Honoring My Mother for Women’s History Month

Since March is Women’s History Month I thought I’d share with you some of the women who have made an impact in my life. For starters, the woman who gave me life, my mother Carmen. My mom was an absolutely amazing woman who was also a friend and mentor. She taught me so much and made me the woman I am today even though she’s been gone from my life for far longer than she was in it. But her spirit and determination live on in me, my sister, and her granddaughters. I think she would be very proud of all that we’ve accomplished. Thank you, mom.

These three photos represent my mom in various stages of her life. To the left is a picture of her as a toddler posing in traditional Galician garb. I believe the photo was taken in Spain during a visit there. The photo to the bottom left is my mom as a teenager. The photo to the upper right is my mom on her wedding day. So beautiful! I miss her every day.
caridad mom

Winner of The Family She Never Met Giveaway

Thank you all for taking part in The Family She Never Met Giveaway. I’ve chosen a winner — Kelly D. Reads! Thank you, Kelly.

As I’ve mentioned before, The Family She Never Met is a book of my heart because I’m sharing some of my family’s real-life stories about our escape from Cuba. But it is also a story about three women separated by the hurts of the past and a strong and sexy romance about two people drawn together despite their very different lives. I hope you will take a moment to read more about The Family She Never Met at https://bit.ly/FamilySheNeverMet.
Caridad Women's Fiction

Very Last Day for Giveaway and 99 cent Pricing

Today is the very last day to enter The Family She Never Met giveaway and to also get special 99 cent pricing on a number of different books and novellas. You can enter the giveaway at https://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author/posts/10158468970925913 and check out the specially priced books at https://books2read.com/rl/ValentinesDay99Cents. You can also read the first three chapters of Winning Season, a sports romance, for free on Kindle Vella at https://amzn.to/3v5nVEl.
Caridad romance author

A Child of the Cold War

I was a child of the Cold War. I remember sitting in classes and having to do exercises where we learned to “Duck and Cover.” Russia and China, and other Communist nations were our enemies because Democracy and Freedom were anathema to them. As a child of Cuba, I possibly feared them more than most.

It was with relief that I saw the Berlin Wall come down in 1989 and shortly thereafter, saw the break-up of the Soviet Union. But while that brought relief, over the years the rise of China dimmed that relief because of what they represent and what they do to their citizens.

My gut chilled to see Putin and Xi all buddy-buddy at the start of the Genocide Olympics. To me, it boded a return to the Cold War that I thought had ended in the 1990s.

I pray for the people of Ukraine and also the people of Taiwan. There is no doubt in my mind that their freedom and lives are at risk. Pray for them and for America for we are at risk as well.

A Reflective Moment

With an upcoming birthday and a new release – The Family She Never Met – I’ve found myself in a reflective moment lately, especially since The Family She Never Met has so much of my real life in it. You can find out more about that novel at https://bit.ly/FamilySheNeverMet.

Is my life what I imagined it would be when I was a child? I had so many dreams back then and as I look back at those dreams and where I am today, I can find satisfaction about so many things and yet still wish for more for others.

How about you? What would your ten-year-old self think about where you are today?

Asian Noodle Salad

Hubby and I were watching America’s Test Kitchen the other day when they decided to make a Soba Noodle Salad. Since I’m trying to get more veggies into my diet, it seemed like a good way to accomplish that, but I decided to change up the recipe a little to also add some more protein. I did that by making it a peanut-based dressing and we also added some leftover steak, but that’s not necessary. With all the veggies and the noodles, this salad is satisfying all on its own!

Ingredients

    8 ounces buckwheat soba noodles

Peanut Sauce

    1 tsp grated ginger
    3 tablespoons mirin
    2 tbsp soy sauce
    3 tbsp soy sauce
    3 tbsp sesame seeds
    1 cup peanut butter
    1/3 cup water

Vegetables

    3 radishes
    2 mini cucumbers or 1 cup English cucumber
    1 carrot
    12-18 snow peas
    3 scallions

Directions:

Bring water to a boil for the buckwheat noodles. I had a hard time finding these in my local market and substituted whole wheat spaghetti. I’ll have to pick up some buckwheat noodles next time I visit H-Mart. Once the water is boiling, cook according to the package instructions or until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to keep the noodles from sticking and clumping.

For the sauce: Mix all the ingredients. If you like a strong peanut taste, add a little more peanut butter. You can also spice this up a little more by adding a clove or two of grated garlic. If you like a little heat, try adding some siracha to the sauce.

For the vegetables: Cut the radishes in half and then into half-moons. Leave the skin on the cucumbers and cut in half and on the bias. Julienne the carrot (or hand-cut into matchsticks). I bought a little julienne tool ages ago and it works like a charm. Stack the snow peas and cut into matchsticks. Cut the scallions down the length and then cut on the bias.

You can find more recipes in my Cook’s Treat section or my free Kindle Unlimited book Recipes for the Romantic Soul.

To finish: Place the noodles in your serving bowl and add the sauce. Toss well to coat. Then add your veggies and toss!
Caridad Romance Author Recipe