Where Authors Meet for Tea
01 Dec 2012 Leave a Comment
in Afternoon Tea, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, Uncategorized
PLEASE JOIN US FOR AFTERNOON TEA ON MY BLOG AND SUBSCRIBE AS A FOLLOWER. THE INTERVIEWS ARE TOO INTERESTING TO MISS! HERE IS THE LINK:
Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Tha
mes
SEE YOU OVER THERE!
~NANCY JILL THAMES
QUEEN OF AFTERNOON TEA
01 Nov 2012 Leave a Comment
in Afternoon Tea, Author, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEWS Tags: Nancy Jill Thames, Nancy Lanni, Queen of Afternoon Tea, Queen of Afternoon Tea Celebrity Author Interviews, science fiction, writing, Ysabet: The Two Edged Sword
My current book, Ysabet I: The Two-Edged Sword, is science fiction. I was inspired to write it because 
of a fascination for the character of the empath, one who senses emotion. The first I ever heard the
term was in a Star Trek episode. A number of authors have treated the subject since. Ysabet is my own
interpretation of that psychic ability.
How did you become a writer? When did you start?
As a child I told stories and wrote poetry. I didn’t begin seriously trying to write a novel until long into
my adulthood. I remember thinking to myself… What would happen if…, and it flowed from there.
Once I started, I didn’t stop.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
Years… It went through many, many rewrites, and sequels and other novels filled in between. As I
learned the craft of writing, I knew I wanted to share it with others.
Where do you like to write?
I have my own library/den where both the genealogical and novel writing take place. It’s quiet at
home with a minimum of distractions, and I have all my tools at hand.
Favorite author(s)?
In historical fiction, I have always loved Walter Edmonds. His most famous novel was Drums Along the
Mohawk. I watch for new books from mystery writers such as: Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s,
Michael McGarrity, James D. Doss, Lee Child and Janet Evanovich. Of authors’ of science fiction/
fantasy, I like Sharon Shinn, George R. R. Martin, Sarah Monette, Elizabeth Moon, and I’m currently
reading Michelle Sagara. I think it’s the idea of the series that attracts me to them. That’s why I like
your character, Jillian Bradley. We really get to know her over the course of the series.
How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?
In the Ysabet series I have completed five and am working on a 6th. I also have a fantasy completed,
and another science fiction.
Would you like to share a link where we can purchase your books?
It’s available in paperback and the Kindle version on: amazon.com
What about a link to your website?
You may also find the links at: http://www.nancylanni.com
LEMON POUND CAKE
30 Sep 2012 3 Comments
in Afternoon Tea, Author, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, Uncategorized Tags: Author, CreateSpace, ebooks, Nancy Jill Thames, Queen of Afternoon Tea Celebrity Author Interviews, Rhonda Patton, Searching for the Unknown
Welcome! Let me pour you a cup of Lemon Lift tea and we’ll get started. Please help yourself to a chicken salad sandwich and a raspberry walnut scone. We have Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake for dessert.
Where do you live? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I live in Shreveport, Louisiana. I am a mother of two beautiful children, a girl 11 and a boy 2. I am married to my best friend, my illustrator, and my co-writer. We love camping, anything outdoors with the kids, we love to go to the diamond mine (digging in the dirt). I have always had the love of writing. I love kids so it was easy to make my kids’ books.
Are you a traditionally published or Indie author?
I am self-published. With low funds and year and a half of research what companies fit my budget, I decided to self-publish.
What are your hobbies?
I love writing, photography (anything with butterflies or nature), face booking, and social networking.
Tell us about your current book. What was your inspiration?
My current book is “Searching for the Unknown”. It is a story about a couple who moved to a small town after the husband was transferred for his job. They bought a nice house they had to fix up. They loved the property, the fishing, and everything but there was something they didn’t like, the other people who lived in the house. They have passed and started haunting them. The inspiration for this story was some happenings that has happened to my husband and I. And then our imaginations ran.
How did you become a writer? When did you start?
I have always loved writing poetry. When I was in high school and had a crush I would write. I could not express my feelings aloud like I could on paper. I am not a good talker. So if I had a feeling deep within me I would write. I divorced in 1999 and lost someone dear to me in the split, he was my stepson. He had many difficult situations in his life that I wanted to write something positive for kids. Now with my own two kids I write things that I would want them to read instead of all the fake stories out there. These are based on our lives only where children can relate.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
My first story did not take long at all. It is a kid’s short story so not many pages. For “Searching for the Unknown” it took a couple of months. It is also a short story for teens to adults.
