Friday, March 31, 2017

New release by Cat Mason!!

Guys!!!! Today is the day!!! It's finally here Stone and all the guys and gals from The Twisted Mayhem MC are ready for you to meet them!!!! Be prepared to go on one of the wildest rides you have ever been on! So go grab your copy now and see what others are saying is one of the best MC books they have read in a long time!!!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5TF9CE/ref=sr_1_1
Universal Link: https://www.books2read.com/u/4AgGVp
#bloodandbullets #stoneissmoking #mclove #allmine #greedywoman#twistedmc #savageasfuck


Romance Between The Pages presents this week's incredible bestselling author, MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF


Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!

THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF!

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Paranormal and Contemporary Romance. Both traditionally and independently published, Mimi has sold over 800,000 books since publishing her 1st title in 2012, and she plans to spontaneously combust once she hits the one-million mark. Although she obtained her international MBA and worked for over 15 years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance-closet and follow your dreams.

When not screaming at her works in progress, Mimi spends time with her two pirates in training, her loco-for-the-chili-pepper hubby, and rat terriers, Mini & DJ Princess Snowflake, in Arizona.

She continues to hope that her books will inspire a leather pants comeback (for men) and that she might make you laugh when you need it most.

My review of The Bartender by Piper Rayne

Whitney Knight has just been forced to move back in with her grandparents after losing her job due to sleeping with her boss. Happy to be back with her best friends Tahlia and Lennon, she begins to look for a job and maybe find a new guy to have sex with.

Cole is a bartender at the Thirsty Monk when Whitney comes in one night and the two drink it up, only to have Whitney not remember anything.

But when Whitney realizes who Cole is will she put the past behind her for the sake of Tahlia? When the attraction between Whitney and Cole keeps getting hotter will they confess the truth or will secrets tear them apart?

This book was awesome!! I absolutely loved it and the range of emotions I felt through the entire thing.

I loved Whitney and even though I didn't know what happened in the past she doesn't seem the type to let something little get in her way. I was shocked to finally learn the truth and completely understood why there was so much pain there for her. I absolutely loved the friendship between Whitney, Tahlia and Lennon and only wish I had that in my life. They were there for each other and their friendship was so strong.

Whitney's past was so sad and I was glad that her grandparents were so amazing to her and what they did for her in the past and in the current time. I thought Sparky was awesome and I loved the scene when Cole and Whitney took him for a walk in the park! So many laughs!!

I definitely liked Cole and how he honestly cared for Whitney right from the beginning. He obviously grew up a lot in the past 6 years and I loved the person he had become and hated how his family treated him.

The intense scene between Cole and Chase was definitely interesting and let out so many secrets and I was curious to learn more about what Cole was hiding! Yet it was so sad when you learn about what he was hiding and why.

This book was absolutely awesome and I can't wait to read the next book!!

5 Stars


Thursday, March 30, 2017

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

My review of Abbey's Search for Sanctuary by Eris Field

Dr.Abbey Askoy is in desperate need of employment and has applied for a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner position at a local clinic specializing in many types of psychiatry. Her sister, Jeyda and her daughter Jenny have just come to live with Abbey after escaping from her husband.

Abbey grew up in Turkey and then came back to the United States with her mother and she has views of the Muslim religion and has vowed to never get involved with a Muslim man after seeing what both her mother and her sister have gone through.

But when she finds herself attrqcted to her new boss, Dr.Rami Rashid she soon learns that she must trust that he is different than other Muslim men and will protect her when it is clear that she is no longer safe.

Will Remi treat Abbey differently or is he just like every other Muslim man that she has come in contact with before?

This was a super interesting book on so many different levels and I really enjoyed learning about the cultural differences that the book talked about.

I really liked the character of Abbey and completely understood why she was so guarded. Yet she lumped all Muslim men into one pile but I did understand the reasons behind it. I was devastated to learn what Jeyda's husband wanted to do to their daughter, Jenny, and I think I would have run as well. Abbey was well educated and really wanted to help people and understood how many people out there need assistance with their mental health.

