First, I'll tell you that you *MUST* comment on the blog posts in order to win either the drawings by Goddess Fish or the prizes by me. You *must* enter your email address when you comment (which means you'll get future info about my books via a newsletter) for a chance to win hand-made book earrings. If you *PURCHASE* Double Crossing and send the order confirmation # to megmims (at) yahoo (dot) com, you will receive a Kindle cover zipper pull. Okay, here we go!
My idea of a great breakfast to accompany a great read -- like Double Crossing, and I hope you agree! ;-) -- is Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea with scrambled eggs and fresh blueberry muffins. I make my own scrambled eggs, with light whipped cream (yep! just psssht from the can) because they make very creamy and delicious eggs. SO, you start with some butter in the frying pan, crack three eggs and add the light whipped cream (NOT Reddi-Whip, sorry) and then fold it all in, cooking until they're done. They will look very light yellow and taste delicious. Far better than just with milk! I got that tip while in England, long ago.
Oh, and don't forget the salt and pepper once they're on the plate.
Do I make blueberry muffins? Nah. I buy them - from Meijer, the nearest Panera Bread or whatever. But if you're into baking, check out the Lake Effect Living on-line magazine for a great recipe, and eye the delights of the Blueberry Store in South Haven, Michigan.
Harney & Sons has the best tea I've ever tasted. Believe me, I tried the Kroger brand Cinnamon Spice -- it's more cinnamon than spice, just okay -- so click here to see their selection. Perhaps you'd rather drink Earl Grey like my daughter (the bergamot flavor is her favorite) or brew coffee instead. Sorry. I'm a true blue tea drinker, although my daughter does like Biggby's coffee. Whatever floats your boat at the party!
Now to chat about DOUBLE CROSSING, my new release. Is there food in it? YOU BET!! Before Lily Granville even begins her life-changing adventure, she enjoys an afternoon "tea" with her father in his library. Check out my sample first chapter by clicking here or just enjoy the brief excerpt here.
Etta carried in a silver tray of refreshments and set them on the table between the desk and the leather sofa. I sank into the soft cushion with a whoosh. My feet still hurt from my downtown shopping venture and several hours of errands.
“I bought the handkerchiefs you wanted, Father, and that brass letter opener. I saw a pearl brooch at Marshall Field. The silver setting looked inferior, though.” I plucked up a golden-crusted pastry filled with creamed chicken and dill. “My seamstress had no open appointments today, and I couldn’t find one straw hat that I liked at any of the millinery shops.”
“If you’re serious about China, you’ll have to give up your notions of fashion.”
“True enough,” I said, licking a spot of gravy from my thumb.
“That young man has filled your head with nonsense, in my opinion.”
“Charles is dedicated to God. The China Inland Mission has accepted him, did I tell you? Now he’s raising funds for his passage.”
“You’ve never been dedicated to working in Chicago among the poor. Charity begins at home,” Father said. “Your mother was devoted to the Ladies’ Society at church.”
“Her charity circle sewed clothing and quilts. I can’t even thread a needle.”
“So we agree.” Father snagged a handful of candied almonds. “You need to gain valuable skills here in Evanston, or at a finishing school, before you run off to China.”
“I’m too old for school! I’ll be twenty in a month—”
“Ripe for marriage, then, and giving me grandchildren. I’d rather dandle a baby on my knee than read letters about you starving in a foreign country. I’m not going to allow you to wed Charles Mason, either. He might be full of the Spirit, but he’s more interested in using your inheritance for his own purposes. I never detected any love in him for you.”
His final words stung. I couldn’t protest much, either. Charles was a decent man, a hard worker, dedicated to his calling, but admiration wasn’t the best foundation for a love match or a lasting marriage. Father might be right about Charles’ interest in my inheritance, too, which nettled me. I changed the subject.
“Tell me about the Early Bird mine, Father. Is it like the Comstock Lode?”
“Quicksilver. Your uncle is set on new technology, hydraulic mining. It uses high pressure jets of water and is quite expensive. He knows more about it than I do.”
I chose a toasted point topped with cheese, tomato and spinach. “Then I’d better travel with you to California so I can ask him myself.”
“You need to stay here where it’s safe.”
“But you cannot protect me from the world forever, Father. I must choose a path—”
“Keep praying, Lily. The Lord will show you the way.” Father bit into an apple cinnamon tart. “You’d have accepted Charles’ marriage proposal last year if you truly loved him.”
After gulping some chilled lemonade, I set down the glass. I’d prayed on my knees every night and morning, waiting for some sign, but nothing changed. I didn’t love Charles, and didn’t share his missionary dream. If I rejected him, I might be stuck in a loveless marriage to someone else. If I married Charles, perhaps my inheritance money would come to good use once I turned twenty-one.
But I’d be thousands of miles away from home, among foreigners, and might never see Father again. Neither choice led to happiness.
Tiny dust motes danced in a ray of late sunshine beaming through the window’s lace curtain. Cicadas droned outside among the trees. The mournful sound, buzzing low and then high, sent a shiver down my spine.
I hope you're enjoying the "First Course" of my Launch Party offerings! Check back for Second Breakfast (Elevenses), Lunch, High Tea, Supper and a Midnight Snack.