family drama/comedy
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Dempsey’s Grill by Bryan Fagan
Dempsey’s Grill is a life-affirming story of young adults struggling to find their place in the grown-up world while still following their dreams.
Gibson thought he had it all: A beautiful girlfriend, a respectable job as a teacher, and the world’s most comfy couch – that is until he gets fired and his girlfriend kicks him out.
Forced to move back in with his parents, he slowly begins to pick up the pieces of a life he’s realizing he never even wanted.Back in his hometown Gibson reconnects with his high school best friend, Dempsey and his former lover, Gail. The trio gathers their meager savings and risks it all on opening a restaurant.
But things spiral out of control as they confront drug dealers, Dempsey’s growing attraction to Gibson’s sister, and Gail’s engagement to a long-haul trucker.
Can the trio of never-beens put aside their past failures, face the challenges of the restaurant industry, and find a place where love, friendship, and even hope, can bloom?
Tormino’s by Yuuki Haneda
Miles Sonatas’ parents approved for him to get a part-time job during his final years of high school, but he soon learns the family restaurant he works at is anything but normal. He is immediately welcomed by his co-workers, and oddly enough, finds himself accepting of their quirks. Such as the lazy manager, Cyrus who calls everyone by their last name and sits in his closet of an office all day. Or the chefs, Shasta, who is very protective of his kitchen, and Sierra, who has a song stuck in her head. Then there are the other servers, Anita, who is searching for her soulmate, Oliver, a struggling artist who lives in the restaurant attic, and the ever clumsy waitress, Ramona.
When Miles catches Ramona on the first day, everyone believes love in the air. Despite this new habit, Miles and Ramona insist there is nothing between them. Or is there?
A slice of life novella featuring a cast of colorful characters and the hilarity and romance that ensues. Raggedy Ann Heart by Heather McPhaul
In 1970s rural West Texas, 12-year-old Lindy Logan has big dreams. She wants to become the next Karen Carpenter. She strives to acclimate to a new 7th grade class. And she fantasizes about killing her little sister, Jo. But all of these desires lead to her biggest dream of all – acquiring her momma’s unconditional love. Because Momma was once second runner-up in the Miss Texas pageant and twice named Most Beautiful of Turnip High School, Lindy is certain the path to becoming Momma’s favorite child is for Lindy to become famous herself. The only obstacle is 8-year-old Jo, a dead-ringer for the gorgeous Liz Taylor, seeking her own conduit to fame. If Jo gains fame first, Momma will focus all her love on her youngest, and Lindy’s greatest fear will be realized – that she is a nobody. In Raggedy Ann Heart, the Logan sisters deal with budding hormones, imaginary friends, and even Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, all the while competing with each other for the ultimate prize – Momma’s love.
