Author Lynn Huggins Blackburn, Covert Justice & Scones

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Lynn Huggins Blackburn

Today’s guest Lynn Huggins Blackburn is a debut author, but I like her taste in scones! I’m gluten-loving but for those of you who just can’t take it, Lynn includes a gluten free version. And her book sounds amazing. Lynn is offering a copy to one commenter. Don’t miss the QUESTION later so you will be entered into the drawing. Here’s Lynn: 

Thank you for having me, Lyn!

I hope your readers will enjoy the recipes I’m sharing today.

Blueberry scones are one of my favorite treats.

The ginormous ones from Panera have fueled a lot of my writing hours and I love experimenting at home with recipes for all varieties of scones. I’ll eat them sweet or savory and filled with just about anything—cheese, fruits, spices, or chocolate.

gluten and I aren’t good friends.

A few years ago, I realized that gluten and I aren’t good friends. I can tolerate it in small amounts, but my body runs best when I avoid it. This led me on a journey to find gluten-free versions of some of my favorite foods. Including blueberry scones.

So I’m sharing two recipes. The first is a more traditional scone recipe that you can personalize with everything from blueberries to chocolate chips. It’s a favorite in the Blackburn house. The second is a gluten-free scone made with ground cashews and arrowroot powder (both of which are easily found in most grocery stores). It bakes up into a mouth-watering pastry that will please even your pickiest guests.

While the characters in Covert Justice aren’t gluten-free,

they do enjoy a good blueberry scone. Heidi Zimmerman is the undercover FBI agent trying to protect the Harrison family from the evil plans of the Kovac crime syndicate. She loves to have a scone or a cucumber sandwich with her afternoon tea, and she shares this love with the Harrisons.  Blake Harrison’s young daughter, Maggie, loves to help bake the scones. Blake is just happy to eat them!

Covert Justice

To purchase, click here.

Blurb for Covert Justice:

AGENT UNDERCOVER

When a woman drags Blake Harrison out of his wrecked car, he knows the mysterious stranger has saved his life. But more shocking than the hit-and-run is the news that a crime cartel has infiltrated his factory. There’s a fortune to be made by tampering with the factory’s products…but only if Blake is out of the way. Undercover FBI agent Heidi Zimmerman has two goals—catch the criminals in the act, and keep Blake alive. Falling for the single dad and his adorable daughter isn’t in the plan. But everything changes when an abduction leaves Heidi face-to-face with a killer, revealing the danger that’s been hiding in plain sight all along…

Simple Scones – original recipe from AllRecipes.com, submitted by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

8 Tbls unsalted butter, frozen

½ cup raisins, currants, craisins, dried blueberries, chocolate chips – be creative!

½ cup sour cream

1 large egg

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. 2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Grate butter into flour mixture on the large holes of a box grater (or shred using a food processer). Use your fingers to work in butter (mixture should resemble coarse meal). Then stir in your fruits (or chocolate!).
  3. In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream and egg until smooth.
  4. Using a fork, stir sour cream mixture into the flour mixture until large cough clumps form. Use your hands to press the dough against the bowl into a ball (the dough will be sticky in places and there may not seem to be enough liquid at first, but as you press, the dough will come together).
  5. Place on a lightly floured surface and pat into an 8-inch circle about 3/4-inch thick. Sprinkle with 1 tsp. of sugar. Use a sharp knife to cut into 8 triangles and place them about an inch apart on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet
  6. Bake until golden, about 15-17 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.

Paleo Blueberry Scones

https://rockinglion.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/clean-eating-blueberry-scones-paleo-recipe/

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups Cashews (or 1 1/3 cups ground)

¼ cup Arrowroot powder

Pinch of Salt

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 cup Fresh Blueberries

¼ cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

3 tablespoons Maple Syrup

2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1 Egg

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & line a 9-inch metal pan with parchment paper.
  2. Blend the cashews in a food processor until powdered.
  3. Whisk all the dry ingredients together then stir in the blueberries.
  4. Whisk the wet ingredients together then stir into the dry.
  5. Pour into the baking pan and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.
  6. Let cool for at least 10 minutes, slice, and enjoy!

Adapted from PaleOMG‘s recipe for Lavender & Vanilla Bean Scones

Lynn Huggins Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Her first book, Covert Justice, releases June 2015.

Those recipes sound great, Lynn. I love scones and all the other yummy stuff at my local coffee shop. (I live much too far from any of the chain coffee shops here in the boonies.) Anyway here’s the really hard QUESTION to answer to enter the drawing for COVERT JUSTICE: What’s your favorite local coffee shop and what’s your favorite “treat” there?

I’ll go first my favorite is Little Creek Coffee Co. They have the best!–Lyn

 

For more online:

www.lynnhugginsblackburn.com

www.facebook.com/lynnhblackburn

www.twitter.com/lynnhblackburn

www.goodreads.com/lynnhugginsblackburn

www.pinterest.com/lynnhblackburn

www.instagram.com/lynnhblackburn

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California Author Keli Gwyn & Family of Her Dreams

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Keli Gwyn

It’s my pleasure to host a brand new author Keli Gwyn. Welcome, Keli. She is also offering A BOOK GIVEAWAY so be sure to leave a comment after the QUESTION below. Here’s Keli:

California Author Keli Gwyn & Family of Her Dreams

Imagine being three-years old and left on the steps of an orphanage. That’s what happened to Tess Grimsby, the heroine of my first Love Inspired Historical, Family of Her Dreams. Alone and terrified, Tess faced life with a gruff orphanage director and little hope of ever being adopted.

Fast-forward thirteen years. Tess, now sixteen, is given the opportunity to care for the children of a family traveling to California. Eager to make a life for herself, she embraces it.

The next nine years Tess is busy caring for other people’s children while longing for a family of her own. She’s forced to face the possibility that she may never be a wife and mother.

As Tess’s twenty-fifth birthday approaches, her situation takes a turn for the worse. She’s dismissed from her job. With a lackluster recommendation and precious few coins in her purse, her hopes of finding a governess position are dim. She must remain brave in spite of her dire circumstances.

Recent widower Spencer Abbott needs a housekeeper to care for his two young children and hires Tess. She’s thrust into the midst of a family in the throes of grief. Having witnessed loss repeatedly, she feels certain she can minister to them.

The job proves to be tougher than Tess thought. Tess must draw upon her inner strength—and her faith—to face each threat even when her dream of a Family of Her Dreams seems impossible.

Life for women in the West wasn’t easy. Their resilience, resourcefulness and courage are qualities I admire and seek to showcase in my stories. Tess embodies them all.

Thanks for hosting me, Lyn, and for enabling me to showcase the strength of the heroine in Family of Her Dreams.”–Keli

 

Family of Her Dreams

• • •
To purchase, click here. Family of Her Dreams (Love Inspired Historical)

BLURB:

A Family to Cherish
Headstrong Tess Grimsby loves her new job caring for the children of a recently widowed man. But she never imagined that she’d fall for her handsome employer. Yet Spencer Abbott is as caring as he is attractive, and Tess can’t help but feel for him and his family. Though, for the sake of her job, she’ll keep any emotions about her boss to herself.

Between his stationmaster responsibilities in a gold-rush town and trying to put his family back together, Spencer has his hands full. He soon finds his new hire’s kind personality warming his frosty exterior. But could he ever admit to seeing her as more than just an employee?

For more online:

Website: www.keligwyn.com
Blog: www.keligwyn.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KeliGwynAuthor
Twitter: @KeliGwyn

QUESTION: Keli is from California. Do you think where you come from shapes who you are? Are Midwesterners really different from Southerners? What’s your take?–Lyn

PS:

Shanna Hatfield’s Winner is Kathy C and Melody’s winner is AmyC– Congrats!
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Author Shanna Hatfield & Strawberry Shortcake- YUM!

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Shanna Hatfield 5x7

My guest today is author Shanna Hatfield who writes with zest! She’s going to share her summer memories and a recipe AND A GIVEAWAY! Here’s Shanna:

Thank you, Lyn, for hosting me today. Happy June to you and your readers!

release from my educational prison

Growing up, the first of June always meant school was out for the year. I always anticipated the release from my educational prison with much anxious excitement.

By the beginning of June, the first cutting of hay had filled the air around our farm with that sweet, fresh scent that make me want to fill jars with the aroma and save it for the dreary months of winter.

The first crop of strawberries

would also be ripe for the picking. One of my brothers decided to make his fortune selling strawberries to the restaurants in town. After planting what seemed like a million acres of berries (more than half an acre), he failed to take into account the frequency with which they needed picked. I was enlisted to help with this chore and spent many a summer morning carefully working my way up and down the rows of berries, filling flats with the ruby-red berries.

