Recipe for Satisfaction

Mixing business with pleasure has never been so sexy…

Being the financial caretaker for her deadbeat parents isn’t the life professional organizer Sterling Andrews dreamed of. Tired of being the dependable—and boring—daughter, Sterling decides to have a little fun. And what could be more fun than seducing rich bad boy chef, Jack Vaughn? Except, after one scintillating night together, Sterling’s not only lusting for Jack, she’s working for him. And remaining professional becomes harder every day.

Already a major success thanks to his exclusive restaurants, Jack Vaughn is looking for something more. Ultra responsible Sterling is unlike anyone Jack has met…but she’s his employee. Unwilling to give her up, Jack makes Sterling an offer she can’t refuse—for four sexy weekends, he’ll indulge her most wicked fantasies with no professional strings attached. But will mixing business with pleasure spell disaster? Or will they find the recipe for satisfaction?

Recipe for Satisfaction (Madewood Brothers, #1), Gina Gordon, Entangled Publishing/Brazen

REVIEW:  Oh. My. God.  Can you fall in love with a book?  I hope so, because I am so very in love with this new series by Gina Gordon.  The Madewood Brothers have captured me - mind, body and soul.  No, seriously, four foster brothers who all COOK for a living, are filthy rich but self made, slightly broken but temptingly repairable.  I am a reader who adores series - siblings, coworkers, clan members, whatever - the connection of each to one another and the promise of an HEA for every one makes me giddy.

Recipe for Satisfaction tells the tale of the youngest of the four foster children of Vivian Madewood - the tattooed, very jaded man who embodies the idea of still waters running deep.  He alone is left in the family mansion to pack up his deceased mother's belongings.  Sterling Andrews has organized her life to within an inch in an effort to control the chaos of her upbringing  After a farcical meeting on a publicity cruise, Jack strikes a bargain with Sterling - she'll help him pack and he'll help her have fun.  Why do I never get offered these propositions?

Gina Gordon creates a delightful concoction of chick lit and erotic romance.  Her dialogue is flip and funny, story lines well crafted and the writing above par.  It was really very difficult to find any negatives.  The secondary characters help to develop the future potential story arcs and add depth to the characters wringing some delicious angsty emotions out of the reader.  I am not sure why I haven't encountered this author before but I will definitely be adding her to my auto-buy list and scarfing up her back list as well.  The manner in which her story unfolds and the pace that it maintains is like the perfect restaurant meal - well balanced, full of exciting flavors and with the right amounts of sweets and savories.  The sexy bits have enough romance to be sensual and spice to be erotic with variety and locations galore.

Did I mention there are three additional brothers?  I guess that means I will wait, impatiently, for further installments into my new personal dreamland of sexy chefs and the women who love them.  You must absolutely grab a copy and indulge yourself today! (links provided for immediate and easy gratification!)

I give Recipe for Satisfaction FIVE delish chocolate dipped strawberries and a moonlight stroll on a Miami beach! This novel has achieved our Ultimate Indulgence Book Award!

BUY LINKS:   B&N      Amazon     Books on Board


EXCERPT:

