Getting Rich (A Chef Landry Mystery) Read online

  Getting Rich

  By Monique Domovitch

  Book two of A Chef Landry Mystery

  Chef Nicky Landry is more than co-owner of Skinny’s; she’s the low-cal eatery’s #1 success story. (According to the billboards, anyway. She’s gained most of the weight back...shh!) Now Nicky and her business partner, Toni, will be on national TV. They’ll be rich. And famous! Which is great, though Nicky would really prefer if people didn’t recognize her when she hits the fast-food shack.

  Then one night a deranged woman threatens to kill her. The next thing Nicky knows, a crazy driver mistakes her for a speed bump, her boyfriend is acting strangely, Toni acquires a long-lost sister, and a mysterious fire at Skinny’s leaves one dead.

  Murder and mayhem weren’t supposed to be on the menu. So Nicky and Toni start following clues, only to discover that people can be as deceiving as calorie counts, and danger is often closer than you think.

  See how Chef Landry starts out in Getting Skinny, available now!

  80,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  I’m on vacation, camping in the semi-wilderness. No, not when you’re reading this (well, maybe, who knows?) but when this letter is due to our production team. So I’ve chosen to hand off my Dear Reader letter responsibilities to the team for the month of November and let them tell you all about the fantastic lineup in store for you. We’re a team who really enjoys the books we acquire, and I know they’ll be glad for a chance to convince you to give one a try. In the meantime, I’ll be back next month. Happy reading!

  Angela James, Editorial Director

  Dear Reader,

  Editorial assistant Stephanie here. Since Angela is “camping” (all I’m saying is that camping seems to involve a lot of tweeting), I’ve compiled a few fun facts about this month’s new releases. What kinds of great books do we have in store for you this time? Will I get in trouble for making fun of my boss’s camping skills? These are the questions I will strive to answer for you today.

  Redemption by Stephanie Tyler, new adult, post-apocalyptic

  Stephanie Tyler returns with book two in her post-apocalyptic new-adult motorcycle club series.

  Redemption continues the story of the Defiance MC with Mathias and Jessa’s story. If you missed book one, Defiance—Cas and Tru’s story—you’re missing out on a fantastic world and some swoon-worthy romance.

  —Angela James, Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s books are must-reads if you love contemporary romance.

  Shannon Stacey’s holiday novellas are becoming something of a delightful tradition at Carina Press, and we’re happy to have the latest in our hands!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Chance of Rain by Amber Lin, contemporary romance

  We’re happy to welcome Amber to the Carina Press family!

  This small-town reunion romance gripped me from the first chapter and wouldn’t let go. The tortured alpha hero, who just happens to be a Navy SEAL, also didn’t hurt!

  —Tara Stevens, Assistant Product Manager, Digital Products

  Take Me Home by Inez Kelley, contemporary romance

  Inez writes contemporary and fantasy romance for Carina Press. Her new lumberjack series had the (admittedly largely Canadian) team intrigued from the start!

  Maple-syrup maker Kayla falls for a sexy lumberjack with a bitter past and a wary heart in the first of her new Country Roads series featuring loggers in the Allegheny Mountains.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel, contemporary Western romance

  Leah writes wonderfully sexy, emotional romances for Carina Press, including Texas Tangle and Tangled Past.

  Leah’s lovely writing drew me right along into a sensual story of love, heat and scandal. With cowboys. Look for more of the Grady family to come. Did I mention there are cowboys?

  —Brendan Flattery, Digital Production Coordinator

  Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s bestselling Kowalski family miniseries is a must-read for contemporary romance fans.

  What begins as the annual Kowalski Camping Trip of Doom turns into a brand-new start for an unlikely couple—charming, funny proof that what we think we want and what the heart wants isn’t always the same thing.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Sing for the Dead by PJ Schnyder, paranormal shifter romance

  PJ writes futuristic science fiction romance and paranormal romance for Carina Press.

  The exciting second book in the London Undead trilogy brings readers back into a world where zombies have taken over London. Now the werewolves who’ve stepped up to fight the creatures have a new ally—a member of the Fae who jumps right into the middle of the fray!

