Sharon Ledwith's Blog, page 5
February 2, 2025
Celebrate YA Author Sharon Ledwith’s Birthday Bash and Save 25% this February…
It’s a bitter-sweetbirthday for me this February. Why? Well, unfortunately, 2025 marks the end ofan era for my publisher, MirrorWorld Publishing, as they will be closing up shop at the end of Decemberafter eleven years in business. I feel so grateful for connecting with them tenyears ago, and I applaud Justine, Robert, Sabrina, and Rhiannon for a job welldone! So, without further ado, as February is my birthday month, I usually liketo celebrate the whole month by giving my readers a good deal on my books tobulk up on their winter reading. This year is unprecedented, and we’ve never offeredthis kind of discount before. Starting February 1st and running throughuntil February 28th, ALL my ebooks and books will be on sale for 25%off the listed price through Mirror World Publishing’s online bookstore. Thisway, readers can pick and choosewhich books or ebooks they would like to dive into.
The discount code for February's 25% offpromotion is BIRTHDAYBASH25. To make this eveneasier for my amazing readers, here'sthe link and QR code for the sale which automatically applies the discount:
https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com?cc=BIRTHDAYBASH25
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis(Book #1):When 13-year-old Amanda Sault andher annoying classmates are caught in a food fight at school,
they're given achoice: suspension or yard duty. The decision is a no-brainer. Their two-weekcrash course in landscaping leads to the discovery of a weathered stone arch inthe overgrown back yard. The arch isn't a forgotten lawn ornament but anancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.
Chosenby an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers--legendary time travelers sworn to keephistory safe from the evil Belial--Amanda and her classmates are sent on anadventure of a lifetime. Can they find the young Robin Hood and his merry bandof teens? If they don't, then history itself may be turned upside down.
Legend of the Timekeepers(prequel):
Lilithwas a young girl with dreams and a family before the final destruction ofAtlantis shattered those dreams and tore her family apart. Now refugees, Lilithand her father make their home in the Black Land. This strange, new country hasno place in Lilith’s heart until a beloved high priestess introduces Lilith toher life purpose—to be a Timekeeper and keep time safe.
Summonedthrough the seventh arch of Atlantis by the Children of the Law of One, Lilithand her newfound friends are sent into Atlantis’s past, and given a task thatwill ultimately test their courage and try their faith in each other. Can theTimekeepers stop the dark magus Belial before he changes the seers’ prophecy?If they fail, then their future and the earth’s fate will be altered forever.
The LastTimekeepers and the Dark Secret (Book #2):
Fourteen year-old Jordan Jensenalways considered himself a team player on and off the field, until the secondTimekeeper mission lands him in Amsterdam during World War Two. Pulled into theworld of espionage, torture, and intolerance, Jordan and the rest of theTimekeepers have no choice but to do whatever they can to stay one step aheadof the Nazis in order to find and protect a mysterious book.
With the help of the Dutch Resistance, an eccentricbaron, Nordic runes, and an ancient volume originating from Atlantis, Jordanmust learn that it takes true teamwork, trust, and sacrifice to keep time safefrom the evils of fascism. Can Jordan find the hero within to conquer thedarkness surrounding the Timekeepers? If he doesn’t, then the terrible truth ofwhat the Nazis did will never see the light of day.
The LastTimekeepers and the Noble Slave (Book #3):
Eleven-year-old Drake Bailey is ananalytical thinker and the genius of the Timekeeper crew. However, no logic ormathematical acumen can change the color of his skin, or prepare him for thisthird Timekeeper mission in antebellum Georgia. To survive, Drake must learn toplay the role of a plantation slave and when confronted with the brutality,hatred, and racism of the deep south, he’ll have to strategically keep one moveahead of his sadistic captors to ensure his lineage continues.
In a dark world of Voodoo, zombies,and ritualistic sacrifice, the Timekeepers must ensure a royal bloodlinesurvives. Can Drake remove both literal and figurative chains to save bothhimself and a devout slave girl from a terrible fate? If he can’t summon thenecessary courage, humanity could stand to lose one of its greatest leaders.
Lost and Found,Book One: Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls:
The Fairy Falls Animal Shelteris 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 to live with her Aunt Izzy in the safe and quiettown of Fairy Falls, Meagan is caught stealing and is sentenced to do communityhours at the animal shelter where her aunt works. Realizing Meagan can hearher, Whiskey realizes that Meagan just might have the pack leader qualitiesnecessary to save the animals. Avoiding Whiskey and the rest of shelter animalsbecomes impossible for Meagan, so she finally gives in and promises to helpthem. Meagan, along with her newfound friends, Reid Robertson and NatalieKnight, discover that someone in Fairy Falls is not only out to destroy theshelter, but the animals as well. Can Meagan convince her aunt and co-workersthat the animals are in danger? If she fails, then all the animals’ voices willbe silenced forever.
Blackflies and Blueberries, Book Two:Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls:
City born and bred, Hart Stewart possesses the gift ofpsychometry—the psychic ability to discover facts about an event or person bytouching inanimate 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 psychicpower, Diana gains hope for justice. Their investigation leads them into thecorrupt world threatening Fairy Falls. To secure the town’s future, Hart andDiana must join forces to uncover the shocking truth, or they risk losing thetrue essence of Fairy Falls forever.
Remember,this amazing 25% off deal won’t last long! Plus, I can’t think of a better wayto ride out the forecast that Mr. Groundhog gives us than relaxing with a goodbook, a comfortable chair, and cozy blanket. Unless you live in the southernhemisphere and get to enjoy reading by the pool or at the beach. Keep warm (orcool), and I hope you choose to escape to the past and have a blast with me,this February! This will be the last birthday I celebrate with Mirror WorldPublishing, but I hope that I’ll connect with some new readers moving forward. Cheers, and thank you for taking the time tocelebrate my birthday month with me. I appreciate you!
January 26, 2025
Celebrate the End of Soup Month with Cookbook Author Sloane Taylor's Cream of Mushroom Soup...
Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 lb. fresh mushrooms – use 2 or 3 different types8 tbsp. butter
2 small shallots or scallions, finely chopped
6 tbsp. flour
1 qt. chicken stock *
¼ cup dry sherry
2 egg yolks
½ cup heavy cream
White pepper**
Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Pull the stems and caps apart. Put pieces in a food processor. Run until chopped. The mix will almost look like a paste. Or fine dice the mushrooms by hand.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10-12 inch skillet. Add mushrooms and shallots and sauté for 3 minutes. Set the skillet aside.
In a heavy 6-quart saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Remove pan from the heat and stir in the flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Do NOT let this brown too much or it will be bitter. The roux should be no darker than a caramel/tan.
Remove the pan from the heat. Allow to cool 10-15 seconds, then pour in the stock while whisking constantly. Return the pan to a medium-high heat and stir until the soup base thickens and is smooth, approximately 12-15 minutes.
Stir in the mushrooms and sherry. Simmer for 15 minutes, but be sure to stir occasionally.
Blend the egg yolks into the cream with a whisk. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of hot soup at a time until you’ve added ¾ cup. Reverse the process and slowly whisk the now-warm mixture into the soup. ***
Bring soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat. Taste and season with pepper.
Serve from a tureen or in individual bowls.
This recipe makes 6 bowls.
*You can substitute up to half the amount with dry white wine
**In this recipe white pepper is used for its slightly sharper taste. There is no need to make a special trip to buy white pepper. Black pepper will work fine, just use a little more.
***This may seem like extra work, but if you don’t do it the yolks and cream will curdle.
Happy slurping!
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.
January 19, 2025
Guest Post: The Most Useless Job in Sports Broadcasting by Author Anne Montgomery...
I spent about 15 years as a sports reporter. I’d like to say things aregetting better for women in the field, but there’s a lot of room forimprovement.
I wasa sports reporter for about 15 years. I spent about ten years in television,where I worked for five TV stations – anchoring and reporting – and about fiveyears as a print journalist. I mention this because I pay attention to mediasports positions, having given a large chunk of my life to that world.
Backwhen I wormed my way into the sports world, there were few other women. In mydaily interactions, I almost never dealt with others of my gender. But, as morewomen joined the ranks, I truly believed that eventually the field would becomemore welcoming.
Sadly,that hasn’t happened.
Someof you may be thinking, “Gosh, Anne. You’re wrong. There are womensportscasters all over the place.”
Well,technically there are more women working in sports media today, perhaps becausethere are so many more broadcast outlets when compared to the days when mosttowns had just three TV stations and cable and the Internet didn’t exist. Ahandful of women have even had the opportunity to share their expertise in thebooth, doing play-by-play and color commentary. But the numbers are dismal whencompared to all the sportscasting jobs out there.
Kate Scott has doneplay-by-play for the Pac-12 network. In The Ringer article“Where Are All the Women in Play-by-Play Broadcasting?”, Scott called the lackof women in the field a numbers game.
