Blackhawk's Betrayal

Blackhawk's Betrayal is everything a reader could want in a short romance: passion, complex conflicts and intrigue, complicated but memorable, lovable characters, never simplistic despite the length and a fast page turner. Never once does the reader get lost. Keira Blackhawk has lived in New York for three years. Instead of getting on the plane to Paris to study with a famous Parisian chef, she instead takes a detour that might just change her life forever. She appears in a small Texan town seeking out the truth about her past. She applies for a job at the Four Winds Hotel under the name of Kiera Daniels. Sam Prescott, the hotel general manager, eyes her with suspicion. From the first glance, he knows he needs to find out much more about this woman whose black eye can be seen faintly underneath her make-up. What attracts him --- her secrets or something more? When Keira meets Clair Blackhawk Carver, the hotel owner, she has to decide whether to befriend another vulnerable woman and keep a secret or pursue the truth she wants even if it means destroying one of them. Keira must keep secrets from the prying Sam Prescott at the same time that she feels the interference of her growing love and passion for this man. What a delightful mess for her and what a delightful complication for the reader! Keira is a wonderful mix of conflicting qualities: worldly and yet down-home, hurt by her past yet a very feisty woman indeed, strong and able to stand up for herself against bullies yet kind and supportive of those in need. In comparison, the hero is a little less intriguing --- at least not until the end. Most of the action centers around the hotel Adagio restaurant. The French chef riles up everyone, Keira included. The workplace scenes explode with conflict, culinary passion, and humor. I would, however, recommend that this romance not be read on an empty stomach or when the reader's next meal isn't likely to be a drab cold or boring routine meal. The menus and dishes served by this restaurant sound tortuously delicious.