, 2010, 11:59 PM US Eastern Time to respond. If The Qwillery does not hear from you by then, we'll have to randomly pick a new winner or winners.
Thank you to everyone for participating!
1) As Lie The Dead by Kelling Medding goes to mbreakfield.
2) A mash-up of the winners choice goes to donnas. Please remember to list 3 books in your email back to The Qwillery so you can be assured of getting one of the books. Some are hard to find.
3) Shadow Bound and Shadow Fall by Erin Kellison go to Jessica.
and
4) As Shadows Fade by Colleeen Gleason and Kiss of the Rose by Kate Pearce go to stacey.
Winners have been notified. Winners have until Sunday, September 5, 2010, 11:59 PM US Eastern Time to respond. If The Qwillery does not hear from you by then, we'll have to randomly pick a new winner or winners.
Thank you to everyone for participating!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Cookbooks to Make Ghouls and Bats Happy!
It's that wonderful time of year when my thoughts start turning toward Fall and my favorite holiday, Halloween. That got me thinking about cookbooks. I have over 1200, but I can never have enough cookbooks. They're books! I decided to see what sorts of vampire/zombie/monster themed cookbooks are out there. Some of these books are no longer available. Here's what I found:
A Zombie Ate My Cupcake: 25 Deliciously Weird Cupcake Recipes
Author: Lily Vanilli
Published: July 2010
Format: Hardcover, 63 pages
This book features killer cupcakes that taste bloody good! After being banished for so long to the land of the pretty and identical, the domestic and the twee, cupcakes are biting back. Here, Lily Vanilli shows how you can take inspiration from anywhere - insects, roadkill, zombies - and recreate it in cake, but always with a delicious result. This book is an introduction to making cakes that look weird, ugly and even grotesque - but that taste divine! There are amazing materials for making edible sculptures and hundreds of things you can do with natural ingredients. Give guests a shock with revoltingly realistic Marzipan Beetles, or add a crunch to your desserts with Morbid Meringue Bones, dipped in raspberry blood sauce. Try out a black cherry Dracula's Bite red velvet cupcake with cream cheese, eat your way through heavenly Fallen Angel Cakes or go for indulgent and truly dark chocolate Devil's Delight Cupcakes. If Ozzy Osbourne made cupcakes, these are the ones he'd want to eat.
Bite at Twilight: Vampires, Forks, and Knives Cookbook
Author: Gina Meyers
Published: May 2009
Format: Paperback, 94 pages
The international phenomenon known as Twilight fever has ignited excitement in the kitchen. Delectable delights to satisfy the appetites of the humans found in the fictional book Bite At Twilight: Vampires, Forks, & Knives, is meant to offer a satisfying array of warm, lovely dishes that anyone of any age can cook with ease and enjoyment. Whether you are planning a Twilight-Themed Birthday Party, just a simple get together with friends, a Halloween party, or just what to try your creative hand to some culinary delights you are in luck. Filled with forbidden love, action, and danger, brace yourself, and bring your very best table manners, and appetites. Don't forget your forks. Beautiful Bella Swan will be serving up some scrumptious delights to satisfy even the pickiest, puritan "vegetarian" vampires. Intertwined in the pages of Bite At Twilight Cookbook: Vampires, Forks, & Knives, you will find Bell's Lasagna, Harry's Famous Fish Fry, Mushroom Raviolis, Red Velvet Cake, Blushing Bella Punch, and much more. Besides mouthwatering recipes, you'll also find a Twilight Party Planning Guide, and for the teenagers, Bell's Prom Primer. "I bought this cookbook on a whim, and love it! The recipes are easy. I made the mushroom ravioli and my family loved it".-Diana, Philadelphia, PA, Amazon customer "Gina, this is brilliant! I have a teen daughter who needs a boost like this to get her nose out of her Twilight books and into the kitchen." Laurie Vengoechea, San Diego Cooking Examiner
Love at First Bite: The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook
Author: Gina Meyers
Published: May 2010
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
The international phenomenon known as Twilight fever has ignited a fire in the kitchen. Delectable delights to satisfy the appetites of the humans found in the fictional book Twilight. Love At First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook is meant to offer a satisfying array of warm, lovely dishes that anyone of any age can cook with ease and enjoyment.
