Jon Wilde – His Undeniable Desire (The Undeniable #1)

September 24, 2015September 24, 2015 lizellyn Books Athlete, M/M, Strong Sexy Supermale

There’s no way to tame a bad boy – you’ll always get burned. But if you have a taste for bad boys, it’s best to find one that had his run and has already been reformed.

This book starts out with heartbreak. As a reader you see it coming as clearly as if you were watching a scary movie and the killer is hiding behind a closed door. I could feel myself wanting to shield my eyes and peer through the small slits between my fingers.

The parallel story telling about young twenty somethings trying to date brings the reader to a state of demoralization. This is a terrible place for a romance reader that loves a happily-ever-after, but it truly makes for an outstanding emotional rebound.

I like how the author points out how in MMA fighting, the key to winning is finding that one moment of opportunity and taking advantage. This theme is also true in both love and life, which is reflected in the love story.

to Jon Wilde!

C.D. Taylor – A Fighting Chance (Chances Are #3)

September 24, 2015September 25, 2015 lizellyn Books Spicy Stories to Savor

The summer heat in Texas isn’t half as hot as the steamy scenes in this book. C.D. Taylor nailed it with the third installment of the Chances Are Series.

Tyler is an ex-marine with a body for sin and a mind to get what he wants. He has a great sense of what is important to him and stands by his convictions. He’s hot and honorable all at the same time.

Tiffani is a woman with a complicated past that bleeds into a complicated present. She hasn’t always made the best decisions in the past, but with the right influences she can open her heart and secure a future.

When Tyler and Tiffani meet, it is an instant inferno of passion. Both feel the incredible connection and know that the thing between them is more than a singular romp.

If you had the pleasure of reading the first two books in the series, Emily and Jake make a well-incorporated appearance in this book. No worries if you didn’t read the others in the series, A Fighting Chance can also be read as a stand alone.

See Related Post:

C.D. Taylor – Left to Chance

to C.D. Taylor!

Christina Lauren – Dark Wild Night (Wild Seasons #3)

September 23, 2015September 23, 2015 lizellyn Books Spicy Stories to Savor

It’s terrifying to cross the line between friendship and lovers. This book captures that fear and temptation masterfully. The longing looks. The innuendos. The flirtation.

Oliver owns a comic book store and Lola is a comic book artist and writer. Sounds like a perfect match, yes? They have that perfect connection where their mutual friends think they communicate in their own language. They can enjoy a silence between themselves and not feel awkward. They have a shared nerdy sensibility that allows them to relate so well together.

My favorite moment is when Oliver decides that he wants to propose to Lola. It has nothing to do with how she looks or feels in bed, but how her mind works to fight for her comic book.

I have physical proof that this book is fabulous. It’s been 24 hours since I finished the book and I still can feel the pain and happiness for these characters in my chest and gut.

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image from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/396809417146822052/

image from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/491385009321631724/

See Related Post:

Christina Lauren – “Dirty Rowdy Thing”

to Christina Lauren!

L.T. Kelly – Kissing Cassie

September 21, 2015September 22, 2015 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

Not all romance novels have to break sacrements in order to stir up scintillating taboo passion. In Kissing Cassie, Cassie is in the final stages of a bad marriage: they hardly converse, don’t do anything together, and don’t engage in sex. Even the last ditch effort of a romantic get-away doesn’t reignite their relationship. But when Cassie literally falls into the arms of a gorgeous Hollywood actor, Jared, she doesn’t break her vows and sleep with him.

The pace of this book is extraordinary. The kindness, respect, and patience that Jared and Cassie show each other is the root of what makes their passion hot.

This book is full of surprises that left me saying, “Wow, I didn’t see that one coming.” That is something that I rarely find in romance books, but is a treasure.

to L.T. Kelly!

Eliza Madison – Service With a Smolder

September 18, 2015 lizellyn Books Spicy Stories to Savor

Holy Hot Steamy Read! It sizzles like bacon in a skillet. Strip teases and sex up against the glass window of a Chicago high rise . . .

sorry, I had to pause and fan myself while I was recalling those scenes.

