Sharon Wray's Blog, page 74

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Raspberry Crumb Bars

I feel like I say this every month, but I can’t believe it’s already August. This has been the year of the slowest days and fastest months. Since I wasn’t sure which Deadly Force microstory to tell for August, I decided on something fun and simple. My recently released novel, IN SEARCH OF TRUTH, is about Allison Pinckney (a cultural anthropologist) who must turn to the one man she walked away from and has never forgotten in order to find a missing 17th century pirate treasure before an arms dealer kills her. And this man is a super-hot ex-Green Beret named Zack Tremaine.

Although most of the books in the Deadly Force series take place in Savannah, GA, this one spends a lot of time in Charleston, SC. And for this month’s microstory, I’ve decided to stay in Charleston for Allison’s surprise Bridal Tea Party put on by her best friend Maddie Ashton. Maddie (who is the heroine in the upcoming book A PROMISE AT MIDNIGHT) has invited all of Allison’s friends as well as the women who are married to/dating Zack’s buddies–the men (all ex-Green Berets) who run Iron Rack’s Gym in Savannah when they’re not out fighting their enemies. So all month we’ll be having tea with Allison and her girlfriends while they talk about everything from bridal dresses to midnight skinny dipping to what it’s like to be heroines in the Amazon bestselling fast-paced, romantic suspense Deadly Force novels.

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Allison Pinckney ~ “At first I wasn’t sure what to think when I discovered balloons tied to my porch with a note attached from my best friend Maddie. She wanted me to come to her house, in Charleston’s Historic District, by two p.m., and I had to wear a dress. Since it was already one-fifteen p.m., and I’d been working in the garden, I had to hustle to shower and change and drive to her house. Maddie lives in Stoll’s Alley, a tiny alleyway not far from the Battery, and I had to hunt for a place to park. That meant I was fifteen minutes late.

After I walked down the desolate alley, and through the side garden, I was met on the front porch by Maddie’s almost-eight-year-old daughter Susan. She was carrying more pink balloons and wearing a pink fluffy dress and a party hat.

The next installment of Sharon Wray's The Hungry {Romance} Writer tells the story of Allison Pinckney's Bridal Tea (from the Deadly Force book series), including a recipe for Raspberry Crumb Bars.

“Hey, Miss Allison!” Susan gave me a kiss and hands me the balloons. “My mom wants you to go inside, but wait in the foyer. She’ll get you when she’s ready.”

I followed Susan up the steps to the wide porch, so typical of the historic homes in Charleston. “What is this all about?”

Susan giggled and opened the heavy oak door. “It’s a secret!”

I entered the foyer and said a prayer of gratitude for the air conditioning. The summer humidity could choke an elephant. “Can’t you give me a clue?”

Susan shook her head and picked up her black cat, Mrs. Pickles, who was lounging on the settee in the foyer. “You wouldn’t want me to ruin the surprise.” When the cat hissed, Susan set her free and Mrs. Pickles ran down the hallway toward the kitchen. “You can sit down if you’d like. I’ll go tell my mom you’re here!”

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When Susan disappeared, I sank onto the settee. I’d been rushing for over an hour and suddenly felt tired. Working in the vegetable patch, in the summer heat, could wear out the strongest gardener. Still holding the balloons, I sat back and closed my eyes. Even with the strong AC, I’m happy I wore my lightest linen dress.

“I’m so glad you made it,” Maddie says.

I opened my eyes to see Maddie coming out of the sitting room. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

“Your timing is perfect.” She took my hand and pulled me up. “Bring your balloons and follow me.”

“Alright.” I followed her through the sitting room into the summer dining room. Really, it was an octagonal conservatory with French doors built in the 17th century (which meant no AC!) that led out to the formal garden. During the summer’s hottest months, Maddie kept the doors open and the overhead fans on to catch the ocean breeze. “Maddie? Why is the table set with china and your grandmother’s tea service.”

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Before Maddie could answer, Allison heard female laughter in the garden. Then she saw five women coming towards them. Samantha Barclay, Juliet Montfort, Sarah Walker, Charlotte Marun, and Emilie Tremaine.

“You’re here.” An older woman, Vivienne Beaumont, appeared from the sitting room, holding Susan’s hand. “I hope you’re surprised.”

“I think so.” Allison glanced at Maddie. “Should I be?”

Maddie smiled. “This is your surprise Bridal Tea.”

Allison handed her balloons to Susan and glanced at Vivienne, Zack’s godmother and only parent figure. Today she wore a couture pink silk cocktail suit. Vivienne was not only still beautiful she was also incredibly rich due to the fact she’d had many husbands and was a high-end madam. (A story unto itself!) “I am surprised,” I said to Maddie. “Shocked, actually.”

Susan tied the balloons to a chair and then hugged Allison. “I’m so glad! We were worried that Mr. Tremaine and his friends wouldn’t be able to keep a secret.”

Allison lifted an eyebrow at Maddie. “My fiancé and his buddies knew about this?”

Maddie nodded towards the women who were just coming into the house. “We asked all their wives and girlfriends, as well as Zack’s sister Emilie, so the men found out.”

“But,” Emilie said as she kissed Allison on the cheek, “We told them we’d beat them with shovels if they didn’t stay quiet.”

