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Looking Out the Window: Welcome Inspirational, Award-Winning Author Nancy Mehl. She'll Give Away a Copy of her New Book, Unbreakable.


 
Nancy talks about her latest book, Unbreakable, Book Two in her Road to Kingdom Series, shares a recipe for Ruby's Redbird Burgers, featured in her Ivy Towers's series, and talks about her favorite Bible verse.
To enter to win the copy of Unbreakable, leave a comment and an email address.

 About Unbreakable: Book Two in The Road to Kingdom Series
Gentle and unassuming Hope Kauffman has never been one to question or try to make changes. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal her father arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite Hope's and other Kingdom residents' attempts to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, and when one of Kingdom's own is threatened by a mysterious outsider, Jonathon is one of the first to push for the town to arm itself. Hope's fiancé, Ebbie, is at the forefront of those demanding the town stay true to its traditions of nonviolence.
When strange incidents around town result in outright attacks on several townspeople, Hope can't help but question what she's always been taught. As the town that's always stood so strong together is torn apart at the seams, Hope is caught between opposing sides, both represented by those she has come to care for. With tensions high and lives endangered by an unknown threat, Hope fears Kingdom can never survive in one piece.

Nourish the Body with Ruby's Redbird Burgers
These yummy-sounding burgers were featured in Nancy's Ivy Towers's series. The actual recipe was in the third book in the series, For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls. (This book won the Carol Award for mystery in 2009.)
Ruby’s Redbird Burgers
(Usually made only at Ruby’s Redbird Café in Winter Break, Kansas)
(This recipe makes 4 one pound burgers OR 8 one-half pound burgers.
Ruby’s are actually one pound monsters, but yours can be smaller!)

Cook 8 slices of peppered bacon in large skillet. Cook until crisp. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Remove all bacon grease from the pan except for approximately 2 tablespoons (Set aside the rest of the grease.) In grease, sauté ½ large, chopped, white onion, along with 2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapenos. (Canned or from a jar are fine.) Cook until soft.
Season 4 lbs of hamburger (80/20) with:
Sautéed onions and jalapenos
4 TBS Ruby’s Burger Mix (See below)
 
Knead seasonings into hamburger, but do not overwork the meat. Make eight (or sixteen) patties. You can use a hamburger mold or a large mayonnaise lid to shape the burgers into a consistent size.
Place approximately 1 oz of shredded extra sharp or sharp cheddar cheese in the middle of a patty. Do not go all the way to the edges. Sprinkle approximately a tablespoon of crumbled, peppered bacon on top of the cheese. Then place another patty on top, and crimp the edges to totally seal the burger.

Cook over moderate heat in skillet seasoned with bacon grease. Once both sides are browned, cover skillet to keep burgers juicy. Cook to desired doneness. Do not turn burgers more than twice.  Add 2 slices of cheddar cheese on top right before you remove the burgers.

Slice remaining half of onion and cook in remaining bacon grease until rings are soft and fairly translucent. Add onions to top of burgers. Place on large, deli buns (toast the buns in the oven with real butter). Follow with lettuce, slice of tomato, small spoonful of pickle relish and mustard. You can make a special mustard using Dijon with a little horseradish or simply use regular yellow mustard. (This is Ruby’s choice. She doesn’t cotton to that fancy, schmancy mustard!) DO NOT EVER USE KETCHUP ON A RUBY’S REDBIRD BURGER. IF RUBY FINDS OUT, YOU WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED TO EAT ANOTHER REDBIRD BURGER AGAIN! 
Redbird Burger Mix (This is enough for more than more recipe)
Kosher salt – 3 Tablespoons
Coarse, black pepper – 4 Tablespoons
Dry Minced Garlic – 2 Tablespoons
Dry, Crushed Red Pepper –  ½ to 1 Tablespoon (Depending on how hot you want your burgers!)
Paprika – ½ Tablespoon
Mix all dry ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Does not need to be refrigerated. This mix also works as a steak rub!

AND DON’T FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT FOR A RUBY’S REDBIRD BURGER - PRAYER!
Ruby prays for everyone who orders a burger. She prays that God will bless them with health, prosperity, a heart to hear from God, and the willingness to follow Him wherever He leads. For anyone eating a Redbird Burger, the victim…I mean, the customer’s health could probably use a double dose of prayer!

Oh my! My mouth's watering. I can't wait to try Ruby's Redbird Burgers.
Nourish the Soul with Scripture
Nancy says, "My favorite scripture is probably Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Learning that God had a specific plan for me changed my life. When I realized that I wasn't a wandering generality, but a specially designed child of the King, it made God real and personal to me. In every book I write, this theme is there. Hopefully, someone who reads one of my books will hear this truth and realize they are special and loved by God.
Bio
Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband Norman and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored fourteen books and is currently at work on a new series for Bethany House Publishing. The first book in her Road to Kingdom series, Inescapable, came out in July of 2012. The second book, Unbreakable, released in February of 2013.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site and her blog. You can contact her at nancymehlbooks@hotmail.com.  She is also active on Facebook.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I love Nancy's books. She is a gifted writer who understands how to create characters that will get into your heart and mind. I look forward to each new release!
Bonnie Traher said…
Would so love to win.
Deborah M said…
Love Nancy's books. I'd like to win her new one.

Debbie Malone
debbiejeanm at gmail dot com
June Foster said…
Nancy, it sounds like the reader is in for a lot of action and conflict in Unbreakable.
Miss Mae said…
What an intriguing blurb and gripping cover! It's nice to meet you, Nancy. And you sound like an awesome cook to boot! :)
DanielleThorne said…
This sounds like unique, interesting book. I love that there are books out there with standards that don't take away from action and adventure. And thanks for the recipe,too. Sounds so awesome I'm going to pin it on my Pinterest board!
Unknown said…
Love Nancy's books.
CherylB1987@hotmail.com
Anne Patrick said…
Sounds like an interesting read.
Rhonda's Doings said…
I am a huge Nancy Mehl fan. This was a great interview. Those burgers would kill me....I can't do spicy! That is my favourite Bible verse too. RHONDA
nashhall@aol.com
Michelle said…
I have read Unbreakable and loved it!The recipe sounds yummy :)
Nancy Mehl said…
June:

That's the plan. I love to up the conflict, let my readers relax a bit, and theyn grab them again. LOL! Hopefully, Unbreakable does just that. Thanks so much for your comment.
Nancy Mehl said…
Nice to meet you too, Miss Mae!

I don't know if I'm an awesome cook. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. To be honest, I like easy recipes. I do enjoy cooking, and I really like finding new recipes to try on my very patient husband. LOL!
Nancy Mehl said…
Danielle:

I would love for you to pin that recipe on your board. I'm honored.

I agree about action and adventure. Adding questionable material to a book doesn't make it better, IMHO. It can actually cheapen your story. Writing suspense in a Mennonite town is...a challenge. Hopefully, I've accomplished what I set out to do.

Thanks so much for your comment!
Nancy Mehl said…
Rhonda!

Maybe you can just cut down on the spicy ingredients?? LOL!

My poor son and husband were my guinea pigs for this recipe. I tried several versions. They picked this one. To be honest, by the time we were finished, they swore off hamburgers for a while! LOL!
JoJo said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
JoJo said…
LUV Nancy!!! These burgers sound spicy;) LUV this series, great characters, great suspense, LUV LUV LUV!!!
jojosutiscorner@gmail.com
This is so interesting because I've heard of more and more Mennonite stories written of late. Congratulations and I hope your book sells well.
Unknown said…
Nancy is a extremely gifted writer that not only creates some of the most complex characters, but she knows how to bring them alive. The recipes add just the right element to the book to make the reader feel like they are part of the characters lives and their stories. I would love to win this book!
mzieli01@yahoo.com
Janice said…
I hope I am not too late to be included in the give-away.

The book and the burgers sound great! I have a cousin who puts jalapenas in deviled eggs. I love those. Sounds good for Easter!

Blessings, Janice
jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Gina said…
Beautiful post! Nice to meet you, Nancy. Can't wait to read your book (s) - and to try those burgers :-) it's amazing what God can do. Lucky for us you listened to Him!
Gail, your blog is so very special, thank you for this wonderful spot!
Happy Easter to everyone.
Hugs and blessings,
Regina
I read the first book in this series and loved it! Please enter me in the giveaway. Unbreakable is on my Wish List. :)

susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

Nancy Mehl said…
Thanks to everyone who's stopped by! I appreciate it. Praying you all have a wonderful Easter.

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