Tag Archives: happiness

Book Review: Princess and Country by Emmanuelle Snow

Posted in Book review tours, Book Reviews by

Book Blurb:

PIC2

Her love and her best friend
A passion that can’t be shared
A friendship that needs no words
A record deal that takes her all over the world.
And one fateful night that stops her world.

Country superstar Dahlia Ellis finds herself loved by both her best friend and his brother. Without leaving too many broken heart pieces behind, she must find a way to traverse through her own feelings and live her life with the one she was meant to be with, even if it means breaking a heart that loves her the most.
But life has its own game plan ready for her. Despite her best intentions, she will be sucked into a tornado of love and loss that will hurt her and the people she loves the most.

3 lifetimes…
One night will change the rest of her life
One loss will shatter everything she has ever known
And one encounter will give her the courage to dream again.

Fame, love, success aren’t enough to protect her heart from bleeding.
Will Dahlia be able to survive after everything she has ever known crashes and burns?

And just how many heartbreaks can she actually survive?

Princess and Country is the second book in this small-town, soulmate, country music romance series.

It’s full of raw emotions, sizzling moments, heat, banter, and chemistry. 

BOOK LINKS:
AMAZON USA https://amzn.to/2Up9TgC
AMAZON UK https://amzn.to/2UnMeNz

About the Author:

Smart, Sexy, and Sassy Love Stories
Emmanuelle Snow is a contemporary author of mature YA and New Adult love stories, who likes to give life to strong characters who’ll fight with all they have to reach their life goals and find their own happiness.
Emmanuelle is in love with love. Especially those complicated, deep, and passionate feelings that make a relationship extraordinary and complex, all at the same time.
In her spare time, when she’s not writing or reading, Emmanuelle likes to go on road trips—with her four kids and her own soulmate—watch movies, paint, or do some DIY, always with a cup of green tea in her hand and listening to country music.
She splits her time between beautiful Canada and the small US towns she adores.
Find all of Emmanuelle’s books here: http://www.emmanuellesnow.com/books

Author Social Media:

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/esnowauthor

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/snowvip

Newsletter: http://emmanuellesnow.com/subscribe/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/snowemmanuelle

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/snowemmanuelle

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@snowemmanuelle

Bookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/emmanuelle-snow

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/snowemmanuelle

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B094GR5ST4

Website: http://www.emmanuellesnow.com

Book link on website: http://www.emmanuellesnow.com/princess-and-country

Read an Excerpt:

My boyfriend turned to face me, and I hurried into his arms. “Princess, you’ll be amazing up there. Look at me.” I tilted my head back. “I’m so proud of you.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ears.
I rose to my tiptoes. “I love you.”
With the pads of his fingers, he wiped the tears pooling in the corners of my eyes.
“I love you too.”
I looked around. “It’s kinda scary. All those people. The stage, the crowd—”
“Carter will be up there with you. You have nothing to worry about.”
Riley stepped next to us. “Okay, Dahlia, time to go. Ready?”
“I guess.”
Would my voice be shaky like this on stage?
Butterflies took flight in my stomach. The not-so-fun kind.
I walked away, my hand locked in Jeff’s, touching until our fingers broke apart.
Carter neared me and snaked his arm through mine. “It’s okay, Dah. I’m here. We can do this. Just follow my lead, I’ll take care of everything.”
Those words.
My pulse evened.
We exchanged a smile as Stud padded in our direction and put his arms around us.
“Let’s show them what we’ve got.” He stopped and pulled us into his embrace. “We’re kicking off our first world tour. How awesome is that? Let’s do this, motherfuckers.”
Stud’s longish stubble rapped my cheek.
“Oh yes,” Carter said as I replied, “Let’s make history.”
The lights of the stage blinded me. My heart sank down to my toes. “Seventy thousand people,” I said, mostly to myself. “Seventy thousand.”
My insides tightened. Carter said a few words to the crowd, but I registered none. My eyes drifted to the right side where Jeff stood. Did I look like a deer caught in headlights? My fingers shook. My head turned. My legs wobbled. I tried to breathe, but my lungs were closed for business.
“You can do this,” Jeff mouthed.
I swallowed the lump choking me.
Carter strummed the first chords of “Heart for Rent.” My heart leaped in my throat. Why did I agree to this? I loved our simple garage band. This, right here, was way too big for a White Crest girl like me. I shut my eyes, silencing my thundering heart. I could do this. I breathed out. My fingers played on their own. I locked my eyes on my best friend. He winked. No one was here except the two of us—and Stud. We were back in Carter’s garage, dreaming about getting fifty people to come see us play.
This—right here—was our dream.
I rolled my shoulders—chasing the tension away—rotated my neck and found my voice.

My Thoughts:

Princess and Country is a lovely romance that will tug at the heartstrings and keep you reading until the end. This is not without its share of emotions, but is a light read altogether with everything coming together eventually.

