Author’s Note

THE LION’S LAIR is a work of fiction. But in my quest to stay true to history and to flesh out the characters to make them products of their time, not ours, I wish to pass along a few words to the reader. During my research, it came as quite a surprise to discover that the idea of chivalry as we know it was primarily fabricated during the Victorian era to further Victorian ideals. Also, during the medieval period, if you were a Christian, you were Catholic.

With that said, this novel takes place during the Scottish Revolt of 1173–4, a time of turbulence, brutality, and war. It was the time of Henry II, father of Richard the Lionheart, and it was very much a man’s world. My main male character, Sir Morgan, answers only to the king and is the leader of an elite force of knights. Oftentimes, he does not explain his actions—men didn’t have to! However, because he had been made worldly by his travels, Morgan is, by medieval standards, a Renaissance man. And while I did push the limits with Katriona, making her bolder and more assertive (this is fiction, after all), there was no women’s lib during this period of time. Women had little or no say about anything, and were very much at the mercy of men.

It wasn’t called the Dark Ages for nothing!

Chill Pill, Please

I wish I knew where I could get one, or two, or ten of these!  I’m currently working on the final edit corrections on the last file of The Lion’s Lair!  I hope to have all the corrections completed by the end of August.  And while I’m pleased to have my second novel almost ready for a September release, all the last minute things are really getting to me!  To say I’m STRESSED is an understatement, for I now know all the little things that must be done after the manuscript is ready.

There will need to be two different formats: one for eBook and another for the print version, and I will  have help with these.  Actually the eBook formatting is pretty straight forward, however, the print version is another story…

A print edition has the potential to be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, but some basic decisions that must be made are: size – 6×9, 5×8, etc., font type and size, line spacing, headers (a different font from the text is an option), margin size, how far down the page to start each new chapter…  The list goes on, but you get the idea.  And, if the author wants to add some real zing to the print version, there are many more choices like: fancy drop caps at the beginning of the chapters and special symbols instead of asterisks at the scene breaks, a formal title page.  While all these options have to be addressed by the author, if one chooses to publish independently, the upside is: the end product is exactly the way I want it to look.

And just look at this new cover by Cayce at Intuitively Artistic Designs, it’s simply gorgeous!

I recently read a blurb from an author that she had to fight to get the cover art changed for her new book because it did not correctly represent the book’s content. (I’m talking about a best-selling author who has written over 12 books!)  When I read things like this, it makes me thankful that I, as an indie author, am able to present to the readers what I believe best represents my novel.  For who knows better, I wrote it!

The clock is ticking and I will start the social networking promotion of The Lion’s Lair soon, so y’all get ready!!!

 

Antiques Roadshow in SC

I wish to say that I’m very happy to be the recipient of two tickets to the Antiques Roadshow that’s coming to SC  next weekend.  I purchased an ink portrait of the Madonna about 35 years ago – when I couldn’t afford it – just because. . .  Okay, I liked it.  And here she is, isn’t she beautiful!

I promised myself if the Antique Roadshow ever came to South Carolina, I would try not to miss it.  Little did I know that the tickets must be applied for months in advance, and after application, applicants were picked at random.  But, by some quirk of the fates, I received 2 tickets and I’m allowed to bring 2 items per ticket.  Yahoooo!  As an amateur historian that  narrows it down to three more items.  My oh my, how do I choose?  In the past several years, I have acquired a pair of cameos and a beautiful watch from my grandparents. . . probably not worth much, but that’s a couple more items.  Now I’m down to one more. . .  I’ll just have to find something.

Too bad I don’t have an easy access to my 85+ year old mother-in -law.  She has items that date back to and beyond her mother who was born in 1890!  I’ll let everyone know how it went after next weekend.

UPDATE  –  June 24, 2012 –   Okay, I spent 3+ hours at the Antique Roadshow yesterday (mainly standing in looong lines, but they kept us moving).  And it seems that I won’t be quitting my day job or writing career.  The ink-line drawing  of the Madonna is:  German – dates back to the 1890s, but is not rare, and is only worth about $200. – $225.  Oh well, she’s been with me for a long time, and I still like her.

Now, back to work…  I promised to finish the final tweaking on Lion’s Lair this week!  My editor, Caroline, is waiting.

Shh, Author at Work

I know that my blogs were woefully lacking last month, (actually nonexistent) and unfortunately it looks as if this will continue for another 4-6 weeks.  I am currently under a manuscript deadline to get the rewrites completed on Lion’s Lair  and the entire manuscript ready for my editor by June.  Since I still have a day job, and need to sleep, I have finally resorted to taking next week off to  go to a quiet place in order to make some real progress on the manuscript.

I do have some good news though.  Cayce of Intuitively Artistic sent me some gorgeous rough drafts for the cover art of Lion’s Lair!  After her fantastic design for Seahawk’s Sanctuary,  I wondered if she could do it again.  Well, she has not disappointed me!  Her work is truly outstanding!  I only wish I could somehow use them all…

We have narrowed it down to two covers this week and, hopefully, I have come up with an original way to use them both.  A random polling has these two covers pretty much running neck and neck.  (Sorry, just got through watching the Kentucky Derby.)  But there is one, to me, that really stands out.  It looks like a photograph, but Cayce showed me that it is actually a composite of several different elements placed together with filtering, shading, and enhancements.  What she has been able to create is truly amazing!  And it’s not even finished yet, just a rough mock-up.  Her words, not mine.  I hope to have the cover for Lion’s Lair posted onto my website by mid June (maybe sooner).

Lion’s Lair is scheduled to be released around the middle of September.

Please be patient, you will not be disappointed.

Rediscovering Disney

Okay, I’ll admit it, I love baseball!!!  Professional or college, it doesn’t matter.  A brief spur of the moment trip to see some spring training games at Disney World with the Atlanta Braves presented itself, so I went.  I got to see the sold-out Braves vs. the Yankees game.  It was great even though the Braves lost.

I was relieved to see the majority of the Braves players returning for another season, and thankful for the sneak peek of the up-and-coming rookies.  Unfortunately, the game on the following day, Braves vs. Blue Jays, when I had seats right behind home plate, was a  day filled with torrential rainfall…  After a lengthy delay, the game finally started only to be stopped and postponed two more times before they called the game due to the rain.  Didn’t even make it through two innings!

And I’ll tell you, the employees at Disney certainly are prepared for everything.  The first game, 80 degrees, and we were sucking down frozen strawberry and lemonade ices.  While the following day, we are all cold and wet and nursing hot cocoas!!!  The person responsible at Disney guest services that prepared for those two extremes in less than 24 hours is a suuuper genius and has my deepest gratitude!

It had been 15 years since we went to Disney World and a lot had changed, but a lot is still the same.  One day we explored Epcot with the International Flower and Garden Festival  that runs from mid March through May should not be missed.  Also went to Downtown Disney, which was new for me.   The Lego Store with its life-sized figures built out of the little Lego blocks should be  on everyone’s to do list!!!  I am still blown away by the humongous Lego sculpture of Maleficent in the dragon form with Prince Philip on his horse.  They told us that the sculpture was solid and took a crew of master Lego builders nine months to build the display and by the size of it, I was surprised it only took that long!  And how cool would it be to have as your job description – Master Lego Builder

Seahawk’s Sanctuary Recipes: Mama Lil’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese

I know, I know, if the vast varieties that line the supermarket shelves and frozen food section are an indicator, everybody must love Macaroni and Cheese!  But what about a real old Southern style recipe of this beloved pasta dish?  It’s not as hard to make as you may think.

Thomas Jefferson loved Macaroni and Cheese and was known to have it served to dinner guests during his presidency.   He might not have invented the dish, but he did own a macaroni machine.  So if they were making it during Thomas Jefferson’s time, surely we, with all our modern conveniences, can!!!  I’ve decided to post a recipe that has been handed down through my husband’s family.  It is the Macaroni ‘n’ Cheese recipe his grandmother made and she was born in 1890 near Bamberg, SC.  I was fortunate enough to have known and spent time with this grand lady before she passed away closing in on the age of 102 . . . and she was sharp as a tack (pardon my slang) to the very end.  Recipes were handed down from mother to daughter back then, and this recipe certainly goes back to the Civil War/Reconstruction years, and is probably older.  So, here’s a recipe that’s about as old South as you can get!

 

Macaroni ‘n’ Cheese – Southern Style

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

1  1/4  C  Elbow Macaroni
16 oz  block of Sharp Cheddar Cheese  (cut 8-10 slices approx. 1/8 +” thick)   I use a little over half of the block

1    large  Egg
1/4  C   Water
1/2  tsp  Salt
1/8  tsp  Black Pepper

1  C   Milk  (I use Half & Half which is more in keeping with the raw milk they would have used.)

Cook elbow macaroni according to directions on the box and drain.  Make sure you stir the macaroni occasionally to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.  While the macaroni is cooking, you will have time to slice the cheese. (I rarely use the entire block unless I’m doubling the recipe.)  Butter an 8×8 casserole dish and pour in half of the drained macaroni. Place half of the sliced cheese on top of the macaroni and repeat the layers.  Whisk the egg, water, salt and pepper together in a bowl, then whisk in the milk.  Pour over the layers of macaroni and cheese.  The egg and milk mixture should completely cover the layers of macaroni and cheese. Bake for approximately 40 – 50 minutes.  The egg and milk mixture should be cooked thoroughly and it will be slightly brown and crispy on top.   Enjoy!     Serves  4 – 6

*** Special notes

2   C  (8 oz) shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese can be substituted for the slices of Cheddar  (Or a little more, depending on how cheesy you’re feeling.)

This recipe can be doubled, but I do not double the salt and pepper–maybe 50% more of each… This will be more of a ‘to taste’ addition.

And if you double the recipe, make certain to use a large, shallow casserole dish, leaving room for expansion of the egg and milk mixture.  And no more than 2 layers of the mac and cheese, or the outside will get too well done and the middle won’t be cooked through.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

First of all, I wish to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of Seahawk’s Sanctuary!    Now on to the surprises…

Surprise #1 –  Since the last week of December, I have been working on a second edition printed through Amazon’s CreateSpace.   I was able to do some minor tweaking, and there has been a formatting change (that I like a lot better).

Surprise #2 – The second edition went live on Amazon today!  The best news for you, the readers is… Because it’s Amazon, they have produced the same book (6×9) at a lower price!!!  The new price is $15.95 or a $3.00 savings over the first edition price.  It has undergone another editing (very light) to correct the few glitches that occurred, and I was told these are common in first editions. Full distribution of this second printed edition is estimated to be in place by the end of March… 

*** Special Note for all of you who collect first editions –  The first edition printed through Wordclay will be retired around the middle of March, so you will have approximately a month, if you wish to purchase a first edition of Seahawk’s Sanctuary before they’re gone forever.

Surprise # 3 –   The new edition has been uploaded and is available in the eBook format on Amazon and Smashwords for only $3.99.  Once again, it will take approximately 4 weeks for full distribution of this new eBook edition to trickle down to Apple iPad, B&N Nook, Sony, and others, but Smashwords does support all these formats, if you can’t wait…

The one year anniversary of  Seahawk’s Sanctuary going live on Amazon is April 1, so this is an early gift from me to you!  And actually, I just couldn’t wait any longer!!!

Again, my sincere thanks to everyone who has spent their hard-earned money during these difficult economic times on my debut bookand happy reading to all…

Hello 2012 – I’m Back!

Okay, I didn’t forget y’all.   My job is very demanding during the month of January, but I made it.  Thank goodness.   Now, on to better things!

This past month I’ve also been spending every spare moment working on a surprise for my readers.  This project will be complete in another week, and I can’t wait.  Unfortunately, this little surprise has postponed the rewrites on Lion’s Lair.  But if you will go take a look,  I added to the sneak peek post located on the Sneak Peeks page.

Now that I have opportunities to look out of my office during the daylight hours, I’m discovering that spring seems to be in the air.  Mid 60s here today.   What happened to winter?  A huge flock of Cedar Waxwings and two large flocks of Robins have passed through our area on their way north in the last two weeks.  I know this because I park my Prius (not blue) under a tree and the birds must have used it for target practice.   Maybe because it’s the smallest car in the lot!

Several of my orchids are blooming.   One in particular, that I’ve had for three years, finally decided to bloom.  I found the single small bud the first of December which grew larger and larger over the past two months.  The bud started opening this past weekend.  It took two days, but it was worth the wait!   It’s name is Lover and it has a wonderful lilac scent.   I think it’s trying to get a head start on Valentine’s Day.  It’s the gorgeous one in the center.  Aren’t they beautiful!!!  And more are on the way…  Click on the picture to enlarge.

Orchids in bloom

Ho Ho Holiday Goodies

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!  HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

With the holiday season in full swing,  it’s time to post a few recipes that I believe everyone will enjoy.  And remember… round is a shape!!!  We can worry about those few extra pounds in 2012 with a New Year resolution.  For now,  just enjoy!

EGG NOG

3  C   Milk
1/3  C   Sugar – granulated
3/4  C   Rum
3    Eggs  –  separated
1  C   Whipping Cream
1/4  C  Confectioners Sugar

Mix Milk, Egg yolks, Sugar, and Rum together until all the sugar has dissolved.
Beat egg whites until stiff.   Whip cream and confectioners sugar together.  Fold whipped cream and egg whites together.  Then blend the two mixtures together.  It takes a little time, but it’s worth it…  Once I’ve gotten the two mixtures together, I usually pour it into a clean plastic bottle with a tight lid (a clean milk jug works great) because the mixture tends to separate.  Just give the jug a good shaking before pouring.  Top with fresh grated nutmeg.

 

The following is a really old recipe that was handed down from my great great grandma Brodie.   It’s kind of like Egg Custard.  Here is a link to an 18th century version – Transparent Pudding courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg and Historic Foodways.

CHESS  PIE

1  1/2   C   Sugar – white
1/4  lb   Butter   (1 stick)  –  Melted
3   Eggs  –  slightly beaten
6   Tbsp  Buttermilk   or   Whipping Cream
1   tsp.  Vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Melt Butter, add Sugar, Eggs, and Milk.  Mix thoroughly.  Mixture will be thick.  Add Vanilla.  Pour into an uncooked crust. (Once again, I use the crusts that you can buy and unroll.)

Place pie in oven and immediately lower the temperature to 350 degrees.  Bake for approximately 1 hour.  May be served with whipped cream, ice cream, fresh fruit, or it’s great plain…

***A variation to the above recipe is to add –
3/4 C   Pecans – coarsely chopped
Also substitute the all white Sugar with
3/4 C   Lt. Brown Sugar  and  3/4 C  White Sugar

 

Now, after all that sweetness, we need something a little salty.  In Seahawk, while my characters were at sea, Jacob sliced pieces off of large hanging smoked hams.

Hickory-Smoked Country Hams are still a favorite Southern tradition…  Alas, it is becoming harder and harder to find these authentic Southern smoked meats.  A lot of companies have gone to modern chemical injecting instead of staying with the time honored, old-fashioned, traditional, long term smoke methods…

BUT, I have located one company that still prides itself in producing these wonderful hams and more.  It is Edwards of Surry, Va.  Their site is wonderful, easy to navigate, and even provides ham cooking videos.  What more could you ask for?  So, please go take a look… They have even developed a Surryano ham that meets & beats Italy’s Prosciutto and Spain’s Serrano.

Every year I purchase one of their genuine Country Hams that is still packed in an old-fashioned burlap bag.  All I can say is:  YUMMMMM!!!  Once you experience the real deal, you’ll never go back.  (It would be like going back to dial-up after having high-speed internet.)  Yes, they’re that GOOD, so please consider giving them a try…

Christmas Art and Craft Projects

I’ve been posting onto my Facebook page about spending the last few weekends making Christmas gifts… This is an activity I look forward to, and I try to come up with new handmade projects  every year.  I’ve been doing art and craft projects for years and years.  I like the idea of making and giving gifts that are unique and original.  With all the new skills I’ve had to learn this year that went along with the release of my debut novel, as well as working on another manuscript, time really got away from me!  But I’ve taken a break to have some fun.

I’ve also been promising to post pictures.  Placing the cursor over these thumbnails and clicking on them will enlarge the pictures to full size.  I still have a couple left to make, but here is a sample of what I’ve been doing for fun the past few weekends…   First of all,  The Little Guys !!!

The little snowmen

PoinsettiaPoinsetta                  Dogwood  Dogwood in bloom

 

 

 

 

IrisIris                                     Turtle     Turtle with Dragonflies