#SweetSaturdaySamples Blueberry out take.

Hi Sweet Samplers! My women's literary novel, Blueberry Truth, is coming to print soon so I thought it might be fun to do an out take today. Earlier drafts of the book included some of Blueberry's voice. These were later edited out to smooth out the narrative and make it an easier read. Blue's voice, though, helped me to capture her as a character and helped her to come through in later versions.

This is from a very early draft, one of the first things Blue "said" to me. 

   My granny the one who call me Truth. Ma call me Blueberry because that what she like to eat when she have me. I live with my Ma and Julio and Frostie before she gone off to Florida and I have to go to Granny house and she change my name. No baby be called Blueberry is what she say. I say there no baby here. I am seven years old, old enough that I go to the store by my own self. Granny say I seven years old with a mouth. That be Ma fault, she say. Ma ought to have said me some manners, but Ma run off with  trouble, is what Granny say. 

            Teacher at the new school show us to write cursive, but my letters come in crooked. Child write crooked, teacher tells Granny. Uncle Dee say it cause I stupid. I ain’t stupid, I say. You a little bitch like your Ma, he say. She can’t write good neither. I throw a cup at him, hit him in the nose and make it bleed. Uncle Dee got a good job that pay twenty dollars an hour, Granny say. Don’t you be messing with him. She make me sit in the closet. One hour for being disrespect. One hour, but when I see the clock she let me out it been one hour and one half. I can tell the time. I ain’t stupid.

 Beanie and Mac MacKenzie have led charmed lives. They both have jobs they love: he’s a pediatric cardiologist; she’s a teacher at a school for troubled children. They’ve recently bought a big house on a quiet Albany, New York street only blocks from where they grew up together. The only thing missing are the children with which they’d envisioned filling that house.
  Enter seven-year-old Blueberry Truth Crowley, a fiercely independent child whose life has been anything but charmed. When Blue ends up in Beanie’s classroom, their two worlds collide.
     Blueberry Truth is the story of that collision and of the commitment and love it takes to make not a baby, but a family.

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Blueberry's Coming to Print!

Blueberry Truth is coming out in paperback in mid-October!

Beanie MacKenzie and her husband Mac have led perfect lives, with perfect families and perfect jobs they both love, he a leading cardiologist, she a teacher at a school for troubled children. Now they have the perfect home, a big house on a quiet Albany street, just perfect for raising a big family. Only the babies they’ve been trying so hard to conceive just won’t come.
Stressed in her marriage and fearing she may never bear children, Beanie throws herself into her work, surrounded by society’s throwaways. Enter Beanie’s new student, seven-year-old Blueberry Truth Crowley, a fiercely independent child whose life had been anything but perfect. Abused, neglected, and mistrustful of everyone around her, Truth throws a monkey wrench into the perfect order of Beanie’s classroom--and into her very life--challenging Beanie’s notions of motherhood, commitment, and family. But their unlikely bond may be just the thing to teach them both about love.

Sweet Saturday Sample: Blueberry Truth Out Take

Link on cover for details

Welcome to another Sweet Saturday Sample.

I thought it might be fun to do an 'out take' today. Early drafts of Blueberry Truth included some of Blueberry's voice. Though they didn't make the final draft, they did help me to get inside the head of  troubled seven-year-old Blueberry Truth, which made a big difference to the book over all.

This scene comes from the center of the book, when Beanie takes Blue to her niece's First Communion. Blue has never been in church before. This is her take on the experience:

Granny, she don’t believe in church. There be a God, he no friend of mine, she say. Beanie go to a fancy church. All rich with colored windows got pictures in them.  Big vat of water in the back. Beanie dip her hand in and make a sign of a cross like I seen Julio do and drag me down to the front. We sit on a long bench next to a whole bunch of other peoples that is her family. Get them all these bright colored dresses. One lady, she wear a big white hat that flop down all over. The hat lady hug Beanie and kiss her on the cheek. This my sister Lily, Beanie say. Then we all sit down.

There this big music that come up.  Beanie point up behind us to the balcony. Silver pipes going every which way all making sound.  Whoever play that thing miss the notes. Then everybody stand up and start to sing some song I never hear before,  voices all up and down and everywhere. Beanie show me the magazine, which got words and notes all over like a story. Then a bunch of kids come in. Boys all got white suits. Girls like they going to get married, all in white dresses. They walk down girls on one side, boys on the other. Maybe they get married like that, but they just kids like me and kids not supposed to get marry. I want to ask Beanie, but she say no talking so I don’t say nothing.

The big hat lady, sister Lily, she look like she fit to cry. Another lady in a pink dress sister somebody, put her arms around hat lady and whisper something at her. Pink dress lady look at me eyes all sharp and then to Beanie. Beanie smile and look at the magazine.

They go on and on a long time just like Beanie has told to me. We pray and then we sing again and then a man come with a basket on a pole and everybody put money in the basket except some put in a envelope like maybe they write a letter to God or Jesus.

Then all the get-marry kids go up front and the preacher give them something look like a white paper to eat. Then everybody else eat the white paper. Beanie’s Ma and the rest of her peoples go, but Beanie put her arm around me and whisper we wait here. I sit down and wait and everybody come back and say excuse me and kneel on that thing they got for kneeling.  We been here about two million year now. Beanie whisper almost done. Then the marry-kids go out and everybody follow and we stand on the step outside. The sun make me blink.

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Beanie's Recipes: Chicken Piccata

In my novel, Blueberry Truth, the main character Beanie likes to cook occasionally. She makes, among other things, chicken piccata.







Here's an easy recipe:

Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 T Parmesan cheese
1/3 c flour
2 T milk
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 t Italian seasoning
Olive oil
1/2 c chicken stock
1/4 c lemon juice
1/4 cup capers
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

How to make it:
1. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Pound to 1/4 inch thickness
2. Beat egg and milk together in bowl
3. In a separate bowl, mix cheese, breadcrumbs, salt,  pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. dredge breasts in flour, then dip into egg mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs
5. Pour enough olive oil to coat bottom of a large skillet. Heat oil.
6. Cook breasts in oil until done (3-5 minutes per side)
7. remove breasts from pan and cover with foil to keep warm
8. add stock, lemon juice and capers to the pan. Heat to boil, scraping pan drippings. Lower heat and cook until reduced by half.
9. pour sauce over chicken and sprinkle with parsley.
10. enjoy!

 Blueberry Truth is available as an e-book. Click on cover for details.

Beanie's Interview

 Beanie MacKenzie, the main character in Blueberry Truth, is being interviewed today! Come stop by at the World Literary Cafe and say hello!

Blueberry Truth Trailer

I made a trailer for Blueberry Truth. It's my first attempt at video and I had fun doing it.  Hope you like it!

Beanie's Chicken Parmigiana

In Blueberry Truth, Beanie makes Chicken Parmigiana. It's easy and makes a wonderful romantic meal for Valentine's Day.
Use your own marinara sauce or a good quality store bought sauce. I recommend Rao's, though expensive it's delicious and well worth the cost.

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
salt and fresh ground black pepper
1 cup flour (add salt and pepper it you like)
2 large eggs beaten
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup olive oil
Cooking spray
Fresh Mozarella, sliced thin
1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan
Marinara Sauce

Preparation:
1.Dredge chicken breasts in flour, then dip in eggs, then dredge in panko crumbs to coat.
2. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees
3. heat olive oil in large skillet
4. Brown chicken breasts in oil, a few minutes a side
5. Coat baking dish with cooking spray
6. Spoon enough marinara in bottom of dish to cover

7. Put chicken breasts in dish. Spoon enough marinara to cover breasts, layer mozarella, and parmesan on top .
8. Cover with foil. Bake 20-30 minutes until chicken is tender.

Enjoy!

Beanie's Grilled Chicken in Ginger Sauce

In Blueberry Truth, Beanie likes to cook. Here's another of her recipes:


Grilled Chicken in Ginger Sauce

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds of boneless chicken thighs
Marinade:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tb sesame oil
2 Tb fresh grated gingerroot

2 tsp minced garlic
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp crushed red pepper

Preparation:
1. Rinse chicken thighs under cold running water. Pat dry.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Whisk in rest of marinade ingredients. Remove 1/4 cup of marinade as basting sauce.
3. Marinate chicken in sauce for 4 hours in refrigerator.
4. Prepare grill
5. Grill chicken for 10-15 minutes until done, turning frequently. Baste with reserved sauce while cooking. Serve hot.


Blueberry Truth She'll steal your heart. Click on title for more information.

Chances Are

At the opening of Blueberry Truth, Beanie has planned a romantic evening. Her husband, Mac, has an emergency at the hospital where he practices. Beanie's not happy about being stood up.

 Johnny Mathis has sung “Chances Are” four times now, and chances are not awfully good Mac will be home anytime soon. I try to be sympathetic; Mac is a pediatric cardiologist. His high-pressure job has irregular hours, and he’s stood me up before, though always with good reason. Mac wouldn’t be Mac if he didn’t go the extra mile for his patients. But despite all his good intentions, I’m about ready to throttle him.

 "Chances Are" was first released in 1957 and has been a favorite with romantics ever since. Here's Johnny Mathis, singing the original version.

Blueberry Truth is available as an e-book

St Catherine's Center

In Blueberry Truth, the main character, Beanie, teaches at a school called St. Luke's. Blueberry is fiction and  St. Luke's doesn't exist in real life. But there is a real place in Albany, New York dedicated to  children like Blueberry Truth. 
St Catherine's Center for Children can trace it's history to 1886, when a measles epidemic in Albany led to the founding of an orphanage by the Sisters of Charity. In it's current incarnation, it is a leading provider of family services in New York State's Capitol District.
St. Catherine's is dedicated to supporting children who are abused, neglected, homeless or mentally ill as a result of early childhood trauma. Last year, over one thousand families were served by this agency.
For more information on St. Catherine's and the important work they do, please visit St. Catherine's Center for Children.

 

Blueberry Truth is available as an e-book

Lily's Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

Beanie, the main character in Blueberry Truth, likes to cook when she has the time. In the story, she makes her sister Lily's Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake.
It's a good choice if you're looking for a special desert.







Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

Vanilla Wafer Crust:
4 cups vanilla wafers
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

 Lemon Filling:
2/3 cup sugar
4 eggs
24 ounce block of cream cheese, softened and chopped
2/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Blueberry Topping:
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions
1. Process vanilla wafers in food processor or blender into fine crumbs. Combine with melted butter and nutmeg in a medium bowl

2. Press crust ingredients into the bottom of a greased nine inch spring form pan. Refrigerate  for one hour.

3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

4. Beat eggs in large bowl. Add cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat until well combined. Pour over chilled crust, spreading evenly.

5. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours until crust is nearly set. Cool completely

6. Combine berries and sugar in medium saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat for about five minutes until sugar is disolved.

7. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for another five minutes

8. Combine water and cornstarch in a small cup. Stir into berries until mixture is thickened. Allow mixture to cool completely.

9. Pour berries over cheesecake. Spread evenly. Cover and chill for six hours or overnight.

Enjoy!

Blueberry Truth

Six Sentence Sunday: Opening of Blueberry Truth

For today's Six Sentence Sunday, I'd like to share the opening of Blueberry Truth:

Johnny Mathis has sung “Chances Are” four times now, and chances are not awfully good Mac will be home anytime soon. I try to be sympathetic; Mac is a pediatric cardiologist. His high-pressure job has irregular hours, and he’s stood me up before, though always with good reason. Mac wouldn’t be Mac if he didn’t go the extra mile for his patients. But despite all his good intentions, I’m about ready to throttle him.

He’s not the only one who’s got a tough job. 

For more great six sentence snippet, visit Six Sentence Sunday.

Thirteen Songs from Beanie's Playlist

I like to listen to music while I dream up trouble for my characters. When Blueberry Truth was released, I began to post some of the music from the playlist I'd used while writing and editing the book on my Facebook author page.

Here are thirteen songs from the list. You can click them on to watch and listen to a you-tube version of the song.

