Sherry Morris's Blog, page 31

November 9, 2012

Think Before You Give

The Boy Scouts are running a food drive. They've left bags which they hope people will fill with nonperishable food and stash by their mailboxes on Saturday for the boys to retrieve. It's the season when retailers, civic groups and even some government agencies encourage people of means to donate food to the local food bank.

I've always looked at it as an opportunity to clean out my pantry. The canned pumpkin I overbought. The evaoprated milk I mistakenly picked up when the recipe called for condensed milk. The old can of cream of yuk soup. But not this year.

It never occurred to me until I read about a woman who'd done the same. One day her husband lost his job. After a few weeks, she was on the receiving end of generously donated food. Embarrassed as she reluctantly/gratefully accepted the gift, she unpacked a bunch of edible yet unappetizing food her hungry family wouldn't enjoy.

No more pantry cleaning for me. I'll donate the foods my family loves, and send it off with a prayer.
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Published on November 09, 2012 12:15

November 8, 2012

Recipe: Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls
1 Pound Hot Bulk Sausage
2 Cups (8 ounces) Shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 Cups Biscuit Mix
1/2 Onion, Grated
2 Tablespoons Fresh Sage or Any Fresh Herb, Finely Chopped

Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Roll into small balls. Place on two ungreased baking sheets and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot. Makes about 4 dozen.

It will take a lot of patience and strength to break apart the sausage. The better you incorporate all the ingredients, the better your outcome. I used to make these in the 1980's and they always crumbled apart. Even though I was embarrassed, my guests had no problem standing over the pan and gobbling the goodies anyway. They really are delicious. I'm now able to mix them well enough that they keep their shape.

Even though these have always been my go-to party food, now that we're older and have kids, they love them for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks. I mean they LOVE these.

Try them with pork, chicken, turkey or veggie sausage. Use your favorite flavor of cheese. If you don't have fresh herbs, substitute 1 tablespoon of dried herbs instead of the 2 tablespoons of fresh. But, really, I'm telling you, fresh herbs are the secret to making this dish pop.

I'd love to know if your family and friends enjoy these as much as mine.


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Published on November 08, 2012 18:14

November 6, 2012

Please Vote!

If you are a registered American voter, and have a way to get to the polls or have been granted permission due to Sandy to vote some other way (FAX, email, etc.) please vote!

Even if you're like me and really were on the fence about which Presidential candidate to choose. I finally did make a decsion and voted. My 19 year old daughter didn't like either choice, but I reasoned with her to leave that field blank, and vote her party on the other offices and to please vote on the constitutional ammendements. Now, she may well have voted for President too, but I'm not asking.

Please, even if you think you are cancelling out your spouse if you vote, do so. Every vote counts. Especially the little vote inside your soul.

Happy Election Day, and I hope your man/woman wins.

(From a former chief election official who worked nine elections and am giving someone else a turn. Plus it's good not to have gotten up at 4 AM to get to the polling place before 5 AM and not eat or return home until midnight.) 

Thank you to all the poll workers and volunteers for the parties!

Whoo hoo!
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Published on November 06, 2012 12:17

October 19, 2012

Upside Down Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Upside Down Pumpkin Pecan Pie
1/2 can (1 3/4 cups) pumpkin

1/2 of a 12 ounce can (2/3 cup) evaporated milk

1/2 cup golden brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 of a 18.25 ounce package (1 3/4 cups) yellow cake mix with pudding

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Whipped cream for garnish if desired

In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, pie spice, cinnamon and salt.

Grease a 9 inch pie dish.  Line with a 14 inch piece of waxed paper.  Pour filling into paper. Sprinkle top with cake mix and then with nuts.  Drizzle melted butter over.

Bake in center of oven at 325 F for 55 to 60 minutes or until the top is deeply browned and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

To serve, turn upside down onto platter.  Remove pie dish and waxed paper.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe developed by cookbook author Marlene Sorosky and used on the label of Safeway Pumpkin.
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Published on October 19, 2012 14:27

October 18, 2012

New eBook!

For Adults Only!  Persuasive Lips, an erotic historical romantic suspense is available everywhere.eBook: Apple ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords Sony
Story Summary:In World War II Washington, Miss Della Davis toils on the night shift in the President's typing pool. She likes the quiet as she goes about transcribing sensitive documents into an embarrassingly erotic government code. She also likes a certain Secret Service Agent Jones, who frequents her lonely office with a debonair smile and a sack of hamburgers. But Della wants more. She yearns for intrigue and danger. To be a woman for her country. Agent Jones has one thing on his mind--to make Della forget about her career and yearn only for him. He sets up an elaborate sting. Will she take the bait or are women the smarter sex?Excerpt:As she made her way over to the window, distant footsteps on the marble floor approached from the corridor. After checking her brown hair in the reflection back from the glass, tucking an errant strand back into the chignon, Della peered out at the big summer moon illuminating the White House lawn. Two young marines patrolled the grounds. She watched as Fala, the President’s mischievous little black Scottish terrier, sniffed around the trees, accompanied by Mr. Roosevelt’s Oriental valet.
The footsteps arrived.
Della’s heartbeat quickened. She inhaled deeply as her mouth watered. The greasy aroma of hamburgers wafted sensuously, beckoning the twenty-two year old secretary.
“Hello, Miss Davis.”
Smoothing her wrinkled floral shirtdress, she turned toward Secret Service Agent Ashley Jones. Damn he was a looker in his navy pinstriped suit. Around six feet tall. Blond crew cut. Impossibly blue eyes. Broad shoulders vee-ing down to a trim waist. And single.
“Good evening officer. It appears to be a beautiful night out there. Is it?”
“Hot and muggy. Full moon. Mother’s Day.”
Della loved his deep voice. So masculine and full of testosterone. Whenever he spoke, she smoldered.
She on the other hand, had a meek voice that tended to crack. “It’s not Mother’s Day.”
“Sure it is. First payday of the month. That means the liquor stores are doing a bustling business. Add the full moon and that means trouble.”
“But why the Mother’s Day reference?”
“Copper speak. When the fistfights and robberies and fornication ends, some will be crying for their mommies.”
Della tried not to screw her face up. Not the kind of conversation she was interested in having with such an eligible bachelor. “What’s in the sack?”
“Come closer and you can touch it.”
She blinked her long brown lashes which felt like they had clumped from the mascara she’d brushed on thirteen hours earlier. Miss Davis sashayed her voluptuous body across the tan carpeted floor. Stopping in front of him, very close, she looked up into those dreamy pools of blue that he was ogling her with. She felt his hot breath as he parted his lips, revealing slightly crooked front teeth. A guy with an overbite. Oh they were the best kind of kissers.
Agent Jones grasped her hand, rubbing her wrist with his thumb.
Miss Davis felt weak at the knees.
“Have they posted the transfer list yet?” he asked.
“No,” she lamented.
“Well, everything crossed you’ll get the position you want. But I’m sure going to miss you...”
Della blinked and smiled. “Thanks.” She snatched the paper bag from him and turned, spilling the contents out onto her desk blotter. Eight little bundles wrapped in newsprint tumbled out. Rolling her eyes and smiling demurely, she sensually unwrapped a tiny hamburger with onions and catsup on a roll. The hungry secretary paused to admire and inhale the aroma of the heavenly feast.
“Come on now, don’t be hoggish. I haven’t seen the boss yet.” He teased.
“You’re too late. Mr. Roosevelt is upstairs having cocktails with the Hitchcocks. Done with business for tonight.”
“How do I know you’re not pulling my leg, just so you can gobble all of my burgers?”
She giggled and plopped down in her rolling desk chair, propelling it back far enough to cross her long legs. She glanced up to see Jones enjoying the show.
Della made yum noises as she took tiny bites, savoring the salty greasy meat. The little fried onions had just the right crunch. She made eye contact with Agent Jones as she licked her lips and ran a finger across her bare skin peeking from the square neckline of her summer linen dress.
“Thanks.” She wiped her hands with a pink cotton hankie.
“Have another,” he offered.
“No. I’ve got work to do.” She loaded the remaining hamburgers into the sack and stapled the top shut. To keep her from eating another. She handed it to Agent Jones. “Here you go. I know how much the President appreciates you sneaking these little heart attacks in a sack to him. That diet the doctor has him on makes him mighty cranky. I can’t see as I blame him. I mean, gee, he’s the leader of the free world and some peon doctor is telling him to eat poached skinless chicken and celery sticks.”
“I agree. Poor guy. How come you always pull the late shift?”
“Low girl on the totem pole. Besides, I like working after hours. I can get so much more accomplished. The phone doesn’t ring; the other secretaries aren’t here to gab drivel.”
“Gab drivel?”
“You know how they get. Going on and on about shoes or recipes or men.”
“And you’re not interested in shoes or recipes or men...”
“Exactly. I’m focused on my career. Advancement. I’m serious about serving my country.” She glanced wistfully at the postcard.
He said, “Yeah, there’s a lot of that going around. Just the other day, Rosie the Riveter was in here eating burgers with me. And now she’s been promoted to screwing--”
Fala yelped as if in pain then barked insistently outside the window. Miss Davis and Agent Jones hurried over and peered out. They observed two marines chasing a figure across the lawn.
Agent Jones exited the office and ran outside.
Della pulled her top desk drawer open and removed a pair of scissors. She haphazardly chopped the used carbon paper and crumpled it into the drab green metal waste basket, shoving it way to the bottom, covering it with benign trash.
She snatched the inter-agency envelope and made a beeline for the map room. Before she could reach the hallway, a sharp pain hit her in the back. Della froze. She turned her head. No one was in the room. Slowly reaching her right hand over her left shoulder, she felt the sticky liquid. Pulling her hand in front of her face, she screamed at the sight of her own blood.

Persuasive Lips:
eBook: Apple  ARe  Diesel  Kindle  Kobo  Nook  Smashwords   Sony

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Published on October 18, 2012 15:33

Free eBook!

For Adults Only!  Persuasive Lips, an erotic historical romantic suspense is now FREE everywhere except Nook. Keep checking, Nook will join in the freebee fun.eBook: Apple ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords Sony

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Published on October 18, 2012 15:33

October 6, 2012

Free Stories in October!

Two short stories are free for the month of October 2012 at the following eTailers: All Romance eBooks, Apple, Kobo and Smashwords(They are 99 cents at Kindle and Nook.)
 HouseguestBy Sherry Silver
Do you have an e-pal across the world that you've "known" for years? Ever wonder what it would be like if you met one day, face-to-face? From someone who's been there, I implore of you, don't! Wendy and I had great fun over the years, bantering on a Bee Gees fan emailing loop. She was such a fun girl. When she said she was coming to visit for three weeks, my family met the REAL Wendy.   Houseguest:eBook: Apple  ARe  Kindle  Kobo  Nook  Smashwords

Persuasive LipsBy Sherry Silver For Adults Only!
In World War II Washington, Miss Della Davis toils on the night shift in the President's typing pool. She likes the quiet as she goes about transcribing sensitive documents into an embarrassingly erotic government code. She also likes a certain Secret Service Agent Jones, who frequents her lonely office with a debonair smile and a sack of hamburgers. But Della wants more. She yearns for intrigue and danger. To be a woman for her country. Agent Jones has one thing on his mind--to make Della forget about her career and yearn only for him. He sets up an elaborate sting. Will she take the bait or are women the smarter sex?
For Adults Only! Persuasive Lips: eBook: Apple  ARe  Kindle  Kobo  Nook  Smashwords 
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Published on October 06, 2012 14:51

Another New Cover

Devil in the Deep Blue Sea cover by Am Design Studios
Here is my latest cover for Devil in the Deep Blue Sea. It was a premade beauty from Am Design Studios. When I made updates to this title, I could no longer use my old homemade cover (see below) because as our gadgets get more advanced, they need larger image files. Amanda does a lot of gorgeous Young Adult covers if you need any. 
Old homemade Devil in the Deep Blue Sea cover by Sherry Silver
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Published on October 06, 2012 08:04

October 5, 2012

Progress

How do you like the new covers for Persuasive Lips, Houseguest and Hundred Dollar Bill?
 Persuasive Lips cover by Delle Jacobs via Romance Novel Covers Hundred Dollar Bill Cover by Fantasia Frog Designs  Houseguest Cover by Razzle Dazzle Design
I am updating all of the content in my books across all of the eBook platforms. I'll get to the print editions later. Anyhow, some of the retailers are requiring larger images, so I had to ditch my homemade covers and buy these professionally created masterpieces. I'd been admiring these premade covers for months, not realizing they'd be perfect for these particular projects until this week.

When you take the giant leap from traditional big or little press publishing into the uncharted waters of independent publishing, you do what you can. I couldn't afford to purchase all of my covers when I first started out, therefore I made some. Well, they served their purpose. I'm finally finding my audience and making a little money, so I'm reinvesting it right back into my business, via these covers. Some day I might earn enough in royalties to have custom covers made, but for now, I do adore these.

I'm still trying to get html formatting correct on the book pages of this blog, and not succeeding. Strange error messages with the interface, sigh. I'll figure it out.

I emailed my former publisher about taking down the book to which they reverted my rights back over two months ago. The digital format is still for sale at all the vendors.

I bought the domain sherrysilver.net to redirect to this blog.

I'm eagerly awaiting one more cover to be created, for Devil in the Deep Blue Sea. It's going to be gorgeous!

Bleow are my old, homemade covers for the above books.

It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood. I hope your weather is lovely too. Bye for now.


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Published on October 05, 2012 06:08

October 4, 2012

Under Massive Construction

Sorry I've been AWOL and haven't posted to the blog in a long time. I have been immersed in self-publishing my backlist and a new title. Now I've tasked myself with revamping this blog so readers can one stop shop here for everything they need.

So anyway, this blog will look wonky and work strangely for a bit while I'm muddling through figuring things out and loading content. And more content and then prolly I'll take some away before I add even more. I'll announce the new blog launch as soon as it's finished, which should be really soon. I hope.

Happy October, world!
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Published on October 04, 2012 12:59

Sherry Morris's Blog

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