Eliza Madison – Fast, Fresh, and Hot

1126dbf7391bb917bc73f9a0207ca08a

Finally!  A romance with a little diversity (and I don’t mean cliched diversity that over emphasizes stereotypes).  Tariq was born in Egypt and his father was Iranian.  He moved to England when he was young so he has a bit of English flair in his vocabulary.  Besides Tariq’s olive colored skin, he also isn’t just some pizza delivery guy who’s out to bed every delivery customer.  He’s a graduate student and refuses to be dismissed as a boy toy.  Becca is outside the norm, as well.  She is a bit quirky in that she has an appreciation for Batman, including a tattoo in an intimate place.  Also, unlike characters in other novels that seem to forget all life responsibilities during their romances, Becca prioritizes her academic career.

The title is perfectly apropos.  It’s Fast – their relationship develops quickly.  It’s Fresh – the rarity of the characters is awesome.  And, holy cow is it HOT!  This isn’t some pizza-cheesy porn.  There’s serious sizzling chemistry between Tariq and Becca.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Eliza Madison!

Heidi Hallifax – Dreamscape

product_thumbnail.php

This is a unique story.  Half the chapters are told in dream scenes.  The imagery is described in great detail and has a fantasy feel.  I was expecting this part of the story to be raw and sexual but it was more sweet and traditionally romantic.  The other chapters are very realistic, no pun intended.  The alternating chapters compare the beautiful things in life with the ordinary state of everyday life.  I liked the running juxtaposition between types of relationships with men: lovers, friendship, and un-requited love.  Through these relationships the characters go through falling in love, heartbreak, and death.  The author keeps you guessing until the end.  Sorry, no spoilers here.

You can find the book at https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=heidi+hallifax+&type=

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Heidi Hallifax@

Aubrey Bondurant – Tell Me Something (new cover)

Tell_ME_Something_New_Pink

FREE TODAY – AUGUST 25TH

http://www.amazon.com/Tell-Me-Something-Book-ebook/dp/B010MZSMHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440507711&sr=8-1&keywords=tell+me+something

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.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Aubrey Bondurant!

8975e815ebee8122fe014c7e5a39db7a

Oreo Lover’s Care Package

Oreo tray

Image above: Oreo brownies, Oreo chunk cookies, and Oreo bars

It’s that time of year when the college kids go back to school.  They get to meet new people and start new classes.  It’s a lot of change and it can be stressful.  I find that baked goods are excellent for stress.  This care package was inspired by my nephew who likes Oreos.  I have done other cupcake recipes with Oreos hidden inside, but I didn’t think the buttercream was a good idea for shipping.  Hopefully, I packed the container well enough that he won’t be receiving a box of crumbs.

Oreo Brownies:  This recipe is pretty straight forward.  Double-up any brownie mix.  Place half of batter in a pan, place a layer of Oreos, and then pour the rest of the batter on top of the Oreos.  Found recipe at  iheartnaptime.net

Oreo Brownies

Oreo Chunk Cookies: This is a very simple recipe.  The base of this recipe is similar to most whoopee pie recipes that I’ve seen: cake mix, one stick of melted butter, one egg, and vanilla.  See the exact recipe for full details.  I deviated from the recipe in that I only choose to use only Oreos as my add-ins.  I didn’t want to use chocolate chips.  I used a combination of Oreo chunks and ground Oreos.  Found recipe at http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2014/02/chocolate-chip-cookies-cream-cookies/

Oreo Cookies

Oreo Bars: These bars are similar to rice krispie treats.  However, instead of using cereal there are chopped up Oreos.  Make sure you use a large enough bowl to melt the marshmallows and butter.  I had a bit of explosion in the microwave.  Found recipe at  picky-palate.com

Oreo Bars

See Other Oreo Related Posts:

Screen Shot 2015-08-05 at 7.49.26 AM

Oreo Cupcakes

oreo cupcake

Oreo in a Cupcake

Slutty Brownies

Slutty Brownies, for a Chocolate Whore

HAPPY BAKING!

Samantha Cole – Waiting For Him (Cover Reveal & Review)

Screen Shot 2015-08-23 at 7.32.04 PM

SYNOPSIS

The Sexy Six-Pack returns with more teamwork, more suspense, and, most of all, more hot and steamy romance!

