Recipe for a Charmed Life By: Rachel Linden
For all my fans of Debbie Macomber out there, and I know that there are many, you will also fall in love with Rachel Linden. Her romance books have a touch of the whimsical, a splash of magical, and romance: while touching themes of second-chances, redemption, and tough family relationships. My introduction to Rachel Linden was The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake. A Recipe for a Charmed Life did not disappoint, and I have a hold on her newest release A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity at my local library.
In this charming romantic novel, readers are introduced to main character Georgia May Jackson, an American chef living in her Paris. When her world begins to fall apart (losing her sense of taste, a failed romance, and a career on the brinks of being destroyed) Georgia May is willing to do anything to get her spark back in the kitchen. At just the right time, an email from the mother that abandoned 5 year old Georgia appears in her inbox. Needing a change of scenery, Georgia agrees to travel to a small island off the coast of Washington State to meet her mother. Hopefully, she can find out why her mom left, and in the process re-discover who she is in the kitchen, and by some miracle maybe her sense of taste will return.
Upon arrival at her mother's small island home, Georgia meets a handsome, yet mysterious man named Cole. This stranger, an oyster farmer, looks vaguely familiar to Georgia, but she can not place why. Georgia's mom is harboring secrets and a painful past, and her neighbor is harboring secrets as well. Not only that, her mom keeps hinting at some strange magical family trait that is passed down to the women in her family. Linden brings these characters together along with the hurts of a past filled with mistakes and tragedy in a manner filled with grace, truth and a hint of the whimsical.
Even though this book was not published as a Christian book, I was reminded of so many biblical truths. I was reminded that true freedom is from the Lord and letting go of our past, our sins and being able to forgive (not meaning that the hurt never happened but how to rebuild broken relationships). I also was reminded of one of my favorite passages from Psalms Be still and Know that I am God Psalm 46:10. Georgia has to learn all this in order to find her spark and her passion for cooking once again. As Linden slowly pulls back the pages to each character's back story readers will be find themselves identifying with them on many different levels. She does this in a masterful and sensitive way.
So to all my avid readers who are fans of cozy romance with a side of magic, cozy up with your favorite blanket and Rachel Linden's Recipe for a Charmed Life. Grab a nice cup of tea, sweetened with some honey and be transported to a small island off the coast of Washington where it is possible to find healing and love at the same time. Simba enthusiastcially gives this book four paws, and loved the adorable golden lab, Pollen, that will become a favorite character. Once again, I am so thankful to my local library to be able to check out and read so many amazing books! Happy Reading!!
So ladies, and fans of women's fiction and a cozy romance, it's time to cozy up with
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