Enjoy a YA Dystopian Giveaway, Novel Scene, & Recipe from Angela D. Shelton

Enjoy a YA Dystopian Giveaway, Novel Scene, & Recipe from Angela D. Shelton
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 by Sally Jo Pitts

Categories: Books & Food / Recommended Books

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from Angela’s D. Shelton’s YA novel, Rise of the Y: The Y Chronicles Book 1. Read on for a free book opportunity.

As the lead character is caught between duty and yearning for freedom, tension builds.

Here’s the scene:

She set the strawberries on the counter. “I picked up a peace offering. I don’t want to fight.”

He nodded, wadded the empty wrapper, and tossed it in the recycle bin. “I guess that answers my question then. Why won’t you follow through with the retest?”

The disappointment dulling his eyes brought back memories of his scolding any time she failed to ace an exam. Years’ worth of you-can-do-better lectures. But the look had the opposite effect this time. She was an adult now. He could glare all he wanted to, but it only solidified her decision. “I can’t. I need to follow my own path. The life in engineering, in Administration, isn’t for me.”

He crossed his arms, and his gaze hardened. “You’d rather pick through garbage for the rest of your life than use your brain? Few people have the mental discipline to be an engineer. You’re wasting your intellect.”

Tension stiffened her shoulders. They’d had this argument so many times. With the connections he had, she’d begged him to call in favors. He could’ve gotten her into the greenhouse. Instead, he’d said it was beneath her. Now he’d have to live with her corresponding choice. “I’m happy to be anywhere outside of Administration, especially engineering.”

His lips pursed as if he’d finalized a decision. When his stare returned to hers, the determination in his eyes warned she might have pushed him too far, one too many times. “Then I have no other choice. I didn’t want to have to do this, but if you’re resolved not to take the test again, I need to take care of myself.”

His words sounded ominous. What could he be up to?

“I guess we both need to do what we need to.”

Standing straight, he put his hands in his pockets. “You know they’ll reassign me to the dorms the moment you move out. Apartments are for families with children or those who are trying for a child. My only other option is to take a new wife.” He paused and set his jaw. “I’m requesting an assignment.”

The world froze in place, and ice filled her belly. She couldn’t have heard correctly. Sure, her parents had their differences, but they’d been together for eighteen years. Now would be the time to offer for him to live with her and her new husband, but he didn’t deserve any grace. He’d gone too far. “No. You… you can’t just replace Mom like she didn’t matter.”

His eyes widened, and his hands came out pleading. “Don’t you get it? I won’t live in the dorms now that I have an option to remarry. Once I move there, my career is over. Instead, I can have a fresh start. You could have a brother or sister. Wouldn’t that be great?”

The cynical laugh that tumbled out of her mouth said he didn’t deserve kindness. “Well then, I guess congratulations are due, aren’t they? I hope you’ll both be very happy.”

With a swipe of her arm, she sent the strawberry container flying off the counter.

Author Angela Shelton shares this delicious recipe that her characters are missing out on.

Strawberries Cream & Vanilla-Balsamic Drizzle

For the recipe click here.

For more recipes featured by authors, click here:

More about Rise of the Y:

The rebellion is about to begin.

The Imperium controls everything. They arrange marriages, dictate professions, and orchestrate everyone’s destiny. But seventeen-year-old Lexi refuses to accept. She’s ready to ignite a revolution of her own, but fate has other plans.

When a hidden diary falls into her hands, its weathered pages whisper of rebellion and hope. Now, Lexi is thrust into the perilous shadows of the elusive rebel group Y. In a whirlpool of danger, deceit, and forbidden alliances, every ally could be an enemy. Every truth could be a lie. And falling in love? That was never part of the plan.

Caught between duty and a yearning for freedom, Lexi navigates a treacherous path where love and loyalty are tested at every turn. Who can she trust in a world where betrayal lurks around every corner? As Imperium’s iron grip on dystopian Atlanta grows stronger, Lexi must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in her fight for freedom.

Perfect for fans of K.A. Riley and Rae Knightly, this clean YA romance is a pulse-pounding journey where forbidden love blooms in the cracks of a crumbling society. Rise of the Y explores the power of choice in a world that offers none.

Angela is offering a Free Kindle or Signed Paperback (winner’s choice) selected from those who comment below on fun ways strawberries might be prepared in a dystopian oppressed world.

(Offer good through October 20, 2025)

Meet Angela Shelton: Rancher by Day, Bestselling Dreamer by Night

She’s the faith-filled force behind heart-pounding romantic suspense and thought-provoking dystopian tales. With one foot planted firmly in Georgia cattle country and the other chasing publishing dreams, Angela blends hope, grit, and grace into every story she tells. Whether she's decoding healthcare billing like a pro or plotting her next YA twist

https://angeladshelton.com/

Comments

Aha Blume From ON At 10/28/2025 8:58:35 PM

I would save them up and then eat them all together.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good idea

Angela D Shelton From GA At 10/21/2025 6:19:11 AM

Love the rebel spirit there, Kelly V.!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Lots of interesting ideas.

