Today’s National Pancake Day! Woohoo! Excited? No? Too mundane? Then you haven’t tried all the kinds of pancakes there are out there! I limited my list of favorites to just ten, but if you don’t know what some of them are, go Google them! You’ll find recipes for some very yummy dishes!
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me which intrigue you and which are your favorites!
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Last 5 people who had something to say: Anna Taylor Sweringen - Eileen Airey - Colleen C. - Pansy Petal - Mary Preston -
Sarah Marshall was born into slavery in 1832. She married James Boone in New Bern, North Carolina, when she was fifteen. Sources are unclear how they obtained their freedom, but they were able to relocate to New Haven, Connecticut before the start of the Civil War. There, they raised eight children. She worked as a dressmaker. He laid brick until his death in the 1870s.
In her work, she saw the need for an ironing board that would aid in her care and maintenance of women’s dresses. Before the invention of the ironing board, women simply ironed clothes either on a board laid across the backs of two chairs or a table. At the age of 60, dressmaker Sarah Boone’s invention was created “to produce a cheap, simple, convenient and highly effective device, particularly adapted to be used in ironing the sleeves and bodies of ladies’ garments.”
While she did not create the ironing board, her device improved upon it by adding a padded surface and a smaller rounded end. It was also collapsible, so you can see how her improvements led to the ironing board in use today. The wording of the patent indicates that the invention had the potential to be adapted for men’s clothing. She received her patent in 1892 making her the second African-American woman to receive a patent.
She lived in New Haven not far from Yale University for the rest of her life and attended the Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church. She died in 1904 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. This PBS station did a very nice piece on her. You can view it here: https://www.pbs.org/video/engineering-behind-ironing-board-dqh4ly/.
A slave at fifteen. A patent holder at sixty. When you hear people harping on age being detrimental instead of an asset, tell them about Sarah Marshall Boone.
For a $10 chance at an Amazon gift card share your thoughts on Sarah’s life or ageism.
Better To Marry Than to Burn
Freed Man seeking woman to partner in marriage for at least two years in the black township of Douglass, Texas. Must be willing and able to help establish a legacy. Marital relations as necessary. Love neither required nor sought.
Excerpt:
“Our children?” She swiveled in her seat. “You made no mention of wanting children, just marital relations as necessary. I understood that to mean intercourse.”
“I wrote I wanted to leave a legacy.”
“A legacy. Not a dynasty.”
“Legacy. Dynasty. Is there really so sharp a distinction?”
“To my mind there is. I understood you meant to affect future generations—endow schools, found churches, create civic associations. I didn’t realize that meant children. I agreed to having sex, not having children.”
“Of course I want children.” His brows grew heavy as he frowned. “Doesn’t having sex lead to having children?”
“Not with the right precautions.”
His frown deepened. “Precautions?”
“There are many ways to prevent your seed from taking root, Mr. King.”
“I want children, Mrs. King.”
Her lips twisted and her brow furrowed, but she kept her silence.
“All right,” she said. “You can have children with any woman you like. I won’t stop you. I free you from any claim to fidelity.”
“Legacy—or dynasty if you will—means legitimacy. No bastard will carry my name, not when I have a wife to bear me children.”
Something I’ve learned as a writer is to keep EVERYTHING you write. Even if you think it’s crap, it might be of some use or provide inspiration in the future.
I find myself scribbling down lines of dialogue, ideas for storylines, and traits for my characters. I’ve written in notebooks, on ripped-out pages and once, I scribbled something on a napkin when I was eating lunch. I think the guy at the next table thought I was going to leave him my number… Hmm, that gives me an idea…
Anyway, when I was hunting through my notes, I came across a sweet short story I wrote for a competition run by Harlequin back in 2007. The theme was Valentine’s Day. In those days, I was a subscriber to their newsletter, and I’d look forward to reading all about the new releases and picking out which ones I’d buy. I was more of a reader and less of a writer in those days so of course I was chuffed when I received a letter informing me that I was one of two winners. And I was so excited when a box of books turned up on my doorstep as my prize.
I thought I’d share this five-minute fiction with you as part of your Sunday morning reading.
Kate’s special day
Today had been an important day in Kate’s working career and thankfully it had been successful. Her presentation had impressed her boss and Kate arrived home feeling on top of the world. Even the thought of cooking dinner, washing dishes and sweeping floors couldn’t dent her happiness.
Kate was surprised to see her husband, Brett standing in the hallway waiting for her. She grinned at him, a little confused. “Why are you looking so handsome?”
Dressed in a pale blue shirt and black trousers; Brett’s dark hair was slicked back and still damp. In his hands was a small bouquet of red roses.
“You know why,” he replied, with the smile that Kate had fallen in love with the moment they met five years earlier. He handed her the bouquet as their lips joined in a passionate kiss.
“Thank you.”
Before she could question the situation, Brett spoke. “You had better move. We have reservations for dinner in one hour.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now go!” he commanded, patting her bottom playfully.
Kate did as she was told and in record time of forty minutes she’d showered, applied fresh make-up, styled her hair and put on a rose print dress.
After checking her appearance in the mirror one last time, she went into the kitchen where Brett was waiting for her.
“Wow! You look totally gorgeous.”
“Thank you, honey.”
“Would you mind finding the cooler bag? There’s a bottle of champagne in the fridge for the restaurant.”
“Sure,” replied Kate.
All this and champagne! She really was being spoilt. Kate wondered what had sparked Brett’s sudden burst of romance and then she spied the note on the fridge. REMEMBER FEBRUARY 13TH
She had put this note up two weeks earlier to remind herself about the presentation and Brett must’ve remembered how important this was for her. With champagne in hand and a smile on her face, Kate joined her husband in the car.
At the quiet restaurant they were seated at a nice table, each holding a champagne filled glass.
“To my beautiful wife…” Brett raised his glass in a toast.
“Thank you,” replied Kate.
“And to us!”
They clinked glasses and Kate waited for the rest of his speech as Brett sipped his champagne.
“Thanks for the note. We deserve this treat and you know how forgetful I am about these things…anyway, Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Kate’s hand flew to her mouth to hide her amusement but seconds later the laughter spilled from her.
“Hey, what’s so funny?” asked Brett, a curious expression on his face.
“Oh nothing…” Kate stammered between bursts of laughter. “Just something at work.” Kate didn’t have the heart to tell Brett the real reason for the note on the fridge. She was certain he’d discover the truth tomorrow.
Right now, she’d enjoy her own private Valentine’s Day.
Now for a hit of spice… And it’s FREE…
Mister Tradie
Mister Tradie, an Instalove vs. slow burn, steamy novella is available for FREE on Amazon and KU for the next three days
Hollie Leigh has declared she’s off men. Every last one.
She has other plans for her future. Plans that don’t include a brazen, flirtatious tradie with a BIG mouth, no matter how good looking he is.
Self-proclaimed floor specialist, Scott Morgan, is hit by the smokin’ hot babe effect, the instant he lays eyes on Hollie.
But her death stare and acerbic wit, tell him he’s got his work cut out for him.
On a whim, he offers her an arrangement. Three weeks. With him.
As a PA for a law firm, Hollie knows to check the fine print and this deal will allow her to walk away once the three-weeks are over.
Fun. Flirty. Sexy. Dirty. Mister Tradie has all that and more in his toolbox. But will it be enough to show Hollie their connection is deeper than just flirty banter and hot sex?
Want more spice?
The first three novels in my 5 Shades of Brothers Browne series are available for $1.49 each on Amazon or Free with KU.
Happy reading!
About Deb Robinson
Deb’s just a humble little writer who loves what she does. She lives with her lovely husband in their little haven in Melbourne, Australia. She loves all things romance and believes it takes many forms. Her current catalogue consists of hot, contemporary romance under two series: 5 Shades of Brothers Browne and A Sexy Tradie Novella.
Follow Deb Robinson on her official Facebook page Follow on Twitter @DRobinsonbooks Follow on Instagram @debrobinsonbooks
And on TikTok @debrobinsonbooks
Tomorrow is the Autumnal Equinox signaling the end of summer and the start of fall. As much as I dislike cold weather, I love this time of year.
It’s time to dig out the cozy sweaters and wool socks. The heat comes on and the flannel sheets go back on the bed. (Did I mention I really dislike being cold.)
The air is crisp, and the leaves are a variety of gorgeous and vibrant colors. I may be an adult, but I love kicking the dry leaves when I go on a walk.
The fall shows come back on television and hockey season begins. (I’m Canadian so it’s hockey for me, not football.)
It also starts the holiday season, which begins in October with Thanksgiving (Canadian), Halloween, Thanksgiving (American), and Christmas. There is so much to celebrate with family and friends. My birthday falls in there too, so bonus!
For me, fall is also a time of new beginnings, even more so than January 1st. So, it’s time to take a deep breath and embrace the new season.
Maybe you’ll curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of hot chocolate or something pumpkin spice. If you’re looking for a book to read while you’re there, you might want to check out my latest release.
Taming the White Wolf
Lone Wolf Legacy, Book 1
The lone wolf answers to no alpha or pack. From his first transformation, he knows his destiny: to be both judge and executioner for rogue werewolves. Welcome to the spellbinding first book in New York Times bestselling author N.J. Walters intense new werewolf series.
White wolf Devlin Moore has spent nearly the last century following his destiny: hunting rogue werewolves. His fate is to be the only one of his kind—hardened, feared, and brutally ruthless. Only now, Devlin’s not alone. There are two others. And if that wasn’t unsettling enough, Devlin is drawn to New York City for what appears to be a human…
As far as Devlin can tell, vibrant artist Zoe Galvani is no threat. But there’s something about her— from her unusual eyes that look similar to the same shocking hue as his own, to his growing need to mark her as his that suggests magical forces may be at play.
Now there’s no escaping each other, or the attraction that grows stronger by the second. But no one, especially a human woman, should have this effect on a lone wolf. And just when he’s sure that having her could be his undoing…the truth steps out of the shadows.
If you want to read more, you can find Taming the White Wolf here:
N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
Fall is here… or so the calendar says. Is anyone getting any cool weather? I mean, it’s “cooler” here, as in, it’s lower three digits (e.g., 102 as opposed to 112). But autumn has always been somewhat of a giggle season with a spotty few cool days between warm ones. We’ll take it. Of course, it’s not like we have a choice when it comes to Mother Nature unless we move. But for the sake of the season, I’m just going to pretend that all is pumpkin spice and everything thing nice and that’s what autumn in the South is made of.
With fall comes warm, comfort foods—savory soups and hearty stews. And then there’s gumbo.Gumbo isn’t a seasonal food on the bayou, and there are about a million ways to make it—from simple to complex; with rice cooked in or prepared separately. None of these variations are wrong. Well… Okay, I take that back. Having seen boiled eggs and Pop-Tarts in gumbo, those ingredients are just plain wrong, no two ways about it. Yes, I say that with my full chest, will fall on a sword, and die on a hill with a gigantic heck-no foaming from my mouth. I don’t know who would have thought to create such an abomination, but obviously, it was by someone who has been hurt deeply. (Psst, there’s no shame in seeking therapy.)
However, there is one other way considered wrong in preparing gumbo. Now, I know when I say it, many people are going to get into their feelings but hear me out. A coworker nearly argued me to the ground, but I happened to have a couple of facts and history on my side. This is the inclusion of okra. My coworker dislikes it and doesn’t include it in her gumbo. To which, I said, “Then, it isn’t gumbo.” Shots fired. She insisted that it was, and I simply replied, “Nope.” Here’s why.
Okra isn’t an optional ingredient. The word “gumbo” literally means “okra” in West African. It’s where the recipe derived its name and originates from the African word “ki ngombo.” (See, studying for the SATs pays off.) Actually, my knowing that fact isn’t all that impressive. Most people who grew up around the bayou know this. It was something I had been taught since before I could remember. My coworker was born and raised in a neighboring southern state, and her ideas of what was considered authentic Creole and Cajun food was how Tex-Mex is to authentic Mexican food. So, when I hit her with this fact, her response (which was typical of her when she realized she had no comeback) was, “Well, I don’t know about that.” She still prepares her okra-less SOUP!
I say all that because it’s been a while since I shared a recipe. When scrolling through my blog archives, I realized although I’ve discussed gumbo numerous times, it doesn’t appear that I’ve ever shared a recipe. I give fair warning that the recipe that I used and learned from my grandmother has a lot of ingredients. (Everything is from scratch except the chicken.) However, it’s fairly simple to make.
Chicken and Sauage Gumbo
Roux Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour (Hint: Sift the flower before measuring. While adding flour to the measuring, shake the cup to distribute the flower evenly. Rake a knife over the top to press it down smoothly. This will improve the accuracy of measurement.)
Sausage grease (Bacon dripping or vegetable oil can be substituted, but why do that when you already have the sausage?)
Roux Directions:
Over medium-low heat, whisk together flour and 3/4 cup sausage grease in a large pot a(a Dutch oven works well) until smooth. Be sure to whisk constantly and monitor the heat to avoid burning.
Cook until the roux turns a rich brown in color (approximately 20 – 30 minutes).
Remove from heat.
Gumbo Ingredients:
1/8 tsp basil
1/8 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp rosemary
1/8 tsp smoke paprika
1/8 tsp thyme
½ tsp dried thyme leaves
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp white pepper
2 tsp salt
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3cloves garlic (minced)
1 large white onion (chopped)
1 green bell pepper (chopped)
1 cup celery (chopped)
8 cups chicken broth
1 cup shredded Rotisserie chicken
2 ½ cups okra
2 lbs Andouille sausage (sliced)
Rice
Gumbo Directions:
Chop onions, celery, and bell pepper to desired consistency. (I prefer a fine dice but other people prefer more coarsely chopped.)
Add the Holy Trinity mixture to the roux and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
Add the chicken both to the roux and stir to blend well.
Add all of the other ingredients and cook on low 45 to 60 minutes. (Note: Some people prefer to add the rice and others prefer to cook the rice separately. If planning to add rice, be aware that more broth and a larger pot may be necessary.
That’s all I’ve got. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.
Future Goals
Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.
When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.
Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.
Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.
For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.
Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.
About the Author
Genevive Chamblee resides in the Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm,” and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.
Thank you, Delilah, for having me on your blog today!
This summer, we went on a Mediterranean cruise. Throughout this trip, I was awed by the historical significance of the places we visited.
One of our port stops was Istanbul, Turkey. While here, we visited the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest marketplace in the world. Built in 1455 to provide income for the maintenance of the Hagia Sophia Mosque, it spans 61 streets and contains 4,000 shops. Jewelry, clothing, rugs, lamps, and other goods are found here. The market was too large to explore in its entirety with the time we had available. We also stopped at the Spice Bazaar. This bazaar has existed since 1664 and was built to provide income for the upkeep of the Yeni Mosque. Spices lined the storefronts of the shops, making for a wonderful display of colors. I enjoyed wandering through the shops and seeing the variety of spices and foods. Both marketplaces were centers of trade for many centuries.
One thing I find fascinating about historical structures from the past is their beauty, even when built for a functional purpose. The Basilica Cistern was constructed in 532 to store water. It contains 336 columns that are 9 meters in height. The columns are in different styles, and it’s believed that some of them were recycled from older buildings. The cistern can hold 80,000 tons of water and was used to supply water to the Great Palace. Over time, it was only known to and used by locals, until French naturalist and topographer Petrus Gyllius learned of its existence in 1545. The cistern was restored and opened to the public in 1987. Today it’s filled with about one to three feet of water and there are walkways that go around the structure with art installations throughout.
As a Regency romance writer, I love exploring places steeped in history.
You can learn more about the bazaars and the basilica by visiting the following websites:
Are there places you’ve visited that you’ve found inspiring?
An Eye for Love
Coming January 2024!
A missing heirloom. A search for the thief. An unexpected romance.
Lady Olivia Thorne’s beloved eye miniature has gone missing. She’s sure she knows who took it, but she can’t accuse an earl without proof. Instead, she makes a deal with the devil—or, rather, the earl’s cousin.
Henry Branson is a poor relation to the Earl of Comstock and makes his living by investigating for members of the ton. When Lady Olivia hires him to find her heirloom, he’s determined to prove his cousin innocent.
But there’s more at stake than either of them realizes. When late-night searches and admissions of guilt turn into feelings both are too frightened to reveal, decisions must be made.
Will Olivia and Henry risk everything for love? Or will they let passion pass them by?
If you’d like to get updates on my release date, freebies, and other content, sign up for my newsletter at https://cynthiacapley.com/newsletter.
About the Author
Cynthia Capley is working on her first novel set during the Regency era. She enjoys writing stories with strong characters that triumph over challenges to achieve their happily ever after. Cynthia lives in the Pacific Northwest, where the rain and numerous tea shops make the perfect writing companions. She lives with her husband and a menagerie of pets and likes to play fetch with Natasha, a tortoiseshell-colored cat with an attitude.
Hello Delilah! Thank you for inviting me to visit today! I’m publishing my third book in the multi-author, shared-world series Single Dads of Gaynor Beach today and I wanted to give you a quick sneak peek.
I’ll be honest – I’m not a parent. I’m an aunt to a pile of awesome nieces and nephews, but I’ve never had the honor of being a parent. That being said, I’m an author. I make stuff up. I draw on my experience with kids, but I’m also incredibly lucky to have other author friends who will read my work ahead of publication and point out all the misses. I’m also Canadian and have little experience with the American school system. The differences shocked me. Like, we don’t have a police or resource officer at every school. School shootings just aren’t a thing up here. I look south and feel pain.
For parenting, I can imagine what I’d do in a particular scenario, but a parent can say what their hard limit would be. On the flip side, they can also point out when I got it right or when something works.
I loved writing this book. Three brave, feisty girls who lost their mother, but have kept going. Rochelle, Nicki, and Jazz are all very different, but they are protective and loyal of each other (when they’re not fighting. Hey, I remember what it was like to be a kid with siblings…). Anyway, I hope readers enjoy my third venture back into this world I’ve come to love so much and fans of the series will find cameos from quite a few of their friends…
As a thank you, I’m happy to give out a $5 Amazon Gift Card to one commentator. Let me know – what’s your favorite romance novel that has kids? I have so many faves, I can’t list them all. Tell me which I should pick up? Winner chosen at random.
Thanks Delilah, for having me visit.
Xavier
Xavier
When my wife died five years ago, leaving me alone to raise our three young daughters, only my duty to them and my work as a psychiatrist kept me from losing myself in grief. I did my best to be a good father through the darkest days, but now I can see I’ve been distant and cold. Things need to change. I’ve pledged to my daughters that I’ll start doing better. Be more involved. Show them what a great dad looks like. If that means soccer practice, violin lessons, and sitting through a dozen dance recitals, then I’m all-in.
Zed
Pliés, pas-de-deux, cheerleading practice, and enough tutus to last a lifetime— how is this my life? I’m a fisherman up in the Bering Sea. In the offseason, I travel through Alaska and, on rare occasions, drop in to see my sister and her four sons in Gaynor Beach, California. This year? She’s laid up with an injury. Suddenly I’m running her dance studio, and I’m a fish waaaay out of water. Then I meet another guy who’s equally uncomfortable. He’s working so hard to be a good dad, and I keep hoping he’ll notice me. Except, when my sister’s healed and fishing season starts, I’m out of here. Right?
This gay romance is a slow burn, mid-angst, age-gap, opposites-attract, instalove story with a fisherman who needs the ocean, a counselor who needs therapy, three young girls in need of love, and a found family that’ll change their lives forever.
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
