CBLS Book Tour Review: Blind Lust W/Giveaway

Title: Blind Lust

Author: Annie Seaton

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Length: 21,000 words

Genres: Paranormal Romance

Available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Musa Publishing

Blurb:

A wager between the gods can change your life. Even if you are a witch…

When Venus has a wager with Cupid, that prudish librarian, Lizzy Sweet cannot be enticed to love, she neglects to tell her son that Lizzy is a three hundred year old witch. The first man Lizzy sees after Cupid shoots his arrow is Josh Deegan, a famous country and western singer who has come to town to rediscover his muse, in an old farmhouse haunted by a culinary ghost. Local warlock, Wesley Gordon, who has been hitting on Lizzy to no avail for over one hundred years, is not impressed. The quirky old folk of Silver Valley watch fondly as the battle between love and lust plays out. Leaden and golden arrows zing around, spells are magicked, potions stirred, and ghosts hunted. Who will fall in love and who will let the other go forever?

Excerpt :

“Do you believe in ghosts, Josh?” she asked quietly.

He laughed uneasily, shaking his head. “If you had asked me that a couple of days ago I would have said you were crazy, but honestly now I don’t know.”

“What about witches?” She paused. “Magic spells and potions?”

“Give me a break,” he said, running his fingers through his shaggy hair. She was silent as she gathered her thoughts.

 “You’ve been here for a week, haven’t you Josh?” she asked softly.

He nodded.

“Have you felt your Aunt Helen’s presence?”

He looked at her without answering and a strong gust of wind rattled the kitchen windows. The storm clouds scurried across the moon, the sky cleared and a shaft of moonlight shone through the kitchen window. Lizzy stood bathed in moonlight, the lace of the curtains fracturing the beam, and the power of the moon goddess entered her strengthening her will.

“Thank you, mother,” she breathed, her eyes closing as she let the power do its work. She stood motionless for a full minute.

“Lizzy, are you all right?” Josh sounded wary.

She stood tall and straight, holding her hand out to him. “It’s all right Josh, I’m sorry I upset you.”

He hesitated before crossing the kitchen and taking her hand. The look of adoration in his eyes sent sparks running along her nerve endings, all she needed was his touch. Closing her eyes, Lizzy focused on the power of the mother within, to resist succumbing to temptation once again.

Review: This was a short read, but very satisfying. It combines one part mythology with one part paranormal and the result is a super cute story that you will wish was just a little bit longer so you could spend more time with Josh, Lizzie and Wesley.

There was a lot of things to love about this story.

1. It is a unique plot: witches and cupid and Venus. Not a likely combination to appear in most stories.

2. A hot sexy country star and a librarian? Yeah this is great!

3. Did I mention the librarian was a witch? And she has a warlock friend that is hot for her?

4. There's a curse!

Anne manages to weave a story with all these things and then bring it to a conclusion that is more than satisfying, as well as a little surprising to the reader.

I read this one my computer, which is something I seldom do with ebooks, and I couldn't stop, even though I was getting a crick in my neck!

Definitely worth reading!

Rating: 5 stars

About the Author:

Annie Seaton lives on the beautiful east coast of Australia, where she loves sitting in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories. She has always been fascinated by all things historical and has found her niche writing contemporary romance and steampunk, where strong heroines and brooding heroes fight together to make their alternative world a better place.

Her debut novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March. The sequel Italian Affair is currently underway Watch out for the story of Tom and Brianna the sex therapist who spices up his life!

Winter of the Passion Flower was released through Lyrical Press at the same time. Currently immersed in the creation of Book Two, a full length novel, the adventures of Sofia and her Scottish laird, Annie is already looking forward to the rest of the series, particularly the adventures of Indigo’s four boys: Jago and Jory, Ruan and Kit. Strong sassy heroines and rebellious heroes have a rollicking good time as they work to make the world a better place--albeit their own steampunk world.

Blind Lust, a paranormal novella will be released by Musa Publishing on 15^th June.

Annie lives with her husband, and ‘Bob’ the dog and two white cats, in a house next to the beach in a small coastal town of New South Wales. Their two children are grown and married and she loves spending time gardening, walking on the beach and spoiling her two grandchildren.

Website: http://annieseatonromance.com

Blog: http://annieseaton.blogspot.com

Twitter: @annieseaton26

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/annieseaton26

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Breaking The Unbroken

I'm attempted to use the new blogger interface, AGAIN.

I tried it when they first introduced it a few months ago, and I have to say, it sucks.

It messes up posts, it argues with me and it generally makes me swear a lot.

I don't know what it is about companies that feel the need to upgrade services that aren't broken. Facebook does it all the time. I hate Facebook. I'm about done with it.

Why did they have to change blogger?

Now it does freaky things to my template. Things that make me want to beat the living crap out of the computer, and it isn't even the computer's fault.

I understand the need to update things, but why change them completely when the system is working?

Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Cake

This is a pretty simple ice cream cake. There are only 5 ingredients needed.

15 Oreo cookies
1 tub of Cool whip (Any variety you desire)
Enough ice cream to cover the crushed cookies
Chocolate syrup
Your choice of nuts (this is also optional)

For my b-day ice cream cake I chose Double Stuff Oreos, which I had a great time beating up. The sandwich bag died before they crumbled. (Note to the wise, don't pulverize too much or you won't have a good crust)

Spray the 8 x 11 pan with butter spray and add your crushed Oreos. Then place in the freezer for ten minutes so that it firms up.

Next is the ice cream. Make sure it has melted a little so that it spreads with ease. My choice was Black Raspberry Chip by Breyers:

The best way to cover the cookie crust is by using an ice cream scoop. About 7 sizable scoops will cover the cookies nicely.  Then spread it out evenly with a spatula.   When you have the ice cream spread over the cookies you can then add your chocolate syrup and peanuts. I used Hershey's syrup and a store brand of Honey Roasted Peanuts that I chopped up.

The dessert will really be looking pretty now.

                                    

Cover with foil and freeze for a few hours so that the ice cream hardens. Then you cover the ice cream, chocolate and nuts with Cool Whip and more crushed Oreos. Return to the freezer for several hours before serving.

The finished dessert will look like this.

Taste Of Home Rocks

My mother collects cookbooks and food related magazines. Most people get excited about the Pillsbury recipe books, but not me. I love Taste Of Home and the other offshoots, like Quick Cooking and Simple and Delicious.

Most of the recipes I make come from these magazines.

Why?

Because they make things that are easy and tasty and that's what I like.

Today I made a Colby Jack Meatloaf and Golden Potatoes. The original meatloaf recipe called for Pepper Jack cheese, but my dad has a sensitive stomach so I used the less spicy Jack cheese. Both recipes are winners.

Where do you find your best recipes?

CBLS Guest Post: Cege Smith

Today Cege Smith is guest posting here at Wenches! Let's give Cege a warm Wenches welcome!

Hollywood Calls

When we authors are supposed to be writing, frequently we find ourselves partaking in a much more passive activity: daydreaming. Something that can be very fun to daydream about is getting the call from some bigshot Hollywood producer that they want to make your book into a movie. It can happen. Hugh Howey recently scored a movie deal with Ridley Scott. (That announcement coincided with a huge spike in author daydreaming by the way).

If I got the call someone in Hollywood that they wanted to make the Shadows series into a couple of mega-blockbusters, I’d probably listen with half an ear. Okay, let’s be realistic. I’d be passed out on the floor with shock. After I came to and picked myself back up off the floor, I’d listen to what they’d have to say.

I think the biggest concern I’d have would be how they’d want to change things in effort to appease the masses. Because as flattered as I would be, I know one thing for certain: I have NEVER seen a movie that’s been as good as the book. It’s hard to crunch all the crucial elements of a story into a two-hour timeframe. So some things get skipped, some get modified, and some things change altogether.

Here’s how I think it could go down:

Although the movie producers love the idea of having Edge of Shadows (Shadows #1) based in Minnesota, they’d convince me that it was best to shoot the exterior shots of the haunted Bradford mansion using an old southern plantation home. I’d give in because I would negotiate in a plane ticket for me to see the filming and that would feed my obsession with old mansions.

Ellie Coulter, my main character, is a thirty-something divorcee who is finding out that she has a pretty significant destiny. The producers would tell me that the movie would be more popular if we made Ellie a twenty-something whose boyfriend had just dumped her instead. I’d acquiesce on the plot deviation only when they agreed to cast Kate Beckinsale as Ellie. She’s the right age for Ellie’s character in the book, but she’s got features that could lead viewers to believe she’s younger. Plus she’s gorgeous.

Ellie’s feelings for David Mitchell, the doctor who romances her, is a key subplot in the series. Her feelings for him are immediate and intense. She sacrifices everything for him to keep him safe, even though he doesn’t realize it at the time. Although I do create the possibility of a love triangle with the villain, Mikel, in Shadows Deep (Shadows #2), there is no doubt that Ellie is David’s perfect match. To give the movie the proper amount of romantic tension, the producers would push to increase the attraction that Ellie has to Mikel. I would be okay with that as long as they maintained the integrity of Ellie’s feelings for David. Those run strong and deep, and shouldn’t be called into question.

At the end of the day, I understand that Hollywood requires some creative freedom to push angles and storylines that they think will make the movie more appealing to a greater number of viewers. But the important thing for me is always staying true to my characters and their stories. So while I may be willing to compromise on some things, I would want to make sure that what readers love about the series is still intact.

That’s probably why I would never completely sign over my rights to Hollywood. Somebody has to watch over my characters and the best person to do that is me. Of course, this is all just my daydream. Back to writing!

Book Info:

Title: Shadows Deep (Shadows, Part II)

Author: Cege Smith

Publisher: Self

Length: 70,000 words

Genres: Horror, Paranormal (Non-Romance)

Available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Blurb:

Ellie Coulter made a deal with the devil, and now it’s time to pay the price. Little did she know, the shadows that have swirled around her life since her parents’ death were not a coincidence. As Ellie's destiny is revealed, it comes with the knowledge that her fate is the lynchpin in a far larger, and more dangerous game. And the one who found her has no intention of ever letting her go.

Ellie walks a fine line between keeping up the appearance of acceptance while gathering the information she needs to escape. Along the way, she has to decide who to trust and that includes the man she loves.  As facts give way to lies, Ellie begins to question everything.

With her true intentions on the verge of being discovered, Ellie must find a way to defeat her captor before she becomes a shadow herself.

Excerpt:

Letting go was one of the hardest things a person could ever do. Ellie knew that. What happened when she let go of the idea that reality as she knew it was merely a cover on a rabbit hole? She had willingly taken the cover off and fallen down into the unknown darkness. She’d surrendered. Somehow it felt easier that way. But the Voice kept picking at her even though she was deep in her hidey hole. It wouldn’t leave her alone.

“What was it like for you when your parents died?”

Ellie had answered some variation of that question what seemed like a million times over the years, but her response always paled in comparison to the effect of that one event on the rest of her life. How could she explain the depth of pain she felt when the two people who she loved most were ripped out of her life? Or the excruciating, almost debilitating sense of loneliness that followed when she finally comprehended that she was completely alone in the world?

“I was eight,” Ellie replied. “I had no other family. One minute I was surrounded by love. In the blink of an eye I was an orphan. What do you think it was like?” No one could understand what she had been through, and eventually she gave up trying to explain. Her parents’ death was just something that happened to her a long time ago. Ellie preferred to leave that buried there.

“I am sure it was difficult. But you obviously learned to cope, even thrive.”

“Thrive isn’t the word I’d choose,” Ellie said. “I learned how to survive. Eventually I learned ways to be happy again, but I did that on my own. I never felt like I belonged anywhere again.”

The Voice was silent for a while and Ellie was relieved. When it wasn’t poking at her, the darkness was peaceful. Ellie was used to being alone.

“Tell me about your ability. You’ve linked that to your parents’ death.”

Ellie was tired of the questions. They had covered the same ground over and over again. But it was like the Voice was missing some nuance, and so it all started again. Combing through her life. Looking for clues. “I noticed it the first time at the funeral. I was standing there in the cemetery, looking at their caskets, with the social worker beside me. I kept looking around for more people, but it was just the three of us: me, the social worker, and the minister. And then I noticed that the longer the minister spoke, the more these colors seemed to grow out of him. It didn’t make any sense at the time. The colors were deep purple and blue and they got more vivid every time he made eye contact with me. It scared the hell out of me. I didn’t know what to do.”

A familiar cloud of sadness fell over her thoughts as she remembered that lost little girl. “When the service was over, I wanted to kick and scream and lash out. I wanted to push over those caskets because I convinced myself they were empty and it was some elaborate hoax. Any minute they would appear to take me home. But it wasn’t a hoax. My parents raised me to think that showing emotion in public wasn’t ladylike, so as desperately as I wanted to throw a tantrum, I knew they wouldn’t approve. I looked at the social worker and she had a glow of white tinged with yellow around her. Even though I didn’t know what it meant, the colors were soothing. I had to accept that I was left with nothing but this woman to take care of me. I was naive and automatically assumed that she was kind and that she’d be good to me.”

