/0/56807/coverbig.jpg?v=59bef8789080e7c2b832d0c9dc426f87)
"A Culinary Romance" is a heartfelt tale of Li Yan's journey, ignited by her late grandmother's cherished memoir book, "The Taste of Love." Within its pages lie not only Italian culinary treasures but also memories of her grandmother's early days, including her love for an Italian gentleman and her deep connection to Italian cuisine, forming the very essence of "A Culinary Romance." As Li Yan faces familial pressures and personal trials, the book becomes a guide, offering not just recipes but a glimpse into her grandmother's past and the enduring power of love. Through cooking these dishes, Li Yan not only honors her grandmother's memory but also discovers her own path to fulfillment and success, guided by the flavors of love passed down through generations.
The piercing sound of knocking shattered the fragile veil of Li Yan's fitful sleep. Groaning, she buried her face deeper into her pillow, trying to escape the relentless intrusion. But her stepmother's voice, sharp and unforgiving, cut through the haze of exhaustion.
"Li Yan! Get up, lazy girl! You need to make breakfast, we don't have all day!"
Li Yan's heart sank as she reluctantly dragged herself out of bed, her mind already heavy with the weight of her stepmother's scorn. With a resigned sigh, she stumbled towards the door, bracing herself for the inevitable barrage of insults.
Opening the door, Li Yan was met with her stepmother's steely gaze, her lips curled in disdain. "About time you woke up, useless freeloader. Don't think you can laze around all day while we work to support you!"
Li Yan swallowed the bitter retort that rose in her throat, opting instead for silence as she shuffled past her stepmother and into the cramped kitchen. The air hung heavy with tension, suffocating any semblance of peace or warmth.
As she clumsily prepared breakfast, her stepmother's voice continued to echo in her ears, each word another dagger to her already wounded spirit.
"You should be grateful we even let you stay here. If it weren't for your father's pension, we'd have no use for you at all. And don't even think about chasing after those silly dreams of yours. A chef, ha! You'll never amount to anything more than a burden."
Li Yan bit her lip, fighting back tears as she poured all her frustration and anguish into the sizzling pan before her. She dared not speak, knowing any words she uttered would only be met with scorn and ridicule.
Li Yan's steps faltered as her stepmother's relentless tirade echoed in the cramped kitchen. The sharp words cut through the morning haze, stinging like a slap to the face.
"When will you move out? You're an extra mouth to feed! Did I not do my part to raise you when you were a minor? Now you're an adult and still, you will not give me peace!"
The weight of her stepmother's accusation hung heavy in the air, suffocating Li Yan with guilt and shame. She clenched her fists, willing herself to remain composed despite the torrent of emotions swirling within her.
"I'm trying, okay?" Li Yan finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with determination. "I'm doing my best to find a job and figure things out."
But her stepmother's scoff pierced through her feeble attempt at defense. "Your best? Ha! Your best isn't good enough. You've been mooching off us for far too long. It's time you started pulling your own weight."
Li Yan's jaw tensed, a silent battle raging within her. She longed to scream, to unleash the pent-up frustration and anger that threatened to consume her. But she held her tongue, knowing that any protest would fall on deaf ears.
Instead, she turned her attention back to the task at hand, her movements mechanical as she continued to prepare breakfast. Each chop of the knife, each stir of the spoon, became a silent act of defiance-a declaration that she would not be crushed by the weight of her stepmother's scorn.
As the aroma of food filled the air, a faint glimmer of hope stirred within Li Yan's heart. Despite the darkness that surrounded her, she clung to the belief that one day, she would break free from the shackles of her circumstances and forge her own path forward.
Li Yan's stepmother, Mrs. Zhang, relentless in her morning diatribe, finally stirred Li Yan's father, Mr. Chen, from his slumber. With a gruff bass voice, he emerged from his bedroom, rubbing his eyes in irritation.
"Alright, that's enough, Ming," he muttered, addressing his wife by her given name. "How long will you keep yelling? You're disturbing the entire floor with this. Let her be."
Mr. Chen settled at the dining table with a heavy thud, casting a tired glance at Li Yan. "Li Yan, bring me my coffee," he grumbled, his morning ritual disrupted.
But Li Yan, as usual, had other plans. With a gentle smile, she placed a steaming cup of herbal tea before her father. "Dad, you know your blood pressure is too high. You cannot drink coffee now."
Mr. Chen sighed, resigned to his daughter's stubbornness but grateful for her concern. He took the cup in his hands, nodding in acknowledgment. In that simple exchange, amidst the chaos of their dingy kitchen, there was a flicker of understanding.
Mrs. Zhang huffed as she settled down to eat the simple but delicious Italian-inspired breakfast that Li Yan had hurriedly prepared. Though inwardly impressed by Li Yan's cooking prowess, she maintained her stoic facade, refusing to give her stepdaughter the satisfaction of praise.
As she savored each bite, Mrs. Zhang couldn't help but marvel at the flavors dancing on her palate-hints of basil, garlic, and tomatoes mingling together in perfect harmony. Despite herself, she found herself yearning for more, yet stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the culinary talent before her.
Instead, she focused on the clatter of utensils and the rhythmic sounds of chewing, doing her best to ignore the undeniable truth-that Li Yan's cooking surpassed her own by leagues. And as the meal came to an end, Mrs. Zhang pushed aside her empty plate, her pride warring with her taste buds, a silent testament to the complexity of their relationship.
Anna Maria returns home to discover her husband and best friend in bed. When she attempts to confront her best friend about the betrayal, her husband defends the mistress, despite Anna Maria being the one who financially supports him. In an effort to escape her sorrow, she heads to a bar and, in her inebriated state, spends the night with the enigmatic billionaire Alejandro King, mistaking him for a gigolo. Astonishingly, after their encounter, Mr. King insists that Anna Maria take responsibility for him. What will Happen Next?
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"