Sharon Ledwith's Blog, page 2

Author in the Kitchen: Quench that Dog Day Thirst by Sweet Romance Author Catherine Castle...

Iced tea is summer’s classic drink. I thought it might be interesting to talk about the history of this popular drink before the summer slips away and also share my Nectarine Iced Tea recipe.

The history of tea reaches back to 2737 B.B. when, according to Chinese legend, Emperor Shen Nong accidently discovered tea when a leaf from a wild tea tree fell into a pot of water he was boiling in his garden. He enjoyed the flavor the leaf lent to the water so much that he began to brew it.

Iced tea, however, is much younger. The first recorded recipes in the U.S. for iced tea appeared in The Buckeye Cookbook in 1876 and in 1879 HouseKeeping in Old Virginia. The 1879 recipe, published by Marion Cabel Tyree, called for green tea to be boiled and steeped throughout the day. The liquid was then poured over ice and sugar and served with lemon.

The popularity of iced tea using black tea is believed to have started at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, where Richard Blechynden, the Commissioner of Tea for India and one of the fair's directors, was exhibiting hot black tea. Because the temperatures were high, hot tea wasn't selling. So, Blechynden brewed and chilled the tea, and thirsty fair visitors began buying. The trend caught on and by World War I iced tea appeared in the kitchens of Americans and in restaurants on a regular basis. Today, iced tea—black, green and herbal, in bottles, boxes and pitchers—is a staple on America’s menus.

Iced tea also appears on the tables in other countries, but many have a different take on the drink than Americans do. Here we have what most Southerners know as sweet tea, which is sugared, and regular iced tea—most common with Northerners, which is usually unsweetened. Tea drinkers have the option of adding a squeeze of lemon, or not.

In Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, mate tea, not the camellia sinensis tea associated with black tea, is the preferred drink for iced tea. Yerba mate dried leaves are boiled in water, then strained and served in cups.



Iced tea in Greece is usually flavored with peach or lemon. If you order peach tea, you’ll still get a lemon slice on the rim of the glass.

Ginger lemon, lemon and peach flavored teas are popular in India.


In Hong Kong tea is served with lemon slices that are crushed, releasing the volatile oils into the tea. There is also a milk tea version of iced tea made with green tea, flavored with jasmine blossoms and tapioca pearls. The tea is served warm and poured over ice, creating a creamy iced tea.

Taiwan has an interesting tea called Bubble Tea. This tea is usually a strong black tea, sweetened with sugar and condensed milk. It is served cold usually with tapioca pearls. Sometimes pudding, jelly, or chunks of fruit are put into it instead of tapioca pearls. Bubble tea can also be made with other types of tea.

Thailand iced tea is made from strongly brewed black tea, sweetened with sugar and condensed milk. Evaporated milk, coconut milk or whole milk are also used. The tea and milk are usually mixed together and then poured over the ice.

You might think that with tea time being a staple in the UK iced tea would be as popular there as in the rest of Europe. But not so. The popularity of iced tea in United Kingdom has only begun to rise since 2000.

Today, when you ask, “Would you like some iced tea?” Most people expect brewed black tea, with or without sugar and lemon. But plain old camellia sinensis isn’t the only option. With hundreds of flavored and herbal teas, the varieties of iced tea are only limited by one’s imagination.

At my house our favorite iced teas are decaffeinated Sun Tea, made by steeping tea bags in cold water using the heat of the sun to brew it, and hibiscus tea made from pouring boiling water over the dried flowers of the hibiscus plant. I’ve even begun putting my leftover morning tea, usually Mrs. Patmore’s Pudding Tea or Irish tea with cream, into the refrigerator and drinking it cold later on in the day. I’m surprised at how tasty it is.

For your summer tea enjoyment, I’ve included a fruity iced tea recipe I developed. I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Nectarine Iced Tea
4 peach flavored green tea bags
2 cups boiling water
1 ripe nectarine
2 fresh, sweet cherries with the stem, optional
Sugar or sweetener to taste

Place tea bags in a 2-cup heat-proof measuring cup. Pour boiling water into cup and steep tea bags according to directions.

Halve the nectarine and peel⅔ of the fruit. Reserving 2 peeled slices for garnish.

Slice the peeled nectarines into sections. Place ½ the sections into a bowl and crush the fruit to break down the flesh and release the juices.

Drop ¼ of the crushed nectarine into two 16-ounce glasses and stir well. Add ice and then remaining peeled nectarines.

Pour cooled tea over the ice and fruit in the glasses.

Garnish the glass edge with the unpeeled fruit and drop a fresh sweet cherry with the stem on into the top of the tea.

Add sugar or sweetener to taste. The riper the fruit the less sweetener you’ll need.

How about a peek at my latest sweet romance while you sip your refreshing tea?

One date for every medical test—that’s the deal. Allison, however, gets more than she bargains for. She gets a Groom for Mama.

Beverly Walters is dying, and before she goes she has one wish—to find a groom for her daughter. To get the deed done, Mama enlists the dating service of Jack Somerset, Allison’s former boyfriend.

The last thing corporate-climbing Allison wants is a husband. Furious with Mama’s meddling, and a bit more interested in Jack than she wants to admit, Allison agrees to the scheme as long as Mama promises to search for a cure for her terminal illness.

A cross-country trip from Nevada to Ohio ensues, with a string of disastrous dates along the way, as the trio hunts for treatment and A Groom For Mama.

EXCERPT
With a sweep of his hand, Jack spread the photos out on the table in front of Allison and Beverly. “Here’s a few I just grabbed from the database. Any of them interesting?” He studied Allison’s reaction. She didn’t bat an eyelash as she scanned the men’s pictures. Then, without warning, she scooped them up and shoved them at him.

“I told Mama I wasn’t going to do this. It’s a stupid idea.”

“I’ll admit it’s not the ‘some enchanted evening, see a stranger across the room’ romantic way to find a husband, but it’s not totally unacceptable. Several of the couples my company has brought together have married.”

“And lived happily ever after?” she retorted.

“It’s a new company, Allison. I don’t have the stats yet.” He pushed the photos across the table. “Just take a peek. What harm can it do?”

Beverly grabbed the photo of a particularly handsome man. “How about this one? His coloring complements yours. You’d have beautiful children.”

Mama!” Allison snatched the photo away. “We’re not going to discuss my possible, yet unlikely, progeny in front of Jack.”

A flash of Allison kissing this guy flew through his head. He grabbed the photo from her. “He’s not your type anyway.”

“And just how do you know?” she asked.

“I dated you, remember? You ditched me for some suave, corporate hotshot. At least it’s what you said.”
“Allison!” Beverly exclaimed. “You never told me that.”

Allison shot him a fierce scowl. “I’m not comfortable discussing my love life with you, Mama. Besides, what’s done and over with should be buried . . . in the past.” She picked up another photo. “What about him? Or him and him?” She pointed to two nerdy-looking fellows. “They seem corporate.”

Mama leaned over and checked out the pictures Allison had indicated. “Too ugly,” she said. “He’s got to be handsome. Like Jack. I want to know my grandbabies will be as beautiful as you two.”

He grinned. “Thanks for the compliment, but I know I’m not your daughter’s type.” He laid a sheet of paper on the counter. “Fill this out. Then I can get a better idea of what you want in a husband.”

“I don’t want—”

“I know,” he interjected. “But, for your mom’s sake, just pretend you do.”

Second Edition Coming Soon
Multi-award-winning author Catherine Castle has been writing all her life. A former freelance writer, she has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit (under her real name) in the Christian and secular market. Now she writes sweet and inspirational romance. Her debut inspirational romantic suspense, The Nun and the Narc, from Soul Mate Publishing, has garnered multiple contests finals and wins.

Catherine loves writing, reading, traveling, singing, watching movies, and the theatre. In the winter she loves to quilt and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place to be is in her garden. She’s passionate about gardening and even won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club.

Learn more about Catherine Castle on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter . Be sure to check out Catherine’s Amazon author page and her Goodreads page . You can also find Catherine on Stitches Thru Time and the SMP authors blog site .

Guest Post: KEEPING BRITAIN TIDY a Never-ending Task by Fantasy Author Carol Browne...

One of my favourite activities isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, although I wish more people would take it up. Once a week, I join a couple of neighbours and we go litter picking in our local area.

There’s an expression in the UK – “It’s like painting the Forth Bridge.” Said bridge spans the Forth Estuary in Scotland and is so big a structure that, in the days before new tech, painting it was a question of getting to the end only to have to start again at the beginning. It was a task that was never finished and so it is with litter picking.

Have humans become more thoughtless with their rubbish over the years? It does seem so. There’s more packaging on everyday purchases too, and people eat fast food on the go. When did everyone start taking bottled water and cans out with them wherever they went? What is the mentality of fly-tippers who are happy to make their rubbish someone else’s problem rather than dispose of it responsibly themselves?

Litter isn’t just unsightly; it poses serious danger to wildlife and the environment. Broken bottles can injure dogs’ paws and start forest fires. Plastic can holders trap and strangle animals – they should be cut up before disposal. Plastic that is loose in the ecosystem breaks down into tiny fragments that enter our food and water and, eventually, our bodies.

In past ages, rubbish was biodegradable. Forest floors were littered with dead leaves not crisp packets. Broken clay pottery returned to the earth from which it was made. Textiles were mended and reused. Leftover food items became compost to grow more food. There were no cigarette ends ground underfoot, no plastic bags taking flight over windswept fields.

So, my neighbours and I do our bit to clean up the detritus of modern life. We have fun doing it – you’d be surprised what we find! It’s a satisfying pastime because we can see that we’ve made a difference to our neighbourhood, and it sets a good example to others – litterally! Imagine if everyone just kept the area outside their own home litter-free, wouldn’t that be something!

The characters in my epic fantasy trilogy The Elwardain Chronicles would be horrified to see the rubbish-strewn vistas of the 21st century. They would be appalled by our carelessness and lack of respect for nature. Their 6th century world is unspoilt and unpolluted. If you would like to escape to a cleaner, simpler time, why not take a trip through my trilogy and walk into a world of beauty and magic.

The journey begins now with Book 1, The Exile of Elindel, available in eBook and print.

Banished from Elvendom and forced to seek refuge among the Saxons, young Elgiva faces a grim future - until she crosses paths with Godwin, a Briton enslaved by the people she must now call allies.

When a dark power rises to claim dominion over Elvendom, Elgiva and Godwin set off on a dangerous quest for the legendary Lorestone: the only thing that can stop the looming darkness. With a reluctant elf boy as their guide and a stubborn pony by their side, they must navigate the treacherous land and harness ancient magic before it’s too late.

As battle lines are drawn, Elgiva must embrace her true heritage, and Godwin must learn to wield the secret power he possesses. But can they find the Lorestone in time - or will Elvendom fall forever?

An historical fantasy adventure set in 6th century Britain, THE EXILE OF ELINDEL is the first book in Carol Browne's The Elwardain Chronicles series.

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK

Once upon a time a little girl wrote a poem about a flower. Impressed, her teacher pinned it to the wall and, in doing so, showed the child which path to follow.

