Recipe Wednesday - Donna Fletcher Crow's Proper English Tea

A Proper Tea Party

Since I’m celebrating the UK release of A Very Private Grave set in England, let’s do the family thing and celebrate with them by having a proper English tea party. And then we can spend the rest of the afternoon reading a ripping good murder mystery.

English Scones


3 2/3 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ cup cold butter

1 ¼ cups milk (+ 2 tablespoons if needed to make soft dough)

1/3 cup currants or golden raisins

1 egg, beaten (for topping)

Sugar to sprinkle
Place flour, sugar and baking powder in blender, pulse to mix. With blender running, add butter in chunks until mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour in milk and blend until dough forms a ball. Add raisins or currants if desired.
Turn out on floured surface and knead a few times. Pat into a thick disc, about 1 ½ inches thick. Cut into circles with biscuit cutter. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 400 degrees for approximately 15 minutes. Scones should be just light gold, not brown. They need to be still a bit moist in the center.
To serve, split in half with fork, butter, spread with strawberry jam or orange marmalade or lemon curd. Pile clotted cream or unsweetened whipped cream as high as possible.
Serve with properly brewed hot tea: Warm teapot. Pour boiling water over tea leaves (1 teaspoon leaves per person). Allow to steep 3-5 minutes. Pour into china cups through a strainer. Offer sugar and cold milk. Use a good black tea such as Twinings English Breakfast. Typhoo or Yorkshire Gold if you can get it. No fruity flavors. No bags. Who me? Fanatical? Never.

Felicity Howard, a young American woman studying for the Anglican priesthood at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic brutally murdered and Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood.


A Very Private Grave is a contemporary novel with a thoroughly modern heroine who must learn some ancient truths in order to solve the mystery and save her own life as she and Fr. Antony flee a murderer and follow clues that take them to out-of-the way sites in northern England and southern Scotland. The narrative skillfully mixes detection, intellectual puzzles, spiritual aspiration, romance, and the solving of clues ancient and modern.

“With a bludgeoned body in Chapter 1, and a pair of intrepid amateur sleuths, A Very Private Grave qualifies as a traditional mystery. But this is no mere formulaic whodunit: it is a Knickerbocker Glory of a thriller. At its centre is a sweeping, page-turning quest – in the steps of St Cuthbert – through the atmospherically-depicted North of England, served up with dollops of Church history and lashings of romance. In this novel, Donna Fletcher Crow has created her own niche within the genre of clerical mysteries.” – Kate Charles, author of Deep Waters

Author Bio

Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 35 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history. A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE, book 1 in the Monastery Murders series is her reentry into publishing after a 10 year hiatus. THE SHADOW OF REALITY, a romantic intrigue will be published later this summer.

Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren. She is an enthusiastic gardener and you can see pictures of her garden, watch the trailer for A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE, and read her international blog at www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com

ExcerpTuesday -It's Murder My Son

Lauren Carr shares a piece of her latest It's Murder, My Son.

Descriptive Blurb: It’s Murder, My Son


What started out as the worst day of Mac Faraday’s life would end up being a new beginning. After a messy divorce hearing, the last person that Mac wanted to see was another lawyer. Yet, this lawyer wore the expression of a child bursting to tell his secret. This covert would reveal Mac as heir to undreamed of fortunes, and lead him to the birthplace of America’s Queen of Mystery and an investigation that will unfold like one of her famous mystery novels.



Excerpt: It’s Murder, My Son

The sitcom was senseless. That didn’t matter. Katrina was too tense to handle anything with depth. The hot bath and martini had failed to soothe her nerves. She ran the water until steam filled the master bathroom.

The weather channel had predicted that the severe winter storm would hit around midnight and continue through the next day. Spotting storm clouds on the horizon, Katrina anticipated waking to white-out conditions. Buried in a thick white blanket would be her last memory of Deep Creek Lake.

After a long soak in the tub, Katrina slipped into her red silk bathrobe and combed out her long black hair. Tenderly, she rubbed the most expensive anti-aging moisturizer over each inch of her olive flesh.

Her beauty had earned her millions. That made it worth preserving at all costs.

Time for a third martini before bed. She wondered if she would hear from her husband before she fell asleep. He had told her that he would be working late in the city.

Like I don’t know what you’ve been working late on. Go ahead. Get snowed in with Rachel for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy it while you can.

After completing her nightly beauty routine, she returned downstairs to the home theater where she got sucked into a verbal exchange between a husband and wife about their teen-age son’s sexy girlfriend.

A noise outside made her jump out of the recliner.

She glanced at the clock.

Almost nine. Could Chad have decided to come out when I mentioned my appointment with the divorce lawyer? Maybe he does love my money more than he loves Rachel.

She listened. Nothing except the wind signaling the blizzard’s approach.

Maybe I should call David? No. It wouldn’t look good if Chad found him here. He’s already suspicious.

The German shepherd began scratching at the back door.

Not again, you damn dog! When you aren’t wanting out or in, you’re digging up the back yard.

