Sharon Wray's Blog, page 98

Sharon Wray’s Debut Novel: Every Deep Desire

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Photo by Jorige Kuzmaite on Unsplash

It’s celebration day here on the blog! Why? Because after fourteen years of hard work, the day I never thought I’d see has finally arrived!

I am so proud to present my debut novel EVERY DEEP DESIRE, a romantic suspense retelling of Romeo and Juliet. In this sexy action-packed version, the lovers from feuding families must face a team of disgraced ex-Green Berets, a brutal arms dealer, and a secretive army of assassins. That’s not to say there isn’t romance–because the heart of this book is the love story between Rafe Montfort and his wife Juliet Capel. A couple who grew up together, married young, and were torn apart by forces far more powerful than they could’ve ever imagined.

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Photo by Andrew Knechel on Unsplash

The Deadly Force romantic suspense series is where ex-Green Berets and smart, sexy women redeem Shakespeare’s greatest love stories. ~ Sharon Wray
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The Deadly Force series is about a team of ex-Special Forces soldiers led by Colonel Kells Torridan. Kells and his men were accused of vicious war crimes and are now desperate to prove their innocence and bring down their enemies. Yet, as these men struggle to rebuild their lives and redeem their honor, it’s the women they love who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning.

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Although my series revolves around the men of Colonel Kells Torridan’s disgraced Green Beret unit, the heroines in each book are the protagonists. In EVERY DEEP DESIRE, Juliet Capel is a heroine who survived great hardships after her husband left her and refuses to live life by another’s leave. And the last thing she wants to do is help her recently-returned ex-husband defeat his enemies.

Juliet has fought hard for her current happiness. And while Rafe has come back to her as an incredibly sexy, full-grown man, she’s afraid to risk her heart. As she learns about the horror of Rafe’s life for the past eight years, her resolve wavers. What Juliet doesn’t realize is that even if she agrees to help him fight his devils, and they succeed, she could still lose him forever.

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He’s taking it all back

His honor, his freedom, and the woman he loves

Rafe Montfort was a decorated Green Beret, the best of the best, until a disastrous mission and an unforgivable betrayal destroyed his life. Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his brothers, and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he’s done…or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.

It took Juliet Capel eight long years to put her life back together after her husband was taken from her. Now Rafe is back, determined to protect her at any cost, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger. The swamps hold a secret long buried and far deadlier than either of them could have imagined…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you all for celebrating with me here today. Your love and support means everything!

[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 & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | IndieBound

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

 

 

 

The post Sharon Wray’s Debut Novel: Every Deep Desire appeared first on Sharon Wray.

When One Journey Ends, Another Journey Begins

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

I wasn’t always a romance author. I’m a librarian by education (with a Masters of Library Service from Rutgers University) and an entrepreneur. When I was a teenager, I had a babysitting empire. During high school, I took classes at FIT in NYC and started a tailoring business. I also worked, sporadically, for my aunt who was a well-known floral designer.

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

I’ve also worked as a maid on Kiahwah Island, SC and was a Red Cross case worker in Uijongbu, South Korea. Eventually, when I had a full-time job as a chemical and patent librarian, I had the privilege of studying couture techniques in Paris and started designing wedding gowns. National Geographic Traveler magazine even featured one of my gowns for a spread they did on Charleston, SC society weddings. Then, when we moved to Virginia, I worked as a special projects librarian for art museums, embassies, trade associations, and map collectors. I even managed a tax library–which lasted two weeks. Then I taught art history, ESOL, and classes on how to do library research to all ages, K-12.

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Photo by Anna Docking on Unsplash

And . . . I’m a wife and a mother of twins. The only reason for this litany is because I need you to understand that becoming a romance writer was, truly, the last thing I’d ever considered doing. Yet, things change. Life happens and you find yourself at a crossroads, ready to take a new path. And that’s what happened after my twins were born and my library was combined with another library leaving me without a job. I needed something new, something I had some control over, and something that would allow me to stay home with the kids.

I spent four years looking for that something, in between volunteering at the kids’ preschool and being a wife and mother. Then, when my kids were four and a half, my father was diagnosed with cancer. Not sure what to do with all the grief, I turned to romance novels which had saved me from grad school stress. I read many books in a short period of time, but a few affected me so deeply that I wondered, “Could I do that?”

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

To which I answered, “Sure. Why not?” I was a librarian and had always been an avid reader. I knew a ton about books, except for actually how to write them. My grant requests could win money from a stone, but I’d not written fiction since I was in high school. I couldn’t even remember how. After discussing this with my husband, I joined the Romance Writers of America and started writing. I only told a handful of people because this whole idea was scary and I felt very alone.

I’d love to say that I wrote a novel, got a few rejections, and was published quickly. But that’s not what happened. I joined RWA in March 2, 2004. And EVERY DEEP DESIRE, the first book in my Deadly Force Series comes out tomorrow. March 6, 2018. Fourteen years from beginning to . . . another beginning. I’d no idea that when I joined RWA how my life would change. Not in a rapid, OMG-this-is-amazing kind of way. But at a slow, steady pace that taught me how to be a successful published author, allowed me to be present to my family whenever they needed me, and reminded me why patience, perseverance and gratitude are virtues.

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I’m not going to list all of the doomed manuscripts or the many, many rejections. None of that matters because I am, simply, beyond grateful for that journey. For all of the authors I’ve met and who’ve helped me along the way. For my agents Deidre and Kristy for their constant support. For my awesome editor Deb who makes me a better writer. And for my family who’s always believed in me. Fourteen years is a long time to wait for a dream. But looking back, it seems to have gone by so quickly. Not unlike how fast my children have grown. And now it’s time to let go again. Once this book enters the world tomorrow, it’s no longer mine. It belongs to every reader who finds it. It belongs to everyone except me.

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So, tomorrow, a new journey starts as a published author. But this time I’m not alone. This time I have friends, peers, and . . . readers. This time I have a published book–a retelling of Romeo and Juliet–that makes my heart sing and my soul cry.

And all I (and Rafe, and Juliet, and the rest of the characters in the Deadly Force series) can say is Thank You.

[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.

EVERY DEEP DESIRE releases on March 6, 2018 and is available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.

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

 

The post When One Journey Ends, Another Journey Begins appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: No Crumbs Left’s Heroine Chicken

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Photo by Alexander Shustov on Unsplash

Heroine Chicken isn’t my recipe. In fact, I’m linking all over this page to send you back to the website “No Crumbs Left” because The Kitchen Goddess, who came up with this recipe, is my idol. If I liked to cook, I’d want to be her when I grow up!

Anyway, I’m sharing this recipe for two reasons. First, because it’s the most awesome chicken you will ever eat.  Two, it’s named “Heroine Chicken” and I’m a romance author with a book coming out in a few days. Three, I adore my heroine Juliet Capel from EVERY DEEP DESIRE who must choose between the life she’s built for herself and a love that’s more powerful than anything she’s ever known. So I really had no choice!

I’m planning on cooking this Tuesday night, March 6, to celebrate my debut novel EVERY DEEP DESIRE–a contemporary romantic suspense retelling of Romeo and Juliet–entering the world.

But I have to warn you, while it’s not super-hard, it’s not easy-peasy either. The whole chicken needs to be butterflied (I had to look that up), and it needs to marinate for at least 48 hours which means more planning ahead than I’m used it. Luckily, on the recipe site, The Kitchen Goddess provides wonderful videos so you can watch while you cut and prepare the marinade. It’s fabulous.

I’ve included the basic recipe below, but please please please got to “No Crumbs Left“ for the full tutorial. It will make ALL the difference.

Serves 8-10

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: No Crumbs Left's Heroine Chicken

This recipe is from The Kitchen Goddess and her No Crumbs Left website. I urge you to go to the site and watch all the videos on how to make this amazing chicken. She's awesome and entertaining and her chicken is divine. I've included the ingredients and basic instructions here, but watching her videos--especially on how to butterfly a chicken--is worth your time.

15 minPrep Time

1 hrCook Time

1 hr, 15 Total Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

Chicken1 whole butterflied chickenKosher SaltMarinadeA few bunches flat leaf oarsley, choppedJuice of 1 lemon2 Tablespoons peppercorns, crushed1/3 cup olive oil6 cloves garlic, chopped finely

Instructions

Clean the chicken, pat dry, and rub Kosher salt ALL over it, making sure to get into all the crevices.Mix marinade ingredients together.Place chicken in a dish that holds the chicken but isn't too big, wide, or high. (15" wide by 3 1/2" high work well) Cover one side with half the marinade, turn over, and pour the rest of the marinade over top. Make sure all of the chicken is coated.Put in refrigerator for at least 48 hours.Transfer chicken to a roasting pan and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Then lower temp to 350 and cook for another 40 minutes. 1 hour total. Watch chicken for burning/browning and cover with tin foil if necessary.Recipe Type: Main Dish, Poultry

Notes

Here is the link for the No Crumbs Left website: https://nocrumbsleft.net/2015/12/23/h...

7.6.743https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/hungry-romance-writer-no-crumbs-lefts-heroine-chicken/

There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway for a free copy of Every Deep Desire going on until tonight. Sign up to get a free copy today!

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes novels of suspense, adventure, and love. The author of the Romantic Suspense Deadly Force Series, her debut book Every Deep Desire releases on March 6, 2018 and is available for pre-order.

It’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.  And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

 

 

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: No Crumbs Left’s Heroine Chicken appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Negeen Papehn’s New Release Forbidden By Faith

[image error]“Much more than a love story… FORBIDDEN BY FAITH is full of twists and turns as two lovers navigate their way through one of history’s oldest cultural divides.”

“A little 50 Shades… A little Romeo & Juliet… FORBIDDEN BY FAITH is sure to keep you turning the page. Although after some of the pages, you may need to take a cigarette break (even if you don’t smoke!).”

I’d like to welcome Negeen Papehn and her New Adult novel FORBIDDEN BY FAITH to Daring Debuts today!

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About the book: 

Sara knows her life would be easier if she married a Muslim man, but when has love ever been easy?

Raised by her immigrant Iranian Muslim parents, she’s been taught that a good daughter makes decisions based on her family’s approval, and she’s spent most of her life doing just that. Then one night, she meets Maziar, and her world is turned upside down. She feels an instant electricity between them, and it seems like fate when he tells her he’s also Iranian. Just as her mind begins to soar with the possibilities, he shatters her hopes when he tells her he’s Jewish.

