Who am I?

This week's themed blog post for the soon to be released A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

"What is your passion?"

See if you can figure out what my passion is with the following collages. :)

My passion is my life! I have many labels; teacher, friend, supporter, Christian, community service leader, event coordinator, mom, wife, daughter, charity volunteer, and avid book lover, just to name a few. Your passion defines you. So tell me, what is yours?

Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Words cannot express my love for this series. I read this the first time back in High School over 20 years ago. It conjures so many emotions when read. Some may call it a chic flick, but I'm telling you it is not. I'm having the hubby read/listen to it now. Years ago we would listen to parts of it together, but I was too impatient to wait on him, therefore, he never finished it.

This is first and foremost historical fiction and involves time travel. Yes, there is strong romance, but it is fueled by History. That being said, those of you who do not care about Scottish History, will not be bored by the story at all. Diana Gabaldon is an extraordinary author. This is a series you will read and reread for years to come.

This book is an adult book or maybe mature teen. There is sex involved, which is part of married life, so don't be surprised by this. Also, one has to remember that women were treated differently in these times. Do not compare today's woman with either of Claire's time frames.

One name... James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. Yes, that is all one has to say about this book. It will make you cry, laugh, and face your deepest inner emotions. Come join us on this amazing Outlander experience. Book one will not be enough. Trust me.

And for those of you thinking you do not wish to read anything like this, know this...Starz has just announced they will be airing 16 episodes based on Diana Gabaldon's Outlander in the Spring 2014. There are FB pages and Twitter groups galore. Don't you want to be a part of this adventure? I know I do!

View all my reviews

Maelyn Review

Maelyn by Anita Valle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I stumbled on this while looking for a short read between some ARCs I was reviewing. I didn't expect to fall in love with another series, especially one in novella form. This was a quick and very fun read. And the premise is exactly what every little girl desires...to be a princess. Ok, so not the way Maelyn and her sisters became princesses, but dreams of becoming a princess none the less Anita surprised me by the amount of "story" in this tale. There was no down time in any of the novella. It left me wanting to learn what happens next. I can't wait for Coralina's story. Well done

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5 Star Taste the Heat Review

Perhaps a High School crush is just a glimpse into the future.

 We’ve all had them. That hot boy that makes  your stomach turn somersaults just by making eye contact. The disheveled haired boy that accidentally touches you in the hallway. Or the older boy, who is a Senior in High School while you’re still just an 8^th grader. You know the one. He drives a Black Mustang, is super sweet to you and your friends, and even hangs out with you when you are asked to play with the High School band ensemble at contests. Yes, that one was mine.

As an 8^th grader, I didn’t actually realize I had a crush on this particular person. I was young and loved the attention and became great friends with him. My freshman year in High School, Mr Already Graduated boy started hanging out with me and my family. He also helped chaperone my first few dates with some of those other hair flinging, muscled body, closer to my age crushes. Until one day in my second semester as a Junior.  Through boyfriend’s and other emotional times, this boy had always been there. Out of nowhere, one day I became jealous of him trying to secure a date with another lady in town. I mean, he was mine. He had to be there with me all the time. On my dates! Why would he dare try to send someone he didn’t know except from seeing her in a business, roses and then ask her for a date? Why? This just wasn’t right. Then BAM!! It hit me. He had been my crush all along. If a guy wanted to take me out and they didn’t want Stephen along, well, so long buddy. You aren’t the one for me. It all suddenly became clear. One of the guys I dated my freshman year was a mutual friend of Stephen’s. When we broke up he said it was because one day I’d discover who I really loved. I was so confused. But on this day, all of this was suddenly explained. He was the ONE! He always had been. So now what? Well, let’s just say it took time, but after 5 years of dating once we both had the courage to admit our true desires, 13 years of marriage, and 2 children later, we are still giddy around each other as we were on our first official date. I love that man!

5 Stars!

Because of my High School crush story, I was thrilled to get an ARC of Taste the Heat, by Rachel Harris. As soon as I read the blurb about Jason being Colby’s High School crush, I knew I’d fall in love with the story instantly. I mean, who doesn’t want a happy ending like I have? I believe in non-spoiler reviews so if you’re looking for how things turn out in this book, boogey right along, because this book is too good to give away any secrets.

Colby, scarred by her past, escapes from Louisiana to study and live her dream as a big-time chef. What Miss Now Big City Vegas girl didn’t expect when she agreed to help her brother revamp their family restaurant in LA for the summer, were old High School crush feelings to fire back up. And we’re talking in a spicy vengeance. Her spunky sister says go for it. But Colby knows nothing can happen. She’s only here for the summer.

Jason, Mr Crush Himself and now fire chief of Colby’s hometown, didn’t have any expectations of falling in love again. He was perfectly happy with raising his daughter by himself. After all, he had responsibilities as fire chief and his own gym to handle. He didn’t have time to date. That would take more time away from Emma than she deserved. No, he didn’t have plans to fall, but oh how he did when he saw Colby again. But this was wrong. It couldn’t happen. Not with his best friend’s sister! Cane was Emma’s Godfather for goodness sake. This was all wrong.

