What’s Ordinary to Some is Magical to Others, by Cate Masters

Before reading an article about a woman who grew lavender to use in special dishes, I’d never considered the flower much. Oh, I knew lavender was supposed to soothe your nerves and help you sleep, and its purple blooms look very pretty swaying in the breeze. But then I began researching. (It’s an addiction, I can’t help it!)

Surprisingly, lavender’s history stretches back to the Bible, and its mention in the Good Book led many to believe the flower acted as a safeguard against evil. A lavender cross over the door protected the home. In some countries, people believe fairies congregate around lavender, bringing healing and protection.

Lavender’s healing properties aren’t fantasy. Doctors used it as an antiseptic during World War I. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

In my paranormal romance, The Magic of Lavender, my heroine grows the flower to make signature recipes for the inn she buys. Unbenown to her, lavender’s also an aphrodisiac. :)

Here’s an easy recipe from my heroine’s kitchen:

Lavender Lemonade

•           3 cups sugar

•           7 sprigs lavender (stems and buds), plus additional for garnish

•           2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 12 lemons)

•           1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 5 limes)

In a large saucepan, bring one gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. Remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. Cool to room temperature, strain, and chill. Serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.

The Magic of Lavender is the first book in The Goddess Connection series, which  says: Every woman should embrace her inner goddess. What’s your connection?  I have several more novels in this series in mind to follow. In each, the heroine will be somehow connected to a goddess. Her lifelong quirks will become strengths once she finds her true place in the world, and accepts herself for who she really is.

View the book video, Casting Call (who I imagined in theseroles), read an excerpt and more.

Giveaway:

I’ll give a commenter an ebook of The Magic of Lavender, a paranormal romance that garnered top reviews from Night Owl Reviews and Romancing the Book, among others. Just tell me what you love most about summer! Giveaway expires June 23rd.

Thanks so much for having me as a guest, Brenda. It’s been a pleasure.

The Magic of Lavender

by Cate Masters

Available from Amazon

Jocelyn Gibson forgot about the realm of magic. But it never forgot her. Gram always told her: don’t ignore your magical gifts, it will insult the family. But Joss didn’t realize her gifts included channeling the energy of powerful ley lines. Or that her family included a goddess. Family connections come in handy when the Lord of the Underworld kidnaps local vet Eric Hendricks. He’s an amazing lover, but Joss didn’t know she loved him until too late. With a little help from the Goddess Iris, Joss defends the new life she’s forged, and helps save the town of Boiling Springs from destruction. Once Eric escapes Hell, can she stop loving him to keep him safe?

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Cate Masters

Cate Masters loves stories with a dash of magic, mayhem and romance! Multipublished in contemporary to historical, sweet to erotic, fantasy/dark fantasy to speculative, she sometimes mashes genres. Reviewers have described her stories as “so compelling, I did not want to put it down,” and “such romantic tales that really touch your soul.”

When not spending time with her family, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com, and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.