Candice Sue Patterson's Blog, page 12

Fudgy Autumn Brownies

September is here! The days are getting shorter and the nights cooler. Here's a quick and easy dessert to take along to your next fall cookout or to enjoy with a cup of coffee and a good book.


Fudgy Autumn Brownies

1-1/3 cups unsalted butter, room temp
2-2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 tsp vanilla extract2 cups all-purpose flour1 cup baking cocoa1/2 tsp saltconfectioner's sugar (optional)


Directions:In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
Spread into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until top is dry and the center is set. Serve warm with ice cream or cool completely and dust with confectioner's sugar if desired.

Silver White Winters--Cover Reveal

Here it is! My book cover for Silver White Winters, releasing late fall/early winter. Here's a sneak peak into the story. 
She thought she had it all. Until she discovered the treasures in the snow. 

          Country music singer/songwriter Raelynn Rivers is a has-been. According to the latest gossip magazines, that is. Her last number-one hit was six years ago, and her songwriting ability has vanished. Her foundering career is all she has left, and she’s determined to once again hold the title of “Country Music Queen.” But Raelynn’s dreams are derailed when a coal mine collapses in her home town of Eve Hollow, West Virginia, trapping her daddy and brother inside.            The man in charge of the mine rescue is Lane Ryan, her childhood best friend and the former fiancé she abandoned twelve years ago for her career. In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one has inspired her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries around is as big as Coal Mountain.            Will Raelynn sacrifice her title, or say goodbye to Lane forever? 


I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some snow!

DIY: Fire Starters

I'm adding something new to my blog--DIY (do it yourself) projects.
One thing I can't stand is waste. Call it ridiculous or OCD, but I can't stand to see something go to waste whether it's food, the last bit of hand soap in the pump, whatever. I'm always trying to figure out ways to make things last, reduce waste, and save money. As I create projects around my home, I'll be sharing them with you.

Image courtesy of
franky242/freedigitalphotos.netToday's project: Fire Starters
What you'll be recycling: egg cartons, newspapers, and leftover candle wax

This time of year we start planning ahead for winter. One thing that's always on our list is gathering firewood. There's nothing greater than a warm fire on a cold night. Except a cup of coffee and a good book while you sit by it. But at times the logs don't want to cooperate by catching easily. No one wants to spend an hour trying to get the fire going. I started making these fire starters a couple years ago and they work great. No more time and matches wasted here. These starters do all the work.




Keep in mind, the finished product isn't the most attractive thing, but it works. Another plus? There's finally a purpose for the last inch of candle wax in the jar.


Materials:
Leftover candle wax
Cardboard egg carton (do not use foam cartons)
Newspaper (or cotton balls)

Step #1: Cut the lid and side tab off of the egg carton. Place newspaper or paper towels underneath the carton to catch any spilled wax.
Step #2: Carefully melt the leftover candle wax in the jar on LOW heat. You can use a jar warmer (looks like a tiny crock pot) or warm over a burner.




Step #3: Cut strips of newspaper into two-inch strips, approx. 10 inches long.







Step #4: Wad each strip of newspaper and place one in each hole of the egg carton. (If using cotton balls, skip to step 5.)



Step #5: When all of the wax in the jar is melted, carefully pour the hot wax over each wad of newspaper, filling each hole half-full. You may need to use a potholder if the jar is too hot to hold with your bare hand. (If using cotton balls, place one cotton ball in each wax pool, making sure to leave half of the cotton ball above the wax.) Some of the wax may leak through the bottom of the egg carton, and that's okay.




Step #6: Let the wax dry and cool completely.










Step #7: Cut the individual starters apart using a hobby knife or a pair of good, sharp scissors.






To use, arrange the firewood/kindling as normal. Place one fire starter strategically with the kindling. Light a corner of the fire starter. The flame will catch and continually burn the wax, catching the kindling and logs on fire. Best of all, the scented wax fills the space with a great smell!

To further reduce waste, clean out any remaining wax from the candle jar, wash thoroughly, and plant flowers or herbs in the jar. I try to coordinate the plant with the picture on the jar. For example, if the picture on the candle jar is an outdoor scene, I'll plant herbs or small fern in the jar. If the picture contains fruit or flowers, I'll plant flowers with like colors.

Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the small town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle. 
Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor...until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique way with food brings both gratitude and condemnation, placing the pair in the middle of a maelstrom of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.

Excerpt:                Perla smiled and began to walk again. “But if you can see your way clear to accept me as I am, maybe others will, too.” She glanced at him, a faint twinkle in her eyes. “When I first arrived here, I heard you described as a pillar in the community.”                Casewell felt his face burn hotter. But this time what he felt was more shame than anything. When she’d first arrived, he would have agreed with her, but now…                “No more than you’re really an angel, I guess. Folks are mighty quick to slap labels on people around here.”                “I think it makes them feel safer.” Perla glanced up at the stars beginning to show. “People like to know where they fit, and it’s easier to find your own place if everyone else is safely in theirs.”                They walked the rest of the way to the Thornton’s in silence. Casewell stopped at the bottom of the steps and watched Perla make her way up onto the porch. She turned at the top to wish Casewell a good-night. The light from inside the house cast a halo around Perla’s hair, and Casewell had to smile. She might not be an angel, but she couldn’t help looking like one.                 She seemed to hesitate, then spoke. “Thank you, Casewell. I felt like maybe you judged me harshly after I told you about Sadie. Somehow, after this evening, I feel, well, I guess I feel like you’ve forgiven me. Like you’re not going to hold my sins against me anymore. I appreciate that.”                Before Casewell could reply, she turned and disappeared inside the house.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2014

My Review        This story took my breath away. From the very beginning, the author pulled me into the story, the setting of the Appalachian Mountains, and the raw, real characters became as dear to me as family. I loved how the book was told mostly from the hero’s point of view. This was his story. And his journey of discovering how to forgive and love others through Christ gripped my heart—shown in ways unique to other Christian fiction books I’ve read with similar themes.         The book’s cover fit the tone of the story perfectly.        Sarah’s debut novel is brilliant. Her writing is simple yet beautifully poetic with phrases like, “All too often sorrow and joy come skipping into your life holding hands.” I look forward to what she brings next.

Don’t miss Sarah’s free e-novella Appalachian Serenade featuring Delilah and Robert Thornton, and introducing Perla and Casewell. Get it here!

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.
A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.
Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.
For more on Sarah and her books visit www.SarahLoudinThomas.com 

New Book Announcement!

Image courtesy of patrisyu/
freedigitalphotos.net
I'm excited to announce my next Christmas novella Silver White Winters will release with White Rose Publishing later this year as part of Pelican Book Group's Christmas Extravaganza!








Here's a sneak peak into the story.



She thought she had it all. Until she discovered the treasures in the snow. 

          Country music singer/songwriter Raelynn Rivers is a has-been. According to the latest gossip magazines, that is. Her last number-one hit was six years ago, and her songwriting ability has vanished. Her foundering career is all she has left, and she’s determined to once again hold the title of “Country Music Queen.” But Raelynn’s dreams are derailed when a coal mine collapses in her home town of Eve Hollow, West Virginia, trapping her daddy and brother inside. Image courtest of
digidreamgrafix/
freedigitalphotos.net            The man in charge of the mine rescue is Lane Ryan, her childhood best friend and the former fiancé she abandoned twelve years ago for her career. In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one has inspired her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries around is as big as Coal Mountain.             Will Raelynn sacrifice her title, or say goodbye to Lane forever? 



*I hope you'll join Raelynn and Lane this holiday season in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. 
More details to come. 

6 Ways to Tell if It's Christian Fiction

Image courtesy of Surachai/FreeDigitalPhotos.netSeveral people have told me they enjoy Christian Fiction (Inspirational Fiction) because they don’t have to worry about it containing explicit language or graphic scenes, yet they still get a great story. A few of those folks have even said they’ve chosen to only read Christian Fiction (CF) from now on, but struggle with knowing how to decipher them from the general market when shopping in places such as garage sales, flea markets, and even some used bookstores where the books aren’t separated by category. Here was my best advice:
                *Get to know the authors by name. Authors can be found in a variety of places online such as Facebook and Goodreads, but a great way to get acquainted with Christian authors is through websites dedicated to CF like NovelCrossing.com, ChristianBook.com, and “Fiction Finder” at acfw.com (American Christian Fiction Writers). Just to name a few. By getting to know the authors’ names, you’ll be able to pick out CF books from a mixed pile.
                *Get to know the Christian publishing houses. There are too many publishing houses dedicated to CF to name in this post with new ones sprouting every day. Bethany House, Thomas Nelson, Waterbrook Multnomah, Barbour, Revell, Howard, Pelican Book Group, and OakTara are just a handful of CF publishers that immediately came to my mind. By memorizing the names of CF publishers, you can watch for their mark on the covers and know you’re guaranteed a clean read.
                *Look at the barcode on the back cover. This area isn’t just for the cashier. It tells the reader what genre the book is (suspense, romance, thriller) and sometimes—I do mean sometimes—it will tell if it’s Christian or not.
                *Judge the book by its cover. I know golden rule warns against this, but in this case it can be very helpful by considering what the cover is “selling.” For example, if a romance cover dons a bare-chested man groping a barely clothed woman that’s a huge indication it’s not a clean read. Since I know you’re already aware of that, let’s contemplate more subtle clues. §  The man is fully clothed and modest but only his lower portion is visible on the cover and is the main focal point regardless of the gorgeous backdrop (ocean, mountains, etc.).§  If the characters are holding each other or even kissing does it look lusty or make you blush? That’s a good indication it’s not CF. Cover designers for CF books strive to focus on drawing the reader in by matching the feel of the cover to the story and concentrate on the characters as people and not their bodies. As mentioned above, what is the cover selling?§  The title. I’m aware that this is another no-brainer, but a title like One Night Stand is a red flag. (I did not check to see if there are any books with the mentioned title, but I’m sure there is, and I mean no harm.) However, if the title is questionable, knowing the publisher can set your mind to rest because in some cases the title could be a play on words. §  The book’s description on the back cover, better known as the blurb. Is there any indication of a faith message? Does the blurb use words such as steamy, hot, or passionate in regards to how the characters react to each other? This can be another indication it’s not CF.                             *Read book reviews. If you’re not a member with Goodreads or Novel Crossing, you can read customer book reviews on Amazon and other book selling websites. If a person has been offended by the book’s content, they’ll generally say so in their review. Sometimes their description of the book put in their own words will clue you in on what to expect. This method is harder to use while at a flea market or garage sale unless you own a smart phone.
            *Don’t be afraid to ask. You’d be surprised how many people love to talk books. I’ve had people stop me in a bookstore before and ask what I’d recommend simply because I’m there shopping too and love to read.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Do you have a method you use that wasn't mentioned above? Please, share it in the comments. 

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

After his departure from New York two years ago to meet up with his almost-fiancee, Zayne Beckett is the last person Agatha Watson wanted to stumble upon in her travels as a reporter with the New York Tribune. Quite pathetically bedraggled, he clearly needs to be taken in hand and sent back East to his family. Although she no longer has feelings for him, Agatha realizes--by hook or by crook--she'll have to be the one to get the obstinate man home.

Zayne has no desire to be taken anywhere and is prepared to drag his heels all the way home . . . until he finds himself slipping back into the familiar banter of his former friendship with Agatha. Once they arrive in New York, Zayne realizes Agatha's determined nose for news has earned her a few enemies, and he hopes to repay her help with some help of his own. When she rebuffs all his attempts to prove himself a knight in shining armor, the lengths to which they'll go to win this battle of wills lead to some memorable antics.

Everyone else may think them a match, but nothing could be further from the truth--until Agatha finds herself in real trouble. Have these two stubborn, too-smart-for-their-own-good people been meant for each other all along?


