Destiny ~ New Release!

I'm excited to let everyone know that the third and final book of the Cornerstone Deep trilogy is OUT! That's right, released for everyone to read. And along with the release, there's a Goodreads Giveaway for 2 signed paperback copies!  Enter to win below~

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Destiny

by Charlene A. Wilson

Giveaway ends May 26, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

Until next time,

May your dreams be magical.

Savory Sunday~Lavender Lemonade

How to Make Lavender Lemonade

Combine ¾ cup of water with ½ cup of sugar in a saucepan.  Bring to a low boil and stir until sugar dissolves, remove from heat.  Add 3-4 organic lavender buds to heated sugar water mixture and allow to cool for 10 minutes. 

Prepare frozen lemonade as directed, minus 1 cup of water.  Remove lavender buds from sugar mixture, then pour sugar water into prepared lemonade and add fresh slices of lemon.  

For color (optional), mix ¼ cup of water with one drop of blue food coloring and one drop of red food coloring. 

For more info on this recipe here is the link to the original post :)

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/06/lavender-lemonade/

Character Interview ~ Welcome Jesu, Ema and Jalmari from Dark Becoming!

I love it when I'm able to interview my favorite characters, and Author J.D. Brown makes it so fun. Please welcome Jesu, Ema, and Jalmari of the Ema Marx series as they celebrate the release of the third book in the series, Dark Becoming! 

Ema rings the doorbell. She adjusts her sunglasses and looks down at the blue plastic wrap in her hands. “I hope she likes the cookies.”

Jesu casually places a hand on Ema’s shoulder.  “I am sure she will.”

Charlene lights the candles on the mantel and then rushes to the door. Swinging it wide, she hopes the glare from the small flames won’t be too uncomfortable for her two guests. They are vampires, after all. “Ema, Jesu! Oh it’s so good to see you!”

Ema squeals and gives Charlene a big bear hug, almost knocking off her sunglasses. “Charleeeeeeeeeene!”

Charlene stifles a grunt as Ema squeezes her far too tightly. “Oh Ema! I’m so glad you came. It’s been too long!”

Jesu chuckles. “Ema…you will break all the cookies. And Charlene, too.”

“Oh!” Ema releases Charlene. She readjusts her sunglasses with one hand and holds out the package of Oreo cookies with the other.* “These are for you.”

Breathless, Charlene takes the package. “Thank you! They’re Oreos? My total fav! I’ll be sure to enjoy them for both of us since I know your taste buds have changed a smidget since… you know, becoming Vampyre.  Come in, come in! Thank you for coming all this way to my little corner of the world for my interview. I know you’ve been so busy.”

Ema and Jesu enter Charlene’s home and automatically settle into a settee facing away from the candles. Ema waves a hand through the air. “Are you kidding? We’re always happy visit! This is a great change of scenery after everything that’s happen. Yikes! In fact, let’s make plans to visit more often. Like, who says we need to wait for J.D. to finish another book?” 

Jesu smiles to himself. “I agree. It is always a pleasure, Charlene.”

Charlene chuckles. “We’ll definitely meet more often. And speaking of JD, tell me, how in the world you managed to get through that opening scene JD wrote you into! How traumatic!”

“I know, right? I almost had a heart attack! Or a mini stroke. It was bad.” Ema nods decisively.

Jesu winces.

“What thoughts went through your mind when you realized what had happened to Jesu, Ema?”

“Oh. I was so relieved!” She sighs. “Jesu is not allowed to die.” She turns and narrows her gaze at Jesu. “You are not allowed to die, got it?”

Jesu bites the inside of his cheek to suppress a laugh, and raises his hands in surrender. “I will do my best. Promise.”

“Jesu, what were your thoughts when you opened your eyes after it happened?”

Jesu pauses to think. “I wanted to see Ema…to know that she was okay. Then I wanted to pound my brother into a pulp.”

“No doubt! You do a lot of traveling in this book. Care to fill us in on the highlights?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s like we went from one side of the world, to the other. First we went to Venice, which is only an hour-and-a-half flight from Berlin, not too bad. But then, as soon we got back to Germany, we had to re-pack and go off to Panama! That’s a fourteen-hour flight! Can you imagine being forced to sit still and worry about dying for fourteen hours straight at thirty-thousand feet in the air?” Ema points to herself. “I can.”

Charlene nods “I would have been a bucket of nerves if I had to wait that long, knowing I was about to face Apollyon! So, let’s lighten the topic a bit.” She winks. “What of this new character, Valafar. I have to admit, he’s hot!

Jesu turns to Ema. “You never told me he was attractive.”

Ema makes a face. “Gee, I must have forgotten to mention it while dealing with his wise-cracking. Yeah, he’s hot, but he’s so not my type.”

“Okay. We’ll move on again.” Charlene laughs. “A lot of things come to light in this book. How about some sneak peeks?

“That’s for sure. Goodness, where would I even start?” Ema opens the book and flips a few pages. 

“Here, I’ll give you a few passages to share.”

Jesu shook his head. “You need to remember what you are dealing with, Ema. You want to play the hero and save everyone, but you need to wake up and realize that lives are going to be lost no matter what and, when it comes to my father, tortured. Those scars will never heal, Ema, because that is the kind of sadistic man my father is. It is not enough for him to physically hurt people; he has to impair their minds, too. He has to haunt them with reminders of what he has done so that they never fully heal. He has to make sure they break.” I yanked my hand away and glowered. “Good. I’m glad he mutilated me. You think I forgot the suffering and fear I went through? You’re wrong. It’s because I remember it that I want to end him so badly. I’m glad I have these scares to remind me. Apollyon didn’t break me, Jesu. I’m not broken until I’m dead.”

****

A lot of people might die. 

Jesu warned me, but the reality didn’t sink in until now. I didn’t know the names of any of Nikolas’ soldiers, if they had spouses or children, but it didn’t matter. I didn’t want any of them to get hurt. I didn’t want any of them to not come back. They rallied about the room like a bunch of high school football players before a homecoming game, completely amped on the goal of winning. No doubt. No hesitation. It was stupid and naïve—but I had to believe in their enthusiasm. I had to believe we would all survive this, that the only ones who would die would be Apollyon and his undead army. Not us. 

Not us.

“Wow. Those are some heavy scenes.” Charlene slowly nods as they sink in, and then shakes her head to get her mind on the next topic. “And how is Bridget doing? I understand she still holds a flame for you Jesu. How do you cope with that along with everything that’s going on?”

Ema crosses her arms over her chest. “Yeah, Jesu, how do you cope?”

Jesu shifts in his seat and clears his throat. “Um…not well, I’m afraid.”

Ema snorts.

“Ema, Let’s talk Apollyon. Any plans on how to end him? Or is that classified information?”

Ema glances at the ruby hanging from the silver rose anklet near her shoe. “Uh….”

Charlene follows her gaze and then winks. “Right. Let’s move on… I heard a rumor that I don’t like at all. I bet you can guess what it is too. Would you be willing to elaborate for my readers?”

Ema’s gaze widens and she learns forward. “What rumor?”

Jesu clears his throat. “I think Charlene is referring to us.”

“Us?”

“You know. Us. Our Relationship.”

“Oh. Ohhh… Oh.”

Jesu looks to Charlene. “It’s complicated.”

Charlene quirks her lips, a little annoyed by the evasive answer. “Hmm.”

The doorbell rings and Ema jumps. “What the heck is he doing here?”

Jalmari opens the door and lets himself inside.

“How did you get out?!”

Jalmari glances at Ema and raises one eyebrow. “I was invited.”

“But how did you get out?”

Charlene releases a breathless sigh. Jalmari is, after all, one of her favorite bad boy heart throbs. 

“Jalmari, come in, have a seat.”

Jalmari ignores Ema’s question and sinks into an oversized chair opposite his brother.

I’m afraid I don’t have any liqueur, especially the kind you’ve been, um, enjoying as of late. Some blood, maybe?

“No!” Ema and Jesu both yell. Ema smiles and her cheeks warm. “Sorry. My hormones have been very anti-vampyre diet lately.”

Jalmari looks at Charlene and winks. “Let’s keep the blood warm for later.”

Charlene smiles. “Sure, Jalmari. Can I ask you a personal question? Why do you blame Ema for Leena’s death?

“Yeah!”

Jamlari rolls his eyes. “Leena would still be alive if not for Ema. Simple as that.”

“Pfft.”

“Any chance you might find it in your heart to help her and Jesu get to your father?”

“If it benefits me.”

“What would make your life right again? Aside from, um, ending Ema?”

“Ending Ema.”

“Oh, Jalmari.”

Ema whispers to Jesu. “Why is he here again?”

Jesu shrugs.

Charlene leans her elbows to her knees as she faces Jalmari face on. “I hear from a very reliable source that Sarah fancies you. Any chance you might find love?”

Ema sputters. “What the…! Seriously? Oh, I’m going to have a serious girl chat with her!”

Jalmari blinks and his nose scrunches. “Princess Sara? Huh. Hmm.”

“Nope! No! You get that idea out of your head, mister! She is off limits. She can do so much better!” Ema pushes to her feet and flails her arms around. “I’m going to go talk to her right now!”

Jesu stands and nods to Charlene. “It’s been…interesting? Do have us back soon. Maybe without my brother?” He runs off after Ema, who is halfway down the driveway, muttering to herself.

Charlene calls after them. “Well, thank you for being with me today. It’s not often I have my favorite characters visit with me in my home. Please be careful as you head back to Germany. And do give my best to King Nicholas and Valafar!” She turns back to Jalmari with a wink. “Now, Jalmari. How about that glass of blood?”

~ * ~

Ema Marx is in a race against time. Or rather, a race against Apollyon. A powerful weapon—the legendary philosopher’s stone—could tip the scale in favor of whoever gets their fangs on it first. For Ema, obtaining the stone is an uphill battle through love, alliance, heartbreak, and loyalty. Winning should mean the beginning of beautiful things, but the closer Ema gets to her destiny, the more uncertain her future becomes. Could it be this war was never meant for her? And why the heck doesn’t morning sickness adhere to rules of its own name?

Available at AMAZON

About the Author:

J.D. Brown knows that vampires exist because she's dating one and no, he doesn't sparkle. Unfortunately, he's not immortal either (or maybe her standards are too low). A magnet for subcultures and weirdness, J.D. was that socially awkward girl with more fictional friends than real ones. As a child battling a hearing loss and a medical condition with no name, J.D. found comfort in books where strong women always saved the day and got the guy. An obsession with Charmed, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Heroes lead J.D. to believe that her mutated chromosome made her something more, not something less. Thus her stubborn flare to persevere was born. A lover of fine cuisine, coffee, and shoes, J.D. never understood why shoe stores don't serve Starbucks and soufflé. She resides in Wisconsin were she writes urban fantasy--aka vampires for adults--and has political debates with her dogs. She loves to hear from fans and is active on Facebook.com/AuthorJDBrown.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Profile | GoodReads Profile 

~Giveaway~

One Luck Winner

will receive a FREE thumb drive

with over 100 FREE eBooks

from over 100 different authors

downloaded inside!

Use the Rafflechopter form below to enter. (International entries welcome)

For more prizes and ways to win, join the

DARK BECOMING RELEASE PARTY

on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/events/464317960383575/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  

Until next time,

May your dreams be magical.

On Sale or You Could Win!

Gotta share this with all my loves out there! The Transformation of Anna is on sale for a limited time for only .99cents at AMAZON! Just click on < that Amazon on in all caps or on the image below to be brought there. *smile*

ALSO

Aumelan ~ Blessed of the Gods is up for grabs on Goodreads! Enter to win and all we ask is that you leave an honest review of the book there (and on Amazon if you feel so inclined *wink*) The Giveaway ends on February 15th, so get that entry in!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Blessed of the Gods

by Charlene A. Wilson

Giveaway ends February 15, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Blessed of the Gods is also on Tour right now. So many stops it makes my head spin! You can enter to WIN a $25 Amazon gift card or Paypal cash at any of the tour hosts you visit. So be sure to follow along to catch the excerpts and sneak peeks. *smile*

Blog Tour Schedule

February 10th
I Am A Reader – Guest Post
Diana’s Book Reviews – Review
BookHounds – Interview
Enter Here Canada – Spotlight
Min Reads and Reviews – Spotlight

February 11th
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
Cassandra M’s Place – Spotlight
Coffee Books & Art – Spotlight
Gustosa Giveaways – Spotlight
Sammy’s Book Obsession – Spotlight
Deliciously Savvy – Spotlight

February 12th
Lisa’s Research & Reviews – Review
Beck Valley Books – Spotlight
CBY Book Club – Spotlight
Clever Girls Read – Spotlight
Kaisy Daisy’s Corner – Spotlight
Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Spotlight
StoreyBook Reviews – Spotlight

February 13th
Beppe DM Giveaway – Spotlight
deal sharing aunt – Spotlight
Desafío In The City – Spotlight
Mary’s Cup of Tea – Spotlight
Science Fiction And Such – Spotlight

February 14th
Addicted Readers – Spotlight
Book Lovers Life – Spotlight

February 15th
Indie Author How-to – Review
Mythical Books – Spotlight

February 17th
trips down imagination road – Review
Corazones Literarios – Spotlight
Diane’s Book Blog – Spotlight
Love. Without You – Spotlight

Until next time,

May your dreams be magical.

