#The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

[mercerislandbooks]

A Double Dose of 50 Years of Island Books: Rachel Linden / Martha Brockenbrough

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, The Enlightenment of Bees, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and Ascension of Larks. Currently Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island near Seattle, WA where she enjoys creating stories about strong women facing big challenges, travel, food, and second chances at love. She promises her readers a happy, or at least very hopeful, ending and infuses each of her stories with a touch of magical realism. Her newest novel, Recipe for a Charmed Life, comes out in early 2024.

Miriam: Welcome, Rachel. Let's start with your first visit to Island Books. Where were you in your career then, and what stood out about the store?

Rachel: When I think of Island Books, I feel I can sum it up best in the word "inviting". I first visited Island Books when my second novel, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, was about to release. If I remember correctly, I came bearing homemade cookies my husband and son had made, and an advanced reader copy of my new book. I was hoping to meet some of the staff and see if they'd be interested in stocking my book. I was instantly charmed by the special Island Books vibe. I love independent bookstores and feel so fortunate that we have so many in our area. Island Books has always been one of my very favorites because of the wonderful, friendly and knowledgeable staff (with fabulous owner Laurie at the helm), the inviting places to sit and stay awhile, and such an excellent and extensive selection of books. They were so warm and welcoming to me on my first visit, and I continue to greatly enjoy and appreciate their enthusiastic support and care for local authors like me! I love every chance I get to be at Island Books because I always feel so welcomed. It's an inviting, enjoyable space with true book lovers, and for a bookworm like me, that's basically my definition of paradise!

Miriam: Rachel, you can't drop a teaser about bringing cookies to Island Books and not share the specific recipe. When many of us think of you, we think, foodie book club, mmmm.....Will you share which cookies you brought to that first event here on the blog? We can make them official "Rachel-Linden's-Take-a-Trip-to-Island-Books cookies" or something. 

Rachel: Absolutely! I can't remember exactly which cookies I brought the first time I visited Island Books, to be honest! But here's a recipe for some amazing lemon bars that I know I brought along with an advanced reader copy of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie!  These delicious lemon bars are super easy and super yummy! I enjoy this recipe from one of my favorite baking sites, Sally's Baking Addiction! I amended it slightly, but mostly it is her recipe. 

Rachel-Linden's-Take-a-Trip-to-Island-Books-Luscious-Lemon-Bars

Ingredients

SHORTBREAD CRUST

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour 

optional: you can add a bit of the zest of the lemon to the crust for added lemon flavor

LEMON FILLING

2 cups granulated sugar

6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

6 large eggs

1 cup lemon juice (about 4-5 large lemons)

powdered sugar for dusting over the top of the bars when cooked and cooled

optional: add a bit of the zest of the lemon to the filling for an added kick of lemony flavor 

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Carefully line the bottom and sides of a 9×13 glass baking pan (do not use metal for these bars) with parchment paper, leaving the paper hanging over the sides so you can easily lift the finished bars out. This is an important step and makes cutting the bars much easier!). 

Make the crust: Mix the melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together in a large bowl. Add the flour and stir to completely combine. The dough will be quite thick. Press firmly into your prepared pan, making sure the layer of crust is nice and even with no holes. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until you see the edges of the crust are lightly browned. Remove from the oven. Using a fork, poke holes all over the top of the warm crust (careful not to poke all the way through the crust). This helps the filling stick and holds the crust in place. Set crust aside.

Make the filling: Sift the sugar and flour together in a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, and then add the lemon juice (and zest if using) and stir until completely combined.

Pour filling over the warm crust. Bake the bars for 22-26 minutes or until the center is relatively set and no longer jiggles. (You can give the pan a light tap with an oven mitt to test that the filling is set.) Remove bars from the oven and cool completely at room temperature. It is recomemnded to cool them for about 2 hours at room temperature, then stick in the refrigerator for 1-2 more hours until fairly chilled. 

Once cool, lift the parchment paper out of the pan using the overhang on the sides. Dust the bars with confectioners’ sugar and cut into squares before serving. Enjoy! 

Miriam: Thank you! Okay, one last question, now that I'm thinking about The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. One of the big messages in that book is that instead of looking backward, we should make the best of things and focus on the road ahead. With that theme in mind, as we head toward our store's 50th anniversary, what do you think the road ahead looks like for indie bookstores?

Rachel: Looking forward, I believe indie bookstores will continue to thrive because of the amazing connections they provide between people and great stories. In an increasingly digital world, to walk into an independent bookstore, talk to smart, book loving booksellers, and walk out with amazing stories in our hands...that personal experience cannot be replaced. For authors, independent bookstores offer wonderful opportunities for us to make personal connections with book lovers—both bookselling professionals and readers. I think Island Books does this so beautifully, and what they offer will continue to be valued by readers and authors alike. 

Miriam: Thanks so much for stopping by our blog, Rachel. We always love hearing from you.

To our community—if you make Rachel's Lemon Bars, send us a picture! In the next installment of Island Books, I'll be talking to...

50 Years of Island Books: Martha Brockenbrough

Martha Brockenbrough (rhymes with broken toe) is the author of Frank and the Masked Cat and more than twenty books for young readers, including YA fiction and nonfiction, picture books, a middle grade mystery, and a chapter book series. Her next nonfiction book for teens, Future Tense, will hit shelves in 2024.

