QUEEN OF AFTERNOON TEA CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEW

"QUEEN OF THE WEEK"
CELEBRITY AUTHOR
ELIZABETH TRUIETT 

AUTHOR, ELIZABETH TRUIETT

NANCY JILL THAMES

Welcome! Let me pour you a nice cup of English Breakfast tea and we’ll get started. Please help yourself to some Jo Anne’s Chicken Salad Sandwiches. Your Dark Chocolate Cranberry Scones with Rebecca’s Anniversary Pears and Fast & Easy Clotted Cream can easily be dessert! Readers will find the recipes at the end of the interview.

Where do you live?

     I live in the community of Oatmeal outside Bertram.  Almost 1000 acres of the original property was purchased by my husband’s grandfather in the 1940’s.  Recently many of the younger generation have moved onto the land subdividing it, somewhat.  It is quite beautiful with mountains and a creek, called Cow Creek.  We have inherited his grandparents’ farmhouse and are lovingly restoring it.  We hope to modernize it but keep the historic value and memories.  Grandma’s wood cook stove will have a place of honor beside my modern double oven.

How are you published?

     I am an indie author, published through Create Space.

What are your hobbies?

     I recently taught myself to crochet.  I love to read.  I am also interested in genealogy, cooking & baking, and target shooting.

Tell us about your current book.

     I am working on Murder at the Mountain Creek Festival.  My killer thinks the little town of Mountain Creek is the perfect place to hide.  The idea came to me while fighting crowds and traffic at our annual Oatmeal Festival.  My character Hope runs a new Bed & Breakfast.   There is a wedding taking place there over Labor Day weekend.   

How did you become a writer?

     In the summer of 2011, I was driving to Port Aransas with my husband Boyd and our 3 girls.  I remarked that surely, as much as I like to read,  I could write a book.  Boyd really encouraged me to try.  I was certain that all it would take was a good opening line.  So I wrote one.  Then came the prologue.  By the time we finished our vacation, I had written 20 pages.  By Christmas I had 20 chapters.

How long did it take?

     I finished Carolina Key in about 10 months.  I was so sad when I finished!  The fun was gone. 

Where do you like to write?

     I homeschool the girls and I have a desk tucked into the corner of our library/schoolroom.  It’s not very glamorous but the view of the mountain outside my window overlooks Balcones Wildlife Refuge.  Boyd is converting Grandma’s old wash house into a writing studio for me.  I imagine I will have a porch swing out front for when writer’s block hits.

Favorite authors?

     Too many!! 

Jan Karon, Sue Grafton, Beverly Lewis, Jeanette Oke, P.L. Gaus, Wanda Brunstetter, Judith Miller.

How many books have you written?

     Carolina Key is my first.  I have 3 others started.  I expect to write about 5 more of the Mountain Creek series and then concentrate on some geneology romances.  Boyd’s family has some especially fascinating stories in their history.

We’d love a link to purchase!

     Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble

And a link to your website?

     elizabethtruiett.vpweb.com

Be sure to read my blog A View from Mountain Creek.  I will be posting the cover reveal for book 2 soon.  Thank you for having me to tea!

Elizabeth, it was my pleasure!

Here are the Elizabeth Truiett's recipes for today’s tea fare:

 

Dark Chocolate Cranberry Scones
I use the Pioneer Woman’s scone recipe but I add my own flair to it.
3 c flour                                           
1/3 c sugar                                         
5 t baking powder
1 t salt
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 egg
3/4c heavy cream
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 c dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350.  Stir together all dry ingredients.  Cut in butter.  Add egg and cream.  Mix.  Stir in chocolate chips and cranberries.  Turn onto a floured cutting board.  Knead into a smooth circle and pat down.  Cut into triangle shaped wedges.  Transfer to a greased baking pan or stone.  Bake 25 min.  Bottoms will be brown but light on top.  Cool slightly.  Serve warm with cold clotted cream and a mug of your favorite tea or coffee.

Fast & Easy Clotted Cream

My mother and I discovered clotted cream on a trip to London while I was in high school.  We’ve loved it ever since.  This is a very easy version.

3 o.z. cream cheese

1 c heavy whipping cream

3 T sugar

Let cream cheese soften then mix ingredients in a mason jar.  Shake well.  It is best if you let it sit refrigerated 24 hours.

 

Rebecca’s Anniversary Pears
1 sliced & cored red pear
1 sliced & cored green pear
Mix 1 T of cherry preserves and 1Tof orange marmalade together for dipping sauce.

Jo Anne’s Chicken Salad
Start with 2 cans of chicken or 1lb. of cooked, shredded chicken.
Add your favorite ingredients.  We like: chopped onion, sliced boiled eggs
(about 4), sliced black olives, dill relish, and black pepper.  Top and stir with your favorite mayo, miracle whip or try a dash (1T) of horseradish.


Luscious Latte Punch
10 c hot brewed coffee
1 c sugar
Dissolve sugar in hot coffee and refrigerate overnight.
3 c nonfat milk
½ c chocolate syrup
tub of coffee ice cream
Scoop ice cream into punch bowl.  Add milk, coffee, and syrup.  Stir.  This recipe will be served at the bridal brunch in Mountain Creek Mystery Book 2

 

FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE

AS OF THIS WEEKEND, BOOKS 1-6 ARE AVAILABLE ON 

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

AND SMASHWORDS.

MY FRIEND IN NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA FORMATTED THE FILES FOR ME.  I'LL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK.

THANK YOU RIK HALL!

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE READS IN PAPERBACK OR ON WHATEVER EREADER YOU LIKE TO USE.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, MY FRIENDS!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of "Jillian Bradley Mysteries," Christian fiction based on travel adventures with her husband. The stories reflect Nancy Jill's love of art and serving afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller's List and won awards for her blogs. Nancy Jill is a Texas Longhorn, having earned her degree from The University of Texas in Austin, where she resides. The author donates 10% of book sales to the Central Texas SPCA-a no kill animal shelter.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" due out in 2013.
Member of the Leander Writers Guild.

 
To check out her books, Murder in Half Moon Bay, The Ghost Orchid Murder, From the Clutches of Evil, The Mark of Eden, Pacific Beach, and Waiting for Santa, please visit: 
Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames
COZY MYSTERY MAGAZINE 


CONTACT INFORMATION  
jillthames@gmail.com

Traditions - The Family Glue

One of my dad's favorite Christmas traditions was a game we played called "Christmas Eve Gift." And even though our family is miles apart this year, by playing the game in family units, somehow, the tradition becomes the glue that binds us together. Here's an excerpt from "Waiting for Santa" that describes how the game is played. Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of Holidays this season.

~Nancy Jill

Paperback $8.99 
 Kindle $3.99

NOOK BOOK $3.99

 

From Chapter 2

 

    Now, our family plays a game during Christmas called Christmas Eve Gift. The object is to say, “Christmas Eve Gift” to as many family members as you can before they say it to you. If you sat it first to someone, that person is required to buy you an inexpensive present...  a dollar or less.

    The idea began in England years ago when people considered it rude not wish someone Merry Christmas first. The penalty was to give a gift for the rudeness. Our family always goes to great lengths to “get someone’s Christmas Eve Gift” as we would say. We hide, lying in wait for members to arrive for their visits in order to get the jump on them. Someone even placed an alarm clock under my dad’s bed once with a note attached just to get a gift from him later, but the family voted the action unfair.

     After getting each other’s names, everyone piles into cars and heads out to shop for gag gifts, which helps to relieve the children’s suspense waiting for Santa. The presents are normally exchanged after supper on Christmas Eve, and we enjoy the uproar caused by the funny gift selections. Even though Kenny’s condition was serious, our family agreed playing the game would be a good diversion.

    We all bid goodnight, and I went into the kitchen to set out breakfast for the next morning. I set a package of cinnamon rolls I’d purchased earlier on the counter, and prepared coffee to start on a timer. After cutting up fruit, placing it on a pretty platter, I assembled a breakfast casserole and placed both in the refrigerator. This would make tomorrow morning run more smoothly. I turned off all the lights except for the tree. Those I left on for the whole season. After turning off the fire and closing the screen, it was time to get ready for bed. Teddy was so tired I had to carry him into the bedroom and lay him at the foot of the bed.

    The rain began falling softly at first but became heavier as the night wore on. Small claps of thunder woke Teddy several times. Shaking, he cuddled next to me. Cuddle next to me… my thoughts turned to Prentice and the wonderful time we shared today.

    Where had the night gone? I thought I just closed my eyes when two pairs of feet scurried into the room and I heard shouts.

    “Christmas Eve Gift, Aunt Jillian! Christmas Eve Gift.”

    “You got me!” I laughed.

    Sydney and Kevin were thrilled at catching me first. Now they had at least one gift apiece coming tonight. Not wanting to be out shopping on Christmas Eve, the task had been finished well in advance picking up cute gifts at The Dollar Tree and Target. The children ran out, heading straight for the kitchen after I had mentioned cinnamon rolls would be available for breakfast. Better get up and get dressed. Christmas Eve was about to begin.

    Kaitlin poked her head in, holding Preston in his puppy pajamas.

    “Christmas Eve gift,” she called.

    I laughed and told her I’d be ready in a few minutes.

    “Mom and Dad are still asleep,” she said. “You might get theirs if you’re sneaky enough. I’ll see you in the kitchen.”

    Kaitlin—such an impressive young woman. To have three children so well behaved after observing many about town who weren’t was refreshing. Kaitlin may have looked like a pixie, but she was a formidable mother!

    I needed coffee. The more important task, though, happened to be dressing for the day. Luckily, the outfit was hanging in the front of my closet, prepped and ready. A Christmas penguin sweatshirt and black skinny jeans. Preparation. It would be the ticket to serving and entertaining so many loved ones in my lonely little home. After making the bed (as always) and scooping Teddy into my arms, we headed for the kitchen to begin baking pies.