Shirley Jump's Blog: Eating My Words, page 7

Book News, Trilogy Behind the Scenes Peek and JSWI news!

It has been a BUSY few weeks here! I've been writing my fingers off, trying to make a lot of deadlines that just sort of ran together. Not much cooking going on in my house--mainly just dump something in the crock-pot or fix something fast ;-) But I'll get back to it soon, these colder temperatures have me craving comfort foods!

Lots of writing news--first, I wanted to announce the release of THE GROOM WANTED SECONDS, the prequel to the Sweet and Savory Romance series (with THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE, THE DEVIL SERVED DESIRE and THE ANGEL TASTED TEMPTATION). This all-new book is a fun, sexy novella that features Rebecca and Jeremy's story--read all about how they almost didn't make it to the altar! And at only .99 cents, it's a bargain!

Second, if you're interested in how a trilogy comes together, stop by the Romantic Times blog and read how Donna Alward, Fiona Harper and myself wrote our Holiday Miracles trilogy together. Three friends, working together to tell the story of three sisters. It was a blast and so is our in-real-time interview!
Third, the JumpStart Writing Institute is offering LOTS of awesomeness for writers! Those who join get access to regular motivational posts, writing information and first dibs as well as lower prices on all my classes. From now until October 12th, midnight, there's a special price for signing up! Stop by the membership page for details!


Oh, and local people who pick up Glo magazine, look for Part One of my six-part novella, "Fools Rush In," a Glo exclusive! You can also read it online (turn to page 30).

Happy reading!

Shirley

White Chicken Chili

This is one of my favorite dinners. I usually poach extra chicken when I'm making stock or a soup or something else that requires cooked chicken, then make this quick dinner on a busy weekday.  When I made it this week, I used fresh peppers and jalapenos from the garden, instead of the pickled jalapeno. It made it hotter, for sure, but still delicious! :-)  White Chicken Chili
2 tablespoons olive oil1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup green pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno (comes in a jar in the Mexican food aisle), chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt (or regular; I just prefer to cook with kosher)
2 cups chicken broth (I used the broth I made from the chickens I roasted the other day)
2 15-ounce cans Great Northern beans, drained
1 pound cooked chicken, shredded (again, from those chickens I roasted; I just made two instead of one)
1/2 cup whipping cream (I rarely have that on hand so I used half and half)

Heat oil in a large pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Add onion, green pepper and jalapeno. Saute about 4 minutes, until soft and onion is translucent. Add garlic and spices. Cook for one minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add vegetables, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender. Add beans and chicken and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in cream and cook until heated through. Serve.

Shirley

Easy Honey-Beer Bread

I saw this on Pinterest the other day. It looked super easy and delicious...and it was both! Although I LOVE homemade bread, all the time involved...I'm not a fan of that. So quick and easy bread, definitely my kind of homemade bread!
This one turns out really dense. I used Coors Light beer, and don't know if a regular beer would change the density, but it was still good. Next time I think I'll experiment with a different kind of beer, maybe something that has a flavor to it, just to add a twist :-)

It's a five-minute batter, literally. Mine baked for 60 minutes, but your mileage may vary depending on your oven.

Honey-Beer Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons honey1 can beer1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and divided
Preheat over to 350F. Grease a 9″x5″x3″ loaf pan (I used Pam and I missed one spot, so definitely get the whole pan well). Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom and press it into the Pam/butter.

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Heat the honey in the microwave for about 10 seconds to make it easier to stir, then add the honey and the beer to the batter. Mix until all ingredients are blended well.

Pour half the melted butter onto the bottom of the loaf pan. into the loaf pan. Spoon in the batter, then drizzle the rest of the butter on top. If needed, spread it with a pastry brush (this gives it a nice golden crust).

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick/knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. It rises pretty quickly in the oven, so make sure there's enough room between racks for it :-)

Shirley

Low-Fat Cake with Nutella Buttercream

Okay, so this is a cake that kind of cancels itself out, sort of the fries with Diet Coke theory ;-) But in my defense, it's overall pretty healthy and I only made half a buttercream frosting, so it's a thin layer of that. Not so bad, right?

I saw both recipes on Pinterest and thought they'd be more fun together ;-)

The cake recipe is from Dr. Oz and is insanely simple. I found that using a name-brand cake mix (Pillsbury) produced a denser cake than store brand, so next time I use name-brand, I'll add a tiny bit more water. Also, the Dr Oz version called for plain Greek Yogurt, but I thought vanilla would add a tiny bit more flavor (and I was right ;-). I use Yoplait's, but there are a ton out there to choose from.

Low-Fat Devil's Food Cake

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 container Vanilla Greek Yogurt
1 cup water

Preheat oven according to package directions (I use a 13 by 9 pan and did 350 degrees). Spray pan with cooking spray. Mix all three ingredients, pour into pan. Bake according to package directions. Cool, then frost.

