Next Up On Book Club: Knock Me Off My Feet by Susan Donovan

Autumn Adams never planned to follow in her mother's footsteps as Chicago's answer to Martha Stewart — she can't cook, doesn't clean, and would rather play soccer than discuss the joys of white bathtub grout. Then some lunatic starts sending her threats in the mail and Audie finds herself under the protection of simmering, sexy Detective Stacey Quinn, a man determined to examine her every nook, cranny, and ex-boyfriend in his effort to find the stalker. A disarming combination of macho cop and sweet charmer, Quinn is hard to resist. But with Audie's bad luck at finding and holding on to Mr. Right, she think it's best to keep her distance.

Join us on Thursday, August 4th, for a discussion of this book. The author will be dropping by to visit!

Book Club: Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen

By Ronlyn Howe

Regan McKinney, a studious paleontologist, isn't exactly accustomed to a life of high crime. But when a mysterious note from her missing grandfather leads her to a secret surveillance site maintained by a notorious special-ops task force, and headed by a smoldering ex-fighter pilot, even Regan can't resist the chase.

Regan McKinney is the quintessential good girl.

Quinn Younger is an American Hero bad

And from the first time Quinn walked in on Regan while she was changing clothes as a teenager, they’ve been Crazy Hot for each other, despite some rather desperate attempts to get each other out of their systems. Regan however changes everything when her grandfather suddenly goes missing and she finds a note with Quinn’s name on it. For the first time in her life she decides not to play it safe and to take matters into her own hands by hunting him down. Okay, to be fair, Regan tried to play it safe, but no one would listen to her. Her grandfather has a habit of wandering off a bit so no one is convinced that he’s in any sort of trouble.

Quinn however is in hiding, or laying low as he calls it, after being on the receiving end of a particular nasty ass whoppin’. And he’s not happy about it. When Regan lands in Cisco, UT he’s on her like white on rice, which turns out to be a really good thing because Regan has lead some seriously bad bad-guys right to Quinn’s hide out.

Quinn quickly sweeps Regan into his protection, straight into his car…much to her dismay.

“What about her car? Dump it?” the boy wonder asked and Regan’s eyes got even wider.

“Whoa. Wait a minute.” She moved toward the two men and the desk, working to control the tremor in her voice. “No car dumping. No way. Not my car. If you want to dump a car, dump this one.” She gestured at the car on her left, the ugliest piece of junk she’d ever seen. It had no paint, just four or five shades of black and gray primer. It had only half a dashboard. The rest was a snake pit of wires, gauges and gizmos. It had no backseat, just a hold full of junk. What it did have was an engine sitting under the open hood, a lot of engine even to her untrained eye.

While Quinn is dealing with Regan he sends Peter “Kid Chaos” Chronopolous on ahead to protect Regan’s sister Niki. Regan is so overwhelmed with her own situation that she doesn’t remember to warn Kid.

The doorbell itself was his first clue that this was not exactly cold-beer-and-ESPN territory. It was a naked angel-a highly detailed, metal-casted, anatomically correct naked guy angel with wings spread, tips touching, standing on a fiery sun. The doorbell button was the sun and it looked hot and molten, the depths of it’s amber crystal lit from within.

His finger hovered for a second, then two before he pressed it. From somewhere within the house, a guy screamed.

Shit! He jerked his hand back. Then he felt like a fool.

Shit. No wonder the old guy had left home.

There are so many things I can say about this book and series that I really don’t know where to start. CRAZY HOT is the introduction to the guys and gals of Steele Street code named SDF. Between the guys (super hot, super cool, world class bad asses) and the cars (the hottest of the hot muscle cars that aren’t made anymore due to pesky safety standards) there is so much testosterone pumping through Steele Street that the women have to be tough and strong to take them all on. But boy do those gals taken them on.

This series is balls to the wall fun with razor sharp turns that leave you wishing you had something more than just a lap belt to keep you secure.

I want to thank the wonderful Tara Janzen for joining us today and offering up an autographed copy of CRAZY HOT, the second book in the series, to one lucky commenter.

I’m going pretty basic with my recipes this week, being that it’s summer and Quinn & Regan stop for burgers and fries, I’ll offer up my garlic burgers and homestyle fries.