Publisher: Bethany House, 2014


My Review
This book was 345 pages of pure fun! In fact, if you're not hooked by the conclusion of the first chapter, you don't have a pulse. Agatha, a strong heroine with a beautiful heart and a destiny for trouble (Anne Shirley on steroids), gets tangled in a wild west adventure with childhood friend, Zayne Beckett--turned reclusive mountain man, a surly bodyguard protecting Agatha from a hitman, a sassy, match-making chaperone, and a pig named Matilda. When disaster strikes--and it usually does when Agatha is involved--the group travels home to New York where more mayhem, and romance, awaits.

I chose this book after reading Gentleman of Her Dreams, a delightful and free ebook introducing this series. The great cover caught my attention but most of all the title. It promised conflict and humor, and, boy, did it deliver!

I gave this book 5 stars!

PBG Author Chat Party!

Join me and authors Pam Thibodeaux, Donna Snow, and Heidi Glick on July 3rd from 7-9 EST for "Meet the Pelican Book Group Authors" Facebook chat party! We'll be discussing our books, getting to know our readers, and giving away great prizes!

To join the fun, simply click on this link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/660946743999107/

Or log into Facebook and type "Meet the Pelican Book Group Authors" in your search engine.

Hope to see you there!

Appalachian Serenade by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Delilah Morrissey has always wanted to be a mother, but when she becomes a young widow, that dream now seems farther away than ever. Unable to continue to live alone in Chicago, her only option is to accept her sister's offer to move in with her family back in West Virginia. Will Delilah have the faith to pursue a new dream--even if it means giving up the old?

In this charming novella, debut novelist Sarah Loudin Thomas introduces readers to Wise, West Virginia--a small town nestled in an Appalachian valley where the everyday miracles of life and faith play out in stories of healing, hope, and love.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2014


My Review
Summer 1945
Widow Delilah Morrissey isn't too upset about her husband's passing. She returns home to West Virginia to live with her sister and brother-in-law, but when money gets tight, Delilah takes a job at Thortons' Store where working beside Robert Thorton makes her long for a second chance at a family. 

The characters were endearing, and this amazing book cover matches the story's tone perfectly. The romance was organic and satisfying for such a short read. I highly enjoyed this novella as an introduction to the characters in Sarah's debut novel Miracle in a Dry Season, which releases in August. I will definitely be reading more from this author.


Get your free copy of Appalachian Serenade today from Amazon!

Stars and Stripes--Celebrating Flag Day

nixxphotography/freedigitalphotos.netToday, June 14, is Flag Day--the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777, established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and designated as a holiday in 1949 by President Harry Truman.

If you haven't already, fly your flag high today. Let everyone know you're proud to be an American.

We bring out our American flag every spring when all signs of winter are over. We display it 24/7 from a bracket on our front porch post as a testimony and reminder of living in the greatest country there is.

Here are a few tips for caring for your flag, proper display, and what not to do:

Cleaning
The flag may be laundered or dry cleaned as appropriate for the fabric. Faded or ripped flags should be replaced.

Clothing
The U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Sec. 8(d) states, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery."

Care and Respect
The U.S. flag should always be treated with the utmost care and respect. Remember, the flag represents a living country and, as such, is considered a living symbol.

Always display the flag with the blue union field up--never display the flag upside down, except as a signal of extreme distress.

Always carry the flag aloft and free--never carry it flat or horizontally in processions or parades. The exception to this is carrying very large flags in a parade that are too big to be flown from a staff or pole.

Always keep the flag clean. Keep it safe from those who would not respect it, or do not know enough to do so, such as small children.

Illumination
If displayed at night, the flag must be properly illuminated. That means the stars and stripes can be seen from a distance.

Patches and Decals
Flag patches or pins worn on the left side (near the heart) of a shirt or uniform are okay.

Photo by Candice Sue Patterson
May not be copied or used in any format
without permission.*For more information on care and respect of the American flag, visit The National Flag Foundation

*For an illustration on how to properly fold the American flag, visit USFlag.org


Happy Flag Day, everyone!