SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab the novel/novella your currently reading or previously read
Open to the first page of Chapter 1 or its Prologue
Share the SECOND sentence from that page
Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want
** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
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PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT to share either the link to your own SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY post or share the sentence in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thank You!
Time to spread the love with my 6TH ANNUAL BEST BOOK COUPLES LIST!
At the bottom of this page check out which book couple from my list who was chosen by you as the 2017's Ultimate Best Book Couple!
Standards to being a Best Book Couple :
A book couple who Jess thoroughly enjoyed reading about this past year (from February 2016 - January 2017)
Jess had to have rated their novel/novella 3.5 stars or higher
♥ means that I gave the couple's novel a 5 star rating
-- These books are listed in no particular order. --
-- Read more about the novel (and a teaser or two) that each couple is in by clicking their title links. --
-- To find out who were on my previous lists check out the links at the bottom of this page. --
ALSO -- Be sure to check out the Giveaway at the bottom of this post!! [Giveaway will run from February 14 - 19, 2017] --
Leigh & Ian[from "Let Us Prey" [Wild Operatives Series, Book 2] by Vivienne Savage]: Even though when Ian first sees Leigh he recognizes her as his mate, it was the gradual way they went about getting into a relationship that made me really like them as a couple.
Maggie (Margaret) & Camden[from "Masquerade" [Scandalous Ballroom Encounters Series, Book 1] by Victoria Vale]: Maggie is a fun character, sweet yet daring, understands her position in life but willing to take a chance. I found her very cool. Then throw Camden at her and WOW, the words burn off the pages because of the passion between them.
Olivia & Joseph[from "The Sheikh's American Daughter" by Kate Goldman]: I enjoyed the push-and-pull relationship that Olivia has with Joseph. I liked how he won her over even when she never really gave in.
Emma & Cameron (Cam)[from "The Bad Boy's Baby" [Hope Springs Series, Book 3] by Cindi Madsen]: As a family Cam, Emma, and Zoey were as cute as can be. While Cam & Emma worked well together and seeing their relationship grow delighted me. It was easy to root for them.
Amanda (Mandy) & Dustin[from "Love in Bloom" by Delilah Devlin]: They are cute and captivating in their sweet erotic romance! I wish I could have read more about them.
Eve (Nesiah) & West[from "Shadow of a Girl" by Shannon Greenland]: I loved the innocent passion Eve shares with West... They were/are meant for one another!! I LOVE them together as they match up so well. ♥
Ainsley & Zane[from "Bump in the Night" by Dakota Rebel]: I LOVED Ainsley’s relationship with both Zane and Kate! Zane seemed like Ainsley’s perfect half, plus he’s described as a handsome vampire who was also sweet and charming, while Kate was just a sweet girl who Ainsley and Zane unintentionally grew to love and wanted the best for her future.
Rayna & Kabril[from "King of Prey" [King of Prey Series, Book 1] by Mandy M. Roth]: Together they were a unique pair, a pair that becomes a united front against anyone wanting to separate them while bringing out a lightheartedness into each other’s lives.
Mary & Eric[from "The Governess Was Wanton" [The Governess Series, Book 2] by Julia Kelly]: They were perfect for one another. And how Mary just seemed to fit into Eric and his daughter's lives was so seamless that it only took putting down "the rival" to make everything work for them. ♥
Rachel & Adrian (Noah/Hawk)[from "Hawk's Revenge" [Lone Pine Pride Series, Book 3] by Vivi Andrews]: Sizzling, hot, and passionate. Their relationship sets this novel one cut above the rest with the dynamic ways these two came back together. I’m amazed by how it all worked out for them! ♥
Chloe & Michael[from "Bedded Bliss" [Found in Oblivion Series, Book 1] by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott]: I loved how Michael pretty much worshipped Chloe. I mean they might not have known each other that well before Vegas but I loved how their relationship came together and how Michael was determined to make a go of them together no matter what. ♥
Alexandra (Alex), Zain (Darkness), Darren & Tork[from "Her Stepbrothers Are Demons" by Trinity Blacio]: Alex is a strong-willed woman with a soft heart, which makes her the perfect counterpart to Zain (Darkness), Darren, & Tork's restless "demonic" ways.
Dara & Matthew (Matt)[from "The Virgin Cowboy Billionaire’s Secret Baby" by Lauren Gallagher]: Watching them fall in love without realizing it was happening was pretty special. Also, I appreciated how the arguments in their novel were between everyone else yet not between them. No that doesn't mean that they had the "perfect" lives/relationship, but it showed how committed they were to each other; it was them against everyone else. So sweet!! ♥
Claire & Adam[from "Prodigal" [Maelstrom Chronicles, Book 3] by Jody Wallace]: I enjoyed how prickly Claire was, with her being her vivacious-self. I loved how Adam seemed to calm her down in a way to make her see the “bigger picture” of it all while opening up her heart too.
