BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR JACQUIE BIGGAR

Romantic suspense author Jacquie Biggar sits down for a Q&A today. Learn more about her and her books at her website.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

Middle school. I wrote a story under the wire and it turned out to be the best in the grade. Was read out over the school loudspeakers to my embarrassment. But, after that I was hooked.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

I began writing in earnest two years ago and published the fall of 2014.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I’m indie published. I’d heard so many stories of slush piles and publishers changing author’s titles, even in some cases concept, that I had no interest in taking the traditional route.

Where do you write?

At my kitchen table, gazing out at a beautiful cherry tree.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

Silence all the way. I’m not a pat my head, rub my tummy kind of girl.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

It’s a mix I think. The plots are on organized crime, which I thankfully have no experience of, but the settings are reminiscent of my hometown.

Describe your process for naming your character?

This sounds silly, but they name themselves. I just start writing and out it comes.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Fictional towns based on real life versions.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

In The Rebel’s Redemption Annie has the quirky habit of talking to herself. Sometimes it gets her into trouble.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

I’d have to say my quirk is the same as Annie’s. I spend a lot of time alone. My DH works away from home, so I find myself talking out loud to the cat and dog. A few times I’ve done it out in public, super embarrassing, lol.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

Black Beauty by Ana Sewell. I love horses. This book was one of the hardest I’ve ever read. I love the fact that it’s written from the horse’s POV. The description carries the reader into the tough life of a work horse. This story is indescribably sad, and yet in the end, uplifting. Unforgettable.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

I wish I would have finished school. At the time partying seemed like a better plan. I regret that now.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Dishes, I hate them with a passion.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

An e-reader full of books. A way to the e-reader. An unlimited supply of Diet Coke.

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

Chambermaid. It’s a thankless job and can be pretty disgusting at times.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

I don’t think I can narrow it to one book, but one of my all-time favorite authors is Suzanne Brockmann. All of her stories are re-reads for me.

Ocean or mountains?

Ocean, I’m a Pisces, water is in my blood.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

City girl. I like the convenience of high speed Internet and variety of stores.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I’m already semi-retired and living in paradise, what more could I ask for?

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

The Rebel’s Redemption is the second in an on-going series set in the small town of Tidal Falls. I like the familiarity of series books where the reader gets to connect with the people and the area. The characters become much-loved friends and the town somewhere to visit. That’s successful writing.

The Rebel’s Redemption

Annie Campbell's predictable and cozy life gets turned on its side when her son's prodigal father returns to town. Then an old enemy shows up and the outcome will not only place her in danger, but their son as well.

Jared Martin left Tidal Falls a hotheaded youth, and has seen his share of violence in the eight years he’s served Uncle Sam. Floundering, he returns to his hometown to regain his bearings, bitter and disillusioned.

Then he finds out he’s a father.

When an old enemy follows and causes mayhem in the small town, can Jared overcome the odds to protect the woman he’s always loved and the child he never knew, or will it be too late?

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COOKING WITH CLORIS--GUEST AUTHOR JACQUIE BIGGAR & PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

Jacquie Biggar knew from the time she was twelve years old, that she wanted one day to be a writer. But she grew up, got married, raised a family and left her writing urges to simmer in the background unattended. Now she’s ready to take up the writing reins and see how far she can travel. Learn more about Jacquie and her writing at her website. 

Fifteen years ago I was waitressing in small local café in our hometown of Edson Alberta, Canada. One day the owner, a family friend, announced she had to give up the restaurant due to bad knees. I went home, talked it over with DH, and next thing you know, we were the proud owners of the Bluejay Café.

Only problem was, I didn’t know how to cook! I mean I could cook, but my nickname was Hamburger Helper Queen. That should tell you something right there. Thank God I had my mom, who stayed by my side, and taught me how to do everything from making soup stock to gravy, to desserts. I would’ve been lost without her.

Those were some of the longest days of my life. Between learning the kitchen, trying to figure out the menus, and print them myself. Configuring the till to accept the proper tax amounts, finding the right staff (one of THE most important components of a successful restaurant,) setting up accounts with suppliers, and oh yeah, the books, oy!

Not to mention a young daughter and a hubby that put in long hours of his own and expected a good meal on the table when he arrived home. But I learned. And I’m proud to say we turned that café into one of the most popular places in town. I was even noticed by a couple of food critics traveling the province who featured us in their book, The Food Lover’s Trail Guide to Alberta, an honor for sure.

One of the most popular desserts we made was bread pudding. Then one day I thought, why not kick this up a notch? Hence the creation of Pumpkin Bread Pudding. My book, Tidal Falls, centers largely on a local café, Grits and Grace, kind of catchy, don’t you think?

Grace’s Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Ingredients:

Assorted bread cubes (I save my crusts of white, brown and cinnamon raisin, then rip them into bite size pieces.)

handful of raisins

6-8 large eggs

4 cups sugar

cinnamon

shake of salt

1 can pumpkin puree

milk, approximately 1 litre

margarine

brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Fill Dutch oven with mixed bread cubes and raisins.

In a separate large bowl, mix eggs, sugar, cinnamon and shake of salt. Add pumpkin puree. Mix. Slowly add milk until mixture is loose. Pour mix over bread and stir, should be soupy—not too loose, though—just so you see the liquid through the bread. If not, add a couple more eggs and milk blended together to the mix. When you have a nice consistency sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon and small dollops of margarine over the top.

Bake 60-90 minutes. Top will gain a nice crunchy golden look. Take a knife and spread the center apart to tell if done. Drizzle some of your favorite caramel sundae sauce over the top and enjoy.

Tidal Falls

Sara Reed is on the run from an abusive ex who happens to have ties to a Mexican cartel. Mistakenly thinking she and her daughter would be safer if she had some kind of leverage, she takes a copy of some valuable files, files that make her a target.

Nick Kelley is an ex-marine trying to find his place now that his career is over due to injuries suffered from an IED. When the two of them meet in the pretty little town of Tidal Falls, the experience is explosive.

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