© 2013 Gina Gordon

Chapter One

Was this ridiculous ship ever going to dock?
Sterling Andrews crept to the lower level of the boat, bumping into the walls of the narrow staircase. Her stomach lurched—it’d been in a suspended state of animation for the past hour, and she swiped at the light film of sweat across her brow. So much for finding a man tonight. She needed a restroom. Pronto.
It wasn’t until she’d boarded the luxury yacht with the insane plan to find a man to break her out of her boring, predictable—responsible—rut that she’d figured out she was prone to seasickness. Were you supposed to feel such a large boat sway from side to side? Somehow, she didn’t think so.
Reaching the end of the staircase, she rested her hand on the wall to catch her breath. This was officially the most hideous night of her life. She was sick as a dog on a boat full of strangers, and to top it all off, what seemed like a great fashion choice when she left the house now left her feeling ridiculous.
The strappy four-inch stilettos, combined with vertigo from seasickness, wreaked havoc with Sterling’s balance. Her legs were cold under the shitload of crinoline that only just covered her ass, and she could barely breathe from the bodice that fit snugly around her torso.
Her best friend, Penn Foster—the brains behind the swanky charity event on the yacht and consequently this insane plan—had chosen the outfit, which was totally inappropriate for a professional organizer. Penn was in big trouble.
Sterling gathered her bag close and took a deep breath before heading down to the most interior quarters. Maybe down here the sway of the boat wouldn’t be so noticeable. Just then her stomach decided to do the rumba and she lost her balance. Luckily, the wall was courteous enough to break her fall. A breeze whipped up the stairway, taking with it the hem of her skirt, and the cool air whooshed across her bare backside like a chilly, lecherous hand.
Penn was so dead.
Forcing herself to forge on, she wobbled down the hallway with one hand on the wall for support, but she stopped short at the sound of male voices around a sharp corner.
“It’s time you got back on the horse, brother.” The sound was deep and coarse, like gravel against concrete. “Treat this as your coming-out party.”
“You’re an ass.” The second voice was lighter, but no less potent—a strong caress against her skin.
The first man chuckled. “You have your pick of the litter on this boat. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen any prospects.”
Sterling hugged the wall and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. If she didn’t get farther inside she was going to retch all over this deck.
“Picking up women is like riding a bike,” the first man continued. “Granted, it’s been a while and you might fall off the first time, but it’s not something you forget.”
Sterling bent forward, trying to poke her head around the corner to catch a glimpse of who was in need of riding lessons. Two men stood in the doorway, their profiles to her. The first man she recognized right away—Neil Harrison, the oldest of the Madewood brothers, and Penn’s employer. They’d met when she first stepped on the boat. His white chef’s coat, crisp and clean, accentuated his tall, broad frame. Black ink peeked out from under the collar of his jacket, making her wonder what kind of tattoo he had hidden beneath his clothes.
The second man was stunning. Instead of a white jacket, he wore a black dress shirt—untucked—and dark jeans with the perfect amount of fading. He was definitely underdressed for the swanky event going on above deck. If he were wearing a suit, she would have thought his shaggy black hair was in definite need of a haircut, but dressed as he was, the long strands jutting haphazardly from his head only sharpened his edge.
She recognized him from the pictures she’d seen in the newspapers—none other than bad boy Jack Vaughn, the youngest Madewood brother. Even though they were all known to society as the Madewoods, their foster mother had insisted each son keep his own family name.
The entire city of Toronto knew the Madewood family’s business. Being the foster sons of a prominent socialite and business owner meant the four brothers were big news on the local circuit. And the younger son had quite the reputation. Not a week would go by without a mention of Jack Vaughn in Hello Canada magazine, partying with the super-elite around the world. Well, at least until two months ago when their mother, Vivian Madewood, passed away.
The charity event on the yacht was in support of Cooking for the Future, a program their mother had started when she realized how the culinary arts helped her own foster children. Vivian wanted to continue that passion and help more than just four lucky boys. She’d been an inspiration for the entire city, and Sterling was sad to hear she’d passed.
“You’ve had it rough the last few months.” Neil clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m just trying to help.”
“I can pick up women on my own time,” Jack said. “I don’t need you to hold my hand.”
The ship pitched and nausea rose in her stomach. It traveled north like a warning bell, alerting her to seek out a toilet or the railing of the boat—whichever was closer. She turned quickly and ran into a wall. Or rather, a boy carrying two trays of dirty glasses. Glasses that decided they no longer liked their position on the trays. They crashed to the floor, a loud, obnoxious taunt. Just one more reminder of how bad her luck had been the last twelve months.
She raised her hand to her mouth and mumbled through her fingers, “I’m so sorry.” With glass crunching under her feet, she crouched to pick up the pieces. At least the mess distracted her from her stomach.
“No, Miss,” the young man pleaded. “Leave that for me.” He bent down beside her and picked up his own share of glass. “Please, Miss, don’t—”
“What’s going on here?”
A shiver ran up her spine at the sound of the deep voice behind her. It was even sexier in closer proximity. She tilted her head and confirmed her suspicion. Jack Vaughn.
Beside him, Neil asked, “Sterling, are you all right?”
“I’m sorry, Chef.” The boy tensed and stood steel-rod straight. She was waiting for him to salute. “I’ll clean everything up right away.”
“Nonsense.” She stood, too, and turned to face the two men. “This was all my fault. I’ll clean it up.”
Jack’s intense stare sent a wave of heat inching up her neck, and when he spoke, he held her gaze steady. “George, would you mind heading back to the kitchen to get something to clean this up?”
“Of course, Chef.” George turned on his heel with precision and headed off to follow orders.
She swallowed and tried to break from Jack’s hypnotic stare by darting her gaze to Neil.
“This is Penn’s friend Sterling,” Neil said to Jack with a grin. “I think she was roped into coming so Penn could utilize her super organization skills.”
She smiled. So not the case. She was here to meet a man. But she’d go with it. “You’d be right.”
Jack held out his hand, a wide grin stretching across his face, revealing even, white teeth and a sexy dimple. “Jack Vaughn.”
“I know who you are,” Sterling said softly and fit her hand in his.
“My reputation precedes me.” His flirty grin was no longer so flirty.
“You do have quite the reputation.” She squeezed his hand trying to let him know she was cool with his “reputation.” In fact, he was exactly what she was looking for tonight—as long as her stomach didn’t mess it up for her.
His gaze was definitely serious now. His demeanor had changed within a matter of seconds with one mention of his reputation. Well, hell. Flirting was so much harder than it looked on TV. She would have thought a man like Jack Vaughn would be proud of his reputation. Someone who took pride in the fact that he was infamous. But maybe not. She knew all too well that people’s assumptions were way off base most of the time.
“You’ve got a reputation and I’m uptight. We’ve all got our quirks,” she said. Perfect. Verbal diarrhea. Someone gag me. “I’m Sterling Andrews.”
“Sterling.” Her name came out in a whisper, and for the first time she noticed the silver ball piercing in his tongue. Her stomach clenched at the thought of that hard ball against her—
“I’m going to check on things in the kitchen. If you need anything, Sterling, my brother would be more than happy to help.” Neil patted Jack on the shoulder, and they exchanged a curious look as he walked away.
“Really, I should be the one cleaning up,” she said.
He ignored her offer to pitch in. “What are you doing down here, anyway? The party’s upstairs.”
Because she was a queasy mess. “I was just looking for the bathroom.”
“There’s a bathroom upstairs.” He pointed toward the ceiling, his eyes gliding over her body, from eyes to toes and back again. She smoothed her hands down the front of her skirt, the coarse crinoline rough against her sweaty palms, her heart beating faster as he stepped closer, the glass crunch-crunch-crunching under his feet with every step.
He stopped in front of her—too close—and cocked his head to the side. “Not your scene?”
Could he read her mind? She let out a breath of relief. “So not my scene.”
He grinned. “I know exactly how you feel. I was hiding out down here myself.” He crouched and balanced on the balls of his feet, rolling up the sleeves of his black shirt. His left forearm was inked, and thick black designs crawled up his skin. She wondered just how far up they went. On his right forearm, what looked like two paws peeked out from under the fabric.
He reached for the glass and she dropped beside him, grabbing his hands. “You don’t have to—”
“Shit!” He dropped the piece of glass. A thick, red stain slashed brightly across the surface.
“Oh, God. You’re cut. I’m such a klutz tonight. Let me…” She reached into her purse, thankful she had decided to go against Penn’s advice and brought her oversized bag. He sucked on his palm as she withdrew a purple makeup case. She rummaged inside, finding a Band-Aid and an antiseptic wipe. She went above and beyond the motto of always being prepared. Sterling Andrews: perpetual Girl Guide. More like wannabe Girl Guide. She’d never had the opportunity to be a real one but if she had, she’d be the one with the most badges.
He chuckled. “You’re either a mom or a nurse.”
“Neither. I’m a professional organizer.” Sterling grabbed his hand, calloused and coarse. A man’s hand. She held the wipe between her teeth, ripped open the wrapper, and cleaned his cut. “It’s not too deep.”
She rearranged her balance, making sure her legs remained tightly together. She may be on the hunt, but she wasn’t tacky. In this position, her stomach had settled some.
When she was done, she glanced up. Her eyes caught in deep pools of chocolate brown sparkling back at her.
