Sharon Wray's Blog, page 33

Let’s Wish Robert Burns a Happy Birthday!

(THIS IS AN EDITED REPOST FROM THE ARCHIVES)][image error]

On January 25, 1759, Robert Burns (aka Rabbie Burns) was born in Alloway, Scotland to William Burns, a tenant farmer, and his wife Agnes Broun. Robert Burns, the first of seven children was born into desperate poverty and a life of hard labor, a situation that left him stooped over and with a weak constitution. Robert, as a farmer’s son, had an average education and struggled financially throughout most of his short life. 

But, in spite of less than stellar circumstances, he was happy and had a natural gift for language. Specifically, poetry which he used for successfully wooing girls. So much so that he earned the nickname The Ploughman Poet. When not farming, he joined a dancing school, started a bachelor’s club, and continued writing poetry. He fell in love often and had lots of children (although many died in infancy). Despite tragic losses, even before turning 22 years old, Robert Burns had a unique, romantic and spontaneous take on life.

After years of rejection, in 1786 a printer in Kilmarnock published his first collection of poetry written in the Scottish dialect. A few months later, as he was about to board a ship for Jamaica, another publisher offered to publish an enlarged second edition. This led to more publishing successes that allowed him to leave farming behind. 

Robert Burns lived a colorful, vibrant life and is probably best known for his poem “Auld Lang Syne” which we all sing on New Year’s. As a founder of the Romantic movement, his work influenced the great literary figures of Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

That second edition of Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, changed his life. And by the time he died at the age of 37, Robert Burns had become a national treasure. His natural skill in writing verse, not just in the Scots language in but also in the Scottish English dialect, made his poems available to even the smallest, most remote areas of Scotland. Today Robert Burns is Scotland’s National Poet and is revered throughout the world, including the United States and Russia. Movies, songs, and books written by artists such as JD Salinger, John Steinbeck and Bob Dylan all reference Robert Burns’ most famous works. But one of the most important tributes to Robert Burns happens annually, on his birthday of January 25, with the celebration of local Burns Suppers.

Burns supper is a traditional Scottish meal shared with friends to honor Robert Burns’ birthday. In between courses, guests raise their glasses of the finest Scotch whiskey and toast the great bard by quoting his most famous works. Here are a few examples you might recognize:

The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft a-gley, An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain For promis’d joy.

Some hae meat and canna eat, — And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit.

O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us. (O would some power the gift to give us to see ourselves as others see us.)

O, my Luve is like a red, red rose, That’s newly sprung in June. O, my Luve is like the melodie, That’s sweetly played in tune.

Where sits our sulky, sullen dame, Gathering her brows like gathering storm, Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.

But to see her was to love her, Love but her, and love forever.

Suspense is worse than disappointment.

Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!

There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.

The wide world is all before us – but a world without a friend.

Below I’ve included a list of recipes so you can host your own Burns supper. But don’t forget to serve the aged Scottish Whiskey. That’s the most important part of the meal!

Host your own Burns Supper! Neeps & Tatties Soup Warm Salad Scottish Beef Stew Orange Cranachan Bannock

The post Let’s Wish Robert Burns a Happy Birthday! first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chocolate Pork Roast

It’s snowing here in Virginia again, so I decided to search for a yummy, easy dinner we could eat by the fireplace. I love having a warm, delicious meal to look forward to after a day of shoveling (and maybe playing in the snow!). As I was searching the freezer for meat, and found a frozen pork roast, I remembered this recipe from for Chocolate Pork Roast from a long time ago, when I was an Army wife. This is an easy dinner that goes with any side dish, although I prefer Whole Wheat Orzo with Parmesan or Cranberry Pecan Rice Pilaf. I hope you all stay warm and enjoy this quiet time of year. I know I’m in the minority, but I love this time of year!

