Irish Luck Awaits! FREE ebook opportunity & recipe from Zoe M. McCarthy's new novel

Irish Luck Awaits! FREE ebook opportunity & recipe from Zoe M. McCarthy's new novel
Sunday, March 16, 2025 by Sally Jo Pitts

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from Zoe M. McCarthy’s novel, Adjacent on the Lake—A Hidden Valley Lake Book. (Zoe is offering a chance to win a free ebook. Read on!)

Heroine, Rachel Bradbury learns to make Irish Soda Bread from her new Irishman neighbor Michael Doyle’s grandad, Harry.

Here’s the Scene:

Before Rachel and Harry tackled the soda bread recipe, Rachel helped him get the stew simmering on the stove. She jotted notes for preparing the stew below the directions for baking soda bread and looked forward to giving her friends loaves made from the new recipe.

Harry emptied the plastic shopping bags of nonperishable items Michael had brought from the grocery store. “Since we don’t have an iron skillet, we’ll bake the bread in the oven.” He inspected the ingredients on the counter, then looked inside the empty plastic bag and a few of the cupboards. “Where are the raisins? Soda bread in my kitchen must contain raisins.” He grabbed his cane leaning against a kitchen chair and headed for the foyer. He veered into the living room and peered through the front window. “The boyo isn’t outside. Where is he? Michael!”

Rachel wandered just outside the kitchen. Harry raised his head toward the upstairs railing.

“Michael!”

Michael came to the railing overlooking the foyer. “What’re you givin’ out about?”

“Where are the raisins for the soda bread?”

Rachel moved closer.

Michael dug into his jeans pocket. “Raisins weren’t on your list.”

“I must have included them in the messages.”

Michael let the folded list drop over the railing. “Check it yourself.” He turned and strode toward the room at the end of the hall—Olivia’s old room.

Harry caught and fumbled the paper. He leaned his cane against his hip, unfolded the page, and scanned the list. He dropped his hand holding the paper to his side and turned toward the kitchen. When he saw Rachel, he shook his head. “We won’t be bakin’ or enjoyin’ soda bread with our tae. So it is.”

Rachel snapped her fingers. “I may have a solution. I don’t have raisins at home, but I do have sweetened dried cranberries.”

Harry pursed his lips, then his face brightened. “That would work!”

Within minutes, Rachel returned with the cranberries and breathed in the stew’s heavenly aroma. They stirred and kneaded the dough and placed it in the baking pan, then slid the pan into the oven.

Irish Soda Bread

Harry says this bread is sooo good and Zoe shares this Irish Soda Bread recipe that she adapted from Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread recipe at sallysbakingaddiction.

For the recipe click here.

For additional recipes on this blog, click here.

More About Adjacent on the Lake:

Why has the attractive yet unpleasant Irishman uprooted his grandad from Ireland and moved them to “Obscure Community,” USA?

Irishman Michael Doyle has a lot on his shoulders: settlin’ Grandad into their new gaff on the lake; convincin’ the auld man to stick to their story script; and avoidin’ their wee next-door-neighbor, Ms. Bradbury.

Rachel Bradbury, a widow of six years, is a levelheaded bank manager in Hidden Valley. She’s counseled her widowed friends during their dating-again troubles, but she’s clueless how to escape her own current funk. Time is running out to start a family. Dating distresses her, and prospects are few.

Michael’s delightful grandfather, Harry, is the perfect remedy for Rachel’s slump. Like Harry, she’s hooked on movies—her mainstay during chronic insomnia. And their mutual love for baking will allow her to collect his Irish recipes.

Now, Michael’s in bits. Grandad has invited Ms. Bradbury to watch old movies in their sittin’ room. It may help the auld man cope with leavin’ Ireland, but it poses a risk to their current situation.

While stuffed-shirt Michael monitors Rachel and Grandad’s friendship, Rachel is suspicious about Michael’s motives for moving to Hidden Valley. Can their future relationship hold anything other than aloof tolerance?

Free eBook Opportunity:

In the comments below, share the favorite country (besides the U.S.) you have visited or would like to visit.

(Offering a free ebook of Adjacent on the Lake to one lucky commentor. The book is also available on KindleUnlimited.)

About the author:

Zoe M. McCarthy was pegged an expressive analytic in a personality test. Isn’t that an oxymoron? But it’s true. Zoe couldn’t survive without expressing her creative imaginings. Yet, this retired actuary* and introvert receives her energy from being alone in her home overlooking a lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Believing opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences Her ten romances involve tenderness and humor. Her two books of Christian allegories are quirky and to the point. She also has a book on writing, Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days. Zoe the introvert, a grandmother of seven, enjoys spending time on the lake, leading Bible studies, and writing in her cabin—alone.

*Actuaries perform all the mathematical analysis for insurance companies, pricing products and estimating reserves to pay claims.

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Comments

Maria Mast From Mississippi At 3/18/2025 11:12:14 PM

I would love to go to England some day! I’ve been to Kenya twice to visit my sister and family who are missionaries there and enjoyed both trips! ??

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for sharing.

Wenonah From Arizona At 3/18/2025 7:29:42 PM

Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Denmark New Zealand/Tasmania and Australia These are countries my husband and(or) I have ancestors from. He said one of his relatives inherited a castle in Scotland. Unfortunately we've no idea which or where...

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

The castle sounds intriguing!

Zoe M. McCarthy From Virginia At 3/18/2025 11:30:15 AM

This is a reply to Jan. I was a health actuary and my husband was a life actuary. We do show up now and then, don't we?

Mary Garback From Ridgecrest, CA At 3/18/2025 2:45:38 AM

I'm 75% Irish; someday I'd like to visit Ireland. The book sounds good; I'd enjoy winning a copy.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for stopping by and sharing!

Zoe M. McCarthy From Virginia At 3/18/2025 12:47:37 AM

Since my husband was of Irish decent we always wanted to visit Ireland. We planned a trip there and had bought the flight tickets when COVID hit and we had to cancel. :o(

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Such a shame you missed going, Zoe, but I feel like I you give us a bit of Ireland through the use of dialect in Adjacent on the Lake.

Jan From Pennsylvania At 3/17/2025 5:31:31 PM

Would love to win a copy of Zoe's book. I'm also a retired "actuary" who worked in the pension field. Zoe, give Bruno and Buster hugs from me!!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A fellow actuary--how great!

Em Dobschuetz From Wisconsin At 3/17/2025 3:36:49 PM

I would love to go visit Ireland!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Me too!

Zoe M. McCarthy From Virginia At 3/17/2025 2:29:49 PM

Sally, Thanks for hosting Adjacent on the Lake. I hope everyone enjoys the Irish soda bread while reading my story about Irishmen Michael and Harry, and Rachel.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

So happy to share your book and recipe, Zoe

Linda Henderson From Arkansas At 3/17/2025 1:33:54 PM

I always wanted to go to Australia or Ireland.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Two places I'd love to see as well.

Heather Olsen From Idaho, USA At 3/17/2025 12:06:05 PM

I went on a mission trip to Tanzania. I would love to visit Scotland.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I had to look up where Tanzania is! (Africa) I just met someone from Scotland at a conference. Love the accent!

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 3/17/2025 10:55:23 AM

Hi Zoe and Sally Jo! I was blessed to go on a tour of israel in 2022 and loved it, despite the fractured shouler I incurred our second night there! I am of Irish descent. Your book sounds wonderful, Zoe. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Blessings on your writing!