Sharon Wray's Blog, page 30

October Book Fairs and Reading Events

It’s finally October! I have two book promos for you, and I’ve also included a fun Facebook event in December to look forward to 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.

2Steamy Romance Book Fair

Next we have Steamy Romance Bookfair, another collection of free/.99 preorder/$1.99 sale and ARC romance novels in all contemporary sub-genres. This list also includes an anthology I’m currently participating in: Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses.

3The Isn’t it Romantic Book Club Group Book Treats Giveaway

Join The Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Group to participate in our annual Halloween Book Treats Giveaway!! Join me, Abbie, Diana, and Jennie as we celebrate our favorite spooky holiday on October 30th with free books, book swag, gift cards, and more. Remember, it’s totally free!!!

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

Join The Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Group on November 1 while we interview Liana De La Rosa and her newest release Isabel and the Rogue! It’ll be live-streamed on our YouTube channel and we hope you’ll join us there!

5Abbie 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 October Book Fairs and Reading Events first appeared on Sharon Wray.

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Roasted Cauliflower Soup

It’s that time of year again! Tonight is the night of my annual Hocus Pocus dinner party where we sit around the fireplace and watch Max and Dani’s adventures in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night. It’s not my favorite Halloween movie, but it’s a great movie for the entire family to watch together. Not too scary, not too silly–overall just a great family-friendly movie.

Anyway, tonight I’m serving Hard Cider Brats, a simple Caesar salad (from the grocery store), and homemade Apple Oatmeal Cookies. But to begin with, I’m serving this new recipe I’ve been playing with: Roasted Cauliflower Soup.

I had this soup recently at my favorite restaurant, and I’ve adapted three recipes (one from my old Betty Crocker Cookbook and two on the internet) to get close to the original. I think I’ve done a pretty good job. The only thing I might add tonight is a dash of light cream and drop of olive oil on top to finish it off. I hope you all have a great October weekend and enjoy the Fall weather!

PrintRoasted Cauliflower SoupCourse SoupKeyword Autumn SoupPrep Time 45 minutes minutesCook Time 1 hour hour 1 minute minuteServings 6Calories 145kcalIngredients2 heads cauliflower broken into floretsolive oil cooking spray¼ cup olive oil1 large leek washed, peeled, and chopped4 cloves garlic chopped2 cups water4 cups chicken brothsalt and ground black pepper to tasteInstructionsFill a large bowl with cold, lightly salted water. Stir in the cauliflower florets and soak for 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry.Adjust the oven rack to 6" from the top of the oven and preheat the low broiler. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Layer the cauliflower on the baking sheet evenly and spray with the spray olive oil. Broil for about 25 minutes, until lightly browned. But watch it so it doesn't burn.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat and saute the onions until they begin to caramelize, about 15 minutes. Stir in the roasted cauliflower and garlic and toss over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the water and chicken broth. Simmer, covered, for 40 minutes or until all the veggies are soft enough to be pureed. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth and silky Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

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A Ghostly Tale for Halloween

I have always loved the short stories that come from this time of year. Sleepy Hollow is one of my favorites, but so is this little known story also written by Washington Irving. This story, The Adventure of the German Student, first appeared in the 1824 collection of short stories titled “Tales of a Traveller“. It was supposedly a retelling of a French ghost story, as it takes place during the French Revolution. But no tale in particular has ever been noted. There are a few variations of this story floating around, although the one below (now in the Public Domain) is my favorite version. It’s spooky and unexpected and I hope you enjoy reading it on a cold October night!

WASHINGTON IRVING (1783–1859)
The Adventure of the German Student(This story is in the Public Domain)

On a stormy night, in the tempestuous times of the French revolution, a young German was returning to his lodgings, at a late hour, across the old part of Paris. The lightning gleamed, and the loud claps of thunder rattled through the lofty, narrow streets—but I should first tell you something about this young German.

Gottfried Wolfgang was a young man of good family. He had studied for some time at Göttingen, but being of a vision- ary and enthusiastic character, he had wandered into those wild and speculative doctrines which have so often bewildered German students. His secluded life, his intense application, and the singular nature of his studies, had an effect on both mind and body. His health was impaired; his imagination diseased. He had been indulging in fanciful speculations on spiritual essences until, like Swedenborg, he had an ideal world of his own around him. He took up a notion, I do not know from what cause, that there was an evil influence hanging over him; an evil genius or spirit seeking to ensnare him and ensure his perdition. Such an idea working on his melancholy tempera- ment produced the most gloomy effects. He became haggard and desponding. His friends discovered the mental malady preying upon him, and determined that the best cure was a change of scene; he was sent, therefore, to finish his studies amidst the splendours and gaieties of Paris.

Wolfgang arrived at Paris at the breaking out of the revolu- tion. The popular delirium at first caught his enthusiastic mind, and he was captivated by the political and philosophical theories of the day: but the scenes of blood which followed shocked his sensitive nature; disgusted him with society and the world, and made him more than ever a recluse. He shut him- self up in a solitary apartment in the Pays Latin, the quarter of students. There in a gloomy street not far from the monastic walls of the Sorbonne, he pursued his favourite speculations. Sometimes he spent hours together in the great libraries of Paris, those catacombs of departed authors, rummaging among their hoards of dusty and obsolete works in quest of food for his unhealthy appetite. He was, in a manner, a literary goul, feeding in the charnel house of decayed literature.

Wolfgang, though solitary and recluse, was of an ardent temperament, but for a time it operated merely upon his imag- ination. He was too shy and ignorant of the world to make any advances to the fair, but he was a passionate admirer of female beauty, and in his lonely chamber would often lose himself in reveries on forms and faces which he had seen, and his fancy would deck out images of loveliness far surpassing the reality.
While his mind was in this excited and sublimated state, a dream produced an extraordinary effect upon him. It was of a female face of transcendent beauty. So strong was the impres- sion made, that he dreamt of it again and again. It haunted his thoughts by day, his slumbers by night; in fine, he became passionately enamoured of this shadow of a dream. This lasted so long, that it became one of those fixed ideas which haunt the minds of melancholy men, and are at times mistaken for madness.

Such was Gottfried Wolfgang, and such his situation at the time I mentioned. He was returning home late one stormy night, through some of the old and gloomy streets of the Marais, the ancient part of Paris. The loud claps of thunder rattled among the high houses of the narrow streets. He came to the Place de Grève, the square where public executions are per- formed. The lightning quivered about the pinnacles of the an- cient Hôtel de Ville, and shed flickering gleams over the open space in front. As Wolfgang was crossing the square, he shrank back with horror at finding himself close by the guillotine. It was the height of the reign of terror, when this dreadful instru- ment of death stood ever ready, and its scaffold was continually running with the blood of the virtuous and the brave. It had that very day been actively employed in the work of carnage, and there it stood in grim array amidst a silent and sleeping city, waiting for fresh victims.

Wolfgang’s heart sickened within him, and he was turning shuddering from the horrible engine, when he beheld a shad- owy form cowering as it were at the foot of the steps which led up to the scaffold. A succession of vivid flashes of lightning re- vealed it more distinctly. It was a female figure, dressed in black. She was seated on one of the lower steps of the scaffold, leaning forward, her face hid in her lap, and her long dishev- elled tresses hanging to the ground, streaming with the rain which fell in torrents. Wolfgang paused. There was something awful in this solitary monument of wo. The female had the ap- pearance of being above the common order. He knew the times to be full of vicissitude, and that many a fair head, which had once been pillowed on down, now wandered houseless. Perhaps this was some poor mourner whom the dreadful axe had rendered desolate, and who sat here heartbroken on the strand of existence, from which all that was dear to her had been launched into eternity.

He approached, and addressed her in the accents of sympa- thy. She raised her head and gazed wildly at him. What was his astonishment at beholding, by the bright glare of the light- ning, the very face which had haunted him in his dreams. It was pale and disconsolate, but ravishingly beautiful.

Trembling with violent and conflicting emotions, Wolfgang again accosted her. He spoke something of her being exposed at such an hour of the night, and to the fury of such a storm, and offered to conduct her to her friends. She pointed to the guillotine with a gesture of dreadful signification.

“I have no friend on earth!” said she.

“But you have a home,” said Wolfgang.

“Yes—in the grave!”

The heart of the student melted at the words. “If a stranger dare make an offer,” said he, “without danger of being misunderstood, I would offer my humble dwelling as a shelter; myself as a devoted friend. I am friendless myself in Paris, and a stranger in the land; but if my life could be of ser- vice, it is at your disposal, and should be sacrificed before harm or indignity should come to you.”

There was an honest earnestness in the young man’s manner that had its effect. His foreign accent, too, was in his favour; it showed him not to be a hackneyed inhabitant of Paris. Indeed there is an eloquence in true enthusiasm that is not to be doubted. The homeless stranger confided herself implicitly to the protection of the student.

He supported her faltering steps across the Pont Neuf, and by the place where the statue of Henry the Fourth had been overthrown by the populace. The storm had abated, and the thunder rumbled at a distance. All Paris was quiet; that great volcano of human passion slumbered for a while, to gather fresh strength for the next day’s eruption. The student con- ducted his charge through the ancient streets of the Pays Latin, and by the dusky walls of the Sorbonne to the great, dingy hotel which he inhabited. The old portress who admitted them stared with surprise at the unusual sight of the melan- choly Wolfgang with a female companion.

On entering his apartment, the student, for the first time, blushed at the scantiness and indifference of his dwelling. He had but one chamber—an old fashioned saloon—heavily carved and fantastically furnished with the remains of former magnifi- cence, for it was one of those hotels in the quarter of the Lux- embourg palace which had once belonged to nobility. It was lumbered with books and papers, and all the usual apparatus of a student, and his bed stood in a recess at one end.

When lights were brought, and Wolfgang had a better op- portunity of contemplating the stranger, he was more than ever intoxicated by her beauty. Her face was pale, but of a dazzling fairness, set off by a profusion of raven hair that hung clus- tering about it. Her eyes were large and brilliant, with a singu- lar expression approaching almost to wildness. As far as her black dress permitted her shape to be seen, it was of perfect symme- try. Her whole appearance was highly striking, though she was dressed in the simplest style. The only thing approaching to an ornament which she wore was a broad, black band round her neck, clasped by diamonds.

The perplexity now commenced with the student how to dispose of the helpless being thus thrown upon his protection. He thought of abandoning his chamber to her, and seeking shelter for himself elsewhere. Still he was so fascinated by her charms, there seemed to be such a spell upon his thoughts and senses, that he could not tear himself from her presence. Her manner, too, was singular and unaccountable. She spoke no more of the guillotine. Her grief had abated. The attentions of the student had first won her confidence, and then, apparently, her heart. She was evidently an enthusiast like himself, and en- thusiasts soon understand each other.

In the infatuation of the moment Wolfgang avowed his pas- sion for her. He told her the story of his mysterious dream, and how she had possessed his heart before he had even seen her. She was strangely affected by his recital, and acknowl- edged to have felt an impulse towards him equally unaccount- able. It was the time for wild theory and wild actions. Old prejudices and superstitions were done away; every thing was under the sway of the “Goddess of Reason.” Among other rubbish of the old times, the forms and ceremonies of mar- riage began to be considered superfluous bonds for honour- able minds. Social compacts were the vogue. Wolfgang was too much of a theorist not to be tainted by the liberal doc- trines of the day.

“Why should we separate?” said he: “our hearts are united; in the eye of reason and honour we are as one. What need is there of sordid forms to bind high souls together?”

The stranger listened with emotion: she had evidently re- ceived illumination at the same school.

“You have no home nor family,” continued he; “let me be every thing to you, or rather let us be every thing to one an- other. If form is necessary, form shall be observed—there is my hand. I pledge myself to you for ever.”

“For ever?” said the stranger, solemnly.

“For ever!” repeated Wolfgang.

The stranger clasped the hand extended to her: “Then I am yours,” murmured she, and sank upon his bosom.

