Summit Springs – Siobhan Muir

Recipe for Romance: Vanilla Almond Milk

Posted on March 3, 2024March 3, 2024 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! 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, a Summit Springs Sapphic Romance novel. Triss Singleton works at Caffeine Ivy’s Coffee shop and Briona (the sheriff) stopped there for a treat. Lots of folks like almond milk instead of regular dairy so there’s an almond milk recipe after. Available Now: In Plain Sight “So, what can I get for you, Sheriff?” Over Emily’s shoulder, Briona saw Triss smile at another customer, but it looked a little forced. Her gaze flitted away when she caught Briona looking, and she resumed her interaction with the customer ordering coffee. “Uh, hm, I dunno. I usually make my coffee at home, but I wanted a treat this morning.” Briona shrugged. “That’s because she doesn’t have the coffee snob gene. Come on and live a little, Sheriff.” Briona looked over her shoulder to find Deputy Julieta Huertas, Latina Lover and sniper, had moved up behind her. Briona snorted. “You’re right, Huertas. I leave the coffee snobbery to you. What would you recommend to treat myself?” “Hmm.” Huertas tapped her chin with a perfectly manicured finger. “I’d say you’re more of a mocha kind of woman than a latte lover. My suggestion? Go with the Mint Chocolate Mocha—it’s like a Girl Scout cookie with kick.” Briona laughed. “Are you trying to sweeten me up, Huertas?” Huertas grinned. “Maybe.” “Okay, okay, I’ll take a Mint Chocolate Mocha to go, please.” Briona pulled out her wallet from her back pocket and smiled at Emily. “Good—oh, sorry, I have to take this.” Emily’s expression morphed into concern as she pulled out her ringing cellphone. “Triss, can you finish for me? I gotta take this call.” I get to talk to Triss again. The pretty woman with the short burgundy hair nodded before she wiped her expression to reflect bland politeness. “Okay, it looks like you ordered a Mint Chocolate Mocha, is that right?” Briona nodded. “Yes, that’s right. It’s good to see you again. How long have you been working for Emily?” “I just started a couple weeks ago.” Triss didn’t smile back. “That’ll be four forty-five.” Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEFw2qRDyWY&t=11s This is an older video I did on Facebook during the Pandemic in early 2020, and I realized I hadn’t given specific amounts of almonds in the video. *eye roll*. I’ve gotten much better since then. Recipe below. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup of raw unsalted almonds, soaked 4-8 hours minimum3.5 cups water (filtered, purified, tap – up to you)Spices Optional: 1/4 tsp cardamom1/4 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp vanilla1/8 tsp Stevia Quart sized mason jarCheese cloth or mesh bags for strainingLarge 4 cup measuring cupBlender Layer the cheese cloth or mesh bags into the 4 cup measuring cup. Set aside Put almonds, water and spices of choice in blender and blend for at least a minute (60 seconds). Pour the mixture into prepared measuring cup. Gently but firmly squeeze the mixture through the mesh into the measuring up until all the liquid is squeezed out. Takes some effort and determination. Pour the strained liquid into the mason jar and cover with lid. Store in the fridge for up to 8 days. Be sure to shake the jar each time you use the almond milk.

Recipe for Romance: Gluten Free Scalloped Corn

Posted on February 18, 2024February 18, 2024 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome to Recipe for Romance! Let’s get started. I’m sharing a snippet of IN PLAIN SIGHT, the second book I’ve written in a multi-author Summit Springs Sapphic Romance series. In this snippet, Sheriff Briona Maverick is finding out some bad news, and when I get bad news, I just want comfort foods. Scalloped Corn is one of my family’s favorites. Available Now: In Plain Sight “Well, we got ourselves a body up here that’s connected to you. When was the last time you were up in Idaho?” Briona straightened. “Never, Sheriff. I’ve never visited the state. I don’t even know where Cuthbert is. What’s this about?” “Do you know a Kelsey Jackson?” Briona’s whole world stopped, and her body grew chilled despite the heat in her house. Oh glory. What happened to you, Kelsey? She took a deep breath. “Yes, I knew a Kelsey Jackson. What’s this about?” “Ms. Jackson was found dead at the Pilot Truck Stop out on Highway 11. Looks like an accidental overdose, but the ME will have to confirm after the autopsy.” He cleared his throat. “I’m very sorry for your loss.” “Uh, yeah, thanks.” Briona shook her head, trying to get her thoughts in order. She always felt sorry for the surviving friends and family of victims, but she’d never been on the other side of the table. “What was your connection to Ms. Jackson?” She heard the cop’s voice on the other end of the phone, and she dragged her focus back from the grief threatening to suck her down. “We were old friends and roommates for a while, Sheriff. Why?” “Well, she had very little on her other than her clothes, her purse, a backpack, and stone circle necklace on a leather thong. But in her wallet was a note that said you should be contacted if anything happened to her.” Briona blinked. “She had a note, in her wallet, with my name on it?” “Yup. It says, and I quote, ‘If anything happens to me, call Sheriff Briona Maverick, and tell her I’m sorry. Everything I have goes to her.’ That mean anything to you, Sheriff?” “No. I haven’t seen Kelsey in the six years since she left.” Briona hoped her voice didn’t sound anything but confused. Gluten-Free Scalloped Corn 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. Ingredients 2 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 Directions In 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.

Snippet Sunday – Why Would You Care?

Posted on December 10, 2022December 10, 2022 by Siobhan Muir

It’s time for Snippet Sunday and it’s almost Yule. I love seeing the lights on people’s trees and houses at this time of year. Do your neighbors decorate a lot? I have a new sapphic romantic suspense with a mountain bike mechanic and a retired FBI agent. Both women are in their forties and getting a second chance at life and love. In this snippet, Merida is talking to Tam who is returning, limping, from the grocery store. Merida wants to help get her home now that her bike’s fixed. Merida is the first to speak. ~~~~~~ “Let me get my keys and I’ll give you a ride home. There’s no way you should aggravate that injury.” “What? It’s fine. Don’t worry about me. Just let me have my bike and I’ll be okay.” Ms. Grimes waved away Merida’s concern. “Ms. Grimes.” Merida laid a hand on her arm. “Please, let me help. Don’t make your injury worse when I can do something about it.” The dark-haired woman frowned. “Why would you care?” Merida opened her mouth to spout something about being neighborly, but the words got stuck in her throat and she stood there gaping like a big-mouth bass. When Ms. Grimes raised an eyebrow, Merida straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Because…because I think you’re amazing and I’ve only just met you, and I didn’t think I’d get a chance to talk to you more before you walked out of my life forever, and I just couldn’t stand the idea that I wouldn’t get another opportunity to know you.” The words tumbled out of her mouth like a river under spring thaw and she had to take a deep breath after as the blush filled her cheeks. Oh, man, she’s gonna think I’m completely nuts. I’ve totally botched this. Ms. Grimes tilted her head and watched Merida with her unnervingly intense gaze for several moments, as if determining the veracity of Merida’s words. “You know what? Never mind. You’re right. You don’t need help and I’m a complete stranger who’s too crazy for having offered.” Merida shot Ms. Grimes an embarrassed smile and handed back the bag of groceries as she bobbed her head. “Very nice to meet you.” She tried to duck away, but Ms. Grimes reached out and caught her arm, holding but not tugging. “Wait, Merida.” ~~~~~~~ Sounds like she’s giving Merida another chance. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for BROKEN CHAINS: Available Here Some inheritances are to die for. Merida Roark was happy, leading an ordinary life as a bike mechanic at Scratchin’ Gravel Bike Shop in Summit Springs, Colorado, far away from her estranged family, and the past she thought long buried. Until the day an envelope arrives with an unexpected inheritance. Tam Grimes was an FBI profiler before a serious work injury ended her career. She moved to Summit Springs for a fresh start in the peace and quiet. Falling in love was not part of her plans, but when a bike chain eats her leg and Merida patches her up, Tam finds herself drawn to the beautiful mechanic. Their fragile relationship is tested when Merida’s home is savagely vandalized. The police have no leads, but it doesn’t take Tam long to realize the threat to her new lover is connected to her hidden past. When things go from disturbing to dangerous, Tam must use all her skills to untangle this web before someone removes Merida from the equation…permanently.

Snippet Sunday – What is the Cost?

Posted on December 3, 2022December 3, 2022 by Siobhan Muir

It’s time for Snippet Sunday and the days are getting darker as the season shifts toward winter. But that means the lights come out and everything sparkles! My new sapphic romantic suspense with a mountain bike mechanic and a retired FBI agent is available. Both women are in their forties and getting a second chance at life and love. In this snippet, Tam is dealing with Merida’s boss and something’s off. ~~~~~~The other person in the shop, however, didn’t have the same energy [as Merida]. They viewed Tam with narrowed eyes and taut shoulders, their mouth pinched with tension. Everything about them screamed distrust and guardedness. “Sorry about bleeding in your shop. I didn’t expect Merida to take care of my leg, just my bike.” Tam slid out from behind the counter and stood to the side, giving herself a clear shot to the door if she needed to escape. I’m not on a case, and this person isn’t a suspect. But old habits died hard, and she wasn’t about to ignore her instincts. “Knowing Merida, she wasn’t about to let you bleed out on the floor.” The shopkeeper strode behind the counter and surveyed Tam coolly from under sharp black brows below the bright pink, purple, and blue dyed hair. “So what can we do for you, Ms. Grimes?” “Uh…” Tam hesitated, since the reason for her visit seemed pretty obvious despite her bloody leg. “I need my bike fixed and tuned. The chain, well, did this.” She gestured at her leg. “What is the cost?” She dug out her wallet from the day pack she carried, reminding herself to pick up a little first aid kit, and looked up expectantly. The person with tri-colored hair eyed her with consideration and Tam remembered what it was like to sit in an interrogation room. The shopkeeper would’ve made a great interrogator and they hadn’t even said a word. “Are you sure that’s all you’re here for?” Tam frowned. “Yes. Why?” The shopkeeper shrugged. “I dunno. The way you were lookin’ at Merida suggested somethin’ different, that’s all.” They punched some buttons on the tablet they used as a cash register. “Thirty-five, even.”~~~~~~~ Hm, something else seems to be going on here. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for BROKEN CHAINS: Available Here Some inheritances are to die for. Merida Roark was happy, leading an ordinary life as a bike mechanic at Scratchin’ Gravel Bike Shop in Summit Springs, Colorado, far away from her estranged family, and the past she thought long buried. Until the day an envelope arrives with an unexpected inheritance. Tam Grimes was an FBI profiler before a serious work injury ended her career. She moved to Summit Springs for a fresh start in the peace and quiet. Falling in love was not part of her plans, but when a bike chain eats her leg and Merida patches her up, Tam finds herself drawn to the beautiful mechanic. Their fragile relationship is tested when Merida’s home is savagely vandalized. The police have no leads, but it doesn’t take Tam long to realize the threat to her new lover is connected to her hidden past. When things go from disturbing to dangerous, Tam must use all her skills to untangle this web before someone removes Merida from the equation…permanently.