Sunday, January 29, 2017

🏰 Book Feature: Deader Homes and Gardens by Angie Fox

Title: Deader Homes and Gardens (Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries Book 4)
Author: Angie Fox
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Moose Island Books
Pages: 211

Southern belle Verity Long is back in business—as a ghost hunter. Now all she has to do is visit the town's creepiest mansion and exorcise a family of vengeful spirits. Piece of cake. After all, ghosts love her and need her...that is until she meets the ghosts of Rock Fall mansion. They'll do anything to keep their murderous secrets hidden within the cliff-side fortress—even if that means getting rid of one meddling ghost hunter.

With the entire town skeptical and scrutinizing her every move, Verity struggles to uncover the century-old mystery behind the house. And when she stumbles upon a very fresh, very dead body, she realizes there’s more to it than she ever imagined. With the help of her sexy cop boyfriend, Ellis, and her ghostly gangster sidekick, Frankie, she braves the overgrown gardens, the desolate family cemetery, and the haunted mansion that have been locked away for generations. But can Verity unearth the truth before she's the next one buried on the deadly grounds?

Friday, January 27, 2017

🏰 Book Feature: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Title: A DOG'S PURPOSE
Author: W. Bruce Cameron
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Forge Books
Pages:333

A Dog’s Purpose―the #1 New York Times bestseller―is heading to the big screen! Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse HallstrΓΆm (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. The family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, Peggy Lipton, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, Pooch Hall and Dennis Quaid. A Dog’s Purpose is produced by Gavin Polone (Zombieland, TV’s Gilmore Girls). The film from Amblin Entertainment and Walden Media will be distributed by Universal Pictures. Screenplay by W. Bruce Cameron & Cathryn Michon and Audrey Wells and Maya Forbes & Wally Wolodarsky.

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.

Bailey's story continues in A Dog's Journey, the charming New York Times and USA Today bestselling direct sequel to A Dog's Purpose.

A Dog's Purpose Series
#1 A Dog’s Purpose
#2 A Dog’s Journey

Other A Dog's Purpose Books
Ellie's Story: A Dog’s Purpose Novel
Bailey’s Story: A Dog’s Purpose Novel
Molly's Story: A Dog's Purpose Novel (forthcoming)

The Rudy McCann Series
The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man
Repo Madness

Other Books
A Dog's Way Home (forthcoming)
The Dog Master
The Dogs of Christmas
Emory’s Gift

This book is now a movie! Watch the trailer!

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

🏰 Book Review: How to Sell Crafts Online by Monica Van Zandt

Title: How to Sell Crafts Online: The Little Handbook of Craft Selling for Beginners (Selling Crafts)
Author: Monica Van Zandt
Genre: Crafts
Publisher: Monica Van Zandt
Pages:34

As a PRINCESS, I usually get my staff to provide me with anything I want, but sometimes a Princess gets an urge to do something with her hands besides wave to her beloved kingdom. I tinkered with making sachets filled with herbs and flowers I had picked from the gardens.  It gave me such joy.  Now I'm hearing that those little satchets I made could have made money ONLINE.  But pooh I have enough money; I don't need it but I love donating to charities and I could have done that!

Now, craftspersons are rolling up their sleeves and selling their crafts through the Internet and it always made me wonder just how do you go about doing that?

This is where How to Sell Crafts Online comes in handy.  While it's a short ebook, it's packed with great information like suggesting different things you can sell online plus where to sell it.  I'd heard of Etsy and eBay before, but hadn't heard of Artfire.  It even gives suggestions on how to stand out from all the others selling their wares.

Because it's such a short book but does have helpful instruction on how to sell crafts online, I'm going to have to give this book 3 princess wands.

 My Rating: 3 Princess Wands

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

🏰 Book Review: The Ultimate Guide To Sleep by Jessica Lopez

Title: The Ultimate Guide to Sleep: How to Combat Insomnia and Sleep Problems
Author: Jessica Lopez
Genre: Self-Help
Publisher: Jessica Lopez
Pages: 30

Since I am a Princess, one of the things I know about is sleep.  I sleep whenever I want and as much as I want but there are those darn nights when I can't get to sleep worth a toot.  This is the reason I agreed to review The Ultimate Guide to Sleep: How To Combat Insomnia and Sleep Problems by Jessica Lopez.

