Welcome to “Esme Extras!” Here you’ll find lots of extra goodies to help enhance your reading of Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly.
To find out more about the inspiration for the book, insights into the characters, and which elements of the story were based on real historical events, take a look at my Note to Readers. You might also enjoy reading through my Travel Guide to Asheville, North Carolina to get a peek into Esme’s world and possibly plan an itinerary for your own trip to the “Land of the Sky”. Book clubs can find discussion questions here, as well as a couple of terrific recipes, drawn from the story, that would be perfect to serve when your club gathers to talk about the book. Though, I guess you don’t have to wait for a book club meeting to enjoy great food, do you? I mean, is there ever a wrong time to enjoy Caramel Cake or Shrimp and Grits? I don’t think so!
Enjoy the “extras”, dear Readers! And have fun exploring Esme’s world!
Note to Readers | Discussion Questions | Visiting Esme’s World | Recipes
Note to Readers
(Download note to readers)
Dear Reader,
Writing multi-faceted, multi-themed novels with large ensemble casts is what I do— – the more layers to the story and the more interconnections between the characters, the happier I am.
Still, there’s usually one character, one plotline, and one aha moment that finally brings the story together.
This time, that moment was a long time coming.
Maybe it was because pandemics sap the creative juices. Or maybe I jinxed myself by writing a book with the words “fails spectacularly” in the title. Whatever the reason, the road I traversed while writing this book was rockier and much longer than any other I have traveled. I’ve lost count of the numbers of times I started over and revised my revisions.
Esme – her foibles, faults, blind spots, heart, humor, and history – was clear in my mind from the first. I felt the same way about the people whose paths she crossed during her years in New York, including Yolanda, Carl, Alex, and, of course, Oscar.
Even so, in draft after draft, it felt like something (or someone) was missing.
Then one day, when I was on the computer procrastinating doing research, I stumbled upon an article about the early history of the National Gallery, and how the newly -opened museum had secretly transported the most important works in its collection to Biltmore Estate in 1942, where they remained hidden for most of the war.
That was my aha moment.
The story of the hidden artwork is true. Adele is a product of my imagination. Yet, from the moment I learned of the connection between Biltmore and the National Gallery, Adele’s personality and role in the story, and how the frustrations, setbacks, and self-doubt she endured as an artist and a woman would put a spotlight on Esme’s experiences, was were clear in my mind.
I still don’t understand why arriving at that moment of clarity took so long. However, as Esme learns during the course of her adventures, and as I have learned over and over again in my life, the places worth going usually involve detours. And while the middle of the journey can be pure misery, when you arrive at your destination (which usually doesn’t appear on the maps you’ve been following), you’re glad you made the trip.
Yes. Now that I’m done writing the story of Esme and her fascinating family, I’m glad I made the trip. And now that you’ve spent time in her world, I hope you feel the same way. If so, could you please help Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly find an audience by spreading the word about Esme’s story? Doing so can be as simple as recommending the book to your family and friends. Or writing an online review.
Word of mouth from passionate readers is the very best possible advertising for any book, and the greatest compliment a writer receives. Thanks in advance for doing any or all of the above. Your support means so, so much.
If you belong to a book club, I’d love it if you would propose Esme’s story to your membership. You’ll find discussion questions in another section of these “Esme Extras”. Schedule permitting, I might even be available to participate in a virtual discussion with your book club.
Your club can schedule a virtual half-hour virtual discussion with me through NovelNetwork.com. Joining Novel Network is free for book clubs and so are my virtual visits.
And if you’re interested in inviting me to speak at your library, community organization, book festival, or quilt guild, make a booking inquiry by emailing christie@authorsunbound.com. You can find my speaker’s profile at https://authorsunbound.com/marie-bostwick/
You can also find out more about my world by following me on Instagram (search for @mariebostwick), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/mariebostwick). However, the true hub of my online world is here at my website.
Be sure to check out the other “Esme Extra” features, including the discussion questions, recipes of Shrimp and Grits and Easier Than Adele’s Caramel Cake (perfect to serve when your book club gather to talk about ESME!), and even a travel guide to Esme’s world in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. It includes a listing of some of my favorite spots I visited while conducting my research.
When you’re done with that, spend a little time reading my lifestyle blog, Fiercely Marie, with recipes, crafting tutorials, travel tips, and other posts to help you “live every minute and love every moment”. Then visit the “Goodies” section for free, downloadable companion patterns and recipes inspired by many of my books.
These little goodies are my personal gifts to you. Why? Because readers like you are the reason I can do this work I love.
Thank you for making it possible.
Blessings,
Marie
Discussion Questions
(Download the discussion guide)
Alert! Some questions may contain spoilers!