Lindi & Kade[from "Under Her Skin" [Shifter Shield Series, Book 1] by Margo Bond Collins]: As their were-animals are sworn enemies, finding that Kade happens to be Lindi biggest ally is intriguing in more ways than one. Then add in their combative attraction seems to set the pages on fire and me wanting to read more about this dynamic duo. ♥
Astrid & The Duke of Montford (Montford, Monty, Cyril)[from "The Duke's Holiday" [Regency Romp Trilogy, Book 1] by Maggie Fenton]: While finding out how their backstories had interesting similarities was charmingly fated, in a way. It was both of their underlying sweetness to others (at least to those who mattered) that I couldn’t help but enjoy.
Kate (Katie) & Syon (The Marquis)[from "Rock Me Two Times" [Rock Band Series, Book 1] by Dawn Ryder]: *happy sigh* Intense seems to be the word for this couple’s book review and it goes perfectly for this couple too. They are combustible. ♥
Risa & Linc (Lincoln)[from "Caged Magic" [Wing Slayer Hunters Series, Book 5] by Jennifer Lyon]: Together they steamed up the pages of this novel and kept me wanting to read even more about their growing relationship. I was envious and smitten by what they shared together.
Abby & Nathan[from "Abby and the Cute One" [Backstage Pass Series, Book 5] by Erin Butler]: Their relationship is written in a way that is so sweet I felt like saying, “Awwww,” within most of their scenes. It has that sweet romance teen factor that can charm you from the beginning and leaves you wanting more.
Chloe & Ryan[from "Once Upon a Power Play" [Risky Business Series, Book 2] by Jennifer Bonds]: Ryan and Chloe MADE me sit down and notice them. With Chloe’s flare and Ryan’s All-American Boy sweetness, I couldn’t stop being emotionally invested in this novel, laughing one moment and getting teary eyed during the deep scenes. ♥
Rebekah & Joshua[from "An Amish Match" [Amish Hearts Series, Book 2] by Jo Ann Brown]: I found Joshua and Rebekah’s relationship to be a sweet hesitant romance that was enjoyable to witness as their love grew for one another. They captivated me with their love story. I’m so happy they got together!
Abigail (Abi) & Elijah (Eli)[from "Breaking Him" by Sherilee Gray]: It was so SWEET how Elijah handled Abigail, he's definitely a gentle giant at least when it comes to her.
Comment/vote up to 3 times either on our blog post and/or on the FB post above with the name of a couple (if you like more than one list them too) that you like FROM MY 2017 BEST BOOK COUPLES LIST
When commenting on my blog post BE SURE to LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDY so I can contact you
* Click the "see more" on the above FB Post to find out more details about this giveaway.
Prizes : THREE WINNERS will WIN either a $25 Amazon GC Giveaway and ONE of TWO Author Surprise Packages!!
Step right up! Step right up! Get those taste buds ready for the Pie Bake-Off booth hosted by the lovely Entangled Bliss authors. Each author specially baked a pie sure to delight. Check out the video and let us know which pie are you dying to eat? You can grab all of the recipes below. Be sure to enter the giveaway below![Blog Tour will run from August 3 – 14, 2016 & Giveaway will run until August 16, 2016]
Summer Carnival Pie Bake-Off Featuring Ophelia London, Jennifer Shirk, Kyra Jacobs, and Cindi Madsen
~ Lemon Ice Box Pie ~
~ Submitted By: Ophelia London ~
Ingredients :
One 8oz. container of Cool Whip
One 14oz. can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/3 cup of Lemon Juice
One Graham Cracker Crust
Directions :
Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl. When evenly mixed, pour into graham cracker crust. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
A video posted by Ophelia London (@ophelia_london) on
~ SUMMER BERRY BERRY PIE ~
~ Submitted By: Jennifer Shirk ~
Hi, all! Jennifer here!
Thanks for stopping by the Bliss Pie Bake-Off!
For me, nothing says summer like a fresh fruit pie! My pie I've chosen for this bake-off has fresh raspberries, blueberries (a NJ fruit), strawberries and blackberries. YUM!
I admit that pie crust usually intimidates me, but the recipe for the crust that is included is super easy (especially if you have a food processor) and is great to work with since it rolled out really nice and even. And that rarely happens for me, so I will definitely make this crust again!
**I made the pie dough a day before to make it more simple for me.
If you all are interested, here is the recipe from www.jocooks.com
Ingredients :
Pie Crust :
2½ cup flour
1 cup cold butter, cubed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
6 to 8 tbsp ice cold water
Filling :
5 cups of mixed berries, sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
¾ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
1 tsp orange zest
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 egg white for egg wash
Instructions :
Place the butter in freezer for 20 minutes.
In a food processor add the flour, salt and sugar and pulse a couple times.
Add the butter to the food processor and pulse a few times until the mixture resembles peas. Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time and continue pulsing. The dough should start to hold together.
Remove dough from food processor and place it over your working surface. Form the dough into 2 discs, cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour up to 2 days before using.
Preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Coat a deep-dish pie crust plate with nonstick baking spray.
Place berries in a large bowl. In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cornstarch, orange zest and extract; mix well. Add to berries; toss to coat.
Take out the pastry discs from the fridge and roll out a disc so that it's 12 inches in diameter and place it and arrange in your pie dish. Brush the pie crust with egg white so that it doesn't get soggy.
Pour the berry mixture into the pie crust.
Roll out the other disc so that it's 12 inches in diameter as well and cut it into lattice strips. Arrange the lattice strips nicely over the berries and brush with remaining egg white.
A photo posted by 🌸Jennifer Shirk🌸 (@ocwriter_jen) on
~ Peanut Butter Pie ~
~ Submitted By: Kyra Jacobs ~
Ingredients :
9"x11" glass baking dish
1 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided into 2)
2 tsp milk
1 T corn syrup
1/2 c confectioners super (divided into 2)
1 c butter or margarine + 2 T
12 oz whipped topping (i.e. Cool Whip)
1 c peanut butter
1 c brown sugar
Graham cracker crust
Layer 1 - The Crust :
Prepare baked graham cracker crust per directions on packaging. Set aside to cool. (Feel free to use a standard pie crust or Oreo crust - all work great for this recipe!)
Layer 2 - Chocolate Base Layer :
Melt the following in a small saucepan: 3/4 c chocolate chips, 1 T butter, 2 tsp milk
Add 1/4 c confectioners sugar
Stir/blend
Remove from heat and spread chocolate sauce over bottom of crust. Set aside to cool completely.
Layer 3 - Peanut Butter Filling :
Melt 1 c butter in microwave, then stir in 1 c brown sugar
Allow to cool for 10 minutes
Pour mixture into blender and stir in 1 c peanut butter until well blended
Fold in 12 oz whipped topping
Pour filling over cooled chocolate layer
Layer 4 - Chocolate Topping :
Melt the following in a small saucepan: 3/4 c chocolate chips, 1 T butter, 1 T corn syrup, 1/4 c confectioners sugar
Mix well
Spread carefully over the peanut butter layer
Refrigerate until cool (great frozen as well!). Cut and serve!
~ Cherry Pie ~
~ Submitted By: Cindi Madsen ~
This pie crust recipe is simple, but the trick is the prep. You don't want to over-mix & the time in the fridge is essential to making the flakiest crust. (Also, credit for this crust goes to my neighbor from my hometown, Luella Crowther. It was the first time I ate all the crust on my piece of pie, because YUM!)
Ingredients :
Pie Crust :
2 C flour
** 1 C butter (softened enough to work with)
** shortening also works
1/2 C water
dash of salt
Add butter to flour and work in by hand until you have pea-sized bits. Scatter liquid over surface. Stir until just mixed with a fork and roll into two dough balls. Place balls in plastic wrap, pull up edges and press dough into a disk. Refrigerate for at least one hour before rolling out. (Fridge up to 5 days, freeze up to 3 months)
Pound bottom crust dough with rolling pen. Roll out and form into pie pan.
Filling :
1 Can of cherry pie filling (I search for the kind without corn syrup, because allergy fun!)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
1 T sugar
Mix and put on the bottom crust. (Fair warning, I like my cherries on the sweeter side with a little tart. If you prefer more tart, skip the sugar & vanilla)
Roll out second crust & cover. Flute edges & put in vent holes. Cover edges with foil, so they don't get too done. Bake at 375 for 45-60 minutes.
"Wife for the Weekend" [Sugar City Series, Book 3] by Ophelia London
Author's Book Description :
Two bets. Two rings…and one wild night in Vegas!
When bad weather closes the airport, free-spirited Jules Bloom finds herself stuck with the admittedly hot but total suit Dexter Elliott. One night and one large pitcher of “Vegas Sunrise” later, Jules wakes up in a hotel bed with a vicious hangover…wearing nothing but a wedding ring.
Determined not to ruin his brother’s wedding, Dexter strikes a deal with the frustratingly gorgeous Jules to continue their quickie marriage through the weekend. Only she keeps getting under his skin in unexpected ways.
Jules has her own reasons for staying married to Dex but they seem less important with each exaggerated touch and staged kiss. But one marriage, one major secret, and two complete opposites don’t add up to a happily ever after…
"Wedding Date For Hire" [Anyone But You Series, Book 2] by Jennifer Shirk
Author's Book Description :
Hottie for hire…
Maddie McCarthy is single, between jobs, and (oh, the shame) lives with her mother. To make matters worse, she’s the maid of honor for her sister’s wedding, and desperately needs a date. Then she sees her salvation-Match Made Easy, a service for women in Maddie’s exact position. If she can’t find a boyfriend, she’ll do the next best thing…
Hire one.
Trent Montgomery isn’t actually part of Match Made Easy. He’s just doing a favor for his cousin, but one look at the blonde who hired him, and he’s totally hooked. Now Maddie thinks that the attraction sizzling between them is just “part of the package.” And Trent is running out of time to prove to her that her date-for-hire might just be her happily-ever-after…
"Her Unexpected Detour" [The Checkerberry Inn Series, Book 1] by Kyra Jacobs
Author's Book Description :
Sometimes it’s not the destination, but the detour…
Kayla has the perfect strategy for a broken heart: work, work, and more work. Then a storm sends her car skidding off the road, stranding her in Mount Pleasant. Fortunately, rescue comes in the form of the incredibly handsome but gruff Brent Masterson. And he’s hot enough to tempt Kayla into doing something she never thought she could do…
Brent Masterson swore he would never give into the fierce attraction that’s been sizzling between him and Kayla since they first met. He has his own demons, and he won’t risk his heart again. Not even for someone as gorgeous and amazing as Kayla. So…how exactly did he end up in Kayla’s bed last night?
But sometimes all it takes is an ice storm to show two broken hearts the way home…
"The Bad Boy's Baby" [Hope Springs Series, Book 3] by Cindi Madsen
Author's Book Description :
There are certain words that have always described Cam Brantley: Town bad boy. Soldier. Protector. But never, ever dad. Until he returns home from his latest military tour to discover the girl he had one smoking-hot night with is now mom to the adorable two-year-old Zoey. Who has his eyes.
Plenty of words could describe Emma Walker these days. Mom, dutiful granddaughter, budding designer, the town’s golden child. But when her longtime crush Cam Brantley comes back to town, she knows the perfect word to describe herself: screwed.
Cam and Emma are both shocked to discover he truly wants Zoey in his life. But Cam’s not sure he’s ready to be a dad, and Emma can’t gamble her daughter on maybes. As the long-simmering heat between Cam and Emma reaches a boiling point, he’ll have to work past his demons in order to be the man both girls need.
USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters she writes. Ophelia is the author of the upcoming "THE LAST PLUS ONE" anthology; "WIFE FOR THE WEEKEND;" "AIMEE & THE HEARTTHROB;" "CHALK LINES & LIPSTICK;" "DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE;" the Abby Road series; and the Perfect Kisses series.
Jennifer Shirk has a bachelor degree in pharmacy-which has in NO WAY at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out, since it shows romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing educations.
She writes sweet romantic comedies and won third place in the RWA 2006 NYC's Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest with her book, "The Role of a Lifetime." Recently, her novel "SUNNY DAYS FOR SAM" won the 2013 Golden Quill Published Authors Contest for Best Traditional Romance.
She's also a board member for Straight Ahead Ministries, an organization involved in helping spread the gospel and aiding medical and pharmacy students in Russia. She resides in a beach resort in NJ, and when she's not involved in all the above, she's taking care of her most treasured possessions: her husband, daughter, guinea pig (Rocco), puppy (Sox) and four hermit crabs.
My Previous Interview(s) with Jennifer Shirk :April 2012
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. Her romance novels range from sweet contemporaries to urban suspense, and paranormal/fantasy to YA. No matter the setting, Kyra employs both humor and chaos to help her characters find inspiration and/or redemption on their way to happily ever after.
When the Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.
Be sure to stop by her IndianaWonderer blog (link below) for tidbits about her upcoming novels, as well as stories and musings in between book releases.
Cindi Madsen is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.
This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
You can check out Rakuten Marketing's privacy policy here: https://rakutenmarketing.com/legal-notices/services-privacy-policy/