Mood Enhancers
by Larissa Ione
So…last night I was reading, and I had my feet wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, a nice apple scent wafting up from my wax burner, and a bowl of popcorn and bottle of beer next to me, because who doesn’t like to make a huge production of reading?
My husband would raise his hand if he saw this question. He just reads. He sits in a chair and…reads.
Personally, I like “mood enhancers.” And no, I don’t mean alcohol. Not specifically, anyway.
But when I settle in with a good book, I like to set the tone, and it all depends on the story.
If I read a book set in the Arctic, I grab a blanket and some hot cocoa (assuming it’s not the middle of summer.) If I’m reading something set in the past, my drink of choice is wine. Paranormals usually call for a nice Scotch, and beer goes with everything. Iced tea is a favorite for any book set in the American South.
I like to snack while reading too, and anything salty is my go-to, but I do try to avoid snacks like Cheetos – no yellow cheese powder on my pages! Ack!
I’m not a big music person, so unless it’s Christmas music, I don’t usually turn any on. Christmas music is perfect for the Arctic-set books, though, which I love. Man, set any book in the snow and I’m there.
What about you? Do you have any book rituals that involve food, drink, music, etc? And if you’re reading Base Instincts and need any suggestions, I recommend dark chocolate and a Duvel, a Belgian ale named after the devil. Fitting, for a story full of demons, don’t you think? ☺
So tell me…what’s your ritual?
About Base Instincts
As a Seminus demon, Raze’s life literally depends on having sex with females. The problem is that he doesn’t desire females, and it’s physically impossible for him to be with males. Thankfully, he and his best friend, Fayle, have an arrangement that keeps him alive . . . if lonely. He finds some solace in his work as a medic at Thirst, a vampire club known for its rough clientele. But his carefully structured world turns upside down when he meets a mysterious male who makes him want what he can never have.
Slake is an assassin used to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Raze. But he also wants to earn back the soul he sold when he was a much different demon. All he has to do is capture a runaway succubus named Fayle and hand her over to her family. What he doesn’t count on is being caught himself by a web of lies—and his attraction to Raze.
Raze and Slake must navigate a dangerous world to be together. But as Fayle’s jealousy of their relationship turns deadly, they find themselves embroiled in a battle not only for their love, but their lives and souls.
Available at: Riptide Publishing & Amazon
About Larissa Ione
Larissa Ione is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran and former EMT, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion for writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge . . . just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her US Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.
Find out more about her on her Website, Twitter or Facebook.

Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a tote bag with swag and signed copies of Pleasure Unbound and Desire Unchained, the first two books in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series! Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on September 19. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Don’t forget your email so we can contact you if you win!
Don’t forget to check out JustJen’s review of Base Instincts to see what she thought of it!
Good luck!






I just love the excerpt but I can’t wait to read the rest.
forgot my email bibbiesparks@yahoo.com
Hi, Larissa. I have my ritual, it normally involves a nice cup of Earl Grey Cream tea and some ginger biscuits. It is important to add a nice, soft blanket if it is cold (which is most of the time at my place), but no music for me when I’m reading, thank you. I discover that this combination suits all sorts of books (and soothes all sorts of moods). Thank you for sharing your rituals! 😉
susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, that sounds fabulous! I’ve never had Earl Grey Cream tea, but I’ll have to keep my eye out for it. And ginger biscuits – yum!!!! Thanks for stopping by, Susana!
I like a latte/mocha and homemade cookie with my afternoon reading!
vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com
Love the Demonica series. I was way past excited when I saw this.
jenbear632@gmail.com
When reading these days I prefer quiet and to be laying in bed in the dark (it has to be night). I can read during the day but I find my focus is usually split.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
some tea
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
My reading ritual tends to be curling up in bed, lots of pillows to get comfy, with a fan on. I am always drinking something, generally either just water or a coke, but I do like iced tea too. And anything salty is great for a snack, preferably some kind of chip or cracker, although I really need to stay away from them. Since I read more on my kindle, I don’t have to worry about crumbs or anything, but I do still buy this series in print too….must have them for my collection (and I have most on audio too….I might be a little obsessed, lol).
~June
manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com
Great sounding series! I also prefer to read mostly at night!
juliesmall2016(at)gmail(dot)com
I don’t have any specific ritual when I read, and I don’t eat when I read, maybe hot cocoa, ice tea or coffee, or Nescafe 🙂
So excited about Demonica Series!
Thanks for the lovely post 🙂
bubacka07(at)outlook(dot)com
I don’t have any rituals, but yours sound fun. It’s sometimes hard to snack while reading but if I can, I will. I always have some dark chocolate on hand, so I’ll keep it in mind when reading this one. Thank you!
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com
I am such a fan of her books!! Looking forward to read this book as well!!
Betul E.
gemiinii90 (at) yahoo (dot) nl