Saute, simmer, and flambé…
Jill Adgate wants three things from life: a successful catering business, the devoted love of an exceptional man, and a family. What she has is no job, a mounting pile of bills, and her outspoken best friend—who sets her up on a blind date with the man who inadvertently ruined Jill’s life.
Chet Castle is a prosperous businessman who has everything, except the ability to trust. Burned by a money-hungry fiancée, he refuses to get involved with any relationship that has a shelf life longer than a head of lettuce.
Intrigued by her ambition—and determined to get her in bed—Chet offers Jill the chance of a lifetime: Work for him for the next eight weeks as his live-in chef and he’ll help her get her catering business off the ground. When sparks fly in the kitchen, Jill realizes what’s cooking with her commitment-phobic employer is a recipe for disaster…but it’s just too tasty to not take a bite.
EXCERPT:
He tossed the towel on the counter. “I’m attracted to you, and after that zipper-popping kiss, I’m going to assume the feeling’s mutual.”
“That’s neither here nor there. I don’t mess around with someone I work with and definitely not someone I work for.” Jill jumped off the counter and pushed past him. She feared she’d combust from the friction of her heartbeat working against the rush of heated blood in her veins.
“I really don’t fall into either category. We don’t work together, and I’m far from your boss.” His voice held a tinge of humor laced with steel. “This is strictly a business arrangement.”
“That might be worse.”
He moved toward her. “Jill—”
“I’m tired of men assuming because I’m a woman, because of the way I look, that I’m open to a sexual relationship with them to get ahead.”
“What are you talking about? Who said anything about getting ahead?” He brushed his hand through his hair, confusion littering his face.
“Is this the payback you’re expecting? You offer to help me with my catering business, even so far as co-signing for a loan, and all I have to do is lay back, close my eyes, and grit my teeth while
you have your way with me?”
A vein hammered along the side of his neck. “I seriously doubt you’ll be gritting your teeth, unless it’s to stop yourself from screaming my name.”
BUY LINKS:
Barnes & Nobel: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bachelors-special-christine-warner/1115250848?ean=9781622661312
Review
Chef Jill Adgate career has not gone as smoothly as she had hoped once she graduated culinary school. The first thing that started the wobbly path of a chef was an unfortunate accident involving a cake, a few tears, and the most heat intensive kiss she had ever experienced. A year and several jobs later, she has agreed to a blind date and finds the man who set her on her tumultuous career path.
Chet Castle has not forgotten the beautiful chef who unnerved him. Having been burned once before and with plans to never have it happen again, Chet makes Jill an offer as his personal chef with hopes tha the not only will eat well but she will eventually be in his bed. Of course where Jill is concerned everything goes topsy turvy, Chet ends up realizing he likes her, a lot. When one heated moment takes an unexpected turn and Chet realizes that Jill is not a fling type of gal, they agree to be friends. Of course when you have attraction like theirs nothing goes as planned and if they are not careful they both will end up losing their hearts in the process.
Enchanting story, I thought Jill was an exciting character. I loved the nostalgia element to Jill and could easily picture her character. Chet is a bit of a conundrum though, on one hand he is charismatic and sweeps you off your feet, but he is so complex and you find yourself surprised by how he got so jaded. Highly entertaining story.
Guest Post
What would your perfect day include?
I believe to have a “perfect” day you need to have all the loves in your life included. For me my perfect day would include my family, friends, cooking, laughing, my pets and of course writing mixed with a little reading—no specific order, but they’d all be required J
The fun part is that all of these loves can be combined and that makes the day much more special. I love having family and friends over for a meal and while I’m cooking I admit that I spoil my pets with little taste treats. I’m not saying I’m a master chef, but I truly enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. Some are keepers and some are just those one time deals. But it’s fun to slice, dice, chop, and blend ingredients to create a new dish—and there’s nothing better than sharing those times with those I love while we talk, laugh and reminisce. My love of cooking is one of the reasons I wanted my heroine—Jill Adgate—from Bachelor’s Special to be a chef.
Of course I love, love, love my writing time. And, for me, I’m not one who can write with a lot of noise. I need quiet. Lol So, I try and arrange my writing schedule to include early mornings and evenings when the house is quiet. And for those days that I only get a little writing time in, I make sure to squeeze in reading. Be it a book on craft, romance, true crime…I enjoy them all. Everyone needs that little escape.
Unfortunately I don’t get to have a “perfect” day everyday, but it’s fun to try. How about you? What makes a perfect day?
Where you can find me:
My blog: Christine’s Words http://christine-warner.com/
Twitter: @ChristinesWords https://twitter.com/ChristinesWords
Facebook…stop by and LIKE my page and stay up to the minute on what I have going on and play along with some of the games we play:https://www.facebook.com/authorchristinewarner?ref=hl
Author Bio:
Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.
Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined sometimes sassy heroines.
A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter, and her website.
A perfect day could be a lot of things- if it's raining and cool, that's perfect for me. Then I want to spend my time on my porch with a good book and listen to the rain. or perfect could be having fun with my husband and son. Or, perfect would be a great writing day! :) I'll take them all when I can. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having me on your blog and for the wonderful review. So glad you enjoyed Chet and Jill's story :)
ReplyDeleteNikki...I love the rain too...it's very relaxing. My only issue is that sometimes I get so relaxed I want to take a nap! lmbo Thanks for coming by!