Garlic Burgers

Yields 1 burger

• 1/4 - 1/3 lb ground beef
• 4 cloves garlic, minced/crushed
• 1 dash liquid smoke
• pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire or soy sauce

Combine the beef with the liquid smoke, salt, pepper and Worcestershire or soy sauce. Split in half and flatten into a thin, flat patty. Spread garlic evenly over the surface of one patty, staying a little away from the edges. Place the other patty on top and press the edges in to seal.

Grill until done to your liking.

Homestyle Oven Fries

Makes enough for 2

• 3 medium Idaho or russet potatoes
• small pinch of hot Hungarian paprika
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp onion powder or granulated onion
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder or granulated garlic
• salt
• non-stick spray
• oil

Preheat oven to 425F.

Cut potatoes into steak fries. Make sure fries have been patted dry if the potatoes were stored in water. In a large bowl, mix together the potatoes with all of the spices, tossing well to ensure even coverage. Drizzle about 2 tsp of oil, tossing to combine.

Spread fries evenly on a cookie sheet lined with silicone or foil. Don't overcrowd. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes, depending on fry thickness, tossing every 10 to 15 minutes. Spray with non-stick spray about halfway through.

Next Up on Book Club: Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen

Regan McKinney, a studious paleontologist, isn't exactly accustomed to a life of high crime. But when a mysterious note from her missing grandfather leads her to a secret surveillance site maintained by a notorious special-ops task force, and headed by a smoldering ex-fighter pilot, even Regan can't resist the chase.

Join us Thursday, July 28, for a discussion of this book. The author will drop by with a giveaway of Crazy Cool!

Book Club: The McCarthys of Gansett Island by ME

Hi there!

Thanks for coming by today to talk about the McCarthys of Gansett Island! If you've already read the books, you know they were inspired by my love of Rhode Island's Block Island, located 14 miles off the state's south coast. As I described it in my author's note, it's the place time forgot, and that's just the way we love it.

I wanted to share some of the inspiration for the series, but first, let me tell you a bit about each of the books:

Maid for Love
The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 1

Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long. When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love.

Fool for Love
The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 2

Joe Cantrell, owner of the Gansett Island Ferry Company, has been in love with Janey McCarthy for as long as he can remember. At the same time, Janey has been dating or engaged to doctor-in-training David Lawrence. When things go horribly wrong between David and Janey, she calls her “fifth brother” Joe, one of the few people in her close circle who lives on the mainland. Janey decides a few days with Joe is just what she needs before she goes home to the island to face her parents and family with the news of her broken engagement. It was bad enough for Joe loving Janey from afar, but having her in his house is pure torture. Will he take advantage of this opportunity to show her what they could have together? And what will Joe’s best friend and Janey’s protective older brother Mac have to say about it?

Ready for Love
The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 3

For four of the best summers of his young life, Luke Harris was in love with Sydney Donovan, a wealthy seasonal visitor to Gansett Island. Then Sydney went off to college and never came back. She married another man and had two children while Luke remained on the island, working at McCarthy's Gansett Marina and wondering what had gone wrong between him and the only woman he ever loved. Fifteen months after Sydney suffers the tragic loss of her husband and children, she's returned to Gansett to figure out what's next, and that may very well be a rekindled love affair with the one man from her past she’s never forgotten. But is she ready for a second chance at love?

People often ask me if the McCarthys are based on a real family. The answer is no, but McCarthy's Gansett Island Marina is based on a real place called Payne's Dock in Block Island's Great Salt Pond, also known as "New Harbor" (vs. Old Harbor in town where the ferries land). On my fictional Gansett Island, the harbors are known as North Harbor and South Harbor. Click on the link to Payne's to get a visual on how I picture McCarthy's. I spent a lot of time at Payne's when I was a kid because my parents had a boat and we'd go out there for at least a week every summer.

My dad owned an aviation repair company, and because they were always so busy in the summer, my dad "commuted" to work from the island. He used to get picked up by one of his employees in the morning for the short flight back to the airport on the mainland where he worked. My brother and I would pass the day with our mom at the beach, fishing for crabs and then racing the crabs down the dock, eating salt water taffy and Mrs. Payne's famous sugar donuts and basically having all kinds of great kid fun. Late in the afternoon, we'd watch the sky, waiting for the small plane carrying my dad to reappear. They'd fly low over the marina, tip the wings to let us know it was them, and my dad would appear in a cab from the airport a short time later. I haven't thought about that in a long time. I also vividly remember watching Princess Diana marry Prince Charles on a snowy black and white TV on the dock as we sweltered in the July heat. Ironically, I was also there years later when Diana died. There with my parents and young daughter, I made an early-morning call to my husband from the pay phone on the dock, and he told me the shocking news. I think I might've been the first person the dock to hear that she'd died.

When I'm out on Block Island later this summer, I'll take some pictures of the landmarks that inspired some of the other places I've mentioned in the series. One such landmark is The National Hotel, played by the Beachcomber in the books. The Paynes also own Payne's Harbor View Inn, which was the inspiration for McCarthy's Gansett Island Inn where Maddie works in Maid for Love.

To get to Block Island, we rely on Interstate Navigation and it's fleet of ferries. Joe Cantrell in Fool for Love is the owner of the fictional version, the Gansett Island Ferry Company. In a twist from real life, my college boyfriend is a captain for Interstate Navigation and used to love clove cigarettes the way Joe does. That's where the similarities end, however. (I wonder if he reads romance? Uh oh... LOL) I had a lot of fun visiting him in Block Island when we were dating and he was running the launch service that ran people from their boats moored in the Salt Pond to one of the other marinas in the Pond (ooh, is that an idea for a future character? Owner of the launch service? Hmmm). There's a great bar that overlooks the Salt Pond called The Oar, and it's FULL of thousands of painted and decorated oars that boaters and visitors have brought over the years. I never get tired of reading what people have painted on their oars. I can't believe The Oar doesn't have a website, but there's a picture here that gives you an idea of the place. I'll take some others when I'm there this summer.

My brother and I used to love to walk from Paynes to the Block Island Boat Basin next door (also home to The Oar) to get ice cream sandwiches. I've had a lot of ice cream sandwiches in my day, but none of them were ever as good as the ones we got there.

So there's some of the inspiration behind my series. Does it make you want to visit Block Island? :-) Thanks for coming by today to talk about the series. I'm curious to know who your favorite character is. Favorite scene? Which guy wouldn't you kick out of bed? Luke? Joe? Mac? Grant? Big Mac? LOL! Do tell! I know you have questions about future books, and I've got answers. Grant's book is next, and yes, there will be books featuring Evan, Adam and Tiffany, too. For Grant's book are you Team Abby or Team Stephanie? I will be giving away books from my backlist so don't forget to leave a comment!

In honor of Block Island, I'm sharing recipes for New England Clam Chowder and Clam Fritters, two things you can always get at the Payne's Dock restaurant (run by Stephanie on Gansett Island), along with Mrs. Payne's sugar donuts, but I suspect the donut recipe is locked up at Fort Knox.

New England Clam Chowder

I had to search pretty hard for a recipe that didn't include canned clams. Really? That's not authentic clam chowder. Anyway, I found this one from the Dockside Guest Quarters and Restaurant in York, Maine.

1 quart shucked clams (add water if too dry)

1/3 pound salt pork

1 large onion, minced

2 ribs celery, minced

2 large potatoes, diced

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1 quart of milk, scalded (may use half cream for thicker soup)

1/2 cup of butter

1/4 cup of flour

Salt and pepper

Drain and chop clams, reserving liquid (may substitute 5-pound can chopped clams). Fry salt pork in a heavy pan until all fat is rendered; add onions and celery and brown lightly. Add butter; melt. Blend in flour and stir constantly for 5 minutes. Add clams, potatoes, clam liquid, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook until the potatoes are tender. If desired, add fish and/or shellfish to make seafood chowder.

Serves: 4

Clam Fritters (also known in my family as Belly Bombers)

1 pt. clams
1 3/4 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
2 tsp. grated onion
1 tsp. butter

Drain clams and chop. Sift dry ingredients together. Combine egg, milk, onion, butter and clams. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Drop batter by teaspoons into deep fat at 350 degrees or fry. Serves 6.

Launch Day Fun: Fatal Consequences

It's finally here! July 18! Fatal Consequences is available for sale all over the e-book-o-sphere!

