Tag Archives: alexis hall

Romance Picks for LGBTQ Pride Month: Chef’s Choice, Mortal Follies, and the Green Creek Series

31 May

Chef’s Choice
by TJ Alexander
I had written previously about Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander.  If, like me, you were a fan of the sweet romance between bisexual chef Simone and nonbinary kitchen manager Ray than you will want to check out Alexander’s second novel, Chef’s Choice, which features Simone’s charming roommate, Luna O’Shea.  Luna gave up college in order to fund her transition, and is currently working as a personal assistant, that is until she is fired.  She therefore jumps at the chance that French transman, Jean-Pierre, provides her to be paid to pretend to be his girlfriend and compete in a cooking challenge that will allow him to inherit his Grandfather’s culinary empire.  Of course romance fans know that often pretend relationships have a way of becoming real ones; the fun is always how they develop along the way.  Alexander puts some daunting challenges to overcome including differing cultural and economic backgrounds that have impacted Luna and Jean-Pierre’s world views, along with the fact that neither has the kitchen skills to whip up an elaborate multi-course meal.  This is delightful treat for foodie romance fans.

Mortal Follies
by Alexis Hall
Alexis Hall is one of my favorite romance authors. I’ve written several posts about his works in the past. His stories tend to be sweet and funny sometimes mixing in a bit of mystery or fantasy; Mortal Follies includes a bit of all of these. Set in Bath in 1814, Maelys Mitchelmore is at a society ball when the unthinkable happens, her dress begins to disintegrate by some magical force. Lady Georgianna Landrake, nicknamed the Duke of Annadale, comes to her rescue and loans Maelys her cloak, but may have managed to steal her heart in the process. Maelys seeks out Lady Landrake’s further assistance when the curse that has been placed on her continues to unfold. Will they be able to find the culprit in time? One unique addition that helps shape the story is that it is narrated by the mischievous fairy Robin Goodfellow, who hides in the background telling us the story as it unfolds (banished from Oberon’s court he has taken up writing to support himself). Another enjoyable element is the friendship between Maelys, her cousin, and Miss Bickle, her best friend. Fans of Julia Quinn’s gossipy regency romance Bridgerton series and Gail Carriger’s Parasolverse, that mixes period society drama with fantasy elements, will enjoy this fun romp.

Wolfsong and Ravensong
by TJ Klune
I had previously enjoyed and blogged about TJ Klune’s three recent stand alone adult novels The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, and In the Lives of Puppets so I was curious when I saw the Green Creek series he had written, was now being republished in new hardcover editions. Each of the novels in the four book series deals with a different gay or bisexual member of a pack of werewolves in Green Creek, Oregon. The first book, Wolfsong, focuses on Ox a human boy who befriends the eccentric family that moves in near his house in the forest. He becomes particularly close friends with the youngest pack member and then as they reach adulthood their feelings evolve into something more. The second book, Ravensong, follows my favorite character in the series, Gordo, a witch whose magical tattoos including one of a raven sometimes seem to move about his body. The second novel is interesting in that it not only builds from the first novel, but it also has parts that take place during the first novel as well as flash backs. It gives an interesting depth to see incidents from different points of view. Although both are self-contained they are definitely more powerful when read as a larger whole. Both books deal with issues of consent, destiny, generational trauma, and self-determination while navigating pack dynamics. The novels have more sex and violence than his stand-alone works of fiction so if you are looking for gentler reads these might not be your jam, but for those looking for a complex mix of fantasy, bildungsroman, romance, and horror Wolfsong and Ravensong have a harmony that will resonate. The next two in the series Heartsong and Brothersong continue the adventures.

I received advanced reader copies of Mortal Follies, Chef’s Choice, Wolfsong, and Ravensong from NetGalley and the publishers to provide you with honest reviews.

If you enjoy LGBTQ romances, consider joining us for June’s Romance Book Club featuring Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly about the first nonbinary competitor on a national cooking show finding love with a fellow contestant. For those who like to cook themselves, you can take an in person or virtual cooking class and learn to make some Pride Month treats. Our Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion in June will also have LGBTQ representation for Pride Month with a LAMBDA Award Nominee, The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart. And consider participating in our Read Out Loud and Proud! Banned Books Read-a-thon!

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Scrumptious Romances: Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble, Other Birds, and Chef’s Kiss

2 Nov

Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble
by Alexis Hall
Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble is the second in the Winner Bakes all Series, a series of novels set against a TV show similar to the Great British Baking Show.  Readers of the previous book will be pleased with a passing mention updating the previous relationship, but the main focus is a whole new group of bakers so it is not necessary to have read Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake to enjoy this story.  I’ve been a fan of Hall’s for awhile and appreciate his complex well developed characters.  Paris is the son of a top fashion designer father and a super model mom, who are too busy living their jet set lifestyle to spend time or even communicate with their son.  Paris is entered into the show by his best friend and although at first successful, struggles with anxiety that he has been burdened by for most of his life.  His love interest is Tariq, another contestant, who hopes to one day be the host of a Halal cooking show.  I thought Paris’s mental health issues were handled in a nuanced and realistic way as was Tariq’s balancing of his sexuality and his religious beliefs.  Tariq’s family’s warmth was a lovely depiction of a functional family.  This sweet gentle read left me looking forward to what the next book and season will bring. You can also read my previous blog post including a review of Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake and another baking competition romance, For the Love of Cake by Erin Dutton.

Chef’s Kiss,
by TJ Alexander
Another sweet LGBTQ romance, I recently enjoyed was Chef’s Kiss, the debut novel, by TJ Alexander.  Simone has always dreamed of working for The Discerning Chef, a cookbook publisher in New York, (think Gourmet or Bon Appetite).  But she feels out of her depth when they begin to demand writers not only create recipes but also create social media videos to try and advertise and expand the brand.  Ray Lyton the new kitchen manager’s relaxed attitude at first irks Simone, but soon the two are working together on the video project and Simone begins to develop feelings for Ray.  When Ray comes out as nonbinary, some of The Discerning Chef reacts in a prejudiced manner, which causes Simone, who had previously kept quiet about her own bisexuality, to rethink whether her “dream job” is where she really belongs.  There is a sequel planned for next summer, but details have not been yet released if it will continue Simone and Ray’s story or follow other characters from this novel.

Other Birds
by Sarah Addison Allen
It’s been a while since we had been gifted with a new novel from Sarah Addison Allen, but Other Birds is worth the wait.  Mallow Island, located off the coast of South Caroline, is named for the plants that grow there that were used to make the marshmallow confections that the island is famous for.  The Dellawisp condos are hidden down an alley and its residents are also hiding from their pasts, that is in until 18 year-old Zoey Hennessey arrives.  Zoey is moving into her deceased mother’s condo before she starts college on the main land and she is curious to find out not only more about her mother, but also about the residents of Dellawisp including a chef who wakes up each morning covered in cornmeal and can tell the story of the seasons through food and a Henna artist that he has had a secret crush on.  A charming story of not only romance, but also found family with Allen’s magical realism sprinkled throughout such as the invisible bird that accompanies Zoey on her adventures.  You can read a previous post about Allen’s work here.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services




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