Just a Taste (New York Blades)

Author Dierdre Martin does such a good job of creating a sense of place in JUST A TASTE that the reader almost can smell the tomato sauce served by the book's hero in his family's restaurant--or as Anthony, that hero, would call it, the "gravy." For a woman who, according to the blurb at the back of the novel, lives in Ithaca, New York, Ms. Martin has a marvelous sensibility of the energy of Bensonhurst, the Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn in which she sets her tale. The love story is predictable, but well-done: Two neighborhood chefs, one with a large, established restaurant serving the Italian cuisine of the community, the other with a tiny new cafe serving French food, take each other on as rivals and, inevitably, as lovers. Yet the plot is charming, the setting is authentic and the sex is hot, hot, hot. Finally, one practically can smell that wonderful sauce. What more could a romance reader ask?

Vivi and her half-sister Natalie have just moved to the US from France in search of a dream. Vivi, a chef, wishes to open a bistro in New York and hopes to make a huge success of it. Natalie is running from a scandal caused by a relationship gone bad and has come along to start a new life and fund Vivi's dream with their father's inheritance. Anthony, a widower, runs an Italian restaurant across the street from Vivi's. She's intrigued by him and his wonderful hands. As both are chefs, they clash from the beginning on how things should be prepared and made But while they are clashing, something bigger is building there. And while Anthony may not be ready for another woman in his life yet, sometimes a person can't avoid love even with the best laid plans. The stepsisters find they have issues to work through in their relationship with each other and many problems to overcome in setting up a new restaurant in a country fairly new to them. Both Vivi and Anthony go through cold feet phases in the mating ritual they go through. But in the end love overcomes all. I completely enjoyed Just A Taste and how Deirdre Martin made this romance realistic. Everything from arguments over whether something contained butter or shortening, to making up over the kitchen island was completely delightful in this story. I Joyfully Recommend Just a Taste as I loved Vivi and Anthony's quest for love and think you will too. Raine Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Deirdre Martin pens an emotional, tender and sexy story in Just A Taste. Chef Anthony Dante is still mourning the sudden loss of his policewoman wife over a year ago. He visits her every Sunday for a chat at her grave. His family thinks he needs to move on but Anthony isn't sure if he is ready just yet. Moving in across from the family restaurant is a new little bistro called Vivi's. At first Anthony is worried that this new place will cut into his clientele. But upon meeting Vivi Robitaille and her sister Natalie his worries are put somewhat to rest. Vivi stirs in Anthony a feeling he thought was long over for him. Vivi Robitaille chef at the new bistro Vivi's has come to America for a fresh start for her and her sister. She really didn't want or need any type of romantic entanglement while trying to get her bistro up and running. Vivi is drawn to Anthony's quiet strong ways. Their bickering over who the better chef is turns into really steaming up the kitchen. Anthony is slowly warming up to the idea of finding love the second time around. But when Vivi gets scared will he be willing to wait for her? Plus Anthony's extended family has to put in their two cents worth on what he should do with his love life as well as the restaurant. Anthony and Vivi are two peas in a pod, their squabbling is just a step in their dating ritual and its fun to watch. Their chemistry is fun and exciting and is put to the test when old ghost come to haunt them. Just A Taste is everything I have come to expect from a Deidre Martin book. It makes me laugh, cry and sigh. These characters become like family and you hate to say goodbye.

This is the story of Anthony and Vivi. Anthony has been a character in previous books because he is the brother of Micheal (NHL hockey player from Fair Play) and 1/2 owner and chief of Dante's restaurant. In this novel Anthony is struggling with the death of his wife and new French Bistro opening across the street. Vivi and Anthony have great tension. I really like this novel it made me laugh , cry and had a nice mix of romance, hockey and great characters. Another winner - Enjoy!

I've read all the NY Blades book, and you really want to keep on reading about them ( Is Natalie's story coming next?). Anthony and Vivi represent all you can ever imagine about chef... they are both crazy yet really lovable. I'd really recommend this book :)