Sandra Harper is the author of "Over the Holidays" "High Tea" and the play "Magpie's Tearoom." She has written a cooking column for SKIRT! The best job she ever had was working at the Cook's Library on 3rd Street in Los Angeles. Read the first chapter of her new novel, "The Chicken Painting" at sandraharper.us She is co-writing a memoir, "From Rags To Rigatoni" with Madelyn Alfano, owner of Maria's Italian Kitchens in Southern California. Madelyn is a past president of NAWBO (National Association of Women's Business Owners) and a commentator on CNBC.