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Recipe: Perfect Lemon Shortbread

Tue, 2015-07-14 08:56 -- Jocelyn Green
This summer, I've been reading The Secret Garden to my kids. In  the story, when the character Mary Lennox isn't outside weeding and planting, she's often having English tea in her uncle's manor on the moor. So when I came across this easy and delicious recipe for lemon shortbread, I decided we'd have our own tea time right here in Iowa, using my grandmother's china she gave me as a wedding gift. I have to say, I loved using the good china on a random Tuesday afternoon. I really should do it more often. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did! A little dollop of strawberry jam on top adds just the right touch! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1295", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-medium wp-image-3366", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"243", "height":"300", "alt":"shortbread2"}}]]Perfect Lemon Shortbread 3/4 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp. grated lemon peel 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 2. Beat butter, powdered sugar and lemon peel until blended. Gradually beat in flour. 3. Divide dough into four portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough into a rectangle approximately 5x4 inches. Transfer to ungreased cookie sheets. Cut each rectangle into six squares. Prick each square with a fork. 4. Bake 20-25 minutes or until light brown. Cool on pans 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack. Serve with tea! Enjoy!

Recipe: Gingerbread, inspired by Spy of Richmond!

Mon, 2015-03-09 05:28 -- Jocelyn Green
Have you ever read a book that made you hungry enough to head to the kitchen? That's what happened to Pegg Thomas last week when she was about half way through Spy of Richmond. Apparently the references to ginger cakes (gingerbread) that the Kent household cook prepared for the Union prisoners were just descriptive enough to convince Pegg it was high time she had some herself. Thankfully for the rest of us, she's sharing her family recipe with all of us! Thank you Pegg! 2 1/4 cups flour 1/3 cup sugar 1 cup molasses 3/4 cup hot water 1/2 cup oil 2 eggs 1 tsp soda 1 tsp ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 3/4  tsp salt Mix all and beat well. Pour into well-greased 9” square glass dish. Bake at 325 for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream or applesauce. About Pegg Pegg lives on a hobby farm in Northern Lower Michigan with Michael, her husband. They have a few animals including Trooper – the horse, Tam and Murphy – the dogs, 3 barn cats, 2 rabbits, 8 sheep (plus lambs in spring), 9 laying hens, and several pigs in the summer months. They also have a large garden, a small orchard, and a growing berry patch.Besides writing, she enjoys a variety of crafts including spinning her sheep’s wool into yarn, knitting, counted cross stitch, quilting, scrapbooking, and card making. She and Michael enjoy camping, fishing, boat-nerding (you have to be a Great Lakes person to know about that), and thoroughbred horse racing. A life-long history geek, it’s no surprise that historical fiction is her genre. Colonial America and the Civil War era are favorite time periods to both read and write. Her favorite type of book centers on a great fiction story surrounded by factual historical events. Find more about Pegg here. *Do YOU have a recipe to share that was inspired by any of the Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War books? I'd love to put it on the blog! Message me through the contact tab or email me: jocelyn@jocelyngreen.com. Spy of Richmond (Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War Book 4) [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1170", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignleft size-full wp-image-2014", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"125", "height":"193", "alt":"125Spycover"}}]] Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can’t do it alone. Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie’s home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk–but is conscripted to defend the city’s fortifications. As Sophie’s spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father’s position as newspaper editor and a suitor’s position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble. Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything–and everyone–she holds dear?     

From Our Table to Yours! Two Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