Most sportscasting jobs, especially the ones in color and play-by-play , are still held by men.
“Ifthere’s 10 guys applying for a job, and one woman, there’s more of apossibility that a guy’s going to get hired, just strictly because of thenumbers of it,” Scott said. “Plus, many of the people in charge are men, whomay be more likely to hire other men for the job. And on top of all of that,women need to have champions in order to succeed in these roles, or peoplewilling to take the risk. Hiring a woman to call a sports broadcast still goesagainst the industry norms and often requires taking a chance on an unknown.But recently, albeit slowly, that’s starting to change.”
When women do get a shotat the booth, it’s most often to call games where the participants are women.
Mostoften, the women called on to work in the booth are covering sports with femaleathletes. I’m not complaining here, just stating a fact. The logic seems to bethat since women play basketball, for example, giving them a shot in the hoopsbooth isn’t that great a stretch. But women who call baseball, football, or icehockey – especially at the male professional level – remain a rarity.
And when networks dodecide to give women a chance, a closer look reveals they don’t have much faithin the viewing public’s willingness to listen. Remember the Thursday Night Football game when Hannah Storm andAndrea Kremer – two women who’ve been in the field for decades – became thefirst female team to call an NFL game? Nice! I thought! It’s about time. Butthen I discovered that that broadcast was an alternative feed, one that viewershad to select instead of the “normal” booth team that featured Joe Buck andTroy Aikman. That clearly showed that the folks in charge aren’t quite sure theviewing public can handle women in the booth.
Sideline reporters like Erin Andrews are often asked to be nothing morethan a pretty face.
That leads us to themost useless job in sportscasting, one which, perhaps not surprisingly, isoften held by women: sideline reporting. There is absolutely no reason, in myopinion, for this job to even exist. Sideline reporters rarely talk aboutanything but injuries. It would make more sense to have a medical professionalmanning the sidelines than a sports reporter. “Now let’s go down to NurseBecky on the field!” And I’ve watched entire games where theguys in the booth only go to the sideline reporter a couple of times. So,what’s the point? I sense the position was created just so the networks canbrag about how inclusive they are. “Look! Wow! We’re letting a woman step ontothe field. Aren’t we great!”
Here’sthe thing. Sports broadcasting is not rocket science. So, can we move along here?Open those doors and give some women a chance.
Really,what would it hurt?
Here is a brief peek at Anne's latest release.Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?
Praise for Your Forgotten Sons
“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.” Midwest Book Review
“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” Bekah C NetGalley
“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true. When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter
“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” – Kathryn McLeer NetGalley
Available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Kobo
Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces. When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.
Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia . Stay connected on Facebook , Linkedin , and Twitter .
January 12, 2025
Author in the Kitchen: Winter Warm Up Soup Served by Helen Carpenter...
However you like your soup—hot, cold, or nine days old—combining savory ingredients in a pot and letting the flavors mingle is a time-tested menu favorite.
But what if you want your soup NOW? Well, you’re our kind of person, and we have just the recipe for you. Using already cooked ingredients makes this soup a quick lunch, ready in twenty minutes or less.
Corny Ham Chowder
1 cup milk1 can cream style sweet corn
1½ cups cooked ham, cut into chunks
1½ cups cooked potatoes, drained and cut into chunks (canned works too)
1 tsp. onion powder
1 cup (4 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Green onion or scallion slivers (optional)
Salt or chicken bouillon to taste
Mix milk, corn, ham, and potatoes in medium pot. Cook, be sure to stir occasionally until heated through.
Add cheese. Cover pot and let cheese melt completely.
Serve with a chunk of hearty bread.
Bonus Goodness:
Crave added richness? Substitute ½ cup of cream for ½ of the milk.
Are you a vegetable fan? Toss in the veggie of your choice, either frozen or fresh. We like frozen carrots for the added color—and the nutrition too of course.
No ham? Smoked sausage is a nice substitute.
Bland potatoes? Mix in sweet pickle juice. A teaspoon gives the soup zing.
Need more soup? Add more stuff. The converse works too.
Fighting off vampires? Switch out the regular salt for a teaspoon of garlic salt. If you have a bad infestation, add ½ teaspoon crushed garlic to the soup and serve with a wood spoon.