Nutella Buttercream Frosting (half batch)

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup Nutella spread
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer or with an electric mixer until thoroughly mixed and light yellow in color. Add nutella, mix thoroughly. Add vanilla, then cream, and mix until combined. Frost :-)

That's it! It's easy and quick and a HUGE hit with my kids. Also, delicious with coffee for breakfast--something I know from personal experience ;-)

Shirley

Running and Writing

Those who are friends with me or follow me on Facebook know I've started running this past fall, both to get in shape and lose those last few pounds, and to take advantage of the gorgeous weather outside. I have NEVER been anything remotely close to an athletic person (in high school, the only "sport" I did was intramural swimming, where we basically went to the Y and hung out by the pool). My husband is an athletic guy, though, and he's encouraged me to find a sport I like.

I wouldn't say I like running, but I sure like having run. When I'm done, I'm always glad I got those miles in. One thing that helps me run is great music, and a friend of mine who is a DJ and wedding planner puts great free mixes up on his Facebook page from time to time. The one I had on my iPod today started with Pitbull's "Back in Time," and had me motivated from the first note.

What does all this have to do with writing? Well, I find that working out regularly  has a two-fold effect--it keeps the dreaded "writer spread" from making my butt the size of Toledo, and it sharpens my senses. When I treat my body well (eat right, exercise), my thoughts are clearer, I have more energy and I accomplish a lot more during the day. So it's a good thing, all around. Now, will I ever be a marathoner or triathalon competitor? I doubt it. I'm pretty happy with my 5k ability (and have done two 5k races so far) and might inch up to the 10k, but that's about it. I run for the benefits it gives me, not to become the next Olympic sprinter  (and at my age, it'd have to be the Senior Olympics, LOL).

Do you run? Any tips for this non-athlete to increase speed/distance? Or do you have another exercise you like to do, like Zumba? Pilates? I do lots of other things in the colder weather, from spinning classes to Piloxing (a combo of kickboxing and Pilates) and that helps tone up all those other parts :-)

As for the chili mix, it was okay but nothing I wanted to write home about. I much prefer my own chili recipe to the one DH brought home :-)

Shirley

Talk about Dialogue and FREE online read!

For the next few weeks, Harlequin is posting my FREE online read about the McKennas, featuring Finn, Riley and Brody's cousin Alec (you see snippets of him in the McKenna books--the first book is out now (ONE DAY TO FIND A HUSBAND) and book two comes out in a week (HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS). Stop on over at eHarlequin to read a new chapter every Tuesday!

Also, as part of the "Book in 3 Months" program on eHarlequin, I'll be talking Dialogue with editor Keyren Gerlach from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. Stop on by and learn our top tips for writing powerful dialogue!

I'm trying out a new chili mix tonight for dinner, something DH brought home from a recent road trip. Will have to let you all know how it turns out! I'm also sneaking in some healthiness by using ground turkey instead of ground beef ;-)
Shirley

Enter to Win a Kindle copy of THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE!

From now until midnight EST July 25, 2012, post your favorite chocolate treat below and be entered for a chance to win one of two Kindle copies of THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE. Note, this is for the Kindle ebook copy--and if you don't have a Kindle, you can download the free app for reading on your computer or iPad. All entries must comment below, and be sure to include a way to contact you.

Also, don't forget you can buy the Nook and Kindle editions of books #2 and #3 in the series! Look for THE DEVIL SERVED DESIRE and THE ANGEL TASTED TEMPTATION.

This contest is easy, it's fun, and should get all of us in the mood for a little chocolate! :-)

Shirley

A New Member of the Family :-)

My daughter rescued a kitten that was in our drain pipe a few weeks ago, and I have to admit, he's grown on me. He's hilarious, and is best buds with my little Sophie. He doesn't the funniest things, and has already decided my writing chair is his nap spot :-) Here's a few pics of him.

The first one is when we first found him, and the second is a few weeks later, and is the way he sleeps :-)

Shirley

189 Calorie Dessert, Free Online Read

It's a busy summer here for me! Not only do I have three ebooks out this summer (THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE, THE DEVIL SERVED DESIRE and THE ANGEL TASTED TEMPTATION) but also three print books (ONE DAY TO FIND A HUSBAND, HOW THE PLAYBOY GOT SERIOUS and RETURN OF THE LAST MCKENNA (those are Kindle links but the books will be in paperback in stores too; look for Finn's book in stores now). The McKenna brothers were a blast to write, and I'm thrilled to add to their stories with a FREE online read featuring cousin Alec.

So, stop on by once a week (and I'll post the links here and on my Facebook author page as well each week) and see if Alec makes it right with his high school sweetheart in McKenna Homecoming.

This weekend, I tried out a 189-calorie cake for dessert. FABULOUS and really easy! It combines my favorite ingredients--peanut butter and chocolate, and ooooh, Reese's! I found the recipe here, and already pinned it on my Pinterest board, too! :-)

And one more piece of news--if you missed the latest edition of my newsletter, click here to read it online. Lots of news to share--I think I'm going to need a summer break from my summer! :-)

Shirley

Now on Kindle! THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE

I'm thrilled that THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE is now on Kindle, too, for all my Amazon reading fans! Now you can buy the entire Sweet and Savory Romances series on both Kindle and Nook, so no matter what kind of e-reader you have, you can read these funny, recipe-filled romances!

Click here to buy it on Kindle and here for Nook!