Fri, 2014-11-14 08:27 -- Jocelyn Green
Happy Thanksgiving! Today I'd like to share a couple of our traditional family recipes with you. We use these at Christmas, too, and sometimes even in between. They are not that hard to make, and soooo yummy. This photo of our spread (below) was taken before the turkey made its appearance. ALSO--and this is very important--that glare you see on the front edge of the tablecloth is a reflection off my favorite meal-time stress-reducer. I buy two square yards of clear plastic/vinyl from Hobby Lobby and cover the real tablecloth with it. Kids spill? No problem! Buttery knife falls off the plate? No problem! I LOVE this stuff. Cheap. Worth it. Bravo. Now let's get cooking. Fluffy Cranberry Salad [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"988", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-medium wp-image-1750", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"300", "height":"290", "alt":"cranberry salad"}}]] 3 cups fresh cranberries (one 12 oz bag might do it, but I usually buy two in case there are a lot of squishy berries to discard) 1/2 cup sugar 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained 2 cups miniature marshmallows 2 cups heavy whipping cream (1 pint) Chop cranberries in half. Yes, sit down at the table and chop each berry in half individually. We tried putting them through the grinder once to save time and the recipe was just not the same. Put on some nice Christmas music (I recommend Handel's Messiah or Charlie Brown's Christmas) and get comfy. Add next three ingredients to chopped berries. Chill overnight. Drain excess juice from the bowl. Whip the cream in a blender, adding sugar to taste. Fold in the whipped cream to the rest of the bowl. (Note: you may not want to add ALL the whipped cream to your salad. You will probably have some leftover to put on your pie later. :) ) Spinach Salad [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"989", "attributes":{"class":"media-image \u0026quot;alignright", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"300", "height":"238", "alt":"spinach salad"}}]] 10 oz. fresh spinach  slices crisp bacon, crumbled 1 bunch sliced scallions (green onions) 1/4 lb. sliced, raw mushrooms. Don't use canned mushrooms, they're gross. Dressing:  T. lemon juice 5 T. olive oil 3/4 t. salt 1/8 t. pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 t. dry mustard 1/4 t. sugar 1 egg yolk Assemble salad. Mix and chill dressing. Pour dressing on salad just before serving. I won't even tell you to enjoy it because I know you will without being reminded to. It's drool-worthy. Truly. Happy, happy Thanksgiving everyone!  

