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I read a lot of cozy mysteries. Many of them have little 'extras' thrown in...especially recipes. I've even tried one a time or two.
Even though I don't write mysteries, I thought it would be fun to include recipes in a story. In This Can't Be Love, my hero Zach is a chef. This would be the perfect book in which to add a recipe or two. But, I never did. Who knows? Maybe I thought of the idea after I'd already submitted and edited the book. Or maybe I didn't want something that different in one book of a series, since none of the other books would have recipes. One of these days (Famous last words, right?) I might add a page to my web-site and include some of Zach's recipes.
But I digress.
Because what I really wanted to do was include some in a book. Then another 'perfect' opportunity presented itself when I wrote my Thanksgiving novella An Unexpected Blessing. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and part of the reason is the bountiful, yummy, and cozy food associated with it. Homemade stuffing, cranberries, corn bread, pumpkin pie....Mnnn, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
So in the back of the book I included about a half a dozen recipes that were mentioned in the book. There is...
Kyle's Favorite Pumpkin Cookies
Yvette's Pumpkin Pie
Mama's Oven Stew
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
...just to name a few. All are recipes my family or I make around this time of year.
I called the added section "Thanksgiving with the Roths". (The Roths being the main family in the story.)
Reviewers and blog commenters seem to be pleased with the inclusion of the recipes. One reviewer called them an 'added bonus' and one commenter said that many would be making their way to her own table.
So I guess I'd have to say...mission accomplished.
Besides recipes I've also seen quotes, real-life history tie-ins for a fictional story, maps, and even more recently, QR codes.
Have you ever included anything extra in a story or seen something in a story you've read that's tickled you?
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
An Unexpected Blessing from The Wild Rose Press.