“She wasn’t?”

Ellie sighed. “After twenty-five years of reading auras, I know now that she was indifferent. She probably saw a dozen kids just like me every week. Her aura meant that she was at peace and even slightly happy, but it had nothing to do with me. I was part of her job, and while I was watching my parents be buried, she was probably thinking about getting a manicure or going home and having a glass of wine. Me, I had no home left.”

“You went into foster care.”

“Yes, and in foster care I stayed until I applied for emancipation when I was sixteen.” She remembered the day that the court approved her request. It had been bittersweet.

“Your ability must have been advantageous in that kind of hostile environment.”

“If you mean it helped keep me out of trouble, then probably it did. But I was always a good kid. I studied hard, got decent grades, and generally stayed out of everyone’s way.  I never gave my foster families any reason to really concern themselves with me. I wanted to be invisible. I was pretty good at it,” Ellie said. She had closed herself off from anyone who tried to reach her. It was a defense mechanism that worked well. Perhaps too well.

“Until you met Veronica.”

A face flashed in Ellie’s mind. A pretty blond with infectious laughter. Whereas her parents’ faces had faded over time, Roni’s was vivid and seemed so real that Ellie almost thought her friend was there with her in the darkness.

“Roni just wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Ellie said. “She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. And for some reason she wanted to be my friend. I owe her a lot.” It was strange talking about Veronica. Those memories were under strict lock and key for a reason.

About the Author:

Cege Smith is a Minnesota based writer who is addicted to lattes and B-rated horror films. She had been crafting spooky stories since she was twelve years old. She lives with her husband, two adorable stepsons, and mini long-hair dachshund, Juliet in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

Blog: http://www.cegesmith.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cegesmith

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cegesmith

VBT SCHEDULE:
Jun 1: Hardcover Feedback (Giveaway/Interview)
Jun 2: Young Adult Novel Reader (Guest Post)
Jun 3: Natalie-Nicole Bates (Guest Post)
Jun 4: Lindsays Scribblings (Guest Post/Review)
Jun 5: The Other Shelf (Interview)
Jun 6: She Who Blogs Behind the Rows (Guest Post)
Jun 7: Mama Knows Books (Guest Post)
Jun 8: Full Moon Bites (Guest Post)
Jun 9: Harlie's Book Blog (Guest Post)
Jun 10: House Millar (Guest Post)
Jun 12: Curse of the Bibliophile (Interview)
Jun 13: Luna's Lair (Guest Post)
Jun 14: Sandra's Blog (Book Feature)
Jun 15: Books N Beans (Giveaway)
Jun 16: Ramblings From This Chick (Guest Post)
Jun 17: The Bunny's Review (Interview)
Jun 18: ReadingDiva's Blog (Guest Post)
Jun 19: Cece Reading and Writing Safari (Guest Post)
Jun 20: Bornean Bookworm Reads (Guest Post)
Jun 21: Reading on the Wild Side (Interview)
Jun 22: Black Hippie Chick's Take on Books & the World (Guest Post/Review)
Jun 23: Cocktails and Books (Guest Post)
Jun 24: The Certifiable Wenches (Guest Post)
Jun 25: I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read! (Guest Post)
Jun 26: Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Guest Post)
Jun 27: House Millar (Interview)
Jun 28: Paranormal Romantic Suspense (Giveaway/Guest Post)
Jun 29: Everyone Loves A SiNner (Review)
Jun 30: Kacey's Konnections (Book Feature)

More Tour Info: CBLS Promotions

CBLS Book Review w/Guest Post: The Last Of His Kind

Title: The Last of His Kind
Author: Alexandra Stewart
Publisher: Self
Length: 188 pages
Genres: Paranormal Erotic Romantic Suspense
Available at: Amazon
Blurb: When Vanessa Morrow bumps into gentle hunk Christopher at the grocery store, she never expects a pleasant exchange of words to blossom into a steaming night of passion. But in Christopher, she finds not just a blisteringly hot sexual partner, she finds herself drawn into a war she never knew existed, and hunted by a man who will stop at nothing to catch his prey, even if it means putting her -- and everyone she holds dear -- in the line of fire.

Steamy, fast-paced, and powerful, this debut by a fresh new voice in romantic fiction is sure to thrill.

Excerpt:
She looked away, back over her shoulder at the bags on the counters. Laying a hand on a box of cereal, she said, “This is always the worst part about coming home from the grocery store, isn’t? You have all these things to put away, but by the time you finally get home they’re the last thing on your mind.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” She looked back at him. He was standing closer. After a moment of watching her eyes, he said, “Especially today.”

“Oh?”

“They’re the last thing on my mind.”

She tore herself away from his gaze to look down at her ruined blouse. “I need to change out of this thing.”

“Let me help you.”

She reached for the bottom hem of the blouse at the exact moment he did, and again she felt the soft skin of his hand against her own, felt the thrill it sent through her, and this time she didn’t pull away from it. She held the hand and looked up at him.

He was so close. She could feel the heat of his body, the moist breath of his mouth.

She looked into his eyes, unblinking, as she squeezed his hand, slowly, down the waistband of her pants, under the black silk of her underwear.

Review: When I was reading this book, I was seriously wondering if I were reading a Harlequin Nocturne. And yes, that is a good thing. That meant the romantic element of the book is strong. Christopher and Vanessa really clicked for me.

I really liked the description of their meeting in the grocery store. It was hard to pinpoint what kind of paranormal creature he was going to be at first. The book blurb wasn't giving much away.

When I found out the creature was a werewolf, I was really excited. I'm getting pretty tired of vampires. Plus Christopher comes across really well in the story, both as a human and as a wolf. He's accepting of his nature.

Plus the war between his kind and the hunter, Luther had a real Van Helsing kind of feel which I really loved. The book moved at a fairly fast pace, which kept me turning the pages. The back story on how the war between Christopher and Luther's family was a great one, and helped tie everything together.

I also liked how Vanessa's family figured into the story and became part of the war.

Definitely a great paranormal beach read with some pretty steamy sex scenes as well.

Rating: 4 out of 5

About the Author:
Alexandra Stewart is an author from rural Washington State, now living in Texas with her husband and four dogs. The Last of His Kind is her first novel. She can be reached at alexandrastewartauthor@gmail.com

Guest Post:

When I began work on my debut novel, "The Last of His Kind," I wanted to see if it was possible to push the boundaries of the romance genre in a small way, playing a bit, perhaps, with readers' expectations, while still staying true to what I felt to be the roots of the form: capable heroine, mysterious hero, danger, and resolution. I wanted, moreover, to write the book in such a way that it would read well for a variety of people: those looking action, those looking for romance, those looking for paranormal thrills, and those looking for erotic sex scenes. Moreover, I aimed for a one-sitting read, something that pulled its reader through its 50,000 words without drawing attention to itself. Finally, I was curious to see what sort of balance I could strike between its three main characters, or, in other words, see if it was possible to make the reader care not just for the female protagonist, but for her troubled love interest AND for the villain pursuing them.

To achieve this, I thought a great deal about structure, something which is often foregone in exchange for plot. Plot, as I see it, is merely a series of events; it's what you have left when you strip away all of the description and ideas and words of the book. It's the events of the story: this happened, then this happened, then this happened. In some books, very little happens, and yet the reader feels as though they've experienced a great deal; in other books, lots of events take place, and yet when the book closes, the reader remembers nothing. The former is a book that is interested in more than its plot; the latter is a book too interested in its clever story to show the reader anything else. While clever stories are all well and good, they often take on the quality of a news ticker: "Man shot. Wife finds killer. Son travels to Bangladesh. Daughter falls in love." These are all evocative ideas, but without anything surrounding them, we have no reason to care about these things: why was the man shot? How did his wife find the killer? What compelled their son to travel to Bangladesh? Is their daughter ready to fall in love?

The first step to alleviating the dryness of a plain plot is characterizing a book's protagonists; by making us feel that these fictional people are in some way real, and by allowing us to relate things in our own life to things experienced by these blocks of words on a page (or screen). There has already been a great deal of good writing done on how the shapes of people present in books can be made to feel real or dynamic.

Structure, however, is less discussed, especially in romance circles. For a book to have structure, it has to fit together in such a way that events, even those that seem most random, resonate with one another; things that are referenced in a certain part of the book are echoed in a similar part; ideas are developed in a pattern that makes sense to the reader, even if such ideas are purely subliminal. In short, the structure of a piece is everything happening "under the surface" of the description and dialogue and scenes that make up the action of the book.

So I would ask you to read my book "The Last of His Kind" and tell me if you see the structure at work that I tried to build. Hopefully, it lends the novel a momentum to keep you reading, while leaving you feeling satisfied by the finale. My email is alexandrastewartauthor@gmail.com; if you read my book, then definitely tell me what you think. I hope you enjoy it.

A

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Movie Review: Mirror Mirror

Blurb: One of the world's most beloved fairy tales takes a hilarious turn in this fresh, exciting film starring Oscar Winner Julia Roberts. After she spends all her money, an evil enchantress queen (Roberts) schemes to marry a handsome, wealthy prince (The Social Network's Armie Hammer). There's just one problem - he's in love with a beautiful princess, Snow White (Lily Collins, The Blind Side).javascript:void(0) So, the sinister queen banishes Snow White from her own kingdom! Now, joined by seven rebellious dwarves, Snow White launches an epic battle of good vs. evil in this funny, magical movie that the whole family will love.

Review: This has been the year of Snow White! First with Once Upon A Time and now with Mirror, Mirror. The two women starring in the film are perfect, Julia Roberts as the wicked Queen and Lilly Collins (daughter of Genesis frontman, Phil Collins) as Snow White. You can't get much better than this. Plus Lilly really is the image of Audrey Hepburn.

Now this take on the Snow White legend isn't what you've read in fairy tales. The seven dwarves are definitely not the Dopey, Sneezy, Grumpy variety, but they are a hoot and a half.

Nathan Lane is another great addition to the cast, playing the right hand man to the Wicked Queen. He's not evil though, and you know his loyalties really lie with Snow White!

Then there's Prince Charming. He's the only ho hum character here. He's easy on the eyes, but his part is a little lack luster. He's upstaged by just about everyone here. In fact, it is really hard to figure out why Snow White even wants him.

But all that aside this was a fun movie to watch, and Lily's song at the end, I Believe In Love is quite fun to listen to.

Rating: Worth Redboxing

CBLS Book Review: The Gift w/Giveaway

Author: V.S. Morgan
Title: The Gift
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publish Date: May 15, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: CBLS Book Tours & the author
Book Blurb: At 22, rancher Wyatt Malone sacrificed almost everything, including the Dom he served and loved, to raise his younger brothers. Now, with the ranch running well, his grown up siblings surprise him with a trip to a Caribbean paradise and a date from Madame Evangeline's 1Night Stand. Taking his courage in hand, he fills out an application that bares his soul for a single night of surrender to a nearly forgotten passion.

Rafael is a Dom without a sub. His desires exceed the available men in the dungeon he frequents and memories of rejected love keep him aloof. Can the submission of a Montana cowboy free him or will the date be nothing more than another meaningless scene?

Excerpt:
Rafael blotted his mouth with his napkin and placed it on the table. Wyatt set his fork down and waited. The old familiar energy pulsed between them. Heat zipped through his groin, and he shifted in his seat as his erection pressed against his jeans.

“Wyatt, you asked Madame Eve for a Dominant for one night.” Rafael slid a keycard on the table between them. “If you accept my invitation to play, you will take this card and be in my suite, ready, in fifteen minutes.”

Without hesitation, he reached over and grasped it. When his wrist was grabbed, tugging him forward, Wyatt braced his free hand on the table and accepted Rafael’s lips. At first they brushed, a tease, and then the kiss became a sensual play of tongues. His heart pounded at the taste of curry and tequila. He twirled his tongue around the other man’s and groaned. Rafael’s lips trailed across his jaw and down his neck, stubble scraping across sensitive skin, creating a rasp of pleasure that flowed all the way down his spine.

The Dom followed it with a nip on the bottom lip and then pulled back, twisting Wyatt’s wrist slightly to glance at his watch. Rafael released him and leaned back with a wicked grin. Wyatt’s heart raced.

“You now have thirteen minutes.”

About the Author:
V.S. Morgan has lived all over the United States but now calls Minnesota home. She incorporates her travels and experiences into her stories whenever possible. V.S. dreamed of becoming an author from the tender age of eleven after snagging one of her mom’s Harlequins. She writes contemporary, suspense, and paranormal m/m with heart and heat. “The Gift” is her debut publication. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Rainbow Romance Writers and Kiss of Death chapters. When not writing, V.S. is playing with her dogs, practicing Kempo Karate, and reading lots of erotic romance.

Email: vs_morgan@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.vsmorgan@yahoo.com
Facebook: V.S. Morgan
Twitter: @vsmorgan1

Review:  The Gift is part of the One Night Stand series, but the encounter between Wyatt and Rafael isn't really a one night stand, even though it was arranged to be that way.

I have to say that this is the first guy on guy erotic story that I've read and I wasn't sure what to expect. There's not a lot of erotica that really impresses me, but I found myself liking this story. And with only 34 pages, you can read it pretty quickly.

I liked that there were no stereotypes when it came to both men. I also liked that Wyatt's brothers were very accepting of his sexual preference.

When it came to the sex, it was hot and steamy, but with a touch of romance, and considering this was a BDSM story, that's not an easy accomplishment.

My only complaint is in the length of the story. 34 pages isn't enough. I would have liked some more of Wyatt and Rafael's backstory. There is some in the story, but it just isn't enough for me.

This was a great bedside read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Book Trailer: 




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Italian Meatballs and Peppers

This recipe is super easy to make in the crockpot and really cheap for those of you on a budget. I found it an old Rival Crockpot Cookbook

Ingredients:

2 Cans of Italian Diced tomatoes (Save A Lot and Aldi both make these at less of a cost then the national brands)
1 can 6 oz of tomato paste
1 lb frozen meatballs (I love the Save A Lot meatballs..and they are about a dollar for 7 oz)
1 package frozen peppers. (I use pepper stirfry)

All of these get put in the crock pot and heated on low for about 6-8 hours.

The meatballs and sauce can be served over your favorite noodle, or over rice or on a good bun. The result is an economical, tasty meal that will leave you with some leftovers for the next day.

Andrea's Super Spicy Chicken Chili

This is my recipe so it is subject to change the next time you make it.

Ingredients:

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into small pieces
2 cans of tomatoes with chilis (You can probably use a big jar of medium salsa if you don't like the heat from the chilis)
2 cans of tomato soup
1 can black beans
1 can Northern beans
A heaping handful of frozen chopped onion.
1/2 medium green pepper.
1 cap full of vegetable oil
1 tsp chili seasoning  (If you don't like it hot, omit or use chili powder)

Directions

In a pot with oil, brown the chicken until it is no longer pink with onions and peppers. (approx 10 minutes)
Add tomatoes and soup and let simmer for 5 minutes
Add beans and continue to simmer. 15-20 minutes.

Serve with sour cream and cheese for topping.

Movie Review: What's Your Number

Blurb: Anna Faris and Chris Evans star in the outrageously funny comedy that asks: can 19 wrongs make Mr. Right? When Ally Darling (Faris) reads an article that leads her to believe she's going to be alone forever, she begins a wild search to find the best "ex" of her life. But Ally's quest to reconnect with her former lovers goes hilariously awry, from a puppeteer who's more wooden than his puppet to a gynecologist with a "spotty" memory. Through it all, Ally might just find the man of her dreams in the last place she ever expected.

Review: This movie is cheesy and raunchy. Much like Bridesmaids but not nearly as funny. It is cute and it does have some laugh out loud moments, but you still only have one thought while letting Ally Darling into your life for an hour and a half, WHAT A FREAKING HO!

She's not even thirty and she's slept with 19 guys.

Yeah.

And when she reads an article about anyone having more than 20 not ever finding "true love" she starts going back through her ex's to see if she's missed "Mr. Right"

Ho hum!

But even if the plot is a little exasperating at times, you will be laughing especially at some of the situations she gets into with her exes.

What bugs me though, is how all these little pretty perfect chickies are all fired from their jobs, but can still live in perfect gorgeous NYC apartments because their family is super wealthy.

GAH!

But I remind myself it is a Romcom and it isn't supposed to be intelligent, plus her neighbor Colin (Chris Evans) is freaking hot and always running around with very few clothes on in the hallway!

Glad I didn't see in the theater, but for a couple of bucks for the rental, it was good.

A Healthy Spaghetti Pie

Since my mother's been out of the hospital, we've been trying to find recipes that will work for her heart condition, as well as her diabetes, that still have flavor. I've been combing all sorts of recipe books to see what we can make that's healthy and tasty.

Today I found a great recipe in an old Light and Tasty magazine. It is for Spaghetti Pie. The original recipe can be found here I made a few changes.

Ingredients



1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup canned diced tomatoes, undrained Italian style works best, as it has basil and oregano
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup fat-free cottage cheese (enough to spread across the pie)
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a nonstick skillet, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, garlic powder, sugar and pepper; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the spaghetti, butter, egg whites and Parmesan cheese. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate coated with cooking spray. Top with cottage cheese and beef mixture.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and filling is heated through. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Yield: 6 servings.

The Wenches Have Gone AWOL

It has been a rough week or so for this Wench. My mom was in the hospital til Wednesday. Then when she came home, I promptly took a spill down the stairs and sprained my ankle.

So things have been a bit crazy here.

But don't worry..this wench will be back.

I will have a few movie reviews coming up over the weekend and probably some other snarky commentary. But I am alive! Just barely!

The Fangirl in Me Wants This So Badly!

I've been a sucker for The Phantom Of The Opera for about 20 years now!

I went to Miss Bohemia's site and saw the necklace and I let out a squeal of delight.

Then a sigh of anguish, because right now I don't have any extra money for this.

I definitely don't have $25.00 for it.

~big sigh~

But isn't it gorgeous?

Can't you just see Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman?

And the organ...

Dun....dun dun dun dun dun....

I love me some Phantom!

Movie Review: One For The Money

Blurb: A film based on the incredibly popular Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, One for the Money reveals an unexpectedly versatile Katherine Heigl. This model-turned-actress is best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey's Anatomy and for starring in various lighthearted romantic comedies, but here Heigl takes on the meaty role of Plum, a laid-off lingerie buyer who turns bondswoman in a desperate attempt to pay the rent and put food on the table. Heigl is surprisingly believable as a blue-collar working girl who thinks fast on her feet and is not afraid to throw herself into the middle of even the most dangerous situation--especially if it means getting what she wants. Of course, Stephanie's impulsiveness manages to get her into all sorts of awkward and potentially life-threatening situations. Throw in her desire for payback against an old boyfriend, a sleazy cousin, a gang of ruthless criminals, a couple of most unexpected allies, and a quirky family who can think of little more than setting her up with a good husband, and you've got an enticing blend of drama, action, and comedy. Debbie Reynolds is quite funny as Grandma Mazur, Daniel Sunjata makes a great Ranger, and there's definitely a nice chemistry between Heigl and Jason O'Mara. Bonus features include an 11-minute making-of featurette, a 10-minute look at some real-life "bond girls," a gag reel, and one deleted scene.

Review: I really expected this film to be awful, but surprisingly enough, it wasn't. Katherine Heigl really looks like what I'd imagine Stephanie Plum to look like. (Sandra Bullock would have been a better choice, but hey, you can't win them all). I was pretty ok with the casting, except for Ranger. Daniel Sunjata may look the part...and that was debatable, but he didn't fit the part. I think he spoke too much. Anyone that's read the books knows that Ranger is a man of few words most of them are "babe."

I loved Jason O'Mara's Morelli. Who would have thought an Irishmen could play an Italian so well? Maybe it is because he's so damn sexy. I loved him in Life On Mars.

The things that bothered me about this film were more the little things, like not using Grandma enough in the film. Heck, Stephanie's whole family felt like they were put on the back burner, not to mention Lula! Though Lula wasn't a huge fixture in the first book.

Still, I found it enjoyable enough to pass the time. There were enough laughs and a few cars getting blown up to remind me how much I love Stephanie Plum and Janet Evanovich!

Movie Review: We Bought A Zoo

Blurb: Though adapted from a memoir by a British journalist, We Bought a Zoo feels entirely like a Cameron Crowe film, with clear parallels to previous crowd-pleasers like Jerry Maguire. Crowe introduces Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon in a role that recalls his Contagion character) six months after the death of his wife. Since everything reminds him of her, the California columnist decides to make a change, starting with a new location. His realtor (Curb Your Enthusiasm's J.B. Smoove), brother (Sideways' Thomas Haden Church), and sullen teenage son (Colin Ford) try to talk him out of it, but Mee falls in love with a country manor that comes with a strange stipulation: the tenant must manage the zoo that accompanies the property. With his daughter's blessing, Mee takes the plunge. Fortunately, he inherits an experienced staff, including MacCready (Angus MacFadyen), Robin (Patrick Fugit), Lily (Elle Fanning), and Kelly (Scarlett Johansson, lovely as ever in her least glamorous role to date). Mee's road to reinvention offers few surprises, but Damon makes him a sympathetic figure who finds the same kind of support system among the park personnel that Fugit's Almost Famous writer found in the rock world, except Mee's relationships have more staying power.

Review: This movie was just so darn good. I've never seen a film with Matt Damon! I know, how did that happen? But this is definitely a good way to see him at his best or at least most human.

He felt very real as the widower of two young children, trying to make a change in his life. Things aren't easy for him without his wife. The cast is superb, a perfect blend of quirky and smart. Then there are the animals. For the most part, they take a back seat to the action in the story, except for Spar, the old tiger with failing kidneys.

Yes, that is the movie's cry moment. You know there had to be one. All feel good films have them. It makes you love them more for some reason.

So yeah, the tiger will have you crying your eyes out, but don't worry, it is a feel good movie and that means everything works out in the end, and that's not so bad.

This movie has plenty of laugh out loud moments, especially with Benjamin's daughter, who is just too darn cute.

Definitely a good weekend movie! And one I wouldn't mind watching a second time.

Stacey Kennedy's Making Us Beg For It!

Stacey Kennedy's Pact of Seduction 2: Beg for It
ISBN: 978-1-61118-685-7
Genre: BDSM Contemporary
Length: Novella
Series: Pact of Seduction; Previous Book: Bind Me

The Pact of Seduction has one rule: fulfill your ultimate fantasy. Bella’s problem, she can’t live up to her vow. But her failure spins events that lead her into unknown territory. Kole, a Dom at the sex club Castle Dolce Vita, wasn’t part of her fantasy, but he’s about to show her he should have been.

Kole is more than willing to introduce Bella to BDSM since he’s held an interest in her for some time. But the feisty woman isn’t easily tamed and her strong personality proves to be difficult. While she might be determined to keep him at a distance, Kole has other ideas. He won’t allow her to shut him out.

A pact between best friends brought them together, emotional barriers tear them apart. Kole skillfully reminds Bella through pleasure and punishment that she is now his submissive, and her place is under his command.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements.


Cover Art by Valerie Tibbs

Summer Music

There's something about summer and music. It is a great time for really getting into some new music. Or rather new to me music.

So I'm trying to fill at least one of my mp3 players with the perfect summer playlist.

I'm sure it will be eclectic, because thanks to Duets, I have two new musical obsessions, John Legend and Robin Thicke!

Oye

So now I have to figure out if I want to redo my shuffle for summer or my Zen.

Decisions, decisions, but one thing is for sure, there's going to be come interesting sounds on it for the warm months ahead.

I want a mixture of everything, classic rock, pop, country, r&b!

So what's on your summer playlist?

Bad Reviews....Why They Suck

I'm a firm believer in rating books the way you want. Posting all shiny happy reviews isn't always a good thing. I know people that do that, and I'm fine with that, but if everyone did that, well, that almost feels like lying, or at least withholding evidence.

What I don't like are bad reviews where people bad mouth an author...or just come across as childish. I read one for a cozy mystery where the reviewer was going on about how she never would have read the book if she knew the author had written for Harlequin.

Dang...narrow-minded much?

I wonder how many people know how many great authors started out writing for them? Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz and Debbie Macomber.

But my point is this, if you are writing a review that is less than 3 stars you should give reasons for it. Support why you didn't like it. Don't sound like a petulant child.

Bad reviews suck for the author and other readers when they aren't written well. If you are posting something on the internet, on a blog or website...other people are going to read it, and possibly make decisions about a book as a result.

I'm not saying not to write a bad review, but dang it, offer some evidence as to why you didn't like it that relates to the book.

Movie Review: The Woman In Black

Blurb: Fans of classically structured haunted house/ghost stories will relish the skillfully unnerving chain of events in The Woman in Black, whether or not they're fans of Harry Potter. The good new is that Daniel Radcliffe leaves Harry behind for good in his first post-Potter role. Radcliffe plays Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor tasked with resolving the affairs of a recently deceased woman and her brooding estate in the gloom of the remote Victorian England-era village of Crythin Gifford. The mood is melancholic all around, starting with Kipps himself, who lost his wife to childbirth a few years earlier. His employer has had just about enough of his moping about and gives him the assignment as a last resort to save his job. When he arrives in the small village, the icy response he receives does not bode well for successful completion of his mission. All the townspeople want him gone, and possibly for good reason. Many of their children have died mysteriously gruesome deaths that they blame on the titular black-clad woman whose own child was tragically sucked to his death in the muck surrounding her seaside mansion. This new stranger who wants to unearth the deadly secrets trapped in the decrepit old house is a threat they cannot abide, and sure enough the deaths keep on coming as he delves deeper into the dark recesses of the house and the history of its ghostly occupant. There are scares aplenty in The Woman in Black, and they come from a genuineness that relies on creep-outs rather than gross-outs. Faces in windows, apparitions barely there, slow-building moodiness that suddenly erupts into a silent scream (or sometimes not so silent) make for an extremely effective and often terribly unnerving atmosphere of dread. The movie comes with several impressive pedigrees as well. It's based on a popular novel published in the early '80s, which was also adapted into a long-running hit play. The movie additionally resurrects the Hammer Films brand, an esteemed British production company that churned out moody and distinctive horror films and exploitive psycho-thrillers for decades in the mid 20th century. Indeed, the presence of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee seems to lurk around every dusty, cobwebbed corner in The Woman in Black, right behind the slamming doors and only just glimpsed in the flickering candlelight. Radcliffe is perfect for the role of a heartbroken man whose rationality is stretched to the point of no return by the things he may or may not be seeing. Several strong supporting performances add to the gravitas, especially Ciarán Hinds as a kindred soul and father figure to Kipps, and perhaps the only other rational man in Crythin Gifford.

Review: This is a classic gothic style film. If Scooby Doo were around he would have been saying, "Spooky, spooky, spooky." from the minute he arrives in a small village. Daniel Radcliffe's Arthur Kipps is a perfect tortured soul. His wife died in childbirth leaving him with his newborn son. The boy playing his son is so cute it is disgusting, assuming you can tear your eyes from Radcliffe, who no longer looks like Harry Potter. Nope Daniel is shockingly good-looking these days, and it is hard not stare at those clear blue eyes, because the camera seems to spend a lot of time on his face.

One thing I noticed about this film, it spends more time with visual than with dialogue.  Radcliffe's best moments are when he's not speaking, just when he's hunting down strange sounds at the mansion.  The Woman is Black is really creepy. Not scary or gory like most horror/thrillers, just creepy. Lots of foggy marshland, dark hallways, things going bump in the night, that sort of spooky.

The film does a good of illustrating what happened to the woman, and how she came to be haunting the mansion, but most will have some questions as to why she's luring the local children to their deaths. I guess to figure that out I'll have to read the book. This is one of the first times when I've opted to see the film first.

I have to commend Marco Beltrami for his score, which really added to the creepiness of the film. You knew when something spooky was going to happen, and the music was such a part of this film.

This is the kind of scary movie that I love. The ending will leave you with an expression of OMG and you'll have a new found respect for Daniel, who is more than just Harry Potter!

Movie Review: New Year's Eve

Blurb: New Year's Eve is all about parties, glitz, a midnight kiss, and maybe a few short-lived resolutions, right? Or could it be about something more? Valentine's Day writer Katherine Fugate and director Garry Marshall have once again joined forces to explore one of the most emotionally charged days of the year. Their uncanny ability to tell multiple stories at the same time, to intertwine those stories in the most unexpected ways, and to make sure viewers are emotionally invested in every single character makes the film an intriguing puzzle. Of course, a cast list that reads like an award-nomination roster doesn't hurt its success either. Among the host of "main characters" in the story is Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank), the woman in charge of the ball drop in Times Square. Naturally things don't go quite as planned and she's forced to do some serious on-the-spot improvising--oh, and it should be noted that she's deathly afraid of heights and there's somewhere else she really should be on New Year's Eve. Then there's the suddenly rebellious tween daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin), who runs off to meet her boyfriend in Times Square for a New Year's Eve kiss, with her panicked mom (Sarah Jessica Parker) in hot pursuit. Mousy secretary Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) decides to finally act on her long list of New Year's resolutions and enlists the unlikely help of courier Paul (Zac Efron). An exclusive New Year's Eve party throws together caterer Laura (Katherine Heigl), entertainer Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi), and sous chef Ava (Sofia Vergara). And then there's Sam (Josh Duhamel), a wealthy playboy who just can't seem to resist keeping an unlikely appointment to meet a mystery woman he met by chance last New Year's Eve and hasn't seen since (think An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle). Other notable talent includes Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Seacrest, Hector Elizondo, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Lea Michele, Cary Elwes, Seth Meyers, and a host of others.

Review: If you loved Love Actually or Valentine's Day, you definitely want to give this film a shot. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, this movie will take you straight to Dec 31st.

I love the multiple story lines. They all revolve around love and some forgiveness. The cast is star-studded to say the least. It is hard to pinpoint a specific story line that is a favorite, though Laura and Jensen's story is very sweet, and how can you not love Jon Bon Jovi? I wasn't quite as keen on Katherine Heigl's Laura, but oh well, Sofia Vergara stole the show with most of her scenes. How can one woman that is so bombshell/sex symbol-ish always come across as sweet?

Ashton Kutcher plays Randy, an illustrator who gets trapped in an elevator with one of Jensen's back up singers. Their time in the elevator is, of course, life changing. It was hard to watch Ashton, because he really looked too much like Walden Schmidt. God I hate him in Two and a Half Men.

Sarah Jessica Parker makes an appearance in this one as a mom of a teenage daughter who runs off to see the ball drop and find a guy in Time Square. Note to SJP, why can't they comb your hair in movies? GAH! And the really snarky part of me says, neigh!

This is definitely a chick flick. I can't think of a reason a guy would want to see this one, except to make his girlfriend happy.

Ladies? There's enough eye candy here to keep you happy; Bon Jovi, Zac Efron, Ryan Seacrest to name a few.

Get the girls together and have a movie night with this one. A bottle of wine will make it better. Definitely worth the rental fee.

RIP Donna Summer

Today we say farewell to another talented musician that has died too young.

Donna Summer died today. Another victim of cancer.

~sigh~

She was only 63.

Entirely too young to be going on to the next world.

Her music was part of the disco era. Love it or not, she had a fantastic voice.

Her music will be missed.

Movie Review: Joyful Noise

Blurb: The small town of Pacashau, Georgia, has fallen on hard times, but the people are counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition. The choir has always known how to sing in harmony, but the discord between its two leading ladies now threatens to tear them apart. Their newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill, stubbornly wants to stick with their tried-and-true traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow thinks tried-and-true translates to tired-and-old. Shaking things up even more is the arrival of G.G.'s rebellious grandson, Randy. Randy has an ear for music, but he also has an eye for Vi Rose's beautiful and talented daughter, Olivia, and the sparks between the two teenagers are causing even more friction between G.G. and Vi Rose.

Review: I was totally amazed that this movie was nearly 2 hours long. It is a cute musical comedy, with a strong emphasis on music. That's what really carries this film, more so than the plot, which is weak. A church choir battling to win a competition. I expected more friction between G.G. and Vi, but the plot really revolved around the romance between Olivia and Randy.

The musical highlights include Olivia and the choir's rendition of Man In The Mirror, which would make Michael Jackson proud. Randy's version of McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed and G.G's From Here To The Moon and Back and you can't forget Queen Latifah's Fix Me Jesus.

Truth be told, I didn't care if the plot was weak, because the music was so good, and it was totally awesome to see Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton in a film together. Their fight scene in the restaurant about halfway through the movie was hilarious. There was great chemistry between all the characters.

This is a purely feel good movie. Don't expect to be wowed by great acting or a fantastic script, because you'll be disappointed. Watch this movie for the music! You'll probably want to pick up the soundtrack after you see the film because the music is so fantastic!

Cover Reveal: Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies

Imprint: Dead Sexy
Title: Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies
Author: Cynthia Cooke
Genre: Short Romantic Suspense
Trope: Hero protector, family secrets
Tone:  On the run Balance of Romance to Suspense (R/S): 65/35
Heat level: Moderate, 3/5
Length: 68,000 words
Release date: May 13h, 2012
AISN: To come
Marketing elements/tags: contemporary, romance, romantic suspense, action‐adventure, family secrets, hero protector, fast‐paced suspense

We all surround ourselves with armor protecting our hearts and our inner wounds forged in  childhood. Learning to trust someone enough to let them inside the armor, to let them help you shed it to become your true self, unafraid and ready to take on the world is the greatest gift love can give you.  And the gift Kyle gives to Genie. ~Cynthia Cooke

Family secrets must be kept, and painful wounds must be ignored.   After an all‐out assault by a vicious terrorist bent on destroying her entire family, a former government agent must break the strict rules she has always lived by when she emerges from hiding to reluctantly accept the help of her all‐too‐sexy ex‐lover. Running a deadly race against time, they rush to rescue her kidnapped sister, find her missing father, and bring the notorious villain to justice. But nothing ever goes as planned. Bullets fly, danger abounds, and their passion reignites even faster than the lies are flowing. But their stubbornly held secrets just might spell the end of their rekindled love and hopes for the future...as well as their very lives.

Buy @ Amazon

Restaurant Review: Don Patron - Belle Vernon, PA

Finally! A Mexican restaurant in the Mon Valley that has both good food and good service. Don Patron has a menu that you can literally drool over. It is pages long! Full of burritos, fajitas, tacos etc.

The pricing is great for meals. Most everything is around $9.00 and that includes combination plates. If you get a burrito...well, paying  $9.00 is worth it too. These things are huge!

We ordered mixed fajitas for two for mom and dad. There was ample steak and chicken along with the peppers and onions. Dad ate two fajitas mom ate one and there was plenty left over for anyone else that wanted one.

Each person got a nice sized container of rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole and sour cream! Oh and with the burritos? You don't have to ask for sour cream! OMG!

The ground meat in my burrito was wonderful! This didn't have your usual burger meat taste! Plus the cheese on the side of my burrito was to die for.

Homemade chips and salsa on the side too!

This is definitely a place I'll be going back to!

Movie Review: It's Complicated

Movie Blurb: Two-time Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin star in this hilarious look at marriage, divorce and everything in between. Jane (Streep) has three grown kids, a thriving Santa Barbara bakery and an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, Jake (Baldwin). Now, a decade after their divorce, an innocent dinner between Jane and Jake turns into the unimaginable - an affair. Caught in the middle of their rekindled romance are Jake’s young wife and Adam (Martin), a recently divorced architect who starts to fall for Jane. Could love be sweeter the second time around? It’s… complicated!

Review: This movie is part chick flick, part comedy. It doesn't really fit in that rom-com arena, at least not like the traditional rom-coms. The cast is stellar. How can you not like Streep and Martin. (I wish there was more of Martin in this film). Even Alec Baldwin is good, though he plays pretty much the same character you see him play everywhere.

What made this movie enjoyable was that it kept you guessing about which guy she was going to end up with, her first husband, Jake (Baldwin) or the cute, kinda geeky, Adam (Martin). Plus no matter what role you cast Meryl in, she is super. You felt her confusion and you watched her grow. I think her feelings for her ex were common given the situation, and there are times when you wanted her and Jake to get back together...but then there is Adam.

I have no idea what it is about Steve Martin, but in the last 25 years, he's become oddly sexy. I think its the grey hair, but totally youthful face, plus he's always playing some lovable guy.

The scene in the bakery was priceless. As was the scene where Jake strips down in Jane's bedroom to surprise her, with her laptop covering his naughty bits. Poor Adam on the other end of the webcam!

This movie was just fab! It is light, fun and just a good time. Well worth the rental price and a box of popcorn!

I Don't Do Hype

Things that get to much hype annoy the heck out of me. I always feel like people that fangirl/fanboy over stuff tend to be like lemmings, following something ridiculous to their certain doom.

Lately books have been the cause of a whole lotta hype.

First you had Harry Potter...this series got kids reading. The story was great and the characters were really wonderful. I've not read the complete series, but in my opinion, this series was worth the hype.

Then there's Twilight. I won't even go there. I can't understand why anyone read and went all crazy over these books. They are so bad.

Which leads me to the following, 50 Shades of Grey. It started as Twilight fanfic..and it got published.

WTF is the world coming to.

Fanfic is not supposed to get published.

When will the madness cease!

And why can't people hype better series, like Amanda Stevens Graveyard Queen?

RIP George Lindsey

It seems like all we are doing this year is saying goodbye to icons, both musical and television...Whitney Houston, Davy Jones, Adam Yaugh, Dick Clark and now joining the ranks, George Lindsey, who the world will remember with fondness as Goober Pyle.

Another member of the iconic cast of The Andy Griffith show going on to his great reward.

Hats off you to George!

Thanks for the laughs!

George was 83.

Book Talk

I have a confession.

I'm in love with my ereader.

I've read so many books with my Nook that reading a hard cover book is uncomfortable.

I don't mind reading paperbacks in any form, but hard cover books I have a hard time dealing with now. They are simply too bulky.

That makes me feel awful. I feel like I'm betraying books.

Now that really sounds silly.

This wouldn't bother me so much if I needed my ereader to conserve space. (OK maybe I do, just a little) But I really bought my Nook so that I could read free galleys.

Yeah..I spent $120 on my nook so I could get free books!

Something only I would do!