What Is Your Pleasure? How About a Little Evil Served Up with Devil Du Jour by Deena Remiel?

Deena Does it again! Serving up some tempting evil with the second part of her Book Waitress Series.  Devil Du Jour is sure to not disappoint.  If you're looking for evil that is "Just evil enough" to whet your whistle for book 3, this is where you go to get it!

In Devil Du Jour, Camille shows more strength and she and that lip-smackin' man of hers, Derek, are certainly giving the devil a run for his money when it comes to "heatin' things up" -- You'll know what I mean when you read.....Not giving too much away here (or at least trying not to).

Here is an excerpt for Devil Du Jour

Evil had done a real number on her in her sleep. She had to somehow push him out of her mind. Useless facts! She could try using all those facts she stored up for no good reason, but helped her in socially awkward situations. Maybe if she thought about them, she could squeeze the darkness out.

“Did you know good means morally excellent, virtuous, and righteous?” She sniffed and wiped her wet eyes with the hem of her t-shirt. Dragging her fingers through her thick mane, she removed the tumbling mess from her face and did her best to tame the reckless locks of hair.

“No I didn’t.” He extended his hand again, and this time she took it.

“It also means honorable and worthy.” 

“Both of which you are.”

She inched out of the corner, ever closer, and kneeled before him, suddenly sensing his physical need of her, his concern, and affection. How could she deny her own longing and desire for him?

“Show me, Derek.” Her breath hitched. “Show me what Satan refuses me— the truth.”

He rose to meet her in the center of the living room floor, the pair on their knees, like two souls praying and worshipping each other. Butterflies flitted joyfully in her belly, replacing the hurt of earlier, painful times. Her chin trembled with anticipation as he brought his lips to rest upon hers for the most gentle of kisses she believed had ever been given or received. 

“I’m worthy, I’m worthy….” she murmured over and over as he kissed her branded eyelids and chased with feather-light kisses a single tear that had escaped to run down her cheek. He blazed another trail along her throat, down to the sweet spot between her breasts, and she enveloped him in her arms, cherishing the gentle restraint he displayed, appreciating how hard it must be for him to contain his full desires. Even she held back a little, wounds still smarting under the bandages.

But she couldn’t deny herself the glory of seeing what lay hidden under his shirt, and pushed him away to peel the thin material off in a burst of primal wanting. A godlike present had lain underneath. Smooth, sculpted arms, chest and abdomen seemed to beg for her hands to touch, and she willingly obeyed. Groaning, his eyes fluttered closed as she explored each hill with her lips and every valley with the tip of her tongue. He tasted of sunlight and all that was good and honest. Like a man. A virile man to whom she would have to show her entire body. 

She froze, frightened by her urgent need and limitations.

He opened his eyes and when they met hers, they were filled with understanding. He caressed her cheek and whispered, “Camille, my beautiful flower, whatever you need, whatever you want, just tell me.”

He waited patiently for her to find her voice. “I…I don’t want you to see my body. Not like this.”

“Love-making can take many forms, sweetheart. Take me to your bed, Cam. I’ll show you.”

And Now you see what I mean?! This is just the tip of the iceberg here.  

Wanna see a little more?  Here is the book trailer!

Here are the links to purchase Devil Du Jour:

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7M4KDE

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/devil-du-jour-deena-remiel/1113797172?ean=2940015849721

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/255210

Remember!! The Book Waitress is FREE right now on Amazon! You'll want -- no NEED -- to read this BEFORE Devil Du Jour as it picks up right where The Book Waitress leaves off.

HERE'S the buy link for Book Waitress on AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Waitress-Series-ebook/dp/B0091ZR9SQ

Sooooo......Wanna know how you can get a free copy of Devil Du Jour?  Leave a comment on this post telling me if you've read The Book Waitress yet or not -- fear not, if you haven't, it is still free on Amazon! Also, please follow Reading With Bakin' Goddess's blog.  

