Sharon Wray's Blog, page 92

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Juliet’s Apricot Oatmeal Bars

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“My Bachelor Lunch is almost over and it’s time for dessert. All of the men have that glassy-eyed stare of too much food, drink, and laughter. And I’m tempted to tell Calum that I don’t want dessert. But then the waiter comes out with hot coffee and . . . apricot bars.

My two favorite desserts in the world are my momma’s brownies and Juliet’s Apricot Oatmeal Bars, and I used to dream about them in prison. Juliet adores apricots and wants to plant apricot trees on Capel Land on the Isle of Grace. Although, I’m not sure apricots do well with the heat and insects. Not to mention snakes and poisonous lilies! Since Pops couldn’t find my momma’s brownie recipe, Calum asked Juliet to make her Apricot Oatmeal Bars to surprise me.

I share a long, happy look with Garza, Nate, and Pete. We’ve been through hell together and have come out the other side alive. And as I bite into the tangy-yet-sweet cookies, I close my eyes. Thank you, Calum, for my Bachelor Lunch. I had no idea how much I needed this time with men I respect and, yes, trust.  I realize I’m happy and am humbled by the emotion. I’m grateful to my friends–especially Calum who believed in me when I’d given up on myself–and to the readers of my story. Since I can’t thank you in person, I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I do.”  ~ Rafe Montfort, EVERY DEEP DESIRE. 



The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Apricot Oatmeal Bars

These bar cookies are so easy to make and taste just as good coming out of the oven as they do the next day -- if they make it until the next day! They're also wonderful served with ice cream.

15 minPrep Time

27 minCook Time

42 minTotal Time

Yields 24 bars

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

Crumb mixture1 1/4 cup flour1 1/4 cup oats1/2 cut sugar1/2 teaspoon baking soda?1/4 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon cinnamon3/4 cut butter, melted2 teaspoons vanilla extractFilling10 oz jar apricot preserves1/2 C flaked coconut

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350, and grease a 13×9 pan.In large mixing bowl, combine they dry crumb ingredients. Then blend in, with a mixer, the melted butter and vanilla.Beat at low speed, scraping sides of bowl clean until mixture is crumbly. (You can also do this mixing by hand).Reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture.Press remaining mixture into greased pan. Combine apricots and coconut and spread to within 1/2 inch of edge of unbaked crust. Sprinkle reserved dry mixture on top.Bake at center of oven, 22-27 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.7.8.1.259http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-juliets-apricot-oatmeal-bars/

“The guitar player is almost finished with his set, and we’re almost done with our coffee and dessert. That means it’s almost time to find my wife. It’s almost time to go home and kiss Juliet.”

[image error]Sharon Wray is a librarian who once 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 and their smart, sexy heroines retell Shakespeare’s greatest love stories.

Her 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.

It’s available in paperback, audio and e-book formats on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Juliet’s Apricot Oatmeal Bars appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Samantha Keith’s New Release Abducted

[image error]Today I’d like to welcome Samantha Keith and her new release ABDUCTED to Daring Debuts.

—————–

Cal Hart walks a blurred line of honor. The rock-hard former militant has his lethal skills at the service of the highest bidder. Until a contract comes in to kill Lana Vanderpoel, the sultry, charismatic heiress and billionaire’s daughter. Cal takes the job—and starts planning how to get Lana to safety while he unearths who’s behind the threat . . .

“Samantha Keith brings the heat in Abducted!  With a sizzling hot hero and fierce heroine, each page burns hotter than the last!  Abducted is a scorching and seductive read!” — New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti.

And here’s a teaser: 

“You never did answer my question.”

“About why I took you?” His eyes met hers. A hard glare glinted in them, his jaw locked. “I wasn’t hired to kidnap you, Lana. I was hired to kill you.”

————-

Sharon: Thanks so much for being here today, Samantha. Where did you get the idea for ABDUCTED?

Samantha: Like most of my inspiration, the idea for ABDUCTED began with a scene. In this case, it was Lana fighting her captor in the ocean and I pieced in the rest of the book from there.

Sharon: No spoiler, but can you tell us something we won’t find out just by reading the book jacket?

Samantha: Cal comes across as this independent alpha male, but he deeply values his two colleagues and friends who appear as secondary characters. Both men tell each of their stories in the other two books of the series, Bait and Exposed.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? Connect, connect, connect! Meeting other writers has been one of the best experiences. Everyone in this community has gone through exactly what you have and…
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Sharon: I can’t wait to hear more about those! Can you share with us who is your favorite character?

Samantha: I love both main characters. Cal is rough and tough, but shows his gentle side when he puts his life on the line to protect Lana. But I think Lana would have to be my favorite. She’s a fierce, strong heroine and was so much fun to write. Nothing phases her and when she’s backed against a wall she fights dirty.

Sharon: My favorite kind of heroine. If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?

Samantha: I would love to pick Cal’s brain. He comes across a little guarded at the beginning of the book, but I think he would make a very fun interviewee. He’s lived a dark and dangerous lifestyle and yet he’s gentle despite the shadows in his world.

What is the most challenging part of your writing process? The most challenging thing for me is losing momentum. I always go off with a bang, but mid-book I slow down as other inspirations flow for the next work I have in mind. ~…
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Sharon: Are your character based on real people, or do they come from your imaginations?

Samantha: My characters come from my imagination, but the male characters always carry a quality from my husband. In Abducted, Cal’s has two sets of tattoos on his forearms that read “Always vigilant.” My husband has tattoos in the same place that read “Always Conscious.” Which is a reminder for him to see things from every angle before making a judgement.

Sharon: How long did you take to write this book?

Samantha: I finished ABDUCTED in 2013. The original version took about eight months. In true writer fashion, it was rejected numerous times. I ended up having my first daughter and put it on hold. When I started writing again after she turned one, I decided to rewrite the book from scratch… in ten weeks. I queried it through a #PitMad request and the rest is history!

Sharon: What a great story! What kind of research did you do for this book?

Samantha: I’m from central Canada, so the bulk of my research was the location. I’m originally from B.C., so mountain scenery is something I gravitate to in my writing.

Sharon: What did you remove from this book during the editing process?

Samantha: In the last version of Abducted, Cal and Lana know each other prior to him kidnapping her. They had met at a gala and hadn’t seen each other since the initial night they had met… until he was hired to kill her. But my editor thought it best to cut that, and I’m glad we did!

Sharon: I love my editor for that very reason! Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Samantha: Pantser. I usually have a very rough idea of scenes in mind before I start, and then string them together as I go.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Pantser. I usually have a very rough idea of scenes in mind before I start, and then string them together as I go. ~ Samantha Keith #Authors18 @authorsamantha
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Sharon: What is your favorite part of your writing process?

