Sharon Wray's Blog, page 11

A Summer Bucket List

I know that not all of us are jetting off to Europe, going on tropical cruises, or tubing down the Shenandoah every weekend. (At least I’m not!) But summer isn’t just for epic travel plans. Summer is for memory-making, mischief, and maybe melting a little in the August heat with friends and family. So whether you’re landlocked, city-stuck, or perfectly happy in your own backyard, here’s a fun, lighthearted bucket list of things to do before Labor Day rolls in with its pumpkin-spiced promises. (Only 115 days until Halloween!)

Remember… summer doesn’t have to be Instagram-perfect to be magical. Whether you’re traveling far and wide or enjoying a sweet and sticky popsicle in your backyard, there’s still time to finish that book (or don’t), eat something grilled, and make at least one golden-hour memory before fall creeps in. (Again, only 115 days until Halloween… not that I’m counting!!!)

Bucket List Adventures to Squeeze in Before Labor Day1. Have at Least One Dinner Outside (Mosquitoes Be Darned)

Light some candles, throw a sheet over the patio table, and serve whatever leftovers you have, even if it’s just cereal and wine. Eating outdoors with citronella candles and bug spray instantly makes life feel more cinematic. Bonus points if there are fireflies.

2. Start and Abandon a Summer Reading List

We all do it. We make a Goodreads goal. We stack ten books on our nightstands in June. And we’re three chapters into all of them. But it all counts because we tried. Add “almost read” to your bucket list and check it off.

3. Host a Make-Your-Own-Sundae Night

Invite friends or just raid your own fridge. Vanilla ice cream, questionable Halloween-themed sprinkles from last fall, leftover strawberry shortcake toppings… this is the kind of party where anything goes. You haven’t lived until you’ve put crushed graham crackers and peanut butter chips on top of fudge sauce and eaten them outside beneath the stars, fireflies, and mosquitoes. (Yes, bugs are a theme for me this year!)

4. Take a Golden Hour Walk

You know that dreamy time just before sunset when everything looks like it’s been dipped in honey? Grab your phone (or a camera if you’re fancy) and go for a little wander. Even your own neighborhood will feel like a summer movie set.

5. Do One Tourist-y Thing in Your Own Town

Take that trolley tour, visit the local historical marker you always drive past, or eat at the ice cream place with the ridiculously long line. Pretend you’re visiting from somewhere far away. You’ll be surprised at what you learn about your hometown when you take the time to visit as a tourist.

6. Make a Summer Scrapbook or Mood Board

It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. Screenshot your favorite summer meme. Tape a ticket stub into a notebook. Print out that blurry tubing photo. Capture the mess because that’s what summer is for.

7. Declare a Backyard (or Couch) Staycation Day

No chores. No guilt. Make lemonade. Read something you don’t feel bad about. Set up a lawn chair, a fan, and a bowl of chips, and call it your personal oasis. Bonus points if you wear a floppy hat and sunglasses indoors… and eat your favorite frozen treat from the neighborhood’s ice cream truck.

8. Send a Real Postcard

Even if you’re not traveling, send a friend a funny postcard or handmade card that says “Wish You Were Here (Doing Nothing with Me).” Snail mail is a summer luxury we should bring back with gusto.

9. Do That One Silly Summer Thing

Whether it’s blowing bubbles, having a water balloon fight, playing with sidewalk chalk, or running through the sprinkler (yes, adults can do it too!), let your inner ten-year-old out for one afternoon. You’ll be surprised how restorative it is.

10. Toast the Season

On Labor Day weekend, raise a glass (iced tea, fancy mocktail, or something stronger) and toast to your summer self. You made it through the heat, the storms, the messy drafts, and the melting candles. That’s worth celebrating.

The post A Summer Bucket List first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Midsummer Writer’s Survival Guide

How to thrive during this summer’s Rough Draft Challenge.

We’re in the hottest part of summer, and for many writers that means one thing: Drafting Season. Whether you’re tackling your own rogue writing challenge or diving into a project alongside others skipping Camp NaNoWriMo, midsummer is the perfect (and sometimes brutal) time to draft. The heat is high, the energy is low, and distractions lurk behind every ice cream truck jingle. But fear not! This Midsummer Writer Survival Guide is here to help you stay cool, focused, and creatively fueled while you chase your story to The End.

Midsummer drafting can be a wild ride with equal parts inspiration and exhaustion. But with a flexible plan, a few writerly comforts, and the reminder that you’re not alone, you can survive (and thrive) in the heat of creation. Even if you’re writing holiday novellas while at the beach. So refill your iced coffee, open your draft, and write on, midsummer warrior.

We ride at dawn (or whenever you see this post. )

Midsummer Writer’s Survival Guide1. Set a Flexible Word Count Goal

You’re not NaNo-bound, which means you can make the rules. Choose a goal that challenges you and fits your life. Try:

500 words a day10K over the next two weeksA scene per writing session

Tip: Focus on consistency over volume. A little progress each day adds up fast.

2. Make a Midsummer Writing Kit

Stay prepared, hydrated, and inspired by putting together a few writerly survival essentials:

Your favorite notebook or writing appA reusable water bottle or pitcher of iced teaA summer soundtrack or ambient background noiseSticky notes for mid-draft ideas you don’t want to chase yetA backup battery or shady spot if you write outside3. Create a Cool-Down Writing Ritual

When the weather and your brain feel overheated, try a calming pre-writing routine:

Set a timer for 10 minutes of journaling or warm-up writingLight a seasonal candle (citrus, sea salt, or lavender)Read a page from a favorite summer bookTry a 5-minute writing sprint to beat the heat and the blank page4. Build a Midsummer Moodboard

Keep your creativity front and center by surrounding yourself with the vibe of your project:

Pinterest boards, mood playlists, or seasonal photosA quick walk or swim to immerse yourself in summer imageryUse sensory prompts: What does your setting smell, sound, and feel like in summer?5. Don’t Go It Alone

Even if you’re skipping Camp NaNo, writing is always better with a little support:

Check in with a writing buddy or accountability groupShare daily progress on social (or in your journal)Celebrate small wins—scene finished, word count hit, plot twist landed6. Permission to Be Messy

Rough drafts are supposed to be rough. The goal is to get the story down, not perfect it. Your summer challenge is to show up, tell the story, and save revisions for a cooler day.

7. Other Resources

Since I’m also a librarian, here is a list of other blog posts I’ve written with resources including prep materials, meal plans, and writing tools, etc.

Rough Draft Challenge PrepsRough Draft Challenge Meal Planning IdeasRough Draft Challenge Self Care IdeasWriting Short Resource ListWriting Craft Bibliography

The post Midsummer Writer’s Survival Guide first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Blueberry Shortcake

Kingsmill Rehearsal Dinner Menu series

Welcome to my Kingsmill Rehearsal Dinner Menu series inspired by the fictional wedding celebration in my two new stories, A Room with a Groom (from Save the Date Anthology) and Luke’s Last Love Kiss (from Finding Forever Anthology). This blog series brings the charm of small-town Kingsmill to your summer table.

Both love stories unfold in the heart of the Virginia mountains, and each features a special rehearsal dinner held near the town’s historic 18th-century mill, along the Shenandoah River. For the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing the seasonal recipes from that riverside celebration starting with the sweet, summery treat that kicked it all off:  Blueberry Shortcakes.

PrintThe Hungry {Romance} Writer: Blueberry ShortcakeThis is a redo of a classic favorite because my family doesn't like strawberries but they love blueberries. It's not hard to make, but I always try to make the biscuits in the morning before the house gets too humid to keep them fluffy. You can also make the biscuits ahead of time and either freeze them (for up to 2 months) or keep them in the fridge for no more than 2 days.Course DessertPrep Time 15 minutes minutesCook Time 30 minutes minutesServings 8Calories 460kcalIngredientsBerries5 cups blueberries fresh or frozen3/4 cup sugar1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice1 pinch cinnamonBiscuits2 cups flourPinch cinnamonPinch ground nutmeg2 Tablespoons sugar1 Tablespoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt8 Tablespoons 1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes7/8 cup (1 cup minus 2 tablespoons) heavy whipping cream1 large egg1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractHeavy cream for whipping for garnishInstructionsPreheat the oven to 425℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.BerriesIn a medium-sized saucepan, stir together the blueberries, sugar. lemon zest, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Bring the heat to medium and stir constantly until the sugar melts and turns into a syrup. Keep stirring until the mixture barely makes it to the simmer stage. Then mash the berries to release their juice. Remove the saucepan from the heat and cool while you make the biscuits.BiscuitsUse a large bowl for this next step. Stir together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter cubes and use your fingers to mix the flour and butter until the dough resembles small peas. Now use a smaller bowl to whisk tougher the egg, whipping cream, and vanilla extract. Form a well in the center of the dough and pour in the wet mixture. With a fork, stir until the dough just barely comes together and forms a ball. Do not overmix or the dough will become too sticky and the biscuits won't be fluffy. On a lightly floured counter, turn the dough onto the counter so you can knead it a few times. Form the dough into a large circle, about 3/4" – 1" thick. Then, using a pastry round, cut out the biscuits and place them on the baking sheet. leave about 1-2" between each biscuit so they can expand. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, put in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to chill before baking.Bake the biscuits for 12-15 minutes or until they have risen and very lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on a baking rack.Whip the heavy cream being used for the garnish, adding a bit of sugar if you prefer. Once the biscuits are cool, cut them in half and serve the biscuit halves with a dollop of whipping cream and the berry syrup.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Blueberry Shortcake first appeared on Sharon Wray.

A Romance Writer’s Favorite Romantic Summer Movies

Months ago, I wrote a post about my favorite romance movies for Valentine’s Day that my family and I love to watch. Now that summer is here, and we’re either hiding inside with the AC or only venturing out at night to eat dinner on the patio while watching a movie on a laptop or inflatable screen, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite summer romance movies. Most of these movies are available on various streaming platforms, or if you’re like me, you may even have a few on DVDs.

Some of these movies are older movies, and a few are not even traditional romances. And I’m going to admit that I threw in a few comedies because I love summer comedies… and one Nicholas Spark love story. But all of them are filled with romance or romantic angst to enjoy while hiding from the heat or enjoying a movie outside with the crickets and fireflies. I’ve not included links to the streaming services because the rights to movies are constantly being sold between the services so it’s hard to keep up.

 Summer Romance Movie Favorites 1. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Nobody puts this movie in a corner. Summer camp, forbidden love, and dance montages? Perfection.

2. The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–)

Amazon Prime’s series adaptation of Jenny Han’s novels. Beach house vibes, teen love triangles, and lots of emotional growth. While the movies take place on the West Coast, the books actually take place in Virginia.

3. Grease (1978)

“Summer lovin’ had me a blast…” Classic high school love, leather jackets, and musical numbers. I don’t love the ending, but I love Olivia Newton John no matter what she’s wearing!

4. Roman Holiday (1953)

A modern-day princess (Audrey Hepburn) meets a newspaperman (Gregory Peck) in Rome. When he pretends not to know who she is, they romp around Italy and inadvertently fall in love. I adore this movie!

5. Summer Rental (1985)

An exhausted air traffic controller who takes his family on vacation. A feud with a local yachtsman. And a desperate need to earn his family’s respect. This is summertime mishaps at their funniest.

6. Monte Carlo (2011)

Three girls, one mistaken identity, and a glamorous summer in Europe. Light, fluffy, and full of fashion.

7. Aquamarine (2006)

A mermaid crashes into two girls’ summer, offering them a wish in exchange for help finding true love. Teen beachy magic.

8. How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

Jamaica, a surprise romance, and a woman rediscovering herself after heartbreak. Glorious tropical visuals.

9. The Way Way Back (2013)

Coming-of-age with a quiet romance subplot. Summer at a water park and a quietly charming young love story.

10. Before Sunrise (1995)

Two strangers meet on a train and spend a night wandering Vienna. Philosophical, poetic, and unforgettable.

11. Letters to Juliet (2010)

A romantic treasure hunt in the hills of Tuscany. Lost love, new beginnings, and vineyard views.

12. Summer Catch (2001)

A baseball player and a rich girl fall for each other in Cape Cod. Classic rom-com meets sporty summer vibes.

13. Mamma Mia! (2008)

Greek islands, ABBA music, and a joyful celebration of life, love, and rekindled romance.

