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Mouthwatering Moment… by Meredith Mileti (PLUS worldwide giveaway!!)
Today’s Mouthwatering Moment excerpt is from AFTERTASTE – A NOVEL IN FIVE COURSES by Meredith Mileti…
“Don’t move,” he says, getting up from the table and crossing the kitchen. He hefts a large cast iron pot from the oven. He lifts the lid, cups his hand, and wafts the steam upward toward his face. Even from across the room, the smell makes me want to swoon. Jake has made my favorite dish—his signature take on cassoulet, made with wild boar sausage braised in Barolo, cannellini beans, fennel and sweet red peppers. I can hear the hollow snap as he breaks the delicate crust of toasted bread, garlic and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. He fills a shallow bowl and places it reverently in front of me. “It’s not exactly summer fare, but I know it’s your favorite. I missed making it for you this winter. It actually works nicely with your pizza recipe, which has always been one of my favorites. We make a pretty good team, don’t you think?” he says softly. “Go ahead, taste it.”
“Aren’t you going to join me?”
“Of course,” he says, raising his eyes to meet mine. I watch as he fills his plate, picks up a bottle of wine and two glasses, and joins me at the table. He pours us each a glass of red wine. “Well? He asks, his eyes focused, unblinking, on my face.
I spear a piece of meat, which yields easily to my fork, and raise it to my lips. I take a deep breath and close my eyes…The flavors are at once complex and earthy. I taste every ingredient: the thick, slightly gamy taste of the boar; the subtle undercurrent of the fennel, which, when braised, releases a delicate licorice perfume; the gentle creaminess of the beans; the smoky heat of the roasted peppers; the harmonious balance of the wine.
It tastes like love.
Meredith’s favorite meal/indulgence: I love mussels. Any time, any way. (I’ve even been known to eat them for breakfast!) My favorite preparations are either steamed in white wine and shallot butter, or grilled and tossed with basil breadcrumbs. Just add a warm, crusty baguette and a glass of chilled Sancerre and I am a happy, happy girl.
Thanks for sharing your Mouthwatering Moment, Meredith!
Visit Meredith online here, and on twitter here.
To WIN one of two copies of AFTERTASTE, please leave a comment below. This competition is open WORLDWIDE and will be drawn at the end of the month. Thanks for your generosity, Meredith! (All comments left by blog subscribers will also be put in the draw for a Mouthwatering May special prize).
Mouthwatering Moment… by ME!
Today I thought I’d share one of my own Mouthwatering Moments with you! This scene is from THE JANUARY WISH, and unfortunately it is not published, but I hope it will be one day.
‘You never got to eat any Death by Chocolate,’ Mark said, a smile oozing from the corner of his mouth. ‘There’s still an hour and a half left of your birthday, how about we try and catch Café Lagoon before they close, and grab something to take-away?’
Sylvia’s smile grew wider. ‘As Grace told me today, ‘every birthday is a gift worth celebrating’, so I think it’s my duty to make the most of it.’
‘Especially at your age,’ Mark said, spicing his words with sarcasm.
Sylvia twisted her lips to one side and gave him an evil glare. ‘Watch what you say, mister, or –’
‘Or what?’
‘Or…I’ll thump you with my walking stick.’
Mark snorted. ‘In that case, I better think before I speak.’ It felt good to muck around with Sylvia, especially after the stress of tonight. ‘Anyway, in all seriousness, I think Grace is one wise girl.’
‘She sure is,’ Sylvia replied, accepting Mark’s offer of his outstretched hand.
At ten minutes to eleven they pulled up outside Café Lagoon, and Mark jumped out, before ducking his head back in the car. ‘What can I get the birthday girl?’
‘I’ll have a hot chocolate,’ Sylvia replied.
‘And to eat?’
‘Um… surprise me.’
Mark smiled and rushed inside. A staff member was wiping down tables and the last of the customers were filtering out. He paid for his order and then got back in the car, placing the cardboard tray containing the hot drinks on Sylvia’s lap, and the paper bag containing her ‘surprise’ between the two front seats.
‘Let me guess…a dandelion chai for you?’ Sylvia asked.
‘Of course.’
She tried to peer into the paper bag but he stopped her. ‘Uh-uh, wait till we get to the lookout. It’s a surprise, remember?’
