Borscht is the
most famous Ukrainian dish. It is kind of a sour soup common for Eastern
Europe. It is low on calories, full of vitamins and minerals, and can be served
hot or cold. And you can keep it in your refrigerator for several days. The
flavor will only improve. Serve crusty rye bread and butter to complete a
terrific dinner or lunch.

There are
literally hundreds of different recipes for borscht. Here is my family’s
favorite version. I hope you like it too.

BORSCHT

Arrange
the ingredients listed above through the fresh dill into a large pot and bring
to a boil.

Reduce
the heat, add beets and cabbage. Let simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Stir occasionally.

When
the soup is almost done, add salt and pepper.

Serve
with additional dill and sour cream.

Enjoy!

Here is a little from my latest time travel romance for your reading pleasure.

The
only way to save their future is risk a journey back to her past.

Time
is running out. The message rings in Abby Coleman’s head as clear as the chime
of the grandfather clock, her time portal on Amelia Island.
Her instincts scream that she must move. Act. But where? And why? 

Through
she leaped forward a century in time to live an independent life, she reluctantly
admits she needs Alex, the insufferable thorn in her side who had the audacity
to make her hope. Dream. Yearn.

Alex
is through waiting for Abby to come to her senses. And to his complete
surprise, the maddening, beautiful woman admits she loves him. Yet to his
everlasting frustration, she refuses to marry until she solves her mystery. 

In a
blinding flash of light, the portal spits out a desperate, heavily pregnant
Nika, and the reason becomes all too clear. With Abby missing from her own
time, Eli
stands accused of her murder. The only way to clear his name is for Abby to go
where Alex can’t follow—back through the portal. And
one passionate night together may be all they’ll ever have.

AMAZON BUY LINK E-BOOK    

AMAZON BUY LINK PAPERBACK

Talented author Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website. 

It’s a bitter-sweet
birthday for me this February. Why? Well, unfortunately, 2025 marks the end of
an era for my publisher, Mirror
World Publishing, as they will be closing up shop at the end of December
after eleven years in business. I feel so grateful for connecting with them ten
years ago, and I applaud Justine, Robert, Sabrina, and Rhiannon for a job well
done! So, without further ado, as February is my birthday month, I usually like
to celebrate the whole month by giving my readers a good deal on my books to
bulk up on their winter reading. This year is unprecedented, and we’ve never offered
this kind of discount before. Starting February 1^st and running through
until February 28^th, ALL my ebooks and books will be on sale for 25%
off the listed price through Mirror World Publishing’s online bookstore. This
way, readers can pick and choose
which books or ebooks they would like to dive into.

The discount code for February’s 25% off
promotion is BIRTHDAYBASH25. To make this even
easier for my amazing readers, here’s
the link and QR code for the sale which automatically applies the discount:

https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com?cc=BIRTHDAYBASH25

If you’re interested
in a journey to Atlantis or Fairy Falls, check out the covers and blurbs for
each book featured
in Mirror World Publishing’s online bookstore. You never know. Maybe you’ll get an intuitive hit of living in
Atlantis in a past life, or have a nostalgic feeling of visiting a small
tourist town like Fairy Falls where anything is possible. Wink.

The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis
(Book #1):

When 13-year-old Amanda Sault and
her annoying classmates are caught in a food fight at school,
they’re given a
choice: suspension or yard duty. The decision is a no-brainer. Their two-week
crash course in landscaping leads to the discovery of a weathered stone arch in
the overgrown back yard. The arch isn’t a forgotten lawn ornament but an
ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.

Chosen
by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers–legendary time travelers sworn to keep
history safe from the evil Belial–Amanda and her classmates are sent on an
adventure of a lifetime. Can they find the young Robin Hood and his merry band
of teens? If they don’t, then history itself may be turned upside down.

Legend of the Timekeepers
(prequel):

Lilith
was a young girl with dreams and a family before the final destruction of
Atlantis shattered those dreams and tore her family apart. Now refugees, Lilith
and her father make their home in the Black Land. This strange, new country has
no place in Lilith’s heart until a beloved high priestess introduces Lilith to
her life purpose—to be a Timekeeper and keep time safe.

Summoned
through the seventh arch of Atlantis by the Children of the Law of One, Lilith
and her newfound friends are sent into Atlantis’s past, and given a task that
will ultimately test their courage and try their faith in each other. Can the
Timekeepers stop the dark magus Belial before he changes the seers’ prophecy?
If they fail, then their future and the earth’s fate will be altered forever.

The Last
Timekeepers and the Dark Secret (Book #2):

Fourteen year-old Jordan Jensen
always considered himself a team player on and off the field, until the second
Timekeeper mission lands him in Amsterdam during World War Two. Pulled into the
world of espionage, torture, and intolerance, Jordan and the rest of the
Timekeepers have no choice but to do whatever they can to stay one step ahead
of the Nazis in order to find and protect a mysterious book.

With the help of the Dutch Resistance, an eccentric
baron, Nordic runes, and an ancient volume originating from Atlantis, Jordan
must learn that it takes true teamwork, trust, and sacrifice to keep time safe
from the evils of fascism. Can Jordan find the hero within to conquer the
darkness surrounding the Timekeepers? If he doesn’t, then the terrible truth of
what the Nazis did will never see the light of day.

The Last
Timekeepers and the Noble Slave (Book #3):

Eleven-year-old Drake Bailey is an
analytical thinker and the genius of the Timekeeper crew. However, no logic or
mathematical acumen can change the color of his skin, or prepare him for this
third Timekeeper mission in antebellum Georgia. To survive, Drake must learn to
play the role of a plantation slave and when confronted with the brutality,
hatred, and racism of the deep south, he’ll have to strategically keep one move
ahead of his sadistic captors to ensure his lineage continues.

In a dark world of Voodoo, zombies,
and ritualistic sacrifice, the Timekeepers must ensure a royal bloodline
survives. Can Drake remove both literal and figurative chains to save both
himself and a devout slave girl from a terrible fate? If he can’t summon the
necessary courage, humanity could stand to lose one of its greatest leaders.

Lost and Found,
Book One: Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls:

The Fairy Falls Animal Shelter
is in trouble. Money trouble. It’s up to an old calico
cat named Whiskey—a shelter
cat who has mastered the skill of observation—to find a new human pack leader so that their home will
be saved. With the help of Nobel, the leader of the shelter dogs, the animals
set out to use the ancient skill of telepathy to contact any human who bothers
to listen to them. Unfortunately for fifteen-year-old Meagan Walsh, she hears
them, loud and clear.

Forced to live with her Aunt Izzy in the safe and quiet
town of Fairy Falls, Meagan is caught stealing and is sentenced to do community
hours at the animal shelter where her aunt works. Realizing Meagan can hear
her, Whiskey realizes that Meagan just might have the pack leader qualities
necessary to save the animals. Avoiding Whiskey and the rest of shelter animals
becomes impossible for Meagan, so she finally gives in and promises to help
them. Meagan, along with her newfound friends, Reid Robertson and Natalie
Knight, discover that someone in Fairy Falls is not only out to destroy the
shelter, but the animals as well. Can Meagan convince her aunt and co-workers
that the animals are in danger? If she fails, then all the animals’ voices will
be silenced forever.

Blackflies and Blueberries, Book Two:
Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls:

City born and bred, Hart Stewart possesses the gift of
psychometry—the psychic ability to discover facts about an event or person by
touching inanimate objects associated with them. Since his mother’s death,
seventeen-year-old Hart has endured homelessness, and has learned ways to keep
his illiteracy under wraps. He eventually learns of a great-aunt living in
Fairy Falls, and decides to leave the only life he’s ever known for an
uncertain future.

Diana MacGregor lives in Fairy Falls. Her mother was a victim of a
senseless murder. Only Diana’s unanswered questions and her grief keeps her
going, until Hart finds her mother’s lost ring and becomes a witness to her
murder.

Through Hart’s psychic
power, Diana gains hope for justice. Their investigation leads them into the
corrupt world threatening Fairy Falls. To secure the town’s future, Hart and
Diana must join forces to uncover the shocking truth, or they risk losing the
true essence of Fairy Falls forever.

Remember,
this amazing 25% off deal won’t last long! Plus, I can’t think of a better way
to ride out the forecast that Mr. Groundhog gives us than relaxing with a good
book, a comfortable chair, and cozy blanket. Unless you live in the southern
hemisphere and get to enjoy reading by the pool or at the beach. Keep warm (or
cool), and I hope you choose to escape to the past and have a blast with me,
this February! This will be the last birthday I celebrate with Mirror World
Publishing, but I hope that I’ll connect with some new readers moving forward. Cheers, and thank you for taking the time to
celebrate my birthday month with me. I appreciate you!

LET THEM EAT SOUP!

Okay, so it’s not the best takeoff on Marie Antoinette’s infamous saying, but that was my little way of announcing that January is National Soup Month. It’s true. You can check it out on Wikipedia. In honor of this auspicious event, my January posts will be dedicated to soup, well, at least the Wednesday posts. So tie on your aprons and let’s get cooking!

Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 lb. fresh mushrooms – use 2 or 3 different types
8 tbsp. butter
2 small shallots or scallions, finely chopped
6 tbsp. flour
1 qt. chicken stock *
¼ cup dry sherry
2 egg yolks
½ cup heavy cream
White pepper**

Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Pull the stems and caps apart. Put pieces in a food processor. Run until chopped. The mix will almost look like a paste. Or fine dice the mushrooms by hand.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10-12 inch skillet. Add mushrooms and shallots and sauté for 3 minutes. Set the skillet aside.

In a heavy 6-quart saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Remove pan from the heat and stir in the flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Do NOT let this brown too much or it will be bitter. The roux should be no darker than a caramel/tan.

Remove the pan from the heat. Allow to cool 10-15 seconds, then pour in the stock while whisking constantly. Return the pan to a medium-high heat and stir until the soup base thickens and is smooth, approximately 12-15 minutes.

Stir in the mushrooms and sherry. Simmer for 15 minutes, but be sure to stir occasionally.

Blend the egg yolks into the cream with a whisk. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of hot soup at a time until you’ve added ¾ cup. Reverse the process and slowly whisk the now-warm mixture into the soup. ***

Bring soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat. Taste and season with pepper.

Serve from a tureen or in individual bowls.

This recipe makes 6 bowls.

*You can substitute up to half the amount with dry white wine
**In this recipe white pepper is used for its slightly sharper taste. There is no need to make a special trip to buy white pepper. Black pepper will work fine, just use a little more.
***This may seem like extra work, but if you don’t do it the yolks and cream will curdle.

Happy slurping!

Taylor’s cookbooks, Hot Mean Wear Aprons, Date Night Dinners, Date Night Dinners Italian Style, Sizzling Summer, and Recipes to Create Holidays Extraordinaire are released by Toque & Dagger Publishing and available at all book vendors.

I spent about 15 years as a sports reporter. I’d like to say things are
getting better for women in the field, but there’s a lot of room for
improvement. 

I was
a sports reporter for about 15 years. I spent about ten years in television,
where I worked for five TV stations – anchoring and reporting – and about five
years as a print journalist. I mention this because I pay attention to media
sports positions, having given a large chunk of my life to that world.

Back
when I wormed my way into the sports world, there were few other women. In my
daily interactions, I almost never dealt with others of my gender. But, as more
women joined the ranks, I truly believed that eventually the field would become
more welcoming.

Sadly,
that hasn’t happened.

Some
of you may be thinking, “Gosh, Anne. You’re wrong. There are women
sportscasters all over the place.”

Well,
technically there are more women working in sports media today, perhaps because
there are so many more broadcast outlets when compared to the days when most
towns had just three TV stations and cable and the Internet didn’t exist. A
handful of women have even had the opportunity to share their expertise in the
booth, doing play-by-play and color commentary. But the numbers are dismal when
compared to all the sportscasting jobs out there.

Kate Scott has done
play-by-play for the Pac-12 network.  In The Ringer article
“Where Are All the Women in Play-by-Play Broadcasting?”, Scott called the lack
of women in the field a numbers game.

Most sportscasting jobs, especially the ones in color and play-by-play, are still held by men.

“If
there’s 10 guys applying for a job, and one woman, there’s more of a
possibility that a guy’s going to get hired, just strictly because of the
numbers of it,” Scott said. “Plus, many of the people in charge are men, who
may be more likely to hire other men for the job. And on top of all of that,
women need to have champions in order to succeed in these roles, or people
willing to take the risk. Hiring a woman to call a sports broadcast still goes
against the industry norms and often requires taking a chance on an unknown.
But recently, albeit slowly, that’s starting to change.”

When women do get a shot
at the booth, it’s most often to call games where the participants are women.

Most
often, the women called on to work in the booth are covering sports with female
athletes. I’m not complaining here, just stating a fact. The logic seems to be
that since women play basketball, for example, giving them a shot in the hoops
booth isn’t that great a stretch. But women who call baseball, football, or ice
hockey – especially at the male professional level – remain a rarity.

And when networks do
decide to give women a chance, a closer look reveals they don’t have much faith
in the viewing public’s willingness to listen. Remember the Thursday Night Football game when Hannah Storm and
Andrea Kremer – two women who’ve been in the field for decades – became the
first female team to call an NFL game? Nice! I thought! It’s about time. But
then I discovered that that broadcast was an alternative feed, one that viewers
had to select instead of the “normal” booth team that featured Joe Buck and
Troy Aikman. That clearly showed that the folks in charge aren’t quite sure the
viewing public can handle women in the booth.

Sideline reporters like Erin Andrews are often asked to be nothing more
than a pretty face.

That leads us to the
most useless job in sportscasting, one which, perhaps not surprisingly, is
often held by women: sideline reporting. There is absolutely no reason, in my
opinion, for this job to even exist. Sideline reporters rarely talk about
anything but injuries. It would make more sense to have a medical professional
manning the sidelines than a sports reporter. “Now let’s go down to Nurse
Becky on the field!” And I’ve watched entire games where the
guys in the booth only go to the sideline reporter a couple of times. So,
what’s the point? I sense the position was created just so the networks can
brag about how inclusive they are. “Look! Wow! We’re letting a woman step onto
the field. Aren’t we great!”

Here’s
the thing. Sports broadcasting is not rocket science. So, can we move along here?
Open those doors and give some women a chance.

Really,
what would it hurt?

Here is a brief peek at Anne’s latest release.

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.”  Midwest Book Review

“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” Bekah C NetGalley 

“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true.  When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter

“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” –  Kathryn McLeer NetGalley 

Available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Kobo

Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia. Stay connected on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it in a pot nine days old. Remember the Mother Goose “pease porridge” rhyme? While today we may think of porridge as cereal, in the sixteenth century, “porridge” was a derivation of “pottage” or “potage” meaning cooking pot. “Chowder” also comes from the word pot, via the French “cauldron.”

However you like your soup—hot, cold, or nine days old—combining savory ingredients in a pot and letting the flavors mingle is a time-tested menu favorite.

But what if you want your soup NOW? Well, you’re our kind of person, and we have just the recipe for you. Using already cooked ingredients makes this soup a quick lunch, ready in twenty minutes or less.

Corny Ham Chowder

1 cup milk
1 can cream style sweet corn
1½ cups cooked ham, cut into chunks
1½ cups cooked potatoes, drained and cut into chunks (canned works too)
1 tsp. onion powder
1 cup (4 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Green onion or scallion slivers (optional)
Salt or chicken bouillon to taste

Mix milk, corn, ham, and potatoes in medium pot. Cook, be sure to stir occasionally until heated through.

Add cheese. Cover pot and let cheese melt completely.

Serve with a chunk of hearty bread.

Bonus Goodness:
Crave added richness? Substitute ½ cup of cream for ½ of the milk.

Are you a vegetable fan? Toss in the veggie of your choice, either frozen or fresh. We like frozen carrots for the added color—and the nutrition too of course.

No ham? Smoked sausage is a nice substitute.

Bland potatoes? Mix in sweet pickle juice. A teaspoon gives the soup zing.

Need more soup? Add more stuff. The converse works too.

Fighting off vampires? Switch out the regular salt for a teaspoon of garlic salt. If you have a bad infestation, add ½ teaspoon crushed garlic to the soup and serve with a wood spoon.

Once upon a time there was a mother/daughter author duo named Helen and Lorri, who wrote as HL Carpenter. the Carpenters worked from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories was unreal but not untrue. Then one day Lorri left her studio to explore the land of What-If, and like others who have lost a loved one the magical place lost much of its magic. But thanks to family, plus an amazing group of wordsmiths named Authors Moving Forward (AMF), the magic is slowly returning.

