Monday, July 28, 2025

Thrilled to be featured in Literal Literary.

 


So proud to have an article in Literal Literary featuring my two award winning books Fatal Recall a contemporary thriller, and Break Heart Canyon an historical romance.

A little bit about Literal Literary: We strive to shine light on excellence in writing. We are an online literary platform that promotes talented authors, and high quality books and written works. We have the privilege of helping book lovers to discover new authors and their works, while helping authors to be more visible and find new reader bases who will support their work.

Please read my article here!




My stories 
Western Romance:
 * Break Heart Canyon
 * Undercover Outlaw
 * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats
 * A Cowboy’s Fate
 * Special Delivery
Contemporary Romantic Thriller:
* Fatal Recall
Medieval Romance:
*The Dragon and The Rose
* Iron Heart
* Promise Me Christmas
Victorian Romance:
* Lady Gallant
* Victorian Dream
Fantasy:
* The Fae Warriors Trilogy: 
*Solace
* Bliss
* Portence


Thursday, July 24, 2025

Vinegar, a common household product with a very long history.


   I often use vinegar and salt as a weed deterrent, that way when my goats and ducks are "helping" and moseying about the yard, they can forage at will. I think they actually enjoy a wee taste of salt and vinegar on their usual fare.

 So what is the history of this inexpensive unassuming liquid? 
  Vinegar has been traced back to 5000 B.C.E. Babylon, and the practice of making vinegar from fermented liquids like wine or fruit juices is one of the oldest known food preservation techniques.
According to legend, vinegar's discovery came about when a forgotten wine was left in storage for several months, causing it to ferment and turn sour. 

   Traces of vinegar have been found in Egyptian urns, the Chinese began professionalizing vinegar production with dedicated vinegar makers in noble households. 

   During the Middle Ages, vinegar-making was well-established in cities like Orleans, France, and its uses soon became widespread. In general, vinegar is made using a two-step fermentation process. First, a liquid mixture containing yeast and sugar is fermented into alcohol. Then the alcohol goes through a second fermentation which produces a sour- or bitter-tasting product packed with acetic acid.
 For including in your historical westernbesides being useful as a cleaning agent and for food preservation, your characters could use vinegar to doctor a wound, or make a compress for headache and fever, or let the aroma revive someone who had fainted. 
 
They might also partake of a refreshing drink, called a shrub, made of vinegar, sugar, and fruit—typically in a 1:1:1 proportion. This sweet and tart beverage was popular before refrigeration and carbonated drinks. The British navy used shrubs in the 18th century to combat scurvy, and it was popular in the US during prohibition.
 There are a plethora of  different vinegars, each with their own colors and flavors. Wine Vinegar: Champagne Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar: Rice Vinegar: Balsamic Vinegar:  Black Vinegar: Honey Vinegar: Cane Vinegar: Malt Vinegar--Made from malted barley and used as a condiment.
Making a shrub is another whole adventure. There are many recipes on-line and some can take 2-3 days of fermenting (cold method) or you can cook the fruit (hot method) for almost immediate use. 
Shrub recipes here This looked like an interesting site. 
In the summer, I like make sweet and sour cucumbers. Peel, stripe the sides with a fork, slice thin, (no more than 1/4 inch) and put in lidded container with enough vinegar to cover cucumber slices. Stir in sugar (this is the tricky part) Start with at least a few table spoons. Let it sit, stir, check and keep adding sugar to your taste, tart but edible. Be carful when taste testing, they're zingy.   
                 Do you have any interesting uses for vinegar?


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar#:~:text=While%20vinegar%20making%20may%20be,blood%20soups%20around%20the%20world).
https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/vinegar/
 https://womersleyfoods.com/pages/a-short-history-of-vinegar  
New World Encyclopedia contributors  
My Stories: 
Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 
Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall
Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 
Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 
Romantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 
Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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Monday, July 7, 2025

Christmas in July. 99 Cent sale and a $100 Amazon card

 Promise Me Christmas
 Only 99 Cents. 
And enter to win an
 $100 Amazon gift card.  
                                    enter to win here              
                                  
                                    5+ stars from N.N.Light 
                            Colorado Authors' League Finalist 
Blurb:
    Lord Guy Blackthorne is prepared to lay down his life for his children, his wife, and all who seek his protection. But as renegades, mercenaries, and political intrigue surround his ancient family stronghold, he’s forced to stay his hand against those who would dare to attack his fortress.
  As supplies and hope dwindle, Lady Vespa fears Yule will not be one of good cheer, and the children shall have no gifts this year. At least she and Guy have one another, for that she is thankful. But there are few private moments to share their love, and every endeavor to satisfy their passion is interrupted when the enemy attempts to invade the castle.
  On Christmas Eve, when a battle to the death begins, Guy faces his greatest challenge. Now Vespa’s wish for a happy Yule celebration turns to a prayer for her beloved’s safety.
 Excerpt:
   Swallowing down the words she wished to utter, she smiled as best she could. There would be no stopping him, and she’d not send him off to battle with anything less than all her support. At times like this, he belonged to more than just her. Guy fought for everyone who had come seeking his protection. 
   She ran her hand across the front of his mail shirt, the rings bit into her fingers as apprehension prickled though her body. Every time he was away overseeing the land or doing the king’s bidding, he had always come home safe enough. Today, with aid from her brother-in-law, the odds were better and success more likely—but not assured. Was she to lose him now a stone’s throw from their castle door?  
   “Godspeed.” Her smile turned wooden, her hands cold, yet the love burning in her heart was fire enough to destroy a forest. She slipped free a thin strip of silk belting her waist. “Come back to me safe.” She tied the bright fabric to the horse’s bridle. “I’ve grown accustomed to you and do not wish to train a new husband.”
   He laughed at that, then quickly sobered. “I love you, Vespa.”
   He’d promised to tell her more often and now he had, yet the declaration near set her back on her heels. Regardless of his good intentions, this was not a statement he tossed about lightly. He showed his affection in other ways like bringing her trinkets from markets in other holdings, and when they did come together, their union was with a great passion. But this pronouncement, issued on the brink of battle where others could hear, this was special. Did it also mean he feared he may not return to her? 
  “And I love thee, Guy.” Finding her voice, she breathed out the words, but they were lost to the flurry of activity as he turned and mounted up. Her throat tightened with fear, and the tears she held back, and she couldn’t repeat the phrase.
        


5+ Stars: N.N. Light A heartwarming story of love and honor and keeping one’s promise, all wrapped in a medieval adventure sprinkled with humor and sweet romantic moments. 

5 Stars: Still Moments Magazine: “The plot and characters were well-developed, giving the story a smooth reading flow. The author has a great descriptive voice that places you in the scenes.” 

 5 Stars: Mistress of Book Reviews: “With little at hand, but faith that is strong, the Blackthorns' of Darkenwald fight to leave a legacy for their children.” 

5 Stars: Reader’s Café: “The relationship between Vespa and Guy is subtle yet passionate-the characters are determined and dynamic. A fast paced, yet sweet storyline of love and determination, betrayal and vengeance.” 

5 Stars: Anthionette Ejimofor In a nutshell, this book is an embodiment of every ingredient required for a good book; love, friendship, pain, and a spice of romance. 

               For Lady Vespa and Lord Guy Blackthorne, 
                   their wedding was only the beginning
                   of the love and romance they share.
                                                
Vicky said: "I loved this. Vespa and Edith are hilarious in their “shenanigans”. Guy and Thomas are perfect brothers in arms - and perfect for Vespa and Edith. Having them already married works in the story."