Cafe Au Lait (Leisure Contemporary Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Liane Spicer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Leisure Contemporary Romance | Publication Date: September 2008

Londoner Shari Zamore is at the end of her rope. Her carefully constructed world is falling down around her ears, and she's so restless that she can barely bring herself to care. So the pretty professional runs away to her family's home in Trinidad in search of rest, relaxation, and maybe even a little no-strings romance. What she finds there is a stubborn, sexy man determined to make her face all of the things she desperately wants to forget.

Most visitors embrace the sultry spirit of his homeland. So why is Michael Chancery so intrigued by a woman whose icy attitude and arrogant demeanor seem designed to discourage any man who tries to get too close? Her plan is to love him, leave him, and then return to the life she left on hold. But Michael doesn't give up easily, and he'll use every tool in his sensual arsenal, every moment of each heated tropical night to convince Shari that her place is on the island...and that his heart belongs to her.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Spicer creates not only two very complex characters and a strong supporting cast, she also takes us on a nature tour of Trinidad and Tobago. [Her] ability to take me to the place where I heard the cacophony of tropical birds and insects is amazing..."

"CAFÉ AU LAIT is a steamy, hot romance... the sex is mind blowing..."

"I loved this book and anticipate getting a second serving of CAFÉ AU LAIT because of its brilliant flavor, rich aroma and the way it perked up my spirits. Readers will enjoy this delicious romance and especially the steamy, frothy love scenes." --Susan Barton, Romance Readers at Heart

Review

"Even if the reader has never set foot in the Caribbean, the sights and sounds, perfectly described in this book, will make you feel like you're there... throw in some unexpected drama, and you've got yourself an entertaining novel."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (September 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843960574
• ISBN-13: 978-0843960570
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,112,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After teaching high school for twenty-two years, Liane Spicer ran away and embarked on a more adventurous lifestyle, living by the Tolkien motto "Not all who wander are lost." She has sojourned in several countries, working as a newspaper editor, human resource manager, company administrator and reviewer while writing and editing three novels, one memoir, and two gift books for writers. Her book reviews have appeared in print and online newspapers in the Caribbean and North America including the NASSAU GUARDIAN, SOUTH FLORIDA CARIBBEAN NEWS and the TRINIDAD GUARDIAN. In 2009 Ms. Spicer was featured in the MIAMI HERALD's "What Are You Reading Now" column and on BETWEEN THE COVERS, the HERALD's books blog. CAFÉ AU LAIT (Leisure Books, Dorchester Publishing) is her first novel.

She's at home on her blog, Wordtryst [http://lianespicer.blogspot.com], and at Novel Spaces [http://novelspaces.blogspot.com], the home of a diverse group of authors who tackle issues of interest to writers and readers. Guest bloggers have included literary agent Susan Schulman (THE ENGLISH PATIENT, HOLES, THE ARTIST'S WAY), editor Monica Harris (founder of Kensington Publishing's Arabesque African American romance imprint), and screenwriter Arlene Gibbs (JUMPING THE BROOM).

When she is not reading, writing, blogging or editing the work of other writers, Ms. Spicer enjoys growing roses and observing the natural world. She can be contacted at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars entertaining Caribbean contemporary romance, August 31, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cafe Au Lait (Leisure Contemporary Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Shari Zamore is mentally exhausted and feels a desperate need of some respite. She knows if she remains in London she will receive no mental rest. She decides to go home to Trinidad and Tobago to find her groove and hopefully some uncomplicated loving with a hunk who, like her, want no ties.

Although she is originally an ice queen towards him when they first meet, Michael Chancery is attracted to Shari so he keeps coming around. As she begins to loosen up, he turns up the heat sensing attraction reciprocity. They begin to share a tryst, but she wants no strings while he initially ignored his desire but now demands a lifetime rope as he claims their hearts are hogtied together.

This is an entertaining Caribbean contemporary romance starring two likable individuals with radically diverse lifestyles and seemingly no chance at compromise. Although their story line is typical of the sub-genre, Shari and Michael are an interesting couple; however, it is the setting of Trinidad and Tobago that owns the novel as Liane Spicer interweaves the beautiful locale into a fine tale that will have the audience considering some mellowing (and reading) in the Caribbean.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caribbean Holiday!, November 8, 2010

By 

Lexy Harper (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Café au Lait (Leisure Contemporary Romance) (Kindle Edition)

I've spent the last two weeks slowly savouring Café au Lait on my Kindle for Android during my journeys to and from work. I didn't want it to end! Liane's vivid descriptions of the flora and fauna, the wildlife, the food, the music and the people of Trinidad brought the island to me in glorious Technicolor. I feel like I've been on a wonderful Caribbean holiday without taking a step out of London.

Shari, disillusioned with her life in the UK, travels to Trinidad to regain her 'joie de vie'. Tall, dark, handsome Michael Chancery would be just the person to put the spark back into her life - if he hadn't taken an inexplicable and intense dislike of her. Determined to make the most of her three-month hiatus, Shari tries to ignore his brooding presence. Fate, however, seems equally determined to throw them together.

Michael, badly scarred by the thorns of an English rose, fights the attraction he feels for Shari. Surely he would be an absolute fool to become entangled with another British woman after the humiliation he suffered at the hands of one of her countrywomen. Every instinct tells him to run a mile in the other direction, but the attraction he feels for Shari is too strong to resist.

A well-crafted, beautifully-written romance novel that is head and shoulders above the usual 'girl-meets-boy' story. I eagerly await her next novel.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wasn't a "romance" reader until this book!, June 17, 2009

By 

-- - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cafe Au Lait (Leisure Contemporary Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I didn't fancy myself a reader of "romance novels," but I had to pick this one up (local library, though I am considering purchasing)! I am certainly glad I did, because Spicer has written a book that transcends the genre.

The plot is well-thought out -- I never imagined all of the twists and turns, so it kept me intrigued the ENTIRE time. I love the characters -- their reactions to the situations in the book are both realistic and relatable.

Overall, the book is definitely worth a first read. I'd recommend a second read to catch all those details you might have missed the first time around.