First,
I want to wish my followers a very Happy New Year! We finally made it into the
mid-20s, and sooo much has happened in the last five years. A pandemic knocked
us flat on our butts, and made us take stock in how we were living our lives.
Though there was a lot of pain, suffering, and heartache, there was also
tremendous growth and change too. People worldwide were starting to find their
voices, and not put up with the outmoded ways of the ‘old guard’ anymore. From
Black Lives Matter to Iranian women refusing to wear their hijabs, the world as
we knew it changed before our eyes. And I changed too.

During
this past year (2024) I realized that there is no ONE way, only YOUR way, and
what’s best for YOU. I wrote a post last year about being true to yourself by
staying in your lane. You can find it HERE.
I decided to pull out of the hustle culture in 2021, feeling as if my
electrical circuits were on all the time and ready to blow. I had to slow down
and choose to do the necessary inner work. This ‘writing career’ that I
put my blood, sweat, and tears into was not what I thought it would be. So, I
experimented with Facebook ads, running them for 10 days at a set price, then switching
that ad out for a new one for the next 10 days. I did this consistently for
almost four years. My reach got larger and larger, topping 19 million at one
point…then something happened. The ads didn’t seem to have the same reach
anymore starting in the winter/spring of 2024. Even the book sales never
reflected the amazing reach I garnered, and I discovered a lot of spammers had
infiltrated my Author Facebook page feed. Augh! I had to quit cold turkey on
those ads. I changed lanes and looked into doing Amazon ads, but got a sticker
shock with the amount of money to run these ads: about $300-$500 per month.
Wait, what?

I
did the math. It seemed like the whole book marketing industry was rigged in
their favor—just like going to a casino and finding out that the house always
wins—so I stepped away, pulled the plug on advertising, and took back my power.
It felt rather weird at first. Like a boat adrift with no port to dock at or no
destination to sail to. I kept showing up though. Shared, Tweeted, and LinkedIn
my book series ads faithfully every week. Blogged every Monday. Worked on, and
finished, Sticks and Stones, the
third installment in Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls teen psychic mystery
series. Submitted this book to my publisher, and then took a well-deserved
break for the summer and fall, and enjoyed the time e-biking with hubby, and
hanging with my family. The weather applauded my decision, and I took full
advantage of relaxing on our patio, and sipping on my favourite brand of single
malt scotch. Wink.

Then
came the death blow at the end of this past December that changed the
trajectory of my author life. My publisher, Mirror World Publishing announced
that they would be closing their doors at the end of this year. My heart sank.
I succumbed into grief. I’ve been here before, so it’s not my first publishing
rodeo. Still, there was also so much emotional investment with this publishing
house too. Ten years worth. Though, I completely understand their reasons for shutting
down, and if I’m honest with myself, I’ve probably been living in my
comfort zone for far too long. Sigh. Guess it’s time to stretch my wings, and
see what the next chapter looks like for me, as I affirm every morning: “Everything happens for me, and through me,
not to me.”

On
a positive note, I did manage to get a refreshed book trailer done for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of
Atlantis to replace the outdated versions on my website. Care for a peek?
Click the link below… 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oczrgVYJo6proAJqRTyPuOdbsfdhNYPk/view?usp=drive_link

So,
what’s next for me personally? I’m on the list for a knee replacement this
year, which should be happening in the late summer or early fall. Hubby and I
will also be celebrating our 40^th Wedding Anniversary in August,
which is a huge milestone for many couples these days. Unfortunately, we can’t
make any plans or book anywhere to go because of my impending knee replacement.
We’ll just have to give ourselves a vacation raincheck. On the happy news
front, we’re expecting another grandchild in the late spring! Woohoo! As for my
author life’s future, it’s going to be determined by the choices I make, and
actions I take within the next six to twelve months. No pressure, right? LOL! I
kind of feel like I’m visiting my fictitious town of Fairy Falls, and waiting
for the unexpected to happen! Wish me luck in my uncomfortable endeavors!

How was 2024 for you?
Any milestones? Did you need to take a welcome break from all the craziness
we’ve endured the past five years? Have you been in your comfort zone far too
long? Would love to read your comments! Cheers, Happy New Year, and thanks for taking
the time to read my blog. I appreciate you!