Despite the centuries of unrest behind them, Sara and Maziar embark on a forbidden love affair, attempting to navigate through the cultural and religious prejudices that beat them down and attempt to tear them apart.

Deep within the trenches of her battle, Sara finds herself more empowered and careless than ever before. Angry at and disappointed by the people she’s idolized all her life, she’s determined to forge her own path. But choosing who to be could mean creating a life that’s no longer acceptable to those around her. Sara feels herself growing into an independent and confident woman, but will it be worth the ultimate cost: her family?

And a teaser: 

“I want you back.”

I hadn’t let myself hope he would say that to me tonight. I thought if he didn’t, the disappointment would be unbearable. I realized that hearing him say he wanted us, and knowing that it was impossible, was more than disappointing. It was utterly devastating.

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Sharon: Welcome, Negeen! I love this teaser, and the blurbs. Where did you get the idea?

Negeen: The premise of FORBIDDEN BY FAITH with the clashing religions comes from my own relationship. My husband is Jewish and I’m Muslim. People think this story is the story of us, but it’s not. We’re lucky to have the families that we do. We didn’t have to go to war over a love that was ours, but a fight that spanned centuries behind us. It could have been our story though. So instead, I wrote the story for Maziar and Sara. This is their love story, not mine.

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

Negeen: There’s a steamy love triangle that unfolds. Everyone chooses a team by the time they’re done J

Sharon: I love choosing teams! Who is your favorite character?

Negeen: My favorite character is Bita. She’s my male MC’s sister. I think her evolution throughout the book is pretty spectacular. She starts off being the person you love to hate, but as the story progresses and she’s faced with losing her brother, she begins to question her decisions, and ultimately chooses to change. By the end, you’re rooting for her.

Bita starts off being the person you love to hate, but as the story progresses and she’s faced with losing her brother, she begins to question her decisions, and ultimately chooses to change. By the end, you’re rooting for her. -…
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Sharon: I can’t wait to meet Bita! If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?

Negeen: Hmmm… I think I’d spend the day with Ben. He’s a bit dreamy and I have a tiny crush on him, LOL. Maybe we’d go to a baseball game. He’s a big fan. Or maybe we’d do karaoke. That’s a pretty fun scene in my book.

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

Negeen: It took me a year to write it and then another year to have it picked up. By the time my book is published, it’ll be close to three years.

Sharon: I love stories about perseverance. What did you remove from this book during the editing process?

Negeen: I did a complete rewrite before I sent it in to agents/editors. I restructured the timeframe of the love triangle and changed the details. There was about ten chapters that were cut and redone. Once my editor did a sweep, we took out a few chapters that didn’t seem necessary.

Sharon: Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Negeen: I’m a total pantser! Sometimes, I think it’s my downfall. I would love to be a plotter, and I try, but my story always has a mind of its own. I end up backed in corners that I have to find ways out of, which slows down the writing process. In the end, though, I come up with a storyline I hadn’t anticipated, which is exciting.

Sharon: I love that part of the writing process! What is your favorite part of your writing process?

Negeen: My favorite part of the writing process is when my manuscript is ready for the first round of beta readers. I love sharing my work with people. Hearing their reactions and listening to their responses is my drug of choice. And it doesn’t have to just be praise. I welcome their constructive criticism as well. Makes the story better, and makes me a better writer.

“Hang in there. Even when you feel like you’ve lost sight of who you used to be, don’t worry, you’ll find her again. And when you do, amazing things will happen.”- Negeen Papehn
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Sharon: What is the most challenging thing about writing?

Negeen: The most challenging part for me is the beginning. The actual process of brainstorming and coming up with a premise for the next story, one that’s interesting, different, and deeper than just the surface. I’m so passionate about writing; it’s a dream for me. But I’m always afraid I won’t be able to come up with the next idea, and it will all come to a tragic end. I almost paralyze myself with fear. It causes me to get major writer’s block.

Sharon: Writer’s block is horrible. How do you overcome it?

Negeen: Yes! It’s miserable. I just walk away. I leave the writing behind for a week, give my mind a break by binge watching shows.

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

Negeen: “Hang in there. Even when you feel like you’ve lost sight of who you used to be, don’t worry, you’ll find her again. And when you do, amazing things will happen.”

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

Negeen: Yes. I’m picky about location. I don’t need to write in the same spot each time, but the space needs to have the right energy. I have to feel the creativity flowing, otherwise I’m too distracted. And I must have a good playlist going. It needs to compliment the scene I’m in, otherwise it throws me off. So sad scenes get a ballad, hot scenes need a steamy 90s R&B song, and so on. J

“No matter what happens, you’ve already won. This has become so much more than you ever imagined. Remember that. Hold onto that. You can’t fail.” - Negeen Papehn
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Sharon: Who are you when you’re not writing?

Negeen: I’m a mom and a wife. I have two boys, they’re 8 and 10. They’re spectacular little human beings and keep me super busy. They are in the “arguing phase” of their relationship right now, so it’s lovely. I’m a dentist by day. I know, not a glamorous job, nor is it even close to writing, but I dig it. I get to interact with a lot of people, and I’m definitely a social butterfly so it works for me. Oh! And I love wine, LOL.

Sharon: Yes, I love wine too.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Classic Coleslaw

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OMG! Less than two weeks before Every Deep Desire’s release date! It’s so hard to believe that fourteen years ago I announced I wanted to write a romantic suspense series, set in Savannah about a group of ex-Green Berets that would also redeem Shakespeare’s greatest tragic heroines, and that the first book (a retelling and redemption of Romeo and Juliet) hits the world on March 6. It’s also hard to believe how much work goes into not just the writing but the outlining, editing, promo, marketing, etc. And since St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and corned beef will be on sale for a few weeks, it’s time to buy a few flat-tip beefs and freeze them.

Although I’m a Jersey girl, and grew up surrounded by cabbage farms (yes, there are farms in NJ), I don’t like the smell of cooked cabbage. So, what do I serve with corned beef? My mother’s classic cole slaw which I recently discovered is very similar to a cole slaw recipe I found in one of my Savannah cookbooks. Coincidence? I don’t think so!

As the Fianna warriors (the secret army of Celtic assassins descended from the Druid warriors who fought off the Roman Invasion of Britain) in Every Deep Desire would say , Bain taitneamh as do bhéi! (Bon Appetit or Good Eating!)

(Yes, my Green Berets are up against a secret society of warrior assassins. There are also pirates, hot love scenes, and a poisonous lily all in the service of redeeming Shakespeare’s tragic love story.)

Serves 4-6

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Classic Coleslaw

This is my mother's recipe and I have to admit when I was a kid I added a lot more sugar! LOL. Now that I'm an adult, I don't use the entire sugar bowl but I do add a touch of sugar to offset the vinegar. I make this all summer long and serve it with everything. I also use the bagged freshly-shredded coleslaw to save time. This is one of those recipes I make to taste, adjusting the spices depending on what I'm serving it with. I always taste this as I mix it.

10 minPrep Time

10 minTotal Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

4 cups coleslaw (1/2 head shredded green cabbage. 1/2 head shredded red cabbage and 2 carrots, grated or 1 bag fresh, pre-shredded coleslaw)1 cup fresh spinach, torn into small pieces1 cup mayonnaise1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar1/2 teaspoon celery salt1 teaspoons sugar1 Tablespoon caraway seeds1 cup raisins*

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and chill until ready to serve.Recipe Type: Salad

Notes

The spices are approximate. Depending on what I'm serving it with, I will adjust the sugar, celery salt, and the caraway seeds.

*Raisins are optional. I love them (and will often reduce the sugar) but the kids hate them.

7.6.718https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/hungry-romance-writer-classic-coleslaw/

And don’t forget the Goodreads Giveaway going on for Every Deep Desire (Book 1) until the book debuts on March 6.

[image error]Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes novels of suspense, adventure, and love. The author of the Romantic Suspense Deadly Force Series, her debut book Every Deep Desire releases on March 6, 2018 and is still available for pre-order.

It’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.  And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Classic Coleslaw appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Kimmery Martin’s New Release The Queen of Hearts

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“Martin’s debut novel, about pediatric cardiologist Zadie Anson and trauma surgeon Emma Colley, is a medical drama executed with just the right balance of intensity, plot twists, tragedy, and humor…A remarkably absorbing read.” —Booklist



“Whip-smart and full of heart, Martin expertly weaves the threads of friendship, love and betrayal into a story that crackles with humor and compassion. A brilliant debut.”—Lisa Duffy, author of The Salt House

 

Today I’d like to welcome Kimmery Martin and her debut release THE QUEEN OF HEARTS to Daring Debuts!

——————–

About the book: Two physicians–a trauma surgeon and a cardiologist–navigate marriage, motherhood, and a series of professional errors even as a long-buried secret from medical school threatens their friendship.

 And here’s a teaser: 

He turned to face me. The dying sun caught him full in the face, suffusing his skin with glowing pinks and golds and transforming his hair into a soft halo. Even though his eyes were brown, they were very clear in the sunlight; I thought I could see right through them. The background noise of dogs yelping and trees rustling and the rhythmic feet of the joggers faded into stillness around us. We sat, hushed, in our pool of dimming molten light. He knows, I thought.

Sharon: Welcome, Kimmery! I’d love to know where you got the idea for this book.

Kimmery: I’ve always been a tremendous book nerd. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I harbored a secret desire to model myself after the human beings I most admire—writers—and one day I just sat down and started. It’s a common trope that debut authors should write what they know, and there’s a good reason for that: for most people, mastering the technicalities of good fiction alongside a massive amount of background research would be too time-consuming and difficult. I know about being a doctor and I know about being a mother and I know about being a friend. Having characters who embody those qualities seemed natural.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I harbored a secret desire to model myself after the human beings I most admire—writers—and one day I just sat down and started.
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Sharon: What’s the story behind the title?

Kimmery: The original title was Trauma Queen. (One of my protagonists is a trauma surgeon; the other is a cardiologist.) However, I guess the publishers weren’t in favor of having the word ‘trauma’ in the title. I’m ghastly at thinking of titles, so we went through about a thousand before settling on THE QUEEN OF HEARTS , which actually necessitated a change of specialty for the character who is now a cardiologist. But the title inspired the absolutely fantastic cover art: there’s a vintage anatomical drawing of a heart—recognizable to pretty much every physician—covered by gorgeous flowers.

The title The Queen of Hearts inspired the absolutely fantastic cover art: there’s a vintage anatomical drawing of a heart—recognizable to pretty much every physician—covered by gorgeous flowers.
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Sharon: I just noticed that! Can you share who’s your favorite character?

Kimmery: That’s easy: Delaney, the three year-old daughter of one of the main characters. She’s an impish little squirt. I can state with confidence that I nailed it on this one, because I had my own real-life three year-old simultaneously wreaking havoc and melting my heart as I was writing it.

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

Kimmery: Great question! While it’s tempting to say I’d hook up with Dr. X (c’mon, there has to be one scorching surgeon in a book about doctors, right?) I actually think I’d settle on a day spent in the late nineties with the whole gang of med school friends. We’d do exactly what we did in real life: work for thirty hours or more, stagger home near death, sleep a few hours and then go out like total idiots.

We’d do exactly what we did in real life: work for thirty hours or more, stagger home near death, sleep a few hours and then go out like total idiots.
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Sharon: How long did you take to write this book?

Kimmery: It took five years to write the book, edit it, acquire an agent, sell to a publisher, revise it, market it, and get it published. During revisions, I also removed about 60,000 words, the original ending, and an entire plot line.

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

 Kimmery: I love sentence structure: nothing gives me as much satisfaction as writing a sentence that’s funny or beautiful or stirring.

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

 Kimmery: With my debut novel I really didn’t, because I didn’t know enough to get stuck. I wrote whatever and whenever I felt like, without any worry about deadlines or plot holes or story arcs. But if I wasn’t feeling particularly creative, I’d open one of my favorite books at random and read until my fingers itched to get going.

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

Kimmery: You will get an agent! Hang in there!

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? You will get an agent! Hang in there!
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Sharon: Apart from novel writing, do you do any other kinds of writing?

Kimmery: I do. I have a book review blog where I interview authors and recommends good reads. I also dabble in travel writing: recently I’ve posted articles on my experiences in Italy, Costa Rica, Iceland and Toronto. Finally, I’m participating for a year as a weekly blogger for The Debutante Ball, a website devoted to writing topics featuring five female debut writers.

Sharon: What are you working on right now?

Kimmery: I’m working on a second novel about one of the secondary characters in THE QUEEN OF HEARTS, and I also have a half-finished biotech thriller that I’m longing to get back to.

Sharon: What’s your favourite writing advice?

Kimmery: Read. A lot.

What’s your favourite writing advice? Read. A lot.
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Sharon: Thanks, Kimmery, for spending the day with us!

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Kimmery Martin is a physician, book reviewer, author interviewer, travel blogger, obsessive reader, and general all-around literary nerd who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and three children. The Queen of Hearts is her first novel.

You can find THE QUEEN OF HEARTS at Barnes and Noble and other book retailers.

You can find Kimmery at: 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 novels of suspense, adventure, and love. The author of the Romantic Suspense Deadly Force Series, her debut book Every Deep Desire releases on March 6, 2018 and is still available for pre-order.

It’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.  And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway for a free copy of Every Deep Desire going on until the book’s release.

 

The post Daring Debuts ’18: Kimmery Martin’s New Release The Queen of Hearts appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Braised Corned Beef

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Garden in Savannah, GA

In less than three weeks, my debut novel Every Deep Desire enters the world. Then, a few weeks later it’ll be St. Patrick’s Day. The story of Rafe and Juliet, the hero and heroine of the novel, takes place in June, and St. Patrick’s Day is in March. So what do the two have in common? The beautiful southern city of Savannah, GA.

My Deadly Force Series is about a group of ex-Green Berets who’ve been dishonorably discharged and have lost everything including their jobs, their honor, their homes, and even their bank accounts. These men were set up by a brutal arms dealer and now have nothing. Thanks to a friend, they’ve been given the opportunity to run a decrepit, cheesy, pirate-themed, all-male gym in a not-so-nice part of Savannah, GA. And St. Patrick’s Day? Savannah has one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country which always ends up in the top 10 list of Best Parades.

So, since my book releases soon, my DH is named Patrick who also has a gig on St. Patrick’s Day, today’s recipe is one of two of my favorite corned beef recipes. This came from my mother who also got married and lived in Savannah! So, to begin the pre-book, pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, I humbly offer Braised Corned Beef. 

Serves 6

Braised Corned Beef

For a family that's not a huge fan of corned beef, I have two recipes I love. The other one is done in the slow cooker (see Hungry {Romance} Writer page) and ends up with a brisket that falls apart on the plate and makes a great leftover hash. But this one is the kind that, although very tender, slices beautifully for more formal dinner or sandwiches. Because it cooks for a long time in the oven, it's a good recipe for the weekend.

