Liz Matis's Blog, page 6
January 1, 2015
FREE! Game Day Treats
Be the MVP of your next homegating or tailgating party! This 20-recipe companion cookbook to the bestselling Fantasy Football Romance series by Liz Matis is a touchdown for your taste buds.
The heroines of Playing For Keeps, Going For It, Huddle Up, and The Quarterback Sneak share their go to treats for game day. From Irish Nachos to Baconator Cupcakes, to Stadium Reuben Brats along with 17 more recipes that will score big with your fans!
Free at iTunes/iBook, Nook, Kobo, and Smashwords!
Still trying to get it free for the Kindle but if you email me at elizabethmatis@gmail.com, I'll email you the file to download.
Here are the links...
iTunes/IBooks
Smashwords
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Do you have a go-to recipe for game day?
December 15, 2014
Chapter 1 - The Quarterback Sneak
Read the first chapter of the #1 Kindle Bestseller in Sports Fiction (on 12/3/14 and 12/10/14)
Chapter 1 - The Quarterback Sneak
Liam McQueen knew he shouldn’t be inside Martini Madness or any place that served alcohol. Two years, one month, three weeks, five days sober. And celibate. Though going without a drink had proven more difficult than laying off the women. Alcohol had been his mistress, and he still heard the siren calling to his weak soul. He fortified himself with a prayer as he maneuvered through the club. Three of his offensive linemen surrounded him, fiercely guarding their quarterback’s body as if they were still on the football field. Tonight Liam was returning the favor, protecting his teammates as their designated driver and general all-around babysitter. It wouldn’t help the New York Cougar’s upcoming season if one of them landed in jail. Upon reaching the club’s swanky VIP section, his buddies beelined for the decorations—the pretty women let inside as bait to lure wealthy men into dropping serious cash. Liam had his fill of groupies and party girls. Deserted, he found an empty bar stool and looked around. The glass-enclosed area allowed the music to filter in at a level that encouraged conversation, yet let the wannabes outside the glass feel like they were part of the scene, where D-list celebrities mingled with pro athletes. From his spot, Liam had a front-row seat as he watched his largest lineman fumble a play on a hot redhead. Poor schmuck. Maybe he should help Murphy out and be his wingman for the night. “What’s your poison?” asked a sultry voice from behind the neon-lit bar. Poison. Liam almost laughed at the truth in the word. The name of his favorite Scotch burned on his tongue. Spinning his stool back around, he faced the bartender, a hot blonde with big boobs spilling over her low-cut shirt. She flashed him a smile bright enough for a whitening-toothpaste commercial. Three years ago, he would have simply nodded toward the nearest bathroom, and faster than it took him to call an audible on a play, they would have been going at it like a pair of drunken monkeys. His former self disgusted him. All he wanted now was a nice girl to settle down with. A nice girl who liked sex, he amended. “Red Bull,” he said. “With?” The suggestive hint in her voice left no doubt of her interest in him. “Designated driver.” “Bummer.” “Yeah, it sure is.” But if he hadn’t gone off the wagon after single-handedly losing the Championship seven months ago, then he wouldn’t take a drink now. Not even the daily reminders of defeat—fans who taunted him on the street—could break his resolve. His response at least seemed to shut them up effectively. You’re right. I suck. The New York fans were a fickle bunch. With a single throw, they’d forgotten how after Todd, the Cougars’ star quarterback, had broken his leg, Liam had stepped in to lead them to the big game. Would the Cougars have won the Championship if Todd still had been the quarterback? According to social media, the answer was a resounding yes. Apparently the team’s management agreed. Otherwise Liam wouldn’t have had to compete with Romer, the Cougars’ number-one draft choice, for the starting position. A competition Liam had won. For now. And he couldn’t even celebrate with a toast. Turning his head toward a commotion at the VIP entrance, he expected to see a major celebrity. But it was just another washed-up reality star. The team owner’s hellion of a daughter, Hayden Middleton, had arrived with her entourage in tow. An off-the-shoulder red cocktail dress hugged the tabloid darling’s every curve, like she was channeling a plus-sized Jessica Rabbit. Even her long, cinnamon-brown hair was swept to one side. Wearing ridiculously high heels, she probably could meet Liam’s six-foot-three gaze head on.He swiveled his stool, resting his elbows on the bar rail behind him and watched her approach. Damn. She was going to walk right by him like he didn’t exist. “Hey, Hayden.” Without missing a beat, she turned her head. “Hey, loser.” “Ouch.” He grabbed his chest as if she’d struck him in the heart with an arrow. Yet it wasn’t her comment that stung. Those robin’s-egg-blue eyes landed a sucker punch to his