Sharon Wray's Blog, page 45

Let’s Get Naughty Advent Calendar

I’m so excited to be a part of the Let’s Get Naughty Anthology that comes out later this year. I’m even more excited to share the Advent Calendar a few of the LGN authors have put together to celebrate Christmas in July! This calendar is filled with FREE short stories, and it’s our gift to our readers for the month of July. It’s a pre-holiday treat for you all to enjoy while sitting by the pool and drinking ice-cold lemonade. Every day during July you’ll be able to open another short story that’s guaranteed to make you swoon and offers you a happily ever after–without all the holiday stress.

So what is the Let’s Get Naught Anthology? Christmas Love Stories & Steamy Romance…Tied-up in a beautiful holiday gift. Just for you.

Cancel your plans and spend this holiday season with your favorite romance authors who have teamed up to bring you 26 brand new stories inspired by Christmas.

This collection has it all: fake relationships, second chances, friends to lovers, and falling for best friend’s brother. There’s even a Christmas Eve wedding!

Each of the authors will have an unforgettable, steamy love story. So grab a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and meet your next favorite author today.

Let’s Get Naughty is the perfect anthology for you to binge on this holiday season while eating cookies in front of the Christmas tree. And the Advent Calendar is a perfect way to bring a bit of the holiday feels into your life right now!

Let’s Get Naughty Advent CalendarSubscribe

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Black Bean Salsa

It’s been a busy summer so far, filled with travel and time with family and friends. But this month I’m doing a lot of entertaining at home so I thought I’d share some of my favorite summer entertaining recipes. First up is my favorite appetizer, an easy Black Bean Salsa. It can be served with tortilla chips as an appetizer and can also be used as a side dish along with grilled chicken or fish. I am not a cilantro fan, but if you love it just toss it in before you serve the salsa.

This salsa doesn’t last, unfortunately. I make it and serve it the same day. Luckily I rarely have leftovers, but if you do store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Although, after about 24 hours, it turns cloudy and mushy. So it’s best served fresh!

Sharon Wray

Yields Serves 24-36

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Black Bean Salsa

This salsa recipe came from my sister-in-law in Charleston, SC and she serves it as an appetizer for a large crowd because it makes a lot. I also serve this salsa as a side to go with grilled chicken or fish. It's super easy to make and can be made one day ahead. But it doesn't last long, only about three days. So if you're not having a huge crowd, you may want to cut the recipe in half.

20 minPrep Time

20 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

Salsa2 15-ounce cans Black Beans (drained and rinsed)1 15-ounce can while kernel corn2 large tomatoes, chopped and seeded1 large avocado, peeled and chopped1 small purple onion, chopped1/4 cup parsley, choppedDressing4 Tablespoons lime juice2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar1 teaspoon Kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

Instructions

in a large bowl, mix together all of the vegetables and herbs.In a small bowl, stir together the lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepperGently pour the dressing over the bean/corn mixture and stir.Chill at least 2 hours.Serve with tortilla chips or large crackers.7.8.1.2232https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-black-bean-salsa/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/the-hungry-writer\/the-hungry-romance-writer-black-bean-salsa\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Black Bean Salsa","description" : "This salsa recipe came from my sister-in-law in Charleston, SC and she serves it as an appetizer for a large crowd because it makes a lot. I also serve this salsa as a side to go with grilled chicken or fish. It's super easy to make and can be made one day ahead. But it doesn't last long, only about three days. So if you're not having a huge crowd, you may want to cut the recipe in half. ","prepTime" : "PT20M","recipeYield" : "Serves 24-36","datePublished" : "2022-05-16 08:33:00","recipeInstructions":[ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "in a large bowl, mix together all of the vegetables and herbs." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a small bowl, stir together the lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Gently pour the dressing over the bean\/corn mixture and stir." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Chill at least 2 hours." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Serve with tortilla chips or large crackers." }],"keywords" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Black Bean Salsa","recipeIngredient" : ["2 15-ounce cans Black Beans (drained and rinsed)","1 15-ounce can while kernel corn","2 large tomatoes, chopped and seeded","1 large avocado, peeled and chopped","1 small purple onion, chopped","1\/4 cup parsley, chopped","4 Tablespoons lime juice","2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil","1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar","1 teaspoon Kosher salt","1\/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper"], "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/51.png" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Wray" }, "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "servingsize": "1 serving"},"@type": "Recipe"} Subscribe

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Prep & Plan: Week Thirty-Five

It’s summertime and it seems like everyone is hitting the road despite the rising gas prices. For the last two weeks, I’ve run articles about how to prepare your car and your families for long drives in the summer heat. Here is the post about how to prep your car for a long drive, and this post is about setting up an emergency first aid kit to take with you. But today I want to discuss traveling with pets. While this post will focus on dogs, the rules apply for other animals as well.

While this isn’t a complete list of things to think about, it’s a good start to building a plan that keeps everyone safe as you travel around the country this summer. Wherever you go, I hope you have a safe and fun trip! After the stress of the last few years, we all deserve a vacation. Including our favorite pets! None of the links below are part of an affiliate program. They are just there for your information and convenience.

Tips For Traveling With Pets This Summer

Check the local laws.
Here is a link to the CDC’s list of individual state rules regarding driving with pets, including transportation requirements (like using crates, etc), truck bed restrictions, and vaccination requirements. Some states even have rules about traveling with pets if you have weapons in the car. If you have more questions about what is allowed, here is a list of every state’s state veterinarians office where you can get all of your questions answered.

Make sure the car is prepped for the trip.
Here is an article with a check-list to make sure your car is ready for a long drive in the summer heat. Last summer our AC died on an 8-hour drive on one of the hottest days of the year. It was a nightmare none of us want to repeat!

Start your drive early in the day.
I also follow this advice anytime I travel by airplane. The earlier you can get on the road (or in the air) the cooler it is and the more daytime you have to sort out any emergencies you encounter. It’s much easier to get a tire fixed at nine a.m. than eleven p.m. It’s also easier to walk dogs in the cooler mornings than the hot afternoons.

Freeze water bottles.
A few days before we leave, I freeze water bottles that are about 3/4 full. I do this for all the water that the animals and passengers will drink. Bring a few unfrozen bottles for the beginning of the trip and store the other frozen bottles in a cooler. They will slowly melt during the trip and you’ll always have some cold water to cool down any overheated animals or passengers.

Pack double the water you think you’ll need for pets and people.
During the hottest days of the year, it’s so important to stay hydrated and people don’t may not realize how quickly everyone in the car can dehydrate. I keep a small bowl with about a 1/2 cup of water in the car so the dogs can drink when they need to. But I also travel with these pop-up bowls so they can drink more at every rest stop.

Try and make most of your stops earlier in the day.
Even if you stop at a grassy rest stop, the parking lot and pavement only gets hotter and hotter as the day goes on. On really hot days, we carry the dogs to the grassy areas so their paws don’t burn on the pavement. This is another reason to get up early and get as much of the drive done during the cooler morning hours. I also keep a few towels in the car so the pets and young children who’ve kicked off their shoes can stand on pavement/parking lots. Especially if we’ve made a stop at a lake or pool to go swimming.

NEVER leave pets or children in a hot car alone.
We’ve all heard tragic stories of people leaving animals and children in a car while they run a quick errand. Unfortunately, if the car is turned off, the inside temperature of a car heats up more quickly than you realize. If you have to use the bathroom, try to stop at a Petco or PetSmart store where you can bring the animals and children inside to stay cool.

Consider not traveling alone with pets.
This is a tricky one because we have to do what we have to do and we can’t always take someone with us. But if you can–even if you offer to drive a kid back to college–you’ll have more flexibility about stopping for food and restrooms. And the extra help will be appreciated if your pets end up with heat stroke.

Watch for signs of heatstroke.
This goes for both people and pets. But specifically for dogs, the signs of heatstroke include lethargy or disorientation, elevated breathing, dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum color, bruising in the gums, and seizures. You may want to consider doggie cooling vests or collars or car mats to help keep their internal temperature normal.

Plan your trip with a list of nearby veterinary clinics.
Veterinary emergencies is another reason to travel earlier in the day. But one thing I always do is when I’m planning my trip is to use google maps to locate all of the emergency vet clinics along my route, hopefully within 15 miles of the interstate. You just never know when you’ll need an emergency vet from heat stroke to wasp bites received on your last rest stop.