With a groan, she pulled herself out of the recliner and let the dog out onto the patio. As long as she was up, she poured herself another martini and admired her reflection in the mirror behind the bar before returning to her seat for another sitcom.

Her mind sucked in by the television, Katrina was un-prepared to fight when her killer attacked and pinned her down by her throat.

“Did you really think I was going to let you leave?” she heard through the roar in her ears while gasping her last breath.



A most unusual and surprising plot, intriguing characters, snappy dialogue, great settings and a dog named Gnarly are the prime ingredients in Lauren Carr's terrific new mystery, It's Murder, My Son. --F.M. Meredith, author of An Axe to Grind.






With it's tight plot, well-crafted and believable characters, and complex mystery, It's Murder My Son is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I look forward to many more Mac Faraday mysteries. -- John J. Lamb, author of the Bear Collector Mysteries

Author Bio: Lauren Carr

Lauren Carr fell in love with mysteries when her mother read Perry Mason to her at bedtime. The first installment in the Joshua Thornton mysteries, A Small Case of Murder was named a finalist for the Independent Publisher Book Award 2005. Her second book in the Joshua Thornton series, A Reunion to Die For was released in June 2007. Her new series, The Mac Faraday Mysteries, is set in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, where she and her family often vacation. She lives with her husband, son, and two dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Authorsday Lynda Hilburn

Today Lynda Hilburn joines me on this blog. She answers my questions graciously.

http://www.lyndahilburnauthor.com/

http://paranormalityuniverse.blogspot.com/

1. How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing nonfiction for 30 years: newspaper and magazine articles, newspaper columns, research materials, training materials, journals, etc. Of course, some of my journal entries fell into the category of wishful thinking, which provided great preparation for what was to come. It wasn’t until 2002 that I seriously began exploring fiction.

2. How did you pick the genre you write in?

My genre is generally paranormal, which includes paranormal mystery, paranormal romance, erotic paranormal, urban fantasy, dark paranormal, psychological paranormal, paranormal chick lit, paranormal thriller, paranormal humor/satire, even paranormal with horror elements! My love of all things dark and spooky made it impossible for me to write anything else. And, no matter how hard I try, I can’t help but add extra elements. I’m always fascinated by the underlying layers of things (can’t take the therapist out of the writer).

3. Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?

Sometimes I really wish I could plot. Plotting seems so organized. So efficient. Plotters seem to get to much more done. But, I’m a pantser. I never know what’s coming in the story until I see it on the screen in front of me. I buy books about plotting and they gather dust. I am toying with the notion of being a “pantser with plotting tendencies.” We’ll see how that goes! As long as I give myself room to completely change everything anytime I wish, I think that should work.

4. What drew you to the subject of The Vampire Shrink?

The book is about a Denver psychologist who gets pulled into a vampire underworld, and winds up working with an unusual clientele. I’ve always been a vampire fan. There’s just something about the various dark archetypes for these compelling and frightening creatures. The actual idea for the book came from a client session. I’d listened to a young woman talk about a non-human group she wanted to become part of and I began to notice that her words reminded me of some of the popular vampire books I’d read. She described this group (not vampires, but I do have other clients who live the Goth/vampire-wannabe lifestyle, including drinking blood) as if they were bloodsuckers. After the session, as I sat writing up case notes, I daydreamed about what might happen if I walked out to my waiting room and found a gorgeous vampire sitting there. I went home that night and started writing. It was the most fun I’ve ever had writing.

5. What do you know now that you are published that you didn’t know pre-published that you wish you knew?

The biggest lessons I’ve learned have been about the business side of being an author. I had been used to working for myself for most of my adult life. That meant I was comfortable charting my own course and calling the shots. Well, publishing has its own rules and most authors (all?) have little chance of calling any shots. Especially in the beginning. I made lots of mistakes, mostly because I just didn’t know any better. I kept assuming the people I worked with had my best interests at heart and they would give me good advice. It took a while before I understood the challenging nature of the publishing world. I had heard all the talk from author friends about the need to grow a tough skin and making sure I had lots of outside support. But until I held my nose and jumped into the deep end of the pool, I had no idea what they meant. So, I experienced a steep and frustrating learning curve. I know much more about all aspects now than I did then. It’s true. A writer has to cultivate both her creative side and her business instincts. Both are equally important.
6. How many rejections have you received?

I have very thick files full. Not counting the ones I received via email and didn’t print out.

7. Tell me one thing about yourself that very few people know?

I’m an introvert who appears to be an extrovert. Despite my ability to do things like speak to large crowds, present workshops, give lectures, sing in a rock band, facilitate therapy groups and other “on stage” activities, I’m extremely shy. Left to my own devices, without a clear role, you’ll find me hiding in the corner with my nose in a book. I have a little social anxiety.

8. If you have a day job, what is it?

I work at a mental health center in the Denver area as a psychotherapist. I also see clients privately (just a small number now) on the weekends where I also do hypnotherapy and intuitive counseling.