15 minPrep Time

6 hrCook Time

6 hr, 15 Total Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

1 5-pound flat-cut corned beef brisket1 Tablespoon browning sauce (I use Kitchen Bouquet)1 Tablespoon olive oil1 onion, sliced6 cloves garlic, sliced1 Tablespoons water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.Set a rack in a roasting pan (I use a cookie cooling rack)Discard the brisket's flavoring packet. Brush corned beef with the browning sauce on both sides.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown brisket on both sides, about 5-6 minutes per side.Put meat in the roasting pan and cover with onions and garlic. Add water to the roasting pan and cover TIGHTLY with aluminum foil.Roast in oven for 6 hours, or until meat is tender.Recipe Type: Main Dish, Beef

Notes

I serve this with brown mustard, classic coleslaw, roasted vegetables, and an Irish Soda Bread.
It makes wonderful leftovers and great next-day sandwiches.

7.6.731https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/hungry-romance-writer-braised-corned-beef/

There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway for a free copy of Every Deep Desire going on until the book’s release. Sign up to get a free copy today!

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes novels of suspense, adventure, and love. The author of the Romantic Suspense Deadly Force Series, her debut book Every Deep Desire releases on March 6, 2018 and is available for pre-order.

It’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.  And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Braised Corned Beef appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Juliet Capel’s Wedding Cake

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Photo by Tiko Giorgadze on Unsplash

As many of you know, my first novel EVERY DEEP DESIRE releases in less than three weeks. While I was editing this book, I went back and forth about whether or not to include an epilogue with a wedding scene for Rafe and Juliet (the hero and heroine). My editor and I decided that since Rafe and Juliet’s love story starts out so tragic (it’s a retelling of Romeo and Juliet), they go through so much and come so very close to not getting their Happily Ever after, we should add the scene.

As a former wedding gown designer, I was excited. Even more so when I found the perfect song for their wedding dance, a Creole Lullaby sung by Zachary Richard (embedded below). The story takes place on the Isle of Grace, a fictional sea island off the coast of Savannah, GA, where Rafe and Juliet grew up alongside other families who all settled the Isle in the mid-17th century. The reception takes place at Boudreaux’s, an outdoor Cajun restaurant with a dance floor surrounded by picnic tables and coolers beneath enormous live oaks covered with Spanish Moss and strung with white lights. It’s a local place, almost impossible for tourists to find.

In the scene, Rafe and Juliet (who’ve just gotten married in the Isle’s tiny white church) celebrate on a mid-summer’s day with the other families of the Isle. They dance barefoot, drink champagne, and cut a simple pound cake decorated with local flowers. It’s a wedding celebration that proves to the world that true love heals all wounds.

A wedding celebration that proves to the world that true love heals all wounds. ~ Sharon Wray
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So, in anticipation of Rafe and Juliet’s story coming out, here is the recipe for Juliet’s Wedding Cake. Served with chocolate strawberries, it’s also perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Serves 12-16

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Juliet Capel’s Wedding Cake

This is actually a yogurt pound cake but it tastes like wedding cake. It's super easy to make and looks so romantic when baked in a heart-shaped bundt pan or topped with flowers. For the bundt cake, I just sprinkle powdered sugar on top, but it could easily be frosted with a royal icing or melted chocolate dripped over top. For a 2-layer cake, a buttercream frosting works well.

15 minPrep Time

1 hrCook Time

1 hr, 15 Total Time

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

Cake:1 cup butter, melted1 cup vanilla (or plain) low-fat yogurt2 cups sugar3 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon juice or other flavoring*1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon baking soda2 1/2 cups flour1 Tablespoon lemon rind (optional)*Fresh strawberries and raspberries and powdered sugar for garnish or use a buttercream frostingWedding Frosting:1 cup salted butter1 cup crisco shortening1/2 cup milk2 teaspoons vanilla extract*6 cups confectioner's sugar

Instructions

For the Cake:Preheat oven to 350º.Place melted butter in a glass bowl. With a whisk, mix in yogurt, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Then add salt, baking soda, flour and lemon rind.Place in a greased and floured bundt pan or two 9" cake pans.Bake 1 hour for the bundt cake or in two 9" pans for 25 minutes. (for the two 9" fans, watch the time carefully just in case your oven runs hot.)When cool, sprinkle powdered sugar on top of Bundt cake and serve with strawberries.Or, for the layered cake, frost with buttercream frosting.For the Frosting:Whip the butter and shortening for 20 minutes until light an fluffy. (This is critical to prevent the frosting from being greasy). Gradually add milk, sugar and extract. Frost as soon as cake is cool.Recipe Type: Dessert

Notes

If you have the room in your freezer, this cake freezes beautifully for up to 1 month. Just make sure it's completely cooled before freezing. Frost after defrosting.
*The vanilla extract can easily be substituted by lemon extract or almond extract. If you use the vanilla or lemon extract, add the lemon rind. If you're using almond extract, omit the lemon rind.

7.6.739https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/hungry-romance-writer-juliet-capels-wedding-cake/

And in case you’re looking for a lovely, slow waltz this Valentine’s Day, here’s Zachary Richard’s Creole Lullaby.

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes novels of suspense, adventure, and love. The author of the Romantic Suspense Deadly Force Series, her debut book Every Deep Desire releases on March 6, 2018 and is still available for pre-order.

It’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.  And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway for a free copy of Every Deep Desire going on until the book’s release.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Juliet Capel’s Wedding Cake appeared first on Sharon Wray.

Daring Debuts ’18: Clarissa Harwood’s New Release Impossible Saints

Today I’d like to welcome Clarissa Harwood whose novel IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS debuted on January 2, 2018.

[image error]“Harwood brings us vividly and convincingly into the past, as we see the whirlwind of social changes in early twentieth century England through the lives of two passionate and authentic characters.” – Jessica Brockmole, internationally bestselling author of ‘Letters from Skye’

England, 1907. Lilia Brooke bursts into Paul Harris’s orderly life, shattering his belief that women are gentle creatures who need protection. Lilia wants to change women’s lives by advocating for the vote, free unions, and contraception. Paul, an Anglican priest, has a big ambition of his own: to become the youngest dean of St. John’s Cathedral. Lilia doesn’t believe in God, but she’s attracted to Paul’s intellect, ethics, and dazzling smile.

As Lilia finds her calling in the militant Women’s Social and Political Union, Paul is increasingly driven to rise in the church. They can’t deny their attraction, but they know they don’t belong in each other’s worlds. Paul and Lilia must reach their breaking points before they can decide whether their love is worth fighting for.

Sharon: Welcome, Clarissa! To start, can you please describe what IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS is about?

Clarissa: Of course! The setting is 1907 England. Lilia Brooke, an agnostic militant suffragette, believes marriage to a clergyman is a fate worse than death. Paul Harris, a quiet, intellectual Anglican priest, is well aware that falling in love with Lilia is incompatible with his ambition to become the next cathedral dean. Lilia and Paul must decide which compromises they’re willing to make and whether their love is worth fighting for.

And here’s a teaser:

—————————–

“How well do you know Whitechapel?” she asked.

He hesitated.

“Have you ever been there?”

“No,” he admitted, “but I don’t need to go to Hell to know I don’t want to spend time there.”

She laughed. “That’s a terrible analogy.”

“Don’t you think you could better achieve your ends by adding a little prudence to your fearlessness?”

“You sound like my mother.” She tapped her foot impatiently. “Why is it that men’s courage is called bravery but women’s courage is called recklessness—or, even worse, foolishness? If I were a man, would you urge me to be prudent?”

“I certainly would,” he said firmly. “Not everything is a question of sex.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Everything is a question of sex, but because you’re a man, you don’t see it.”

—————————-

Sharon: I know everyone always ask authors this question but where did you get the idea?

Clarissa: The genesis of the novel was a scene that popped into my head about twenty years ago: it was as vivid and detailed as if I were watching a movie. I saw a confrontation in a meadow between a studious boy who didn’t know how to play, and a fiery girl pretending to be Jeanne d’Arc, leading her army of brothers. That scene haunted me for many years before I finally gave in and started writing Paul and Lilia’s story. The scene doesn’t appear in the finished novel, but both Paul and Lilia refer to it and remember it as their first meeting.

Sharon: What’s the story behind the title?

Clarissa:  The original title was Marching as to War, but by the time I signed with my agent I had changed it to A Battle Worth Fighting. I was quite attached to the latter title because it’s a direct quotation from the novel, but my editor rightly pointed out that it sounded more like nonfiction than fiction. The final title, IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS, was the result of a fun brainstorming session with my editor and my agent. While the others enjoyed my contribution of The Suffragette with a Priest on a Train, it didn’t make the cut!

Sharon: I know all about title changes! Can you tell us something we won’t find out just by reading the book jacket?

Clarissa: My protagonists’ choice of heroes says a lot about them. Paul’s hero is the Victorian founder of the Oxford Movement (and ultimately Anglo-Catholicism), John Henry Newman. Lilia’s hero is early feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.

My protagonists’ choice of heroes says a lot about them. Paul’s hero is the Victorian founder of the Oxford Movement (and ultimately Anglo-Catholicism), John Henry Newman. Lilia’s hero is early feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who wrote A…
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Sharon: Can you tell us about your favourite character?

Clarissa: It’s tough to choose a favourite because I love Paul and Lilia equally. I used to tell people that Paul is who I am, and Lilia is who I want to be. This isn’t really true, though, and my husband keeps telling me that I’m Lilia, even though I don’t see her qualities in myself. The novel is told from the points of view of both Lilia and Paul. Because this was the first novel I wrote that includes the point of view of a male character, I was nervous about expressing a man’s attitude and thoughts convincingly, so I deliberately gave Paul my personality (INFJ, for Myers-Briggs fans). Over the course of multiple revisions, he changed and became his own person, but I still identify with many of his strengths and weaknesses. Lilia is much braver and more outspoken than I am. She’s also an extrovert and has much more energy for people than I do. But I admire her and her convictions!

Sharon: Are your character based on real people, or do they come from your imaginations?

Clarissa: The only real person who makes an appearance in IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS is Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), the best-known British militant women’s suffrage organization in the early 20th century. I’ve already mentioned that I based Paul’s personality on my own, and I do rely quite a bit on the Myers-Briggs personality typology when I create characters. If I’m struggling to understand a character’s motivations, I’ll often ask someone with a personality similar to my character’s for help.

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

Clarissa: The novel took about twenty years from conception to publication. The first draft took me a little over a year, but I’ve written so many drafts since then that I’ve lost count. I gave up on it several times and wrote other books, but I kept coming back to it. You can read more about the timeline, including signing with my agent and getting the book deal in this blog post.

Sharon: I know about the long road to publication well! What is your favorite part of your writing process, and why?

Clarissa: I love revisions, whether I’m doing them on my own after having written several drafts, or whether I’m doing them based on my agent’s or editor’s feedback. There is no “terror of the blank page,” so I don’t experience writer’s block when I’m doing revisions. I already know the story and the characters, so I don’t have to create anything from scratch. Instead, I’m adding layers and depth, polishing something that is already a solid story.

There is no “terror of the blank page,” so I don’t experience writer’s block when I’m doing revisions. I already know the story and the characters, so I don’t have to create anything from scratch. Instead, I’m adding layers and depth,…
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Sharon: What is the most challenging part of your writing process, and why?

Clarissa: The first draft! How I hate the first draft! I hate not knowing my characters. They aren’t my friends yet, and I miss my old friends from the previous novel. The characters in a first draft are people who’ve dropped out of the sky and are ordering me to tell a story I don’t know.

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

Clarissa: Yes, usually when I’m working on a first draft or if I’ve been away from the manuscript too long. I’m a recovering perfectionist, so my first step is usually just reminding myself that it’s ok to “write crap.” In fact, this is how I wrote my entire dissertation! When my writer’s block is really severe, I use the ten-minute minimum time period I mentioned before and let myself make point-form notes if I can’t form complete sentences. Another trick I use for severe writer’s block is stolen from the movie The King’s Speech: to work on the king’s stutter, his speech therapist had him shout out swear words to loosen him up. I do this with writing if I’m really stuck: I just write long lists of swear words!

Sharon: Do you have any writing quirks?

Clarissa: Ha! Is there a writer who doesn’t have writing quirks? I look like a maniac when I’m revising a novel because I often talk to myself loudly and gesticulate wildly. Fortunately I’m usually alone at home when I do this, but not always. I also do my best writing when I’m “inside the purr machine,” which is on my sofa with one cat on either side of me and another behind my head.

Sharon:I love the “purr machine”! Can you share something about yourself that most people probably don’t know?

Clarissa: Songs by the 70’s Swedish pop group ABBA are the soundtrack to my life.

Sharon:What are you working on right now?

Clarissa: A historical novel about a Victorian woman mountain climber.

Sharon: Oh my gosh, that sounds so interesting! What’s your favourite writing advice?

Clarissa: Don’t wait for inspiration. Inspiration comes after you start writing, not before. The best writing advice I’ve heard for writer’s block is “butt in chair” and “lower your expectations.”

Don’t wait for inspiration. Inspiration comes after you start writing, not before. The best writing advice I’ve heard for writer’s block is “butt in chair” and “lower your expectations.”
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Sharon: What book are you currently reading?

Clarissa: I always have several books on the go. This week they are a nonfiction book about scandalous Victorian court cases, Peter Pan because I’m teaching it this week in my Children’s Literature course, and Song of a Captive Bird, a novel about the 1960’s Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad that I’m reviewing for the Historical Novel Society.

Sharon: Thanks so much for spending the day with us, Clarissa. And best of luck with your debut!

————————–

You can find IMPOSSIBlE SAINTS at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Chapters Indigo.

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Clarissa Harwood holds a PhD in English Literature with a specialization in Nineteenth-Century British Literature. In addition to being a proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Clarissa is a part-time university instructor and full-time grammar nerd who loves to explain the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. She lives in London, Ontario.

 

You can find Clarissa on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, & Goodreads.

 

 

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes novels of suspense, adventure, and love. The author of the Romantic Suspense Deadly Force Series, her debut book Every Deep Desire releases on March 6, 2018 and is available for pre-order.

It’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.  And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway for a free copy of Every Deep Desire going on until the book’s release.

The post Daring Debuts ’18: Clarissa Harwood’s New Release Impossible Saints appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Amazing Hot Chocolate

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Photo by Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash.

It’s the weekend, it’s raining, I have a book to write, and my husband has all sorts of work deadlines. So what’s a hungry couple with two kids in college and no extra money to do? Make the most amazing hot chocolate ever! I hope you’re having a great weekend.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Amazing Hot Chocolate

This is the most amazing hot chocolate ever. And if you drop a peppermint chocolate kiss into the mug, it makes a perfect peppermint hot cocoa. Wonderful on a snowy or rainy Sunday!

2 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

12 minTotal Time

Yields 4 servings

Author:


Sharon Wray

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Ingredients

Hot Chocolate1 14-oz can evaporated milk1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa2 teaspoons vanilla extract4 1/2 cups hot waterToppingsWhipped creamMini chocolate chipsChocolate peppermint kissesCinnamon

Instructions

In a large pot over medium heat, combine the evaporated milk, cocoa and vanilla extract.While it heats, slowly stir in hot water.Heat through, stirring constantly.Pour into mugs and top with favorite toppings.Recipe Type: Beverage7.6.744https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/hungry-romance-writer-amazing-hot-chocolate/

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Sharon Wray is a librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and now writes novels of suspense, adventure, and love. The author of the Romantic Suspense Deadly Force Series, her debut book Every Deep Desire releases on March 6, 2018 and is still available for pre-order.

It’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and iBooks.  And adding it to your Goodreads TBR list is also always appreciated!

There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway for a free copy of Every Deep Desire going on until the book’s release.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Amazing Hot Chocolate appeared first on Sharon Wray.