Naughty or Nice
By: Candy Ann Little
With Christmas approaching the little ones are wondering if they
are on Santa’s naughty or nice list. As adults we are also doing our own
naughty and nice lists, but with food. This time of year brings out all the
bakers and foodies. There is so much to taste and share. We have work parties,
school parties, family tradition recipes, big dinners and family gatherings.
Let’s face it all these activities would be pretty boring without food and
sweet treats. (Okay and alcohol but that is another post. LOL!!)
Food makes us feel happy, comforted, warm and sometimes even
naughty – like when I eat a whole box of chocolates, or you eat that last piece
of pie or cake at midnight. And how many times have we crammed those last few bites
into our mouth when our stomach was already stretched so full it felt like it
might explode.
But the holidays are not the only times we think about food.
Every event in our lives, happy or sad, big or small, revolves around food. We
eat at birthday parties, date nights, and even funerals. So is it any wonder
that as authors our stories revolve around food?
In Unforgiving Ghosts, my character Megan Black is
overwhelmed by her grief and desperately trying to find peace. Deciding to
leave her small town in Illinois, she moves to Santa Barbra, California. She is
young, didn’t finish college and doesn’t have much work experience, but she can
cook. That skill helps her land a temporary job as personal cook to a wealthy
family.
Even in a job that she is skilled at, Megan still struggles
with confidence. She doesn’t feel her down-home, middle class dishes are
sophisticated enough for rich people, but the Petersons love her food. For this
book I used recipes that are my husband’s favorite, like sausage and gravy over
mashed potatoes and biscuits, fried chicken, mac & cheese and roast beef. I
also have her bake cookies, chocolate cake and apple pie. Since this story
takes place from October to January, I was also able to get some Thanksgiving
and Christmas dishes in as well.
Of course, cooking in the kitchen isn’t the only heat in
this book. Megan is also trying to avoid the charms of her boss’s son, Steven. Although
she feels he’s too hot to handle, she also has other reasons for not wanting to
start a relationship with him. However, the handsome playboy has decided Megan
is a dish he wants and he won’t be turned away. But will the relationship end
up burning him?
Thanks for having me on here, Shelly. Have a wonderful Christmas!!
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