Queen of the Cookbooks

Written by Ashton Lee

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin

In the quirky Southern town of Cherico, Mississippi, a new library means an exciting new chapter for librarian Maura Beth McShay-and for the friends and book lovers known as the Cherry Cola Book Club The construction of Cherico's cutting-edge library has been an epic struggle worthy of War and Peace. But the Grand Opening Ceremony is scheduled at last-for the Fourth of July no less-featuring lakeside fireworks and a concert by country singer Waddell Mack. Maura Beth has even devised a cooking contest among area chefs and aspiring Julia Childs to crown the Queen of the Cookbooks. Yet even Maura Beth's careful plotting can't prevent some glitches Between a furniture fiasco that requires some creative problem-solving, and front-desk clerk Renette's major crush on Waddell Mack, there's equal parts drama and comic relief. Once the ribbon has been cut and the delicious recipes are judged, the Queen of the Cookbooks will take her crown, and the Cherry Cola Book Club, along with Maura Beth and her staff, will have the library of their dreams. But it'll take luck, loyal friendships, and the shared love of a powerful story to make this a truly happy beginning Praise for The Cherry Cola Book Club novels "An intrepid librarian, a book club feast, and a cozy, heart-warming Mississippi mystery-what's not to love?"-Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet "Lee's buoyant David-versus-Goliath tale zestfully illuminates a real problem confronting libraries and cities of all sizes."-Booklist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781501958939

Ashton Lee

Ashton Lee was born in historic Natchez, Mississippi, into a large, extended Southern family which gave him much fodder for his fiction later in life. His father, who wrote under the pen name of R. Keene Lee right after WWII, was an editor and writer in New York of what is now called pulp fiction. As a result, Ashton inherited a love of reading and writing early on and did all the things aspiring authors are supposed to do, including majoring in English when he attended The University of the South, affectionately known as Sewanee. While there, he studied Creative Writing under Andrew Lytle, then editor of the Sewanee Review, and a member of the Southern Agrarians in the 1920s. Ashton lives in Oxford, MS, enjoying the amenities of a university town that many writers have called home. Readers can like Ashton Lee at: facebook.com/ashtonlee.net.

Reviews for Queen of the Cookbooks

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the fifth book in the Cherry Cola Book Club Series by Ashton Lee, but it is the first one that I read. I did not need to read the others, but I wish that I had. The characters personality development over the previous entries in the series would have been a definite plus. Having said that, the book was enjoyable, fun with some serious issues as well.

Cherico, Mississippi is ready to open a new, up to date library library during its July 4th celebrations. There will be an open house with tours, a book signing, fireworks and a concert, but, Maura Beth, the head librarian, thinks something is missing. During a trip to a small neighbouring town, she realizes that they need food as part of the celebration and comes up with a contest. She wants to have tents offering food, and a contest to name the best dish in various categories, with the person who made the best dish crowned as Queen of the Cookbooks. It sounds simple enough but what happens is quite entertaining. Along with that, Renette, one of the library employees was raised by a very strict, religious family. They sneak about the celebration to spy on their daughter and the library comings and goings. Renette also gets herself in a little trouble that brings down the wrath of her parent's church.

There are some charming and not so charming Southern characters in the book. They are a bit quirky and their speech is a little strange and can sometimes be a stumbling block when reading. There are lively book discussions during the one meeting of the Cherry Cola Book Club, and delicious sounding food. Maura Beth McShay is a confident library director who faces down controversy, and unites the citizens of Cherico in this enjoyable book. I gather from comments that her character has grown quite a bit in the previous books. The other members of the book club are all loyal, strong and somewhat headstrong as well. They support Maura and come to her aid when she needs them. Overall I liked this story and the little town of Cherico, but I do recommend that you read the previous books first if you want the full picture of the characters and the town. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.