Sharon Wray's Blog, page 28

Autumn Books Have Feelings Too (Part Deux)

A few years ago I wrote a blog post about how, this time of year, I have this desperate need to slow down time. And one of the ways in which I try to stay present in the moment, during these fleeting days that are racing to New Year’s, is to read books that evoke the emotions of Fall. Winter books are all about hope and miracles. Spring novels tend toward weddings and meet cutes, often with a side of humor. Summer comes with beach reads and instalove romances, all told with the promise of long days sunlight, walks on the beach, and lots of laughter over melted ice cream at summer carnivals.

But Fall is different. The mornings are cold while the days are warm (at lease here in Virginia), colors turn from bright to dark, smoke tinges the air, and everything tastes like pumpkin or apples. This season’s beauty is tinged with sadness, a yearning for something we don’t understand. The year is ending, the light is fading, and poor Thanksgiving–as usual–is squished between Halloween trick-or-treaters and inflatable lawn Santa Clauses. It’s as if everyone waits for Fall all year long–for the lattes, colors, and the start of the school semester–but once we’re in it, we move on quickly to the excitement of the December holidays.

Since I love Fall so much, I’ve found reading books that evoke the emotions of this season is one way to keep myself present, even if the first snowflake falls in November. With this in mind, I’ve made a NEW short list of my favorite books that I plan to re-read every fall, books that capture this season. Books about ghosts, dying dreams, gratitude and family, hopelessness against fate, feasts and food, and even magic. This is not a complete list, and it includes a few favorite short stories from the previous list because I just can’t seem to let them go. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do!

All book blurbs courtesy of Amazon (I am not an affiliate so there are no affiliate links in this post).

GhostsThe Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope

AMAZON BLURB: Newly orphaned Peggy Grahame is caught off-guard when she first arrives at her family’s ancestral estate. Her eccentric uncle Enos drives away her only new acquaintance, Pat, a handsome British scholar, then leaves Peggy to fend for herself. But she is not alone. The house is full of mysteries—and ghosts. Soon Peggy becomes involved with the spirits of her own Colonial ancestors and witnesses the unfolding of a centuries-old romance against a backdrop of spies and intrigue and of battles plotted and foiled. History has never been so exciting—especially because the ghosts are leading Peggy to a romance of her own!

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This is a heartbreaking teenage love story between a young modern woman and a ghost from the Revolutionary War. I don’t want to give too much away, but this is a great story to read around a Halloween bonfire. It’s sweet, tragic, funny, and will capture your heart in a way that only YA books can–with the poignancy of young love and the eternal pursuit of justice and truth.

VampiresDark Lover by J.R. Ward

AMAZON BLURB: As the world’s only purebred vampire and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago. But when his most trusted fighter is killed—orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate—Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful woman into another world.

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger—one that threatens to consume them both….

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If you haven’t read this book yet, or any of the other books in this series, run to the bookstore. I found this book years ago at an RWA conference where Suzanne Brockmann (another one of my favorite authors) had this book at her signing table and told us all to run over to JR Ward’s table to buy it. I did, and I’ve never regretted it. This book has it all: romance, leather-wearing badass vampires, and unending love. It’s a perfect book for this time of year, and it’s also now being made into a TV series from Passionflix. And, yes, I am now a signature member of Passionflix! Also, another one of the books in this series (Lover Eternal) is on my previous fall reading list.

Witches & Magic Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

AMAZON BLURB: For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic…

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This book is part of the Rules of Magic series, but it’s my favorite. Maybe because this is one of the few books I’ve read where the movie adaptation was just as wonderful, if not more so. And I just heard that there’s going to be another movie made about the Owens women, hopefully coming out next year.

Southern GothicThe River Witch by Kimberly Brock

AMAZON BLURB: Broken in body and spirit, she {Roslyn Byrne} secludes herself in the mystical wilderness of a Georgia island. Can she find herself in the sweetness of old songs, old ways, and the gentle magic of the river people?

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Disclaimer: Kimberly Brock is a friend of mine and I’ve loved every book she’s ever written. But this one, in particular, is so achingly beautiful that it reminds me of the those last days of fall when all the beautiful leaves are on the ground, waiting for the snow to arrive. It’s a story of tragedy and hope and magic wrapped up in the hope of new beginnings. There’s also a great scene with a pumpkin that can’t be missed!

VampiresDracul by Dacre Stoker and JD Barker

AMAZON BLURB: The prequel to Dracula, inspired by notes and texts left behind by the author of the classic novel, Dracul is a supernatural thriller that reveals not only Dracula’s true origins but Bram Stoker’s—and the tale of the enigmatic woman who connects them.

It is 1868, and a twenty-one-year-old Bram Stoker waits in a desolate tower to face an indescribable evil. Armed only with crucifixes, holy water, and a rifle, he prays to survive a single night, the longest of his life. Desperate to record what he has witnessed, Bram scribbles down the events that led him here…

A sickly child, Bram spent his early days bedridden in his parents’ Dublin home, tended to by his caretaker, a young woman named Ellen Crone. When a string of strange deaths occur in a nearby town, Bram and his sister Matilda detect a pattern of bizarre behavior by Ellen—a mystery that deepens chillingly until Ellen vanishes suddenly from their lives. Years later, Matilda returns from studying in Paris to tell Bram the news that she has seen Ellen—and that the nightmare they’ve thought long ended is only beginning.

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This book is hard to classify. It’s not pure horror, it’s not just a thriller. It’s a deep, long look into the terrifying idea of the permanence of death… and possible redemption. It’s filled with all the scary feels as well as a great insight into the Bram Stoker’s original idea for his own monster story.

Witches & MagicThe Spell Book of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo

AMAZON BLURB: When Ichabod Crane arrives in the spooky little village of Sleepy Hollow as the new schoolmaster, Katrina Van Tassel is instantly drawn to him. Through their shared love of books and music, they form a friendship that quickly develops into romance. Ichabod knows that as an itinerant schoolteacher of little social standing, he has nothing to offer the wealthy Katrina – unlike her childhood friend-turned-enemy, Brom Van Brunt, who is the suitor Katrina’s father favors. 

But when romance gives way to passion, Ichabod and Katrina embark on a secret love affair, sneaking away into the woods after dark to be together – all while praying they do not catch sight of Sleepy Hollow’s legendary Headless Horseman. That is, until All Hallows’s Eve, when Ichabod suddenly disappears, leaving Katrina alone and in a perilous position.

Enlisting the help of her friend – and rumored witch – Charlotte Jansen, Katrina seeks the truth of Ichabod Crane’s disappearance, investigating the forest around Sleepy Hollow using unconventional – often magical – means. What they find forces Katrina to question everything she once knew, and to wonder if the Headless Horseman is perhaps more than just a story after all. In Alyssa Palombo’s The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel nothing is as it seems, and love is a thing even death won’t erase.

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I grew up not far from Sleepy Hollow, on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. And I have great memories of visiting this tiny town in the fall with my history classes. So when this book came out, I bought it without reading any reviews. I’m so glad I did. This has become a classic fall read for me because it has all the fall feels as well as an unlikely romance. The descriptions in this book are so vivid, it’s like I’m thirteen again, sitting around a bonfire in Sleepy Hollow, listening to a docent read the haunting story of Ichabod Crane.

Monsters & MagicSir Gawain and the Green Knight by The Pearl Poet

AMAZON BLURB: The knights of the Round Table are celebrating Yuletide when their festivities are interrupted by the mystifying Green Knight riding on his green horse. The Green Knight challenges King Arthur’s legendary men to a wager. He who takes a blow at the Green Knight must be prepared to accept a return attack one year and one day later. It is the gallant Sir Gawain who takes this challenge on. He raises his axe and strikes off the head of the Green Knight. Yet, the intruder is undefeated. Still alive, he picks up his head, and promises he will see Sir Gawain in a year and a day.

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I’m a sucker for anything having to do with King Arthur and his knights And I know this story technically takes place around Yule in December, but it still has more of a fall vibe than a holiday one. Mostly because the feelings this story evokes in the hero are both valiant and tragic, like an end and a beginning. The unknown author, believed to have been a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, understood the eternal appeal of the seek, the quest, and the power that comes in complete surrender of self. This is one of my all-time favorite autumn reads, maybe because it reminds me of a Renaissance fair!

Monsters & MadnessThe Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

AMAZON BLURB: Elizabeth Lavenza hasn’t had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her “caregiver,” and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything—except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable—and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable. 

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth’s survival depends on managing Victor’s dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness. 

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This is one of those books you have to read in one sitting. Elizabeth’s story is so compelling that it will haunt you while you’re opening your Christmas presents months later. I recommend re-reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley first, and then diving right into this one. You won’t regret it!

GhostsThe Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

AMAZON BLURB: First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.

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I read this in high school, and I loved the Netflix TV series, and it’s still one of my all-time favorite novels. It’s so scary that even now, as I write this blog post, I’m getting chills. This book, for me, is the perfect ghost story–it’s terrifying not just because it’s about a haunted house. It’s terrifying because of the way the house drives the ghosts to haunt each victim so personally. As if the house is a sentient being.

Thanksgiving & Found FamilyThe Iron Peacock by Mary Stetson Clarke

AMAZON BLURB: Joanna Sprague’s life is upended when her father dies on the voyage that was to take them to a new life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Poor and alone, 16-year-old Joanna must summon uncommon courage to survive life as a bond servant in a strange new world. An unforgettable, captivating story. Great for ages 12 – 14.

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Not all the books on this list are scary. This book, unlike the others, is a middle grade story that I’ve loved since I was in fifth grade. Although it takes place mostly in winter, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, it’s about loss and grief and the hope of finding love again in a strange, new world. The heroine also ends up in the company of young men who’d been captured at the Battle of Culloden and are now being sold as bond servants to a group of Puritan settlers–along with Joanna. It has all the fall feels of loss, darkness, and the physical as well as spiritual nature of death, all seen through the eyes of a 16-year old girl.

