Kitchen Affairs by Brooke Cumberland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kitchen Affairs is a super cute romantic read!! And absolutely gives off a lot of Heat in the Kitchen!! Set in the Riverside Restaurant in the Windy City, Chicago....

Molly is a strong female lead, not only being a single mother reaching for her dreams, but dealing with the loss of her first true love. She is studying culinary at one of the best schools in Chicago. When she is accepted for an internship that will change her life in more ways than one.

Drake *swoon* oh yes Drake Stagliano is a powerful ladies man. "And mostly, he is incredibly intimidating. And hot." Needless to say he commands attention from all the ladies, but has eyes for only one. And boy does it make for some steamy hot moments in the kitchen. I mean if you can't take the heat, there is always the walk-in freezer! :)

Michael is Molly's best friend and is priceless to her. He is a big player, but he is very gay and proud. <3 He has been around to help with Molly's daughter Stella, since he is a writer he has the flexibility to fill in where needed.

Travis is a sweetheart with a son about Stella's age. We meet him breaking Molly's phone, going to the museum, and then in class. (can you say stalker? LOL) But he isn't stalking Molly, its just amazing fate or luck as you prefer to call it. And he is smitten with Molly and is an amazing cooking partner.

During the course of her internship we discover Molly is clumsy, observant, focused, and learning to love again. It's a deliciously sweet romance with a few sour notes to give it complexity. The desire Drake and Molly share is off the menu and totally appealing to read.

The uniqueness of this book can be seen with the family time moments and you cant help but love some "String Cheese and Olives" or "Pickles and Yogurt." <3 Oh to be a kid again! Seriously!

A must read....can't wait to get into book two "Kitchen Scandals"

View all my reviews

Synopsis

When your past threatens to destroy your future; how long will you hang on before Letting Go?

Cassidy Charles is picking up the pieces of her life after another terrible tragedy.  The last thing she's looking for is love.  James bursting back into her life is the last thing she expected, but possibly everything she needs.  She can’t deny the attraction, but can she get past the fact that he may be the reason she’s lost so much?  He opens up a whole new world to her that she’s only dreamed about and that she easily falls into.  As a result, her relationship with him reveals secrets from her past she thought were long forgotten.

James Benedict III, local playboy and successful real estate investor hasn’t stopped thinking about her since that fateful night all those months ago.  He has her back in his life, but for how long?  Forever if he has anything to say about it.  As more and more secrets from her past are revealed, his own demons and tragedies loom overhead threatening to destroy everything he's built and done for her.  He wants her in his life, but because of him her world comes tumbling down, again.      

Will they discover that the love they have is strong enough to survive everything and everyone trying to tear them apart before it’s too late?

Excerpt

I’m slowly coming to and dawn hasn’t quite made its arrival yet.  Slowly everything from the night before comes back to me.  His arm is around me and he’s cradling me to his chest.  The warmth is almost insufferable.  I turn my head and he’s dead asleep.  I’m suddenly overcome with panic and decide I have to get out of here.  I creep out of the hold of his stellar body and get off the bed with ease.  I don’t want to risk waking him so I just grab my dress and shoes and make my way out of his room and down the stairs.  I find my purse on the kitchen island and head for the door.  
“Cassidy!”  
I nearly scream I’m so startled.  I rush to the door, open it and tip toe thru it for it to slam shut.  I run full force down the hall in nothing but his t-shirt with my arms full of my dress, shoes and purse.  I fumble with my key and finally get into my room.  My door closes and I swear I hear another, “Cassidy!” booming down the hall.
“Shit, shit, shit.”  Why am I running from him?  
I throw my dress and shoes to the floor and sink down the door.  My knees are pulled to my chest and I’m resting my head on them when I feel my door shake like a gorilla is pounding it.  Bang, bang, bang!  My entire body vibrates against the force of him hitting the door.
“Cassidy, I know you’re in there.  Please open up.”
I push myself up the door and sigh.  I don’t know what to say to him.  “Go away!”
“Cassidy Charles open this door.  You can’t run from me forever.”
“Yes I can!”  This is ridiculous.  We’re acting like twelve year olds.  
“Don’t make me call hotel security!  You let me in or I’ll let myself in.”
He wouldn’t dare, would he?  I decide to face him.  I open the door yelling at him, “You wouldn’t dare!”
He’s on me instantly.  I don’t even have a moment to take in his appearance.  His arms are around my back and he lifts me off the floor.  He sets me on the kitchen island.  
“Why did you leave?  You scared me.”  He’s holding my face in his hands.  “Cassidy, look at me.  You can’t deny the attraction between us.  It was there all those months ago and it’s still here.”
There is so much emotion surrounding my thoughts and feelings for him.  I was attracted to him like a fish to water the first time I saw him.  And then it all went to shit in one night.  I look in his eyes and they’re full of concern.  
“I’m scared of what I feel when I’m around you.  You scare the hell out of me.”  He looks stricken and drops his hands from my face.  “Not afraid of you, afraid of this,” I wave my hand between us.  “I’ve never been so drawn to someone.  And you left me that horrible night without a word.  I didn’t know what to think.  And then you were arrested and I couldn’t process it.”  
He pulls me to him and starts talking into my hair.  “Baby, I didn’t leave you that night.  I never wanted to leave you.  I came back with our coffee and I saw you with a cop.  He was holding you and I got the wrong impression.”
“Wait, what?!  Calvin, you thought I was with…”  I’m crying and laughing at the same time.  “Calvin is my brother.”  I push away from him just enough to look at him.
He’s wiping my tears and says, “I know, I found out a few days later when they were questioning me.”  He must feel me stiffen.  “Cassidy, the charges were dropped.  You know that right?”  I nod my answer and he embraces me again.  “I promise you I had nothing to do with what happened that night.”
“I spent months trying to hate you so I could get over you, but I couldn’t and I never even had you.”
“Baby, you had me, you have me still.  Last night was just confirmation Cassidy.”

Meet the Author
I’m a stay-at-home mom with four young children and one extremely supportive husband.  We’ve been married for nine years and reside in Highland, Michigan.
I've dreamed of writing romance novels since I was little. After having baby #4, who may or may not have been fathered by Christian Grey, I decided it was time to pursue my dreams. 
When I'm not volunteering at the schools of my children, running to various appointments, enjoying time with my friends and my book club, dating my husband, or avoiding cleaning my house, I'm writing!
I love music and believe that books and music can't exist without the other.  My goal is for you to read more than a good book, but for you to have an experience!

Social Media Links

Facebook / Goodreads / Website / Twitter

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Author interview with ZACK LOVE!!!! *swoon*

Welcome Author Zack Love! 

Thank you for doing an interview with Sweet, Beautiful, Moments in West FL!!

Tell us a little about your most recent release.

ZACK LOVE: Thanks so much for inviting me on to your blog, Jen! 

Here's the synopsis for my novel, which was published just last month:

New York City, May 2000. The Internet bubble has burst, and Evan's boss fires him with an email. The next day, his girlfriend dumps him, also via email. Afraid to check any more emails, Evan desperately seeks a rebound romance but the catastrophes that ensue go from bad to hilariously worse. Fortunately, Evan meets someone whose legendary disasters with females eclipse even his own.

To reverse their fortunes, they recruit their friends into a group of five guys who take on Manhattan in pursuit of dates, sex, and adventure. With musings about life, relationships, and human psychology, this quintessential New York story about the search for happiness follows five men on their comical paths to trouble, self-discovery, and love.

My Review:

*****Five Stars *****

Absolutely loved reading about Evan and his friends and their adventures of being single in NYC! Growing up in the 90's and living through the age of tech changes, I totally fell in love with this book. The five main male characters have great witty and sophisticated dialog and higher education humor. Misadventures happen to bring friends together in the most unthinkable conditions. 

I came away with some quirky Heeb-isms and Evan-isms and even a few Narc-isms....for those who have yet to enjoy this book, trust me, each man is humorously and/or lovably unique. So let me share my thoughts on the men... 

Evan...oh, Evan Cheson, total geek and computer programmer who is "actually charming and good-looking...with a full head of thick hair...blue eyes...athletic six-foot-one.." *swoon* he sounds so dreamy...and then you realize he's had some not-so-great luck. I mean, he starts off "losing a job and girlfriend, each via email, one day after the next." You can't help but hope something good happens to this sexy 29 yr old man. With the women of NYC though, confidence is a must! The women you are introduced to as you follow Evan's adventures are either "9+ hotties" or giving him a "freebie" that is most definitely NOT free! 

Lucky Chucky and Heeb are our next men we come across...Roommates at Harvard, Carlos was dubbed "Lucky Chucky" since he was lucky in everything he did...and not only the luck but the looks as well, something close to a "Latin Telenova Star." However, Sammy had no luck with women, with his "baby face...compact nose...and the thin brown layer of hair combed over...five feet eight inches...and willing to barter math skills." Sammy's nickname came from Carlos because "Heeb. You're a dweeby Heeby who explains nicknames with syllogisms." And thus the nicknames and friendship was formed between two total social opposites. There is so much hilarity that ensues when they venture out that you can't help the out-loud chuckles at some of the social awkwardness that happens.

Narc is a whole other drink of tall, delicious man! Being Evan's roommate at Brown, Yi Wang, as he was known in his home, was six foot two and broke the norm of Chinese men. To his friends, he was "Narc" because he was always willing to try the latest narcotics to hit the 'hood. His passions were basketball and women!! But don't talk any smack on his ethnic background or family! After Evan meets Heeb, the two form an unlikely Posse of men and take on the city of NY (with Narc being one of Evan's recruits into the group)!! 

I love that its a man's point of view about relationships and friendships and living in the big city. Love, Lust and Life lessons are written in a way to make you think and remember a time when things were less and more complicated in the world of technology. This is a must read for anyone who remembers giving your email instead of your facebook! And I can't wait for "Sex in the Sequel." 

Just some of the many hilarious moments were captured in these memorable quotes:

---"It's about as original and sincere as a flight attendant greeting." 

---"Alex, as long as I can keep coming back for one last charity fu@k like this, I may eventually come to terms with the idea that we're breaking up." 

---"Dropping the H bomb" 

---"But your Jewish!"

"Yeah, but I'm a bagel Jew." 

---"No. Sex is different. Sex is a sinfully dirty act...And it's probably very crude and imperfect in reality." 

---"Laughing out Loud at Losers of Lust." 

---"Amen. God bless the penis."

Here were the Questions...

If someone asked you why they should read it... What would you say?

ZACK LOVE: I'd say there there's something in it for everyone -- especially if you're looking for a good laugh and/or a nostalgic walk through the New York City dating scene back around Y2K. But I tried to write something that could be enjoyed by just about any reader -- male, female, single, married, seeking fluff or substance. 

If you had to describe your writing style with one word... What would it be and why?

ZACK LOVE: genre-busting. It's not any one kind of writing, really. Sometimes it's dialogue-driven, other times philosophical, and other times completely ridiculous.

If you had to describe yourself with one word... What would it be and why?

ZACK LOVE: Delusional. How else can one crank out imagined worlds and then presume that enough people will want to pay for them to put dinner on the table?

What is the thing you find toughest about being an Author?

ZACK LOVE: That it's just me and a few hundred other million people trying to be authors. Sometimes I wonder if there are more writers than readers. That could spell trouble for us.

Is there an Author that inspires you to write?

ZACK LOVE: Not really. The inspiration to write is more of a compulsion -- or even a malady -- and I've had it since before I could even name authors.

Who is your favorite Author, currently?

ZACK LOVE: Don't really have one. I'm a huge fan of Milan Kundera, the Russian writers (Nabakov, Tolstoy, Dostoyevksy, etc.), Mark Twain, and so many others that it becomes clear that I really am quite far from having a favorite "one!"

What is your favorite book of all time and Why?

ZACK LOVE: Same problem here.

When reading... What genre do you prefer?

ZACK LOVE: Same problem here too. Wow, I'm starting to feel like one of those annoyingly uncooperative interviewees, but my preferred genre really depends on my mood. 

We all claim a book boyfriend or girlfriend at one time or another... Who is your current book boy/girl friend? 

ZACK LOVE: I have yet to find a "book girlfriend" who's any good at making out, so I'm currently single in that department. But if at some point I tire of human girlfriends, I may have to explore the book version!

