Giveaway Goodies: My Favourite Reads Giveaway Hop Winner!

Thank you everyone who stuck it out with me and participated. It was a lovely surprise to see so many entries so I thank you all for taking the time. And thank you again to the 2 lovely hosts!!


A majority vote was for Heat Wave, something I quite expected from my choices since I know not everyone is into romance. And of course, because of the popular TV show.

Hugs to all of you who chose Judith McNaught's books, especially Paradise. I can't help but try to help out my fave author, who I still think is not getting the credit she deserves in terms of people picking up her books. I hope some readers will give her books a chance!

I was surprised at how few chose J. D. Robb's In Death books though, since I started on her books due to the many wonderful reviews I read on all those great blogs in the first place! Well, I think it's either that or most people already have her In Death series. Unlike me, who is still in the midst of a collecting frenzy.

Okay, so as not to be a bore, THE WINNER IS:

Sheila from Utah!! Who chose, guess what, Heat Wave by Richard Castle!

CONGRATULATIONS! She has confirmed and her book is already on the way so the giveaway is officially OVER!



Until next year's My Fave Reads Giveaway Hop! I will be participating in the Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop starting in a few days time so do come back for that! It's open INTERNATIONALLY! Of course.


Bye for now!

Random Thoughts: May RAK Wrap-Up & June RAK Sign-Up

 RAK is a lovely monthly gathering where you can choose to send someone a book or even some handmade goodies! This great event is hosted by the wonderful gals over at Book Soulmates. 

In May, I managed to send one RAK out to:

to Mary @ Sweeping Me from USA as it was her birth month!

I didn't receive anything last month but that's okay. 

Now, onto JUNE! The rules remain the same, the only thing that changes is the person(s) you decide to bestow RAKs to!

But before you jump in, do read the rules first! And remember, this is about giving as much as receiving!

Here's my Wishlist if you'd like to share the book love with me! THANKS.

COMPLETE RAK RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules!  Thank you!

• Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).
• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
• Once you receive a RAK, send an email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that they can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post.  This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Easy peezy!!

Links you will need:

• Sign up for June [HERE]
• See who else is participating [HERE]
• If you have any questions regarding RAK, please contact them via the following: rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com

Tips:

1. When talking about RAK on Twitter, please use the hastag (#RAK). It makes it much easier to keep track of the conversations, answer questions and/or tweet back! =)

2. When submitting your wish list, please make sure that it is set to PUBLIC viewing. Some people have run into trouble with wish lists that were set to private. We want to be sure that no one is left out of getting great RAKs.

3. Some of you seem to have gotten frustrated because you can't get your links to appear active. This is a very easy fix :) Just make sure that when you enter your link, do NOT hit the Enter key. Instead, hit the TAB key which will send you to the next field on the form. Additional spaces entered after the link will leave the link inactive. However, if this does happen to you...no worries, we'll fix it for you :)

Giveaway Goodies: My Favourite Reads Giveaway Hop (INT)

I haven't participated in a Giveaway Hop in a real long time so I thought, what better Hop to follow but this one! Goodness knows I have quite a few fave books I hope to share the love with. Oh yeah, firstly, BIG THANKS to the lovely hosts, I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Rachelle's Writing Spot. I am number #53 on the list!

And so, I want to share a few of my fave books with you. And for the giveaway, you get to pick your book of choice from my list! I hope you'll enjoy them as I have! Oh yeah, and it's of course, open WORLDWIDE!

Read More About The Book

Read My Review Here

Read My Review Here

Read More About The Book

 

Read My Review Here

To Read More About The Book

Other books you can choose from:
Any of Judith McNaught's other books
Naked Heat/Heat Rises - Richard Castle
Any of J. D. Robb's In Death books

If you've been waiting to enter, there is only 1 mandatory entry and a few extra ones if you like. Please enter below! For INT entrants, I'll be getting your book from the Book Depository, as for US & Canadian entrants, I may choose to send your prize from Amazon. Thanks for entering! Do try out for more winnings after the Rafflecopter.

P.S. If the Facebook link doesn't work, try searching for me through my email (it's located in the Rafflecopter's T&C box) 

Giveaway Goodies: Spring Sample Giveaway

I'm quite a bit of a shopper when it comes to cosmetics and especially skin care so I get lots of goodies. My friends and relatives know that too so they like to pile on the pressies. As I know I can't and won't be able to use so much, I thought of sharing it with my readers. So I am opening this giveaway to INTERNATIONAL readers, except where prohibited of course. I hope you'll make use of these in my place.

Here are some of the goodies in the box. I will include more when I as I get them.

