My Interview by Nancy Badger

Nancy Badger interviewed me for her blog.  

Margot Justes stopped by to talk about her book A Hotel in Venice, a romantic mystery released in August, 2015. Please tell my readers a little about your book?

Margot- I love art, and travel, and I combined my love of both and set my stories internationally. Paris was my first love, and of course the first book had to be set there. My heroine is an artist, since I possess no such talent, I live vicariously through her efforts.

In my latest release, A Hotel in Venice, Minola Grey and her fiancée Peter Riley help a friend while preparing for their wedding. In the process they discover the dark side of centuries old secrets, the hidden mysteries in the exquisite glass blowing business in Murano, and the vile depth some will go to protect those secrets.

Nancy- I have an Art degree, so your heroine intrigues me! Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in?

Margot- A Hotel in Venice, part of my hotel series, is first and foremost a romantic love story, accompanied by murder and mayhem-I call them romantic mysteries.

On a dare, I also wrote a paranormal vampire love story, where Leonardo da Vinci meets master vampire, Nikolai Volkov. The Mona Lisa plays a pivotal part in Nikolai’s life in modern times. I enjoyed it so much that I’m now writing a sequel to Blood Art.

Nancy- Viewing the Mona Lisa is on my bucket list. When did you start working toward publication?

Margot- I never really did, but I always had stories in my head, and really didn’t think about writing, it was just a way to pass time. Then I had a tough day in the office, came home and tried to read-that usually relaxed me.  Not that day-I sat down with pad and paper and started writing-it was truly bizarre, an unforgettable afternoon, and the birth of A Hotel in Paris. The first thing I had ever written other than office memos. I pitched it at a conference, and a small publisher took me on. My publisher and I have since parted company, and I am an indie author.

The story started out as a full mystery, until the two protagonists met. There was an instant chemical reaction, and I was lost. I had never read romance novels, and needed a quick education. I discovered RWA, and joined the local chapter, and found I really loved the genre, the happy endings-the sheer and total escape from our everyday reality.

Nancy- Do you have any rejection stories to tell?

Margot- I received the usual ‘thanks, but no thanks’, most often no response at all, but one was a hoot, a verbal rejection. At a local RWA conference, I approached an editor from a well known publisher who said she was looking for an original voice, something fresh, and I pitched my story, she listened, told me again how important an original voice was, and in the same breath, asked who do I write like? I was so taken aback, I had no immediate response, other than stand there stupefied until I finally had enough sense to thank her for her time.

Nancy- Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?

Margot- The first thing is not to give up, accept rejection for what it is-a totally subjective, and far from perfect process. Not everyone is going to like what you write. The advice I have been given, and took to heart is not to chase the popular genres, they change with the wind. Patience and a thick skin are essential in this business.

The agents and publishers have to make money, hence the appeal of what sells well, over and over. Fortunately, the publication world is changing daily. There is a revolution going on, and a writer no longer has to have an agent, or publisher. Indie publication is a fast growing business, and many are succeeding. That being said, it is tough for an unknown writer to make a living at it, it is a slow painstaking process to develop a readership. A good editor is essential to the process, I cannot stress that enough. 

Nancy- Please share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.

1) Love to belly dance.

2) Have been known to stalk bagpipers when I hear them play.

3) I have no sense of direction, and left-right is open to interpretation.

Nancy- What’s next for you?

Margot- Hopefully, my little niche market of art and travel filled with romance and mystery will expand. I’m working on three projects, a sequel to my paranormal Blood Art, A Hotel in Barcelona-a city with glorious and whimsical architecture, and a novella set in Chicago that follows the secondary characters from A Fire Within. I’ve built a family of close friends.

Book Blurb A Hotel in Venice:

A romantic gondola ride on the Grand Canal, a shimmer reflected in the moonlit night, and the beginning of murder and mayhem for Minola Grey and Peter Riley.

Minola Grey and her fiancé Peter Riley travel to Venice for a romantic wedding surrounded by their friends. However, a romantic Grand Canal gondola ride embroils the couple in a conspiracy as mysterious and mystifying as the city itself. Here, Minola’s notoriety and powers of observation make her a target of someone’s sinister machinations. Worse, someone wants to undermine and destroy her relationship with Peter.

When an old friend asks for help finding a missing Master Glassblower and the art he’d created, Minola cannot refuse. Yet, in the thick of the investigation, she must be careful. Her very involvement may heighten the threat against her and Peter, making them the next targets. Unfortunately, Minola has never been able to resist a friend in need.

Why were Master Glassblower Julio Divini’s glass daggers stolen in the first place? What secrets have been hidden in century old traditions? And will Peter be able to share his own secrets with his future bride? Most importantly, will the wedding happen as Minola and Peter plan… Or not at all?

More about the Author

Born in Poland, Margot Justes has lived in some of the world's most wonderful places, including Israel, France and South Africa. Currently living in the East Coast, she has taken her love of art and travel and cultivated it into unique settings and stories for her writing, 2007 brought her a contract for her first novel A Hotel in Paris.

A Hotel in Bath was released February 2013, A Hotel in Venice was released 

August, 2015.  Margot is currently working on her fourth book in the hotel series, set in Barcelona, Spain. She is also hard at work on a sequel to Blood Art .

A Fire Within, set in Chicago was released February, 2014.  The story first appeared in the Hearts and Daggers anthology. Her other projects include a novella also set in Chicago, Dazzling Diamonds, scheduled for release August 2016.  She also writes travel articles and blogs.

Margot Justes is a Member of Romance Writers of America, the Chicago North RWA Chapter, as well as the Georgia Romance Writers. She is a past president of the Chicago North RWA Chapter, and the Chicago Chapter of Sisters in Crime.

WEBSITE   MargotsMuseBlog

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TWITTER     FACEBOOK

Snow Storm in Alexandria by Margot Justes

As the news reported, the East Coast was blanketed by snow this weekend. Our area had about 18 inches of the white fluffy stuff-at least that was reported at the Reagan Airport, and I'm in the area. No doubt it was a severe storm.

There were almost a 1000 reported accidents in VA. I wonder why people are on the road if they don't have to be. Or for that matter walk on the road because sidewalks are impassable, they risk being killed, or causing an accident and maiming or killing someone else. The DC Mayor kept telling people to stay off the roads, and many didn't listen. Why is that so difficult? 

The media spent most of the time on the storm, rehashing stuff over and over. As someone being interviewed put it  'watching the non-story'. I'm pretty sure other things were happening all over the world, but the focus was local. I can understand that, but much of it was a continuous repeat. I guess they call it-human interest-how people were spending their time during the storm.  

I thought about the coverage, the things that we pay attention to, and the things that we ignore, the things that the media thinks we want to hear. They're probably right, it's what sells, not necessarily good, solid reporting, but it sells, and that is where the revenue comes from. 

I took a stroll before the storm settled in comfortably. I rather enjoy a walk in the fresh falling snow, but know enough to get in before it becomes dangerous. Had my battery powered lamp, candles, and fully charged phone, and plenty of blankets ready in case power went out. Stopped in the store a couple of days before the storm hit, so there was no need to drive.

Our area was fortunate, people paid attention, and power was okay. At any rate, I have a few pictures of my little corner.

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

Blood Art

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

A Hotel in Venice

A Fire Within

www.mjustes.com

  

Holiday Foods by Margot Justes

Many of us have certain tradition for every holiday, and for me Christmas and the New Year are the most fun, and a few revolve around food. I've posted my favorite recipes, and here are a couple more that make it to the Christmas dinner.

This year we were lucky to see the National Tree in DC, that added to the festive mood of the season.

Below are 3 more excellent holiday foods.

Panettone, an Italian cake filled with dried fruit and citrus flavorings-I have developed a love affair with Italy, and this one is a must for breakfast with a delicious cup of coffee. It smells heavenly, tasted delicious and brings back many memories for me. The Panettone I buy in the grocery store, it is readily available, even Costco sells them

The other food is the spinach and ricotta pie-I've been making it for years, and it is always a favorite either for breakfast or a midday snack. The recipe is from an old cookbook I've had for decades-The Romagnolis' Table. They called it Torta Verde di Ricotta. Recipe is below, it is truly delicious.

