Zin Mignon and Mike's Books, LLC

Cowboy wrangles the mules on the North Rim.

All good Chefs know this….

Monday Giggle - It’s important to follow the recipe. . . .

All the best Chefs know..,

Monday Giggle - It’s important to follow the recipe. . . .

Playa Chica Press Presents
CHIP ROCK and THE CATALINA KID
"Astonishing!" "Five more Stars for Chip Rock!"

During college Michael Daswick rattled off a string of
short stories about a young orphan named Chip Rock, who
aged out of a cruddy orphanage and went searching for a
respectable place in the world. These stories won both of
Columbia's distinguished literary awards. Two of them grew into
Michael's first novel, the acclaimed Chip Rock and the Fat
Old Fart. A third story bounced around in Michael's head for over
40 years. Playa Chica Press is very pleased to release CHIP ROCK and THE CATALINA KID
The plot: Chip's best friend Cal vows to make the daunting 27-mile swim across the channel to Catalina Island. Beneath that plot-line, however, lay 6 or 7 other layers, or smaller arcs. As in Fat Old Fart, these all revolve around heroism, brotherhood, secrets, hope in the face of reality, and the search for self-respect.
The flap copy follows. Like Fat Old Fart, which has been
blessed with wonderful reviews, people of all ages will truly
enjoy Catalina Kid. Learn what 40++ years can do to a good
idea! Remember, Fat Old Fart starts the Chip Rock saga.
Thanks for reading.
Get Cat Kid Here: bit.ly/CatalinaKid
Flap Copy:

In the fishy coastal town of No Palms, Chip Rock and his pals have aged out of the clammy orphanage known as Boys Hall, and will venture off to find meaningful places in their world. 27 miles across the channel, Catalina Island sits in the haze. Up until 1980, less than 50 brave souls had managed the monumental solo open-ocean swim from the SoCal coast to Catalina.
Chip Rock and The Catalina Kid tells the saga of Chip's lifelong friend, Cal, an industrious yet unsettled burger-artist. Following a seemingly random remark, Cal shocks the community when he embarks on a daring 27-mile open-water swim to Catalina Island.
With the help of a tenacious yet mysterious girl named Haley, Cal’s harrowing Catalina attempt turns perilous, drawing the entire town into the physical and emotional trials of Cal's punishing adventure. As the waves pound the No Palms cliffs, Catalina Kid reveals the unlikely hero in all of us, and how ordinary people react to extraordinary situations.
Chip Rock and The Catalina Kid is the sequel to Chip Rock and the Fat Old Fart.

Mike's Books – Michael Daswick, Taco Writer Mike's Books Embark on a globe-trotting culinary adventure through the epic journey of Zin Mignon. SUBSCRIBE   Mike's Books Embark on a globe-trotting culinary adventure through the epic journey of Zin Mignon. GET UPDATES     Meet Zin Any 13 year-old can create something spectacular. Author Micha...

I'll be damned. EbookDiscovery asked my publisher (Playa Chica Press) if they could feature my novel, Zin Mignon, to their 500,000 readers. But the price had to be 99 cents. (I think I make 36 cents on each.) It's a live promo and now's your chance to get ZIN for cheap. First in the Series. (4th is on it's way). Zin is great. For mystery lovers, food fans, anyone who likes clever, witty writing, suspense, great endings. It's a very original pop culture read. For kids to grandparents. Gift it to someone you love!! You can get Zin for 99 cents here: bit.ly/ZinCooks

Mike's Books – Michael Daswick, Taco Writer Mike's Books Embark on a globe-trotting culinary adventure through the epic journey of Zin Mignon. SUBSCRIBE   Mike's Books Embark on a globe-trotting culinary adventure through the epic journey of Zin Mignon. GET UPDATES     Meet Zin Any 13 year-old can create something spectacular. Author Micha...

WHAT GIVES? Today is Arizona Giving Day. And just in case anyone is still searching for a truly worthwhile org to support -- ie, one that actually uses ALL the funds for the kids/clients, and NOT for admin salaries and perks, I suggest Cortney's Place, here in Scottsdale. It also happens to be the day program our daughter Sidney has attended M-F for over 6 years.
Cortney's is a small, independent group that supports a fairly challenging population. They are creative, innovative, frugal, and so so caring. Their programs include music, cooking, gardening, swimming, dance, arts of all kinds, visits to senior centers, pets, assistive tech and special communications. This is personal to both Sidney and us, and the entire Scottsdale spec needs community.
Sid still whoops and cheers every morning when she arrives. Top top place. Orgs like Cortney's exist solely thru the donations and fundraisings of good-hearted people who step up and support their wonderful mission, so if you have ANY budget for a truly deserving org, PLEASE consider Cortney's. Thank you so much! Daswick Family. Here's the link to donate directly: https://www.azgives.org/cortneysplace

Looking for some great NEW books?