A faculty member at Vermont College of Fine Arts, she's also the founder of National Grammar Day (every March 4), and she's written game questions for Cranium and Trivial Pursuit.

The former editor of MSN.com, Martha has interviewed lots of celebrities, including the Jonas Brothers and Slash. Her work has been published in a variety of places, including The New York Times. She also wrote an educational humor column for the online encyclopedia Encarta for nine years. 

She lives in Seattle with her family. Her favorite kind of food is Indian, although Thai runs a close second. Besides writing, she likes dogs, cats, cooking, weight-lifting, and laughing.

Miriam: I'm so excited to have you here, Martha, especially because my 10-year-old twins LOVED To Catch a Thief and we are big fans of yours. Let's start with your first visit to Island Books. Where were you in your career then, and what stood out about the store?

Martha: That makes my day! The book is set in a slightly distressed Seabrook—if you ever go, the kids will recognize some of the sights!

Meanwhile, I can’t even remember the first time I went into Island Books. I’m a Bellevue native and only a few years older than the store. So let’s just say I have no memories of life without Island Books. As an author, though, I think one of the first events I attended was for the wonderful Jennifer Longo debut novel, Six Feet Over It, inspired in part by her life growing up at a cemetery. My first event with Island Books was a King County Library fundraiser—Garth Nix and I were in conversation with each other. I really love his writing and it was so much fun learning more about how he thinks about storytelling. 

I led here with the people, because in truth the writing and reading life isn’t lived only on the page. I love Laurie (and we share appreciation for a good Old Fashioned). I’ve known Lillian and Caitlin for years and through other stores, and I so appreciate people who make a life out of literature. The store itself is an absolute treat. It’s exquisitely edited and I find something I didn’t know I needed every time I go in. It’s also a place I love to shop for gifts, and not just books—the whole store is full of beautiful and joyful objects.

Miriam: We've been to Seabrook and yes they did recognize the sights, funny you mention that. I think that's half the fun of reading local authors who write about the Pacific Northwest! These are great memories, and for us it's all about the people too, so we love that. Tell me, I know we've offered special pre-orders of signed copies of your books over the years. Do you have any special memories of signing in the store?

Martha: Coming to Island Books is like a visit with old friends. Seeing Lillian and Caitlin at Island Books gathers all of those fond memories from other stores in one place—and it’s a testament to the deep knowledge that the stores booksellers have. They are in this work for life. I was a reader first, and truly I always will be. So to have my reader heart in such good hands means the world to me. 

Miriam: Thanks, Martha. We're so grateful for to have you and your books in our lives too.

To our Island Books community: In the next 50 Years of Island Books installment, I’ll be talking to author Elise Hooper about how she crashed a staff party the first time she visited our store, and why her underdog stories have a special appeal at Island Books.

—Miriam

#miriam landis #island books #Rachel linden #the enlightenment of bees #lemon bar recipe #lemon bars #The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie #Martha Brockenbrough #Frank and the Masked Cat #50 years of island books

[cameracourt]

Review: "The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie" by Rachel Linden

Review: “The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie” by Rachel Linden

Thanks for stopping by for my review of Rachel Linden’s newest release, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. It’s a women’s fiction story with elements of romance and a little magical realism. An uplifting novel about a heartbroken young pie maker who is granted a magical second chance to live the life she didn’t choose. . . . from the bestselling author of The Enlightenment of Bees. Lolly Blanchard’s…

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#Berkley #Book #book review #fiction #Rachel Linden #read #Reading #Review #Romance #The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie #Women&039;s Fiction

[sandythereadingcafe]

REVIEW

THE MAGIC OF LEMON DROP PIE by Rachel Linden at The Reading Cafe:

‘a delightful, lighthearted, fun and charming story‘

http://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-magic-of-lemon-drop-pie-by-rachel-linden-a-review/ 

#books #reviews #The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie #Rachel Linden #The REading Cafe #Berkley Publishing

[thereadingcafe]

#Rachel Linden #The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie #Romance #Fantasy #Fiction #Contemporary #Review

[booksteacupandreviews]

Literary Embroidery project #WeeklyWrapUp

How was your week? What are you planning to read this week? check out my reading and life update on my #bookBlog #BooksTeacpandReviews ⬇️

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#Book Blog #bookoholic #Books Teacup and Reviews #Books This Week #Eclectic Book Blog #eclectic reader #Indian Book Blogger #Last current next read #Literary Embroidery project #Reading week #Redemptor #Some of It Was Real #The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie #Week in Reading #weekly post #Weekly Update #weekly wrap up #weekly Wrapup

[android-and-ale]

Fancy Hot Chocolate Hacks

Cheap extracts.

That's it. Really.

Instead of spending $10 on a box that only has 6 pouches (yes, I am bitter about inflation!) buy the biggest, bog-standard generic multi-pack you can afford. (I picked up a box of 50 packets of Swiss Miss for $7 at Costco. Your mileage may vary.) Then head to the baking aisle.

You only need about 1/8 tsp of extract per mug of cocoa, so a standard 2 oz bottle goes a long way.

The most common flavors you can find at most groceries are:

Vanilla

Almond

Orange

Lemon

Strawberry

Coconut

Cinnamon

Peppermint/Mint

Pretty much everything but the cinnamon or mint will get an amazing flavor boost if you also add anywhere from a few drops up to 1/8 tsp almond extract. Seriously. It's magic.

Flavor combination recommendations:

1/8 tsp each Vanilla and Almond - tastes like a better version of the Hazelnut packets. Try adding a tiny pinch of salt, too.

1/8 tsp Orange - tastes like those seasonal slam-ball Chocolate Oranges

1/8 tsp Strawberry and a couple drops each of Almond and Vanilla - strawberry shortcake chocolate and it is so good

1/8 tsp each Orange and Almond with a few drops of vanilla - once more, so very very good. Add a couple extra oz of hot water/milk, because the flavors will be a little strong

1/8 tsp coconut with a few drops of vanilla - tastes like a chocolate macaroon

1/8 tsp cinnamon - way better than peppermint, which seems to have an unexpected chemical aftertaste

Salted Caramel Substitutes worth trying:

2 tsp honey, 1/8 tsp almond extract, pinch of salt - add an extra 2 oz of water when mixing this up or it'll be too sweet

1-2 tsp maple syrup, 1/8 tsp vanilla, 2-3 drops almond, pinch of salt - again, add a little extra water

Any caramel syrup (or even baking chips) you have on hand + a pinch of salt

So you're feeling fancy?

The Internet has a world of extract flavors beyond the grocery store standards. Good hot chocolate mix-ins include:

Caramel (if you don't want to bother with sugary syrups)

Mango (yes, really! This also tastes nice with a little bit of coconut extract added in)

Pistachio (plus some almond. trust me!)

Cherry (once more, also try adding some vanilla and/or almond)

Blueberry (it's like those chocolate covered blueberries at the check out aisle. Once more, try also adding a little vanilla and/or almond to taste)

Three more cheap, easy hacks:

Brew a cup of your favorite mint tea then mix in a packet of hot cocoa powder. This will still taste better than most peppermint extracts.

Brew a cup of coffee then mix in a packet of hot cocoa powder. Congrats. Now you have a mocha. Try adding some vanilla or almond extract.

Add 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice. This is good on its own, but you can also use it as the base for a passable PSL. Start with a brewed cup of coffee, a packet of hot cocoa, and some pumpkin pie spice. Add your vanilla and almond extracts, then dilute the whole mess with your favorite type of milk. If you like it sweeter, add a second packet of hot cocoa mix.

#hot chocolate #cooking hacks #creative reuse #if you have extracts left over from holiday baking them put them into your hot cocoa! #hot cocoa powder inflation vexed me so much I now do this #and I'm not going back #because it's really really good

[sakuramidnight15]

-RSA OC Information-

Character Bio

Name: Venomia Fleur

(Japanese: ヴェノミア・フルール)

Romaji: Vu~enomia Furūru

Quote: "I require my own patience, not out-lashing mannerisms... So do you mind?"

V/A: Ai Fairouz (Japanese)

Gender: Female

Age: ???

Birthday: January 2

Star Sign: Capricorn

Eye Color: Light Green (Her normal eye color)

??? (Unknown Eye Color)

Hair Color: Light Red Ash

Height: 174 cm

Race: Crestia Demi-Goddess

Species: Abyssal Type (High-ranked)

Homeland: Themyscira Empire (4th Kingdom Level)

Family: Unnamed Parents

Unnamed two older sisters

Unnamed Grandparents

Unnamed Family-in-laws

_________________________________________

School Status and Fun Facts

Dorm: Crystaleon (@fumikomiyasaki)

School Year: Third

Class: 3-A (Same Class with Aine)

Student no. 20

Occupation: Student

Maiden of the Fleur Temple

Head Mistress of Ivy Domain

Club: N/A

Best Subject: Potions, Mathematics, and Science

Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous

Favorite Color: Green, Light Yellow, White, and Red

Favorite Food: Fried Kebabs, Iced Lemonade, Sour-flavoured Food (Mostly), Lemon and Honey Drops Candies, Mango Peach Pie, Tropical Drinks, Fried Meat (Mostly), Maple Syrup Pancakes (With various Berries),

Least Favorite Food: Too much Ketchup, Bitterness (Mostly), Tasteless Food, Goat Meat (Mostly), Jawbreakers, Herbals (That tasted bitter), Bubblegums,

Likes: Exploring New Forest Realms (Mostly), Botanical Activities, Reading Chinese Graphics, Flower-seeing, Many Monstrous-Flesh Eating Monsters (Mostly), Meditation, Flower-crown making, Temple Visiting,

Dislikes: Loud Noises from the sky (Mostly), Aine and Isamu's bickerings (Mostly), Seeing Achlys's mood swings, Someone or Something wasting her time, Anything that seems distasteful to her opinion, Her older sister's ranting about marriage, A wish that cost building destruction,

Hobbies: High Collected Memory, Temple Visiting, Meditation, Wanting to see a Monstrous-Flesh Eating Monster (Mostly), Botanical Activities (Mostly), Exploring new Forest Realms (Mostly), Flower-crown making, Being a daily alarm clock for her fellow crestia demi-gods (Mostly),

Talents: High-skilled Abyssal Magic, Hypnosis Abilities, Demi-God Physical Strength, Floral Mage Abilities, Poison Plant Manipulation, Snap Dragon Command, ???,

