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Last year I had the pleasure of meeting New York Times bestselling author on the grand old vessel, Queen Mary, now docked in Long Beach. We have both written books set in vineyards and France, so I had the pleasure of reading her books before we met at featured authors at an Adventures by the Book event in January of 2020, spoke with readers, and explored the ship with a cohort of other authors.

Kristin recently took take out of her busy schedule to share thoughts on her upcoming novel, The Forest of Vanishing Stars. You might have also read her recent The Book of Lost Names or The Winemaker's Wife, both 5-star reads. Her upcoming book��is now everywhere, so give yourself the gift of a future surprise.

About The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel

After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation. But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village, her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything.

Inspired by incredible true stories of survival against staggering odds, and suffused with the journey-from-the-wilderness elements that made Where the Crawdads Sing��a worldwide phenomenon,��The Forest of Vanishing Stars��is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author whose writing has been hailed as “sweeping and magnificent�� (Fiona Davis,��New York Times��bestselling author), “immersive and evocative�� (Publishers Weekly), and “gripping�� (Tampa Bay Times).

“Kristin Harmel is a powerful and dazzling voice in historical fiction.�� -Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah��

Author Interview: Kristin HarmelYour latest book, THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS, is so intriguing. How did you come up with the idea, and please tell us more.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars is the story of a young woman named Yona who was stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe. In 1941, when her kidnapper dies, Yona knows all about how to survive off the land and how to defend herself against those who would harm her—but she knows almost nothing about the ways of mankind. Soon, though, her life intersects with that of a group of Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi terror, and she is horrified to learn what is going on in the world outside the safety of her woods.­­ Now she must make a choice: retreat to a life that’s comfortable and safe, or step outside her comfort zone to help save innocent lives? Then, just when Yona has finally grown comfortable with her new existence, she is betrayed, and then a startling confrontation between past and present changes everything.

I’ve always been fascinated by the real-life tales of Jews who survived the war by hiding deep in the forests of eastern Europe and fighting back—and this book is the result of years of research and interviews to help shape the historical backdrop of the story.

How did you get started in your writing career?

I actually started writing professionally at the age of 16, when I began pitching local magazines (I grew up in Tampa Bay, Florida) while cleverly omitting my age from the pitch letters. 😊 From there, I went on to write for a few years for the local magazines, covering sports and entertainment, and for the St. Petersburg Times, covering high school sports and minor league baseball. I wrote for American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and PEOPLE while in college (at the University of Florida), and after I graduated, I became a stringer for PEOPLE. I loved journalism, but I always knew I wanted to write novels. So in 2002, I took a few months off from PEOPLE, paid $600/month to live with a roommate in an apartment in Paris, and began writing my first book, which I sold in 2004, and which was published in early 2006.

Is there one thing you've done in your writing career more than any other that's been the secret to your success?

I honestly think the best secret to success is to sit down each day and write. To me, that’s 80% of the battle. To be a writer, you must put words on paper��. And once you’re doing that, as long as your mind is open, you’ll continue to improve. I also read all the time, which I think consistently makes me a better writer, because being exposed to the way other people write and plot helps me to continue to learn and grow, too.

Do you have an interesting story from research or book tours that you’d like to share?

During the research for THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS, I had the great privilege of speaking to Aron Bielski (who changed his surname to Bell upon moving to the United States). At 93, he’s the youngest (and only surviving) of the famous Bielski brothers, who helped lead more than 1,200 Jewish refugees out of ghettos and into the woods, where nearly all of them survived the war. His story is extraordinary, and it was fascinating to hear his firsthand memories of hiding in the forest, as my characters do in the book.

In your free time (what’s that, right?), what genre of books do you enjoy reading? Do you follow the work of specific authors? Do you prefer ebook, print, or audio?

I love many genres, but I do tend toward historical fiction and women’s fiction. I love learning new things about both the world and our own hearts. I prefer print books, but I probably read e-books more often, simply for the convenience factor (I often read while putting my son to bed, so I need the illuminated screen). On long car trips, I love audiobooks. But those are few and far between these days!

What’s next on the horizon for you? Any new projects under development?

I just began work on my 2022 novel. It’s a bit too early to talk about it, but rest assured, it will be another return to World War II �� and will hopefully show you a side of the war you never knew about before.

Where can readers find you online?

You can find me live every Wednesday night at 7 pm ET (along with Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews, Patti Callahan Henry, and Mary Alice Monroe) on the Friends & Fiction Facebook group page at . You can also find me at , and on Twitter and Instagram as @kristinharmel. My website is .��

In , the second novel in my Coral Cottage beach series, Marina Moore creates a vegetarian pizza for her new beach cafe. Readers often ask me to include recipes for the dishes I write about. You’ll find some, including this one, in the back of my books, and I’m posting others here on the blog. For this pizza that I call Vegetarian Supreme, sweet-and-savory caramelized onions are the key.

When I cook, I don’t always measure preciously. I’m a little-of-this, a-dash-of-that, and whatever-is-in-the-refrigerator-or-garden kind of cook. Feel free to experiment with this recipe, too. Except for the crust. Baking is a science. (Although chef Wolfgang Puck has been known to mix fresh chives or green onions into a crust batter, which kicks up flavor another notch.)

The process of transforming sweet onions into a tasty garnish might take between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the sugar and water content of the onions. The good news is that caramelized onions may be prepared ahead of time and will keep in the refrigerator for three to five days.

Caramelized onions are also delicious in French onion soup or as burger toppings. Make a larger batch on the weekend to have it ready to go. When shopping for onions, remember to look specifically for sweet onions, as these are best for caramelizing due to their high sugar content. People are often divided on pizza sauces, so I suggest you use what you like.

Here, I’ve recommended pesto or marinara, but if desired, you may omit sauce entirely and simply brush the crust with a generous amount of olive oil to crisp the bread. As to cheese, while the traditional mozzarella is easy to melt, Gruyère is a rich, nutty flavor alternative. Rosemary pairs well with Gruyère, too. Or opt for fontina or Parmesan.

Vegetables are another area of potential contention. Try mushrooms�� white button, portobello, porcini, or a wild mushroom mix. Load on sliced zucchini and artichokes with Roma, heirloom, or halved cherry tomatoes—or whatever catches your fancy.

Enliven your pizza with pinches of your favorites fresh or dried spices. Sauté your garlic before adding to your pizza for a sweet, mellow, nutty flavor. For the meat-eaters in the family, simply add sliced Italian sausage, prosciutto, or pepperoni to their side of the pizza pie. Above all, use your imagination, and cook what you enjoy eating.

��

Vegetarian Supreme Pizza

Makes: 1 large or 2 small pizzas or flatbreads
Preheat oven: 450 F (225 C)

Ingredients:

1 10-inch pizza crust or flatbread (homemade or store-bought)
6 ounces (170 grams) fresh mushrooms, your choice, sliced
1 zucchini (small or half of a larger one)
6 ounces (170 grams) artichoke hearts (canned, drained)
1 to 2 medium sweet onions (Maui, Vidalia, Walla Walla, or other sweet yellow onion)
6 ounces (170 grams) sliced mozzarella or grated Gruyère
1/3 cup (80 ml) pesto or marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (15 grams)
1 tablespoon butter (15 grams)
Pinch of fresh or dried spices to taste: oregano, parsley, garlic, rosemary
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Garnish:

1 bunch of fresh basil leaves, sliced or torn

Instructions:

1. To caramelize sweet onions: Slice onions in thin, 1/8 to 1/4 inch (5 mm)slices (round or lengthwise for different variations). Heat olive oil and butter in a large, wide skillet.

2. Add sliced onions to cover just the bottom (but not packed tight). Sauté over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Reduce to medium-low heat and cook until onions are soft and browned, stirring frequently for approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper as desired. To keep onions from drying out, add a little water or stock to deglaze the pan as needed.

3. Finished onions should be soft and amber-brown in color, but not mushy. To aid in the caramelization process, add a teaspoon of sugar if needed. Remove from heat and let cool.

4. Slice mushroom, zucchinis, artichoke hearts, and other vegetables as desired. Sauté mushrooms in a little olive oil to remove excess moisture, add dried or fresh spices. Set aside.

