Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with LYNESSA LAYNE!

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, LYNESSA LAYNE, and her favorite recipe for LYNESSA LAYNE’S CHEWY CHOCOLATE BUTTERSCOTCH COOKIES!

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DANGEROUS GAMES
DCYE: Don’t Close Your Eyes Book 4
BY LYNESSA LAYNE

Blurb

DANGEROUS GAMES
DCYE: Don’t Close Your Eyes Book 4
BY LYNESSA LAYNE

Interview

INTRODUCING….Lynessa Layne

Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.

I am a native Texan from the rural outskirts between Bryan/College Station and Houston. As a military wife I’ve bounced around the country with my husband and currently we’ve landed in Prattville, Alabama. I’m a stay-at-home mom and homeschool three of our five children. When I’m not writing or homeschooling, I love reading at the local coffee shop and exploring various thrift shops and antique stores for whatever treasures others have discarded. My favorite find is an old gramophone in working condition and a bird cage from the early 1900’s where my finches now make their nests.

1. What appeals to you about the genre that you write?

I am a cross-genre romantic suspense mystery series writer. My work is spiced with action/adventure. I love my genre(s) because I wrote first for myself. My brain is always analyzing and I can figure out the who-dun-it way too early in most works. In a series, I can’t just rush in and declare the criminal or solve the whole mystery at once, plus I love a great romance in the midst.

2. Are you a plotter or a pantser (one who writes “by the seat of your pants”)?

Pantser. When I am forced to plot, I feel like I’m back in English Lit forcing myself to do what I have to for an A.

3. What is your favorite part of writing?

Watching a movie in my mind and losing track of my fingers on the keyboard. I can go anywhere or become anyone I want.

4. If you had to give up writing and do something else, what would you do instead?

I love architecture. I did a brief stint at the Art Institute of Houston for Interior Design, but in another life I’d have loved to become an Ornithologist and watch birds by profession. Boring, right? But there is so much I’ve learned from watching birds. For example, a mocking bird will battle an eagle if her nest is in danger. There’s amazing inspiration in something so small possessing giant courage – and winning!

5. What’s your favorite meal of the day?

Breakfast. I could eat breakfast for all meals of the day.

6. Which are your favorite characters to write, the female characters or the male characters? Why?

I write dual, first-person POV because I love seeing inside both heads and calling the crap of the characters from each perspective.

7. If you had a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?

This will sound so cheesy, but love and empathy are superpowers to me and I’m blessed to extend both to people blindly. I’m often taken advantage of, mistreated or used, perceived as weak, but I choose this naive vantage on those I meet because of Hebrews 13:2 – Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. I’d rather extend love and empathy on the chance of getting hurt because people need to know they matter no matter their package or circumstances and you never know if you’re speaking to an angel in disguise.

8. Many writers dream of having the ideal location to write. If you could live anywhere in the world or live a particular lifestyle, where would you be answering these questions right now?

I’d be living in an RV in whatever city or town that gripped my curiosity to absorb the sights, sounds, characteristics and traits of the culture and people. I find this to be a problem for permanent living because I’m happy in so many different places, picking just one place is difficult. My husband retired from the military two years ago and I actually miss the mystery of where we’d end up moving next. 

9. Do you have any rejection stories to share? Reviews that meant something special to you?

When I originally published my series in 2014, I had no idea what I was doing. I met some amazing people, but cyber bullies ultimately caused me to pull my books offline and re-evaluate. I wasn’t strong enough in my craft, spirit or character to handle negativity. I spent the next five years joining legitimate writing groups, thickening my skin through constructive criticism, rewriting, learning my craft, and earned my copy-editing certification. When I was ready to hit publish again, I wanted an agent. When I queried in person, all three offered representation, but another online sent me the best advice:

If your novel is your baby, don’t go traditional because it will be torn to shreds and your writer’s heart will be broken. Instead, send in the works that aren’t connected to your heart strings or personal to you, that won’t break you when an editor turns them into something else or orders you to do the demolition yourself.

My series is a heart project. It kept me sane through postpartum depression. I went Indie rather than accepting agent representation.

10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?

The next volume of my Don’t Close Your Eyes series is looking to be published in early December. Originally it was due out at the beginning of October, but I broke my wrist rollerblading. This particular volume is one of my personal favorites because there is quite a bit of steam, but also this portion of the story delves deeper into the dark places of Klive’s (my male anti-villain) life as a hitman and Kinsley’s (female protagonist) admission of loving him despite his wicked ways. That “can’t help who you love” inner battle ensues.

About Author Lynessa Layne…

Links to Lynessa’s website, blog, books, #ad etc.:

Amazon (Don’t Close Your Eyes):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C36B91H

Amazon (Complicated Moonlight Book 2)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H1JHDJN

Amazon (Mad Love Book 3)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NK4M94T

Paperback is available at over 40,000 retailers worldwide.
Target, Walmart, B&N, Books-a-Million, Half-Price Books, etc.

Amazon (Dangerous Games Book 4):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0952C2SX7

For more information please visit:
Lynessa Layne – Romance-Suspense Mystery & Crime Writer
Lynessa Layne (Author of Don’t Close Your Eyes) | Goodreads

Facebook: facebook.com/authorlynessalayne

Twitter: @lynessalayne

I hope you enjoy the recipe Lynessa is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 557 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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LYNESSA LAYNE’S CHEWY CHOCOLATE BUTTERSCOTCH COOKIES

These cookies beat out 27 other cookie recipes in an annual church cookie contest for their texture and contrast between the sweet butterscotch tamed with peanut butter.

Wet Ingredients:

1 large egg
½ c butter (softened)
½ c peanut butter (crunchy if you love more texture)
1/3 c packed brown sugar
½ c granulated sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ c rolled oats (use food processor or blender to grind into powder)
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 c chocolate chunks

1 c butterscotch chips (if too sweet, substitute Heath bits, candy of choice or omit from recipe, but batter may seem too bland without the butterscotch sweetness, so compensate with a little more sugar if desired)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).

In a large bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in the egg until well-blended.

In a separate bowl combine powdered oats, all purpose flour, baking soda and salt. Mix thoroughly. Pour the dry ingredients by the cup-full, stirring into the wet ingredients, until all the dry mixture is fully blended into the wet ingredients to make dough.

Add the chocolate chunks and butterscotch chips and stir thoroughly into dough. If cookie dough is too soft, place in refrigerator for five minutes to firm a little so the cookies won’t fall flat during baking.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat with baking spray. Drop cookie dough by tablespoon full onto cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges begin browning. Remove from oven and cool for 2-5 minutes before transferring to cool completely.

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Special Giveaway: Lynessa is giving away one autographed copy of book 4 to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog. Volume 4 ebook will available for free download on Amazon, November 12-14.

Happy Reading!

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Thanks, Lynessa, for sharing your story with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!