Aug 13, 2018
Two things happened today that would be quite special. My box of my new novel “Mabel of the Anzacs” arrived! Lots of love went into this novel from everyone: writer (me), editor, beta readers, proofreaders. It takes a village to create a novel.
Watch this video. The photographer Derek Cutting from Firemate Photographic created this video. Derek is a friend who is a phenomenal photographer. He also is the owner of the War Bike (aka Zoe’s motorcycle “Mabel”) I did suggest to Derek that he rename his War Bike to Mabel but don’t think that will happen! Check out the video, I was chuffed
Aug 11, 2018
A Widgie Knight has a new cover!
A famous and powerful man abuses his power but it will take a determined woman to defend the woman she loves and teach the sexual predator a lesson he will never forget.
The Intertwined Souls In between Series are standalone novels of the award-winning Intertwined Souls Series. This novel – in the timeline of the series – sits between Where Shadows Linger (Book 2) and Hidden Truths (Book 3).
When you’re a working woman in 1950, there is more to work than doing a great job. Unwanted advances, no matter how repulsive, are common. This is where Zoe Lambros, a young Arts College graduate, has found work at the prestigious Sydney Art Gallery as a junior art restorer. She has also attracted the unwanted and offensive attention of Sebastian Fletcher, one of Australia’s greatest artists. Zoe is not one to take a backward step, but she finds herself unable to fight back without losing the job she loves. No one is going to believe the young artist’s claims against an Australian icon. Enter Zoe’s lover who has decided to take matters into her own hands and is eager to take on the role of Zoe’s defender.
A masquerade ball offers Eva Haralambos, Zoe’s dark-haired, blue eyed, six-foot tall peaceful and gentle partner, the chance to metamorphosize into a tattooed, leather clad Greaser on her own intimidatory mission.
This Intertwined Souls Series Shorts volume also features a journal entry for the night by Zoe. It’s late evening and Zoe has taken her journal to write about Eva’s efforts to defend her honor. Zoe reflects on the woman that she loves and how Eva transformed into her knight. Eva reveals who she imitated to achieve the intimidating figure she became.
Featuring Brazilian artist Lucia Nobrega’s illustrations of Eva and Zoe Lambros from the Intertwined Souls Series
Aug 9, 2018
Check out the awesome artwork created by my illustrator Dawn. It’s from my new novel “Mabel of the Anzacs”
Check out more about the novel and all sorts of goodies related to it by going to the subsite for Mabel of the Anzacs
Mabel Andrews
(C) Mary D. Brooks / DawnL
Aug 9, 2018
The book club will showcase my fiction, the history behind the novels, cool research bits and my book recommendations of books on similar themes and authors. In addition to all of that there will be cool giveaways and all sorts of other goodies. I love writing historical lesbian fiction interwoven with urban fantasy and mystery. If you enjoy reading about strong female characters, you’ve come to the right place! Come and join us!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/marydbookclub/
Jul 24, 2018
Okay funny story time. Galaktoboureko is a name of an exquisite Greek dessert made with layers of golden brown crispy phyllo, sprinkled with melted butter, filled with the most creamy custard and bathed in scented syrup. This is one of Eva’s favourite dishes – she can’t make it to save her life but Zoe does know how to cook.
That’s not the funny part. A few weeks ago I was listening to talk back radio and the radio announcer was asking how would he pronounce the word Galaktoboureko. He came up with a way to remember it: GALACTIC BOOTY CALL – I laughed my head off!
Here’s a recipe for GALACTIC BOOTY CALL or Galaktoboureko from the upcoming novel “Mabel of the Anzacs”
INGREDIENTS:
Pastry
- 450 grams of phyllo
- 150 grams of sugar
- 6 eggs
- 150 grams of semolina
- 1 liter of milk
- the juice of half a lemon
- 2 vanilla beans
- 1 pinch of salt
Syrup
- 150 grams of sugar
- 125 ml water
- 2 spoons of lemon juice
METHOD
1. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edge of the saucepan. Remove from heat.
2. Using an electric beater, beat eggs and sugar until pale and thick. Gradually stir in milk then add semolina in a steady stream.
3. Stir constantly, over a medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in lemon rind, vanilla and 40g butter. Stir until butter has melted. Cover surface with baking paper. Cool.
4. Preheat oven to 200°c. Lightly grease a 20cm round cake pan. Melt remaining butter in a small saucepan. Place a sheet of filo onto a flat surface. Brush with butter. Repeat 3 times. Line prepared baking pan with filo stack, leaving ends to overhang. Repeat layering with remaining 4 sheets of filo. Place second filo stack into cake pan, across the first layer. Spoon cold custard into filo shell. Fold overhanging filo over custard. Brush with butter.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Turn onto lined tray and remove cake pan. Bake for a further 15 minutes until golden. Cool. Serve drizzled with lemon syrup and thick yoghurt or cream.
6. To make syrup, place sugar, 3/4 cup water, 1/3 cup lemon juice and lemon rind in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 mins. Cut into wedges to serve.
Tip: as a delicious alternative, the lemon can be replaced with orange.
note: vanilla extract is different to vanilla essence
You can pre-order my book “Mabel of the Anzacs” from the following stores
- Amazon
- iBooks
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
Jul 21, 2018
I have a new book trailer for my upcoming novel “Mabel of the Anzacs”!
Two women – one a fiery teenager, the other a cantankerous octogenarian – find their mutual antipathy blossoms into an unlikely friendship in this heart-felt multigenerational story about finding a kindred spirit where you least expect it.
Release date is: July 31, 2018
You can pre-order from:
