Amateur de Livre’s Weblog

Will this work?

TGleichner — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:24:56 +0000

Interview with Ralph Sanborn, author of China Red

TGleichner — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 01:44:00 +0000

ABOUT CHINA RED

Title: China Red
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Author: Ralph Sanborn
Publisher: iUniverse
EBook: 292 pages
Release Date: April 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-47598-293-0

Heroin, called “China Red” on the street, is being smuggled into the United States. Zhou Jing—who fancies himself a fifteenth-century Chinese warlord, is using Muslim Uighers in western China to produce the heroin. In exchange, Zhou arms, trains, and provides security from the Chinese government for the Uighers.

Caleb Frost is a professional assassin in a deep cover, black operations team that specializes in wet work. His team includes two ex-Navy SEALs and a Greek beauty and former New York City escort. Funded by the US government, the team operates autonomously in total secrecy. China hires Caleb’s team to destroy, with prejudice, the smuggling operation in the US.

Zhou’s partner is a brilliant, psychopathic killer—a Harvard Business School graduate named Wrath. He founded the Visigoths MC, a hard riding, vicious motorcycle gang which protects, delivers, and collects payment for the heroin shipments. When matters become personal and Caleb’s sister Rebecca is kidnapped, the team’s task gets messier. It becomes more than an “assassination engagement” for Caleb—it becomes a bloodthirsty vendetta.

“This tornado of a thriller drags the reader into a world of guns, bombs, swords and death and won’t let go.”
-Rob Swigart, Author of The Delphi Agenda

“China Red plunges the reader into a world of evil intrigue and high adventure. You won’t be able to put it down.”
-Antoinette May, author of The Sacred Well, Pilate’s Wife,
and Haunted Houses of California

iUniverse

Question1- Use no more than two sentences – why should we read your book

You will be entertained by an exciting and memorable cast of characters and an action driven storyline. The over arcing issues of social injustice in China toward the Uighers and the villainy of the drug business in the United States are current news.

Question2- What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Despite the violence I depict in my writing, such as the scene in which Caleb slices a man’s jugular with a serrated bread knife from the inside of the man’s neck outward, I hate violence on TV and in movies.

Question3- Do you have a favorite quote or saying? What is it?

“La rue a l’enfer est pavée avec les bonnes intentions.” The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Question4- Is there one passage in your book that you feel gets to the heart of your book and would encourage people to read it? If so, can you share it?

He reviewed the past three weeks. He mentally traced his steps through his confrontation with his target, Amahd al-Tikriti.

He fully believed that he terminated only those who had done little to earn a pass in this life. That qualification was the primary consideration in his decision making process to accept or decline an engagement. He did have the unique right to refuse an assignment. His engagements would always be with individuals or groups who preyed on defenseless people. Al-Tikriti had met the criteria to a “T”. Frost knew that the father and family of the dead boy in Baghdad would learn of al-Tikriti’s long delayed death. It would appear in the Iraqi press. That is all they would ever know. Caleb wanted them to know. It was done. Closure, if that was ever possible, for a greatly bereaved and abused family. Justice for a child whose only mistake was being born into Hell.

Events such as this one caused “mental saboteurs” to attack Caleb’s mind. Saboteurs invading in search of remorse. Launching corrosive self-accusations and doubts. He shoved the event and its memories into the cage he reserved for saboteurs in his mind. Nighttime, in the early, sweat-dampened hours, was the battlefield upon which he fought them. Caleb was well aware that he was still learning to live with himself. To live with the killing.

Question5- Is there a piece of advice that you have received that has really stuck with you?

Elmore Leonard said at a reading to never write what the reader won’t read. I apply that wisdom when I go back to edit my work. I lose a lot of words.

ABOUT RALPH SANBORN

Ralph Sanborn was raised in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and earned a degree in psychology from St. Lawrence University. He has lived in several different countries and worked in a variety of manufacturing and software enterprise marketing capacities. He currently lives in Northern California with his wife, Susan, and their two dogs.

Burrito Pie

TGleichner — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:59:31 +0000

We had this for supper and it was delicious and very easy – give it a try if you like Mexican food!

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 (2 ounce) can black olives, sliced
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chili peppers
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
1 (16 ounce) jar taco sauce
2 (16 ounce) cans refried beans
12 (8 inch) flour tortillas
9 ounces shredded Colby cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the ground beef for 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and saute for 5 more minutes. Drain any excess fat, if desired. Mix in the olives, green chile peppers, tomatoes with green chile peppers, taco sauce and refried beans. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture in the bottom of a 4 quart casserole dish. Cover with a layer of tortillas followed by more meat mixture, then a layer of cheese. Repeat tortilla, meat, cheese pattern until all the tortillas are used, topping off with a layer of meat mixture and cheese.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.

Walk complete – great day

TGleichner — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 22:44:10 +0000

What a fabulous day! Yet again, not feeling the best but you work through it to spend time with the family, Bad Uncle and Auntie Moyer:)

The morning started with some pictures, they both love the sausages from the Brewers so we made sure to get a picture taken with them.

As always there were a ton of people, they estimate 20,000 or so but I think it is much more than that – if you would see the huge crowd, it is truly impressive.

Star Wars characters were on hand to help celebrate so we also made sure that we had a picture taken with Chewbacca – surprisingly Beans didn’t want to have her picture taken with Darth Vader as that is her favorite, but Bad Uncle convinced them to have it taken with him. The costume here was really awesome – hate to think what it cost!

We don’t always have a ton of family pictures taken but decided today would be as good a day as any, here we are prior to the start of the race, the 3 people I love more than anything<3

What would the day be without some crazy antics from Bad Uncle! There were numerous fountains and we were all pretty warm – they decided to go and have a little water fun and it really did help cool you off.

We finished the walk and RJ and I have discussed trying to get fit enough to run it next year – will take a lot of hard work and dedication but it would sure be worth it. When all was said and done we had to find someplace to eat. I searched Foursquare and came across Sobelman’s – I said it out loud and some people on the street heard and told us we really needed to check it out. I will write a review of it later, but let me just say it was excellent! Here is a pic of the burger that Tim got: The Double Sobelman…he said it was delicious!

Just hanging out

TGleichner — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:53:35 +0000

So here we are, in Milwaukee. Just ordered some food but whatever ailment has been plaguing me for the last few weeks is causing some massive heartburn/chest pain (along with ear pressure and throat tightness at times) which is causing my appetite to be minimal. I sure could stand to lose more than a few pounds, just wish I didn’t have to feel like this to make it happen.

The girls have already been swimming and in the whirlpool, no big surprise there as they are both little fishes. I’m sure after we are done eating we will be heading back down again. Then it’s off to get a good nights sleep before the walk/run tomorrow. It should be a beautiful day and it always feels so good doing something like that, especially when it benefits Children’s Hospital. I will make sure to take some pictures to post so that you can see at least the girls – Mini’s shirt will be different due to the fact that she is a patient.

Be back soon!

Being sick is no fun

TGleichner — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:42:13 +0000

I know what you are thinking – thanks for stating the incredibly obvious. But, it is so, so, true. I started with a migraine a few weeks ago and finally had to go to the ER to have them kick the headache out of my system, I was actually suffering with some chest pain at the time as well, but after an EKG and chest x-ray, along with labs, they eliminated anything in that department…whew! But, I am still having residual symptoms from the headache and the past two nights have woken up with severe chest pain. I think that is due to the meds that I am on but it has been no fun, let me tell you.

Last night, Beans woke up in the middle of the night crying, and after being up for 3 hours I was able to get her back to sleep again. But, I knew that I needed to take her to the doctor because we are heading to Milwaukee this weekend for the Briggs and Al’s Walk/Run for Children’s Hospital and have a heart picnic on Sunday. She was there a few weeks ago and was put on Zithromax because she had an ear infection and guess what? Yep, you guessed it, the ear infection is still there. So now she is on another med with ear drops and we have to go and see him again in 12 days to make sure it is gone this time – he said it is very unusual for this to happen.

So, between me and the baby we aren’t doing so hot. My hope is that once I am off of the prednisone I will start to feel more like myself again. Here’s hoping!

Shredded Beef and Baked Onion Dip

TGleichner — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:55:55 +0000

This recipe has become a staple in our house and is frequently requested. It actually started out as two separate recipes, but my hubby had the genius idea of combining the two which is absolutely delicious. And, it is easy to make.

Shredded Beef

Ingredients:

3 lbs. chuck roast
1 can golden mushroom soup
1 can french onion soup

Directions:

Put the chuck roast in a crock pot. Put both cans of soup over the top and cook on low for at least 8 hours. At this point it should shred easily.

Baked Onion Dip

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped Vidalia onion
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and put into a small casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

We love to serve these on a nice fresh hard roll – put a scoop of beef, a scoop of onion dip, and eat. Yum!

My addiction

TGleichner — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:17:27 +0000

Yes, you read that right. I have an addiction. What is it? No, not alcohol or drugs, I’m addicted to creating blogs and websites. This is bad because once I create them I find that they are just too time consuming for me to keep up. But, the good news is, this is going to be my main blog, the one where I will post all my family related items, recipes, book and product reviews, you name it. It will be a mix of all about me and will make my life a whole lot easier. I hope you will continue to follow along this crazy journey with me and my family!

Slow Cooker Chicken with Poblanos and Corn

TGleichner — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:25:26 +0000

One of my favorite sites to visit is Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks – I can always find something there that sounds yummy. This is one I can’t wait to try!

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 lb. chicken breasts
3 poblano peppers, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (10 oz) bag frozen corn
1 t. black pepper
1 t. salt
1 t. cumin
3/4 c. plain Greek yogurt
1/2 c. cilantro, chopped

Directions

Place the onion and garlic in the bottom of a crock-pot. Rub the chicken with the salt, pepper, and cumin. Place the chicken on top of the onions. Layer the corn, poblanos, and tomatoes on top of the chicken. Turn the crock-pot on low and cook for 8-10 hours. Remove the chicken from the crock-pot and shred. Return the shredded chicken to the crock-pot and stir in the yogurt and cilantro. Serve in a tortilla or over top of couscous.

Vacation – here we come

TGleichner — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:21:06 +0000

Getting ready for a vacation is more work than I thought! This vacation is different for us because we will be renting a condo on Long Lake North (http://www.longlakenorth.com) and the hardest part is making sure we don’t forget anything. We are cooking every day up there so we had to plan for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Made Spam Salad, Tuna Salad, Potato Salad, and Pickle Dip yesterday. Today it will be Cucumber Salad for my Mini (it is her favorite) and just making sure we have our list of things ready.

Thankfully the temperature is going to drop for us a little after today – this is a week straight of 90+ temps with heat indexes over 100…I truly hate this weather. No matter what we will have central air next week so there will be escape from the heat if we need it.

I will try to post while we are up there, and add pictures too.