A Warm-Hearted read and an "Oulandish" Memory

By Ludima Gus Burton

Love knows no age limits Kay Holland, a fifty year-old widow, doesn't want to be called a cougar. Although fifteen years separate them, thirty-five year old, Drew Lawrence, isn't her cub! She must, however, overcome her own doubts of the age difference, his son and her daughter's opposition and social prejudice to reach her happy ending.

 

Diana Gabalton, author of Outlander

For OUTLANDER fans, I will mention this because the second half of the first book started airs on STARZ this week. It's watchathon week, too, so cable people almost everywhere can get a free peek.

I'm sure Diana will not remember me, but I will never forget meeting her in the pouring rain outside a locked dorm at Skidmore College after her Limo Driver had dropped her (and 5 cases of hardback copies of the Just Released!) Outlander in the pouring rain. 

The IWWG Summer Conference was one of the first stops on her very first publicity tour and the start of her visit was not exactly propitious. We all got soaked, but her smile never faltered. I will never forget her. She was kindness and open-hearted  generousity itself. She told us how she got started writing the OUTLANDER series.

After years of wanting to write in the mystery field, Diana decided to do a "practice book," so she could learn the techniques before doing a book to show other people.  Since her field was history, Diana chose a historical about Scotland in the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie. After all, the book was only for practice. The subject didn't matter...

When she had 800 pages written, she posted a chapter on an Internet Writer’s Forum, and the next day she had email from Big Name Writers who recommended that she contact their agent.

She sent him the 800 (known in the industry as a “doorstop”) pages and when he called, admitted it was only the “first third” of the story. He said, “I’ll get back to you,” and hung up.

 Everyone on the Internet forum scolded her for the manuscript being too long, and she figured she’d never hear from him again.

A week later he called back and said they would have to cut the story into manageable chunks and make a series of books from it. And so the Outlander series was sold for $1 million advance.

And now  Diana's working on the last??? book, and meanwhile STARZ is airing the second half of Book One and getting ready for Book Two to begin in the ...fall? I have to say once more how much I admire her for waiting for the right venue and not selling this to the movies when they were clammoring. The cable series is almost as good as the books... Almost....

Dave stronger today

Shelley still in the city with Dave, but hoping to get him moved to the local hospital in Cambridge now that he is healing and getting stronger.

He was moved to a different room yesterday (less critical patients) and is having real food--bacon and French toast for breakfast. He seems more cheerful today, but would like to get back here so he can see all his friends.

A spring read, and a recipe

Newlyweds Walter and Maria move to a house in the country. When Maria becomes pregnant, “Old Grammy” moves in with the young couple to “help out.” Maria begins to collect animals, a goat, a flock of geese that terrorize all visitors. Walter wants to add a pony to the mix for the coming baby, Alma. World War II interrupts their young lives and soon all the young men of Savannah have left for foreign service. Walter and Maria wait to learn what the future will hold.

FRENCH SPRING SOUP

Ingredients

Original recipe makes 10 servings Change Servings

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 pound leeks, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 quarts water
• 3 large potatoes, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/3 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 pound fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream

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• PREP
  25 mins
• COOK
  35 mins
• READY IN
  1 hr

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the leeks and onion, and cook until tender.
2. Pour water into the pot. Mix in potatoes, carrots, asparagus, and rice. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes, until vegetables and rice are tender.
3. Stir spinach and heavy cream into the soup mixture, and continue cooking about 5 minutes before serving.

Update on Dave

Update on Dave...

Roger and Jack are playing and singing this morning. Shelley reports that Dave, though in a lot of pain post surgery yesterday, had a restful night and will be getting Real Food for lunch. His pain is less today. Yesterday they did what they could and warned of more surgery later, with a possible skin graft.

Dave is in good spirits and improving, though he has been through a very dire ordeal.

We hope to see his trademark grin soon.

Catching UP!

Books that went to press, or back to press, this week: 

LOST SPIRIT: A Hannah Griswold Mystery, Vol. 2. by Robert Kanehl

   In her second adventure, Hannah Griswold begins to experience ghostly visitations once more. The ones she had back in 8th Grade had nearly destroyed her. Now it’s happening again. 

   Worse, Nathan, her best friend’s boy friend, who had once teased Hannah unmercifully, is also experiencing the ghostly presence. Can Hannah solve the mystery of a missing Civil War Soldier who stands accused of desertion? 

   If she doesn’t, will her best friend ever forgive her for seeming to share more than a casual friendship with the her steady, Nathan? 

 

THEN CAME HEAVEN, by Gilda Arruda

   Then Came Heaven is a source of inspiration and guidance; it serves as a loving example of what it means to live no matter where the truth may lead you or how difficult it may be. It is also a lesson on the patience of change. Each page is the embodiment of hope, trust, knowledge, and self-acceptance
to develop a sense of worth within ourselves. 

 

 

Galleys that went out, are still out, or went out Again, this week:

LAINEE DELANEY: BATHING BEAUTIES: Lainey Delaney Series, Vol.2, by Frances Langley

   Lainee Delaney is back, off for the summer and lying about the pool, just taking it easy, then, as you might expect, if you read Langley's  first book...A Mystery Happens!!!

 

STATION 1260 -- 1270 SQUAD 1260, Volunteer Series, Vol. 3 by Tom Ward

   Volunteer firefighting paramedic Robert J. Doyle and his crew are back again. He is still struggling with his inner demons, the result of an incident in war-torn Lebanon, when he ordered the destruction of a complete village. As he walked through the carnage, Doyle vowed one day to pay for the loss of so many innocent lives.

Work Began or Continued on the following Books 

 

THE LITTLE MORNINGS, by C.M. Albrecht

   How many people does it take to write a best seller? How many of them will live to brag about it? In this dark novel of intrigue and deception the line between good guys and bad guys is blurred.
   Very blurred. 

 

BOOTS and the BRANCH BOYS  by Marjorie K. Doughty   

   The Branch Boys served in WW II, then returned to maryland to renew their friendship with Boots, a young woman who finds them changed irretrievable.  The man she loved is no longer the same and she marries someone else but finds his lifestyle much different than she expected and less joyful than she had hoped.
 

 

 

THE BOY WHO COULD STOP TIME: The Ancient Magic Book Series, Vol. 1, by Evelyn Frederick Moll.

   After strange feelings surround Josh Sparkins when he hears an old time adage, he figures out he has the ability to stop time. This exciting ability offers Josh opportunities for adventure, fun, and even revenge. However, when he realizes he ages at an accelerated pace when he stops time, he fears he is heading for his final days.

 BLEEDING HEARTS: Killian Kendall Mystery Series, Vol. 1

   Winner of the Stonewall Society's 2002 Pride in the Arts Literary Award in the Whodunit Category!

REAP THE WHIRLWIND: Killian Kendall Mystery Series, Vol. 2,  by Josh Aterovis.
   Suicide, or murder? That's the question in the second Killian Kendall mystery. Will Smith suspects murder when an old childhood pal drowns, and asks his friend Killian for help in solving the mystery.

TRUTH OF YESTERDAY,  by Josh Aterovis

ALL LOST THINGS, by Josh Aterovis

CHANGE  OF WORLDS, by Josh Aterovis

REVEREND CASTLE'S CRISIS, Rev. Castle series, Vol. 2 by Celine Rose Mariotti
   Rev. Castle is back in another cozy mystery.
 
 

Jack's News!

  by your bookstore cat, 
and gossip columnist!

 

 

  Ann Foley and Terry L. White will be signing their books (above) at the Earth Day Celebration at Spocott Windmill complex on April 18 starting at 9 am.