Once upon a time there was a mother/daughter author duo named Helen and Lorri, who wrote as HL Carpenter. the Carpenters worked from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories was unreal but not untrue. Then one day Lorri left her studio to explore the land of What-If, and like others who have lost a loved one the magical place lost much of its magic. But thanks to family, plus an amazing group of wordsmiths named Authors Moving Forward (AMF), the magic is slowly returning.Helen Carpenter loves liking and sharing blog posts from other authors. She lives in Florida with her husband of many years and appreciates every day, especially those without hurricanes.
Stay connected on her blog and Facebook.
January 5, 2025
A New Year, A New Way of Living the Author Life…
First,I want to wish my followers a very Happy New Year! We finally made it into themid-20s, and sooo much has happened in the last five years. A pandemic knockedus flat on our butts, and made us take stock in how we were living our lives.Though there was a lot of pain, suffering, and heartache, there was alsotremendous growth and change too. People worldwide were starting to find theirvoices, and not put up with the outmoded ways of the ‘old guard’ anymore. FromBlack Lives Matter to Iranian women refusing to wear their hijabs, the world aswe knew it changed before our eyes. And I changed too.Duringthis past year (2024) I realized that there is no ONE way, only YOUR way, andwhat’s best for YOU. I wrote a post last year about being true to yourself bystaying in your lane. You can find it HERE.I decided to pull out of the hustle culture in 2021, feeling as if myelectrical circuits were on all the time and ready to blow. I had to slow downand choose to do the necessary inner work. This ‘writing career’ that Iput my blood, sweat, and tears into was not what I thought it would be. So, Iexperimented with Facebook ads, running them for 10 days at a set price, then switchingthat ad out for a new one for the next 10 days. I did this consistently foralmost four years. My reach got larger and larger, topping 19 million at onepoint…then something happened. The ads didn’t seem to have the same reachanymore starting in the winter/spring of 2024. Even the book sales neverreflected the amazing reach I garnered, and I discovered a lot of spammers hadinfiltrated my Author Facebook page feed. Augh! I had to quit cold turkey onthose ads. I changed lanes and looked into doing Amazon ads, but got a stickershock with the amount of money to run these ads: about $300-$500 per month.Wait, what?
Idid the math. It seemed like the whole book marketing industry was rigged intheir favor—just like going to a casino and finding out that the house alwayswins—so I stepped away, pulled the plug on advertising, and took back my power.It felt rather weird at first. Like a boat adrift with no port to dock at or nodestination to sail to. I kept showing up though. Shared, Tweeted, and LinkedInmy book series ads faithfully every week. Blogged every Monday. Worked on, andfinished, Sticks and Stones, thethird installment in Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls teen psychic mysteryseries. Submitted this book to my publisher, and then took a well-deservedbreak for the summer and fall, and enjoyed the time e-biking with hubby, andhanging with my family. The weather applauded my decision, and I took fulladvantage of relaxing on our patio, and sipping on my favourite brand of singlemalt scotch. Wink.
Thencame the death blow at the end of this past December that changed thetrajectory of my author life. My publisher, Mirror World Publishing announcedthat they would be closing their doors at the end of this year. My heart sank.I succumbed into grief. I’ve been here before, so it’s not my first publishingrodeo. Still, there was also so much emotional investment with this publishinghouse too. Ten years worth. Though, I completely understand their reasons for shuttingdown, and if I’m honest with myself, I’ve probably been living in mycomfort zone for far too long. Sigh. Guess it’s time to stretch my wings, andsee what the next chapter looks like for me, as I affirm every morning: “Everything happens for me, and through me,not to me.”
Ona positive note, I did manage to get a refreshed book trailer done for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch ofAtlantis to replace the outdated versions on my website. Care for a peek?Click the link below…
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oczrgVYJo6proAJqRTyPuOdbsfdhNYPk/view?usp=drive_link
So,what’s next for me personally? I’m on the list for a knee replacement thisyear, which should be happening in the late summer or early fall. Hubby and Iwill also be celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary in August,which is a huge milestone for many couples these days. Unfortunately, we can’tmake any plans or book anywhere to go because of my impending knee replacement.We’ll just have to give ourselves a vacation raincheck. On the happy newsfront, we’re expecting another grandchild in the late spring! Woohoo! As for myauthor life’s future, it’s going to be determined by the choices I make, andactions I take within the next six to twelve months. No pressure, right? LOL! Ikind of feel like I’m visiting my fictitious town of Fairy Falls, and waitingfor the unexpected to happen! Wish me luck in my uncomfortable endeavors!
How was 2024 for you?Any milestones? Did you need to take a welcome break from all the crazinesswe’ve endured the past five years? Have you been in your comfort zone far toolong? Would love to read your comments! Cheers, Happy New Year, and thanks for takingthe time to read my blog. I appreciate you!
December 29, 2024
Recipe and a Read: Zero Carb Chicken Nuggets and a Family Saga Served Up by Author Stella May...
Six months ago, I embarked on my new dietary adventure— Keto diet—I am inconstant search of new recipes with low to zero carbs. This one is by farone ofmy most favorites. I hope you like it too.
Zero Carbs ChickenNuggets
1cup grilled chicken, fine⅓cup cheddar cheese, shredded⅓cup mozzarella, shredded¼cup parmesan cheese, grated 1large egg1ripe avocado, optional1½tsp. garlic powder1tbsp. dried chives Saltand pepper to taste
Preheatthe oven to 350° F.
Placeall the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until you have the consistencyof chunky paste.Eitheruse and ice cream scoop or your damp bare hands to form the mixture into mediumsized balls. Set them on a parchment covered baking sheet.
Bakefor 20-25 min until light brown.
Anotherway to bake the nuggets is to scoop them into the muffin pan. Either way isgood, it depends on what works best for you.
Enjoyeating with marinara sauce, or Greek yogurt.
Happy New Year and Bonappetite!
Here is a little from my latest release for your reading pleasure.
In a kingdom heldtogether by secrets and lies, the truth could heal—or destroy.The queen is dead. But thedamage Elizabeth Rostoff leaves behind to lives, hopes, and relationships liveson.
Seven years ago, Peter Rostoffsevered all ties with his family—including his sister, Kat.But at his father’s insistence,he reluctantly returns for the funeral worn thin by his FBI position and burdened by a secret shame. Butmostly by one haunting mystery—why the woman he loved like a mother disappeared…
All those years ago, NatashaSokolova thought abandoning Dmitry Rostoff and the children she’d come to love as her ownwas the right thing, the only thing, to do. Resurfacing after Elizabeth’s death isn’t thehealing experience she’d prayed for, but a gut-wrenching discovery of yet more secrets, and news thatcould destroy her for good.
Kat Rostoff lives in a bubblefilled with her doting father and a mentor that helped mold her into aworld-renowned artist. Yet nothing can fill the empty space, and avague sense of guilt, left behind by the mother figure she barelyremembers, and the brother who fled Paris seven years ago without looking back.
Four lives, set on divergingpaths with only a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. But will the queen’s evilreach out from beyond the grave to destroy it for good?
Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website.Stella writes women's fiction, fantasy romance, as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 2 bestselling series, Rostoff Family Saga, 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 30 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.
December 22, 2024
What on Earth is Jolabokaflod…
Blame the Icelandersfor this one. Upon hearing about this holiday tradition, as well as being anauthor, I was excited to write this article. Jolabokaflod literally translatesinto ‘Christmas Book Flood’. Sign me up for that deluge! It’s the Icelandictradition celebrated on Christmas Eve to give and receive new books as gifts. There’salso the gifting of chocolate in this celebration, and let’s face it—whodoesn’t want to receive books and chocolates for Christmas? *Holds hand uphigh, waving frantically* So, how did this unique tradition begin? In truth,the true origin of Jolabokaflod is unknown, but there are a few theories floatingaround in cyber space.
Theory One: It’s believed that this tradition started in the 1930s with abook club called The Reykjavik Library Foundation. SinceIcelanders must deal with long dark winters, the Foundation wanted to encouragetheir people to read more during this time. Hence, Jolabokaflod was establishedas an annual event to coincide with Christmas Eve, so people could exchange newbooks to make their winters more bearable.
Theory Two: Jolabokaflod a.k.a. Christmas Book Flood began as a way topromote literacy in Iceland. There was a study done from the 1800s that foundonly 50% of Icelanders could read. That’s a big chunk out of a relatively smallpopulation! So, again to encourage people to learn how to read, the traditionwas initiated. Hey, what a better place to bundle up in a cozy blanket by thefire with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine, and read a book?
TheoryThree: During World War 2, paper was one of the few items in Iceland notrationed. This allowed for the continued publishing of books and printing ofnewspapers. As a result, Icelanders habitually gave books as gifts for theholiday season.
In addition to these theories, Iceland has a long history of beingwell-read. Apparently, this started in 1786, when their first library wasestablished. Since there were no schools, the general population had very fewopportunities for education. A library opened the door for Icelanders to becomeself-taught, and this love of learning has continued on. Today, there arenumerous lending libraries, and it’s estimated that a whopping 97% of allIcelandic households have at least one book. Fun fact: Iceland is the firstcountry in the world to be recognized for having achieved ‘full literacy’. Wow.Take it from someone who used to be a tutor at her local literacy chapter,that’s a huge accomplishment!
