Christmas Giveaway!

Harlequin Romance authors have grouped together to offer readers a chance to win a Kindle Voyage eReader pre-loaded with an armful of fabulous books.

It's a Rafflecopter giveaway . Just click the link to enter but be quick - it's open from 17-20 November.

There are, as you can see books from all your favourite romance authors, including one of me!

Get clicking and good luck!

How BDSM and Sweet Romance Are Connected by Barbara Wallace

Recently Esquire Magazine published an essay by Stephen Marche entitled, “The Sex Scene is Dead” in which he noted that graphic movie sex had become old hat.  This got me thinking, would the same thing happen with romance novels?  Is it happening already?

When Fifty Shades of Gray first came out, the romance writing world went crazy.  Granted, erotica had been around for a while, but suddenly, there was real money to be made in pushing the envelope.  Grab your leather and whip, baby, because BDSM was where it was at.  You couldn’t log onto Facebook or Twitter without seeing at least one reference to domination.

Lately, however, I’ve suspected readers might be becoming less enthusiastic then they were two years ago.  Like with the actual Shades of Gray books, BDSM books have gotten repetitive.  I saw one tweet the other day chuckling over how the characters in a book were shocked by sexual activities that she considered ‘been there, done that’.  And on some message boards, a few readers have complained about BDSM and erotica creeping into their romances.  (Thus denoting an important difference between romance and erotic romance, btw.)  To me, these are subtle signs of reader fatigue.  I predict that, in another couple of years, the erotica boom will decline.  Will it disappear?  Never.  Subgenres might shrink, but they never truly dry up.  But the wagon jumpers – the writers who piled on because there was money to be made – they’ll start to depart, leaving the dedicated erotica writers – the ones who were there all along – to satisfy their readers.

So, why do I, a sweet romance writer, care about the BDSM trend?  Because, my friends, the pendulum swings both ways.  You know how, when you’ve had too much candy, you suddenly want something healthy?  Well, that’s how it works with romance novels too.  After awhile, readers want something different.  At conference this fall, a well known contemporary author commented that she saw a growing interest in sweet romances.  A new trend is coming, and for once, I might actually be ahead of the curve.  I’m looking forward to it.

What about you? Do you think the erotica craze is slowing down?  Do you even care?  Do you think readers will be looking for sweeter, gentler romance?  

Here are the prizes -

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Spring Decadence: Salad Cancels Cupcakes, Right? :-) By Shirley Jump

Around Easter, almost every year, I have a little brunch with my friends. I like to pair something light with something decadent, which is where this combination came from. It’s the Diet Coke and fries theory—one cancels the other, right?

Years ago, I had come across a recipe for Insalata Rustica in Bon Appetit–on that page where people write in about their favorite place they ate at, and ask for the recipe. Long story short, the reviews were right. The Insalata Rustica was AWESOME. The only change I made was adding chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese (not the soft white kind, the firmer kind you buy in a hunk). I like cheese and I like cheese with my prosciutto. So I added extra. It’s a really good entertaining recipe, too. Looks GORGEOUS on the plate (my pic doesn’t do it justice) and is just the right combo of sweet and savory.

Now for my ALL TIME EVER FAVORITE CUPCAKES. And that’s saying a lot, given that I will drive an hour out of my way for a good chocolate or salted caramel cupcake. These are Ina Garten’s recipe (the Barefoot Contessa) and they are DIVINE.

These carrot cupcakes…I can’t even begin to say enough good about them. They were worth every step. Even the little decorative carrot shavings on top (which get cooked in maple syrup!) were worth it. If you like carrot cupcakes or carrot cake, you MUST try these. I know my picture there is a bit blurry, but that’s because I was in such a hurry to eat them

The review for the cupcakes on Better Homes and Gardens said that person had burning issues with their stove. I had no such trouble, so I wonder if it was their stove, or what. Mine turned out perfectly, with just the teeniest bit of crunchiness on top. Perfection. Link to the recipe here.

FYI, the recipe says it makes 22. I got 24 out of the batter, and had extra frosting leftover. Yeah, I know, real bummer on the frosting. Really had to force myself to eat it

I think I can pretend these are good breakfast foods. I mean, they have raisins and carrots in them. Cream cheese is a dairy. That’s good, right?

Hope your spring is awesome and wonderful! And if you’re looking for a decadent read, check out the next book in my Sweetheart Sisters series: THE SWEETHEART RULES (warning: shameless plug to follow):

The Sweetheart Sisters are ready to give some old-school lessons in love…

Rescue Bay veterinarian Diana Tuttle is a great single mom, but she has a harder time taking care of herself. Having been burned in the past by her son’s noncommittal father, the last thing she wants is a man who isn’t in it for the long haul—until a foolish one-night stand from her past walks back into her life.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Mike Stark has never wanted to settle down. But when his ex-wife leaves their two small children on his doorstep, he is forced to become a family man in a hurry. His return to Rescue Bay, Florida and fatherhood isn’t easy, but reconnecting with Diana makes the challenge all the more worthwhile. Except becoming the long-term lover she has in mind may be one commitment too many…

Luckily, when Diana’s and Mike’s pasts begin to threaten their future, the Sweetheart Sisters have the perfect scheme to make this second chance last a lifetime.

Buy it here or in a bookstore near you! And read an awesome review here, if you’re so inclined :-)

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway. Tell me, what’s your favorite spring recipe? Anything decadent? Or do you go healthy with that eek-it’s-almost-swimsuit-season attitude?

Shirley

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump spends her days writing romance and women's fiction to feed her shoe addiction and avoid cleaning the toilets. She cleverly finds writing time by feeding her kids junk food, allowing them to dress in the clothes they find on the floor and encouraging the dogs to double as vacuum cleaners.

Look for her Sweet and Savory Romance series, including the USA Today bestselling book, THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE, on Amazon and Nook, and the debut of her Sweetheart Club series for Berkley, starting with THE SWEETHEART BARGAIN in September 2013.

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Visit her website at www.shirleyjump.com or read recipes and life adventures at www.eating-my-words.com.

Chocolate Box Spring Blog Hop

Welcome to the Chocolate Box Spring Blog Hop. There'll be a load of posts during April and May from all the member of the Chocolate Box Blog - and a load of prizes including t-shirts, books from fabulous writers such as Donna Alward, Shirley Jump, Susan Meier, Kate Hardy, Jackie Braun, Ami Weaver, Samantha Hunter, Barbara Wallace and Michelle Douglas and - obviously - chocolate! There should be a rafflecopter at the end of this post - if I can ever get it to work - and the more things you click, the more chances to win. :)

My first post is on the colours of spring...

For me the great joy of spring is waking up from the black/grey/white palette of winter to a burst of yellows, purples, pinks as the spring flowers put on a look-at-me show.

Snowdrops are brilliant, but there is nothing like the zingy yellow of the daffodils and this year they have been a joy both in the garden and the little tete-a-tetes mixed with grape hyacinths in “welcome” pots by the front door.

After a particularly nasty winter – not particularly cold here, just endless rain – it seems that the flowers can’t wait to put on a show.

White and pink blossom is breaking out everywhere. The violets planted last autumn are in full flower. The stunning blue of the pulmonarias is lighting up a dark corner and golden wallflowers are filling the air with luscious scent. And across the road we look out on the gorgeous deep pink magnolia in a neighbour’s garden.

Even the tulips, that end-of-spring favourite, are sticking up fat green buds, in a hurry to join the show.

What flower says to you that winter is over, puts a bounce in your step, makes you smile?

Liz's latest romance, For His Eyes Only, published by Harlequin KISS is available now. You can find her at her website

 HERE ARE THE PRIZES!

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