JUST A TASTE

Author: Deirdre Martin ISBN: 042521897X 1/2008 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION

For delizioso pasta, go to Dante's. For a sumptuous cordon bleu, go to Vivi's. To really heat things up ...get them together. Since his wife's untimely death, Anthony Dante has thrown himself into his cooking, making his restaurant, Dante's, a Brooklyn institution. So far, his biggest problem has been keeping his retired hockey-star brother out of the kitchen. But now, a mademoiselle is invading his turf. And you know what they say: Too many chefs spoil the neighborhood... Stunning Vivi Robitaille can't wait to showcase her taste bud-tingling recipes in her brand-new bistro, Vivi's. Her only problem is an arrogant Italian chef across the street who actually thinks he's competition. The table is set for a culinary war—until things start getting spicy outside of the kitchen...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

JUST A TASTE by Deirdre Martin is delightful! Romantic, funny and wildly fast-paced, it is a story that reminds us that even in the most efficient kitchen there are bound to be mishaps.

Anthony Dante's Brooklyn restaurant, aptly called Dante's, is doing well. Anthony is a widower and the restaurant has almost been his salvation. When Vivi Robitaille, with her willowy beauty, opens a bistro across the street from Dante's, the sparks-and pastry-begin to fly.

This is a great story that pulled me in right from the beginning. Anthony and his brother Mike, as well as Rocco and the rest of the gang from the restaurant, are all perfectly written New York characters. Their expressions and dialogue are so on-target that I found I was smiling while I read, nodding my head because the words were so realistic I could almost hear them. Vivi and Anthony's cooking competitions amused me, but the descriptions of the food made me hungry! I wanted a canoli or tarte, and especially a fritter. Thankfully, the book includes recipes, so my fritter craving was satisfied!

JUST A TASTE is heartwarming and fun-a welcome addition to anyone's reading menu!

Kay James