RWA

Well, I’d told my husband that I wouldn’t be blogging about this – but – it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. So, I’m changing my mind. This issue has literally taken up most of my free time over the past week. Reading news articles, blogs, Facebook and Twitter posts, etc. That’s a huge deal – if I’m going to spend so much free time reading about something!

The recent happenings made national news – articles are in the New York Times as well as The Washington Post, as well as a lot of other newspapers and websites. It would take me TOO LONG to write about everything that’s happened – took me a long time to digest all of the facts.

For a complete (or mostly complete) list of the happenings in RWA, which started right after Christmas, kindly go to this Twitter Link (apologies in advance for all the profanity on the Twitter link! This was the most concise, complete list of events that I could find at the time!). It’s A LOT of information.

It’s just so sad that RWA has come to this. Hopefully, this will not be the end to this organization.

I received my first book contract via an RWA conference. I met Tracie Peterson at an RWA conference during a Faith, Hope and Love (RWA’s inspirational chapter) meeting. It was through her recommendation that I received a contract from Crossings Book Club (part of the Doubleday Book Club empire) for my first novel.

I received a second book contract from Harlequin (Steeple Hill imprint) via a local RWA chapter retreat.

I’ve learned so much through this organization. I will admit that I’m not as active as I used to be, but, I’ve remained a member for over twenty years.

Yes, I’m busy and have lots to do outside of writing, but, RWA has been my first choice when it comes to writers organizations.

Sad and depressing that they’ve had a some serious allegations regarding racism and diversity. I’m glad these allegations have come to light, but, it’s depressing to hear about them. I haven’t been to a conference since 2009, and I’ve only attended a handful of chapter meetings since I got married and had a son (who is now 14).

I feel so strongly about what’s happened, and I’ve spent so much time and energy reading and thinking about it, that I feel the need to see some RWA members to talk about what happened. I’m actually going to attend the all-day local chapter meeting being held tomorrow in my area. They’ve changed the agenda to focus on the recent events.

It’s a big deal for me to take my precious free time to attend a local RWA chapter meeting, but, I feel the need to go….

Sad, sad, sad….

Happy New Year!

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?

Christmas is over and now we’re into 2020! I hope all of you enjoyed your holiday. My holiday was wonderful! I didn’t have to work since my job shut down for the week. They’ve done this two years in a row! I hope they do the same in 2020! It’s nice having those days off at the end of the year!

You can access my New Year’s newsletter here!

Share your New Year’s resolutions – if you wish! Have a blessed day!

Blender Egg Nog

Make at your own risk! I don’t heat the mixture! I just dump it in a blender! In other words, I use raw eggs! To be safe, you might want to use pasteurized eggs in this recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream (or milk, or half and half – use lowfat milk to cut calories) recipe calls for heavy cream – but found it to be too filling.

1/4 cup sugar -recipe calls for a 1/2 cup, but that made it a bit too sweet.
Cinnamon – recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, but I sprinkle cinnamon instead
4 large eggs
1 cup brandy – recipe calls for 3/4 cup, which was not strong enough for me

***if doubling this recipe, it’s best to make it in two batches. The blender can’t hold double the amount of this recipe, it spills and makes a mess.

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Put into a container and place into the freezer to get ice cold. Shake thoroughly before serving.

You can also place this into the refrigerator until it is thoroughly chilled. Serve over ice! Delicious dessert drink for the holidays!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Come read my Christmas newsletter! I share a wonderful scripture and that Sugar and Spice is still on sale for 99 cents for Christmas!

Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Doesn’t that scripture make you feel happy, warm, and grateful? I love reading about the birth of Christ. Reading that passage in Luke is so comforting. I stop and think about how life was like back then – back when Jesus was first born. I imagine the sound of the heavenly host, praising Him. Can you imagine how that sounded? I’m sure that joyful noise from the heavenly host rose into the air with a tantalizing, wonderful boom – a boom full of joy and praise! Don’t forget to share this scripture with all, especially your young children!
I hope all of you have a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Sugar and Spice , a sweet, emotional Christmas romance that you will never forget, is still on sale for 99 cents ! Tell a friend!

SINCERELY,CECELIA DOWDY

The General’s Cook

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The General’s Cook

Have you ever read a book about a slave with an interesting occupation?

Hercules (I wondered how he came to be called Hercules), is an amazing chef whom George Washington acquired as payment for a debt. Hercules had more freedom than most slaves since he was able to go out every evening, roaming the streets of Philadelphia wearing his dapper clothing.

He’s able to afford his clothing because he can sell the leftover food from his kitchen and keep the monies – about $200 a year, which is quite a sum.

This book is a fictional account of Hercules life and the author uses real people, as well as fictional people, in this story. This novel touches upon so many things, slavery, free Blacks….Hercules lives in Philadelphia, in a free state, yet he is enslaved. You see him interacting with both slaves and free Blacks. The issue of mixed race Blacks passing as White is also addressed in this story.

The story is good and well-written and also shows how hard it is to work in a kitchen, a professional kitchen, and not get paid for your labors. Hercules is not your ordinary Black man and after reading this novel, I longed to know more about him.

The food! I loved how the author mentioned all of the different foods that Hercules and his staff prepared for President Washington. Hoecakes, carrot pudding, chicken pudding, fish, oysters, roasts….I found myself stopping to research the foods which I’d never heard of, like carrot pudding. I noticed in the author letter that she mentioned some colonial cookbooks that she used for research. I’d like to make some of these meals myself!

The family dynamic is also addressed in this tale. Hercules doesn’t get to see his children very much and this hurts him. Slavery is so wrong – tearing apart families…abuse…Slavery is such a shameful part of US History. Makes my heart sad to read about it.

I highly encourage all readers to try this incredible secular novel. You’ll learn a lot and enjoy an amazing story!

So, have you ever read a book about a slave who had an interesting occupation?

 

Milk Chocolate Kisses!

Milk Chocolate Kisses is available for pre-order!

Can an alcoholic and a grieving dairy farmer find true love?

After her dad’s unexpected death, Emily struggles to run her family’s dairy farm. When handsome Frank Reese, a CPA, unexpectedly shows up for an audit, her life drastically changes. Emily is stunned when Frank uncovers a secret about her deceased father – a secret that may forever change her life.

Frank is mesmerized by his beautiful, outspoken client. As she tries to sweeten his mood with her mouthwatering milk chocolate candy, he struggles with a problem. His addiction and lack of faith are enough to make Emily leery. Can he overcome his obstacles and heal from his emotional wounds?

Milk Chocolate Kisses!

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas

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A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas Podcast

Have you ever known anybody who dealt with infertility?

Laurel (a schoolteacher) and her husband Zach want to be parents. They’ve had some huge disappointments in the past when they tried to have children. Now Laurel’s grandmother, Helen, needs a caregiver and they hire Mrs. Miracle – an angel.

I enjoyed reading this story about Laurel, Zach, Helen and Mrs. Miracle. The struggles that Zach and Laurel faced were so realistic. Their faith was tested – but they do get a glimpse at happiness when they hire Mrs. Miracle. Mrs. Miracle is a wonderful companion for Helen. Helen has not been doing well, so when Mrs. Miracle comes her health gets better, and she works hard to help restore Laurel’s and Zach’s faith.

Both Laurel and Zach experience some strange happenings in this charming Christmas tale. These happenings involve Mrs. Miracle’s angel friends, Shirley and Mercy.

So, have you ever known anybody who dealt with infertility? If so, were they ever able to adopt or have a child of their own?

Mrs. Miracle is another novel in Debbie Macomber’s Angel series. If you like A Mrs. Miracle Christmas then you should try Mrs. Miracle.

If you enjoy Debbie Macomber’s Christmas novels then try Sugar and Spice by Cecelia Dowdy. It’s a sweet, wholesome Christmas romance that you can enjoy at any time of the year! 

My Novel, Shades of Chocolate, is FREE for a Limited Time!

My romance e-book, Shades of Chocolate, is FREE for a limited time! Romantic Suspense Fans will love this sweet, intoxicating, chaste romance mystery!

I have another treat for you! My author friends have placed their books on sale for 99c! Come check out these cheap, intoxicating, small-town, romances for less than a dollar!

A few of the small-town romances are FREE as well! 

Purchase your copies today!

These books are FREE for a limited time!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/christiansmall-townromanceonamazon/vqjuunieo1