herding cats & burning soup

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Tag: The Cat Herder [Edition 22] -- choking hazards, pervy dessert & lickable chests

A little of everything today...

Thoughts from a Blogger Girl-- How I Blog!

So. I was trying to come up with a topic for this weekend and figured I'd chat about how I blog. With Blog Ahead coming up in just a couple weeks I thought I'd dive in and show yall the inner workings of herding cats & burning soup. Bwahahahaha. And how I manage to...mostly...keep my sanity while blogging. Heh So here goes...

Audio Files: Her Highness and the Highlander (The Princess Brides #2) by Tracy Anne Warren

The Story:

HIGHLANDERS!!! Yes! lol This was a lovely little romance of a Highlander and a Princess on the run. So the quick of it is that Princess Mercedes found herself in a nightmare. She was heading home when her coach was stopped and all of her companions killed. She was able to make her escape and eventually found herself at a small pub in desperate need of help which was found in the form of a Highlander who became her champion.

Guest Post w/ Tory Richards--- Spicy Pizza & Carnal Hunger! + giveaway

Hey guys! Today we've got Tory Richards joining us for a yummy post. Yall check it out then hit those comments and leave her some comment love! ~anna

Hi herding cats and burning soup followers! I personally love cats; I have four, but burning soup? I guess it can be done but I would imagine that it would be hard to do. Anna has graciously allowed me to be on her lovely blog today, and I thought I’d start out by sharing a recipe with you. It’s my own, fantastic creation and I came up with it all by myself. Lol It’s called spicy pizza. Doesn’t it look yummy? And let me tell you, it does have a kick!

Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :) This last couple weeks we had vet visits and shopping and working on projects. It's been busy at Casa Herding Kitties!

4 stars-- Claiming the Enemy (Pulse #3) by Lauren Hawkeye

Claiming the Enemy? Lordy but it's sexy as all get out and turned me into a reading fiend. I couldn't put this one down. Dishes? Laundry? Pffft they sure weren't happening until I finished that last page.

The quick of it is that Piper, well, she got herself a fake boyfriend...on accident. See she was trying to avoid an obnoxious ex and kinda joined her boss and his mama by sitting down at their lunch table. And crazy of crazy things...he went along with the act. They've rubbed each other a spot wrong at work but damn if desire didn't rise hard and fast and, well, insistent on being taken care of. So they're gonna fake being a couple. But no getting attached, yall. They will NOT get attached! ::snort::

Buy the Book-- New Releases, Sales, Freebies!

Hmmm so I didn't have many new releases on my radar this week. But Claiming the Enemy was really good. There's a review up for it today if you want to check that out. There are some good deals and freebies, too! So check those out...

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

Join us each week and share a favorite quote that you just loved.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post any day of the week, too. Totally flexible. Link ups are live on Monday.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.

I'm fairly new to Ayres but, yall! They're so good. Hunky heroes and their working dogs and awesome heroines, too. So this one. Kye has a search and rescue pup. She's a Toller and a little high maintenance and I just loved him with her. This was them on the way to the kennels the heroine runs...

Rock the Blog-- Creating Page Anchors (linking to a point farther down a blog post)

Rock the Blog is our "How To" for bloggers!

From graphics to html and all kinds of bloggery goodness!

This feature will focus primarily on the Blogger platform (since that's where I'm hosted) though some ideas may apply to Wordpress.

A long while back I was asked how to do page anchors and...I totally forgot about it. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I can't even remember who asked. #BloggerGirlFail

Anywho so a Page Anchor. It's basically a way to link lower down on a post from the top of it. It's very handy when you have a lengthy post or index.

Guest Post w/ Scarlett Cole-- heroines & tattoos!

Hey guys! Today we've got Scarlett Cole back with the herd! Yall check it out then hit those comments and leave her some love! ~anna

As an author who writes about tattoo artists, and has tattoos of her own, I often get asked the question, “What type of tattoo do you think I should get?”

4 stars-- Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers #1) by Sarina Bowen

A whole herd of sexy hockey players, a second chance at romance, turmoil and humor, and amazing friends. Rookie Move was one heck of a start to the Brooklyn Bruisers series.

