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After learning she has a philandering husband, the once-devoted Cyndy Bradford leaves for Australia to be free and turn her desires into reality. She joins a diamond mining expedition with a successful playboy, Steve DeLorenzo, who helps her discover erotic romance and forbidden pleasures, but who also wants to marry her and have a family; a mistake she won’t repeat. Then, when taken captive by the cartel, she learns to trust her own strength and Steve's love to survive and thrive emotionally, physically, and financially.

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Over the course of time I'll add some of my favorite recipes to awaken and stimulate your taste buds (and are relatively easy to prepare).

Bon Appétit

- Passionate Potions

- Tempting Appetizers

Every once in awhile it's fun to sip on something sexy. Here's one of my favorites! Pair this with "Grilled Shrimp wrapped in Procscuitto" to start off a night to remember....

Mangopolitan
1/2 cup mango juice
1/2 cup cranberry vodka
1/4 cup simple syrup (Bring 1/2 water, 1/2 sugar to a boil. Then take off heat.)
Juice of one lime
Slice of mango

In a martini pitcher filled with ice add all the ingredients, except the slices of mango. Stir to blend and chill. Pour into 4 martini glasses and garnish with mango slice. Serves 4.

Mutual Orgasm
How can this NOT be on any list of favie love potions! LOL!
2 oz almond liqueur
1 oz creme de cacao
1 oz. vodka
2 oz. half-and-half
Pour ingredients into a pint glass half-filled with ice cubes. Serves 1.

Chocolate Martini
If you love chocolate you must try this drink! Use Godiva chocolate liqueur or clear creme de cacao for a romantic toast.

1 chocolate "kiss" or "hug"
Ice
2 fluid ounces chocolate liqueur
1 1/2 fluid ounces vanilla flavored vodka

Place the "Kiss" or "Hug" in the bottom of a martini glass. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the chocolate liqueur and vodka to the shaker. Shake briskly to mix and chill. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Makes 1 serving.

Variations:
- Omit the "Kiss" and grate chocolate on top of the martini before serving.
- Create a chocolate "olive": Spear a chocolate covered cherry or a decadent truffle (from Harry & David's) with a plastic cocktail skewer and serve in the drink.
- Rim glass with simple syrup (1 cup water and 1 cup water dissolved together) then dip in sweetened cocoa powder.
- For a mocha martini, use Kahlua in place of the vanilla vodka.

Banana Cream Pie Martini
Yummm....perhaps the picture can help you think up some fun and creative ways to sip, or suck, on this one. ;)

1 part banana liqueur
1 part creme de cacao
1 part vodka
1 part half-and-half

Mix in a shaker with ice then strain.

I'd love to hear from you! Please feed me your comments, suggestions, or just drop by to say, "Hi".

E-mail me: rena@q.com

For Guys:

For Gals:

For Couples:

(This is too cute, I couldn't resist!)

Stay posted. I'll have listed here sites of other authors I enjoy and sites I find of interest to all.

It's been a busy past month. After attending the RWA conference in Dallas last month, I've been writing diligently to rework a few sections of "Diamonds & Decadence" before sending to the publisher. I'm bouncing off the walls with glee right now! I'm finally finished with the rewrite and the polishing touches on my website!

Oh the website... I know I could pay someone to do it for me, but I think it's the engineer in me - I love to tinker! There are still a few areas I'd like to tweak, but all in all I'm still enjoying the look and feel of it. I only hope now my readers will too.

No rest for the weary. Now it's time to start the character sketches and outlines for books #2 and #3. I can't wait to dig in. After two years on the last one, I've learned so much about the craft and art of writing romance it will be fun (and much faster) writing future works. ;)