Tuesday 30 September 2014

Tea Tuesdays! (14): Today's Tea is...all about the mint! ;)

I'm totally obsessed with tea, so every Tuesday, I'm sharing one of my favourites...and maybe sometimes something just totally awesome and tea-related. :D

Recently my biggest tea obsession has been loose tea! If you're new to loose tea, check out my first Tea Tuesday post and see how easy it is to brew! You can also click my "Tea Tuesdays!" button above to see my previous tea posts! :D

Today, I'm not going to be sharing just one tea...instead I'm going to be sharing my stash of Peppermint tea with you all! :D

I've always been a big fan of peppermint tea. I know it's a flavour that not everyone loves, but I personally find peppermint to be comforting, soothing, relaxing, awakening, and somehow a little bit of everything at once. I can drink it to wake up, fall asleep, help an upset stomach (or on occasion, a hangover ;P), and it just works for me. 

Here's what my strictly peppermint stash looks like: 

I've got some "Peppy Peppermint" from Steeped Tea, some "Pure Peppermint" from Tetley, and "Peppermint" from STASH. I haven't even included all of my variations of peppermint in this collection though because I really do have even more teas that have a little mint in them. Like two of my favourites, DAVIDsTEA's "Mint to be" and Steeped Tea's "After Eight" (which I have a giveaway on for right now...it ends on October 3rd, so make sure you don't miss it!).

I still haven't gotten a plain peppermint from DAVIDsTEA, but I think for now, I probably have enough to last for a while! ;D haha 

Peppermint tea is one of my favourites when I need a little comfort.

Do you have a favourite comfort tea?
If you do, what is it?
And if you just like tea in general, what's your favourite?

Wednesday 24 September 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (28): Perfect Couple!!!

 
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It gives us the chance to fangirl over all of the books that we can't wait to read!


PERFECT COUPLE (SUPERLATIVES #2) by Jennifer Echols

Hitting the shelves on January 15, 2014 from Simon Pulse

Perfect Couple is #2 in the Superlatives series about seniors at a Florida high school who are selected for their class's superlative categories in the yearbook, and how the labels change the way they view themselves and alter the course of their lives.

Can your heart be put to a popular vote?

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for capturing those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents' bitter divorce has left her wondering what a loving relationship would look like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody the “Perfect Couple That Never Was,” her friends have been on her case to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn’t lack in female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He seems confused about why they were matched together, too. They’re total opposites—the last people in the world who would ever be compatible, let alone the “perfect couple.” Yet ever since the class paired the two of them, they've found themselves drawn together--first by curiosity, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they're very attracted to each other and both of them admit this, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating clearly. If they’re the perfect couple, this shouldn’t be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But after they walk away, both of them feel so changed from making the effort that they can’t forget each other. What if that means this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?


MY THOUGHTS

First, I just have to say that I am a ginormous Jennifer Echols fangirl....I absolutely adore her writing style, and LOVE her characters!!! :D Second, I DEVOURED Biggest Flirts, the first book in the Superlatives, and I loved it so freaking much! Ever since I read it, I've been super eager to read Harper's and Kaye's stories. This one is Harper's, and I am so EXCITED!!!! :D I also can't wait to get to see how Tia and Will are....I just love getting cameos of past characters in companion series!!!! :D Perfect Couple seriously CANNOT release fast enough for my liking...I can't wait!!! :P

Is anyone else a big-time Jennifer Echols fangirl?
Are you excited for Perfect Couple?
What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Waiting on Wednesday (28): FAMOUS IN LOVE!!!

 
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It gives us the chance to fangirl over all of the books that we can't wait to read!


FAMOUS IN LOVE by REBECCA SERLE

Hitting the shelves on October 21, 2014 from Poppy

The romantic story of a girl who gets plucked from obscurity to star in the next major feature film franchise based on a book and the ensuing love triangles she gets entangled in on—-and off screen.