Mom always made jars full of strawberry freezer jam and sometimes she made strawberry rhubarb pie (my oldest brother’s favorite, not mine).

No, I held out for strawberry shortcake,

when the sweet juice from the berries would slowly sink down into the cake and vanilla ice cream would melt over the top like a smooth, milky crown. It almost made me forget how much work it was to pick all those berries. Almost.

In my new release Lacy (Pendleton Petticoats Book 5), Lacy Williams grew up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She hasn’t had an abundance of sweets, but finds she enjoys the variety of treats. Handsome Grant Hill introduces her to when she takes a job at the telephone office across the street from his bank.

Lacy

Sweet romance blossoms between people from two very different worlds.

Eager to make her own way in the world, Lacy Williams leaves behind her family on the Umatilla Reservation and accepts a job in Pendleton at the telephone office as an operator. The work she takes in stride, but dealing with the unfamiliar, unsettling feelings stirred by the handsome banker across the street is an entirely different matter.

Grant Hill wants a wife.

However, not just any wife will do. If that were the case, he’d make an announcement at the mercantile and cause a stampede to the church. Grant wants a woman who will look beyond his material wealth and see into his heart. When he’s all but given up on the possibility that such a woman exists, he runs into the lovely Lacy Williams.

The shortcake recipe included below is easy to make and so good.

Strawberry Shortcake

¾ cup sugar

½ cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 egg

1 cup milk

2 tsp. baking powder

2 cups flour

4-6 cups of strawberries

½ cup sugar

Vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour and baking powder, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream together ¾ cup sugar and butter, then add egg and vanilla extract. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the bowl until batter is well blended.

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan and bake until top is a light, golden brown.

Cool completely.

Wash and hull strawberries, placing them in a large bowl. Mom always used a potato masher to break them down a little. You don’t want to pulverize them, just mash them enough they get good and juicy and break into nice little pieces. Stir in ½ cup of sugar until sugar dissolves then let rest for at least 10 minutes. When ready to serve, cut slices of cake then top with strawberries and a scoop of ice cream.

Yield: approximately 8-12 servings (depending on if you’re serving dainty pieces or hungry-man slices).

Author Bio:

Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen one story at a time. Her bestselling sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with realistic characters.

When she isn’t writing or consuming unhealthy amounts of chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

GIVEAWAY – For a chance to enter a drawing to win a digital Ebook copy of Lacy, please post a comment below with your favorite summer treat. Is it ice cream? A cold popsicle? S’Mores? What one summer sweet do you love?

Shanna, this reminded me of a favorite summer memory. I always picked wild strawberries in the field behind our house. My mom agreed to make her shortcake. It was a hot day and she had the oscillating fan on the kitchen counter to keep her cool. Ooops. She turned her head and the page of the cookbook turned and we ended up with waffle-shortcake. She’d started with the shortcake recipe and ended with the waffle recipe. Very strange looking shortcake!–Lyn

For more online:

To purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shanna-Hatfield/e/B0056HPPM0

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shanna-Hatfield/e/B0056HPPM0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1391485546&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/shanna-hatfield

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/shannahatfield

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/shanna-hatfield/id450458896?mt=11

Shanna:

Website: http://shannahatfield.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorShannaHatfield

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/shannahatfield/boards/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4981400.Shanna_Hatfield

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShannaHatfield?feature=watch

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShannaHatfield

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Author Yvonne Lehman & The Earliest Memory of Her Mother

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Lehman, Yvonne

I have never met in person my guest today Yvonne Lehman but we’ve been in contact since the mid ’90’s. So I feel like I know her. Yvonne is going to share about her earliest memory of her mother and her latest project, Spoken Moments. Here’s Yvonne:

Earliest memory of my mother:

I remember watching her get ready for us to walk to town. She stood in front of the mirror, primping. Her dark hair was on top of her head. She applied bright red lipstick. Her dress was right above her knees. It was either blue or green, perhaps teal. She stepped into high heels. When she was ready, we left the house and began walking the several blocks to town.

I thought she was beautiful

as I looked up at her. My hair was thin and blonde and I didn’t’ feel pretty, but was so proud to be walking with that beautiful woman. I don’t remember what we did that day, but we did go to a drug store, sit at a table and drink cherry cokes.