Over the years poems and stories flowed from her pen like magic from a wizard’s wand.

She is much older now, a little wiser too, and she lives in rural Cambridgeshire, where there are many trees to hug.

But inside her still is that little girl who loved Nature and discovered the magic of words.

She hopes to live happily ever after.

Stay connected with Carol on her website and blog, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Author in the House: Interview with Middle Grade Fantasy Author Kathryn Rossati...

Welcome to myvirtual hub! Today I’m featuring middle grade fantasy author, Kathryn Rossati,who is a fellow author-mate with Next Chapter, and also writes time travel tales.We’re definitely kindred spirits! I loved the questions that she sent me toanswer for her blog post recently, so I asked Kathryn if she’d like to be aguest on my blog, and answer those same questions. She loved the idea, sowithout further ado, here are the results of this collaboration. Enjoy…   

Welcome, Kathryn! Whendid you realise you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve loved writingdown stories since I was very young, as I daydreamed a lot and wanted to keepthose daydreamed worlds safe. In terms of writing professionally, as soon as itdawned on me that people actually wrote books for a living, I knew that’s whatI wanted to do – so perhaps age eight or nine.

What's your latestbook about?

My latestpublished novel is an upper middle grade time travel story, called NaturallyNic/k. The story focuses on an autistic girl called Nic, who ends up back intime along with two of her bullies, who immediately vanish in the bustle of theThames Tunnel Fancy Fair. Nic bumps into a young magician, Nikolai, whosebrother has gone missing, and decides to team up with him to find out where herbullies and the missing kids from all over London have been disappearing to.

The story iswritten in dual point of view, with chapters alternating between Nic andNikolai’s perspectives, and it was great fun to create their individual voices.It’s also the first novel I wrote after receiving my autism diagnosis back inearly 2019, and I drafted it at a time when my mental health was really quitelow. I’ve very proud of how Naturally Nic/k turned out considering that, and itfeels wonderful to have written a character that young autistic people canconnect with.

Where do you getyour ideas from?

My ideas for booksand poems can come from anywhere. Naturally Nic/k was inspired by my husband,who practices card tricks as a hobby, but some of the things that sparked myother books and poetry collections have been turns of phrase, being out innature, mishearing something, a specific piece of artwork, and other forms ofmedia like TV series and films. Music always fuels my creativity too.

Do you have anywriting rituals?

I like to writeonce all the housework is done for the day, so it’s not cluttering up my mind.(I have ADHD as well as being autistic, so my mind is rather cluttered and busyanyway.) I like a quiet space to write in, though that’s not always possible ifmy parrot and budgie are playing a game of ‘who can shout the loudest’ –fortunately, I’m used to their shenanigans, so that doesn’t tend to distract metoo much (plus I have ear plugs if they or any sounds from outside get toooverwhelming). I’m also a fan of having a good cup of tea next to me, though Ioften forget about it and only remember when it’s gone cold.

What do you hopereaders will gain from reading your work?

Escapism, firstand foremost. I’m a huge reader myself, and I know the power of settling downwith a good book after a stressful or overwhelming day, so my hope is that mybooks can provide that comfort and enjoyment for someone, if only for a shorttime.

I also hope thatreaders will really connect with my characters and the worlds they live in, andparticularly in the case of Naturally Nic/k (and a few of my upcoming books),find themselves represented in the narrative.

Who are youfavourite authors?

It’s so hard tochoose, because there are so many authors whose books I love, but as of thismoment, I can think of:

Diana Wynne Jones,whose books cover just about every type of fantasy you might imagine.

Thomas Leeds, whois a spectacular writer and the first author I’ve read who wrote a fantasyadventure trilogy featuring a main protagonist with a brain injury and epilepsy(starting with Jayben and the Golden Torch).

Alan Gibbons, whowrote the amazing Legendeer series which completely blew me away when I read itas a child, and which I still adore now.

Jonathan Stroud,who wrote the excellent Lockwood and Co. series which really got me intoparanormal fiction.

Do you have anydreams about where you'd like your writing career to go? (like filmadaptations, merchandise, having your book on everyone's shelves?)

It would be lovelyto see a stage or screen (either film or series) adaptation of any of my books,but what I would really like is just for more people to discover them.

What's yourfavourite book/film/song/piece of art?

It’s tough todecide on what my favourite book is, but I’d say Howl’s Moving Castle by DianaWynne Jones. I love the characters, the world, and just the cosy vibes it givesoff while reading. It’s one of those books that I can read again and again andalways find something new to love about it.

My favourite filmis probably The Mummy (1999) which I’ve loved ever since it came out. I’vealways had a fascination with Ancient Egypt (even though I’ve never delved deepinto researching it – not yet, at least), and I love a good adventure with somehumour, so those things make a winning combination for me.

For music andsongs, I think The Mummers’ Dance by Loreena McKennitt is my favourite; I evenhad it playing at my wedding! It always makes me think of long treks,adventure, and being swept up in a story, and it’s one of the songs I turn toif I’m having a bad day and need something soothing.

My favourite pieceof art is by surrealist artist Max Ernst, and actually has a few differenttitles as it was renamed a few times: The Angel of Hearth and Home/FiresideAngel/The Triumph of Surrealism. I first came across it when I was researchingsurrealist painters for my art G.C.S.E. many years ago, and something about itreally captured me. The story behind the painting is actually about the chaosof politics (or there abouts), but I didn’t know that until recently. I thinkthe reason why I like it is that there’s this fierceness and confusionsurrounding the figure, but also a sense of deep pain. It’s very thoughtprovoking.

Any hobbies orthings you love to do?

I’ve been learningto paint with watercolour and gouache for the past two years, which I very muchenjoy, and I also love to go for walks in nature. Unfortunately, as I have adynamic disability (hypermobility spectrum disorder and dysautonomia, foranyone who’s curious), I’m not able to go out for walks as often as I’d like.Fortunately, the house my husband and I rent has a lovely garden and we have abirdfeeder, so I often watch the birds outside. I also like playing computergames, mostly fantasy adventure games like The Legend of Zelda (which I’m ahuge fan of).

Any other funfacts you'd like to share about yourself or your writing?  

I have severalwriting projects in the works this year. I’m currently drafting my first everfantasy novel aimed at adult readers, self-editing a paranormal upper middlegrade book which I’m very excited about, and working on a commission involvingthe Isle of Wight National Landscape (which means I get to develop my naturewriting). I also have a poetry collection due to be published all about natureand wildlife, which I’m looking forward to sharing.

Kathryn Rossati. is an AuDHD and disabled author based onthe Isle of Wight, and writes young adult
and middle grade fiction, as well aspoetry. She’s also an aspiring artist, focusing on watercolour and gouache. 

Kathryn loves most genres of fiction, with a particularsoft-spot for books inspired by mythology and fairy tales, and oftenincorporates those ideas into her own work. She also enjoys narrativenon-fiction about nature, folklore, and history. 

She always looks forward to hearing from readers and fellowwriters, so if you're a fan of her books or have questions about writing andpublishing, feel free to reach out with questions, feedback or just to sayhello.

You can connect with Kathryn Rossati at her website: https://linktr.ee/kathrynrossatiwrites

A Recipe and a Read: Summer Brunch is Served Up by Family Saga Author Stella May...

My family lovesbreakfast, especially a cook one. Because we all work and are usually in a timecrunch the first meal of the day is cereal or a bowl of fruit. But on theweekends the house is filled with wonderful aromas of brunch. This recipe isone of our favorites, especially mine because it’s easy to prepare and delicious.

This recipe makes 7-8 regular waffles, or5-6 Belgium waffles, depending on your griddle.

Keto Waffles 2large eggs½cup of sour cream1tsp. vanilla extract½tsp. baking powder½cup shredded coconut, unsweetened1cup finely ground nuts, I use a mix of walnuts, pecans, and almonds 

Witha mixer, whisk eggs thoroughly until combined, then add sour cream, vanilla,and baking powder.

Manually,stir in shredded coconut and ground nuts. Let mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. 

Ifthe mixture is too thick, add a splash of heavy cream. 

Heatup a waffle maker, brush it with the oil of your choice. Use an ice cream scoop(I use the large one) to pour on the batter. Cook per your griddle directions. 

Enjoywith cream cheese, double cream, or syrup. It is perfect for breakfast or desert.

Romance author Stella May steps away from her time travel books to share The Rostoff Saga. Here's the cover and intro for New Dawn, Book 1 of the exciting four book series.

Love wasn’t part of their agreement. Neither was being caught in a brutal web oflies.

International playboy and owner of a jewelry empire that spreadsacross three continents, Dmitry Rostoff holds a memory close to this heart thatnot even his best friend Vlad Albrecht knows. When Dmitry learnsthe Russian ballerina, he had a passionate affair with died in childbirth, bitternessand hate overrule all other emotions.

Taking the baby out of Russia is an impossible snarl of red tape,but Dmitry gets his way, even if he leaves a trail of chaos in his wake.

Natasha Sokolova planned to turn over the baby to Dmitry then walkaway. Instead, she is on a plane to San Francisco with the baby and a cold,emotionless man who makes her heart pound with scorching attraction.

The family matriarch and evil to her core Elizabeth Rostoff plotsto gain control of the baby, no matter what it costs or who it hurts, and willdo anything to make that happen. She blackmails Marie Dubois, the manager oftheir elite Paris store, to seduce Dmitry. But Marie reneges on the deal when formerSpecial Forces officer Vlad Albrecht storms into her life.

Once in America, Natasha finds herself entangled in a sticky webof lies created by the brutally calculating family matriarch. A web that forcesNatasha to make a heartbreaking deal with the devil to protect the children—andman—she’s come to love.

 

Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website.

Stella writes fantasy romance as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 'Till Time Do Us Part, Book 1 in her Upon a Time series, and the stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book and paperback through all major vendors. 
When not writing, Stella enjoys classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean with her husband. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 25 years and their son George. They are her two best friends and are all partners in their family business. 
Follow Stella on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Let Your Summer Reading Begin with a Visit to Fairy Falls…

It’s been eleven years sincewe moved from our cottage-turned-lake-house to the burbs of a historic southernOntario town on the Detroit River, yet I can still feel the pull of the formercottage country lifestyle reel me in, especially during the summer months. Why?It wasn’t because of the blackflies! LOL! The truth is I found that life wasslower up there in retrospect, and getting to live so close to nature was aprivilege and blessing. However, Hubby and I knew the time was ripe to move,and let someone else enjoy the home we built by the lake. So, we sold the old homestead,complete with a westerly view to die for, pulled up our stakes, and moved to awarmer climate to be closer to family, and new opportunities for us.

Do I regret moving? Sometimes.That’s one of the reasons why I created the fictional tourist town of FairyFalls. It was a place where I could set my teen psychic mystery series,Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls around the beautiful Canadian cottage countrylandscape that I left behind. By doing this I was able to share my experiences,and expand my imagination through my psychically-gifted characters using theart of storytelling as a means of conveyance. Fairy Falls is now a place whereI can visit anytime I choose, without the need of purchasing a can or two ofbug spray. Wink.

Setting the series was theeasy part. Write what you know, right? So I took in the sights, smells, sounds,tastes, emotions, and feelings of where I used to live, and added thechallenges and obstacles of what it would be like for an uprooted teenagerpossessing a psychic ability to adjust to the day-to-day living in Fairy Falls,then gave them a mystery to solve. Meagan Walsh, the protagonist from Lost and Found tells us what she thinksof Fairy Falls right off the bat: “This town sucks!”, and she goes on todescribe it as ‘a small, boring northern tourist town’. If only Meagan knewwhat life had planned for her in this magical place!

Speaking of magical, if you’dlike to pay a visit to Fairy Falls during this summer (or winter if you live inthe southern hemisphere), and feed your need to read at the same time, pleaseconsider curling up with one of my books. Here’s a glimpse into my cottagecountry mysteries…

Lost & Found, Book One:

Fairy Fallswas bores-ville from the get-go. Then the animals started talking. .. 

The FairyFalls Animal Shelter is in trouble. Money trouble. It’s up to an old calicocat named Whiskey—a sheltercat who has mastered the skill of observation—to find a new human pack leader so that their home willbe saved. With the help of Nobel, the leader of the shelter dogs, the animalsset out to use the ancient skill of telepathy to contact any human who bothersto listen to them. Unfortunately for fifteen-year-old Meagan Walsh, she hearsthem, loud and clear.

Forced tolive with her Aunt Izzy in the safe and quiet town of Fairy Falls, Meagan iscaught stealing and is sentenced to do community hours at the animal shelterwhere her aunt works. Realizing Meagan can hear her, Whiskey realizes thatMeagan just might have the pack leader qualities necessary to save the animals.Avoiding Whiskey and the rest of shelter animals becomes impossible for Meagan,so she finally gives in and promises to help them. Meagan, along with hernewfound friends, Reid Robertson and Natalie Knight, discover that someone inFairy Falls is not only out to destroy the shelter, but the animals as well.Can Meagan convince her aunt and co-workers that the animals are in danger? Ifshe fails, then all the animals’ voices will be silenced forever.

Lost & Found Buy Links:

PANDAMONIUMPUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀

Blackflies & Blueberries, Book Two:

The only witness left to testify against an unsolvedcrime in Fairy Falls isn’t a person…

City born and bred, Hart Stewart possesses the gift of psychometry—thepsychic ability to discover facts about an event or person by touchinginanimate objects associated with them. Since his mother’s death,seventeen-year-old Hart has endured homelessness, and has learned ways to keephis illiteracy under wraps. He eventually learns of a great-aunt living inFairy Falls, and decides to leave the only life he’s ever known for anuncertain future.

Diana MacGregor lives in Fairy Falls. Her mother was a victim of asenseless murder. Only Diana’s unanswered questions and her grief keeps hergoing, until Hart finds her mother’s lost ring and becomes a witness to hermurder.

Through Hart’s psychic power, Diana gains hope for justice. Theirinvestigation leads them into the corrupt world threatening Fairy Falls. Tosecure the town’s future, Hart and Diana must join forces to uncover theshocking truth, or they risk losing the true essence of Fairy Falls forever.

Blackflies & Blueberries Buy Links:

PANDAMONIUMPUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀

Coming Soonthrough Pandamonium Publishing House:

Sticks & Stones, Book Three:

The healing needs to leave the circle forall to be whole.

Fourteen-year-oldThane Berg never asked to move to Fairy Falls—or to live with the father hebarely knows. But when he starts manifestingstrange powers—bending tools, levitating rocks, and moving objects with hismind—his world turns upside down. His psychic ability, psychokinesis, growsstronger and harder to control with every emotional spike. As if navigating anew school and a strained relationship with his gay father weren’t challengingenough, Thane must also keep his powers hidden while grappling with secretsfrom the past.

With the help of an eccentricneighbor, Thane begins to understand his paranormal gift. A mysteriousbook—tied to an ancient Druid and discovered in the school library—may hold thekey to his powers. But things take a darker turn when he and three new friendsstumble upon an illegal marijuana grow-op on his grandfather’s rural property.The operation is poisoning the land—and something far older and more magicalthan anyone suspects.

Now,Thane must harness his unstable abilities to protect his friends, heal thedamage done to the forest, and preserve the mystical legacy of Fairy Falls. Ifhe fails, he risks losing everything—and everyone—he’s come to care about.

There you have it!Great summer (or winter) reading material at your fingertips. Have you ever visiteda small town while on vacation and felt at home there for some reason? If youcould choose a psychic ability, what would be your choice? I’d love to readyour comments. Cheers, and as always, thank you for spending your time readingmy blog!

A Refreshing Summer Punch, a Swoon-Worthy Regency, and a Cozy Mystery Read Served by Author Emma Lane...

Emma Lane is here with a refreshing summer beverage that is sure to beat the heat. Perfect for social summer gatherings, bridal or baby showers, and book clubs. Scroll down to find a couple of Emma's book suggestions...

Photo by Taylor Grote on UnsplashEmma Lane’s Every Event Punch
1 pitcher unsweetened iced tea
1 cup pineapple juice
¼ cup maraschino cherry juice
6 cherries, pitted and sliced
1 medium-sized chunk of pineapple
1 orange slice
sprig of spearmint
1 cup ginger ale

Pour tea into a large serving bowl. Add all the ingredients, except ginger ale, to the tea and stir gently. Allow the blend to sit in the refrigerator for several hours.

When you are ready to serve, pour ginger ale over the tea. Fill glasses with ice cubes and top with the tea blend.

Serves four. Having a larger crowd? Simply double or triple the recipe.

Here's a teaser from one of Emma's Regency books.

What happens when a strong heroine meets an arrogant, but handsome hero? Sparks fly. It's a Regency Romance Romp!

Miss Amabel Hawkins acknowledges her unusual upbringing, but she thinks James Langley, the Duke of Westerton, might be a tad unbalanced when he protests her efforts to right his badly managed properties. The duke, who has been away on the king's business, demonstrates no respect for the beautiful but managing Miss Hawkins. Amabel has taken refuge at Westerton, fleeing from a forced marriage to a man who claims to be her relative in order to gain control of her young brother's estate.

The Duke arrives home to find his estate under the firm control of a beautiful but managing female. His suspicions are fueled by his recent task of spy-hunting and he wonders if Amabel Hawkins is just who she seems. While a dastardly spy lurks, a wicked man poses as her cousin threatening to take over the guardianship of her young brother. Amabel might be falling in love, but she knows for certain the duke would never approve of a meddlesome woman, and she decides to flee his estate. Will the duke finally realize the true value of the woman he loves or will his prejudice ruin his chances forever?
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And a little from her cozy mystery.



Detective Kevin Fowler is baffled by the wall of silence that greets him from the relatives of two septuagenarians whose bodies are discovered in a country cemetery called Blake Hill. Even more upsetting is the unusual rash of vandalism reported nightly by the citizens in his peaceful community. Have the teenagers declared an uprising? Night patrols reveal a totally unexpected and shocking situation. When a poignant secret is revealed, Beverly Hampton weeps over the sadness of a long ago tragedy, but soon wedding bells are heard for the home town princess and the popular detective. At the local diner the alluring fragrance of fresh-baked, cinnamon sticky buns continues to reign over the peaceful citizens of Hubbard, New York.


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Emma Lane enjoys leaving her garden for a few hours to dip into the romance genre Regency era of history. Join her for a glimpse of a half selkie fairy as she teases a powerful duke and fights the curse of a lowly, evil warlock. Other Regency romances are available on Amazon and Wild Rose Press. As Janis Lane she writes a series of Cozy Mysteries for Soul Mate Publishing.

Look for information about writing and plants on her new website . Leave a comment or a gardening question and put a smile on Emma's face.

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Guest Post: We Hate When That Happens by Paranormal Romance Author Duo C.D. Hersh...

Writing is full of challenges, from the perfecting the actual craft to getting the book published to mastering marketing. Along the way, if you’re like us, you’ve probably had your share of writing mishaps-things you hate to see happen.Here are ten of our We-hate-when-that-happens moments. 
1. When we miss the wrong word in a sentence that spell check didn’t catch and send the piece to the editor for publication. Sliver and silver—both are spelled correctly but can’t be used interchangeably. 
2. When we see the transposed letters of a word in our blog comments AFTER the comment has been posted and you can’t get to it for a do over. 
3. When our hero’s eye color changes mid-book because somebody forgot to check the character sheet. (No we won’t identify the “somebody”) 
4. When the find and replace option in Microsoft Word replaces ALL the spaces between the words, instead of the one extra space after every sentence targeted, turning the manuscript into one loooooong run-on sentence. Yes,ithappenedtous. That’s why we don’t recommend using the replace all function. 
5. When everyone in the critique group hates our favorite part of a scene. That usually means there’s going to be a lot of rewriting. 
6. When your finger finds the delete key instead of the save key. Thank goodness for the UNDO function! 
7. When you realize the whole chapter you just finished doesn’t go anywhere, doesn’t move the plot forward, and that chapter has to be slashed from the book. 
8. When the critique partners love the secondary characters more than the hero or heroine. Ugh! 
9. When we love a secondary character more than a hero or heroine. (One solution is that means a second book.) 
10. When you close down the computer and it crashes the next time it‘s opened. This is why Catherine prints out a hard copy every time she creates new pages and stores them in a three ring binder. Paper is her friend. (She has the file drawers full to prove it. 20 at last count.Do you have an I-hate-when-that-happens moment? We would love to hear it. Please share in a comment below so we don’t fell so inept.

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They've written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after, and that’s why they write romance. 
The second editions of the first four books of their paranormal romance series entitled The Turning Stone Chronicles will available in e-book format on Amazon soon.
Ghosts and Gardenias, the second edition of the first book in their time slip romance series Ghosts of Garnoa Road, will be coming soon. 
In addition to writing Catherine and Donald love antiquing, traveling, singing, and going to the theatre. Catherine is also an avid gardener and has drawn Donald into her garden as a day laborer. They figure the couple who plays together and works together, stays together—and that's just what they aim to do.
Learn more about C.D. Hersh on their Website, Amazon Author Page. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads. Be sure to follow their Blog.

Here Come the Bridal Cakes by Sweet Romance Author Catherine Castle...

Today I’m talking about wedding cakes and my book A Groom for Mama. Keep reading to the end for an excerpt from my award-winning romantic comedy with a touch of drama, A Groom for Mama.  And thanks for stopping by.
If there’s one thing we know about wedding cakes today, it’s that they come in a wide variety of style, flavors and sizes. If you look on the internet you can find wedding cakes ranging from simple two or three layers to towering monstrosities or multi-flavored cakes connected with plastic bridges and even individual cupcakes. But nowhere have I seen a wedding cake that resembles the one the groom broke over his bride’s head in Roman times. In ancient history, and even up to Victorian times, the wedding cake bore little resemblance to the sweet confections of today.
In ancient Rome, the bridal cake was a simple, unsweetened barley loaf. The groom would eat part of the loaf and break the remainder over the bride’s head. This was a symbolic act thought to bring prosperity and good fortune to the couple. Wedding guests would try to eat the crumbs from the cake so they could also share in the good fortune showered down on the bride’s head.
In medieval England, the bridal cake was composed of buns or small cakes. Stories remain from accounts telling of stacking the cakes as high as they would go. If the bride and groom were able to kiss over the tall stack it was thought they would have a life of prosperity.
By the 1660s the story is told of a French chef who was traveling through England and saw the stacked pile of cakes at a wedding. After returning home he devised a method of constructing rounded cakes or buns into a tower form called a Croquembouch. This tiered pile of cakes became the traditional French wedding cake. Today it’s common to place a Croquembouch on top of a more modern layer cake.
From the mid-1700s a Bride’s Pie was introduced at wedding meals.  The pie, which was a meat pie, not a sweetened concoction, was filled with sweetbread, mincemeat, or mutton. Bride’s cakes, which were more like fruitcake than the typical white batter cakes we associate with today’s weddings, might also be eaten.
Groom’s cakes appeared in the 1880s and were typically darker-colored fruitcakes that were much smaller than the bride’s cake. Bride’s cakes, in Colonial times, were very rich creations, often reserved for the wealthy who could afford the ingredients. Because they were so labor intensive to make, the cakes were made weeks ahead of the wedding and soaked in alcohol to preserve them for the wedding date.
In the 1800s bride fruitcakes were still the norm.  Below is a typical recipe for a wedding cake from an 1833 recipe book, courtesy of http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcakes.html#weddingcake
Wedding Cake [1833]Good common wedding cake may be made thus: Four pounds of flour, three pounds of butter, three pounds of sugar, four pounds of currants, two pounds of raisins, twenty-four eggs, half a pint of brandy, or lemon-brandy, one ounce of mace, and three nutmegs. A little molasses makes it dark colored, which is desirable. Half a pound of citron improves it; but it is not necessary. To be baked two hours and a half, or three hours. After the oven is cleared, it is well to shut the door for eight or ten minutes, to let the violence of the heat subside, before cake or bread is put in. To make icing for your wedding cake, beat the whites of eggs to an entire froth, and to each egg add five teaspoonfuls of sifted loaf sugar, gradually; beat it a great while. Put it on when your cake is hot, or cold, as is most convenient. It will dry in a warm room, as short distance from a gentle fire, or in a warm oven."---The American Frugal Housewife, Mrs. Child, Boston [1833] (p. 72)
In 1840, Queen Victoria introduced the white-icing tiered cake that we know today as a “wedding cake.”  The cake was iced in ‘royal icing’, which had been invented specifically for the royal wedding cake. Although the cake looked different on the outside, the batter was still the traditional fruitcake of the bride’s cake. The first tiered cakes, including Queen Victoria’s cake, had layers that were not edible. It wasn’t until 1882 when the first tiered cake with all-edible layers appeared at the wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany. Even today, our English friends choose the traditional fruitcake batter for their wedding cakes. Prince William and Kate’s wedding cake was made with a fruitcake batter, as was his mother’s and his grandmother’s.
Wedding toppers appeared in the 1940s, and by the 1950s, American brides began moving away from the traditional fruitcake of Colonial America. Today, you’ll find wedding cakes in many styles, themes, and flavors. If you can dream it, there will be someone who can make it.
      

When I was writing the book I hadn’t thought much about what kind of cake my characters would have, but I think it would look a lot like the one on my book cover. And Mama would have been sitting on a layer just as she is in the cover. After all, she was Cupid’s helper.   
Beverly Walters is dying, and before she goes she has one wish—to find a groom for her daughter. To get the deed done, Mama enlists the dating service of Jack Somerset, Allison’s former boyfriend.The last thing corporate-climbing Allison wants is a husband. Furious with Mama’s meddling, and a bit more interested in Jack than she wants to admit, Allison agrees to the scheme as long as Mama promises to search for a cure for her terminal illness.A cross-country trip from Nevada to Ohio ensues, with a string of disastrous dates along the way, as the trio hunts for treatment and A Groom For Mama.
EXCERPT
Bounding down the stairwell as the bell rang, Allison shouted, “I’m coming! I’m coming. Keep your pants on!” She threw the deadbolt off and jerked open the door.Jack Somerset stood in front of her, his chin perched on top of a stack of Chinese take-out cartons. Shoving down her tingling gut reaction, she commanded her heart to stop jumping like an overexcited puppy.Except for a few more laugh wrinkles around his eyes, Jack hadn’t changed a bit since college. His brown hair still dipped over his forehead in a shaggy mane. A lopsided smile spread across his face when he saw her. He winked at her, his green eyes twinkling.“Well, if it isn’t the bride-to-be. Nice to see you again, Allison.” He jiggled the cartons balanced in his arms. “I brought Chinese. I remember it was your favorite. Moo shu pork, right?” He pushed past her and headed toward the kitchen, apparently as well acquainted with her childhood home as she.Grabbing her head between her hands, she squeezed her temples.Chinese. Of all the things he could have brought, he brought Chinese.She’d broken it off with him in a Chinese restaurant . . . over moo shu pork. Very loudly and very violently. The pork and the pot of hot tea had landed in Jack’s lap when he tried to keep her from leaving the table. Did his choice of entrees mean Jack hadn’t forgotten the incident? She hadn’t, and she’d been unable to eat that particular Chinese dish since.
 Second Edition for A Groom for Mama Coming Soon...  Multi-award winning author Catherine Castle loves writing. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. She also lays claim to over 300 internet articles written on a variety of subjects and several hundred poems. In addition to writing she loves reading, traveling, singing, theatre, quilting and gardening. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. Follow her on Twitter @AuthorCCastle, FB or her blog.  

 

Authors: Just Keep Showing Up…

I’m the type a personwho, once I commit to something, I’m all in. Especially if my heart hasanything to say about it. Let’s talk writing for instance. At the beginning of2025, I was faced with a dilemma. My publisher was closing at the end of theyear, and I had to take action if I wanted my books to continue to show up inthe world. So, I queried (not fun, but a necessary task) a couple of publishersbased on referrals from my author friends. Within a month, I signed on with twopublishers! The first publisher, PandamoniumPublishing House for my teen psychic mystery series, Mysterious Tales fromFairy Falls (read more about that news HERE),and the second publisher, Next Chapterfor The Last Timekeepers young adult time travel adventures. Once I signed bothcontracts, the stress literally rolled off my shoulders. Woohoo!

That said, I know I’min it for the long haul. As mentioned, I’ve got two young adult book series onthe go—four done in the time travel series, and three completed in the teenpsychic tales. What you don’t know is that I’ve got nine more to write intotal. Stating this fact shows I know it’s going to take years before eachseries is completed. Honestly, what was I thinking?

Keep in mind I’ve hadto learn that patience is my friend, not foe. I removed myself from the hustle culture a few years ago, and feel much calmer, more focused, and less stressed.If you’re familiar with the Tarot cards, there’s one particular card that Ivisualize in my mind to help me keep showing up. It’s the seven of wands, andthe energy this card carries is one of valor, of holding firm, and of havingthe advantage in spite of the stiff competition facing you. I’ve embodied thiscard’s meaning many times throughout my author and personal life. To have thecourage to work through adversity and all sorts of pressure. It’sdetermination, perseverance, and a sense of purpose wrapped up in a gift with abow. This card reminds me not to give up the struggle, and that if I make theeffort, I will achieve victory.

As writers, sometimesobstacles are placed in our path (like losing your publisher) just to enhanceour ability to use our skills and wisdom wisely. Take the amount of times awriter has been rejected, and you get the gist. It’s a test for us to see if wecan truly handle what we believe we can accomplish. To keep showing up is atestament to your dreams and goals. I mean, why did you come to the earth planeanyway? You showed up here for a reason. Figure out what that reason is, andmake things happen in your life.

Sometimes just showingup means carving out that fifteen minutes a day to write your story or even ablog post. Do up a few ad blurbs for the books you’ve already written andpublished, and do some marketing. Back lists sell new books, right? Plot andplan that next novel. Meet with other writers and network or brainstorm. Reachout to your local bookstore, and see if they’ve got any author events planned.Jump in with both feet, and share your reading wares with the local librariesor schools. Donate copies of books to charities like Ronald McDonald HouseCharities to enhance their libraries and raise spirits. Be courageous andbrave, like the figure on the seven of wands, who takes the bull by the horns,and soldiers on.

In this writingbusiness, it’s easy to feel daunted, to retreat, to feel overwhelmed, and not know what the next chapter of your life will bring. I haveat times too. Just take a breath, step back from the action periodically,reassess your plans and goals, then take back your place, and know you have theadvantage even if you don’t realize it. Because, trust me, you do.

How about you? Have youever let the competition get to you? Let me know if you’ve ever felt at adisadvantage in your writing life. Do you cut your losses and withdraw fromyour dreams and goals? Would love to read your comments. Cheers and thanks fortaking the time to read my blog. I appreciate you! 

Author in the Kitchen: The Perfect Summer Breakfast or Brunch served by Cookbook Author Sloane Taylor...

I enjoy experimenting with different foodcombinations and creating new recipes. This delicious dish is perfect forbreakfast or even lunch, but then you may want to add a small salad and a glassof crisp white wine. 😊

Italian BreakfastSoufflé for 2½lb. Italian sausage, bulk or links2– 3 tbsp. butter, softened4lg. eggs¾ cup milkChopped onion to taste1 tsp. dried mustardFreshly ground black pepper to taste2slices provolone cheese½cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded¾cup mozzarella cheese, shredded3– 1-inch slices Vienna or French bread, cubed* 
Preheatoven to 350° F.

If you use links, then squeeze the meatfrom the casing before cooking. 

Fry sausage in a small pan until no longer pink.Be sure to break up any clumps. Set aside.

Spread butter on the insides and bottomsof two baking dishes approximately 500ml or 17-ounces.

The following ingredients are to beequally divided between the 2 dishes when added. All stirring should be donegently.

Break 2 eggs in each prepared dish.Lightly scramble. Pour in milk. Stir in sausage and onion. Sprinkle on mustard and pepper. Stir.

Tear provolone into pieces then add tomixture along with cheddar and mozzarella. Stir.

Fold in bread.

Bake 45 – 55 minutes or until a knifeinserted in the center has no egg clinging to it.

Set the soufflés on dinner plates to serveso as not to scorch your table.

This dish can be assembled a one or twodays ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate, but allow the soufflé to sit on yourcounter 1 hour or so before you bake it.

*I’veused day old homemade bread and unseasoned cubes from stuffing mix. They bothworked great.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with good friends, laughter, and seated around a well-laden table!

Sloane

Sloane Taylor is an Award-Winning author with a second passion in her life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.
To learn more about Taylor go to her website  Stay in touch on Blogger ,  Twitter , and LinkedIn .

Taylor's cookbooks, Hot Mean Wear Aprons, Date Night Dinners, Date Night Dinners Italian Style, Sizzling Summer, and Recipes to Create Holidays Extraordinaire are released by Toque & Dagger Publishing and available at all book vendors.