Meet Paige Townsen, Rainer Devon, and Jordan Wilder…

When Paige Townsen, a young unknown, gets cast in the movie adaptation of a blockbuster book series, her life changes practically overnight. Within a month, Paige has traded the quiet streets of her hometown for a crowded movie set on the shores of Maui, and is spending quality time with her co-star Rainer Devon, one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive. But when troubled star Jordan Wilder lands the role of the other point in the movie’s famous love triangle, Paige’s crazy new life gets even crazier.

In this coming-of-age romance inspired by the kind of celeb hookups that get clever nicknames and a million page views, Paige must figure out who she is – and who she wants – while the whole world watches.

MY THOUGHTS

I used to follow celebrity news like crazy...not so much anymore, but since I used to be really interested in all that celeb gossip, this book still sounds seriously intriguing to me! :) I also love that it ties in with the whole love triangle aspect we're all familiar with from some more recent movie and book series. :P It definitely sounds like a story that fits in perfectly with the popular culture we're so used to right now! :P

Are you eagerly awaiting Famous in Love, too?
What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Wednesday 17 September 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (27): A Thousand Pieces of You!!!

 
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It gives us the chance to fangirl over all of the books that we can't wait to read!


A THOUSAND PIECES OF YOU (Firebird #1) by Claudia Gray

Hitting the shelves on November 4, 2014 from Harper Teen

Every Day meets Cloud Atlas in this heart-racing, space- and time-bending, epic new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.


MY THOUGHTS

I love parallel universe stories, and this one sounds really interesting! I haven't read any of Claudia Gray's other books yet, but I am extremely intrigued by A Thousand Pieces of You...and I have to admit that this cover really caught my eye! I've actually been smitten with this book since I first saw the cover and read the blurb months ago! I can't wait for it to come out in November! :D

Who else can't wait to read A Thousand Pieces of You?
What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Tuesday 16 September 2014

Tea Tuesdays! (13): Today's Tea is...After Eight!! #Giveaway

I'm totally obsessed with tea, so every Tuesday, I'm sharing one of my favourites...and maybe sometimes something just totally awesome and tea-related.

My biggest tea obsession is definitely loose tea! If you're new to loose tea, check out my first Tea Tuesday post and see how easy it is to brew! You can also click my "Tea Tuesdays!" button above to see my previous tea posts! :D

Today's Tea is Steeped Tea's AFTER EIGHT!

Steeped Tea's catalogue describes AFTER EIGHT as "Just like the rich chocolate thin mint, this tea is great after a meal!" 
I have to agree with that! It is great after a meal, but it's also delicious at pretty much any time. It's a black tea, and it definitely has a rich chocolate flavour with a subtle hint of mint. I absolutely love this tea, and for the last couple of weeks, I've been having it as a latte...and boy is it gooooood!!! :D I've also had it just by itself, and that's fantastic, too...but I'm definitely enjoying it as a latte!

Here, take a peek:

I've only recently started drinking Steeped Tea, and already I love some of their flavours! I still love DAVIDsTEA, too, but I'm definitely enjoying trying out more and more of Steeped Tea's teas!!! :D

I first got to try Steeped Tea when my friend Kristilyn (from Reading in Winter...and she's recently become a Steeped Tea consultant, too!) had a party, and the lovely consultant who told us all about Steeped Tea was Christa Jones!!!

You can follow Christa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and you can check out her Steeped Tea website, here. I'd definitely recommend her Facebook and Instagram at the very least...she has some awesome posts and shares some really great pictures! :D

Just like me, Christa's also a huge fan of the delicious AFTER EIGHT, and she has been generous enough to donate a 100g bag of AFTER EIGHT for one lucky winner!!! The giveaway is limited to Canadians though! Sorry about that, but it has to do with restrictions on shipping, sales and all those customs and duty mumbo jumbo. :P

So, I'm not gonna make you wait any longer, check out the giveaway I've got where you can win some After Eight for yourself! It ends October 3rd...so you should have lots of time to enter! ;D

GIVEAWAY

* 1 Winner will receive one 100g bag of Steeped Tea's AFTER EIGHT tea
* Canadians Only
* Must be 13 years or older to enter
* Winner will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter, will be notified via email, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.
* Giveaway ends October 3rd at 11:59 PM (MST).