And to top things off!!! Here is another special surprise for you -- Deena has some goodies she is giving away!  Here's how you get your chances to win:

DIRECTIONS FOR READERS: Each stop on the DEVIL DU JOUR Blog Tour will have a letter to collect. After collecting all 13 letters, put them all together to create a sentence! Email me what the sentence says and I’ll email you back with a special gift! deenaremiel@yahoo.com

What's the letter for Bakin' Goddess Blog???  Your letter is "O"  OoOoOoOo (winks)

Where are the rest of the letters? You can click here for the links to the other blogs joining in on the Devil Du Jour Blog Tour:  

http://thebookwaitress.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/devil-du-jour-release-party-and-blog-tour-info/

Keep Reading Goddesses!

Coffee? Tea? Or A New Book By Deena Remiel? The Book Waitress

My apologies to Deena and the Tour Hosts.  I had this post set up to go live at 12:01 am today and Blogger ate the entire post.  I thought I was doing well by planning my post 2 days before it was supposed to go live.  I'll not do that again.  I've never lost a post before and this experience has taught me some valuable lessons.  So, to all the readers, followers, Tour Hosts and Deena, my apologies!

Ok, so now on to the fun stuff!!!!  Deena is serving up some evil deliciousness with The Book Waitress.  I am loving how Camille and Derek interact with each other in the beginning.  Fumbling geniuses when it comes to the opposite sex.  They crack me up!  The ending shocks you! The villain is fantastically evil! In summary:  Deena serves up a tale that has you laughing, actually takes your breath away and for a side of desert she delivers that amazing touch of evilness that has you wondering how Camille can ever get over it.

A little bit about The Book Waitress:  

Camille Dutton learned early in life Satan was not to be trifled with. Escaping his evil clutches as a child, he’s come back with a vengeance for her now. 

Derek Galloway’s inquisitive nature has led him to be an award-winning investigative reporter and straight into the path of pure evil. 

When a child vanishes from a sleepy island town, Camille, its subdued librarian, becomes embroiled in Derek’s investigation. A satanic cult has plans for the child, while Satan has plans for Camille and the rest of the world. Amidst evil of the most supernatural and human kind, Derek and Camille find a shred of light and goodness in the form of their budding relationship. 

First in the Book Waitress Series, the portal between Hell and Earth will be torn asunder, and it will take everything Camille and Derek have and then some to close it. Satan won’t go down easy, but nothing worth everything ever comes without a price. 

©DeenaRemiel2012

Now for the interview! I had so much fun with this.  Deena is one of my favorite people.  So let me share with you our interview.

Hi Deena! I’m so excited for the readers to get to know Camille and Derek.  Let’s get a handle on this interview shall we?  I mean, we can’t sit here and chit chat about all the little things happening in our lives and ignore everybody else.  Can we?  HAHA.  We do have a lot of catching up to do though.  Oh oh oh! Sorry, I’m off track again.  Seems I can’t stay on track for the life of me now days.

Ok, so, here we go.  Deena, please tell us where Camille and Derek came from.  I mean how did they come to you?  Have they always been there?  Did you wake up one morning with Derek or Camille knocking on your brain?  

Well, Kimberly, the storyline came knocking on my brain as I was pondering what kind of series I wanted to write. Then, these two quirky individuals coalesced before me. They literally came to life as I sat staring off into space, imagining who could pull off this great new storyline just the way I wanted it to. They bowled me over with their uniqueness and how strongly they represent Good.

How in the world did you make them so funny and so lovably nerdy at the same time?  I love the way they fumble their way around a conversation, both of them unable to say the right thing.  

Hahaha, yes! They are a hoot to listen to, aren’t they? It was important to all of us that we give our readers a bit of humor to balance the intense nature of the story. They each have reasons why they are so awkward, but in time, I think we’ll find they are able to communicate better with each other. With others? It’s always gonna be a battle to either keep their feet out of their mouths or keep random facts a bay…  

This is a question I’m sure a lot of your interviewers are going to ask.  Will we get to read more about the ghosts John and Betina?  I almost expected them (or at least Betina) to help out when Derek.....whoops.....no spoilers!  

