Author: lizellyn

Rebecca Moon – Stripped Bare

lizellyn Books

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I truly enjoyed this story.  It’s got all the makings of a good romance: passion, angst, disappointment, and reconciliation.  And, it has a lovable rescue dog.  Both Damien and Sally are both affected by their past relationships.  Sally suffers from emotional scaring while Damien’s complications are more of an encumbrance.  In either case, both of their pasts have an effect on their present relationships.  As a result, poor assumptions are made and feelings are hurt.  The key to making a relationship work is being able to admit that one is wrong.  Sometimes, one has to work at making amends.  If done well, most things can be forgiven.  On the other hand, a sexy dress with a slit up the thigh can drive a man to do something crazy – sometimes good or sometimes bad.

My absolute favorite line:

“You know she’s ‘the one’ when even your mother’s cooking doesn’t cut it.”

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Christina Lauren – Beautiful Beloved (Beautiful Bastard #3.6)

lizellyn Books ,

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GREAT READ!  I laughed out loud and had to fan myself during the steamy scenes.  Max and Sara have had a baby and are trying to find regain the passion of their sex life that they shared before becoming parents.  The authors nailed a lot of the emotions that new parents experience, but made it into a hot and fun story.  Sara accidentally sends a pic of Max going down on her to Max’s friend that was watching the baby.  Will replies to the pic, “Okay . . . that was unexpected but message received.  Take your time.  We’ll figure out the milk thing.”  The tenderness in the story rounds out the book.  The openness between Max and Sara is inspiring and lovely to read.  It was beautifully sincere when Max admits to his feelings about how much he loves the changes to Sara’s post-pregnancy body.

The authors of this book are fantastic.  There are so many quotable lines.  Here are a few to enjoy:

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See Related Posts:

Christina Lauren – Beautiful Secret (Beautiful Bastard #4)

Christina Lauren – “Dirty Rowdy Thing”

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Snickers Cupcakes

lizellyn Sweets ,

Snickers Cupcakes

 

Chocolate, caramel, nugget, and peanuts – oh how this combination satisfies!  Just like the Snickers’ commercials suggest, the Snickers make these a satisfying cupcake.

It’s a chocolate cupcake with a surprise Snickers bite inside.  It has a caramel frosting and is topped with more Snickers pieces and a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips.

Most importantly, make sure you buy enough Snickers bites for inside the cupcakes and to cut into pieces to lay on top.  Also, buy some extra, because it’s nearly impossible not to snack on some while making and baking these cupcakes.

Directions:

Chocolate Cupcake:

Any favorite Devils Food recipe will do (even a box cake mix).  After placing paper in muffin tins, fill the muffin cups with about 1 tablespoon of batter – enough to cover the bottom of the muffin paper.  Next, place a Snickers Bite on top of the batter in such a way that the candy is centered and is perfectly parallel to the bottom of the muffin tin.  Place another heaping tablespoon of batter on top of the candy.  Smooth out the batter on top of the candy.  The entire muffin cup, candy included, should be filled about to 2/3 to 3/4.  You probably with be able to make a few more cupcakes than you normally do with the same mix.  Reduce your baking time by 5 minutes and carefully watch.  A cupcake is done when you touch the top and the cupcake springs bake a little.

Caramel Frosting  (no need to double frosting recipe – I always plan for lots)

2 sticks butter

1/2 cup caramel sauce

1/2 tsp salt

4 cups powdered sugar

Beat butter, caramel sauce, and salt until smooth.  Add the powdered sugar slowly and beat until a fluffy frosting forms.  Pipe immediately.

HAPPY BAKING!

 

C.D. Taylor – Left to Chance (#2 The Chances Are Series)

lizellyn Books ,

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This story begins with some fabulously colorful writing that sucks in the reader.  After ten shots of tequila, Eliza ends up very drunk and marries her nemesis, Gabe.  A mistake in getting married isn’t new to romance books, but it is the back story on each of these characters where C.D. Taylor excels in her writing.  The plot is full of unexpectedly fresh twists.  I don’t want to spoil the story so I won’t give away any details.  In the end, I can honestly say that I had to stay up way past my bedtime because there was no way I could fall asleep without finishing the story.

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Jaci Burton – All Wound Up

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If you haven’t been reading the Play by Play Series by Jaci Burton – YOU NEED TO START NOW!

In All Wound Up, Tucker and Aubry’s busy work schedules don’t provide them with the opportunity to spend a lot of time together but they certainty make it quality time – hot and intense.  The clothes shedding scenes were filled with heart pounding sexual tension and release.  The heat on the pages made me need a shower after a few of the chapters.

While Tucker and Aubry come from two different types of families, their determination to forge their own paths in their careers makes them a believable couple.  Tucker chooses to become a baseball player in a family of football stars; and Aubrey chooses to follow her pursuit of science academics to become a doctor in a family of business minded parents.

I love the simplicity of Aubry’s physical attraction to Tucker.  She finds him gorgeous in jeans and a button down shirt.  Well, his cut abs and amazing stamina are a bonus.

Tucker’s attraction for Aubry is charming.  While he can compliment her ass and make her feel attractive, he also has a true respect for her quick witted intellect that can get him out of bind when the wrong words slip from his mouth.

One of my favorite lines:

Tucker says to Aubry, “I’m okay with being your dirty little secret, Aubry.”  Then he adds, “For now,” just before kissing her.

I usually don’t have a preference for reading books on an e-reader or an actual book.  For me, there’s an equal balance of pros and cons.  However, I think this series is my one exception.  With a covers like these, it’s nice to be able to check out the cover every time I’m forced to put down the book (and focus on real life).  I conducted a poll in February 2015 to vote on people’s most favorite Jaci Burton cover.  Quarterback Draw won.

See all the results at:

Results of Favorite Jaci Burton Play by Play Cover

Check out all the drool-worthy covers at my original poll post:

Which is your favorite Jaci Burton Play by Play Cover?

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Happy National Smores Day

lizellyn Sweets

Smores Cups

Here’s a small bite size alternative to traditional smores.  It has a graham cracker based crust.  I used dark chocolate instead of standard milk chocolate, which was less sweet and a nice compliment to the marshmallows.  Of course, it’s topped with a toasted marshmallow.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

8 honey graham cracker sheets

6 Tbls of melted butter

1/4 cup of powered sugar

12 Hershey’s dark chocolate miniatures, broken in half

12 large marshmallows, torn in half

Directions:

Preheat one oven to bake at 350 and set another oven to broil

Spray 2 12-cup mini muffin tins with cooking spray

In a food processor, chop the graham crackers sheets until all is finely chopped.  Add the melted butter and powdered sugar to the graham crackers and mix well.

Evenly separate the graham cracker mixture into the 24 cups.  Press the mixture firmly onto the bottom and sides.  Bake for 4 minutes in the oven set at 350.

Remove from oven.  Place one piece of the halved chocolate miniature in each cup.  Top with a torn marshmallow, smooth side up.

Place in broil for about 1 minute.  WATCH CLOSELY!  Remove when marshmallow is lightly browned.

Allow to cool a bit before indulging.

HAPPY BAKING!

Oreo Cupcakes

lizellyn Sweets ,

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While I’m not a huge fan of store-bought cookies, I can’t argue with the fact that Oreos are hugely popular.  More importantly, Oreos can be used to create other fantastic desserts.

These chocolate cupcakes have an Oreo stashed inside.  The last time I baked a cupcake with an Oreo inside, I used yellow cupcake batter.  it’s a bit more difficult to see the cookie when you bite or cut into these chocolate cupcakes.  However, if you’re a chocolate lover, does that really matter?  These cupcakes are best to be eaten one day after baking because the Oreo inside becomes very soft.  The buttercream on top is loaded with finely chopped Oreo cookies (not just the cookie part, but the delicious cream filling as well).  By including the cream filling, the frosting tastes even more decadent.  Finally, I couldn’t resist garnishing the cupcake with one half of an Oreo.

Directions:

Chocolate Cupcake:

Any favorite Devils Food recipe will do (even a box cake mix).  After placing paper in muffin tins, fill the muffin cups with about 1 tablespoon of batter – enough to cover the bottom of the muffin paper.  Next, place a full Oreo on top of the batter in such a way that the cookie is centered and is perfectly parallel to the bottom of the muffin tin.  Place another heaping tablespoon of batter on top of the cookie.  Smooth out the batter on top of the cookie.  The entire muffin cup, cookie included, should be filled about to 2/3 to 3/4.  You probably with be able to make a few more cupcakes than you normally do with the same mix.  Reduce your baking time by 5 minutes and carefully watch.  A cupcake is done when you touch the top and the cupcake springs bake a little.

Oreo Buttercream Frosting:

I started with a basic Wilton vanilla cupcake recipe (1/2 c butter, 1/2 shortening, 1 tsp vanilla, 4 c powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of milk – I used more than the recommended amount because of adding the Oreos).  Cream butter and shortening; add vanilla, slowly add powdered sugar while alternating with milk; beat until fluffy.  Crush 12 Oreos in a food processor until there are no chunks (any chunks will block your piping tips and become a headache later).  Mix the chopped cookies with your frosting.  Pipe the cupcakes.  The more frosting the better.

See Related Posts:

Oreo in a Cupcake

oreo cupcake

Slutty Brownies, for a Chocolate Whore

Slutty Brownies

HAPPY BAKING!

Aubrey Bondurant – Tell Me Something

lizellyn Books

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This book breaks away from the cliche of secretary sleeping with the millionaire boss.  The female assistant is both likable and respectable; and the male boss doesn’t abuse his position of power and has enough insecurities to make him more real.

Haylee is an intelligent woman, graduating from Stanford with a 4.0 gpa and earning a 172 on her LSAT.  She uses her knowledge of Spanish, Manderine, and Cantonese to assist her boss.  Despite her 130lb size 6 body, she ends up with a few modeling opportunities, which is where she meets Josh.  She isn’t a wallflower.  She makes the first move and refuses to sit by and be pathetic when Josh insists on attending public events with other women.  Most importantly, she isn’t afraid to call Josh out when he behaves like a jackass.

The fact that Josh’s ex-wife cheated on him makes him a bit insecure and prevents him from not freely willing to open up to Haylee.  Not withstanding, he can be genuinely caring and considerate.  And let’s not forget, he’s generous and exceptional in the bedroom.

The intimacy and respect between Josh and Haylee feels authentic.  Josh says, “Sometimes I think you hold me in higher regard than I probably deserve.” Haylee responds, “Sometimes we all need someone who does.”

The heat between the two of them is palpable despite the two of them trying to keep their relationship a secret.  They can’t hide the way they feel from each other in front of their friends.  I love how Josh’s best friend and brother behave in order to push Josh to reveal his true feelings for Haylee.

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Ana Mederios – The Raven Room

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This book is intensely sexual and substantially intriguing.  There’s no denying that the book is delightfully erotic, but the fact that it engages the reader on an intellectual level as well makes it truly special.  I couldn’t stop thinking about the book after I finished it.

Julian is a character with a lot of layers and the authors peels them away in such a manner that it makes it very difficult to put the book down.  Julian is a child psychologist and his insight into sex from such a background is enlightening.

“If I showed you a video of a lion and a lioness mating, the chances of you getting wet are much higher than me getting a hard on.   Alas, one the many beautiful things about female sexuality.  I’m deeply envious.”

“You’re the one changing your own existence, Meredith.  I’m just the man who’ll make sure you get home safely.”

“We all fuck people for the strangest reason.  At least you’re aware of yours.”

Meredith starts out as the perfect lover – fun, passionate, and carefree.  Contrary to her selfish nature, later she proves to also be caring  and considerate without jealousy.  She’s also equally as perceptive as Julian.

“You’re ashamed of who you are.  The day you embrace yourself, you’ll be strong.  Until then you’re weak.”

The other characters lead to the mystery involved in the story.  I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series to see how it continues to play out.

As an added bonus, the story takes place in Chicago.  The author included a few notable landmarks but more importantly captured the essence of a Chicago winter.

This book will be published on November 3, 2015.

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Tara Sue Me – The Collar (The Submissive #5)

lizellyn Books , ,

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This story focuses on Dena and Jeff and is told in both the present and past.  In the present, it is clear that the two love each other very much, but they have been avoiding each other for years.

Dena is fantastic, she’s an attorney and is dynamically in control in a courtroom.  She has the strength and earnest to be a Domme, but knows herself well enough to understand and appreciate her need to be a submissive.  For once, it is the female submissive that is the wealthy one in the relationship.  Jeff was her Master in the past.  Dominance doesn’t mean without weakness.  Rather than claim the woman he is love with, Jeff sets off on a course to run away.

There’s a perfect amount of mystery and suspense.  It is just enough to give the characters a reason to exist in each others’ lives but doesn’t distract from the true romance of the novel.

See Related Post:

Tara Sue Me – Enticement (The Submissive Series #4)

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