Fresh Chat | Hillary Manton Lodge on Finding Love and Fine Food

In today's Fresh Chat, Hillary Manton Lodge is here to discuss RESERVATIONS FOR TWO, a culinary concoction of taking chances and finding love in the most delectable places.

1. This is book two in the Two Blue Doors Trilogy and the follow up to the first book, A TABLE BY THE WINDOW. Why did you decide to write this story as a trilogy?

Because it made my head explode to consider writing it as one book! The series has several evolving subplots, between the family mystery and the opening of the new restaurant, as well as the romantic plotline. I felt that doing it as one book would cause those story angles to feel underdeveloped and rushed. As I’m writing the third installment, I’m appreciating the sense of time. The characters feel lived-in and we’re involved in their lives in a way that would have been more challenging to stuff into a single volume.

2. The main character, Juliette, is single and in her late 20s, and one evening she signs up for online dating. Was this inspired by real life events?

It was – though I was fairly recently out of college at the time, but I just wasn’t meeting anyone interesting in real life. After a particularly hilarious string of bad dates, I signed up for Match and later for eHarmony. I met my husband on Match, and we were married a little over ten months later.

3. In RESERVATIONS FOR TWO, we see Juliette taking more risks. She’s opened her heart to Neil. She’s left her job as a food critic and is fully committed to managing her brother’s new restaurant. What do you want readers to learn from Juliette’s personal growth?

I love that Juliette stops taking the safe paths and instead pursues the challenging ones, the ones that are harder but are more in line with what she wants out of life. The doors are open, but she still has to walk through them – it’s a good reminder to have courage to walk through those doors when they open.

4. As the love story continues to develop between Juliette and Neil, there is a secondary love story unfolding through her grandmother’s letters. What inspired you to create this love affair that was kept secret from Juliette and her siblings?

The introduction to the grandmother’s love story comes in book one, when Juliette finds an old photo inside one of her grandmother’s cookbooks. It’s affixed to the dust jacket, so we know that Mireille had intentionally kept it hidden. The rest of the story unfolded from there. The fact that both Mireilles and Juliette’s romances are largely told through letters is one of my favorite elements of the series – letters remain important, even in an electronic age.

As for why she keeps it a secret, it’s an extension of Juliette’s personality. She’s private and careful – she’s not going to go tell her siblings that there might be a whole other branch to the family tree, not without getting all of the information first.

5. Juliette often turns to cooking when she is in a crisis. What is it about food that helps her feel better? How does it help her cope?

Juliette grew up in the kitchen, so I think it’s one way for her to return home. The techniques, the tastes, the smells – they’re all comforting. Juliette likes to be helpful as well, to contribute. So we often see her faced with situations that she can’t fix – but she can make sure nobody is hungry. She does what she can.

6. What role does Juliette’s faith play in helping her through life’s difficulties?

A great deal, especially in this installment. Juliette fights to maintain a courageous hope – her mother is very, very sick, and nobody is prepared for the worst. It’s not a transactional kind of hope, either – she’s not telling God that because she has faith, it needs to work out how she wants. She has hope because she can’t afford to lose hope, and she’s willing to put everything on the line for it.

7. The book includes more than 14 recipes. How did you decide which recipes to include? Which ones are your favorites?

The fresh cherry crostini are a favorite, because they’re so versatile. I make the frittata on a regular basis, though, as well as the chocolate chip cookies. They’re so good with a sprinkle of sea salt on top!

8. What can we expect from the final book in the series?

I’m still writing it, but even at this stage I’m completely loving it. For fans of Caterina, you’re going to love some of her scenes. We’ll see more of Portland, but also a return to the chateau with the family – the WHOLE family. I’m so excited.

9. Where can we learn more about you and your books?

Visit my website to find my blog, links to books, recipes, materials for book groups, and ways to connect over social media. RESERVATIONS FOR TWO is now available from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.