Monday 27 February 2012

Winners of Flirting WIth Love Blog Hop

So I finally managed to randomize the names. Below, please find the winners.

Truly Madly Deeply You Winners: 

  1. marybelle
  2. Kathryn Merkel
  3. Gena Robertson
2 Winners Amazon Gift cards worth each  $5
  1. Tina B
  2. catherine
Congratulations! please expect an email from me.

I'd like to thank everyone for participating in the hop and commenting. I enjoyed reading all the comments. I do agree with every single one of them, there are pros and cons of a Friends to lovers realtionship. 

Thanks again!





Got Monday Blues? Here's how I'm taking care of mine....

Sometimes Mondays can be dreary, it is the beginning of the week after all. Instead of counting the days till Friday, I decided to concentrate on finding something to kick Monday Blues out the proverbial window. *rubbing hands together* So, these are some books I received  from Amazon *picks one from the desk and sniffs* aaah, there's nothing like a new book. I bought some Kindle as well, and got some for free. (Kindle), Netgalley, ARC, and from the library.


5 book  set of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. (My! isn't that enough to chase the blues away?) Since I have a feeling I am the only one who hasn't read these books, I'll just go hide somwhere.. *scampers off and hides behind the sofa*

J.R. Ward Box Set     The "What If" Guy       Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1)
Copyright: Amazon.de                                                        copyright: Goodreads


*Crawls back and hops back on the seat* 


So where was I? Oh yeah...


Kindle Books bought:


Rippler (Ripple, #1)                   How to Date a Werewolf (Rylie Cruz #1)
Copyright: Goodreads


Free Kindle Books:

To Feel Again           Dance Macabre (Lords of Pendragon #1)          Kissed in Paris 
                                             copyright Goodreads

ARC from the publisher :


Shadow of The Witte Wieven


From the Library:


Rebecca                    The Gift

copyright Goodreads.




Netgalley:


Putting Boys on the Ledge (A Girlfriend's Guide to Boys Book #1)                Grave Mercy
copyright: Goodreads                                 copyright: Netgalley

Phew! And my reading pile jsut keeps growing, but I love it! I just can't resist adding more to the pile. :D

How is your Monday fairing on? Got any books to share, ideas or just anything to help chase the blues away? 

Flirting with Love Blog hop

Hiya Friends! 




Hope you had a gr8t weekend! 


I will be posting the winners of the blog hop later on today. Good luck to you all! :)


Cecilia

Tuesday Tales 28th Feb

Another Tuesday, another Tale. This week's prompt is 'Dress'.  To check out other brilliant stories from other authors: Tuesday Tales


Here is an excerpt from my WIP: Working Title name: Ties Unbound 



If anyone would have told me that I’d be getting married on the eve of my twentieth birthday, I’d have scoffed at them. But here I was in my room, getting ready for just that. My wedding to one of the most feared men in the world. And the most loathed. I wiped my balmy palm over my forehead.


“I don’t understand why I have to put on this dress!” I scowled, unable to shift my eyes from the dress lying on my bed. Not only did it look heavy, it had a plunging back and the fabric so sheer I was sure no one would need to squint their eyes to see through it. Only one word sprang in mind: Scandalous. I shuddered at the thought of everyone gawking at my back all the way to my butt, while I walked down the aisle.

My mother sighed, and wrapped her arms around me. “You must. He chose it. He chose you. It’s the custom for the groom to choose his bride’s dress.”

I pressed my face on my mother’s shoulder, and fisted my hands on my her chest, caring less that my make up would be smudged.

Why me? Why now? And most of all, why marry him? I had seen him around the court a few times. According to mother, he’d been evaluating his future wife.

More like shopping for a wife!

Unable to hold back any longer, I sniffled. Mother held me at arm’s length, her brown eyes filling with tears, as well as what I recognised as sadness.

“You’ll do fine, Cynthia. Of all my five daughters, he choose you. He saw something special in you. And you are special. You are my daughter.” She brushed a thumb along my cheek, my eyes slipped shut, savouring the feel of her comfort. For all I know, it was the last time, and I had no idea what lay ahead.

“Mother, I can’t – I can’t get married to him. I don’t know him. I don’t love him.”

Mother grabbed my shoulders and pulled me fiercely to her.“Oh my poor baby. You will love him. Andricalle is a good man. And a well, loved king.”

I blinked rapidly, finally let the tears fall and focused on the pain on my palms where my fingernails bit.

How could they let this happen? Weren’t the older girls supposed to get married first, and not the third down the line?

What my mother wasn’t saying was, I was the glue that would seal the compact between two groups. Last night I eavesdropped on a conversation between my father and mother. They spoke about compacts and agreements, and marriage. If I had known the marriage involved me, I wouldn’t be here at this moment.

This was my fate. Already sealed, and I couldn’t say a word. Everything seemed to be hanging on my marriage.

Taking a deep, trembling breath, I lifted my head and pulled myself away from my mother’s shoulder. I slipped the dress on, and as soon it’s weight settled around me, I breathed out. The back wasn’t as dipping as I had initially thought. From the mirror, I saw my mother brush her hand at her eyes discreetly. I averted my eyes quickly as she raised her head and came to stand behind me.

After piling my hair up and pining the tight curls with pins, I took a deep breath and turned to face my mother. Her lashes were still wet, and as much as she was trying to look happy, her lips were clamped together. They quivered slightly.

I lifted my dress and stepped forward, embracing her. “You always told us every one is born for purpose. Perhaps this is mine.” I wanted to swallow my tongue after the words passed through my lips.  But I continued. “I’ll be fine.”

She sniffled and pulled back, dabbing her eyes with a white cloth handkerchief. “If you ever feel you need to come home, for any particular reason, you are always welcome.”
And embarrass my family? Besides, from what I heard, The Leonians never gave up easily on what they considered theirs.

I nodded, forcing my lips to lift in a smile. 

The Ochestra struck the traditional wedding tune, As I stepped through the door’s threshold, heads turned towards me, and I froze. My fingers clutched on my father’s arm.

“Relax, Cynthia sweetheart. It’s only a wedding.”

It wasn’t only a wedding. This was an event that was going to change my life. I'd be a wife, with responsibilities. Man, I had never been kissed on the lips yet! My current boyfriend, soon to be ex-boyfriend, Bren, seemed to think if he kissed me, I’d become pregnant. We made-do with chaste kisses on the cheek or on the forehead. Even our youngest sister Gilde had already been kissed hundred times - or so she bragged.

Glancing through my veil, I searched for Bren. He was sitting next to the aisle. His usually smooth, cheerful expression was like a dark storm waiting to happen, his full lips a thin line on his mouth. He held my gaze for a moment, then shifted and turned around to face in front of the chapel. It was enough for me to see the hurt, pain and betrayal in his hazel eyes.

At the front, my sisters and mother stared at us as we walked down the aisle. Pity, uncertainty and envy on their faces. Magda, our eldest sister dropped her gaze. We had often joked about the kind of men we’d like to get married to when we grew up. She had hopped to be the first. My eyes burned and I blinked back tears. I was glad for the veil.

Swinging my eyes forward, I saw him. Andricalle. My future husband. He stood straight with held his head high, unsmiling and his face unreadable. Dark hair was meticulously swept back. Intense hazel/green eyes focussed on me. I stumbled.
 Today he’d done away with his customary black shirt and trousers, and honoured the occasion with a black suit, a white button up shirt and a silver grey tie. As my eyes lifted to meet his, something flashed in his expression. Interest? Irritation? Contempt?Before I could process its meaning, it vanished. I swallowed trying to dislodge the lump stuck in my throat. Possibly my heart. Since the beginning of this wedding affair, my heart seemed to be displaced, alternating between racing in my chest, and rising high in my throat.

My father must have seen my face through the veil, or sensed my need to flee, because his hand tightened around my arm, urging me on towards the front of the church to meet my husband.


Thanks for taking time to stop by and reading. As always, comments/feedback on what to improve are welcome. (The story is still WIP. There are bound to be grammar, typos. :) )


check out other wonderful entries @ Tuesday Tales



Sunday 26 February 2012

Six Sentence Sunday (#3) 26th Feb







Another Sunday, another Six. Wow, it's been  a while since I took part in this wonderful hop. Today, I will be posting the first six form my WIP YA dark fantasy, Grim Reaper's Novice. This is the begining of the story. Two years ago Ana's (the MC), family were involved on a car accident claiming their lives. She traded her soul for the four souls of her family, to work for the Grim Reaper. 
Now she is about to be tested before she graduates to Soul Collector graduate. Unfortunately she has no idea what the test involves, and with Grim, well, it's not like she will be given a multiple choice test to circle the correct answers. :D


So, here we go:


My soul belongs to the Grim Reaper. Most nineteen year olds I know, are in the Uni, engaged to be married or bouncing a baby on their hip.

Not me. I collect souls for a living, a decision I don’t regret making.
Inside the Watchman Chamber of the south tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, I’m drawn to the summer blue  sky highlighted with red and orange streaks, and the fading yellow of the setting sun. Doves coo from somewhere close. I tap my high heeled foot fuelled by a fast beat song blaring from my music player. These are the rare moments of my self-created paradise while waiting for my assignments from The Grim Reaper.

Ok that went a bit beyond the Six sentences. 

To check out the other brilliant Sixes, click Six Sunday

The Homegrown Book Tour + Giveaway




The Homegrown




Author: Harry Deshpande  

Source: Blog Tour/Author
Date of Publish: July 21st, 2011













My Review:



This is unlike any other book I've ever read. Anwar our MC travels to Quetta instead of Hawaii with his wife after being persuaded by his father. The series of events that happen after arriving in his childhood homeland completely change his life, and the way he looks at life in general.


It touches an extremely sensitive subject in this time and age. The author has avivid way of describing of what is happening around the MC. The pacing in the story was done well. Mr Deshpande did a good job with this story. I look forward to reading other works from the author.

The author was kind enough to offer a copy of The Homegrown for a giveaway.  Please leave a comment with your email for a chance to win.

Thursday 23 February 2012



FLIRTING WITH LOVE: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ROMANCE BLOG HOP TOUR
 (FEB 24-26)




TOUR RULES!

1) HAVE FUN!!!


2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!


3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Friday, February 24th
THIS TOUR ENDS: Sunday, February 26, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
***Winners will be drawn and posted Monday, February 27th! ***


4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS & BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!


5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR & BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!


6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!


***Authors & Book Pages have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***





Flirting with love..... and your loved one


Nothing as romantic as a walk with your loved one at dawn.






What better way to say I love you than with roses the colour of love,




And once he/she says those words, your heart goes a-flame


Nothing like a bike ride on the beach. How romantic is that on your Wedding day?








Love a good Friends to Lovers story? Check out Truly, Madly, Deeply, You my debut contemporaray romance novella. It will published by Inkspell Publishing and will be released on March 21st, 2012. It is available to preorder at Inkspell Publishing website.


Book Summary

Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.

What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?



Do you think that kind of relationship would work?Share with us your thoughts on Best Friends friends becoming lovers. 


Comment and leave your email addy for a chance to win eARC of Truly Madly Deeply You and to win a Amazon gift card. 




TO GO BACK TO THE MAIN PAGE PLEASE CLICK HERE

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Review of Always You by Shilpa Mudiganti





Author: Shilpa Mudiganti

Publisher: Inkspell Publishing

Date of pub: 6th March, 2012



Source: Author

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Rating 5/5













Book summary

Lyla has to move on. She’s been stuck in a rut since her heart was broken five years ago. Trying to decide about life with her fiancé, Nick, she resolves to finish one last project before moving to Spain and starting a new life. That is until she is face to face with the one man who broke her heart all those years ago, Alexander Knight.

Five years ago, when Alex and Lyla meet at his friend, Andrew's grave, they fall deeply in love. But, Alex is hiding a secret that will destroy his relationship with Lyla and does. What Lyla doesn’t realize is that Alex has changed since their break-up, because of her love, only she still has hate in her heart towards him.

But now, fate has brought them together in such a way that they have no option but to remain dangerously close - dangerous enough for Lyla to fall in love with him again. How can she? Not after what she knows about Alex and what he did to Andrew.

It’s true that love can change people for the better. But is it enough? What will happen when two broken people with a past come together? Can they forgive and heal?

Source: Goodreads


My Review



First of all, points for the cover. As a reader who loves a good book wrapped up in a gorgeous cover, this on is right up there on my list.

Always You is a story about love, hurt and misunderstanding, forgiveness.
Lyla is engaged to Nick. Her life seems to be going ok, until Alex, her former ex makes an appearance - namely, them working together on a project at work - upsetting the life she had built for herself after their break-up, as well as memories of their time together five years ago.

Lyla's character is still hurting from what she thinks Alex *swoon* did five years ago, Alex is haunted by memories, and is still very much inlove with Lyla. And he wants her back.

Ms. Mudiganti did a good job of weaving the past through flashbacks, and tied all strings in the story together, ending with wonderful Happy Ever After that left me smiling, happy for the Alex and Lyla. I highly recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a good romance. It's a wonderful, fast read.

Monday 20 February 2012

Cover Reveal, Call Of The Sea by Rebecca Hart




From the cover of the book:


There is no denying the call of the sea.

Elysandra Winters has always yearned for a life of adventure on the rolling seas and is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her dream. When her Privateer father continually refuses to allow his only daughter to sail, Ellie defies him, disguises herself as a boy, and goes in search of a captain who will give her a chance to prove her worth.

Thanks to the cursed selkie blood coursing through his veins, Daniel O’Rourke needs the sea to survive. After giving up on his humanity and spending three years in seal form, he decides to give his human side another chance. Daniel goes in search of a job and a sense of normalcy, earning himself a position aboard Captain Winter’s ship, The Surf Runner. However, his new captain’s first assignment has nothing at all to do with sailing, and everything to do with his headstrong young daughter.

Years later, when the leader of a band of bloodthirsty pirates murders Captain Winters, Daniel and Elysandra’s lives come crashing back together with the force of a hurricane. Both experts in deception, they must find a way to trust each other if they are to have any hope of hunting down the captain’s killer.

When it comes to covers, I get all weak-kneed - especially if the cover is as gorgeous as this one. 

A wonderful storyline, a beautiful cover... I LOVE it, and I'm really looking forward to read it.

Rebecca Hart's Call Of The Sea will be published by Inkspell Publishing. Release date. June 2012.  

What do you think of the cover? Would love your thoughts about it. 


I have been Book Tagged

I've been Tagged by the wonderful Martina @http://martinabookaholic.wordpress.com


Here is how it works: 
The Rules:

1. You must post the rules.

2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create ten new questions to ask the people that you have tagged.

3. Tag ten people and link to them on your post.

4. Let them know you’ve tagged them!
(since most people have already been tagged, I'm not sure I'll get ten)


Here are the answers to the ten questions she asked.





1. Which is your favorite book/ book series?


I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ms Moning's Fever Series, Ms Clare's Mortal Instruments, Ms Singhs Psy-Changeling Series, Twilight Series.. (yes.. I enjoyed that series)


2. How often do you read? 

Everyday, would read every second of the day if that was possible *sigh*




3. Who’s your favorite characters and why?


I just finished reading Tiger's Curse and Dhiren is my new favourite character. Not only is he breath-taking beautiful (and a cursed tiger who is also protective), he is considerate, funny, oh-so dreamy...hahaha - I can't seem to think of any negative side of him. Probably it's because my mind is still on Ren fever. Will have to answer this question a bit later once the effect wears off.




4. What’s your favorite subject you like to read about?

 I enjoy reading romance, whether it's paranormal, UF, dark... in whichever form.




5. For how long do you have a blog and why did you started?


I've had my blog for 5 months now.


6. Where do you live at the moment and where do you want to life in the future?

I live in Vienna. Mmmhh good question. Depends on my kids. When they are all grown up, I'd love to travel a bit. 


7. Which book you like has in your opinion the best film adaption?


   Mmmh, I enjoyed Lord of The Rings. Oh, and The Notebook. 


8. What’s your favorite quote of a book?


Fever series has alot of them. I'll choose one:

“Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best, and then there are those remarkably rare, addictive ones who just bring out the most. Of everything. They make you feel so alive that you'd follow them straight into hell, just to keep getting your fix.”
Karen Marie Moning, Shadowfever

Oh, this one was nice too. I can't help it.


“V'lane: Are you busy tomorrow MacKayla ?
Barrons: She's working on old texts with me.
V'lane: Ah. Old texts. A banner day at the bookstore.
Barrons: We're translating Kama Sutra...with interactive aids.”
Karen Marie Moning, Shadowfever




9. If you could life in the universe of a book, which would it be?


Gosh, there are a couple I'd love to live in. but I'll have to choose one. The one that comes in my at this moment is Nalini Singh's Psy-changeling universe. Yep.  With all those gorgeous, intense shifters running around.


10. What is your favorite TV series or favorite song at the moment?


I love watching Glee, Vampire Diaries, Fringe and Supernatural. Can't help myself. :D 
My favourite song: For some reason I find myself humming along to Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri.


So I here are the people I'm taggin'.


1. Shilpa Mudiganti @ Dreams Galore
2.  Naj @ Unputdownable Books
3. Crystal @Reading, Writing and a little bit of nonsense
4. Jynnipher  @ Jynnipher Olbert




10 Questions to my taggies.


1. Angels, dragons  or Vampires?
2. Who is your favourite author?
3. What are you currently reading?
4. If you could appear as a character in a book, which one would it be?
5. What is your favourite book series?
6. What is your favourite genre and why? 
7. If you were given a chance to interview a character from a book, which one would it be?
8. Which do you prefer: ebooks or print?
9. A quote from a book that took your breath away.
10. Other than reading, what are your other interests?





Sunday 19 February 2012

Truly, Madly, Deeply, You Book Tour Schedule

Hello friends, 


I'm totally excited to share some news with you. Starting February 21st to Truly, Madly, Deeply, You release date, I will be on tour. 


The tour begins on 21st February and ends on 21st March,  on the book release date, as well as the release day party. I already have my drums all dusted and guitar tuned for just this day. :D  I can't wait for everyone to meet Frey and Liese. They are eager to meet you. :)


So here's the tour schedule. Please stop by when you can and say hello. It will be great to see you.


February 21st – Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading


February 22nd – Book Review@ Forever Lost in Books
February 23th- Guest Post @ Mama Knows Books
February 24th – Book Excerpt and Guest Post The Daydreamer’s Book Obsession
February 25th – Review @ A Pocket Full of Books
February 27th – Book Excerpt @ Glorious Books
February 28th: Guest Post and Giveaway @ Ivy Reads
February 29th – Review @ The Book Blurb
March 2nd – Book Excerpt and Guest Post @ Full Moon Reviews
March 3rd – Review @ Bex Book Nook
March 4th – Review and Promo Stop @ Books, Books and More Books
March 5th – Guest Post @ Pretty Opinionated
March 6th – Book Excerpt @ AoBibliopshere
March 7th – Review @ I Heart Reading
March 9th – Review, Promo Stop and Giveaway @ Kindle and Me
March 10th – Book Review @ Curse of The Bibliophile
March 12th – Author Interview @ Ttoria
March 13th – Review and Guest Post @ Always a Book Lover
March 14th – Review @ The Awesome Magic Attic
March 15th – Book Excerpt @ Ttoria
March 16th – Review and Promo Stop @ Mother, Gamer, Writer
March 17th – Guest Post @ Unputdownable Books
March 18th – Review and Giveaway @ Library Mosaic
March 19th – Guest Post @ Nicki J. Markus
March 20th – Review @ Ivy Reads
March 21st – Review @ Ttoria



Woohoo! I'm looking forward to this.