A Review of The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook by Charles F. French

Available on Amazon

 

Thank you to Robbie Cheadle for this lovely review of my little cookbook! Please be sure to visit her wonderful websites: Robbie Cheadle Books/Poems/Reviews and Robbie’s inspiration

I have read all three books in The Investigative Paranormal Society series and the cookbook is an added bonus. Each recipe is contributed by a specific character from the series and is introduced with an overview of that character’s contribution to a specific book and the series as a whole.

I enjoyed reading a little more about my favourite characters in the more relaxed and culinary setting provided by this cookbook.

The cookbook offers a wide range of recipes, all of which are reasonably simple to make and cover the full spectrum of appetizers, main course and side dishes, desserts, and even drinks. The drinks was rather a fun addition for me, and I was pleased to find some great recipes for cocktails including Helen’s Bethberg Iced Tea and Jeremy’s Mint Julep Mocktail (non alcoholic).

From the appetizers, Helen’s Grape and Walnut Side Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing grabbed my attention. I love walnuts and anything involving blue cheese. This salad is certainly a bit different and slightly sophisticated, and would certainly add to any dinner party.

The main course and side dishes range from the fun Roosevelt’s Cheeseburgers and Panfried Vegetables to the more unusual Sam’s Chicken Paprikash to Roosevelt’s Baked Beans. I am pleased to have this last recipe as homemade Baked Beans often come up in American literature and I’ve never tasted them. Now I will be able to try this dish.

The desserts all sound delicious and I am keen to try Roosevelt’s Bread Pudding and Whiskey Sauce and Sarah’s Irish Stout Brownies.

Overall, this book is a great introduction to the memorable characters in this terrific series and is also a useful recipe book with some delicious sounding recipes.

Available on Amazon

Get The Draft Done! is available here: Amazon.com

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

Available on Amazon

Available on Amazon

National Coffee Day!

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Today is National Coffee Day, and I am very excited about it. As a lover of coffee, and an avid consumer or the drink that I consider a food group, I want to spread the celebration!

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Coffee is an essential part of my life and my work. I never write, teach, or prepare to do both without coffee. And I drink so much of it that I can go to sleep after a nice cup of rich coffee!

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So, indulge and have a wonderful cup (or several) of the heavenly brew! No matter how your prepare it or where you consume it, enjoy a mug of coffee today!

 

At The Lehigh University Author Reception!

I am pleased to say that my book, The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook , was among many other texts that were featured in the Friends of the Lehigh University Library Author Reception at the Linderman Library of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.

This event was lovely, and it was wonderful for the authors to receive recognition from the University. The soiree was held on the ground floor of the rotunda in Linderman Library. I featured the library in an earlier blogpost, and I have to say that it is one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen.

I also want to thank the extraordinary librarians who put this event together! You did a fantastic job, and I am very grateful.

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

Available on Amazon

 

The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook by Charles F. French is Now Available!

 

I am very excited to announce the release of my newest book, one that has been a great deal of fun for me to write: The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook by Charles F. French!

This books contains recipes from my characters in Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1 and Gallows Hill: The Investigative Paranormal , Book 2.  Some of you might recognize a few of the recipes, which I featured in blog posts here in the past.

The book is available both as an ebook on Amazon

and

as a paperback on Amazon

I hope you enjoy reading about and learning recipes from these characters. These foods should enchant  you, tempt your palate, and entice your culinary curiosity.

Happy Reading, and Happy Eating!

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

Available on Amazon

Cover Revealing For The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook by Charles F. French

Hello to everyone! I am excited to reveal the cover of my upcoming book The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook in which characters from my two novels, Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1 and Gallows Hill: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 2 give a variety of their favorite recipes.

The wonderful book designer is Judy Bullard
http://www.customebookcovers.com . I recommend her highly!

Unlike the villains the heroes in my books battle, I hope these recipes do not frighten you. Instead, I hope they entice your appetite.

I will shortly give the release date for the book!

Happy reading and Good Eating!

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

Available on Amazon

Pre-release Notice of Get The Draft Done! and The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook by Charles F. French!

I am very excited to announce that I will have two books out soon! I do not have a specific release dates yet, but when they are certain, I will reveal them.

One book is traditionally published: Get The Draft Done! — a book to help writers who struggle to complete a first draft.

The other book is self-published (more adventures in being a hybrid writer!) — The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook — and is a fun little volume of recipes from characters from the Investigative Paranormal Society.

More information on these books soon!

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

Available on Amazon

What Are Your Writing Goals for 2019?

