I am not a very good cook. I like to say I steal good recipes -- my sister-in-law's awesome broccoli salad, for example, which I have had to double and triple due to its popularity at church functions (and because my husband fusses at me if he doesn't get any). Day-to-day cooking exhausts me, but I don't mind fixing specific dishes for specific events. So, in that way, I don't have a lot in common with Scrumptious Independence's main character Beth.

Beth is in her late 20's and is the black sheep of her family, or so she thinks. Her mother and sisters, pretentious and selfish women, look down on her and treat her shamefully; her only allies are her dad (who is stuck with an overbearing wife) and her grandmother. Gram is very wealthy who used her wealth to be a blessing to Beth who desperately needed the love that she had to offer. Gram kept Beth during several summers at her inherited family home on Merriweather Island off the coast of Georgia. (This is a fictitious island created especially for the Independence Islands series of which this is book #2.) While visiting with Gram, she soaked up Gram's love while they bonded while cooking together; thus, a talent for cooking comfort food with love was sparked and nurtured. Gram later paid for Beth to go to culinary school.

In this way, I can relate to Beth because I had a close relationship to my Grandma, and even named my daughter after her (One of Gracie's middle names is Lee which is my grandma's maiden name. My grandma's first name was Wilna and I love my child too much to saddle her with that!) I don't remember ever cooking with Grandma, but she shared her best recipes, my favorite being her sweet potato pie.

During this story, Beth moves to Merriweather Island to launch her food truck business and reconnects with Scott whom she met as a teenager while visiting Gram. This new venture was to serve as the start of new independence from her meddling mother; however, she didn't realize until the middle of the book that due to the circumstances of life she had also unconsciously become independent of God Whom she rediscovered that she needed. Being very insecure, she finds it difficult to open up and it takes time and patience to allow herself to establish a growing relationship with Scott. Scott is a protector at heart -- sometimes aggressively so -- and he has to learn to reign that in and be slow, patient, and gentle, especially with Beth. There is a subplot involving a criminally-minded mayor and a wanna-be alluring tart of a woman who is also interested in Scott.

This was a good book that serves as a good addition to the Independence Islands series. I enjoyed meeting Beth and Scott and look forward to watching her story unfold in future books.

I chose to review this book and was given a copy for free.

About the Book

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

And so is Beth’s cooking! It’s a good thing, too. After a lifetime of her family’s smothering embrace, a whole new world opens to her with the passing of her beloved grandmother.

Armed with an inheritance she never expected and orders on how to use it, Beth sets off for Merriweather Island and fulfillment of a lifetime of dreams.

Or so she hopes.

What she didn’t hope for was what most women would—a man who fills her thoughts at the most wonderfully unwelcome times. She doesn’t have time or space for a relationship, but how do you tell love to just go away?

Of course, starting over in a new place is never easy, especially as an outsider in a small community. Add to that a mayor who has her dander up and a woman bound to make her life miserable, is it any wonder that Beth begins to doubt God’s and Gram’s plans?

With her heart betraying her resolve and challenges to her faith, Beth finds it takes bravery she didn’t know she had to discover just how scrumptious independence can be.

This “Merriweather book” is the second in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Melissa Wardwell resides in Owosso, Michigan with her husband Jonathan, three children, a cat, and two pitbulls.

Besides writing, she enjoys reading, having coffee with friends, and spending quality time with her husband kayaking and fishing.

Melissa likes to joke about the voices in her head, but it is those voices have inspired her to write several romance novels such as “I Know the Plans” (a story based in her hometown of Owosso) and “Finding Hope in Savannah”. When she is not penning works of fiction, she is busy reviewing books on her blog, Back Porch Reads.

To see more from Melissa Wardwell, visit www.melissawardwell.com

More from Melissa

“Lord, I don’t know how I can keep doing this.”

That was my prayer one evening in 2019 as I made my way to praise practice. I knew that writing was something God had called me to (because He never seems to call you to do something you enjoy) but the finances were just not there to publish another book. I felt lost in the uncertainty of the path moving forward and I needed a light. I had just shared all my concerns with my parents and left with my dad’s words ringing in my head. Are you writing to gain notoriety or are you writing for God?

The next morning, CelebrateLit had a post looking for submissions for a new and innovative series. Hope burst within me and I know I needed more information. I followed instructions and spoke with Sandy Barela and Chautona Havig. The more I was told, the more excited I became because I knew I needed to be part of this collection.

Ideas were hatched, characters began to talk, and a book proposal was sent. I continued to work on the development of characters and the mobile business knowing in my heart that God had given me this opportunity. I wouldn’t do things halfway. And when the confirmation email came, I was ready to share the beautiful story and characters that developed.

Beth is a food truck proprietor, so that means she spends most of her time cooking. In an effort to grow her recipes, I have been making videos of me cooking some of our family’s favorites as well as raiding my mom’s recipe box. The result is some amazing food to share.

Every book, pre-order card, and my YouTube channel has recipes on it. And so will this tour.

With it being summertime, our family doesn’t want those heavy meals so sometimes chips and sandwiches are all we need in the evenings. One favorite is my chicken salad.

Now, this recipe is easily substituted with other things like however, you like your chicken.

Melissa’s Chicken Salad

Feeds 4 (unless you have big eaters.)

2 cans of chicken (you can use cooked but this is quick and easy

1/2 cup of red grapes – halved

1/2 cup celery – diced

Make sure you rinse all of this well as you prep the salad

Dressing

1 1/2 cup of miracle whip (you can use mayo)

1/2 tsp mustard powder

1 tbsp white vinegar

1 tsp of sugar

Mix everything together and serve on your favorite bread option or on a bed of lettuce. I like mine in a pita pocket or on lettuce. This time it was with a pita pocket with a side of lightly salted chips and a pickle.

Now, just a little side note, you can add what ever veggie or fruit you like. Apples and cucumbers would be a great addition as well. So, don’t feel like you have to do things exactly like I do. Make it your own.

Bon appétit