Share the Moon - new from Sharon Struth

I'm thrilled to once again host my friend from Connecticut, USA - Sharon Struth - on my blog today. Sharon's first book, The Hourglass, has been a runaway success, and her new release - Share the Moon - is set to eclipse this. Welcome back, Sharon! Over to you.

Sharon Struth

Thank you, Noelle, for sharing your blog with me today.

Anybody out there like shortbread cookies? I’m talking about those mouth-watering, buttery delights from the same land that gave us kilts. Shortbread was originally made as medieval "biscuit bread,” over the years the yeast in the bread was replaced by butter and…voi·là, you have the cookie we know today!

In my latest release, Share the Moon (Kensington Publishing), Scottish traditions have made their way to the pages, including shortbread cookies. Although the story takes place in the U.S.--Connecticut to be exact, the book’s heroine, Sophie Shaw, has fond memories of her nana, a woman who made the best darn shortbread cookies in New England and had a strong belief that name meanings hold true. Sophie doesn’t buy the name meaning theory, but she still carries on the shortbread ritual.

If you try this recipe, a word of caution; don’t take shortcuts. The most important part of this is letting the dough “season” at least overnight (I do 24 hours) and don’t make the mistake of thinking those fork-poked holes are mere decoration. Everything little thing matters when trying to get the best flavor from these three ingredients.

Ingredients:

 2 ½ cups of flour

½ pound of softened butter-2 sticks (or you can use ¼ lb. margarine, ¼ lb. butter)

½ cup of sugar (I use a generous half cup, no leveling)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients well. Form into a ball and wrap in wax paper. Place in the refrigerator overnight, at a minimum. Twenty-four hours (or even two days) adds to the flavor.

Baking:

Remove wax paper and let the dough warm at room temperature. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Press dough evenly into a round 8” pan. The dough will be crumbly. Once pressed, use a fork to poke holes on the top layer, spaced maybe ½-1 inch apart. Cook around 45 minutes or until the edges are nicely browned. Remove from oven. Cool before cutting.

A little more about Share the Moon…

Blurb:

"Heart-tugging small town romance with real emotion.  Struth is an author to watch!"

—Laura Drake, author of RITA-award winning The Sweet Spot

Sometimes trust is the toughest lesson to learn.

Sophie Shaw is days away from signing a contract that will fulfill her dream of owning a vineyard. For her, it’s a chance to restart her life and put past tragedies to rest. But Duncan Jamieson’s counter offer blows hers out to sea.

Duncan still finds Sophie as appealing as he had during boyhood vacations to the lake. Older and wiser now, he has his own reasons for wanting the land. His offer, however, hinges on a zoning change approval.

Bribery rumors threaten the deal and make Sophie wary of Duncan, yet she cannot deny his appeal. When her journalistic research uncovers a Jamieson family secret, trust becomes the hardest lesson for them both.

Author Bio:

Sharon Struth is an award-winning author who believes it’s never too late for a second chance in love or life. When she’s not writing, she and her husband happily sip their way through the scenic towns of the Connecticut Wine Trail. Sharon writes from the small town of Bethel, Connecticut, the friendliest place she’s ever lived. For more information, including where to find her other novels and published essays, please visit her at www.sharonstruth.com

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GczH6uBi1og

Buy Links for Share the Moon:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kensington Books

Kobo

Google Books

Sharon’s Website: www.sharonstruth.com

Twitter: @sharonstruth

Also from Sharon Struth: 

My Writing Process – Blog Tour

Today is my turn to talk about my own writing process. This blog tour is where writers and authors answer questions about their writing process. My friend, US author Sharon Struth, posted hers last week. Sharon’s beautiful book, The Hourglass, is a stunning example of women’s fiction at its very best. I’d encourage you to check out her writing process here: http://sharonstruth.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/my-writing-process-blog-tour/

This week, you can read not only my post, but also those of Shehanne Moore and Ellen Butler.

With the help of these four questions, I’d like to share with you my writing process. This should be an interesting activity, because I have to admit I’ve never analysed it before. I guess it will be a learning process for all of us.

What am I working on?

My third novel, Honor’s Debt, is about a quarter finished. Still a long way to go, however I’ve plotted out the main points of the story, so at least I know where it’s going, and I don’t feel like I’m floundering. I’m not moving quickly on this book as I’ve had several other urgent tasks to attend to (unfortunately not writing related). This is an unusual situation for me because usually I write my books in one hit. With Rosamanti, I wrote 65,000 from start to finish in three weeks. It was an amazing feeling, and looking back now, I don’t really know how that happened. All I can say is that it was a story that was meant to be told, and it just sorted of bubbled out of me.
I’m also about to start final edits (I hope) on my historical novel (based on true family history), Stone of Heaven and Earth. I finished this book over two years ago, but it’s been sitting, mulling away, for a long time.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I don’t know that my Contemporary Romance books are all that different to several other authors who like to use locations and settings that they’ve travelled to and fallen in love with. But what I do try to do, is to have several little subplots weaving through the stories which contain mystery, intrigue, suspense, danger, adventure. I also like to have a couple of interesting support characters, who will one day be the main characters of future books. I then combine these elements with a well described (I hope) exotic location, two likeable main characters, and some pretty good romance.

Why do I write what I do?

I write books like Rosamanti, Let Angels Fly, and Honor’s Debt, because they are the sorts of books I love to read. I also love to use locations that I’ve travelled to or lived in, and then watch as the setting makes my characters behave in a particular way, which may not have happened had I set the stories somewhere else. I believe strongly that location/setting has a huge influence on the behaviour of characters.

How does your writing process work?

I start with an idea that pings into my brain, usually when I’m driving, or when I’m just waking up in the morning. You know those moments when the creative right side of the brain is acting superior to the normally dominant, logical, left side?

I love those moments. It’s almost like the whole book is written in your brain, but of course, when I rouse from that out-of-body moment, all I’m left with – usually – is a vague plot line, a title, a setting, a mind picture of my characters.

Next step is to begin writing down dot points. I find that hard, as the rich vision I had in my head ends up being barely a half page of points. I get my writing juices flowing by fleshing out the location. What kind of people live there? What do they eat? What year is it set in? Why are my characters there? How do they meet? What attracts them to each other? What causes the inevitable conflict? Can it be overcome? How?  And so on …  It’s really the old who, what, why, where, and how process. Works for me.

Who will we meet next week?
As I’m an Aussie author, I thought I’d introduce three fellow Australian authors who each write in different ways and genres.

Isabella Hargreaves writes historical romance. Isabella has been interested in history all her life and her stories are usually set in her favourite eras, both in Australia and England. Her stories will take you on a journey through Regency England, convict New South Wales, and with the Viking Danelaw and you will experience romance through the ages ... let's live there...love there...linger there.

Susanne Bellamy writes contemporary romance. Susanne loves travelling to new places and exploring the culture and history, and meeting new people. These experiences are gradually being incorporated into her stories, along with her love of music and musicals.

Kendall Talbot writes romantic suspense. Kendall writes stories that reflect her life experiences. She’s travelled extensively, some 36 countries and counting and she loves adventures that make her scream.

I'd love to hook up with you all. Here are my contact links:
Web
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

And my books are available through all good online book retailers, or from my publisher, Etopia Press.

The A.B.C. Award

My inimitable friend and fellow author, Shehanne Moore, has nominated me for an ABC Award. I am truly grateful that you bestowed this on me, Shey. Thank you.

Today – the first day of 2014 – is the perfect time to look at ourselves and seek out what really makes us tick. So, in keeping with the inevitable rules surrounding the acceptance of this award, I’ll do my very best to play honestly.

The rules are as simple as ABC!

 

1.    Display the logo and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2.    Nominate some other blogs.

3.    Work through the alphabet writing one word or phrase about yourself or things you like or associate with yourself, that begins A...B....C....  All 26 of them.

 

 

A – Abhor Arrogance; Adore my grandchildren Andy and Abbie
B – Books
C – Cats, Chardonnay, Chocolate
D – my Doggies too
E – Equality for all
F – Friends and Family
G – Grateful
H – Health, Happiness, and Humour
I – Internet
J – Justice, Joviality, Mum Jokes
K – skip
L – Love, of course
M - My Mum, entering her 96^th year, Music, Merriment
N – Never say Never
O – If I hadn’t already used E, I’d say I was Eccentric, but Odd will do
P - skip
Q - Quirky
R – Really Suck at This
S – see above
T – see above
U - skip
V – Verity
W – Wine, Work, Words,
X – Long gone
Y – Not?
Z – zzzzzz

 

OK, I now bestow this award on:

Kendall Talbot   http://www.kendalltalbot.com.au/blog.html

Elizabeth Ellen Carter   http://eecarter.com/

Isabella Hargreaves   http://www.isabellahargreaves.com/index.html

Sharon Struth   http://www.sharonstruth.com/

Susanne Bellamy   http://www.susannebellamy.com/

and now, linking back to the person who gave me this award, Shehanne Moore.

  

How many authors does it take to have a PAR-TAYYYYY?

My good author buddies are flung far and wide across our beautiful planet, but we were lucky enough to get together to wish each other a very merry Christmas.

Cat Cavendish - Wales
Shehanne Moore - Scotland
Anne Lange - Canada
Sharon Struth - USA
and myself in Australia

This is what happens when we gals get together:

 

Etopia Press October Giveaway Fest

The month of October is special in many ways. The obvious way, is that it’s Halloween month! But did you know that each day has a special significance in some way or other?

My wonderful publisher, Etopia Press, is celebrating the month of October by selecting books from their vast and eclectic range of authors, and linking the books with the significance of the day.

Not only that, but Etopia Press are giving away free books to readers who visit their Facebook page and leave a comment under one of the special October promotions.

This is your BIG chance to score free books from a quality publishing house.

Watch out for my book, Let Angels Fly on October 12th, which happens to be World Cookbook Launch Day. Food and cooking feature a lot in Let Angels Fly, so it seems most appropriate to give a copy of my book away on such an auspicious day.

So come on and join in the fun. A huge thanks to Nancy Cassidy from Etopia Press for all her hard work in running the promo, and also to my friend and fellow author, Shehanne Moore, for graciously allowing me to use the graphic she made.

Here's a selection of books from my fellow Etopia authors that are up for grabs this month.

Find your next read with The Galz ... and Steve

Author Shehanne Moore has put together this nifty trailer showcasing the wares of thirteen female authors who write across a range of genres, from Paranormal, Horror, MM Erotic, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Women's Fiction. Oh, then there's our 'lone wolf', Steve Emmett, who dashes out great Horror stories.

Why not have a look at this short video, then go and check out our books. There's no need to ever be stuck for a good book to read when we're around.

Click Here:  Find your Next Read with the Galz         

Our books are available on Amazon and all good online retailers.

Aimee Duffy
Tracey Rogers
Antonia van Zandt
Susan Arden
Anne Lange
Renea Mason
Sharon Struth
Noelle Clark
Catherine Cavendish
Shehanne Moore
Elin Gregory
Charley Descoteaux
Faith Ashlin
Steve Emmett

Summer Sun Award!

My good friend, Shehanne Moore, has bestowed upon me a Summer Sun Award. She's always so

generous and brightens up my life daily. Thanks Shey. It's the middle of winter here in Brisbane, Australia. Mind you, yesterday we hit a top of 24 degrees C, so I'm not really complaining, but it's still winter for us.

But ... as with anything Shehanne does ...  there are rules! And God forbid any of us to neglect to follow them to the letter! So, here are the rules surrounding my acceptance of this esteemed award.

Well, firstly you display the logo and link back to the blog of the person who nominated you. Then you answer the following summery questions before nominating a lucky eight ….one for each sunray on the picture there. Then you must tell the lucky eight and name and display their blog link.
Of course the questions are all summer based.

So here goes. But just to liven things up (I'm a very boring person), I decided to do a retrospective view, and recall some of my happiest memories of summer.
 
1. Favourite song with summer in the title or the words (give the line) –

“Summer Holiday” – Cliff Richard. “We’re all goin’ on a summer holiday”.
(play the video, it's so funny).

2. Favourite book about summer –
“Allison’s Island Adventure” set in the isles of north-west Scotland. Can’t remember the author.

3. Favourite hot summer film –
“Gidget”    

4. Favourite summer memory –
Dad piling us all into the VW Combi and taking us to Wellington Point for a swim. Hey, I live there now!





Sunset at Wellington Point. I can walk here from my house.

Um, not me, but camping on Cylinder Beach.

5. Favourite summer holiday destination –
Camping at Cylinder Beach on Stradbroke Island.




Cylinder Beach, Stradbroke Island, Qld

6. What books will be in your suitcase this summer?

It won’t be summer here in Australia until about November. So, by then, I’ll be taking:

•  His Judas Bride
•  Saving Grace Devine
•  Collared for a Night
•  Share the Moon
•  Finding Butterflies
•  Lost in Kakadu
•  Moonstone Obsession
•  Warrior’s Surrender
•  Rosamanti (Just getting a plug in for my new book).

7. What’s your likely destination this summer?

No plans as yet … maybe to the Sunshine Coast, just north of Brisbane.

Sunshine Coast, Queensland

8. What hottie would you most like to be sharing the hot days and long nights with this summer?
Pietro Lombardi (he’s my hot Italian hero in Rosamanti). Here's a photo of him. What do you think girls?
 

Okay that’s it. I’ve nominated seven people to receive this award. It’s now up to you all to follow Shey’s instructions above

• Sharon Struth
• Louise Forster
• Kendall Talbot
• Cat Cavendish
• EE Carter
• Susan D Taylor AND Susan Arden LOL
• and Lady Fury.

