2015

April 22, 2015April 22, 2015 lizellyn Bookish Bookish

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. Enjoy these pinterest boards that celebrate some of the most titillating characters and combine both provocative images and amazing quotes.

Original Sinners by Tiffany Reisz

https://www.pinterest.com/kyo31/original-sinners/

Rosemary Beach by Abbi Glines

https://www.pinterest.com/natapou/rosemary-beach-series-by-abbi-glines/

Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

https://www.pinterest.com/mamawnurse/black-dagger-brotherhood/

Rough Riders by Lorelei James

https://www.pinterest.com/twopervs_inapod/rough-riders-by-lorelei-james/

Chaos Novels by Kristen Ashley

https://www.pinterest.com/holyhotness/chaos-series-by-kristen-ashley/

Wicked Lovers Novels by Shayla Black

13_pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/vibrantbride/shayla-black-wicked-lovers-series/

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

https://www.pinterest.com/catarinafsilva2/fifty-shades-of-grey/

Sea Breeze Series by Abbi Glines

https://www.pinterest.com/billanddallas/sea-breeze-series-by-abbi-glines/

Kellan Kyle in Thoughtless Series by S.C. Stephens

https://www.pinterest.com/wallinmt/thoughtless-kellen-kyle/

Drew Evans in Tangled Series by Emma Chase

https://www.pinterest.com/mariskabell/emma-chase-%7E-tangledtwistedtied/

Remy by Katy Evans

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

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

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

Favorite Spin-off Book Series

April 21, 2015April 25, 2015 lizellyn Bookish

Spin-off series are the best! Essentially they are a booklover’s dream. The stories continue with tangential characters, giving the reader a sense that they haven’t lost touch with previous characters. At the same time, the story stays fresh and new. Do you have any favorite spin-off series? My favorites include:

Lauren Dane’s Brown Family – Delicious – The Hurley Boys

to Lauren Dane!

Kristen Ashley’s Dream Man – Chaos

518LSlP2BUL._AA160_

to Kristen Ashley!

Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful – Maddox Brothers

to Jamie McGuire!

Christina Lauren’s Beautiful – Wild Seasons

to Christina Lauren!

J.R.Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood – Black Dagger Legacy(coming out in Dec. 2015 – I have high expectations)

to J.R. Ward!

Colleen Hoover – Confess

April 20, 2015 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

Confess has an amazing intertwined set of characters in an heart wrenching novel. Both and Owen and Auburn refer to holding their fist tightly above their heart signifying how devastatingly they can miss someone and how much it hurts their heart. Well, this book not only makes your heart hurt, but makes you feel completely gutted. I was crying before I finished the Prologue. The silver lining is that the greater the pain in a romance book, the more rewarding the happily ever after.

True to form, Colleen Hoover makes the story very unique and unpredictable. I absolutely love how the artist takes written anonymous confessions and turns them into art. Very cool concept! I don’t want to spoil the book but you have to read it to see how this concept weaves itself into the plot.

to Colleen Hoover!

Should desserts that center around a holiday be limited to those dates?

April 19, 2015 lizellyn more sweets gluten free, Holiday treats

Should desserts that center around a holiday be limited to those dates? Is that what makes the dessert special – the fact that you know you will only get the dessert once a year? Do the desserts add to the nostalgia of the holiday, creating memories for years to come? Would you want to eat Xmas shaped cookies in May? What if it were your absolute most favorite cookie? Would you make an exception in that case?

As I’ve mentioned before, I am equal opportunity celebrator of holidays if they include fun and tasty desserts. My daughter’s favorite springtime dessert are these jello eggs that I make for Easter. Unfortunately, these jello eggs require that I am at home for 7 hours straight. Each layer must be added precisely one hour after the preceding layer. If not, the layers will not adhere to each other and will fall apart when separating the molds. This year, I just couldn’t manage my time to make these on Easter. Is it wrong to be serving/eating these weeks after Easter has past? It doesn’t seem to bother my daughter at all. In fact, I’m grateful that she was understanding that I couldn’t get these done on Easter.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Lauren Dane – The Best Kind of Trouble (Hurley Boys #1)

April 19, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Hot Rock Star Hero

Wild rock-star heat with a real relationship to beat. There’s no denying that Paddy is incredibly sexy and passionate. He insists on perfection in the music that he creates. He takes charge in the studio to ensure it even it means occasionally brawling with his brothers. He is also dominant when Natalie and he are going at it. Natalie is a proper librarian and bit of a control freak by day but a dirty salacious girl in private. This balance culminates in hot passion between the two. But their strong personalities and stubbornness make it difficult to iron out real issues in their relationship. Paddy feels an entitlement to Natalie’s trust because he worked hard to gain it. Natalie struggles with a difficult past that makes her extra sensitive. This results in a clash between the two. Trust is truly the crux of all relationships and Natalie sums it up very poetically:

“if I can’t trust you, this isn’t worth the energy.”

“I can’t be honest if I can’t trust you not to be mad when I tell you how I’m feeling.”

This is a great start to a new Lauren Dane series. The Hurley Boys follows after Lauren Dane’s Delicious Series, which followed after the Brown Family series. FYI, you don’t have to start out with the Brown Family series and read in order, but the books are phenomenal and are a must read.

See other Lauren Dane posts:

Lauren Dane – “Laid Bare”

Lauren Dane – “Making Chase”

to Lauren Dane!

Megan Hart & Tiffany Reisz – Captivated

April 16, 2015April 16, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Spicy Stories to Savor

Two great authors. Two hot stories. Love this Cosmo Red-Hot Read from Harlequin.

Letting Go by Megan Hart

This story is invigorating in the sense that it leaves the reader feeling the empowerment of Colleen. It is all about embracing your own sexuality, which is the best way to find fulfillment. Colleen finds herself realizing that it is okay to want and need and still be dominant all the same time. It’s a big message for such a short story.

Seize the Night by Tiffany Reisz

A story with the recipe for the hottest first time ever. Starts with a perfect kiss. Add four years to allow your mind to dream, anticipate, and envision. Sprinkle in a little explicit guidance. Finally, add the woman of your dreams and the ideal opportunity. What do you get? The ultimate way to lose your virginity. Besides, Julien and Remi’s amazing affaire, Merrick was an entertaining character. His explicit mouth and presence adds comedy and spice to the story.

to Megan Hart and Tiffany Reisz!

Book Boyfriend Boards 4/15/2015

April 15, 2015 lizellyn Bookish Bookish

Rosemary Beach by Abbi Glines

https://www.pinterest.com/natapou/rosemary-beach-series-by-abbi-glines/

Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

https://www.pinterest.com/mamawnurse/black-dagger-brotherhood/

Rough Riders by Lorelei James

https://www.pinterest.com/twopervs_inapod/rough-riders-by-lorelei-james/

Chaos Novels by Kristen Ashley

https://www.pinterest.com/holyhotness/chaos-series-by-kristen-ashley/

Wicked Lovers Novels by Shayla Black

13_pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/vibrantbride/shayla-black-wicked-lovers-series/

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

https://www.pinterest.com/catarinafsilva2/fifty-shades-of-grey/

Sea Breeze Series by Abbi Glines

https://www.pinterest.com/billanddallas/sea-breeze-series-by-abbi-glines/

Kellan Kyle in Thoughtless Series by S.C. Stephens

https://www.pinterest.com/wallinmt/thoughtless-kellen-kyle/

Drew Evans in Tangled Series by Emma Chase

https://www.pinterest.com/mariskabell/emma-chase-%7E-tangledtwistedtied/

Remy by Katy Evans

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

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

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

Abbi Glines – When I’m Gone

April 13, 2015 lizellyn Books Rich Racy & Romantic Romeos

Unlike other Rosemary Beach novels, this book has more of a home-town feel but the characteristics that make the entire series great are ever present. In this book, Mase is the man! He is sexy, compassionate, sensitive, protective, and patient. He goes after Reese in a delicately commanding way. He is acutely aware of her unspoken concerns and is endlessly supportive. Finally, his awareness makes him incredible between the sheets. Despite her troubled past, Reese is strong, brave, and kind. I can’t help but mention Reese’s caring neighbor, Jimmy. I hope in a future book he gets his own story. Beware, the book ends in a major cliff hanger – be prepared to get the next in the series: When You’re Back. It is set to be released on June 20, 2015. At least the wait isn’t too long.

Abbi Glines has been kind enough to make available the Prologue & Chapter 1 for When I’m Gone on her site:

http://www.abbiglines.com/2015/04/when-im-gone-giveaway/

See other posts about books by Abbi Glines:

Abbi Glines – Kiro’s Emily

Abbi Glines – You Were Mine

to Abbi Glines!

Alice Clayton – Wallbanger

April 13, 2015 lizellyn Books Spicy Stories to Savor

What to learn from this book? If you have a hot neighbor, knock on his door wearing only a lacy pink nighty. Maybe a pair of CFM heels would be good, too. This is a fun story between Simon and Caroline. I enjoyed how Simon oscillated between referring to Caroline as Nighty Girl and Cockblocker and she referred to him as Wallbanger. I thought it was comical how Caroline referred to loss of her “O.” Don’t worry, her affliction (losing her vowel) is not contagious via reading the book. The transition between being friends and becoming a couple was humorous, awkward, scintillating, endearing, and dramatic. It was everything it should be and was told in a marvelous manner. On a side note, Caroline’s passion for baking was a tasty addition to the story that I adored. Of course, my obsession with baking may make me a little biased in that area. Overall, I would recommend this book.

to Alice Clayton!

Nutella Frosted Banana Cupcake

April 10, 2015April 12, 2015 lizellyn Sweets Chocolate, Cupcake

Holy Cow Freaking-Amazing Frosting! I’m not even a fan of Nutella and I couldn’t stop licking the bowl. I think that this frosting would pair perfectly with a banana cupcake. However, I have to admit the cupcake recipe I used on this one fell short of fabulous, which is why I did not include it in this post. Next time (maybe tomorrow) I’ll try it on a vanilla or chocolate cupcake. Note, this frosting tastes better when the frosted cupcakes are stored in the refrigerator.

Here’s the recipe for the frosting, enjoy!