Small Town Romance – Siobhan Muir

Recipe for Romance: Cheese Sticks

Posted on March 8, 2025March 7, 2025 by Siobhan Muir

Recipe for Romance Two champagne glasses against a purple sparkly background with bells and ribbons at their base

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of my newest release, FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST, a sapphic dino shifter romance. Maya owns the Fossil Beds Bed & Breakfast, and there’s a public meeting to determine if the community wants a huge resort to come in and take over their town. Short answer: no. But Maya has taught her kids to be activists already. Available now everywhere: Fossil Beds B&B Maya focused on Quinn’s face, her mammalian features full of irritation. “A public meeting about what?” Quinn frowned, her cute, freckled nose wrinkling. “It’s to see if the residents of Deadman want that tool Clifford Krassobaki to come in here and buy up all the land to make a gawd-awful resort for his ultra-wealthy, tax-evading buddies.” Maya blinked. “Wait…I know I haven’t been up on politics and local issues as much as you, but when did this come about?” She set her tea down on the arm of the chair and sat up as Quinn handed her the newspaper, a relict that Quinn still read even though she had an online subscription. “It’s a relatively recent development that started at last month’s city council meeting.” Quinn rolled her eyes. “That douche Mayor Blatherton, who’s friends with Krassobaki, proposed the expansion on Krassobaki’s already palatial ranch. They scheduled a public meeting on Thursday to see what the public has to say.” “Oh, I have a lot to say. That would put The Fossil Beds B&B out of business. And where are they gonna get all the people to work this monstrosity? The town holds maybe five hundred humans. Oh hell no.” Maya rolled to her feet as her daughter beamed. “I love it when you get a fire lit under your butt.” Quinn grinned as she followed Maya into the kitchen of their B&B. “It doesn’t happen often, but it’s awesome.” “You just say that because you’re the firebrand in this family.” Maya shook her head, but a smile curled her lips. “And it’s a damn good thing. Too many people got comfortable and let shit like this slide. But not me, not now. Where’s your brother?” Quinn shrugged. “He’s down at the Deadman Community Center teaching a class on internet scams and red flags.” Gluten-Free Cheese Sticks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykhmtCpEn5I Almost everyone I know loves cheese sticks. And who wouldn’t? They’re warm, hardy, cheesy, and fried. All the great things, lol! INGREDIENTS10+ eggsSalt (optional)1 lb of harder cheese (Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Cheddar) cut into 1/2 inch (13 mm) wide and 3 inch (7.5 cm) long sticks1/3 cup Gluten Free flour1 can of Gluten Free breadcrumbs3 cups of oilWax PaperLarge PlateFork DIRECTIONSCrack eggs into a medium bowl and beat. In two smaller bowls, drop flour and 1/3 the can of breadcrumbs, respectively. Drop cheese sticks into eggs and let soak a moment or two. Using a fork, spear a cheese stick, transfer it to the flour, and roll, making sure the stick is covered in flour. Return the stick to the eggs to coat again. Once it’s coated with egg, roll the floured cheese stick in the breadcrumbs until coated. Drop it into the eggs again and then into the breadcrumbs to be sure it’s completely breaded (double breading). Set aside on the wax paper on a plate until time to fry them. Repeat the process for each cheese stick, adding flour or eggs or breadcrumbs to the bowls as needed. Pour oil into a deep pan and turn on high. Scrape the last of the flour and the breadcrumbs into the remaining egg mixture. Mix together until it becomes thick. If it’s still soupy, add a little more breadcrumbs until you can form bread balls. Add spices if you like. Scoop out some mixture with a spoon and roll between your hands until it forms a round ball. Do this for all the mixture. To test the heat of the oil, gently roll the bread balls into the pan. They take the longest to cool, so they are great for both testing the oil and cooking them longer. Allow the bread balls to fry in the oil until they’ve browned a little (gluten free breading doesn’t darken much until burned). Roll gently with tongs so they’re evenly cooked. Fry for about 4-6 minutes until the bread balls harden and crack a little. Remove from oil onto a paper-towel covered plate to drain. Add the cheese sticks to cook, 4 at a time. When you hear the oil crackle and spit, turn the heat down to med-high. Keep rolling the cheese sticks to brown on all sides. When you see a little bit of cheese leaking through the breading, the sticks are done. Remove from oil onto a paper-towel covered plate to let drain. Cover the oil and let it cool on the stove.

Recipe for Romance: Rhubarb Crunch

Posted on February 22, 2025February 20, 2025 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! I’m sharing a snippet of FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST, my newest PNR Sapphic romance release. Don’t you need LGBTQIA+ dinosaur shifters? I know I do. 😉 Persia Walker takes protecting the sacred fossil sites along the river seriously, and she’s bringing friends. New Release: Fossil Beds Bed & Breakfast “Hey, Nozomi, it’s Persia. Do you have a moment to talk?” “Persia! Good to hear from you. Yes, I’m in my off hour. What’s going on?” “Have you seen the announcement of a public meeting here in Deadman over a resort expansion? I’ll send you a pic.” Persia put the call on speaker and opened the text app. “It’s scheduled for this Thursday at six thirty pm. Do you think you could make some time to gather a few of the grad students and come down to Deadman for the meeting?” There was a short silence as Nozomi absorbed the image. “Yeah, I could do that. Why do you need me there? This seems like a Deadman town issue.” “Did you see the map of the proposed expansion? It straddles the West Washakie River to mile marker seventy-seven on Highway 91.” “Mile marker seventy-seven?” Nozomi was silent a bit longer. “The expansion includes all three of our sites as well as one of the Anthropology department’s sites.” “Yup. And if they put that awful resort in there, all those sites will be destroyed for a rich man’s vanity and friends.” “Oh hell no. That’s not happening. I’ll gather who I can, especially Professor Campbell, and we’ll be there. Six-thirty on Thursday, you said?” “Yup. I’m going to let the folks at Friends of Deadman Paleo know as well. I figure if we get enough people there, the project will be dead in the water.” Nozomi sighed through the phone. “I hope so, but as you’ve said many times, people are very susceptible to money.” “Yeah, but they also like the preserve things and this expansion will hurt their livelihoods and shove them out of their homes. A spark is all it takes to get the community to stand up for their natural resources and way of living.” Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crunch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7seI1dAX9M&t=8s This is a Muir family favorite and now it’s Gluten-Free. Remember, this is a high sugar recipe because of how sour rhubarb is. Recipe below. Ingredients for the crust 1 cup uncooked oatmeal1 cup GF 1:1 baking flour 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp each of nutmeg, cloves, cardamom Mix oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom. Cut in butter with a blender or knife until crumbly. Place half the mixture in an 8-inch square pan. Ingredients for the filling: 3 – 4 cups diced raw rhubarb 1/2 cup granulated sugar1 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp salt 1 Tbsp water Mix rhubarb with granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, and water. Spoon over oatmeal mixture in pan. Pat remaining oatmeal mixture over the rhubarb. Bake at 350 F (177 C) for 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes (the rhubarb will be very hot) then serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

New Release! Sapphic Dino Shifter Romance

Posted on February 18, 2025February 16, 2025 by Siobhan Muir

It’s Release Day for FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST, a sapphic dinosaur shifter romance. I had a great time writing this story, especially with the added bonus of flipping off some internet prudes. Last year, I was invited to be part of an LGBTQIA+ romance charity anthology because someone went on the internet and said there was no place for dino shifters in adult romance. Here’s an old pic of how we romance authors responded to that sentiment. The anthology is no longer available, BUT you can get my tale, FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST today. It has been expanded a little and given a new cover, which was put together by the amazing Kris Norris. It’s a fun story and celebrates not only Sapphic love, but standing up to big money. Happy reading! Here’s the blurb: Maya Sorino loves her life in Deadman, Wyoming. She has two great kids, a successful bed & breakfast, and enough room to freely roam as her dino self. Everything is perfect. Until a rich developer comes to town, trying to undermine her business and seize the town’s open land. Not on her watch. Persia Walker has been guarding the fossil rich lands since she almost became one, but she won’t let a billionaire destroy sacred paleo sites for vanity. She organizes a group to take on the developer at the public meeting in hopes of preserving her territory. Then she sees Maya. Finding another dinosaur shifter in Deadman is a dream for both Maya and Persia, but the developer has something up his sleeve. What’s a better first date than going Mesozoic on a bunch of drunk vandals-for-hire? It’s a match made in Prehistory! This story was previously published in the Cretaceous Crushes LGBTQ+ Romance Charity Anthology. It has been expanded and given a new cover. SHORT EXCERPT OF FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAFAST “You gotta be fucking kidding me!” Persia Walker stared at the online announcement of the public planning commission meeting. It wouldn’t be bad if it was in somewhere like wine country in California or near Aspen, Colorado. But no, the uber wealthy newspaper tycoon wanted to build it in Wyoming, at the foot of Deadman Mountain in Sublette County. The town had a population of five hundred, making it one of the larger settlements in the state, but still not populous enough to support the staff needs of a snooty rich people’s resort. It would drive up the property taxes and push out the locals, making it impossible for ordinary people to live there. As if they haven’t already done that to Jackson Hole. Persia scowled at the announcement, which included a map of the proposed location of the expansion. She traced the West Washakie River until she reached Little Blind Bear Creek and froze. The proposed site would cover not only both sides of the river, but it would encompass all of Blind Bear and Little Blind Bear creeks, decimating the fossil site she’d been guarding for millennia. “No. No fucking way.” She brought out her phone and took a photo, then headed down the sidewalk toward the little café that had the best peppermint tea this side of the Cretaceous. Once she had her tea, she headed out to the little sitting area in the front and claimed a bench that could take her full, but muted weight. She set her tea down beside her and pulled out her phone. She hadn’t spoken to Professor Nozomi Shimizu in a couple of months since the end of last year’s field season, but she’d kept the professor appraised of anything going on near the site. She dialed the university and waited to be connected. Persia sipped her tea and watched the community awaken around her. Fortunately, she had time to organize people to speak up for both the community and the fossils under her care. There was no way they could let this development go forward, despite what the mayor wanted. She was well aware that Mayor Blatherton was best buds with Krassobaki—everyone was. Blatherton had made it a point to show their connection—so the townspeople would be facing a huge advocate of Krassobaki’s development. But there are more of us than there are of them. The phoneline clicked over and started ringing. Persia waited until someone picked up. “Hello?” “Hey, Nozomi, it’s Persia. Do you have a moment to talk?” “Persia! Good to hear from you. Yes, I’m in my off hour. What’s going on?” “Have you seen the announcement of a public meeting here in Deadman over a resort expansion? I’ll send you a pic.” Persia put the call on speaker and opened the text app. “It’s scheduled for this Thursday at six thirty pm. Do you think you could make some time to gather a few of the grad students and come down to Deadman for the meeting?” There was a short silence as Nozomi absorbed the image. “Yeah, I could do that. Why do you need me there? This seems like a Deadman town issue.” “Did you see the map of the proposed expansion? It straddles the West Washakie River to mile marker seventy-seven on Highway 91.” “Mile marker seventy-seven?” Nozomi was silent a bit longer. “The expansion includes all three of our sites as well as one of the Anthropology department’s sites.” “Yup. And if they put that awful resort in there, all those sites will be destroyed for a rich man’s vanity and friends.” “Oh hell no. That’s not happening. I’ll gather who I can, especially Professor Campbell, and we’ll be there. Six-thirty on Thursday, you said?” Grab a Copy

Recipe for Romance: Rainbow Pride Cake

Posted on June 29, 2024June 29, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance and HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! This month I’m sharing all my LGBTQIA stories I’ve written so you can enjoy a little diversity in my romance. Last week I shared IN PLAIN SIGHT, A sapphic romantic suspense for the Summit Springs multi-author series. This week, I’m sharing a bi-awakening, MM, western romantic suspense. The story is STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT, and Western Rock Star Henry Bright is starting a new career as a vet. As it happens, the Triple Star Ranch is in need of one, and the ranch’s main owner, Trip Colton, happens to be single. Henry will be pleased about that. Let’s celebrate with cake! Available Wide Tom nodded. “Let me introduce you to my dad, Trip Colton. He runs the therapy side of the ranch. I just clean out the barn.” He grinned as Henry laughed. But his laugh disappeared in a wash of surprised attraction as his gaze rested on the older man who’d been wiping down the metal counters. Holy hell and damnation. Steel-blue eyes looked out over a crooked nose and silver stubble filled the man’s cheeks. He was currently bare-headed with his gray hair cut damn-near military short and had broad shoulders unbowed by age. Crow’s feet marked the edges of his eyes and deep laugh lines framed his sensuous mouth. Henry had the unrelenting urge to kiss them. Whoa back there, son. He didn’t know Trip’s sexual orientation and he wasn’t about to fuck up his new job on the first day by coming onto one of the co-owners of the ranch. “Dad, this is Henry Bright, Ransom’s friend and certified veterinarian. Henry, Trip Colton.” Trip wiped his hands on a rag and held one out to Henry. “Good to meet you, Mr. Bright.” He grasped Henry’s hand and froze, surprise lifting his brows. “Damn, I just recognized you. You’re Henry Bright, the Kick-ass Cowboy Country star. You have some fantastic music. What the hell are you doin’ here workin’ as a vet?” And there it was. Henry knew he couldn’t hide forever, and he hadn’t really tried, but after no one had seemed to know him, he thought he’d have a bit more time. He pulled out his best ‘aw-shucks’ smile. “I got tired of the bullshit in the music industry. There wasn’t much that was real anymore. It wasn’t really about the music, it was about the music execs and the marketing and the image and the parties. I got so sick of it, I quit and went back to the other thing I loved to do. Workin’ with and healin’ animals.” Buy Now Gluten-Free Rainbow Pride Cake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=171NXBjNXls We used the “Perfect Yellow Cake” recipe from Gluten-Free on a Shoestring by Nicole Hunn. We modified it a little for convenience, but it is essentially the same recipe. INGREDIENTS 2 cups gluten-free baking flour (we used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 baking flour)1/4 cup plus2 Tbsp cornstarch1/2 tsp baking soda2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt10 Tbsp butter (I used salted) at room temperature1 1/4 cups granulated sugar2 tsp vanilla4 eggs1 1/3 cups buttermilk DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 F (177 C) and grease your pans. For this recipe we had three 6″ pans that we used twice, but if you have six of them, grease all of them. Line the bottoms with parchment paper cut to fit – flip the pans onto the parchment paper and trace the smallest circumference to fit. In a medium size bowl, sift flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine until you basically have a bowl full of white powder, lol. Set aside. In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a large bowl with your hand mixer, whip the butter, sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed for at least 3 minutes, stopping periodically to scrape the sides, until very light and fluffy. Combine eggs and buttermilk in a small bowl and whisk until well mixed. Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture in the large bowl in four equal parts, alternating with the buttermilk/egg mixture in three equal parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Once all the ingredients have been added to the large bowl, beat on medium speed until everything is combined. The batter should be very thick, but pourable and relatively smooth. Divide the batter evenly into six bowls and use food coloring to dye them the proper colors. Once you have the color you like, pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 20 minutes. Rotate the pans and bake until the cakes are lightly golden all over and don’t jiggle in the middle, about another 15-18 minutes. Remove cakes from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely SIOBHAN MUIR’S CHAI BUTTERCREAM FROSTING 1 cup butter, softened and whipped 1-3 cups powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp cardamom 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp cloves 1-3 Tbsp milk DIRECTIONS Whip butter until fluffy. While mixing, slowly add 1 cup of powdered sugar. Add the vanilla and spices and mix until combined. Add 1 Tbsp of milk and another cup of powdered sugar. Taste for your level of sweetness. If it’s not easily spreadable, add more milk a little at a time. Makes one 6 layer cake

Recipe for Romance: Gramma’s Lemon Bars

Posted on June 15, 2024June 15, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance and HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! This month I’m sharing all my LGBTQIA stories I’ve written so you can enjoy a little diversity in my romance. Last week I shared BROKEN CHAINS, A sapphic romantic suspense for the Summit Springs multi-author series, and this week, I’m sharing a sequel where you meet Sheriff Briona Maverick and Triss Singleton. The story is IN PLAIN SIGHT, a sapphic romantic suspense, that follows Triss Singleton, a soon-to-be-mom on the run from a bad situation. She’s talking with Emily Lewiston who’s her new boss and landlord, starting over. Sounds like she needs some comfort foods. Now Available in KU Emily tilted her head. “Can you start tomorrow morning? I know it’s soon, but I’d like to get you up to speed pretty quickly so you can start filling your bank account for anything you need.” Triss raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure? I mean, I can do it, but it seems sudden.” Emily nodded. “One thing I’ve learned about these sorts of situations. You probably want something to distract you from the fear hounding you, and you’ll have less fear if you feel financially secure on your own. It’s my goal to support both independence and peace of mind. Been there, done that myself.” “Oh. Okay.” Triss wasn’t sure if the polite thing to do was to ask about the past or to let the comment go, but she was too emotionally worn out to do more than nod. “Thank you. I’ll be there tomorrow. What time do you want me to come in?” Emily glanced over at the clock on the stove. “It’s pretty late, so why not come in around nine tomorrow morning? That way you can get some rest, take a shower, and don your armor to face the public.” Damn, Emily does know what she’s talking about. “Okay. Thank you for all this. I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” Emily gave her a warm smile. “You’re welcome. I’m gonna go lock up, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She waved as she left the apartment. Triss could hear her footsteps travel the length of the hallway and descend the stairs before the sound of the locks clicking settled some of her nerves. She closed her own door—4673, HOPE—and locked it before heading for the bathroom with the new toiletries. Welcome to the rest of your life. You got this. She certainly hoped so. Buy Now Gramma’s Gluten-Free Lemon Bars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffawIM6FGbI Do you love lemon bars? This recipe has been a Muir family favorite for generations (four so far) and yet it’s an easy recipe to make a sweet delicious treat. Can be made with regular all purpose flour if you don’t have the gluten allergy. Recipe below: For a 9 x 9 in. pan:1 cup gluten-free all purpose 1:1 flour1/2 cup butter (1 stick)1/4 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar) For a 9 x 13 in pan:2 cups gluten-free all purpose 1:1 flour1 cup butter (2 sticks)1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar) Grease the sides of your pan (butter works best but spray is fine) and set your oven to 350 F (177 C). Mix all ingredients until a soft dough forms. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan so it makes an even crust. Bake for about 10-15 minutes. Check often because it can burn easily. While this is baking, start on the lemon topping. 1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs, beaten 2 Tbsp gluten-free all purpose 1:1 flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 3 Tbsp lemon juice 1/4 tsp salt Whisk all ingredients together and pour mixture over the baked shortbread. Put back into the oven and bake 15-20 minutes or until firm. Keep a close eye on this because it burns more easily than the shortbread. Cool completely and serve. Makes 15-18 bars (20-24 snack sized bars)

Recipe for Romance: Eggs Goldenrod

Posted on June 8, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance and HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! This month I’m sharing all my LGBTQIA stories I’ve written so you can enjoy a little diversity in my romance. I literally stumbled into writing a sapphic romantic suspense for the Summit Springs multi-author series, and had the best time with Merida Roark and Tam Grimes. The story is BROKEN CHAINS, a sapphic romantic suspense, that takes place starting at the bike shop. Tam Grimes let her bike chain eat her leg and Merida not only repairs the bike, but a little of Tam’s heart, too. We’re in Merida’s POV when she first meets Tam. Perhaps they’ll have brunch sometime. 😉 Now Available Wide Everywhere! “Okay, let’s take a look at that leg.” “Who are you?” The sharpness of the question surprised Merida, but she waved it off as an indication of just how much pain the woman was in. “My name’s Merida. Take this. It’ll help.” She handed the woman the mug of tea. She narrowed her hazel eyes and took the mug, sniffing cautiously. “What is it?” “Tea. A special blend from Caffeine Ivy’s in town. It tastes like chocolate and love and romance all rolled into one.” She grinned as she knelt at the stranger’s feet and slowly peeled away the blood-soaked bandana. They both hissed at the same time, Merida in sympathy. “Oh glory. That looks so painful. I’ll get it cleaned up quick.” She shook her head as she used some bottled water to wet a washcloth in the kit. “This might sting a bit, but we have to get it clean.” The other woman tightened her jaw and nodded. “Go ahead.” “Okay.” She took a deep breath and gently wiped away the excess blood. “The tea is one of my favorites. I think the owners of the coffee shop made it based on one of their favorite books. The flavor just makes you want to snuggle in warm blankets and read fantasy or fairytales.” She scrubbed the dried blood off the uninjured portions of the woman’s leg. A snort sounded above her. “Seriously?” Merida nodded with a tiny smirk. “Try it if you don’t believe me.” The stranger humphed and brought the tea to her lips as Merida worked. A disbelieving murmur followed, and Merida swallowed her grin. Once she’d gotten the wound cleaned, she patted it dry and inspected it for bits of dirt or grease from the chain. It had looked worse when she unwrapped it and she thought it would heal cleanly. Buy Now Eggs Goldenrod with Gluten-Free Biscuits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LBczGeoF0M When you think of brunch, there’s always some sort of fun or fancy way to put your meal together. Eggs Goldenrod is a great way to make the fancy without all the hard work. This is a family favorite and a crowd pleaser. BISCUIT INGREDIENTS2 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour4 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt1/4 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco or coconut oil)1 1/3 cup milk BISCUIT DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat your oven to 425 F (218 C). Put flour, salt, baking powder into a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the shortening and mix with a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly. 2. Add milk to just moisten. Form a ball and knead gently a couple of times. 3. Pat into a 3/4 inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into rounds using a mason jar lid ring. You can cut them smaller or larger if you wish, but we found the smaller sizes dried out faster. 4. Place in a greased 9″ round cake pan, close together, and bake for 12-15 minutes at 425 F (218 C). EGG (WHITE) GRAVY INGREDIENTS9 hard boiled eggs6 Tbsp butter6 Tbsp gluten-free 1:1 baking flour3 cups milk1 tsp of corn starchSpices: salt, pepper, minced garlic, dried onion, dried parsley to taste EGG GRAVY DIRECTIONS 1. Peel your eggs and separate out the yolks from the whites. Finely grate the yolks into a small serving bowl and set aside. 2. Cut the whites into chunks, (you can use an egg slicer) and set aside. 3. In a quart-sized sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook over medium heat for at least 1 minute (but DO NOT brown) to make a blended paste. Remove from heat. 4. Mix in 2 cups of milk. Return to heat and slowly add in the rest of the milk, stirring continuously until thickened. Add the corn starch. Let it simmer while stirring (probably around 10 minutes). 5. Add in the spices and gently stir in the eggs and let thicken a bit more. 6. To Serve, cut biscuits in half on a plate, ladle some of the egg gravy over them, and sprinkle the ground up yolks over the top. Serves 6.

Recipe for Romance: Scalloped Corn

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST, a sweet FF dino shifter romance in the CRETACEOUS CRUSHES LGBTQ Romance Anthology. We’re in Maya’s POV and she’s at a public meeting with her kids when she senses someone special. Available Now: Cretaceous Crushes “How did it go?” Maya stood back to look at them. “Great!” Bailey high-fived her. “We passed out all our flyers and even found people who weren’t planning to come to the meeting. We should have a full house tonight.” “And bonus, all the folks who are coming from the university are staying at the B&B.” Quinn nodded with satisfaction. “As they should,” Maya agreed. “Damn straight. Let’s go in. I want to get a good seat to watch this tonight.” Quinn hooked her arm through Maya’s and they all went inside to find a place to sit for the meeting. Maya noted most of the people at the meeting were either business owners or conservationists, but she also noted that Thomas Stone stood with several other council members away from Mayor Blatherton, their expressions intense and focused. The soothing vibration hit Maya again and she glanced around, but Bailey settled in the chair beside her, his expression excited and expectant. She frowned a little because while it was similar to her kids’ energy, this vibration felt different, yet familiar. Not mammalian at all, but with the same feeling of rightness. Could there be someone like me here? The idea sparked both hope and trepidation in her chest. She’d been so sure she was the only one of her kind. In Wyoming at least, but possibly in the world. She’d mostly accepted it as her lot in life—she had no idea how she became who she was now, but she’d resigned herself to being alone. But the idea that there might be someone else like her, and there in Deadman as well, made excitement flutter in her chest. But who is it? She let her gaze slide around the room, looking for someone new and different. Scalloped Corn (Gluten-Free) https://youtu.be/sK8kzbkO2Dg This recipe is an old family favorite. My maternal grandmother used to make this every year for Gratitude Day and it was my favorite thing on the table next to the mashed potatoes. But when I made it later and followed the recipe exactly, it didn’t taste good to me. So I’ve modified it from the original a little, making it Gluten-Free and much better in taste. Ingredients2 Tbsp coconut oil1 1/2 Tbsp gluten-free 1:1 baking flour1 cup milk2 cups cooked or canned corn1 Tbsp sugar1/2 tsp salt2 eggs, beaten1/8 tsp pepperPinch of mace and parsley DirectionsIn a large sauce pan, melt shortening over medium heat and add the flour. Mix well. Add the milk, increase the heat to medium-high, and gradually bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. Add the corn, sugar, salt, pepper, mace, and parsley, and mix until thoroughly distributed. Heat completely, then remove from the burner. Add beaten eggs and mix well until evenly combined. Pour mixture into a greased 9×9 baking dish and bake at 350 F (177 C) for 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 6-8 servings. To double the recipe, use a greased 9×13 inch pan.

Recipe for Romance: Mug Cakes

Posted on March 16, 2024March 16, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of CRETACEOUS CRUSHES, a LGBTQIA gatecrashing Charity Anthology, coming on March 19 2024. My story is FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST and it’s a sapphic, dinoshifter romance. Persia Walker is reading about an impending meeting where some fossil sites will be destroyed for development and she could certainly use a little cake to make things better. Coming March 19 2024: Cretaceous Crushes Persia Walker stared at the online announcement of the public planning commission meeting. It wouldn’t be bad if it was in somewhere like wine country in California or near Aspen, Colorado. But no, the uber wealthy newspaper tycoon wanted to build it in Wyoming, at the foot of Deadman Mountain in Sublette County. The town had a population of five thousand, making it one of the larger settlements in the state, but still not populous enough to support the staff needs of a snooty rich people’s resort. It would drive up the property taxes and push out the locals, making it impossible for ordinary people to live there. As if they haven’t already done that to Jackson Hole. Persia scowled at the announcement, which included a map of the proposed location of the expansion. She traced the West Washakie River until she reached Little Blind Bear Creek and froze. The proposed site would cover not only both sides of the river, but it would encompass all of Blind Bear and Little Blind Bear creeks, decimating the fossil site she’d been guarding for millennia. “No. No fucking way.” She brought out her phone and took a photo, then headed down the sidewalk toward the little café that had the best peppermint tea this side of the Cretaceous. Once she had her tea, she headed out to the little sitting area in the front and claimed a bench that could take her full, but muted weight. She set her tea down beside her and pulled out her phone. She hadn’t spoken to Professor Nozomi Shimizu in a couple of months since the end of last year’s field season, but she’d kept the professor appraised of anything going on near the site. She dialed the university and waited to be connected. Gluten-Free Mug Cakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDXo2HEKnsQ Do you ever feel like having cake but don’t have time to run to the store? Or you don’t have the time or ingredients to make a whole cake? This is a great quick and easy recipe to give you the cake you’re craving without all the time or effort. INGREDIENTSBaseMicrowavable mug1/4 cup flour (we use Bob’s Red Mill GF 1:1 baking flour)1/2 tsp baking powder1/8 tsp salt2 Tbsp sugar1 Tbsp oil3 Tbsp milk Lemon Poppyseed CakeBase plus…1/2 Tbsp poppyseeds2 tsp lemon juice1/2 Tbsp extra sugar1/2 tsp vanillaStir until completely combined.Microwave for 25 seconds, let deflate. Repeat twice more. Serve. Chocolate CakeBase plus…2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips2 Tbsp coco powderStir until completely combined.Microwave for 1 min, let rest, then again for 25 seconds. Serve. Cinnamon Spice CakeBase plus…1/2 tsp vanilla1/2 tsp cinnamonStir until completely combined.Microwave for 1 min 15 secs. Serve. Almond Poppyseed CakeBase plus…1/2 Tbsp poppyseeds1/2 tsp vanilla1/2 tsp almond extractStir until completely combined.Microwave for 25 secs, let rest. Repeat twice more. Serve. Image from cookinclassy.com

Recipe for Romance: Nutmeg Carrots

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Today, I’m sharing a snippet from FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST, a sapphic romance in CRETACEOUS CRUSHES, a dino-shifter LGBTQIA charity anthology, coming on March 19 2024. Maya is the owner of the Fossil Beds B&B, and she’s relaxing with a cup of tea as she considers her current world. She’s also an herbivore Maiasaur shifter so I’m sharing Nutmeg Carrots, a delicious side. Coming March 19 2024: Cretaceous Crushes Maya kicked her feet up on the railing and listened to the birds chirping with their territorial songs. She still spoke their languages, a modified version of the same sounds she remembered from her teenage years when she’d migrated with her family across much of what was now northern Montana. Of course, back then, the language had been spoken by what humans named velociraptors, Compsognathus, and other small predators. Sue the Tyrannosaur had used that language, too, but she’d been a mean, crotchety old bitch, and Maya hadn’t been sad to hear of her passing. Over the millennia, the evolutionary tract the birds had taken kept some of the language alive and Maya enjoyed listening to them gossip and squabble in the mornings with her tea. When she was in her true dinosaur form, she sometimes answered them, or scared them witless and quiet. More often the latter than the former. Maya had evolved, too. It had been strange to wake up in a smaller body, one with delicate skin that burned in the sun. She’d panicked at first, desperate to find her original form. It had taken her days to calm down enough to access the part of herself that would always be a large and in charge Maiasaur with olive green, leathery skin striped in cream. Thank the ManyGods for that. She’d been in her human guise for roughly five hundred years and she’d seen a lot of shit come her way. Which was why she’d settled in Deadman when she’d had the chance and staked her claim on her land. And the town came by its name honestly. The first white man who’d shown up on her land had tried to use her for his sexual needs without her consent ended up crushed, broken in more places than he had bones, and draped over a boulder as a warning to others. Nutmeg Carrots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY6obtJaOQo&list=PLhvg_dczWqvucxJ-KFsl3cxJRrBckCsIh This is a great side dish that goes with a lot of things, and while it looks gourmet, it’s actually really simple. INGREDIENTS 5-7 Medium Carrots4 Tbsp butter1/2 tsp ground Nutmeg1/4 tsp Salt1/4 Black pepperWater DIRECTIONS 1. Cap the carrots and cut them into discs, about 1/4 inch thick. Set aside 2. Put the spices into a small bowl and mix. Set aside. 3. Heat a 10 inch skillet on medium and melt the butter. 4. When the butter is mostly melted, add the carrots and mix. 5. Add water ~ 1/4 cup to start – and cover with a lid. Steam the carrots for about 15 minutes to start. Test your carrots to check crunchiness. You want the carrots to be close to done before you add the spices. — If you’re cooking a lot of carrots, be sure to check on it and turn or fold over the carrots so they’re fully cooked — 6. Once the carrots are softened, take the lid off and stir. Add the seasoning and stir again until all the carrots are coated. 7. Let the water cook off and the carrots to brown, stirring occasionally, for about 3-4 minutes. 8. Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Recipe for Romance: Chicken Pot Pie

