Limecello’s review of Island Heat by Sarah Mayberry
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin 11 Mar 08
I happened to get my hands on another Sarah Mayberry book, and it’s the first in Harlequin’s (relatively) new Mediterranean Nights series that I’ve read. I enjoyed the book, and while I’m contemplating reading more in the Mediterranean Nights series, I know I’ll be buying more of Ms. Mayberry’s books.
Island Heat is yet another book that involves chefs – which personally I think is interesting, because from what I know, Ms. Mayberry’s books generally involve characters in the entertainment industry. However, I was happy because I’m a foodie. Island Heat is a great balance of romance, setting, plot, and food.
Ms. Mayberry’s books generally involve characters that have history, and it’s a trend carried through in this book as well. Victoria Sanderson and Ben Cooper were classmates at the Culinary Institute of America. They parted on bad terms upon graduation, but being stuck together on a cruise ship results in them resolving their issues. After all, not only are they stuck together on a ship, they have to work together.
Ben and Tory are both interesting, have great personalities and are well developed characters. I really enjoyed was the fact that they communicated. Of course, they lie and indulge in minor pettiness – which simply makes them human. Actually, the antics they engage in are quite entertaining and devious. Ben and Tory are also perfect foils for each other. Tory is type A, and a micro-manager. Ben, however, is the quintessential island boy – relaxed, and more big picture, bad boy willing to indulge and put play before work. Food is what brings them together initially, but once each sees the other for the person they truly are, they find out they have more in common. A lot more.
There were a few secondary stories. One, that developed more in the end, I truly enjoyed, and it was heart warming. I won’t talk about it more, because it’s a secret- no spoilers! The other, involving a dancer on the ship, didn’t get me, and I found her story distracting, and rather irritating.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and found it interesting to read one of Ms. Mayberry’s stories with a different setting. Once again, Ms. Mayberry delivers a story with terrific characters, an emotional and rewarding story, with sun, fun, and mystery thrown in. Island Heat made me want to book a cruise, and eat some jerk chicken.
Grade: C+
They say that revenge is a dish best served cold… but what do you do with the leftovers?
It’s been eight years since Tory Sanderson has seen Ben Cooper—eight years since she found out he seduced her to win a bet with some classmates at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, and eight years since she got her revenge.…
After fulfilling her dream of publishing a cookbook of island recipes, Tory is thrilled when she’s invited on a Caribbean cruise as a guest lecturer. But excitement turns to anxiety when she finds out that Ben, who is now a celebrated restaurateur, will join her as the guest chef.
Ben accepted the guest chef gig in order to enjoy a week of Tory sweating it out in the kitchen. But once the heat starts to climb, getting even turns out to be the last thing on his mind. In fact, picturing a future with Tory in his kitchen might add just the right amount of spice to his life….
Read an excerpt here.