Whether you are planning a Twilight-Themed Birthday Party, just a simple get together with friends, a Halloween party, or just what to try your creative hand to some culinary delights you are in luck. Brimming with mouthwatering recipes, brace yourselves, and bring your very best table manners, and appetites. Don't forget your forks. Beautiful Bella Swan will be serving up some scrumptious delights to satisfy even the pickiest, puritan "vegetarian" vampires. Intertwined in the pages of Love At First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook, you will find Bell's Lasagna, Harry's Famous Fish Fry, Mushroom Raviolis, Red Velvet Cake, Blushing Bella Punch, and much more. is served ala Bella style.
Ghoulish Goodies: Monster Eyeballs, Fudge Fingers, Spidery Cupcakes, and Other Frightful Treats
Author: Sharon Bowers
Published: July 2009
Format: Paperback, 160 pages
Eat, drink, and enjoy the creepy yuckiness of Monster Eyeballs, Chocolate Spider Clusters, Buried Alive Cupcakes, and Screaming Red Punch. In her colorful collection of frightful foods, Sharon Parrish Bowers shares the fun of baking, decorating, and indulging in delicious treats that celebrate witches and jack o' lanterns, ghosts and graveyards.
Everyone loves Halloween. It's a holiday that is pure fun and childish joy, an excuse to dress up and eat treats. Packaged candy may be the common reward for trick-or-treating, but plates of Spiderweb Cookies or big bowls of Sticks and Stones Caramel Corn are perfect contributions to school Halloween events, tailgating parties, neighborhood open houses, adult costume parties, and even afternoon play dates. It's difficult to imagine an autumn gathering that wouldn't be even more fun with ghoulish goodies to share.
These frightful treats are not just for October, though. A birthday party for a nine-year-old or a scary movie sleepover for teenagers practically demands an I'Scream Cake or Spidery Cupcakes. And Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Bars with Orange Glaze would be welcome at an office coffee break or an afternoon tea party.
Baking from Ghoulish Goodies is a wonderful way to celebrate the change of seasons and the pleasure of working with kids in the kitchen. Baking cupcakes and making fudge are great activities for autumn afternoons, when the weather turns cool and the kids are underfoot after school. Put them to work stirring, decorating, and scraping pumpkin seeds. These are recipes that parents and kids can have fun making together. And the entire family will enjoy eating a warm Choco-Bat Cookie for dessert.
It Came From the Kitchen: Monstrously Delicious Celebrity Recipes from Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, & Assorted Aliens And Beyond!
Authors: Geoff Isaac and Gordon Reid
Published: July 2007
Format: Paperback, 221 pages
IT CAME FROM THE KITCHEN is a collection of recipes from your favorite horror, science fiction and fantasy actors and film-makers. From Bela Lugosi's Cabbage Rolls to Ray Bradbury's Peach Kuchen, this book contains a treasure trove of favorite recipes from actors, writers, directors, special effects and makeup people past and present that will appeal to both new converts and old connoisseurs of the genres.
Scattered throughout are quotes, trivia, bloopers, anecdotes and musings all related to film and television. What was Gene Barry having for breakfast just before a Martian spaceship crashed into his house in WAR OF THE WORLDS? What food was served aboard the ship in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY? What foods must one avoid in order to survive in a horror film? And just what does Jell-O have to do with special effects and spacemen?
Whether you want to know more about your screen favorites or simply want to embellish you own table at Halloween, IT CAME FROM THE KITCHEN will provide culinary and cinematic treats for years to come.
Love at First Bite: The Complete Vampire Lovers Cookbook
Authors: Michelle Roy Kelly and Andrea Norville
Published: May 2010
Format: Paperback, 272 pages
Everything's better with vampires--even dinner! Now you can serve up delicacies your guests will love, and satisfy your ravenous cravings at the same time. Love at First Bite is a unique collection of more than 300 suckulent recipes sure to tempt the taste buds and leave everyone begging for more, including:
Blood Chilling Gazpacho
Van Helsing's Veggie Rolls
Bloody Mary Fondue
Coffin Cake
I Vant S'mores
Blood Orange Mimosas
This ghastly guide also includes clever themes for vampire parties, with menus and movies for some bloody good fun. With Love at First Bite, making meals for monster appetites just got easier!
The Dracula Cookbook of Blood
Author: Ardin C. Price
Published: February 1993
Format: Paperback
This book is a myriad of authentic recipes from around the world and throughout time with one thing in common: Blood! Two threads have woven themselves throughout all cultures at one time or another: the belief in vampires and cooking with blood. Here they meet and entwine in a "blood curdling delight" for the curious and the hungry. An indispensable reference you will pick up time and again for blood recipes and obscure vampire lore. Enter into the world of Dark Dreams and Blood Puddings as you explore the mysteries of the Undead and cooking!
The Dracula Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Homeland of Count Dracula
Authors Marina Polvay and Mark Podwal
Published: August 2000 (originally pub. Oct. 1978)
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
From Transylvania come over 200 recipes that combine the best of Hungarian, Rumanian, and Slavic Cooking, arranged in thematic sections such as Sundown Repast, Hypnotic Hors d' Oeuvres, Midnight International Buffet, and Timeless Recipes to Ward Off Evil. The blood-tingling Dracula motif is carried out in the amusing recipe titles, table decor and menus. Included are such Transylvanian favorites as Chicken Liver Paprikash, Layered Cabbage Mor Style, Poppy Seed Flat Bread and Festive Babka.
Amassed by world-famous cook Marina Polvay, nee Princess Marina Scherbatoff, here are the secrets of such time-tested dishes as corn meal dumplings and cherry strudel, all given a special twist by using vampire imagery. Garlic is considered the most powerful vampire deterrent, and its fine flavor enhances Garlic soup and Meatloaf Bucharest Style.
These flavorful and lavish recipes are sure to make every meal a bloody success!
The Vampire Cookbook
Author: Alicia Alex
Published: July 2009 & October 2009
Format: Paperback, 72 pages & 56 pages
A spooky collection of fun and delicious Vampire themed recipes that the Vampires of your household are sure to enjoy. Great for Vampire themed parties, or a spooky Halloween Bash!
You can find some sample recipes here.
The Vampire Cookbook
Author: Kilmore Daily
Published: 1965
Format: Paperback, 64 pages
Ghoulish recipes for monster appetites. Humorous recipes "bring you some of my favorite recipes for producing pleasant but unusual death." Substitutions noted for serving practical foods with ghoulish names. Black and white illustrations
The Vampire's Guide to Good Cooking
Author: Dr. C.W. Smith-Burton
Published: September 2008
Format: Paperback, 200 pages
This text is a whimsical collection of entrees designed to bruise the palate and delite the augmentary system.
The Vampyre Cookbook
Author: Leah Barrows
Published: April 2009
Format: Paperback, 64 pages
A cool, eclectic cookbook for those who adore all things Vampyre! From Succubus Beef Stew to Goth Girl Mellow Tea, this cookbook provides a true alchemistic approach to not so traditional gothic delicacies. There's nothing like a piece of Pound of Flesh Cake topped off with a little Dracula Sorbet. Ahh, Gothic Cuisine at its finest...
Vampire Bites: Delicious Twilight-Inspired recipes to sink your teeth into
Author: Alana O'Claire
Published: July 2010
Format: Paperback, 112 pages
If you're planning a Twilight-themed vampire party for a birthday, dance, prom, slumber party, Halloween or movie night you'll want some delicious food to make the party a success!
You'll find lots of great recipes in Vampire Bites: Delicious Twilight-inspired recipes to sink your teeth into including heart to heart tarts, red velvet cakes and bloody vampire cocktails, Forks apple pie, werewolf snacks, party finger food, and dinner ideas.
Over a hundred recipes to enjoy Breakthrough Breakfasts, Delicious Dinners, Simple Snacks, To-Die-For Desserts, and Twilight Cocktails, plus tips to turn almost any dish into a Vampire delight. With the famous wit and real-world sensibility that made her a breakout star, Alana reveals her kitchen adventures and inspires readers to cook the Vampire way with taste and fun.
Vampires Beware: We Have Garlic
Author: William Steele
Published: April 2010
Format: Paperback, 99 pages
Vampires Beware is a collection of recipes and a few home remedies featuring garlic as a key ingredient. Garlic has been used in many cultures throughout the world's history as a healing medicine and natural vitamin. Even today, it is believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties similar to a weak penicillin. Health benefits aside, garlic adds wonderful flavor to many foods. These simple recipes will reward you with not only delicious food, but help protect you from vampires and other dark creatures...
Zombie Cookbook
Author: Erin A Doyle
Published: December 2009
Format: Paperback, 116 pages
For many years now, people have been able to buy cookbooks on specific foods or for certain ethnicities. Now finally, here's a specialty cookbook for both a specific food and group of people: brains for zombies! This cookbook offers a wide range of recipes from simple to elegant for hungry zombies everywhere. Make a few of them or make them all, but enjoy every juicy morsel of brain you eat! Bon appétit!
