Holiday Recipes

Hey y'all. I'm all owie >.< at the moment. I went grocery shopping in heels (yea, I'm a dumbass, apparently. I'm 5'9", it's not like I'm not tall enough already, right?) and took a bad step off the curb. Bleh. Anyway, my random bitchin' aside, I am hunting some good Holiday recipes. In that spirit, here's one of my own, that everyone raves about:

Parmesan Cream Cheese Ball

16 oz of cream cheese, softened
1/2 c of mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/3 c of grated parmesan cheese
10 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 c sliced green onions
chopped parsley, optional

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with a mixer until smooth. Add mayonnaise and parmesan cheese; beat until blended. Stir in crumbled bacon and green onions; cover and chill at least three hours. Shape mixture into ball and garnish. Ball can be rolled in parsley for presentation.Serve with crackers or veggies. Yield: 2 3/4 cups.

Pop Culture Rantage

I take back everything I ever said about the dearth of funneh on SNL.



*wipes tears* Y'all are welcome. Oh, and this is gaked from Saradia on LJ.

Oh, and while I'm on the funneh, I'd like to take a moment to pimp An Evening With Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder. Yessssss.....I got it for the hubby for his b-day, and it's hysterical. I love a man who can be intelligent AND funny. Kev doesn't know it, but he was my sekrit boyfriend until he got married. *sigh* Of course, I married my own adorable fanboy, so I'm okay with his decision now. LOL!

ETA: I forgot to mention Mewes. He's actually kinda cute now that he's cleaned up and sober. OMG, did I say that??

Update, at long last!

Hello my darlings!

I know I'm grossly overdue an update, but we had a sustained illness in the family and I was AWOL for most of October. I'm slowly getting back up to speed now. In the meantime, interviews and good reviews are coming in, both for me and all the Aphrodite's Apples gals!

Interviews!

The fabulous Dark Author Michele Lee interviewed me on her blog, and you can check it out here.

I'm also going to be spotlighted, along with Aphrodite's Apples in general this December in Pandora's Gate at Paper Dragon Ink.

Reviews!

EuroReviews has given Spellbound four and a half rings! Cathie of EuroReviews says of Spellbound:

"Spellbound-Tales Of Mischief & Mayhem is an anthology of stories by Candice Gilmer, H.S. Kinn, Sabrina Luna, Ivana Peters, AE Rought, Katrina Strauss from Aphrodite's Apples Press that are individually unique! Each story is a total surprise, never knowing where the story will move next. Within you'll find mostly stories of Horror or more like spooky, as well as some bits of romance and bittersweet stories. If looking for a taste of each of these authors writings, this anthology is the perfect book to give you a great glimpse of these authors works. Then too you'll want to see other books they have written at Aphrodite's Apple Press of a variety of genres."

And of Connacht the Immortal, my short in Spellbound she says, "Dearg, known as Connacht, plans his revenge for those who took his family and also becomes immortal as well as a revealing of his mate. This story has some open questions that tend to assume this may be part of a series or a start of one that will answer more questions of short story. The reader will want to look up more of H.S. Kinn's books as well as watch for upcoming releases! This short story has a fascinating glimpse into a unique world this author has developed with shapeshifters."

I'd like to make one last pimp, for my buddies Katrina Strauss and Sabrina Luna, who have a contest going on today at their blog, Sisters of the Dark Moon. Check it out for an opportunity to win a copy of Spellbound, which features all our stories!

Ta for now my lovelies, but I promise I won't stay away so long next time!

XoXoXo

--Heather

Audiologically inclined peeps, help, pretty please?

Okay, y'all, I'm throwing this out here in the hopes that one of y'all will know how to get the audio rip off of this QT clip.



Mallrats isn't my ultimate fave Kevin Smith film (Chasing Amy or Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back would get that honor) but Mr. K and I have a running joke about this bit and I'd love love love anyone who can isolate the whole audio of Jay saying, "Son of Jor-El, kneel before Zod! Snootchie Bootchies!"

Halloween Giveaway!

Here at Aphrodite's Apples we have brewed a dark & spooky All Hallow's
giveaway! Prizes include:

(click thumbnails to view larger images)

Double
double, toil and trouble...

 

Hematite
is known to heal body, mind, and soul.

Win & wear this beautiful jewelry handcrafted

by HS Kinn, author of Immortal
Reveries!

<
Win
this beautiful Vampire Tarot deck along

with a pure silk tarot bag handsewn by

Katrina Strauss, author of
Lessons Learned!

Hematite jewelry (handcrafted by HS Kinn!)

Silk Tarot bag (handsewn by Katrina Strauss!)

Vampire Tarot deck

5" Harvest Candle

Aphrodite's Apples swag bag

Halloween kitchen goodies

Spooky novelty socks

...and other assorted delicacies!

To
be eligible for the drawing, simply purchase one copy each of:

HS Kinn's Immortal Reveries

Katrina Strauss' Lessons Learned

between now and October 29th and then forward both receipts to:

contest@aphroditesapples.com

Candy and Contests!

Here at Chez Kinn, we are a bit nutty for all things Asian. I am happy to report that we've just received a shipment of Ten Ren Tea Candies.

I've also shipped out some goodies to Katrina Strauss. This October, we're running a promotion for Secrets Revealed/Immortal Reveries. I'll put up more details later once we have pics of the goodies, but I will say that the goody basket is going to include:

• a trick or treat cauldron


• hematite jewelry


• a Vampire Tarot deck (Immortal Reveries has a scene where Lyssa reads the cards!)


• a handmade black silk bag for the tarot deck
  
• lots of other fun stuff!

Katrina's going to post pics of the goody basket soon, and I'll put them up here once I have them. *G*

To be eligible for the drawing, you must purchase Secrets Revealed & Immortal Reveries! Forward your receipts to contest@aphroditesapples.com and let the games begin!

New Releases are available at Aphrodite's Apples!

New releases are hot off the press from Aphrodite's Apples!

Kayleigh Jamison's Leading Her to Heaven

As the eldest daughter of an English earl, Lady Susanna Cavendish has led a sheltered life of privilege and leisure. She has been taught that her northern cousins, the Scots, are barbaric heathens with no regard for culture or civilization.

Notorious warrior Blair Ruthven is laird of the fiercest clan in Scotland Born into a society rife with blood feuds and an engrained hatred for the English, Blair learns at an early age that trust and love do little more than damn and disappoint. When he agrees to marry Susanna at the behest of his own sovereign, he never expects to be attracted to her, much less fall into a passionate love affair.

Forced into marriage by feuding kings in order to forge a political union between their countries, Blair and Susanna must learn to find peace between themselves as they battle ages-old prejudices—and vie for one another's hearts.

~~*~~

Katrina Strauss' Lessons Learned: Book Two of the Eldritch Legacy

Like many young women of her generation, Camille Rocheford struggles for recognition in a changing world. Her debut novel, published under her own name rather than a masculine pseudonym, stirs great controversy. Yet despite her modern views on equality, she is at odds with the carefree morals of her progressive peers.

When a childhood friend invites her to spend the summer with a well-known writer, Camille eagerly accepts. Little does she know, her surprise host is none other than the infamous Stefan Eldritch, a poet who shocks the public with provocative verse and scandalizes his family with wild soirees.

Though polar opposites, Stefan and Camille soon fall into creative collaboration--and unbridled romance. Stefan challenges Camille to explore both art and sensuality without constraint. In turn, Camille teaches Stefan that even a free spirit is capable of loyalty and love. Along the way they stumble upon the lost path of the Black Magi, once practiced by Stefan's ancestors.

When their mutual work lands the powerful Eldritch clan in political disfavor, Stefan takes blame and is sentenced to prison. Can Camille find the strength and the means to gain her lover's freedom?

