Shannon here: Kimberly Rose Johnson shares insight into her real life romance, plus a recipe for Semi-Homemade Pizza. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an ebook copy of Sara’s Gift for any reader who can receive it from Amazon USA. Deadline: Nov 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Kimberly:
Thanks for having me on your blog, Shannon. It’s always fun to be here.
- What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?
I used to watch this cooking show hosted by Curtis Stone. He would surprise someone at the grocery store, then purchase all the ingredients for a special meal for the persons family or significant other. On one episode he cooked halibut cheeks. Well I couldn’t afford that, but for Valentines day I bought whatever white fish I could afford, cut it to look like halibut cheeks and proceeded to make a fancy dinner. For dessert we had a giant heart shaped chocolate chip pan cookie.
- What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
Washing the dishes.
- How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he was the one?
Almost instantly. We clicked.
- Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
I think we are equally romantic, but he needs a little nudge to think about it. Lol It doesn’t come natural to either of us.
- Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse?
He did.
- Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
We went to Lincoln City on the Oregon coast.
In my book, Sara’s Gift, Sara and Gabe aren’t much for cooking. I think every meal they shared together was take-out of some sort. They are both business owners and like many people they didn’t have the time or energy for cooking. Since pizza was a meal they often had together I’m including a recipe for Semi-Homemade Pizza.
Semi-Homemade Pizza Recipe
One package of refrigerator pizza dough shaped into the size of your pan.
Pizza sauce from a can
1-2 bags of Italian blend cheese
Toppings of your choice.
Spread the sauce on the dough then sprinkle your desired amount of cheese. Add toppings. To bake follow the instructions on the pizza dough package.
I thought it would be fun to share the opening scene with your readers. Sara’s Gift is part of a series where each book stands alone.
Excerpt from Sara’s Gift by Kimberly Rose Johnson:
“I have no idea who or what should get Charity’s fifteen hundred dollars. All I know is that I want to honor her request.” Sara Benson’s old friend from high school really lived up to her name, even in death. Sara blinked back tears. Gabe Jacobson, her best friend, was the grounded and practical one in their relationship. “You have to help me figure this out.”
“Let me get this straight,” Gabe said. “A friend you haven’t seen in years died, and in a letter that she left with her attorney, she let you know how much she enjoyed playing a secret angel in high school and has continued doing it all these years?”
“Yes, but she died before she could spend the money she’d saved for this year. My old Bible Club friends and I are her backup plan. She wants us to each play secret angels with her money. I can’t believe she saved up nine thousand dollars in a year, especially when she was sick. ”
“So the money was split six ways?”
Sara nodded. Clearly, Gabe couldn’t fathom someone being so generous, but that was how Charity had been. Even though she and Gabe had been friends since forever, he had not belonged to the Bible Club and never knew Charity.
“And if you don’t want to do this?”
“Then her attorney donates it to a worthy cause.”
“Why not let him? It’s a win-win. You don’t have to be dragged into this and someone still benefits.” Gabe furrowed his brows.
“I know, but helping someone directly is so much more fun. Stop being a curmudgeon.” Normally, Gabe would go out of his way to help her. Why was this time different?
“I’m not a curmudgeon, but it’s so close to Christmas. You have your store to run and all the extra holiday workshops you’re teaching. I don’t know how you have time to tackle something else.”
“I’ll make time. This was important to Charity.” Her voice cracked, and she coughed to cover it. She reached for her water bottle. Breaking down at work was not an option. Gifts N’ More was her home away from home. She loved her little shop and her customers and didn’t want to scare them away with tears.
Gabe rubbed the dark scruff on his face. “I’m sorry about your friend. Losing someone, even a person you haven’t seen in a while hurts.”
Sara nodded and refused to give in to the tears burning her eyes. “Thanks. Charity was too young to die.” She cleared her throat. “Will you help me think of someone who could use a secret angel this Christmas?”
“I’ll try, but I’m a helicopter pilot, not a philanthropist. I’m clueless about this kind of thing.”
He had a point. In fact, he was probably one of the least creative people she knew, which made their friendship even odder, considering she loved crafting and decorating.
About Kimberly: Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in
the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. You can sign up for Kimberly’s newsletter via Kimberly’s Website. Learn more and connect:
Kimberly’s Facebook Kimberly’s Instagram
Kimberly’s Bookbub Kimberly’s Amazon Profile
About the book – Sara’s Gift:
Welcome to Snowflake, Colorado—a small town where wishes come true! When six old high school friends receive a letter that their fellow friend, Charity Hart, wrote before she passed away, their lives take an unexpected turn. She leaves them each a check for $1,500 and asks them to grant a wish—a secret wish—for someone else by Christmas. It sounds simple but the friends soon discover that it isn’t as easy as it seems! With the clock ticking, will they make it happen in time?
Join Mia, Caro, Nate, Sara, Holly, and Taye on their journey to make a wish come true—and find love along the way.
Christmas is the season of giving, but Sara isn’t sure she is up to the task.
Playing secret angel in high school was fun, and now, years later, Sara has the opportunity to do it once more on a bigger scale. She enlists the help of Gabe, her long-time best friend, to come up with a deserving recipient. But something is off with Gabe—he’s more attentive than usual.
The Christmas season has put Gabe in a reflective mood. His evaluation of his life has left him lonely and wanting more. But can his heart have its desire? That’s up to Sara.
Can these two long-time best friends navigate their changing relationship, or will the romance Grinch steal their Christmas joy?
Can’t wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Get your copy now! Sara’s Gift – Amazon
Question for Readers: What are your favorite pizza toppings?
Come back Nov 12th for Pat Jeanne Davis!
Thanks for having me on your blog, Shannon!
cheese
This is the kind I have most often.
I love everything but anchovies and jalapeno peppers on mine
I think my husband would put jalapeno peppers on about anything LOL.
Hey Kimberly, glad to have you. I love Chicken, Bacon, Ranch on pan crust. I also love mushroom, black olive, onions, and Italian sausage. Meatlovers is always good and Supreme. I’ll eat just about anything called pizza.
Oh my, this is making me hungry!
Hamburger
Canadian Bacon and Pineapple, although I had a GREAT BBQ Pizza last week.
wfnren at aol dot com
My favorite toppings on pizza are onions, mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, both kinds of olives and extra cheese.
We usually just have cheese and pepperoni!
I have a winner! Claudette Renalds won the drawing. She commented on Pat Jeanne Davis’ post and I’ve started comining drawings to speed the process along since I’m always behind anyway. I appreciate Kimberly for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.