Valentine Winner and A Special Announcement

CONGRATULATIONS ! !

Erica Vetsch is the winner of Myra Johnson's new book, Romance by the Book, and . . . drumroll, please . . . a box of Godiva chocolates.
Thanks to all who left comments about your favorite romantic movie. I didn't chime in, but one of my favorites is HELLO DOLLY! Why, you ask? It's the movie Max and I saw on our very first date - Valentine's Day in 1970! Ah, the memories.

I'd also like to direct you to a new blog that my friend, Elizabeth Ludwig, has just started. Here's what she has to say:

Looking for just the right book but not sure where to look? Check out The Borrowed Book, a website designed specifically for readers and writers of fine books and devotionals! On Mondays, meet the finest debut authors Christian fiction has to offer. Wednesdays and Thursdays, read interviews with your favorite authors or browse excerpts from many of the latest books. Not into fiction? Then stop by on Tuesdays when writers of non-fiction and devotionals will be the featured guests.

Created by award-winning author and speaker, Elizabeth Ludwig, The Borrowed Book offers readers the chance to meet some of their favorite authors, catch up on the latest books, and sign up for weekly drawings and prizes. Rest assured, this isn’t your average writer’s blog. The Borrowed Book was designed with the book-lover in mind…you.

Sounds fun, doesn't it? She has debut author, Christa Allan, on today talking about her book, Walking on Broken Glass. Hope you'll check it out.

Happy President's Day!

CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK - Turkish Delight

The special this week at the Cafe will satisfy the chocolate lovers in the group and was a family favorite when our boys were still at home. As a matter of fact, our son, Scott, named them. I called it Erma's Yummy Brownies since I got the recipe from my good friend Erma. But as Scott ate one square, then another, and another, he said, "This should be called Turkish Delight."

"How did you come up with that?" I asked.

"You know, like in Narnia when Edmund met the White Witch, she gave him a round box tied with a green silk ribbon. Inside was Turkish Delight. It was so good he couldn’t stop eating it. Just like these, they’re so good, I can’t stop.”

So, although this recipe is nothing like the "real" Turkish delight, you'll be tempted to reach for another serving before the first has melted in your mouth. Perfect for the special Valentine in your life.

TURKISH DELIGHT

(Formerly known as Erma’s Yummy Brownies)

1 German Chocolate cake mix (with pudding in the mix)

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 cup pecans

1 stick margarine, melted

Mix the four ingredients together. Press half into the bottom of a 9 by 13 pan. Bake eight minutes at 350 degrees.

Sprinkle one cup chocolate chips over crust.

Melt together one bag caramels and one-third cup evaporated milk. Pour over chocolate chips.

Dob remaining cake mixture on top and bake 15 – 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cut into squares when cooled and serve.

Q4U: What are your Valentine's plans? Do you have a chocolate lover in your family?

ROMANCE, A NEW BOOK, and A SWEET GIVEAWAY

Some great news today. I've invited my friend, critique partner, and romance aficionado, Myra Johnson, to visit the cafe and tell us about her new book. Hint: It's very timely and if you read all the way to the end, we also have a very sweet deal for you.

Welcome, Myra.

Hi, Carla! Thanks for inviting me to join you today and talk a little about my latest release, Romance by the Book (Heartsong Presents, February 2010).

What woman doesn’t long to feel beautiful, cherished, special? I’m sure that’s a big reason romances are so popular, and it doesn’t seem to matter whether we’re single, married, young, or . . . not-so-young. Imagining for a few sweet hours that we are the object of the handsome hero’s desires carries us away from the tedium of everyday life and into a world where the dishes are always done, our jeans always make us look skinny, and there is always a happy ending.

In Romance by the Book, my heroine, Sailor Kern, is so quiet, shy, and plain that she can’t believe anyone would ever be interested in her. Instead, she has centered her romantic yearnings on her favorite romance author, Chandler Michaels. Anyone who writes such heart-tugging love stories, she reasons, must certainly be the most romantic man alive.

But then Sailor has the chance to meet Chandler in person, and he surprises her in more ways than one. By the end of the story she discovers her true hero has been right there all along, and that real life is so much more wonderful than anything she imagined.

The thing about fantasies is that they usually disappoint. The grass only looks greener on the other side of the fence, but that’s only because of all the manure—excuse me, fertilizer—it’s been laced with!

So, while I both read and write romances, I always prefer little doses of realism. A heroine who’d never be a cover girl. A hero who doesn’t quite fit the macho mold. Real-life problems that don’t have easy answers. In the end, it’s always about keeping the faith that somehow, someday, love will conquer all.

About Romance by the Book: In reality, Sailor Kern is a swimming instructor at her local YMCA in Birkenstock, Missouri. But in her dreams, she shares a life with famous romance writer Chandler Michaels. And now she's about to meet him in person! And not only meet him, she gets to be his assistant the whole time he's visiting Birkenstock. But romance and reality don't always mix, and Sailor is in for some big surprises. Will Sailor follow her dream man, or will she see the true hero God has placed before her, right in her own hometown?

About Myra: Myra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, but she’s proud to be a new Oklahoman. Empty-nesters now, she and her husband share their home with two loveable dogs and a snobby parakeet. Her debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, released in September 2009 from Abingdon Press. She also writes for Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents line. Autumn Rains, winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript, was a November 2009 Heartsong Presents book club release. Romance by the Book is part of Heartsong’s February 2010 collection, and Where the Dogwoods Bloom is expected later this spring. Myra writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. The Johnsons, married since 1972, have two gorgeous daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and five amazing grandchildren.

Thanks bunches, Myra. I'm anxious to meet Sailor and Chandler. NOW, for you readers. You, too, can be romanced by Myra's new book. She's offered to give one reader here a signed copy of Romance by the Book. And to sweeten the deal, I'm throwing in a box of chocolates. Not sure which brand they'll be yet, but they'll be good ones. Creamy and yummy. Maybe nutty. So here's what you need to do. Leave a comment. Tell us your all-time favorite romantic movie AND (this is important), leave your contact information. Don't delay. I'll be drawing for a winner on Valentine's Day either right before or twenty minutes after my hubby and I exchange our Valentines.

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. US and Canadian residents only (unless prohibited in your area). Book provided by the author.

CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK - Baked Walnut Fudge

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???? It's been more than a month since I've featured chocolate here at the Café.
Shame on me! Take heart—this week’s recipe is a simple, gooey, divine treat that whips up in seconds and is the perfect finish to just about anything - breakfast, an afternoon nap, a candlelight dinner. You name it, this recipe works! The hardest part is waiting for it to bake.

From my friend, Cheryl—a native Texan and true Southerner. She is charming, oh-so-cute, and a fabulous cook. A girl’s luncheon or evening at her house is never complete without dessert. This is one of my favorites.

Baked Walnut Fudge

4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup melted butter (the real stuff)
½ cup flour (yes, that all the flour you need)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
½ cup walnuts (pecans work fine too)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine all ingredients and pour into a 9-inch square pan. Set into a larger pan of hot water, about one inch deep. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Note: This looks like a brownie, but the hot water keeps it soft and fudgy in the center.

Ahhhh. Chocolate! The perfect end to one of your Labor Day Weekend dinners with friends and family. Enjoy.

CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK - Snickerlicious Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you've been stopping in at the Cafe for a while, you know I like no-fuss, yummy comfort foods. Today's special does the trick for me. Melt-in-your mouth chocolate (ahhhhhh . . .) and so simple even a caveman could do it, providing of course, he could figure out how to rub the sticks together to start a fire.

Many thanks to my friend, Gayla Busch, who first taught me this recipe. Trust me, she's no cavemistress, but one of the loveliest, most talented people on the planet. Very bossy as a dance instructor for the many two-left-footed folks she's directed in church musicals, but someone I'm fortunate to call friend. Now, for the cookies . . .

SNICKERLICIOUS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

One roll of your favorite refrigerated chocolate-chip cookie dough
One bag of "bite-size" Snickers candy bars

Cut the Snickers bars in half and wrap each bite-sized morsel with one spoonful of cookie dough so that you form a ball. Place two inches apart on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees until the cookies are lightly browned (10 to 12 minutes). Cool slightly before removing from sheet.

You'll be tempted to eat one as soon as they're baked, but restrain yourself! The chocolate and caramel swirl are HOT. Chewy, luscious, and perfect for the chocolate lover in your life! Who knows? You may even feel like dancing!!!

WELCOME to Debut Novelist, Michelle Sutton

Today I have a treat for you--an interview with the famous "chocolate lady" from ACFW conferences, now a published novelist.

Welcome, Michelle! And congratulations on your debut young adult book It’s Not About Me. I know you are very excited and ready to tell the world about your novel. So pull up a chair here at the Café and let’s talk. Where did you get the idea for It’s Not About Me?

I had written two prior books (Women’s fiction) and the prior story had a pastor in it who visited a woman in the hospital. I thought it would be fun to write a story about his two sons. In my mind I saw Annie as a pretty girl, yet somewhat innocent and naïve, but very concerned about being good and what people thought of her. So her inner conflict is wanting to please her boyfriend, Tony, who is the pastor’s son, but wanting to not compromise her morals at the same time. So I make him pushy. Come to find out he has a problem with porn which changed the dynamics of their relationship, but she doesn’t know this. Anyway, she has a horrific thing happen to her (no, she doesn’t get raped) and Tony bails on her. His older brother Dan steps in and comforts her in his brother’s absence, and the drama begins.

Can you give us a teaser about the book?

How’s this for a short one.

Two brothers…One choice.

Short, but nice. How long have you been writing?

I started writing in August 2003.

Tell us your reaction when you found out your book had sold.

I kind of knew it ahead of time so I wasn’t surprised. It wasn’t until we started designing covers for the book that it really hit me. I was ecstatic that people were going to read my story. People I didn’t know.

A wonderful and scary feeling, I'm sure. What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a seat-of-the-pants writer?

I just sit in front of my computer and out comes the story. I’m not kidding. It’s like I’m watching a movie in my head and typing what they say and do as I watch it progress.

How do you develop characters? Charts? Interviews? Or do you just start writing?

I always know them very well before I start any book. I mull them over in my mind until they become real enough to carry the story.

Tell us about your writing space.

I used to write at the computer in our bedroom but we moved it out. Now that I primarily use my laptop, I do pretty much everything from the living room couch.

You have an outside job, manage an impressive website and Ning group, edit an online magazine, and serve as the ACFW Volunteer Coordinator. How do you find time to write and balance your life?

Who says I’m balanced? Hehehe. Here is my motto…To everything there is a season, to every time a purpose under heaven. I just go with the flow. That way I never freak out.

Not too many writers are balanced, but you have a great motto.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Read Stein on Writing. It literally transformed my thinking and helped me find my unique writer’s voice.

The worst?

Contradictory opinions from critiquers. That used to make me crazy.

I don't think you're alone with that. So tell me, what works for you? Coffee? Tea? Sparkling mineral water? Or . . .

Sparkling mineral water. If they are out of Perrier, I’ll go to Starbucks.

I wish you the very best with your debut book. What other book projects are you working on? Any exciting news you’d like to share?

I am just editing existing stuff. I continually get requests from publishers (yeah, my agent is great) but then they always decide I’m too edgy. I’m trying to tone it down. Really.

You, edgy? Come on--LOL! It’s your turn. Any closing thoughts?

Nope. Thanks for having me on your blog.

Thank you so much for being my guest here at the café. You’re welcome to stop by anytime.

Closing Notes: Michelle's book releases in September and is available for pre-order here. You may also visit Michelle on her blog where the first chapter is available.