One of the points in The Ultimate Guide to Sleep was that you should keep to your usual pattern or rhythm before retiring.  Anything different that happens to you during the day or night before you retire for the night might trigger insomnia.  In my case, being a PRINCESS, I did do something different than I usually do and that was get myself involved in this bad ass story about a prince who fell in love with a commoner and left his princess at the alter.  I could not go to sleep for the life of me.  I just had to find out if he was going to go back to the princess or carry the commoner off on his white horse to Happily Ever After.  Ugh. There were lots of other times when I got involved with certain things that kept me from falling asleep but The Ultimate Guide to Sleep is now my new knight in shining armor.

Even though it's a short little book, but it's jam packed with explanations on why you might not be sleeping and a few antidotes if it happens.  I knew about the warm milk but I didn't know about other things that might help like lavender for example.  No, you don't eat it, but the smell is a great sleep inducer. I might even get the maid to go pick me some from the countryside and throw the petals all over my Princess bedroom.

Overall, nice book and I give it 4 princess wands!



Friday, January 20, 2017

🏰 Book Bloggin' Princess Interviews Rani St. Pucchi, author of Your Body, Your Style


Thirty years ago, Rani St. Pucchi took the bridal world by storm, despite having no formal training in fashion. She is an award winning couture fashion designer and founder of the world-renowned bridal house St. Pucchi. A passionate and dynamic entrepreneur who launched her global empire in the United States in 1985, Rani’s vision was to create an avant-garde bridal and evening couture line with modern styling and classic details. That vision has been realized today.

Renowned for infusing her creations with touches of magnificently colored jewels, exquisite hand embroidery, delicate beading and sparkling crystals on the finest silks and laces, these inspired designs with innovative draping evoke the timeless elegance every woman desires. As one of the foremost designers to introduce exotic silk fabrics and hand embroidery, Rani is applauded for being a pioneer in bringing color to the United States bridal scene, having learned that white does not flatter everyone.

Rani has been recognized and nominated on multiple occasions for her design talent and won numerous awards as a Style Innovator. In addition, she has been honored with the Best Bridal Designer Award at the prestigious Chicago Apparel Center’s DEBI Awards (Distinctive Excellence in Bridal Industry).

Rani is famous for designing the wedding dress worn by “Phoebe” as she captured the hearts of millions when she said “I Do” in a unique St. Pucchi Lilac corset bodice A-line gown on the finale of the hit television show Friends. 

Her range of avant-garde designs are worn by the world’s most discerning brides, including celebrities and style icons such as New York Giants’ player Aaron Ross’ wife, Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards; Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo’s wife Candice Crawford; Actress Tara Reid; Jason Priestley’s wife Naomi Lowde; actress Candice Cameron and Grammy Award winning country music singer Alison Krauss, who donned a specially designed Chantilly lace and silk gown at the Country Music Awards.

Rani has enjoyed much media attention. Her signature designs have been recognized in high profile media such as Entertainment Tonight, Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, Town and Country, Bride’s, Cosmopolitan Brides, Inside Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot.

Rani’s real passion other than the world of design is to help women who have suffered abuse and those who are struggling to find themselves. On her quest to empower women to be their best selves, she is passionate about helping them find their voice through building their self-confidence. She believes that confidence must start with a woman’s love and acceptance of her body.

Renowned for her savvy knowledge of a woman’s form and fit, Rani is eager to share her knowledge of more than three decades with all women so they can make better styling choices. In addition to the book you are reading now, Rani is the author of four upcoming books: The SoulMate Checklist: Key Questions To help You Choose Your Perfect Partner; Seven Types of Men To Avoid: Recognizing Relationship Red Flags; Designing with Heart: A to Z Guide to Bridal Designing; and Unveiling: A Celebrity Fashion Designer’s Story, a Memoir of her Life Journey.

Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Rani now happily lives in Los Angeles, California.


