Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with D.B. McNICOL!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, D.B. McNICOL, and her favorite recipe for HAWAIIAN SWEET POTATO SALAD!
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PARADISE DOWN
C’Mon Inn Mysteries Book 1
BY D.B. McNICOL
Blurb
Aloha Nicholás! But will this be a hello or a goodbye?
When Lucia Santerez returns home to Hawaii to help her brother Nicholás with his new dive shop, she learns Nicholás has disappeared–and someone doesn’t want him found.
Enlisting the aid of hunky vacationing firefighter, Brandon Matthews, gets them the wrong kind of attention. They discover what lies under the water off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kaua`i could make you rich or get you killed.
PARADISE DOWN
C’Mon Inn Mysteries Book 1
BY D.B. McNICOL
Excerpt
Lucia glared at the man in front of her. “What do you mean he’s not here? He was expecting me.”
“I dunno, he said he goin’ with his girlfriend for a quick vacay and tossed me the keys when I said I’d sub in for him.”
Something was off here. “He doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
The guy shrugged. “Whateva’. Dat’s whot he say.”
Lucia counted to ten, not sure how far to challenge the stranger. “When will he be back?”
“No idea. Guess when he come back.”
Argh! She spun around and stormed out, letting the screen door slam behind her. Back at the car she studied the small dive shop. A small hand lettered sign declared it as Dave’s Deep Dive. Equipment littered the small deck and overflowed from the storage box beside the weathered building. Everything had seen better days. No wonder Nicky was anxious to make more money.
Since it was growing dark, and the man inside obviously had no real information, Lucia decided to find a place to stay. She could come back tomorrow and try again, hoping Nicky would show up overnight. There were plenty of high dollar places to stay but she didn’t want to deplete her savings. First things first, find something to eat and then find a place to sleep. Worst case, if she had to, she could sleep in her car.
She continued on Anini Road along the coast until it intersected with Kalihiwai Road. That took her inland to Highway 56, or Kuhio Highway, where she backtracked west towards the Princeville area. Her stomach growled as she remembered passing a roadside stand selling Huli Huli chicken. Growing up, that had been a household favorite.
She pulled into the half empty parking lot and sat savoring the odors wafting her way. Licking her lips, she got in line, ordered the chicken with a baked sweet potato and taro rolls on the side. She knew she couldn’t eat it all, but that was okay.
Licking her fingers, she thought back over the strange day. So, Nicky was supposed to pick me up. No show. Not that unusual except for the text he left me yesterday. And he still doesn’t answer his phone. Then there was that Neanderthal at the dive shop. He had Nicky’s keys, so he had permission to be there…I guess. But why would Nicky take off with a girlfriend, a girlfriend he never mentioned, when he was expecting me?
She shook her head, as confused as ever, and decided to call her best friend back in the states. “Sharon? Hope I’m not interrupting anything.” She proceeded to describe her day before bursting into tears.
About Author Donna B. McNicol...Donna B. McNicol is a retired IT professional who started writing fiction after retirement. Her preferred genre is small town mysteries with a dash of romance but she has also tackled children’s stories, fantasy and small town romance. In addition, her short stories have been included in several anthologies.
In the words of the author:
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I think I was destined to be a writer – in the 4th grade I took my toy typewriter and painstakingly typed out the neighborhood news, one copy at a time, and sold it to the neighbors for ten cents each. But as often happens, life intervenes and writing took a back seat to spending 30+ years in the IT industry.
A late in life lover of adventure, I learned to ride a motorcycle at age 55, traveled the US solo on my Harley-Davidson at age 58 (42 states and 27k miles), sold my home and everything I owned to become a full-time RVer. I eventually met my current husband, also widowed, a full-time RVer and Harley rider. Fate!
We traveled the US for several years before putting it all in storage and moved to Cuenca, Ecuador for two years. What at adventure! Now we are back in the US and live in rural Tennessee with my husband and our two Goldendoodles, Cooper and Murphy.
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter(s) and be among the first to hear about new releases, discounts, sales & a lot more! https://dbmcnicol.com/news
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Links to D.B.’s website, blog, books, etc.:
You can find Donna at https://campsite.bio/dbmcnicol
I hope you enjoy the recipe D.B. is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 501 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right-hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
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HAWAIIAN SWEET POTATO SALAD
Some of my early readers wanted the recipe for Hawaiian Sweet Potato Salad so they could try it. Like most recipes, there are several available online but this is a favorite. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces bacon, cut into 1/2 inch or smaller pieces
3 cups cooked and chopped sweet potatoes
2 cups pineapple chunks
1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
1⁄2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped (optional)
enough lettuce leaf to line serving bowl
DIRECTIONS:
Cook, then chop the sweet potatoes.
Fry bacon till crisp, then drain.
Crumble bacon into small pieces, chop as needed for size.
Mix the bacon with sweet potatoes and pineapple in a large bowl.
Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lime juice and pepper in a small bowl.
Mix well, then add to sweet potato mixture.
Mix gently.
Stir in nuts (optional)
Spoon into lettuce lined serving bowl and serve.
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Thanks, D.B., for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
I love Hawaii and have visited 4 times, 3 islands, but never Kauai. This book, and the recipe (I also love sweet potatoes), both sound wonderful. Thank you for sharing both with us.
Hi Diana, I’ve only visited Hawaii once while on a cruise. Unfortunately I got bronchitis and was only able to get off on Kauai. But we took the helicopter tour and I got to actually see (from the air) Anini Beach where my books are set! Exciting!
So nice to meet you! The excerpt from your book is intriguing. So much fun to hear of your background…..thanks.
Certainly an interesting variation of potato salad….
Thanks, Karen and D.D.
Hi Karen! I hope you’ll give the book a try. Right now I’m working on a prequel that gives us the back story to the Thompson twins.
Good morning, D.B., and welcome back to Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. I love Hawaii! I’ve only been to Oahu and Maui. I’d love to hit the other islands. Maybe an island hop someday. Your book sounds like a fun adventure. So does the recipe. I love sweet potatoes and never thought to make potato salad from them. Cannot wait to try both your book and the recipe!
Thanks for hosting me, Karen. I missed checking in on my last post here (oops), so trying to make sure I don’t miss any comments this time around. I hope you enjoy the book and the potato salad!
Loved the excerpt, the recipe, and getting your background. Thank you so much for sharing and joining us here.
Hi Eileen, glad you enjoyed my little write-up. Karen is such a great host. I hope you will give the books a try!
Wow, your book sounds intriguing ! Thank you for sharing about it and thank you for sharing your sweet potato salad. Have a Great weekend and stay safe.
Hi Alicia, I have had so much fun writing this series. I am almost finished with the prequel and still have a 4th book to write. Phew!
Ooh, I’ve never thought about putting pineapple in potato salad. Thanks for the recipe!
Gives it that little zing! Hope you like it.