  —Mallory Braus, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Through the Black Veil by Steve Vera, urban fantasy

  You may remember us gushing about Drynn, Steve’s first book in this series.

  In book 2 of the Last of the Shardyn series, our fearless heroes have returned to their magical homeland to warn everyone about the danger threatening to destroy their world.

  —Rhonda Helms, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Improper Arrangements by Juliana Ross, erotic historical romance

  Juliana writes sizzling historical romances set in Victorian times for Carina Press.

  The follow-up to Improper Relations features a mountain-climber hero, Eli. He is my favorite type of hero: rugged, handsome, rough around the edges, mysterious. Love him!

  —Carly Chow, Assistant Manager, Digital Commerce

  Finessing the Contessa by Wendy Soliman, historical romance

  Wendy Soliman writes wonderful, exciting historical romances. The first two Forsters books are currently available from Carina Press.

  In Wendy Soliman’s Regency romance Finessing the Contessa, Lord Robert Forster is drawn to the brilliant Sicilian he meets at a chess match, but is she a spy or an innocent pawn in a game of international espionage?

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  All In with the Duke by Ava March, male/male historical romance

  Ava March writes can’t-miss historical male/male stories for Carina Press.

  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, has vowed to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But the beautiful Tristan Walsh is too intriguing for Max to resist, and it’s not long before their wicked nights together turn into something more.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  For Her Eyes Only by Shannon Curtis, romantic suspense

  This is the third book in Shannon’s exciting McCormack Security Agency series.

  For Her Eyes Only features an admin assistant pairing up with the MSA’s undercover expert to investigate a murder. I loved the sexual tension between the hero and heroine!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Getting Rich by Monique Domovitch, cozy mystery

  Monique’s first novel with Carina Press, Getting Skinny, had us all eager for the follow-up.

  Just when she thinks she’s on the verge of getting rich, Nicky Landry finds out somebody is out to get her—and whoever it is has murder on the menu—in Monique Domovitch’s second Chef Landry Mystery.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  No Place Like Rome by Julie Moffett, action-adventure, mystery

  In addition to writing the Lexi Carmic
hael mysteries, Julie also writes Scottish historical romances!

  Our favorite geek girl is off to Rome with the sexy and mysterious Slash to solve a case involving the Vatican, a dead body, some steamy kisses from her partner, and a top-secret encrypted file that even she can’t hack.

  —Alissa Davis, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Season of Seduction, erotic holiday anthology

  Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy, erotic romance

  Jeffe writes steamy erotic BDSM romance for Carina Press, as well as (also steamy!) fantasy romance.

  Jeffe Kennedy heats up the season with this sultry, adventurous Facets of Passion novella set against the balmy days—and scorching nights—of a high-powered woman’s holiday-vacation-turned-sexual epiphany.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo, erotic romance

  Christine’s Long Shots series, about a BDSM club and its patrons, includes a choose-your-path erotic romance!

  This sexy and emotional novella features an interesting holiday business—stripper Santas! There was so much great tension between the heroine and her hero, who also happens to be her boss.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis, erotic ménage romance

  We are proud to welcome Elise and Emily to the Carina Press family! This is their first book with us.

  Katrina and Liam have a happy marriage, but they’ve always felt there’s room for more. When their friend Hunter returns from active duty, they know exactly what that “more” is. Now if only they can convince Hunter...

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin, erotic BDSM romance

  Jodie writes about true-to-life characters exploring their sexy sides in her Bondage & Breakfast series.

  This BDSM novella has a lot of things going for it—it’s sexy, emotional, and there’s a really hot cop. Jodie is known for writing wonderfully realistic characters, and she doesn’t disappoint here.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Gifts of Honor, military holiday collection

  Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, contemporary military romance

  Stacy writes both paranormal and contemporary romance for Carina Press.

  Stacy Gail gifts us with the sweetest of holiday reunions for a wounded Army Ranger and his one true love. Patience and forgiveness meet sharp wit and sizzling attraction!

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, contemporary military romance

  Rebecca’s debut book with Carina Press, a fantastic sports romance called The Striker’s Chance¸ came out in September.

  Three days before Christmas, a surprising phone call from an old love changes absolutely everything in this compelling novella.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Dedication

  In memory of Charlotte and Jackie Chan, two little dogs with big attitudes.

  I miss you both.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Recipes

  White Wine Spritzer

  Eggplant Parmesan

  Skinny French Toast

  Strawberry Syrup

  Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup)

  Low-fat Mulligatawny

  Perfect Butternut Squash Soup

  Pear Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

  Skinny Beef Burger

  Skinny Turkey Burger

  About the Author

  Copyright

  the opportunity of a lifetime

  I should be skinny, damn it. And if life were fair, I would be skinny. After all, as the owner of a gourmet restaurant specializing in low-calorie meals, by now I’d had four months of unlimited access to dozens of wonderful gourmet dishes, each of which was under five hundred calories. So, I should have lost my damned love handles and be thin as a rail, right?

  The problem was that after a hundred and twenty days of diet meals, there were times when the mere thought of another low-fat, low-sugar and low-cal dish was enough to send me screaming all the way to the nearest fast-food joint, wanting—no, needing—serious calories.

  This explained why I had braved the icy roads on my way to work this morning, all the way to the drive-through of the nearest Burger Heaven. It was only eleven-fifteen, but when it came to food, my appetite knew no schedule.

  The old Buick ahead of me drove away and I inched over to the pick-up window. A blast of frigid winter air tore through my smart car as a gap-toothed girl handed me my bag. She recited its contents, sounding bored. “That’s one double-decker with extra cheese, one super fry, and one jumbo diet drink, right?” Suddenly her uninterested stare turned into a squint. She pointed at me, now wide-eyed.

  “You’re that girl in the ad,” she squealed.

  I managed a crooked smile, snatched the bag from her hand and pressed the accelerator, lurching forward.

  Shit, shit, shit.

  What were the chances? I hated when that happened. Not that it did very often. I wasn’t famous or anything, but my picture had been seen by hundreds of thousands of Torontonians. Not because I was beautiful, but, as my girlfriend and partner Toni explained, because I was attractive in a non-threatening sort of way. That was Toni’s way of saying I was plump—not model thin—which made me perfect for the before and after pictures to advertise the low-cal restaurant she and I co-owned. That was the only modeling I’d ever done—hardly worth boasting about.

  Back when our restaurant first opened, I’d thought that our excellent food and charming decor was all we needed for customers to discover us and start coming in by the droves. It wasn’t long until reality hit, that we had to do something else and fast, or we’d go bust. The something I’d come up with was the low-cal menu idea. It made sense, as I’d pointed out, considering our name, Skinny’s on Queen. And then, because I’d recently lost twenty pounds, Toni had the bright idea of using my pictures—one of me fat and one of me twenty pounds thinner—in an ad campaign. After a blitz of advertising flyers dropped all over the city, business turned around, and I finally started getting paychecks. Hallelujah.

  On the not-so-good side, I couldn’t as much as stand in line at the Dairy Queen anymore without worrying about being recognized. If word got back to Toni about yet another of my diet infractions, she would not be thrilled since—as she so liked to remind me—I was the face of Skinny’s on Queen.

  My stomach in a knot, the burger’s mouthwatering aroma no longer seemed nearly as appetizing. Half a dozen blocks later I zipped into a parking spot just the right size for my tiny car, pocketed the key and stared down at the bag on the passenger seat. I debated. Should I scarf down the burger here and now, or chuck it?

  Toni was already talking about a new ad campaign, which meant an updated picture of me. How embarrassing would it be if my new after picture looked worse than my old before. I couldn’t risk that, I told myself with unusual determination. I climbed out of the car, tightened my coat against the November cold and marched off toward a trash bin, bag in hand. A few yards away, I was about to drop it in, when an idea came to me. Surely I wasn’t the only pe
rson on a diet who would kill for a hamburger. I hoofed on to the restaurant.

  The bell above the door tinkled, announcing my arrival. Charles, our wonderful sous-chef, came hurrying out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a bar towel.

  “Morning, boss,” he said, and then frowned, noticing the eye-catching logo on the Burger Heaven bag. “What have you got there? Don’t tell me there’s nothing on our menu you would have preferred to that?”