Lessons Learned, Book Two of the Eldritch Legacy, explores the reckless abandon of unrestrained passion paired with the power of the pen and the timeless force of love.

JERR gives Immortal Reveries 4 Stars!

Gratuitious squeeing post below:

Title: Immortal Reveries
Author: HS Kin
nPublisher: Aphrodite’s Apples
Publisher URL: www.aphroditesapples.com
ISBN: 0-9787404-4- 9
Reviewer: Stacey Landers
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Heat level: O

Lyssa Titus had the perfect life, or so she thought. She was a college professor, had plenty of friends, and was content with her life. That is until Alex Bristol came in the picture. Upon meeting him, her mind starts to conjure up images of the past-her past with Alex. Though she was Sidhe, and believed in the supernatural, she had a hard time believing Alex and his stories. Her body, however, knew that he was the man for her.

Alex has been looking for Elizabeth for centuries. When he finds Lyssa, he knows she is his lost Elizabeth. He gave up his immortality and lost Elizabeth in the process. Now he refuses to let Lyssa run away.

Immortal Reveries begins the first story in a new series by HS Kinn. Having never read her works, I was thrilled when I finished this story. This was more than an erotic tale, it was a love story that spanned centuries. I found Alex to be the utmost gentleman out of the bed. In the bed, he was wild and hot, with all the knowledge of how to pleasure a woman. And he did so with Lyssa quite frequently. I am most pleased to say that it did not take Lyssa long to recognize Alex, at least it didn’t take her body long. They took up where they left off in 1644 and didn’t look back. The writing had a very nice flow, taking us from past to present with ease. The secondary characters were as fascinating as Alex and Lyssa, and the camaraderie amongst them was exciting to read. Theirs was a love that started in youth and transcended through time, and though it took time for Lyssa’s mind to catch up, her heart knew her fate. Immortal Reveries is an absolutely wonderful story, I eagerly anticipate the next installment.

Stacey Landers, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/justeroticromancereviewsnewsletter/message/214

Aphrodite's Apples is featured at PNR!

I'm pleased to announce that Aphrodite's Apples is featured this month at ParaNormal Romance! PNR features the finest in paranormal romance articles and reviews. Author HS Kinn is the featured interview. *coughs daintily*


Desiree Gentle, who conducted the interview, did a fabulous job of showing off all our authors, not just me. I am exceptionally pleased!

New Site Layout

Well, I got bored and made myself a new site layout. Yep, I do my own code. I feel accomplished now, LOL! I also made a writing tips section. I am tempted to ask for guest columnists for the writing tips, maybe feature someone who's better at writing about writing than me. *eyes Bernita*

Well, lovelies, let me know what you think of the layout, and if you don't see me here, I am a mod at Louise Bohmer's board now! :D

Yippee! I have research!

Does that title make me a nerd? *adjusts glasses* I suppose so, but I thoroughly enjoy the research I do for my writing.

But before I go into that, I'd like to thank everyone who turned out for the chat last night. We had a lot of fun!

In other news, I am happy to report that my Palm Pilot is functional again, mostly. I still can't use my DataViz, but whatever, at least I can read subs on it. And oh Goddess, do I have subs to read! LOL! I am still gonna get it replaced, because the MS Word compatibility is a big part of why I even bought the E2. But I can read my Werewolf book now, hurray! This one is out of print, but it was recommended to me and I was very excited to find it out in eBook form. Too bad Manuela Dunn Mascetti's Vampire: The Complete Guide to the World of the Undead isn't available too. I have it in hardback, and it is faaabulous--full of Simon Marsden's photography of cemetery things. It's gorgeous and well-researched, and it's undoubtedly my fave research tome on the Undead. I've read a lot of them, and while this one isn't as comprehensive as say, Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead, it integrates the science, history and cultural aspects of vampirism very well. I'd rec both books though, if you're gonna write about Vamps.

Speaking of research and writing, I think I'd best get back to work. *mwah*

--HS

When I became a writer...

Candice Gilmer tagged me, and I can't tell her no, so I'll play. *G*

I'm not sure if one really becomes a writer--the essense of good writing is storytelling, and you either like to do that or you don't. Pursuing it professionally, however, is another matter, and a great deal more complicated once you decide to enter the fray.

I suppose then that it's really more about who encouraged me to do just that--to figure out the maze of publishers, agents, manuscript formats, etc. I'll lay all of it at my mother's feet, 'cause she was the first person to say to me, "Heather, you should write children's books when you grow up. You have such a vivid imagination!" I was about seven or eight then.

Well... *considers what I write* I took at least part of her suggestion, eh? As a college student I became a poet of sorts, or least I thought I was (heh) and I read at many an open mic/slam night.

The next step on the bumpy road came with my crit group, many of whom are working with me at Aphrodite's Apples. Candice, Ang, Kelly, Nina, Kayleigh, Ivana, Katrina...you guys all helped me develop my voice, and I'm indebted to you for that.

When did I go pro? When I got married again, after eight years of single motherhood. My husband is a wonderful man, likes to write himself, and he encouraged me to give professional writing a try. I dedicated Immortal Reveries to him. Yeah, I know I'm a sap, but I'm a happy one.

I'm working on the followup to IR now, and if I have the time to write even half of the voices that are running around in my head, I'll be a happy gal.

Tag, Kayleigh, you're it. ;-P

Come chat with me tonight!

Hello, my lovelies! Yes, I've found the secret login that doesn't confuse my email and blogger handles! *crosses fingers* so I'm still back, LOL!

I'm pleased to announce that Aphrodite's Apples is chatting at Novelspot tonight! I'll be there, talking about my novel, Immortal Reveries.



Hope to see you there!

Yay, updated!

Since Blogger and Google merged I've had trouble logging in, and I am happy to report that I found a help group on Google, and I managed to get logged in. O.o

And I have to brag that I am author of the week at Candice Gilmer's blog! Yippee!

Well, lovelies in BlogLand, I am going to retreat now, and watch more weather (hurricane, aahhhhhh!), and work on Strange Days, the follow up to Immortal Reveries.

Come Chat with Me!

Come celebrate the release of the Masquerade,Volume One and chat with the authors of Aphrodite's Apples at the Pink Posse, on August 9th at 7 pm EST. We'll have prizes and giveaways,so don't miss out on the fun!

Immortal Reveries Contest Winner!

Congratulations, Rhonda! You won the free eBook copy of Immortal Reveries! I'll be posting a new contest later this week, so stay tuned! ;-)

Win a copy of Immortal Reveries!

To celebrate the release of Immortal Reveries, I am doing an Aphrodite's Apples scavenger hunt. To be eligible to win, you need to go to Aphrodite's Apples and find me these three things:

1. One character name from Immortal Reveries
2. One other new release from Aphrodite's Apples
3. One coming soon release title

Email hskinn@hskinn.com with your answers by noon EST on Wednesday, August 2nd. Correct answers will be entered into a drawing and chosen at random. Good luck!

Immortal Reveries is for sale!

Immortal Reveries is for sale now, at Aphrodite's Apples! Officially speaking, we're open on Friday, but I am offering y'all an early sale. ;-)

Call for Editors

Aphrodite's Apples is looking for junior editors to work on short story anthologies and longer works. If you are interested, please email hskinn@aphroditesapples.com or kjamison@aphroditesapples.com. Ms. Kinn is author liason and Kayleigh Jamison is Aphrodite's Editor-in-Chief.

I have more goodies to post from WriterCon, and I will get them up, but probably not until after our formal launch on Friday!

Writerly thought of the Day

So I'm editing Immortal Reveries, and I'm thinking about dialogue. I have a dictionary of Slang & Euphemism, and the term "come" for sexual release is dated at the 1800's (ish). Does it put you off or otherwise distract you to read more modern terms for anatomy and other sexual matters in historicals, or would you rather hear it in more plain speech?