Please welcome Marcia Rosen & Jory Rosen authors of The Gourmet Gangster
Marcia Rosen & Jory Rosen will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
The Gourmet Gangster
by Marcia Rosen & Jory Rosen
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GENRE: Mystery
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BLURB:
The Family Business
This is a collection of murder mystery stories linked by two main characters, Poppa and the Boss and at times joined by the Senior Sleuths, Dick and Dora Zimmerman and their friend, Zero the Bookie. How they get involved is often a mystery.
This is a collection of murder mystery stories linked by two main characters, Poppa and the Boss and at times joined by the Senior Sleuths, Dick and Dora Zimmerman and their friend, Zero the Bookie. How they get involved is often a mystery.
Poppa is head Chef for a successful restaurant, Manhattan Shadow, owned by the Boss, a powerful mobster determined to maintain control and power in his territory.
To refuse to work for him would be considered an insult. Not a good thing for Poppa’s wellbeing.
There are silent implications if one should become disloyal. There are consequences implied one doesn’t want to experience.
In the restaurants private dining room murder is often planned for all sorts of irrational reasons that seem very rational to the Boss: including power, greed, control, revenge and of course money.
The stories Poppa could tell…and does.
But who is he telling?
That’s also part of the mystery.
Of course the Senior Sleuths and Zero know.
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EXCERPT:
Alan D’Angelo didn’t plan to be a mobster.
Hardly anyone grows up thinking that’s the career they want. Also it’s a truth few people grow up unscarred if they’ve been badly and constantly abused. The terrible cruelty of his father sent him to the streets early leaving him with a lifetime of terrible memories played out in haunting nightmares.
Sometimes he woke up in a cold sweat screaming at his father who he hadn’t seen since he was a teenager.
He found companionship on the streets of his neighborhood. Joining a gang made him feel wanted, connected. and most of all it made him fee important as if he mattered, something he’d never felt at home.
All too often, it’s what happened. The gangs became family. It did for him. The Mob Boss early on realized he was a natural leader. Before long the small gang of guys from his neighborhood who were stealing from local stores, grabbing old ladies handbags and taking what they wanted off pushcarts grew, demanding bigger and better opportunities.
Marco was his best pal since grade school. They both quit high school in their junior year and took to controlling the neighborhood with their demands and threats. Marco was over 6 feet tall and 250 lbs., and he would do whatever Alan asked of him.
“We’re taking over this neighborhood Marco and after that further uptown for the really big money. You with me?”
Marco nodded and hugged his friend, who for years had protected him from being bullied. He was more than a little slow and if people made fun of Marco they quickly regretted it. Alan used Marco’s vulnerability to his advantage.
Alan, his mother was Jewish and his father Italian, was just under six feet, good looking, street smart and as mean as they come. He would kick someone who made him mad until they had to be sent to a hospital. Later his anger became more menacing with acts of revenge carried out by Marco.
Some mob leaders were known as shadow kingpins, hiding behind those who carried out their orders. Not Alan D’Angelo. He loved being seen, having people show him respect. It gave him the attention he so desired from his abusive father and a mother too damaged by fear to help him.
Alan became known as The Mob Boss by the time he was in his early twenties. He bullied people, threatened them, and called them humiliating names. Over the years, his power and position grew beyond the neighborhood. His reputation for violence and being vindictive gave him power.
Marco always near by had a 1928 tommy gun in the trunk of his car and carried a Smith and Wesson handgun tucked into his belt.
Meantime, D’Angelo made friends with celebrities, politicians and the police.
“Marco, remember what I told you, money talks. Gives ya power and respect. We got that now. We own them, all of them coming to us for help or money. Anyone betrays us, you know what to do.”
Smiling, Marco stood at the entrance of Manhattan Shadow. There was a red carpet, valet parking and hundreds of lights brightening up the windows and entrance. It had taken many months to remodel the space D’Angelo rented, and spent millions of dollars to build it to his vision of being a showpiece.
***
This was opening night. It had it all: lights, camera, action and positive reviews for it’s elegance and excellent food.
Still, the owners reputation left a bad taste in the mouths of many people.
They would be looking forward to closing night.
The Mob Boss had quite a few people waiting in line for his demise.
Years later the Manhattan Shadow’s lights would go out. There would be real shadows surrounding the cold and empty place where a chef served up gourmet meals and gangsters served up murder.
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And, here is a deadly delicious recipe from The Gourmet Gangster:
Chicken Piccata “Caper”
Cauliflower Rice and Fresh Italian Bread
Chicken Piccata is a classic recipe filled with an amazing lemon butter flavor. Place the Piccata over the fresh cauliflower rice (or standard rice, if you prefer) and let the sauce coat the rice for the ideal bite. Use the bread to soak up any extra sauce. The meal is the perfect complement to the crisp, clean taste of the Sauvignon Blanc.
4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts (The thinner the cutlet the better, as it will cook easier and more evenly. If you have thicker breasts, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound thin/flatten out.)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour, for dredging
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Season chicken with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour and shake off excess.
In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter. When butter starts again to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.
Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Add seasoning to taste and return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.
Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
M. Glenda Rosen is author of a total of ten books including The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries and Menus by The Family published by Level Best Books. They are also her publisher for The Senior Sleuth Mystery Series, and will be republishing all four books in her Dying To Be Beautiful Mystery Series. She has won several book awards, was founder and owner of a successful marketing and public relations agency for many years, receiving numerous awards for her work with business and professional women. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, LA and Alb.NM, Central Coast Writers and Public Safety Writer’s Association
Books by M. Glenda Rosen (aka MarciaRosen)
The Gourmet Gangster, Mysteries and Menus by The Family (Marcia and Son Jory Rosen)
The Senior Sleuths Mysteries: Dead In Seat4-A
The Senior Sleuths Mysteries: Dead In Bed
The Senior Sleuths Mysteries: Dead In THAT Beach House (2020)
Dying To Be Beautiful: Without A Head
Dying To Be Beautiful: Fashion Queen Dying To Be Beautiful: Fake Beauty Dying To Be Beautiful: Fat Free
My Memoir Workbook
The Woman’s Business Therapist:Eliminate the MindBlocks & RoadBlocks to Success
Jory Rosen
Brief Bio
Jory Rosen has been in the advertising and marketing business for over 30 years and is the owner of the J. Rosen Group, a full-service international advertising, branding and direct marketing agency.
For over two decades, Jory Rosen has set the tone for strong, innovative, and successful campaigns, while providing a flexibility and level of personal client service rarely seen in the industry has extensive experience in all areas of advertising, direct response and marketing including sales, production direct mail, email, web, TV, radio, alternative media and more. In addition, with over 150 campaigns under the belt, there is a strong track record of success.
Jory’s passions are his family, cooking and wine. Jory worked as a cooking demonstrator for many years in NYC and now takes the show on the road by doing cooking demonstrations for his kid’s schools and classrooms. He often cooks meals with his kids and loves seeing their reactions to new recipes and meals.
Amazon buy link:
The book is $0.99.
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
Marcia Rosen & Jory Rosen will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteCute cover. the story sounds good
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Angel's blog. I hope you have a great tour. Allana Angel
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for featuring our book on your blog.
ReplyDeleteMarcia and Jory
I liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteA thoroughly enjoyable read! C. Riess
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAgain my sincere thanks to all of you, Marcia
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very entertaining mystery! I enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete