Summer Salads ... Summer Reads

The weather is heating up ... finally. I’m definitely a summer person. Or, more precisely, a late spring/early summer person. I love being outside even when the allergies start acting up! I’m also content with leaving a window open for the breeze and reading. I’ve got a few great books on my summer reading list. Here’s the first of many:

Bomb Voyage! by D.L. Jackson

Captain Jayson Rivers, owner of a commercial mining scoop, likes the simple life. He appreciates order, making money, and reaping the rewards of a hard day’s work.
What he doesn’t like is getting dragged into galactic politics, or into the crosshairs of his ex-wife, a ruthless bomber, who has already tried to take him out once. He doesn’t need complications, like the sexy red-headed mechanic who’s walked her sweet ass onto his vessel, bringing with her a shitload of trouble, and turning his world upside down.

From expensive and illegal boiler parts that break the bank, to homicidal in-laws and a shotgun wedding he’d better be able to get an annulment from, his life can’t get much more complicated.

Until he ends up knocked out, bound naked with his bride, on a one-way trip to a hostile world with a bomb hooked to the control panel of his shuttle.

Yeah, the universe is a crazy place, but Jayson’s simple life has gone past complicated. He’s sliced off a bit of that insanity pie, and things might never go back to normal, if he can even remember what that is.

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I’ve also got my absolute favorite summer salad chilling in the fridge.

Avocado Summer Salad (Serves 6-8)

Main Ingredients:

·         6 mini cucumbers

·         3 firm Roma tomatoes

·         1 medium red onion

·         2 ripe avocados

·         Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: 1 T cilantro OR 1 T parsley (depending on taste)

Dressing: Any creamy dressing works

OR for a lighter version mix:  

¼ C virgin oil and the juice of one lemon and toss

Directions:

·         Quarter mini cucumbers lengthwise and then slice into bite size pieces.

·         Quarter and seed Roma tomatoes and cut into bite size pieces.

·         Finely chop onion

·         Half and pit avocados, score into squares while inside peel and then scoop out with spoon (much easier than trying to slice when already removed from skin).

·         Mix together in bowl, add salt, pepper and either cilantro or parsley if desired.

·         Drizzle with dressing (doesn’t take much) and stir until combined.

·         Serve immediately.

Hint: This salad can also be done as a LARGE individual serving with 2 cucumbers, 1 tomato, quarter of an onion, 1 avocado, salt & pepper & herb to taste. It’s a big salad, but it’s great for a cool summer lunch!

***

While my salad chills, I’m going to give one last listen to the first three chapters of my newest book scheduled for audio release, The Vessel. With any luck, it’ll be ready to go in time for a beach premier!

Major Liam McGregor is a career soldier. Chosen by the leader of the United Republic to transport a government protectee to safety, Liam takes on a task that has cost his predecessors their very lives.

Alora of Delawon is an alien princess who holds the key to the survival of mankind. With the women of the United Republic left barren by previous chemical warfare, Alora’s ability to bear humanoid children makes her the government’s most valuable commodity.

Together, they make the trek from the government’s safe house back toward the current capitol, fighting off raiders, survivalists, and an unexpected attraction to one another.

Will their desires put them in danger? Or, will their being together become more important than the mission?

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So, whether you’re writing, reading, or making a great salad, enjoy your holiday weekend and the coming summer!

Nancy

Summer Reading

One of my favorite aspects of summer has become the summer reading list. I know, I know, as a kid the thought of summer reading lists would make me roll my eyes and shake my fists at the sky. "Why, oh why, do I have to read over the summer?" I would ask petulantly.

But, just like naps, summer reading switched from a punishment to a reward somewhere along the line. And I'm fortunate enough that my youngest kiddo started out thinking of it as a challenge. For the last couple of years he finds these lists and challenges himself to read all the books on the list.

Last year he read the entire Bluebonnet Books list. This year it's the Lone Star reading list. I think part of the reason I love him reading these lists is because inevitably I read the books as well. His reading level is about two or three grade levels above his actual grade level so I read the books to see if he'll be able to emotionally handle the subject matter. If there are areas I think that will trouble him, I make a note to talk to him about them when he gets there. There has yet to be a book I've refused to allow him to read.

But he's not the only one who benefits from this arrangement. I don't hide the fact that I'm an avid romance reader. I joke that I write so I can have money to buy more books. But I do enjoy other genres of literature as well. I'm not as deeply invested in them as I am romance, however. So it's hard for me to decide what to buy in the other genres. The lists give me a starting point. There are times I love the book and decided to continue on with the series and/or author, but other times I'm not so crazy about it so I move on to the next one on the list.

The first book of this summer was Undertow by Michael Buckley. And, I have to say, I loved it! I read it in one day and can't wait to read the second book in the series. So this summer's reading list has started off with a bang for me.

What about you? Do you have any books you're looking forward to reading this summer?