Thank you HQN Books!

A Huge Thank You to Harlequin Books (HQN Books)

HarperCollins Harlequin team (HQN Books) has sent a new Romance my way!

Hubba, hubba!… Get ready for Jack Crews!

*** Please note this is not my official review, I have copied the synopsis’ from amazon.ca for the purpose of this post.




Slow Ride by Lori Foster

Published by HQN Books on March 12, 2019

You can’t put the brakes on love…

Ronnie Ashford needs a distraction. In the morning, she has to offer arrogant, conventional Jack Crews a job and convince him not to take it. She doesn’t need anyone’s help, thank you very much. But tonight is all about the tall, sexy stranger who just walked in the bar—and all the delicious trouble they could get into together. Too bad just as things are heating up between them, he whispers the three little words that destroy everything: “I’m Jack Crews.”

Jack is determined to connect with fiery Ronnie—in bed and out of it—but her terms are clear. If he takes the job, helping her acquire prized artifacts for her mysterious bosses, anything between them is strictly off-limits. Somehow he has to convince a woman who’s never felt like she belonged that she’s found her place—with him. And with the danger sparking hotter than the fire between them, it’s going to be one unforgettable trip…

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Published by: HQN Books 

Keep your eyes out for Slow Ride on shelves March 12, 2019!

Thank you again to HQN Books!


And of course thank you all for reading.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

Sculpt Yourself by SAVY

𝒲𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝒥𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒲𝑜𝓇𝓀𝓈 𝒪𝒻 𝒜𝓇𝓉

 

Ever wish there was a way to change a certain part of your body? … Perhaps a way that wasn’t as permanent as cosmetic surgery?

Imagine … 1 pill that could do just that.

All you have to do is take one, then you can start manipulating any extra fat you have on your body.

Move it to other areas…maybe give yourself a little more va voom!


Lipamorph: The drug that lets you sculpt yourself.

Amber is a 24-year-old tech support worker by day, gay feminist blogger (and bad-sitcom aficionado) by night. She’s been vocal about her disapproval of Lipamorph from the beginning, seeing it as another tool to reinforce patriarchal beauty standards; but as Lipamorph becomes more common, Amber’s dissenting voice starts to matter less and less.

Judie is Amber’s younger sister, and seemingly her complete opposite; she loves pop music, pretty latte art and dating men. After struggling with hating her body for most of her life, Judie has become borderline reliant on Lipamorph for self-confidence, much to Amber’s dismay.

 Kelly is an artist currently working for the marketing firm on the floor above Amber’s office. She’s whip-smart, proudly bisexual and strikingly beautiful…. and she’s the women Amber’s fallen in love with.

*** Character descriptions are not my own words. Taken from back of book itself….  this is one book that my words were not doing it justice**

“Sculpt Yourself tackles body image, LGBT+ topics and what it means to be a feminist in the 21st century”.


5 out of 5 stars

Sculpt yourself is so unique.

I savoured ever bit of this story. This is one that you don’t want to put down, yet don’t want it to end.

I thoroughly enjoyed that it was written from three different perspectives. I love multi perspective reads! It gives you a chance to really know each main character on more of a personal level. Which then helps you follow their story much more closely and really connect with each differently.

Savy truly created some of the most incredible characters. All such powerful women, yet they all have some type of insecurity. ….. I means who doesn’t in the real world?

Amber is passionate, outspoken and yet she can be very stubborn. Her love for the people close in her life is very admirable. I also love her laid back, easy-going style.

Judie is quirky, fun, softhearted but knows that she has her insecurities and knows what she needs in her life to help her get through those insecurities.

Kelly is intelligent, artistic and independent but scared of some choices she made in her past and tends to hide them. While she grows during the story she learns that this is something she needs to change and honesty truly is the best policy.

I couldn’t recommend Sculpt Yourself enough! It has a little bit for everyone.


“Beauty has gone from an ideal to an expectation.”


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Now that I have shared my love for the story. I have to share my love for the author herself.

Savy is incredibly creative in so many ways and her success shines through. Her passions truly flood through her words. Whether it be by a piece she wrote or even while watching one of her BookTube videos! That’s right! You heard me right! Savy is an indie author that shares many of her passions along with writing with the book community.

Truly one of a kind, hard-working women that deserves so much love and support for everything she does.

Check her page out:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9WShNx2HsXRGjj9F593HzA


And of course thank you all for reading

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

Wayword Wax

As most of you know I am a Bookstagrammer!

If you don’t know what Bookstagram is, where have you been? …

Bookstagram is the book community of Instagram that is bursting with stunning photos of books and bookish items.




Anyhow, I digress. That is not the reason for my topic today.

Although Bookstagram does bring my attention to these much-needed items that all book lovers need! As well as incredible people with amazing talents that need to be shared.

Wayword Wax being one of them!


I met the marvelous Natasha through the book community on Instagram around a year ago now…. Not knowing she had a hidden talent! Shortly after getting to know her, I found out she makes the most amazing candles.

Which of course I had to share with you all on my blog!

What book lover doesn’t want a delicious smelling candle burning in the room. Filling the air with heavenly scents while you sit back, snuggled under a cozy blanket with a hot drink and great book?

And of course me going back to my bookstagram ways, they make for gorgeous photos to share.

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Not only can you purchase individual candles, as she posts her new creations. She also has a monthly candle subscription box with different monthly themes…AMAZING!


Please note Wayword Wax only ships within Canada. I am sorry all my international friends. Of course we have the overly priced shipping costs to blame for that!… I know you understand.

Perhaps with enough demand this could change in the future?


𝓦𝓪𝔂𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓦𝓪𝔁

**Canadian crafted soy wax candles for bibliophiles** 

Find Natasha on Etsy or Instagram: @waywordwax

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And of course thanks for reading

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

BookTuber Group Read for March: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Love BookTube! 

This is my first BookTuber group read and I am so excited to be taking part.

In the month of March, we will be reading:

ℝ𝕖𝕓𝕖𝕔𝕔𝕒 𝕓𝕪 𝔻𝕒𝕡𝕙𝕟𝕖 𝕕𝕦 𝕄𝕒𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕣

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again …Working as a lady’s companion, the orphaned heroine of Rebecca learns her place. Life begins to look very bleak until, on a trip to the South of France, she meets Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower whose sudden proposal of marriage takes her by surprise. Whisked from glamorous Monte Carlo to his brooding estate, Manderley, on the Cornish Coast, the new Mrs de Winter finds Max a changed man. And the memory of his dead wife Rebecca is forever kept alive by the forbidding Mrs Danvers …Not since Jane Eyre has a heroine faced such difficulty with the Other Woman. An international bestseller that has never gone out of print, Rebecca is the haunting story of a young girl consumed by love and the struggle to find her identity.

*** Please note these are not my official reviews, I have taken the synopsis’ from amazon.ca for the purpose of this post.

I have heard so many great things about Rebecca, or just any of Daphne’s writing in general.

If you would like to read along that would be awesome. I would be happy to discuss our findings directly through here or any of my other bookish platforms.

You can find me on Instagram, Twitter or even YouTube.

Instagram: @nichi.i_readpastmybedtime

Twitter: @NicholeTiffin

YouTube: I_ReadPastMyBedtime



If you have already read Rebecca please leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Just please, NO spoilers!


And of course thanks for reading

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

The Field Guide To The North American Teenager by Ben Philippe

***Advanced readers copy***

Norris Kaplan is an extremely witty black french Canadian teenager. Enjoying his typical teen years in Montreal, Canada. Until he was plucked from his comfortable home of  Montreal and moved to hot Austin, Texas.

Already unhappy with having to deal with all the changes of the move and not to mention the heat! Starting at a new high school was no dream either.

Along with Kaplan’s snarky teenager remarks that may get him in trouble, he starts  catalogue everyone he meets. Nothing wrong with that… right?….at least he has some entertainment until he gets to run home to good ol’ Canada.

Until one day he meets Aarti, a girl he just can’t seem to place in any category.

Starting to think maybe his new life isn’t that bad. Norris begins to open up to the thought of staying in Austin.

But on prom night Norris makes a huge mistake and realises its time for him to stop hiding behind his sarcastic demeanour and make things right.



“It’s not that you can’t have an opinion. You just need to have less of them. People won’t always know when you’re joking”.



4.5 out of 5 stars

Ben created the perfect high school setting!

I felt as if I was plucked from my adult life and placed right back into the drama that was high school. This is not an easy environment to create, but Ben constructed it perfectly.

Cataloguing characters, groups, seasons, etc. really brought this field guide to life.

I would be lying if I didn’t say there wasn’t times that Norris didn’t drive me crazy. But I mean isn’t that sort of the point when it came to him as the main character?

Without giving names I will confess there is one character that really found a way into my heart. She is a huge reason for me devouring this book!

Oh and the humour!… absolutely hilarious. Constantly giggling to myself to bursting out laughing. Yet also having some truly serious moments, that you can’t take too lightly.

This is a such a fun, quirky read that deserves all the love.



Thank you so incredibly much to HarperCollins Canada for sending this hilarious read my way.

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 8, 2019



And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Witty Book Worm

– Nichole

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#backofthebookshelfbc

Why have I not thought about sharing this on here?!?!?!….

Mid January I reached out to my fellow Bookstagrammers to see if anyone was interested in taking part in a book club through Bookstagram (Instagram). I had such amazing feedback and now we are one large book club family!

Our name …Back Of The Bookshelf Book Club! — One heck of an awesome group, if I do say so myself.

The first book we chose was for February’s read. Giving everyone a chance to get their hands on the book if they didn’t already own it.

We are currently reading The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. This incredible read will be completed by the end of February.

Our group breaks the book up by chapters, reading so many chapters each week. Carrying the book throughout the full month. Each week we jump on Bookstagram  together and discuss that weeks chapters.

The discussions sure can get heated, in the best way possible. Just shows how passionate we are about what we are reading.

We have already picked our read for March!!!… The Lost Girls of Paris by the amazing Pam Jenoff.

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If you are interested in reading along… please do! And please let me know you are, so I can be sure to discuss the book with you as well. If you are interested in joining our group you can find me on Instagram. My handle is nichi.i_readpastmybedtime. You can also use the hashtag #backofthebookshelfbc on Instagram to find us.

Look forward to seeing you! And I will come on here each month and share our next read.

And of course thanks for reading!

Your Fellow Bookworm

-Nichole

 

Thank you HQN Books

A Huge Thank You to Harlequin Books (HQN Books)

HarperCollins Harlequin team (HQN Books) sent 3 new romance novels my way. That are all coming out so very soon! 

*** Please note these are not my official reviews, I have taken the synopsis’ from amazon.ca for the purpose of this post. 


Flare Up (Boston Fire) by Shannon Stacey

Published by Carina Press on January 29, 2019

Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Engine 59—or even Boston Fire—is in his future. It’s tempting as hell to pack up what fits in his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won’t ever be able to fully leave her in his rear-view mirror.

For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she got the phone call letting her know the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn’t cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe.

Now that Grant is back, he’s not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all…if they’re willing to fight for it.

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The Object Of Your Affections by Falguni Kothari

Published by Graydon House on February 19, 2019

Two best friends rewrite the rules of friendship, love and family…and change everything they thought they knew about motherhood

Paris Kahn Fraser has it all—a successful career as an assistant district attorney, a beautiful home in New York City, and a handsome, passionate husband who chose her over having a family of his own. Neal’s dream of fatherhood might have been the only shadow in their otherwise happy life…until Paris’s best friend comes to town.

Naira Dalmia never thought she’d be a widow before thirty. Left reeling in the aftermath of her husband’s death, all she wants is to start over. She trades Mumbai for New York, and rigid family expectations for the open acceptance of her best friend. After all, there isn’t anything she and Paris wouldn’t do for each other.

But when Paris asks Naira to be their surrogate, they’ll learn if their friendship has what it takes to defy society, their families and even their own biology as these two best friends embark on a journey that will change their lives forever.

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Stroke Of Luck (Sterling’s Montana) by B.J. Daniels

Published by HQN Books on February 19, 2019

He’s hoping to bury the past. She’s ready to settle the score.

The Sterling Ranch’s season opening isn’t going so smoothly. With the ranch’s lodge full of guests and a Montana blizzard threatening, Will Sterling needs help—and he needs it fast. So when his childhood friend Poppy Carmichael agrees to lend a hand, he’s grateful for a second chance…and more enticed by the woman she’s become than he cares to admit.

For Poppy, it was supposed to be a retreat full of horse rides and hoedowns—with a side of showing Will what he’s been missing all these years. But as the snow deepens outside, the guests’ suspicion and mistrust turn sinister inside, catching Will and Poppy in the cross hairs.

Weathering the storm in each other’s arms is all too easy for Will and Poppy, but will a confrontation with a killer mean their reunion is short-lived?

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Keep your eyes out for these reads, hitting shelves very soon!

Thank you again to HQN Books for sending these my way. 


And of course thank you all for reading.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

Book Shopping

Who doesn’t love Book Shopping?

Oh how it warms my heart.

My most favourite place in the world is Chapters Indigo (It is the Canadian Barnes and Noble.. hehe).

As soon as I walk into Chapters it’s like walking into a warm hug! I know that sounds sappy but it’s true. All the gorgeous books, colors, cozy items. It truly is heaven on earth. Not to forget it is a great place for the whole family to enjoy AND the built-in Starbucks is A…MA…ZING.

Grab a delicious, nummy, HOT coffee and browse the world of books…. Mmmm. As I said HEAVEN.


Now Chapters is my favourite bookstore alive and I love the buzz of buying new books. But I am constantly on the hunt for amazing used bookstores as well. The nostalgia of walking around a store with all the used books that have been so well-loved and now will be passed on to another fellow book lover. I also personally love giving used books a new home. Don’t forget the smell, I love the smell of older books. Yes I will proudly admit I am a Book-sniffer. Don’t you hide, yes you out there! I know you do it too…. Yes I am looking at you!

So far one of my favourite used bookstores I have found in my area is called Wee Book Inn. So adorable, and each store has an adorable, cuddly, loving, fuzzy..CAT. Soooo sweet.


Online book shopping!…Eeeekkkkk.

Very exciting! The suspense while you wait for your order to come in. Sometimes even forgetting all that you purchased and being surprised all over again.

Doesn’t matter where you are buying from, being BookOutlet, Book Depository, Amazon, Chapters Online, etc…. as the list is never-ending. Online book shopping is a wonder.

I mean the books come right to your door. Which means you don’t even have the put the book you are currently reading down in order to get more BOOKS!

It is like Christmas with each package that comes in!


Now who are my library lovers out there?

I adore the library… unfortunately my local library has next to nothing on the shelves, they are just so bare. I rarely ever see a newer released book there either. BUT! that being said my boys and I still go, I still renew my card each year and I use their audiobook app as well. library’s are so important to have and it is critical in my eyes that we bring our children and show them the world of reading. Getting to pick up a book, reading the words on the page yet create a whole story in our minds. I would be lying if I didn’t say every now and then I don’t find a true hidden gem at my local library.


Where do you buy your books from?.. Maybe you don’t and you just use the library.

Share with me as I would love to hear!

And of course thank you all for reading

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

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The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton

Advanced readers copy

 

“YOU’VE NEVER READ A LOVE STORY AS TWISTED AS THIS!”


Sweet Juliette loves Nate!

Nothing in the world will stop her from being with him. Not even Nate breaking up with her, 6 months ago….

I mean who does he think he is? Doesn’t he realise what he just gave up?

Juliette knows she has met the love of her life. She will go to any length to be as close as possible, at all times. She even started working as a flight attendant with the same airline Nate works for.

Nate is just clueless and Juliette will show him! He will be hers!



“Stick to the plan, fail to plan, plan to fail”.



5 out of 5 stars

Such an easy, brilliant read!

I cannot believe this is Karen’s fist novel. She was meant to write!

I know that Juliette is deranged and really you shouldn’t be rooting for her but Karen wrote her character so so well. I found at times I was feeling bad for her and the situation she was in. That is when you know you have discovered an amazing author, when they can make you feel, even for the “bad guys” in the story.

This book was so intense! Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going a twist was thrown in. This happened multiple times throughout the novel. Karen’s writing constantly had me stretching my brain, so many incredible shifts in the story! Yet even with the fast pace, exciting story I  kept up throughout. Karen’s writing was so smooth and flawless.

I am excited to see what Karen creates next!

“I don’t believe that opposites attract; I’m sure it’s a myth”.


Thank you so incredibly much to HarperCollins Canada for sending this riveting read my way.

Publisher: Graydon House

Release Date: December 31, 2018

“Revenge is a dish best served cold, and mine is going to be frozen”.


“If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours, If they don’t, make them”. 

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Book Worm

– Nichole

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

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Stand-alone Books

Oh where or where are you?….


I recently uploaded a Bookish Thoughts video on my BookTube channel talking about stand-alone books.

Now please keep in mind these thoughts you are about to read are just my own. I may be completely off on my opinion. This is all in fun and I am just ranting my head off. Feel free to jump in with your opinion on the subject, perhaps you will make some strong points and will sway my opinion to the better. Maybe you agree?… Perhaps you will think I am crazy and just shake your head at me. It’s all good… as it’s all in fun!


Has anyone else noticed how so many books coming out are the 1st in a new series?… Is anyone else becoming over whelmed with their never-ending, slowly talking over the world TBR list?

I find myself searching more and more for stand-alone books. I don’t see them too often anymore especially when it comes to certain genres, such as Fantasy.


I understand that authors become passionate about the worlds they create and want to carry them on. Yet sometimes I just want to be able to consume a book, capturing the whole entire world and story line in just that one book, then hold it near and dear to my heart.

Now don’t get me wrong  there are so many duology’s, trilogy’s and series that I love and can’t get enough of. Then there are some books I think one would have been enough… or why can’t more books that come out be just a stand-alone.

Now I honestly don’t know much of the author world or publishing world. Sometimes seeing so many new series being released makes me wonder if it’s the passion I talked about above with the world an author created or has it become more of a money hungry theme. Are authors pushing out books because they are excited to tell the whole story they have been building up in their head for years?, is it all about more money?, are they feeling pressure from publishing companies to carry on with it?…. Do you know? Because I don’t. Maybe it’s a mix of it all?….. Hmmm.


I also find a lot of books currently on my shelf that are the first in a new series are from book subscription boxes. Getting me hooked and wanting more, knowing I will need to pick up the second book. Where then the company will of course create a special edition box with the second book when it releases.

Just so many series to read!!!!!!…… Oh the anxiety … haha. Boy I sounds so dramatic.


Could it be the book community I am consumed in just doesn’t talk much about stand-alone’s and perhaps there are so many amazing ones out there I am missing out on?… Uh Oh .. I may be adding to that never-ending list again.


Thank you all for taking the time to read my crazy book nerd rant.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

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