PrintChocolate Pork RoastThis recipe, which is made in a slow cooker, can be made with a fresh or frozen boneless pork roast. If the roast is frozen, I sometimes will drizzle a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over the f frozen meat before adding the sauce. The oil prevents the meat from drying out too quickly, but that sometimes depends on how long the meat has been in the freezer. If it's been in the freezer for longer than 3 months, I always add the oil. I hope you enjoy this recipe! Course Main CourseKeyword Pork RoastPrep Time 15 minutes minutesCook Time 8 hours hoursServings 10Calories 355kcalIngredients1 boneless pork loin roast (about 5 pounds)2/3 cup packed brown sugar1/2 cup maple syrup1/4 cup beef broth6 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce1/4 cup ketchup (I prefer Heinz)1/4 cup blackstrap molasses2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder2 teaspoons garlic powder2 teaspoons onion powder3/4 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon ground ginger1/2 teaspoon ground mustard3 Tablespoons cornstarch3 Tablespoons water1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, if necessaryInstructionsCut the roast in half and place in a slow cooker.,Place the first twelve ingredients (all the other ingredients other than the water and cornstarch, salt and pepper) in a bowl. Whisk all those ingredients together until well blended. Then pour the mixture over the roast in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. Check doneness of the meat after 6 hours to make sure it doesn't dry out. The cooking time will depend on your own slow cooker.When the meat is done, remove it and place on a cutting board. Cover the pork loin with tin foil and let it sit for 15 minutes before cutting it.While the pork is resting, pour the liquid in the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and gradually whisk in the water and cornstarch. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Cook for 2 minutes or until thick. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve the gravy over the sliced pork. [Calories include 5 ounces of meat and 1/3 cup of the gravy}

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chocolate Pork Roast first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Winter Car Emergency Plan: An Update

An updated post about building a winter car emergency plan.

This week it snowed in Virginia after not having snowed for almost a year. But I still remember one of the last big storms that hit the east coast and shut down Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia (below Washington, DC) for over 20 hours. At the time, the news didn’t mention until the next day that lots of people were stuck in their cars for hours, and many ran out of gas. That event was an almost tragedy since, while everyone was stopped on the interstate because of accidents and stuck snow plows, the temperature dropped to 11 degrees F. And the wind chill made if feel closer to -10 degrees F. So today we’re going to talk about building a Winter Car Emergency Plan.

That night, for those people stuck in their cars in the freezing cold, it must have seemed like a nightmare. While I live in Virginia, my family and I were lucky that we’d made with home from Charleston, SC a few days earlier. So we were tucked and warm in our home and beds. Still, I couldn’t help but think about those people–and the children–trapped outside in a wintery and icy disaster. I knew the fear and worry that was a constant companion as night settled in. Many, many years ago I was in a similar situation. I ended up stuck on Interstate 287, in the Ramapo mountains on the border of New York and New Jersey. At the time, there were no cell phones, no internet, no emergency notifications unless you had an AM radio. 

Anyway, a fast moving blizzard moved in and trapped me, along with hundreds of other cars and trucks, for over 12 hours. Honestly, it could have been longer but I’ve let myself forget most of this terrible night. Because there were no cell phones or internet, and I couldn’t get radio reception in the mountains, I had no idea what was going on. I couldn’t reach my family to tell them I was okay. I had no idea how long this would last. And the snow fell faster and faster until it reached over two feet. Lucky for me, I had a father who always thought ahead. When I told him I was going to NY state for the day (and the weather showed no signs of snow), he threw a blanket in my car along with a flash light, some water bottles, and a few snacks including some Little Debbie snack cakes.

I will forever be grateful to my dad for his planning ahead. Because I had a blanket, some water, and a few snacks, I was able to get through the night mostly unscathed. And I used the flashlight when I needed to get out of the car, in the middle of the night, to head to the woods on the side of the road to go to the bathroom. I can’t truly explain the terror of trying to find my way through snowdrifts in the dark woods because I couldn’t wait to find a bathroom until we were rescued. While I saw others do the same thing, it was so windy that no one stopped to talk to each other. We were all worried about making it back to our cars while we could see them. Yes, the blizzard winds were blinding. 

The next morning, State Troopers (who’d parked miles away), hiked in with backpacks and were handing out water and small snacks to people in their cars. The snow had stopped and, finally, we were able to get out and assess the situation in the daylight. We were also able to talk to other people in other cars. We were told that the there were snowplows, and people with shovels, who were slowly clearing the roads and extricating the trucks who’d jackknifed and were blocking both the north and south lanes. A few hours later, I was able to turn on the car and follow the other slow-moving cars. While I was only an hour from home at this point, it took me another four hours to arrive at my parents’ house (mine was still another two hours south). Most of that extra time was caused by having to dodge cars left on the road because they’d run out of gas.

It was a major disaster and led to all sorts of new rules about closing roads in the mountains ahead of storms. As well as requirements for snow tires or snow chains for tires. While things are different now because we have so much up-to-date information, I still worry. Which is why, ever since that incident, I always prep my car (and my kids’ cars) for winter. While I may end up in another storm, like that one that hit this week and shut down I95, I will never be caught unprepared again. In fact, that event on 287 so many years ago is one of the reasons why I became a prepper-minded person before anyone had a name for it. It was a huge blessing that no one died during that ordeal, or the one here in Virginia.

Still, because we live in a world where anything can happen, being prepared improves my family’s chances of survival. And the more prepared I am in an emergency, the more I can help others by sharing what I have. So here’s my plan for when I travel by car in the winter throughout the U.S. (the rules are different for international travel, so this list is just for the U.S.)

First, before winter hits, my husband winterizes the cars by checking all the fluids (including wiper fluid), changing the oil and spark plugs, checking the all-weather tires, etc. I try to keep the gas tanks close to full during these months, as well.

While he’s doing that, I’m reloading the car’s Winter EDC aka the Winter Every Day Carry Emergency Bag. This is the list I use for my long distance travels (over 2 hours). While I don’t need all these things for shorter trips, I just keep them in the same duffel. I’d rather have a heavier bag than be caught without what I need.  For some of these items, you’ll need one item (or more, like food) for every person in the car.

Winter Every Day Carry Emergency BagCash. I always carry cash with me. During this recent emergency, by the time people got off the highway the closest gas stations were limiting gas and only accepting cash. Caffeine pills ~ These are available in any drug store, but if you’re alone in an emergency they help you stay awake. Depending on how cold it is, and if you have to turn off your car to save gas, you could freeze to death if you fall asleep and don’t keep moving.)A case of bottled waterA large, cozy blanket. More blankets if you have more than two people in the car.Winter boots and thick socks Heavy-duty winter jacketsHats and mittens and gloves (you need gloves to work outside the car, doing things like scraping ice and changing tires, but they’re not warm enough inside the car if you’re not moving)An ice scraper with a long handle, preferably that has a glove-type covered handle.De-icer for the windshield and mirrors. Granola bars/protein bars/other non-sugary snacks. Also cheese sticks, pudding cups, and mandarin oranges work well.Ibuprofen and acetaminophen HeadlampsFlashlight Swiss Army knife or something similarLifestraw to filter water you’ve melted from snow. UV purifying water bottle and/or water purifying pillsExtra cold weather clothing from your luggage. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, dry socks, long johns, etc. High quality First Aid Kit along with a pair of scissors (if not included). This is the one I keep in my cars.Paper maps for your location in case you lose cell service or run out of battery powerCell phone battery block with multiple USB slots and a small LED light, as well as the cords to hook up small electronics. This way you don’t need to run the car engine to charge you phone. Fully charge the block before you hit the road.Make a connection bag that holds the different types of cords you need for your electronics. Emergency weather radio with AM stations. Or a CB radio, if you preferA package of tissues to use as toilet paperConsider compact urinals (males and female) in case you need to use the bathroom but can’t leave the car. (I really wish I’d had one of these during my emergency. You can order them from Amazon, Walmart, or any camping supply store and they come in different sizes and models.)Extra medications ~ Bring extra if there’s a med you need to take daily. Especially things like insulin, etc. Identity documents in a plastic, waterproof bag. While I also have these on a thumb drive, you won’t be able to access them in an emergency from your car. These documents include Driver’s licenses, car registration and insurance information, medical cards for emergencies as well as anything else you might need quickly like prescription refill forms, etc. Don’t forget any licenses for weapons you have in the car. Here is an article I wrote about how to collect and stores this information.Sun protection ~ I know we’re planning for winter, but you can still get a sunburn on your face if you have to walk off the highway.Solar kit ~ I travel with a 25W solar panel with two USB outlets.Fire making kit ~ A small torch light and a regular lighter. Storm proof matches are nice if you know how to use them. Add a few small candles.Extra glasses ~ If you can’t see without glasses (for reading or driving), bring an extra pair. Same thing if you wear contacts. Duct tape and paracord ~ My husband was in the army and we always have these two things in the car. And we’ve used both of them in emergencies. Work gloves ~ to change tires, collect wood, etc. 