Recipe: Susie Finkbeiner's Fairy (Chamomile) Tea

Thu, 2014-08-28 08:00 -- Jocelyn Green
[[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1033", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright wp-image-2055 size-full", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"212", "height":"328", "alt":"MMC212"}}]]Recently, I read the most original piece of fiction I've read in years. My Mother's Chamomile is the contemporary tale of a family in the funeral director/mortician line of work. It is not sensational in any way, but it is so real it just might turn your heart inside out. This is one of those books that isn't just a good book, but an important book. It challenged and blessed me. I read it in two days. Before I go any further, you need to know this book is only 99 cents right now as an ebook at Amazon until Aug. 31! You can hardly buy anything for that change anymore! Nook and other ereader owners, you can still get the ebook for less than a latte.  Here's the book blurb: Desperate for the rains of mercy... Middle Main, Michigan, has one stop light, one bakery, one hair salon...and one funeral home. The Eliot Family has assisted the grieving people in their town for over fifty years. After all those years of comforting others, they are the ones in need of mercy. Olga, the matriarch who fixes everything, is unable to cure what ails her precious daughter. She is forced to face her worst fears. How can she possibly trust God with Gretchen's life? A third generation mortician, Evelyn is tired of the isolation that comes with the territory of her unconventional occupation. Just when it seems she's met a man who understands her, she must deal with her mother's heartbreaking news. Always able to calm others and say just the right thing, she is now overwhelmed with helplessness as she watches Gretchen slip away. They are tasting only the drought of tragedy...where is the deluge of comfort God promises? [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1034", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignleft wp-image-2056 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"207", "height":"300", "alt":"sooze"}}]]Today I am just so thrilled to have the author, Susie Finkbeiner, with us. I was dying to ask her some questions, and she graciously answered them. She is ALSO sharing with us a recipe for homemade chamomile tea, so stay tuned for that! OK Susie, let's get to it: Your book is so unusual, and I mean that in the very best way possible. What was your goal in writing it? How do you hope it will affect readers? Susie: In all honesty, my initial goal was a bit selfish. I was struggling with personal grief at the time. One thing I've learned is that I don't process my emotions well until I write them out. I knew that writing was the only way I would be able to figure out the feelings I had. It's the way God made my brain. Eventually, in the process of writing, I realized that my motivation changed. I wanted to start a conversation about death. We don't talk about it much in Western Culture, and I think that's unfortunate. Because we're so afraid of the idea of death, it shocks us when we are confronted by it, it takes us by surprise. So, I decided that it might be good to write it from the perspective of the folks who are not scandalized by death - the funeral directors. Also, the funeral directors I had the honor of interacting with were wonderful people and I thought my readers should see the human side of their lives.  Let me in on your research process a bit, would you? The details in your story, and the rawness of the emotion, tell me you must have really done your homework. Oh, goodness me. The research for this novel was something else. I spent a lot of time reading the blog posts of Caleb Wilde (a blogging funeral director from Pennsylvania) and even had the opportunity to interview him via Skype. Caleb gave me wonderful insight and was quite candid about his life as a 6th generation funeral director. I also toured a funeral home and had a beautiful conversation with the director in a town much like the one I wrote about in My Mother's Chamomile.  On top of that, I read books and blogs about grief. I spent time viewing documentaries about end of life issues. I spent a lot of time crying as I researched. But I came out on the other end of it all unafraid to bring up the topic of death. I believe you. When we write about a certain topic, we have to really indwell it, don't we? This was a gut-wrenching book to read in some places. I can’t imagine how taxing it must have been to write it. How did you compensate for what must have been a grueling process? You know, I had a few friends who were worried about my emotional well-being during the year I spent writing My Mother's Chamomile. Now that I look back, I understand. I was very undercover about this book. A few people knew the topic and what events in my life had led me up to the writing. I sobbed a lot. I felt attacked by anxiety and troubled relationships and a nearly bankrupted self-esteem. On top of all of that, I felt this weight of how important the story could be. I didn't want to mess up. I allowed the pressure to press me down. A friend of mine insisted that I call for reinforcements. She's the kind of friend who wouldn't let me brush it off. She instructed me to gather a prayer team to support the work. Being someone who hates asking for help, it was difficult to do. However, I didn't want the friend to disappointed (I'm a people pleaser), so I assembled a prayer team that afternoon. The difficulty in writing the book and dealing with emotions didn't stop, but the Holy Spirit held me up through the process. It's amazing how praying friends who send emails of encouragement can make such a difference. Also, I took time to be around my kids. Fixating on death that much makes a soul yearn for hugs and visits to the zoo. Absolutely. This book came from a place of personal loss for you. How did your writing touch your own grief? I held my husband's grandmother as she died. I tried to calm her in her last moments. Writing My Mother's Chamomile came out of my desperate need to understand (or at least try to) her death and the deaths of so many other loved ones in my life. Also, as I was writing the book, a good friend of mine committed suicide. My grieving process for both of them was long, as it always is. I guess I mourn for an extended period. I've learned that it's okay and healthy. Grief can be confusing and exhausting. As I wrote this book, I stirred up some of the emotions of being upset, or sad. Even angry a few times. Something I didn't realize until later was that one of them had a good death. Her family had been around her, talking to her, telling her that they loved her. Someone was always holding her hand or pouring out some kind of mercy over her. The other, my friend, had a lonely death. I don't know the details of it, but I do know that he was alone. And that still bothers me quite a bit. In my writing, I wanted to write about both. The good death and the lonely one. Both wrecked me emotionally as I wrote them. But they were important to tell. I think that I wanted to write them so that the reader would feel less lonely in their own grief. Also, I wanted to encourage readers to show mercy to others who are in the midst of grief. Thank you Susie, for giving us so much of your heart in My Mother's Chamomile.  Now let's get that recipe. I sure could use a cup! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1035", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-medium wp-image-2057", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"300", "height":"300", "alt":"chamomile pic"}}]]Fairy Tea (a.k.a Chamomile Evening Repose) The tea that Gretchen and Olga blend and give to those grieving in their town is what is known as Evening Repose tea. It is a soothing tea that has just a touch of sweet. At my house, we call it Fairy Tea. Typically, this tea can be purchased at any tea shop, but if you're willing, this is a fairly easy recipe. All ingredients should be dried before blending. One part chamomile flower tops One part tea roses One part lavender flowers One part verbena leaves One part peppermint leaves One part spearmint leaves Pinch of stevia (or just add honey after the tea brews) Add a teaspoon full of the tea blend to a steeping ball (one teaspoon for each cup of tea). Pour boiling water over top and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes (depending on how strong you like your tea). Add honey, if you'd like. Enjoy! Remember, friends, My Mother's Chamomile is a GIFT right now at only 99 cents for Kindles! And still less than $4 at BarnesandNoble and ChristianBook. Please grab a copy, and be blessed. Connect with Susie at her Web site and Facebook page.

