Friday, November 13, 2015

Craft Update

Wow! Where has the time gone? I wanted to do a quick update on some of the craft projects I have made recently.

Gold Leaf Dachshund Art



As a Dachshund parent, anything with a dachshund silhouette is a must have! When I saw this project on Lovely Indeed, I knew I had the perfect place for this picture in my living room. 

It was easy to create the dachshund stencil using my Cricut. Applying the gold leaf adhesive and the leafing was a bit tricky. I had trouble getting even coverage, but after a few applications I think my golden doxie looks great!

Home Sweet Home Word Art



When I was putting up my fall decor I realized the wall above my entertainment center was bare. I decided to create some word art that would coordinate with any season's decor. 

I have been buying/hoarding cheap frames whenever I find a good clearance deal, and I found this white frame at Kirklands for $3 (or less!). It had an image of a leaf in it, but I removed that and used burlap for the background. Then I cut out 'Home Sweet Home' in white vinyl (mirrored) and placed it on the inside of the glass. I used some burlap ribbon to hang the frame from a fancy 3m Command hook. I love how this word art turned out and how it looks with my fall decor!

Caterpillar Birthday Bag



I don't know about you, but I always have Holiday themed wrapping paper or gift bags, but never any birthday ones. So when we needed a bag for a Twins' Caterpillar themed party, I knew my trusty Cricut could turn this plain Jane bag into a fun birthday bag in just minutes.



Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Taking the Ice Blog Tour & Giveaway




Series: Ice #3
Release date: August 17th 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Olympic rings and an engagement ring.

Courtney Carlton is ready for both.

She and her boyfriend Josh have skated together and dated for four years, and they’ve reached a critical point in their partnership both on and off the ice. With the Winter Games coming up and their career nearing an end, they are fighting to win a spot on the Olympic team, something Courtney has dreamed of since she was ten years old.

She also has another wish she hopes comes true soon. She’s waiting for a marriage proposal from Josh that she expected to happen by now. Will she realize either dream or will her heart be broken from disappointment?

Review


It's time for Josh and Courtney's Olympic dreams to come true! Taking the Ice brings us back into the competition.

While their sights are set on Olympic gold, Courtney can't help but wonder when Josh will propose! I totally related to the few "is he about to propose" moments, and when Josh finally does get down on one knee it was definitively worth the wait! What a truly magical moment.

Taking the Ice wraps up Josh and Courtney's story perfectly and got me pumped for the next winter Olympics!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars. It's obvious I'm a HUGE fan of this series, as well as the rest of Jennifer's books. Josh and Courtney's love story was beautiful and I loved going through their highs and lows together. They were truly unbreakable, never once did you think 'It's over', we just waited to see how they worked through it all. 


About The Author


Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a die-hard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is traveling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing.


http://jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com/
facebook.com/jennifercomeauxauthor
twitter.com/LadyWave4

Giveaway


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Getting Dirty Review

Getting Dirty (Jail Bait #1)
by Mia Storm

Dirty
A poem by Blaire Leon

If sex is dirty, why would I do it with someone I love?
If sex is dirty, then didn’t we all come from the dirt?
What if I like the dirt?
What if I want to get dirty?
What if I want to roll in the mud until I’m so fucking filthy that I’ll never be clean again?

When twenty-five-year-old graduate assistant Caiden Brenner asked Blaire Leon how old she was, she said she was a senior. He chose to believe she meant in college. They connect over Lord Byron’s Don Juan and, as their conversations become increasingly thicker with sexual innuendo, Caiden finds himself obsessing over a totally off-limits undergrad who’s bold, beautiful, brilliant, and one of the most passionate poets he’s ever met.

But it turns out Blaire hasn't been totally honest. She's the seventeen-year-old valedictorian of her high school class, taking courses at Sierra State while awaiting her acceptance to Stanford.

Will Caiden get too deeply into Blaire to back away before he finds out the truth? Or will their connection be enough to seduce him into risking his entire future on Jail Bait?

Excerpt


Without realizing I’m doing it, I find I’m leaning toward her. I catch myself and stop. But before I can pull back, she closes the rest of the distance and presses her lips hard against mine.

Any thought that I shouldn’t be doing this evaporates like fog in a stiff breeze at the taste of her mouth, moving hungrily on mine. She’s scotch and fire on my tongue as she devours me. Right or wrong, I’m powerless to stop her.