We’ve only just begun our relationship with John and Betina. They will be recurring characters throughout the series and gain more prominence in books to come.

The drowning scenes you describe had my heart racing.  How did you know what you would feel? Think?  How you would panic while you were drowning?  

I must admit, this scene was probably the most exhausting to write. I spent a lot of time with my eyes closed, replacing Camille with me. I know what it is like to struggle for breath, as I am asthmatic and have had episodes of struggling. In fact, there is a commercial I can’t even watch on TV about whooping cough because it makes me stop breathing myself! But back to the drowning scene… So, what I tried to do was describe, as best I could, what I would be feeling going through the process of drowning. I used to play a game with my friends to see how long we could hold our breaths under water. I can recall the squeezing and burning of the lungs. I’ve also watched helplessly as my mother nearly drowned when I was a child, so I saw how her body reacted. It’s amazing where experience comes from…

Did you do any research on Satanism?  How did you know that they would have to “prepare” Camille in that manner, or is that just the way the story flowed? 

I did do research, and I want to mention that my incarnation of extreme Satanic worship is PURE FICTION. I used symbols that are recognized as Satanic symbols, but I used my warped imagination to create The Mission Satanic Cult and the rituals and ceremonies presented in the story.  

Now, for my last question, is there anything you want to share with the readers about the next book? Do you already know where Camille and Derek are headed next (or are they keeping that a secret until the book is finished)? 

Yes! Readers, hold onto your hats! Book 2, Devil Du Jour, is going to raise the tension, deepen the darkness, and show us a changed Camille. If you haven’t already, I’ll let you contemplate where my inspiration came from for this series, but please, share what you think with me! 

Well my friends, you heard it here! I can't wait for book 2, Devil Du Jour to come out.  I absolutely fell in love with Deena's characters (Betina is peeking my curiosity level!); Camille and Derek are absolutely adorable! The evil villains are absolutely delectably evil! 

I'm giving this book a 3 out of 4 cupcakes! 

You can find Deena and The Book Waitress here:

Book Waitress fan page link: https://www.facebook.com/TheBookWaitress  

Deena Remiel's Place: www.deenaremiel.com

Facebook: facebook.com/deena.remiel

Twitter: twitter.com/deenaremiel

I tried to find an awesome recipe for Devil's Food Cake made with Splenda (for those who are watching their sugar intake *wink*) and wasn't able to find one.  BUT I did find an amazing Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe! I can tell you this one looks DELICIOUSLY EVIL! HA! And -- I'm sure it would be EVEN BETTER if you added a low-sugar Whipped Cream (or make your own with Splenda and Heavy Whipping Cream)!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup SPLENDA^® Sugar Blend
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch Pinch of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup packed SPLENDA^® Brown Sugar Blend
• 1 cup hot water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 10-inch deep-dish pie pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, 1/4 cup SPLENDA^® Sugar Blend, 1/4 cup cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in milk, oil, and vanilla. (Batter will be thick.)
3. Spread batter in prepared pan and sprinkle on SPLENDA^® Brown Sugar Blend, remaining 1/4 cup SPLENDA^® Sugar Blend, and remaining 1/4 cup cocoa. Pour hot water over top.
4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cake is set on top and pudding starts to bubble up through cake. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Spoon into bowls and serve.

NOTE

Serving Size: 1/2 cup (1/8 cake)

NUTRITION INFORMATION

NUTRITION FACTS

Servings Per Recipe: 8

Serving Size: 1/2 cup (1/8 cake).

Amount Per Serving

Calories:

230 

Calories from Fat:

70 

Total Fat:

8g 

Saturated Fat:

1g 

Cholesterol:

0mg 

Sodium:

280mg 

Total Carbs:

34g 

Dietary Fiber:

2g 

Sugars:

21g 

Protein:

3g 

This was taken directly from the Splenda website:  http://splenda.tastebook.com/recipes/1524085-Chocolate-Pudding-Cake

Now for the rest of the Blog Tour stuff -- Rafflcopter!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Again, my apologies to everybody for being so late! I hope you've had fun on The Book Waitress Tour so far!

Keep Reading Goddesses

It's My Granddaughter's 2nd Birthday!

Hello Goddesses!
Today is my granddaughter's 2nd birthday!  Here she is blowing out the candle of her cupcake (tomorrow is her birthday party) -- Everybody gets a wish when a baby blows out a candle!  So make your wish.

Tomorrow is her actual party and I'm baking 2 flower cakes and a butterfly cake for everybody.  We're just doing hot dogs, chips, ranch dip, spinach dip, veggie trays and my daughter's homemade yummy guacamole!

I do have a recipe to share with you all though! I met a lady in New Hampshire that gave me this recipe.  Let's just say that it was so good that by the time she took it out of the oven (while my friend Renee and I were at the store) and we got back from the store (total time about 35 minutes or so) the entire pan was GONE.....Yep! I hear it is THAT good!

BUFFALO CHICKEN WING DIP

1 block cream cheese
1 8 oz bottle ranch dressing
2 cans canned chicken (or I would use the equivalent of a fresh roasted chicken)
1 cup Frank's Buffalo Wing Sauce

Mix together and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees

Top with 2 cups shredded cheddar.  Place back in the oven for approximately 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

This was made in one of the tin foil "lasagna" pans.

Serve with your favorite tortilla chip.

Thank you Barb for such an awesome recipe.

If any of you Goddesses out there try this for your next get together, come on back and let me know how it was!

My granddaughter full of chocolate icing! I haven't a clue what that face is for but I'm sure there HAD to be a reason....lol

Come back soon! On September 1st we have an interview with Deena Remiel and review of her new book The Book Waitress!

What are you reading now?  I am currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin

Keep Reading Goddesses!

Back From Vacation!

Hello Goddesses! You have been missed! I got back from vacation in Massachusetts a couple of days ago.  After a couple of days of settling back in, I thought I'd share a few things with you.  First,  I want to say Happy Birthday to Decadent Publishing! There are some awesome people that work there!

And now, here are a few photos from my trip.

The beautiful Tobin Bridge in Boston:

The view from Winthrop of Southside Boston Harbor -- Looking into the city of BostonOur trip to New Hampshire:

THEN! My friend Renee took me to this awesome bakery in Winthrop, MA! Twin Bakery on Revere Street.  The most awesome man runs this bakery.  If I understand the story correctly, he and his twin opened the bakery YEARS ago! Everything is made from scratch and is DELICIOUS! Prices are AMAZING!  One of the scrumptious goodies we bought was a Napoleon. Totally melt in your mouth, almost as good as sex, dreaminess! (And yes! I am looking for the best recipe to share with y'all for this wonderful dessert)

Phyllo dough, Boston Cream, chocolate cream and shear dreaminess!  Fresh baked breads, Fresh raviolis sold by the dozen!

So, I found a treasure and you will all be getting some great recipes from it! It's an oldie but a goody (as the old saying goes).  I found this one in a used book store on the $1.00 shelves.  *Shaking my head* The things some people don't want any more!

I fell in love with this book the minute I picked it up! Wait until you see some of the recipes I have to share with you!

I had a blast! Missed you all dearly!

Also, please check out (and follow me if you wish) my other blog Goddesses and Gorgeous Beads http://goddessesandbeads.blogspot.com/

I've branched out to hopefully begin selling some of the stuff I create (at least so that I can keep purchasing new beads *winks*)

Keep Reading & Baking Goddesses!

Review of Freedom In Chains by Deena Remiel

While my daughter drove me to the airport, I decided I would take some time to do some catching up.  The first review I thought I would do is Deena Remiel's Freedom In Chains.  Knowing this is not something that is her normal genre of writing, I braced myself for it.  I knew a bit of what the story was about by reading her posts on Facebook.  What I hadn't braced myself for was how wonderfully written this story would be.  It's not a book that will take you forever to read.  It's not something that will leave you in tears (that's not to say that it won't elicit emotions because Deena writes it so well that you feel...oh do you feel).  

So, before I begin my review, please, let me begin by saying that there is a HUGE SPOILER ALERT!!!! If you have not read this story (there are no chapters and it doesn't take you long to read it) then you must download it NOW and read it.  It is definitely a story that everybody needs to read.  A story that HAD to be told.  A story that EVERYBODY should know.  It's something that happens every day.  Something that, sadly enough, not all of us are aware of.  It makes you think.....is it the child/teenager/adult walking next to you? Is it the person on the sidewalk arguing with the person they're with?  That's not to say that we should become paranoid.....because we shouldn't.  We should all just be a little more aware.  

Ok.  I'm going to remind you SPOILER ALERT!!!! Please, though, read this story! Please! Then, come back here and let us all know what you think.  Have you or someone you know been touched by Human Trafficking? I hope not! If so, help us get the word out!  

And now my review:

Deena’s opening page grabs your heart and tugs.  I initially wanted to read more....wanted more....tell me more.  And so, I had to read more.  A tale of a young woman that is both heart breaking and inspiring.  

Haven’t even gotten through the first page in my Kindle, I’m fighting back the tears as Deena portrays the horrible feelings this child is having -- without going through detail by detail what the child has gone through.  You are given an idea, enough of one that you know this child needs love.  Needs help.  Needs something other than what she has.  Your heart cries out “She needs ME! I want her! I want to help her!” These are the emotions Deena pulls from your soul....and I haven’t even finished the story.  

As I read on, the child, at the age of 14, finally feels what it’s like to smile....”what an odd feeling” I think to myself, “not to know how to smile”.  The simple pleasures in life. We take so many of those for granted.  Funny how we do that.  As I’m reading Deena’s book, Freedom In Chains, “Freedom” tucks things that she notices into little boxes in her memories as “sweet things”, such as the smell of a flower shop. Again, such simple pleasures that we take for granted.  

For my mother’s birthday she received flowers from my sister.  Every day I walked into the house I smelled those flowers and marveled at the smell.  I cannot imagine not knowing that lovely smell.  My stomach turns, knowing the pain and the excitement of the rush of feelings going through “Freedom’s” thoughts and heart. 

FOUND: My heart breaks! NOOOO! I scream in my head! Please! Let this be a dream! He can’t have found her so quickly.  She has only had a taste of sweet freedom.  Please. Please.  Someone help her!  No....not a dream.  Reality.  He’s found her.  My heart is aching.  I want to save her.  I want to shelter her in my arms and whisper to her that it will be okay.  We will heal your wounds with love and showing her that she IS cherished; cherished in a healthy, natural way.  Not some way that is sick and vile!  I’m still just barely through half the book.  I want to cry.  I feel exhilarated.  I want to cry some more.  Deena’s words are thought provoking.  In all of Deena’s works, she’s always entrapped me with her words but this.....this is different.  This is....well, this is...moving, heart clenching, and FREEDOM!

Beaten, chained by her ankle, being whipped, cigarettes being put to her skin and knowing that she can hear the skin burn and her trying not to cry out in fear that she will be punished more and then her final reminder.....she is there for one purpose; her only purpose. 

Finally, Freedom has a bit more FREEDOM! She’s set about on a purpose.  One that her parents are reluctant to allow but, by law, has to be done.....SCHOOL! People who MAY believe her.  Sadly....no.  What is wrong with this system?  It makes me angry! It makes me want to become an advocate! It makes me want to open my home to every wayward, abused child out there and show them what real love is like.  Can this be done?  Can they really be helped?  

