Sharon Wray's Blog, page 56

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Apricot and Pecan Scones

It’s time for the next installment of Allison Pickney’s Bridal Shower micro-story. Last week the women played Truth or Dare Croquet and enjoyed pineapple chicken salad sandwiches. Although the game brought up some uncomfortable moments, everyone recovered (thanks to some champagne cocktails) and now they are recovering on the patio while the caterer serves her specialty: Apricot and Pecan Scones.

Allison ~ “After we stuffed ourselves with tea sandwiches (and my favorite was the Chicken Pineapple salad!), we settled into wicker garden chairs near the fountain. I’ve eaten so much food, and it’s so warm out, that it would be easy to nod off while listening to the rhythmic sound of the water hitting the pond. The endless rounds of champagne, and the accompanying tipsy feeling, hasn’t helped. But that would be so rude! Luckily, Sarah asks Juliet about her honeymoon. Since Sarah and her new husband Nate only came to Charleston for a few nights for their honeymoon, she was hoping to plan something later in the year to surprise him. 

“Juliet,” Sarah said as she placed her empty Champagne glass on table in the center of the chairs, “Did you love Venice?”

Juliet smiled as she took a sip. “Loved it.”

“I’m just not sure that the men can leave the country,” Charlotte said. 

A quietness came over the group. All of the men we love are ex-Green Berets who were dishonorably discharged for something they didn’t do. Now that they’re fighting to learn the truth, and they have two fierce enemies waiting to attack, Charlotte was probably right. With all the uncertainty in their lives, they probably wouldn’t want to leave the country. I wasn’t even sure that Zack still had a valid passport.

“It’s just so expensive.” Samantha wrinkled her nose. “If I had to plan a honeymoon, I think I’d go to New York City. See a bunch of shows and eat lots of pizza.”

“Good choice.” Charlotte winked at Samantha. “I would take Cain to New Orleans. I’ve never been and would love to take ghost tours and eat all the food.”

Samantha smiled back. “I think I’m seeing a trend with food here.”

I am relived that the two women seem to have gotten over their disagreement from earlier. “If we’re talking food,” I said, “I’d choose Chicago. I love deep dish pizza.”

At that moment, the caterer dropped off scones and clotted cream. Not any kinds of scones. Apricot and Pecan Scones that smelled as if they came straight from the oven. They were one of the caterer’s specialties. And when we took our first bites, I swear we all moaned. They were even better than expected.

A few minutes later, Juliet placed her plate on the table and sighed. “I still think that Venice is the place to go for food. Especially the bigoli in salsa and the meringues. All the food is amazing.”

Samantha winked at Juliet. “I’m surprised you even left your room.”

Juliet blushed and took another scone. And, quite notably, she didn’t answer.

“Since food is a thing,” Emilie, always the peacemaker, said, “I would recommend New Orleans.” She nodded at Charlotte. “You should just make a reservation at a boutique hotel, and I’ll give you restaurant recommendations. I’m sure your husband Cain would love it.”

Charlotte nodded as she ate her second scone. When she was finished, and wiped her lips, she said, “I just don’t know if I could drag Cain away from Iron Rack’s Gym. I don’t know he’d leave the other men while You Know Who is still around.”

Since that was the second time that Charlotte mentioned the stress the men were under, I wondered if she was more worried than she normally let on.
“Charlotte,” I said gently, “Do you know something we don’t?”

“No.” She crushed her napkin and dropped it onto her plate. “I just have a terrible habit of thinking the worst is going to happen. Which is so ironic since Cain is always convinced everything will be okay.”

Sarah reached over and squeezed Charlotte’s hand. “While we don’t know the future, we do know one thing. Our men are strong and smart and experienced soldiers. Whatever the danger, I’m sure they’re up for it.”

With our help,” Samantha added with a smile.

We all laughed and the tension dissipated just as Vivienne appeared.

“What are we talking about?” Vivienne asked as she sat and took a scone.

“Honeymoons,” I said quickly. “What do you think of them?”

Vivienne raised her plate with a scone as a salute. “I highly recommend them. Having been married several times myself, I can honestly say all of my honeymoons are still some of my happiest memories.”

I studied the scones, so tempted to take another, and asked, “Where was your favorite honeymoon city?”

She laughed and took a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter. “Does it matter?”

We chuckled and our gazes bounced around, meeting each others’ and then dropping away. Which made me shake my head. We were grown women and were struggling to admit why honeymoons were so much fun.

“I think you’re right,” Charlotte said to Emile. “I am going to surprise Cain and take him to New Orleans for a long weekend. I’ll drag him if I have to.”

Vivienne nodded in approval. “I applaud your initiative. Once you choose your dates, I’ll get you reservations at the best restaurant in town. The Bell Tower. The food is incredible and it’s so romantic. But reservations are very hard to get.”

I smiled to myself. While Zack and I hadn’t gone to The Bell Tower on an official date during our story (In Search of Truth), the food was amazing and I’d definitely go back.

“Thank you.” Charlotte wide smile brightened her face. “That sounds wonderful.”

Suddenly, Susan ran out to the patio followed by a dog. My dog. Nicholas Trott. When both the child and dog stopped to grab a scone, I asked, “What is Nicholas Trott doing here?”

I’m sure I left the dog at home to take his nap.

“Mr. Tremaine brought him,” Susan said with a full mouth. “He and his friends are inside.”

I stood and studied Vivienne. “Why are the men here?”

“Because,” Vivienne stood and smoothed her silk skirt, “all-female parties can get so boring. Besides, I thought you’d love to see you fiance.”

On cue, Zack and five other men appeared. Zack kissed my cheek and whispered, “We don’t mean to crash your party. But Vivienne demanded we show up.”

“Oooh,” Pete White Horse, Samantha’s boyfriend, grabbed to scones. “I love rolls.”

We all laughed and Samantha hit his arm, “They’re called scones.”

“Whatever they’re called,” Pete said with a full mouth, “They’re awesome.”

“So?” I kissed Zack’s cheek and inhaled his powerful masculine scent. “You’re staying for the weekend?”

He kissed me quickly. “Yes.”

And my face felt so hot, I’m sure it was redder than the roses that covered Maddie’s pond.

Vivienne took Zack’s arm and settled him into a chair. Then, once we were all seated, she announced, “Before dessert arrives–“

“Lemon bars?” Zack asked his godmother and aunt.

“Of course,” Vivienne tapped his arm. “But first we have things to discuss.”

My stomach clenched and I shared a worried look with Zack. I now knew what Vivienne was up to. I now knew the entire point of this shower.

“Discuss what?” Zack asked in a dark voice.

Vivienne shook her head. “Not a wedding date.”

I sighed in relief and relaxed in my chair.

“Something almost as important.” Vivienne took an envelope from the caterer who’d just appeared and handed it to Zack. “Your honeymoon. Because, while I am anxious for a wedding, I’m more anxious for great nieces and nephews. The more, and the sooner, the better.”

Sharon Wray

Yields 8-10 scones

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Apricot and Pecan Scones

These scones are so good that I promise you'll make them over and over. Sometimes I make them as biscuits but I've also made them in a pie plate and cut them into triangles. And don't forget to sprinkle the tops with sugar. That's one of the best parts! I always serve them with clotted cream and my favorite raspberry jam, but they're also wonderful with cream and honey.

30 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour1/4 cup packed light brown sugar1 Tablespoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) dried apricots, finely chopped1/4 cup finely chopped pecans1 cup heavy cream1/4 cup milk1 large egg white, lightly beaten1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425º F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray or line it with parchment paper.In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the apricots and pecans. Slowly stir in the cream and milk to form a sticky dough.Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll it into a 9-inch circle about 1/4 inch thick.Stamp out scones using a 2-21/2 inch biscuit cutter or an overturned glass. Place the scones about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and make more scones.Brush the tops of the scones with egg white and sprinkle them with sugar. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Nutrition Calories 2258 cal Fat 111 g Carbs 282 g Protein 38 g Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info 7.8.1.2143https://sharonwray.com/deadly-force-recipe-series/the-hungry-romance-writer-apricot-and-pecan-scones/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/deadly-force-recipe-series\/the-hungry-romance-writer-apricot-and-pecan-scones\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Apricot and Pecan Scones","description" : "These scones are so good that I promise you'll make them over and over. Sometimes I make them as biscuits but I've also made them in a pie plate and cut them into triangles. And don't forget to sprinkle the tops with sugar. That's one of the best parts! I always serve them with clotted cream and my favorite raspberry jam, but they're also wonderful with cream and honey. ","prepTime" : "PT30M","cookTime" : "PT20M","recipeYield" : "8-10 scones","datePublished" : "2020-07-31 14:27:53","recipeInstructions":[ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Preheat oven to 425\u00ba F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray or line it with parchment paper." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the apricots and pecans. Slowly stir in the cream and milk to form a sticky dough. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll it into a 9-inch circle about 1\/4 inch thick. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Stamp out scones using a 2-21\/2 inch biscuit cutter or an overturned glass. Place the scones about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and make more scones. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Brush the tops of the scones with egg white and sprinkle them with sugar. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature." }],"keywords" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Apricot and Pecan Scones","recipeIngredient" : ["2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour","1\/4 cup packed light brown sugar","1 Tablespoon baking powder","1\/4 teaspoon salt","1\/2 cup (about 2 1\/2 ounces) dried apricots, finely chopped","1\/4 cup finely chopped pecans","1 cup heavy cream","1\/4 cup milk","1 large egg white, lightly beaten","1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar"], "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/12.png" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Wray" }, "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "servingsize": "1 serving", "calories": "2258 kcal", "fatContent": "111 g", "saturatedFatContent": "59 g", "cholesterolContent": "277 mg", "sodiumContent": "2355 mg", "carbohydrateContent": "282 g", "sugarContent": "77 g", "proteinContent": "38 mg"},"@type": "Recipe"} Subscribe to the blog

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Prep & Plan: Week Sixteen

I know this series comes with a lot of homework. Since so many of you have reached out with questions about how to get all this work done, I just wanted to remind all of my readers that these posts, this series, has no timeframe attached to it. Yes, building a prep & plan mindset takes time and effort. In some cases, there is a ton of work to be done just to feel like you can begin the process. But the important thing to remember is that this work can be done anytime, depending on your season of life.

My goal is to post the information so whenever you’re ready, you have the resources to take your next steps in prepping and planning. These assignments do not need to be done in order, and they don’t need to be completed perfectly. The beauty of this plan is that you take what you need when you need it, and leave the rest behind. We don’t want to clutter up our heads like we may clutter our homes. I suffer from both, which is why I work so hard to prep and plan.

With that being said, this week we’re going back to Week 2. The Week 2 assignments were to list what areas in the house need a deep clean and a serious review (another word for looking for things to declutter) and to make a list of cleaning products you love and need to purchase. As well as set up make-ahead meals and motivational rewards ahead of time so that when you start your Spring Cleaning you won’t be overwhelmed. Once you find that list (or make it for the first time–directions are here), look at your calendar. I know it’s still February. But if you look at your cleaning list and feel overwhelmed, now is the time to schedule out when you’re going to get this cleaning done.

Unlike movies and TV, most people do their deep cleaning throughout the entire season. Not in one day. (although that will work too). If you schedule your time now, and spread it out over two or three months, it becomes a doable thing instead of this monumental event that must be conquered. Also, this gives you time to order/buy your favorite cleaning supplies. With all the supply chain issues, I’ve noticed that some of my favorite products are backordered. So I’m placing an online order today.

If you need any inspiration to get started, here are some of my favorite resources for Spring Cleaning and/or developing ongoing cleaning schedules.

Clean Mama Website: I have her cleaning planner and love it. Once I got into the rhythm with her system, my house has never stayed cleaner. I LOVE her detergent and laundry whitening agent since my family has allergic reactions to certain chemicals. Her cleaning products also smell great!

FlyLady Website: I love her Zone Cleaning system and used it for years, until I found the Clean Mama system. There is a TON of information on this site and it’s worth spending some time reading her articles.

Diane in Denmark on YouTube and Instagram: I love Diane in Denmark. She used to be FlyLady consultant and makes almost daily videos about the system. She is a Scottish woman living in Denmark who swims naked in the ice cold fjords. She always makes me laugh, and her cleaning videos are a joy to watch!

The Secret Slob: Another YouTube who makes the FlyLady system work for her. Steph is a busy woman who makes cleaning work for her, instead of the other way around. She’s hilarious and so much fun to watch. I would rather watch her videos than actually clean my house!

It may still be snowing where you are, as it is here in Virginia, but it’s never to early to prep for Spring Cleaning. And don’t forget to add in a few treats to give yourself as a reward when it’s all over! So that’s the only assignment this week. Make your cleaning schedule, choose your rewards, collect some do-ahead recipes so you don’t have to cook while you clean, and collect your favorite cleaning products. You will thank me in May when you want to lie around and read books, without feeling guilty, knowing your house is clean and organized.

We’ll be talking about the how-tos of Spring Cleaning in a few weeks. For now, just make your schedule and eat a muffin. You deserve it!

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Reader’s Guide to Young Adult & Children’s Fiction Book Genres

Just like adult books, children’s books are divided between Non-Fiction and Fiction. This post will focus on the fiction genres, mostly because next week I’ll be publishing the 2022 Mid-Winter Young Middle Grade & Young Adult Book List. While my bi-annual book list includes both fiction and non-fiction, it is heavily skewed toward fiction. So I thought today would be a good time to explain how these books are classified.

First of all, Young Adult books are classified as children’s books, and the divisions have everything to do with the age of the protagonist and not the age of the reader. I’m going to repeat that because it’s really important. All children’s books are classified by AGE OF PROTAGONIST and not the age of the reader. That’s because children learn to read and comprehend at their own speed. There may be many of you, including myself, who loved to read from a young age and could read at an adult level (including grammar, writing style, and story themes) by the time you were twelve. And there are other kids who don’t develop their reading skills until they are in high school or older. I know I’m not the only woman who was reading totally inappropriate adult romances while in middle school. (but that’s another issue!).

So the publishing industry, with the help of schools and libraries, has broken down children’s fiction into the following major classifications.

Major Classifications of YA & Children’s Fiction

Upper Young Adult Novels ~ protagonist is 18 years old (may turn 19 during the story)

Middle Young Adult Novels ~ protagonist is 17 years old (may turn 18 during the story)

Lower Young Adult Novels ~ protagonist is 15 – 16 years old

Upper Middle Grade Novels ~ protagonist is 14 years old

Middle Middle Grade Novels ~ protagonist is 13 years old

Lower Middle Grade Novels ~ protagonist is 11- 12 years old

Upper Chapter Books ~ protagonist is 10 years old

Middle Chapter Books ~ protagonist is 9 years old

Lower Chapter Books ~ protagonist is 8 years old

Easy Reading Books ~ protagonist is 6-8 years old

Early Reading Books ~ protagonist is 4-5 years old (there are exceptions with characters up to 8 years old)

Primers ~ protagonist is usually in pre-school or kindergarten. These books can be both fiction and non-fiction and are designed to teach phonics and basic grammar.

Picture Books ~ protagonist can be any age, but is usually no older than 10. (but there are exceptions)

Now that we’ve established how children’s books are classified, we can now discuss the Fiction genres of each group. Due to space, I’m going to do this according to YA books (protagonists aged 15-18), Middle Grade (protagonists aged 9-14), and Children (protagonists aged 3-8). A quick note about these classifications–the general idea behind breaking these ages down is the idea of “the monster under the bed.” Both as a metaphor and a real thing.

When kids are little, they are afraid of monsters under the bed, and the books for younger readers address this idea usually in a humorous way, usually ending with the premise that the monsters don’t exist or that they are friendly and helpful. (The movie Monsters, Inc. is a great example of this)

When kids are in middle school, they are beginning to realize that bad things sometimes happen and that monsters in the world may actually real. But because of the psychological make-up of these ages, these monsters tend to be metaphorical (although they can be real as well). While the “monsters under the bed” aren’t denied, in Middle Grade books they are explained and/or neutralized before they actually appear. Or, if they appear, they do so in a way that allows the middle grade protagonist to grow up wiser and less fearful.

By the time kids turn 15, they know that monsters walk around this world. They’ve seen news stories, have been affected by things in their own lives, etc. So YA books deal with the actual monsters, especially in the Fantasy and Sci Fi books. Although there are always happy endings (or what’s known as “Happily Ever Afters For Now”), the protagonist has to fight the monster in a physical way. It could be a vampire, an alien, or a bully. The monster is real, although it can be internal or external, and the monster is defeated.

Young Adult Fiction Book Genres Anthologies & Novellas

Anthologies are collections of short stories by popular authors. Novellas are short stories by popular authors, but are published alone. Anthologies and novellas are found in every sub-genre of YA fiction, but they are most popular in Fantasy, Sci Fi, and Romance genres.

Realistic Fiction

These are stories that could happen in the real world. This genre includes books about bullying, loss of friendships, suicide, first sexual experiences (usually closed door), and darker topics like abuse and abandonment. One of the more popular sub-genres is Sick Lit which includes stories about teens battling diseases or addictions. This genre may also include mystery/suspense/paranormal/futuristic/historical elements.

Romance

Just like adult romances, this genre is unique in that these books are the only ones within all of fiction where the protagonist is changed due to positive pressure from the love interest (who is the antagonist, in this case) instead of from negative pressure from a villain. Beyond that, these books always have an emotionally satisfying Happily Ever After. Usually in libraries and bookstores, all YA romances are shelved together by author’s last name and all the sub-genres are mixed in together. The sexual heat level can vary from super sweet to closed-door sexual situations (usually a “first time” scenario). Although there are a few stories out there that have open door sexual situations, they are really rare. And in those rare cases, the female protagonist is always 18 years old, if not 19. It’s important to know what type of story a teenager wants to read before they pull one off the shelf. There are tons of sub and sub-sub genres in this category (it’s also, by far, the largest category on the list) so I’m only listing the more popular sub-genres in this category below.

Contemporary Romance (takes place in contemporary times)Historical Romance (takes place at least thirty years in the past from publication date)Paranormal Romance (has paranormal elements like vampires or magic)Urban Fantasy (set in an urban setting with magical elements)Fantasy (set in any kind of fantasy world)Science Fiction (set in any kind of sci fi situation or world)Christian Romance (romances where the lovers’ relationship with God is of primary importance)Romantic Suspense (love story is intertwined with a suspense or mystery plot) Paranormal

Stories in this genre always have a paranormal element, including stories with romantic elements. These books include ghost stories, and stories about magical creatures like fairies, witches, vampires, etc.

Classics

These are books and plays that have continued to spur meaningful debate and conversation (and sometimes controversy) across generations and through the decades. Most librarians will only consider a more current book to be a classic once the author has passed away. In the YA world, these books include Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, and The Outsider by S.E. Hinton.

Fantasy

These books are set in completely different worlds, or in a version of this world that contains magic. The key to these stories is the world-building, the level of which determines the sub-genre. Below are a few of the more popular sub-genres in this category. Books like J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy, while High fantasy, is usually shelved with classics because the author died years ago. So if you don’t find what you’re looking for on the shelf, and the book is older, check the classics section. YA Fantasy novels actually have more romantic elements than adult fantasy. (I have no idea why!)

Epic/High Fantasy (highly evolved and creative worlds, often using elements from the past)Low Fantasy (the current world with magical elements)Urban Fantasy (an urban, contemporary setting with magic)Historical Fantasy (the world at least thirty years before current day, with magical elements)Grimdark Fantasy (high fantasy that is violent, dark, and dystopian) Science Fiction

These books set up worlds where we imagine technology’s impact in the future. There is tons of world building and usually a large cast of characters, including aliens from other worlds. This category has a ton of sub and sub-sub-genres and I listed a few below. While there may be romantic elements, sexual situations are rare.

Hard Science Fiction (so factually accurate that the reader believes the events could actually happen)Soft Science Fiction (more focused on things like sociology and folklore)Space Opera (stories set in a fully fictionalized space)Dystopian (stories set in a post-apocalyptic world, either on Earth or another planet. Almost always an undesirable world)Steampunk (historical setting with a heavy focus on steam-powered technology, even if it’s not part of the period) Horror

Books about the supernatural or supernatural elements that terrify young readers as well as the protagonists within the stories. They tend to be much less graphic than adult horror books, and there’s always some kind of happy or satisfying ending.

Action/Adventur e/Speculative/Dystopian

These stories have very high stakes and a lot of movement between scenes, usually traversing the world. Speculative and Dystopian fiction usually represents a post-apocalyptic or totalitarian world. The protagonist is under constant pressure and their lives are always at risk. These are fast-paced stories that are easily translated into movies/TV series. A good example is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. These books can have historical, science fiction, or paranormal elements. Below are a few of the more popular sub-genres in this category. The

Adventure (interesting or exotic locales and lots of exploration)Post Apocalyptic (life after a world-altering event, not necessary nuclear war) Time Travel (a current-day protagonist who travels back in time to save the future)Western (always set in the U.S. western frontier) Mystery/Suspense

These novels are all about The Who-done-it ? and Why–was-it-done?. The protagonist is usually the teenage detective or private investigator who is up against a ticking clock to prevent another murder/crime/bad thing. Although it’s a TV show, the series Veronica Mars is a great example of a teenage investigator. These mysteries tend to deal with less serious issues than adult mysteries. It all depends on the age of the protagonist. An 18-year old detective may deal with a dead body while a 15-year old detective may deal with a cheating scandal in school.

Middle Grade Fiction Book Genres

Unlike the YA books which are sub-divided into many sub-sub genres, Middle Grade books tend to be mushed together. That’s because Middle Grade books tend to contain elements from many sub-genres which makes it hard to separate them out. Below are the main divisions for Middle Grade books although they are often all shelved together by author’s last name.

Classics

Just like the classics above, these books are written by authors who have passed away yet their stories persist. Books in this genre include The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time series, and White Fang by Jack London.

Action/Adventure/Humor/ Mystery/Sci Fi

Books in this genre include stories about zombies, animals, ghosts, historical, and mystery/fantasy elements, etc. Superheroes and most Manga (Japanese comics) characters are also included, as are dystopian plots. And it also includes Science Fiction. The key to this genre is that the young protagonist is the driving force in defeating the monster and keeping their homes and families safe. (although often the schools are destroyed! LOL).

Family & Relationships

This is a genre unique to Middle Grade books. It includes mother/daughter stories, stories about princesses and dragons, etc. But the key here is that the family/friend relationships are far more important than the magical element. The relationships drive the story instead of the plot.

Children’s Fiction Book Genres Classics

These books include all books written by Dr. Seuss, as well as authors/books like Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, and A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. They are sometimes told in rhyme and are usually classified as bedtime stories. The protagonists are young and they often interact with magical creatures. Like all other classic books, the authors are dead yet their books are still popular.

Mystery

These include mystery chapter books (of all levels) which usually include a group of young kids who all work together to solve a simple mystery. There are some stand-alone chapter book mysteries, but they tend to have the older protagonists (8-10 years old).

Chapter Books

Again, more of a type of book than a genre. These books, which cross ALL genres, are usually “buddy” books. Stories where a group of friends meets an alien, travel in time, or fly dragons, etc. They are almost always in a series where each short book solves a simple problem while all the characters remain friends at the end, even if there are relationship problems within along the way while the story is unfolding.

Easy Readers/Early Readers/Primers

These are also types of book (separated by age of protagonist), instead of a genre, but these types of books come in ALL genres. There are princess primers, astronaut primers, western early readers, etc. If you can’t find them in the bookstore, ask your school librarian for recommendations and ordering information. Sometimes they cannot be purchased on Amazon and are only available through in-school book fairs. (It all depends on the publisher). The Scholastic Newsletter is a great source for these types of books that aren’t necessarily available online due to limited publishing schedules.

Picture Books

Who doesn’t love children’s picture books? While this is another type, instead of a genre, picture books are available in ALL genres from holiday stories to action/adventure stories. Many popular books are often reissued and reprinted in picture book form. This type also includes board books and fabric books which are meant for babies to chew on while parents read to them. They are one of the few types of books read by all ages of readers, and they are often the most beloved books in a reader’s life.

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Sarah Munro’s Moisturizing Bath Melts

Last week we made Sarah Munro’s Citrus Bath Salts and today I want to share Sarah’s recipe for Moisturizing Bath Melts. (Sarah Munro, a 17th century PhD historian, is the heroine of One Dark Wish, book 2 of the Deadly Force series. She collects herbal recipes from centuries ago, updates them for modern use, and shares them here.)

What are bath melts? They are little blocks (in any shape you want) made from virgin coconut oil (must be the unrefined virgin coconut oil with a citrusy scent) that, when dropped into a warm bath, leave your parched winter skin soft and silky smooth. They are easy to make and similar recipes have been around for centuries. But this modern version uses coconut oil (instead of lye-based soaps) which is light and non-greasy and doesn’t need an emulsifier to prevent fat blobs from being left behind in the tub or on your skin.

This recipe uses dried lavender flowers, but I’ve also made them with the zests of lemons, limes, and oranges. If you’d like some fragrance, you can add any essential oils you prefer. Just be careful getting out of the tub. The melted oil can make you and the tub a bit slippery.

Sarah Munro’s Moisturizing Bath Melts@media all and (min-width: 768px){#kt-layout-id_cabb30-2a > .kt-row-column-wrap > .inner-column-1{flex:0 1 65%;-webkit-flex:0 1 65%;}#kt-layout-id_cabb30-2a > .kt-row-column-wrap > .inner-column-2{flex:0 1 35%;-webkit-flex:0 1 35%;}}#kt-layout-id_cabb30-2a{margin-bottom:32px;}#kt-layout-id_cabb30-2a > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;}.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_a91dff-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px;border-color:var(--global-palette7, #EDF2F7);border-top-width:2px;border-right-width:2px;border-bottom-width:2px;border-left-width:2px;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_a91dff-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px;}}Ingredients2 cups virgin coconut oil2 Tablespoons dried lavender flowers (or citrus zest)Silicone ice cube molds (any shape you prefer).kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_fcb50b-01 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-image:url('https://sharonwray.com/wp-content/upl... center;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}

#kt-layout-id_fbb445-78{margin-bottom:32px;}#kt-layout-id_fbb445-78 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px;}.kt-svg-icons_7320ea-8d .kt-svg-item-0:hover .kt-svg-icon {color:var(--global-palette2, #2B6CB0)!important;}#kt-adv-heading_8a0930-fc, #kt-adv-heading_8a0930-fc .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_8a0930-fc[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_8a0930-fc"], .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper .kt-adv-heading_8a0930-fc[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_8a0930-fc"]{text-align:left;font-size:35px;margin-top:0px;}Directions:#kt-adv-heading_a0b926-30, #kt-adv-heading_a0b926-30 .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_a0b926-30[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_a0b926-30"], .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper .kt-adv-heading_a0b926-30[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_a0b926-30"]{text-align:left;}

Set up a double boiler on the stove. Heat the stove and melt the coconut oil in the top of the double boiler. Once the oil is melted, take the double boiler off the heat and place on a heat-proof pad. Stir in the lavender flowers or citrus zest.

Using a Tablespoon, gently pour the melted oil into the ice cube molds. Place the molds in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the oil has hardened again.

When you take your next bath, pop out one of the oil blocks from the mold and drop it into your warm bath. The tub may be a bit slick when you’re finished, but it is easily rinsed out. These bath melts are antibacterial and anti-fungal which make them safe enough to use every day.

This recipe makes between 12-15 bath melts, depending on the size of your molds.

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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The Countdown has Begun

I can’t believe I’m already counting down to Christmas! But since it’s been a busy writing year, I have another cover reveal today. This one is for the contemporary romance Christmas anthology coming out November 1, 2022 called Let’s Get Naughty.

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Home for the Honeymoon, my story in this anthology, follows Clara and Jacob (from the Mister October anthology) who get married on Christmas Eve in their hometown of Mill’s Hollow. Except when a snowstorm hits, they are forced to honeymoon at home with a teenager, a quirky uncle, and an entire town who wants to help. Clara and Jacob’s story is poignant, funny, steamy… and filled with all the romantic Christmas feels.

I am so excited to return to the small Virginia town of Mill’s Hollow and I hope you’ll come with me! Although Let’s Get Naughty doesn’t come out until November 1, 2022, it’s up for preorder now!

So, if you’re ready, let me introduce the cover for Let’s Get Naughty.…

#kt-layout-id_211ea5-60{margin-bottom:32px;}#kt-layout-id_211ea5-60 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;}.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_ca9a78-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:50px;padding-bottom:50px;padding-left:50px;padding-right:100px;margin-right:-50px;border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_ca9a78-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:rgba(12, 76, 225, 0.09);}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_ca9a78-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px;margin-right:0px;}}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.

#kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27, #kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27 .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27"], .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper .kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27"]{text-align:center;line-height:61px;background-color:rgba(68,68,181,0.77);}#kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27 mark, #kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27 .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading mark, .kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27"] mark{color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);} Preorder Let’s Get Naughty Here .kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_01c849-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col{margin-top:50px;}.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_01c849-7b{z-index:2;}Subscribe to the blog

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A Valentine for Mrs. Right

Although I am a romantic suspense author, I also write in other genres such as gothic women’s fiction and…. romantic comedy. To celebrate that other side of my writing career, I’m debuting the cover and preorder link for the Valentine’s Day themed anthology coming out in 2023. Yes, it’s a year away. But that’s okay… because I’m still writing it!

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This Valentine’s Day anthology is taking a different look at the holiday… our heroines are experiencing the day as newly married women complete with unrealistic expectations, family interference, and conflict with the friends they’ve left behind. This is a collection of funny, poignant stories that will make you laugh and cry and confirm your believe in Happily Ever Afters.

Now… to wait an entire year!

#kt-layout-id_211ea5-60{margin-bottom:32px;}#kt-layout-id_211ea5-60 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;}.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_ca9a78-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:50px;padding-bottom:50px;padding-left:50px;padding-right:100px;margin-right:-50px;border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_ca9a78-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:rgba(235, 139, 150, 0.19);}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_ca9a78-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px;margin-right:0px;}}#kt-adv-heading_8cc3e1-ab, #kt-adv-heading_8cc3e1-ab .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_8cc3e1-ab[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_8cc3e1-ab"], .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper .kt-adv-heading_8cc3e1-ab[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_8cc3e1-ab"]{text-align:center;}Recently married. Valentine’s Day.What could go wrong?

Our couples are celebrating their first Valentine’s Day as husband and wife and are still on cloud nine after winning their HEA.

They’ve learned that all relationships go through trials and tribulations, and our couples have shaken off any doubt that their partner is the ONE. After all, they are still in the honeymoon phase.

But holidays–with expectations, families, and friends–can bring in unforeseen troubles and conflict.

So what’s a newly married couple to do?

Come binge these romantic short stories while snuggling up on the couch with a soft blanket, your favorite chocolates, and a glass of wine. We guarantee this anthology to make you laugh, cry, and believe in happily ever afters.

#kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27, #kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27 .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27"], .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper .kt-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_5e8ad3-27"]{text-align:center;}Preorder MRs. Right HEre.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_01c849-7b > .kt-inside-inner-col{margin-top:50px;}.kt-row-layout-inner > .kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column_01c849-7b{z-index:2;}Subscribe to the blog

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chicken and Pineapple Salad

 It’s February. It’s cold and snowy. And I’m yearning for Spring. As I was thinking about what to blog about this month, I discovered that I never finished the stories for Allison Pinckney’s Bridal Shower. (Allison is the heroine of In Search of Truth, book 3 in the Deadly Force series). Between the pandemic and family emergencies and non-stop deadlines, it just dropped off my list of things to do.

Since it’s the month of love, and I can only dream about spring garden parties, this month I’m going to finish the story of Allison’s surprise bridal shower that takes place in the garden of Maddie Ashton’s mansion in Charleston. (Maddie is Allison’s best friend and the heroine of the upcoming book A Promise at Midnight, book 4 in the Deadly Force series.)  

Here is the first part of the story, where Maddie serves Raspberry Crumb Bars while the women talk about their men.

Here is the second part of the story, where Allison eats Blueberry Crumb Cake while opening up lingerie from her closest friends.

And now on to the third part… because it’s never too late to continue a story.

Allison ~ “After I stashed all of the lovely lingerie in the house so Susan wouldn’t see it, and spent a few minutes by myself brushing my hair and wiping the happy tears from my eyes, I returned to the garden. It took me a few minutes to find everyone, but I just followed the laughter (Yes, Maddie’s walled garden is that big!). 

When I turned a corner, and passed a fountain tucked within a wall, I found myself near a small lawn area. While Maddie’s garden is large, it’s mostly taken up with flower beds, lily ponds, and statuary. I didn’t even realize she had this small private spaced tucked way near the back of the property. It was a perfect place to set up a croquet course. Susan dashed past me with her mallet, ready to strike a ball. 

“Susan,” Vivienne, who stood off to the side drinking champagne, “this is croquet, not hockey. You strike the ball gently. You don’t need to hammer it into your neighbor’s garden.”

Susan laughed and swung like she was hitting a golf ball. Vivienne shook her head, and Samantha hurried over to show Susan how to play. Allison took a glass of champagne from a waiter and joined Maddie, Juliet, and Charlotte. They all had worried looks on their faces. “What’s wrong?”  

Charlotte pointed at Vivienne. “That woman. She says it’s her game and her rules.”

Vivienne glanced back at Charlotte and winked. “It’s not polite to point, dear.”

All of the women, except for Charlotte, laughed. 

Emilie placed a hand on Charlotte’s shoulder and whispered, “Vivienne is just… Vivienne. Once you get used to her, you’ll love her.”

“I don’t want to get used to her,” Charlotte’s eyes shone with laughter, “I think I want to be her when I grow up. I’d love to be in a position to boss everyone around, especially my husband Cain.”

All of the women laughed again, until Samantha yelled, “Watch out!”

A moment later, Susan’s croquet ball flew past and Allison heard glass shatter from the neighbor’s house. 

Vivienne hurried over and took Susan’s mallet. “That’s enough. Let’s play a real game.”

Maddie ran back to the house, probably to talk to her neighbor while Susan sat in a nearby iron garden chair and frowned. She obviously wanted her mallet back.

“What game?” Juliet asked. 

“Truth or Dare Croquet.” Vivienne’s smile was tight and her eyes had narrowed, as if she knew a secret no one else did. 

Which, considering that Vivienne was a high-end madam, was probably true. 

“I don’t know about this,” Juliet said as she sat next to Susan. Now they wore matching frowns. 

Samantha batted gnats and moved away from the oak tree she’d been standing beneath. “This sounds dangerous.”

“It is,” Vivienne said to Samantha. “Are you afraid?”

“I’m not,” Charlotte said before Samantha could answer.

“Wonderful.” Vivienne handed Charlotte a mallet. “If you want to strike the ball, you must request a truth or a dare. If l believe you are being truthful, or if you complete your dare, you can proceed.”

“I’m not playing,” Juliet said.

“Yes you are, dear.” Vivienne nodded toward the rack holding mallets. “In fact, you’re first.”

Juliet paled and Samantha dragged Juliet towards the first wicket.

Then Vivienne handed Juliet a mallet. “Truth or dare?”

Juliet swallowed and glanced at all of the women, as if hoping someone would save her. “Truth. I guess.”

Knowing Vivienne as well as I did, nothing was going to save any of us from this game.

Vivienne nodded. “So, Juliet, when did you and Rafe first kiss?”

Juliet blew out a breath, as if relieved. “When I was sixteen. On the night of my prom which I didn’t go to because I didn’t have a dress.”

Vivienne smiled and waved Juliet toward the first wicket. “Go ahead.”

Once Juliet hit her ball, Charlotte stepped up with her mallet and said, “Truth.”

“What is your greatest desire?” Vivienne asked.

“To have a baby.” Charlotte looked away, as if surprised by her own answer. 

I released a deep breath. This was becoming intense, although emotional intensity was Vivienne’s favorite thing to stir up.

“Go ahead.” Vivienne waved her goddaughter Emilie over. “Do you want a dare?”

Emilie nodded. 

I wasn’t surprised that Vivienne could guess Emilie’s preference. Vivienne had raised Emilie and Zack. She was the closest thing they had to a parent. Albeit an unconventional one. 

“I dare you to play this game barefoot,” Vivienne said.

“Sure.” A smiling Emile kicked off her sandals and took a mallet.

I heard the collective sigh from the other women. So far, this game wasn’t so hard.

As Emilie hit her ball, I noticed Maddie whispering in Susan’s ear. Susan shook her head and ran back toward the house. 

When Maddie headed in my direction, Vivienne stopped Maddie and handed her a mallet. “Truth or Dare.”

“I don’t want to play,” Maddie said firmly.

“I don’t care.” Vivienne stared at Maddie until they became locked in a staring contest.

Finally, Maddie said, “Whatever. Truth, I guess.”

“Since you’re almost ex-husband left the house, have you noticed any other man?”

Maddie flushed, her face turning a bright pink. “No.”

“You’re lying.”

Maddie raised her chin. “Does it really matter?”

Vivienne shrugged. “It does if you’re lying to yourself.”

Maddie looked away and said softly, “Yes.” Then she hit the ball so hard it soared over the garden wall, into her neighbor’s yard. A moment later they heard glass break. Again.

Maddie threw her mallet into the pink azaleas and stomped toward the house. I hoped for my friend’s sake that Maddie’s neighbor wasn’t home. I had no idea how Maddie was going to explain two broken windows in under an hour. 

When Vivienne turned her gaze on me, I finished my champagne in one gulp, handed it to a wandering waiter, and took a mallet., “Dare,” I said to her. I just wanted to get this over with so we could eat again. Earlier, I’d noticed the caterer putting out tea sandwiches and I was still hungry.

“I dare you to set a wedding date,” Vivienne said.

“Wait!” I waved my hand around. “Emilie just had to go barefoot!” Besides, Vivienne knew I wasn’t ready to set a date yet.

Vivienne raised one eye brow as if in rebuke.

My stomach growled and I stomped toward the first wicket. “I’ll talk to Zack tonight. I can’t set one by myself.”

Vivienne nodded. “As long as it’s before the end of the year.”

“That’s less than six months away!”

“I know, dear.” Vivienne nodded toward the wicket. “It’s your turn.”

Ugh. I now hated croquet. After I took my shot, Vivienne turned to Samantha who said, “Dare.”

Vivienne moved until she stood in front of Samantha. Then she placed a hand against her cheek. “I dare you to chooses the right man.”

Samantha paled and took a few steps back. From where I stood, I noticed Samantha’s shoulders trembling. And I decided I was done with Vivienne’s bullying.

“Game is over,” I said as I shoved my mallet back into the rack. “It’s my bridal shower and I’m hungry.”

Before anyone could complain, I led the way back to the house. It wasn’t until I stood before the table near the fountain that was loaded with tiny tea sandwiches that I realized I was shaking and my teeth were clenched. I loved Vivienne, and she was soon to be my godmother-in-law, but she could be a lot at times. 

Emilie appeared next to me and took a sandwich. Her sandals dangled from her other hand. “Try not to mind Vivienne. She has this thing about truth.”

“She’s just nosy.” I bit into my own sandwich, surprised at the delicious, tangy flavor. It was a chicken salad mixed with pineapple and pecans. “Zack tole me that Vivienne collects information so she can use it against people.”

Emilie slipped on her sandals and piled more of the chicken salad sandwiches onto her plate. “Only against powerful people who play her games. She’d never use the information about those she loves against us.”

“I doubt that,” Samantha said from the other side of the table. She was placing sandwiches on her plate. “I know people like Vivienne. They like to play games with people for fun.”

“That’s not true about my godmother,” Emilie said. 

Since I didn’t want a fight to break out among my new friends, I nodded at Charlotte, Juliet, and Sarah who’d just arrived. From the way they glanced between Samantha and Emilie, it was obvious they could feel the tension.

To change the subject, I winked at Sarah because she was the newest bride in the group and said, “Zack keeps asking me about honeymoons. And I wasn’t sure if we should even bother. What with everything going on with the men and He That Shall Not Be Named.”

Since we were all Harry Potter fans, we used that moniker to refer to the enemy of the men we love. None of us wanted to say the name Remiel Marigny. We didn’t want to jinx ourselves.

As everyone started talking at once, discussing the pros and cons of Europe versus the Caribbean versus a few nights in a local hotel, the tension dissipated. Even when Vivienne appeared to fill her plate, no one brought up the croquet game. We just ate sandwiches, talked about honeymoons, and gave up on drinking tea. After the waiter passed around more drinks–this time a champagne cocktail–the caterer cleared away the tea sets. 

I was grateful that an argument had been diverted, and I had no regrets about shutting down Vivienne’s game. Then I drowned my lingering doubts about marriage with the sparkly beverage. I rarely drank, but today I was indulging myself. I had a bright future ahead of me, even if I wasn’t ready to set a date. Although, the more Juliet talked about Venice as the perfect place to honeymoon, I found the tightness I’d been holding in my chest ease up a bit. Everything would be okay. It just had to be. And soon Zack and I would be married and living our own happily ever after. Regardless of what Remiel Marigny or anyone else had to say about it.”

Sharon Wray

Serves 6-8

319The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chicken and Pineapple Salad

I came up with this recipe years ago for my sister's bridal shower. It's a mish-mash of a Good Housekeeping recipe, a Southern Living recipe, and one of my grandmother's recipes. It can be made up to two days ahead of time, but does not freeze well. It's easy to make and if there are any nut allergies, just don't add the pecans. They add a nice crunch, but aren't absolutely necessary.

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into cubes1 13 oz can pineapple tidbits, drained1 cup celery, sliced1/2 cup roasted and chopped pecans* (optional)1/2 cup green onion, sliced1/3 cup mayonnaise1/3 cup sour cream1 tsp curry2 Tablespoons mango chutney1/2 tsp lemon rind, grated1/8 cup lemon juice1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together and chill.Serves 6Serve over lettuce, tucked into a croissant, or with a cucumber salad.*Pecans are optional Nutrition Calories 319 cal Fat 25 g Carbs 8 g Protein 16 g Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info 7.8.1.2144https://sharonwray.com/deadly-force-recipe-series/the-hungry-romance-writer-chicken-and-pineapple-salad/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/deadly-force-recipe-series\/the-hungry-romance-writer-chicken-and-pineapple-salad\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chicken and Pineapple Salad","description" : "I came up with this recipe years ago for my sister's bridal shower. It's a mish-mash of a Good Housekeeping recipe, a Southern Living recipe, and one of my grandmother's recipes. It can be made up to two days ahead of time, but does not freeze well. It's easy to make and if there are any nut allergies, just don't add the pecans. They add a nice crunch, but aren't absolutely necessary. ","prepTime" : "PT10M","cookTime" : "PT10M","datePublished" : "2020-07-31 14:30:35","recipeInstructions":[ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Mix all ingredients together and chill." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Serves 6" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Serve over lettuce, tucked into a croissant, or with a cucumber salad." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "*Pecans are optional" }],"keywords" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chicken and Pineapple Salad","recipeIngredient" : ["1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into cubes","1 13 oz can pineapple tidbits, drained","1 cup celery, sliced","1\/2 cup roasted and chopped pecans* (optional)","1\/2 cup green onion, sliced","1\/3 cup mayonnaise","1\/3 cup sour cream","1 tsp curry","2 Tablespoons mango chutney","1\/2 tsp lemon rind, grated","1\/8 cup lemon juice","1\/4 tsp salt"], "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/10.png" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Wray" }, "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "servingsize": "6 serving", "calories": "319 kcal", "fatContent": "25 g", "saturatedFatContent": "5 g", "cholesterolContent": "55 mg", "sodiumContent": "653 mg", "carbohydrateContent": "8 g", "sugarContent": "6 g", "proteinContent": "16 mg"},"@type": "Recipe"} Subscribe to the blog

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Prep & Plan: Week Fifteen

While I have some links to Amazon in this post, I am not an affiliate and make no money from any links. I just add the links to help you visualize what I’m talking about.

Last week we stepped back into the long-term planning groove. We listed all of the disasters and emergencies that could happen in the areas in which we live, and then listed all of the items we’d want to take with us if we had to evacuate quickly. 

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Some disasters offer time to get things together, such as hurricanes where the storm can be followed for days before an evacuation is necessary. But other disasters, like a house fire or a tornado, offer no time whatsoever. You grab what’s next to you, including the people and pets you love, and get out. But since we now know, to the best of our ability, what emergencies we’re preparing for and what things we’d want to take with us, it’s time for the next step. That is building a Home Emergency Binder and a Family Fireproof Safe aka the getaway fireproof safe.

First, let’s discuss the binder. The Home Emergency Binder is a collection of COPIES of all of your family and household documents that you would need to rebuild your life. The U.S. government has a great site called Ready.gov which as a page devoted to building a Home Emergency Binder. While I highly recommend it, it’s also confusing and overly complicated and doesn’t list everything you may need. So below I’ve listed the types of things that you may want to include in your home binder. But I’ve also included a comprehensive list in the form of a free printable download to help you.

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Household Identification:

Photo ID/Real ID/Passports (to prove identity of household members)Birth certificatesSocial Security cards (to apply for FEMA disaster assistance)Military service/veteran ID cardsPet ID tags, local licenses, & medical/vaccination records/microchip numbersMarriage/divorce/adoption/death certificatesNaturalization or Citizenship documentsTSA/Global Entry cardsCurrent photos of all family members & petsAddresses and phone numbers of family members you will want to contact

Financial and Legal Documentation:

Housing payments & mortgage documentationPower of AttorneyWillsLiving Wills/End of Life directivesTrust documentsHIPAA release forms, if necessarySources of income (to maintain payments and credit)Current IRS Tax statements (to provide contact information for financial and legal providers and to apply for FEMA disaster assistance)Medical RecordsHealth Insurance informationInclude physical addresses and toll-free phone numbers of all insurance institutionsInclude all account numbers and online passwords so you can access accountsImmunization recordsHome, Business, & Property/Car Insurance InformationInclude physical addresses and toll-free phone numbers of all insurance institutionsInclude all account numbers and online passwords so you can access accountsBanking & Financial InformationInclude physical addresses and toll-free phone numbers of all financial institutionsInclude account/PIN numbers and online passwords so you can access accountsKeep all credit card/debit card information as private as possibleInclude your online access to all three credit reporting agenciesTitles/leases/deeds to homes, cars, & other propertyInsurance agentsInclude physical addresses and toll-free phone numbers of all insurance institutionsInclude all account numbers and online passwords so you can access accountsLocation of Safety Deposit Box and keyBusiness documents, i.e. LLC formation docs, etc.

Other Documentation:

Physician information (in case medical care is needed)Include physical addresses and phone numbers of any other medical professionalsList of Medications with RX numbers/Refill informationAllergy information (for household members with specific allergy needs)Service providersInclude physical addresses and toll-free phone numbers of all your service providers including gas, electricity, water, trash, internet/cell phone, etc.Place of worshipInclude physical addresses and emergency phone numbers of your place of worship, if you have one.Household Property Inventory ListInclude photos, if possibleInclude any appraisals

A Home Emergency Binder doesn’t have to be complicated. I use an old three-ring binder and plastic page protectors, and both are available on Amazon, at Walmart or your local grocery store. Even Walgreens and CVS carry inexpensive brands. There’s also a good chance you have a binder lying around the house somewhere that can be reused. It does not have to be pretty! Putting together the binder is easy. Photocopy the documents you need, slip them into the page protectors, and add them to the binder. As I add things to my binder, I also scan the documents and store them in a secure cloud (or as secure as clouds can be) and an external hard drive/USB drive.

After I finish the binder, which I update every quarter, I store the originals in my Family Fireproof Safe. In this safe, I also put the external hard drive/USB drive, some emergency cash, my safety deposit key, and anything else I have of value like jewelry or coins, etc. I also include photos of valuables that I may not be able to take with me. At the beginning of each year, I take photos and videos of different rooms in my home. I store the digital copies online and then place the USB drive and physical photos in the safe. This way, if I lose everything, I have proof of my losses. (I even hate talking about that!). It’s also a good idea to keep any extra medication you absolutely need in this safe.

Where you store the binder and safe is up to you, but I recommend you keep them both together near an exit so you can grab them quickly if you have to evacuate. While putting all of this together isn’t hard, it is time consuming. But if it’s time consuming during an optimal time, imagine how hard it would be during an emergency. There’s no doubt, in my case, that if I didn’t keep up with my binder and had to evacuate I would not be ready. And that would make rebuilding our lives so much harder… and even more time consuming. One thing I like to do is get my family to help me. I put on a favorite movie and we photocopy, scan, and compile/update the binder together. Then, when it’s done, I order my family’s favorite take-out dinner as a treat!

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I hope the New Year is being kind to you all and that you’re enjoying this series!

While talking about disasters is never fun, it’s so much better to be prepared on the other side of an emergency. And I promise, if the worst happens, you will thank yourself for taking the time now to get prepared.

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Candlemas: Return of the Light

Today is Candlemas, a day set aside to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ as well as the Feast of the Purification of Mary. Although most people think of February 2 as Groundhog Day, the truth is that the importance of this day dates back to pagan Celtic and Roman times. We are now halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and back in the day this was a huge cause for celebration. It meant that the food hadn’t run out, the winter cold hadn’t taken your life, and the bandits who hadn’t prepared for winter had either been repelled or disappeared.

When society was more agrarian, people lived by the seasons. They marked the Solstices (the longest and shortest days of the years) and the Equinoxes (halfway point between the Solstices). But they also celebrated on the quarter days, and Candlemas was one of the most important. It was a festival of light that represented hope that the days would eventually get longer. It was also a time to go through the pantries and eat food that might be going bad like soft apples and squash, or grains that were getting moldy. One of the foods served during this time was unleavened cakes and breads, including pancakes.

In the Celtic lands, this day was also known as Imbolc, a feast day that celebrated the Irish goddess Brigid (not to be confused with the Irish Saint Brigid). The pagan Brigid was the goddess of the dawn, of fertility, and of healing. It was also the beginning of the lambing season which represented the coming of spring. People lit bonfires and candles to represent the warmth of the sun. When the idea of Imbolc merged with the real-life person of Saint Brigid, the feasts became Christian. Now people use the Feast of St. Brigid on February 1 to celebrate home and hearth and new life. People in Ireland still visit holy wells dedicated to St. Brigid to bring back water to bless their homes. They also make St. Brigid crosses (made from reeds or straw) to give to their neighbors as a way to offer hope and love to their community.

In Europe, as pagan people turned to Christianity, this time of year–which is 40 days after Christmas–became known as the fortieth day of Epiphany. It became an official Christian holiday in 6th century when Pope Sergio’s instituted this festival in Rome. During the Dark Ages, when people were desperate for relief from the plague, they began celebrating this day with processions that honored the Blessed Mother and her Feast of the Purification. By the 11th Century, people would process to the church and get their candles (all the ones they’d use for the year) blessed. Even today, the church blesses all of the candles they will use during the year on Candlemas. (The word Candlemas comes from “Candle + Mass”)

So how did Ground Hogs steal this festival of Candlemas? Many historians believe it dates back to an old Scottish verse:

If Candlemass Day be dry and fair,

The half o’winter’s to come and mair [more];

If Candlemass Day be wet and foul,

The half of winter’s gane [gone] at Yule.

So if it’s sunny and dry on February 2, Winter will continue. But if it’s cloudy, Spring is almost here. This belief was reinforced by the behaviors of bears who would either stay in hibernation or leave hibernation early. As the decades went by, bears became ground hogs. Now, if the ground hog sees his shadow on a sunny day he gets scared and hibernates for another six weeks of Winter. But if he doesn’t see his shadow, he won’t be scared and Spring will come early.

When you combine all of these stories, you still come to the same conclusion: Candlemas is the day we celebrate the ending of dark days the promise that light will arrive soon. Because I love holidays that have their own special foods, I’ve included a recipe for Gingerbread Pancakes. They are easy to make and, because it’s still the last day of the Epiphany, these pancakes have a holiday flavor. I hope you all have a wonderful Candlemas. And don’t forget to light your candles and eat pancakes. Because Spring will be here soon.

Sharon Wray

Yields 12 pancakes

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Gingerbread Pancakes

These are the perfect pancakes for a cold winter morning. I always have frozen berries in the freezer and this is a perfect way to use them to remind us that Spring is coming soon! I use whole wheat flour, but any kind of flour (including GF) will work with these pancakes.

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon3/4 teaspoon ground ginger1/8 teaspoon cloves1/8 teaspoon nutmeg1/4 cup brown sugar3 tablespoons molasses2 eggs4 tablespoons salted butter, melted3/4 cup whole milk1 cup pure maple syrup1 teaspoon cinnamonBerries of your choice for garnish

Instructions

Preheat a griddle to 350 degrees F.In a large glass bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and brown sugar.In another large bowl, mix together the molasses, eggs, butter and milk.Add the molasses/milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. There will still be lumps and that's okay.Pour pancakes onto the heated griddle, using a 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.Let the pancakes cook until bubbles form along the pancake edges. Then flip the pancakes over and let cook for another 20 seconds.While pancakes are cooking, stir the cinnamon into the maple syrup in a glass bowl and heat up in the microwave.Serve with the warm syrup and berries of your choice.7.8.1.2207https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/candlemas-return-of-the-light/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/the-hungry-writer\/candlemas-return-of-the-light\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Gingerbread Pancakes","description" : "These are the perfect pancakes for a cold winter morning. I always have frozen berries in the freezer and this is a perfect way to use them to remind us that Spring is coming soon! I use whole wheat flour, but any kind of flour (including GF) will work with these pancakes. ","prepTime" : "PT10M","cookTime" : "PT10M","recipeYield" : "12 pancakes","datePublished" : "2022-01-06 09:58:18","recipeInstructions":[ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Preheat a griddle to 350 degrees F." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a large glass bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, 1 1\/2 teaspoons cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and brown sugar." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In another large bowl, mix together the molasses, eggs, butter and milk." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Add the molasses\/milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. There will still be lumps and that's okay. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Pour pancakes onto the heated griddle, using a 1\/4 cup of batter per pancake." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Let the pancakes cook until bubbles form along the pancake edges. Then flip the pancakes over and let cook for another 20 seconds." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "While pancakes are cooking, stir the cinnamon into the maple syrup in a glass bowl and heat up in the microwave. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Serve with the warm syrup and berries of your choice. " }],"keywords" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Gingerbread Pancakes","recipeIngredient" : ["1 1\/4 cups whole wheat flour","1 teaspoon baking powder","1\/2 teaspoon baking soda","1\/2 teaspoon salt","1 1\/2 teaspoons cinnamon","3\/4 teaspoon ground ginger","1\/8 teaspoon cloves","1\/8 teaspoon nutmeg","1\/4 cup brown sugar","3 tablespoons molasses","2 eggs","4 tablespoons salted butter, melted","3\/4 cup whole milk","1 cup pure maple syrup","1 teaspoon cinnamon","Berries of your choice for garnish"], "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pratik-gupta-fqXuIqFBa-o-unsplash-scaled.jpg" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Wray" }, "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "servingsize": "1 serving"},"@type": "Recipe"} Subscribe to the blog

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A Day for Saint Brigid

A edited repost from the archives.

As a romance writer, I’m fascinated by heroines. The women in my books don’t have to be famous or rich or powerful. They don’t have to be beautiful or perfect. Even if they live ordinary lives in ordinary worlds, all they have to be is determined. Determined to fight for those they love. Determined to achieve their goals. Determined to make the world a better place. And one of my favorite role models is a woman most people haven’t heard of—St. Brigid of Kildare.

Upper lights of the second stained glass window in the west aisle, counting from north to south, depicting “St. Brigid receiving the veil.” Saint Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland
Andreas F. Borchert, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons

It just so happens that tomorrow is the Feast of St. Brigid, although in some places, it is celebrated on February 1st and 2nd. For my neo-pagan friends, today is Imbolc, one of the four Celtic fire festivals that celebrates the changing of the seasons. Specifically, the moving from winter into spring.

St. Brigid, the first native-born Irish saint, is remembered as a strong, independent, and feisty woman who was born a slave and died as one of the most beloved people in all of Ireland.

Her story is one of struggle and determination. Despite being born during some of the darkest times of history, St. Brigid was a woman who fought against the rules of the day to spread a fierce love wherever she went.

St. Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland’s three patron saints, was born in 451 to a Christian female slave named Brocca and a Leinster chieftan named Dubhthach. Dubhthach was not only a pagan but he had a wife who didn’t appreciate her husband’s infidelity. When Dubhthach’s wife discovered the pregnancy, she sold Brocca off to a druid landowner. Once there, St. Brigid was born into slavery.

Legend of St. Brigid painted fresco in the Oratori Suardi, Lombardy, Italy 1523
Lorenzo Lotto, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are so many myths and legends around St. Brigid, and so few written records, it’s hard to tell what’s true. But there are some recurring stories that most historians agree upon. 

Her childhood is dotted with stories about her generous charity and many miracles. Legends state that St. Brigid, from a young age, would feed the poor and give everything away, much to the consternation of the frustrated druid landowner. One day Brigid gave butter from her mother’s storeroom and when she prayed, butter reappeared so she wouldn’t get in trouble. 

The druid landowner, upon seeing her great charity and hearing her talk about the Trinity while weaving crosses out of reeds, eventually converted to Christianity.

When St. Brigid was ten, the law stated that she must return to her legal owner: her father Dubhthach. Once there she began giving her father’s things away as well. 

It didn’t take long for Dubhthach to get annoyed at his stubborn daughter who offered his money to beggars away and welcomed lepers into his home. One day he dragged her to the King of Leinster, intending to marry her off to the King of Ulster. While Dubhthach was talking to the King of Leinster, St. Brigid (who had taken a vow of chastity and had no intention of getting married) gave away her father’s jeweled sword to a starving family. Dubhthach was furious and the King of Ulster, who wasn’t thrilled with his leper-loving fiancée who gave away everything, asked her, “Will you give away my riches too?”

To which she replied, “I would give all the wealth of Ireland away to serve the King of Heaven.”

At this point, her father and the two kings decided St. Brigid shouldn’t get married and they let her become a nun.

Legend of St. Brigid painted fresco in the Oratori Suardi, Lombardy, Italy 1523 
Lorenzo Lotto, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Some stories say that before the arranged marriage St. Brigid prayed for her beauty to be taken away so the King of Ulster wouldn’t want to marry her. Some stories say she poked out an eye and once she was released from the betrothal, her eye healed. Regardless of which story is true, after St. Patrick presided over her final vows her beauty was restored. When another priest told St. Patrick that he accidentally used the form for ordaining priests on Brigid, St. Patrick responded, “So be it, my son, she is destined for great things.”

St. Patrick knew the stubborn, fiery St. Brigid was a natural leader.

After her final vows, Brigid continued performing miracles including turning water into beer and healing lepers.

Other stories include the woman accused of stealing a brooch and about to be sold as a slave. When Brigid found out about this poor woman’s fate, St. Brigid asked a local fisherman to cut open his catch and the brooch was found in the fish’s belly. This act saved the poor woman.

When St. Brigid was traveling with a man and his two mute daughters, Brigid fell off her horse and hit her head. She used the blood from her wound to heal the daughter’s muteness.

When St. Brigid asked the King of Leinster for land to build a convent, he said no. Then she asked for as much land as her cloak would cover, and he laughed. So she and three of her friends flung the cloak over the countryside. It miraculously expanded until it covered many acres. The king was so startled, yet not surprised since it was St. Brigid after all, he granted her all the land she wanted. 

With that enormous piece of land, she founded two monasteries in Kildare, one for men and one for women. She named it the Church of the Oak because it was built beneath an oak tree and covered a pagan shrine and well devoted to the Celtic goddess Brigid.

Legend of St. Brigid painted fresco in the Oratori Suardi, Lombardy, Italy 1523
Lorenzo Lotto, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brigid also established an art school that taught metalwork and manuscript illumination. This school produced the famous Book of Kildare which predates the Book of Kells currently held in the Trinity College Library in Dublin. Gerald of Wales praised the Book of Kildare as “the work of angelic and not human skill.” Unfortunately, it was lost three centuries ago. 

St. Brigid not only served many people in her lifetime, she became friends with St. Patrick. With his help, she performed so many great works that the entire island loved her for her charity and generosity and kindness.

St. Brigid died on February 1 (her feast day) in the year 525 AD. Her body was entombed in the jewel-encrusted high altar of Kildare Cathedral. She lay there until 878 when, during the Viking raids, priests moved her relics to the isle of Columba. Once there, the priests laid her to rest in the same tomb as St. Patrick.

St. Brigid is often depicted holding a reed cross, a crozier, or a lamp. She is also the patron saint of Ireland, dairymaids, cattle, midwives, Irish nuns, and newborn babies. And it is said that if you place a piece of clothing (a scarf or jacket) outside on the night of her feast day, she will pass by and bless it with healing powers. And when I was a very young girl, I had an aunt who would use a blessed scarf to heal headaches and colds. I have no idea if it worked, but I always thought it was a charming tradition. 

St. Brigid was a remarkable woman in a time not known for being kind to women. Despite the fact she was poor and had no earthly power, her natural leadership abilities, stubbornness in defending the poor and unwanted, and her fierce love for those who were alone and hungry make her one of history’s most compelling women. And these traits make her a perfect role-model for any romance novel heroine . . . and romance reader. 

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