Manicure Monday (16): Because You're Mine

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another week of Manicure Monday. Basically you pick up your current read and, either create a manicure based on the cover, or juts show us your current manicure. I am a big nail polish lover (and am slowly experimenting with nail art) and I wanted a meme to celebrate both my love of nail polish and my love of books. Hence, Manicure Monday!

So there are going to be quite a few pics this week because I am actually pretty proud of this week's manicure. It's a lot more involved than most of my manicures and I think the results are pretty good for a first try.

As you can see, the book is Lisa Kleypas's Because You're Mine, which I picked up from the library last weekend. You guys might know that I am a big Kleypas fan and I can never resist when I find one of her books at the library. I've read most of them but I still come across new ones occasionally.

I decided to do and abstract rose manicure to go with the rose on the cover (which is also mentioned in the book). I've been meaning to try this for a little while now and I thought the theme went really well with this cover. There are lots of rose tutorials out there and they are all pretty similar. I read a few of them and just winged it. But some good ones are here, here, and here. I used dotting tools to make my shapes and it worked pretty well. I think it would have been a little better if I'd had a small paintbrush but I am satisfied with the results. I used a bunch of polishes so I am just going to list them below.

• Avon Sunshine - golden creamy yellow which I also think is aptly named since the heroine in this is quite optimistic.
• American Apparel Downtown LA - bright red
• Wet N Wild Black - black used to make roses
• Nubar Greener - dark green for leaves
• Orly Fresh - bright green for leaf highlights

So there you have it.  A really fun, pretty easy rose manicure. If you decide to participate in Manicure Monday, please leave a link in the widget below. Thanks and have an awesome week!

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Manicure Monday (11): Suddenly You

Oh, Monday. Here you are again. :) Hello and thanks for checking out Manicure Monday, a weekly meme where I showcase one of my current reads as well as a current manicure inspired by (usually) the book cover. Let's get to it!

This week I am reading Suddenly You, an older Lisa Kleypas novel. I found this one at the library a few weeks ago and only got around to reading it now. Kleypas's older novels are a bit hit and miss for me but I loved this one. Really great characters and crazy chemistry. I will be posting  a review hopefully later this week. 

On my nails is a new polish by JulieG called Hot Cinnamon. It's part of their Gumdrops collection and is a textured polish. If you don't know, textured is all the rage right now and it's basically polishes that dry to a gritty sort of texture. Some people love and and others hate it.  I really like this collection by JulieG because most of the colors have great glitter and sparkle. Hot Cinnamon does not have sparkle, but it is this incredible glowing red. I thought it looked really nice with the cover and the textured polish reminded me a little of Amelia's prickly nature. 

Thanks for checking out today's post. I have some fun MM's coming up so I hope you come back. If you decide to participate, please link up below and I will be sure to visit. Have an awesome week!

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Again The Magic - Review

Again The Magic (Wallflowers #0.5) by Lisa Kleypas

Publication date: 27 Jan 2004 by Avon

ISBN 10/13: 0380811081 | 9780380811083
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Romance, historical, childhood love, revenge
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from Goodreads

Review:

I had no idea that this book even existed until about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Under The Covers Book Blog, one of my favorite review blogs, had a post about the unsung heroes of romance. In this list was McKenna from Again the Magic, the prequel novel to Lisa Kleypas's Wallflower series. How on earth did I miss a Wallflower book? I immediately downloaded a copy to my Kindle (and this is where I praise the advent of ebooks because I had this book in my hands in no time flat). I started it immediately and read it in almost one sitting. Yes, it was that good.

Again the Magic is the story of Aline Marsden, the sister of Marcus Westcliff, and John McKenna. Westcliff's sister Livia and her beau Gideon Shaw also play a role in the book but Aline and McKenna are the main focus so let's talk about them first.

Aline and McKenna are childhood friends whose friendship grows into love over the years. Unfortunately McKenna is a servant of the household and any romance between the two is strictly forbidden. But young love cannot be stopped and McKenna and Aline continue to see each other secretly. One day they are found out and Aline must send McKenna away with a lie. Twelve years pass and McKenna comes back to Stony Cross a rich man, having made his fortune in America. He hasn't forgotten Aline and vows revenge by seduction. What he doesn't know is that Aline still loves him. However, she has her own secrets that threaten to keep them apart.

I loved this book so much! If any two people belong together, it's Aline and McKenna. Even after twelve years apart, the chemistry between the two is undeniable. And it's not just the physical stuff. I was surprised by how emotional I got while reading their story. My heart broke for Aline when she had to send McKenna away and again when she finally told him the truth about what happened all those years ago. She was the most frustratingly stubborn woman at times, pushing McKenna away for all the wrong reasons.

I loved McKenna, even though he comes back to Aline a cold, cruel man intent on revenge. I loved his strength and determination and the tenderness that he showed Aline. They are a great match and I gave a sigh of relief when they finally found their HEA.

Livia and Gideon also have a sweet side story in this. I liked them both and enjoyed learning their back story. While I liked Livia and Gideon's romance, I have to say that McKenna and Aline were the real stars of this story for me..

Again the Magic is an intense and passionate love story that made me believe in true love and soul mates. It is a wonderful addition to the Wallflowers series and can be read as a standalone or in chronological order. The Wallflowers is truly one of my favorite romance series and I highly recommend it.

 

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Visit the author online at www.lisakleypas.com and follow her on Twitter @Lisakleypas


*FTC disclosure: I participate in the BookDepository & Amazon affiliate programs. Clicking on the link and making a purchase may result in revenue for this blog. Find our full disclosure policy here.

Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop (US ends 12/27)

Hello and welcome to the Third Annual - Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Oasis for YA. Today you can win a hardcover copy of Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. You all know how much I love Lisa Kleypas. Now is your chance to win a copy of the first book in her Friday Harbor series. US only please. 

Friday Night At Christmas Harbor (HC)

If you want to win it, just fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

Giveaway Rules:

1. Open to US only. We will send the prize directly to the winner.
2. We are not responsible for items lost in the mail.
3. One set of entries per household, please.
4. If you are under 13, please get a parent or guardian's permission to enter, as you will be sharing personal info such as an email address. 
5. Winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter widget a day or two after the contest ends. 
6. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to to the email, otherwise we will pick a new winner. 
7. If you have any questions, feel free to email us. You can review our full contest policyhere. 
8. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY PERSONAL INFO IN THE COMMENTS. Sorry for the caps but we always get people leaving their email in the comments. Rafflecopter will collect all that without having personal info in the comments for all the world (and spambots) to find. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Someone To Watch Over Me - Review

Someone To Watch Over Me (Bow Street Runners #1) 
by Lisa Kleypas

Publication date: 01 May 1999 by Avon

ISBN 10/13: 0380802309 | 9780380802302
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, amnesia, murder, courtesan
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook

From Goodreads:

A temptingly beautiful woman is rescued from the icy waters of the Thames, her memory gone. Told that she is Vivien Rose Duvall, one of London's most scandalous beauties, she finds herself under the protection of the enigmatic and charming Grant Morgan, one of London's most eligible, and unattainable, catches. As his love for this mysterious beauty grows, he's determined to discover the truth - no matter what.

Thuy's Review:

I’ve been on a big Lisa Kleypas kick lately and am a self-professed fangirl. While I was disappointed in this on, I still had a hard time putting it down. The book starts off with an promising premise. A woman is found half drowned in the river by a Bow Street runner. She turns out to be Vivien Duvall, infamous courtesan, who has no memory of her previous life. Her rescuer, Grant Morgan, remember Vivien as a conceited, scornful woman who once spurned him. He vows to protect her even though his last memory of her isn’t a pleasant one and sets out to find the person who is trying to kill her and untangle the truth of her past.

Normally I love how Lisa Kleypas writes people. One of the great things about a Lisa Kleypas novel is how emotionally involved I become in the story and I’ve fallen in love with more than one of her characters. Unfortunately, I never connected with Grant or Vivien and I actually didn’t like Grant for a large chunk of the book. He saves Vivien and takes care of her quite lovingly. However, while he’s doing this, he’s also plotting to seduce her as some sort of revenge for a past argument. He takes advantage of her amnesia to press a physical relationship when he should be protecting her. Even as his feelings change towards Vivien, Grant insists on lying to her about their previous relationship in the hopes of seducing her.

Vivien herself was sweet if somewhat bland, having no memory of her previous life for most of the book. I just didn’t feel very attached to either of them. The relationship and the characters in this one just didn’t quite mesh for me and I saw one of the major plot twists coming from a mile away. The book does get better as the story progresses. We learn more about Grant and he loses some of his bitterness. It’s also obvious that he truly cares for Vivien by the end and they share some very sweet moments. So while this isn’t my favorite Lisa Kleypas novel, I still a fan and am will give the rest of the series a try.

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Visit the author online at www.lisakleypas.com and follow her on Twitter @LisaKleypas

Seduce Me At Sunrise - Review

Seduce Me At Sunrise (The Hathaways #2) by Lisa Kleypas

Publication date: 30 September 2008 by St. Martin's Press

ISBN 10/13: 0312949812 | 9780312949815
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Romance, historical, family, Gypsies
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook, audiobook

From goodreads:

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.

Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

Thuy's Review:

I adored the first book in this series and was afraid that the second book would not live up to my expectations. I am happy to report that Seduce Me At Sunrise did not disappointed and I fell in love with the Hathaways all over again.

My heart went out to Merripen in the first book. Haunted by a dark and violent past, he’s resigned himself to never having the one thing he wants most in life - Win. He’s afraid to hurt her, afraid that the violence he did in his youth will come out one day and harm her. He’s the very definition of a tortured hero. He is intense and moody but also extremely loyal with a great capacity for love. He’s also the most infuriatingly stubborn man I've ever met! He kisses Win passionately one moment and pushes her away the next. His mixed signals were enough to drive any girl a little batty.

Luckily, Win is a persistent woman who knows what she wants. I like that she isn’t cowed by Merripen and stands up to him. Even when Merripen made me want to throw up my hands and give up, Win holds her ground. She has a quiet inner strength that anchors the entire family.

I am also happy to say that we see more of Cam and Amelia in this one. They are one of my favorite couples and seeing them as a married couple only solidifies my love for them. Cam and Merripen also find answers to the mysterious origins of their tattoos. I won’t spoil it but let’s just say that the revelation is a big one that has great significance for both of them.

I really can’t say enough about this series. I thought I was fully invested after the first book but now I am totally addicted. These characters are so well developed that I feel like I actually know them. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

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Visit the author online at www.larissaione.com and follow her on Twitter @LarissaIone

Corsets, Kisses & Kleypas Blog Hop

Hi and welcome to the Corsets, Kisses & Kleypas Blog Hop! This giveaway is all about Lisa Kleypas so I am giving away a book of your choice from Lisa's back catalog up to $10 from Book Depository. This giveaway is international. As long as BD ships to your country, then it's fair game. You're welcome to choose whichever Kleypas book you'd like but below are a few of my faves.  Please see below for rules and to enter the giveaway and thanks to Under The Covers for hosting.

     

 

The Rules:

1. You must have 13 years or older to enter this giveaway.

2. Please don't leave any personal information in the blog comments. All the info we need will be collected by Rafflecopter.

3. Winner will be picked via Rafflecopter and random.org.

4. Giveaway is international as long as Book Depository delivers to your country.

5. You do not have to follow our blog to win, but it's always appreciated.

Thanks for visiting! Please visit the other blogs that are participating in the blog hop. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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A Wallflower Christmas - Review

A Wallflower Christmas (Wallflowers #5) by Lisa Kleypas

Publication date: 14 October 2008 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 10/13: 0312533780 | 9780312533786)

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, rakes
Format: Hardcover, mass market paperback, eBook

From goodreads:

The Wallflowers are four young ladies in London who banded together in their wild and wickedly wonderful searches for true love. Now happily married, they join together once again to help one of the world’s most notorious rogues realize that happiness might be right under the mistletoe.…
 
It’s Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.  