Where do you like to write?
With two kids it is hard to find a nice quiet place to relax and write. So I have to take time when my husband gets off from work and go to our room and write. I either write when our two year old is taking a nap (like now), or late at night while he is sleeping.
Favorite author(s)?
I can’t really say I have a favorite. Every author out here is putting so much work together to strive for a good book. The work an author does to research everything for their book to publishing, editing, etc. is very hard work. Once published then you have to find your audience and then put a lot of time into social networking. I respect every author out there.
How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?
I have written over 11 books. I have put my Ted and Raymond Series together as 3 books in one. The projects are coming, more Ted and Raymond Series books. We have another paranormal book almost finished “The Spirits of ChesterVille General Store”. They all will be great reads.
Would you like to share a link where we can purchase your books?
http://www.amazon.com/Rhonda-Patton/e/B008QX4XO2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Barnes and noble, books-a-million, amazon, CreateSpace, and many more sites.
What about a link to your website?
www.rhondapattonauthor.weebly.com
Rhonda, thank you so much for joining us and allowing us to get to know you better. May you continue to enjoy success in your writing endeavors.
07 Sep 2012 14 Comments
Welcome! Let me pour you a cup of Earl Grey tea and we’ll get started. I have honey and lemon just for you! The open faced tuna with green olive sandwiches are to die for. Please help yourself. For dessert we have Cherry Cheesecake Tarts.
Where do you live? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in North Carolina, moved as an infant to Texas, then to Easton, Pennsylvania where I grew up the suburbs. I married my high school sweetheart, Butch, eloped in a crazy double ceremony with my own mother and moved to Long Island, New York. I raised our six children there, while Butch worked long hours to support us. Having six children almost all a year apart was a wonderful, hectic time, but I was alone a lot with no one to talk to that was more than three feet tall. We moved west to Las Vegas in a camper resembling the “Beverly Hillbillies”, due to the drug situation in New York. Work was difficult to find for my restaurant manager husband, so we limped back east and settled in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, a safe place, we thought, to raise children. Time would quickly prove us wrong.
Are you a traditionally published or Indie author?
I was very lucky in that a fellow writer I knew vaguely was opening her own publishing company, LSPdigital, and offered to publish my first and only book. It was half finished due to a trauma that blocked out my memory, but Linda Daly, having heard about my story, consistently nudged me forward until the block resolved and the book could end. Without her, there would be no book. She also taught her authors the art of marketing and promotion which has been invaluable to us all.
What are your hobbies?
When my kids were growing up I wove braided rugs, taught myself to crochet by beginning with a bath mat. The mat grew to be six feet long and a foot wide, but I figured it could be a lap robe for the kids. I finally had to stuff it in a closet to stop it. Butch, impressed by the growth potential of the bath mat bought me a sewing machine; not the best present for someone who almost failed sewing in Home Economics in school. I learned to sew the kids’ clothing and mine, plus a gorgeous suede shirt for my husband with the sleeves on backwards. Oddly he never wore it out of the house. Now I limit my hobbies to reading and doing professional book reviews, meditating and working crossword puzzles and mind games.
Tell us about your current book. What was your inspiration?
. . .And the Whippoorwill Sang is a deathbed promise I made to my lost child. When she was struck down by a drunk driver, her spinal cord severed, and left in a semi-coma for ten of the longest days of our lives, I told her I would make sure the world knew who and what she was; so that her death would not be in vain. As close as our large family was, when Noelle died, we all went our separate ways, unable to comfort each other. One of her sisters became bulimic and suicidal, a brother raced cars to tempt God to take him as well, her other brother had to be 
constantly pulled back from going after the repeated offender drunk driver who caused our world to dim without Noelle’s presence. Her oldest sister could not handle our great sorrow and stayed away on her own, while her youngest sister was plagued with anxiety and panic attacks at the age of eleven. Her father did not speak her name for five years and barely ever after that. As for me, I wrote. I could not speak or share so I wrote. The short story of the book was published by Victimology; an International Magazine. I wrote slice of life stories about her and all the kids for my new local daily newspaper, which led to a career in Journalism. I started the book about four years after her death, but life stepped in and I had to put it aside for years. When I was able to continue it, I realized the block when I came to the part before she died. My kids, many of whom also had memory loss, helped as we forced ourselves to remember—that and a deadline from my publisher finally got the book done.
