Looking out the Window: Carlene Havel Talks about her Newest Biblical Fiction, Phoebe of Cenchrea. She Shares a Yummy Recipe and Gives Away an Amazon Gift Card.

A Warm Welcome to Carlene Havel

Carlene and Sharon's books bring the Scripture to Life

Carlene tells us about Phoebe of Cenchrea, her favorite Bible verse and her favorite recipe. She will give away a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. To enter to win, leave a comment below with your email address, or leave your email address on my website in the form at the bottom of the Meet Gail section.

Carlene's Bible Verse

My favorite Bible verse changes constantly! Today, it’s the NIV translation of Romans 8:38-39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Favorite Recipe

Pralines!

My Aune Jeanne made them every Christmas. Now that she’s gone, I’m carrying on the tradition.

Aunt Jeanne’s Pecan Pralines

Labor-intensive, but oh so delicious. I make these every year at Christmas, when my local grocer stocks whole buttermilk.

PRALINE CANDY

Combine:

1 cup buttermilk (not low fat)

3 cups sugar

1 tablespoon soda

a pinch of salt

Cook over medium flame to soft ball stage. Remove from stove and add 2 cups pecans and 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy. Then drop by tablespoonfuls onto a buttered cookie sheet and let cool at room temperature.

Carlene's hints:

I dislike “pinch” and “dab” directions, but that's what this recipe calls for, so do your best. A scant half teaspoon of salt works for me.

Use at least a 4 qt capacity pan. The mixture expands between boiling and softball stage.

Stir with a long handled-spoon. The mixture can pop hot droplets out of the pan while cooking.

Keep a half cup of VERY hot water handy after you take the mixture off the stove. Boiling hot is okay. If the candy starts to get grainy or crystallize too fast while dipping it out, stir in 1-2 tablespoon of hot water. Repeat if necessary, until the pralines are creamy again.

About Phoebe of Cenchrea

On a visit to Corinth, Phoebe and her shipping magnate father hear the Apostle Paul preach, and they immediately believe his message. They use their wealth to help Priscilla, Aquila, and Paul in their mission to spread the gospel. Eventually, Phoebe founds a church in her hometown of Cenchrea. As her faith matures, Phoebe struggles to reconcile Christianity with her privileged lifestyle.

She is honored when Paul commissions her to deliver his epistle to the church in Rome. Meanwhile, her father decides she needs a husband. Can Phoebe’s commitment to Jesus stand against the opposition of a decadent empire?

Buy on Amazon

Bio: Carlene Havel grew up in Texas and married a military officer. Courtesy of the US Air Force, she has lived in six or seven US states, the Republic of the Philippines, and Turkey. She had no interest in writing until 2005, when she became a believer in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Along with everything else that changed, Carlene developed a passion for writing. The Havels now live in Texas, amid a big, extended family. Carlene enjoys Bible study, reading, sewing, knitting, and crochet.

Connect with Carlene

Carlene likes to connect with readers on her website. She says, "I hope you’ll sign up for my monthly newsletter here."

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