A Sweet Combo of Vanilla and BDSM

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Frozen Vanilla Merengue Cake

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Vanilla and BDSM really go together quite well.  The above cake is a Frozen merengue cake with Vanilla Cinnamon Bailey’s Whipped Cream.  This pairs well with any of the following erotic romance novels: “Hot Ticket” by Olivia Cunning, “In Flight” by R.K. Lilley, “Sweet Surrender” by Maya Banks, “The Siren” by Tiffany Reisz, “Wicked Ties” by Shayla Black, or the “The Submissive” by Tara Sue Me.  A slice of cake and a book make for a perfect combination for dinner dessert.  Actually, the two go together well any time of the day.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to all the above authors!

Maya Banks – “Understood”

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This is the 1st book in the Unspoken Trilogy.  This was an unexpectedly good read.  I accidentally read the second in the series, “Overheard” first, which was outstanding.  (Maya Banks is the queen of writing menage stories) I was worried that “Understood” would not compare to “Overheard.”  Looking back, what a preposterous notion!  Maya Banks does not fail to disappoint in either book.  “Understood” gets right into the heart of the romance story between Jake and Ellie.  I was pleased that the book did not harp on the details of Ellie’s abusive past, but simply made it an element of her character.

The entire trilogy is now offered in one book, Unbroken (Unspoken #1-3).

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Maya Banks!

Laura Kaye – “Hard To Come By”

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This is Book 3 in the Hard Ink series (although don’t skip 2.5 it was really good).  This is one of those series that gets better, book by book.

I adore the character Derek aka Marz.  Derek considers himself the “brains and beauty of the operation.”  His personality is what really sets himself apart.  His ability to make others laugh during the most stressful and dangerous moments is one of his most attractive features.  Speaking of his features, more specifically his physical features, he is decorated with many tattoos, not all of which are shown on the cover.  To quote the character Emilie, “Holy Shit, Derek.”  I guess I’ll have to use my imagination to picture all of his other tattoos.

Check out my other post for “Hard to Hold On To.” (Book 2.5 in Hard Ink series)

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Laura Kaye!

Nut Crescent Cookies

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Nut Crescents

If you aren’t allergic to nuts, this is a must eat cookie.  I have been making this cookie for 30 years.  I used to make it for holiday trays, but because of all the increased food allergies I switched it to a fall baking thing.  I don’t like to repeat recipes (something that sometimes annoys my family) but this recipe has made my short list of baked goods worthy of repeating.

The dough is cream cheese and butter based and is worth every single calorie.  I use Solo Nut filling for the inside, which pairs well with the dough.  I have also filled these with chocolate, blueberry, and apple filling.  Once I tried Solo Almond filling when I couldn’t find the Nut filling.  Perhaps it is a nostalgic thing, but I prefer the Solo Nut filling to all others.

Laurelin Paige – “Forever With You”

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I mentioned in my last comment about this series, that I found myself cheering for Alyana and Hudson like I’m at a sporting event.  So it made me think, if their relationship were a sport, what sport would it be?

It’s not baseball, because the game is too slow.  But, at the end of the this book, I kind of felt like a Cubs fan if the Cubs were to win the World Series.  It’s not tennis, because too many other characters get involved.  It’s not basketball, because the entire book is dramatic, not like the mere last few minutes of a basketball game.

I would compare it to football.  First, as much as they love each other, they seem to work against each other.  Second, they both seem to gain yardage, make a first down, but then get knocked back downfield.  Just as in a football game, you don’t know Alayna or Hudson’s next play.  Nor do you know if they will fumble or score a touchdown.

Without a doubt, this is a winning book!

Can’t help but note my favorite quote:

“The man couldn’t say I love you, but somehow he knew how to make declarations that struck right into the core of my heart.”

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Laurelin Paige!

No Book Bashing

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Why don’t I bash, or even rate books?

There are so many arousing, beautiful, colorful, delicious, evocative, fanciful, gratifying, hot, inviting, jovial, kinky, lascivious, masterful, notional, outstanding, prurient, quenchless, racy, steamy, titillating, unreal, voracious, witty, X-rated, yearningly, and zero cool books (sorry, I got a little carried away) that I don’t feel the need to waste my time cutting down others.  There are plenty of exceptional books to discuss.  When I read a book that disappoints, I simply move on to the next book.

I prefer to celebrate the great stories.  When I read something that makes me laugh or excites me, I desperately want to share my enthusiasm.

As the saying goes, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

I don’t rate books, because I don’t care to judge books like that.  Also, sometimes certain books are best read when you are in a certain mood.  If the book and my mood don’t align, then my rating could be affected.

And hey, it’s just my opinion anyway.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to all the authors that write awesome books!!!

Cinnamon Pecan Bundt Cake

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Cinnamon Bundt Cake

I realize that this is my second cinnamon-centered cake in one week.  Why?  Because at Thanksgiving, my family tried someone else’s cake. Blasphemous!  I politely asked for the recipe and was denied.  Therefore, I tapped into my competitive nature and engineered my own recipe.  In the end, who’s cake was better?  Mine or the baker who shall not be named?  Mine!

J.C. Reed – “Treasure Your Love”

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This is the third in the Surrender Your Love Trilogy.  While some series tend to fizzle, this one sizzles until the end.  First of all the criminal/mystery plot line is dark and keeps you guessing.  One part is extremely intense.  It made me wish I knew how to speed read so I could see how the situation got resolved more quickly.  Getting to know more about Jett’s bad boy past makes him even hotter in this story.

“No Exceptions” is an addition that explains what happens to the characters after the trilogy’s conclusion.

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to J.C. Reed!

A Non-Traditional Xmas Song for Romance Book Series

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The holidays aren’t all about traditional families.  Many families are composed of non-blood related friends that mean the world to each other.  Sometimes those relationships are born from working together, having similar interests, playing together in a band, military bonds, college ties, or any other mutually complimentary needs.

Happy Holidays to the above authors that write books that ease the stress of the holidays!