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To Redeem Tragic Love Stories

One of my favorite types of story retellings is the redemption of tragic love stories, especially those about star-crossed lovers. Tragic love stories leave us with that wistful “what if” question in our hearts, and my favorite tale has always been Romeo and Juliet. I could never help but wonder what would’ve happened if Friar Lawrence hadn’t gotten involved, if the kids had just talked to their parents, if Mercutio hadn’t died, or even if, as my kids say, Romeo and Juliet had had cell phones.

Even though this trope has a tragic ending, it is one of the most enduring love stories ever written. This tale of star-crossed lovers dates to antiquity, to the story of Pyramus and Thisbe in Ovid’s Metamorphoses and has been retold in every century including being transformed into verse (in Dante’s Divine Comedy), turned into plays (Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet), made into musicals (West Side Story) and movies (Warm Bodies), and retold in numerous other works of fiction, including adult and young adult romance novels. 

Sometimes, in these retellings, the tragic ending stands as a lesson that hate and fear, if not kept in check, will overtake love. But I’ve always loved the redemptive retellings where the lovers have a chance to let love conquer all. This idea, that a tragic story can be redeemed, is what led to my debut novel Every Deep Desire which is a contemporary romantic suspense retelling of Romeo and Juliet where the metaphorical death was the sudden and sad demise of the lovers’ marriage eight years earlier. 

But I’m not the only romance author who has tried to redeem this tale. Below is a list of some of my favorite adult and young adult romances that have taken on the challenge of offering Romeo and Juliet a Happy Ever after.

Young Adult Romeo and Juliet Retellings:Blurbs and links courtesy of Amazon.

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

            Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City’s two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents’ sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud – and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths.

But Aria doesn’t remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can’t conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection – and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city – including herself.

Perfect Chemisty by Simone Elkeles

            When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created ‘perfect’ life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she’s worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. 

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isn’t about to make the same mistake.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the “Wilds” who lives under the government’s radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?

Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (part 1 of the duology) by Rosamund Hodge

            When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched. The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.

Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . . 

Endless Water, Starless Sky (part 2 of the duology) by Rosamunde Hodge

In the last days of the world, the walls of Viyara are still falling, and the dead are rising faster than ever. Juliet is trapped—ordered by Lord Ineo of the Mahyanai to sacrifice the remaining members of her family, the Catresou, to stave off the end of the world. Though they’re certain his plan is useless, Juliet and her former friend Runajo must comply with Lord Ineo’s wishes—unless they can discover a different, darker path to protecting Viyara.

Romeo is tortured: finally aware that his true love is alive, he is at once elated and devastated, for his actions led directly to the destruction of her clan. The only way to redemption is to offer his life to the Catresou to protect and support them . . . even if it means dying to do so.

When Romeo’s and Juliet’s paths converge once again, only a journey into Death will offer answers and the key to saving them all—but is it a journey either of them will survive?

Still Star-Crossed by Melissa Taub

Discover what happened after the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet, as mysterious figures in Verona are determined to reignite the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets.

In fair Verona, enemies still walk the streets.
Two new hearts. Same two families. 
The fight to the altar is about to happen. 
All. Over. Again. 

This homage to the classic Shakespearean tale of Romeo and Juliet will have readers pining for a star-crossed love of their very own.

The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

            I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part. I didn’t get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren’t any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I’d cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William’s younger brother. Good thing he’s sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play…and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he’s from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there’s something about him that’s making my eyes go star-crossed….

Such Sweet Sorrow by Jenny Trout

If ever was there a tale of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo…But true love never dies. Though they’re parted by the veil between the world of mortals and the land of the dead, Romeo believes he can restore Juliet to life, but he’ll have to travel to the underworld with a thoroughly infuriating guide.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, may not have inherited his father’s crown, but the murdered king left his son a much more important responsibility—a portal to the Afterjord, where the souls of the dead reside. When the determined Romeo asks for help traversing the treacherous Afterjord, Hamlet sees an opportunity for adventure, and the chance to avenge his father’s death.

In an underworld filled with leviathan monsters, ghoulish shades, fire giants and fierce Valkyrie warriors, Hamlet and Romeo must battle their way through jealousy, despair, and their darkest fears to rescue the fair damsel. Yet finding Juliet is only the beginning, and the Afterjord doesn’t surrender souls without a price…

Prince of Shadows by Rachel Caine

            In the Houses of Montague and Capulet, there is only one goal: power. The boys are born to fight and die for honor and—if they survive—marry for influence and money, not love. The girls are assets, to be spent wisely. Their wishes are of no import. Their fates are written on the day they are born.

Benvolio Montague, cousin to Romeo, knows all this. He expects to die for his cousin, for his house, but a spark of rebellion still lives inside him. At night, he is the Prince of Shadows, the greatest thief in Verona—and he risks all as he steals from House Capulet. In doing so, he sets eyes on convent-bound Rosaline, and a terrible curse begins that will claim the lives of many in Verona…and will rewrite all their fates, forever.

When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.
Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy…and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.

Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends….

Adult Romeo and Juliet Retellings:

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

Abducted from her convent school, headstrong Scottish beauty Jennifer Merrick does not easily surrender to Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. Known as “The Wolf”; his very name strikes terror in the hearts of his enemies. But proud Jennifer will have nothing to do with the fierce English warrior who holds her captive, this handsome rogue who taunts her with his blazing arrogance. Boldly she challenges his will… until the night he takes her in his powerful embrace, awakening in her an irresistible hunger. And suddenly Jennifer finds herself ensnared in a bewildering web… a seductive, dangerous trap of pride, passion, loyalty, and overwhelming love.

Juliet by Anne Fortier

Juliet, an ambitious, utterly engaging historical novel on the scale of The Thirteenth Tale and The Birth of Venus, follows a young woman who discovers that her family’s origins reach all the way back to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers. Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy. 

This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—a journey into the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei. In 1340, still reeling from the slaughter of her parents, Giulietta was smuggled into Siena, where she met a young man named Romeo. Their ill-fated love turned medieval Siena upside-down and went on to inspire generations of poets and artists, the story reaching its pinnacle in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. 

But six centuries have a way of catching up to the present, and Julie gradually begins to discover that here, in this ancient city, the past and present are hard to tell apart. The deeper she delves into the history of Romeo and Giulietta, and the closer she gets to the treasure they allegedly left behind, the greater the danger surrounding her—superstitions, ancient hostilities, and personal vendettas. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in the unforgettable blood feud, she begins to fear that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is destined to be its next target. Only someone like Romeo, it seems, could save her from this dreaded fate, but his story ended long ago. Or did it? 

From Anne Fortier comes a sweeping, beautifully written novel of intrigue and identity, of love and legacy, as a young woman discovers that her own fate is irrevocably tied—for better or worse—to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

R is having a no-life crisis—he is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he is a little different from his fellow Dead. He may occasionally eat people, but he’d rather be riding abandoned airport escalators, listening to Sinatra in the cozy 747 he calls home, or collecting souvenirs from the ruins of civilization. And then he meets a girl.

First as his captive, then his reluctant guest, Julie is a blast of living color in R’s gray landscape, and something inside him begins to bloom. He doesn’t want to eat this girl—although she looks delicious—he wants to protect her. But their unlikely bond will cause ripples they can’t imagine, and their hopeless world won’t change without a fight.

The Wedding Pact by Katee Robert

Carrigan O’Malley has always known her arranged marriage would be more about power and prestige than passion. But after one taste of the hard-bodied, whiskey-voiced James Halloran, she’s ruined for anyone else. Too bad James and his family are enemy number 1. 

Hallorans vs. O’Malleys—that’s how it’s always been. James should be thinking more about how to expand his family’s empire instead of how silky Carrigan’s skin is against his and how he can next get her into his bed. Those are dangerous thoughts. But not nearly as dangerous as he’ll be if he can’t get what he wants: Carrigan by his side for the rest of their lives.

The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper

Kate Sanderson inherited her good sense from her mother, a disciplined law professor, and her admiration for the Bard from her father, a passionate Shakespeare scholar. When she gets dumped, out of the blue, for the Practically Perfect Ashley Lawson, she vows never to fall in love again. From now on she will control her own destiny, and every decision she makes will be highly reasoned and rational. She thinks Shakespeare would have approved.

So when she is accepted to a summer Shakespeare symposium in Verona, Italy, Kate sees it as the ideal way to get over her heartbreak once and for all. She’ll lose herself in her studies, explore ancient architecture, and eat plenty of pasta and gelato. (Plus, she’ll be getting college credit for it—another goal accomplished!) But can even completely logical Kate resist the romance of living in a beautiful villa in the city where those star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet met and died for each other? Especially when the other Shakespeare Scholars—in particular Giacomo, with his tousled brown hair, expressive dark eyes, and charming ways—try hard to break her protective shell?

Genevieve “Genna” Galante knows a thing or two about causing trouble. After all, it’s engrained in her DNA. As the only daughter of Primo Galante, notorious boss of the Galante crime family, her life is dictated by a certain set of rules… rules Genna was never very good at following. 

Matteo “Matty” Barsanti never wanted anything to do with the family business, but as the first-born Barsanti son, certain things are expected of him. It’s his duty, according to his father, to help take down the enemy… even if that enemy means something to him. A chance encounter on an elevator changes the course of lives, causing the biggest trouble of Genna’s young life. The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti. She’s heard it said time and time again. So what happens when she falls in love with one of them? 

The story of star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of the biggest rivalry New York has ever seen, determined to make it… if only they can survive their parents’ feud.

Every Deep Desire by Sharon Wray

He’s taking it all back. His honor, his freedom, and the woman he loves

Rafe Montfort was a decorated Green Beret, the best of the best, until a disastrous mission and an unforgivable betrayal destroyed his life. Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his brothers, and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he’s done…or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.

It took Juliet Capel eight long years to put her life back together after her husband was taken from her. Now Rafe is back, determined to protect her at any cost, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger. The swamps hold a secret long buried and far deadlier than either of them could have imagined.

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Sarah Munro’s Herbal Shampoo

Herbal Shampoos predate our modern store-bought products and are surprisingly easy and cheap to make, especially during the summer. The base of this shampoo is a Castile soap and I prefer to use Dr. Bronner’s liquid Castile soap which is available in most grocery stores. Adding in the chamomile and calendula flowers help with dandruff and other scalp issues. The rosemary leaves help improve circulation to the scalp and promotes healthy hair follicles. The Argan and jojoba oils add conditioning and the essential oil adds whatever scent you prefer. My favorites are lemon oil or tea tree oil.

This recipe will only last for a week unless you add a natural preservative–like Leucidal–and the shampoo must be kept in the refrigerator in between uses. If you add the preservative, the shampoo will last for a month in the fridge. Below is one of the original recipes that dates back to colonial days, which is why Sarah Munro, (my PhD historian and heroine in book 2 of the Deadly Force series, ONE DARK WISH), has added it to her collection of DIY herbal recipes.

Sarah Munro’s Herbal ShampooIngredients:3 Tablespoons Chamomile flowers3 Tablespoons Rosemary leaves3 Tablespoons Calendula flowers1 cup filtered water1/2 cup liquid Castile soap1/4 teaspoon Argan oil or jojoba oil20 drops of any essential oil of your choice.Leucidal (a natural radish-derived preservative–this is optional)Directions:Put all of the flowers and the rosemary into a Ball canning jar or any other heat-safe glass jar with a tight fitting lid.Boil the 1 cup of filtered water and pour into the jar, over the flowers and herbs. Cover tightly and steep for thirty minutes. Strain the tea into a glass measuring cup.Stir in the Castile soap and mix the soap and herbal tea mixture together.In another glass measuring cup, mix together the Argan or jojoba oil with the essential oil.Stir the mixed oils into the herbal tea and soap concoction.If you want to extend the shelf life for longer than a week, add in the Leucidal according to the directions on the package.Mix well and pour the shampoo into a soap bottle.Without preservatives, use within one week. Store in the refrigerator in between uses.If using the preservative it should last for 1 month. Store in the refrigerator in between uses. 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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Happy Fourth of July

Wherever you are this year, I hope you all have a wonderful Fourth of July holiday filled with good food, lots of fun and fireworks!

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cherry Berries on a Cloud

It’s July and I’m home from over a month of non-stop travel, including three weeks in Paris! But now it’s time get into the Summer entertaining mode. So this month I’m sharing some of my favorite Summer recipes that are perfect for a small dinner party or a huge picnic. They all use the freshest Summer ingredients and are easy to make. Although, today’s recipe actually takes a lot of time–mostly sitting in the oven and the chilling in the refrigerator.

