Booked 2013 - 47

Next year, I need to lay off the non-fiction and get my romance reading on!

1. Getting Things Done by David Allen - a
2. The Schwarzbein Program by Diana Schwarzbein - p
3. A Course in Weight Loss by Marianne Williamson - a
4. Archetypes by Caroline Myss - p
5. Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks - p
6. Choose More Loose More by Chris Powell - p
7. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg - a
8. It Takes Balls: Dating Single Moms and Other Confessions from an Unprepared Single Dad by Josh Wolf - p
9. All Is Well: Heal Your Body with Medicine, Affirmations, and Intuition by Louise Hay - a
10. 1 Pound a Day: The Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox and Plan for a Lifetime of Healthy Eating by Roni DeLuz - p
11. Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & other Acid Blockers by Martie Whittekin - p
12. The Acid Reflux Solution by Jorge Rodriguez, MD - p
13. Clean Gut by Alejandro Junger, MD - p
14. Energy Anatomy by Caroline Myss - a
15. What Makes Us Healthy by Caroline Myss - a
16. Three Levels of Power by Caroline Myss - a
17. Northern Exposure by Jennifer LaBrecque (Blaze) - p
18. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling - p
19. Laced With Desire anthology by Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, Joey W Hill & Denise Rosetti - p
20. How To Get Over Your Ex by Nikki Logan (Kiss) - p
21. The Last Best Cure by Donna Jackson Nakazawa - p
22. Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller - e
23. Gerry Frank's Oregon by Gerry Frank - p
24. Simply Sensual by Carly Phillips (Temptation) - p
25. Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan - p
26. Simply Sinful by Carly Phillips (Temptation) - p
27. The Skinny Rules by Bob Harper - a
28. The Three Day Cleanse by Zoe Sakoutis - p
29. One Perfect Word by Debbie Macomber - a
30. Taken Beyond Temptation by Cara Summers (Blaze) - p
31. Your Primal Body by Mikki Reilly - p
32. Beloved Enemy by Terri Reed (LIS) - p
33. Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes - a
34. Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes - a
35. Bachelor Undone by Brenda Jackson (Kimani) - p
36. Bachelor Untamed by Brenda Jackson (Kimani) - p
37. An Outrageous Proposal by Maureen Child (Desire) - p
38. The Argentinian's Solace by Susan Stephens (Presents) - p
39. Impossible to Resist by Janice Maynard (Desire) - p
40. Dating and Other Dangers by Natalie Anderson (Presents) - p
41. An Idiot Girl's Christmas by Laurie Notaro - p
42. Reckless Night in Rio by Jennie Lucas (Presents) - p
43. The Untamed Argentinian by Susan Stephens (Presents) - p
44. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson - a
45. Autobiography of a Fat Bride by Laurie Notaro - a
46. The Deeper the Passion by Jennifer Lewis (Desire) - p
47. Cracking the Dating Code by Kelly Hunter (Presents) - p

Hot Holiday Hunk Blog Hop

Romance at Random is hosting the Hot Holiday Hunk Blog Hop from 12/10 'til 12/20. If that's not fun enough...it's also a fantastic giveaway! Check it out.

Happy Holidays to everyone – what better way to celebrate this time of year than to heat it up with hot hero hunks?  

Ladies meet Ethan (Ruined) and Evan (Wanted) — these are two hot, to-die-for hunks that you’ll definitely want to get to know — both of their books release January 7, 2014. More details here: RUINED ; WANTED

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win, follow along throughout the blogosphere.

Heat Up Your Holidays with Caribbean Christmas

Caribbean Christmas launched the Under the Caribbean Sun series. Now is a great time to revisit where it all began because everyone enjoys a little holiday escape.

’Tis the season for unwrapping the gift of pleasure.

Under the Caribbean Sun, Book 1

When Saskia snags a last-minute ticket home to the Caribbean isle of Anguilla, she intends to surprise her workaholic father and to reconnect over Christmas. When she finds he’s away on business, there’s still plenty to fill her time while she waits. Sailing, snorkeling…and an unexpected, very adult attraction to her girlhood crush.