George returned and quickly got to work, sweeping around them. “Chef, I’ll take care of this now.”
Jack smiled and gestured with his chin to the kid. “George is a master baker.”
“A master baker?” She looked up at the young boy and he smiled, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. He couldn’t have been more than fifteen. “At such a young age?”
“He has a future in pastry arts,” Jack said. “A very bright future.”
Jack stood and offered his uninjured hand. Impressed by the gentlemanly gesture, she slid her hand in his and let him draw her up.
“Thank you, George.” Jack nodded before leading her toward the railing, so they could look out into the night. The moon glistened, reflecting off the walls of the boat around them with every ripple of water.
A shiver zinged through her when he slid his hand down her spine, letting it settle at the small of her back. “Do you always carry a first aid kit in your purse, Sterling?”
God, the way he said her name. It was like he was pouring warm honey across her belly…which she sincerely hoped he’d be licking up later.
“Actually, yes.” She laughed. “You never know when you’re going to need antiseptic wipes or a Band-Aid or—” she fiddled inside the makeup case “—a sewing kit.”
“Well, next time I bust a button on my shirt while simultaneously cutting my finger on a dirty knife, I know who to call.”
His sexy smile set the butterflies in her stomach aflutter. Exactly the reaction she was looking for. It was time to put a little fun in her life. Experience things she’d never had the chance to because she was too busy taking care of everyone else, including a two-timing fiancé.
The boat dipped. At least it felt like it dipped. The nausea she had forgotten came back with a vengeance.
“Are you all right?” he asked. “You just turned green.”
“Oh, God…” She latched her hand over her mouth and bent over the railing.
“Sterling?” he called.
But she didn’t have time to acknowledge him.
She braced both hands on the railing and lurched forward. What had been designated as the most hideous night of her life had just been upgraded to the most humiliating. She heaved—and heaved again—fully aware of the man who stalked closer to where she stood puking her guts out into the glistening water.
So much for luring a sexy man. Served her right for thinking she could have fun. She just proved that even her attempt at spontaneity had to be well thought out.
Rough hands caressed her shoulders, then gripped her hair, gathering it at the nape of her neck. Jack held her hair with one hand while the other circled her back. His fingers, soothing against her exposed skin, rubbed tenderly. A wave of warmth surged through her body. She was unsure of its origin—the sickness that now eased inside her stomach or the simple touch of this stranger.
“Feel better?” He was so close, the heat of his body turning up her temperature from hot to stifling. “Take this.”
He offered her a Kleenex, one he must have found in the travel package inside her purse. What was a little fishing expedition inside her purse when he’d seen the inner contents of her stomach fly over the metal railing of a boat? She wiped the tissue across her mouth.
“You’re good at this,” she whispered, then swallowed hard around the soreness in her throat.
He cocked his head, his eyes questioning.
“Taking care of people,” she clarified.
He shrugged. “Let’s just say I have experience with women skilled in stomach pyrotechnics.”
No doubt he’d held many a drunk girl’s hair in a hotel bathroom during his wild antics. But then he smiled, a casual grin that tingled all the way down to her toes. As their eyes met, time seemed to stand still.
“Chef Jack?”
Sterling shook off the dazed feeling as George crept toward them, biting his lip between his teeth. When Jack turned to face him, he immediately straightened. “Chef Neil said you need to get upstairs. He’s going to make his speech.”
Jack shot Sterling a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”
“Go.” She waved him off. “This is your party. Please, don’t let me keep you.”
“But—”
“I’ll be fine.” She reached forward and touched his forearm, which rested along the rail.
Sure she would. As soon as the boat docked.
Jack looked between the two of them. That same heat wasn’t reflected in his gaze. He looked on with kindness, concern. Not with the fire he had five minutes earlier, before she’d retched up the contents of her stomach.
“It was nice to meet you, Sterling Andrews.”
She frowned and her shoulders slumped forward when he backed away. “Thanks for…everything.”
He winked. “Glad I could be here.”
Gone was the nausea. Gone was the urge to heave. In its place was the realization that she was most definitely not getting honey licked off of anything tonight.
She rested her body against the rail, the metal bar snug against her armpit, and sighed. What an epic humiliation. But on the bright side, at least only one person was witness to her embarrassment and not a yacht full.
“Why didn’t you tell me you got sick on boats?”
Sterling turned and smiled. Penn sidled up to her, brushing her hair away from her forehead.
“I didn’t know. I’ve never been on a big boat before.”
Penn was the most beautiful woman Sterling knew, and stylish in that glam-goth way. Her porcelain skin was luminescent any day of the week, and her black hair hung just past her shoulders, styled with a roll to the side, and secured away from her face with a white barrette. Tonight, she wore a black dress with white polka dots, the bodice a V-neck with thin straps, and a black belt around her trim waist. And as always, her outfit was not complete without four-inch stilettos. She didn’t go anywhere without high heels.
“How did you know I was down here?”
“Jack sent me.” She held on to Sterling’s biceps. “Do you think you can handle a trip to the ladies’ room?”
Sterling nodded and by the time they arrived at the bathroom, the need to upchuck had finally dissipated.
Slumping forward over the sink, she grabbed on with both hands. The reflection staring back at her from the mirror was horrifying. Her eyes were watery, her cheeks were flushed, and her hair frizzed from her sweat-soaked scalp. “I’m a mess.”
“Shush. He still looked interested and after I get you cleaned up, we’ll hunt him down again.” Penn winked and then dug around inside Sterling’s bag. She held out the travel toothbrush and toothpaste. “What exactly were you doing down here?”
“I…” Sterling straightened and tamed the strands of her dark hair. “I was feeling sick and I was trying to…”
“Escape?”
Sterling laughed. “That’s exactly what Jack said.” She scrubbed her teeth, a little uncomfortable at the way Penn stared at her in the mirror. “What?” she mumbled with the toothbrush still in her mouth.
Penn cocked her head and rested her hand on her hip. “I feel like a proud mama. I tell you to find a man and you waste no time picking the most infamous bachelor on the boat.”
She rinsed her mouth and placed the travel toothbrush into its holder. “You mean Jack Vaughn?”
“Duh.” Penn reached into her own purse and pulled out a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash. When she noticed Sterling’s curious stare, she shrugged. “You think you’re the only one who’s prepared? This comes in handy many a morning when I find myself waking up in a gorgeous man’s bed.” She smiled and thrust the bottle into Sterling’s hand.
After rinsing her mouth with the green, minty liquid, Sterling took a deep breath. Much better. She should probably find a new man to kiss now—one who hadn’t seen her inglorious upchucking. But her introduction to Jack Vaughn had just narrowed the playing field. Not too many were going to compete with that much sex on a stick.
“So, you and Jack?” Penn asked, as she slipped the mouthwash back into her purse, coaxing Sterling for more information.
“It’s not like I sought him out on purpose.” Definitely not. Sterling was way out of her element on this boat. Hobnobbing with fancy, rich people was not a typical evening of fun. However, she had promised Penn she’d try her best to leave stick-in-the-mud Sterling at home and let loose. So much for that plan. And now that she’d met Jack Vaughn, her own self-doubt needled its way back into her brain.
“Maybe not, but the fates have decided something else entirely.” Penn wiggled her eyebrows. She’d been coaxing Sterling to date for months and finally, Sterling felt ready to get back in the game. Granted, she had a lot of baggage, but she wasn’t looking for Mr. Right. She was looking for Mr. One-Night Stand. That was about all she could handle right now. But was Jack Vaughn the best candidate?
“Don’t you think it’s a little awkward?” she asked.
Penn stared at her. “How so?”
“Considering he’s your boss.”
Relief washed over Penn’s face. “When have I ever suggested anything appropriate when it comes to men?” She grabbed a handful of paper towels and held them under the tap, drenching them in cold water. “He doesn’t seem to be as involved in the family business as Cole, Finn, and Neil.” She patted the wet paper towel against Sterling’s face and neck. “He does his own thing.”
Everyone knew that Jack Vaughn partied as hard as he worked. And it was easy to do when you owned five of the hottest restaurants in the world. He flitted across the globe, tending to his businesses, keeping girlfriends in every city. If she was honest, the man she read about in the magazines and the man who held her hair while she heaved just didn’t jibe. But she’d promised Penn, and herself, that she’d break out of her shell. And tonight was supposed to be the first night of a new and improved, sexually enticing Sterling Andrews.
How many years had she spent compartmentalizing her life—organizing, planning, being prepared? Her plans should’ve led to a successful, drama-free existence. Which so far hadn’t worked out. Every moment of her life was spent doing things for other people. She was tired of being used. Now was her time to do something for fun, something strictly for herself. Maybe Jack could be her “something fun.”
“Is it just me or is Jack the hottest thing you’ve ever seen?”
“Honey, try working with three of them every day. I’m constantly wiping drool from my mouth.”
They laughed and walked back to the scene of the crime. George was no longer there sweeping up glass. Sterling glanced at the spot where she’d first seen Jack, remembering his utter gorgeousness.
Penn was right. Those men were drool-worthy. Especially Jack. Who cares if he was the type to take what he wanted and leave her in the dust? That’s exactly what she was looking for. This time, she was going to be the one to take what she wanted and never look back. And what better man to practice with than the King of Flings, Jack Vaughn?
“So…” She bit her bottom lip. “How exactly do I go about seducing a man like Jack Vaughn?”

