Meet the Council of Girlfriends: Grace, the relentless romantic; La Diva Lola, a celebrity chef with a secret sex life; Mamma Mia, who took the Husband & Children exit to the suburbs; the fabulous Ellie Archer, a journalist who follows her heart to Paris; and Mistress of the Universe/PR exec Lexi James, a heroine more Jo March than Bridget Jones.Lexi has a lot of women in her life, but no man. She was engaged to Mr. Almost Perfect, but called off the wedding after she had a meltdown in a suburban supermarket. Still dealing with the debris of that failed relationship, Lexi is terrified of making another committment, and another mistake. Fortunately everyone--from the members of the COG to the bubbies at the Jewish Retirement home where she volunteers--has some advice for Lexi on what she should do next.
Love, life and linguine could be the title to my autobiography. I spent half my life working in restaurants, bars and bakeries. From high school as a waitress through my adult career as a public relations consultant, I worked with some of the top chefs, restaurants and purveyors in Philadelphia. I got a delicious education in food and spirits. And, I got a behind-the-scenes view of Philadelphia's restaurant world.
In 2002, I left public relations and the restaurant world to pursue my dream of becoming a novelist. My first novel, LEXI JAMES AND THE COUNCIL OF GIRLFRIENDS was published by Avon Trade Paperbacks in April, 2005.
My second novel, LOVE, LIFE AND LINGUINE is the combination of two of my passions: writing and food. I used my restaurant background as the backdrop for my novel. Passion, personalities, pressure. It's all there.
Where is there? Jersey, baby, Jersey! I'm a native Philadelphian but I spent my adolescence in southern New Jersey, which is the setting for L3.
But I didn't appreciate New Jersey until I moved back as an adult. Now, I am now proud to say that I am a Jersey Girl. These days, I divide my time between Philadelphia and New Jersey. With the Delaware River separating Jersey from Philadelphia, I consider myself bi-coastal.
I hope to continue my career as a novelist. Although some nights, I still dream of fly orders, turning deuces into four-tops, and getting twenty percent tips.