Taste the Heat is a story about self-restoration as well as romance. Colby and Jason must both face their past in order to embrace their future. Can they afford a summer together without hope for the future? And what about Emma? She’s so young and impressionable. She would be looking for more for her dad. What happens when the summer is over and her dream of a complete family is shattered with Colby’s desire to return to Vegas? Is it all worth the risk?

Grab you something sweet and spicy and jump into this amazing book! Available Today! 

Congrats to Rachel on an outstanding debut into the Adult Romance world! Your success is imminent!

Thank you to 

for providing this advanced review copy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Taste the Heat Release Day and Recipe

Today, Taste the Heat, by Rachel Harris goes live. {throws confetti and dances cray cray} (Yes, I just used cray cray as my daughter would say) I am very excited for all of you to read this hot and sweet romance novel. 

To celebrate the release I am going to share with you one of my favorite dessert recipes. I chose this as it is super simple and quick. Both of these reasons were important to me since I was reading Taste the Heat while I was cooking it. Obviously, I needed something that wouldn't take too much time away from my reading, but something sweet to eat while I finished the book. So hear you go, my loves! Let's spice up that kitchen with some cinnamon!

Peach Cobbler Dump Cake

Ingredients:

2 (16 oz) cans of diced peaches in heavy syrup

1 box of yellow butter cake mix

1/2 cup of butter (sliced)

Cinnamon to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour peaches into a 9x13 dish (I used glass). Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top of peaches. Pour cake mix directly on top of peaches and press firmly.  Place sliced butter on top of mix and sprinkle heavily with cinnamon. Bake for 45 minutes and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Now for a tasty quote from the book!

One sexy fire captain. One Cajun chef. One combustible kitchen…

When chef Colby Robicheaux returned home to New Orleans to save her family restaurant, the last person she expected to reconnect with was her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. As tempting as a sugar-coated beignet, Jason is one dish she can’t afford to taste. Colby can’t wait to leave the place where her distrust of love and commitment originated and go back to Vegas.

Fire captain Jason Landry isn’t looking for love, either. Disillusioned by his past, he knows he should be focusing on finding the perfect mother for his daughter. But when he first sees Colby, all grown up and gorgeous, he can’t help but be drawn to her. And when she suggests a no-strings-attached fling, Jason can’t say no.

As their relationship grows more intense, Colby finds that Jason isn’t as easy to leave behind as she thought. Could turning up the heat on something real be worth the possibility of getting burned?

Indulgence Cover Reveal

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the sexy new look of Indulgence!

Indulgence books are short contemporary romances.  They are new, fresh, edgy, light, and whimsical and always have a happily ever after.

Emotionally and physically satisfying.

Sure, Brazen may be the naughty little sister of Indulgence, but where do you think Brazen learned everything? J

Famously Engaged, by Robyn Thomas

A chef and a rock star. They couldn’t be from more different worlds…

Rock star royalty’s favorite son, Jake Olsen, couldn’t help but interfere after listening to his future brother-in-law talk non-stop about his ex-wife, Beth Carlisle. Jake decides that the only way to get the groom’s mind off his ex-wife is to give her a fake fiancé.

Before Jake can convince Beth of his plan, he's forced to move in with her to avoid the paparazzi. Their instant attraction makes for a sizzling "first date", but soon Jake’s fame gets in the way and Beth wants out. Too bad Jake's figured out just why her ex is so obsessed with her, and he's afraid he's not going to be able to give her up either.

Now it's up to Jake to convince this chef together they make the perfect recipe.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble: Coming

The Wedding Gamble, by Cindi Myers

Preschool teacher Laura Nichols is celebrating her birthday and sister's bachelorette party in Vegas. Being in Sin City is thrilling and she intends on tapping in to her wild side. Laura can't resist the added excitement that comes with saying yes when a hunky man off the street proposes...

FBI agent David Abruzzo has been working undercover as a thug to bring down the Zacolli crime family, but his cover depends on convincing the mob he came to Vegas for a quickie wedding. If they catch on to his plan, his cover's blown, and he's as good as dead. 

Over the course of 48 hours, David and Laura use rollercoasters, glowing condoms, and exotic male dancers to stay alive and bring the crime family down. But it will take more than Lady Luck, one night of passion, and a little Vegas magic to turn their fake marriage into something real.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Dishing Up Desire, by Barbara DeLeo

Image consultant Blake Matthews is facing his toughest PR challenge yet: salvage the image of celebrity chef Kirin Hart. Once he does, he'll be able to acquire LA's most successful PR firm. But Kirin's no easy fix. She's stubborn about changing her comfortable homemaker image, and is being sued for sexual harassment by a junior staffer. She needs a PR lifeline fast. Only problem is Blake wants more than to make her over...

Kirin doesn't need a makeover--her fans love her as she is. But she could lose everything if the sex scandal and reputation that has followed doesn't get quashed right away. Kirin agrees to let model-perfect Blake work his magic for two weeks, but things get complicated when she can't deny the way her body flares to life whenever he's near.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble