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Masters & Mercenaries: Topped #3.5

Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped

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Top restaurant has become the hot spot in Dallas for elevated comfort food—and a side of spicy romance. Run by executive chef Sean Taggart, Top is the premiere fictional destination for gourmet food. Join creator, New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake, and Southern food expert Suzanne Johnson as they guide you through the world of Masters and Mercenaries via the secret recipes behind the food served in Top.

But what would a gourmet meal be without some company? Spend an evening with your favorite characters from McKay-Taggart as they celebrate the special moments that make up their happily ever afters. Learn how to make Sean’s specialty dishes and Macon’s desserts while exploring the private lives of the characters who make up the world. From Charlie and Ian’s next demon spawn to a change in path for Simon and Chelsea, these are the times that bind us together, the moments that make us a family.

Good meals, good times, good friends.

Bon appétit!

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2016

145 people are currently reading
808 people want to read

About the author

Lexi Blake

177 books6,360 followers
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black. There are five more books available in the series: Their Virgin's Secret, Their Virgin Concubine, Their Virgin Princess, Their Virgin Hostage, and Their Virgin Secretary. The next book in the series, Their Virgin Mistress, is releasing this April.

In addition to the Masters of Ménage series, she is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series. There are eight full-length novels and four novellas available now, with more coming in 2015.

In 2013, Lexi also began releasing her urban fantasy series, Thieves. The first five are available now, with Ripper, a spin-off to the series, coming in 2015.

Sign up for Lexi's newsletter at http://lexiblake.net/contact.html#new....

For more information about her books, her appearances and her wacky life visit her Facebook page (http://goo.gl/q2IHnJ) or her website (http://www.lexiblake.net).

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
4,032 reviews2,858 followers
November 2, 2016
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This book was UTTER PERFECTION There really isn't much I can say about it other than that. I pretty much spend the whole time reading it HUNGRY, LAUGHING MY ASS OFF, or BAWLING MY EYES OUT.

Alas, since this is supposed to be a review, I will attempt to convey how much I adored this book with a few words. One, there are a PLETHORA of awesome sounding recipes in this thing. I pretty much spent a goodly amount of time highlighting all the ones I will be trying in the very near future. Secondly, what took this book to a WHOLE other level in awesomeness was all the little glimpses we get at some of our favorite couples, and where they are at this point in time.

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I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF at the whole scene with Charlie, Ian, and Remy, it was SO flipping HILARIOUS. Anything out of Ian's mouth is always PURE GOLD. Aside from the funny lighthearted moments, we also get to see some heartwarming and touching moments. Moments were these couples are struggling. Where life and issues have them drifting apart. We see them grabbing hold of that love we have come to know so well and reconnecting.

New babies. New directions in life. It was a fantastic and utter enjoyment to reconnect with these couples. After so many books in this series, these characters feel like family to me and I'm always up for more Masters & Mercenaries. So if you are a HUGE fan of the M&M and TOPPED series this is really a MUST ADD to your TO READ list.

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Profile Image for Michelle.
2,103 reviews1,410 followers
November 1, 2016
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

 photo ba2042eca723cdad20b0216caf65c4_zpsy7hve3vr.gif

 photo 9a33826b73d2d6d37e94a07e9f45eb_zpsamlytdsr.gif A dash of spice. A handful heapings of sugar. And four cups of love. Lexi Blake creates a perfect pairing of recipes and short stories of our beloved characters from her Masters and Mercenaries Series. Readers are reunited with a short story of each couple and so it was refreshing to follow-up on them. As much as I loved catching up on each couple, I gotta admit that I was totally smitten with the concept of adding recipes between each story. I did find some easy recipes that I planned to make. So if you are looking for a romance story that blends and mixes a bit of nonfiction into the mix then Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped is the book for you.

