New Book Release Alert: Just One Taste by Louisa Edwards

I'm a fan of Louisa Edwards' first two books in her Recipe for Love series, so I thought I'd share some information from Lousia about her third book in the series that releases today. Check it out below and let us know if you've read one of the Recipe for Love novels and what you thought about them!

The third Recipe for Love novel, Just One Taste, is now available! Revisit the misfits, outcasts, and renegades of trendy Manhattan eatery, Market--or meet them for the first time.

Just One Taste delves into the scrumptious secrets of aphrodisiacs, and pits ex-con artist Wes against genius (and Nerd Extraordinaire) Rosemary. These two are a clear case of opposites attracting...and striking sparks!

He has a hungry mind.

Bad-boy chef Wes Murphy dreads his final semester cooking class—Food Chemistry 101—until he meets the new substitute teacher. Dr. Rosemary Wilkins is a feast for the eyes, though her approach to food is strictly academic. So Wes decides to rattle her Bunsen burner by asking for her hands-on advice—on aphrodisiacs . . .

She’s got love down to a science.

Rosemary is a little wary about working with Wes, whose casual flirtations leave her hot under the collar. But once they begin testing the love-enhancing power of chocolate, oysters, and strawberries, it becomes scientifically evident that the brainy science nerd and the boyish chef have some major chemistry together—and it’s delicious . . . 

**If you'd like a little taste, click here for an excerpt. To purchase a copy from your favorite bookstore, click here!**

Early reviewers had this to say:

"Readers new to Louisa Edward’s trilogy needn’t read the previous books to enjoy this Just One Taste, but I’d recommend doing it anyway. It’s a solid debut trio, and I’m looking forward to more from this author."--All About Romance (B+)

"Despite plenty of funny dialogue that will make you laugh in
places you probably shouldn’t—like the elevator, doctor’s
office, or waiting to meet with your child’s teacher—Just One
Taste
is a romance novel with substance."--Romance Reviews Today (Perfect 10)

"Just One Taste is light and fluffy, much like a tasty soufflé that should be savored and enjoyed."--Babbling About Books

"The plot turns moment to moment from tension to connection, back and forth, before a most luscious ending is served...Four stars!!!"--Crystal Reviews

"The writer not only describes the tastes and scents of the glorious dishes in a way that will make all readers mouths’ water, but the characters are as sinfully delightful as the meals they prepare."--Night Owl Reviews

Monday Morning Cuteness!

funny pictures-When the dog looks cute, it's time to stop drinking.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Book Review: The Heat Is On by Jill Shalvis

Romance Book Review: The Heat Is On
By: Jill Shalvis
Harlequin Blaze August 2010
4 Heart Review

Oh, dear. Bella Manchelli is so not having a good day. First, she's deliciously exhausted from last night's sizzling one-night stand. Second, there's a (gulp) dead body at her back door. Third…um, that scrumptious one-nighter is at her front door… and he's wearing a badge!

Police Officer Jacob Madden is all about duty. Until he shows up looking for a homicide…and runs right into last night's slice of sexy heaven! Damn, he just can't think straight when he's around Bella. All he wants to do is lick her up one side and down the other….

Can duty and smoking-hot sex blend for a while? Definitely! Until Jacob discovers that several of the guys Bella's dated have turned up dead. Jacob loves being around Bella. But is he ready to be used as target practice?

This book is what a Harlequin Blaze is all about - sexy, fun and with the kind of heroine you'd love to have as one of your girlfriends. Jill Shalvis is a damn good author and I really enjoyed this story that started with a bang, literally, and never let up.

You'll root for both the hero and heroine and I couldn't find a thing I didn't like about them. I loved how realistic Police Officer Jacob Madden was and Bella was like the embodiment of a lot of modern women today - feeling restless, wanting to travel the world, and scared of settling for life.

The suspense in this story mixes well with the love story and did contribute to the central story very well instead of taking away from it. In fact, the suspense was written so well that it helped showcase who the characters really where and why they belonged together.

A really solid book with something a little extra that will make you smile and keep you reading straight through, The Heat Is On is an excellent book and I really recommend it for lovers of contemporary and romantic suspense.

Happy Reading!

Awesome New Site for Urban Fantasy & Romance Readers!

Ok, so I'm a little late in posting this but I wanted to make sure to tell you about the awesome new site launched by Pocket Books for us Romance and Urban Fantasy lovers.

It's called "Pocket After Dark," and I've just joined becuase it really is pretty cool and I'm applauding Pocket Books for doing it. Stop by the website and check it out!

