On paper, the idea of having an author event at Michael Jordan's Steakhouse is pretty irresistible. Unless you're the writer.

"I'd love to" — (chomp, chomp) — "to, ah, read from or tell you how I came to write my latest National Book Award finalist ... Hold on a sec —" (Gestures to waiter.) "Can I get another beef tenderloin and some of those garlic mashed potatoes? Thanks!" (Looks sheepish and faces adoring fans.) "Um, what was I saying about the creative process?"

Truth told, bookish guests of honor are typically a civilized bunch, and you can anticipate a fulfilling literary and culinary time Tuesday when historical/mystery novelist Marie Benedict guests in the latest edition of "Delicious Discussions," the clever series co-hosted by Bank Square Books, Otis Library, and the MJ Steakhouse combining a lunch buffet and on-site author experience.

Benedict's on the road behind "The Only Woman in the Room," a fantastically imagined story based on the life of actress Hedy Lamarr, who, prior to Hollywood, escaped Nazi Germany after hearing first-hand astonishing Third Reich plans via her then-husband, an Austrian arms dealer. Benedict's other titles include "The Other Einstein" and "Carnegie's Maid."

Marie Benedict, Delicious Discussion, noon Tuesday, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Mohegan Sun; $45 includes buffet lunch and a copy of the book; (860) 536-3795, banksquarebooks.com.