Author: JHarte

  • Review: Out of Bounds

    Out of Bounds
    Out of Bounds by Dawn Ryder
    My rating: 4 of 5 stars

    Overall I enjoyed this book. I liked how Sabra didn’t succumb to the lust immediately, as often happens in romance books with domineering men. And I like that she challenged Tarek, forcing him to meet her half-way. The love scenes were hot and there is a little bondage and spanking, but it’s more of an aside, not a significant part of the book. I would have liked to have read a little more about Tarek’s inner transformation in terms of seeing Sabra as a long term relationship, but overall, it was a fun, summer read.

    View all my reviews

  • Valentine Mysteries on Special this Holiday Weekend!

    Valentine Mystery Series

    The 4th of July is mostly known for hotdogs, ice cream and fireworks, but like any other form of summer fun, reading is often involved as well. If you’re looking for romance and mystery this holiday weekend, pick up all four of the Valentine books, on special this weekend.

    July 3 through July 5 get Deadly Valentine for free!

    July 4th through July 6 get Old Flames Never Die on sale starting at $0.99 cents on Friday (this is a countdown deal so the price will go up each day).

    July 5th through July 7 get With This Ring, I Thee Kill on sale starting at $0.99 cents on Saturday (this is a countdown deal so the price will go up each day).

    July 8 through July 8 get ‘Til Death Do Us Part on sale starting at $0.99 cents on Sunday (this is a countdown deal so the price will go up each day).

    Have a wonderful, safe Fourth of July!

  • Writing Inspiration from Nora Roberts

    Over the weekend I watched a few Youtube interviews of Nora Roberts (I’m a big fan of the J.D. Robb books) because I think her writing pace and story telling are awesome. It made me think of a research project I’d done for a short book about her and the inspiring quotes I’d discovered. Here are couple I saved:

    I love this comment about writing love and murder:

    “It’s just as much fun to murder someone off as to marry them off.” Houston Chronicle

    With 200 books, I’m not sure anyone has as many stories rattling around in their head as Roberts, but I know I have quite a few and would love to be able to start writing and just keep going:

    “I always have stories running around in my head. Once I start putting them down on paper, I just keep going; I just keep writing.” Book Reporter.

    This one is posted at my computer! When asked by Claire E. White at Writers Write about how she writes love scenes, Roberts said

    “Exactly the same way I approach writing any other scene. Action, reaction, motivation, emotion, all have to come from the characters. Writing a love scene requires the same elements from the writer as any other.”

    In the end, writers write:

    “You’re going to be unemployed if you really think you just have to sit around and wait for the muse to land on your shoulder. That’s not the way I work. I build a story.” WTOP.

     

  • 5 Interesting Factoids about Deadly Valentine

    Deadly Valentine was years in the making. In fact, the book I envisioned when I started, was not the book that ultimately got published. I thought it would be fun to share some of the changes and developments of the story.

    Did any of these facts surprise you? Did I make good choices?

  • Tess’ Easy Chocolate Truffles

    In Old Flames Never Die, Tess makes chocolate truffles while she waits from Jack to return from a business trip. Here is an easy chocolate truffle recipe sure to please your chocolate-tooth. I’m sorry, I don’t have a picture at this time. But trust me, they look and taste great.

    Ingredients

    12 ounces high quality chocolate (semisweet or bittersweet), chopped
    3 tbsp unsalted butter
    1/3 cup heavy cream
    1 tsp real vanilla extract
    High quality sweet or dark cocoa powder (to use as coating)

    Directions

    1. In a double boiler over barely simmering water combine chocolate, butter and heavy cream. Heat until chocolate is melted and stirring until mixture is smooth.

    2. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla.

    3. Poor mixture into a into a shallow dish and cool to room temperature.

    4. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours.

    5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a small scoop or a melon baller, scoop out chocolate mixture, roll into one inch balls, and place on baking sheet. If you’ve refrigerated the chocolate for longer than 2 hours or it’s too hard to work with, let it sit at room temperature until it’s easy to scoop.

    6. Coat the balls by rolling in sweet or dark cocoa powder.

    7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Makes about 30 truffles