My days are very different now than they were a year ago. Back then, I worked as a low-grade sous chef at my uncle’s Albuquerque restaurant. Now I’m using my training as a pastry chef and cake artist to run Zydeco Cakes, one of New Orleans’ premiere bakeries. It’s a dream job, and I’m thrilled to have it. I just wish I’d come by it a different way.
I got the job at Zydeco after my almost-ex-husband was brutally murdered and now I’m in partnership with my mother-in-law (if only on a technicality), Miss Frankie Renier. Don’t get me wrong. I adore Miss Frankie and I understand why she’s so eager to keep me around now that her only child is dead. Without me, she’s alone. But understanding and needing each other doesn’t mean that we agree about everything. And that’s why I try to keep the day-to-day issues under wraps. If I ran to Miss Frankie every time one of my eccentric, emotional, and very talented staff members had an issue, I’d have to camp on her doorstep.
Right now, we’re gearing up for Mardi Gras so my days are a bit different than they are during the rest of the year. I’m up at the crack of dawn and I tumble into bed long after midnight, exhausted from juggling two very different sides of the business. On the one hand, we’re still creating artistic high-end cakes for weddings and other special functions. On the other, I’m overseeing the almost assembly-line production of King Cakes for Mardi Gras.
The King Cake tradition came to New Orleans with the early French settlers, and it’s still a vital part of the Mardi Gras celebration. Custom dictates that King Cake cannot be served before Twelfth Night (the 12th day of Christmas, or January 6) or after Mardi Gras Day – which makes for a very short but intense season. The cake itself celebrates the three wise men, and the ceramic baby that’s baked into each King Cake represents the baby Jesus. If you find the baby in your piece of cake, you’re on tap to host the next party.
And that’s why, besides scrambling to keep up with my work at the bakery, I’m also going a little crazy at the prospect of hosting the Captain’s Court for the Krewe of Musterion this year. Philippe (the almost-ex) got the baby at last year’s party. According to Miss Frankie, I got custody of the baby when he died. I’m not sure she’s right, but I’ve been fighting a losing battle. So now I’m also responsible for observing a bunch of traditions I know nothing about and making sure that the krewe’s movers and shakers have the time of their lives.
Piece of cake, right?
Tell that to the dead guy in the swimming pool.
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of CAKE ON A HOT TIN ROOF to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends February 16. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Meet the author:
Jacklyn Brady lives on the Gulf Coast and writes the “Piece of Cake” mystery series set in New Orleans, which features cake artist and trained pastry chef, Rita Lucero. CAKE ON A HOT TIN ROOF is the second book in the series. A Sheetcake Named Desire was released in August 2011. Look for book #3 (tentatively titled Arsenic And Old Cake) in the fall of 2012. You can visit her at www.jacklynbrady.com or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
New Orleans and a pastry chef with mayhem and murder, what’s not to like?
mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net
Cakes…yum. Add murder, mystery and New Orleans – can’t wait. kuzlin@aol.com
cake and New Orleans? great combo!!
idlivru1(at)gmail.com(dot)com
Love cozies about cooking! Just moved A Sheetcake Named Desire to the top of my TBR pile so I will be ready for book 2 of series!
tnbjw(at)hotmail(dot)com
Loved Sheetcake Named Desire and know I will love Cake On a Hat Tin Roof. Can’t go wrong with a book set in New Orleans and with cake.
I want it! I want it! I WANT IT!!! I read Sheetcake and have been breathlessly awaiting the arrival of this second book in the series.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
Love a cozy set in New Orleans! After reading this review, i am hungry for some cake. Yummy! Another wonderful series to be added to my TBR pile.
elisanabby(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved the first one in this series. It was one of the best debut mysteries I had read in a while. Thanks for the chance to win a book in a great, new series!
kelley.dworaczyk@gmail.com
Thanks so much everyone! Your response to Sheetcake has been truly amazing. Hope you all enjoy Cake on a Hot Tin Roof, as well!
I loved Sheetcake. Can’t wait to read this one!
The titles are so clever – all take-offs on favorite movies! This sounds like a must read book/series.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
This is a great series! Sheetcake was great – she understands New Orleans… Would love to win a copy!
afarage@earthlink.net
New Orleans and the Mardi Gras make a perfect setting for a cozy. And the descriptions of cakes will probably have me hungry the entire time I’m reading this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the giveaway.
kayswederski@yahoo.com
I love your first book. Thanks for the giverway.
I haven’t read any of this series yet but I love the New Orleans setting!!!!
And to cake to top it all. Fingers are crossed!!!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
thank you for another fantastic giveaway!!!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Food Cooking A mystery, Gotta be good
jplungas at gmail dot com
This sounds like a wonderfully fun book and series!
ncroessner @ comcast. com
Just started reading A Sheetcake Named Desire. I love food mysteries. Looking forward to the latest release. Thanks for the giveaway!
scouts579(at)aol(dot)com