I just finished this fun little cozy filled with sugary pastries, adorable animals, witchcraft and murder. Pretty much all of my most favorite things wrapped up in a pink paperback. On top of all of that, the author included two swoon-worthy love interests: a sweet and protective fireman, and a potentially dangerous investigative journalist. Though the journalist is super sexy with his ponytail and mischievous grin, I’m rooting for the gentlemanly boy-next-door. Bad boys are fun, but the good guys will always be there to hold your hair after throwing back one too many at an obligatory holiday party.  Trust me, I speak from experience!

Without further ado, I bring you Declan McCarthy from Brownies and Broomsticks. With his dimples and sparkling blue eyes, I kept picturing young Dean Cain (circa Lois & Clark) as the charmingly sweet Declan.

Description: Smoking-hot fireman with big biceps, dimples and curly dark hair.

Here’s some scintillating snippets to send your heart all aflutter:

Dark curls cut short enough to adhere to the fire service regulations softened the edges of his broad, chiseled face. For a brief moment, his blue eyes cut my way and I was startled by how bright they were. The realization that I had never seen him outside my bakery slid into my consciousness as his lips turned up an infinitesimal amount. And darn if that didn’t show off the dimple in his cheek.

“Declan McCarthy, displaced Irishman, at your service, lassie.”

He stroked my cheek with his thumb. Before I knew it, his lips were on mine. His kiss was quick, casual and undemanding. Warm and comforting. Nice. My body pressed against him for a moment before I gathered my wits and stepped back.  

This is a fun little meme created by Missie over at the Unread Reader. Hop on over to her blog to see what it’s all about.