I was tempted to read this book by its title. Having lived abroad, I have fond memories of Europe and wanted to see if Blackwell’s writing lived up to my memories. The Lost Carousel of Provence is a complex book in multiple points of view in multiple settings and time...
Today's interviewee, Megan Collins, holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Boston University. She has taught creative writing at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and Central Connecticut State University, and she is the managing editor of 3Elements Review....
Judith Leyster (1609-1660) was the first female painter admitted to the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke. After her death, her works were attributed to males, and she was essentially lost to the world of art history. A Light of Her Own, the debut novel of Carrie Callaghan,...
Kate Ryder writes romantic suspense in which her characters often face challenging situations laced with moral dilemma. An avid reader and writer since childhood, Kate always dreamed of being a novelist. However, on leaving school...
Click to Enter Just a quick update to let you know I'm doing a brand-new giveaway for 2019! One lucky winner will receive the following prize package: $20 Amazon gift cardA Freehand brand paint setOne signed copy of A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIREOne handmade, beaded velvet...
SS: Today, I have with me Anne Armistead, author of Dangerous Conjurings, which was released by Soul Mate Publishing on April 18, 2018. When she’s not wearing her story-telling hat as Anne Armistead, historical romance author, she’s Sandra Havriluk—English teacher,...
An interesting premise with a page-turning plot with multiple twists, superb world-building, an compelling protagonist who often acts in her own best interest because she’s a bit of a smart aleck, and a love interest who is as emotionally tormented as the protagonist all make this a good read.
This is called a large cake for a reason. Use your biggest bowl—this recipe barely fits in my Kitchen-Aide bowl. The cake is so good an ex-boyfriend, before we decided to not get hitched, wanted it for his groom's cake. Mom's Large Banana Nut Cake 3 cups sugar 1 cup...
These delicious cookies are the chocolate equivalent of those Mexican wedding cookies that are rolled in powdered sugar. The cookies themselves aren't terribly sweet, which compensates for the powdered sugar. For Christmas, just bake a double batch—you won't regret...
I have been baking the pound cake below sixty years. The recipe originally came from an elderly next-door neighbor in Midland, Texas. Her husband was in the posse that killed Bonnie and Clyde on May 23, 1935. It's so simple I don't even look at the recipe any...
Now thru Midnight/ET 12.22.18 Who's up for books, chocolate and coffee? The question should likely be, who ISN'T up for books, chocolate and coffee? Nobody here, I'm sure. 😉 I've decided to do an Icelandic-themed giveaway (jólabókaflóð), where the gift is...
Unlike last week's boozy fruitcake, this is a "white" fruitcake that can be made at the last minute. It is my grandmother's recipe. My handwritten cookbook shows I also made this one as a newly-wed living in Italy in December 1979, but I remember making it as a child...
With the holidays approaching, I thought I'd share some of my family's Christmas recipes. The first is from my mother. My hand-written recipe book shows I made it as a newly-wed in Italy in December 1979 and have made it most years since then. It's a boozy but...
Baci di Dama or Ladies’ Kisses Cookies (Italian Hazelnut Cookies) In my book A Different Kind of Fire, Francesco d'Este uses baci di dama in his attempts to seduce Ruby Schmidt. These rich, delicate cookies are joined in a kiss by a thin layer of chocolate. They first...
With Thanksgiving heralding the arrival of the December holidays, I'll remind readers that books make excellent holiday gifts. 🙂 Today I'm interviewing Meghan Scott Molin. Her book, a mystery named The Frame-up (Book 1 of the Golden Arrow Mysteries), will be released...
A Different Kind of Fire is now available in multiple formats: audiobook, ebook (Kindle only, thus far) and paperback. These are available through Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and Waldorf Publishing.
I grew up in West Texas and frequently visited my grandparents. Mema, my maternal grandmother, was a great cook, and summertime brought out her penchant for fresh vegetables. We'd frequently have what became known as a "Mema meal"—black-eyed peas with snaps, tart...
These cookies aren't mentioned in A Different Kind of Fire, but they should have been. I can certainly imagine my heroine, Ruby, making something like this for her children. After all, what could be more Texan than a recipe from a former First Lady of Texas and First...
I can’t believe it’s finally here! A Different Kind of Fire - my debut novel - is available to the world TODAY, and this is my beautiful book trailer. I hope you enjoy it! AVAILABLE @: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Waldorf Publishing Ruby Schmidt has the...
A Different Kind of Fire just received a 5-star award from Readers' Favorites. I'm so excited!
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