Today we have not one but two Fly Me to the Moon releases, which means I have double Jell-O molds.
First up is Free Fall, a marriage of convenience romance between a reticent space cowboy and a vivacious sorority girl against the backdrop of the first American space walk. It’s a little bit angsty, a lot romantic, and the funniest book in the series (I think). You can buy your copy at Amazon, iBooks, B&N, Kobo, and Google Play, as well as add it to your Goodreads shelves and check out the inspiration board on Pinterest.
I should warn you that Free Fall is a turning point in the series. We’re moving into the back half of the stories we want to tell and introducing readers to new characters and technological challenges. We’re in the late 60s now, and the push to the moon is very real and very dangerous.
Second is the Volume One Box Set, which includes Star Dust, Earth Bound, A Midnight Clear, and a book club supplement. All that–170,000 words of space romance romance–can be yours for just 99 cents until August 15, when the price will go up. You can get it at Amazon, iBooks, B&N, Kobo, and Google Play. Earth Bound has never been on sale before, so it’s the perfect time to get everyone you know into the series.
Now onto the Jell-O!
This first Jell-O is bracing, refreshing, and not too sweet. It did, however, crack when I was unmolding it, so proceed with caution.
Lime-Mint Jell-O
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 packets of gelatin
- 1.5 cups lime juice
- generous handful of fresh mint leaves, divided
- one drop green food coloring (optional)
Measure the water into a saucepan and carefully sprinkle the gelatin over it. Allow the gelatin to bloom for 3 – 5 minutes. Add the sugar and, whisking constantly, heat the saucepan until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is simmering (do not boil).
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the mint, reserving approximately 6 leaves for garnish. Allow the mint to steep for 10 to 15 minutes, and then strain the liquid into a mixing bowl. Whisk in the lime juice and food coloring, and then transfer the bowl to the fridge. Chill for approximately one and a half hours until the gelatin is beginning to set.
Ladle the gelatin into a 3.5 cup mold. You can either suspend the reserved mint in the gelatin or garnish with it after unmolding. Chill for another 4 to 6 hours until the Jell-O is completely firm. Unmold and serve.
** Note: you can substitute some of the liquid for vodka, rum, bourbon, or tequila, making the Jell-O gimlet, mojito, mint julep or margarita-esque. While I enjoyed it virgin, this recipe would be ideal boozy.
This second Jell-O is individual creamsicles–an entire constellation of them. While I ad hoc’ed the lime Jell-O recipe on my own, this one comes from the Jell-O Mold Mistress’s cookbook Hello, Jell-O! Because you should buy the book, I’m not going to reproduce the recipe here, but it includes melted ice cream, orange juice, mandarin oranges, and gelatin. It tasted delicious, and if I’d used fresh orange juice and homemade ice cream, I’m certain it would’ve been even more out of this world.
And how flipping gorgeous and on-brand are those little molds? As soon as I saw them, I had to have them.
So happy release day to Free Fall and the box set, and I hope you’ll consider picking them up (and making some Jell-O) soon!
Emma Barry 