Excerpt: Firehand

"Another reason that she liked the place was that they had some of the best food she'd ever eaten. Her favorite thing on the menu? Sliced okra the likes of which she had only seen in the southern part of the United States.

It was a tender concoction of sliced okra with onions, bell peppers and tomatoes. The dish was warm and comforting and reminded her of sweet tea and sunshine. Unless, of course, the okra was overcooked. There is nothing slimier than a pot of overcooked okra. Okay, there may be a few things as slimy, but nothing that she wanted to think about over dinner."