In My Cart Review: a little bit of everything...

So! A little different post today. A bit back Mary from over at Dark Thoughts got me curious about a couple product review programs she takes part in and I thought...sure! Sign me up! So I joined Influenster and BzzAgent and a couple other spots to get different products to try out and share my thoughts on. I figured I'd do some "group" posts on here once a month or so for different products.

Today a few from the #ModaVoxBox. I actually got this a long while back and reviewed it on another blog but figured I'd post them here too :)

It came will all kinds of goodies from lotion to water to makeup and tissues.

And I liked most of them too!

Check out the bits and pieces below for a little more on each :D

Silver Bastard (Silver Valley #1) by Joanna Wylde

Fourteen months. For fourteen months, Puck Redhouse sat in a cell and kept his mouth shut, protecting the Silver Bastards MC from their enemies. Then he was free and it was time for his reward—full membership in the club, along with a party to celebrate. That’s when he saw Becca Jones for the first time and set everything in motion. Before the night ended he’d violated his parole and stolen her away from everything she knew.

Five years. It was five years ago that Puck destroyed Becca and saved her all in one night. She’s been terrified of him ever since, but she’s even more terrified of the monsters he still protects her from... But Becca refuses to let fear control her. She’s living her life and moving forward, until she gets a phone call from the past she can't ignore. She has to go back, and there’s only one man she can trust to go with her—the ex-con biker who rescued her once before.

Puck will help her again, but this time it’ll be on his terms. No more lies, no more tears, and no more holding back what he really wants...

Type: Contemporary, MC Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Whew boy! What was I doing at 530am instead of sleeping? Reading Silver Bastard, of course. I just couldn't stop reading. Wylde did NOT hold back with the start of the Silver Valley series! It was an edgy exciting ride that had me pretty damn captivated as Puck and Becca deal with their shady first meet from years ago and the killer attraction they've tried their best to ignore ever since. Throw in some club drama, friendships and manipulative family members and...yeah...no sleep for Anna. lol

Tasty Delights--Killer Chocolate Chip Cookies + Review (Sugar Rush)

Sugar Rush is a complete baking course in a book with everything a home baker needs to confidently turn out 150+ sweets with sophisticated flavors.

James Beard–award-winning pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini returns to basics, sharing his expert tips on fundamentals such as making caramel and mixing butter cakes, with accompanying step-by-step photographs, before moving on to recipes for Salted Caramels and Sticky Caramel Date Cake. After mastering the simple method for making light-as-air meringues, anyone can make ethereal espresso marshmallows, mile-high soufflés, and chewy French macaron sandwich cookies. Readers can finally expand their cake and ice cream horizons to embrace flavors as thrilling as those in Brown Sugar-Molasses Layer Cake and Bitter Orange Ice Cream. The 250 photographs include both instructive technique shots to reassure bakers at every turn as well as stunning photographs of the ready-to-eat treats. With Sugar Rush, baking at home has never been easier—or more inviting.

Type: Cookbook
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Rating: 4.5

Amazon | Goodreads

Now this is a beautiful cookbook. Everything about Sugar RUSH was lovely. The photos, the layout, the feel and the recipes. It's full of tips and techniques to help bakers of all experience levels and done in an easy going way that just makes you want to dig in a little more and keep looking, learning and trying things.

It's broken up into different baking categories like--Custards/Creamy Desserts, Eggs/Meringue, Cakes/Cupcakes/Brownies/Muffins, Tarts/Cobblers/Crisps, Yeast Doughs. Each is a mixture of recipes, tips, tutorials and explanations. So dang handy for someone new to the baking game and was really interesting as well.

Cat Thursday--The mama and the mini me.

Welcome to the weekly meme hosted by The True Book Addict that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats!

Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of kitteh!

 I just needed a bit of a squee today.

So. Mamas and babes.

So much freaking...CUTE!

You Really Got Me (Rock Star Romance #1) by Erika Kelly (@BerkleyRomance)

Emmie Valencia has what it takes to be the music industry’s hottest band manager. She just needs to prove it. Determined to discover a killer new band, Emmie is ready to make her move. First stop: Austin, Texas.

As a sizzling-hot lead singer, Slater Vaughn has no trouble raising heart rates—but his band’s been flat-lining for years. When Emmie, his bandmate’s sister, crashes with them in exchange for some free management, her industry know-how lands them a spot in the biggest music festival in Texas. But it isn’t just her business acumen that catches Slater’s attention. Emmie is sexy and warm, and—for the first time in his life—he wants more.