Here are more details from the press release:

Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, has announced the launch of POCKET AFTER DARK (PocketAfterDark.com), a free online community for romance and urban fantasy readers. Developed by Simon & Schuster Digital, Pocket After Dark will offer access to exclusive content and provide a forum for members to share interests and connect with other readers, authors, and editors on a personal level.

POCKET AFTER DARK will allow members to read, rate, and discuss new romance and urban fantasy books, participate in polls and live chats with bestselling authors, discover new authors and sample material, and connect with fellow readers and fans. Special features will include access to free books, A Little Tease which offers two free chapters of up to six current titles per month, and a sneak peek from a soon-to-be published book by new and popular authors. Members will also be able to earn points based on their site activity.

The site also includes the entire catalog of Simon & Schuster’s romance and fantasy books organized around the various sub-genres: contemporary, historical, paranormal, urban fantasy, and romantic suspense so readers can easily engage with the content and discussions they find most relevant to their interests.

While the site is geared towards reading and discussion, users can buy the books directly from the site or an online retailer of their choice.

“Pocket Books is home to many of today’s premiere romance and urban fantasy authors, and Simon & Schuster Digital remains at the forefront of developing exciting and compelling online content,” said Louise Burke, Pocket Books’ Executive Vice President and Publisher. “I am thrilled to be a part of this new venture that will unite our authors with their devoted fans.”

“Romance and urban fantasy readers are incredibly active online, and love to talk about their favorite books,” said Lauren McKenna, Pocket Books’ Executive Editor. “POCKET AFTER DARK wants to be the publishing equivalent of their favorite hangout, where they can spot a publishing ‘VIP,’ bestselling author, or just talk with like-minded fans.”

“We combined free access to great content with all the latest social media functionality to create a virtual book club that serves passionate romance and urban fantasy readers,” said Ellie Hirschhorn, Simon & Schuster’s Chief Digital Officer. “Readers and fans can now connect around their favorite authors, characters, and books with others from around the country, rather than limiting discussions to those held in their living rooms.”

Log on to http://PocketAfterDark.com and become a member today!

New Release Tuesday

Here are just a few of the books releasing this week that caught my attention...What caught yours? Are you a YA reader who is Mockingjay addicted right now? If so, why do you love that series? (Since I don't read YA, I'm out of the loop!)



A dangerous demon she can't resist...

Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he's pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.

A maddening witch he aches to claim...
Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.

Trapped together in a savage prison...
For them to survive, Malkom must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When he becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?

Check out more information about Demon From the Dark and read an excerpt here.
 

AN INNOCENT WOMAN
Emmaline Marlow is about to wed the extremely powerful laird of the Hepburn clan to save her father from debtor's prison when ruffian Jamie Sinclair bursts into the abbey on a magnificent black horse and abduts her in one strong swoop. Though he is Hepburn's sworn enemy, Emma's mysterious captor is everything her bridegroom is not--handsome, virile, dangerous...and a perilous temptation for her yearning heart.

A DANGEROUS MAN
Jamie expects Emma to be some milksop English miss, not a fiery, defiant beauty whose irresistible charms will tempt him at every turn. But he cannot allow either one of them to forget he is her enemy and she his pawn in the deadly Highland feud between the clans. Stealing his enemy's bride was simple, but can he claim her innocence without losing his heart?
 
Check out an excerpt of The Devil Wears Plaid here.
 
 
HER TOUCH IS DEADLY
As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she’ll die before she’ll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin’s innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence.

HIS HUNGER CAN’T BE DENIED
Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she’s no stranger: He’s bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld’s most wanted and Con soon learns he’s the only one who can help her . . . and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own.

For more information on Sin Undone and to read the excerpt, click here.
 
 
 
Highborn Anna Arrington has been "following the drum," obeying the wishes of her cold, controlling cavalry officer husband. When he dies, all she wants is to leave life with Wellington's army in Spain behind her and go home to her family's castle in Scotland.
 
Sergeant Will Atkins ran away from home to join the army in a fit of boyish enthusiasm. He is a natural born soldier, popular with officers and men alike, uncommonly brave and chivalrous, and educated and well-read despite his common birth.

As Anna journeys home with a convoy of wounded soldiers, she forms an unlikely friendship with Will. When the convoy is ambushed and their fellow soldiers captured, they become fugitives—together. The attraction between them is strong—but even if they can escape the threat of death at the hands of the French, is love strong enough to bridge the gap between a viscount's daughter and an innkeeper's son?

Check out the Carina Press website for more info and an excerpt.

