Sara Daniel's Blog, page 19
January 10, 2016
Homemade Applesauce #recipe from @sloanetaylor2 #FrenchDelight
by Sloane Taylor
Paul D’Laquois, the sexy hero in my short story French Delight, dedicates his life to science and the well-being of man. He understands the need for a greater food supply at reasonable prices and struggles to solve the problem by developing a tasty fruit. Lisette Hugo, the soon-to-be-love of Paul's life, stands by her man and supports him in all his endeavors. But she's no pushover. Lisette requested I send her my homemade applesauce recipe to tide them over in the fruit department until Paul perfects his orchard. I thought I'd share this easy dish with you, too.
Homemade Applesauce
6 large apples cored, peeled, and coarsely sliced*
1 cup sugar
4 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1½ tbsp. soft butter
Combine all ingredients except butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer 15 – 20 minutes or until apples mash easily with a fork.
Stir in the butter.
Mash with a potato masher. For a smoother texture pour the sauce into a blender or food processor and puree for a minute or so.
Turn into a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. This recipe also freezes well.
*Mix it up with a variety of apples to improve the flavor.
Now as for Paul and Lisette, here's a peek into their story.
Fantasy blooms alongside the flora in a garden of wicked delight.
Science is Paul’s life. Close to a major breakthrough, all he wants is to be left alone with his trees and not be forced to entertain a corporate suit. That is until the suit arrives in a sexy sundress. Now all Paul can think about is experimenting on her.
Lisette is less than thrilled to spend a month at a moldering chateau on the French Riviera with only some dried up old scientist for company. However the hot man in dirty jeans tending his scraggly trees proves more of a garden fantasy than the nerd in a lab coat.
Sex and science create a volatile formula resulting in total delight.
EXCERPT
Paul looked at her. A deep, solemn stare. Time froze and all oxygen zapped from her brain.
It took all her energy to compel her brain back into business mode.
“Now let me get those papers for you.” She reluctantly moved away from him to search for her briefcase.
He caught her up in his arms, studying her. Was he searching for permission? She looped an arm around his neck while her other hand rode down his narrow hip, and lower to his firm butt.
He massaged her spine and electric charges shot to the tips of her puckered nipples. The combined aromas of sweet honey and tart wine mingled between them when he opened his mouth and licked his lips.
She closed her eyes and stretched up to taste him.
His lips barely touched hers. The light, tender kiss set her on fire. Not enough. Not near enough. She stepped closer, needing to feel all of him against her. His body heat radiated through his clothes, warming her sensitive places, and a shiver skittered through her. His hard cock pushed against her mons and she inched closer on trembling legs.
He glided his fingertips down her cheek, tracing along her jawbone, before continuing his seductive exploration to her throat. He spread his long fingers and circled her hot skin while his thumb caressed the long column. Dieu, how she loved to have her throat stroked while making love. She tipped her head back, allowing him full access. He lowered his head, his late-night beard scraping against her hot skin, electrifying her. Murmured words blended with equally soft moans as he nipped down to the pulsating hollow at the base of her throat.
A burning trail singed her flesh, following the path of his hand to her décolleté. His gentle touch triggered a whirlwind of sensations that rocked her body. She had never been so alive, so in need of a man.
Her nipples ached to be suckled. Moisture gathered in her throbbing vagina and pooled in her thong. The need to feel him stroke inside her, to ease the incredible pressure between her thighs, forced her to rock against his swollen dick.
She licked his lips before deepening their kiss. He glided her robe down one shoulder. She lowered her arm and the satiny fabric slid off her wrist.
He kissed the corner of her mouth, his hand continuing down her body until he cupped her breast. He gently squeezed her nipple between his thumb and index finger. With each pinch, she bucked against him. The sweet pressure carried her to a new plateau. Her moans filled the room as he rubbed the aching peak against the soft material of his shirt.
Sheer. Delicious. Torture.
She dropped her other arm and the robe parted, allowing the thin cloth to puddle onto the floor.
He slid his finger between her butt cheeks, gliding beneath the silk band of her thong until he reached her sphincter. With slow circling motions, he drew her into another realm of intense desire.
Her legs gave out.
He caught her in his arms and lifted her charged body as if she were a feather. After a languid kiss, he set her onto the kitchen table. She lay back, grateful for the support while he raised her legs, then anchored her bare feet against the tabletop…
BUY LINKS
Amazon
ARe
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Award-Winning author Sloane Taylor is a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes sexually explicit romances that takes you right into the bedroom. Being a true romantic, all her stories have a happy ever after.
Her books are set in Europe where the men are all male and the North American women they encounter are both feminine and strong. They also bring more than lust to their men’s lives.
Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. Studly, her mate for life, and Taylor now live in a small home in Indiana and enjoy the change from city life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.
Taylor currently has seven erotic romance books and one box set released by Toque & Dagger Publishing. Excerpts from these books can be found on her website , blog , and all popular vendors.
Subscribe to her short newsletter . Connect with Taylor on Facebook , Twitter , and <
Paul D’Laquois, the sexy hero in my short story French Delight, dedicates his life to science and the well-being of man. He understands the need for a greater food supply at reasonable prices and struggles to solve the problem by developing a tasty fruit. Lisette Hugo, the soon-to-be-love of Paul's life, stands by her man and supports him in all his endeavors. But she's no pushover. Lisette requested I send her my homemade applesauce recipe to tide them over in the fruit department until Paul perfects his orchard. I thought I'd share this easy dish with you, too.
Homemade Applesauce6 large apples cored, peeled, and coarsely sliced*
1 cup sugar
4 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1½ tbsp. soft butter
Combine all ingredients except butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer 15 – 20 minutes or until apples mash easily with a fork.
Stir in the butter.
Mash with a potato masher. For a smoother texture pour the sauce into a blender or food processor and puree for a minute or so.
Turn into a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. This recipe also freezes well.
*Mix it up with a variety of apples to improve the flavor.
Now as for Paul and Lisette, here's a peek into their story.
Fantasy blooms alongside the flora in a garden of wicked delight.
Science is Paul’s life. Close to a major breakthrough, all he wants is to be left alone with his trees and not be forced to entertain a corporate suit. That is until the suit arrives in a sexy sundress. Now all Paul can think about is experimenting on her.
Lisette is less than thrilled to spend a month at a moldering chateau on the French Riviera with only some dried up old scientist for company. However the hot man in dirty jeans tending his scraggly trees proves more of a garden fantasy than the nerd in a lab coat.
Sex and science create a volatile formula resulting in total delight.
EXCERPT
Paul looked at her. A deep, solemn stare. Time froze and all oxygen zapped from her brain.
It took all her energy to compel her brain back into business mode.
“Now let me get those papers for you.” She reluctantly moved away from him to search for her briefcase.
He caught her up in his arms, studying her. Was he searching for permission? She looped an arm around his neck while her other hand rode down his narrow hip, and lower to his firm butt.
He massaged her spine and electric charges shot to the tips of her puckered nipples. The combined aromas of sweet honey and tart wine mingled between them when he opened his mouth and licked his lips.
She closed her eyes and stretched up to taste him.
His lips barely touched hers. The light, tender kiss set her on fire. Not enough. Not near enough. She stepped closer, needing to feel all of him against her. His body heat radiated through his clothes, warming her sensitive places, and a shiver skittered through her. His hard cock pushed against her mons and she inched closer on trembling legs.
He glided his fingertips down her cheek, tracing along her jawbone, before continuing his seductive exploration to her throat. He spread his long fingers and circled her hot skin while his thumb caressed the long column. Dieu, how she loved to have her throat stroked while making love. She tipped her head back, allowing him full access. He lowered his head, his late-night beard scraping against her hot skin, electrifying her. Murmured words blended with equally soft moans as he nipped down to the pulsating hollow at the base of her throat.
A burning trail singed her flesh, following the path of his hand to her décolleté. His gentle touch triggered a whirlwind of sensations that rocked her body. She had never been so alive, so in need of a man.
Her nipples ached to be suckled. Moisture gathered in her throbbing vagina and pooled in her thong. The need to feel him stroke inside her, to ease the incredible pressure between her thighs, forced her to rock against his swollen dick.
She licked his lips before deepening their kiss. He glided her robe down one shoulder. She lowered her arm and the satiny fabric slid off her wrist.
He kissed the corner of her mouth, his hand continuing down her body until he cupped her breast. He gently squeezed her nipple between his thumb and index finger. With each pinch, she bucked against him. The sweet pressure carried her to a new plateau. Her moans filled the room as he rubbed the aching peak against the soft material of his shirt.
Sheer. Delicious. Torture.
She dropped her other arm and the robe parted, allowing the thin cloth to puddle onto the floor.
He slid his finger between her butt cheeks, gliding beneath the silk band of her thong until he reached her sphincter. With slow circling motions, he drew her into another realm of intense desire.
Her legs gave out.
He caught her in his arms and lifted her charged body as if she were a feather. After a languid kiss, he set her onto the kitchen table. She lay back, grateful for the support while he raised her legs, then anchored her bare feet against the tabletop…
BUY LINKS
Amazon
ARe
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Award-Winning author Sloane Taylor is a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes sexually explicit romances that takes you right into the bedroom. Being a true romantic, all her stories have a happy ever after.Her books are set in Europe where the men are all male and the North American women they encounter are both feminine and strong. They also bring more than lust to their men’s lives.
Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. Studly, her mate for life, and Taylor now live in a small home in Indiana and enjoy the change from city life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.
Taylor currently has seven erotic romance books and one box set released by Toque & Dagger Publishing. Excerpts from these books can be found on her website , blog , and all popular vendors.
Subscribe to her short newsletter . Connect with Taylor on Facebook , Twitter , and <
January 6, 2016
7 Secrets about the Mysterious Author Life of Sara Daniel #writerslife #Hello2016 Giveaway Hop
Hello, my name is Sara Daniel, and here are 7 things you should know about me:1. The five food groups according to Sara are: pasta, tiramisu, cannoli, coffee and wine.
2. My Christmas tree goes up the weekend before Thanksgiving and is down by New Year's Day.
3. Thursdays and Sundays are my laundry days.
4. I like to read a book all in one sitting with no interruptions.
5. My favorite thing to do is sit on the beach and let the waves wash over my feet.
6. I live nowhere near the beach.
7. Long walks in nature keep me sane.
Enter the Rafflecopter to win a copy of my recent release: One Night With His Wife
One Night with His Wife
(1Night Stand - One Night with the Bridal Party #6)
As long as he refuses to accept himself as whole, one night with his wife will be his last.
After a grenade took Marine Luke Cox’s leg and ends his career, he cuts ties with his wife to free her from the burden he’d become. On the day his divorce is to be finalized, he travels to meet a woman for a 1Night Stand date—a woman who doesn’t care about his missing leg or his sudden wealth from a business venture. However, things don’t go as planned, and when he arrives for his date, he’s still legally married.
Rosalind Cox tends to the horses on her cousin’s ranch resort, her love for the animals the only thing keeping her going since her husband turned his back on her. When he appears at her stables, all the longing and rising hope is crushed by the realization he’s only sought her out to gain his freedom.
She’ll give him what he wants, but she can’t resist taking one last kiss for herself. The kiss reopens emotions and attraction that neither can deny. To give in will only complicate the tangle as they try to unwind their lives. But even though Rosalind doesn’t care about Luke’s missing leg or his money, as long as he refuses to accept himself as whole, one night with his wife will be his last.
Buy Links: Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Kobo
Barnes & Noble
Google Play
iBooks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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January 5, 2016
Loving Again #LesFic #newrelease from @JosephJody76 #GLBT
CONGRATULATIONS, ALICIA JOSEPH, on your amazing NEW RELEASE!
One moment from their past had brought two women together in a way neither could have ever imagined.
Dana Perkins lost her longtime partner in a tragic accident. Although she still struggles with the loss, her profound loneliness is evidence that it is time to move on. She knows her deceased lover, Casey, wouldn't want her living this way. Dana begins her slow process of letting go, removing reminders of Casey from her house, and dating again.
The women she meets leave Dana uninspired and missing her deceased partner even more. Just as she is about to resign herself to the belief that she will never love again, Dana meets Emily Daniels, a married woman who is deeply conflicted over her attraction to women. Soon, the two women form a friendship that leads to deeper emotions. They discover that one moment in their past had brought them together in a way neither woman could have ever imagined. Is that one moment in time enough to let both women follow their hearts, or will they let their past continue to rule their future?
EXCERPT
Dana Perkins leaned against the side of the trolley and watched the landmarks of the city pass by. Her brown eyes traced the contours of the well-appointed, fancy, high-rise condos overlooking Lake Michigan, and the sophisticated architecture lining the city’s downtown streets. Tall, crystalline, and convex—the view was stunning.
She closed her eyes as the cool breeze brushed against her face. She inched closer to her lover and kissed her bare shoulder, tasting the salty sweat on Casey’s skin. Dana drew in the raw scent of her partner’s body, the smell of an entire day spent taking in the sights of a big city.
“You’re not ready to call it a day, are you?” Casey Dawson asked.
Dana groaned
“I guess you are.”
“Baby, what else do you want to do?” Dana stifled a yawn. “We have all day tomorrow. Oh, and we also live an hour from the city. We’re not tourists, honey.”
“But we only see everything when we act like tourists. That’s why I got us a hotel for the weekend. No more saying ‘next time’. We’re seeing it all now. ”
“But, baby, I’m sooo tired.”
“Okay,” Casey said. “You win.” She slung an arm loosely around Dana’s neck and kissed her gently on the lips. “We’ll go back to the hotel.”
As the trolley slowed to a stop, the women walked through the open aisle. The thin fabric of Dana’s khakis stuck to the back of her sweaty leg. Dana realized—too late, as she normally did—that she should have listened to her girlfriend and worn shorts.
Casey skipped down the small steps, onto the sidewalk. Her light blue sundress swayed as she moved. She took Dana’s hand and pulled her lightly down the stairs.
“Come on, you tired old lady. Are your legs gonna make it back to the hotel? Or do you need a motorized scooter?”
Dana smoothed a hand over Casey’s long, blonde ponytail. “I can make going to the room early very agreeable.”
Casey eyed her. “And how would you do that?”
“Trust me. You’ll like where this is going…so stop complaining.” Dana reached for Casey, just as she heard a child’s voice yelling behind her.
“Hot dog! Hot dog!” a little boy’s voice cried out.
But Dana kept her thoughts on Casey. She fantasized being back at the hotel, sliding the thin straps of Casey’s dress down her shoulders, and running her hands over the inside of her bare thighs. Suddenly, Casey whirled from Dana’s fingers.
Dana turned around. Her eyes fought with the sun as she struggled to follow her partner’s sudden actions. Dana heard the boy yell again, and watched as the child chased after a hotdog vendor that was crossing a busy intersection.
Casey was running full-speed after the boy, heading straight into oncoming traffic.
Dana didn’t know which came first—the smell of burning rubber, the sound of screeching tires, or the man in the cab yelling for Casey to get out of the way. Everything seemed to happen in the same moment, but somehow Dana’s unsteady legs made it to the edge of the street where Casey’s body lay.
Dana yelled for help and dropped to her knees. She pulled Casey into her lap, while faintly registering voices—some offering help, and some shouting out to call 911. She cradled the woman she loved in her shaking arms.
Trapped by the crowd of people huddled over her, stealing the air, Dana struggled to breathe. Then the sudden blare of sirens shattered through the chaos, yet her eyes never left Casey’s face, her beautiful face.
“Wake up, baby. Please, wake up,” she cried softly.
†
The young bride held her dress in one hand, while the other pressed tightly through the arm of the man she’d just married. A few short hours ago she was Emily Bradford, but now she made her way down the steep church steps as Emily Daniels. Emily smiled readily as a cascade of lights flashed before her eyes. Guests lingered at the edge of the steps with cameras in hand and she took it all in. The gorgeous sky hung in the background like a perfect portrait of a nearly cloudless day.
Michael Daniels took Emily by the hand and kissed her while cameras snapped eagerly to capture the tender moment. From a distance, the faint sound of sirens rang out. Emily squinted against the glare of the sun as she searched the street. The blaring noise was headed in their direction. The bride watched as two ambulances, a fire truck, and multiple police cars sped by.
The beauty of their day was temporarily interrupted by someone else’s tragedy.
Emily closed her eyes and made the sign of the cross, something her mother had taught her to do as a small child whenever an emergency vehicle drove by. When it all passed and the streets were once again serene, her new husband gave her hand a squeeze.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
Leaning her body against his strong shoulder, she kissed her groom the way brides did in movies, creating their very own happily-ever-after moment.
“I’m going to love you for the rest of my life,” she said, her voice trembling.
BUY LINKS
Affinity eBook Press - Amazon
Alicia Joseph grew up in Westchester, Illinois. Her first novella, Her Name, was published by Musa Publishing in 2014. Her Name is a sweet, romantic story about a woman who believes the beautiful woman she dreams about is the real love of her life.
Loving Again is her second published novella. Alicia is currently working on a new novel called A Penny on the Tracks, a coming of age story about love and friendship. Alicia has many works-in-progress that she hopes to finish soon.
When she is not writing, the author enjoys volunteering with animals, rooting for her favorite sports teams, and playing “awesome aunt” to her nine nieces and nephews.
Learn more about Alicia Joseph on her blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter .
One moment from their past had brought two women together in a way neither could have ever imagined. Dana Perkins lost her longtime partner in a tragic accident. Although she still struggles with the loss, her profound loneliness is evidence that it is time to move on. She knows her deceased lover, Casey, wouldn't want her living this way. Dana begins her slow process of letting go, removing reminders of Casey from her house, and dating again.
The women she meets leave Dana uninspired and missing her deceased partner even more. Just as she is about to resign herself to the belief that she will never love again, Dana meets Emily Daniels, a married woman who is deeply conflicted over her attraction to women. Soon, the two women form a friendship that leads to deeper emotions. They discover that one moment in their past had brought them together in a way neither woman could have ever imagined. Is that one moment in time enough to let both women follow their hearts, or will they let their past continue to rule their future?
EXCERPT
Dana Perkins leaned against the side of the trolley and watched the landmarks of the city pass by. Her brown eyes traced the contours of the well-appointed, fancy, high-rise condos overlooking Lake Michigan, and the sophisticated architecture lining the city’s downtown streets. Tall, crystalline, and convex—the view was stunning.
She closed her eyes as the cool breeze brushed against her face. She inched closer to her lover and kissed her bare shoulder, tasting the salty sweat on Casey’s skin. Dana drew in the raw scent of her partner’s body, the smell of an entire day spent taking in the sights of a big city.
“You’re not ready to call it a day, are you?” Casey Dawson asked.
Dana groaned
“I guess you are.”
“Baby, what else do you want to do?” Dana stifled a yawn. “We have all day tomorrow. Oh, and we also live an hour from the city. We’re not tourists, honey.”
“But we only see everything when we act like tourists. That’s why I got us a hotel for the weekend. No more saying ‘next time’. We’re seeing it all now. ”
“But, baby, I’m sooo tired.”
“Okay,” Casey said. “You win.” She slung an arm loosely around Dana’s neck and kissed her gently on the lips. “We’ll go back to the hotel.”
As the trolley slowed to a stop, the women walked through the open aisle. The thin fabric of Dana’s khakis stuck to the back of her sweaty leg. Dana realized—too late, as she normally did—that she should have listened to her girlfriend and worn shorts.
Casey skipped down the small steps, onto the sidewalk. Her light blue sundress swayed as she moved. She took Dana’s hand and pulled her lightly down the stairs.
“Come on, you tired old lady. Are your legs gonna make it back to the hotel? Or do you need a motorized scooter?”
Dana smoothed a hand over Casey’s long, blonde ponytail. “I can make going to the room early very agreeable.”
Casey eyed her. “And how would you do that?”
“Trust me. You’ll like where this is going…so stop complaining.” Dana reached for Casey, just as she heard a child’s voice yelling behind her.
“Hot dog! Hot dog!” a little boy’s voice cried out.
But Dana kept her thoughts on Casey. She fantasized being back at the hotel, sliding the thin straps of Casey’s dress down her shoulders, and running her hands over the inside of her bare thighs. Suddenly, Casey whirled from Dana’s fingers.
Dana turned around. Her eyes fought with the sun as she struggled to follow her partner’s sudden actions. Dana heard the boy yell again, and watched as the child chased after a hotdog vendor that was crossing a busy intersection.
Casey was running full-speed after the boy, heading straight into oncoming traffic.
Dana didn’t know which came first—the smell of burning rubber, the sound of screeching tires, or the man in the cab yelling for Casey to get out of the way. Everything seemed to happen in the same moment, but somehow Dana’s unsteady legs made it to the edge of the street where Casey’s body lay.
Dana yelled for help and dropped to her knees. She pulled Casey into her lap, while faintly registering voices—some offering help, and some shouting out to call 911. She cradled the woman she loved in her shaking arms.
Trapped by the crowd of people huddled over her, stealing the air, Dana struggled to breathe. Then the sudden blare of sirens shattered through the chaos, yet her eyes never left Casey’s face, her beautiful face.
“Wake up, baby. Please, wake up,” she cried softly.
†
The young bride held her dress in one hand, while the other pressed tightly through the arm of the man she’d just married. A few short hours ago she was Emily Bradford, but now she made her way down the steep church steps as Emily Daniels. Emily smiled readily as a cascade of lights flashed before her eyes. Guests lingered at the edge of the steps with cameras in hand and she took it all in. The gorgeous sky hung in the background like a perfect portrait of a nearly cloudless day.
Michael Daniels took Emily by the hand and kissed her while cameras snapped eagerly to capture the tender moment. From a distance, the faint sound of sirens rang out. Emily squinted against the glare of the sun as she searched the street. The blaring noise was headed in their direction. The bride watched as two ambulances, a fire truck, and multiple police cars sped by.
The beauty of their day was temporarily interrupted by someone else’s tragedy.
Emily closed her eyes and made the sign of the cross, something her mother had taught her to do as a small child whenever an emergency vehicle drove by. When it all passed and the streets were once again serene, her new husband gave her hand a squeeze.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
Leaning her body against his strong shoulder, she kissed her groom the way brides did in movies, creating their very own happily-ever-after moment.
“I’m going to love you for the rest of my life,” she said, her voice trembling.
BUY LINKS
Affinity eBook Press - Amazon
Alicia Joseph grew up in Westchester, Illinois. Her first novella, Her Name, was published by Musa Publishing in 2014. Her Name is a sweet, romantic story about a woman who believes the beautiful woman she dreams about is the real love of her life. Loving Again is her second published novella. Alicia is currently working on a new novel called A Penny on the Tracks, a coming of age story about love and friendship. Alicia has many works-in-progress that she hopes to finish soon.
When she is not writing, the author enjoys volunteering with animals, rooting for her favorite sports teams, and playing “awesome aunt” to her nine nieces and nephews.
Learn more about Alicia Joseph on her blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter .
January 3, 2016
The Forgotten Path #matureromance @MarciBoudreaux @Emilia_Mancini #StonehillRomance
by Marci Boudreaux
I’m so thrilled that The Forgotten Path is now available! Some of you may know, I not only write contemporary romance as Marci Boudreaux, but I write steaming hot erotica as Emilia Mancini .
This book really was a labor of love. A very long, painful labor…
Most of my books just flow. The stories are there and ready for the telling. Annie’s story was not like that. And it drove me freaking mad!
This story, much like the main character, was stubborn, impossible to move along when it wasn’t ready, but absolutely worth the trouble.
Annie, the heroine, doesn’t much care for emotions. She thinks emotions make her weak…or worse…vulnerable. She’s tough. Strong. Independent. And head over heels in love with her employee.
She would have been perfectly content to keep pretending not to have feelings for him, but Marcus is going to have none of that. He is just what Annie needs—someone just as tough and willing to push her to accept that she is, much to her dismay, human.
Just when Annie and Marcus get on the same page and take the steps needed in order for them to be together without corrupting her moral fiber, tragedy strikes and their love for each other is tested in ways neither of them would have ever imagined.
EXCERPT
He bit his lip. Hard. As if trying to stop himself from saying what he was thinking. “Annie, I’ve been…”
Oh, God, don’t say it, she silently pled.
He tried again. “For the longest time…” He a humorless laugh left him as he let his words trail again. Finally, he met her gaze again. “You’re probably going to fire me, but—”
She shook her head. “I can’t fire you, Marcus. You’re invaluable. Whatever it is, I’m sure you can work it out.” She took a step and tried to squeeze by him. “Just take a few days off or…” Great. Now she was the one who couldn’t finish a thought.
He dropped his hand to her hip, and she closed her eyes. His touch sent volts of electricity shooting through her, lighting every nerve. She wanted nothing more than to lean up and kiss the life right out of the man. For some reason, though, putting herself in a position where she could be sued for sexual harassment didn’t seem like a wise business move. Not that she thought Marcus would ever go that far, but people change. Situations get awkward and out of hand.
It was best to avoid the possibility of things going wrong between them and just ignore how much she wanted him.
“Marcus,” she whispered.
“I have been attracted to you for so long, Annie. I thought I was alone in this,” he said in the same hushed tone, “but lately I’ve started to think…you feel it, too.”
She licked her lips and lowered her face. Shit. He said it. The elephant in the room was out there now and neither could ignore it any longer. “I’m your boss.”
“I know.”
“I can’t. We can’t.”
“I know. But I swear to God, I’m about to lose my mind from wanting you.”
Oh, damn.
Her knees actually went weak, and she leaned back against the doorjamb to stay standing.
“I think about you all the time. I know it’s wrong. But all I can think about is how much I want to kiss you.”
A whimpering moan left her as he closed the distance between them. He stopped a fraction of an inch from her mouth and, goddamn it, the temptation gripped her so hard she could barely breathe.
“Tell me you don’t feel the same,” he whispered. “Tell me to stop. And I will.”
She should. She had to. But the words wouldn’t leave her.
“Tell me to go to hell, Annie.”
