My
second contemporary romance for Soul Mate Publishing is titled “The SweetTouch”. The heroine, Kate Bromley, is a nutritionist and advocate for a mostly
raw food diet. She teaches nutrition and gardening to elementary-age children
and has private cooking lessons for adults at her home. At the close of each of
the thirty-two chapters, there is a healthy vegetarian recipe.
I
spent a year testing and tasting different recipes in my kitchen before
selecting the ones I liked. The recipe usually references the storyline.
Either Kate is demonstrating that particular dish or the hero, Dan Brookhouse,
owner of a chain of steak and rib restaurants, is experimenting with new dishes
to put on the menu for his customers.
From
desserts and appetizers to salads, smoothies and main dishes, there’s something
for everyone. One that has become my family’s favorite is a mock tuna salad
made with chick peas and toasted walnuts plus other tasty items. The recipe in
chapter one – chocolate pudding – is made with raw ingredients such as
avocados, bananas, cacao powder, maple syrup and vanilla flavoring. Later in the book the reader will find a
chocolate mousse containing coconut milk. Dan is a chocoholic so chocolate is
heavily featured. “The Sweet Touch” was released as an e-book on September 18
and will be in print three to four months afterwards. Available at Amazon or
Barnes & Noble. Enjoy.
Blurb
After an early disastrous marriage, Kate Bromley is determined to obtain an education and pursue a career as a nutritionist. Platonic friendships are fine but never again will she depend on a man for her happiness. She’s content with her life as it is.
Single dad Dan Brookhouse owns a chain of restaurants featuring steaks and ribs. When he unexpectedly meets Kate at a demonstration she’s giving of raw food desserts, he feels an immediate attraction to her. When he tastes her chocolate pudding made with avocadoes and bananas, he’s determined to have her demonstrate for his chefs.
Kate doesn’t mind a business relationship with Dan but somehow that idea is nipped in the bud when she succumbs to their first kiss. Annoyed that she feels a magnetic pull to Dan, she gives him her “I don’t date” speech and insists she’s never swerved from her vow to stay uninvolved. Dan laughs at her proclamation and is determined to convince her she can still have her freedom as well as a relationship with him.
Can these two strong-minded people find happiness together?
Here’s
an excerpt from the book:
Dan was pretty sure of himself, she thought uneasily.
He was talking about their next encounter while she had no intention of seeing
him again, at least in a personal way. “Dan,” she began hesitantly, “I should
probably mention that I don’t date. I wouldn’t mind a platonic friendship, but
anything more is not possible. I’m much too busy for any kind of involvement.”
She sent him a glance and, when he didn’t reply right away, she added, “This
isn’t a recent decision. After my divorce I decided to put all my energy into
my own life, finishing my education and building a business. I’ve never allowed
myself to swerve from that course. I hope you understand.” He suddenly started
laughing. Shocked at his unexpected response, Kate turned toward him with a
puzzled stare. “What’s so funny?” she demanded.
“You,” he managed to say in a choked
voice. “You sound so definite.” He pulled into the parking lot of the
Brookhouse restaurant, turned off the ignition and looked at her, his blue eyes
twinkling. “I’ll just have to convince you to swerve a little now and then,
like our brief time in the greenhouse.” He reached out a hand to run a finger
down the side of her flushed face. “That was just an introduction, mind you.
I’m sure we’ll find more in common than you could imagine.” His tone was tender
as he said this.
She glared at him. “You are
incorrigible. Did anyone ever tell you that?”
He nodded solemnly. “I’m sure someone has, but I can’t
remember.” Then he spoiled it all by laughing again. He left the car to open
her door. “Let’s concentrate on this presentation. Then we’ll talk about other
things.”
When he helped her out he brought her close for a
light kiss. His arms tightened around her for a few moments while he gazed into
those melting brown eyes. “You have the most extraordinary eyes,” he murmured.
“But then you know that.”
She was confused. She felt both comfortable and uneasy
wrapped in Dan’s strong embrace. Part of her wanted to stay there and forget
she’d made strong resolutions for her life. The other part told her to push him
away before he could get a toehold and sink all her aspirations. Frozen between
these opposing poles, she couldn’t come to a conclusion. The mousy outfit she’d
decided to wear that day did absolutely nothing to diminish his interest, she
thought with an inward sigh. What could she do that would turn him off?
This sounds like great fun. I was charmed by Maddy's first book, A Total Mismatch which is currently 1.75 on Kindle.
Here's the link to The Sweet Touch.
Chocolate Pudding
1 medium-size ripe avocado, peeled and cut into small
pieces
1 ripe peeled banana
1 tablespoon cacao (find this ingredient in health
food stores)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (honey or agave will work
also)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Using a blender, combine all ingredients and blend
until smooth. Makes enough for two small portions.
