As many of you know, I wrote and released a series this year called Matchmaking Moms of Oceanview Church. Three moms who meet at a Bible Study discover that one thing they have in common is an adult offspring, who for one reason or another, has stalled out in the Love Department. The moms want to team up to remedy this problem. They realize any actions they take need to be shrouded in secrecy. Thus, they come up with a set of ground rules and get to work uncovering love.
From the very beginning of writing this series, it seemed that food kept finding its way into the stories. The Matchmaking Moms love to cook, so that made sense. Also, it was my own New Years Resolution to sample two new recipes a week in 2020, so I suppose the recipes were fresh in my mind as I wrote. Since the series finale was published in October, it dawned on me what a fun project it would be if I created a Matchmaking Moms Cookbook, a collection of the food I used in the stories, write out the recipes, add a commentary of what each recipe means to me personally as the author, and offer it as a Christmas gift to readers.
Click right here to get your cookbook!
The cookbook is electronic. If you want to download it to your Kindle, your Nook, your computer or whatever device, just click the link above and follow the directions. Or, if you, like me, prefer to have the printed recipe sitting beside you on the counter as you cook, click to send the file to your computer, download the PDF and print it out.
Enjoy and bon appetit!
Here is an excerpt from Finding Love for the Loner . Winston and Tina are working together to prepare Summer Seafood Chowder, which is featured in the cookbook:
As March bloomed in Murrells Inlet, so did the flowers and the warm weather. Tourists wearing bathing suits and carrying golf clubs flocked to the area for spring break. Restaurants grew crowded and Winston and Tina avoided those popular with vacationers. Instead, they either ate out at casual eateries that catered to locals, or they cooked together in his kitchen or hers.
Winston loved the routine they’d developed of seeing each other a few evenings a week, and every weekend. One date he planned, followed by the next date of her planning. This required him to step up his game and not fall into bad habits such as sitting in front of the TV with her each night.
Tonight, he stopped at the grocery store after work and picked up fresh shrimp, scallops, cream, bacon and baby potatoes. He’d found a recipe on a website that sounded good, and he knew with Tina’s help, they could make it together for dinner. When he arrived home, he laid all the ingredients on the counter as well as the recipe he’d printed out.
Tina arrived ten minutes after he’d changed clothes into khaki shorts and a soft, well-worn button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up. She walked in without ringing the bell, partially because they were that familiar with each other now, and partially because Rebel grew agitated when the doorbell rang, and this way, the dog could celebrate the surprise of Tina’s arrival.
Tina held a stalk of something green in her hand, but he ignored it until after he’d welcomed her by pulling her into his arms, resting his face into the spot where her neck met her shoulder and breathed in her scent. Placing his lips on hers for a quick kiss, he said, “Missed you today.”
She smiled happily. “Missed you, too.” She shook the greens at him. “I had extra fresh parsley from the last recipe we made so I figured we could chop some and put it in the seafood chowder.”
He nodded. “Good. Recipe doesn’t call for it but it’s always good to improvise.”
“I can’t wait to get this going.” She rubbed her hands and stalked into the kitchen. “I haven’t had fresh shellfish in, I don’t know how long.”
They took their places at his counter, side-by-side, following the recipe, chopping, browning, stirring, until the full chowder was in the stockpot, thickening over a low heat. They both stood and watched it form, their stomachs groaning for that first taste.
I’d love your thoughts on this: do you like it when a story includes foody details like what the characters eat, what they cook, etc? Does that add to the story or would you prefer it was left out? I’ll give away one Kindle ebook copy to one random commenter. I will select the winner on December 30. The winner can choose his/her choice of one book in the Matchmaking Moms series.
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
I enjoy reading about food as I love to cook and bake.
I agree Lucy! Enjoy the cookbook!
Even though I don’t like to cook, I love reading books with food details 🤓
Maybe it makes you hungry? ;)
Thank you so much! I love to cook!
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
I love to combine my love of reading and passion for baking/cooking. This always makes it feel more genuine to me because even if it’s not something we all like to do, it is something that has to be done. We all have to eat! It can be a great bonding time. Thanks for the recipes!
I totally agree Deb! Enjoy!
I loved this series!! I’ll definitely be checking out the recipes, since I just downloaded them!!! Thank you!!!
Thank you for the kind words Trudy! Enjoy the recipes!
I enjoy reading about the food they cook, and when recipes are included. The only time I don’t care for it is when its focused on for too long or to minute detail.
Yes I agree. Too much detail drags the pace.
I love food in a story especially if the author includes the recipe at the end of book!
Great idea! And the same idea goes with crafts. I once had a knitting activity in one my stories and included the pattern in the end of the book. I hope you’ll download the cookbook and enjoy some recipes from the series!
Hi Laurie, I really like it when food is included in books, it makes it even more realistic when people cook and have meals. Your book sounds like a Great read. I wanted to tell you that I loved your book “Finding Love for the Playboy” I really enjoyed this book, I loved everything about it, I Highly recommend it to everybody who enjoys a clean and Beautiful love story. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. <3 (not entering the giveaway for the ebook, but thank you, I do't read ebooks at all)
Hi Alicia! Thank you so much for your endorsement!
I like it when food and cooking it is included in the book. It may or may not be something that I’d want to eat, but it adds a special detail to the story.
I agree, Kathy. I love knowing details such as what’s being served at a special meal in a story.
In fiction I can like food. in reality I am one of the fussiest eaters you will find which doesn’t help when some of my favourite foods I now can’t eat. There are foods I don’t like reading about like strawberries cos I really dislike them with a passion. But its fun to read some of the things people eat. Like in an Amish book some of the foods have interesting names and sound so exciting. The same in other books foods can sound so exciting. Its also fun to read a book where the characters were visiting Australia and trying vegemite for the first time. The description of them spreading the toast (way to thick) had me laughing cos I knew what the reaction would be. I think it adds to a story (and even when a character doesn’t like the food or its a failure its real).
Thanks for the free download.
I’ve never been a picky eater! There are a few foods I don’t care for but I can always find something else to pick!
I wish I wasn’t fussy. Its not easy to start liking foods you don’t like and it is difficult going out at times. I can normally find something. But would be nice to have more options. Due to meds I now can’t eat much bread or those sorts of foods which is a real problem. I would have a roll/bun for lunch or toast or a sandwich for lunch. now I can eat a little but often if I cook toast a few bites and then It makes me feel sick.
Would be interesting to see a book with a fussy eater, Or someone who uses creative ways to not eat certain foods.
I usually enjoy when food plays a role in the story. Christy Barritt’s Lantern Beach Series has the Crazy Chefette and Becky Doughty’s Elderberry Croft and Elderberry Days (especially the latter) have recipes that play a role. Too much detail can bog things down but, in general, I like it.
Sounds good Lincoln! I agree!
Reading about food in a book usually makes me hungry, lol! Sometimes it’s even a new recipe that I’d like to try at home for myself. I’ve made monster cookies from a recipe that an author included in her book (yum!)
As long as it doesn’t drag the story down by too much description, I think talking about food is good. Thanks for the cookbook!
Don’t enter me into the contest as I have read a couple of these books, with the rest on my TBR pile once the New Year comes around. My Christmas books took precedence :-)
Hi Trixi! Thanks for your comment!
Thank you so much. I love to cook and bake. I’m always looking for new recipes to try.
Well I hope you enjoy the cookbook! There are some really good ones in there!
I love foodie details. Bonus recipe at the end of the book is a nice touch, too.
Denise, thanks for the comment!
It depends. I do enjoy a few details on what they may have cooked or ordered at a restaurant, but honestly, if it is described too much, it makes me hungry, and I sometimes will go and get something to munch on when I really don’t need it.
I do enjoy a few recipes at the end, especially if it is something like ‘the National Dish of the particular area’. Blessings to all,
Sandra, that made me laugh! And yes, I’m the same way!
Love food and cooking included. Thanks for t he recipe book. If people can cook together it’s a great sign that they can work or be together successfully.
You’re welcome Dianne! Hey, that’s a good thought. If a couple can cook together, they might be able to make a relationship work!
Laurie
I like it when there is food in a book, but not too much!
Yes, I totally agree. A “taste” but not too much.