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Allison laughed. Zack and his buddies were all ex-Green Berets who now ran a gym in Savannah when they weren’t fighting off their enemies–two powerful arms dealers. “I doubt any of us could lift a shovel over our heads without dropping it.”

“Which is probably why,” Samantha said after giving Allison a hug, “Pete wants us all to take his self-defense class for women.”

Pete White Horse, Samantha’s boyfriend, was one of Zack’s best friends. Along with Nate Walker (Sarah’s husband) and Cain Marun (Charlotte’s husband). While Zack respected Juliet’s husband Rafe, there was some tension there from a past operation that had gone bad. “Once Zack and I move to Savannah, I’m definitely taking Pete’s class.”

“Great!” Juliet started pouring tea for everyone. “Right now it’s just me, Samantha, and Sarah in the class.” Juliet smiled at Charlotte. “You know you’ll have to do it eventually.”

“Ugh!” Charlotte waved a dismissive hand. “I just don’t like being at the gym. It stinks like feet.”

All the women laughed at that truth. Once everyone had tea and were seated at the round table set with white linens and bowls of white roses and trays of desserts, the women started talking at the same time. There was laughter and great stories about how the women had met their men, there were also hugs when they shared their deepest secrets. One would think they were drinking wine or margaritas instead of tea. Susan was the only girl there not talking but that’s because she’d moved to the floor to play with Mrs. Pickles. Suddenly, Allison’s eyes teared up.

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Susan stood and handed her a napkin. “What’s wrong, Miss Allison?”

“I’m just happy, Susan.” I wiped my eyes and hid the napkin in my lap.

Susan reached for a plate and handed me something from a silver tray. A Raspberry Crumb Bar. “Then why are you crying?”

I took a few bites of the raspberry cookie and almost moaned because it was so good. Still warm, the raspberry filling was both sweet and tart. “Because for a long time I didn’t believe I’d ever be happy.”

“Nonsense!” Vivienne shook her head and the room went silent. Vivienne had a way about her–when she spoke, everyone listened. Including Susan and her cat. “You were grieving. And when people grieve, they don’t see things clearly. They blame themselves for events that aren’t their fault. They believe silly lies about their lives that aren’t true. I’ve always said that, after a serious loss, one shouldn’t make any major changes in their life for at least a year.”

I popped the last bit of raspberry bar into my mouth and exchanged a glance with Maddie. I got engaged to Zack only a few months after my first husband died. There were extenuating circumstance (all laid out in IN SEARCH OF TRUTH), but still… I didn’t wait a year. And I knew that Vivienne was well aware of that fact.

Vivienne lifted her teacup in my direction. “I’m not talking about your marriage to your first husband. That ended years ago.”

Allison didn’t know what to say to that–especially since it was the truth–and took another raspberry bar.

Thankfully, Juliet asked Vivienne about renovations going on in her own Charleston garden. While Juliet, a landscape architect, kept Vivienne busy, Allison had a chance to say to Maddie, “Thank you so much for hosting this party today. Things have been so crazy since Zack and I got engaged that I don’t even feel like a bride.”

Maddie just smiled and held out her arms so Susan and Mrs. Pickles could sit on her lap. “I’m thrilled to do this for you–but the afternoon has just begun. We have lots of other surprises in store for you.”

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I looked around the room at all the women, most of whom I barely knew and two of whom would soon become my family, and smiled. It’d been so long time since I had a family, since I felt a part of something bigger, and I was truly grateful to Maddie. I knew she was going through her own troubles and I wished she could be as happy as I was right now.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I stood and clinked my tea cup. “I’d like to propose a tea toast. To new families and best friends–may we all find our happily ever after.”

Everyone cheered and drank, but eventually the conversation changed and we started talking about our men’s enemies. We were all worried about what the next attack would bring and whether we’d all make it (we’d had some close calls). To lighten the mood, Maddie brought out another tray of goodies. As I watched her, as well as my future sister-in-law Emilie, I realized that even though Zack and I found our HEA, the journeys of my closest friends are just beginning. And I’m praying we all survive.”

Sharon Wray

Yields 16 bars

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Raspberry Crumb Bars

This recipe came from my father who probably found it in the local newspaper. He loved to clip out recipes and then change them around. After he edited the recipe to his liking, he'd carefully write out a new recipe card and put it into a metal box. Luckily, I have that box and it is one of my most treasured possessions. Anyway, he'd make these raspberry bars around the holidays but I love to make them anytime. They're easy and quick to make and I sometimes serve them as a coffee cake or with tea in the late afternoon. And they often found their way into school lunch boxes. They're particularly good with homemade raspberry jam, if you can find it.

20 minPrep Time

45 minCook Time

1 hr, 5 Total Time

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Ingredients

2 sticks butter, softened2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup brown sugar1 cup rolled oats (not instant oats!)1/4 teaspoon salt1 egg, beaten1 1/2 cups raspberry jam (seedless)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350º F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan.Stir the flour, white and brown sugars, cinnamon, oats, and salt in a large bowl on a stand mixer. On low speed, beat in the egg and butter. Mix until the batter resembles coarse crumbs, stopping to scrape the bowl when necessary. Take out 2 cups of the batter and set aside.Press the remaining batter on the bottom of the buttered pan.Spread the raspberry jam over top.Spread the rest of the batter you've set aside over the jam.Bake 45 minutes, until lightly browned.Cool before cutting into bars.Bars can be frozen up to two weeks.7.8.1.2141http://sharonwray.com/deadly-force-recipe-series/the-hungry-romance-writer-raspberry-crumb-bars/

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her Amazon bestselling Deadly Force romantic suspense series where ex-Green Berets meet their match in smart, sexy heroines who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning .

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Published on August 07, 2020 09:00

Sarah Munro’s Dandelion Lip Balm

Last week I shared Sarah Munro’s recipe for Dandelion-Infused Oil. It’s a 17th century recipe that Sarah (the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, book 2 in the Amazon bestselling Deadly Force Series) studied and edited for contemporary use. And one of its best uses is in homemade dandelion lip balm. So this week, Sarah is sharing how to make a DIY dandelion lip balm perfect for all seasons!

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Sarah Munro’s Dandelion Lip Balm

Ingredients & Supplies:

(all of the ingredients and supplies below are available at Amazon)

a glass jar for melting the oils (I use a glass mason jar suitable for canning)a digital kitchen scale saucepan filled with a few inches of water4-6 lip balm containers (Amazon carries all different types of lip balm tubes, tins, and glass jars) 1 Tablespoon (15g) organic beeswax pastilles2 Tablespoons (30g) organic shea butter 3 Tablespoons (45g) dandelion-infused oila few drops of vitamin E oil24 drops of your favorite essential oil (I like sweet orange oil and peppermint oil)

Instructions:

Using the digital scale, measure out all of the ingredients, except for the essential oil and vitamin E oil.Bring the saucepan of water to a simmer on low heat.Create a double-boiler by sitting the glass jar in the pot of simmering water.Add the dandelion-infused oil, beeswax pastilles, and shea butter to the glass jar.Once the oil, butter, and wax have melted, remove from heat and stir in the essential oil and vitamin E.Pour the liquid mixture into containers.Let the containers of lip balm sit at room temperature until the oils have solidified.Use as often as needed!

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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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her Amazon bestselling Deadly Force romantic suspense series where ex-Green Berets meet their match in smart, sexy heroines who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning .

The post Sarah Munro’s Dandelion Lip Balm appeared first on Sharon Wray.

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Published on August 06, 2020 09:22

A Study in Summer: Hide and Seek

“Summer set lip to earth’s bosom bare, And left the flushed print in a poppy there. ” ~ Francis Thompson, “The Poppy,” 1891

This is a repost of a blog journal entry I wrote years ago, pre-pandemic. And I recently shared it on Word by Word, a popular blog where women writers offer encouragement and hope. I hope you enjoy it.

Although Summer is half over, I’ve been collecting days like drifting leaves, both in my memory and with my camera. It’s a bittersweet chore because I know these days will be gone in a single breath, replaced by school clothes, pumpkin carvings, and Christmas plays. Hopefully these summer journals will one day remind my children that although summers in Virginia were hot and lethargic and almost unbearably humid, they once found an unbounded joy in just being.

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Hide and seek was a favorite with my children and their cousins. A lot of time and effort went into the hows and whys. And the goal of our first picnic a few days after school got out? To play the most intense Hide and Seek game EVER in the walled garden at Oatlands Plantation.

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But first came the Serious Negotiation: Who will be on who’s team? Girls against boys? Oldest versus youngest? How to evenly divide by age, experience, and speed.

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Next step was strategizing by the reflecting pond with the Littlest, the Loudest, and the Oldest.

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Then came the Great Hiding! But where?

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During the Great Hiding, I knew my part. Carry the food, restate the rules (no leaving the Littlest behind, no trampling flowers), and follow discreetly with my camera. I hovered in the rose garden keeping quiet watch on the smaller children while photographing flowers.

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They were afraid my photographs would somehow be sent via super-secret satellite to the other team, giving away their exact locations, without realizing their laughter did a far better job. But once the first was discovered, the running commenced.

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Time-out came fast and furious due to a butterfly flying by which the Littlest had to chase.

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While the Quietest found a reflection in the edge of the fish pond. And the Oldest went to find the cooler filled with ice-cold lemonade.

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After a break, we went to the Upper Garden (a staple of Colonial Revival Gardens in Virginia) where the Fastest began the hiding and running all over again.

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Meanwhile, I stayed nearby (despite their protests), snapping photos, waiting for the Littlest to trip or the Loudest to be reprimanded by the Master Gardeners who’d arrived for a class on boxwood-lined parterres.

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Finally, when the lemonade had disappeared along with the dozen brownies I’d tucked away, the Oldest called the day’s game a draw while the Loudest decided it was time to go home. So we packed up, with promises to come back soon.

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As we left, the children chattered about the weeks and weeks of summer ahead, anticipating the picnics and sleep-overs, and how school seemed years away. My sister smiled. She knew the truth.

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Time slips by quietly, hidden beneath the drone of summer crickets and the weight of unending Virginia humidity. And one cold November day, over silver trays of turkey and stuffing, she’ll whisper to me, “Where did the summer go?”

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What is a “Study in . . .”? A visual record defined by a single element, such as color, texture, or type.

I hope your remaining days of summer are filled with joy and ice-cold lemonade!

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her Amazon bestselling Deadly Force romantic suspense series where ex-Green Berets meet their match in smart, sexy heroines who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning .

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Published on August 01, 2020 04:00

The Hungry {Romance} Author: Strawberry Bread

I can’t believe July is almost over and we’re already planning on sending the kids back to college (even if it’s temporary). While we’re all trying to figure out the new back-to-college protocols and finishing up work projects, we’re also counting down how many meals we can all eat together. Once the kids leave, they won’t return until Thanksgiving (if all goes well) so that means we have a limited number of breakfasts and lunches and dinners together.

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So I’m planning out the menus for the next two weeks and choosing some of their favorite foods. One of their absolute favorites is something I make for breakfast but that they can also eat as a mid-morning snack or with their afternoon tea. It’s a simple treat known as Strawberry Bread. Because you can use overripe berries, it’s a perfect bread to make with late-season berries.

I serve it warm with cream cheese and homemade strawberry jam or eat it in chunks cut right off the loaf and then dipped into tea. Regardless of how you eat it, I have no doubt it will become a favorite.

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Published on July 31, 2020 03:30

Sarah Munro’s Dandelion-Infused Oil

Dandelions are more than annoying lawn weeds.

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Dandelions are nutritious, edible plants that also contain antioxidants (beta-carotene and polyphenols) and have anti-inflammatory properties that can aid with skin irritations. And Sarah Munro (the historian and heroine in ONE DARK WISH) also discovered dandelions can be used for all sorts of skincare products. Products similar to those used during the late 17th and early 18th centuries when women made their own moisturizers, foot creams, and lip balms. So, for the rest of the summer, Sarah will share her updated colonial-era skincare recipes using one common ingredient: Dandelion-Infused Oil.

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Sarah Munro’s Dandelion-Infused Oil

Ingredients:

Dandelion flowers (enough to fill two quart mason jars)

1 jug extra virgin olive oil

Two quart mason jars with lids and rings

Directions:

Pick enough dandelion flowers to fill two quart mason jars. Make sure you get extra to stuff the jars!

Using a colander, wash the blossoms at least twice, maybe even three times, to wash out any bugs, pesticides, dirt, etc.

Dry out the dandelion flowers. This takes at least 2-3 days on a parchment-lined baking tray or drying rack. But if it takes longer, that’s totally fine. Just make sure they’re completely dried out.

Right before you fill the jars with the dried flowers, sanitize the jars!! Hugely important! Put the jars and lids and rings into boiling water for at least fifteen minutes in order to sanitize.

Shove the dried dandelion flowers into the HOT and SANITIZED mason jars until they’re as full as you can get.

Pour olive oil over the dried flowers until the oil reaches the top of the jar. Make sure all the flowers are covered with oil. The flowers will eventually fall to the bottom and there will be oil floating on top. Seal the jars with the lids and rings.

Place jars in a dark, cool cabinet for six-eight weeks. Or, if you want to speed up the process, place the jars on a windowsill with indirect sunlight for two-four weeks.

Using cheesecloth over a glass bowl or glass measuring cup, strain the dandelion oil. Throw out the used flowers and store the dandelion-infused oil in another SANITIZED glass jar until you’re ready to add it to other skincare products.

Stay tuned for more recipes using Sarah Munro’s Dandelion-Infused Oil!

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her Amazon bestselling Deadly Force romantic suspense series where ex-Green Berets meet their match in smart, sexy heroines who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning .

The post Sarah Munro’s Dandelion-Infused Oil appeared first on Sharon Wray.

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Published on July 28, 2020 03:50

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Bourbon Bacon Pecan Brownies

Things have been unusually quiet here on the blog mostly due to multiple career and family deadlines, including working on the Mid-Summer Middle Grade and Young Adult Book List.

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Published on July 24, 2020 03:30

2020 Mid-Summer Middle Grade and Young Adult Book List

The blog has been unusually quiet lately due to both work and family/moving deadlines made even harder by the pandemic. But since the heat index hit 103 degrees Fahrenheit, it must be time for the 2020 Mid-Summer Middle Grade & Young Adult Book List!

As I’ve mentioned before, this is NOT a best-seller or new release list. A few of the books on this summer’s list won’t be released until early fall while others were published more than five years ago but only recently discovered. This is an ongoing, cumulative list of books the kids in my reading army have read that is updated twice a year.

We’ve all worked hard this year to read new-to-us authors and to search for books outside our comfort zones. With so many books being published–both traditionally and independently–it’s hard to keep up. So I want to thank my preteen & teen readers for their help and suggestions, as well as my blog readers who’ve made this list such a popular download. The 2020 Mid-Winter List hit 10,000 downloads, and this summer’s list is over 50 pages long. You are all so awesome!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2020 MID-SUMMER MG/YA BOOK LIST

Thank you to Amazon for embed links and blurbs.

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This bi-annual compilation offers a good cross-section of genres for teens and tweens. A lot of new YA Fantasy and Realistic Fiction books were recently released and a few will come out early this fall. (We were lucky to get a few ARCs!) There’s also a journal, a book of poetry, and new collections of short stories. We’ve also added some new Middle Grade Action/Adventure and Non-Fiction books. There are books on the list for all readers just in time for the second half of summer!

Below are a few highlights in no particular order. For the entire printable list, click here: 2020 Mid-Summer MG/YA Book List.

Young Adult Fiction

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

Lucas Fuller is a lot of things.
He’s the boy next door.
He’s the first crush I ever had.
He was my first kiss.
He’s also the only person who has ever broken my heart.

For two years, I’ve wondered what happened to the us I used to know.
We were best friends, and then suddenly…we weren’t. I tried to run away from it. I even changed schools just to make the hurt disappear. But no matter how hard I tried to not think about Lucas, I just couldn’t stay away from the high school quarterback with perfect blue eyes and so many secrets.

I’m back. We’re seniors now. We’ve grown–all of us. And Lucas Fuller might be different, but I’m different too. This is my time to take risks, to experience life and to fall in love for real. I want Lucas Fuller to be a part of my story, but I know for that to happen, I need to know the truth about our past.

The Tech sisters don’t date in high school. Not because they’re not asked. Not because they’re not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name—hence the shortened, awkward moniker. But simply because they’re not allowed. Until now.

In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech twins got to college, their parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” The sisters retaliated by vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had lots of the dating practice that they didn’t get in high school. In a shocking war on the status quo, her parents now insist that their youngest daughter, Orrawin (aka “Winnie”), must practice fake dating in high school. Under their watchful eyes, of course—and organized based on their favorite rom-coms. ’Cause that won’t end in disaster.

The first candidate? The son of their longtime friends, Mat Songsomboon—arrogant, infuriating, and way too good-looking. Winnie’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice balls at each other. And her parents love him. If only he weren’t her sworn enemy. (This book releases August 18, 2020)

Seventeen-year-old Clara is ready to fight back. Fight back against her abusive father, fight back against the only life she’s ever known, and most of all, fight back against scrabs, the earth-dwelling monsters that are currently ravaging the world. So when an opportunity arises for Clara to join an international monster-fighting squad, she jumps at the chance.

When Clara starts training with her teammates, however, she realizes what fighting monsters really means: sore muscles, exhaustion, and worst of all, death. Scrabs are unpredictable, violent, and terrifying. But as Clara gains confidence in her battle skills, she starts to realize scrabs might not be the biggest evil. The true monsters are the ones you least expect.

Gul has spent her life running. She has a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, and in the kingdom of Ambar, girls with such birthmarks have been disappearing for years. Gul’s mark is what caused her parents’ murder at the hand of King Lohar’s ruthless soldiers and forced her into hiding to protect her own life. So when a group of rebel women called the Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue her, take her in, and train her in warrior magic, Gul wants only one thing: revenge.

Cavas lives in the tenements, and he’s just about ready to sign his life over to the king’s army. His father is terminally ill, and Cavas will do anything to save him. But sparks fly when he meets a mysterious girl—Gul—in the capital’s bazaar, and as the chemistry between them undeniably grows, he becomes entangled in a mission of vengeance—and discovers a magic he never expected to find. Dangerous circumstances have brought Gul and Cavas together at the king’s domain in Ambar Fort…a world with secrets deadlier than their own.

Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart.

Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish–to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she’ll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age–her tyrannical father has made that much clear.

And as Nannerl’s hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true–but his help may cost her everything.

She’s always been a monster…

Clearing her name can wait—Sinopa’s friends are in danger. Venturing deeper into the caverns, little does she know what secrets lie beneath the surface. And under her skin.

While she stopped the murderer who framed her, the High Wolf continues to invade her mind with his sinister agenda.

To make matters worse, he’s uncovered an ancient vestige of evil. Could Sinopa hold the key to unlocking the weapon of untold power?

Georgina Fernweh waits impatiently for the tingle of magic in her fingers—magic that has touched every woman in her family. But with her eighteenth birthday looming at the end of this summer, Georgina fears her gift will never come.

Over the course of her last summer on the island—a summer of storms, falling in love, and the mystery behind one rare three-hundred-year-old bird—Georgina will learn the truth about magic, in all its many forms.

Terrified that her vision might never return, Tessa feels like she has nothing left to be happy about. But when her grandparents place an ad in the local newspaper looking for a typist to help Tessa continue writing and blogging, an unlikely answer knocks at their door: Weston Ludovico, a boy her age with bright eyes, an optimistic smile…and no legs.

Knowing how angry and afraid Tessa is feeling, Weston thinks he can help her. But he has one condition — no one can tell Tessa about his disability. And because she can’t see him, she treats him with contempt: screaming at him to get out of her house and never come back. But for Weston, it’s the most amazing feeling: to be treated like a normal person, not just a sob story. So he comes back. Again and again and again.

Tessa spurns Weston’s “obnoxious optimism”, convinced that he has no idea what she’s going through. But Weston knows exactly how she feels and reaches into her darkness to show her that there is more than one way to experience the world. As Tessa grows closer to Weston, she finds it harder and harder to imagine life without him — and Weston can’t imagine life without her. But he still hasn’t told her the truth, and when Tessa’s sight returns he’ll have to make the hardest decision of his life: vanish from Tessa’s world…or overcome his fear of being seen.

Veronica sees ghosts—more specifically, her mother’s ghost, thanks to the blinding migraines that consume her whole life and keep Veronica on the fringes. But the haunting afterimages make her wonder if there is something more going on….

Golden boy Sawyer is handsome and popular, a state champion swimmer, but this All-American is hiding an adrenaline addiction that could kill him. Drawn to each other after a chance meeting, can they help each other battle the demons that haunt their every step or will they push their luck too far and risk losing it all…including their lives?

If you could live your life again, what would you do differently?

After a near-fatal family catastrophe and an unexpected romantic upheaval, Adelaide Buchwald finds herself catapulted into a summer of wild possibility, during which she will fall in and out of love a thousand times–while finally confronting the secrets she keeps, her ideas about love, and the weird grandiosity of the human mind.

A raw, funny story that will surprise you over and over, Again Again gives us an indelible heroine grappling with the terrible and wonderful problem of loving other people.

A poetry collection for young adults brings together some of the most compelling and vibrant voices today reflecting the experiences of teen immigrants and refugees.

With authenticity, integrity, and insight, this collection of poems addresses the many issues confronting first- and second- generation young adult immigrants and refugees, such as cultural and language differences, homesickness, social exclusion, human rights, racism, stereotyping, and questions of identity. Poems by Elizabeth Acevedo, Erika L. Sánchez, Samira Ahmed, Chen Chen, Ocean Vuong, Fatimah Asghar, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Bao Phi, Kaveh Akbar, Hala Alyan, and Ada Limón, among others, encourage readers to honor their roots as well as explore new paths, offering empathy and hope for those who are struggling to overcome discrimination. Many of the struggles immigrant and refugee teens face head-on are also experienced by young people everywhere as they contend with isolation, self-doubt, confusion, and emotional dislocation.

When Tamri draws the Lightning magic into her veins, she feels powerful. She can finally stand up for herself and the people she loves. But her friends believe the magical substance is too volatile to use. To prove them wrong, she’s preparing to seek help from a dangerous source.

But when an unthinkable disaster strikes, Tamri throws herself into a new partnership. She alone believes she can handle the temptations. With her greatest enemy closing in, she must master the Lightning or lose herself completely.

After the tragic death of her parents, seventeen-year-old witch, Lenora “Lenny” Thorne, is sure life will never be good again. It’s bad enough when The Witch’s Council sends her to live with her ancient Great-Uncle Martin, a man she hardly knows, but they also expect her to attend the local human high school and pretend to be a normal person.

To her surprise, though, Martin is actually amazing, and her first day at Newcastle High is better than she could have imagined. Maybe there’s a future for her here, after all. But when one of her new friends goes missing, Lenny is pulled into an investigation that even The Council won’t touch. She’s in way over her head, but the lives of five local teens are on the line. She refuses to just let them die.

With the help of a handsome and mysterious new ally named Kai, Lenny vows to find the girls and bring the demon who kidnapped them to justice. Will she save her friend in time, or will she be the demon’s next target?

This magical anthology includes six tales of adventure, love, and treacherous fey magic from six award-winning, bestselling authors. Enter these fantastical realms where dark powers lurk and the ordinary world can be transformed in a heartbeat to a place of wonder—and danger. From the hidden fae folk dwelling among mortals to the challenges of babysitting a malicious fairy, these tales will cast their enchantment over you!

No world is like the other. Within this masterful collection, each setting is more strange and wonderful than the last, brimming with new technologies and beings. And yet, for all the advances in these futuristic lands, the people still must confront deeply human problems.

In these six stories, Veronica Roth reaches into the unknown and draws forth something startlingly familiar and profoundly beautiful. With tales of friendship and revenge, plus two new stories from the Carve the Mark universe, this collection has something for new and old fans alike. Each story begins with a hope for a better end, but always end with a better understanding of the beginning.

Awaken the Magic is a Children of Blood and Bone Journal from New York Times bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi, part of the Legacy of Orisha series.

Children of Blood and Bone has become one of the most celebrated and buzzed about YA fantasy debuts. This journal expands the world of Orïsha with a beautiful keepsake filled with inspirational quotes and designs from the novel. Fans won’t want to miss this stunning gift of a journal.

Middle Grade Fiction

The third in four books about a 12-year-old girl named Aru Shah and her journey to find her Pandava sisters in order to restore order to the world and save the mother she loves.

War between the devas and the demons is imminent, and the Otherworld is on high alert. When intelligence from the human world reveals that the Sleeper is holding a powerful clairvoyant and her sister captive, 14-year-old Aru and her friends launch a search-and-rescue mission. The captives, a pair of twins, turn out to be the newest Pandava sisters, though, according to a prophecy, one sister is not true. During the celebration of Holi, the heavenly attendants stage a massage PR rebranding campaign to convince everyone that the Pandavas are to be trusted. As much as Aru relishes the attention, she fears that she is destined to bring destruction to her sisters, as the Sleeper has predicted. Aru believes that the only way to prove her reputation is to find the Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree that came out of the Ocean of Milk when it was churned. If she can reach it before the Sleeper, perhaps she can turn everything around with one wish. Careful what you wish for, Aru . . .

This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—

Talking about boogers.
Stealing pocket change.
Skateboarding.
Wiping out.
Braving up.
Executing complicated handshakes.
Planning an escape.
Making jokes.
Lotioning up.
Finding comfort.
But mostly, too busy walking home.

Jason Reynolds conjures ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.

Ruby is bold and opinionated, while Olivia has always been respectful and well behaved. But Olivia’s good-girl image is tarnished when she takes the fall for her twin sister’s misdeed. And now Olivia is stuck with Ruby all summer—at a community service day camp for troublemakers.

To kick off the spirit of service, the campers are tasked with cataloging the contents of Live Oaks, a historic mansion in their town. Sorting through objects in an old house sounds boring, and working together is the last thing the girls want to do, but the stuff is actually kind of cool. There’s everything from mink stoles to golf clubs to antique dolls . . . and . . . wait . . . is that doll watching them?

It isn’t long until little tricks—like mysterious music playing, doors slamming, and shadows rising—start to spook the girls. They’d like to think the other campers are pranking them, but they soon realize that this empty mansion might not be uninhabited after all. To solve the mystery at Live Oaks, Ruby and Olivia will have to put their old grudges aside and figure out how to be a team.

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia’s epic fantasy, a middle grade American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with African American folk heroes and West African gods. Rick Riordan Presents is dedicated to publishing authors of highly entertaining fiction based on world cultures and mythologies.

The final book in the NYT bestselling Underland Chronicles!
Everyone in the Underland has been taking great pains to keep The Prophecy of Time from Gregor. Gregor suspected it says something awful but he never imagined just how awful: It calls for the warrior’s death. Now, with an army of rats approaching and his mom and sister still in Regalia, Gregor the warrior must gather up his courage to help defend Regalia and get his family home safely. The entire existence of the Underland is in Gregor’s hands, and time is running out. There is a code to be cracked, a mysterious new princess, Gregor’s burgeoning dark side, and a war to end all wars.

Sophie and Chloe have been best friends since they met in kindergarten. They get along like chips and salsa and do everything together from playing tennis to cheering on the school cheer squad. Lately, Chloe’s been leaving Sophie out, and she doesn’t know why. Sophie does everything she can to make her best friend happy, but it’s not working. Then Chloe asks Sophie to fib to a teacher to help her out and she learns the true meaning of friendship.

An ordinary kid like Ben Braver is no match for a band of super villains, but he may be humanity’s only hope in Marcus Emerson’s Ben Braver and the Vortex of Doom.

The world will never be the same. When the baddest of bad guys threatens the world with a giant black hole, Ben Braver is the only one who can stop it. Ready or not, he’s about to learn what it really means to be a hero.

The Ben Braver series is “a crazy fun ride–action packed and loaded with laughs!” says Max Brallier, author of the New York Times–bestselling series The Last Kids on Earth.

Maximiliano Córdoba loves stories, especially the legend Buelo tells him about a mythical gatekeeper who can guide brave travelers on a journey into tomorrow.

If Max could see tomorrow, he would know if he’d make Santa Maria’s celebrated fútbol team and whether he’d ever meet his mother, who disappeared when he was a baby. He longs to know more about her, but Papá won’t talk. So when Max uncovers a buried family secret–involving an underground network of guardians who lead people fleeing a neighboring country to safety–he decides to seek answers on his own.

With a treasured compass, a mysterious stone rubbing, and Buelo’s legend as his only guides, he sets out on a perilous quest to discover if he is true of heart and what the future holds. This timeless tale of struggle, hope, and the search for tomorrow has much to offer today about compassion and our shared humanity.

Middle Grade Non-Fiction

Every soul is precious, filled with uncountable treasures, and we must help young people (including those with special needs) find and polish these gems and grow up with a positive and healthy image of themselves.

Children need to feel that they are unique and loved for who they are. Being grateful for being alive and appreciating the little things in life will put a smile on their faces.

I am Me: There Is No Other Person I would Rather Be is a story that will teach children to live life to the fullest no matter the obstacles or challenges they may face.

Inspired by the author’s childhood experience as a refugee—fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama—this coming-of-age debut novel told in verse has been celebrated for its touching child’s-eye view of family and immigration. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

Hà has only ever known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, and the warmth of her friends close by. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope—toward America.

This moving story of one girl’s year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews, including one from Kirkus which proclaimed it “enlightening, poignant, and unexpectedly funny.”

An author’s note explains how and why Thanhha Lai translated her personal experiences into Hà’s story. This updated digital edition also includes an interview with the author, an activity you can do with your family, tips on writing poetry, and discussion questions.

Disclaimer: Some of these books are (or once were) controversial. Some older YAs have closed-door or open-door adult situations, and others (YA & MG) deal with harsh issues such as suicide, bullying, war, poverty, and loss of a parent. As a librarian, reader’s advisor, and mother, I’ve learned that tweens and teens tend to read within their comfort zone, both emotionally and reading-level wise. All of these books offer a chance for parents and kids to discuss which topics are appropriate now and which books are best left for another time. But I hope you all find books that will give your family new adventures and imaginary friends.

See you in February for the 2021 Mid-Winter Young Adult and Middle Grade Book List!

*The books listed in this blog post are in no particular order.

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her Amazon bestselling Deadly Force romantic suspense series where ex-Green Berets meet their match in smart, sexy heroines who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning .

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Published on July 22, 2020 03:30

Lockdown Reading List: Creativity & Art

As the lockdown in northern Virginia continues, I’m counting my blessings and trying to make the best use of my time. Not only for my own peace of mind but to help ease my children’s anxieties as well.

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Maybe because I’m a grown woman of a certain age, or maybe because I’ve been blessed to have so many experiences–both wonderful and sorrowful–in my life, I’m not cowering in fear over this national emergency. I tend to be a pragmatic person who tries to view all events with one question in mind: How is life happening for me?

There’s power in that single preposition–that simple word for. Instead of wondering why life happens to me, like I’m a victim or circumstance or bad luck, I always try to figure out what I’m supposed to learn from each situation. If life always happens for me, instead of to me, then that means there’s something I need to learn now in order to push forward with my goals and dreams and desires.

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With that in mind, I’ve been re-reading my favorite self-help and productivity books (see the list here) as well as re-visiting all of my favorite creativity and art books. While I’m a professional scientific librarian with all the necessary degrees, I’ve always had a creative side. A creative side that, luckily, my parents recognized and fostered from the time I was a child.

Over the years I’ve struggled to balance living overseas with my husband (a former Army officer), working in pharmaceutical laboratories, raising twins, running a wedding gown design business, teaching art in our local elementary school, and becoming a published author. Along the way I’ve struggled with writer’s block, fear of failure, and creative resistance in all its forms. And the books below are the ones I always return to–again and again–to regain my focus and help solidify the visions I have for my future self.

As my children grow and mature, I’ve shared these tools with them as well.

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All of these books require some kind of work–journaling, artist dates, or just plain thinking in silence. All of which can be done regardless of your level of quarantine or lockdown. Because there’s always freedom in your heart and head if you set your mind to it.

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Published on May 18, 2020 03:20

Deadly Force E-Books Sale!!!

I’m so excited because for a limited time the first three books in the bestselling Deadly Force series are on sale in E-Book format at all retailers!

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Every Deep Desire: Book 1 in the Amazon Bestselling Deadly Force Series…

“If you are in the mood for a complex, dark and chilling thriller, Wray has the book for you. In her brand-new Deadly Force series, when it comes to the motivations of her characters, nothing is black and white . . . an excellent start to what looks to be a darkly compelling series!” ~ Romantic Times

“Every Deep Desire is phenomenal! Every Deep Desire is a modern Romeo and Juliet story filled with action and passion that will leave you breathless . . . a must read for lovers of spine-tingling suspense and endless love inspired storytelling.” ~ Joyfully Reviewed

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE |iBOOKS | INDIEBOUND| KOBO| GOOGLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION

One Dark Wish: Book 2 in the Amazon Bestselling Deadly Force Series…

“Tender romance, exciting adventure!” ~ Publisher’s Weekly

“Sexy Green Berets, dark secrets, and sizzling chemistry!” ~ New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair

“Twisty plots, fantastic characters, and pitch-perfect pacing. Fabulous!” ~ New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

In Search of Truth: Book 3 in the Amazon Bestselling Deadly Force Series…

“This breathless romantic suspense novel provides equal amounts of heat and intrigue.” ~ Publisher’s Weekly

“Fast paced…intriguing, with steamy romance and forbidden love.” ~ Fresh Fiction

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her Amazon bestselling Deadly Force romantic suspense series where ex-Green Berets meet their match in smart, sexy heroines who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning .

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Published on May 15, 2020 11:40

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Bourbon & Bacon Chili

As I was working on next week’s blog posts, something strange happened. Detective Garza, one of the characters in my Deadly Force series, decided he wanted to join to Zack Tremaine’s Whiskey Challenge. I had to work hard to convince Zack to let Garza join the fun. The men griped about letting Garza enter, but the judges–the wives and girlfriends of the men in the series–agreed.

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So now there’s a mini-rebellion in Iron Rack’s Gym. Zack, Cain, Ty, and Alex–the men who’ve already made their meals and want to know who the winner is–aren’t happy. Their buddies–Vane, Luke, Kells, Nate, and Pete–are fine with Garza’s request because it’s just another meal that they don’t have to make. And the women don’t really care. They’re happy to keep judging as long as there’s dancing and karaoke on the backyard patio.

Since I get the final say, and I really love the Bourbon & Bacon Chili that Garza promises to make, I agreed. So here’s to one more entry in Iron Rack’s Whiskey Challenge.

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Detective Garza ~ “I’m a cop. Well, a detective who left the Trenton, NJ PD and joined the Savannah PD. A detective who somehow fell in with a group of ex-Green Berets on the run from two psychotic arms dealers and became best friends with Calum Prioleau, the richest man in town. So I guess you could say my move to Savannah wasn’t at all what I expected.

While I’m a part of the group who run Iron Rack’s Gym, I’m also separate. I have to walk a thin line between helping these men and upholding the law. But when I have some down time, these are my buddies. As Samantha (Pete’s girlfriend) says, they’re my boiiiis.

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Published on May 01, 2020 03:30