Twelve years ago, eighteen-year-old Ben ‘Boomer’ Michaelson’s world had fallen apart. Not only had his best friend, Alex Maier, been killed, but Alex’s family had perished as well, including his seventeen-year-old sister, Katerina. The car accident occurred less than thirty-six hours after Ben and Kat had declared their love for each other, leaving him devastated at the loss of the only woman who’d ever held his heart in her hands.

After spending the past twelve years with her father in the Witness Protection Program, Kat finds herself all alone in the world. The last thing she wants to do is put her high-school sweetheart in danger, but he’s the only person she has left who she trusts with her life. They need to find out who is after her and why. She just hopes they are both still alive when the mystery is solved.

Ben, now a former Navy SEAL working for a private security company, is shocked to find his new client is a ghost from his past. He knows he can’t refuse to help her, but when it’s over, he will have to let her go. She deserves better than the man he’s become.

Will Ben and Kat survive? Or will he once again have to bury the only woman he’s ever loved?

18+ Adult Only Content

See Related Posts – Trident Security Series:

Book 1 – Leather & Lace (Devon & Kristen)

Book 2 – His Angel (Ian & Angie)

TEASERS

Screen Shot 2015-08-23 at 7.44.27 PM

Screen Shot 2015-08-23 at 7.38.36 PM

Screen Shot 2015-08-23 at 7.39.43 PM

See more Teasers on my Pinterest Board

https://www.pinterest.com/LizEllynAuthor/samantha-cole-trident-security-series/

REVIEW

This is so much better than other cookie-cutter BDSM stories!  I love when Kat complains that some things aren’t as expressed in other romance books.  During another scene, Boomer comments on how Kat really needs to work on dirty talk and forces her to use phrases beyond “You know.”  It was great that the author poked a little fun at the perfect fantasy world of romance novels and made  some scenes a little more real.  The story made me blush and laugh.  But please don’t misunderstand, the steamy scenes were hot as hell.  By the way, if you had the pleasure of reading the first two books in the series – Carter makes a significantly sizzling appearance in Waiting for Him.

Boomer is fantastic.  The struggle between his head on his shoulders and the one further south is remarkable.  The fear of risking his heart once again was overwhelming.

The suspense aspects of the story was interesting and well written.  I particularly liked how the females, despite the presence of ex Navy Seals, were portrayed in a strong manner.  None of them acted like damsels in distress.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Samantha Cole!

Tara Sue Me – The Chalet (#3.5 Submissive Trilogy)

72cfdb9cb4741b5409e3898c789136c8

After a month-long self-imposed period of abstinence, Nathaniel and Abigail celebrate their honeymoon.  Friends warned them that it would lead to a very brief interlude.  Of course, Nathaniel has way too much control to accidentally fall to such low expectations.  On the other hand, pun intended, they both meet the challenge of satisfying one another within 5 minutes.  The tone of the rest of the honeymoon is agreed upon by the newlyweds, “We should make wicked and decadent the theme for our honeymoon.”  They start coming to terms about their non-collared time together and incorporating both Nathaniel’s dominant side and Abigail’s submissive side – less rules but still a lot of seriously hot sex.  This book is so hot that it will make you desperate for a romantic getaway.

See Related Posts:

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

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

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Tara Sue Me! 

Rebecca Moon – Stripped Bare

23238879

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.”

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Rebecca Moon!

Christina Lauren – Beautiful Beloved (Beautiful Bastard #3.6)

50de395665bc12bda6cbf3e6fd25dba0

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:

6a825c32f86a6c6453ed73e32152e9f0

35660d1a286b9a6ec5a0549ec5601e94

9a0e988ae86af514a7f4ee9628fcc1d3

ed86b63b9cb935ad2aedfe1f845d6690

 

See Related Posts:

Christina Lauren – Beautiful Secret (Beautiful Bastard #4)

Christina Lauren – “Dirty Rowdy Thing”

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Christina Lauren!

Snickers Cupcakes

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)

51-m7di0c3L._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_

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.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to C.D. Taylor!