Summer Desserts by Nora Roberts is $2.99 right now. This is one of Roberts' older Silhouette novels, originally published in 1993 – or possibly earlier. This is a contemporary romance about a temperamental pastry chef named Summer who is a culinary artist, and a hotel tycoon who wants her for his hotel restaurant. This book was part of the Language of Love series, and it has a 3.58-star average on GR.
I love Roberts' straight contemporaries, and am tempted by this one because I really like trips down memory lane when there's a strong possibility of shoulder pads. Have you read this book?
Could a cordon bleu chef be a junk-food addict? The more Blake Cocharan learned about Summer Lyndon, dessert chef extraordinaire, the more intrigued he became-and the more determined he was to hire her. Blake wanted the Best, and Summer looked extremely good to him. Her superb credentials were icing on the cake.
Summer was accustomed to traveling around the world, creating the perfect ending to perfect meals. But Blake had a unique appeal. Summer found herself responding to the challenge, both professionally…and personally…. For the first time, Summer was planning a meal from start to finish—and creating a perfect ending all her own.
Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Kobo
Lessons Learned by Nora Roberts is also $2.99 right now. This is book 2 in the “Great Chefs” series — Summer Desserts was the first. GoodReads says that this one was published originally in 1986, which means there's an even greater chance that someone will be wearing shoulder pads, and also that the publication date for Summer Desserts isn't correct, and that book may also have been earlier.
Either way, this is a contemporary category romance about a world famous Italian chef, and the publicist who is organizing his book tour. This book has a 3.6 star average on GR. Some readers loved the ambition and career focus of the heroine and the passion of the hero, while others had problems with the number of women in his past.
Coordinating the publicity tour for Italy's most famous—and most adorable—chef was just the kind of assignment Juliet relished. Carlo Franconi could gather a crowd just by smiling, and watching him prepare a meal was like witnessing a lesson in passionate lovemaking. By the time the tour was over, Juliet planned to have Carlo packaged as the world's sexiest chef. Women everywhere would fantasize about him preparing an intimate meal for two.
But Juliet hadn't counted on being part of the dinner plans. Candlelight, pasta and romance…Carlo distracted her with his charms, setting his romantic recipes simmering in her heart.
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Let Me Be the One by Bella Andre is on sale at most retailers for .99c. It's book #6 in the Sullivans series, and features a pretend-boyfriend storyline with an artist heroine and a professional athlete who have been friends since they were kids.
Back in San Francisco preparing for her big art show, Vicki Bennett needs help protecting herself and her career from the unwelcome advances of one of the judges. She knows that her longtime friend and baseball star, Ryan Sullivan, will know just how to handle things, and he's the only person she can imagine asking for help.
Ryan is thrilled to have Vicki back in his life, and he will do anything to protect her from harm, including playing the role of “pretend boyfriend.” But when their staged kisses and caresses lead to an incredibly sensual night, they both worry that they may have damaged their friendship forever.
Have they made the worst mistake possible? Or is the perfect combination of friendship and love finally within reach?
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REMINDER: The Sweet Life is a special edition boxed set for the May 2014 Brenda Novak Diabetes Auction. It's available for $2.99. This boxed set features fourteen contemporary romances from many bestselling authors, including Brenda Novak, Bella Andrew, Barbara Freethy, Susan Mallery, Carly Phillips, Susan Wiggs, and Heather Graham. That this boxes set is a limited-time-only offer, and will be on sale only during the Diabetes Auction.
All the proceeds will go to diabetes research. The boxed set will be $2.99 through the second week of May, then the price will rise to $7.99 – which is not bad for fourteen stories!. Then, after May 2014, this boxed set will be taken down and will not be available again.
Have your cake and eat it too–your purchase of A Sweet Life helps fight against diabetes!
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1500 pages/ 675 000 words
I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre (The Sullivans)
The only woman wealthy Irish pub owner Jake McCann wants is the one he can't have–Sophie Sullivan, his best friend's off limits sister. But when the beautiful librarian appears on his doorstep as his every fantasy come to life, even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn't the right thing to do…how can he possibly resist?
On A Night Like This by Barbara Freethy (Callways #1)
From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the first book about the Callaways, a big Irish family born to serve and protect, many as San Francisco firefighters.
May Day! By Heather Graham
Members of the Krewe of Hunters team plan a relaxing vacation to jolly old London for the English celebration–they never figured that a May Pole just might be murder.
Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent
When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men's room of one of his stores, it's love at first flush.
Built to Last by Susan Mallery
The tale of Aaron Cross, a man who doesn't know he needs saving…until he meets Marissa Spencer, a heroine inspired by the real life founder of the Motheread/ Fatheread Literacy Program.
A Baby of Her Own by Brenda Novak
Delaney is tired of waiting for the right man–all she wants is a baby. After seducing a handsome stranger, she returns to Dundee to find that same man is actually taking up residence on a ranch just outside of town–where he will very likely realize she's expecting.
Dare to Love by Carly Phillips
In relationships, Ian Dare offers the bare minimum–until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor changes his perspective. Their affair heats up and love comes into play, but Riley's secret past just might cost them everything.
Executive Seduction by Jennifer Probst
When Chandler Santell turns to Logan Grant, the most ruthless CEO in the finance industry to save her beloved Yoga and Arts Center, she never intended to have seduction as part of the plan…
In Too Deep by RaeAnne Thayne
Though fiercely drawn to the comfort of Andrea McPhee's arms, Will Tanner isn't sure he can find room for a woman like her in a life focused on vengeance–until he discovers she has secrets of her own.
Every Girl Does It by Rachel Van Dyken
Amanda gets a flash from the past when the nerdy kid she rejected in high school suddenly reappears in her life…dead sexy, he's all man and he wants her.
Homecoming Season by Susan Wiggs
Miranda Sweeney and her family find hope and healing while spending an autumn at Willow Lake after Miranda survives breast cancer. Inspired by the founder of Cottage Dreams.
Unspoken by Lauren Hawkeye
Once, Ellie Kendrick was the only thing that Dominic Gabriel wanted. Now she's back and her version of what happened between them so long ago makes him question everything he knows about himself as a man…
Sweet Memories by Steena Holmes
Thinking her marriage is over, Tessa is shocked to fall into the arms of her husband… literally. What's a girl to do when her heart still goes pitter-patter for a man who ran out on her once but comes back determined to take another chance?
Take Me, Cowboy by Jane Porter
Jilted at the altar, Jenny Wright is devastated that bull riding champ Colton Thorpe witnesses her shame, but tough sexy Colton is a man who knows what he wants… and he wants Jenny.
Re: Summer desserts. How can you not like a famous dessert chef who keeps Oreos in her cookie jar?
Pippa DaCosta’s paranormal romance BEYOND THE VEIL (book 1 in the Veil series) is free today through May 23rd on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-The-Veil-Series-ebook/dp/B00IA3S97K
Summer Desserts was first published in 1985, so I think a shoulder-pad sighting is more than likely.
How funny, roserita! I was just going to post that the only thing I remember about Summer Desserts was the Oreos. I read the book when it first came out.