Tuesday 29 April 2014

Spotlight: To Charm a Naughty Countess by Theresa Romain[+Giveaway]


To Charm a Naughty Countess
by Theresa Romain

Genre: Regency-set historical romance
Tone: Romantic, passionate, lighthearted
Heat Level: Love scenes with euphemisms
Elements/Tags: Pygmalion story, virgin hero, widowed heroine
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publishing Date: May 6, 2014
Series, #: Matchmaker trilogy, book 2
Format: Mass market paperback, digital
Words: 87,000


Sunday 27 April 2014

Delight your palate[#7]: Cannoli with Ricotta filling

Cannoli with Ricotta filling

Ingredients

For the Filling
2 3/4 cups (22 ounces) fresh ricotta cheese
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
5 tablespoons chocolate chips
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons candied orange

For the Shells
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
3/4 cup sweet red wine[whatever you have around]
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Step 1
With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat ricotta and confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Beat in chocolate chips, vanilla, zest, candied orange and lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

Step 2
Make the shells: Combine flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add wine and oil, and beat on medium speed until dough comes together. Using your hands, knead dough on a lightly floured work surface until smooth and elastic, about 15 minutes. Wrap in plastic, and let rest 30 minutes.

Step 3
Divide dough into 4 pieces. Lay one peace on a floured work surface and using a rolling pin reduce it to 05-0.8 thickness(about 1/4 inch). Cut out rounds with a glass. Gather scraps and reroll.

Step 4
Pour enough oil into a large, heavy saucepan to come about 4 inches up sides.

Step 5
Wrap each round of dough around a 3 3/4-inch-long cannoli form, sealing with a dab of egg white. Working in batches of 3 or 4, fry until golden, about 1 minute. Using a wire skimmer or tongs, transfer to paper towels, and let cool 5 minutes. Carefully slide out forms, and let shells cool. Continue rolling, cutting, and frying the remaining dough.

Step 6
Transfer filling to a pastry bag and pipe filling into one end of a shell to the center, then into other end. Repeat with remaining shells and filling. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve immediately.[I did it with a spoon :D it works PERFECTLY]

Inspired from Martha Stewart.



Thursday 24 April 2014

Review: How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying) by Kerrelyn Sparks


Series: Love at Stake #15
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Publication: 29th April 2014

From New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks comes the next adventure in the Love at Stake series, featuring a Master vampire and his love affair with a woman of many secrets . . .
Vampire Zoltan Czakvar is on the hunt for the truth about his father's death. He's been searching for a very long time—since 1241, in fact. And he is not about to give up, even when he's attacked by a woman with striking blue eyes and a hell of a right hook!
Neona is also on the hunt. She's looking for a mate, and she thinks muscled Zoltan will work just fine. After all, men are good for only one thing. Soon, though, she realizes there's more to this handsome vampire than just sexual prowess. But she's keeping a secret from Zoltan, something so big that it will rock the vampire world.
Can their newfound love survive . . . even if their passion means the destruction of her world?

I received this ARC from Avon through Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Waiting On Wednesday[#31]: Vixen in Velvet by Loretta Chase


A meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine blog. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
Clicking on the cover sends you to GoodReads

Spotlight: Dark Light of Day and Fiery Edge of Steel by Jill Archer


Dark Light of Day
Noon Onyx
Book 1
Jill Archer

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Ace
Date of Publication: September 25, 2012

ISBN-10: 0425257150
ISBN-13: 978-0425257159
ASIN: B007A9KSMY

Cover Artist: David Palumbo

Book Description:

Noon Onyx has been accepted into the prestigious St. Lucifer’s Law School where her mother hopes she’ll be trained as a Maegester. But Noon doesn’t want to control demons, set fires, or destroy things. She wants to become a Mederi so she can grow gardens and heal people.
Noon's best friend, Peter Aster, is an Angel spellcaster who thinks he has the answer to Noon's predicament - an ancient, mysterious, lost spell that can turn Noon into the Mederi she always wanted to be. Only one person stands in the way of Noon's dream - Ari Carmine, a fellow classmate who seems fascinated by Noon's fiery side.
Excerpt Dark Light of Day:

 “I’ve been watching you, wondering, waiting to see where you’d end up. After all, there are other demon law schools,” Seknecus said, making a moue of distaste that made it clear exactly what he thought of them. “But I was happy to see that you chose St. Lucifer’s.”
Technically my mother chose St. Lucifer’s . . . But there seemed no reason to interrupt to clarify that bit of misinformation. Seknecus wandered around the room, picking through papers, flipping open and quickly shutting the front covers of various leather-bound books, never meeting my eye. I had no doubt, however, that his attention was fully focused on me.
“So, you see, seeing your name on my list wasn’t exactly a surprise, although it appeared much later than I would have liked.”
He did look at me then, with a frown of disapproval. I did my best to look expressionless because none seemed appropriate. It wouldn’t do to look amused, bored or, Luck forbid, rebellious. Seknecus stared at me with narrowed eyes and then went back to wandering.
“You’ve got some catching up to do,” he said, addressing a copy of Sin and Sanction: Codification & Case Law. “It doesn’t matter why or what excuses you’ve got for yourself. You will be held to the same standards as everyone else, regardless of whose daughter you are. And you’ve missed a lot of class already.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off with a wave.
“Manipulation class,” he clarified. “You’re going to have to work ten times as hard as everyone else just to pass. Quintus Rochester doesn’t go easy on students and he’s likely to see your absence during the early part of the semester as a challenge. You know, failing is not an option. Not if you want to live . . .”


Fiery Edge of Steel
Noon Onyx
Book 2
Jill Archer

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Ace
Date of Publication: May 28, 2013

ISBN-10: 0425257169
ISBN-13: 978-0425257166
ASIN: B009NY48SO

Cover Artist: Jason Chan


Book Description:
Noon Onyx is the first woman in memory to wield waning magic. Her unique abilities, paired with a lack of control and reluctance to kill, have branded her as an outsider from her peers. Only her powerful lover, Ari Carmine, and a roguish and mysterious Angel, Rafe Sinclair, support her unconventional ways.
When Noon is shipped off to a remote outpost to investigate several unusual disappearances, it seems Luck is not on her side. But when the outpost settlers claim that an ancient and evil foe has stepped out of legend to commit the crimes, Noon realizes that she could be facing something much worse than she ever imagined…

Fiery Edge of Steel Excerpt

“You are familiar with Empyr wine, Ms. Onyx?” Rochester asked.
I nodded warily.
Angels were obsessed with apples. They took their love of this fruit very seriously, worshipping it as a symbol of the lost world they once ruled. A common motif in Angel art was the fallen apple that never rotted. Empyr wines were apple wines that were “enhanced” by some of the best Angel sommeliers in Halja. The enhancements were spells. Each batch had its own name, flavor, coloring, and associated spell. They were served upstairs in the Angels’ infamous restaurant on this building’s thirty-third floor.
I’d had Empyr wine exactly two times in my life. Each time it had produced life-altering effects, although in an indirect manner and not of the kind I could have guessed.
Friedrich turned back toward me and offered me the cup. Inside, the liquid was pink and fizzy and flecked with gold. I reached for the cup and there was a brief moment when I wasn’t sure Friedrich would let go. Was the spell tied to his touch? I yanked harder and the wine nearly spilled out of the cup as it broke free from his grasp. Rochester’s signature nudged mine, like a parent pinching an errant child. I glanced back at Ari, who gave me a tight smile.
I tipped the cup to my lips and drank. Immediately, a bitter, chalky taste filled my mouth. I hid my grimace, finished, and handed the cup back to Friedrich.
“This batch is called ‘Fortuna’s Favorites,’” Friedrich said. “Think you’re one of them?”
Time will tell, I thought, but said instead, “Fortes fortuna adiuvat.” Fortune favors the bold. Another of Dorio’s sayings. Maybe Fitz had the right idea.
Friedrich grunted. Ari grinned.
Rochester held off magically pinching me again. Instead, he handed me a white linen napkin.
“A gift from this batch’s sommelier,” he said. “Some words of wisdom regarding this semester’s assignment.”
I choked back a laugh. From tea leaves to wine tannins, where Angels fear not to tread . . . I accepted the napkin and wiped my mouth gently. I’d been generous in this morning’s application of Daredevil Red lip paint. Who knew what my fortune might be if I added too much of that to the mix? But the laugh died in my throat as I looked down at my napkin. Slowly, a stain of words appeared:
When traveling into the unknown, sometimes the biggest danger is the one you bring with you . . .

