Can't Stand the Heat - Louisa Edwards

Publication
2009, St. Martin's Paperbacks, Recipe for Love #1

In short
She’s hungry for experience
For sharp-tongued Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple’s kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. The trouble is, she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: this critic has no idea how to cook.
And he knows just how to satisfy her cravings...
As for Adam, well, he’s not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn’t even know the difference between poaching and paring. He’ll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own - teaching Miranda what it means to cook with passion.

In words
I found the main couple interesting, but was equally interested in the secondary romance and all the other characters in and around the kitchen. The only thing I did not like as much was the public grovel by the heroine and the quick acceptance of the hero. Personally I thought she was forgiven too easily for what she had done. Overall a great debut and I'm really looking forward to reading more books by Louisa Edwards.

In numbers
Voice - 2 (max 3)
Characters - 2 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Sensuality - 1
No minus points
Total - 8
B = 7.5/10 = 3.5 stars

Bound by Your Touch - Meredith Duran

Publication
Pocket Books, July 2009

In short
Silver-tongued Viscount Sanburne is London's favorite scapegrace. Alas, Lydia Boyce has no interest in being charmed. When his latest escapade exposes a plot to ruin her family, she vows to handle it herself, as she always has done. Certainly she requires no help from a too-handsome dilettante whose main achievement is being scandalous. But Sanburne's golden charisma masks a sharper mind and darker history than she realizes. He shocks Lydia by breaking past her prim facade to the woman beneath... and the hidden fire no man has ever recognized. But as she follows him into a world of intrigue, she will learn that the greatest danger lies within - in the shadowy, secret motives of his heart.

In words
It took me a little while to get into this book. I found Sanburne a bit hard to like at first, as I thought he took his feelings of guilt a bit to far, which probably was the purpose of the author. But in the end I did understand and like him, and believed in their HEA. All characters are full of depth, even the not so nice ones, and the story itself sucked me in as well. Again a great book by Meredith Duran.

In numbers
Voice - 3 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Conversations - 1
Sensuality - 1
No minus points
Total - 11
A- = 9/10 = 4.5 stars

The Tempation of Savannah O'Neill - Molly O'Keefe

Publication
Harlequin, August 2010, The Notorious O'Neills # 1

In short
A family's bad reputation is tough to shake off. Just ask Savannah O'Neill. Despite her straitlaced job as a librarian, despite her living a private life, the O'Neill family wildness still sparks town gossip. And the arrival of Matt Woods - sexy handyman and complete stranger - isn't helping.
Watching him work makes Savannah long to take a trip into indulgence. That's so not a good idea - she's been there before and still hears the rumors. But Matt is much too delicious for this O'Neill to resist. It's a shame there's more to Matt than being good with his hands. Because when his true reasons for seeking her out are revealed, he could become another affair Savannah lives to regret.

In words
Years ago I enjoyed Molly O'Keefe's books but somehow she disappeared off my radar. After hearing so many good things about this series I reread some older books first and then dove into this series. Well, Molly won't be off my radar from now on. I enjoyed this book so much. Great characters and so life-like. It was so easy to understand what they were feeling, why and how they were influenced by their past, and how they came to terms with it. This series book has more depth than many a single title. I recommend it wholeheartedly and look forward to reading the other books in this series.

In numbers
Voice - 3 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Conversations - 1
Sensuality - 1
No minus points
Total - 11
A- = 9/10 = 4.5 stars

Presumed Guilty - Tess Gerritsen

Publication
1993 but reissued, Harlequin

In short
Miranda's ex-lover is found murdered. She had a motive and the opportunity. After being arrested for the crime, Miranda is shocked to learn she's been released on bail - bail posted by someone determined to remain anonymous. Is someone trying to help Miranda? Or is someone trying to manipulate Miranda and draw her into the dark and secret world of a murdered man, where everybody's presumed guilty?

In words
Utterly stupid, sorry to say. All characters are cardboard and the relationship between the main characters is based on nothing because he doesn't trust her until the very last moment, when it becomes clear she is innocent. I wouldn't want a partner like that. I couldn't understand why she wanted to get involved with him at all. In the last part of the book the heroine behaves even more TSTL as she sets out to corrupt/steal evidence that is supposed to prove her innocence (personally I don't see why the author of the letters HAS to be the killer). The villain also behaves TSTL by not turning the tables on the heroine at that moment.

In numbers
Voice - 1 (max 3)
Characters - 0 (max 3)
Romance - 0 (max 2)
Plot - 0 (max 2)
Sensuality - 0
Minus points - 1 - character behaviour TSTL
Total - 0
F = 0/10 = 1 stars