Whet your appetite! Great Mysteries--Great Appetizers

Cookouts just around the corner, how about some great appetizers to whet your appetite. And pick up a great mystery to read while the lights are flashing the rockets are exploding. Adds a little excitement to that edge of the seat page.

The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery

The sound of the door closing downstairs cleared her mind and spurred her on as she threw off the covers and stood on shaky legs. Fear was a great motivator. Nikki. She had to get to her. She stumbled, her legs still not obeying the commands her brain issued. The hallway stretched out before her. Tears filled her eyes. She felt weak, helpless. She hadn’t felt this way since—no, she wouldn’t think about that. That was another life, another lifetime. She was almost there. The same fear that had given her strength, now seemed to paralyze her. She forced her trembling fingers to open the door and flip on the light. Relief robbed her legs of the last vestige of strength. Sinking to the floor, she rested her head against the door jam, tears flowing down her face. Nikki lay, one hand tucked under her angelic face, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the darkness that surrounded them. Safe. It was just a dream.

Sarah pulled herself up and reached for the light just as her gaze fell on the stars floating above the bed. It hadn’t been a dream. Reaching out she touched a star, recoiling from the evil she felt there. He’d been here. In her house. In her daughter’s room.



Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery

Standing up Bud walked back to the window. “She’d a stayed if I’d a asked her to. But I had my pride.” His shoulders slumped. “You get old you realize pride ain’t so important. Family’s important. Somebody to love. Somebody to love you.”

Turning he faced Jacody, eyes pleading. “Seems like you’re pretty good at finding people, Mr. Ives. You can see I ain’t got much, but if you could find my little girl and bring her home I’d give you everything I got.”

Jacody felt the rage building as Bud’s pain penetrated the shell around him. Bud Lynton had grown up in a time where a man’s word and his handshake were all that were needed to seal a deal. Jacody extended his hand. “I’ll find her, Mr. Lynton. And I’ll bring her home.”



APPETIZERS

Chipped Beef

Combine
1 tsp. horseradish
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 (8-oz) carton sour cream
2 (8-oz) pkgs. cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. minced onion

Then add:

1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper (I like red and yellow too)
1 (6-oz) jar chipped beef, chopped
Mix well in 1 quart casserole dish
Bake 20 minutes in 350 degree over
Cover with chopped pecans. Serve hot with shredded wheat crackers
Serves 8 to 10 people

One of my favorites

1 (12-oz) roll of braunschweiger
1 (8-oz) pkg. cream cheese

Cream together until smooth (I do this in the blender although it's hard to clean afterwards)
Add
1 envelop dry onion soup mix
1/8 tsp. garlic salt

Blend well. Serve as a mound on tray with crackers

Cheese Log

1 oz. Roquefort cheese
1 cup finely-grated pecans
1 (8-oz) box soft American Cheese
1/8 tsp. garlic power (or more or less to taste)
6 hard shakes of bottled hot sauce (or more or less to taste--I like it hot)
1 wedge (or 6 to 8 ozs.) extra-share grated cheddar cheese

Shape into two logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
Roll logs in chili power (about 1/2 of medium can) until heavily coated
Wrap logs in plastic wrap. Chill until firm. Cut into slices before serving. Serve with crackers.

Crab Meat Spread

Melt in top of double boiler: 1 lb butter
Add: 1 lb. soft, boxed American cheese cubed
Stir constantly with whisk or spoon until completely blended together.
Add 1 (6-oz.) can crab meat
Keep hot in chafing dish
Serve with sesame crackers

Sausage Balls

Combine
1 lb. sausage (I like it hot, but mild is fine)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups prepared biscuit mix
Blend well
Shape into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven.
You can freeze these for breakfast or snacks. If fozen, bake for 20 minutes in 400 degree oven.

Scalloped Mushrooms

Saute 1 lb. fresh mushrooms in 1/4 cup of butter for 5 to 10 minutes (you can substitute margarine for the butter if you like)
Season with salt and pepper. Spread in shallow baking dish, rouded side up.

Combine:
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 tbsps. very dry sherry
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. instant onion
Add a dash of hot sauce if you like things hot. Pour over mushrooms. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees until cream has been reduced to half and mushrooms are golden.

You can use this for a meat sauce also. If you're making it as an appetizer bake until almost dry and serve with toothpicks.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Brown 2 grated medium-sized onions in butter

Add:
1 1/2 lbs. ground veal
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
3 cups soft bread crumbs
3 tsps. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
3 beaten eggs
Form into bite-sized balls. Brown in butter in heavy skillet

Combine
1 (15-oz) can tomato puree
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
Pour over meatballs. Simmer 1 hour

Add
Juice of 2 lemons
1 cup brown sugar
Simmer another hour

Have a great holiday!

Find Me - A WIP

Chapter 17

"I say after we search it we torch it and roast some marshmallows." Rosetta stated, staring at the old farmhouse.
Catherine was inclined to agree with her. "Sounds like an excellent idea to me, except I'll pass on the marshmallows."
"Got about three hours of daylight left, you want to tackle it now or wait until morning?" Rosetta asked.
"If we're voting, I vote for morning. I'd really like a good hot meal, hot bath and full night's sleep before I face my demons."
Rosetta nodded. "Looks of that place there's plenty of them to face."
Catherine backed out of the driveway and headed for the motel. Surprisingly enough she hadn't caught sight of any of Wilkes lackies, nor had he called. Which gave her a sneaking suspicion they were probably on their way here.
"Heard from Cody?" Rosetta asked, her head bent, innocently clicking through things on the laptop.
"No." Catherine didn't elaborate hoping Rosetta wouldn't press the point. She should have known better.
"You know if this killer is going after the people you love, I'd imagine Cody is right at the top of their list."
Catherine gasped audibly. She'd been so worried about Rosetta, and so angry with Cody the thought that he might be in danger had never entered her mind.
"He has Wilkes with him, I’m sure he's fine."
"Yeah, I'm sure he's fine." Rosetta clicked on a few more pages. "Your brother was a good looking guy. Neither one of you looked like your parents."
Catherine glanced at her, wondering if she'd temporarily lost her mind. Her brother looked just like her father.
"Wife wasn't bad looking either." Rosetta continued. "Made a nice looking couple."
Catherine pulled into the parking lot of the Hampton and parked. She'd never seen her sister-in-law or her nieces. "Let me see."
Rosetta turned the lap top around and Catherine felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. "Rosetta, that's not my brother."

Catherine waited until they were checked in, settled in their room with dinner ordered and tea brewing before she took the last file in the stack and started reading the notes. Herbert and Isabella Mansfield. Well, Isabella might be real, but Herbert was definitely not the brother she remembered. And Rosetta was right, he didn't match either of her parents, but then neither did she.
"I think we need to call Cody on this one, Catherine. Give them a heads up so they can do DNA testing. Confirm your suspicions."
Catherine knew she was right. Knowing who the couple in the picture actually were might be an important piece of the puzzle as to why they were killed.
"I'll give Wilkes a call right after we eat."
Rosetta raised an eyebrow, but kept quiet as she poured hot water into a cup and added her special blend of Rosemary tea for her and Chamomile for Catherine. Tonight they were going to sleep, even if they didn't want to.
Catherine looked through the file again, muttering softly to herself. If she waited until after dinner she'd have to think about it until then. Pulling out her cell phone she placed the call. He answered on the second ring.
"Wilkes."
"I've been going through the files. The man in the pictures is not Herbert Mansfield."
"Are you sure about that?"
Catherine could hear the excitement in his voice. "I’m sure."
"I'll order a set of DNA tests immediately. When can we talk?"
"We just did." Catherine hung up the phone, ignoring the reproachful look from Rosetta. "I gave them the information. Isn't that enough?"
"Might be a whole lot easier if we worked together." Rosetta stated, pointing out the obvious.