It was very difficult to read about what many women are subjected to in other cultures. Not every woman or man should be placed under the same "umbrella" but the information we learned in this book is so devastating to know that these types of things still happen. Sadly it does still happen in cultures and I have read about it locally.

I really liked Dr.Rami Rashid and right from the beginning I crossed my fingers that he was different and would treat Abbey properly. He was a very educated man who had been "burned" in love before and it was interesting to see how much status he lost from that and how it affected his family. Rami had a different approach to things and I loved how he was able to start over and how he protected Abbey when it was needed the most.

I can see that people may not want to read the book due to the cultural differences and subject that it talks about and that the book could offend some readers but I encourage the reader to give the book an honest try as the bottom line is love and giving someone a chance in spite of how we believe they will act.

4 Stars

ABBEY'S SEARCH FOR SANCTUARY by Eris Field

ABBEY'S SEARCH FOR SANCTUARY
Destiny: Choice or Chance, book 1
by Eris Field

Monday, March 27, 2017

TENDER ECHOES by Reily Garrett

TENDER ECHOES
A Dark Prequel to Digital Velocity (The McAllister Justice Series Book 1)
by Reily Garrett

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Crock pot chili

This is another recipe that I got from Jasinda.

This chili was quite different than what I have made before as the recipe calls for both Greek yogurt and cream cheese in it. I thought it would end up being creamier than it was and found that it almost made it less "chili" like instead of one full of meat and veggies. This chili also used chicken instead of ground beef.

I think that this one was probably my least favorite of her recipes as for us it just didn't have the same appeal that a regular chili would have. If I were to use this recipe again I would definitely leave out the yogurt and cream cheese!

I still commend the kids for giving it a try and doing their best to finish it!


Friday, March 24, 2017

Romance Between The Pages presents this week's incredible bestselling author, Michelle M. Pillow


Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!

THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
Michelle M. Pillow!

New York Times (#8) & USA Today Bestselling Author
Author of All Things Romance

As long as she can remember, Michelle has had a strange fascination with anything supernatural and sci-fi. After discovering historical romance novels, it was only natural that the supernatural and love/romance elements should someday meet in her wonderland of a brain. She's glad they did for their children have been pouring onto the computer screen ever since.

Michelle loves to travel and try new things, whether it's a paranormal investigation of an old Vaudeville Theatre or climbing Mayan temples in Belize. She's addicted to movies and used to drive her mother crazy while quoting random scenes with her brother. Though it has yet to happen, her dream is to be a zombie in a horror movie. (She came close as a refugee extra on SyFy's Z Nation, airing Fall 2016!)

For the most part she can be found writing in her office with a cup of coffee in pajama pants.

Come say hello! I love talking with readers on social media!

Bestselling series: Dragon Lords (dragon-shifters), Lords of the Var (cat-shifters), Warlocks MacGregor (contemporary-set Scottish magic), Lords of the Abyss (merfolk), and more...

Proof of Michelle M. Pillow's NY Times & USA Today listings are provided here.

CROSSING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid

CROSSING THE LINE
Cross Creek Series, book 2
by Kimberly Kincaid

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Standing up for each other

When I was deciding on a blog name I wrote "Family, Books and Food" thinking I would write some family stuff but turns out I never have. I have no idea why but I would have so many posts on books that I never got around to writing any on my family stuff.

Then one day after school my daughter, (11) broke down in tears as a girl was making fun of her while the teacher and some other students were out of the class. So as the girl made fun of my daughter other kids in the class laughed along with her and no one defended her. Then I got mad but not necessarily at the bully but at the lack of anyone standing up for those who need someone on their side. If a "bully" gets laughter when they say something cruel they will continue to do so but if people put a stop to it the bully will eventually stop.

So I decided to write a facebook rant on how I felt and I think it was one of the best things I could have done. The amount of parents that then talked to their kids about what happened was astounding and the next day at school many kids came up to my daughter and gave her hugs and told her they had her back. This is what I wanted - talk between a parent and child to tell them they need to be there for each other.

This is what I wrote:
So beyond tired of the "drama" and "bullying" that happens at school with my daughter coming home in tears again after an incident in her class. I think I am more upset that no one had the courage to stand up for my daughter and laughed along with the girl who was making fun of her. In her school we use WITS - walk away and ignore being the first two but I am sick and tired of it constantly happening as she chooses to walk away and not defend herself. She plays hockey with boys who know and respect her for not backing down and they have her back just as she has hers but in school we let kids walk all over those who don't defend themselves or who aren't "popular". I wish kids were rewarded for being an individual and not following along with the "cool" kids and I wish more than anything that kids would not be afraid to stick up for those who need a friend on their side.

My daughter is an athletic girl who plays hockey and lacrosse which very few girls at her school do. She plays hockey with the boys and she is respected on the ice for her tough play and doesn't back down. She plays lacrosse with the girls and for a small girl she is tough and never gives up. Yet at school she is the quiet girl with braces and glasses who seems to have a hard time fitting in.

She is an individual and is not interested in make up or boys in any way other than as a teammate or friend. We need to support our girls for being different and give them the strength to be themselves in a world where women are trying to be seen as equals. Instead of being jealous over our differences we need to support the girls who choose their own path.

A few friends of mine sent links to amazing articles and how we can support our girls and teach them to be themselves and how to weed out the drama in their lives!
https://smceducationblog.tumblr.com/post/150629869120/girls-and-their-frenemies
http://thoughtcatalog.com/holly-riordan/2017/03/the-strongest-girls-are-the-girls-with-anxiety/

My hope is that through communication with our kids we teach them to stick up for their friends and realize how much damage words can do! I continually tell my daughter she is amazing and has so much going for her and that is why she is being targeted but she still needs that support at school too!




  Let's support our kids and allow them to be themselves!!

Monday, March 20, 2017

My review of Rana Teenage Queen by Liza O'Connor

At 16 Rana has just become Queen of Stronghold when her parents are killed. Now her life is about to get turned upside down as she must learn who is on her side and who is against her. Rana must put her kingdom first and score as many alliances as possible, even if it means getting married to a complete stranger.

This was a great book and super interesting with Rana's abilities. Rana was a character that you loved right away as she was so unselfish and really was willing to do anything for her kingdom and the people in it. She challenged every minister who went against her and improved the lives of the people and allowed the empowerment of women!

I loved the dedication of General Collins to Rana and how he would have done anything to protect her. He was truly such a great guy and I felt bad when he learned about his own family and what happened with them. I also thought the character of Mirimar was great and I loved how she was able to financially find any problems!

Initially I thought Prince Seren was great and I loved how neither knew who the other was but then when he discovered everything he turned into such a jerk. I'm glad that he was able to really discover the leader he could be with Queen Rana's help and do some good for Crystalhold!

This was such a great book and I really hope we get another book with these characters!

4 Stars

RANA: TEENAGE QUEEN by Liza O'Connor

RANA: TEENAGE QUEEN
by Liza O'Connor

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Meat bowls!

This has got to be one of the most easy and delicious meals ever.

This is another recipe that I got from Jasinda's book and she created it as an option to a burrito and OMG did she ever deliver. I think this was so simple but at the same time it was just so amazing to eat and my daughter ate her entire bowl up!

I cooked up some chicken and then we served it over brown rice and then added in corn, black beans, salsa and a little bit of cheese and sour cream and it was just so good.

I made it that kids could put their own toppings on but the rule was that they had to have a little of everything as I wanted them to eat the beans for the extra fiber and protein.

This meal did not disappoint at all and I will definitely be serving it again!


Friday, March 17, 2017

Romance Between The Pages presents this week's incredible bestselling author, Travis Luedke


Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!

THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
TRAVIS LUEDKE!


Travis Luedke is a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance, best known for his violently sexy NIGHTLIFE SERIES. Find Travis catching a third degree sunburn with his wife and children in San Antonio, Texas, while plotting world domination through erotic paranormal badassery.

Most famous for his Nightlife Series novels, Travis lives vicariously through his writings. He invites you to enjoy his macabre flights of fancy, but be warned: The Nightlife Series is violent, sexy, and occasionally violently sexy.


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

My review of We Said Forever by Marie James

Blaze Porter has worked his way up from having nothing to getting a football scholarship to attend Las Vegas University. He is the winning quarterback that can have any girl he wants but there is only one girl he wants.

Fallyn McIntyre attends Las Vegas University and hates the parties and everything that goes with them. Then one night she meets Blaze Porter and her world is turned upside down.

But in an instant it is gone when an accident leads to the end of a dream and leaves Blaze spiralling downwards and a choice to turn his life back around. But can he break free of what is holding him down and knowing he may have lost his one true love?

This was a tough book to read for so many emotional reasons. This was definitely a heavy book and it dealt with the struggle of addiction and trying to get out of a spiral that has just taken over your entire life.

Blaze had everything going for him when he loses it all in a second. The hardest part for me was that the accident and what happened after was not because he made a conscious choice but that he trusted someone and it backfired on him completely. Then with his shoulder injury he dealt with the pain the only way he knew how which again got him hooked.

Fallyn was there for Blaze for so much of the book until she finally had to put herself first. But she knew that her heart would be his forever and struggled with getting past that as much as other opportunities were there for her. She loved Blaze so much but couldn't deal with the addiction and him not choosing her and being sober over the drugs. She was strong once she knew what she had to live for but her heart would never get over him.

I was so mad at Blaze for much of the book with his lies and not choosing Fallyn over the drugs but this book really made me see the struggle that people go through. This book was so eye-opening as I have not been around this type of struggle before and I felt bad that I was mad at Blaze as I saw how easily he could fall apart. Blaze had all of his dreams ripped away from him from having one drink and the impact it had was huge on his life.

Yet at the same time once Blaze figured out the truth behind everything he could focus on what really mattered to him and I was so happy that he was able to straighten himself out and not inject himself until he was healthy.

The book was beautifully written and very raw with the pain. Such an amazing story about love, strength and forgiveness.

4.5 Stars

THE MASTERPIECE TRILOGY by Nikki Lynn Barrett

THE MASTERPIECE TRILOGY
by Nikki Lynn Barrett

Monday, March 13, 2017

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Chicken Strips

I'm pretty sure my daughter would live on chicken strips if given the option. Every time we got for dinner that's what she orders. When we went on a Disney Cruise a few years ago I actually had to tell her that she couldn't have chicken every night.

Jasinda has a recipe for chicken strips that is breaded with almond flour and they are sooooo good! Last time I made them I messed up by not cutting them into strips but leaving them as whole chicken breasts. They were still good but with the smaller strips they were even better!

These were so absolutely delicious and the kids just loved them. I think both kids at least 4 of the strips.

The great part after is that we used the leftover chicken in salads as a source of protein and again so very tasty!

Love these and will definitely be making them again soon!  





Friday, March 10, 2017

Romance Between The Pages presents this week's incredible bestselling author, Victoria Danann


Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!

THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
VICTORIA DANANN!

New York Times bestselling author of eighteen romances including paranormal, scifi, fantasy, contemporary, and teen. Victoria's Knights of Black Swan series won BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES and PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVEL OF THE YEAR the past FOUR YEARS IN A ROW. This past year two of her series took the top two places and two of her books took first and second place Paranormal Romance of the Year category. - Reviewers Choice Awards, The Paranormal Romance Guild.
Her paranormal romances come with uniquely fresh perspectives on "imaginary" creatures, characters, and themes. She adds a dash of scifi, a flourish of fantasy, enough humor to make you laugh out loud, and, occasionally, enough steam to make you squirm in your chair. Her heroines are independent femmes with flaws and minds of their own whether they are aliens, witches, demonologists, werewolves, hybrids, psychics, or past life therapists. Her heroes are hot and hunky, but they also have brains, character, and good manners... usually.
The rich characterizations come from being a lifelong student of behavior, casually, and a serious student of behavior academically. She also studied comparative religion, myths, and Dark Ages history.
Victoria lives in The Woodlands, Texas with her husband and a very smart, mostly black German Shepherd dog.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Monday, March 6, 2017

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Grand Greek Salad

One of my favorite salads is definitely Greek. My son also shares this with me and many times we will have Greek Salad for lunch using Renee's Greek Dressing. It has no sugar in it so it is a great dressing when you are watching your sugar levels.

This salad has a homemade Greek Dressing and it was so good!! This salad was absolutely awesome and although I was mad at myself after for forgetting to put the olives on (they were on the counter).

This recipe came from the cookbook Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook. I have just begun to use this cookbook and am definitely happy with how things have turned out so far!

The chicken is marinated with olive oil and spices and it is simple but so tasty! I will definitely be using this marinade for chicken again.

Such a great dinner!


Friday, March 3, 2017

Romance Between The Pages presents this week's incredible bestselling author, Angel Payne


Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!

THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
ANGEL PAYNE!

USA Today bestselling romance author Angel Payne has been reading and writing her entire life, though her love for romances began in junior high, when writing with friends on "swap stories" they'd trade between classes. Needless to say, those stories involved lots of angst, groping, drama, and gooey kissing.

She began getting a paycheck for her writing in her twenties, writing record reviews for a Beverly Hills-based dance music magazine. Some years, various entertainment industry gigs, and a number of years in the hospitality industry later, Angel returned to the thing she loves the most: creating character-based romantic fiction. Along the way, she also graduated with two degrees from Chapman University in Southern California, taking departmental honors for English, before writing five historical romances for Kensington and Bantam/Doubleday/Dell.

Angel found a true home in writing contemporary-based romances that feature high heat and high concepts, focusing on memorable alpha men and the women who tame them. She has numerous book series to her credit, including the Kinky Truth series, the Secrets of Stone series (with Victoria Blue, to be re-released through Totally Bound Publishing starting late 2016!), the W.I.L.D. Boys of Special Forces series, and the acclaimed Cimarron and Temptation Court series.

Angel still lives in Southern California, where she is married to her soul mate and lives on a street that looks like Brigadoon, with their awesome daughter and Lady Claire, the dog with impeccable manners. When not writing, she enjoys reading, pop culture, alt rock, cute shoes, enjoying the outdoors, and being a gym rat.

BROKEN BASTARD by A.L. Simpson

BROKEN BASTARD
by A.L. Simpson

Thursday, March 2, 2017

My review of The Game Begins by Victoria Danann

The gods have been long known for their games and wars within themselves to gain power and superiority over the others. This time they have involved their children in their games and placed them on Earth with no memories of who they really are.

Ever Moore has just transferred to R. Caine High School with no knowledge of the school. She hates sticking out but has made a friend in Galalia Endor and has also caught the attention of two boys, Jean Marre Montreuil and Mercury Ryder.

Will Ever be able to figure out what is going around her and when she discovers a hidden talent will she trust anyone enough to share it?

This was a great book and i'm extremely excited to see what Ms.Danann has for us with her first YA book.

I really liked Ever and completely understood what she was feeling being the new kid at school. I'm extremely interested in seeing through the series who she can trust and who she can't. The book has given us some clues but not enough for me to discover what everyone's agendas are.

I loved Ever's trip to the library and hopefully this helps her in figuring out who she is! I also really like her friendship with Galalia and I hope that it is a true one!

I'm very curious in seeing what is really happening with the boys and seeing which one is truly on her side!

4 Stars