Thursday book recommendation

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.

This week is:  Caulky (Four Bears Construction Book 1) by K.M. Neuhold

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0848ML729

Blurb:

Ren is in desperate need of a rebound fling. Lucky for him, the smoking hot contractor he hired has just the tool for the job.

The last thing I want is another relationship or another broken heart.

All I need are my bees and the occasional hookup to scratch the itch.

Okay, maybe meeting up with my hot contractor weekly is a little more than occasional. And maybe the way I’m starting to feel about the guy I’ve been anonymously chatting with online should concern me.

But CaulkyAF doesn’t want to meet, and Cole doesn’t want anything serious, so what’s the worst that could happen?

**** Caulky is book 1 in the Four Bears Construction Series and can be read as a stand-alone. This is a funny, steamy MM story guaranteed to make you laugh and swoon. Absolutely NO cheating and NO love triangle. This series does NOT contain shifters, it's the OTHER kind of bears.

My thoughts: OMG! This is beyond cute! It’s hot AF too, and whoo boy, the chemistry between these two just sizzles. Low angst, but that’s a point in its favor IMO. But the humor! Wow, this keeps you in stitches. I love the title! There's a reason for it, lol. Honestly? Anything written by this author is pretty much guaranteed to be good.

Unlike most of what I’ve been recommending lately, this one is fairly new. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come out.

Finicky Friday - Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Chicken breasts have a terrible reputation for drying out, but an air fryer keeps that from happening. The quick cook time means they stay nice and tender and the breading still gets extra crispy. All without a drop of oil. It's an actual miracle.

(I haven't tried this yet, but I plan to.)

YIELDS: 2 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 30 MINS



INGREDIENTS

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 c. panko bread crumbs

1/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan

2 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

DIRECTIONS

Place eggs and flour in two separate shallow bowls. In a third shallow bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, lemon zest, oregano, and cayenne. Season with salt and pepper.

Working one at a time, dip chicken into flour, then eggs, and then panko mixture, pressing to coat.

Place in air fryer basket and cook at 375° for 10 minutes. Flip chicken, and cook for another 5 minutes, until coating is golden and chicken is cooked through.


Link: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a28414230/air-fryer-chicken-breast-recipe/

Thursday book recommendation

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary. 

This week is: Role Play: (Play Series Book 1) by Morticia Knight

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GK56XEU

Blurb: 

Hollywood photographer, Terry Patterson, loves his job. But when it comes to romance, there is none – at least not anymore. Ever since producer, Phil Watts, abruptly left for a high-paying job in Toronto, Terry’s been determined to move on with his life. After all, they’d barely begun their relationship when everything got derailed. Just because he’s still in love with Phil after three years, shouldn’t it be time for him to finally let go?

Phil has learned the hard way that work and career is one thing, having someone by your side to love and cherish is another. The producing gig in Toronto left him cold and lonely, but a fateful meeting one night at a bar was a game-changer. Now that’s he’s back in town, Phil is ready to take the knowledge he gained while being trained as a lifestyle Master, and is determined to claim his boy. 

Something about Phil seems different when Terry reluctantly gives into his pleas for them to meet. Terry isn’t sure whether to believe Phil’s promises that this time Terry’s heart will be safe, but he can’t deny the intensity of the chemistry they still share. When Phil reveals all, Terry is shocked, yet curious. As they discuss whether or not Terry is willing to try a relationship as a sub to Phil’s Dom, one thing in particular piques Terry’s curiosity. Phil mentions role play, and there’s a fantasy Terry has always had, but been way too embarrassed to ever confess. 

Will Phil agree to satisfy Terry’s darkest fantasy?

Role Play is Book 1 in the Play Series, however, there is an HEA with no cliffhanger. Phil and Terry’s exploration into their new life together continues in Bondage Play. Watch for the third installment of the Play series in late 2017.

Warning: This story is intended for a mature audience and contains explicit content between consenting adults. There is also rough, fantasy role play that might be upsetting to some readers.

This novella is approximately 31,200 words and 85 pages with no additional content.

My thoughts: This is first in the series and a solid start. It revolves around forgiveness, building trust, and second chances. Or maybe I should say taking a chance at love again. I really liked Terry and Phil, but neither are perfect. It’s actually one of my favorite BDSM books and packs a punch for a novella. Oh, and I LOVE that cover!

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.

Finicky Friday Valentine's Day Style--Raspberry Almond Kiss Cookies

Prep 30 m
Cook 10 m
Ready In 42 m
36 servings


Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup white sugar for decoration
40 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon milk
4 teaspoons raspberry jam
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, 1/2 cup white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. blend in the egg and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least one hour, or until easy to handle.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Roll dough into 1 inch balls, roll the balls in the remaining white sugar and place them 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. While hot from the oven, immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each one. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar, milk, raspberry jam and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

Link: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/26221/raspberry-almond-kiss-cookies/

Thursday book recommendation

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary. 

This week is: Open Mind (Kink Chronicles Book 1) by Luna David and Morningstar Ashley 

Blurb: 
At twenty-eight, Jamie Gray has realized his dream of becoming a traveling nurse. After years of moving from place to place, he’s met so many new people but hasn’t formed any true connections. Jamie knows it’s time to stop avoiding his life, like he’s been doing since the death of his mother; his only family. Moving to the big city of Powell’s Point to share an apartment with his best friend is exactly what he needs. It feels like the best time to set down some roots and get into a routine...and maybe, just maybe find love.

Ronan Kincaid comes from a long line of doctors. Not being one to conform to the desires of his parents or society, his small practice focuses on the people in the BDSM community of Powell’s Point. Often misunderstood, the community needs someone who knows and lives their lifestyle...someone who will take care of them the way they deserve.

With his well-respected practice and exceptional bedside manner—coupled with afterhours scenes and kinky house calls—the nickname Dr. Kink takes hold, much to his dismay. Needing to replace his long-time nurse, he hires the best candidate for his growing practice, figuring his mild attraction is of no consequence. But as time passes, he finds it harder and harder to keep his thoughts and hands away from his new nurse. If only Jamie wasn’t so captivating, drawing Ronan to touch.

As their mounting attraction becomes impossible to ignore, their secrets are revealed, changing everything between them. Heated glances turn into heated touches, and they find themselves wondering: Is what they have a passing phase of pleasure and kink, or can they both open their minds to the possibility of a forever love?

Author’s Note: For those of you that prefer warnings use the “Look Inside” feature to find them within the first several pages. For those of you that prefer to be surprised, ignore them. . . Happy reading!



Loved the characters. Loved the kink (Don’t know which author came up with the name Dr. Kink but that was brilliant lol!). Loved the premise of this book. I read this in one sitting--I just couldn’t put it down, then read book #2. (This is also a series.) 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N3ZT8JX

Pucker Up Monday (slightly NSFW)

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.

Thursday Book Recommendation

**Thursday book recommendation**

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary.

This week is: Five Minutes Longer (Enhanced World Book 1) by Victoria Sue 

Blurb: Talon Valdez knew when he transformed into an enhanced human, his life and his dreams were finished. Reviled, mistrusted, and often locked away, the enhanced were viewed as monsters, despised by the public, and never trusted to serve in the military or any law enforcement agency.

Years later he gets a chance to set up a task force of enhanced to serve in the FBI, but with one proviso: each enhanced must partner with a regular human.

Finn Mayer dreamed of joining the FBI from the time he was fourteen and made every possible sacrifice to make it happen, including living with his selfish mother and bullying, homophobic brother and never having a boyfriend. But his undiagnosed dyslexia stopped his aspirations dead in their tracks. His last chance is to partner with Talon, an enhanced with deadly abilities who doesn’t trust regular humans with their secrets and wants Finn to fail.

Four weeks to prove himself to the team. Four weeks for the team to prove itself to the public. And when another group threatens their success—and their lives—four weeks for them to survive.

***re-release 2020. Contains no significant story differences***

One of my absolute favorites. I remember reading this when it first came out and loving it. The worldbuilding is very interesting. You have enhanced humans, who each have different types of powers, then you have regular humans. Has a very Xmen feeling but set in today’s world. Now add in the ‘cop’ angle! (Only this is more FBI.)

This is also a series, and I’ve read all but the last book (and I’m working on it lol).

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083NW1ZYC/

Dragon's Hoard is live in KU!

Dragon's Hoard-2nd edition 

Blurb:

To be loved by a dragon is to be treasured.

A hundred years ago, werewolf Alpha Montgomery took a risk driven by desperation—he borrowed money from the ancient dragon Warwick Ehecatl, putting up the pack lands as collateral. Now the debt is due, and dragons don’t forget—or forgive. 

Warwick demands Montgomery’s son, Avery, and three businesses as compensation. As an Omega, Avery knows he is basically useless to his pack, so he might as well agree. He soon has second thoughts, though. Warwick is fearsome, and he’s free to do as he likes with Avery.

Warwick knows his race’s reputation, and he even admits some of it is deserved. But he’d rather cut off his tail than let his innocent mate’s light go out. It won’t be easy, but buried deep, there’s something between them worth safeguarding.



**Second Edition, Previously Published**
This book has been previously published. The cover may have changed, but the title, author, and story content have not changed from the first version originally published in 2017. If you have that version in your library, please do not purchase again.


Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Hoard-M-Church-ebook/dp/B084FG3R2S