Mama Katie's Lemon Pound Cake Recipe from Julius Thompson's "Ghost of Atlanta"

  

      In my National Gold Medal award winning novel, Ghost of Atlanta, the making of a  lemon pound cake played a crucial inspiration for the characters in the opening chapters of the novel. Since the book's publishing,  I've received numerous requests for the recipe for the lemon pound cake, which comes from my grandmother, Mama Katie, and her famous pound cake.   

       I remember many a day walking into her home in Winder, Georgia, after attending Glenwood High School, and smiling and sniffing that wonderful aroma from the Lemon Pound cake baking in the wood stove oven.

       Mmm...Good!!!!

      Below is the recipe and I hope you enjoy the lemon pound cake with a cup of coffee, while reading Ghost of Atlanta on your ebook reader or a print edition of the novel.

                                                               God Bless,

                                                               J. E. Thompson

 

Use the Look-Inside feature on Amazon to see a bit of the book!

 

 

 

 

     From the Early Chapters of Ghost of Atlanta : When Andy and Grandmother Martha were cooking this lemon pound cake together, it created a bond that lasted a lifetime. More importantly a loving memory that sustains Andy over the years as he faces many trails in his life.

      

 Mama Katie's Lemon Pound Cake! 

     1 (1.5 ounce) bottle lemon extract (only) Real lemons in those days were expensive, but thanks to Mr. Watkins, who made extract in every flavor, this was a fantastic substitute.

     2 cups butter 4 sticks (key ingredient, remember no margarine back then).

     3 cups sugar

     3 1/2 cups flour  (All-purpose): flour divided

       1 1/2 teaspoons  Baking Power

     6 eggs (remember, in a separate bowl crack and sniff, just to be sure they're fresh)

 ===============================================================

1. Pre-heat oven: 275
2. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy.
3. In a separate bowl, sift 3 cups flour (Well today we don't have to sift, but you can) and baking powder.
4. Add eggs to butter/sugar mixture (one at a time) and then add lemon extract, alternating with flour mixture ( You going to think you need liquid, but  you don't. It's supposed to be somewhat stiff)
5. Lightly butter cake pan, then use remaining flour to  flour sides and flute.
6. Pour batter into pan and gently shake to even out.
7. Bake for 2-hours and 30 minutes or 2-hours and 45 minutes, depending on your oven. (With all our modern technology, our grandparents still managed to bake a two and a half cake in an hour and half.)
8. Cake is done when toothpick (inserted into center) comes out clean.
9. Cool and remove carefully from pan.
10. It serves about fifteen slices.

This recipe has been in our family since my Mama Katie was a little girl!

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Links:

 

Click Here to read the July 20, 2012 Book Talk post on Ghost of Atlanta.

Author's Amazon Page  includes other books by Julius Thompson

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Author's Web

     

 

 

"On Grace" by Susie Orman Schnall

Available on Amazon and Kindle

 

 

About the Book:

 

Grace May is about to turn 40, and she can’t wait. Now that her boys are both in school and she’s about to start an exciting new writing job, the next chapter in her life is finally about to begin. Aching to use her brain for more than finding innovative ways to sneak leafy greens into her boys’ mini-meatloaves, Grace is eager to rediscover the intelligent and interesting woman deeply buried under the layers of mother and wife. 

But when Grace loses her job and gets unexpected news from her husband and her best friend, life suddenly gets complicated. Grace stands to lose everything: her marriage, her best friend, and her sense of self. By her 40th birthday party, Grace will discover who and what matter most. With laughter. With tears. With grace. 

Readers love On Grace because it's soulful and sweet, sexy and sad, straight up and smart, and, ultimately, quite satisfying. 

 

Publication Date: June 19, 2013

 

 

About the Author:

 

 

Susie Orman Schnall

 

Susie Orman Schnall lives in New York and is the author of the enchanting, thought-provoking novel On Grace. She also writes essays, editorial, and endless to-do lists and has been featured in the New York Times,   Westchester Magazine, and on Huffington Post Live. When she's not at her desk writing, you can find Susie driving her three young boys to and fro, reading just about anything, drinking a kale shake, hanging with her husband of 18 years, or trying to get It All done. And if you can't find her in any of those places, she's probably where her heart sings the loudest: at the top of a mountain.

 

Visit the author's website and read more about her life and writing!

 

 

A Word From Susie:

 

I'm so excited about the publication of my debut novel On Grace. And I'm absolutely thrilled with the response I've heard from readers so far. I never would have imagined how much Grace's story has touched so many women. They are responding to the authenticity of the story and how relatable it is to their lives and the lives of their friends. I truly hope you enjoy it!

 

 

Links:

 

Author Web

 

Facebook Author Page

 

Twitter: @susieschnall

 

Amazon Author Page

 

Buy On Amazon

 

Buy On Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Amazon Reader Reviews:

 

 

 

Don't miss out on this great read!!

 

Realistic and Relatable. I Definitely Recommend!

 

Couldn't put this book down!