Samantha: I love being a pantser and not always knowing what happens. I think if I had to have every chapter planned out, there would be no excitement. I love that when I’m stuck on how to end a chapter, I just throw in a shooting or something exciting and it snowballs from there.

Sharon: What is the most challenging part of your writing process?

Samantha: The most challenging thing for me is losing momentum. I always go off with a bang, but mid-book I slow down as other inspirations flow for the next work I have in mind.

Sharon: Yes, the curse of the writer. LOL. Can you share your writing routine?

Samantha: I have a three-year-old and three-month-old, so I write during naptime and once they’re in bed. It doesn’t provide me with many hours in a day, but I make it work.

Have you ever gotten writer’s block? If I hit small blocks I just keep moving forward or staying active with other works—like critiquing. That always keeps my creativity alive. ~ Samantha Keith #Authors18 @authorsamantha
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Sharon: Wow! You are busy!! Have you ever gotten writer’s block?

Samantha: After my father died several years ago I stopped writing for a while, and also when I got pregnant with my first daughter. But now if I hit small blocks I just keep moving forward or staying active with other works—like critiquing. That always keeps my creativity alive.

Sharon: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Samantha: Connect, connect, connect! Meeting other writers has been one of the best experiences. Everyone in this community has gone through exactly what you have and there’s no greater support system.

Sharon: Do you have any writing quirks?

Samantha: I wouldn’t say I have any quirks, per se, but I have a pet peeve of  “telling” words. I have a hard time using “thought, think, realized, etc.” This is obviously a good thing for a writer, but its like nails on a chalkboard when a copyeditor slips one of those in my book.

Sharon: I fight those words constantly!!! Tell us about yourself.

Samantha: I’m a stay-at-home-mom of two small girls and wife to my husband of nine years (I married young). I also have an eleven-year-old multi-poo named Teddy.

Sharon: I married young too! How did you get into writing?

Samantha: I’ve always written. I wrote poetry as a child and around age fifteen began writing stories. It wasn’t until my early to mid-twenties that I began to pursue a serious writing career.

How did you get into writing? I wrote poetry as a child and around age fifteen began writing stories. It wasn’t until my early to mid-twenties that I began to pursue a serious writing career. ~ Samantha Keith @authorsamantha #Authors18
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Sharon: Can you share something about yourself that most people probably don’t know?

Samantha: I’m a bit of a health nut, and I jump on any opportunity to persuade people to try acupuncture.  I’m also passionate about parental empowerment in pregnancy and natural childbirth.

Sharon: Which book influenced you the most?

Samantha: When I was young, my mom would come home with boxes of books from used book stores and I would read them so quickly she couldn’t keep up. Finally, when I was twelve she handed me FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC by V.C. Andrews and it was from there that I started reading more mature books. VANISHED by Karen Robards sparked my love for romantic suspense, though.

Sharon: I loved VANISHED as well! What are you working on right now?

Samantha:  I’m just wrapping up the first book of my next series and getting it ready to send off to my agent.

Sharon: What’s your favorite writing advice?

Samantha: Keep writing! And find a critique partner.

What’s your favorite writing advice? Keep writing! And find a critique partner. ~ Samantha Keith #Authors18 @authorsamantha
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Sharon: Thanks so much for being with us today and I can’t wait to hear about the other books in this series!

—————–

[image error]Samantha Keith resides in Saskatchewan, Canada, with her husband, two young daughters, and Teddy the family multi-poo. She spends her days sneaking chocolate and writing during naptime.  Aside from writing, she’s passionate about exercise and living a healthy lifestyle.

You can find ABDUCTED here: Amazon US | Amazon CA

You can find Samantha here: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

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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 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.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

 

The post Daring Debuts ’18: Samantha Keith’s New Release Abducted appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Beef Steak Fajitas

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Photo by Michael Browning on Unsplash

“Finally, lunch is served and the men love their Beef Steak Fajitas. The flank steak, which has been marinated in lime juice, garlic, and jalapeño peppers, is wrapped up in warm tortillas. Maybe it’s the meat, or maybe it’s because everyone is finally relaxing, but the conversation shifts again. And once Ty starts telling hilarious stories of a fight between Vane and Alex (another one of the men in Kells’s unit) in a Moroccan hotel, we laugh and begin appreciating this time together.

Things turn even funnier when Detective Garza, who’s had three Gold Rushes, tells Jersey jokes. As a born-and-bred New Jersey cop, he’s allowed. But by the time he’s done, our stomachs ache with laughing so much. And I realize, for the first time in eight years, how much I’ve missed this: the camaraderie, the companionship, and the deeper friendships.

Although I’ll never admit it out loud, Calum was right. This lunch was a good idea. Although I walked away from these men many years ago, I never realized until today how much I needed their acceptance . . . and forgiveness. I sit back in my chair, finish my fajita, and say a prayer of thanks that I’m finally home.”

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Beef Steak Fajitas

These are best served with warm tortillas and, of course, shots of tequila. If you're not a tequila-shooting kind of person (because it can make your clothes fall off!), then serve margaritas. Margaritas make everyone happy!

1 hr, 10 Prep Time

20 minCook Time

1 hr, 30 Total Time

Yields 4-6

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

MARINADE:Juice of 1 lime2 Tablespoons of olive oil2 cloves garlic, peeled, minced1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 fresh Jalapeño pepper, seeded, ribs removed, finely chopped (be careful not to touch your eyes or anywhere near your eyes after handling a Jalapeño pepper!)1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, including stems Fajitas1 Tbsp vegetable oil1 lb of flank steak, skirt steak or carne asada1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced with the grain, not against the grain as one would normally slice an onion. Slice first in half, and then slice off sections a half inch wide at widest point.2-3 bell peppers of various colors, stemmed, seeded, de-ribbed, sliced lengthwise into stripsSalt

Instructions

Marinate the steak: Mix all marinade ingredients. Coat the steak with the marinade and let it sit at room temperature for an hour, or longer in the fridge. Before you cook the meat, wipe off most of the marinade and sprinkle the steak with salt.2 Sear the steak on both sides: Set a large cast iron pan or griddle over high heat and let this heat up for 1-2 minutes. Add the tablespoon of oil to the pan and let this heat up for 1 minute. Add the steak, frying on each side for 3 minutes, or to desired doneness. 3 minutes per side will yield approximately medium rare doneness for an average cut of flank steak.Carne asada and skirt steak will need less time. If the pan starts to smoke too much, reduce the heat to medium-high. You want the steak browned, not burned.Remove from pan and let sit, tented with foil, for 5 minutes.Cook the vegetables while the meat is resting. Add a little more oil to the pan if necessary, then add the onions and bell peppers. Let these sear for 1 minute before stirring, then stir every 90 seconds or so as the veggies sear. Cook for 5-6 minutes total.Slice the meat across the grain into thin slices. If you slice the meat at an angle, you will be able to get your slices pretty thin. These cuts of steak are flavorful but can be a little tough, so thin slices will really help make it easier to eat.Serve immediately with shredded cheese, salsa, shredded iceberg lettuce, sour cream, guacamole and warm flour tortillas. (Hint for warming tortillas - put in microwave over a paper towel for 20 seconds on high heat.)7.8.1.255http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-beef-steak-fajitas/

“This Al Petteway song is so bittersweet, it makes me want to rush home and kiss my wife until we both melt away. Dessert will be served soon, I hope!”

[image error]Sharon Wray is a librarian who once 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 and their smart, sexy heroines retell Shakespeare’s greatest love stories.

Her 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.

It’s available in paperback, audio and e-book formats on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Beef Steak Fajitas appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Randee Green’s New Release Criminal Misdeeds

[image error]Today I’d like to welcome Randee Green and her new release CRIMINAL MISDEEDS to Daring Debuts!

Carrie Shatner is the detective and crime scene technician for the Wyatt County Sheriff’s Office in East Texas. She is also related to the majority of the local criminals – and the Shatners all expect Carrie to use her job to help them get away with or cover up their various crimes. When Carrie finds a dead body at the site of her family’s New Year’s Eve party, she is torn between family loyalty and finding the killer.

“A fun, Texas-style whodunit told with wry humor, quirky characters, and a sleuth you’ll want for a best friend. Never a dull moment!”

– Dianne Freeman, author of A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER

And here’s a teaser!

I come from a long line of criminals.

Moonshiners, rumrunners, and drug dealers. Horse thieves and carjackers. Bank robbers, burglars, pickpockets, and con artists. And then there has been the occasional killer. You name it, whether it’s a felony or a misdemeanor, somewhere along the line a member of my family has committed it.

As far back as the Shatner family could be traced – from southern England to the mountains of western North Carolina, and now to the Piney Woods of East Texas – we had been breaking the law. And running from it, too.

 It was a family tradition.

You see, the Shatners have never swum in the baby pool of life. We’ve always been out in the deep end, and we jumped in headfirst.

—————–

Sharon: I love the premise, Randee. Where did you get the idea?

Randee: I first came up with Carrie Shatner when I was a senior in high school. This was way back in late 2005/early 2006. At that time, I was reading a lot of mystery novels starring strong, female sleuths, and I decided I was going to attempt creating one of my own. I also liked the idea of writing a series. Even as a teenager who was still trying to figure out this novel writing thing, I instinctively knew that, once I’ve created a character, I am invested in his/her life. I want to give my characters more than one book to tell their story.

I don’t really remember when or how Carrie Shatner exactly came to life. Like Athena, who came kicking and screaming into the mythological world directly from Zeus’s forehead as an armed, adult woman, one day Carrie Shatner was there. And I immediately knew that she wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. This kick ass woman had a story to tell, and it was up to me to put that story into words. Basically, it was a hostile takeover of my brain…

Over the years, Carrie Shatner has gone through many transformations. In every version, she was in some form of law enforcement, but her job and place of employment changed more times than Cher would change outfits during her shows.

If this all sounds really confusing and frustrating, trust me, it was. At this point, the only thing about Carrie that hasn’t changed is her name.

Sharon: This is why I love talking to authors! How did you come up with your title?

Randee: My agent, Jennifer Alvarez of BookEnds LLC, is the one who came up with the title. I had originally been calling my novel FAMILY TRADITION in honor of the Hank Williams Jr. song. Trust me, once you meet Carrie Shatner’s family, you’ll understand how it was a fitting title. But Jessica didn’t think that FAMILY TRADITION sounded like the title of a mystery novel. So Jessica pitched some new titles at me, and we agreed that CRIMINAL MISDEEDS was a more genre appropriate title.

Do you have any writing quirks? Maybe some people would consider it quirky that I have full conversations with my characters where I carry on both sides of the conversation out loud… ~ Randee Green @RandeeGreen_12 #Authors18
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Sharon: What a great title story! If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?

Randee: I would love to spend the day hanging with almost all of my characters, but Carrie Shatner would have to be my first choice. She and I share a lot of similar interests and traits, so I’m fairly certain we would get along quite well. If I could spend the day with her, I think I’d just want her to take me on a tour of Wyatt County. I invented her world, but I’d love to have her show it to me. And maybe Carrie could take me to a Shatner family gathering so I could meet all of her crazy kin and pass the homebrewed moonshine around with them.

Sharon: I’d love to meet them all too! Are your character based on real people, or do they come from your imaginations?

Randee:  Honestly, it’s a little of both. My main characters mostly come from my imagination, but real people have been the spark that ignited ideas for certain characters. Once that spark is ignited into a fire, the character I come up with in no way resembles that real person that got the process started. As for minor characters who appear once or twice and only play a small role…I’ve been known to base some of them on real people.

Sharon: How long did you take to write this book?

Randee:  I worked on writing CRIMINAL MISDEEDS off-and-on for three-and-a-half years. I began writing CRIMINAL MISDEEDS in January 2011 when I was in grad school working on my MA in Creative Writing. It wasn’t until the summer of 2014 that I felt that CRIMINAL MISDEEDS was ready to be submitted to agents. I was almost immediately signed to BookEnds LLC. After some revisions, my agent began sending my novel out to publishers in the fall of 2014. It wasn’t until January of 2017 that CRIMINAL MISDEEDS was picked up by Coffeetown Press. Then it was another year of edits and revisions before the novel was published on July 1, 2018.

Sharon: I love stories of persistence. What kind of research did you do for this book?

Randee: The majority of the research I did for CRIMINAL MISDEEDS involved crime scene investigation and police investigation. I also did some research into the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety because one of my main characters, Jerrod Hardy, is a sergeant with the Texas Rangers.

What is your favorite part of your writing process? If I had to choose a favorite part of the process, it would be the revision stage. Then it’s just taking coal and transforming it into a diamond. ~ Randee Green #Authors18…
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Sharon: What did you remove from this book during the editing process?

Randee: CRIMINAL MISDEEDS has gone through so many editing processes – first with myself, then with my agent, and finally with my publisher. Through all of the editing, many scenes were revised/rewritten and countless things were removed from the novel. The first draft that I completed in early 2011 is vastly different from the novel that was published.

Sharon: I know those kinds of revisions well. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Randee: I am a little of both. I will thoroughly plot out my novels scene by scene before I begin writing, but I don’t always stick to what I’ve outlined. Just because something seemed like a good idea during the outlining process doesn’t mean that it will continue to be a good idea as the novel takes shape. I plotted out the third Carrie Shatner Mystery years ago, and I knew who the killer would be for a couple years before I started writing CRIMINAL HISTORY. I got to the scene where Carrie discovered who the killer was and it hit me that the killer I had planned on for years was no longer the killer. The real killer came as a huge surprise to me, as I hope it does to the readers. I had to go back and do some rewriting to accommodate for the new killer, but I feel that straying from my original outline allowed for a much stronger and interesting novel than sticking to my outline would have.

Sharon: What is your favorite part of your writing process, and why?

Randee:  I love all parts of the writing process – from the plotting all the way up through the final revisions. That’s not to say that the entire writing process can’t be a big pain in the butt. But if I had to choose a favorite part of the process, it would be the revision stage. By that point, I have a complete novel and that means that hardest part is over with. Then it’s just taking coal and transforming it into a diamond.

Sharon: What is the most challenging part of your writing process, and why?

Randee: For me, the hardest part is getting the first draft completely written. I have it all in my head, but it doesn’t always translate to the page in the way that I want it to. As I always say, I wish it could be as easy to write a book as it is to read one.

Sharon: Can you share your writing routine?

Randee: Right now, I work part time every morning. My afternoons are dedicated to writing or doing something writing related. I typically put in three to four hours every afternoon, and more on the weekends. I also put in a lot of time just thinking about my current project as well as future ones.

Sharon: Have you ever gotten writer’s block?

Randee: Writer’s block is a condition that I frequently suffer from. Sometimes it might last for a couple hours, and other times it can last for days. I’ve learned not to force it when I get stuck. I’ll either move on to something else – either revising something I previously wrote or working on a new scene. Or I might just put my writing aside so I can relax and allow my brain to focus on something else. The muses always come back to me when they are ready.

Have you ever gotten writer’s block? I’ve learned not to force it when I get stuck. I’ll either move on to something else – either revising something I previously wrote or working on a new scene. The muses always come back to me when…
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Sharon: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Randee: Don’t give up. Don’t stop writing. Believe in yourself.

Sharon: I love that! Do you have any writing quirks?

Randee:  I’m just a quirky person in general, but I don’t think I have any writing related quirks. Maybe some people would consider it quirky that I have full conversations with my characters where I carry on both sides of the conversation out loud…

Sharon: How did you get into writing?

Randee: I first realized that I wanted to be a writer when I was in second grade. Every day, my teacher, Mrs. Ziegler would read to us for about half an hour while we calmed down after we came in from recess. As an avid lover of books since before I could read, this was my favorite part of the school day.

I will never forget the day that Mrs. Ziegler began reading LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I was hooked from the first page. Mrs. Ziegler was partway through reading the first chapter of Little House in the Big Woods when the rest of the classroom just faded away, leaving me with the book. Just me and Laura. That’s when I sat up a little straighter and thought, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a writer.” It was more than a childish wish. It was a revelation and a declaration. A promise to myself that I spent years striving to fulfil.

How did you get into writing? I first realized that I wanted to be a writer when I was in second grade. I will never forget the day that Mrs. Ziegler began reading LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I was hooked…
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Sharon: Apart from novel writing, do you do any other kinds of writing?

Randee: I write in a journal on a fairly regular basis. I began journaling around my tenth birthday, so this is something I’ve been doing for twenty years. I used to write in my journals every day, and I would write about everything – except for certain important things that I should have been keeping track of like progress on what I was writing and the development of Carrie Shatner. These days I only write in my journal when something happens that I definitely want to remember. I also have a blog on my website, and I try to post something on there a couple times a week.

Sharon: Can you share something about yourself that most people probably don’t know?

Randee: I am a huge professional wrestling fan, though I’m not as into it as I used to be when I was a teenager. But there are few things in this world that I love more than hot, sweaty men in speedos.

Sharon: LOL! I totally agree!! What are you working on right now?

Randee: I’m currently working on a new mystery series idea starring a spunky, strong, amateur female sleuth. I also have an idea for a historical novel that I’ve been doing some research on.

Sharon: I can’t wait to read them when they’re done. What’s your favorite writing advice?

Randee: While I have heard/read countless bits of writing advice over the years, the one piece of advice that has really stuck with me is something that one of my mentors told me when I was in graduate school for creative writing. My mentor told me to “just write the damn thing.” It’s poignant and straight to the point.

What’s your favorite writing advice? My mentor told me to “just write the damn thing.” It’s poignant and straight to the point. ~ Randee Green #Authors18 @RandeeGreen_12
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Sharon: What book are you currently reading?

Randee: I am currently reading A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman. It is a captivating and funny historical mystery novel, and I highly suggesting checking it out.

Sharon: Thanks so much for sharing your debut with us today, Randee, and I wish you the best too luck!

——————–

[image error]Randee Green’s passion for reading began in grade school with LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, as well as a master’s and an MFA in Creative Writing. When not writing, she’s usually reading, indulging in her passion for Texas country music, traveling, or hanging out with her favorite feline friend, Mr. Snookums G. Cat.

You can find CRIMINAL MISDEEDS here: Amazon

You can find Randee here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

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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 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.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post Daring Debuts ’18: Randee Green’s New Release Criminal Misdeeds appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Tomato & Spinach Pie

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Photo by lum3n on Unsplash

“We’ve moved into the private dining room that Calum reserved and the chef has sent out Tomato and Spinach Pie. A combination of fresh summer tomatoes, fresh spinach, sweet Georgia onions, pepper jack cheese, garlic, and Creole seasonings, this appetizer is the perfect summer dish. And one I haven’t had in a very long time.

Now that we’re seated, and eating to work off the Gold Rush buzz, the mood has changed a bit. Nate, Pete, and the other men–all ex-Green Berets who now work at Iron Rack’s Gym–seem worried. They have an enemy who haunts them and many unanswered questions like why their unit was dishonorably discharged. I feel for them. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be helping them. Yet, at the same time, I want to enjoy the fact that I defeated my enemy and won my happy ending. And I don’t like the fact that Calum, Philip and Garza have nothing to add to the discussion.

So I make a toast to all the women we love and bring the conversation back to something that we can all agree upon — we’d be nothing without the women who love us. And now it’s on to the main course because the sooner we eat, the sooner I can return home to my wife.”

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Tomato & Spinach Pie

20 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

Yields 6-8

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

2 large ripe fresh tomatoes, sliced thinSalt1 large sweet onion, sliced thin1 tablespoon butter or olive oil1 teaspoon sugar1 garlic clove, mincedGood dash of Creole seasoningBaked pie crust for single pie1 cup fresh spinach, torn2 teaspoons mayonnaiseblack pepperGrated pepper jack cheese

Instructions

Salt the tomatoes and let rest on paper towels for an hour or more to remove excess liquid. Tomatoes need to be very dry.Sauté the onions in the butter over medium heat, sprinkle with the sugar and cook until caramelized. Stir in the garlic toward the end of cooking.Defrost the spinach in the microwave cooking on medium high for a minute or two. Remove spinach from cryovac package and add to the onions. Let simmer to reduce liquid and seasoning with Creole seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.Blot the tomatoes with paper towels to remove excess liquid and salt. Place a spoon full of spinach mixture in the baked shell along the side and top with a tomato. Continue around the shell and finish filling in the middle.Lightly sprinkle cheese over the pie. Cover edges of pie crust with foil to protect from burning. Bake for 30 minutes or until set and top is brown. Turn broiler on if needed to brown the cheese.Note: You can omit the frozen cream spinach by making your own, or use torn fresh spinach wilted down a bit and mix with a little mayo that is just as good.7.8.1.257http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-tomato-spinach-pie/

“While the music has turned more mournful, I hate to admit it suits the men’s moods. We just gotta believe that not only can we fight back against our enemies, but that we’ll win.”

[image error]Sharon Wray is a librarian who once 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 and their smart, sexy heroines retell Shakespeare’s greatest love stories.

Her 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.

It’s available in paperback, e-book, and audio on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Tomato & Spinach Pie appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Sarahlyn Bruck’s New Release Designer You

[image error]Today I’d like to welcome Sarahlyn Bruck and her new release DESIGNER YOU to Daring Debuts!

“This is a gorgeous debut from Sarahlyn Bruck. Heart-wrenching and beautifully-written, Designer Youstarts with a gut-punch and only gets better. My soul ached for Pam from page 1, and I didn’t want to stop reading. I can’t wait for Bruck’s next book.” ~ Laura Heffernan, author of the Reality Starseries

———-

Pam and Nate were a couple who just couldn’t get away from each other, sharing not only their bed, but also a successful lifestyle empire as DIY home renovators, bloggers, podcasters, and co-authors. When Nate dies in a freak accident, Pam becomes a 44-year-old widow, at once too young and too old—too young to be thrust into widowhood and too old to rejoin the dating pool.

Now the single mother of a headstrong and grief-stricken teenager, Pam’s life becomes a juggling act between dealing with her loss and learning how to parent by herself. On top of all that she also must reinvent herself or lose the empire that she and Nate had built so carefully. It is time for Pam to seize the opportunity to step up as a mother, come out from behind Nate’s shadow, and rise as the sole face of the Designer You brand, and maybe, possibly, hopefully, find love again.

———–

Sharon: What a wonderful story premise. Where did you get the idea?

Sarahlyn: The spark for the idea came from when my husband decided to build a roof deck on his own. I was terrified he’d build too close to the edge and fall off. It got me thinking, what if he did? How do you cope when you lose your spouse in middle age? My main character, Pam, is 44—she’s done having kids, she has an established career. And she lives in a time when she has all this life left to live, but now without her husband and partner. I wanted to know how she and her teenage daughter could not only move on, but heal and create a new life with hope and happiness.

Sharon: I think that’s every wife’s fear! What’s the story behind the title?

Sarahlyn: My husband is a genius at titles. On a long car trip one day, we just brainstormed titles and came up with DESIGNER YOU. We both loved it, and fortunately, so did my publisher!

What is the most challenging part of your writing process? All parts of the process are both my favorite and challenging. Some days ideas or edits or outlining come easily and the process feels effortless and fun. Other days getting…
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Sharon: I love the stories behind titles. Can you tell us something we won’t find out just by reading the book jacket?

Sarahlyn: Although the book deals with how to cope after a monumental loss, it has quite a bit of humor in it. It’s not dark.

Sharon: Can you tell us about your favorite character?

Sarahlyn: Aside from Pam, who I adore and root for, I have such a soft spot for her daughter, Grace. Grace is fifteen and struggling. Not only has she just lost her dad, her mom is working too hard and unavailable and has pawned off parenting duties to her clueless grandparents. Meanwhile, school has all of a sudden become all about planning for a future she feels entirely unprepared for. She’s not ready to think about SATs and college. She’d rather forget about her grief and school stress by playing lacrosse with her team or teaching kids how to swim at the local pool.

Sharon: If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?

Sarahlyn: I would love to spend time with Pam’s best friend, Becky, maybe have a glass of wine and chat. She’s a great friend—kind and supportive and fun, but also no-nonsense and totally honest. She has a great sense of humor, too.

Have you ever gotten writer’s block? When I get stuck, which is often, I go back to my outline. I’m constantly moving back and forth between small-scale, individual scenes and my big-picture outlines. And I like to know what I’m…
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Sharon: Are your character based on real people, or do they come from your imagination?

Sarahlyn: My characters all originate from my imagination, but I must admit, Bernie Scott was inspired by a certain famous Philadelphia politician.

Sharon: As a librarian I have to ask, what kind of research did you do for this book?

Sarahlyn: I did a ton of research about the design world. I love old homes—I live in one, actually—and had a blast reading scores of design blogs and magazines and how-tos.

Sharon: I know this is a controversial question but are you a plotter or a pantser?

Sarahlyn: Plotter for sure. I’m obsessed with outlining.

Sharon: What is the most challenging part of your writing process, and why?

Sarahlyn: All parts of the process are both my favorite and challenging. Some days ideas or edits or outlining come easily and the process feels effortless and fun. Other days getting words on the page is a slog or trying to solve why a moment isn’t working stops me dead in my tracks. But the longer I keep at it, I can loosen those knots. It takes patience.

Sharon: Can you share your writing routine?

Sarahlyn: I can write anywhere, but mostly I write at my desk in my home office. I have a full-time day job—I teach college writing and literature—so I write around my teaching schedule. Mostly, my writing happens in the morning, after I’ve had my coffee and breakfast.

Sharon: I’m a morning writer too. Have you ever gotten writer’s block? If yes, how do you overcome it?

Sarahlyn: When I get stuck, which is often, I go back to my outline. I’m constantly moving back and forth between small-scale, individual scenes and my big-picture outlines. And I like to know what I’m writing toward. If I still can’t figure it out, I’ll move onto another scene that I find easier to write and then go back. Often that helps.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? I would prepare myself to play the long game and get used to waiting. And while waiting, write! ~ Sarahlyn Bruck #Authors18 @sarahbruck
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Sharon: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Sarahlyn: I would prepare myself to play the long game and get used to waiting. And while waiting, write!

Sharon: Can you share a bit about yourself?