Honey Red by Liz Crowe

Honey Red, Liz Crowe, Tri Destiny Publishing
Two men suffering from visible and invisible wounds meet by chance circumstance.
Nick Traynor and Ian Donovan spend a lot of time and effort keeping it very hot, only physical, and purely superficial. But when their resolve starts to slip, a woman is tossed into their midst.
Hannah Williams wants nothing more than to do her job until something better comes along, but is forced to own up to her visceral reaction to Ian, her new boss, and later to Nick, his sometimes lover.
Lust has a funny way of turning into companionship, and eventually evolving into a deeper connection. Faced with the internal and external complications of their potential three-way relationship, they begin to heal and trust, to consider that it might work. Then life tosses them a hardball, forcing them back into their respective corners, where each must choose what is most important.
Three people determined not to commit, thrown together by fate and undeniable attraction--their nights heat up and emotions run high in spite of a claimed mutual desire to "keep it simple." In the process of honest self-discovery, can they learn that while love is never simple, it is definitely worth fighting for?


Review:
This is one of those stories that I had to sit back for a few days and kind of absorb everything before I could write my review. I liked the book, the character's were intriguing and real and the story line was strong. But how do you rate a book that you enjoyed this much but you wanted to punch one of the main characters in the face?

Well that's when you realize that the author has sucked you so far into the story that the character's have become real.

Ok I understand that Ian may have been dealt a shitty hand when he blew out his knee in college derailing his basketball career, and then becoming a single dad when he wasn't expecting to be a dad at all. But he had so much support from his family that his attitude came off as whiney. He frustrated me and I just wanted to smack him through most of the book.

I loved Hannah, and had to laugh because when she finally decided to have sex boy howdy she was going to have a LOT. She hasn't had it easy the last several years but really didn't let it get her down. She picked up the pieces and did what she had to do to survive each day as it came.

Now Nick made my heart break. At the beginning when we first meet him and the author is describing his condition and the headaches and pain and nightmares, you just want to hold him and make it better.

All three come into this with so much baggage and are damaged not just physically but emotionally that you really aren't sure if they can get past it all to see the chance that they have to be truly happy. It' not easy and it takes work and it's messy. But the process is where the love comes from.

You can tell that the author really has a strong knowledge of the micro-brew process and adds enough information to make it interesting and make you crave a cold beer. The beer almost feels like another character in the book.

There were several editing errors, but the writing is strong enough and the emotions real enough that it doesn't pull you out of the story. This was my first book by Ms. Crowe but I look forward to reading more of her in the future.

If you like your stories sizzling with sex and packing some strong emotions then Honey Red is a book that you don't want to miss.

BUY LINKS
All Romance Ebooks
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries and an icy cold micro-brew.  This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

Embracing Her Submission

BLURB
Haunted for years by dreams of a savage, amber eyed Dominant with lips so enticing my soul ached in frustration and lust. None of the Dominants at Genesis, my local BDSM club ever stirred me in such blistering ways. While I tried to fill my submissive desires vicariously through interactions at the club, I attempted to convince myself it was enough. But it wasn’t. My dream Dom made certain I hungered for more.

Forced beyond what I could bear, my passion and frustration exploded. I threw in the towel, determined to stop chasing a dream and gave up completely on finding submissive surrender. But fate intervened when two gunshots split the night. Forced to confront my desires and insecurities, I was shocked to realize that my dreams may have held a deeper meaning. Were they compelling me to finally embrace my submission?

REVIEW


Embracing my Submission is a well-written book. I enjoyed the author's style in terms of the gradual building of Micah and Julianna's relationship. They brought a lot to the table and needed to find a peace so they could move on together. Micah is a masterful Dom with a broken heart. He’s exactly what Julianna needs. I went from feeling sorry for Julianna to becoming annoyed by her. I'd imagined after four years being trained as a submissive, she would've been more comfortable in the role. I'd certainly expect after so long, she'd confide in her friend (and trainer) more than she does.

The secondary characters definitely created a strong foundation for the book, and I imagine they set the stage for future books. Micah’s father, also a Dom, oozes sex appeal. We were given just enough glimpses of the other club members to be intrigued. I could've done without the paranormal aspect simply because it didn't feel as if the author committed one hundred percent to that story line. It was strange and out of place in a story that already had a lot -and I mean, a lot- going on.

Much of the BDSM felt authentic. There were terrifying moments during the scene leading up to Julianna and Micah’s first encounter. It was somewhat difficult to read -I cringed- but kudos to the author for tackling the issue of predators in the BDSM world. Embracing her Submission is one of those solid BDSM books that bring out the psychological side of submission. It's a good read.


RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries 
This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

And a Sunday with Sid!

The Rule of Sebastian, Shelter Somerset, Dreamspinner Press
Sebastian Harkin retreated to the Trappist monastery at Mt. Ouray, nestled high in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, to escape a past filled with heartache and pain. The arrival of young novice Brother Casey Galvan gives Sebastian hope for the future. But when the monks discover a handsome stranger freezing on their doorstep during a snowstorm, Sebastian, Casey, and their fellow monks find themselves ensnarled in jealousies and passions that eventually lead to murder.

Desperate to conceal the crime from outsiders, Mt. Ouray’s abbot, Father Paolo Cabral, asks Sebastian to help solve the mystery. With Casey assisting, Sebastian plunges deeper into the investigation. But working with Casey threatens Sebastian’s self-control until his desires erupt, along with the dreaded past he has tried so desperately to put behind him. As Sebastian closes in on the killer, Father Paolo intervenes—not just in Sebastian’s search for the truth but in his pursuit of Casey’s heart.

Review
The book was really different than anything else I’ve read in a while.  I like a good mystery, so I was totally up for it.  Even knowing this was a M/M book, I wasn’t quite prepared for monks having sex!  I realize it happens, but it’s a world that I’ve never been, nor will ever be a part of, so it took me back a step or 2.  That being said, the book is well-written and I didn’t figure out who the culprit was until the author was ready for me to find out.  Plus, its set waaaaaay up in the mountains and I could easily picture the monastery based on the author’s description.  And, let me just say, if “The Rule of Sebastian” had ended any other way, I would have been raging pissed!  I’m certainly curious to read more of Shelter Somerset.  3.5 oooey gooey strawberries dipped in chocolate!  

RATING: 3.5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by Dreamspinner Press. Many thanks.

Saturday's with Sid!

The Nothingness of Ben, Brad Boney, Dreamspinner Press
Ben Walsh is well on his way to becoming one of Manhattan’s top litigators, with a gorgeous boyfriend and friends on the A-list. His life is perfect until he gets a phone call that brings it all crashing down: a car accident takes his parents, and now he must return to Austin to raise three teenage brothers he barely knows.

During the funeral, Ben meets Travis Atwood, the redneck neighbor with a huge heart. Their relationship initially runs hot and cold, from contentious to flirtatious, but when the weight of responsibility starts wearing on Ben, he turns to Travis, and the pressure shapes their friendship into something that feels a lot like love. Ben thinks he’s found a way to have his old life, his new life, and Travis too, but love isn’t always easy. Will he learn to recognize that sometimes the worst thing imaginable can lead him to the place he was meant to be?

REVIEW

I’m going to just come right out and say that I LOVED this book. Brad Boney hit it out of the park with his debut novel! One of my favorite things is that the book it set in Austin. Being a transplanted Texan, I’m in Austin quite a bit and I actually had been to eateries and places that that Travis and Ben frequent. Also, anyone who knows me knows that I have a hardcore crush on redneck boys, so I wanted to put Travis in my pocket and never let him go! I could cheerfully have strangled Ben at times as well. “The Nothingness of Ben” does exactly what, in my humble opinion, a book is supposed to do. It makes you FEEL…. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a good level of snark and some rockin’ sex in it either! Y’all pick up Brad Boney’s book and set down for a good read and maybe a good cry here and there! 5 oooey gooey strawberries dipped in chocolate for “The Nothingness of Ben” I can’t wait for what comes next from Brad Boney!

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by Dreamspinner Press. Many thanks.

Facing Area 51 Friday

Run for the grocery store! They're calling for flakes!!! Seriously, I have been laughing my butt off the last two days at the panic that snow creates. A dusting reeks havoc...Walmart and the grocery stores are stampeded, everything shuts down and people immediately start driving stupid. Recently, they have started closing the schools and cancelling events before it even starts snowing. Last week they cancelled my daughters basketball game because it was calling for snow. They cancelled her game and not a flake fell lol. I say wait till you actually see the snow but that's just me. Snow usually messes my plans up when it does decide to . So, I've given up and held off rushing to the grocery store ect... If Prince Charming would show up and sweep me off my feet to a summer house I wouldn't have this problem!!! 

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones
Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans.

I'm certain that Darynda Jones fashioned Charley after me. She has a shoe/boot fetish and names her possessions (my ipod's name is Sally). The fact that her sofa's name may or may not me Malibu Barbie sealed the deal for me. I'm a Barbie collector from way back in the day. Love me some Barbie. I think this book is my favorite so far. So much stuff happens. Charley is fighting her own battles and fears after her torture a the hands of Earl Walker. She turns to the Shopping Channel instead of therapy. I can't fault the girl for that. Charley's dad shoots at her not once but twice. She gets caught up in a bank robbery and continues to run her PI business and helps her client Harper find peace after being tortured since she was 5 years old. Reyes continues to keep Charley safe without any cooperation from her what so ever.

I give this book 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a Keurig. You and Cookie deserve one. Can't believe you didn't order a couple from the Shopping Channel.

Charley named one of her kidneys Percival. Can anyone tell me why this is beyond AWESOME? Darynda, did you get this name from where I think you did or is it just a coincidence?

PEACE

Lunchtime Romance: Heart of a Soldier

The Heart of A Soldier by Tamara Hoffa is a lunchtime treat.

Borough’s Publishing has a line of romance books called Lunchbox Romance – "delicious short Romances consumable during the lunch hour". The concept is smart since women have so little free time. And it really worked - I read Tamara Hoffa’s Heart of a Soldier in about an hour during lunch. At the end of my lunch both my tummy and my heart were satisfied.

This short story was different from the normal romances and I found it charming. The characters are in their late thirties with life experiences behind them and their dating seemed more genuine than the rushed approach most romances take. The story moved into a slow boil, simmered and cooled all in the length of this book without leaving the reader feeling anything was missing. It simply was a sweet romance with a couple now headed into their happily ever after.

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries 
This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

Humpday Hello for Short Soup

Humpday hello to all from our kitchen to yours!  Brrrr, it's cold in here - nearly 20 degrees this morning when I left for work.  All I wanted to do was burrow back in bed and read with my cup o'joe!  Fortunately, the day flew by so I could run home and catch you up on some must reads for 2013.  Our GIBC met this weekend - boy do we have some amazing things planned this year.  Stay tuned, dear readers, for 2013  bookclub features, very cool guest postings and contests too!  Woohoo!!!

Lest you thought I had forgotten what time it is before we move on to the tasty book we have this week - let's take a moment to check out this eye candy in the kitchen!  Mmmmmm.  

SHORT SOUP, Colleen Kwan, Escape Publishing, Dec 2012

Contemporary multicultural romance

A story about best friends, childhood dreams, and the healing power of Chinese food…

Toni Lau and Dion Chan were connected from birth — first via their parents’ jointly-owned restaurant, then via their bone-deep friendship. But children grow up, and Toni leaves their sleepy hometown looking for more than it can offer.

Now Toni is back, raw with the knowledge that not all childhood dreams come true. Dion is on the brink of realising that both his own ambitions and his childhood friend have the power to derail all of his hard work. But loving Toni — and winning her love in return — has always been on his wish list. Can Dion really put her on the back burner while frying up his chef dreams? Or is it possible that together they can come up with a recipe for happiness?

BUY LINKS:    Escape Publishing   Amazon

Served up like the feast that it is, Short Soup should be placed on a Contemporary romance readers TBR list for this year.  Deliciously sexy, emotionally satisfying, this story invites the reader to sit down and sate their senses as Toni and Dion take a classic friends to lovers story and give it a fresh and sensual twist.

Colleen Kwan has a knack for understanding timing. The romantic timing of Toni and Dion has always been off, despite that, their friendship has endured for two decades.  Once best childhood friends, the pair are now in the same place, at the same time, both single and on the precipice of starting new lives.  Do they dare to take the plunge or let it pass?  Dion, thankfully, has hit his stride and goes for what he has always wanted - the whole package: friends, family, career, love.   Short Soup flows beautifully and has just the right blend of emotional highs and lows to captivate and entertain.  The ebb and flow of back story with current story mingle so that the reader feels very much like they are hearing about this romance from the characters as if they were friends chatting at lunch, catching up and delving into their current states.

The characters are strong but even more entertaining are the relationships between the families. Love and work, friends and family, competing internal and external forces all vie to bar this pair from their happily ever after.  Toni has to work to overcome her perceived failures in her marriage.  Dion fights to prove his ambition and success to his father. Somehow, when they come together though it all falls away.  The romance is sweet but not bland - like the short soup it's named for - deceptively simple with complex flavors guaranteed to stick with you long after the treat is gone.  Dion's sexy playful side roars to life as he woos his best friend and it's like watching water sizzle in the pan, steam nearly lifts off the page!

RATING: FIVE Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries!  This story has received our Ultimate Indulgence award!  This book was given to us by the author for an unbiased review. Many thanks.

Wild About You (Love at Stake Series), Kerrelyn Sparks

Yeah the thirteenth book in the Love at Stake series, by Kerreyln Sparks, is out and I finally had time to read it!  The new year is looking up.  This story features Howard Barr, the were-bear, who is the security guard that we have known and loved throughout the series.

