When baker extraordinaire Leilani Trusdale leaves New York City for Georgia's sleepy Sugarberry Island, her past follows in the form of her former boss, Baxter Dunne. Baxter, otherwise known as Chef Hot Cakes, wants to film his hit cooking show in her tiny cupcakery. Last time they worked together, Baxter's molten chocolate brown eyes and sexy British accent made Lani's mouth water and her cheeks blush the colour of raspberry filling...Lani's friends are convinced that this time around, Baxter is the missing ingredient in her recipe for happiness. But convincing Lani will be a job for Baxter himself. And he'll need more than black velvet frosting to sweeten the deal...
USA Today bestselling and award winning author DONNA KAUFFMAN has seen her books reviewed in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives just outside of DC in the lovely Virginia countryside, where she is presently keeping stock in all things flour, eggs & butter for her hands-on research for the Cupcake Club series. (So far she's been more Lucy than Martha in the kitchen!) To read all about her (mis)adventures in baking--and get some really great cupcake recipes while you're at it!--visit her at www.cakesbythecupblog.com. When she's not covered in powdered sugar or greeting the local firemen at her door (again) she loves to hear from readers! You can contact her through her regular website at www.donnakauffman.com.
Quotes & Comments for her new Cupcake Club series:
Cupcake Club Romance #1: SUGAR RUSH:
STARRED REVIEW! Publishers Weekly PICK OF THE WEEK!
"Leilani Trusdale spends 10 years training with charming but tough chef Baxter "Hot Cakes" Dunne, taking over his New York City pastry shop when he leaves to host a cooking show. When she finally escapes the city to open a cupcake shop in her father's tiny hometown of Sugarberry Island, Ga., Baxter turns up, natch, to start his show's traveling season, with a secondary agenda of romancing Leilani. The tension leads Leilani to revive her old bake therapy sessions with her best friend, Charlotte, adding Leilani's quiet new assistant and a lovable town gossip to lend support, share opinions, and add sugar as members of the Cupcake Club. The ladies of Sugarberry will be delightful companions to look forward to in future stories, and readers can bake along with the included cupcake recipes."
~ Publishers Weekly
"Sugar Rush is a playful, sensual, laugh-inducing read. But there's so much more to the story. Kauffman's book chronicles profound character growth and offers layer upon layer of authentic, life-changing conflict. ... it's a good thing Sugar Rush is only the first in a series, because the residents of Sugarberry -- especially the delightfully oddball members of the Cupcake Club -- will lure you back to their island again and again." -
-- Kathy Altman, USA Today/Happily Ever After
"Fans of cupcakes and TV chefs will like this first installment of the Cupcake Club back-to-back romance series that comes with recipes. For those looking for more, not to worry -- this isn't a light, spun-sugar tale. It has more substance, like a rich chocolate ganaches. The suprorting characters are delightful and one hopes they will appear in future books."
-- 4 Stars, Joyce Morgan, RT Book Reviews
"I can't get enough of this new town, characters and the romances that have bloomed and will continue to bloom in this new series."
-- Lush Book Reviews
"It's like blending the Food Network together with CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC..."
-- (4 Hearts!) Megan, Book Brat Reviews
"A fun romantic read for the serious baker, the not-so-serious baker, and the buy-your-cupcakes type of reader (like me)!. Kudos to the first Cupcake Club Romance with recipes included at the end!" ~ Valerie Burleigh, Romancing the Book Reviews
"This is a delicious story about true love and cupcakes that is just as sweet as any treat but won't ruin your New Year's resolutions! The characters are great and there's even a few recipes of delicious cupcakes to try (those might ruin a few resolutions, though.)" ~ Amy Phelps, Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"Kauffman writes crisp, emotionally charged dialogue... Sugar Rush is a sweet, delicious romance fortified with mouth-watering cupcake recipes." ~ Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines, Shelf-Awareness.com
"SUGAR RUSH is a quirky, fun tale with Leilani and Baxter learning to really get to know each other while surrounded with several eclectic characters that provide for some humorous interaction. The chemistry between Leilani and Baxter is slow to grow at first, but once they kiss, their attraction for each other begins to smolder out of control. Will they make it work? Find out for yourself in the delightful SUGAR RUSH."
~ Patti Fischer, Romance Reviews Today
"Donna Kauffman has brought a sugary sweet romance in her latest, Sugar Rush. Set on a small, rural Georgia island with lovable quirky townsfolk, this novel delves into the age-old question, "What the heck are men thinking?" It's a fun read with lots of yummy goodness thrown in and a sexy romance to drool over while eating that forbidden cupcake."
~ Lani Roberts, Affaire de Couer magazine
Cupcake Club Book #2: SWEET STUFF:
STARRED REVIEW!
"Romantic fun, lovable leads, and surprising emotional complexity in both the main relationship and the supporting deep friendships make this quick return to the tiny Georgia island of Sugarberry (after Sugar Rush) a deliciously warm and feel-good read... Kauffman describes her characters' internal monologues and thoughtful conversations with an eloquence that makes them feel like the reader's best friends. Contests and cupcake recipes will keep fans eager for Kauffman's next sweet treat."
~ Publishers Weekly
"This is only the second book in the series but I can tell this is going to be a promising one. Kauffman touches on trust, desire, friendships, and a promising new love that just needs a little tlc to grow into something amazing. The emotions behind the characters were a big part of the story that kept me intrigued and wanting to find out more. Every single character made this story more than enjoyable but also delightful. I can't wait until book 3 comes out. I am excited to see who will be next to fall in love in the town of Sugarberry."
-- Lush Book Reviews
Sweet Stuff is the second edition of the Cupcake Club novels and is hilarious from start to finish. Riley has the body of Marilyn Monroe, wild, curly blonde hair, the girl-next-door face and the klutziness of the Three Stooges. She's absolutely adorable and gorgeous author Quinn Brannigan thinks so, too. Throw in a small pony-sized dog with a tendency to drool and drop logs on your toes, and you have a romance made in heaven-as long as you carry lots of Band-aids."
~ Lani Roberts, Affaire de Couer magazine