Savory Sunday~Cool Lime Cheesecake

How about a yummy and low calorie cheesecake :) This is one of my favorites!
~Blythe, Charlene A Wilson PA


Cool Lime Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1  cup(s)  graham cracker crumbs
• 3  Tbsp  stick butter or margarine, melted
• 2  Tbsp  sugar
• 2  pkg(s)  (8oz each) reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 2/3  cup(s)  sugar substitute baking blend or 16 packets sugar substitute
• 1  egg
• 2  egg whites
• 1/2  tsp  lime peel, grated
• 3  Tbsp  fresh lime juice

Directions

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and 2 tablespoons sugar in bottom of 8" springform pan or 8" cake pan; pat evenly on bottom and ½-inch up side of pan. Bake in preheated 325°F oven 8 minutes.
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar substitute in medium size bowl until fluffy. Beat in egg, egg whites, lime peel and juice until well blended. Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared crust.
3. Bake in preheated 325ºF oven 30 to 35 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

Aumelan ~ Blessed of the Gods is HERE!

Great news! 

Aumelan ~ Blessed of the Gods is on the virtual shelves and ready for purchase!

*does the Snoopy dance around Charlene Blogs* 

It's been 35 years in the waiting and now has a home at your favorite online book stores. A blog tour is in the planning for February 10-20th, but you all are special. I won't make you wait to get the scoop. *wink* So let's introduce it all proper and such with the blurb, excerpt, and book trailer for you to enjoy!

Aumelan ~ Blessed of the Gods 

ISBN:  978-0989984645

Pages:  337 (paperback)

Publisher:  Astraea Press

Blurb

The unbelievable just hit Sun City. His name is Chad.

Chad Aumelan is in love, but his world isn't right. Not when he's forbidden to have Dae just because she's his slave.

When Salana Goffin meets Chad, she's faced with the unbelievable: A man who must take energy from a host to survive. He wants to find a cure to free the woman he loves. How can Salana turn away such a noble cause?

Together, they search for answers, but fate has another plan.

Book Trailer

Excerpt

Black clouds morphed across the sky, and Salana pressed her forehead against the third-floor sunroom window. Her hair framed the sides of her face, blocking the view of her indoor garden.

Another storm. 

She blinked at the distant trees. Silhouetted by the glow of the city, branches swung as if throwing punches at the wind in a wild frenzy. 

And another reason for Mother and Father not to show. 

Her breath misted the glass as her whisper fell from her lips. “Then again, when do they ever show?” Flight delays, meetings, vacations… One thing I can count on is their absence. 

A thick bolt of lightning pierced the heavens and cut the black sky in half. She blinked several times to disperse the bright image and looked three stories below to the dark grounds. Rain pounded the backyard terrace like silver streams as they reflected the light from the glass sliding doors of the morning room. She could hardly make out the ivory lounges and tables that pocked the area. 

Thunder clashed, and the arboretum quaked around her. Placing her finger at the center of the misted glass, she traced a straight line downward until her hand fell to her side. With a sigh, she turned her back on the scene and scanned her garden nook.Black iron trellises stretched around her favorite trio of garden chairs and hourglass stands. The cozy loveseat seemed to invite her to curl up in its overstuffed lap to pout.
She strolled to the flowers and stroked a yellow bud. “But you’ve always been here, haven’t you?” 

Plucking the perfect bloom, she sighed and then tucked it behind her ear. 

Tip-taps sounded from beyond the nook, and her nanny’s blue quarter-moon eyes peeked around the trellis. Her singsong voice danced off the tip of her tongue. “There you are, Ducky.” 

Despite Salana’s gloom, the sweet words warmed her heart. An involuntary twitch tugged the corner of her mouth into a lopsided grin. No matter they never show. Nina’s always here. Always. “There I am.” 

“I knew I’d find you among the flowers.” Nina’s hair brushed the shoulder of her paisley-print blouse as she dipped her head to the side. “You know you shouldn’t be up here in such a storm. The news circuits say it’s taking down trees all along the coast. Sun City’s going to get a good pounding.” 

Her melodic tone played alongside the heavy rhythm of rain on the solarium roof. “The weather this summer has been so odd. I must say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many storms since the flood when you were a little girl.” She sighed. “Needless to say, your mother and father’s flight was canceled. They decided to just stay in North Arba and leave for Crescent Steeple from there. Those caves make for good protection against weather like this. Always wondered what people saw in living beneath the rock, but there you have it. One good reason, anyway.” 