About the Author:


Jill Archer writes dark, genre-bending fantasy from rural Maryland. Her novels include Dark Light of Day, Fiery Edge of Steel, and White Heart of Justice. She loves cats, coffee, books, movies, day tripping, and outdoor adventuring.







$25 Amazon eGift Certificate (or bookseller egift card of winner’s choice)
a Rafflecopter giveaway




BONUS: FUN PROMO TWEETS AND TWITTER CONTEST! :-D
Anyone who tweets one of these will be entered to win ANY fantasy book of their choice from Book Depository (so long as Book Depository ships to your address) (up to $10.00). Contest ends on June 3, 2014. One tweet/entry per person.
Lucem in tenebras ferimus. Into the darkness, we bring light.” @archer_jill #DARKLIGHTOFDAY
“When traveling into the unknown, sometimes the biggest danger is the one you bring with you…” @archer_jill #FIERYEDGEOFSTEEL
“One out of every two hunters who follow the Old Trail will not return.” @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE
Finally! I’m looking forward to seeing Noon embrace her fiery magic. @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE
Ari Carmine is smokin’ hot. I wanna see if Noon can forgive him for that nasty surprise at the end of B2. @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE
I heard a rumor that Rafe Sinclair makes a wish and I wanna know if it’s granted. @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE
Nocturo. Tall dark handsome. Heard his scalpel’s put to good use. Is he gonna threaten Brunus w it again? @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE
I love the characters, but I’m really just in it for the monsters and magic. Bring on the ice demons! @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE
Armageddon is over. The demons won. But it’s not as dark as all that. Parts of it are romantic and sweet. @archer_jill #NOONONYXSERIES



PRAISE FOR FIERY EDGE OF STEEL:
“Archer delves deeper into the enticing and magical world of Dark Light of Day in this original and clever urban fantasy… Excitement and action leap from the pages as Archer’s skill with description pulls readers fully into her magical world.” Publishers Weekly
“The second Noon Onyx story is an astounding adventure tale. Archer’s unique world, where Lucifer’s army triumphed at Armageddon, is filled with adherence to strict laws that keep an uneasy peace between races. This is proving to be a really fresh and fascinating series!” RT Book Reviews
“[D]arkly disturbing in the very best of ways, with complex characters, extremely detailed scenes, and a believability that sucks you in like world-bending magic.” Bitten By Books
“[A] moving and fun story about choices and consequences and love… If you like your fantasy with a twist, blended with some evil, [and] an incredible mystery… grab this series and get ready for book three.” Cabin Goddess
“[Noon] is extremely brave and outspoken. She is passionate and strong and she doesn’t falter in her core beliefs… Archer has a great ability to keep the story moving along through character’s dialogue and through her imaginative and unique world… Fiery Edge of Steel is a great follow up second book in this series.” Rabid Reads
“[T]he themes are ethereal… leaving lots of space for subjective interpretation…  The story moves with lots of action and little extraneous dialogue or other word waste… If you like a mix of medieval, modern and fantasy with a kick-ass heroine, this is the series for you!” Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust

PRAISE FOR DARK LIGHT OF DAY:
“A spectacular debut novel.”—USA Today bestselling author Faith Hunter
“There is a fresh new voice in urban fantasy, and she has a unique take on Armageddon…With her unusual heroine, Noon Onyx, Archer has created a brilliant character who struggles against fate to find her place in the world. Set against the backdrop of university life, there is an abundance of adventure, mystery and passion!”—RT Book Reviews
“[D]elightfully dark and unique.” Bitten By Books
“Archer is now down on my ‘never miss’ author list.”–Night Owl Reviews
“[A] fascinating story line… Jill Archer has created a dark world that will grab your attention from the very start.”—The Reading Cafe



Bout of Books 10 SIGN-UP!

Bout of Books


I signed up to Bout of Books 10! I participated in the last one and I'm sure it will be as good this time, though I might have exams then[booooo!] :)

Monday 21 April 2014

AJ Wiliams HIS FINAL BOUNTY Release Day Blast

HIS FINAL BOUNTY - One Day Book Blast - April 21
Giveaway Details: Open Internationally
GRAND PRIZE: On winner will receive a 5.00 Amazon Gift Card, the Bounty for Hire Series eBook Collection (all 4 eBooks), and His Final Bounty hand lotion.

