Tasty Delights-- One Pot Tortellini Bake

Noms were had! One-Pot Tortellini Bake. This one came in my last HelloFresh box. It was simple and so yummy. Perfect for winter when you want something warm and comforting.

I wouldn't have thought to add kale into it but it was a nice addition and felt a spot healthier than a normal pasta bake.

2 stars-- A Perfect Compromise (New Jersey Ice Cats #4) by Anna Sugden

A Perfect Compromise is one of those books where the writing is pleasant and I liked the heroine but the hero is a fucking asshole prick who needs to grow the fuck up and get over himself. I honestly didn't want him to have a happily ever after and wish she'd leave his sorry useless self-centered ass and find a real man. Because it is not him. Gah! He's the perfect candidate for dick removal because he surely wasn't responsible or worthy of his.

The quick of it is that Issy and JB meet on vacation and one thing leads to a broken condom and a couple months later them dealing with their vacation fling coming back to haunt them. Yeah. They fully expected a good time and then to go their separate ways with fond memories but now they're having to deal with a pregnancy and what it means to their futures. And not everyone is handling it well...

1 star-- Dazzling (Diamond Trilogy #1) by Elizabeth Hayley

IT'S A CLIFFHANGER!!! *rage, yall, rage*

I'm feeling rather pissy right now over Dazzling. This was my first time reading this writing duo and likely my last. I'm so disappointed, yall!

The premise started out well enough-- rich hero falls for poor--and reluctant-- heroine and sets out to win her over.

Tasty Delights-- Aloo Gobi #HelloFreshPics

Woohoo! Trying new things! This recipe was part of the HelloFresh box I received back in October. It was also my favorite meal of the box which was a huge surprise because I typically am not a fan of Indian food.

But...rice, potatoes, cauliflower? Gah, I'm in! It took a little bit of time but was pretty dang easy to make.

Audio Files-- The Princess and the Peer by Tracy Anne Warren

I'm really enjoying this series. It took me a while to finish The Princess and the Peer but that was on life not the book and it was easy to jump back into the story even after days/weeks of not listening.

The Monthly Herd-- December-- Thank Goodness 2016 is over!

Woohoo! *flails with excitement* 2016 is nearly over! Only a couple more hours. Yall I'm so ready for 2017! 2016 ended on a pretty good note here but man it was a rough year for the herd and our family on a personal front. I've already told the herd-- in very stern terms-- that no one is allowed to get sick in 2017. No kitty nip if they don't listen! lol

AFTH w/ Sara Humphreys-- A Chat with Ronan (he'll so make you Awwwww!)

I've had such a thing for Sara's covers over the years. Serious #covergasms, yall. But it wasn't until just a few months ago that I read one and whew! It was a blast. That whole friends to lovers thing, yummy sexual tension and some nice suspense, freaking LICKABLE hero, fiery heroine and a cute pup. I mean. It was reader-girl heaven.

And now I have a huge backlist I just must read. Such a horrible, terrible problem! *flails in horror* lol Sara's hunky hero, Ronan, is taking over today and I hope yall will give him some comment love! ~anna

AFTH w/ M. O'Keefe-- Charlotte and Jesse's First Christmas (Bad Neighbor)

I actually have no idea how M O'Keefe originally landed in my review pile but woohoo! Yay! I'm so glad she did because dayum! Gritty and mysterious and hot as freaking hell.

Seriously. There was phone sex in book one that had me squirming. lol

Just a couple chapters into that first book I read of hers and I was addicted. Like can't-put-it-down-you-best-step-away-cus-mama's-reading addicted. lol

And she's bringing yall fun Chrismasy encounter today from her latest hero and heroine. Lordy but I can't wait to meet these two. Give her some comment love, yall. ~anna

Bad Neighbor’s Charlotte and Jesse’s First Christmas!

AFTH w/ Alison Bliss-- Alison's Top Ten Naughty AND Nice Hero Moves List

I can't believe the year's almost over! But before it is Alison Bliss is joining us! She's one I read late this year and holy cow...so fun! I was laughing my butt off over her hero and heroine. Hero has a sweet tooth like you wouldn't believe...heroine is plus sized and owns a bakery. They were a hoot!

Yall give her a good welcome and hit those comments! ~anna

Alison’s Top Ten Naughty and Nice List

Insta- Wednesday: Christmas woohoo!

Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's last couple weeks ala Instagram :) And ack! the last one of 2016!

I love my town at Christmas. Just little touches but it looks so darn cute!

Buy the Book-- New Releases & Book Deals!

Eee! I managed to not read a single new release for this week. Whoa! But there are some real pretty ones. Some nice book deals and freebies, too. 

For more info on each book please click the cover! It'll take you to the Amazon page for the book.*

Merry Christmas!!!

 Woohoo! It's Christmas! The herd and I are tucked in by the fire and sipping hot chocolate. Well hot chocolate for me. They've got catmilk. It's a thing. Really.

Anywho. Thought we'd take it easy today. It's cold and figured things needed to be heated up just a little. So today? Naughty Santas and their Christmasy friends. *squeals of delight*

Top 20 (ish) Reads of 2016!!

As part of Authors for the Holidays I'm doing some random posts just from mwah! And one of those is...my favorite reads from 2016. There were so pretty dang good reads. I'm sharing...20ish of them.

Would love to hear if you've read any of them! ~anna

AFTH w/ Anna Bradley-- Anna’s List of the Nicest Naughty Things about Romance

Another Anna!!! *flails with delight* Anna's a very new one to me. I read book two of her series just a couple months ago and had a damn good time with it. The hero. ::snorts:: Yall, this hero was a trip. Historical homeboy could cause a scandal! Whewboy! Even when he wasn't trying! It was most excellent. Seriously. Look at that cover! He just screams I'm going to do wicked things in your direction and you are going to love every second of it! Gah! I'm definitely looking forward to checking out the rest of the series.

So. Anna is taking over and sharing some Naughty or Nice bits. This Anna, out! ~anna

Anna’s List of the Nicest Naughty Things about Romance

AFTH w/ Mandy Baxter-- a Naughty US Marshals' Christmas...

Romantic Suspense. I've been off it for a while but then I saw Mandy Baxter's covers and I. Was. In. And oh my gosh how fun! Wild card heroes that are US Marshals. Kick ass women who can hold their own. Nicely done suspense and some steamy lovin'. Yes! Good times. And seriously covergasms...covergasms everywhere!

Mason, Mandy's latest hero, is joining us today for a little Christmas chat. Check it out then hit those comments! ~anna

Christmas Quickies-- Hot Winter Nights by Codi Gary & I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper

Hot Winter Nights (Bear Mountain Rescue #1) by Codi Gary

---

This was a fun winter quickie. New girl in town. Two tempting men...who happen to be best friends. Adorable canine companions. A winter storm. Yep. Good times.

AFTH w/ Nicole Helm-- a little girl's Christmas wish...

Happy Tuesday! We've got Nicole Helm joining us today for Authors for the Holidays. Yall I'm so excited. Her Big Sky Cowboys series really stole my heart this year.

A family on the brink of falling apart and fighting tooth and nail to save their livelihood, their family relationsips, and for their happily ever afters. It's not always the pretties and fluffiest of reading but goodness so worth it.

Yall give Nicole a big welcome and hit those comments (and maybe grab some tissues)! ~anna

Quote-tastic/Review-- One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

I do love me some Jill Shalvis. One Snowy Night was pretty cute. It's a "snowed in" theme but...on a car trip. This quote. I don't know why, but it totally made me laugh.

4 stars-- A Christmas Bride (Chapel of Love #1) by Hope Ramsay

Ramsay has a lovely way of mending hearts and broken souls. Love, hope, a little humor. A Christmas Bride was a beautiful romance and start to a new series.

The quick of it is that after many years away Willow's life has gone sideways and she's come home to start over. And it's brought her face to face with the world her best friend left behind when she was tragically killed years earlier. A husband and young child still struggling through the loss and a falling apart inn that her friend dreamed of restoring. And they speak to her soul in a way little has for a very long time. A little Christmas magic in the air, a determined spirit, and the strength of family and friends might bring a bit of happiness in time for the holidays.

Tasty Delights-- Nutella Puff Pastry Star

Chocolate. Pastry. Noms! I saw this floating around pretty much everywhere online and decided I was in. It was my first time working with puff pastry but so easy and quick and yummy.

I ended up doing two versions. One sweet and one savory.