Sweet Temptations by Maya Banks

Woooh, boy!  Was this a steamy book or what?  This is the first novel that I read that falls under the "erotica" category, and it did not leave me disappointed.  Although, I must admit that certain parts did make me uncomfortable, (some of the subject matter is not my cup-o-tea) which at times made me want to put the book down. However, the book had a very interesting plot and I had to see where it was going to.  Want a hot and steamy book with a decent plot?  Check this one out.

Book Blurb:

"He was a by-the-book cop who broke all the rules in the bedroom...
Micah Hudson has painful secrets he's tried hard to run from.  He has new friends and a new life, but he's about to be confronted with the one person who reminds him of all he's tried to forget-- angelina, the sister of his oldest friend, David.  She knows everything about Micah's past, including how he and David fell in love with the same woman, and how they decided that the best way to prevent her from tearing them apart was to share her.  But then a terrible accident left Micha alone...

She was willing to do anythign to make her see the woman she'd become...
Micah lost the two people who meant the most to him.  Angelina lost her only family.  And she's kept her deepest secret close to her heart: her love for Micah.  No longer willing to wait, she decides it's time to go after him and bring him to his knees.  She knows his secrets, his desires, his kinks and fetishes, and she'll use whatever it takes to reel him in.  Beneath Micah's easygoing exterior lies a man with dark needs and passions.  She can give him what he wants... but will he decide she's what he needs?"

Rachel's Rating: 20

Plot: 6
    Strong Beginning: 2
    Keeps You Hooked: 2
    Predictability: 2
Characters: 5
    Believability: 2
    Intriguing Leads: 2
    Secondary Characters:1
Steaminess: 9
    Mood: 3
    Hotness: 3
    Number of Times: 3

Once Upon a Time by Marylyle Rogers

Book Blurb:
"A lovely lady fell asleep in a charmed ring of flowers and dreamed of Comlan, king of the fairy realm. She spent a few magical hours by his side, enjoying the company of the handsome king whose golden hair and green eyes could turn the head of any mortal maid... and whose charming attentions captured her heart.

But the year is 1850, and Amy Danton knows better than to believe in fairy tales.  However wonderful Comlan seems, he is nothing but a figment of her imagination, a dream to bel eft behind in Ireland when she goes to London to prepare for the marriage her parents have arranged. but any mortal suitor pales in comparison to the unearthly delight of Comlan.

Then, across a crowded ballroom, she sees the man of her dreams.  Their eyes meet, and she dares to hope that her fairy tale will end happily ever after... until she learns why Comlan has come to her world, and of the very mortal danger that threatens their enchanted love"

Rachel's Rating: 16

Plot: 6
    Strong Beginning: 2
    Keeps You Hooked: 2
    Predictability: 2
Characters: 4
    Believability: 1
    Intriguing Leads: 2
    Secondary Characters:1
Steaminess: 6
    Mood: 2
    Hotness: 2
    Number of Times: 2

Featured Article: Romance Novels Bad for Women's Health

I came across this article by Rachael Rettner and thought it was interesting. 

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/romance-novels-women-relationships-1680/

What do you think?

~Rachel

Pinot Grigio

Made from the pinot gris grapes, Pinot Grigio is the white form of Pinot Noir.  This wine can be light to full bodied depending on which region the bottle is from.

Cavit Pinot Grigio
    From the delle Venezie region of Italy this Pinot Grigio is a light bodied wine the has certain crisp flavors.

Sutter Home
    From California this wine is said to have a crisp taste containing hints of pepper and arugula.  However all I tasted was an aftertaste of gross cheese.  This brand is probably the least expensive for wine and I'm beginning to think there's a reason for it.  Do yourself a favor and spend the extra $2 on the other bottle.

Gewurztraminer

 Gewurztraminer is a dry, white wine that sometimes comes in a spritz, or bubbly, form. It combines the flavors of the Gewurztraminer grapes with lychee, passion fruit and some floral tones.  Its a smooth wine with no unpleasant after taste.  I've found that it pairs well with spicy foods, chicken and a few sweets.  What will you pair it with?








  
Chateau Ste Michelle

   A German Gewurtraminer and my first introduction to this type of wine. Delicious and inexpensive. 

Moscato D'Asti

Classification: Sparkling White Wine, Dessert Wine
Color: Straw, like white grape juice
Taste: Sugary Sweet

This is the sweet tea's of wines.  And according to Forbes Moscato D'Asti is the perfect picnic wine.  If you want a sweet wine, go for the Moscato D'Asti.  Personally I couldn't figure what types of food to pair with this wine, it seemed the sugary sweetness overran all the other flavors.  Whats your favorite pairing?


Brand: Piazzo Comm Armando
 I splurged on this bottle ($22!!) and it was well worth it.  This is the first wine that I've drunk and immediately thought, "Mmm, this is good!"







Brand: Cascinetta Vietti
    Not as tastefully sweet as the Piazzo Comm Armando, but nicer on my wallet.

Devil in the Dark by Evelyn Rogers

Book Blurb:
He rode out of the Yorkshire mist, a dark figure on a dark horse. Was he a living man or a nightmare vision, conjured up by her fearful imagination and her uncertain future?
Voices swirled in her head:
      They say he's more than human,
      A man's life is in danger when he's around...
      And a woman's virtue.
Repelled yet fascinated, Lucinda found herself swept into a whirlwind courtship. Yet even as his lips set fire to her heart, she could not forget his words of warning on the night they met:
      Tread softly. Heed little that you see and hear.
      Then leave. For God's sake leave.
Whether he was the lover of her dreams or the embodiment of all she feared, she sensed he would always be her... Devil in the Dark.


Rachel's Rating: 17

Plot: 7
    Strong Beginning: 3
    Keeps You Hooked: 2
    Predictability: 2
Characters: 5
    Believability: 2
    Intriguing Leads: 2
    Secondary Characters:1
Steaminess: 5
    Mood: 2
    Hotness: 1
    Number of Times: 2