For sharp-tongued food critic Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple's kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. But she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: she has no idea how to cook. Adam's not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn't even know the difference between poaching and paring. He'll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own—teaching her what it means to cook with passion...and doing more with his hands than simply preparing sumptuous food.

Poppy Markham practically grew up at the family restaurant in Austin, Texas, and, until recently, worked as a sous chef under her surly stepsister, Ursula. Poppy's not sure if her dad will ever forgive her for leaving the family business to become a public health inspector-the most reviled figure in the restaurant industry-but when he asks her back into the kitchen to help out during the restaurant's grand re-opening, she can't refuse. Chaos ensues when the guest of honor, Michelin-rated chef Évariste Bontecou, is found stabbed to death with Ursula's knife. Sacrebleu! Sorting through everyone who had it in for the hot-headed, philandering French chef is worse than deboning a Coho salmon. Could it be the bad-boy sous chef eyeing his chance at the top or the conniving waitress rumored to be Évariste's paramour du jour? The closer Poppy gets to solving the mystery, the hotter things get. And as everyone knows: if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

This informative, dishy insider's collection features interviews with some of the country's leading chefs and helps answer commonly asked questions. Experts share recipes, business tips and secrets. 50 photos.

The Gibbons women of Chesterton, Virginia, have built their reputation as a family of shameless--but refined--gold diggers. They even have a strict set of rules by which they operate. But the rebellious, youngest Gibbons is about to break them all. . . Lauren Gibbons is committing the ultimate family betrayal: abandoning the tradition of seducing men for money. Nothing is worth the abuse she's endured from her sugar daddy. Now a sous chef, Lauren is hoping to break from the past for good. And when she meets hot former NFL player Crisanto Weaver, she even lets herself imagine a future. But the small-town rumor mill--and her own sisters--aren't ready for a new Lauren. Between her conniving relatives, her vengeful ex, a mountain of debt, and a whole lot of haters, can she escape her old life, and create something new? "A deliciously sexy, sultry novel." --Daaimah S. Poole "Ellis starts her new Gibbons Gold Digger series. . .in fine form. . . Be ready to laugh and cry with these new reality stars of Chesterton, VA." --RT Book Reviews

In Peggy Jaeger’s delectable series, delicious food is just an appetizer for life’s main course: the kind of love that feeds your soul. With three successful TV series under her belt, including her cousin Kandy’s, executive producer Stacy Peters is ready to helm her own show. But to make that happen, she has to do her network boss one favor first—spend two months on a ranch in Montana wrangling the notoriously difficult director of Beef Battles. Apparently, he eats producers for breakfast. Yet all Stacy can think when she meets the lean, rugged man is how hungry he makes her . . . Dominic Stamp—Nikko to his very few friends—has had enough interference from TV newbies. And when Stacy climbs out of the car in Montana, he’s not convinced she’s even old enough to drive, much less produce his show. But he can’t deny that the long-legged blonde with the stubborn will and the dazzling smile whets his appetite. And as Stacy proves her talent with the crew and the budget alike, Nikko vows to prove to her that love is on the menu for both of them . . . Look for exclusive recipes in each book!

When Walker Barnes walked into Jen Summers' catering event, all the shame, guilt and regret for what she'd done to him in high school roared back to life. As well as the feelings she's once had for him. But this Walker isn't the shy, awkward geek from high school -- he's tough, successful, brilliant, confident… and sexy. And he hasn't forgotten how she used him. Hasn't forgiven her, either. This Walker is looking for payback. How on earth can she be falling for him all over again?

He’s ready to cook his heart out. When amateur chef Ryan Tate earns a spot on the cooking competition show, The Heat, he drops everything and heads west. His grandma needs to revamp her restaurant and he’s confident he has what it takes to win the prize money to make that happen. Little does he know, the one that got away could be the one to ruin his chances. Assistant chef Miguel Moreno has already established a name for himself in the culinary world, but he’s tired of operating in the shadows of the greats. With the prize money from The Heat, he can finally open his own restaurant. Victory seems imminent when he learns the show has a twist this season—six pros will face off against six amateurs. But he’s thrown when a familiar face stands temptingly in his path. Their love affair a year ago was scorching, but it’s nothing compared to the heat they generate battling their way through each challenge. For Ryan and Miguel, cooking and passion have always been linked, but protecting their hearts might be their biggest obstacle yet.

Resisting temptation has never been so impossible… Living on the edge used to make wild-card war reporter Jack Chapman feel alive. These days he needs some time-out before he burns out. So what better distraction than delectable pastry chef Ellie Evans? She's oh-so-tempting…and sleeping right next door! Perfect for a short-term fling! Ellie knows it would be beyond stupid to fall for a guy with ice in his veins who's always on the move. But daredevil Jack is even more irresistible than her death-by-chocolate cake—and saying no has never been Ellie's strongpoint!

A chili cook-off at the local Pride Center sounds like fun for Reese and Kayla. But even the small act of deciding on a recipe to enter builds tension between the two women. On the day of the event, free-spirited Jane enters the picture. Kayla is tempted by Jane’s striking pink hair and seductive ways. Would she really leave Reese for a woman she barely knows? Will a simple pot of chili end in romance or disaster?