I read romance ! So what ?

A very sad week end

2008-11-11T18:25:00.003+01:00

I have not blogged for a while and I come back with the very sad news that my Grand-Mother from my father's side died Friday.
She was 85 years old and sick for so long I knew it was coming but I still can't really acknowledge it.
She's been such a big part of my life for so long, I don't know how we'll do without her.
I miss you Mémé I will always love you

Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank

2008-07-24T10:42:00.006+02:00

I've had the three first books of this series for months ! I don't know why, but I did not read them right away, I always had something I thought would be better to read first.

Let me tell you something, I've been a fool for month, this series is not only good, it's fantastic !!

Once I started to read Jacob, I just had to read the rest. I had not been this enthralled by a series since I discovered Kenyon's dark hunters, Ward's brothers or Moning's fever series.

Jacob the first instalment introduces this new paranormal series masterfully. Jacquelyn Franck had created a world in which demons co exist in the human realm. not only it gives us a good look at what the series will be, it also takes us in a world of sensuality that let us breathless. Jacob and Isabella burn the sheets like nobody's business.

Gideon is more an introduction to the next book, we meet the heroin of the third tome. As well written as Jacob but it has a more intellectual aspect. The heros and his heroin take their time re-learning each other, and letting their feelings grow. Jacob and Isabella are the heros and heroin of the first book are omnipresent for our greates pleasure. A traitor is discovered and Lycanthrope and vampires appear to fight alongside the demons.

Elijah Begins with the heros almost dead and saved by Siena his Lyncanthrope heroin. Althought the heat between the protagnists is indeniable, the plot in this tome is thiner that the previous ones. That did not prevent me to like this book at all, but I was hoping that with strong heros and heroins as are Elijah and Siena, we would have a plot a bit more aggressive.

Damien, the eponym heros is not a Dmeon but a Vampire. We met him in the second tome "gideon". His Heroin Syreena is the sister of Siena the heroin of the third book and is a lycanthrope with very special Lycanthropic abilities. Raised by the monks after a terrible illness, She is not sure of herself and is not use to make decision. Damien will have to help her overcome her upbringing and introduce her in his world where sensuality is not an adjective but a way of life. The Nighwalkers are still fighting the Demon Traitor who combined force with a rogue vampire. The shadwodwellers another race make their appearenceinb this book

Noah the Demon kind is coming out soon and Ijust can't wait to have my hands on it.

Jacob - Nightwalkers, book 1

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (December 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0821780654

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers—the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and one man makes certain to uphold this ancient law: Jacob, the Enforcer…

For 700 Years, He Has Resisted Temptation. But Not Tonight…

Jacob knows the excuses his people give when the madness overtakes them and they fall prey to their lust for humans. He’s heard every one and still brought the trespassers to justice. Immune to forbidden desires, uncontrollable hungers, or the curse of the moon, his control is total… until the moment he sees Isabella on a shadowy New York City street. Saving her life wasn’t in his plans. Nor were the overwhelming feelings she arouses in him. But the moment he holds her in his arms and feels the soft explosion of her body against his, everything changes. Their attraction is undeniable, volatile, and completely against the law. Suddenly everything Jacob has ever believed is inflamed by the heat of desire…

Bring on the night.

Gideon - Nightwalkers, book 2

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (June 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0821780662

They're called the Nightwalkers—proud, ancient beings who live in the shadows, existing just beyond the human world. But there are also dangerous humans who hunt them—necromancers who use the blackest magic to manipulate them. And for a Demon named Gideon, the battle against these evil forces will soon be all too personal.

As a Healer, heknows her body. But it's her heart he wants.

For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons—and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdelegna, the Demon King's sister, in a wild embrace.
Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious—and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade.
Now, with necromancers threatening his people—and Magdelegna nearly their victim—Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdelegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he'll have to save her life.

Every night holds secrets.

Elijah - Nightwalkers, book 3

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra (December 18, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0821780670

They are called the Demons, one of the elusive Nightwalker races living in shadow and struggling for survival against their human enemies. Their proudest warrior is Elijah, a man who bends for nothing and no one...until one woman brings him to his knees...

Some Feelings You Just Can't Fight

He is known as the Warrior Captain--a master of every weapon, a fierce soldier sworn to protect his kind. Powerful, relentless, merciless, Elijah has always won every battle he's ever taken on--until now. Ambushed by necromancers, he is left for dead only to be discovered by the woman who could very well deliver the final blow...Siena, the Lycanthrope Queen.
With three centuries of warring, little more than a decade of uneasy peace has existed between the Lycanthropes and Elijah's people. Now, after a lifetime of suspicion, the warrior in Elijah is consumed with a different battle--winning Siena's heart by giving her pleasure beyond all boundaries. What starts as attraction and arousal soon burns into a passion with consequences that will echo through the ages for both their people. And as would-be enemies become inseparable lovers, another threat approaches, one with the power to destroy them all...

Surrender to the night.

Damien - Nightwalkers, book 4

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (June 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0821780689

They are the Nightwalkers, mysterious beings who dwell in the shadows of our world, and Damien, the Vampire Prince, is among the most powerful of them all. But one woman will tempt him with a desire unlike anything he has known, and together they will face a terrifying and relentless foe…

He'd never loved. But she was irresistible.

As reigning Vampire Prince, Damien has tasted every pleasure the world has to offer - consorting with kings and queens and delighting in sensual adventure. Now, tired of such pursuits, he devotes his energies to protecting his people. The war between human necromancers and Nightwalkers has escalated, and when the enemy makes a daring move, kidnapping Syreena, a Lycanthrope Princess, Damien boldly follows. He succeeds in rescuing her, but is unprepared fr the erotic longing her lush snesuality awakens in him.
Gifted with rare abilities, Syreena grew up in a cloistered setting and was forbidden to form attachments to others, yet the connection Damien feels with her is immediate, intoxicating, and impossible for either to resist. But claiming Syreena as his mate could have shattering repercussions for every Nightwalker - and leave their enemies more dangerous than ever before…

Temptation tastes sweetest at night.

Jenna Petersen

2008-06-10T17:05:00.003+02:00

I just discovered this author who has not yet been translated in french but who should ...

She writes historical romance as Jenna Petersen and Erotic romance as Jess Michaels.

She's written an historical serie called "The lady spies" which is ewtremely well written and moving. This is a faboulous series full of exitement and intigue. Once you start reading you just has to turn another page and the terrible thing is it's get harder to put down the book page after page, book after book ...

From London With Love

(Lady Spies Book 1)

August 2006

ISBN-10: 0060798610

Meredith Sinclair is everything a lady of society should be. She sparkles at every party, men fall at her feet and every woman longs to be like her. But beneath that popular exterior lurks a serious spy. And her newest assignment is very personal.

She is sent to investigate Tristan Archer's involvement in the robbery of a painting that may have hidden secret information about the British Army's movements in France. Meredith knows she shouldn't grow to close to a potential traitor, but many years ago Tristan saved her life. And it's harder and harder to believe he could be so wrong when his kisses are so right.
Will the evidence break her heart... or will her heart set them both free?

Desire Never Dies (Lady Spies Book 2)

January 2007

ISBN-10: 0061138088

Shy, intelligent widow Anastasia Whittig is really a Lady Spy in name only. Though she invents important items and decodes evidence, she’s hardly ventured into the field and keeps herself wrapped in a shroud of mourning for her late husband. She’s perfectly content to continue her sheltered life, but when one of her best friend’s is shot, she’s forced into service at the side of Lucas Tyler.

Lucas is a daring, talented spy, driven to solve the case of attacks on his fellow agents. He doesn’t want any help, and certainly not from Ana. But as the two edge ever closer to the disturbing truth, they cannot keep from developing a grudging respect for each other. And they cannot ignore the undeniable desire that threatens to change both their worlds.

Seduction is Forever

(Lady Spies Book 3)

ISBN 10: 0061138096

Master spy Emily Redgrave hasn’t been the same since a night six months ago when she was cut down by a would-be assassin’s bullet. Though she is physically recovered, she’s still haunted by memories of the trauma and regrets for what almost happened. She’s desperate to re-enter the field and regain her confidence. When she’s assigned to follow and protect Grant Ashbury, the Earl of Westfield, she reluctantly accepts, knowing this ‘babysitting’ duty could very well lead to more advanced cases.

What she doesn’t know is that Grant is a troubled spy in his own right. And he’s just been assigned to follow her by his own superior officers. But as the two chase each other around London, they inadvertently uncover a real case and a magnetic desire that draws them together in shocking, scandalous ways. Can Grant and Emily overcome their past traumas and work together?

And just who is the mysterious Lady M?

Dark Curse - Due out in September 2008

2008-06-10T16:26:00.003+02:00

Book 19 in the Dark Series
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (September 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425223434

Lara Calladine is haunted by childhood memories of being held prisoner in an ice cave and kept sane by the whispered stories told to her by her imprisoned aunts. They instilled mage and Carpathian magic deep within her and then helped her escape. She has spent years searching for the cave in hopes of finding the answers to the riddle of her past as well as finding her aunts who may have given their lives saving her.

Nicolas De La Cruz has returned to the Carpathian Mountains--his homeland--on orders from his eldest brother, Zacarias, to bring news of a conspiracy to the prince of their people. He is weary of his long existence and plans to end it away from his brothers where they will be unable to stop him once he has fulfilled his duty.

Lara and Nicolas paths collide in an explosive adventure that rocks the Carpathian world.

I love Christine Feehan, her books are always fantastics ! Ever since I picked up Dark prince I was hooked.

The cover of this books has a dragon on the back and the back cover tells us that tha action will probably be in the cave Feehan introduced in her short story Dark Descent. Which led me to think that the heroine might have some DragonSeeker or/ and mage blood in her ...

Le blog d'une grosse

2008-05-23T14:22:00.003+02:00

I discovered this blog whose name in english would be " blog of a fat girl" or something like that.

I thought it would be a blog making fun of people who are big but not at all.

This is the blog a a girl Cathy wich is apparently herself a big girl and it's about the difficulties we all face concerning food and how we struggle to lose or maintain our weight. All is made with humour, it's a funny witty blog ...

Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

2008-05-07T11:57:00.003+02:00

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Piatkus Books (March 6, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0749938765
ISBN-13: 978-0749938765
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches

Blue-Eyed Devil is the story of the charming, volatile and ambitious Hardy Cates, who is determined to carry out his private revenge against the Travis family. Haven is the rebellious Travis daughter who struggles against her overpowering attraction to the most dangerous man in town. But when Hardy crashes a Travis family wedding, the heiress and the bad boy uncover an explosive chemistry that neither of them can deny. Hardy Cates is an unscrupulous rascal, but now he's trying to clean up his act. He is looking for the perfect society wife, the kind of woman Haven Travis could never be. Having once been burned by a love affair gone wrong, Haven vows to stay far away from the sexy heartbreaker. However, Haven discovers that the temptation of a blue-eyed devil is hard to resist. And then when a menace from Haven's past appears, Hardy may be the only one to save her ...

After a disastrous marriage where she ended up at the end of her husband' fist, Haven Travis met Hardy Cates which has been introduced in Kleypas’ previous book Sugar Daddy. She knows he is a bad boy but she also knows that when things get rocky she can count on him, she knows that he the one’s kisses she can’t forget.

I love Hardy, even in Sugar daddy I felt powerfully attracted to him, I can only love a man gone from nothing building himself up ….This man had me from the first line … He is a take charge kind of man and he is not afraid of the challenge Haven represent with a chaotic past and fear of men and intimacy …

Even better than Sugar Daddy, this book reeks of sexual chemistry, sensual delight, it’s a race pulsing romance … Do I need to say more ?

Karen Marie Moning's Fever series on screen ???

2008-04-24T19:50:00.002+02:00

On her Board, Authort Karen Marie Moning has announced that the the twentieth Century Fox/New Regency Productions has optioned the Fever Series.

What that means is they plan to explore developing it. It may or may not happen. and she will of course, keep us posted as things progress.

You can find that wonderful news on her board and here on the New York Times !!!

Congratulations Karen we're so happy for you and to be honest for us too, because we've all been dying to see Mac and Barrons on screen !!!!

Waking beauty by Elise Friedman

2008-04-16T11:36:00.003+02:00

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (June 22, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400051061
ISBN-13: 978-140005106

What would you do if you went to bed ugly, fat, and depressed and woke up the next morning in the body of a goddess? This is exactly the miracle that befalls Allison Penny, who has spent most of her twenty-two years on this earth in a serious slump (to say the least). Having long since given up on her life, Allison is stuck in an apartment with an evil sexpot roommate, trapped in a dysfunctional relationship with her alcoholic mother, and miserably working as a cleaning lady to pay the bills. Now, of course, Allison wastes no time in test-driving her new looks, and she experiences all of the power and fun that come with being gorgeous. Men and modeling agencies are falling all over her, and she finally has the con?dence to live her life without trying to disappear into the background. But even for the beautiful people, things can get complicated, and soon Allison finds herself with a whole new set of problems.Darkly hilarious, engaging, and full of surprises, Waking Beauty is a modern-day fairy tale with an all-too-real moral: No matter how much we hate to admit it, it’s what’s on the outside that counts.

This books is all about appearance and how we deal with how people look at us, How we deal with ourselves, and the demons that are eating us inside out. The thing is even the most perfect people have to deal with insecurities, lack of self confidence and Allison with her new self have to face them and also new problems…

Every woman would love to wake up gorgeous and not to have to worry about diet, the thing is few of us can lol !!! Caustic, funny, emotionally surprising, this book is a modern fairy tale with a distinctively moral No matter how hard it is to admit, we all know that what really matters when we met someone is appearance but it’s funny how they built a multi billionaire market on this thing called ‘inner beauty” just to make us all feel better, safer …

Sugar Daddy By LIsa Kleypas

2008-04-09T18:13:00.003+02:00

Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Reprint edition (March 4, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312351631

Liberty Jones fell in love with Hardy Cates when she was fourteen and three quarters and he was seventeen. However, Hardy wasn't going to let even love stand in the way of his ambition to escape the poverty of his childhood. He had left town - and Liberty broken hearted. But Liberty is also a survivor - and determined to make a better life for herself and her baby sister. Moving to the big city, she finds a job and an unlikely friend in billionaire tycoon Churchill Travis. But though Churchill's son is convinced she's nothing but a gold digger looking for a Sugar Daddy, their relationship goes deeper than most people think. But just as Liberty and her sister begin to feel settled in their new life, Hardy comes back into their lives...

After more than 20 historical books Lisa kleypas has decided to change course and has written a contemporary women fiction’s story. which also happen to be written at the first person.

This story is a love triangle but as often in the first person writing we only get the narrator point of view, which is limiting in a romance where we expect to have both point of view of the relationship. However this story is emotional, hot and the love is all along this book starting from the love of liberty for her mother and ending with the choice between two loves, the love of the past and the love of the future.

We all at some point can relate with Liberty, be it is in her relation with her mother or with boys, her awkward growing up in a trailer park, in her dealing with what life put in her way, being born in the wrong side of the tracks and trying to make it big in the big city…

Fans of Lisa Kleypas might be surprised at this new genre but they sure will come back for more.

Spring Swap

2008-03-22T19:45:00.004+01:00

I'm member of a french BBS named "Les Romantiques" and for spring we decided to organized a swap (you know I send a prensent to X, X send a present to Y etc ...) well today I received my prensent or presents in this cas beacuse there are two books and candles and teh cutest tiniest purse.

Here are a picture of those presents , Thanks to Saroune who sent them :)

Melissa Lopez

2008-03-21T22:49:00.005+01:00

Dark Sentinel (Netherworld)

ISBN 1-59998-896-8
Publisher Samhain Publishing
Release Date March 2008

When Lash is yanked from his tortured existence in Netherworld and dumped naked in the Louisiana Bayou, you'd think he'd died and gone to heaven. Except Lash died a millennia ago, and a condemned soul like his can never enter Paradise. This new life feels like the next best thing, full of small miracles like silence and ice water and the company of a beautiful, compassionate woman.

Teva knows nothing about the mysterious stranger she's taken in, only that he needs her help. Well, the fact that he's gorgeous hasn't escaped her attention, either. Along with a taste for heavy-metal music and an inherited talent for magic, Teva has a trusting heart. She can't see Lash as anything other than the sexy, gentle man who soothes her nightmares away. Neither can she see the sinister plot to steal her soul.

Against his will, Lash has been sent to corrupt Teva's soul with sinful pleasures. Starved for tenderness and aching with desire, Lash yearns to accept the loving embrace Teva offers. But he can't give in to passion without tainting her, condemning her to the horrors of Netherworld. The ultimate battle between good and evil is brewing, and Lash stands in the middle. His soul belongs to Satan; his heart belongs to Teva. Can the Dark Sentinel not only protect the woman he's come to love, but earn a second chance at life?

Dark Sentinel is the first book of Melissa Lopez's Netherworld series.

This serie is all about love, redemption and finding the one special personn who'll help you find the light after the darkness. Miss Lopez created a word between this plan and the next that will take the reader to a place so dark and forbinding that he might want to come back from the Netherworld

I've never read a book by this author before but after reading this book I only want more. The next installement DARK CHANCE will be released in june 2008 by Samhain Publishing and I just can't wait to have my hands on it.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, and graphic violence.

This is me

2008-03-20T17:28:00.002+01:00

For the people who asked me if I've been dumped because I'm ugly (I love this kind of question) here is the answer. I put a picture of me so you'll make your own opinion ....

Well if you ask me I know I'm not a Marilyn Monroe but I don't think I'm ugly either, I guess I'm just plain, a normal person with some extra pounds around the hips lol !

Hugs (even to the nasty ones !!)

Erotica - BL - Yaoi - M/M

2008-03-12T16:17:00.007+01:00

Few years ago I discovered Man/Man erotica which I've loved ever since.

Some of my Favorite Authors are :

Jet Mykles whom I made an article that you can find here,
Rhianne Aile, Erotic fiction with a romantic soul. http://www.rhianneaile.com

Laura Baumbach, Books where the sensual delights of explicit lovemaking are teamed with the thrill of romance. Stories so hot the pages curl.http://www.laurabaumbach.com

Alex Beecroft - Adventure and Romance -- Where Brokeback Mountain meets Master and Commander. Rum, Sodomy and the lash in the 18th Century Royal Navy. http://www.alexbeecroft.com/Adventure_and_Romance.shtml

Ally Blue, http://www.allyblue.com/

JL Langley, .http://www.jllangley.com

And so much more ....

Reading M/M erotic romance has been my "Dirty little secret" or I could say my "Guilty pleasure" for a while ...

I'm finding myself more and more trying to find more stories which include M/M romance.
Why do I love this kind of romance ? I don't know yet I jst know that I can't do without ...

I also read some Manga Yaoi which I discovered last year thank to Gallya " Girl I can't thank you enough"

My first one was Haru wo Daiteita which alternativetitle is Embracing love. It's a drama, romance and the age rating is mature it may contain sex, drugs, and extreme graphic violence)

Plot Summary:

The adorable and attractive main characters of Haru wo Daiteita are Kyousuke Iwaki and Youji Katou who are both in the film industry, having starred in various adult video films and are trying to climb the ladder of success and become greater actors. Iwaki is accepted to star in a popular movie, having beaten Katou in the auditions. During their time together, Katou believes he is in love with Iwaki-San, who on the contrary refuses to believe that he is in love. It is later on that another gay actor comes back to Japan and co-stars with Katou that problems starting arising. And it is from then on that the two realise where their hearts are set.

I cannot not talk about "Finder series Love Prize" which also goes by other names like "Finder no Hyouteki", "Finder no Ryoshuui", "Finder no Sekiyoku" or "you're my love prize viewfinder".

Summary :

During a routine journalism assignment, freelance photographer Akihito Takaba is captured by the mysterious Asami, a powerful leader in Japan's underworld society. Asami forces his captive to undergo a night of pleasure and pain never before imagined...and soon both can't forget the other...

This manga is just not good is in my opinion extraordinary, not only by the storie which I find complex, enthralling but also by the design of the mangaka (artist) YAMANE Ayano. This is a very controversial series, you either love or hate it.

Here is an extract :

Which 'Pride and Prejudice' guy is for you?

2008-03-10T18:36:00.002+01:00

Your proud and prejudiced match is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy! One of those dark and mysterious hotties... mmmm...

Christophe Mae Live

2008-03-06T15:44:00.006+01:00

I've seen a concert yesterday evening, with three friends. The artist is a french singer very popular since the show "le Roi Soleil" ( the sun king, the story of Louis XIV) in which he acted "Monsieur" the King's Brother.

His music is Kinda Raggae influenced and of course he's got a great energy. It was a good show but I have to admit that with only one album behind it was a bit "not enough". I'll be seeing him on stage again but I'll wait for him to release two or three album more.

As for all concert from populair singer, there were a load of "Screaming virgins" which never cease to amaze me ... reminds me of a time when I was 13 and a huge Fan of the first Boys Band "New Kids on the Block" lol

I'll be putting videos of the show later on tonight.

The sensitive man

2008-02-23T13:26:00.002+01:00

The Sensitive Man

A woman meets a man in a bar.
They talk; they connect; they endup leaving together.
They get back to his place,and as he shows her around his apartment.
She notices that one wall of hisbedroom iscompletely filled with soft, sweet,cuddly teddy bears.There are three shelves in thebedroom,with hundreds and hundreds of cute,cuddly teddy bears carefully placedin rows, covering the entire wall!It was obvious that he had takenquite some time to lovingly arrange the mand she was immediately touched by the amount of thought he had put into organizing the display.
There were small bears all alongthe bottom shelf,medium-sized bears covering thelength of the middle shelf,and huge, enormous bears runningall the way along the top shelf.

She found it strange for anobviously masculine guyto have such a large collection ofTeddy Bears, She is quite impressed by his sensitive side but doesn't mention this to him.

They share a bottle of wine and continue talking and after awhile, she finds herself thinking,
'Oh my God! Maybe, this guy could be the one!
Maybe he could be the futurefather of my children?'

She turns to him and kisses himlightly on the lipsHe responds warmly.
They continue to kiss, the passion builds, and he romantically lifts her inhis arms and carries her into his bedroom where they rip off each other's clothes and make hot, steamy love.

She is so overwhelmed that she responds with more passion, more creativity, more heat than she has ever known.
After an intense, explosive night of raw passion with this sensitive guy, they are lying there together inthe afterglow.
The woman rolls over, gently strokes his chest and asks coyly,'Well,how was it?'

The guy gently smiles at her, strokes her cheek looks deeply into her eyes and says:

'Help yourself to any prize from the middle shelf'

A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K hamilton.

2008-02-18T15:03:00.002+01:00

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Fawcett (March 4, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345423429
ISBN-13: 978-0345423429

I am Princess Meredith, heir to a throne–if I can stay alive long enough to claim it.
My cousin, Prince Cel, is determined to see that I don’t. As long as we both live, we are in a race for the crown: Whichever one of us reproduces first gets the throne. So now the men of my royal guard– frightening warriors skilled with blade, spell, and gun–have become my lovers, auditioning with pleasure for the role of future king and father of my child. And they must still protect me from assassination attempts–for unlike most of the fey, I am part human, and very mortal. All this royal back-stabbing makes it very difficult for me to pursue my living as a private investigator in Los Angeles, especially since the media made sure the whole world knows the Faerie princess is alive and well in sunny California.

Now, in the City of Angels, people are dying in mysterious, frightening ways. What the human police don’t realize is that the killer is hunting the fey as well. Havoc lies on the horizon: the very existence of the place known as Faerie is at grave risk. So now, while I enjoy the greatest pleasures of my life with my guardians, I must fend off an ancient evil that could destroy the very fabric of reality. And that’s just my day job.

I'm not a huge fan of the Anita Black series which I find too tame for my taste but after reading Kiss of Shadow, the first Merry Gentry book all I could say was "more". It got on my nerves to have to wait for "A caress of twilight" but when I got my hands on it as for the first book I couldn't put it down.

This series is a political-sex-paranormal thriller where sex is used not for love but to gain political power in the two courts (seelie and unseelie).

Merry is a paranormal PI working for the Grey agency. She has been assigned to help Maeve Reed another sidhe from the seelie court. Maeve is not only a sidhe she's also a former goddess in exile from the seelie court where King Taranis banished her a century ago.

In Caress of twilight Merry has her hands full of sidhes (pun inteded) and the storie grows as Merry comes into her powers and responsibilities, sending us into a spiral of actions, both in and out of bed.

And now I just can't wait to be home to read the third book in this fantastic serie "Seduced by moonlight"

Women's golfers

2008-02-14T15:45:00.002+01:00

Two women were playing golf.

One teed off and watched in horror asher ball headed directly toward a Foursome of men playing the next hole.The ball hit one of the men.

He immediately clasped his hands Togetherat his groin, fell to the ground and proceeded to roll around in agony.

The woman rushed down to the man, and immediately began to apologize.

"Please allow me to help. I'm a Physical Therapist and I know I couldrelieve your pain if you'd allow me,"she told him.

"Oh, no, I'll be all right. I'll be fine in a few minutes," the man replied.

He was in obvious agony, lying in the fetal position, still clasping hishands together at his groin.

At her persistence, however, he finally allowed her to help.

She gently took his hands away and laid them to the side, loosenedhis pants and put her hands inside.

She administered tender and artful massage for several long momentsand asked,'How does that feel'?

He replied:"It feels great, but I still think my thumb's broken."

Merci

2008-02-13T10:12:00.001+01:00

I'm not proefficient in English so I will be brief. Thank you Tisha for your message.

I think our two blogs can be complementary. Although we have often the same tastes, we also have different views of the same story.

Wanting what you get by Kathy Love

2008-02-12T17:00:00.000+01:00

Wanting what you get - book 2 in the Stepp Sisters Trilogy
Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Zebra (November 1, 2004)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0821776134

ISBN-13: 978-0821776131

This can't be happeningIs he flirting with me? I must be imagining things. Why would Mason Sweet, the gorgeous mayor of Millbrook, Maine, the man I've secretly been in love with since the seventh grade, flirt with me? He's the town golden boy, and I'm, well, the local librarian. The Stepp sister who stayed close to home. The one who bakes brownies...then eats them all. My thighs make that whick-whick-whick sound in pantyhose. He can't possibly be flirting with me. So why is he giving me that melt-you-where-you-stand look? Why is he pulling me close? And what is he whispering in my ear?

Sorry, could you repeat that? Now I'm hearing things, because I swear Mason just asked me if I'd like to...well, he wasn't asking for a book recommendation, let's put it that way. Oh my, my, my. Okay, Ellie, stop blushing like a teenage girl. I'm sure he didn't mean it. Maybe I should just alphabetize something. Be the good girl everyone expects. Eat another brownie. Forget this ever happened. So why is it I can't stop myself from saying, "Yes...."

The second instalment of the Sisters Stepp trilogy, "Wanting what you get" is about the youngest daughter Ellie and Mason.

Ever since High school, Ellie has been in love with Mason Sweet. She was a full figure and shy teenager and he was the most popular guy. But years later when Mason takes an interest in Ellie, she discovers that the high school cutie now mayor is not as perfect as he seems to be…

There are books which can seem a little bit simplistic, somehow naive. Here a young woman dreaming of her prince charming who finally makes a move on her and takes away her insecurities. That storie could have stopped here but Kathy Love gives us a couple whom step by step (pun intended) will give to this novel a depth we did not suspected.

Mason's alcoholism is going to be a catalyst for Ellie who will become a woman by realizing that some added kilos are nothing compared to the unwell-being and the disease of the man she loves. Mason is not the prince charming she thought him to be but she will love him to the point of risking losing him.

With this novel, the author shows us that they are wounds of childhood which will never really heal but it is up to us to confront them and why not call for help.

Gaelle

2008-02-12T16:28:00.001+01:00

I'll be working with my friend Gaelle on reviews. I'm happy to say that she and I share a love for romance but our tastes are sometimes differents and we just agreed to disagree :) lol

You can find our joined work under the label Work With Gaelle.

Gaelle not only likes to read and reviews books, she also a wonderful writer herself. She writes in french and I'll try to translate her work whenever she allows me to.

She has a blog in French which you can see here named after the books "Wanting something more" from the trilogy of the stepp sisters by Kathy Love whom we both love and our work will naturally starts with a novel "wanting what you get" from the Stepp Sisters Trilogy.

Thank you Gaelle ! I'm glad you decided to work with me !

Love ya Girl !!

Tisha

Jet Mykles

2008-02-11T17:57:00.000+01:00

I just joined Jet Mykles yahoo group.

This fantastic authors of many novels also does graphic art which you can discover in her web site

Her books can be found at www.loose-id.net

Jet thanks for adding me in your group muuaaaaahhhhh

http://www.jetmykle%20s.com/
http://www.myspace.%20com/jetmykle%20s
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jetmykles_group/

Moon Fever

2008-02-05T20:10:00.000+01:00

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket (September 25, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416514902
ISBN-13: 978-1416514909

Spellbinding paranormal stories by four stellar authors that will send shivers of desire down your spine.

In "Tempting Fate" by Susan Sizemore, Desiree dreams she spent a passion-filled night with sexy rock star Jon Coyote...and that he told her he was a vampire. But when Desiree discovers she is mysteriously pregnant, her erotic fantasy takes a strangely realistic turn.

An angry ghost is haunting Caroline's house in "The Darkness Within" by award-winning author Maggie Shayne. But when sexy private investigator Jim Lipton offers to help discover what is going on, Caroline suspects that he has a personal interest in her ghost -- and in her.

In "Cobwebs Over the Moon" by Lori Handeland, Manhattanite Carly Kelly is pursued by werewolves across the wintry Alaskan wilderness, and only ruggedly handsome soldier Dylan Shepard stands between her and death.

Lycanthropy takes an exotic tropical twist in "Crazy for the Cat" by Caridad Piñeiro. When scientist Jessica Morales travels to the Amazon jungle, she discovers that beneath the savage grace of her local guide, the handsome Javier da Costa, lurks a hidden wildness that is as tempting as it is dangerous.

I've read the first story which is Tempting Fate by Susan Sizemore. I hate to say it but I think it was less intersting and good than the rest of her vampire serie. Being a short storie doesn't help of course. The plots are never as good in a short storie as they could be in a full novel.

I'll be reading MAggie shayne, next ...

Dawn's awakening by Lora Leigh

2008-02-04T14:24:00.000+01:00

Paperback: 283 pages
Publisher: Berkley (February 5, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425219755
ISBN-13: 978-0425219751

The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate—and realizes it’sfar too easy to lose total control…

One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormenter from Dawn’s past reappears—and threatens to destroy theirnewfound love, along with their lives…

After waiting months to read that book, I must say that it was worth every minutes of it.

Lora Leigh takes us on a wild ride with this latest installation of her breeds serie. I cried a few times at the horror of what Dawn had to face during her time in the lab and the some more when free... well not really free, she's still prisoner of the nighmares that wake her at night.

Seth is the perfect mate for her. Not only is he a gorgeous Alpha male and hotter than hell, but he is also understanding, caring and so in love with her.