A few other things to consider:

Gas. It’s dangerous to drive around with gas cans in your car. But if you end up in a traffic jam for hours, like the Virginia I95 debacle, you’ll need to turn off your car to conserve gas. One thing that helps is never letting your gas tank go below half full. But that also means you’ll need to stop more frequently to get gas, which can be a pain when you’re on a long haul trip. It’s just something to keep in mind. One of the biggest issues when a road reopens is that the lanes are littered with cars that have no gas which makes getting out a more difficult and dangerous proposition. 

Personal Protection: This can be a controversial subject. But if you carry a licensed weapon with you, make sure you know the legal requirements in each state you pass through. Some states/cities/localities ban tasers, pepper spray, knives as well as guns. So whatever you have with you, make sure you know the rules for every state you pass through. And, if you have a license for your weapon, keep it with you.

Long, long, long haul car trips: The list above is for a trip that may normally take up to 12 hours. But if you are traveling across the country, you may want to consider packing camping gear, a small fire stove, extra food/MREs, etc. Here is a great article about planning long haul driving trips across different terrain. 

Balance: When you are traveling long distances, with many people, and maybe staying someplace for many days, weight and space become a concern. So you’ll have to balance what you need at your destination versus what you need on your trip (or might need). That’s a personal decision you’ll have to figure out on your own after considering your situation such as distance, age of car, number and ages of passengers, etc. But if the goal is to get someplace safely, you may want to consider the above lists. Even just having a First Aid kit and some water could mean the difference between life and death. I am not being hyperbolic, just realistic. 

Finally, information is your friend. When you plan out your trip, check the weather as well as the routes. Depending on where you’re driving, you may want to double check the crime rates of areas you’re driving through. Also, you could make a list of high-quality hotels along the route, as well as the locations of hospitals, ERs, police stations, etc. And write down any other critical information you may need if you don’t have access to the internet, due to a national or weather emergency. 

Although this is a long list of things to consider, the goal of traveling (hopefully) is to have fun. The great thing about a Winter Every Day Carry Emergency Bag is that once you build it, you don’t have to do much to maintain it. And switching things out for different seasons (like taking out mittens and adding bug spray) is easy. All you really have to update are the snacks.

I hope you find this list helpful and not stressful. The point it to get prepared and then forget about it because you’ll know that no matter what craziness happens, you and your family will survive. And maybe you’ll be in a position to help others as well. 

The post Winter Car Emergency Plan: An Update first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Sarah Munro’s Winter Orange Spice Tea

It’s snowing today! That means it’s time for my favorite hot drink to enjoy while watching the snow cover the backyard garden. One of my favorite choices for frigid, snowy days is a homemade Winter Orange Spice Tea. This one needs some dried leaves that are hard to find in grocery stores, and I added links to to Mountain Rose Herbs, one of my favorite online herbal stores. (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 and cloves stimulate the circulatory system and have antimicrobial properties. And although the orange peel is dried, it can still impart some Vitamin C. And this time of year, you can’t get enough Vitamin C!

Ingredients:

8 teaspoons red rooibos leaf tea4 teaspoons sweet cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces 2 teaspoons dried orange peel 1 teaspoon whole clove buds or a dash of ground clovesSlice of orange and/or cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)dash of honey for sweetnessDirectionsIn a small coffee grinder or blender, loosely grind the whole cloves and broken cinnamon sticks until they resemble a loose-leaf tea.In a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, add the cloves, cinnamon, red rooibos tea, and dried orange peel. Put on the lid, shake the tea components, and allow to sit for 48 hours so the ingredients meld together. To brew, add 2 teaspoons of this tea blend to 8 ounces of boiling water. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes.Pour/strain into a mug and serve with a dash of honey, a slice of fresh orange, 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!