Joe Prinsen is certain Saskia has returned to the island only to ask for money. He feels it’s time she learns the truth about her father’s depleted financial situation from the man himself. And he intends to make sure she sticks around long enough to hear it.

Except the girl he remembers has matured into a devastatingly sexy woman. She's taking all his noble intentions and unwrapping them, one by one, until their shared desire is revealed in the warm Caribbean water. Saskia’s only home for Christmas. And once she finds out the secret he’s hiding, she’ll no doubt leave the Caribbean, and him, for good.

---

Product Warnings

The only thing hotter than the tropical sun is the sex—in the surf, on the water, against the bookcase… Readers will be wise to monitor electronic devices, and themselves, for overheating.

 

Excerpt 1

"I can't go to sleep before I've been in the ocean. Drop me off before you head
up the hill, will you?" Saskia gave a languid stretch that pressed her breasts
against the thin silk of the scarf she called a dress.

If he got any sleep tonight it would be a miracle. Every time he blinked, he
kept imagining undoing the simple knot holding the dress on her shoulder and
finding she wore nothing beneath it. He had a semi and he was simply driving a
girl home.

Continued...
http://jennabayley-burke.blogspot.com/2012/11/caribbean-christmas-excerpt_24.htm\
l

Excerpt 2

By the time they got their clothes on and made it back to his truck, Joe knew
he'd made a critical error. She'd taken off her dress and his brain had shorted
out. That never happened. Even as a hormonal adolescent he'd been able to think
with the right head.

As he jammed the truck in gear and climbed the gravel road up the hill, he tried
to think of anything but that Saskia wore nothing beneath the wisp of a dress
currently plastered to her lithe body. His dick was still telling him to race
home, and his brain had to agree. He needed to get home and get his ass in a
cold shower.

Continued...
http://jennabayley-burke.blogspot.com/2012/11/caribbean-christmas-excerpt.html

The idea came from...

 

 

Meal Plan Monday

Monday - Meatball subs & salad
Tuesday - Chipotle chicken tacos, Mexican rice & cornbread
Wednesday - HANUKKAH - Roast beast and latkes
Thursday - THANKSGIVING - Roast turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, broccoli & cauliflower
Friday - Turkey tetrazini
Saturday - Quesadillas - beef, chipotle chicken, turkey
Sunday - Leftovers!

See what the rest of the world is serving up at Org Junkie Meal Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - chicken soup
Tuesday - chicken tacos
Wednesday - salmon, cauliflower, salad.
Thursday - baked chicken strips & mashed potatoes
Friday - pizza
Saturday - baked sausage penne
Sunday -  meatloaf and scalloped potatoes

See what's cooking :: Menu Plan Monday

Getting Things Done

My ADD is a thing of beauty. Really, a textbook case that allows me to juggle so many things. But there are times when I want to stick a hot poker right in ADD's eyeball. This is never so apparent as when I open my email inbox.

Over a hundred new messages come in every day. So many that I often forget who sent me what and sometimes...when I am really frustrated...I hunker down and spend an hour taming the email tally to under 100.

Then I spied this article on David Allen's Get It Done website, called Getting Your Inbox to Zero. Zero? I don't think it has ever been there. I mean, you start with the welcome message. I high-five myself if I can get it in double digits.

Step one is to go through the email and ask - is it actionable. If no, then you delete or file it. So I started with 685 emails at 5:45pm. By 6:15 I was at 535. But I had bought a Groupon...yeah. Squirrel!

I redoubled my efforts. 6:45 brought 440. So in an hour I had figured out over 200 emails. Not bad, since 10 came in. But still, that's not 0. By 7:15 I'm down to 246. That is not 0. 192 by 7:45. Quite the improvement, but it's been TWO HOURS. Dude.

And then I realized... I have emails from 2006. Now some are sentimental. The email from my aunt the day before she passed. OK. My husband's ski retreat from Nike...two jobs ago? Yeah, that's gotta go. By 8:15 I had just 43. And I stopped. It was down to one page. I had rid myself of over 600. And...two and a half hours. Egad.

So...way to go Get Things Done. Not quite a win. But a great improvement.   

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Seriously, my cousin won a chicken dinner at a restaurant last weekend. After cracking up, I thought a giveaway to celebrate Caribbean Crush was in order!

Enter my Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance at $5 gift certificates to Amazon. The more entries, the more I'll give away, so be sure to share the contest with your friends.

Did I miss something on the giveaway? Let me know in the comments how you helped spread the word for a chance at a special prize!

Caribbean Crush Release Day!

I'm thrilled to bring you the third interlude in the Under the Caribbean Sun series, Caribbean Crush.

If you can’t stand the heat, stay away from old flames.

The second Antonnis Prinsen sees his old flame, he knows she’s the lifeline to keep him from drowning in his brother’s matrimonial mayhem. It’s been years since they’ve talked, but surely by now she understands that a clean break was best. Instead of making a smooth re-introduction into her life, he finds his path blocked by a giant iguana. And Kristin looking at him as if he’s lower than the reptile.

Kristin Taylor spent her youth tangled up in Antonnis, but then he cut ties and disappeared. Now she leads a full and orderly life—until she finds herself walking down the aisle beside him. Thank goodness, it’s only to see his brother and her friend tie the knot.

Except Antonnis seems intent on picking up where they left off, and she has to admit she still has a weakness for him. Especially when he tempts her with an irresistible offer—one hot night, and this time she gets the chance to leave him cold.

Warning: Beware of signature cocktails and old flames rekindled. Either one will weaken your resolve—and your knees—before you know what’s hit you.

"This is a hot, sexy novella." Harlequin Junkie 

Antonnis tossed a half-smile at Kristin, wishing he hadn’t been caught like a peeping Tom. But the giant lizard at his feet had to have cousins in the Paleolithic. He’s seen dogs smaller than this  behemoth. If the row of green spikes running along the back of the beast weren’t enough, he had a grotesque turkey waddle under his block head and whipped his tail against the ground like a… well, a whip.

“Don’t move.” Kristin made her way to him, her gingham blouse undone and making her look like a very naughty Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Goodness knew she always sent him over the rainbow.

“He’s planning on making my foot his supper.” The thing puffed up its red waddle like a balloon and started bobbing its head.

“More likely he’s thinking of mating with you.” She knelt down at his feet and peered at the creature, then let out a low whistle. The iguana froze, and then turned tail and ran beneath a scrubby bush.

Kristin sighed and straightened, buttoning her blouse with rapid precision. She was his favorite memory of the island, and he’d hoped to find her there. Though he figured by now she would have moved on, married and had a handful of babies. Her bare fingers and slender, willowy figure had him wondering just when her plans for her future had changed.

Everyone has a Caribbean Crush, whether it's rum punch, the weather, or the book boyfriend you've always dreamed of.

:: Kindle :: Nook :: Kobo ::

Want more? Check out the Pinterest board of the photos that inspired Caribbean Crush.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm trying for fewer 'cooking' days and more 'preparing' days. Hopefully that will let me borrow some more writing time.

Monday - roast chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli
Tuesday - baked taquitos, salsa salad
Wednesday - pot roast & potatoes
Thursday - chicken alfredo
Friday - pizza
Saturday - baked sausage penne
Sunday - salmon, cauliflower, salad.

See what's cooking :: Menu Plan Monday

Forgive Me

 
Remember when I used to blather on about whatever crossed my mind? There actually used to be dependable post. I have a list of excuses, but those bore me. Instead, I'll just apologize and we can all move on, K?

