I'll have to admit that I was slightly disappointed, probably because I really imagined that would be the focus of the story...and it wasn't. Or at least, not enough for me. That being said, I loved both of the main characters, Jacques and Kylie - and most of the supporting characters. I just wanted more of the intuition and communicating with spirits aspect.
Also a little warning that this novel seems like it would fit perfectly into the romance genre, because there are a looooot of steamy sex scenes. Like a lot. If that's not your bag, this isn't the book for you. It wouldn't be considered a foodie novel, but I did find inspiration on the pages, most inspired by it's settings, Miami (beach eats) and New York (with some Moroccan goodies thrown in).
We picked up some chicken Caesar wraps from the poolside bar and headed straight to the beach. The seagulls playfully made their way close to our chairs, begging for scraps.
Like A Fly On The Wall
author: Simone Kellypublisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (July 11, 2017)
genre: Literature & Fiction > African American > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Supernatural > Psychics
paperback: 448 pages
"foodie" read: No, but there is a good amount of inspiration on the pages.
opening sentence: You would think that by now I would know how to choose the perfect one.
teaser: From talented debut author Simone Kelly comes this suspenseful novel that crackles with intrigue, sex, and plenty of surprises—perfect for fans of Eric Jerome Dickey and Carl Weber.
Meet Jacques Berradi. Moroccan-born and Manhattan-raised, his genuine, sexy-smooth allure goes hand in hand with a unique gift. Since Jacques was young, he has had the ability to read peoples’ energies, communicate with spirit guides, and even catch glimpses of people’s futures. Now a professional “intuitive counselor,” Jacques’s clients pay him handsomely for his insight. Unfortunately, Jacques’s psychic abilities don’t come with an off switch to tune out the world’s noise, nor do they always provide him with easy answers; recently Jacques has begun having dark, alarming dreams about his beloved father, a Moroccan immigrant who died when he was a boy.
Meet Kylie Collins, an adventurous, Miami twentysomething who is trying to find her footing after being laid off from a cushy music industry job. When a mishap brings them together, Kylie is instantly mesmerized by Jacques’s cool demeanor and intuitive abilities, and he’s captivated by her outgoing charm and breezy good looks. Seeking to learn more about her family history—including the identity of the father she’s never known—Kylie visits Jacques’s office to gain some insight about her future, and about her free-spirited and headstrong Jamaican mother, True.
But on the night that they meet, a rolling blackout cuts off power throughout Miami. Kylie and Jacques, and a few of his clients, head to the only place in the neighborhood with enough light to see: Like a Fly on the Wall Detective Agency. There, Kylie serendipitously lands herself the perfect new job as an apprentice private eye.
As partners, Jacques and Kylie are an unstoppable duo. Can Jacques’s intuition reveal the scandalous history of Kylie’s mother and father? Will Kylie’s newfound detective skills uncover evidence about the death of Jacques’s father? And will the chemistry that charges their friendship bubble over into something much, much hotter…?
about the author: Simone Kelly, CEO of Own Your Power® Communications, Inc., is an author, internet radio host & producer, holistic business, and intuitive life coach. Her previous books include a self-help book on marketing called, Jack of All Trades, Master of None? Her second book is a novel entitled At Second Glance that has set the stage for the smart and sexy Like A Fly on the Wall. It is now part of a two-book deal with William Marrow/Harper Collins and will be released Spring 2017. She currently resides in Hollywood, Florida.
connect with the author: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | youtube
recipe inspired by the book: Chicken Caesar Wraps
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Yield: serves 2-4
Chicken Caesar Wraps
prep time: 10 MINScook time: total time: 10 mins
Your favorite Chicken Caesar Salad made portable in this simple and delicious wrap recipe!
INGREDIENTS:
For the dressing (optional, can use storebought):
- 6 anchovy fillets (preferably packed in oil)
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup grapeseed or vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons finely grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
For the wraps:
- 2-4 large wraps of your choice, recommended Flatout Garden Spinach Wraps
- chopped Romaine lettuce, to taste
- homemade caesar dressing from above (or your favorite storebought), to taste
- shaved fresh Parmesan cheese, to taste
- 2 grilled (or baked) chicken breasts, chopped or sliced (see notes)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Make the dressing:
- Use the back of a chef's knife to chop and smooth the anchovies, garlic, and a pinch of salt together until you have a paste. Place the paste in the bowl of a mini food processor; pulse in the egg yolks, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
- With the food processor running, very gradually add the olive oil, then the grapeseed oil, until your dressing is thick and creamy. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, then season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if you wish.
- Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours.
Make the wraps:
- Lay out your wraps. Take two large handfuls of Romain lettuce and toss it with as much Caesar dressing as you wish (or just lay the lettuce out and drizzle with dressing if you're feeling lazy). Scatter the dressed lettuce over the wraps. Shave as much fresh Parmesan over the top as you wish, then scatter with the chopped chicken (or lay a line of sliced chicken at one side of the wrap.
- Roll the wraps and enjoy.
Notes:
- I find that if you slice the chicken, it's easier to make 4 wraps (otherwise the chicken breaks through the wrap). If you chop it smaller, you can scatter it and make 2 huge wraps (since it's easier to roll).
©All Roads Lead to the Kitchen. Dressing recipe ever-so-slightly adapted from epicurious.
Created using The Recipes Generator
