Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with TERRI L. AUSTIN

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, TERRI L. AUSTIN, and her favorite recipe for PUMPKIN BREAD!

~~~~

BOOK PEEK ~   LAST DINER STANDING by Terri L. Austin

Henery Press
978 1938383083
Released December 3, 2012

Rose Strickland is having a blue Christmas. Her friend is arrested for attempted murder, her sexy bad guy crush is marked by a hit man, and her boss is locked in an epic smackdown with a rival diner. Determined to save those she loves, Rose embarks on an investigation more tangled than a box of last year’s tree lights. With her eclectic gang at the ready, Rose stumbles across dead bodies, ex-cons, jilted lovers, and a gaggle of strippers as she searches for the truth. What she finds will leave her entrenched in a battle for freedom she might not survive.

~~~~

  About the author, Terri L. Austin….

Terri L. Austin lives in Missouri with her funny, handsome husband and a high maintenance peekapoo.  She’s the author of Diners, Dives and Dead Ends—a Rose Strickland Mystery.  “Austin’s debut kicks off her planned series by introducing a quirky, feisty heroine and a great supporting cast of characters and putting them through quite a number of interesting twists.” Kirkus Reviews

She loves to hear from readers and you can finder her on Twitter, FB, Goodreads, TerriLAustin.com, and Henery Press. Terri and some of her writer friends have a Wednesday book chat on Little Read Hens. Stop by and join the conversation.

~~~~

LAST DINER STANDING by Terri L. Austin

EXCERPT

There are some absolutes in this life that are irrefutable. If you leave the house looking like crap, you’ll see someone you know, usually an ex-boyfriend. If you’re running late for an appointment, you’ll hit every red light on the way. And a three a.m. phone call is never good news. Either someone’s dead, in the hospital, or you’re a drunken booty call. But that Saturday morning, I discovered another reason to avoid the ringing harbinger of bad news.

“’ello,” I answered, my eyes still closed.

“Rose, I’m in jail, girl.”

I sniffed and sat up on my futon. “Janelle?”

“Of course it’s Janelle. They think I tried to kill Asshat.”

Scrubbing a hand over my eyes, I glanced at the clock. “Asshat?”

Janelle lowered her voice. “Rose, wake up and listen. I’m in jail, Asshat’s in a coma, and they’re saying I tried to kill him. I need help.”

Her dilemma finally penetrated my sleep-fogged brain. “Oh my God. Where are the kids?” Janelle had two, Damon, nine, and Sherise, seven. Both so cute you wanted to pinch their little cheeks. But I wouldn’t recommend it—that Sherise was a biter.

“They’re staying with my cousin, Sondra. But I got to get out of here. If they think I’m spending Christmas in jail then I’m Halle Damn Berry.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Call that fancy lawyer you know. He’ll figure it out.”

Dane Harker. “I’ll call him and come see you in the morning. Will they let me bring you anything?”

“Cigarettes and toiletries. These bitches trade everything for cigarettes. And Rose? Thanks.”

~~~~

Connect with Terri L. Austin & her books:

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

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 66 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Note from Terri: Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the changing leaves, the hint of wood smoke in the air, and pumpkins. I make this delicious bread whenever my kids are home from college. The spicy pumpkin smell fills the house and makes me happy. I’ve adapted this recipe from Gifts of Good Taste published by Leisure Arts in 1989.

PUMPKIN BREAD
[Makes 2 loaves]

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (I use whole wheat pastry flour and it works beautifully)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup sour cream
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups pumpkin
2/3 cup water
1 ½ cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, spices, and sugars. Add oil, sour cream, eggs, pumpkin, and water. Combine until well blended. Stir in pecans. Lightly grease two 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. Pour batter into pans and bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool before removing from pans. Enjoy!