Kick off the LOVE month with a recipe and book giveaway from Deb Raney

Kick off the LOVE month with a recipe and book giveaway from Deb Raney
Saturday, January 31, 2026 by Sally Jo Pitts

Categories: Books & Food / Recommended Books

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe come from Deborah Raney’s novel, Who Stirs Up the Sea (The God Who Series, book 2). Deb is offering a FREE copy to a commenter. Read on for details.

Character Tadhg McKay prepares a special birthday celebration for his girlfriend, Emma, while she thinks of a special cake her mother always baked for her.

Here’s the scene:

She heard Tadhg opening drawers in search of utensils and tableware.

“Let me know if you need help finding anything,” she shouted into the kitchen.

“Why don’t you go wait on the loggia,” he hollered back. “You’re making me nervous.”

“It’s too hot out there right now. I’ll be quiet. I promise.”

Smiling, she put her feet up on the sofa and basked in the sounds of him in the kitchen.

A few minutes later he came back to the living room and started arranging things on the table. One of the vases of flowers she’d arranged on the left end, a short stack of pretty paper plates and birthday napkins, and half a dozen colorful plastic cups. She was thankful for those limited numbers. For a minute, she’d been afraid he’d invited a bunch of their friends—neither of which knew each other. But it looked like the party might be just the two of them, and that was fine by her.

She was mildly disappointed to see that there wasn’t a birthday cake on the table. As long as she could remember, Mom had always made her famous Peach Caramel Pound Cake for Emma’s birthday. But maybe there was a store-bought cake in the kitchen or the fridge. And even if there wasn’t, she couldn’t possibly feel more cherished for all Tadhg had done to make her day special.

He added a lavender envelope with her name on it and a beautifully wrapped gift box to the table. The thin box bore a sticker with a jeweler’s logo and was the shape that might hold a necklace or bracelet.

After a few minutes of puttering at the table—with her doing her best to keep her vow of silence—he picked up a large, flat box he’d leaned near the front door, and brought it over to the sofa.

“Okay, this is part of the decorations, but it’s also a present, so you get to open this before we eat. Sorry I didn’t wrap it but—” He shrugged.

She swung her legs to the floor and straightened. He watched while she untaped the box and slid out a canvas. He set the cardboard box aside, then took the canvas from her and turned it around so she could see the front.

Tears sprang to her eyes. “Oh, Tadhg, I love it!”

Deb shares about the cake she chose to mention in her novel. “I have a cake recipe (one I made up but that turns out delicious!) that is the special birthday cake my character’s mom makes for her every year. The novel is set on Saint Simons Island, Georgia, so of course, it HAD to use peaches. :)”

Peach Caramel Pound Cake, Deb’s

For the recipe click here.

More about Who Stirs Up the Sea:

So many secrets between them. But when the truth comes out, will it drive them apart?

When Emma Fiori’s book club members take DNA tests to discover their ancestry “just for fun,” she fully expects the results will confirm the family history she’s grown up cherishing—especially her Italian roots, which have given her the flower farm on beautiful Saint Simons Island, Georgia that she inherited from her paternal grandparents. When her test comes back with startling revelations—and her mother refuses to tell her the truth about her heritage—Emma must come to terms with the fact that she’s unwittingly lived a lie for all of her twenty-eight years.

Emma’s budding romance with Tadhg McKay offers comfort in the storm, but Tadhg harbors secrets of his own—a deceit he fully intended to reveal before they became more than “just friends.” But romance turned too quickly to love, and now, when she’s still reeling from her mother’s betrayal, how can he confess that he, too, is keeping secrets from her?

Free Book Offer (good through February 5, 2026): In the comments below, tell us: What special cake would you wish for on your birthday?

Author Bio:

DEBORAH RANEY’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide

Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Forty-plus

books later, she is a four-time Christy Award finalist, and her novels have won the

ACFW Carol Award, Selah Award, RITA® Award, Foreword Indie Gold, and

many others. Deb teaches at writers conferences across the country and served

on the executive board of the 2500-member American Christian Fiction Writers

organization for almost 18 years. In 2024 she received the Lifetime Achievement

Award from ACFW. She is represented by Steve Laube of the Steve Laube

Agency. With her husband, Ken Raney, she is a transplant to Southeast Missouri

from their native Kansas. A few of her favorite things are: coffee mugs, rainy

days, screened porches, empty journals, e-biking, Friday garage sale dates with

her husband, houseplants in pretty pots, kaleidoscopes, memories of Paris,

colored pencils, and her fourteen grandkids in any combination (but especially

one-on-one). Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com

Comments

Britney From Il At 2/11/2026 10:43:30 AM

For my birthday, which is tomorrow, I like to ask for a pepperidge farm chocolate fudge layer cake. A little slice goes a long way. ??