No-Bake Energy Bites (Plus Widow of Gettysburg Excerpt)

Tue, 2013-07-30 09:55 -- Jocelyn Green
*The following originally appeared at Author's Galley: Manuscripts and Wooden Spoons, Where Novelist Candace Calvert asks fellow writers that simmering question: What's Cooking? We begin with a behind the scenes look at my kitchen. My poor kitchen. It’s been feeling a little neglected these days, since I’m on deadline and the last thing I think about is making dinner. In fact, if I wasn’t already planning to try a new snack recipe today, I would have to take a picture of me pouring a bag of frozen P.F. Chang’s into the skillet and turning on my rice maker.  Yep, that’s really what I’m doing for dinner tonight. So let me show you my kitchen. That’s our new coffee bar on the far wall. On the left is a stack of research books I need to return to the library. On the right, we are growing some things—and apparently letting others die a slow death. My four-year-old’s can of grass is doing very well!  We have home-made menus under our vinyl tablecloth. During the summer, our kids get to order off the menu. But at night they eat whatever I put in front of them (in theory).     The rest of our kitchen is below. I’ve also included a picture of our fridge, mostly because I love the note at the top left which says, “Mom, I will obey you every day. From Elsa Green.” I’m keeping track of that one.       The Recipe Now for the recipe for No-Bake Energy Bites!  (courtesy of www.gimmesomeoven.com) It’s easy! Because I’m on a deadline! (Also, these would be great for book clubs!) Here is what you need, along with a bowl and a spoon:     Yes, I had been snacking on the chocolate chips already. It happens. 1 c. dry oatmeal ½ c. chocolate chips (for a healthier and less delicious version, use craisins instead. Or tofu. I don't care.) ½ c. peanut butter ½ c. ground flaxseed (I used whole flaxseed because that's what I had, and it worked fine, though I hear the ground stuff is better for you. Just FYI.) 1/3 c. honey 1 tsp. vanilla Mix it all together! You can roll these into balls or spread them in a pan and cut them. Either way, spraying a little Pam on your finger tips will help the process immensely. Now put them in the fridge to set. Enjoy!   The Excerpt And now, here’s an excerpt from my latest release, Widow of Gettysburg. This scene takes place July 1, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (I chose this excerpt because Candace, who originally hosted this blog post, asked for a passage related to food. :) ) *** The shots were so faint in the distance, maybe Hettie was right. Maybe, if a battle was to be had indeed, it would move farther away, not closer. Bella smoothed her apron over her green checked skirt and went into the kitchen to start baking for Hettie and her girls. She hitched her thoughts to the task as she would a horse to its post, concentrating on the dusting of flour on her fingertips, the scraping of the wooden spoon against the sides of the bowl, the spicy scent of the cinnamon and raisins waiting to be mixed in. It was something her mother had taught her long ago. When your thoughts run away, focus on what your hands are doing instead, shut out everything else. It was good advice—slaves’ hands were rarely idle. Bella’s mouth tilted up. My hands are rarely idle now. At least the driver’s whip would not reach her here.             If only her memories would stay as far away.           Footsteps flew down the staircase over the kitchen, jerking Bella’s attention to the doorway until Hettie filled its frame. Truly, the lines around her eyes and mouth spoke of a woman much older than the woman’s twenty-six years. “Bella, come quickly.” It was a breath, spoken all at once, the kind that leaves no room for questioning. In one fluid movement, Bella dropped her spoon on the work table, wiped her hands on her apron, flicked her gaze to the window.             “No don’t! Come away from the window at once.” It was a whisper now, and frantic. Hettie grabbed her arm then—something she had never done before—and pulled Bella forcefully out of the kitchen, down the servant’s stairs and into the cellar.             “Stay here, at all costs, and don’t make a sound.” Hettie stood silhouetted in the doorway to the stairs, the light spilling over her shoulders from behind, the shadows hiding her face. “I will keep them away from you, I promise.” She left. A latch clicked from the other side.             Bella was trapped. Again. ***