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Each weekend, I share a snippet of a tale that either takes place in the current month (in this case, February) or is coming out in the current month, and a recipe that either goes with the tale or goes with the month. Confused yet? Excellent! lol Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of IN PLAIN SIGHT, my second book in the multi-author Summit Springs Sapphic Romance series. Triss Singleton has just arrived in Summit Springs, on the run from an abusive husband. She’s trying to start over and Emily Lewiston is helping her. She could really use some comfort food. Available Now: In Plain Sight Today is the first day of your new life. It didn’t feel real. No more real than it had when she was shackled to a man who turned out to be a monster. A monster with friends in places of authority. Her family hadn’t believed her or cared. All they cared about was the fetus growing in her belly and their relief that she was in a relationship with man so they didn’t have to acknowledge her bisexuality. She took a deep breath and let all the anger and resentment go. It wouldn’t help her, and they’d never change. That was why she’d cut them out of her life when she fled California. It’s a new start, and I’m gonna be fine. Emily returned a few moments later with her hands full of full-sized shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash, a puff, toothpaste, toothbrush, and body cream. She set them all on the counter of the kitchenette and shot Triss a smile. “I hope these will be okay. They should get you through the storm and the downtime between what you have now and your first paycheck. Payroll goes through to your account on Tuesdays.” Emily tilted her head. “Can you start tomorrow morning? I know it’s soon, but I’d like to get you up to speed pretty quickly so you can start filling your bank account for anything you need.” Triss raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure? I mean, I can do it, but it seems sudden.” Emily nodded. “One thing I’ve learned about these sorts of situations. You probably want something to distract you from the fear hounding you, and you’ll have less fear if you feel financially secure on your own. It’s my goal to support both independence and peace of mind. Been there, done that myself.” “Oh. Okay.” Triss wasn’t sure if the polite thing to do was to ask about the past or to let the comment go, but she was too emotionally worn out to do more than nod. Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie https://youtu.be/CgOix3VlKMA This is an easy and cheap meal that is great for wintertime, but also during the busy school season. The hardest thing you have to make is the crust. INGREDIENTS1 can gluten-free cream of chicken soup (warning: we realized this has a LOT of salt, 2000 mg!!)1 can sliced carrots1 can whole potatoes1 can sweat peas1 medium onion, chopped2 large cans (12.5 oz each) chunk chicken2 Tbsp olive oil2 premade crusts DIRECTIONSMake your crust (if making from scratch) or set one premade crust in your pie plate. Set aside. Coarsely chop up onion and saute in a deep pan with the olive oil. Saute for about five minutes over medium heat until onions are translucent. Drain the other canned vegetables and rinse them in a colander to remove excess salt. Cut up potatoes into bite sized chunks. Set aside. Set your oven to 425 F (218 C). Drain chicken, break up into smaller chunks and add to the pan to start browning. Add the other vegetables to the pan and stir to heat up. Add the potatoes. Add the soup last and stir to combine, keeping an eye on it to heat everything evenly. Add a teaspoon of Mrs. Dash or a spice mix of your choosing, and mix well. Pour cooked ingredients into the pie crust and cover with the second crust. Cut air vents into the top crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Take out of the oven, let cool for about five minutes, and serve. 10″ pie plate serves 8 people.