Heading Home to Deer Lick

Any Given Christmas
Sugar Shack #2
Candis Terry
Released Nov 22nd, 2011 (ebook)
Releasing Dec 6th, 2011 (MMP)
386 Pages
Avon Impulse/Avon Books
Source: Purchased at Amazon.com

Who knew that deep inside he was a man who wanted the whole ring, marriage, and kids happily-ever-after?


Dean Silverthorne has some serious issues.  Aside from being back in his hometown because of a serious shoulder injury that has the Quarterback on the NFL's injured list, he is also having conversations with his dead mother in her old Buick.  If that isn't bad enough, he is crazy about the one woman in town who claims to not even "like him". 

Emma Hart wants nothing to do with Mr. Perfect, but it seems that her mind and body are not on the same page when it comes to Dean Silverthorne.  Emma has always been the "forgotten" girl and she know with Dean it would be no different.  But as she gets to know the REAL man behind the fake smiles, she realizes he is exactly the kind of guy she wants, if she can just help Dean see that he is so much more than just a Football Player. 

Any given Christmas brings us back home to Deer Lick with the towns crazy cast of characters all making an appearance, even Letty Silverthorne! 

Dean completely stole my heart in Any Given Christmas.  How can you not fall for a guy who loves his mother as much as Dean loved Letty, and says that she is his "best friend".  SERIOUSLY??  Emma didn't even stand a chance!

"You love me, Emma."
"Maybe so." Her eyes met his and held steady.  "But I'll endure it.  I've survived worse." 

I am so glad that Emma finally found her Mr. Perfect.  I really liked Emma from Second Chance, but just not for Matt...um....if anyone gets him aside from Kate, its me......Sorry, back to the book.  Emma was sweet, funny and she really just wanted a "nice" guy to settle down with, who would love her and still hold her hand even when her boobs were droopy.... haha.....Isn't that what we all want?

Dean and Emma's chemistry sparked off the pages from their first meeting.  And the Hot Springs....WHAT A WAY TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR!!  I loved the watching Dean finally, truly Fall for someone. 

By the time the plane had lifted from the runway, he knew by the intense grip on his heart he hadn't forgotten something.  He'd forgotten someone.

I had so much fun hanging out with the folks of Deer Lick, well... all but Fawn Derick, she could stand to be taken down a notch....but like Emma, I'm a lady...and us ladies don't throw down...hehe. 

Can't believe I have to wait until next year to read about Serious Kelly and the super sexy Deputy Harley!  They had some smokin chemistry of their own in Any Given.....I can only imagine what we will be getting when those two come together!! 

Candis will be coming by on December 6th to celebrate the Paperback release of Any Given Christmas.  I will be giving away copies of Second Chance and Any Given Christmas to TWO lucky winners, so remember to stop over and leave a comment!! 

Also, Giving Away a copy of Any Given Christmas on Goodreads.....Check out Goodreads and enter to win!!

Undeniably Mine...

Undeniably Yours
Kowalski Family #2
Shannon Stacey
Released Jan 31st, 2012
384 Pages, Mass Market
Harlequin
Source: Netgalley, Purchased on Amazon
(E-Book previously released)

One-Night Stand + 2% Condom Failure Rate = Happily Ever After?

Kevin Kowalski meets Beth Hansen while she is working as a waitress at his brother's wedding.  The playboy and the waitress have a wild night together that ends with a misunderstanding.  They meet again when she tells him she is pregnant.  Instead of the reaction Beth thought she would encounter, Kevin is excited about becoming a father, but a Father is one thing and a HUSBAND is another.  As Kevin and Beth plan for the babies arrival, he realizes how much he wants the three of them to be a family, but can he convince Beth that what he feels for her is REAL?

Really, really cute story!!  I was a big fan of Kevin from Exclusively Yours, the First book in the Kowalski Family Series. He is sweet, adorable and who doesn't love a man who is so excited to be a father.

I could understand why Beth wanted space and not to get caught up in a fake romance that she felt she had forced on Kevin, but there were a few times where I wanted to slap her!

It's a great story about getting a life you never knew you wanted, but wouldn't know how to live without it if you had to try.

It is a family series, so you can read Exclusively Yours first....or you can just enjoy this book as a stand alone. I really enjoyed getting to know the whole Kowalski clan, so I would suggest reading them in order.

I also really enjoyed the secondary romance between Paulie, the tough girl bartender and Sam, the man she left behind. Paulie is very cool and just a real person. Someone who you would love to be a friend of yours. I really loved Sam, who was not letting her run away from him a second time. I am a SUCKER for a reunion story!!

All in all, the book was a great addition to the Kowalski Series. Keep your eyes peeled for the third book in the series, Yours To Keep.

Cyber Monday Man Candy

Ladies..... As you are on the computer today...BUYING, BUYING, BUYING....Take a minute to savor  our Man Candy for the day.....ahhhh............

Oh, ...um... Don't Forget to Pick up your FAVORITE BOOKS or UPCOMING TITLES today!! 

Think about it as One for Them...One for You!!

Happy Shopping Ladies!!

If you are around...Tell me about what you bought today??  And AMAZING deals??

Spending the Weekend With...

Just spending the weekend with a few friends, you might even know them, Nora, Marie and Candis.....(haha)

What are you doing this weekend??
Curling up with a Great Book?? If so, what are you reading??

Tell me about it!!

A Tasty Read (Delicious Book Reviews)'s favorite books »

Head Over Heels....For This Book

Head Over Heels
Lucky Harbor #3
Jill Shalvis
Released Nov 22nd, 2011
328 Pages
Forever Publishing





Ahhh.....Sawyer (swoon)...Finally we get to read about Sawyer naked.....I mean...Falling in Love, and with Chloe...Which is the best part.

I so enjoyed the build-up of this relationship since the first book.  We all know that animosity can sometimes be caused by attraction to another that you can't stand....or at least...don't want to be attracted to. This was what happened with Sawyer and Chloe. So much attraction caused sparks...and those sparks had quite the explosion when they rubbed together...If you know what I mean!!

The great part about Jill's books is that she doesn't write the same book over and over. Each character in the series has their individual relationship, with their personality and flair intact. The heroes are flawed, but real and the heroines are stubborn and sometimes hysterical. That was why I enjoyed not just Head Over Heels, but the whole Lucky Harbor Series, so far.

Can't wait to meet Hot-Mysterious Jogger Guy!!

This was a fantastic ending to the Sisters Trilogy and my heart was left feeling happy that Chloe and Sawyer ended up together....Did I doubt it, NO! But, I loved the way it ended, with him making his HOUSE into a HOME, with Chloe.....I sure do LOVE a happy ending!!

Today, Let's Give THANKS

Just wanted to wish EVERYONE a Very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday. 

Today is a day to be Thankful for the things we do have, our Family, our loved ones, some of the best friends anyone could ever ask for (especially our honorary family, The Bould's), an amazing Godson and beautiful niece, and honorary niece. 

 For two crazy, wonderful fur babies.  To be thankful for your family even if you don't see or hear from them today....be Thankful that you still have a chance to contact them.  And remember all the family or friends that have passed on and know that they are watching down on you today with love!!

And be Thankful today...as you sit around the table, looking at all the Delicious Food there is to eat.  There are many who will go without, so DON"T waste a single bite!!

And I am especially Thankful for my amazing husband, who aside from being my love, he is also my Best Friend.....Thank you babe for being with me today, and always!!  Love You!!

And almost forgot....Thank you for the Jellied Cranberry sauce....ok...

Happy Thanksgiving!

'A Tasty Reader' Reviews

The Next Always
Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy
Nora Roberts
Released Nov 1st, 2011
324 Pages
Berkley Trade
Reviewed by:
Amy Lineaweaver

        Poor Nora Roberts – a victim of her own overwhelming success – has released the first installment of a planned trilogy. Entitled “The Next Best Thing”, Nora, once again, takes the readers to Maryland and introduces us to a band of three handsome brothers and the town (and ladies) that love them.

        “Why ‘Poor Nora’?” you may ask. Well, Nora Roberts is the grand high duchess poobah of romance literature. As prolific as she is popular, many of us can identify that Nora Roberts book that touched us so viscerally and profoundly that is was altered the way we interpret her subsequent work. For instance, I think the Quinn Brothers of the Chesapeake Bay Saga is just about the best thing since cheese in a can. No one, but no one, can top Cameron Quinn and Anna Spinelli for pure entertainment value and emotional connection and that jumpy, swimmy in-love squee that the best romance books invoke. The problem with this success is that the reader expects to be gripped the same way every time and it’s just not possible.

