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Heart’s Desire #1
The Hungry Heart
A burned out association executive spices things up with Santa Fe’s playboy celebrity chef.
Child advocate Nora Cross doesn't have time for the private cooking lesson her sister won at a charity auction. Hunter Graham, the young chef, is the last person she needs telling her she's forgotten how to have fun. So why can't she get the very hot, very eligible man off her mind?
After a stellar debut in New York City, Hunter's back in Santa Fe to open a new restaurant. He lives a charmed life and he knows it. He isn't interested in a workaholic who's glued to her smart phone. So why is he trying to convince Nora to relax and enjoy life—with him?
When Nora's apartment and office are ransacked, Hunter comes to her rescue, surprised to find himself playing knight-in-shining armor to the uptight executive. But when it becomes clear Nora is no random target, Hunter realizes he'll do anything to keep her safe.
Child advocate Nora Cross doesn't have time for the private cooking lesson her sister won at a charity auction. Hunter Graham, the young chef, is the last person she needs telling her she's forgotten how to have fun. So why can't she get the very hot, very eligible man off her mind?
After a stellar debut in New York City, Hunter's back in Santa Fe to open a new restaurant. He lives a charmed life and he knows it. He isn't interested in a workaholic who's glued to her smart phone. So why is he trying to convince Nora to relax and enjoy life—with him?
When Nora's apartment and office are ransacked, Hunter comes to her rescue, surprised to find himself playing knight-in-shining armor to the uptight executive. But when it becomes clear Nora is no random target, Hunter realizes he'll do anything to keep her safe.
324 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2012
65 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Gayle
33 books232 followersLife is messy and I try to reflect that in my stories while still leaving readers with a feeling of hope. I want them to see themselves and people they know in my characters.
You could say writing is in my genes. My paternal grandmother was a formidable diarist; my father was a journalist and poet; my sister and cousin are both published authors; even my son has shown a talent for putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to tell awesome stories. So, it came as no surprise to anyone when I returned to my love of fiction after more than 20 years in the world of corporate communications–although some might argue there was plenty of opportunity for fiction-writing there, too.
A fan of many genres, I find it hard to stay within the publishing industry’s prescribed boxes. Whether it’s romantic suspense, women’s fiction,or mystery—my greatest joy is creating deeply emotional books with memorable characters and compelling stories.
You could say writing is in my genes. My paternal grandmother was a formidable diarist; my father was a journalist and poet; my sister and cousin are both published authors; even my son has shown a talent for putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to tell awesome stories. So, it came as no surprise to anyone when I returned to my love of fiction after more than 20 years in the world of corporate communications–although some might argue there was plenty of opportunity for fiction-writing there, too.
A fan of many genres, I find it hard to stay within the publishing industry’s prescribed boxes. Whether it’s romantic suspense, women’s fiction,or mystery—my greatest joy is creating deeply emotional books with memorable characters and compelling stories.
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September 24, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed The Hungry Heart. The characters were both likeable and the suspense was well done. Brenda Gayle paced the book so that I wasn't bored for a moment and I read the book in one day! I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series and I definitely recommend The Hungry Heart!
October 14, 2012
I still don't take it back. I still hate harlequin novels. This however is not one. There's enough mystery and suspense to keep me entertained. That, is exactly what I was looking for in this book, and what I felt like reading at the time.
Somedays, I just want a happy ending story.
Some days are Meat Hammer Days, the same way that some days you actually want to beat steak softly a la a meat tenderizer day. I began this book on a meat hammer day, but ended it on a tenderizer day, much like the book. However, there are parts in there that (like life) make you wonder if it will ever turn out quite the way you'd like it to.
I haven't read a romance in a while, and The Hungry Heart was definitely that. I would put this book in the same class as a number of other suspense/romance novels I've read the last year by Christine Higgins, and Iris Johansen and the ilk. I'm not really a romance person, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good story, and a well written book, which this was.
It was also a book about food, and farms, and steak. Which frankly, made me that much more encouraged to cook. Since we're introduced to Nora and Hunter's relationship through a cooking lesson, I figured it would be only appropriate that a meal be included with the review.
So, tonight for supper, in honor of The Hungry Heart, I'll be handing some rubbed steaks to he who takes pictures for the bar-be-Que. True to Hungry Heart form, the steak came from a local source, though it's definitely not Tres Hernandos, it is from my local grocer Stan's Fine Foods, who buys his beef locally. There were a lot of things I could appreciate on a day to day level about this book, and identify with coming from a farming/country community.
I'll probably pare that with roasted Russian Blue potatoes. The potatoes come from Aagaard Farms, and I planted them this spring on my Mom and Dad's farm. Usually we'd eat their beef too, but there aren't any steers ready yet, so Stan's will do just fine.
I haven't decided on a vegetable, but there are no lack of them in my fridge. Fresh corn on the cob sounds like a plan though.
Unfortunately, my kitchen is no where near as sexy as the one in The Hungry Heart. (I'm jealous.) Neither am I really, but I can cook at least. I don't often burn things, though I did once light Kraft Dinner on fire... Nora's gas stove flames though, they were much worse :P . I think it says something about a writer's capabilities if they can make you jealous of an imaginary kitchen though.
The Hungry Heart had any number of memorable scenes including horse back riding, a terrifying gun-fire scene, and a "screw-you I'm going to do what's right" scene.
There are three intriguing things about that:
1) I randomly ended up on another blog via a link from a cooking blog, The Rantings of an Amateur Chef called Pony Mama. This happened while I was reading the horse-back riding scene. I was honestly just wanting to check out the other interests of Maggie, because her recipes on Rantings of an Amateur Chef are always really interesting and fun to make. I expected to find more food related things. I really did not want to know about cleaning boy horse parts.
I swear.
I pinky Vulcan swear it.
2) This book is not just a romance, not steamy sex scenes (they are quite good though), and not only happy ending. Beyond that, Nora was a strong capable female figure that stood up for what she wanted. She may have questioned whether or not she was doing the right thing, but she never compromised what was truly important to her, even if it meant sacrificing something. (I'm trying quite hard to not spoil things.)
3) There's enough violence in the book, and a suspense filled second half to keep a reader interested. It's not just a romance, but a tale of two lives and the complicated connections they can have with people around them. Known or unknown to them.
Gayle's writing ensures that the reader will not be bored, while it's a happy ending love story, it also has well developed characters. There is a realism that exists inside the world of Nora and Hunter that everyone longs for, but many, most? cannot seem to find. I think every human being wishes to find their perfect match. Most of us, (I hope) don't have all the crap happen to them that Nora does, but every one that's ever been in a relationship knows there are ups and downs.
I enjoyed this book because it dealt with them (the ups and downs), like real people would.
Now I suppose you'll actually want the recipes for supper. It's definitely an appetite stimulating read.
Steak
We grilled Sirloin steaks (about 1 inch think) on the barbecue. they were coated in garlic olive oil and seasoned with a bit of Montreal Steak Spice and cayenne pepper. By we, I clearly mean I got the steaks ready then handed them to he who takes pictures who promptly grilled them to my out rare tastes.
Potatoes
Pre-heat oven to 475.
Slice about 1/4 inch think a bowl full of Russian Blue potatoes and let them soak in luke warm water for about 2 hours. (They get more crispy this way). Really though, however many potatoes you want to eat.
1. Drain water and reserve for soup later
2. In a separate bowl, combine & whisk:
1/4 cup olive oil, some rosemarry sprigs (from my garden)
a little bit of thyme (I used lemon thyme also from my yard)
half a cube of bullion (you can use beef, chicken or vegetable)
minced garlic (from Aagaard Farms, yum.)
3. Pour over potatoes and toss until coated. I use my hands, I don't have a utensil that works well for this.
4. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil (much easier to clean up later). Try not to pile the slices on top of each other, they'll cook faster.
5. Put in oven for 45 minutes, take out of oven, toss/flip over and put back in oven for about 20 more minutes. Cook until desired crispness.
That recipe comes from a wonderful lady I house sit for on occasion. It's not exactly the way hers tasted, but they're passable. Hers are freeking amazing. (Almost as amazing as her and her family and cats are.)
Somedays, I just want a happy ending story.
Some days are Meat Hammer Days, the same way that some days you actually want to beat steak softly a la a meat tenderizer day. I began this book on a meat hammer day, but ended it on a tenderizer day, much like the book. However, there are parts in there that (like life) make you wonder if it will ever turn out quite the way you'd like it to.
I haven't read a romance in a while, and The Hungry Heart was definitely that. I would put this book in the same class as a number of other suspense/romance novels I've read the last year by Christine Higgins, and Iris Johansen and the ilk. I'm not really a romance person, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good story, and a well written book, which this was.
It was also a book about food, and farms, and steak. Which frankly, made me that much more encouraged to cook. Since we're introduced to Nora and Hunter's relationship through a cooking lesson, I figured it would be only appropriate that a meal be included with the review.
So, tonight for supper, in honor of The Hungry Heart, I'll be handing some rubbed steaks to he who takes pictures for the bar-be-Que. True to Hungry Heart form, the steak came from a local source, though it's definitely not Tres Hernandos, it is from my local grocer Stan's Fine Foods, who buys his beef locally. There were a lot of things I could appreciate on a day to day level about this book, and identify with coming from a farming/country community.
I'll probably pare that with roasted Russian Blue potatoes. The potatoes come from Aagaard Farms, and I planted them this spring on my Mom and Dad's farm. Usually we'd eat their beef too, but there aren't any steers ready yet, so Stan's will do just fine.
I haven't decided on a vegetable, but there are no lack of them in my fridge. Fresh corn on the cob sounds like a plan though.
Unfortunately, my kitchen is no where near as sexy as the one in The Hungry Heart. (I'm jealous.) Neither am I really, but I can cook at least. I don't often burn things, though I did once light Kraft Dinner on fire... Nora's gas stove flames though, they were much worse :P . I think it says something about a writer's capabilities if they can make you jealous of an imaginary kitchen though.
The Hungry Heart had any number of memorable scenes including horse back riding, a terrifying gun-fire scene, and a "screw-you I'm going to do what's right" scene.
There are three intriguing things about that:
1) I randomly ended up on another blog via a link from a cooking blog, The Rantings of an Amateur Chef called Pony Mama. This happened while I was reading the horse-back riding scene. I was honestly just wanting to check out the other interests of Maggie, because her recipes on Rantings of an Amateur Chef are always really interesting and fun to make. I expected to find more food related things. I really did not want to know about cleaning boy horse parts.
I swear.
I pinky Vulcan swear it.
2) This book is not just a romance, not steamy sex scenes (they are quite good though), and not only happy ending. Beyond that, Nora was a strong capable female figure that stood up for what she wanted. She may have questioned whether or not she was doing the right thing, but she never compromised what was truly important to her, even if it meant sacrificing something. (I'm trying quite hard to not spoil things.)
3) There's enough violence in the book, and a suspense filled second half to keep a reader interested. It's not just a romance, but a tale of two lives and the complicated connections they can have with people around them. Known or unknown to them.
Gayle's writing ensures that the reader will not be bored, while it's a happy ending love story, it also has well developed characters. There is a realism that exists inside the world of Nora and Hunter that everyone longs for, but many, most? cannot seem to find. I think every human being wishes to find their perfect match. Most of us, (I hope) don't have all the crap happen to them that Nora does, but every one that's ever been in a relationship knows there are ups and downs.
I enjoyed this book because it dealt with them (the ups and downs), like real people would.
Now I suppose you'll actually want the recipes for supper. It's definitely an appetite stimulating read.
Steak
We grilled Sirloin steaks (about 1 inch think) on the barbecue. they were coated in garlic olive oil and seasoned with a bit of Montreal Steak Spice and cayenne pepper. By we, I clearly mean I got the steaks ready then handed them to he who takes pictures who promptly grilled them to my out rare tastes.
Potatoes
Pre-heat oven to 475.
Slice about 1/4 inch think a bowl full of Russian Blue potatoes and let them soak in luke warm water for about 2 hours. (They get more crispy this way). Really though, however many potatoes you want to eat.
1. Drain water and reserve for soup later
2. In a separate bowl, combine & whisk:
1/4 cup olive oil, some rosemarry sprigs (from my garden)
a little bit of thyme (I used lemon thyme also from my yard)
half a cube of bullion (you can use beef, chicken or vegetable)
minced garlic (from Aagaard Farms, yum.)
3. Pour over potatoes and toss until coated. I use my hands, I don't have a utensil that works well for this.
4. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil (much easier to clean up later). Try not to pile the slices on top of each other, they'll cook faster.
5. Put in oven for 45 minutes, take out of oven, toss/flip over and put back in oven for about 20 more minutes. Cook until desired crispness.
That recipe comes from a wonderful lady I house sit for on occasion. It's not exactly the way hers tasted, but they're passable. Hers are freeking amazing. (Almost as amazing as her and her family and cats are.)
September 13, 2012
Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
It has been a long time since I have read a book that had me crying at the end. That had me rooting for the hero and heroine. That had my heart strings tugging so much that I fell in love with the main characters and prayed for both of them to win the other. That’s just a little of what The Hungry Heart did to me.
Hunter is a Chef and Nora is a Child Advocate and together they are just sizzling.
What starts off as a “cooking lesson” ends up with opposites totally attracting and with everyone trying to get them together. Karen, Nora’s “sister” (you’ll have to read it to find out why it’s in quotations) wins a cooking lesson with New Mexico’s hottest chef, Hunter Graham.
Hunter is also a “player” but Karen wants her sister to get out a little more and have fun! Nora is too wrapped up in her career to enjoy life. This cooking lesson is just taking time away from CAN (Children s Action Network) and she’s worked too hard over the last 10 years to be bothered with a social life. Hunter tries to show her a good time but she is just way to distracted. But, by work or by Hunter? After several hysterical mishaps, Nora finally just walks away from dinner and feels like she’s nothing buy a “screw up”. Enter Karen and Libby (Hunter’s Grandmother)…throw in a little mystery (who and why is someone trying to kill Nora)…add a jealous girlfriend…and you have one fantastic book!
There were times that I didn’t know how to take some of what was happening which only added to the story. Anna, Hunter’s cousin, is still a little bit of a mystery. Taylor was just being a spoiled brat. Karen had her moments when you just wanted to either hit her or hug her. Libby is wonderful – the meddling grandmother – you gotta love them! Hunter’s father and uncle are just self-centered people who only care about “Tres Hermanos”, their ranch. And where does “Gary Smith” fit into the picture? There were a lot of storylines that I felt were left open and I could only hope it’s because she is going to let us visit the Graham’s again. Maybe tell us Anna’s story – let us know what happened to Michael – who ends up running Tres Hermanos?
I was captured by The Hungry Heart from page one. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was captivated by how Ms. Gayle had me guessing and wondering what was going to happen next and how they were finally going to come to terms with what they are really feeling about each other. Now, do you have any idea how I cheered when the older woman won the heart of the younger man when nothing but starlets and models are throwing themselves at him? When Hunter finally realizes what Nora gave up because of him and takes a stand against his family, I was thrilled. When Libby comes walking into Nora’s hospital room and says: “Don’t look so shocked. I may be old, but I’m not blind. Admit you love each other. Kiss already and start the happily-ever-after. It’s not rocket science, you know.” , I fist-pumped! But, what really got me was the horse-back riding lesson, when Nora finally agrees to live a little and Hunter sees that Nora could be so much more that just a “fling”.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “The Hungry Heart” and I don’t think I ever wanted a Happily-ever-after for two people more than I did for Hunter and Nora. I will probably re-read this book just for pleasure – when I need a little pick-me-up, when I am in the mood for some romance. The Hungry Heart was more than just a love story, it was fun, romantic, sexy, mysterious and romantically erotic. When Hunter and Nora finally do get together, it’s sexy and so very intimate – I honestly felt like a voyeur reading the love scenes because you knew there was love even though they weren’t admitting it. So if you are looking for a romance novel with a little mystery, please indulge me – read The Hungry Heart. I promise that you won’t regret it!
It has been a long time since I have read a book that had me crying at the end. That had me rooting for the hero and heroine. That had my heart strings tugging so much that I fell in love with the main characters and prayed for both of them to win the other. That’s just a little of what The Hungry Heart did to me.
Hunter is a Chef and Nora is a Child Advocate and together they are just sizzling.
What starts off as a “cooking lesson” ends up with opposites totally attracting and with everyone trying to get them together. Karen, Nora’s “sister” (you’ll have to read it to find out why it’s in quotations) wins a cooking lesson with New Mexico’s hottest chef, Hunter Graham.
Hunter is also a “player” but Karen wants her sister to get out a little more and have fun! Nora is too wrapped up in her career to enjoy life. This cooking lesson is just taking time away from CAN (Children s Action Network) and she’s worked too hard over the last 10 years to be bothered with a social life. Hunter tries to show her a good time but she is just way to distracted. But, by work or by Hunter? After several hysterical mishaps, Nora finally just walks away from dinner and feels like she’s nothing buy a “screw up”. Enter Karen and Libby (Hunter’s Grandmother)…throw in a little mystery (who and why is someone trying to kill Nora)…add a jealous girlfriend…and you have one fantastic book!
There were times that I didn’t know how to take some of what was happening which only added to the story. Anna, Hunter’s cousin, is still a little bit of a mystery. Taylor was just being a spoiled brat. Karen had her moments when you just wanted to either hit her or hug her. Libby is wonderful – the meddling grandmother – you gotta love them! Hunter’s father and uncle are just self-centered people who only care about “Tres Hermanos”, their ranch. And where does “Gary Smith” fit into the picture? There were a lot of storylines that I felt were left open and I could only hope it’s because she is going to let us visit the Graham’s again. Maybe tell us Anna’s story – let us know what happened to Michael – who ends up running Tres Hermanos?
I was captured by The Hungry Heart from page one. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was captivated by how Ms. Gayle had me guessing and wondering what was going to happen next and how they were finally going to come to terms with what they are really feeling about each other. Now, do you have any idea how I cheered when the older woman won the heart of the younger man when nothing but starlets and models are throwing themselves at him? When Hunter finally realizes what Nora gave up because of him and takes a stand against his family, I was thrilled. When Libby comes walking into Nora’s hospital room and says: “Don’t look so shocked. I may be old, but I’m not blind. Admit you love each other. Kiss already and start the happily-ever-after. It’s not rocket science, you know.” , I fist-pumped! But, what really got me was the horse-back riding lesson, when Nora finally agrees to live a little and Hunter sees that Nora could be so much more that just a “fling”.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “The Hungry Heart” and I don’t think I ever wanted a Happily-ever-after for two people more than I did for Hunter and Nora. I will probably re-read this book just for pleasure – when I need a little pick-me-up, when I am in the mood for some romance. The Hungry Heart was more than just a love story, it was fun, romantic, sexy, mysterious and romantically erotic. When Hunter and Nora finally do get together, it’s sexy and so very intimate – I honestly felt like a voyeur reading the love scenes because you knew there was love even though they weren’t admitting it. So if you are looking for a romance novel with a little mystery, please indulge me – read The Hungry Heart. I promise that you won’t regret it!
October 5, 2012
My review:
Let me start with stating, that the cover does not make this book, story or characters any justice! If I would only take a look at the cover, I would probably never read this wonderful book! I know that I should never judge book by its cover, I just think, that this cover is not very good.
With that said, I absolutely loved The Hungry Heart! It was a book what I would probably love to re-read again. It was well written, it had many wonderfully drawn characters and the plot kept me guessing and wondering, what is going to happen next. It was engrossing and I read it in one seating, I could not put it down.
Plot:
Enter Nora, who is successful Child Advocate. She is very good at what she is doing; her work is important and she is very passionate about it. But her life is boring and she has forgotten how to have fun - at least this is what her sister Karen thinks. So Karen is sending Nora to a cooking lessons.
When Nora shows up there, she meets a hot shot chef Hunter (I loved the name!). Nora is very reluctant to the cooking lessons and especially towards Hunter - she simply does not think she has time for that nonsense. She denies the attraction between them and keeps pushing Hunter away for several reasons.
When Nora's apartment is broken in to, Hunter decides to protect her. Nora isn't really your typical damsel in distress and Hunter knows that, but whatever might happen, he wants to be there for her. He just has to convince her. After realizing that the break in and attack was not random, the story gets a whole lot more suspense thrown into it. As the story develops you find out, that there are lot of things in Nora's past which are not as they seem and the author keeps you on edge for finding out what exactly is happening.
I loved the plot! I think it was intriguing and not very typical romance novel. I liked the surprises and twists and turns in the story. Besides the captivating plot, there were many brilliantly written characters which supported the plot and gave lots of extra sassyness to the book!
Characters:
I think that even though the plot was genuinely good, the story was character(s) driven. Both the main characters and the supportive characters were colorful and alive. There were nobody who left me indifferent.
The character I could mostly relate to was Nora and she was my favorite character. She touched me on personal level too, because I found few similarities with her: having a relationship to a younger man, working hard and seeing her work as the most important thing in her life - until Hunter comes along of course. Nora was strong minded, she was intelligent -yet vulnerable. This is how I like my female protagonists. I think the author did an excellent job with her!
Hunter was a true player, handsome, smart and a serious charmer. He knew exactly what a woman needed - at least until Nora shows up in his life. Nora intrigues him and after a threat towards Nora, he wants to protect her.
I liked the dynamics of Nora's and Hunter's relationship, I think they balanced each other and even though they were different, they supported the story equally well.
As mentioned above, the amount of fascinating characters is big in The Hungry Heart and they all give joy reading an overall entertaining story!
Generally:
I loved The Hungry Heart and it is heart-warming, engrossing and filled with characters whom you will definitely love! I highly recommend The Hungry Heart by Brenda Gayle.
5 stars.
Let me start with stating, that the cover does not make this book, story or characters any justice! If I would only take a look at the cover, I would probably never read this wonderful book! I know that I should never judge book by its cover, I just think, that this cover is not very good.
With that said, I absolutely loved The Hungry Heart! It was a book what I would probably love to re-read again. It was well written, it had many wonderfully drawn characters and the plot kept me guessing and wondering, what is going to happen next. It was engrossing and I read it in one seating, I could not put it down.
Plot:
Enter Nora, who is successful Child Advocate. She is very good at what she is doing; her work is important and she is very passionate about it. But her life is boring and she has forgotten how to have fun - at least this is what her sister Karen thinks. So Karen is sending Nora to a cooking lessons.
When Nora shows up there, she meets a hot shot chef Hunter (I loved the name!). Nora is very reluctant to the cooking lessons and especially towards Hunter - she simply does not think she has time for that nonsense. She denies the attraction between them and keeps pushing Hunter away for several reasons.
When Nora's apartment is broken in to, Hunter decides to protect her. Nora isn't really your typical damsel in distress and Hunter knows that, but whatever might happen, he wants to be there for her. He just has to convince her. After realizing that the break in and attack was not random, the story gets a whole lot more suspense thrown into it. As the story develops you find out, that there are lot of things in Nora's past which are not as they seem and the author keeps you on edge for finding out what exactly is happening.
I loved the plot! I think it was intriguing and not very typical romance novel. I liked the surprises and twists and turns in the story. Besides the captivating plot, there were many brilliantly written characters which supported the plot and gave lots of extra sassyness to the book!
Characters:
I think that even though the plot was genuinely good, the story was character(s) driven. Both the main characters and the supportive characters were colorful and alive. There were nobody who left me indifferent.
The character I could mostly relate to was Nora and she was my favorite character. She touched me on personal level too, because I found few similarities with her: having a relationship to a younger man, working hard and seeing her work as the most important thing in her life - until Hunter comes along of course. Nora was strong minded, she was intelligent -yet vulnerable. This is how I like my female protagonists. I think the author did an excellent job with her!
Hunter was a true player, handsome, smart and a serious charmer. He knew exactly what a woman needed - at least until Nora shows up in his life. Nora intrigues him and after a threat towards Nora, he wants to protect her.
I liked the dynamics of Nora's and Hunter's relationship, I think they balanced each other and even though they were different, they supported the story equally well.
As mentioned above, the amount of fascinating characters is big in The Hungry Heart and they all give joy reading an overall entertaining story!
Generally:
I loved The Hungry Heart and it is heart-warming, engrossing and filled with characters whom you will definitely love! I highly recommend The Hungry Heart by Brenda Gayle.
5 stars.
October 16, 2012
Two very different people ... a child advocate and a chef/restaurant owner ... a private cooking lesson ... a growing attraction for each other ... family drama ... and a past that has danger written all over it ...
Nora Cross is a successful child advocate executive with CAN (Children's Action Network), who is too wrapped up in her career to have or want a social life.
Hunter Graham is a renowned chef who has a reputation for being a playboy.
When Nora's younger sister Karen wins a private cooking lesson at a charity auction, she pressures Nora into taking the private cooking lesson with the hot young chef, Hunter Graham. After a successful debut in NY, Hunter is back in Santa Fe to open a new restaurant. Opposites attract and sparks fly when Nora and Hunter meet, but she tries to resist his advances, while he finds her annoying yet intriguing and wants to get to know her better.
When Nora's apartment and office were broken into and it wasn't a random occurrence, Hunter rushes in to be her protector ... but can Nora's troubled past and their family dramas smother the flames of attraction, or can they fulfill the desire of their hungry hearts?
The Hungry Heart is a fast-paced contemporary romance story that has a suspenseful twist added into the mix. Written in the third person narrative, author Brenda Gayle weaves an intriguing tale of how two people who are opposites become attracted to each other, only to have a troubled past and family issues rear its ugly head and threaten their budding relationship. This story has something for everyone: romance, mystery, suspense and family drama. This is not an ordinary or typical romance story, it has many layers with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing what will happen next.
The author creates an intriguing, realistic and complex cast of characters who draw the reader into their lives. I really liked Nora's strong and tough personality, her vulnerability simmers below the surface, she has a depth about her that I find intriguing. Hunter may have been portrayed as a player, but I found him to be a charming guy that has an endearing sweet side that won me over. I really liked the opposites attract dynamic of their relationship, there is the sizzle of attraction between them that I always like to read in romance stories, but I really liked how their different personalities provided a balance in their relationship. With a great supporting cast of characters who add to the mystique and intrigue of the subplots, engaging dialogue and interactions, palpable romance and cooking scenes, and an engrossing mixture of romance and suspense within a multi-layered storyline, The Hungry Heart is an entertaining story that will keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The Hungry Heart is not your typical contemporary romance story! This story has enough romance with a twist of mystery and suspense that will be a pleasant surprise for diehard romance fans!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Novel Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Nora Cross is a successful child advocate executive with CAN (Children's Action Network), who is too wrapped up in her career to have or want a social life.
Hunter Graham is a renowned chef who has a reputation for being a playboy.
When Nora's younger sister Karen wins a private cooking lesson at a charity auction, she pressures Nora into taking the private cooking lesson with the hot young chef, Hunter Graham. After a successful debut in NY, Hunter is back in Santa Fe to open a new restaurant. Opposites attract and sparks fly when Nora and Hunter meet, but she tries to resist his advances, while he finds her annoying yet intriguing and wants to get to know her better.
When Nora's apartment and office were broken into and it wasn't a random occurrence, Hunter rushes in to be her protector ... but can Nora's troubled past and their family dramas smother the flames of attraction, or can they fulfill the desire of their hungry hearts?
The Hungry Heart is a fast-paced contemporary romance story that has a suspenseful twist added into the mix. Written in the third person narrative, author Brenda Gayle weaves an intriguing tale of how two people who are opposites become attracted to each other, only to have a troubled past and family issues rear its ugly head and threaten their budding relationship. This story has something for everyone: romance, mystery, suspense and family drama. This is not an ordinary or typical romance story, it has many layers with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing what will happen next.
The author creates an intriguing, realistic and complex cast of characters who draw the reader into their lives. I really liked Nora's strong and tough personality, her vulnerability simmers below the surface, she has a depth about her that I find intriguing. Hunter may have been portrayed as a player, but I found him to be a charming guy that has an endearing sweet side that won me over. I really liked the opposites attract dynamic of their relationship, there is the sizzle of attraction between them that I always like to read in romance stories, but I really liked how their different personalities provided a balance in their relationship. With a great supporting cast of characters who add to the mystique and intrigue of the subplots, engaging dialogue and interactions, palpable romance and cooking scenes, and an engrossing mixture of romance and suspense within a multi-layered storyline, The Hungry Heart is an entertaining story that will keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The Hungry Heart is not your typical contemporary romance story! This story has enough romance with a twist of mystery and suspense that will be a pleasant surprise for diehard romance fans!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Novel Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
October 1, 2012
The Hungry Heart opens with the heroine, Nora Cross, arriving for a “cooking lesson” with a famous chef. This lesson is pushed on her by her older sister, Karen, as a way for Nora to get out and experience more in her life. Karen is familiar with chef Hunter Graham’s reputation as a playboy who treats women like queens and she thinks her social recluse sister should be given a night of pampering.
In the first few pages we see that Nora is a workaholic who experienced such a controlled and limited childhood she’s retreated to what is safe: her work. She doesn’t feel as if she was truly loved by her parents or her older sister, instead feeling as if she is a burden on them due to the 17 year age gap between herself and Karen. Nora assumes she was an unwanted surprise that ruins her parent’s life.
As an adult, Nora has no social life. She doesn’t let herself get involved in relationships or even have friends. When she meets Hunter Graham, famous chef and known playboy, the attraction is evident. But she fights it. Why? Because she is older than him, not as glamorous as him, and definitely not the kind of woman Hunter Graham dates.
And yet, Hunter is intrigued by this stubborn, hard working, intelligent woman. So much so that he rushes to Nora’s rescue when her apartment is broken into. This event begins a tenuous romance between the two as Nora tries to figure out why she is suddenly being targeted by first break-ins then a physical attack and Hunter decides he will be her protector.
The pacing for this story was very well done, building up in tension both suspenseful and romantic. Nora and Hunter are forced to make choices regarding their relationship that make them realize how important each one is to the other. As the story reaches its climax secrets from Nora’s past are revealed that clarify why her childhood was as controlled and limited as it was.
I loved this book. The romantic relationship between the two main characters was well developed plus the added bonus of suspense and mystery made it a page turner. As the story progressed I began to suspect the real reason for Nora’s childhood and was delighted my guess was right when the secret was revealed.
My only complaint about this novel was the cover. I know, you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but if all I had to go with was the cover image I’m not sure if I would have been intrigued enough to pick it up. I love the model for Nora; she fits how I pictured the character. She looks beautiful, relaxed and happy with her fabulous smile. The colors were a bit muted but still worked for the Santa Fe setting. But the model for Hunter just doesn’t work. He looks so bored and uninterested as if he wants to be anywhere except sitting with this beautiful woman in his arms. The scene seems to be a point in the book where Nora accepts her feelings for Hunter and is willing to move forward in their relationship. I would have liked to see Hunter a little more enthusiastic. Plus, his hair color looks orangey red and according to the story his hair is blond.
Despite that, I definitely recommend this book if you like romance with a bit of suspense thrown in.
4.5 stars out of 5
In the first few pages we see that Nora is a workaholic who experienced such a controlled and limited childhood she’s retreated to what is safe: her work. She doesn’t feel as if she was truly loved by her parents or her older sister, instead feeling as if she is a burden on them due to the 17 year age gap between herself and Karen. Nora assumes she was an unwanted surprise that ruins her parent’s life.
As an adult, Nora has no social life. She doesn’t let herself get involved in relationships or even have friends. When she meets Hunter Graham, famous chef and known playboy, the attraction is evident. But she fights it. Why? Because she is older than him, not as glamorous as him, and definitely not the kind of woman Hunter Graham dates.
And yet, Hunter is intrigued by this stubborn, hard working, intelligent woman. So much so that he rushes to Nora’s rescue when her apartment is broken into. This event begins a tenuous romance between the two as Nora tries to figure out why she is suddenly being targeted by first break-ins then a physical attack and Hunter decides he will be her protector.
The pacing for this story was very well done, building up in tension both suspenseful and romantic. Nora and Hunter are forced to make choices regarding their relationship that make them realize how important each one is to the other. As the story reaches its climax secrets from Nora’s past are revealed that clarify why her childhood was as controlled and limited as it was.
I loved this book. The romantic relationship between the two main characters was well developed plus the added bonus of suspense and mystery made it a page turner. As the story progressed I began to suspect the real reason for Nora’s childhood and was delighted my guess was right when the secret was revealed.
My only complaint about this novel was the cover. I know, you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but if all I had to go with was the cover image I’m not sure if I would have been intrigued enough to pick it up. I love the model for Nora; she fits how I pictured the character. She looks beautiful, relaxed and happy with her fabulous smile. The colors were a bit muted but still worked for the Santa Fe setting. But the model for Hunter just doesn’t work. He looks so bored and uninterested as if he wants to be anywhere except sitting with this beautiful woman in his arms. The scene seems to be a point in the book where Nora accepts her feelings for Hunter and is willing to move forward in their relationship. I would have liked to see Hunter a little more enthusiastic. Plus, his hair color looks orangey red and according to the story his hair is blond.
Despite that, I definitely recommend this book if you like romance with a bit of suspense thrown in.
4.5 stars out of 5
August 25, 2012
Nora Cross may not have a college degree, but what she has is an amazing career as a Child Advocate with CAN. She is passionate about what she does and is good at it too. She invests all her time into taking care of the children who need it and in trying to make the world a better place. She hardly has time to socialize or have mindless fun. Or take a cooking lesson from a famous chef for that matter! With her elder sister Karen moving to Santa Fe and her office and apartment broken into, Nora has more on her plate than she can deal with. When the can of worms finally opens in front of her, will Nora finally get the answers that she had been looking for? Will Nora resolve her issues with Karen, her only living family?
Hunter Graham is a hot shot chef and the owner of a Restaurant called Prime. He takes pride in being honest and upfront. He is a hardworking man who gives his best at his restaurant and also enjoy being in the social limelight. But he has expectations to live up to. With his father and uncle counting on him to take over the family ranching business and his cousin counting on him to do the right thing, will Hunter be able to do things right by his family and his passion?
When the two opposite worlds of Hunter and Nora collide, sparks fly and temper runs wild. While Hunter sees Nora as an uptight executive, Nora feels that Hunter’s wild lifestyle is not her cup of tea. But with Hunter’s family crisis and Nora’s life on the line, they have only each other to hold on to for support. Nora can do with a little of Hunter’s high life while Hunter too could do well with Nora’s influence. Will these two polar opposite people be able to cross all the hurdles and find each other?
This book has everything that a person can ask for. There is family drama, there’s some action, some mystery and of course there is romance. What I liked a lot was that the author introduced us to the protagonists right away and then she slowly revealed their past and their history. This way I knew both Hunter and Nora and their generic personalities right off the bat. All the characters in the story have their own individual identity. Of course the story revolves around Hunter and Nora, but Karen, Roger, Anna and even Gary brings in something with them to add to the story. What I didn’t like were the few questions that were left unanswered. I realize that there’s going to be a sequel and that these unanswered questions are going to be resolved in the next book – but that means I will have to wait a while to find out about Michael and Anna and Callum!
Brenda Gayle has done an amazing job in spinning a striking web that catches the unaware readers in its tangles. There are many layers to this story that are unveiled one by one. Just when you think that you have predicted the plot, Brenda throws something else at you to ponder about. In the end, what stays with the readers is the message of the importance of Love, Friends and Family in our lives.
I would recommend this book to all who enjoy reading a good romance with a bit of intrigue in the mix.
Hunter Graham is a hot shot chef and the owner of a Restaurant called Prime. He takes pride in being honest and upfront. He is a hardworking man who gives his best at his restaurant and also enjoy being in the social limelight. But he has expectations to live up to. With his father and uncle counting on him to take over the family ranching business and his cousin counting on him to do the right thing, will Hunter be able to do things right by his family and his passion?
When the two opposite worlds of Hunter and Nora collide, sparks fly and temper runs wild. While Hunter sees Nora as an uptight executive, Nora feels that Hunter’s wild lifestyle is not her cup of tea. But with Hunter’s family crisis and Nora’s life on the line, they have only each other to hold on to for support. Nora can do with a little of Hunter’s high life while Hunter too could do well with Nora’s influence. Will these two polar opposite people be able to cross all the hurdles and find each other?
This book has everything that a person can ask for. There is family drama, there’s some action, some mystery and of course there is romance. What I liked a lot was that the author introduced us to the protagonists right away and then she slowly revealed their past and their history. This way I knew both Hunter and Nora and their generic personalities right off the bat. All the characters in the story have their own individual identity. Of course the story revolves around Hunter and Nora, but Karen, Roger, Anna and even Gary brings in something with them to add to the story. What I didn’t like were the few questions that were left unanswered. I realize that there’s going to be a sequel and that these unanswered questions are going to be resolved in the next book – but that means I will have to wait a while to find out about Michael and Anna and Callum!
Brenda Gayle has done an amazing job in spinning a striking web that catches the unaware readers in its tangles. There are many layers to this story that are unveiled one by one. Just when you think that you have predicted the plot, Brenda throws something else at you to ponder about. In the end, what stays with the readers is the message of the importance of Love, Friends and Family in our lives.
I would recommend this book to all who enjoy reading a good romance with a bit of intrigue in the mix.
September 7, 2012
My Review:
A-
Overall, I really, really enjoyed reading this book. It features two very different people who really don't have much in common, but they become friends and then more despite that.
Hunter is a definite playboy, but he loves and respects women...he just doesn't have lasting relationships with them and he's honest about that. He's one of those guys who knows how to make ever woman feel like the most important thing in the world, but then not have any idea what her name is the next day. When Karen, Nora's sister, wins a cooking lesson from him at a charity auction, she sets Nora up for the lesson, hoping that Nora can add some fun to her life. And Hunter pulls his normal charming attitude, but Nora doesn't want to have anything to do with it.
Nora is driven...to a fault. She's been building a childrens' charity organization for the last ten years...devoting ALL her time to it. She never steps out of her work mode, to the point that she doesn't even recognize that Hunter is trying to flirt and charm her. She simply doesn't have the time for his type of flippant behavior.
I'll be honest...this story sucked me right in and I truly enjoyed every minute of reading it. I liked Hunter and Nora. Things do NOT go well between the two of them the first couple of times they meet. They are definitely oil and water. Hunter is fine with it all though and just lets it roll off his back. Nora's a bit more tightly wound than that and she finds the entire experience humiliating. While I don't necessarily connect with the drive and unrelenting push behind Nora's personality, I could feel for her in these socially awkward moments. And Hunter is truly a nice guy...he's just a bit of a man-whore.
I liked the whole story line with Hunter's family ranch and his restaurant. I'm hoping that with the depth that was put into this story line, that we are going to see other books featuring this family. I also really enjoyed the mystery/suspense of the attacks on Nora. I always felt like I had a pretty good feel about what was going on, but there were definitely a couple of points at the end that surprised me. I also really loved the child advocacy/political aspect of the story. There is definitely an art to those types of receptions and dinners and it was fun to watch Nora grow in her ability to handle them.
Overall it was a great book. From page one, I was immersed in the story. I'll admit that based upon my pure enjoyment WHILE reading the book, it rates higher than the final score I gave it. The reason for this is that upon reflection, there were a couple of points in the plot that were a little unbelievable, but while reading the book, they didn't affect my enjoyment of it at all. I will definitely be reading this author again!
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
A-
Overall, I really, really enjoyed reading this book. It features two very different people who really don't have much in common, but they become friends and then more despite that.
Hunter is a definite playboy, but he loves and respects women...he just doesn't have lasting relationships with them and he's honest about that. He's one of those guys who knows how to make ever woman feel like the most important thing in the world, but then not have any idea what her name is the next day. When Karen, Nora's sister, wins a cooking lesson from him at a charity auction, she sets Nora up for the lesson, hoping that Nora can add some fun to her life. And Hunter pulls his normal charming attitude, but Nora doesn't want to have anything to do with it.
Nora is driven...to a fault. She's been building a childrens' charity organization for the last ten years...devoting ALL her time to it. She never steps out of her work mode, to the point that she doesn't even recognize that Hunter is trying to flirt and charm her. She simply doesn't have the time for his type of flippant behavior.
I'll be honest...this story sucked me right in and I truly enjoyed every minute of reading it. I liked Hunter and Nora. Things do NOT go well between the two of them the first couple of times they meet. They are definitely oil and water. Hunter is fine with it all though and just lets it roll off his back. Nora's a bit more tightly wound than that and she finds the entire experience humiliating. While I don't necessarily connect with the drive and unrelenting push behind Nora's personality, I could feel for her in these socially awkward moments. And Hunter is truly a nice guy...he's just a bit of a man-whore.
I liked the whole story line with Hunter's family ranch and his restaurant. I'm hoping that with the depth that was put into this story line, that we are going to see other books featuring this family. I also really enjoyed the mystery/suspense of the attacks on Nora. I always felt like I had a pretty good feel about what was going on, but there were definitely a couple of points at the end that surprised me. I also really loved the child advocacy/political aspect of the story. There is definitely an art to those types of receptions and dinners and it was fun to watch Nora grow in her ability to handle them.
Overall it was a great book. From page one, I was immersed in the story. I'll admit that based upon my pure enjoyment WHILE reading the book, it rates higher than the final score I gave it. The reason for this is that upon reflection, there were a couple of points in the plot that were a little unbelievable, but while reading the book, they didn't affect my enjoyment of it at all. I will definitely be reading this author again!
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 21, 2012
Overall, this was a great book. The story was good. The characters were interesting and true to life. No grammatical errors jumped out at me.
"It wasn't only the look of the man who held her that sent her senses reeling. He smelled
like chocolate. Not the sweet milk chocolate candy, but a deep, dark,
earthy cocoa that was complemented by the barest hint of something spicy."
I am not in the habit of reiterating the book blurb or spoiling the plot, so I won't start now. The story line has its typical playboy and the girl who doesn't realize how beautiful she is. It has humor and suspense, although I was able to figure out the secrets soon into the book. But, that may be because I am an avid reader and figuring out plots is easy for me.
"I'm so sorry," Nora siad. "I'm not usually so accident prone."
"Somehow I doubt that," he replied, and lithely pushed himself to his feet. "Shall
we try this again?" He held out his hand.
Not to spoil the plot, but to give an honest opinion, there was a kidnapping and torture scene in the book that I personally felt the book did not need. I thought the book held its own without the addition of that part of the story line. It was not particularly gruesome, I just felt it was not needed. The story was good, but I thought that it could have been reworked a little and this particular part eliminated; it just seemed out of place.
"Let me introduce you to Miss Haversham," he said, leading her to the dapple-gray
mare. "Miss Haversham?" "Yes. My Grandmother Graham had two favorite authors -
God and Charles Dickens. Her children got biblical names and the animals are
all named after Dickens' characters."
Readers who love a good romance book will love this book.
"Can we go faster?" What? Oh man, get a grip. Nora was pushing Missy to go
faster, digging her heels into the mare's sides and whipping on the reins.
"Nora, no. Wait!" It happened so quickly he didn't have time to react. Missy
stopped suddenly, lowered her head and kicked up her back feet, throwing
her rider forward. Nora somersaulted over Missy's head and landed hard on her back.
"It wasn't only the look of the man who held her that sent her senses reeling. He smelled
like chocolate. Not the sweet milk chocolate candy, but a deep, dark,
earthy cocoa that was complemented by the barest hint of something spicy."
I am not in the habit of reiterating the book blurb or spoiling the plot, so I won't start now. The story line has its typical playboy and the girl who doesn't realize how beautiful she is. It has humor and suspense, although I was able to figure out the secrets soon into the book. But, that may be because I am an avid reader and figuring out plots is easy for me.
"I'm so sorry," Nora siad. "I'm not usually so accident prone."
"Somehow I doubt that," he replied, and lithely pushed himself to his feet. "Shall
we try this again?" He held out his hand.
Not to spoil the plot, but to give an honest opinion, there was a kidnapping and torture scene in the book that I personally felt the book did not need. I thought the book held its own without the addition of that part of the story line. It was not particularly gruesome, I just felt it was not needed. The story was good, but I thought that it could have been reworked a little and this particular part eliminated; it just seemed out of place.
"Let me introduce you to Miss Haversham," he said, leading her to the dapple-gray
mare. "Miss Haversham?" "Yes. My Grandmother Graham had two favorite authors -
God and Charles Dickens. Her children got biblical names and the animals are
all named after Dickens' characters."
Readers who love a good romance book will love this book.
"Can we go faster?" What? Oh man, get a grip. Nora was pushing Missy to go
faster, digging her heels into the mare's sides and whipping on the reins.
"Nora, no. Wait!" It happened so quickly he didn't have time to react. Missy
stopped suddenly, lowered her head and kicked up her back feet, throwing
her rider forward. Nora somersaulted over Missy's head and landed hard on her back.
October 15, 2012
Let me up front--this is your typical contemporary romance with a little suspense thrown in for good measure. The suspense in the book was pretty well done, and if I could have rated this 3.5, I probably would have. In fact, the suspense is what finally "woke me up" in the middle of the book, and I wanted to discover what the ending would be.
The romance in the book is mediocre--just my opinion here. I am not a "sappy romance" fan, as I have said in the past, and this just reeked of that kind of romance. But I know that what I don't necessarily like, many women read and truly enjoy. I could have done without the detailed bedroom scenes. The profanity was there, but thankfully it did not take away from the story.
My favorite character was Libby. She was the very kind of older woman I hope to be one day. Hunter was your typical rich jerk who makes conquest after conquest until Nora comes along. And I won't tell you how Karen figures into the story, but it does make is somewhat intriguing.
For something a little different in this review, I am going to do a little acrostic on five of the characters in the book. I plan to focus on their personalities/activities without "spoiling" the story for anyone.
Nice
Original
Reliable
Adorable
Handsome
Unsurpassed
Naughty
Tactless
Effervescent
Rascally
Lonely
Indiscreet
Broad-minded
Beloved
Young at Heart
Knowledgeable
Anxious
Rare
Earnest
Natural
Tantalizing
Anticipatory
Yeasty
Liberal
Over the Top
Rash
So now that you know something about a few of the characters, perhaps you know just enough to discover if you would like the book or not. It is an easy read, and it will appeal to true romantics!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
The romance in the book is mediocre--just my opinion here. I am not a "sappy romance" fan, as I have said in the past, and this just reeked of that kind of romance. But I know that what I don't necessarily like, many women read and truly enjoy. I could have done without the detailed bedroom scenes. The profanity was there, but thankfully it did not take away from the story.
My favorite character was Libby. She was the very kind of older woman I hope to be one day. Hunter was your typical rich jerk who makes conquest after conquest until Nora comes along. And I won't tell you how Karen figures into the story, but it does make is somewhat intriguing.
For something a little different in this review, I am going to do a little acrostic on five of the characters in the book. I plan to focus on their personalities/activities without "spoiling" the story for anyone.
Nice
Original
Reliable
Adorable
Handsome
Unsurpassed
Naughty
Tactless
Effervescent
Rascally
Lonely
Indiscreet
Broad-minded
Beloved
Young at Heart
Knowledgeable
Anxious
Rare
Earnest
Natural
Tantalizing
Anticipatory
Yeasty
Liberal
Over the Top
Rash
So now that you know something about a few of the characters, perhaps you know just enough to discover if you would like the book or not. It is an easy read, and it will appeal to true romantics!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
October 13, 2012
I have to say that I’m incredibly glad that I got the chance to review this book. I used to overdose myself on romance novels, then I moved to paranormal, then YA and now I’m back to enjoying romance again. I still love to read a lot of genres, but romance is becoming my favorite again. That’s because of books like The Hungry Heart. I instantly liked Nora. She was a relatable character without being a helpless, mindless, damsel in distress. On top of that, the story of Nora’s past unfolds throughout the story and isn’t just an afterthought for the romance. There’s drama, there’s mystery, there’s romance. What more can you want? Seriously, I enjoyed the story quite a lot.
Honestly? I was hoping there would be more to their story.
Honestly? I was hoping there would be more to their story.
November 3, 2012
This book had me laughing through the night! I'm glad that I was able to review it for this tour. Throughout the story the main characters, Nora and Hunter, are thrown into various situations that happen in the real life dating scene. I loved how the author kept the story line so "real." It was refreshing to read this face paced, witty and fantastically fun romance. The author captures the characters so well that you are left in awe of the story that just played out before your eyes! I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of this trilogy! If you love a well written romance, this book is for you ;)
October 5, 2012
Talk about a super quick read! I finished it in one sitting, in about 3 hours (I tend to be a little slower when reading ebook, even on my Nexus tablet)! The book is definitely in the 'Harlequinn vein" where girl and guy meet, sparks fly, they avoid each other, get thrown together, fall for each other, something happens, they break up, tragedy hits and bamm, back together, happy ending. Not to say that is bad, just you knew where the book was going. But the author throws in a few twists to keep it interesting and it was a fun read, perfect for a Fall morning by the fire with a cup of coffee! This was my first time reading her books, and I would definitely pick up another one!
February 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, and was very surprised by all the twists and turns it took. Since I wasn't expecting them, they gave an added dimension to the story. I have to admit the entire time I was reading I kept thinking, How in the world can these two people ever get together and stay together? The hero and heroine were complete opposites, so it was quite magical to watch their defenses slowly melt away. The heroine was a tough nut to crack, yet the hero rose to the occasion. And speaking of...the love scenes were sensual and very well-written. (Loved when the heroine decided to "take charge.") Well done, Ms. Gayle!
October 28, 2012
I enjoyed this book though it did take me a bit to get into it due to the large number of characters introduced. But once I got them straight in my head I was able to follow the story very well. Some of the plotline "secrets" were easily figured out, but in the end it was a very satisfying read with hints of possible sequels that I would search out and read.
I won a copy of this book from the author through Goodreads, but the opinion expressed is my own.
I won a copy of this book from the author through Goodreads, but the opinion expressed is my own.
October 12, 2012
Check out the review on my blog http://gladiatorspen.blogspot.com
February 1, 2013
Yummy story, made me wish my husband could cook :)
October 7, 2012
I loved this book, but had some quibbles. For my entire review, navigate to the link below:
http://ogcmat.blogspot.com/2012/10/th...
http://ogcmat.blogspot.com/2012/10/th...
December 23, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book.
February 10, 2017
This was a nice romance with a bit of mystery/suspense as the main character is being stalked without actually realizing what's going on. The romance is pretty typical of the storyline where the couple is just going to have a fling, but somehow it evolves into more than that. The protagonist is executive director of a non-profit which she started, and has been too busy running it to think seriously about romance, or even relaxation. The love interest is a chef whose family wants him to come back to run the family ranch. Between her family issues, and his, it's a wonder they had time to develop a relationship. Basically it's a nice story about two likeable people, with a happy ending. Nothing wrong with that!
October 15, 2012
(Originally published at Black Heart Magazine)
I’m a tough critic, especially when it comes to ooey-gooey romance. So while I am fully interested in romance on a personal level, I am very sensitive to the typical romance novel clichés, and will quickly tired of reading about a book’s male and female leads when described as the most handsome or gorgeous, the most amazing, the most perfect lover, and other such superlatives. Call me jaded if you must, but I prefer my romantic gestures fresh, unique and decidedly aimed at one specific person that you wish to please.
With that being said, it’s no surprise that any romance novel is going to have its metaphorical feet to the flames when someone asks me for my honest opinion.
The Hungry Heart sets itself up as a romance between chef Hunter Graham and child advocate Nora Cross, but quickly becomes entangled in a convoluted plot concerning Nora’s relationship with her sister, Karen. Having smelled what this rock was cooking from several hundred miles away, I wasn’t too surprised by this “twist,” but I suppose it’s something different than your average heroine-in-distress romance plot, so for that I give it props. (And, yes, the heroine is in distress, despite her annoying propensity to call attention to the fact by saying that she does NOT need a handsome young knight to save her.)
If the book had remained a typical chef-meets-non-chef type of romance, I think this would have worked equally well. Chefs are hot, after all. Who wouldn’t want a handsome hunk that knows how to cook serving up delectable treats at your beck and call? Hunter is apparently a chef at the top of his game, and although he supposedly knows how to whip up all kinds of exotic goodies, he has settled on naming his restaurant Prime and serves up expensive cuts of New Mexican beef from his family’s cattle ranch. So far, so good.
But why does the man smell like cocoa if he’s not a pastry chef? Puzzling, but I’ll let it slide because yes, cocoa is a pretty damn appealing scent.
Nora is a bit of a killjoy when first we meet her. She’s annoyed at virtually everything Hunter does, despite her physical attraction to the man, and keeps rudely glued to her cell phone on their first “date.” She’s not exactly the type of woman I aspire to be, despite her big-deal work with children, so I couldn’t really connect with her character. Sure, she’s a workaholic for a good cause, but she’s really flipping rude! Could she not turn off the phone for the evening? Would the world really fly off its axis if Miss Nora Cross weren’t available for a few short hours?
Hunter is equally frustrating, with his “lavender” eyes (who is he, Liz Taylor?) and his constant smirking at Nora’s klutziness. Oh, about that klutziness: I had a big problem with it. Okay, so this dude is gorgeous, he’s fabulous, he’s all that and a bag of chips (or two), but does this really disarm women so much that they trip over their own feet, break a priceless antique ladder, and literally fall into the man’s arms? This scene was over-the-top cheese, to me, and I’m not talking gouda.
I realize it is par for the course for romance heroines to second-guess themselves, whether physically or mentally, particularly in the presence of said dashing male lead, but can we seriously put an end to this tired trope? Modern women may, indeed, second-guess themselves. They may even do it a lot. But doesn’t anyone else find it annoying that the heroine’s thoughts about how ugly or unappealing she must be constantly play over what is supposed to be a romantic or sexually thrilling scene? I do. I would much rather read about a woman who is confident about her body, no matter what size it is, than have to skip past her self-deprecating inner monologue, picking herself apart.
If all else fails, switch the POV to the man’s perspective, because you know HE’S enjoying it!
The cooking scene did, however, endear me to Hunter, because despite all of Nora’s best efforts to sabotage the thing, he still kept his cool and did his best to turn everything around, accepting blame for everything from her breaking that ladder to burning some wild mushrooms to using salt instead of sugar in the whipped cream. I would have liked to see more of this “seduction by chef” stuff later on in the book, to reinforce the idea that yeah, this guy really is a top chef and can set women at ease with his abilities in the kitchen.
Without giving away the rest of the plot and its twist, I think I can safely reveal that these two end up together in the end, and all’s well that ends well. I hope that doesn’t ruin the ending for you. (What? Romantic leads in a romance novel getting together? SHOCKING!) As I said, I would have enjoyed a lot more of the cooking scenes, especially given the “hungry heart” angle referenced in the title, but overall it seems like these two are destined for some good times, despite their respective family issues.
Recommended for those that think New Mexico is vastly superior to Texas, particularly in the beef department, and for those looking for lavender-eyed hunks with mad skills in the kitchen as well as the bedroom.
I’m a tough critic, especially when it comes to ooey-gooey romance. So while I am fully interested in romance on a personal level, I am very sensitive to the typical romance novel clichés, and will quickly tired of reading about a book’s male and female leads when described as the most handsome or gorgeous, the most amazing, the most perfect lover, and other such superlatives. Call me jaded if you must, but I prefer my romantic gestures fresh, unique and decidedly aimed at one specific person that you wish to please.
With that being said, it’s no surprise that any romance novel is going to have its metaphorical feet to the flames when someone asks me for my honest opinion.
The Hungry Heart sets itself up as a romance between chef Hunter Graham and child advocate Nora Cross, but quickly becomes entangled in a convoluted plot concerning Nora’s relationship with her sister, Karen. Having smelled what this rock was cooking from several hundred miles away, I wasn’t too surprised by this “twist,” but I suppose it’s something different than your average heroine-in-distress romance plot, so for that I give it props. (And, yes, the heroine is in distress, despite her annoying propensity to call attention to the fact by saying that she does NOT need a handsome young knight to save her.)
If the book had remained a typical chef-meets-non-chef type of romance, I think this would have worked equally well. Chefs are hot, after all. Who wouldn’t want a handsome hunk that knows how to cook serving up delectable treats at your beck and call? Hunter is apparently a chef at the top of his game, and although he supposedly knows how to whip up all kinds of exotic goodies, he has settled on naming his restaurant Prime and serves up expensive cuts of New Mexican beef from his family’s cattle ranch. So far, so good.
But why does the man smell like cocoa if he’s not a pastry chef? Puzzling, but I’ll let it slide because yes, cocoa is a pretty damn appealing scent.
Nora is a bit of a killjoy when first we meet her. She’s annoyed at virtually everything Hunter does, despite her physical attraction to the man, and keeps rudely glued to her cell phone on their first “date.” She’s not exactly the type of woman I aspire to be, despite her big-deal work with children, so I couldn’t really connect with her character. Sure, she’s a workaholic for a good cause, but she’s really flipping rude! Could she not turn off the phone for the evening? Would the world really fly off its axis if Miss Nora Cross weren’t available for a few short hours?
Hunter is equally frustrating, with his “lavender” eyes (who is he, Liz Taylor?) and his constant smirking at Nora’s klutziness. Oh, about that klutziness: I had a big problem with it. Okay, so this dude is gorgeous, he’s fabulous, he’s all that and a bag of chips (or two), but does this really disarm women so much that they trip over their own feet, break a priceless antique ladder, and literally fall into the man’s arms? This scene was over-the-top cheese, to me, and I’m not talking gouda.
I realize it is par for the course for romance heroines to second-guess themselves, whether physically or mentally, particularly in the presence of said dashing male lead, but can we seriously put an end to this tired trope? Modern women may, indeed, second-guess themselves. They may even do it a lot. But doesn’t anyone else find it annoying that the heroine’s thoughts about how ugly or unappealing she must be constantly play over what is supposed to be a romantic or sexually thrilling scene? I do. I would much rather read about a woman who is confident about her body, no matter what size it is, than have to skip past her self-deprecating inner monologue, picking herself apart.
If all else fails, switch the POV to the man’s perspective, because you know HE’S enjoying it!
The cooking scene did, however, endear me to Hunter, because despite all of Nora’s best efforts to sabotage the thing, he still kept his cool and did his best to turn everything around, accepting blame for everything from her breaking that ladder to burning some wild mushrooms to using salt instead of sugar in the whipped cream. I would have liked to see more of this “seduction by chef” stuff later on in the book, to reinforce the idea that yeah, this guy really is a top chef and can set women at ease with his abilities in the kitchen.
Without giving away the rest of the plot and its twist, I think I can safely reveal that these two end up together in the end, and all’s well that ends well. I hope that doesn’t ruin the ending for you. (What? Romantic leads in a romance novel getting together? SHOCKING!) As I said, I would have enjoyed a lot more of the cooking scenes, especially given the “hungry heart” angle referenced in the title, but overall it seems like these two are destined for some good times, despite their respective family issues.
Recommended for those that think New Mexico is vastly superior to Texas, particularly in the beef department, and for those looking for lavender-eyed hunks with mad skills in the kitchen as well as the bedroom.
September 25, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed The Hungry Heart. It was a nice, likable characters and plot development. This was quick read but kept me intrigued. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 25, 2017
Good story
Storyline was decent although it was easy to see what would happen next. Good book for a quick read. Looking forward to next book in the series.
Storyline was decent although it was easy to see what would happen next. Good book for a quick read. Looking forward to next book in the series.
September 27, 2012
Involved with advocating children's organizations, Nora Cross doesn't have time to spend on extra-curricular activities. At least, none that involve cooking. Yet when her sister signs her up for an impromptu cooking class, she has no other choice but to follow through on the task at hand rather than suffer Karen's wrath.
Arriving at her destination, she's overcome with the exuberance she now finds herself. Casita Hunter is more than she had ever imagined as is the cooking instructor she soon comes across. He's gorgeous and irresistible and she finds herself attracted to him in more ways than one. So much so, that she's willing to give the cooking lesson a shot in order to spend more time with him. When things go awry, Nora soon realizes she's way out of her league.
Determined not to let things get to her, she immerses herself within her work, never once imagining that the events of that night would come back to haunt her. A burglary at her apartment forces her into Hunter's hands, a fact that she's not really certain in how to handle. She grateful to him for the fact that he's come to her rescue and willingly allows him to help her make the most of the situation. Yet she never counted upon the feelings he's begun to evoke within her.
It soon becomes apparent that someone is after Nora. No one knows what the person's after or why she's the target. She refuses to live in the shadows and will do everything she can to get to the bottom of things. As secrets of her past begin to surface, she's no longer sure as to what is real and what is not. If she's to survive her ordeal, she'll need to discover the truth, and fast, before her life is truly forfeit.
This was actually a very intriguing story. I enjoyed it very much. It's definitely a very heart-warming story about a young woman who discovers that sometimes life isn't what we make of it and we make do with the circumstances we are dealt with. I think Karen did everything she could to ensure that Nora had a good life. Her parents certainly did the best they could for her, that's for sure. The romance between Nora and Hunter was certainly palpable, as well. It's a very engrossing read and definitely worth reading again.
Arriving at her destination, she's overcome with the exuberance she now finds herself. Casita Hunter is more than she had ever imagined as is the cooking instructor she soon comes across. He's gorgeous and irresistible and she finds herself attracted to him in more ways than one. So much so, that she's willing to give the cooking lesson a shot in order to spend more time with him. When things go awry, Nora soon realizes she's way out of her league.
Determined not to let things get to her, she immerses herself within her work, never once imagining that the events of that night would come back to haunt her. A burglary at her apartment forces her into Hunter's hands, a fact that she's not really certain in how to handle. She grateful to him for the fact that he's come to her rescue and willingly allows him to help her make the most of the situation. Yet she never counted upon the feelings he's begun to evoke within her.
It soon becomes apparent that someone is after Nora. No one knows what the person's after or why she's the target. She refuses to live in the shadows and will do everything she can to get to the bottom of things. As secrets of her past begin to surface, she's no longer sure as to what is real and what is not. If she's to survive her ordeal, she'll need to discover the truth, and fast, before her life is truly forfeit.
This was actually a very intriguing story. I enjoyed it very much. It's definitely a very heart-warming story about a young woman who discovers that sometimes life isn't what we make of it and we make do with the circumstances we are dealt with. I think Karen did everything she could to ensure that Nora had a good life. Her parents certainly did the best they could for her, that's for sure. The romance between Nora and Hunter was certainly palpable, as well. It's a very engrossing read and definitely worth reading again.
March 11, 2017
I am at 12% in the book right now and I'm looking interest fast. There is much swearing, and taking the Lord's name in vain that I'm losing interest and just annoyed. Those combined I'm not paying attention and do not want to read. I am putting it down to give it a break. I might try again later.
February 12, 2013
Disclaimer: won book in a giveaway
Am I glad this book is over!
And I mayyyyy have skimmed a bit at the end because by the last 30 pages or so, I just couldn't handle it anymore. I'm sorry, but this is an honest review.
I for once want to read about a rather serious and dull guy and a very fast-loving, rich girl that clash and end up together instead of the oh-so-usual scenario this book presents. Really, can't women be strong, independent and career oriented without also being "no fun", self deprecating and never having a decent lover in their past?
Really, I have serious issues with this kind of romances.
Am I glad this book is over!
And I mayyyyy have skimmed a bit at the end because by the last 30 pages or so, I just couldn't handle it anymore. I'm sorry, but this is an honest review.
I for once want to read about a rather serious and dull guy and a very fast-loving, rich girl that clash and end up together instead of the oh-so-usual scenario this book presents. Really, can't women be strong, independent and career oriented without also being "no fun", self deprecating and never having a decent lover in their past?
Really, I have serious issues with this kind of romances.
February 23, 2014
I liked the suspense they threw in to make the book a bit more interesting. Without it, it would have been just a plain romance story.
Read
August 31, 2021Check out the video trailer https://youtu.be/YgihXfbR_iU
April 30, 2017
First 2/3 good and kept my interest. The last third was annoying and not well done.
I was enjoying this until page 230. It was fun watching this odd couple. Then I was angry at the author for using a stupid and illogical reason to break up the couple – described in Spoiler below. After that things were too predictable and formulaic. In addition a bad guy does something to the heroine, but it was not developed. See Spoiler. Then things are happy at the end.
At the end of this book, Hunter hears that his cousin Michael is missing. Nothing further is done with that here. That’s for the sequel “The Doubting Heart.”
Minor annoyance: Nora has thick silky black hair. Cover picture female has medium brown curled hair. I believe the publisher changed the cover picture in 2015. I have an earlier version.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 313 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: current day Santa Fe, New Mexico. Copyright: 2012. Genre: contemporary romance with a little suspense.
I was enjoying this until page 230. It was fun watching this odd couple. Then I was angry at the author for using a stupid and illogical reason to break up the couple – described in Spoiler below. After that things were too predictable and formulaic. In addition a bad guy does something to the heroine, but it was not developed. See Spoiler. Then things are happy at the end.
At the end of this book, Hunter hears that his cousin Michael is missing. Nothing further is done with that here. That’s for the sequel “The Doubting Heart.”
Minor annoyance: Nora has thick silky black hair. Cover picture female has medium brown curled hair. I believe the publisher changed the cover picture in 2015. I have an earlier version.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 313 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: current day Santa Fe, New Mexico. Copyright: 2012. Genre: contemporary romance with a little suspense.
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