Ciao, to another magnifico Friday Feast! This week we’re going postal. Oops, sorry. I mean COASTAL! And a little bit Italian. Read on…

But before that, because I know you’re hanging out for it, news from Us Heins Weren’t Meant To Play Golf. Last weekend saw the final round of the Club Championships in which I did not (read that: NOT) embarrass myself… much. Well, I did a little on the 3rd. And quite badly on the 11th but the rest wasn’t too cringeworthy. Overall it was a mighty 3rd placing, but only because the lady running 3rd had to retire.

On to far more interesting things. Today’s guest has fairly body surfed her way onto to the best-seller lists. South Australian romance author Victoria Purman has rapidly become one of Australia’s favourite coastal romance novelists, and with good reason. Her stories are warm, romantic and filled with humour as well as drama. Victoria’s latest, Our Kind of Love, sees the conclusion to her popular Boys of Summer series that started with Nobody But Him and continued with Someone Like You.

Reviews are pouring in and they’re all wonderful. You won’t want to miss this.

OUR KIND OF LOVE

The best thing to happen to her… or her biggest mistake?

Anna is… unexpected… unbelievable… unstoppable.  And unavailable. Will what happened in Middle Point stay there?

Dr Anna Morelli rarely makes mistakes. But this one is big, bordering on huge. Somewhere between sunset and sunrise at the simple beachside wedding of two old friends, she’s cried in the ladies bathroom, danced to too many ABBA songs and survived the best, knock-your-socks-off one night stand in recorded history. Has she gone crazy? She’s supposed to be running from the disasters in her life, not creating more.

Award winning journalist Joe Blake is back in Middle Point to lick his wounds after being dumped by his wife and sacked from his Sydney job on the same day. But after one incredible night with Anna, he finds he’ll need all his investigative skills to figure out why she won’t give in to their sizzling chemistry.

I so love a second chance story and this sounds adorable, and a little sexy. Definitely one you’ll want in your spring and summer reading collection. It can be yours right now with just a couple of clicks. Try that excellent bookstore Booktopia, or clickety-click your way to Bookworld or Angus & Robertson, your favourite local bookshop or chainstore, or direct from the publisher Harlequin. For the ebook, click on Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play or JB Hi-Fi.

Now say ciao, bella to Victoria.

Confession Is Good For The Foodie Soul

Dear Friday Feast Fan,

I have a confession to make.

I’m scared. Terrified. I can barely type for the nerves.

And why? When Cathryn asked me to return to Friday Feast I immediately said, ‘Hell yeah!” because she is lovely, fun, a gorgeous writer and a fellow South Australian (even if she is, inexplicably, a Sydney Swans fan).

Then the panic set in. OH, THE PRESSURE! I’ve been watching everyone else’s Friday Feasts and drooling, in the same way I do when I watch cooking shows, in the that-looks-fantastic-and-I-know-I’ll never-ever-cook-that-in-my-real-life kind of way.

You see, the husband and I have three teenage sons and you know what that means? Industrial size catering. Food, and lots of it. They don’t care if it’s not fancy. They will eat almost anything (except son number three who hates parsley and avocado).

On the occasions when I do prepare something nice, it’s usually a plate of nibbles to share with friends. That’s how we tend to catch up with people these days, shared plates, lovely wine and afternoons watching the sun go down.

So, in honour of my latest heroine, the feisty, Italian-Australian Dr Anna Morelli from ‘Our Kind of Love’ (who, unlike me, is an amazing cook) I’m going to do two Italian-inspired nibbles. Yes, I believe that’s the technical term for them.

They’re damn easy and incredibly tasty. And I know they’ve been around a while, but you may have forgotten how easy and delicious they are.

Tricolore Bites

The Italian flag is red, white and green and so are these delicious morsels.

You’ll need Baby bocconcini (those little white balls which come in brine), fresh basil, cherry tomatoes and toothpicks. Slice the tomatoes and the bocconcini in half, rip a basil leaf from the bunch and slide them all onto the toothpick.

Prosciutto and Melon

This one is best done with ripe rockmelon, so buy one a few days before you need it and let it ripen. Grab some thinly-sliced prosciutto from the deli section of your supermarket, cut it into small strips and wrap it around the chunk of rockmelon. Thread through a toothpick to keep it together and make it easier to pick up. The sweet, juicy melon and the salty ham make this a fab combo.

And to wash it all down, I’d go with a South Australian white. This one’s a Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills. Because I am a South Aussie, after all.

Buon appetito and happy reading!

From one South Aussie to another, that  sounds delizioso, Victoria! And a super easy way to prepare food for when friends come calling. After all, who wants to be stranded in a hot kitchen when there’s company (and wine!) to be enjoyed.

I know it’s looked down upon by some foodies (silly people), but I adore melon and prosciutto. It’s lovely in the summer as a refreshing morsel but also as a tasty feature in a salad. And mozarella, basil and tomato is a classic that is simply too perfect to ever be criticised.

So, my bellissimo little Feasters, what super fast treat do you whip up when friends call? Maybe a simple plate of cheese and salami, or perhaps a quick dip that can be made in seconds. Or are you a kitchen goddess with a pantry full of yumptiousness and a repertoire of gourmet delights to draw on? Share away! We always love to hear your tricks and treats.

If you’d like to learn more about Victoria and her heart-warming books, please visit her website. You can also connect via Facebook and Twitter using @VictoriaPurman