Sarahlyn: I live in Philadelphia with my husband, daughter, and cockapoo. I teach writing and literature full-time at a local community college and also serve as a book coach for Author Accelerator.

Sharon: How did you get into writing?

Sarahlyn: I’ve always written. I was that kid in class who used daily journaling to create meandering adventure chapter books.

Which book influenced you the most? Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books were my in to storytelling. I’ve been hooked ever since! ~ Sarahlyn Bruck #Authors18 @sarahbruck
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Sharon: Which book influenced you the most?

Sarahlyn: Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books were my in to storytelling. I’ve been hooked ever since!

Sharon: I adored those books as well. What are you working on right now?

Sarahlyn: I’m editing a book about a soap opera actress who’s been on the same show for twenty-five years—since she was a teenager—and learns that her show is canceled.

Sharon: That sounds like fun! What’s your favorite writing advice?

Sarahlyn: Write (almost) every day. I find that when I maintain sustained focus on a project, it’s so much easier to write. I allow occasional breaks, but not for very long.

What’s your favorite writing advice? Write (almost) every day. I find that when I maintain sustained focus on a project, it’s so much easier to write. I allow occasional breaks, but not for very long. ~ Sarahlyn Bruck #Authors18…
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Sharon: What book are you currently reading?

Sarahlyn: I just finished Meg Wolitzer’s The Female Persuasion. Great book! I’m about to jump into Dawn Ius’s Lizzie, a reimagining of the Lizzie Borden true-life tale. I can’t wait.

Sharon: I can’t wait to read Lizzie. It looks amazing! Thank you so much for spending the day with us, Sarahlyn!

——————-

[image error]Sarahlyn Bruck writes contemporary women’s fiction and lives in Philadelphia with her husband, daughter, and cockapoo. She is the author of Designer You, published by Crooked Cat Books on August 31, 2018. She has an MA in English from Cal State Los Angeles and teaches writing and literature as an associate professor at a local community college. She also coaches writers for Author Accelerator.

DESIGNER YOU is Sarahlyn’s debut novel, and she is hard at work on her next book.

You can find DESIGNER YOU here: Amazon

You can find Sarahlyn here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads 

[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once 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.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post Daring Debuts ’18: Sarahlyn Bruck’s New Release Designer You appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Gold Rush Cocktail

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Photo by Eaters Collective on Unsplash

“So, despite my reputation for being a rebel and the fact I’m an ex-con, I don’t drink a lot. I never have because I like to keep my wits about me. But today, since Calum is throwing me a Bachelor’s Lunch which he’s planned down to the weather, the other men and I are trying the drink of the day called a Gold Rush. It’s a combo of bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. All I can say is it’s a good thing Calum’s butler Ivers is taking us home because there’s no way any of us could drive after even one of these!

The interesting thing is that since we started throwing these drinks back, the conversation has shifted from sports to women. Since I have mine, I’m enjoying the very random and very wrong advice. No wonder most of them aren’t married!”

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Gold Rush Cocktails

This drink really needs a high proof bourbon such as Booker's Bourbon, Angel's Envy, or Old Grand Dad Bonded. This drink is also made one at a time, hence the serving size of one drink per 2 ounces of bourbon.

10 minPrep Time

2 minCook Time

12 minTotal Time

Yields 1 drink

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

Drink2 ounces bourbon3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice3/4 ounce honey syrupHoney Syrup1 cup water1 cup honey

Instructions

For the honey syrup: combine water and the honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly, until honey is dissolved. Cool.Fill a shaker with ice and add the bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Shake ten seconds, until chilled. Strain into an ice-filled double old fashioned glass.

Notes

The syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

7.8.1.256http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-gold-rush-cocktail/

“I’m also enjoying the guitar player who’s added a female singer to his act. This song reminds me of the the past year and everything that’s happened. I’m so grateful that I made it home alive.”

[image error]Sharon Wray is a librarian who once 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 and their smart, sexy heroines retell Shakespeare’s greatest love stories.

Her 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.

It’s available in paperback, audio and e-book on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Gold Rush Cocktail appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Shari Randall’s New Release Curses, Boiled Again!

[image error]Today I’d like to welcome Shari Randall and her new release Curses, Boiled Again! to Daring Debuts.

Here’s some praise for Curses, Boiled Again!

“Delightful! A fun whodunit full of New England coastal charm and characters who feel like friends. Warm humor, a delectable plot, and clever sleuthing will keep you turning the pages.” Krista Davis, NYT Bestselling author of the Domestic Diva mysteries

———

Shari: Today I’m with Sharon and our awesome writing group Authors 18 at one of my favorite lobster shacks, Ford’s, on the southeastern shore of Connecticut. The sun’s sparkling on the water, a warm breeze is blowing, and sailboats are sliding by the dock. Lobster rolls for everyone!

Sharon: Yay! These lobster rolls are delicious! I love the melted butter.

Shari: I knew you’d like them.

Sharon: *sips frosty beverage* Can you tell us something bout your new cozy mystery Curses, Boiled Again!?

Shari: Curses, Boiled Again! is a mystery set in a New England village called Mystic Bay. There’s a murder at a food festival which entangles my heroine, Allegra Larkin, a former dancer who is working at her aunt’s Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack while she recuperates from an injury.

Curses, Boiled Again! is a mystery set in a New England village called Mystic Bay with a murder at a food festival and a former dancer who's working at her aunt’s Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack. ~ Shari Randall #authors18 @s_randallauthor
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Sharon: I love the title. How much research did you do for this story?

Shari: Last summer I spent a week on a lobster roll eating extravaganza, er, research tour. My husband and I traveled along Route 1 – which runs along the New England coast — visiting quaint towns along the shore, checking out cedar-shingled lobster shacks covered with sun-faded buoys and circled by hungry diners and thieving sea gulls. Did I learn anything beyond how nice it is to sit on a dock with a cold beverage and a hot lobster roll as the sun sets? You bet, and I put all those delicious details into the books.

Sharon: How fun! I love research. LOL. Why is New England such a great setting for a mystery?

Shari: The appeal lies in several elements, one of which is right in the name. New England has many small villages, just like the ones you’ll find in British mysteries — charming places where the residents have known each other forever, where there are long memories and long buried secrets. I do like long-buried secrets.

New England has many small villages, charming places where the residents have known each other forever, where there are long memories and long buried secrets.~ Shari Randall #Authors18 @s_randallauthor
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Sharon: There’s nothing like a long-buried secret! What’s the recipe for a good mystery?

Shari: An intriguing setting, a fish out of water detective, and a tightly plotted mystery.

Sharon: Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Shari: A plotter outlines carefully. A pantser writes without a plan. I just read a blog that said there’s a third option – a puzzler. A puzzler writes individual scenes and then figures out how they go together. That fits me to a T.

I just read a blog that said there’s a third option (to pantsing and plotting) – a puzzler. A puzzler writes individual scenes and then figures out how they go together. That fits me to a T. ~ Shari Randall #Authors18 @s_randallauthor
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Sharon: I’m a puzzler too! What are people saying about Curses, Boiled Again!?

Shari: One reviewer compared Curses, Boiled Again to Murder, She Wrote. I was really happy about the comparison – I’ve always been a fan of that show.

Sharon: Me too. What’s next?

Shari: Book Two of the series, Against the Claw, releases on July 31 from St. Martin’s Press. When the body of a young woman is pulled from the waters off Mystic Bay, Allie – oops! Don’t want to give any spoilers!

Sharon: No! Please don’t share spoilers!! Thanks so much for spending time with us today, Shari, and helping us eat all of these lobsters. I hope you come back when your next book comes out!

———–

[image error]To learn more about Shari, head on over to her publisher’s page at Macmillan 

You can find Shari, and learn more about her mermaid obsession, here: Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | Website

You can find Curses, Boiled Again! here: Amazon | B&N | Books-a-Million | iBooks | IndieBound

 

[image error]

Sharon Wray is a librarian who once 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 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.

It’s available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

 

 

The post Daring Debuts ’18: Shari Randall’s New Release Curses, Boiled Again! appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cheese Straws

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Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

“My name is Rafe Montfort and my bride is Juliet Capel. Although we were recently married, our friend Calum Prioleau insisted on throwing me a Bachelor Lunch. I never wanted a Bachelor’s lunch, especially since I haven’t been a bachelor for almost ten years. (Those nine months when I was divorced from Juliet never counted because in my heart we were still married.) But since Juliet and her friends are having a Bridal Lunch at the same time, I said yes.

Now I’m ensconced, with my friends, in the lounge of a hotel restaurant in Savannah’s Historic District. Calum invited my brother Philip, Detective Garza, and a few of my army buddies. Nate and Pete who were all over the free drinks and great food. Cain, Zack, Ty, and Luke–also ex-Green Berets I’ve known for years–who’ve just arrived in Savannah are sitting awkwardly probably because they’re still not sure why I was released from prison. Vane, another buddy, declined. And no way was I inviting my former CO Kells Torridan.

Of course Calum is here as the master of ceremonies and overall manipulator of everything in his world.

The waiter just arrived with drinks and our first course: Cheese Straws. A specialty of the south, Cheese Straws are a classic appetizer bread made with sharp cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. A perfect start to what will be a memorable day. And I promise not to text Juliet to find out what she’s doing now. Although I can’t help but wonder if she’s missing me as much s I miss her.”

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cheese Straws

This is an adaptation of two recipes: one from my sister-in-law and the other from Charleston Magazine

30 minPrep Time

15 minCook Time

45 minTotal Time

Yields 30

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated4 Tablespoons butter, softened and cut into 8 pieces3/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 tsp. kosher salt1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakesdash of paprika1 Tablespoon half-and-half or light cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.In a food processor, combine the cheese, butter, flour, salt, red pepper, and paprika and process in bursts until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add the half-and-half (or light cream) and process until the dough forms a ball.On a lightly floured surface, and with a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into an 8" x 10" x 1/8" rectangle. With a sharp knife also coated in flour, cut the dough into 4" long strips, 1/4" wide. After every four cuts, re-coat the knife in flour to keep the cuts neat.Gently transfer strips to the parchment-lined pan, keeping a 1/2" between each strip.Or, for a more decorative option, use a cookie press with a star-shaped tip. Following the press directions, use the dough to make long ribbon-like strips on the parchment-lined pan. Cut the lengths into 4" strips.The straws can be any length, from 2 to 10 inches. 4 inches is easy to transfer to the pan without breaking and also easy to eat. But it doesn't really matter. The baking time is the same regardless of the length.Bake the straws on the middle rack, one pan at a time, until the ends are just lightly browned, 13 - 15 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn.Remove from the oven and set the baking pan on a rack to cool.Serve when cool. Cheese straws will keep in the refrigerator, in a sealed container, for two days. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month.7.8.1.253http://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-cheese-straws/

Photo of cheese straws courtesy of gkrew via Wikimedia Commons

“Oh, and there’s a fantastic guitar player set up near the bar. I know nothing about music, but this guy playing Al Petteway covers is phenomenal.”

[image error]Sharon Wray is a librarian who once 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 and their smart, sexy heroines retell Shakespeare’s greatest love stories.

Her 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.

It’s available in paperback, e-book, and audio at: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo.

Adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cheese Straws appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Amanda Skenadore’s New Release Between Earth and Sky

[image error]Today I’d like to welcome Amanda Skenandore and her new historical fiction release BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY to Daring Debuts!

“Sweeping, epic, heart-wrenching, and powerful . . . This thought-provoking novel illuminates the plight of Native American children and the planned destruction of a culture and a people. It’s a well-written, carefully researched, compelling novel for anyone fascinated by this hidden piece of our history.” —RT Book Reviews

“A beautifully written debut, Between Earth and Sky is an eye-opening reminder of the United States’s attempt to assimilate and oppress Native Americans by stripping them of their identity and culture, and the tragic aftermath that left them lost between two worlds. This novel is, by turns, brilliant, heartbreaking, and haunting. I wish I had written it!” —Ellen Marie Wiseman, author of The Life She was Given

BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY is coming of age story set at the tragic intersection of white and Native American culture in the years following the Indian Wars. The main character, Alma, is the only white child at the “savage-taming” boarding school run by her father. The school was intended to assimilate the children of neighboring Indian reservations. Instead, it robs them of everything they’d known—language, customs, even their names. As an adult Alma must reckon with the school’s destructive legacy; with love, racism, and betrayal; and the sacrifices made in the name of belonging.

————–And here’s a teaser:

A loud whack brought silence to the room. Alma flinched and glanced up from her stew. Miss Wells stood at the end of the dining table, her ruler flat against the wooden surface.

“English only, children,” she said.

“But the Indians still don’t know any English,” Alma mistakenly said aloud.

Miss Wells turned and flashed that crooked-toothed smile Alma had come to hate. “Then they should refrain from speaking altogether.”

———————

Sharon: I am so excited to share your new release, Amanda. Where did you get the idea?

Amanda: I came across black and white photographs from the late 1800s of Native American children dressed in military garb. My mother-in-law, herself a Native American, explained they were pictures of boarding school students, taken from their homes and stripped of their cultural identities so they might assimilate into white society. I had never learned about this dark and tragic part of US history and wanted to bring it to light for others.

Sharon: I’d only heard bits and pieces of this history before and look forward to learning more about it. What’s the story behind the title? Did you come up with it yourself?

Amanda: I’m terrible with titles. The story went through two working titles before my agent and I settled upon BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY. I didn’t love the title initially and thought the publisher might change it, but my editor really liked it. Seeing it now on the cover of the book, I’m glad that’s the title we went with.

Sharon: I think it’s a beautiful title! Can you tell us about your favorite character?

Amanda: My favorite character is Askuwheteau. He meets my main character, Alma, at the “savage-taming” boarding school run by her father. I love Askuwheteau for his bravery and conviction. Yet he’s vulnerable too—a little boy so far from home and all that’s familiar. And he’s imperfect, the way we all ultimately are.

My favorite character is Askuwheteau.I love Askuwheteau for his bravery and conviction. Yet he’s vulnerable too—a little boy so far from home and all that’s familiar. And he’s imperfect, the way we all ultimately are. ~ Amanda…
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Sharon: If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?

Amanda: If I could spend a day with one of my characters it would be Hįčoga. Of all Alma’s friends, she’s the most fun-loving and sanguine. We’d sneak out into the night, as she and Alma do, to dance and sing and eat stolen apples around a bonfire.

Sharon: That sounds like so much fun. Are your character based on real people, or do they come from your imaginations?

Amanda: While I endeavored to make the story as true to history as possible, Stover School for Indians is a fictitious place and all my characters are likewise imagined. The circumstances of Askuwheteau’s life after leaving Stover were inspired, in part, by the real-life experiences of a Lakota man named Tasunka Ota, who attended the Carlisle Industrial Indian School in the 1880s. My hope in writing this story was to bring to light his struggle and those of the many Native American children whose lives were damaged or destroyed in the name of assimilation.

My hope in writing this story was to bring to light his struggle and those of the many Native American children whose lives were damaged or destroyed in the name of assimilation. ~ Amanda Skenadore #Authors18 @ARShenandoah

Sharon: How long did you take to write this book?

Amanda: I began writing BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY in 2012. It took four months write the first draft and another four years to revise and edit. After I found an agent and publisher it was two years (almost to the day) that the book was released.

Sharon: What a great story! What kind of research did you do for this book?

Amanda: Research is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. It’s not only reading history texts and biographies, but also visiting museums and cultural sites. It’s trying foods your characters might have eaten and walking the streets where they would have lived. It’s watching documentaries and talking with language experts. It’s learning how to lace a corset and start a fire in a coal-burning stove. These were all part of my research process for BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY.

Sharon: What did you remove from this book during the editing process?

Amanda: I removed entire chapters during the editing process (and added others in). I merged characters and reworked the sequence of the narrative.

Sharon: I know how much hard work that is. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Amanda: I’m a plotter. I outline my entire story—scene by scene—before I sit down to write. That’s not to say that things don’t change as I write and revise, but the overall story arch usually remains intact.

Sharon: What is your favorite part of your writing process, and why?

Amanda: I love the research phase of writing because history, especially the quirky details of day-to-day life in bygone eras, fascinate me. I also really enjoy the revision process. It’s both creative and analytic. It’s where that lump of coal of a first draft becomes a diamond.

I love the research phase of writing because history, especially the quirky details of day-to-day life in bygone eras, fascinate me. I also really enjoy the revision process. It’s both creative and analytic. It’s where that lump of…
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Sharon: What is the most challenging part of your writing process, and why?

Amanda: As much as I enjoy the revision process, it is also the most challenging for me. I struggle to fend off complete despair (this novel is terrible and needs so much work!) while at the same time not give into laziness (this novel is fine the way it is and doesn’t need another pass).

Sharon: I’m the opposite! I much prefer revising to drafting. Can you share your writing routine?

 Amanda: I work part-time as a registered nurse and unusually write on my days off. I like to have several hours of interrupted time to devote to my story. When I’m under deadline, however, I’ll go to a coffee shop or library after my shift at the hospital and write then too, even if just for a few hours.

Sharon: Have you ever gotten writer’s block? If yes, how do you overcome it?

Amanda: I make a deal with myself whenever I get writer’s block: Just sit down and write for 30 minutes. I also remind myself it’s okay to write a crappy first draft. That’s usually enough to get the words flowing again.

I make a deal with myself whenever I get writer’s block: Just sit down and write for 30 minutes. I also remind myself it’s okay to write a crappy first draft. That’s usually enough to get the words flowing again. ~ Amanda Skenadore …
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Sharon:  If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Amanda: The process takes a lot longer than you think, but it’s worth it.

Sharon:  Amen, sister! LOL. Do you have any writing quirks?

Amanda: Whether in my home office or at a coffee shop, I like to write facing a window. Were it not for the glare of sunlight on my computer screen and 115-degree heat of Las Vegas summers, I’d write outside.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? The process takes a lot longer than you think, but it’s worth it. ~ Amanda Skenadore #Authors18 @ARShenandoah
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Sharon: How did you get into writing?

Amanda: I’ve always been a daydreamer and lover of writing, but it wasn’t until my late twenties when I took a short-story class that I decided to make a real go of it. I quit my day job and wrote a novel (not a very good one). I queried it to several agents but got nowhere. I found another day job and kept writing. I read craft books, joined a writers group, attended conferences. Eventually, after several years and numerous revisions, my second novel sold.

Sharon:  Which book influenced you the most?

Amanda: A few come to mind: Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward; To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Sharon: Great choices! What are you working on right now?

Amanda: I’m working on a story about an undertaker’s assistant set in New Orleans during the waning months of post-Civil War Reconstruction.

Sharon: I can’t wait to hear more about it. What’s your favourite writing advice?

Amanda: “Writing is a miserable, awful business. Stay with it. It is better than anything in the world.” – Ann Patchett

What’s your favourite writing advice? “Writing is a miserable, awful business. Stay with it. It is better than anything in the world.” – Ann Patchett (and Amanda Skenadore) #Authors18 @ARShenandoah
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Sharon: Thank you so much for spending the day with us, Amanda, and for sharing your new release! I know we’ll be hearing so much more from you in the future!!

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Amanda Skenandore is a historical fiction writer and infection control nurse. In writing Between Earth and Sky, she has drawn on the experiences of a close relative, a member of the Ojibwe Tribe, who survived an Indian mission school in the 1950s. When she’s not writing or chasing germs, Amanda gardens and volunteers with her local writers group. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and their pet turtle Lenore. Readers can visit her at www.amandaskenandore.com.

You can find BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

You can find Amanda here: Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Instagram | Goodreads

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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 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.

It’s available on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | IndieBound | Kobo.

And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post Daring Debuts ’18: Amanda Skenadore’s New Release Between Earth and Sky appeared first on Sharon Wray.