Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Special Guest Post by Donna B. Snow



Today we welcome guest poster, Donna B. Snow. Donna is sharing an excerpt from her newest book, Precious Embrace, along with a recipe for Wild Salmon Spinach Alfredo. Precious Embrace, the sequel to A Piece of Heaven, will be available June 20, 2014.

Laura Senton has found peace and happiness, knowing she’s right where she belongs, running her own kitchen at A Piece of Heaven, a Christian coffee house in Pingree, MD. Being partners with her dear friend, Trina, she has carved out a niche and counts her blessings daily for being able to do something she loves doing. When the sins of her past are brought to mind by the appearance of Sean Laylor, her teenage crush, Laura tries to hide from Sean, as well as her own feelings.

At first not recognizing Laura because she changed so much, Sean is at a loss as to why she tries to avoid him. He has no idea of what Laura went through years ago, or how she felt toward him, but he still feels a share of the guilt for her past once he learns  some of the choices she made.

Both covet the memories of their time together, but sins of the past can be a tough hurdle to get over.


Excerpt of Precious Embrace
by Donna B. Snow

Trina’s voice carried in over the sounds of the crowd.

Laura set four salads onto the tray to fill the next order while she hummed along with the song. She loved this version. How amazing God’s grace really was. Not even a year since they opened the doors to A Piece of Heaven and already they were talking about expansion. Well, Jared was talking about expansion, probably because he would be doing the construction. But Trina, as usual, was dragging her feet. Getting that girl to commit to change was about as quick as tapping sap from a maple tree.

And Laura knew just how quick that was. After growing up in Vermont with forty maple trees to tap, she had learned patience when she was young, patience she had needed as she grew up.

Lise swept into the kitchen next and grabbed her dressings out of the fridge. “Can I have the bowl of chowder now, please? They want it with their salad.”

“How are you holding up tonight?” Laura asked as she ladled chowder into a bowl and turned to set it on the tray, placing a sprig of parsley on top and a crust of bread beside it.

Lise had only been with them for a few weeks and this was definitely a trial by fire.

“I’m OK,” she answered. “I’ve seen worse. The last place I worked was like this almost all the time, but I had to dodge grabbing hands while I delivered meals. That was the worst.” She laughed as she lifted the tray and headed for the door. “So, as long as I don’t have to worry about that part, I can handle busy, no sweat. Plus it’s not like this all the time, so—piece of cake.”

“No, silly. A Piece of Heaven,” she said and laughed.


Wild Salmon Spinach Alfredo

1 pound salmon lightly broiled
1 cup wild rice (2 cups cooked)
¼ cup Feta Cheese
1 cup raw baby spinach leaves (loosely packed)
10 black olives, sliced
1/2 cup alfredo sauce
Optional (¼ cup sesame sticks or slivered almonds)

Spread the cooked rice evenly on a glass pie dish
Layer the spinach leaves over the rice, sprinkle with sliced black olives and Feta, and cover lightly with alfredo sauce.
Microwave for one minute.
Remove from microwave and sprinkle with sesame sticks or almonds.
Set salmon portions over all and serve.

Donna B. Snow is a native New Englander and has lived there all her life (except for a year in northern California during her college days). She loves the change of seasons and the beauty each one brings and says there is no place else that will ever feel like home. 

She's been married for 20 years and has one teenage daughter in college,and is an active member in her church. Donna sings and plays in the worship band, and writes not just stories, but her own music as well.

18 comments:

  1. Nice to have you visit us, Donna! Thanks for sharing the intriguing excerpt and for the recipe. Looks yummy, and now the leftovers I have waiting for lunch don't sound as appetizing, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL Susanne! Enjoy those leftovers...try the salmon another time. It really is yummy! I started making this quite a long time ago and I still have it as a staple on Friday nights!

      Delete
  2. That sounds delicious! Both the recipe and the story! Thanks for sharing, Donna!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This story sounds really interesting. Thanks for telling us about it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure, DeAnna. This story is a dream of mine, to own a Christian coffee house/restaurant. I woke one morning with the whole thing on display in my mind...still haven't figured out how to do it, but I figure God will show me the way if He means for it to happen!

      Delete
  4. Hi Donna, this sounds like a great foodie story. :)

    I like the recipe, but am not crazy about the Feta cheese and black olives. Have you ever substituted?

    What instrument do you play in the worship band?

    Thanks for sharing with us today.

    Anita Mae.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anita, I have skipped the Feta and gone with fresh Parmesan on occasion...and the black olives aren't a necessity. It's enjoyable no matter how you make it. Of course, I'm biased because I love salmon and rice!

      Delete
    2. Oops, didn't mean to skip away...I play rhythm guitar - I have an accoustic/electric Seagull. We're a relatively new "worship band" with a piano most of the time, a base player, me on rhythm, and a violin, trumpet, clarinet, and sax all floating in and out depending on the week. I love it!

      Delete
  5. Donna, I always think of you fondly. Nice to see you here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like a neat story - Christian coffee house. I love it! Great to see you here. Haven't crossed paths a lot lately, fellow Pelican! Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I've been a bit sketchy, just feeling stretched too thin a lot of the time. But I'm so glad you stopped by to hear about this one!

      Delete
  7. I'm going to give away one reviewer's copy here if anyone is interested. Just add another comment or reply.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, Donna. The novella and the recipe both sound wonderful. Have to try both soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I need to pick up one of your books!:) I know a great Christian coffee house, if you ever need more inspiration, they are on facebook...anything is possible with God! God bless you friend! Tammy( faithbook)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete

Share This Post

How Our Giveaways Work: The Official Rules

We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Pinterest