The quick of it is that Leo and Georgia were high school sweethearts but things went real bad and they've not seen each other since. Good riddance and all that. Damn their luck, though, he's just landed on the hockey team where she works as the team's PR person. And all those sticky emotions from the past and the luscious heat between them simmers up and makes things all kinds of deliciously complicated.

Bites & Nibbles: Sacking the Quarterback by Samantha Towle & The Mating Season by Laurie Horowitz

Two more BookShots! I've really been enjoying these. They're novellas you can read in just a couple hours from authors that teamed up with James Patterson. And they're pretty fun! Easy, fast-paced reads you just cannot put down. They've been great when I was having trouble getting into a book and would be perfect for when you're out running errands and have time to kill like at the auto shop or doctors office/vet.

Anywho, so two today. One sporty, one nerdy. Woohoo!

Sacking the Quarterback by Samantha Towle

Sacking the Quarterback was a hot little quickie and a good bit of fun though you definitely need to suspend reality when you dive into the world of Melisa and Grayson. The abrasive assistant state attorney and the arrogant yet charismatic football player she's got up on a drug charge. Though something about the case isn't sitting quite right with Melissa.

Buy the Book-- New Releases, Sales, Freebies!

Seriously a shit ton of new releases this week. Jennifer Ashley's was fantastic. Rookie Move, Loving You Easy, A Cowboy Christmas Miracle, The Mating Season...all very good!

Plus some killer sales. Hello a Jill Shalvis for 1.99....get it! (it was fantastic)

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

If you love shifters and haven't tried out Jennifer Ashley's Shifters Unbound series you're so in for a treat! Guardian's Mate? Total paranormal goodness complete with a sexy polar bear shifter. Noms!

The quick of it is that Rae has been chosen Guardian by the goddess. Only problem? She's practically still a cub and, well, female and there's never been a female Guardian before. And that has people nervous. Ergs! Training in her home town just isn't safe which lands her in the care of a polar bear. A polar bear who is just about as pleased about the arrangement as she is. Which is to say...not at all. lol

Quote-tastic-- oo did I say that out loud?! --Loving You Easy by Roni Loren

Join us each week and share a favorite quote that you just loved.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post any day of the week, too. Totally flexible. Link ups are live on Monday.

Roni Loren! Pervy, sexy, make-you-blush fun! Woohoo! A couple quotes this week. I couldn't decide and well it's worth the extra quotes :D This one's a menage between two guys who have been friends since they were a teen and a hacker girl they meet. It's crazy hot and classic Loren.

So. Yeah. The heat...

Thoughts from a Reader-Girl: Were books better back in the day?

As I set aside my 4th half finished book this week I started thinking about the quality of books these days and it got me wondering and has me ramblings as well it seems. lol

Are romance books--as a whole--worse than they used to be even a few years ago?

For me the answer, I think, is yes.

4 stars-- Run to You (Risking It All #1) by Rachel Lacey

Yall. I couldn't put this one down. From fake mates to great friendships and starting over, heartbreak, hope and a little daring. Run to You was just a lovely read and a knockout beginning to a new series.

The quick of it is that Ethan's grandmom has one wish...to see Ethan settled down and happy. And she's sure new-girl-in-town Gabby is just the one that's going to make that happen. And Ethan? He's determined to give his gram everything she's hoping for even if it means faking a relationship with the town's new arrival for just a little while.

August is OVER! There was a lot happening here this month and I'm way behind on visiting blogs so some of yall are gonna get comment bombed shortly. lol

So. Right after I got home last month from Florida I started house projects. Namely...putting in new floors...on my own. And it was supposed to be somewhat easy but turned out to be evil flooring from hell! And my battle against the floor began...and continues. lol It's getting there though. I've also been playing with a power washer for the first time ever and taking it to the property which I've owned for 15ish years. So it's been exhausting but good :D

Insta-Wednesday: Cats, Cake, Naughty Toys?

Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)

Whew! I'm getting back into putting photos up. Some herd babe cuteness and some omg it was amazing food and pretty reads to boot! Aaaand a little naughty fun ;)

Ooo lots of releases today and some really great deals (I've read a bunch and loved them). Reviews for Last Chance Rebel and Homecoming are up on the blog if you want to check them out.

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

Homecoming was all about Jen and Sam who had a hot and heavy night months earlier during a town fundraiser. And now he's back in town to help the local football team whose coach is out on medical leave. And all that hot and heavy passion and attraction? Still sparking strong even if it's the last thing either of them thinks they need since he's only there temporarily and she's not looking for a short term fling...

Quote-tastic/Review-- oh! that kind of friend...--Last Chance Rebel by Maisey Yates

Join us each week and share a favorite quote that you just loved.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post any day of the week, too. Totally flexible. Link ups are live on Monday.

Maisey Yates. Yall. She's so fun! And has such interesting hero/heroine pairings. This one, whew. It was a doozie. A couple quotes this week.

This first one. I totally need friends like hers. They also ply a girl with pie and made me laugh a couple times. She'd just told them she wasn't hanging out with them that night because she was busy and then hemmed and hawed about telling them why...

Tasty Delights-- Asparagus & Tomato "Carbonara"

So I was scrolling through Pinterest and saw a recipe for a vegetarian carbonara that looked...amazing. And I decided to give it a try. Thing is...the egg bit of the recipe totally creeps me out (it's cooked just by way of the hot noodles) and I just...couldn't. I know. I know it cooks. But in my head...nope. So I altered and used some butter and almond milk to help make the sauce. So not really a carbonara but it's going to be my version of it.

And it was delicious! Not to mention super easy.

Damn you, Authors! shakes fist You just...ruin everything!

Mmhm. You really do! I just. I don't know what to do with some of yall but, seriously, you just ruin everything!

Cara McKenna for starters...

3 stars-- Cody's Come Home by Mary Sullivan

Cody's Come Home started off very strong for me. It was action packed and had me anxious as the heroine found herself in desperate straights--not only being chased through the woods and shot at but injuring herself and being trapped in the woods overnight. I was all in and captivated especially after a childhood friend, who'd just come back home, becomes her rescuer and defender against someone who is clearly out to harm her. But things puttered out for me a bit in the end.

4 stars-- A Duke to Remember (Season for Scandal #2) by Kelly Bowen

Oh my. Bowen totally rocked this one. From start to finish I was seriously smitten with A Duke to Remember.

The quick of it is that a duke has died and his heir? Well, most think him long dead since he disappeared as a child. Everyone but his sister and his mother who are being made out to look crazy. So it's come to Elsie and her team to hunt down the long lost heir and help him claim his title from a cousin who will stop at nothing to claim it himself.

Buy the Book: New Releases/ Sales/ Freebies-- 8/23

A couple releases and lots of good deals today. I enjoyed the Earl's Return that's out today.
My Highland Spy in the Deals section...SO GOOD!

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

Southern girl vs Alaska. Oh dear. The Stranger was full of exhilarating action, family drama, and enough heat to keep you warm even during the coldest of Alaskan nights.

The quick of it is that Summer's younger sister has run away and she's headed to Alaska to track her down. A somewhat simple task if only Alaska would stop trying to kill her! Yeah. She's having no luck with this state at all. Thankfully a hot stranger dealing with his own demons comes to her rescue. Though he may just be a handful all on it's own. Mmhm.

So I liked a number of things about this one...

Quote-tastic/Review-- oh that look! -- The Earl's Return by Callie Hutton

Join us each week and share a favorite quote that you just loved.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post any day of the week, too. Totally flexible. Link ups are live on Monday.

I've been having a good time with this series from Hutton. And The Earl's Return was so fun! This scene had me laughing. They'd gotten themselves in a bit of a situation and were trying to figure a way out of it...

SIGN UP--- BLOG AHEAD!

It's time, once again, for Blog Ahead! Woohoo!

This challenge it's all about getting ahead and giving yourself a blogging buffer.

It's amazing how much having extra scheduled posts can make during emergencies, vacations or just when dealing plain ol' blogging slumps. It can really cut the stress during every day blogging as well :) And what better way to get ahead than with the support of other bloggers?

Bwahaha so lots of kitteh like usual and some naughty humor and, well, a couple NSFW ones here too.

Click with caution!

Rock the Blog-- Random Blogger Features You Should Know

I'm so bad at posting these! But going to try and get back on a schedule with them. If you're on Blogger and curious on how to do something let me know and I'll see what I can do. For today...

There are SO many elements available in Blogger. Some of yall will know all of these but I figured I'd go ahead and share since I know some are starting out as well.

So. Some of the little elements you can tweak or use.

4 stars-- Trouble Walks In (The McGuire Brothers #2) by Sara Humphreys

I finally read a Sara Humphreys!!! I've been having a lust-fest over her covers for ages and damn! I'm real sad I haven't managed to read any of them before now. Trouble Walks In was fantastic!

The quick of it is that female realtors are being targeted and it's got Ronan all in a dither because his childhood crush and current friend just so happens to be one of the top agents in the city. Thankfully an out of town wedding provides the perfect excuse to get her safe and hopefully spark up something more than just friendship between them. Win-win as far as he's concerned...

Insta-Wednesday: Cats, Cake, Sheets?

Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)

Yeah I'm a week late. I've been really lazy with taking pictures this summer and just didn't have enough photos to make a post worthwhile last week. I'm trying to get back in the groove of taking pictures. Hopefully that'll happen :)

Buy the Book: New Releases/ Sales/ Freebies-- 8/16

There are some pretty good deals this week! And some awesome freebies. I totally squealed over the Jennifer Ashley one. For releases Chloe Neill was pretty good. The review is up today if you want to check that out :)

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

3.5 stars-- The Sight (Devil's Isle #2) by Chloe Neill

It's been ages since I've read one from Neill but I was quickly reminded of why I used to enjoy her books-- great characters, tension, and excitement wrapped up in a paranormal package. Oh yes. The Sight was a good reminder and an entertaining read.

The quick of it is that there are humans, there are paranormals and there are humans that hate both the paranormals and humans they interact with and are trying to wipe them out of existence. It's a dangerous world and Claire, Liam and their rag tag group are smack in the middle of it and the threat of danger that's rising. They've got to track down the radicals or it may cost them everything.

Tasty Delights-- Eggplant Parmesan Dip

I love Eggplant Parmesan. It's one of my favorite dishes to make. Even people who hate eggplant seem to love that dish. But it takes for freaking ever to make. So I saw this go through my feed and thought hmmm. I'm in! A quick Eggplant Parm DIP. Looked pretty good. And ended up being pretty good too.

Had a funny "mom" moment when I was debating the recipe, too. Since it's just me up here in NC and I'm heading home for a quick visit later this month I was thinking I'd make it for the first time there so I wasn't left with SO much dip on my own. Ha! Well. Yeah. My mom. lol....

Me: Mom would you try eggplant parm dip?

Mom: Sounds gross.

Me: So you wouldn't try it with me if I made it when I come home?

Thoughts from a Reader-Girl: Orgasms for the WIN! But seriously...let me eat my damn cake!

Orgasms! Yay orgasms but seriously, yall. I got other shit to do!

4 stars--The CEO Buys In (Wager of Hearts #1) by Nancy Herkness

I'm not usually fond of betting themes but a group of men betting on finding true love and romance? I. Am. In. I had a good time with The CEO Buys In. A sexy, commanding hero and a strong willed and caring heroine with scorching chemistry? Yep. Yep. Definitely in.

The quick of it is that Nathan has found himself drowning his woes of the female variety at his club one night. And it's ended with a unique bet as his two new acquaintances--who are feeling pretty damn meh over things in their own lives--make a drunken bet. They're going wife hunting. They need things to change in their lives and they're gonna find true love to fix it. They've got one year to find that woman and win her heart. For Nathan it hit him a little quicker than expected in the form of his temp assistant. A spunky woman who's not at all impressed with his wealth or company and that intrigues him something fierce.

4 stars-- This Earl is on Fire (Season's Original #2) by Vivienne Lorret

Lorret is quickly becoming a new addition to my auto-buy list. Yall, This Earl is on Fire was so much fun!

The quick of it is that Adeline has been sheltered her entire life because of a leg deformity but her family has come up from the country for her to have a proper Season. Adeline though? She's not thought in her mind of marriage but of...adventure. Now, having it land on her doorstep in the form of one very injured--and naughty--Earl? Well, that was unexpected! Trying to resist falling in love with him while he recovers from his injuries? Quite likely to prove impossible.

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