But as irresistible as Slater is, Emmie is done with musicians. In her experience, a man can’t be a rock star and someone to trust with your heart—but Slater is determined to show her he’s both.

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

I luuuurved it! 1] Sexy rocker that'll make you pant 2] determined heroine that's trying to figure life out 3] great band to back them up 4] music you could practically feel coming off the pages 5] some panty melting love scenes featuring sexy rocker that'll make you pant from #1. Sweet Mary. Yes. He is a threat to panties everywhere. Lordy be! You Really Got Me was fabulous!

The Monthly Herd: December Recap!

Holy cow. I can't believe 2014 is over! And I survived!!! I didn't always think that would be the case. Whew! Thank you all for being part of the year in all of your different ways. For commenting, for hanging out on social media, for prayers for the herd when we were struggling earlier this year, for everything really. Yall are awesome and I'm so very glad to know each of you.

So. December! It was quite the month with Authors for the Holidays :) There were a TON of author visits. And a big giveaway too! That will be open until January 7th so yall hit up the authors you've not visited yet and enter the giveaways! They're all linked below.

Other than that it was a pretty quiet month here. I've been doing a lot of prep for 2015 and working on new graphics for some of the blog features. Figuring out what I want to do with the blog in a new year and whatnot. I can't wait! Oh! I do have one new thing! I'm hosting a reading challenge in 2015. New To You reads. It's VERY flexible. Basically anything new--genre, author, reading a debut book, a first in a series book, etc. Hope yall will join in! Anywho. On with the Dec recap...

#AFTH2014--Interview w/ Joanna Wylde--killer shot glasses, the best dirty words & Kylie Scott? + giveaway

Alright yall! Today we've got Joanna Wylde stopping by for a visit. If you've not read her...you must! She writes some seriously kick ass motorcycle club romances. Anywho. Check out our chat and leave Joanna some comment love!

Hey Joanna! Welcome to the...madness. The herd, well, they go a little insane over Christmas and they're still on a bit of a kitty-high over it all. ::snort:: Figured snacks and some shots would be good for a chat about your guys. *picks up a skull shot glass* aren't these just the damn cutest things?!

Alright *downs her skull shot* Reese and London. *whew!* I'd been dying for this man's book and Sweet Mary! So good! Can you tell us 3 fun/sexy/crazy/interesting behind the scenes facts about their book?

Um, I’ll try. London’s character is based on a friend of mine, Betty, who owns a cleaning service. Before I started writing the book she and I got together one day and shared a few beers while she told me some of the crazier stories of things she’s seen over the years. I couldn’t use most of them in the book, but it definitely gave me a feel for her life that I think translated into the book pretty well. 

SIGN UP--2015 Erotic Romance Reading Challenge

Making this one really easy!

All erotic romances over 80 pages count!

Erotic Romance--means the sexual side of the relationship is front and center in the storyline and a focal point of the relationship. 

SIGN UP--2015 Historical Romance Reading Challenge

Making this one really easy!

All historical romances over 80 pages count!

Anything prior to 1920 as far as year goes.

All you do is read then review (on goodreads, amazon or your blog) then link up your review :)

Untouched (Florence, Arizona #1) by Lauren Hawkeye

Alexa Kendrick has no recollection of the car accident that left her scarred and sent her life careening wildly off course. When the half-sister she thought she’d never meet shows up at her door with an invitation to a new life, Alexa finds herself in Florence, Arizona, a town notorious for being populated with more prison inmates than actual citizens…a town that has done its best to hide its own dark secret.

After Ellie is called out of town, she leaves her sister with the keys to her flower shop and Alexa finds herself swapping lives with her sibling: running Ellie’s business, living in the house left to them both by their absentee father…and forging a smoldering relationship with sexy-as-sin penitentiary officer, Nate Fury—a man with his own demons.

But arranging flowers by day and tangling with the only man who has ever seen her real self by night isn’t enough to silence the mysterious panic that fuels Alexa’s dark dreams. When Nate brings home a book written by an inmate, one describing an unspeakable crime, the shackles binding Alexa’s own lost memories begin to shatter. And as the devastating truth comes to light, she realizes that Nate holds the key to unlocking her past, as well as her heart.

Type: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 3 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

Untouched was a curious little read as Alexa--who has been in a horrible car accident and lost her memory--discovers a sister she never knew existed and while on a trip to get to know her sister finds herself undeniably pulled towards a dreamy prison guard and discovering that there are secrets from her past that have been hidden from her by those she loves.

#AFTH2014 w/ Roni Loren--she's memejacking Quote-tastic! + giveaway

Hey guys! Today one of my favorite new-to-me authors is doing a meme-jack! Yup she's hijacking Quote-tastic. Heh. Roni writes some of the best erotic romances I've laid my readery hands on. They're steamy and hilarious and gah just the best characters ever. And they will totally make you pant they're so hot. Anywho. She's got a hunk of a quote for yall today but oh the last little bit...yeah. I love it. It was such a great read. Check it out and leave Roni some love! She's giving away a print copy to someone too :D ~Anna

#AFTH w/ Cari Silverwood--Yeah...she totally wrote you guys a story. *nods* + giveaway

Woots! We've got Miss Cari Silverwood joining us from way over on the other side of the world *waves madly* Cari writes all kinds of fab goodness. Way dark and twisty, scorching hot and erotic, and some cheeky spoofty kinda stuff too which is so fun. There may be...tentacles. Bwahaha. I love it! Yall check out her post and leave her some naughty comment love :D She wrote a short story just for yall ;) Pretty fucking cool.

This one is a total gigglesnorter. A little Christmas. A little spoof and a crazy herd babe. Happy reading yall ;) ~Anna

Undefeated (Bomb Squad #2) by Melissa Cutler (@BerkleyRomance)

Yoga instructor Marlena Brodie is always up for a challenge, and her new job of snapping Bomb Squad out of their rut is definitely that, even though it means being in close contact with Liam McAllister, her high school crush gone bad. She can feel the damage pouring off of him—but also a wild and sexy strength that calls to her.

The Army turned Liam McAllister into a man, but as a combat medic, he saw far too much to ever be whole again. He’s not interested in the civilian world beyond his job as a carpenter, but he never stopped wondering what might have been with Marlena—and it isn’t long before she’s crashed through his carefully constructed walls. He longs for a new beginning with her, but to be the man she deserves, he’ll have to step out of his defensive zone and score the most important play of his life…

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Goodreads

So. Sometimes you start out a book and all you can think is Run, hero, run!! Your heroine is crazy tunes!! But! Then things settle in and it turns out she's got a lot of awesome behind her as well. That was totally the case with Undefeated for me as Liam and Marlena--who have known each other since they were kids--realize that maybe...just maybe...that the person they need to help heal themselves from past traumas is each other despite a hard past together weighing on them and their two very different lifestyles.

#AFTH2014--Interview w/ Elizabeth Hoyt-- tea, cake, puppies and...poisoning wells?! + giveaway

And today we've got Elizabeth Hoyt! Yall she's amazing. Writes just stunning historical romances with a dark edge to them. It's so easy to get lost in her books. It's crazy. We're chatting about her latest Darling Beast (Beauty and the Beast storyline) and whew yeah I was feeling this book all over the place. The review is up HERE if you'd like to check it out. Yall give our visit a look-see then be sure to leave Elizabeth some comment love!  ~Anna

Good morning Elizabeth! Lovely to see you. Come on in. I've set up tea and cakes to have while we visit and dish about Darling Beast. I just loved these two.*settles down and pours a cup of steaming tea* Alright, now, for those who haven't met these two yet what would you tell them about Apollo and Lily to get them good and intrigued?

Thank you for the tea and cakes, Anna! I do like a nice cuppa. ;-) 

Let’s see…Apollo is an aristocrat, a viscount, but he’s in hiding at Harte’s Folly, a ruined pleasure garden, since escaping the horrors of Bedlam. Apollo was in Bedlam because everyone thought he’d committed an atrocious murder. Before he escaped he was beaten and as a result is now mute.

Lily is a down on her luck actress who has moved temporarily into the ruined theater at Harte’s Folly. When her son, Indio, tells her that there’s a monster in the garden she doesn’t believe him…until she finds the big, mute man herself. 

#AFTH2014 w/ Jeanette Murray-- a Christmasy Top Ten + giveaway

 So! Jeanette Murray! Have yall read her? Total make a girl swoon and gigglesnort kinda read. Gah but I do adore Murray's sports romances. She's just a hoot! Yall check out her post --she's talking her top 10 Christmasy bits--and leave her some comment love down below! ~Anna

This cat herder...is spilling it ALL. Yup. Yall are interviewing me. Bwahaha

Merry Christmas!!!! Woots! Can you believe it's already the 25th?!! I hope you've all gotten fabulous presents and eaten gobs of delicious food already. I'm snuggled up in front of the fire with the herd babes enjoying some hot cocoa and reading. Bliss! Anywho. I thought we'd give the authors a day off so today yall are just getting...me. I put out a "what would you like to know about me?" post a bit back and today I'm answering all of those questions. And oh...my god. Some of yall! Are so naughty and pervy! And so my kinda peoples!

This one's a little long since I wanted to answer everyone's questions. I put in headers so yall can pop around or just read on through. You'll probably learn WAY more than you ever wanted to know about me but...there ya go :D And if you happen to have more questions just pop them in the comments. I'll be by to chat with yall throughout the day <3 ~Anna

#AFTH2014 w/ Jennifer Ashley-- it's all about Christmas... + giveaway

Ooo yall there's a lot of awesome on the blog today. Jennifer Ashley is here with some warm fuzzies for Christmas to get yall ready for tomorrow. If yall haven't read her...gah. *shakes head* It is a must. She writes one of the best shifter series--Shifters Unbound--with wolves, bears, kittehs. And she does some stellar historical romances that I've just started reading this year and that are just delightful. Total insta buy author for me. Anywho. I'm gonna hand things over to Jennifer. Yall check it out and leave her some comment love!  ~Anna

#AFTH2014 w/ Laura Wright--oh...my word. The cowboys. Yall. The cowboys! + giveaway

*waves* Morning! Today...cowboys *squeals* Laura Wright's cowboys to be specific. Yums! These guys are HOT and sexy and just make-a-girl-sigh delicious. She writes some freaking stellar heroines as well which is so why I adore her. Anywho. Check out some of the sexy from her guys and leave her some comment love!  ~Anna

Happy Holidays Friends!

Can you believe it's almost the big day?!? I'm just barely done with my shopping. UGH. And haven't even started wrapping. OY! But do you know why? Do you know who's to blame?

The Cavanaugh Brothers. That's who.

Wickedly Wonderful (Baba Yaga #2) by Deborah Blake (@BerkleyRomance)

Though she looks like a typical California surfer girl, Beka Yancy is in fact a powerful yet inexperienced witch who’s struggling with her duties as a Baba Yaga. Luckily she has her faithful dragon-turned-dog for moral support, especially when faced with her biggest job yet…

A mysterious toxin is driving the Selkie and Mer from their homes deep in the trenches of Monterey Bay. To investigate, Beka buys her way onto the boat of Marcus Dermott, a battle-scarred former U.S. Marine, and his ailing fisherman father.

While diving for clues, Beka drives Marcus crazy with her flaky New Age ideas and dazzling blue eyes. She thinks he’s rigid and cranky (and way too attractive). Meanwhile, a charming Selkie prince has plans that include Beka. Only by trusting her powers can Beka save the underwater races, pick the right man, and choose the path she’ll follow for the rest of her life…

Type: Paranormal Romance--Baba Yagas, Selkies, Merfolk (and humans)
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

First off...I'm gonna need a dragon-dog. *nods* Deborah Blake...ladies at Penguin. Really. I am. I'm gonna need a dragon-dog. And some Riders. Would be a fabulous Christmas prezzie. There's still a couple days left... #JustSayin

Now for the rest of yall. lol Ahhhh....Wickedly Wonderful was just that. Heh. It really was a wonderful read as Beka--one of the US Baba Yagas (and a newbie at the job) gets roped into her first solo gig--finding out what's poisoning the area Selkies and Merfolks and finding the traitor in their ranks. And all with the help of a dragon-dog (see him up on the cover...yeah...dragon lol), some sexy and mysterious riders, 2 grumpy fishermen and their smitten crew. It's...quite the challenge for this rookie Baba. And utterly enchanting.

#AFTH2015 w/ Tonya Burrows--she's meme-jacking Quote-tastic! + giveaway

Eeps! One of my favoritest ladies is with us today! Tonya Burrows writes some damn fine romantic suspense reads. Both of her series are just to die for. I've not read her newest release (it's linked down below) but blast it I so plan on it. As soon as AFTH is over...that baby is mine! lol She also has the cutest wee herd. Yall check out her post and leave her some comment love!  ~Anna