Carolan Ivey - Romance That Will Haunt You

Issue: Spring 2009

Contests!

Hey gang, I have a tote bag full of books and swag from Celebrate Romance 2009. Want a chance to win it? Sign up for my email list and make sure your account is set to at least Special Notices.

Wildish Things Wins 2009 Fantasm Award!

See other winners here! Congrats to my Beyond the Veil buddies Bianca D'Arc and Jody Wallace!

As I type this it is still technically winter, but there is the barest taste of spring in the air. Somehow, when I step outside, there's a difference in how the air feels when it hits my skin. Instead of biting, it feels measurably softer.

Of course, as soon as I say that, the temperature will probably plunge back down to the single digits!

Let's see, what's coming up on the Celtic Wheel of the Year? Ah, yes...Spring Equinox, or Ostara. Also known as Eostre, which is where we get the modern-day word "Easter." Needless to say, it is the first day of spring (finally!), a time of balance between dark and light. The Oak King begins his final triumph over the Holly King, and will grow ever stronger with the sun until Summer Solstice.

Make a Miniature Greenhouse

It's not hard to start your own seeds well before the last frost. If anything, it'll cheer you up to see the first green shoots poking up even as the last snowflakes melt. You'll need:

- Disposable baking pan (silver foil type) with clear plastic lid

- Small peat pots

- Potting soil

- Seeds

Poke some holes in the bottom of the pan for drainage. Start with just a few, not too big. You can always add more later if needed.

Fill peat pots with potting soil. Line them up to fit snugly in the pan. Push a seed down into each pot, covering up with soil. Mist the pots with water (don't soak the soil!).

Place clear lid on pan and put it in a sunny window. As the sun warms it, condensation will form. Don't remove the lid at all unless you think the contents are drying out and needs a bit of misting. Never leave the lid off for long.

Seeds should germinate in a few days. By Beltaine they'll be ready to plant outside. (Place the pan outside first to let the plants "harden off.") When planting, place the whole peat pot in the ground.

What to plant? Try different lettuces, soft herbs like basil and tarragon, snow peas, or edible flowers like nasturtium. Source: Click here.

Magical Crystal Ostara Eggs

This is a fun alternative to traditional chicken's eggs!

Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/4 cup clean sand, and 1 cup used coffee grounds. Gradually add about 3/4 cup warm water and knead until dough is thick and gritty.

Spray small gemstones with cooking spray, place in center of small scoop of dough. Shape dough into egg shape and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. Let cool - they'll be hard. Paint with acrylic paint, and hide as usual.

They're fun for kids to crack open to find the treasure inside!

Carolan's Cauldron

I ran across this fun site called Baking Bites (I think I would have named it "Bakin' Bits"...) that is overflowing with the yummy. I had a tough time selecting recipe to share with you, but after trying this one, it was hands-down The One for this newsletter.

Particularly because my husband has to hide the Girl Scout Thin Mints from me this time of year!

Homemade Thin Mints

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/3 cup milk (any kind)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp peppermint extract

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. With the mixer on low speed, add in the milk and the extracts. Mixture will look curdled. Gradually, add in the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
Shape dough into two logs, about 1 1/2 inches (or about 4 cm) in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, until dough is very firm.

Preheat oven to 375F. Slice dough into rounds not more than 1/4 inch thick - if they are too thick, they will not be as crisp - and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cookies will not spread very much, so you can put them quite close together.

Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cookies are firm at the edges. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate.

Dark Chocolate Coating
10-oz dark or semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter, room temperature

In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Melt on high power in the microwave, stirring every 45-60 seconds, until chocolate is smooth. Chocolate should have a consistency somewhere between chocolate syrup and fudge for a thin coating.

Dip each cookie in melted chocolate, turn with a fork to coat, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to set up for at least 30 minutes, or until chocolate is cool and firm.
Reheat chocolate as needed to keep it smooth and easy to dip into. Makes 3 1/2-4 dozen cookies.

Notes: You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips for the coating, but you may need to add a tablespoon of butter to make it thin enough. Finished cookies can be frozen.

What's Cooking...On the Keyboard?

Since the release of A Ghost of a Chance, fan mail is pouring in begging for either John's or Ethan's story! Thank you to everyone who is enjoying the series. :) I'm writing as fast as I can! I need to find a way to get Ethan to hold off until I can finish John's cycle. It's so hard, though...Ethan is truly delish and he is literally haunting my dreams.

If you thought Jared Beaudry was tortured, wait till you meet Ethan...

~~~

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Upcoming Appearances

Lori Foster Readers & Authors Get Together

June 5-7, Cincinnati Marriott North, Westchester, OH
Open to the public booksigning, 2-4 p.m. June 6

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

July 9-12, 2009