With three successful TV series under her belt, including her cousin Kandy’s, executive producer Stacy Peters is ready to helm her own show. But to make that happen, she has to do her network boss one favor first—spend two months on a ranch in Montana wrangling the notoriously difficult director of Beef Battles. Apparently, he eats producers for breakfast. Yet all Stacy can think when she meets the lean, rugged man is how hungry he makes her . . .

Dominic Stamp—Nikko to his very few friends—has had enough interference from TV newbies. And when Stacy climbs out of the car in Montana, he’s not convinced she’s even old enough to drive, much less produce his show. But he can’t deny that the long-legged blonde with the stubborn will and the dazzling smile whets his appetite. And as Stacy proves her talent with the crew and the budget alike, Nikko vows to prove to her that love is on the menu for both of them.

@GoddessFish, #Contemporary, #Romance

Stacy has successfully produced three cooking shows for the EBS network and is known for being able to get the job done. She recently pitched a new idea for her own show, one her boss is interested in, and tells her he’ll green-light it, if she’ll produce a show for him in Montana. Figuring she can deal with eight weeks on the road, Stacy agrees, only to discover after that the director is one of the best and most difficult in the business. 

Nikko doesn’t need anyone from the network looking over his shoulder and making changes to his program, so he was ready to hate Stacy the minute he saw her. However, she’s unlike anyone he’s worked with before and his daughter seems to like Stacy, and the more time he spends around her, Nikko realizes he needs Stacy for more than just his television show.

Can’t Stand the Heat is the third, standalone story from Ms. Jaeger’s Will Cook for Love series. While characters from the first two titles make an appearance in this title, and we originally meet Stacy in the first book, having read the previous books isn’t necessary to enjoy Can’t Stand the Heat. Unlike the first two books (and much to my joy), this story is straight up contemporary romance, without any bit of suspense or danger tossed in. The story focuses on Nikko and Stacy—getting to know one another and learning how to move on from past heartache and pain.

At the start, Nikko is an ass, not just to Stacy, but to all those he works with. He’s a perfectionist and master of his trade, but he’s unkind. His demeanor is in part due to his control freak nature, but also partly due to the physical pain he endures, stemming from a car crash that killed his ex-wife (the mother of his teenage daughter) less than two years prior. Worry for his daughter, whose life was completely rearranged by the death of her mom, provides additional stress, making Nikko unbearable most of the time. Yet, he is a smart man, and he recognizes the truth in Stacy’s kindness and learns how to become a better man by accepting her generosity, which allows him to grow.

Meanwhile, Stacy has her own demons that drive her work ethic. However, she’s balanced, using yoga as an outlet for stress and physical pain. She is open and giving, and great at her job. She refuses to let Nikko scare her off. Yet, she’s strangely attracted to the man, and absolutely adores his daughter. She’s so good-natured, there really isn’t anything bad to say about the woman.

When each started showing an interest in the other, I have to say I struggled with their relationship. As much as I liked both, at first their story was all say instead of do: we didn’t see them growing close, we were only told they each felt a physical attraction. Their interactions were toxic mostly, so the attraction felt off. Yet as the book progressed, Nikko and Stacy spend more time together, and we got to know them better, and we saw barriers come down.

In the end, I really enjoyed Can’t Stand the Heat, and it’s my favorite in the series to date. I appreciated seeing Nikko and Stacy become friends and grow close. I loved Stacy’s connection with Nikko’s daughter. Generally, the characters are good people, and they deserve good things. The ending really warmed my heart.

My Rating:  B+ Liked It A Lot

Review copy provided by NetGalley

Originally Posted at That's What I'm Talking About

Agent Kyros (Ky) Pappandreos has been working on a mafia case for three years when the only witness is shot and killed on the streets of New York, along with two of Ky’s men. Photographer Gemma Laine happened to be in the right place at the wrong time. Capturing faces of New Yorkers for her next book, she witnesses and records the entire event on her camera… making her Ritandi’s next target.

When there is one attempt too many on Gemma’s life while she’s in FBI custody, Ky realizes he has a mole within his team, and takes her safety into his own hands. The pair hide out in a remote cabin and come to realize that while hiding away, they both have never felt more alive or free.

A Shot at Love is the second romance in the Will Cook for Love series. While the book takes place in the same world and involves the same characters as the first, it is a standalone read. And even with their similarities, the two books are unique and independent. A Shot at Love definitely falls more in the romantic suspense subgenre than the first title, which also contained a bit of action.

Ky and Gemma are a great couple. They share similar values and interests. They are both physically strong and mentally sharp. I enjoyed watching the pair as they each learned more about the other; each pleasantly surprised that their physical attraction is rooted in something deeper. It’s like I could feel the awe in each as they grew closer together, becoming more and more entwined. I especially liked that the professional aspect of Ky’s job and getting involved with Gemma is addressed and always on his mind. The author gives Ky support in the form of an additional protector, helping ease the way for the couple to pair up. 

Ky and Gemma have a palpable chemistry that explodes when they touch, especially their first couple encounters. My only small complaint is that the pair is a bit goofy with their talk, in bed. They are silly in a way that made me think both are nervous, which may be exactly the point. Gemma has some serious trust issues, and the author does a great job developing the character. However, I wanted Gemma just to take charge and let go of her fears (which she does eventually!).

While I enjoyed the romance a lot, I did have an issue with the resolution of the mafia case. Trying not to be spoilerish, I need to say that there is NO WAY Ky’s plan to take down the mole would have happened as it did. And I’m not just talking about in the real world - but within the parameters of the story. I felt it was unrealistic and that bothered me.

In the end, I enjoyed Gemma and Ky’s story, regardless of how the case went down. I love that the author made Gemma and Ky real and that they were sexy and fell in love without thinking of or having sex during inappropriately dangerous times; there was work mode and non-work mode. A Shot at Love is action-packed and super sexy, and an enjoyable read.

My Rating: B/B- Liked It, but I had a small issue

Review copy received from Netgalley

Cooking with Kandy is the EBC’s number one food show, making Kandy Laine a highly successful woman, and apparently a target. Kandy is self-driven with high standards and an incredible work ethic. While she is extremely busy, family always comes first; she is giving, caring, and would do anything for those in her inner circle. So when threats on Kandy’s life grow more serious, she’s honestly perplexed that it could be coming from someone close to her.

Josh Keane was hired to protect Kandy and get to the bottom of the threats. While he has always put his job first, his instant attraction to and growing friendship with Kandy messes with his head and heart. Will getting to the bottom of the danger signal the end of his time with Kandy… or will it start the beginning of something more?

Cooking with Kandy is an enjoyable combination of sweet romance and light mystery/suspense. As the first title in Ms. Jaeger’s new Will Cook for Love series, readers are introduced to Kandy and her entire extended family, ninety percent of which seem to work for her in some capacity. The author has created a warm, genuine environment, which should serve well for the series setting.

Kandy and Josh are two peas in a pod (food reference intended!); both are driven individuals who have their own fair share of baggage. While each has found success and happiness with their career paths, it isn’t until they are put together that they truly see some holes and loneliness in their lives. Although they are forced by circumstance to be together, they develop a genuine bond, and the nature of the events surrounding their pairing lends itself to a rapid opening up and sharing of innermost thoughts and desires. Josh and Kandy are sweet together. They are like the couple that finishes each other’s sentences. And while it took a little while for the steam to build, once the couple allows themselves to indulge in desire, the heat factor raises quickly.

Kandy’s world is full of characters, and at times it was difficult to remember who was who. This is important because not only is the book a romance, there is a pretty serious mystery which gives way to a bit of suspense. Ms. Jaegar establishes a solid problem, complete with clues and red herrings. I enjoyed piecing together the puzzle and trying to discern which clues were real and which I could toss out. I had one small complaint about the unveiling and the perpetrator, but I can’t share it without being a spoiler. Nevertheless, it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the title, which overall was an exciting ride.

At its heart, Cooking with Kandy is a lovely sweetheart romance with an engrossing whodunit plot. Kandy and Josh are both intense yet joyful, making them a great match and tender pairing. Although each had a few hiccups in their behaviors that bothered me, overall I enjoyed how they took time to work out problems, no matter how personal or painful, together. I look forward to reading more stories set in the Will Cook for Love series.

My Rating:  B, Liked It

Review copy provided NetGalley

Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About

Set to take the CPA exams and start her career, Gia San Valentino is thrown for a loop when she finds herself instantly attracted to and completely taken with the wrong man. Unable to shake her feelings, Gia is emotionally torn because of an unknown, yet simple misunderstanding. Constantly surrounded by her family, Gia is worried the horrible truth will soon come out. 

A Kiss Under the Christmas Lights is a delightful holiday novella centered on a large Italian family and its traditions. I thoroughly enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Gia's life. The author invests time developing the San Valentino family, bringing heart to the story, and Gia's loving, meddling family provides tender moments with a healthy side of humorous embarrassment. Told from Gia's first person POV, we get to experience every laugh, fear, and joy along side her. 

While this story isn't an instalove tale, it is evident right from the start the Gia and Tim share something special. The love-at-first-meeting attraction comes across as right and true. However, due to a misunderstanding, Gia is emotionally wrecked and guilt-ridden over her attraction. After a while, it became stressful for me. It's obvious to the reader what is going on, but Gia thinks she's got the hots for an unattainable man. While the author does a great job of keeping Gia's physical attraction appropriately compartmentalized, after their third meeting, I wanted her to be able to enjoy her feelings for Tim without the guilt. 

With that said... the author successfully keeps the mood light, even when the book deals with serious situations. And while the romance is a huge part of the story, there are other things going on in Gia's life, keeping the focus off her guilty conscience. 

A Kiss Under the Christmas Lights is a sweet, light-hearted read. This holiday novella is a perfect gift to enjoy snuggled on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa. 

My Rating:  B+ Liked It A Lot

Review copy provided by author

Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About