#BOOKEM & PIE

“Do one thing every day that scares you."–Anonymous

Let’s be honest, it has been a frightening, tumultuous and tragic past few months. Unprecedented change has put each one of us front and center with what is, what isn’t and what may be.

Considering the paragraph above… on the Richter scale, the new @YouTube endeavor (three authors, one channel) between myself, Veronica Cline Barton and Amy Reade isn’t really all that scary. It’s certainly new, bold and different, and way out of our comfort zones. We are writers first, but it’s important to try new things and well…Hey! Here we are.

We hope that #BOOKEM will inspire you to read more, imagine more, share a few laughs and to see and understand the superb value that stories can bring.

This idea came about when it became obvious that the #writing community on Twitter and #readers community were struggling on Social media and needed positive energy and some good news. We totally get it. Yes, please!

The second the world went on lockdown, books, music and TV became a way to transport ourselves for a few minutes away from our troubles and fear of the unknown. Books have always been transformative, an escape hatch and a wonderful way to “travel” even when I couldn’t. The toughest times in my life became tolerable because of my life-long habit of reading.

Amy Reade and Veronica Cline Barton both bring their own incredible. life experiences, wisdom and beautiful writing styles to the table. Not to mention I think they are super cool humans and am deeply honored to be working and collaborating with them like this.

We want to be a beacon of hope and positivity for you during this difficult time and appreciate your fantastic support of our books and this brand new channel. Please subscribe here, throw a like on there and leave a comment. We cannot wait to get started. The first show is today. Wednesday May 27, 2020. See you there!

If you need something to read, please take a look at our list of titles and hit us up on Twitter if you have any questions or just want to say hi!

Thank you for your trust, love and friendship. A million thanks to The Literati and my loyal readers. It means everything that you're here with us!

Take care out there. If you are baking and doing homemade, please check out the recipe I included per the request of the lovely Dr. Summer Watson, founder of Kore Women. It’s the closest I could come to my grandmother’s.

Life can be complicated, but sometimes it just needs to be sweet. Until next time find your Peace, Love, Hustle, then Read or Write. Xox Bibiana WWW.BIBIANAKRALL.COM

Chocolate Pie

1 tub defrosted Cool Whip® or a can of real sweetened whipped cream

2 T organic butter

1 T real vanilla extract

2 C dark chocolate chips, I prefer Ghirardelli® or Nestle Special Dark®

1/2 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

4 organic, cage free, grain free, pasture raised egg yolks (save the whites for an omelet the next day in a closed container in the fridge.)

3 C whole, organic, grass fed milk

2/3 C granulated white sugar

1/3 C cornstarch and/or arrowroot powder

1. 1 traditional pie shell* Follow package instructions to bake or make your own. Bake pie shell with baking weights or a small round oven safe pan on the center of the crust to keep it from puffing. Bake at 350 F until golden brown; set aside and cool. Oven times vary. Mine bakes it in 14 min on convection. 2. Stir together sugar, cornstarch (or arrowroot) and salt in 4 quart saucepan. Combine egg yolks, milk in a container with an easy pour edge. Gradually blend milk mixture into sugar mixture with a wire wisk. 3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a low boil. Boil and stir for one minute. Watch the temp as it can burn easily. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Add 1 3/4 cups chocolate chips; stir until they are melted and mixture is smooth and silky.

4. Pour into prepared pie shell; press plastic wrap onto filling to keep the top smooth as it sets. It will peel off a light layer when you take it off the first time.

Cool. Refrigerate overnight or at least four hours until chilled and firm. Garnish with whipped cream and a few sprinkles of chocolate chips or a dash of unsweetened cocoa powder. Serve with hot espresso, iced coffee or a shot of Bailey’s® on ice. Kick back with a good book and put your chill on. Call me when it's ready. Not kidding...I am coming over. :-)