Does a Racy Read Deserve Media Backlash?

I recently received C.J. Ellisson's novel Big Game for review. The concept intrigued me, but as the third book in a series I had never even heard of, I struggled to get into it. If a person were to start at the beginning and work through the series it might be different, but I had trouble just being dropped into the paranormal world the author has created. I did enjoy one thing about the book though, the fact the characters were not hopping  from lover to lover. This is not something you see in many "romance" novels these days. As you will see in the release below, C.J. Ellisson's attitude on the subject is refreshing.

"Does a Racy Read Deserve Media Backlash?"

Sterling, VA, May 30, 2012 – With the third book in her V V Inn series, author C.J. Ellisson confirms her status as a leader in the field of paranormal romance/contemporary fantasy. The engaging and witty combination of Vivian, a 580-year-old vampire, and her gorgeous human husband Rafe, gives readers all the romance they can handle along with the snarky, fast-paced interplay of married life on the wild side. Vampire Vacation, The Hunt and Big Game (Red Hot Publishing) offer full satisfaction in more ways than one.

C.J. Ellisson is a relatively new writer, and she's on a mission. “I’ve read the genre for years, and the most annoying recurring trait throughout the bestsellers is the main characters' lack of relationship stability and constant bed-hopping.

“That may be fine when you’re young and twenty-two,” Ellisson continues, “but when you’re a mature reader it gets annoying that your favorite genre completely overlooks the difficulty and challenges of keeping a relationship strong and sexually healthy as the years go on. Which in my mind is a heck of a lot harder than falling into lust with the latest hot guy.

“Why can’t the heroine save the world, solve the crime, and journey to unknown lands with a strong man by her side supporting her?

“That’s what I wanted to read, so I wrote it.”

The main character Vivian owns a resort for the undead; her supernatural ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot—a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true. Her capacity for drama, manipulation and control are put to the test in the first three volumes of the series. In Vampire Vacation, she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body, convinced he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests. But juggling the demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn't easy.

The second in the series, The Hunt, opens with seven vampires and seven werewolves preparing to hunt a supernatural criminal across the cold, vast grounds of the resort. Things quickly begin to spiral out of control as the prey exhibits a cunning, and deadly, instinct for survival. Third in the series, Big Game promises two fast-paced adventures, one involving the shooting of a werewolf at the Alaskan resort and another as we follow our loving couple through the challenges of tracking exactly who suspects Vivian’s most well-guarded secret.

Since February 2009, when C.J. Ellisson first tried her hand at writing, she has written and published three full-length contemporary fantasy novels in her award-winning, bestselling V V Inn series, two erotica novellas, and has contributed to six erotica anthologies. She started a small press, Red Hot Publishing, which now publishes fifteen authors, founded an adult content blog, Everything Erotic, which has over seven hundred paid subscribers on Kindle and over two thousand followers on Facebook, and founded Red Hot Readers on Facebook to match small authors up with their three thousand interested readers.

Warning: This book series contains very explicit sex scenes, intended for mature readers over 18 only.

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Please visit: http://www.cjellisson.com

Or her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/c.j.ellissonfanpage

 

Things I Love About Summer

Photo by Michael Case

McAlister's Deli Free Tea Day July 26th

McAlister's Deli makes the best glass of sweet tea I've ever had. Pop into one near you tomorrow for your own 32 ounce cup free of charge!

LIFE JUST GOT A LITTLE SWEETER WITH McALISTER’S DELI ‘FREE TEA DAY’ ON JULY 26^TH

More Than 300 Restaurants in 22 States Expect to Serve Over 225,000 Glasses of Free Tea to the Community

RIDGELAND, Miss. (July 11, 2012) – Free Tea Day is back by popular demand at McAlister’s Deli.  On Thursday, July 26^th, guests who visit any of the participating McAlister’s Deli locations will get a free 32-ounce, signature McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea™.  No coupon is required and no purchase is necessary.

“Free Tea Day at McAlister’s is an annual tradition that our guests look forward to all year long,” said Kirk Lanier, President of franchise group The Saxton Group.  “It’s a special treat that allows us to thank our loyal guests and encourage those who haven’t tried our famous tea to experience what makes it so popular for themselves.” 

McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea™, the 23-year-old restaurant’s signature drink, is hand crafted several times each day to insure optimal freshness.   McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea™ is a rainforest certified black tea blend and is made exclusively with filtered water and pure cane sugar for a high quality taste. 

“You don’t expect to get anything for free these days, but on July 26^th at McAlister’s Deli, all our guests will get a free glass of McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea,” said McAlister’s Deli President and CEO Frank Paci. “Last year on Free Tea Day, we shared over 225,000 glasses of tea with our guests, and this year we expect to top that.  It’s just a small way for us to show our customers we appreciate their loyalty throughout the year.”

Free Tea Day began in 2009 and has become an anticipated annual summertime event.  McAlister’s is promoting Free Tea Day with a myriad of in-store and social media activities including weekly photo contests and a “Sweet Tweet of the Week.” Details can be found at www.mcalistersdeli.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeaFreaks or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MCALISTERSDELI, follow @McAlistersDeli.

About McAlister’s Deli

Founded in 1989, Ridgeland, Mississippi-based McAlister’s Deli is a quick-casual restaurant chain known for its sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads, desserts and McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea™.  In addition to dine-in and take-out service, McAlister’s also offers casual catering, with a selection of deli and sandwich trays, vegetable, cheese and fruit trays, breakfast trays, box lunches and desserts, McAlister’s Deli currently has 307 restaurants in 22 states.  McAlister’s Deli has earned numerous accolades, including most recently Nation’s Restaurant News ranking the chain fourth in its inaugural Consumer Picks study, the highest of any sandwich chain and higher than any bakery café restaurant.  For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.

About The Saxton Group

A part of the restaurant industry for over 26 years, The Saxton Group has a rich history of multi-unit and multi-brand development. Initially a small operation with two restaurants, the group has evolved into industry veterans and leaders with locations operating in more than four states. The company is currently the largest McAlister's Deli franchisee in the country, one of Restaurant Franchise Monitor's Top 200 restaurant franchisees, and is aggressively expanding McAlister's Deli and Pinkberry concepts throughout Texas. Through the years, The Saxton Group has maintained a family approach to business and takes pride in teaching every employee about the restaurant business from the ground up. The group is headquartered in Dallas, Tex., and one was recently named a Dallas 100 company for dynamic growth by SMU's Cox School of Business.  For more information, please visit www.thesaxtongroup.com.

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Southern Living What's for Supper Review and Giveaway

There are not many things I collect, but of the things I do cookbooks are at the top of the list. Some of my favorites are Southern Living cookbooks. Not only are the recipes amazing, but the pictures make you drool. I can spend hours just browsing a good cookbook. Southern Living's What's for Supper cookbook is no exception. I was excited when this cookbook arrived because trying new recipes is one of my favorite things. The cookbook's chapters include:

• The Supper Table
• Dinner's in the Pantry
• Don't Drive Through, Drive Home
• No -Cook Suppers
• Slow Cooker
• Picky Eaters
• Cooking for Two
• Weeknight Company

No matter what cooking challenges you face, What's for Supper likely has a solution for you. The Supper Table offers quick fix solutions on everything from salads to beverages, including a recipe to make perfect sweet tea. We are on a pretty strict grocery budget, so Dinner's in the Pantry was a big hit, offering new recipes made with ingredients I had on hand. Don't Drive Through, Drive Home is full of recipes that are quick to prepare and taste so much better than fast food fare. My favorite chapters are No-Cook Suppers and Slow Cooker. Summer in Texas is not the ideal time to be slaving over a hot stove, so delicious recipes that can be made without heating up the house are always a welcome addition to our menu. Those with Picky Eaters will find an array of kid friendly fare sure to please those with even the most discriminating palettes. I also very much enjoyed the Cooking for Two chapter because this is something I still find challenging after so many years of cooking for a bigger bunch. In Weeknight Company you will find great recipes to offer guests that won't have you in the kitchen forever, but will still impress. What's for Supper really offers a little something for everyone.

One of the tasty No-Cook Suppers recipes is this light, refreshing Honey Chicken Salad. It makes a great supper on a hot evening.

Honey-Chicken Salad
makes 4 to 6 servings
hands-on time: 20 min. total time: 20 min.

1⁄2 cup chopped pecans
4 cups chopped cooked
chicken
3 celery ribs, diced (about 1 1⁄2 cups)
3/4 cup chopped fresh peaches
3/4 cup fresh blackberries
1 1⁄2 cups mayonnaise
1⁄3 cup honey
1⁄4 tsp. salt
1⁄4 tsp. pepper
Garnish: toasted chopped pecans

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together mayonnaise and next 3 ingredients. Add to chicken mixture, stirring gently until combined. Garnish, if desired.

sidekick: green salad with raspberry vinaigrette
Process 1⁄3 cup raspberry or red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth. With blender or processor running, add 1/2 cup oil in a slow, steady stream; process until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil. Top salad greens with sliced vine-ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, and 1/4 cup red onion; drizzle with dressing.

Want a copy of What's for Supper to add to your collection? I have a copy for one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

Baby Gourmet Natural Organic Baby Food Review

Baby food has come a long way since my kids were infants. Back then it all came in glass jars and was not the easiest to travel with. I wasn't as savvy as I am now then either. Though I did check ingredient labels, I didn't know the importance of organic ingredients or to check for thickeners and such. I wish I'd known then what I know now.

Now moms have great options available when choosing what to feed their little ones. One of those options is Baby Gourmet natural, organic baby food. The resealable packaging is BPA free and extremely portable. You can easily squeeze it out by the spoonful for younger ones or hand it over to older babies and let them feed themselves. The food itself is organic, contains no added salt, sugar, thickeners, or fillers. Company founder Jennifer Broe is a mother committed to feeding her children food that is both nutritious and delicious. Every batch of Baby Gourmet is taste tested and poured out if it is not absolutely perfect. Each recipe starts out in real kitchens and it shows in the creative varieties available.

I received Tropical Banana Bliss to review. I was pleasantly surprised to find food that not only smelled great, but tasted delicious. Yes, I tasted it myself. I shared with a friend's son too. Garrett is a notoriously picky eater, but absolutely devoured the Baby Gourmet food. After sampling it and reading up on Baby Gourmet, I would absolutely recommend this to those looking for a tasty, health food for their infant.

TexasHousewife.com Product Review Disclosure- I have received no compensation from Baby Gourmet other than the offer of free product to review. Any opinions expressed on TexasHousewife.com are my own. My reviews are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.