Tara Sue Me – The Claiming

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REVIEW

Tara Sue Me continues to break the stereotypes of BDSM relationships without losing the kinky-thrill of the sexual connections.  The Claiming is a short novella and a fantastic treat for fans of The Submissive Series.  The book includes a bit of playful role play in an exotic castle.  But the best part, is the smart, quick-witted responses of three very strong and articulate submissives.  The author shatters the concept that submissives are weak.  As the play continues, the Dominants’ need for privacy is HOT. What happens under the table, stays under the table.  I figure it is the corollary to the Las Vegas principle.

If you haven’t read the rest of the series … 1. READ THE SERIES!!! 2.then read this book (you might not appreciate the characters as much without having read the rest of the series).

BLURB

The New York Times bestselling author of the Submissive series returns to the story started in The Master with a tantalizing new novella about passion, play, and possession…
 
Submitting is just the beginning…
 
Sasha Blake never thought her emotional wounds would heal—that they were a part of her just like her physical scars. But that was before Cole Johnson’s boundless love and overwhelmingly sexy control set her free, unleashing a confident side that she never knew she had. He’s more than just her Master; he’s her world. And she’ll do anything he asks…

Cole’s days of restless wandering are done—he’s found everything he needs in Sasha. Now, it’s time to make it official. When his childhood home in England goes up for sale, he realizes the old estate is the perfect place to claim Sasha as his own, and the ideal opportunity to show her just how much she means to him.

As Sasha, Cole, and their closest friends from their Partners in Play community descend on the British countryside for a titillating adult vacation, the submissives and Dominants alike will test their boundaries—and have an adventure none of them will ever forget…

the-claiming

RELEASE DATE – SEPTEMBER 20

Pre-Order Available on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Claiming-Submissive-Tara-Sue-Me-ebook/dp/B01DJZWA64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473765362&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Claiming+Tara+Sue+Me#nav-subnav

SEE RELATED POSTS

Tara Sue Me – Submissive Series

Tara Sue Me – The Chalet

Tara Sue Me – The Collar

Tara Sue Me – Enticement

Tara Sue Me – The Exhibitionist

Tara Sue Me – The Master

Thank You Arc to Tara Sue Me!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge (gluten free)

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Ever had a recipe that combines chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk?  Heaven, right?   This recipe makes it even better by swirling together both chocolate and peanut butter.  The two flavors pair together perfectly.

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pinwheels
PREP TIME
30 mins
TOTAL TIME
2 hours 30 mins
These no bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pinwheels are easy with only 3 ingredients! They are made up of two layers of fudge, rolled together into a pinwheel shape!
Serves: about 24-30 candies
INGREDIENTS
  • 1½ cups peanut butter chips
  • 1½ cups chocolate chips
  • 1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
 INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Line a 15×10″ baking sheet with tin foil and spray with non stick spray. Set aside.
  2. In a medium, microwave safe bowl, combine peanut butter chips and half the can of sweetened condensed milk. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir. If not completely smooth, microwave again for 15 seconds, and stir until smooth. Mixture will be thick like fudge.
  3. Spread into prepared pan, using your hands to smooth it out if you have to (it’s not sticky, so it will spread easily!).
  4. In another medium, microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and the rest of the sweetened condensed milk. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir. If not completely smooth, microwave again for 15 seconds, and stir until smooth. Mixture will be thick like fudge.
  5. Spread on top of the peanut butter mixture carefully.
  6. Let stand at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Starting at the long side, roll up carefully and tightly, making sure to leave the foil behind. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours before slicing.
  7. Store in an air tight container for up to 3 weeks.

Recipe found at  http://www.thereciperebel.com/no-bake-chocolate-peanut-butter-pinwheels/

SEE RELATED POSTS

Milk Chocolate Fudge

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HAPPY BAKING!

 

Abbi Glines – Under the Lights

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REVIEW

It is amazing how easily I can get sucked into one of Abbi Glines’ stories.  No matter how busy my schedule, I know that once I start one of her books, I’m sure to finish it that day.