Books available

The Jacody Ives Mysteries Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery $2.99



The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery is $2.99

Sample Sunday Anticipation--Something New

I always look forward to Sample Sunday, but this week is even more exciting as a group of Indie Authors have decided to have a "Cook Off". We'll be posting excerpts of books, flash fiction and/or short stories and weaving therein our favorite foods and recipes. A writing challenge that I simply could not ignore. How could I? I mean three of my favorite things. Reading, writing and food.

I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do this Sunday as neither of my current books deal with food in any way that I found exciting, or even interesting. Could I actually do a murder mystery or serial killer plot involving food?

I love writing challenges because they do just that--challenge you to use your imagination. To step outside that secure little zone you've built for yourself and leap into something different. Here's a prelude to what's to come.

Food To Die Smiling For

Each year a prisoner on death row is allowed to choose a chef to prepare their last meals. This occurs over a three day period. Day one is breakfast. Day two is lunch. Day three is dinner, with dessert prior to the midnight countdown to death by injection. If the prisoner smiles after each meal, then the chef is assured that their career is forever safe. If a prisoner doesn't smile then their career is forever destroyed. Each year the whole world watches--sort of like watching Hell's Kitchen--to see if a prominent well-known chef will make it or go down in flames.

This year the notorious serial killer Ian McGregor will choose. But McGregor shocks the world when he chooses Carrie Thompson, a small restaurant owner that no one has ever heard of.

Carrie and her best friend, and business partner Sammie must come up with food to die smiling for. Are they up to the challenge? And what is McGregor really up to? Did he choose Carrie because he'd heard of her culinary mastery, or was he planning on having her for dessert?

Stop by Sunday and check out Part 1 of Food To Die Smiling For. We're having an Irish breakfast, with loads of fun, and some great recipes. Hope to see you there.

A Lone Traveler. . .

Can't do too much of a set-up with this one without giving away a spoiler for Sacred Secrets, but I loved this poem.


Like petals on the rose

Clinging tenaciously

To the flower of reality

Only to wilt and break free

In the winter of disillusion

Though plucked early

For the marriage rite

And showered for hopes and dreams

Scattered like frail droplets

Looking to be found in cracks

The wind of lies would blow

Dispersed over a thousand lands

Hiding in the darkest of reaches

Until a lone traveler

Stumbles into the pit

Crawling out of the thorns

With beauty for all to see

Charles W. Prather, Jr.

Excerpt From The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery

“Morning, Sheriff. I was beginning to worry about you.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow, looking at her favorite deputy, Joshua Cross, before glancing at the clock.

“It’s only eight-thirty.”

“Forget something?” Joshua raised an eyebrow, mocking her.

“Oh, shit,” she muttered. The toxicology report on Johanna Nelson. “Did they call?”

“About ten minutes ago. Doc Hawthorne says to call him when you get in. Got something on his mind.”

Sarah nodded. Doc Hawthorne had delivered Johanna Nelson, watched her grow up, and he’d been the one to tell her parents about her death. She was sure he had a lot on his mind. There were still unanswered questions about Johanna’s death, questions that would probably never be answered, as the case seemed no more than a tragic accident. Johanna had been drinking, lost control in the curve and hit a tree. Death had been instantaneous. And then there was what she had felt at the scene last night. Dammit, that was always the problem. She never knew when it was real. Had there really been someone else with Johanna?

Sarah hesitated, tempted to tell Joshua about her suspicion that Johanna had not been alone in the car. “Damn,” she muttered, grabbing a cup of too strong coffee as she headed for her office. And how would she explain her suspicions? Joshua, I have this gift, and it tells me things. She was sure that would go over great.

Grabbing the phone, she dialed Doc Hawthorne’s number. The sooner she made the call, the sooner Johanna’s parents would be allowed to lay their daughter to rest. Maybe Sarah could also lay her doubts to rest.

Five minutes later, Sarah grimaced as she slammed down the phone. The call to Doc had done no more than raise additional questions. Although Johanna smelled of alcohol, blood tests revealed she had not been drinking. Sarah knew there was something else. Something Doc had not told her. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was there. She’d have to go see him in person, take a look at the autopsy report, and find out what he was hiding. The knock on her door did nothing to improve her mood.

“Come in.”

“Everything okay?”

“Just fine,” Sarah muttered sarcastically. “Doc says Johanna wasn’t drinking.”

Joshua seated himself comfortably in the old armchair Sarah had purchased at a yard sale.

“Don’t surprise me none. Never knew that girl to take a drink.”

“Then what the hell happened out there, Joshua? What am I supposed to tell her parents?”

Joshua shrugged, chewing a toothpick. A habit he’d taken up when he’d stopped smoking three years ago.

“You’d better put something on that burn.”

Sarah glanced down at her hand. She’d almost forgotten about burning herself that morning. The skin was now a fiery red.

“It’s not that bad. Did you need something?” Sarah wanted to be alone. She rubbed her temples. Everything seemed to be off kilter.

“Just worried about you. You look a little pale. Maybe you should have Doc take a look at that hand.”

Sarah stopped rubbing her temples. Genius. A perfect excuse to pick the old doctor’s brain. “Yeah, I’ll do that. But I’m fine, really. Nikki hasn’t been sleeping well lately, so, of course, neither have I.”

“I’m afraid you’re not gonna sleep too well in the next couple of weeks, either.” Joshua tossed a mystery novel on her desk. “Know him?”

Sarah glanced at the novel. “G. C. McAllister?” She read the title, A Jacody Ives Mystery – Pool of Tears. “No, I’ve never heard of him.” She glanced from the book to Joshua.

“Got a reputation for being a pretty ruthless bastard. Fancies himself as some kind of private detective like his character. Travels around to small towns looking for secrets. Digs around until he finds a good story. Rumor has it he’s destroyed a lot of lives.”

Sarah frowned. “What does that have to do with us?”

“He just made a reservation at The Lodge. Be here two weeks from today.”
Sarah felt the blood drain from her face. She forgot about Johanna, forgot the burn on her hand, and the need to talk to Doc Hawthorne. The dying words of a tortured soul seemed to echo in the room.

He’s coming, Sarah. He wants to destroy you.

The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery

October Special - Jacody Ives Mystery Series 99 Cents each

Check out the lastest review:

By Jim Fay - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)
I really liked this book. But although this is the first one written about Jacody Ives, there is a recently released a prequel titled "Sacred Secrets." That's the book to start with.

"The Gifts" is a supernatural mystery thriller. I'd like to say I couldn't put it down, but honestly, I don't read that fast and I do need sleep at night and still have to go to work each day. So it took me a few days to read it. But it was a fun ride, and the suspense kept me wanting to know what happened next.

I hope it's not too long before Prather's next book. I'm hooked. Unless something unexpected happens, I will read anything she writes.

The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery


Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery

Sacred Secrets

Chapter Two




“Please . . .,” she whispered.

Gavin McAllister rolled over and flipped on the bedside lamp. Sitting up he ran a hand through his thick black hair and sighed heavily. He hated the nightmares. For the past three years he’d been forced to live with the Mother’s Day killer haunting his dreams. Now, if the dreams were right--and they were always right--evil had claimed another victim.

It was only four a.m., but the night was over for him. Rising he walked to the window, parted the drapes and stood looking out over the silent streets of Richmond. It was quiet now, but soon traffic would be moving. A cacophony of horns, voices mumbling platitudes or shouting curses would rise from the streets as thousands of people rushed frantically to get to the very last place they really wanted to be. Jobs they hated. Or perhaps returning to bleak, empty structures of houses that were no longer homes.

The girl was already dead. He knew that in his heart. Still, there was something she wanted. Something she needed from him. He closed his eyes, seeing her, hearing the whispered plea for life. The sound of prayer in the dark still night.
Unanswered.

His fingers curled inward, tightening into fists. What good were his dreams if he couldn’t save her? Couldn’t save any of them. Occasionally he could find and put an end to the evil. But it never ended. For each one brought to justice something more vile took its place. Something bolder. Stronger.
Kahil Gibran had said, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”

Gavin’s mirthless laugh broke the silence of the early morning hour. If that quote were true then Jacody Ives must be one of the most massive characters ever created.
Gavin turned to gaze at the finished manuscript, “Pool of Tears”. Not his best work, but the character, Jacody Ives, bore fresh scars. Constant reminders that justice came with a price.

Letting the drapes fall back into place Gavin turned on the light and headed for the kitchen. The thing he needed most was thick black coffee. The one thing he didn’t need was to dwell on Jacody Ives. That would only pull him into the shadows of his own fractured psyche. His own evil.

His readers believed that Jacody Ives was merely a fictional character. But Gavin and those closest to him knew that wasn’t true. Jacody was always close, vigilant for a sign of weakness. A moment when the darkness overcame Gavin. The pain cut to the core.

Rob had told him the differences were subtle. Evil was like that. It wasn’t something you could see. It was soulless. The greatest magician. True master of disguise. Lying hidden in the murky depths of secrets buried in the cavernous trenches of the psyche.

Silence. Secrets. Wasn’t that what had created Jacody in the first place? His silence. His secret.

“Please . . .,” she whispered.

Wounds opened. Gavin gripped the sink, struggling to control the memories as his body trembled with rage.

Miranda.

A ragged sound escaped his lips as his body jerked in spasms of emotional pain. He’d kept the memories buried. Caged. But now his tormentor stood outside that cage, laughing as Gavin twisted away from the jagged spears--only to find there was nowhere to go. No place he could escape the memories. The soft delicate sound of her laughter. The flashing beauty of her smile. The limpid pools of her deep green eyes, darkened in passion. The way light played on her auburn curls.

Her still lifeless body. Bloody, battered and broken.

The keening wail of a dying animal filled the room as the darkness won, pulling Gavin beneath the surface to the very pits of his own hell.

Jacody Ives smiled, flexed the fingers still gripping the sink. Evil attracts evil. He’d heard its call in the nightmare. He would answer. There’d never been any other choice for him. Evil knew his name.

Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery

Last day of contest to win Amazon Gift Card

Today is the last day to enter the contest to win an Amazon Gift Card. If you've purchased a copy of The Gifts, or Sacred Secrets--The Jacody Ives Mysteries--during the month of July don't forget to sign up below for the drawing.

Hope everyone has a fantastic day, and a wonderful weekend.

Exerpt: Sacred Secrets

Sheriff Tomlinson parked the car, turning off the motor. His mind drifted, dredging up memories best left buried. He could see it, hear it, smell it.

“Don’t go in there, Dan.”

The Sheriff stared at his Deputy, eyes blurred, bloodshot from lack of sleep. He’d spent the last twenty-four hours desperately searching for his wife and infant son.

“Get out of my way.”

The room was like all sleazy motel rooms. It smelled of stale cigarettes. Cheap whiskey.

He’d stored all that in his subconscious as his conscious mind reeled backwards from the images searing his brain. So much blood. Her beautiful black hair was fanned out over the pillow, surrounding her face like a black halo of light. A terrible sickness clawed at his stomach as he looked into the gaping hole in her chest. Someone had cut out her lying, cheating heart.

Shaking his head to clear his vision, Tomlinson slammed the door to the car, his footsteps striking angry patterns in the snow. Ives didn’t know anything. Not yet anyway. Nothing he could prove.

Slamming the front door he looked at the young man slouched on his couch. Trash. That’s all he was. Just like his mother. He kicked the feet off the couch arm. “Get your ass up.”

Guy opened bloodshot eyes, gleaming with hatred only a child could feel. “What the fuck you want?”

Tomlinson reached out and jerked him up, pushing into his face. “I want to know where Charity Froste is. And you’re gonna tell me.”