Laneige Snow Crystal Shimmer Lipgloss in Pink Glow

Laneige High Perm Curling Mascara in Black

Benefit Benetint

My Lip Stuff Natural Lip Balm in Almond Ice Cream Cake

Lancome Genifique Youth Activator

Paul & Joe Moisture Lotion

Paul & Joe Light Cleansing Milk

Paul & Joe Moisturizing Serum

Paul & Joe Essential Moisturizing Cream

Revlon Matte Eye Shadow in Luscious Lime

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Firecracker

Revlon Matte Luxurious Kohl Eyeliner in Very Violet

RMK Cleansing Milk

RMK Water Color Eyes in Olive Green

The Face Shop Raspberry Roots Collagen Eye Patch

The Face Shop Su Hyang Snow Maximizing Gel Cream

Sexy Look Face Mask

Sunplay Skin Aqua Moisture BB Cream SPF 36 PA++

The Skin Food Honey Black Tea Jelly Foam

The Skin Food Aloe Moisture Ampoule 100

The Skin Food Argania Sebum Control Ampoule 100

The Skin Food Black Bean Nose Pack

The Skin Food Black Sugar Deep Cleansing Cream

Ettusais White Serum Dual Effect

Ettusais Medicated Acne Aqua Shooter

Ettusais Medicated Acne Clear Spots Superior

Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care

Vichy Normaderm Promat Non-Stop Matte Effect Hydrating Care

Vichy Normaderm Refine Total Pore Resurfacing Essence

Vichy Bi-White Reveal Double Corrective Whitening Essence

Vichy Bi-White Reveal Double Corrective Whitening Cream

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion

Nature & Co Vital Purity Lotion

Nature & Co Vital Purity Milky Lotion

Clinique 3 Step Skin Care System

Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow Super Shimmer in Blue Lagoon

Clinique Skin Supplies for Men Age Defense for Eyes

Clinique Skin Supplies for Men M Gel-Lotion Light Daily Hydration

May White Radiance Shower Cream

iNuovi Pro Lash 03

iNuovi Browcake in Charcoal

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion

Bio-Essence Tri-Action Aqua Boost Complete Nourishing Sleeping Mask

Avene Hydrance Optimale Protective Hydrating Cream

Marie France Bodyline Contour Xpert Energizing Gel

Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel

Clarins Hydra-Matte Lotion

Nutox Oxyfusion Advanced Serum Concentrate with Birds Nest Collagen

Garnier Light Overnight Whitening Peeling Cream

Stella in Two Peony

Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey

Madara Decoface Moon Flower

GoodSkin Labs Tri-Atkaline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler

GoodSkin Labs Smooth-365 Intensive Clarity Smoothing Peptide Serum

GoodSkin Labs Lumecin Overnight Brightening Gluco-Protein Treatment

So, if  you'd like to enter, just start clicking on the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway ends June 20th. Winner will be emailed as well as posted in a blog post within 1 week of closing.

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. If the Facebook link doesn't work, try searching for me through my email (it's located in the Rafflecopter's T&C box)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post financially or otherwise. Everything is from my own pocket or gifted to me.

The Bookworm: A Kingdom of Dreams - Judith McNaught

• Title: A Kingdom of Dreams
  
• Author: Judith McNaught
• Format: Paperback 464 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Published: 31 May 1996
• Genre: Historical Romance
• ISBN 13: 9780671737610
• ISBN 10: 0671737619
• Source: Bought it myself

In an apple core (The Bookworm’s version of a nutshell)

A dream book for fans of historical romance.

Summary

Judith McNaught has written her most tender, most tempestuous romance yet...the story of Jennifer Merrick, a feisty Scottish beauty, and the fierce English warrior she defies - and desires. Abducted from her convent school, headstrong Jennifer does not easily surrender to Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. Known as "The Wolf, " his very name strikes terror in the hearts of his enemies. But proud Jennifer will have nothing to do with this man who holds her captive, this handsome rogue who taunts her with his blazing arrogance. Boldly she challenges his will...until the night he takes her in his powerful embrace, awakening in her an irresistible hunger. And suddenly Jennifer finds herself ensnared in bewildering web...a seductive, dangerous trap of pride, passion, loyalty...and overwhelming love.


My Thoughts

I have re-read this book I don't even remember how many times. Yet I never get tired of it. I can wholeheartedly say that even to this day, Judith McNaught remains one of my favourite authors, and for good reason. A Kingdom of Dreams is Book 2 in the Westmoreland series after the smashing Whitney, My Love. This book tells of the first Duke of Claymore, Royce Westmoreland. He is a warrior in every way, fighting for king and country. But how far will you go to appease your king and fulfill his orders. Or will the truth be more wonderful than it seems?

Jennifer is a nun-in-training and so hasn't pledged her life to God. She is quite the rebel of the abbey in which she lives in. She sleeps during sermons, pretending to be lost in prayer, she daydreams when she should be doing other things, and she is often found wandering the hills ala Maria in The Sound of Music. Actually, if Maria were to don a fiery red wig, and have green eyes, you'd pretty much get the picture. I love reading about how she foolishly believes that she can escape from her destiny. She is as cunning as she is passionate. But of all else, all she has ever wanted is to have a kingdom of her own, a kingdom of dreams.

Royce on the other hand is tactful, intelligent, and scarred beyond belief. He strikes fear in everyone who dares lay their eyes on him. Everyone, but one. He is like the King's dog, risking his life on a daily basis to win his battles and fatten his King's coffers. But he has had enough. Royce has accumulated enough wealth and land to retire, right after this one last battle in hopes of claiming Scotland for his King. All he wants is some peace and quiet, never in his imagination did he think his serenity would and could be disrupted by a young maid with hair of liquid coppery sunlight and unyielding defiance. 

I love the other supporting characters as well. I like that they are given time to grow and become a real part of the story. The ones to look out for are Jennifer's Aunt, Stefan, and Arik. Although, the rest of Royce's personal guards contribute lots of laughs on their own.

This is a tale about one's undying loyalty to one's kinmen. And whether or not that loyalty clouds one's mind to the truth. It is also a question about loyalty vs being true to one's heart. Whenever I am itching for a historical romance, I always come back to this one time and time again. 

WARNING: There is sex and some mild language in this book so please note that this should only be read by those 18+.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review financially or otherwise. Everything mentioned are my own thoughts based on my experience.


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