And to top it off, the story involves a couple that truly compliment each other. Nina is a medical student and Kam is a recovered transplant patient. While Kam has some body issues of his own, he is able to give Nina the confidence to deal with her own body issues. Kam is having a hard time getting his career back on track, but Nina gathers strength from him in order to confront her asshole boss. Likewise, Nina provides Kam his first step in opening up his feelings about his tragedy.

See Related Post:

Eliza Madison – Fast, Fresh, and Hot

to Eliza Madison!

Olivia Cunning – Insider (Exodus End World Tour #1)

September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 lizellyn Books Hot Rock Star Hero

Olivia Cunning produces another OUTSTANDING ROCK STAR BOOK! Her books are so great that I think the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences needs to add a new category just for for her. It could be The Best Ficticious Band or The Ficiticious Band Most Wished to be Real. Hey, I wish all hot book boyfriends could come to life (to my life).

As much as I love, love, love her other series, I had my doubts about this book before I read this one. Could she actually start another series about a new band that could compare to Sinners and Sole Regret? Answer – YES! I fell in love with these band members just as quickly. Exodus End has the sexy as hell rock star qualities and the comradery as the other bands, but there is a strength in their connection based on getting through some internal strife.

Logan is more than just the player that he wants everyone to believe. His jealousy is attractive in an ironic sort of way. His patience for Tori’s inexperience is astonishing. But most of all, his affection for Tori’s sister is incredibly endearing.

Tori’s recurrent reality checks with Logan makes her one the most likable rockstar girlfriend.

Once again, Olivia Cunning has a way of writing sex and humor in such a way that you can’t book the down. One of my favorite lines is between Tori and her co-worker Julian:

Tori – “What else am I supposed to sleep in?”

Julian – “Nothing. The wet spot. A puddle of your own vomit. Anything would be preferable to pajamas.”

I love that amidst this highly sex-charged environment that the power of a kiss isn’t lost.

I can’t wait to read the next in the series, coming in 2016.

BONUS: The reader gets a taste of Sinners and Sole Regret. Since Reagan is in Exodus End, Trey makes an appearance. Shade weaves his way into the story line as well.

to Olivia Cunning!

Lily Cahill – Sparked

September 14, 2015October 13, 2015 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

This is a sweet and romantic Romeo and Juliet story. The setting is in the 1950’s in Colorado. The details that define the time period are lovely. I truly appreciated the unexpected twists in this happily-ever-after story.

Clayton, the rich boy from the good family, acquires the power to extract energy from living things and then dispose of the power. He’s good looking, well educated, but also a risk taker that goes for what he wants. It’s heart-warming to read about how he learns to earn the affections of Cora without offending her with money.

Cora, the poor girl from the shunned family, acquires the power to move and control water. But more than that, she is independent and extremely protective of her younger sister.

Their unique skills only serve as a commonality for the two lovers to share. Their true connection is on a much more organic level.

This is the first in a series of books, which promises to explore the powers of the characters more in future books.

to Lily Cahill!

J. Kenner – Under My Skin (Stark International #3)

September 14, 2015September 14, 2015 lizellyn Books Rich Racy & Romantic Romeos

How to cope with stress, anger, and frustration? For Jackson and Sylvia, there’s only one answer – SEX. Jackson and Sylvia struggle through numerous challenges, an almost endless barrage of attacks that threaten to devastate and derail their life. This culminates in excellent fodder to ignite the passion between them. Jackson controls his fury and turns it into deliriously sensuous ecstasy.

WARNING: J. Kenner’s scenes are hot enough to cause one to blush, sweat, and pant with need.

As a series, I was very happy with how it came to a conclusion. Relationships with the side characters all had a satisfying end.

See Related Posts:

J. Kenner – Say My Name

J. Kenner – On My Knees (Stark International Trilogy #2)

to J. Kenner!

Snickerdoodle Cupcake – comfort food for all the senses

September 12, 2015September 13, 2015 lizellyn Sweets Cupcake

For me, cinnamon is synonymous with comfort food. The aroma in the kitchen while I bake something with cinnamon makes me happy. The day I made these, it was a cold rainy morning, which called for something comforting. Also, I hadn’t baked in about two weeks – I was practically going through withdrawal.