Zombie Cupcakes: From the Grave to the Table with 16 Cupcake Corpses
Author: Zilly Rosen
Published: February 2011
Format: Paperback, 80 pages
The cupcake craze is still going full blast, and the invasion of cupcake shops spreads across the planet. But if there’s one thing that sticks in the throat, it’s that those cupcakes are so damn cutesy. Zombie Cupcakes will rise up through the ranks of sugary-sweet cupcake books by featuring a ghoulish army of delicious little creations that are anything but sugar-coated. Recipes range from Zombie Flesh, to Zombie Brain, Gravestones, Maggots, Night of the Living Cupcake, 28 Cupcakes Later, and more! The recipes feature complete cooking and icing techniques, along with full-color photos and even illustrations of some of the more difficult techniques, making the book perfect for beginners and more accomplished pastry chefs alike. Each recipe also features a difficulty rating, prep time, and cooking time, and sidebars of zombie trivia will be sprinkled throughout the book.
I love the UK cover for this cookbook:
I could not find an image or much information about The Count Dracula Chicken Cookbook by Jeanne K. Youngson. It was published in 1979 by Adams Press and then in 1986 by Dracula Press.
A Zombie Ate My Cupcake: 25 Deliciously Weird Cupcake Recipes
Author: Lily Vanilli
Published: July 2010
Format: Hardcover, 63 pages
Bite at Twilight: Vampires, Forks, and Knives Cookbook
Author: Gina Meyers
Published: May 2009
Format: Paperback, 94 pages
Love at First Bite: The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook
Author: Gina Meyers
Published: May 2010
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
Whether you are planning a Twilight-Themed Birthday Party, just a simple get together with friends, a Halloween party, or just what to try your creative hand to some culinary delights you are in luck. Brimming with mouthwatering recipes, brace yourselves, and bring your very best table manners, and appetites. Don't forget your forks. Beautiful Bella Swan will be serving up some scrumptious delights to satisfy even the pickiest, puritan "vegetarian" vampires. Intertwined in the pages of Love At First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook, you will find Bell's Lasagna, Harry's Famous Fish Fry, Mushroom Raviolis, Red Velvet Cake, Blushing Bella Punch, and much more. is served ala Bella style.
Ghoulish Goodies: Monster Eyeballs, Fudge Fingers, Spidery Cupcakes, and Other Frightful Treats
Author: Sharon Bowers
Published: July 2009
Format: Paperback, 160 pages
Everyone loves Halloween. It's a holiday that is pure fun and childish joy, an excuse to dress up and eat treats. Packaged candy may be the common reward for trick-or-treating, but plates of Spiderweb Cookies or big bowls of Sticks and Stones Caramel Corn are perfect contributions to school Halloween events, tailgating parties, neighborhood open houses, adult costume parties, and even afternoon play dates. It's difficult to imagine an autumn gathering that wouldn't be even more fun with ghoulish goodies to share.
These frightful treats are not just for October, though. A birthday party for a nine-year-old or a scary movie sleepover for teenagers practically demands an I'Scream Cake or Spidery Cupcakes. And Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Bars with Orange Glaze would be welcome at an office coffee break or an afternoon tea party.
Baking from Ghoulish Goodies is a wonderful way to celebrate the change of seasons and the pleasure of working with kids in the kitchen. Baking cupcakes and making fudge are great activities for autumn afternoons, when the weather turns cool and the kids are underfoot after school. Put them to work stirring, decorating, and scraping pumpkin seeds. These are recipes that parents and kids can have fun making together. And the entire family will enjoy eating a warm Choco-Bat Cookie for dessert.
Here's a video showing how to make Funny Bones.
It Came From the Kitchen: Monstrously Delicious Celebrity Recipes from Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, & Assorted Aliens And Beyond!
Authors: Geoff Isaac and Gordon Reid
Published: July 2007
Format: Paperback, 221 pages
Scattered throughout are quotes, trivia, bloopers, anecdotes and musings all related to film and television. What was Gene Barry having for breakfast just before a Martian spaceship crashed into his house in WAR OF THE WORLDS? What food was served aboard the ship in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY? What foods must one avoid in order to survive in a horror film? And just what does Jell-O have to do with special effects and spacemen?
Whether you want to know more about your screen favorites or simply want to embellish you own table at Halloween, IT CAME FROM THE KITCHEN will provide culinary and cinematic treats for years to come.
Love at First Bite: The Complete Vampire Lovers Cookbook
Authors: Michelle Roy Kelly and Andrea Norville
Published: May 2010
Format: Paperback, 272 pages
Blood Chilling Gazpacho
Van Helsing's Veggie Rolls
Bloody Mary Fondue
Coffin Cake
I Vant S'mores
Blood Orange Mimosas
This ghastly guide also includes clever themes for vampire parties, with menus and movies for some bloody good fun. With Love at First Bite, making meals for monster appetites just got easier!