 

 

 

Tracie Banister "In Need Of Therapy" Chick Lit Blog Hop Author

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About The Book:

Lending a sympathetic ear and dispensing sage words of advice is all part of the job for psychologist Pilar Alvarez, and she’s everything a good therapist should be: warm, compassionate, supportive. She listens, she cares, and she has all the answers, but how’s the woman everyone turns to in their hour of need supposed to cope when her own life starts to fall apart? 

While working hard to make a success of her recently-opened practice in trendy South Beach, Pilar must also find time to cater to the demands of her boisterous Cuban family, which includes younger sister Izzy, an unemployed, navel-pierced wild child who can't stay out of trouble, and their mother, a beauty queen turned drama queen who’s equally obsessed with her fading looks and getting Pilar married before it’s “too late.” Although she’d like to oblige her mother and make a permanent love connection, Pilar’s romantic prospects look grim. Her cheating ex, who swears that he’s reformed, is stalking her. A hunky, but strictly off-limits, patient with bad-boy appeal and intimacy issues is making passes. And the sexy shrink in the suite across the hall has a gold band on his left ring finger. 

When a series of personal and professional disasters lead Pilar into the arms of one of her unsuitable suitors, she's left shaken, confused, and full of self-doubt. With time running out, she must make sense of her feelings and learn to trust herself again so that she can save her business, her family, and most importantly, her heart.

About The Author:

Author Tracie Banister

Tracie is an author, blogger, co-host of #ChickLitChat on Twitter, and dog wrangler (She has three rescue cocker spaniels.) At present, she's working on her third Chick Lit novel and has a Regency series simmering on the backburner. She hates having her picture taken, which is why she's been using the same author headshot for 7 years, enjoys watching all kinds of TV for "research purposes," and hopes to cross "Learn how to Tango" off her bucket list very soon. 

Tracie visited Book Talk last year. View her May 29, 2012 post by clicking here.



Links:

Author Page on Amazon

Buy On Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble Nook

Author Blog

Facebook

Twitter  @traciebanister


Tracie started the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop last year and the tradition continues this year with Julie Valerie. Visit Julie's blog Chick Lit Chit Chat .

While the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop ends officially at midnight tonight you can still catch up with all the authors by clicking here.

Look for more Chick Lit Authors to be featured this week on Book Talk.

Courtney Rice Gager author The Buggy List

Em Barrett author Leaving Green Island

Lauren Clark "Stardust Summer" Perfect Holiday Weekend Read As Chick Lit Author Book Hop Continues

Buy On Kindle.

About the book:

Single mom Grace Mason doesn’t believe in miracles, magic, or love at first sight. She likes the quiet life, complete with her eight-year-old son, their tiny house, and her teaching job. For Grace, happiness means that nothing much ever changes in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Then, one thousand miles away, tragedy strikes. A massive heart attack leaves Grace’s estranged father comatose in an Upstate New York hospital. While a team of doctors fight to keep Henry Mason alive, Grace and Evan rush to his bedside to say their final goodbyes.

Henry’s passing brings little closure for Grace, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her new surroundings. What begins as a short trip results in an entire summer spent with Henry’s second wife, Kathleen, and her next-door neighbor, Ryan Gordon, the town doctor. When a series of unlikely events lead to Evan’s disappearance, Grace must face her worst fears to find her son and bring him back home.

Stardust Summer explores the complexities of forgiveness, what it means to be a family, and the fabulous possibility of falling in love—again.

About the author:

Author Lauren Clark

Lauren Clark writes contemporary novels sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets. A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends.

Lauren is a member of the Gulf Coast Writers Association, the Mobile Writers Guild, and a regular contributor to Parents & Kids Magazine's Mississippi Gulf Coast Edition. Check out her website .

Lauren Clark visited Book Talk last year on May 30, 2012 with her novel Dancing Naked In Dixie. Click here to see that post.

Purchase Links:

Kindle

Amazon

Kobo

Smashwords

Nook

Other Links:

Author Web

GoodReads

Facebook

Twitter  @LaurenClark_Bks

Find More Great Chick Lit Authors and Join the Blog Hop. Click here for information!

Dee DeTarsio "All My Restless Life To Live" Chick Lit Author Blog Hop Continues

Soft cover available now on Amazon. Look for Kindle version on June 4th.

About the book:

A Soap Opera writer unravels a mystery from her dead dad’s computer in a divinely funny journey . . .

Life is a soap opera, especially for Elle Miller, who writes for one. (Ellen dropped the “n” in her name in hopes of finding a better ending for herself.) When her laptop crashes, she borrows her recently deceased dad’s computer and gets way more than she bargained for.   Elle unravels mysterious communications from his computer, while her mom decides to give Internet dating a try. As Elle tries to save her career at I’d Rather Be Loved with a storyline featuring a trip through Atlantis, she takes a trip to the Emmys, and finds herself in the middle of a romance between a real doctor and a hunk who just plays one on TV.  Friends, family, and clues from “the other side” all help Elle figure out the difference between living the good life and living a good life. 

