Busted! Emergency Oatmeal Cranberry cookie needed pronto!
I’m reviewing page proofs for Queen of Exiles, and I needed a fix.
To be fair, I did walk 2 miles. That equals one cookie, right?
I cut my cookie recipe in half (to be good) and made my cookies with #kerrygold butter, a bougie organic cage-free egg, and cran raisins.
Protip: Soak your raisins before baking. Makes for a burst of flavor in your cookies.
Cookie Foodie History for Black History Month
🍪 Lucretia Thomas Brown invented Joe Froggers Spice Cookies
🍪 Wallace “Wally” Amos Jr. became the first Black talent agent with the William Morris Agency and represented stars like Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and Simon & Garfunkel. But we know him for his Famous Amos Chocolate Chip cookies.
🍪 Southern tea cakes cookies were created by enslaved African-Americans to reproduce the fluffy European tea cakes. They are light and sweet yeast-based cookies and often contain dried fruits like raisins.
Nourished, I think I can do 50 more pages. I hope you're having a great Weekend, the first weekend of Black History Month. Do something to honor history.
Baking for you is a good thing.
The recipe for My Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies will be in my next newsletter. (Link in bio.)
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory #foodie
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #cookie #oatmealraisin #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #oatmealcookies
#baking
Huge sale! For a limited-time-only, the ebook version of Island Queen is only $2.99. Written by vanessarileyauthor, Island Queen, is based on the true story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas. Born into slavery on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll bought her freedom—and that of her sister and her mother—from her Irish planter father and built a legacy of wealth and power as an entrepreneur, merchant, hotelier, and planter that extended from the marketplaces and sugar plantations of Dominica and Barbados to a glittering luxury hotel in Demerara on the South American continent. Grab it for yourself or gift it to a friend!
#IslandQueen #vanessarileyhere #2021books #bookbub #igreads #bookstagram #booksconnectus #booklove #books #bookworm #booklover #bookish #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #fiction #booknerd #bookstagrammer #bookaddict #booksbooksbooks #bookaholic #read #bookclub #blackgirlmagic #histfic #historicalfiction #historynerd #history #historical #womenshistory #blackhistory
❤️SALE ALERT❤️ Snap it up!
Posted withrepost • vanessarileyauthor What a way to start the weekend!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is in the New York Times and on Sale!!!
Link to NYT Roundup is in bio. See all the fabulous titles included!
Big Sale!!!! Limit time only!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is only $1.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HSC3WR3/
You know you need one more for the TBR Pile!!!
Treat yourself!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is on sale for $1.99.
The lowest price ever won't last long.
Grab Sister Mother Warrior today!!!
Add to your TBR pile
🎯War & Revolution 🇭🇹🌍
🦸🏽♀️🦸🏾♀️Women Heroes
🦸🏾♂️🦸🏽♂️Men Heroes
👩🏽🔧Righting Wrongs
❤️Young Love in the Middle of War
Also: Combat, Colorism, and Lore
What else can you want?
Share, Like, Tell a Friend!!!!
#vanessarileyhere #books #historical #haitian #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #soldier #historicalfiction #haitian #dahomey #blackpanther #vanessarileybooks #lovestory #history #blackhistory #booktok #bookstagram
I had a spare moment and tried to recreate this look, Queen Louise. Queen of Exiles (July 2023) is based on a true story, ripped from the headlines of a Regency/Georgian queen that ruled a Caribbean kingdom and in Exile in Europe.
How did I do?
Put Queen of Exiles on your reading list!
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london #haiti #italy #prussia #germany #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #fashion #bookcover #costume #cosplay
Discovery: Avocados in Chicken Salad —no mayo! Who knew?
Probably a lot of you. Please offer more foodie tips.
I’m taking a quick break from writing, because I’m hungry. In my quest to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor, I dabble in the kitchen. Today’s discovery Avocado Chicken Salad.
Pro Tip: Replace the mayo in your favorite chicken salad recipe with a whole avocado mashed with the juice of a whole lemon.
Nerdy History: Avocado is a fruit, originates from Central Mexico, and have been eaten for over 10,000 years. It doesn’t cause droughts.
Back to Good Eats: Creamy, Flavor Days.
I toasted sourdough bread and slathered it with a heap of yum.
The full recipe will be in my newsletter coming Friday.
Subscribe (link in bio or hop to my website) for book news, writing fun, research, behind-the-scenes, foodie stuff, sisterly support, and probably a dash of foolery.
I’ll talk about books later. What are you having for lunch?
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #sisterhood #islandqueen #womenempowerment #foodporn #foodie #avocado #chickensalad #recipe
Bang!!! Book Tour, People, & more!!!
Updated: Catch Sister Mother Warrior. It was on sale.
Getting excited to see people, beautiful readers, as I hit the road. I can't wait to talk about forgotten women in history through the lens of love, power, and war.
I will be visiting Cumming, GA, Powder Springs, GA, Hoover AL, Fort Myers, FA and West Palm, Beach.
I might be leaving spoilers for this summer’s historical fiction, Queen of Exiles, about a forgotten queen, the regal Queen Marie Louise Covidavid Christophe who reigned over the kingdom of Haiti with her husband, King Henry, from 1811 to 1820, the same time as the British Regency.
Will spill on Lady Worthing too!
Check my bio for event links and more.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #islandqueen #ladyworthing #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor @shopthebookworm #bookclubs #indiebookstore #library @bookstackbookclub
Reveal!!!! I have been waiting to show you this cover!!!
Murder in Drury Lane, #2 in the Lady Worthing Series.
In Abigail’s fashionable world of
1806, No Good Dead Goes Unpunished. What if doing the right thing causes millions to suffer? Can you live with your choice?
For Lady Worthing, with the help of her cousin, her crew, and maybe a curmudgeon neighbor, one shifting into a charmer, she’ll find a way to catch the culprit and keep her city from coming apart.
Coming Oct23. Preorder link to @BNBuzz 25% off in bio. The sale ends tomorrow!!
And, of course, Queen of Exiles can also be preordered at the Barnes & Noble Press and get 25% off.
Use code PREORDER25
With a Vanessa Riley book expect strong but vulnerable heroines, sisterhoods, found family, and loads of history.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #islandqueen #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #vanessarileyauthor #regency #mystery #bookshelf #fashion #mysterybooks #blackgirlmagic #blackwomen
Remember when you loved going to the grocery store?
I know that’s a long Instacart memory ago, but I loved it, merely to go to the book aisle to check out the latest Zebra and Harlequin Regency Romances.
If you told little girl Vanessa I’d write books that would be displayed on grocery shelves like these beauties, I’d probably not have believed you. I’d probably tell my mama that a stranger’s selling magic beans in Aisle 9.
Yet this is happening. January 24, A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby makes its mass-market debut!!!
Every book in this series is star-reviewed. I’m so proud of it.
Recap:
The series focuses on the secret sisterhood of the Widows’ Grace, an organization dedicated to righting the wrongs of patriarchal London. They will do whatever it takes, even breaking laws, to restore women to their rightful places.
A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby - Woman fighting for her child against all odds, including a Duke looking for redemption.
An Earl, The Girl, and A Toddler - Woman with Amnesia trying to save herself from fortune hunters and a frenemy from perpetual mourning with a fake affair
A Duke, the Spy, an Artist, and A Lie - Woman running from her husband to avenge a great wrong. But a second chance on love might make everything right.
If you see A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby in the wild, let me know!!
As always like, follow, share for diverse fiction.
And those are my real eclectic shelves showing my wide reading tastes.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #islandqueen #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #regency #regencyromance #bookshelf
That look of freedom!!!
I’ll not lie. It’s been a rough 2 weeks. (Swipe for photo evidence)
But it’s time to finish decorating, and I must celebrate today’s accomplishment.
(Protip: Make sure you savor every win, every moment! And tell your sisters/brothers when you’re struggling.)
I turned in my last contract obligation due in 2022, the copy edits for Queen of Exiles, the true story of Queen Louise, a world famous Black Queen whose story has been obscured. I’m bringing her back.
With this final edit, I’m more in love with this story.
Queen Louise is a:
👑Nation Builder
👑Loyal Wife of a King
👑Brave Middle Sister
👑Vulnerable and Strong and Regal
👑Devoted Mother
👑Passionate Muse of a Prince
👑Fashion Icon of Europe
👑Master of Reinvention
Look for Queen of Exiles, July 2023.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london #haiti #italy #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor
Love stopping by an indie bookstore.
One of my favorites is The Bookworm in Powder Springs, GA.
Sweet staff headed by Ms. Julia.
Lots of titles for tots to adults.
And a very diverse cross-section of titles. Some signed editions, too.
Support a small business this weekend!!! And all the time.
#indiebookstore #book #bookstagram #bookshelf #bookstore #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyhere #dukeladybaby #sistermotherwarrior
Oh Flocked!
First chance, I've had to decorate for Christmas, and I’m questioning my life choices.
Before finishing copyedits on Summer 2023’s historical fiction, Queen of Exiles, and turning Murder in Drury Lane, I wanted to make the house festive.
After Christmas in 2021, I bought a highly discounted tree. The picture was so cute. It looked like a pine or spruce tree in the English countryside.
Where is there a vacuum in the forest?
Is this why I stick to writing?
I’ll keep you posted on how this turns out.
Question 1: Have you decorated yet?
Question 2: Best way to get up flock / glitter.
Question 3: Does it ever stop shedding?
Didn't know flock was glitter.
Yet, I am inspired. Going to need to add a Yuletide in a future story... once I clean up the glitter.
PS: Butterfly Bride is a fun Christmas love story!
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #butterflybride #murderindrurylane
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london ##historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing
#christmasdecor #christmastree #christmas
What a way to start the weekend!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is in the New York Times and on Sale!!!
Link to NYT Roundup is in bio. See all the fabulous titles included!
Big Sale!!!! Limit time only!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is only $1.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HSC3WR3/
You know you need one more for the TBR Pile!!!
Treat yourself!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is on sale for $1.99.
The lowest price ever won't last long.
Grab Sister Mother Warrior today!!!
Add to your TBR pile
🎯War & Revolution 🇭🇹🌍
🦸🏽♀️🦸🏾♀️Women Heroes
🦸🏾♂️🦸🏽♂️Men Heroes
👩🏽🔧Righting Wrongs
❤️Young Love in the Middle of War
Also: Combat, Colorism, and Lore
What else can you want?
Share, Like, Tell a Friend!!!!
#vanessarileyhere #books #historical #haitian #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #soldier #historicalfiction #haitian #dahomey #blackpanther #vanessarileybooks #lovestory #history #blackhistory #booktok #bookstagram
Wait! Do I have to leave?
Well, all good things do come to an end, and so does my Jamaican writing retreat.
I’m uploading a few images of the sites and tastes of Kingston and neighboring areas like Port Royal as I say goodbye to a bit of paradise.
The cannons and structures remaining at Port Royal planted stories in my head.
Devon House is a must where the first Black Jamaican millionaire built his house in Millionaire Square. Yes, a diverse square of money in 1800s Jamaica!
Made it to the National Gallery. They have such fine Jamaican and colonial art. The display of sculptures of Lignum Vitae, the national flower of Jamaica is also known as Ironwood in Britain, is very impressive. Lignum Vitae plays heavily pun intended in An Earl, The Girl, and a Toddler, my Jamaican heiress with Amnesia story.
Back to the food:
I loved fresh ackee the fruit is shown in a picture opening. Red snapper is so delicious here.
The best chocolate Ice Cream and Rum Raisin can be had there at I scream Devon House.
And if you have a talented chef, like chef Bryan, he can turn it into beautiful treats. Heck, he whipped up desserts from scratch. I will dream of rich cherry rum cake— his lobster, steaks, jerk sauce, and butterflied pork roast.
My writing friends and family got down words (finished Murder in Drury Lane), read books, and enjoyed the pool. Will have to do this again!!!!
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #portroyal #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #jamaica #jamaicanfood #nationalgalleryofjamaica #devonhouse #writing #writingretreat #writersofinstagram #foodie
Confession!!!! Can we talk about Jamaican food?
Vanessa here, taking a break from research and writing the next in the Lady Worthing Series, Murder in Drury Lane.
Lady Worthing is of Jamaican descent, a British baroness and amateur sleuth trying to stay alive and solve murder mysteries.
Back to food, I want to show you a few tastes of Jamaica.
If you follow me, you know my passions: writing, history, fashion, family, empowerment, and food. I am a foodie.
One might even say a bougie foodie, but I can’t help it. I must have my plate pretty and packed with flavor. And friends and family, plus memories you want to hold dear --paradise.
Here are some of the dishes we’ve feasted upon:
🥣Mannish water (goat soup)
🧇Waffles made with oats and nuts
🐟Ackee and saltfish
🍞Fried johnny cakes
🥩Garlic butter steak
🍳Baked bean and scramble
🍚Coconut infused rice
🍎Fresh fruits, including an apple exhibiting the fine blade work by our chef, Chef Bryan @chef_mobolji_bryan
🍛Stew vegetables and dumplings with Pigtail
We had patties at Devon House @devonhouseja and brought back the best rum raisin ice cream (I scream), which our chef made into cookies and cream drinks with fresh whip cream and chocolate sauce and oatmeal raisin cookies.
A full post on Devon House is coming, a must see in #Kingston.
Thank you @bookofcinz for the recommendation. Check out her recent Caribbean tour and book recs to expand your reading and traveling word!
Some of our writers went to the beach to visit the local fair and ate fresh fish, crab, and lobster.
We are still here, still eating and loving every minute!
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #foodstagram #writinglife #writingretreat
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyhere #travel #foodporn #foodie #jamaica #jamaicanfood
Procrastination is not good, but it can be cute.
I was influenced to use the @lensa.ai avatar filters. Please tell me which one you like best.
I love the fashion and colors. Feeling inspired.
I‘m writing murder in Drury lane, and we’re down to the last 5K. This is where you look at the story and want to ensure you’ve hit every emotional note, added thriller moments, and killed enough people before you solve the crimes. A murder mystery got to do what a murder mystery got to do.
Expect the unexpected. More intrigue, danger, neighborly interactions, math power, and sisterly support.
Ok, back to work.
#books #historical #fashion #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #amwriting #writing #tbr #tbrpile #thriller #murderinwestminister #murderindrurylane #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks
#mysterybooks #thrillerbooks #avatar #lensa #writinginspiration
The Girls Were Smiling…
Atlanta History Center, thank you for an amazing event for me and my author friends—historical fiction and thriller—all around great reads!!!
Tuesday, I was with Piper Huguley and Wanda Morris to discuss Power Women, Research, Process, and being a female Black writer—the life, the community, and sisterhood.
Thank you, Claire for everything. You always throw an awesome event!!!!
If you haven’t already, grab a copy of:
📚Anywhere You Run (@wandamowrites )
📚 By Her Own Design (@piper_huguley )
📚 Sister Mother Warrior
📚 Island Queen
📚Murder in Westminster
Atlanta History Center has signed copies.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #thriller #blackhistory #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #veterans #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyauthor
Getting ready for takeoff!
Now that’s Thanksgiving is done, it’s time to get on the grind writing books. So here I am on a plane getting ready to go and make magic.
Before boarding, I tried a sit down restaurant. I must say Airport food has improved— deviled eggs with tuna poke and bacon jam. A delicious treat!!!
#vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #vanessarileyhere
Follow for more posts: research, sisterhoods and fun!!!
Yes, but where am I going?
Hint ocean, mountains, heat.
#amwriting #research #mypeople #islandqueen #travel #traveling #wip
Remember that time I was in London...
You know I love research. Well, there’s nothing like hitting the ground, being in country, and seeing the sites my characters would visit, touch, taste.
Visiting Drury Lane to feel the majesty and magic was so important for my writing process and to craft the next Lady Worthing Mystery.
I finished!!! Typed the end and sent in Murder in Drury Lane. Look for it in October 2023.
If you haven’t started, start with Murder in Westminster!!!
Some Praise:
“Riley’s prose is unique, nestling a lush, lavish image next to a swift, chopping realization….The book is an absorbing experience, a complicated mystery rooted in the compelling historical struggle for abolition that navigates the nuances of race and class with a heroine the reader can’t help but love. Highly recommended.” –Historical Novel Society
Themes in Murder in Drury Lane: No good choices go unpunished.
Expect the unexpected. More intrigue, danger, neighborly interactions, math power, and sisterly support. And Murder.
Tip:
Going backstage and into the bowels of Drury Lane was phenomenal. Take the tour when you head to London.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #murderinwestminster #murderindrurylane
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #thriller #london #drurylane #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #blackgirltravel #regency #blackhistory
That Time I froze in Chicago….
Vanessa here. I am in this cool purple coat I picked up two weeks ago in Chicago. While visiting the weather changed overnight from 70 F to 50F with crazy wind! Burrrrrr.
That’s a good enough excuse for this cute coat from a new small business owner off Michigan Ave, near Roosevelt University.
Anyway, I have a week of events I’d like to share with you. I’m thrilled to say these are only up the way on Georgia streets. I am with my fellow sister-friend authors, Piper Huguley and Wanda Morris at the Atlanta History Center talking power women in power fiction.
On Wednesday, I am with Kennedy Ryan celebrating the release of her new book Before I Let Go. Promise we won’t sing too much, other than the praises for Yasmin and Josiah’s story. It will be another night to talk about women on a journey. We are at the 44th and 3rd Bookseller in Atlanta.
Come for the fun. Join us!!!
PS: in the background are some books on my TBR Pile that I’m enjoying by Vanessa Miller, Jacquelin Thomas, Attica Locke.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #veterans #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyindiebookstore @atlantahistorycenter
What a world wind! I’m finally getting to post pictures from two #booksigning events this week.
@vahibooks Virginia Highlands Books is adorable with friendly staff and shelves and shelves of amazing books. We sold out of Murder in Westminster (I’m sure they can order you a copy 😘)
I did leave a few signed copies of Sister Mother Warrior too.
Yes, those are Cheryl’s Cookies. I do bring goodies for signings.
@talltalesbooks is fabulous. They set up a great outdoor display so I could greet the public. Another amazing #indiebookstore. Check out their banned books and staff picks!!!
Thank you readers, especially new to me readers for coming and supporting my career and indie bookstores!!!
#Fashion: @eshakti burgundy shirt dress and teal jumpsuit
#books #historical #mystery #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist #historicalfiction #sisterhood #bookstagram #blackbooktok #forgottenhistory #bookstore #blackwomen #blackhistory #vanessarileybooks #vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #london #murderinwestminster #ladyworthing #murdermystery #mysteries #mysteryseries #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyindiebookstore #womandetective
Is art in your soul?
Art is all around us, from nature’s flowers to things made by human hands. I love seeing and feeling art. It helps me create my art, writing novels.
While in Jamaican, the rental has art everywhere—vases, sculptures, canvases. If you’ve followed my journey as an author, you know how important the visuals are, especially the covers of my books. I want power, representation, beauty. I see it on every wall.
I’ve included Murder in Westminster, Island Queen, Sister Mother Warrior, and the latest, a poster of Queen of Exiles. I think they fit with the motif of this inspiring house.
I’ve never felt a place like this. I am sharing with you some of my favorites. Who are your favorite artists or art?
Ok, I have to get back to writing, but it’s hard when you’re enjoying every little nook filled treasures.
Like, Follow, Share: for more on my writing/travel/foodie world.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #art #artwork #painting #bookcover
#vanessarileyhere #travel #airbnb #blackart #jamaica #jamaican