Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Mari Collier

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with MARI COLLIER

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors.

Introducing author, MARI COLLIER, and her favorite recipe for HUCK FINN CHEESE PIE!

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About the author, Mari Collier….

Mari Collier was born in Iowa and grew up on a farm. She’s lived in Arizona, Washington, and now resides in Twentynine Palms, CA. She’s a Director on the Board or the Twentynine Palms Historical Society and Coordinator for the Desert Writers Guild. Previous employment includes bookkeeper, collector, receptionist, and Advanced Super Agent for Nintendo of America. Earthbound is the prequel to Gather the Children, and available online. Several short stories have been published and she pens two columns for the Old Schoolhouse Journal.

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BOOK PEEK – EARTHBOUND by Mari Collier

A man with Thalian-Justine genes is marooned on the planet Earth. He has the spaceship and has hidden it in the wilds of Texas. He must survive on this violent planet and return to destroy the Justines and avenge his mother and Thalia. He takes the name of MacDonald and rescues Rolfe during a barroom brawl. He joins Rolfe in the fur trade until it ends. They become traders until a Kiowa raid destroys their goods. MacDonald admits he has gold hidden away. A trip to the spaceship provides funds for a land grant from the state of Texas. MacDonald becomes a Scout for the 2^nd Dragoons. During a raid on a Comanche camp, he rescues Anna, a woman tall enough and warrior enough to match him. Will MacDonald and Anna survive plaque, the enmity of their Southern neighbors, a raid on Schmidt’s Corner, and the Civil War?

EXCERPT – EARTHBOUND by Mari Collier

Outside a whoop cut through her thoughts and she snapped the last diaper pin into place and put Auggie back into the crib. Auggie promptly resumed his screams.

His screams were covered by the whooping going on outside and the whinny of a horse. Anna ran for the front door ready to face whatever was out there and yet she knew.

She looked upward over the door to two empty gun racks and knew it was futile. Mr. Lawrence had taken both the rifle and the shotgun. She grabbed the broom set by the door and rushed out. Three Comanche warriors sat there looking at the small ranch house and buildings. It was as if they knew there was no one inside but a woman. Comanche women didn’t fight. They were trained to grab their children and then run and hide.

As Anna ran out the door one of the men slid down from his horse and started up the one step onto the porch. She was holding the bottom end of the broom and swung the hard hickory shaft against his knees. They had not expected her to fight; nor had they expected a woman taller than they were. The man’s knees buckled and he went down. Anna swung the broom again with all her strength and smashed it into his head. Her next blow was straight down into the ribs and she heard one crack. She whirled to face the next man coming toward her.

The first man’s horse had reared and fled toward the cornfield. It wanted no part of the flailing broom. The horse next to it began to rear and back away, but his rider had it back under control. He was grinning as though this were some sort of fluke; a woman downing a Comanche warrior. The other man was up on the porch. He was watching her, waiting for her to swing the broom again. Anna realized he was waiting to catch it, sure that his masculine strength was more than hers.

She edged to the side. Perhaps she could draw them away from the house. Her teeth were set, the lips drawn tight. She would stop them somehow and she started to swing and then hurriedly pulled the broom handle back. The Comanche grabbed air and she swung the broom into his arm, side-stepped, and slammed the hickory handle into the man’s head. He went down to his knees.

The other Comanche stepped out of the house carrying the squalling Auggie by one heel, swinging him back and forth. Anna’s mouth dropped and her eyes widened. The man looked ready to bash Auggie’s head into the doorframe. All the while he was looking at her, his head cocked to one side.

Anna dropped the broom and held out her arms for her baby. The Comanche stepped up to her and started to let Auggie drop. She grabbed him and held him tight. The other one had risen and approached with a knife, but the man that had held Auggie shook his head and said something in their language. He directed the man to go inside. He motioned Anna to walk over to the other one. He nudged him with one foot. To Anna his words had no meaning.

The one with the broken rib pulled himself up and looked for his horse. It was gone. His voice rose in anger. The one in charge said something to him. Anna was able to understand the contempt in his voice. There was no pity for a warrior bested by a woman.

She saw movement coming from the field. Was Mr. Lawrence coming to rescue them? Her heart sank. It was two more Comanche warriors and Daniel was riding in front of one.

CONNECT WITH MARI AND HER SERIES:

You will find me online at: http://www.maricollier.com/

Earthbound Kindle edition: http://www.amazon.com/Earthbound-Volume-1-ebook/dp/B00BEM4OZA/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Earthbound paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Earthbound-Volume-1-Mari-Collier/dp/061576133X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Gather The Children: http://www.amazon.com/Gather-Children-Mari-Collier/dp/1604417374/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236400448&sr=8-1

Gather The Children: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gather-the-children-mari-collier/1100095269?ean=9781604417371&itm=9&

Before We Leave Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Before-We-Leave-ebook/dp/B006M3XMEK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1324219927&sr=8-3

Before We Leave Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/before-we-leave-mari-collier/1107928798?ean=9781618426994&itm=2&usri=mari+collier

Before We Leave iBook: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/before-we-leave/id487907160?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Short stories on Smashwords.com can be accessed from here: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Skewedmind

Mari Collier’s Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4618494.Mari_Collier/blog?auto_login_attempted=true

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Twisted-Tales-From-A-Skewed-Mind/124947397618599

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I hope you enjoy the recipe Mari is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 82 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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HUCK FINN CHEESE PIE
[An Original Recipe by Mari Collier]

2 1/2 Cups frozen blue huckleberries (Substitute frozen blueberries)
1 ½ Cups Sugar
8 Oz. Package Cream Cheese
3 Tbs. Cornstarch
½ Cup Milk
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1 Tsp. Vanilla
1/2 Tsp. Salt
Dash of Cinnamon
1 Egg
1 Unbaked 9 ½ to 10 In. pie flan (high rim)

Heat oven to 400^0.

Combine huckleberries, 1 cup of the sugar, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon of salt, lemon juice, and dash of cinnamon in three quart pan. Cook over moderate heat 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened and clear. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

While fruit mixture is cooling soften cream cheese (30 to 40 seconds in microwave) and blend in ½ cup of sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt. Beat in eggs one-at-a time using an electric mixer. Blend in milk and vanilla on low speed. Pour the blue huckleberry mixture into the pie shell. Next, pour the cream cheese mixture slowly over the top. Do this in a circular motion.

Bake on lowest shelf in oven at 400⁰ for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325⁰ and bake for 40 to 50 minutes longer until top is golden brown (not burned) and center is set. Let cool before serving. It tastes best if put into the refrigerator and served cold. You can use whipping cream, but this pie is rich enough without it.

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Mari will give away a Kindle (or Nook) copy of BEFORE WE LEAVE (the sequel to GATHER THE CHILDREN) to one lucky reader!! Comment on this Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blos for a chance to win. Winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday, March 18, 2013. Thanks, Mari, for sharing your story AND your delicious recipe with us!

6 thoughts on “Karen’s Killer Fixin’s Author Special with Mari Collier”

Mari Collier says:

March 15, 2013 at 12:11 pm

Thanks so much for inviting me, Karen. I enjoyed our visit.

1. Karen Docter says:
  
  March 15, 2013 at 4:03 pm
  
  Thanks for joining me again on my blog, Mari! I enjoy your visits and this book excerpt sounds like a lot of fun. Looking forward to reading it!
  
Jayme N. says:

March 15, 2013 at 3:28 pm

I have know Mari for over 25 years. She is a beautiful woman and a phenomenal writer. I greatly anticipate reading her latest creation. Mari is full of wit, charm and pleasant surprises. I am completely honored to call a friend.

Mari Collier says:

March 15, 2013 at 5:28 pm

Thanks to all..

Alisha says:

March 15, 2013 at 5:44 pm

Really enjoyed Gather the Children. Still have the others on my “to do” reading list! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

The Desert Rocks says:

March 15, 2013 at 10:57 pm

Gather The Children is an amazing book and Mari has a wonderful imagination with a flair for words. I too am honored to know her and count her among my friends.