Thanks so much for the invitation, Shelley! I always love talking about books…and food! I once had an editor tell me that my characters spent too much time eating. As someone who enjoys cooking—and eating—I told her I didn’t think that was possible. Every book I write is a bit autobiographical. I might not ever have run away from the world like my heroine in Just One Thing , but I have experienced loss. I might not have ever given a child up for adoption like Pip in Carry Her Heart and Hold Her Heart , but I have discovered family I’d never met. And I have never accidentally cleaned a murder scene, like Quincy in my Maid in LA Mysteries series ( Steamed, Dusted, Spruced Up, Swept Up and this summer’s 5th book, Polished Off ), but I do relate to her love of food. And while I enjoy cooking, like Quincy I love having other people cook for me. I took a bite of the salad. “Wow,” I managed as I chewed. This wasn’t head lettuce cut...