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Just Desserts #2
Craving Temptation
After a rocky year, life is once again sweet for brothers Troy and Quentin Elliot, and Quentin's new wife, Harper. Their bakery, Just Desserts, is thriving, with Quentin as pastry chef, and attorney Troy handling the books. In fact, Troy is ready to pursue his next big to run for Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee. The competition is tough, but there's one challenge Troy doesn't anticipate--his opponent's distractingly beautiful campaign manager and daughter, Amina Salman. . .A fellow attorney, Amina hopes to reconnect with her estranged father. But a chance meeting with Troy quickly complicates her task. Not only is her passionate spirit at odds with her father's conservative values, her attraction to his rival leaves her even more conflicted. Soon, Amina and Troy are falling in love--but when they surrender to sweet temptation, they find themselves with more at stake than a campaign victory. . .Praise for Deborah Fletcher Mello"An author who consistently delivers a strong story, complex characters and scorching love scenes." --RT Book Reviews
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2014
21 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Fletcher Mello
130 books202 followersFor Deborah Fletcher Mello, writing is as necessary as breathing and she firmly believes that if she could not write she would cease to exist. Her first novel, TAKE ME TO HEART, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2005 she received Book of the Year and Favorite Heroine nominations for her novel THE RIGHT SIDE OF LOVE. In 2008, Deborah won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Best Series Romance for her ninth novel, TAME A WILD STALLION.
A true renaissance woman, Deborah's many career paths have included working as a retail buyer and size model for a national women's clothing chain, a finance manager for a well-known beverage organization, a sales manager for an infamous candy company, a telecommunications administrator and corporate trainer for a hotel-owning company, an art gallery director for a world-renowned artist, and an administrative consultant for multiple organizations throughout the United States. Deborah is also a licensed real estate broker and general building contractor.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah maintains base camp in North Carolina but considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 28, 2015
I enjoyed the storyline and how the author brought family, religion, and political points into the union of Troy and Amina. They had no easy walk in the park, but love usually finds it's way through obstacles.
Troy was focused on his political aspirations when Amina happened in his life. Amina was trying to gain her father's approval and acceptance. They had to overcome the fact that their family's religious beliefs and cultures, set on separate sides of the scale and the fact that Amina was her father's campaign manager and Troy was running against him made it a little difficult to be up front with how they felt for one another.
Troy was focused on his political aspirations when Amina happened in his life. Amina was trying to gain her father's approval and acceptance. They had to overcome the fact that their family's religious beliefs and cultures, set on separate sides of the scale and the fact that Amina was her father's campaign manager and Troy was running against him made it a little difficult to be up front with how they felt for one another.
April 15, 2014
Craving Temptation is the sequel to The Sweetest Thing and I absolutely loved it!! Troy is a lawyer who is running for Mayor and who also helps out at Just Desserts his brother's bakery and Amina is running her father’s campaign. The moment that they meet you can see the chemistry and how attracted they are to one another. Amina and Troy won’t let that come between them; they are determined to be together even when they have a lot of obstacles in their way. It is great to see how their love overcomes everything that is in their way. I loved it from beginning to end and I cannot wait to read more. I am hoping that there is more to come.
November 12, 2014
Such a great follow up story. It was great to see Amina & Troy' s love for each other
September 7, 2015
Craving Temptation by Deborah Fletcher Mello was MARVELOUS...The second in the Just Desserts series is a wonderful story of love and acceptance. Troy Elliot, mayoral candidate, business owner and devote Christian meets the beautiful Muslim woman Amina Salman. From the beginning Troy and Amina's relationship is colored by conflicts of interest both personal and professional. As a candidate for mayor, Troy can barely resist the temptation of having Amina. Where as Amina craves the temptation of being with Troy also, she struggles to please her deeply devoted Muslim father who is also a candidate for mayor, for which she is the campaign manager. The results is a picture of how embracing differences and tolerance can be an irresistible dessert.
As always the secondary characters in Ms Mello's book are supportive and loving while keeping the story line fun and interesting. Craving Temptation is a must summer reader.
As always the secondary characters in Ms Mello's book are supportive and loving while keeping the story line fun and interesting. Craving Temptation is a must summer reader.
January 31, 2015
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, and I have to say that I loved it! Once I got into it I found myself unable to put the book down.
The story line was very heartwarming and not too predictable. I don't usually get so into a book that it brings tears to my eyes but this did have its moments. Deborah Fletcher Mello - Well done! I cannot wait to get my hands on the Just Desserts Series now!
Thank you for allowing me to have this opportunity to get to know your writing style, I loved this book!
The story line was very heartwarming and not too predictable. I don't usually get so into a book that it brings tears to my eyes but this did have its moments. Deborah Fletcher Mello - Well done! I cannot wait to get my hands on the Just Desserts Series now!
Thank you for allowing me to have this opportunity to get to know your writing style, I loved this book!
October 10, 2014
I found this to be a pleasant read with just the right amount of romance and suspense. Troy and Amina's story was intriguing and did a good job of explaining elements of Amina's religion and the aspects of her upbringing.
August 6, 2014
Good book...I enjoyed Troy and Amina's story even more than Quentin and Harper's.
November 2, 2014
Loved this story
August 28, 2014
Craving Temptation
This was another sweet read. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a craving for a great book! I Truly enjoyed this book from beginning to end!
This was another sweet read. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a craving for a great book! I Truly enjoyed this book from beginning to end!
September 9, 2014
This had drama and a little danger and a lot less raunchiness.
December 7, 2014
Another great book. The chemistry was hot and sexy. Loved it.
April 27, 2014
Thoughts coming shortly.
February 17, 2017
This duology has been sitting on my NOOK for at least two years and I am now kicking myself for not reading it sooner. Also, D.F. Mello is a new-to-me author that I look forward to reading more from in the future. Okay, onto the review of this book:
Amina Salman is trying to understand her family and childhood religion (Islam) while taking on the job of her father's campaign manager for mayor of Memphis, TN. Amina gave up Islam when she moved in with her mother in Atlanta after her parents divorced when she was a kid.Troy Elliott is the older brother of the last book's hero and a lawyer who has his sights on a political career, starting with winning the mayoral race for Memphis, TN. They first met at the end of the first book, and it picks up several weeks later. This story was much more romantic suspense but still a strong romance. Amina and Troy's relationship was a little more insta-love, but they went through some serious ups and downs (thanks to the awfulness that was Amina's brother) that strengthen their love. There is a lot less sex in this book.
The side characters make several appearances in this book, continuing the world building and giving the reader a strong sense of place and community. This time, I like to point out the side character of Rachel; her lawyer skills are on point and when something/someone threatens her family, she is a major badass. Also Amina's younger sister, Rasheeda, was a stand out.
There was a little "How Muslims Live 101" conversations early in the book. Amina and Rasheeda show the variety within the religion and how they live their faith and maintain a lifestyle that feels comfortable for them (ex: Amina doesn't wear the hijab, Rasheeda does). I really recommend this book set!
Amina Salman is trying to understand her family and childhood religion (Islam) while taking on the job of her father's campaign manager for mayor of Memphis, TN. Amina gave up Islam when she moved in with her mother in Atlanta after her parents divorced when she was a kid.Troy Elliott is the older brother of the last book's hero and a lawyer who has his sights on a political career, starting with winning the mayoral race for Memphis, TN. They first met at the end of the first book, and it picks up several weeks later. This story was much more romantic suspense but still a strong romance. Amina and Troy's relationship was a little more insta-love, but they went through some serious ups and downs (thanks to the awfulness that was Amina's brother) that strengthen their love. There is a lot less sex in this book.
The side characters make several appearances in this book, continuing the world building and giving the reader a strong sense of place and community. This time, I like to point out the side character of Rachel; her lawyer skills are on point and when something/someone threatens her family, she is a major badass. Also Amina's younger sister, Rasheeda, was a stand out.
There was a little "How Muslims Live 101" conversations early in the book. Amina and Rasheeda show the variety within the religion and how they live their faith and maintain a lifestyle that feels comfortable for them (ex: Amina doesn't wear the hijab, Rasheeda does). I really recommend this book set!
dnf
September 22, 2019That’s it! I so wanted to like this, I liked the first book and have been meaning to pick this up for a while. First there is the fact that this is all happening super fast- I just made it a third of the way through and despite the little time that they’ve actually spent together- they’re falling super hard. Bye - they are Troy (Quentin’s brother) and Amina (one of the ladies he met outside at Quentin and Harpers wedding reception). But my main issue is Amina- who is 28, but she acts like she’s 14. I get wanting her fathers approval his rules while you’re living in his house. But - she’s an adult and she’s not Muslim. Common sense would say that you shouldn’t live in his house especially since she’s not Muslim and she has to sneak around like a high schooler to change clothes and meet up with Troy. That is not what grown women do. Her brother is aggressively rude to her (there was one scene where it appeared that he was going to hit her). And her father who invited her to be his campaign manager is belittling and dismissive of her- as if he only invited her as a way to get her under his control while still appearing to be a benevolent father. I had it when the man showed up that her father arranged for her to marry when they were infants. I get that this is an aspect of the Muslim faith and may be completely normal. But Amina is not Muslim considering something else. She had no intention of joining the faith, and instead of having that conversation she’s acting like a child. This makes it that much harder to to believe in the relationship she’s tying to build with Troy.