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Public Domain Day: It’s That Time of Year

On January 1, 2024, many people (including myself), celebrate Public Domain Day. What, exactly, is this special event? It’s the day when copyrighted works (including books, poems, movies) from 1928 become available for public use. Also included are sound recordings from 1923. The great thing about Public Domain day is that all sorts of creative material is now freed up for artists to share, adapt, and teach from. Here is a link to the Catalog of Copyrighted Entries managed by the U.S. Copyright Office. And this year, some of the works include books that were once banned for political, moral, obscenity, and/or war trauma reasons including All Quiet on the Western Front and Lady Chatterly’s Lover.

Below I’ve only included a brief selection of books, films, musical compositions, and sound recordings (from 1923) that are now in the Public Domain. For more information, I encourage you to check out the Catalog of Copyrighted Entries. And here is a brief description of last year’s list.

A Selection of 1928 Books in the Public Domain:D.H Lawrence,  Lady Chatterley’s Lover Virginia Woolf,  Orlando Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front  {Original German version titled “Im Westen nichts Neues“}W.E.B. Du Bois, Dark PrincessClaude McKay, Home to HarlemA. A. Milne, illustrations by E. H. Shepard, House at Pooh Corner J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan; or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up {Barrie’s novel “Peter and Wendy”, published in 1911, has been in the public domain since 1967. But the play version wasn’t technically “published” (for copyright purposes) until 1928.}Radclyffe Hall, The Well of LonelinessEvelyn Waugh,  Decline and Fall Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue TrainWanda Gág, Millions of Cats (This is the oldest American children’s picture book still in print)Robert Frost, West-Running BrookA Selection of 1928 Films in the Public Domain: Steamboat Willie  and  Plane Crazy   {Silent version, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks} The Cameraman  {Directed by Edward Sedgwick and Buster Keaton} Lights of New York   {The first ‘all-talking’ picture directed by Bryan Foy} The Circus   {Directed by Charlie Chaplin} The Passion of Joan of Arc   {Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer} The Singing Fool   {Sequel to The Jazz Singer, directed by Lloyd Bacon} Speedy   {Directed by Ted Wilde. This was Harold Lloyd’s last silent theatrical release} In Old Arizona   {One of the first talking films featuring singing cowboys} The Man Who Laughs   {Directed by Paul Leni. This story supposedly has a character who inspired the appearance of the Joker from Batman} Should Married Men Go Home?  {Directed by Leo McCarey and James Parrott. This is a Laurel and Hardy film} The Last Command {Directed by Josef von Sternberg. The actor Emil Jannings won the first Academy Award “Oscar” for Best Actor} Street Angel   {Directed by Frank Borzage. The actress Janet Gaynor won the first Academy Award “Oscar” for Best Actress}A Selection of 1928 Musical Compositions in the Public Domain: Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)   {Cole Porter. This song is from the musical Paris} Sonny Boy   {George Gard DeSylva, Lew Brown & Ray Henderson This song is from the film The Singing Fool starring Al Jolson} When You’re Smiling   {Lyrics by Mark Fisher and Joe Goodwin and music by Larry Shay} I Wanna Be Loved By You   {Lyrics by Bert Kalmar and music by Herbert Stothart and Harry Ruby. This song is from the musical Good Boy} Makin’ Whoopee!   {Lyrics by Gus Khan and music by Walter Donaldson} I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby   {Lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by James Francis} Ramona   {Lyrics by L. Wolfe Gilbert and music by Mabel Wayne}A Selection of 1923 Sound Recordings in the Public Domain:

It’s not easy finding and listening to old recordings. But one great source is the Library of Congress National Jukebox. The Library of Congress has made all of the 1923 (and earlier) recordings in its collection available for download. All recordings from 1924 and forward are streaming only until they enter in the Public Domain.

Charleston  {Recorded by James P. Johnson} Yes! We Have No Bananas   {Recorded by Billy Jones; Furman and Nash; Eddie Cantor; Belle Baker; The Lanin Orchestra} Who’s Sorry Now   {Recorded by Lewis James; The Happy Six; The Original Memphis Five} Down Hearted Blues   {Recorded by Bessie Smith; Tennessee Ten} Lawdy, Lawdy Blues   {Recorded by Ida Cox} Southern Blues  and  Moonshine Blues   {Recorded by Ma Rainey} Down South Blues  {Recorded by Hannah Sylvester; The Virginians} Tin Roof Blues   {Recorded by The Original Memphis Five} That American Boy of Mine  and  Parade of the Wooden Soldiers   {Recorded by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra} Dipper Mouth Blues  and  Froggie More   {Recorded by King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, featuring Louis Armstrong} Swingin’ Down the Lane  {Recorded by the Isham Jones Orchestra; The Shannon Four; The Columbians}

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Happy New Year

May 2024 be our happiest and most wonderful year yet! New Year’s blessings for all…and may they last all year long.

The post Happy New Year first appeared on Sharon Wray.

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Merry Christmas

To my friends, family, and readers, I wish you all a very merry Christmas! If you celebrate in another way, I wish you happy holidays with blessings for a festive last week of December and a safe and happy New Year!

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Eve’s Christmas Kiss for Bookmas!

It’s day 18 of Book Boss® Bookmas! 

And today, Book Boss® Bookmas is featuring a free copy of my Christmas novella Eve’s Christmas Kiss.
​
​This holiday romance, a free download, is not currently available anywhere else. It’s a Bookmas exclusive!

This passionate story follows Kane Mosby, a former outlaw motorcycle club leader, and his estranged wife Eve, as they find themselves stranded together during a Christmas blizzard. 

​https://bookboss.angelajames.co/Bookmas 
​
You’re welcome to share the link to the Bookmas page with your book-loving friends, family, co-workers and reading & writing community so they can take advantage of the daily free gifts! ​

Click here for a free download of Eve’s Christmas Kiss Eve’s Christmas Kiss

To save his wife, he’ll have to let her go.

Kane Mosby, the former leader of an outlaw motorcycle club, is a sexy rebel with a cause. His unexpected return to Kingsmill, VA for his brother’s Christmas wedding has rocked the small town and caused a stir in the local MC. Except he doesn’t care about gossip and is counting the hours until he can leave. Until he discovers his estranged wife is involved with the man who betrayed Kane years ago, forcing him to abandon the woman he’s never forgotten.

Eve Crenshaw is a beautiful, brilliant accountant with a secret that could tear their tiny hometown apart. A secret with direct ties to her husband Kane. No one is more shocked than Eve when Kane appears at the wedding. But she’s even more distressed when she and Kane end up stranded together in a blizzard over Christmas and are forced to confront their past. A past that includes a failing marriage and a tragedy no parents should ever suffer. 

It doesn’t take long for sparks to fly and buried emotions to take over in a passionate-yet-tender way that will change both of their lives–until Eve’s secret drives Kane away again. And this time he may disappear forever.

Click here for a free download of Eve’s Christmas Kiss!

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cheddar Broccoli Soup

It’s my favorite time of year and this week we’re getting our Christmas tree. But since we’re also working, preparing for my daughter’s upcoming wedding, and I’m finishing up my last manuscript for the year, I need some easy dinners. That way we can still eat a warm, delicious meal as a family in between all the other events going on.

Although I have another recipe for Broccoli Soup on this blog, this is a newer one that I’ve been working on and tweaking and that I love even more. It also works better with dairy-free substitutions since I have some family member with lactose issues. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the recipe that you are having a joy-filled December!

PrintSharon WrayThis yummy broccoli soup is thickened with a potato instead of flour. It does contain some milk but does not require heavy cream for thickening. Also, all of the dairy can be replaced with non-dairy options. My favorite replacement is coconut milk for the whole milk. And then you can add the cheddar cheese to individual bowls instead of the entire pot of soup.Course SoupPrep Time 30 minutes minutesCook Time 30 minutes minutesServings 6Calories 269kcalIngredients1 Tablespoon Olive Oil extra virgin1 onion diced3 cloves garlic peeled and sliced2 stalks celery diced4 cups broccoli florets cut into 1" chunks/florets1 white potato washed and diced (not peeled)1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper2 cups chicken broth1 cup whole milk1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese gratedInstructionsPut the olive oil in a heavy stock pot and heat the oil over medium heat.Stir the onion into the hot oil and sauce for 6-8 minutes. Once it is translucent and begins to caramelize stir in the garlic slices. Saute, stirring constant, for 1-2 minutes. Do not let the garlic burn, but it must become fragrant.Stir the broccoli into the stock pot. Then stir in the potatoes, celery, salt and pepper. Stir until all the vegetables are all combined. Then add the 2 cups of broth. Bring the soup to a low boil and lower to a simmer. Cover the stockpot and simmer for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft enough to break up with a fork.Take the soup off the heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Stir in the milk and then, using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy. (Can also use a blender or food processor, but an immersion blender is much easier and cleaner)Put the stockpot back on a low heat and heat the soup for 10 minutes. Slowly, 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese at a time, stir the cheese into the soup. Stir constantly so it melts completely. Once the cheese is melted, serve the soup immediately.

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Yes, It’s Time for That One Summer!

I know it’s only the beginning of December, but writers live on a calendar that would stress most people. Writers write and promote off season in order to give you the best books for every season. So, even though I’m decorating the house for Christmas, I’m writing and promoting my summer beach reads. And the first one I want to tell you about is That One Summer, a steamy contemporary romance collection of the best summer beach novellas by some of my favorite friends/authors.

My story in this anthology, The Summer Promise, is the romance of Lily Dunmore and Gage Mosby–how they fall in love (again!) and come up with a plan to save their town of Kingsmill, Virginia. Because it’s a series, it’s also the origin story of why Gage Mosby–a retired Army Ranger–decides to secretly marry off all of his restless nieces and nephews. If you preorder now, you can get the entire collection for .99. Because the price will go up after this book releases on June 11, 2024.

That One Summer

Your summer just got a whole lot hotter…

Dive into a scorching summer with this limited-edition collection that will transport you into the heart of the steamiest love affairs. Whether you crave the excitement of a big-city romance, the charm of a small-town affair, or the allure of an island getaway, these stories push the boundaries of passion.

Embark on a journey where friends become lovers, enemies discover surprising attractions, and strangers find themselves entangled in a magnetic pull they never saw coming. From sultry beachfront rendezvous to nights of sinful pleasure, these tales promise to awaken your deepest desires and leave you breathless for more.

Will sparks fly? Can a summer fling turn into a love that lasts all seasons?

Order your copy now and let the summer of seduction begin!

preorder your copy for .99 Now! The Summer Promise

Sometimes the happiest endings begin with a broken promise.

When Army Ranger Gage Mosby returns to Kingsmill, Virginia, deep in the Shenandoah Mountains, he’s in for a reckoning. His family’s business–the Devil’s Renegade Biker Bar–is facing bankruptcy, his older brothers have lost control of their Motorcycle Club to a local thug, and his grown nephews are living irresponsible lives of debauchery. But the person he’s most worried about is Lily Dunmore. The beautiful woman he’d promised to love forever before he betrayed her in the most brutal way. 

Lily Dunmore, a celebrated pastry chef in Paris, has found a place in the world that’s safe and secure. A place far away from small-town gossip and sad memories. After being left at the altar by one man, and publicly betrayed by another, she became the girl everyone felt sorry for–until she moved to Paris. But when Lily returns home unexpectedly, she discovers that running from her past has left her vulnerable to deeply buried feelings and long-forgotten dreams. Dreams about Gage Mosby, the man she’s never forgotten. The man she still loves. 

Once the long-separated lovers meet again, they’ll have to decide if risking their hearts and forgiving each other is worth a lifetime of happiness.

Preorder That One Summer Here!

The post Yes, It’s Time for That One Summer! first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The post Yes, It’s Time for That One Summer! appeared first on Sharon Wray.