Her fingers run down my face to my chest as she opens her mouth wider, inviting me deeper inside. I take the invitation, tasting as much of her as she’ll give me. Her hands tug at the hem of my shirt and my breath catches when cold fingers meet my warm abs.

I press harder against her, drawing her closer, and fire rips through my veins as our tongues and hands explore the new landscapes of each other’s mouths and bodies.

But a shard of coherent thought finally manages to pierce the bubble I’ve constructed to justify what I’m doing. “You’re a student,” I say against her mouth.

Her lips skim to my ear. “I like you, Caiden,” she whispers, and her saying my name with that hot breath, that wet mouth, is nearly enough to break my resolve. “I like you a lot.”

I take her by the shoulders and gently peel her away, my heart hammering out African drumbeats against my ribcage. “You’re so damn incredible, but I can’t do this. It’s totally against university rules. I’m sorry.”

“You’re not my professor,” she says, her expression wounded. “If we like each other, I don’t see why it should matter.”

“I’m Dr. Duncan’s graduate assistant. My boss is your professor. It’s a conflict of interest, since I do most of his grading.”

“So you are conflicted.” It’s clear from the predatory shift her expression takes that she hears that I’m trying to convince myself as much as her.

I drop my head against the headrest. “I am.”

She leans closer again, her breast pressing against my arm through the thin cotton of her top. “I’ll never say anything. No one needs to know,” she whispers, her breath feathering over my neck.


Review

I decided to read Getting Dirty because it was described as a very taboo book and the summary of a high schooler and 26 year old really pushed the envelope on what is 'taboo'.

This book was bold and tests what you think is right and wrong. Is age really just a number? Should relationships be based on maturity rather than ethical rules?

There will be times when you want to stop reading just because you feel something isn't right, but give Getting Dirty a chance and you will be surprised.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars. I enjoyed Caiden and Blaire's story and can't wait to read the next book in the Jail Bait series.

Buy Getting Dirty on Amazon, B&N, iBooks, KOBO, Google Play.


About The Author


Mia Storm is a hopeless romantic who is always searching for her happy ending. Sometimes she’s forced to make one up. When that happens, she’s thrilled to be able to share those stories with her readers. She lives in California and spends much of her time in the sun with a book in one hand and a mug of black coffee in the other, or hiking the trails in Yosemite. Connect with her online at MiaStormAuthor.blogspot.com , on Twitter at @MiaStormAuthor, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MiaStormAuthor

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Easy Chicken and Kale Soup

With wedding and swimsuit seasons coming up, I've been trying to eat healthier and exercise more. I find making a big pot of healthy soup a great way to stay on the healthy path.

Over Easter weekend we went to Natchez, Mississippi for the Spring Pilgrimage. It was amazing! I loved touring the antebellum homes and antique shopping.



And of course I enjoyed plenty of good food, like the tamales at Fat Mama's.


(Hands down the BEST tamales I've ever eaten).

So when we returned home I knew I needed to get back on track. I decided to make a Chicken and Kale soup.

I started by cooking 3 large chicken breasts in my crock pot. I find this the easiest method to get juicy chicken that shreds perfectly. I just seasoned the chicken with salt, red pepper, garlic and onion powder and added a splash of water. I cooked the chicken on high for 4 hours.

When I got home from work, I sauteed an onion and some sliced carrots in a little olive oil. I seasoned the veggies with salt and pepper. After the veggies cooked for a few minutes, I added 3 cloves of minced garlic.

Once the veggies were tender, I added 2 boxes (about 10 cups) of chicken stock, the shredded chicken and my secret ingredient - a Parmesan cheese rind. I try to save cheese rinds for soups because they had a nice depth of flavor and saltiness to the soup.

I let the soup simmer for 30 mins while I worked out. (Multi-tasking!) Then I added about 2 cups of fresh cheese tortellini and let them cook for 2 minutes. Finally, I stirred in 2 cups of kale and turned off the heat. I tasted for seasoning and added a little more salt and pepper. 

The soup is delicious! It has about 7-8 servings with about 295 calories per serving.



Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Beautiful Secret Book Blitz!

Beautiful Secret
by Christina Lauren

Excerpt


A silence fell over the table as everyone turned to watch Ruby leave the bar and head upstairs to bed. She had been utterly charming throughout dinner, and the group had groaned in unison when she’d excused herself because of our early morning. I, too, had been quite sad to see her go.

“Well, well.”

I looked up to see my brother’s smug expression.

