Posts made in June, 2015

Signing at Changing Hands

Posted by on Jun 22, 2015 in Blog, clockwork crown, clockwork dagger, public speaking | Comments Off on Signing at Changing Hands

ChangingHands

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT. At 7pm if I survive the drive into Phoenix, you will find me at the Changing Hands on Camelback Road. You can buy copies of my books, listen to me read a little bit from Crown, and indulge in delicious goodies.

So what is on the menu?

I’m so glad you telepathically asked that question! If all goes well in the kitchen, I plan to serve:
– gluten free caramel brownies
– churro Chex mix
– maple pecan tartlets

The Phoenix Changing Hands is also home to the First Draft Book Bar, so you can buy beer or wine, too!

If you’re in the area, I hope you’re able to come by. I’ll be happy to sign Kindle covers, lunar rocks, and books brought to or bought at Changing Hands.

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Sunday Quote sends out Happy Father’s Day wishes

Posted by on Jun 21, 2015 in Blog, Quote | Comments Off on Sunday Quote sends out Happy Father’s Day wishes

“Sometimes, people who read my work tell me, ‘I like it, but it’s not really science fiction, is it?’ And I always feel like, no, actually, my work is exactly science fiction.”

~ Ted Chiang

This is from a fascinating interview with Mr. Chiang, which can be read here.

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Churromancy and More

Posted by on Jun 19, 2015 in Blog, clockwork crown, public speaking | Comments Off on Churromancy and More

The promotional blitz is slowing down (thank goodness!) but I was still making rounds this week.

Just a reminder: next Monday is my book release event at Changing Hands in Phoenix! I’ll be serving up goodies (gluten-free included) and steampunk (maybe gluten-free too?). My parents will even be there, which makes it all extra cool.

Steampunk, Tacos, and Final Fantasy: An Interview with Beth Cato, at the Barnes & Noble SFF Blog

Why the Healer deserves to be a Hero: Podcast Interview with Sword and Laser. Also on BoingBoing.

Interview with Author and Steampunk Enthusiast Beth Cato at Between the Blurb.

Publicity and Parenting at Spencer Ellsworth’s Blog

The Clockwork Crown by Beth Cato

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More Books!

Posted by on Jun 17, 2015 in Blog, breath of earth | 1 comment

I’m ecstatic to announce my new book deal with Harper Voyager! This means I’ll have books coming out through 2017!

“Beth Cato’s BREATH OF EARTH, set against the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the first in a steampunk series about a geomancer who channels seismic energy in an alternate history filled with conspiracy, war, brilliant inventions and fantastical creatures, to Kelly O’Connor at Voyager, in a two-book deal, by Rebecca Strauss at DeFiore and Company.”

Some of you from LiveJournal will remember when I wrote Breath of Earth two years ago. I’ll have revisions on the novel soon and after that… I write another book! This will be a busy year.

Pokemon cheer

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Bready or Not: Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Posted by on Jun 17, 2015 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, chocolate | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

CAKE MONTH continues as I celebrate the release of The Clockwork Crown!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Today’s offering is Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake. It’s everything you would expect a typical loaf pound cake to be: soft, tender, and delicious.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

It manages to be rich and chocolatey without being tooth-achingly sweet (like, ahem, the Tunnel of Fudge cake recently posted).

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This is the kind of cake that would be lovely for breakfast or brunch with fruit, or dessertified with a few scoops of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel.

When I baked this, I followed the original directions too closely and overbaked the cake slightly. The top (which is the bottom once it’s flipped over) became kinda crunchy, though still delicious. Therefore, I recommend that you start checking this at the hour point. If it starts developing deep cracks and is firm to the touch, it’s likely done.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

The cake keeps fantastically for many days if it’s wrapped and kept in the fridge. I imagine it would also work well sliced and frozen, too.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Modified from Bake or Break.

Bready or Not: Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This tender pound cake isn't super-sweet, which makes it great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It's great by itself or add some fruit or ice cream!
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: bundt cake, cake, chocolate, cream cheese
Author: Beth Cato

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese 1 box, softened
  • 3 cups white sugar
  • 6 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Grease or spray a 10-inch Bundt pan.
  • Beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, followed by vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and cocoa. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients with the butter mixture and beat well for about 2 minutes.
  • Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour and test with a toothpick; the top will start to crack and will quickly get crispy when it's done.
  • Cake keeps upward of a week if kept wrapped in the fridge.
  • OM NOM NOM!

 

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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