Sharon Wray's Blog, page 93

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Juliet’s Key Lime Cake

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Photo by Marissa Rodriguez on Unsplash

“It’s been a wonderful afternoon! My friends and I have talked about the wonders of marriage, the benefits of sandals versus stilettos, and all of our loved ones who we miss terribly. Charlotte tells a racy joke that sends Miss Nell into fits of laughter, while Samantha tries to explain the benefits of eating cookies for breakfast. Maddie, who has a young daughter, shares the trials and tribulations of raising a precocious eight-year old by herself–including hilarious stories of her time as a Brownie leader.

But the best surprise of the day? Cook has made Key Lime Cake. Not just one of my favorite desserts that’s covered with a lime buttercream frosting, but it’s one of the few recipes I have from my paternal grandmother. We used another of my grandmother’s recipe, a butter-yogurt poundcake, for our wedding cake. Four recipes and my silver hair combs were all that I salvaged from the manor before . . . well, you know the rest.

We move to the patio overlooking Calum’s garden–one of the most beautiful in the city. The sun is still out, but thunder rumbles in the distance and the rising scents of ozone and gardenias fill the air. Lights are woven through the nearby trees. Ivers serves coffee, and we brave Savannah’s humidity to enjoy the day’s lingering heat. A radio plays one of my favorite love songs which I’ve added below. Although I didn’t have a bridal shower–or time to even plan my wedding–I’m so happy to have had a traditional bridal lunch even if it’s after the fact and in a non-traditional way.

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Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

As I sip my coffee and finish my dessert (because I always finish my dessert), I can’t help but think about how blessed I am. About how close Rafe and I came to not having our Happily Ever After. And it’s the women here today who helped remind me of who I needed to become when all I could focus on was the sadness of the past.

But that’s over now . . . and it’s almost time to tell another story.

I’m torn–it’s been a beautiful day and I don’t want it to end, but . . . I miss my husband. He has to work tonight at the club and I’m hoping, before he leaves, that we can spend some together. Alone. ” ~ Juliet Capel, EVERY DEEP DESIRE

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Juliet's Key Lime Cake

This is an adaption of two recipes: one from my grandmother and the other from an old Betty Crocker cookbook. This cake is easy to make and can be made in a 9" x 13" x 2" pan, two 8" x 4" loaf pans, or 2 9" round pans. Just watch the cooking time. I make this in two loaf pans and then freeze one of the cakes. It can be frozen, without frosting, for up to two weeks.

20 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

Yields 8-12

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

For the Cake3/4 cup butter, softened1 2/3 cups superfine sugar3 large eggs1 cup milk2 teaspoons vanilla extract1/4 cup key lime juice (I use Nellie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice)2 teaspoons lime zest (If you can't find Key limes, use regular)2 3/4 cups flour1 Tablespoon baking powder3/4 teaspoon saltLime Frosting4 oz butter, softened4 oz cream cheese, softened2 cups confectioners sugar2 teaspoons lime zest4 tablespoons lime juicegreen food coloring, if desired

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.Spray two 8" x 4" loaf pans (or a 9" x 13" x 2" pan) with non-stick spray.With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar.On slow speed, beat in milk, vanilla, lime juice, lime zest.Add flour, baking powder and salt and beat until just blended.Pour the batter into pan. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes (25 - 30 minutes for the 9 x 13 pan) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.Cool cake and cut each cake into three layers, cross-wise. Set aside.Fresh Lime FrostingIn a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.On low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy.Add lime zest and lime juice, beating until well combined.If desired, add a drop of green food coloring and beat until blended.Frost the first layer of cake. Place the second layer on top and frost. Then add the third layer and frost the top and sides.Recipe Type: Dessert

Notes

And if you can't find Key limes or lime juice, use regular limes. It's a slightly different taste but it's still wonderful. If you use a 9" x 13" x 2" pan, or divide the loaf cake into three crosswise sections, you'll need the icing recipe as it stands below. If you want to frost two loaf cakes or two round cakes, or just like lots of icing, double the frosting recipe.

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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 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 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 Key Lime Cake appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Jaycee Jarvis’s New Release Taxing Courtship

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Today I’d like to welcome Jaycee Jarvis and her debut novel TAXING COURTSHIP to Daring Debuts. TAXING COURTSHIP is book 1 in The Hands of Destin Series.

“In a sultry magical realm, an enchanting Lady ensnares a virtuous tax-collector into her dangerous double life. Can he make an honest woman of a thief?”