 photo MICHELLE1_zps3515xymk.jpg Lexi Blake

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Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,467 reviews314 followers
November 3, 2016
Spoiler Ahead This was a pretty good book of short stories and recipes from top and I am looking forward to trying them out. The first story is one of my favorite couples Ian and his Charlie. Charlotte is a few weeks from giving birth to the son that Ian desperately wants after all he has twin girls. While taking the dog out he slips and falls and hurts his back and then Charlotte goes into labor and all his panic starts. This story was funny and I loved the joke that they played on Ian. The next story was Alex and Eve " The Call". This was a sweet story with the two of them out to dinner at Top. The next story was "Closing Time" it was about Eric and Deena and although I haven't read I do have there book "Just One Taste". I really liked this couple and I will be reading this book soon. The next story was Chelsea and Simon called "Reservation for Two". I really like Simon and Chelsea and she is ready to quit the Agency and work with Adam and Jake finding missing people and she wants Simon to come with her. Simon thinks she wants to be a field agent. Serena Jake and Adam also have a story its called " Beware of Wondering Ian" This was a really good story Serena has a book signing at Top and the boys will be starting there own business. Avery and Liam called "Lost and Found" Damon has sent him a box with things from his crazy dead brother Rory. Li has mixed feelings about his brother because Rory did try to kill him and Avery. Then there is Macon and Ally and I really like them although I haven't read there story I do have there book. " Chef Special " Sean and Grace. Sean is getting his own TV show and he is feeling guilty because he got Grace pregnant after getting snipped and she had to an emergency c section she almost died. So what does a Dom do takes her to his playroom to spank his sub and get her to open up and talk and have some long overdo banging sex. This was a really good book. I love reading Lexi's books. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to trying some of these recipes.
Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,209 reviews74 followers
November 7, 2016
Lexi Blake provides an array of short stories/snippets for the original crew from the Masters and Mercenaries series. These stories range from sweet and heartwarming, fantastically funny, and some heartbreaking, emotional moments you really don't want to miss out on! I enjoyed all of the stories, but my particular favorites were Ian and Charlotte's memorable birth story-hysterical!-and Sean and Grace's emotional reunion-I soooo wanted a longer length for this one!

On to the food! Even if you don't like to cook, Suzanne Johnson's recipes may change your mind! Easy ingredients and simple directions will produce a great meal for any occasion! I already have a list of recipes I can't wait to try out..Lemon Squares (dessert is a definite food group), Lobster Mac and Cheese, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and Pasta Primavera...I could go on and on here, lol, and there's a great variety to pick something to try!

This collaborative has produced two fun works! Blake has created a wonderful family with the McKay-Taggart group and just like other big families..some move on and create their own new groups..but they never lose that special connection with their beginnings. Adding Johnson's recipes to the mix makes you feel like you're going to dinner with any of the characters, especially when those recipes reflect certain characters likes, for example, Ian's love of lemon comes to mind or Sean's Coq Au Vin..

I would recommend this collection to any fan of the M &M series and also any cooks who want a different spin in the kitchen! Great romance + Southern comfort food..you just can't go wrong with this mix! Now off to buy the paperback version for all the yummy food pics!
Profile Image for Elisa.
3,220 reviews37 followers
June 14, 2019
The recipes are awesome... The short stories omg talk about laughs galore this just makes the M&M family come to life even more and now I can't wait for the kids to all keep growing and give their parents hell...lol
Profile Image for Shayna.
1,812 reviews615 followers
October 30, 2016
Can I just tell you that this book/cookbook is like a freaking dream come true for me? I mean you have one of my all time favorite series mixed in with yummy recipes...what is NOT to love about this idea?!

If you are a fan of both the Masters and Mercenaries and Topped series by Lexi Blake, some of these recipes will bring up memories and bring you so much joy in the process.

These sexy little short stories just made me beam with such amusement and love for all of these characters that I've come to know and absolutely love! The mouth-watering comfort food recipes was like icing on the cake, giving me ideas for upcoming dinners and parties. Lexi Blake and food expert, Suzanne M. Johnson has come together and made something so special for fans and newbies alike.

There is a piece of these amazing characters in every recipe listed in the book. There is no way I'll be able to whip up some lemon squares and not think about one of my favorite all time alpha males. It just won't be possible. I want to thank these two SO MUCH for bringing some fun and laughter into everyday cooking for me. This was simply SPLENDID!

Unknown
Profile Image for Dar.
4,469 reviews90 followers
January 1, 2017
This was amazing, perfect, sweet, sexy, funny an hit me right in the heart!!!! Also, the recipes look amazing, especially the lemon based ones, so I think I may have to bake those as soon as I am recovered from the holiday treat overload :)

In this book we get to check back in with the originals from the Masters and Mercenary series. It felt so sweet to see where Jake, Adam and Serena are with their lives and how Alex and Eve are settling into their new roles as parents, and partners, the second time around. Of course we get Ian and Charlotte's new arrival, and it is the fun romp you would expect. Simon and Chelsea have a new start, and a new plan in moving forward, and the same commitment and love for each other. We also get a glimpse into our two couples from Top and where they are in their relationships

My heart nearly burst though with the stories for Liam and Avery and Sean and Grace. Liam always had that bit left over from his past. While he and Avery settled into their HEA, he never did deal with his family issues and they still weighed on him. This brought a closure to that in the sweetest, most beautiful way possible. I have always had a soft spot for the Irishman and Avery, and this just made it super squishy and glowy, and I am tearing up even writing this