BUY LINK
As a teen, Marci Boudreaux skipped over young adult books and jumped right into the world of romance novels. She's never left. Marci lives with her husband, two kiddos, and their numerous pets. Until recently, she was a freelance writer appearing monthly in a variety of local magazines. She now focuses on writing and her work as a content editor.Romance is her preferred reading and writing genre because nothing feels better than falling in love with someone new and her husband doesn't like when she does that in real life.
Learn more about Marci Boudreaux on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter .
December 31, 2015
Visions II: Moons of Saturn #scifi #anthology
I'm happy to introduce you to Tom Olbert, a gifted science fiction/horror author with a devilish sense of humor. Tom and eleven other wonderful authors came together and created an anthology well worth reading. Visions II: Moons of Saturn is available in paperback and e-book.
Ice mining in space, colonization of extraterrestrial moons, war between interplanetary corporations, and time travelers bent on destruction, with mighty Saturn as the backdrop.
The theme, Moons of Saturn, provided inspiration for the creation of widely divergent tales centered about the mysterious planet and its system.
NASA’s Cassini Missions have captured stunning images of Saturn, its mesmerizing Rings of ice and rock, and its 53 officially named moons. These twelve authors present their visions of the Saturn System’s promise, as rich and diverse as the reality of Saturn, its Rings, and moons.
The second book of the Visions Series, this anthology features: Tom Tinney, W.A. Fix, Thaddeus Howze, Ami Hart, Bonnie Milani, Jeremy Lichtman, S.M. Kraftchak, Timothy Paul, Tom Olbert, Amos Parker, R. E. Jones, and Duane Brewster.
• In the depths of an ice mine on Dione, embattled troopers combat alien amoeba in the frigid tunnels.
• Wry humor combines with eccentricity in a tale of time traveling disaster.
• Enemies team up to complete a mission, in an intense tale of revenge.
• Security teams from opposing corporations, battle for possession of lunar mining operations.
The Visions Series tells of our urge to venture outward and to explore the Universe. Visions: Leaving Earth, describes our first faltering steps to rise from Earth’s surface. Visions II: Moons of Saturn confirms that we have left the Earth and are at home in our solar system. Visions III: Inside the Kuiper Belt proclaims humankind’s domination, from the Sun to the outermost reaches of the Kuiper Belt.
Beyond these volumes, we will explore outside our solar system: Deep Space and the Near Stars, Colonizing the Milky Way, and Understanding the Universe. Our vision is limitless.
BUY LINKS Lillicat Publishers - Smashwords - Amazon
Tom Olbert lives in Cambridge, MA, home of Harvard, M.I.T., liberals and wackos. When not writing science fiction and horror or working, Tom volunteers for candidates and causes he cares about, like the environment and civil rights. Tom’s father Stan Olbert was a fighter in the Polish resistance during WWII and later a professor of physics at M.I.T. Tom’s mother, Norma Olbert has self-published Stan Olbert’s life story: “The Boy from Lwow”, now available in paperback. Tom’s sister Elizabeth Olbert is an accomplished artist and now a teacher of art at the University of Maine.
Olbert's fiction has appeared in a number of anthologies, including “In the Bloodstream” by Eden Royce, “Torched” from Nocturnal Press and “Something Wicked Vol. II” from EKhaya.
Tom has a dark, cosmically-themed science fiction/psycho drama novel entitled “Black Goddess” now available at Mocha Memoirs Press in addition to two dark sci-fi shorts “Hellshift” and “Along Came a Spider” also available from Mocha Memoirs Press . He also has a vampire novelette entitled “Desert Flower,” a tragic tale of love, war and eternal darkness set in the midst of the Afghanistan war, available now from Eternal Press .
Learn more about Tom Olbert on his blog Other Dimensions .
Ice mining in space, colonization of extraterrestrial moons, war between interplanetary corporations, and time travelers bent on destruction, with mighty Saturn as the backdrop.The theme, Moons of Saturn, provided inspiration for the creation of widely divergent tales centered about the mysterious planet and its system.
NASA’s Cassini Missions have captured stunning images of Saturn, its mesmerizing Rings of ice and rock, and its 53 officially named moons. These twelve authors present their visions of the Saturn System’s promise, as rich and diverse as the reality of Saturn, its Rings, and moons.
The second book of the Visions Series, this anthology features: Tom Tinney, W.A. Fix, Thaddeus Howze, Ami Hart, Bonnie Milani, Jeremy Lichtman, S.M. Kraftchak, Timothy Paul, Tom Olbert, Amos Parker, R. E. Jones, and Duane Brewster.
• In the depths of an ice mine on Dione, embattled troopers combat alien amoeba in the frigid tunnels.
• Wry humor combines with eccentricity in a tale of time traveling disaster.
• Enemies team up to complete a mission, in an intense tale of revenge.
• Security teams from opposing corporations, battle for possession of lunar mining operations.
The Visions Series tells of our urge to venture outward and to explore the Universe. Visions: Leaving Earth, describes our first faltering steps to rise from Earth’s surface. Visions II: Moons of Saturn confirms that we have left the Earth and are at home in our solar system. Visions III: Inside the Kuiper Belt proclaims humankind’s domination, from the Sun to the outermost reaches of the Kuiper Belt.
Beyond these volumes, we will explore outside our solar system: Deep Space and the Near Stars, Colonizing the Milky Way, and Understanding the Universe. Our vision is limitless.
BUY LINKS Lillicat Publishers - Smashwords - Amazon
Tom Olbert lives in Cambridge, MA, home of Harvard, M.I.T., liberals and wackos. When not writing science fiction and horror or working, Tom volunteers for candidates and causes he cares about, like the environment and civil rights. Tom’s father Stan Olbert was a fighter in the Polish resistance during WWII and later a professor of physics at M.I.T. Tom’s mother, Norma Olbert has self-published Stan Olbert’s life story: “The Boy from Lwow”, now available in paperback. Tom’s sister Elizabeth Olbert is an accomplished artist and now a teacher of art at the University of Maine.Olbert's fiction has appeared in a number of anthologies, including “In the Bloodstream” by Eden Royce, “Torched” from Nocturnal Press and “Something Wicked Vol. II” from EKhaya.
Tom has a dark, cosmically-themed science fiction/psycho drama novel entitled “Black Goddess” now available at Mocha Memoirs Press in addition to two dark sci-fi shorts “Hellshift” and “Along Came a Spider” also available from Mocha Memoirs Press . He also has a vampire novelette entitled “Desert Flower,” a tragic tale of love, war and eternal darkness set in the midst of the Afghanistan war, available now from Eternal Press .
Learn more about Tom Olbert on his blog Other Dimensions .
December 29, 2015
Light Pasta Sauce #recipe from @VikiLynRomance #Italy #MMromance #loverstrill
by Viki Lyn
I was raised in a family of chefs. My grandfather left his hometown in Italy as a young lad, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean during the early 20th century. From New York City, he boarded a train to California. He had work lined up in San Francisco as a sous chef in a prestigious hotel where he learned his trade.
My father inherited my grandfather’s love of food and was an excellent cook. My father never measured anything, so when he wrote down a recipe it was a pinch of this and handful of that.
This recipe is all about a pinch of this and a handful of that. You can add whatever you have in the fridge…be creative…and have fun.
Light Pasta Sauce
Start with simmering garlic in olive oil. Stir occasionally. Adjust heat as needed so you don't burn the garlic.
Snoop around your vegetable bin and decide which veggies to use. The only essential vegetable is the tomato!
I’m partial to my old standbys:
Mushrooms
Fresh Tomatoes
Zucchinis
Red Bell Peppers
Chop the veggies, but not too small.
Once the garlic is lightly roasted, add in the mushrooms and bell peppers first. After a couple of minutes, mix in the chopped zucchinis. After another couple of minutes, stir in the tomatoes.
This is when I like to include salt, pepper and Italian herbs. And, if you have fresh chopped basil, toss it in. It adds a nice taste to the sauce.
Cook the pasta and before you add the sauce: Toss the cooked pasta in a light coat of olive oil and lemon juice, and add the sauce.
Top with Parmesan or Romano cheese. Serve with a crisp salad and plenty of fresh Italian bread for dipping into the sauce.
Enjoy!
And for dessert, here’s a peek into my latest M/M from Loose Id.
Rocker Leo needs a break. From the band, roadies, everything related to his present life. Wandering the streets of Vienna, he chances upon a poster that just might change his life. Andre Revele, renowned violinist, and Leo’s ex-lover, is performing in the city. It’s been years since Leo slipped out of Andre’s life in the middle of the night, but he's never forgotten their passionate love of music and each other.
Andre’s shocked when Leo shows up backstage after his performance. Hell yes, he’s angry, but he can’t walk away. Against his better judgment, he invites Leo to his hotel for a drink. Not sure what he wants from Leo, he knows what his body wants right now. A night of passionate sex leads to another, until he’s lost his heart to Leo again.