Nicknames: Vena or Monia (From her family and friends)

Venomia-senpai or Fleur-senpai (From the freshmen students)

Lady Fleur (From all the Servants)

Via or Vivi (From her fellow Crestia Demi-gods)

Noa (From her older sisters)

Other Nicknames:

Lady of the Maddest Poison

_________________________________________

Appearance and Personality

Appearance: Venomia has an average female body build but has an structure up-building which is unusual for a female individual like her, which means her structure is similar to a man but much more feminine. She has light ash red colored hair which she ties the right side of it into a side ponytail. She has light green colored eyes but when using her crestia demi-god abilities the color of the other color for it remains unknown for the time being. Venomia is considered to be an understandable individual but is mostly centered when it comes to things that aren't in her area.

Personality: Born as the youngest child within her lineage, Venomia was considered to be dull and has the incapability of feeling much of other emotions, despite the fact that she had never failed to disappoint the family and its historical upbringing, not a single emotion surfaced into her childhood days. To Venomia's thoughts on it back then, she found nothing to be considered as worth to hold within her lifestyle, which concerned towards her parents and sisters ever since till a certain issue within the family had brought up within the Ivy Temple just to drag Venomia down the pit of her living which turned her into a lifeless of her shell.

But all things changed when the grand ivy within the temple chose Venomia to be its current user for its power and legacy, for the first few times within her lessons as the lady of the temple, it indeed brought the young crestia demi-goddess into a spring of sudden emotions after seeing nature and it's abilities as time passes on within her life, which it includes her fascination of plant monsters who are capable of consuming fleshed beings, which Venomia finds them thrilling as she grew older.

The current Venomia we're seeing now in the present-timeline is known for her secured obedience and disciplinary for many valid reasons as her job applied so for many, but she can be understandable for various situations as a crestia demi-goddess, like her other fellow crestia demi-gods within the dorm, she seems to be a neutral fellow member within the dorm itself within a daily schedule. Despite her current appearance as she grew up in present, she seems to have managed to have an understanding of some emotions she has in the present but for the rest has remains unknown for her own curiosity or more.

She seems to be rather okay with much of the situations however she can raise her ears to hear something that catches her interesting in some other way around but it depends on how she responds to them in her own opinion and level. Which is why she is understanding with her ears and mature for her age of level. Although she would rather stay low for status for various reasons which seems rather important which she cannot answer, although she can get a headache if things were going out of hand and level for her management, which Venomia is more of an assisting role kind of individual and does not want any leadership role but she'll manage somehow but not for long on her brain and balance.

Though obedience is one thing to know, but her limit is far beyond limits whenever she's about to cross with. Composed and ladylike but silent as a trap ready to be at upon, Venomia wouldn't hesitate to remind and goes sometimes for brutality of violence on anyone who misreads her mind and words, sometimes silence is an all the way to go but for Venomia and her upbringing childhood? No. She knows more than what's there behind them.

Please give her some thinking whenever another issue is brought up, she isn't fast at getting things done but is clever for settled ideas to the bottle.

_________________________________________

Trivia

-The name 'Venomia' means name by the word 'venom'. While her surname 'Fleur' is a french name for the word 'flower'.

-She's based on 'Serah Farron'. One of the characters within the Final Fantasy Game Series.

-Loves seeing forest realms, including some forest within the countries of the rift border. Venomia visits them whenever she has the chance.

-Seems to have her knowledge of the other races within the rift as well.

-Venomia knows how to handle her words, clever that she misunderstood on anything she hears.

-Is an true expert on botanical activities, especially on greenhouses and powerplants.

-Is okay with her family desire drama going on in the past but things have settled down in the present.

-She seems annoyed a bit whenever her sister mentions marriage, Venomia would make an expression including uninterested thoughts in it as well.

-She and Isamu were dance partners back then, but eventually became neutral with one another. It seems that Isamu understood her conflicted personality after meaning her.

-She's also neutral within the dorm members and belongs in the dark side with Achlys as an abyssal type like him, however he seems to be the only one she talks to despite others within.

-Is also a daily alarm clock in between for Aine and Achlys, although she does seem to be bothered by it at all.

-Rarely finds anything interesting from her past till now, but she hides her curiosity till she says so.

-Aine seems to be interested in Venomia before they enter the dorm, the two become rather friends in the end with odd likings towards each other.

-She and Achyls often have an understatement agreement towards nature and its abilities. He seems to not mind seeing her thrill-ment of fleshed eating monsters whenever he brought it up to her.

-The issue that was mentioned before was in fact the trouble at the Ivy Temple before she became the lady in the present timeline. In the past one afternoon around at sunset, Venomia had wandered towards it till she came in contact with an extremely rare amount of poison kicked in from the temple itself, which caused her family and sisters to put an uproar with the household upon the tragedy till she managed to regain consciousness during her midweek survival on her revival. She was hospitalized for five weeks.

-Her voice sounds low and decent when talking to others, but however the tone and words go differently on another level whenever she feels moody. Which is why I chose Ai Fairouz to be her voice actor.

-Is fluent in Chinese Language.

-Venomia can get headaches for things that aren't in her forte. She'd rather not handle it eventually.