On the way back home, it started to sprinkle rain.

She grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s run. My dress is crepe and it will shrink.” The rain fell harder. I didn’t want her to get messed up but she began to laugh, so I did too. Her dress began to shrink, halfway up her thighs. We both got drenched but because she laughed, it was a wonderful experience.

Now onto Spoken Moments

I am a novelist who never thought I would be working in non-fiction other than perhaps an occasional article or devotion. But, three years ago several of us were in the lobby after classes at the Blue Ridge writers conference. Cindy Sproles told about God showing up in an unexpected, miraculous ways. Then I told how God showed up in the Ladies Room at the Presbyterian Church. Others joined in. I said those stories should be in a book. An editor overheard the talk about such divine experiences and called me two months later to says she was interested.

That led to my call-out for such articles and by last year at Blue Ridge I made a presentation of “one-free-book” to 23 of the 37 authors. They get no monetary compensation and all royalties are donated to Samaritan’s Purse.

Here’s our latest compilation:

Spoken Moments

To purchase, click here. Spoken Moments

Spoken Moments

52 Inspirational stories About the Power of Words

Christians are a people who value words because they realize words do more than just convey information. Some words mean everything: God spoke the world into being by the power of his words. He speaks through words he gave to the authors of the Bible. Jesus is The Word made flesh.

This is a book about the power of words. Here you will find stories from 42 authors who share moments when words—from the Bible, the Holy Spirit, family, friends, acquaintances, business associates, and even strangers—impacted their lives. The stories are a testimony that words can hurt yet they can heal.

You will laugh, cry, nod your head in agreement, and shake your head in wonder at their examples of how God uses aptly spoken words to shape our lives and remind us of the saving grace of Jesus.”–Yvonne

Thanks for sharing that memory, Yvonne. And Spoken Moments sounds like just the kind of gift many women would appreciate.–Lyn

For more online:

Yvonne blogs at  www.christiansread.com

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Award-Winning Author Melody Carlson & Her Dad’s Unusual Bequest

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Melody Carlson

Today award-winning author Melody Carlson is my guest, I think for the first time. I’m so glad to host her since I have enjoyed several of her books. Since this is the month of Father’s Day,

Melody is going to share about her father. Also she is going to give away one signed copy of her latest romance, Once Upon a Summertime. Sounds like a great summer read. Here’s Melody:

Thanks, Dad

With Father’s Day around the corner, I’m reminded that, as a child, I hated that particular ‘holiday.’ All it did was spotlight the fact that I had no father. When I was three, my dad chose alcohol and a musician’s life over fatherhood. Although I forgave him (as an adult) and communicated with him via occasional letters, I never felt close to him. Never really understood him. But when he passed away a couple of weeks ago, I felt a deep sadness. Not for a relationship that was lost—but for a man who’s life seemed to count for so very little.

In the midst of making my dad’s final arrangements

and sorting through what little he’d left behind, I mentioned my frustrations to my literary agent—confessed to her that I was struggling with sadness over such a wasted life. And she wisely said: “He gave you to the world.” Six little words, but it felt like a light went on. Besides the obvious DNA donation, I realized that, as my ‘father’s daughter,’ I experienced some difficult challenges growing up—hardships that helped mold me into the writer I am today. I can honestly thank him for that. If I’d had a ‘normal’ life, I wouldn’t have nearly as much to write about.

one of the highlights of his rather stark life

And I know my dad took pride in my books. It was one of the highlights of his rather stark life. Ironically, my newest book (Once Upon a Summertime) is set in my dad’s birthplace, New York City. And the main character, Anna Gordon, grew up with some of the same challenges I had as a child. So, you see, I really can thank my dad for his influence on my writing—and I’ll be wishing him a Happy Father’s Day next week, knowing that he’s reunited with his own dad—as well as his Heavenly Father. “–Melody

once upon a summer romance

To purchase, click here. Once Upon a Summertime: A New York City Romance (Follow Your Heart)

Book Blurb

Once Upon a Summertime (Follow Your Heart series) Baker/Revell

Anna Gordon, is stuck. Working a dead-end job at a lackluster motel in her boring hometown, she’s held hostage by a childhood she had no control over. But Anna is fed up and when the opportunity arises to try for a job in New York City, she casts aside her fear and makes the big leap to the Big Apple. Hoping to land a top managerial position in an upscale boutique hotel in Soho, she gives it her all. And fails. Or so it seems.

