Review: The Ingredients of Bliss

The Ingredients of Bliss by Lisabet Sarai

My rating: 3 of 5 stars





When loooking for smoking hawt erotica, Ms. Sarai is a sure bet. In THE INGREDIENTS OF BLISS, TV guest chef Mei Lee Wong aka Emily is a chef battling a snobby French chef, Etienne Duvalier, on the air. Off air, Etienne is sexually submitting to Emily. For those who may be lost and feel several events in the story are missing, first read Her Secret Ingredient. This short book details how Harry and Emily fall into an erotic power exchange. It also shows how Etienne changes from arrogant domineering asshat to deferential submissive.

In this full length novel, Emily, Harry and Etienne's association evolve into a lusty ménage. Harry and Etienne have no difficulties with this new relationship status. Emily, on the other hand, is rather uneasy. She debates if she can keep it all professional when both lovers are also co-workers. She wonders if she can keep two men at the same time without it being too complicated. As they explore their kinky side together, an opportunity of a lifetime arises. The three are off to Paris to film several cooking shows in Etienne's hometown. This is where the story becomes wild and not in an erotic manner.

Etienne and Harry are kidnapped almost at the start of the filming after their arrival in Paris. It's a case of mistaken identity with only Emily working the leads to find them. This is where a reader must suspend their disbelief. This story is a wild ride and a story made for USA cable station. It's outrageous at times due to Emily's secret background. Her Chinese heritage is what makes her the ideal person to negotiate with the kidnappers, find the person who the kidnappers really want and save her two lovers.

For those who like the reboot of Nikita, aired on The CW, this story is for you. Actress Maggie Q is a shoo-in for Emily. Emily becomes a mata hari when she seduces the man the kidnappers want. With a few tricks, she's able to create an unlikely band of allies to rescue Etienne and Harry. The adventure is a bit tongue-in-cheek mockery of America's love of spy movies. The action, fighting, Mission Impossible devices and rich men flaunting their wealth is all good fun.

Ms. Sarai weaves a tale of intrigue, drug and sex. What more can a romantic suspense junkie want? How about kinky threesomes with a submissive male, a switch female and a dominant male? The sex in here is just the right amount. Ms. Sarai kicks up the trio's heat with some kinky spice. While the plot devices feel a bit contrived, the sex scenes do not. The sex scenes are smexy segues from one scene to the next.

This cooking-themed romance is more than just an erotic tale. This is recommended for romantic suspense readers who enjoy a woman being underestimated and winning in the end.



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