Thank you, Louisa!
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but I’ve always thought that the way to win anyone’s heart is to harness the sensual power of food. The bright gloss on a freshly picked strawberry, the warm scent of baking bread, the dense silk of dark chocolate mousse—nothing engages the senses and arouses emotion the way food can.
I started writing the Recipe for Love series to explore the link between food and romance—and to indulge my own desire for passionate chefs, delicious dishes, and happily ever afters. If you like Top Chef or the Food Network, and think there’s nothing sexier than a cute guy standing over a hot stove, then you’re pretty much my ideal reader!
In my debut, Can’t Stand the Heat, the hotshot chef of Market restaurant dares a food critic to spend a day in his kitchen only to find out she doesn’t know how to cook. The second Recipe for Love novel, On the Steamy Side, explores what happens when a TV chef is forced to reevaluate his life of fame, with the help of his son’s sassy Southern nanny and the crew at Market.
Now with the upcoming August 31st release of Just One Taste, the misfits, outcasts, and renegades of trendy Manhattan eatery, Market, are back for the third installment! And joining them in the kitchen are bad-boy chef Wes Murphy and food chemistry professor Rosemary Wilkins. Wes and Rosemary were so much fun to write! Their story delves into the scrumptious secrets of aphrodisiacs, and pits ex-con artist Wes against genius (and Nerd Extraordinaire) Rosemary. These two were a clear case of opposites attracting, and I had a blast watching them strike sparks off each other.
In the end, all of my books are about love. The love of family, not only the ones we’re born into, but the ones we choose and build for ourselves—and ways of expressing that love. For me, and for my characters, love is often expressed through food. The time and care taken to prepare a special meal or a favorite dish; the vivid memories and feelings a certain taste can evoke—that’s definitely the way to my heart.
How about you? What’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for you? I bet it involved a wonderful, memorable meal . . . We have a signature Recipe for Love set of goodies, including a copy of my new book, for the best comment!
Great contest, Louisa! Thank you! So, if you'd like to enter Louisa's contest, comment here. Tell me the most romantic thing anyone ever did for you. And, make sure you include your email address if you want to win. I'll pick the winner tomorrow morning, adding the comment as to who won, and Louisa's publicist will contact you for your address.
Louisa Edwards' website is http://www.louisaedwards.com/
Just One Taste by Louisa Edwards. St. Martin's Press, ©2010. ISBN 9780312356477 (paperback), 352p.
