The title of this
blog is Killer Hobbies, and one of my hobbies is eating. I like to dine out and
I like to cook. Many of our social interactions take place around food. We meet
friends for lunch, hang out at coffee shops, go on a hot dinner date, or feast
with family at holidays and special events. Since it plays such an important
role in society, food should be considered an essential element for world
building. The cuisine might even be considered a character in its own right.
What, where, and how a character eats reveals something about her as a person
and how she fits into society.
In Warrior Prince: Book One in the Drift Lords
Series, for example, the hero fancies chocolate chip cookies. They’re a
treat he’s never eaten before, showing his cultural difference from the
Floridian heroine. He compares chicken to a food called pamadore in his region.
Look more closely
at my heroes’ interactions with food and note how they show the men’s
extraterrestrial origins. Zohar is leader of the Drift Lords and crown prince
of the Star Empire. His team has come to Earth to quell an invasion by soldiers
from another dimension.
“Bring
me a glass of that orange juice, would you?” Dal asked without any regard for
Zohar’s rank. “I am plagued by thirst. The food on this planet has too much
salt.”
“I
can get it.” Borius strode toward the kitchen. “I would like a smack myself.”
“A
snack, Borius, not a smack,” Zohar corrected with a grin.
They
meandered toward the dining room. Zohar grabbed another cookie from the nearly
empty plate. He savored the treat’s gooey center while Borius returned with a
glass of juice for Dal.
Unfortunately, drinking that juice has dire consequences for Dal, the team’s demolitions expert.
Being a Disney fan, I loved the idea of sinister theme parks, and so they play an important role in my series. In fact, the action starts in Orlando, where our heroine applies for a summer job at an attraction called Drift World. Zohar explores this mysterious role-playing theme park where western culture continues to befuddle him:
Guests nibbled on a confection called a
funnel cake. The sugary aroma made his mouth water. He also smelled the snack
called a hot dog, although the elongated meat had nothing to do with the
domesticated animal.
You see how his
attitude toward food reflects his foreign point of view?
Shear Murder, my latest Bad Hair Day
mystery, involves weddings and funerals. Where else other than holidays are
rituals more important? In this case, I describe Jewish practices. For example,
we don’t send flowers to funeral homes. Usually, people bring food to the
family afterward when mourners are sitting “shivah” at home, or friends give
charitable donations in the deceased’s memory. Weddings are occasions for
feasts, too, and there are two weddings in Shear
Murder. It starts out with a wedding and then a funeral, and ends on a
highlight of the entire series with a long-anticipated wedding.
Marla, my
heroine, will often meet friends or suspects at restaurants or lounges. She
also likes to cook, when she has time from her busy duties at the salon and
solving crimes. So far, her actual recipes haven’t made their way into my
mysteries. At least, not until my current work in progress. This time, I have
made sure to include the recipes that my hairdresser sleuth cooks during the
course of the story. For earlier titles, you’ll have to go to my website to see what she makes. I have an
entire page of Recipes
there that are my personal favorites.
What are some
memorable food scenes that you’re read? If you’re a writer, how do you
incorporate food or meals into your stories?
All
commenters during Nancy’s blog tour will be entered into a drawing for a Warrior Prince tee shirt
and magnet and a pdf copy of Warrior Prince. Go to http://nancyjcohen.com/Appearances
for a complete schedule of her tour stops.
Warrior
Prince: Book One in the Drift Lords Series by Nancy J. Cohen
When mythologist and Florida
resident Nira Larsen accepts a job as tour guide for a mysterious stranger,
she's drawn into a nightmare reality where ancient myths come alive and
legendary evils seek to destroy her. To survive, she must awaken her dormant
powers, but the only person who can help is the man whose touch inflames her
passion.
After a dimensional rift in the Bermuda Triangle cracks open and an ancient enemy invades Earth, Zohar—leader of the galactic warriors known as the Drift Lords—summons his troops. He doesn't count on a redheaded spitfire getting in his way and capturing his heart. Nira has the power to defeat the enemy and to enslave Zohar's soul. Can he trust her enough to accomplish his mission, or will she lure him to his doom?
After a dimensional rift in the Bermuda Triangle cracks open and an ancient enemy invades Earth, Zohar—leader of the galactic warriors known as the Drift Lords—summons his troops. He doesn't count on a redheaded spitfire getting in his way and capturing his heart. Nira has the power to defeat the enemy and to enslave Zohar's soul. Can he trust her enough to accomplish his mission, or will she lure him to his doom?
Book Trailer
Buy Now
Follow Nancy on her Social
Networks:
Website: http://nancyjcohen.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nancyjcohen
Author
Biography
Nancy J.
Cohen is a multi-published author who writes romance and mysteries. Her popular
Bad Hair Day mystery series features hairdresser Marla Shore, who solves crimes
with wit and style under the sultry Florida sun. Several of these titles have
made the IMBA bestseller list, while Nancy’s imaginative sci-fi/paranormal romances
have garnered rave reviews and a HOLT Medallion Award. Active in the writing
community and a featured speaker at libraries and conferences, Nancy is listed
in Contemporary Authors, Poets &
Writers, and Who’s Who in U.S.
Writers, Editors, & Poets.
