Future stories: Poll

I have several stories coming out in the next few months, and several I'm in the process of planning/plotting/writing. But I have a couple ideas running around my head and can't decide on a direction.

Would you rather see...
1. MMF (menage where everyone has sex)
2. MFM (hetrosexual menage where the men don't have sex)
3. MF (a super erotic one)
4. MM

I'm thinking of returning to the Regency Era, I had so much fun with that time period and might do some short stories there after I finish up my current projects. Thoughts?

Friday Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos

Scrolling through the healthy recipes section on Food Network, I discovered this interesting recipe. I mean what's better than pork in my crockpot with garlic and tacos? If you answered nothing is better, you'd be correct! I feel like I post a lot of pork recipes but they're all delicious and if not fast and easy, then well worth the trouble.

 

If you look at the final directions about seasoning with salt and pepper, I did not. I had already added the salt and pepper pre-cooking and didn't feel the need to add more. I don't add salt to my diet anyway, it contains enough I'm sure, and with all the chiles and garlic why add?

Admission: Hardest part was deseeding the chiles. Have never done that before and realized in about 2 seconds that I needed gloves, a trashcan right next to me, a fan and the window open, and more chiles than they said. Why? Because I didn't want to deal with the deseeding and needed more chiles to make up the lack.

Picture is theirs by Tina Rupp my tacos didn't look like that but they were certainly delicious!

Prep Time: 25 min
Inactive Prep Time: --
Cook Time: 5 hr 11 min
Level: Easy
Serves:   about 8 servings

Ingredients:
3 whole ancho chiles (I admit, I had no idea what these or the Pasilla chiles were. Called 3 different places but found them! Didn't know enough about the recipe to improvise.)
3 whole pasilla chiles
4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
2 to 3 chipotles in adobo sauce (Goya. Yeah, had to look that one up, too.)
1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Kosher salt (used sea salt)

2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican (seriously? I'm going to buy oregano? Pft: I used what I had in the cabinet.)
3 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (untrimmed), cut into chunks
Freshly ground pepper (or peppercorns, whatever you have!)
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick (or 1 tablespoon cinnamon if you happen to be out of sticks which I never buy anyway)
Corn tortillas, warmed, for serving (Corn tortillas are healthier for you than the wheat but not quite as tasty, I admit. I used soft-shelled. Didn't diminish the taste!)
Assorted taco toppings, for garnish (Like cheese! You wouldn't think pork and cheese would go but cheese makes everything better. Like chocolate though I wouldn't recommend chocolate as a taco topping.)

Directions:
Put the ancho and pasilla chiles and the garlic in a bowl; add 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Microwave on high until soft and pliable, 2 to 3 minutes. Stem and seed the chiles; peel the garlic. Transfer the chiles and garlic to a blender.

Add the chipotles, onion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt and the oregano to the blender; puree until smooth. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat; add the chile sauce and fry, stirring, until thick and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Pour in the broth and reduce until slightly thickened.

Season the pork all over with salt and pepper and transfer to a large slow cooker. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick, then pour in the sauce. Cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours. (Or cook the meat in a large Dutch oven, covered, for 1 hour 45 minutes at 350 degrees; uncover and cook 30 more minutes.)

Discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Shred the pork with 2 forks; season with salt and pepper. Serve the shredded pork in the tortillas, along with toppings.

Per serving (does not include tortillas or garnishes): Calories: 399; Total Fat: 15 grams; Saturated Fat: 4 grams; Protein: 51 grams; Total carbohydrates: 14 grams; Sugar: 5 grams; Fiber: 3 grams; Cholesterol: 147 milligrams; Sodium: 212 milligrams

#Guest: Avery Aster's Undressed and #review

About Avery:

Avery Aster is an American novelist who pens erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave. As an Upper East Side resident and a graduate from New York University Avery is celebrated for giving readers an inside look at the city’s glitzy nightlife, socialite sexcapades, and tall tales of the über-rich and ultra-famous. “I write about what I see in my metropolis which never sleeps—Manhattanites on the quest for a passionate thrill,” Avery says. “By and large, my characters are drop-dead gorgeous, ripped straight from the headlines and on the hunt for their next conquest.”

Undressed, book one, launched The Manhattanites series exploring people’s forbidden desires of lust and longing. When Avery’s star-studded cast unites it always feels like forever and everyone has a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Log on to AveryAster.com for upcoming book releases or email Avery@AveryAster.com to join The Manhattanites fan club.

Avery will be awarding Choc-A-Lot: Chocolate-Covered Sandwich Cookies to a random commenter at every stop to be chosen by the host.

BLURB:  

 Book 1 in The Manhattanites series. (78,000 words, M/F, HEA, Erotic Romance, Contemporary)

Milan’s notorious playboy, Prince Tittoni, seems to have everything—Lamborghinis, exotic women, palaces throughout Europe and business success. Ramping up his fabric company to go global with a new apparel brand, he ruthlessly stops supplying fabrics to the American client who inspired the collection. But once they meet, what’s he willing to give to get her in his bed?

