LASTING PROMISE BOOK THREE

There is no shortage of action in Susanna Lane's newest book in her Promise Series,  “Lasting Promise.” It's action-packed, with twists and turns at every bend, and punctuated by heartfelt dialogue. The novel is a continuation of the epic family saga of the Enders clan, introducing two new characters: Tori Bartlett, also known as Nora, and Gus Quaid.

Lane is a multi-award-winning writer of historical western frontier series. Her stories are character-driven, with each character facing a variety of adversities and experiencing highs and lows of emotion that keep the reader invested in the storyline. Lane has developed likeable and relatable characters who exhibit resilience, determination, courage, and compassion. A sense of hopefulness pervades despite some flawed characters who face a variety of misfortunes stemming from problematic backgrounds, trust issues, and jealousy.

The first part of the book sets up two new characters added to the Enders Clan from Books One and Two. It can be considered a standalone novel even though it is part of the series. Deception and the concealment of their backgrounds prompt Gus Quaid and Tori Barrett to recognize that they need to purge their pasts and move beyond survival mode.

Gus lives in remorse and guilt for not saving his wife, Aubrey, from a Sioux kidnapping. He spends many years as an Army scout while hoping to find his wife and bring her home. His attraction to Tori, a salon manager, becomes problematic when she decides Gus could be her protector, hoping to escape the town and free herself from dark secrets and a questionable past. Gus begins to realize she is not who she pretends to be and finds her to be cunning and manipulative. Issues of trust and forgiveness plague their relationship. Tori, a strong character with grit, is on the run. A succession of events stretches their stamina to the max. The second half of the book connects them to the Enders clan in a surprising way.

Lane's descriptive sentences capture the time period beautifully as well as the grittiness and spirit of settlers out west. She writes from meticulous research, vital for accuracy, to capture the nuances of the time period. Books Four and Five are in the planning stages. I am one of Lane's biggest fans. I am looking forward to new adventures from the Enders and Quaid families as they face the harsh realities of living on the plains.     

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Multi-award-winning writer of historical western frontier novels featuring gritty, courageous characters determined to survive. Susanna Lane was the winner of the 2022 Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Historical Romance Novel and the Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award Winner 2022 for Historical Romance for her book "Imperfect Promise".

Susanna Lane grew up in southern New Jersey and now lives in the mountains of north Georgia. An avid reader, Susanna enjoys perusing historical accounts of westward expansion, particularly those that highlight the railroads' pivotal role in the settlement process. Hopefully, through her stories, she conveys both the harshness and beauty of the land and those who forged lives during tumultuous times. After a fulfilling career teaching science, a visit to the Rocky Mountains led an awestruck Susanna Lane to uncover stories from history and write about their determination to survive. While getting a feel for the settings of her books and absorbing the details, she learned to ride horses, participate in a cattle drive, and hike to remote regions of the West. Susanna loves to visit new places, read, and spend time with her family, which includes her two sons, their wives, and four darling grandchildren who delightfully fill her life.

All Hallows Eve

October Moon

When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen

the moon laughs and whispers.

tis' near Halloween.

Chili Tortellini, a classic dish with a twist.  Pair the meal with your favorite cornbread. 

Cook's notes: Warm up on a chilly autumn evening with a steaming bowl of Chili Tortellini. It's packed with flavor and protein, with some unusual ingredients that give it a twist. Cinnamon, coffee, and unsweetened cocoa powder elevate this chili recipe to a whole new level.
Cinnamon adds a different spice profile than chili powder or red or cayenne pepper would. It also cuts the acid in tomatoes when using 1/4 tsp for a batch of sauce or chili. A bit of cocoa powder and coffee adds a real depth to the flavor. The unsweetened cocoa powder in chili helps to balance the heat with a little bit of sweetness. It also gives chili a deep and reddish brown color. Cheese tortellini adds a new texture not usually found in a classic chili recipe. Use more chicken broth if needed to thin out the sauce on the second day.
The recipe is an Ever Ready Special and serves 6.
Ingredients:

• 1/2 pkg. of 1 lb. frozen cheese tortellini (no need to thaw before using)
• 1 TB. olive oil
• 1 cup diced onions
• 2 cups diced celery
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 lb. hamburger or Italian sausage 
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cans (each 14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, onion
• 1 small can of tomato sauce
• 16 oz. chicken broth- low sodium
• 2 cans (each 15 oz.) red kidney beans, light and dark
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1-2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon each cinnamon and unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules or espresso granules mixed with 1/2 cup of water

Directions:
In a large frying pan or soup pot, heat oil and saute onion, celery, and garlic 3-5 minutes.
Add in hamburger or sausage, salt, pepper, and brown the meat. Drain the meat and wipe the pan clean, free of grease. Return the browned hamburger to the pot or frying pan. Crumble and add the remaining ingredients. Simmer uncovered on low for 30 minutes. Add in frozen cheese tortellini and cook 8 minutes longer.

Halloween Recipe Round-up

Just checking in to see how your Halloween preparations are going. I have some last-minute ideas that are easy to implement if looking for inspiration.   

Spider Cupcakes

Witches Broomsicks

Healthy Treats 

Spider Web 7 layer Dip 

Tombstone Taco Dip

Graveyard Mousse-Oreo cookie crumbs layered with pudding. 

Charbooterie Board

Blackberries and Cheese Kebobs

Frankenstein Toast

Spider Deviled Eggs 

Pumpkin Deviled Eggs 

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

Albuquerque's Hidden Gem

THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR A CUP OF TEA

The St James Tearoom is a unique, British experience in the heart of Albuquerque. It was created in 1999. The tearoom focuses on and delivers quality service each day, welcoming guests for almost 25 years. The St. James Tearoom serves guests its three-course traditional Afternoon Tea experience in an elegant, private parlor setting. Group dining events, birthdays, showers, anniversaries, and business meetings are all welcome. So be forewarned: this hidden gem has become quite popular, and reservations are required well in advance. 

Our usual route from Minnesota to AZ takes us by Albuquerque. Having a tea date was a rare treat and an opportunity for me to meet Bobbi Jean Bell in person. She and her husband Jim have an impressive resume. They host an online podcast every Thursday, LA Talk Radio Rendezvous With A Writer, where readers and writers meet, and a story is everything. Since August 2022, they have interviewed guest authors, poets, screenwriters, and songwriters about their newest work and insights into their creative processes. The Bells own an online store called OutWest Shop, where they sell fine Western goods. They can be found on a community radio KUPRLP FM out of New Mexico, where they share their vast knowledge of Western music, poetry, prose, Western Swing, Cowboy Country, and more ...  

Blue Cottage Agency in Brainerd sponsors a monthly Zoom get-together for authors and writers. It was here that I met Bobbi Jean and Jim Bell. So my visit to the tearoom was extra special, meeting her in a totally different setting. Bobbi Jean has 50 years of retail expereince, so this job is a perfect fit for her. Among her many jobs at the tearoom is greeting guests and working in their retail shop.

My husband was "a good sport " buying into the tea expereince, and the staff couldn't have been more welcoming to us. This was our server, Abigail, who provided us with fantastic service. 

The Victorian tea parlor was divided into several areas for guests' privacy. Each curtain section was different as well as the seating inside.

 

The personalization, attention to detail, and service was quite noteworthy.

Several types of tea were available for guests' enjoyment..  And Bobbi Jean found a bit of time to chat with us and serve us some Black Tea. 

The three tiers of finger foods were artfully arranged and quite tasty.

Tier One Savory Finger Foods 

Bombay Chicken and potato skewer, apricot baked brie, meatloaf sandwich, Mandarin orange vinaigrette salad and cucumber tea sandwich  

Tier Two 

Japanese Ube Milk Bread, cream scone, blood orange curd, and clotted cream

Tier Three Finger Foods

Mocha Hazelnut Dacquoise, Italian Rum Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel, Rhubarb Gooseberry Tart  

And all these delectable foods and teas were served on delicate-looking china plates and cups, available for purchase.  

Besides a lot of tea-related items, the retail shop has a cozy book nook. Bobbi Jean suggested a cozy mystery series called The Wisteria series, which was inspired by the St. James Tearoom.  I chose Book One of the Eight Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries, "A Fatal Twist of Lemon."  

 

 

A little-known fact about Bobbi Jean. At the end of our visit, I gifted her with a tea towel with many images of Minnesota destinations. When I asked her if she knew anything about Minnesota, she replied, "Of course, I was born in Minneapolis, then my family moved to New Jersey."

Now that was a surprising fact to hear.   

If ever traveling out west, be sure to make a stop at St. James Tearoom in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Be prepared for an enjoyable two hours.   

 

Santa Fe Salad with Chicken

Santa Fe Salad with Chicken 

Cook's Notes: This delicious Santa Fe Salad features crisp Romaine lettuce, juicy chicken, black beans, and a medley of colorful vegetables, all dressed with a creamy lime-infused dressing. With its bold flavors and fresh ingredients, this healthy salad will transport your taste buds to the Southwest. Make it in 30 minutes! It's a salad perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Pair the meal with a slice of your favorite cornbread. The recipe called for crushed tortilla chips on top of the salad, but I found these taco bowls at Walmart while grocery shopping, so I substituted them for the crushed chips. Oh, the possibilities using these edible taco bowls for other recipes! The recipe serves four. 

Cooking tips: Use a rotisserie chicken, or marinate chicken in buttermilk for 1 hour before baking or grilling with your favorite spices.  

• 2 large chicken breasts (8 oz each) baked or grilled or 2-3 cups diced chicken pieces 
• 4 cups romaine lettuce
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 3/4 cup mini-diced red and yellow peppers
• 1 avocado sliced
• 1 cup fire-roasted frozen corn, thawed 
• ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons diced red onion 
• ¼ cup cotija cheese or queso blanco can substute shredded Mexican blend or Monterey jack
• 1 cup tortilla strips for garnish 

Salad Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup plain 2% Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon each chili powder and cumin
• Dash of garlic powder 
• ½ teaspoon honey or agave
• 1-2 tablespoons water

Salad and Dressing Directions: 

• Cook chicken and dice meat, or use a rotisserie chicken. Set aside. 
• Make the dressing ahead in a small bowl and whisk the ingredients. Refrigerate until serving time. 
• Arrange the lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, corn, black beans, onion, and cheese in a large serving bowl. Mix in the chicken with the rest of the salad ingredients. 
• Add enough dressing only to moisten the salad. 
• Garnish with tortilla strips, if desired.
  
  Another option is to serve the salad mixture in a bowl. This photo shows the salad ingredients before the dressing was added.

BONUS TIME

Some healthy seasonal treats

Pumpkin made with diced oranges, apples and dried cranberries

Your favorite dip served with carrot sticks and almonds 

Fruit kebabs with grapes, strawberries, and edible eyes. 

Dark Chocolate Cappuccino Bloosoms

 

for a grown-up cookie treat, Cappuccino Blossoms. They are eggless cookies made with espresso, a little cinnamon, Bailey's Irish cream, and dark chocolate Hershey's kisses. 

Recipe adapted from Southern Living. 

Cappuccino Blossoms

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 6 tablespoons sugar
•  1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
•  1/2 cup coffee liqueur e.g. Bailey's Irish Cream 
• 2- 2/3 cups flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
•  1 cup almonds, roughly chopped
• 32 Dark Chocolate Hersheys Kisses

Directions:

• Beat butter at a medium speed until creamy. Gradually add in sugars, beating well. Add in coffee liqueur and mix well.
• Stir together flour and espresso, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Beat well and add the butter mixture. Mix well and stir in almonds. Place the mixture in the freezer to chill for about 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Remove batter from freezer and roll into 2-inch balls. Bake 9-10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and press 1 dark chocolate candy in the center of each cookie. Cook on a wire cooling rack.