        Back to Boosboro, Maryland. We find three brothers, Beckett, Owen, and Ryder Montgomery, restoring a colonial-era stone inn that has faded with neglect. The brothers, together with their mother and aunt, are looking to restore the inn to its glory as the hub of the town. Enter Clare Murphy Brewster, a young army widow with three stair-step boys. Recovering from her loss, she opens an independent bookstore in town. Hot, sweet, kind Beck has crushed on luminous Clare from afar since high school, but she only had eyes and heart for her late husband. Thus, we have the seminal high school crisis; he loves her, but she loves someone else.

        Clare has completed her five steps of grief and is really ready to open her heart to Beck. Beck adores the girl from high school, but loves the woman she has become and the fatherless trio of boys who love super heroes. Meanwhile, Clare works to reconcile that her heart can indeed belong to two men and that her love is not divided between them. Throw in a creepy creeper from high school and we have the plot.

        I appreciated that “The Next Always” incorporated the supernatural elements of earlier Roberts’ series in the form of a honeysuckle emitting spirit named Elizabeth who inhabits the inn. It adds an element of mysticism that communicates the sense that these two are indeed star-crossed and destiny is on their side. It is an overly common theme in the romance genre to have the woman pine away for the untouchable guy who then pulls a Jake Ryan somewhere between the tenth and twentieth year high school reunion and proclaims his undying love. I like that Roberts turned that paradigm and had the boy admire the girl from afar. My inner feminist appreciates the idea.

        Beckett and Clare are ultimately likable. One understands that Clare will definitely be loved and respected and her kids will be adored and supported. But there is something about them that doesn’t have the reader rooting and cheering for them. Call it woo factor. These people got no woo.

        I liked “The Next Always”. It was … fine. It feels like a bit of a retread in lots of ways. She brought very little new material or energy to the “The Next Always” that a Roberts’ reader won’t recognize from other books. Will it join the Quinn Brothers in my choice of “greatest hits”?  No. Was it a waste of time?  No. Was it worth the ten bucks? Probably not. Five bucks? Probably.

 But it was an enjoyable enough read and I will finish the rest of the series, because, fundamentally, not so deep down, I’m a Nora Believer and I believe that she’ll once again grab me.

Amy Lineaweaver is a mother, wife, and speech-language pathologist who is a recently moved home to the Pacific Northwest. When not responding to the beck and call of motherhood and wifedom, she is an obsessive reader of romantic fiction. She loves a clean house, a dirty mind, and a filthy mouth.

Just....Breathe

Breathe
Donna Alward
Releasing Dec 6th, 2011
200 Pages
Samhain Publishing


I had the honor of winning an Advanced Readers Copy of Breathe by Donna Alward. I have to say, I am a HUGE fan of Reunion/Lost Love Romances. The author can normally have me bawling my eyes out half way through the book with the Heart wrenching stories of why things didn't work out for these Two People. And Breathe by Donna Alward was no different.

Our heroine Anna Morelli has lost her husband and cant stand the looks of pity she faces everyday. So she escapes to the one place that she believes can make it all better, Two Willows Winery, which is owned by her oldest friend and lost lover, Jace Willow.

Jace is not expecting Anna and her two children, but he can't turn away the one woman that she has never stopped loving. He lost her years ago because he was young and stubborn, and didn't believe he was good enough for her. They were ripped apart over a misunderstanding and she went on to marry someone else.
All the old wounds are reopened when they are brought together again. Can these two hurt souls come together again, and this time, make it forever?

His throat tightened painfully as the emotion threatened to take over.  He swallowed, blinked.  "I failed you in every possible way.  But I love you and what I'm asking is for you to give me the chance to make that up."

I really enjoyed the story of Anna and Jace. The old hurts, the mistrust, the pain...I know it is a good read when my chest get tight and I can feel the pain they are feeling in my chest!! And the descriptions of the Wine Country are so vivid, you feel as though you have been transplanted there.

If you are like me and love a romance with a beautiful Reunion story, Breathe by Donna Alward is a winner!!

Man Candy Monday

Hello Ladies.....

My husband was watching TV yesterday after we came home from the dog park...which was a hit with the pups....And he says, "Babe, its your boyfriend."

(Head flying to the left)  "OHHHHHHH BABY......I mean.....What's so great about him?" (Rolling my eyes)

I mean seriously.....Rock hard abs, Sexy Smile and a British Accent!! 

Who would want that??

(Two thumbs pointing in my direction..teehee)

Ill take TWO!! (whispering quietly)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Warning: These delicious, moist, flavorful cookies might not make it past the cooling rack!!

My husband and I both took some of these to work last week and let me tell you.....They were a HIT!!  Personally I had about six for breakfast that morning.....They are AMAZING with coffee!!

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 13-15 min

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup lt. brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (I used the whole can)
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
2 cups (12oz bag) milk chocolate chips, not semisweet
Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.

Using Mixer, beat the butter until smooth.  Beat in the sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla and pumpkin puree.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. 

Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds.  Stir in the chips. 

Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 13-18 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges.

Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks using a spatula.

AND ENJOY!! They make great gifts for teachers and bosses!!

** The reviews of this recipe mentioned doubling ALL of the spices.  I doubled the cinnamon and cloves.  And instead of the nutmeg and ginger, I used pumpkin pie spice  and doubled it!!  They came out AMAZING!!

Stop over and let me know how they came out!!

Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake

Anyone looking for a DELICIOUS, SMOOTH dessert for the upcoming Holiday? 

Well...You NEED to try this AMAZING recipe by Kraft.  I made this Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake for a Jewelry Party I was hosting....And IT WAS A HIT!!  And VERY easy to make!!

Prep Time: 15 min
Makes 16 Servings

You Will Need

38 NABISCO Ginger Snaps, finely crushed
1/4 cup finely chopped Pecans
1/4 cup butter, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup Sugar
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

How To Make It

HEAT oven to 325 degrees.  Mix crumbs, nuts and butter; press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar with mixer until blended.  Add pumpkin, spice and vanilla; mix well.
Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing after each just until blended.  Pour into crust.

BAKE 1 hour 20 min. to 1 hour 30 min. or until center is ALMOST set.  Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool WELL before removing rim.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours.  Serve with a dollop of COOL WHIP and a dusting of nutmeg.

AND ENJOY!! 

I have to say, I always thought Cheesecake was such a difficult dessert to make....and it would take FOREVER...but..cheesecake is sooooo easy...and Such a FANCY treat to bring to any party!!  Think of Cheesecake as the Little Black Dress of Desserts.  It can be used for ANY event....can be dressed up, dressed down.....and it's ALWAYS a HIT!!

** If you want to make your own Pumpkin Puree....Check out this Video made by a friend of mine!!  She is VERY funny!!

Throwback Thursdays

Kiss an Angel
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Released Feb 1st, 1996
384 Pages
Avon

Pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Arranged marriages don't happen in the modern world, so how did the irrepressible Daisy find herself in this fix?

Alex Markov, as humorless as he is deadly handsome, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little feather-head with champagne tastes. He drags Daisy from her uptown life to a broken down traveling circus and sets out to tame her to his ways.

But this man without a soul has met his match in a woman who's nothing but heart. Before long, passion will send them flying sky high without a safety net... risking it all in search of a love that will last forever.

Oh My....Talk about a TEAR JERKER......I bawled while reading this book.  It was so emotional, and heart wrenching.  You know its a GREAT read when your chest is tight and you are physically hurting for these people....It was one of those.

Love, LOVE Daisy!  She is innocent, without being stupid.  And she is no pushover...that's for sure.  You can say she GROWS UP throughout the book.  She truly finds herself, and starts respecting herself, demanding respect from others as well. 

And Alex.....Oh Alex, our sexy Russian.  I so enjoyed watching him fall in love and let someone love him back (well....he kinda screws that one up at first).  I love how much Daisy gets under his skin, at first, just annoying him with her spoiled behavior, but then with her stubborn head.  There relationship was explosive at times....BUT SOOOOO worth the read, and the reread...over and over.

This is one of my TOP S.E.P books of all time!!  So y'all need to pick it up, download it...TODAY!!

 Her Shoulders slumped, and he knew he'd won, but he felt no satisfaction.

"I don't love you anymore, " she whispered. "I don't love you at all."

His throat closed. "It's all right, sweetheart. I love you enough for both of us."

                                                                                                         ~ Kiss An Angel

     

    

TOUCHDOWN for Ms. Kenneally

Catching Jordan
Miranda Kenneally
Released  Dec 1st, 2011
288 Pages
Sourcebook Fire



Coming from a girl who always dreamed of playing football for Notre Dame, I was really anticipating the release of Catching Jordan. My immediate feeling after finishing the book was, Sam "Henry" Henry might just be my new YA hero crush. He was such a GREAT guy, and such a great friend to Jordan, as was JJ and Carter....All amazing guys. They protected their Quarterback on and off the field.

We meet Jordan, the starting Varsity Quarterback of her High School team, that has focused so much on being the best and getting a full ride to Alabama, that she didn't have much of a social life, other than hanging out with her best friend Henry (AKA Ladies Man). That is until Tyler Green transfers to her school and she now has to not only worry about him stealing her position, but her heart as well.

The relationship between Ty and Jordan seemed a LITTLE fast for me. It was like three days and then WHAM they are having sex. Not your typical YA book timeline, maybe in reality that may happen, but after getting to know Jordan better, I felt it was a bit out of character for her to just jump into bed with a guy.

Then things got a bit weird in the middle. Ty, who was now Jordan's boyfriend, started to change. He became more bossy and I guess this was so we would start to see how wonderful Henry was versus Ty, and that we should be on Team Henry. I felt that it was almost forced on us,  like it came out of nowhere.

Jordan's family was portrayed like a real family. I could see the Professional Football playing father being against his only daughter playing football. But some of those scenes felt forced too. I guess the relationships needed to be more developed. There were just a few scenes that could have been left out, or more drawn out.I can't put my finger on it, but something about the whole thing was a bit off.

Aside from that, I really enjoyed the book, and Jordan as our heroine. She wasn't whiny, or bitchy. She was just a normal, teenage girl who was friends with a bunch of great guys, with a best friend that was In Love with her, which EVERYONE knew but her. And Sam Henry.....ahhhh Henry....who wouldn't want this kid to be in love with her....(sigh)

It is definitely a To-Read...and a fun read at that. Especially for any girl (like me) who had the dream of playing football and never got her chance!! 

Not What I Expected

Romero

The Moreno Brothers #4

Elizabeth Reyes

Ebook

Released Oct 24th, 2011

Prim and proper middle school teacher Isabel Montenegro always runs the opposite direction from men like Ramon Romero. A foul-mouthed, uneducated, loose cannon has no place in her careful plans. But instead of running away, Isabel is completely captivated.

Romero has no idea what he's getting himself into when he first kisses Isabel. Shocked at the passion she invokes in him, he believes he can keep his usual short fuse under wraps. Falling fast and hard for someone so flawlessly sweet only makes him more aware that he’s far from perfect.

Can two people who are worlds apart teach each other how to love, or will the reality of their differences drive them apart?

I was so looking forward to Izzy and Romero's story, and I liked it, I did, but there was something I just couldn't get past,  HIS ANGER AND JEALOUS TANTRUMS.

his attitude really bothered me.  It was sad because I really liked Romero's character in the first two books of The Moreno Brother's Series, but in this book, aside from the times when he was really  sweet, he seemed like a possessive asshole. 

 I am not looking for a possessive asshole for a Hero!  

In the first two books of the series, our hero Angel was slightly possessive  and Alex, our second hero, was a goon, but Romero's character took it to another level.  He was slightly abusive...or at least getting there. I understand he LOVED her, but how many Lifetime movies does it take to realize that when a guy is OBSESSED with you like that....ITS SCARY!!

I enjoyed Izzy and Romero getting to know each other and I didn't even mind when he got jealous about her spending time with another guy, or when she got upset that he had lunch with another girl at "Their" restaurant.  Normal couple DO experience jealousy and spats every now and then,  but I was so DISAPPOINTED with his ANGER issues. 

Yeah...It does happen in life, that you meet and fall in love with a guy who has anger issues....but I would have liked to have seen her a little STRONGER and stand up for herself, not cower and cry when he called her by her first name and not Izzy.

Ok...Breathe...

All in all, I liked it, but he really annoyed me....I don't think that girls should read about this behavior and think it is ok!! Even if it is labeled an Adult Contemporary.

But, this is  just my opinion...maybe some girls like guys like that!!