Lady by day, lock-pick by night, Em has some serious misgivings about her latest sneak job. It stinks of espionage, and she’d be much more comfortable with straight forward theft. Her intuition proves right when she is confronted by her client, a sweet and sexy mind-reading tax-collector named Quintin and the job turns sour when they are discovered by his blackmailing boss. Posing as lovers to throw off the scent, the passionate embrace haunts Em even as she returns to her brittle facade as a pampered Lady of the Realm.

Her double life is further threatened when her criminal contact is thrown in the stocks, leaving her in danger of exposure, and even worse, with no way to support the temple that has been her responsibility since her mother’s death when she was twelve. In desperation, she seeks Quintin out and is horrified to discover he is a Hand of Destin, marked for service to the Troika by a feline familiar. Hands are loyal and true, defenders of the weak, upholders of the law, notoriously honor-bound—in short everything that she, a willing outlaw, is not.

Despite their differences, the attraction between Em and Quintin only grows stronger, even as she tries new ways to earn the beans she needs for her temple. When Em’s father starts talking marriage settlements with a wealthy, but odious, suitor, Em realizes just how much Quintin means to her. But can she find a way to save her temple and still marry her poor but perfect tax collector?

——————–HERE’S AN EXCERPT——————-

“My name is Han-Auditor Quintin of Jardin. I am a Hand and Elkart is my waccat.”

Em shook her head. He had to be lying. He was her client, not a Hand. “You can’t be a Hand. Hands are above suspicion, honorable to a fault.”

He turned to face her fully, the waccat a silent shadow at his side. “You think I’m dishonorable?”

“You worked with me. We broke into the Tribute Office together. You can’t be a Hand.”

Hands did not kiss outlaws with tenderness or passion, let alone both.

——————-

SHARON: What a fabulous concept and premise. Can you tell us a bit more about the book?

JAYCEE: TAXING COURTSHIP is a forbidden romance between Quintin, an honorable but lowly tax-collector, and the outlaw Lady Em.

SHARON:  I adore forbidden romances. Where did you get the idea?

JAYCEE: I’m a character first writer, so I come up with my romantic leads before anything else in the story. I’m drawn to characters who are almost too noble for their own good and I liked the idea of pairing a painfully honest man with a thief, since opposites attract is always fun.

I’m drawn to characters who are almost too noble for their own good and I liked the idea of pairing a painfully honest man with a thief, since opposites attract is always fun. ~ Jaycee Jarvis @jayceejarvis
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SHARON: Is there a story behind the title?

JAYCEE: I’m usually terrible at titles, but when I decided to write about a tax-collector, TAXING COURTSHIP came naturally. I’m very glad my publisher kept it.

SHARON: It’s a fabulous title and I’m so glad they kept it. Can you share something we won’t find out just by reading the book jacket?

JAYCEE: My setting is pretty unique. Destin is a bronze age civilization inspired by the Inca empire. My tax-collector hero uses quipus for accounting, which is based on an actual string and knot record keeping system used by the Incas.

My setting is pretty unique. Destin is a bronze age civilization inspired by the Inca empire. My tax-collector hero uses quipus for accounting, which is based on an actual string and knot record keeping system used by the Incas. ~…
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SHARON: It’s very unique and I can’t wait to read it. Do you have a favorite character?

JAYCEE: While I love Quintin and Lady Em, I have to say my favorite character is Ulric, Quintin’s curmudgeonly year-mate. Ulric is rough around the edges, while also being a loyal and steadfast friend. He is often outrageous which is so fun to write!

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

JAYCEE: I would go shopping with Lady Em’s sister-in-law. Em doesn’t much enjoy being dragged through the market by her, but I think she’d make an excellent guide.

SHARON: I’d love to tag along.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Brown Sugar & Mustard Chicken

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

“Samantha makes a lovely toast about true love and the power of forgiveness, and Charlotte’s sparkly laughter makes us all smile while Cook brings in the next course: Brown Sugar and Mustard Chicken. She’s served the lightly breaded and sautéed chicken tenders over fresh greens with a mustard vinaigrette. The combination of brown sugar and mustard is both tangy and sweet. It’s perfect for a summer lunch.

Ivers pours a cold Pinot Grigio from Venice which I’m sure Calum has chosen to remind me of my honeymoon with Rafe. We’d been staying in Charleston when we received a wedding gift from Calum: a month’s trip to Italy. It had been an amazing trip where we ate bigoli in salsa and the largest meringues I’ve ever seen. We probably would’ve seen more except . . . well, we were on our honeymoon.

Maddie raises her glass and makes another toast, and Miss Nell reaches over to hold Maddie’s hand. I smile and meet sad Samantha’s gaze. It’s incredibly gracious of Maddie to offer her love and happiness when she’s in the middle of a messy divorce herself. I just wish I could make all of my friends as happy as I am. After having lived in a self-imposed emotional exile for eight years, I don’t want any of my girlfriends to ever feel that lonely.

I lift my glass and offer my own toast to the women who’ve joined me today: Samantha, Maddie, Charlotte, and Miss Nell. Two old friends and two new friends, all lovely, caring women who only want the best for each other, make me the luckiest woman in the world.” ~ Juliet Capel, EVERY DEEP DESIRE

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Brown Sugar & Mustard Chicken

This recipe is adapted from a recipe I found in an old Savannah cookbook before my parents sold their Savannah home. I substituted chicken tenders instead of bone-in breasts. And I left out some of the spicier ingredients like lemon peel and chili pepper. But feel free to experiment with the crumb topping. One night I added parsley and parmesan cheese and it turned out great!

12 minPrep Time

18 minCook Time

30 minTotal Time

Yields 4-6

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

3 Tablespoons bread crumbs2 Tablespoons brown sugar1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon dried tarragon1/2 teaspoon pepper2 1/2 pounds chicken tenders6 Tablespoons Olive Oil2 Tablespoons Dijon mustardFresh spring greens - optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 475 and line a baking pan with aluminum foil.Mix together bread crumbs, brown sugar, tarragon, salt, and pepper.Pour olive oil into a shallow dish (I use a glass pie plate) and dip chicken tenders, making sure both sides are coated.Lay chicken out on baking pan and rub the mustard on top of the chicken.Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of chicken and bake 15-18 minutes, making sure they don't brown too much.Serve over fresh spring greens, dressed with a mustard vinaigrette, if desired.Recipe Type: Main Dish, Poultry

Notes

This serves 4-6 adults, depending on how hungry you are. In my house, 2 1/2 pounds just serves the teenagers! So you may want to make more, just in case.

Daring Debuts ’18: Dylann Crush’s New Release All-American Cowboy

[image error]I’d like to welcome Dylann Crush, one of my Sourcebooks Sisters, and her new release ALL-AMERICAN COWBOY to Daring Debuts today!

All-American Cowboy is a fish-out-of-water story about a New Yorker who inherits the oldest honky tonk in Texas from his grandfather who he’s never met. The only thing standing in his way of cashing in is the requirement that he stay in Holiday, Texas and manage the honky tonk until the Founders Day parade. If he can survive the town, the sassy cowgirl who’s managing the honky tonk, and Baby Back, the resident pig mascot, he might just have it made. Or… he might fall in love.

This city boy has it all figured out... Until he goes toe-to-toe with a fierce cowgirl who's snagged the home field advantage. ALL-AMERICAN COWBOY by Dylann Crush @DylannCrush #Authors18
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Holiday, Texas is known far and wide as the most celebratory town in the South–and no shindig is complete without one of its founding members. It’s a real shame the last remaining Holiday is a city slicker, but what’s that old saying about putting lipstick on a pig…?

Beck has no intention of being charmed by some crazy Texas town, but the minute he lays eyes on his grandfather’s old honky tonk–and Charlie Walker, the beautiful cowgirl who runs it–he finds himself wishing things could be different. Life’s gentler in Holiday. Slower. More real than anything he’s ever known. And when he looks into Charlie’s eyes, Beck may finally discover what it’s like to truly belong.

And here’s a teaser: 

She wrapped her arms tighter around him, making him lose track of the simple steps he’d been counting in his head.

He tried to recover but ended up stepping on her foot instead. “Sorry. I guess I’m still learning.”

“Have you always been such a slow learner?” she teased.

He’d play along. “You sure it doesn’t have something to do with the talent of my teacher?”

Charlie’s eyes sparkled then narrowed. “What are you trying to imply? I’ll have you know your teacher is a two-time two-stepping Texas teen champ.”

Beck chuckled. “I bet you can’t say that ten times fast.”

“Two-time two-stepping Texas teen champ. Two-time two-stepping Texas—”

He laughed and covered her mouth with his hand. Her lips moved against his palm, soft and fluttery like a butterfly’s kiss. He leaned close to her ear, nestling his nose in her hair. “I was just joking.”

She nipped at his palm, sending a charge rocketing through him. “Don’t make bets you don’t intend to pay.”

A dangerous burn flared low in his gut. “Hey, watch it there, champ.”

“Or what?” Rolling her eyes, Charlie added a little extra twist in her step.

He exhaled his next words, trying to squelch the fire she’d sparked inside. “Or else.”

She spun out and around then resettled herself against his chest. “I’m shaking in my boots. Or else? That’s all you’ve got? I’m utterly terrified.”

“Are you mocking me?” Damn if she didn’t get under his skin. The sass, the smiles, the way her cute Texas twang taunted and teased him.

“What if I am?” She drew her head back and met his gaze, her mouth curved up in a grin. Their feet stopped moving, and they stood frozen, in the middle of the dance floor, the other couples swirling around them. Her arms went around his neck, and he tightened the circle of his arms around her waist. Their hips snapped together, drawn with a magnetic force. His skin crawled with anticipation, every nerve ending crackling, waiting. His eyes searched hers for encouragement. Yes? No? Did she want him to kiss her? Would it be another mistake?

“A part of me wants to kiss you right now, Charlie.”

Her fingers toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. “Just a part of you?”

“A big part,” he admitted.

“I’m not familiar with all of your parts yet, Manhattan. What kind of part are we talking about here?” She glanced up at him through lowered lashes.

He knew he was about to cross a line. Ironically enough, it was a line he’d put into play. The line that was supposed to keep things on a professional level. He lowered his head, his mouth inches from hers. “Do you want me to?”

She drew in a sharp breath. “What do you think?”

He was close enough to feel the slow exhale on his chin. “I don’t know what to think when I’m around you. You rattle my brain, make my head hurt.”

“Then don’t.”

“You’re right.” He pulled back. “We shouldn’t.”

The confusion in her eyes didn’t match the way her hands gripped him tighter. “I didn’t mean don’t kiss me. I meant don’t think about it so hard.” Then she tilted her head up and met his lips with hers.

————

Sharon: Welcome, Dylann! What a charming idea for a story. Can you tell us how it came about?

Dylann: I grew up in Texas and have always loved country music so when my editor asked me if I’d be interested in pitching a contemporary western romance, I was all in.

Sharon: What’s the story behind the title?

Dylann: My publisher suggested the title. I originally called the book Big City Cowboy but they felt All-American Cowboy was a better fit.

Sharon: I know for a fact that Sourcebooks comes up with great titles. Can you tell us something we won’t find out just by reading the book jacket?

Dylann: One of my favorite scenes involves a pig beauty pageant. These swines provide some stiff competition for each other and I really enjoyed bringing it to life on the page.

One of my favorite scenes involves a pig beauty pageant. These swines provide some stiff competition for each other and I really enjoyed bringing it to life on the page. ALL-AMERICAN COWBOY by Dylann Crush @DylannCrush #Authors18
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Sharon: I can’t wait to read it! Do you have a favorite character?

Dylann: My favorite character would have to be Baby Back, the pig mascot of the Rambling Rose. She’s got her own bio in the front of my book and I think she’s going to be the readers’ favorite.

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

Dylann: If I could spend a whole day with one of my characters, I’d probably choose Charlie. We could go shopping for boots together, sit on the porch and sip some spiked sweet tea and then maybe she’d take me out on a trail ride on the Walker family ranch.

Sharon: I’ve only been to Texas a few times, but that sounds like so much fun! How long did you take to write this book?

Dylann: It took me about four months to write the book. Once my editor approved the project, the first draft went pretty fast. I turned it in at the end of April in 2017. I had to wait quite a while for my first round of edits since my release date was so far away. The entire process from signing the contract until publication of this first book will be about eighteen months.

Sharon: That’s been my experience as well. What kind of research did you do for this book?

Dylann: Since I grew up in Texas I didn’t have to do a ton of research — honky tonks, cowboys and country music are my jam! But I did enjoy a quick girls’ weekend with my sister to Gruene, Texas, home of the famous Gruene Hall. The honky tonk in All-American Cowboy, the Rambling Rose, was inspired by places like Gruene Hall.

Sharon: I’d love to go there one day. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Dylann: I’m a pantser who is desperately trying to find a plotting process that works for me. I like to know where I’m going and usually figure out the big scenes first. But I don’t like knowing how I’m going to get there and enjoy surprising myself along the way.

What is your favorite part of your writing process? I love being surprised by my characters. ~ Dylann Crush @DylannCrush #Authors18
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Sharon: What is your favorite part of your writing process?

Dylann: I love being surprised by my characters. I may think I know where a scene is going but then someone I wasn’t expecting shows up on the page and the scene takes a sharp turn, usually for the better.

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

Dylann: For me the first round of edits are the hardest. That’s when I’m trying to get my 85,000 words ready to send in to my editor. Trying to step back and look at the story in a big picture way can be difficult because I’m so close to it.

Sharon: First drafts are killer for me. Can you share your writing routine?

Dylann: I like to write in my office while listening to a playlist I’ve created for the book I’m working on. Morning is my most productive writing time although I wish I did better writing at night since my mornings are often filled with Mom duties.

Sharon: Have you ever gotten writer’s block?

Dylann: I wouldn’t say I’ve had writer’s block but I’ve definitely been stuck before. It’s usually because I’m trying to force the plot. To get around it I’ll brainstorm with a writer friend or take a walk. My best ideas come when I’m not trying.

Have you ever gotten writer’s block? It's usually because I'm trying to force the plot. To get around it I'll brainstorm with a writer friend or take a walk. My best ideas come when I'm not trying. ~ Dylann Crush @DylannCrush #Authors18
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Sharon: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Dylann: If I could go back I’d tell myself to start writing sooner. I have such limited time now that when I think back to how frivolous I was with my free time then, it makes me wish I had it back!

Sharon: How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

Dylann: Ha! I have five unpublished manuscripts, although that includes Cowboy Christmas Jubilee which will be coming out in November. As for half-finished books… too many to count. When inspiration strikes I’ll jot down notes or even “plot” a whole novel. I have scenes and pieces of books all over the place.

Sharon: Do you have any writing quirks?

Dylann: Not that I’m aware of. Although, I have been known to devour entire bags of peanut butter M&Ms while I write. And I can’t write well with others. I’ve tried to write at coffee shops with writer friends and I find it incredibly difficult to concentrate when someone’s sitting across the table from me. I want to talk instead.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Heirloom Tomato Salad

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

“As my Bridal Luncheon continues, Ivers appears because Cook wants us to move into the summer dining room. Apparently, we’ve lingered too long over shrimp dip and cocktails and are messing up her timetable. We walk towards the back of the house to find the table decorated with white zinnias and springs of rosemary and eucalyptus. This dining room, which Calum only uses during the summer, overlooks his extensive gardens–the largest in the city. The afternoon light drifts in, but it’s cooler here and I’m happy that I brought my shawl.

As we sit, Samantha laughs at Maddie’s story about a bridal gown fitting that didn’t go so we’ll, while Charlotte and Miss Nell talk about men–something about size versus stamina. I blush and study the printed menu next to my plate. The first course is one of my favorite summer dishes: Heirloom Tomato Salad.

Maybe because I feel like I’m still on my honeymoon, I’m not ready to over-share with these women. But as their laughter fills the room, and Cook brings in the tomato salad, I smile. Happiness fills my heart until it hurts, and I think I may weep from the ache. A few weeks ago, I thought I had my life together not realizing how alone I really was. Now? I’m surrounded by people I love and trust . . . and I’m loved in return. It’s, truly, the most incredible feeling in the world.” ~ Juliet Capel, EVERY DEEP DESIRE

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Heirloom Tomato Salad

This is adapted from a salad I had in Charleston many years ago, and a Jamie Oliver recipe I found in a magazine. The key to this salad is using a variety of sizes and colors and types of tomatoes. Don't be afraid to go crazy--slice and chop into different sizes.

15 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

Yields 4-6

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds of ripe heirloom tomatoes, different shapes, sizes, and colors1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed(1 teaspoon jarred garlic)Red wine vinegarExtra Virgin Olive Oil1/2 teaspoon OreganoKosher saltFresh ground pepperGoat cheese crumbles or mozzarella balls - optionalSliced red onions for garnish - optional

Instructions

Wash your variety of different tomatoes, then slice or halve and place in a colander. The bigger the assortment, and the more variety in chopped sizes, the prettier the salad will be.Toss in a Tablespoon of salt (most of it will absorb the liquid and drain off) and let the tomatoes sit for 20 minutes.Transfer to a large serving bowl and toss in the Oregano.For the dressing, combine one part oil, 3 parts vinegar, and the garlic.Drizzle dressing on the tomatoes just until lightly coated.Recipe Type: Salad

Notes

This can be served room temperature or chilled. It's great both ways!

7.7.0.150https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-heirloom-tomato-salad/

And since Ivers always knows the perfect background music, this song accompanies our first course.

 

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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 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 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: Heirloom Tomato Salad appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Minerva Spencer’s New Release Dangerous

[image error]Today I’d like to welcome Minerva Spencer and her new release DANGEROUS to Daring Debuts.

“Minerva Spencer’s writing is sophisticated and wickedly witty. Dangerous is a delight from start to finish with swashbuckling action, scorching love scenes, and a coolly arrogant hero to die for. Spencer is my new auto-buy!” –  New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt

“Readers will love this lusty and unusual marriage of convenience story.”  –  New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter

“Smart, witty, graceful, sensual, elegant and gritty all at once. It has all of the meticulous attention to detail I love in Georgette Heyer, BUT WITH SEX!” –  RITA-award winning author Jeffe Kennedy

~~~~~~~

What sort of lady doesn’t make her debut until the age of thirty-two? A timeless beauty with a mysterious past—and a future she intends to take into her own hands . . .

Lady Euphemia Marlington hasn’t been free in seventeen years—since she was captured by Corsairs and sold into a harem. Now the sultan is dead and Mia is back in London facing relentless newspapermen, an insatiably curious public, and her first Season. Worst of all is her ashamed father’s ultimatum: marry a man of his choosing or live out her life in seclusion. No doubt her potential groom is a demented octogenarian. Fortunately, Mia is no longer a girl, but a clever woman with a secret—and a plan of her own . . .

Adam de Courtney’s first two wives died under mysterious circumstances. Now there isn’t a peer in England willing to let his daughter marry the dangerously handsome man the ton calls The Murderous Marquess. Nobody except Mia’s father, the desperate Duke of Carlisle. Clearly Mia must resemble an aging matron, or worse. However, in need of an heir, Adam will use the arrangement to his advantage . . .

But when the two outcasts finally meet, assumptions will be replaced by surprises, deceit by desire—and a meeting of minds between two schemers may lead to a meeting of hearts—if the secrets of their pasts don’t tear them apart . . .

Here is a little teaser from DANGEROUS:

 The marquess’s eyebrows, his only expressive feature, crept up his forehead, as if he had a difficult time imagining something as foreign as an emotion—not to mention becom- ing entangled by one.

They took each other’s measure before she broke the silence. “What of you, my lord? Why do you wish to marry? It does not sound as if your two experiences with marriage were felicitous.” Mia did not mean to be cruel, but she needed to know what he wanted and why he was here tonight—a place he clearly wished not to be.

“I need an heir.” His pupils flared until his eyes were almost black, as if he were imagining the process of getting an heir. With her.

“In short, Sir, I would like a marriage without emotional entanglement.” ~ From DANGEROUS by Minerva Spencer @MSpencerAuthor #Authors18
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Sharon: Welcome, Minerva! I’m so happy you’re here today and I can’t wait to hear more about your book. I’m a huge fan of swashbucklers.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cranberry & Pear Bellinis

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Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

“Sharon has had so many people request the recipe for Cranberry & Pear Bellinis, I asked Ivers to share it. He was happy to and I was surprised to learn It’s quite simple. Pear nectar, cranberry juice, and Prosecco–or any other dry sparkling white wine you prefer!” ~ Juliet Capel, Every Deep Desire

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cranberry & Pear Bellinis

This is a perfect adult beverage for any celebration! If you have really ripe, summer peaches, add a dollop of mashed peach to the bottom of each glass.

5 minPrep Time

5 minTotal Time

Yields 8

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

1 cup cranberry juice1 cup pear nectar1 bottle Prosecco or other sparkling white wine, chilled

Instructions

1. In a pitcher, combine pear nectar and cranberry juice cocktail.2. Pour 1/4 cup juice mixture into each of 8 champagne glasses. Dividing evenly, top with Prosecco.Recipe Type: Beverage7.7.0.152https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/hungry-romance-writer-cranberry-pear-bellinis/

“And because I’m here with my girlfriends, at my bridal lunch, drinking Bellinis and still talking about men, how about this one?” ~ Juliet Capel, Every Deep Desire

 

 

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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 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 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: Cranberry & Pear Bellinis appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Shrimp Dip

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Photo (of Calum Prioleau’s Drawing Room) by Francisco de Legarreta on Unsplash

“My name is Juliet Capel, and I recently got married. Well, remarried. But the details have already been written about here so there’s no need to repeat myself.

Daring Debuts ’18: Dianne Freeman’s New Release A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder

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Today I’d like to welcome Dianne Freeman and her debut novel A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER to Daring Debuts.

“A fantastic blend of history, mystery and humor. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer.”   Darcie Wilde, National Bestselling Author of “A Useful Woman,” and “A Purely Private Matter.”

“A delightful tale of shenanigans among the British aristocracy. Lady Frances feels very real– not too smart and spunky but no shrinking violet either.”

Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy mysteries.

———————-

Victorian widow, Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh, is dealing with a high society burglar, a marriage-mad sister, and a murder. When the London season turns deadly, she fears one of her sister’s suitors may be the killer. Frances must rally her wits and a circle of gossiping friends and enemies to unmask the culprit before she becomes his next victim.

———————-

SHARON: Where did you get the idea for A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER?

DIANNE: The Victorian era is a favorite of mine. I’ve been reading books from and about that period for as long as I can remember. The American heiress concept came from Edith Wharton’s The Buccaneers. Further research showed me they didn’t all meet with such wretched ends. I liked the idea of a more upbeat version where my heiress pushes some boundaries, and because I love a good mystery, I thought I’d give her a knack for solving crimes.

The American heiress concept came from Edith Wharton’s The Buccaneers. I liked the idea of a more upbeat version where my heiress pushes some boundaries, and because I love a good mystery, I thought I’d give her a knack for solving…
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SHARON: I adore the title. Is there a story behind it?

DIANNE: I had half a dozen terrible titles. None of them expressed the spirit or even the content of the book. Finally, I gave a few options to a Facebook group I belonged to. Over the course of an evening, about thirty friends threw out suggestions and variants of suggestions. After a little wine and a lot of laughs, we came up with A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER.

SHARON: That’s great! Do you have any favorite characters?

DIANNE: They’re all my favorites! Okay, my favorite would have to be Frances. As a woman of her time, duty to one’s family comes first—but she’s done that and it wasn’t a particularly satisfying experience. Now she’s trying to make a life for herself and everything that could go wrong, goes wrong, but she faces her problems with aplomb even when she has no idea what she’s doing. She just keeps moving forward. I can’t help but admire that.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? Twenty or so years ago, I wrote two romance novels that were so awful I buried them in the back yard. And then I moved! ~ Dianne Freeman @Difreeman001
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SHARON: I can’t wait to meet her. If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?

DIANNE: Just for fun I’d spend the day with Lady Fiona Nash. We’d go shopping for fabulous gowns and hats, have tea while she filled me in on all the latest gossip, then end the day at Alicia Stoke-Whitney’s ball.

SHARON: That sounds like it would be so much fun! Are your character based on real people, or do they come from your imaginations?

DIANNE: My characters are all creatures of my imagination though they may share some traits with people I know—including me.

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

DIANNE: It took about two years from the time I began the first draft to the time I found my agent, but I did remodel a kitchen between drafts three and four. I did one more revision with my agent which took about a month. Then she worked her magic and sold the book in three days.

SHARON: Three days? That’s amazing! What kind of research did you do for this book?

DIANNE: I spent a lot of time in the newspaper archives, much of it researching things that were totally unnecessary but I find this era fascinating and I distract easily. Since I mention specific dates in the novel, I did think it necessary to find out if any major events took place during that week that my characters would have taken note of. It was also important to understand the technology of the day. How did one send information quickly from London to New York? What was photography like at the time? I needed to know not just when something was invented, but when was it available and if my characters were likely to use it.

My editor wanted an outline for my second book and I’ve come to appreciate knowing where the story is going. I’m a plotting convert. ~ Dianne Freeman @difreeman001
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SHARON: Sounds like a lot of work. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

DIANNE: I was definitely a pantser when writing this book and had to write myself out of many plot holes. My editor wanted an outline for my second book and I’ve come to appreciate knowing where the story is going. I’m a plotting convert.

SHARON: I’m a plotting convert as well! What is your favorite part of your writing process, and why?

DIANNE: I write mystery and really enjoy plotting the crime—the who, what, where, when, why, and how. I love being devious—on paper.

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

DIANNE: The first draft. Even with an outline first drafts are hard.

SHARON: I HATE first drafts. Have you ever gotten writer’s block? If yes, how do you overcome it?

DIANNE: I don’t think it’s really writer’s block, but when I get stuck on a plot point or a piece of dialog that isn’t working I’ll take a walk. Something about getting away from my desk and moving helps me think. Usually by the time I get home, I’ve worked out my problem.

Have you ever gotten writer’s block? I don’t think it’s really writer’s block, but when I get stuck on a plot point or a piece of dialog that isn’t working I’ll take a walk. Something about getting away from my desk and moving helps me…
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SHARON: Wonderful advice! How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

DIANNE: Twenty or so years ago, I wrote two romance novels that were so awful I buried them in the back yard. And then I moved!

SHARON: Oh no! And you left them behind? That’s really funny. Do you have any writing quirks?

DIANNE: I bury bad manuscripts in the back yard?

SHARON: LOL!! How did you get into writing?

DIANNE: Writing just seemed like a natural spin-off from reading. It’s always been a hobby for me. When I retired I was thrilled to have the time to write an actual novel. Because my husband is also retired, I don’t have as much time as I thought I would.

SHARON: I’ve heard that from so many people. Apart from novel writing, do you do any other kinds of writing?

DIANNE: I co-authored the non-fiction book, Haunted Highway—The Spirits of Route 66. It’s a travel guide to haunted sites along Route 66.

Apart from novel writing, do you do any other kinds of writing? I co-authored the non-fiction book, Haunted Highway—The Spirits of Route 66. It’s a travel guide to haunted sites along Route 66. ~ Dianne Freeman @difreeman001
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SHARON: Wow! I just ordered it. I love ghost stories. Can you share something most people probably don’t know about you?

DIANNE: I’m not a fan of horror. Someone gave me a copy of Stephen King’s Night Shift and it scared me so badly I donated it to the library just to get it out of my house.

SHARON: I have to admit I loved that book. What are you working on right now?

DIANNE: I just finished book 2 in the series, A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder

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

DIANNE: Every word matters. I always try to remember this when I edit.

What’s your favorite writing advice? Every word matters. I always try to remember this when I edit. ~ Dianne Freeman @Difreeman001
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SHARON: Yes it does! Thanks so much for spending the day with us, Dianne. I wish you all the luck in the world with your debut!

——————

[image error]Dianne Freeman is a life-long book lover who left the world of corporate finance to pursue her passion for writing. After co-authoring the non-fiction book, Haunted Highway, The Spirits of Route 66, she realized her true love was fiction, historical mystery in particular. She also realized she didn’t like winter very much so now she and her husband pursue the endless summer by splitting their time between Michigan and Arizona.

You can buy A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER here: Amazon 

You can find Dianne here: Website | Facebook  | Twitter | 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 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 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: Dianne Freeman’s New Release A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Turkey Meatballs with Tomato and Zucchini

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Photo by Mel Turner on Unsplash

I’m having company this weekend and the kids and their friends always seem to be hungry. So I’m taking the time to make Turkey Meatballs with Tomato and Zucchini. The sauce is easy, but the meatballs are a lot of work. So why do I bother? Because they’re delicious and I can make a triple batch of meatballs which freeze really, really well. That way, on nights when we’re super-busy, I can throw frozen meatballs into a crockpot with a jar of sauce, or reheat them in the microwave and eat them on top of a salad.

I’m not a huge fan of chopping and frying, but these are definitely worth the work and everyone loves them!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Serves 8

Turkey Meatballs with Tomato and Zucchini

The meatballs in this recipe are a lot of work. But I included it because once they're made, they're not only delicious they freeze beautifully. I'll make a triple batch, freeze most of them, then on busy nights just add them to a pot of tomato sauce for a quick meal over pasta or zoodles. The kids sometimes eat them on rolls! I've also been known to throw a bag of frozen meatballs into the slow cooker with a jar of tomato sauce for an after-sports snack. Hungry teenagers love them!

10 minPrep Time

50 minCook Time

1 hrTotal Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

Meatballs1 lb ground turkey1 cup bread crumbs2 eggs1 1/2 teaspoon pepper1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning12 Tablespoons parmesan cheese, gratedOlive oilTomato & Zucchini Sauce2 onions, finely chopped4 garlic cloves, minced4 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced2 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and sliced2 16 oz cans tomatores, Italian-style cut2 16 oz cans crushed tomatoes1/2 cup chopped basil

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine turkey, bread crumbs, eggs, 1 teaspoon pepper, Italian seasoning, and 8 Tablespoons of parmesan cheese. Form into walnut-sized balls.Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet (I use cast iron). Working in batches, add meatballs and cook until browned and no longer pink. (You may need to add a little oil to the pan for the later batches) Remove meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and cool.In the same skillet, brown the onions and garlic. Cook until onion is tender, about 5 minutes.Stir in the zucchini, squash, cut tomatoes with juice, crushed tomatoes, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the remaining 4 tablespoons of cheese, and the meatballs.Heat until boiling. Lower temp and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in chopped basil.Serve immediately.Recipe Type: Main Dish, Poultry

Notes

Can also be served over pasta or spiralized veggies. Buying fresh, pre-cut vegetables can also save some time.

7.7.0.112https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/hungry-romance-writer-turkey-meatballs-tomato-zucchini/

 

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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 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 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: Turkey Meatballs with Tomato and Zucchini appeared first on Sharon Wray.