New Release Tuesday...

So today instead of featuring books that are releasing this week only, I wanted to show a couple of recent books that really caught my attention and are in my TBR pile. I hope you'll let me know what you think of my list and tell us what books in your TBR pile you are most looking forward to!


"I'm Lexi Carmichael, geek extraordinaire. I spend my days stopping computer hackers at the National Security Agency. My nights? Those I spend avoiding my mother and eating cereal for dinner. Even though I work for a top-secret agency, I've never been in an exciting car chase, sipped a stirred (not shaken) martini, or shot a poison dart from an umbrella.

Until today, that is..."

I first noticed this book on the Carina Press website and I MUST read it. From the blurbs, I'm hoping this is a slam dunk 5 Hearter for me. It's exactly the kind of story I love - I'm all about the Geektastic. Give me a geeky hero or heroine and I'm all over it. Click here to go read the full blurb, an excerpt from the book and for info on where to buy No One Lives Twice.


"One happily-ever-after rocking chair…

And no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol’ Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track, because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company’s new Miss Perfect. If that isn’t bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a 3-0 birthday bash in the family funeral home."


I seriously love Kristan Higgins' books, and that's why I cannot wait to read All I Ever Wanted. Not only have reviews been great for this book, but I had my copy personally signed by Kristin at the RWA Conference so somehow that must translate into a super special awesome read right? Right? :) Check out this link to see more details and to read an excerpt.



"After the death of his wife and father, the Earl of Markham has spent the last five years fiercely guarding his emotions from involvement, including getting too close to his son. Then a blackmail threat shatters his impassive world..."

Leslie Dicken is a writer I'm keeping my eye on becuase I just know she's going to explode soon. Her book Beauty Tempts the Beast was one of my favorite reads of all of last year. A seriously awesome book that if you haven't read you should. Her newest release is A Tarnished Heart and I'm hoping it's every bit as good as BTTB was. Here's a link to Leslie's site and includes an excerpt.

Those are just a few from my pile - what about you? What book are you itching to read? Are there any upcoming releases you'll be stopping by the bookstore for on release day?

Book Review: Risk No Secrets by Cindy Gerard

Risk No Secrets - A Black Ops, Inc. Novel
By Cindy Gerard
Pocket Books Romance
4 Heart Review

A Red-Hot Attraction...

Twelve years of chasing bad guys didn't erase beautiful Sophie Baylor from Wyatt Savage's memory. If he had another chance, he'd never let her leave. So when she tracks him down from El Salvador and begs for help, he doesn't ask questions - he just goes. 

Starts With A Terrifying Threat...

Sophie is grateful her daughter survived a kidnapping attempt, but she won't forgive herself until the girl who was mistakenly abducted is safe. Wyatt is the only man brave enough to take on the mysterious terrorists behind the crime - and the one irresistible man she wishes she had never let go. 

...And Unleashes An Unforgettable Adventure.

Sophie knows Central America's steamy jungles and sticky politics better than anyone. Yet she refuses to hide in fear. Then she becomes the enemy's number one target. Wyatt lost her once, and he won't lose her again - even if he has to fight, kill or die to save her.

That sound you just heard? That was me sighing in satisfaction after finishing this book. There is something so satisfying about really good Romantic Suspense and Cindy Gerard does it very, very well. Her Black Ops, Inc. books are so much fun to read and I love reading the mix of steam and suspense in a well-paced book.

The absolute only issue I had with this book was that I had a hard time understanding and connecting with why Sophie had chosen Hugh over Wyatt those 12 years before. That was the only thing keeping this from being a 5 Heart Review for me. I guess I needed some more depth to that back story in order to understand Sophie's choice. Instead, I felt like she just married Hugh because he was the one who asked.

Both Sophie and Wyatt were engaging characters and I absolutely loved seeing a little bit into the other Black Ops, Inc. members falling in love or seeing them happy after their own books HEA.

I love this series and if you are a fan of romantic suspense, or want to add some suspense to your life, give Cindy's books a try. You can easily pick up anywhere in the series without missing anything. Each book stands on it's own completely, but with visits from past and future characters.

Book Review: The Sexy Devil by Kate Hoffman

Book Review: The Sexy Devil
By Kate Hoffman
Harlequin Blaze June 2010
3 Heart Review


He's her ultimate challenge...


Meet Max Morgan. Unrepentantly sexy. Impossible to resist. He's broken countless hearts across the country - including Angela Weatherby's...


When Angela first met Max, she'd been young, sweet and impressionable. But time and experience have changed that. Now she can see what kind of man he really is. 


