Ana Mederios – The Raven Room

August 6, 2015August 6, 2015 lizellyn Books BDSM, Erotica, Three or More Galore

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.

to Ana Mederios!

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

August 4, 2015August 4, 2015 lizellyn Books BDSM, Erotic, Rich Racy & Romantic Romeos

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)

to Tara Sue Me!

Abbi Glines – Hold On Tight (Sea Breeze #8)

August 4, 2015August 4, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Spicy Stories to Savor

This may be my favorite of the series, which is saying a lot because this series is sensational. (It can be read as a stand alone) No one ever forgets their first love, even if it never amounts to a relationship. It can be intense and real, despite the age of the people.

For Sienna, she fell in love with Dewayne when she was a freshman in high school and he helped her open her locker. For Dewayne, he constantly looked out for her, including pushing his brother to commit to a relationship with Sienna. A series of tragic life events occurred that separated Sienna and Dewayne for 6 years.

Now, she’s back in Sea Breeze with her 5 year-old son. Sienna is beautiful, independent, and an excellent mother. Dewayne is enamored with Sienna but has a lot of emotionally healing that is necessary to enter a relationship with Sienna. Dewayne has a heart of gold and needs to understand his value. Sienna needs to get-over a few of her hang-ups as well.

The melding of their emotional and sexual relationship is endearing with a perfect touch of scintillating. Behaving like a manwhore for years, Dewayne certainly brings a level of expertise to the table (or bed). I love the distinctions made between high-school romance and young adult romance.

This book is listed in the teen section of my library. If my teenagers were at the stage where they were dating, I would want them to read this book. And, if you’re beyond your teenage years, like myself, forget the teen label and enjoy this wonderfully romantic story!

See Related Posts:

Abbi Glines – Bad For You (Sea Breeze # 7)

Also, See Posts about her other Series: Rosemary Beach:

Abbi Glines – When I’m Gone

Abbi Glines – When You’re Back

to Abbi Glines!

Lorraine Loveit – A Singer and a Soldier

July 27, 2015 lizellyn Books Strong Sexy Supermale

This is a short story about a female performer that meets an army man at a military appreciation concert. It’s a simple romance that goes perfectly with a cup of coffee and a muffin. Despite its short length, it has memorable moments. My favorite is when Matt and Eden are caught by his Lieutenant and Matt uses a play on words to finagle his way out of trouble.

See Related Posts: Lorraine Loveit’s Play Your Game Series:

Lorraine Loveit – Bounce Down

Lorraine Loveit – Getting Tackled

Lorraine Loveit – Full Time

Lorraine Loveit – Time On Elimination Final

to Lorraine Loveit!

M.D. Martin – XTC A Lola Avocado novel

July 27, 2015 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

This was an unexpected quirky and fun book. I admit that I thought this book would be more raunchy based on the fact that Lola works at a sex toy company. I don’t think I’m alone in that assumption. Instead, it’s a romance/mystery with a bizarre and interesting mix of characters. Lola is a smart-mouthed, screw-up and trained by her grandma that may possibly be a hit man. Her brother is a Drag Queen and Ob/gyn. Logan is a sexy-hot FBI agent and somewhat prude. Throw in a show girl, an ex-fiance, embezzler, porn star, and ex-boyfriend and you get one crazy cast. I promise this book is anything but boring. Love the twist in the Epilogue as well.

to M.D. Martin!

Brownie A La Mode

July 26, 2015 lizellyn more sweets Brownies, Ice Cream

1 Picky Eater + 1 Picky Eater = 1 Awesome Dessert

My daughter informed me last weekend that it was National Ice Cream Cream and she decided we needed to make some coffee flavored ice cream. I’m a bit partial to mochas so I decided to throw in some chocolate chips for flavor and texture. However, my son doesn’t like anything coffee flavored. I couldn’t very well do a dessert for only one child. That’s when this idea came to me – brownie a la mode. Seemed like a perfect solution: my son eats the brownie and my daughter enjoys the ice cream. I wasn’t neglecting either one of my kids. The result was beyond all expectations! It was a sensational flavor and texture combination.

ICE CREAM RECIPE

This ice cream is ridiculously easy to make. It doesn’t require an ice cream maker. And, it tastes amazing. I simply added 7 Tbls of vienna coffee power and 1 cup of chocolate chips (chopped to 1/4 original size)

Here’s a video on how to make it …

BROWNIE RECIPE (really any favorite recipe would work)

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 c granulated sugar

1 c brown sugar

1/2 c cocoa powder

1 c flour

1 Tbls vanilla

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease 8×8 pan

2. Beat eggs until fluffy

3. Add sugars, beat until mixed

4. Add cocoa powder, flour, vanilla, butter, salt. Beat until mixed.

5. Stir in chocolate chips

6. Pour into greased 8×8 pan

7. Bake 40-45 minutes, until middle doesn’t jiggle

8. Allow to cool thoroughly before slicing and serving

Sylvia Day – Crossfire Series

July 16, 2015July 23, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Rich Racy & Romantic Romeos

After recently gifting Bared to You to a relative, I couldn’t help myself and go back and read it again. Well, once I finished it, I continued with the next, Reflected in You. I was enjoying myself too much and I finished the rest of the series. While I don’t choose to actually rate the books I read, I would certainly give this high reviews. It fits the criteria: (1) page-turner/can’t put down (2) want to re-read (3) would gift to a friend.

This series is listed on many sites as something to read after Fifty Shades of Grey. I prefer not to compare books for a number of different reasons. I know a lot of people disliked Fifty and I wouldn’t want people to be hesitant to read this series because they disliked FSOG. I’ll refrain from comparing these two series even though there are a number of similarities. But simply, if you like a book with a lot of seriously steamy scenes – read this series.

Gideon and Eva can’t get enough of each other. If they’re happy, they shag. If they’re angry, they shag. STAMINA – that’s the first word I think of when I think about this book. They go at each other at least 3-4 times per day.

Their couples therapist isn’t certain that their indulgence in sex is actually healthy. They both refuse to try abstinence to address their issues. Gideon and Eva share a similar troubled past and a relatively similar taste for the rich and fancy. They face constant problems as a result of their pasts and can’t seem to catch a break.

In addition, the side characters are fantastic. Cary, Eva’s best and purely platonic friend is great. He’s flawed but lovable none-the-less. Hopefully he’ll get his happily-ever-after in the final installment. Gideon is generally very supportive of Eva’s relationship with Cary. But at one time he suggests that Eva might be better off without Cary in her life.

There is fifth book expected to be released, which I fully intend on reading – One With You. No release date has been set yet.

to Sylvia Day!

Laura Kaye – Hard to Be Good (A Hard Ink Series Novella)

July 15, 2015 lizellyn Books Strong Sexy Supermale

I love mid-series novellas. This one focuses on Jeremy and Charlie. There is a sincerity and kindness between Jeremy and Charlie that makes this an enjoyable read. Unlike other m/m romance books, there is a lot of consideration between the two men. There’s no presumption about what the other one wants, needs, or considers comfortable. There’s mutual respect for the other’s emotional readiness. It ends up coming off in a very sexy playful manner.

Can I touch you? Anywhere? Please. Can I have you? Are you sure?

As in the other books, the tattoos are significant.

See Related Posts:

Laura Kaye – Hard Ink

Laura Kaye – “Hard To Come By”

Laura Kaye – Hard to Let Go (A Hard Ink Novel #5)

to Laura Kaye!

Laura Kaye – Hard to Let Go (A Hard Ink Novel #5)

July 15, 2015July 15, 2015 lizellyn Books Strong Sexy Supermale

This is last book in this series. Things are tense as ever as the dishonorably discharged group of Navy Seals attempts to clear their records. As in the other novels, extreme situations lead to passion.

Kat is an intelligent and sassy woman that likes to tease Beckett. I love how she’s nick-named him Trigger because he pulled a gun on her when they first met. The funny part is how much it bothers him. The humor continues as Beckett finally announces to his best friend and Kat’s brother that he wants to date Kat. Beckett is all male and extraordinarily fit, which makes for some very hot partially dressed scenes. Fortunately, half-dressed quickies is not the only tricks in his repertoire. “I finally have you all to myself with no need to hurry. I’m taking you to your bed, stripping you down, and spreading you out just like I said I would.”

If you’re a fan of the series, the author, Laura Kaye, is allowing fans to vote for which characters will be included in her next novella (a marriage between two characters). Voting ends July 31, 2015. Go to Laura Kaye’s website to vote.

See Related Posts:

Laura Kaye – Hard Ink

Laura Kaye – “Hard To Come By”

Laura Kaye – Hard to Be Good (A Hard Ink Series Novella)

to Laura Kaye!

French Hot Chocolate for Bastille Day

July 14, 2015 lizellyn more sweets Chocolate

Here’s another recipe curtesy of my teenage daughter’s inspiration. She absolutely loves studying French and decided that we must celebrate Bastille Day. This French Hot Chocolate is unbelievably decadent. Unlike hot chocolate in America, this drink is very thick. A little goes a long way.

French Hot Chocolate

The most decadent dark hot chocolate recipe that tastes just like the French hot chocolate found in Paris cafes. Intense, rich, and absolute heaven for any chocolate lover. Recipe based off of the famous Cafe Angelina in Paris.

YIELD: 2 large, intense cups of hot chocolate or 4 more reasonably-sized cups

PREP TIME: 3 minutes

COOK TIME: 5 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional, but delicious. Will intensify chocolate flavor)
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, at least 72%, chopped*
Giant bowl of whipped cream, for serving

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and espresso powder until small bubbles appear around edges. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
Remove from saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until melted, returning the sauce to low heat if needed for the chocolate to melt completely. Serve warm, topped with lots of whipped cream

*Choose the best quality chocolate you can, as the flavor really carries the drink. I love Guittard for a splurge or Godiva, but the Trader Joe’s Pound Plus 72% dark bar is quite good too. I do not recommend chocolate chips, as they contain stabilizers and do not melt as well.

Leftover French hot chocolate can be cooled to room temperature, then refrigerated in an airtight container (empty mason or jam jars work particularly well). Reheat gently the in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat.

Recipe based off of Cafe Angelina’s Le chocolat chaud à l’ancienne dit “l’Africain,” as interpreted by several sources, including Tastebook and Cooking by the Book.

Recipe (taken from http://www.wellplated.com/french-hot-chocolate/ )