BLOODY MARY SOUP

This wonderful soup is the answer to your surplus September tomatoes and those cold October nights.

1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 tb olive oil
250 g fresh tomatoes, peeled
250 ml homemade broth
salt, pepper
Tabasco
1 tb lemon juice
4 tb vodka
Garnish
celery stalks to garnish


In a large pot, saute onions ad celery and bell pepper in oil.
Add tomato, saute 1-2 minute.
Add broth and let simmer 10 minutes.
Put all in a food processor and mix until smooth.
Add other ingredients.
Serve either hot or chilled, garnish with celery stalk.

Flirty Friday - Erotic Romance from KD Grace

An erotic novel by best-selling author K D Grace.

Blurb

In appreciation for a job well done, STELLA JAMES 's boss sends her a pet – a human pet. The mischievous TINO comes straight from THE PET SHOP complete with a collar, a leash, and an erection. Stella soon discovers the pleasure of keeping Pets, especially this one, is extremely addicting.

Obsessed with Tino and with the reclusive philanthropist, VINCENT EVANSTON, who looks like Tino, but couldn’t be more different, Stella is drawn into the secret world of The Pet Shop. As her animal lust awakens, Stella must walk the thin line that separates the business of pleasure from the more dangerous business of the heart or suffer the consequences.


Excerpt
"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS," O'Kelly said, nearly dropping the phone. "You can't really mean to give Stella James Tino for the whole weekend. Wouldn't a nice gift voucher from Selfridges be more appropriate?"

The Boss offered her a tolerant chuckle on the other end of the phone. "Didn't she tell you she thought an occasional shag wasn't too much to ask for doing such a demanding job?"

"Yes, but she was joking. I'm sure she never expected–"

"Well, she's right. It isn't too much to ask, is it? She's a very dedicated employee, and we've always done our best to reward dedicated employees, especially one with such promise, one that we have such plans for."

"Yes but–"

"Hasn't she met and surpassed our expectations since she's joined Strigida, and didn't we both agree she's exactly what we're looking for?"

"Yes, but–"

"She's not in a relationship, right?"

She rolled her eyes and glanced down at her watch. He was on a roll. Nothing for it now but to hear him out.

"No relationship, no family. Stella can afford to live in London because she has no life outside of work, all factors we took into account when we hired her. There's no arguing she doesn't have time for sex." He paused long enough for a quick breath. "Sorry to say that's the way of the world these days. All work and no play. Very sad. Very sad indeed."

"Yes, sir. It is sad, but, sir, Tino?"

"Yes. Tino."

"OK, maybe for a couple of hours, maybe. But surely not for the whole weekend."

"Yes, for the whole weekend, O'Kelly, from Friday night till Sunday evening. Every last second of it."

O"Kelly rubbed her forehead impatiently then rolled her shoulders to loosen the knots, which she could always count on the Boss to tighten. "It's not that the woman doesn't deserve a weekend of blow-your-brains-out sex. God knows she does, but ..."

"But what, O'Kelly? Get to the point."

O"Kelly squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She found the whole thing a bit embarrassing, actually. "Well, sir, she's just so ..."

"So what?"

"She's just so tight laced, so prim and proper. I don't know – all business. I can't help but wonder if we've made a mistake, and even if we haven't, a weekend with Tino is just so hardcore at this stage, don't you think?" She straightened in her chair and brushed her skirt free of the few remaining crumbs from the sandwich she had wolfed for lunch. "I can't picture her being the kind who could appreciate or even be able to handle a weekend with Tino."

"Prim and proper? Really? You just told me she was joking about the company providing sex as a fringe benefit for its overworked employees. Doesn't sound very prim and proper to me. In fact she sounds like exactly the woman we've been looking for."



Buy Links

Paperback:

Book Depository
Amazon UK
Amazon
Waterstones

eBook:

Amazon UK
Amazon

http://www.erotica-romance-ebooks.com/the-pet-shop.html


Bio
K D Grace was born with a writing obsession. It got worse once she actually learned HOW to write. There's no treatment for it. It's progressive and chronic and quite often interferes with normal, everyday functioning. She might actually be concerned if it wasn't so damned much fun most of the time.

K D's erotic romance novels, The Initiation of Ms Holly and The Pet Shop, both published by Xcite Books, are available from all good paperback and eBook retailers.

Her erotica has been published with Xcite Books, Mammoth, Cleis Press, Black Lace, Erotic Review, Ravenous Romance, Sweetmeats Press and Scarlet Magazine.

Find out more about K D Grace on her website,  She's also on Facebook and Twitter.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Sex tips to boost your love life

It's important to remember that sex should be fun.

1. Be confident
It's the sexiest thing any woman can do to turn on her man - take control and be sure about what you want and how you want it done.

2. Enjoy each other's bodies
Give each other compliments, pay special attention to a person's less favourite bits, make them feel desired and sexy. Body confidence is sexual gold!

3. Talk.
Tell your partner what you're enjoying and why, even what could be done to make the sex better; faster slower etc.. The sure-fire way to better sex time and time again!

4. Engage in foreplay
It's easy to forget that foreplay is all part of your sex life. Make sure you have enough foreplay with your partner until you're both ready for intercourse. Prolong it by putting your clothes on, go out for a drink or a meal. Keep the evening going on as long as you can until you have to run home for the most intense sex ever!

5. Surprise your partner
Put on some sexy lingerie one evening after work and wait for him. Don't let him touch you, dominate and lead him to the bedroom.


6. Drink coffee
Research has indicated that a couple of cups of coffee could well boost the female libido. Even if that's not 100% guaranteed, the caffeine will improve your concentration - very important if you're getting hot and steamy in the bedroom.

7. Turn off the TV
You may love watching what Rita and Norris are up to in Corrie, but it's a bit of a passion killer. Hit the off button and pay attention to each other.

8. Do a strip-tease
It doesn't have to look professional, as long as you move seductively in front of him and slowly take off your clothes. Don't allow him to touch either - this will turn him on even more.

9. Choose the right music
Having the right tunes playing in the background can improve your bedroom experience. The right rhythm will make your lovemaking far more enjoyable. Try Dr. Amgad & Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing for starters.

10. Ice ice baby
If you're performing oral sex on your fella, try popping an ice cube in your mouth halfway through - the sensation as it goes from warm to cold will drive him wild.


11. Eat salmon.
Obviously, it's a great choice for dinner, but it's also known as a sexual powerhouse. The vitamins in salmon will help lift the libido, it contains mood-enhancing Omega-3 oils and is protein rich, which is good for stamina.


12. Turn off the lights
In fact, go one step further and blindfold each other. By getting rid of the sense of sight, you'll be forced to use your other senses.

13. Don't touch his private parts
By not going for the one place he's desperate for you to touch, you'll drive him wild. Delay it as long as possible and when you do get there, make only the faintest touch at first.

Tasty Tuesday

Favorite American Hard Ciders by Bon Appétit

I'm not one to drint hard cider but living in Michigan I proudly purchase and consume Michigan products.  To see Michigan featured in something as simple as Hard Cider in Bon Appetit magazine is very exciting! 

 Way to go Michigan!  Whoot-whoot!

A proud tradition of cider-making exists just about anywhere apples grow--Argentina, Austria, England, France, Spain--and until now, the best bottles rarely traveled. That was true in the States, too, as residents of Michigan, Vermont, or Oregon will tell you.

Hard cider has a long history in America, where it's made in various styles, from sweet to dry and still to sparkling. From colonial days onward, hard cider was sipped by almost everyone, including children: Easily made and inexpensive, it was considered cleaner than drinking water. Then Prohibition came along and all but wiped out production and consumption.

Bon Appetit tasted 50 domestic hard ciders.
These four bottles--all sparkling and dry--rose to the top.


Z. Orchards / $13
Made with nine apple varieties for beautifully balanced flavor. 2010 Cidre, Oregon

Bellwether / $14
A bona fide thirst-quencher from a blend of heirloom Tompkins King and Baldwin apples. King Baldwin, New York

Tandem Ciders / $11
Refreshing, with hints of citrus.  Perfect cider for those in love... with cider at least. A favorite of chef Mario Batali, part-time Michigander. The Sweetheart, Michigan.  A unique stop on the Leelanau wine trail, Tandem Ciders specializes in artisanal hard ciders.

Farnum Hill / $13
The orchard's more esoteric batches are bottled under this label. Dooryard, New Hampshire

Monday Mojo - Things that make you go Hmmm....

WEIGHT LOSS - Fascinating Fact: Sexual acts lead to weight loss

The average human loses 26 calories when kissing for a minute. Furthermore, vigorous sex for half an hour burns 150 calories (you can lose three pounds in a year – if you have sex 7 to 8 times a month). Kissing is also very good for your teeth: the extra saliva released during the act helps to keep the mouth clean – reducing the risk of decay.

Six Sentence Sunday

His hands had been resting on her waist when Josh let out a groan and lifted Jenny into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.  He carefully put her back on her feet as he kissed her.  His hands slid along her back and tugged the zipper of her dress.  Once loosened, the gown came off easily and dropped to the floor.  Josh stepped back to view her perfect skin, breasts, and the curve of her hips.  He needed her. 