The best part of Abbi Glines’ characters are how they act true to their age.  The high school kids are a bit reckless, reasonably immature, reactionary, and struggle to do what is right.  There is always an underlying hope that they will make the right decisions, but there is always the distinct possibility that they will not be able to prevent themselves from making wrong choices.  All of this made the love triangle in this story very suspenseful.  Throughout the story, it was never clear how the three would end up in the end.  Unpredictability makes for a great romance.

Truly enjoyed the story.

BLURB

In the follow-up to Abbi Glines’s #1 New York Times bestseller Until Friday Night—which bestselling author Kami Garcia called “tender, honest, and achingly real”—three teens from a small southern town are stuck in a dramatic love triangle.

Willa can’t erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she’s on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.

High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa—she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that’s all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.

Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star—not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception—and he understands the girl she’s become in a way no one else can.

As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love…even if it means losing each other forever.

See Related Post

Abbi Glines – Until Friday Night

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Abbi Glines!

 

Celebrating Authors/Books that I didn’t blog about but haven’t forgotten (Week 7 – More Sweet than Sensual)

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Week 7 – More Sweet than Sensual

Karen Bedore – The Bard

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REVIEW

I decided to take a step outside my normal contemporary romance genre and read a little historical romance.  I was drawn in by the science verses religion aspect of the story.  The story fell short on any in depth discussion of the motivations of both organizations.  There were a few points in the book where the author tersely touches these issues in a profound manner.  But what the author failed to state made think about how life must have been during that time when science was coming to fruition.  In this case, it was not necessarily the words that were written that made me enjoy the book but the overall schematics.

This book is part one of The Bard Trilogy.  Perhaps, there is a more in depth approach taken in books 2 and 3.

Additionally, as a romance, it was very simplistic and predictable.

Overall, I rated this book 3 stars.

BLURB

After losing her mother and fiancé, Alcinia and her father travel west to Turin in the Duchy of Savoy to begin a new life. Getting adjusted to a new way of living in Renaissance Italy, Alcinia falls in love with a mysterious bard, and through their secret rendezvous is beginning to find happiness once again. Until…she finds out that her small-town father isn’t who she thought he was. Alcinia gets caught in a web of intrigue, and sets out to save her father from a scientific organization bent on using a biological weapon to destroy all men of the cloth. Her father’s life might be the only way to stop it… When she discovers the truth, it will change her life forever, for better and for worse.

Thank You Arc to Karen Bedore!

Celebrating Authors/Books that I didn’t blog about but haven’t forgotten (Week 6 – Spicy Stories to Savor)

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Week 6 – Spicy Stories to Savor

Elisa Adams

For Your Pleasure – Hot single female shall covet thy sexy single male neighbor.  They share a lot more than just a cup of sugar.  It is a lot more spicy than sweet.

Maya Banks

Surrender Trilogy – What does having a dominant lover really mean?  Here’s a few different perspectives.  Each story is great.

Unspoken Series – Okay, I accidentally read the 2nd and 3rd stories first.  The first is in my queue.  I have no doubt that the first will be good, as well. Have to appreciate Maya Banks for sneaking in a little menage in many stories. “Understood” 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).

Shayla Black as Shelley Bradley

Sexy Capers – Criminal investigation with sexual interludes.  Well balanced mix of the two.

Eden Cole

What He Wants – Doesn’t everyone want what they want?  Sometimes it is painfully awkward, difficult, and scary to admit what you want.  Is it worth taking a risk to get what you want?  Oh yeah. (M/M)

Lauren Dane

Chase Series – Small town, close family, and four wickedly passionate brothers.  These books have all the ingredients for great stories.   The beautiful stories unfold where the men find themselves wanting deeper committed relationships.  Their reform is moving. The abundant secondary characters in “Making Chase” richly add to the development of Matt and Tate’s relationship. What I liked most was the off the cuff, little addition at the end.  It was so much better than a wrap-it-in-a-bow, cookie-cutter HEA.  Wow!  Perfect ending to a book and series.