- Esme says that her life in Asheville, her hometown, started to “feel like suffocation.” Discuss the pros and cons of living where you grew up. Did you leave? Did you stay? Why or why not?
- Discuss Esme’s relationship with her mother, Robyn, and why you might or might not feel Esme was too hard on her mother—both when she was growing up and in the present setting of the novel.
- Esme’s dream is to become a published author. Is there ever a time to set aside dreams such as these?
- Although Adele has passed away before the novel begins, her story is just as important to the narrative as Esme’s. Discuss the ways Adele’s actions in the past influenced the actions of Esme and the rest of her family in the present.
- Esme didn’t realize it as a child, but she and Adele shared a similar youthful ambition: to make a living as a professional artist. Though there were practical considerations behind each woman’s choice to modify their ambitions, those weren’t the only things that stood in their way. Discuss the role that fear and the need for approval played in squashing Esme’s and Adele’s creativity and how they eventually managed to push through it to become more fully in touch with their artistic sensibilities.
- Were you surprised at Dawes’s reasons for abandoning Esme when she needed him most? Do you feel he deserves to be forgiven? Why or why not?
- Recipes that are handed down are part of this novel. Are there recipes you’ve received from family members or friends that are special to you?
- Adele has synesthesia. Have you ever met anyone with synesthesia? Can you imagine what it would feel like to have it?
- As a teenager, Esme dreamed of being famous and coming home in triumph, bearing gifts for her grandparents. After returning home as an adult, humbled to the point of feeling like she’s failed at everything, Esme is eventually able to give Adele and George other gifts, immaterial in nature, that are far more valuable. What are those gifts? What did the act of giving them teach Esme about her grandparents, and herself?
- Were you surprised Esme makes the choices she does at the end of the novel? Does she end up doing the right thing for herself?
- Discuss the role of family—the family you make and the family you create—during the course of the novel.
- Esme is a planner. The young Adele was too. But she eventually came to believe that, “life has a way of steering you toward the path you’re meant to take, whether you meant to take it or not.” Do you agree? What detours have you encountered in your lifetime? How did they help shape the person you are today?
Visiting Esme’s World: A Travel Guide to Asheville, North Carolina
(Download the travel guide)
Traveling for research is one of the biggest perks of the writing life, and Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the prettiest, most interesting cities I’ve ever visited. Though I’m sure I could spend years in Asheville and only scratch the surface of all that this beautiful, artistic, historic city has to offer, I’m excited to share some of my favorite “Land of the Sky” locales with readers.
Sights to See
Asheville’s Urban Trail
This free, self-guided 1.7-mile walking tour takes you to thirty of downtown Asheville’s most important sights and neighborhoods, including many of the neighborhoods and buildings I write about in Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly. Exploring at your own pace, you’ll learn about the city’s history, architecture, and culture. Each stop on the Urban Trail features original sculptures and informative plaques. You can learn more by listening to a recorded audio tour with in-depth insights at each stop. Here’s the interactive map and audio tour for Asheville’s Urban Trail. https://www.exploreasheville.com/urban-trail/
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
While traversing the Urban Trail, you’ll pass by the yellow Queen Anne–-style house where Thomas Wolfe spent part of his youth and which served as a model for the “Dixieland” boarding house in his most famous novel, Look Homeward Angel. If you’ve got time, spend an hour touring the home of Asheville’s most famous literary personality. It offers a fascinating glimpse into Wolfe’s life and Asheville’s history.
Biltmore Estate
With eight thousand acres of garden and trails to explore, as well as the 175,000-square-foot mansion that George Vanderbilt called home, you could easily spend a whole day, or several days, visiting the Biltmore Estate. If you can, make time to visit the exquisite formal gardens, as well as Antler Hill Village and the Biltmore Winery. But if you’ve only got part of a day to visit the property, focus on the Biltmore House, where you’ll be able to see some of the artwork that Adele loved in the story and learn more about Biltmore’s role in in World War II. Advanced reservations are required for entry to the Biltmore grounds, so be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time.
The Grove Park Inn
Though it doesn’t figure into my book, the beautiful Grove Park Inn played a role in Asheville during World War II, serving as a detention site for diplomats and consul staff of Axis countries, and also as an internment camp for a group of Japanese Americans. Stop by the concierge desk and get a map for a self-guided tour of this historic, architecturally important hotel. If you have time, enjoy a meal at Sunset Terrace restaurant. The food is excellent and the view is incomparable.
Blue Ridge Parkway
No visit to Asheville is complete without a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The scenery is breathtaking at any time but of the year but especially when the leaves turn in fall. The parkway stretches 469 miles from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, there are plenty of beautiful vistas, picnic spots, waterfalls, and hiking trails near Asheville. The Romantic Asheville website offers a listing of various attractions at different mile markers.
Arts in Ashville
Asheville has long been known as a haven for artists. Street musicians and performers, known as buskers, can be found all around the downtown, and galleries filled with the work of local artists and craftspeople abound. There is no end of terrific museums as well. Here are a two of my favorites:
Asheville Art Museum
Located in Pack Square, the permanent collection focuses on twentieth- and twenty-first- century works with special emphasis on artists from the southeastern United States. There is also an extensive collection of glass, fiber, wood, metal, and mixed media.
Folk Art Center–Southern Highlands Craft Guild
This amazing facility is the place to see or purchase work from 450 craftspeople and artists. The level of workmanship is stunning, as are the displays. From March to December, you can see daily demonstrations by guild artisans. (If Adele had been real, these would have been her people!)
Eating in Asheville
There are so many incredible restaurants in Asheville that any list I make will be incomplete, but here are a few I’ve especially enjoyed, including some you’ll recognize from the story.
The S&W Market
The S&W Building, a beautiful art deco structure that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally the home of Asheville’s iconic S&W Cafeteria. In the story, Adele and George eat at the cafeteria and Esme and Yolanda dine there in early 2009, when it housed and upscale but short-lived restaurant known as S& W Steak and Wine. Today, the building is hosts a variety of vendors serving everything from craft beers and fried chicken sandwiches to tacos and locally made ice cream. It’s a good place to grab an inexpensive meal with a side of atmosphere and history.
Early Girl Eatery
There are three of these restaurants in Asheville. In the book, Esme and Yolanda have lunch at the downtown location. All of three are terrific and they serve breakfast or lunch all day! If you’re looking for something healthy, try the Veggie Breakfast Bowl. And then, because you’ve been so healthy and responsible, get a side of the banana bread.
Biscuit Head
There are two locations in Asheville, one in Hendersonville. If you like biscuits, this is the place to get them. Enjoy them plain with butter or maybe some pimento cheese. Or go all-out and order yours with pulled pork, jalapeno pimento, bacon, maple syrup, and a poached egg.
Tupelo Honey
This downtown eatery specializes in scratch-made Southern cuisine such as fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles, and shrimp and grits. They’re all terrific. If you’ve got room for dessert, try the banana pudding or pecan pie.
Shopping In in Asheville
Once again, my list only scratches the surface of Asheville’s great shopping spots. But here are a few that I especially love, some of which make appearances in the book. (Keep in mind that these retailers are in business at the time of this writing, but, of course, that can change.)
Malaprops Bookstore
One of the best independent bookstores in the country. They’ve got a huge inventory of books in all genres, including a large section devoted to local history and authors, which was invaluable during my research.
Asheville NC Home Crafts
Located in the historic Grove Arcade (which is worth a visit all by itself), this gorgeous shop has an incredible selection of specialty yarns as well as hats, gloves, and scarves designed and crafted by local artisans. I love that this business is woman-owned!
The Earth Guild
With a dizzying array of supplies for weavers, spinners, basket makers, woodworkers, and crafters of all stripe, this Haywood Street business is my idea of heaven! It served as my inspiration when imagining Yolanda’s gallery and workshop.
The Chocolate Fetish
There are other good chocolate shops in Asheville, but I really love this small Haywood Street storefront, owned by a local couple who are passionate chocolatiers and have been making award-winning, handmade chocolates, truffles, and caramels for more than 20 twenty years. They ship nationwide!
Mast General Store
In case you hadn’t guessed by now, I’m a sucker for historic buildings. Though Mast stores have been around since 1883, they didn’t move into the Pack Square spot in Asheville until 1999. However, a general store did open at this location in 1846. It was home to a series of businesses over the years and, after a fire, was renovated in the 1940’s. The building still has an old-fashioned feel, and Mast carries a good selection of clothing, outdoor wear, candy, souvenirs, and gifts. In one of the many versions of Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly, I wrote a scene with Esme buying her shoes at Mast, but cut it from the final manuscript.
Recipes
The Cahill Family’s Shrimp and Grits
“Oh, Adele. Any other grandmother about to send her teenage granddaughter off to the big, bad city would have been instructing her in the proper use of handheld mace. Adele’s big concern was making sure I was prepared to entertain…
Of course, that’s exactly what happened. Shrimp and grits became my signature dish, a recipe that works for a first-date dinner for two or a baby shower for twenty. Like Adele said, it’s scalable.”