The murder of two members of the Capitol Cleaning Service might’ve been just another homicide investigation—that is if one of them hadn’t been romantically involved with a married senator from Arizona. Lt. Sam Holland and her team are plunged into another complex case that at first seems open and shut. But as Sam tugs on the threads of the investigation she uncovers a deep, dark Washington secret that threatens the careers of some of the government’s highest-ranking officials. Racing to catch a killer before he can strike again, Sam and her fiancé, U.S. Senator Nick Cappuano, attempt to plan a wedding while her colleague Detective Tommy “Gonzo” Gonzales faces life-changing news.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

Nick approached her from behind, resting his hands on her shoulders and massaging the tense spots. He knew exactly where her stress collected, and it was all Sam could do to remain standing as his talented fingers hit all the right places. “It’s getting late, babe.”

“Did you clean up my desk again?”

“Maybe.”

“It’s a sickness. You have a sickness.”

“Guilty as charged.” He laughed softly and planted a kiss on her neck. Desire rippled through her. She was so easy where he was concerned, and he knew it. “What’s up with the case?”

The facts ran through her mind like a silent movie. “Until I get Lindsey’s report, I’m at a standstill.”

“Then let’s go home.”

Back in the day, Sam would’ve waited all night—if necessary—for the autopsy report and lab results. Now, though, she had a good reason to go home. She looked up at him. “Sorry for letting work invade our day off. Maybe one of these days we’ll succeed in actually scoring a full day off.”

“We can dream.”

She let him help her into her coat and lead her from the office. “I know you really needed the break.”

“Not your fault, and besides, I did get a day off from campaigning, so it’s all good.”

“We missed out on our early Valentine’s Day,” she said once they were in the car.

He reached for her hand, laced his fingers through hers. “Every day with you is Valentine’s Day.”

Sam smiled at him. “Even if we end up on different sides on this case?”

“We may not always agree, Sam, but we’re always on the same side.”

She relaxed into the heated leather seat and enjoyed the companionable silence. That was one of her favorite things about her relationship with Nick. Even in the quiet spaces between words, she was always in tune with him. In the past, when she’d been unhappily married to a manipulative man who wanted to control her every thought, she’d often been lonely even when he was sitting next to her on the sofa or lying next to her in bed. She had never once felt that way with Nick.

“What’re you thinking about over there?” he asked.

“I’m thinking about us.”

“What about us?”

“Could I ask you something and will you tell me the truth?”

He glanced at her. “Of course you can and of course I will.”

“When we’re together, do you ever feel lonely?”

“Lonely?” He released a short laugh. “That is one thing I never feel when I’m with you.”

“Good,” Sam said, relieved. “That’s good.”

Nick parallel parked on Ninth Street, killed the engine and turned to face her, reaching out to caress her cheek. “What’s that all about?”

“Sometimes, well…a lot of the time when I was with Peter, I remember being lonely even when he was right there with me. I was thinking that I’ve never felt that way with you, and I was hoping you hadn’t either.”

“I’ve never felt that way, and I’m glad you haven’t.” He reached for her, and she leaned into his embrace. “If you’re ever lonely, will you tell me?”

She nodded. “Will you?”

“I promise.”

“I doubt it’ll ever be an issue between us. Everything about this is different.”

“Yes,” he said, kissing her. “It is. Come on, let’s go in.”

I’m really excited to get Fatal Consequences out to readers this week! You can find it at the following places:

Carina Press

Amazon

B&N

iBooks

Sam and Nick’s big year continues on Aug. 22 when we begin to reveal the choices readers made back in February for their wedding. Watch this blog for the grand reveal over the 14 days leading up to the launch of the wedding novella, Fatal Destiny, on Sept. 5. As we reveal the wedding choices, we’ll have all new prizes and chances to win copies of the books.

To celebrate the launch of Fatal Consequences, tell me your favorite Sam & Nick moment and qualify to win a copy of the book. Because I'm on deadline for Fatal Flaw, I'm not doing a blog tour for FC, so there will be just a few chances to win free copies. I'll give away two copies here this week, with the contest closing at noon EDT on Friday, July 22. Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered or bought a copy on launch day. I so appreciate your excitement about the continuation of Sam and Nick's story!