“Now that we’re alone,” Will began, “I think we can all agree to drop any pretense that we’re not ruined for civilized conversation, yes?” Each of them nodded in agreement and beside me, his glass now refilled, Will raised his tumbler to take a small swallow of scotch. “I also think we can all agree Bennett will be an important consultant on this case.”

Max snickered.

“The conference?” I asked, confused.

“It’s an all-too-common predicament,” Bennett added dryly. “Knockout intern. Boss in denial. I’ll draft up a step-by-step plan of containment.”

I blinked, swallowing thickly as I realized what they meant. “She’s not my intern. I have absolutely no say in her career.” I shook my head, frustrated because it was exactly the wrong thing to say. “I’m not . . . that is to say, she’s not interested. Nor I.”

All four men laughed.

“Niall,” Will said, leaning his elbows on his knees. “She nearly dropped her drink in your lap when George asked if she was interested in anyone.”

“Was going to say the same thing,” Bennett said.

“And something tells me she’d be first to volunteer to clean it up,” Will added.

“Well, maybe that’s because she’s interested in someone who works with us at R-C.”

“Yeah. You.” Max lifted his glass and finished the last of the amber liquid.

“Sincerely,” I said, fighting a smile. “She’s a fantastic girl, but she’s certainly not a romantic option for me.”

Tilting his head, Bennett asked, “What color are her eyes?”

Green, I didn’t say. I shook my head as if I didn’t know.

“What was she wearing?” Will asked.

A blue dress that hit just above her knee, I didn’t say. A delicate gold chain around her neck and a ring on her right ring finger that I had to resist asking her about until George bulldozed in and asked about a boyfriend.

I rolled my eyes, and my brother laughed again, this time pointing his drink at me. “Blokes don’t notice these things unless they’re interested.”

“Or George,” Will added, and George reached over to grab the back of his neck and try to pull him in for a kiss.

“Well, it’s apparent I needn’t think on this any further,”

I said. “You’ve all decided for me.”

“It’s what we do,” Will said, adjusting the skewed collar of his shirt as he settled back into his chair.

“It’s a sickness, we know.”

“I thought we’d lost that muscle, honestly,” George said.

“It’s a relief to know we still have it in us. The ladies will be so proud.” Max rapped his knuckles on the table as he made to stand. “Alas, I’d best be off. New routine: Sara gets the baby to sleep; I do the midnight bottle feeding.”

“Finally taking a bottle from you then? Guess you smell like a woman, too,” I said to Max, reminding him of the little dig he’d thrown my way on my last visit.

Max laughed and patted me on the back, and we all stood, a silent agreement in place that we were ready to call it a night. I watched my brother gather his things and say his goodbyes, feeling the same mix of pride and longing for what he was headed home to: a wife, a daughter. A proper home.

“Kiss the girls for me,” I requested as he made his way out of the bar. He waved a hand, retreating, and then disappeared from view.

PreOrder Beautiful Secret Today!

Amazon  |  B&N  |  iTunes  |  Kobo  |  Target

Connect with Christina Lauren

http://christinalaurenbooks.com/  |  @christinalauren  |  @seecwrite  |  @lolashoes

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Love's Suicide Review

Love's Suicide
By Jennifer Foor

Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  B & N  |  iTunes

My heart belonged to Branch and Brooks Valentine since we were children, when we were all too naïve to know what that even meant. We didn’t understand that when we became adults, love would change us. I had to make a choice and when I did, it ripped our bond apart. Brooks left town, and he took half of my heart with him. It was difficult, but I coped and planned my future with Branch. I thought I’d made the right decision. I loved him and I always had.

Brooks showed up to be our best man the night before our nuptials. After drinks and too much reminiscing, I ended up in bed with the wrong brother. To avoid the humiliation and the fact that I’d ruined all of our lives, I left Branch and the only family I’d ever known.

That’s where my story should have ended.

Two years, one beautiful little girl and an abusive marriage later, I was standing there staring at the man that would always hold my heart.

The only question was…

Would I give it to him

I’m Katy Michaels and this is my story.

My Review


After reading the synopsis for Love's Suicide I was very intrigued. A girl in love with two twin bothers was not a story you heard everyday.

Soooo much happened to Katy, it almost felt like too much for one book! While I felt sorry for many of the things she had to deal with, I did not agree with some of the decisions she made. Certain things could have been handled better which would have spared some of the problems and hurt.

The reason I kept reading was Brooks. He was a great character, a good person. I had to find out if he would get his HEA.

Through it all I was always rooting for Katy and Brooks. They were truly soul mates and deserved to be together.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars. After reading Love's Suicide, I was emotionally exhausted! The 2nd story Love Survives is out now and it is told from Brook's POV. 

