A Visit from Miss Amabel Hawkins.

 

 

 

 

The lovely and talented Emma J. Lane came by to visit and brought one of her favorite heroines, Miss Amabel Hawkins, of the upcoming THE DUKE AND MISS AMABEL HAWKINS.

 

Miss Amabel Hawkins seeks refuge from an imposter who threatens to take the guardianship of her younger brother. The Duke of Westerton arrives to find her deeply embedded in his private affairs and is suspicious of her intent. Can these two very different personalities find the peace and respect they need for a happily ever after? 

 

A Duke? Nice catch, Amabel. In between tea and crumpets, I was able to find out a bit more about Miss Amabel.

 

1) In the story, we find out that you have an unusual upbringing. How does that make you different?

 Miss Amabel: I have none of the skills needed for social interaction. (tear rolls down her cheek.)

2) Do you wish Emma Lane had given you less business talents and more feminine ones?

Miss Amabel: That hardly seems fair. Would that mean I would be confined inside playing at embroidery?

3) Perhaps. Does that upset you? I know you enjoy the skills you have in managing a large estate.

Miss Amabel: That’s true. One becomes proficient by practicing, do they not? I have only practiced at managing. It would be wonderful if I could add dancing to my talents. Perhaps pianoforte playing. I might be less uncomfortable in company of others my age.

4) I heard you ran into stiff resistance from that good looking Duke when he came home after a long absence. How did that work out?

Miss Amabel:  (Laughs) At first I must tell you I thought he was insane. He kept nattering on about my meddling ways when I thought he should be thanking me for tending his neglected estate. We have come to a meeting of the minds at long last. (She ducks her head shyly.) 

5) Oh? Does that mean you will be leaving the Westerton estate with your brother?

Miss Amabel: Not exactly. You might be surprised to learn what happens. My brother is very happy to stay right here and so is the Duchess and her sister. Perhaps I am as well.

 That sounds intriguing. Managing females, dukes, and a dash of intrigue. My favorite things! Nice of you to give us a moment of your time Miss Hawkins. Thanks. Hope to join you soon when your story is released in October.

 

 

 

10 Questions with Gloria Burland

Back for another Musaling Monday, this week our intrepid guest is the fabulous Gloria Burland who writes the Clifton Chronicles.

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

 My great grandparents were early settlers and did the covered wagon, Oregon Trail bit. I find this incredible, and so brave of them, I couldn’t imagine being that brave, but a bit of their pioneering spirit must have reached me as I’ve lived all over the world and am always looking for the next place to live.

2. If you won a million dollars, would you go to work tomorrow?

My work is writing and I would definitely not stop writing.
 

3. What’s the first thing you would buy?

A car that doesn’t require a PHD in technology – a car that’s not run by computer. I find that concept scary. What if the computer crashes and we all know they do that. I’d buy an old Ford or Volkswagen, perhaps. But any car would do just as long it started with a crank handle, and didn’t have a robotic voice telling me to put on my seat belt or shut the door!

4. What philanthropic organization would you share your booty with?

Women of the World, and especially women in Rwanda. Their plight is a subject which is really close to my heart and I am writing a novel Cut The Tall Trees, about the genocide in 1994

5.Would you still write?

You may as well ask ‘would I still breath?’ Yes, I would definitely still write

6. Would you loan me 50 bucks?

No, I wouldn’t loan you 50 bucks, but I would definitely GIVE you 50 bucks or more if you needed it.

7. What if I gave you five bucks? Not so exciting, I know. Suppose I did, but you had to spend it on something totally frivolous. What would you spend it on?

Ah! I’d buy some purple eye shadow, with loads of glitter in it.

8. If you could buy an island or a mountain to live on, which one would it be?

I can’t bear heights so it will have to be an island. Dozens of years ago, I saw a TV programme, Homes for the Rich and Famous featuring Bora Bora and thought how wonderful it looked. Years later I met the actor, Peter Strauss, who’d just been there and he said it was the most wonderful and magical place on earth, so I guess I would buy Bora Bora. But only if the purchase package included Peter Strauss!

9. Pimp it if you got it. What is new and next for you?

Well. The fourth novel in my Clifton Chronicles series A VALENTINE SCANDAL is scheduled for release in January, and I am working on Clifton Chronicles 5 as we speak.

10. Not even being filthy rich exempts you from the required rejection haiku. Care to share?

They said, ‘one day your prince will come
on a white horse.
He’ll claim you for his bride and take you to a castle
where the grass is emerald green
and streams flow with glittering diamonds.
They said, if not a castle, then a cottage
where roses grow around the door and birds sing in a garden.
Lies all lies.
My cottage is a tenement block, my garden a window box
where roses wither and die, choked from city fumes.
There are no birds.
One day a prince rode by. He didn’t care to stay.

 

Wow! Not just a haiku, but a full poem. Sniff. And so sad. Plus she's giving me $50, yo. Y’all excuse me while I have something in my eye. 

 

In case you need more Gloria Burland in your diet—and who doesn’t?—you can check out her website http://www.gloriaburland.com/. You can find her books at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance eBooks, or the Musa Publishing Website.

Now for something tasty

Food has been on my mind lately. Okay, so food is always on my mind. I like to eat. I like to pretend I'm a chef in the kitchen. I make dinner most nights and this isn't a chore because I like to cook, only don't tell my family. I make my kids clean the kitchen because I did the cooking.

 I've been thinking about food because I'm trying to lose the layers of fluffy I have accumulated over time. But every now and then, people need a treat. My boys can blow through a dozen cookies in a few minutes and of course they don't gain an ounce. I try not to resent them. So, I make them yummy things to eat like Chocolate Triple Threat Cookies.

We're friends, aren't we? I thought so. That's why I'm going to share the recipe with you.

Chocolate Triple Threat Cookies

Chocolate cookie with dark chocolate and white chocolate

·        1 ¼ cup butter, softened

·        2 cups sugar

·        2 eggs

·        2 tsp vanilla

·        2 cups all purpose flour

·        1 cup cocoa powder

·        1 tsp baking soda

·        1 tsp salt

·        1 cup nuts

·        1 cup dark chocolate bits

·        1 cup white chocolate bits

Directions: Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt) and blend into wet mixture. Stir in chocolate bits and nuts if desired. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes. Cookies will puff while cooking and flatten once cool.  Makes about 4 ½ dozen.

 

Don't burn your fingers trying to eat them before they're cool.