I write inspiring and clever stuff and am happy to promote similar work; to that extent…
StoryOrigin is a platform where serious authors can share their work with avid readers. I’m lucky to have a spot with them – it helps to spread the word about good books, in all genres. The lists are selective and I invite you to take a look at these great offerings from passionate new writers: New books for Everyone from Young Adults to Old Adults ( https://storyoriginapp.com/to/B1tQ0Hg ) and ...
Middle Grade Action and Adventure https://storyoriginapp.com/to/kHJVo8v ) ZIN is included in those.
Another nice list with good choices is Lovely, Clean Christian Reads https://storyoriginapp.com/to/7qsrOhz CHIP ROCK is part of that one. Please give them a look!

Middle Grade Action & Adventure Middle Grade | Action | Adventure

GIVEAWAY ALERT 🚨 via !! Check out an essay by Michael Daswick about how his daughter’s love of cooking inspired him to write the Zin series! Then enter to win a copy of Zin Mignon and the Secret of the Pickled Pigs Feet at the link in Laura’s bio!

Very Nice for LAURA'S BOOKS AND BLOGS to feature a story about Zin and my family. Here's the link to the article. https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/a-recipe-for-kitchen-fiction-book/

A Recipe for Kitchen Fiction + Book Giveaway By: Michael Daswick In the realm of juvenile literary characters, we find almost everything: 13 year-old wizards; youngster time-travelers; space-invaders; kid

READING IN THE 1860s !!

Random writing facts Department. Does anyone know what it was like to be a reader in the 1860s? You would’ve been lucky. Consider who wrote during that decade: Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo, Mark Twain, George Eliot (he was actually a she whose real name was Mary Ann Evans), Fyodor Dostoevsky, Charles Darwin, Ivan Turgenev, Jules Verne, Lewis Carroll, Gustave Flaubert, Henrik Ibsen, Karl Marx, Herman Melville, Henry David Thoreau, Frederick Nietzsche, Walt Whitman, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Louisa May Alcott. And to cap it off, Leo Tolstoy released War and Peace in its entirety in 1869. It was a decade of true literary heavyweights.

See below? I just couldn’t resist putting Fat Old Fart right next to War and Peace. Ha!

With the weather finally cooling off in LA we’re ready for some warm, filling meals! Check out this Cheesy Potato Casserole from . Dying over the potato chips on top!! May have to whip up our own version. 😋

Who has used jackfruit before?? It’s a great way to incorporate veggies into a meal with the consistency of pulled pork! Just boil it and pull it apart with two forks, then throw it into tacos, a salad, soup, or chili! Let me know what you think! 🌮🥗🥘😋

Today was my mom’s birthday so we whipped her up a light and fluffy berry vanilla cake! The perfect flavors to send off Summer. What’re you guys cooking this weekend?

We’re continuing to move into Fall with inspo from ’s Caramelized Apple Tahini Crisp! The perfect amount of crunch, nutty ness and Fall flavors. We’re going to try our own version here at the restaurant! 🍁😋👻

Woke up today ready for some Fall flavors! Came across this delish festive treat from : pumpkin sheet cake. A light and fluffy way to kick off the season! 👻🍁🎃

Wooeee we’ve got a good meal tonight! Who likes seafood chowder?? Similar to ’ dish here, I grabbed some clams, scallops and mussels and threw em’ in with some potatoes, carrots and green beans. A heart way to celebrate the end of Summer! 🥔🥕🦪🍲

Need meal inspo on this Wednesday night? How about pressure cooker corn risotto from ? Perfect for a light lunch or dinner side! I’ll serve it alongside a nice steak or fish filet.

Need to jazz up a seafood dish? How about giving asparagus purée a try? Boil asparagus for four minutes and cut stalks into quarters. Purée with a blender, incorporate two tbsp melted butter, fresh squeezed lemon juice and BAM! You are now fancy 💫🌟

What’s everyone cooking for dinner tonight? I whipped up a buffalo chicken salad with corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumbers, and ranch dressing. A refreshing way to head into the weekend!

Holy why did I not think of this before?! Baking the biscuit scraps along with the biscuits?! Even though biscuits are normally a side dish, we all know they’re the best part. So count me in on a way to make extra!

On a meh day like Wednesday, no one wants to make something complicated for dinner. Keep it simple and throw together an orzo salad! Take cooked orzo, throw in your favorite sautéed veggies and drizzle everything with OO and lemon juice. Add fresh cracked pepper and eat it up!

Need to add some veggies to your dinner but don’t want to serve them plain? What about making a veggie scramble? You’ll get your vitamins in and get to have breakfast for dinner! I plan to include tomatoes, yellow pepper, broccoli, and mushrooms. Yum!

This week will be a hot one! My mom will complain, and when she does, I plan to serve her one of ’s Peach Melba Popsicles! Fruity, creamy and refreshing- the best way to cool down.