So I have to say this before I say anything else - if you have not read this series previously read on because this is one of the few books, that is part of a lengthy series, where that will actually benefit you.

Elsa Bjornberg is a tall, above average women.  She has never felt fragile or feminine, especially not when she is at work as a host for a home renovation show.  She works in what would typically be the male's role of doing the demolition work leaving her feeling less than dainty and misunderstood as a women. But from the moment she meets Howard Barr, this bear of a man makes her feel like a woman. And the way he looks at her, as if she was a pot of honey he’d like to lick…

Howard is not like most men. For one thing, he’s a shapeshifter. From the moment he first saw Elsa's show he and his inner bear were drawn to her.  He hoped that one day he could turn his crush into more but never dreamed the opportuity would be hand delivered curtousy of his meddling vampire bosses wife. And the timing couldn't be worse.  In the previous book we learned that Howard's long time enemy is still alive and it is in this search for revenge that the story picks up.  Howard has returned from his home land where he set the wheels in motion to take down his long time enemy.  But in doing so he was reminded of how much his family line is dangerously close to extinction.  After 20 years of exile he is forced to face the fact that his line has been dying out even if he hasn't been there to see it.  His grandfather is convinced that it is due to a ancient curse placed on their ancestors but Howard doesn't believe in allowing a fairy tale to have control of his destiny.

That is until he returns to work and meets Elsa for the first time.  His simple touch ignites a searing pain in her birth mark.  They quickly realize that her family has a similiar legend and that there may be more truth to the stories then either of them have wanted to believe.  But can they break the curse?  Can Howard destroy his long time enemy without it getting anyone else hurt?  Can his family finally be saved and have a chance to once again thrive?  And most importantly if they can break the curse can they build upon this attraction between them and make it something real?

So now that you have the plot...on to my thoughts.  As I mentioned earlier if you haven't read the series fear not - I wished I had read this as a stand alone.  Don't get me wrong I'm a huge fan of the series and this was a great addition and continuation of the over all story line.  However, in previous books Howard is potrayed as a older man with thinning hair and a over all honey bear personality. So after many, many books describing him as such it is hard to shift gears to how he is portrayed here - a hunk.  She gets around it by saying that while working for Roman he was free to take his bear form more often which allowed him to regain his healthy, youthful appearance.  OK fine - but this is just thrown in to the beginning of the book and the reader is expected to except it.  I would have preferred this evolution to have taken place as part of the series or even over the first couple of chapters so that our perceptions had a chance to catch up.  My second issue is that she had a ton of development in the beginning of the book about Howard loves to stratagize his battles and that life is a game of chess with the greatest lesson that you have to protect the Queen at all costs.  Although he takes great care to come up with a strategy to take on his enemy and to court Elsa when it matters he falls a bit short in the strategy of protecting her.  I wish Ms. Sparks had thought that last bit out a bit more.  So now off of the cons - overall this is a really fun read.  I actually had to go back and look up how many pages it was because I could not believe that I knocked it out in one day.  It is that good.  The 384 pages will fly by.  Howard is a very likable character with a great sense of humor.  The overall plot was a nice change up for the series and it has a fresh story line avid readers will love.  This was a another great read from Kerrleyn Sparks!

RATING: Four Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Many thanks.

Art of Desire

When Jenna runs into a former student she used to have a crush on, she decides to make her lusty fantasies a reality. Justin is studying Fine Arts in university, and when he asks Jenna to pose nude for a sculpture, her inner cougar tells her to go for it. But while Jenna can’t wait to teach him how to pleasure an older woman, Justin turns the tables on her and decides to teach her the art of  patience. 

BUY LINKS: 
Elloras Cave          Amazon         B&N


The Art of Desire, Helena Harker, Ellora's Cave Quickies

Deliciously erotic, Art of Desire, portrays the ultimate Cougar dream: having a formerly forbidden romance come to fruition.  Reconnecting with former student while he tends bar and she stops for a quick and lonely drink, Jenna and Justin have the chance to act out on a mutual attraction when she was his teacher in high school.

As a forty-something woman, Jenna knows what turns her on.  Justin tests her patience with his skills as a sculptor and lover when he has her model for an assignment.  Their banter is sexually charged and it is quite enthralling the way Justin tempers Jenna's take charge demands for hot, fantasy sex.  Short but not deficient in character development or chemistry, Art of Desire, takes the reader on a tasty little adventure!

RATING: Four Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.    This book was given to us by the author for an unbiased review.  Many thanks.

The Whip Maker

Bad-ass Bella is always on the defensive and sick of being burned by guys who run out on her after a month. When she’s given a Psychology assignment on the connection between pleasure and pain, she ends up doing research at Sexapalooza, smack in the middle of the BDSM section. She meets Darius, a sexy whip-maker who’s more than willing to give her a practicum on pain. Yet Darius has an unexpected soft side, and his particular method of inflicting pain produces highly unexpected—and highly pleasurable—results. He knows a bit about psychology himself, and he’s determined to convince Bella to let down her guard and let him into her life.

The Whip-Maker, Helena Harker, Secret Cravings Publishing, December 2012

Who says a short story cant be a satisfying treat? Certainly when it contains all the elements it's longer counterparts layer to create a captivating read. Helena Harker's The Whip-Maker delivers solid characters,  clever story and sexy tension in a tidy little erotic romance!

The premise of a fairly naive college girl writing a paper for her psych class keeps things realistic and believable. That she doesn't understand the fine edge between pleasure and pain provides the author with the opportunity to educate the reader as Bella learns from Darius, the Dom and custom whip maker.  A quick lesson in BDSM 101, complete with show and tell, gives Bella the ability to complete her assignment and tempts her into coming back for more "advanced learning"!

RATING:   Enjoyable, sexy read - perfect for a quick afternoon break or a fast bedtime tease.  I give the Whip Maker four chocolate dipped strawberries - and I'll take one of Darius's pink and black leather treats!  This book was provided by the publisher for an unbiased review. Many thanks!

BUY LINKS: 

Secret Cravings Publishing          Amazon         B&N

For the love of coffee Friday

I know it's wrong to wish your days away and I try really hard not to but I wish it hot! Maybe the new end of the year temps could be in the 80's. It could be cold for Thanksgiving thru Christmas (ok maybe New Years) after that bring back those summer temps. everyone has been begging for snow but it seems to keep missing us. We've had one snow this winter and as far as I'm concerned that was plenty. I figure a few cold weeks is plenty of time for me to wear my cool fall/winter boots. I've really got into leggings and boots this season. Not sure how that happened? I work on a campus full of students. I have some words of advice for the ladies. There is a difference between TIGHTS and LEGGINGS. You need to learn the difference. YES there is a difference. Since I do not go outside unless I am being drug out by my hair this is what I read.....

Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones
Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she's drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because every time she closes her eyes she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan.

Granted she did imprison Reyes for all eternity, but how is she supposed to solve a missing-persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hell-bent on murder when the devil's son just won't give up on his plan of seduction..... and revenge?