We also have a huge and surprising introduction a the end of the book, introduction that we have been waiting for a long time.

This books is not as sexualy graphic as the previous ones ( jacob's faith ...) but it contains some scenes of rape/violence that might hurt the sensibility of some readers.

One night with you by Sophie Jordan

2008-01-29T12:05:00.000+01:00

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Avon (December 26, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061339261
ISBN-13: 978-0061339264

Anything can happen after dark . . .

Tired of being treated like a servant by her own family, Lady Jane Guthrie finally has a chance to escape . . . at least for one night. Attired in a daring gown, she arrives at a scandalous courtesans' masquerade ball looking forward to her few hours of freedom. But when she sees Seth Rutledge, her skin begins to tingle with anticipation. Many years ago, Seth broke her heart by falling for her beautiful, title-hungry sister. But now here he is, right in front of her, offering her his lips . . .

Embittered by war, Seth returns home to inherit the title that would have once won him the woman of his dreams. Though duty demands he wed, he's convinced passion no longer has a place in his life . . . until a masked siren sets his heart aflame. Desperate to find her again, he has no idea it's his childhood friend Jane—and that after one night together their lives will never be the same.

I've just discovered that authors and just the title is promissing, I can't wait to have it in my hands and let myself falling for a night with Seth Rutledge ....

In the Highlander's Bed by Cathy Maxwell

2008-01-29T11:49:00.000+01:00

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (January 29, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061122106
ISBN-13: 978-0061122101

Highland warrior Gordon Lachlan has spent his life fiercely battling the English. Now, to claim victory for his clan, he must retrieve the legendary Sword of the MacKenna from the hands of his mortal enemies. His plan: to kidnap Constance Cameron from her remote boarding school and force her wellborn relatives to surrender the sword as her ransom.

But Lachlan is surprised that the woman he's snatched from her bed is no malleable miss. Constance longs for adventure. She's tantalized by Lachlan and his passionate cause . . . and tempted enough by his seductive ways to wonder what it would be like to find herself in the Highlander's bed . . .

cliterati.co.uk

2008-01-28T23:57:00.000+01:00

Just the name of that site reaches something inside me well not quite inside lol ;)

I discovered this site when I started to read erotica, it's been on my bookmark ever since. In this site you'll discover not only published books but also stories written by unknown authors and ... sex toys ...

One of the part I like the most is "ask cliterati". People are not shy anymore concerning their sexuality or the sensuality, they talk about it and when the need arise they ask questions about what they don't know or what they'd like to try.

If you have children I'd recommand to be extra careful when you open that site because it's bound to stir a fire you might not want them the witness.

Harlequin and Patrice Michelle

2008-01-26T14:47:00.000+01:00

Scions: ResurrectionVampire(book 1)

Harlequin is publishing Patrice Michelle new paranormal serie "Scion" in the Silouhette Nocturne Collection.

Already a huge fan of patrice Michelle I'm going to rush to buy this book and then the following ones for I'm sure they'll be good and I'll be back to tell you what I think about it.

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Silhouette Nocturne (January 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 037361778X

Everyone believed vampires were extinct.

Everyone was wrong.

When Ariel Swanson wrote a novel about vampires, she hoped it would exorcise her fear of the creatures that had, not so long ago, terrorized the human population.
Instead, it brought her to their attention.
And to the attention of Jachin Black—a man banished from the Sanguinas, a vampire clan, and forced to hunt among the despised humans. For he clung to the prophecy given years ago, of a better way for his kind to live… a prophecy Ariel unknowingly used as the basis of her novel.
Ariel hates and fears vampires. Jachin despises humanity. But the prophesy—and passion—bind them in ways they could never have imagined. Ways that may heal the past, and change the future…

Scions: A prophecy reveals hidden secrets and holds the key to fulfilling their ultimate desires.

Daughters of Avalon

2008-01-26T12:04:00.000+01:00

After the fire that had ravaged the museum, Nolwen was sent to Avalon in order to heal. The trouble was that she was famous for her researches on the witchcraft in medieval time and as curator of the International museum of witchcraft and wizardry but as a daughter of the moon she could not be seen anymore.
“You will have to disappear, for the rest of the world you must be dead”
“I know, I’m sorry I failed the moon mistress”
“Do not be sorry child, nothing could have prevented what happened, the children of the night were too eager to destroy the daughter of the high priestess of Avalon!”
“What do you want me to do ?”
“I think that a reshape of your face will be necessary, you’re too famous to stay as you are ! People must never know who you are ! Besides, I don’t think you want the scars and burns on your face to remain,”
“ No I don’t”
“ Fine it settled then ! you will go with Neferit in one on our medical facility where they will proceed to the change !”
“Thank you ……” a tensed blank fell and the Serena the High priestess broke it !
“What is the most difficult ? To say it or to acknowledge it ? “
“I know it”
Is that so difficult to say then?”
“No ! Thank you ……. Mother !” warming the heart of her mother with those last words Nolwen leaved the high priestess of the moon and followed Neferit to her new destiny

It was dark outside, the rain pouring against the windows Nolwen was lost, hurt but also furious. How had she managed to get involve with a Child of the night and not even knowing it? But she had to admit that Drake has been a very good actor playing the lover for so long. Two years she dated him and not even once has she sensed the darkness within him. She trusted him with so many secrets, and at the end she gave him the most guarded secret about her, and that’s when all hell brake loose. He started to change, asking her so any questions, and one night as she was working late at the museum, he came with others just like him and they tried to kill her, destroying the museum in their attempt at getting at her. Years of history had been destroyed that night. But most of all her heart and pride have been destroyed in the process.
She felt betrayed of course, but she knew that she had to move on. She was not alone, Neferit has been kind helping her, bringing her to the medical facility. The priestesses and all the persons knowing her were waiting for her to be whole again, her mother expected her to take her place at her side.

A little girl suddenly entered her room with a book.
“Would you like to hear a story ?
“No thank you”
“oh ! But it’s a very good book, besides I don’t know well how to read;”
Nolwen looked at this girl, she has bright brown eyes, eyes so full of hope, she could not send her away ;
“All right I will have to teach you to read better then”
The little girl gave her the book and as she saw the cover Nolwen had a moment of pause, it was the story of Arthur and the round table, every priestess had a copy of the book telling the story of their ancestors.

‘what’s your name ?” asked Nolwen to the girl !
“Ava”
“I see that you found your apprentice ?” Nerferit said entering the room, she has been so silent Nolwen has not even heard her.
“Your mother thought that you would heal faster if you had someone to take care of”
“my mother should mind her own business”
“Watch it girl ! You are her business as we all are ! She may be your mother but first she is high priestess of the moon, guardian of Avalon !
You’re too young to care now but maybe it’s time for you to grow up and face your destiny and responsibilities”
With those rash words she stormed out of the room letting Nolwen to deal with her new young charge.

2008-01-26T11:46:00.000+01:00

I woke up in a tangle of sheets, barely remembering what happened. I could tell that my body had been used and well used, the soreness between my legs and the slight burning sensation in my ass were proof of that. The marks on my breast and my sensitive nipples as well.

I remembered him then, his eyes, hungry, his powerful body moving towards me. He looked like an animal striking his prey, and I was the prey. When he reached me, he took my hand and led me outside without a word, I could sense he was restless. I was suddenly pushed on a wall and his mouth was on mine, hungry, demanding lips opening mine, his tongue plunging into my mouth searching my own with an urgency that I found thrilling. I was wet the moment I spotted him watching me, now I was soaking with my juice. My hands went in search of his heat, in flesh, his rock hard body. His hands were on my buttock, my breasts, I was delirious with need I knew only he could fulfil. Then suddenly he pushed me away and I was left bereft. I tried to reach him, needing his touch.
“No !” He growled “I want you more that I want my next breath but I will not take you like a whore against a wall”. We were both breathing hard, I was looking at him and his eyes were bright, shining with want, with desire. I whimpered.
He took my hand once more and led me to a black SUV.
We drove for about an hour to a place I had never seen before. We passed Iron Gates then followed a inner road to a mansion I did not know could exist in our area, it was huge, dark, frightening, menacing.
He must have sensed my fear for he took my face in his hands with utter gentleness “don’t be afraid, nothing can hurt you here”
My desire had not diminished during the ride, but now as he touched me again it flared to the point of hurting.
”What have you done to me ?”
I was not myself, I had never wanted anyone like I’ve wanted him at this moment. “I’ve never done that before, I never felt that way” “Do you think you would be here if that was the case, I would have fucked you against that wall and had done with it.” He had that look that told me pleasure was coming. He got out of the car, opened my door and took me in his arms. We crossed the threshold of the house. Who had opened the door ? I saw noone heard noone, it was dark inside and I couldn’t see a thing but he seemed to know exactly where he was going. We reached a door and he pushed me inside then turned on the light. It was magnificent, a huge four-poster bed was facing a vast mirror. He deposited me near the bed, I walked backwards till the back of my knees were against the bed. I looked up at him and whimpered. He looked wild, need in his eyes, his body tense with desire, I looked down I saw that he was huge there too, hard. I reached to him and he stopped me “ no, if you touch me I will lose all control and will not be gentle with you.” All I wanted at that point was for him to touch me, I wanted us both naked, his warm skin against mine, his hard male flesh pushing brutally into my soft femininity. He pushed me on the bed and fell onto me. His mouth ravenous taking mine and an all-consuming kiss, his tongue taking possession of my mouth. His hands were everywhere, touching my hips, waist, breasts. We were suddenly naked and when his body touched mine I nearly fainted for the pleasure. He felt the sizzling pleasure too and sighted in my hair.
“I’ve been waiting my all life for this, for you” did he say just before he kissed me again

Lover Enshrined by JR Ward

2008-01-25T00:38:00.000+01:00

Mass Market Paperback: 528 pages
Publisher: Signet (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451222725
ISBN-13: 978-0451222725

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished. As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself- she sees the emotionally scarred male behind all his noble responsibility. But while the war with the Lessening Society grows more grim, and tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love.

part of my diary

2008-01-23T14:06:00.001+01:00

January, 3rd, 2008

How to describe what I feel right now ? disgust, sadness, anger, hopelessness,…

All these words can’t even begin to describe what I feel at this moment… I thought I had friends, I really thought it, but guess I was wrong, misleaded, for these so called friends did not hesitate to sacrifice our friendship for greed, and because I wouldn’t chose between them a another group of friends … why would I choose between people I appreciate, people I respect or respected because now I’m not sure at all that I can respect them…Their leader (I’ll call her M has decided that since I didn’t want to choose her over anyone else, I would be cast out and here I am alone, branded a persona non grata. Some of my so called friends went to her because she convinced them that she can do things for them than I can’t. they probably right, I can’t seem to make a good review on any book, I’m not gifted enough to write an essay, I can’t help them get published. So what good I am to them ? No good at all !

They’ve been talking on my back, doing thing we talked about so many times.
It shouldn’t hurt that much because now I know that what we had what not friendship but merely some get together but it does hurt bad, real bad… One of the thing really hurtful is that no one told me about it, they just stop talking to me, never bothering to tell me that maybe I did something they did not like, because we could have talk things out but no, they just stop talking not bothering to answer mails or phone calls …

What hurt the most is probably that a woman I really really thought was my friend, lied to me to please them and when I confronted her she said that it had nothing to do with me that she needed them to get published. She told me that I should Have shun the other group then I would still be part of them… But now I’m sure I was right not to choose them because that would have been a poor choice. What kind of friends ask you to shun people ? what kind of friends hurt you because you will not obey their orders ? What kind of friend even think about ordering another friend ? It’s not a good friend for sure but simply a person on a power trip who think that the world resolve around him or her.

Back on this woman I’ll call her G I thought was a good friend, she acts now like if anything never happened, like she didn’t lie or said hurtful thing… she even said that we could go to her parents this next summer, but how can go there, looking her in the eyes, when what I feel now is getting back at her at them .. I know revenge is not pretty but gosh I could use it right now…
I remember some time ago when I told her how I was not feeling well and why and she told me that she too was being casts out when she really was working with them …What a fool I am thinking that people are like me, that when something is wrong they will talk about it, but no people they don’t talk about it at least not to you the person who supposedly wronged them, they talk about it with some other people.

I’m so angry now that I told my childhood friends that I would not be seeing them at the moment because I was so angry that I didn’t want to say things that I don’t think just because I’m unhappy. I think it’s better for them not having to put up with my actual bad mood…

January, 22

Last week end I went to see G, I really needed to talk with her about how she acted towards me and how she lied to me and it appeared that she was misleaded too by M. We confronted what M told us separately and we saw that she gave us two different versions of this whole affair. We made peace, we would have anyway because I don’t hold grudges for long, I guess I’m too forgiving.

Anyway I’m feeling much better now towards G but not my ex so called friends.

With G we saw how untruth can hurt people feelings and we agreed on not lying or keeping things unsaid between us.
Well we spent a very good week end talking, catching up…

... to be continued ...

Merry Christmas

2007-12-21T16:12:00.000+01:00

May the magic of Christmas fill each corner of your home and Heart !!!

May all your presents look this good !!!

the Nerdy test

2007-12-21T12:36:00.000+01:00

Sherrilyn Kenyon

2007-12-06T13:45:00.000+01:00

Dark-Hunter

Fantasy Lover, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2002)

The Beginning, also in the back of Sins of the Night (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2002)

Dragonswan, reprinted singly by Berkley (2005) (ISBN 0515140791)

Night Pleasures, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2002)

Night Embrace, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2003) (ISBN 0-31298-482-0)

Phantom Lover, in the anthology Midnight Pleasures (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2003) (ISBN 0-31298-762-5)

Dance with the Devil, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2003) (ISBN 0-31298-483-9)

A Dark-Hunter Christmas, also in the back of Dance with the Devil (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2003)

Kiss of the Night, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2004)

Night Play, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2004)

Winter Born, in the anthology Stroke of Midnight (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2004) (ISBN 0-31299-876-7)

Seize the Night, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2005)

Sins of the Night, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2005) (ISBN 0-31293-432-7)

Second Chances, in Exclusive Dark-Hunter Collectible Booklet (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2005),

Unleash the Night, (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2005) (ISBN 0-31293-433-5)

Dark Side of the Moon (St. Martin's Press, 2006, reprinted by St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2007)

A Hard Day's Night-Searche r, in the anthology My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (St. Martin's Griffin, 2006) (ISBN 0-31234-360-4)

Until Death We Do Part, in the anthology Love At First Bite (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2006) (ISBN 0-31234-929-7)

Fear the Darkness, free e-book (St. Martin's Press, 2007)

The Dream-Hunter (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2007)

Devil May Cry (St. Martin's Press, 2007) (ISBN 0-31236-950-6) 22.

Upon the Midnight Clear (St. Martin's Paperback, 2007) (ISBN 0-31294-705-4)

Lords of Avalon

Sword of Darkness

Knight of Darkness

Elemental

The League
Born of the Night

Born of Fire

Paradise City

Fire and Ice

Cornish Pasty

2007-12-05T11:21:00.000+01:00

Pasty rolled out like a plate,Piled with "turmut, tates and mate."Doubled up, and baked like fate,That's a "Cornish Pasty." (An old rhyme from over Breage way!)
Perhaps Cornwall's most well known export of recent years is the pasty, it is now almost as ubiquitous throughout the UK as the sandwich and has sprouted a whole variety of fillings from beef and stilton to chicken tikka. However, the wide range of fillings used in pasties is not a new thing. It is said that the Devil had never crossed the Tamar into Cornwall, on account of the well known habit of Cornish women of putting everything into a pasty, and that he was not sufficiently courageous to risk such a fate!