“From what I understand, there are a lot more down there than those who live in that bordering city.” 

“An odd lot, those deep dwellers, even more odd than the Arbans. But the Arbans did negotiate a treaty of sorts with the Terracians, so...” Nina blinked and upped her fair brows as her voice trailed from the topic. “Well, at any count, you’ll have to stand in for them at the embassy’s quatercentenary celebration this weekend.” 

Salana nodded. Nothing new. 

“I’ll lay out a nice ceremonial outfit. I assume you won’t be wearing the Terracian medallion for this one. Senator Kelborn and all the opposition leaders will be there, you know.” She glanced to the side. “Your father had doubts they’d show, considering all the territories were invited. Good thing the Terracians turned down the invite after all. But, you won’t want to stir things up…” 

Salana held up her hand to get a word in—a gesture she’d found the most effective when talking with Nina. “I’m wearing the medallion. I’ve worn it to every official gathering I’ve ever attended.” 

“Oh, but, Ducky. In this case, you could be shunned for taking that kind of stand. You’re not a child. You’ll be nineteen, come winter, and that’s well into accountability age. It won’t be overlooked.” 

Folding her arms, Salana cocked her hip to the side, allowing her long hair to brush her backside. “If Mother were to be there, she’d be the one taking the stand simply by being who she is. She’d be shunned, but would stand tall.” 

“It would be a simple shunning. Not that any shunning is seen as simple, really, but she has no choice of who she is.” 

Salana filled her lungs with the floral-scented air to control her response. “Nina, I’m Terracian, too.” 

She paused as the fact sent warmth to her cheeks. When had she taken that as truth? It had been a shock when her parents shared that bit of information after her ninth birthday. Her heart swelled and she fingered the neckline of her sweater where the three interconnected circles of her medallion would rest. Such a special moment it had been when her mother adorned her with the medallion of womanhood in pure Terrace Well tradition. 

That’s when I took it as truth. 

“You were born Sun Nation. Just like your father. You have a choice in what you decide to represent.” 

With a deliberate blink, Salana allowed her tone to make it clear the conversation ended. “I’m wearing my medallion.” 

Nina’s thin lips bent into a sweet smile. Her slow tip-taps crossed the sitting area, and she lifted her hand, combing the strands from Salana’s face. “Of course you are. I’ll weave your hair early that morning so it won’t appear too tight by the celebration. The gold clips to hold your Daughter of the Nation brow band in place?” 

“Sure.” 

Lightning streaked above the glass ceiling, and a web of strobes flashed across the sky. Thunder clashed, shaking palms and ivory around them. Familiar loneliness woke in Salana’s heart with a start. 

They won’t be showing…again. 

“Then let’s get you down to your room. You need to get a good night’s sleep, and my heart needs to know you won’t stay up here in all of this.” 

With a nod, Salana followed her through the aisles of blooms. Twangs of isolation accompanied her, but the small hope of another visitor kept them at bay. 

As Nina reached to turn off the light, she glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, and Thomey called just before I came up. He won’t be making it tonight. All that work at the lab, you know.” 

Salana lowered her gaze with a silent sigh, hope crushed. 

Of course he won’t.

Get yours today! Like I said, it's everywhere...

Buy links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/BOG-k

B&N: http://bit.ly/BOG-n

Kobo: http://bit.ly/BOG-kobo

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/BOG-smash

iTunes: http://bit.ly/BOG-itune

Paperback: http://bit.ly/BOG-pb

Author site: http://CharleneAWilson.com/order/

Until next time,

May your dreams be magical.

Savory Sunday~ Strawberry Angel Food Cake

Hey y'all! Sorry I haven't gotten a Savory Sunday up in a few weeks. A lot has been going on and I haven't been able to be online much but that is changing now :) I though today we would go for a nice  easy sweet treat as our recipe for today. So without further ado, Strawberry Angel Food Cake!
~Blythe, Charlene A. Wilson PA

Ingredients

• 1/4  cup(s)  water
• 2  tsp  cornstarch
• 4  cup(s)  frozen unsweetened strawberries, thawed
• 2  tsp  honey
• 1/2  loaf angel food cake

Directions

1. Mix water and cornstarch.
2. In a small saucepan, blend strawberries and cornstarch mixture.
3. Add honey.
4. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
5. Remove from heat and cool completely.
6. To serve, slice cake into 6 equal pieces.
7. Lay cake slices on 6 individual dessert plates.
8. Drizzle 1/3 cup strawberry sauce over each slice.