The Dracula Cookbook of Blood
Author: Ardin C. Price
Published: February 1993
Format: Paperback
The Dracula Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Homeland of Count Dracula
Authors Marina Polvay and Mark Podwal
Published: August 2000 (originally pub. Oct. 1978)
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
Amassed by world-famous cook Marina Polvay, nee Princess Marina Scherbatoff, here are the secrets of such time-tested dishes as corn meal dumplings and cherry strudel, all given a special twist by using vampire imagery. Garlic is considered the most powerful vampire deterrent, and its fine flavor enhances Garlic soup and Meatloaf Bucharest Style.
These flavorful and lavish recipes are sure to make every meal a bloody success!
The Vampire Cookbook
Author: Alicia Alex
Published: July 2009 & October 2009
Format: Paperback, 72 pages & 56 pages
You can find some sample recipes here.
The Vampire Cookbook
Author: Kilmore Daily
Published: 1965
Format: Paperback, 64 pages
The Vampire's Guide to Good Cooking
Author: Dr. C.W. Smith-Burton
Published: September 2008
Format: Paperback, 200 pages
The Vampyre Cookbook
Author: Leah Barrows
Published: April 2009
Format: Paperback, 64 pages
Vampire Bites: Delicious Twilight-Inspired recipes to sink your teeth into
Author: Alana O'Claire
Published: July 2010
Format: Paperback, 112 pages
You'll find lots of great recipes in Vampire Bites: Delicious Twilight-inspired recipes to sink your teeth into including heart to heart tarts, red velvet cakes and bloody vampire cocktails, Forks apple pie, werewolf snacks, party finger food, and dinner ideas.
Over a hundred recipes to enjoy Breakthrough Breakfasts, Delicious Dinners, Simple Snacks, To-Die-For Desserts, and Twilight Cocktails, plus tips to turn almost any dish into a Vampire delight. With the famous wit and real-world sensibility that made her a breakout star, Alana reveals her kitchen adventures and inspires readers to cook the Vampire way with taste and fun.
Vampires Beware: We Have Garlic
Author: William Steele
Published: April 2010
Format: Paperback, 99 pages
Vampires Beware is a collection of recipes and a few home remedies featuring garlic as a key ingredient. Garlic has been used in many cultures throughout the world's history as a healing medicine and natural vitamin. Even today, it is believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties similar to a weak penicillin. Health benefits aside, garlic adds wonderful flavor to many foods. These simple recipes will reward you with not only delicious food, but help protect you from vampires and other dark creatures...
Zombie Cookbook
Author: Erin A Doyle
Published: December 2009
Format: Paperback, 116 pages
Zombie Cupcakes: From the Grave to the Table with 16 Cupcake Corpses
Author: Zilly Rosen
Published: February 2011
Format: Paperback, 80 pages
The cupcake craze is still going full blast, and the invasion of cupcake shops spreads across the planet. But if there’s one thing that sticks in the throat, it’s that those cupcakes are so damn cutesy. Zombie Cupcakes will rise up through the ranks of sugary-sweet cupcake books by featuring a ghoulish army of delicious little creations that are anything but sugar-coated. Recipes range from Zombie Flesh, to Zombie Brain, Gravestones, Maggots, Night of the Living Cupcake, 28 Cupcakes Later, and more! The recipes feature complete cooking and icing techniques, along with full-color photos and even illustrations of some of the more difficult techniques, making the book perfect for beginners and more accomplished pastry chefs alike. Each recipe also features a difficulty rating, prep time, and cooking time, and sidebars of zombie trivia will be sprinkled throughout the book.
I love the UK cover for this cookbook:
Friday, August 27, 2010
Photo Friday - August 27, 2010 - Feeling Hawkish
I used to feed birds.. a lot. I had 8 regular feeders, 2 niger seed feeders, 2 nut feeders, and several suet feeders. I don't feed the birds now because of the black bears. Three or four summers ago, a black bear chomped several of the feeders. He was huge. He easily bit into the feeders. There is an abundance of black bears in the state. I decided I did not want those jaws in my backyard again. The bear was gorgeous, but he can find his own food in the woods.
The feeders also turned out to be a smorgasbord for the local hawks. I always found it amusing when a hawk would sit in the tree above one of the feeders and wait for birds. The birds were not that foolish. If a hawk was around, they were not. While I did not grab my camera fast enough to snap that black bear, I did manage to snap the hawks. They are magnificent birds.
I may start feeding the birds again this winter... after the bears have gone to sleep.