About the Author


Jennifer Foor is an award winning Contemporary Romance Author. She's best known for the Mitchell Family Series, which includes ten books.

She is married with two children and spends most of her time behind a keyboard, writing stories that come from her heart.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Losing the Ice Blog Tour and Giveaway


Losing the Ice
by Jennifer Comeaux
Series: Ice #2
Release date: February 23rd 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Courtney and Josh are in love and excited to finally compete as skating partners. When they take the ice for their first competition, they want to show everyone, especially Josh's family, they are the perfect pair.

But ice is slippery, and one misstep puts all their dreams in jeopardy. Now they must show each other both their love and their partnership are strong enough to survive.


My Review


Losing the Ice jumps right into the action. It's been a few months since the end of Crossing the Ice, and Josh and Courtney are at their first big skating competition as a new pair. Courtney and Josh are an amazing couple, and even though their love and partnership is put to the test, I never once worried it wouldn't work out. Jennifer has created such a strong, loving bond between the two that nothing could break them up.

Even dealing with his injury, Josh is still a hunky, swoon inducing lead. Courtney handles everything in stride, including Josh's horrible family, while still being her sassy self! Surprisingly, by the end of the book I was hating Stephanie (Josh's sister) much less. Turns out the witch has a heart after all!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars! My only complaint was that Losing the Ice ended so quickly - I think I read it in one sitting! But no worries because Jennifer has already started on the next book in Josh and Courtney's series!


About the Author


Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a die-hard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating.

One of her favorite pastimes is traveling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers!

jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com | TWITTER | FACEBOOK


Giveaway


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

The Ghost of You Blog Tour and Giveaway



The Ghost of You
by Amanda Burckhard
Release Date: 12/30/14
Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:
Emmy has everything she’s ever wanted: a hot boyfriend she adores, great friends, a promising future, and even a well-connected family. But one night rips it all away.

A car accident shatters her world, claiming the lives of her twin brother and her best friend. In the wake of the accident, her friends drift away, her family falls apart, and her boyfriend cheats.

The grief is more than she can handle, so she finds escape at the bottom of a bottle of painkillers. Taking the pills makes her brother alive again, if only in her head. Seeing and talking to her brother as if he were still alive is the only thing that keeps her going. Until Logan King moves to town.

Logan sees past the mask of pristine popularity she wears in public and he’s the only one who can tell she hasn’t moved on. His uncanny ability to read her forces her to open up and she starts to fall for him, no matter how unwilling she is to admit it. But Emmy isn’t the only one keeping secrets and when a close brush with death sparks events that bring everything to light, Emmy will have to decide what’s more important: learning how to forgive and move on, or holding onto the pills and the ghost of her past.

My Review


The Ghost of You drew me into the story, I felt compelled to finish once I started reading. While the subject matter (drugs, losing a loved one) are very heavy, Burckhard balances the story very well. 

I found it very intriguing that Emmy knew the hallucination of her brother Derek was all in her mind, even though she was taking pain pills to keep seeing him. I was very interested to find out what happens to Emmy, if she would ever get the help for her addiction that she needed.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars. The Ghost of You told the story of a teen struggling to deal with the death of her twin brother. The ending gave hope for others who may be struggling with similar issues and by spreading this message maybe they can get the help they need.

Buy The Ghost of You on Amazon.

About the Author


Amanda Burckhard grew up exploring bat caves and hunting for dinosaur bones in the Black Hills of South Dakota. When she wasn’t crossing paths with mountain lions, she was making up stories and devouring books at the library. Although, she still does that.

Amanda loves to travel and cross out things on her adrenaline packed bucket list. Some of the things she's been able to cross out include see an active volcano erupt, ride a gondola in Venice, and pet a tiger.

She currently lives in North Sioux City, South Dakota and works as a microbiologist by day. Some of her obsessions include comic book movies, hot chocolate, sushi, sunshine, and Doctor Who.

Website │ Goodreads │ Twitter │ Facebook

Giveaway



Book Tour Organized by: 

Friday, February 27, 2015

Finding Haven Review

Finding Haven
by T.A. Foster

Power. Money. Control. Love.

He has all but one.

When movie star, Evan Carlson, discovers his girlfriend’s picture with another man splashed on the cover of gossip magazines, he decides he’s had enough of his fishbowl life and attempts to outrun the media frenzy his relationships have become. Driving until the road stops, he ends up on the remote and quaint Perry Island, where a heartthrob can blend in like the locals and be a beach bum as long as he wants. All that changes when Evan meets Haven Owen, aspiring songwriter and the girl he just can’t get enough of. A summer romance turns into something much deeper and Evan gets tangled in his own web of lies to keep Haven in his life. But when his ex tracks him down, Evan learns there are some things you just can’t outrun.

Is the cost of love, losing all control?

My Review


I really loved the idea of a celebrity wanting to escape the fame and have a normal life. Evan just needs to escape the media frenzy that has become his life. While hiding out on Perry Island he meets Haven. Things move quickly between Evan and Haven, even though Evan is hiding his true identity.

I could see the train wreck coming with all the lies Evan told to Haven. When everything gets out of control with the paparazzi, I felt for Haven. She was blindsided. Everything she thought she knew was a lie.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars. I really enjoyed Finding Haven and jumped right into reading Red Lines to find out what happens with Evan and Haven.

For a limited time Finding Haven is FREE! Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | iTunes

Want more of Evan and Haven's story? Red Lines, the second book in the series is available now!

About the Author


T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos.

Her long love affair with books started at an early age and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

When Joss Met Matt Blog Tour and Giveaway



When Joss Met Matt
By Ellie Cahill

In the tradition of New Adult superstar Jessica Sorensen, Ellie Cahill’s debut novel is a charming friends-with-benefits story . . . with a twist!

What if after every bad breakup, there was someone to help “cleanse your palate”—someone who wouldn’t judge you, who was great in bed, someone you were sure not to fall in love with? “Sorbet sex” could solve everything—as long as it never got too sweet.

Joss and Matt have been friends since freshman year of college, meeting one night after Joss is dumped by her boyfriend. After a few drinks, Matt humors her with a proposition: that he’ll become her go-to guy whenever she needs to heal a broken heart. In return, she’ll do the same for him. The #1 Rule: They’ll never fall in love with each other. People scoff at the arrangement. But six years later, Joss and Matt are still the best of friends . . . with benefits.

Through a string of boyfriends and girlfriends—some almost perfect, some downright wrong—Joss and Matt are always there for each other when the going gets tough. No strings. No attachments. Piece of cake. No problem. After all, since they wrote the rules, surely they can play by them. Or can they?

My Review


When Joss Met Matt is not your typical friends with benefits story. I thought the idea of Sorbet Sex was interesting, and I really wanted to see how it played out for Matt and Joss.



I really loved the Present/Past format of the story. It felt almost cinematic and added interest to the story. It drew me in from early on , I just wanted to keep reading to discover Matt and Joss's fate!

Since the story is told from Joss's perspective, you can tell in college that she starts to develop feelings for Matt, but she's just not ready to admit that maybe he is her type. It's a little harder to determine Matt's feelings, which keeps this story a page turner.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars. I really enjoyed When Joss Met Matt! It's a super sweet love story that handles Sorbet Sex very well. Get your copy on Amazon today!


About the Author


Ellie Cahill is a freelance writer and also writes books for young adults under the name Liz Czukas. She lives outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband, son, and the world’s loudest cat.

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Blog  |  Instagram

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Friday, February 20, 2015

The Surrender Gate by Christopher Rice


I am a HUGE Christopher Rice fan! I read A Density of Souls and Snow Garden when they first came out and LOVED them! And being from the New Orleans area, I really appreciate all the details he includes in his stories. I am so excited to bring you the Excerpt Blitz for Christopher Rice's THE SURRENDER GATE! THE SURRENDER GATE is an Adult Fantasy and the first book in Christopher’s Desire Exchange Series