-Makes flower crowns out of habit whenever she feels bored.

-She is mostly found reading Chinese books in any secluded areas whenever she's on her free time or feeling bored within the academy.

#mc #oc #twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #gacha club #gacha games #gacha club mod #bio #character information #royal sword academy #rsa #venomia fleur #via

[1-800-papaya]

Masterlist

Key

Fluff 😊| Smut 😳| angst 🥺|

One-shot 1️⃣| Series ♾️|

🟢= completed | 🟡= In Progress | 🔴= On Hold

Author note | I like to acknowledge that I don't own any of the characters or lore mentioned in my stories except for my original characters. Also feel free to send me suggestions on characters as I frequently get stuck on some of the longer stories and would love smaller projects to post.

WitchHunt 😊🥺♾️🟡

Dean Winchester x Hufflepuff!Baker!Witch(OC)

In this story, Sam and Dean Winchester take a break from hunting demons to go on an old-school Witch Hunt. Along the way, the magic becomes all too real and Dean starts to question his own hunter's code. Maybe the short chocolate-haired witch with the best pie he's ever eaten can change his mind about his own future.

Cowgirls Don't Cry 😊🥺1️⃣🟢

Cordell Walker x Sister!Magnolia Rae Walker (OC)

In Texas, there's one rule that cowgirl Magnolia Rae Walker stands by; no matter what happens, whether you fall off your horse or your heart is broken, Cowgirls don't cry.

Cops and Bakers😊♾️🟢

Jay Halstead x Baker!Cordelia Micheals (OC)

After a long, hard few weeks, Hailey Upton decides that her partner needs a little happiness. So, she sends him on a coffee run to her new favorite cafe, Lemon Drops. It just happens to be run by a sweet young woman Hailey thinks is perfect for the scared Jay Halstead.

Mother's Lullaby 😊🥺1️⃣🟢

The adoptive daughter of Natasha Romanoff visits her mother's grave and runs into her mother's sister. Just a lovely Aunt and Niece moment that Natasha would've loved to see blossom.

Fur, Claws and Butterbeer 🥺😊♾️🟡

Estelle Scamander is the youngest Scamander sibling and wants nothing but to live well within her brother's shadows. Mattheo Riddle just wants to crack the shell of his longest friend and hug the soft heart buried within

Filii deorum

The lives of young Greek gods and goddesses in their last year of Olympus Collage. How will they ever survive the trials and tribulations of young godhood?

#dean winchester #hufflepuff #cordell walker #dean winchester x reader #cordell walker x reader #cowgirl #harry potter #jay halstead x reader #jay halstead #chicago pd #marvel mcu #mcu fanfiction #natasha romanoff #yelena belova #mattheo riddle #mattheo riddle x reader #fantastic beasts and where to find them #original work #greek gods

[deathsweetblossoms]

#polls #bookworm stuff

[stacyalesi]

Spotlight Review: RECIPE FOR A CHARMED LIFE by Rachel Linden

Spotlight #BookReview: RECIPE FOR A CHARMED LIFE by Rachel Linden, a wonderful read that is very well done, engaging, and even inspiring - plus a touch of magic! #RachelLinden @BerkleyPub @penguinrandom #foodiefiction #bookstagram #romance #magicalread

CLICK TO PURCHASE From the publisher: After a day of unrivaled disappointments, a promising young chef finds every bite of food suddenly tastes bitter. To save her career, she travels to the Pacific Northwest to reconnect with her estranged mom, and discovers a family legacy she never suspected in this delicious novel from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. American chef…

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#Contemporary #Foodie Fiction #Magical Realism

[mercerislandbooks]

Short Take: The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

In the opening pages of Rachel Linden’s newest book, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, her main character, Lolly, is making her daily six lemon meringue pies for her family’s restaurant. And as I read the descriptions of Lolly constructing her pies, spooning in the filling, and chatting with her sister, I found myself swept away on a wave of nostalgia.

My paternal grandmother is known in our family for her delicious cooking, but most especially for her pie. Every dinner at her home was followed by a highly anticipated pie, apple or lemon meringue being the most requested. If you were lucky, you might also sneak a midnight slice later on, or get a sliver with breakfast coffee. As I got older, and my grandma did too, I realized if I didn’t ask her to teach me soon, I might miss my chance to learn directly from her years of experience. So, one Seattle winter day she walked me and my cousin (yes, my reading near-by cousin) through making her famous lemon meringue pie. She instructed us on the various steps, working off her handwritten recipe and then elaborating on the unwritten tricks. How it was important to make it early in the day so the filling would have time to set. To taste and adjust the lemon filling until it was the perfect balance of sweet and tart. To spread the meringue to the edges of the pie. As I recall, mine didn’t turn out wonderfully, my filling more of a lemon soup. But the flavor was decent and the act of making it with her lives in my memory, to be drawn out again by the start of Rachel Linden’s book.

Let’s get back to the story.

Lolly is just trying to keep her head above water, her family restaurant in Magnolia afloat, and realizing that the dreams she gave up after her mother’s untimely death ten years ago are coming back to haunt her. Her lost ambition and lost love trail her with a regret that obscures any new possibilities. Enter Aunt Gert, a spry and worldly octogenarian, who gifts Lolly with three lemon drops. Three magic lemon drops that allow her to experience one day in an alternate life, one that might have been hers had she chosen differently all those years ago. As always, Rachel Linden surprises me with her inventive plots and pauses me with her thoughtful insights. In the end I was left with the same tart and comforting freshness of the lemon of the title.

Hopefully this quick review whets your appetite because Island Books is lucky enough to host Rachel Linden in conversation with Sarah Jio on August 2nd at 6:30pm for the release of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie! No reservation is necessary. In the meantime, you can pre-order your copy of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie on our website or in person at Island Books. We hope to see you August 2nd!

— Lori

#island books #lori robinson #rachel linden #the magic of lemon drop pie #sarah jio #seattle authors #author event

[3xm-draconic]

Respite (werebat Cyris story)

Summary: The gang has a nice night of fun together...and Cyris learns some valuable info.

“FINALLY” Roger cried as they reached the town of Rivington “CIVILIZATION!”, “warm beds…” Wyll sighed, “fresh supplies!” Lae’zel grinned,“BETTER BOOZE!” Roger howled excitedly.

“Ooh there’s a little bookstore in town, I wonder if they might have a few new recipe books” Gale hummed, “I can see a tavern! We have enough gold, let's eat out tonight everybody” Allegra said as she skipped along the path.

“Eating out would be a nice change of pace from having to cook all the time” Cyris groaned, “I agree, eating out at a nice restaurant sounds like a rather nice date~” Astarion smiled.

At the inn they were staying at, a cheap place called: The 12 Rusty Swords Inn, they settled down for a feast.

Karlach and Wyll ordered a warm meaty stew to share together.

Halsin and Lae’zel both ordered a dish of roasted parsnips and other root vegetables covered in a tangy sauce.

Roger had a fish dish while Allegra ordered a pheasant pie.

Gale and Shadowheart enjoyed a platter of assorted meats and other delicacies they could dip into a small cauldron of cheese portabley heated by a magical rune.

Jaheira snacked on scones and had a nice pot of tea to go along with it.

Astarion ordered a steak…cooked VERY rare, nearly raw and Cyris had black pudding (blood sausage) with toast and eggs.

“Ahhh~ this is great! Finally a little reprieve from the craziness of travel and adventuring” Karlach smiled as she patted her stomach, “I couldn’t agree more, but we will have to depart soon, to stop the elder brain…” Gale forebodingly said.

“Well I ain’t doing that till I’ve tried the drink menu” Roger mumbled “now” he pulled out a pair of spectacles “lets see…”

“Iam not getting drunk, I am too old for such shenanigans” Jaheira mumbled.

“Zelly and I are gonna hit the hay early” Halsin said as he and Lae’zel whent upstairs to their room.

“I’am down to party!” Karlach grinned, “me too” Wyll added, “I think a little fun is in order, Shadow what do you think?” Gale turned to the raven-haired half elf, Shadowheart smiled “drinks sound delightful”. 

“Mmm~ the wine selection they have here isn’t too bad” Astarion hummed, “Drinks for most of us then…unless you’d like more tea Jaja?”, Jaheira snickered at her nickname “I would not mind another pot of camomile” she laughed.

The drink menu was…well it had quite a lot actually, it was hard to pick between the wines, hard liquors or mixed drinks.

So Roger came up with a system…

“Ok so, we’ll use my dice to decide what we’ll drink, what number on them is the menu number you order” he grumbled, “ooh~ like a game of chance!” Shadowheart hummed “exciting~”.

They all rolled the dice to see who picked first…

Wyll rolled the highest…

“31…Eye of the Beholder…hmmm sounds…interesting” he pondered.

The drink that arrived was a blue-tinted gin drink with dozens of little “eyeballs” floating in it, when Wyll bit into one of them it popped in his mouth an oozed with the flavor of mangos “Wow this…this is actually pretty good” he grinned.

“My turn!” Karlach excitedly snatched the dice from the table.

“52…Bubbling Black Brew?” she pondered.

The drink she ordered was a deep black fizzy wine served with a twist of lemon peel, when she took a taste she grinned “ooh~ it’s blackberry and lemon flavored” she happily sipped away.

Gale took the dice and rolled next…

“23…The…Hammer?” he pondered worriedly “that sounds interesting…”

The drink that came was served in a huge pewter chalice, it looked like they dumped every alcohol they had and the kitchen sink in there…but Gale took a sip and said it was good.

Shadowheart nervously looked at the dice “oh please be something good…” she pleaded.

“81, Ambrosia? Hmm never heard of that”

The drink smelled of coconut, ripe passion fruit, raspberries and peaches “OH there is some strong rum in here” she gasped.

“ALRIGHT MY TURN!” Roger excitedly grabbed his dice and rolled…

“61…candy drop…”

The drinks that came were a colorful drink covered in every candy that smelled potently of vanilla and a shot of  candies infused with liquor “oop well not what I was expecting…down the hatch!” Roger said as he dropped the candies into the vanilla drink and downed it in one go.

 Allegra was handed the dice next…

“14…Jellycube shots…”

6 small cubes of jelly on little platters, each a different color were served, Allegra grabbed the red one, squished it a little and then bit it “OOOH cherry flavor” she grinned. The green was apple, blue was berry, orange was citrus, yellow was banana, purple was grape. “vashe zdorov'ye!” Allegra cheered 

Astarion was handed the dice…

“100…Fairy Blood?” he laughed…

The drink that was served was thick and bright red, Astarion took a sip “haha it’s spicy tomato juice and vodka haha” he beamed.

Lastly it was Cyris’s turn…

 “4…strawberry fizz”

The drink that came was served in a tall fluted glass, it was a translucent pink that faded to a deep red and had chunks of strawberries in it. It fizzed and had a head of foam on top. Cyris smelled it, the scent of fresh berries mixed with champagne, lavender syrup and honey tantalized his senses. He sipped it… the taste was, “the berries…waiter where do you get your supply of strawberries?” he turned to their waiter, a tried-looking half-orc man.

“Some place called samgin…sanghen…woods something?” he grumbled, “sanguinwoods?” Cyris beamed, “yhea I think so” the waiter mumbled, “do..do you know anything about the village? If…if anything has happened to them?” Cyris asked him, a twinge of fear in his voice.

“I don’t know anything pal, haven’t heard anything in a while from em’, you could ask Max Tanpelr the town export manager” the waiter sighed and left.

Cyris looked worried…   

Their room was modest…but comfy.

Astarion missed the more lavish hotels and inns but this place was…charming, the little box of candy on the bedside tables was a nice touch.    

“Cyris~” Astarion called from the bedroom “come to bed darling~”, there was no reply, “C-Cyris?...” Astarion walked out of the bedroom and saw Cyris looking out their balcony.

“What troubles you my sweet?”, “...Whimbly said she’d kill my family…my village if I left…” Cyris had something in his hand…a faint glint of silver…

“Cyris?!” Astarion rushed over to his lover, Cyris held a knife in his hand…

“What…what if they're all dead? WHAT IF THEY DIED BECAUSE OF ME!?” he screamed as he held the blade to his arm, “CYRIS!” Astarion managed to grab hold of his wrist and wrench the blade free from his grasp “WE TALKED ABOUT THIS!”he shrieked.

Cyris dropped to the floor…

He was shaking…

He was crying…

“It’s all…my..fault…” he cried “all…my..fault…”

Astarion held him, held his lover’s head to his chest “shhh, shhh darling, it’s ok…” he raised Cyris’s face to his “you don’t know if they are hurt and his scares you…but hurting yourself won't fix that, we will find out more about them and if they are ok, ok?” He hugged him tightly.

“And if they aren’t ok?” Cyris whimpered…

“If things aren’t ok…if Whimbly has…has hurt them then we will avenge them” he kissed Cyris’s brow “don’t hurt yourself, please, I can’t stand to see you hurt yourself darling” he nuzzled Cyris “seeing you hurt hurts me”.

Astarion led Cyris to the bed and helped tuck him in, he wrapped his arms around him and held him close.

“I promise Cyris, I promise things will be ok…” 

The next morning Cyris and Astarion whent to see Max the town importer/exporter about his ties to sanguinwood shier…

Cyris’s belly churned in painful knots…he was panicking, his heart felt like it would explode out his ribcaged… 

“It’s alright darling, just hold my hand” Astarion assured him.

“Max?” Astarion called out “Max Tanpelr?”, “yes?” a little gnome man poked his head out from behind some boxes “what do you need of me my good fellow?” he chirped enthusiastically.

Astarion didn’t particularly like dealing with gnomes…too…happy…for his liking “we would like to know about one of your suppliers, a place called sanguinwood?, a little halfling village nestled in the spine of the world just beyond coldwood?” Astarion asked him. Max pondered, his face scrunched up in thought “oh yes I do know them, nice little place, BIG RED TREES! Have you ever seen them?, golly they are a sight!”, Astarion shook his head “no, no I’ve never been there, but my sweet darling here is from there and he wants to know how things have been?”

 Max smiled “oh never better, just got a shipment of plump red strawberries, cartons and cartons of them!” he beamed “why Rayford farm is my number 1 supplier” he smiled.

Cyris was brought to tears “y…you buy from my family?”, “your family?...GARL GLITTERGOLD’S BEARD!, you're their lost little boy aren’t you?” Max gawked “goodness boy your mother has worried herself near sick looking for you!”, Cyris started crying, Astarion turned to max…a little annoyed “he’s…he’s been dealing with something of late and could not return home…” he said haughtily.

“Well he could at least write her a letter or go to Baldur’s Gate, she’s probably still looking for him there” Max huffed and left back to his work.

Cyris fell to his knees outside the trade center “she’s…she’s so worried…” he whimpered “he’s right I could have sent her a FUCKING LETTER!” he hissed at himself and clawed at his skin, Astarion grabbed his hand and held him, restraining him from hurting himself further. 

“I’am a bad son…” he sobbed, “no you are not” Astarion helped him up “incase you haven’t noticed Cy we haven't really had time to just leisurely write a letter to our families. You are not a bad son for not being able to communicate with her” he said, hugging him tightly.

“...then we gotta go to Baludr’s Gate, not just to kill that brain thing but…but because I need to see my mom, I need to let her know I’am alive that I’am…well I’am not safe but I’am alive at least” he laughed.

“We are a long ways away from there darling” Astarion sighed, Cyris rested his head on Astarion’s “then I have a letter to write…”

#baldur's gate 3 #dnd character #dnd #werebat #astarion x oc #fanfic #balders gate 3 #soft astarion #baldurs gate astarion #angst and hurt/comfort

[coupleofbeesread]

Weekly Wine: The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

Becky gives another five stars to The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden. It’s a beautiful, uplifting tale of a woman who loses everything in order to find everything. Check the story out here:…

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#book #book blog #book blogger #book review #bookish #books #featured

[goodbooksandgoodwine]

5 Audiobooks I Recently Listened To

Hello friends! Back at again with another recap of a few audiobooks I’ve been listening to and enjoying for various reasons. Of course, I can’t just keep to one genre because of who I am as a person — but here’s my thoughts! The Magic Of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden If you are into magical realism, you should pick up The Magic Of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden. This story is about Lolly…

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#Adult fiction #audiobook #Book Review #multicultural #Penguin

[traceydyer]

(Download Book) The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie - Rachel Linden

Download Or Read PDF The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie - Rachel Linden Free Full Pages Online With Audiobook.

  [*] Download PDF Here => The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

[*] Read PDF Here => The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

 An uplifting novel about a heartbroken young pie maker who is granted a magical second chance to live the life she didn't choose. . . . from the bestselling author of The Enlightenment of Bees.Lolly Blanchard's life only seems to give her lemons. Ten years ago, after her mother's tragic death, she broke up with her first love and abandoned her dream of opening a restaurant in order to keep her family's struggling Seattle diner afloat and care for her younger sister and grieving father. Now, a decade later, she dutifully whips up the diner's famous lemon meringue pies each morning while still pining for all she's lost.As Lolly's thirty-third birthday approaches, her quirky great-aunt gives her a mysterious gift--three lemon drops, each of which allows her to live a single day in a life that might have been hers. What if her mom hadn't passed away? What if she had opened her own restaurant in England? What if she hadn't broken up with the only man she's ever loved? Surprising and

[marialeto]

Ascended Master and Tarot Card of the Day

August 30th, 2022

Tuesday

Anahita Mya

4 Directions of the Wind

Anahita Mya’s essential oil blend consists of 4 essential oils, 4 drops each

Black Spruce, Rose, Lemon, Neroli

Purity

Anahita Mya’s divinely blessed braided intention, prayer, and meditation bracelet is made of 3 strands of yarn.

Medium Blue for Waters High

Black for Waters Mighty

Red for Waters Immaculate

Message: Purity brings you sustainable life.

The gemstone is Onyx

Half and Half Meadows cream coffee

💙🖤❤️

Today, the planet of the day is Mercury, the number is Two, the flavor is Half and Half milk cream, color is White, ray of light is White, and flame is White. The candle is Cream. The Elohim is Spirit, God is Erica, Saint is Bootes, Goddess is Cancer, Being of Light is Robin, Angel of the day is Emily, The spirit animal is Elephant, gemstone is Onyx, the place is Hael, element is Wood, star is Russia, chakra is Solar Plexus, it is the day of the Angels, day of Multicosmos, the divinity is feminine, and the theme is Gifts. The country is United Arab Emirates.

Anahita Mya is the Ascended Master

The song of the day is Lumen Hilare by Monks of the Wandrille De Fontenelle Monastery

Album: A Treasury of Gregorian Chants

Monks of Benedictine Abbey

Christian 1967

Song #47

Today the moon is Waxing Crescent

Moonrise today 9:32 AM set 9:13 PM in Libra

Sunrise 6:14 AM

Sunset 7:30 PM

In Virgo Sun

TAROT CARD 💙🖤❤️

Vishnu

Trust

From the Ascended Masters deck by Doreen Virtue

The message today is that we trust that the universe is conspiring in our favor. It serves us each to reach out to the divine to support us. The divine truly sees us as perfect no matter the extenuating circumstances of our life at any given moment. When we are in the physical, we are at times bound in our life. No matter what the negative sees, we are doing what is necessary to bring to fruition all of our desires and needs. We are supported and loved by something greater than us. Call upon your guides and angels, feel that knowing encompass you, and then witness the life circumstances that validate your trusting stance. Always feel blessed no matter what.

Notes for today: Purity, Persia, Blue Calcite, peacock, Kwan Yin, Health, Wellness, Tuesday, Gym.

Notes:

Onyx

An ancient magical meaning protection and fortune. It tends to strike a chord in the hearts of many. It is used in meditation and premonitions, as well as prophecy.

It assist with focus and strength. As well as the root and solar plexus chakras.

Posted in the picture today is also a raven in Onyx which carries some of the same similar qualities. (The Raven)

Elephant

Their qualities include patients, wisdom, strength, loyalty, and strong family bond.

When they are here it is the meaning of sensitivity, nurture, compassion, value, and commitment.

United Arab Emirates

Peace, Quality, Health, Sacredism, old fashioned markets, and museums.

The photo of the day is:

Chicago Hotdogs

Multicosmos

Street Scene

Chicago, Illinois

Street Fare

Street food, Chicago, family meeting place, fresh lemonade, hotdogs, relish, lemon cream pie, relish, route 66, coffee, tea time, Dolminade’, UAE, attractions, white ray of light, transcendence.

Keyword of the day is accuracy.

#inspiration #coffee #photography #art #life #energy #tarot