The feeders also turned out to be a smorgasbord for the local hawks. I always found it amusing when a hawk would sit in the tree above one of the feeders and wait for birds. The birds were not that foolish. If a hawk was around, they were not. While I did not grab my camera fast enough to snap that black bear, I did manage to snap the hawks. They are magnificent birds.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday Flicks - August 26, 2010 - with Michele Bardsley
Please welcome Michele Bardsley to The Qwillery for Thursday Flicks:
Hi. I’m Scaredy McScaredyPants. Well, some people know me as Michele Bardsley. So, here’s the thing. Halloween is my all-time favorite holiday. My favorite fiction (and hell, nonfiction) includes vampires, werewolves, zombies, and demons. I will watch any docudrama ever made about ghosts, possessions, Dracula, Bigfoot, and UFOs.
But when it comes to scary movies … I’m out. Look, I don’t want to be a chickenshit. I’m forty years old, and I’ve seen enough reality to know it often sucks—and sometimes suck on large scale without demons running amok or vampires on the prowl. But a movie that’s labeled “horror” freaks me out. I can watch Underworld. I can watch Death Race. I can watch every Resident Evil movie. But Paranormal Activity? The Omen? Amityville? Hell to the no.
There is one movie, however, for which I have crossed the line. It’s zombie-filled horror had bludgeoning, shotgun blasts, head bashing, spiking, and … well, you get the point. And I really liked it. And I was only scared a little. Mostly because I spent a lot of time laughing.
You know what I’m talking about, right?
Oh, yeah.
Shaun of the Dead.
And whether you are horror lover or a scaredy cat, you cannot resist this movie. See the clips below.
Shaun Of The Dead Trailer
Shaun of the Dead - A fan made music video
Leave a comment on this blog, and you’ll be entered to win your very own copy of Shaun of the Dead! (Open to US residents only.)
Now excuse me. I have to go turn on all the lights and make sure my doors and windows are locked. Hmm … where did I put my cricket bat?
The Movie Poster
Giveaway:
Michele is giving away 1 copy of Shaun of the Dead. Please leave a comment to be entered. US residents only.
You can receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
The contest is open to all humans resident in the US with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.
About Michele:
Michele Bardsley, a national bestselling author, is best known for her vampire mom series set in the fictional town of Broken Heart, Oklahoma--and her obsession with all things chocolate. She writes novels for Signet Eclipse because its much more fun than housework, and yeah, she still hopes the dish fairies will arrive to scrub the plates in the sink. She lives in Texas with her son, where they are slaves to their numerous pets.
Cross Your Heart (Broken Heart 7) will be released on September 7, 2010.
Even vampires can be afraid of ghosts...
After the death of her husband-and her dreams of motherhood-Elizabeth Bretton returned to the family estate in Broken Heart, Oklahoma. Little did she know she would also give up her life as the Silverstone heiress.
But escaping the past isn't that easy-especially with a vengeful ghost trying to kill her, a 150-year-old mystery to solve, and an outrageously hot were-jaguar named "Tez" trying to get into her boudoir...
Never Again (Wizards of Nevermore #1) will be released in March 2011.
Lucinda Rackmore never would have been caught dead in a town like Nevermore. Of course, that was before the "great reckoning" drained the family finances and her former lover, ruthless master wizard Bernard Franco, snuffed out Lucy's magical abilities.
But can Lucy really expect protection from the Guardian of Nevermore, her ex-brother-in-law Gray Calhoun? Gray wants nothing to do with her and Lucy can't blame him. Not after her sister sacrificed him to a demon lord. Still, with everyone in town looking to settle a score with the Rackmores and Bernard bent on dragging Lucy back into his clutches, Gray might be her only hope for survival...
Hi. I’m Scaredy McScaredyPants. Well, some people know me as Michele Bardsley. So, here’s the thing. Halloween is my all-time favorite holiday. My favorite fiction (and hell, nonfiction) includes vampires, werewolves, zombies, and demons. I will watch any docudrama ever made about ghosts, possessions, Dracula, Bigfoot, and UFOs.
But when it comes to scary movies … I’m out. Look, I don’t want to be a chickenshit. I’m forty years old, and I’ve seen enough reality to know it often sucks—and sometimes suck on large scale without demons running amok or vampires on the prowl. But a movie that’s labeled “horror” freaks me out. I can watch Underworld. I can watch Death Race. I can watch every Resident Evil movie. But Paranormal Activity? The Omen? Amityville? Hell to the no.
There is one movie, however, for which I have crossed the line. It’s zombie-filled horror had bludgeoning, shotgun blasts, head bashing, spiking, and … well, you get the point. And I really liked it. And I was only scared a little. Mostly because I spent a lot of time laughing.
You know what I’m talking about, right?
Oh, yeah.
Shaun of the Dead.
And whether you are horror lover or a scaredy cat, you cannot resist this movie. See the clips below.
Shaun Of The Dead Trailer
Shaun of the Dead - A fan made music video
Leave a comment on this blog, and you’ll be entered to win your very own copy of Shaun of the Dead! (Open to US residents only.)
Now excuse me. I have to go turn on all the lights and make sure my doors and windows are locked. Hmm … where did I put my cricket bat?
Giveaway:
Michele is giving away 1 copy of Shaun of the Dead. Please leave a comment to be entered. US residents only.
You can receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
The contest is open to all humans resident in the US with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.
About Michele:
Michele Bardsley, a national bestselling author, is best known for her vampire mom series set in the fictional town of Broken Heart, Oklahoma--and her obsession with all things chocolate. She writes novels for Signet Eclipse because its much more fun than housework, and yeah, she still hopes the dish fairies will arrive to scrub the plates in the sink. She lives in Texas with her son, where they are slaves to their numerous pets.
Cross Your Heart (Broken Heart 7) will be released on September 7, 2010.
Even vampires can be afraid of ghosts...
After the death of her husband-and her dreams of motherhood-Elizabeth Bretton returned to the family estate in Broken Heart, Oklahoma. Little did she know she would also give up her life as the Silverstone heiress.
But escaping the past isn't that easy-especially with a vengeful ghost trying to kill her, a 150-year-old mystery to solve, and an outrageously hot were-jaguar named "Tez" trying to get into her boudoir...
Never Again (Wizards of Nevermore #1) will be released in March 2011.
But can Lucy really expect protection from the Guardian of Nevermore, her ex-brother-in-law Gray Calhoun? Gray wants nothing to do with her and Lucy can't blame him. Not after her sister sacrificed him to a demon lord. Still, with everyone in town looking to settle a score with the Rackmores and Bernard bent on dragging Lucy back into his clutches, Gray might be her only hope for survival...
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
New Comics - August 25, 2010
Here are some of the comics that I picked up today.
DRACULA: The Company of Monsters, #1
BOOM! Studios
Cover A
He’s back from the dead and starring in a new ongoing horror series from the mind of Kurt Busiek. A powerful, predatory corporation acquires a valuable asset - Dracula! They think they own him, but no one can own the Son of the Dragon. There’s a monster in their midst that puts Hannibal Lecter to shame - and he plans to gain his freedom in blood. It’s bloodsuckers vs. bloodsucker, as Busiek brings an incredibly modern spin to the Dracula mythos. Joining Busiek is award-winning author Daryl Gregrory (Pandemonium) and rising star artist Scott Godlewski (Codebreakers). The epic journey starts here, so don’t miss the debut issue of Dracula: The Company Of Monsters, the next breakout ongoing series from BOOM! Studios! Featuring covers by Ron Salas and fan-favorite The Nocturnals artist Dan Brereton.
Female Force: ANNE RICE
Bluewater Productions
Jane Austen’s classic persists! The Dashwood girls travel home with Mrs. Jennings and the chatty Mrs. Palmer. As it happens, Marianne finds out the handsome Mr. Willoughby’s house is...
DRACULA: The Company of Monsters, #1
BOOM! Studios
Cover A
Cover B
Female Force: ANNE RICE
Bluewater Productions
Anne Rice has penned more than two dozen novels ranging from the supernatural to historical tomes, erotica and religious themes, but her life is as interesting as the tales she spins. Now, the best selling author of nearly 100 millions books will be the featured character in an upcoming biography comic from Bluewater Productions.
SENSE & SENSIBILITY #4
Marvel Comics
Jane Austen’s classic persists! The Dashwood girls travel home with Mrs. Jennings and the chatty Mrs. Palmer. As it happens, Marianne finds out the handsome Mr. Willoughby’s house is...
What I'm Reading Wednesday - August 25, 2010
I'm presently reading Vanished, the 4th book in the Greywalker series by Kat Richardson. I'm enjoying this series tremendously. The books are about Harper Blaine. She's a PI in Seattle, Washington. Life takes a sudden, creepy turn for Harper after she dies for a couple of minutes. She's a Greywalker.
Ms. Richardson does a bang up job in this series. Each story is centered around a mystery, which makes sense since Harper is a PI. Some mysteries are more personal than others. The secondary cast of characters is wonderful. Attention is paid to detail. These books are well researched.
