Stay Out of the Kitchen!: An Albertina Merci Novel

Albertina Merci is back in this delightful second book featuring everyone’s favorite blues singer turned evangelist!

After Albertina’s dear friend Mr. Mario, the owner of Mr. Mario’s Downhome Café, has a heart attack and then loses his wife to diabetes, he decides that his lifetime love of soul food is over for good. Mr. Mario vows to go healthy, both personally and professionally, and tries to get Albertina on board, but it quickly becomes clear that he may be looking for more than pastoral support. And while he is undeniably romantic, Mr. Mario believes in the power of man…not God.

The only heat isn’t in the kitchen, though. Clifford Bloom, a white DJ who has been a fan of Albertina’s since her days as a blues singer, is now a member of her church and he always seems to be there just when Albertina needs him. Could this blossoming friendship be leading somewhere romantic?

Caught between two very different men, Pastor Merci also has to battle to save her little church in the heart of Los Angeles as mega-church pastor Bishop Gold wants not only the land where her church sits, but her nephew Patrick’s loyalty, as well.

MABLE JOHN was the first female recording artist for Motown. She was the lead “Raelette” for Ray Charles from 1968–1976 and a solo artist for Stax/Volt. She’s now an ordained minister with a doctorate in counseling. Dr. John lives in Los Angeles. DAVID RITZ is an award-winning music writer. He lives in Los Angeles.