Quotes (#134)

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Morning Lovelies!

I hope to those that celebrate, you all had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving weekend is the time for lots of food and quality family/reading/relaxing time to be had, perhaps. That's always my favorite part at least. I'm super excited today because after being unemployed for almost four months, I am starting my new job today. I'm a little nervous but it to be expected of course. I just hope I'm not like that guy in the gif up there. Hopefully, I'll get the hang of it quickly and won't make too many mistakes. Now, let's get to the quotes!

“Too many of us are hung up on what we don't have, can't have, or won't ever have. We spend too much energy being down, when we could use that same energy – if not less of it – doing, or at least trying to do, some of the things we really want to do.” - Terry McMillan, Disappearing Acts

“Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.” - Doris Lessing

“The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.” - Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

“It makes you wonder. All the brilliant things we might have done with our lives if only we suspected we knew how.” - Ann Patchett, Bel Canto

“Time is the coin of your life. You spend it. Do not allow others to spend it for you.” - Carl Sandburg

“Be reverent before the dawning day. Do not think of what will be in a year, or in ten years. Think of to-day.” - Romain Rolland, Jean Christophe Vol I

“Only someone who is well prepared has the opportunity to improvise.” - Ingmar Bergman

That's it for me today. I hope you all have a great day!

What We're Thankful For

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Morning Swooners,

Nahomi and I had our readers share what you're thankful for this year on this giveaway post and so we wanted to do the same. With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us and with all the tragedies going around the world, we wanted to share the good in us and you. To remind us that there is still good things and people and that we should take a moment to just acknowledge it. I'll start us off.

I am thankful for my husband. He may not always understand where I may be coming from but he tries to cheer me up and bring me sweets even without me asking.

I am thankful for my parents and family. We may not be the closest family but I know that when the chips are down, we band together and tackle whatever it may be together.

I am thankful for my friends. Without them, I'll probably be one crazy, obsessive, lonely girl with no one to share my crazy, obsessive, and random ideas with.

I am thankful for the readers of Books and Swoons. To those who have stuck with us or come visit every now and then. I am forever grateful for that.

And I am always thankful for Nahomi. Without whom I probably wouldn't have passed Statistics II or Research Methods. And for always being there and understanding me when no one else does.

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Beautifully said Jenn. I've been thinking about what I am thankful for since we decided to do this post. I realized that it is really easy to get caught up in the daily rush and not take a moment to appreciate everything I have. So here goes.

I am thankful I am alive and healthy. I often take for granted that being healthy isn't a given in life and at any moment that can change.

I am thankful for my family. Tony, Mia, my mom and many others that put up with my craziness on a daily basis. Thank you for bringing me joy, laughter and so much love.

I am forever grateful for Jenn. My person. You keep me sane, and accept my crazy and unorganized self.

I am thankful for Dai. She is the best friend/sister in-law I have.

I am thankful for my boss and co-workers. Sometimes we clash but we are like a family. They have a special place in my heart.

I am thankful I have a roof over my head, clothes, and food to eat.

I am thankful for you our readers! I really appreciate that you take time to come visit us and read what we have to say. Thank You!

The list continues for both Jenn and me, we have so much to be thankful for. I want you to slow down and just be thankful for a moment. Take the time to appreciate your life and the people in it.

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Waiting on Wednesday (#136)

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:

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

Expected Release Date: January 5, 2016

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery,” a magical skill that sets them apart from others. In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.
Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.
Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.
Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

I feel like everyone and their mother is excited about this book and I hope to love it when it come out.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Mini Review: Every Little Kiss by Kendra Leigh Castle

Every Little Kiss
(Harvest Cove #2)
Author: Kendra Leigh Castle
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Publisher: Signet
Source: Berkley
Review by: Jenn

The second novel featuring the small New England town of Harvest Cove, where the residents know that Emma Henry likes things nice and orderly—but everyone has to let loose sometimes…

Event planner Emma Henry is used to focusing all her attention on reaching her goals and letting romance fall by the wayside. But when her sister Sam’s bachelorette party prompts the most tightly-wound Henry to let her hair down, Emma’s night ends with the entire town linking her to a man who could lay waste to anyone’s best-laid plans.

Army vet Seth Andersen thought that joining the police department in sleepy Harvest Cove would offer a quiet, normal life. But when he finds himself responsible for uptight Emma Henry at the end of her wildest night ever, his world turns unexpectedly complicated—and he’s surprised to discover he doesn’t mind at all…

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received a free finished copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This book was such a fun and quick read. I loved being in the town of Harvest Cove and I enjoyed getting to know both Emma and Seth, our main characters. They both had some baggage to deal with and I'm glad that they told each other (eventually) what they were. Towards the end, there was a big "aha! moment that I saw it happening from a mile away. I didn't really like it but I can appreciate how it didn't drag on unnecessarily.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters, both Emma and Seth, and the secondary characters, such as Emma's sister Sam, Zoe, and a few others. I really want to go back and read Sam and Jake's story, as well as Zoe's' and the others. Kendra managed to hook me into the appeal of Harvest Cove.  So if you're looking for a fun, quick, and fluffy romance, I'd definitely recommend this one.

Mini Review: My Star, My Love by Natasha Boyd

My Star, My Love
Author: Natasha Boyd
Release Date: October 4, 2015
Publisher: NPRB
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Movie star, Jack Eversea, has decided to brave his history with England and take the love of his life, Keri Ann Butler, home to meet his mother for Christmas.

But Jolly Old England does weird things to Jack. And despite his super sweet “twelve days of Christmas” gift-giving, Keri Ann can’t quite work out if he’s about to propose or regrets bringing her home. Is he still questioning whether she can handle a few paparazzi, or is he doubting Keri Ann’s commitment to their future?

5 stars out of 5 stars

Like always Natasha Boyd doesn't disappoint. My Star, My Love is exactly the novella I needed to get into the holiday spirit. It felt like coming home getting to read about Keri and Jack again. I've really missed being in the Eversea world and was happy to return even if for the briefest moments.

This novella is fast paced and left me wanting more. I can't get enough of Jack and Keri they are so great together. I love how Keri always stands her ground but isn't afraid to admit when she's wrong. I really love Jacks personality. I swooned throughout the entire novella practically. I got to meet some new characters and I hope we get to seem them again. This is the perfect read to get the holiday season started!

Quotes (#133)

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Morning Swooners,

It's that time of year again where I plan to stuff my face until I can't anymore! I don't even how this year has gone by so fast! I'm having a hard time believing its Thanksgiving already! I am excited but at the same time I feel a little overwhelmed because the holidays are always a bit hectic for me. I'm currently reading These Broken Stars, so todays quotes are inspired by my current read. Lets get on to our quotes!

“Where will I sit?” Sit? Why, on this comfortable chaise longue I’ve carried here for you in my pocket, Your Highness, so glad you asked. I clamp my mouth shut, struggling not to say it aloud.”
~Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, These Broken Stars

“More rain. If there's any more ran than this, I think, we'll need gills. We could swim up to the sky and leave this place with no need to wait for a rescue ship.”
~Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, These Broken Stars

“Sometimes you take all my words away from me.”
~Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, These Broken Stars

“You’re you,” he repeats, his eyes full of grief. “You’re the same girl who crashed on this planet with me, who I dragged through forests and over mountains, who climbed through a shipwreck full of bodies to save my life. You’re the same girl I loved, and I love you now.” Stop. Stop. No more. Please. My throat seizes. “I love you, Lilac.” His voice is soft, intent. “I love you, and I should’ve told you before you—”
~Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, These Broken Stars

“She wants to distract me that night, keep us from revisiting the conversation about the fuse. I’ve considered telling her that if she wants to distract me, all she has to do is take her shirt off.”
~Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, These Broken Stars

“And there it is, against all hope, like the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. The smallest hint of a smile.”
~Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, These Broken Stars

“But she's here, she's mine. I'm hers.”
~Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, These Broken Stars

I hope y'all have a great Thanksgiving week!

Stacking the Shelves (#27)

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

Hi there Swooners,

Today, we're sharing the books we got in the month of October and November.

For review:

90s PLAYLIST by Brighton Walsh, Lorelie Brown, Amy Jo Cousins,
Audra North, Rebecca Grace Allen, and Jennifer Blackwood

ALONE IN THE DARK by Karen Rose
JUST SAY YES by Elizabeth Hayley

RESOLUTION by J.S. Cooper

HOW TO BE BRAVE by E. Katherine Kottaras

WICKED SEXY LIAR by Christina Lauren

SMART GIRL by Rachel Hollis

REBEL BULLY GEEK PARIAH by Erin Jade Lange

LOUD IS HOW I LOVE YOU by Mercy Brown

CALL ME, MAYBE by Ellie Cahill

Books we got for free/bought:

FINDER'S KEEPERS by Stephen King

SHADOW KISS by Richelle Mead

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

LAST SACRIFICE by Richelle Mead

TRICKY TWENTY-TWO by Janet Evanovich

NOWHERE BUT HERE by Katie McGarry

MY STAR, MY LOVE by Natasha Boyd

Wow, we may have gone a little overboard this past month. In our defense, we had a Janet Evanovich and Richelle Mead signing we went to and got some interesting books in the mail for review. We have lots of reading ahead of us.

What did you add to your shelves?

Looking Back On Our Week: Janet Evanovich and Richelle Mead Signings

Morning Swooners,

Nahomi and I had an eventful bookish weekend. We had a Janet Evanovich event, Plum Palooza on Saturday and Richelle Mead on Sunday. Both events were in two completely different cities so poor Nahomi spent her weekend in a car, traveling between Orlando and Miami. Such a trooper.

First up, Plum Palooza!

Um....these very good looking gentlemen, *cough* were part of an dance off showcasing the Stephanie Plum two heroes, Joe Morelli and Ranger. 

We played some bingo and heard Janet speak. Plus there was this book cake up made up with all of her New York Times bestsellers books.

Stephanie is called Cupcake by Morelli so it's only logical to have a cupcake there.

As Jenn said I had a pretty busy weekend but it was totally worth it to see both Janet Evanovich and Richelle Mead. It was a relaxed environment at Books and Books in Coral Gables where Richelle spoke about her new books Soundless and The Glittering Court.

This is Richelle talking about her new books.

I went to the signing with my daughter Mia. She was my little helper.

With Richelle Mead as she signed our books!

Last weekend was super busy, but I had so much fun and got to meet two of my favorite authors! I can't wait for the next event... Until then check out our Give Thanks Giveaway which ends next Tuesday.

Cover Reveal: Chasing Crazy by Kelly Siskind

Chasing Crazy
Author: Kelly Siskind
Release Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Forever Yours

"With an endearingly awkward female protagonist, a swoon-worthy male love interest, and Siskind's superb storytelling, this is one of the best New Adult contemporary romances I've read to date." -- USA Today bestselling author K.A. Tucker

Dear Mom & Dad, I dropped out of school. I'm going backpacking. Sorry. Love you both.

At nineteen, Nina has endured two lifetime's worth of humiliation. Tired of waiting for it to get better, she decides to get going-across the globe to New Zealand. There she soon faces what she most fears: a super sexy guy ready to be Nina's next mistake.

Once Sam's life was all about having fun. That was before the accident. Now his friends have bailed and his world is broken. But when a gorgeous girl on his flight looks at him with passion instead of pity, Sam feels his old self coming back to life.

Now traveling together, Nina and Sam know this isn't just a fling. They're falling fast, hard, and deep. More than anything, Sam wants Nina to forget her fears. But to help her do that he must reveal his own painful secret-and risk Nina never seeing him the same way again.

Excerpt

CHASING CRAZY

Frickin’ Hot Guy and his stupid hike. He thought his limp would slow us down, but I’m the one huffing and puffing, trying to figure out how I ended up on Mount Everest while in New Zealand. I chance a glance up, using the moment to inhale a mouthful of air. Sam leans over the edge, hands on his knees, grinning down at me. If there was ever a reason to summit a mountain, that face is it.

Sam, who I’m falling for. Sam, with that jaw.

Sam, who I’ll be sleeping with. In a tent. Alone.

Another five agonizing steps later, he’s got me by the shoulders, helping me up. In the blink of an eye, he has my straps undone and is easing the bazillion-pound weight from my back. The air still feels sharp in my lungs, like it could slice through me.

“Keep moving around,” he says. “Come on, let’s walk it off.” He grabs my hand and leads me over the rocky ground, the two of us walking in wide circles.

After a few laps, the air is less daggerlike and my breathing slows. I blink at my surroundings. So focused on my aches and pains, I didn’t stop to soak in the landscape, if that’s what you’d call it. This is probably what the moon looks like. A few hikers passed us on the climb, but we’re alone in this crater, surrounded by jagged outcrops of brownish-black rocks and yellow tufts of grass, low mountains on all sides. It’s majestic and eerie and otherworldly, and I’m here because of Sam.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asks. He’s still holding my hand as the silence engulfs us, my heart pounding in my ears.

The air is cold and damp. It alleviates the heat from that insane climb but doesn’t do much to quell the warmth between Sam’s hand and mine. Still, I don’t let go. And he doesn’t let go. I could stand here forever.

“Yeah, beautiful,” I finally say, no longer referring to the scenery.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway About the author: 

A small-town girl at heart, Kelly moved from the city to open a cheese shop with her husband in Northern Ontario. When she’s not neck deep in cheese or out hiking, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head.
She laughs at her own jokes and has been known to eat her feelings—Gummy Bears heal all. She’s also an incurable romantic, devouring romance novels into the wee hours of the morning.
She is represented by Stacey Donaghy of the Donaghy Literary Group.
2015 Golden Heart® Finalist

Author Links: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Pinterest

Cover reveal organized by: InkSlinger Pr