Harper is no shrinking violet. She's tough. She does not give up. In Vanished, which I've just started, I know that I'm going to find out a lot more about her.
Harper Blaine was your average small-time P.I. until she died-for two minutes. Now Harper is a Greywalker-walking the line between the living world and the paranormal realm. And she's discovering that her new abilities are landing her in all sorts of "strange cases."
But for Harper, her own case may prove the most difficult to solve. Why did she-as opposed to others with near-death experiences-become a Greywalker? When Harper digs into her own past, she unearths some unpleasant truths about her father's early death as well as a mysterious puzzle. Forced by some very demanding vampires to take on an investigation in London, she soon discovers her present troubles in England are entangled with her dark past back in Seattle-and her ultimate destiny as a Greywalker.
After this book, I may delve into some anthologies. What are you reading?
Ms. Richardson does a bang up job in this series. Each story is centered around a mystery, which makes sense since Harper is a PI. Some mysteries are more personal than others. The secondary cast of characters is wonderful. Attention is paid to detail. These books are well researched.
Harper is no shrinking violet. She's tough. She does not give up. In Vanished, which I've just started, I know that I'm going to find out a lot more about her.
But for Harper, her own case may prove the most difficult to solve. Why did she-as opposed to others with near-death experiences-become a Greywalker? When Harper digs into her own past, she unearths some unpleasant truths about her father's early death as well as a mysterious puzzle. Forced by some very demanding vampires to take on an investigation in London, she soon discovers her present troubles in England are entangled with her dark past back in Seattle-and her ultimate destiny as a Greywalker.
After this book, I may delve into some anthologies. What are you reading?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
New Release Tuesday - Yet Again No Vlog - And Some Halloween Things
I only purchased 2 books today. Hard to believe. Three of the books that I wanted are not available at 1 bookstore. The other store lists them for Sept 1, 2010 release.
I purchased:
Sin Undone by Larissa Ione
Demonica #5
HER TOUCH IS DEADLY
As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she'll die before she'll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin's innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence.
HIS HUNGER CAN'T BE DENIED
Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she's no stranger: He's bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld's most wanted and Con soon learns he's the only one who can help her . . . and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own.
I could not find the book at first. I finally discovered it in this book dump:
The lettering on the cover is shiny and you can do interesting things to the lettering with a flash:
What did you purchase today?
I purchased:
Sin Undone by Larissa Ione
Demonica #5
As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she'll die before she'll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin's innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence.
HIS HUNGER CAN'T BE DENIED
Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she's no stranger: He's bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld's most wanted and Con soon learns he's the only one who can help her . . . and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own.
I could not find the book at first. I finally discovered it in this book dump:
Demon From the Dark by Kresley Cole
Immortals After Dark Series #10
From New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes this scorching tale of a demon outcast poisoned with vampire blood and the vulnerable young witch he vows to protect—even from himself.
A DANGEROUS DEMON SHE CAN’T RESIST . . .
Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he’s pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.
A MADDENING WITCH HE ACHES TO CLAIM . . .
Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.
TRAPPED TOGETHER IN A SAVAGE PRISON . . .
In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?
A DANGEROUS DEMON SHE CAN’T RESIST . . .
Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he’s pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.
A MADDENING WITCH HE ACHES TO CLAIM . . .
Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.
TRAPPED TOGETHER IN A SAVAGE PRISON . . .
In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?
The lettering on the cover is shiny and you can do interesting things to the lettering with a flash:
(This is what happens when I only buy a couple of books!)
I also wandered into Bath & Body Works and found some more Halloween things. I purchased a batty wallflower holder. It lights up!
I saw this awesome and large candle holder. I've no idea where I would put it if I bought it.
What did you purchase today?
Monday, August 23, 2010
Urban Fantasy - Some of My Favorite Covers
I noticed an odd coincidence the other day. Some of my favorite UF series share a cover illustrator - Chris McGrath. I have to wonder though if it says more about my taste in cover art than in authors? Is there a deeper correlation? I may try reading some of the other books with cover art by Chris McGrath to see if I like them too. Do you have a favorite cover artist? Is there a type of cover that appeals to you?
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Presently there are 12 published books in the series:
The Greywalker series by Kat Richardson
There are 5 books in this series so far.
The Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Presently there are 12 published books in the series:
Ghost Story, the 13th book in the series, will be published in March 2011.
There are 5 books in this series so far.
The Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman
Blackout, Book 6, is slated for publication in March 2011.
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