 

And thankyou Shey, for spreading some happy sunshine all around the world. :-) I feel warmer already.

A day in the life of: Author Sharon Struth

Continuing in the series of chats with authors about how, and where, they spend their writing day, I have great pleasure in chatting with Sharon Struth.

Sharon is a multi-award winning author, writer of non-fiction, and fiction. ‘The Hourglass’ is Sharon’s latest release, published by Etopia Press. She is currently working on another novel, ‘Share the Moon’, and I'm very much looking forward to discussing her books here today.

Hi Sharon. Thanks so much for coming to chat with me today. It's an honour to have a writer with so many credits – and experience – under her belt. With you in Connecticut, USA, and me in Australia, I’m curious to see if there are any things we do differently in our writing world. First of all, I'd love to ask you about a typical writing day. I'm interested in the 'where' and 'how' of your writing routine.

Sharon: Hi Noelle! Thanks for hosting me today.

Noelle: Even though you are currently a full-time writer, do the constraints of everyday life force you to write to a set routine in order to meet your writing goals? Special times or days?

Sharon: I treat my writing like I would any other job and work on a set schedule from about 7:30 in the morning until 5 or 6 o’clock at night. Of course, the one big difference is that after my shower, I toss on sweatpants, flip-flops and forgo any makeup. While an at-home job requires great discipline, the wardrobe perks are worth it!

Noelle: That is certainly a benefit. :-) Where do you like to write? Do you have a space where you can immerse yourself without outside distractions? Or do you feel best writing at the kitchen bench?

Sharon: I turned a spare bedroom into an office. I still keep a bed in the room, however, and one of my dogs (a miniature schnauzer) sleeps there all day and watches me work. Best officemate a person could ask for!

Noelle: Both my little dogs sit at my feet as I write, but unfortunately they often ask for attention, which is quite distracting. Is there anything in your environment that you find particularly motivating or inspiring for your writing?

Sharon: Not inside the office, but whenever I get stuck while writing, I usually go for a walk or a drive in the car. I do some of my best “writing” when I step away from the computer.

Noelle: Do you like music playing in the background as you write?

Sharon: No. I couldn’t concentrate. I was even like that years ago when in college, where I’d have go into quiet “study” rooms to get my work done.

Noelle: Your latest book, The Hourglass, was released recently. It seems that we have something in common – we both have heroines who are forging new lives, digging deep, and finding inner strength. The Hourglass deals with crushing loss, angst, guilt. These are themes that must resonate with many readers. Were there times when you had to dig deep yourself, to be able to write the book?

Sharon: Yes. I understand loss and the guilt associated with losing someone close to you. Mine was due to losing my dad at the age of fourteen. He was an alcoholic who committed suicide. A part of me always felt guilty that I couldn’t help him have a different outlook on life. It took many years for me to see that only those who want to be fixed can be fixed. But in this story the characters experience some of the same emotions I did.

Noelle: Is the character CJ Morrison what you would call the ‘typical hero’ in a book?

Sharon: Not at all. CJ is a troubled man. He made a single mistake that changed his life ten years before the book opens and cannot forgive himself. Because of this, he may seem a bit edgy on the surface at first, but the reader soon learns that deep down he’s a loyal, caring man. He simply needs to find a way to let the past go.

Noelle: Do you work on just one project at a time?

Sharon: For the most part, but lately I seem to have edits of completed books ongoing while I try to write new material.

Noelle: How long did you take to write The Hourglass?

Sharon: About a year. Then I edited it off and on for a full year while writing another book.

Noelle: During the writing process, what writing support groups do you surround yourself with?

Sharon: I just work with one other person…my first writing teacher, who has turned out to be a friend, mentor and wonderful editor of my material.

Noelle: Would you say your new book, Share the Moon, has a similar theme to The Hourglass?

Sharon: No. Share the Moon is about knowing where you belong, realizing that everything in your life points you in the direction for a reason. A reason we sometimes don’t understand until it stares us in the face.

Noelle: Sounds great! So, finally Sharon, where can readers connect with you?

Sharon: For a book trailer, excerpt and book group questions on The Hourglass, readers can go to… www.thehourglassnovel.com

Sharon’s Website: www.sharonstruth.com

Buy links:
Amazon:
Barnes and Noble:
Kobo:
All Romance E-books:

Sharon: Again, Noelle, thanks for hosting me on your lovely blog! I look forward to hearing from some of your readers.

Noelle: The pleasure is all mine, Sharon, and I hope that many Australian readers will drop by and say hello. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your world of writing, and good luck with Share the Moon.

Watch the book trailer for The Hourglass here: