Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away ten boxes of books and 30 copies of her latest release, SINGLE SASHIMI.
Hey, Camygirl! I'm so excited about your newest release because I LOVED the first two books in the series. In fact, I should have kept a record of how many folks I recommended them to. I’m all for judging a book on its own merit, but since we're talking a series, what makes #3 better/funnier/different/pick-an-adjective than the other two?
Venus is, quite simply, the kind of heroine I wish I could be. Disciplined, successful, gorgeous, skinny, controlled. Messed up, too, but aren’t we all?
Also, Drake is my favorite hero out of all three. What’s not to like about a wealthy, successful, handsome, sexy guy who thinks you’re the hottest thing since the new iPod Nano?
Me, messed up? Ha! Am I protesting too loudly?For y'allreading, Camy is giving me her best Sunday School teacher look. Eeeks! Okay, back to topic. Of the three couples, who's your favorite?
As mentioned, Venus and Drake. Maybe because they’re both such strong characters. Venus doesn’t do a lot of silly or stupid things. She’s very organized. So is Drake. The story problems come out of their own struggles with finding who they are in Christ.
Of the three heroines, who's most like you?
Probably Trish from Only Uni (book 2). A bit dingy, a bit (overly) optimistic, and a biologist.
I totally understand the dingy part. I've tried not to use that word around my kids because then I'll hear "Mom, you're so dingy" all the time. Okay, so you're most like Trish and you most admire Venus, of the three heroines, who would you like to be more like?
Despite the fact Venus is my favorite child, I would like to be a bit like all of them. Lex is completely unselfconscious and says exactly what she’s thinking, Trish is fearless about new situations and experiences, and Venus is gorgeous and rich.
My husband is great with sharing bits of wisdom. What about Captain Caffeine? Has he ever said anything that found its way into the Sushi series?
I’m sure he has, but for the life of me, I can’t remember.
Has anyone ever told you you could have a career in politics? Don't answer. I love how your books sink the reader into the Asian-American culture. Got any tips for a Caucasian-American mom on how to make great potstickers? A great recipe book (or online site) for inexpensive but great tasting Asian cuisine recipes so I can save from spending $ on expensive take-out?
Potstickers:
Buy those won-ton skins from the refrigerated section of the supermarket, usually near the tofu. They’re pre-made dough squares. There’s also sometimes the round ones, but the squares are more common.
Make your filling (I just mix together minced green onions, ground pork, and a little soy sauce. Sometimes I’ll add finely shredded cabbage, but that’s only if I’m feeling non-lazy).
Wet the edges of one won-ton skin with water, put a small (let me emphasize SMALL) teaspoon (or less) of filling in the center, fold the edges together to form a triangle. Forget about the crimping—that’s for real Chinese cooks. We’re talking lazy American Asian cooks.
Throw lots of oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. When it’s hot, gently lay your dumplings on it. Pour in about 1/3 cup of water or chicken broth. Cover and cook until the liquid has pretty much dissolved.
Book on Asian cooking: Yan Can Cook is actually pretty good. I also got this one book self-published by my husband’s family’s Chinese church ladies, but those are a bit harder to come by. Another great book I use a lot is anything by Sam Choy. Another great option is to haunt GoodWill and see if there are any basic Asian cookbooks in the used book section. They’re usually rather well done.
I see now my first attempt at potstickers failed because I didn't use a non-stick pan. Duh. Thanks for the tips. :-) So, what's next in your writing future?
I have a new romantic suspense coming out with Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line, called Deadly Intent. I think it’s set to release sometime in 2009.
So where are we going tomorrow on your blog tour?
Actually, since tomorrow’s Saturday, people can stay and stew here with you and me. What fun!
Next week, I have a few blogs lined up but you’ll have to visit my Single Sashimi blog tour post to see what they are, since I can’t remember off the top of my head. :)
http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/2008/09/single-sashimi-blog-tour.html
Thanks for having me here, Gina!
Awesome! Since Camy's hanging around, I'll put her to use. My toddler smells, but she's utterly adorably cute, so who can fault her for stinking up her diaper. Thanks, Camy!
Oh, in a case anyone was interested, scroll down to the bottom-ish of my blog where my list is of Labels for Blogs. Check out the other Camy Tang post if you want to read a review of her book 2, Only Uni, in her sushi series.
