State Secrets: A Novella in Cherry Blossom Capers w/giveaway

 

Food: One Thing That Brings Us Together, by Lynette Sowell

About the Author

Lynette Sowell is the award-winning author of five novels and six novellas for Barbour Publishing. When Lynette's not writing, she divides her time between editing medical reports and writing a column for her local newspaper. Lynette was born in Massachusetts, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country with her husband and a herd of cats who have them well-trained. She loves reading, cooking, watching movies, and is always up for a Texas road trip.

About the Book

Tara Whitley, an assistant White House chef, doesn’t expect to become an amateur investigator. Then old flame and FBI operative Jack Courtland steps back into her life and recruits her to help uncover a plot to sabotage the next State Dinner. But she doesn’t expect Jack to uncover feelings for him she thought had long since died. Can she trust him with her safety, and her heart?

 

 

Now, let’s hear from the author

When my coauthors and I first started brainstorming Cherry Blossom Capers, I knew right away where I'd like to set my story: in the White House, with my heroine as a White House chef. Every year the White House is featured in a show that's a behind-the-scenes look at the Executive Mansion at Christmas time. I've always enjoyed seeing the party planning that goes on in the kitchen for State dinners and other events.

If there's anything that cooks know, whether it's your grandmother or a top executive chef, food brings people together. In a place that's a political hotbed like Washington, D.C., food can be a stabilizing factor. I think that's also true just about everywhere. Food relaxes us, draws out conversation between friends and family, and helps break the ice when we sit down with new friends.

In Cherry Blossom Capers, my heroine Tara Whitley loves participating in history being made in the halls of the White House. Away from work, she enjoys the warmth of Cherry Blossom Estates. She also uses her friends as guinea pigs for her new appetizer recipes when they gather for classic movie nights. However, Tara doesn't expect the FBI to arrive at the White House, and one of the agents to be an old flame that left her with a broken heart years ago. Then the FBI shows up at her townhouse at Cherry Blossom Estates and she finds herself under their microscope.

One of the things I loved most while writing this novella (besides my research) was seeing our four neighbors develop their own personalities and how they all came together. I hope readers enjoy visiting with all four of our characters during their dangerous journeys to love.

Links

• Cherry Blossom Capers Blog http://cherryblossomcapers.blogspot.com/
• Lynette on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynettesowellauthor

About the Giveaway

Open to Lower US and Canada only. To be eligible, you must answer the question: How many cats does Lynette have? Locate the correct answer and come back here to post it. BE SURE to include your name and email information so you can be notified promptly if you win.

Giveaway ends Wednesday, February 1 at Midnight Pacific Time. Winner’s name will be drawn on Thursday, February 2 and notified via email.

Thanks, Lynette, for taking part in BookBites. It’s been a pleasure having you here.