I just had a new suspense come out - DAY OF SECRETS. And on Monday, I turned in final edits on A DEADLY ECLAIR (the first French Bistro Mystery). So I'm riding high!!
Or am I? That means I now have time to write another book. And another. And another. In which order? Sometimes, as an author, if you don't have a schedule, writing can be chaotic. You start one thing, then put it down and pick up something else, and never finish anything!
So I love a schedule. I love order. Like James Patterson, I might have dozens of ideas in my head, but without a team of writers to carry out the plan, I have to focus on one project at a time. One!
My next deadline? Turning in the first draft of book #2 for the French Bistro Mysteries. After that, I've set a deadline to finish Cookbook Nook #6, which I will most likely have to self-publish. That's okay. I want to tell at least one more of Jenna's stories.
After that, here's my schedule:
- Finish a proposal for a new cozy mystery series (and hopefully sell based on this proposal)
- Write draft of a new suspense
- Self-publish ACCIDENTAL MURDER (another stand-alone suspense)
- Write draft of a women's fiction
- Pray publisher requests third book for French Bistro Mysteries. (Yes, this is a task! I pray a lot!)
- Write draft of a second book for Chessa Paxton, who starred in the stand-alone GIRL ON THE RUN.
And so on.
You see how the list can grow? Yipes! Plus, any new contract might set the whole list on its ear! But if I don't have a schedule, I would go bonkers. Maybe I already have? How many authors like to have this many casts of characters running around in their heads? LOL
If I am nuts, then it means it's time for applesauce cake. I love this cake because it brings me peace and joy. It's so easy to make and it really satisfies my sweet tooth without being TOO sweet! It's great with a cup of coffee while I'm contemplating the next big thing!
For this cake, I used a mixture of gluten-free flours including oatmeal flour and garbanzo flour. It makes it hearty and packed with protein. They "whey flour" that I use ensures that the cake will remain moist.
*For those who can bake using regular flour, substitute out the gluten-free flour(s) and omit the xanthan gum.
Enjoy!
Oatmeal Applesauce Cake
Gluten-free
Serves 6-9
¼ cup canola oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup applesauce (or ½ cup applesauce and ½ banana, mashed)
½ cup Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
½ cup oatmeal flour
½ cup garbanzo bean flour
1 cup sweet rice flour
2 tablespoons whey flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
Crumble Topping (if desired):
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup gluten-free flour
2 tablespoons cold butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line a 9” square pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the canola oil, vinegar, milk, eggs,
vanilla, and cinnamon. Add in the applesauce (or applesauce and mashed banana) and chopped apples and mix until
incorporated.
Add in the oatmeal flour, garbanzo bean flour, sweet rice
flour, and whey flour. Then add in the baking soda, baking powder, and xanthan gum. Mix until incorporated.
Pour into the 9” pan.
Make the crumble topping (if desired). In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar,
gluten-free flour and butter. Dice until the mixture resembles small peas.
Scatter the topping on the cake.
Bake for 35-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the
middle comes out clean.
Let cool for 20 minutes in the pan. Let cool completely.
(If you didn’t make the crumble topping, frost with vanilla
frosting, if desired.)
*(BTW, if you forget the soda, powder, and gum, it tastes like a
“bar.” Yes, I did this! Guess I was too busy attending to my project list! LOL)
 |
| The topping! |
 |
| The bars - um, I forgot all the rising things. They were tasty but not what I'd expected! LOL |
A DEADLY ÉCLAIR, the 1st in the French Bistro Mysteries, is coming November 2017. Can Mimi clear her name before the killer turns up the heat? Click here to order.
GRILLING THE SUBJECT, the 5th Cookbook Nook Mystery, is out!
The Wild West Extravaganza has come to Crystal Cove.
Click here to order.
FOR CHEDDAR OR WORSE, the 7th Cheese Shop Mystery is out!
Finally there's going to be a cheese festival in Providence!
Click to order.
 |
GIRL ON THE RUN
a stand-alone suspense
a stand-alone suspense
When a fairytale fantasy night becomes a nightmare,