Sean and Grace are our premier couple, their would be nothing and nobody without them. They have the roughest start, the sweetest rewards, and the history we know the most. With so much that has happened to them, they find themselves doing what they do best, protecting the other. Problem is, by protecting the other, they are hurting themselves, and by hurting themselves, they are hurting the other. Sean is perfect in getting this back underway, by taking us back to the beginning. He reconnects with Grace in the same manner he won her heart, and his vulnerability while he tries it is heartbreaking. When it all falls in place though, it is nearly magical, and I am sure I heard bells tinkling and birds singing when this couple, the cornerstone of the series, fell back into place

The recipes, oh the recipes, had my mouth watering and shopping plans made. What a wonderful concept and execution, and I hope down the road, we get another
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
November 21, 2016
Shadow's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Master Bits and Mercenary Bites is a gift to readers who have been following Lexi Blake's Masters and Mercenary series. It is a series of vignettes that catch readers up with many of the various characters from the books, interspersed with recipes from Sean Taggart's restaurant, Top.

Some of the chapters are funny, some are touching, and some are sexy, but all are well written. Don't expect full stories here, and this is definitely not a stand-alone book. But for those of us who have followed McKay Taggart for many years, this is a must. We also learn what the future might hold for some of the team members.

Some of the characters we continue to follow include Ian and Charlotte and the newest member of the family; Simon and Chelsea, Alex and Eve, and Sean and Grace, among others. Ian's chapter details the worst-and best day of his life, all in the same 24 hour period.

And best of all, the recipes, provided by Southern food expert Suzanne Johnson, sound delicious. I'm going to have to try some of them.

ARC provided with no expectations.
Profile Image for Ambrosia.
511 reviews14 followers
November 2, 2016
Snippets of stories about the couples' lives after their books, interspersed with lots of recipes.

I won't try the recipes - I have "real" cookbooks for that - but they seemed basic. I wasn't that impressed - especially after one of the recipes used a box cake mix. But maybe beginner cooks might be interested.

Sweet stories - especially since the show the alpha dogs all falling over themselves for their wives - but Not enough story to be worth the $$$.
Profile Image for Michelle.
44 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2016
What a brilliant idea!!!!

Vignettes and cookbook in one. And easy to follow recipes at that. Can't wait to try out some myself. And to have a catch up session with all the couples. A must read for Master's and mercenaries followers
259 reviews4 followers
November 1, 2020
Loved the recipes! Loved the snippets into the lives of my favorite characters!
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,060 reviews213 followers
October 28, 2016
5 Star reviews of Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped by Lexi Blake and Suzanne Johnson (Contributor)
What’s better than sharing a great meal with loved ones and good friends? Not a whole lot I’m thinking which I believe is a great recipe for a book. Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped is filled with short stories about our favourite couples from the Master & Mercenaries series along with some truly mouth-watering and inspirational recipes which will leave you begging for more.
Sean Taggart wanted a change in direction and finally followed his culinary dream and opened Top restaurant. Throughout the books the culinary delights are often mentioned in passing and many readers, me included have asked Lexi Blake for the “secrets” to these dishes; this book is the result.
This book is a great mix of stories and easy to follow recipes that might well inspire your own Master & Mercenary experience, I know I am certainly going to have a go at some of these recipes. I have to say that I thought this was an interesting spin to release; food and love; they certainly go hand in hand.
12 reviews
December 15, 2020
this is the only offering from Kristen Ashley that I haven't given 5 stars. This book pissed me off because it was clearly marketed to take advantage of the holidays. It also gave away stories that haven't been written yet, which I'm not fond of. Also, that trip around Denver that the author took, visiting her favorite people from her stories was a total rip off of Karen Marie Moning and her interview with her characters in Dublin.

Having said that, Ms. Ashley is still one of my favorite authors and I own everything she's printed except audible books (I abstain from them on principle), and that love affair began with Knight, and shows no sign of stopping. BTW - would you PLEASE write Wood's story already?
Profile Image for Vickie Chaisson.
1,168 reviews9 followers
December 3, 2016
This book will feed your soul!

What an amazing idea for a book all of the characters favorite recipes and a short story about their relationships. Lexi Blake cannot write a bad book and this on really amazed me. The recipes are well thought out and wonderful. The couples are all well known if you're a Lexi Blake fan. This book made me want to go back and read how these couples actually came together. The only thing that would have made this book any better would have been pictures with the recipes.

This book felt like an old friend and I would recommend it highly to all. So we'll done!