This recipe is perfect for a Fourth of July picnic or barbecue! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Sharon Wray

Yields 15-18 servings

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cherry Berries on a Cloud

This is one of my favorite childhood recipes that my aunt used to make every Fourth of July. It's an easy recipe to make, but it does take time--which makes it a do-ahead recipe. Just make sure your Cream of Tartar is fresh and that the meringue bowl and beaters are squeaky clean otherwise your meringue won't set. The time does NOT include the resting time in between steps. This recipe can also be made by piping the meringue into cups or a round cake for a more decorative look.

1 hrPrep Time

1 hrCook Time

2 hrTotal Time

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Ingredients

Merignue6 egg whites1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar1/4 teaspoon salt3/4 cup sugar1 pint whipping creamFrosting8 ounces cream cheese, softened on the counter (not the microwave)1 cup sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractCherry Berries1 can Cherry Pie filling (about 21 ounces)2 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced1 cup blueberries, washed and picked over1 Tablespoon Kirsch liquor or brandy

Instructions

Butter a 9" x 13" panPreheat the oven to 275 degrees F.In a large bowl, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until foamy.VERY SLOWLY, beat in the 3/4 cup of sugar (about 1 Tablespoon at a time) until the meringue is stiff and glossy.Spread the meringue in the pan.Bake in the oven at 275 degrees F. Then turn off the oven and leave inside the CLOSED oven for at least 12 hours. 24 hours is better. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN UNTIL THE TIME IS UP.In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters, use an electric mixer to beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff. Set this bowl aside.In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the meringue and chill for at least 12 hours. 24 hours is better.In a large bowl, mix together the pie filling, strawberries, blueberries, and brandy.Cut the meringue cake into 15-18 pieces and serve with the Cherry Berries on top.7.8.1.2231https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-cherry-berries-on-a-cloud/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/the-hungry-writer\/the-hungry-romance-writer-cherry-berries-on-a-cloud\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cherry Berries on a Cloud","description" : "This is one of my favorite childhood recipes that my aunt used to make every Fourth of July. It's an easy recipe to make, but it does take time--which makes it a do-ahead recipe. Just make sure your Cream of Tartar is fresh and that the meringue bowl and beaters are squeaky clean otherwise your meringue won't set. The time does NOT include the resting time in between steps. This recipe can also be made by piping the meringue into cups or a round cake for a more decorative look. \r\n","prepTime" : "PT1H","cookTime" : "PT1H","recipeYield" : "15-18 servings","datePublished" : "2022-05-16 08:11:37","recipeInstructions":[ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Butter a 9\" x 13\" pan" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a large bowl, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until foamy. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "VERY SLOWLY, beat in the 3\/4 cup of sugar (about 1 Tablespoon at a time) until the meringue is stiff and glossy." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Spread the meringue in the pan." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Bake in the oven at 275 degrees F. Then turn off the oven and leave inside the CLOSED oven for at least 12 hours. 24 hours is better. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN UNTIL THE TIME IS UP." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters, use an electric mixer to beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff. Set this bowl aside. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the meringue and chill for at least 12 hours. 24 hours is better. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a large bowl, mix together the pie filling, strawberries, blueberries, and brandy. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Cut the meringue cake into 15-18 pieces and serve with the Cherry Berries on top." }],"keywords" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cherry Berries on a Cloud","recipeIngredient" : ["6 egg whites","1\/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar","1\/4 teaspoon salt","3\/4 cup sugar","1 pint whipping cream","8 ounces cream cheese, softened on the counter (not the microwave)","1 cup sugar","1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract","1 can Cherry Pie filling (about 21 ounces)","2 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced","1 cup blueberries, washed and picked over","1 Tablespoon Kirsch liquor or brandy"], "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/50.png" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Wray" }, "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "servingsize": "1 serving"},"@type": "Recipe"} Subscribe

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A Countdown to Christmas

Yes, I am counting down to Christmas! On November 1, 2022, I will be publishing a short story set in the Deadly Force world in the Christmas Wishes & New Year’s Kisses Advent Anthology with some of my favorite bestselling romance authors. My contribution,The Christmas Lily, is a poignant story of Rafe and Juliet’s first Christmas set months before Rafe’s disappearance. (Rafe and Juliet are the hero and heroine of Every Deep Desire, book 1 in the Deadly Force series). The Christmas Lily follows the newlyweds as they are forced to decide if Christmas Magic is worth risking everything–including their future and the love of those they care about most.

