Sharon Wray's Blog, page 84

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chocolate Ecstasy Cookies

Today is Samantha Barclay’s last post for her Savannah Ghost Tour party. And she’s serving one of my favorite chocolate cookies Chocolate Ecstasies.

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Samantha ~ “Everyone has finished dinner and I’ve just served coffee and dessert. I made my favorite chocolate cookie, Chocolate Ecstasies, that are not just amazing but they couldn’t be easier. A good thing since I have three jobs!

Now that we’ve eaten, talked, and listened to music, I’m trying to wrangle all the men and get them to follow me. It’s time to start the tour, but I think my pre-game ghost stories (stories that won’t be on the tour) have scared these big, sexy ex-Green Berets.

Nate, Pete, and Rafe are hiding in a corner eating the last of the chocolate cookies off a plate. Ty seems determined to keep the music going despite Cain’s attempt to “help”. Vane and Kells are arguing with Detective Garza about something (probably the issue the men of Iron Rack’s Gym have with causing public disturbances). Zack and Alex are trying to balance beer bottles (which they smuggled into my party!) on their noses. Calum is surrounded by Juliet, Charlotte, and Sarah where he’s regaling them with tall tales from the horrible years he lived north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

So I light my candle lantern, hop on a chair, and raise the light. Then I whistle loudly. (I’m a great whistler). When all eyes focus on me, I say, “Did you know Savannah is the most haunted city in America?” When no one responds, I smile and add, “Let’s go find some ghosts.”

I hope you enjoy these chocolate cookies. Thanks so much for joining us this month and I only wish you could come with us on the tour. It’s going to be fun and frightful!”

The Hungry {Romance) Writer: Chocolate Ecstasies

This cookie recipe came from my grandmother and she used to make them for her bridge club and her board meetings when she was president of her HOA. It's a favorite in my house, and can be made with or without the nuts. They are really easy to make and they also freeze well. I recommend doubling the recipe so you can eat some and freeze some for when unexpected company comes.

30 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

Yields 36 cookies

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips2 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate2 Tablespoons butter1/4 cup flour1/4 teaspoon baking powderdash of sea salt2 eggs, lightly beaten2/3 cups sugar1 teaspoon vanilla1 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds--your favorite. Nuts are also optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.In a double boiler, heat 1 cup chocolate chips, unsweetened chocolate, and butter until melted, stirring constantly.Transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.Add eggs, sugar and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and beat well with an electric mixer.Add in flour mixture and beat until blended.Stir in rest of chocolate chips and nuts (if desired).Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet.Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until edges are firm and the surface is dull and cracked.Cook on cookie sheets for one minute.Remove and cool on cookie racks.Makes 36 cookies.7.8.1.2101http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-chocolate-ecstasy-cookies/

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

Her second book, ONE DARK WISH, will come out September 24, 2019 and is available for preorder here: Amazon |  Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks |  Google

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Chocolate Ecstasy Cookies appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Secret Art of Journaling

“Everybody allows that the talent of writing agreeable letters is peculiarly female. Nature may have done something, but I am sure it must be essentially assisted by the practice of keeping a journal.” ~ Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey.



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Despite Miss Jane’s quotation above, what do Marcus Aurelius, Louisa May Alcott, Thomas Edison, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Epictetus the Roman Slave have in common? They all kept extensive journals, recording their wistful desires, their secret needs, and the history going on around them. Journals that historians have found, read, and preserved for future generations.

While it’s fun to read other people’s words, especially those written during epic historical times, the beauty of these scribblings is that they were never meant to be public. They were private conversations between the writer, his head, and his heart. I’m sure if Epictetus knew one day, over two thousand years after his death, that his journal would be one of the most important primary historical sources regarding Ancient Rome, he probably wouldn’t have bothered searching for ink and papyrus.

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But if people didn’t journal for posterity, why did they bother?

To heal the mind.

A 2011 study in Science  found that students who journaled about their upcoming math exams had less anxiety about their tests and received higher grades. Why? The researchers believe that “…by acknowledging their fears, students were able to tame distracting emotions.”

Perhaps because writing slows down the mind, it’s a perfect way to examine your day, your worries, your joys, and all of the things going on around you. Journaling offers the writer a chance to lay out the disparate points of her life and make sense of it all. Often, when journaling, I realized I was happy/mad/annoyed/etc about a certain situation that on the surface seemed trivial. Writing things out by hand can be the best form of therapy, it helps you find patterns in your life that are both helpful and hurtful. Journaling releases unresolved or repressed emotions and fears.

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Whether you’re new to journaling, or an expert, here are a few tips to up your diary game:

Best Time:

It may take practice to figure this out, but finding your optimum journaling time is key to making this a successful habit. In Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, she suggests morning pages. The writer writes first thing in the morning and fills three journal pages without stopping. The sentences can be non-stop, there can be off-color words and thoughts, it can even be a grocery or to-do list.  On the other hand, the Roman philosopher Seneca wrote every night after his wife went to bed. Supposedly, Seneca once confided, “I examine my entire day and go back over what I’ve done and said, hiding nothing from myself, passing nothing by.”

Best Journal:

Since this is a notebook where you’re going to bare your soul on a daily basis, it’s important you love what you’re writing in. That doesn’t mean it has to be fancy or expensive. It could be a legal pad or a college-ruled notebook. What it looks like doesn’t matter. What matters is it fits who you are and your writing style. The same goes for pens. Use what you love, not what’s in style.

Write Fast:

What this really means is as soon as you start writing, write as fast as you can to kill your inner editor.  If your inner critic can’t keep up as you skim along the pages, he’ll go away. The same advice works on your handwriting. If it’s messy, let it go. This is for your eyes only. Some writers I know say they never reread what they’ve written in their journals. They write their souls onto the page and move on. Neatness doesn’t matter.

Be Kind.

…to yourself. Your journal is your friend. If all you have to say one day is “I’m tired”, be kind to yourself and say “that’s okay.” Keeping a journal isn’t a race or a competition. It’s a private collection of thoughts that help you make sense of all the good and bad things you’ve experienced in the last twenty-four hours. The great thing about friends? They don’t expect you to be perfect. So let the perfection go.

Be Creative.

You can journal morning pages, or night-time reflections. Or you can keep a gratitude or prayer journal. I know others who keep vision journals where the write about the things they hope for in their lives. Then there are those who track their mood and health. What that Science journal found was that it didn’t matter so much what you were writing about. It was the act of writing that subdued a person’s anxiety.

It was the act of writing that brought peace.

And who doesn’t need more of that in their lives?

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

Her second book, ONE DARK WISH, will come out September 24, 2019 and is available for preorder here: Amazon |  Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks |  Google

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Secret Art of Journaling appeared first on Sharon Wray.

2019 Mid-Summer Middle Grade and Young Adult Book List

It’s that time of year again! It’s time for the 2019 Mid-Summer Middle Grade & Young Adult Book List!

Some of these books have just been released (or are about to) and some are just new-to-us authors and books. As the kids grow and move on, so do their reading tastes. I want to thank my teen readers for their help and suggestions, as well as my blog readers who’ve made this list such a popular download. You are all awesome!

Mid-Summer-2019-mg_ya-listDownload



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This bi-annual compilation offers a good cross-section of genres for teens and tweens. There were a lot of new YA Romance and Fantasy books released the past few months. I’ve also added a number of new Middle Grade Action/Adventure and non-fiction stories. 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), but for the entire printable list, click here: 2019 Mid-Summer MG/YA Book List.

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YOUNG ADULT FICTION

All covers and blurbs courtesy of Amazon.

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A new generation. A new kind of love. A new Hidden threat…
The Hidden Saga comes full circle back to Altum as its citizens— and its king and queen— prepare for a very special arrival. 
It should be the most joyous of occasions, especially as the new heir is expected to make an appearance during the holiday season. But things are never simple in the Fae world, and not everyone is who they seem to be. 

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How can the wrong guy be so right?

Paige Locklear has prided herself on her perfection: first chair violinist, straight A student, well-behaved daughter of Cedar Oaks High’s principal. The last thing she needs at the end of her senior year is to get distracted. Enter Liam Harwick.

For his entire life, Liam’s been known as Cedar Oaks’ resident bad boy. Rumor has it he’s been kicked out of more schools than he can count and has a penchant for all things mischief. But when he meets Paige Locklear, a different, sweeter side of Liam is exposed. But can others see past his reputation?

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They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette.

A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it’s no match for the transcendent power of Love.

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Here is what happens when your mother dies.

It’s the brightest day of summer and it’s dark outside. It’s dark in your house, dark in your room, and dark in your heart. You feel like the darkness is going to split you apart. 

That’s how it feels for Tiger. It’s always been Tiger and her mother against the world. Then, on a day like any other, Tiger’s mother dies. And now it’s Tiger, alone. Here is how you learn to make friends with the dark.

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As one of the Queen’s elite assassins, Sal finally has the power, prestige, and permission to hunt down the lords who killed their family.

But Sal still has to figure out who the culprits are. They must enlist the help of some old friends and enemies while ignoring a growing distaste for the queen and that the charming Elise is being held prisoner by her father.

But there’s something terribly wrong in the north. Talk of the return of shadows, missing children, and magic abounds. As Sal takes out the people responsible for their ruined homeland, Sal learns secrets and truths that can’t be forgotten.

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No one knows death like Tea.

A bone witch who can resurrect the dead, she has the power to take life…and return it. And she is done with her self-imposed exile. Her heart is set on vengeance, and she now possesses all she needs to command the mighty daeva. With the help of these terrifying beasts, she can finally enact revenge against the royals who wronged her—and took the life of her one true love. 

But there are those who plot against her, those who would use Tea’s dark power for their own nefarious ends. Because you can’t kill someone who can never die… 

War is brewing among the kingdoms, and when dark magic is at play, no one is safe.

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Abbi has lived almost her entire life in the shadow of the terrorist attacks of September 11.

On that fateful day, she was captured in what became an iconic photograph: in the picture, Abbi (aka “Baby Hope”) wears a birthday crown and grasps a red balloon; just behind her, the South Tower of the World Trade Center is collapsing. 

Now, fifteen years later, Abbi is desperate for anonymity and decides to spend the summer before her seventeenth birthday incognito as a counselor at Knights Day Camp two towns away. She’s psyched for eight weeks in the company of four-year-olds, none of whom have ever heard of Baby Hope. 

