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Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from Dawn Kinzer’s romance novel, Where Love Is Planted—book one of the Meriside Romance series.  

Heroine Beth Miller prepares a dinner of Chicken Tortellini soup and the scene serves as a backdrop of appreciation and reflection by hero Tyler Sharp.

Here’s the Scene:

Ty tasted the soup filled with shredded chicken, tortellini, carrots, red pepper, onions, fresh parsley, and spinach. “Wow, this is amazing. It has a slight kick to it.”

“It comes from the combination of onions, fresh garlic, and a small amount of red pepper flakes. Too spicy? 

“No, not at all.” He took another bite, savoring the flavor. The biscuits complimented the meal. “Thanks for bringing dinner. I appreciate the offer, especially when you’re so busy at the garden center.”

“I don’t cook much. It feels like too much effort for one person.” Beth broke a biscuit in half. “So when I have the opportunity to make a meal for someone, it’s fun.”

They inhaled the food, and between bites, talked about the renovation. Trying to be discreet, Ty watched Beth as she soaked in the remaining daylight. Where had her mind wandered off to? What was she thinking? By her expression, she felt at peace. He understood. This place did the same for him. It calmed him. Made him feel God’s presence.

It felt natural for him to share this moment with her. Like they could remain like this for days, not saying a word, yet completely comfortable with silence.   He’d never experienced this before.

Her trance broke, she returned to the present, and smiled at him. If only Ty could tuck that lovely expression away and carry it with him.

Beth attempted to hide a large yawn and leaned back in her chair. “Excuse me. Along with working at the prison, I’ve been putting in a lot of hours at the garden center. And I’m still popping in to visit George. You remember him? The gentleman with Alzheimer’s?”

“There were moments when he thought you were his wife.” And she’d been so kind and gentle with the man, never correcting him.

“I try to spend time with the other people you met that day as well—Mrs. Middleton, the lady who broke her hip, and Colton, the little boy who is autistic. There are several others who benefit from digging in the dirt. But the three you met have all asked about you.” She grinned. “You made quite an impression on them.”

“I’ve stopped by to see Mr. Middleton a few times and played backgammon. He served during the Vietnam War and has shared some of his experiences. Not all vets want to talk about what they went through.”

“You’re a good listener.” She leaned back and closed her eyes, and her face glowed from the sun’s rays as the orb lowered farther in the horizon.

Was this woman an angel? Everything about her convinced Ty that she could be one in disguise. Beautiful was an understatement, but how she continued to sacrifice her time to serve others daily blew him away. Did she ever put herself first?

Author Dawn Kinzer shares this recipe:

                           Chicken Tortellini Soup

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

More about Where Love Is Planted:

She’s bound to past promises. He’s captive to future goals. Will their loyalty to others cost them their own happiness?

 Or will something beautiful grow where love is planted?

Two years have passed since a tragedy changed Beth Miller’s life forever. Since her father’s and brother’s unexpected deaths, Beth has put her future as a licensed horticultural therapist on hold. The garden center and floral shop that her mom and sister love is struggling. And her young brother’s widow is still trying to find her way. Beth’s devotion puts her family’s needs first.

To further his career and atone for his own tainted past, Tyler Sharp accepts a position as a social worker at a women’s prison. The facility is located near his great-aunt in the small port town of Meriside, Washington. While he’s intrigued with the woman living in the studio apartment behind his aunt’s home, as soon as he can return to Colorado, he and his best friend will initiate a program there for at-risk kids.

As secrets are exposed and hearts soften, their growing feelings for each other bring new challenges. Will Beth complete a necessary internship if it means helping the person who caused her loved ones so much pain? And if she’s unwilling to leave her family, and Tyler will never intentionally disappoint his loyal buddy in Colorado, how could they ever hope to create a life together?

Join Beth and Tyler in the Pacific Northwest as they explore what it means to sacrifice, hope for the future, and experience miracles where love is planted.

About the Author:

Dawn Kinzer, a mom and grandmother, lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, cinnamon, popcorn, strong coffee, good wine, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

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