This project has been a true labor of love for me, and I can’t wait to share this short story with all of my readers. This anthology is filled with stories of hope and love and happily ever afters, just in time for the holiday season.

Per the publisher ~ “Christmas Wishes and New Year’s Kisses is a wonderfully festive collection of holiday-themed novellas and short stories from some of the world’s most loved indie authors including award-winning and International Bestselling author Kathleen Ryder, A.M. Olenick, Ava Bari, USA Today and International Bestselling author Amy Stephens, Jakki Frances, Suzanne Cass, USA Today Bestselling author Katherine Moore, Susannah Kade, Ruby Rare, International Bestselling author Pandora Snow, Adelyn Zara, USA Today Bestselling author Melonie Johnson, Cynthia Terelst, Keighley Bradford, USA Today Bestselling author Amy L Gale, Debra Deasey, Caitlyn Coakley, USA Today Bestselling author Renee Lee Fisher, Holly Hanzo, Lulu M. Sylvian. USA Today Bestselling author Jeanine Lauren, Sharon Wray, and Jordan Elizabeth.”

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Prep & Plan: Week Thirty-Four

Last week we discussed Summer Car Emergency Kits but today I wanted to delve deeper into the First Aid kit included in last week’s post. Below are two lists–the first is for what to include in your DIY First Aid Kit (and why I always start out with a basic premade kit) and the second is a list of life-saving first aid videos that are free on YouTube.

While it’s a lot of work to put together a decent first aid kit, if you ever end up in a true emergency–including a life or death situation–you’ll be so happy that you put in the time and money to build a your kit. The lists below are just a beginning so feel free to add anything else you may need for your personal situation. And next week we’ll discuss how to travel safely with pets–so I didn’t include any pet information in this post. Wherever you go this summer, I hope you have fun and get home safely!

DIY Summer Emergency First Aid KitPre-made first aid kit ~ I always start out with a premade kit because it comes with smaller packages of gauzes and tapes that I can’t find on my own. They usually also come with a varied collection of band-aids and other bandages. Below is what the American Red Cross suggests you find in a premade kit–or add the missing items yourself. Everything after these first 20 items are extra–but I consider them necessary to my own First Aid kit.2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)5 antiseptic wipe packets2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)1 blanket (space blanket)1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)1 instant cold compress2 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large)2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)Scissors1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)2 triangular bandagesTweezersFirst aid instruction bookletLiquid stitches ~ just in case you need to stop bleeding until you get to an ER.Water bottle for cleaning out wounds & for hydrationBenadryl (Diphenhydramine) ~ this over-the-counter medication is great for insects bites, hives, and other allergic reactions. I purchase the tablets since they are easier to pack, but if you have children make sure you have the proper form (chewable or liquid) for their age. EpiPen ~ if you have members who have severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. You’ll need a prescription and always keep one for my son in the first aid kit in case we need it on the road. Numbing spray like Bactine Antibacterial creamCalendula cream or Aloe to help ease sunburnsPrescription medication ~ Always keep extra RX meds with you as well as an extra prescription if your doctor allows it.Ibuprofen and Tylenol ~ if you have kids, make sure you have the correct formulation for their age and weight.Dramamine or other nausea medicationSunscreen (at least 30+ SPF)~ this includes SPF lip balm and ChapStickBug spray that contains at least 30% DEET. Afrin nasal spray for nosebleedsHydrocortisone ointment ~ for any kind of itchies like insect bites or poison ivy, etc.Flashlight/headlamp ~ you never know when you need administer first aid and it may be dark out.Baby wipes ~ perfect for cleaning scrapes and hands and wiping things down when you don’t have water.ChapStick ~ a great way to ease chapped/sunburned lips. Clean towels ~ carry a few clean towels to help keep your first aid tools clean. Can also be used to help add pressure to a bleeding wound. I like the microfiber towels because they absorb a lot and can be squeezed into a small bag. Feminine hygiene supplies ~ can also be used for feeding wounds. They are small but can absorb a lot of blood.Premade finger splint ~ because you never know when you might hurt your finger when changing a tire.Alcohol wipes ~ to sterilize all of your tools and even skin.ACE bandage ~ for sprains, strains, for for holding bandages in place on bigger wounds or holding splints on fractures. Small scissors – for all your cutting needs. Fingernail clippers – for smaller cutting needs.A bottle of Gatorade ~ essential for dehydration and hypoglycemia.Ziploc bags of various sizes ~ to carry knocked-out teeth, pulled-out ticks, or used bandages. Tweezers & small magnifying glass ~ for splinters, ticks, and other small needs. A small First Aid book or chart to help you remember how to do things like wrap a sprained ankle or make a tourniquet.A nice canvas bag to hold all of your equipmentFavorite First Aid Videos01