Enough about books... 

Let's get to know you!!!

This or That? 

ZACK LOVE: Definitely that. You've had enough of "this or that" and "this and that" in my answers. So this time, let's just go with a very definitive and decisive THAT.

Vanilla or Chocolate? 

ZACK LOVE: Chocolate, although I'd really prefer to get a scoop of each.

Sour or Sweet? 

ZACK LOVE: Depends what the food is, but generally sweet.

Money or Happiness? 

ZACK LOVE: Well, considering that I don't have much money, I'm going to assume that this means my answer is happiness!

In the bedroom...

Submissive or Dominant? 

ZACK LOVE: Is this a Playgirl interview?

Handcuffs or Blindfold? 

ZACK LOVE: Apparently, this a Playgirl interview! But then you'd probably want a photo of my six-pack abs...

Whipped Cream or Lotion? 

ZACK LOVE: Whipped cream tastes so much better!

Sweet/Slow or Hard/Fast ?

ZACK LOVE: All of the above!

Thank you for spending time with Sweet, Beautiful, Moments in West FL and hope everyone enjoyed your visit and learned a little more about the author of "SEX in the Title" 

Be sure to grab your copy of Zack's book over at AMAZON!! 

Follow Zack on FaceBook and Goodreads too!!

Review: Sex in the Title: A Comedy about Dating, Sex, and Romance in NYC

Sex in the Title: A Comedy about Dating, Sex, and Romance in NYC by Zack Love

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Absolutely loved reading about Evan and his friends and their adventures of being single in NYC! Growing up in the 90's and living through the age of tech changes, I totally fell in love with this book. The five main male characters have great witty and sophisticated dialog and higher education humor. Misadventures happen to bring friends together in the most unthinkable conditions.

I came away with some quirky Heeb-isms and Evan-isms and even a few Narc-isms....for those who have yet to enjoy this book, trust me, each man is humorously and/or lovably unique. So let me share my thoughts on the men...

Evan...oh, Evan Cheson, total geek and computer programmer who is "actually charming and good-looking...with a full head of thick hair...blue eyes...athletic six-foot-one.." *swoon* he sounds so dreamy...and then you realize he's had some not-so-great luck. I mean, he starts off "losing a job and girlfriend, each via email, one day after the next." You can't help but hope something good happens to this sexy 29 yr old man. With the women of NYC though, confidence is a must! The women you are introduced to as you follow Evan's adventures are either "9+ hotties" or giving him a "freebie" that is most definitely NOT free!

Lucky Chucky and Heeb are our next men we come across...Roommates at Harvard, Carlos was dubbed "Lucky Chucky" since he was lucky in everything he did...and not only the luck but the looks as well, something close to a "Latin Telenova Star." However, Sammy had no luck with women, with his "baby face...compact nose...and the thin brown layer of hair combed over...five feet eight inches...and willing to barter math skills." Sammy's nickname came from Carlos because "Heeb. You're a dweeby Heeby who explains nicknames with syllogisms." And thus the nicknames and friendship was formed between two total social opposites. There is so much hilarity that ensues when they venture out that you can't help the out-loud chuckles at some of the social awkwardness that happens.

Narc is a whole other drink of tall, delicious man! Being Evan's roommate at Brown, Yi Wang, as he was known in his home, was six foot two and broke the norm of Chinese men. To his friends, he was "Narc" because he was always willing to try the latest narcotics to hit the 'hood. His passions were basketball and women!! But don't talk any smack on his ethnic background or family! After Evan meets Heeb, the two form an unlikely Posse of men and take on the city of NY (with Narc being one of Evan's recruits into the group)!!

I love that its a man's point of view about relationships and friendships and living in the big city. Love, Lust and Life lessons are written in a way to make you think and remember a time when things were less and more complicated in the world of technology. This is a must read for anyone who remembers giving your email instead of your facebook! And I can't wait for "Sex in the Sequel."