WEB & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE


About the Book:

Rani St. Pucchi, a trend-setting designer whose designs have been recognized in Entertainment Tonight, Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, Town and Country, Bride’s, Cosmopolitan Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot, can help define the style that flatters you most no matter what age or stage of life you are in or what your body type is.

Women from all over the world have clamored to have a private consultation with Rani so they may benefit from her expertise and regain their self-confidence and shine.

In Your Body, Your Style, Rani shares with you her knowledge of the female form and guides you to find simple solutions to your most pressing body concerns. The focus is on you — and how you can make yourself more confident and appealing in almost every situation — simply by making a few changes and different choices in planning your wardrobe.  

Once you embrace your unique attributes and dissolve your bad relationship with your body, you’ll be amazed to find how irresistible you are to others!

This simple and friendly guide reveals:

* What clothes and silhouettes are best for your specific body type
* Simple techniques to determine which colors flatter you most
* Solutions to common lingerie issues and the importance of fit
* The one dress that is a chameleon, and how to transform it into different looks
* How to travel stress free by planning your wardrobe well
* 101 styling secrets, professional tricks and fashion tips

RANI ST. PUCCHI  is an award-winning fashion designer, an author and relationship expert. She is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post.

PURCHASING LINKS:

AMAZON   *   B&N

Q: Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?

After more than 30 years as an award-winning designer and founder of the world-renowned Bridal house St. Pucchi I took a sabbatical to write my books. Writing had always been my passion and as an English major this was a natural transition. I had so much to say that I felt I could serve the world better by spreading my knowledge thru words. And so, my first book Your Body, Your Style: Simple Tips on Dressing to Flatter Your Body Type was born.

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

As any writer and author will tell you, the first book can be the most challenging one. Editing, and re-writing several times even, to make sure that our readers will understand is key. Most information exists in our heads and, as in fashion, much of the lingo is so second nature to us designers and those in the fashion industry that we tend to forget that the general audience, for the most part, is clueless about what we may be referring to. So I suggest that after you’ve written your book, have a few of your friends read it to make sure that everything is clear and easy to follow.


Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

Koehler Books is my publisher. I discovered them when I was looking thru my options of getting my book formatted.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

Yes, it has been such a learning curve. I’ve discovered that writing is only a small part of getting your book published. Marketing your book and getting it on everyone’s radar is where most of your energy goes.

Q: What other books are you working on and when will they be published?

My next book, The SoulMate Checklist, will be released on November 15th, 2016. Other books that I am working on are Your Body, Your Bridal Style; 7 Types of Men to Avoid; and my memoir, Unveiling: A Celebrity Fashion Designer’s Story. All three books are scheduled for release in 2017.

Q: What’s one fact about your book that would surprise people?

That if they knew the simple tricks on how to dress their body in ways that will enhance their best assets and camouflage areas they feel uncomfortable about, their self-confidence will sky rocket!

Q: Finally, what message are you trying to get across with your book?

The message I would like to get across is that every relationship starts with an individual’s relationship to self. That loving your body is the first step and the key to having an amazing life with your partner, as well as how you show up in the world.




Wednesday, January 4, 2017

🏰 Book Review: Traveling for Love by Becky Due

Title: Traveling for Love: Searching for Self, Hoping for Love
Author: Becky Due
Publisher: Telemachus Press
Pages: 178
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937698173
ISBN-13: 978-1937698171


 Book Blurb:

Amanda’s life is suddenly turned upside down when her husband tells her he wants a divorce. She realizes she no longer knows who she is – her life revolved around her husband. At age 40, she finds herself divorced, childless, living in an apartment with a roommate, with little education and no career path. Can Amanda heal her pain and find love again? Will she find the career of her dreams? When will Amanda realize that she deserves to be happy?

My Review:

After being dumped by her husband, Amanda goes on a self-love journey.  She encounters various men in her life along the way and each one enables her to make one more step toward the right direction of learning who she is.  All are important in some aspect – but she doesn’t know this until the end.  I loved how Becky Due handled writing Amanda’s personality.  I really hate when some women are portrayed as victims even when they are.  I love a strong woman and I believe that Amanda was a very strong woman. I could tell so as I was reading it even though at times she had her doubts about herself and that’s what prompted her to take cruises.  By herself.

Let’s talk about Nick, her husband and soon to be ex as the story progresses.  He could kiss a frog for all I cared.  But he’s typical of a lot of men unfortunately.  These are men who only care about themselves.  When he wants to do something, he expects his wife to do it with him but when she wants to do something, it’s like “Go ahead with your friends.  Have fun.”  Man that makes my blood boil.  So lesson here to be learned is that there are men out there who do have the same likes you do, the trick is to find them.

The next man in Amanda’s life, I’m not sure if I liked him either.  Sam.  He wouldn’t ever talk about his personal life.  It was like he had some deep secret.  And all the guy wanted to do was have sex.  But, the sex was great according to Amanda who loved this new lifestyle of being able to finally do what she wanted and when she wanted with no strings attached.  She was getting close to Sam, then something happened but I don’t want to give it away.

The next guy was a guy she met on a cruise ship.  He seemed nice enough but there was something about him I didn’t think he was right for Amanda, but the next guy after that, I really liked him even though he did a few things that made you think he might not be right for her as well.

Amanda tended to pick guys who seemed to have hangups about the girlfriend thing until she finally…well I can’t give that away, can I?

You’ll have to read this book; it’s about one woman’s journey to find herself. 

I give this book 4 Princess Wands!




Tuesday, January 3, 2017

🏰 Book Feature: Marriage: The Secret To Rebuilding Trust, Intimacy, and Connection In Your Marriage by Karen Johnson

Title: Marriage: The Secret to Rebuilding Trust, Intimacy, and Connection In Your Marriage
Author: Karen Johnson
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Independent
Pages:36

Do you want to fix your marriage?


Yes- You can. This book contains proven and simple steps to teach you how to fix your marriage

By the end of this book, I am going to make sure that you are happy about your marriage.

Marriage is an achievement, but also a challenge. This is a frightening time for couples because we are living in a time when more than half of all first marriages ends in divorce; 60 percent of second marriages fail. What makes the numbers even more daunting is that nobody seems to understand why our marriages have become so fragile.

This book will guide you on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. We aren’t simply going to talk about the definition of marriage, but its truths behind the beautiful faΓ§ade of a wedding of two seemingly happy couple and some other complexities of it as well. Being a spouse is not an easy job. Your job is not only to maintain the relationship but also have to keep your partner interested. Karen Johnson will reveal her proven methods to show you how to stay in love—starting today.

What People Are Saying:
"This book is something not only for married couples but for people who are planning to go there or are afraid of committing. I think this book is a great guidance for any relationships." -Amazon Customer

"This is an interesting guide about marriage condition. well written and easy to understand." -Amazon Customer

Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn...

  • What Marriage is Really About?
  • What Causes Conflicts in a Marriage
  • Why Argument in a Marriage is Inevitable
  • How to Stay Together Despite the Arguments
  • The Importance of Communication in Every Marriage
  • Much, much more!


Take action today and download this book for a limited time discount of only $0.99!

Monday, January 2, 2017

🏰 Book Feature: Here Comes the Bride by Alexandra Ivy

Title: Here Comes the Bride
Author: Alexandra Ivy
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Ecopy 

A BRIDE FOR LORD BRASLEIGH 

Philip Marrow, Lord Brasleigh, must marry off his troublesome ward, Miss Bella Howe. But determined to wed for love, Bella has run away, and Philip must track her down. Since he has never met her, he plans to play the rogue and scare her back to London. He never expects to ignite an overwhelming passion . . . or find a lady who fights fire with a clever scheme all her own . . .

A BRIDE FOR LORD WICKTON Barth Juston, Earl of Wickton, assumes a woman would be grateful to accept an arranged marriage with him. What a shock that beautiful Isa Lawford is not! In fact, she insists she prefers someone else! Now this overconfident lord is about to enter the most perilous battle of all: a fight for a woman’s heart . . .

A BRIDE FOR LORD CHALLMOND Simon Townsled, Lord Challmond, is off to his Devonshire country estate, where he is sure to be safe from feminine wiles. But he doesn't count on feisty do-gooder Miss Claire Blakewell—who is as determined to march down the aisle as he is to avoid it . . .