Sloane Russo has had quite a bit of success with her romance novels set in Europe, but she's decided that her next book would be about small town love. When Sloane meets her editor, she's told that they want her to continue with her international romances, and that her readers would like Greece to be the next featured country. There's one little problem: Sloane does not have enough money to travel to Greece, and she needs to be in the country to be inspired.

Sloane's best friend Carly is a chef in La Dolce Vita restaurant. Gavin Carmichael -- La Dolce Vita's manager -- notices the lovely woman with his chef. He comes over to talk to them, and confesses he will need a babysitter for his 13 year-old sister Bree; their regular one will be unavailable for a while. Upon hearing of her financial woes, Gavin asks Sloane if she'd like to tutor his sister, as she's a writer. Sloane doesn't do children; she has no experience with them, but she is so strapped for cash that she agrees.

Gavin has been Bree's legal guardian since their mother died in the past year, and the girl is taking it very badly. Sloane has her work cut out for her with the teenager, and still hasn't gotten over her writer's block. Sloane and Gavin realise they've been attracted to each other from the onset, even though they try to resist, and they soon discover that they have much more in common than they ever thought.

STIRRING UP TROUBLE is a simple story, about well- meaning, honest people. They're good-looking, but not perfect; no earth-shattering events take place, no dreadful misunderstandings occur and no bad guys hurt anyone. And it's precisely because of all those things that I found it so enjoyable.

STIRRING UP TROUBLE is a simple story, about well- meaning, honest people. They're good-looking, but not perfect; no earth-shattering events take place, no dreadful misunderstandings occur and no bad guys hurt anyone. And it's precisely because of all those things that I found it so enjoyable. STIRRING UP TROUBLE is a fine example how an exceptionally gifted author can weave a wonderful story out of simple things. Ms. Kincaid writes simply yet beautifully; the dialogues are especially brilliant: Bree expresses herself like a teenager without ever sounding clichéd, Sloane's repartees are witty, and the characters remain true to themselves throughout. I loved the little touches about wines and the writing process.

Sloane is a great character: she's spunky, no-nonsense; she tells it like it is; it is so refreshing to see a heroine like her. STIRRING UP TROUBLE is a pleasant, cozy novel, and I mean this in the best way possible. I highly recommend it, especially if you're trying to get away from angst, rage, and revengeful exes. A lovely read indeed!

Book Summary

Sloane Russo's turned a decade of crazy jobs and whimsical travel into a career writing steamy novels set in exotic places. Trouble is, Sloane's flat broke now--and she can't channel sun-drenched beaches in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The only fast cash in town comes with some seriously distracting temptation: Gavin Carmichael, hot, handsome and oh-so-hard-headed.

Gavin isn't the impulsive Don Juan of Sloane's novels. He's raising his thirteen-year-old half-sister, and he's pretty sure he's supposed to act like he's never heard of fun. Sloane is way too sexy and irresponsible to be his idea of a good tutor for Bree, but the unpredictable anti-nanny may be irresistible as well. . .

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