A note from the desk of Betty Derr May
This week: Curiosity, Craft, and a Cup of Calm
Greetings, this is the first newsletter from my desk.
I’m an independent author, as some know. That doesn’t mean I write and then publish. Oh no! This requires strenuous effort. I completed my latest novel, and it’s ready for beta reading. Once that is completed, it then goes to an Editor (yes, I believe in using an Editor before publishing). While all this is going on, I am selecting the design of my cover and engaging my cover designer. Then, when all this is completed, I format it for printing, ensuring that everything is in its proper place.
Whew!! This is work, and sometimes it seems like I will never get it done.
Many independent authors span a wide range of genres. I write Romance. I have ventured into Suspense and Mystery. Finding the mixture with Romance to be inspiring.
I hope you now have a new understanding of how Indy authors get their stories out to their readers.
******
My newest book is called The Jack and Jill Café. A new Marigold story includes romance, mystery, and intrigue. I’m unsure when it will release; however, here’s a small excerpt.
“After out-processing at the base, he’d picked up the keys. Susan had kept the truck in storage while he was overseas—safe, untouched, just as he’d left it.
He paused, hand on the wheel, connecting with something more profound than the vehicle itself. It was a symbol—a reminder. Life interrupted by the war, the driver’s seat felt too familiar, like a dream he’d slipped back into. Garth ran his hand over the sun-faded dash of the Toyota Tundra—same scuff marks, same faint scent of engine grease and pine air freshener. A life paused, waiting for him to press play.
His first stop was St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.
The creak of the old church doors hadn’t changed since boyhood. Sitting in the back pew, he could almost see his younger self, wide-eyed, legs swinging, pretending to listen to Father Jackson’s sermons.
That same hard bench he used to sleep on when his mother had forgotten her oldest son. No one waited. His parents—long gone, lost to alcohol and bitterness. The same tide also claimed his brother. For twenty years, Garth never ceased moving. The Marines were the only family he’d ever known.”
*****
Another moment I’d like to share, regardless of whether you enjoy baking or cooking. I would like to share a recipe for a pie my mom used to make. I loved it then and love it now. I hope you enjoy it; feedback is always welcome. I plan on making one this week for my family.
Ingredients
1 frozen pie crust
4 large eggs
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¾ cup of sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2 Cups milk heated until warm
Nutmeg (for garnish)
Whipped cream, fresh berries for serving
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place frozen pie shell on a large baking. Sheet, this will catch any spills. While baking.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until they are combined
Add sugar, salt, and vanilla to the egg mixture, and whisk till fully incorporated
Stir in warm milk until the mixture is smooth and blended (Don’t over mix as this will cause bubbles that will affect the texture of the custard).
Pour the mixture into the pie crust, if you prefer to sprinkle nutmeg over the top
Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the custard is slightly jiggly in the middle
Remove from the oven and allow it to cool. When it is cool, you can place it in the refrigerator for further chilling.
Serve with a choice of whipped cream or fresh berries.
Enjoy.
*****
Remember the Texas families facing the loss of their homes and loved ones in prayer. The flood’s impact, shown in reports and pictures, is heartbreaking.
Until next time,
Betty Derr May
bettyderrmay.com
amazon.com/author/bettyderrmay.com
pinterest.com/bettyderrmay
