Hooking Mr. Right: A Romance with Recipes

by Lois Winston

A contemporary romance that also includes the bonus short story sequel, FINDING MR. RIGHT. Can a butt-ugly alley cat named Cupid bring together two people driven apart by secrets and lies? After writing a doctoral thesis that exposed fraud in the pop-psychology genre, thirty-two year old professor Althea Chandler has to sacrifice her professional integrity to save her family from financial disaster. She secretly becomes bestselling romance guru Dr. Trulee Lovejoy, a self-proclaimed expert on how to catch a man, even though Thea’s a miserable failure when it comes to relationships—especially those with the opposite sex. Burned by a failed marriage, Luke Bennett finds himself pursued by Dr. Lovejoy-toting women after a gossip columnist dubs him New York’s most eligible bachelor. When he at first mistakes Thea for one of the women out to snare him, sparks fly, but the two soon find themselves battling sparks of a less hostile nature, thanks in part to an alley cat named Cupid. Luke believes he’s finally found an honest woman. Unfortunately, Thea is anything but honest. She’s got more secrets than the CIA and a desperate gossip columnist out to expose her. Cupid definitely has his work cut out for him. Recipes included.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

350 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2012

About the author

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USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry.

Visit Lois and Emma at www.loiswinston.com and visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog, www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com. Follow everyone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anasleuth.

Reviews

[Bookstore Without Borders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooking Mr. Right

What do a match-making cat, an annoying but very attractive neighbor, and a self-help book for the lovelorn have in common? All three are the bane of Althea Chandler's existence.

Cupid the patchwork cat keeps finding his way into Thea's apartment, throwing Luke Bennett, New York's Most Eligible (and cantankerous) Bachelor, into her path when he comes to reclaim the unrepentant feline.

Luke Bennett wants nothing more than for everyone to just leave him alone. He might be eligible, but the women who follow him everywhere are NOT about to change his bachelor ways. Hounded and hunted by New York's single ladies, Luke lays the blame for this whole mess at the feet of some idiotic self-help book called Hooking Mr. Right. If Luke could get a hold of the Trulee Lovejoy that wrote it, he'd wring her advice-dispensing neck. But his cat may be onto something with all of these visits to the neighbor's. One woman he would like to spend a little more time with would be Thea Chandler.

Thea knows exactly how Luke feels about Trulee Lovejoy, which presents a problem, because she's falling for the crochety bachelor, but if he ever finds out about her self-help alter-ego, he'll never forgive her.

Hooking Mr. Right was a great read. Well-written, absorbing and a lot of fun. I found Cupid to be a great, if furry matchmaker. I can't wait to pick up another Emma Carlyle/Lois Winston title!

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my relaxing reads just for me. After multiple books read for review and under deadline, I needed something that felt "fun" from the blurb - and Emma Carlyle did not disappoint. The story is well crafted, and the inclusion of the 'punk rock cat' Cu is nearly genius. I kept waiting for him to speak. While this book seemed to have more than the average amount of conflicts that needed tearful resolution, with one that held the potential to 'destroy a professional life' the writing was tight, logical and the characters were well developed and real to possible people in life. A big bonus. This book delivered exactly what I had wanted - a diversion that is capable of providing me with enjoyment and escape.

[Black Butterfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIGHT SWEET ROMANTIC SITUATION/COMEDY READ. THE SITUATION, PRETENDING TO BE SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT, SEEMS JUST ABOUT EVERYONE IN THE BOOK IS GUILTY OF THAT (in some way). THE COMEDY, HOW DO YOU GET YOURSELF OUT OF THE DEEP, DEEP LIE FILLED HOLE YOU'VE DUG. ADD A VERY MYSTERIOUS COOL CAT, STIRRING UP PLENTY OF TROUBLE ( he is so hilarious, loved him). YOU NOW HAVE A RECIPE FOR A VERY CUTE BOOK. OH! IT DOES GET A LITTLE TEARY NEAR THE END SO KEEP THE TISSUES HANDY. ;D

[Lola Karns · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and love the cover (which suits the story). A few minor points pulled me out of the story world, particularly in the first third, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I love the secret identity trope and Emma Carlyle created a memorable heroine, Dr. Althea Chandler with an intriguing double life.

[Jo Notary]

226pgs, contemporary, After writing a doctoral thesis that exposed fraud in the pop-psychology genre, she has to sacrifice her professional integrity to save her family from financial disaster. She secretly becomes best-selling romance guru. After a failed marriage, he is featured in an article calling him the most eligible bachelor. They get connected and the sparks fly.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those cases in which the blurb hurts more than it helps. I would never have chosen this book based on the blurb (Worn out premise. An animal is presented as a significant character.) This book ended up on my Kindle because it came in a bundle. It actually turned out to be skillfully written and pretty entertaining.

[P.A. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and got as many chuckles as sobs. The ending tied up all the story lines and was satisfying on all counts. A little flawed in places, but entertaining nonetheless.

[Jethad19 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I was very sorry to get to the end of the book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fairly clean, with recipes at the end that I'll never take the time to try.