14. PAradise (1991)

It will take a summer miracle to bring this couple back together… so of course a miracle occurs.

15. The Last Song (2010)

A Nicholas Sparks tearjerker set during a summer of change. Features beach romance and family drama.

The post A Romance Writer’s Favorite Romantic Summer Movies first appeared on Sharon Wray.

July Book Fairs and Reading Events

It’s been so hot, I’m afraid to leave the house! So today I have another list of free/on sale books for you to add to your TBR list. Today’s post has tons of free and .99 books and free reading events for every type of romance reader, all guaranteed to make your summer even hotter.

1Contemporary Romances

This collection includes free and sale novels and novellas from most contemporary romance genres, including billionaire romances, sports romances, sexy cowboys, and steamy contemporaries, including a wedding themed collection called Finding Forever which makes a perfect beach read.

2The Isn’t it Romantic Book Club Group Monthly Livestream

The Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Group will be live-streaming on Thursday, July 31th at 3 pm EST while we interview
Naima Simone and her romance novel Church Girl! It’ll be live-streamed on our YouTube channel and we hope you’ll join us there!

3Sizzling Summer Heatwave

This collection includes sexy paranormal romances, steamy contemporary romances, romantasy, Mafia romances, billionaires, sexy shifter cowboys, and dark romances.

4Boxed Sets & Anthologies

This collection includes sexy sports romances, steamy contemporary romances, paranormal romances, romantasy, Mafia romances, billionaires, sexy shifter cowboys, and dark romances.

5Boxed Sets & Anthologies

This collection includes free and sale boxed sets and anthologies from most romance genres, including lots of sports romance, billionaire romances, sci-fi romances, steamy contemporaries, including a wedding themed collection called Finding Forever which is my current favorite beach read.

6Sizzling and Sexy Romance Deals

This collection includes free and sale novels and novellas, including boxed sets and anthologies from most romance genres, including mafia romances, dark romances, billionaire romances, sci-fi romances, steamy contemporaries, including a wedding themed collection called Finding Forever which is my favorite at the moment.

7Smashwords July Sale

It’s time for the summer Smashwords sale which includes thousands of authors and books on sale and free. This sale includes my Deadly Force novel Love’s Last Kiss which is now on sale for .99!

Free and .99 Books for July It’s All in the Hips by Diana Munoz StewartA one-night stand so hot, even a decade apart couldn’t cool the flames.

Winning the Fit for The World prize money is Yolanda Vasquez’s last chance at saving her family business. But to win it, she’ll have to face show creator Easton Blake––a steamy one-night stand she’s never forgotten––while also taking on the big kids of fitness. One of whom isn’t playing fair.

Yolanda Vasquez

Ten-plus years ago, I spent one glorious night with a hot stranger visiting Puerto Rico. Today, that heartthrob is a global health icon giving away millions on a reality fitness show. I really need that money to rescue my family business, am pretty sure I can win, and mostly sure he won’t remember me.

Easton Blake

I spent a decade building Fit for The World gym franchises, but after a reputation-ruining mistake, my board wants me out. Vowing to repair my image on a groundbreaking reality show is a huge gamble. One that turns dicey when the hottest hookup of my life makes the competition, and the other contestants quickly see her as a threat. Yeah. This can’t be what my board meant by reviving my public persona.

Knowing the disaster any romance would bring, Easton and Yolanda struggle to ignore their flaming-hot chemistry, but when someone schemes to drive Yolanda from the show, they join forces to stop them. Will their undeniable heat catch fire and burn down their worlds before they can eliminate the threat?

Get it for free now! Alaska Wild by Lolo Paige

What happens before that fateful day where Tara and Ryan collide on the Montana fire that leads them both to Alaska, in Alaska Spark? Read their origin story to find out!

Read what happens before Tara and Ryan meet up in Alaska Spark!

Ryan O’Connor’s hotshot fire crew pulls out all the stops to save a trapped family in a Southern California firestorm. But when his crew is unable to reach them in time, Ryan considers the loss a personal failure. He decides to apply and train with the Delta Force of wildland fire—the Alaska Smokejumpers. If Ryan can survive the ball-busting training, his life will be on a new trajectory…one that could lead him to the woman of his dreams. Tara Waters loves being a wildland firefighter and has worked hard to prove herself capable. But when a hunky Missoula smokejumper aims his parachute at Tara, her worlds collide when her father dooms the relationship to fail. The path she then chooses will set a new course..toward a wildfire with searing flames she’s powerless to fight.

