Secret Service Agent Griffin Keller always gets his man. And his woman. In pursuit of an international counterfeiter known only as “The Artist”, Griffin stumbles across paintings stolen from the White House and swapped with forgeries. His only clue to the thief’s identity–a dish towel from the White House kitchen.
White House pastry chef Marin Chevalier desperately needs a date to her cousin’s society wedding. Unfortunately, her busy schedule leaves her little opportunity to meet eligible men. When a sexy Secret Service agent shows up in her kitchen—and just about everywhere else she goes—Marin believes she’s finally met the perfect date. But when a series of frightening accidents and near misses plague her, Marin must rely on Griffin as more than just her “plus-one.”
As dead bodies begin to pile up around Marin, Griffin is convinced she’s the link to The Artist. Too bad the curvy chef has gotten under his skin like no other woman. When the clues finally fall into place and Griffin realizes Marin is not the suspect, but instead the target, he’ll risk everything in his arsenal to keep her safe.
Titles in the Men of the Secret Service series include: Recipe For Disaster –
Title: Recipe For Disaster
Series: Men of the Secret Service #1
Author: Tracy Solheim
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 7, 2018
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
I was easily swept into the world of the Men of the Secret Service. There is definite world building here, but I expect that especially a story that involves suspense, mystery, a touch of politics feeling and, of course, romance. There are many secondary characters along with the main couple and the bad guys in Recipe For Disaster. And I’ll admit that while I understood having them all present and accounted for, it could get a bit overwhelming at times. I’ll be frank and say that I hope when Adam’s and Ben’s stories come around that need for world building will have passed. Although I did give this story a solid 4 stars for writing, plot, character development and believably there were moments that gave me pause. I can’t really call them triggers, yet there are actions that had me putting the book down for a few moments to get my head and heart back in line. I believe it’s a toss up as to how other readers will see those things that gave me pause, so I didn’t allow them to affect my rating… but some things once read cannot leave your mind.
Griffin and Marin are strong characters. Griffin single minded on many fronts, especially in being a non-commitment type of guy who is married to his job. Yet, Marin touches a part of his emotions that he’d thought didn’t even exist. She is a surprise to Griffin on so many levels. Marin is also a strong, determined woman. Yes, there are times in this story that she seems weepy – but consider that she had dead bodies piling up, has never been in this type of dangerous situation before and the man she’s falling for keeps running hot and cold on her… you might get a bit emotional at times, too. I’d call this couple a slow burn for they really did grow throughout their story.
I did enjoy Recipe For Disaster, even with those pauses. I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for the next story in this series. If you enjoy a mystery, a romance and two strong, stubborn people as a couple then you’d have fun with this story. I’d recommend Recipe For Disaster to any Romantic Suspense or Romance with a Mystery readers who like a slowly developing relationship, lots of intriguing secondary characters and learning a bit more about a beautiful city.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Available for the Kindle