Excerpt


“I’m sorry,” Marcus says.
“For?”
“For the fact you so totally and completely misinterpreted what I said.”
“I’m hanging up now. It’s a little late for mansplaining.”
“And for not turning you around and taking you right over the hood of that Aston Martin to show you how wrong you were.”
Her breath catches, but another Emily responds. “Charming,” she whispers.
“Your hand seems to think so,” he says.
He’s right. The warmth she’s been feeling against her thigh is coming from her own palm. Just the sound of his voice has charmed her fingers onto her thigh. And he can see it all. The parted taffeta drapes blowing in the breeze, the tangle of silk sheets sliding down across her white T-shirt, the rise and fall of her chest as she tries to get back the breath he just stole from her.
“It’s not gonna be that easy,” she says.
“What? What isn’t going to be that easy, Miss Blaine?”
“Put a little distance between us and then you turn into Christian Grey, when there’s no risk and you don’t have to—”
“Don’t have to what?”
“I want to hear what you said.”
“When?”
“Arthur said he assigned you to me because you made some comments about me that got back to him. I want to hear them. The comments.”
“They weren’t comments,” Marcus says.
“Then what were they?”
“Observations.”
“About my weight?”
“About your eyes. You were coming down off the front porch of the main house one day and when the sunlight hit your eyes, they were so beautiful they looked like a painting.”
“Well, now…that’s kinda sweet.”
“And then I said if I ever get inside that woman I’m going to do whatever it takes to make her look into my eyes the whole time. To make her feel like there’s no one else except for me, and nothing else in the world except for what I’m doing to her body.”
She hopes her sharp intake of breath is too soft for the microphones to pick up, but she doubts it. And besides, her silence is telling enough.
“Watch that hand, Emily.”
“Is that how you said it? In exactly those words?”
“I said it in a way Scott could understand. He was the other guy on duty that day. He doesn’t read books with big words. Just magazines with big guns.”
“I see…”
“I see too,” he says. “But I’d like to see more.”
Before she can think twice about it, she draws the sheet back a few inches, exposing the crotch of her panties to the ocean breeze, revealing it to the darkened bedroom and it’s myriad of hidden but prying eyes. Revealing it to Marcus’s tortured hunger for her, on which he seems to temporarily lose his grip every few hours or so.
Me, I’m the reason he loses control. I’m the thing he wants but doesn’t want to want…yet.
Fear sends gooseflesh up her thighs, fear of being exposed, fear of moving too fast, fear of giving too much of herself away too soon. But they’re her thighs and her panties, goddammit, and for the time being, this is her bedroom, and she’s technically alone, so what is there to be afraid of—
“Are the cameras recording?” she asks the darkness.
“Not unless I tell them to.”
“Don’t tell them to.”
“Then show me more. Quid pro quo, you know.”
“Never reference Silence of the Lambs when you’re trying to get a woman naked.”
“You have a real mouth on you, Miss Blaine. Do you know that?”
“I do. And that’s why you keep talking to me.”
“Or it’s just my job.”
“There are other jobs, with quieter people.”
“Smart girl.”
She tries to suppress a smile. Beneath the sheet, she works her arms out from her T-shirt, then slides the entire thing up and over her head before dropping it to the carpet. Just at the moment when Marcus probably believes she’s about expose her breasts to the open air, she rolls over onto her stomach.
Marcus growls.


About The Surrender Gate



New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice’s first foray into erotic romance, THE FLAME, earned accolades from some of the genre’s most beloved authors. “Sensual, passionate and intelligent,” wrote Lexi Blake, “it’s everything an erotic romance should be.” J. Kenner called it “absolutely delicious,” Cherise Sinclair hailed it as “beautifully lyrical” and Loreli James announced, “I look forward to reading more!” Now, Christopher returns you to the world first introduced in THE FLAME with an all new novel of The Desire Exchange…

Emily Blaine’s life is about to change. Arthur Benoit, the kindly multi-millionaire who has acted as her surrogate father for years, has just told her he’s leaving her his entire estate, and he only has a few months to live. Soon Emily will go from being a restaurant manager with a useless English degree to one of the richest and most powerful women in New Orleans. There’s just one price. Arthur has written a letter to his estranged son Ryan he hopes will mend the rift between them, and he wants Emily to deliver the letter before it’s too late. But finding Ryan won’t be easy. He’s been missing for years. He was recently linked to a mysterious organization called The Desire Exchange. But is The Desire Exchange just an urban legend? Or are the rumors true? Is it truly a secret club where the wealthy can live out their most private fantasies?

It’s a task Emily can’t undertake alone. But there’s only one man qualified to help her, her gorgeous and confident best friend, Jonathan Claiborne. She’s suspected Jonathan of working as a high-priced escort for months now, and she’s willing to bet that Jonathan has uncovered some possible leads to The Desire Exchange—and to Ryan Benoit. But Emily’s attempt to uncover Jonathan’s secret life lands the two of them in hot water. Literally. In order to escape the clutches of one of Jonathan’s most powerful and dangerous clients, they must act on long buried desires—for each other.

When Emily’s mission turns into an undercover operation, Jonathan insists on going with her. He also insists they continue to explore their impossible, reckless passion for each other. Enter Marcus Dylan, the hard-charging ex-Navy SEAL Arthur has hired to keep Emily safe. But Marcus has ulterior motives for taking the job; he, too, has a burning passion for Emily, and he turns out to be as rough and controlling as Jonathan is sensual and reckless. As Emily searches for a place where the rich turn their fantasies into reality, she will also be forced to decide which one of her own long-ignored fantasies should become her reality. But as Emily, Jonathan, and Marcus draw closer to The Desire Exchange itself, they find their destination isn’t just shrouded in mystery, but in magic as well.

The Surrender Gate is available on Amazon Kindle &  Amazon Paperback, get a copy today!

About Christopher Rice


After publishing four New York Times bestselling thrillers by the age of 30 and being declared one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive, award-winning writer Christopher Rice became the first author to make his erotic romance debut part of the 1,001 DARK NIGHTS series. THE FLAME: A Desire Exchange Novella kicked off a steamy new series set in New Orleans, featuring magical candles and a sexy new breed of supernatural beings, The Radiants, who are devoted to helping heroes and heroines realize their heart’s desire. THE FLAME earned accolades from some of the biggest names in erotic romance and was quickly followed up by THE SURRENDER GATE: A Desire Exchange Novel, available from Evil Eye Concepts as a Blue Box Special. Aside from authoring eight works of dark suspense, Christopher is also the co-host and executive producer of a streaming Internet radio show he launched with his best friend, New York Times bestselling author Eric Shaw Quinn. Each Sunday at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT, THE DINNER PARTY SHOW WITH CHRISTOPHER RICE & ERIC SHAW QUINN brings you a new episode at TheDinnerPartyShow.com

Website  |  Twitter  |   Goodreads  |   Novel Goodreads



Friday, February 13, 2015

50 Shades of Grey: The Movie

I was so excited to see 50 Shades of Grey last night. I went in with low expectations, really expecting it to be terrible since most book to movie adaptations are. But I was surprised! Overall the movie was good, they really stayed true to the book which I appreciated.

When I first heard Dakota and Jamie were cast as Ana and Christian, I wasn't pleased. I thought Dakota was too mature for the virginal role. I was so wrong. She was great as Ana, she carried the entire movie. Where as Jamie was flat and one dimensional for me. I couldn't see the attraction he had for Ana. I hope he relaxes into the role as Christian for the next 2 movies.

I feel like there was another main character that helped shape the movie: The Soundtrack. First off - Danny Elfman - HELLO, you know it's going to be good. The songs were woven into the movie so beautifully, it really set the mood and added much needed drama to the sex scenes.

A personal note about this movie: If you are going to see 50 Shades please be aware of what the movie is about. There is going to be SEX. I was very annoyed by all the awkward giggles from the audience during some scenes. Also, please don't loudly shout "OMG" or "WTF" or be disgusted or outraged. You should know something about a movie before you see it. And in this case I would recommend you read the book first, it would help you have a better understanding of Ana and her and Christian's relationship.

I will admit, the sex scenes were more naughty than I expected for an 'R' movie. And there could have been a little less Ana nudity (IMO). I appreciated the little bits of humor, mostly from Ana. It helped keep a nice balance to the story. A few scenes were left out that I thought helped show how much Christian cared for Ana.

My two favorite scenes, that MADE the movie were the contract meeting and the glider. I loved how the power/control visibly shifted at the contract meeting. It became very apparent that Ana was the one holding all the cards and she knew it. Christian would "compromise" for her. When Christian took Ana in the glider, I was grinning just like Ana was. You could feel the excitement and happiness. This is a scene where just the soundtrack and actors faces really told the story.

Was I expecting an award winning movie? No. But what I got was 2+ hours of entertainment. If you've read the book I think you will enjoy the movie. My boyfriend who's never read the books didn't hate it either. So grab your Valentine's Day dates and go see 50 Shades of Grey.

If you are one of the 7 people on the planet who haven't read the books, please buy and read them now!


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Red Lines Blog Tour and Giveaway




Red Lines
By T.A. Foster

Goodreads Summary

Love on remote Perry Island was one thing, but with the flash of a camera everything has changed.

Movie star Evan Carlson has just landed the role of a lifetime, playing the infamous Dexter Red. Fans can't get enough of the sexiest, most-talked-about guy to ever hit paperback pages.

Haven is in Austin working on her songwriting career, and Evan's faith and commitment are put to the test. No matter which way he turns, Hollywood keeps getting in the way.

Does realizing their career dreams mean losing their relationship? Can they survive the headlines and media frenzy surrounding Evan's new role?

When it comes to love, some lines are meant to be blurred.

My Review

 

Red Lines is the follow up novel to Finding Haven - I would recommend reading the books in order.

Haven and Evan have left the privacy of Perry Island. They both are ready to move forward with their careers, which leads to spending less time together. On top of that Evan is starring in a sexy movie with his ex!

Dealing with the tabloids and rumors is difficult, but Evan and Haven will get their happy ending. They are able to work out the distance, exes, Hollywood drama and rumors to make their relationship work.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars. Red Lines is a great happy ending to Haven and Evan's story.

Buy Red Lines on Amazon  |  B&N  |  iTunes

And be sure to get Finding Haven which is FREE for a limited time!

 

About the Author

 

T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos. 

Her long love affair with books started at an early age, and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. Time Spell is T.A.’s debut novel, and the first in a series about a very adventurous, clever, and magical girl named Ivy.

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.

Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

Giveaway

Win 2 Fandango Movie Tickets, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Paper or Plastic Blog Tour





Paper or Plastic
by Vivi Barnes
Release Date: 2015
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to SmartMart, where crime pays minimum wage...

Busted. Alexis Dubois just got caught shoplifting a cheap tube of lipstick at the local SmartMart. She doesn’t know what’s worse—disappointing her overbearing beauty-pageant-obsessed mother for the zillionth time…or her punishment. Because Lex is forced to spend her summer working at the store, where the only thing stranger than the staff is the customers.

Now Lex is stuck in the bizarro world of big-box retail. Coupon cutters, jerk customers, and learning exactly what a “Code B” really is (ew). And for added awkwardness, her new supervisor is the totally cute—and completely below her social sphere—Noah Grayson. Trying to balance her out-of-control mother, her starting spot on the school softball team, and her secret crush on the school geek makes for one crazy summer. But ultimately, could the worst store in the world be the best thing that ever happened to her?

My Review

Alexis made a mistake and now has to spend the summer working at SmartMart. What could be a terrible punishment, turns into just what she needs. She gets to know Noah, the cute manager who happens to be her best friend's nemesis. 

Noah and Lex go through a lot over the summer - family issues, natural disasters, school friends. By the time school starts will their love be stronger than the social pressures at school?

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars. This was a great story of growth for both Alexis and Noah. It was fun to go on this journey with them and see how it all worked out.

Buy Paper or Plastic on Amazon  |  B&N  |  KoBo

About the Author

Vivi Barnes is the author of Olivia Twisted and the upcoming release, Paper or Plastic. She was raised on a farm in East Texas where her theater-loving mom and cowboy dad gave her a unique perspective on life. Now living in the magic and sunshine of Orlando, Florida, she divides her time writing, working, goofing off with her husband and three kids, and avoiding dirty dishes. 

www.vivibarnes.com


Giveaway

Book Tour Organized by:

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Crossing the Ice Audiobook



Crossing the Ice (Ice #1)
by Jennifer Comeaux
Release Date: 08/03/14
Narrated by: Emily Stokes
Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Summary from Goodreads:

Falling hard never felt so good.

Pair skaters Courtney and Mark have one shot left at their Olympic dream. They vow not to let anything get in their way, especially not Josh and Stephanie, the wealthy and talented brother and sister team.

The heart doesn't always listen to reason, though...

The more time Courtney spends with sweet, shy Josh, the harder she falls for him. But they are on opposite sides of the competition, and their futures are headed in opposite directions. Will their friendship blossom into more or are their paths too different to cross?

My Review


I may be a bit biased on this review since I am friends with the author, I know the cover artist and I've known the narrator since we were kids!

I am a huge Jennifer Comeaux fan! Her Edge series was amazing, and so far I am in LOVE with Courtney and Josh.

This was my first audiobook experience. I'm a classic gal and didn't think I would be able to listen to a story and fully comprehend it. I think I may be changing my mind. With the right setting - a long car trip or flight - an audiobook would be the perfect companion. (Since reading on planes or cars does NOT work for me.)

The narrator, Emily Stokes, is the voice I imagine in my head for Courtney! Sweet and sassy! While she still sounds like the girl I know, she embraces Courtney's character with just her voice.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars! Crossing the Ice is an amazing story now brought to life in audiobook form! I can't wait for the next book in the Ice Series coming in February!

Buy Crossing the Ice Audiobook: Audible  |  Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo Books  |  iBooks

About the Author


Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is travelling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers! Visit jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com for contact information and to learn more about her books.

Giveaway