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds delicious.

Skipper Powell From Panama City At 2/5/2026 10:11:36 AM

This year for my birthday, my daughter and I made together the famous Feud Cake as per the seven seas restaurant recipe in the Bay Leaves cookbook. I’ll have to show you a picture and tell you the backstory! I’d even make another one and we could enjoy it together! My favorite cake is devil’s fo

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Oh my goodness. Feud cake is an old classic in town! That would be a very special birthday cake. Thanks for sharing.

Luann R. Phillips From IA At 2/5/2026 9:32:59 AM

My mom and I love carrot cake and I usually bake one for her birthday.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

My mother-in-law made a wonderful carrot cake.

Linda Herold From California At 2/4/2026 11:25:07 PM

I always have a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting!!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That is what my grandson ordered for his birthday cake this year. And I get to bake it today!

Christi Chirpich From Minnesota At 2/3/2026 9:08:14 PM

I would really love German chocolate. My grandma used to make one all from scratch. Yummm. Thank you for the opportunity to be entered in the giveaway. Blessings, Christi ??

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

It's nice to have a grandma that bakes!

Glenna From Kentucky At 2/2/2026 11:06:40 PM

I would enjoy strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Me too! Sounds good.

Pam K. From Kansas At 2/2/2026 10:42:14 PM

I always like a dark chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Always a winner with my family!

Sarah P From USA At 2/2/2026 8:46:30 PM

I remember about 20 some years ago, newlywed, I made a mango pound cake randomly and that would be delicious - I would have to have it dairy free and gluten free now though.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds pretty special. I love mangoes.

Janet Putney From Texas At 2/2/2026 4:05:06 PM

My Special Cake was a Belle Ice Cream Cake that I got for my birthday. We celebrate birthdays with ice cream cakes

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Pretty cool!

Lizzeth Vásquez From Honduras At 2/2/2026 3:41:43 PM

Tres Leches or Vainilla and Chocolate Cake. Thanks for the opportunity to add this book to my library. May God bless you :)

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for stopping by.

Sarah Hackelton From Fleetwood, PA At 2/2/2026 3:21:24 PM

Chocolate chip cookie dough cake. Chocolate chip cookie dough flavored cake, with cookie "patties" throughout the cake dough, chocolate chip cookie dough flavored icing, topped with chocolate ganache and the rest of the cookie dough. It's a dream!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds like it's a special cookie dough dream.

Janet Demaree From Bedford Indiana At 2/2/2026 2:39:39 PM

My favorite cake is Cream of coconut cake. It is sooogood.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I've heard of coconut but not cream of coconut cake. It does sound good.

Karen Scholten From Holland, MI At 2/2/2026 2:03:18 PM

We let the birthday person choose what their birthday dessert is. Deb's looks delicious!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That is our tradition too and it is time to ask my grandson for his birthday cake order. It is usually yellow cake with chocolate icing.

Krisztina Rausch From Isle of Wight, UK At 2/2/2026 1:58:17 PM

My husband and I don't celebrate birthdays. We are thankful to God for each other every single day. Lately my husband started to do more cooking and baking, a real treat for him - and me, too. Anything he makes is yummy. Really! :)

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I always enjoyed my husband taking over the cooking but a cake would not have been in his wheel house. Sounds lovely that your husband is trying out baking.

Kerri Norrod From TX At 2/2/2026 12:23:54 PM

Every year for my birthday my mom gets me a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Lovely!

JOAN ARNING From MO At 2/2/2026 11:57:43 AM

Growing up, my mom always made angel food cake with pink icing! Now I would probably pick carrot cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

New taste buds! Carrot cake is a favorite of mine too.

Linda H From IA At 2/2/2026 11:40:59 AM

I love cherry cheesecake on my birthday or a lemon meringue pie.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Interesting choices for birthday!

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 2/2/2026 11:23:40 AM

I agree Sally Jo you can't go wrong now go enjoy your favorite book and special cake and something to drink

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good idea.

Tina Juarez From Cartersville, Ga. At 2/2/2026 11:07:41 AM

I love carrot cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Me too.

Deborah Raney From Missouri At 2/2/2026 11:03:29 AM

I'm loving hearing all your birthday cake choices! If I gain 10 pounds reading these comments, I'm going to blame Sally Jo! :)

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

:) :)

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 2/2/2026 9:27:49 AM

A Special cake for yourself for your Birthday ?? a special treat and a special book with a Lighthouse on the book cover how can you go wrong? I bet this book is a Best Seller and fantastic read looking forward to reading in print format so I can review book ??

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

You are right. You can't go wrong!

Andrea Carroll From Wyoming At 2/2/2026 8:48:16 AM

I like red velvet cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

They are so pretty.

Jan Hall From At 2/2/2026 8:44:30 AM

I would love a hummingbird cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I have a friend that was just talking about hummingbird cake made with nuts and fruits. It sounds delicious.

Sharon From ohio At 2/2/2026 6:35:37 AM

Triple Chocolate Cake

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A triple treat!

Sharon Jennings From Florida At 2/2/2026 6:27:10 AM

Campers cake it is a rich chocolate cake that stays fresh for a week.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I had to look this one up. I found some cute cakes made to look like campers, but came across a rich moist cake recipe like you describe that uses oil and cooks in a Dutch oven. I bet it is good.

Linda From CA At 2/2/2026 12:28:22 AM

Strawberry shortcake

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Now there is a classic cake of a different sort. One of my favorites.

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 2/1/2026 11:52:59 PM

You are so Welcome Sally can't wait to read book

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Rebecca Ackerman From Wimberley, Texas At 2/1/2026 11:46:17 PM

I would give anything to have a cake made specially by my mom. She just passed away this past Christmas season and I wouldn’t even care what cake it was or to be really honest, if she even made a cake at all. Just to spend more time with her would be worth more than any dessert. :(

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Such a sweet sentiment about your mom. It's often the love that goes into the making of the cake that makes all the difference.

Diana Hardt From California At 2/1/2026 11:36:18 PM

I always like chocolate cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A favorite!

Mary Martin From Papullion, NE At 2/1/2026 11:15:18 PM

I would love either a rich Carrot Cake or a Strawberry Wedding Cake, which tastes like shortbread. I enjoy your books, Deborah! Thanks for this opportunity!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Lovely choices all the way around!

Suzanne Sellner From Houston, TX At 2/1/2026 10:32:41 PM

I'm not picky about the type of birthday cake I'd want as long as it has chocolate in it somewhere. Since I'm diabetic, I rarely eat desserts now, but I make an exception on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and family birthdays.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Limiting sweets is a good thing, and understandable when diabetic. I'm with you on anything with chocolate being a good pick.

Judith Martinez From CO, USA At 2/1/2026 9:39:16 PM

I'm a non-traditional girl. I would choose cheesecake for my birthday.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Great pick for something nontraditional.

Shelia Hall From Mississippi At 2/1/2026 9:30:54 PM

I always want a chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream icing

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yum.

Robin Smith From Pennsylvania At 2/1/2026 8:45:11 PM

I am currently eating a gluten-free diet, and so far I haven't found a cake that I really love to enjoy for my birthday. Still looking...

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good luck.

Diane K From OR At 2/1/2026 8:42:03 PM

Dark Chocolate Cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds good.

Jennifer Carr From Oklahima At 2/1/2026 8:19:48 PM

I will want my favorite cake which is chocolate!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A winner.

RitaK From Oregon At 2/1/2026 8:12:06 PM

White cake with White Chocolate Frosting and Fresh Strawberries and buttercream inside.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds good and beautiful.

Anne-Marie Webster From Massachusetts At 2/1/2026 8:09:16 PM

Champagne cake. I'm not a cake eater, but would make an exception for this one.

Nancy Garabrandt From Nicholasville, KY At 2/1/2026 8:09:15 PM

That was a great excerpt from your newest book "Who Stirs Up The Sea"! Can't wait to read this one and definitely trying the cake recipe. Hopefully, I will win a copy. Thanks for wonderful reading, I enjoy your books.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I agree!

Cyndi Newlan From OH At 2/1/2026 8:07:00 PM

It sounds like an amazing book along with that delicious looking dessert!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Try both!

Cindy Merrill From Lebanon ME At 2/1/2026 8:00:37 PM

Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds like a wonderful combination.

Maria Mast From Southaven, MS At 2/1/2026 7:54:19 PM

I love German chocolate cake! ????

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

My grandmother made a stellar German chocolate cake.

Gigi From MD At 2/1/2026 7:49:02 PM

If I could have any cake for my birthday, it would be a French Apple Pie.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

You must be a pie lover at heart.

Cynthia Duez From Pana, Illinois At 2/1/2026 7:43:06 PM

My grandmother always made a confetti angel food cake for me on my birthday. That is the cake I would wish for.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds festive.

Melissa Knight From TX At 2/1/2026 7:42:38 PM

I have met few, if any, cakes that I did not like, so this is a hard question. Can't go wrong with chocolate, however, so that would be my choice. The peach cake sounds delicious, though. Thank you for the opportunity to win your book!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

You are right about the chocolate. Thanks for stopping by.

Jeanne Behrhof From NY At 2/1/2026 7:00:32 PM

I'd wish for a chocolate glazed rainbow cookie cheesecake

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds interesting.

susan horvath From Windsor canada At 2/1/2026 6:55:42 PM

my birthday is wed. I would love coffee cake

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Happy Birthday!

Melissa Alexander From Billings, Montana At 2/1/2026 6:53:45 PM

Special cake for me would be angel food with strawberries & whipped cream.??????

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That would be perfect for Valentine's Day.

Katina Myere From Wintersville Ohio At 2/1/2026 6:52:54 PM

A chocolate cake with strawberry filling and a dreamy whipped strawberry icing in top ia my birthday cake that I would wish for!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice.

Lorraine Gallegos From Center Colorado At 2/1/2026 6:49:02 PM

My favorite cake is German chocolate!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A good one.

Kay Watkins From TX At 2/1/2026 6:45:30 PM

That's an easy question..........Texas Sheet Cake

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I had to look that one up. The fudgy warm icing sounds amazing.

Cherie J From Florida At 2/1/2026 6:29:32 PM

For a birthday cake I love cookies and cream cake with cookies and cream frosting. That pound cake recipe sounds yummy too as well as the book.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice pick.

Elizabeth From Georgia At 2/1/2026 6:22:39 PM

The book sounds intriguing and the cake delicious. When I ask..which isn't every year bc it's a lot to do, my husband makes me a butterscotch pound cake. Its so delicious and moist. Probably has a thousand calories per slice. ????. It's another reason I dont ask for it much.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Wow. What a sweet husband.

Donna Rickey From Newburgh NY At 2/1/2026 6:16:59 PM

This book sounds delicious and the pund cake too! Thank you for the chance to win.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for stopping by.

Joy Isley From Az At 2/1/2026 6:15:51 PM

A chocolate angel food cake

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice light choice.

Cheryl L From Austin TX At 2/1/2026 6:11:11 PM

Pistachio and White Chocolate Layer Cake

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Interesting combination

Crystal Stewart From Bruin, PA At 2/1/2026 6:10:11 PM

The special cake I would want for my Birthday ?? is German Chocolate Cake with either Butter Cream Icing or Seafoam Icing on it both Icings are yummy and delicious Thanks for excerpt of book looking forward to reading a print copy so I can review it plus I love Lighthouses. HOPE I WIN

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for sharing your favorite.

Leela From USA At 2/1/2026 6:03:25 PM

A three layer vanilla cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds like it would lovely for Valentine's Day.

Dixie Neitzel From Tomah WI At 2/1/2026 6:01:42 PM

My Great Aunts cheesecake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Generational recipes intrigue me.

Andrea Walter From South Carolina At 2/1/2026 5:56:17 PM

I'm not much of a cake person so I would choose Rhubarb Crisp for my "cake"

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds like a good choice.

Jan Tomalis From USA At 2/1/2026 5:46:44 PM

I am not one for a fancy cake. I love chocolate cake with a buttercream icing.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice.

Barbara C Lowdermilk From AR At 2/1/2026 5:41:34 PM

Yellow cake with 7 minute icing with coconut on top

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds like a nice cake to wish for.

Tammie Edington Shaw From Illinois At 2/1/2026 5:36:28 PM

Love this. I would like to have a white cake with white icing. I like it and it is just about the only cake I can eat because of diet restrictions!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for sharing, Tammie.

Deborah Raney From Missouri At 2/1/2026 5:36:16 PM

My mom always made me an angel food cake decorated with pink frosting and the pink roses that grew on the arbor in our backyard. That was so special to me and I still love angel food cake. Thanks so much for hosting me here on your blog, Sally Jo. I've loved looking through the recipes!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Enjoying hosting your book!

Renee Mirsky From CT At 2/1/2026 5:32:46 PM

I am intrigued!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good.

Janet Demaree From Bedford, Indiana At 2/1/2026 5:30:28 PM

Would love to read your book.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Good idea.

Gina Claywell From KY At 2/1/2026 5:22:06 PM

Italian Cream Cake!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yummy

Lynn Cherry From St. Augustine, FL At 2/1/2026 5:18:33 PM

I like Wellesley Fudge Cake for my birthday. I bake it myself.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds like a good way to receive what you'd like!

Shelley Beachy From Florida At 2/1/2026 5:17:35 PM

I would ask for a spice cake with caramel icing for my birthday.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Lovely.

Kelly V. From Florida At 2/1/2026 5:16:24 PM

I would wish for an ice cream cake.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Those are special.

Esther Pompeo From Pocono mountains At 2/1/2026 5:15:12 PM

For my birthday I would love a rainbow and caked which is a three layer cake in red, green and white with raspberry filling between the layers and covered in chocolate. Pure heaven usually made in cookies.