Upper East Side designer Lex Easton has already endured her fair share of hard knocks. She’ll be damned if she’ll let an Italian stud muffin knock her down. So what if she named her favorite vibrator after him? With Fashion Week approaching, she’ll do whatever it takes to secure the fabrics she needs to make her clothing line an international success—even sleep with her rival.

Lex’s Louboutins are dug in deep to win this war. All’s fair in love and fashion!

Inside Scoop: Though the hero and heroine remain monogamous, their Prada-wearing friends indulge in a ménage a trois and other fashionable sexual fun and games.

 
Review:
Alexandra Easton, “Lex” if you didn’t want your head bitten off, is a power house fashion designer. Daughter of two very 80s famous icons, she's determined not to use their names to build her fame.  She’s focused on one and only one thing: making Easton Essentials a household name. That is, of course, until she meets Prince Massimo Tittoni, CEO of Girasoli Garment Company, who not only holds her designer faith in her hands but also her love life.

The Good:

This book was quiet interesting, with a plot that could hold any girl's attention. The fantasy of meeting our prince charming and being swept away to our fairytale castle. Then being ravished to the mercy of our own desires. Undressed captivated both the fashion diva in me and my unmentionable wild side. With the point of view change, we gain an insight into what our main characters are thinking. I was pleased with the attention to detail and of course the numerous fashion name drops. And hey! Good grammar!

The Bad:

Also I didn’t care for how it ended so abruptly. I felt it needed more to round everything out.

The Bottom Line:

Overall I enjoyed Undressed, it was snarky, sexy, and fun. And while I do enjoy lengthy books this one took me quite some time to get through. I’m worried the average reader or beginners to this forgotten art of reading might find it difficult to get through the whole book with patience.

4 stars

Excerpt:
Cupping her hands around her eyes, she pressed her face to the window to see a tiny cockpit. “Where’s the pilot?”

“Right here.” He held out the keys, walking around the plane’s right side, smirking, and posing as Indiana Jones on the last crusade. She hoped they weren’t heading toward the Temple of Doom. Massimo rivaled Mr. Jones in hotness, she prayed not in adventure.

“Do you have a pilot’s license?” she asked, unsure if they taught aviation at The Royal Millionaire Playboy Academy.

“Sì, signorina.” He shook his head poking fun at her.

“I’m serious. Show me your license please?” Lex held on to the plane’s door as if it were a gate to hell. Christian Dior, get me outta here.

Massimo closed the distance between them in response. “Give me your hand.” Not waiting for her to respond, he grabbed her mitts from the door. “Bella, you are shaking,” he noticed and secured his fingers around hers, massaging her palm into his.

Strong hands. “You may call me Lex, not Bella. This isn’t Twilight.” She didn’t care for paranormal.

Buy Links:
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Wednesday Regency: What I love about the era

It's popular, let's face it. And secretive, though not as easy to get away with things as people often think. All those servants and delivery boys going in and out makes it hard to keep a secret. Too many eyes and ears. Which makes it weird that the gentlemen and ladies spoke as if their servants were deaf and mute. Like they didn't hear the upper echelon's gossip and share it with their own society.

So what do I love about the Regency?

• The clothes. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in those tight leggins? Yeah. Women's gowns were beautiful, flowing, and to die for.
• The manners. They knew how to insult you with the most polite turn of phrase.
• The place settings. I wouldn't want to set the table and sure as hell wouldn't want to clean up afterwards. But as a guest, to sit at one of those elaborately set tables with footmen serving me and endless wine and food? Perfection.
• Secret Societies. There were all sorts of secret societies from the erotic to the economic. But they make for fascinating reading! I used The Hellfire Club for a short series but there are all sorts. With the rise of the coffee shops and the gathering of men (and women) interested in activities not merely following the current crowd, Secret Societies gained power.
• The fact that everything that happened in the Regency Era led to all the inventions of the Victorian Era. So much of what we refer to Victorian Inventions started because of the interest in science during the Regency Era/

What about you? What makes you come back for more? The ton? The Napoleonic Wars? The thought of Mr. Darcy in your bed?

Excerpt: Risque: A Regency Menage Tale

  Risque: A Regency Menage Tale

“I must apologize, Lord Rowan for my brashness. I had been led to believe something untoward had occurred.” She offered a sincere smile. “Please forgive me; I’m only here out of concern.”

Rowan took her outstretched hand and kissed the back of it. “I’m honored to be the recipient of such concern, Mrs. Prescott. There’s naught to forgive.”

Curtsying again to him in farewell, Alix turned to leave. Did Kane truly lie or did Rowan simply not admit such a thing to her? She had no way of knowing the truth. She hadn’t gone but a couple steps when Rowan’s voice stopped her.

“There was one thing.”

Rowan didn’t continue and Alix turned to face him. His smile was downright wicked and she felt a flush of arousal.

“Oh?” she asked, hoping her voice sounded more curious than breathless.

“Mr. Huntington assisted me as I changed into a new vest.” Rowan’s smile didn’t abate with this cryptic sentence. “He commented as to your preference in colors, how you preferred darker tones to brighter ones. I knew then who it was you played your games with.”

