Simmered Red Beans & Rice...perfect for a cold fall night!

This weeks Tasty Tuesday...

Simmered Red Beans & Rice

This was extremely easy to make and delicious. Perfect now that the weather's getting a little cooler!

Check out the recipe after the jump!

Spotlight: Cherry Adair + giveaway!

Have yall met Cherry Adair yet? 

Cherry has a book coming out next week <squee!> called Ice Cold that's part of her T-FLAC series. 
Think...sexy alpha males, government ops & bold hold-nothing-back women. They're a damn good time, let me tell you. Whew. 

So in honor of Ice Cold's release & the kickass lady behind the books we're pulling out the giveaway box and doing a Take My Books post for yall. Been ages since we did one of those, right? 

So, check out the Ice Cold trailer and enter away...

Find Cherry Online

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Youtube   Pinterest

T-FLAC operative Rafael Navarro will never allow another woman to suffer the consequences of his dangerous life. But in a world where a terrorist can do more damage with a keyboard than a bomb, he needs the expert help of a cyber-geek. And fast.

Fellow operative, and cybercrimes specialist Honey Winston prefers computers to people. But when a serial bomber threatens the world’s financial infrastructure, she’s forced to work closely with Navarro, whose notorious skill in the bedroom is as legendary as his dexterity defusing bombs.

Honey and Rafael must fight sparks hot enough to melt their resolve, and push beyond fear itself, as they join forces in a bid to race the clock before a sinister and lethal bomber proves just how much they both have to lose.

T-FLAC is back, and the timer is counting down in the most pulse-pounding explosive op yet—

Ice Cold Releases October 15th!

Excerpt: Once Upon a Remembrance by Grace Brannigan + giveaway

Type: Paranormal, Time Travel

Modern day photographer Isabeau is pulled from the present time and thrust back into the year 1894 in Virginia. She must help save Hawk Morgan, a man threatened by a killer, a man endangered by his own erased memories. Hawk must survive in 1894 so his present day ancestor Pierce Morgan, will be alive in Isabeau's future.

Isabeau begins to fall in love with Hawk Morgan but with both their future's uncertain and a killer on the loose, neither one of them may have a tomorrow to look forward to.

Get Your Copy!    Amazon  Smashwords

All Hallow's Read: Book Drive & Giveaway!

We're so excited to be bring you...

*Fiction Frolic for All Hallow's Read Book Drive & Giveaway!*

We hope you'll check it out!

~~The Deets~~

Help Raise 1,000 books for charity and enter to win $200, signed books and swag!

We are excited to share about an ambitious blog tour—Fiction Frolic for All Hallow's Read—where ten authors from several genres are working hard to raise 1,000 books in three weeks for Books for America.

From October 1st to 19th, donate a new book (or books!) and earn extra bonus points in a huge giveaway that these authors are hosting.

~~The Prizes!~~

Two winners will each receive the following...

$100 Amazon G.C.

5 signed books from the authors hosting the event

A swag bag

Plus—in honor of All Hallow's read, gift a signed copy of one of our books to a friend!

With a total of $200, 12 signed books (including the gifted books) and major swag, what better way is there to raise books for charity and celebrate All Hallow's Read?

Each author participating is also donating signed copies of their books to Books for America, an awesome charity that is officially sponsoring their event and excited to be involved with All Hallow's Read. In 2011, Books for America donated more than $800,000 worth of books and materials to DC area schools, shelters and dozens of other educational programs and organizations.

The authors are blogging throughout the event at The Fiction Frolic Blog...

Oct 1-5: Read about how books shaped their love for reading and writing.
Oct 8-12: Read their scariest, funniest or craziest Halloween experiences, or learn about their favorite Halloween themed book or movie, or favorite work of "dark" literature.
Oct 15-19: Enjoy some flash fiction, short stories and novel excerpts.

So donate, share, and look for daily ways to enter to win. 

Donate to charity for bonus points!

Broken (Women of the Otherworld #6) by Kelley Armstrong

Ever since she discovered she’s pregnant, Elena Michaels has been on edge. After all, she’s never heard of another living female werewolf, let alone one who’s given birth. But thankfully, her expertise is needed to retrieve a stolen letter allegedly written by Jack the Ripper. As a distraction, the job seems simple enough–only the letter contains a portal to Victorian London’s underworld, which Elena inadvertently triggers–unleashing a vicious killer and a pair of zombie thugs.

Now Elena must find a way to seal the portal before the unwelcome visitors get what they’re looking for–which, for some unknown reason, is Elena.

Type: Urban Fantasy, 1st person (Werewolves/Vampires/Zombies)
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Okay, I'll admit this one sounded a little cheesy to me when I picked it up. I mean, Victorian era zombies rampaging Canadian streets? Elena knocked up and on the hunt for 'Jack the Ripper'? Really, now? But in the end I really liked Broken. It turned out to be a fun filled romp and a highly enjoyable read.

Spotlight: The Recruit by Monica McCarty + giveaway

Now that's one damn FINE cover! Love a man in a kilt! Yum!

Have any of yall read Monica McCarty? She's a newly added one to my TBR pile and I'm definitely looking forward to meeting her men. They sound luscious! 

Today we've got a great excerpt from Monica's next release, The Recruit, that hits shelves October 30th! There's a fab giveaway, a print copy of the Recruit, down at the bottom for one US follower too!

So read on and enjoy!

Friday Finds: *Free* & On Sale Books

A couple fun finds this week! I picked up a ton of these...

Are you picking any of them up? Read any of them?

*Please leave a quick comment if you  grab one of the deals.*
It really helps me when I'm picking next weeks finds to know which ones interest yall :) 

Found a good deal? Shoot me an email at acade29@gmail.com and will add it to the next Friday Finds!

Deputy Sheriff Nick Rogers found out small-town life meant adjusting to two things—gossips and Laney Cavanaugh. And neither was much help in solving a bridal shower murder.

Some days it appeared like everyone in Whitehorse had a secret—including their new lawman. And falling for Laney wasn't a good way to maintain a low profile. Nick might have been new to Whitehorse, but he wasn't above getting his hands dirty. Even if everybody in Laney's family had it in for the victim, and they were fixing for a fight. Wedding bells were always trouble, and, unfortunately, trouble always had a way of hunting Nick down.

*FREE*  Amazon   Barnes&Noble  (Full length novel- 2nd in series)

~~~*~~*~~~*~~*~~~

49% of Americans believe their government officials are honest. I don't know these officials, or their supporters, but I know their secrets, and 49% of Americans are wrong. 

My employers pay me well to be right, to know things others can't. But I don't know why they brought that boy in, strapped to a stretcher, barely conscious. He asked me for help when I could give none.

I'm a wealthy spy, a talented artist, a martial arts black belt, and a prisoner. They tell me that on my eighteenth birthday, I will be released, free to go to the college of my dreams. It's my eighteenth birthday, and a man in black is at my door. I know he's not here to free me.

I know, because I can read minds. My name is Sam, and this is my story.

*FREE until 10/7* Amazon (Full length novel- 1st in Series)

~~~*~~*~~~*~~*~~~

When Daniel has to travel to San Francisco and needs an escort for a social event, the beautiful Sabrina shows up on his doorstep. Little does he know that she's not an escort. Their encounter quickly turns steamy until lies threaten to destroy their passionate affair.

*this one's an erotic romance- just a heads up

*FREE* Amazon  (stand alone- 150ish pages)

Cat Thursday: the way to a woman's heart...

