RECIPE FOR LOVE

Author: Cheryl Pereira ISBN: 159088387X 4/2005 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: WINGS ePRESS

Michael Ashford’s world is turned upside down the day the feisty and vivacious Kashmira Shaw quite literally falls into his arms. Their first kiss leaves him breathless with desire and running scared. To be whole, Kashmira needs the one and only thing Michael won’t give her. He’ll give her his friendship and his passion but he won’t take a chance on being destroyed by love. ‘‘A Recipe for Love.’’ Add one feisty caterer, Kashmira who won’t settle for anything less than love. Add one stubborn man, Michael Ashford who won’t give in to love again. A dash of scheming Mom, Betty Ashford to add to the pot of romance. Stir them up and you’ve got a date with destiny. Simmer on slow heat and it’s a sure-fire collision course set for two opposites. Best served hot and garnished with love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I really enjoy stories that take place in unfamiliar settings or have independent women with what I think are interesting vocations. RECIPE FOR LOVE fits that bill on both fronts.

Luckily for both main characters, only one of them seems to have a lot of baggage to deal with. After one failed and tragic marriage, it's the male lead, Michael, who shies away from commitment and love as opposed to Kashmira, who is secure in both her job and her personal life, though she longs for marriage and a family of her own. Michael's unwillingness to be drawn into a relationship with Kashmira is perfectly understandable in the beginning. He's failed once in his attempt at the married life, and when he meets Kashmira he's already set to marry his long-time self-absorbed girlfriend, Laura, whose ambitions and willingness to commit to a marriage without love is as strong as his own.

The love scenes between Michael and Kashmira simmer and sizzle, but I think there's more going on here than just a lustful attraction between these two, especially from Michael's point of view. Kashmira is the opposite of Laura. She's caring, loving, nurturing, but at the same time, independent, strong and very self-reliant, all qualities he obviously admires. There's also, I think, a fascination for him with Kashmira's cultural roots, though I wish the author had expanded a bit more on that aspect of the storyline, as it does come into play several times throughout the book.

The secondary characters are all wonderfully written, from Kashmira's wise Dear Abby neighbor, Sally, to Betty, Michael's meddling but well meaning mother. Joshua, Michael's brother, comes off as fun loving and free-spirited, and even a bit protective of his brooding and hardened-hearted brother.

Overall, Ms. Pereira has done a great job with this character-driven romance. It's London location, multi-cultural romance, and dabbled in cooking tips from Kashmira, all make RECIPE FOR LOVE an enjoyable romantic visit to the U.K.

Nancy Davis