Meet D.R. Grady--Author of The Dragon Chronicles, Book 2: #Shifting, #Paranormal #Romance via Karen Rose Smith

Today, I'd like you to meet D.R. Grady.  I first spoke to D.R. at length when we were signing buddies at an event sponsored by our writers' group, Central PA Romance Writers.  She's a lovely woman and a talented writer.  I hope you enjoy her new release of The Dragon Chronicles--Book Two: Shifting.

Here is a message from D.R. Grady.

Hi, Readers--

You’ve likely been at a function, standing in a group of people, and after a few moments, realize with heart-dropping intensity that you don’t belong. Often, everyone in this same grouping realizes this as well, maybe before you catch on.

This terrible situation has shaped my newest heroine, Dr. Keely Bennett’s, life from the time she was a child. It is her unfortunate reality. She is supposedly a part of the Bennett family, but not really, because Keely has never shifted into a wolf. Therefore, she has never felt like a true member of her own family. In her mind, she’s always been lacking, despite being a renowned healer in the paranormal community.

Her new mate, Hugh Blackwolfe, a wolf, and his pack only exacerbate this difference. Can she overcome her fears and faults to be the woman her mate needs? Or will she allow this inability to govern, and ruin, her life? 

D.R.Grady

The Dragon Chronicles Book 2: Shifting

Dr. Keely Bennett, a healer at Paranym University, can’t shift.

Her mate, Hugh Blackwolfe doesn’t mind—but his pack sure does. Hugh is the strongest alpha on the east coast and the pack’s single females challenge Keely, forcing her to find a shifter willing to meet and win this challenge for her, so that she and Hugh can mate.

Keely’s dragon best friend, Lindy, with her controller and mate, Alex, also struggle with shifting. They must learn the nuances of how Lindy shifts, and soon.

After several random attacks, and with an unknown enemy gunning for all of them, time may be running out. As if Keely doesn’t already feel unworthy, the dragon appears to be calling everyone but her to her team of allies.

EXCERPT:

Keely’s bedroom door opened and her wonderful scent preceded her up the hall. She joined them seconds later.

Hugh’s mind blanked.

“You’re beautiful.” His voice strangled as he rose to cross the room to her. Taking her hand, he kissed the back of it.

Her smile warmed him and his wolf—who viewed their mate with a lot of satisfaction. “Thank you. I hope this Meet and Greet is to be fairly casual?” She used a hand to encompass her sweater, skirt, and boots.

Was her attire casual? His pulse picked up as her scent wafted over him again.

“Yes.” Although to what he was agreeing, he didn’t know. Eyes locked on her, he stroked a hand down her smooth cheek.

His. This woman, this magnificent woman, was his. Hugh’s heart soared as he and his wolf savored her close proximity.

“Mine.”

THE DRAGON CHRONICLES, BOOK 2: Shifting on Amazon

D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes, and writing stories that resonate with others.

Website:  www.drgradybooks.com

Twitter: @drgradybooks  https://twitter.com/drgradybooks

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007HR0ULS

Facebook Page: D.R. Grady https://www.facebook.com/drgradybooks

Google+:  D.R. Gradybooks   https://plus.google.com/u/0/114138197846185543554/posts

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When Clare Thaddeus' sister was abducted, she was five and her family fell apart. Now, twenty-seven years later, there's a chance Lynnie could still be alive! Divorced parents, a rebellious daughter, and a devoted sister find their lives in turmoil once again. This time, will crisis tear them apart or will forgotten love knit them together once more?

HER SISTER on Amazon

HER SISTER on Barnes and Noble

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 91st novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

New Year's #Feline #Resolutions--Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

As we try to recuperate from the frantic activities of the holidays, readjust our diets to their healthy levels and adapt to the colder January temperatures, our furry friends also have to readjust to life as normal. We often assume that life is always "as normal" for our pets, but they are affected by any change of routine, whether it be increased visitors, holiday decorations or just a change in tempo from their everyday schedules. Things are slowly returning to their pre-holiday normalcy in the Smith house.

But the Smith felines have made a few New Year's resolutions that I would like to share with you!

Sunnybud has resolved to be on time for his daily visits, although today he was already late for his morning feeding!  