A Wallflower Christmas takes a trip to Victorian London, under the mistletoe, and on a journey of the heart. With her trademark charm, sensuality, and unforgettable characters, there’s no one like Lisa Kleypas to make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

Thuy's review: 

I am not usually one for holiday themed books (they always seemed a bit cheesy) but I couldn't resist this Christmas story by Lisa Kleypas. A Wallflower Christmas is a deliciously fun and sweet with that I didn't want to end.

Rafe Bowman has a well earned reputation as a rake. But this Christmas, he's heading to Stony Cross Park with his sister and her friends to meet his would-be future bride, Natalie Blandford. Though reluctant to give up his single ways, Rafe understands that he must settle down at some point and Natalie is as good a candidate as anyone else. What he doesn't count on is his attraction to her  companion Hannah Appleton. Hannah isn't elegant and practiced in the ways of society like Natalie is, but she's smart, lively and genuine. She also highly disapproves of Rafe as a suitor for Natalie and does all she can to dissuade the union.

This was such a wonderful story that I truly enjoyed. Rafe is a rake of the highest order - flirty and unapologetic in his actions. He even kisses Hannah the first time he meets her! He's not one to shy away his feelings and he's definitely attracted to Hannah. What first starts off as a bit of mischief soon turns into something deeper as Rafe begins to realize that his feelings for Hannah are unlike any he's had for a woman before. He takes every opportunity to tease her and bring her out of her Natalie's shadow. Under Hannah's proper and polite  English facade is a strong, opinionated woman who isn't afraid to tell Rafe just why he's an unsuitable choice for Natalie or anyone else. I found Hannah to be kind an earnest but with a fiery nature, especially when Rafe riles her up. Though a rake, Rafe isn't callous and he treats Hannah with respect and surprising tenderness, making an effort to know her mind and not just make out with her. Their romance is sweet and passionate and I really wanted them to get their happily ever after.

The story is also not as overtly Christmas-y as I had feared. It takes place during the holidays and there are holiday activities like trimming the Christmas tree and sledding. There are several scenes where Hannah is reading A Christmas Carol aloud which were tedious only because passages of A Christmas Carol were written out in the book. I don’t know if it was necessary but it took me out of the book at times. Other than that I enjoyed the subtle Christmas theme.

This is the only book I've read from the Wallflowers series. Even though I had no prior knowledge of the series or characters I was able to follow along just fine. There is some recapping and the other Wallflowers and their husbands do make appearances. I probably would have gotten more out of their bits if I had read the other books first but, as it was, they were fun little side stories that I enjoyed and made me want to read the entire series.

Lisa Kleypas manages to pull my heartstrings yet again in this romantic Christmas tale filled with misunderstandings, love, desire and holiday spirit. A Wallflower Christmas is a great book to snuggle up with for the holidays or any other day.

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Visit the author online at www.lisakleypas.com and follow @LisaKleypas on Twitter

Mine Till Midnight - Review

Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways #1) by Lisa Kleypas

Publication date: 02 October 2007 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 10/13: 0312949804 | 9780312949808

 

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, siblings, gypsies, ghosts
Format: Hardcover, mass market paperback, ebook

From goodreads:

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men's dreams, Cam has tired of society's petty restrictions and longs to return to his -uncivilized- Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship-but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter.

Thuy's review:

This is  my first Lisa Kleypas novel. She’s a big name in historical romance but it’s not a genre I’ve delved into very much yet (preferring the more paranormal stuff). But I picked up the second book in the Hathaway series last weekend at a used book store for $1. Since I hate reading things out of order I knew I had to track down the first book before going any further. Luckily my local library had a copy of Mine Till Midnight on hand and I was able to jump into this one right away.

Mine Till Midnight is a story about the Hathaway family - a close knit and somewhat unconventional (for their time at least) family. There are four sisters - Amelia, Win, Poppy and Beatrix with the eldest being their brother Leo. Also part of the family is Merripen, a Gypsy who came to the family has a child. Merripen holds an odd place in the family as he’s not quite a brother but he’s not really a servant either. With both parents deceased, it’s up to Amelia and Leo to take care of the family. Unfortunately Leo is on a destructive downward spiral after losing his fiancee to fever several months before.

I have to say, wow. I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. I loved the historical aspect of the story. There was just enough of it to create a believable setting but not so much that I was bogged down by language or too much historical background. Sexy love scenes, witty dialogue, and an emotional love story made this a book I did not want to put down.

I loved the hero of the story, Cam Rohan. Being a half-blood, he’s never really fit in anywhere. Not with his Gypsy family or with the the proper English society where he currently finds himself. He’s smart and forceful and confident in his ability to do anything, be it run a gambling club, find a missing person or get the woman he loves to marry him. I love that he’s undaunted by Amelia’s stubbornness and pursues her despite her reluctance. He’s a bit wild, his Gypsy half doing its best to uproot his Irish half.

Amelia is the backbone of her family, holding it all together when times get tough. I admire her strength and determination. Not many woman of that era would just walk into a gambling house or brothel but she’s ready to do whatever she has to in order to get the job done. She’s extremely loyal and loves her family beyond all reason. She also takes on way too much responsibility, refusing to ask for or accept any help in taking care of her family. She’s resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood in order to make sure that everyone else has a happy future. She’s also quite frustrating at times. She’s so stubborn and refuses for a long time to see what her own heart is telling her. Luckily Cam isn’t one to give up easily and his dogged pursuit of her is romantic and sweet. They also have fantastic chemistry and the love scenes were extremely sensual and sexy.

I loved watching Cam and Amelia’s relationship develop from physical attraction into a true partnership filled with love, caring and understanding. Cam becomes the person that Amelia can depend on and be vulnerable with (even when she doesn’t want to). In Amelia, Cam finally finds the place where he belongs, his home, his place by her side. I found their story to be ridiculously sweet and romantic and made me want to squeee.

And let’s not forget about Win and Merripen. The sexual tension is high with these two. Theirs seems like an impossible love but nothing is impossible in a romance book. I greatly look forward to reading their story. Thank you, Lisa Kleypas. You have officially made me a historical romance convert.

Note: I've also joined Under The Covers' Krazy Kleypass Reading Challenge 2012. More info on the challenge here. Come by and join up!

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Visit the author online at www.lisakleypas.com and follow @LisaKleypas on Twitter

Krazy Kleypas Reading Challenge 2012

Hi, everyone! I am signing up for my first official reading challenge (here on the blog at least). I am joining Under The Covers' fantastic Krazy Kleypas Reading Challenge 2012. I recently read my first Lisa Kleypas novel and loved it. I am official a convert to Ms. Kleypas and what better way to feed my addiction than to challenge myself to read more of her books?

Here are the rules (taken from UTC):

1. The Krazy Kleypas Reading Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. You can join at anytime during the year. This is a 2012 challenge, so books read before then will not count to your progress.

2. Pick whichever category you like! You can get your feet wet and just do 1-3 books or develop a full blown obsession and try and read them all! You can change your mind at any time, if 1-3 books is not enough feel free to go on to the next category.

3. Re-reads are acceptable.

4. Readers without blogs can still participate! Keep track of your progress with Goodreads, Shelfari or LibraryThing.

I am going to start off slow and commit to the second level of the challenge right now. That might change through the year but I want this to be something reasonable for me.

Category Two
Komfy with Kleypas
4-8 Books

List of books I plan to read:
Seduce Me At Sunrise (The Hathaways #2)
Tempt Me At Twilight (The Hathaways #3)
Married By Morning (The Hathaways #4)
Love In The Afternoon (The Hathaways #5)
Sugar Daddy (Travises #1)
Blue-Eyed Devil (Travises #2)
Smooth Talking Stranger (Travises #3)

I think the problem now is waiting until January to start. Keep an out out next year on the blog for updates on the challenge. If you want to find out more or sign up, please visit the Under The Covers post about it here. :)

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 thuy would like some pie. to find out if she got some, follow her on twitter @fishgirl182