Guest Post with Author D.V. Stone

Please join me in welcoming author D.V Stone. D.V. was gracious enough to share a guest post and a mouthwatering chowder recipe. You’ll enjoy reading about her New England travels from Maine to Cape Code, MA. Writing research should always be so much fun. Her new release, Sea Hunter, is part of the Mortar and Pestle series. This books is sure to appeal to readers of paranormal romance filled with suspense and action.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Sea Hunter

Series: Mortar and Pestle

Release Date: 3/16/23

Author: D.V. Stone

Genre: A Paranormal, Action Adventure, Romance on the High Seas

BLURB:

A wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the Mortar & Pestle for those who want to believe. Throughout time people have sought their heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive. Carved with ancient Norse runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters. Once you capture the Mortar & Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual romances.

Sea Hunter:

On the turbulent high seas, an archeologist must protect a historic shipwreck from treasure hunters—not fall for one.

 Zahra Corbyn.

I’m a Sea Hunter. As an underwater archeologist and professor of antiquities, it is my duty to stop treasure hunters and looters from raiding Sea Wraith. But fate is a funny thing. Now I find myself working with Jack Alexander, a treasure hunter, to protect history from a known looter. Did my heart’s desire change?

 Captain Jack Alexander.

I’ve been told women on a ship are unlucky, but this one has the two pieces of the map I need to finally claim Sea Wraith. Now I find myself in a deal that makes me one-third partner with her and a known scoundrel.

Can the two unlikely allies work together while safeguarding their hearts against the power of the Mortar and Pestle?

If you like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, you’ll love Zahra Corbyn and Jack Alexander.

GUEST POST:

One of my favorite things to cook is soup. I love chopping, dicing, and building flavors. My husband I went on an adventure to research for my latest release. Sea Hunter takes place off the coast of New England. We traveled from Shipyards in Maine to a pirate museum in Cape Cod Massachusetts. The best part of this trip? Comparing clam chowder from restaurant to restaurant.

We enjoyed a boat ride seeing Lighthouses and the Bath Shipyard. Visited the naval museum, and a WWII battleship. (Sea Hunter takes place post WWII). In Freeport Maine we saw “Dock Dogs”.  That was an absolute hoot. Dogs of all sizes, shapes, and breeds chased a buoy and dove into a huge pool. The winner had the longest jump. Let me tell you, these dogs were having so much fun. A few refused to get out of the pool and had to be fished out.

A train ride in first class with a five course meal, (including a very tasty clam chowder) was on of hubby’s favorite things. He loves trains.

Ah, research. some one has to do it…

Here’s a chowder recipe for you. I hope you enjoy it and it brings you a little closer to New England.

RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS

• 6 slices bacon, diced (You can use less but why, it’s bacon.)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• ½ teaspoon dried tarragon (or thyme if you don’t have tarragon)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• ¾ cup of clams. (You can use cans in a pinch but fresh of course are better.)
• 8 oz clam juice (we have a party near the end of summer with steamed clams and save the juice in the freezer but you can but a bottle.)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 Yukon gold or red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup half and half (see note below)
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat a large stockpot over medium high heat. Brown bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping about 1 tablespoon of fat in the stockpot.

Add butter and melt in the stockpot. Then add garlic and onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent,

Stir in tarragon until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn it.

Gradually whisk in milk, vegetable stock, clam juice and bay leaf, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in potatoes.

Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 12-15 minutes. Time may vary depending on your potato.

Stir in half and half and clams until heated through, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

(If the soup is too thick, add more half and half until your desired consistency.)

Garnished with bacon and chives if desired

Serve immediately with a nice crusty bread.

Soup is liquid comfort. ~Author unknown

AUTHOR BIO:

D. V. Stone is an award-winning, multi-genre, traditionally and independently published author. She writes books people want to read. Whether romance or fantasy, contemporary or mid-grade, her stories are about the importance of friends and family. About overcoming obstacles often with humor.

Around the Fire is a popular weekly blog where she introduces both established and new authors giving an insider’s look into their lives and books as well as tidbits about her own life.

Now retired, she is a full-time author and incorporates her life experiences into her books.

As a former Emergency Medical Technician, she volunteered in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. At the same time, she worked as a professional EMT in a women’s state prison. She was the proprietor of a coffee shop and a small restaurant/ice cream stand in the years that followed. After those, she was a manager in an animal emergency hospital, while her last position was in a human medical office.

When not behind the wheel of 2Hoots—a 41-foot long 13.2 feet high 5^th Wheel camper, she rambles around town in Northern New Jersey in a white Camaro. She also loves travel and history.

D.V. is a wife to an amazing husband, mother to one son, and not your average grandma to three beautiful grands. A woman of faith, she believes and trusts in God.

“My greatest pleasures are spending time outside with friends and family, cooking over the open fire, sipping a glass of wine, and reading.”

Hali, her rescue dog, always reminds her to let readers know, “Woof, woof.” Which is loosely translated as support your local animal rescue.”

You can learn more about D. V. by following her on social media.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Link Tree For one-stop connections

Website / Amazon Author Page / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram /Pinterest / Bookbub / Goodreads / Newsletter / YouTube / Around the Fire blog           

Un-embedded links

https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/

https://t.co/MUVW91E2iB

https://www.instagram.com/d.v.stone/

https://www.facebook.com/dv.stone.1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16344100.D_V_Stone

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-v-stone

https://www.tiktok.com/@dvstoneauthor

https://mailchi.mp/3b289d8d7569/d-v-stones-peek-further-and-campfire-crew

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoWqGJB3WxpUCV2OUE2VN_w

PURCHASE LINKS:

Purchase link Sea Hunter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRYJLLW1

Link to series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ

Link to Free Sample of series: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq

Link to Trailer: https://youtu.be/juQwaRm4aEw