Monday, July 20, 2009

"Research"

Bill and I spent the weekend in Galena, IL doing research for the Illinois series Cathy and I are working on. Thought I'd share a few teasers:
I wrote a scene a few weeks ago about our hero and heroine from Parting Secrets being served Saganaki--flaming Greek cheese--at the Log Cabin Restaurant. But I really needed more details than I could get online. (How's that for a reason for a weekend trip?) So we sat at a corner booth at the restaurant on Saturday night--Bill in amused, patient silence--me scribbling notes about the grapevines hanging from wagonwheel chandeliers and the poster of a chef holding a frog over a frying pan while saying "Tastes like cheeken!" Two waitresses brought our appetizer on a metal plate. When they reached our booth, one doused the square of deep-fried cheese with brandy. The other added flamage while they yelled "Opahhh!!" No idea what that means, but what a fun, tasty, calorie-laden experience.
We spent most of Saturday walking around the quaint town taking pictures. So now I have a visual of the Trolly Depot clock under which Steven twirls Jeanie (Parting Secrets) in an impromptu dance, and the gazebo where Wade and Angel (Pleasant Surprises) get married. It's such an artsy little place that I'm now thinking Ruby's love interest (Pure Serendipity) might have to be an artist. But first we have to figure out who he is!
Hope the teasers peak your interest!

5 comments:

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Oh man, you are so bad!!! I can't wait to get to that scene and then to your new book too.

Glad you had such a great weekend and that flame looks dangerous.

Edna said...

Must be nice to get to go to all those nice places, if you are having a contest to win a book please enter me.

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Amy DeTrempe said...

I haven't had Saganaki in ages. now I am hungry for it. Not sure anyone has it around here. I am going to have to read your books, being an Illinois girl myself. I haven't been to Galena in forever, but I may have to make the trip just to get my flaming cheese :).

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Hi, there, again. I noticed Pleasant Surprises is released on Oct. 14th. I ordered two copies so that I can give one away on my blog, and finally got around to ordering two of Patti's as well to give away one. You guys are breaking me with so many releases.

prashant said...

I can't wait to get to that scene and then to your new book too.
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