How to Remove a Tick

02

Life Saving First Aid – Major Bleeds

03

Life Saving First Aid – Unresponsive Victim

04

Wilderness First Aid

05

First Aid Hacks

06

10 First Aid Mistakes

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Beauty & The Beast: A Tale as Old as Time

Beauty and the Beast is one of the most well-known fairytales around, partly because of the success of the Disney movies. But, like most fairytales, this one dates back centuries. It also has the distinction of being one of a few fairy tales that made it into the 1st edition of Grimm’s Fairy Tales (in 1812) but was then removed because it was too similar to another French tale they included in later editions. Hans Christian Anderson wrote his own version of this tale in 1837, but the original French version was written by Suzanne de Villeneuve in 1740. It was published in La Jeune Américaine, et Les Contes Marins under the title La Belle et La Bête.

Suzanne de Villeneuve’s original story was actually quite long for a fairytale, coming in at over 100 pages. It also included the full backstory of both the beast and the beauty. The beast was a young prince when his parents died. His father died in battle and his mother then went on to avenge her husband’s death by defending the kingdom. But to do this, the queen had to leave her son in the care of an evil fairy. This evil fairy tried to seduce the prince when he became an adult, but he refused. Humiliated, the evil fairy turned him into a beast.

Belle was the daughter of a neighboring king and a good fairy. The evil fairy who’d been taking care of the prince tried to murder Belle so she could marry the king. Because there was a lot of evil fairy vs. good fairy battles going on, Belle was placed in the home of a merchant for her own protection. Eventually Belle and her beast met… and she saves him. Not unlike how the queen saved the kingdom after her husband’s death.

This story was hugely popular but un 1756, Jeanne-Marie Leprince du Beaumont rewrote the story by making it shorter and eliminating characters. Beaumont’s version also added story elements that dealt with social and political issues that were happening in France around the same time. (the same issues that would eventually lead to the French Revolution).

There is also some evidence that this tale is much older than Villeneuve’s. Elements of Villeneuve’s story has elements of Cupid and Psyche, the tale from the novel Metamorphoses written in Latin in the 2nd Century AD by Apuleius. Apuleius’s story begins with an evil goddess (Venus) banishing Psyche to a mountain in order to marry a terrible beast. Venus then sends her son Cupid to destroy Psyche, but he falls in love with her and saves her. He hides her in a castle and marries her, but he only visits her at night and tells her she can never see his face. But Psyche gives in to curiosity and peeks at his face while holding a candle. When a drop of hot wax on his cheek wakes him, and scars him, Psyche offers herself to Venus as a form of penance. Venus gives Psyche impossible tasks, including one that included finding beauty from the queen of the Underworld (Persephone). Psyche receives a box filled with beauty from Persephone but opens it and falls into a coma. A grieving Cupid saves Psyche and begs Jupiter (the queen of the gods) to make Psyche immortal so they can live together forever. She agrees and there’s a happy ending.

The story of Metamorphoses has also been found in the Indian Panchatantra (which may have existed as an oral story before the printed version appeared in 500 AD.) in a story known as The Woman Who Married a Snake. In the Russian tale The Enchanted Tsarévich, and in the Chinese story The Fairy Serpent, the beast is also a snake. Yet, in the Italian version, the beast is a dragon who breathes fire. The Swiss have their own version where the beast is a bear, while the British story has a beast who is a dog. There’s even an American version where the beast is a wild man living in the Pacific Northwest.

But regardless of what the beast is, the trope of a woman taming a wild beast of a man–and saving him–has been around for centuries. It is one of the most beloved and enduring fairytales around, and I have no doubt that Beauty and the Beast retellings will continue to delight readers of all ages for a long, long time.

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