Thursday 13 :: Jenna Allen

I'm back with another edition of Thursday 13 with lightning interviews of my authorly peeps. Enjoy yourself :)

1. Latest release? Passion Revealed
2. In the hottest scene...kisses or condoms? Since my couples are married...no condoms. But totally condom-worthy if they weren't, you know, married and such. 
3. What are you working on? The next set of Happily Bedded Bliss titles. Received, Reclaimed, Required & Rewarded  
4. What have you Googled for research? Things that could get me in trouble. The usual erotica author fare - sexy texts, porn problems, marriage therapy, date night ideas. Today I had to Google poon to see if I was using the word correctly.   
5. What do you drink when writing? Depends on the time of day. Coffee, tea, or pinot gris.  
6. Do you have a writing uniform? At a writing conference last weekend I was told to never tell readers I write in lounge pants and wool socks because they won't take me seriously.  
7. Where do you write? I am blessed to have an office, and too busy to take advantage of it. I tend to write wherever I can sit down. Or stand. I'm not particular. However, it is difficult to block out a love scene in Chuck E Cheese.
8. What was the last thing you read? Archetypes by Caroline Myss & Lean In by Cheryl Sandburg. Wow, I need to liven up my reading choices!
9. Paper, audio, or ebook? I'm an equal opportunity reader. I always have a book going on each.  
10. Favorite book in the last few months? Bonds of Need (Wicked Play, #2) by Lynda Aicher
11. Favorite social network? Facebook to interact, Tumblr to enjoy. 
12. Secret super power? I can make almost any conversation dirty.  
13. Guilty pleasure? Reality television. Pedicures. Lemon drops.  

Who says a wedding ring puts the freeze on hot sex? Whether making love in a honeymoon suite, a quickie on the kitchen counter, or skinny dipping -  husbands and wives have great sex lives! Jenna Allen is committed to monogamous erotica. For the latest Happily Bedded Bliss news, check out her website, Facebook & Twitter.

★FREE★ DESIRE RENEWED by Jenna Allen

 

Desire Renewed, the lead off title in Jenna Allen's Happily Bedded Bliss series. Grab your copy before the price goes back up.

Kindle : Kobo : Smashwords : All Romance eBooks

The daring lives of husbands and wives.

Erotic romance novelist Cassie is frustrated. Ever since her books started coming out her husband has no interest in sex. With the help of a book of weekly fantasies she's trying to turn his head, but he seems unaffected. But Cassie will let nothing keep her from saving her marriage. Not the lack of a babysitter for date night, her own inhibitions, or Miss Perky Tits.

Caveat - Listen up and keep your eyes open, the neighbors might be into anal play, BDSM & exhibitionism. You wouldn't want to miss it.

You'll race through this, but the images linger; always the sign of a good read! - 5 Kisses, Romance Divas
I loved this funny tale. Cassie tries everything she can think of in order to spice up their sex life and save her marriage. The characters are wonderfully portrayed and the lives believable between these pages. This is a great read from Ms. Allen. I look forward to more from her in the future. - 4 Cups, Coffee Time Romance
A great read! I liked how Cassie realized that the lack of a sex life meant that her marriage needed help, and searched for a solution. Ms. Allen is an author I'll be sure to read again. - Joyfully Reviewed
Jenna Allen does a great job portraying three young wives and their struggles and accomplishments in keeping their marriages interesting and their husbands excited. The sex scenes were vivid and stimulating. Makes you wonder what your neighbors are doing when their lights go out. - Erotic Romance Reviews for Women

Happily Bedded Bliss :: Jenna Allen

Who says a wedding ring puts the freeze on hot sex?

Whether making love in a honeymoon suite, a quickie on the kitchen counter,

or skinny dipping -

husbands and wives have great sex lives!

 

Have you been wondering if my personality split in two? Just who is this Jenna Allen that keeps popping up? Well...

 

Jenna Allen is my penname. In fact, I published as Jenna Allen years before I started using my real name, Jenna Bayley-Burke. My reason for the different names is the same now as it was then, the stories are VERY different.

 

Yes, they are both romantic, and sexy. But my brand is funny, flirty contemporaries. I'm proud of having built that reputation, and I'll tell those stories forever.

 

The Jenna Allen stories are erotica. Lots of sex. Lots. And everyone is already married. I tend to invest my emotions in the characters I read about, and sometimes when I read erotica I worry about how things will play out years later. I wanted to know the characters were exploring within a safe environment, with respect and support. Apparently, I take my erotica seriously.

 

Jenna Allen. Committed to monogamous erotica. Check it out if you're curious.


Desire Renewed . Romance Rekindled . Lovers Reunited . Passion Revealed

Keep up with Jenna Allen happenings on ::
Happily Bedded Bliss
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Jenna Allen's blog

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday 13 :: Kelly Moran

I'm back with another edition of Thursday 13 with lightning interviews of my authorly peeps. Enjoy yourself :)

 

1. Latest release? The Dysfunctional Test (September 2013)
2. In the hottest scene...kisses or condoms? Oh, definitely condoms!
3. What are you working on? Currently I'm finishing the first book in a 3 book series called: Ghost of a Chance. It's about a team of ghost hunters, who of course, find love along the way. Kind of a blend between quirky and spooky.
4. What have you Googled for research? For The Dysfunctional Test I've Googled proper Serbian translations mostly. In Ghost of a Chance I've been Googling a lot of Revolutionary history and housing styles, as well as investigative equipment.
5. What do you drink when writing? Coffee, coffee, and sometimes… coffee.
6. Do you have a writing uniform? Pajamas. I mean, uh… jeans and t-shirt.
7. Where do you write? We converted our dining room into a little office of sorts. I prefer to be on my PC in there.
8. What was the last thing you read? I review for a few publishers and on Netgalley. By the time this posts, it will be moot.
9. Paper, audio, or ebook? I like eBook or paperback. Can't do the audio thing. The Dysfunctional Test will be available in eBook and paperback.
10. Favorite book in the last few months? The Jill Shalvis 'Lucky Harbor' series or Roxanne St. Claire's 'Barefoot' series. Love!
11. Favorite social network? Facebook, though I am on several social media sites.
12. Secret super power? Sarcasm, though I don't know if it's secret. LOL.
13. Guilty pleasure? Chocolate. Or peace and quiet, though I get the chocolate more often.

Book Blurb: (I'll give away an eBook copy of The Dysfunctional Test to one commenter).

 

Here's the trailer!

 

You are cordially challenged to a test of true love...

Thanks to her large, crazy Serbian family, Camryn Covic is an expert at shutting down her emotions in order to maintain her sanity. But when she loses her apartment, her job and her boyfriend all in one day, she hits her breaking point. Worse, if her family finds out she's single again, her sister's upcoming wedding will be a disaster. The bride-to-be has a plan, though. A plan that involves an old friend, a pretend relationship... and the probability of ending up in a padded cell. Troy Lanske agrees to the crazy plan only because Camryn was once his lifeline as a foster child. But she isn't the idealistic girl he remembers. She's become so jaded that she doesn't even believe in love anymore. He sets out to restore her faith in happily-ever-afters, but his plan backfires when the fake relationship begins to feel all too real. Falling for the one woman he can't have could mean losing more than just his honorary family. He could lose everything.

 

Where to find Kelly: www.authorkellymoran.com

www.facebook.com/authorkellymoran   @AuthorKMoran, www.pinterest.com/authorkmoran, www.myspace.com/authorkellymoran, www.kellymoranauthor.blogspot.com, www.goodreads.com/authorkellymoran, www.youtube.com/authorkellymoran

The Pink Heart Society: Male on Monday : The Daddy Factor

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The Pink Heart Society: Fill The Well Friday - Words

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The Pink Heart Society: Male on Monday :: Superman!

The Pink Heart Society: Male on Monday :: Superman!: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's every woman's fantasy! One part beta, one part alpha, and able to take you around the world without using up your frequent flyer miles.

The Pink Heart Society: Fill The Well Friday :: Birthdays!

The Pink Heart Society: Fill The Well Friday :: Birthdays!: Do you believe in a birthday month? Birthday week? The Pink Heart Society editor Jenna Bayley-Burke can't understand how a single day is...

Thursday 13 :: Fiona Lowe

I'm back with another edition of Thursday 13 with lightning interviews of my authorly peeps. Enjoy yourself :)

1. Latest release?

Saved By The Bride which is book one of the Wedding Fever trilogy and published by Carina Press

2. In the hottest scene...kisses or condoms?

Condoms.

3. What are you working on?

Runaway Groom, the final novel in the Wedding Fever trilogy.

4. What have you Googled for research?

Thermography, wedding invitations, Wisconsin , north woods lakes and old wooden boats.

5. What do you drink when writing?

Tea. Copious cups of tea!

6. Do you have a writing uniform?

Winter: sweat pants and long sleeved T. Summer Happy pants and a short sleeved T.

7. Where do you write?

In my office with the view of the sea although in the heat of summer I retreat to the cool of the kitchen.

8. What was the last thing you read?

Jonathon Franzen’s “Freedom” and Alison Stuart’s “Gather The Bones”, a ‘Downton Abbey-esque’ novel.

9. Paper, audio, or ebook?

All of them! A book is a book. Paper or eBook in bed and audio in the car or when cooking dinner

10. Favorite book in the last few months?

Oh, dear, I don’t do faves cos I have so many books I love. I did enjoy Laura Kinsale’s The Prince of Midnight along with Shannon Stacey’s ‘All He Ever Needed”.

11. Favorite social network?

Easy! Hands down Twitter

12. Secret super power?

Able to read the men in my life’s minds when they’re guilty.

13. Guilty pleasure?

Ice cream
 

Website http://www/fionalowe.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FionaLoweRomanceAuthor

Twitter https://twitter.com/fionalowe

Thanks, doll! But please tell me...what are Happy Pants?

 

Review Tour Highlights

I was feeling poorly during the Caribbean Casanova blog tour, so I didn't manage to list the reviews and interviews as they came in. Here's a recap...followed by the announcement of the winners from the tour.

Caribbean Casanova is a thoroughly entertaining novel that will have you turning the pages quickly as you root for the happily ever after. If you like your novels steamy with blazing chemistry and hot sex scenes, then this one is definitely right up your alley. - Janna Shay

Sexy, sizzling, and fun! I had a blast reading Caribbean Casanova. This is my first work by the author, and I enjoyed her sexy style. 4 Lighting Bolts, Storm Goddess Book Reviews

Chatting with Krystal Shannon ::
KS: Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?
JBB: Wine! Pinot Gris, please. Or champagne. Sometimes lemon drop, but only if the lemons are fresh squeezed. Lush or high-maintenance, whatevs.

Talking with Romancing Rakes ::
RR: Do you have any writing rituals? (blasting music, eating cookies, drinking wine...)
JBB: I have writing pants. No joke – leopard, zebra & frog. I write better when I’m comfortable. And I tend to stick with one manicure style when drafting a book. Caribbean Casanova was Ruby Shoes (sparkly red).

Dishing with Flirting with Romance ::

When you have writer's block how do you break free?

Writers block is an injury in your creativity. Just like a physical injury, you need to rest and make sure your body can properly heal. Then, you have to work through it. Exercise, stretching…and eventually you’ll be back to your normal pace.

Rachel Brimble chitchat ::

Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?
Joe Manganiello & Khloe Kardashian. I am a visual person, so I’m in love with Pinterest for storyboarding. Want to see the inspiration behind Caribbean Casanova? http://pinterest.com/jbayleyburke/caribbean-casanova/ 

 

Prattling on at Books and Other Spells ::

Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?
Going to New York City for the Romance Writers of America conference a few years ago. I’ve always dreamed of New York, so it was beyond amazing to find myself there.

~~
Thanks to everyone who followed the tour, picked up Caribbean Casanova and buzzed about the book. The winners of the contest are ::

$25 :: Mary Preston who commented on I Love Lady Porn
$10 :: Book Lady who commented on Queen of the Night

*Because there were so many entries, I decided to send free copies of Caribbean Casanova to commenters picked by Random.org *

Andra Lyn who commented on Storm Goddess
Maria D who commented on Krystal Shannan Chats
Janice H who commented on Romancing Rakes