Get it for free now! In Moonlight and Memories by Julie Ann Walker

An epic story about sacrifice, friendship, and the awe-inspiring power of love.

Maggie: Ten years ago, Cash Armstrong stole my heart. Then he promptly joined the army—dragging my best friend with him—and left me crying on the front porch in a red sequined prom dress. Now he’s back. They’re both back. Cash, the one who still has my heart. And Luc, the one who saved my life.

Cash: How do you know if you’re at the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end? That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out since a traumatic brain injury made me “unfit to serve.” I’m back in New Orleans, and picking up the shattered pieces of my past means I must confront where my life’s journey began… and where it all might end.

Luc: Long ago, Maggie May was mine. Not mine in the way you might think. She was mine because she was my only friend. Then Cash came along and we became brothers by something stronger than blood. We became brothers by choice. When tragedy struck, I was forced to make a decision that changed all our lives. I thought, after ten years, it was safe to come back home. I was wrong…

Free for the month of July! In Paradise with Someone Like Him by Susanna Eastman

When Charity Daniels was seventeen she fell in love with Literature, and a man who taught it. Their forbidden love was held back until graduation, until legally she could be his. Flash forward three years, Charity is studying at Yale and still in love with her Princeton Man.

Quinn (Q) Everett is on scholarship at Yale, and finds himself inexplicably in Charity’s path. He tries to stay away, but his mouthy best friend thinks he knows better. Suddenly it’s lunches and crashing private plans for the duo just to see her. But their flirtations do not go unseen, and Logan’s love turns and goes from jealousy to murderous intent.

Can these unproven lovers stay the course and avoid the devious plot of a scorn man or will everything crash and burn?
Trigger warning: Violence & Strong Sexual Situations

Get it for free now! MisGiving Hearts by J. Haney & S.I. Hayes

When Charity Daniels was seventeen she fell in love with Literature, and a man who taught it. Their forbidden love was held back until graduation, until legally she could be his. Flash forward three years, Charity is studying at Yale and still in love with her Princeton Man.

Quinn (Q) Everett is on scholarship at Yale, and finds himself inexplicably in Charity’s path. He tries to stay away, but his mouthy best friend thinks he knows better. Suddenly it’s lunches and crashing private plans for the duo just to see her. But their flirtations do not go unseen, and Logan’s love turns and goes from jealousy to murderous intent.

Can these unproven lovers stay the course and avoid the devious plot of a scorn man or will everything crash and burn?
Trigger warning: Violence & Strong Sexual Situations

Get it for free now! How to Unbreak a Heart by Jennie Marts

Solitary cowboy, Trip Turner walked out on the love of his life twelve years ago, breaking her heart and landing in juvenile detention. Now he’s back in Saddle Creek, Montana, at the dude ranch for wayward teens, where his mentor, John Stone, taught him the rules of how to become a man. But a tragedy has reminded Trip he failed to follow one of those rules. And it could have been the most important one of all. Bre Wilson had moved on with her life—she has a successful veterinary practice, and she’s put all thoughts of Trip Turner, the boy she’d planned to spend the rest of her life with, behind her. Or so she thought. Because he’s back, and no longer a boy. Now he’s a hot-as-hell man, and she has to spend the next two weeks working by his side without either kissing him or killing him. Trip let Bre go once, he won’t do it again. He has a second chance to fix the mistakes he made all of those years ago, and this time he’s following the rules. He just needs to figure out how to unbreak her heart. 

Get it for free now! Risking Trust by Adrienne Giordano

Michael Taylor is cooler than ice. As CEO of a private security company, his job means protecting those at risk. But now Michael is the one in trouble—he’s the prime suspect in his ex-wife’s murder. To prove his innocence, he needs not just a few good men, but one smart woman.

Get it for free now! Viper by Susie McIver

A No-Love Rule Shattered Under One Roof.

Cole’s return home after four years in an Iranian prison was meant to bring solace, but fate had other plans for the man better known as Viper. 

Enter the mysterious woman living in solitude, pursued by a relentless stalker. Unable to stand by, Viper sweeps into her life, proposing a fake engagement to silence the nosy people in their small mountain town after insisting she move in with him.

Bailey’s cabin was meant to be a refuge from her tormenter, not an unexpected detour into a stranger’s world. 

However, her initial resistance of Viper taking charge begins to crumble as sparks fly and their limited shared space awakens dormant desires. And while she feels safe for the first time in too long, he poses a different challenge to her guarded heart. Their undeniable attraction and the heat from just a simple touch leaves them both perilously close to shattering their resolve to avoid love. The question is: will they surrender to their yearning, or can they find a way to defy the odds?

Get it for free now!

The post July Book Fairs and Reading Events first appeared on Sharon Wray.

In Case of Power Outages

A few months ago we discussed building a Family Emergency Binder and a Family Emergency Plan. These were posts about how to protect your family from disasters and how to rebuild your life in case of an emergency. But now that the summer heat has hit hard, and I’ve actually lost power here in Virginia a few times in the last two weeks, today I want to talk about the dreaded Power Outage. How to prepare for them and how to survive them.

Summer storms. Heatwaves. Overloaded grids. All of these can result in sudden, and often prolonged, power outages… often when we least expect them. Whether you’re dealing with an aging electrical grid, wildfire threats, or rolling blackouts, it’s smart to have a plan in place before the lights go out. Today, let’s prepare our homes and family for summer blackouts so we can stay safe and cool when they happen.

Why Summer Outages Are So Dangerous

Unlike winter outages where hypothermia is a risk, summer outages pose heat-related dangers. According to the CDC, extreme heat causes more weather-related deaths in the U.S. than any other hazard—especially when the power goes out and air conditioning is unavailable. (CDC Extreme Heat Guide)

Prepping for Summer Power Outages: A Seasonal Checklist
 1. Make an Emergency Supply Kit
Build a kit with at least a 3-day supply of essentials:
Flashlights with extra batteries (no candles—they’re a fire risk)
Portable battery-operated or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio preferred)
First aid kit
Shelf-stable food and water (1 gallon per person per day)
Manual can opener
Wet wipes, hygiene products, and garbage bags
FEMA’s full list of emergency supplies: https://www.ready.gov/kit

 2. Prepare for Medical Needs
Ensure prescriptions are filled and refrigerated meds are stored properly
Consider a backup power supply (like a battery-powered cooler or generator) for medical devices
Notify your utility provider if someone in your home relies on life-sustaining medical equipment
More on medically dependent emergency plans from Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/power-outages

 3. Keep Your Cool (Literally) During an Outage
Close blinds to keep sunlight out
Open windows during cooler evening hours
Dress in light, loose-fitting clothes
Stay hydrated (drink more water than usual)
Avoid using the oven or stove
Consider investing in battery-powered fans or cooling towels
CDC guide on how to stay safe during extreme heat: https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about/index.html

 4. Protect Food and Water
Keep fridge/freezer doors closed: food stays cold for ~4 hours in the fridge and up to 48 hours in a full freezer
Store a cooler with ice packs in case of long outages
Stock up on bottled water (tap may become unsafe during outages)
USDA Food Safety in Power Outages: https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage

 5. Invest in Backup Power (If You Can)
Portable power banks for phones and devices
Solar chargers and solar lanterns
Gas or propane generators (ONLY use outdoors and away from windows)
Never use generators inside homes or garages due to carbon monoxide poisoning risk.
Red Cross generator safety: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage/safe-generator-use.html

 6. Know Your Community Plan
Follow local emergency alerts via NOAA weather radio or the FEMA app
Locate community cooling centers ahead of time
Make sure your home address is up to date with your local utility for outage alerts
Download the FEMA app: https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-app

A few final notes:

Power outages are never fun, but with planning they don’t have to be dangerous. Think of this plist as your summer blackout survival guide. It’s simple, proactive, and designed to help keep your family safe (and cool) no matter what the season brings.

The post In Case of Power Outages first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Midsummer Reflections: A Creative Check-In at the Halfway Point

It’s hot, it’s sticky, and time is slipping past in both a blur and a crawl. Welcome to midsummer where the fireflies flicker and our goals, like our iced tea, feel like they’re melting away. We’re officially halfway through the year. Six months behind us. Six months ahead. Whether you’re a writer, a reader, a journal-keeper, or just a summer dreamer, this is the perfect moment to pause, take a breath, and ask yourself: How’s it going?

This post kicks off my Midsummer Writers blog series, a weekly Monday check-in that will carry us through the rest of summer. We’ll talk about writing and reading habits, creative burnout (and how to rest and reset), seasonal inspiration, story structure and plotting during the dog days, and a few surprises that involve folklore, fairytales, and firelight. But today’s first post is a look back, a look forward, and a guide to reset so you can stay on your path and achieve your goals.

Midsummer Writers Reset What Have You Done So Far This Year

Pull out your planner, your notes app, or your favorite pen and paper and ask:

What writing projects have I started? Finished?What goals did I meet? (Or gently let go of?)What books, films, or songs sparked new ideas?

This isn’t about judgment—it’s about noticing.

How Are You Really Feeling?

Are you energized by long sunny days, or are you hiding in the air-conditioning with your manuscript and a popsicle? Has the first half of the year worn you down—or surprised you with unexpected creativity?

Take five minutes to write a few thoughts in your journal (or a scrap of paper tucked into your book bag). Don’t overthink it. Just notice where you are. Because this half-way point is yours.

What Do You Want to Carry Forward?

Now that we’ve looked back, look ahead.

What stories are whispering to you right now?What do you want to finish before fall arrives?What’s bringing you joy?How can you make space for more fun this summer?

Maybe it’s a new writing routine, a stack of beach reads, or a plan to finally submit that short story you drafted in January. Or maybe it’s just the promise of one quiet afternoon, once a week, to daydream and write something for yourself.

Will You Participate in a Rough Draft Challenge?

It’s time for the new version of Camp NaNoWriMo which many writers call Camp RDC.

Do you have a project you want to finish to send to your agent or go on submission?Do you have a holiday story that needs to be done by August 31?Are there any books that need final polishing so you can self-publish?

There are lots of writers groups that are running Rough Draft Challenges in July… so now is the time to find one and decide!

Join Me All Summer Long

Every Monday through the end of summer, I’ll be sharing writing reflections, creative prompts, seasonal inspirations, and storytelling ideas that honor this golden, sticky, nostalgic season. Some weeks we’ll dig into craft. Others, we’ll wander. All of it will be grounded in the shared truth that storytelling thrives in all seasons, including the sweaty ones.

So grab a lemonade, find a patch of shade, and meet me here next week.

We’re only halfway through the year, and the best stories are still be waiting to be told.

The post Midsummer Reflections: A Creative Check-In at the Halfway Point first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Strawberry Pie

This summer, I’m sharing a special peek behind the scenes of the Kingsmill Courtships series with a blog series inspired by the rehearsal dinner for Hawk Mosby and his bride, Izzy Sinclair. This is a heartfelt celebration that takes place in my story Luke’s Last Hot Summer, featured in the Finding Forever wedding-themed anthology.

Set along the river near the old mill, this intimate gathering brings friends, family, and a touch of small-town magic together with food that’s as meaningful as it is delicious. Each week, I’ll be sharing recipes straight from that fictional table, including cold salads, grilled favorites, sweet endings, and a few charming drinks. All of them are perfect for real-life summer cookouts or cozy gatherings with the people you love most. First up? A strawberry pie that’s as sweet as a second chance at love. This is a double-crust pie, and here’s a recipe for my favorite homemade butter pie crust. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

PrintThe Hungry {Romance] Writer: Strawberry PieCourse DessertKeyword PiesPrep Time 20 minutes minutesCook Time 40 minutes minutesServings 8Calories 420kcalIngredients2 9-inch unbaked pie crusts1 cup white sugar⅓ cup flour½ teaspoon ground cinnamon4 cups fresh strawberries washed, hulled, and halved2 tablespoons butter cut into pieces1 Tablespoon whole milk2 Tablespoons sugarInstructionsPreheat the oven to 425℉. Place one pie crust in the bottom of a 9" pie plate (I prefer deep dish pie plates for this recipe)In a large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Then mix in the strawberries. Let sit for ten minutes until the strawberries are muddled.Pour the filling into the pie plate and top with the butter pieces. Cover with the top crust and cut slits in the top to vent the steam. Seal and flute the edges. Brush the milk over top and then sprinkle with the sugar.Bake for 30 minutes at 425℉. Then lower the temperature to 350℉ and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the top of a light golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The total time will be determined by the heat in your oven, so keep and eye on the pie towards the end of the baking time.

