By Invitation Only — Elizabeth Cooke

Elizabeth, an American widow in her 60s, returns to the Hotel Marcel near The Eiffel Tower, to find Jean-Luc Marcel, the owner of her favorite Paris domicile, at war with The Majestic Hotel directly next door. The elegant dining room, Fusion, at The 'Maj, ' is losing money and customers, due to Jean-Luc's bad-mouthing ofthe establishment and its Japanese chef. Or so the manager of The 'Maj' claims.

"The Hotel Marcel Dining Club" is formed, in direct competition with Fusion.The rivalry escalates, with an intentional poisoning of a Majestic Hotel client, a roue doctor treating her symptoms, (much to her delight), and the huge success of the Dining Club. Finally, there is a grand opening of a show of paintings by Elizabeth'sartist/amour at a gallery on rue St. Honore. "The Hotel Marcel Dining Club"shows Paris in all its glory and at its most delicious -(with 'A Baker's DozenRecipes For the Emotions' included at the end of the book). Along with its cuisine, its love of life and life of love, Paris will surely smile again, after the recent horrors, in spite of the barbarity, for it is indomitable.

Vive Paris et Bon Appetit "