Blackberry Chipotle Chicken Tacos and Other Blackberry Recipes

On March 27, my next book – BAREFOOT SEASON – will be released. BAREFOOT SEASON is the first book of my Blackberry Island series. Blackberry bushes are a good metaphor for the Blackberry Island stories. The Blackberry Island slogan is “Where Life Is Sweet” – and it is – but before you reach that sweetness, you might have to fight your way past a few thorns. That’s certainly true for my characters.

Michelle and Carly grew up on Blackberry Island, as close as sisters, but their friendship was destroyed by betrayal. As young adults, just as the women began to reconnect, they both fell deeply, desperately in love with the same man. He proposed to Carly, then seduced Michelle. As BAREFOOT SEASON

starts, Michelle returns to Blackberry Island for the first time since she betrayed her former friend. She has spent the past ten years serving in the Army, and she’s been battered physically and emotional by her last tour in Afghanistan. The women will have to fight their way past the thorns in their relationship to find the sweetness of friendship again – with the help of two terrific men and a dog who needs a second chance. (I do love a happy ending!)

Blackberries abound in the Seattle area. They’re considered a nuisance by some people because it’s hard to figure out what to do with the overabundance of fruit growing in your own back yard.

So you know I had to come up with some delicious blackberry recipes! You’ll find the actual recipes – including printable versions of them – at www.blackberryisland.com. While you’re there, read the first chapter of BAREFOOT SEASON, and put a note on your calendar for release day, March 27.

The blackberry recipes include:

• Blackberry Chipotle Sauce 
• Oven-Baked Pork Chops with Blackberry Chipotle Sauce 
• Blackberry Chipotle Chicken Tacos 
• Quick & Easy Blackberry Cobbler 
• Make-Ahead Berry French Toast Casserole 
• Blackberry Mousse Parfaits 
• The Bramble Fizz (alcoholic drink) 
• Blackberry Vinaigrette Cabbage Salad with Blackberry Vinaigrette 
• Cinnamon Pita Chips with Walnut-Blackberry Dip 
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Blackberry Relish