I love this review. It was as if she looked right into my heart and saw exactly why I wrote the book: From the Tattered Cover, in Denver:
The Lost Recipe for Happiness
by Barbara O’Neal
reviewed by Jackie, TC Lodo staffer
This is not Sex in the City chic lit–this one actually has some seriousness and some heft.Elena, the lone survivor of a horrific car wreck that killed a number of her family members and her boyfriend, is a chef now, living with her damaged body, and her more damaged soul in the tough, male dominated world of high-end cuisine. She’s offered her first executive chef position with the challenge of renovating and recreating a restaurant in Aspen. I absolutely FELL into this book. I identified with the kitchen challenges, Elena’s loneliness, the fact that it was set in Colorado for the most part, and drooled over the many wonderful culinary creations in the book (recipes delightfully included).
It’s a love story (two, actually–there’s a fun side story about a gay couple forming from what seems like polar opposites in the kitchen), but for many of the characters it’s more about healing and taking chances. There’s even some politics about immigration and ‘guest workers’ in this country. And several ghosts. It’s hard to pigeon hole this book, but not hard to enjoy it!
One week to go! 🙂
You may have mentioned this already Barbara, but when is it released in Australia?
Yay!! Really wish I could have it in my hands the 30th but with work closing (I get my books sent there) and the delay getting to France, anyway, it’ll be there for the new year. Nice way to start 2009 🙂
Australian release: February. Good question. I need to post that more prominently.
Fabulous! I love this.
Bye the way Barb, I did recieve a digital camera for Christmas. I just wanted to let you know. I’m relying on my son, Michael, to install the software so that I can move my photos into my computer and send them all over the freaking place! Look out, Barb, you may be the recipient of some sort of “artwork”.
I’ve been harrassing our local Barnes & Noble for weeks about this book. I WILL be standing, first in line, for it. I swear.
Have a Merry Christmas!!
Wonderful, Yvonne! When you get your feet wet, let me know and post them somewhere we can see them.
I am still trying to learn mine. It’s been such a busy few weeks, I haven’t made much progress, but I will.