9. Describe your book.

Denver Psychologist Kismet Knight just wants a little excitement in her life. A little publishing fame and fortune. She doesn’t believe in the paranormal. Especially not comic book children of the night. But when a new client pulls Kismet into the vampire underworld, and introduces her to gorgeous Devereux -- who claims to be an 800-year-old vampire -- Kismet finds herself up to her neck in the undead. Not to mention all the other bizarre creatures crawling out of Denver’s supernatural Pandora’s Box. And if being attracted to a man who thinks he’s an ancient bloodsucker isn’t bad enough, someone -- or something -- is leaving a trail of blood-drained dead bodies. Enter handsome FBI profiler Alan Stevens, who warns her that vampires are very real and that one is a murderer. A murderer who is after her. In the midst of it all, Kismet realizes she has feelings for both the vampire and the profiler. But though she cares for each of the men, the reality that vampires exist is enough of a challenge . . . for now.

10. Who is your favorite character in your book?

I relate most to the main character, Kismet. She’s an idealized version of me: younger, thinner, prettier and having a lot more fun. Through her, I get to push the envelope both personally and professionally. Her clients are even stranger than mine. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with so many great looking males?


Author Bio:

Lynda Hilburn writes paranormal fiction. More specifically, she writes vampire books. After a childhood filled with invisible friends, sightings of dead relatives and a fascination with the occult, turning to the paranormal was a no-brainer. In her other reality, she makes her living as a licensed psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, professional psychic/tarot reader, university instructor and workshop presenter. Her first novel, “The Vampire Shrink” -- which introduced us to Denver Psychologist Kismet Knight and a hidden vampire underworld -- was released by Medallion Press, October, 2007. The second book in the series, “Dark Harvest,” released October, 2008. Kindle versions are now available. Several more books are planned. “Undead in the City,” an erotic paranormal novella, is now available in e-form. Her short story, “Blood Song,” is part of the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance anthology, April, 2009. For more information, visit Lynda’s website: http://www.lyndahilburnauthor.com/


Here’s a link to buy from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Shrink-Kismet-Knight-Psychologist/dp/1933836237/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276996388&sr=8-5

Blog will be back on track in July

Yeah!

Heat in the Outback Virtual Blog Tour

Today Suzanne Brandyn joins me on her virtual blog tour.

1. How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for five years now.



2. Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?

I’m definitely a plotter. When I have the main plot, I jot down notes, and then draw up character sheets. Once I have these organized, I write down a chapter list and draw up something that may happen in each chapter. At times, the story takes a life of its own, but I find direction in taking a few organized steps.



3. What drew you to the subject of ‘Heat in the Outback’?

I used to live on a wheat, sheep and cattle station in the outback. It is here I drew from my experience of the land and it gave me ideas for my story.



4. What was the name of the first novel you wrote? Did you try to publish it?

‘Where flowers Grow’. No, I haven’t as yet tried to get it published as it needs considerable work. The basic storyline is good, and the main plot, but the writing is atrocious. Perhaps one day I will get around to rewriting it. 



5. How many rejections have you received?

Around ten. 



6. Why did you pick the publisher that ultimately published your book?

I chose Eternal Press as they have a good reputation. Also, I sent them another manuscript but they had recently published a similar story. They liked my writing style so therefore I sent them ‘Heat in the Outback.’



7. If you have a day job, what is it?

Writing/Author



8. Describe your book.

‘Heat in the Outback’ is a contemporary romance.

Sarah Munro returns home to tie up her father’s legal affairs and to sell the property she fled a decade ago, only to find Ethan, the boy she loved now a man firmly entrenched in her family home. The painful choice Sarah was forced to make all those years ago refuses to stay buried and forgotten and no matter how hard she tries to ignore it, Ethan can still make her knees weak with just a single glance.





9. What’s your favorite quote?

‘My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. Fortunately, everyone drinks water.’ Mark Twain.


10. What authors do you admire?

Stephanie Myer. She is an inspiration to any writer.

Author Bio:

Suzanne Brandyn lives on the east coast of Australia with its pristine beaches and dramatic coastlines. She has also lived in the glamorous cities and the intriguing, red outback. Suzanne draws on her experiences and brings them to life in her contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels.

Suzanne is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and she is on the editorial team of their Hearts Talk magazine. Having been behind their Critique Partners Register scheme, undertaking technical and database management, and contributing to the NML (New Members Liaison for Romance Writers of Australia) she currently proof reads and undertakes the member spotlight page.



Book Blurb:



The soaring temperature in the Outback is not the only heat Sarah Munro faces when she returns home for her father’s funeral. She wants to sell Munro Cattle Station, and return to Sydney. She wants to close this chapter of her life, and then there will never be a reason to return to this dusty one horse town.



Ethan Wade, her first love is at the homestead. Ethan claims he owns half of Munro Station. As they try to settle their differences, a raging attraction ignites.



Will Sarah and Ethan find each other again as their past explodes before them?





Thank you for having me as guest Chris.

July

That's when I'll be back online. I'll a new line up of bloggers and may even blog a little myself.
Sometimes life gets in the way and June is traditionally a crazy month with the end of school.

June 14 I have a guest blogger and then the next post will be the first week in July.
Thanks for your patience.
cmr

Blog on hiatus this week