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 cats! Enjoy! 

~~~~~~~~~~~*~*~~~~*~*~~~~~~~~~~~

*LOVE*

This is definitely true for me, what about you?

Build me bookcases, take me to the bookstore and I'm a happy girl :)

Not my most catish Thursday but it had two of my favorite things...cats and books so I just had to share. 

Hope yall are all having a fab Thursday! ~Anna

{***We're starting something new!**}
Starting next week we're going to feature follower kitties in our Cat Thursday's!
We'd love to meet your herds! If you'd like your babies featured shoot an email to acade29@gmail.com with their stories and pictures! Whenever we get one will feature them!

Loving Lady Marcia (House of Brady #1) by Kieran Kramer {plus Giveaway}

Of the three Brady sisters, Lady Marcia has always seemed the girl most likely to lead a perfectly charmed life. But after a handsome cad breaks her heart, she swears off love and devotes her life to teaching girls at a private school. In spite of her family’s wish for a London debut, Marcia is happy where she is—until terrible news sends her back to the Brady clan…and into the arms of an unexpected suitor.

A dark and dashing earl who knows Marcia’s past, Duncan Lattimore is surprised by what a fascinating and independent woman she’s become. Marcia, too, is surprised—by the fiery attraction she feels for Duncan. But why—why—must he be the brother of the scoundrel who broke her heart? Why must Marcia’s rival at school forbid her from seeing him? How can this lady possibly resist this fellow—when they know that it’s much more than a hunch…?

Type: Historical Romance
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

It's so fun trying out a new author especially when you end up really loving the world and characters they create. Loving Lady Marcia was my first from Kieran Kramer and definitely won't be my last. Once I got into the flow of her writing style I found myself completely engrossed in the story she spun of Duncan and Marcia who have known each other for years but aren't on the friendliest of terms. The whole enemies to lovers storyline is one of my favorites so I had a great time with this one. Add in some family drama and head strong characters and it was a fun little read.

She looked away, and he pulled her chin back around with a gentle finger. 

"You should be kissed," he said. "Every day. By a man who adores you."

Duncan was hands down my favorite thing. I absolutely adored this man. It's so hard to resist a hero that bucks proper society and their opinions and does what he thinks is right. And that's Duncan to a T, especially when it comes to raising his young son as a single parent. These two had me melting all over the place they were so sweet together. Marcia was a delightful heroine as well. Determined and focused on what she wants, caring and compassionate and every once in a while a little bit wild. They're really stand up people you can be proud of and wouldn't mind knowing in real life.

Tasty Delights-- Nutella Hot Chocolate!

Tasty Delights and Dazzling Disasters is all about playing in the kitchen and having some fun.

I'll share my delights or my disasters. Yall feel free to join in and create your own posts, share your favorite recipes, what have you. 

Alright so this may just be my favorite hot chocolate ever. 

I saw someone online mention using Nutella to make hot chocolate but completely forgot to mark the page. If it was you, thanks! It's awesome!

I had a little craving and decided to give it a go. And oh it's really and absolutely delicious!
It's totally ruined me for any other hot chocolates. lol

Justice at Cardwell Ranch (Montana Mystic #2) by B.J. Daniels {Plus Giveaway}

Six years ago, Dana Cardwell found her mother's will in a cookbook and became sole owner of the Cardwell Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Now happily married, Dana is surprised when her siblings, Stacy and Jordan, show up on the ranch…and trouble isn't too far behind.

As danger draws closer to the ranch, deputy marshal Liza Turner quickly realizes that Jordan Cardwell isn't the man the town made him out to be.

Type: Mystery, Light Romance
Heat: 1 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Oh this was so "Mean Girls" meets Montana ranch life. And it was fabulous. The cover's pretty yummy too. Always a plus, right?

I'm liking Daniels more and more with each book of her's I read. One thing about her books is that the romances play a really, really secondary role in the storyline and the heat factor is basically nil but I think she makes up for it with enjoyable characters and well written mysteries that pull you in. They're really fun to watch unfold too. Right when you think you've got it all figured out she'll throw in a nice twist that'll get you. I just love that when I'm reading.

October Random Reads...murder & marriage in the Roman Empire!

Random Reads is hosted by I'm Loving Books to help all those poor books on our tbr lists that get lost along the way. You're all welcome to join in :) Just grab your TBR list and randomly pick your book. 

I used random.org and my goodreads.com list. 

I've got a MASSIVE tbr list and have really had a great time doing this meme. 

You just never know what's going to pop up and sometimes it's really blasted funny.

This time around random.org gave me book 457...Valeria's Cross. 

It's a Christian Fiction/Historical Romance. And listed right after...Fire. An erotic short story apparently about group sex around a villiage fire. ::snort:: Ummm. I've got eclectic taste? lol. 

All He Ever Needed (Kowalski Family #4) by Shannon Stacey

Mitch Kowalski lives out of a suitcase—and he likes it that way. Traveling for work has the added bonus of scaring off women who would otherwise try to tie him down. But when he’s called home to help with running the family lodge, he’s intrigued by the new girl in town and her insistence that she doesn’t need a man—for anything. If there’s one thing Mitch can’t resist, it’s a challenge, especially a beautiful one.

After a nomadic childhood, Paige Sullivan is finally putting down roots. Determined to stand on her own two feet, she lives by the motto men are a luxury, not a necessity. But when Mr. Tall, Dark and Hot pulls up a stool in her diner and offers her six weeks of naughty fun with a built-in expiration date, she’s tempted to indulge.

Mitch won’t stay put for a woman, and Paige won’t chase after a man—they’re the perfect match for a no-strings fling. Until they realize the amazing sex has become anything but casual…

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 2 out of 5 (and that's pushing it)

As much as I love the Kowalski's this one really just didn't work for me. It just didn't seem like the same family at all. From the lack of character development to the "romance", depressing secondary storylines, and the glaring absence of the slightly insane family dynamic that defines the Kowalski family. It all lacked Stacey's usual humor and sweetness and what makes reading one of her books such an emotionally wonderful and satisfying experience.

3 days...22 1/2 hours reading...

I didn't do too bad with this. 

The goal was to read 24 total hours in 3 days. 

I ended up making it to 22 1/2 hours before I finally caved in and went to bed :) Soooo close!

 Danielle and Ava over at Romance Book Junkies did a great job hosting the read-a-thon and I had a blast with it! 

I knocked these four off the TBR pile!

Sexy September? What were your Hot Reads?

Hot Reads is a Monthly Meme hosted by

  Book Savvy Babe to share the hottest reads of the month!  It can be any book you read this month that raised your temp or made you squirm. Hot cover, yummy characters or scene.... Join in and share your sexy reads and find some new ones!

I started the month of with some seriously HOT Reads. Just thinking about them makes me grin :)  The rest of the month my reads were pretty tame though. And it's about to do me in. lol. I'm in desperate need of a steamy read ;) I'd love to hear yall's suggestions so feel free to leave a comment :)

No question. My hottest read for September was Cherise Sinclair's My Liege of Dark Haven. Sweet. Mary. Love this woman's Doms and Xavier was so damn good. From the drool-worthy cover to the last page this one was just scorching hot and sexy as hell. Cherise even managed to make a bit of chemical play (yikes!) kinda hot. 

18 & Over- A little bit of random...

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that begins on Fridays and runs through the weekend, hosted by Crystal from Reading Between the Wines. This is a Friday blog hop with the objective to find and visit other book blogs that share the same interest as you, namely books geared towards the 18 & over crowd, and make some new friends!

This week...

Pick up your current book, turn to a random page, and jot down the first few sentences that pop out at you. 

Make sure to share the author & title of the book with everyone!

The blazer fishtailed before the chains caught and gave him traction. It took a long time for his heart to stop pounding.  

He climbed out of the truck, pointed at the wolf. "Do you know how dumb that was?" 

Probably not any less dumb than talking to an animal. And definitely not as stupid as feeling chastised when it gave him a look, then trotted a few yards up the highway.

From the Under Her Skin anthology pg 117 (Meljean Brook's novella). It was my favorite of the three novellas too :)

*These three were also in the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance just in case yall have that!*

Alright, what's your little bit of reading randomness? 

Friday Finds: FREE/SALE Priced Books!

Alright dearlings. 
We've got a couple finds for you this week that are *free* or on sale. 

Some are active only a couple days so double check those prices before you click buy.

Are you picking any of these up? 

Have you read any of them? 
We'll keep posting them as long as yall keep wanting them so let us know :)

Check out this week's books after the jump... 

Dirty Little Secrets...the new arrivals!

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by the ladies over at Under the Covers.

Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.

Click on the button to join in or if you don't have a blog join in on the comments!

We wanna here from you too!

This week's question: 

With all the great releases out this month, which has been the one you have clicked up first?

And which has surprised you the most?

Cat Thursday: I haz a hungry...you fixes it...

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 cats! Enjoy! 

~~*~*~~*~*~~

Romance Book Junkies Read-a-thon! Sept 27-29!

Alright! We just joined in on our first Read-A-Thon! So excited :) 

It's being hosted by Danielle over at Romance Book Junkies. 

It's her first time hosting and she's set up a great couple of days with contests and all kinds of goodies!

The big goal is to read for 24 total hours from September 27th to 29th! Love it!