The next morning the student left his bride sleeping, and sallied forth at an early hour to seek more spacious apartments, suitable to the change in his situation. When he returned, he found the stranger lying with her head hanging over the bed, and one arm thrown over it. He spoke to her, but received no reply. He advanced to awaken her from her uneasy posture. On taking her hand, it was cold—there was no pulsation—her
face was pallid and ghastly.—In a word—she was a corpse. Horrified and frantic, he alarmed the house. A scene of con- fusion ensued. The police was summoned. As the officer of police entered the room, he started back on beholding the corpse.

“Great heaven!” cried he, “how did this woman come here?”

“Do you know any thing about her?” said Wolfgang, eagerly.

“Do I?” exclaimed the police officer: “she was guillotined yesterday!”

He stepped forward; undid the black collar round the neck of the corpse, and the head rolled on the floor!

The student burst into a frenzy. “The fiend! the fiend has gained possession of me!” shrieked he: “I am lost for ever!”

They tried to soothe him, but in vain. He was possessed with the frightful belief that an evil spirit had reanimated the dead body to ensnare him. He went distracted, and died in a madhouse.
——
Here the old gentleman with the haunted head finished his narrative.

“And is this really a fact?” said the inquisitive gentleman.

“A fact not to be doubted,” replied the other. “I had it from the best authority. The student told it me himself. I saw him in a madhouse at Paris.”
1824

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Sarah Munro’s Pear Cinnamon Tea

I love this time of year! Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons, but mostly because I love the drinks and meals associated with October and November. One of my new favorite autumn teas is a rooibos tea simmered with fresh pairs and cinnamon. This homemade Pear Cinnamon Tea uses commercially available rooibos tea leaves that can be found in most grocery stores and online. Here is a link to Mountain Rose Herbs, one of my favorite online herbal stores that carries rooibos tea. (I am NOT an affiliate)

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 cinnamon, honey, and pears have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties that also stimulate the circulatory system and have antimicrobial properties. And the rooibos tea imparts Vitamin C. And this time of year, you can’t get enough Vitamin C!

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons red rooibos leaf tea1 sweet cinnamon stick, broken in half1 ripe pear, peeled, cored, and sliceddash of honey for sweetnessDirectionsFill a small saucepan with 2 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a low simmer.Add the pear slices and the cinnamon stick pieces to the saucepan and simmer for 6-8 minutes, until the pear is soft. Remove the pan from the stove and add the tea leaves.Steep for 3 minutes. Strain and serve the tea with a dash of honey and a cinnamon stick. (all the garnishes are optional) 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 Pear Cinnamon Tea first appeared on Sharon Wray.

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Prep & Plan: A New Beginning

If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, you all know that I am a romance author. I write romantic suspense, contemporary romance motorcycle club romance, women’s fiction–basically I’m all over the place which is the exact WRONG thing be as an author since it makes it so hard to brand myself. But what you may not know is that I’m also a librarian who once worked as an emergency Red Cross case worker for the U.S. Army in South Korea. (I also designed wedding gowns in Paris, but that’s another story! lol)

Those experiences…

have shaped my writing but also how I plan my life. With the onslaught of bad news lately–the storms, politics, wars, etc.–I’ve decided to edit and republish a series I ran during the pandemic called the Prep & Plan Series.

It’s a free, weekly guide to truly understanding how to prepare for difficult times without spending a ton of money and without all the stress and anxiety this kind of work can cause.

So for the next few weeks, I’ll be sending out new nd edited Prep & Plan blog posts that will walk you through the process of how to start with no plan and end up with a logical, easy way to protect your family and home to the best of your abilities.

Warning: This first post is VERY LONG. But I’ve added recipes at the end to make it sweeter. And I promise that the next posts, while long, won’t be this voluminous.

And watch out for news about the YouTube videos that will go along with this series. I’m in the process of filming them now and will let you k now why they’ve been uploaded.

Prep & Plan Week 1: The (Very, Very Long) Beginning: Did you know that, for centuries, this time of year was when people traditionally did all of their home projects–specifically those that improved the safety of their home and village?

This makes sense. First, winter is coming so if the roof needs repair or the town wall needs to be shored up, now is the time. Second, the first two harvests are in (the third comes in around Halloween) and everyone has been paid. So there’s money to do the work. Third, since the harvest work is mostly done, people need jobs so handymen abound. Fourth, since winter is coming, so are the hordes of people who didn’t prepare and want your things so they don’t starve and freeze to death. Fifth, and this is more aesthetic than important, people (probably women) want their home to be clean and cared for if they’re going to be stuck inside with the kids for months and months.

Although most of us have moved away from traditional agrarian life, and we’re not worried about the hordes coming to take our stuff, this time of year is also known as “little spring cleaning”. We don’t talk about it much, but in this 21st century world, there’s still a sense our homes need to be cleaned and cared for before the holidays come and the first snow hits. Some people even redecorate–putting up heavier curtains to keep the winter winds out, laying out new rugs that can handle the mud and snow, etc.

I know that the word “prepper” has all sorts of connotations, but being ready for emergencies has nothing to do with the TV shows about people hiding in underground bunkers or building tree houses in the Ozarks. The kind of Prepping & Planning I’m talking about is a no-nonsense, no-stress way of evaluating risk and your family’s readiness in the face of unexpected emergencies. And these unexpected emergencies can be anything from a flat tire 100 miles from home or a burst washing machine hose that is flooding the house (both of these have happened to me!). 

We’re lucky that there is tons of information available on the internet for people who want to prepare for any type of disaster or problem such as hurricanes, pandemics, blizzards, wild fires, etc. But there’s so much information, it’s easy to get overloaded and say, “I’ll worry about it tomorrow.” Analysis Paralysis hits and we don’t know where to start. This especially hits hard in people who are new to planning or are worried about money. It affects me and I’ve been planning for years. So my hope is that with these blog posts (and maybe videos), I’ll help you build a mindset that will guide you through all the noise so you don’t waste time and money. 

Why do I feel like I’m qualified to help build you build a Prep & Plan mindset? Because I’ve been in some awful situations (domestically and overseas) and have been traumatized by events out of my control. I’ve also worked for the American Red Cross overseas during periods of unrest and an uneasy truce. My past experiences have taught me, a romance and women’s fiction author who rarely leaves the house, how important it is to be prepared. 

There is so much advice out there–much of it is good–but if you follow it without a plan you’ll end up exhausted and broke. So the first thing we’re going to do is build up the right mindset. The RIGHT MINDSET is the most important step–before you watch prepping videos and run out to buy a pressure canner and more toilet paper. 

Being prepared isn’t about the stuff you have. It truly is about your mindset. And building this mindset requires thought and time spent answering questions about where you are, what do you think your greatest threats are, and how are you going to begin without breaking the bank or becoming a hoarder. 

What do I mean about mindset? Well, the definition of mindset is “the established set of attitudes held by someone.” (Merriam-Webster). Usually, our mindsets work for us on a daily basis and we don’t even think about it until the New Year rolls around and we start trying to change our habits to meet our resolutions. So anyone who has attempted New Year’s resolutions understands how hard it is to change behaviors and build new habits.  Luckily, in this realm of prepping and planning, it’s not that hard to build new habits. But mindset has to be the first place to start. 

This series will not be about how to buy the best hiking equipment or home defense implement or anything of that sort–there’s plenty of information on the internet about those things.  What this series is meant to do is help you just get started. Because that’s where I see all of the mistakes being made. 

So, like I said, we need to change our mindsets about what Prepping & Planning is all about so that when the bad things happen, we don’t panic. Why don’t we panic? Because we’ve already thought through all of these events and have prepared for them to the best of our abilities. 

For example: If you have a bunch of kids, you may have the mindset that you need to buy their birthday and holiday presents throughout the year when you can get them on sale. Or you can have the mindset that you’ll just worry about each birthday and holiday the night before they happen. (I’ve done both!). But which do you think leads to less stress? Now I know that money can be an issue but there’s always some preparation that can be done ahead of time. But this example takes into account a few things. First, you are aware that you have children. Second, you know that holidays and birthdays are a thing you celebrate. Third, you understand that these events will cost money. So now you have a choice. You can choose to plan ahead or you can choose to do everything at the last minute. While both choices work, one is less stressful than another. I also know that sometimes kids don’t know what they want until the day before–but we can always guess and return things they don’t want. 

Anyway, the ability to recognize and acknowledge these three truths (awareness, knowledge, and understanding), plus the choice either to wait or plan ahead, is a mindset. Yet, like I mentioned above, this is the hardest part of getting prepared. It’s easy to run out with the credit card and buy stuff and hide it under the bed. But when the SHTF (s**t hits the fan), that’s not going to help you if you you’re panicked and unorganized and have no idea what to do next. Should I leave my home and bug out? Should I stay and hunker down? Will there be a forced evacuation? All of these questions will cause extreme stress to someone who isn’t mentally prepared, regardless of how much stuff is hidden beneath the beds. 

This is why we’re going to start at the beginning. If you’d like, scour the internet for lists and ideas and videos about prepping and planning ahead. But when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed and stressed, come back here. We’ll walk through everything that needs to be done–after we establish the right mindset. A mindset based on organized, rational thought and not panicked actions that lead to over-spending and stuffed closets. 

We will eventually return to the government and military’s lists, some of which are actually quite good and well thought out. But we’re going to start at the very, very beginning. This won’t cost anything and you only need a few tools with which to begin. Do not go out and buy fancy planners or notebooks or lots of washi tape! I love washi tape and markers, but this is not the time to worry about that. To all the perfectionists in my life–I promise you that it will all work out. 

The first thing we’re going to do is build up the right mindset. The RIGHT MINDSET is the most important step–before you watch prepping videos and run out to buy a pressure canner and more toilet paper. 

PART 1:

Pre-Planning Stage: First, you’ll need three college-rule legal pads and a pencil. We’ll be using all the pages so you definitely need three separate pads. They are not expensive and I bet you have some lying around the house. A set of 3 white legal pads is $2.44 at Walmart. They do not need to be perforated or have holes in the sides (although it’s fine if they do. Just don’t pay extra for that). They are more expensinve on Amazon because they come in packs of 5 or more. But you only need 3. Pre-Planning Notes: I bet you can find a pencil somewhere in the house. And if you run by a grocery store or drug store, you can pick up a cheap plastic pencil sharpener for under a buck. I am serious about not spending money on this. Use what you have. These legal pads are for our preliminary work and we’ll be transferring some of the data later on. (That’s when you go crazy with washi tape and stickersLet’s Begin at the Beginning: At the very top of the first page of one of the legal pads, list the number of adults (16+), children under 16, and animals that live in your household or that you are responsible for in an emergency (like if your mother lives down the street). Extra Begin at the Beginning Note: if you take care of kids or anyone else in your house during the day, include them off to the side. You never know–a storm may hit and their parents may not be able to get home for a while. So while we won’t take them into consideration for long-term planning, note that they are there and how often and for how long.Next Step: Then, on the same page, draw a straight line to divide the pad in half horizontally. (does not have to be perfect!)Let’s Make a Future List: In the top half of the page but below the names, list all of the disasters/bad things that have happened or could happen in your neighborhood, surrounding area, county or state. This can include pandemics, wild fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, civil unrest/riots, hospital closures, etc. List anything you can think of and write them down. But be realistic–not every place in the country gets hit by hurricanes or tsunamis or blizzards. But as we all recently learned, unexpected BAD things happen even in places where they’re not expected.List Notes: If you have a lot of things on your list, write them down in columns so you can read them but also fit them in the section. Leave extra space so you add things later as you think of them.Let’s Make a Past List: In the bottom half of the page, list the family/pet emergencies you’ve dealt with in the past and still remember. If you don’t remember them, they’re not worth planning for. This list could include things like broken toes, broken AC during a heat wave, frozen/burst pipes, fire, identity fraud, serious illness, unemployment, loss of insurance, injured pet, etc. Don’t relive and dwell on the things that have happened! We’re not doing an emotional purge.  Just jot them down. Again, leave space so you can add things later. Next Step: Tear that page off and stick it on your refrigerator or near your desk or somewhere you can see it and add to it as you think of things (because you will think of things later on while driving or in the shower). Remember, we’re not worrying about these things or reliving these things. We’re just listing these things.Next Next Step: Take one legal pad and title it: HOUSEHOLDTake the second legal pad and title it: FOOD & HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY Label the third legal pad: FINANCIAL/BUGOUT/LONG RANGE PLANNINGYay! Part 1 is done. Remember, this is not a judgment list about things that went wrong or how you wish you’d handled things differently. Do not wrap emotion around this list. It is simply a list for future planning. That is all. Now celebrate with a cup of tea (or a pumpkin coffee ) and a  pumpkin chocolate muffin , a pumpkin scone (there’s a theme here!) or beverage and snack of your choice. But make sure to do something!PART 2:

Okay.  You’re going to hate me for this next step, but it’s crucial if you’re going to plan properly without losing your mind, your family and friends, and all your money. This task may take you days or weeks. That’s okay. We can do other things to Plan & Prep while this chore is being done.

LEGAL PAD 1: HOUSEHOLD : Take the first legal pad and count out five pages. Leave them blank and mark the sixth page with a page flag, paperclip, or piece of tape. Now, count the number of rooms you have in the house, including bathrooms, large closest and storage areas like attics, basements, and under the stairs storage. If you have a separate pantry, laundry room, mudroom, etc. count them as well. (Don’t count sheds, barns, and garages yet. We’ll get to them later).Divide the Rooms: Now that you know how many rooms there are, divide up the remaining sheets of paper by that number. Although, I suggest you give extra pages to the kitchen, family room, larger bedrooms, and dining room. You only need 2-3 pages for the smaller bathrooms and closets. So in a 50 page legal pad, after leaving the first five pages blank, you’ll have 45 pages to play with. But we will use both sides so that will double our available pages. Use a piece of tape or a page flag or a paperclip to mark off the room sections. (Do not run out and buy shiny new office supplies! Use what you have!!)LEGAL PAD 1: HOUSEHOLD REVIEW: Okay, once this is done, we’ll move into the part you may hate (or not. It all depends). And remember, this part of the process could take days, weeks or months. It just needs to be done before we move too far forward.  But, if you do it right, you should be able to do a medium sized house in three – four hours. QUICKLY , go through your entire house and put away or throw away  ALL  the clutter. DON’T THINK ABOUT IT. Then do a light cleaning–dusting and vacuum and wipe down sinks. I am NOT talking about deep cleaning. Don’t even look at the baseboards or inside the family game cabinet. Just get all the distracting things out of the way (we’ll deal with it later) so you can get a good visual of each room. I don’t want you noticing the dog toys under the coffee table or the dust on the TV during this exercise which is why it’s important to do a super-quick clean. I prefer to work on one room at a time. I quickly put everything away or move it to another room and then dust and vacuum or sweep. Nothing too involved, and I don’t judge what I have or what I need. Once a room is done, grab the Household Legal Pad and sit somewhere towards the center of the room (I promise you, this is part of long term preparedness planning!). With the room quiet, and hopefully the rest of the family and pets elsewhere, begin to study the room, working from the perimeter inwards. Ask yourself the following questions and note them on the legal pad, in the appropriate section for each room” What floor is the room on?
How many windows and doors (both interior and exterior) are there?
Do the windows and doors have working locks? What kinds of locks are they?
If there are windows (including windows in the doors or glass doors), do you have curtains or blinds for privacy? 
If you have bookcases, are they stuffed with books or would there be room for more? 
How many cabinets and drawers (yes, count them but don’t open them!)
 Are there electronics in the room? How many? What kinds?
What batteries do these electronics take? Or do they just plug into the wall?
Are there lights in the room? What kind? (lamps, overheads, etc)
What kind of bulbs do these lights use?
What is the condition of the furniture? (is anything in need of repair, etc.)
Do things need to be cleaned (like pillow cases or blankets)? 
Is there extra space under the bed, beneath the sofa, etc.
Is anything in the room broken? (like a leaky faucet or a hole in the wall?)
Does the carpeting need to be replaced within the next year? 3. years? 10 years?
Is there a fireplace? If so, what is the condition? Does the chimney need fixing or cleaning?
Keep reviewing the room and jotting any other details you notice. We all live in different situations so I’m sure there are things about your rooms I’ve never thought of. Then ask yourself these questions:
If I had to live in this room with my family and pets for 4-6 weeks, what would we need? (for smaller spaces like closets and bathrooms, ask yourself if you could all fit in the space during a tornado, or hide during a break-in)
Would we need curtains/blinds that cut out the light and give more privacy?
How close is that room to a bathroom or the kitchen? How close is the nearest water source? (it may be outside at the hose bib)
Is there a point of egress? 
Can we defend the room or get out of the house quickly? 
Are the exterior doors blocked outside? 
If on the second or third floors, can everyone climb out of a portable ladder or get across the roof?
In in the basement, is there a point of egress?
Add any other kinds of questions that may pop into your mind. Everyone’s living situation is different so the questions will vary and change.  REPEAT this process for every room in the house. Another note: in the kitchen, don’t inventory the cabinets and drawers. I know it’s tempting but just count them. I know these questions seem intense, and can bring up emotional issues, but we’re just collecting information. Be ruthless in keeping this exercise as rational, logical, and unemotional as possible. Whew! This is a huge first step. Even if you don’t understand the why behind this exercise, it will become clearer as time goes by. 
This may take time and that’s okay. But if you’re worried right now about inflation, Christmas deliveries, toilet paper, etc, that’s okay. Go ahead and buy those presents and things you think you’ll need. The world is still upside down and no one knows when it will right itself again. But as you go through the house, there’s something else you can start doing. This is a family project that is easy and fun. And remember to do this with no judgment.PART 3:LEGAL PAD 2: MEALS INVENTORY: During the next month, take the first five pages (back and front) of the second legal pad and list every meal and snack everyone, including the pets, eat and drink. Include baby food, formula, pet treats, fish food, etc. This is a no judgment zone! It doesn’t matter if you’re eating organic or junk food. No one will see this and don’t change your diet so you can write down foods you think are perfect. DON’T write down what you’d like your diet to look like. Because when the SHTF, you won’t care about those things. If you have allergies or gluten issues or special diets, note that as part of each meal. Allergies and such will not go away when things get rough so you’ll want to be prepared. So, on this list, write down everything you eat and drink. Be honest. Don’t judge. No one will see this but you.Even if you do all the shopping and cooking, ask everyone in the house for their input. Are there special snacks they like? Meals they hate but are afraid to tell you? Now is the time to be honest. You don’t want to end up in another a two month lockdown only to discover that everyone except for you hates green beans and peanut butter. Ask them what they eat when you’re not looking, when they’re at school or running errands. Again, you’re doing this for the entire family’s benefit so please don’t judge.For extra credit, mark some of the meals or drinks as your favorite as well as the meals that are meh. 

I cannot stress this enough. This is NOT a shopping list. It is NOT a test. This is just a list of the things you eat. Period. 

Wow! you made it to the end of this post!

I wish I could give you a treat, like a pumpkin chocolate muffin. But since I can’t I’ll just leave you with some of my favorite pumpkin spice recipes and heap tons of praise on you. Just by getting to the end of this ridiculously long post, you’ve taken your first step to Planning and Prepping freedom. And, yes, being prepared gives you freedom.

Freedom from not having to join the Costco mobs before your town is shut down due to a pandemic/fire/flood. Freedom from stress when, the moment an emergency happens, you’re not worried. You know where everyone is and how they’re getting home. You have a stay-at-home and eat plan. You even have a bug-out plan.  And you don’t have to be out in the world as it’s falling apart. Because I know, from experience, that that’s a dangerous place to be. Remember, this program is about preparing for disasters to protect everyone one (animals included) that you love.

PUMPKIN SCONES PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE MUFFINS PUMPKIN SPICE GOLDEN MILK LATTE PUMPKIN SPICE CREAMER PUMPKIN CHCOLATE GRANOLA CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN BREADSee you next week! And I promise that that post will be shorter… although there will be homework. Along with lots of free printable that you can decorate with washi tape and markers.

The post Prep & Plan: A New Beginning first appeared on Sharon Wray.

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A Cake for Me and Angadresma

Today is my birthday and, of course, I’m under deadline again. One day I’m going to pre-plan out my schedule so my deadlines don’t fall around this time of year. I love Fall and Halloween and Thanksgiving, but I dislike always being stressed while trying to have fun. That means I’ve also been in a contemplative mood for the past few weeks, probably due to my mother and stepfather’s move into a CCRC and lots of other life changes that I didn’t expect once my children became young adults. My daughter is now married to a wonderful man, and my son is in veterinary school.

So everything about our lives together has shifted in great ways. I also have many ideas of the types of books I want to write in the next few years, as well as what I want to do with this blog and the upcoming YouTube channel. But I need to be careful that I don’t fall into a well of deep reflection for too long, otherwise I’ll get lost in the dark and not find my way out.

Anyway, since I want to get another few thousand words written before going off to celebrate, I’m reposting one of my favorite birthday posts. And as a treat, I’ve included a recipe for one of my favorite birthday cakes ~ Apple Cinnamon Cake! (click link to jump to recipe)

Repost from the archives…

“As I was growing up in a Catholic neighborhood, it was common to celebrate your birthday along with the saint’s feast day that it fell on. Some of my friends got to celebrate with the biggies: St. Francis, St. Patrick, or St. Valentine. Others even got the feast day of the Archangels. So who did I get? Actually, there are a lot of saints who have October 14th as their saint day. One is fairly famous and most of them are men. But after studying all of the saints I share a day with, I discovered an obscure woman known as St. Angadresma who died in 695 AD.

Little is known about St. Angadresma (I call her Saint Angie for short) but what I’ve discovered makes me wish I’d known her while she was alive. St. Angadresma was born in 615 AD in France and, at a young age, was betrothed to Ansbert of Chausey. When she discovered the betrothal she was horrified. She’d already decided to join a religious order and prayed for a disease to disfigure her, thereby making her unappealing to her betrothed. She then contracted leprosy and the engagement was broken. 

She was allowed to enter a monastery (now known as a convent) and after her initiation ceremony, the disease disappeared. Many years later she became the abbess of a Benedictine monastery near Beauvais, France. St. Angadresma became known for her pragmatic approach to managing the monastery, in good times and bad. She even helped save the monastery and its inhabitants from a fierce fire. This fire destroyed a lot of the monastery’s records and there are very few details remaining from her life. But from what little is known, she apparently was a brilliant businesswoman and suffered no fools. She was smart, organized, and determined to fight off invaders, bad investments made without her knowledge, and heretics. No matter the threat–physcial, emotional, or mental–she fought them off with her intelligence and strength of will.

One of the miracles attributed to St. Angadresma, many years after her death, involved the Siege of Beauvais at the end of June 1472. The Duke of Burgundy, aka Charles the Bold, had taken the town of Beauvais hostage. The town had a tiny garrison (30 archers, less than a hundred soldiers, and only a few artillery pieces) to stand against more than 80,000 men. When the town refused to open its gates, the army attacked on three sides while everyone in town, including women and children, fought them off from the ramparts. Children threw stones, women tossed hot oil, while the townsmen used heavier weapons. When things looked bleak for the exhausted townspeople, a soldier grabbed the coffer that held the relics of St. Angadresma and paraded it through the town to up the morale. 

Inspired by the fierce St. Angadresma, another famous French woman/warrior appeared. A Beauvais woman named Jayne Layne became known as Jeanne Hachette because she fought off the Burgundy army with a battle axe. To this day, Jeanne Hachette is still known as one of France’s fiercest fighters.

The town of Beauvais withstood the constant bombardment of the Burgundy army and took huge losses. But every day a soldier would parade through the streets with the relics of St. Angadresma and it was enough to keep the poor townspeople fighting. When the army’s artillery blew holes in their defensive walls, the townspeople repaired the walls with the stones that paved the streets. 

Finally a month later, on July 22 1472, Charles the Bold and his army gave up. The town of Beauvais, with the help of St. Angadresma, saved not only their city but all of France. After that defeat, Charles the Bold–who’d intended to invade and conquer all of France–fell back only to be defeated at the Siege of Nancy in Lorraine. France was saved and the town of Beauvais gave the credit to St. Angadresma.

Often, saints are shown with their symbols (usually the instruments of their martyrdom or death) and are often chosen to protect people in certain situations. (for example, St. Michael is the Patron Saint of soldiers.) But since so little is known of St. Angadresma, she has no symbols or patronages. So when I was a young girl, I decided to give her some. 

Since our days coincide in Autumn, I chose fall-themed symbols that I know St. Angie would’ve had in Beauvais: Pumpkins, Apricot-colored roses, and outdoor fire pits. Oh, and hot coffee. Because coffee was a thing in the 7th century and is every businesswoman’s best friend. As far as her patronage? Even as a young girl I knew I wanted to be a writer. So, of course, I gave her the patronage of writers who write long, complicated romance novels. And considering how many words I’ve written in the last ten years, I have no doubt she’s up to the challenge!”

PrintApple Cinnamon CakeThis is an easy cake to make but it tastes best in the fall when you can use fresh apples. I prefer granny smiths in this recipe to keep the cake from getting too sweet. I also serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup. But it also tastes great as a coffee cake for breakfast. Course Breakfast, DessertKeyword Apple CakePrep Time 20 minutes minutesCook Time 40 minutes minutesServings 8Calories 350kcalIngredients1/2 cup salted butter softened1/2 cup white sugar1/2 cup dark brown sugar2 eggs1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract1 1/4 cup flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon salt1 1/2 cups granny smith apples peeled and chopped (about 2)1/2 cup pecans choppedVanilla ice cream for garnishCaramel syrup for garnishInstructionsPreheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. (I use coconut or avocado oil since they don't add any weird flavors to the cake) You can also use a 9" springform pan, if you prefer. In large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Blend until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time, but do not overheat or else the eggs will get tough. With a large spoon, stir in the vanilla, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Then fold in the apples and pecans. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 – 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

The post A Cake for Me and Angadresma first appeared on Sharon Wray.

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September Book Fairs and Reading Events

September is finally here, and luckily there are lots of book promos, sales, and fun reader events this month to get ready for all the fall reading that needs to be done. And this week I’ve included a fun Facebook event 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.

1Thrilling Third Thursdays

First up we have Thrilling Third Thursdays, a collection of KU/sale romantic suspense novels in most sub-genres. There are a lot of great stories in this list, including In Search of Truth that’s for sale now for $1.99. But this promo only lasts for two days and ends on Friday night, Sept 20th.

2Sizzling and Sexy Romance Deals

Next on the list is Sizzling and Sexy Romance Deals collection of free/.99 preorder/$1.99 sale SPICY romance novels in all contemporary sub-genres. There are steamy romantic suspense novels, including In Search of Truth (on sale now for $1.99) and darker romance tropes as well as other contemporary romance genres. This list also includes two anthologies I’m currently participating in: Beyond Courage and Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses.

3Contemporary Romance September

Contemporary Romance September is collection of free/.99 preorder/$1.99 sale SPICY romance novels in all contemporary sub-genres. There are steamy romantic suspense novels, boxsets, and darker romance tropes as well as other contemporary romance genres. This list also includes two anthologies I’m currently participating in: Beyond Courage and Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses.

4Epic Love Stories

Epic Love Stories is a collection of free/.99 preorder/$1.99 sale of romance novels in all contemporary sub-genres. There are steamy romantic suspense novels, including In Search of Truth (on sale now for $1.99) and other contemporary romance genres.

5Mafia, Romantic Suspense, & Dark Romance

The Mafia, Romantic Suspense, and Dark romance collection of free/.99 preorder/$1.99 sale DARK romance novels in all contemporary sub-genres. There are steamy romantic suspense novels, including In Search of Truth (on sale now for $1.99).

6The Isn’t it Romantic Book Club Group Fall into a Book Giveaway

Join The Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Group on Facebook to participate in their Fall into a Book Giveaway. This event begins today and runs through tomorrow, Friday September, 20th. 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!!!

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In Search of Truth now on sale!!

In Search of Truth, book 3 in the Deadly Force series, released in February 2020, just before the Covid lockdowns began. So I never did any bookstore visits or reader conventions with this book. While it still sold, I was always sad that it never got the attention the other books in the Deadly Force series got (because each one is like my baby! lol).

But I recently heard from my publisher that they’ve put this book on sale for $1.99 (from $7.99) until 9/28. Since I have no control over the pricing of this book, now is the time to grab it! And I hope you love it as much as I loved writing it.

In Search of TruthOn sale now for $1.99

Buried treasure… buried feelings…all about to surface…

Anthropologist Allison Pinckney is stunned when she inherits the key to a seventeenth century pirate cipher that makes her the target of two brutal arms dealers. Now, to save those she loves, she must solve the cipher. With this perilous mission growing ever more dangerous, she reluctantly seeks help from ex-Green Beret Zack Tremaine, the one man she’s been avoiding. Because if she gives into her long-buried feelings for him, it could cost them their lives.

Zack Tremaine is haunted by regrets. Years ago, he betrayed his men and lost the only woman he ever loved. Now that his men are caught in a fierce rivalry between two deadly enemies, his only hope is to team up with Allison. She holds the secret to a pirate treasure, and he must take the chance to save his men and redeem his honor. Even if she breaks his heart…again.

Buy for $1.99 until 9/28!

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Beyond Courage on sale now!

I love release days, but the Beyond Courage Anthology is another collection I’ve been waiting for for months! Actually, I’ve been waiting for this one for over a year. Almost two years ago, I wrote a novella called Searching for Ever After for the Wedding Tails Anthology–a project I did with some of my Sourcebooks author friends. Because of the parameters of the story (a wedding and a dog), I had to keep the story lighter that I normally write. And since this novella is part of my Deadly Force romantic suspense series, and takes place a week after In Search of Truth (book 3 in the series) ends, it normally would’ve been darker and more suspenseful with at least one steamy scene.

So when the Beyond Courage Anthology project came up, I decided to rewrite Searching for Ever After with a more steamy, romantic suspense tone. And a huge plus is that this project includes some of my favorite author friends. So I got to work with friends and rewrite a story so it fits better within the series–a huge win all around!

Searching for Ever After is the story of the wedding of Zack and Allison, the hero and heroine of In Search of Truth. It’s a novella filled with fast-paced suspense, true love, and a wedding disaster that becomes far more dangerous than either of them could ever imagine. (the blurb to this story is below).

One other note– In Search of Truth, Book 3 in the Deadly Force Series, is my Covid book. Meaning, it came out in late February/early March 2020, so it was never properly shelved in bookstores (including Walmart, Target, B&N, etc). It became my neglected book. And this novel, which is one of my favorites, has also never gone on sale… until today! For some wonderful-yet-unknown reason, all book vendors have put In Search of Truth on sale for $1.99 instead of the regular price which is usually $7.99. So if you enjoy the novella, you may want to grab its predecessor book at the sale price. Since these books are traditionally published, I have no control over the pricing and I am not sure when the sale ends. I’m just so happy that the sale of this book corresponds with the release of the follow-up novella. Happy Reading!!!

Beyond CourageA Limited Edition Collection of Military Romances

Where love rewrites the rules of engagement…

Get ready to fall in love with the heroes and heroines who’ve made the ultimate commitment—to both their country and each other. Beyond Courage is an electrifying anthology that will have you surrendering to the irresistible allure of military romance.

Experience the magnetic pull between soldiers, veterans, and the lovers who cherish them. Feel the intensity of their love forged in the crucible of duty and honor. Dive into a world where passion burns hotter than the desert sun and love conquers all.

From the front lines to the home front, these stories will transport you to a world of courage, sacrifice, and undying devotion. Beyond Courage isn’t just an anthology; it’s a journey through the hearts of those who serve and protect.

Don’t miss your chance to stand at attention for these unforgettable characters. Order your copy today and be swept away by the passion and patriotism that defines their love.

Including stories by:

Stephanie Morris – USA Today bestselling author

Sharon Wray – USA Today bestselling author

Lacey Kendrick

Blye Donovan

Tracy Brody

Laura M. Baird

Alessa Kelly

Alicia Justice

Kristy Gibs

Nancy Chastain

Ella Braeme

Britt Jones

Amanda Zook

Ali Rivers

Buy now!Searching for Ever After

Can she find the courage to defeat her enemies and win everlasting love?

Allison Pinckney, a widow who’d finally found true love with the man she thought she’d lost forever, doesn’t like change. And getting married four months earlier than expected, due to threats from her husband’s greatest enemy, has left her an anxious bride. While she’s excited to begin her new life with Zack, she’s nervous about joining his dark and secretive world.

Zack Tremaine, a former Green Beret under attack from a vengeful arms dealer, would do anything to protect those he loves, including the men in his disgraced A-Team and his future bride. Since Zack isn’t clear on why he and his men are being targeted, or when the next attack will happen, he asked Allison to move up the wedding. Instead of having a four month engagement, they’ll have one week. He knows his fiancée is nervous, especially considering he has more than one enemy lurking in the shadows, but marrying her is the best way to protect her.

Except no one expects their enemies to attack the night before the wedding—or that a young child and Allison’s beloved dog will disappear. Now Allison must find the courage to face her fears—and defeat her enemies—before time runs out and her wedding day turns to woe.

Buy now!

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Free Books Today!

Free Book Day!

For this one day only (affectionately known by authors as ZoeBub Day), head on over to www.romancebookworms.com for access to over 1000 free romance books. There are books in all romance genres, including YA and Mystery, available to download from your preferred book vendor in most countries, including the U.S., Europe, and Australia/NZ. Join your favorite authors for this celebration of reading, just in time for Fall.

And FYI, my Deadly Force novel, Love’s Last Kiss, is also available for free during this promotion from the following vendors as well! But don’t wait, most of the prices go back up tomorrow.

Amazon Apple Kobo Barnes & Noble Google Play

Love’s Last Kiss Is love worth risking everything for?

Rose Guthrie hasn’t trusted anyone since her parents’ death. Yet, to make money for her brother’s heart transplant, she agrees to deliver a sealed box to a mysterious buyer. Until the box—and the seller—disappear. Not surprised by the betrayal, her situation becomes more dangerous when she learns that two brutal arms dealers also want the box and are willing to kill everyone she loves for it. With one clue left, she breaks into Doom—Savannah’s violent, illegal fight club. Unfortunately, Doom’s referee—the sexy, ex-Army Ranger, Kade Dolan—stands in her way. Although she harbors a secret attraction to Kade, she can’t let him stop her. If she doesn’t deliver the box on time, she’ll lose everything. Including her own life.

Rose doesn’t trust ex-Army Ranger, ex-con Kade Dolan, but that’s okay—he doesn’t trust himself either. Why? Because he lies to everyone about everything, including his time in Leavenworth and his job as an illegal fight club referee. Then there are his two side gigs. The first as an informant for the Prince, the leader of a secret, two-thousand-year-old private army. The second, loving from afar the beautiful, secretive Rose Guthrie. After the Prince discovers Rose is the courier of a lost 18th century artifact, he orders Kade to help her find the box before their greatest enemy does. If they succeed, Kade must return it to the Prince. If they fail, Kade must kill her. 

Betrayal or death. When faced with an impossible choice, Kade can’t lie anymore, at least not when it comes to what he’s about to do the woman he loves. But when Rose uncovers Kade’s lies, they learn a terrible truth—the 18th century box holds a secret far deadlier than they imagined. A secret that could destroy them all.

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