Giveaways at Ex Libris

Win a steampunk necklace from Jillian Stone - Open to US only - Ends 22 July

Win a $50 USD Amazon gift card from Tracy Ward - Open worldwide - Ends 23 July

Win The Bargain by Christine S. Feldman - Open worldwide - Ends 26 July

Win a gift pack + Amazon gift card from Robbie Terman - Open worldwide - Ends 31 July

Win a gift pack from Joya Fields - Open worldwide - Ends 31 July

Win Forsaken by the Others and more H&W Investigations books by Jess Haines - Open worldwide - Ends 2 August

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Guest post by Robbie Terman + Giveaway

By now you all know how much I LOVE food: making it, eating it and also reading about it! So it comes as no surprise that I love culinary romances and when I heard that Entangled Publishing would have a sexy foodie romance released soon, I was counting the days! Well it's finally here, so please give a warm welcome to Robbie Terman, who is here to tell you about her barnd new novel, ! (I even love the allusion to the Some Likte it Hot movie, one of my alltime favourites! ;-p)

Thanks for having me! It's great to be here.

Chocolate covered bacon
Many of you are probably experiencing the oppressively hot and humid days of summer. Yesterday, I hit a new local ice cream shop to cool down and discovered a new flavor: chocolate with bacon bits. My usual stance on bacon is that it makes everything better. But in ice cream? Surprisingly, it was amazing! Just the right blend of sweet and salty.

So, I started thinking about other combinations that don't seem to go together, but actually make the perfect pair. As someone who feels that food is merely a vehicle by which to eat condiments, it's not unusual to see me dip grilled cheese in ketchup or pour syrup over eggs. But I'm not alone in the food quirks department. Odd pairings are popping up in lots of restaurants. One of my favorites is the addition of sea salt to nearly every confection - brownies, pudding, even hot chocolate! If it was socially acceptable to eat butterscotch pudding with sea salt for every meal, I would!

In , several of the chefs on the show cook fusion, which blends together elements of different culinary traditions. One of my favorite characters combines both sides of his heritage and fuses traditional Jewish and Asian cuisines. It's common for him to whip up sweet and sour carp patties or lo mein noodle kugel (if his restaurant opened near me, I'd be the first in line!). Ty also specializes in fusion, but his focus is southern and French cuisine (think chicken fried chicken cordon bleu).

Like food, Ashton and Ty don't seem to go together (Ashton's school-girl celebrity crush aside!). Ashton is hot-tempered and fiery; Ty is laid back. Ashton is an independent woman from the north who gets the icks from big romantic gestures; Ty is a gentleman from Atlanta who believes in southern hospitality. Ashton is a chef who can't stand to be critiqued; Ty is the one judging her food. They clash before they've even filmed the first challenge!

But, like feta and watermelon, cucumbers and peanut butter, strawberries and balsamic vinegar, Ashton and Ty are surprisingly perfect for one another. What odd food combinations do you like that actually make a great pair?

Robbie Terman began her journey as a writer in third grade, when she completed her first (24-page) "novel." Many years later, she is published in contemporary romance. Her heroines are feisty, her heroes Hot (yup, that's with a capital H!). And, when you read her books, if you cry a little and laugh a lot, that's just the reaction she was hoping for.

When she's not writing, Robbie can usually be found doing one of three things: shopping for shoes and handbags at Nordstrom; trying a new restaurant (or attempting a new recipe); or relaxing on the couch and catching up on her favorite television programs (if you're wondering which ones, open up a TV Guide and take your pick. You've probably guessed right!).

Connect with Robbie at her website - - - Goodreads


Book#1 in the Perfect Recipe series

Ashton Grey’s restaurant, Sweet Home, is in trouble. Months of empty tables have left her and her partners near bankruptcy, and her father’s prediction of her failure as a chef seems imminent. But a chance encounter could provide Ashton with the publicity she needs to save her restaurant—if the fiery chef is willing to compete on a reality cooking show. But in order to win, she needs to stay focused. No problem…until she meets the head judge.

Celebrity chef Ty Cates is ready to get away from the camera and back to the kitchen where he belongs. Performing as head judge on a reality show is just one more commitment he’d like to get out of, especially after he meets Ashton. Head judges dating contestants is about as taboo as putting ketchup on filet mignon, but from the moment they meet, there’s a simmering heat between them that neither can ignore.

As the competition heats up, they rely on sneaking around, stealing amazing night after amazing night together when the cameras aren’t rolling. When both realize what’s starting to feel like love could easily be a recipe for disaster, Ashton and Ty need to make a choice—get out of the kitchen or turn up the heat.


Buy at - B&N - Kobo


GIVEAWAY RULES:

To be entered to win a fantastic gift pack just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and tell us in a comment: What odd food combinations do you like that actually make a great pair?

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends on 31 July 2013!

Good luck!