August 2, 2025
Craving Temptation
Amina Salmon and Troy Elliott had an instant attraction but Amina father and brother had made others plans for her. In spite their attempt to control her Amina did what she felt was best and married Troy which her life and her sister's in jeopardy. I recommend you read. Great story.
Amina Salmon and Troy Elliott had an instant attraction but Amina father and brother had made others plans for her. In spite their attempt to control her Amina did what she felt was best and married Troy which her life and her sister's in jeopardy. I recommend you read. Great story.
May 31, 2019
Loved it
This book was really entertaining. I have 4 stars only because there are 2 parts where the story did not flow appropriately. Not enough to ruin the entire story but it's there.
However I really enjoyed this.
This book was really entertaining. I have 4 stars only because there are 2 parts where the story did not flow appropriately. Not enough to ruin the entire story but it's there.
However I really enjoyed this.
November 10, 2019
Who can be against you
Great story filled with love,laughter,intrigue and chocolate cookies. Amina and Troy was love at first sight. Basil and Kareem were greedy and mean but Kareem was definitely crazy. Will Nasser get his wife back or can they co exist?
Great story filled with love,laughter,intrigue and chocolate cookies. Amina and Troy was love at first sight. Basil and Kareem were greedy and mean but Kareem was definitely crazy. Will Nasser get his wife back or can they co exist?
December 25, 2019
Going after what you want
Once Amina walked into Troy's life he did not stand a chance. Despite the obstacles they faced the desire to be together and to be loved outweighed anything else. realized he found someone who could hold his attention and not just work
Once Amina walked into Troy's life he did not stand a chance. Despite the obstacles they faced the desire to be together and to be loved outweighed anything else. realized he found someone who could hold his attention and not just work
April 25, 2015
Amina, is the daughter of a conservative Muslim man running for mayor in Memphis. He has asked his daughter, a brilliant attorney and successful campaign manager to run his campaign. She agrees hoping to build a relationship with her estranged father. Things get even more complicated when her father's opponent, Troy Elliott, happens to be the guy that sparks her heart.
I wanted to like this book so much. Diversity, different cultures and faiths represented but this one rubbed me the wrong way from the start. It felt like Amina was not being true to herself for most of the book and that her faith was, to borrow a term from another reader, wallpapery-meaning that you could substitute any conservative religion and the story would not have changed.
I won't even go into the euphemisms. Ok, ok. Just one. "Smells like feminine spirit."
I wanted to like this book so much. Diversity, different cultures and faiths represented but this one rubbed me the wrong way from the start. It felt like Amina was not being true to herself for most of the book and that her faith was, to borrow a term from another reader, wallpapery-meaning that you could substitute any conservative religion and the story would not have changed.
I won't even go into the euphemisms. Ok, ok. Just one. "Smells like feminine spirit."
August 5, 2015
Excellent! This is the 2nd book in the Just Desserts series, featuring Troy Elliott. Troy has decided to run for Mayor since Quentin and Harper are running the bakery. Enter Amina Salman, a lawyer and she happens to be the campaign manager for his opponent. They meet by chance and the fires are burning and they can't resist.
There is a lot more going on behind the scene which adds suspense to the story.
There is a lot more going on behind the scene which adds suspense to the story.
April 18, 2016
Nice read much enjoyed.
Way more interesting things happening in this one. Troy and Amina moved really quick though. The mess with Kareem could've ended better though, seemed rushed and compared to what they were doing it was just dumb to show up. A bit sick of hearing about "bad makeup and sighing" though. Other than those things it was a good read.
Way more interesting things happening in this one. Troy and Amina moved really quick though. The mess with Kareem could've ended better though, seemed rushed and compared to what they were doing it was just dumb to show up. A bit sick of hearing about "bad makeup and sighing" though. Other than those things it was a good read.
June 1, 2015
Wonderful love story!
Another author added to my ever growing list of favorites! This was a wonderful story about true love and the importance of family! I true pageturner, I could not put it down until I got to the end.
Another author added to my ever growing list of favorites! This was a wonderful story about true love and the importance of family! I true pageturner, I could not put it down until I got to the end.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews