Tag: recipe

New Book and a Valentine Recipe
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New Book and a Valentine Recipe

Caroline James AuthorLeave a comment

NEW BOOK

HATTIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD

IS OUT TODAY!

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Its publication day for Hattie Goes To Hollywood! Huge thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered their copy and is now has the novel winging its way to their e-reader or popping through the letterbox.

The launch of a new book is always very stressful for me. I know that I am supposed to feel elated that the work is done, the book is out in the public domain and publication day has arrived. But until the book has favourable reviews from valued readers who are kind enough to leave a review, I am always very nervous. I do hope that you enjoy the Hattie in her new role as a private investigator and watch this space because this is the first in the stand-alone book series and there is plenty more to come!

Hattie Goes To Hollywood is available online and in book shops and will be available as an audiobook very soon too.

GET YOUR COPY HERE:

HATTIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD

“A big fat 5 stars!” Nikki Ashton, Best-selling author

A Cumbrian Village…
Three suicides…
A red-hot summer…

Join super-sleuth Hattie as tempers and temperatures rise in the Cumbrian village of Hollywood. With mischief and shenanigans aplenty, will Hattie discover the truth?

When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?

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PUBLISHING

WRITER

I’m excited to whisper that I am working with a new company. The Publish Hub is run by authors to enable aspiring and established authors to get published. If writing a book is your dream, have a look at The Publish Hub.

RECIPE

Today is also Valentine’s Day and here’s a recipe for pineapple cake that is full of passion and very easy to make. Pineapple, I’m assured is an aphrodisiac. Enjoy!

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CAROLINE’S PINEAPPLE CAKE

This cake oozes with love and passion and is sexy and sweet – perfect to nibble when snuggling down with a good book or someone…

Ingredients:

250g unsalted butter  250g caster sugar 250g ground almonds

50g self-raising flour 5 eggs  200g fresh pineapple, chopped

50g soft brown sugar

Method:

Heat the pineapple and brown sugar and stew gently till the sugar dissolved, allow to cool. Cream the butter and sugar together until white and fluffy. Beat the eggs well then slowly add to the butter mix. Carefully fold in the almonds and flour. Grease a non-stick baking tray and add half of the sponge mix. Spoon cooked pineapple over. Add the remainder of the sponge mix. Bake in an oven at 325F /160 C /gas mark 3 – until firm to touch and light brown in colour. Cut into squares and keep in an airtight container.

Have a perfect Valentine’s Day, I hope that you enjoy a special treat with your loved ones.

Wishing you very happy reading,

with love

Caroline xx

BOOKS BY CAROLINE JAMES

New Books in a banner

 

Autumn News – Cruising, Walking and Working
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Autumn News – Cruising, Walking and Working

Featured Caroline James Author1 Comment

As November is upon us, it’s time for a blog post. I hope you all had a perfect summer and are settling down to the autumn months with good health and a happy heart.

I recently returned from being a Guest Speaker on a Fred Olsen cruise liner, Braemar. The cruise made history as Braemar is the longest ship ever to cruise through the very narrow Corinth Canal in Greece.

If you want to see how the Captain Glavic achieved this monumental event, have a look at this YouTube video Corinth Canal:

It was fabulous to have some lovely Mediterranean sunshine warming my bones and highlights for me were the old town in Ibiza, where we ate the best tapas I have ever tasted, sitting in the sunshine, in a little bar, beside the entrance to the old town of Ibiza.

I loved the colour and beauty of Ibiza Old Town. From the markets to the buildings and stunning views of Marjoca and Minorca.

Another highlight was beautiful Sicily, where we wandered through the fascinating buildings and churches in Trapani. I bought lots of souvenirs and some lovely keepsakes, and even purchased a huge wedge of aged parmesan for just a few euros.

Back on board, as we left Italy, we cruised past the island of Stromboli. It is a volcanic island and an incredible sight. Captain Glavic sailed the ship around the island so that we could see it puffing out volcanic smoke in the day and as it grew dark, lava spouted and lit up the sky. Even the crew came out to have a look.

Being a guest speaker on a cruise ship is a great privilege and I am grateful to Fred Olsen Cruise lines for the opportunity.  Standing in front of such a large audience is daunting but I took a considerable amount of time to prepare my talks, which were itinerary driven, and I hope that the guests enjoyed them.

I’ve decided that I love cruising and hope to do many more.

The weather has taken an unexpected turn and the days are sunny and cold and a real delight. I’ve managed to get out and do some walking, one of my favourite things to do.  These photos are from a walk in Lancashire, at Rivington Pike.

There is a fascinating area called the Japanese Gardens, where the ruins and follies of Lord Leverhume’s (the ‘soap’ magnate) terraced gardens sit high on a hillside below Rivington Pike.

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The gardens Rivington Pike in the 1900s

In the early 20th century Lord Leverhulme created a weekend retreat where he could relax and entertain and it consisted of Japanese lakes, pagodas, archways and bridges and even a huge ballroom. There’s a man-made ravine and cascade and formal lawns and gardens which surrounded the residence he built. It all fell into disrepair from 1925 but now the Heritage Lottery Fund as given a £3.4 million funding for restoration and already you can see how the site has been revitalised. I love it there, whatever the weather.

As the nights get darker, I am snuggling down with a long reading list and am currently reading My Name is Eva by Suzanne Goldring and so far, I am finding it a gripping read.

I hope to have news soon of my next book which I am currently editing. It’s been a long time coming, so many apologies to fans of my novels. I promise to step up a gear in 2020.

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We have a promotion on one of my novels this month: Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me  and if you fancy a feel-good read for the autumn, download the book while this price is more or less a give-away offer.

The book has received great reviews and although stand-alone, is the first in a series. I hope you enjoy it.

Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me

 

 

I’ll end the blog with a recipe. My lovely daughter-in-law is Canadian and hails from Toronto. This is her recipe for a tray bake which we make for family parties. Enjoy!

Ashley’s Tray Bake

1/2 – 3/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups crushed digestive biscuits
2 cans condensed milk
2 -1/2cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups of shredded coconut
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Preheat over to 350F. Coat 9×13” pan with non-stick cooking spray

Combine the biscuits with the butter. Press into bottom of pan. Layer evenly: chocolate chips/coconut/walnuts. Press firmly. Pour condensed milk over dish.
Bake for 25mins or until lightly brown.

Chill overnight. Cut into mini squares and serve.

NOVELS BY CAROLINE JAMES

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June News, promo and win a Bertie Bear
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June News, promo and win a Bertie Bear

Caroline James AuthorLeave a comment

Its newsletter time again folks and I hope that you’re all enjoying the summer.

TALKS

CAROLINE JAMES (PROMO SHOOT 26.06.2018)

 

I’ve been hosting talks over the last few weeks on subjects such as how to get your book written and whether to self-publish or go down the traditionally published route. These talks always generate a lot of questions and a lively debate. I thought I’d share with you how I became an author and you can read my story below.

 

PROMOTION

To celebrate summer and holiday why not treat yourself to a fictional stay at The Best Boomerville Hotel this weekend? My lovely publishers are offering a discounted price of only 99p / 99c and you can download on all platforms including Amazon, Kobo & Apple. This book is a best-seller in the UK Amazon charts and has received fabulous reviews. The offer ends at midnight on 10th June so grab your copy now:

The Best Boomerville Hotel

99p jpeg copy

COMPETITION

Who wants to win a Bertie Bear? Bertie, the lovely teddy bear from The Best Boomerville Hotel is so cute. He stands at 12” tall and comes with his very own canvas travelling bag. When I give my talks, Bertie comes too and everyone always wants to take a Bertie home with them. I’m offering you, my lovely subscribers the opportunity to WIN your very own Bertie.

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Simply answer the following question:

Where is Bertie in this picture? There is a clue in the picture.

Email your answer to caroline@carolinejamesauthor.co.uk and you will be entered into the draw and the winner announced on 30th June. I’ll also sign a paperback copy of The Best Boomerville Hotel and add this to the prize. Good Luck!!

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If you want to buy a Bertie Bear, click this link: BERTIE BEAR

HOW I BECAME AN AUTHOR

I grew up in a small town in Cheshire, in England and wanted to write from a very early age, but never thought that I was good enough. I went to an all girl’s Grammar school and hated it and a few weeks short of my sixteenth birthday, much to my parents’ horror, I left school, and also home. I travelled to Cornwall on the south-west coast of England and looked for work, doing anything from pot-washing to waitressing. In that time, I realised that I loved the hospitality industry and if I couldn’t write, I would work hard and one day have my own business. Fast forward several years and I achieved that dream. After catering college and working for a large hotel group in London and abroad, I eventually owned a pub and then a country house hotel.

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When I sold the hotel, I became an agent representing celebrity chefs. It was a fabulous career but still I wanted to write and decided that I wouldn’t die wondering and pinned my bum to a chair to write my first book. Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me was born. Four more books have followed and my years in the hospitality industry provide a revolving door of inspiration for characters and stories. My novels are mostly based in that environment. Two of the titles are current Amazon best-sellers and my dream of writing full-time has been achieved.

I am currently writing a follow-up to The Best Boomerville Hotel for my publisher, Ruby Fiction. I am a speaker too and give talks on various subjects including entertaining speeches for large events, such as a guest speaker on cruise ships and at various literature festivals. I write food related articles for magazines and promote my work through social media and my website.

My advice for anyone wishing to write is, just get on with it. Don’t waste years wondering. Glue your rear to a chair and get going, write and write and write – no matter what. You will find your muse when you least expect it.

I started playing golf this month and seem to have got ‘the bug’. The good thing is that you can learn and play this game at any age and it is great exercise. I’ve also been trying lots of new recipes, this photo is of the best chocolate cake I have ever made – if you want the recipe click here: Best Ever Chocolate Fudge Cake.

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Have a wonderful June everyone, thanks for subscribing to this newsletter and feel free to contact me at any time if you have any writing related questions.

Happy reading,

with love

Caroline x

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www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @CarolineJames12

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Autumn Promo Plus Recipe
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Autumn Promo Plus Recipe

Caroline James AuthorLeave a comment

Happy Autumn to you all

Snuggle up this autumn with a warm and sunny read

PROMO – only 99p/99c
Download here:
Coffee Tea The Caribbean & Me

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Are you ready for Autumn? The darker evenings and chillier days are perfect for snuggling down and relaxing with a good book. 

Promo – This month my novel, Coffee Tea The Caribbean & Me is on offer for 99p/99c as a download on Amazon. This book was Thomson Holidays top read in their inflight magazine, so if you fancy a virtual change of scene and a fun filled, page-turning read, head off to beautiful Barbados with Jo and Hattie and be prepared to hang on tight!

Autumn – I have been busy and I am writing the follow up to The Best Boomerville Hotel. Huge thanks to all you wonderful readers who have left such glowing reviews for Boomerville, all of which encourage me to write on.

Audible – I have only just started listening to books on audible. Where have I been – I love it! I can listen to books whilst driving, walking, cooking and so on. I’m currently listening to Kate Atkinson’s novel, Transcription, and am thoroughly enjoying it. I can’t wait to hear Boomerville come to life as an audible book!

Boomerville Bertie is thinking ahead to Christmas and with a competition coming in November, look out for your chance to win this cute little bear. He’ll make a great stocking filler.

Soup – With autumn days, I always think of warming comfort food and here’s my recipe for pumpkin soup with parmesan croutons:

Ingredients:

2 onions finely chopped, 1kg pumpkin (or squash) – peeled, de-seeded and cubed
700ml vegetable stock, 3cm grated ginger peeled and finely grated, 3 garlic cloves – peeled and chopped, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 142ml double cream, 1 tbsp olive oil

To Serve

Chopped coriander, Parmesan Croutons (see below)

Method

In a large saucepan, gently sauté onions in olive oil until soft, add garlic and ginger and cook for a further couple of minutes. Add cumin powder

Add the pumpkin to the pan, stir into the onion mix and cook for 5 minutes. Pour stock over squash mix and bring to the boil. Cook for 10 – 15 mins until squash is soft. Remove from heat and blitz with a stick blender until smooth. Return to heat and add cream, stir gently until nearly boiling.

Serve in warm bowls with chopped coriander sprinkled on top

You can buy or make croutons – if making cut bread into cubes, place on oven tray (greased with olive oil) sprinkle olive oil over and finely grated parmesan. Roast in oven for 5 – 10 mins till golden brown, turning croutons once.

Happy reading, hope you enjoy perfect autumn days.

Caroline xx

Feel-good reads – free to read on Kindle Unlimited!

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