About the Book
The Taste of Rain
Novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean, cozy, college town.
In "The Taste of Rain", we follow the story of
Amira, a college student who works part-time as a health aide at a local
nursing home. One day, she meets an elderly resident, Claire Stewart, who
confides in her that her husband was killed years ago, but nobody believed her.
Amira is hesitant to believe Claire at first, but as she
gets to know her better, she realizes that there might be some truth to her
story. Amira decides to investigate the case and help Claire find the killer.
She must navigate through the complexities of the past and
present to find the truth and bring justice for Claire.
Along the way, Amira faces challenges both personally and
professionally. She must balance her college studies with her part-time job and
her investigation. She also learns to confront her own biases and assumptions
about aging and the elderly.
"The Taste of Rain" is a mystery that explores the
themes of trust, aging, and justice. It is a heartwarming tale of the unlikely
friendship between a young college student and an elderly resident, as they
work together to uncover the truth, and solve a decades-old murder.
The Spice Code
Culinary Cozy novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean,
college town.
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.
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Excerpt
Raphael spotted the narrow alley between the Boat House and
the Sailors Knot, home decor shop. Whatever was happening with the police, he
intended to avoid it. Harper and his cousin could chase down all those dumpster
diving weirdos and track down gossip to their hearts’ content. But, he had more
urgent matters to secure. The first step was to get an audience with Chef
Dakota Richardson, the owner and executive chef of the Boat House and work up
to an in-house apprenticeship, or at least, an event collaboration. He would
gauge what direction to go in once he had a meeting set. That was easier said
than done. He headed to the rear of the building where he was sure to know
someone on staff that would let him in the back.
The early evening air was warm and fragrant, carrying the
scents of delicious dishes from the exhaust into the narrow path. Raphael had
long been captivated by the style of the restaurant, the warm patio lighting
and casual group seating on the rear deck were a perfect backdrop for this
prime location at the posh waterfront.
“Today,” he said under his breath, “Today’s my day.” As he
walked past the valet and headed to the alley, he saw her, a striking,
red-haired woman emerging from the side of the restaurant carry a small
suitcase, her radiant smile as captivating as the fiery locks framing her face.
Intrigued, Raphael couldn't resist the urge to get her
attention and strike up a conversation. With a confident stride, he approached
her, his eyes twinkling with charm.
"Pardon me, please," he said, his voice a velvety
caress. "You must be a regular here. Is the food as incredible as they
say?"
The woman turned to him, her emerald eyes locking onto his
with an amused glint. "Oh, it's to die for," she replied, a lilt to
her voice that Raphael could not place, adding an enchanting touch to her
words. "But I have to wonder if you're truly interested in the food here
or something else."
A wry smile curved Raphael's lips, his captivation
impossible to conceal. "A bit of both, perhaps. I'm Chef Raphael Parera,
and I've been thinking about acquiring this restaurant. I'd love to hear your
thoughts on it." She extended her hand, her delicate fingers warm and
inviting. "I'm Sofi-” She cleared her throat. “Isabella, a regular, as you
guessed. I'm sure it would be a wonderful addition to your business."
Raphael was overtaken by Isabella's magnetic presence.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "A chef with dreams
of his own restaurant? That's intriguing. Tell me more."
“Well, I own the Fat Cat diner near Briarwood campus.”
“Oh, a diner. I see. Well-”
“Yeah, but I was just voted Rising Star and Chef to Watch.
You may have heard of me.”
“Oh, you’re that guy? Hmm, I see. Yes, very impressive.” She
looked him over. “I’m a friend of the owner. His assistant operations manager,
actually. Maybe I can put in a good word for you. If you do acquire it, I hope
you’ll invite me for a meal to celebrate.”
Raphael gestured to the seating on the back deck away from
the formal service. She agreed to join him, the scent of her hair and flow of
her amber silk full length sundress with thigh high slit entranced him. Equally
intrigued, as they watched seagulls trace mysterious patterns in the sky and
the bartender prepare exquisite cocktails for the dinner patrons. Isabella
sipped her Lemon Drop martini, Raphael a dark ale. As they continued to chat,
the conversation flowed effortlessly, sparking a connection that went beyond
business. The Boat House was no longer just a restaurant he wanted to buy; it
was the place where he met the enchanting Isabella, a beautiful red-haired
goddess that had entered his life. His phone buzzed. Whoever was trying to
contact him would have to wait. As the sun dropped over the water, he extended
his arm to Isabella and led her on a quiet stroll along the empty boardwalk
away from the flashing lights of police cars. Flooded with ideas, his mind
reeled with the anticipation of a life perfectly aligned with his dreams
unfolding before his eyes.
About the Author
Barbara Howard is the author of two cozy mystery series;
Finding Home and The Clover City Files. Her stories feature a female amateur
sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance. She is a first generation
tech geek turned master gardener. She returned to her Midwestern hometown after
an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon
and spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing
veggies, and plotting whodunits.
Memberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA),
Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of
Color (CWoC), Gamma Xi Phi (GXP)
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