Books like Cinnamon and Gunpowder

In my mind, this book shows one of the great character arcs in literature. The persnickety thirteen-year-old Charlotte begins her 1832 voyage from London to America admiring iron-fisted Captain Jaggery of the Seahawk. When she overhears the crew speaking of mutiny, she snitches on them.

At one point, I was hoping she’d get swept overboard. But Charlotte bonds with the ship’s black cook, Zachariah, and begins to see life beyond her vantage of a rich white child of privilege. As conditions worsen on the Seahawk, Charlotte sides with the crew, becomes a deckhand, and eventually their captain!

This is an old-time, swashbuckling, wind to yer back, sea adventure. I can still smell the bilgewater years after reading it.  

This fictionalized account of the infamous Grace O’Malley’s life heavily impacted the creation of the main character of Windfall, Captain Liana Foley. I loved how Llywelyn wrote Grace/Grania as a leader, thief, lover, and mother, giving depth to the legendary pirate. She portrays her as equally powerful as she is human.

I read this book when I was looking for inspiration on pirate romance. Instead, Captain Valoree Ainsley’s debacles with her rascal crew, set up the dynamic between Captain Foley and her crew in Windfall. I loved the humor of this book and would highly recommend it for a fun and romantic read. 

Captive is another romance with pirates and passion. It’s part of a larger series featuring the LeVeq family. In this story, privateer Dominic LeVeq, frees and falls for slave Clare Sullivan. Soon they become desperate to have each other. I loved the relationship between these two characters and the devotion that develops between them.  

What I found really took the cake in this romance was the way Roberts wove in the family catering business. It wasn't just a backdrop; it felt like another character in the story. Being immersed in that world of bustling kitchens and elegant events again reminded me of the stress and fun of working in kitchens to put myself through college and pay for my starving artist life in NYC.

The descriptions of the food were so tantalizing, making my mouth water and really adding to the sensual and intimate feel of Laurel's new love connection. It was like the act of creating and sharing food became this beautiful language between them, sparking conversations and nourishing their feelings in such a lovely way.

I found that the idea of "savoring" wasn't just about the delicious flavors; it perfectly captured the way their love story unfolded, making the whole book such… show more.

I ate Kristen Callihan's book right up. It made me feel like I was biting into the most perfect dessert. It gave me a rush but also made me think about my own life, especially where I’m at with my acting career. I was drawn into our hero's secret passion for baking, which made his pastries feel like they weren’t just food; they were little love notes.

It inspired me to bake delicious desserts for my husband, to let him know I love him without saying a word. Each description of his creations made my mouth water and my heart melt a little. It reminded me how the simple act of sharing something you pour your heart into can become a beautiful language of affection. I only put the book down to pick up a dessert fork. I probably gained 5 pounds reading this one!

This book absolutely stole my heart with its enchanting Roman setting and the utterly swoon-worthy romance that blossomed through the most delectable Italian cuisine. Each of the chef’s gourmet meals sounded like a love song on a plate, and I was transported back to my own trip to Italy, where sounds of opera filled the streets and savory aromas of garlic and cheese filled the air.

The magical way the food was described made me wish I could eat the pages when I was done reading them, and I couldn't resist the unfolding story of mistaken identity, seasoned with humor and so much heart. This book was a feast for the senses and the soul, leaving me completely charmed and craving another romantic trip to Rome. Now that's amore!

This book aroused all of my senses. The way the author wove together the rekindling romance of Theo and Kit with such mouthwatering descriptions of food, wine, and the sheer joy of European travel was captivating. I could cut the sexual tension with a knife, and it awoke a hunger inside me. As a gay man, the friendly wager they made—the first to sleep with the Italian tour guide wins—is so relatable...and fun.

The book is written from an immersive first-person perspective, which I found particularly interesting. Getting to delve into their individual thoughts and feelings about their shared history made their reconnection feel so real and earned. It was such a lush and ultimately heartwarming story of finding love again, set against the most gorgeous scenery. I finished it feeling satisfied, but it left me with a serious craving for both a second read and a sexy… show more.

Though this is a work of fiction, it might be the most scientifically accurate depiction ever written of cats and their shenanigans. I wasn’t at all surprised to learn that Kraken was based on Delemhach’s actual cat. This novel made me think of my old boy and the various crimes he used to commit against our household (RIP Harry, yowler of the night, destroyer of couches, and cuddle-bug extraordinaire). Upon finishing it, I felt the urge to adopt one. Or two. 

… Or fifteen. 

Marcus is a world-renowned chef and I have the pleasure of working with him at The Medici Group. This is an incredibly honest take of his life and how he got here. He shares his story of what it means to be a Black chef in a non-black chef world. After finding a lack of acceptance in Europe’s kitchens he made his way to New York. There, he built the restaurant and team that reflected his dream of a diverse and multi-ethnic dining room. This is a "boots on the ground" story of the diverse world we live in and the power of embracing that. I also found his thoughts on what it means to be F.O.D. to be powerful (First Only Different).