Augusta and Bess had always helped their father in his pharmacy below their NY apartment. While Bess, older and beautiful worked the makeup counter, Augusta shadowed her father, confident she would be a pharmacist someday. In the early 1920’s it was not easy for women to become professionals but Augusta was determined and had no doubt this was her future. When their mother became ill and passed away, Great Aunt Esther came to live with the Stern’s and help the family any way she could. As Augusta got older she noticed Aunt Esther had some magical potions of her own. Back in the old country she was called a witch but in America she quietly helped women with natural herbs and tinctures that often had better results than the local doctor. Esther felt Augusta had the gift to heal and these lessons along with her father’s would someday bring Augusta great success. The pharmacy’s delivery boy, Irving Rifkin, had his eye on Augusta since the day he started. Their friendship filled Augusta with joy and she was sure he was the one, until he left town one day with no explanation and broke her heart. Sixty two years later Augusta has finally retired and moves to a retirement community in Boca Raton. She is turning 80 years old and having lost most of the people she loved doesn’t exactly feel like celebrating. One morning swimming her laps in the pool she bumps into Irving. All these years later she doesn’t know how to interpret these feelings of loss and regret and love that still linger. Cleverly narrated between her past and present life, this magical five star read shares life’s many lessons. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday, October 25, 2024
Some people thought Olive Stone was cold as ice. Her scathing restaurant reviews in the London Post were often feared and greatly respected. When her estranged father Chef Nicky passed away unexpectedly Olive inherits his small Italian family style restaurant and with it the responsibility of completing the last few chapters of his latest cookbook. Although she cherishes her childhood memories filled with dreamy summers in Italy and with her loving parents, recent years have been difficult. Olive has kept her distance physically and emotionally from the man she blamed for it all falling apart. Immediately Olive decides she should sell the restaurant but concedes to travel through Italy for part of the summer with his sous chef, Leo to finish the final recipes. Traipsing through Sicily, Tuscany and the coast Olive and Hot Chef cannot ignore the explosive chemistry they share and Italian food they cannot get enough of. With her father’s memory heavy on her heart and his ashes in her carry-on, Olive must come to terms with her parents imperfect past and the scary future that lay ahead. Filled with delicious ingredients and mouthwatering possibilities, you will find yourself racing into the kitchen this holiday season! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Be Ready When the Luck Happens
Working in the White House may sound glamorous but Ina Garten’s heart was most definitely in the kitchen. Counting the minutes to escape her unpleasant childhood, Ina met and married Jeffrey while he attended Dartmouth. A long road ahead, the young couple landed in DC but accounting and analysis work never made her heart soar. While Jeffrey’s career was growing by leaps and bounds Ina was happy figuring out their small dinner parties. Her joy was trying and perfecting new recipes and feeding those she loved. One day an ad in the newspaper displayed a specialty food store called the Barefoot Contessa for sale in the Hampton’s. Far out on Long Island Ina knew little about the area and even less about running a store. As fate would have it, she saw the opportunity as a challenge and her loving husband supported and encouraged this seemingly crazy endeavor. Sharing the ups and downs of running a shop and expanding her career, there was no doubt Ina Garten belonged in the business of feeding people. More than 40 years later Ina Garten’s mouthwatering recipes and entertaining ideas have filled dozens of cookbooks, television shows and an array of food products. Ina doesn’t only explain how to make something - which this non-trained cook insists anyone can do - but she brings joy to the presentation and satisfaction eating good simple food. An inspiring and mouthwatering memoir, it’s a good thing reading has no calories. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saturday, October 19, 2024
New York to Mumbai:
Finally finished with law school Princey Khurana is excited and ready to join her father’s successful firm. Having grown up in New York City, Princey hasn’t participated in many Indian traditions since she was a little girl. Her father has done his best but since her mother passed away she has felt that holidays like Diwali were a waste of time and money. As a special gift her father sends her on a sneaky business trip to Mumbai. Princey must deliver some very important documents and at the same time stay with old family friends that happen to have a handsome son, Varun Varma. As this young man introduces Princey to life in Mumabi she gets a chance to experience Diwali, one of the biggest festivals in India. Lasting five days, the myths and stories behind the holiday shares themes of justice and liberation - marking the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, with more than a billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world celebrating! This spiritual and heartwarming romance is an enjoyable novella highlighting the festival of lights. ⭐⭐⭐
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Where They Last Saw Her
Quill grew up on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota. Anxious since childhood, Quill finds her escape in running. No matter the season she is out there with her two closest friends, Punk and Gaylen, preparing for the Boston marathon. Married to Crow, a hard working kind man, they quietly raise their two children and focus on their long held culture and traditions. One day while running in the woods Quill hears a blood curdling scream. This is the beginning of her nightmare. Unable to forget this terrifying noise, Quill returns to the site and finds an earring in the snow. With evidence in hand she begins to ask questions and investigate who went missing. It is not the first time a Native woman has disappeared and the authorities fail to follow up. While the pipeline being built nearby delivers jobs and business to the area it also brings danger and crime. Women have been kidnapped, raped and sold. For the safety of their small family Crow insists Quill leave it to the reservation police but the understaffed office cannot always be trusted. On her own Quill and her friends with the support of the elder women will not stop searching until they can once again feel safe in their village. Fast paced unique mystery that I could not put down. The incredible act of strength and bravery when these women band together is extraordinary. This Native American author and activist inspires readers, writers and communities everywhere. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We Three Kings
Resolved to spend Christmas alone cuddled on her comfy couch, Maggie Field was surprised to find herself with not one holiday celebration - but three!!! As head manager of the IT department at a large financial firm in London, Maggie treated her coworkers like family. When “the boys” hear Maggie will be solo for the break they act quickly. Neurotic sweet Frank invites her to be plus one at his sister’s wedding, Posh Jasper, who has one foot out of the closet, brings her along to join his boisterous family at their fancy estate and sweet Leo includes Maggie in a picture perfect countryside holiday. Heartwarming friendship and a budding romance are quickly daunted when HR quietly demands Maggie make one of these amazing guys redundant after the New Year. Horrified at the thought of hurting anyones feelings and derailing their future plans she must find a way to enjoy the beauty of Christmas and not destroy this team she has grown to love. Funny, cute and cozy, this quirky cast of characters brings the magic of the holidays to life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monday, October 7, 2024
Love You A Latke
Being the only Jew on the tourist board in her small Vermont town, Abby Cohen was appointed to plan the Hanukkah Festival. As the surrounding towns focused mainly on Christmas the group decided it would draw more attention and a larger crowd by creating something unique to the area. With her coffee cafe barely making ends meet Abby could not resist the opportunity to improve her bottom line. Seth, one of her most annoying but loyal customers offers to help her find the best vendors if Abby would do him one little favor. Come to NY and pretend to be his girlfriend for one week. Apparently - because they worried about him constantly - Seth had quietly led his loving parents to believe he was in a serious relationship with a nice Jewish girl. Even though his overzealous kindness tended to be annoying, he could prove very helpful with the festival, so she agreed. Exploring the twinkling lights of New York City, Abby is reminded of the community she used to love, at the same time terrified of bumping into her past, namely her parents whom she hasn’t had contact with for years. Devouring delectable latkes and sugary holiday doughnuts, Seth’s friends and family turn out to be a warm welcome to a challah-day she had almost forgotten. A delicious romp through the eight nights of lights. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
So Thirsty
Sloane and Naomi have been best friends since childhood. Now, in their mid thirties, Sloane finds herself in a tedious marriage with an unfaithful husband while Naomi is roaming the world with her rock star boyfriend and living the high life. When Sloane’s husband arranges a surprise birthday girl’s spa weekend she is both mad and suspicious. Always the mischief-maker Naomi continually pushes Sloane past her limits. One evening they are invited to the home of a handsome stranger. The creepy old mansion is initially intriguing but it doesn’t take long for Sloane to sense something is not right. A charming man named Henry becomes the first person to whom Sloane admits her deep unhappiness. Henry makes her feel instantly at ease under the strangest of circumstances and Sloane experiences an attraction she hasn’t allowed herself to feel in years. While Naomi wanders off partying with the small group a series of events leads her to danger. To save Naomi’s life Sloane must make a difficult choice or risk losing her friend forever. Together the two women navigate this peculiar new life where something as simple as quenching one’s thirst can lead to murder. A fine line between love and hate - desire and fear. This paranormal thriller explores the strangest romance, friendship and meaning of life one bloody sip at a time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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