The story follows Dahlia, a singer and country superstar, her best friend Carter and his brother Jeff. When Dahlia realizes that both Carter and Jeff love her, she has a hard time finding the balance and following her heart. She has been best-friends with Carter since childhood and they sing together, they are famous together. As Dahlia struggles to keep the people she loves together in her life, we follow them on this wonderful journey of discovery.

This is a story of love, friendship that endures, second chances even. With heartbreak just around the corner, it remains to be seen how Dahlia copes with her best-friend supporting her no matter what. This is indeed a wonderful example of true friendship!

I truly enjoyed reading this book and about the characters. They are charismatic and will draw you in making you feel a part of the group. The musical aspect is interesting and I love how they embrace this. The brothers are so different from each other and yet their bond is strong. This is the kind of book that one should read on a quiet summer afternoon or to spend a lovely evening! I highly recommend the books in this series by the author. (I have started reading Carter’s story after all)

DRBT new logo

Book Review: Rescuing Lord Inglewood (Inglewood #1) by Sally Britton

Posted in Book Reviews by

About the Book:

Rescuing Lord Inglewood (Inglewood #1)

All he wants is someone he can trust. All she wants is to belong. But when compromising circumstances force them together, do they have a chance at finding love?

Silas Riley, Earl of Inglewood, is known among his peers in Parliament as the man made of stone. As a wealthy peer, there are few he trusts with his friendship. He guards his heart and his honor with vigilance, and when an accident nearly takes his life, he’s faced with a situation which threatens his standing in society.

Growing up in the shadow of her older brother, Esther Fox’s acceptance in his circle has been indifferent at best. So when she ends up in a compromising situation as she saves the life of her brother’s dearest friend, the Earl of Inglewood, she is forced to marry him to save her own reputation. Once again, she finds herself accepted only because of the situation, and not because she is truly wanted.

Neither are prepared for a loss which further complicates their new relationship. With such a difficult beginning, can they ever hope to understand one another, let alone find love?

My Thoughts:

A pleasant read, Rescuing Lord Inglewood follows Esther Fox as she navigates high society in the absence of her older brother and is forced to marry his best friend, the Earl of Inglewood to preserve her reputation. What ensues is a series of events that could either bring the two together or force them further apart.

In the wake of loss and devastation, Esther has to find her way back to herself and hopefully find love in the process with a whole lot of understanding. She has to work hard to crack through the façade that Silas riley portrays in the hopes of forging a better relationship.

I enjoyed watching the characters grow and find their place in the lives of others. The author has done a great job with the plot and the characters. The story is well-written and a quick and enjoyable read! This is a must read for fans of romance.

 

Book Review: Lucy’s Last Chance by Elle Sweet

Posted in Book Reviews by

About the Book:

Lucy was a high-powered attorney who had a nervous breakdown after her husband left her. Broken, she came to the town of Moonshire Bay to start over as a yoga instructor; determined to find inner peace in all things this time around.

Brant is running for Mayor and running after Lucy, but she is scared of his drive and need for success.

Can Lucy realize she’s stronger than she thinks and take a chance on love?

My Thoughts:

Lucy’s Last Chance is a very sweet and simple story that follows Lucy, a yoga instructor at Moonshire Bay. Lucy has moved away from the big city and her career as a high-powered attorney. Additionally, she is in the midst of a divorce and hence the need to get away and start over. As she settles into her new life in this town, she is loved by everyone. Her classes are fun and well received.

As the story progresses, we are introduced to Brant. Brant is running for mayor and shows a great deal of interest in Lucy. As time passes, Lucy starts to consider the possibility of a relationship with Brant. The story then follows the two as they start to tread the waters of a budding relationship. The author keeps the story and the pace simple and straightforward. However, even though some parts of the story may become predictable, the reader is sure to enjoy this book!

I definitely enjoyed reading about Lucy and how she learns to trust again, how she learns to forgive and move on. Her strength and tenacity are inspiring.

A huge thank you to Damppebbles book blog for organizing this promotional tour and for giving me a chance to be a part of it.

Book Review: The Best of Us (Sullivan’s Crossing #4) by Robyn Carr

Posted in Book Reviews by

About the Book:

The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing, #4)

In Sullivan’s Crossing, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr has created a place where good people, powerful emotions, great humor and a healthy dose of common sense are the key ingredients to a happy life. Sullivan’s Crossing brings out the best in people. It’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Dr. Leigh Culver loves practicing medicine in Timberlake, Colorado. It is a much-needed change of pace from her stressful life in Chicago. The only drawback is she misses her aunt Helen, the woman who raised her. But it’s time that Leigh has her independence, and she hopes the beauty of the Colorado wilderness will entice her aunt to visit often.

Helen Culver is an independent woman who lovingly raised her sister’s orphaned child. Now, with Leigh grown, it’s time for her to live life for herself. The retired teacher has become a successful mystery writer who loves to travel and intends to never experience winter again.

When Helen visits Leigh, she is surprised to find her niece still needs her, especially when it comes to sorting out her love life. But the biggest surprise comes when Leigh takes Helen out to Sullivan’s Crossing and Helen finds herself falling for the place and one special person. Helen and Leigh will each have to decide if they can open themselves up to love neither expected to find and seize the opportunity to live their best lives.

My Thoughts:

The Best of Us introduces us to Leigh and Helen, two wonderful women who share a very special bond. Having brought Leigh up, Helen tries to find her space, once her niece is all grown up. As Leigh tries to break away from her stressful life and deal with moving away from her aunt, Helen, we see that the both of them have to accept the change. The story is well written and we watch as the main characters interact with their new surroundings and the new people around them. They have to adapt to each other as adults and accept who they are now! The author shows us the importance of acceptance and maintaining relationships, especially those with family.

Once again we are back at Sullivan’s Crossing for another feel-good tale of love, good people and a lot of fun. This book is a must read for fans of romance novels!

Book Review: The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr

Posted in Book Reviews by

About the Book:

The View from Alameda Island

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers a poignant and powerful story about how one woman’s best intentions lead to the worst of situations and how the power of love helps her to heal and ultimately triumph.

From the outside looking in, Lauren Delaney has a life to envy—a successful career, a solid marriage to a prominent surgeon and two beautiful daughters who are off to good colleges. But on her twenty-fourth wedding anniversary Lauren makes a decision that will change everything.

Lauren won’t pretend things are perfect anymore. She defies the controlling husband who has privately mistreated her throughout their marriage and files for divorce. And as she starts her new life, she meets a kindred spirit—a man who is also struggling with the decision to end his unhappy marriage.

But Lauren’s husband wants his “perfect” life back and his actions are shocking. Facing an uncertain future, Lauren discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had as she fights for the love and happiness she deserves.

My Thoughts:

The View from Alameda Island is a simple enough story with a straight-forward and slightly predictable plot but that tugs at the heart-strings and will make the reader stop to think. The story follows the life of Lauren Delaney as she navigates her seemingly perfect life. To the world outside, everything is perfect, but, only she knows how broken she feels inside. However, there is only so much a person can handle and after a point, they just snap. It is common and normal that every human being wants to be happy. So it is normal that Lauren is also looking for the same.

The author does a great job in working on her character sketches and bringing them to life in this book. The story focuses on the concept of self love, and the idea that at some point every person should take decisions that ultimately make them happy. This is the turning point in Lauren’s life when she decides that she wants a divorce and to get away from the darkness that has lurked behind the scenes during her twenty four years of marriage. This decision, though not taken easily, doesn’t sit well with her husband and thus ensues a struggle to get away and move on, in-spite of her husband who tries to win her back and refuses to let go.

The story is well-written and focuses on Lauren’s fight for the happiness that she deserves as she finds the strength to trust and love again! This is definitely worth a read and can be finished in one sitting!

Cover Reveal: Love, Marriage, and Other Disasters by Shilpa Suraj

Posted in BookWorld, Cover reveal by

~ Cover Reveal ~
Love, Marriage, and Other Disasters
by Shilpa Suraj

 

About the Book:

She believes in love, family and…squiggles!

Alisha Rana is not your typical single desi girl. For one, she is on the wrong side of 30.  For another, she is divorced. And last but definitely not least, she is still, gasp, a virgin!
Alisha doesn’t want much. But what she does want is that elusive thing all women search for – A man who gets her…but a man who gets her hot! She calls it “feeling the squiggle.”
Enter Dr. Vivaan Kapoor, cute, hot, squiggle-worthy. The younger brother of her cousin’s prospective groom, he’s got the squiggle factor in spades. The only catch? He’s never been married and is years younger than Alisha. Basically, completely off-limits.
And then there is Arjun. Widowed, older than her by the right number of years and a genuinely nice guy. He’s Vivaan’s cousin and a so-called perfect match for Alisha. The problem is, Alisha’s squiggle-o-meter refuses to budge for him.
What will Alisha choose? A lifetime together with the ‘right’ man or a chance at happiness with the ‘wrong’ one?

About Shilpa Suraj:

Shilpa Suraj wears many hats – corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.

Shilpa on the Web:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

 

Welcoming the New Year!

Posted in Poetry by

This is a poem I wrote way back at the end of 2011 while ushering in the new year! I think it is apt for this New Year’s Eve and each that follows!

I hope you all have a great New Year with lots of happiness and a tonne of books!

Image result for new year 2017

Welcoming the New Year!

As the year comes to a close,
There is a slight confusion,
Whether to be happy about it,
Or to be sad,
Look back at the year that’s past,
Take a decision,
Make a resolution,
To move forward,
Welcome the new year gracefully,
Open your heart,
And your mind,
Ready yourselves to begin,
A brand new chapter in your life,
Put aside the past,
Embrace the future,
Here’s to wishing all,
A Happy New Year!!!!