Quotes (#173)

Source

Morning Friends,

Yay, it's Halloween! It's been a crazy few weeks for me, and I am ready for things to settle down again. Today is going to be a really busy day because of all of the activities at school and after school. On to the quotes...

“The beauty of poetry is that it can mean different things to different people at different times.” 

~ Wendy Higgins, Sweet Evil

“Let's be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.”
~Lena Dunham

“We have to face difficulties to find out what our true strengths are. How we come back from failure is a very valuable test.” 

~Wendy Higgins, Sweet Evil

“...there is no way of truly knowing one’s heart until one is put to the test.” 

~Wendy Higgins, Sweet Evil

“Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.”
~Ray Bradbury

“You’re beautiful. If you believe it, they’ll believe it.”
~Victoria Scott, The Collector

“Words were the most powerful tool. Simple and so often underestimated. They could heal. They could destroy." 
~Jennifer L. Armentrout, Onyx

Happy Halloween and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Mini Review: Believe by Katie Delahanty

Believe (Brightside #3)
Author: Katie Delahanty
Release Date: October 24, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Format: eBook
Source: Entangled Embrace
Review by: Nahomi

My name is Amanda Conrad and I. Am. A doctor.

When my cousin Liv whisked me away to South Africa to be maid of honor in her super-secret celebrity wedding, I was about to begin a five-year residency at NYU and was on my way to becoming a plastic surgeon. My plans definitely did not include a rock-star best man sweeping me off my feet.

But what happened in South Africa needed to stay there—he’d return to his touring and I’d start my residency, with our fond memories of a whirlwind, fairy-tale week. But now nothing feels right—I’m questioning my once solid plans, and I can’t stop thinking about him. Our lives are so different… Am I ready to risk everything I’ve worked for since I was thirteen—and put my heart on the line? To dream bigger than I ever thought possible? To believe I can have it all? That’s the thing about growing up...sometimes you have to be brave enough to redefine happily ever after.

5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. However, it did not influence this review in any way.*

Believe is a heart warming romance that will leave you wanting more! Amanda aka Boots and Mark have an intense chemistry together. I just couldn’t get enough of those two when they were together. It was wonderful catching up with Liv, Berkley and some of the other characters from In Bloom!

The African adventure was so much fun to read! Just a little lep just a little lep… When you read the story you’ll see what I mean. The story alternated between spurts of high action and times of less activity. I felt so frustrated with Boots and Mark at times because they can both be so stubborn!

Mark is a sweetheart but is a little closed off. Boots is extremely closed off but I enjoyed seeing her develop and find her own way! Believe has everything that I love in a romance novel!!

Favorite Friday (#61): This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a bi-monthly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where we spotlight some of our Favorite Reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on the linky or leave us a comment!

This week pick is: This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills.

Sloane isn't expecting to fall in with a group of friends when she moves from New York to Florida—especially not a group of friends so intense, so in love, so all-consuming. Yet that's exactly what happens.

Sloane becomes closest to Vera, a social-media star who lights up any room, and Gabe, Vera's twin brother and the most serious person Sloane's ever met. When a beloved painting by the twins' late mother goes missing, Sloane takes on the responsibility of tracking it down, a journey that takes her across state lines—and ever deeper into the twins' lives.

Jenn fell in love with Sloane and her sense of humor. The relationship between father and daughter was always amusing and just plain sweet. Sloane's friendship with Vera, Gabe, and Remy, it was interesting in seeing how they all developed and how they all became such good friends. A new fave YA contemporary author!

About the author:

Emma Mills is a debut author better known to her subscribers as vlogger Elmify. She is also cocreator and cohost of the "life skills" channel How to Adult.

           Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter 

I hope you can join us in sharing and talking about some of your favorite reads. Book talk always makes us happy. 

What is one of your favorite reads?

Mommy's Corner (#2)

Morning Friends,

Welcome to the second edition of Mommy's Corner! I am super excited to share my journey through parenthood with you. I have a five year old little girl named Mia. She loves arts, crafts, and playing. Mia's birthday was a while back and I wanted to share with you some of the goodies we made! This year I wanted to keep Mia's birthday simple and make most of the decorations and treats. So, I turned to Pinterest for some inspiration. Here are some of the images from Mia's 5th Birthday!

This was the backdrop for the main table, also it was the photo booth.

Picture frame (photo booth prop)

The set up.

The main table (pre final setup)

How it all got done.

Preparing the chocolate

Oreo cupcakes

Rainbow cake

There was a lot of baking going that week! There were other goodies and treats that were store bought, mainly I tried to make most of the items I could. This was my attempt at a homemade birthday. Have you ever attempted a fully homemade birthday? Tell me what you think, comment below.