So says Esme Cahill about the recipe her grandmother Adele passed on just before Esme moved to New York, years before The Incident derailed Esme’s life and sent her scurrying back to Asheville fifteen years later, feeling like a spectacular failure.
Well-intentioned though she may be, Esme gets a lot of stuff wrong. But she’s right about The Cahill Family’s Shrimp and Grits recipe. It’s perfect for romantic dinner, a family meal, a baby shower, and especially to serve to book club members who have gathered to discuss my new book, Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly.
Here’s the recipe! I hope you enjoy it!
PrintThe Cahill Family’s Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking grits
- 4 cups water
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 T butter, divided
- 4 oz bacon, cut into ¼ inch slices
- 1 lb raw shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and small diced
- 2–3 green onions thinly sliced, white and pale green parts only
- 1 cup chicken or shrimp broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 T chopped parsley
- Tabasco sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water and ½ tsp salt to boil in a heavy bottomed pot. Slowly stir in the grits. (Using a wire whisk will help eliminate lumps.)
- Lower heat to a simmer and place a cover the pot. Simmer grits for 5 minutes. Add cheese and 1 T of butter to the pan. Stir to melt. Turn heat off under burner and cover pan to keep grits warm while making the shrimp.
- Place bacon in a large pan over medium high heat. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until the fat is rendered and bacon is crisp and brown. Use a slotted to spoon to remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving the grease in the pan.
- Add the shrimp to the pan with the bacon grease. Cook for about 3 minutes, until shrimp turns pink on both sides. (Don’t overcook!) Remove shrimp from pan and set aside, covering to keep warm.
- Melt remaining tablespoon of butter in the pan. Add bell pepper and scallions to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until vegetables are slightly softened.
- Pour broth into pan. Bring broth to a boil while using a spatula to scrape up any browned bit from the bottom of the pan, creating a thin sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lower heat. Add the cooked bacon, shrimp, and vegetables to the pan. Stir to combine with the sauce and heat through.
- Divide reserved grits among 4 bowls. Top with equal portions of the shrimp and sauce. Garnish with parsley and add a few dashes of Tabasco if desired. Serve immediately.
Easier Than Adele’s Caramel Cake
Esme Cahill, the main character in my new novel, Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly, tackles a steep learning curve while trying to make her grandmother Adele’s famous caramel cake. Fortunately for the rest of us, making a scrumptious, showstopping cake doesn’t have to involve smoke alarms, or require private lessons from a handsome professional chef.
(But that last part doesn’t sound too bad, does it?)
Using store bought caramel sauce for the icing (or making your own if you’ve mastered the art) and slathering it over a rich, decadent, sour cream cake results in a gorgeous cake that’s easier than Adele’s but just as delicious.
This caramel cake is truly scrumptious and absolutely worth the calories. It’s also the perfect thing to serve to your book club when they meet to discuss Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly.
Give it a try – the book and the cake!
PrintEasier Than Adele’s Caramel Cake
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE (Makes 2 layers, 9 inches each or one 9 x 13 cake)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 ¾ cups flour (for a gluten free cake, sub equal amount of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Flour. Note that the cake won’t rise quite as high, but will still taste great.)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp caramel flavoring (Watkins Caramel Flavor preferred, available on Amazon. In a pinch, you can substitute 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp rum extract.)
FOR CARAMEL FROSTING (Enough to frost 9-in layer or 9×13 cake)
- 1 cup butter, slightly softened and cut into pieces
- 1 cup thick caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade – spoonable, not pourable)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 T cream or whole milk
- ½ to 1 tsp kosher or sea salt (according to taste, less if you’re using a salted caramel)
- 1 tsp caramel flavor (optional but makes a difference)
Instructions
FOR THE CAKE
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour the cake pan(s). Stir the milk and sour cream together in a small bowl and set aside.
- Place the butter in a mixer and beat at medium-high until smooth. Pour in sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, scraping down sides of bowl with a spatula and beating welling after each one.
- Place flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and whisk to combine. Running the mixer on at medium-low speed, add dry ingredients to butter in the mixer, alternating with the sour cream mixture in 3 batches. Scrape down sides of bowl between additions.
- Stir in the caramel flavoring. Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake in preheated oven, 35 minutes for 9-inch rounds, 50 minutes for 9×13 pan, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
FOR CARAMEL FROSTING
- Place butter pieces in bowl of electric mixer and beat at medium speed, until smooth. Spoon caramel into bowl in batches, beat well and scrape sides of bowl after each addition.
- Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well and scraping bowl after each addition. Add caramel flavoring, salt, and cream or milk.
- Beat the frosting at medium high speed for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Spread frosting on completely cooled cake.