TO ENTER FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW: 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who would love to win some After Eight?!
And what tea are you loving right now?

Monday 15 September 2014

Cover Reveal: Wicked (Wicked #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I have an AMAZING cover reveal for you all today!! It's for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WICKED! WICKED is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s upcoming Wicked Trilogy. It releases on December 8th, 2014. So make sure you pre-order it today!!

So...are you excited yet?!

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.
 
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Alright...I think you're ready now!!!
Here it is!!! 

PRE-ORDER: Amazon

WICKED Synopsis:

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.
About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.


Thank you to Jennifer L. Armentrout and InkSlinger PR for sharing this fabulous cover with me! I'm so glad they let me share it with you all!

As I said, I think this cover is gorgeous!!! I love the water, the couple, and I think that the text is absolutely breathtaking!!! I also just can't wait to read this book! I think it's gonna be amazing! :D

What do you think?
Do you like the cover?
And are you looking forward to reading Wicked?
 

Release Day: Playing for Passion Boxed Set!!! :D #Giveaway #ReleaseDay

Playing for Passion
Publication Date: September 15, 2014


Purchase from AmazonPurchase from KoboPurchase from iBookstore

Love is the name of the game in this limited-edition boxed set of sizzling sports romances. Twelve New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and award-winning authors put you right in the action with scintillating stories of hot athletes and the women who prove love is the ultimate game-changer.

Dare to Love by Carly Phillips: Riley Taylor believes herself immune to domineering men—until charismatic team owner Ian Dare turns a kiss into an assault on her senses and she learns she likes his brand of control in the bedroom. They complete each other, but Riley's past is closer than she cares to remember—and her struggles against Ian’s dominance might cost her everything.

Add to GoodreadsBreaking Away by Toni Aleo: Phillip and Reese are happy in their single lives. They do what, who, and how they want, but from the moment they meet, attraction is undeniable. Soon, they’re willing to get tangled in the sheets. But one night turns into two, and two into three, until they find themselves in a repeated dance of “One Last Time” that has the potential to be more.

Hook Me by Chelle Bliss: Michael Gallo found his calling in life—he wants to kick ass. The title is no longer enough—he must capture the woman of his dreams.

Bigger than Beckham by V.K. Sykes: Sports mogul and soccer star Tony Branch takes one look at sexy Martha Winston and her soccer team and decides he wants both. But Martha has no intention of submitting to Tony’s demands—until he gives her no choice!

Love Bats Last by Pamela Aares: The baseball diamond isn’t the only field for all-star Alex Tavonesi; he also runs his family’s prestigious vineyard. But what he can’t seem to run is his love life. When love’s in the game you can’t play it safe...

Schooling the Player by Allie K. Adams: Women throw themselves at star pitcher Zach “Breaker” Evans, and he plays the field. When curvy Becca Porter moves in next door and treats him as nothing more than a neighbor, he goes all-out for her attention. One night, one party, and one winner-takes-all bet, changes everything.

Crashing the Boards by Jami Davenport: Professional party crasher Izzy Maxwell needs team captain and reluctant party guest Cooper Black’s cooperation, but he can’t get past his hockey team’s relocation to Seattle. Can Izzy melt his frozen heart or will this party crash along with her fledgling business?

Breakaway by Catherine Gayle: Dana Campbell’s panic attacks make it impossible for her to have a normal relationship with a man. She asks her brother’s best friend, Eric Zellinger, for help. As the captain of the struggling Portland Storm, he can’t lose focus—but he can’t say no to Dana, either.

Perfect Pitch by Mindy Klasky: When cocky star pitcher DJ Thomas slams reigning beauty queen Samantha Winger in an interview, Sam seduces him even as she uses their notoriety to promote her kids music program. Can Sam and DJ's blazing relationship survive when DJ's son begs to trade Little League for music class?

Inside Heat by Roz Lee: Identical twins Jeff and Jason Holder share everything on and off the field, including Megan Long. When Jeff is injured, he could lose everything he loves: Megan, his brother, and his career. It’s going to take more than physical therapy to mend relationships and get him back on the mound. It’s all fun and games until someone falls in love.

Fire on Ice by Dakota Madison: Firestorm Center Kian Kavanagh dominates the ice like a rock star on stage. After Taylor Thompson's heart was shattered by her high school's most popular jock, she vowed never to date another athlete, but after a chance meeting with Kian, Taylor's walls are in danger of being burned down by Mr. Fire on Ice.

Game Misconduct by Bianca Sommerland: Oriana Delgado’s father owns the Dartmouth Cobras, but he doesn’t own her. When he treats her future like another play, she changes the rules and picks her own lineup. But the intended deke turns into the real thing, and the game can’t be won in one lusty night.

GIVEAWAY

  You can win:
Print copy of Dare to Submit by Carly Phillips 
Carly Phillips Swag 
Mindy Klasky Print Book (US ONLY)
Mindy Klasky eBook
Vanessa Kelly VK Sykes 3 ebook Anthology
Vanessa Kelly Print book
Print Fielder’s Choice by Pamela Aares
Print Thrown by Love by Pamela Aares
Love Bats Last Tote
 
TO ENTER FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW: 


Hosted By

I'm sure some of you have already noticed, but I'm a HUGE Sports Romance fan, and I absolutely love this boxed set idea!!! I love that you can get a book from so many different authors and that you'll get to try them all out!

I've had my copy of the Playing for Passion Boxed Set pre-ordered for a while already, so I've got my copy! But, if you're new to sports romances and are thinking about trying them, you should definitely check the Playing for Passion Boxed Set out!!! It's an AMAZING deal----just $0.99!!!!

Are you going to be getting your copy??
And who else LOVES Sports Romances? :D

Friday 12 September 2014

Cover Reveal: Life Next Door by J.D. Hollyfield

 Life Next Door (Love Not Included #2) by J.D. Hollyfiend comes out on November 3rd, but today I've got the fabulous cover to show you, and if you keep reading, there's a giveaway, too! ;D

Life Next Door (Love Not Included #2) by J.D. Hollyfield  
Publication Date: November 3, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Humor, Romance

Synopsis

There is only one thing in life that professional pastry Chef Pricilla Westcott values more than baking and wine, and that’s honesty. A quality she soon learns that her marriage lacks when her husband runs off with their next door neighbor. Divorced and alone, Priscilla is determined to make changes in her life. She decides to approach her new goals like one of her beloved recipes. Surely with a little time, a dash of patience, and measured planning she can whip herself—and her life—back into shape. However, when a new—and utterly delicious—neighbor takes up residence in the house that ruined her marriage, Priscilla worries that her careful world will fold faster than a deflated soufflĆ©. Trent Walker knows what he wants and his sweet, sassy neighbor is at the top of the list. He’s certain that the chemistry between them would be explosive, but Priscilla fears that an affair with him, however hot, could be a recipe for disaster.
Add to Goodreads

About J.D. Hollyfield

J.D Hollyfield currently resides in the Midwest with her husband, son and three doxies. As a Creative Designer by day, she enjoys spending her spare time with her nose in a good book. This obsession inspired her to test out her own creative ability. With her love for romance books and a head full of book boyfriends, this encouraged her to bring her own story to life and create her first novel.

GIVEAWAY

* Sponsored by IndieSagePR

TO ENTER FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW: 


Hosted By



I absolutely love this cover! It's so cute! And I love the sound of the story!

