Several years ago, I was at a writer/fan conference which focused mainly on cozy mysteries. I did indeed have a cozy out. I also had my first horror out. I was in the lobby talking about books to readers I’d just met. I’m fine with talking to a roomful or a handful of strangers; it’s one thing on the list of Positive Takeaways from Being a Nun. Said list is extremely short.
Talking about books is even better. A little old lady and her two friends complimented me on my fascinator. They asked me about my books. I described my current series, we chatted, they were sweet. I mentioned that my books were available in the conference bookstore, and that I write horror as well, which is also available in the bookstore.
One of the sweet little old ladies backed away from me, her eyes as wide as a chibi manga character.
I kept smiling as she and her friends muttered something and walked away. I wanted to reassure them that horror isn’t catchy. I refrained.
Now I do have a new cozy series starting next year, and I also have a new horror out tomorrow!
It’s called Demons & Ramen. I could also label it a dark fantasy, or an urban fantasy, and it’s also funny. Honest! Horror can be funny! Like this book, which features an angry exorcist and a 1000-year-old shapeshifter who loves to push all the exorcist’s buttons. And raid his fridge. And change into a whole list of beasties from folklore to mess with his head.
She loves to dress up in steampunk gear. He just wants to keep offing demons. She’s a great cook, and he’s flat broke. He does know better than to diss a cook, and she not-so-subtly starts to take over his life. Think Moonlighting or Castle, but with demons, 30-foot-tall skeletons, a snooty archbishop, a Mob executioner haunted by the ex-wife he offed, and a giant angel statue animated by something definitely not angelic.
Speaking of food, I could create a chapbook with all the recipes in D&R. I’ll be posting some in my newsletter soon. But as a teaser, here’s the decadent dessert recipe from early in the book. It sounds complicated, but it really just takes a bit of time. I’ve made these myself, so I can vouch for their lusciousness:
Chocolate Figs Stuffed with Amaretto Cream
4 ounces room temperature cream cheese
1 tablespoon amaretto liqueur
20 fresh figs
4-6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and amaretto. Set aside.
- Cut the bottom off one fig about 1/3-inch from the bottom.
- With a small spoon or melon baller, scoop a small cavity out of the top half.
- With a teaspoon, fill the cavity with the cream mixture.
- Replace the bottom half of the fig.
- Repeat for all figs.
- In a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate until smooth.
- Holding each fig by the stem, dip into the chocolate to coat about halfway up.
- Transfer to a plate covered with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Refrigerate about 30 minutes before serving.
Please let me know if you try this!
Now, since I’m all about the research (Food research! No, I haven’t tried to contact a demon and I don’t own a Ouija board), what’s your favorite type of read, and what’s something new you tried for the first time? Please let me know in the comments. And please do check out Demons & Ramen. Horror isn’t catchy. I promise.
Father Denis Kaine has spent his life fighting demons, but nothing could prepare him for losing his twin brother, Xavier. When the Vatican declares Xavier’s death a suicide, Denis knows better. Something made his brother pull the trigger. And he’s gonna hunt it down. Fueled by rage, whiskey, and a reckless disregard for his own survival, Denis scours the dark underbelly of Rome, exorcising every creature that slithers up from Hell to get in his way. But his search takes a dangerous turn when he stumbles upon a Vatican-sealed crypt and accidentally releases something far older, far more powerful than any demon he’s ever faced.
She’s not a ghost. She’s not a demon. But she’s hungry, and she’s not leaving without raiding his fridge.
Now, exiled from the Church and stuck with a thousand year old roommate named Emma, Denis is forced into an uneasy alliance. If he wants to know the truth about Xavier’s death, he’ll need Emma’s help. Armed with a messenger bag full of holy water and their habit of making bad decisions, they dive into the darkest corners of faith, power, and the Vatican’s buried secrets. And something is watching. Hell isn’t the only thing hunting him.
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