173 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2016
Great catch up

I had forgotten poor Remy completely, shame on me! I have grown so attached to all of the characters in this series. I have a clear picture of each of them in my mind and can really see these stories as they unfold. Attributed to Lexi's amazing writing. Can't wait to try the recipes, hope I can do all the guys justice. Most of all I eagerly await the next book. Thanks Lexi and Suzanne
Profile Image for Maggie Perez De Molina.
655 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2018
What an awesome idea! A little of food and a little bit of love makes the world go round and this book has both. You catch up on the various characters of the Masters and Mercenaries series while trying out recipes mentioned in the stories. Who doesn't want to try their cooking skills on some of these hot guys?! A great book with pretty cool recipes that look easy to make if cooking is not your thing.
296 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2020
This is not a stand alone book. There isn't any character development. This book is to catch the reader up on the lives of the characters from all previous books.

I liked this book. It got me up to date with all of the characters. I liked the intimacy of it. Since I have read all the books leading up to this one I feel I know each character individually. It was nice to know what they are up to.

The recipes look so good. Now I just need to try them.
911 reviews5 followers
May 14, 2020
A delicious dip into the lives of some favourite characters from Top/MY with lovely recipes!

A selection of short stories from the world of MT/Top featuring some of our favourite characters from both worlds.

Interspersed with some really good recipes I can't wait to try.

This book is not the usual offering from MT/Top but it is heart warming and provides a peek into their world between books.

It is lighthearted and a bit of fan fun for those who follow the series.
95 reviews
June 20, 2022
What a treasure.

Once again, Lexi Blake has brought her A game to her writings. Beautiful backstories of some of my favorite characters - rich in love, forgiveness, insight, tenderness through brokenness, yet deep, abiding soulful love that endured for a lifetime. This is such a treasure trove of fabulous recipes but the best is the recipe for enduring love and happily ever after.
1,206 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2023
Enjoy some great stories with some fun recipes.

Charlotte

10 recipes with a stories about Phoebe, Jake, and Adam. Also a story about Charlotte and Ian Taggart.

Faith

9 recipes and stories about Kirena and Derek and Faith and Ten.

Serena

11 recipes and stories about Tiffany and Sebastian and Serena.

Penny

9 recipes and stories about Damon and Penny and the women of McKay-Taggart.
Profile Image for Susan Hokanson.
156 reviews
February 18, 2018
What a great peek into the lives of some of my favorite characters in the Masters & Mercenaries series. Mouth watering recipes are provided with short stories interspersed throughout the book. If you haven't read any of the books in the series, then this one is not the place to start but as a huge fan of the series, I absolutely loved it!
Profile Image for KDRBCK.
7,260 reviews67 followers
April 24, 2018
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites is the delicious anthology of fabulous and tasty recipes mixed with short stories of my favorite peoples in the Masters and Mercenaries World by Lexi Blake.

The recipes are delicious - I tried them all. I loved meeting ols friend - hello boys and girls!! and lern what happened in their lives.
5 tasty stars
Profile Image for Kim.
244 reviews4 followers
September 3, 2019
So much fun catching up with old frkends

These short stories about various members of McKay-Taggart were just plain fun. The romance, the sex, its all here. Wonderful to read that like life, happily ever after is always a work in progress. Oh, and then there are the recipes. They make me wish I could cook so well. These stories are yummy in more ways than one. 😄😄😄
Profile Image for Emily.
97 reviews
August 26, 2023
Loved it! I love how Lexi says that there's more to marriage than the I do, that it takes work to grow together, and these stories capture that beautifully. Lots of laughs, love and a few tears, this is a wonderful collection of stories catching up with the Taggart's family & friends after the wedding.
The recipes featured look yum too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Oleta Blaylock.
748 reviews7 followers
July 1, 2025
This is a great book. All the stories are updates of some of the couples from the earlier books. There is a story of Ian and Charlotte and the birth of his son. Ian can always make me laugh. I love these people and all that has happened to them through all the books.

There are also recipes for the food that is mentioned in the book.
Profile Image for Jessica N..
546 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2017
Loved it

Warning: don't read this book if you're sick. I couldn't breathe from laughing and crying so much.
The recipes are simple and the stories are unique to each couple (of course, Ian butted in other stories lol).
It would have been perfect if paired with perfect wines.
Profile Image for April Reader.
189 reviews14 followers
May 28, 2018
Other than Sean and Grace's story at the end, the rest of the stories had little to no substance. I might try some of the recipes since I bought the ebook but honestly, I bought it for the stories and I was mostly disappointed.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,320 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2019
Almost skipped it, thinking this was just recipes but the shorts in here are so ridiculously cute! Some tough stuff, but all marriages have that. This is a good chance to check in with couples already together.
47 reviews
March 21, 2019
Read this series!!!

This is a wonderful series. I love all the characters. I love all the short back stories and the recipes that were mentioned in the books. Would highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews

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