Review Waffles: Fun Recipes for Every Meal by Tara Duggan

Waffles: Fun Recipes for Every Meal 

Tara Duggan

Source: Netgalley

Genre: Cookbook

Length: 96 pgs

Reviewed by: Laurie

Blurb

Waffles are a favorite at breakfast and brunch, but anyone who has invested in a specialty maker will want plenty of options and inspiration. This book shows just how versatile waffles can be, with recipes such as fruit-stacked buttermilk and Belgium classics for the breakfast table; savory goat cheese, smoked salmon, and veggie fillings at lunch; and chocolate, ice cream, and other temptations for dessert. Unusual Hong Kong egg waffles show off a new shape, as do sandwiches, dippers, and other fun ideas for presentation, in this whimsical and pretty design. TOC: All About Waffles Breakfast & Brunch Lunch & Dinner Dessert Basic Recipes Index Sample recipes: Vanilla Bean Belgian Waffles with Whipped Cream and Strawberries Hong Kong–Style Egg Waffles Pumpkin Waffles with Cinnamon-Nutmeg Cream Chicken and Waffles with Pan Gravy Ham and Cheddar Waffle Sandwiches with Dijon Dipping Sauce Spinach and Ricotta Waffles with Pine Nuts Chocolate Waffle Bites with Peanut Butter Cream Raspberry Waffles with Lemon Sauce Waffle Banana Splits

My daughter loves waffles so I just had to give this one a try. I couldn’t believe the idea’s they had for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert and all made with waffles. It totally brings a whole new meaning to waffles LOL. I was very impressed with the cookbook but I just wish the lunch and dinner would have had more kid friendly recipes.

Very simple recipes all you have to do is put your bread to the side and whip a batch up waffle mixture for breakfast save your left over mix and use it at dinner or maybe even dessert. You can have a total different experience that just using sandwich bread.

Guest post and giveaway with Kate Richards

Please welcome Kate Richards!

Welcome to the world of the Wiccan Haus series from Musa Publishing where every kind of paranormal romance is possible. Where the vampires do bite (Although the Rowans who run the place are working on that!) and yet they still join everyone for dinner…on their best behavior, of course. Where a shifter can marry a vampire and a witch may stop by at any time. Where there’s only one boat a week to get there or leave, and there’s no contact with the outside world, well, nearly. Guests get away from it all in a big way!

Is it any wonder I couldn’t resist the opportunity to write for this series when Dominique Eastwick told me about it? My imagination ran wild and my muse had a field day. Of course, there are already stories in place. Shifting Hearts by Dominique Eastwick and A Man Worth Fighting For by Sara Daniel were a difficult act to follow, but I’ve always been a sucker for a story about a wicked witch, and some of the sexiest men I know are from Argentina, so when little Punda the Haus masseuse jumped on board, I had a lot of romance to wrangle.

I’d like to give away a copy of  An Apple Away along with a ten dollar Amazon gift card to pick up the first two…or anything else you’d like!  The winner will be the first commenter to answer this question: What did the characters have for dessert their first night on the island? The answer is in the excerpt at the Musa Publishing site. http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=303

Blurb: Aislinn never wants to see another doctor. Their painful and pointless treatments have done nothing to improve her rapidly deteriorating health. She hopes that the staff of Wiccan Haus can at least offer a change of scene, if not a return of a little of her former strength. She's delighted to meet Punda, a masseuse, on her arrival and charmed by the cottage in the apple orchard where she will stay. 

Dr. Hugo Peralta visits the island at the insistence of his boss. The distinguished brain surgeon is in desperate need of a respite before overwork makes him one of his own patients. He is surprised but pleased with the privacy and serenity of his cottage--across the orchard from Aislinn's. An idyllic location on a magical island where love can blossom--if the Rowans can help the trio save Aislinn from whatever is killing her.

Excerpt: Most of Hugo’s attention remained on Aislinn. Her expressions flitted across her face, happiness, concern when Harvey talked about how he’d nearly lost his love to the evil—Jenny laughed at that, holding her husband’s hand tight—Sam and his “underhanded tactics.” Before he knew it, dinner, whatever it had been, had come and gone and their waiter was placing dessert before them.

The waiter stepped back. “From our own orchard.” Hugo frowned, but lifted his spoon. Why was the man hovering?
Aislinn, however, dug right in. “Oh, it’s just delicious! You know, my cottage is right in the middle of the orchard. It’s like a fairy tale…I didn’t know apple trees bloomed and fruited at the same time.”
So, this beautiful and intriguing woman was his neighbor—his sole neighbor—in his hilltop retreat. Interesting.
The waiter was going on about the apples. “Oh, a very special variety, miss. Grows only here on the island.”
“Well, it’s lovely.” She spooned up more of the dessert then sighed and set the implement next to her bowl. “But I don’t think I can eat another bite.”
Hugo ate some. Good, but he rarely indulged. His focus was still on Aislinn and his medical side became alarmed as she suddenly paled. “Are you all right?”
She drew a deep breath and stood up from the table. “Oh, I’m fine. A little tired, maybe.” Her thready voice worried him.
“Perhaps we should see if a doctor or nurse….”
“No doctors. Never again.” Her vehemence added strength to her tone and sent an unhappy flip to his stomach. “I-I think I’ll be heading back to my cottage now. It’s been a pleasure having dinner with all of you. I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m sure.”
She took a few steps away and he rose, intending to join her, but a dark, graceful woman arrived at her side and led her over to a table where four people sat. They nodded in welcome and chatted for a few moments before one of them reached into a pocket and pulled out a vial. She tapped it, speaking with a serious expression before handing it to Aislinn. Rising, she gave her a quick hug then returned to her seat.
Aislinn left the room with the dark-haired woman’s arm around her waist. She must be very ill. But what had doctors done to make her reject their care and turn to quackery?
And what the hell was in that vial?

ARC Review Wolf Line by Vivian Arend

Title: Wolf Line Series: Granite Wolves #5 Author: Vivian Arend Source: Requested Review Genre: Paranormal Romance Format: Novella Release Date: June 12, 2012 Reviewer: WildAboutBones

Into the best-laid plans a little chaos must fall…

Review of BARED TO YOU by Sylvia Day

BARED TO YOU:  A Crossfire Novel
SYLVIA DAY
Published:   May 24, 2012
Publisher:  Berkley Trade
Genre:  Erotic Contemporary Romance
ISBN:  9780425263907
Available ebook and print
Review copy provided by Edelweiss for an honest review.

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness—beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily...

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds... and desires.

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart..


Read on. . ..

Review Here Comes Peter by C.J. England

Title Here Comes Peter  by C.J. England 

Author:

Source: Publisher request

Genre: Paranormal romance- shifter rabbit

Length: Novella

Reviewed: by Laurie

Blurb

A Very Different Type of Shapeshifter...

Meet Peter Cottontail… the randiest rabbit in Easter Village. When he’s challenged by the Easter Bunny to show his Easter spirit by teaching a human woman the true meaning of the holiday, Peter thinks he’s got it made. Half-human himself, and able to shapeshift at will, he hasn’t met a doe… or woman yet who can resist him. This assignment will be a cinch.

Enter Bunny O’Hara. With a name like hers, and a dark secret that haunts her, Bunny hates everything to do with Easter. Peter won’t have it as easy as he thinks!

Villain week: Villain # 7 Satan author Sam Cheever

Sam Cheever Villain Interview – Satan

Villain week: Villain # 6 Zipacna author Ambrielle Kirk

Please welcome Zipanca and author Ambrielle Kirk!

A cloud of gray smog dissolves, and Zipacna appears.

Ambrielle: *Looks over the rim of her coffee cup* Um…er…you’re a little early. You aren’t due to arrive for another twenty minutes.

Zipacna: Catching my victims by surprise has always been one of my specialties.

Ambrielle: Victim?

Zipacna: *pulls up a chair and sits down* I suppose you may be my friend instead.

Ambrielle: Alrighty then. Since the release of The Protector, your fans have been a bit curious about your intentions.

Zipacna: *lifts an eyebrow and grins* Fans? I always knew I could persuade by the thousands. Before you know it, my army will be extraordinary and no one will stand a chance against me.

Ambrielle: So, you do have intentions to raise an army on Middleworld?

Zipacna: My intentions have turned into reality. My army is in place…

Ambrielle: You detest all humans. Does this mean you plan to destroy us all?

Zipacna: *laughs* I won’t destroy them, but the Apocalypse will. Once the humans are gone someone must claim this realm. I’ll be the first in line.

Ambrielle: Do you think the Hero Twins have the power to stop you? They’ve done it before.

Zipacna: Their command and influence is not as powerful as it used to be. They’ve been divided for centuries.

Ambrielle: If united, their forces would outweigh your army…don’t you think?

Zipacna: Surely you haven’t forgotten about the little gem that keeps them at odds. They both want Mona…anyone could see that.

Ambrielle: Um, correction…Mona is actually the key to bringing the two races together.

Zipacna: You think so? Only one of them can have her, and there can only be one ruler on Middleworld.

Ambrielle: *leans back in chair and crosses her arms* You’re right in that regard…about there being only one ruler. As for Mona…

Zipacna: She’s nothing more than a decoy. While they fight over the girl, I’ll take the ultimate prize.

Ambrielle: I can’t wait to see how this turns out…

Zipacna: You and I both, Ambrielle. *disappears in a cloud of smog*

THE PROTECTOR BLURB

It only takes one to reverse the fate of all. She alone holds the powers to keep the forces of evil at bay. Her sacrifice for humanity may include her life.

Mona Laveaux is unaware that she is part of an ancient legacy—the product of a union between a powerful witch and a Protector. Life-altering events, including the death of her guardian, lead her on a quest of self-discovery. Fate guides her to cross paths with Xander and Hunter—the Hero Twins reincarnated. Through them, she learns the purpose of her existence, both of her life and of her heart. But, with both brothers competing for her love, Mona has everything to lose and hardly anything to gain. All her decisions, including choosing one brother over the other, could mean losing humanity to the Apocalypse. Xander and Hunter must form an alliance to defeat the Lords of the Underworld. But their fight for power—and Mona—just might keep them divided.

To see what else Zipacna has up his sleeves, a copy of The Protector may be purchased here: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-protector-by-ambrielle-kirk/

To find out more about Ambrielle Kirk, please visit her on the web at http://ambriellekirk.com

Villain week: Villian # 3 Pestale author Claudy Conn + giveaway + giveaway

Please welcome Villain #3 Pestale with author Claudy Conn! I am sorry this one is a few days late it was totally my fault. Sorry again Claudy!! 

Hi, my name is Claudy Conn, and the hunk (don’t let his looks fool you) is the most powerful and evil of the four Dark Princes. His name is Pestale.

I did not want to do this interview because he has no conscience, no empathy, and not a shred of sincerity, but he requested the interview and said it was important for his message to get out, so here goes!

Me: Why are you here?

Pestale: To warn you, writer, so that you may inform your kind.

Me: Inform them? Of what?

Pestale: That I mean to lead them to a better way of life under my rule.

Me: How do you mean to do this?

Pestale: (smirking) Just know that I shall. I am the Dark Prince, created by the most powerful of all Seelie Fae…

Me: (I interrupt him), Are you saying that although you are a Dark Fae, the Dark King was originally Seelie?

Pestale: He IS Seelie, I am not, but I shall show him that I am better than he thought.

Me: Why do you care?

Pestale: (He shrugs), I do not care. (Smirking again). I mean to open a portal and release my brothers and Queen Morrigu so that they may rule at my side…and on my other side, my beauty, my own beauty, Princess Royce will curl at my feet. He sneers at me and adds, “You know nothing…”

Me: I know she doesn’t want you.

Pestale: Careful human, I can erase you with a look.

Me: But you won’t because you want to see your story in print.

Pestale: And so I shall…and I will have you all, serving me, adoring me, and I shall show him, the Dark King, what power, Dark Power really is!

Me: How? How will you do this when no other before you could?

Pestale: Ah, Time is there waiting for me to use it…

So saying, he was gone, shifting off. His story, Princess Royce’s story and Chancemont LeBlanc’s story will be available in THROUGH TIME-PURSUIT, coming in August!

You can also meet Pestale in the last of the Legend series, Free Falling-Legend and Catch & Hold-Legend.

Hope to see you there, but watch your back, he means to collect as many lovely humans as he can!

http://www.amazon.com/SHADOWLOVE-STALKERS-Shadow-vampire-series-ebook/dp/B0053DLC74/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339191424&sr=1-1


Claudy will be giving away a ebook of Shadowlove -Stalkers to one lucky commenter. Please leave your email if its not on your profile. 

Villain #5 Amon by Gabrielle Bisset + giveaway

Please welcome Villain # 5 Amon!

Interview with Amon Kalins from Stolen Destiny

Gabrielle:  Thanks Laurie for having us here today during Villains Week!  I'm here with Amon Kalins, the villain from my first book, Stolen Destiny. Here's the blurb to give readers a sense of the story and Amon himself.

Released from Nil to find a murderer, a prison-hardened Varek Leale is convinced no woman deserves the man he’s become, but his Aeveren destiny makes him succumb to sweet and sexy Callia Reynolds.  To catch the murderer, they turn to Amon Kalins, an ancient Aeveren with the power to control time. But Amon isn’t a man to trifle with and when he wants something, he’ll use his considerable powers, devastating charm, and good looks to get it. 