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I am not a fan of resolutions, because they are often easily broken. I am, however, a big believer in having goals–both large and small.  I have several specific writing goals for this year, and I hope I will accomplish all of them. I might not be successful in all, but I will try anyway.

I intend to have two books on writing out this year, and one is almost complete.

I intend to finish two first drafts of novels.

I want to have a novel published by fall of this year.

I will put out a small menu book based on characters from The Investigative Paranormal Society.

I want to publish an audio version of Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1.

I also have another venture that I am planning, but I will write about that in another post.

So, I ask all of you:  What are your writing goals for 2019?

 

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

Available on Amazon

Sam’s Hot Chili–Revisited! A recipe from a character from Gallows Hill: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 2 by Charles F. French

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In my horror novels Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society Book I,  and Gallows Hill: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 2, one of the main characters is Sam, a retired homicide detective.  In his spare time, he fancies himself a good cook of basic foods, and one of his favorites to cook and eat is spicy chili.

I was thinking about what some of my characters like to eat and cook, not necessarily because this information appears in the novel, but because the more I know about the idiosyncrasies of the characters I write, the better I can show them. This idea is similar to actors creating biography sheets for roles they are playing.

So, what is this recipe?

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Sam’s Fiery Bowl of Red Goodness

Ingredients:

One pound chuck roast,
One 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes,
One Spanish onion,
One sweet green pepper,
One poblano pepper,
Four habanero peppers,
Two chipotle peppers,
Two jalapeno peppers,
One can dark red kidney beans,
One can black beans,
Ground black pepper,
Twp. cumin seed

(Because this is chili, substitute more or fewer peppers according to taste and heat preference.)

The process:

*Cube the chuck roast, then sear completely in a hot, slightly oiled pan,
*Place in Dutch oven (Sam uses a well-seasoned cast iron pot) with crushed tomatoes,
*Slice the onion and green pepper and add to tomatoes,
*use a hand mortar and pestle to crush the cumin seed, and add to Dutch oven,
*add black pepper,
*de-vein and remove seeds from chilies—BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH THESE WITH YOUR HANDS!!!!! If you do, wash your hands thoroughly and do not touch your eyes. Yes, I am speaking from bad experience. Use a small food processor and make the chilies into a mash. Add to the Dutch oven,
*bring to boil, and then reduce immediately to a simmer.
*With about one hour left in the simmering time, drain and add the two cans of beans.

This is very important—do not cover during the simmering. Check the chili every 20 minutes or so, and if needed add a little water, and stir. The chili cooks best if done very slowly and uncovered.

Give it about 10 hours to become fully tender and mixed.

Sam also likes to add cheddar cheese or sour cream to the bowl when serving. Good Italian or French bread also works.

But be warned, with the chilies Sam uses, this should become a hot bowl of goodness. If you want it milder, go to one or two habanero peppers.

Enjoy!

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

Helen Murray’s Homemade Chicken Soup

Helen Murray, first appearing as a client and then a warrior in my horror novel Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1, has become in Gallows Hill: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 2, a full member of this society. Originally, I had envisioned this series to be three books, each featuring one of three older gentleman who made up the group, but now there will be a fourth book, and that will focus on Helen.

Continuing with my exploration of the characters’ love of food, I will offer Helen’s homemade chicken soup, a simple, but delicious, meal.

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It begins with a baked turkey!  After cooking and enjoying the bird, Helen carves all the meat, leaving only the bones.  Then she makes her own stock.  She places the bones in a large stock pan, adds carrots, onions, curly parsley, celery, and any other vegetables she might have handy.  Then she adds water close to the top of the stock pot and brings the water to a boil. She turns it to a simmer and lets it cook  for 8-9 hours. After it is finished, Helen carefully removes the vegetables and bones and strains the broth and stores it in the refrigerator over night.

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The next day Helen makes the soup!

INGREDIENTS: (all of these ingredients are included by choice, except the stock and chicken. Use the amounts you desire)

*turkey stock

*boneless chicken thighs (1-2 pounds)

*carrots

*corn

*green beans

*other vegetables as desired

*1 lb bag of wide noodles

*black pepper and salt (as desired)

*dill weed

*touch of paprika

Process:

Combine ingredients into stock, except for noodles.

Heat slowly for several hours.

Season to taste.

With approximately 10-15 minutes to go, add noodles (if desired).

Serve and enjoy with good bread!

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Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Please remember to recognize the positives and the blessings in your lives.

Enjoy your feasts, your gatherings, and your traditions. And please remember to give thanks to those who help us in many ways. So many are away from home, friends, and family, and we should all give them a moment of thanks.

Please try to remember those who are less fortunate, and try to find some kindness and to continue to spread it throughout the year.

To my friends and family–thank you!