Cherry Blossom Capers, by Frances Devine

Tell us about your book. Cherry Blossom Capers is a collection of four romantic mysteries set in the Washington DC area. Each heroine finds romance while solving a mystery. My co-authors are Lynette Sowell, Cara Putman, debut author Gina Conroy and me. I had so much fun writing Coffee, Tea and Danger. My heroine, owner of a coffee, tea and dessert shop, inherits an old mansion in Virginia from her uncle. The first day she goes to check out the place, she gets pushed down a flight of stairs. There’s also a hunky guy who helps her solve the series of mishaps.


Can you give us a sneak peek? Sure, here’s an excerpt from chapter four of Coffee, Tea and Danger.

The bearclaw was warm and buttered, just as he liked it. He suppressed the grin this time, unwilling to get shot down.

Now,” he said. “What’s bugging you about that house?”

“You’ll probably think it’s much ado about nothing.”

“How about letting me be the judge of that?”

She sipped her coffee and lifted a slender shoulder. “The day I went to the mansion, I fell down the stairs. All the way from the second floor to the foyer. My head hit the stair rail and the hard foyer floor. I blacked out for a sec.”

His heart thudded in his ears. “That could have killed you.” That was an understatement, but he couldn’t think of anything else that might be more appropriate. The thought of her bleeding at the bottom of those long stairs made him shudder.

“I was definitely in divine hands that day.” She stirred her coffee. “When I came to enough to think, I told Mary to call the police.”

“What for? I’d think you’d call an ambulance. Why the police?”

“I felt a hand on my back right before I fell.”

What inspired this book? I love mysteries. Especially with creepy old houses. When I was invited to be part of this group, I jumped at the chance.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book? My own lack of self-discipline. I tend to procrastinate and then end up with difficult deadlines. But I’m working on this character flaw. In fact, it is my number one resolution for 2012.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)? I love to write about flawed individuals who overcome through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book? I hope they’ll enjoy the good clean fun. And leave with that feeling of satisfaction in knowing all is well with God in control.

What is your favorite color? If I have to choose one, I’ll say burgundy. But I like many colors.

Do you have a favorite recipe? Cranberry Banana Nut Bread Recipe follows the questions.

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go? Pre World War II.

What project are you currently working on? The second book in a series about teachers set in a school for the deaf and blind in post civil-war Georgia.


Cranberry Banana Nut Bread

½ cup vegetable shortening (you can substitute oil)

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 ¾ cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 cup mashed bananas

1 cup drained whole cranberry sauce

½ cup chopped pecans

1 tsp vanilla



Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Cream shortening and sugar.

Add eggs go shortening/sugar mixture one at a time, beating after each.

Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture with mashed bananas.

Fold in nuts, cranberry sauce, and vanilla.



Bake in loaf pan at 350 degrees for 60 minutes more or less. Or you can use muffin tins and decrease the baking time to 20 minutes or so.



Enjoy!

YUM! Thanks for sharing. :)



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