Kathleen Maher's Irish Stew

Mon, 2013-05-20 14:17 -- Jocelyn Green
UPDATE: The winner, using random.org, is Laurel! Congrats! Today I am so excited to have Kathleen L. Maher with us to share her family recipe for Irish stew. She is also graciously giving away a $15 gift card to Amazon to one lucky commenter! But first, allow me to tell you about her new Civil War novella, Bachelor Buttons. Here's the blurb: The daughter of immigrants who fled the Irish Potato Famine, Rose Meehan longs for a better life than the tenements of New York City. Courted by two men--a young doctor who represents material security, and a poor violin instructor who has captured her heart--she must choose between a life of advantage-grabbing or a life of faith. When Manhattan explodes in mob rule following Lincoln's unpopular draft, the heroic action of one suitor brings provision for those she loves, and reveals God's plan. I knew I would like this novella even before I opened it because it dares to set the story against a very tumultuous piece of American history: the New York City draft riots of 1863. That's why I started reading it in the first place. But what kept me reading--and what made me LOVE it--was Kathleen Maher's commitment to history (even the parts we're not proud of), and the sweet romance that  unfolded against the backdrop of war. Having researched this time and place myself, I found myself nodding and mentally applauding the author for capturing cultural nuances and delivering them to us in such an intriguing package. I can't wait to read more from Kathleen Maher. Even more delightful: the romance in this story is based on the true courtship story of Kathleen's Irish immigrant great-great-grandmother. Now for her recipe! I'll let her take over from here... Irish Stew Irish immigrants like my great, great grandmother were often poor and had to make due with whatever they might have had from their gardens and in their larders. Stew was a perfect fallback meal, utilizing what was on hand with room for embellishment. For my stew, I like to use the same plain staples like carrots, onions, potatoes and meat that most kitchens would have had handy 150 years ago. Simple, easy, and hearty enough for the coldest New York winter day. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"872", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-full wp-image-1452", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"300", "height":"252", "alt":"stew"}}]]Ingredients for “shanty” Irish stew 2-3lb roast or stew meat—bite sized squares 1 large onion—chopped in 1-inch chunks 3-4 cups water 1-2lb carrots, peeled coins or baby carrots 5 lb potatoes peeled, 1 ½ inch chunks 3-4 Tablespoons flour 1 cup milk Salt and pepper to taste Optional extras for “lace curtain” Irish stew: 1lb lamb, cut into chunks 1  tbsp Garlic 2 Celery stalks, chopped into ½ inch crescents ½ cup peas beef broth in lieu of water Cut meat (chuck roast, and optional lamb) into bite sized squares, sear in Dutch oven or sauce pot on high heat with 3 Tablespoons oil. Add onion (and garlic), caramelize on medium heat.   Add water (or broth), , cover and simmer for 1 hour on low. Add potatoes, carrots, (celery) and simmer for another half hour. Separate juices into medium saucepan: measure flour into mason jar and add 1 cup warm juices, seal jar and shake vigorously together (for fewer lumps in gravy), return to pan of juices on low heat, stirring until bubbling, add milk, then salt and pepper to taste. Combine gravy with meat and potatoes and serve! Yield: Enough for one large Irish Catholic family The Give-Away To enter the drawing for the $15 Amazon gift card, simply leave a comment answering the following question: What's your ethnic heritage? We know Kathleen's is Irish, and I can tell you mine is Swedish and Norwegian. Now it's your turn! A winner will be selected using random.org on Friday, May 24. HINT: Bachelor Buttons is only 99 cents at Amazon through the month of May! So regardless of whether you win the gift card, hopefully those of you who are interested can treat yourselves to a great summertime read! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"771", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-full wp-image-891", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"125", "height":"193", "alt":"Widow cover 3 125"}}]]Bonus Give-away This week on her blog, History Repeats Itself, Kathleen shares why she was skeptical of my novel Widow of Gettysburg before she read it, what she thought afterwards, AND she's giving away a copy of Widow as well as a copy of her novella Bachelor Buttons. Hop on over to enter her drawing-it closes on Friday May 24! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"955", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignleft wp-image-1454", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"138", "height":"180", "alt":"meatDanswedding_zpsadd38b2d"}}]]About Kathleen: Kathleen L. Maher’s novella Bachelor Buttons releases through Helping Hands Press in May, 2013 as part of a Civil War sesquicentennial collection. Her Civil War manuscript won the historical category of ACFW’s Genesis contest in 2012. She has finaled in several writing contests since 2009. Represented by Terry Burns of Hartline Literary Agency, Kathleen blogs about New York State history and enjoys reading and writing reviews for historical CBA releases.  She and her husband live in a 100-year-old farmhouse in upstate NY with their three children, two rescued Newfoundland dogs and a tuxedo cat.

Carrie Pagels' All-Cornmeal Muffins

Tue, 2013-04-23 08:44 -- Jocelyn Green
[[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"942", "attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-1310", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"300", "height":"225", "alt":"Carrie Fancett Pagels"}}]] Carrie Fancett Pagels   UPDATE! The winners have been drawn! Kim T. gets Widow of Gettysburg, and Darci M. gets Return to Shirley Plantation and the pink goodies! Congrats to the winners and thank you to everyone for entering! Today we are celebrating the release of Carrie Fancett Pagels' new Civil War novella, Return to Shirley Plantation, with an authentic recipe, a give-away of her novella, a give-away of MY new release, Widow of Gettysburg, plus some extra goodies! Carrie's novella is the first in a Civil War anthology called Cry of Freedom. Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., writes “romantic historical fiction.” Represented by Joyce Hart, “Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance” is Carrie’s first fiction release. Carrie contributed to “God’s Provision in Tough Times” releasing May, 2013. Previously a psychologist, Carrie lives in Virginia with her family. Carrie blogs at “Colonial Quills” and “Overcoming With God.” She has served in ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) leadership positions as Zone Director, Area Coordinator, and continues as co-chairman of a local group. Member ACFW, Romance Writers of America, Faith-Hope-Love RWA affiliate group and FaithWriters. Columnist/Board Member of The Book Club Network ezine. Loves God, history, and romance! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"943", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-medium wp-image-1311", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"200", "height":"300", "alt":"01ShirleyPlantation_RtSP_cover"}}]]So let's just give you a little taste of Return to Shirley Plantation before we sink our teeth into Carrie's recipe, shall we? I confess I've not had a chance to read it myself (YET!), but I see that authors like Julie Lessman, MaryLu Tyndall, and Laura Frantz have all given the story five stars. Here's a review by Lisa Norato, author of Prize of My Heart and Where Eagles Fly. She says: I was hooked by the first line with the beautiful writing.  The story itself quickly reeled me in with the conflicts of its two, endearing, main characters.  Carrie makes history come alive with her words and brings her southern setting to life so that I felt I was right there on a gorgeous Virginia plantation in the midst of the Civil War. It is 1862 and thespian Matthew Scott is abducted from Ohio and the theater troupe he manages.  He is conscripted against his will into serving with the Confederate army because of his father’s political leanings.  He is not a soldier and feels lost and out of place as he follows the troops to Shirley Plantation in Virginia.  There he meets the lovely Angelina Rose and begins to feel some hope and the stirrings of love.  With her fair skin, Matt does not know Angie is a freed slave of mixed race.  She was given an opportunity to leave the south and start a new life for herself, but she did not take it because she has been working as a seamstress to earn the freedom of her deceased sister’s illegitimate twins.  Matt knows nothing of this.  He only knows that he is falling in love with a mysterious woman, and there is something very suspicious about his father’s claims of having no family. A lot of story is packed into this beautiful, redemptive novella.  It was a pure joy to read and reminded me of why I love reading historical romance novels! When I asked Carrie to share a recipe related to her novella, she chose these all-cornmeal muffins, as the closest thing to Johnny Cake we can probably find. While Union soldiers (Billy Yanks) ate hardtack, Confederate soldiers (Johnny Rebs) ate Johnny Cake. :) Carrie's recipe, below, would be the perfect refreshment for your book club if you read Return to Shirley Plantation or other Civil War stories! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"855", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignleft size-full wp-image-1313", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"192", "height":"192", "alt":"Corn_muffin_for_Jocelyn"}}]]Stone Ground All-Cornmeal Muffins Ingredients 2 cups goat’s milk buttermilk (add 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to the goat’s milk. Stir. Let sit about 5 minutes to thicken slightly) 2 medium-sized yard eggs 2 cups stone-ground cornmeal 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (1/4 cup bacon drippings) Directions: 1.  Preheat oven to 415°F. 2.  Mix the dry ingredients, whisk the eggs into the goat’s milk mixture, then combine all ingredients. 3.  Mix with large spoon or spatula, do not overmix. 4.  Pour some cooled bacon drippings in and mix gently. Grease your muffin pans with the remaining drippings. Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full. 5. Bake 15-20 minutes till tops are lightly browned. Don’t overcook. 6. Remove, cool slightly, slather with softened salted butter and honey then eat! Yummmmmm......! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"944", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-medium wp-image-1312", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"179", "height":"300", "alt":"pink goodies"}}]]Now for the Give-Away! Carrie is graciously offering a PDF copy of her novella, a paperback copy of my Widow of Gettysburg, PLUS a gift basket of pink goodies, including two tall pink glasses, a sunglasses pouch, pink sticky notes and another pink surprise! Why so pinkalicious, you ask? In addition to simply admiring the color, after Carrie's mother died of pancreatic cancer, Carrie's two best friends both battled breast cancer-and BEAT it! To be entered into the drawing for the give-away, simply leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite snack to have with a good book? (or movie, if you don't care to turn pages with messy fingers) For extra entries, follow Carrie on any or all of her social media outlets (below) and let me know that you've done so! Good luck to all of you--and please note that Return to Shirley Plantation is available now at Amazon for only $2.99. Facebook Author Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrie-Fancett-Pagels/317053071710640?fref=ts Facebook Personal Page http://www.facebook.com/carriefancettpagels Twitter https://twitter.com/cfpagels Pinterest http://pinterest.com/carriefpagels/ GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5548131-carrie-pagels LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=131454255&trk=tab_pro

Julie Lessman's Broccoli Slaw

Thu, 2013-04-18 09:00 -- Jocelyn Green
Spring is finally in the air around here, and for many of us, that means it's almost time for picnic season! Today I have a real treat for you--award-winning author Julie Lessman is generously sharing her most in-demand recipe for social functions. BUT when she is not impressing people with her Irish-inspired culinary skills, she is impressing us with her books, and she just released another one! So allow me to whet your appetite for her latest novel, Love At Any Cost, which I received free from Revell so I could share my opinion with you. This book trailer says it all, and it's well worth a moment of your time to get the essence of the book: Now it's no secret that I'm a big Julie Lessman fan. I consider reading her books "professional development," and I tell you why in this blog post if you really want to know. I grew quite attached to the O'Connor family in her Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series, so I wasn't sure I could develop the same bond to a new cast of characters in this new kick-off to the Heart of San Francisco series. I need not have worried! Love At Any Cost is both refreshing and rich, with a spunky heroine and heart-warming hero, laugh-out-loud humor and plot twists that will keep you turning pages til you reach "The End" with a contented sigh. Lovers of Christian romance novels can't go wrong with a  Julie Lessman title. Find Love at Any Cost at your local bookstores, Amazon, BN.com, or ChristianBook.com. Visit Julie at her Web site, www.julielessman.com. (You can read free excerpts of her books there, so if you're not familiar with her yet, I encourage you to check it out!) Now! Are you ready for her famous recipe yet? I will let her take it away from here! Julie Lessman's Bit O' the Green Side Dish in Demand: Broccoli Slaw As an author of books about a passionate Irish family, I thought I’d give you a bit o’ the green today since LOVE AT ANY COST is about a wealthy Irish family in 1902 San Francisco. This is one of those a sure-fire side dishes that people ask me to bring more than any other recipe because it’s just that good! It can take the place of a salad, is great for picnics or BBQs and the minute people taste it, they are passionate about it from that point on. It’s simple, easy and just plain dee-lish! Ready? Here we go: Recipe: Broccoli Slaw Serves: 10 - 15 Dressing: Mix together and refrigerate overnight. ¾      1/3 cup white vinegar ¾      ½ cup vegetable oil ¾      ½ cup sugar ¾      Beef seasoning packet from beef ramen noodle package Slaw Mix: 1 hour (or more) before serving, mix the following together: ¾      6 green onions, sliced ¾      1 cup sliced almonds ¾      1 cup salted sunflower kernels ¾      1 pkg. broccoli slaw mix (buy in salad section of produce) ¾      1 package ramen noodles, broken up ¾      Dressing (as given above and shaken well)   I garnish with tiny oval tomatoes cut in half and placed all over the top. VERY PRETTY!!

