The Saturday Night Supper Club By: Carla Laureano

Back of the Book

Denver chef Rachel Bishop has accomplished everything she’s dreamed and some things she never dared hope, like winning a James Beard Award and heading up her own fine-dining restaurant. But when a targeted smear campaign causes her to be pushed out of the business by her partners, she vows to do whatever it takes to get her life back . . . even if that means joining forces with the man who inadvertently set the disaster in motion.

Essayist Alex Kanin never imagined his pointed editorial would go viral. Ironically, his attempt to highlight the pitfalls of online criticism has the opposite effect: it revives his own flagging career by destroying that of a perfect stranger. Plagued by guilt-fueled writer’s block, Alex vows to do whatever he can to repair the damage. He just doesn’t expect his interest in the beautiful chef to turn personal.

Alex agrees to help rebuild Rachel’s tarnished image by offering his connections and his home to host an exclusive pop-up dinner party targeted to Denver’s most influential citizens: the Saturday Night Supper Club. As they work together to make the project a success, Rachel begins to realize Alex is not the unfeeling opportunist she once thought he was, and that perhaps there’s life―and love―outside the pressure-cooker of her chosen career. But can she give up her lifelong goals without losing her identity as well?

My Thought

The Saturday night Supper Club is a fascinating novel showing the snowball effect of peoples words and actions when social media gets involved.  What I found most interesting about the novel is that the editorial that ultimately ended Rachel's career had nothing really to do with her as a chief or otherwise.  Nither Alex or Rachel could imagine what his simple editorial could do to both of their careers and how quickly things can spin out of our control.  I loved how Laureano addresses issues we have in our fast passed, social media frenzied society in an entertaining and thought provoking way.  Definitely a book worth reading!

High Treason By: Diann Mills

Back of the Book

When Saudi Prince Omar bin Talal visits Houston to seek cancer treatment for his mother, an attempt on his life puts all agencies on high alert. FBI Special Agent Kord Davidson is the lead on the prince’s protective detail because of their long-standing friendship, but he’s surprised—and none too happy—when the CIA brings one of their operatives, Monica Alden, in on the task force after the assassination attempt.

Kord and Monica must quickly put aside interagency squabbles, however, when they learn the prince has additional motives for his visit—plans to promote stronger ties with the US and encourage economic growth and westernization in his own country. Plans that could easily incite a number of suspects both in the US and in countries hostile to Saudi Arabia. Worse yet, the would-be assassin always seems to be one step ahead of them, implicating someone close to the prince—or the investigation. But who would be willing to commit high treason, and can Kord and Monica stop them in time?

My Thoughts

I am always impressed with Mills ability to not only shock me with her unique plots full of great twist, but also with the amount of detail she puts into her books.  High Treason is full of such detail as Kord and Monica deal with a Saudi Prince, his family, and all their beliefs about women and the rules around them.  Not once did the book ignore the complexity of the Saudi culture to make the investigation esier.  An amazing novel that is definitely worth reading.

Out of the Ashes By: Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Wiidhouse

Back of the book

After the death of their father, Collette and Jean-Michel Langelier are no longer tied to post-war France. While his sister dreams of adventure, Jean-Michel is hoping to finally escape reminders of the horrors he faced in the war. When Jean-Michel receives an unexpected invitation for them to visit Alaska and the Curry Hotel, it seems an opportunity for a change he needs. 

Katherine Demarchis is a young widow who does not grieve the dangerous husband she was forced to marry. Now she just wants to retreat to a quiet life, content to be alone. First, though, she's agreed to accompany her grandmother on a final trip, but never expects to see a man from her past. 

Katherine and Jean-Michel once shared a deep love that was torn apart by forces beyond their control. Reunited now, have the years changed them too deeply to rediscover what they had? And when Jean-Michel's nightmares return with terrifying consequences, will faith be enough to heal what's been broken for so long?

My thoughts

I have been a long time fan of Peterson's writing and after reading the first novel in the series have been looking forward to Out of the Ashes.  True to Peterson style, this novel has amazing writing, wonderful dialog and great knowledge of the area and the struggles of the times.  I enjoyed the love story between Jean-Michel and Katherine, it showed the kind of lasting love two people can share.  I must admit I did hope for a little more depth like the first novel has, but Out of the Ashes is a wonderful clean love story.