London has resolved to divide her time between the bed in an upstairs bedroom and her new heated bed in the room next door. A little exercise moving from one "bed" to the other will never hurt!

Paddy has resolved that she will remain as photogenic as ever. 

Zoie has resolved that she is going to "like" Halo and that there is room on the bed for both of them.

Zoie is also going to get a bit more exercise playing with Paddy, although she still likes to be "queen of the box!" 

Paddy has resolved that, even though she is now "grown up," she still will still take an afternoon nap with her mom.

Halo has resolved to spend a bit more "awake" time. Actually she's tried of every blog post ending with "And Halo slept through it all!!"

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NATHAN'S VOW on Amazon

NATHAN'S VOW on Barnes and Noble

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 91st novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Pasta Fagioli #Casserole #Recipe by Karen Rose Smith

When I was a child, I would hear my parents and grandparents talking about the Depression and stretching food for meals.  One of the most popular dishes was Pasta Fagioli--pasta with beans.  It was one of my dad's favorites.  After I married, I forgot about that dish until it became a popular menu soup item on the Olive Garden's menu.  My mother never wrote down her original recipe which was a can of this and a pinch of that.  When I began writing my Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mysteries and developed a story line that includes her large Italian family--Caprice also loves to cook--I began to think about the recipes that my mother and grandmother made.

This is my updated version of Pasta Fagioli from DEADLY DECOR. It's a little tangy with a touch of sweetness and smoked goodness.  I hope you enjoy it.

Fran’s Pasta Fagioli

(As published in DEADLY DECOR)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prep time: One hour

Bake time: 40 minutes

Serves 6-8

1 pound ground beef. I use 85% lean.

1/8 pound sliced prosciutto torn into bite-size pieces

1/2 cup chopped fennel. I chop the upper portion of the stalks around the “heart.” (The heart is a great crunchy snack!) You can substitute celery, but that will change the flavor of the casserole.

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 clove grated garlic

1 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

1 cup fire-roasted canned tomatoes

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 cans of cannellini beans (white kidney beans; 15.5 ounce cans). I rinse and drain these.

1 cup of shredded, apple-smoked mozzarella cheese. Using my hand grater, I grate the cheese and set it in the refrigerator until the casserole has baked for 35 minutes.

1 1/2 cups fusillini or other mini pasta

5 quarts of water with 1 teaspoon of salt

Start water to boil. While waiting, chop the vegetables and measure out the other ingredients so they’re ready when you need them. When the water boils, add the fusillini or other mini pasta and boil for 8 minutes.

The pasta should be finished about when the beef is browned. Drain your pasta after it cooks, and let it stand until you are ready for it.

In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef until there is no pink.

To the browned ground beef, add the prosciutto and stir well. Add fennel, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Stir and let simmer for about 2 minutes to mix the flavors. Stir in tomatoes. Add ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, lemon juice, and vinegar. Add drained beans.

Cover the ground-beef mixture and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Then pour the drained pasta into the mixture and stir.

Transfer all of it into a 3-quart casserole; cover and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with the grated apple-smoked mozzarella, and insert into oven again, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Remove and serve with crusty bread.

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DEADLY DECOR on Amazon

DEADLY DECOR on Barnes and Noble

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 91st novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

******************

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

A #Feline New Year--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

This time of year we look forward to New Year's Eve. Our son flies home and friends gather at our home for an evening of conversation and games. We're not sure how the fur babies will react to a house full of guests. So far during the holidays, Halo is usually serene, sleeping or sitting close by. Zoie is the most sociable. To our surprise Paddy has been hiding for a while until she gets used to the idea of more people in the house. London stays upstairs. Tonight we'll safeguard Zoie, Paddy and Halo by settling them in my office until everyone arrives and eats. Then we'll open the office door and let the kitties decide if they'd like to join us. 

Hoping you and yours have a healthy, happy new year! 

London says, "I hope this party isn't going to
interfere with my nap and meal times!

Halo says, "I'm going to try to stay awake
 until midnight!

Zoie watches as the guests arrive!

 

Paddy wonders why everybody is wearing those
funny hats and making all that noise.

Sunnybud makes his
grand arrival at the party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Smith Felines!

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NATHAN'S VOW on Amazon

NATHAN'S VOW on Barnes and Noble

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 91st novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

*****************

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

******************

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Meet Susan Schild--Author of Linny's Sweet Dream List via Karen Rose Smith

Dear Readers,

If you like sweet Southern reads with a bit of a kick, pick up my new novel, LINNY'S SWEET DREAM LIST, a funny small town tale about charming men, missing money, girlfriends you can't live without and finding true love when you think it's too late.

Coming on January 5.  Pre-order now on my website or on Amazon.

Susan Schild

LINNY'S SECRET DREAM LIST (The first novel in the Willow Hill series) by Susan Schild

Set in the off-beat Southern town of Willow Hill, North Carolina, Susan Schild’s moving and witty novel tells of one woman who loses everything—and finds more than she ever expected.

At thirty-eight, Linny Taylor is suddenly living a life she thought only happened to other, more careless people. Widowed for the second time, and broke, thanks to her cheating late husband, Linny has no house, no job, and no options except to go back home. There, in a trailer as run down as her self-esteem, Linny makes a list of things that might bring happiness. A porch swing. A job that nourishes her heart as well as her bank balance. Maybe even a date or two.

At first, every goal seems beyond reach. But it’s hard for Linny to stay in the doldrums when a stray puppy is coercing her out of her shell—right into the path of the town’s kind, compassionate vet. The quirky town is filled with friends and family, including Linny’s mother, Dottie, who knows more about heartache than her daughters ever guessed. And as Linny contemplates each item on her list, she begins to realize that the dreams most worth holding on to can only be measured in the sweetness of a life lived to the fullest…

“Charming, funny, feisty. I totally loved this novel.”--Cathy Lamb, author of My Very Best Friend

PRE-ORDER LINNY'S SECRET DREAM LIST on Amazon

PRE-ORDER LINNY'S SECRET DREAM LIST through Susan's website

Visit Susan's Website at http://www.susanschild.com

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When Clare Thaddeus' sister was abducted, she was five and her family fell apart. Now, twenty-seven years later, there's a chance Lynnie could still be alive! Divorced parents, a rebellious daughter, and a devoted sister find their lives in turmoil once again. This time, will crisis tear them apart or will forgotten love knit them together once more?

HER SISTER on Amazon

HER SISTER on Barnes and Noble

****************

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 91st novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

*****************

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

******************

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

New Year's Eve, A #Celebration With #Tradition by Karen Rose Smith

I look forward to New Year's Eve as much as I do Christmas. 

New Year's Eve tradition began the first year after I married.  That year was filled with so many firsts--a committed life together, the possibility of a pregnancy, holidays different from before. For that first New Year's Eve my husband and I celebrated with my college roommate and her boyfriend. We toasted midnight in our shabbily fixer upped apartment with affordable rent that was near my husband's relatives. It was an evening of college remembrances and good times and hope.  For a couple of years we celebrated with my husband's family...or alone with a new baby. Then my former college roommate found her life partner and an unbreakable tradition began. Every year for the past forty years (except one or two because of ice and snow), we have spent New Year's Eve in each others' homes. 

 For about the past twenty, the celebration has been at our home because our son flies in from wherever he is and friends of his in our area reunite with him. Another college friend of ours usually joins us and recently our new neighbors do too. Children are welcome. Along with conversation we play games like Scattegories and Mancala. We provide main courses for the buffet table but everyone contributes food and there is always plenty.

Before we watch the ball drop on Times Square, we talk about lessons learned in the year gone by and hopes for the new year. We laugh, we share, we learn how we are changing as we grow older.  We discuss our fears, our plans, the dreams we still want to fulfill.  That's what New Year's Eve is all about for us--togetherness, camaraderie, past memories and a toast with hope for the year to come. 

I love having my husband at my side, my son at home and friends nearby.  This is the reason I look forward to New Year's Eve every year as much as I do Christmas. 

Do you have a New Year's Eve tradition?

 Feel free to share it in the comments. 

DRAPE EXPECTATIONS on Amazon

DRAPE EXPECTATIONS on Barnes and Noble

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 91st novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

*****************

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

******************

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store


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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter