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.