What do you think about using Overly Possessive men as Heroes??  Do you think it teaches young women that it is ok to accept this behavior from a man?? 

Leave a comment....Let's chat....

And the Winner is.....

Julie Canoutas is the winner of SEAL of My Dreams.  Thank You Julie for entering a comment into the Giveaway.  Hope you enjoy all the stories about our TRUE HEROES!!

There will be more Giveaways in the next few weeks....so keep your eyes on the blog and A Tasty Read's Facebook page for more information!!

Love Triangle Anyone?

Double Clutch
A Brenna Blixen Book: Vol 1
Liz Reinhardt
Published Sept 6th, 2011
466 Pages
CreateSpace


What happens when you fall for the perfect guy...twice...in one day? Brenna Blixen spent her freshman year homeschooling in Denmark; now that she's back in the States, she's determined to make her sophomore year unforgettable.  What she got was a whole lot of romance, and all at once. The same day that dark, brooding Saxon Maclean charmed her with his killer good looks and whip-smart wit. Jake Kelly stole her breath away with his heart-wrenching smile and intelligent, thoughtful focus.  Complicating the matter is the fact that Saxon and Jake were once best friends and are now arch-enemies...and the more Brenna finds out about their connection to each other, the more intrigued and worried she becomes.   
     Between keeping the peace with her lovingly over-protective parents, designing t-shirts for her high school's rising punk band, keeping up her grades in classes split between academic and technical high school, and running the track like a maniac, Brenna has enough to worry about without juggling two guys who make her heart thud and drive her crazy all at once. She has to make a choice, but how is she supposed to do that when giving her heart to one of them might mean breaking the other's?   

A little slow to start, but picked up as we get to meet Saxon and Jake. At first didn't feel any connection with Brenna, but as we get further into the story and her feelings for these two guys surface, we can sympathise with her, and the dilemma she finds herself in.

Saxon reminded me of every guy that I went to High School with. The cool guy, who was always hitting on the hottest girls in school, but really had a crush on you, since you were the ONLY person who really saw them for who they really were.

Jake was the classic good/bad boy....motorcycle, tortured artist...ahhh love those guys!! So I have to say I am on Team Jake, and I hope that things continue to go well between these two. 

I will definitely invest in the next book of the series.   

Happy Veterens Day (And Giveaway)

Dear Service Men and Women, Past and Present,

THANK YOU!!

Without all of you, who knows where this country would be. 

This post is especially dedicated to all of my family that had served, and is still serving:

Vincent Puccio
Lorenzo Posillico
Jared Filosa
Steven Lodigkeit
William Heath

And to anyone that I missed.....I love you and THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your dedication and strength. 

You are the TRUE HEROES.

For a great way to say, THANK YOU, to our Veterans, pick up

The best part about SEAL of My Dreams, besides the fabulous authors involved, is its purpose: All proceeds from the sales of the book go to Veterans Research Corp., a non-profit fundraiser for veterans' medical research.  Click the link below to read more about this SMOKIN NEW RELEASE.  http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2011-11-07/release-week-for-seal-of-my-dreams-/562347/1

And in Honor of it being Veteran's Day....I will be giving away a copy of SEAL of My Dreams.  All you need to do is leave a comment below telling us about a "TRUE HERO" that you know or a wonderful story of HEROISM that you have heard!!  It is humbling to hear about all of the wonderful "TRUE HEROES" that exist among us!!

Please leave your email address with your post so I can contact the winner.

~Hoo Rah

Throwback Thursday

Truly Madly Yours
Rachel Gibson
Released Jan 31st, 1999
384 Pages
Avon



Pretty hairdresser Delaney Shaw has returned home to Truly, Idaho, for the reading of her stepfather's will, which stipulates that, if she wants to collect her inheritance, Delaney must remain in town for an entire year. And she must have nothing to do with sexy Nick Allegrezza. Unfortunately, Nick is as irresistible as ever and Delaney must truly decide if he is truly, madly the man of her heart.

This one ties with See Jane Score and Not Another Bad Date.  I LOVE me some Nick Allegrezza!! 

Its just such a great story, shows where love begins and where it takes you through your life.  Sometimes it might be just one person who holds the strings to your heart, they might not even know it, but its them. 

Delaney comes home for her step-fathers funeral and is thrown into a life she didn't even know that she wanted, but is enjoying it every step of the way, even if it includes a little flirting and a lot of kisses from Nick.  They have a long history between them and it only gets longer...and better, every step of the way! 

 "You cut your hair?" Delany asked. 

 "You once told me to get a haircut." 

Now that's love!!  Get it, read it, love it!!

Christmas in Fool's Gold

Only Us: A Fool's Gold Holiday
Susan Mallery
Released Nov 1st, 2011
Harlequin
E-Book Exclusive


Another Fool's Gold Hit!! 


This Sweet Holiday Novella gives us a look into the life of Cameron, our very handsome Vet, and his "Friend" Rina, the pet groomer. 

Rina has been in love with Cameron since the first day she saw him a year ago, but the love she has for his daughter is special to Rina and she doesn't want to do anything to threaten their relationship, so she knows that she can't tell Cameron that she is in love with him.  Then she gains the courage on night to tell him the truth and things don't end up exactly how she planned.  Will these two end up together in time for Christmas??  I think you will have to read the book to find out!!

This was a quick read for me.  The story took us on a sleigh ride of friendship, love, heartbreak and overcoming fear.  It is a sweet, little Holiday read that will warm your heart.  A little hit chocolate for the soul, as only Susan Mallery can do! 

 Enjoy!!

Heading Back to Friday Harbor

Hey Everyone,

With the Highly Anticipated Release of Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas on February 28th, I am giving all My Tasty Readers a little Sneak Peak to satisfy your appetites until then.

Click Here: http://bit.ly/j5qdP8


Which cover is your favorite?? 

Leave a comment about why it's your favorite and if the cover of a book makes or breaks the book!!




I am one of "Lisa's Divas" - a group of select fans who share info & content related to Lisa's novels and get sneak peeks & swag in return.

Moist and Easy Pumpkin Muffins

Just made these muffins today and they are DELICIOUS! 

What you will need:
1 1/2 c. All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 c. Canned Pumpkin
1/3 c. Veggie Oil
2 Large Eggs
1 tsp. Pumpkin Spice
2 tsp. Cinnamon, Divided
pinch Nutmeg
1 1/4 c. Sugar, plus 1 tbsp separated
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt

Icing:
1 c. Confectioners Sugar
2 Tbsp. Hot Water (Not Boiling)
Vanilla

Directions: 
Oven 350 degrees, Rack in middle of the oven

1. Whisk together in large bowl, Pumpkin, Oil, Eggs, Pumpkin Spice, Nutmeg, 1 tsp. Cinnamon, Sugar, Baking Soda and Salt, until smooth.

2. In separate bowl, sift together Flour and Baking Powder, then add to the Pumpkin Mixture until combined.

3. Fill cupcake tins with paper muffin cups before filling 3/4 full of mixture.  Mix 1 tsp. Cinnamon and 1 tbsp. Sugar and sprinkle tops of muffins with mixture.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, but I found that 25 was a bit too long, try 22 minutes, but check middles with toothpick or fork.  Let them cool in the pans for a few minutes and them cool for about five minutes on a rack.

Recipe can make 22 Small Muffins or 12-18 Larger Muffins

If you are like me and enjoy a bit of sweet on top, here is an easy icing recipe to drizzle along the top of these warm muffins.

1. Mix the confectioners sugar with the hot water, add vanilla to taste.  Add drops of water to get the desired consistency.

2. Drizzle over muffins using a fork, and let the icing slide through the slits.  Give a minute or two to harden.

Then, ENJOY!!

Feisty Red-Head meets Rugged Cowboy

Against The Storm
Kat Martin
Released Oct 25th, 2011
400 Pages
Mira Publishing


Trace Rawlins has a thing for feisty red heads, but they all seem to have one thing in common, they can't be trusted, and Maggie O'Connell seems to be no different. Even if he does feel things he shouldn't be feeling every time she comes around. Maggie is being stalked. Notes on her car, hang up phone calls, but the police don't care. All they care about is a past mistake that makes her untrustworthy. Maggie need Trace's help, but can he put aside his personal feelings and help her find her stalker?

I hadn't read the first three books in the series by Kat Martin, but Against The Storm was a good stand alone book. To be honest, the book dragged slightly. By the middle of the book I didn't even care to find out who the stalker actually was. The suspense just didn't hold my interest, it was drawn out and no really exciting.

