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(More customer reviews)Mable John and David Ritz bring back the Reverend Albertina Walker and the hilarious cast of characters in their sophomore novel, Stay Out of the Kitchen. Some of the returning characters include: the insatiable Justine, Albertina's neighbor and neighborhood sexpot; the bi-racial rabbi, Naomi Cohen; the lovesick Clifford Bloom and her nephew Patrick. Also, new characters enter Albertina's world, keeping her life interesting.
Albertina is being pursued by a Shakespeare quoting diner cook, Mario. They would make a good couple, however he is an atheist and she preaches and lives by the word of God. She is also being pursued by one of her church members, Clifford Bloom. In his unassuming manner, he vies for her attention. While being chased by the two men, Albertina is also being pursued by Bishop Gold. The Bishop wants to purchase the block in which her church stands in order to build his mega church. Albetina`s church is the only thing standing in his way. It looks like God is working everything out when her childhood church in Dallas, Texas, makes her an attractive offer to take over the church. In the end, a surprise awaits.
I recently had a chance to hear Dr. John speak and she is a wonderful storyteller. She has a plethora of stories about her days as an entertainer and working for the legendary Ray Charles. Some of these stories were incorporated throughout this book. While listening to her speak, it appeared Dr. John's and Rev. Albertina's lives seemed to follow similar paths. The stories she told were not only entertaining, but the lessons learned were helpful to her followers and friends.
Again, Mable John and David Ruiz have come up with an entertaining and witty novel that will keep the reader glued to their seats, whispering a word of prayer and laughing out loud. If you have not read the first in this trilogy, Sanctified Blues, I suggest you pick it up and then settle in with Stay Out of the Kitchen.
Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
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Stay Out of the Kitchen: An Albertina Merci NovelAlbertina Merci is back in this delightful second book featuring everyone's favorite blues singer turned evangelist!After Albertina's dear friend Mr. Mario, the owner of Mr. Mario's Downhome Café, has a heart attack and then loses his wife to diabetes, he decides that his lifetime love of soul food is over for good. Mr. Mario vows to go healthy, both personally and professionally, and tries to get Albertina on board, but it quickly becomes clear that he may be looking for more than pastoral support. And while he is undeniably romantic, Mr. Mario believes in the power of man…not God.The only heat isn't in the kitchen, though. Clifford Bloom, a white DJ who has been a fan of Albertina's since her days as a blues singer, is now a member of her church and he always seems to be there just when Albertina needs him. Could this blossoming friendship be leading somewhere romantic?Caught between two very different men, Pastor Merci also has to battle to save her little church in the heart of Los Angeles as mega-church pastor Bishop Gold wants not only the land where her church sits, but her nephew Patrick's loyalty, as well.
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