Traditional fillings include:
Cornish pasty (Beef, potatoe and turnip)
Eggy pasty (Bacon and egg)
Jam pasty
Mackerel pasty
Rabbitty pasty (Rabit)
Parsley pasty (Lamb and parsley)
Rice pasty (Like rice pudding but in a pasty)
Sour sauce pasty (Sorrel leaves)
Star-gazing or starry-gazey pasty (Usually a whole herring wrapped in pastry with its head sticking out one end!)
Windy pasty (Left over pasty pastry baked and served with jam and cream)

Cornish Pasty

Serves: 4 (makes 4 pasties)
Cooking time and temperature: 20-30 mins at 220C then 20 mins at 160C then turn oven off and leave in oven for 15 minutes with door shut

Ingredients:
Pastry:

450g strong white flour

100g margarine100g lard

175ml watersalt

Filling:

50g onion of shallot (or leek)

50-75g turnip (or swede)

100g beef skirt or chuck steak

150g sliced old potatoes

black pepper

salt

Method:

Pastry:

1. Put flour and a little salt into a bowl.

2. Cut off a quarter of the lard and rub into the flour.

3. Grate or slice the rest of the lard and margarine into the mixture and stir with a knife.

4. Pour all the water in and stir until absorbed.

5. Knead for a little.

6. Leave for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before using.

Making the pasties:

1. Preheat oven to 220C.

2. Keep slices of potato in a basin of cold water until needed.

3. Trim the fat off the meat, and cut into 6mm chunks.

4. Flour the board/work area.

5. Cut off 1/4 of the pastry. Roll it out into a circle about 22 cm in diameter. Place an upturned plate over the pastry and trim round.

6. Put most of the turnip and onion across the centre of the pastry round. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

7. Place meat along the top into the ends. Sprinkle with salt.

8. Top up with most of the potato and the rest of the turnip. Add more salt and the rest of the potato. Do not season top layer with salt.

9. Dampen one side of the pastry all round with a very little water.

10. Fold the damp side of the pastry to the other side and press down firmly but gently. The seam should run across the top, but run it down the side if you find it easier.

11. From the right hand side (or left if you are left-handed) fold over the edge to make it slightly thicker, then squeeze tightly between thumb and forefinger every 2 cms to make a neat pattern along the edge. Tuck in the end and seal well.

12. Make a slit in the top with a knife and patch holes with dampened pieces of rolled-out pastry.

13. Place the pasties on buttered greaseproof paper or a greased and floured tray, leaving 5cm between each. Brush the pasties with milk or egg wash (egg and milk) or water.

14. Bake in preheated oven for 20-30 mins at 220C. If brown turn them down and cook for 20 mins at 160C then turn oven off and leave in oven for 15 minutes with oven door shut.15. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack. Leave for 15 mins to cool before eating!

A breif history of the pasty

Although now irreversibly associated with Cornwall, the pasty is thought to date back to the 13th century when it was not exclusively eaten in Cornwall. In fact it was a dish more associated with the nobility than the working classes and often filled with game such as venison or salmon. It has been said that Henry VIII's wife, Jane Seymour was known to be partial to a pasty now and again.It was not until the industrial revolution at the end of the 18th century that the pasty became the Cornish pasty. Being the ultimate hand-held convenience food with its crimped pastry to hold it by made it ideal for miners' "croust" or lunch as the rest of us call it!
Back in those days each member of the family had their own pasty baked for them and marked with their initial. The correct way to eat the pasty is to start at the opposite end to the initial, so that should any of it be uneaten, it could be consumed later by its rightful owner - and woe betide anyone who takes another person's "corner"!
Another pasty tradition that has more or less died out is that of having a meat filling in one end of the pasty and a sweet course at one end, containing fruit, jam or treacle. Indeed a 1905 dialect dDictionary defined a pasty as "a meat and potato or fruit turnover (Cornwall)". Possibly not a bad thing you don't see those these days, but then again I guess it beats having a fish head sticking out of one end and the tail out the other!!
Since then the Cornish miners who left to find work in the four corners of the world (the Cornish Diaspora) introduced the pasty to places such as USA, Australia, South Africa and South America. Indeed in some regions they are almost as proud of their pasties as we are here in Cornwall.
But this wasn't the end of the global spread of the pasty. If figures are to be beleived pasties are now one of the Duchy's biggest exports. Recent figures put the total pasty revenue within the Duchy at £150 million per year, with 90 per cent of the pasties produced being sold over the Tamar Bridge.

Eggs and Bacon Pie

2007-12-04T18:13:00.000+01:00

Shortcrust Pastry
6 slices lean bacon
2 large potatoes, finely sliced
3 to 4 large eggs
salt & pepper to tastemilk

Line a shallow quiche tin with some of the pastry (reserve some for the pir top). Grill the rashers of bacon. Remove rind (and fat if you prefer) cut into bite size pieces and spread over the base of the pie. Sauté the thinly sliced potatoes, spread those over the bacon, season with pepper but very little salt (as the bacon may be salty). Lightly beat 3 or four eggs Season and pour over the filling. Place the pastry lid on top. Seal the edges and brush with a little milk. Bake at 200 degrees C for 15 minutes to set the pastry, then reduce the heat to 180 degrees C for 45 minutes or until a golden brown

Jam and Bread Pudding

2007-12-04T18:08:00.000+01:00

Jam and Bread Pudding
1 (1 lb) brioche or challah sliced 12-inch thick (1 loaf)
3/4 cup strawberry jam, plus (or preserves)
3 tablespoons strawberry jam (or preserves)
4 large eggs1/2 cup sugar2 1/2 cups whole milk or half-and-half, plus
1 tablespoon whole milk or half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 375*F.
Butter a 9″x13″ glass baking dish.
Arrange half of the challah in the dish; tear the slices to fit.
Spread 3/4 cup of the jam on top; cover with the remaining challah.
Whisk the eggs, sugar, 2 1/2 cups milk and vanilla and pour over the challah; press to soak and brush with 4 tbls. of the butter.
Cover with foil and bake for 24 minutes, removing the foil halfway through, until the pudding is set; remove from the oven.

Preheat the broiler.
Blend the remaining 1 tbls. of milk with the powdered sugar.
Add the remaining butter and jam and stir until the glaze is smooth.
Spread all but 1/4 cup of the glaze over the pudding and broil until the glaze is golden.
Drizzle the bread pudding with the remaining glaze and serve.

FIGGY COUS COUS PUDDING WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

2007-12-04T17:52:00.000+01:00

FIGGY COUS COUS PUDDING WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

Serves 4-6
Such a good, tasty pud. it's big on figs

Ingredients

¾ litre milk
1 vanilla pod (Split into two and scrape the insides out)
90g caster sugar
2 x 125g sachet Ainsley Harriott Premium Cous Cous ( I used the regular one I find in my local bio store)
10 dried figs, rehydrated in water
3 eggs
1 bottle of raspberry coulis (or make your own if you're feeling flash!!)

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/356°F/Gas Mark 4.
In a saucepan, bring the milk to the boil, turn off the heat and add the vanilla pod. Leave to infuse for 30 minutes.
Remove the vanilla pod. Put the milk back on a medium heat, add the sugar and Ainsley Harriott Premium Cous Cous.
Turn the heat down to low and stir continually until it thickens.
Turn off the heat and add the roughly chopped figs. One at a time, beat the eggs and add them to the mixture.
Pour into a greased sandwich tin and put in the oven for about 30 minutes, until the top of the cake is lightly browned.

TO SERVE: Serve warm, with lashings of raspberry coulis.
OTHER IDEAS: You can also replace the dried figs with dates, dried apricots, raisins and a few almonds.

Source : http://www.ainsley-harriott.com/ainsley-harriott-recipes-dessert-3.htm

When I saw this dessert I just had to do it, it's soooo good !

barbequed leg of lamb with thai green spices

2007-12-04T14:11:00.000+01:00

I try not to think about the little animal otherwise I wouldn't eat but I love lamb ..? and this recipe is just too good not to be made ...

for the marinade :
• 10 kaffir lime leaves, torn
• 2 thumb-sized pieces of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 sticks of lemon grass, trimmed and roughly chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeleda bunch of fresh coriander, leaves picked
• 2 green chillies, roughly chopped
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• juice of 2 limes

for the lamb :
• 1 x 2-2.5kg leg of lamb, butterflied (ask your butcher to do this for you)
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 x 400ml tin coconut milk
• 1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and chopped

optional : juice of 1 lime

Preheat your oven to 170°C/325°F/gas 3. Place the kaffir lime leaves, ginger, lemon grass, garlic, most of the coriander and chillies into a large pestle and mortar or a food processor and bash or pulse until you have a thick, fragrant, green paste. Stir in the olive oil and the lime juice.

Rub the marinade all over the lamb, making sure you get into all the nooks and crannies. Most of it will fall off during cooking, but it will still give the meat the most fantastic flavour. Season the lamb well and place it in a roasting tray. Cover with tinfoil and pop it in the preheated oven for about an hour.

After half an hour or so, light your BBQ so the flames have a chance to die down nicely. Make sure you have coals piled up high on one side so it's super hot and low on the other side for a more gentle heat to give you some control. Take the lamb out of the oven and cut or break it into a few big chunks, this way it'll be much easier to handle.

Place the lamb on the hot side of the barbie with the tray with all its juices on the cooler side. Squeeze a bit more lime juice into the tray if you like – you want the acidity to be like a mint sauce. Turn the meat regularly, basting it in the juices from the tray as you go. This will give you a nice, dark crust. Give the meat about 10 minutes like this, to build up the colour.

Once your meat is done, remove it to a board, cover loosely with foil and leave to rest. Pour the coconut milk into the tray and allow it to bubble for a couple of minutes until thickened.

Carve your lamb into chunky slices. Serve the sliced lamb with the Thai sauce, sprinkled with chopped chilli and the remaining coriander. An absolute showstopper.

Source : http://www.jamieoliver.com/

2007-12-03T17:05:00.000+01:00

Cornish Cream Tea Ingredients -Recipe

For the cream tea:

2 or 3 home made scones per person freshly baked and still warm to the touch or for the purists amongst you, (and what is shown in the photo above)

2 or 3 home made Cornish splits per person freshly baked but cooled hence cold to the touch

Real butter
8 oz pot of Clotted Cream applied generously
Portion of Real Fruit Strawberry Jam

For the Scones

2 cups plain white flour
1/4 cup butter
1 tbsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp. caster sugar
1/4 pint milk

For the Splits

2 cups plain white flour
1/4 cup butter
1 tbsp. lard
1 tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. caster sugar
1/4 pint milk
1/4 pint warm water

