Author: lizellyn

John A. Heldt – The Mine

lizellyn Books

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This is a time traveler romance story that takes the reader back to spring 1941 in Portland, Oreagon.

The setting was wonderfully described.  I felt like I was back in time with the characters.  The attitudes and concerns painted a graphic picture in my head of the people during the 40’s.  Even more so, the historical, sports, and technological references were fantastic.

A little lost and weary, Joel Smith helps a man in need, which starts the beginning of an amazing friendship and leads him to find the love of his life.

The romance in this book is remarkably passionate, despite the fact that it isn’t sexualized like contemporary romance books.  There is something very real about a relationship where any feelings of lust are expected to go unrequited.  The tension between Grace and Joel is extraordinary and I enjoyed how the views of the side characters impacted the relationship.  Both Grace and Joel struggle with accepting and how to address their relationship.

The Mine

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Sophie Quinn – Mr. Prime Minister

lizellyn Books ,

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This was an absolutely refreshing twist on a story where a wealthy, powerful man falls for a plain simple woman.  If you are tired of those types of stories, you should consider reading this book.  The story line in this book is truly fabulous!

The dialogue in the book is great, too.  Each character has a unique voice and personality.  The supporting cast adds a lot of humor and sincerity to the book.  Perhaps, it is just because I’m an American, but I love reading the English jargon.

The book captures the essence of romance:

“You should pick someone not pretty, not funny, not rich or talented, not someone who loves you when you’re successful and beautiful, funny and upbeat.  You should pick someone that respects you now, at your worst, at your lowest, because if he does, then you know you’ll have a partner for life, no matter what happens.”

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MJ Fields and Chelsea Camaron – Jagger

lizellyn Books ,

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Just like a boxer needs to stay on their toes during fight, this book keeps the reader on his/her toes.  I like all the twists to the story.  This is one of those books that gets better page by page.  One of the best Epilogues that I have read.

The theme that you need to focus on the good things in life resonates throughout the book.  It’s presented in meaningful and very alluring ways.  It never comes across as an annoying cliche, where the author seems to be preaching to the readers.

The main characters are compelling and well suited for one another.  They both come from abusive pasts, but neither wants to be defined by their history, but rather their triumph in spite of it.

Jagger makes for a a great bad-boy romantic hero.  He is hot but flawed.  He is a champion in the underground fighting arena, but there is a darkness in his need to fight.  On the other hand, he is fully committed to fostering a relationship with Tatiana and has a plan in place to ensure her happiness.  At the forefront he wants to comfort her in her time of need and protect her from further abuse.  Not until then, does he intend to claim her.

Jagger

Despite being abused by her father, Tatiana isn’t just a damsel in distress.  She is intelligent, resilient, and strong.  She is also able to stand up to Jagger when necessary.

My favorite scene (not going to give away too much) was absolutely hysterically funny.  You would expect that the scene would be sappy and romantic.  Instead, it was like sitting through a roast for the characters where you can feel the surrounding characters’ love and respect.

Just as Tatiana fell in love with the Caldwell family, so did I.  While this is a stand alone book, I think I would have preferred to have read this series from the beginning.

Jagger: A Caldwell Brothers Novel 

Available for Pre-Order, Release on April 12, 2016

http://www.amazon.com/Jagger-Caldwell-Brothers-Chelsea-Camaron-ebook/dp/B012KJXGYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457536388&sr=8-1&keywords=Jagger

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What’s your opinion: Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies or Cookie Dough? (gluten free recipe included)

lizellyn Sweets ,

cookie dough cookie dough

OR

warm cookies warm cookies

VOTE HERE… 

This debate in my house started on my birthday.  I made cookie dough for my birthday.  On that same day, my son baked standard chocolate chip cookies for his Latin class.  This resulted in a household debate:

I.  Which is better gluten free cookie dough or standard chocolate chip cookie dough?

The house was split, but this was more of a factor of what types of chips were used and the fact that I added pecans to gluten free dough.

II.  Which is better cookie dough or warm chocolate chip cookies?

Again, the house was split.

It’s my birthday – I’ll eat what I want to.

A birthday is definitely a day to indulge in life’s guilty pleasures!

Who says you have to have a cake for a birthday.  This year, I abandoned tradition and made myself something that I was simply craving.  It’s not that I don’t like cake.  In years past, I’ve made my flour-less chocolate cake with cinnamon whipped cream.  About six months ago,  I even found a fantastic gluten free carrot cake recipe, but I wasn’t in the mood.  This year, I wanted COOKIE DOUGH!

