Happy New Year's Eve!

I loved this list from Bree Bridges SO MUCH, that I'm posting it here for everyone else to enjoy. Click on the link to see the whole list.

Goodbye 2013...HELLO 2014!

Writer-y Things I (Re)Learned in 2013 - A List: http://t.co/0XPBLulogD
— Bree Bridges (@mostlybree) December 30, 2013

Happy New Year's Eve!
Lisa

Family Stone Romantic Suspense novellas, #1 and #2 available now!

So I've been working on a new series of novellas about a set of four half-siblings in a blended family. Three brothers and a sister.

The first book is Stone Cold Heart

Stone Cold Heart:

Jess Stone, former FBI sniper, always felt like the kid who looks in the candy store window but could never afford to go in. But on a humanitarian mission to aid an earthquake ravaged country, finally she finds a place where she fits, in Colin Davies' arms, and working for Global Humanitarian Relief, her big brother's company. But can the former SAS thaw Jess's stone cold heart?

Carved in Stone:

Connor Stone has always been odd man out in his family. Not the oldest, not the most charming, he'd had a lock on the youngest until another half-sibling came to live with them, so he raised hell in his youth. Con knows now the only way to redeem himself is with deeds, not words and sets out to prove once and for all he is worthy of the Stone family. When his older brother asks him to take care of business, Con finally will have redemption he craves. Except when Ava Sanchez, his brother's assistant, is threatened, he must choose between saving the girl or protecting his family. Will his choice bring him love or break his heart?

I love everything about this series. It combines my love for romantic suspense, romance, and my interest in philanthropies around the world. The settings vary, Jess's book takes place mostly on a fictional Caribbean island, while Connor's book is set solely in Monterey, California. 

Right now they are just available on Amazon but they will be coming to Kobo, BN, and ARe romance soon.

And Riley's story is due to be released in the next week. With the final story about Jack due out mid-January. Hope you enjoy and Happy New Year!!

Lisa

perfect winter chili

It's been really cold in Nor Cal this week (for here), perfect time of year to make a big pot of chili. The basis of the recipe is from epicurious.com and a restaurant in Hawaii but I changed it so much that I'm calling it mine. :) This is great for a few nights of family dinners or if you are having a crowd for dinner.  

Perfect Winter Chili

1 lb ground beef - browned

1 lb ground pork - browned

1 29 oz can of diced tomatoes

2 cans tomato paste

1 onion chopped

3 cloves garlic crushed

1 1/2 TB cumin

1 1/2 TB chili powder (or more to taste)

1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Dash of Cayenne pepper (or more to taste)

1 1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 cups of beef broth

After browning the meat in a pan, throw all ingredients in a crock pot and let it cook for hours. You can also add 2 cups chopped bell peppers but I do this infrequently. About an hour before you are ready to serve, add to crock pot:

2 cans of beans (drained), black, pinto or kidney 

More broth (if needed)

Serve with grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips. I usually make a salad to go along with the chili.

The best part of this meal is it takes very little time to prepare, about 20 minutes, and then you let it simmer in the crock pot for hours while you get a myriad of holiday tasks accomplished or curl up with a good book. It's even better on day two. Yum!!

Lisa

ps. I have been trying to switch to a Primal diet (similar to Paleo) and finding dinners that do not incorporate bread, pasta, or rice has been an ongoing challenge. This has some dairy which is technically not allowed but not as forbidden as gluten :) 

Night Owl Review of Archangel Rafe

I'm horribly behind on everything after 'the lost month' which is what I've dubbed November. I had the cold from hell that just would not die.

Anyway, I received an absolutely lovely review of Archangel Rafe from Night Owl Reviews and I wanted to post a link here.

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Reviews/Bookgirl-reviews-Archangel-Rafe-by-Lisa-Hughey

Honestly, every time a reader comments on how much they can relate to Angelina, I want to fist pump in triumph. In an earlier post I wrote about how the publisher I initially wrote this book for wanted me to change Angelina into a twenty-something heroine. I did and they rejected the story again, and then I ultimately ended up changing her back to her original thirty something mom, ex-wife, daughter, sister, grand-daughter with a million responsibilities and no time for herself.

I am currently working on the next Archangel book, with a tentative release date in February. I'll keep you posted when I have an update.

Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Lisa