What Amon wants is Callia. When he manipulates time and seduces Callia away, Varek must turn to the people who set him free for help to get her back.  But the Council doesn’t do anything without requiring something in return, and what they want is Amon Kalins, one of the most powerful Aeveren ever.  Varek will do what he must to capture him and find Callia because if he doesn’t, she’ll be lost to him for untold lifetimes.

Villain week: Villain # 4 Deva Banks author Sam Cheever

Please welcome villain # 4 Deva Banks author Sam Cheever!

The Biggest Poser, Coming June 14^th!

BLURB: Personal trainer for the ever popular, Lose it! reality show, Jillie Maxwell is up for the most important award of her career. And she’s competing against the biggest b-eye-itch she’s ever met. Fortunately for her, she has the sexiest man alive in her corner. Problem is, each and every one of them has a dirty little secret that could tank a career.

For the contestants, the race is on to lose the most weight and win everything. For the staff of the popular weight loss show, the clock is ticking to the culmination of their lies and the possibility of losing it all.

Will the Biggest Poser win? Or will the lies just grow and grow until they sink the whole show? Only one thing is certain. Whatever happens, it’s gonna be one hell of an entertaining ride!

Review of NIGHTFIRE by Lisa Marie Rice

NIGHTFIRE, Protectors #3

LISA MARIE RICE

Publisher:  Avon Red

Published:  February 7, 2012

ISBN:  9780061808289

Genre:  Romantic Suspense 

Trade Paperback and ebook

Copy provided by publisher for review

Villain week June 4-10: welcome villain #2 Urain by Suzanne Rock

Please welcome Villain #2 Urain!

Hi everyone! I’m here today with Urian, one of the characters from Unholy Cravings. I thought it would be neat to chat with him for a bit for Villain Week at Bitten by Paranormal Romance.

Urian (U): Now hold on just a minute. You didn’t tell me that this was part of a feature on villains.

Villain week June 4-10: Welcome Villain # 1 Lord Dressen author Charlene Wilson

Please welcome Villain #1 Lord Derssen!

Lord Dressen pulls a chair up to Charlene’s desk.

Charlene:  *looks up from her typing*  Hi, Kyle.  I’m glad you’re here.  Bitten by Paranormal Romance is having a special week where we interview… 

Dressen:  Yes, well, I have a request.  *sits*

Charlene:  Oh, okay.  *swivels to face him and leans back in her chair* 

Dressen:  I don’t believe you portrayed my intentions accurately concerning Anna in the Cornerstone Deep books.

Charlene:  Oh?

Review of Between Love and Lust by Nikko Lee

Title: Between Love and Lust
Author: Nikko Lee
Source: Requested review
Genre: Vampire - Erotic Contemporary
Format: eBook - 219 Pages
Author's Website



All vampires hunger for blood, but for Mika the pleasures of the flesh are as nourishing as blood. Since the start of her unlife, she has indulged her need for carnal satiation. After the death of her mater-sire, she began to comprehend the complexities of the political struggles embroiling the clans of Haven, and now that knowledge fascinates her. Her pater-sire introduces her to a world of intrigue, where information is as valuable as blood. Mika’s particular ability to seduce and enchant allows her to assist her pater-sire in uncovering the perpetrators of the assassination of a clan leader. While deep with the slums controlled by Clan Corbius, Mika meets a handsome and dangerous exile who is as renowned for his fighting skills as his ability to seduce. Hail McMahon is as sexy as he is unpredictable, and with his aid, Mika is able to escape from the territory of Clan Corbius after a mysterious attack by a mob of crazed vampires.

The streets of Haven run red with blood following several assassinations that leave the members of the Council of Clans accusing each other of treachery. Mika is forbidden to see Hail, a known associate of Clan Corbius, by a council decree, but that does not stop her from desiring him. Mika combines business with pleasure as she tries to unravel Corbius’ plot and identify the spy operating from within the council. With the assistance of Erik, her ever-present and perpetually disapproving bodyguard, Mika gets closer to uncovering Corbius’ plan to take over the city. At the same time she realizes that her feelings for Hail maybe more than lust.

Mika suffers a broken heart when she finds out that Hail has promised to form a blood-bond with Alexa, Corbius’ youngest childe. Despite Hail’s assurances that his union with Alexa simply forms a convenient means of gaining information about the inner workings of Clan Corbius, his attempts to kill Mika’s pater-sire and bodyguard convince Mika that all along, he has been using her. Grudgingly, Mika agrees to form a politically motivated blood-bond with Erik, her bodyguard, in order to secure his clan’s participation in the coming war. Before the ceremony can be performed, Mika is kidnapped by Corbius’ minions, with the help of Hail, who has been placed under a spell that causes him to be enslaved by Alexa. Forced into a dark world where pleasure is often mixed with pain, Mika is surprised by her willingness to satisfy the vampires who threaten the stability of Haven. Mika knows that she must not only find a way to stop Corbius from taking over the city, but she must also resolve her conflicted feelings for Hail.




My Review Rating-



Sexual-



My Review

I was intrigued to read this book as I am a big fan of paranormal erotica involving vampires however after I started reading this book I found myself having a difficult time getting sucked into the story. The storyline was quite confusing with the myriad of clans involved in vampire politics that it made it very difficult to follow who was who and what were the unique abilities of each clans. Concepts and ideas were thrown out but never really fully developed or explained to make one fully understand the dynamics occurring among the vampires. This is perhaps the part where the story lost me as it focused so much on the politics, the romantic concepts seemed to come as secondary features and even then, it was superficial. I was not able to develop any emotional connection with any of the leads because it was lacking emotional development in their conflicts and feelings. There were points where there was a lack of fluidity from one scene to the next which made you wonder what was the point of the scence in the first place. The romance between the Mika and Hail really didn't feel romantic at all. Instead it felt as if two people who craved lust got together a few times but never really shared their true feelings for each other. It just felt flat and could have been fleshed out more thoroughly.

There were many scenes that I felt were very difficult to read, not only because of what was happening in them, but also due to the lack of emotional connection between the participates. I did not enjoy reading the F/F/F threesomes, the rough anal sex, nor did I enjoy reading the multiple rape scene involving Mika at the hands of her enemies. The book also includes BDSM, oral both men and women and the use of an instrument during a sexual situation, so it is definitely not for the faint hearted. I personally had to force myself to finish reading this book. I really wanted to like this book unfortunately I could not enjoy it. I just wished the author fleshed out the emotional component in the characters.

Review of BEG FOR IT (Pact of Seduction #2) by Stacey Kennedy

BEG FOR IT (Pact of Seduction #2)
STACEY KENNEDY
Published:  May 29, 2012
Publisher:  Loose ID
Genre:  Erotic Romance
Ebook, Novella
Ebook supplied by Author for honest review

Review of KEEPER OF SECRETS by Rayne Thomas

KEEPER OF SECRETS

Author:  RAYNE THOMAS

Ebook, Short Story

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Review Requested by Author.

Review of Conner by Miranda Stork

Title: Conner

Author: Miranda Stork

Source: Author Provided

Genre: Paranormal romance

Length: Mass paperback 466 pages

Reviewed by: RevRiotGyrl

Review Home Baked Comfort by Kim Laidlaw

Home Baked Comfort (Williams-Sonoma): Featuring Mouthwatering Recipes and Tales of the Sweet Life with Favorites from Bakers Across the Country

by Kim Laidlaw

Source: Netgalley
Click here for a peek: http://www.weldonowen.com/food-drink/baking-desserts/home-baked-comfort

Coming soon Stacey Kennedy Mystically Bound

COMING FALL 2012

Tess Jennings' life is in chaos. Not only has her ghost lover, Kipp McGowen, crossed into the Netherworld, but she’s the newest member of a secret society. And they want her to start work immediately. Upon arriving at the Temple in New Orleans, she is presented with an offer she cannot refuse.

The Grand Master has been murdered and Tess must solve the crime by locating his ghost. The reward—a magical spell to save Kipp. But as Tess dives deeper into the case, the more danger surrounds her. Not everyone wants the murder solved, and she is caught in the crossfire.

Soon, Tess finds herself knee-deep in ancient magical rituals, a hunt for a spell, a race to locate a killer, and a journey to the beyond. Will Kipp finally take a living breath, or will Tess take her last?

CHECK OUT THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE FROSTBITE SERIES

~*~

Website | Blog | Facebook |Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Stacey Kennedy’s novels are lighthearted fantasy with heart-squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and they even give you a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you’ll also find fast-paced action, life-threatening moments and a big bad villain who needs to be destroyed. Her urban fantasy/paranormal and erotic romance series have hit Amazon Kindle and All Romance eBooks bestseller lists.

Stacey welcomes comments from readers. You can find her at www.staceykennedy.com.

ARC Review of TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT by Charlotte Featherstone

TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT (The Brethren Guardians #3)

CHARLOTTE FEATHERSTONE      

 Publisher:  Harlequin

Date of Publication: June 19, 2012

ISBN:  9780373776627

Genre:  Historical Romance

Mass market paperback, 384 pages

ARC provided by Net Galley for review until I can get my own copy for my Keeper Shelf