Sunday, June 17, 2018

Our Guest Today is Isobelle Cate #OurAuthorGang

Welcome, Isobelle!  We're thrilled to have you with us today.


Isobelle Cate is a woman who wears different masks.  Mother-writer, wife-professional, scholar-novelist.  Currently living in Manchester, UK, she has been drawn to the little known, the secret stories, about the people and the nations:  the English, the Irish, the Scots, the Welsh, and those who are now part of these nations whatever their origins.  Her vision and passion are fueled by her interest and background in history and, paradoxically, shaped by growing up in a clan steeped in lore, loyalty, and legend. Isobelle is intrigued by forces that simmer beneath the surface of these cultures, the hidden passions, unsaid desires, and yearnings unfulfilled.  She may be reached at:

Website: www.isobellecate.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorIsobelleCate?ref=hl
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Isobelle_Cate
Amazon:  http://author.to/IsobelleCate_Amazon
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7191925.Isobelle_Cate
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/isobelle-cate

**Due to adult content, material is suited for 18 years and older.


Fifteen years ago, Drake Rosen was forced to leave the girl he loved, only to find her gone when he returned. He never forgot her, the only girl his heart belonged to, until he sees her during Oliver and Felicity’s wedding. She has now become a beautiful woman who gives meaning to every beat of his heart. The woman who can bring him to his knees. 

Bethany Brooke was never one to fit in. Scrawny, shy, and partially hearing impaired she was the butt of cruel taunts in school. Drake was the boy who protected her, shielded her and gave her the time of day. Her knight in a faded uniform, he was the one who drew the curtains back to let light colour her world and sound even more beautiful. He was the one she fell in love with. 

But when Drake is forced to leave, Bethany is left to fend for herself until she, too, is forced to leave her home. Fifteen years later, while walking the trails of Sandbanks, she sees the boy who owned her heart from the very start. He is now a man that gives sound to her racing pulse, someone she now craves.

Giving in to the attraction they have had for a long time, they take the chance of kindling the love denied them all those years ago. But someone is working in the background to pull them apart. If Drake finds out the secrets Bethany is keeping, it could destroy their fragile love. Bethany knows that it is the ultimate betrayal that will break Drake’s heart.

They say it takes two to tango. For Drake and Bethany, it will have to be the slow dance of their lives.

This book is a standalone but part of the Second Chances series. 


Erika M Szabo

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Nice to have you on our blog Isobelle :)
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priscilla de boer

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Love isobelle care her work and she is a lovely person ❤💋
 
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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today's guest on #OurAuthorGang is romance novelist Isabelle Cate.
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Joe Bonadonna

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Welcome aboard, Isobelle!
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Linda Boulanger

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I am always intrigued to learn more about my "Dragon Sisters" and love the premise of Slow Dancing. As one who has worked with you, I will say that you are a joy, Isobelle, and your stories are captivating.
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Isobelle Cate

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Thank you so much for having me. I'm honoured to be here.
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Tricia Drammeh

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Wonderful to meet you, Isobelle! Thanks for visiting with us today.
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Grace Au

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Good morning, Isobelle! So nice to have you with us!
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Toi Thomas via Google+

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, we welcome author Isobelle Cate to share tales of the English, Irish, Scots, and more. #OurAuthorGang

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Going gluten free--epic cooking fail by Grace Augustine #OurAuthorGang



photo: Williams Sonoma

There are days I wonder why I even try to cook any other way than what is familiar. With all of the new health items and BMI rules and things we never heard of thirty years ago (and I will point out we were less obese then).


photo: Sunset Magazine

One of my downfalls is sweets...especially sweets with chocolate! I have many of the "one-cup" microwave dessert recipes...from apple cake to blueberry muffins. I found a recipe for a microwave brownie--no milk or egg. I thought I was in heaven!


Photo: YouTube

However...instead of using regular flour, I decided to make a gluten free version with coconut flour. I followed the recipe, measuring out the ingredients and popped the mug in the microwave. I could smell the delectable chocolate and taste its goodness!

After pulling it from the microwave, I allowed it to cool for 2 minutes, as instructed. Piercing it with a fork, I scooped a bite...sigh...only to find a grainy, unappetizing mess!  I didn't know that the ratio of coconut flour was different when cooking. You have to alter the recipes quite a lot. It was more work than I wanted to tackle.



I tossed it in the trash and made a regular brownie, smiled, and ate it all--gluten be damned!


photo: YouTube

RECIPE FOR MICROWAVE MUG BROWNIE
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 Tbsp softened butter
1 heaping Tbsp cocoa powder
dash of salt
1/4 c. hot water

Mix together, but don't over mix it.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Remove and enjoy this guilty pleasure

Erika M Szabo

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I truly hate diet food and substitutes, my taste buds scream for the real stuff. When I need to lose a few ponds I rather do portion control and eat more vegetables than eat low-this-low-that food. The cup in the micro brownie sounds yummy and so easy, I'm going to try it :)
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Rebecca Tran

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Grace Augustine shares an epic cooking fail and a successful recipe on Our Author Gang. If you love one cup brownies, check this out.
 
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Rebecca Tran

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
No Grace! Why did you do this to me? I have to try these. Yum Yum.
 
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Mary Anne Yarde

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
It does take some working out when you are using gluten free recipes. I have been gluten free, for years and there are some recipes that just end up in the trash every time ~ not that I am the greatest of cooks at the best of times! LOL!
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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Grace Augustine​ shares an epic cooking failure -- substituting ingredients doesn't always lead to a yummy ending -- and shares a delicious brownie recipe!
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Ruth de Jauregui

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Oooooo, chocolate! Oh my, I had no idea the proportions would be different. Thank you for the warning!!
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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on #OurAuthorGang, Grace Augustine talks about the trials and tribulations of her first attempt at gluten-free cooking, but does treat us to a great recipe for chocolate cake.
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Joe Bonadonna

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I'm pretty gluten free right now, but I am the world's worst baker! That chocolate cake does look great, though.
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Tricia Drammeh shared this via Google+

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
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Tricia Drammeh

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
My daughter and I started a low carb diet in March. Giving up sweets was brutal because I have always had a wicked sweet tooth! For the first month or so we experimented with making "sweets" with Stevia and almond flour. Some of the things we made were okay, but certainly not as good as the real thing. We never tried coconut flour, but almond flour left our treats with the same type of consistency you have described here. We eventually gave up on baked goods. Our new guilty pleasure is homemade ice cream with frozen strawberries and heavy cream. It's easy, low in sugar, and gluten free.
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Nikki McDonagh

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Interesting recipe. I never use microwave ovens anymore. I may use your recipe for my students who attend an After School Club I run. #OurAuthorGang
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Lorraine Carey

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Sorry this happened, Grace. It's hard to do substitutions with different ingredients. I'm like you with having a bad sweet tooth. I love coconut flour but have not tried it in brownies. I use it for facial masks. Happy baking.
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Lorraine Carey via Google+

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Sometimes Gluten Free isn't all that's it's cracked up to be.
Entertaining post here! #cooking #OurAuthorGang
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Toi Thomas

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I've tried some horrible microwave recipes, but now I know how to do it right. Oh, and I think I still owe you a strawberry cake recipe. ;)
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Toi Thomas via Google+

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, Grace Augustine​, explains why using an alternative doesn't always add up, in the kitchen. #OutAuthorGang
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Grace Au

7 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Join me today as I share epic cooking fail...Part Deux!
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