Manhattan, New York and Lakeside, New Jersey – Present Day

Tommy Stiles has been married several times and has had numerous affairs in his illustrious career as a rock star. He has remained friends with all of his ex-wives and former girlfriends. His lawyer, Finn Rafferty, is checking out all the claims of paternity and so far has found eight of his progeny, with a possible ninth. Is Haley Goldstein his first child after a short weekend affair with an older woman?

Haley is divorced and owns a bakery in Lakeside, New Jersey. Her daughter, Lizzie, is an honor roll student in high school and a financial wizard. Haley’s ex-husband is bad news, and Haley tries to protect her daughter from his manipulations. A world renowned scientist, Haley’s mother, Jane, is on her way home from her lecture tour to stay with them, bringing her fiancé with her. She is ill and knows it is long past time to reveal to Haley the secrets she has kept. Haley enjoys baking cakes and cookies, not realizing that her life is headed for a big change. Finn and one of Tommy’s band members, Anton, enter the bakery and order cakes for two hundred people in the shape of drums for Tommy’s party. Haley is astounded to do work for a super star, and thinks there must be a catch to the proposal. At this point, Finn doesn’t really know if Haley is Tommy’s daughter, but one look at Lizzie and he knows for sure.

Some funny dialogue and an interesting premise make JUST DESSERTS a fun read. Tommy is a nice guy, an aging rock star who wants a close relationship with all of his children. Tommy’s lawyer, Finn, enjoys working for him, and considers him a good friend. Jane told Haley that her father was an anonymous sperm donor, so what will her reaction be when she is faced with her real father...a famous millionaire rock star? It is obvious that Haley and Finn really like each other. The attraction is strong, but even more, their conversations and sense of humor mesh so that readers will thoroughly enjoy the repartee between them. Fourteen year old Lizzie is a genius, a nice young girl who has a close relationship with her mother and loves her good-for-nothing father. All of the characters are likeable.

Romance is in the air with several characters finding their life partners. Good pacing and dialogue make this warm-hearted story one that readers are sure to relish. The romances have both serious and funny elements. If you like light-hearted, feel good, romantic tales, you are sure to enjoy reading JUST DESSERTS.

Marilyn Heyman