5. Spread pesto or marinara sauce as desired over uncooked pizza crust or flatbread. Sprinkle sliced mozzarella or grated Gruyère on the crust.

6. Scoop caramelized onions over the cheese. Arrange sliced vegetables on top.

7. Bake at 450 F (225 C) for 8 to 10 minutes (or 5 to 6 minutes if using prebaked crust) or until cheese is melted and crust is a golden brown.

8. Allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing.

��

Gourmet Pizza Crust

Makes: 2 6-ounce or 1 large crust (175 grams)
Preheat oven: 450 F (225 C)

Ingredients:

1/2 package dry active yeast or fresh yeast (or 1/8 oz. or 1 1/8
tsp.) (10 grams)
1/2 teaspoon honey (3 ml)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (3 grams)
1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115 F; 40 to 45 C)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (15 ml)
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (180 grams)

Instructions:

1. Begin by dissolving the yeast in 1/4 cup (60 ml) of warm water in a small bowl. Add honey.

2. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt. Add yeast and honey mixture, olive oil, and remaining water. If using an electric mixer with a dough hook, mix on low for about 3 to 5 minutes until dough forms around the hook.

3. Dough should pull away from sides of the bowl when ready.

4. On a floured surface, knead the dough until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Form into a ball, place into a bowl, and cover with a damp towel. Put in a warm location and let rise for 30 minutes.

6. Separate dough into 2 balls. Work the dough again 4 to 5 times, and roll on the counter until smooth for about a minute. Return to bowl to rest for 15 minutes.

7. When ready, spread dough on the surface, leaving a slightly thicker edge if desired to hold toppings. Add toppings and bake at 450 degrees F (225 degrees C) until cheese is melted, about 8 to 10 minutes depending on the firmness of cheese and toppings.

8. If using only 1 ball of dough, the extra dough will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Yes, I’m a choco-holic. But then, I had to be to research and write an entire , right? Ah, but it was two years happily spent�� This Valentine’s Day (or any day), treat yourself and your loved ones with this DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs recipe this Valentine’s Day. These chocolate-ly heart-shaped chocolate bombs melt into delicious, endorphin-generating hot chocolate.

In this recipe, you can use any of your favorite chocolate bars. Think rich dark chocolate, creamy milk chocolate. Kick it up a gourmet notch with flavored chocolate: mint, caramel, cherry, etc., and use a regular hot chocolate mix. For this recipe, I’m using one of my faves from Chuao Chocolatier called .��

Curl into your favorite chair with a warm mug of hot chocolate and a good book. For a chocolate-infused adventure along the beautiful Amalfi, Italy coast, read ��or listen to it on audiobook. Enjoy!

Hot Chocolate BombsIngredients1 Spicy Maya chocolate bar4 scoops Spicy Maya drinking chocolatemini marshmallows4 cups steamed milkInstructions

1. Break the chocolate bar into squares and place in a microwavable bowl. Melt in 30-second increments until mostly melted. Stir to melt the rest. (Don’t overcook it! )

2. Coat a silicone mold with the melted chocolate. Find a cute to use. Make sure each mold is fully coated. Don’t be shy, use plenty of chocolate here!

3. Let cool in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

4. Carefully remove the chocolate from the mold.

5. Fill half the hearts with drinking chocolate and marshmallows.

6. Use the remaining melted chocolate to attach one empty half and one filled half together.

7. Let cool again.

8. Lace the chocolate heart in your favorite mug.

9. Pour steamed milk over it. The milk has to be pretty hot to melt the chocolate. Make sure once you stir, you let it cool to the desired drinking temperature.

10. Stir and enjoy!

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Kristy Woodson Harvey on board the Queen Mary for a celebration of books and reading with Adventures by the Book. Since the grand old ship is docked in Long Beach, we ventured down into the bowels of the ship into the engine room searching for the ghosts we’d heard were in residence–along with other authors and friends, including Mary Alice Monroe, Kristin Harmel, Kate White, Fiona Davis, Kristina McMorris, and others. From this meeting, Kristy and I have kept up, and I’m so pleased to share her upcoming new book, Under the Southern Sky, as well as a chat we had about her writing. Read on to find out about her new book, our interview, and fun photos aboard the Queen Mary!

About Under the Southern Sky

Here’s the overview of this fascinating story, with endorsements from authors Kristin Harmel and Lisa Wingate:

“Two childhood friends discover that love—and family—can be found in unconventional ways in this timely, moving novel from the USA TODAY��bestselling author of the “beautifully Southern, evocative Peachtree Bluff series.�� �� Kristin Harmel, internationally bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife

Recently separated Amelia Buxton, a dedicated journalist, never expected that uncovering the biggest story of her career would become deeply personal. But when she discovers that a cluster of embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife Greer have been deemed “abandoned,�� she’s put in the unenviable position of telling Parker—and dredging up old wounds in the process.

Parker has been unable to move forward since the loss of his beloved wife three years ago. He has all but forgotten about the frozen embryos, but once Amelia reveals her discovery, he knows that if he ever wants to get a part of Greer back, he’ll need to accept his fate as a single father and find a surrogate.

Each dealing with their own private griefs, Parker and Amelia slowly begin to find solace in one another as they navigate an uncertain future against the backdrop of the pristine waters of their childhood home, Buxton Beach. The journey of self-discovery leads them to an unforgettable and life-changing lesson: Family—the one you’re born into and the one you choose—is always closer than you think.

Sometimes the key to new love lies hidden in old friendships. In��Under the Southern Sky, Kristy Woodson Harvey stirs up a warm-hearted mix of hometown charm and the sort of thoroughly modern problems that bring us back to the people who know us best and the places that remind us of who we really are.��–Lisa Wingate, #1��New York Times��bestselling author of��Before We Were Yours��and��The Book of Lost Friends

Author Interview: Kristy Woodson Harvey

Kristy and I had a good chat, so without further ado, let’s welcome Kristy��

Your latest book, UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY, is so intriguing. How did you come up with the idea? Please tell us more!

Several years ago, I was at a Christmas party, and a friend pulled me aside. She was concerned because she and her husband had just realized that, after their last successful in vitro attempt, they were going to have to figure out what to do with their leftover embryos. As we were chatting, she said, “So many families that never even considered this are going to be making this huge decision. You should write a book about it.�� As you know, Jan, as an author, people tell you to write a book about something constantly! But I knew this was something I would explore. It just took me a few years to find the right story that would become UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY, which releases April 20, 2021.

How did you get started in your writing career?

In a lot of ways, I’ve always been a writer, since I was a little girl. But, the year I turned 25, I got this wild hair to write a novel—and I fell in love with writing books immediately. I never expected to be published and am as shocked as anyone that my seventh novel, UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY, is releasing in April!

Is there one thing you’ve done in your writing career more than any other that’s been the secret to your success?

Those first few years, I said yes to everything. I’m serious. Everything. Want me to drive eight hours to talk to your book club? Sure! Want me to write an essay for your three followers to read? Absolutely! I would think, if I can pick up one lifelong reader, just one, everywhere I go, then I can create a career for myself. The big, life-changing thunderbolts have happened to me, and I hope they will continue to. But never underestimate the power of the small things. They add up to something really big in the end!

Do you have an interesting story from research or book tours that you’d like to share?

Yes! In my research for UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY, I found out how many embryos have been deemed “abandoned�� and what a huge issue this is. Since embryos are fertilized, depending on what side your beliefs lean on, they could be considered a viable life. So, destroying them seems unethical, but when owners quit paying for storage space, leaving them abandoned, doctors and fertility clinics are left with a huge problem. The law is undecided about whether they can be destroyed, donated for research, etc., so these clinics are running out of freezer space for new embryos for current patients. This is an issue that comes to play right off the bat in UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY.

In your free time (what’s that, right?), what genre of books do you enjoy reading? Do you follow the work of specific authors? Do you prefer ebook, print, or audio?

I am an equal opportunity reader, I think! Because I write women’s fiction, I end up reviewing and blurbing a lot of that genre, so I’d say that’s what I read the most of. But I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, literary fiction, and I’m always excited for a great debut. During the pandemic, I co-founded a web show and podcast, Friends & Fiction, with Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry, and Mary Alice Monroe. We have had the most interesting and amazing guests, and I have read some great things outside my usual genres that I’m so happy came across my desk.
I don’t read ebooks at all. I don’t even have an e-reader. I get the appeal, and I wished I enjoyed reading on a screen. It would save so much space! I just love the feel of a book in my hands, the way the flipping of the pages sounds. I’m also a big audiobook fan. I listen while I’m cleaning or driving.

What’s next on the horizon for you? Any new projects under development?

Yes! My 2022 book is edited and nearly ready to go. I *think* it’s going to be called THE WEDDING VEIL, but don’t hold me to it! It’s a contemporary/historical novel about a modern-day grandmother and granddaughter who discover an unexpected connection to Edith Vanderbilt—the first mistress of Biltmore House—and her daughter, Cornelia. At its core, though, it’s really a story about these four women in four different time periods fighting to create—and re-create—their lives despite the pressures put on them. Researching this book during the pandemic was a teeny bit challenging, but, wow, did I ever learn a lot!
I also have a special surprise coming in late 2021 that I can’t announce quite yet. So stay tuned!

Where can readers find you online?

My blog and website:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Friends and Fiction:
And I have an interiors blog with my mom called Design Chic:

And now, those author photos I promised you!

Author Kristy Woodson Harvey aboard the Queen Mary

Author Kristy Woodson Harvey with authors Kristina McMorris and Jan Moran

Adventure by the Book authors aboard the Queen Mary

If you haven’t already read The Chocolatier, Barnes & Noble is bringing it to you in the month of January in its program (like a book club) through the Nook and its Nook app.

That’s right, and you don’t need a Nook to read it; I’ve downloaded it to my phone using the free Nook app from my app store. (Available on Apple and Android alike.) Every day you’ll receive a new chapter when you open the app. It’s not too late to begin reading it because you have access to all prior chapters. But hurry, because this special offer ends on January 31rst!

Simply tap on “Readout�� on the Nook app or Nook menu, and The Chocolatier will be there. No need to download the book separately.

Barnes & Noble’s Readouts Serial Reads program is a free monthly service for bookworms, delivering a fresh chapter of the book straight to your device every day. I just love this service from Barnes & Noble, and I was so excited that they selected The Chocolatier leading up to Valentine’s Day. They’re also doing this to celebrate the launch of my latest novel, Hepburn’s Necklace, another sweet saga set in Italy.

About The Chocolatier

A young widow. A husband she thought she knew. On the picturesque Italian coast of Amalfi lies a chocolatier’s destiny��

San Francisco, 1953: Heartbroken over the mysterious death of her husband, Celina Savoia, a second-generation chocolatière, resolves to take their young son to Italy’s shimmering Amalfi coast to introduce him to his father’s family. Just as she embarks on a magical, romantic life of making chocolate by the sea surrounded by a loving family, she begins to suspect that her husband had a dark secret–forged in the final days of WWII–that could destroy the relationships she’s come to cherish.

While a second chance at love is tempting, the mystery of her husband’s true identity thwarts her efforts. Challenged to pursue the truth or lose the life and those she’s come to love, Celina and her late husband’s brother, Lauro, must trace the past to a remote, Peruvian cocoa region to face the deceit that threatens to shatter their lives.

, or if you’ve already read it, it’s a great time to share The Chocolatier with friends. For more about The Chocolatier , to find other retailers, and to .

In the novel , a vintage necklace is the key to the long-hidden secrets of film star Ruby Raines. Join Ruby in 1950s Rome on the film set of Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn…and on the banks of beautiful Lake Como, Italy. As old family secrets come to light, Ruby and her great-niece discover that life—and love—might hold a second chance for each of them today.��

Fellow author Kristy Woodson Harvey has this to say:

“Second chances, twists of fate, and a glittering Lake Como backdrop combine to create Jan Moran’s latest stunning read. Weaving back and forth through time, Moran creates an epic tale of love and loss that can’t help but make readers question what might have been. With lyrical prose and unforgettable characters, HEPBURN’S NECKLACE proves that Jan Moran is a writer at the top of her game and a storyteller to remember.”�� �� Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA Today Bestselling author of Feels Like Falling

This dual-timeline family saga was an absolute joy to write! The story begins on the set of the classic film, , starring Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and Eddie Albert, and directed by the legendary William Wyler. For her role as the charming runaway, Princess Anne, Audrey Hepburn won an Oscar �� an Academy Award for best actress. It’s available on Amazon, but you might find it elsewhere, too. Even if you don’t watch the film, the is adorable and will give you a visual of the setting and era as the story in the novel unfolds. I hope you’ll find this saga and its wealth of family secrets and relationships intriguing. Hepburn’s Necklace is also a fun book club selection, and are included in the back of the book.��

Hepburn’s Necklace Book Trailer

And speaking of trailers, here is the one we created for Hepburn’s Necklace. I think it captures the heartwarming mood of this family saga that takes place between the 1950s and contemporary times. You’ll get a glimpse of lovely Lake Como, too.��

Hepburn’s Necklace Audiobook

The wonderful Erin Bennett, a multiple award-winning voice-over artist, narrated the audiobook, which is utterly engrossing. She is an incredible A-list talent, and she really brings a book to life. Erin has recorded all of my audiobooks to date, and I was so lucky that she had room in her schedule for Hepburn’s Necklace. .

Where to Buy:��Hepburn’s Necklace is available in all ebooks, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook. Bookshop.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, and GooglePlay, among others.

Start reading now, and enjoy! Thank you for sharing 🙂

Pumpkin Cheesecake is a delicious twist on the classic cheesecake. This easy pumpkin cheesecake recipe is guaranteed to please; I’ve been making this recipe for my family for years. I’ve also included a couple of tips I’ve learned to keep the top from cracking. Or add a dollop of cinnamon-spiced whipped cream over each slice to hide imperfections. I hope you’ll savor this holiday cheesecake as much as my family does.

Ingredients

��

Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake ready to be served and indulged.

Crust

1 cup of graham cracker crumbs��
3/4 cup of ginger snaps
3 tablespoons brown sugar, light preferred
1 teaspoon cinnamon��
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup�� (1 stick) of melted butter

Filling

24 ounces of cream cheese (3 8-ounce packages) (bring to room temperature)
15-ounce (1 can) of pureed pumpkin
4 eggs��
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1�� teaspoon cinnamon��
1/2 teaspoon fresh nutmeg��
1/4 teaspoon cloves��
One teaspoon vanilla��

Directions
Crust

Preheat oven to 350 °F.

Crush graham crackers and ginger snap cookies. Mix in a medium bowl with sugar and spices. Melt butter and add. Press lightly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. (Note: If pressed too firmly, the crust will be hard.)

Note: To avoid drips (butter may melt), place a cookie sheet of foil on a lower rack in the oven. You might also wrap the bottom of the pan with heavy tin foil. See note below on how to avoid cheesecake cracking.

Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling

Beat the cream cheese to a smooth consistency. Add eggs, pureed pumpkin, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix in sugar, spices, and flour. Beat until smooth and well-blended. Pour into prepared crust.

Bake for 1 hour. The Center will be slightly moist, nearly underdone. (Note: If too underdone, add up to 10 minutes depending on your oven.) Crack open the oven and let cool in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool. Cover with plastic film and chill for 4 hours.

Baking Tips: Cheesecakes tend to crack in the dry heat of an oven. To avoid cheesecake cracking, let it remain in the oven after baking to cool down slowly Another method is to introduce more moisture into the oven through the use of a bain-marie, or water bath. An easy method is to place a bowl of water in the oven to creature moist heat.

For a water bath or bain-marie, first, wrap the bottom of the pan with heavy foil before adding a graham cracker mixture. Select a porcelain or glass pan with sides that is larger than the springform pan and fill with hot water half-way up the side of the springform pan. Place the springform pan with the mixture into the larger pan of water.

Basil Harvest Time!��I’ve been snipping basil all summer, but I have such a bountiful crop in the garden–from seed–that I decided to make pesto sauce today. I love pesto, but I didn’t have any pine nuts on hand. Since I love cashews, I thought, well why not? Just fabulous, I have to say. Here’s the super easy recipe I use:

3 cups basil leaves, packed

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

3/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated or shaved)

3/4 cup of cashews, lightly toasted if desired (or pine nuts, of course)

Dash of Kosher salt and pepper

Juice of half a lemon

2-4 cloves of garlic

You can use a food processor or blender, but I threw it all into a Magic Bullet. Blend everything but the olive oil, then add that bit by bit to emulsify properly. You can blend it super smooth or leave it a little chunky if you like. Don’t stress over these measurements–throw the ingredients together and adjust for taste. If it’s too bitter, add more cheese. For the nuts, you can also use walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Next time, I’ll try pistachios.

You’ll have plenty, so keep it in the refrigerator or freeze for pasta and dipping bread–and to enliven grilled cheese, baked potatoes, and sweet potato fries, pizzas, omelets, and butternut squash or tomato soup.

This keeps about a week in the fridge. Add a thin layer of olive oil to the top to keep it from oxidizing (turning brown). You can also freeze this in ice cube trays for simple single servings. Enjoy!

Basil Harvest Time!��I’ve been snipping basil all summer, but I have such a bountiful crop in the garden–from seed–that I decided to make pesto sauce today. I love pesto, but I didn’t have any pine nuts on hand. Since I love cashews, I thought, well why not? Just fabulous, I have to say. Here’s the super easy recipe I use:

3 cups basil leaves, packed

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

3/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated or shaved)

3/4 cup of cashews, lightly toasted if desired (or pine nuts, of course)

Dash of Kosher salt and pepper

Juice of half a lemon

2-4 cloves of garlic

You can use a food processor or blender, but I threw it all into a Magic Bullet. Blend everything but the olive oil, then add that bit by bit to emulsify properly. You can blend it super smooth or leave it a little chunky if you like. Don’t stress over these measurements–throw the ingredients together and adjust for taste. If it’s too bitter, add more cheese. For the nuts, you can also use walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Next time, I’ll try pistachios.

You’ll have plenty, so keep it in the refrigerator or freeze for pasta and dipping bread–and to enliven grilled cheese, baked potatoes, and sweet potato fries, pizzas, omelets, and butternut squash or tomato soup.

This keeps about a week in the fridge. Add a thin layer of olive oil to the top to keep it from oxidizing (turning brown). You can also freeze this in ice cube trays for simple single servings. Enjoy!

Woo-hoo! The SEABREEZE CHRISTMAS AUDIOBOOK has arrived, and it’s ON SALE. The narrator, Erin Bennett, is as superb as always. As a holiday thank-you (and due to Audible’s backlog), I’m offering a holiday audiobook special on Seabreeze Christmas. The rest of the series is usually $19.99 each on Audible, but I’m offering this one for $12.99 directly from my site through the good folks at .

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I know many of you are Audible listeners, so please bear with me a moment. This year, Audible has been running farther and farther behind on approving new audiobooks due to the pandemic and a change in their working process. They tell me that Seabreeze Christmas will be available in February (at the earliest). If you’d like to use your monthly tokens, I understand, but there is nothing I can do about it with Audible–believe me, I’ve spent hours on the phone pleading with them on behalf of listeners, yet they can’t give me a firm date. You’re welcome to wait, of course. This is affecting many authors right now, not only me. It’s disheartening when we have an audiobook ready to share, but our distribution partner is behind. So I came up with a solution that could work for you��
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I decided to offer a direct download of the Seabreeze Christmas audiobook through the BookFunnel app for audiobooks and ebooks. Many of you already know BookFunnel. A lot of authors are using it now, and I assure you, it’s super easy–like Kindle or Nook or Apple. In the future, you’ll find the Seabreeze Christmas audiobook trickling out through the distribution channels to Apple, etc., but I don’t know how long that will take as I am using a new distributor now–who is faster, I hope. (Good news: Seabreeze Christmas will make its way into libraries at some point new year, too.) As in my stories, when something doesn’t work out the way it was planned, we find another way. It’s 2020, after all��
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Anyway, I’m so glad and relieved that I could figure out a way to bring the Seabreeze Christmas audiobook to you this holiday season after all, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I have!
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Here is that link again–happy listening! .