Can bestfriends admit to their feelings and take their relationship one step farther?

Or will crossing the line be the end?

FREE READ

Banned Books Week 2011

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

Here's the 2010 List of Challenged Books:
 1) And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
2) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
 3) Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
4) Crank, by Ellen Hopkins
5) The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collin;
6) Lush, by Natasha Friend
7) What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones
 8) Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich
9) Revolutionary Voices, edited by Amy Sonnie
10) Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer




Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.


The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.

For more information visit Banned Books Week 
 

New Release from Kim Knox

Check out the newest release in the Planetary Bodies series

from fellow Diva, Kim Knox. 

Way to go, Kim!

Book 3 in the Planetary Bodies series.

Alexandra Syato has complete control of her life.

She's rich and has Captain Rhearden Lawe as a delicious friend with benefits. Her life couldn't be more perfect. Until the mysterious force known as sheen turns her world upside down.

It changes Lawe in a way she doesn't expect and now her easy-going friend has become a dark and brooding stranger, determined to take her control. She can't fight their new, blistering attraction. But the price for having him may break her. Completely.



Buy here from Ellora's Cave

You can also read an excerpt here.

At my website there's a little sneak peek behind the series, Planetary Bodies.

Current is part of a linked series. Books 1 and 2, Magnetism and Friction, can be found here.
 

WINNER

CONGRATS TO KELLIE KAMRYN

WINNER OF A DOWNLOAD OF HANDCUFFS & SILK

PLUS

A BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE GLASS NECKLACE.

Monday Mojo - Check out this new book!

Rachel Leigh has a hot new novella available
from The Wild Rose Press.
Her latest release will get your mojo going!

Check it out!

Blurb: Kelly Hampton loved once...and lost. After two years of looking
for Sean MacKenzie in other men--and failing miserably--she takes a vow
of celibacy. No sex until she finds love. Then Sean strolls back into
her bar, reigniting old flames. No one has come close to understanding
or satisfying her like he did. Her body burns for the passion they once
shared, but her heart still remembers the pain.

Sean escaped Jessop Hill and his father's fists in the middle of the
night without a word--even to his love, Kelly--to protect his battered
mother, but he never forgot the explosively erotic relationship he left
behind. Now his father is dead and Sean is back for the only woman he's
ever wanted. Their reunion is full of fire – but can sexual
attraction and noble intentions overcome years of heartache or will
Kelly walk away to protect her heart this time.

Excerpt:

“We’re closed,” she snapped.

The stranger continued to walk closer without as much as a blip in his stride. The massive height and width of him engulfed the space between them until he stopped and his eyes met hers. Kelly stared. Recognition hit her like a demolition ball. Her breath caught and her heart picked up speed. No. No, it couldn’t be.

Swallowing hard, she crossed her arms to hide the shaking in her hands. He looked away from her, casually taking in his surroundings. She stared at his profile, her feet welded to the floor. No, she was wrong. It couldn’t be him.

This was a dangerous situation. She was alone. The guy was built like a Trojan warrior. Instinctively, she inched her hand below the bar and curled her fingers around one of the three aluminum baseball bats lodged beneath it at four feet intervals. Any funny stuff and he wouldn’t know what hit him.

Leaning his hands on the bar, he shook the rain from his dark blonde hair, spattering the polished wood of the bar, and looked straight into Kelly’s eyes.

Oh, shit. It was him. Without any doubt whatsoever. Her heart turned over. “Sean?” she croaked.

His smile was slow, sexy, and completely irresistible. Kelly trembled with the effort it took not to leap over the bar and slam his face between her breasts.

“Hi, Kelly,” he said. “Should’ve known you end up running this place.”

Cool. She needed to be cool. Slowly pulling her hand from the bat, she planted both flat on the bar, mimicking his stance and purposefully tilting forward so he could have a clear glimpse of her cleavage and just what the hell he’d been missing for the last two years.


Coming Backby Rachel Leigh
The Wild Rose PressRelease Date: 8-12-2011


"Coming Back confronts the age old issues of going home again and rekindling lost love. Sean and Kelly never stopped loving each other, but life pulled them apart. Now Sean is back to win Kelly without knowing if she will be able to forgive him and let their love bloom once more. Coming Back is a passionate tale of love and lust mixing together and what happens when we face the responsibilities of life. Rachel Leigh has a good erotic voice that keeps things fiery throughout her work." - Sizzling Hot Reviews