Too bad Noah Stern, whose own world was irrevocably shattered on that terrible day, has a similar summer plan. Noah believes his meeting Baby Hope is fate. Abbi is sure it’s a disaster. Soon, though, the two team up to ask difficult questions about the history behind the Baby Hope photo. But is either of them ready to hear the answers?

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The perfect addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series, this gorgeously designed package features three brand-new novellas, two previously published novellas, Steel Scars and Queen Song, and never-before-seen maps, flags, bonus scenes, journal entries, and much more exclusive content.

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Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold onto.

Jude learned this lesson when she released her control over the wicked king, Cardan, in exchange for immeasurable power. 

Now as the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is powerless and left reeling from Cardan’s betrayal. She bides her time determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose mortal life is in peril.

Jude must risk venturing back into the treacherous Faerie Court, and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan, if she wishes to save her sister. But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing. As Jude slips deep within enemy lines she becomes ensnared in the conflict’s bloody politics. 

And, when a dormant yet powerful curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing her to choose between her ambition and her humanity… 

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As a child, she committed unforgivable acts to free Grace Loray from King Elazar of Argrid.

Now Elazar’s plan to retake the island has surpassed Lu’s darkest fears: He’s holding her and his son, Ben, captive in an endlessly shifting prison, forcing them to make a weapon that will guarantee Elazar’s success.

Escape is impossible—unless Lu becomes the ruthless soldier she hoped never to be again.

Vex failed to save Lu and Ben—and that torments him as much as his Shaking Sickness. With the disease worsening, Vex throws himself into the rebellion against Argrid. The remaining free armies are allied with the stream raider syndicates—and getting them to cooperate will take a strength Vex thought burned on a pyre six years ago.

Imprisoned, betrayed, and heartbroken, Ben is determined to end his father’s rampage. Watching Elazar sway the minds of Grace Loray as he did those of Argrid, Ben knows he has to play his father’s game of devotion to win this war. But how can a heretic prince defeat the Pious God?

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They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.

The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she’s psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…

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MIDDLE GRADE FICTION & NON-FICTION

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Become Awesome at (almost) anything

Getting good at stuff is not as hard as it seems. In fact, anyone can get (much) better at almost anything. With colour illustrations throughout, You Are Awesome is an easy-to-follow guide for children to discover their potential.

Follow the story of kid average vs kid awesome and discover how practise, hard work and the right mindset can help anyone achieve success. Whatever the awesome goal is, this book is packed with strategies, hints and tips on making it happen!

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A cannon. A strap.
A piece. A biscuit.
A burner. A heater.
A chopper. A gat.
A hammer
A tool
for RULE

Or, you can call it a gun. That’s what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. See, his brother Shawn was just murdered. And Will knows the rules. No crying. No snitching. Revenge. That’s where Will’s now heading, with that gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, the gun that was his brother’s gun. He gets on the elevator, seventh floor, stoked. He knows who he’s after. Or does he?

As the elevator stops on the sixth floor, on comes Buck. Buck, Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun before Will took the gun. Buck tells Will to check that the gun is even loaded. And that’s when Will sees that one bullet is missing. And the only one who could have fired Shawn’s gun was Shawn. Huh. Will didn’t know that Shawn had ever actually USED his gun. Bigger huh. BUCK IS DEAD. But Buck’s in the elevator?

Just as Will’s trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. A teenage girl gets on, waves away the smoke from Dead Buck’s cigarette. Will doesn’t know her, but she knew him. Knew. When they were eight. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway, and so what she wants to know, on that fifth floor elevator stop, is, what if Will, Will with the gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, MISSES.

And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END…if Will gets off that elevator.

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On the night of February 18, 1952, during one of the worst winter storms that New England has ever seen, two oil tankers just off the shore of Cape Cod were torn in half by the force of the storm.

This middle-grade adaptation of an adult nonfiction book tells the story of the shipwreck and a harrowing Coast Guard rescue when four men in a tiny lifeboat overcame insurmountable odds and saved more than 30 stranded sailors.

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They thought it was dead. They were wrong.

Two years ago, a virus hit London, killing thousands of people and driving the rest into hiding. But Leon has somehow survived, making it through two harsh winters. Now he’s living on the fragile hope that the freezing snow and ice of the English climate wiped out the virus for good. Word even reaches Leon of a rescue boat on its way. 

But all is not as safe as it seems. The virus has been busy…

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The most important rule of Unicorn Day is to have fun, fun, fun!

The unicorns are celebrating their favorite day of the year, complete with rainbows, cupcakes, butterflies, and all sorts of joyful things. But when it’s revealed there’s an impostor in their midst, the party comes to a screeching halt…

Will the unicorns welcome all and continue their fun in all its glittery glory? A clever, colorful, and over-the-top picture book about unicorns, celebrations, and most importantly, friendship.

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Based on the experience of real-life Auschwitz prisoner Dita Kraus, this is the incredible story of a girl who risked her life to keep the magic of books alive during the Holocaust.

Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the Terezín ghetto in Prague, Dita is adjusting to the constant terror that is life in the camp. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious volumes the prisoners have managed to sneak past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the librarian of Auschwitz. 

Out of one of the darkest chapters of human history comes this extraordinary story of courage and hope.

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Aru is only just getting the hang of this whole Pandava thing when the Otherworld goes into full panic mode.

The god of love’s bow and arrow have gone missing, and the thief isn’t playing Cupid. Instead, they’re turning people into heartless fighting-machine zombies. If that weren’t bad enough, somehow Aru gets framed as the thief. If she doesn’t find the arrow by the next full moon, she’ll be kicked out of the Otherworld. For good. But, for better or worse, she won’t be going it alone. Along with her soul-sister, Mini, Aru will team up with Brynne, an ultra-strong girl who knows more than she lets on, and Aiden, the boy who lives across the street and is also hiding plenty of secrets. Together they’ll battle demons, travel through a glittering and dangerous serpent realm, and discover that their enemy isn’t at all who they expected.

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A heartwarming story of a friendship-seeking moon that also celebrates the extraordinary 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing!

From high up in the sky, the Moon has spent her whole life watching Earth and hoping for someone to visit. Dinosaurs roam, pyramids are built, and boats are made, but still no one comes. Will friends ever come visit her?

One day a spaceship soars from Earth…and so does her heart.

Includes bonus educational pages about the moon mission!

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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 next winter for the 2020 Mid-Winter Young Adult and Middle Grade Book List!

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

Do you have any books you’d like to add to the list? Please leave a comment and let me know!

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

Her second book, ONE DARK WISH, will come out September 24, 2019 and is available for preorder here: Amazon |  Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks |  Google

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post 2019 Mid-Summer Middle Grade and Young Adult Book List appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The *Dauntless* Planner: Summertime is for Pressed Flowers

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There are so many reasons to love Summer. Seeing the sun after months of gloom, freshly-squeezed lemonade, and picking flowers. When I was a child, my grandmother taught me how to save these flowers so we could enjoy them all year long. My grandmother also canned seasonal produce and made jam and jellies, so it wasn’t too surprising that she’d find another way to save her present so she could savor it later.

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Pressed flowers have been found around for centuries. According to a Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/29/AR2006062901769.html?noredirect=on) article, archaeologists discovered pressed laurels and garlands in the 3,000-year-old coffin of Tutankhamun’s mother. In 16thcentury Japan, artisans developed Oshibana, the art of pressing flowers to make a complete picture. 

A few centuries later, Victorian England picked up this art form. Victorian women and men of all ages filled scrapbooks with different types of pressed flowers and herbs, often adding bits of ribbon and other trimmings.

In the early 1990s, there was a resurgence in the art of pressed flowers after Nobuo Sugino traveled the world to collect these Victorian pressed flower collections. In 1997, Mr. Sugino published “The International Pressed Flower Book” that encouraged people of all ages to try this simple-yet-lovely hobby.

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The great thing about pressed flowers is that because it’s so easy and inexpensive, it’s a perfect thing for kids to do. Here are some basic directions for pressed flowers novices.

Step 1: Pick the flowers when they’re at their freshest and completely dry.

Step 2: Press flower between two sheets of wax paper, then place within the pages of a large book (I use an old Encyclopedia Britannica). Leave 1/8-inch of pages between flowers being pressed. When the book is full, close it and weigh it down for four weeks.

Step 3: After four weeks, check the flowers to make sure they’re dry. Some herbs and flowers may take longer, depending on their thickness and how much moisture they had on them. 

Step 4: Glue the flowers into a scrapbook in whatever design you like!

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There are much more advanced ways of making pressed flowers, some that include expensive equipment, dyes, and chemicals. But for a quick and fun way to preserve some of Summer’s beauty, try pressing a few of your favorite flowers between an old book. Next winter, when you’re wondering if you’ll ever see the sun again, you can pull out your scrapbook and remember that the flowers will always return.



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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

Her second book, ONE DARK WISH, will come out September 24, 2019 and is available for preorder here: Amazon |  Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks |  Google

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The *Dauntless* Planner: Summertime is for Pressed Flowers appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Burritos

It’s the third week of Samantha Barclay’s Ghost Tour party, and tonight she’s serving Shredded Chicken Burritos with a cheesy jalapeño sauce! It’s so easy and most of the work is done in the slow cooker!

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Samantha ~ “Now that we’ve stuffed ourselves on appetizers, and it’s starting to get dark, it’s time to serve the main course. Since I had to work all day, I went for one of my easiest recipes: Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Burritos. After letting the chicken cook for hours, I just rolled it into a flour tortilla, added some shredded cheese, baked it in the oven, and made a yummy cheesy-chili sauce.

From the empty trays, it appears everyone is loving the meal. The men of Iron Rack’s gym, including my boyfriend Pete, are even scrounging for third helpings. (I probably should’ve made more!)

As the sky darkens, and the tiny lights in the courtyard trees come on, I start getting everyone ready for the tour–with a ghost story! This one is one of my favorites, about one of the most famous houses in the Savannah.

Over a century ago, one of the original owners of this house threw herself out of a second-story balcony after learning about her husband’s affair. The mistress then hanged herself in the house two weeks later. Both women have been seen wandering the halls at night while weeping. The house also sits on a field where a brutal Revolutionary War battle had been fought in 1779 and hundreds of men died horrible, violent deaths. This event has led to people seeing specters of wounded soldiers and hearing heart-wrenching cries of pain.

Regardless of why, I know that every time I leave that house during the daytime I feel nauseous and lightheaded and my cell phone doesn’t work. When I visit at night, I see shadows of 18th century-dressed men in the corners and hear unexplained crying on the second floor.

As I tell these stories, one of the men’s faces pales. It’s Calum Prioleau, the richest men in Savannah and also a good friend of Pete’s and the other men at Iron Rack’s gym. I’m sure Calum is upset because all of these creepy stories I’m telling happened in his house. For some reason he’s been unaffected, but I know for a fact that my boyfriend Pete, my best friend Juliet and her husband Rafe, and Nate’s wife Sarah have all had strange encounters in that house. And to make things more interesting, Calum hosts a weekly movie night for all of the men–all ex-Green Berets who are now afraid of ghosts!! LOL

As I talk, and everyone start’s looking over their shoulder, I ask Juliet to go grab the dessert. Once we finish here, we’re off on our Ghost Tour. And I can’t wait to take Kells Torridan’s men–the ex Green Berets of the 7th Special Forces Group–to every haunted house in this city. I just wish you could join us!”

Serves 6-8

334The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken

This is an adapted recipe from one of my sisters-in-law. I left out a few spices and made it milder. If you prefer it "hotter", increase the heat of the salsa, add more chili powder, and top it off with hot sauce when you serve it. I use this chicken in everything from burritos to sandwiches to dropping it on top of salads.

5 minPrep Time

6 hrCook Time

6 hr, 5 Total Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

2 lbs chicken breasts (frozen or raw)1 Tablespoon olive oil1/2 cup mild salsa3 Tablespoons brown sugar1 4oz can mild green chilies1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained1 Tablespoon chili powder1 teaspoon ground cumin1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder1/2 teaspoon paprika1 1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepperBurritos12 burrito-sized tortillas2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or more)Olive OilNonstick SprayCheese Sauce2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon butter2-3 tablespoons all-purpose bleached flour2 cups chicken broth, already heatedShredded Chicken1/2 teaspoon cumin1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup sour cream1/2 4 oz. can mild chopped green chilies1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Shredded ChickenRub chicken breasts with oil and put in slow cooker. Add all other ingredients and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.When chicken is cooked enough to cut easily, use two forks to shred.BurritosPreheat oven to 400 degrees.To assemble burritos, fill each tortilla with a 1/2 cup of shredded chicken and sprinkle with desired amount of shredded cheddar cheese.Roll tortilla up into a burrito and, if necessary, add toothpicks to keep the burrito closed.Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray.Brush each burrito with olive oil on all sides and place on parchment paper.Bake for 10 minutes. Turn the burritos over and bake for another ten minutes or until they are lightly browned.If desired, broil for a few minutes to make them crispier.Jalapeno SauceHeat olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add butter and heat until melted. Whisk in flour.Stir for 4 minutes. Reduce heat and whisk in chicken broth.Add cumin and salt.Simmer for 3 minutes or until thickened.Remove from heat and stir in green chilies.Stir in cheese until melted.Stir in sour cream until dissolved.Immediately serve burritos with cheese sauce.

Notes

This recipe makes a lot and the chicken freezes really well.

7.8.1.210http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-slow-cooker-shredded-chicken-burritos/

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[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

Her second book, ONE DARK WISH, will come out September 24, 2019 and is available for preorder here: Amazon |  Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks |  Google

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Burritos appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: French Quarter Dip

It’s the second installment of Samantha Barclay’s Ghost Hunting Party and the music is blasting and much food is being eaten! Tonight, I believe, Samantha is serving her French Quarter Dip. I so wish I could be there but characters don’t like it when their author shows up to play. They can be cranky that way!

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Samantha ~ “So far the party is a success! All of the men from Iron Rack’s Gym are here, as well as a few of the wives. The only one who hasn’t shown up yet is Kells Torridan, the boss of everyone. LOL.

We’re all munching on appetizers, and the men are telling jokes about each other. There’s so much I don’t know about the men who work at Iron Rack’s Gym (all from the same ex-Green Beret unit), and I’ve discovered that Vane is actually a great storyteller. His anecdotes about his buddies are making us laugh out loud. And I had no idea that Pete White Horse, my boyfriend, had taken his cousin to his prom because he couldn’t get a date. (Seriously, if you could see how hot Pete is, you’d be shocked too!)

Now Nate and Zack are arguing about my French Quarter Dip. It’s a hot appetizer made with cream cheese and pecans that’s baked in the oven. Apparently, Nate is accusing Zack of eating too much of it and not leaving enough for him.

As the sun begins to go down, and Cain takes the floor to tell stories about his boss Kells, Kells appears with a frown and flowers. The men go silent, afraid that Kells’s famous temper will ruin the night. Instead, Kells hands me a huge bouquet of yellow flowers and tells a story about his first day at Beast Barracks at West Point. It’s a story that makes all the men spit out their Sweetened Lime Iced Tea and the women smile. It also proves that Kells, a legendary Special Forces commander, is a normal human like the rest of us.

Once Kells finishes, Ty turns up the music and I bring out another plate of my French Quarter Dip. We still have a bit of time before the ghost tour starts, but since everyone is having such a great time I think it’s going to be difficult to get them to leave the courtyard. But that’s okay. I can tell stories too and I have a perfect one that will have them begging to leave on the tour.”

Serves 20-30

108French Quarter Dip

This recipe came from a dear friend, and my critique partner, Karen Johnston. Karen was from England and one night, right before Christmas, she served this dish to our critique group along with small shots of single-malt scotch. This is a super-easy appetizer that looks hard to make. And I highly recommend serving it with your finest single-malt scotch.

10 minPrep Time

10 minTotal Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese (or almond "cream" cheese)1 teaspoon garlic, minced1 Tablespoon onion, gratedTopping4 Tablespoons butter1/4 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard1 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions

Combine cheese, garlic and onion until soft and mold into a glass 9" pie plate.Chill in refrigerator while making the topping.Combine the butter, sugar, worcestershire sauce, mustard and pecans in a saucepan. Heat until butter is melted.Pour over cream cheese mold and serve with water crackers, pumpernickel bread, or slices of French baguette.

Notes

Some grocery stores are now carrying dairy-free "cream" cheeses made from almonds and other nuts. I've tried this recipe with the almond cream cheese and it's quite good. Almond cream cheese is just really hard to find, especially around the holidays.

7.8.1.223http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-french-quarter-dip/

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[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

Her second book, ONE DARK WISH, will come out September 24, 2019 and is available for preorder here: Amazon |  Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks |  Google

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: French Quarter Dip appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Sweet Lime Iced Tea

I’m so excited because for the month of July, I’m handing The Hungry {Romance} Writer blog over to Samantha Barclay!

Samantha is a secondary character in my Deadly Force Series who will, one day, have a Happily Ever After of her own. But, for now, she’s dating one of the ex-Green Berets living at Iron Rack’s gym and working three jobs including one as a ghost tour guide in the historic city of Savannah, GA.

A few weeks ago she came to me and asked if she could take charge of the recipes for the month of July because she was hosting a Ghost Hunting Party for her friends–the men and women in the series. Since I’m going on vacation, I said “Sure!”

I hope you enjoy Samantha. Although she’s still a secondary character, she commands every page she’s on!

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Samantha ~ “Hi everyone! My name is Samantha Barclay and I’m a secondary character (and future heroine!) in Sharon’s Deadly Force romantic suspense series. I’m a girl from New Orleans who moved to Savannah, GA a few years ago, mostly to get away from a bad situation. But since tonight is about having fun, we’re not talking about the past!

I am Juliet Capel Montfort’s best friend (Juliet is the heroine in Every Deep Desire) and I work in her landscape architect firm Juliet’s Lily. I also work part-time at night as a tour guide for Got Ghosts?, a local ghost tour company, and I help out at the front desk at Iron Rack’s gym.

Seriously, Kells Torridan’s men (the ex-Green Beret heroes of the Deadly Force series) needed help answering the phones! And did I mention I’m also dating one of these men? His name is Pete White Horse and I adore him. (He’s also totally hot!)

Anyway, it’s been a long few months dealing with arms dealers, villains, betrayals, secrets and lies, and weddings and we all need a break! So I got permission to take us all on a ghost tour of Savannah. But since it’s summer, and doesn’t get dark until after nine pm, I’m throwing a dinner party first. And you’re invited!!

Now that all the men are here, along with three of their wives (Juliet, Charlotte, and Sarah), it’s time to get started. We’re in the courtyard with a fountain between Juliet’s Lily and Dessie’s Dress Shop. Both buildings are old, historic homes that have been renovated with storefronts on the first floor and apartments on the second. (I live above Juliet’s Lily while Juliet and her husband Rafe live above Dessie’s)

All of the men came early to set up picnic tables, and Pete is helping me at the bar. Since it’s still early, and I don’t want anyone to hurt themselves as we walk down into haunted tunnels(!), I’m starting out with a non-alcoholic drink. It’s one of my Nana’s favorites: Sweet Lime Iced Tea. It’s sweet, tart, and homemade. Perfect for a humid, summer evening spent with friends.

Vane and Alex are arguing about the music that Ty has chosen. Cain and his wife Charlotte are talking with Nate and his new wife Sarah. Rafe and Zack are helping Juliet put out the food just as Detective Garza and Calum Prioleau appear. Kells hasn’t come yet, but he promised he’d be here before the tour starts.

Now we’re all here, and Pete is toasting his friends with the iced tea, it’s time to get the party started. Like I mentioned earlier, tonight is about having fun and not worrying about when our enemies will attack again. One thing I’ve learned since meeting Kells Torridan’s men is that you have to take advantage of the good, quiet times. Because, considering the ferocity of their enemy Remiel Marigny (and the way Sharon plots these books), I have no doubt trouble is coming.

But tonight? It’s all about friendship and scary fun. And that’s how it should be!!”

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Sweet Lime Iced Tea

This is a recipe I got from one of my Charleston sister-in-laws. It's super easy to make and the sugar/sweetness is easily adjusted. I always serve it with a lime wedge garnish and I try to use pretty glasses. It's perfect for a hot, summer afternoon party when you need something refreshing instead of alcoholic.

5 minPrep Time

45 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

Yields 12-16 servings

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

1 gallon boiling water6 black tea bags1 1/2 cups white sugar4 limes, juiced

Instructions

Pour the water into a gallon sized jar over the tea bags. Allow to steep for 45 minutes.Remove and discard the tea bags.Stir in the sugar and lime juice until the sugar has dissolved. Cool to room temperature; refrigerate until cold before serving.7.8.1.289http://sharonwray.com/deadly-force-recipe-series/the-hungry-romance-writer-sweet-lime-iced-tea/

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“I also want to thank Ty for choosing the music, despite all of his buddies’ griping and their rolling eyeballs. Yes, tonight is going to be perfect!”

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[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

Her second book, ONE DARK WISH, will come out September 24, 2019 and is available for preorder here: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks | Google

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Sweet Lime Iced Tea appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Hummingbird Cake

I can’t believe June is almost over! I’ve had a wonderful time working on Rafe and Juliet’s anniversary party at Boudreaux’s restaurant on the Isle of Grace, and today we’re serving dessert. Luckily, it’s one of my favorites and a southern classic: Hummingbird Cake.

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Juliet Montfort ~ “It’s been such a lovely evening and even though it’s getting late, the sun still hovers over the river despite the flood of fireflies that’ve appeared. After dinner we danced for hours, drank champagne and sweet tea, and now it’s time to cut the cake.

I was so surprised with all of this–the party, the vow renewal, my girlfriends decorating Boudreaux’s–and I’m still so overwhelmed. Before Rafe returned, I spent eight lonely years struggling to build a life not realizing that I didn’t have to do it alone. And now that Rafe is back, and my life is filled with friends and family again, I’m so grateful. Yet, I’m also sad.

At the time, during those eight years, I had no idea how alone I really was. While that was probably a good and necessary thing at the time, now I realize all that I’ve missed and I’m determined never to let that happen again. Tonight I’m surrounded by those I love, and those who love me, and that makes me the luckiest woman in the world. Now I know I’ll never be alone again.”

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Hummingbird Cake

This recipe came from my maternal grandmother and my mother-in-law. Their recipes were identical and I discovered not too long ago that they both adapted it from a 1978 Southern Living magazine recipe. It's a wonderful cake to serve at a tea, a buffet, or even a wedding. To use as a wedding cake, double or triple the recipe depending on the number and types of pans you're using and how much frosting you need. You will never have enough frosting what with all the extra tastings that happen in the kitchen! It's also the kind of recipe that can be adapted by adding a buttercream frosting or adding dried cranberries as a garnish. Regardless of what you do to it, you will never have leftovers!

30 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

1 hrTotal Time

Yields Serves 12

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Ingredients

CAKE3 cups all-purpose bleached flour (extra for pans)2 cups sugar1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon ground cinnamon3 large eggs, beaten1 1/2 cups vegetable oil1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain!)2 cups chopped ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)1 cup chopped pecans, toastedVegetable shorteningCREAM CHEESE FROSTING2 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened1 cup salted butter, room temperature2 (16-oz.) packages of powdered sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract3/4 cup toasted pecan halves for garnish

Instructions

CakePreheat oven to 350°F.Use shortening to grease 3 9-inch round pans. Lightly flour the pans and tap out the extra flour.In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.With a spoon, add eggs and oil, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans.Divide batter evenly among 3 cake pans.Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely, at least 1 1/2 hours.FrostingIn a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until smooth.Using a low-speed mixer setting, slowly beat in powdered sugar. Make sure a all sugar is blended before adding more.Stir in vanilla.Increase mixer speed to medium-high, and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.AssemblyPlace 1 cake layer on a serving platter; spread top with 1 cup of the frosting. Add the second layer on top of the first and spread with 1 cup frosting. Add the third layer on top of the second and spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.Arrange pecan halves on top of cake.7.8.1.2100http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-hummingbird-cake/

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[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Hummingbird Cake appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Savannah Shrimp Boil

Today, for the next installment of Rafe and Juliet’s Anniversary Dinner, we’re serving serving another southern favorite filled with shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn-on-the-cob: Savannah Shrimp Boil. It’s a specialty at Boudreaux’s outdoor kitchen here on the Isle of Grace.

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Rafe Montfort ~ “Juliet was so surprised when Father Quinn appeared to renew our vows, but not as surprised as I was when I saw that her friends Sarah and Samantha had set the tables.

You see, Boudreaux’s is an intensely casual place. It’s known for its picnic tables covered with brown paper, beer in coolers around the outdoor dance floor, Cajun band playing all night beneath massive oak trees, an outdoor kitchen that serves food on paper plates, and red Solo cups filled with sweet tea. But Juliet’s friends decided to dress up Boudreaux’s with tablecloths, place settings, linen napkins, flowers on the table, and actual crystal.

I know it seems silly, but seeing this run-down restaurant (I use the word lightly) deep in the woods on the Isle of Grace transformed with lights in the trees, china plates, and bottles of champagne in iced buckets means everything to me. It’s not the fact we’ll be eating elegantly, it’s the fact that these women–and my buddies who love them–put in all of this effort to make tonight extra special.

Now it’s time for one of my favorite meals–one of the meals I missed most while I’d been gone–Savannah Shrimp Boil. It’s a spicy, hands-on, messy meal eaten in community with friends and family. And I’m so grateful to have those friends and family–and especially my beautiful wife Juliet–to share it all with.”

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Savannah Shrimp Boil

This recipe came from my mother-in-law who lives on a sea island off the coast of Charleston, SC (which was the inspiration for the Isle of Grace in my book series). It's unusual in that all the ingredients are measured by person. Once she gets the number of attendees, she always adds enough for two more people to the pot, just in case. The real key is watching the shrimp at the end--you don't want it to overcook. Whether you have 2 people or 20, the cooking times remain the same. But you may need bigger pot!

30 minPrep Time

6 hr, 3 Cook Time

6 hr, 33 Total Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

1/4 lb fully-cooked andouille sausage per person, cut into 1-inch pieces1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning (more to taste)2 small new or red potatoes per person (washed but not cut)1 ear of fresh corn per person, shucked and broken in half1/2 pound large (16-20 count size) fresh shrimp per person (still in shell, heads off)Tartar SauceCocktail Sauce

Instructions

Fill a large pot with water to cover all ingredients with an extra 2 inches on top.Add the sausage and Old Bay seasoning. Boil for 20 minutes, until sausage and seasoning flavor the water.After the 20 minutes, season with more Old Bay to taste.Add whole potatoes and cook for 15 minutes.Add corn and cook for another 10 minutes.Add the shrimp and cook for 3 minutes or until cooked through.Drain water and serve immediately on a huge platter or a table covered in clean, brown paper.Serve with Tartar and Cocktail sauces if desired.7.8.1.299http://sharonwray.com/deadly-force-recipe-series/the-hungry-romance-writer-savannah-shrimp-boil/

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[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beretdetermined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Savannah Shrimp Boil appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Fresh Tomato Salad

This Friday, for the second installment of Rafe and Juliet’s Anniversary Dinner, we’re serving an iconic southern staple: Fresh Tomato Salad.

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Juliet Montfort ~ “I can’t believe that Rafe set up this surprise anniversary party and I had no clue. Usually, I do all the planning and list-making so the fact that he put this party–with all the food, music, and people–together amazes me.

The other thing Rafe did? He asked Father Quinn, the priest who married us twice, to come to Boudreaux’s not just for dinner and dancing, but also to help us renew our vows.

Considering we’ve had two ceremonies, renewing our vows never occurred to me. But apparently my husband has been thinking about it a lot and set up a small ceremony before we start dinner with a Fresh Tomato Salad and continue dancing.

So here we are, after eight years apart and another year married, standing before each other again. Considering how hard this past year has been, and everything that’s happened, I’m just so grateful we’re here together. And once I vow to love, honor and cherish–again–I’m going to say a silent prayer of thanks. Thanks for the gifts of forgiveness, redemption, and love. And, most of all, a prayer of thanks for second chances.”

Fresh Tomato Salad

I've been making this salad for years, ever since I found the recipe at a farmer's market near Fort Dix in New Jersey. The key to this salad is combining a variety of smaller tomatoes. Different colors and sizes make for a full-flavored salad. And don't be afraid to salt the tomatoes heavily. Most of the salt will draw out the excess moisture and drip off. This is a super-easy salad that goes great with hamburger, BBQ chicken, or any other summer dish you can think of! And if you love mozzarella cheese, add in a few small balls for a more protein-laden dish.

20 minPrep Time

5 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

Yields 4-6 servings

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

Salad2 1/2 pounds fresh small and cherry tomatoes, different sizes and colors1/8-1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (dried flowering variety, if available)Sea saltRound balls of mozzarella cheese (optional)DressingExtra Virgin Olive OilBalsamic vinegarFreshly ground pepper1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

Instructions

SaladWash and dry the tomatoes. If any are too large, cut them in half or quarters.Put the tomatoes into a colander and toss them well with at least 1/2-1 teaspoon of sea salt.Let the colander sit over a bowl for at least 15 minutes so the salt can draw out the excess moisture.After 15 minutes, discard the tomato juice in the bowl.Transfer the tomatoes to a large bowl and stir in the dried oregano.DressingIn a small bowl, stir together 1 part balsamic vinegar and 2 parts olive oil.Add in garlic and a good dash of freshly ground pepper.Drizzle the dressing onto the tomatoes until all the tomatoes are lightly coated.If you like mozzarella cheese, add some balls of fresh cheese to the salad.Add extra salt and pepper to taste.7.8.1.298http://sharonwray.com/deadly-force-recipe-series/the-hungry-romance-writer-fresh-tomato-salad/

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Juliet ~ “After we renew our vows, the band plays my favorite song for our third “first dance”. It’s the same waltz we danced to last year and eight years before that.”

[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes about the men in her 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.

Her acclaimed debut book EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a sexy, action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is about an ex-Green Beretdetermined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife.

 EVERY DEEP DESIRE is available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound| Kobo|  Google

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Fresh Tomato Salad appeared first on Sharon Wray.