Tips for cooking

2007-12-03T16:50:00.000+01:00

* To slice meat into thin strips, as for Chinese dishes - partially freeze and it will slice easily.
* A roast with the bone in will cook faster than a boneless roast - the bone carries the heat to the inside of the roast quicker.
* For a juicer hamburger add cold water to the beef before grilling (1/2 cup to 1 pound of meat).
* To keep cauliflower white while cooking - add a little milk to the water.
* Let raw potatoes stand in cold water for at least half an hour before frying to improve the crispness of french-fried potatoes.
* Buy mushrooms before they "open." When stems and caps are attached snugly, mushrooms are truly fresh.
* Lettuce keeps better if you store in refrigerator without washing first so that the leaves are dry. Wash the day you are going to use.
* Do not use metal bowls when mixing salads. Use wooden, glass or china.
* A Perfect Pastry Crust? In your favorite recipe, substitute a 4:1 ratio of lard:butter.
* To make your own corn meal mix: combine 1 cup corn meal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 4 teaspoons baking powder. You can store it in a tightly covered container for up to 6 months.
* It's important to let a roast -- beef, pork, lamb or poultry -- sit a little while before carving. That allows the juices to retreat back into the meat. If you carve a roast too soon, much of its goodness will spill out onto the carving board.
* Microwave a lemon for 15 seconds and double the juice you get before squeezing.
* Microwave garlic cloves for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off.
* When slicing a hard boiled egg, try wetting the knife just before cutting. If that doesn't do the trick, try applying a bit of cooking spray to the edge.
* Rescue stale or soggy chips and crackers: Preheat the oven to 300F. Spread the chips or crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool, then seal in a plastic bag or container.
* The best way to store fresh celery is to wrap it in aluminum foil and put it in the refrigerator--it will keep for weeks.
* Store freshly cut basil on your kitchen counter in a glass with the water level covering only the stems. Change the water occasionally. It will keep for weeks this way, even develop roots! Basil hates to be cold, so NEVER put it in the refrigerator. Also, regular cutting encourages new growth and healthier plants.
* A dampened paper towel or terry cloth brushed downward on a cob of corn will remove every strand of corn silk.
* Fresh eggs' shells are rough and chalky; old eggs are smooth and shiny.
* No "curly" bacon for breakfast when you dip it into cold water before frying.
* When working with dough, don't flour your hands; coat them with olive oil to prevent sticking.
* Use a gentle touch when shaping ground beef patties. Overhandling will result in a firm, compact texture after cooking. Don't press or flatten with spatula during cooking.
* Never heat pesto sauce - the basil will turn black and taste bitter.
* Butter pie pastry scraps: sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake like cookies.
* A jar lid or a couple of marbles in the bottom half of a double-boiler will rattle when the water gets low and warn you to add more before the pan scorches or burns.
* When mincing garlic, sprinkle on a little salt so the pieces won't stick to your knife or cutting board.
* If your cake recipe calls for nuts, heat them first in the oven, then dust with flour before adding to the batter to keep them from settling to the bottom of the pan.
* Noodles, spaghetti and other starches won't boil over if you rub the inside of the pot with vegetable oil.
* Brown gravy in a hurry with a bit of instant coffee straight from the jar... no bitter taste, either.
* To hasten the cooking of foods in a double boiler, add salt to the water in the outer boiler.
* Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
* To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
* Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
* Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
* If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a on-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
* Add a little lemon and lime to tuna to add zest and flavor to tuna sandwiches. Use cucumbers soaked in vinegar and pepper in sandwich instead of tomatoes. Use mustard instead of mayo to cut the fat and add a tang.
* Instead of the water your recipe calls for, try juices, bouillon, or water you've cooked vegetables in. Instead of milk, try buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream. It can add a whole new flavor and improve nutrition.
* Steak Sauce With A Kick: Deglaze your frying pan (after searing your New York steaks) with brandy. Add two tablespoons of butter, a little white wine and a splash of Grand Marnier. Serve over steaks - you'll never use steak sauce again.
* When browning ground meat, brown several pounds and drain. Divide evenly in freezer containers and freeze. Unthaw in microwave for quick fixing next time.
* Ground spices really should be replaced every 6 months or so! Unless you know you will use them up fairly quickly, buy a bottle in partnership with a friend and split the contents. You'll each benefit from fresh spices.
* Sunlight doesn't ripen tomatoes, warmth does. Store tomatoes with stems pointed down and they will stay fresher, longer.
* Place green fruits in a perforated plastic bag. The holes will allow air to circulate while retaining the ethylene gas that fruits produce during ripening.
* Marshmallows won't dry out when frozen.
* Poke a hole in the middle of the hamburger patties while shaping them. The burgers will cook faster and the holes will disappear when done.
* For fluffier, whiter rice, add one teaspoon of lemon juice per quart of water. To add extra flavor and nutrition to rice, cook it in liquid reserved from cooking vegetables.
* Cheese won't harden if you butter the exposed edges before storing.
* Sausage patties rolled in flour before frying won't crack open during cooking.
* Two drops of yellow food coloring added to boiling noodles will make them look homemade.
* When separating eggs, break them into a funnel. The whites will go through leaving the yolk intact in the funnel.
* Fresh fish freeze well in a milk carton filled with water.
* Make your own celery flakes. Just cut and wash the leaves from the celery stalks; place them in the oven on low heat or in the hot sun until thoroughly dry. Crumble and store in an air-tight container.
* When picking a melon, smell it for freshness and ripeness. Check to see that the fruit is heavy in weight and that the spot on the end where it has been plucked from the vine is soft.
* When tossing a salad with a basic vinaigrette, always make the vinaigrette at least 1/2 hour ahead of time and let the mixture sit to allow the flavors to marry. Pour the vinaigrette down the side of the bowl, not directly on the greens, for a more evenly dressed salad.
* For the perfect boiled egg, cover eggs with cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a full boil. Remove the pan from the heat and cover. Let the eggs sit for 8-9 minutes. Drain the water and place the eggs in ice water to cool to stop the cooking process.
* When braising meat, cook it at a low temperature for a long time to keep the meat tender and have it retain all the juices.
* When cooking any kind of strawberry dessert, add a splash of aged Balsamic vinegar to the recipe to enhance the flavor of the strawberries.
* For fresh flavor in orange juice add the juice of one lemon.
* Tenderize pot roast or stewing meat by using two cups of hot tea as a cooking liquid.
* When making roux for a recipe, make extra and keep in the refrigerator for future use.
* Chefs pound meat not to tenderize the meat, but to help even the meat so it cooks evenly.
* To remove egg shells from a batter, use the remaining shell to attract the piece.
* If a recipe calls for 1 cup sour cream, you may substitute 1 cup cottage cheese blended until smooth with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/3 cup buttermilk.
* When using fresh herbs such as dill, chives, parsley, etc., hold them together in small bunches and snip with kitchen scissors. It is a lot faster this way, and you'll find the herbs will be light and fluffy, not bruised and wet as they often get when chopped.
* When going on a picnic, keep sandwiches from becoming soggy by packing lettuce and condiments in separate containers. Add them to sandwiches just before serving.
* Maple-flavored syrup, commonly found on the shelves in the store and in restaurants, is actually corn syrup flavored with a bit of pure maple syrup to keep the cost down.
* Thaw fish in milk for fresher flavor
* Put meat used for stir frying in freezer for 45 min. to 1 hr. to make slicing easier.
* You can correct greasy gravy by adding a little baking soda to it.
* If you need only 1/2 an onion, save the root half. It will last longer.
* Keep popcorn fresh and encourage more kernels to pop by storing in the freezer.
* Lemons stored in a sealed jar of water will produce twice the juice.
* Use paper bags rather than plastic to store lettuce and celery in the crisper. They will stay fresh longer.
* Bread will stay fresh longer if a celery rib is stored with it in the package.
* Save butter wrappers in the freezer to use for greasing pans when baking.
* To keep salt from clogging in the shaker, add 1/2 teaspoon of uncooked rice.
* If guests are coming and you're behind making dinner, throw some onions on to saute and your kitchen will smell wonderful and homey.
* Egg whites should always be at room temperature before whipping. Be certain there is no yolk in the whites and that the bowl and beaters are perfectly clean. Cream, on the other hand, should be well-chilled. For the largest volume, chill the bowl and beaters before whipping.
* When using spaghetti, keep in mind that 8 ounces of uncooked pasta makes 4 cups cooked.
* When using all-purpose flour, keep in mind that one pound flour is the equivalent to 4 cups.
* When using dried beans and peas, keep in mind that 1 cup dry beans or peas makes 2 1/2 cups cooked.
* When using rice, keep in mind that 1 cup of uncooked long-grain white rice makes 3 cups cooked.
* When using granulated sugar, keep in mind that one pound sugar is the equivalent to 2 cups.
* Ultimate Disposable Pastry Bag: Take a heavy-duty zipper-seal plastic bag and snip off one corner, making a slightly curved cut. Using a standard two-piece plastic coupler (available wherever cake decorating supplies are sold), insert the larger piece into the hole. Choose a tip and secure it with the coupler's ring. Fill the bag and zip the top closed. Decorate away, then remove the coupler/tip assembly and toss the bag. No messy cleanup!
* One way to preserve the flavor of fresh herbs is to make herb butter. Let the butter soften, then add finely chopped herbs in any combination, abbout 2 to 4 tablespoons per stick of butter. The butter freezes well, and you can serve it spread on French bread or with seafood or chicken.
* Pancakes are lighter and fluffier when you substitute club soda for milk in the batter.
* Before opening a package of bacon, roll it. This helps separate the slices for easy removal of individual slices.
* Drain deep fried foods on brown paper grocery bags as opposed to paper towels to retain crispness.
* Whenever possible, warm your dinner plates slightly in the oven before serving so the meal stays a little bit hotter.
* To make lighter and fluffier mashed potatoes, add a pinch or two of baking powder to the potatoes before whipping.
* Cookies will spread if your dough is too pliable by allowing butter to get too soft. If your cookies are spreading too much, try refrigerating the dough for a couple of hours before baking.
* Cookie dough can be frozen up to three months in an airtight container or refrigerated three to four days.
* Check cookies at minimum baking time.
* Let cookies cool completely before storing. Store different types of cookies in separate containers so they'll keep their original flavor and texture.
* Marinate red meats in wine to tenderize.
* Marinate chicken in buttermilk to tenderize.
* Use margarine instead of butter to panfry or saute. Butter burns quickly.
* Instead of adding raw garlic to sauces, saute the garlic first for a milder flavor.
* Thaw frozen meat and poultry in the refrigerator and not on the kitchen counter where bacteria can grow.
* Add a small amount of lemon juice to the artichoke cooking water to retain the color of the artichoke.
* A low-calorie solution for high-fat frying of corn tortillas is to place them in the oven, directly on the rack. Bake at 350 F, to desired crispness. The tortillas will automatically fold over into taco shell form with just a little postioning help.
* A simple way to sharpen kitchen shears: cut a piece of steel wool.
* Don't just keep dental floss in your medicine cabinet. Keep some in the kitchen. It's a great tool. Unflavored dental floss is often better than a& knife to cleanly cut all kinds of soft foods, soft cheese, rolled dough, layered cake and cheesecake.
* If lettuce starts turning a little brown (but not slimy) it may not be suitable for salads, but it is for sauteing. Sauteed salad greens like lettuce, radicchio, and endive make an unusual but tasty side dish. Saute lettuces just as you would spinach. Cook them quickly in a little olive oil, minced garlic, and salt. They taste great, and you cant tell that the greens were once a little brown.

Source http://www.e-cookbooks.net/tips.htm

Equivalents

2007-12-03T16:43:00.000+01:00

Double cream = Heavy cream
Single cream = Light cream
Cornflour = Corn starch
Shortcrust = Pie crust
Caster sugar = Superfine sugar
Icing sugar = Confectioners' sugar
Grill = Broil
Aubergine = Eggplant
Courgette = Zucchini
Mangetout = Snow peas
Coriander = Cilantro
Clingfilm = Saran wrap
Beef mince = Ground beef
Prawns = Shrimp
Digestive biscuits = Graham crackers (substitute)
Sultanas = Raisins
Trifle sponges = Ladyfingers
Spring onions = Scallions
Semi-skimmed milk = 2% milk
Dark/plain chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) = Bittersweet chocolate
Milk/plain chocolate (less than 70% cocoa solids) = Semi-sweet chocolate
Bicarbonate of soda = Baking soda
Horlicks = UK brand of malted milk powder
Maltesers = UK brand of malted milk balls

Cooking Conversions

2007-12-03T16:21:00.000+01:00

TEMPERATURES

Gas Mark 1 = 140C = 275F = Very cool
Gas Mark 2 = 150C = 300F = Cool
Gas Mark 3 = 160C = 325F = Warm
Gas Mark 4 = 180C = 350F = Moderate
Gas Mark 5 = 190C = 375F = Fairly Hot
Gas Mark 6 = 200C = 400F = Fairly Hot
Gas Mark 7 = 210C = 425F = Hot
Gas Mark 8 = 220C = 450F = Very Hot
Gas Mark 9 = 240C = 475F = Very Hot

VOLUME AND LIQUID MEASUREMENTS

5 ml = one-sixth fl oz = 1 teaspoon
15ml = half fl oz = 1 tablespoon (NOTE: Australian tablespoon = 20ml)
30ml = 1 fl oz = 2 tablespoons
45ml = 1 and half fl oz = 3 tablespoons
60ml = 2 fl oz = quarter cup
75ml = 2 and half fl oz = one-third cup
125ml = 4 fl oz = half cup
150ml = 5 fl oz = two-thirds cup
175ml = 6 fl oz = three-quarters cup
250ml = 8 fl oz = 1 cup
600ml = 1 pint = 2 and half cups
900ml = 1 and half pints = 3 and three-quarter cups1 litre = 1 and three-quarter pints = 4 cups

SOME USEFUL CUP CONVERSIONS

Please note that these are approximations
1 cup sugar = 200g
1 cup icing sugar = 125g
1 cup flour = 140g1 cup rice = 200g
1 cup frozen peas = 125g
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs = 70g
1 cup grated cheese - 100g
1 cup chocolate chips = 175g
1 cup sultanas = 150g
1 cup honey/syrup = 300g
1 stick of butter = 110g = 4oz

WEIGHT CONVERSIONS

15g = half oz
30g = 1 oz
45g = 1 and half oz
60g = 2 oz
75g = 2 and half oz
90g = 3 oz
100g = 3 and half oz
125g = 4 oz150g = 5 oz
175g = 6 oz200g = 7 oz
250g = 8 oz275g = 9 oz
300g = 10 oz325g = 11 oz
350g = 12 oz375g = 13 oz
400g = 14 oz450g = 15 oz
500g = 1 lb

CAKE TINS SIZES

20cm = 8 inch
23cm = 9 inch
25cm = 10 inch

Lara Adrian - The Midnight breed series

2007-12-03T14:09:00.000+01:00

Prepare for seduction as Lara Adrian unleashes a dark new breed of vampire . . .

Part human, part otherworldly, the Breed has lived among humankind for thousands of years, maintaining a tentative peace built on secrecy, power, and the dark justice carried out by the formidable warriors of the Order.

But now, a blood war within the race is set to ignite. Vampires are going Rogue in startling numbers, feeding without discretion, killing humans in the streets. It is up to the Order to stop the spreading threat of Rogue domination--and in so doing, each of the warriors will be forced to confront private demons, darkest secrets, deepest fears. Some will know triumph, some will know loss, but each warrior can count on one thing: Love, when it finds him, will often come at the worst possible moment, with the least likely woman . . . and it will bring each of these powerful males to his knees.

"Evocative, enticing, erotic . . . Enter Lara Adrian's vampire worldand be enchanted!"--J.R. Ward, New York Times bestselling author

"Sexy, dark, and very otherworld, this exciting new vampire serieswill appeal to fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward."--Susan Grimshaw, Corporate Buyer, Waldenbooks / Borders

KISS OF MIDNIGHT
Dell Books ~ 432 pages
ISBN: 978-0-553-58937-5

On sale now
Available formats : Mass Market Paperback, Bookclub Edition Hardcover, E-book

INSATIABLE DESIRE. ENDLESS SEDUCTION. ONE TOUCH IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle's deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night--or this man--is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed--a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite.

Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind--and the unwitting humans existing alongside them--from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands.

Here, in the arms of the Breed's formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all . . . .

KISS OF CRIMSON
Dell Books ~ 416 pages
ISBN: 978-0-553-58938-2
On sale now

Available formats : Mass Market Paperback, Bookclub Edition Hardcover

BONDED BY BLOOD AND DARK SECRETS, THEY ENTER A PLACE OF DANGER AND INFINITE PLEASURE . . . .

He comes to her more dead than alive, a towering black-clad stranger riddled with bullets and rapidly losing blood. As she struggles to save him, veterinarian Tess Culver is unaware that the man calling himself Dante is no man at all, but one of the Breed, vampire warriors engaged in a desperate battle. In a single erotically charged moment Tess is plunged into his world--a shifting, shadowed place where bands of Rogue vampires stalk the night, cutting a swath of terror.

Haunted by visions of a dark future, Dante lives and fights like there is no tomorrow. Tess is a complication he does not need--but now, with his brethren under attack, he must shield Tess from a growing threat that includes Dante himself. For with one reckless, irresistible kiss, she has become an inextricable part of his underworld realm . . . and his touch awakens her to hidden gifts, desires, and hungers she never knew she possessed. Bonded by blood, Dante and Tess must work together to thwart deadly enemies, even as they discover a passion that transcends the boundaries of life itself . . . .

MIDNIGHT AWAKENING
Dell Books ~ 416 pages
ISBN: 978-0-553-58939-9
On sale November 27, 2007

Available formats : Mass Market Paperback, Bookclub Edition Hardcover, E-book

HE HAS RESISTED TEMPTATION FOR CENTURIES, A STONE-COLD WARRIOR WHOSE FROZEN HEART REFUSES TO THAW--UNTIL HER . . . .

With a dagger in her hand and vengeance on her mind, Darkhaven beauty Elise Chase prowls Boston's streets in search of retribution against the Rogue vampires who took from her everything she cherished. Using an extraordinary psychic gift, she tracks her prey, well aware that the power she possesses is destroying her. She must learn to harness this gift, and for that she can turn to only one man--the deadliest of the Breed warriors, Tegan.

No stranger to loss, Tegan knows Elise's pain. He knows fury, but when he slays his enemies it is with ice in his veins. He is perfect in his self-control, until Elise seeks his aid in her personal war. An unholy alliance is forged--a bond that will link them by blood and vow--and plunge them into a tempest of danger, desire, and the darkest passions of the heart . . . .

COMING SOON

April 2008 (on sale March 25)

MIDNIGHT RISING -- Book 4

Features: Rio

After surviving a savage betrayal, Rio has given up hope of redemption . . . until he finds himself craving a fiery tabloid reporter who's in pursuit of a story that's closer to the truth than she could ever imagine

The Warrior by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2007-11-27T17:12:00.000+01:00

From the pen of

Sherrilyn Kenyon

#1 NYT Bestselling Author

Out Today!
The Long Awaited novel from the Brotherhood of the Sword and the MacAllister series
Lochlan's Story

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Avon (November 27, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060796677
ISBN-13: 978-0060796679

Lochlan MacAllister was born to lead. Ruthlessly groomed to take control of his clan, he has given his life to his people. But when he learns that the brother he thought was dead might still be alive, he embarks on a quest to find the truth.
Catarina wants a life of freedom. But now Catarina's royal father wants to use her as a pawn to ensure a treaty between conflicting lands. So much so that he's willing to kidnap his daughter to force the issue. But when she escapes, fate throws her into the path of a man she loathes.
Lochlan is stunned to find the shrewish Cat being hauled away by unknown men. Unwilling to see even her suffer, he frees her only to learn that she has her own demons to fight. When their fates intertwine, two people who know nothing of trust must rely on each other, and two enemies who have vowed their eternal hatred must find common ground, or see their very lives shattered.

The paladins of darkness by Alexis Morgan

2007-11-26T22:46:00.000+01:00

DARK PROTECTOR - Book 1 in the Paladins of Darkness serie by Alexis Morgan

ISBN: 1416520368
Publisher: Pocket

Release Date: June 27, 2006

How many more times must this immortal warrior die before he can claim the only woman he desires?

Devlin Bane: Born a Paladin, his is a member of an a ancient band of warriors locked in a centuries-old war against evil.His destiny: To die over and over again to protect mankind from the Others, only to be revived each time by his mortal Handler.

But his fierce strength and courage cannot save him from gradually becoming one of the monsters he was born to destroy.

