I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
The best part about writing novels is that I get to include little personal things in my books. I absolutely love food, so I always include one or two foods in my books that are special to me.
In my romantic suspense, Deadly Intent, the heroine’s family is having a get-together with friends and family. At get-togethers with my family, my mom will usually make Chinese chicken salad.
It’s a really yummy dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. It’s also not too exotic (unlike some other Asian food I grew up with). As kids, we loved it, and my mom was happy since we were eating our veggies. :)
Chinese chicken salad
1-2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
1 head iceberg lettuce
1/4 c. cilantro, coarsely chopped (optional)
1 package won ton skins (optional)
DRESSING:
1-2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/2 cup salad oil
2 Tablespoons sugar
3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper
finely shredded celery (optional)
Whisk together dressing, adding or subtracting quantities to personal taste. Mom mentioned to me that you will need to adjust the vinegar and sugar, especially, because some brands of vinegar are stronger than others. She usually makes her dressing a little sweeter and a little less vinegary, which is how I like it.
(Optional) Cut won ton skins into strips and deep fry until golden brown. Drain and cool.
Shred lettuce.
Toss all ingredients together. Serve immediately.
I hope you enjoy reading Deadly Intent! Now when you read about the get-together and the Chinese chicken salad, you’ll feel like you were there!
DEADLY INTENT back cover blurb:
SCENE OF THE CRIME
The Grant family’s exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! Then Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, and everything falls apart. The salon’s reputation is at stake...and so is Naomi’s freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim’s ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn...and whom can she trust?
In my romantic suspense, Deadly Intent, the heroine’s family is having a get-together with friends and family. At get-togethers with my family, my mom will usually make Chinese chicken salad.
It’s a really yummy dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. It’s also not too exotic (unlike some other Asian food I grew up with). As kids, we loved it, and my mom was happy since we were eating our veggies. :)
Chinese chicken salad
1-2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
1 head iceberg lettuce
1/4 c. cilantro, coarsely chopped (optional)
1 package won ton skins (optional)
DRESSING:
1-2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/2 cup salad oil
2 Tablespoons sugar
3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper
finely shredded celery (optional)
Whisk together dressing, adding or subtracting quantities to personal taste. Mom mentioned to me that you will need to adjust the vinegar and sugar, especially, because some brands of vinegar are stronger than others. She usually makes her dressing a little sweeter and a little less vinegary, which is how I like it.
(Optional) Cut won ton skins into strips and deep fry until golden brown. Drain and cool.
Shred lettuce.
Toss all ingredients together. Serve immediately.
I hope you enjoy reading Deadly Intent! Now when you read about the get-together and the Chinese chicken salad, you’ll feel like you were there!
DEADLY INTENT back cover blurb:
SCENE OF THE CRIME
The Grant family’s exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! Then Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, and everything falls apart. The salon’s reputation is at stake...and so is Naomi’s freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim’s ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn...and whom can she trust?
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