What do you think?

Fangirl Fridays (5): OUTLANDER!!!

"Fangirl Fridays" is pretty self-explanatory: you fangirl about something/someone on Fridays. :) It's a meme-of-sorts that's seen on a lot of tumblr blogs, and I thought it would be a fantastic idea to bring to my blog! I couldn't find someone specific to credit, so whoever first thought of "Fangirl Fridays"...you are awesome! :D I love to fangirl so I'm definitely excited for this!

TODAY IS ALL ABOUT OUTLANDER!!! :D

Well, well, well! It's been a while since my last Fangirl Friday, but I thought that today would be the perfect day to start up with it again. I've already gushed about today topic, Outlander, a little bit, but I'm in the midst of a budding obsession so I have to admit that I just am not even close to being sick of fangirling over Outlander yet! :P

Before I start gushing even more about the show, I absolutely LOVED the book! Diana Gabaldon tells an amazing story!! I can't believe that I've been waiting this long to read the Outlander series, but I'm so glad that I finally started it! I've got plenty of books to catch up with, so here's hoping that I love them all! So far I'm on the second book, Dragonfly in Amber, and I'm loving it, too!  :D

As I've said before, I'm completely in love with this adaptation! I feel like they've done an amazing job with absolutely everything--the cast, the setting, the clothing, the tone of the show...it's all perfect! The cast in particular are absolutely amazing! When it comes to fangirling about this show though, my favourite part to fangirl over is Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser. :P

So, enjoy some sexy gifs with Sam as Jamie...and even some with Catriona Balfe as Claire. The chemistry, oh boy! It is strong with these two. ;)

This one is definitely my favourite. ;)


Add caption
I found a couple of fantastic tumblrs that had these gifs. If you like them, or if you like Outlander, check them out: "Do Ye Not Know That, Sassenach?", and Sexier Than Braveheart.

If you like hearing Sam Heughan speak Gaelic, or want to learn some words, you can also watch videos of him and some of the other cast pronouncing and explaining words they use on the show. :)

A bunch of them are on Youtube, so here you go! I've embedded the first video, where you can watch Sam saying "Sassenach"! (You'll definitely want to make the video bigger! ;D):


Outlander! Outlander! Outlander!

Okay, I think I've gotten my fangirl out for a bit...but I'm sure you'll be seeing more random gifs or pictures of Sam Heughan as Jamie in the future. ;)

Where are my fellow Outlander fans?
Who else is seriously loving the show?
Anyone just here to enjoy the sexy gifs? ;)

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Philippa Gregory Event in Toronto!


Philippa Gregory has a new book coming out, The King's Curse, and she'll be visiting Toronto on September 22 at 7 pm to celebrate it!

Here's a bit about The King's Curse:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the Starz original series The White Queen comes the story of lady-in-waiting Margaret Pole and her unique view of King Henry VIII’s stratospheric rise to power in Tudor England.

Regarded as yet another threat to the volatile King Henry VII’s claim to the throne, Margaret Pole, cousin to Elizabeth of York (known as the White Princess) and daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, is married off to a steady and kind Lancaster supporter—Sir Richard Pole. For his loyalty, Sir Richard is entrusted with the governorship of Wales, but Margaret’s contented daily life is changed forever with the arrival of Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon. Margaret soon becomes a trusted advisor and friend to the honeymooning couple, hiding her own royal connections in service to the Tudors.

After the sudden death of Prince Arthur, Katherine leaves for London a widow, and fulfills her deathbed promise to her husband by marrying his brother, Henry VIII. Margaret’s world is turned upside down by the surprising summons to court, where she becomes the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. But this charmed life of the wealthiest and “holiest” woman in England lasts only until the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic deterioration of the Tudor court. Margaret has to choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical king, or to her beloved queen; to the religion she loves or the theology which serves the new masters. Caught between the old world and the new, Margaret Pole has to find her own way as she carries the knowledge of an old curse on all the Tudors. - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Kings-Curse/Philippa-Gregory/9781451626117#sthash.McHx3yWw.dpuf
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the Starz original series The White Queen comes the story of lady-in-waiting Margaret Pole and her unique view of King Henry VIII's stratospheric rise to power in Tudor England.

Regarded as yet another threat to the volatile King Henry VII's claim to the throne, Margaret Pole, cousin to Elizabeth of York (known as the White Princess) and daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, is married off to a steady and kind Lancaster supporter--Sir Richard Pole. For his loyalty, Sir Richard is entrusted with the governorship of Wales, but Margaret's contented daily life is changed forever with the arrival of Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon. Margaret soon becomes a trusted advisor and friend to the honeymooning couple, hiding her own royal connections in service to the Tudors.

After the sudden death of Prince Arthur, Katherine leaves for London a widow, and fulfills her deathbed promise to her husband by marrying his brother, Henry VIII. Margaret's world is turned upside down by the surprising summons to court, where she becomes the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. But this charmed life of the wealthiest and "holiest" woman in England lasts only until the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic deterioration of the Tudor court. Margaret has to choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical king, or to her beloved queen; to the religion she loves or the theology which serves the new masters. Caught between the old world and the new, Margaret Pole has to find her own way as she carries the knowledge of an old curse on all the Tudors.

If you want to attend the event, you can find out more details and buy your tickets, here, on the ticket sales page
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the Starz original series The White Queen comes the story of lady-in-waiting Margaret Pole and her unique view of King Henry VIII’s stratospheric rise to power in Tudor England.

Regarded as yet another threat to the volatile King Henry VII’s claim to the throne, Margaret Pole, cousin to Elizabeth of York (known as the White Princess) and daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, is married off to a steady and kind Lancaster supporter—Sir Richard Pole. For his loyalty, Sir Richard is entrusted with the governorship of Wales, but Margaret’s contented daily life is changed forever with the arrival of Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon. Margaret soon becomes a trusted advisor and friend to the honeymooning couple, hiding her own royal connections in service to the Tudors.

After the sudden death of Prince Arthur, Katherine leaves for London a widow, and fulfills her deathbed promise to her husband by marrying his brother, Henry VIII. Margaret’s world is turned upside down by the surprising summons to court, where she becomes the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. But this charmed life of the wealthiest and “holiest” woman in England lasts only until the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic deterioration of the Tudor court. Margaret has to choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical king, or to her beloved queen; to the religion she loves or the theology which serves the new masters. Caught between the old world and the new, Margaret Pole has to find her own way as she carries the knowledge of an old curse on all the Tudors. - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Kings-Curse/Philippa-Gregory/9781451626117#sthash.McHx3yWw.dpuf
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the Starz original series The White Queen comes the story of lady-in-waiting Margaret Pole and her unique view of King Henry VIII’s stratospheric rise to power in Tudor England.

Regarded as yet another threat to the volatile King Henry VII’s claim to the throne, Margaret Pole, cousin to Elizabeth of York (known as the White Princess) and daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, is married off to a steady and kind Lancaster supporter—Sir Richard Pole. For his loyalty, Sir Richard is entrusted with the governorship of Wales, but Margaret’s contented daily life is changed forever with the arrival of Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon. Margaret soon becomes a trusted advisor and friend to the honeymooning couple, hiding her own royal connections in service to the Tudors.

After the sudden death of Prince Arthur, Katherine leaves for London a widow, and fulfills her deathbed promise to her husband by marrying his brother, Henry VIII. Margaret’s world is turned upside down by the surprising summons to court, where she becomes the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. But this charmed life of the wealthiest and “holiest” woman in England lasts only until the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic deterioration of the Tudor court. Margaret has to choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical king, or to her beloved queen; to the religion she loves or the theology which serves the new masters. Caught between the old world and the new, Margaret Pole has to find her own way as she carries the knowledge of an old curse on all the Tudors. - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Kings-Curse/Philippa-Gregory/9781451626117#sthash.McHx3yWw.dpu

But, if you want to attend, thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada, I've also got two tickets to the event up for grabs!!!

GIVEAWAY

* 1 winner will win 2 digital tickets to Philippa Gregory Event in Toronto (on September 22 at 7 PM)
* You must be able to attend the event in Toronto to enter! 
* Giveaway ends September 17 at 11:59 PM 
* Winner will be contacted via email, and needs to claim their prize by September 19th!

 * To enter just leave a comment with your email saying that you'd like to go!*

Let me know if you would want the tickets. I'm going to be randomly picking one of the commenters as one of the winners. :) 

So, who wants to see Philippa Gregory? :)

Waiting on Wednesday (26): Compulsion!!!

 
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It gives us the chance to fangirl over all of the books that we can't wait to read!


COMPULSION (The Heirs of Watson Island #1) by Martina Boone

Hitting the shelves on October 28, 2014 from Simon Pulse

Beautiful Creatures meets The Body Finder in this spellbinding new trilogy.

Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson had been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lived with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.


MY THOUGHTS

I have a feeling that this book will give me serious heebie-jeebies, and I might just not be able to sleep while reading it...but I'm still super excited to read it! The story sounds intense and mysterious, and I'm eager to figure out the secrets that Barrie must discover. Compulsion is definitely coming out around the right time of year because Hallowe'en seems like the perfect time to read a story that is shrouded in mystery and things such as "forces [the character] cannot see"...seriously it sounds awesome! I already want this to be my Hallowe'en read. ;D haha

Is anyone else excited to read Compulsion?
What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

The Bookish Seven Deadly Sins Tag

I'm a Disney girl, so here's a Disney version of the Seven Deadly Sins. Credit: http://acutereality.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/the-seven/.
I was tagged to do the Seven Deadly Sins Questionnaire Tag (created by BookishlyMalyza) by Eilidh of Recovering Potter Addict! Check out her answers to the Tag, here, and a big thank you to Eilidh for tagging me, too!

1. Greed - What is your most inexpensive book? What is your most expensive book?
My most inexpensive...hmmm, that's a tough one! There used to be a used bookstore on the U of A campus that I would go to all the time, and I got quite a few books there...many that were just $1! I'm pretty horrible at resisting those kind of deals, so I can't really tell you which one specifically was cheapest. ;) I also have a tonne of free ebooks...do those count?

My most expensive book. Again, I'm not even sure which one it would be specifically, but it's definitely a Kelley Armstrong book. I've been getting her limited, signed edition books from Subterranean Press for a while now, and some of those are worth a pretty penny. Thankfully I didn't buy any that were too expensive, but they're definitely not cheap. I've got Becoming, Hidden, Amityville Horrible, Counterfeit Magic, Forbidden, and Brazen all in limited edition, signed hardcovers, and I absolutely LOVE them all! They're gorgeous books. :D

2. Wrath - What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Oooh! That's really tough. I don't really think I have a love/hate relationship with any authors. I'm pretty decided when it comes to liking an author or not...I usually love/like them, or I'm just not a fan, but I guess I do have a bit of a love/hate relationship with George R. R. Martin...I just want the next books in his Song of Ice and Fire series so bad. His writing makes me love him, but the waiting makes me one sad panda...I wouldn't say I hate him though. I've become all about the positivity in the last year or so, and I've been trying to not hate things or people. I know that sounds super corny, but I'm honestly happier just loving and liking things and at the most, disliking things...letting go of hate really is freeing. :) Well, that didn't sound very sinful at all now. :P