I love cookie dough!  It’s not pretty looking, but it is pretty delicious.  I had absolutely no intentions of baking any of this dough.  Thus, I was able to leave out the eggs and baking soda.  Also, I used almond flour that has a great taste but doesn’t bake very well.

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GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH

Here’s my recipe (not meant to be baked in oven):

Ingredients:

1/2 c butter

1/2 c light brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c almond flour

1/2 c rice flour

1 c chocolate chips (I used a mix of milk chocolate and peanut butter chips)

1/2 c chopped pecans.

Directions:

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.  Blend in vanilla, milk, and salt.   Slowly add and mix-in both flours.  Mix until fully incorporated.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts..

Enjoy immediately or chill in the fridge.  The chilled dough can be rolled into balls for snacking purposes and kept in refrigerator or freezer.  Cookie dough doesn’t last long in my house – there’s no need to freeze it.

 

Skye Warren – Deep

lizellyn Books

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Synopsis

Philip Murphy has all of Chicago under his thumb. Except me. We met in a perfect storm of violence and lust. He saved me and then disappeared from my life. Now I pretend I never knew that kind of darkness. I focus on midterms and campus parties, as if they can wipe the slate clean. Then he turns up outside my dorm room—wounded and barely conscious. He’s the head of a crime syndicate, a powerful man, but he needs me now. There are traitors in his midst. I can help him, but I can’t fall for him. Not again.

Review

This was a very dark romance story.  The beginning was a bit much for me to handle.  Ellie and Philip meet when Philip hides teenage Ellie from a group of men that attempted to gang rape her.

Philip is open about his criminality.  He’ll take any opportunity to take what he wants.  But he isn’t all bad.  “That’s why I stayed away from you for so long, kitten.  Because I cared about you.  Because I f*cking love you, and you deserve better than this.”

Ellie truly believes that she is unloveable.  “I had worked my whole life for acceptance from people who wouldn’t love me back, the princess of lost causes.”  “But I wasn’t enough.  I never had been.  Not for family.  And definitely not for Philip.”

It is sad how both Philip and Ellie think so little of their selves.  This overall dictates an overall feeling of bleakness throughout the story.

While this book is too dark for my personal taste, I found a lot of the story line to be interesting.  And, the story is filled with unexpected turns, which made me want to read until the end.

Purchase Links
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QuW5SL
B&N: http://bit.ly/1oPZc1S
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1PLs0B7
iBooks: http://apple.co/21rRiwB
All Romance: http://bit.ly/1Tf1x39

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About the Author
Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dark romance such as Wanderlust and Prisoner. Praised as a “true mistress of dark erotica”, her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, four dogs, and one evil cat.
Website: http://www.skyewarren.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyewarren
Twitter: https://twitter.com/skye_warren
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skyewarren
Instagram: https://instagram.com/skyewarrenbooks
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SkyeWarrenBooks

Jaci Burton – Unexpected Rush

lizellyn Books ,

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This book has all the elements that make-up a Play-by-Play Novel.  There’s romance, close knit family, hot athletic men, strong independent female characters, hot sex scenes, and a perfect happily ever after.

Two of my favorite things about the story:

  1. It was great to read about a bi-racial relationship story, where the difference in races wasn’t an issue.
  2. I love the over protective brother.  I’m the baby in the family with 2 older brothers, this part of the story was well done.

All in all, the story is very romantic in a traditional sense, but a bit too predictable.

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See Related Posts:

Jaci Burton – All Wound Up

Jaci Burton – Changing the Game

Jaci Burton – Taking a Shot

Jaci Burton – Quarterback Draw

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Dani René – Broken by Desire

lizellyn Books , ,

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Lucien’s constant desire for Cassandra was impressive.  Pretty much anything she says, does, or wears gives him a hard-on.  After 171,00 words, and reading about the state of his length, I was achy.  Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to conjure him into reality from the well-written pages.

I really liked Cassandra, imperfections and all.  She is independent and doesn’t reveal her secrets.  I love her ability to move on with her life even when she’s been wrecked.

Then there’s Jayce – oh my my.  He’s the slutty character that you can’t really pin down but is genuinely lovable.

The plot is filled some great twists!  If you enjoy something new in a romance story, you seriously have to read this book.

The steamy scenes in this book are like a volcano that erupts for days – explosive, intense, and enduring.

 

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Mature audiences only, this story covers a few darker themes and topics.
The following story contains dark mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.

Buy Links –

http://amzn.to/1X0VCx5

http://apple.co/1PSVwYC

See Related Post:

Dani René – Ace of Harts

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