Publishers Weekly

12/22/2014
Tension, drama, and sweet nothings mingle in the tasty fourth Pine Mountain contemporary (after Stirring Up Trouble). Snarky chef Adrian Holt’s motorcycle accident leaves him with a broken arm and the beginnings of a serious stir-crazy crisis. Kitchen-phobic paramedic Teagan O’Malley is at her wits’ end; the chef at her father’s bar has quit, and the Friday night crowd is building. Then Adrian walks in and offers his services. As the battle of wills continues from an earlier encounter, Adrian and Teagan simultaneously fight against and stir up the heat in the kitchen and their hearts. Threats from a loan shark and a hard-hearted parole officer add the dramatic elements; unfortunately, the Pennsylvanian Blue Ridge Mountains setting lacks real local color. The plot is fairly ordinary, but a last-minute twist will make readers gasp. Foodies and series fans will relish this spirited journey of love and happiness. Agent: Maureen Walters, Curtis Brown Literary Agency. (Feb.)