Title: The Secret Ingredient
Author: Misty Evans
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary Romance
Series: Culinary Romantic Mystery
Publisher: Self Published
Source: Bought
A culinary romantic mystery.Celebrity chef Katelyn Karr returns to her hometown of Secret, Montana in order to stop an investigative reporter from revealing the truth about her alcoholic father, dead mother and the reason she was run out of town by the socialite Juno family when she was only seventeen. During a live cooking show at the Juno ranch, her father dies in front of millions of viewers, and suspicion falls on the celebrity diva when his autopsy reveals he was poisoned. Nick Juno, the boy Kate left behind, who is now mayor, is the only person who can prove her innocence. Did Kate kill her father on national TV? Nick must untangle the lies and past secrets to figure out if Kate has been framed or slipped her father a secret ingredient that finally put an end to their family dispute. (goodreads)
When I heard that Misty Evans, author of the Witches Anonymous series that I adore, had a new contemporary romance/mystery out I had knew I had to give it a try even though mysteries and contemporary romance aren't really two of my favorite genres. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this novella. The first half of the book was all about the romance of Kate and Nick and about Kate trying to make amends with him and the people she left behind all those years ago. The second half of the book was about the mystery. Who could have killed Kate's father? When she is named as a suspect, the press descends on Secret and cause havoc everywhere
It turns out that Kate's father had a lot of enemies. However, Kate has bigger problems of her own-Nicks mother. who just happens to really, really dislike her and goes out of her way to make her relationship with Nick as unbearable as she can. Evil mothers aside, Nick and Kate discover that they really do have feelings for them and work hard to make everything work out. However, it's hard to do as they work to clear Kate's name of murder. It doesn't help that Kate's ex Hollywood boyfriend and Nicks ex wife try their best to worm their way back into their lives.
The secondary cast of characters just as great as Kate and Nick are. There is Bling, Secret's sheriff Gabby Kate's assistant, Nicks son, who is just a cutie pie, and Nicks mother who is just fun not to like. This was a fast read-I read it one afternoon, and I hope that there are more culinary mysteries to come. Oh, I almost forgot-there are recipes at the end of the book from the foods that Kate mentions on her show that I can't wait to ruin trying to bake them. :)
Curran Crush Meter: Medium
Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Medium
Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: Medium
Finn Sidekick Meter: Medium
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium
