Recommended books can be ordered on Bookshop.
"In a quaint college town, Chef Raphael Parera's culinary passion turns into a perilous dance with deception and danger. A mysterious disappearance, a cryptic message in a bag of groceries, and a desperate quest for truth — discover the secret recipes of betrayal and redemption in this thrilling culinary mystery."
In the heart of a quiet college town, restaurant owner and chef, Raphael Parera, finds himself entangled in a web of deception that threatens not only his culinary career but his very life. Charmed by the enigmatic beauty of his new girlfriend, Isabella, Raphael is unaware of the darkness lurking beneath her captivating smile.
As their relationship deepens, Raphael suddenly disappears without a trace, leaving his cousin, Amira Cooper, frantic with worry. Unbeknownst to Isabella, he manages to send a cryptic message through a seemingly innocent bag of groceries – a silent clue hidden within a recipe's ingredients.
Desperate to save her beloved cousin, Amira embarks on a perilous journey to decipher the clues concealed within the grocery bag. Will Amira decipher the ingredients' hidden meanings in time to rescue Raphael, or will Isabella's twisted game end in a tragedy that will forever alter their lives? Get ready to indulge in a mystery where every twist and turn will leave you craving more.
In the heart of a quiet college town, restaurant owner and chef, Raphael Parera, finds himself entangled in a web of deception that threatens not only his culinary career but his very life. Charmed by the enigmatic beauty of his new girlfriend, Isabella, Raphael is unaware of the darkness lurking beneath her captivating smile.
As their relationship deepens, Raphael suddenly disappears without a trace, leaving his cousin, Amira Cooper, frantic with worry. Unbeknownst to Isabella, he manages to send a cryptic message through a seemingly innocent bag of groceries – a silent clue hidden within a recipe's ingredients.
Desperate to save her beloved cousin, Amira embarks on a perilous journey to decipher the clues concealed within the grocery bag. Will Amira decipher the ingredients' hidden meanings in time to rescue Raphael, or will Isabella's twisted game end in a tragedy that will forever alter their lives? Get ready to indulge in a mystery where every twist and turn will leave you craving more.
The Foreign Exchange: Mambo Reina Book 2 by Veronica G. Henry
Byen vini pa respekte zo rèk.
A man nicknamed Top Dog invests in cheap real estate in New Orleans Seventh Ward. But he has a dark secret, dabbling in voodoo. The story opens with the gruesome murder of his first victim, Beau Winters, a former athlete demanding a share of Top Dog’s illicit profits. Bad move. Top Dog experiments with his new hobby, calling upon a lwa to eliminate his enemies. Unfortunately for him, Winters’ disappearance does not go unnoticed.
Mambo Reina has a client connected to Beau Winters. As a favor, and for free hair care, Reina looks into the suspicious circumstances. From her peristil, Le petit Temple Vodoun, Reina practices vodou with the assistance of her lwa Erzulie.
Tremé, where Reina lives, is “Birthplace of jazz, home to freed slaves and the lovely Marie Laveau.” She keeps a sign memorializing the role of a vodouisant in a 1791 slave revolt, emblematic of Reina’s commitment to helping others. A trait that would lead her into a complicated scheme involving African immigrants and the NBA.
“Sometimes, in not getting what you wanted, you got exactly what you needed.”
With her motley crew of Tyka and Chicken, Reina discovers a missing husband is the least of her concerns. While following a lead, she and Tyka are framed for a murder, and only Reina’s relationship with Roman, a New Orleans homicide detective, keeps her out of jail.
The situation escalates when a young man who seeks her protection is abducted from her home, leaving her severely injured.
Tout laprièe gen amèn.
Angered, Reina calls upon her archrival, Lucien, to protect the young man. Temporary alliances are forged. Henry keeps the narrative flowing, adding rich New Orleans history to the story. Romance between Reina and Roman, though brief, is engaging. The ending contains an enticing cliffhanger but was clearly rushed. Disappointing given the time Henry devotes to building the story otherwise. The story is a delightful blend of mystery and paranormal. Recommend.
Byen vini pa respekte zo rèk.
A man nicknamed Top Dog invests in cheap real estate in New Orleans Seventh Ward. But he has a dark secret, dabbling in voodoo. The story opens with the gruesome murder of his first victim, Beau Winters, a former athlete demanding a share of Top Dog’s illicit profits. Bad move. Top Dog experiments with his new hobby, calling upon a lwa to eliminate his enemies. Unfortunately for him, Winters’ disappearance does not go unnoticed.
Mambo Reina has a client connected to Beau Winters. As a favor, and for free hair care, Reina looks into the suspicious circumstances. From her peristil, Le petit Temple Vodoun, Reina practices vodou with the assistance of her lwa Erzulie.
Tremé, where Reina lives, is “Birthplace of jazz, home to freed slaves and the lovely Marie Laveau.” She keeps a sign memorializing the role of a vodouisant in a 1791 slave revolt, emblematic of Reina’s commitment to helping others. A trait that would lead her into a complicated scheme involving African immigrants and the NBA.
“Sometimes, in not getting what you wanted, you got exactly what you needed.”
With her motley crew of Tyka and Chicken, Reina discovers a missing husband is the least of her concerns. While following a lead, she and Tyka are framed for a murder, and only Reina’s relationship with Roman, a New Orleans homicide detective, keeps her out of jail.
The situation escalates when a young man who seeks her protection is abducted from her home, leaving her severely injured.
Tout laprièe gen amèn.
Angered, Reina calls upon her archrival, Lucien, to protect the young man. Temporary alliances are forged. Henry keeps the narrative flowing, adding rich New Orleans history to the story. Romance between Reina and Roman, though brief, is engaging. The ending contains an enticing cliffhanger but was clearly rushed. Disappointing given the time Henry devotes to building the story otherwise. The story is a delightful blend of mystery and paranormal. Recommend.