Proud of this one: Book #3 in a five book deal, PLAYA CHICA PRESS has released ZIN MIGNON and THE LAST SUPPER. 13 year-old superstar Zin Mignon is the greatest chef in the world. He's fled the decrepit streets of Brooklyn to open his flagship location on the Sunset Strip. As fans rave and demons close in, Zin leaves his sacred kitchen on a Quest to learn the secrets of his sordid past. In Book 3 of the Series, Zin breaks bread with Russia's poorest orphans, and sets out to fill their tummies and pantries. Food-centric, with humor, mystery, humanity and flavor. Zin does me proud. This is #3 in the Series. Get it below, or start with ZIN #1 for Big Fun and a great read! They're all here: amzn.to/3eHPlEq

Proud of this one. In advance of the publication of my 5th book (and 3rd in the Zin Mignon Series) PLAYA CHICA PRESS has pre-released the COVER of ZIN MIGNON and THE LAST SUPPER. Zin is a phenom 13 year-old Chef who's generating a lot of laughs and a lot of fans. It's a clever and sophisticated series for all ages about food, adventure, shocking endings, and a little satire of the foodie phenomenon. Check out Zin. But start with Zin #1: https://amzn.to/3fWVrBV

With not much to do during quarantine, it's easy to get bored. What do I do when I'm bored? Snack!! I just saw these Homemade Goldfish on and cannot wait to give them a try. Snacking is about to get even more fun!

Who's in need of a treat this weekend? Jenny has been working on her banana bread recipe throughout quarantine and has been inspired by 's Banana Fritters. Jenny says she's going to try to fry her whole loaf! I'm going to whip up these fritters in case it doesn't work out.

What says summer dinner more than potato salad? It is so easy to make and requires a few basic ingredients. I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes, mayonnaise, honey mustard, chives, crispy bacon, corn, and lots of pepper. How do you make yours?

Now that we're officially into Summer, our staff has been looking for ways to incorporate Summer produce into our recipes. Nacho came across this Strawberry Focaccia from that looks to die for! We think we'll serve it alongside some simple buttered noodles. Yum!

Keeping with our breakfast theme, can you believe this Mini Pancake Cereal from ?! It’s just as cute as the mini pop tart cereal from last week. I can’t decide which is better!!

For breakfast this morning, we’re in the mood for something other than our usual cereal. How about these Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Scones from ? She doesn’t skimp on lemon flavor and the icing on the top is divine!

Now that it’s warmer out our team is in the mood for lighter dinners. Check out these stuffed zucchini boats- we’re going to fill ours with ground turkey, fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and a little cheese on top. What will you put in yours?

It’s time for a pick me up! When was the last time you enjoyed an ice cream sundae? With two scoops of your favorite ice cream, crushed candy mixed in and whipped cream on top? Go for it, you deserve it. Mine will have mint-lavender ice cream, white chocolate chips and graham cracker crust in it! What’s in yours??

OMG has just answered all of my kid prayers. Have you seen this Pop Tart Cereal she dreamed up??!! BRB, going to try this now.

What is everyone cooking tonight? To round out the weekend, I’m putting some ribs on the barbecue! Pick up some high quality meat from your local butcher shop and slather it with your favorite sauce. Perfecto!

I just sent this recipe to Jenny, maybe her mom will cook it tonight! It’s ’s Salmon with Tomato Avocado Salsa, even little kids should gobble it up!

How’s everyone’s week going? Jenny and I have been trading recipes and she found these incredible looking Blood Orange Curd Bars from . What a great fruit to welcome Summer with! I’m going to give them a try tonight!

Now that I'm only grocery shopping once per week, I try to buy versatile ingredients that work in many different meals, such as beans, tortillas, ground beef, cheese, and tomatoes. You can make a stew, stuff tomatoes with the beef, have a meat quesadilla, or tacos! What ingredients have become your staples each week?

ZIN MIGNON -- FREE KINDLE - EBOOK GIVEAWAY
It's Free! In honor of everyone who's sheltering-in-place and staying-home these days, here's a Cinco de Mayo special: through the generosity of my publisher, Playa Chica Press, the first book in the ZIN MIGNON series will be FREE in Kindle -- Ebook through May 6th. They're giving away all my hard work, wit and wisdom for absolutely nothing.
if you want a great read about a 13 year-old phenom chef, this is for you or a child or cook you know.

ZIN MIGNON and the SECRET of the PICKLED PIGS' FEET is about the greatest chef in the world. He's 13. As he serves billionaires and celebs on the Sunset Strip he discovers a secret note. Thus, he embarks on a quest to learn about his shady family past.

The Zin series is as much for adults as it is for kids. It's all about food, cooking, mystery and high suspense. The second in the series is available too, with the third done and out in a month or two. The FREEBIE is available on all the platforms: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo/Walmart, Scribd, etc.
Please feel free to pass this link along to anyone who cooks, loves food, or has a cooking and reading kid. Share and enjoy!
Here's the FREE Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/MIGNON-SECRET-PICKLED-PIGS-FEET-ebook/dp/B07XQPKQD7/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=michael+daswick&qid=1588600204&sr=8-3