All About Paperless Post!

Hi, everyone! I was recently introduced to a plat form called Paperless Post which is extremely helpful for making and sending online invitations. I love this because I am in for anything that helps us be slightly sustainable without getting the fun out of the way. 

As most of you know, Janhvi and I will be celerbating our blogoversary in August and even though it'll soon be six years since we started blogging, I always find it hard to make invitations, banners and posters for the celebration. But with Paperless Post, most of my worries are out of the way. For someone ever so slightly technologically handicapped like me, Paperless Post is a savoiur. I just created an invitation for our huge giveaway and it was the easiest task ever! Once the invitation was made, Paperless Post even gives you a link and a few social media sites to share your event on. 

Feel free to check out hwat I made right here and yes, we welcome you all to join us in celebrating our sixth blogoversary on August 16. 

I hope you give this site a try as it is super duper easy to use and extremely handy while being creative and fun! 

Teaser Tuesday #93

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! 

"They say the oldder you are, the wiser you get; well, here's a recipe from a wise, wise woman aged just twenty-seven."

-Caramel Hearts by E. R. Murray 

Goodreads Summary:

Liv Bloom’s life is even more complicated than that of your average fourteen-year-old: her father walked out on the family when she was young, her mother is in a recovery centre for alcoholics, and her older sister is struggling to step into Mum’s shoes. The only person she can turn to is her best friend Sarah, who gets out of scrapes at school and is a constant source of advice and companionship. One day Liv discovers a book of recipes written in her mum’s handwriting, which sets her off on a journey towards self-discovery and reconciliation – but a theft, a love rivalry and a school bully are just some of the many obstacles on the way.

Structured around real cake recipes, Caramel Hearts is a coming-of-age novel about love, disappointment and hope, and discovering the true value of friends and family, no matter how dysfunctional they are.

What are you currently reading? Do link me to your teaser post! 

Review- You Against Me by Jenny Downham

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

 BOOK SUMMARY:

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right?

If your brother's accused of a terrible crime but says he didn't do it, you defend him, don't you?

When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart.

When Ellie's brother is charged with the offence, her world begins to unravel.

When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.

This is a brave and unflinching novel from the bestselling author of Before I Die. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love.

Release date: December 2nd 2010

Published by: David Fickling

Page numbers: 413

REVIEW: 

I remember it was 2012 when I first came across You Against Me. When I saw the cover, I knew I had to read the book. I put off reading the ebook for a very, very long time. Recently, however, I came across a paperback copy of the book at a local book sale and bought it. I took it as a sign and finally picked it up from my shelf to read. And man, what a book! 

I'm actually glad I read the book in 2018, and not 2012 because I understood it better and I found so much depth in it in the really small stuff which I probably would've ignored back in the day. Author Jenny Downham has written a beautiful book and her writing is so very beautiful that even though the book is slow and very long, once it ended, I wanted more of her words because they were so beautiful. 

When Karyn files a rape case against Tom, both her and Tom's families are shattered. Family relations are my most favourite part about young adult books, and both families were amazingly portrayed. Tom comes from a very rich family who will do whatever it takes to defend him and his future. Karen's family is poor, troubled but a close knit family who tries their best to be there for her. 

Tom's sister Ellie and Karyn's brother Mikey meet once and sparks fly. Although both want to protect their siblings, they know what's right and what needs to be done to serve justice. I loved how their relationship blossomed throughout the book. These two had some of the hardest decisions to make and they did it with brains and poise. The character and relationship development was wonderful. 

I highly recommend You Against Me to fans of young adult and anyone really, because this is a deep, sad and beautiful book. And since it's set in England, you get to know so much about the country added knowlegde is always a plus. 

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren

Summary-

The gentlemen from Beautiful Bastard, Beautiful Stranger, and Beautiful Player are out for a wild night on The Strip.

When Max, Henry, and Will steal Bennett away for a weekend of shenanigans and strippers in Vegas, the first stop of the night doesn’t go at all as planned. With their scheme for a Guys Weekend completely derailed anyway, Max and Bennett begin to play a wild game of stealth and secrecy in order to have their bombshells all over Sin City.

Review-

Beautiful Bombshell is technically the fourth book and the second novella in Christina Lauren's Beautiful Bastard series. This novella takes place in Vegas where all the guys have gone for Bennett's bachelor party to Vegas, that too on Valentine's Day. What I liked the most about this novella is that goes completely from Max and Bennett's point of view.