And for those of you who don't know, Terry was my first Mom. I was born under her bed and she petted me every day. She has written a LOT of books including the ever-popular Chesapeake Series...that begins with CHESAPEAKE HARVEST.

 Welll, bye for now. Arline is pushing me out of her chair.

And Here at Home

 

Here at home we are all praying for Dave. People at church, everyone here at home, as well as all our Internet friends, family friends and neighbors, and evev childhood friends. Cousin Carolyn says there's a prayer chain at Spedden's  Church while she, her children, grandchildren, and great-grands, are all praying for Dave's recovery. Buddy Buchanan, Louis Sawyer, Melody Lachapelle, and of course his brother, Sid, call us every day. 

 

Yesterday we had a call from Don Banning in New Orleans, who with his late wife, Jewel, was such a good friend to Terry, to say Don is praying for our Dave as well. And Art LeCompte and his wife have also called to express concern.

All of us are sending positive energy His way and prayers for strength for Shelley, too. God bless her for her strength, with blessed hopes of relief for Dave's pain and a positive outcome.

With all that has been going on, we almost forgot that it is almost Easter, the season of renewal and hope. Let us all remember with joy the sacrifice made of us and with gratitude for all the blessings we have known.

Each of us is in God's hands every day. His Love is never-ending and His Will will be done.


 

The whole Chase family is grateful for all your prayers, thoughts and good wishes, too. It means a lot!

Please don't forget to let me know 

what you are all up to! 

Just send me an e-mail with 

 "News for Jack" 

in the subject line, and 

I'll make sure it shows up right here. 
Thanks!

A Read and a word from Jack

   Then Came Heaven, by Gilda Arruda

   Then Came Heaven is a source of inspiration and guidance; it serves as a loving example of what it means to live no matter where the truth may lead you or how difficult it may be. It is also a lesson on the patience of change.
   Each page is the embodiment of hope, trust, knowledge, and self-acceptance to develop a sense of worth within ourselves.

A Note from Jack

I have to tell you, I'm a worried tom cat!

Every time they talk to Dave on the phone he sounds weaker and in more distress. At least Shelley is there with him. That means a lot to all of us, because he would rather have her there than anyone else on earth. They are talking about more surgery tomorrow, and they just operated on him on Tuesday...

Meanwhile, I know everyone is praying, and I am too, because Dave sure does need us.  Please keep on helping, because your prayers mean so much.

I know what! While Arline is sitting and staring into space again, I found a stack of mail that needs filing. It's the least I can do to help out...right?

A Great Read and a Recipe

Shannon Delaney's writing assignment in San Diego opens new doors for her young career. She has no idea that her temporary home, the Victorian-era Blackthorne House mansion is a portal to a century-old mystery. On her first night a ghostly encounter entagles her in the spectral mission of the mansion's original owner-Eric Blackthorne, master magician. Complicating matters is Alex Blackthorne, handsome and charming descendent of the ghostly magician. Also, there's Zach Zavala, who has guy-next-door good looks and a straightforward manner. Plus, Zach's grandfather Francisco is a retired detective and a kindred spirit who appreciates Shannon's apprehension about her paranormal experiences. Things-that-go-bump-in-the-night clues haunt Shannon's sleep.

 April Fool Cake

Ivgredients

• 1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce

• 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled

• 1 package (8 ounces) sliced pepperoni

• 3 cups biscuit/baking mix

• 3/4 cup milk

• 2 eggs

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

• 5 to 6 slices mozzarella cheese

1. In a bowl, combine the pizza sauce, sausage and pepperoni; set aside. In another bowl, combine the biscuit mix, milk, eggs, butter and garlic salt. Spread half of the batter on the bottom and up the sides of a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Spoon meat mixture over batter; cover with remaining batter.
    
2. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until browned and a toothpick comes out clean. Invert onto a baking sheet. Arrange cheese over cake. Return to the oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Using two large metal spatulas, transfer cake to a serving platter; serve immediately. Yield: 8 servings.