Archives for July 2018

Research by Linda Nightingale – Guest Blog and Giveaway


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Linda Nightingale will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Research
Recently, I watched an interesting production on PBS about the excesses of the aristocracy in Edwardian England. Since Devil’s Waltz from Rhapsody is set in the late 1890s, Morgan would have lived in this time of riches above a base of servitude and poverty. In fact, in the beginning of the story, he says:

“The late 1800’s were a testament to hedonism, especially for my kind. Oscar Wilde created Dorian Gray, and on the black and white pages, much of the age can be learned. It was a good time to be alive. Beauty was a valuable coin, intellect and wit keys to society and success. The attitude of the era reminded me of the mid-sixteen hundreds when I was a young mortal man.”

The strata between the aristocracy and the common man was, to us today, unbelievable. For example, the staff had to stay out of sight. They had their own staircases, quarters and dining halls. In the dining halls was a series of 50 or so bells, and it was the responsibility of the serving person to learn the sound of his/her bells. They could be interrupted at any leisure or even at dinner to answer that bell. The hierarchy of the servants was almost as the rigid separation of the classes. At the top of the ladder was the Housekeeper and from there down the descent was steep, except for the footmen. The footmen often wore uniforms that cost more than their annual salary!

Lavish parties, grouse shoots, fox hunts, and horse races entertained the aristocracy. The titleholder’s prized racehorses were housed in mansion-like stables while the staff had their own quarters out of sight in the manor and ate according to rank at large tables in a room adjoining the kitchen. The chefs were usually French, as French chefs were in vogue.

It was, as Morgan says, a testament to hedonism.

March Morgan still believes in true love, but her faith in finding her soul mate is slowly vanishing. She’s been married but never in love. So, it is a miracle to find that fantasy exists on the last page of a glossy women’s journal. Mayfair Electronics, Ltd., in black and white, offers Love for Sale. The London firm has engineered sentient androids indistinguishable from humans. She flies to England and meets the man she has been searching for her entire life.

Christian requires no programming to love March at first sight. He’s handsome, cultured…absolutely perfect…and a little different from the other androids. He has an unexpected independent streak. March signs on the dotted line, buying her dream man. They return to Houston, but soon her past and his future threaten their Happily Ever After—indeed their lives.

The greatest enemy of a vampire is boredom. Four centuries of existence have taught Lord Morgan Gabriel D’Arcy to fear nothing and no one. Humans and their weapons have little chance against his preternatural speed and arcane powers. Vampires are viral mutations of human DNA. Still, the Vampyre code requires secrecy, and he has learned to hide his nature from the world. The lure of mortality, of a life in the sun, puts Morgan again and again at the mercy of calculating human women though they fail to consider his charm and determination into the equation. However, even grooming a future bride from infancy proves to be fraught with heartbreak. And second chances are not always what they seem unless… you are Morgan. Immortality and beauty, aren’t they grand?

Enjoy an Excerpt from Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody:

Art is passion.

Each of us, at some time, wishes to stand naked in passion’s temple and face deepest, darkest desire—to be an innocent victim to lust. I knew all about lust. Lust. Bloodlust. In the ecstasy of the Kiss and the rapture of the kill, the two fused.

I glided to the sofa, perching on the arm. Mischief whispered in my ear.

My friend Lucien, head of the Council that governed the Vampyre, would be livid if I endangered our secret. I might even be punished. So what? For a long time now, I’d faithfully toed the line, giving the powers that be no reason to slap my hand. No one was likely to nominate me for sainthood, and I was tired of being a good man. Envisioning an outraged Lucien crumpling the newspaper, I laughed aloud. For days, I hadn’t laughed. I was still chuckling when I dashed off a Men Seeking Women romance ad.

Vampires were no longer monsters, but fine seducers, purveyors of passion. Victims abounded. As I sampled the replies, I was disappointed and left fifty beautiful women disappointed as well, thinking me another nut not a vampire.

I failed to find the thrilling vintage I sought and forgot about the ad.

**

“Hello, darlin’.” Her voice was lazy, honey-sweet and sensual. “You look like you could use some company.”

I took a deep breath of the vintage I had sought. “I could.”

“You got it.” Manicured red nails dug into my shoulders. “I’ve been waiting for you all my life.”

A first-class, round-trip ticket to the Turks and Caicos Islands dropped on the keyboard. Another fell beside it. One of the tickets was issued to Morgan Gabriel D’Arcy, the other to Fiona Allman. I had to admire her style, but she couldn’t have come from the ad. Names and addresses weren’t given.

Fiona was the given.

“What you waiting for? Your bags are packed. We’re leaving on a jet plane.” The enticing voice grew darker, duskier. “To sunshine. No more of this fricking rain.”

“Fiona, I presume.”

“It’s me, darlin’, the one you’ve been waiting for.” Soft, warm lips caressed my cheek, her fingers working magic on the tense muscles in my neck.

The scents of rain-perfumed skin, Italian leather, and blood laced with single malt whiskey teased my six senses. I hadn’t fed in nights. The craving wrenched my stomach. Saliva broke beneath my tongue. Her fingers stroking my neck awoke another, totally sexual desire. I threw back my head and laughed. I was in trouble. At last!

She smoothed the hair back from my forehead. “Come on, pretty baby, get up. We don’t have much time. Heathrow’s a good hour’s drive from here.”

“I can’t go,” I said, not believing my own lie. I always did exactly as I pleased. “CD to cut.”

The throaty laugh was as sensual as her touch. “I’ve checked your schedule. No personal appearances. These dickheads will wait until Lord D’Arcy returns. They have to. You are the show.”

“How did you find me?” I liked the way she stroked my libido. An image of taking her on the piano heated my blood. “How did you know my name? And my schedule.”

“Does it matter?” She tucked my hair behind my ear and sucked the lobe into her mouth. “I wanna [screw] your brains out.”

“Anytime.” I was ready. Desire throbbed, hot, taut in my belly and in my [shaft].

It didn’t matter how, only that she had found me.

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About the Author:Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston. She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt. She retired from a career as a retired legal assistant, just joined the Houston BMW Club, and the stars in her crown—two wonderful sons. In a former life, she must have had to walk everywhere because today she is into transportation with fine taste in expensive horses and hot cars! She likes to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

Listen to an excerpt from Love For Sale: Embed Music Files – Podcast Hosting –

Twitter | Facebook | Website – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story. | Blog – Lots of interesting guests & prizes | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page
Enjoy the book video for Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody and Love For Sale.

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Second Time Around by Nancy Herkness – Q&A and Giveaway

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Nancy Herkness who is visiting with us to celebrate today’s release of her newest book Second Time Around. Enter the Rafflecopter at the end of the post for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card plus a digital copy of the book.

Thanks for stopping by Long and Short Reviews, Nancy. How old were you when you started writing? What was the first thing you remember writing?

I don’t remember not writing. I loved to read, and writing seemed like a natural extension of that passion. My first memory of laboring over a piece of writing comes from when I was eight years old. I decided to enter a book report in a contest at my local library in Lewisburg, West Virginia. This wasn’t just for school; it was going out into a wider world, so I edited it with care. It won! As the prize, I received a nonfiction volume about prehistoric beasts. (I have no idea why that topic was chosen for me.) That was when I knew I was a writer. I have carried that precious prize with me ever since because I believe it started me on the path that led me to this interview.

What’s the most difficult part of being a writer? What’s the most rewarding?

The most difficult part of being a writer is…writing. It’s hard, sweaty work that sometimes verges on torture, especially after multiple books. We writers are always raising the bar on ourselves, so we make it harder every time we start a new story. Argh!

My reward is hearing from readers that my story resonated with them or took them away from life for a little while or made them cry or made them smile. I love to know that one of my books is on a reader’s “keeper” shelf or that she had read it a dozen times. My readers close the circle for me as a writer. I am so grateful to them for telling me how my books made them feel.

To get your writing to ‘flow’, do you have any habits or rituals?

When I start a new scene, I like to take my goofy golden retriever for a walk. The forward motion of my body seems to make my creative brain move forward too. I come home with fresh, new ideas for the scene and I’m ready to get them onto the computer.

If you had to choose one career highlight what would it be? What are some of your goals for the future?

Weirdly enough, I’d choose my second Rita nomination as a career highlight. The first nomination—as exciting and unbelievable as it was—felt almost like a fluke, a one-time aberration. When I was nominated a second time, I thought maybe I might be a decent writer after all.

My goals? Well, I’d like to actually win a Rita. I’d like to be #1 in all Kindle books on Amazon, just for an hour. I’d like to be a Wall Street Journal bestseller. The truth is that those things are all out of my control. So my goal continues to be the same as it always was: Write the best darned books I possibly can.

You have focused your career on writing contemporary romance. Are there any other genres you might consider writing? Or are there genres that you know without a doubt aren’t right for you?

In fact, I’ve written one romantic suspense novel, Music of the Night, with a police detective heroine and a hero who’s a conductor of classical music. I love the book, but it didn’t grab a publisher, so I self-published it.

I’ve always wanted to write a paranormal series about humans with psychic powers. I’m fascinated by the idea that we don’t use anywhere near all of our brains’ capacity. Constructing the parameters within which such humans would function seems like great fun to me.

Although I absolutely adore reading them, I will never write a historical romance. I’m just too lazy to do the necessary research. There, I’ve confessed it!

When you aren’t writing are you a reader? Do you have any favorite authors? Do you have a book you would like to recommend?

Every self-respecting writer must be a reader, too. Reading is a joy and a pleasure to me. I have so many favorite authors from all types of literature that the list would be far too long for this blog post. However, I will say that I bow down in awe to my personal goddesses of romance, Georgette Heyer, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, J. D. Robb (Nora Roberts), and Mary Jo Putney. Of course, I know I’m forgetting someone really important. I’m currently reading Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson, and loving the writer’s brilliant use of voice and the touches of magic.

Thank you so much for inviting me to join your terrific blog!

Kyra Dixon, a blue-collar girl from the boondocks, is dedicated to her job at a community center that matches underprivileged kids with rescue dogs. When she runs into Will Chase—Connecticut blue blood, billionaire CEO, and her old college crush—she’s surprised that he asks a favor from her: to be his date for his uptight family’s dreaded annual garden party. If his parents don’t approve, all the better.

Kyra’s not about to say no. It’ll give her a chance to be oh-so-close to her unrequited love. What begins as a little fling turns so mad hot, so fast, that Kyra finds herself falling all over again for a fantasy that won’t come true. How can it? She doesn’t belong in Will’s world. She doesn’t want to. But Will does want to belong in hers.

All he has to do now is prove it. Will is prepared to give up whatever is necessary to get what his heart most desires.

About the Author: Nancy Herkness is the award-winning author of the Wager of Hearts, Whisper Horse, and Second Glances series, as well as several other contemporary romance novels. With degrees in English literature and creative writing from Princeton University, she has earned the New England Readers’ Choice award, the Book Buyers Best Top Pick honor, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, and she is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award.

 Nancy is a native of West Virginia but now lives in suburban New Jersey with a goofy golden retriever.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

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Natalie’s Wedding by K.T. Castle – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. The book is on sale for a limited time for only $0.99!

Kassandra never thought she’d be in another committed relationship, but now she’s living with her boyfriend Josh. Things can’t get any better. But they can get worse.

Natalie has dropped a major bomb on her, confessing she believes her husband is having an affair. Kassandra is always ready to help a friend, but accepting that one of their marriages isn’t working goes against everything she believes about the people she loves. Wanting to help their friend overcome this difficult situation and provide Natalie the support she needs, Kassandra and the girls pull a lot of strings to help Natalie uncover the truth. In the process, Kassandra discovers remarkable similarities between Josh’s recent changes and those in Natalie’s allegedly cheating husband. She’s always been an independent woman who prides herself on her own success, and when she digs up one dirty secret after another, she can’t help but wonder if her man’s womanizing days are really behind him.

Sometimes, love makes us twist reality to avoid hurting those we hold closest to our hearts. Join Kassandra and Natalie as they struggle to reconcile their fears in love with the truth.

Enjoy an Excerpt:

Whenever a friend of mine dropped for a quick visit, it was always a nice surprise. Having Natalie for dinner was no different. She was a lovely woman, always doing her best to make everyone around her happy and comfortable. I thought she was even more beautiful on the inside than she was on the outside, and that was hard to top. With blonde hair, sky-blue eyes, and a smile so bright, she had a way of making people happy to comply with whatever she asked. But tonight, her charming smile didn’t illuminate her face. If I really thought about it, her smile hadn’t been the same for a while. Now I understood why.

“Why would you say that, Nat?” I couldn’t understand what she’d just told me.

“Because it’s true, Kassie.” Her shoulders fell as she exhaled what she believed was true. “I know it’s hard to believe. I couldn’t believe it myself, but I reached the point where there’s no denying it anymore. He’s definitely having an affair.”

She seemed so heartbroken. Her wide eyes glanced around the house as if she were lost, apparently finding it difficult to concentrate on any given point. She slouched as if in defeat, her hair seemed dull pulled back in a painful ponytail, but most of all, her sad smile seemed forced, so out of place on her face. She seemed so lonely sitting on my kitchen counter stool, regardless of whether or not if Josh and I were there with her. When did this happen? Why didn’t I notice before? I quickly moved to her side and held her in a tender hug with no idea what to say. I didn’t want to believe that Andrik could possibly put her through that. He was always so protective of her, looking after her every need. He was hands down the most decent man I’d ever met.

There had to be some sort of mistake.

“Natalie, do you think you could’ve made a mistake?” Josh sat next to us by the kitchen counter. He and I had been about to have one of our in-home dinner dates when Natalie showed up at our place. Naturally, we invited her to join us. What we didn’t count on was the bitter aftertaste her news had left in both our mouths. “Andrik would never cheat on you.”

Natalie and Andrik had always been the most stable couple out of my group of friends. They weren’t the first to get married—that had been Denise and Clay—but they’d been next in line. It had surprised us all a little when Nat decided to marry a man so many years her senior; Andrik was actually her mother’s age. But everything about them had always been so natural, so organic. They seemed to belong to one another from very beginning of their relationship. I wasn’t any more ready to see that change.

“I wish that were true, Josh,” she told him. “But I’m positive that’s what’s happening.” Her voice trembled with emotion, her eyes red, and her hand felt clammy and cold in mine.

“That makes no sense,” Josh insisted. “He’d never do something like that.”

She laughed a little, more as a defense mechanism than humor, and it came out lifeless and sad. Staring at the dark marble of our counter, she traced the intrinsic pattern with her fingers. “How can you be so sure, Josh? You don’t know him that well.”

“I know him enough,” Josh answered with certainty. He leaned over the counter, holding himself up with his arms and hovering too close for Natalie’s comfort. “He’s crazy about you. He would never do something to hurt you.”

“Well, he sure is hurting me right now.” Natalie had never liked confrontation, and Josh’s questioning certainly didn’t seem to help. She held herself in a protective hug, her eyes now fixated on our floor as she avoided eye contact with either one of us.

About the Author: K.T. Castle loves reading, writing, and painting. She’s on a quest to find the words, forms, and colors to materialize the worlds and people of her imagination. She loves reading Romance, especially Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, and Paranormal. She never saw herself as an incurable romantic, but lately, that’s what she finds herself musing about. Love is found everywhere, regardless of whether it comes from a nice person or an ass—mundane or even vampire.

When she’s not busy with work, in front of a computer placing many thoughts in order, she does her best to be creative or relax with a good TV series and snacks. Some of her favorite characters are Lucifer, Jace, Clary, Affton, Cable, Poppy, Zack, Maleficent, and Ariel.

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Brave New Earl by Jane Ashford


Brave New Earl by Jane Ashford
The Way to a Lord’s Heart, Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (352 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

An Earl mired in melancholy is no match for a determined woman…
Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.

Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She doted on Benjamin’s late Countess, and can’t bear it when she hears rumors that the Earl is too bereaved to care for his young son. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.

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What a sweet romance! I really liked how a grumpy lord turned into a loving man. This is a novel with heart.

First I learned how depressed Benjamin seemed to be. Yes, he had good reason, but he’d shut himself off so completely, there was no one around to give him a swift kick in the **ahem**, you know, to shake him up, wake him up and give him reasons to come back to the land of the living. Then comes Jean.

Jean was a breath of fresh, fiery and snapping air, who blew in to save the hero’s son from an emotionally distant father. She took no guff and stood her ground. There was a child to save. Now, why is she so committed to saving Geoffrey from what is perceived as a sad and neglectful situation? That is for a reader to find out. There were times I was a bit frustrated because she simply wouldn’t talk to anyone, get their advice or ask for their help. She was determined to be her own woman. Well, she is, there was no doubt in my mind. But Jean surely needed saving just as much as father and son. Considering what Jean had accomplished so far in her life, she is someone to respect. Her past comes to haunt her though and I was proud of her when she faced her greatest fear. She had a bit of incentive however and it played well with the plot conflict.

This is mostly an internal conflict stemming from the dynamics of a man grieving too long, a young child who has intelligence, cunning and a yearning for adventures as well as his father’s love, and a lady who slowly comes to the realization that being alone and in command of one’s own destiny is not without its pitfalls. Trying to navigate the tangled web of emotions is challenging which is why Lord Macklin is an important secondary character. I believe he is going to be the master conductor in this series. I get that belief from the first chapter and it was confirmed as he conspired with Lady Thorpe to give Benjamin and Jean time and opportunities for lust and nature to take its course.

Even though I categorized this novel as spicy, it’s less than that but more than sensual. There’s just enough description in the bedroom for a reader to know exactly what is going on, but there’s no drawn out, overly detailed descriptions. Frankly, it was delightful, enjoyable and just the right balance of wanting to know and knowing. The hottest and most seductive scenes were of the hero and heroine kissing. It worked for me.

I said earlier that this story had heart. It really does because not only does Benjamin fall in love with Jean, so does his son. Her influence was patient, loving, gentle and optimistic, but by the same token she had a temper so they got to see the heroine at her best and worst. She eventually blossoms into her personhood, the woman she was meant to be, wild hair and all, a far cry from the unwanted instigator from the beginning of the novel. The ultimate consideration was Geoffrey’s happiness, his growing relationship with his father and the rediscovery of them as a family unit. Their realization that love expands and heals and is something to be embraced is really quite beautiful.

I totally enjoyed reading Brave New Earl and I can tell that I’m going to be seeing more of Lord Macklin in the future. He’s not only a bit mysterious, he’s Machiavellian – but in a good way. I look forward to seeing who is next in his crosshairs. Brave New Earl is a wonderful book to pick up if you are in need of a sweet and satisfying happy ever after. All the main characters are engaging and convincingly brought to life and I finished the story with a smile on my face. What more needs be said?

Her Viking Dom by Mardi Maxwell


Her Viking Dom by Mardi Maxwell
The Doms of Club Mystique Book 7
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (200 Pages)
Other: M/F, Anal Play/Anal Sex, Spanking
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Thor Larkin did the one thing he swore he’d never do during a mission…he dropped his guard and gave into his desire for a woman. A night of passion with Marisol Rios ended when Carlos Mendez and his men broke into their room and took them captive. Imprisoned on Mendez’s barge, Thor protects Marisol by drawing Mendez’s rage away from her and toward himself. The beatings he’s taken have left him injured and burning with fever. Marisol does everything she can to take care of Thor. She’s begged him to stop protecting her and give himself time to heal. A plea he’s refused. All she can do now is keep him from pushing Mendez too far. The last thing she wants is to be have him sacrifice his life to save hers. Thor swore he’d never love a woman, but Marisol’s bravery and faith in him has cracked the walls around his heart. The night she confessed her love for him, they crumbled completely. With time running out, he’s forced to face his feelings for her. Is it lust? Love? Or, both?

Action, a lot of romance and a hint of fantasy!
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I fell in love with Marisol and Thor. The book starts with them being kidnapped, becoming captives and being tortured. The author made sure that these scenes of torture were subtle and not too hard for the eyes.

Her Viking Dom can be read as a stand-alone. However, there were instances that I felt like I was missing something or didn’t understand it as well as I could have if I had started reading from the beginning of the series. I could have understood the relationship and the characters a bit more if I had done so.

The beginning was slow but with their capture, it built and built and brought me back to the book time and time again.

The plot was about an enemy kidnapping the couple. They do escape and that’s what gave me insight as to how they would act or be with each other outside of captivity. It was a party. Fun and really hot! Marisol has a mind of her own when it comes to some things. She is independent but attracted to Thor like a moth to a flame.

When they get home and the story heads for the climax, I expected a lot of things. But, it took a 180 degree turn and went from a simple romance to shifters and magic. The author did a great job with introducing these new elements to the already packed novel.

Her Viking Dom is perfect for readers who love their romance with a bit of something else added in.

Top Five Vacation Spots by Hudson Lin – Guest Blog


Long and Short Reviews welcomes Hudson Lin who is celebrating the release of Three Months to Forever.

Top Five Vacation Spots
Hi! I’m Hudson Lin and this is the blog tour for Three Months to Forever.

Three Months to Forever is set in Hong Kong, which plays a big role in the romance between the two main characters. I love to travel, to see new places, eat great food, and learn about a different culture. Most of us live as if our lives are the most important story in the world, but when I travel, it reminds me that there are people all across the planet who have hopes, dreams, and struggles that are not so dissimilar to my own. Here are five places I’ve visited that have left a lasting impression on me.

5. Greece

Greece is the home of an old, old civilization, and you can see evidence of that simply by walking the streets of Athens. No, seriously. There are sections of sidewalks cordoned off because they’ve found ancient ruins beneath the current infrastructure. It blows my mind to think that that was the world of Socrates and Plato, of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the birthplace of democracy.

The Greek islands scattered around the Mediterranean Sea are just as phenomenal in their beauty; it’s called Mediterranean blue for a reason. I could spend forever just sitting by the water with a good book, sipping frappés, before tucking in some fresh seafood.

4. Italy

Similar to Greece, modern day Italy is descendant from an ancient civilization and has amazing food. I could get lost in Venice’s romantic canals and meandering streets. It has a charm that is hard to describe and impossible to replicate. Too bad rising sea waters are threatening the entire city!

Florence boast the world’s most delicious cut of meat. Perfectly seasoned, grilled on an open fire, juicy and melt in your mouth, the Florentine steak is hands down the best steak I’ve had in my entire life.

Rome has all the grandeur one would expect of a city that once ruled an sprawling empire. From the Colosseum, to the Trevi Fountain, to the Spanish Steps, and never forget Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, Rome is bursting with a rich and vibrant history.

And the gelato. OMG, the gelato.

3. Singapore

As you may be able to tell, I’m a bit of a foodie and I’ve been spoiled by living in New York and Toronto, both places with a diverse and authentic food scene that rivals cuisines served in their lands of origin. Neither place, though, can do Singaporean food like they do it in Singapore. Singapore of a mix of Indian, Malay, and Chinese cultures and the food reflects this combination with noodle soups, curries, and fish sauce. There’s not enough time in the world to go through all the good stuff to eat, but here are some of my favorites:

• Laksa – rice noodles in a curry-based soup
• Bak kut teh – pork ribs braised in a garlicky, peppery broth
• Kaya toast – coconut and pandan-based jam spread on toast, topped with a soft-boiled egg
• Satay – chicken, beef, or lamb kabobs with lemongrass seasoning, grilled over charcoal
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• Pandan cake – a fluffy chiffon sponge cake flavored with pandan extract

2. Hawai’i

Hawai’i is the perfect mix of great food (obviously my priority), rich history, and beautiful scenery. Much of the food scene has a heavy Asian influence, brought by the Japanese, Chinese, and various South East Asian immigrants, though adapted to fit Hawai’i’s unique geography.

The Hawai’ian people have a special culture and history that often gets overlooked. They were a sophisticated civilization flourishing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean long before the islands were annexed to the United States. I so appreciated learning about their culture and how it has evolved through the ages.

Hawai’i is gorgeous: mountains for hiking, oceans for diving. I don’t consider myself an outdoors person, but if I lived in Hawai’i, I would definitely become an outdoors person.

1. Thailand

And finally, Thailand. If I could retire tomorrow, I’d go live in Thailand. Specifically, a small town north of Phuket called Khao Lak. It’s a diving town, catering to tourists who show up every year between October and May to scuba dive in the beautiful waters around the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea. It’s considered one of the best dive spots on the planet and blissfully removed from the bustle of the rest of the world. From cute little clown fish to majestic manta rays, the marine life is diverse and simply stunning. If it were possible, I’d live underwater for the rest of my days.

The food in Thailand is amazing, too. I won’t go into it all now, but I’ll just say this: more fish sauce, please.

The world is full of amazing places, unique cultures, and interesting people. I’m so blessed to have the ability and resources to be able to travel.

Three Months to Forever is available now!

Ben is looking for an adventure when he accepts a temporary assignment in Hong Kong, but he never anticipated how his life might change when he meets a sophisticated older man named Sai. Their initial attraction is sizzling and soon grows into more as Sai takes Ben on a tour of the city’s famous landmarks and introduces him to the local cuisine. Sai stimulates Ben’s intellect and curiosity, and for jaded corporate lawyer Sai, Ben’s innocent eagerness is a breath of fresh air. It would be so easy to fall in love….

But nothing is that simple. Sai’s job forces him to do things that violate his morals, and his relationship with his family is a major obstacle to any lasting relationship with Ben. Back in Toronto, Ben’s father is ill, and can he really leave behind his home for a man he’s only known for a short time? With the clock ticking, they must decide whether to risk it all and turn three months into forever.

About the Author: Hudson Lin was raised by conservative immigrant parents and grew up straddling two cultures with ofttimes conflicting perspectives on life. Instead of conforming to either, she has sought to find a third way that brings together the positive elements of both.

Having spent much of her life on the outside looking in, Hudson likes to write stories about outsiders who fight to carve out their place in society, and overcome everyday challenges to find love and happily ever afters.

When not engrossed in a story, Hudson knits, drinks tea, and works the 9 to 5 in the beautiful city of Toronto, Canada.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy the book at Dreamspinner Press.

Top Five Coconut Recipes by Poppy Dennison – Guest Blog

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Poppy Dennison who is visiting with us today to celebrate the release of When He Was Bad, the third book in her Coconut Cove series.

 

True confession time: I’m not a big fan of coconut even though my new series is called Coconut Cove! But because the series is set in Key West, I find myself craving summery food when I’m working on it. There’s just something about coconut that says summer to me. So here are my top five recipes that feature coconut! Please be sure to leave your favorites for me in the comments and check out Levi and Whitney’s story in When He Was Bad.

 

  1. Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Teriyaki Bowls: This recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch is one of my all time favorites. And the coconut part is coconut rice! It’s so creamy and delicious and adds just the right amount of sweet with the grilled chicken and veggies.
  2. Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Peach Dipping Sauce: Another of my favorite summer flavors is peaches and this combination from FoodieandWine.com knocks it out of the park. I love that the shrimp are baked (unliked the fried coconut shrimp I see on restaurant menus!) and the peach sauce has just enough zing to say hello. Now, I’m not saying this is great with a cocktail including Peach Schnapps…. But if you were into that kind of thing you might want to try it!
  3. Pineapple Coconut Smoothie: Speaking of cocktails, this pineapple coconut smoothie by Gather for Bread is a perfect treat on a hot summer day. I might possibly add some Malibu to mine to up the coconut flavor a bit. So yummy.
  4. Seven Layer Magic Bars: These sweet treats by The Recipe Rebel certainly live up to their name. Super rich and decadent, they’re perfect when you need an indulgence!
  5. Mom’s Coconut Cake: Now, I don’t have a fancy link to this one, but I couldn’t leave off without mentioning my favorite Coconut recipe… one I don’t know how to make. We usually have this cake around Easter, but it’s great all the time. There’s only one catch… it only tastes right when my mom makes it. Does that ever happen to you?

 

 

Hope you liked my favorite coconut recipes and I hope you’ll stop by Coconut Cove!

 
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Lights, camera… wardrobe?

 

Coconut Cove is television’s newest hot sensation. The glitzy teen drama set in the beach lover’s paradise of Key West is the talk of every gossip rag eager for dirt and hookup news on the hot young actors—like Levi Phillips, who plays the show’s resident bad boy.

 

Levi’s attraction to costume designer Whit heads into high romance when Whit orders Levi out of his clothes—in an attempt to save Levi from heat exhaustion, of course.

 

Sassy Whit knows just how to dress, and undress, Levi, and soon the sexy duo are steaming it up offscreen, which is no surprise to their friends and castmates.

 

But love in the public eye is complicated, and rumors pose challenges that can threaten careers and love….

About the Author: Add two parts sass and one part sweet and you have Poppy Dennison to a T—sweet tea that is. Raised by a gaggle of Southern women who love reading and have backbones of steel, Poppy was brought up to see the best in people but always speak her mind. Mix it all together, like Grandma’s famous cobbler, and you get a sassy, Southern lady with a quick wit and loads of charm, who will soften any blow with “Bless your heart.”

Her books reflect her small town roots, are filled with all the comforts of home, and come with side dish of spicy, because that’s the way she likes it.

Buy the book at Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, or Kobo.

A Burden Shared by Jo Walton


A Burden Shared by Jo Walton
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (19 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What we do for one another is a mystery.

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The characters in this story lived in a world where it was possible to transfer pain from one person to another. While Penny and Noah couldn’t fix the underlying health problems that caused their adult daughter so much suffering, they were able to take turns feeling it for her in order to give her some relief. I was fascinated by this concept as soon as the narrator described it in the opening scene. It struck me as something that could be both a lifesaver as well as something that could have unforeseen consequences. The more I read about it, the more I wanted to know. I simply had to know how this system worked, and I was quite pleased with how much attention to detail the author paid to it.