1. Blossom, Ryan Adams
2. Angel Dream, Tom Petty
3. Baby, Dave Matthews
4. Make you Feel my Love, Adele
5. Something to Believe in, Shawn Colvin
6. Summertime, Janis Joplin
7. Father and Daughter, Paul Simon
8. Close your Eyes, James Taylor and Carly Simon
9. Shelter from the Storm, Bob Dylan
10.Brand New Day, Van Morrison
11. Breaking Silence, Janis Ian
12.Honor them All, Janis Ian
13.My Baby Needs a Shepard, Emmy Lou Harris


For posted music, drop in on my fanpage.

For more thirteen lists, visit Thursday Thirteen

Sweet Saturday Samples

This is a new venture for me! I thought I'd share a bit of Blueberry Truth.
Check out all  of the samples at:Sweet Saturday Samples

Here at school, we’re having a summer bash. There’s watermelon, lawn games, and face painting. When the governor’s wife stopped by a few months ago, we managed to impress her with our hard work and dedication. So much so, the governor’s office has donated a bouncy bounce for our bash.

The bouncy is a huge hit. Simon has found something he likes better than swings. I let him spend most of the afternoon bouncing, but it’s bus time now. “Mom will be waiting.” I’ve already got Jared at the ready. I’m pretty sure Simon’s going to pitch a fit. Sure enough, we have to go in after him. And here’s another change in Blue. A month ago, she would have pitched right along with him. Now she stands and waits for me to finish. Jared and I manage to escort Simon to his bus. It’s hot, and I’m already thinking Blue and I will stop at Schlossman’s on the way home for cold cokes. I’m about to bring this up to Blue when Chandra finds me and asks if I’ve got a minute.

Chandra and I go up to my empty classroom. Jared has agreed to wait with Blue. I can see her from the window. She’s on the swings, pumping her legs hard and laughing with Jared, looking so much like any happy little girl that I tear up.

“She’s doing well.”

“We have our moments. But, yes, she’s doing great. With a little luck, she might be ready for a regular school come fall.” In the wildest and most hopeful of my dreams, we send her to St. Mark’s, Mac and I sign adoption papers, and she’s ours. These are things I don’t voice aloud. Not even to Mac.

“I hate to admit this, but I was wrong. You and Mac are the best thing that’s ever happened to that child.”

“She’s worth it.” A creepy premonition follows. And I know without Chandra saying anything. I know. “Her mother.” I’m afraid of the possibility.

“She’s back.”

I watch Blue jump from the swing, a blur of little girl. I’m always amazed at the elasticity in the kids I teach, at how they’re able to come back, time and again, from the worst of circumstances. It’s one of the reasons I stay here. Of course, they can never be entirely fixed. Some scars never go away. All of them strong, though. They manage to go on. Blue Crowley is strongest of the strong. For months, I’ve watched her climb out of darkness. I’ve listened to her cry for her mother. I’ve listened and waited and watched. And just when there’s a respite, just when it seems she might be able to move on, it gets all turned upside down.

“We can’t tell Blue.”

“Beanie.”

“No, Chandra. Look at her. We can’t send her back there. We can’t. It isn’t fair.”

“Blue’s mother wants another chance. It’s her kid.”

“She gave birth to her. So what? When Blue wakes up at 2 a.m. so paralyzed by fear she can’t move, I’m the one who goes to her. I’m the one who lays in bed with her until she goes back to sleep.”

Chandra watches out the window, not looking at me. “Knowing that doesn’t change the facts. Blue has a right to her mother. And Blue’s mother has a right to her child.”

“No. She has no right. She threw that right away when she left Blue to be abused. She discarded her kid, treated her like some beat-up old recliner. And now she wants her back? No.”

“She’s cleaned up her act. Five months of rehab. She’s clean. She’s trying, Beanie. We have to help her. You’d agree with me if this weren’t about Blue. You know you would.”

I have no answer. Because this isn’t about some other kid. This is about Blue. My Blue. I don’t want to give her up. My Blue. Though she would give me up in a second. She’d leave me for her mother, no questions asked. That’s what hurts the most. “How long?”

“I don’t know. DSS is still doing intake. She’s going to fight for her, Beanie. You should know that.”

Her words start to sink in. I have to let go, and I don’t have a chance.

Blueberry Truth is available through   Etopia Press, at  Amazon 

and through most other e-book distributors.