Casting her bread upon the water of destiny, the
courageous, curious and inspiring Mina Pigot sets sail for
America. Once again donning the disguise of a boy and under
the protection of the estimable Benjamin Serle, they book
themselves as cook and apprentice on the Victoria. It's
more than just a passage to America for Mina; she also has
a rite of passage, as well. Mina's hope to find her brother
and begin anew mounts with each passing wave. Continuing to
hone her cooking skills and learn more about the world
around her, time passes a bit more bearably. The
conversations she has with Mr. Serle open up her heart and
mind even more.
New York beckons and in the land of opportunities, things
indeed look up. Her time in disguise as a boy is over. A
fresh, almost grown-up Mina emerges in time to reunite her
with her brother, Daniel. However, she finds it somewhat
perplexing when he dons his cloak of big brother
respectability and lectures her on the proper mannerisms of
being a lady. Soon she finds new friends in "Aunt Jane" and
her niece, even as Mr. Serle goes his separate, if not
distant, way as master chef for a hotel.
Longing to cook, Mina finds employment in the house of the
well-to-do but troubled Westervelts. Her exceptional skills
and excellent management of the kitchen are a source of
pride, until the family's mysterious secrets make it
impossible for her to continue to work there. It's not in
Mina's nature to give up, and with her head held high, she
overcomes obstacles of heart, mind and soul. Suddenly life
is an adventure full of spice and flavor as she searches
for her true destiny and the destiny of her heart.
Jonatha Ceely's wonderful saga continues where MINA
last left us sighing sweetly and begging for more. Mina is
a beautiful, courageous and inventive heroine, surrounded
by characters of such poignant depths that the reader is
instantaneously swept up in this world of before. Lyric,
lush and full of life, the world of 1848 opens its salon
doors and beckons like a cherished friend. From the shores
of England to New York and the roads of San Francisco to
the Erie Canal, every scene is alive, as if one was
traveling with Mina as her companion. We get to see her
grow from an innocent girl to a vivacious and intelligent
young woman, and as she grows, so too does her love for
Benjamin. It's a story you never want to see end, being
both magical and classic. Like a fine wine, it complements
the every day bread of life. Definitely a story to be
savored for a long, long time.
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