Today, Jolabokaflod is a beloved tradition in Iceland’s culture.On Christmas Eve, families gather together to exchange new books, and spend theevening reading them. Nothing is off the table when it comes to giving books asgifts, including novels (all genres), non-fiction, cookbooks, children’s books,graphic novels, and even text books. It truly is the perfect way to celebratethe holiday season and connect with loved ones. If you’re looking to bridgethis Icelandic tradition in a small way, then why not create a Jolabokaflodgift basket for an avid reader you know? All you have to do is select variousbooks catering to the recipient’s interests, then add some cozy items such as acomfy blanket, chocolate, candles, mugs, and hot chocolate mix. Trust me, it’sthe perfect holiday gift for your book-loving buddy.
So, if you’re still searching for a special way to spend theholiday season, why not give this Jolabokaflod tradition a crack or create agift basket for the reader in your life? Even if you don’t live in Iceland, thewinters in the northern hemisphere can get awfully chilly and brutal. And ifyou happen to live in the southern hemisphere, there’s definitely a beach bookwith your name on it. Wink. Wherever you live, have a happy and safe holidayseason, readers! Cheers!
BTW - If you're looking for a last minute holiday gift, may I suggest you ride the Icelanders' tails, and purchase a book for the reader in your life? Here are some great book gift ideas and the buy links:
TheLast Timekeepers Time Travel Adventure Series:
The LastTimekeepers and the Noble Slave, Book #3
MIRROR WORLDPUBLISHING׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE ׀
The LastTimekeepers and the Dark Secret, Book #2 BuyLinks:
MIRROR WORLDPUBLISHING׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE ׀
The LastTimekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, Book #1 Buy Links:
MIRROR WORLDPUBLISHING׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE ׀
Legendof the Timekeepers, prequel BuyLinks:
MIRRORWORLD PUBLISHING ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES& NOBLE׀
Mysterious Tales from Fairy FallsTeen Psychic Mystery Series:
Lost and Found, Book One Buy Links:
MIRRORWORLD PUBLISHING ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES& NOBLE׀
Blackfliesand Blueberries, Book Two BuyLinks:
December 15, 2024
Author in the Kitchen: Holiday Brunch Served Up by Cookbook Author Sloane Taylor...
After we entertain Christmas Eve, we tear through the house cleaning up before the kids and grands come for brunch Christmas Day. This meal is wonderful because so much can be prepared well in advance and stored in the fridge until it’s time to cook.
MENU Breakfast Soufflé Hash Browns Fresh Fruit Salad Mini Croissants Christmas Cookies & Leftover Desserts Mimosas
Breakfast Soufflé 1 lb. (½kg) ham, bacon, or breakfast sausage 9 eggs, lightly beaten 3 cups (750ml) milk 1 tsp. (5ml) dry mustard Diced green, red, and/or yellow pepper to taste ½ lb. (57g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated ½ lb. (57g) Swiss or Gruyere cheese, or a combination of the two, grated Diced onion to taste Freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 – 1 in. (2.54cm) slices Vienna or French bread, cubed Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Dice ham or bacon. If you use ham, set aside in the bowl you use for the eggs. Fry bacon to the crispness you prefer. Drain on paper towels. If you use breakfast sausage, fry meat until no longer pink. Be sure to break up any clumps. Drain meat in a colander while you continue to prepare the soufflé.
Add all ingredients, except bread, to eggs. Stir well. Gently stir in bread.
Pour mixture into an ungreased 9 x 13-inch (33 x 22cm) glass baking dish. Bake 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center has no egg clinging to it.
This dish can be assembled one or two days ahead of time. On serving day allow the soufflé to sit on your counter 1 – 2 hours before you bake it.
Leftovers are excellent from the microwave.
Hash Browns If you need to increase the hash browns recipe for a larger group of people, it’s best to sparingly add more garlic powder. As is this recipe serves 6. Leftovers reheat beautifully.
3 russet potatoes (about 1½ pounds), peeled 1½ tsp. (7.5ml) garlic powder, not salt Freshly ground pepper, to taste ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
Shred potatoes on the large holes of a box grater or use the coarse grater disk on a food processor. Transfer them to a bowl of cold water. Allow them to soak for 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and then rinse under cold water. You do this to remove the starch that makes hash browns gummy.
