Spotlight on Susan Mallery

With more than 25 million books sold worldwide, New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” Susan grew up in southern California and currently lives in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived.






Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Cookbook:
A Love Story Told Through 150 Recipes
By Susan Mallery
Harlequin
August 27, 2013


Fans of Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold series appreciate both her heartwarming small-town romances and her love of good food, which can frequently be found at the heart of her stories. It was a delight to discover that the author had decided to combine her two loves into one book that combines an all-new "coming home" Fool's Gold love story with mouth-watering, "you too can make these" recipes for all four seasons.  

Seventeen years ago, when Ana Raquel was in the second grade, she'd been chosen to be Cinderella in the school play.  Greg had been picked to play Prince Charming and, in the end, he'd gotten all the applause.  In junior high, they'd both run for student council president. Greg had won, leaving her with the runner-up vice-president position.  In high school, she'd been nominated for homecoming queen and he'd been nominated for homecoming king.  
You can probably guess who won and who didn't.
All of which she could live, except for what happened the night of their senior prom.

Sometimes that annoying boy who was a thorn in your side grows up to be the sexy man you want by your side. When Ana Raquel Hopkins moves home to Fool's Gold, the last person she wants to see is Greg Clary.  Her nemesis since second grade, Greg has always been one step ahead of her when it comes to snagging the spotlight and it appears that hasn't changed.  An accomplished chef, Ana Raquel has plans to take Fool's Gold by storm with her street food only to discover Greg already has everybody in town raving about the fabulous food at his new restaurant. As if that isn't bad enough, when she approaches the town mayor with her brilliant idea of publishing a cookbook of Fool's Gold recipes, the mayor tells her Greg has already brought the same idea to her and then suggests the two chefs write the book together!  Determined to keep her distance personally while collaborating professionally, it doesn't take long before Greg's actions cause Ana Raquel's opinion of him to undergo a shift.  Could it be that the man the boy has grown into is someone she'd like to spend time with?  And, even more inconceivable, what if he had always been a nice guy and she had misjudged him all these years?  

Readers are invited to join Greg and Ana Raquel on their journey as they explore their feelings

for one another while perfecting 150 recipes that make the most of nature's seasonal bounty. From Spring's savory vegetarian "Greek Salad Sandwich" and party-perfect "Bubbly Feta and Sweet Pepper Dip with Pita Crisps" and Summer's "Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Chicken," "Buttery Tilapia with Dijon Dill Green Beans" and "Life-Changing Guacamole" to Fall's "Triple Berry Cooler," "Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Quiche" and "Carrot Cake Muffins" plus Winter's "Seared Pecan Salmon with Warm Lentils," "Sweet Potato Biscuits," and "Coconut Vanilla Snowball Cupcakes," (All recipes I plan to make very soon!) there's something for every season and every taste. The recipes, designed to take advantage of fresh seasonal ingredients, are easy to understand and execute and are accompanied by beautiful photos that have me eager to visit my local Farmer's Market then start cooking!


With a heartwarming love story woven among tasty, easy to make recipes for every occasion and every season, this is a must-have collection for cooks and romance lovers alike.   



Do you enjoy cooking?  Do you have a favorite cooking season?  Since we're moving into Fall here and into Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, tell me your favorite dishes to make (or eat) during those seasons.  Do you (like me) frequent your local Farmer's Market for your fruits and veggies?  Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?

Two lucky readers who leave a comment on today's spotlight blog will be randomly chosen to each receive a copy of Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold Cookbook.  (U.S. and Canadian addresses only)