When Andre finds his trust in Leo tested, Leo must prove his loyalty by using their one common passion – music – to bind their hearts.
EXCERPT
Leo finished his cappuccino. He needed a break. From the band, roadies, everything related to his present life. He tried to ignore the constriction in his chest. He hadn’t written anything in months, and that scared the shit out of him. His bandmates were like his brothers, but as much as he loved them, it wasn’t the same as having a lover who completely got him. He had no one to turn to when in a funk.
He hoped to God he still had more words inside him. For all of his flamboyance on stage, his real love was composing.
Leo paid the check and left. Too wound up to go back to his hotel, he roamed the streets, taking in the Vienna night. Stars sparkled above St. Stephen’s gothic spire. The wide boulevards twisted into narrow lanes perfect for getting lost in.
Happy to wander aimlessly, Leo slipped his hands into his fleece-lined jacket. Living in LA, he’d forgotten how cold winter could be in other parts of the world. He turned the corner and sputtered to a halt. Staring at the poster pasted to the side of a building, he didn’t need to read the name of the virtuoso to know who it was. He could never forget that face in rapture—when playing or getting off. Music and sex had invoked the same feelings in Andre Revele. Passion was passion, and that man had always had both in spades.
Numbness swept across Leo as he stared at the picture of Andre caressing the bow in those slender-fingered hands—such artistic hands on a large man. It had been love at first sight—or at least lust—when Leo had walked into the practice room.
He could still remember a youthful Andre, not quite grown into his robust physique, as he played the last stanza of Bach’s Concerto in E. The violin’s notes had faded, but the music had remained in the air long after the performance was over. Bright green eyes peered through dark lashes, and sensual, pouty lips morphed into a shy smile. Like an idiot, Leo had been at a loss for words at Andre’s performance and enamored by that handsome face. Until Andre laughed, breaking the spell.
From that day forward, they were inseparable. They both had insatiable appetites for music. They stayed up all hours talking about philosophy and musical composition, and arguing what was better, thin-crust or thick-crust pizza. They played music together, fucked, and enjoyed the simple moments that composed their insular world.
He scanned the poster for the dates of the concerts. Tomorrow night was the last performance. Leo shuffled his feet, unable to move away. He bit his lip and traced the image of Andre. Did he dare go? It had to be fate. He’d been thinking of Andre, talking about the past with Sid, and now this.
His heartbeat quickened. What if he went backstage and Andre didn’t recognize him? Or brushed him aside? Leo had purposely avoided searching the Internet for news of Andre, too afraid that his ex had a lover, or worse, had married. Their lifestyles were miles apart, and Leo could never think of Andre as a friend.
He drank in Andre’s image. Tall and broodingly dark, Andre had the body of a jock and the sensitive heart of an artist. Leo preferred men unlike himself. He’d been a skinny kid, and had a difficult time gaining weight. If he’d been born years earlier, he would have been the perfect face for a glam rock band. At least he’d outgrown the term pretty boy or twink.
Leo chewed his lower lip as he studied Andre’s picture. Tempting as it was to see his ex again, visiting the past was a bad idea. This wasn’t the time, not when Leo was restless and bored. His heart couldn’t take a rejection from Andre. There were other men, lots of men, and he’d had his share of quite a few of them. With his schedule it had become impossible to form any long-term commitment. Or at least that was what he told himself.
A big, fat lie.
He’d never met anyone who made him feel the way he’d felt for the violinist.
Leo kissed his fingers and pressed them to Andre’s lips. “Good-bye, Princess.” Andre hated that pet name, but Leo loved using the endearment. Andre had been born into wealth and privilege, and his family had expected great things from him. “You proved them right, didn’t you?”
Before Leo changed his mind, he hurried away, dismissing the memories of a love lost to his ambition.
BUY LINK
Multi-published and award winner, Viki Lyn is a successful writer of gay paranormal and contemporary romance. After reading and collecting whatever she could get her hands on, she wrote her first male/male romance. And that was ‘it’ for her. She never looked back. Viki travels the world in search of inspiration. She considers herself blessed to have traveled to many of the mystical sites she had dreamed about as a child. Her travel experiences have been influential in creating her paranormal worlds. When she needs to relax, she calls a friend to meet at their favorite coffee house. When the chattering in her head goes off the charts, she plays one of her favorite RPGs on her PS4 and immerses herself in the world of dragons and magic.
Learn more about Viki Lyn on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter .
I was raised in a family of chefs. My grandfather left his hometown in Italy as a young lad, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean during the early 20th century. From New York City, he boarded a train to California. He had work lined up in San Francisco as a sous chef in a prestigious hotel where he learned his trade.
My father inherited my grandfather’s love of food and was an excellent cook. My father never measured anything, so when he wrote down a recipe it was a pinch of this and handful of that.
This recipe is all about a pinch of this and a handful of that. You can add whatever you have in the fridge…be creative…and have fun.
Light Pasta Sauce
Start with simmering garlic in olive oil. Stir occasionally. Adjust heat as needed so you don't burn the garlic.
Snoop around your vegetable bin and decide which veggies to use. The only essential vegetable is the tomato!
I’m partial to my old standbys:
Mushrooms
Fresh Tomatoes
Zucchinis
Red Bell Peppers
Chop the veggies, but not too small.
Once the garlic is lightly roasted, add in the mushrooms and bell peppers first. After a couple of minutes, mix in the chopped zucchinis. After another couple of minutes, stir in the tomatoes.
This is when I like to include salt, pepper and Italian herbs. And, if you have fresh chopped basil, toss it in. It adds a nice taste to the sauce.
Cook the pasta and before you add the sauce: Toss the cooked pasta in a light coat of olive oil and lemon juice, and add the sauce.
Top with Parmesan or Romano cheese. Serve with a crisp salad and plenty of fresh Italian bread for dipping into the sauce.
Enjoy!
And for dessert, here’s a peek into my latest M/M from Loose Id.
Rocker Leo needs a break. From the band, roadies, everything related to his present life. Wandering the streets of Vienna, he chances upon a poster that just might change his life. Andre Revele, renowned violinist, and Leo’s ex-lover, is performing in the city. It’s been years since Leo slipped out of Andre’s life in the middle of the night, but he's never forgotten their passionate love of music and each other.Andre’s shocked when Leo shows up backstage after his performance. Hell yes, he’s angry, but he can’t walk away. Against his better judgment, he invites Leo to his hotel for a drink. Not sure what he wants from Leo, he knows what his body wants right now. A night of passionate sex leads to another, until he’s lost his heart to Leo again.
When Andre finds his trust in Leo tested, Leo must prove his loyalty by using their one common passion – music – to bind their hearts.
EXCERPT
Leo finished his cappuccino. He needed a break. From the band, roadies, everything related to his present life. He tried to ignore the constriction in his chest. He hadn’t written anything in months, and that scared the shit out of him. His bandmates were like his brothers, but as much as he loved them, it wasn’t the same as having a lover who completely got him. He had no one to turn to when in a funk.
He hoped to God he still had more words inside him. For all of his flamboyance on stage, his real love was composing.
Leo paid the check and left. Too wound up to go back to his hotel, he roamed the streets, taking in the Vienna night. Stars sparkled above St. Stephen’s gothic spire. The wide boulevards twisted into narrow lanes perfect for getting lost in.
Happy to wander aimlessly, Leo slipped his hands into his fleece-lined jacket. Living in LA, he’d forgotten how cold winter could be in other parts of the world. He turned the corner and sputtered to a halt. Staring at the poster pasted to the side of a building, he didn’t need to read the name of the virtuoso to know who it was. He could never forget that face in rapture—when playing or getting off. Music and sex had invoked the same feelings in Andre Revele. Passion was passion, and that man had always had both in spades.
Numbness swept across Leo as he stared at the picture of Andre caressing the bow in those slender-fingered hands—such artistic hands on a large man. It had been love at first sight—or at least lust—when Leo had walked into the practice room.
He could still remember a youthful Andre, not quite grown into his robust physique, as he played the last stanza of Bach’s Concerto in E. The violin’s notes had faded, but the music had remained in the air long after the performance was over. Bright green eyes peered through dark lashes, and sensual, pouty lips morphed into a shy smile. Like an idiot, Leo had been at a loss for words at Andre’s performance and enamored by that handsome face. Until Andre laughed, breaking the spell.
From that day forward, they were inseparable. They both had insatiable appetites for music. They stayed up all hours talking about philosophy and musical composition, and arguing what was better, thin-crust or thick-crust pizza. They played music together, fucked, and enjoyed the simple moments that composed their insular world.
He scanned the poster for the dates of the concerts. Tomorrow night was the last performance. Leo shuffled his feet, unable to move away. He bit his lip and traced the image of Andre. Did he dare go? It had to be fate. He’d been thinking of Andre, talking about the past with Sid, and now this.