Transfer shreds to a kitchen towel. Gather together ends of towel and twist over sink, squeezing firmly to wring out as much liquid as possible. This step creates crisp hash browns. Transfer potatoes to a medium bowl and toss with garlic powder and pepper. Be sure to evenly distribute the seasonings.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes, press down to form a thin layer and cook for a minute or two. Stir and then press down again. Cook until a dark golden crust forms, about 5 minutes.
Turn potatoes in sections. This is easier than trying to turn the food as a whole. Continue to fry until hash browns are crisp and browned all over, 5 minutes or so. Transfer to paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Fresh Fruit Salad 1 banana, peeled 1 pear, cored 1 tbsp. (15ml) lemon juice ¼ pineapple, peeled, cored, and diced 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced 10 seedless red grapes, halved 10 blueberries 10 raspberries, optional
Slice banana into bitesize pieces. Scoop into a medium-sized bowl. Dice pear and add to bowl. Sprinkle lemon juice over fruit to stop it from turning brown and mix well.
Gently fold in remaining fruit.
Spoon into a glass bowl, cover with cling wrap, and chill until time to serve. Leftovers are still good the next day.
Mimosas 1 bottle sparking white wine or champagne, cold 1 carton orange juice, cold Tall slender glasses
Fill glasses half full with wine. Tip the glass slightly as you pour to retain the fizz. Top off with orange juice. Don’t stir. That will destroy the bubbles.
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.Taylor's cookbooks, Date Night Dinners, Date Night Dinners Italian Style, Summer Sizzle, and Recipes to Create Holidays Extraordinaire are released by Toque & Dagger Publishing and available at all book vendors.
December 8, 2024
Guest Post: Writing and Christmas by C.D. Hersh...
We think writing and Christmas have a lot in common.
Preparing for Christmas is like writing a book—not that anyone gets much writing done in the weeks before the holiday. The concept, however, is the same; start early and stay on target.
For an easy Christmas holiday:Shop all year long, especially on vacation where you can get one-of-a-kind items, and avoid the mall rush.Plan in advance. Knowing your menu weeks in advance and looking for recipes you can prepare ahead, freeze, or have on hand reduces stress in the kitchen and lets you enjoy the holiday too. Don’t want to cook ahead? Then remodel the kitchen (not before the holidays, of course) and get that second oven you’ve been wanting so all those green bean casseroles will fit in. Better yet, let someone else host.
Get familiar with your Christmas dishes. Start using your Christmas dishes at the beginning of December so you don’t have to get them out of storage at the last minute. That 24 piece place setting of hollies and Christmas trees needs to be used more than once at Christmas dinner!
Get next year’s Christmas cards as soon as they go on sale. After all, you have a pretty good idea how many you will need for next year, and they never go out of style.
Begin next year’s Christmas letter now. Start in January and keep a running tally of the important things you want to include. If you bind the letters in a notebook you have a ready-made life journal. One stone, two birds.
Make a goal list. Shopping done before Christmas, house cleaned thoroughly by the first weekend in December, trim the tree the day after Thanksgiving (since you don’t have to shop on Black Friday), Christmas cookies baked by the second weekend (or cheat and just buy them), the guest room readied right before your guests arrive, and so on. Tweak the list to fit your needs.
For easy book writing: Write all year long, every day. Then when you take all that time off in December to get ready for the holidays, you won’t feel so guilty.
Plan your book in advance. Some seat-of-the-pants writers claim too much planning takes the fun out of writing. We’ve done it both ways and have found thorough planning and plotting keeps us out of those pesky writer’s blocks. You just have to be willing to let your characters speak to you even if they don’t want to go where you’ve planned.
Get familiar with your book and characters. Let the novel and your characters live with you daily. When you are thinking about the book all the time, the words come easily to the page and your characters’ voices sound more real.
Get your ideas as soon as they come to you. Carry a notebook, or use your phone, to jot down everything that comes to mind about your current WIP or ideas for new books. Even if you don’t use the ideas now, they may work, with some tweaking, for something in the future. Writers are always writing and we need to capture those ideas when they come.
Begin your next book now. Writers who don’t think about future projects while they are still working on the current one run the risk of writer’s block for their next book. A running log of ideas, thoughts, characters, or anything related to the next books will make coming up with the stories easier. We brainstorm when we drive places, capturing all our ideas, good or bad, in a composition notebook. In a single composition book, we have at least 10 new ideas waiting to be developed. Will we write them all? Maybe not, but we have ready-made journal filled with possibilities.
Make a goal list. Set writing goals for yourself. Whether it’s 100 words a day, or 20 pages a day doesn’t matter. It’s the goal that counts. Tweak your goal list to fit your needs and you’ll be surprised how quickly those 100 words will turn into pages, and pages into chapters, and chapters into a book.
So, this holiday season, when you are laying your gifts beside the nativity, under your Christmas tree, give a gift to yourself. Promise to start writing early in the New Year and stay on target. Who knows, with perseverance and a little luck, you could be tucking your brand-new book under next year’s tree as a gift to someone else.
Here is a little about our shapeshifter series:
TITLE: The Turning Stone Chronicles
GENRE: Urban fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
HEAT LEVEL: Sensual
Three ancient Celtic families. A magical Bloodstone that enables the wearers to shape shift. A charge to use the stone’s power to benefit mankind, and a battle, that is going on even today, to control the world. Can the Secret Society of shape shifters called the Turning Stone Society heal itself and bring peace to our world?
Find out in the second edition of The Turning Stone Chronicles coming soon!
Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to the husband and wife co-authors whose pen name is C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s while co-authoring a number of dramas, six which have been produced in Ohio, where they live. Their interactive Christmas production had five seasonal runs in their hometown and has been sold in Virginia, California, and Ohio. As high school sweethearts, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after. Which is why they write it!When they aren’t collaborating on a book, they enjoy reading; singing; theatre and drama; traveling; remodeling houses (Donald has remodeled something in every home they’ve owned); and antiquing. Catherine, who loves gardening, has recently drawn Donald into her world as a day laborer. Catherine is an award-winning gardener — you can see some of her garden on their website.
They are looking forward to many years of co-authoring and book sales, and a lifetime of happily-ever-after endings on the page and in real life.
You can see excerpts of their books, connect with, and follow C.D. Hersh at:December 1, 2024
Tis the Season to Go Dutch...
Stamppot: Oneof the best-known Dutch dishes is stamppot, an old-style Dutch dish. It is madeof mashed potatoes mixed with one or more vegetables like kale, carrots, endiveor sauerkraut. Stamppot istraditionally served during the winter and enjoyed best with rookworst (smoked sausage).
Broodje kroket: The‘kroket’ is a deep-fried roll with meat ragout inside, covered in breadcrumbs.The original Dutch ‘kroket’ is made from beef or veal, but there are manydifferent flavors like chicken satay, shrimps, goulash or even a vegetarian‘kroket’. You can eat a ‘kroket’ as a snack, but most of the time they areserved on sliced white bread or hamburger buns with mustard on the side—evenfancy restaurants serve them. Caution: the ‘kroket’ can beextremely hot inside.
Bitterballen: Translatedas bitter balls When you go for drinks or visit a birthday party it is mostlikely that these little, round, often dangerously hot snacks are served. They are battered in a crunchy breadcrumb coating and filled with a gooeymixture of chopped beef, beef broth, flour, butter, herbs and spices. They aretypically served with mustard for dipping. The red-white-and-blue flag is alsonearly mandatory while serving them!
Stroopwafel: This deliciouschewy cookie the stroopwafel—translated as a syrup waffle—was first made in thetown of Gouda in the Netherlands during the 18th century. In fact, until 1870stroopwafels were made only in Gouda and there were about 100 bakeries sellingthese treats in that city alone. This sweet waffle made from two thin layers ofbatter with a sticky syrup filling in the middle. They can be purchased inpackages at nearly every grocery store and bakery in the Netherlands, as wellas freshly made at street stands at markets and festivals.Andthis food choice somehow made me cringe…
Fries (Patatje Oorlog): Whilefries are popular in nearly every corner of the world, in the Netherlands theyeat them with everything onit. And with everything they mean Patatje Oorlog (Frieslike War). Fries with peanut butter, sauce, ketchup, mayo, onions and if youwish, you can put curry on it too! Um…I think I’ll stick to gravy or ketchup.Thesetreats are just a sampling of what the Dutch have to offer. So why not trysomething a little different and go Dutch for the upcoming holiday season? Doany of these foods whet your appetite? If so, which ones? What other ethnicfoods do you savor for the holidays? I would love to know, so please share inthe comments below. Happy Holidays and thank you for reading my blog!
The LastTimekeepers Time Travel Adventure Series:
The LastTimekeepers and the Noble Slave, Book #3
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Legend ofthe Timekeepers, prequel BuyLinks:
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