"It's not true we only have one life to love,
if we read, we can live as many lives as we wish."
- S.I. Hayakawa
Hello My Lovelies and Happy Valentines Day!
By now you know my deal. My annual Amour Rouge posts are about beautiful, unique, sexy, yet inexpensive, last minute ways to perfect the most romantic day of the year. Lately I've noticed a variety of articles and posts about 'self-love,' or, as Dr. Andrea Brandt defines it: "having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness...taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others...not settling for less than you deserve." Granted, a few of those articles/posts are shamelessly corny, but the idea - taking a moment to care for yourself - is appealing and tantalizing. What's more self-loving than taking an hour or three, for yourself, to lose yourself, and enjoy a passionate, incredibly naughty novel? Thus for Amour Rouge 2020, I offer a list of my favorite raunchy romance novels. My picks are all over the romantic map, so buckle up.
The Missing by Shiloh Walker
Cullen Morgan has never forgiven Taige Branch for not using her psychic gift to prevent a tragic event. But when his little girl is kidnapped, Taige is his only hope in finding her - and a chance to rekindle the love that still burns between them.
Naked In Death by J.D. Robb
Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all - and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, and Irish billionaire - and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and its up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about-except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.
Beautiful Prey by Phoenix Daniels
Undercover Vice officer, Victoria Price, is on a mission to catch a serial killer that's targeting prostitutes walking the mean streets of Chicago. Billionaire Jack Storm sees the beautiful prostitute and considers breaking his own rule...Follow Jack and Victorian through their very erotic courtship until a sadistic serial killer sets his eyes on Victoria and threatens to take the one woman Jack can't live without.
Guilty Pleasures by Laurels K. Hamilton
Anita Blake is small, dark and dangerous. Her turf is the city of St. Louis. Her job: re-animating the dead and killing the undead who take things too far. But when the city's most powerful vampire asks her to solve a series of vicious slayings, Anita must confront her greatest fear - her undeniable attraction to master vampire Jean-Claude, one of the creatures she's sworn to destroy.
What the Earl Desires by Aliyah Burke
Najja, a warrior, comes to England from Africa, with the sole purpose of keeping her charge safe. Finding love is not even in the equation, it's an impossible dream. Colin Faulkner, the new Earl of Clifton doesn't see it that way. Damn Society's rules, she is...what the Earl desires...
Lightning by Dean Koontz
In the midst of a raging blizzard, lighting struck on the night Laura Shane was born. And a mysterious blond-haired stranger showed up just in time to save her from dying. Years later, in the wake of another storm, Laura will be saved again. For someone is watching over her. Is he the guardian angel he seems? The evil in disguise? Or the master of a haunting destiny beyond all time and space?
Destino by Sienna Mynx
Mira Eilison is poised to have it all. In 1989, she is the prominent fashion designer redefining change for both beauty and style among the renowned in Italy...until she meets a tall, mysteriously charming Sicilian businessman...What harm could come from a little fling in one of the most beautiful countries in the world bring? Plenty.
The Valley of the Horses by Jane M. Auel
Cruelly cast out by the new leader of the ancient Clan that adopted her as a child, Ayla leaves those she loves behind and travels alone through a stark, open land...she saves tall, handsome Jondalar, who brings her a language to speak and an awakening of love and desire, but Ayla is torn between her fear of leaving her valley and her hope of living with her own kind.
the perfect Reader's Nook
"I like it cute and cozy and a little funky..." - Glennon Doyle Melton
In this space, I had planned to post photos of gorgeous reader's nooks: elaborately upholstered Bergere chairs with perfectly matched ottomans; bedecked with sumptuous pillows and ultra soft throws. Of course they're awash in brilliant sun because they're positioned in front of huge picture windows with views of the ocean, or mountains, or forests - maybe a bit of all three ;-} and there's a tiny perfectly placed marble topped table, just large enough to hold a teapot, sugar and creamer, and Limoges cup and saucer; or a perfectly chilled half bottle of champagne with the perfect crystal flute. But then I realized that's not my perfect reader's nook, never has been.
No, my perfect reader's nook - besides my bed, me lying on the floor of my carpeted hallway in a patch of afternoon sun, or chair at my kitchen table (always accompanied with tea, coffee, or champagne, in my favorite vintage Limoges cup and saucer set from Etsy) - has always been a transient, temporary spot. Born of necessity of place and stolen moment: sitting in the high school bleachers at my eldest son's football practice; curled up in a lawn chair on the tennis courts while my daughter works on her serve; sitting on an ugly overstuffed black leather chair while my youngest son works on his jump shot; sitting in my car, with the top down, Coco snoring on my lap, while I wait to pick up one or all of my three. That's the real and most beautiful thing about books: getting lost in the story is the nook.
Still, there are a few things I always have in hand to feather my reader's nook:
*something to nibble (usually: a warm chocolate croissant and/or small container of fruit and nuts)
*something to sip (my splurge: coffee from Starbucks, to go with that croissant; a large bottle of water)
*something to sit on that cushions my booty and supports my back (the best: The StrongBack and the Stadium Chair - best prices at Amazon).
*A fleece blanket (Walgreens and Target have the best @$10)
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*Most of these books are available in E-book format at the author's websites (Google). I implore you to purchase there, so each of these amazing authors can get 100% earnings from their awesome works. Patronizing their sites also give you the opportunity to learn about their other awesome titles.
*All of these books are available at Amazon, new and used (kindle, paperback and hardcover.
Happy reading!
Vivre! Rire!Aimer!
Temple
Temple
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