Do you remember that commercial, “Time to make the doughnuts?” Well, substitute pasta for doughnuts and that’s the refrain I hear, day in day out. My name is Andy Buckland and I’m a former celebrity chef. I had the shortest career of any celebrity chef in the history of Flavor TV. That’s right, less than one full episode. That’s what happens when the live studio audience gets food poisoning on your watch. Not my fault, but nobody wanted to hear it.
After that unfortunate debacle I kind of fell apart. The only food industry path left open to me was working at the Bowtie Angel. You wouldn’t think you could find traditional old world Italian pasta in N.C, especially not a Podunk town like Beaverton. We don’t even have a Starbucks, for the love of Pete! But that’s what makes my family’s pasta shop so special. And under the evil eye of my very Sicilian great aunt, I make the pasta. Even if I just made the pasta. Even if no one is eating our pasta, I still have to make the pasta.
Aunt Cecily doesn’t concern herself with things like inventory. In fact, ever since my grandmother passed on, the business has been steadily losing money. Bad enough that my career is DOA, but I can’t stand to watch three generations of my family’s hard work go up in smoke.
So. My plan is to swallow my pride and do whatever needs to be done to save the Bowtie Angel. Of course my (undeserved) reputation as “the Death Chef” has spread like wildfire. Everyone I know either witnessed my grand humiliation firsthand or has heard-tell about it. Everyone that is, except Malcolm Jones.
The absolute last thing I need at this juncture in my life is a romantic entanglement. Jones and his super sexy New Zealand accent are NOT on my to-do list, no matter how often he wanders into the Bowtie Angel and smolders at me. No sir, I’m a woman on a mission, 100% focused.
But Holy Macaroni, does that man smell good enough to eat!
You can read more about Andy in Murder Al Dente, the first book in the new “Southern Pasta Shop” mystery series, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on September 2 for the chance to win a copy of MURDER AL DENTE. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Jennifer L. Hart knows that surviving as military spouse takes persistence, comfort food and a stellar sense of humor. Her books often focus on people who’ve lived the military lifestyle and zany antics of neurotic heroines, who like to eat, drink and have fun. Her works include the Misadventures of the Laundry Hag mystery series, the Damaged Goods mystery series and Murder Al Dente, coming soon from Gemma Halliday Presents.
Visit Jennifer online at jenniferlhart.com, on Twitter or on Facebook.
All of these series sound good.
Thank you, Gram!
I love the title , can’t wait to read this one and check out the recipes !
Thanks, Kathy! I have a few up on my website as well!
Like the colorful cover; thank you for the chance to win 🙂
Very welcome, Lisa, best of luck!
This sounds great! Looking forward to reading it. And thank you for the opportunity to win it.
Thanks, Barbara! Good luck!
What a great title!
Thanks, Patricia. Though I’m having trouble coming up with a follow up title that’s just as catchy.
Food poisoning – a chef’s worst nightmare. I have to read it!
It is, Nancy! Poor Andy, I really ran her ragged right from the beginning!
Sounds like a good read—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Very welcome, Sheila!
This looks like a good start to a series that has a little different flair. I would like a copy
Thank you, Nancy!
Poor Andy….I’d like to see if her life gets a boost after all she’s been through.
Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
I put her on one heck of an emotional roller coaster but no worries, I’m a firm believer in the happily ever after!
Every cooks nightmare – food poisoning, but even more so for a professional cook. Combine it with a mystery too, what a wonderful read. Hope I’m the lucky one. If not good luck to all the others.
Thank you, Robin! Best of luck!
This is one book I plan to read.
Yay, Cheryl! Happy reading!
Sounds like an awesome book, hoping to win!!
Thanks and good luck, Robin!
This sounds like a lot of fun, thanks for the chance to win a copy. We have a local chef who makes the best handmade pasta I’ve ever had. We make it a point to go to one of his two restaurants on a regular basis. Great, now I’m hungry.
Very welcome! And yes, reading this book is bound to make you hungry. I probably packed on ten pounds while I wrote it!
Love the sound of the book.
Thanks, Rita!
Another great review Dru…thank you! Sounds as if Jennifer has hit pay dirt once again! Congratulations on this new series.
Why thank you, Sandy!
Sounds like fun. The other series are also things to look into.
Thanks, Judy!
This sounds so good! Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Becky, I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for the giveaway I’d love to read this book. It sounds like one I would enjoy
Very welcome, Carol. Best of luck!
A foodie book? A Southern foodie book? Count me in~
Consider yourself counted, Mary!
I have this title on my must-buy list. It sounds like a fun read. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity! Ms. Hart, I just want to mention that I have found many, many wonderful books from Gemma Halliday Publishing. So glad you have joined that group. I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Thank you, Linda. Best of luck!!
Southern pasta! What a concept! And, yes, I remember the commercial. Look forward to reading it. And, the recipes. Thanks for the giveaway!
Very welcome, Linda.
This sounds like a really fun new series. Southern comedic mysteries are my favorites.
Mine too, Rachel.
Sounds intriguing! I’d definitely love to win a copy and give it a shot!
Good luck, Jan!
Love food and a mystery.
Me too, Karen
Another perfect book for me; a cozy, food and fun and I just got book 1 so will be able to read them almost back to back if I win it or get it ordered soon, and I am sure it will mean ordering it soon as so many others know what a great writer Jennifer is too and everyone wants her book. Thanks for putting my name into the mix however. Great writing, Jennifer.
Cynthia B.
We, thank you, Cynthia! Happy reading!
You got me at pasta, and to be booted off a cooking show for food poisoning…it sounds like her life is going to be keeping us entertained for quite awhile.
Debbie, Andy has a knack for finding trouble wherever she goes!
I like a little romance with my mysteries so this book should be in my TBR pile. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Very welcome!
Southern and pasta! Works for me!
🙂
ok, how did I almost miss this giveaway?!?!?!
thanx for this, as this is a new-to-me series/author….
Thanks Jennifer for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.