A Kitchen Affair

Carol Preflatish knew at an early age that she loved to write. In high school and college, her favorite classes were composition and creative writing, bu it wasn't until she got married and became a parent that she decided to pursue it seriously. Always loving a good mystery, she's constantly thinking up ideas for future books.

Carol lives in southern Indiana, sharing her log cabin in the woods with her husband and their cat and dog. When not writing, she loves to read, watch football, and go camping with her husband. 

Author posting and book review of A Kitchen Affair by Carol Preflatish

 

 

Book Blurb:

 

When culinary student Jenny Marshall struggles to pay her tuition, she decides to become a Personal Chef to make ends meet. The most eligible bachelor in town, Derek James, who also happens to be a millionaire, has a crisis. Two days before his Thanksgiving dinner party, his cook has to quit due to a family emergency. Desperate, he hires Jenny to cook for his party and there's chemistry from the start. He likes her, she likes him, but Colleen Michaels, a manager at his company, has set her sights on Derek also and she does everything she can to sabotage his relationship with Jenny. Everyone thinks Colleen is the perfect match for Derek; everyone that is, except Derek. He desperately wants Jenny in his life. However, Colleen has other plans to keep that from happening. What lengths will she go to in order to keep Derek and Jenny apart?

 

 

Angie J's Review:
I received this book from the author for an honest review.

 I received this book from the author and was looking forward to a contemporary romance/suspense book because I tend to read a lot of Paranormal and Erotica.  I was looking for a nice change in my reading.

  The story of Derek and Jenny was a pretty traditional romance novel.  Derek is the town millionaire who every single woman wants to date.  Jenny is a culinary student who is in the right place at the right time.  She gets him to agree to let her cook for a private party.  Derek is interested in her but his overbearing sister sets him up with another women.  I found Derek to be a bit of a wet noodle at times.  He was easily manipulated and pushed around by Colleen (the other woman) and his sister.  I was roaring at him several times wanting him to channel his inner alpha male.  While Jenny gets continually bullied by the "mean" girls.  By the middle of the story, I was glad  Derek realized who and what he wants BUT he has made some not great choices and confesses them to Jenny who then decides she needs to rethink the relationship.  Soooo this relationship doesn't go very smoothly BUT it does make the ending that much better.

The suspense/mystery of the novel had to do with Derek's company.  There is some espionage due to someone telling company secrets.  I wasn't sure exactly who the "spy' was but I did have my suspicions.  The culminating scenes of the book were pretty intense with an attempted murder being made on someone's life. 

All in all I did enjoy the novel.  I think the choices the characters made (ie Derek's playing the field and making mistakes with Colleen while Jenny freezes him out at times) are typical of people in todays society.  Would I recommend this book, sure.  I think if you want a sweet, traditional romance then this book is a great choice for you. 

Story Excerpt

She didn't mind at all. The rest of the lunch was spent deciding on the menu for his dinner party.

"I have an idea for something special for the dessert that night," she said.

His mind wandered thinking that she was the only dessert he wanted and then realized he was getting excited. "What's your idea?"

"With your approval, I thought I would make two Chocolate Rum Cheesecakes."

"That sounds fantastic."

"It's the one I told you about on the phone at Christmas. I think it would be the perfect for Valentine's Day."

"I agree. Perfect idea." He watched as she made some notes on her pad. If he could have his way, he'd take her home to his bedroom right now. Instead, he would have to wait. He needed to win her back on her own terms, not his.

"I'll get my contract typed up tonight and email it to you. All you need to do is sign the last page and send it back to me."

"I have a better idea. I'll come home with you tonight and you can type it up while I wait."

"No." She laughed. "I think you should probably take me back to my car now. I need to get home."

"What's the hurry? How about we go to a movie? Two friends enjoying a movie together."

She stood up, putting her coat on. "Nice try. This lunch was really great and I appreciate all the trouble and expense you went to."

"I'd do it a hundred times over, if it would help us get together. Oh, you need the key to my house." He handed it to her.

"Thanks."

Derek drove her to the rear of the bakery where her car was parked. He turned off his car and grabbed her hand to keep her from getting out. "Jenny, I desperately want you in my life and I think you want the same thing. Just tell me what to do to make it happen."

She looked away. "It's a matter of building up trust again. You said you cared for me, but you slept with Colleen. It's going to take some time."

She started to open the door, but he squeezed her hand to stop her. "One more question."

"What's that?"

"I'd like for you to be my date for the dinner party."

"I don't know. I had planned on preparing the food during the day and then leave. The servers I hired don't need me to direct them."

"And, that's why you should be my companion for the night. I want everyone to meet you and I want you to get to know my friends."

"I'll think about it." She pulled her hand away and got out of the car.

Derek quickly jumped out too and ran over to her. He took her into his arms and kissed her. He captured her mouth with hungry urgency. She didn't resist, but instead welcomed him into her mouth. His tongue danced with hers until she finally pulled away.

"Not yet, Derek. I can't." She got into her car and drove away leaving him standing there alone.