This is a well-rounded cupcake. The buttery texture of a snickerdoodle melts in the mouth. The yellow cupcake balances the sweetness of the cinnamon and sugar of the cookie. The creamy feel of the cinnamon buttercream is a perfect compliment.

Here’s a snickerdoodle cupcake. I can’t deny that it is a little cumbersome to make because essentially you’re making two desserts and combining them.

Directions:

First, I baked a batch of snickerdoodles (any recipe will do). I baked the cookies until they were done but still on the moist side – only 10 minutes. Then, I cut 12 cookies into quarters.

Second, I prepared cupcake batter (I used a regular yellow cake mix). I place a scoop of batter in each of 24 cupcake papers. Then I place 2 quarters of the snickerdoodle cookies in the cake batter. I covered the cookies completely with more batter. I baked the cupcakes for only 18 minutes.

I made a Wilton Buttercream frosting and mixed in 1 tsp of cinnamon. I decorated with a simple swirl. I was sure to add enough to support a cookie topper.

You should have 24 leftover pieces of cookies to top off the cupcakes.

And, as added bonus you’ll have more whole Snickerdoodle cookies to enjoy.

HAPPY BAKING!

Release Day: Deanna Eshler – Our Kinda Love (What Kinda Love #2)

September 12, 2015 lizellyn Books Spicy Stories to Savor

Synopsis:

Keegan Hughes is a fiercely independent, and annoyingly honest, college senior who believes in the zombie apocalypse. Her “unique qualities” entertain her friends and, unfortunately, attracts the attention of her new neighbor, Adrian Elliott.

Having been left behind by other men in her life, Keegan vowed to never trust another guy with her happiness. She’ll take what she wants from them, but they only get what she’s willing to give. When Adrian slams into her life, he tramples all over her rules and boundaries, constantly throwing her off balance.

Keegan can’t deny her physical attraction to Adrian, but his hyperactive, slightly delusional personality, is very unlike her usual type—confident, tattooed, alpha male. When Adrian makes a proposal that could benefit them both, Keegan knows it’s a horrible idea, but can’t resist his plea for her help.

Neither of them are prepared for the storm that’s created when their two very intense personalities come together. Will Keegan get the hell out before Adrian destroys every boundary she creates? If she stays, can Adrian get through his own real-life demons to be the first man in her life to make her a priority?

This Romantic Comedy is the second in a series, but it is a standalone. Our Kinda Love is a spinoff on secondary characters from the first book in the series – Shy Kinda Love.

Purchase Our Kinda Love- Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Our-Kinda-Love-What-Book-ebook/dp/B013TAU7VY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Our Kinda Love – Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26117321-our-kinda-love

Purchase – Shy Kinda Love (first book in the series) – http://www.amazon.com/Shy-Kinda-Love-What-Book-ebook/dp/B00T73TD86/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

This is a hilarious, hot, and heart-warming book. I’m finding it difficult to decide where to start because there were so many things that I loved about this book.

The characters are freaking phenomenal! Their quirkiness is fantastic. Aiden is this amazing combination of responsible and utterly irresponsible with an extra dose of hotness. Keegan’s crazy in that she’s got an obsession with a zombie apocalypse, but at the same time she is a medical student and brilliant. The discrepancy in Keegan’s show of intelligence is an interesting parallel to Aiden’s inconsistency. As Aiden says, “[Y]our crazy compliments mine.”

There are so many other quotes from the book that I would like to share. Honestly, that’s the crux of what makes this a MUST READ novel. Deanna Eschler doesn’t miss a beat – even the names of the chapters are sensational. The chapter titles depict a specific line in the story. My favorite is “Empty Calorie Breakfast.” The line from the book was, “[t]hat poor man got nothin’ but an empty calorie breakfast with a side order of blue balls.”

The best part of this book is the fact that Keegan goads Aiden into reading her erotic romance book in order to improve his skills. The discussions that follow are outstanding.