Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Spice-Kissed Pumpkin Pie

Some of my favorite movies are romantic comedies. I love watching two people fall in love, and I love all the wonderful, fluttery feelings that tag along with falling in love. Butterflies in the stomach, starry eyes, held breath. All the clichés—I love them.

Simply thinking about the feelings associated with falling in love pulls a big girly sigh from my lips. But you know what I also love about finding that perfect someone? Having a best friend who knows you better than anyone else.

Author Interview — Jeanne Arnold

Today I’m excited to introduce the prolific, published author Jeanne Arnold. Jeanne is humorous, talented, and kind (not to mention a great writer), and I’m pleased that she agreed to be interviewed by me. Hey, Jeanne, thanks for being here!

Quick! Give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline. Stubborn is a young adult novel. A green-eyed boy with a Texan accent comes to Avery Ross’s defense against a rowdy train passenger and leads her into a passion-charged summer full of temptation and loss.

How did you come up with the title of your book? The characters in Stubborn have stubborn qualities, some a little more than others, so it’s a theme I carry through the book. And it seemed fitting since my main character, Avery, has stubborn writing scrawled across her forehead that won’t rub off. I believe everyone has a little stubborn in them even if they’re too stubborn to admit it.

If you were given a train ticket, what do you hope is the final destination? Lately I’ve been thinking about the Grand Canyon and writing a book to go along with it.

I think the Grand Canyon is an excellent destination. I went a few years ago with my family, and my mind was blown at the greatness of it all.

Cooking Through Fiction: Blue Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love mazes. I love to try and solve them on paper, and I love to walk through the giant ones constructed from corn or boxwood hedges. I’m not discouraged by dead ends. I just backtrack and choose another path. I never think I won’t find the way out. Neither does Percy.

In book four of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, titled The Battle of the Labyrinth, Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Tyson must navigate Daedalus’ labyrinth in order to save the world. Again.

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Bear Claws

My friend Jenna says everyone needs at least one 3 a.m. friend. This is the type of friend (guy or girl) who you can call at 3 a.m. Regardless if you have a flat tire, a broken heart, or are stranded in some seedy night club because you’ve deserted the total jerk you showed up with, this friend will answer the phone.

And not only will he or she answer the phone, this 3 a.m. friend will come and pick you up, talk to you until you can breathe again, or tell you to pack a suitcase and drive over (and when you arrive, this 3 a.m. friend will have the perfect remedy to soothe your ache, at least temporarily).

Cooking Through Fiction: Percy's Ambrosia Brownies

Sometimes life is difficult. If you’re a demigod, you can multiply your problems by at least ten. In my day-to-day existence, I don’t normally battle monsters, such as evil Titan lords, but Percy isn’t as fortunate as I am. Monsters sniff him out. Literally.

Even small tasks that Percy believes are easy enough usually result in a battle for his life. In The Titan’s Curse, Percy’s is sent out to recruit two, young demigods. He ends up battling a manticore that is masquerading as a vice principal. And you thought your schools were rough!