3. Gluttony - What book have you devoured over and over with no shame?
Om nom nom.

Since I started blogging and my TBR pile began to grow...and grow...and grow, I haven't done a whole lot of rereading, but I think the books that I've read the most are the first three books in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass. Before Cassandra Clare announced that her trilogy was becoming a sextology (I seriously couldn't resist putting that semi-dirty looking word in there; I'm soooo mature :P). I reread them each about five times....and loved them every single time! I think I've reread Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine about five times, too...it's my pick-me-up read that cheers me up when I'm feeling down. :)

4. Sloth - What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?
Pretty much all the classics on my shelf that I haven't read yet count towards this. :P I've read the ones I'm most interested in: Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice (and Austen's other works, too). There are still a lot of other classics that I haven't read yet though, but out of laziness, I'd have to say Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell...I've had a copy sitting on my shelf for at least six years, and still have not read it! And the fact that it's a big book has been the main reason that I just haven't picked it up yet, so I really, really need to get on that!

5. Pride - What book do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?
I don't really have any books that I talk about to sound like an intellectual reader...and for the most part, what I read wouldn't read add any credibility to that. :P

Now, if I wanted to do some kind of name drop to sound intelligent, I'd probably mention Jacques Derrida and his book, Dissemination...that book was INTENSE! I had to read sections of it for one of my classes, and that class was probably the most difficult one I had throughout my undergrad. The material was all theoretical, and the professor was big on rhetoric, so your brain got a massive workout during it. I did find the class to be a real challenge though, and that was great. That being said...I never actually name drop Derrida...but if I wanted to try to sound smart, his book might help me along with that. :P

The only prideful thing I can think about when it comes to books is talking about how much I read...sometimes I totally feel like I'm bragging about it, and sometimes, I just might be. ;)

6. Lust - What attributes do you find attractive in male or female characters?
I'm honestly not very picky. I don't really have one set type for male characters. I like the sweet, kind and caring guys, but I also like the abrasive and sullen ones with snarky attitudes. I like to laugh, but I also love when male characters do something sweet and romantic. The perfect male character would somehow embody both of these. He'd be sweet and kind, but also a bit broody and definitely funny. And it'd be even better if he only really showed the sweetest part of him to the main character....man if this guy character doesn't already exist, I may need to start writing my own books. ;) haha
I'm totally just gonna start using sexy pictures of
Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser all the time now. :P

I also must admit that the vain side of me loves it when male characters are described attractively. I blame the romance lover in me. Abs, biceps, a nice rugged jaw, a nice smile---possibly as a smirk or crooked grin at time, and great eyes or hair usually has me swooning pretty quickly. Add in a great personality, a bit of sensitivity or romantic tendencies, and I pretty much fall in love with the character immediately. I'd say I'm ashamed, but this is a post about the seven deadly sins in books, so I'm gonna roll with it. ;P

For girls, I also love a mix. I love strong, brave female
characters who speak their minds and fight for what they believe in, but I also love the ones that have everyday fears just like the rest of us. Most of all though, I just like my female characters to be kind and to not be cruel. The surest way to make me love a character is to have them be kind and funny, and the surest way to make me dislike them is to have them be mean to other characters. To put it plainly, I hate bullies, in real and fictional life. :P

7. Envy - What book would you most like to receive as a gift?
Just one?! Honestly, I'd be happy to receive any book as a gift, but if it was on my wishlist, or one of my absolute favourtie books in a new edition I liked or a special edition of sorts, I'd be even more excited. ;)

If I had to pick one though, I would totally "fangirl" if someone got me this awesome Special Limited Collector's Edition of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl...yes, now you see the totally cheesy pun I made. No regrets there. :P Isn't it super pretty?! :D

So...those are my Bookish Seven Deadly Sins Answers! :P

And now I get to tag some people! I'm going to tag:
Kristilyn of Reading in Winter
Ashley of Book Labyrinth
Lola of Lola's Reviews

Of course, if I didn't list you as one of the people I've tagged, feel free to join in and "tag" yourself, or even ask me and I'll add you to my list! I'd be thrilled to see your answers! :D