gut every time she looked his way. As she strolled by him, his gaze dropped to her sashaying backside. The judge should have sentenced the spoiled brat to a good solid spanking instead of yet another probation. His cock hardened painfully at the thought of carrying out her punishment himself. Hayden starred in his fantasies way more often than he’d like. Okay, so maybe staying celibate was more difficult than staying sober. One always seemed to fuel the other. Where the mind leads the body will follow, he reminded himself and he looked away. At this rate, he’d be praying for salvation tomorrow instead of focusing on football practice. And when it came to Hayden Middleton, he’d be consorting with the devil’s handmaiden. Not that consorting was the problem. The woman hated him, which he supposed made things easier. Less tempting… Dear God, he wanted a drink. A Scapa Scotch. Wanted to swirl the autumn-gold liquid, inhale the honeyed fragrance, savor the sweet smoothness, feel the cool burn down his throat and then the blessed relief as the warmth spread to every part of his body. As he glanced at Hayden again, he crushed the empty Red Bull can, then deliberately looked away. He liked to think he had mastered his addiction. That he had control. Sometimes he’d order a drink and then walk away from it, thinking he’d won a small battle of what would be a lifelong war. A sudden roar of voices jolted him out of his pity party. His teammates were egging on two men who were nose to nose, shouting at each other, and there was Hayden adding her two thousand cents in. When the shorter guy’s suit jacket flapped open, revealing a gun, Liam tossed a hundred dollar bill on the bar. Time to go. In a flash he reached his unaware teammates. “We need to get out of here.” He placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder. “You too,” he told her. Elbowing him in the gut, she tried to wedge herself between the two guys. She shot Liam a look that made it perfectly clear that she could take care of herself. Besides, it was her entourage causing the trouble. None of that mattered, though. He owed her father for giving him a second chance when no other team in the league would. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the shorter guy’s hand reaching for the gun. “Out,” he ordered again. This time his teammates took off. With no time to argue, he threw Hayden over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Tuning out her protests, he plowed toward the exit while doing his best to ignore the bodacious booty inches from his face. There was going to be hell to pay. And Liam couldn’t afford the price.
Sold? Don't you want to find out Hayden's reaction to be hauled out of the bar?!Buy Links below!
Amazon - The Quarterback Sneak
Barnes and Noble - The Quarterback Sneak
iTunes - The Quarterback Sneak
Kobo - The Quarterback Sneak
Chapter 1 - The Quarterback Sneak
Liam McQueen knew he shouldn’t be inside Martini Madness or any place that served alcohol. Two years, one month, three weeks, five days sober. And celibate. Though going without a drink had proven more difficult than laying off the women. Alcohol had been his mistress, and he still heard the siren calling to his weak soul. He fortified himself with a prayer as he maneuvered through the club. Three of his offensive linemen surrounded him, fiercely guarding their quarterback’s body as if they were still on the football field. Tonight Liam was returning the favor, protecting his teammates as their designated driver and general all-around babysitter. It wouldn’t help the New York Cougar’s upcoming season if one of them landed in jail. Upon reaching the club’s swanky VIP section, his buddies beelined for the decorations—the pretty women let inside as bait to lure wealthy men into dropping serious cash. Liam had his fill of groupies and party girls. Deserted, he found an empty bar stool and looked around. The glass-enclosed area allowed the music to filter in at a level that encouraged conversation, yet let the wannabes outside the glass feel like they were part of the scene, where D-list celebrities mingled with pro athletes. From his spot, Liam had a front-row seat as he watched his largest lineman fumble a play on a hot redhead. Poor schmuck. Maybe he should help Murphy out and be his wingman for the night. “What’s your poison?” asked a sultry voice from behind the neon-lit bar. Poison. Liam almost laughed at the truth in the word. The name of his favorite Scotch burned on his tongue. Spinning his stool back around, he faced the bartender, a hot blonde with big boobs spilling over her low-cut shirt. She flashed him a smile bright enough for a whitening-toothpaste commercial. Three years ago, he would have simply nodded toward the nearest bathroom, and faster than it took him to call an audible on a play, they would have been going at it like a pair of drunken monkeys. His former self disgusted him. All he wanted now was a nice girl to settle down with. A nice girl who liked sex, he amended. “Red Bull,” he said. “With?” The suggestive hint in her voice left no doubt of her interest in him. “Designated driver.” “Bummer.” “Yeah, it sure is.” But if he hadn’t gone off the wagon after single-handedly losing the Championship seven months ago, then he wouldn’t take a drink now. Not even the daily reminders of defeat—fans who taunted him on the street—could break his resolve. His response at least seemed to shut them up effectively. You’re right. I suck. The New York fans were a fickle bunch. With a single throw, they’d forgotten how after Todd, the Cougars’ star quarterback, had broken his leg, Liam had stepped in to lead them to the big game. Would the Cougars have won the Championship if Todd still had been the quarterback? According to social media, the answer was a resounding yes. Apparently the team’s management agreed. Otherwise Liam wouldn’t have had to compete with Romer, the Cougars’ number-one draft choice, for the starting position. A competition Liam had won. For now. And he couldn’t even celebrate with a toast. Turning his head toward a commotion at the VIP entrance, he expected to see a major celebrity. But it was just another washed-up reality star. The team owner’s hellion of a daughter, Hayden Middleton, had arrived with her entourage in tow. An off-the-shoulder red cocktail dress hugged the tabloid darling’s every curve, like she was channeling a plus-sized Jessica Rabbit. Even her long, cinnamon-brown hair was swept to one side. Wearing ridiculously high heels, she probably could meet Liam’s six-foot-three gaze head on.He swiveled his stool, resting his elbows on the bar rail behind him and watched her approach. Damn. She was going to walk right by him like he didn’t exist. “Hey, Hayden.” Without missing a beat, she turned her head. “Hey, loser.” “Ouch.” He grabbed his chest as if she’d struck him in the heart with an arrow. Yet it wasn’t her comment that stung. Those robin’s-egg-blue eyes landed a sucker punch to his gut every time she looked his way. As she strolled by him, his gaze dropped to her sashaying backside. The judge should have sentenced the spoiled brat to a good solid spanking instead of yet another probation. His cock hardened painfully at the thought of carrying out her punishment himself. Hayden starred in his fantasies way more often than he’d like. Okay, so maybe staying celibate was more difficult than staying sober. One always seemed to fuel the other. Where the mind leads the body will follow, he reminded himself and he looked away. At this rate, he’d be praying for salvation tomorrow instead of focusing on football practice. And when it came to Hayden Middleton, he’d be consorting with the devil’s handmaiden. Not that consorting was the problem. The woman hated him, which he supposed made things easier. Less tempting… Dear God, he wanted a drink. A Scapa Scotch. Wanted to swirl the autumn-gold liquid, inhale the honeyed fragrance, savor the sweet smoothness, feel the cool burn down his throat and then the blessed relief as the warmth spread to every part of his body. As he glanced at Hayden again, he crushed the empty Red Bull can, then deliberately looked away. He liked to think he had mastered his addiction. That he had control. Sometimes he’d order a drink and then walk away from it, thinking he’d won a small battle of what would be a lifelong war. A sudden roar of voices jolted him out of his pity party. His teammates were egging on two men who were nose to nose, shouting at each other, and there was Hayden adding her two thousand cents in. When the shorter guy’s suit jacket flapped open, revealing a gun, Liam tossed a hundred dollar bill on the bar. Time to go. In a flash he reached his unaware teammates. “We need to get out of here.” He placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder. “You too,” he told her. Elbowing him in the gut, she tried to wedge herself between the two guys. She shot Liam a look that made it perfectly clear that she could take care of herself. Besides, it was her entourage causing the trouble. None of that mattered, though. He owed her father for giving him a second chance when no other team in the league would. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the shorter guy’s hand reaching for the gun. “Out,” he ordered again. This time his teammates took off. With no time to argue, he threw Hayden over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Tuning out her protests, he plowed toward the exit while doing his best to ignore the bodacious booty inches from his face. There was going to be hell to pay. And Liam couldn’t afford the price.
Sold? Don't you want to find out Hayden's reaction to be hauled out of the bar?!Buy Links below!
Amazon - The Quarterback Sneak
Barnes and Noble - The Quarterback Sneak
iTunes - The Quarterback Sneak
Kobo - The Quarterback Sneak
December 9, 2014
More book quotes pics!
I love these book quote pics that Beatrix at Cover to Cover Book Blog made for me. The pics fit perfectly with the scene within the story. Meanwhile, The Quarterback Sneak is receiving great reviews at Goodreads and at Amazon. I so appreciate the time readers take to post a review!
November 19, 2014
Quoted for The Quarterback Sneak
I love doing those picture quotes from my books. This is one of my favorite from The Quarterback Sneak. Available for preorder now!
November 16, 2014
Songs to Write to - The Quarterback Sneak
I thought I'd share my playlist for The Quarterback Sneak ( which is available for a special preorder price of 99cents).
These are songs that relate to my characters and story.
Demons - by Imagine Dragons
Love Remains the Same - by Gavin Rossdale
Harlem - by New Politics
Trumpets - by Jason Derulo
Are there certain songs that remind you of a person or place? Share in the comments!
This is a line a song by Eric Church called Springsteen - 'Sometimes a melody sounds like a memory'. I love that line because it is so true for me.For instance the song Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen takes me back to when when I was nineteen.Going even further back Magic by Pilot takes me back to Knolls Summer Day Camp when I was 13!
These are songs that relate to my characters and story.
Demons - by Imagine Dragons
Love Remains the Same - by Gavin Rossdale
Harlem - by New Politics
Trumpets - by Jason Derulo
Are there certain songs that remind you of a person or place? Share in the comments!
This is a line a song by Eric Church called Springsteen - 'Sometimes a melody sounds like a memory'. I love that line because it is so true for me.For instance the song Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen takes me back to when when I was nineteen.Going even further back Magic by Pilot takes me back to Knolls Summer Day Camp when I was 13!
November 7, 2014
The Quarterback Sneak - The Book Trailer
November 2, 2014
The Quarterback Sneak is here!
The ebook for The Quarterback Sneak is available for preorder! Release date is December 2, 2014!
I think your are going to fall in love with Hayden and Liam.
I'm running a preorder special of only 99 cents! A week after the release date I'll be raising the price to 2.99
Meanwhile the audiobook and paperback is in the works!
Here is the blurb and links:
A recovering alcoholic, football player Liam McQueen seeks redemption on and off the field. So when the team's owner, the man who gave him a shot at a comeback, demands that Liam pretend to be engaged to his wayward daughter, it's a favor the reformed bad boy feels he can't refuse.
After violating her probation, heiress Hayden Middleton must prove to the court she's changed her wild ways. To appease the judge, the tabloid queen agrees to a fake engagement, but there's nothing fake about the heat that sizzles between her and her father's saintly star quarterback.
Mastering the sex playbook isn't a problem for this wild couple. Outside the bedroom, this mismatched pair must plan a game strategy to confront their demons if their temporary arrangement has any chance of going long.
Will love come into play as the sinner and the saint go head to head?
AMAZON
NOOK
APPLE
KOBO
SMASHWORDS
Thank you for your support over the years! I couldn't have done it without my readers!
I think your are going to fall in love with Hayden and Liam.
I'm running a preorder special of only 99 cents! A week after the release date I'll be raising the price to 2.99Meanwhile the audiobook and paperback is in the works!
Here is the blurb and links:
A recovering alcoholic, football player Liam McQueen seeks redemption on and off the field. So when the team's owner, the man who gave him a shot at a comeback, demands that Liam pretend to be engaged to his wayward daughter, it's a favor the reformed bad boy feels he can't refuse.
After violating her probation, heiress Hayden Middleton must prove to the court she's changed her wild ways. To appease the judge, the tabloid queen agrees to a fake engagement, but there's nothing fake about the heat that sizzles between her and her father's saintly star quarterback.
Mastering the sex playbook isn't a problem for this wild couple. Outside the bedroom, this mismatched pair must plan a game strategy to confront their demons if their temporary arrangement has any chance of going long.
Will love come into play as the sinner and the saint go head to head?
AMAZON
NOOK
APPLE
KOBO
SMASHWORDS
Thank you for your support over the years! I couldn't have done it without my readers!
October 26, 2014
I Quit, I Quit Sugar
I made it through 4 of the 8 weeks of I Quit Sugar then I slid into the thoughts of
just this once
just this one day...
one day turn into two, into three.... and so on...
I did lose 2 inches off my waist and 5 pounds which you would think would spur me onto to glory, but..
No.
I did notice that I'm less hungry when I don't have sugar which you would think would help me,
but...
No.
I will say this. I haven't overindulged. So that's something.
I guess.
Did you struggle with your weight?
just this once
just this one day...
one day turn into two, into three.... and so on...