~*~
My favourite meal: It’s hard to choose one favourite meal, but a meal I cook often that I love is lamb cutlets with sauteed bok choy and mushrooms, drizzled with toasted pine nuts and mustard dressing. The combination of flavours is beautiful.
My favourite treat: Guylian Belgian chocolate seashells (but I usually only have them a couple of times a year – birthday and Christmas!)
My favourite drink: A frothy soy hot chocolate 🙂
As well as this blog, I have a website you can visit here. And remember to leave a comment below and subscribe to the blog to be in the running for the Mouthwatering May prize draw at the end of the month! (You can see the prizes and rules here.)
Chick Lit – love it or hate it?
There’s a great post and discussion going on at Dianne Blacklock’s blog about the term ‘chick lit’, check it out here. What do you think, should we scrap it? Is women’s fiction better or just as bad?, and how can we better classify novels based on the ups and downs of women’s lives?
~ Juliet
Author Interview – Darlene Fredette
Today I’d like to welcome Darlene Fredette to my blog!
Hi Juliet, it’s great to be here!
1. Congratulations on your upcoming novel, Keeping Secrets. Can you tell us a little about it?
Keeping Secrets is about Samantha Witherspoon, who is grieving the loss of her grandmother. A surprising clause in her grandmother’s will requests that Samantha return to her childhood home to have it renovated and sold. While there, she meets handsome contractor, Matt Sullivan. As their relationship grows, many secrets are revealed, and Samantha is holding a secret of her own.
*You can also read a blurb and excerpt of Keeping Secrets below, at the end of this interview 🙂
2. How did you get the idea for Keeping Secrets?
I wrote this story ten years ago, so I’m not exactly sure on its inspiration, but I am certain that it just came to me one day while cleaning the house. That’s when all my stories seem to pop into my head.
3. How many manuscripts have you completed?
I have two completed manuscripts, three more in the works, and several stories plotted out in my journals.
4. How long have you been writing for, and what do you do when you’re not writing?
I’ve been writing stories since I was a teenager. When I’m not writing, you can find me hanging out with my family. I also like to read, watch movies, walk the dog, BBQ, and sit by the fire-pit on a warm summer evening.
5. Do you follow a specific writing routine, or do you just go with the flow?
I wish I had a specific routine, but life’s daily distractions have a tendency to get in my way. Once I am focused, I quickly get into the story and lose track of time. And when I need a break from my laptop, a pen and journal become my best friends.
6. What is the best writing advice you’ve received?
Keep writing. Never stop what you love to do.
7. Who are your favourite authors, or what are some of your favourite books?
Penny Jordan, Jane Porter, Jennifer Crusie, Beth Kendrick, Sarah Addison Allen, Liz Fielding, and many more. Their books are some of my top favourites.
8. What are you working on now?
I’m currently editing a completed story, Guilty As Charged. It’s about two lawyers who butt heads over a case and their past. Their banter and undeniable attraction is fun and sexy. I also have a ‘sweet’ Christmas story, a dysfunctional family series, a fashion mayhem story, and several others in the works.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world for one day, where would you go?
It’s a tie between two places, though I’d have to go for more than one day. First, I’d love to visit Australia for its beauty and warmth. Second, Arizona for its scenery, warmth, and to take my husband to the auto shows in Scottsdale.
10. What advice would you give to other writers out there?
The same advice I was given, keep writing and never stop what you love to do.
11. When and how can people get a copy of your book? Do you have a website and/or blog you’d like to share?
Keeping Secrets will be available in ebook in August 2011. To stay posted on its release date and my current WIPs, please visit my web site: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com
Thanks for visiting, Darlene!
Make sure you check out Darlene’s book in August. I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the first few chapters, and I can’t wait to read the rest!
Thank you, Juliet for the fun interview!
About Darlene ~ An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. Following a career path in administration, she excelled in the art of editing and design, which led to a successful position as Director of Administration and Marketing. Thanks to the support of her husband and daughter, Darlene has been able to fulfill her dream to write full time. Residing in Nova Scotia, she can be found writing in her home office with the family dog, a yellow lab, never letting her too far out of his sight. To learn more about Darlene visit her web site: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com
Keeping Secrets – Blurb
Samantha Witherspoon is a strong, independent, businesswoman, determined to prove her worth as the heir to her late-grandmother’s chain of cafés. When she clashes with Matt Sullivan, the stubborn contractor who refuses her renovation project, Samantha returns to her childhood home to convince him. Sparks fly, tempers flare, and Samantha quickly realizes that befriending the rugged contractor isn’t as easy as she thought.
