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Happy Holidays from here!

Wherever this note finds you, I hope it finds you enjoying the special joys of the season.

For a writer, one of the most wonderful Christmas presents is a new book cover. I'm so excited to be sharing a sneak peek at the cover for my June, 2017 novel from Ballantine!

BOOK COVER REVEAL!



So, what do you think? What story does the image tell you?

For me, the artwork for my first hardcover release from Penguin Random House perfectly captured the essence of the story , which brings to life one of America's most notorious scandals.

From the 1920s through 1950, thousands of children of single mothers and poverty-stricken parents were taken away -- sometimes even quietly whisked off front porches or from hospital maternity wards -- by the Tennessee Children's Home Society and its Memphis branch director, Georgia Tann. While heartbroken birth mothers searched for their stolen sons and daughters, the children were often kept in unlicensed boarding facilities and given new names and histories before being transported around the country to adoptive parents who could afford to pay.

Before We Were Yours hits shelves all over the world beginning June 6th, 2017. Translation rights have already sold in fourteen countries! For now, watch for newsletters with more information about the book, the tour, and even some of the overseas book covers, which are fascinating to see.

You can also preorder or  learn more on Amazon by  clicking here


Available Now
For Your Favorite Reading Fan!

In case you missed it this summer (and for all of the  wonderful print-and-paper book lovers who've asked over the years) all three of the novellas in Carolina Collection are now available in one print volume! Thats:

The Sea Glass Sisters
The Tidewater Sisters
The Sandcastle Sister

These novellas can be read alone, but they're also are companions to The Prayer Box, The Story Keeper, and The Sea Keeper's Daughters. It's a perfect stocking stuffer for your reading friends... or to keep for yourself!

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Upcoming book events!

Book tour plans are underway for June. Watch my website Appearances page for details, but in the meantime, I'll be a few places talking about Before We Were Yours in advance. Join us if you're in the area!



January 12, 2017,
8:30 AM (CST) KMHT Radio interview about Before We Were Yours. Marshall, TX

January 12 - 15, 2017, featured author at Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend. FMI or to register. contact Kathy L. Murphy at 903-769 3400 or email thepulpwoodqueen@gmail. com www.beautyandthebook.com Nacogdoches, TX
  
January 17, 2017, 6:00. Where are the Children? (Secrets of the Tennessee Children's Home Society). Join in for wine and cheese and booktalk fundraiser for the Jefferson Carnegie Library. 301 W. Lafayette St. The event is free and open to the public. FMI contact Friend of the Library, Leah Cooper  leah8424@live.com or Circulation Manager, Debra Brewer, 903-665-8911 ( cdjcl1907@hotmail.com) , Jefferson, TX.

January 23, 2017. 2:00 - 4:00. Featured author at Gala Author's Tea at American Library Association Mid-Winter Conference. Georgia World Conference Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA

April 28 - 29, 2017, 11 to 3. Featured speaker at Bookstock Festival, Memphis Public Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN.  June 6, 2017) Saturday luncheon booktalk.  FMI or tickets contact the library 901 415-2855. Memphis, TN.

For more on upcoming Appearances page, click here.

THE WINGATES' FAVORITE CHOCOLATE-MINT CHRISTMAS FUDGE
(Two out of two manchildren agree. It's really good!)



Ingredients :


3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 5 oz can (about 2/3 cup) evaporated milk (PET milk, not sweetened condensed milk.)
1 package WHITE chocolate chips
1 jar (7 oz.) Marshmallow Creme
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp peppermint extract (or more, if you want stronger mint flavor)
Green food coloring to desired color
Chocolate chips or chocolate almond bark for topping

Easy Instructions:

Spray 9 x 12 pan with Pam to prevent sticking. In a sauce pan (the heavy aluminum kind works best) bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Continue stirring and cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F. Remove from heat.

Add WHITE chocolate chips, marshmallow creme, peppermint flavoring, green food coloring; stir until melted in. Mix well.
Pour into baking pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Spread layer of melted chocolate chips, or melted chocolate almond bark on top. Cool to room temperature before cutting into squares.

Variations:

**Note: You can substitute the flavoring and coloring to make several different varieties of this fudge:

--Use cherry flavoring, red food coloring, chopped maraschino cherries, and chopped walnuts for Cherry Cordial Fudge
--Use orange flavoring and orange food coloring for Dreamsicle Fudge
--Skip the flavoring and coloring for vanilla fudge
--Add crumbled Oreos for Cookies and Cream Fudge.
--Create bonbons by cutting mint mixture into small pieces or rolling and shaping mint mixture while still lukewarm, then dip in white or dark chocolate.

I hope you enjoy this little treat from our holiday table. The recipe makes a big batch, so it's perfect to share with neighbors and friends! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!

-- Lisa


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