The Deep

Coolest photo I’ve seen in years. My novel, Twin Rapture, that I’m currently editing takes place in San Francisco. The photo shall help inspire me to continue editing today.

Zhang Wenjie's avatarA Certain Slant of Light Photography

What looks like futuristic tunnels rising out from the deep is actually the facade of a skyscraper called One Front Street, located along Market Street in downtown San Francisco. The darkening evening sky and the reflective surface of the building gives it a somewhat ethereal look. As it was a late Friday evening, the area was pretty quiet, so it almost felt as if I had the whole city to myself.

DPP_2911.2

View original post

Abbi Glines – Kiro’s Emily

51-i3QNHLFL._AA160_

This is the 10th Book in the Rosemary Beach Series.

As a fan of the Rosemary Beach Series, I greatly appreciate this gift of a book and addition to the story line.  The author/publisher were generous enough to make it free on Amazon.  It’s a cool novella that is a prequel to the series.  I really like how the author breaks away from standard formula rock star book.  Here, Kiro falls for the innocent girl, Emily.  Unlike most books, Emily doesn’t actually tame Kiro.  He remains true to himself.  He doesn’t limit his foul mouth, doesn’t curb his libido, and doesn’t act any less selfless.  But what makes him incredibly sexy is the way he focuses all his energy on Emily.

See my other post for the Rosemary Beach Series:

Abbi Glines – “You Were Mine”

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Abbi Glines!

Lemon Curd and White Chocolate Cupcake

Lemon curd cupcakes with White Choc Frosting-2

This recipe centers around, both literally and figuratively, a lemon curd filling.  The lemon curd filling was a lucky recipe find.  I was on a hunt for a new angel food cake and I came upon a rolled-up angel food cake with this lemon curd filling.  I tried the recipe and the filling was amazing.  I knew it would also be great inside a cupcake.  The cupcake is topped off with a white chocolate Lindt Truffle cream cheese frosting.  All together, it’s rich and delicious.

I need to find other recipes to use this lemon-curd.  I personally enjoyed eating the filling by the spoonful (it’s gluten free).

Fiction Fan Friday 2/6/2015

Pinterest Book Boyfriend Boards

Great romance authors make the reader fall in love with the characters. The descriptions of their build, the way in which they speak, and their prowess in bed electrify the characters and make them hot and desirable. I love to re-read the best of the best, but sometimes there isn’t enough time. Enjoy these pinterest boards that celebrate some of the most titillating characters and combine both provocative images and amazing quotes.

Remy by Katy Evans

13_pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lilyslibrary/real-mine-remy-by-katie-evans/

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

13_pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/beckybookworm/travis-mad-dog-maddox-3/

Kristen Proby – Come Away With Me

51Qj3Au6ldL._AA160_

This is Book One in the With Me In Seattle Series (Volume 1)

This is a feel-good book.  The frequency of the coupling scenes is inspirational.  Luke’s jealousy and protective nature is hot.  The drama is sufficient to keep the story moving, but does not make it a stressful read.  The ancillary characters, their friends and family, add warmth to the story.

One thing about this book that does stand out for me is the character, Natalie.  I love when she stands up to Luke’s sister (who pretty much doesn’t think that Natalie is good enough to date her brother).

And, Natalie has awesome phrases tattooed on her body in multiple languages:

One Step at a Time (in Italian)

Be happy for this moment.  This moment is your life. (in Sanskrit)

Love deeply (in Greek)

Happiness Is a Journey (in French)

Forgive (in Italian)

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Kristen Proby!

Lorraine Loveit – Getting Tackled

51hhghi-SeL._UY250_

This is the 2nd Book in the Playing the Game series.

Beware! Reader may become as addicted to the series as Susie is addicted to getting busy with Brendon.  Susie cannot stop herself from being with Brendon even if she doesn’t like many aspects of how he treats her.  She admits that she has an

“Unhealthy obsession with him and his body”

How could she give up such a relationship, when he brings her more pleasure than she ever dreamed was possible with a man?

“Being with Brendon it was much more than just sex; it was like being connected with him on a higher level where his true self was revealed.”

Yet still, she wishes that she could change Brendon and make him love her.  Can she accept the good with the bad?  Does the sex override her other concerns?  I don’t know the answer to that question, but the bedroom scenes are scorching hot!  The book leaves you craving to know how it will all work out for Susie and Brendon.

See my other posts about the Playing the Game Series:

Lorraine Loveit – Full Time

Lorraine Loveit – Bounce Down

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Lorraine Loveit!

Lamington Cakes

Lamington Cakes

In honor of the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, I decided to bake a traditional Australian dessert.  This is a layered sponge cake with jelly in between the layers.  The miniature cake is covered in a thin chocolate coating and coconut.  My kids will enjoy these while watching their favorite tennis players crush the ball on the court.  Maybe one day we’ll actually get to go to Australia and watch the event live.

Cheers to Baking and Tennis!

Blue Ashcroft – Deeper

517MWqSszHL._AA160_

There are all different reasons for choosing the books we read.  Usually I choose books based on recommendations or reviews that I read.  This time, I chose the book because I thought the author had a cool name.  I have a “thing” about names.  I always find them to be an important element to a character.  I personally spend a huge amount of time when considering names for my characters.  I love that Blue Ashcroft chose unique names in this book and explained the motivation of the characters’ parents.

Rain – “My parents are from Texas.  My mom says I was as welcome as summer rain.”

Knight – “[My mom] was really into romance novels.  She says I saved her life when I was born.  She calls me her knight.”

It is a sweet, relatively innocent, romance involving characters that both have a traumatic past.  The ending left me feeling satisfied and optimistic.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Blue Ashcroft!

Lorraine Loveit – Full Time

511kwF4+A9L._UY250_

I usually thank authors at the end of my post, but I’m switching it up this time.  Thank you to Lorraine Loveit, because unlike most other authors, she did a fantastic job of recapping the previous books in the series without over doing it.  It was a great beginning.

In Full Time, Susie is in a precarious but enviable position.  I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a problem – having two dominant males vying for her.  If I can see beyond my own personal jealousy of her fictional character, I feel her angst and struggle.  I found myself reverting back and forth between Team Brendon to Team Jason.  I love the struggle that Susie has between understanding what’s in her head and in her heart.  It’s not always clear, even to oneself, how one feels towards a person.  This dilemma makes the book really interesting.  In addition, Susie is relatively new to having a BDSM relationship and is still trying to understand her own personal limits and what it all means.  The books is filled with eye-opening and jaw-dropping steamy scenes that will not disappoint.

Included was a bonus chapter from the next in the series: “Time On” – OMG I can’t wait to read it.  This is one of those series that gets better and better after each book.

See my other post about Playing the Game Series:

Lorraine Loveit – Bounce Down

“Bounce Down” (1st in the series)  is Free on Amazon – MUST READ

Check out my new Lorraine Loveit Board on Pinterest

13_pinterest LizEllynAuthor 

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Lorraine Loveit!

Frozen Chocolate Pastry Cream Sandwiches

Screen Shot 2015-01-26 at 6.50.57 AM

Sometimes great concoctions come from extra ingredients.  I was making Napoleons for New Year’s Eve and had some extra filling.  I piped it onto a graham cracker and stuck it in the freezer.  New Year’s Day – best frozen dessert sandwich ever!  The graham cracker was soft and the rich chocolate filling was decadent.  It was like an ice cream sandwich with the most premium ice cream.  It was so good that it was requested as a birthday dessert in lieu of a birthday cake.

Napoleons may be a French pastry that have an origin in Italy, but this frozen dessert is all American.