Ghosts, Monsters, & DevilsShort stories by Edgar Allen Poe, Washington Irving, and Nathaniel Hawthorne

And, finally, anything by Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Washington Irving.

Seriously. Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow? The Tell-Tale Heart? The Raven? Young Goodman Brown and Rappaccini’s Daughter?

The emotions these authors serve up don’t get any more dark or scary or intense. Mr. Poe, Mr. Hawthorne, and Mr. Irving were masters of emotional manipulation, and their collected works are the treasures on our family’s keeper shelf.

The post Autumn Books Have Feelings Too (Part Deux) first appeared on Sharon Wray.

November Book Fairs & Reading Events

I love November because I enjoy the holiday season and it means we’re getting closer to New Year’s, which is my favorite day of the year. And this month, I’m celebrating by giving you some book promos, and fun Facebook events in November and December, including one where over 350 authors are giving away books, swag, and gift cards. All of these events offer readers a chance to find new free books and new favorite authors.

1Coming Soon Romance

First up we have Coming Soon Romance, a collection of free/.99 preorder/$1.99 sale SPICY romance novels in all contemporary sub-genres. There are steamy romantic suspense novels and darker romance tropes as well as other contemporary romance genres. This list also includes an anthology I’m currently participating in: Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses. (NOTE: This promo ends tomorrow, so run now to grab these book deals!)

2Collections, Anthologies, & Boxed Sets

Next we have Collections, Anthologies, and Boxed Sets, another collection of current and preorder anthologies and boxsets in all romance sub-genres. This list also includes an anthology I’m currently participating in: Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses.

3Naughty Christmas Reads

This collection of Naughty Christmas Reads begins tomorrow, November 15! It is a curated collection of free/.99 preorder/$1.99 sale SPICY holiday romance novels in all contemporary sub-genres. There are steamy romantic suspense novels and darker romance tropes as well as other romance genres, all taking place during the holidays. This list also includes 2 anthologies I’m currently participating in: Winter Wishes & Holiday Kisses and Let’s Get Naughty 3.

4The Isn’t it Romantic Book Club Group Monthly Livestream

Join The Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Group on November 22 while we interview Annette Chavez Macias and her newest release When We Were Widows! It’ll be live-streamed on our YouTube channel and we hope you’ll join us there!

5The Tattered Page Book Club Thanks-Book-Giving 2024

Join Tattered Page Book Club on Facebook to participate in their fifth Thanks-Book-Giving on November 22nd, 23rd, and 24th! With Thanks-Book-Giving, it is all about giving back to the readers and authors in the group. It is their biggest giving event of the year. And, for readers, it’s totally free!!!

6Abbie Roads’ Secret Santa Days

Join Abbie Roads in her Dangerously Dark Darlings FB Group, along with The Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Group, to participate in Abbie’s annual Secret Santa Days Book Giveaway. This event is on Friday December 6th. There are over 350 authors giving away free books, book swag, gift cards, and more. I can’t wait to see you there. Oh, and it’s totally free!!!

The post November Book Fairs & Reading Events first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Rough Draft November Check-in & Fun

Rough Draft November Week 2 is nearly over, and we’re almost halfway through the month. But this post isn’t about word count, plotting notebooks, or character names. This post has nothing to do with our WIPs because it’s all about our mental health while we scratch out our rough drafts while trying to live our regular, daily lives.

Today I want to talk about something we often don’t do while on any deadline, whether it be our editor’s, our agent’s, or our own. That thing is having fun. Last week we talked about self-care, which is hugely important, but fun is also important. And yes, fun is different than self-care. But when I have fun, I don’t want to spend a lot of money–especially this time of year with all the entertaining and gift-buying, etc. So here are a few ideas to get you away from your keyboard and out in the world.

Movie night!

Either alone or with a friend. Put on a Hallmark Christmas movie, or a horror flick. Something that will get your mind off of your WIP and make you laugh, cry, or hide beneath the blankets. Throw in a huge bowl of buttered popcorn and your favorite drink and pretend you’re twelve.

Play outside!

Grab your friends to throw a football or hit a baseball. Maybe go for a run with your running buddy. Just do something that moves your body and gets you breathing in some fresh, fall air.

[image error]Hike the woods!

If you live in a state where there are woods, hike the local trails before all the trees lose their leaves. If you have no woods, I’m sure you have something just as lovely. A park or a desert setting. Anything that gets your heart pumping while taking in the beauty of a late fall afternoon.

Dinner with friends!

Host a pot-luck dinner with friends. Have your friends bring over their favorite foods, open some wine or beer or your favorite beverage, and hang out like when you were in high school. If you have a fire pit or a patio, sit outside while the weather is still nice.

Field trips!