Dr. Laurel Young, who has spent years training to become a Handler, must remain detached from her patients. But each time she revives the darkly compelling Devlin Bane, he claims a little more of her soul and incites in her desires that grow wilder and wilder—even as he inches closer to losing his humanity. As the war against the Others grows more desperate, Laurel and Devlin can't help but give in to the fierce hunger that's sizzled between them for so long. Now they'll face the ultimate battle together—to save a dark, passionate love that goes against every rule as they join forces t fight an enemy who is closer than they ever imagined . . .

COVER QUOTE:"This is so hot!"~ USA Today bestselling author Susan Sizemore

DARK DEFENDER - Book 2 in the Paladins of Darkness serie by Alexis Morgan

ISBN: 1416520376
Publisher: Pocket

Release Date: December, 2006

As a Paladin warrior, Blake Trahern fights and dies again and again to keep mankind safe from the Others. Sensing his humanity slipping away with eachbattle, he retreasts from the world . . . until the one person with a hold on his soul needs his help. It's been twelve years since Blake vanished from Brena Nichol's life, years that have turned her from a love-struck teen into a headstrong, sensual woman. He'll fearlessly give his life to protect her--yet he dare not risk his heart.

Brenna is stunned by Blake's reappearnace, and by a shocking discover about her father. Everything she has ever believed is thrown into question--everything except the desire that Blake still ignites. But as they search together for a traitor among the Paladins, danger looms: the next battle could tip Blake into madness, destroying his life, his soul . . . and the only woman he has ever loved.

[b]EXCERPT:[/b]Murmurs and whispers danced just out of reach. Brenna remained alone in the darkness, content for the moment to stay where she was. The fury and fire of pain waited for her each time she mustered the strength to open her eyes. No, it was far better to huddle down in the black chill than to let the monsters in. The hushed voices could chat among themselves. She had no need for them.But at some point she realized that a new voice had entered the discussion, a masculine one that wouldn’t be ignored. A woman answered his demands, sounding a bit defensive and not a little afraid as she pushed the button that summoned help.

A few seconds later, footsteps approached, another man by the heavy sound of them. He immediately started to speak, trying without success to placate the newcomer. She wished she knew why the stranger made the others nervous, but not her. On the contrary, the deep resonance of his voice comforted her on some level, making her wish that she dared open her eyes to see why that was.

Maybe if she concentrated, she could make out what they were saying. But no, shock waves of agony immediately sent her diving back down into the darkness. For now, it was enough to know he was there, watching over her. She floated under the edge of pain, content to listen for him to speak again. Trahern inched closer, pausing with each step to make sure that she was still asleep. She didn't need to know that he'd finally come, too late to do more than bury her father and say he was sorry for . . . for so damn much. His presence would only serve to upset her, and she had enough on her plate right now without him adding to the mess.

The need to touch her screamed along his nerve endings, demanding satisfaction. He itched to reach out, just to verify for themselves that she was alive, if not yet well. But he forced his hands to remain where they were, firmly at his side.

Instead, he hovered outside the circle of light surrounding her bed.

"This is so hot!"~ USA Today bestselling author Susan Sizemore

5 Klovers - "...Alexis Morgan has done an excellent job at creating this alternate world and populating it with strong, well-developed characters who are both likeable and memorable. DARK DEFENDER skyrockets the Paladins of Darkness series to the top as this is one of the best paranormal series out there! Keep them coming, Ms. Morgan! We want to know more! - Reviewed by Debbie - Kwips & Kritiques

IN DARKNESS REBORN - Book 3 in the Paladins of Darkness serie by Alexis Morgan

ISBN 13: 978 1 4165 4658 0

ISBN 10: 1 4165 4658 8
Publisher: Pocket Star

Release Date: June 26, 2007

Alexis Morgan continues her red-hot paranormal series with a mysterious warrior and his forbidden love for a woman whose allegiance lies with his sworn enemy . . . .

Once a warrior for the Others, Barak q'Young is caught between two worlds—exiled from his homeland, and a pariah among his enemies, the Paladins. While hunting a betrayer who's selling the precious blue gems that light the Others' world, Barak must aid geologist Lacey Sebastian in her research for the Paladins. Barak is instantly drawn to the fiery, beautiful woman, but Lacey initially despises the enemy intruder. Soon she sees beyond his violent past, though, finding the dark warrior intriguing—and extremely sexy.Though neither can resist the passion that blazes between them, Barak is torn between loyalties, hiding a secret gift that could prove useful to Lacey's research, at the sacrifice of his own people. But when Lacey is kidnapped and held hostage, Barak realizes that he will do anything to save her . . . even risk his own life.

EXCERPT : Barak's breathing was as ragged. “Lacey, we can't, not here.”He was right, but that didn't make it easy to hear. He rested his forehead against hers as he lifted her hands up to sprinkle a few light kisses across her knuckles. At least he was banking the fire, not trying to extinguish it altogether.

“I want you, Lacey. I spend far too many hours thinking about how it would be to hold you naked in my arms as I pleasure you every way I can think of. The thought of taking you makes me ache.” His light eyes held hers prisoner.

The image had her demanding his kiss again. When she tugged him closer, he came willingly.

But then, he said, “But before we go any farther down this path, you have to make sure this is what you really want. I won't take a lover who is embarrassed to be seen with me in public or who only takes me to her bed when she's sure that no one will know.”

His words cut through to her heart, hurting her even though his intention was to protect them both. He was right. Kissing him in a fit of temper or even to offer comfort was one thing. Letting everyone in the organization--not to mention her brother--know that she'd invited their enemy into her bed would be a disaster.

He must have read her answer in her eyes because he stepped away, giving her one more measuring look as he left the lab, letting the door swing shut behind him. She'd done the right thing; she knew that for a fact.

But then why did it hurt so much?

Redeem in Darkness - Book 4 in the Paladin of darkness serie

Mass Market Paperback

368 pages

Publisher: Pocket Star (November 27, 2007)

ISBN-10: 1416547134

ISBN-13: 978-1416547136

Alexis Morgan's sizzling paranormal Paladin series continues with a beautiful and courageous female warrior who can't resist the man of her dreams--even if he is her sworn enemy . . . .A female leader from the Other world, Lusahn q'Arc can't forget the Paladin warrior she met in battle--his chiseled body and piercing, thoughtful eyes still haunt her dreams. When Lusahn learns that her missing brother Barak is alive and working with the enemy, she arranges to meet him--but it is not Barak who apears, but Cullen Finley, the Paladin who torments her memory. Intense attraction instantly burns between them despite their rival loyatlies, and they can't help surrendering to passion. Yet their time together is limited, for soon Cullen must return to his own world--with or without Lusahn. But when carefully laid plans go awry, they must fight for their forbidden love--and to keep one another alive.

Cheryl Holt

2007-10-04T11:22:00.000+02:00

Secret Fantasy

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (March 6, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312942540
ISBN-13: 978-0312942540

In this spellbinding new novel from the undisputed queen of erotic romance, bestselling author Cheryl Holt introduces two of her most unforgettable characters yet — In a story of seduction, longing, and forbidden love...

CAN A DARING ADVENTURE...

Orphaned at a young age and sent to live with selfish relatives, Margaret Gray has no dowry and no chance of ever marrying. When her aunt invites Jordan Prescott, Earl of Kettering, for a visit, hoping to entice him into offering for Margaret's spoiled cousin, the dashing war hero instead tempts Margaret into a truly decadent decision. If Margaret cannot have a husband, perhaps she dares, just once, to taste the pleasures of the flesh?

BECOME AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART?

Since his dissolute father squandered the family fortune, Jordan is required to marry an heiress in order to provide for this half-siblings. Yet no woman has ever aroused him as much as Margaret. Her sedate exterior belies a bold spirit and tantalizing sexuality. A single illicit tryst becomes a month-long journey in carnal abandon, but with Jordan's visit drawing to a close, can their passion survive the dangerous scheming that threatens to keep them apart?

Too wicked to wed

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 29, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312937997
ISBN-13: 978-0312937997

Cheryl Holt, the queen of erotic romance, takes readers to new heights of sensuality with her latest scintillating novel that will leave you breathless.

CAN THE ROGUE WHO WON HER VIRTUE...

Helen Mansfield's reckless brother has done the unthinkable, gambling away his sister's chastity to save his father's estate. When Helen visits the lodgings of the gentleman who has won her, hoping to make him see reason, she interrupts a carnal scene as outrageous as it is erotic. Luke Westmoreland, the illegitimate son of a duke, is clearly a rogue... and he's also the most wildly attractive man she has ever met. He offers Helen a new bargain that will give her one more year in her home. But their daily meetings quickly become sizzling lessons in wanton desire...
TEACH HER THE MEANING OF DESIRE?
Once branded a smuggler and thief, Luke Westmoreland is now hailed a hero, thanks to an act of bravery at sea. Although he has taken full advantage of the women his fame has enticed, none of the strumpets lining up to share his bed has intrigued Luke as much as beautiful, spirited Helen. Their trysts are abandoned, sensual adventures that deepen into a love neither dares to admit — until another man's twisted obsession places Helen in danger...

Too tempting too touch

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (March 7, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312937989
ISBN-13: 978-0312937980

Cheryl Holt, the queen of erotic romance, has captured the imaginations of fans everywhere. Now, her latest tale draws readers into an unforgettable story about an innocent woman whose passion leads her to a most erotic temptation.

THE ONLY CURE FOR TEMPTATION...

Ellen Drake has seen firsthand how dangerous scandal can be. Her family was torn apart by an unjust accusation ten years ago, and now, working as a paid companion, Ellend must keep her reputation above reproach. Catching her employer's betrothed in a sizzling tryst is bad enough; even worse that Ellen should find herself so infernally enthralled by the spectacle! Ellen intends to prevent Alex Marshall, Lord Stanton, from dallying with other women before his wedding day, but the rogue turns the tables — with an invitation to be his paramour. It's a proposition that is too outrageous, too indecent... and strangely irresistible. With a single touch, Alex opens the door to a secret world of sensual desire, a world Ellen is burning to explore...

IS TO SURRENDER...

Alex intends to be faithful once he's married, but in the meantime, London offers so many tempting bed partners. Giving the prim Miss Drake a taste of the excitement she clearly craves will be a delightful diversion, nothing more. But their secret dalliance unleashes the vengeance of someone who is plotting revenge, someone whose own erotic pursuits are twisted with madness. And the scandal that destroyed Ellen's family is about to come calling once again...

Too hot to Handle
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 30, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312937970
ISBN-13: 978-0312937973

Cheryl Holt, the queen of erotic romance, takes readers to new heights of sensuality with her latest scintillating novel that will leave you breathless.

THE LADY MUST WEAR RED...

When Emily Barnett arrives at the Earl of Winchester's residence, she believes she is interviewing for a post as governess to his two wards. It isn't until she happens upon the Earl in a most compromising position that she learns he is also searching for a new mistress. Although Emily is startled, she can't take her eyes off the erotic scene playing out before her. Never has she witnessed such carnal passion — or seen such a devilishly handsome man. But when the Earl thinks she is just one of the strumpets sent to fulfill his every desire, she flees, vowing never to return...

AND INDULGE HIS EVERY DESIRE...

Michael Farrow, the Earl of Winchester, prefers that his paramours wear red. Emily Barnett, in her conservative governess's attire, is nothing like the women he usually seduces. Yet beneath her prim and proper facade, he detects an alluring, sensual woman. Michael's two young wards actually do need a governess, so he seeks out Emily and insists on hiring her. Desperate to escape a hideous arranged marriage, she relents and accepts the position. But it isn't long before Emily finds herself enraptured by the Earl's expert touch as he takes her deeper and deeper on a journey of rampant passion...

Further than passion

Mass Market Paperback: 341 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 31, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312948263
ISBN-13: 978-0312948269

Cheryl Holt has thrilled both critics and fans with her wam, lushly sensual tales. Now, the queen of erotic romance presents her most highly charged novel yet — an extraordinary story of forbidden passion that spins wildly out of control...

CAN LONDON'S MOST NOTORIOUS ROGUE...

Kate Duncan agrees to help her young cousin land a husband though she draws the line when he learns the foolish girl wants to use an apothecary's love potion to snag the notorious Marcus Pelham! To prove the elixer a fake, Kate drinks it herself — and experiences the most erotic moment of her life when she stumbles upon Marcus in a most compromising position. Every nerve in Kate's body sings as she watches from the shadows, but is her response a result of the potion... or the man? Luckily, Marcus is far too busy to notice Kate's spying... or so she thinks...

FIND SATISFACTION IN THE ARMS OF JUST ONE WOMAN?

As the Earl of Stamford, Marcus has his choice of willing ladies to share his bed. Yet nothing has ever aroused him as much as the image of Kate watching him. Marcus tries to have a little fun with Kate by drinking the elixir — and them appearing to lose all control every time she's near. But the prank goes awry when Marcus finds himself wildly and truly attracted to the innocent Kate. As he teaches her the passionate art of seduction, will he lose his heart for the very first time?

More than seduction

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 26, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312992831
ISBN-13: 978-0312992835

HEALING HIM WAS HER BUSINESS...

Mrs. Anne Smythe's Healing Spa and Bathing Emporium is a haven for fashionable women who believe the waters have aphrodisiac properties. Yet the prim proprietesss never thinks of testing that theory -- until grievously injured Captain Stephen Chamberlin is deposited on her doorstep. Every minute the war hero spends under her roof courts scandal. It isn't long before she discovers that having such a man at her mercy arouses her in ways she had never thought possible as their "therapeutic" sessions in the hot springs become steamy trysts Anne wishes would never end...

HAVING HER WAS HIS PLEASURE...

Stephen thought he had reached his lowest point when the war rendered him an invalid. He's proven wrong when his sister and best friend leave him in the care of the tantalizing Mrs. Anne Smythe. Yet as the healing waters work their magic, so does the widow Smythe. Beneath her unflappable exterior lies an alluring woman: warm, witty and refreshingly open to sensual experimentation. But when mutual pleasure turns to forbidden love, can two people outwit the forces that would see them torn apart?

Deeper than desire

Mass Market Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 31, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312948255
ISBN-13: 978-0312948252

SHE HAS A WICKED SECRET...

With her family in dire straits, Olivia Hopkins reluctantly agrees to seek a marriage proposal from the aging Earl of Salisbury. But the plan goes awry when she finds an erotic volume in the earl's library. The book sets Olivia's body on fire. She simply cannot put it down--until she is caught red-handed by the Earl's devilishly handsome son--a man who quickens her pulse and stirs her imagination with thoughts she's never dared entertain...

AND HE'LL KEEP IT...FOR A PRICE

Phillip Paxton can't believe his good luck. Catching Olivia with the scandalous volume offers a superb chance to humiliate the father he despises. Using the book as bait, Phillip lures Olivia into an electrifying affair that explodes into unbridled lessons of passion. Phillip never expects to become enamored with his ravishing pupil. But what begins as a rakish scheme soon becomes a genuine affair of the heart--one that Phillip will protect at any cost...

Complete Abandon

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (September 15, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031298460X
ISBN-13: 978-0312984601

NO BARGAIN IS AS ENTICING AS...

When Emma Fitzgerald storms the manor home of the new Viscount Wakefield, she feels more than justified fury. Having just inadvertently witnessed His Lordship in scandalous dishabille with his London mistress, her blood pounds with outrage...and with the delicious secrets of his flesh.
She has come to demand better treatment for his tenants, to seek some compassion, a shred of decency from this dastardly rake whose reputation for sin and debauchery precedes him. Now, the erotic image of his powerful flesh only heightens her determination to make this wicked rogue accountable for his actions.

ONE SEALED WITH A KISS...

Certainly no woman has ever dared to take John Clayton to task as though he is a naughty schoolboy, and no woman, especially one as enticing as Emma, ever has refused to be baited by his bold, assessing gaze. Instead she seems to look beneath his skin to see more than a scandalous rake. But this prim and proper vicar's daughter leaves him speechless when she proposes a bargain worthy of his insolence. In return for his kindness to others, she offers herself. Vowing to regain the upper hand, John brazenly sets out to introduce Emma to the art of love heedless of the consequences to his own heart...

Absolute pleasure

Mass Market Paperback: 377 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 31, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312948247
ISBN-13: 978-0312948245

She was a complete innocent...until he showed her the most irresistible passion

Absolute Seduction...

Absolute Surrender...

ABSOLUTE PLEASURE

The lonely, never-married Lady Elizabeth Harcourt desperately longs for a distraction. She finds one when a chance encounter leads her to the lush studios of artist Gabriel Cristofore. Gabriel insists upon painting Elizabeth's portrait, vowing to do justice to her ravishing figure. But Elizabeth soon realizes that Gabriel's plans for her have little to do with painting—for his true passion in life is the art of seduction.

The first moment Gabriel sets eyes on Elizabeth he can see she's not his usual mark. Her lush auburn locks, luscious skin, and ruby lips offer just a hint of the pleasure they promise. Despite his desire, he is torn between seducing her instantly and taking his time so that he can explore every aspect of her. But Gabriel is about to discover that some affairs cannot be so easily abandoned—especially when the heart of a rogue has been captured.

Total surrender

Mass Market Paperback: 359 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 31, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312948239
ISBN-13: 978-0312948238

"It was a game with only one rule—ultimate pleasure."
He was a master in seduction...

With the last of her family's possessions gambled away by her dissolute brother, Lady Sarah Compton has traveled to a country house gala for one last moment of grace and beauty. But she is unaware that the occasion is actually a notorious trysting event, where members of the aristrocracy can indulge their every sensual fantasy and erotic whim. Nor does she realize that the striking man who has stolen into her bedroom is none other than Michael Stevens—a rake who gives and takes his pleasures boldly...

She was a pupil, willing to learn...

The bastard son of an earl, Michael Stevens relishes his reputation as London's most notorious seducer. But he has no idea what to make of the auburn-haired beauty he'd nearly mistaken for a new conquest or how such an innocent could possibly have been invited to a gathering where London's bored elite caters to each other's carnal desires. When the lady refuses to heed Michaels' warning—to leave the house for her own protection—a powerful attraction grows, and soon, he longs to tutor the very proper Lady Sarah Compton in the art of passion...

Love lessons

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (October 14, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312978405
ISBN-13: 978-0312978402

Abigail Weston is twenty-five years old and still unwed. For a brief period of time, she was engaged at age seventeen, but her fiancee died before they were married. Shortly after, her mother died, as well, and she retired to the country, where she’s spent the past seven years raising her younger sister, Caroline, to adulthood.

Caroline is now seventeen, herself, and ready to make her debut. She and Abigail have come to London to stay with their brother, the Earl of Marbleton, and Abigail will chaperone Caroline through the whirl of social events that make up the London Season. She will also guide Caroline in her selection of a husband.

As Caroline prepares to enter the marriage market, she begins to ask questions of Abigail--questions about the sexual side of love--and Abigail quickly realizes that she has no basis of knowledge for providing the young woman with the kind of information she needs to succeed at the physical requirements of matrimony.

Abigail has heard a man’s name bandied about in whispers by the women with whom she visits, and the more she hears of his amorous exploits, the more intrigued she becomes. Supposedly, he is a passionate, skilled lover who has women flocking to his side, but he also has the reputation for being extremely discreet in his personal affairs.

A wicked idea, completely foreign to her character, starts to form, and she decides to approach him to see if he would verbally tutor her in the loving arts. Naively, she believes they will be able to meet innocently, coming together to talk about sex and pleasure without the necessity of any type of physical contact.

What she has not considered, however, is that her body has been unknowingly pining for a man’s sexual attentions. From the very first moment she contacts James Stevens, she lights a fire she has no means of extinguishing.

James is the notorious owner of a renowned gambling establishment who exists on the fringes of London’s High Society. He’s bored and looking for something that will put some excitement back into his life. When Abigail clandestinely meets him and makes her bizarre request that he teach her about sexual relations, he’s completely titillated by the erotic possibilities. As a man who’s had extensive experience with women, he recognizes the special chemistry that sparks whenever she is near, and he is captivated by what could become of an illicit liaison.

They are physically attracted to each other in the worst way, and temptation is impossible to resist. They begin meeting secretly, and step by step, Abigail is drawn into the world of passion James opens for her. With her entire being, she begins to anticipate their assignations, and she can hardly endure the lackluster days that pass with terrifying slowness in between each encounter.

As they spend time together, it becomes apparent that their physical craving has blossomed into an emotional bond, as well. However, they both realize any future is hopeless.

How well will Abigail learn the skills her tutor teaches her? Will she find the courage to throw off Society’s shackles so that she can be with James in every way?

Will James shed the bonds of his past, giving up his life of debauchery and dissipation in order to become the husband Abigail deserves?

Join Abigail and James as they venture down the carnal path of desire, only to find the route to everlasting love.

Forbidden Fantasy by Cheryl holt

2007-10-04T10:57:00.000+02:00

Forbidden Fantasy

Pocket: 352 pages
Editeur : St. Martin's Press (august 2007)
ISBN-10: 0312942559

SHE SOUGHT LESSONS IN DESIRE...

From girlhood, Lady Caroline Faster knew what her future held: marriage to an esteemed viscount, followed by a dignified high-society life. A sedate existence perhaps, but certainly preferable to her current state — jilted, humiliated, and then hastily bartered off to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Dreading the marriage, Caroline seeks advice from her ex-fiancé's illegitimate brother, whose potent sexuality has always intrigued her...

AND HE WAS THE CONSUMMATE TEACHER

Ian Clayton can scarcely believe that the woman he's coveted from afar is boldly seeking sexual instruction. A true gentleman would turn her away, but the yearning he feels for Caroline surpasses anything he's ever known. Soon their encounters become more heated, more daring... and more dangerous. For someone will stop at nothing to end their illicit affair — and destroy a fantasy that is coming blissfully, brazenly to life...

For her pleasure by Maya Banks

2007-10-03T15:09:00.000+02:00

Available Sept. 2007

from Berkley HEAT

What She Wants

Kit Townsend wants Travis “Mac” McKenzie and Ryder Sinclair in her bed, their hands on her body. They’re the only two people she trusts in the world, and better, they share her negative view of relationships and messy emotional entanglements. But Mac wants more from Kit than easy sex and a hot threesome. After an attack on Kit leaves her shaken and afraid, Mac knows he can’t wait any longer to claim his fiery rebel. Convincing her that he can be trusted with her heart while protecting her from her attacker may just be the biggest challenge of his life.

Read an excerpt of What She Wants here

http://www.mayabanks.com/whatshewants.php

What She Needs

Ryder realizes his feelings for Kit run a lot deeper than he thought, but he’s unwilling to come between her and Mac. He loves her. He wants her. He aches for her. But he’s prepared to step back no matter how hard it is to let Kit go. Until a shocking revelation makes it impossible for him to walk away.

Read an excerpt of What She Needs
http://www.mayabanks.com/whatsheneeds.php

What She Craves

Mia Nichols has loved Texas Ranger Jack Kincaid forever, but he’s kept her at a distance. One night she seduces him, and he gives in to the temptation that has haunted him for so long. The next morning, however, he disappears, leaving her to wonder if he’s alive or dead.
Two years later, he bursts into the club where she’s stripping, determined to haul her back to Dallas. But Mia is caught in a dangerous situation, and it will take everything Jack has to save her—and gain her forgiveness.

Read an excerpet of What She Craves
http://www.mayabanks.com/whatshecraves.php

Decadent by Shayla Black

2007-10-03T11:46:00.001+02:00

Decadent by Shayla Black

Release: October 2

Berkley Heat

ISBN-13: 978-0425217214

Price: 15.00Order from Amazon

Two men are better than one.How can a virgin seeking happily-ever- after with a hot pop star who has a penchant for threesomes win her fantasy man?

Kimber Edgington desperately needs a plan to convince Jesse McCall, who's been her friend and secret crush since they spent a summer together as teenagers, that they are meant for each other. But all the tabloid stories about his sexual escapades make her feel oh-so inadequate.

Determined to prove she's woman enough for Jesse, Kimber turns to bodyguard Deke Trenton for sexual education. Bold and brash, Deke warns Kimber that playing with him is playing with fire. But he can't bear to imagine the innocent beauty in someone else's arms. So Deke and his super-sexy friend, Luc, take Kimber under their wings and dangerously close to the edge of ecstasy. Though she's saved herself for Jesse, Kimber soon learns, he's not the man adept at stoking her aching, endless need. That's Deke, and he can't resist when Kimber begs for more-and more.

Excerpt:Deke hovered just outside the kitchen, jaw clenched.Damn, he'd know that sweet, little-girl voice anywhere. High-pitched, lilting, usually delivered with a hint of mischief. Kimber Edgington. She made his dick itch for action. Always had. Every day he'd worked for the Colonel, he'd seen her. Just the sound of her voice had been enough to send a mad rush of blood straight to his cock. One glance from those sweet hazel eyes made him as ready as a jackhammer.Adjusting himself, Deke grimaced. Damn it, she still had that power.At least she wasn't seventeen anymore, tempting a man who was old enough to know better and nearly too horny to care.Five years ago, he'd quit working for her father before he'd done something stupid. Something he was sure he'd regret every bit as much as she would.But why the fuck was she here in his house now? Hell, only one way to find out.She gasped as he stepped into the kitchen. Deke leaned against a counter to hide his raging hard on. By Luc's amused smile, he knew he wasn't fooling his cousin.But it was Kimber's face he focused on. More mature lines. Fuller lips The freckles had faded. She wore a hint of make up. The air of innocence remained, still begging corruption.Deke would bet every last medal he'd ever earned that she was a virgin.Crazy. The girl had to be twenty-two, twenty-three. In his gut, though, Deke knew he was right. Shit! He had to get her the fuck out of here. Fast. In his book, head-spinning desire and virginity were a bad combination."Kimber." His voice sounded like ground-up gravel. He resisted the urge to wince."Deke."His name fell from her glossy, rosy lips. The sound only made him harder. Hell! Then she bit her cushy lower lip, and all he could think about was watching his dick slide over that lip, then deep inside the wet silk of her mouth while she looked up at him with those innocent eyes.If he didn't stop thinking like this, he was going to have to go into the bathroom and jack off before he could have a decent conversation with the girl so he could send her on her way."Hi," she breathed into the awkward silence."It's been a while."She nodded. It was jerky, nervous. He hadn't heard much of Luc's conversation with Kimber, just enough to know his cousin had some whacked-out imagining that he'd been keeping the doll-faced beauty to himself. And that Kimber thought she had an urgent reason to be here.Since they only had one acquaintance in common, this had to be about the Colonel."Is everything all right with your dad?""He-he's fine. Thanks." She pasted on a smile. "He says some psycho, ex-convict he helped bring in for a client is threatening him, but that's nothing new."In their line of work? "No, it's not."Finally, his erection abated enough to cross the room and plant himself at the fussy Italian table. A smile still tugged at the corner of his cousin's mouth, and Deke sent him a warning glare."I heard you tell Luc you had something urgent to talk to me about. It's not about the Colonel?""No. It's." Kimber lashes swept toward her cheeks as she looked down, bit her lip once more.Damn it, her unconsciously coquettish expressions were making him hard again.Her gaze bounced back up again, and he saw fortitude there. Interesting."It's personal."Personal? Deke had no idea what to say. She'd come to him for something personal? He'd done his best to be an ass to her when he'd worked for her father. Not too difficult when he'd been knotted up by sexual frustration on a daily basis.A moment passed in silence. A pause. Then.Luc rose and approached Kimber. "I'll give you kids a few minutes alone. I have to make a phone call, anyway. There's more raspberry tea in the fridge. Don't let Mr. Glower scare you off." He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "And don't leave without saying goodbye."Deke watched the exchange, and realized after Luc strolled out of the room that he was grinding his teeth. Bastard. Kimber was everything his cousin pursued with single-minded vigor: the promise of sweetness, white lace, and innocent sighs. The fact she had a healthy hint of red in her hair was justa bonus.Not this woman. Not this time. If Kimber was off limits to him, Luc wasn't getting a piece of her ass, either.The muted slam of a door down the hall let Deke know his cousin was safely ensconced in his office. He turned his attention back to Kimber."Go ahead. I'm listening."She drew in a shaky sigh, then raised her chin, seeming to take her nerves in hand. A moment later, she sent him a direct stare. "I came to ask you for a favor. I realize this is odd but. would you teach me about sex, the way you like it?"

Sweet spot By Kayla Perrin

2007-10-02T17:48:00.000+02:00

I know we should never judge a book by its cover but this one just stirred something inside me ...

Sweet Spot
By Kayla Perrin
Price: $6.99
On Sale: 9/25/2007
Formats: Mass Market PB Trade PB

One of the NFL's sexiest stars, Kahari Brown knows how to handle a football and a pretty lady—or so he always thought. But lately his smooth moves off the field are only getting him into hot water.
And no one is hotter than Zoë Andrews, who would do anything to make it as a top sports reporter. When she thrusts a mic in Kahari's face and asks him if he's the father of a crazy fan's baby, the irate athlete's first inclination is to toss her out of the locker room on her shapely butt. But there's something about Zoë . . .
Zoë can't help noticing that this brother is mighty fine. Now the heat is on and Zoë is wondering if she should have fanned the flames—because now she's falling for Kahari's charm, which is something she swore she'd never do. But is he sweet-talking his way into her heart for love—or for something else?

Scions - Paranormal

2007-10-02T17:32:00.000+02:00

Scions: ResurrectionVampire(book 1)

Everyone believed vampires were extinct.
Everyone was wrong.
When Ariel Swanson wrote a novel about vampires, she hoped it would exorcise her fear of the creatures that had, not so long ago, terrorized the human population.
Instead, it brought her to their attention.
And to the attention of Jachin Black—a man banished from the Sanguinas, a vampire clan, and forced to hunt among the despised humans. For he clung to the prophecy given years ago, of a better way for his kind to live… a prophecy Ariel unknowingly used as the basis of her novel.
Ariel hates and fears vampires. Jachin despises humanity. But the prophesy—and passion—bind them in ways they could never have imagined. Ways that may heal the past, and change the future…

Scions: A prophecy reveals hidden secrets and holds the key to fulfilling their ultimate desires.

Note: The cover above is just a placeholder. This isn't the RESURRECTION cover.

Scions:Insurrection Werewolf (book 2)
They didn't know werewolves existed...until someone started killing the Lupreda .....

Kendrian vampires - Paranormal

2007-10-02T17:20:00.000+02:00

Welcome to the world of Kendrians, a diverse vampire race that has existed for centuries. Five clans comprise these sensual creatures of the night.

Kendrian vampires: A taste for passion (book 1)

Rana Sterling finally meets the man of her dreams and boy does he know how to push all the right buttons. Only, Mr. Tall, Dark and Too-Good-to-Be-True turns out to be just that—he's a real, live fanged vampire!
Lucian Trevane has a duty to fulfill. He's expected to take the role of Vité, leader of all the vampires in three days. But he knows he won't take the position without his wife by his side.
Now, after searching seventy years for his reincarnated fiancé, he finally finds his mate in Rana. Only he has a slight problem—Rana refuses to become his vampire wife. Add to the mixture: a vengeful vampire, a surprise twist, and the fact Rana and Lucian are running out of time and you’ve got the perfect recipe for A TASTE FOR PASSION.

Kendrian vampires: A Taste for Revenge (book 2)

Revenge is a dish best served cold. No one knows this better than Jacqueline (Jax) Markson. Ever since she can remember, her father has spoken of revenge—revenge against all vampires. When his wife died after giving birth to Jax, John Markson blamed the vampire who’d bitten his pregnant wife for his loss and he dedicated his life to ridding the world of all vampires. After Jax’s vampire-hunter father is viciously killed, she takes up the reins where he left off. Her first order of business: take out the vampire who killed her father.
Ian (The Enforcer) Mordoor has a job to do. Before he can take over the Ruean vampire clan’s leadership position, Ian vows to hunt down Drace, the rogue vampire who brutally killed a human vampire hunter named John Markson. What Ian doesn’t expect to find during his quest is his mate in a human vampire hunter named Jax--a woman who'd rather kill than kiss him.

Kendrian vampires: A Taste for Control (book 3)

Duncan Mordoor has lived his entire life in total control. His hybrid vampire status might allow him to walk in the sun, but with his unique mind-reading ability, humans easily bore him and vampires give him a wide berth. Feeling like an outsider, Duncan limits his contact with both races, living by the motto: Never join in, Never let your true emotions be known and above all…Never lose control. He never expected rescuing a `human' woman would turn his life upside down. Everything he thought he was, everything he'd stood for all changed the day he met Rose Sinclair.
Rose has always held her emotions inside, keeping complete control, but there's one heart's desire she's always wanted. When a client offers her seven grand to provide proof that vampires exist, Rose takes the case. One minute she's in a night club asking questions about the existence of vampires, and the next she's running from a very real rogue vampire who's decided she'd make a perfect mate. But nothing scares her more than the seductive hybrid vampire who rescues her. With just one swipe of his tongue, Duncan makes her body hum, awakening a part of her she didn't know existed.

More books will come in this serie of the Kendrians vampires ....

Nora

2007-09-17T15:43:00.000+02:00

Voici une couverture de livre qui m'a fait furieusement penser a l'amie d'une amie qui un jour j'espère deviendra la mienne !

Jeans

2007-09-17T15:21:00.001+02:00

Nearly naked

2007-09-17T15:16:00.000+02:00

Abs

2007-09-17T15:07:00.001+02:00

The Breeds Series - Lora Leigh

2007-09-11T16:14:00.000+02:00

Yes Series with an S because there are several kind of breeds ! The feline breeds, the wolf breeds, the coyote breeds and I guess some others that we don’t know about yet !

Those books are erotica and the fainted of the heart should refrain !

breeds published by ellora's cave

Feline Breeds
Tempting the Beast (2003)
The Man Within (2005)
Kiss of Heat (2005)

Wolf Breeds
Wolf's 'hope
Elizabeth's Wolf (2005)
Jacob's Faith (2004)
Aidan's Charity

Coyote breeds
Soul deep

Breeds by Berckley

Megan's Mark (2006)
Hot spell (2006)
Harmony's way (2006)
Tanner's scheme (2007)

Lora Leigh - The Breeds serie

2007-09-11T13:12:00.001+02:00

Tempting the Beast: Feline Breeds 1
Paperback or e-book
publisher:
Ellora's Cave Publishing inc
released:
24 November 2003
isbn:
1-84360-724-7 / 9781843607243

Callan Lyons is a genetic experiment. One of six fighting for freedom and the survival of their Pride. Merinus Tyler is the reporter who will tempt him, draw him, until the fury of the "mating frenzy" locks them into a battle of sexual heat there is no escape from.
Deception, blood, and the evil Genetics Council are hot on their trail. Callan will use his strength to try and save them both...and do all in his power to keep his woman in the process.
Sexual Content: NC-17. Genre: paranormal.

The Man Within - Feline Breeds 2
Lora Leigh
format: Paperback or e-book
publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing inc
released:February 2005
isbn: 1-4199-5107-6 / 9781419951077

He had protected her as a child, filled all her teenaged fantasies, and as a woman, he stole her heart. Only to break it.
Now, fifteen months later, the news has released. The man she loves is one of the genetically altered Feline Breeds who have shocked the world with their presence. He's also her mate. The mark on her neck attests to that. The fire that rages in her heart and in her body further proves it. But he hadn't wanted her then; does he really want her now?
Deceit and treachery, born in the past, now haunt the present as Taber and Roni fight to make sense of a sudden bonding. The mating of heart, body and soul as the man and the beast within merge; both battling the forces raging against the union and dominance over the woman he claimed.

Kiss of Heat feline breed 3

Lora Leigh

format: Paperback or e-book

publisher: Elloras Cave Pub Inc

released: November 2005

isbn: 1-4199-5340-0 / 9781419953408

They've waited a decade to come together. Long years filled with unbearable pain, and soul-wrenching torment that have changed them both. Left wounds that have laid their souls bare. Wounds that stand one chance of healing â€" if only they could stop fighting each other long enough for the truth to work its healing balm. Kane, a relentless warrior, lost more than his heart to Sherra in a night of mating passion that marked them both for life. But news of her death ripped his soul apart. For years he has fought to avenge the death of the woman he loved more than his own life, by revealing the deceit and cruelty of the Council that created the Breeds. But Sherra didn't die. In a cruel and evil twist she was convinced by her sadistic handlers that the man she had given her body, heart and soul to had betrayed not only her, but the child she carried and lost. Amid the rapidly escalating violence against the Feline Breeds, Kane and Sherra learn that there's more to mating than just the "heat", just as there's more to love than just the sexe.

Wolf breed book 4 Elizabeth's Wolf
Lora Leigh
format: Paperback or e-book
publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing inc
released: June 2005
isbn: 1-4199-5137-8 / 9781419951374

She brought him back from death and made him live again. Dash thought himself alone, a soldier, a fighting machine and no more. Elizabeth made him realize he was a man. Danger surrounds the woman his soul marked as his mate, death and blood and a treachery that goes beyond even his worst nightmares. But he will protect her and what she claims as her own. He was created to kill, trained to do it efficiently, and only a man bound to her, heart and soul, will have the strength to save Elizabeth and her prized possession. He is a lone wolf. A man alone. No pack, no family, no one to call his own until one single, innocent letter awoke Elizabeth's wolf.

Lora Leigh - Bound Hearts serie

2007-09-11T09:56:00.000+02:00

Book 1 - Surrender

Cole has wanted Tessa for years. And he's warned her of this several times. He's also warned her HOW he wants her. Tied down in his bed, under his domination, surrendering to his desires as well as her own. Will she surrender when he gets the opportunity to practice his wicked ways on her? And exactly what surprises does Cole intend to unleash on her? Tess Delacourte has run from Cole Andrews for years now. Cole's every breath just oozes sexual confidence and Tess knows that if he ever gets his hands on her, she will lose every inhibition. After a lifetime of strict lectures from her repressed mother, Tess has learned to suppress her desires. Shamed by the erotic fantasies that Cole inspires, Tess vows to never let him know how attracted she is to him. No stranger to being the object of female appreciation, Cole feels Tess's interest in every cell of his body and he more than reciprocates her lust. The woman is hot to be dominated and she isn't even aware of it. Ultra-alpha to the core, Cole is the man to forcefully lead Tess to fulfilling both their fantasies.

SURRENDER is an absolute gem of an erotic read. Cole is a take-charge male, larger than life and sexy as sin. He is the perfect mate for Tess, a deeply passionate woman who only needs the right partner to guide her past society's strictures. As expected, Leigh creates combustible sex scenes, but in SURRENDER, the sex talk is especially scorching, with lots of persuasive praise and explicit taunting by Cole.

Sensuality: NC-17 for anal sex, oral sex, masturbation, m/f/m sex, toys, light bondage, light spanking

Après avoir lu Surrender de Lora Leigh vous aurez besoin d’une bonne douche froide !

C’est plus que chaud Mesdames !

Tess Delacourte vie avec sa mère, qui est le summum de la femme frustrée, frigide et aigrie, depuis le divorce de ces parents. Elle voit très peu son père qui s’est remarié. Ce dernier à invité Tess a sa soirée annuelle de la st Valentin. Tess n’apprécie pas sa belle mère et elle apprécie encore moins le frère de sa belle mère, Cole. Cependant, après un incident deux ans plus tôt ou Cole lui a fait part de ses désirs, il l’a veut attachée a son lit et soumise à ses désirs les plus noirs, elle ne peu réprimer les idées pécheresses qu’il lui inspire. Cole Andrews désire Tess depuis longtemps et il a l’intention de le lui prouvé par une semaine de sexe chaud et sans tabou. Tess est effrayée par la passion que Cole provoque en elle, mais les protestations indignées de sa mère n’empêcheront pas Tess de gouter ce fruit défendu. Cole convaincra t’il Tess qu’il est le maître de ses désirs et que son épanouissement sexuel ne pourra être comblé que sa domination ? Ce livre est tout simplement fabuleux et décadent, mind blowing comme disent les anglophones. Désirs profonds, envies charnelles tout y est ! Cole ouvre Tess à un nouveau monde de la sexualité qui l’effraye et pourtant l'intriguent. Ensemble ils explorent les profondeurs d'une aventure sexuelle consumante qui dans l'esprit de Tess est interdite. C'était intense et profond ! Ca m’a mis dans un état second et j’ai eu chaud très chaud ! Lora Leigh s'est surpassée avec Cole. Il est l’alpha dans toute sa splendeur, et elle nous donne une bonne leçon de soumission! Je n’ai qu’un seul mot pour finir : Encore !

Bound Hearts - Submission Book 2 in the Bound Hearts series In her desperation to repair the rift between herself and her daughter, Ella moves back to Virginia, and agrees to allow the ghost of her past back into her life. As a favor to her daughter, she allows James Wyman, Jesse's twin, to stay the week in her new home. James. Dominating. Sexy. Younger. The man that has filled her most secret fantasies, her most forbidden desires. And James is determined Ella won't escape him again. This time, she will submit. Ella Delacourte has been running for ten years. Now she's back in her hometown. For years she has tried to forget her ex-husband Jase and his sexual depravities. That was easier than forgetting James Wyman. James worked for her ex-husband. He was involved in the incident that finished off her marriage. Even that didn't stop Ella from fantasizing about James. As a favor to her daughter Tess, she had agreed to let James stay with her until his house is finished. She just hopes she can maintain her control around him. He must never know how he stirs her every emotion. James has waited for Ella's return for years. He is tired of waiting. This time he is going to break her control and make her realize that he is the man to make her sensual dreams comes true. This time she would submit and become his. Will Ella be able to give up her control? How will the age difference affect their relationship? Can James convince Ella to allow another man to join their bed? Will the "Ice Queen" melt with love?

SUBMISSION is the second tale in the Trojan Series. The Trojans are a group of guys who met in college and realized that they share a taste for dominance. If you want a light read this is not for you. It is about submitting control to another. If you want a good story, don't let that deter you from picking this up. You can definitely feel the heat between James and Ella from the very beginning. I for one can't wait for the next installment.

L’unique raison pour laquelle Ella a autorisé James à rester chez elle en attendant que son appartement soit près, est qu’elle y voit un moyen de faire la paix avec sa fille Tess ! Après avoir surpris Tess en sandwich entre Cole et Jesse , le frère jumeau de James, Ella était furieuse, au point de dire les pires insultes a sa fille. Cette situation n’est pas ce qu’elle voulait pour sa fille. Après tout elle a échappé de justesse à cette expérience avec son ex mari Jace. Mais la Vérité douloureuse et honteuse est qu’elle voulait James, seulement James. Elle ne voulait pas d’un ménage avec un autre homme ! Mais en est elle seulement sure ?

James veut Ella depuis toujours. Déjà quand elle était mariée avec Jace il la voulait. Mais il savait qu’elle se cèderait pas à son attraction et a son désir pour lui. James savait qu’elle n’avait pas été satisfaite par son mariage, il savait aussi qu’elle n’avait pas été avec un homme depuis très longtemps. Mais ce qu’Ella ne savait pas c’est qu’elle allait devoir abandonner tout contrôle et se soumettre a James et a son désir. Elle allait devoir lui faire confiance et se faire confiance ou elle ne serait jamais heureuse.

Submission est la suite de Surrender. J’ai adoré cette histoire. Je sais par expérience que d’abandonner le contrôle a quelqu’un n’est jamais facile, en particulier quand on vous a toujours dit que vos désirs les plus sombres sont pervers et dégoutants. Mais la perversion n’est-elle pas dans l’œil de celui qui regarde ? James va aider Ella a comprendre que ce qui se passe entre deux ou trois adultes consentants peut non seulement vous apporter la complétion mais peut surtout être plus que bon et satisfaisant.

James et Ella sont tous les deux des fortes personnalités, ils sont passionnés et ils désirent la même chose, l’amour, la passion, l’engagement. Elle doit maintenant décidée si le prix de la soumission vaut le risque d’avoir le cœur brisé.

Lora Leigh écrit des histoires qui vous font vous remettre en question et vous vous demandez si réaliser ces fantasmes inavouables serait une si mauvaise chose, du moins dans votre imagination !!!! J’ai vraiment hâte de lire la suite !!

JR WARD and her Black Dagger brotherhood

2007-09-10T18:11:00.000+02:00

One of my favortie author JR WARD takes us into the dark and dangerous world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood ! Follow her and step into a world that will rock you !

LOVER UNBOUND

by J.R. Ward

Published by Signet Eclipse

Coming September 2007

Book Five: Vishous' StoryIn the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now, the cold heart of a cunning predator will be warmed against its will…

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous son of the Bloodletter possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp, he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time- until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her

LOVER REVEALEDby J.R. Ward

Published by Signet Eclipse

Publication Date: March 2007

Book Four: Butch's Story

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York,there's a deadly war raging between vampires and theirslayers. And there exists a secret band of brotherslike no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of theirrace. Now, an ally of the Black Dagger Brotherhood will face the challenge of his life and the evil of the ages.
Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard living, ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world- to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers... Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, found by a miracle, the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him...

LOVER AWAKENEDby J. R. Ward
Book Three: Zsadist's Story

ISBN# 0-451-21936-8

Publication Date: September 5, 2006

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Of these, Zsadist is the most terrifying member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.
Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

LOVER ETERNALby J.R. Ward

Published by Signet Eclipse

ISBN# 0451218043

Publication Date: March, 2006

Book Two

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed by a deadly beast, Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He’s the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover—for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.
Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships, is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage’s protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. Her faith in miracles was lost years ago. But when Rhage’s intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves…

DARK LOVER by J.R. Ward

Published by Signet Eclipse

ISBN#0-451-21695-4

Publication Date: September, 2005

Book One

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There also exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Among them, none relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...
The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed- orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead…Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both…

How it begun !

2007-09-10T16:01:00.000+02:00

I read harlequin when I was a teenager, I loved it, it gave me the impression that all was well in the world and that one day I too were going to meet the man made to be mine as I would be his !

Well needless to say that growing up and dating took those wonderfull ideas from my mind ! :lol: I stopped for a while prefering "real" litterature but this book just took me by surprise and brought me back in the world of romance where everything is possible and all dreams can come true !

Anyway here is an exerpt from Fantasy lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (November 28, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312979975
ISBN-13: 978-0312979973
Book Description
Dear Reader, Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day. As a love-slave, I knew everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She, alone, bothered to take me out of the bedroom and into the world. She taught me to love again. But I was not born to know love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace-the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two thousand year old curse? Julian of Macedon