I would have liked to see a little more time developing the ending. There was a plot twist there that was as surprising as it was gripping. After suddenly realizing how much it was going to affect all of the characters’ lives, it was a bit disappointing to not be able to see how all of those changes were going to play out for them. Imagining it was amusing, but I would have liked to at least had a hint of what the author thought was going to be the logical conclusion of this twist.

Not every character has to be likeable in order to be memorable. The author did a good job of rounding out the two main characters in this tale no matter how they decided to behave. While I’m still not sure I’d want to meet one of them, I did find it interesting to compare their most negative traits to the kind things they’d done as well. That nuance helped me to learn to appreciate this character regardless of what I thought of some of their choices.

A Burden Shared was a truly creative piece of science fiction. It should be read by anyone who is in the mood for something out of the ordinary.

Redemption from a Dark Past by Kelli A Wilkins


Redemption from a Dark Past by Kelli A Wilkins
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (263 pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Lord Sebestyen Adrik has an unsavory reputation as a madman, murderer… and worse. Lonely and searching for love, he seeks the companionship of local young women, hoping one of them will ease his torment and bring him the happiness he longs for. Katarina is his last chance—but will she fear him like all the others? Or is she the one who can lift his curse?

Desperate to avoid a forced marriage, Katarina agrees to become Lord Adrik’s latest companion, despite the rumors she has heard about him. She discovers the “Dark Lord’s” secret past and realizes he’s not the monster everyone thinks he is.
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As their love blossoms, she renews his passion for life—yet they cannot escape the ghosts of the past.

When a meeting of the nobility goes horribly wrong, Sebestyen’s world unravels, and his enemies plot to destroy him. As all seems lost, a mysterious stranger arrives at the castle. Sebestyen must decide if he is a friend or a foe…and if he can find redemption in his love for Katarina, or lose her and everything else that he holds dear.

Lord Adrik lives alone, an isolated hermit whos​e​ reputation is tarnished by the death of his wife. The villagers believe he murdered her and now buys young maidens who he does unspeakable things to and then casts them aside. Why then does Katherine accept a position as the next female companion?

Katherine had her own reasons to escape her life on the goat farm. At first afraid of Lord Adrik, she soon becomes friendly with him and then they take the next step and become lovers.

I liked the mystery of this book, it was pretty obvious what happened but not how it happened. I also liked the fact Katherine did not immediately jump into bed with Lord Adrik, in fact she was pretty naive about men and women although living on a farm had taught her the basics. Katherine appeared to be the stronger of the two, a determined young woman who wasn’t afraid to step outside the box. Adrik on the other hand was beset by guilt and indecision.

At first I didn’t think I’d like this book, but as I got more into it I found it had a ‘drawing in’ effect on me and I wanted to read on to find out how they solved the dilemma they found themselves in. Well worth reading to the end to find out how the mystery and confusion are resolved.

The Brooding Surgeon’s Baby Bombshell by Susan Carlisle


The Brooding Surgeon’s Baby Bombshell by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full length (255 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

One night, unexpected consequences…!

But can they be a family?
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After sparks fly with Dr. Gabriel Marks at a conference, nurse Zoe Avery’s left with a permanent reminder of their night together. Knowing Gabe doesn’t want kids, Zoe decides she’ll have the baby alone. Then Gabe moves to the same city just as pregnant Zoe needs a temporary home. Gabe comes to her rescue, but can they overcome their hurdles and become a family?

The Brooding Surgeon’s Baby Bombshell was appealing to me from the beginning to the end. I was consistently entertained as the unraveling plot revealed the hero, Gabe, and the heroine, Zoe’s complicated love story and that led me to a feel good book glow.

They both suffered from similar past hurts from their youth which was a bonding element for them but also what divided them. They both had to let go of their fears and not let the past define who they were as adults. I found myself cheering for them to take that leap of faith and trust their hearts to one another.

It was refreshing as well as heartwarming to read the love and compassion Zoe and Gabe had for each other as well as their patients – especially so for the empathy that was given in regards to Zoe’s mother. I only wish life’s problems could be as easily solved by falling in love with a rich doctor.

I have to mention how much I was relieved that this wasn’t a total clichéd story of woman and a man having a one night stand and she gets pregnant. The Brooding Surgeon’s Baby Bombshell had a quality plot with depth and well-developed characters. There were a couple of surprise plot twists that I didn’t anticipate.

I was especially pleased there was a prologue and an epilogue. I will definitely recommend this well written romance story to my friends and family.