Next Up on Book Club: The McCarthys of Gansett Island

Okay, well, this is "mad awk" as my teenage daughter would say. Translation: mad awkward. Usually I do a promo on Saturdays of the next book up for book club, and this week it's three of my own books. Yes, I'm hijacking book club on Thursday to talk about my own books. See what I mean about mad awk?

On Thursday, July 21, we'll be boarding the ferry and setting sail for Gansett Island to talk about Mac, Maddie, Joe, Janey, Luke, Sydney, Big Mac, Linda, Ned, Francine, and what's ahead for the Gansett Island gang in future books. Here's some info about each of the three books:

Maid for Love


The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 1

Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long. When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love.

Fool for Love
The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 2

Joe Cantrell, owner of the Gansett Island Ferry Company, has been in love with Janey McCarthy for as long as he can remember. At the same time, Janey has been dating or engaged to doctor-in-training David Lawrence. When things go horribly wrong between David and Janey, she calls her “fifth brother” Joe, one of the few people in her close circle who lives on the mainland. Janey decides a few days with Joe is just what she needs before she goes home to the island to face her parents and family with the news of her broken engagement. It was bad enough for Joe loving Janey from afar, but having her in his house is pure torture. Will he take advantage of this opportunity to show her what they could have together? And what will Joe’s best friend and Janey’s protective older brother Mac have to say about it?

Ready for Love
The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 3

For four of the best summers of his young life, Luke Harris was in love with Sydney Donovan, a wealthy seasonal visitor to Gansett Island. Then Sydney went off to college and never came back. She married another man and had two children while Luke remained on the island, working at McCarthy's Gansett Marina and wondering what had gone wrong between him and the only woman he ever loved. Fifteen months after Sydney suffers the tragic loss of her husband and children, she's returned to Gansett to figure out what's next, and that may very well be a rekindled love affair with the one man from her past she’s never forgotten. But is she ready for a second chance at love?

Hope you can make the trip to Gansett with us. It promises to be a fun time! AND, I'll give away two books from my backlist to two different commenters on Thursday. Talk to you then!

Book Club: The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

By: Alison Peterson

The last thing event planner Tara Lincoln needs is the jet-set lifestyle of a football pro like Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand proved that Mick is an all-star-both on the field and in the bedroom.

Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a certified heartbreaker. But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind to catch this sultry vixen.

I LOVED this book!! I got hooked on Jaci with her Rough Riders series so when The Perfect Play was released I ran out and got it right away. It took me a longer than normal to read it because HELLO!!! I had to ogle the cover for a while! Once I finished my ogling…I started reading and couldn’t stop! This book has it all…great characters, great story and lots of hot, steamy sex!

I loved Tara! Tara’s a self-made woman who is working hard to build up her event-planning business and raise her teenage son, Nathan. Tara first encounters Mick is when she gets lost in the Saber’s stadium. Mick, exhausted after a long practice, hears somebody outside the locker so he steps out to see what’s going on. When he steps out a beautiful, very stressed-out blonde woman runs up to him asking for directions. It’s not until later that it sinks in to Tara…she asked Mick Riley for directions! NFL super-star QB and hottie! She’s surprised when Mick walks up to her at the party and starts talking to her, showing her he’s not only smokin’ hot, but funny and smart. When Mick is still around after the party is over, she decides to indulge in one hot night with Mick, and OH BOY IS IT HOT!

Mick is amazing! He’s funny and obviously smart, he’s not how you imagine a typical pro athlete spending all their money on crazy nonsense…he actually has a plan for life after football! He’s REALLY attractive too…did I mention that??? LOL!! He’s not perfect (THANK GOD!), he’s got his own skeletons in his closet, but he’s matured past the stage where all he’s looking for in a woman is a gorgeous face and hot body. Tara’s honesty and aversion to the lime-light make her very different from the publicity hounds of his past. So when he wakes up alone the next morning he’s determined to find Tara and pursue her. I love that he recruits her best friends help to trick her into going out with him the first time. That’s what I call good friends!!

Tara tries to fight a relationship with Mick. She’s worried about their different lifestyles and assumes it’s only a matter of time before he ditches her for a hot, young model or actress. To scare him off she tells Mick she has a fourteen year old son at home. I love that Mick laughs at her “Hail Mary” and states he likes kids of all ages and FYI he used to be a teenage boy. So much for scaring him off with a teenager! LOL! Nathan’s not scary anyway, just a typical teenager, who plays HS football and likes hanging out with his buddies.

