One New York chef's world is turned upside down in Meredith Mileti's "Aftertaste."
Mira Rinaldi had it all - a successful trattoria that she co-owns with her husband and a young baby. But when her husband starts "working" late, Mira shows back up to the restaurant after hours to find him with the new maitress d'. In a fit of anger, Mira attacks her husband's mistress and ends up arrested and must take anger management classes and stay up late nights with her sick baby while her husband lives in a nice apartment with his new girlfriend.
As the divorce proceedings continue, it becomes clear to Mira that not only has she lost her marriage, but she might lose her restaurant as well. And her soon-to-be ex-husband has no clear interest in their daughter. Luckily for Mira, she has a group of caring friends at her back, and together with them and her love of food, Mira finds she may be able to pick up the pieces of her life - and start a whole new one.
This is an empowering story about finding strength in yourself during difficult circumstances. It is also a love letter to food and friends.
"Aftertaste" is published by Kensington. It is $15 and 365 pages long.
Hope Ramsay returns to a story of small-town lives (and loves) in "Home at Last Chance."
Sarah Murray is the PR woman for a stock-car team - specifically bad boy Tulane Rhodes' team. Sarah's got her hands full dealing with him and may have even more dealing with his mother, but when she passes out, it's Tulane's mother, Ruby, who sets about to take care of her and get her wayward son back in town for a visit. There, Sarah is catnip for the single men and their mothers in town, especially when the Ladies Auxiliary and in particular, Mrs. Randall, wants to set her up with the town's minister, Rev. Ellis.
But Sarah's determined not to settle down with a straight-and-narrow kind of guy. Her tastes run just a bit wilder, and could even run toward her client, the hot Tulane. But even when sparks are flying, can the two trust each other, especially when work gets involved?
This is a fun sort of romantic comedy with two opposites attracting and a lot of heat involved. It's just the kind of story romance readers will love.
"Home at Last Chance" is published by Warner Forever. It is $7.99 and 352 pages long.
Award winning author Christie Craig serves up romance with a bit of mystery in "Don't Mess With Texas."
Nikki Hunt thought the worst moment in her life was when she found out her husband was cheating on her. Now divorced, she is toying with the idea of getting back together with him. But when they meet over dinner and he is acting the same and fighting with people over the phone about work, she is prepared for the situation to go bad. When she thinks he has ditched her with the bill, she goes to find him - and finds his body stuffed in the trunk of her car!
Now Nikki is a murder suspect. But who, other than Nikki, wanted him dead? That's what former cop-turned-private investigator, Dallas O'Connor, is determined to find out once he meets her. He believes Nikki didn't do it, and it's not just because he is attracted to her. Now the two of them must find the real killer before Nikki goes to jail or gets killed herself.
This is a blend of romance and mystery with a lot of humor and snappy dialogue. Craig is sure to entertain readers with this new series.
"Don't Mess with Texas" is published by Warner Forever. It is $5.99 and 428 pages long.
Contact Amy Phelps at aphelps@newsandsentinel.com