RUNNERS UP:  3 runner's up will receive an eBook of choice from the Bounty for Hire Series

Saturday 19 April 2014

Hurts - Mercy


As you guys can see this is another song I discovered in "The Originals". I don't know why I like it this much, but I really do :D

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Waiting On Wednesday[#30]: Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews


A meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine blog. It spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
Clicking on the cover sends you to GoodReads



Cover Reveal: LASHELL COLLINS[+Giveaway]



This post is part of the Cover Reveal Blog Tour for the first four books in Lashell Collin's Kelly Family Series. These four novellas will all be released on April 30, followed exactly one month later on May 30 by a full length novel in the series. Lashell will be awarding a $15 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. The other stops on the tour can be seen by clicking the tour banner.


Tuesday 15 April 2014

Lisa Renee Jones: Covers Reveal[+Giveaway]


Today I want to present to you 2 new lovely covers from the "Inside Out" series by Lisa Renee Jones!

Spotlight: Covenant by Sabrina Benulis

Covenant
The Books of Raziel #2
Sabrina Benulis

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Date of Publication: 4/1/2014
ISBN: 9780062069412
Number of pages: 400
Word Count: 98,000


Book Description:
The haunting gothic tale started in Archon continues-a mesmerizing work of the paranormal in which a young woman discovers that she is caught in a labyrinth of intrigue where angels, demons, and all the creatures between Heaven and Hell will stop at nothing to possess her.

A year ago, Angela Mathers, a talented artist with a tortured soul, enrolled at the Westwood Academy and encountered the angels who haunted her dreams. Then she discovered the dark truth … she is the Archon, a being of supreme power who will determine the fate of the universe. But with such power comes great danger, and for every force seeking to aid Angela there is another burning to stop her. After a scheming demon kidnaps the Book of Raziel, Angela must find her way through a nightmarish game and enter the Door to Hell to rescue her only friend before it is too late.

The perilous fate of both Heaven and Hell rests on her success.


Monday 14 April 2014

Quote-tastic(#29): A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

This meme is about sharing your favorite quotes and the books they come from!

It is Hosted by Anna at Herding Cats and Burning Soup.

I chose this because: a) it's one of my favourite books and series
                                   b) I'll start re-reading it next week


Clicking on the cover sends you to Goodreads


Cover Reveal: To Love a King by Shona Husk[+giveaway]


To Love a King
Annwyn  Book 3
Shona Husk

Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Date of Publication: 7 October 2014
ISBN: 9781402280221
Number of pages: 352
Word Count: 80,000

Book Description:


Sunday 13 April 2014

Lana Del Rey - Dark Paradise



As the video shows, I heard the song on The Originals and fell in love with it, the lyrics and the melody :)
Enjoy

Friday 11 April 2014

Spotlight: Deadly Delicious by K.L. Kincy[+Giveaway]

Today we're excited to bring you the release week promo and cover reveal of the middle grade novel, Deadly Delicious by K.L. Kincy.  K.L. Kincy is a pen name for author Karen Kincy, author of young adult and adult novels.   To make things exciting we have the cover artist, Kirbi Fagan, here to tell us about the creation of the cover of Deadly Delicious!  Deadly Delicious is out now!



Thursday 10 April 2014

Spotlight: Seduced by The Game Anthology


Blurb

It’s time to drop the gloves and fight! Support the Fight against cancer that is. This anthology of 8 brand new novellas is hot enough to melt the ice these players skate on. Featuring stories from popular New York Times & USA Today, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble bestselling authors, including Toni Aleo, Cassandra Carr, Cindy Carr, Jami Davenport, Catherine Gayle, Jaymee Jacobs, V.L. Locey, Bianca Sommerland, and Nikki Worrell.

Guest blog: Anne Hope[author of Dark Souls Series]+Giveaway

Dark Soul series

Spotlight and Guestpost

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Tuesday 8 April 2014

April Kindle Fire Giveaway

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes. Winner's choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!

The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.

Kindle Fire April
Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

Monday 7 April 2014

Quote-tastic(#28): "Big Bad Beast" by Shelly Laurenston

This meme is about sharing your favorite quotes and the books they come from!