About the author:

Author Dee DeTarsio

Dee DeTarsio is a TV writer living in southern California. After growing up in Ennui, Ohio, and graduating from The Ohio State University she vowed never to be cold again (in a tantrum more worthy of Suellen than Scarlett) and ended up in Tucson, Arizona, producing the news for the CBS affiliate, oddly enough called KOLD-TV. She moved to San Diego where she worked in the SeaWorld entertainment department as a producer/writer. (Penguins are mean!) She then became a producer/writer for the NBC affiliate.

Dee is the author of : THE SCENT OF JADE, THE KITCHEN SHRINK (both finalists in the prestigious San Diego Book and Writing Awards), 'TIL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, ROS, and HAOLE WOOD, 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist!  ALL MY RESTLESS LIFE TO LIVE is her latest novel.

 

Her literary talents shine with tenderness and humor as she takes readers into the heart of women's lives. Filled with friendship, love, loss, betrayal, and challenges that force her characters to find their place in the universe, Dee's books give us that hopefully-ever-after we're searching for.

Dee says, "I love books that laugh at the sadness of life--and that is a great
definition of chick lit!"

Photo courtesy of John DeTarsio Director of Catfish (and Dee's husband) 

How awesome are guys who read?  Nev Schulman, Host of MTVs Catfish (2nd season starting June 25th!) with a copy of my book! Thanks, Nev!

Links:

Purchase at Amazon

List of author's books on Amazon

Author's Web

Facebook

Twitter @DeeDeTarsio

Want to check out the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop?

Click here and join in the fun!

Meredith Schorr "A State of Jane" on Chick Lit Author Blog Hop This Week

Available on Amazon. See other sales sites below.

About the book:

Jane Frank is ready to fall in love.

It's been a year since her long term relationship ended and far too long since the last time she was kissed. With the LSAT coming up she needs to find a long term boyfriend (or husband) before acing law school and becoming a partner at her father's law firm.

There's just one problem: All the guys in New York are flakes. They seemingly drop off the face of the earth with no warning and no explanation.

Should she join her best friend Marissa in singlehood, making cupcakes and watching True Blood? Or should she follow her co-worker Andrew's advice and turn the game back on those who've scorned her? As Jane attempts to juggle her own responsibilities and put up with the problems of everyone around her, she starts to realize that the dating life isn't as easy as she originally thought.

 

 

About the author:

 

Author Meredith Schorr

 

 

A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to, and was famous among her friends for writing witty birthday cards. After dabbling in children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing “real” chick lit for real women. When Meredith is not hard at work on her current work in progress, she spends her days as a trademark paralegal at a law firm in New York City. Meredith is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner. She also loves to read and is always on the lookout for her new favorite author. A State of Jane is her second novel.

 

 

 

In Meredith's words:

 

I'm so excited to be participating in the International Chick Lit Month Author Blog Hop for the second year in a row.  Long before I started writing chick lit, I was an avid reader of the genre. I love chick lit because it is grounded enough in reality to be relatable, yet embellished enough to be entertaining. I love chick lit because the career, friendship and romantic woes faced by the characters provide a much-needed escape from my own. I love chick lit because it makes me laugh, sometimes makes me cry and almost always makes me believe in happy endings.

 

 

Links:

Website

Twitter @meredithschorr

Facebook

Sales Sites:

Amazon

B & N

iTunes

kobo


Keep up with all the authors on this year's Chick Lit Author Blog Hop by clicking here.

Samantha March "The Green Ticket" on Chick Lit Author Blog Hop

Available on Amazon and Kindle

About the book:

College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty – manager to a successful salon and spa. Thrilled to finally have a real adult job, Alex enthusiastically jumps into the world of schedules, conference calls, and getting a massage when interviewing prospective employees. What she doesn’t expect are the very grown-up issues that comes with a demanding boss. Kevin Dohlman quickly becomes Alex’s worse nightmare – covering up his affairs, dealing with his enormous ego, and trying to protect her female staff from him becomes a full-time job in its own right. Alex has also befriended Kevin’s wife and co-owner, Dani, and is trying to keep Kevin’s secrets hidden from her. The situation only worsens when Kevin starts paying Alex off to make sure she keeps her insider knowledge to herself. While struggling to keep her wits and stay happy with her new grown-up job, Alex is juggling college courses, a new love interest, and keeping up with her close group of girlfriends. When her roommate and best friend Lila gets offered an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and sign with an agent, Alex realizes her life truly is changing, and everyone around her – including herself ­­–– is growing up. Knowing she is faced with some hard decisions ahead, Alex struggles with keeping her job at Blissful. But does she really want to throw away what she dreamed of as a career – or will the secret-keeping for Kevin become too much to handle? The Green Ticket is a story about morals versus money, and how one young woman navigates the shaky line between the two.

About The Author:

Author Samantha March

Samantha a book blogger, blog tour coordinator, editor, author and publisher. She loves all things books - and the GB Packers! While Samantha is keeping busy with her duties she is also in bridezilla mode – 3 months until the wedding!

Learn more about Samantha on the links below.

Links:

Website

Amazon

Twitter @chicklitplus

Facebook

GoodReads

Keep up with all the authors on this year's Chick Lit Author Blog Hop by clicking here.