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Summer of Yes

What if this summer, instead of overbooking, overthinking, or overworking, you simply said yes more often? Yes to spontaneity. Yes to joy. Yes to things that scare you just a little. Yes to rest when you need it. Yes to becoming more of who you are without apology.

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We spend so much of the year on routine, responsibility, and chasing deadlines, but summer invites us to breathe, stretch, and explore. A “Summer of Yes” isn’t about saying yes to everything. It’s about saying yes to the things that matter… and no to the things that drain you. To start, write down one thing each week this summer you’ll say “yes” to and notice how your mindset shifts. You don’t need to change your entire life. You just need to start saying yes to the pieces of it you’ve been putting off. Say yes to presence. Yes to delight. Yes to possibility. Because sometimes, one small yes can change everything.

Summer of Yes: What it Looks LikeSaying yes to a weekend road trip, even if the laundry isn’t done.Saying yes to trying something new like a dance class, a watercolor kit, a solo dinner.Saying yes to rest, to boundaries, to joy without guilt.Saying yes to imperfect action, to showing up, to just beginning.Saying yes to eating outside, even if it means paper plates and bugs.Saying yes to setting your phone down and being fully present.Saying yes to conversations that go deep instead of small talk.Saying yes to wearing the swimsuit, dancing barefoot, staying out late.Saying yes to adventure, even if it’s just in your own neighborhood.Saying yes to your own voice, your needs, your creativity, your desires.Saying yes to changing your mind.Saying yes to rest that isn’t earned and play that isn’t productive.Saying yes to connection: calling an old friend, writing a letter, making the first move.Saying yes to time alone when your soul craves quiet.Saying yes to turning the music up.Saying yes to becoming the version of you you’ve been waiting for. Journal Prompts for Your Summer of YesWhat would happen if I trusted myself more deeply this season?What do I want more of this summer?What have I been saying “no” to out of fear, doubt, or habit?What would it look like to say “yes” to myself more often?What small adventure have I always wanted to try but haven’t yet?What am I afraid to say yes to and why?Where in my life am I craving connection and how can I take the first step?When do I feel most alive? How can I do more of that this summer?What does “freedom” mean to me right now? How can I give myself more of it?What would a bold, joyful version of me say yes to this week?What parts of my routine no longer serve me? What can I release to make space for new yeses?If I said yes to one surprising thing this month, what might it be?

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Sarah Munro’s Lilac Bath Salts

The summer heat waves have begun, and I’m already ready for fall to get here. Yet despite the heat, it sometimes feels wonderful to soak in the tub, especially on days when my skin feels overheated and itchy. This bath salt recipe, in particular, can relieve stressed muscles and offer relief for irritated skin caused by prickly heat and/or bug bites. Since this time of year it can be hard to find fresh lilac flowers, I buy my organic flowers and natural herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs.

For those of you new to this series, Sarah Munro, the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, the second book in the Deadly Force series, is an 18th century historian who inherited a collection of colonial-era herbal and homeopathic remedies. And in this blog space, I’ve been sharing her recipes with you all. I’m adding this recipe to this collection because some recent studies have found that soaking in a salt bath can enhance the ability of your skin to retain moisture. Also, Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is a proven muscle relaxer.

Note: I am not an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs. I just love their website and buy most of my herbs and other special ingredients from them.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh lilac flowers1/4 cup baking soda1/4 cup Epsom salts1/2 cup natural sea saltDirections for Lilac Bath SaltsIn a clean glass bowl, stir together all the ingredients.Pour the salt/flower mixture into a clean, sterilized glass container with a tight-fitting lid.To use: add 1/2 cup bath salts to the warm water as you fill your tub. Soak in the tub for no more that 40 minutes.Pat dry and moisturize with your favorite oil or lotion. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING , AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:

I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).

It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.

If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.

Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.

Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.

Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.

Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.

I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!

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