Soul Taker Secrets: After A Hard Archangel’s Work Day

At times Katie invites her entire family, namely, the ‘Council of Twelve,’ a dozen of the most powerful individuals in existence with their respective consorts, for dinner in hers and Raphael’s house.

Despite Katie’s progress in the kitchen, it’s become a ‘running gag’ that she had no clue about cooking at the time of her and Raphael’s wedding. And even though she liked to cook, the results could be disastrous. Some of the other Archangel consorts gave her a hand at times, and with their help, and the support of a few excellent angelic chefs, Katie’s cooking improved visibly.

This is one of the recipes she cooked, this time with Koyu’s and Simin’s help.



Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1.75 pound white fish fillet, Best Choices in your area
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon dry thyme, or 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • pinch nutmeg
  • ¾ cup dry white wine* See sub note below
  • 2 slices bread, crusts removed preferably sourdough or multi-grain
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded Emmentaler, Gruyere or Swiss cheese

Instructions

  1. Grease 9 by 13-inch casserole dish with softened butter. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Arrange fish fillet in the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often (adding 1 to 2 tablespoons water if necessary to prevent the onion from darkening too much) until the onion softens and starts to brown, 6 to 9 minutes. Stir in thyme and nutmeg. Spread the onion mixture over the fish. Pour wine into the casserole dish.
  4. Pulse bread in food processor until coarse crumbs. Drizzle on the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and add paprika and garlic powder. Process to combine until the bread is evenly red and moist. Sprinkle crumbs over the onion.
  5. Top the casserole with the cheese and place in the oven. Bake until the fish is cooked through and the crumbs are browned, 18 to 22 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

Instead of wine you can use broth (or clam juice) plus one tablespoon lemon juice for a non-alcoholic option.


Nutrition

  • SERVING SIZE: 1/6th casserole
  • CALORIES: 270 calories
  • SUGAR: 2 g
  • SODIUM: 443 mg
  • FAT: 11 g
  • SATURATED FAT: 5 g
  • CARBOHYDRATES: 10 g
  • FIBER: 1 g
  • PROTEIN: 28 g

(Find it onlinehttps://www.healthyseasonalrecipes.com/fish-casserole/)

Soul Taker Secrets – Katie Goes South

Readers of ‘The Council Of Twelve’ series know that Katie, Guardian by trade, and Raphael’s consort loves to organize ‘family get-togethers’ where she cooks for the entire ‘Council of Twelve’ with their consorts (or at least, the ones who already have one). Now, Katie isn’t the best cook, to begin with, and her efforts are ‘unpredictable’ most of the time, to express it mildly. But her family loves her, and her friends help her as much as they can.

So it happens, that on occasion, the one or other family dinner succeeds, and Katie can be proud of her accomplishments. Those are the rare occasions she writes down the recipe and where she got it from. Like this one, for example:

Key West Chicken

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup lower-sodium tamari
  • 3 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 Tbsp. grated orange zest plus 1/4 cup fresh juice (from 2 oranges), plus wedges for serving
  • 1 Tbsp. grated lime zest plus 2 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 3 limes), plus wedges for serving
  • 1 Tbsp. canola oil
  • ½ tsp. fine sea salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 large (1 1/2 oz.) shallot, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp.)
  • 4 (8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded 1/2-in. thick
  • Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

  1. Whisk together tamari, honey, orange zest, orange juice, lime zest, lime juice, oil, salt, pepper, shallot, and garlic in a large bowl. Add chicken, and toss to coat. Cover and chill until flavors meld, at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
  2. Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F to 450°F). While grill preheats, remove chicken from marinade, and set chicken aside. Place marinade (about 3/4 cup) in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium-high. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/2 cup, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Place chicken on oiled grates; grill, uncovered, turning and basting occasionally with marinade, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a large plate; garnish with parsley, and serve with orange wedges and lime wedges.

(Source: https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/key-west-chicken)

Katie and the entire Council of Twelve with their consorts were delighted and loved this meal! Try it, and let me know how it is!

Picture courtesy of SouthernLiving.com

The Council Of Twelve Series – What Should Be Next?

The Council of Twelve series so far includes the first three books in the series.

You can find them here:

Katie is the sweetest angel we can imagine, a fantastic consort, emotionally stable, and still responsible, helpful, and caring. She’s Raphael’s perfect second half.

Sundance is the second female angel we meet in the series. She’s an exceptional angel in many ways, the first warrior angel in three centuries, she is blessed with many gifts and talented beyond her young age.

Zepheira is a strong-willed, stubborn woman, so far the fiercest female character in the series. As a half-angel, she is a raw diamond, and due to her nature, the only one holding Uriel’s fire.

During the entire series, we will recognize recurring characters and meeting new ones; in particular, are we going to meet ‘The Council of Twelve,’ including the twelve most powerful individuals existing, each one of them holding unique talents and powers.

Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Benadrel, Zachariel, Deonur, Tsechirel, Santanael, Centriel, Anghariel, and Simael.

The fight Good vs. Evil is present within each book, the tension climbs higher with each story.

In your opinion, what should happen next? Tell me in the comment. If you have an idea, want to write a short story that you think might fit the series, write it, please and send it to me: aurorajean.alexander@aol.com. Write ‘The Council of Twelve series on Writer’s Treasure Chest’ in the subject line.

I look forward to your emails.

Soul Taker Secrets – Angel Wings

The Council of Twelve series is a YA fantasy/paranormal romance series where we meet celestial beings. The first book in the series is ‘Soul Taker’, where we meet the Council of Twelve, the most powerful individuals in existence, and the protagonist, Katie, a Guardian Angel-to-be. In the ‘Soul Taker Secrets’ category, I reveal the one or other ‘inside’ knowledge about The Council of Twelve, their consorts, and in this case, a little of their physical secrets.


Picture courtesy of https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/

Wing feathers

The wing feathers specialized for flight are characterized by uniform windproof surfaces, or vanes, on either side of the central shaft that is created by an interlocking microstructure. Also called remiges, these feathers are asymmetric with a shorter, less flexible leading edge that prevents mid-air twisting.

Amazon Parrot wing feather illustration by Andrew Leach

Tail feathers

Most tail feathers, or rectrices, feature an interlocking microstructure similar to wing feathers. Arranged in a fan shape, these feathers support precision steering in flight. Typically, birds have six pairs of feathers on the tail, which display increasing levels of asymmetry toward the outer pairs. In some birds, tail feathers have evolved into showy ornaments that are useless in flight.

Ruffed Grouse tail feather illustration by Andrew Leach

Contour feathers

Contour feathers are what you see covering the bird’s body and streamlining its shape. Arranged in an overlapping pattern like shingles, the waterproof tips are exposed to the elements, and the fluffy bases are tucked close to the body. Sometimes brilliantly colored or uniformly drab, contour feathers can also help the bird show off or stay camouflaged. Contour feathers on the wing, called coverts, shape it into an efficient airfoil by smoothing over the region where the flight feathers attached to the bone.

Helmeted Guineafowl contour feather illustration by Andrew Leach

Semiplume

Mostly hidden beneath other feathers on the body, semiplumes have a developed central rachis but no hooks on the barbules, creating a fluffy insulating structure.

Northern Cardinal semiplume feather illustration by Andrew Leach

Down

Similar to semiplumes with an even looser branching structure but little or no central rachis, down feathers, are relatively short and positioned closest to the body where they trap body heat.

Canada Goose down feather illustration by Andrew Leach

Filoplume

Short, simple feathers with few barbs, filoplumes function like mammal whiskers to sense the position of the contour feathers.

Common Poorwill filoplume feather illustration by Andrew Leach

Bristle

Bristles are the simplest feathers, with a stiff rachis that usually lacks barb branches. Most commonly found on the head, bristles may protect the bird’s eyes and face.

Domestic Chicken bristle feather illustration by Andrew Leach

(Source: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/)


Now that we learned about the different feathers in the wings let’s look at the different wing-shapes.

Picture courtesy of https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/

In this picture, we can see the wing shaping feathers and their functionality.


Now, bird and angel wings basically have the same biological structure with one main difference. Their mobility is far more extended to guarantee the optimal function since, of course, angels don’t have tail feathers to brake, steer, and keep the balance of the wing carrier. And of course, they are much more reliable, due to the weight they have to lift.

Picture courtesy of Freepik.com

Soul Taker Secrets: Katie’s European Cooking

Katie got a hint from one of the top angelic chefs in the warrior’s kitchens. With his help, she cooked an unusual kind of casserole in European style. Needless to say, the entire Council Of Twelve enjoyed that particular dinner enormously. Zachariel even went as far as to smirk and say: “This doesn’t taste half bad. Maybe there’s hope for your wife, Rafe.”


The pot:

This recipe needs a very particular European style pot, the so-called “Romertopf”. The pot can be ordered on Amazon. It isn’t a cheap product. But it’s a fantastic way to cook healthy and collect the food’s own taste.

Check out the Romertopf (and order) here

Picture courtesy of Amazon.com


The casserole:

You will need:

1 pound of potatoes (or baby potatoes)

3 or 4 big tomatoes

1 big onion or 10 – 12 scallions

1 pack of dried apricots

6  chicken drumsticks

1 cup chicken broth

1 tsp unsalted butter

salt, pepper, paprika


Instructions:

  1. Take the pot: read its instructions carefully: if it’s a pure clay pot, water it sufficiently before starting to cook. If it’s glazed, like mine, just butter it with the tablespoon of butter. It’s easy to clean. (But NOT dishwasher-proof!!)

2.  Prepare the potatoes. Wash them, peel them and cut them into cubes. (or do it as I did with the baby potatoes, which I didn’t peel and cut them into 4 to 6 pieces.  Cut the tomatoes into pieces, peel the scallions, or peel and cut the onion into small pieces. Prepare the cup of chicken broth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Prepare the chicken drumsticks, unpack them, wash them, dab them dry and season them with only a bit of salt, pepper, and paprika, on both sides. You can also buy a whole chicken and cut it into 4 – 6 pieces. (I decided on drumsticks because, as much as I like chicken, I’m not a doctor and autopsies aren’t my favorite thing to do.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Fill the bottom of your pot with the small cut onion, the potatoes, the dried apricots, and the broth. On top put the drumsticks. Cover the pot and put it into the cold oven. Heat it up to 425 degrees F and leave it for 50 minutes.

5. After these 50 minutes, add the tomatoes to the pot, cover it again and leave it for another 15 – 20 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Remove the lid of the pot and leave it for about 10 minutes in the oven, uncovered.

7. Remove it from the oven, prepare a few plates and serve it. Enjoy.

 

Soul Taker Got Its Third 5-Star Review

I’m very excited to let you all know that ‘Soul Taker’, the first book in ‘The Council Of Twelve’ series, got its third 5-star review. This is wonderful, I’m literally bouncing through my day.


Nice Debut!

New author A.J. Alexander excites us with her debut novella Soul Taker. Kate is an angel of death, taking the soul into the afterlife. After a job that went bad Kate wants to call it quits. Her request is granted in that she is now a Guardian angel and will learn under the tutelage of the great charming, and alluring Archangel Raphael. While Kate is being trained to be a Guardian demons attack kidnapping Kate. She has something they want. After her rescue by the Council of Twelve, we learn Kate does not have something hell and Lucifer want she IS what they want. You have to read the rest of the book to find out why.

Soul Taker is nicely written. Alexander pulls you into her world that is warm and welcoming. The characters are well written. Kate is written with a large innocence and vulnerability, yet it is also her strength as well. Lucifer is luxurious and I love him and Kate’s banter. This book is to be a series and it’s a nice beginning. Alexander is on my radar and will be interested in what else this series brings.

Check out where to find the book:

Amazon Ebook US
Amazon Ebook UK
Amazon Paperback US
Amazon Paperback UK
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

 

A. J. Alexander And Soul Taker In Sally’s Cafe And Book Store

As of today Soul Taker and I are to be found within Sally’s Cafe And Bookstore’s sacred hallowed halls! I am very grateful for this chance. Thank you so much, Sally Cronin!

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-free-author-promotion/


Links to Soul Taker:

Amazon Ebook US

Amazon Ebook UK

Amazon Paperback US

Amazon Paperback UK

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

SCR|BD

Kobo

Soul Taker Release

IT’S RELEASE DAY!

GET YOUR COPY OF:

SOUL TAKER

1st book of ‘The Council Of Twelve’ Series


Time to watch the trailer:

After long years in the line of duty as a ‘Soul Taker’, Kate is worn out.

When she gets a new job offer from the ‘Powers Above’, she accepts her new job as a Guardian gratefully without knowing that her teacher is one of the most powerful beings in existence, the Archangel Raphael.

Along with Raphael, she takes on her new task and the connection between them grows.

Raphael helps, protects and supports Kate, but suddenly, she becomes a target for the Demons of Hell.

Raphael realizes that Kate means more to him than he expected, which causes him to fight furiously against danger. If he fails, Kate’s future will contain eternal darkness, evil, and torture.


 


Buyer’s Links:

Amazon Ebook US

Amazon Ebook UK

Amazon Paperback US

Amazon Paperback UK

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

 


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Only Seven Days Until Soul Taker Is Available!

The ‘Soul Taker’ Countdown is on!

Book #1 of ‘The Council Of Twelve Series’ will be published

December 15, 2018


Currently ‘Soul Taker’ can be pre-ordered: 


After long years in the line of duty as a ‘Soul Taker’, Kate is worn out.

When she gets a new job offer from the ‘Powers Above’, she accepts her new job as a Guardian gratefully without knowing that her teacher is one of the most powerful beings in existence, the Archangel Raphael.

Along with Raphael, she takes on her new task and the connection between them grows.

Raphael helps, protects and supports Kate, but suddenly, she becomes a target for the Demons of Hell.

Raphael realizes that Kate means more to him than he expected, which causes him to fight furiously against danger. If he fails, Kate’s future will contain eternal darkness, evil, and torture.

 


Check the widget on the right to keep track of time until ‘Soul Taker’ publishing date!