Review: The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay #2)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Avon Books
Format: eARC
Source: Sullivan and Partners, LLC
Review by: Jenn

If she has her way…

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her… …He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him…

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice…

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but he doesn’t even remember her. How can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish–and let the mistletoe do its work…

4 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from the publicist, however, my review is not influenced in any way by it.*

Jill has got me hooked with her newest book, The Trouble with Mistletoe. I fell for Willa within the first few pages with her sense of humor and the way she is with the animals and with her employee, Rory. Within the first few pages, I saw how good of a boss she is. When we meet Keane, he's carrying a bedazzled pink carrier and I was a goner. It was hilarious that his big, strong, alpha male was being dominated by a cat and needed help. These are the things that make Jill one of the best contemporary romance author. She takes these hot men and makes them even hotter by putting a cute and vulnerable cat/dog/baby in their hands. With Keane, he comes into Willa's shop for help with his aunt's cat and he is unaware that he shares history with Willa and that hurts her even more. However, their sexual attraction to each other cannot be ignored and neither can the fact that they certainly have their banter down pat. And since Willa has some very nosy friends, they won't let her ignore it either.

I loved seeing these two grow closer and closer and how they started making an impact on each other. Willa is hilarious and always keeps Keane on his toes. And I love how easy Keane just goes along with Willa's friends and their shenanigans. Also, their sexual chemistry is off the charts so when they finally got together, I was more than ready for it. And it was HOT!

I thought Willa and Keane's friendship/relationship was realistically done up to a point. Right from the beginning, we know Willa has sworn off men because she's been burned before and when she goes into a relationship she goes all in. With Keane, we know he has a hard time expressing himself because his family has never been one to show emotions. So I didn't understand why Willa kept saying he wasn't up to commitment and that she was. Her big epiphany of realizing that it was the other way around was a bit "are you being serious?" moment for me.

Also, Willa's friend were a bit too nosy. When they interrupted Keane and Willa during a big conversation just because they weren't aware of the topic was a little annoying. I know they mean well but at that point, it was like seriously, mind your business. You'll get all the deets later.

All in all, I really enjoyed The Trouble with Mistletoe. Jill has me waiting on Elle and Archer's book and wanting to go back and read Pru and Finn's story.

Quotes (#172)

Source

Morning Swooners, 

Just when you think life is stagnant, it throws you a curve ball! There are a lot of changes coming my way very soon! I can't say much about it right now, but soon I will be able to  give more info. I hope you've had a great weekend. Lets start our Monday with one of my favorite authors!

"We want what we can't have. It's human nature."
~Cora Carmack, Losing It

"I am in love with this burrito. I would marry it if I didn’t want to eat it so badly.”
“The tragedy of true love,” Cade whispered."
~Cora Carmack, Losing It

"Oh, I burned it with my straightener.”
“You burned your leg with your straightener? How long is your leg hair?"
~Cora Carmack, Losing It 

"We should live like we smoke— inhale the present and exhale the past."
~Cora Carmack, Faking It 

"I had no one, but Hamlet. Who hated me with the fire of a thousand suns."
~Cora Carmack, Losing It

"Even the good things from our pasts still only belonged in the past"
~Cora Carmack, Faking It

"Sometimes, it’s the scary things in life that are the most worthwhile.” I told him. I’m pretty sure I’d read that in a fortune cookie once upon a time. That made it wise, right?"
~Cora Carmack, Losing It

Have a wonderful week!

On Our Nightstand (#8)

On Our Nightstand is where we show the state of disarray our nightstand look holding all the books we are currently reading.

Morning Swooners,

My nightstand is currently holding Beautiful by Christina Lauren (which I read and loved), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne, and Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas.

Nahomi's nightstand is one hot mess. It filled with books that her kindergartener is currently reading. 

How does your nightstand look?

Review: Three Simple Words by A. J. Pine

Three Simple Words
Author: A. J. Pine
Release Date: October 17, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Format: eBook
Source: Entangled Publishing
Review by: Nahomi

She's holding out for a happy ever after.

Annie
I know where to find my happily ever after—between the pages of a romance novel. It’s why I sell books, why I blog about them, and why I’ll never get disappointed by love.

So what if my brother’s best friend from high school is now a bestselling author? Or that he just blew back into town on a Harley, filling out a pair of jeans like he never did before? Or that he’s agreed to do a signing at my bookstore on such short notice? Because despite all his adoring female fans, I kind of hated his book.

Wes
The last time I saw Annie Denning, she was a senior in high school, three years older than me and way out of my league. Now I’m her last-minute date to a wedding, and what started as a night of pure fun has turned into something more real than either of us anticipated.

Annie is my muse. When I’m with her, my writer’s block fades away, and the words finally flow.

The only problem? She wants the fairy tale—her very own happily ever after—and anyone who’s read my book knows the truth. I just don’t believe they exist.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an early copy of this title from the publisher, however, my review is not influenced by it in any way.*

    A.J. Pine’s writing has a way of sucking me into her stories. I am a fan of Pine’s work, and when I read the synopsis of Three Simple Words I just had to read it! I fell in love with the story and its characters from the get go. Three Simple Words is funny and heart warming.

   Annie and Wes are remarkable characters. Pine transformed them from what seemed like typical romance characters to characters that are unique and three dimensional. Annie is funny, smart and sarcastic. Wes, is HOTT, egotistical and witty. Together Annie and Wes had amazing chemistry! The love scenes were extremely sexy and intimate.

   I enjoyed the dialogue in the story. Several times I found myself laughing out loud. There are several book references that were really entertaining. I loved the elements of forbidden love. A. J. Pine does a phenomenal job of creating an environment for her characters that makes me as a reader feel at home.

   Three Simple Words is a beautifully crafted story that I would recommend to anyone who loves to read romantic comedies.

Waiting on Wednesday (#158)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Believe by Katie Delahanty

Expected Release Date: October 24, 2016

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

My name is Amanda Conrad and I. Am. A doctor.

When my cousin Liv whisked me away to South Africa to be maid of honor in her super-secret celebrity wedding, I was about to begin a five-year residency at NYU and was on my way to becoming a plastic surgeon. My plans definitely did not include a rock-star best man sweeping me off my feet.

But what happened in South Africa needed to stay there—he’d return to his touring and I’d start my residency, with our fond memories of a whirlwind, fairy-tale week. But now nothing feels right—I’m questioning my once solid plans, and I can’t stop thinking about him. Our lives are so different… Am I ready to risk everything I’ve worked for since I was thirteen—and put my heart on the line? To dream bigger than I ever thought possible? To believe I can have it all? That’s the thing about growing up...sometimes you have to be brave enough to redefine happily ever after.

I AM SUPER EXCITED BELIEVE IS ALMOST HERE!! I love Katie Delahanty's books and I can't wait to read more about Liv's cousin Boots!!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Review: Bridesmaid Blues by Boone Brux

Bridesmaid Blues (Wedding Favors #1)
Author: Boone Brux
Release Date: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Format: ebook
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

A wedding. An ex. And a secret.

Maid-of-Honor Dani Brown can handle anything that comes her way when it comes to her best friend’s wedding. That is, until the bride asks for a huge favor-Dani needs to distract the best man, who happens to be Dani’s ex. The ex she has fantasized dismembering for a year now. The ex she’ll have to suck it up and play nice with if this wedding is to go off without a hitch.

Businessman Jamie Kingsland is back in Seattle for a wedding. There’s just one problem – the maid of honor wants him dead. Except she doesn’t. Even though he knows he broke her heart last year when things got too serious and he panicked and left, she’s being way too nice about it now. And it scares him.

Something is up with his favorite bridesmaid, and he’s determined to find out what…

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

When I first picked this book, I read the first chapter before clicking buy for .99 cents. The first chapter hooked me on Dani and Jamie's story because she seemed to be very level headed and he wasn't this overly cocky and arrogant guy. I wanted to get more of these two and see where their story took them. However, what quickly started off as a strong beginning, I quickly started skimming over some of the characters actions.

After breaking up and not speaking for a year, Dani and Jamie are reunited for their friends' wedding. They start hanging out together at the request of the bride, Dani's best friend, for a reason I find a little weird. So once they start hanging out, I really liked their chemistry. Again, Dani was this logical and level headed girl and Jamie was a nice, hot guy. However, once they started a friends-with-benefits/fling type of thing, I honestly didn't see her reasoning of how she could keep her heart out of the situation. It didn't seem like something she would act upon considering what we've learn from her.  Especially the way she acted after the night, how open up for anything she was. It didn't ring true to her character.

Also, while I enjoy being in Jamie's head, I couldn't for the life of me understand why he just allowed his parents to treat him the way they do. Or allowed them to control his life to such an extreme. He seems to be pretty put together and smart so I wouldn't have expected that from him. But considering why he breaks up with Dani, I guess it makes sense why he allows the controlling parents.

Towards the end, we learn of a secret that really bothered me with how quickly Dani managed to forgive. It was done with "good" intentions but I really don't like how this character behaved. It felt like such a condescending move because they did it because they knew what a good nudge it would be for Dani but didn't think she could do it on her own or without any meddling.

All in all, I enjoyed the book but the way the characters acted in the middle and the end, it didn't ring true to the characters we meet in the beginning. The ending all felt a little contrived and a little unbelievable just because of Jamie's actions. I know I'm probably being picky but it just things that really bothered me and would have been otherwise enjoyable had they not happened.