The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World Of Chinese Food by Jennifer 8. Lee is a whirlwind trip into Chinese American cuisine. The fortune cookie is an American made phenomena, but does it have an ancestry in the food culture it helped popularize? That is the start of Lee's quest and she takes the reader all over the world in search of answers.
As an American -born Chinese, she takes us in the history of the Chinese food in America and elsewhere. Chinese food is served in all seven continents - including Antarctica. (And she takes us to some of the most well known of the overseas restaurants. The irony is that most of them have"American style" food!) It is a story of Chinese immigration and adaptation.
Just who first made chop seuy anyway - and just who is this General Tso and his chicken? (This dish really sounds like just a variation of sesame chicken to me!) And what happens when hundreds of people use the same numbers from their fortune cookie to play the lottery? Read and find out.
Lee's book is well written and thoughtful. She provides us with a glimpse of the Chinese American experience. I'm just glad she let us all come along for the ride. A must read for anyone who loves their local Chinese takeout. Well written and a lot of fun. And yes, it will make you hungry.
Flowers and bee
Monday, September 08, 2008
My Gosh! Summer is Over! The Past 6 Months with Harry
Yes - August has zipped by us and I have read a bunch of stuff - but I am backed up on the posting! YIKES!
One thing I did these last six months and just finished in early August - was a re-read/re-listen project. I re-listened to ALL of the Harry Potter books on audio book. Yep. It took awhile - since I have an okay commute - but not a super long one (thank goodness!) But the experience was worth the time. And Jim Dale does a fantastic job with the many voices. I delved in to sections I did not remember with clarity. I discovered clues and foreshadowing that Rowling carefully plotted and planned. And discovered some red herrings along the way.
Was it worth it? Oh, yes! Will I do it again? Someday. But I got my self ready and raring to go to Terminus, a Harry Potter conference held in Chicago. It was great fun to talk about these great stories with a bunch of fellow fans. We put the fan in fanatic - don't ya know!
What's the next long term project? I'll let you know when I do - but on to more reviewing.
One thing I did these last six months and just finished in early August - was a re-read/re-listen project. I re-listened to ALL of the Harry Potter books on audio book. Yep. It took awhile - since I have an okay commute - but not a super long one (thank goodness!) But the experience was worth the time. And Jim Dale does a fantastic job with the many voices. I delved in to sections I did not remember with clarity. I discovered clues and foreshadowing that Rowling carefully plotted and planned. And discovered some red herrings along the way.
Was it worth it? Oh, yes! Will I do it again? Someday. But I got my self ready and raring to go to Terminus, a Harry Potter conference held in Chicago. It was great fun to talk about these great stories with a bunch of fellow fans. We put the fan in fanatic - don't ya know!
What's the next long term project? I'll let you know when I do - but on to more reviewing.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Forecast
If you have a talent such as being able to predict the weather, what do you do with it? Become a local "character" in your New York neighborhood? Or become a weather person on TV? Rowie Shakespeare isn't sure if she wants to continue in her family's New Age store called Second Sight. Being from a family of psychics has it's problems for time to time, but Rowie gets her chance on TV - when the regular weatherman Drew is sidelined with an injury.
Jane Tara's book Forecast is a frothy good time. With a family of psychics unsure of themselves, their squabbles and expectations, and with a new romance interest that just happens to be the man whose job she took, Rowie's not sure what to do. She can find lost children but can she find out what she wants to do in life? And is Drew a part of that life? A fun, frothy read.
Jane Tara's book Forecast is a frothy good time. With a family of psychics unsure of themselves, their squabbles and expectations, and with a new romance interest that just happens to be the man whose job she took, Rowie's not sure what to do. She can find lost children but can she find out what she wants to do in life? And is Drew a part of that life? A fun, frothy read.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Art of the Re-Read part 1
I met a library land big-wig a few weeks ago. I had the pleasure of eating dinner with her. And I was thrilled to bits, when I heard her say she likes to re-read books! So do I!
Why you might ask?
Depends on the situation. Sometimes it is because there is nothing else around that suites your fancy. Maybe you are trying to remember a certain passage, plot line or fascinating character? Or perhaps they are your version of book "comfort food". They have a good story. You like the characters -they make you laugh. It is written well. And it reminds you as you read them, that in the chaos of a bad week in your own life, that it will be okay, and everything will be alright in the end.
More on this topic later...