Instead of giving up, Anna rolls up her sleeves and takes on the unglamorous task of managing housekeeping. She gives her all to get the exclusive hotel up and running—smoothly. Creatively handling challenges in the workplace, combined with a love affair with New York City, Anna is transported to places she’d previously dreamed about. But ‘ghosts’ from her past and a ‘forbidden’ relationship threaten to undo Anna’s new life.

For more online:

www.melodycarlson.com 

This really touched me, Melody. I was separated from my father when I was eleven (a nasty divorce). And saw him maybe three times over the next forty some years till we met again when he was in his 80’s and just months before his death. And like you, I realize my father’s absence shaped me in a way that his presence might not have, giving me too an unusual bequest.

Now for the

QUESTION: What effect did your father have on your life? How did he influence you?

Be sure to leave a comment to enter a drawing for a copy of ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME by Melody Carlson.–Lyn

Ps-Abby Breuklander won Patricia John’s Firefighter book.

Sunnie won the ebook collection and 
Vicki Barwick won Milinda Jay’s book. Congrats!

 

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Author Patricia Johns & Fiery Hot Chicken Wings!!

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Patricia Johns

My guest today author Patricia Johns is new to me, but she starts off with a sizzle with her recipe for Fiery Hot Chicken Wings and she will be giving away a copy of her latest Love Inspired Romance (US Only). Here’s Patricia:

Fiery Hot Chicken Wings

My family is an “allergy family,” so a lot of the favorites have to be made from scratch in order to make sure we don’t get sick. Well, luckily I’ve figured out how to make the perfect spicy hot chicken wings with all fresh ingredients! This isn’t an old family recipe, but I think it’s sure to stick with future generations–it’s just that good!

These wings are succulent, sticky and delicious.

Sauce

1 can crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

3-4 heaping tablespoons brown sugar

3 teaspoons of salt

1 whole bulb of garlic, peeled and chopped.

1 habanera pepper (or 2-3 other hot peppers to taste)

Put all of the ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.

Pour mixture into a pot and boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Take it off the heat.

Put uncooked chicken wings into a large bowl and pour the sauce on top. Mix thoroughly, then put the wings onto a pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until wings are fully cooked and the tips are browned.

And what goes better with Fiery Hot Chicken Wings than a firefighter romance? 😉

To purchase, click here. A Firefighter’s Promise (Love Inspired)

BLURB:

When the baby he rescued seven years ago returns—with his widowed adoptive mom—Deputy Fire Chief Matt Bailey can’t turn them away. Desperate to escape the reminders of his failure in the line of duty, Matt is close to leaving town. But one look at Rachel Carter and her son, Christopher, has him second-guessing his plans. Rachel is a mom in need of a hero for her son. But as much as she wants the two to bond, she’s determined to keep her distance from Matt. After losing her husband on the job, she promised never to love another fireman. Yet somehow she finds herself drawn to the one man she should avoid.

Thanks for that recipe, Patricia. I am not a fan of “fiery” food, but I could substitute some cumin or chili powder for the habanera pepper. But I’d also have to cut down the vinegar. My dh is set against any vinegar in his food.

So here’s the QUESTION: Is it harder to cook for someone with allergies or just a person with distinct likes and dislikes? What do ya’ll think? :-)–Lyn

For more online:

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Firefighters-Promise-Love-Inspired/dp/0373879601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431808461&sr=8-1&keywords=a+firefighter%27s+promise+by+patricia+johns

My blog: http://patriciajohnsromance.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaJohnsAuthor

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6 Authors, 6 Summer Hearts & Slow Roasted Pork!

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This is something new for me. I’m hosting 6 authors today! First, Carol Malone shares a recipe from the Summer Hearts compilation. This sounds like a very fun collection of clean sweet novellas. So here’s the recipe and the scoop on these six great romances! (And learn how you might win one!)

Recipe from Summer Holiday,

Carol Malone’s sweet summer novella in the Summer Hearts compilation.

In Summer Holiday, Lizzy’s grandma cooked pork sandwiches for the farmers who volunteered to help cut the hay for the season. She had to feed a large army of hungry men. This recipe I found on http://www.everydaydutchoven.com/…/fall-apart-tender… is much the same as her recipe.

I cooked a 3 lb. roast in my 12 inch dutch oven with 10 coals in a ring around the bottom and 16-18 in a ring around the outside of the lid with 4-6 spaced evenly in the middle. I changed the coals three times, cooking the roast for a total of 3 1/2 hours. It is extremely tender, you can slice it or pull it apart with a couple of forks. The best part is the wonderful sauce that forms in the bottom of your dutch oven, light and sweetened with apple and brown sugar, add some salt to it if you like but be sure to drown the juicy meat in the delicious drippings.

Fall Apart Tender Slow Roasted Pork

1 pork butt roast (3-4 lbs.)

1/4 to 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup apple juice

1/2 tsp salt

Lightly oil or spray Dutch oven.

Place pork in large bowl.

Sprinkle the roast on all sides with Worcestershire sauce.

Press brown sugar into pork, coating all sides evenly.

Carefully place in prepared dutch oven.

Pour apple juice around pork roast, being sure not to drizzle it on crusted meat.

Roast at 300 degrees for 3-3 1/2 hours, replenishing coals hourly.

Pull the meat apart.

Stir the salt into the juices remaining in Dutch oven.

Serve immediately on hot, homemade bread with mustard or the drippings from the pork roast.

If you’d like more recipes like this, the source of this one is from EVERYDAY DUTCH OVEN blog.

I am going to try this recipe! Sounds great but I might try it in my crockpot in the summer. In northern WI we don’t really need air-conditioning but I don’t bake much in order to keep our house cool. And here’s the scoop about this great Summer Read! I’m going to give away one EBOOK of this compilation to one commenter, so look for the QUESTION below. Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for this EBOOK.

To purchase, click here. Summer Hearts: A Compilation of Six Clean Romances

BLURB:

Every Summer Has a Love Story…Six Summer Tales of Sweet Romance that bring you the very best in Historical, Contemporary and Fantasy Romance.

Sarah Daley, Carol Malone, Kathy Bosman, Debby Lee, Robyn Echols, and Lisa Watson

weave stories of long days, sultry nights, sun-kissed beaches and sweet romance

Dreaming in California:
In the summer of 1967, Hollywood actress, Lucinda Baker, appears to have it all– fame, money, and an all too doting fiancé. Dark traits begin to emerge from the man she’s pledged to marry, and he threatens her. Lucinda must now lean on her best friend, celebrity photographer, George Creston to escape the clutches of the dangerous relationship. Together they are forced to summon courage, and trust each other in desperate circumstances. Will they find love in the process or lose everything they hold dear, including their lives.

A Summer of Stars:
McKinley Graham has escaped to her summer getaway to regain her perspective and her health. Zane Davidson has taken refuge in the lovely seaside community, welcoming the healing balm of the salty sea air and his childhood home to mend his wounds. They aren’t looking for love, but their attraction is too explosive to ignore. Against the backdrop of starry nights and sultry kisses, they come to realize that even love may not be enough to save them from the angry storm of his past that threatens to destroy their dreams!

Drowning Sandy:
The water is calling…
and Sandy can no longer resist the urge to unleash her mermaid form. But a simple swim in Lake Ontario ends when she discovers the truth of her own banishment. When long time crush, Alardo, seems to shift in a direction she never dreamed possible, Sandy must make a choice — mermaid or human? Once she chooses, she can never go back.

Summer Holiday:
In the summer of 1905, Lizzy Gordon’s father dismisses her desires to be a doctor, demanding she become a teacher—a profession which does not allow women to marry.
Teacher Brent Pierce is dedicated to expanding young minds, but circumstances are forcing him to take over the family farm.
Before the summer is over Lizzy and Brent will be forced to make hard decisions. Can they find the courage to each stand up for themselves and still be together?

Shark Boss:
When Tara takes up a job at the local aquarium, her colleagues warn her about their harsh boss, Mr. Carter Jones. She soon discovers how impatient he can be, but she also can’t deny her fascination and attraction to him. Carter can’t stop watching Tara as she works but holds back from her because of his secrets. If she knew what he was, she would never want him. Could the reason for Carter’s moods be related to something more troubling than what’s on the surface? Tara soon discovers Carter’s secret, and it only bonds them closer. But the curse starts to take over Carter’s life, and he won’t give his heart to a beautiful woman when he can only cause her pain.

