THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE by Raeanne Thayne

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THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
Source: Harlequin Ambassadors Program

* I received this book free of charge with no obligation for review*

  • Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Silhouette; Special edition (November 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0373249330
  • ISBN-13: 978-0373249336
SYNOPSIS:

Christmas was tough for widow Jenna Wheeler and her four children. But even though she’d sold part of her family’s land to make ends meet, she was determined to spin the holiday into the stuff of magic—no matter what it took. Now if she could only find a job….

Maybe her new landlord could oblige—gorgeous, child-averse Carson McRaven. He needed a chef, and he knew the lovely Jenna could do a bang-up job—if only she could keep her brood out of his hair. But as he found himself catapulted into the cheerful chaos of her family…not to mention Jenna’s arms… he learned more about the spirit of Christmas than he’d ever dreamed. 
MY THOUGHTS:

I thought this book was a breath of fresh air for a sweet winter time romance.  Harlequin hardly ever fails me with a sweet story with characters in the story that actually seem like real people.  They have problems that are believable and the authors writing made the characters have chemistry.  I loved the interaction of Carson with Jenna’s children and how he came to love all of them. 
The book is set around Christmas time, but the romance will keep you captivated anytime of the year.  Even the cover looks like the actual characters described in the book.  It all falls into place perfectly and leaves you with a feel-good feeling after reading it.  The steamiest it gets is a hot kiss, but if you are just looking for a sweet romance, then this is it.  A new author to add to my ever-growing favorite author’s list!
MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


THE UNOFFICIAL TWILIGHT COOKBOOK: LOVE AT FIRST BITE by Gina Meyers

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THE UNOFFICIAL TWILIGHT COOKBOOK
Love At First Bite
Author: Gina Meyers
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Paperback: 80 pages
  • Publisher: iUniverse.com; 1st edition (March 7, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1440128383
  • ISBN-13: 978-1440128387
SYNOPSIS:

The international phenomenon known as Twilight fever has ignited a fire in the kitchen. Delectable delights to satisfy the appetites of the humans found in the fictional book Twilight. Love At First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook is meant to offer a satisfying array of warm, lovely dishes that anyone of any age can cook with ease and enjoyment.
Whether you are planning a Twilight-Themed Birthday Party, just a simple get together with friends, a Halloween party, or just what to try your creative hand to some culinary delights you are in luck. Brimming with mouthwatering recipes, brace yourselves, and bring your very best table manners, and appetites. Don’t forget your forks. Beautiful Bella Swan will be serving up some scrumptious delights to satisfy even the pickiest, puritan “vegetarian” vampires. Intertwined in the pages of Love At First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook, you will find Bell’s Lasagna, Harry’s Famous Fish Fry, Mushroom Raviolis, Red Velvet Cake, Blushing Bella Punch, and much more. is served ala Bella style. 

MY THOUGHTS:

I admit that the main reason I wanted to review this book is because it is Twilight related.  You can tease me all you want, because I don’t care. This cook book was amazing! From the quotes that are included, to the catchy recipe titles, to even the yummy recipes!

The first part of the book is info on the movie and books.  It has Twilight trivia and the list of the Twilight movie cast.  Then as you read along, it gives you the best recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and snacks! It even includes some wonderful drinks as well!

Below is a sample of the menu that you could create for a day:

Breakfast-  Charlie’s Fried Eggs,
Lunch- Jacob Black’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Snacks and Appetizers- Bat Chips, Salad A La Cullen, Bagel Bites
Dinner- Lion and the Lamb Stew, Irritated Grizzley Bear SteaksArizona Corn Bake, Easy Chicken Swan Parmesan
Dessert- Jasper Cookie Bars, Sink Your Teeth Into Peanut Butter Pie, Vampire Cupcakes, Vampire Bites, Apple of My Eye Pie, Werewolf Chow, 
Beverages- Vampire Blood Punch, Blushing Bella, Werewolf Brew, Bella Temple, Vampire Venom, Virgin Bloody Mary


Then after the recipes you get pages on Cutting Down on the Fat Content, Substitutes, weights and measures, Cooking terms and translations and a little info about the author.


The recipes are fairly easy, so even a beginner can make this wonderful stuff.  If you are a Twilight fan, or just a person that wants to try their hand at some creative yet easy recipes, then this is a must have cook book!


MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


HOW TO BE A "WICKED" WOMAN

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HOW TO BE A “WICKED” WOMAN
Author(s): Mary Janice Davidson, Jamie Denton, Susanna Carr

  • Paperback: 330 pages
  • Publisher: Kensington (August 1, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0758207077
  • ISBN-13: 978-0758207074

SYNOPSIS:
The Wicked Witch Of The West Side – Mary Janice Davidson New York publisher Karen Desjardin has been driven to fits of temperamental insanity by clueless bean-counters and bad writing. The only person who isn’t afraid of Karen is her publishing house’s best selling romance star-Hope Desiree LaFrance, a.k.a. hunky writer Steven McCord. And he has a few plans to redeem his wicked editor…he’ll start by planting kisses on those full lips and take expert editorial direction from there… Instruction In Seduction – Jamie Denton Eden Matthews is a good cop with a bad reputation…for being a zero between the sheets. Cop-on-the-edge Jackson Hunt has a bad reputation…for being an absolutely legendary lover. Determined to tap into her inner vixen, Eden blackmails Jackson into teaching her what it takes to be a wicked woman… Wicked Ways – Susanna Carr Faking a wild life for the sake of her clients currently has Peyton Lovejoy in the bathroom stall of a male strip joint, making a frantic call to…the 24-hour public library hotline. Mike Ryder is certainly intrigued by Peyton’s desperate questions (How does one tip a guy in a thong?) and completely captivated by the idea of answering all her sexually charged questions…

MY THOUGHTS:

The cover has a great quote on the front that was perfect!
“Being bad is so much better”

All three short stories were hilarious with the quick and witty humor! They are fast paced plots because there are 3 short stories all in one book. Each one though had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants! My favorite though was the first story by Mary Janice Davidson. I love her writing with her smart mouth characters! If you need a laugh-out-loud chick lit book then this is the book for you!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

GLASS HOUSES by Rachel Caine

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GLASS HOUSES (The Morganville Vampires-Book One)
Author: Rachel Caine
Source: Library

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: NAL Jam; Reissue edition (October 3, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0451219945
  • ISBN-13: 978-0451219947

SYNOPSIS:

Just don’t stay out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school’s social scene: somewhere less than zero.

When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don’t show many signs of life. But they’ll have Claire’s back when the town’s deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.

MY THOUGHTS:

Why, oh why, did I wait so long to start reading this series?! I had heard great reviews on this book and when I finally got my number picked at the library for this book, I couldn’t wait to start it!

I loved each and every character of this book. Shane’s smart mouth, Eve’s sisterly personality, Michael’s fatherly like demeanor and Claire’s little sister role. Each one of the characters kept me interested in reading the book from page one to the last page. The ending left you with a great climax that makes you want to immediately start the next book.

Unfortunately, I am still far down on the waiting list for the rest of the series. So if anyone has any extra copies, *hint, hint, cough*, feel free to let me know! LOL.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

TEMPT ME, TASTE ME, TOUCH ME by Bella Andre

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TEMPT ME, TASTE ME, TOUCH ME
Author Bella Andre

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Pocket (January 2, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416524177
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416524175

SYNOPSIS:

California wine country is a world of sensual delights — the tantalizing kiss of sunlight . . . the luscious decadence of gourmet cuisine . . . the slow burn of wine that warms from within . . . and sinfully sexy men. For three women hungering for more, it’s a destination for pleasuring both body and soul. . . .

Tempt Me
Carrie can’t explain why she turned down a marriage proposal from Mr. Perfect. But a chance encounter with a rugged winemaker who works the earth unleashes something wild in her. His raw, hungry power has her intoxicated with desire — and she knows it’s useless to resist. . . .

Taste Me
After voluptuous Rose is left by her boyfriend for a thinner woman, she’s in for a sensual shock when she falls for a chef who can’t get enough of her luscious curves. One taste of his lovemaking will never be enough. . . .

Touch Me
Vanessa is used to loving and leaving her men. And the man she wants now is an intense artist who has her modeling nude amid the Napa vineyards. But this time, he’s the one playing hard to get — and their heated game of “look but don’t touch” will soon have Vanessa begging for release. . . .

MY THOUGHTS:

I knew I had to read another book by this author now that I have unburied my TBR pile. This book features 3 different stories of 3 friends that take a vacation to Napa Valley. Each one finds true love in the span of 3 days. Even though I enjoyed each story in the book, I enjoyed the first book about Carrie and Tyson the most. The characters in that story are the ones that captivated me the most. Hot and steamy sex is throughout the book, but it also has plots to it with suspense thrown in. Another great book by a wonderful author!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!