Guilty Pleasures (Harlequin Blaze, No 59) [Paperback]

Cathy Yardley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Blaze | Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Mari Salazar has to get her act together—otherwise her backstreet restaurant will quickly become a been-there, done-that kind of thing. She risked everything to create her place, Guilty Pleasures, and she's willing to risk everything all over again just to save it. She doesn't have a plan, but she does have...

Nick Avery is a super-sexy chef looking for a second chance. His once-four-star reputation is now no-star, thanks to a longtime rival. When Nick shows up on Mari's doorstep she knows it means trouble, and not just for her restaurant, either! Soon she's not only sampling his delectable dishes, she's sampling the chef himself.

Together they cook up a sinful menu that garners many new patrons, but when opportunity knocks on Nick's door, with high-class offers, he must decide, as will Mari, what and who they truly desire...

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373790635
• ISBN-13: 978-0373790630
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,817,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A few random facts about me:

I am a fiction addict.

I love J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts, Jim Butcher, J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter, Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, Stephen King, Jennifer Crusie, Marian Keyes, J.K. Rowling, and a slew of other authors.

I have been known to stay up all night to finish a new novel. I don't so much read as devour.

I am an out of the closet foodie.

People who follow me on Facebook can attest: I am a foodie-blog whore. Love Smitten Kitchen. Adore Pioneer Woman Cooks. Bake my own bread on a weekly basis (because the recipe is so frickin' easy, a chimp could do it -- and it tastes phenomenal. I am a walking infomercial for this bread. ) Total Top Chef freak.

I am a geekgirl.

I love the San Diego Comic-con, or "The Con" as they call it.

I was part of the SCA -- The Society for Creative Anachronism -- and briefly sponsored my own mini army. I learned to speak some Japanese from anime.

I have a near encyclopedic knowledge of character actors and obscure movies. I have been called to settle bar bets.

I have a more-flirtatious-than-appropriate relationship with Excel spreadsheets. When I used to work at a day job, if I wore lipstick they assumed I was going on an interview. To this day, an entire marketing department lives in fear of my memory.

I love being an author.

Love writing. Love promoting. Love everything about it. And I love hearing from readers. Email me, anytime, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pleasant tale starring two likable characters, September 29, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Guilty Pleasures (Harlequin Blaze, No 59) (Paperback)

Her San Francisco restaurant Le Pome failed because Mari Salazar lacked the confidence to adhere to her convictions on the menu. Thus the meals by committee led to a public flogging by a disingenuous reporter seeking a name. Her Nob Hill parents blame Mari. They demand she leave the kitchen to lowlifes and return to her upper crust lifestyle. An angry Mari walks out on her unsympathetic parents vowing she will make all the decisions on her next restaurant.

Seven years later, Nick Avery learns how far and fast the mighty can fall when whispers and innuendoes accuse a person of wrongdoing. He was recently the head chef at the four-star Le Chapeau Noir. Now he begs Mari for a job of second stringer at the chaotic GUILTY PLEASURES. Though she tells him his credentials are too high she hires him due to a common reference, but warns him that she controls the menu alone. As he offers advice and begins to fit amidst the motley crew, Mari and Nick fall in love. However, she knows that he is a super chef that New York will be calling on soon.

This is a pleasant tale starring two likable characters and a group of eccentric secondary players who provide the tasty dessert for the audience. Though this may be a Blaze, readers will feel that Mari and Nick kiss too quickly and jump into bed too fast for two individuals who have no reason to trust one another. Still, the main course is fun and the delectable restaurant ensemble adds the finishing touches to a heated seven course reading experience.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very passionate, sexy and compelling!, November 1, 2002

By 

Carmen Montanez "littleamazon2" (Santa Maria, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guilty Pleasures (Harlequin Blaze, No 59) (Paperback)

I really like Nick. He is the kind of man that cares for the needs of the woman he is with and takes pride on satisfying them. He is sexy, determined and tender. My type of man! The heroine of this story, Mari, is no less that the hero. She is a confident, determined woman at peace with her own sexuality. I recommend this book and Nancy Warren's Whisper.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Food, Great Sex, Great Plot!, October 25, 2008

By 

Genie In A Bottle (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guilty Pleasures (Harlequin Blaze, No 59) (Paperback)

Nick Avery was a four star chef, destined for chef-stardom, when his unscrupulous business partner falsely accused him of embezzlement. No longer employable, he finds himself applying to "Guilty Pleasures," an unknown restaurant in the slum section of town. Nick hopes to resurrect his reputation, but is unaware that Mari Salazar's restaurant is running in the red and in imminent danger of closing.

Having nothing to lose, Mari decides to overlook the supersexy chef's reputation and hire him. But only under the condition that he works for base pay for 3 months and understands that he has no say in the business or the menu.

But the instant attraction between the two soon finds them having an affair. Hoping to revive "Guilty Pleasures" Mari decides to change the entire menu. Inspiration for the menu comes during their most ardent times together and they come up with "Foreplay" for appetizers, "Afterglow" for desserts...to name a few. Along with their loveable crew, they decide to enter a national cooking contest.

There are too many interesting plots in this book to cover them all. The characters become very loveable and the plot is so good the book becomes hard to put down. It's hot and steamy and I loved the surprise ending.