“A game,” she said, more harshly than she intended, “you should never have fallen into the middle of.”

If possible, that smile turned even wickeder. Arousal pooled between her thighs, shocking her. Not only because she’d never considered Rowan anything other than a diversion to her game with Kane, but because Alix still very much wanted Kane.

Rowan stepped closer to her, voice dropping seductively. “I don’t mind being in the middle. In fact,” he added, lips a breath from hers, “that would be a rather prized place to be, between you and Huntington.”

Scandalized, aroused, Alix froze where she was. Rowan didn’t attempt to kiss her, nor did he move away. His green eyes bore into hers, holding her in place. She licked her lips, another vision of the pair of them together sending a bolt of need through her so powerful she could almost taste it.

“Then Kane didn’t lie,” she managed. “You and he…engaged in sexual relations?”

He moved closer, still not touching her and Alix suddenly wanted him to. “I admit, I have a touch of libertine in me.”

4.5 Cups from Coffee Beans and Love Scenes: I couldn't stop reading this wonderful tale of sex and wicked desire. The characters truly came to life through wonderfully written characters who shared their trains of thought at will keeping the reader entranced and yearning for more.

Buy Links
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All Romance eBooks
Ravenous Romance
Kobo

Blitz: Nashville Nights: High Stakes

About Cheryl:

Cheryl began her professional career as a nutritionist, but her love of books started at an early age. She studied writing for many years before she decided to pursue her passion as a full-time career. After receiving constructive criticism from several well-known authors, Cheryl finally had the confidence to write her first romance novel

The first book in the Nashville Nights series, Shameless, was a book that had been dwelling in Cheryl’s subconscious for years. For her, the surprise came when the manuscript began taking on a life of its own. Characters came to life, secondary characters became more prominent, outlines were forgotten, and a single title evolved into an eight book series, and another eight book spin-off series entitled Nashville Nights, Next Generation.

One word would aptly describe Cheryl: workaholic. She lives and breathes her writing, when she’s sleeping, watching TV, driving, reading… it’s always in the periphery of her mind. Her imagination rarely takes a holiday, even when she escapes to a sandy beach with her husband and son, she’s planning, plotting, outlining, and daydreaming.

Cheryl feels blessed to be able to get up every day and do something she loves. The thousands of fans who have embraced the Nashville Nights have made that possible. She writes for the readers who ask for more, she writes to satisfy the muse residing inside of her, but most of all, she writes because she couldn’t imagine doing anything else with her life. It took her thirty-seven years to decide what she wanted to be when she grew up, but now that she knows, she’s convinced she’s found her purpose.

Website

Cheryl will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host. She'll be awarding the following prizes to randomly drawn commenters during the tour:

* two $20 Amazon Gift Cards

* ten trading card/cover flat packs (US/Canada)

* ten eBooks from the Nashville Nights series (winner's choice)

* two sterling silver necklaces (US/Canada)

Blurb: 

Former party girl, Alisa Turner, made a deal with her daddy, Trey. He’ll provide the seed money for her new business venture as long as she promises to stay out of trouble. Too bad her good intentions tumble 30,000 feet when she meets a sexy stranger on a flight to sin city.

Hotel mogul, Liam Bryson, has never believed in love at first sight, but when a sexy little siren twenty years his junior tempts him into a night of high stakes Blackjack, he’s suddenly playing for keeps.

Alisa wakes up in Liam’s bed the next morning, cursing Tequila and the five carat diamond on her left hand. She demands an annulment before her over-protective father finds out she reneged on their agreement, but her new hubby isn’t prepared to let her go without a fight.

Excerpt:

“Good afternoon,” he said, beginning a lazy perusal that started with her bare, bronzed legs and ended where it had started, fixed on her eyes.

Alisa was too shocked by her physical reaction to his scrutiny to respond to the casual greeting. She was used to male admiration, but when a man was this obvious, she usually felt irritated, not warm and tingly all over.

His eyes zeroed in on her bare left hand, and he smiled, revealing a flash of white teeth and disarming grin so sexy it should have come with a warning label. No man had a right to be this handsome. It simply wasn’t fair to the poor unsuspecting girl seated next to him with no hope of defending herself when endless hours filled with nothingness stretched out before them.

“Your boyfriend must be crazy to let you travel to Sin City all by your lonesome.” His voice was low and raspy, filled with sexual innuendo and promise.

“I, uh…” Spit it out, damn it. “Don’t have a boyfriend.”

He licked his full lips as his intense eyes outlined her face. “Husband, fiancé… lover?” His voice deepened even more as he uttered the last word, sending thrill bumps skittering across her bare skin.

“No, no, and…” She drew a shallow gulp of air into her lungs, but the word still sounded breathless. “No.”

“Damn, I really need to fly commercial more often. I had no idea what I was missing out on.” He smiled again as he extended his hand. “Liam.”

She hadn’t expected his hands to be calloused or rough, and they weren’t. He was obviously accustomed to sitting behind a desk, and that suited her just fine. She loved elegant, refined men, and he more than filled the bill. “Alisa.

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