Why you might ask?
Depends on the situation. Sometimes it is because there is nothing else around that suites your fancy. Maybe you are trying to remember a certain passage, plot line or fascinating character? Or perhaps they are your version of book "comfort food". They have a good story. You like the characters -they make you laugh. It is written well. And it reminds you as you read them, that in the chaos of a bad week in your own life, that it will be okay, and everything will be alright in the end.
More on this topic later...
The Blossom Street series
In this series of books, author Debbie Macomber manages to take simple stories about the intersecting lives of women and bring life, enthusiasm and warmth to some great characters. It sounds like it should be easy - but it is never easy creating characters that in the end the reader wants to chat and visit with -long after the story is over.
Her first book, The Shop on Blossom Street, starts with Lidia who is the owner of A Good Yarn knit shop. Lidia is trying to keep her newly opened store running. She is trying to set up a series of classes to bring more people into the store. Her students have had varied lives. Jacqueline is a bored older woman who is convinced her husband is cheating on her. Carol is happily married but is trying to start a family but with only painful results. And Alix is the younger one who has been reared by the school of hard knocks, and whose tough outer shell protects a creative woman inside.
The next book is entitled A Good Yarn. Lidia has started a relationship - but she is scared it will end like all the others. Her new batch of students are: Elise, an retired, older divorced woman who is not so pleased to have her ex-husband come into her ordered life; Bethanne is a mother with teenagers, who is going through the fallout of a divorce; and Courtney, a teenager, has just moved to the area to stay with her grandmother who has signed her up for the class.
Will Lidia make a success of the shop? Will the others meet their goals, and deal with the surprises - both good and bad - that happen in their lives? Macomber does deal with their disappointments and set backs. That is one of her talents in making these characters seems real. They could be the gal down the street or your mother's best friend. She also brings a nice inter generational theme to most of the stories. It continues to give you the feeling that you could be a part of this group of women. Macomber manages to combine their lives and twisting story lines to provide satisfying good reads. Try them. But I warn you - they might give you a craving to knit!
Her first book, The Shop on Blossom Street, starts with Lidia who is the owner of A Good Yarn knit shop. Lidia is trying to keep her newly opened store running. She is trying to set up a series of classes to bring more people into the store. Her students have had varied lives. Jacqueline is a bored older woman who is convinced her husband is cheating on her. Carol is happily married but is trying to start a family but with only painful results. And Alix is the younger one who has been reared by the school of hard knocks, and whose tough outer shell protects a creative woman inside.
The next book is entitled A Good Yarn. Lidia has started a relationship - but she is scared it will end like all the others. Her new batch of students are: Elise, an retired, older divorced woman who is not so pleased to have her ex-husband come into her ordered life; Bethanne is a mother with teenagers, who is going through the fallout of a divorce; and Courtney, a teenager, has just moved to the area to stay with her grandmother who has signed her up for the class.
Will Lidia make a success of the shop? Will the others meet their goals, and deal with the surprises - both good and bad - that happen in their lives? Macomber does deal with their disappointments and set backs. That is one of her talents in making these characters seems real. They could be the gal down the street or your mother's best friend. She also brings a nice inter generational theme to most of the stories. It continues to give you the feeling that you could be a part of this group of women. Macomber manages to combine their lives and twisting story lines to provide satisfying good reads. Try them. But I warn you - they might give you a craving to knit!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
The Perfect Kiss
Characters either grab you or they don't. Plots either intrigue you or disappoint you. People may say that genre books are the same story again over and over. They aren't really. There are little differences in the writing, in the character, in the settings that blend together and make a book a bit more magical than you may have originally thought.
Anne Gracie's The Perfect Kiss is one of those books that surprises. Grace is set on having an adventure. She finally has inherited the money, worn down her relatives' objections and is planning to travel to Egypt. But first she is going to do a favor for a timid friend. Grace is going to help Melly on her journey to meet her fiance. Grace will be disguised as her chaperone and keep an eye on her. But Dominic Wolfe is not what he seems either. He may have inherited the title, but grew up overseas since his mother was separated from his father. He doesn't seem that interested in a previously arranged married. But he does notice the sassy chaperone who keeps trying to organize the disheveled household. Who is this woman who keeps trying to set things right? And why do the villagers think she is the harbinger of prosperity for the estate?
