NEW RELEASE
Off the Menu - Stacey Ballis (2012)
Alana Ostermann has her hands full. As executive culinary assistant to high-maintenance celebrity chef, Patrick Conlon, she runs his career, and his life, from behind the scenes. Writing recipes for his cookbooks, training his staff, and even running interference for his crazy love life, she is basically at his beck and call any time of the day or night. This poses a problem when she begins dating RJ, who turns out to be a better boyfriend than she could have ever hoped for. Trying to balance her new relationship with her demanding boss, large family, and the original man in her life, pup Dumpling, Alana finds trying to keep everyone happy can be a bit of a struggle. Throw in the possibility of two new dream jobs to choose between, each with a list of positives to make her life even better than it already is, and you have one very frazzled woman. Not only is Alana a strong and highly likable woman, but the story and characters surrounding her support her attempt to be everything to everyone, like so many women today. Stacey Ballis has once again perfected the recipe for a great book - interesting characters and a satisfying plot, cute boy, cute dog, and incredible food, complete with recipes. Off the Menu has it all. (LEK)
Stacey Ballis dishes up another foodie-inspired novel with Off the Menu. The summary says: "As the executive culinary assistant to celebrity Chicago chef Patrick Conlon, Alana Ostermann works behind the scenes - and that's just the way she likes it. But with developing recipes for Patrick's cookbooks, training his sous chefs, picking out the perfect birthday gifts for his ex-mother-in-law, and dealing with the fallout from his romantic escapades, she barely has a personal life, much less time to spend with her combo platter of a mutt, Dumpling. Then a fluke online connection brings her RJ, a transplant from Tennessee, who adds some Southern spice to her life. Suddenly Alana's priorities shift, and Patrick - and Dumpling - find themselves facing a rival for her time and affection. With RJ in the mix, and some serious decisions to make about her personal and professional future, Alana must discover the perfect balance of work and play, money and meaning, to bring it all to the table--one delicious dish at a time." Off the Menu is out in July.