The biggest obstacle in Mick and Tara’s relationship turns out to be Liz, Mick’s agent. She definitely doesn’t make many friends in this book. She’s nasty to Tara and tries to get Mick to go out with models and actresses when she knows Mick and Tara are dating. I was happy to see her get put in her place, but the couple glimpses into her softer side I saw got me curious so I am excited to get to know her better in the next book.

I really liked meeting Mick’s family. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better, you can feel the love and support they have for each other. I loved the scene when Mick and his brother Gavin have dinner. Mick was stressing about the upcoming season, his agent Liz, and his growing feelings for Tara. Gavin gave him the no-nonsense advice needed and at the end Mick said “I love you, *sshole” and Gavin’s reply was “Right back you, d*ckhead.” LOL! Gotta love the way men express their feelings for each other!

As for the ending, it’s perfect! I love that Nathan is the one who tells Tara to go after Mick. Nathan’s been the most important person in her life for fifteen years, and I don’t think she would have gone after Mick if anyone else had tried convincing her it was ok to have a man in her life. I melted when Mick said…“I’m the lucky one, Tara. I have you; I have Nathan. I have the perfect life. Thank you.” It doesn’t get much better than that!

I hope everyone else loved this book as much as I did! I want to send a HUGE thanks to Jaci who will be stopping by and chatting with us AND she is also offering up a giveaway! One lucky commenter will get a book from her backlist! Another BIG thank you goes to Aly who coordinated everything with Jaci!

Now for the recipes they’re nothing fancy, but both are quick and easy so that makes me a fan…

Spaghetti Pie
8 oz. spaghetti noodles
¼ cup milk
2 eggs
1/8 cup parmesan cheese
Cook noodles and drain
Mix together milk and eggs and parmesan cheese and add to noodles
Put on the bottom on a 9” by 13” pan

Brown 2lbs of hamburger
Add 28 oz jar of spaghetti sauce
Pour over the noodles
Sprinkle with 12oz mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes check when cheese is melted and brown.

Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling, chilled

Directions
In either a stand mixer fixed with a paddle attachment or using a hand held electric mixer, cream the cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly add the milk mixing on low speed until well combined. Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla and pour into the baked pie crust. Place the pie into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours up to overnight, until well chilled and set.

Top the pie with the pie filling just before serving.

Next Up on Book Club: The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

From the national bestselling author of Riding the Night comes an erotic story about love and the games people play.

The last thing event planner Tara Lincoln needs is the jet-set lifestyle of a football pro like Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand proved that Mick is an all-star-both on the field and in the bedroom.

Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a certified heartbreaker. But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind to catch this sultry vixen.

Join us on Thursday, July 14, for a discussion about this sizzlingly sexy book! Looking forward to it!

New Book from Cynthia Eden

RUNNING WITH A DANGEROUS CROWD

Lucas Simone is not the kind of guy you mess with. He’s big, he’s strong, and his eyes hint at a wilder side most women can’t handle. Of course, that’s because his predatory instincts are no metaphor—he’s a genuine Grade-A top-quality werewolf, tough enough to fight his way to dominance over the scariest pack on the West Coast. There’s only one chink in his armor. Unlike most alpha dogs, Lucas has a reputation for protecting the weak and innocent.

Sarah King is counting on that protective impulse—it’s the only thing standing between her and certain death. There are only two problems: one, she’s not quite as innocent as she’d like Lucas to believe. And two, if he doesn’t stop stoking Sarah’s animal lust, it’s only a matter of time before her own wild side gets unleashed…


Cynthia Eden is one of my writing pals, so we put our heads together to offer TWO giveaways. Cynthia is providing a signed paperback copy while I'll be gifting an ebook to a second winner. To be entered into the drawing, which ends Saturday at noon EDT, please provide your book preference (paper or ebook), your email address and tell us what books you're looking forward to reading this summer!

By: Kara Conrad

He lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching . . . And once he has you, all you can do is. . .

BEG FOR MERCY

Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother-the only family she has left-for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO.

Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey.

I feel an overwhelming need to write an amazing write up of this book because the book itself is so incredible. Unfortunately, I am not an amazing writer, so just let me say: Read. This. Book. So many times, I read the back blurb of a book, and am so excited to read it because it sounds so great, only to find by the end of the book (and sometimes before then) that the book is merely 'ok'. THIS IS NOT THAT BOOK.

This is a book that contains all the elements so many of us find essential to an amazing book. First, there is the 'hot-ness' factor. Believe me when I say, this book has that.

"Megan was treated to a glimpse of a wide, defined chest and rippling six-pack dusted with fine dark hair before he settled himself on top of her. She let out an 'ooh' at the first brush of skin on skin, a little surprised not to see sparks flying from where their bodies touched." See? HOT. (I laughed when I reread my notes, as later in this scene, I noted, "Oops. Hotness interrupted.") LOL! Fortunately for all of us it's interrupted only temporarily.

Secondly, this book has strong, emotional scenes. In fact, I barely made it through the first several pages without tearing up. I'm not giving a quote here because one short scene cannot do justice to the emotional impact of the first chapter or so of this book. Those of you who have already read the book know I am talking about the initial scenes with Megan and her brother, Sean.

Next, this book has a villain that will keep you gasping. In fact, one of my notes simply says 'evil, evil, evil!'
"Open your eyes," he ordered. They snapped open at the first bite of the blade. She tried in vain to shrink away. "You watch," he said..."

This book has many suspenseful moments. For me, being a visual person, many, many scenes ran like a movie through my mind. In fact, at one point I found myself talking loudly to the characters (yes, I'm that person in the theater who sometimes forgets it's 'just a movie' and feels the need to help the characters out.)

Though I'd label this book as dark and emotional, there are also a few lighter moments as well. When Sean asks to speak to Cole alone, the guard is slow to allow it. Megan's response?

"He won't kill him." Then she turns to her brother and snaps, "You better not kill him." Again, I see that like a movie scene. Well, and then there's 'bigblackasses-dot-com' LOL!

Of course, there is plenty of romance. For instance, Cole describes himself as "The luckiest man on the planet, and don't you think for a second that I don't know it." I know, right? Makes you want to say 'Aaaaawwwww.'

Lastly this book is full of characters that are much more than the stereotypical cardboard cutouts we sometimes find in those merely 'eh' books. From the main characters to secondary but crucial players, Jami creates characters readers feel they know, but want to get to know better. And lucky, for us, Jami is giving us that very thing! The next book in this series is due out in October. I, for one, CANNOT. WAIT.

Jami has been great enough to offer up an ARC of the next book Hide from Evil. One commenter will get that! You'll still have to wait, but not as long as the rest of us. I'm jealous already!

You can find out more about all of Jami’s books at her website www.jamialden.com.

A HUGE thank you to Jami, for the giveaway, and for agreeing to drop by today. We are, to say the least, thrilled.

Now for the recipes, a mainstay of this book club. Since you all know my favorite and most reliable recipe is a drive to Sonic, I’ve borrowed a recipe from Ronlyn. Ok. Not borrowed. Stole. I stole it. Didn’t even ask her first. I chose this one because it is a salmon dish, something Megan and Cole eat before all the action kicks in!

Maple Glazed Salmon
Ingredients
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (about one inch thick)
Cooking spray

Preparation
Preheat broiler
Combine first four ingredients in a small bowl; stir with a whisk
Place salmon, skin side down, on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Brush with maple mixture. Broil 10-12 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, brushing with maple mixture after 5 minutes and again after 10 minutes.
*(A wise, cooking birdie advised to double the glaze.)*

Help Wanted

Hey all you book clubbers! We are looking for some additional hostesses for the upcoming weeks of book club. Hostessing duties include reading the book (of course) and providing a brief write up and recipe of your choice for posting by the Tuesday of the week that the book will be featured. As you've seen the hostessing duties can be shared so feel free to sign up and say that you'd like to do a co-hostessing session as well.

Contact Ronlyn Howe at ronlynhowe@yahoo.com if you're interested.

Thanks!

Next Up on Book Club: Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden

Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother—the only family she has left—for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO.

Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey.

Come to book club on July 7 to discuss this amazing book!