Let's start with Bennett. Bennett is in Vegas with Max, Henry and Will for his bachelor party. All he wants to do is enjoy a few drinks with his buddies but they force him to go for a lap dance. What Bennett is pleasantly surprised to find is that Chloe is there in Vegas for a night too. I really enjoyed seeing how whipped Bennett was. He was desperate to get alone time with her and went to great lengths for it.

Max, on the other hand, knows that Chloe and Sara are in Vegas for a night and he plans to spend every free second he gets with Sara. I am a huge Max Stella fan and I thoroughly enjoyed his parts in this novella. All Max wants to do is give Sara whatever she wants and his love for her is clearly seen in this novella.

Unlike the last novella, this novella had more length to it. I loved seeing the guys so adorably whipped with their women also enjoyed all the hilarious excuses they came up with and all the funny situations which happened in Vegas. I am excited about Will'sbook next. Beautiful Bombshell was a good read.

Book Tour- The 12 Terrors of Christmas by Claudette Melanson

The 12 Terrors of Christmas

by Claudette Melanson

Genre: Horror Short Stories

Award-winning author Claudette Melanson offers eleven new and original stories to make your skin crawl at any time of the year. This horror anthology also includes an original short by Amazon International Best-Selling Author, Lynn Lamb, titled "Bring Me Flesh and Bring Me Wine." A special bonus story is also included by Melanson, "Mislead," previously published only on the Halloweenpalooza blog. Grab a cup of cocoa and make sure the windows and doors are locked tight as you settle in by the fire to enjoy these tales of terror, but be warned...locks have never succeeded at keeping Santa from gaining entry. If you enjoy a slice of horror with your holiday cheer, this collection of Christmas horror shorts will satisfy all your dark cravings during the holidays...and beyond.

Terror One: 

Who is Santa really? Does something sinister lurk beneath the red suit and apple-cheeked visage? More importantly, what does Santa want for Christmas?

Terror Two: 

It is said that every wish bears a cost...even a wish of good intent. What do Detective Talbot and his son, Mallory, stand to lose when the pair seek to right a wrong on Christmas Eve?

Terror Three: 

Christmas can be a time for great joy...but also for heart-wrenching regret. Can the magic of Christmas Eve turn back the clock before time runs out for Morana and her family?

Terror Four: 

Snow falls white and clean, seeming to purify the small town of Moon, Pennsylvania, but the woods behind Vaughn's home have taken on a sinister cast. The snow keeps falling in record-breaking depths, but does evil lay hidden beneath its seemingly-innocent luster? 

Terror Five: 

As his elves scurry to fill the toy orders for the busy season, unknown terror creeps toward the workshop intent on releasing an evil meant to cancel Santa's yearly deliveries forever.

Terror Six:

 A well-meaning elf casts a spell which could inadvertently reveal the dark truth about Santa's workshop and its inhabitants. The world's children may end up paying a terrifying price, proving that the path of good intention oftentimes does indeed lead to hell.

Terror Seven: 

A scary twist on a classic Christmas poem

Terror Eight: 

Santa's sleigh plummets to the ground, tearing all hope of a merry Christmas to bits and pieces. Will the elves be able to employ enough magic to stitch together some sort of solution? Or will their efforts only deliver greater horror and loss?

Terror Nine:

 Trinette is preparing to celebrate her first Christmas in love. Her boyfriend says he found the perfect gift for her, but beneath the shiny red paper and ribbon lies a secret he's kept hidden during all the months of their courtship...

Terror Ten:

 The world's population explosion means business is booming at Santa's workshop, with the need to expand making a difficult excavation below the permafrost necessary. But the elves should use caution lest they dig up an evil best left buried.

Terror Eleven:

 A special holiday treat for Maura DeLuca fans! Riptide ended on a happy note, but how did Maura's extended family celebrate Christmas? Could it be that the holiday didn't quite play out the way the vampires planned?

Terror Twelve:

 It's a dangerous time to call oneself a non-believer. Those who scoff at Santa's existence are melting all over the world. But could the benevolent head elf turn out to be the murderer?

Vampires, ghosts, demons, elves, werewolves, serial killers and a rampaging Krampus are just a few of the monsters creeping amongst the pages of The 12 Terrors of Christmas. Are you brave enough to venture inside to experience the flip side of the typical Hallmark-themed Christmas?

Add to Goodreads

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Claudette Melanson writes dark fantasy, horror and children’s books in Kitchener, Ontario with seven bun babies at her side: Tegan, Pepper, Butters, Beckett, Sansa, Daenerys & Caramel. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English, BS in English Education and an MA in Literature. Harboring a deep admiration of vampires since the age of five left her with the desire to eventually become one, and now fuels the creation of her favorite paranormal characters. She hopes to one day work full time as an author, since there are many, many stories playing out inside her head.

In her very scant spare time, she enjoys watching Japanese Anime and reading vampire stories...along with other genres of great fiction, as well as riding every roller coaster she encounters in both her hometown and away at signings. An advocate for good health and ketogenic eating, her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee, cashew-flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond, coconut or cashew flours.

Future dreams include a cabin boasting a roaring fire, isolated inside a snow-filled wood in the Yukon—the perfect writing spot—and the completion of dozens of future novels and stories. A Rabbit Rescue fanatic and loving bunmom, she also hopes to help rescues all over the world save many innocent lives.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Instagram

Google+ * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

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Release Tour- Always Been You by Sadie Allen

Always Been You  

by Sadie Allen

Cedar Lake Series, Book 1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Design: Oh So Novel

Release Date: July 19, 2018

Synopsis:

Emma Taylor ran away from home in a cloud of dust, taking the pieces of her broken heart with her. Fifteen years later, she is back to care for her grieving father and to face the boy who once broke her heart. 

Brazos Huntswell was dealt a bad hand. Life hasn't turned out the way he envisioned it in high school. He's a single father to a moody teenage girl and trying to make a go of the cattle ranch his father left him.

Trouble is brewing in the town of Cedar Lake, and people are turning up dead. Will Braz and Emma be able to weather the coming storm and take a chance on forever? Or will a ghost from the past destroy that chance... permanently?

Add to your Goodreads TBR List

Buy Links:

Amazon / Books2Read

About the Author:

Sadie Allen lives in Texas with her husband and three young children. When she's not writing, she's reading, catching up on her favorite shows, or chasing her family around the house.

Social Media Links:

Website / Newsletter / Goodreads / Amazon / Facebook / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest

Giveaway:

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(Late!) Cover Reveal- Truth or Dare by Anne Conley

It’s cover reveal day for Anne Conley’s Truth or Dare. Check it out and be sure to grab your copy August 21^st!

Title: Truth or Dare

Author: Anne Conley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Day: August 21^st

About Truth or Dare:

When a child’s game goes delightfully wrong, Jude finds himself rethinking his current status quo. Jude finds himself strangely looking to Annette to make sense of his own life. Annette is trying not to get distracted by the sexy firefighter, but when her artistic retreat begins in disaster, Jude’s playing the hero she can’t ignore. Suddenly, her artwork is completely changed with Jude’s exquisite lines transforming her landscapes. Up until now, their life was like a notebook full of doodles, but it’s turning into a full-fledged art showing, and neither of them know how to deal with the embers of desire when they ignite into flames.

Add on Goodreads!

Exclusive Excerpt:

“Hi,” he began. “I have a favor to ask.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled vaguely, exposing a tiny gap in her teeth which only made her more attractive with the tiny imperfection. “I’m here with my friends, and one of their girlfriends is trying to mess with me. I was about to leave when she dared me to kiss a woman here. And then I saw you.” Her brows furrowed in confusion, but he saw the pulse in her neck pick up speed. When she absently licked her lips, he sat next to her. “Let me kiss you to get them off my back, then I’ll buy you a drink and walk away.” She took a deep breath but didn’t say anything. Her eyes searched his face, landing on his lips, then going back to his eyes, probably gauging his honesty. “I promise I’m not playing with you. Look over there.” Jude turned his head to follow her eyes as she looked over his shoulder at his friends. Joey raised his drink with a goofy smile on his face, and Simone narrowed her eyes on a huff. Zane just watched over the rim of his drink, a twinkle in his eyes. Logan was still nowhere to be found. Jude sighed. “See?” He turned back to her to find her watching him intently. “So … what do you say? May I kiss you? You don’t have to see me again, promise.” It occurred to him maybe that was a deal breaker for her, but he wasn’t really willing to make promises he didn’t plan on keeping just for a stupid game. But as he watched her decide, he got a little lost in her green eyes, the color of frosty sage leaves after a morning dew. “You have gorgeous eyes. I bet men tell you that all the time.” She snapped out of her trance. “Thank you. Yes.” Her voice was low and husky, sending a shock of lust straight to his balls. He rested his hand on her leg, the desire to touch those soft curves overriding all common sense. “Yes, what? Guys say that a lot?” Her smile widened, and Jude lost all the air in his lungs. God, she was breathtaking. “Yes, you can kiss me.” Jude smiled and scooted his chair closer to her. He was about to kiss a random stranger in a bar on a dare, but as he gripped her braid and brought her face closer to his, he didn’t give a flying fuck. He wanted to taste those glistening lips. STAT. He closed his eyes as he brushed his lips across hers, and then sensations took over everything. Warmth, softness, her subtle floral scent, her fingers trailing up his chest and winding around his neck, the tiny gasp she expelled. Something foreign and totally feral welled up inside him and roared approval. More.

About the Author:

 

 Anne has written her entire life and has the boxes of angst-filled journals and poetry to prove it. She’s been writing for public consumption for the past several years. She lives in rural East Texas with her husband and children in her own private oasis, where she prides herself in her complete lack of social skills, choosing instead to live with the people inside her head. Currently, she has five romance series. Playing with Fire explores the trials and tribulations of a small team of fire fighters in the fictional mountain town of Pamona Gulch. In Pierce Securities, she gives us Ryan, Evan, Miriam, Zack, Quinten, Jordan, Hollerman, and Simon. Her favorite series, Book B!tches, is all about a group of women in Mystic, Texas who get into all sorts of shenanigans. In Stories of Serendipity, she explores real people living real lives in small town Texas in a contemporary romance setting. In The Four Winds, she chronicles God’s four closest archangels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, falling in love and becoming human.    

Connect with Anne:

Reader Group | Amazon | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Instagram | Bookbub

Enter Anne’s Giveaway:

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Cover Reveal- The Risky Hearts Duet by Candace Knoebel

We are so excited to be sharing with you not one, but two new covers for Candace Knoebel's Risky Hearts duet. If you love contemporary romance, you're not going to want to miss TEN REASONS TO STAY and FIVE REASONS TO GO this fall!

TEN REASONS TO STAY - August 30, 2018

One day a week—Thursdays—my husband and I could do whatever or whomever we pleased. Protection was non-negotiable. And no matter what, we had to be home by midnight. Jack was the one who wanted an open marriage, but we were supposed to keep things simple. No strings. No commitments. It seemed so easy…until it wasn’t. Devilishly handsome Cole Blackwater was only supposed to be a flight, but everything about him made me feel alive. Wanted. Seen. When I realized he was my husband’s boss, I should have broken things off right then…but I didn’t. One day a week, I could pretend that I was his and he was mine…until Cole wanted more. But how could I decide between the man I’d promised to love, honor, and cherish, and the man who tempted me to break every single vow I’d made? Add TEN REASONS TO STAY to your Goodreads TBR here!  

FIVE REASONS TO GO - October 25, 2018

Blurb to be revealed following the publication of TEN REASONS TO STAY!

Add FIVE REASONS TO GO to your Goodreads TBR here!

                     

About CANDACE KNOEBEL

Candace Knoebel is a hopeless romantic with an affinity for whiskey and good music. Her love of words began when she met the boy who lived in the cupboard under the stairs. She's a self-proclaimed Lost Girl. Words are her mirror. With two completed series, her work ranges from paranormal to contemporary, all centered heavily around romance. Currently, she lives in Florida with her husband and two children, and has just completed her thirteenth novel, The Taste of Her Words.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon / BookBub / Reader Group

Sneak Peek- The Naked Truth by Vi Keeland

CONTINUE READING FOR MORE GRAY

IN AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK OF

 

“May I get you something to drink while you wait for the rest of your party?” the waiter asked. I would normally wait to see what the client did and follow his lead on alcohol. But tonight was not the norm. I rubbed at my stiff neck. “I’ll take a vodka cranberry, please.” I hoped it would help calm my nerves and release some of the tension in my jaw before I gave myself a full-blown headache. Taking out my phone, I started to scroll through emails to distract myself while waiting for my drink and dinner companion. My head whipped up at the sound of Gray’s voice behind me. “Sorry I’m late.” My heart unexpectedly fluttered, and I fought against the feeling of excitement. “Are you really? Because I get the sense you don’t have any manners after the way you interrupted me a million times today.” He completely ignored my attitude as he took the seat across from me. “Traffic is a bitch getting downtown at this time. Next time we’ll have dinner at my place.” “There won’t be a next time.” Gray’s mouth curved into a smug smile as he snagged my gaze. “Sure there will. There’ll be plenty of next times. And eventually you’ll stop pretending you don’t enjoy my company.” I hated that my body reacted to him. Right from the very start, we’d had a crazy chemistry between us that was difficult to dull. I sighed. “What are you doing, Gray? Why did you come to my firm?” He lifted the cloth napkin in front of him and laid it across his lap. “Isn’t that obvious? I need new legal representation.” “At my firm? And you’d prefer that representation come from an associate instead of my boss’s boss—the head of our securities division? Or even from Pittman, who would gladly hold your hand and provide you whatever legal advice you need from his fifty-plus years of experience?” “Loyalty is important to me. I want someone I can trust with my business.” “And you’ve decided that’s me? An associate with five years experience who just got off probation with the Bar Association for violating attorney-client privilege?” The waiter arrived with my drink. “Here you go, ma’am.” He turned to Gray. “May I get you something to drink? Or would you like to wait until the last of your party joins you this evening?” “It’s just the two of us. I’ll have a Macallan, neat, please.” “Coming right up.” The waiter walked around to the other side of the table and started to remove the third place setting. I put my hand out, stopping him. “We actually do have another party coming, so you can leave that.” “Very well.” He nodded. Gray waited until the waiter was out of earshot. “I didn’t invite anyone else to dinner.” I sipped my drink and offered a saccharine-sweet fake smile. “I did. Figured an important client like you should have more than one attorney to answer his questions.” Just as I set down my glass, I saw the other man I was waiting for enter the restaurant. He scanned the room, looking for me, so I held up my hand and waved. “Perfect timing. There’s Oliver now.” Gray glanced at the man heading toward us and back to me. Instead of being pissed off, the jerk was amused. “That’s cute. You invited a chaperone because you don’t trust yourself with me.”

We hope you enjoyed this sneak peek of THE NAKED TRUTH.

The Naked Truth by Vi Keeland

RELEASING JULY 23rd!

iBooks pre-order / B&N pre-order / Google Play pre-order / Kobo pre-order / Amazon print / Audio pre-order / Goodreads giveaway

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Prefer texts? Text the word BOOKS to 77948 and receive an alert when The Naked Truth goes live. (You will only receive new release alerts!)

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Review- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Turtles All the Way Down on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. In his long-awaited return,

Release date: October 10th 2017

Published by: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Page numbers: 304

REVIEW: 

Like most readers who have read and loved John Green's books in the past, I too was excited for Turtles All the Way Down. While it took me a really long time to get to it, when I finally did, I literally felt like I was at home with a John Green book in my hand. 

I have practically read every John Green book out there- The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines and Will Grayson, Will Grayson. When I finally got to Turtles All the Way Down, it was like any other John Green book where the teens talk like extremely mature adults, the protagonist is hard to like but the writing is incredible. 

Turtles All the Way Down is the story of Aza whose mental health is portrayed terrifically. While I found it extremely difficult to get used to and like Aza because of her- as her friend rightly puts it "narcissism", I did connect to her on a mental level. Aza meets up with her childhood friend Davis whose billionaire father has suddenly disappeared. There is a reward for the person who finds him. So Aza's friend Daisy takes up the task of doing some investigation.  

For a plot that sounds quite mysterious and interesting, it was neither mysterious nor interesting. Had the summary not mentioned anything about detectives and mysteries, I would've liked the book more because clearly it lacked a strong plot. While it barely took me a couple of days to finish the book, Turtles All the Way Down didn't really have me pumped up or excited to get back to it like some other books by the author have in the past. I hate saying this, but I was really disappointed. 

Although not his most incredible book, I would still recommend Turtles All the Way Down to fans of John Green for his brilliant writing, the on point portrayal of mental health, the superb character of Daisy and for the moment where you realise why it's called Turtles All the Way Down. I wasn't impressed by this one, but I'm glad I didn't miss it. 

Buy the book: AMAZON

Waiting on Wednesday #239

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spines, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. 

A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne

Publication date:August 23rd 2018 

Goodreads Summary:

A psychological drama of cat and mouse, A Ladder to the Skyshows how easy it is to achieve the world if you are prepared to sacrifice your soul.

If you look hard enough, you can find stories pretty much anywhere. They don’t even have to be your own. Or so would-be writer Maurice Swift decides very early on in his career. A chance encounter in a Berlin hotel with celebrated novelist Erich Ackermann gives him an opportunity to ingratiate himself with someone more powerful than him. For Erich is lonely, and he has a story to tell. Whether or not he should do so is another matter entirely.

Once Maurice has made his name, he sets off in pursuit of other people’s stories. He doesn’t care where he finds them – or to whom they belong – as long as they help him rise to the top. Stories will make him famous but they will also make him beg, borrow and steal. They may even make him do worse.

In spite of the controversy surrounding it, I had really- and I mean REALLY- like John Boyne's The Boy in Striped Pyjamas. So I am looking forward to his new book. I'll be buying and reading it for sure as soon as it's out. 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?