Grace is just trying to get things settled so she can leave on her trip, but Dominic keeps questioning her efforts and it is getting rather hard for her to keep from taking charge of the household. As she gets to know him, she realizes she needs to leave because she is in love with him. And she can't hurt Melly's chances for a marriage.
And that is where things get a little different. A bit of the Far East, a pinch of quirky characters, and a pair of lead characters that don't want to be ordinary. Come join in the experience. A fun and frothy read.
Anne Gracie's The Perfect Kiss is one of those books that surprises. Grace is set on having an adventure. She finally has inherited the money, worn down her relatives' objections and is planning to travel to Egypt. But first she is going to do a favor for a timid friend. Grace is going to help Melly on her journey to meet her fiance. Grace will be disguised as her chaperone and keep an eye on her. But Dominic Wolfe is not what he seems either. He may have inherited the title, but grew up overseas since his mother was separated from his father. He doesn't seem that interested in a previously arranged married. But he does notice the sassy chaperone who keeps trying to organize the disheveled household. Who is this woman who keeps trying to set things right? And why do the villagers think she is the harbinger of prosperity for the estate?
Grace is just trying to get things settled so she can leave on her trip, but Dominic keeps questioning her efforts and it is getting rather hard for her to keep from taking charge of the household. As she gets to know him, she realizes she needs to leave because she is in love with him. And she can't hurt Melly's chances for a marriage.
And that is where things get a little different. A bit of the Far East, a pinch of quirky characters, and a pair of lead characters that don't want to be ordinary. Come join in the experience. A fun and frothy read.
Death Dines In
Death Dines In, edited by Claudia Bishop and Dean James, is a collection of mystery short stories. Short stories are excellent for giving the reader a taste of an author's style or a glimpse of their latest main character. This anthology happens to focus on food. Each story takes that into consideration. And yes, there are a lot of people keeling over at the table - so this might not be the book that you read at lunch time.
Some highlights - Elixabeth Fowell's story of Alice Roosevelt Longworth's detecting and meddling at an elegant dinner party. (Too bad this is not a series.) Claudia Bishop's tale of a bad dinner at the Inn with the slightly eccentric Dr. and Mrs. Mackenzie. Carole Nelson Douglas' story of how Midnight Louie (the cat) dealt with a dangerous gourmet dinner. An introduction - (for me) of Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy character, an Irish immigrant who hasn't been in America that long. And Parnell Hall's Puzzle Lady who really doesn't want to give a speech at the luncheon but combines it with solving a murder instead.
A great collection of stories - some a bit creepier than others. It makes one consider the phrase "watch what you eat" in a whole new way. A fun read.
Some highlights - Elixabeth Fowell's story of Alice Roosevelt Longworth's detecting and meddling at an elegant dinner party. (Too bad this is not a series.) Claudia Bishop's tale of a bad dinner at the Inn with the slightly eccentric Dr. and Mrs. Mackenzie. Carole Nelson Douglas' story of how Midnight Louie (the cat) dealt with a dangerous gourmet dinner. An introduction - (for me) of Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy character, an Irish immigrant who hasn't been in America that long. And Parnell Hall's Puzzle Lady who really doesn't want to give a speech at the luncheon but combines it with solving a murder instead.
A great collection of stories - some a bit creepier than others. It makes one consider the phrase "watch what you eat" in a whole new way. A fun read.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Summer and the Reading is Easy - Part 1
He is a chef. She is a chef. He cooks Italian - continuing the family tradition. She trained in France and is ready to accomplish her dream of opening her own bistro. Anthony's restaurant is a staple of their Brooklyn neighborhood. Who is this French upstart anyway? Vivi thinks he's arrogant, and his flavors are off. Who is he to tell her how to cook? She's come to America to make a new life for herself. It may sound at first, like a superficial story, but Deirdre Martin's writing skill and style makes her book Just A Taste, go down nice and easy.
Anthony is pleased to have met a fellow chef who shares his passion for food. He's a widower and his large well meaning family is trying to get his life in order for him. He disagrees with Vivi on her recipes, but understands her drive to get her own place open. Vivi thinks he is handsome, but really has to concentrate on opening her restaurant and getting her chief investor - her half-sister to come through with the promised money. But when they get together - whether it be to complete in a cooking contest, or to compare contractors - sparks happen.
Martin does a great job making these characters seem as if they are part of your family. Her secondary characters grow and change in the story and the secondary storyline about teaching Anthony's little nephew how to cook is great. Vivi and Anthony are not "perfect" and that makes them and their situation more enjoyable and believable. Nice and frothy. A great summer read. Enjoy.
Anthony is pleased to have met a fellow chef who shares his passion for food. He's a widower and his large well meaning family is trying to get his life in order for him. He disagrees with Vivi on her recipes, but understands her drive to get her own place open. Vivi thinks he is handsome, but really has to concentrate on opening her restaurant and getting her chief investor - her half-sister to come through with the promised money. But when they get together - whether it be to complete in a cooking contest, or to compare contractors - sparks happen.
Martin does a great job making these characters seem as if they are part of your family. Her secondary characters grow and change in the story and the secondary storyline about teaching Anthony's little nephew how to cook is great. Vivi and Anthony are not "perfect" and that makes them and their situation more enjoyable and believable. Nice and frothy. A great summer read. Enjoy.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Perfect Match
In the book, The Perfect Match, Kimberly Cates introduces us to some very interesting characters. Rowena has ended up as the family failure in a family of overachievers. Her odd talent seems to be matching pets with future owners. She comes to a little town in Illinois to open up a pet store. Cash is a deputy who is busy juggling a full work load with raising two little girls by himself. One daughter is physically challenged, the other is trying to find her place in the family. They meet when Rowena has this Newfoundland dog that she needs to find a home for.
This book is for people who love unusual relationship in their romance novels, who like characters that take time to get to know each other, and lovers who have responsibilities and everyday duties - who can't drop everything to be "in love." (Oh, I guess one could call them "normal?") And people who love animals - will like this heart warming story. (Okay, that sounds overly goopy - but it is true.)
A really nice story about people who you start to care about, and the kids are a stitch too. I'm curious to see what Cates' other books are like. A fun read.
This book is for people who love unusual relationship in their romance novels, who like characters that take time to get to know each other, and lovers who have responsibilities and everyday duties - who can't drop everything to be "in love." (Oh, I guess one could call them "normal?") And people who love animals - will like this heart warming story. (Okay, that sounds overly goopy - but it is true.)
A really nice story about people who you start to care about, and the kids are a stitch too. I'm curious to see what Cates' other books are like. A fun read.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Killer Mousse
It is always extremely refreshing, when a lead character in a mystery series is not stupid. They may take chances and get in trouble, but the reader doesn't want them to just fall, trip or meander upon the solution. Oops - you mean the murderer was right under my nose? Yeah - stuff like that gives cozy mysteries a bad name sometimes.
But I think I have found one that keeps up the "high reader standard" for favorite characters. Meet Della Carmichael - a former English teacher who is trying to create a new career for herself in cooking, in the book Killer Mousse by Melinda Wells. She has started a cooking school, but now she has a chance to branch out further - on TV! She has a cable cooking show starting and she wants her first episode to be just right. Unfortunately having someone die on her set on live TV, wasn't what she had in mind.
What is LA's cop's widow to do? Especially when she thinks she is going to get accused of the murder? She has some police connections and know how. Now she has to figure out the murderer before her show gets cancelled! And a little romance doesn't hurt either.
Wells writes a nice tight mystery, and a great commonsensical character. According to her website, she is planning another in this series. If it is as good as this one - I will be excited to read it. A fun and frothy good time.
But I think I have found one that keeps up the "high reader standard" for favorite characters. Meet Della Carmichael - a former English teacher who is trying to create a new career for herself in cooking, in the book Killer Mousse by Melinda Wells. She has started a cooking school, but now she has a chance to branch out further - on TV! She has a cable cooking show starting and she wants her first episode to be just right. Unfortunately having someone die on her set on live TV, wasn't what she had in mind.
What is LA's cop's widow to do? Especially when she thinks she is going to get accused of the murder? She has some police connections and know how. Now she has to figure out the murderer before her show gets cancelled! And a little romance doesn't hurt either.
Wells writes a nice tight mystery, and a great commonsensical character. According to her website, she is planning another in this series. If it is as good as this one - I will be excited to read it. A fun and frothy good time.
Lori Foster's Fighting Men
I'm not into fighting and wrestling. At most, I'll watch a few rounds during the Olympics. But I've found out to my surprise that if Lori Foster writes about heroes who are ultimate fighters, I'm there. Who knew?!
Lori Foster writes excellent characters. Period. And her male characters are particularly engaging. In this series of three (they can be read independently), all of her heroes compete in the SBC (Supreme Battle Challenge) - a fictional fighting conference. I did not think I would like them quite frankly, but because she develops them so nicely - you kinda fall in love with the big lugs. She has done this before in her books. And I really think that is her writing "technique" - take interesting characters - in this case - some unusual situations (and more fighting terms than one can absorb), and mix it up, until these characters develop into someone you want to meet and definitely someone you want to root for.
Causing Havoc is the book that starts it all - with Dean "Havoc" Conor coming back to the family that he has been separated from since he was a small boy. He is not quite sure what to make of his new relationship with his grown-up sisters, but he really likes the look of his sister's sassy best friend, Eve.
Simon Says is the next book. Simon Evans is Dean's trainer and manager who is getting back in the ring. While training, he meets Dakota, a gal who knows a lot about fighting and who is not intimidated by walking into a gym of sweaty guys. She gives them some tips! But why is she there? She says she needs to find him - his real dad wants to meet him. He's not interested in his so called "father" who abandoned him - but he is interested in her.
Hard to Handle is Harley Handleman's book. Harley wants to challenge Simon, but he keeps getting injured. He is trying to take a break and re-focus on his fighting when he encounters Anastasia. When strange things start to happen and Harley decides to help her out, he has got to decide whether the distraction of a relationship is worth it.
After this group of books, I have decided that wherever Lori Foster wants to take you - I need to take a chance and follow her lead. If the main character is not your favorite, the secondary ones will keep you engaged. And I am always fond of romances that have a group of friends and family around the couple. (How many lovers do you know who have no one outside of themselves?) So come and read about Lori Foster's "village" of folks. Try it - you'll like it. A really fun read. I am looking forward to whatever she surprises us with next!
Lori Foster writes excellent characters. Period. And her male characters are particularly engaging. In this series of three (they can be read independently), all of her heroes compete in the SBC (Supreme Battle Challenge) - a fictional fighting conference. I did not think I would like them quite frankly, but because she develops them so nicely - you kinda fall in love with the big lugs. She has done this before in her books. And I really think that is her writing "technique" - take interesting characters - in this case - some unusual situations (and more fighting terms than one can absorb), and mix it up, until these characters develop into someone you want to meet and definitely someone you want to root for.
Causing Havoc is the book that starts it all - with Dean "Havoc" Conor coming back to the family that he has been separated from since he was a small boy. He is not quite sure what to make of his new relationship with his grown-up sisters, but he really likes the look of his sister's sassy best friend, Eve.
Simon Says is the next book. Simon Evans is Dean's trainer and manager who is getting back in the ring. While training, he meets Dakota, a gal who knows a lot about fighting and who is not intimidated by walking into a gym of sweaty guys. She gives them some tips! But why is she there? She says she needs to find him - his real dad wants to meet him. He's not interested in his so called "father" who abandoned him - but he is interested in her.
Hard to Handle is Harley Handleman's book. Harley wants to challenge Simon, but he keeps getting injured. He is trying to take a break and re-focus on his fighting when he encounters Anastasia. When strange things start to happen and Harley decides to help her out, he has got to decide whether the distraction of a relationship is worth it.
After this group of books, I have decided that wherever Lori Foster wants to take you - I need to take a chance and follow her lead. If the main character is not your favorite, the secondary ones will keep you engaged. And I am always fond of romances that have a group of friends and family around the couple. (How many lovers do you know who have no one outside of themselves?) So come and read about Lori Foster's "village" of folks. Try it - you'll like it. A really fun read. I am looking forward to whatever she surprises us with next!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Twenty Wishes
Debbie Macomber's latest book Twenty Wishes continues her Blossom Street Series. This time the lead character is book store owner, Anne Marie, who is recovering from her husband's death. She gathers together a group of friends who all happen to be widows, for a Valentine's party. After a few drinks and laughs, she comes up with the idea of making a list of twenty wishes - something to hope for and dream about - just like when you were kids. It is not necessarily a "to do" list, but a wish list. The other gals like the idea, and to Anne Marie's surprise, they start taking the idea seriously.
Some of the wishes are fairly simple like - wanting red cowboy boots. But some are harder for Anne Marie to put down on paper. She has been very unsure of herself since her husband died. Their relationship was not the best when it ended and she has been wrapped in her sorrows for a while. This list making is offering her a chance to leave her grief behind. As part of a wish, Anne Marie volunteers to work at a school as a lunch buddy, and becomes involved with the life of her new young friend, Ellen.
Macomber's characters are always interesting - but you wish you had more time with some of them. She starts out with four, and really only focuses on three of them. Perhaps another book? But she does a great job with plotting, and bringing unconventional twists to their lives. The women are all recovering from their losses, and it is interesting to see the individual perspectives on their former marriages, their twenty wishes and dreams for the future. A fun read. And a neat idea...hmmm - twenty wishes...
Some of the wishes are fairly simple like - wanting red cowboy boots. But some are harder for Anne Marie to put down on paper. She has been very unsure of herself since her husband died. Their relationship was not the best when it ended and she has been wrapped in her sorrows for a while. This list making is offering her a chance to leave her grief behind. As part of a wish, Anne Marie volunteers to work at a school as a lunch buddy, and becomes involved with the life of her new young friend, Ellen.
Macomber's characters are always interesting - but you wish you had more time with some of them. She starts out with four, and really only focuses on three of them. Perhaps another book? But she does a great job with plotting, and bringing unconventional twists to their lives. The women are all recovering from their losses, and it is interesting to see the individual perspectives on their former marriages, their twenty wishes and dreams for the future. A fun read. And a neat idea...hmmm - twenty wishes...
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Third Circle
The Third Circle by Amanda Quick continues her Arcane Society books. In this one set in Victorian England, our heroine is Leona Hewitt who has psychic talents as a crystal worker. Our unconventional hero is Thaddeus Ware who is a very powerful psychic mesmerist. Their first meeting happens to be when both of them are in a house trying to investigate the owner's collection of psychic energy objects. She is looking for the crystal stolen from her family long ago. And so is he. He tries to outmaneuver her, and in the process finally finds someone who can resist his powers. This is the start of his interest in her.
When they realize it might be best to join forces against the bad guys, who also turn out to be members of the Arcane Society, they develop a partnership that may or may not last. Both are withholding information from each other, and both are wondering where this relationship is going to take them.
Quick does a great job with her heroes and Thaddeus is among them. She moves the Arcane story along - filling in the little bits and pieces that will lead it to the next book in the series. This could be read as a stand alone book, but the storyline will make you want to read the others, to catch up with the series. A very fun frothy read.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Comfort Food
Did you ever wonder about the lives of the people behind your favorite cooking shows? Does it look perfect on TV? But is it really? Or is it all just an illusion? Take a peek into the life of a cooking show host in Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs.
Augusta "Gus" Simpson is feeling a bit introspective about her life. She is going to turn 50, is going to renew her contract for another season of her cooking show and she is a bit worried about her grown daughters. She's used to being the organizer, the caretaker, but something has been missing lately. She keeps thinking about the old days when her husband was still alive, and those years she struggled after he died. But she really has a nice life - so she shouldn't complain.
But then the other shoe drops. Her network has decided her show might not be renewed, her staffers start leaving and she finds out that the network is not one big happy family. She is asked to revamp her show to get better ratings. They think her show needs some va-voom. And then they bring in a former Miss Spain - Carmen Vega- to liven things up. Gus needs to play nice to survive. But will the new "family" format work? Can cooking together save Gus' relationships with her daughters? Will Carmen keep stealing the best lines and the best ingredients? Will someone end up with a knife in their back?
Stay tuned for all that and more. A real fun beach read. Enjoy.
Augusta "Gus" Simpson is feeling a bit introspective about her life. She is going to turn 50, is going to renew her contract for another season of her cooking show and she is a bit worried about her grown daughters. She's used to being the organizer, the caretaker, but something has been missing lately. She keeps thinking about the old days when her husband was still alive, and those years she struggled after he died. But she really has a nice life - so she shouldn't complain.
But then the other shoe drops. Her network has decided her show might not be renewed, her staffers start leaving and she finds out that the network is not one big happy family. She is asked to revamp her show to get better ratings. They think her show needs some va-voom. And then they bring in a former Miss Spain - Carmen Vega- to liven things up. Gus needs to play nice to survive. But will the new "family" format work? Can cooking together save Gus' relationships with her daughters? Will Carmen keep stealing the best lines and the best ingredients? Will someone end up with a knife in their back?
Stay tuned for all that and more. A real fun beach read. Enjoy.
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