#MeatlessMonday - Spinach Calzones #vegetarian

Hello readers! The past few months I've been working super-hard but done little writing. Such is life, gotta pay the bills. 😜 In retrospect, I wasted valuable time and energy trying to make something work out. Have you ever felt like that? If so, I'm sending you a hug. Anyway, it's time to move onward & upward from a very frustrating and negative space and "cleanse" myself with some writing. 

I'm going to start the week by sharing one of my favorite "go to's" when I'm feeling pressed for time but still want something satisfying for dinner. If you want to make your own pizza dough and sauce, go for it!

Spinach Calzone

1/2 ball of pre-made pizza dough 

Pizza sauce (jarred)

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

1/2 cup ricotta

1/2 cup shredded cheddar & mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped mushrooms

1/8 cup sliced olives

Garlic pepper 

On a surface coated with olive oil, roll out pizza dough to about 1/4 inch thick.

Mix together chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta, mushrooms, olives, and cheeses. 

Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough. Spread spinach mixture evenly on half of the pizza. Fold dough over the mixture and pinch edges to seal. (It will look "stuffed" but the spinach will cook down.) 

Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic pepper. Cut three 1/2 inch slashes on top to vent. 

Place calzone on an oiled baking sheet or pizza slab and bake at 450-degrees for 15 minutes or until the top is browned. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing. 

Enjoy!

February is the Month of Love - Charity Event @oldfriendssds #seniordog #nonprofit #adoptdontshop

This past year, I've had to accept the fact that my dog is getting older. We look after my daughter's puppy while she's at work, which makes Zeus's age even more apparent. Though he loves his doggy friend, he struggles some days to keep up with the puppy's energy. *sigh* It seems like only yesterday he was the one tearing around the house like a mad thing. I remember we'd hike for miles, run 5K's together—Zeus would be happy to pace me whatever the plan was. But now, our walks are short (though no less enjoyed!), and running is out of the question. In spite of this, I can't imagine my life without my dog. 

I wanted to do something special to celebrate senior dogs. During the month of February, I will donate all royalties from the sale of my books to Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary. You can read about their non-profit organization HERE. If you're looking to adopt, please consider a senior dog—they have so much love to give and are usually the last to get adopted. They deserve better. Check out your local shelter or rescue organization. I guarantee you, there will be a senior dog waiting for a forever home. 

*If you're a cat person, I donate book royalty sales during July (my birthday month) to Safe Haven for Cats. They work very hard to find homes for homeless kitties.

Open the Window #paranormal #ghosts #book #author

 

It's been a long while since I've posted. My writing has been in fits-and-starts due to *everything* (plus a few personal things thrown on top, just for fun). The past eight months, I've done a lot of hiking just to keep my sanity. 

I sense a new chapter is beginning, though. Not only for the world, but for myself. My characters have been waking up one by one. They're whispering in my ear at night while I'm sleeping. They're scratching at the glass to escape their own quarantines. If only that Auther person would get on it and open the damn window...

That said, I've promised to release them and I always keep my promises. Stay with me, readers. Don't forget I'm here. The sequel to Poppy will be coming in 2021. 

While you're waiting for that sequel, why don't you pick up another one of my books to pass the time (if you haven't already)? They're available via Amazon. 

Go on, don't be shy. It would honestly make my day. ;)

#Paranormal Sequels.... #book #amwriting

I haven't posted for a while and thought I'd update readers on what I've been up to! I'm working on a sequel to Poppy. When the title comes to me, I will let you know. As of now, it's saved on my computer as "Sequel to Poppy," so there you go...

If you haven't read Poppy, take a moment to check it out!

A red-headed, pink-loving mortician who speaks to the dead. 

A moody, unsociable funeral director. 

Poppy and Dante from Struck are back. 

Something is lingering around Skyview Funeral Home, and it's stealing souls of the dead. 

With Dante in tow, Poppy is determined to put a stop to it. 

Can she protect those who are trying to cross over, or will her soul be next?

*Poppy is a standalone novel

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CAN

The Lighthouse by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #ghoststory #newrelease

Sent to cover the haunting of Pelican Rock lighthouse, Riley Murdock vows to write a historical piece instead. Ghosts aren’t real, and she wouldn’t ruin her reputation as a serious journalist by writing the contrary. Photojournalist Dillon Page loves anything to do with the paranormal. Carefree and open-minded, he’s happy to treat their assignment like a ghost-filled vacation.

​But there’s more to Pelican Rock than either expected.

​When night falls, the mood in the dilapidated lighthouse shifts. Unexplained sounds, fleeting shadows, and icy breezes keep them both awake. And when Dillon starts acting strangely, Riley fears something is going on that she can’t explain.

From the author who brought you bestsellers Poppy, The Island, and Struck; comes a haunting tale that will keep you awake long past lights out.

Amazon US 

Amazon UK 

Amazon CN 

Amazon AU

July Charity Event! #books #paranormal #nonprofit #cats #shelter @SafeHaven4Cats

July Charity Event

My birthday month has crept up on me!
This marks the 7th year I'll be donating 100% of July royalties. 

It's my way of giving back to causes I care about.

This year, all royalties from the sales of my books will be donated to Safe Haven for Cats, a non-profit, no-kill rescue organization.
Please check them out, they do amazing work.
Happy reading!

_______________________________________

 We adopted Dusty from Safe Haven in November.
He's my constant writing companion! 

____________________________

UPDATE

This year I've decided to donate my royalties to sponsor  
Nurse Jackie who has been at Safe Haven for Cats 1130 days (as of July 27, 2019). 

If you are looking to adopt, please consider checking out 
the cats waiting for a forever home at Safe Haven for Cats.

#MeatlessMonday - Spiced Cupcakes with Chai Frosting #dessert

Spiced Cupcakes with Chai Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon each ground ginger, cinnamon and allspice
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups cake flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk

Frosting:

6 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons half & half

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, cinnamon, allspice and pepper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and 1-1/2 teaspoons spice mixture. Gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
3. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.

Bake at 350° for 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Frosting:

In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy; beat in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and remaining spice mixture until smooth. Add enough half & half to reach desired consistency.
Pipe frosting over cupcakes and decorate as desired.