A Contemporary Christmas Carol Retell--book giveaway, novel scene, & recipe from Carol of the Rooms

A Contemporary Christmas Carol Retell--book giveaway, novel scene, & recipe from Carol of the Rooms
Friday, November 1, 2024 by Sally Jo Pittw

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from Diana Leagh Matthews’ novel Carol of the Rooms.

Scene excerpt from Carol of the Rooms:

Terri’s mind drifted to the obligations of the day. Tomorrow would be Thanksgiving Day. For many businesses, today meant a partial workday, but she had no intention of closing early. She would be there all day. No need to miss out on a dollar less than could be earned. She’d signed a deal with Mr. Peterson to design a skyscraper for his international business moving to the area. That would pad her bank account nicely. Her heart leapt at the thought of all those bills in her hand.

Her smile dissipated when she pulled into the lot and parked. Waiting for her was the one person she didn’t want to see. Ever.

She pushed open her car door. “What do you want?”

“Good to see you too, Aunt Ri,” Emma said.

Her adopted niece stood before Terri for her annual visit. The girl grated on her nerves. She was always so sweet. Too sweet. Emma never gave up trying to include Terri in various holiday celebrations—no matter how much Terri wished she would.

“I hate that name.” Terri bristled, grabbing her purse and files for the office.

Emma seemed to ignore her aunt’s sour mood. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

“If you say so.” Terri pulled her keys out of the ignition.

“Derrick and I want you to join us for Thanksgiving dinner.”

“I’ll pass.” Terri stepped out of the car and shot the young woman a menacing look.

“But we’ll have turkey, ham, macaroni and cheese, homemade dressing—”

“I said I’d pass.” Terri slammed the car door and stormed toward her office building. “Don’t follow me,” she called over her shoulder. She had no desire to spend time with this girl. Why did Sophia ever make her Emma’s godmother? Terri had no use for the young woman. After all, she’d lived while her mother died giving birth to her.

Terri caught her breath. I miss my best friend.

“If you change your mind, we’d love to have you,” Emma called one last time.

That girl wouldn’t give up.

Author Diana Leagh Matthews shares this recipe from her Great-Grandmother. It is a classic cornbread dressing recipe that she grew up on.

Grandma’s Southern Cornbread Dressing

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

More about Carol of the Rooms:

Driven. Divisive. Dissonant.
Terri Neely is propelled by greed and ambition. She refuses to let anyone—except for her beloved Gramps—past her hard exterior. Long ago, her faith waivered, and her love of music turned to hate.
That is until an accident forces her to view the soundtrack of her life as she visits her past, present, and future.
Can the songs in Terri’s life change her heart and restore her faith before it’s too late?

A reviewer says: It was uplifting and a perfect story for the holiday season. A Christmas Carol is a favorite of mine and this retelling by Diana Leagh Matthews, did not disappoint. It reinstated what is important in life—loving others. The music theme weaves its way through the story as we follow Terri Neely and her discovery at coming face to face at what she’s become.

About the author:

Diana Leagh Matthews shares God's love through her story from rebel to redeemed. Her day job is as a volunteer coordinator, but at night she writes and hunts genealogy. She provides programs as a speaker, teacher, vocalist, and presents historical monologues. Leagh’s (pronounced L-e-e) debut novel Carol of the Rooms premiered in late 2023. Her second novel, Forever Changed, will be released in early 2025. Leagh lives in South Carolina with her spunky Maltese and writes about the history behind the hymns at www.DianaLeaghMatthews.com.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Share your favorite classic holiday food in the comments for a chance to win a signed copy of Carol of the Rooms.

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Comments

jacqueline graves From Atlanta GA At 11/5/2024 12:10:29 PM

Funny how many people have something they say they love, but no one else in their family will eat it. My mother was like that with beets. Maybe we need a big ol' potluck - one off foods - will you eat with me? haha

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

What a fun idea.

