Change of Plans

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton | 368 pages | 2023

In this charming romantic comedy, a hometown hero comes to the rescue of a chef unexpectedly left to care for three little girls—who may end up saving him too.
When disaster strikes and chef Bryce Weatherford is given guardianship of her three young nieces, her life goes from cooking with fire…to controlling a dumpster fire. Five‑year‑old Addison refuses to remove her fairy wings, eight‑year‑old Cecily won't bathe, and tween June is majoring in belligerence. With all this chaos, Bryce jettisons hope for a life outside of managing her family and her new job.
It's been years since Ryker Matthews had his below‑the‑knee amputation, yet the phantom pain for his lost limb and Marine career haunts him. To cope, he focuses on his vehicle restoration business. He knows he's lucky to be alive. Yet, “lucky” feels more like “cursed” to his lonely heart.  
When Ryker literally sweeps Bryce off her feet in the grocery store's baby aisle, they both feel sparks. But falling in love would be one more curveball neither is ready to deal with… or is it exactly the change of plans they need?

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Sweetness & Lightning, v. 1-2 by Gido Amagakure

Sweetness & Lightning, v. 1 by Gido Amagakure - 198 pages
Sweetness & Lightning, v. 2 by Gido Amagakure - 192 pages

Teach Kouhei Inuzuka is doing the best he can since his wife died trying to raise his young daughter Tsumugi as a single father.  Unfortunately, he's a failure at cooking.  Then a chance encounter with one of his students Kotori brings him the opportunity to learn how to cook.  Now they're working together to figure out how to make delicious food for Tsumugi and themselves.

I was a little disappointed with this manga series.  It's basically comprised of short scenes. I was hoping for a little more character development.  I'm not sure if I'll continue on with the series or not.

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson - 170 pages

Princess Decomposia is loaded with the work of running her father's kingdom while he is unwell in bed.  Then she has to hire a new cook and chooses the best possible candidate for the job -- Count Spatula.  He's a vampire who loves to bake and feels it is his mission to feed those he cares for.  And that is the start of a wonderful relationship that will change everything.

This was a cute graphic novel.  It's filled with monsters for those who look the creepy.  It deals with family issues.  And it has a sweet romance.  While this book is geared towards teens, I also think older children would like also.

Killer Pancakes by Diane Mott Davidson

Killer Pancakes by Diane Mott Davidson, 341 pages

This installment of the Goldy Culinary Mysteries finds our favorite caterer preparing for the Independence Day holiday and a food fair at the local mall. While setting up at the fair, someone close to Goldy is run down and killed.

Even though she is married to the lead homicide investigator, she just can't leave well enough alone and insists in investigating herself. Of course, what follows is mayhem.

Be sure to look for recipes tucked through out the book that correspond with the catered meals that Goldy prepares.

Cooked by Michael Pollan

Cooked is Michael Pollan's latest book.

Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation by Michael Pollan --- 468 pages

Bestselling author Michael Pollan (named one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2010) is a long time contributor to the New York Times, and the Knight Professor of Journalism at the University of California - Berkeley.

Ranging across history, myth, science, technology, psychology and his own kitchen, Pollan explores the relationship between people, culture and food. In this book he uses the four classical elements: fire, water, air and earth, to reflect on how the raw stuff of nature is transformed into nourishment for the body and the spirit. What the reader learns, along with Pollan, is how cooking connects us in a web of relationships: with plants and animals, farms and farmers, history and culture, and with the family and friends who gather around our tables.

He argues that relying on industrial agriculture and large corporations to process the food we eat is not only unhealthy, but also severs us from our environment and disrupts our sense of community. The first and most important step towards a healthier and more sustainable life for each of us and all of us is to step back into the kitchen and re-claim the act of cooking.

Pollan's previous books include Food Rules, In Defense of Food, The Omnivore's Dilemma and The Botany of Desire.

 

The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair

The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair

Logan is desperate to find someone to babysit his son when he is called into work.  Melody agrees to do it if he will get her a job at the tv station he works at.  Logan agrees with the thought he can find her a receptionist position.  Melody wants to host the new cooking show and amazingly his boss agrees to give her the job even though Melody can't cook.
This is the first book in a paranormal romance series.  Melody is a "witch" although she never actually casts a spell that works during the entire story.  I did find the book pretty humorous and might hunt out the other books in the series.

Cook This, Not That by David Zinczenko & Matt Goulding

Cook This, Not That by David Zinczenko & Matt Goulding - 338 pages

This book gives alternative healthier recipes for cooking at home instead of eating out at restaurants.  The authors claim that someone would lose 20 pounds in a year simply by following the recipes in the book instead of eating out.  While I'm not sure if that is true, the recipes do seem to be healthier than restaurant fare.