Interview with Louisa Edwards' Cast of Characters and Amazing Contest!

After reading Louisa Edwards' contemporary romance, On the Steamy Side, I asked her if she would be able to set up interview with her cast of characters. After a few phone calls, the meeting was scheduled and I took a few hours to sit down at the restaurant Market to ask a few questions that were on my mind...

KB: Welcome everyone to Market and the cast of On the Steamy Side. Louisa was lucky enough to score me an interview with her characters from this romantic "sizzling" contemporary.

With me today is Devon Sparks, Cooking Channel's mega superstar of One-Night Stand with Devon Sparks, Lilah "Lolly" Tunkle, Grant Holloway, manager of Market and two key members of the staff, sous chef Frankie, and server Jess. Thanks everyone for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me.

Devon, smiling charmingly: Of course! It’s lovely to meet you—Katiebabs, was it? What a sexy name.

Lilah: Okay, hot stuff. Dial it down a bit, or you’ll make the poor girl blush.

KB: I've heard it's been a crazy two weeks with Market's owner, Adam Temple away. How is everyone getting along?

[general laughter]

Grant: Well—there may have been a few tense moments. But I think, overall, the kitchen is handling the change in leadership very well.

Lilah: Oh, honey, it’s so nice that you haven’t forgotten your Southern roots! That was a beautiful example of pretending to compliment someone while simultaneously stabbing them in the heart.

Frankie: Yeah, and it weren’t exactly the truth, either. If Captain Wanker, here, [F indicates Devon by pointing his lit cigarette at him] doesn’t stop tarting up Market’s menu with ridiculous additions, Adam won’t have a restaurant to come home to.

Devon: Look, just because you can’t handle the more advanced cooking techniques…

Jess, hissing: Guys! Interviewer! Seriously, can we maybe save this for later?

KB: Lilah, what made you come all the way from Virginia to Manhattan? You're pretty new to the Market staff, or were. Why were you fired? Also, what are these rumors about you becoming a nanny for Devon's son for a month?

Lilah: To be fair, I was maybe not born for the life of a busgirl. The skills didn’t come naturally to me, you might say.

[Devon snorts; Lilah ignores him.]

Lilah (cont.):Whereas I’ve been taking care of kids my whole life, first my little cousins, and then as a school teacher, so I guess it makes sense that Devon wanted me to look after his son. That’s not why I took the job though. I agreed to be Tucker’s nanny because he needs me. And so does his father.

KB: How is it working for Devon? I've heard he can be quite difficult, as in being a diva.

Lilah, bristling: Actually, it’s been wonderful. Tucker is a love, and Devon is…well, he’s working hard at learning to be a good dad.

Devon: Jesus, Lilah Jane…

Lilah, sharply: What have I told you about taking the Lord’s name in vain?

KB: Devon, you've fired your publicist and your dinner service has been less than ideal. Also the dinner guests have been hearing some saucy language coming from you in the kitchen. What do you say to that?

Devon, regaining his equilibrium: I say, if the guests don’t want a show, then they shouldn’t come to one of my restaurants. Forty million viewers for my last Cooking Channel special tell a different story. Sure, maybe I get a little heated, on occasion, but trust me. If you had to deal with knuckleheads like Frankie, over there, you’d yell, too.

Frankie, smirking: Ta very much, I’m sure.

KB: Why did you choose Lilah to become your son's nanny? Is there something else going on between you?

Lilah: I’m not sure that’s an appropriate…

Devon, sitting up straight: Let’s end that line of questioning right there. Whatever is going on between Lilah and me is our business, end of story. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met, and I will be damned if I see her dragged through the muck the way I’ve been.

Grant, looking at Lilah: Wow, that was…fairly heroic, actually.

KB: Grant, I noticed you don't seem too happy about Devon and Lilah being together. Could this be jealousy on your part?

Grant: What, you think I’m jealous? No. No, Lolly and I are friends. Best friends, for a long time, but still. No jealousy here. Some concern—worry for her mental health, that’s she’s gotten involved with a celebrity chef famous for his, ahem, bad behavior.

KB: I've also heard some very interesting rumors about you Grant. What's the deal with you and the new bartender Devon has hired here at Market?

Grant: Oh! You heard about…? I knew it—I knew Christian wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut! I can’t believe he spilled my secret. I thought anything said to a bartender was like something said in the confessional. I can’t believe you know about…wait. I get it. You asked a leading question, hoping I’d get upset and let something go! Well, I’m on to you, missy. You’re not getting anything else out of me.

KB: Frankie, you have quite the reputation in the kitchen. Where did you learn your culinary skills?

Frankie: Oh, it’s my culinary skills you want to hear about, is it? Because that’s not the only reputation I have in the kitchen. If you know what I mean, and I think you do.

Jess, sinking down in his chair: Stop it.

KB: Is there someone special in your life you come home to at night?

Frankie, taking a long drag off his cigarette: Yeah, there is, actually; someone far too special for me. In fact, I don’t expect that state of affairs to last much longer. There’s a whole world out there waiting for him, college and whatnot. If nothing else, there’s a dorm room with his name on it; he deserves that kind of experience.

KB: Jess, you look little pale in the face. Are you feeling okay? Is there something you know about Frankie you would like to tell us?

Jess, through gritted teeth: Nothing, Katiebabs. Just another conversation that really needs to wait for a more private moment. When I can make it clear that I don’t want frat parties and dorm life and being around a bunch of drunk college kids all the time—I just want…never mind.

KB: Hmmm sounds like something else is cooking in the kitchen besides food. Since the majority of you are such culinary experts, what are your favorite types of meals to dish up? Have any suggestions for a single woman who isn't too skilled in the kitchen?

Devon: Hmm…a single woman who isn’t skilled in the kitchen. Why don’t you just go out to eat? Market is nice, or one of my Appetite Restaurants in Manhattan, Chicago, Las Vegas, or Miami would be even better.

Lilah: Oh, stop it. There’s no reason Katiebabs can’t cook something delicious for herself! Especially if you don’t mind leftovers, sugar. My favorite meal to cook is probably collard greens and cornbread—that mess of greens will look like a lot to start out with, but let me tell you, it disappears awful quick when you cook it down with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, caramelized red onion, and red pepper flakes.

KB: Since you all know Louisa pretty well, what type of person is she? Have any low down dirty gossip you can share with us about her?

Frankie: I’ve actually known her the longest, I think. Jess and Grant, almost as long, but I’m pretty sure she met me first. Not sure if it counts as gossip, exactly, but my favorite thing about her is we have the same taste in music. None of that pop/country shite for her! She’s into the Ramones, the New York Dolls, Lou Reed, and of course, the great Patti Smith.

KB: Thanks everyone for this awesome interview! Now I think you all should go into the kitchen and whip me up something good, because I'm starving.

Lilah: Thank you for having us here, Katiebabs! It’s been quite an experience. Now, you come on into the kitchen with me and I’ll show you my Aunt Bertie’s method for mixing up the quickest batch of buttermilk cornbread you’ve ever seen. A little butter, a little honey or hot pepper jelly—you’ll think you’re in heaven!

Devon: Or, you could come back to my penthouse with me, and I’ll whip you up a quick Japanese breakfast with nori and pickled vegetables. Something elegant and refined—none of that slop Lilah calls food.

Lilah: Let’s put it to a taste test, shall we? I’ll stick my collards up against your seaweed any day of the week. Katiebabs, are you in?

KB: *Pats growling stomach* lead on to the food!

Is anyone else hungry like I am? Louisa was so kind to offer an amazing prize package. This may be one of the best contest prize I've ever had here on my blog.

How about channeling your inner chef? Not only will you be able to win a signed copy of Can't Stand the Heat and a special hard edition of On the Steamy Side, but also a canvas market tote filled with an apron, spatulas, and a cookbook.

For your chance to win, leave comment here with a question for Louisa or a comment on your favorite type of foof or meal to cook in the kitchen. You have until Saturday, 4/10 to enter and is only open to U.S. Residents.