Jun 14, 2013

Celebrating The Love Deception with Some Traditional Caribbean Cheer



It’s the launch week of my new release, The Love Deception, which I’m just a tad excited about. Part of the book is set in Barbados.  Sadly, I’ve not been to the Caribbean, but my sister-in-law, Lisa, is part Jamaican so I was able to quiz her on all things Caribbean for the story. 

As this week is a celebration, she’s shared a special recipe with me, Caribbean Guinness Punch. This is what Lisa says about this concoction:

‘My grandfather's housekeeper used to make this fairly regularly.  It's quick to make, but the hardest part was waiting for it to chill. This "health" drink was supposed to give you vigour. I remember my first taste…all creamy and a hint of sharpness from the Guinness - magical!’

So here is how to whip up this tropical magic:

Ingredients:
            • 1 large can Guinness
            • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
            • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
            • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
            • 1 raw egg (beaten)

Method:
            • Break and beat the raw egg in a bowl
            • Place the Guinness, egg and condensed milk in a blender and mix
            • Pour the drink into a jug
            • Add cinnamon and nutmeg
            • Stir lightly and cover
            • Place in the refrigerator to chill.
            • Serve cold over a few cubes of ice

My heroine, Felicity Carter and my hero, Damon Fullbright don’t get the chance to try Caribbean Guinness Punch but they do eat in a fabulous ocean-front restaurant. Seafood is a specialty of the region and Felicity enjoys a platter of coconut shrimp followed by Cajun salmon with pesto cream sauce, grilled zucchini and tomato salsa. She doesn’t get time to eat dessert as disaster descends.

I wrote The Love Deception a few years ago and entered it into a number of competitions.  This scene was consistently commented on as a favourite. So, here’s a taste:

‘I can understand now why you didn’t want to hire me.’ Defeat and shame suffused her words.
‘Mmm.’
‘I don’t know what happened.’
‘Not your usual behaviour?’ His voice softened from rock hard to gritty gravel.
‘No.’ She flicked furiously at her eyes with her fingertips. Great, now she might cry in front of him. ‘I never behave that way,’ she said. ‘Never.’
Damon sat. He studied her carefully. ‘I suppose everyone makes mistakes.’
Mistakes! He’d just earnt a lifetime of gratitude for his understatement.
‘Yeah, but stripping in front of your future boss, while so drunk you don’t know what you’re doing, has to be a career-killing move.’
‘I hope your work is as good as your dancing.’
Her heart pulled back on the throttle. A joke. At a time like this. After her accusations, she wouldn’t have blamed him for calling Security.
‘I’ll do anything to prove I’m not that person.’ She sounded pitiable and needy, but he had to be convinced.
‘I can’t simply forget what happened.’ His voice had lost its accusatory edge. ‘I’m not convinced that night was just a one-time thing.’
‘I understand.’
‘Show me what you’ve got professionally, and we’ll see how things work out.’
‘Thank you.’ The oxygen levels improved. She breathed a deep, controlled and calming breath. ‘I won’t disappoint you.’ Her gaze slipped slightly off-centre. Left and down. ‘I promise.’
‘We’ll see.’
She stood and walked to the door. Opening it, she turned.
‘Thank you.’
‘Don’t let me have cause to haul you back in here for another dressing-down,’ he said.
She hoped from now on they could omit any mention of dressing, or lack thereof, from their relationship.
‘You can count on it.’
But she lied. Damon was probably only days away from discovering who she was. Then this little fracas would look like a flicker next to a nuclear explosion.


Do you have a traditional family recipe or an old faithful (you know the one that makes you look like Nigella in the kitchen). Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of The Love Deception e-book. 

The Love Deception is available now from AmazonAppleKobo and Destiny Romance.

18 comments:

  1. Ooh, Jennifer, what a teaser of a scene - of course now I want to know what it is she's hiding and how it's going to come out! What fun.

    Nigella in the kitchen? I wish. The food is usually pretty good here but I'm not sure of one stand out dish. I have learned to make a great Kir Royale along the way though so visitors are mellow by the time the meal arrives - always a good thing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh, Jen, no wonder you've had comments from judges and readers -- fab scene!

    In my family I'm known for my desserts -- and the firm favourite is Christmas trifle. And as it's so simple, I'm happy to make as many as they want for the silly season. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ah Annie, a great Kir Royale sounds perfect!!! Would love to be drinking one right now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks, Michelle. Yum!!! Christmas trifle sounds really yummy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the excerpt Jen. Love the Title!

    I do my grandmothers fancy mac and cheese which is an old fav and has egg, bacon and tomato added to it - yum. Great winter food.

    Will be trying that Guiness Punch!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That punch sounds interesting, Jen!

    I have my grandmother's recipe book with all her handwritten recipes, but whenever one of us tries to make something, it's never the same. I think her technique counted for much of her success.

    Looking forward to visiting Barbados in The Love Deception!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amy, that's sounds so yummy. Might have to get the recipe for that one!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Agree that the Guinness recipe sounds interesting, Rachel. Not 100% sure I would like it?!? How wonderful that you have your grandmother's recipe book - that's very special!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jen, your post came at an interesting time. My (bleepin) husband is in the Caribbean right now, in fact, he's just Skyped from Grand Cayman. Not quite the same as the frosty winter's day here. I love the sound of The Love Deception and I'm going to try that Caribbean punch!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing. No recipe; don't really like to cook

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. That just doesn't seem right, Barbara. You should be there enjoying the sun, sand and Caribbean charm! Love to know what you think of the Caribbean punch!

    ReplyDelete
  12. My recipe was shown to me by my grandmother. It's for scrambled eggs, without any liquid. It works like dream and is very buttery. the trick is to use just a little milk, very minimal stirring and a very low heat and cover. The eggs steam and cook in the butter and you fold them, bringing the cooked part to the top.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I forgot to say you use butter in the pan, enough to coat it and also have it warm before you pour the egg mixture.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ooo, those eggs sound fantastic, Donna Maree!! I will definitely give them a try. Thanks again for the RT!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Jennifer, I don't know which is more deliciously tempting, that delightful moment from The Love Deception or the Guinness Caribbean Punch! Great post. Guess I'll just have to sample both!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sipping Caribbean Punch whilst reading sounds perfect, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Jennifer, my mum's known for her sunday roasts, I wish I could do one half as good and her trifle always went down well :)

    ReplyDelete