I did lose 2 inches off my waist and 5 pounds which you would think would spur me onto to glory, but..
No.
I did notice that I'm less hungry when I don't have sugar which you would think would help me,
but...
No.
I will say this. I haven't overindulged. So that's something.
I guess.
Did you struggle with your weight?
September 15, 2014
Day 3 & 4 & 5 - I Quit Sugar
I'm so glad that the 1st week of the 8 week I Quit Sugar program is about cutting back and learning to read labels!
I've done great on not eat candy, cakes, and pre-package foods! I'm still figuring out breakfast but I found out in a pinch I can get a Sausage McMuffin from McDonalds as it only has 2 grams in it.
Today I spent my lunch hour at the grocery store reading labels.
I picked up a salad dressing I can use - SCORE!
Picking out yogurt is tricky. The full fat is supposed have to less sugar but I didn't find that to be true. Now the first 4.7 grams of sugar don't count. Um...I can't remember why....any who ....
I found one with 7 grams - a carmel moccochino greek yogurt.
Tomorrow I'll read more and make up a list of ingredients I need to make some of the breakfast items.
Small victory: The husband has been hiding the candy but I was taking out the last bottle of soda (the soda isn't for me) out of the grocery bag and there were 4 loose Kisses in there!!!!!!!!!!!
But I didn't eat them!
I've done great on not eat candy, cakes, and pre-package foods! I'm still figuring out breakfast but I found out in a pinch I can get a Sausage McMuffin from McDonalds as it only has 2 grams in it.
Today I spent my lunch hour at the grocery store reading labels.
I picked up a salad dressing I can use - SCORE!
Picking out yogurt is tricky. The full fat is supposed have to less sugar but I didn't find that to be true. Now the first 4.7 grams of sugar don't count. Um...I can't remember why....any who ....
I found one with 7 grams - a carmel moccochino greek yogurt.
Tomorrow I'll read more and make up a list of ingredients I need to make some of the breakfast items.
Small victory: The husband has been hiding the candy but I was taking out the last bottle of soda (the soda isn't for me) out of the grocery bag and there were 4 loose Kisses in there!!!!!!!!!!!
But I didn't eat them!
September 12, 2014
Day 1 & 2- I Quit Sugar
My blog is usually about my writing and random items that interest me but for the next 8 weeks I'll be blogging about my 'I Quit Sugar' journey.
I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson is an 8 week detox program and cookbook.
Why am I doing this?
My psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is at all time red alert stage. Yesterday I woke up with aches and brain fog. I know it's the sugar I consume.
I eat sugar every day never mind the hidden sugars in our food.
Eating sugar is eating poison. Sugar causes inflammation. Inflammation causes a host of problems.
It's time. I'm ready.
The first week is about cutting back, reading labels to become aware of the hidden sugars, and getting everything you need to succeed.
A surprise: Balsamic Vinegar is 16% sugar!!!
So how did I do the first two days?
No candy, no cookies, no cake! And there is a big bag of chocolate in the house too! I didn't have one piece! But I think I had overdosed on candy the days leading up to this challenge so just looking at it makes my teeth hurt. So it really hasn't been that hard.
Another victory was not having barbeque sauce on my pork chops yesterday or ketchup on my hot dog today.
I purchased the book above but if you can check out Sarah's website and Pinterest boards ... here are the links below...
http://iquitsugar.com
http://www.pinterest.com/iquitsugar/
I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson is an 8 week detox program and cookbook.
Why am I doing this?
My psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is at all time red alert stage. Yesterday I woke up with aches and brain fog. I know it's the sugar I consume.
I eat sugar every day never mind the hidden sugars in our food.
Eating sugar is eating poison. Sugar causes inflammation. Inflammation causes a host of problems.
It's time. I'm ready.
The first week is about cutting back, reading labels to become aware of the hidden sugars, and getting everything you need to succeed.
A surprise: Balsamic Vinegar is 16% sugar!!!
So how did I do the first two days?
No candy, no cookies, no cake! And there is a big bag of chocolate in the house too! I didn't have one piece! But I think I had overdosed on candy the days leading up to this challenge so just looking at it makes my teeth hurt. So it really hasn't been that hard.
Another victory was not having barbeque sauce on my pork chops yesterday or ketchup on my hot dog today.
I purchased the book above but if you can check out Sarah's website and Pinterest boards ... here are the links below...
http://iquitsugar.com
http://www.pinterest.com/iquitsugar/