It is Hosted by Anna at Herding Cats and Burning Soup.

I chose this because it's the funniest series in the history of books. I'm not joking! If I could, I'd totally quote the whole 9 books :D I had to choose only one though, so here it is: 



Saturday 5 April 2014

March Kindle Fire HTML (St. Patrick)

We are giving away 2 Kindles!!

The first one is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter in the rafflecopter.

Kindle Fire HDX March
Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)
Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

Friday 4 April 2014

April Random Reads[#8]: The Conqueror by Brenda Joyce




Random Reads is a monthly meme hosted by Sarah at I’m Loving Books. This feature is to get us reading a random book within the month that is in our TBR stack.

Want to join in on Random Reads?


1. If you’re on Goodreads enable sorting to your to-read shelf
2. Go to Random.org and type in the Min as 1 and the Max as how many ever books are on your to-read shelf.
3. Scroll down to the book matching the number Random.org picks.
4. Link up to your Random Reads post. If you choose more than one book per month, be sure to put a number by your name in the list so it doesn’t look like a duplicate.
5. Read and be merry.

Random.org  picked 17 from my MAYBE shelf!

Thursday 3 April 2014

Spotlight: The Pleasure Room by D.N. Simmons

The Pleasure Room
D.N. Simmons

Publisher: Rushmore Publishing
ISBN 13: 978-0615969459 
Genre: Erotic Romance Thriller
Sub Genre: BDSM
Page Count: 321
Word Count: 98862
Heat Level: Extremely Hot


Book Description:



Felicity Summers is an ambitious reporter who's trying to make a name for herself as a serious investigative journalist with the biggest newspaper in the city; the Chicago Word. 
When she catches wind of a rumor about the city’s mayor that might just be the hottest story of the decade, she jumps at the opportunity to expose the corrupt mayor and derail his chances at winning a second term. All she has to do is infiltrate a private BDSM  club to catch him in the act. 
Simple right? Well, maybe it would have been if not for the club's extremely dominant, gorgeous and charming owner, Sir Alistair Montgomery-Piers. He takes notice of her at one of the scenes and sees something in Felicity that he wants to her to explore. Alistair makes her an offer neither she nor her body can refuse.  
Can Felicity stay focused on her mission long enough to get the proof for her top secret story, or will Alistair completely take over her heart, mind, body and soul?
 Reader Advisory- this novel contains the following warnings: Adult Themes. Strong Sexual Situations. Lots of Foul Language. Hot, Naked Bodies. Sexy Accents. Lusty Toys That Make You Beg For More. And a Whole Lot of Other Naughty Things That Will Send Your Libido Into Overdrive... Are Your Ready To Unleash Your Desires?

Wednesday 2 April 2014

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Guest Post: Emelle Gamble[author of Dating Cary Grant]


Dating Cary Grant
by Emelle Gamble

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:



A modern Manhattan fairy tale starring…
Tracy Connor, a New York City career woman who loves her job and classic movies.
Mike Connor, her estranged husband, a small town Mayor who loves his wife but doesn’t seem to have enough time to see her.
The handsome stranger, Philip Adams, who lives downstairs from the small sublet Tracy has temporarily moved into. He’s charming, funny and looks a lot like her very favorite screen icon, Cary Grant.
Dating Cary Grant is a romance all about New York City career woman Tracy Connor struggling with real issues with her real guy, her husband of six years, Mayor Mike Connor of Cukor, Connecticut. Tracy is a smart woman, but some of her problems with relationships are partially caused by her unrealistic expectations that real guys should – and can - behave like matinee idols. Mike’s problems are also caused by the fact that he’s such a great guy and overextends his heart, and his appointment calendar, to every constituent, friend or stray animal who crosses his path.
Tracy is also being stressed by a TV reality show intent on showcasing Tracy and Mike’s personal life, as well as the imminent takeover of her employer, a small, private television station, by a billionaire with unlimited funds and no taste.
Dating Cary Grant considers just how selfless a man needs to be to meet his wife’s expectations, and just how honest a woman must be with herself about what she’s willing to give, and give-up. And Cary Grant is along to help prove that any woman’s search for ‘Mr. Perfect ‘ might take her to a surprising place to find him.