KATHLEEN IRENE PATERKA
Katy Malinski and her widowed father, Chuck, serve up great food and a friendly atmosphere in their Northern-Michigan-family-owned restaurant. But when a mysterious visitor from Hawaii shows up one day claiming to be Chuck’s daughter, things between Katy and her dad head south fast. Confronted with the consequences of a long-forgotten romance, Chuck welcomes Mai with open arms. But Katy isn’t buying the exotic new addition to their family menu. Who is Mai and why, after all these years, has she suddenly shown up in James Bay? Tensions flare between the two sisters as Mai dons an apron, joins the family business, and starts giving orders to staff and Katy alike. Convinced her disagreeable sister is up to no good, Katy does her best to warn Chuck. But sharing her suspicions backfires big time, and Katy finds herself all alone in her quest to expose the truth behind Mai’s true motives and find out exactly who her sister really is.
What happens when you suddenly find yourself at war with the loved ones in your life? For Katy and Chuck, the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s not just their restaurant on the line: this simmering feud has the potential to explode, destroying their family forever.
Deep Fried Reservations
A new set of characters take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
~Amazon Reviewer
Critical Acclaim
“It's hard to find good fiction and I could kick myself again with this gem stuck in my Kindle for so long without reading it. But I can now say: I did, and I’m a happy reader!”
Amazon Reviewer
“Kathleen Irene Paterka has cooked up another winner in her James Bay series with “Deep Fried Reservations,” a story whose main setting is a restaurant but is really about the bonds of family. Chuck’s Tavern & Grill is a popular eating and drinking spot in James Bay, and it’s been run for years by Chuck Malinski and his grown daughter Katy. Katy’s mom died many years ago, so it’s been father and daughter arm-and-arm against the world. Katy’s shown herself to be capable enough that her father’s made her a partner in the business. All is good in the world, until one day a mysterious stranger named Mai shows up, claiming to be Chuck’s daughter. Is Mai really who she claims to be? Paterka has a great gift for creating human characters of real dimension and depth. They’re flawed, as we all are, but there’s enough goodness in them that you find yourself rooting for them every step of their journey.”
Goodreads Reviewer
“Insta Love for me!!! Katy has found out that her father has a secret daughter from his past who has now entered their lives. Mai, the long-lost daughter is not what she seems, and Katy has her doubts about what Mai is really after. Meanwhile, her father is completely taken in by Mai. This book really deals with family drama and forgiveness. The dynamic between Father and daughter is so well written. Mai , who I really grew to detest, has her own drama and story… the dynamics between Katy and Mai are very interesting. And what a shocker of an ending! I’m definitely hoping for a sequel to this book!”