Pick apples, have a picnic, and drink cider. Although Halloween is over, many farms still have apples that need to be picked and cider that needs drinking. Bring a picnic and enjoy one of the last fall hayrides outside.

Bake a cake!

If you like to cook or bake, do so. Pull out your favorite recipes and start your dough rising and get that crockpot going. The best part of having cooking or baking as one of your hobbies is that you always have something awesome to eat when you’re done.

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but having separate hobbies and projects to work on helps keep your mind and soul balanced. It can also be motivation to finish your words so you can get back to your hobby. Whatever you choose to do, do it with a happy heart and no guilt. Your book will get written, regardless if you hit the magic 50K number. But ending November with a hunched back and crooked fingers serves no one–not you, not your family, and not your characters. So do yourself a favor by stepping away from your WIP and having some fun!

The post Rough Draft November Check-in & Fun first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Winter Wishes & Holiday Kisses Release Day

It’s almost Thanksgiving which means it’s time for another Christmas anthology. This collection, Winter Wishes & Holiday Kisses, is a steamy holiday collection that includes a sexy Christmas novella from my Kingsmill Courtships series. This story, His Christmas Runaway Bride, is about Ivy Lane and Trent Mosby and their struggles with believing in the redemptive power of love, even in the most dangerous situations. It’s a love story that will change their lives forever.

The authors in this anthology include: Stephanie Morris – USA Today bestselling author, Megyn Ward – USA Today bestselling author, Rose Bak – USA Today bestselling author, Sharon Wray – USA Today bestselling author, Bella Emy – USA Today bestselling author, A.M. Roark – USA Today bestselling author, Cindy Redding – USA Today bestselling author, Laura Baird, Victoria J. Hyla, Carla Krae, Ella Braeme, LizAnne Axtel, Britt Jones, A. Rivers, Audrey Bell, Cara Marsi, Amanda Zook, Euryia Larsen, Haley Rhoades, Sarah L. Roth, Susanna Eastman, Ali Rivers, Leigh Adams, Dawn Baca, Tizahmi, Anne Lange, Anika Lynn, Lilly Avalon, and J. Keely Thrall.

Winter Wishes & Holiday KissesA Limited Edition Holiday Romance Collection

Anything can happen during the holidays!

Get ready to be swept off your feet by the flames of desire in the Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses anthology. This exclusive anthology celebrates the winter holidays with contemporary romance that will thaw even the coldest of hearts.

From snowy landscapes to festive celebrations, these stories capture the essence of the season in all its splendor. From friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, and more, these authors invite you to experience the magic and steaminess of the holidays.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the ultimate holiday romance. Order your copy today and melt away the winter chill.

Buy now!His Christmas Runaway Bride

This Christmas, can Ivy find a home with Trent, or will a dangerous secret force her to leave again?

Ivy Lane thought moving to Kingsmill, VA, with her new boyfriend, Trent Mosby, would allow her to rebuild her life. She also believes that separate apartments will give their whirlwind relationship a chance to slow down. Ivy is in love, but she’s also pragmatic. She’s run from relationships before and hopes that if she takes her time, Kingsmill, and Trent, will be her final destination.

Trent, not thrilled with the living arrangements, is willing to do whatever is necessary to make Ivy feel safe and happy–until a power outage threatens the town’s Christmas events and Ivy becomes a target of the local outlaw MC. When Trent takes on his hometown’s most dangerous elements, he’ll sacrifice everything to save her. Even if it sends her running away again.

As Christmas approaches, and outside threats force them apart, Trent must prove to Ivy that their love is real… their love will survive… and their love will last forever.

Buy now!

The post Winter Wishes & Holiday Kisses Release Day first appeared on Sharon Wray.

A Story for Veterans Day

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, during the 11th month of 1919, WW I ended. Originally known as Armistice Day, in 1954 it was changed to Veterans Day, to celebrate all the men and women who’ve served (and are currently serving), in the U.S. Military. There are so many stories of heroism within our military, but today I wanted to share one of my favorites… even though it’s not well known. It’s the story of Captain Leonard LaRue, a Merchant Marine Captain who received a Christmas Day miracle during the Korean War, at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

[image error]Captain Leonard LaRue(1914-2001)Leonard LaRue was born in Philadelphia and was part a large Catholic family with five children. As a little boy, he loved tales of the sea so it was no surprise that when he was old enough he attended the Pennsylvania Nautical School, graduated in 1934, and joined the U.S. Merchant Marines.

During WWII, while naval battles were going on around the world, LaRue and his ship ran dangerous missions to and from the Soviet port of Murmansk.
Then, during the Korean War, LaRue and the Merchant Marines transported troops and supplies around the Korean peninsula.

But then, in 1950, he received orders to skipper the SS Meredith Victory, a 455-foot cargo freighter that was docked at Hungnam, in northeast Korea. When Captain LaRue arrived at Hungnam three days before Christmas (1950), he wrote about the desperate situation he found there, comparing it to Dante’s Inferno. “I trained my binoculars and saw a pitiable scene… refugees thronged the docks. With them was everything they could wheel, carry, or drag. Beside them, like frightened chicks, were their children.”

Why was the situation so desperate? Because UN forces, who had been pursuing the North Korean Army, had been surprised by the large number of Chinese troops who’d joined the fight. The Chinese Communist Army surrounded the UN forces in what is now called the “Battle of Chosin Reservoir.” Over 105,000 U.S. marines and soldiers, along with close to 100,000 Korean refugees, were pinned against the sea. As the Chinese Army moved in, orders came down to evacuate the U.S. military. But the U.S. Army command, believing the Chinese Army would slaughter the Korean refugees, requested that the refugees be evacuated as well.

Hungnam was then designated as an evacuation point for these American troops and Koreans who were fleeing the Communist Chinese Army. The Meredith Victory, carrying 300 tons of flammable jet fuel, navigated the 30-mile minefield around the Hungnam harbor. The Meredith Victory could only hold 60 people and it had 37 crew members. So Captain LaRue ordered almost all the supplies (except for the jet fuel) unloaded in order to fit 14,000 refugees on board. It was the last of 200 ships to finish loading refugees, and it did so just as the Chinese Army appeared 4,000 yards from the beachhead. While they finished loading refugees, naval and air bombardments hit the beach while demolition teams placed explosives within the harbor.

In the middle of a terrible war zone, the Meredith Victory now had no mine detector, no weapons (except for Captain LaRue’s pistol), no doctor, no interpreter, little water, and almost no food. And they were running low on fuel, while still carrying the flammable jet fuel. The ship was headed to Busan (formerly Pusan), over 500 miles away, with over 14,000 passengers who spent two freezing-cold nights sleeping on the upper deck with no blankets, no food or water, no sanitary facilities, and little warm clothing.

The ship had no escort and no way to protect itself from aerial bombardments or other attacks.

On Christmas Eve, the Meredith Victory reached Busan only to be turned away since that port was also overwhelmed with refugees. They went another 50 miles southwest, to the island of Kobe Do (now Geojedo) only to be turned away again. It was Christmas, and all the souls on the Meredith Victory were forced to spend another desperate night on the open seas.

The next day, two navy ships found the Meredith Victory and they were able to evacuate everyone to safety. Despite the desperate conditions, no one died and, miraculously, 5 babies were born and survived.
(Two of the survivors eventually got married and had a child, Moon Jae-in, who became the President of South Korea in 2017.)


The Guinness Book of World Records named Captain LaRue’s rescue efforts as the “largest evacuation from land by a single ship in the annals of the sea.” But when the war ended, Captain LaRue left the Merchant Marines and became a Benedictine monk at St. Paul’s Abbey in Newton, NJ. After twenty years of being at sea, Brother Marinus LaRue lived at the abbey for another forty-six years, until his death.

Years after leaving the military, he said, “I think often of that voyage. I think of how such a small vessel was able to hold so many persons and surmount endless perils without harm to a soul. The clear, unmistakable message comes to me that on that Christmastide, in the bleak and bitter waters off the shores of Korea, God’s own hand was at the helm of my ship.”

The post A Story for Veterans Day first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Sarah Munro’s Autumn Sugar Scrub

I love this time of year, except for the dry skin due to the lack of humidity and the colder air. So one of my go-to herbal recipes is this fall-scented scrub made with both white and brown sugar. It exfoliates, soothes, and moisturizes, all at the same time. You can use any essential oils you want, but this time of year I love clove and ginger oils. If I’m feeling tense and stressed, though, I’ll go with frankincense oil as it always wards off my headaches.

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 there is some evidence that clove essential oil can help soothe itchy skin and that ginger oil works as an anti-inflammatory, something I appreciate with all the hiking I do in the Fall that can leave me feeling achy and tired.

Ingredients:

½ cup white sugar¼ cup brown sugar⅓ cup Sweet Almond Oil 10 – 15 drops fall scented essential oil such as clove and ginger (half and half)DirectionsIn a large glass bowl, stir together the brown and white sugars.Stir in the almond oil and essential oil drops.Store sugar scrub in an air-tight glass container with a tight-sealing lid for up to 6 months.To use, scoop out a few tablespoons and rub it all over your skin. Then rinse off in the shower. But be careful in the shower–the sugar and oil can make the floor slippery. Dry off and apply your favorite moisturizer. 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!

The post Sarah Munro’s Autumn Sugar Scrub first appeared on Sharon Wray.

How Story Structure Saved the Princess, the Knight, and the Lamb

Years ago, I came up with this presentation for a local writing group and blog. And just a few days ago, someone asked me to share it again. So this is a repost from the very early archives… but it’s still totally relevant!

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I love writing, but I hate plotting. I’m much more comfortable having no idea what’s going to happen, writing out of order, then putting all the pieces together like a puzzle. Of course this means tons of revisions and time. So, to increase my productivity, I’ve read every craft book ever written and taken online plotting classes. And while I’d still rather wing the writing, one of my favorite devices is Anne Lamott’s story structure mnemonic.

From A to E, it’s short and easy to remember. For those of you who don’t know it, I’ll give a short re-cap.

Action (which includes the inciting incident), Background (backstory, which is now woven throughout the story), Conflict (goals, motivations, and hindrances), Development (protagonist’s journey) and End–parts 1 & 2 (crisis and resolution). Since I’m also a strong visual learner, I’ve come up with a visual representation of Ms. Lamott’s device, with an added prologue (because I love prologues, especially in stories where the heroine is a four-year old with a vivid imagination).

And this is how Ms. Lamott’s Story Structure saved the Princess, the Knight, and the Lamb.

All photos courtesy of Sharon Wray and her 4-year old twins.

The Princess, the Knight, and the LambPROLOGUE

Once upon a time, there was a Princess who wanted to play “Save the Lamb from the Evil Witch.” Except she didn’t have anyone to play with. So, with a smile and a cookie, she asked her twin brother, the Knight, “Will you play with me?”

He responded, his mouth filled with cookies, “Will there be fighting?”

“Yes,” she said. “With swords.”

He smiled. “I’m in!”

ACTION

“We have to hurry,” the Princess said. “We have to save the Lamb from the Evil Witch who lives on the other side of the dark mountain. But first we must find the Unicorn.”

“Do we kill the unicorn?” asked the Knight.

“No. We have to feed the unicorn. Then she will tell us how to defeat the witch.”

“Okay.” The Knight grabbed his sword. “Let’s go.”

CONFLICT

Once the Princess and the Knight got to the magic forest with the talking trees, the Knight said, “It’s dark and scary. Let’s feed the unicorn and get out of here.”

“Wait.” The Princess gripped his arm. “We have to find the fairies who will give us the unicorn food.”

“Okay,” he said, holding his sword out in front to protect them. “Let’s do it.”

“We can’t just ask the fairies for food,” the Princess said.

“Why not?” The Knight frowned. “And when do I get to use my sword?”

The Princess sighed. “The fairies will have three riddles for us to answer. Then we have to attend the magical fairy feast where they will try to poison us. But we can get an antidote for the poison from a talking rabbit who will betray us, but then become our mentor and guide and be redeemed.”

DEVELOPMENT

“I don’t understand,” The Knight grumbled. “Where’s the action? When do I get to fight something?”

“Soon.” The Princess smiled. “After we get away from the fairies and the rabbit and find the unicorn, you’ll have to slay the dragon.”

“Whoa!” he said with a huge grin. “There’s a dragon?”

“Yes, But don’t touch his gold. It’s enchanted.”

“I just want to use my sword,” the Knight said. “Now let’s find those fairies, slay the dragon, feed the unicorn, and save the lamb from the evil queen!”

END/CRISIS

“I’m done.” The Knight leaned against a talking tree and sighed. “There was no dragon, no fighting, and this backstory is giving me a headache.”

The Princess pulled on his arm. “I thought you wanted to play with me?”

“I wanted to use my sword,” he said. “Not talk for three hours.”

The Princess stomped her royal foot. “You promised!”

“Whatever,” the Knight said, leaving the forest. “I hope the Good Queen has more cookies.”

END/RESOLUTION

The Princess and the Knight couldn’t agree on how to proceed. Should he go play with Legos and find more cookies? Could she fight the fairies, dragon, and evil witch on her own?

Seeing no end to the conflict, the Good Queen (ME!) showed up with homemade brownies and lemonade (deus ex machina) and said, “I slayed the dragon, sent the fairies out to the garden, put the lamb down for a nap, and the evil witch is doing laundry. So all is well!”

“Long live the Good Queen!” yelled the Princess and the Knight.

So the Princess and the Knight ate brownies, took baths, and read books. Then they went to bed and ended their day with a Happily Ever After.

And the Good Queen took a bow.

The post How Story Structure Saved the Princess, the Knight, and the Lamb first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Roasted Fall Veggie Soup

It’s that time of year again! At least here in Virginia, it’s time to hit the Shenandoah National Park, whether by car or by foot. I’ve been very lucky to have seen so much of the country, but this area–especially in the Fall–is one of my favorites. You have the splendid color that you find in New England, mild-enough weather, and a national park that’s been faithfully preserved. It also means that this time of year I have tons of company–all of whom need to be fed.

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After a day at the park, I usually serve one of my slow cooker stews. But this coming weekend we’re having a picnic, so I’m making a Roasted Fall Veggie Soup that I can serve with roast beef and Swiss cheese sandwiches. Both will be easy to transport and I doubt I’ll have any leftovers. I may also bring my favorite brownies.

PrintRoasted Fall Veggie SoupThis is an easy soup to make, once you cut all the veggies. It can be made a few days ahead of time but may need to be thinned out with more broth as the soup tends to thicken in the refrigerator. I serve this soup with a crusty bread or sandwiches and sometimes with a side salad.Course SoupKeyword Autumn SoupPrep Time 30 minutes minutesCook Time 2 hours hoursServings 8Calories 176kcalIngredients2 pounds butternut squash peeled & diced into 1" chunks2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled & diced into 1" chunks1 pound carrots peeled & cut into 1" chunks8 cloves garlic peeled1 Vidalia onion peeled & cut into quarters2 Tablespoons olive oilSalt & pepper to taste4 cups chicken broth + more as needed1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 tiny pinch cayenne pepper5 ounces coconut milkInstructionsPreheat the oven to 425℉ and line 2 rimmed baking sheets with tin foil. Position the oven racks in the top third and the bottom third of the oven.In a large bowl, toss all the veggies, onion, and garlic cloves with the olive oil. Evenly arrange the veggies on the baking sheets and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until all the veggies are soft and browned and beginning to caramelize.Put all of the veggies into a large stockpot and add the chicken broth, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Bring the soup to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for another hour and then blend the soup with an immersion blender. Slowly stir in the coconut milk as you reheat the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Roasted Fall Veggie Soup first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Rough Draft November Begins!

As I mentioned in my earlier Preptober posts, I’m not doing NaNo this year. But I am doing my own version of writing a draft of a novel during November. I’ve joined a few of my friends in other November Writing projects that include writing sprints and check-ins, but I’m giving myself a lot of grace this year to use this time to evaluate my personal writing process. Since this is also a busy month for me, between work, family visits, and holidays, I’ve laid out a few self-care reminders for myself.

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Maybe it’s because I’ve been writing for a long time, or maybe it’s my age, but I’m entering this month with an attitude of “what gets done, gets done”. That’s the wonderful thing about being a professional, full-time writer. You have a realistic understanding of both the creative process and the publishing industry. But while having deadlines helps me get the words down, really life always has its ups and downs, especially around the holidays. These ups and downs don’t mean that writing a rough draft in a month isn’t worth the time and effort. It just means that you need to take care of yourself with some fun and some self-care. And, no, they’re not the same thing. I’ve posted about this in previous years, but here’s an updated list of some things you can do for yourself as you write all the words:

A Few Self-Care Ideas for NaNoWriMoTAKE BATHS. There’s something so inviting and relaxing about a hot bath, especially when the weather gets colder. If you need some ideas on how to add herbal remedies to your bath, check out The Romance Herbalist. There are a number of inexpensive bath salt recipes that will elevate your experience in the tub.DRINK TEA. Stock up and drink your favorite tea. Black, herbal, green–it doesn’t matter. Just have it on hand to help soothe your throat and keep your fingers warm as you type.REST YOUR EYES. It’s so important to give yourself time away from the screen. Eye strain is real and it can be debilitating. Go take a walk or a nap or meet your friends at the pub. Just get away from the screen and give your eyes a break. GET OUTSIDE. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get some fresh air and vitamin D. And walk in silence while your let your subconscious work on your novel. It always amazes me when I come up with the perfect solution to a plot problem while I’m walking through the woods. GO THRIFT SHOPPING. The holidays are coming up and money is tight for so many. But since I volunteer in a high-end thrift shop, I know that BEFORE Thanksgiving is the best time to find great deals for Christmas and other holiday events. People have dropped off their things from their Fall Cleaning to get ready for the winter, and you’d be shocked at the amazing deals on NEW things that can be found at thrift shops.SPEND TIME WITH NON-WRITING PEOPLE. It doesn’t matter if you go out to dinner, grab a coffee, or go see a movie. Spending time with others who don’t write helps you get out of your own head and eases your mind. You’ll be shocked at how often non-writer friends can solve plot problems over a pitcher of mojitos! SCENT YOURSELF. If you can handle scents, light a favorite candle or choose a wonderful hand cream or add scented salts to your bath. Scents are powerful things and certain ones, like lavender and lemongrass, can help both your conscious and subconscious mind rest and relax.PLAY BOARD GAMES, VIDEO GAMES, OR DO PUZZLES. I know it may seem silly to play games and work on puzzles, but these games provide two things: Spending time with people and friendly competition in something that has nothing to do with writing. Writers tend to be solitary, but unless you’re playing solitaire it’s difficult to play a board game or an online multi-player computer game by yourself. And while you can work on a puzzle alone, it’s always more fun with friends. This kind of time away from your WIP rests your mind and reminds you that there is a life outside of the stories running through your head. (Although watch the screen time with video games if you need to rest your eyes)WORK IN THE GARDEN. It’s that time of year when garden beds need to be cleaned up and herbs can be harvested for drying. Or you just may need to pull out old tomato plants and drop in some spring flower bulbs. Whatever your garden looks like, no matter how large or small, spending time with your hands in the dirt is a good way to rest your mind and allow your subconscious to plot without the hard work of staring at a blank screen. FIND ANOTHER CREATIVE HOBBY. Whether is doodling, working on your planners, painting the autumn sky, or cooking a new meal, doing something else creative–especially something you can share with others like a meal–is another great way to alleviate the stress of writing an entire book in 30 days.KEEP A STORY JOURNAL. This is something I’ve been doing for years. It’s not a list of books I’ve read (I actually don’t do that anymore), but it’s a journal of the stories I consume throughout the week, whether movies, TV series, plays, or books. I journal about the types of stories I’ve consumed and what worked and didn’t work for the genre. Was the mystery too easy to solve? Why do I love Beauty and the Beast stories so much? How did they make that silly heroine become really smart at the end? Just journal whatever comes to mind because, I promise, it will all end up in your subconscious which is where you Muse lives. So feed the Muse!COOK A MEAL. I don’t like food shopping or cooking, but I like to meal plan and I love to eat. And for some reason, when I’m on a tight deadline, I have a need to make delicious, home-cooked meals. Maybe it’s a control thing. I can’t control my characters, but I can control what I eat and drink. I’m not sure why, but when I’m cooking (and doing the laundry and taking a walk), plot problems seem to solve themselves. If you need an idea for a meal plan during a deadline month, I have one here.EARLY HOLIDAY PREP. Sometimes, when a story isn’t going well, I need to organize things. And while I do this to make the holidays easier, the routine of organizing, sorting, and making simple decisions gives my Muse some downtime. And, just like with cooking, laundry, walking, etc., sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not looking for them.A PRAYER TO THE MUSE. Since I’m mentioning Muses, here is a prayer from Homer’s The Odyssey where the narrator opens this epic story with a prayer to a Muse, begging for this story to be told well, all the way to the end. It’s kind of silly, but you can make it part of your routine when you sit down and write. GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. Writing a book is hard. It’s draining physically and mentally. So when it all becomes too much, give yourself the grace to stop and rest. Sit by a fire, eat S’mores, and listen to the last songs of the Autumn crickets. And try to remember that this is supposed to be fun!

While some of the above ideas cost some money (I’m looking at you, mojitos, thrift shops, and flower bulbs!), most don’t. These ideas are separate from rewards because they’re not about motivation. They’re about keeping yourself sane and healthy while you work so you end the month feeling as great–or better–than when you started. Good luck to you all and I hope the words continue to flow!

The post Rough Draft November Begins! first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Happy Halloween… and the Days of Saints and Souls

Today is Halloween, the first day in a three-day celebration of the one thing that we all have in common: Death. No matter where you go in the world, no matter which century you visit, at this time of year you’ll find the same thing–a celebration of a bountiful harvest and the realization that winter is coming.

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This time of year is all about change. In September, we have the Fall Equinox and Ember Days, where light and dark are equal in length. In October, the light begins to take over, getting darker and darker, until the final harvest is in. When we lived in a fully agrarian society, the bounty of the second harvest offered a hard truth. The amount that was harvested would decide how many people would live through the winter. After the harvest was in, and the food prepped and stored for the winter, people would turn their attention to their physical safety–strengthening fences, cleaning and sharpening weapons, fixing roofs, etc. because even if there was a bountiful harvest, the second hard truth was that, during the winter, others would come to take what they themselves didn’t have.

So it’s no surprise that by the end of October, when nights outlasts days, people believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest. Both pagans and Christians believed that this time of year served two purposes. The first was to show their gratitude for the harvest (and pray for a short winter). The second purpose was to pray for the dead. Examples are the Gaelic festival of of Samhain and, in Mexico, the celebration of Día de los Muertos.

Traditionally, the Gaelic druids believed that November 1st was a day to honor the dead. Eventually, as Ireland and Britain became christian, the day was split between November 1 and 2. November 1st became All Hallows Day (aka Hallowmas) while November 2 became All Souls Day. Why All Hallows Day? Because in old English the word Hallow is an archaic form of the word Saint. Which is why we now call November 1 All Saints Day.

The day before All Hallows became All Hallows Eve and it was believed that because the veil between the living and the dead was thin, the dead could come back and walk the earth, possibly seeking those among the living who were ready to die. On All Hallows Eve, which became Halloween, people wore costumes, carried lanterns and built bonfires to confuse the spirits and lead them back to the land of the dead before they took any of the living with them. After a night of bonfires and revelry, people would then spend the next two days honoring the dead. On November 1, they’d honor the saints–those martyrs who died for the faith. Then, on November 2, they honored those souls who may still be in purgatory (a cleansing space before being allowed entrance into Heaven).

For centuries, both pagans and christians celebrated these days with the hope that by honoring the dead, and keeping them where they needed to be, the living would be make it through the winter. But as time passed, these days have become more about harvest festivals, trick-or-treating, and preparing for Thanksgiving. Still, when All Hallows Eve arrives, there always seems to be an extra chill in the air, more shadows in the darkness, and an awareness that the living are not alone.

The post Happy Halloween… and the Days of Saints and Souls first appeared on Sharon Wray.