No Whisk, No Reward, an all new romantic comedy with twists and turns from Ellie Kay, is available now!
How do you know if a risk is worth taking? If you knew, there wouldn’t be any risk.
Following a disastrous appearance on a televised baking show, Sophie Copeland is certain things can’t get any worse. Several calamities later, Sophie finds herself in Green Valley, Tennessee with no plan, no place to stay, and no prospects. But at least she has a temporary seasonal arrangement with the famed Donner Bakery. And that's something, right?
It's not permanent, and it's not a home, but it's still something.
Enter Joel Barnes, a Green Valley mystery, wrapped in rumors, and a whispered connection to the local notorious biker gang. Joel’s got a name for being bad news, but he also has an apartment for rent.
Intrigued by the dichotomy of Joel’s reputation and sexy southern pull, Sophie can’t help but be tempted, even though she knows—given her (bad) luck—she should stay far, far away. . .
Yet as everyone knows, without risk, there’s no reward.
'No Whisk, No Reward' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#3 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
My Review
I can’t
say enough about this entire series. The Donner Bakery set is probably my
favorite of the new SmartyPants releases in the Green Valley/Penny Reid universe.
This one
centers around Sophie, who is a fantastic pastry chef, but is heading
cross-country to move with her friend after a disastrous appearance on a
reality TV show. While traveling, she ends up in Green Valley with a busted
car, and no way to fund the repairs. She takes a temporary job at the Donner
Bakery to raise some cash for her car repairs, and ends up living across the
hall from Joel. He’s a bit of a mystery at first, and you discover his
connection to the Iron Wraiths, the Winston Brother’s garage, and why the
community has such a strong aversion to all things Joel and how his family
legacy and the Winston’s have framed his current situation.
Of all
characters, I’m really glad that Joel found his HEA. He was initially
closed-off, and while with reason, much of his persona was misunderstood, and
his circumstances not of his own making. He and Sophie were wonderful together,
and while some of his statements were heartbreaking, as a reader I was
completely invested in him. Sophie was fun as well, but Joel really made this
story for me.
I’m even
more impressed after learning that this was Ellie Kay’s debut novel! I’m excited
to see what she writes next.
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Excerpt
That’s when I saw Joel sitting alone in a
booth by a large window, eating a sandwich, and reading a newspaper.
Oh. Hello, conflicted feelings. You’re looking extra
conflicting today. Did you do something with your hair?
His gorgeous brown hair was a mess and
the sleeves of his gray shirt were pushed up revealing his forearms which
looked even thicker than I remembered them being, as he worked to fold the
gigantic pages of the newspaper into neat manageable folds.
This man was seriously
hotter than a melting ice-cream analogy.
And also, possibly involved with a crime organization! I reminded myself as I continued to stand
uselessly trying to find somewhere to sit.
I tried not to stare, but it was
impossible not to smile at the indelicate way he shoved the corner of his
sandwich into his mouth and then proceeded to chew as though it might try to
escape.
He picked up his coffee and was mid-sip
when his eyes rose up from the rim of his cup and saw me standing by the entrance
staring at him.
Busted.
“Take a seat wherever you can find one,
hon, I’ll be along shortly to take your order,” a lady with a nameplate that
read Janice, instructed me as she
hurried by with a tray of coffee and doughnuts.
I looked back over at Joel who was
watching me and gestured to the empty seat across from his.
My mind immediately went to Joy and
Tempest’s reaction when they found out he was my landlord, but I quickly
reminded myself that he’d done nothing to warrant any rudeness on my part.
Despite their apprehension, I figured
this was a good opportunity to try and get more insight into whether I thought
their response carried any weight.
Plus, I really needed coffee.
I made my way over, feeling his eyes on
me as I crisscrossed around tables while trying to be ever vigilant of any
sudden movements from other patrons.
My good sense will not be thwarted by your blue-green eyes
and frowny brows, you magnificent biker beast.
“Good afternoon,” he greeted in a smooth
as hot honey drawl. I was glad that I was already halfway into the seat because
I felt my knees completely give out.
Traitor knees.
My armor of detachedness was not as hefty
as I’d hoped.
“Taking a break from work?” I inquired,
proud of my cool, even tone.
“Yep, just grabbing something to eat.
You?”
“I’m done for today,” I replied reaching
for a menu and unfolding it as though it were just as informative as his
newspaper.
“Nice. Got any plans?”
“Not really, I was going to check out the
bookstore downstairs, but that’s about—”
I was interrupted by the feeling of
fingers gently stroking my cheek and looked up to find him reaching across the
table, his eyes focused on a spot as he gently swiped at something on my face.
“Sorry, you got flour or something on
your cheek it was driving me crazy,” he said before pulling away and leaning
back coolly against his seat.
I’m gonna get thwarted, aren’t I?
About Ellie Kay
Ellie Kay is an Australian born living in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada who honed her creative writing skills in the colorful, and imaginative world of Corporate Insurance.
Socially awkward, she loves to respond to theatre ticket vendors who say, “enjoy the movie” with, “Thanks, you too,”, but she also likes to cook, travel and spend time with her partner and cat Taako.
Ellie is on a mission to help change the stigma surrounding the Romance genre and hopes to see a day when they are no longer considered “guilty pleasures,” but rather, just a pleasure.
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