I read this for a paranormal romance book club challenge, expecting it to actually be about a witch… IT’S NOT! Do NOT read this thinking it’s paranormal romance – it’s just some good ol’ straight up chick-lit/romance. That being said, this was a fantastic (and quick!) read.

Melody and Logan have instant chemistry (or “magic”) as only two unbelievably good-looking people can. Melody’s instant bond with Logan’s motherless son, Shane, is endearing and brings a whole new dimension – not to mention complications – to her relationship with Shane’s hot dad.

The characters are remarkably real (despite the aforementioned unbelievable good looks) and not the flat, 2-dimensional characters that one sees so often in romance novels. I fell in love with Melody for her beauty and her bravery, while loving her all the more for her ditziness, clumsiness, and willingness to give up on herself. Logan’s struggle with his own flaws makes him so much more real and endearing – not to mention giving Melody (and himself) needless trouble. It’s a classic tale of two people in love (or lust), constantly getting in their own way. Well-written, funny and charming, with scenes so hot you can feel the frustration, this is a great book.

I laughed, I cried, I laughed again, I cried some more, and then I laughed and cried at the same time. ( )

While this book didn't have as many paranormal elements as I was expecting, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it! I was drawn into the story from page one, which is always a big selling point for me. I immediately wanted to know the characters better and see what would happen. I was rooting for the couple the entire time, and got frustrated right along with Phyl and Jessie when they kept bungling things up. Adding Shane to the story only made it more endearing to me. I can't wait to read more in this series! ( )

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! What an insipid, inane & idiotic book! I got as far as chapter 9 before I had to stop...but I was gagging well before.

It seems as there is this former "Bad-Boy" executive t.v. producer, Logan, his young son, Shane, and their witchy neighbor, Melody.

Melody uses her "sexiness" to conquer men who stand in the way of what she wants...which is the star position of a t.v. cooking show. Melody can't cook to save her life, her food is inedible, but she seduces Logan & his boss into giving her the job & along the way she seduces the t.v. crew into being her minions as well.

The entire first eight chapters are: Melody wanting something & using her cleavage to get it, Logan getting "excited" & giving in; Melody wanting more & exposing some part of her body and some other male giving in or feeling bad; Melody wanting, crying, & showing herself & the men giving in.

What unmitigated CRAP! Needless to say I sent the sequel back unread.

I am so utterly disappointed because Blair's other series: Vintage Lace Mysteries, isn't like this at all...it actually stands on its story line and interesting plots. ( )

The Kitchen Witch:
The Particulars: The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair, contemporary romance, e-book, Berkley.
The Review:
The Blurb:
When a single-dad TV executive hires Melody Seabright--a flaky rich girl and rumored witch--as his babysitter, she magically lands her own cooking show...and makes sparks fly.
My impressions:
Oh my. I had forgotten how much I loved this book. This is Annette Blair at her best a funny, fast paced Contemporary romance with a touch of paranormal. This book is good, but it isn’t without flaws. The plot isn’t anything new. And normally, I would have felt meh about it. This book is saved by Melody. Melody is what made this book so good. She is a hoot. She is strong enough to know what she want, and go for it. I am more torn about Logan. A part of me felt admiration over the fact that he raises Shane on his own. But some of his other actions annoyed me a lot.
( This is one time I wish that Goodreads offered the opportunity to give half stars)
( )

This and other reviews can be found on Reading Between Classes

Cover Impressions: The cover is really cute. I don't normally shop for romance, but I think this one would stand out from the more common shirtless men and heaving bosoms.

The Gist: Desperate for a babysitter, Single-Dad Logan Kilgarven knocks on the star spangled door of his neighbor, Melody Seabright. Despite his qualms about her witchiness, he introduces her to his son, Shane - who falls in love immediately. When she bewitches her way into a job hosting a cooking show at the station where Logan works, they are thrown into close quarters, constant contact and an undeniable lust.

Review: I don't normally read romance but I sometimes make exceptions for those featuring magical elements. Due to that, I was a little disappointed in The Kitchen Witch. While Melody had some serious sex appeal, there was nothing really witchy about her. Even being set in Salem, there were very few magical elements. Mel did manage to weave a spell around EVERY man she encountered. And I mean Every, Single, One. She and Logan had some serious sex appeal but each convinced themselves that they weren't right for each other in a very been-there, seen-that, predictable sort of way. There were some serious hot and steamy scenes (always interrupted in the typical "let's delay the inevitable" romantic fashion) and when they finally did get down to business it seemed like they would never stop talking! The suspense was killing me!

Despite these issues, I really did enjoy The Kitchen Witch as a quick, fun and fluffy read. Just prior to starting this book (and while reading it) I was having some personal issues with a friend and neighbor. This book was exactly what I needed to get out of my own head and stop obsessing, even if just for a little while. Mel is a fun and quirky character and Shane is one of the cutest kids I have ever read about. At the beginning of the novel, I found myself laughing out loud at Mel's cooking disasters and Shane's hilarious reactions.

The plot did feel a little disjointed. Tiffany, Mel's rival for Logan's affections, was a great villain and I enjoyed reading about her manipulation of both Logan and her father. However, she was not a major player for a large percentage of the novel and the issues that she caused seemed to be solved a little too early on for a real sense of drama. After this point, I was left reading page after page while waiting for Mel and Logan to come to their senses and get out of their own way.

As I said, I don't normally read Romance novels and some of the issues that I had might not bother someone who regularly reads the genre. Overall, The Kitchen Witch was a fun book with quirky characters and a great read for relaxing and forgetting your troubles. ( )