| A perfect start to a joyful heart. Good things from God can calm the soul and fill you with confidence. In Gimme Some Sugar, award-winning author Linda Kozar brings her southern wit and wisdom to sweeten your life with spiritual nourishment to ponder, perspective to pray about, and a touch of joy to put a smile on your face. This 90-day devotional will encourage you to set your heart and mind on God’s Word while having fun along the way. Each devotion includes
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Genre: Devotional Book, Nonfiction
Release date: April 2, 2024
Release date: April 2, 2024
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Linda
1. What part of the writing process do you like the least?
Editing. Definitely editing. It’s not my favorite part, but editing is the finishing touch that every book is in need of. Editors catch things that a writer cannot. We are too familiar with our own work to see with a discerning eye. I am thankful for extraordinary editors who see the things I missed, who polish my work to the next level, and who patiently go through every punctuation, and reference with tedious precision.
Editing. Definitely editing. It’s not my favorite part, but editing is the finishing touch that every book is in need of. Editors catch things that a writer cannot. We are too familiar with our own work to see with a discerning eye. I am thankful for extraordinary editors who see the things I missed, who polish my work to the next level, and who patiently go through every punctuation, and reference with tedious precision.
2. What drew you to take on this topic through non-fiction versus fiction?
I think of myself as an “ambidextrous author,” figuratively, of course. I write fiction with one hand and nonfiction with the other. I do use a lot of my fiction techniques to write nonfiction. Really comes in handy when I’m describing something or telling a story. You can hear the same voice in my fiction and nonfiction.
I think of myself as an “ambidextrous author,” figuratively, of course. I write fiction with one hand and nonfiction with the other. I do use a lot of my fiction techniques to write nonfiction. Really comes in handy when I’m describing something or telling a story. You can hear the same voice in my fiction and nonfiction.
3. Did you have a specific demographic in mind while writing this book?
Gimme Some Sugar is for men, women and young adults. The Southern-style devotions are meant for everyone to enjoy. Even if you’re not from the South, you might know someone who is, or you’ve visited somewhere warm and drawly.
Gimme Some Sugar is for men, women and young adults. The Southern-style devotions are meant for everyone to enjoy. Even if you’re not from the South, you might know someone who is, or you’ve visited somewhere warm and drawly.
4. What do you hope your readers will remember after finishing this book?
My intention is that readers will come away from their daily readings with a strong sense of God’s love, of inspiration, hope, and a warm nostalgic feeling of family, friends, and a simple, uncomplicated way of life in this crazy world.
My intention is that readers will come away from their daily readings with a strong sense of God’s love, of inspiration, hope, and a warm nostalgic feeling of family, friends, and a simple, uncomplicated way of life in this crazy world.
5. How has writing about this particular topic changed your own life?
First of all, I’m as deep South as you can get. I grew up in New Orleans and then moved to Texas when I married my husband. But you know, writing about my Southern roots, all the situations I grew up in, from watching cascades of moss gently sway in the evening breeze, to crunching on a Dreamsicle snoball on a hot day, cracking open blue crabs and crawfish at a seafood boil and savoring that burst of cayenne-fueled heat, made me appreciate my life more. You tend to take these things for granted. I don’t anymore.
First of all, I’m as deep South as you can get. I grew up in New Orleans and then moved to Texas when I married my husband. But you know, writing about my Southern roots, all the situations I grew up in, from watching cascades of moss gently sway in the evening breeze, to crunching on a Dreamsicle snoball on a hot day, cracking open blue crabs and crawfish at a seafood boil and savoring that burst of cayenne-fueled heat, made me appreciate my life more. You tend to take these things for granted. I don’t anymore.
More from Linda
The Southern life is simple, savory food, sweet tea, and family. Whether you have a twang or a drawl, or nothing at all, if you’re Southern at heart these devotions will perk you up, give you a scriptural truth to ponder, and a spoonful of inspiration to sweeten your day.
—Linda Kozar, Author of Gimme Some Sugar
—Linda Kozar, Author of Gimme Some Sugar
Good Gracious! Company’s Coming Cheese Straws
Ingredients:
1 pound (4 cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (gotta be sharp!)
1 cup salted butter (yes to salted)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper (or white if preferred)
1 pound (4 cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (gotta be sharp!)
1 cup salted butter (yes to salted)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper (or white if preferred)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone sheets. Break out your box grater and go to town grating that sharp cheddar cheese on the fine side of the grater. When finished, (usually when your arm starts to hurt), cover and let it come to room temperature.
Add the butter and cheese to a stand mixer bowl and paddle beat for about ten minutes until creamed together.
Add salt, flour, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper l and mix on medium speed until fully combined.
Transfer dough to a cookie press fitted with a star tip (if you want your straws to look fancy). Or you can hand-roll long thin strips and cut into uniform lengths (about 3 inches) with a knife.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly-browned. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone sheets. Break out your box grater and go to town grating that sharp cheddar cheese on the fine side of the grater. When finished, (usually when your arm starts to hurt), cover and let it come to room temperature.
Add the butter and cheese to a stand mixer bowl and paddle beat for about ten minutes until creamed together.
Add salt, flour, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper l and mix on medium speed until fully combined.
Transfer dough to a cookie press fitted with a star tip (if you want your straws to look fancy). Or you can hand-roll long thin strips and cut into uniform lengths (about 3 inches) with a knife.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly-browned. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
 Linda Kozar | Linda Kozar is an award-winning multi-published author of traditional and indie-published fiction and nonfiction books with a Southern flair. Linda and her husband Michael live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters, their wonderful son-in-law, two grands Eden and Wesley, and Gypsy their rascally Jack Russell Terrier. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of
a $75 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!
a $75 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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