Thursday, June 20, 2013

Dinner on Deadline: Author Jocelyn Green ~ Giveaway!

** Weds. June 26 1:05 PM: Congratulations to our giveaway winner, Wilma Metcalf!** 
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Today I'm offering an apron to an award-winning author (and former military wife) whose novels are "inspired by real heroines on America's home front" and marked by "historical integrity and gritty inspiration."  Please help me offer a warm Authors' Galley welcome to Jocelyn Green: 



by Jocelyn Green

My poor kitchen. It’s been feeling a little neglected these days, since I’m on deadline and the last thing I think about is making dinner. In fact, if I wasn’t already planning to try a new snack recipe today, I would have to take a picture of me pouring a bag of frozen P.F. Chang’s into the skillet and turning on my rice maker.  Yep, that’s really what I’m doing for dinner tonight.
So let me show you my kitchen. 


That’s our new coffee bar on the far wall. On the left is a stack of research books I need to return to the library. On the right, we are growing some things—and apparently letting others die a slow death. My four-year-old’s can of grass is doing very well!



We have home-made menus under our vinyl tablecloth. During the summer, our kids get to order off the menu. But at night they eat whatever I put in front of them (in theory).

The rest of our kitchen is below. I’ve also included a picture of our fridge, mostly because I love the note at the top left which says, “Mom, I will obey you every day. From Elsa Green.” I’m keeping track of that one.



Now for the recipe for No-Bake Energy Bites! 
 (courtesy of www.gimmesomeoven.com)
 It’s easy! Because I’m on a deadline! Here is what you need, along with a bowl and a spoon:

Yes, I had been snacking on the chocolate chips already. It happens.

1 c. dry oatmeal
½ c. chocolate chips
½ c. peanut butter
½ c. ground flaxseed (I used whole flaxseed and it worked fine)
1/3 c. honey
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix it all together!

You can roll these into balls or spread them in a pan and cut them. Either way, spraying a little Pam on your finger tips will help the process immensely. Now put them in the fridge to set. Enjoy!

Official Green Diner taste testers:


And now, here’s an excerpt from my latest release, Widow of Gettysburg. This scene takes place July 1, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
***
The shots were so faint in the distance, maybe Hettie was right. Maybe, if a battle was to be had indeed, it would move farther away, not closer. Bella smoothed her apron over her green checked skirt and went into the kitchen to start baking for Hettie and her girls. She hitched her thoughts to the task as she would a horse to its post, concentrating on the dusting of flour on her fingertips, the scraping of the wooden spoon against the sides of the bowl, the spicy scent of the cinnamon and raisins waiting to be mixed in. It was something her mother had taught her long ago. When your thoughts run away, focus on what your hands are doing instead, shut out everything else. It was good advice—slaves’ hands were rarely idle. Bella’s mouth tilted up. My hands are rarely idle now. At least the driver’s whip would not reach her here.
If only her memories would stay as far away.
Footsteps flew down the staircase over the kitchen, jerking Bella’s attention to the doorway until Hettie filled its frame. Truly, the lines around her eyes and mouth spoke of a woman much older than the woman’s twenty-six years.
“Bella, come quickly.” It was a breath, spoken all at once, the kind that leaves no room for questioning. In one fluid movement, Bella dropped her spoon on the work table, wiped her hands on her apron, flicked her gaze to the window.
“No don’t! Come away from the window at once.” It was a whisper now, and frantic.
Hettie grabbed her arm then—something she had never done before—and pulled Bella forcefully out of the kitchen, down the servant’s stairs and into the cellar.
“Stay here, at all costs, and don’t make a sound.” Hettie stood silhouetted in the doorway to the stairs, the light spilling over her shoulders from behind, the shadows hiding her face. “I will keep them away from you, I promise.” She left. A latch clicked from the other side.
Bella was trapped. Again.

***
Oh, wow, from baking . . . to heart-pounding danger! What a great scene snippet.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Jocelyn.

And now to top things off, Wynn-Wynn Media is offering this fun giveaway package:

A copy of Jocelyn Green's first  novel, Wedded to War, a Pier 1 Lavender fizzy (bath) cube, AND a great gift-style magazine about Gettysburg.

Leave a comment below (including an e-mail address) and you'll be added to a (Random.Org) drawing. US entries only.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 26th and notified by e-mail.


Meanwhile, happy reading . . . and bon appetit!


21 comments:

Cynthia Herron said...

Candy, I loved learning more about Jocelyn and seeing her kitchen where she creates her tantalizing treats! (Can't wait to try the recipe BTW!) And Widows of Gettysburg sounds awesome!

CandaceCalvert said...

Hi Cynthia, thanks for stopping by. Yes, I love getting these little glimpses into fellow writers' kitchens . . . and new books! Jocelyn: I have a coffee bar too. I posted a pic once and someone dubbed it the "coffee shrine." I'd have to say that it fits!

Anonymous said...

I love how a few paragraphs can tie you to a book immediately. It left me wanting more! That's the mark of a great writer. Olchavez81@gmail.com

Wendy Newcomb said...

Nice kitchen, thank you for the interview.

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Beth Gillihan said...

Great and easy recipe! I will just have to figure out what to replacet the peanut butter with (3 out of my four kids are allergic to nuts), or just make them for me and make the others something else ;) I like the menu for her kids!

Anonymous said...

Loved the interview and the menu. Looking forward to reading your new book.
I just may have to make the cookies, they look really good and love the easy part.
Wilma Metcalf


wilmamet6@gmail.com

Ames said...

What a great post - that recipe is on my "to-do list" asap!

Patty said...

Sounds like a yummy recipe! If you didn't eat them all in one sitting would you need to keep them stored in the fridge?

pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Wonderful post! The recipe sounds great and so easy.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jocelyn Green said...

Hi everyone! So fun to see you all here. Candace, I love the "coffee shrine" term. LOL Beth, I suggest you just make these and eat them all yourself. It only took me two days to finish them off. It's a small batch. OK,I did have a little help eating them, but not much! Patty, yes, I think keeping them in the fridge is the way to go.

Mocha with Linda said...

I adore Jocelyn! These bites sound really good.

Susan P said...

OH yum, those will have to be tested in this kitchen also! Thanks for a fun peek into your kitchen. Love the coffee bar!
Can't wait to read your books - they sound intriguing.
Susan P
farmygirl at hotmail dot com

Ann Street said...

I absolutely love the menu idea! Great idea!
streetcrew@comcast.net

Jocelyn Green said...

Ooh! I just had a thought. Beth, for the non-but eaters in your family, you could use Wow Butter instead. Have you heard of it? It's made from sunflower seeds, and my picky eater daughter actually loves it. Probably has something to do with the word "wow" being in the name of it. Allergy-sensitive school zone-approved.

Marguerite B said...

Everything looks so good. Looking forward to reading the books.

Library Lady said...

Thanks for the recipe and cannot wait to try it.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I think I read somewhere that the reason we should use ground flaxseed in recipes (I was baking oatmeal) is because if we leave the flax whole, it won't digest, it just passes through our bodies without being used for nutrition. Hope that makes sense, and maybe steers others to look for ground flaxseed rather than whole seed when they shop. Thank you for the drawing.

Gpk1946@gmail.com

Gram said...

I like that recipe and will substitute maybe cinnamon chips for the chocolate. A great recipe to have on hand for quick results. Thanks, Dee grammyd01 (at) comcast (dot) net

bonton said...

Really want to read this book & try the recipe - thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Love how you have guest authors "cooking" in your kitchen! Those energy bites sound delicious. I have never read this author before, so would love to win one of her books to check it out, but I have to say I am bias to loving your books! Thank you Candace for sharing your life with us, your fans!

sheilaallen1978@gmail.com

CandaceCalvert said...


Congratulations to our Authors'Galley winner, Wilma Metcalf! And thank you ALL for stopping by to make Jocelyn feel welcome. I hope you'll try her recipe AND her book!