Just some of the many hilarious moments were captured in these memorable quotes:
---"It's about as original and sincere as a flight attendant greeting."
---"Alex, as long as I can keep coming back for one last charity fu@k like this, I may eventually come to terms with the idea that we're breaking up."
---"Dropping the H bomb"
---"But your Jewish!"
"Yeah, but I'm a bagel Jew."
---"No. Sex is different. Sex is a sinfully dirty act...And it's probably very crude and imperfect in reality."
---"Laughing out Loud at Losers of Lust."
---"Amen. God bless the penis."



View all my reviews

Title: All Fired Up (Novella)

Author: Nikki Dee Houston

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publication Date: November 1st, 2013

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

Fires aren’t all that’s sizzling at Hillwood Station…

Cindy always wanted to be a fire fighter. When she tops the class in the rookie academy, she takes her first job at the small but busy Hillwood Fire Station—as their first female firefighter. Some of the crew don’t appreciate a woman trying to do a man’s job. But when the crew risks their lives in a series of factory fires, Cindy’s determined to not just keep up, but to excel.

But the fires aren’t the only thing smoldering at Hillwood. When Cindy comes face-to-face with the real-life, fireman-calendar pinup, she’s left feeling shaky and gasping for breath. Their attraction is white-hot, the sex is sizzling, and there’s no such thing as enough when it comes to their lovemaking. But things turn nasty when a dark past comes back to haunt Cindy, jeopardizing her career before it’s even really begun…

So, who is Nikki Dee Houston? I’m a businesswoman by day, an erotic romance writer by night, and a lover all the time. I share a modest beach shack on a small island close to the mainland with my very own real-life hero, and our two cats.

I began writing seriously about three years ago, mainly short stories and women’s fiction, but I’d always wanted to write the ‘behind closed doors’ stuff. When I saw all the hype about readers wanting more erotic fiction, I played around with a few stories, finally settling on erotic romance. I believe that a strong romantic element, combined with an interesting storyline, is necessary for good erotic romance. Having said that, I don’t underestimate the expectations of readers for some hot and steamy scenes, and try to deliver on all counts.

Facebook - Twitter - GoodReads - Add on GoodReads - Author Website - Author Amazon Page

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks - Kobo

DreamCast:

Excerpt 1 - PG

She removed her helmet and wiped the wet strands of stray hair from her face. Her forehead was coated in beads of sweat, and her breathing hadn’t fully recovered from the strenuous activity. Dave lowered his eyes to her heaving yellow-clad chest, then leisurely looked up until he was peering into her eyes in that unnerving way he had.

“You did really well. Just wanted you to know.”

“Thank you, Dave.” Relief swept through her, and she smiled. Quite apart from the physical exertion she’d just undertaken, she felt her heart rate suddenly increase. He smiled back at her, and she took an involuntary inward breath, making her sound like she was choking. Her face flushed.

“Well, I can see you need a break.” He turned and strode back into the fire station, leaving her rooted to the spot, feeling like a starstruck teenager who’d just met their favorite celebrity pinup boy in the flesh.

Excerpt 2 (PG rated)

He tilted his head to one side and narrowed his eyes, peering at her carefully. “You know, I feel we’ve met before. There’s something familiar about you.”

Oh boy, she’d remember if they had, she thought. “Don’t think so.” Then it hit her. Hm, maybe I’ve been caught out. She resisted the impulse to glance over at the female firefighter calendar hanging on the wall. Still he seemed to be racking his brain, trying to place where he knew her from.

“So, what time does your class start? It’s just that I wonder if…” He blinked and gave his head a slight shake, as though clearing his thoughts.

“You wonder…what?”

He cleared his throat, and brought his eyes back to hers. “I wonder if you have time for a drink?”


Excerpt 1 (18+)

Powerful arms enveloped her and she felt his body against hers. He brushed her lips with his, then kissed her deeply, eagerly. Electricity shot through her as she returned his hungry, lingering kiss, willingly entering the passionate embrace. His tongue was warm, tasting of bourbon and salt, as he probed and met up with hers. He broke away from her mouth and bent his head, nuzzling her neck, and kissing her skin softly. Moving slowly around to the front, his lips caressed the little hollow at the base of her throat.

“Won’t your zumba group notice you’re missing?” As he spoke, his day-old stubble grazed her neck.

“I don’t care.” Her words were breathy and soft. With one quick movement, he removed her little T-shirt. He ran his hands up both her bare arms, softly, gently, deliciously, until they reached her shoulders. He inserted a finger under each of the black Lycra straps of her leotard, dragging them aside. He kissed her shoulders and tugged the top down, revealing her breasts, full, voluptuous, and begging to be kissed.

Excerpt 2 (18+)

“You look beautiful.”

“You look pretty good yourself.” Their lips met hungrily, kissing each other with passion, their tongues caressing each other. Letting out a loud moan, he let her go and ripped his shirt over his head, then undid the belt of his black slacks, kicking them off. He reached down and removed his shoes and socks. His magnificent body, the tan of his torso, his six-pack stomach, and the white, untanned skin where his bathing suit blocked the sun’s rays, looked so much better than his pinup spread in the calendar. Biceps bulged effortlessly as he reached forward, and her breath caught in her throat as she delighted in the view.

My Review of Infatuated by Elle Jordan

Infatuated by Elle Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was infatuated with Infatuated…I couldn’t put it down as I was compelled to keep reading. This book sucks you in and keeps you engrossed until the very end. By definition infatuated is only an intense but short-lived passion or admiration. Earl / Ally / Kale are more than that.

Earl, “He’s particular…and maybe a little peculiar.”-admitted by
Laura. “He had no problem staring at me with that creepy gaze-like now-but he couldn’t be bothered saying a thing? Creep.” Ally makes her thoughts on Earl’s infatuated gazes throughout the book known to the reader and it filled me with a sense of impending dread. Between his staring and stalking the books progresses quickly with the intensity of fear that Earl and his actions that are later reveal.

Ally is a college student who is working at a friend of her dad’s bar in the city she decided to move to out from under her parents to go to school and strike out on her own. The bar is also where she meets two men who are infatuated with her. “He was back. He always came back.”Ally’s story progresses terrifyingly quickly with an intermittence of sweetness. The conflict of emotions throughout the book had me keep going to find out whom and what was going to happen to whom. This is a must read from cover to cover, beginning to end, I couldn’t put it down and loved every moment. Friendship, Protector, Stalker, Lover, Death, and Moving on…this book has it all.

Kale, *swoon*, is a ruggedly handsome mechanic with ‘dark, short and curly hair’ and ‘blue, with just a flash of green…pretty eyes.’ He is sweet, funny, sexy, charming, strong, handsome, and a Knight in Shining Armor. He is infatuated with Ally and has been hurt before. The speed things are moving between these two you can’t help but wonder who is more dangerous. Earl or Kale? With comments of possession like “MINE”, is he really the lesser of the two evils?

Maxine is Ally’s best friend of ten years and college classmate. She knows Ally’s drive to achieve the best scores in school and her nerdiness. Max and Ally’s friendship is easy, funny, and full of quips and teasing about school, boys and life. You get right away that their friendship is a “BFD – Big Fu
This is a must read!! I would recommend to any romance lover, suspense/thriller, and maybe even some mystery readers who enjoy a little romance now and then.

Favorite Quote:

Ally/Kale (location 687 via Kindle)

“Why do you call me that? Ally Cat.” “Alley cats are fierce, and sometimes a little scary if you mess with them.” He grinned. “I figure you’re definitely both.”



View all my reviews

Infatuated by Elle Jordan

Blurb:
You can't hide from love...even when you want to. 
When I took a job as a bartender at Hanson’s to help pay for my classes, the last thing I expected to find was Kale Wilder. He’s sexy, smart, and he makes me smile and laugh faster than anyone ever has. More importantly, he makes me believe in Mr. Right. 
But Kale came to the wrong place at the wrong time, because someone else has his eyes on me. Someone who watches my every move. 
Kale’s the only one I want, but the more I feel for him, the more I fear for my safety. Because the other guy is getting closer and doesn't want to share. He’s made it clear if he can’t have me, no one can.

Buy Links

Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Kobo -  iTunes

Teaser:
“You brought me a date?”
“I did,” he said, rocking back on his heels.
I eyed him, then made a show of looking around. “Is he cute?”
The sputtering fish look that crossed his face made me feel better than it should have. He recovered quickly and nodded. “I think he’s rather handsome. Kind of rugged. Blue eyes, dark hair.”