I started giggling before I even started reading the story. I love all the little bumper stickers and t shirt saying at the beginning of each chapter. Some of them need to be mine! As always Charley is styling in fabulous foot ware. Work it girl! One of my favorite things about this series is that all the character are important. None seem secondary. I also like how there are two story lines going on at the same time, One being the case Charley is working and the other is the Reyes situation. so many times i get into a book and there are two things going on and I find myself moaning and groaning about how they spent too much time on one (usually the one I wasn't interested in) and not enough on the other one. Not the case with any of these books. I will say I has an OMG Darynda what have you done moment. Fortunately I held it together and radon (very quickly I might add) and all was right with the world in the end.

I give this book 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a pair of Jimmy Choos. I want a pair so very much myself.
P.S. Cookie needs a man:)
PEACE

Humpday Hello Elle Aycart!

Greetings and Salutations Humpday Nation!  Hope you are surviving the whiplash moves of 2013 - here in Virginia we've gone from 70 degrees (last Saturday) to 30 degrees (today); rain (last night) and snow (tomorrow).  Actually, the snow might help stop the massive influenza epidemic our state is in!  What's a gal to do?  Stay home, grab your favorite beverage (wine by the fire, tea in bed) and read something delish.  Speaking of delish - how's about a calorie free treat for all who are trying to lose a few this winter?  Mmmmm - eye candy!  Enjoy!

Speaking of enjoy - today continues our blog feature of author Elle Aycart Bowen series - totally delish!

More Than Meets the Ink, Elle Aycart, Loose-ID

Bowen #1

Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate's not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she's on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once.

She hadn't counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't prepared to permit her not to.

Review:

Elle Aycart rocks! She just plain rocks!  The trifecta of contemporary romance - alpha male, feisty female, stellar sexual tension. Check, check and double check.  Ms. Aycart follows the tried and true approach of sexy siblings and their slippery slope to fall in love.  However, her heroines have some serious depth and her heroes aren't perfection waiting for more perfection.  I think that is the element that takes a solid storyline and kicks it up a notch.

Tate is holding onto her life by her fingertips - she can't handle more than a vacation fling.  The upheaval in her life leads her to lean on preconceived notions of people as a safety net - right or wrong, James gets snagged and he doesn't want to let go.  Readers may hate Tate.  Hell, my friends hate Tate. But I think anyone struggling to make her family legacy work, survive a lover's betrayal, go the whole course alone has earned a little gunshyness.  Thankfully James Bowen sees something special and knows how to push the right way.  Theirs is no breezy romance and they both have some baggage that could potentially pull this story into maudlin-ville but clever dialogue, perfectly timed comedy and sizzling sex keep the reader turning page after page of highly enjoyable reading.  With a splash of intrigue, this dish is best served family style - grab a copy and pass it along to your bff's!

Excitedly awaiting further installments, More Than Meets the Ink, delivers a promising beginning to an enticing new series. 

Rating: 4 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!!

Heavy Issues

Bowen #2

Steering clear of relationships has never been difficult for demolitions expert Cole Bowen, but now, with his brother's engagement sending the female population into full-blown hysterics and the town of Alden's month-long festivities helping along, he finds himself in hell. When he discovers Alden's new resident and the object of all his wet dreams, Christine Sheridan, has sworn off relationships and is going to hire a gigolo to get professionally laid, he decides to kill two birds with one stone.

Christy is so not drinking again. Thanks to José Cuervo she has her friends signing her up for stud conventions and Cole frigging Bowen offering sex in exchange of fake dates, which is so out of the question it isn't even funny. She knows the domineering man will push her boundaries, and after battling all her life with self-esteem issues, she isn't ready for that. Too bad he won't take no for an answer.

Cole is determined to strip away all of her defenses but refuses to lower his ever-present walls, so when Christy realizes she wants more, she's left with only two options; walk away or crack his shield and risk her heart in the process.

Review:

Heavy Issues picks up not long after More Than Meets the Ink leaves off.  Brother Cole's rocky road to romance delivers the perfect paradox - two people who want no strings and end up in a big knotty mess.  Aycart continues to bespell readers with more of her hot Bowen boys - where were they when I lived in Boston? 

Heroine Christy battles her body image issues long after the weight is gone. Cole battles his abandonment issues long after his mother walks away from her little boy.  With all that durm und strang, how can two people find their way into happiness?  If you live in Alden, apparently in the bedroom (and car and closet and kitchen....)  Again Aycart doesn't take the easy road with her characters. They are multi-dimensional, and their worlds are very compelling for their realness.  Oh, and did I fail to mention really, really supercharged sexual tension and erotic scenes?  Grab your fan and ice water because they generate some serious steam!  

The very strong secondary characters flesh out more of story and tease the reader with hopes that future stories will unfold. In fact, I can hardly wait to read little brother Max's tale. I fully admit to staying up past bedtime for this read. How can you not with a treat that makes you laugh, cry and sigh for more smokin hot romance! Take a chance on the Bowen boys - they'll boss your pants off the right way!

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries These books were given to us by the author.

Author Bio:
After a colorful array of jobs all over Europe ranging from translator to chocolatier to travel agent to sushi chef to flight dispatcher, Elle Aycart is certain of one thing and one thing only: aside from writing romances, she has abso-frigging-lutely no clue what she wants to do when she grows up. Not that it stops her from trying all sorts of crazy stuff. While she is probably now thinking of a new profession, her head never stops churning new plots for her romances. She lives currently in Barcelona, Spain, with her husband and two daughters, although who knows, in no time she could be living at the Arctic Circle in Finland, breeding reindeer.

Elle loves to hear from readers!

elleaycart@gmail.com

Bowen Brother Hotness!

More Than Meets the Ink, Elle Aycart, Loose-ID
Bowen #1
Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate's not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she's on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once.
She hadn't counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't prepared to permit her not to.

Review:
Okay, I am just going to come right out and say it.....I HATED Tate! OMG could she have been more judgemental and condescending??? I could see her being a little standoffish at first but after two days with James she had to know he was different.

Now James I loved from the very beginning....I mean what wasn't there to like? He was funny and polite and helpful and SEX ON A STICK. I laughed every time he got cock-blocked at the retirement village. The poor guy had blue balls for almost a week thanks to everyone there. And the man did phone sex like a porn star!

I really liked the secondary character's in this book and want to know more about them. From Tate's employees to James' brothers and friends. Especially the new goth waitress Paige and biker dude Jack. I hope a lot of the series will revolve around the restaurant because of the family atmosphere that was apparent.

There were a few quirky things for me, in the beginning it was very repetitive I didn't need to be told what Tate looked like so many times....I got the whole eyes like a husky the first time. And there were a couple of times when there were incorrect names in the story(who is Cassie?). But other than those quirks it is very well written. The sex scenes were scorching hot and plentiful. Which were also funny because James just basically steamrolls right over any objections that Tate tried to bring up.

The mystery e-mailer was an interesting twist and added a lot to the overall story.

I have to say that I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series and since there are only 3 brothers I hope the series expands to include others. Great start to the series!

Rating: 3.5 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!!

