Scavenger Hunt Stop #3

    The first ever Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt has ended and the grand prize winner, who will collect 23 new Christian novels with a value of over $250, is Elisabeth Scherer!
     The winner of my drawing for a copy of After All is Shondra Brown! Your book is on the way, Shondra! Thanks to all who entered!
     It's too late to enter the contest, but there's still time to make the loop to discover 23 new or upcoming novels from some of your favorite Christian fiction authors!

Welcome to the first ever Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! Make the loop to discover 23 new or upcoming novels, and write down the clue at each stop. When you know what the clues say, fill out the Rafflecopter form by June 4, 2012 (midnight EST) at www.LisaBergren.com, and you could be in the running for the grand prize of 23 new, autographed books (if you live in the USA; unsigned if international). Note: if you're the winner, you must email the complete statement within 24 hours of notification in order to claim the Grand Prize...so don't miss a stop! Be ready with your answer if you're the lucky winner! No need to email it unless you receive the good word on June 5, 2012.

Today it is my delight to host the beautiful and brilliant Angela Hunt as part of the Christian fiction scavenger hunt. She is the author of more than 100 (yes, you read that right!) books and has more than 4 million in print. Wow! She is also one of the warmest and most welcoming people I know. Her book Five Miles South of Peculiar releases June 5. Here's a bit about the story:


If these three sisters don’t change direction, they’ll end up where they’re going.

Darlene Caldwell has spent a lifetime tending Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of a small town called Peculiar. She raised a family in the spacious home that was her grandfather’s legacy, and she enjoys being a pillar of the community. Sycamores is the kingdom where she reigns as queen . . . until her limelight-stealing twin sister unexpectedly returns.


Carlene Caldwell, veteran of the Broadway stage, is devastated when she realizes that an unsuccessful throat surgery has spelled the end of her musical career. Searching for a new purpose in life, she retreats to Sycamores, her childhood home. She may not be able to sing, but she hopes to use her knowledge and experience to fashion a new life in Peculiar, the little town she left behind.


Haunted by a tragic romance, Magnolia Caldwell is the youngest of the Caldwell girls. Nolie has never wanted to live anywhere but Sycamores. She spends her days caring for her dogs and the magnificent gardens she’s created on the estate, but when she meets a man haunted by his own tragedy, she must find the courage to either deny her heart or cut the apron strings that tie her to a dear and familiar place.



Can these sisters discover who they are meant to be when life takes an unforeseen detour? In a season of destiny, three unique women reunite and take unexpected journeys of the heart.

Doesn't this book sound intriguing? While I haven't read it yet, if it's anything like her other books, it will be a richly layered, character-driven story I won't be able to set down. As part of the hunt, she's sharing a recipe. It sounds amazing! Something I will have to try the next time I'm hosting small group or another gathering.

Here's the Scavenger Hunt Exclusive from Angie, an incredibly yummy sounding dessert. I can almost feel the calories piling on just from reading the ingredients.

Mayor Henry Hooper’s Toffee-Mocha Cream Torte*

Ingredients:

For cake:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and at room temperature
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 2⁄3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached is best)
3/4 cup baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules (Darlene suggests Starbucks or Nescafe)
1 cup boiling water

For topping:

1⁄2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon hot water
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons light brown sugar

6 Heath candy bars (1.4 ounces each), crushed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three nine-inch round baking pans.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Dissolve coffee in boiling water; add to batter. Beat for two minutes.

Pour batter into three round baking pans. Bake at 350 for 16-20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool for ten minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

While cake is cooling, in a large bowl dissolve coffee granules in hot water, cool. Add cream and brown sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form.

Place the bottom cake layer on a serving plate; top with 1 1⁄3 cups topping and then sprinkle with 1⁄2 cup of the crushed candy bars. Repeat layers twice—cake will be topped with topping and candy bars. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 12-14 servings.

*Adapted from a recipe in Taste of Home Baking Classics, edited by Janet Briggs (Greendale, WI: Reiman Media Group, Inc., 2008), p. 189.

Doesn't this sound AMAZING? I'll race you to test the recipe. Time to have some friends over so I have an excuse to bake it.

Now back to the Scavenger Hunt.  You can pick up a copy of Angela's book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, or your local bookstore. Find out more about Angela Hunt and her books at Http://angelahuntbooks.com.

The Scavenger Hunt Skinny

Now mosey along, Hunters, to STOP #4: Carol Cox to pick up your next clue. But before you go, write down this STOP #3 clue: words to

BONUS: If you'd like another chance to win a copy of one of my new releases: Cherry Blossom Capers, A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island, or Rainbow's End, then go to my website. For another chance 1) follow me on twitter and/or 2) join my newletter on my homepage. I promise not to send spammy email. In fact you'll only hear from me when I have something interesting to say like a new book release. Then leave another comment letting me know you followed me on Twitter or joined my newsletter. Thanks for playing along!

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