Donna Alward | Sarah’s Not-So-Secret Beer Battered Fish

Like any writer's story, sometimes true life experiences find their way into books. That’s certainly true of SUMMER ON LOVERS’ ISLAND. Several summers ago I spent a day very much like Lizzie and Josh do – fishing on the ocean, and landing lots of Pollock along with some mackerel and yes, even that really ugly ocean perch (I caught that one. My kids managed a few friendlier-looking cod). Oh, and I didn’t get sick, but that doesn’t mean someone else didn’t. LOL

When our excursion was over, we hung out at our friends’ place and sat on their deck and munched on nachos. This was, of course, after the men did the stinky job of cleaning the fish – a task I am very glad they took on. Then the Pollock fillets were deboned and rinsed and we took a few baggies home to have for our dinner.

That’s when my friend Patsy told me her recipe for beer batter. Are you ready for it? It’s two whole ingredients: beer and pancake mix.

Patsy is an amazing cook. We’ve dined on schnitzel and spätzle at her house, homemade Chinese food, crème brulee tarts and homemade profiteroles (regular AND lemon). She insists she keeps things simple, but I dunno. Anyone who makes crème brulee tarts and has that torch thing and all that… anyway, I was surprised that she didn’t make her batter from scratch, but I have learned not to question Patsy when it comes to food and drink. Sooo…I came home and made beer batter. And we had a regular old fish fry out on the deck and IT WAS DELICIOUSNESS.

In SUMMER ON LOVERS’ ISLAND it’s the very domestic Sarah (Josh’s sister) who shares her secret for beer batter with Lizzie. And now you know too. For the record – 1 can or bottle of beer and approx. 2 cups of pancake mix (the complete kind where you just add water) beat together should do it. You don’t want it too thin. Cover each fillet, drop in hot grease and fry until nice and brown on both sides – I like mine just a little bit darker than golden brown.

And if you like tartar sauce? Take a few tbsp of mayonnaise, add a little mustard and relish and mix it up. J My husband’s the only one of us that likes it. I’m a vinegar and ketchup person.

Now I’m hungry. Why is it that salad doesn’t sound as appealing just now?

Donna

About SUMMER ON LOVERS’ ISLAND

What happens when a seasonal fling turns into the love of a lifetime?

Lizzie Howard’s life has always been adrenaline-charged. Top of her class at Harvard Med and now a gifted trauma doctor, Lizzie’s medical career has always come before rest, relaxation, and especially romance. But when one careless mistake brings her future to a screeching halt, Lizzie’s only chance at reviving it is to temporarily take over a friend’s practice in Jewell Cove. The sleepy Maine coast, a world away from the bustling emergency room Lizzie knows and loves, leaves her feeling more lost than ever—until she meets widowed doctor Joshua Collins, and her heart starts beating a little bit faster…

"Brimming with old family history, small-town secrets, and newfound passion, you’ll want to pack up and move to Jewell Cove, Maine!" —Lily Everett

Coming home to Jewell Cove was Josh’s salvation after his wife died. Looking for peace among the familiar faces of friends and family, he’s grateful to work in the town’s small medical clinic by day and spend his nights trying to forget everything he’s lost. Lizzie’s big-city sensibilities are a brash reminder of the world he’s pushed away, but he can’t deny that together they’ve sparked a flame that crackles higher and brighter every day. Maybe love is the best medicine after all …

"Wonderful romance, packed with family drama, a sexy hero, an incredible old house.　 You'll fall in love from the very first page."—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author on THE HOUSE ON BLACKBERRY HILL

About Donna Alward

While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers!

Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict. You can visit her on her website and join her mailing list.