Kelly V. From Florida At 10/19/2025 10:15:18 PM

Instead of eating them, some people press them against their skin for the juice to stain it like a tattoo, as an act of rebellion.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Clever idea.

Angela D Shelton From GA At 10/19/2025 2:52:48 PM

Wow! You've got some creating ideas on this team. I'd never thought of the protein angle. Brave indeed!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes. Some unique ideas people have come up with, Angela.

Laura From Illinois At 10/19/2025 1:24:48 AM

If I was in a dystopian world, the first thing I would do is eat as many of the strawberries as I could, right off the vine. Then I would gather the rest and after slicing them, I would lay them out on rocks in the sun to dry out, or I might drop them in honey to try and keep them longer.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Perfect for a dystopian world!

Leela From At 10/18/2025 11:10:51 PM

Strawberries floating in a glass jar.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Interesting.

Diana Hardt From California At 10/18/2025 9:06:15 PM

Strawberry jam

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A classic!

Jeanne Behrhof From NY At 10/18/2025 8:31:40 PM

Perhaps crickets would be paired with strawberries in a dystopian oppressed world, as they are a sustainable source of protein.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Oh, yummy!?

Laurel Whitney From New Hampshire At 10/18/2025 8:20:07 PM

In a dystopian society, I suggest strawberry crisp, strawberry salad, and strawberry preserves on biscuits.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice choices.

Felicia From AZ At 10/18/2025 8:07:41 PM

I can see this dessert going well with the book. Sometimes situations can be bitter(balsamic), sometimes sweet(vanilla), but when added all together it can turn out well.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Great observartion

Danielle Hull From IN At 10/18/2025 7:36:51 PM

Mixing them with medicinal herbs for health benefits! The tops can be eaten, too. We fed our tops to our rabbit this summer.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good nutrition idea.

Crystan From Pennsylvania At 10/18/2025 7:35:02 PM

In most dyatopian societies they don't have much to work with, but fresh, truly ripe strawberries are glorious on their own. For a special occasion I suppose they could cut them to look like flowers.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Creative idea.

Miranda Summerset From GA At 10/18/2025 7:16:22 PM

Strawberry & cream sandwiches?

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Why not!

Pam Belcher From West Virginia At 10/18/2025 7:15:20 PM

Is there a bad way to fix strawberries? Other than dipping in chocolate, I can and will eat them, Sam I am!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good point.

sandra burns From NC At 10/18/2025 7:06:32 PM

Ty I have fresh strawberries I just washed up. Hope to have some whipped cream in the fridge.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Happy eating.

Cheryll S. From Oregon, IL At 10/18/2025 4:49:23 PM

Strawberry anything! I say strawberry pie, strawberry preserves and I love them in oatmeal and tossed in yogurt or smoothies.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes. Sounds good.

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 10/18/2025 4:27:45 PM

Strawberries in a Dystopian world might look like our world being put in a bowl then the Dystopian people might put crunchy things that look like candy corn only cut up but its not cany corn they use different types of minerals to give themselves protein and make the food taste sweet HOPE I WIN!!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Interesting dystopian ideas.

Annie H From Maryland At 10/18/2025 4:24:47 PM

Strawberries can be skewered with sweet or savory things over a fire. Just a moment or two and they are ready. Add on top of foraged greens, add on top of meat for an addition of flavor (especially games meat), or as a warm and sweet dessert

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good ideas to fit in this world.

Deborah Clark From Oregon At 10/18/2025 4:23:51 PM

I think that they could be used as freeze-dried in a strawberry cream cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good idea.

JACQUELINE Jones From CA At 10/18/2025 4:22:18 PM

On strawberry shortcake with lots of whipcream.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A winning combination!

Tina H. From Green Forest, AR At 10/18/2025 4:08:44 PM

On tacos, hamburgers, sandwiches, or in a foraged salad.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Interesting

Linda Gawthrop From East Berlin, PA At 10/18/2025 4:05:44 PM

In a dystopian world can anything as luscious and seasonal as strawberries be grown - but perhaps without being feasted on by birds and other garden visitors they would have a chance? I am thinking hydroponics and as a mouth-watering topping for freeze-dried ice cream like the astronauts consume.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Very Creative

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 10/18/2025 4:02:42 PM

OH MY that Strawberry ?? Dessert looks delicious and yummy enough to eat now I want one LOL That book looks and sounds like a good read would like to read a print copy of book ?? so I can review it, you're new author to me so excited about trying your books ?? HOPE I WIN