#BookReview: The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Synopsis: In #1 New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other—except they're definitely not.

Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other's lives once and for all.

Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It's in the past.

All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.

It's not until they board the tour bus that they discover they've both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they're trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It's fine. There's nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.

#BookReview: Rebel Rose (The Queen's Council #1) by Emma Theriault

Synopsis: Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic.

It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.

Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who would do anything to keep her from power.

When she stumbles across a magic mirror that holds a dire warning, Belle wants nothing more than to ignore the mysterious voice calling her to accept a crown she never desired. But violent factions of the revolution may already be lurking within her own castle, and doing nothing would endanger everything she holds dear. With the fate of her country, her love, and her life at stake, Belle must decide if she is ready to embrace her own strength--and the magic that ties her to so many female rulers before her--to become the queen she is meant to be.

Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen's Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses-and the real history behind their stories-like you've never seen before.

#BookReview: We Were Restless Things by Cole Nagamatsu

Synopsis: From debut author Cole Nagamatsu comes an atmospheric contemporary fantasy about three teens coming of age in the wake of a mysterious death.

Last summer, Link Miller drowned on dry land in the woods, miles away from the nearest body of water. His death was ruled a strange accident, and in the months since, his friends and family have struggled to make sense of it. But Link's close friend Noemi Amato knows the truth: Link drowned in an impossible lake that only she can find. And what's more, someone claiming to be Link has been contacting her, warning Noemi to stay out of the forest.

As these secrets become too heavy for Noemi to shoulder on her own, she turns to Jonas, her new housemate, and Amberlyn, Link's younger sister. All three are trying to find their place—and together, they start to unravel the truth: about themselves, about the world, and about what happened to Link.

Unfolding over a year and told through multiple POVs and a dream journal, We Were Restless Things explores the ways society shapes our reality, how we can learn to love ourselves and others, and the incredible power of our own desires.

#BookBlitz: The Zoodles Strike Back! (Snoodles in Space Episode 2) by Steven Joseph @RABTBookTours

 

The Zoodles Strike Back

Children's Books

Date Published: August 13, 2023

Publisher: Enigami Publishing

 

In the award-winning book “Snoodles in Space”, Steven Joseph and Andy Case brought us further adventures of Herbie Snoodleman and Sour Croodle-man exploring the universe and battling the Zoodle Kidoodles for the Earth’s entire supply of noodles.

In this third instalment of the Snoodles series, the Zoodles are determined to have revenge and with the help of a grimy millionaire whose fallen on hard times, they intend to poison the Earth’s water supply and turn everyone into Willy Nilly’s and Dilly Dally’s.

Can Briana and Ricky save the Earth again? Will the outcast kids on the other side of the track rise to the challenge and help save the world?

#BookReview: Glass Town Wars by Celia Rees & Anna Morrison

Synopsis: All these Glass Town intrigues. No matter how long you'd been absent, how far you'd travelled, once you were back, it was as though you'd never been away.

Tom and Augusta are from different places and different times, but they meet in the virtual world to combine forces in battle, to save a kingdom, escape a web of deceit and to find love. In a place where fictions can be truths and truths fictions, learning who to trust is more than friendship, it is about about survival.

Glass Town Wars, inspired by the early writings of the Brontës, is a captivating, magical novel by the renowned Celia Rees.

#ReleaseBlitz: Calm in Chaos by Thanh Nguyen @RABTBookTours

 

Mindfulness and Meditation for Busy Professionals

Self-Help – Body, Mind, Spirit

Date Published: June 27, 2024

 

 

Unlock the power of mindfulness to navigate the storm of modern life and emerge stronger than ever.

In the fast-paced world of modern professionals, finding peace and balance can seem impossible. Calm in Chaos: Mindfulness and Meditation for Busy Professionals is your essential guide to integrating mindfulness into your daily routine, even amidst the most demanding schedules. Discover practical techniques and insightful wisdom designed to help you stay centered, focused, and resilient.

Explore the scientific benefits of mindfulness, learn effective meditation practices, and find ways to love what you do while shining as a positive force in the world. From handling difficult people to embracing open-mindedness and nonattachment, each chapter provides actionable steps to transform your professional and personal life.

Inside Calm in Chaos readers will find:

Practical meditation techniques to cultivate focus and emotional resilience

Insights on how to love what you do and find fulfillment in your professional life

Strategies for being a positive influence in your workplace and beyond

Guidance on leading with open-mindedness and nonattachment in the face of challenges

Techniques for handling difficult people and navigating conflict gracefully

Practices for self-love and self-care to maintain balance and well-being

Strategies for thriving in adversity and finding growth beyond challenges

Tools for focusing on the bigger picture and maintaining perspective

Practices for cultivating positivity and resilience in the face of setbacks

Guidance on navigating the aftermath of job loss and finding new opportunities for growth

And much more

 

Whether you're facing adversity, navigating job loss, or simply seeking a deeper sense of purpose, Calm in Chaos offers the tools you need to thrive.

Are you ready to break free from the cycle of chaos and reclaim control over your life? Get your copy today and begin your journey towards a more mindful, fulfilling life.

#BookReview: Ironspark by C.M. McGuire

Synopsis: A teen outcast must work together with new friends to keep her family and town safe from murderous Fae while also dealing with panic attacks, family issues, and a lesbian love triangle in C.M. McGuires's kick-butt paranormal YA debut, Ironspark. 

For the past nine years, ever since a bunch of those evil Tinkerbells abducted her mother, cursed her father, and forced her family into hiding, Bryn has devoted herself to learning everything she can about killing the Fae. Now it’s time to put those lessons to use.

Then the Court Fae finally show up, and Bryn realizes she can’t handle this on her own. Thankfully, three friends offer to help: Gwen, a kindhearted water witch; Dom, a new foster kid pulled into her world; and Jasika, a schoolmate with her own grudge against the Fae.

But trust is hard-won, and what little Bryn has gained is put to the test when she uncovers a book of Fae magic that belonged to her mother. With the Fae threat mounting every day, Bryn must choose between faith in her friends and power from a magic that could threaten her very humanity.