His heartbeat quickened. What if he went backstage and Andre didn’t recognize him? Or brushed him aside? Leo had purposely avoided searching the Internet for news of Andre, too afraid that his ex had a lover, or worse, had married. Their lifestyles were miles apart, and Leo could never think of Andre as a friend.
He drank in Andre’s image. Tall and broodingly dark, Andre had the body of a jock and the sensitive heart of an artist. Leo preferred men unlike himself. He’d been a skinny kid, and had a difficult time gaining weight. If he’d been born years earlier, he would have been the perfect face for a glam rock band. At least he’d outgrown the term pretty boy or twink.
Leo chewed his lower lip as he studied Andre’s picture. Tempting as it was to see his ex again, visiting the past was a bad idea. This wasn’t the time, not when Leo was restless and bored. His heart couldn’t take a rejection from Andre. There were other men, lots of men, and he’d had his share of quite a few of them. With his schedule it had become impossible to form any long-term commitment. Or at least that was what he told himself.
A big, fat lie.
He’d never met anyone who made him feel the way he’d felt for the violinist.
Leo kissed his fingers and pressed them to Andre’s lips. “Good-bye, Princess.” Andre hated that pet name, but Leo loved using the endearment. Andre had been born into wealth and privilege, and his family had expected great things from him. “You proved them right, didn’t you?”
Before Leo changed his mind, he hurried away, dismissing the memories of a love lost to his ambition.
BUY LINK
Multi-published and award winner, Viki Lyn is a successful writer of gay paranormal and contemporary romance. After reading and collecting whatever she could get her hands on, she wrote her first male/male romance. And that was ‘it’ for her. She never looked back. Viki travels the world in search of inspiration. She considers herself blessed to have traveled to many of the mystical sites she had dreamed about as a child. Her travel experiences have been influential in creating her paranormal worlds. When she needs to relax, she calls a friend to meet at their favorite coffee house. When the chattering in her head goes off the charts, she plays one of her favorite RPGs on her PS4 and immerses herself in the world of dragons and magic.Learn more about Viki Lyn on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter .
December 27, 2015
Corny Ham Chowder #recipe from HL Carpenter to warm up your cold nights! #soup
by HL Carpenter
Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it in a pot nine days old. Remember the Mother Goose “pease porridge” rhyme? While today we may think of porridge as cereal, in the sixteenth century, “porridge” was a derivation of “pottage” or “potage” meaning cooking pot. “Chowder” also comes from the word pot, via the French “cauldron.”
However you like your soup—hot, cold, or nine days old—combining savory ingredients in a pot and letting the flavors mingle is a time-tested menu favorite.
But what if you want your soup NOW? Well, you’re our kind of person, and we have just the recipe for you. Using already cooked ingredients makes this soup a quick lunch, ready in twenty minutes or less.
Corny Ham Chowder
1 cup milk
1 can cream style sweet corn
1½ cups cooked ham, cut into chunks
1½ cups cooked potatoes, drained and cut into chunks (canned works too)
1 tsp. onion powder
1 cup (4 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Green onion or scallion slivers (optional)
Salt or chicken bouillon to taste
Mix milk, corn, ham, and potatoes in medium pot. Cook, be sure to stir occasionally until heated through.
Add cheese. Cover pot and let cheese melt completely.
Serve with a chunk of hearty bread.
Bonus Goodness:
Crave added richness? Substitute ½ cup of cream for ½ of the milk.
Are you a vegetable fan? Toss in the veggie of your choice, either frozen or fresh. We like frozen carrots for the added color—and the nutrition too of course.
No ham? Smoked sausage is a nice substitute.
Bland potatoes? Mix in sweet pickle juice. A teaspoon gives the soup zing.
Need more soup? Add more stuff. The converse works too.
Fighting off vampires? Switch out the regular salt for a teaspoon of garlic salt. If you have a bad infestation, add ½ teaspoon crushed garlic to the soup and serve with a wood spoon.
Looking for a no-calorie accompaniment? Read an e-book while you’re enjoying your soup! We recommend our young adult novel, The SkyHorse.
Fourteen year old Tovi thinks finding a flying horse is fabulous luck—until a mysterious stranger says finders aren’t always keepers.
When fourteen year old Tovi Taggert moves to Honeysuckle Hollow to take care of her grandmother, she has a hard time fitting in. For one thing, she’s been tagged with the hated nickname Too-Tall Tovi. For another, everyone at Honeysuckle Hollow High believes Tovi played the Choking Game with someone else’s boyfriend and made out with him besides.
As if she doesn’t have enough problems, after the latest stand-off in the school hallway, Tovi finds a gorgeous speckled egg nestled in a feather lined nest.
She takes the egg home. Mysterious visitors begin appearing almost immediately. Even more worrisome, whatever is inside the egg starts chipping its way out.
When the egg hatches, revealing a winged horse, Tovi’s troubles multiply.
As she struggles to return the horse to the magical land where he belongs, Tovi must make a courageous decision—and accept what that decision will cost her.
To read more of The SkyHorse, please click a vendor's name Amazon - Amazon UK - Smashwords
HL Carpenter writes sweet, clean fiction suitable for your entire family. Visit their website for gift reads and the latest Carpenter Country news.
Stay connected on Pinterest , Linkedin , Google+ , and their Amazon Author Page .
Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it in a pot nine days old. Remember the Mother Goose “pease porridge” rhyme? While today we may think of porridge as cereal, in the sixteenth century, “porridge” was a derivation of “pottage” or “potage” meaning cooking pot. “Chowder” also comes from the word pot, via the French “cauldron.”
However you like your soup—hot, cold, or nine days old—combining savory ingredients in a pot and letting the flavors mingle is a time-tested menu favorite.
But what if you want your soup NOW? Well, you’re our kind of person, and we have just the recipe for you. Using already cooked ingredients makes this soup a quick lunch, ready in twenty minutes or less.
Corny Ham Chowder
1 cup milk1 can cream style sweet corn
1½ cups cooked ham, cut into chunks
1½ cups cooked potatoes, drained and cut into chunks (canned works too)
1 tsp. onion powder
1 cup (4 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Green onion or scallion slivers (optional)
Salt or chicken bouillon to taste
Mix milk, corn, ham, and potatoes in medium pot. Cook, be sure to stir occasionally until heated through.
Add cheese. Cover pot and let cheese melt completely.
Serve with a chunk of hearty bread.
Bonus Goodness:
Crave added richness? Substitute ½ cup of cream for ½ of the milk.
Are you a vegetable fan? Toss in the veggie of your choice, either frozen or fresh. We like frozen carrots for the added color—and the nutrition too of course.
No ham? Smoked sausage is a nice substitute.
Bland potatoes? Mix in sweet pickle juice. A teaspoon gives the soup zing.
Need more soup? Add more stuff. The converse works too.
Fighting off vampires? Switch out the regular salt for a teaspoon of garlic salt. If you have a bad infestation, add ½ teaspoon crushed garlic to the soup and serve with a wood spoon.
Looking for a no-calorie accompaniment? Read an e-book while you’re enjoying your soup! We recommend our young adult novel, The SkyHorse.
Fourteen year old Tovi thinks finding a flying horse is fabulous luck—until a mysterious stranger says finders aren’t always keepers.When fourteen year old Tovi Taggert moves to Honeysuckle Hollow to take care of her grandmother, she has a hard time fitting in. For one thing, she’s been tagged with the hated nickname Too-Tall Tovi. For another, everyone at Honeysuckle Hollow High believes Tovi played the Choking Game with someone else’s boyfriend and made out with him besides.
As if she doesn’t have enough problems, after the latest stand-off in the school hallway, Tovi finds a gorgeous speckled egg nestled in a feather lined nest.
She takes the egg home. Mysterious visitors begin appearing almost immediately. Even more worrisome, whatever is inside the egg starts chipping its way out.
When the egg hatches, revealing a winged horse, Tovi’s troubles multiply.
As she struggles to return the horse to the magical land where he belongs, Tovi must make a courageous decision—and accept what that decision will cost her.
To read more of The SkyHorse, please click a vendor's name Amazon - Amazon UK - Smashwords
HL Carpenter writes sweet, clean fiction suitable for your entire family. Visit their website for gift reads and the latest Carpenter Country news.
Stay connected on Pinterest , Linkedin , Google+ , and their Amazon Author Page .
December 18, 2015
#ChristmasTreats Giveaway Blog Hop @herdingcats2012
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Solstice! Merry Star Wars opening! Merry December! Happy Saturday! Whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate, you probably have some shopping to do and need some advice. If a CEO happens to be on your list, you're in luck because I have some great advice for you, courtesy of Willow Jeffries.Willow is a massage therapist who specializes in giving massages to CEOs who are too busy to leave their offices to get to the spa. Naturally, in her professional opinion, she considers a gift certificate for an office massage to be a good bet. But if you’re the type who sees a white collar guy and automatically heads for the men’s designer suit department, here are Willow’s personal thoughts on the subject as excerpted from Captivating the CEO:
Colin set aside his earpiece and laptop, then crossed the room and shoved his arms back into his shirt sleeves. After buttoning his crisp white shirt, he looped a blue tie around his neck.She didn’t recall him ever wearing another color in her presence. “Are all your ties blue, or do you only own one?”
“I change at least once a day, sometimes twice.” Opening an oversized cabinet door, he gestured to several suit bags, a half dozen white shirts and a dozen blue ties. Some ties sported a muted stripe, others a subtle paisley design.
Without staring at them lined next to each other, she wouldn’t have discerned a difference. “Well, Christmas shopping for you will be easy. White shirt, blue tie. Check.” Of course, if she bought him a gift, she’d attempt to rock his wardrobe with a tie-dye shirt or, even better, Rudolph boxers with a prominent, glowing red nose.
While winding his tie and securing it in a snug knot against his starched, buttoned collar, he cocked an eyebrow at her. “Do you buy presents for clients?”
“If the mood strikes.” Unable to hold his gaze without leading him on, she shrugged and glanced at the clock above the treadmill. “Anyway, you’re not a client at the moment. Your session ended two minutes ago, and you don’t have any upcoming sessions booked, so I’m on personal time.”
“That sounds promising.” He winked. “How much personal time do you want to devote to me?”Despite having no future to offer, she stepped toward him and looped her arms around his neck. “Enough for a kiss, to start with.”
Instead of rushing to open a phone conversation with someone on the other side of the world, he smiled and bent his head. “Let’s make it a memorable one.”
So it’s official. Next time I have a CEO on my gift list, I’m going to buy him Rudolph boxers, and I’m definitely going to enjoy that glowing red nose! (Check out this Pinterest inspiration!)
You can check out Captivating the CEO at your favorite online retailer, as well as enter the Rafflecopter to win!
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
iBooks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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December 17, 2015
French Omelette American Style #recipe with @sloanetaylor2 #author of French Tart
French Omelette American StyleBy Sloane Taylor
Although Mark Anderson, the hero in my short story French Tart, knows exactly how to use his hands when he wants, he's at a complete loss in the kitchen. Chef-in-the-Making Donatienne Dubois can't understand his problem. What is simpler to prepare than a cheese omelet? Here's the easy recipe I loaned Donni for her cooking class. Below that Mark and Donni are hard at work. Well, at least one of them is.
Cheese Omelet
1½ tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. onion, coarsely chopped
2 large eggs, beaten well
pinch of ground thyme
freshly ground pepper to taste
small handful extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
small handful aged Swiss cheese, shredded
Chives or parsley to decorate
Preheat 250°F.
Use an 8-inch, non-stick skillet, to melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Shuffle the pan often so the onion doesn’t burn
Whisk together eggs, pepper, and thyme, then pour into the hot pan. Gently swirl the pan to prevent the eggs from sticking. As they set, carefully lift the edges to allow raw egg to flow onto the hot pan.
Sprinkle the cheeses evenly across the eggs. Flip one side of the omelette over the other to make a half-moon. Slide onto a plate and set in the oven while you prepare more omelettes.
The finished omelette will be a nice yellow color with the cheese melted. Sometimes they will brown a bit. Don’t worry, this does not affect the delicate taste.
Bon Appétit...Satisfy all your cravings at cooking school.
Determined to prove herself and shed her party girl image, Donatienne Dubois pins her hope on the exclusive cooking school in Nice, France. One by one her expectations are shattered by a foul-mouthed parrot, a bogus Michelin chef, and a headmistress with a heart of tungsten steel. Donni’s lifesaver is a bad boy too hot not to handle.
Mark Anderson is incognito and hating every moment. To pose as a student while keeping tabs on a rich wild child is his version of hell, until he partners with the dish of Crème Brulée good enough to eat.
Class takes on a whole new meaning as Doni and Mark heat up the kitchen when they discover honey has better uses than sweetening tea.
EXCERPT
Mark pasted a cheery smile on his face. Hell, he was getting the hang of this cooking stuff. He tipped the mountain of cheese piled on his platter and leaned closer to the stove, eyeing the pan that looked too small to hold it all.
“Stop!” Doni held up her tiny hand. “You cannot toss all that in here.”
He stumbled backward. What the hell? He’d done exactly what she told him. She couldn’t blame him because the damn block of cheese grated up to Matterhorn size.
“Are you sure you’re in the right cooking school?” She threw in a handful of the white shreds and shuffled the pan until one side of the omelet flipped over the other.
“Are you sure it’s cooked?” He pointed at the pan. “Looks kind of pale to me.”
“Are you sure you know anything about food?” She glared at him while wiping her slender fingers on a striped blue towel. “Sebastien, this is the easiest dish we’ll prepare. What’s going to happen when we advance to boeuf à la mode and present it?”
Now she had him on this present thing, let alone whatever the hell kind of food she meant. If it even was food.
“No problem. I’m your man and ready to step up to the plate.” Dammit. How stupid was that, to make a baseball reference? Quick, change the subject. “What’s next?”
She handed him a coffee cup.
Good, a caffeine jolt would go good about now.
“Snip the chives.”
“Ah, sure.” He gingerly took the mug, wondering what the hell she expected of him.
“These, Sebastien”—she waved a handful of limp skinny green sticks at him—“are chives. From the onion family.” She shook her head, then slid the omelet onto an oval platter. When he didn’t move, she slapped a pair of scissors into his palm. “Do I have to do it for you?”
“You don’t have to be insulting.”
“I apologize.” She tossed her head to move a thick strand of hair from her cheek. He looped the blonde lock around his finger—pure silk—then curled it behind her ear. Her breath quickened and his heart swelled. He leaned into her, needing to taste her pink lips. The sweet aroma of flowers filled his lungs.
“Chives.”
Before he could say anything, Chef edged between them.
“Interesting.” Chef took the platter from Doni. “Perhaps a bit plain, do you not think?”
She gasped when he grabbed a handful of some chopped green thing and plopped the wad on her omelet, obliterating the light-colored food.
Pierre flapped overhead, squawking like he had steak knives shoved up his ass. He hovered over the platter, then plop!
“We are always whipping up something new in the kitchen.” Chef sniffed and raised his fist to the bird. “This, however, can never be on a menu.”
He dropped the plate back into Doni’s hands and strolled on to the next pair of fledgling chefs.
Doni blinked rapidly as she pressed her lips tight. Mark slung an arm around her shoulder, feeling guilty as hell that he’d done nothing to stop...
BUY LINKS
Amazon
ARe
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Award-Winning author Sloane Taylor is a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes sexually explicit romances that takes you right into the bedroom. Being a true romantic, all her stories have a happy ever after.
Her books are set in Europe where the men are all male and the North American women they encounter are both feminine and strong. They also bring more than lust to their men’s lives.
Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. Studly, her mate for life, and Taylor now live in a small home in Indiana and enjoy the change from city life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.
Taylor currently has seven erotic romance books and one box set released by Toque & Dagger Publishing. Excerpts from these books can be found on her website , blog , and all popular vendors.
Subscribe to her short newsletter . Connect with Taylor on Facebook , Twitter , and Google+ .
Although Mark Anderson, the hero in my short story French Tart, knows exactly how to use his hands when he wants, he's at a complete loss in the kitchen. Chef-in-the-Making Donatienne Dubois can't understand his problem. What is simpler to prepare than a cheese omelet? Here's the easy recipe I loaned Donni for her cooking class. Below that Mark and Donni are hard at work. Well, at least one of them is.
Cheese Omelet1½ tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. onion, coarsely chopped
2 large eggs, beaten well
pinch of ground thyme
freshly ground pepper to taste
small handful extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
small handful aged Swiss cheese, shredded
Chives or parsley to decorate
Preheat 250°F.
Use an 8-inch, non-stick skillet, to melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Shuffle the pan often so the onion doesn’t burn
Whisk together eggs, pepper, and thyme, then pour into the hot pan. Gently swirl the pan to prevent the eggs from sticking. As they set, carefully lift the edges to allow raw egg to flow onto the hot pan.
Sprinkle the cheeses evenly across the eggs. Flip one side of the omelette over the other to make a half-moon. Slide onto a plate and set in the oven while you prepare more omelettes.
The finished omelette will be a nice yellow color with the cheese melted. Sometimes they will brown a bit. Don’t worry, this does not affect the delicate taste.
Bon Appétit...Satisfy all your cravings at cooking school. Determined to prove herself and shed her party girl image, Donatienne Dubois pins her hope on the exclusive cooking school in Nice, France. One by one her expectations are shattered by a foul-mouthed parrot, a bogus Michelin chef, and a headmistress with a heart of tungsten steel. Donni’s lifesaver is a bad boy too hot not to handle.
Mark Anderson is incognito and hating every moment. To pose as a student while keeping tabs on a rich wild child is his version of hell, until he partners with the dish of Crème Brulée good enough to eat.
Class takes on a whole new meaning as Doni and Mark heat up the kitchen when they discover honey has better uses than sweetening tea.
EXCERPT
Mark pasted a cheery smile on his face. Hell, he was getting the hang of this cooking stuff. He tipped the mountain of cheese piled on his platter and leaned closer to the stove, eyeing the pan that looked too small to hold it all.
“Stop!” Doni held up her tiny hand. “You cannot toss all that in here.”
He stumbled backward. What the hell? He’d done exactly what she told him. She couldn’t blame him because the damn block of cheese grated up to Matterhorn size.
“Are you sure you’re in the right cooking school?” She threw in a handful of the white shreds and shuffled the pan until one side of the omelet flipped over the other.
“Are you sure it’s cooked?” He pointed at the pan. “Looks kind of pale to me.”
“Are you sure you know anything about food?” She glared at him while wiping her slender fingers on a striped blue towel. “Sebastien, this is the easiest dish we’ll prepare. What’s going to happen when we advance to boeuf à la mode and present it?”
Now she had him on this present thing, let alone whatever the hell kind of food she meant. If it even was food.
“No problem. I’m your man and ready to step up to the plate.” Dammit. How stupid was that, to make a baseball reference? Quick, change the subject. “What’s next?”
She handed him a coffee cup.
Good, a caffeine jolt would go good about now.
“Snip the chives.”
“Ah, sure.” He gingerly took the mug, wondering what the hell she expected of him.
“These, Sebastien”—she waved a handful of limp skinny green sticks at him—“are chives. From the onion family.” She shook her head, then slid the omelet onto an oval platter. When he didn’t move, she slapped a pair of scissors into his palm. “Do I have to do it for you?”
“You don’t have to be insulting.”
“I apologize.” She tossed her head to move a thick strand of hair from her cheek. He looped the blonde lock around his finger—pure silk—then curled it behind her ear. Her breath quickened and his heart swelled. He leaned into her, needing to taste her pink lips. The sweet aroma of flowers filled his lungs.
“Chives.”
Before he could say anything, Chef edged between them.
“Interesting.” Chef took the platter from Doni. “Perhaps a bit plain, do you not think?”
She gasped when he grabbed a handful of some chopped green thing and plopped the wad on her omelet, obliterating the light-colored food.
Pierre flapped overhead, squawking like he had steak knives shoved up his ass. He hovered over the platter, then plop!
“We are always whipping up something new in the kitchen.” Chef sniffed and raised his fist to the bird. “This, however, can never be on a menu.”
He dropped the plate back into Doni’s hands and strolled on to the next pair of fledgling chefs.
Doni blinked rapidly as she pressed her lips tight. Mark slung an arm around her shoulder, feeling guilty as hell that he’d done nothing to stop...
BUY LINKS
Amazon
ARe
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Award-Winning author Sloane Taylor is a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes sexually explicit romances that takes you right into the bedroom. Being a true romantic, all her stories have a happy ever after.Her books are set in Europe where the men are all male and the North American women they encounter are both feminine and strong. They also bring more than lust to their men’s lives.
Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. Studly, her mate for life, and Taylor now live in a small home in Indiana and enjoy the change from city life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.
Taylor currently has seven erotic romance books and one box set released by Toque & Dagger Publishing. Excerpts from these books can be found on her website , blog , and all popular vendors.
Subscribe to her short newsletter . Connect with Taylor on Facebook , Twitter , and Google+ .
December 14, 2015
Holidays in Hell #newrelease by @ErzabetBishop @etopiapress #BDSM
Title: Holidays in Hell (Demons in Darkness Series #1)Publisher: Etopia PressPages: 64Tags: bdsm, bondage, demons, dom, domination, erotic
fantasy, erotic romance, erzabet bishop, holidays, incubus, kink, paranormal
erotic romance, paranormal romance, redemption, sub, submission, succubus, wax
play
Blurb:
This year Christmas just got a little hotter.
Deck the halls with all things kinky. Jonas is an incubus with an incurable lust for women, gingerbread, and holiday lights. He needs one more soul to meet his quota. Amid the baubles and frivolity of the Winter Carnival, he meets Holly Pendleton—a woman with emerald green eyes and a body built for sin—and marks her as the final soul to end his contract. But now Jonas faces a heart-wrenching decision: take what he needs to feed his hunger, or sacrifice himself for the woman who has lit his own demonic soul on fire. Tied up with red ribbons, Holly just might be Jonas's deepest Christmas wish and the one woman who could set him free.
Holly Pendleton is still recovering from the death of her husband and Dom. The holidays are especially lonely until a dark stranger walks in the door to Harlowe's Bookery and Christmas Shoppe. The man's enigmatic gaze holds her and ignites her body and her mind. When Holly accepts a job to decorate the sexy client's apartment, she unknowingly steps into an age-old battle between the forces of darkness. Jonas Corsair is a man who makes her blood run hot and her dreams even hotter. But will she survive his hold on her soul?
Buy Links:Etopia Press: http://goo.gl/QxC433Amazon: http://goo.gl/Ks8RisAll Romance: https://goo.gl/LmnoQL
Excerpt:
The front door opened with a blast of snowy air, and an imposing thirty-something man sporting a thigh-length leather coat blew in. His chiseled features and mass of dark hair made her catch her breath and falter in her task of ringing up the woman in front of her. The black sweater he wore under his coat looked striking against the dark blue of his eyes. The gray slacks draped over his frame, his black boots befitting the weather outside. He said nothing to her, his gaze captivated by the display of holiday decorations.
How odd.
He reminded her of one of the Doms in her collection of books. Heat spiked through parts of her she’d thought were as dead as her husband. She wondered how it would feel to unwrap that package.
Blushing, Holly turned back to the customer in front of her. Good grief, she hoped he hadn’t noticed her staring.
Holly finished ringing the books up and slipped them into a bag. She tossed in a candy cane with a card offering their holiday decorating services attached. “Here you go. Have a wonderful day.”
The woman waved good-bye and shuffled out the door into the snow. Looking anywhere but at the enigmatic man in front of her, Holly fought the sensation of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. He was incredible. The way his well-built form filled the space made her eyes automatically seek him out. Warmth stirred in her lower belly, and she nibbled on her lip.
“Hello. Welcome to Harlowe’s.” She fiddled with the hem of her sweater and felt a surge of heat rush up the sides of her face.
Ugh. How lame was she to just blurt that out?
The man raised an eyebrow, a dark and sensual smile sliding over his features. “Thank you.” His voice melted over her like chocolate, and she shivered.
Holly turned away and busied herself with stuffing bags with holiday activity lists. What kind of horrible woman was she to even be reacting to another man just a year after her husband’s passing? Lusting after the man in gray. Her lips thinned. No. She wasn’t ready for those feelings. Especially not from a stranger she had seen for all of thirty seconds.
She sneaked a glance at him while she straightened gift bags. He walked up to the Christmas tree in the front window and stroked its branches. Fingering the ornaments, he explored their small holiday store with a reverence that reminded her of a priest in church. Men usually didn’t bother with Christmas tree ornaments, but he was enraptured. It was mystifying.
A flush crept across Holly’s face. Stirrings of longing zapped through her body as she wondered if this dark-haired stranger knew his way around a flogger. Sighing deeply, she knelt down to pick up a bag that had fallen off the counter while she worked.
“Time for a cold shower tonight,” Holly mumbled. Sensing someone in front of the register, she stood.
“Hi. Did you need help finding anything…?” The very source of her temptation stood right in front of her. Oh God. She wanted to reach right across the counter and run her tongue over those amazing lips.
Holidays in Hell is the beginning to my new series, Demons in Darkness. The next two books will be released in 2016.
Erzabet Bishop is a bestselling and award winning author who
loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Dinner Date,
Crave, The Science of Lust, Wicked for You, Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board,
Holidays in Hell, Sigil Fire, Written on Skin, Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red
Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic Café, Fantasies in Red, Sweet Seductions:
The Erzabet Bishop Collection, Holiday Cruise, Fetish Fair, Temptation Resorts:
Jess, Temptation Resorts: Marnie, Taming the Beast, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane
Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor
to many anthologies. Erzabet has been a finalist in the GCLS awards for 2014
and 2015, winning the Goldie for her spot in two anthologies. She has been
nominated for the 2016 Golden Flogger Award for Crave. She lives in Texas with
her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores.
She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies. When
she isn’t writing, she loves to review music and books.Follow her reviews and posts on Twitter @erzabetbishop.Links:Newsletter and website:
http://erzabetwrites.wix.com/erzabetb...
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