Heavy Issues
Bowen #2
Steering clear of relationships has never been difficult for demolitions expert Cole Bowen, but now, with his brother's engagement sending the female population into full-blown hysterics and the town of Alden's month-long festivities helping along, he finds himself in hell. When he discovers Alden's new resident and the object of all his wet dreams, Christine Sheridan, has sworn off relationships and is going to hire a gigolo to get professionally laid, he decides to kill two birds with one stone.
Christy is so not drinking again. Thanks to José Cuervo she has her friends signing her up for stud conventions and Cole frigging Bowen offering sex in exchange of fake dates, which is so out of the question it isn't even funny. She knows the domineering man will push her boundaries, and after battling all her life with self-esteem issues, she isn't ready for that. Too bad he won't take no for an answer.
Cole is determined to strip away all of her defenses but refuses to lower his ever-present walls, so when Christy realizes she wants more, she's left with only two options; walk away or crack his shield and risk her heart in the process.

Review:
Well I fell in love with Christy from the beginning. I, probably like a lot of women in the world, could totally relate to all of her issues.

I also think we need to change the boys last name to Sex-steamroller. LOL Both James and Cole tried to fix or ignore everything by using sex as a diversion. Now don't get me wrong...if I am going to be distracted sex is not a bad way to go.

The emotional baggage that these two had to work through on their own could have doomed some relationships, but you add in the bitchy, jealous women from town and I don't know how Christy kept from completely losing it.

Once again a very strong secondary cast of characters, some new and some old. They really added a lot of depth to the story. They made what could have just been a story about two people having a lot of hot and steamy sex into a fun, more realistic read.

This is a great read if you like your men dominate, your women feisty, your angsty drama high and your sex plentiful and sizzling! If you are a fan of Lauren Dane's Chase Brothers series then I think you will enjoy the Bowen boys as well.

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries These books were given to us by the author.

Author Bio:
After a colorful array of jobs all over Europe ranging from translator to chocolatier to travel agent to sushi chef to flight dispatcher, Elle Aycart is certain of one thing and one thing only: aside from writing romances, she has abso-frigging-lutely no clue what she wants to do when she grows up. Not that it stops her from trying all sorts of crazy stuff. While she is probably now thinking of a new profession, her head never stops churning new plots for her romances. She lives currently in Barcelona, Spain, with her husband and two daughters, although who knows, in no time she could be living at the Arctic Circle in Finland, breeding reindeer.

Elle loves to hear from readers!

elleaycart@gmail.com

My love of Ink Monday

It's Monday and it's my turn to blog. It feels all wrong??? LOL

More Than Meets The Ink by Elle Aycart

Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate's not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she's on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once.
She hadn't counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't
prepared to permit her not to.

Liked the book but was not a fan of Tate at first. Really? You're going to judge a hot man by his tattoos? What planet are you from? I understand you're hesitancy but considering what you have pierced...hellloooo! LOL Good thing I can cover all mine or she would think I was an ex con. As the story moved on I respect Tate for taking care of business herself. It's hard to ask for help especially in her situation after her father and brother's death. This is a short story so I won't give anything away but let me tell you if those were long time employees that treated her with such disrespect she needed to fire them a long time ago. my feelings are if they knew her father and brother they should want to help keep the restaurant afloat. Maybe that's just me being raised right. As for James I love when a man thinks it's just sex and gets hooked! HA!
I give this book 3 chocolate dipped strawberries and a room at the Holiday Inn!


Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart

Steering clear of relationships has never been difficult for demolitions expert Cole Bowen, but now, with his brother's engagement sending the female population into full-blown hysterics and the town of Alden's month-long festivities helping along, he finds himself in hell. When he discovers Alden's new resident and the object of all his wet dreams, Christine Sheridan, has sworn off relationships and is going to hire a gigolo to get professionally laid, he decides to kill two birds with one stone.
Christy is so not drinking again. Thanks to José Cuervo she has her friends signing her up for stud conventions and Cole frigging Bowen offering sex in exchange of fake dates, which is so out of the question it isn't even funny. She knows the domineering man will push her boundaries, and after battling all her life with self-esteem issues, she isn't ready for that. Too bad he won't take no for an answer.
Cole is determined to strip away all of her defenses but refuses to lower his ever-present walls, so when Christy realizes she wants more, she's left with only two options; walk away or crack his shield and risk her heart in the process.

Got to love it when Tyra and I share a brain (it's when Sid and I share a brain you want to watch out).  I was thinking how much I love the Chase brothers series and how this series is heading into my re-read list quickly as well. First of all Cole blows stuff up for a living. It doesn't get any cooler than that! As far as drinking with the girls...that never ends well and you never know what you'll or they will get you into. She obviously has nerves of steel to tolerate all the gossip of a small town and to deal with Cole period. I have to cut Cole some slack he doesn't give up when he knows what he wants.
I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and I will share a piece of the best advice I've ever got...Boys are stupid. Throw rocks at them. LOL That advice changed my life. Thanks Tina:)

The Billionaire Bad Boys Club by Emma Holly

The Billionaire Bad Boys Club, Emma Holly
Self-made billionaires Zane and Trey have been a club of two since they were eighteen. They’ve done everything together: play football, fall in love, even get smacked around by their dads. The only thing they haven’t tried is seducing the same woman.

Rebecca learned early on not to trust anyone. She raised her brothers by herself—with no adult being the wiser. Her knack for cooking kept a roof over the twins’ heads. Now she’s damned if it won’t pay their way through Harvard as well. Add in running Trey’s latest restaurant, and her plate is way too full for romance.

That’s an attitude the bad boys intend to change. Zane and Trey have set their sights on the sexy chef. When their hearts enter the equation and they both fall for her, this committed twosome faces their hardest test of all!

Review:
Trey and Zane are self made billionaires. They have been friends, partners, and behind closed doors they have been lovers since high school. Each having come from an abusive home, they don't allow anyone into their inner circle.

Rebecca has been raising her twin brothers since her mother died and her father left them when she was sixteen and they were seven. Not wanting the boys to be taken from her she sacrificed her life to make sure they had what they needed to survive.

After a brief encounter 10 years ago Trey still can't forget the woman he believes is his soul mate, now all he has to do is convince Zane and Rebecca that they three of them belong together. Simple, right?

This was not an easy trio to bring together. They all had baggage and two of the three had their hearts so far behind walls to protect themselves I was pretty sure it was going to take lots and lots of C-4 to bring those walls down.

Once again Ms. Holly has created a steamy, erotic and beautiful love story. She is the master at creating menage relationships that are believable. When I read her books I am so lost in the emotions that I never question if it could actually work. The sex scenes are erotic and hot, and while frequent I never feel they are gratuitous.

The mystery that happens in the story was well written and there were really several people that could have been the culprit. I would have liked to have seen both Rebecca and Zane have closure with their fathers, both of those story lines felt unfinished to me. The only other problem I had is that Harvard doesn't give Athletic scholarships so there is no way that Zane could have attended that way.

If you are looking for a well written erotic menage story with likable, believable characters then TBBBC should be on your list. Emma Holly is an auto-buy for me and I think after one book she will be for you as well.

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RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.  This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.