Amy S. Peele

Amy S. Peele, RN, is an award-winning, best-selling author who studied improv at Second City Players and has a fascinating 35-year career in the organ transplant field under her belt. Her experiences provide authentic backdrops for not only for her medical mysteries Cut, Match, and Hold, a series with a mission and a sense of humor, but also her childhood memoir, Aunt Mary’s Guide to Raising Children the Old-Fashioned Way, and her latest “mouthwatering home run of a beach read,” Last Bite. Amy’s books have gained national recognition with accolades such as the NYC Big Book Award, Chanticleer International Book Awards, IPPY, Independent Press Awards, and more. Amy always has been, is, and always will be a die-hard Cubs fan. Find out more and get in touch at: www.amyspeele.com.

How does Angie Sortino’s journey after loss redefine the idea of starting over later in life?

It’s the first time she had to re-invent herself to survive at the age of 45 when learning a new skill or finding a job is difficult. She also only has a GED and is embarrassed about that.  
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In what ways does food function as more than a business venture in the novel—how does it become a source of healing, identity, and connection?

Angie cooks with her heart - it is her love language and was for her husband Vinnie. Eating with Angie is a time for bonding with her family and close friends. She prides herself on her culinary skills in the kitchen.   

How does the Chicago setting, especially the energy surrounding Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field, shape the spirit and emotional atmosphere of the story?

Angie, Vinnie and his family are original Chicagoans where sports - great food and a vibrant city play into their everyday lives. You are defined by what sports team you root for - Cubs and celebrating loss and wins is truly shared by a die-hard group of fans. Wrigley Field is sacred to Cubs fans. The excitement on game days pulsates through-out the city.   

What role does intergenerational friendship and family support play in helping Angie rediscover confidence and purpose?

Vinnie’s niece Gina is only twenty and has been part of Angie and Vinnie’s life since she was a little girl. Gina was the apple of Vinnie’s eye and when he died she was so sad - but she had Angie who she loved. Their family was always close - Sunday dinners – baseball games - trips to Vegas - Vinnie & Angie always put family first and supported Gina in following her dream to have her own catering company.   

How does Angie’s cautious outlook contrast with Gina’s youthful optimism, and what do they each learn from one another?

Angie is thinking survival mode after Vinnie died - whereas Gina is just starting to follow her dream and taking a risk quitting her job. They balance each other out, GIna wants her Aunt Angie to co-own the catering business - LAST BITE  so Angie will have security – IF everything works out.  

What does the idea of launching a catering company for funeral parlors suggest about finding joy and opportunity in unexpected places?

Everyone needs to eat - including grieving people - what an opportunity to offer delicious food at one of the most difficult times. It was an untapped market and they saw an opportunity.   

How does the novel balance grief and humor, and why is that balance important in stories about reinvention?

Angie’s grief is heavy but given that she thinks Vinnie has left her penniless she can’t sit around and mope all day - so she has to pick herself up and find a way to support herself. Her family has a good sense of humor as does she and some of GIna’s friends - like Thad add levity to the story – you have to have a sense of humor to survive.   

In what ways does Angie’s experience challenge stereotypes about widows, middle age, and second chances at love?

Many times when someone has lost the love of their life they make their world small and think - my life is over now - I’ll never fall in love again. Even though Angie is a simple person she finds the courage and spunk to pursue a new venture with Gina - and also realizes that maybe her love life may not be over. Going forward she doesn’t want to depend on men to support her but she doesn’t dismiss the possibility of a relationship - but not in a SAVE ME SAVE ME way.  

How do cooking and creativity help Angie reconnect with parts of herself that may have been buried during her marriage?

Angie loved cooking for Vinnie so she was connected to that part of her life - but hadn’t explored cooking for a bigger audience. Setting up the catering company with Gina and Kim gave her a boost of confidence and a sense of adventure that maybe she could think bigger and be part of a successful business.  

At its core, what is the novel suggesting about resilience—that happiness after heartbreak is something discovered, created, or courageously chosen?

I think it’s a story of resilience - Angie finding the energy deep inside to reinvent herself - surrounding herself with people who believe in her and will be there for her if she fails. The Cubs are a perfect example of resiliency - took them 108 years to win a world series - but they did and when they did their resilient fans were right there with them. Angie did discover that she could stand on her own two feet and call her own shots and that she didn’t need a man to define her. ​

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Link to purchase the book: 
https://www.bookpassage.com/book/9798896360841