"Seasoned Hearts" presents an intimate prequel that reveals the passionate romance behind the most unexpected engagement in the Miklos Crime Family series.

Dr. Sanaa Kimani never imagined she'd open her door to find Charleston's most feared patriarch on her doorstep. But when Márkus Miklos arrives seeking cooking lessons—an excuse so flimsy it would be comical if his intense gaze didn't suggest an entirely different hunger—she finds herself drawn into a world where danger and desire dance hand in hand.

At sixty, Márkus has spent decades building an empire from necessity and maintaining control through steel-willed determination. Yet one night spent sharing spices and secrets with the remarkable Dr. Kimani threatens to undo every wall he's built. As cultural exchange becomes passionate encounters and cooking lessons evolve into something far more intimate, both discover that second chances come when least expected.

When medical board politics threaten Sanaa's reputation, Márkus must decide: maintain the distance his position requires, or step into the light as the partner this extraordinary woman deserves. Set against the backdrop of Charleston's historic charm and the heat of Sanaa's kitchen, their connection deepens with every shared meal and stolen moment.

But as love blooms late and burns bright, family dynamics demand they choose: embrace this unexpected passion despite the age difference and cultural challenges, or surrender to the safety of solitude that has defined them both.

Perfect for readers who love:

• Mature romance with sophisticated characters
• Cultural fusion and multicultural families
• Protective older heroes with hidden hearts
• Independent women who challenge expectations
• Cooking and culinary metaphors for love
• Found family themes
• Hungarian and Kenyan cultural elements

Content Warning: Contains steamy encounters between consenting adults, age-gap romance (5 years), and enough food metaphors to make you hungry for both love and fusion cuisine.

Available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited formats.