How did you become a writer? When did you start?
I loved to write from the time I was five and crayoned my Raggedy Ann doll’s face—making some sort of statement, I suppose. I wrote my first poem in fifth grade and it had perfect meter. I loved writing book reports, essays and stories all through high school. I was writing ala “Erma Bombeck” style at the same time she was, except she got famous and I got honorariums. I put writing aside with so many kids, but I did keep journals and logs of our two trips out west. One was with a girlfriend and her little boy and one was when we moved out there. Butch was like the father in “Sound of Music” who whistled for the kids and made them toe the line like a General. Our “vacation” driving west was worth everything to see Butch struggle trying to make things go perfectly when “Murphy’s Law” was always one step ahead of him.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
In actual writing time, I would guess perhaps a year, but from the idea to the published date took over 20 years. When my publisher deliberately honored Noelle by having the book printed on the day she died, a strange thing happened. The book went to print at the precise time of day that Noelle went Home to God.
Where do you like to write?
I write mostly in the wee small hours of the morning, before I go to sleep around 3 AM. It’s quiet then and I am not a morning person. I prefer to write in bed where I’m comfortable and cannot create without an erasable pen and a long yellow legal pad. Then I make corrections/additions as I type the copy into the computer. Strange things happen when I use a computer, but that’s another story.
Favorite author(s)?
I love the old greats, many who’ve passed on by now—Mitchner, Covell, Tolkien, Margaret Atwood, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Diana Gabalden, Nora Roberts, and the wonderful Jean Auel, just to name a few. I loved all the Harry Potter books and of course my favorite book of all is the Bible.
How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?
This is my first book. I write mostly non-fiction, although I read fiction, but can only seem to write short fiction. At present, I’m working on putting together a collection of my short stories, slice of life, journalistic commentary and essays into a book called, “Heartbeats . . . Slices of Life”.
Would you like to share a link where we can purchase your books?
http://www.amazon.com/Micki-Peluso/e/B002BLZ7JK/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=79800
27 Aug 2012 3 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: dealing with grief, Down syndrome, indie author, lukemia, Matt Patterson, My Emily, Queen of Afternoon Tea Celebrity Author Interviews, writing
Welcome! Let me pour you a cup of Prince of Wales tea and we’ll get started. Please help yourself to my version of your Captain Harvey’s Steak Sub Sandwiches. I made sliders for tea! We also have the Turtle Chocolate Cake you like for dessert. 
M.P. Thank you so very much for having me. I don’t believe I’ve ever been a “King of the Week” before, so I consider this an honor!
Where do you live? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Home, sweet home is currently Gilbert, Arizona – a growing suburb of the Phoenix area. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland – youngest of two children. I have been married to my wife, Bonnie, for 27-plus years. We’ve had three daughters – Emily, Lauren and Kimberly.
I’m an absolutely huge sports fan – especially, baseball and college football. I’m also a little bit of a movie geek.
I’m a fan of food as well. I love Maryland steamed crabs or crab soup! It they’re not readily accessible, a really good, back-home cheesesteak or cheeseburger sub with loads of hot peppers and grilled onions. Probably not the perfect compliment to tea, but they sure are yummy!
Are you a traditionally published or Indie author?
I’m very proud to say I am a self-published indie author! Given the current publishing and economic climate – any and all marketing efforts an indie author is performing on their own behalf is also going to be required by a traditional publisher. I’m a very hands-on person and would prefer to make the call on certain aspects of my book(s). At the end of the day if I have anyone to complain about – it’ll boil down to the fella I see in the mirror.
What are your hobbies?
I’m reasonably boring fella. I read, listen to audio books, try my hardest to work out, watch college football and write. Boy, after writing that I have to say – I’m not a reasonably boring fella. I’m a VERY BORING fella!
Tell us about your current book. What was your inspiration? 
I’d be happy to. My Emily was released in late November/early December of last year.
My inspiration? My daughter – Emily. The actual idea for the book came from a newspaper column I wrote almost 20 years prior.
Emily was born with Down syndrome and just two years later was diagnosed with leukemia. I try to take the reader by the hand and walk them through our journey with our little one – from birth, diagnosis, treatment, her eventual passing and our efforts to move on without her.
I’ve been so very touched by the wonderful response to our story. Numerous readers have shared notes containing such heartfelt words of encouragement as to how Emily’s story has affected them. It’s been truly humbling, considering many of these notes come from families with special needs children or those who are actually fighting the fight with cancer/leukemia. It’s been quite an emotional and gratifying time.
How did you become a writer? When did you start?
I have a background in journalism and marketing communications that totals some 20-plus years. I’ve written everything from straight news stories and columns to news releases and annual reports. Thing is, I really don’t believe I became a “writer” until I sat down and tried to write my first book. So, I have to say I have two answers – 1986 and 2010, but let’s go with the latter.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
It would kill me to say 20 years, but I have to agree the timing was right for when it finally came to pass. In actuality, it took me three to four months to write, edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit and finally have friends say, “Let it go for crying out loud.”
Where do you like to write?
As funny as it may seem – I prefer to write at our public library here in Gilbert. It’s quiet. I have a large table to work from and I have any and all the comforts of home.
Favorite author?
This is an easy one – Mitch Albom.
He has such a simple and clean delivery to his work. He creates the perfect blend of humor, sensitivity and spirituality (without being preachy) that truly makes you laugh, cry and be inspired. I have to say I try to pattern my writing after his. When I grow up – I want to be Mitch Albom.
How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?
I have written one book – My Emily. Yes, I have two books on the horizon – one, which will be co-authored with my wife Bonnie and the second will be a book about how men deal with grief.
Would you like to share a link where we can purchase your books?
The easiest link, offering the most options, is most likely on the My Emily website: http://www.my-emily.com/Buy_My_Emily.html
What about a link to your website?
I invite folks to stop by and visit www.my-emily.com and learn a little bit more about our little girl and our story.
Links:
Websites: http://mattpatterson.me http://www.my-emily.com
Twitter: @myemily_thebook
Facebook: Matt Patterson, Author & My Emily
Matt, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us – I’ve admired your courage and wonderful spirit from afar. So good to finally connect!
This week’s winner of Matt Patterson’s book “My Emily” was won by Paulette Harper Johnson. CONGRATULATIONS PAULETTE!!
20 Aug 2012 10 Comments
in Afternoon Tea, Author, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEWS Tags: .99 ebook, Author, C.L.Ragsdale, cheap ebooks, cozy mystery, cozy mystery author, ebooks, kindle books, nook book, The Mystery of Hurtleberry House, The Reboot Files, The ritual of afternoon tea
Welcome! Let me pour you a cup of Raspberry Royale tea and we’ll get started. Please help yourself to a Smoked Chicken Mushroom Tart and a finger sandwich. The tart is a recipe from Tea Party Girl, a cute site I’ve subscribed to recently. We’re having your wonderful Cherry Topped Cheesecake Pie for dessert. I’ve included the recipe at the end.
Where do you live? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a California girl. I’m not married and I have no children, although nephews and nieces, and great-nephews and nieces (yes I am that old) make up for it. I have a degree in Theatre Arts which greatly influenced my writing style of telling a story through the dialogue between my characters. My work experience is in the clerical field in a lot of different industries, which is convenient for plot lines. Long story short, I’m boring.
Are you a traditionally published or Indie author?
I’m an Indie author.
What are your hobbies?
Embroidery, knitting, and walking.
Tell us about your current book. What was your inspiration?
My most recent book is called “The Wrong Ghost.” The inspiration actually came from an assignment I had in a Spanish class. One assignment was to ask different people about the story of La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) a variation of “The White Lady” legend. What fascinated me was the number of variations I heard on the theme, no two stories were alike. Which fits into the plot line of “The Wrong Ghost.”
How did you become a writer? When did you start?
According to my mother I’ve been making up my own stories since before I could read. She said I would take sister’s comic books and sit under the kitchen table and make up the story to go with the picture. I thought Spiderman was the bad guy because he scared me. However I actually started writing in junior high when I got hooked on reading. However it wasn’t until I was in my forties that I actually sat down to the work of writing and try to put together an actual novel. Then it was a matter of trial and error.
How long did it take you to finish your first book?
My first book in the series “The Mystery of Hurtleberry House,” took about six months to complete.
Where do you like to write?
On my laptop computer in front of the TV. Not that I’m actually watching the show, but I do like the background noise for some reason.
Favorite author(s)?
Do I have to pick? I love so many. However, C.S. Lewis, John Bunyan, Arthur Conan Doyle, R. Austin Freeman…Oh man there are just too many!
How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?
So far I have written four in The Reboot Files Series, and yes I plan on more. How many? Well that’s up to God who has to give me the ending.
Would you like to share a link where we can purchase your books?
The Reboot Files #1 – The Mystery of Hurtleberry House
The Reboot Files #2 – The Island of Living Trees
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/island-of-living-trees-cl-ragsdale/1102283674?ean=2940012506092
The Reboot Files #3 – The Harbinger of Retribution
http://www.amazon.com/Harbinger-Retribution-Reboot-Files-ebook/dp/B005KYIYJU/ref=pd_rhf_dp_shvl1
Reboot Files #4 – The Wrong Ghost:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wrong-ghost-cl-ragsdale/1111622289?ean=2940014706766
What about a link to your website?
My blog, called Short Mysteries and Tall Tales is located at http://www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogspot.com
Cindy, it’s been so much fun to have you come for tea. I’ve enjoyed reading the Reboot Files and wish you great success in all your upcoming endeavors. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations to last week’s contest winner Linneann! She will be receiving a copy of “Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler” by Rosemary “Mamie” Adkins.
1. Leave a comment with your e-mail address (so we can send a copy to you if you win).
2. Follow “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” (You must comment and Follow by Email to qualify for the drawing.)
Now here are the recipes!
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese (softened)
½ cup sugar
1 8 oz container thawed frozen whipped topping
1 9 inch unbaked graham cracker crust
1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
With electric beater combine cream cheese and sugar until integrated. Blend in cool whip. Pour into graham cracker crust. Top with cherries. Chill before serving.
Ingredients:
1/2 pkg. puff pastry dough, thawed
1 tsp. water
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 C. diced smoked chicken, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 C. shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 pkg. Cremini mushrooms, coarsely chopped
12 Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped, divided
2 T. olive oil
1 T. finely chopped parsley, divided
1 egg
1 T. finely minced scallion stems, divided
Preheat oven to 450*. Roll out pastry dough and flatten seams. Cut
pastry sheet into 9 sections and place sections on a greased baking
sheet. In a large pan over medium high heat, saute’ sliced onions,
minced garlic and chopped mushrooms in olive oil until softened.
Remove from heat and let cool. In a small bowl, beat egg with
water. Brush the borders of the pastry with egg mixture. Spread
mushroom mixture into the center of each pastry section. Fold up
1/2″ of each pastry side, pinching the corners together to hold the
filling. Bake for 10 minutes.
Top each tart with smoked chicken, shredded Montery Jack cheese
and chopped olives. Return to oven for an additional 10 minutes,
until cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle each tart
with chopped parsley and scallions. Serve warm. Makes 9 servings.
12 Aug 2012 23 Comments
in Afternoon Tea, CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEWS Tags: dreams, ebook, Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler, inspirational, Ireland travel guide, journal, Rosemary Adkins, writing
Welcome!
Greetings Jill, and thank you for having me today.
My pleasure! Let me pour you a cup of tea and we’ll get started. I’m serving your lovely Tostado Salads today with the Berry Shortcakes for dessert. Thanks so much for including the recipes that readers can find at the end of the interview.
1. Where do you live and tell us a little about yourself?
Currently we, my husband, myself and chocolate lab Sandy live in Bremerton, Washington which is across the sound from Seattle. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and brought up with two brothers. Herb, five years older and my 11-1/2 month younger brother John. Most of my family is no longer in Texas but scattered around. My older brother lives in Wyoming with his wonderful wife Diane while my younger brother John lives in Colorado at the top of the Grand Mesa with his wife Lucinda. Our beautiful daughter Kecia and husband Jonathan also live in Colorado far too far away! My husband, Douglas and I just celebrated our Twenty fourth (24th) wedding anniversary last week on the 6th of August. Doug has been the extraordinary man in my life always standing by my side and caring for me while ill without ever a complaint. He recently retired just before our extraordinary journey to Ireland and keeps reminding me what retirement is suppose to mean! Doug, Mamie, Kecia, Jonathan. Together we have owned a candy store where we manufactured all our own chocolates to include 33 flavors truffles, founded the American Diabetes Association where we held fund raisers one of which was aboard the USSCarl Vinson and the first of it’s kind in history and after retirement, started Imported hand knit Irish Woollen knits while finishing my first book.
2. Are you a traditionally published or Indie author?
I am an Indie author. I own all my own rights, bought my ISBN and am not connected to any publishing house. I contracted out my layout, professional editing, and finally found my own printer for my books. A lot of work but I am in control of my own destiny.
3. What are your hobbies?
The only hobby I have is quilting. The last quilt I finished was about six months ago but one year I got ambitious or crazy-made 13 quilts for
Christmas gifts and burned myself out for a while. Now, my hobby is writing and I love it. Fortunately, I can write whenever I want as long as I have time after promoting, blogging and answering e-mails!
4. Tell us about your current book. What was your inspiration? 
My book, Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler started out as a journal. My husband and I have been married twenty (24) four years and most of that time, I fell ill to the crippling effects of Diabetic complications. The complications were tremendous and I was unable to work for years. He never once complained taking are of me with every kind emotion anyone could have. One day I woke up and felt like I was new again. God had granted me a whole new life. After seeing my doctors they agreed that it was unbelievable and yes I could plan a vacation. That is what I had asked them because I wanted to surprise my husband with a retirement vacation like we had not been able to take before. Secretly, I planned this trip keeping a journal with where to go and tours to see. My friends had ask me if for Christmas (after we had taken our trip) to gift them a copy of my journal with photographs we had taken in Ireland. As I was rewriting the journal for this one friend Cathy, I decided to turn it into my dream to write a book. So my book was born. Douglas, my husband was my inspiration. My book takes you on a journey to Ireland for a three (3) week adventure that tells you what we found for the best value for your money, where to stay, tours to take, what to pack, weather, rental cars, and an in-depth history of each location we visited so you can decide if that is where you want to spend your vacation dollars. I have included over 160 color images and 249 plus pages in a 6 x 9 format. I also negotiated special offers exclusive for the owner of my book that will save them hundreds of dollars.
5. How did you become a writer? When did you start?
I have always loved to write and started in high school writing poetry. I did not ever follow up on it but tried over a fifteen (15) year period to write a book about a tough subject. I could not get the words out so I laid it down many times. My book about Ireland has now given me the courage to get my original book finished and I believe I have finally found my voice.
6. How long did it take you to finish your first book?
It took me two (2) years from the time I started researching Ireland to the time it was published. I hired a publishing coach, Patrick Snow and attended his classes beginning in late October 2011 and with his help, put my work together, had it professionally edited by Tyler Tichelaar, book published and in my hands by December 31, 2011 for distribution in January 2012!! And so excited!
7. Where do you like to write?
My favorite place to write is at the beach or ocean side but mostly, I sit in my recliner with my IPad and write out my notes. Then, I sit and hand write out my thoughts before transferring them to my computer where I then spend hours writing.
8. Favorite authors?
I do not have a favorite author. I have not been a real good reader except for short stories for years until I began my research for my Ireland book. Now, I enjoy reading history. I also belong to an authors group and am enjoying reading some of the fine books written by my friends.
9. How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?
This was my first book Jill, but yes I do plan to write more. I am currently writing a book whose title I believe will be Mamie also a follow up on Ireland to include Northern Ireland and try my hand at short stories in between. I am also toying with another book I will title The Man I Married.
10. Would you like to share a link where you can purchase your books?
Oh yes, thank you I am delighted you ask! My book can be purchased in a few locations. The paperback copy can be purchased at my web site which is: http://www.extraordinaryireland.com/where I have a PayPal account set up for convenient ordering.
My book, Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler is also available anywhere E-Books are sold. Amazon for Kindle, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Readers Store for Sony Readers, Apple iBookstore for IPad, KOBO, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie.
Here are a few of the links:
Amazon-E-Book:
http://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Dreams-Ireland-Traveler-ebook/dp/B0080JHKY2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344818873&sr=1-1&keywords=extraordinary+dreams+of+an+ireland+traveler
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/extraordinary-dreams-of-an-irelandtraveler-
rosemary-mamie-adkins/1110625504?ean=9781935586883
Readers Store for Sony:
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/rosemary-mamie-adkins/extraordinarydreams-
of-an-ireland-traveler/_/R-400000000000000745198
KOBO:
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Extraordinary-Dreams-of-Ireland-
Traveler/book-EObwdWS2dUOmFWmgEHHTdA/page1.html?
s=am_ZGvmQyEO89RRSHod4Fg&r=3
11. What about a link to your blogs?
Thank you for asking Jill. I would like to invite anyone to visit my blogs at:
http://www.extraordinaryireland.blogspot.com/
extraordinaryireland.wordpress.com
I would sincerely love to thank you for this opportunity to talk about my book. In giving talks with a Toastmasters group, it is not hard to fill up my time allowance talking about my book-it’s just so exciting, almost like visiting Ireland all over again. I hope to do that in 2013 leading a tour group and writing my second book about Ireland. Thanks again, and someday, I would love to serve you tea peach tea! 
Sounds delightful! Rosemary, it was a delight to have you today and I wish you great success in all your writing endeavors.
We’d like to thank you for joining us today by giving away a free copy of Rosemary’s book. If you’d like a chance to win a hard copy of EXTRAORDINARY DREAMS OF AN IRELAND TRAVELER, please leave a comment with your email and follow “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” The drawing will be held Monday, August 20, 2012 and the lucky winner will be notified by e-mail. Good luck!
Here are Rosemary Adkins’ recipes.
Ingredients:
1.50 pounds 85% lean ground beef
1-large can Refried Beans
Iceberg Lettuce-1/2 chopped
Butter lettuce-3 leaves chopped
Mini bell peppers-3 each red, yellow,
orange cut in long strips
Small White onion-diced
4- Tomatoes- diced
1-Bunch green onions
2 Avacados-Scoop out and in a bowl smash until creamy
4 Tostado Shells
Grated Cheddar Cheese
Salsa
Guacamole Package mix
Juice from fresh lemon
Salt and Pepper to taste
Basil leaves-fresh (3)
Cilantro-fresh
Taco Seasoning Mix- follow package instructions
Mexican sour creme
To Prepare:
In a skillet add olive oil and brown 3/4 of the onion. Add the ground beef and cook until well done. While the meat is cooking, slice and dice all the vegetables above. Cut the avocados in half and scoop out the contents into a bowl adding the juice of one lemon and mash until creamy then adding 1/2 diced tomato, a small amount of the diced onion and 3 tablespoons of sour creme. Cover tightly and refrigerator. We have a favorite restaurant we buy freshly made large tostado bowls and you can usually find a deli in Safeway that will cook them for you or a restaurant.
In a microwave/oven safe sauce pan add refried beans, 1/4 of the diced onion. Add 1 diced tomatoe, add 3 tablespoons of salsa and a handful of cheese. Cook in microwave until hot. Then place in preheated oven until ready to use. Now that everything is cooked and diced, take the tostado shells and place on dinner plates and fill the bottom in a thin layer of shredded cheese followed by refried beans and ground beef -about 6 tablespoons of each. Now Add chopped lettuce mixing the two lettuces until tostado bowls are 3/4 full. Divided for the 4 tostado bowls top with cheese followed by bell peppers, green onions, diced tomatoes and top with a large tablespoon of guacamole.
Jill, I love fresh ingredients so for dessert today I thought it would be nice while fresh blueberries and strawberries are in season to buy the small cakes sold in the grocery stores for shortcakes.
Peach low fat yogurt
1-medium box fresh strawberries
1 small box of blueberries
Canned whip cream
Raw sugar
Watkins vanilla-1tbsp-optional
Rinse your berries together and place in a bowl. Then reserve 4 strawberries to top the finished desserts. While they are wet, dip in the raw sugar and refrigerate. Cut the remaining strawberries lengthwise in quarters and add to the whole blueberries and cover with raw sugar adding the 1 tablespoon of vanilla (optional). I use raw sugar as it taste a bit like honey and the natural sweetness of the fruit comes alive. After it sets up for a couple of hours, it is ready to use.
Now comes the fun! Take your cakes and place one on each dish and using a butter knife smooth the peach yogurt inside each cup allowing it to spill over. Now add fruit mixture and top with whipped cream. Repeat again so it is two layers high. Finish with whip cream and top with the refrigerated whole strawberry.
Now enjoy!
Thank you again Jill for having me.