Freedom is allowed no moments alone.  “HE” is there at the end of the school day.  To have a child, something so precious.   Something so many people want and something so many people are longing to have, yet these parents are selling this child to anybody and everybody to be used as they wish and for what??? Drug money! DRUGS! It makes me ill.  I don’t want to read any more but I can’t stop myself because Deena words describe this so perfectly that there are no specific details but you know what sick things happen to this brave little soul.  I appreciate Deena’s thoughtfulness and her diplomacy.  There are so many other ways to tell a story than to give a blow-by-blow, play-by-play of what happened to someone.  

In my opinion, the way Deena words this story, brings out more feeling and more awareness of the plight of human trafficking than being brutally honest and open about EXACTLY what happens to these children (and adults).  Now....on with the review.  

THE SEARCH: Finally, after being malnourished enough to be able to release herself from her chains, this beautiful soul is able to escape and reaches out to someone on the computer after researching while “HE” is out.  

FOUND:  Finding the number of a savior. She writes the number down and puts it in her pocket.  As always, she is sure to return things the way she found them.....punishment will be waiting if she doesn’t (I’m sure). 

JUST IN TIME:  Run! Run! Run back and chain yourself.  “He” has friends! Please Freedom! Please don’t cause problems where they can hurt you more than they already will.  Find that sacred place inside yourself and go there just one more time. 

-- Do you see how Deena has my pulse racing and my heart aching?  I am officially naming her “The Word Weaver”.  She captures me in every story.  Of all her stories.  I have to stay that this one has grabbed me, kept me, and makes me want to grab these babies and show them the love they deserve.  She’s done this with words alone!  No photos, no embellishments, no overt sexual acts.  Nothing except suggestions of what Freedom has gone through.  In my opinion, Deena Remiel is a true and multitalented story-teller.  Someone who needs, deep within her soul, to share with you these wonderful tales....be they true stories (with names protected to protect these innocent souls so afraid of their own shadows), fiction that lifts you up to believe, truly believe, that there really is a goodness in people that all you have to do is look!

THE CALL:  Her true freedom! Her true day of birth.  The day she was rescued and shown what true caring really was.  I’m sure her recovery will always be a work in progress but she is probably growing with leaps and bounds.  How could you not with such loving people in your life???

If you want to help save all of those individuals caught in the web of human trafficking or just want to be more informed, please check out the following websites.

http://www.lasterglobal.com

http://millionkids.org

This book is a short read.  I read it as I wrote this review.  I’ll read it again.....and again....and again.  Proceeds from this short story will be donated to millionkids.org.  Please, tell your friends, your family and everybody you know.  Take your “Blinders Off” and see what could be happening right under your nose.  

I personally want to thank Deena for penning such a touching story.  I am and will always be a changed person because of it.  Watching those around me (for the signs that say “something isn’t right here”).  If someone had intervened when Freedom was put into the car the first time she escaped, there is no telling what kind of hell she could have been saved from.  However, what is important....she is free now.....and I am a better person for having read this story.

Please, visit Deena's blog: www.deenaremiel.com

Visit her Amazon page (you can purchase the book there also): http://www.amazon.com/Deena-Remiel/e/B004Z0OLGA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1341560236&sr=8-2-ent

Visit Smashwords to purchase the story: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/174800

In closing, my friends, this story will bring out every emotion you have, sadness, hurt, anger, joy, elation, and in the end you will be happy that you learned how one person (one in so many of the thousands of people go that go through this) fought and fought to save herself and actually won her FREEDOM!

Thank you Deena! Thank you for sharing Freedom's story! Thank you for getting together with these wonderful people that help make these things happen!  

Remember Goddesses, it only takes one second, one good deed, one smile, one kind word.  You never know what kind of empowerment you may be giving to someone who needs it.  