The Best Place to Meet a Man:
Jeff goes to the beach to run and clear his head. Meredith goes to the beach intent on burying her nose in her book. In this contemporary romantic comedy, these two collide when Meredith’s two young nephews come up with other plans.

Want to know more about these six authors? For more online:

Connect with Carol on Social Media

Website:  http://carolmalone.net/

Connect with Debby on Social Media

http://www.booksbydebbylee.com/

Connect with Lisa on Social Media:

www.lisawatson.com

Connect with Sarah on Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/S.E.DaleyAuthor

Connect with Kathy on Social Media:

http://www.kathybosman.com/

Connect with Robyn on Social Media:

http://www.robynechols.com/

Now for the QUESTION: Do you like to read books with summer settings in the summer? Or does the season of the book matter?–Lyn

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Author Milinda Jay & I REMEMBER MAMA (Book Giveaway)

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Milinda Stephenson

I’ve never hosted author Milinda Jay before. She shares another touching story, I REMEMBER MAMA. BTW, she will be offering a copy of her latest book HER ROMAN PROTECTOR to one commenter so don’t miss THE QUESTION. Here’s Milinda:

I Remember Mama

My mother is 89 and has dementia. Some days she recognizes me. Other days, she stares vacantly into space. But memories of her beloved mother linger.

“Tell me about your mama,” I said when I visited her yesterday.

She looked out beyond the shade of the old oak tree. Her watery blue eyes focused on something I couldn’t see. She was quiet for a while, battling nothingness.

When she spoke, her sentences were garbled, but I said her words back to her, as if they made sense. Eventually, a story evolved.

“When I was in elementary school, my friend and I practiced twirling our batons on the same field as the senior high majorettes. One day, we hid behind azalea bushes, and copied everything they did. I asked Mama if she thought it would be ok if we kept on doing this. She said she believed so. We practiced their every move. The new routine was hard, different from anything we’d ever dared to do.  But after a few weeks, we got it.

I nearly dropped my baton one day when the captain turned to us and said over the azalea bushes, “Would you like perform our routine with us Friday night?”

“You mean at the football game in front of everybody?”

“Yes,” the captain said. “I believe you are ready.”

“And we did.” Mama’s faded blue eyes brightened for a moment. “We were so happy.”

Then she turned to me, “Remember that, Milinda. Always be ready to change and learn something new. You will find joy.”

And then my sweet mama went back inside of herself, gazing at something I couldn’t see.

I remember my mama’s words. The heroine of my novel, Her Roman Protector, must change and learn a new way of life after her husband forces her out of her home, remarries, and tries to have their infant exposed to the slave traders. I would love for you to join her in her fight to regain her children, and meet the man who makes it possible.”–Milinda

Roman Protector

To purchase, click here. Her Roman Protector (Love Inspired Historical)

A Mother’s Mission

When her baby is stolen out of her arms, noblewoman Annia will do anything to find her—even brave the treacherous back alleys of Rome to search for her. Desperate to be reunited with her daughter, Annia finds herself up against a fierce Roman soldier who insists her baby is safe. Dare she trust him?

Rugged war hero Marcus Sergius rescues abandoned babies for his mother’s villa orphanage. When he witnesses Annia’s courageous fight for her child, he remembers that some things are worth fighting for. Helping Annia means giving up his future…unless love is truly possible for a battle-hardened Roman legionary.

Thanks for sharing that tender story, Milinda. Remember one commenter will win a copy of this book in this week’s drawing.

Now here’s the QUESTION: Have you ever had to deal with a loved one suffering from dementia? How did you handle it?–Lyn

PS-Lillian won Missy Tippens book! Congrats!

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Author Annslee Urban & WALNUT FUDGE BROWNIES!!

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Annslee Urban

When I read author Annslee Urban’s title, my mouth began to water for 

Walnut Fudge Brownies

1 cup flour ¼ teas. baking powder

¼ teas. Salt 1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar 1 teas. vanilla

12 Tablespoon cocoa 1 cup chopped nuts

4 eggs

Preheat oven 325. Grease 10” x 12” pan. Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in small bowl. In larger bowl beat butter, sugar, eggs until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and blend in dry ingredients, and then add nuts. Spread evenly in pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

This is one of our family’s favorite recipes, one that I have used for over 30 years. I was fortunate to be born into a family that loved to cook. From my earliest memories, I remember my Sicilian Grandmother, Delicia Preci in the kitchen, whipping up delicious meals and desserts. Even now, I can recall the cozy, welcoming scent of her home. Everything she made was from scratch. A tradition passed down to my mother and me and now my daughters.

This recipe, Walnut Fudge Brownies, is a recipe I tweaked some, but have used over and over again for years. And often I get asked for the recipe whenever I bring it to a function or give as a gift.

Bon Appetit!–Annslee

I Remember Mom

Holidays were always special at my home. Once December hit, we started baking cookies, making crafts and pulling out decorations. In no time our small ranch home turned into a magical wonderland. We hung homemade streamers and mistletoe, streamed colorful lights on our tree and set up a hand-painted manager. But, the one thing that made our Christmas complete was a red brick, nearly life size cardboard fireplace, complete with flickering embers.

Fireplaces were few and far between in the Arizona desert at the time I was growing up, but my Midwestern raised mother knew the cozy feeling of a holiday fire. So, we improvised, and although our little brick fireplace was made of cardboard, it added a spirit of snuggly warmth to our home and our memories.

I will always keep those memories close. And even today, holidays are looked forward to, especially Christmas, where we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior, laugh and enjoy each other’s company in a home filled with love and the warm of a crackling fire.

a wonderful way to bond and relax

Sharing a meal with family or friends is a wonderful way to bond and relax. What’s better then  great food and great conversation? In my recent novel, Broken Silence, even the simple act of sitting down together to eat stir warm and painful memories of the life Patrick Wiley and Amber Talbot once shared.”–Annslee

broken silence

To purchase, click here.

BLURB:

Now, eleven years later, Amber is hiding a deadly secret. One that shattered the dreams of a future she once hoped to share with Patrick.

…and someone wants to make sure Amber never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn’t save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he’s got them both in his sights.

Annslee, thanks so much for that sweet recipe and sweet memory.–Lyn

For more online:

Annsleeurban@blog.spot.com

Annsleeurban.com

https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.urban.9

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Author Magdalena Scott & Her Creative Mom

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Magdalena Scott
It’s my pleasure to host Magdalena Scott, a new friend of mine and a creative author! Here’s Magdalena’s memory of her creative mom:
“If I were to choose one word to describe my mother, it would be “creative.” She was an artist who preferred oil paint or pastels over watercolors, she designed and sewed her own clothes and mine, as well as gifts for others. She knitted and crocheted, refinished and upholstered furniture. (She was “upcycling” decades before the term was coined.) She even cut, colored, and styled her own hair.
When she moved from Los Angeles with my dad back to his midwestern hometown a few years before I was born, she used her creativity too. My dad was among people he’d known his whole life, but my mother made her own connections as well. They were a wonderful team in projects (building or buying and rehabbing houses), in parenting (after 20 years of marriage–surprise! I arrived), and in community.
My mother died in 2001 after suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease for several years. I completed my first full-length novel that year, but she was gone before it was published.
On Mother’s Day or at any other time, it is my hope that I honor both my parents by being the person they raised me to be. Creativity is part of my inheritance–what a gift!”–Magdalena
return to legend
Blurb:
Ladies of Legend: Return to Legend Boxed Set
***LIMITED TIME ONLY PROMOTIONAL PRICE*** 99 cents for the ebook collection
Includes the novellas: Crossroads by Janet Eaves, Heart to Heart by Jan Scarbrough, Second Chances by Magdalena Scott, and Star-Crossed by Maddie James
Before life-long Legendarian, Addie Bynum, dies, she knows she had some loose ends to tie up. So she bequeaths some of her worldly possessions to four special people, bringing them all back to Legend.
Sharon Clark vows there is no way she will ever return to Legend, Tennessee. But desperation has a way of changing everything….
When Jeremy Hamilton’s aunt Addie gives him a second chance, he must decide if he believes in the unbelievable and the pet psychic who teaches him about faith…and love.
Anne McClain Bradley returns to her small town roots, while Pete Garrity is looking for a fresh start. Second chances. Sometimes the hardest part is believing they exist.
When Jasmine Walker returns to Legend after a fifteen-year absence–she doesn’t expect her troubled teenage past to collide with her well-planned, professional future.
Can they all Return to Legend, and with Ms. Addie’s help, finally find love and happiness?
Magdelana, thanks so much for being my guest and sharing about your mom. I think you have succeeded in making them proud.–Lyn
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