Spinach Pie
I use a store bought pie filling-you will need only 1.
Filling:
1 10 oz package of frozen chopped spinach-drained.
1 lb of ricotta
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
8 tablespoon grated Parmesan
1/2 cup of flour
1 teaspoon salt (I use less)
4 tablespoons of butter. I use 1 tablespoon.

Preheat oven to 350.

Put the ricotta in a medium bowl, add the spinach and mix well. Add the egg, the nutmeg and salt. Fold in 4 tablespoons of the Parmesan, (I've been known to add more Parmesan), and add the flour. Mix well.

Prepare the pie crust, and spread the filling in the unbaked pie crust. Sprinkle the top with the remaining Parmesan, and dot with butter. There is no need to use all 4 tablespoons-one will do nicely.

Bake at 350 for an hour.  It'll be very hot, allow to cool before cutting. It is truly delicious, and easy to make.

There are some wonderful recipes in that cookbook, it is well worn and highly treasured.

The other food is a relative new comer, but it is easy, delicious and requires no care-all the cooking is done in the slow cooker. During a busy day, that is indeed a good offering.

Beef Giardiniera

I buy cut up stew meat (Costco)-nothing new there I love that store.
I spray my slow cooker with Pam, and warm it up.

2 diced onions
4 sliced carrots
3 celery stocks cut
3 lbs of stew meat
5 bay leaves
2 jars of giardiniera-either in oil or vinegar-whatever is available- either way I drain the veggies well.
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can of low sodium chicken or beef broth
1 pouch of McCromick brwon gravy

Put the ingredients in the slow cooker, and mix well, add half the can of the broth, and allow to slow cook for 6 hours. If more broth is needed, add some more.

Mix the remainder of the broth and the brown gravy packet and add to stew-allow to cook until meat is tender. Serve with potatoes or brown rice, couscous, or even pasta. Easy delicious and flavorful.
This one is not just for the holiday, it is so easy can be done anytime.

Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

Blood Art

A Fire Within

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

A Hotel in Venice

www.mjustes.com

More Holiday Recipes by Margot Justes Redux

In many of my baking recipes you will detect an underlying theme-rum-the wonderful aroma of rum adds a festive touch to the baking process, and Myers’s is an excellent dark rum.

Banana-Nut-Rum Bread

½ cup cooking oil

1 cup sugar

2 eggs-beaten

4 or 5 ripe bananas-mashed

2 cups Flour (I use whole wheat)

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup of chocolate chips

1 cup of raisins (I soak mine in rum overnight)

Beat oil and sugar together. Add the beaten eggs and banana pulp and beat well. Add the dry ingredients, milk and vanilla. Mix well and stir in nuts, raisins with rum, and chocolate chips. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan (9 x 5 x 3) I use lasagna pan, cooks more evenly.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 F for about an hour. Cool well before cutting.

Rum Balls

2 1/2 cups Vanilla Wafers

5 1/2 cups ground walnuts

1 cup of honey

1 cup of rum

1 cup or as needed confectioner’s sugar

Mix all ingredients, form into small balls and roll in sugar. I usually let them sit on foil paper for a day or so and then arrange on platter. You may need to sprinkle them with additional powdered sugar.

Poppy Seed Cake

This one takes time, but if you like poppy seeds, you’ll love this coffee cake.

1 cup of milk

1 package of active dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 cup of butter (2 sticks)

1/3 cup of sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

4 1/4 cups of flour

2 tsp vanilla

Scald milk, cool to a warm temp, add yeast and 1 tsp sugar; stir to dissolve yeast. Let stand for about 10 minutes. Yeast should puff up in the milk.

Cream butter, add 1/2 cup of sugar, beat in eggs and salt. Add flour alternating with yeast mixture. Knead on floured surface. Place in greased bowl and cover. Let rise until doubled.

Cut dough in half and roll it out the length of your cookie sheet, spread the poppy seed filling and form into a log, sealing the ends. Put on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  The two rolls should fit on cookie sheet. Repeat with the second batch of dough.

Poppy Seed Filling (double the recipe for the two cakes)

1 can of poppy seed filling (I use Solo)

Rind of 1 lemon

3/4 cup of chopped walnuts

11/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 raisins

Mix all ingredients and spread on rolled out dough.

1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp of water; mix egg and water and brush on cakes.

Let the cakes rise for a couple of hours, brush again with egg mixture, and then put in pre-heated oven at 350F and bake for an hour. Cool and enjoy.

Hot Chocolate

This is my version, with extra dark chocolate.

1 8 oz glass of milk, I use skim. (I conserve calories wherever I can...she wrote laughingly)

1 Tablespoon dark unsweetened Ghirardelli cocoa (I like the unsweetened cocoa, the flavor is much stronger)

4 squares Ghirardelli 72% dark or 2 tablespoons Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips

(optional)

Heat milk and cocoa, make sure cocoa and milk are well blended, use a small wisk if necessary. When the milk is hot take 4 squares or 2 tablespoons of Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips (to taste) put it in and mix until completely melted. You can sprinkle a bit of shaved chocolate on top. Sweeten to taste, or add a few small marshmallows on top.  

You can of course use sugar or sweetened cocoa, but it's the good cocoa and dark chocolate that gives it the added richness. It is a delicious treat, and easy to make. 

I love hot cocoa, and use the Bialetti machine to speed the process up a little. It heats up and froths the milk at the same time. I even use it to froth a large quantity of milk for cappuccinos, and lattes.

These are among my favorite sweet recipes during the holiday season that starts with Halloween and ends with the New Year.

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

Blood Art

A Fire Within

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

A Hotel in Venice

www.mjustes.com

Fudge Recipe by Margot Justes

The holiday season is upon us, and I thought I’d share some of my favorite recipes with you. This week it is fudge; easy to make and delicious.

Fudge

1 stick of butter

1 large can of evaporated milk

2 oz bitter chocolate (I only use Ghirardelli chocolate)

12 oz semi sweet or dark chocolate chips

2 lbs sugar (4 ½ cups)

12 oz dark chocolate

½ lb small marshmallows

1 ½ tbsp Vanilla

1 cup of chopped walnuts-Optional (I use 2 cups)

1cup of raisins-Optional (I soak them in Myer’s dark rum overnight, and mix the rum into the chocolate-not a drop is wasted) Soaking the raisins is optional, but the rum adds a terrific taste to the fudge.

Combine butter, canned milk and sugar, stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, cook to a boil, about 5 minutes.

Turn off heat and add marshmallows, stir until melted, add the 3 types of chocolate, one at a time, stir until each is dissolved. Add vanilla, raisins with all the rum, nuts and stir.

Line a cookie sheet with saran wrap, extending the edges; pour the fudge into the cookie pan, spread evenly with knife or spatula.

Let dry for 2 days. Invert the fudge unto your counter, remove wrap and let dry for another 2 days. Cut into squares and serve.

This recipe makes quite a bit of fudge, I cut it all up and store in tin cans or sealed plastic bags. My family loves the fudge, and it usually doesn’t last very long. Makes a great gift too.

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

A Hotel in Venice

A Fire Within

Blood Art

www.mjustes.com

Annapolis, MD Boat Show by Margot Justes

Spent the day at the boat show in Annapolis, yesterday. The air was nippy, and breezy, but it didn't stop many from visiting and boarding the many boats on display.

I took a few pictures, it seems boating is rather a favorite activity in the area-and many actually live on board year round. Not a bad lifestyle.

I'm still enjoying my condo living, but maybe down the road in a couple of years,  I'll exchange the condo for a boat. Downsizing is not a bad thing, in fact it forces you to accumulate less stuff. At my age-that is an excellent thing.

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

Blood Art

A Fire Within

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

A Hotel in Venice

www.mjustes.com

Asheville, NC and the Biltmore Estate by Margot Justes

On my way back from Atlanta and the GA RWA conference, I stopped in Asheville, NC. and fell in love. I thought I'd share a few with you, and will download others for you to enjoy.

The Biltmore Chateau is amazing, as are the grounds. Pictures weren't allowed inside the estate, so I bought the book.

Cheers,
Margot Justes
www.mjustes.com