This story is definitely getting our yummy 4 Cupcakes!!

Keep Reading Goddesses!

An Awesome Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Greetings Goddesses!
A recipe hasn't been posted on here in a while and since today was my mother's birthday and I needed to make a cake, I figured I'd do a little step-by-step for the BEST chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe I've found.  This has a combination of classic chocolate frosting and a chocolate fudge flavor.  And so, without further comment from me, I'll get to it.  (By the way, I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com)

CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

*I doubled my recipe because I made a 3-layer cake and there was just enough with about 1-1/2 cups left over.
*Also, I only used 6 chocolate squares and the chocolate was perfect for us.
The recipe that follows is a SINGLE recipe.

INGREDIENTS
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons evaporated milk

DIRECTIONS
1. Have all ingredients at room temperature.  Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave oven *double boiler method seen here*

 See how you can barely see the flame? Always use a double boiler on low heat. 

Chocolate in mid-melt

Chocolate in complete melt. Make sure you continuously stir.  There's nothing worse than the taste of burned chocolate.

2.  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.

Pour melted chocolate into cream cheese and mix on medium speed until well blended.

Add vanilla and a pinch of salt.  Slowly mix in the confectioners' sugar. (Remember to turn mixer on slowly or you will be in a snow flurry of confectioners' sugar)

3. Scrape the sides of the bowl (and that's ONE photo I didn't take. Can you believe it?!) and increase mixer speed to medium high.  Slowly add evaporated milk until the frosting is spreading consistency.

This is truly the best recipe I've used when it comes to spreading.  It was a so easy to work with.  If you need it to be thicker, obviously add more confectioner's sugar.  I rarely follow the recipe exactly because I need a different consistency for each cake I make and which frosting I'm making.  However, whenever I'm using a recipe for the first time, I generally stay VERY close to the recipe so I know what I did wrong if it doesn't work out. 

And now, the finished cake.  I wasn't able to pay close attention to the actual frosting of the cake because people were already here and I just needed to get frosting on the cake (besides, if you knew my family, I could have handed them the plain cake and a bowl full of frosting with a spoon and they would have been happy. HAHA).

Hope you enjoy the recipe! 

Keep Bakin' Goddesses!

Sassy Seven Naughty Sleepover Event! Trust me! You want to check this out!

The other day I was on Facebook checking things out when I see a post from my friend Heather (Decadent Publishing) and what is she pimpin'????? This awesome naughty sleepover with The Sassy Seven Authors that will knock your socks off!

These Sassy Seven Authors, to say the least, write some of the steamiest scenes....woooh! Make your blood boil and your body sweat! And now we know why this is an 18+ blog!  Let's see if we can at least introduce you to the authors who write these novels that induce sauna-like feverish skin, portray kisses (in more places than one) that are gasp inducing and pulse-inducing actions that make you want to beg them to stop but in reality can't wait to read what happens next.

HA! Got you on the hook now don't I? These women write some of the most sizzling, erotic novels and I haven't even read them all!  So, let's get going on the introductions and page links shall we?

You can go to their websites and get all their information because I want to make sure you get all the info for the Naughty Sleepover and so that this post isn't as long as Texas!

The Luscious Brenna Zinn.  www.brennazinn.com
The Scandolous Cerise DeLand.  www.cerisedeland.com
The Erotic Nicole Austin.  www.nicoleaustin.net
The Seductive Regina Carlysle.  www.reginacarlysle.com
The Impassioned Desiree Holt.  www.desireeholt.com
The Arousing Samantha Cayto. www.samanthacayto.com
The Pleasureful Allie Standifer.  www.alliestandifer.com

Y'all SERIOUSLY need to check out their websites.  Pulse Raising!

So, I'm the half of the Bakin' Goddesses from Texas. I live so far south in Texas (kind of in a weird spot -- not close enough for anything in the valley and not close enough for anything in Dallas or Houston - since I don't drive anymore, which is a serious bummer!) that not a lot of cool things get close enough to me that I can get to them.  When I saw the posting for the Naughty Sleepover I was wiggling in my seat like a little kid! So let's get to the good stuff!

Here is the website where you can get all your information and register but you better RUN because although it's not until February of 2013, there are ONLY 200 spots available!

http://sassyseven.com/naughty-sleepover/

Another cool thing! It's at the famous Menger Hotel....if you love haunted hotels, you will love this one!  You HAVE to check out the event schedule for this one!

 There are some sexy fun events to be had during the weekend.  So grab your sexiness and your fun and jump in with both feet! I'm going to!

Keep Reading Goddesses (and I hope to see you in February)!

A Giveaway on a Friend's Blog -- Creative Chaos: Freebie Friday # 6

If you love to bead, Please go by and check out Skye's giveaway & blog. She has some amazing stuff. Her blog is full of awesome information and she's a pretty cool chick.

Creative Chaos: Freebie Friday # 6: Another month gone... damn >.< lol So much to blog about but  I won't for two..well.. three reasons 1- there's too much for just one...

Here is the photo of what you COULD win in the giveaway -- It is 9 feet of her handmade beaded chain.  If you know anything about beading, you know this is tedious work.  Work that involves a lot of love and care.  So, stop by and see what her blog is all about and enter her giveaway!  Aren't these gorgeous?

Keep Reading, Baking & Beading Goddesses!

It's Been A Long Time Since Our Last Post.....

Well Hello Goddesses! It's been a while since we've said that huh? WHEW! It feels like it's been forever and a day since I last posted.  All I can say is I'VE MISSED Y'ALL!  So much has been going on.  Mostly, I've not been feeling so great.  As some of you may know (or not), I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and an immune deficiency syndrome.  So, when I do go down, I go down HARD!  Also, when that happens, Shauni is left holding the bag all by herself and this has been a tough time for her as well.  However, I think I have everything back together *checking all my limbs and rattling the brain around* (well, as much together as I can get LMAO) and so now we can get back to a little bit of the business of BOOKS AND BAKING!

First, let me give a shout-out to one of our favorite authors....Deena Remiel! Her daughter is going to the Junior Olympics in gymnastics!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!?!  If you would like to read more about what Deena's daughter will be doing and how you can help this young athlete get to the Junior Olympics, please click the link below! There's a special treat in it for you! Go check it out!

http://deenar116.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/my-daughter-is-headed-to-the-junior-national-olympics/

OOOOH!!! That makes me think of good ol' fashioned American Apple Pie!!!! I have an AWESOME recipe that I got from my cousin -- who is a FABULOUS cook/baker.

Here's an awesome pic for you! Good Goddess doesn't that look fabulous!? It isn't MY apple pie but it looks like the one I make from the recipe I'm going to give you.

Cousin Tabby's Apple Pie

3 cups apples sliced & peeled (Granny Smith apples hold up the best; however, I don't use Granny Smiths)
1-1/2 cups sugar
Cinnamon to taste (Saigon Cinnamon has more flavor than the generic cinnamon)
2 Tblspn flour
1 Tblspn lemon juice
4 Tblpsn melted butter (I always add a few tablespoons of butter IN with the apples for a richer flavor)
1/4 tspn salt

Mix all ingredients EXCEPT THE 4 Tblspn MELTED BUTTER and put into your unbaked pie shell.
Add the top pie crust and smear with melted butter -- then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar

Bake at 350 degrees until the MIDDLE of the crust is a golden, flaky brown.  This is about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

*When the crust edges have started getting brown, cover them with foil or they will burn. The pie will be done when the center of the crust is a golden brown.

Let the pie rest so that the apples soak the juices back up; otherwise, your pie will be a runny mess when you cut it.

Well, Goddesses, I hope your weekend has been spectacular! You have all been missed!

We'd love to know.....What have you been reading and baking????

Keep Reading and Keep Baking!