Despite her reservations, desire ignites between them under the city stars of Montreal. Matt’s mere touch makes her long for the kind of love Samantha thought she’d never have. When a mystery box reveals devastating family secrets, Samantha decides it’s time to come-clean with Matt. But before she can, her own secret arrives on her doorstep. Samantha’s heart is torn. Will a promise made to her late-grandmother prevent her from finding true happiness?
Keeping Secrets – Excerpt
Samantha’s ears twitched at the sound of a crackling coming from the ceiling just above her. She watched as a trickling line split and plaster showered downward like a heavy rainfall.
Suddenly a set of strong arms encircled her and held her tightly, taking the breath from her chest. Her feet were lifted from the concrete floor and she was yanked backward, slamming her and her rescuer into a wall. An image out of a romance novel, where the hero sweeps the woman of his dreams into his arms, declaring his everlasting love, flashed through her mind…until another large piece of plaster fell from the ceiling, crashing loudly on the floor before shattering into thousands of tiny pieces. Samantha no longer saw a vision of two lovers, but one of her, crushed under the debris. She took several deep breaths.
Hammers stopped and were followed by the rush of work boots running across the concrete. “Matt, you okay? Is the lady hurt?” they asked. “That was a mother of a close call!” another said.
Her hero ignored the men and set her back on her feet. His once warm brown eyes were now cold and throwing daggers. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I…I was…looking for you.” Winded, her breathing was heavy.
From the drooping brows and harsh pressed lips, she could tell Matt was not at all happy to see her, but Samantha couldn’t have been more pleased. Her search was over and the incredibly attractive man she had been seeking had rescued her.
* * *
Reading In Bed – an extreme sport?
Yesterday, July 24th, saw the birth of the first ever ‘Global Read In Bed Day’, an initiative of mine to raise funds for literacy charities (and give participants an excuse to spend a relaxing day curled up with a good book!).
The GRIBD Facebook group has around fifty members so far, and I hope this will grow as word gets out, so the next time we have another ‘Read In Bed Day’, even more people can participate!
But what’s this about reading in bed being an extreme sport? Well, throughout the day, injuries, exhaustion, and obstacles were reported.
Injuries: I fell down the stairs on one of my ‘reading breaks’, resulting in a swollen wrist and aching leg muscles (I have been hobbling around today as though I’m ninety-five!).
Exhaustion: Some participants reported almost falling asleep, and one (yours truly) actually did.
Obstacles: Some participants had to navigate around work committments, taxi duties, parenting responsibilities, and the dreaded ‘that-which-must-not-be-named’ (aka: housework), in order to have a few minutes here and there of reading time. One participant even had the distraction of being in the beautiful South of France. Talk about difficult!
Who said Reading In Bed was easy? If you’re planning on participating in the next event, do so at your own risk!
Some of the books read by participants included:
Just Breathe, and Lakeshore Christmas, by Susan Wiggs.
Sushi For Beginners, by Marian Keyes.
Books by Agatha Christie and PD James.
The Bet, by Jennifer Crusie.
Nadia Knows Best, by Jill Mansell.
Alice Bliss, by Laura Harrington.
The Good Girl’s Guide To Getting Lost, by Rachel Friedman.
Something Borrowed, by Emily Giffin.
Even the Sunday newspapers and a writer’s work-in-progress got some love!
To join the Global Read In Bed Day Facebook group, click here and log into your Facebook account.
Why I Write Contemporary Women’s Fiction
I think in some ways, the genre you write in chooses you. I always knew I would write a novel or two (or three, or four), but originally wanted to write mystery and suspense. I started a couple of stories, and jotted down the odd scene that popped into my head, but these stories never eventuated.
After a few years of a ‘too-busy-for-anything-else’ induced writing fast, I sat down to write again, and what came out was completely different.
Somehow, a character just took shape, and her dreams, fears, mishaps, and emotions poured out onto the page (this character was Miranda, one of the three main characters in my manuscript The Life Makeover Club).
JULIET MADISON 