BUT, I will say that the CHEMISTRY between Trace and Maggie was OFF THE CHARTS HOTT!! I really enjoyed the love scenes between the two characters and was very much invested in seeing that things worked out between the two.

I also enjoyed the secondary relationship between Maggie's sister, Ashley and Traces' friend, Jason. Jason was such a sweetie and exactly what Ashley needed in her life. I liked that she took her time to fall for him and wouldn't just accept his money, that he was all too willing to give her. He respected her and loved her, but didn't push her into a serious relationship too soon!!

All in all, the book was OK. The suspense could have been better planned out, but Kat did a nice job on creating likable characters and a nice, descriptive story.

Lost Love......Found

Wanted by Her Lost Love
Pregnancy & Passion #2
Maya Banks
Released Nov 1st, 2011
192 Pages
Harlequin

When Ryan believes that Kelly has betrayed him, he writes her a check and tosses her out.  Kelly and her battered heart head to Texas to start a new life for her and her unborn child.  When Ryan finds her living in a shabby apartment and waitressing in a run down Diner, he vows to do whatever it takes to get her back to NY with him.  She wants nothing to do with the man who turned her away when she needed him the most.  Can these two lost loves find the love again that was lost between them?

What an emotional, heart wrenching experience.  I really enjoyed this book and was pulling for Ryan and Kelly from the first book of the series.  I really liked Ryan, even though he was a stubborn ass and couldn't see past the lies that his stupid-ass brother told.  He redeemed himself and became a protector, which was exactly what Kelly needed.  Kelly was a GREAT heroine.  Head-strong, nobody's gonna push me around kind of gal.  She left town and moved on, making the best of the life she was left with. 

My heart hurt for these two from the first chapter and I just wanted all the pain to be gone so they could love each other without all the past bullshit attached. 

Thank God Maya left us as she did, I would have been devastated if something happened to Kelly or the baby.  I hope to find out more about them in the next two installments of the Pregnancy and Passion series by Maya Banks.  We still have Dev and Cam's stories.......SO EXCITED!!!

OREO BALLS

This is one recipe that is ALWAYS a winner!!  The Oreo Balls are delicious and VERY rich!!  Almost like a truffle but soooooo much better.  My brother-in-law actually requests these every year for Christmas.....These are a true Holiday Hit!!  And SOOOOO easy to make.

You will need:

 8oz Package of Cream Cheese, Softened
18oz Package of Oreos
2 cups of chocolate chips, Milk, Dark, or White.
Sprinkles or any decorative topping of your choice

Directions:

1. Grind the entire package of Oreos together (whole cookie), until they look like coffee grounds

2. Mix cream cheese until fluffy, then add ground up oreo and mix together.  I suggest using your hands to really get a nice consistency.

3. Roll the dough into balls, 1-1 1/2 inch balls, place on cookie sheet covered in wax paper, then place the balls in the freezer for at least 2 hours.

4. In a double broiler, melt the chocolate, then using tooth picks dip the ENTIRE ball into the chocolate.  Then place back onto wax paper.  Make sure to decorate the balls before the chocolate hardens....unless you are drizzling another kind of chocolate, then wait until they harden slightly.

5. When finished dipping all of the Oreo balls, place them in the refrigerator for another 3-4 hours.  Should be able to make 3-4 dozen, depending on the size ball.

6. Remove from the fridge and ENJOY!! Just make sure you have PLENTY of MILK...you will need it for these decedent treats!!

Throwback Thursday

This Lullaby
Sarah Dessen
Released March 8th, 2004
345 Pages
Puffin Rublishing


When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?

This is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites by Sarah Dessen.  Not that I don't LOVE everything she has published, BUT This Lullaby just holds a special place in my heart.  It might be because Remy worked as a Salon Receptionist, and so am I.  Or it might have been Dexter.  Crazy, curly haired Dexter.  Who didn't fall a little in love with Dexter while reading the book. 

I loved how REAL Remy was.  A real teen with a crazy mother, a past she wasn't so proud of and a hard shell on the outside to keep away the reality of her feelings for Dexter, someone that she was starting to fall for. 

Don't want to give too much away...BUT if you have the chance to pick this one up, you won't be sorry!!

P.S. HATE SPINTERBAIT