3-Ingredient Lemon Cookies

Mon, 2013-03-25 12:21 -- Jocelyn Green
Joanne Bischof has a new book releasing April 2 (probably smart to not release on April Fool's Day!!) but I just can't wait to start celebrating! Her new book, Though My Heart Is Torn, is the second in her Cadence of Grace series, the sequel to Be Still My Soul. (See what I thought of that book here.) I had the privilege of reading Though My Heart Is Torn already, and suffice it to say, I read it in three sittings. (Read a sample here.) I relished the writing in Be Still My Soul, and of course was drawn in by the characters. But this book? The writing is just as exquisite, but the story line had me by the throat. On the back cover you read, "Gideon has two wives--but he doesn't know it." Now, I am not a "cry-er." But the drama and emotion in this book had a lump firmly lodged in my throat more than any other book in my memory. You will not want to stop reading until you get to the end. If you have already read Be Still My Soul, you simply can't leave the story there. Grab your copy of Though My Heart Is Torn and savor every page. The best news yet? The title of book 3 in this series: My Hope Is Found. Hooray! To celebrate, Joanne is allowing me to share a Jocelyn-style recipe (aka simple) which originally appeared at her blog: 3-Ingredient Lemon Cookies! Recipe: One box of lemon cake mix (Joanne used Pillsbury) 1/3 cup of oil 3 eggs Joanne says: That’s it! Mix and drop by spoonfuls onto a greased pan and bake @350 for about 11-13 minutes. I know recipe ratios can vary from recipe to recipe, so if you have another cake mix on hand other than Pillsbury, simply follow the directions on the back, but leave out the water. This recipe doesn’t make a ton of cookies, so if you’re making them for a crowd, probably 2 or more boxes would be a good idea…and really just a good idea in general because they are a major crowd pleaser. Enjoy!
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Blueberry Brown Sugar Scones

Mon, 2013-02-11 08:02 -- Jocelyn Green
Book 1 in the Cadence of Grace series, Be Still My Soul is an apt title for the book, which had my own heart pounding, stirring, and breaking for the characters. Joanne Bischof shines as a master wordsmith, painting vivid scenes textured with all five senses. This alone, makes it worth the read, but the story will sweep you away as much as its Appalachian setting. Not your run-of-the-mill romance, this one stands out for its realistic, broken characters and the strains of redemption and grace that run throughout this absorbing tale of how God works through a shotgun wedding between Gideon and Lonnie. For more about the book, click here. (It's even available in large print!) Great news-book 2 in Joanne's Cadence of Grace series is almost here, too! For a glimpse into Though My Heart is Torn, click here. The cover is just gorgeous! Today I am excited to offer one of Joanne's delicious recipes for everyone. Lonnie's Blueberry Brown Sugar Scones   2 c. Flour 4 Tsp Baking powder 1 tsp Salt 1/2 c. Brown sugar + more for sprinkling 6 Tbsp Butter 3/4 c. Half and half or heavy cream 1 Egg 1/2 c. Dried blueberries Mix dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Using two knives, cut butter into flour mixture until it's the size of peas. Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix gently. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet, or drop by spoonfuls into a scone pan. Sprinkle scones with brown sugar and bake at 375 for 15 to 17 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite cup of tea or coffee! Joanne has several fantastic recipes on her Web site, by the way, including one for Moonshine Pecan Pie with Butterscotch! 
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