Backlist Saturday Spotlight - What People are saying about the twisted fairytale - Dark Chocolate and Strawberries by Daryl Devore #Hotread #twisted #fairytale

 Reviews are the lifeblood of books. Reviews don't need to be long. They are not English essays. A writer is quite happy with - I loved this book. or - This is a great read. Buy it!

If you dislike the book - don't go ballistic. A human with feelings wrote the books and loves it and you slashing it to ribbons cuts deep into the soul. A simple - This book wasn't my cup of tea - is fine.

Now onto what others thought of Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

5 Stars - I love it when authors take the old fairy tales and do modern versions of them. An example of this is the book by Daryl Devore' titled Sexy Red Hood If you like fairy tales with a great twist, this is a book for you. It is a quick, easy read that will make you want to turn the page. All the main characters are there, the Grandma, the Woodsman, the big bad Wolf, and of course Red. They are all present but not what you think of when you see their names. Devore' does a great job of having the characters come to life and keep you guessing. If you are looking for a great page turner then this is it. I look forward to reading more by this author. I would highly recommend this book.

 

5 Stars - Absolutely loved this story! I couldn't stop reading nor did I want to. I could feel the chemistry radiating from Will and Red! I would recommend this book to just about everyone.

 

5 stars - Well paced, fun plot, super hot with cool twists and turns. Finished reading in only a couple hours...couldn't stop. Loved the happily ever after! A sexy Twisted Fairy Tale!

 

4 stars - This little Red Riding Hood fairy-tale twist is one of the better ones I have red so far. The story had depth, good character development, good relationship development, good plot, great details and it held my attention through the entire book. Red and Will are so good together, but it would have been interesting to see exactly how they made their lives work. The climatic situation with Chopper was believable. The sexual tension was palpable and then when the sex finally came (pun intended) it was a messy satisfying affair. This is definitely a story to pick up if you like the fairy tale thing, heck and even if you don't it's a good one.

 

4 stars - Definitely fun

I really enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek spin of all this. Granny was so much fun, and I'm glad the twists worked out. A satisfying read, and worth your time!

 

5 stars - An excellent retelling!

This is quite a different retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood that we are all accustom to. It is definitely an adults only version, but a great one at that! I loved that there was a bit of mystery added in and even though the names gave a bit away as to who was who, you still weren't sure who Red would finally have in her bed. The fact that this took place on a seniors cruise was an added touch I really enjoyed. And the roll play at the end of the book was just so fitting!! I would definitely recommend this title and I will be reading more from this author.

What's a naughty fairy tale like Red Riding Hood without Red, the huntsman, grandma and especially, the big bad wolf?

Esmerelda 'Red' Hood is summoned to her mother's executive suite only to learn her sweet granny is headed for a romantic cruise with a gigolo. Horrified, Red races off to save her grandma before it's too late.

On board, Red meets Andrew Woodsman and Willem Olf. One a cutie with the biggest puppy eyes and the other a dark, sophisticated predator. Her grandmother's warning rings in Red's ear "Never trust a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Even with the warning, Red has trouble choosing which man could be the big bad wolf and which could be her happily ever after.

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Next Saturday - we start a new book - my hot medieval romance - Branwyn's Love.

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Daryl Devore's My Books. My Blog. My Post. Easy fix for a small problem versus blowing things out of proportion. #writer #author #solutions

This is as close to a political rant as I will get here on my blog. A writer acquaintance emailed me saying she was changing the title of my Friday posts on her tweets. It was - My Books. My Blog. My Post. 

To me that title made perfect sense. But when she tweeted it - the "My" meant her. And funny enough, I'm not her and she's not me.

At first, I let her know that it was ok that she did it and gave her a heads up that it'll happen most Fridays. A bit later, a light bulb moment occurred and I reworked my blog button to - Daryl Devore's My Books. My Blog. My Post.

What's the political rant part - I didn't blow up and yell at her and swear and accuse her of denying me my rights. After all - it is - my books - my blog - my post therefore I can title it whatever I want.

No, instead, I said ok to her request to change my title and left it at that until a better solution revealed itself.

In Canada, we just went through over 3 weeks of people screaming about their rights and freedoms. Got them nowhere. Except possibly jail. Maybe if we all stepped back - took a sec - respected the other person - there might be possible compromises that settles the issue without anyone's blood pressure hitting critical.

Just sayin'

 What's happening in February on

 Romance – Sweet to Heat

26 – Backlist Saturday Spotlight – Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

27 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

28 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

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Backlist Saturday Spotlight - Daryl Devore's favourite scene from her twisted fairytale - Dark Chocolate and Strawberries #hotread #twisted #fairytale

 A little bit of back history to explain why this is my favourite scene in the book. I taught dance in the performing arts dept of a local high school. After budget cuts, the performing arts dept was shattered, but they kept the classes. Our budgets were non-existent and instead of auditioning students into the class - whomever wanted to take class could.

No problem. I've always believed there is a dancer inside everyone. So I taught a lot - A LOT - of "two left feet" dancers. And that is what this scene reminds me of.

Scene - The scene takes place on the deck of a cruise ship.

A water droplet landed on her cheek and startled her. She wiped it and opened her eyes. “Welcome back, sleepy head.” Chopper wiped his hand on his shorts and placed the glass of water on the table.

“Have I been out long?” She looked at her watch and wondered what time she'd fallen asleep.

“I've been here about five minutes.” He jumped up. “Ok, now that you're awake, I just have to tell you. This song popped into my head and it's driving me crazy.”

Red dropped her tablet into her beach bag and waited for him to continue.

“It's the Red Riding Hood song. I think Sam the Sham and the Prophets sang it. It's like from like the mid-sixties.”

She shook her head. “Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. And it took you long enough to get there. Most people start cracking jokes within minutes of hearing my name.”

“I wasn't focused yesterday. But today, I'm Michael Jackson!” He stepped right and left and snapped his fingers.

“Little Red Riding Hood.

You sure are looking good.

You're everything that a big, bad wolf could want.”

He spun around and posed, one arm at his crotch and flung the other up in the air. “Owooooooo!”

Trying to keep a straight face, Red asked, “You aren't going to send in an application for that dance show thing, right?”

“What, you don't like my dancin'?” He shook his knees in and out and flapped his arms like a chicken, then made two-handed stirring motions, like he was in front of a large cauldron. “Why are you laughing? I'm just getting started.” He leaned forward and jerked up his right hand. “It's called the lawn mower. But, if you do it this way…” He straightened and repeated the pulling motion. “Then it's the chainsaw. Oh. Oh. And now for the big finale. The Moonwalk.”

He slid his right foot back and popped his left heel, then slid that foot back. Red had to admit he did a good version of Michael's famous move – until he backed into the waiter and knocked a tray of drinks onto the passengers seated near her.

What's a naughty fairy tale like Red Riding Hood without Red, the huntsman, grandma and especially, the big bad wolf?

Esmerelda 'Red' Hood is summoned to her mother's executive suite only to learn her sweet granny is headed for a romantic cruise with a gigolo. Horrified, Red races off to save her grandma before it's too late.

On board, Red meets Andrew Woodsman and Willem Olf. One a cutie with the biggest puppy eyes and the other a dark, sophisticated predator. Her grandmother's warning rings in Red's ear "Never trust a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Even with the warning, Red has trouble choosing which man could be the big bad wolf and which could be her happily ever after.

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Next Saturday - What People Said about Dark Chocolate and Strawberries.

 What's happening in February on

 Romance – Sweet to Heat

20 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

21 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

22 – SPOTLIGHT – David H. Millar - The Conall Series

23 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

24 – SPOTLIGHT – Tina Donahue – Privilege

25 – My Blog. My Post. My Books

26 – Backlist Saturday Spotlight – Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

27 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

28 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

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I long for the shores of my homeland. A short free read flashette from Daryl Devore #flashette #writingprompts #writer

 

I long for the shores of my homeland. The sea has been beneath me for far too many months. The creaking of the boards, and the swaying of the ship on the waves has cradled me into sleep these many months. Or be it years. I cannot remember.

Sleep. Where I will dream of the loved ones that I left onshore. Kith and kin. The images of their eyes and smiling faces gives me comfort in the wee hours of the night, when it is at its darkest.

I stand at the helm, my eyes scanning for a sign of land. But there is none. The sea is calm. The sails lowered. No breeze to move us forward. We drift on the water as aimlessly as driftwood.

Tomorrow the sun will rise. In the evening, the sun will set. Another day away from those I love.

 

 

 What's happening in February on

 Romance – Sweet to Heat

18 – Special Spotlight - Viviana MacKade -Valkyrie Love

19 – Backlist Saturday Spotlight – Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

20 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

21 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

22 – SPOTLIGHT – David H. Millar - The Conall Series

23 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

24 – SPOTLIGHT – Tina Donahue – Privilege

25 – My Blog. My Post. My Books

26 – Backlist Saturday Spotlight – Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

27 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

28 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

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Backlist Saturday Spotlight - To get you in the mood for Valentine's Day a spicy excerpt from Daryl Devore's Dark Chocolate and Strawberries #Hotread #twisted #fairytale

Excerpt

The room was lit with dozens of flickering flameless tea candles. Next to the small table was a dining cart. On it was a bowl of whipped cream, a pot of chocolate being kept warm by a smaller burner and a dish of strawberries. He kicked off his shoes and carried her to the bedroom. She flipped off her sandals a moment before her feet touched the carpet.

Red glanced at the candles and dessert cart and smiled at Will. He shrugged his shoulders. “Made a wish on a star.”

She bit her bottom lip. “Wishes do come true.”

He wheeled the little cart into the bedroom. Red started to undress, but his hand stopped her. “Let me.”

His fingers gripped the bottom of her blouse and pulled it over her head and arms. Before it hit the floor, his mouth was on an exposed nipple. Hungrily, he sucked it between his teeth. His left hand reached up behind her back and fumbled with the hooks on her bra. Releasing her nipple, he mumbled, “Can I have the combination to this thing?” Looking behind, he untwisted the back and let the bra fall to the floor.

He stood back and admired her. Red reached out and undid the bottom button on his shirt. One by one, she worked her way up to the top, then slid her hands up his hard, bare stomach, under his shirt and slid it off his body. It floated to the floor.

Kneeling before her, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of her skirt and pulled it down the length of her legs. She rested a hand on his head for support, stepped out of the garment and he tossed it aside. With his face level with her mound, he nuzzled his mouth against her panties. Red wound her fingers through his hair.

With a smooth tug on the waistband of her panties, he dragged them to the floor then rose.

Her hand reached for the button on his slacks, popped it and unzipped his fly.

His mouth found hers. Lips open, his tongue flicked against the tip of hers as he removed his slacks and undershorts. Stepping out of them, he pulled her body against his hot naked flesh.

She stepped back, then took another hesitant step back until her leg touched the bed. Releasing his kiss, she allowed herself to fall.

Will pounced on the bed, grabbed her, rolled over and settled her on his hips. He reached out and pulled the cart next to the bed. Selecting a strawberry, he dipped it into the whipped cream and wiped it across her breast. Placing the berry to her mouth, he waited while she licked it clean, then sucked it into her mouth and chewed.

She bent over, lowering her cream covered breast to his mouth. He dragged his tongue across the slippery surface. Like a person licking an ice cream cone, he lapped at her nipple and breast.

Red tested the chocolate with her finger, then scooped some with her hand and smeared it over her left nipple. Will grinned and ran his tongue across his upper lip, then did the same with his lower. Suckling the chocolate-covered hard pink nub, his tongue licked criss cross against it, then he slowly pulled back, letting his lips slide slip off her.

 

What's a naughty fairy tale like Red Riding Hood without Red, the huntsman, grandma and especially, the big bad wolf?

Esmerelda 'Red' Hood is summoned to her mother's executive suite only to learn her sweet granny is headed for a romantic cruise with a gigolo. Horrified, Red races off to save her grandma before it's too late.

On board, Red meets Andrew Woodsman and Willem Olf. One a cutie with the biggest puppy eyes and the other a dark, sophisticated predator. Her grandmother's warning rings in Red's ear "Never trust a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Even with the warning, Red has trouble choosing which man could be the big bad wolf and which could be her happily ever after.

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Next Saturday - My favourite scene in the book.

 What's happening in February on

 Romance – Sweet to Heat

13 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

14 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

15 – SPOTLIGHT – Numerous Authors - Eclipsing Hearts

16 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

17 – Flashette – free read

18 – Special Spotlight - Viviana MacKade -Valkyrie Love

19 – Backlist Saturday Spotlight – Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

20 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

21 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

22 – SPOTLIGHT – David H. Millar - The Conall Series

23 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

24 – SPOTLIGHT – Tina Donahue – Privilege

25 – My Blog. My Post. My Books

26 – Backlist Saturday Spotlight – Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

27 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

28 – #OpenBook Blog Hop

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