Unfortunately, he's still the man she wants more than her next breath. 


And she finally gets him! Angela's night with Max is magical. He knows just what to do, where to touch, how to make her feel. He's the perfect man for her. 


Too bad she's not the first woman to believe that. But will she be the last?

I'm a Blaze Girl - Harlequin Blaze that is. If you have never tried a Harlequin category book before, I would suggest starting with the Blaze line. These are sexy, modern stories for today's woman and in a length that works so well with your busy life. I can't tell you how much I love the freedom this shorter length of book gives me - I know I can start the book and finish it within 1-2 sittings. It takes the pressure off having to set aside so much time to get into a longer length romance. The size also fits so well into any purse! :)

The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. I'm constantly looking for new or different covers adn this one caught my eye becuase the hero on the cover is not your typical short-haired white guy with a set of guns (i.e muscles). Instead, it's an olive skinned man with dark, slightly longer hair and a sophisticated look. I love that the front cover blurb says "Trouble never looked so good!"

I really enjoyed this book. It was a solid read that althougth there were a few small things I felt slightly off about, there were no issues that drew me out of the story. In fact, I quite liked the hero and the heroine and enjoyed reading them come together.

One thing that I wished hadn't featured so much, was the back story of Angela following Max to college. Yes, I know that young girls do things like this but it made it hard for me to picture Angela as an adult woman ready for sex, real love and happily ever after. I found myself feeling like she was much to young for this story. Likewise, I wished that Max had a little more age on him as well.

I did highly enjoy Max proving Angela wrong both about himself and his supposed playboy ways, and about how attractive Angela is. Angela's rate-a-man website is also a very fun part of the story and I was happy to see what Angela decides about that in the end of the book. That decision helped give her maturity in my eyes and made the story feel more compelte.

Again, a solid book but nothing about it went above and beyond to me. Very fun, easy to get through and refreshing to have a light-weight conflict I would recommend this for a nice, quick read.

I've Been MIA...At RWA!

So the craziness that is The Romance Writers of America National Conference snuck up on me fast and I didn't get a chance to pre-write some posts for while I was gone. So sorry, but being a stand-alone blogger can get overwhelming!


This was my very first RWA Conference and I had no idea what to expect or how open people would be to my being there as a blogger. I shouldn't have worried one bit - it was a blast from start to finish and I'm still recovering.


The best part of the event was meeting all the wonderful authors, editors and agents who love the romance industry and it was amazing to see the support and appreciation shared between all the attendees. For instance, I was waiting in line to get a book authorgraphed by none other than Lisa Kleypas when I realized that the lovely woman assisting her looked very familiar. This woman was unpackign books, handing them to Lisa to sign and also counting those last of us in line to make sure there were enough books for everyone. It came to me all of a sudden - this was author Christina Dodd! I had thought this was a publicist or editorial assistant helping Lisa out, but instead I learned that Christina and Lisa are very good friends and obviously very supportive of each other.


Saying that to Christina on twitter, she says that she just wanted Lisa to hurry up so they could go to lunch but I was there and thought it was obvious she was having fun helping Lisa out. :)


So if you know me, then you know I would totally dork out on a few fav authors. I did not disappoint! Upon seeing Victoria Dahl, I suddenly had no control over my mouth. I just kept talking and talking and talking. I have no idea what I even said. I do know it couldn't have been anything intelligent! Poor Victoria!


I also totally lost it - but this time at least my craziness was coherant - on meeting Vicki Lewis Thompson. She's an all-time favorite of mine and I just had to tell her so. At least she seemed very excited and happy to meet a reader who loves her books - she said I made her day. I hope so!


I can't talk about RWA and not mention all the other awesome bloggers I met. Wendy the Super Librarian rocks the house. Seriously. We met at a dinner put on for bloggers by Carina Press - more on that later in a special post - and I just wanted to talk to her about books for hours. If you aren't familiar with her blog (which I'm sure you totally are, but just in case) go check it out here.


Some of the other fantastic book bloggers I meat were Aztec Lady (such a lovely woman!) the awesome ladies from All About Romance, KristieJ from Ramblings on Romance, PJ from The Romance Dish. There were so many others, but it would be impossible to list them all!

I'll have more to say about my time at RWA in the coming days, including news on upcoming books that caught my eye, more about Carina Press and all they have in store for readers and more details on what's happening with your favorite authors.

So readers, have you ever made a fool of yourself in front of one of your favorite writers? Or did you manage to keep your cool? We want to hear about your own author sightings!

Happy Reading!