Do you Like sexy vampires or hot weres? What about gorgeous ghosts, witches, warlocks, mages or dragons?

This month we are going to party all month long with some of your favorite authors or new to you ones. We will have tricks and treats galore so come join us every day in October for tricks treats and a huge giveaway!

Today’s guest is Belle Scarlett. Belle writes PNR and fantasy romance in several popular romance subgenres. She is also a proud member of the Naughty Literati writer’s collective of professional romance authors who publish romance anthologies together.

Cat: Hello Belle, tell us about a favorite trick you pulled on someone.

Belle: I usually save pranks for April Fool’s day. I am known by kith and kin as a master April Fooler, by the way. (You’ve all been suitably warned).

But I do have a Halloween trick story. My man and I love Halloween and always try to do something unique and Halloween-y around the holiday.

I was in New Orleans on Bourbon Street last October 31^st. At the height of the super-crowded Halloween parade dressed as a witch, I called my boyfriend, who had just stepped around the corner to try to hail an Uber in the midst of all the crazy, and cried, “Honey, I’ve just been mugged outside of Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo! I tore off his shirt trying to stop him, and I can describe the tattoo on his back! Come quick!! The police are here!”

It sounded so wild, my man thought I was tricking him, or at least had drunk one too many Hurricanes. The trick was on me, however, thanks to the mugger who had dashed past me, ripped over $100 in cash out of my hand while I was waiting on the sidewalk, and raced off into an array of celebrating vampires, drunk monsters, and a trans zombie Wonder Woman. (Yes, flashing cash on Bourbon Street was my NOLO rookie mistake, I know).

Fret not. Since I’m a romance author, naturally there’s an HEA to this tricky story. I was fortunate that I was not harmed. New Orleans P.D. nabbed the perp shortly thereafter, so the trick was on him. I identified the crook by his back tattoo from the backseat of the cop car on Royal Street and got all my money back, while the perp did time for aggravated robbery and resisting arrest. And that, folks, is how karma works!

When we finally got back to “The Voodoo Villa”, our Airbnb in the Treme (seriously, you can’t make this stuff up) my boyfriend vowed he’d never doubt me again. So, naturally, I pranked him badly the following April Fool’s Day.

New Orleans at Halloween was by far our most colorful and memorable Halloween ever. I highly recommend it. But don’t flash your cash on Bourbon (or any other) Street.

Next Halloween, we’re planning a trip to Salem, Massachusetts, ideally sans muggers.

Cat: Oh Wow! Thai is a great story, but I am so glad you are safe, and Karma helped you! What are your top 5-6 favorite things about Halloween, October, or fall?

Belle: In Los Angeles our seasons are basically summer and Christmas. But the fall colors on the trees I remember loving when I lived on the east coast as a child is a favorite memory. Also, I was fortunate to tour the Toronto area during the blazing change of colors up there on autumn, which was breathtaking. I also love about this time of year:

When the fall chill hits the air and I can light my first fire of the season in the fireplace and cuddle up on the sofa with my love.

The arrival of sweater weather.

The smell of pumpkin spice and the taste of hot apple cider.

I go into comfort food/baking mode, making all our family favorites.

All the choice Halloween viewing on TV.

The day after Halloween candy sales!

Movie: Practical Magic (love and magic!) and The Conjuring (chills and spirits!)

Book: When I was a kid I read the book The Amityville Horror around Halloween time and it made a huge impression on me. So spooky! When the movie came out, I was first in line.

Food: Pumpkin pie and Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf cookies. Pumpkin spice anything, really.

Drink: Spiced wine

Activity: Halloween decorating and pumpkin carving

Cat: I love Halloween and making treats for the kids or themed dinners do you have a favorite craft or recipe?

Belle: My favorite part of autumn is making comforting soups that also help keep chilly weather colds at bay. Here’s the recipe for my Ginger Carrot Soup (suitably orange enough for Halloween, too). It will be one of the featured recipes in Naughty Literati’s upcoming romance author recipe book, Naughty Appetites!

Ginger Carrot Soup

Belle Scarlett

Skill Level: Easy

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons sweet cream butter (or coconut oil for vegan option)

1 white onion, peeled and chopped fairly fine

6 cups organic chicken broth (for vegetarian/vegan use veggie broth of your choice)

2 pounds organic carrots, peeled and sliced

2 tablespoons grated fresh, pealed ginger

2 lemon slices

1 cup whipping cream (for vegan, omit, it will still be yummers)

Sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste

Fresh dill sprig, for garnish, and dollop of sour cream (omit for vegan option)

Directions:

In a 6-quart pot, over medium high heat, add butter (or coconut oil) and onions and cook, stirring often, until onions are limp.

Add broth, carrots, lemon slices, and ginger.

Cover and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender when pierced, about 20 minutes.

Remove from heat.

REMOVE lemon slices.

Transfer to a blender or NutriBullet. Caution: Be careful when blending hot liquids as they can expand and spurt. Don’t fill the blender more than halfway; blend in batches if necessary.

Puree until smooth.

Return to pot and stir in cream and salt and pepper to taste over medium heat.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with a fresh dill sprig or chives, add sour cream if desired.

Serve with fresh bread of your choice for dipping.

Story Connection:

One Night with the Alpha King: Senator Anya Fortune is a vegetarian and her Barbarian King, Shade, is an omnivore. To please her during his courtship he offers her vegetarian options such as this soup during their wedding/consummation dinner where she sits on his lap while he feeds her from his own hand by the firelight of his royal bed chamber.

ON AMAZON – FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Author Notes:

My man loves, loves, LOVES this soup (and he’s a carnivore). He uses my homemade peasant bread with fresh butter to dip in it. I pair it with a nice, organic salad. The man always wants seconds. And thirds. Come to think of it, make a double batch. Keep sealed in mason jars in the refrigerator for up to a week. Mmmmmmmmm. Enjoy!

Cat: Yummy! I will have to try this one. What book have you come to talk about today?

Title: Absolutely Alpha

(Tempting Alphas Book 1)

Author: Belle Scarlett

Publisher: Scarlett Woman Press

Genre: Romance anthology, including science fiction, time travel, vampire, and shifter.

Pages: 255

Blurb

Four magical romances from Belle Scarlett’s magic quill with sizzling m/f duet narration by Honey Scarlett and Leeroy Will: The Audiobook Lovers!

How the Alien Stole Christmas (Alien Seductions, Book 1) On board a deep space station, Capt. Christmas Trent discovers her sexy cyber lover, who may not be human, wants to steal her for his own.

“Our heroine is a willing submissive engaged in cybersex with an alien. Beautiful imagery, fascinating premise. I’ve always wondered why there isn’t more good science fiction romance. This story is good.” ~ Lizabeth S. Tucker, Geneflections

Valentime (Timeless Lovers, Book 1) Valerie buys a South Carolina plantation and discovers a Valentine addressed to her from a previous owner who bids her to return to him… in 1865.

“I loved this hot and romantic time slip tale and with not just time but danger threatening I was willing the couple to find their HEA. Super read.” ~ Tina Williams, A Reader’s Review

How to Blackmail a Vampire (Blood Mates, Book 1) A powerful vampire’s fancy turns to the blood lust mating hunt. A pretty, human blackmailer becomes the object of his thirst. But she’s not into vampires. Yet.

“Hot and steamy. Couldn’t put it down.” ~ Kristi Cisneros, Amazon reader

The Bermuda Love Triangle (Pack Masters, Book 1) Castaway in the Bermuda Triangle, Trista finds herself torn between two sexy shifters. Neither will share her, so she must choose between them. Decisions, decisions…. Note: This story is not a ménage tale.

“Quite the steamy read.” ~ MAustin, Amazon reader

Buy link on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-Alpha-Tempting-Alphas-Book-ebook/dp/B019ZVWMD2/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Absolutely+Alpha+belle+scarlett&qid=1569468647&sr=8-2

Meet Belle:

By day, she’s a mild-mannered story consultant, film producer, and award-winning screenwriter in Lost Angeles. By night, she assumes her super-secret identity as Belle Scarlett, author of futuristic, fantasy, and paranormal romances with a high sizzle factor. Belle is also a SAG-AFTRA commercial voice over actress and audiobook producer who narrates steamy romance as Honey Scarlett with her real-life partner in love and life, Leeroy Will. Look for them as Honey Scarlett & Leeroy Will: The Audiobook Lovers on Audible.com.

You can stalk Belle Scarlett at:

Website: www.bellescarlett.com

Blog: http://bellesobligatoryblog.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scarlettwoman1

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/BelleScarlettAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellescarlettauthor/

Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1463246.Belle_Scarlett

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Belle-Scarlett/e/B00Q7K2GCM?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4&qid=1569469834&sr=8-4

Belle is a proud member of Naughty Literati: www.naughtyliterati.com

Books by Belle Scarlett:

THE WOODSMAN

TRAILER