Sam From At 11/4/2024 1:09:04 AM

Classic wise for favorite holiday food I'd probably have to go with the stuffing, but I also love stuffed dates- don't know if they are considered classic though.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Stuffed dates. That's a new one on me. Thanks for responding.

katie From Ojai At 11/3/2024 11:38:14 PM

I love my aunt's ginger cookie recipe or the fondue we do on Christmas Eve

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Those foods sound lovely for the holidays.

jacqueline graves From Atlanta GA At 11/3/2024 5:03:01 PM

Favorite food for the holidays is deviled eggs. I could seriously eat the whole platter full! I love the basic, classic recipe, but I also have several variations including a dilled version and the avocado egg that made the rounds a couple of years ago. Yes, I have a special platter just for them.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Avocado egg. That is a new on me!

Julie From Tennnessee At 11/3/2024 9:08:37 AM

I love dressing, but no one else in my family will eat it.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Alas, I understand. I love butternut squash and no one else will touch it.

Leagh Matthews From At 11/2/2024 8:34:17 PM

I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments and favorite foods. Thank you for sharing and telling us about some of your traditions as well.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Leagh, you have generated lots of fun food ideas for the holidays.

Anne-Marie Webster From Massachusetts At 11/2/2024 8:29:49 PM

I love homemade cranberry orange sauce!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Someone else mentioned cranberry orange sauce. I've never tried it but it sounds good.

Shelia Hall From USA At 11/2/2024 7:32:36 PM

mine is sweet potato casserole

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A tradition with my family too, but only if there are toasty marshmallows are on top!

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 11/2/2024 7:00:21 PM

Homemade Orange cookies are very yummy ?? in the tummy.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

They do sound yummy.

Cathy Calomino From Schaumburg, IL At 11/2/2024 2:09:15 PM

My favorite holiday food is stuffing.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes. Stuffing in a turkey was my grandma's specialty that I never mastered, unfortunately.

Joye From Arizona At 11/2/2024 1:07:51 PM

I love a good pecan pie

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A SWEET favorite in my family too.

Alicia Haney From Texas At 11/2/2024 12:36:31 PM

Yam casserole is my favorite besides a delicious cornbread dressing that my son in law makes. Have a great weekend and Thank you for the chance.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Great traditional dishes!

Deborah D From Pennsylvania At 11/2/2024 12:18:24 PM

I love green bean casserole.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

This is a good one, but most of my family balks at mixtures.

Kathleen Ann Gardine From Kingsford, MI At 11/2/2024 12:04:27 PM

My favorite "holiday" food is pumpkin pie!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Love this one. I am making one from pureed pumpkin used to decorate for Halloween.

Elizabeth From Ga At 11/2/2024 11:10:27 AM

My mama's dressing. Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without it and cranberry sauce. Yum. The book sounds intriguing.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes. I love to put cranberry sauce on leftover turkey in sandwiches.

Heather Swanson From Ont Canada At 11/2/2024 9:26:54 AM

I love to make my cranberry/orange sauce.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds mighty good.

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 11/2/2024 8:51:55 AM

Favorite holiday food is Homemade Orange Cookies

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds yummy.

Lisa Sabatini From Pittston, PA At 11/2/2024 7:56:16 AM

When I was a child many, many years ago, our family always had rutabaga for holiday meals, a favorite vegetable for me. The following day, my mom would take the leftover rutabaga and mashed potatoes, mix them together, and form patties that she fried in a pan on the stove. Absolutely delicious!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I love this idea. I'll have to try it.

Darlene Owen From USA At 11/2/2024 6:11:58 AM

I love turkey, dressing and all the fixings

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

My family does too!

Felicia Lockamy From Phoenix AZ At 11/2/2024 4:17:23 AM

Favorite food, that’s a hard one. What’s turkey without stuffing, cranberry sauce, you know…the works. I can see the sweet potatoes right next to the mashed potatoes. I really believe, though I would truly choose dessert.