Free Romance Novella by Carmen Peone plus Food Scene and Scrumptious Recipe

Free Romance Novella by Carmen Peone plus Food Scene and Scrumptious Recipe
Friday, January 31, 2025 by Sally Jo Pitts

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from Carmen Peone’s The Lawyer, the Cook, and their Christmas Wish—A Seven Tine Ranch Romance Novella.

(Carmen is offering a free download of the novella for a signup to her newsletter.)

Heroine Mandie Sellers has to taste wedding cake without her fiancé because he had to fly to the other side of the state for job interview.

Here is the scene:

Inside the toasty bakery scented with cinnamon and ginger, Christmas

music played softly in the background, and a Christmas tree hovered in the corner. Mandie shed her winter garments and found the owner, a spunky blonde named Tillie who wore a red apron dotted with Christmas cupcakes.

“Not sure if you’d make it with the storm brewing and all.” Tillie wagged her finger at the front windows. “I’m sure glad you did.”

“There’s a storm coming?” Mandie should have kept an eye on the weather. Her mind whirled with what-ifs. What if the storm blocked the pass? What if Holly decided to

cancel her wedding because her family couldn’t make it in time? What if—she rubbed her temples, capturing her fearful thoughts and handing them over to God.

“That’s what the news said.” Tillie flashed Mandie a festive smile. “Alrighty then. Why don’t you take a seat, and I’ll get your samples.”

Mandie chose a spot by the window. A small, round, ornate vase filled with red-and-green ornaments and topped with red curling ribbon and green holiday picks centered the table. Tilly brought out a tray of cake samples with maroon-and-champagne-colored frosting. Ah, her wedding colors looked lovely as a dessert. Her mood instantly brightened. “These are beautiful. I

can’t wait to taste them.”

The bell hanging over the door jingled, and a forty-something woman walked in. Tillie glanced at the woman, and then back to Mandie. “Let me know if you need anything. Otherwise, I’ll check on you in a bit.”

Mandie nodded and perused the choices in front of her. Tilly had labeled them with cute Christmas stocking markers. Mandie tried the vanilla confetti cake and raspberry lemon first. “Mmm.” Tasty. But neither flavor spoke nuptials. She went on to the spiced apple and

almond amaretto. Both were a step up from the first two. But without Hudson by her side, neither flavor hit the mark.

Next, she tried the Tiramisu sample and let the coffee and rum flavors roll around in her mouth. So far, that was her favorite choice. And Hudson more than likely would love the coffee in it. But honestly, without him, she couldn’t choose.

The Christmas spirit had fizzled that morning when he said goodbye before heading to the airport. And so far, it hadn’t returned.

Author Carmen Peone shares the recipe for the cake her heroine is tasting:

Tillie’s Tiramisu Wedding Cake

For the recipe go to Investigatin’ Recipes above under Investigator’s News or Click Here.

For a Free Download of The Lawyer, the Cook, and their Christmas Wish:

Don’t miss out! Carmen has made a copy of her romance novella available to anyone who wishes to subscribe to her newsletter.

Book link :

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/t4iqmcueah

About the author:

Carmen Peone is an award-winning author of Young Adult and Inspirational Western Romantic Suspense and lives with her husband in Northeast Washington and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation. With the love of history and the Western woman's lifestyle, she weaves threads of healing, hope, and horses that lead to happily ever after. https://carmenpeone.com/

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