To Do List – Working diligently toward career minded goals is commendable but not always fulfilling.  Some of the best things can come unexpectedly, like a love interest that is strong enough to derail even the best laid plans.

Sylvia Day

All Revved Up – If you love someone, set them free.  So the saying goes.  What if, they come back?  What happens then?  I’m not sure if there will be a sequel to this story, but if there is one then I’ld would read it.

Wish List – Oh come all ye faithful, a sexual Christmas miracle.  Stephanie must have been just the right combination of naughty and nice to get her Christmas wish fulfilled.  A book that makes you sing, Fa La La La La La La La La!

Abbi Glines

Sea Breeze Series – Beware – totally additive reading!  The characters are young, mature, fun, sensual, and I cannot get enough of them.  Each book is excellent, but I suggest trying to read the series in order.  I still have a couple to read in the series – I’m only holding off because I dread the series being over.

Kari Gregg

You Melted Me – When you finally find the right one, it is worth it to work through the complications.  Sometimes, you just need a wake-up call to get the right motivation. (M/M)

Megan Hart

Broken – Monthly dates sharing explicit details of sexual conquests.  Is talking about sex a form of cheating in a marriage?  Tragic love story at its best.

Dan and Elle (Dirty, Reason Enough) – The simplicity of a intimate relationship is not always enough.  Sometimes you need to reconcile it with the difficulties of real life problems.  If you can manage that, the rewards can be tremendous.

Stranger – Paying for sex is one way to avoid true intimacy.  So what happens when someone accidentally gets under your skin?

Beth Kery

Explosive – Not your normal straight forward romance.  A lustful tale told in the most thought provoking order that I have ever read.  The way the character faces his revelations is brilliant.

Paradise Rules – I’ld like to order some sex on the beach.  This book had me blushing a deep shade of crimson.  The book is hotter than a summer day in Hawaii, where the story happens takes place.

Release – Things get really complicated after a threesome.  Murder mystery and passion all in one.

Wicked Burn – Sexual healing is just what the doctor ordered.  Well, at least it is sometimes a great way to forget about a seriously sad and complicated life.  Unfortunately, the two sides of life cannot remain compartmentalized forever.

Christina Lauren

Wild Seasons Series (Sweet Filthy Boy) – Running off to France with a man that can whisper sweet nothings in your ear with a French accent, who could say no to that?  Sounds like the best kind of summer.

M. Leighton

Wild Ones Series: Life on the wild side is always more fun.  Tired of boring?  Live vicariously through the characters.  All four books are lively.

Bad Boys Series: Awesome twist in the first book.  Love a book that can surprise me.  Then, it gets even better because there are two books that follow in the series.

Wendy S. Marcus 

Craving Her Soldier’s Touch, Secrets of a Shy Socialite –  I’m new to this subsection of romance novels known as medical romance.  While the medical elements exist, they do not detract from the romance elements and turn the story into a melodrama.  Pleasing romance!

Raine Miller

Blackstone Affaire – Warning – must have copy of the 2nd book, All In, in possession when reading the first in the series, Naked.  Naked has one of the funniest, best endings of a book I have ever read.  Plan to start reading All In IMMEDIATELY when you finish the first.  More books in the series, but I haven’t gotten to them yet.

Tiffany Reisz

The Original Sinners Series – Jesus H. Christ! and Holy Mary, Mother of God!  Sorry if these phrases offend you, but if they do – don’t read this series. If not, HOLY BDSM on crack!  Want a book that doesn’t just cross the lines, but goes so far past it that the line does’t even exist?  MUST READ this series (in order).  I’m so excited to read the next one coming out, The King. Check out her website, too.

Alegra Verde – 

Taking Her Boss – Sex in and out of the office.  Best of both worlds!  Who dominates where?

Natalie Wild  

Endless LoveShort fun read.  Great if you only have a small bit of time and need a quick fix of romance.

Nicole Williams 

Crash Series – Prepare to fall in love with Jude Ryder.  Both Jude and Lucy have a complicated past but also have a tight loving connection.  Just as the fans in the football stadium cheer on Jude, I feel the urge to champion Jude and Lucy’s relationship.

Laura Wright  

Wicked Ink Chronicles  – Awesome quick read!  It’s got all the ingredients for a great bedtime read – (1) Hot, muscled, talented tattoo artist that rides a motorcycle; (2) long-lost teenage love; (3) hot love scenes.  I would definitely recommend this book.  I’m looking forward to the next in the series: Shattered Ink, and Rebel Ink.

Samantha Young

On Dublin Street Series – Blimey! Undeniably great romance stories that revolve around different family members and friends in Scotland.  Each story is fantastic and can be read alone, but I suggest reading in order.

Captivated

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.

Harlequin Blaze August 2013 Bundle

Vicki Lewis Thompson – The Heart Won’t Lie Here, the main character is an author of westerns with romance.  This is a perfect set-up for a story because if he can write romance then he should be great in bed.  (Tee Hee!)  In fact, Michael ends up being so motivated from his relationship with Keri, he writes an additional heated love scene.  The chemistry between the characters works well because of the threads of commonalities that they share and the direction that their lives are moving.

Jo Leigh – To the Limit This is a great story to read if you ever had a Top Gun, Tom Cruise fantasy.  Does it get any better than a fighter pilot?  Answer, yes it does.  A fighter pilot that has wanted a girl for years and is grounded from flying due to an eye injury.  That’s a whole lot of frustration and energy to get out between the sheets.  The ultimate question is what is the measure of love: what are you willing to give up for it?

Isabel Sharpe – Half-Hitched  Love is in the air at a friend’s wedding.  Two friends each find the person they’re meant to be with.  You know it is hot, when after having sex a number of times, one couple realizes that they have never been together in an actual bed.  Sometimes loves comes at you quickly and knocks you over the head.  Other times it takes years.  Both, can be just as real and astounding.  All relationships can be risky.  If you really love someone, then they are worth the risk.

Meg Maguire – Taking Him Down Imagine a perfectly sculpted champion MMA fighter with sweat pouring over his tan latin skin.  Now, imagine that same man with a heart so big that he puts his family, mom and sister, first.  He’s sexy and has his priorities in order.  Absolutely HOT!

Sneak Peak (Shelley Bradley – Watch Me; Jaci Burton – Show Me)

Exhibitionism at its best!

Some Like It Rough (Kate Pearce – Some Like it Rough; Susan Lyons – Private Eyes; Anne Rainey – Cherry On Top)

This is a grand slam, bases-loaded, home run book.  All three authors knock it out of the park.

SEE ALL SUGGESTED BOOKS – SPICY STORIES TO SAVOR

BEST EPILOGUE in the final book of a series

BEST EPILOGUE in a series.  I don’t offer up the title of being best lightly.  I have a lot of series that I love and I could never choose one series as my one and only favorite.  But as far as Epilogues go, Jay Crownover wrote the most perfect Epilogue in the final book of the series, Asa.

Here’s why:

  1. All the characters are mentioned.  I love that I get to remember all the characters.
  2. Every character reaches a happily ever after.  I’m very picky about this part.  This is key to a good Epilogue.  While I love my HEAs, I don’t want something that is over done.  Not every couple has to get married and have a baby to make it an HEA.  HEA doesn’t mean the characters need to win the lottery, per se.  Not everything needs to be perfect.
  3. The time span of an epilogue shouldn’t go too far into the future.  I can’t specify the exact amount of time that should go between the final page and the epilogue.  Each series is different.  Often times when the time span is too long the author falls into the trap of making everything work out.
  4. Jay Crownover offered a fantastic recap of how the characters related and why the series was entitled Marked Men.

I loved the Marked Men series and I highly recommend reading it.  

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See Related Post:

How to end a book series?

 

 

 

S. Valentine – Her Confession

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REVIEW

This is a MUST READ book for anyone that enjoys a very naughty, kinky bad boy.  He’ll take her anywhere or anytime he pleases, which amounts to a lot of pleasing scenes throughout the book.  The desperation between Gabi and Darion make the scenes luring and provocative.

The self realization and transformation that goes on for both Gabi and Darion make this book complete.  Sure, the steamy scenes are awesome, but the overall story is what made me keep turning the pages.

There is a lot of alcohol drinking in this story, which I found to be a bit concerning.  Also, Darion’s penchant for smoking I found to be unsavory.  Neither of these issues was distasteful enough to keep me from awarding this book 5 stars, because I would most certainly read this book again and gift it to a friend.

I didn’t realize that this book was a part of a trilogy when I read it.  I should have looked more closely at the cover – my bad.  So my when I reached the end of the book my reaction was –  You’ve got to be f*ing kidding me!  It ends with a serious cliffhanger.  After my frustration waned, I realized that it was a good thing, because it meant there will be another in the serious to read.  Somehow, I’ll have to conjure the patience to wait for the next in the series.

BLURB

Gabriella Woods is adapting to Darion Milano’s daring world…

As Gabi tries to break down Darion’s defenses and help him move on from his damaged past, she hopes he can offer her the love and security she desperately requires.

Darion likes that Gabi is pushing her boundaries, but he has his own dilemmas…

With his outrageous ex-wife in the picture, a constant threat, Gabi finds herself agreeing to Darion’s open-minded adventurous fantasies. The bond they share appears stronger than ever.

Until her confession changes everything.

Is Darion pushing Gabi to her limits—and further away from him?

Or is Gabi in too deep to give Darion up, regardless of her identity that he’s slowly stripping away?

PURCHASE LINKS

The Amazon links are below:

AMAZON UK http://amzn.to/2bckJMO

AMAZON US  http://amzn.to/2bFppdD

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SEE RELATED POST

S. Valentine – His Confession

 

Thank You Arc to S. Valentine!

AUTHOR

 

Dani René – Shattered by Love

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REVIEW

The best part of romance books (besides the hot sex scenes) is getting to know the characters.  The way this book is written allows the reader to really understand the character’s frame of mind and feelings.  The story oscillates from various characters in both in future and past tense.  Many books are told from dual perspectives, but this books goes way beyond that.  The way in which the total story enfolds makes it impossible to put the book down. (Don’t worry – I did manage to feed my kids while reading)

Jayce’s dirty mouth made me so hot that my iPad accidentally slipped out of my sweaty hands.  He cracks me up in how easily he gets distracted by his own thoughts and is constantly thinking about being with his woman.

I liked and came to respect the female characters.  It takes a bit longer time throughout the book to get to know them, but well worth it.

I won’t provide spoilers, but I’ll say that one of the twists made me smile immensely.  It was one of the moments while reading the book where I knew with complete certainty that I would never forget the story.

BLURB

The boy from the wrong side of town.
The girl who stole his heart.

Jayce

For five years, I’ve lived with my choice.
Pain. Regret. Heartache.
A shattered soul.

She was my salvation. My love. My world.
Until I let her walk away.

Ivy

For five years, I’ve lived with my secret.
Hurt. Remorse. Sorrow.
A shattered soul.

He was my life. My love. My world.
Until he let me walk away.

Broken hearts, shattered by love.
Secrets. Deception. Lies.

Can shattered love be mended?

18+ For mature audiences only. Can be read as a stand alone, but the characters are introduced in Broken by Desire.

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ONLY $0.99 until August 28! FREE ON KU

US: http://amzn.to/2aFGGTh

UK: http://amzn.to/2aocevT

CA: http://amzn.to/2aLla0Y

AU: http://amzn.to/2b5zSz5

SEE RELATED POSTS

Dani René – Ace of Harts

Dani René – Between Love and Fire

Dani René – Broken by Desire

 

Thank You Arc to Dani René!

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