Giveaway Goodies: Steel Petal Press Custom Letterpress Job

Custom Letterpress Wedding Invitation Set

If there is one thing I love, it's paper. I don't know why but I am addicted to it. Or buying it anyway. So if you come across a crazy lady pawing at all the paper goodies in a stationery shop, you'll know it's me! I can't help but get all lovey dovey at the sight of good quality stationery. The feel of the paper between my fingers, the bright, beautiful ink colours that turn into magical works of miniature art. 

Together Forever

The other thing I love? Personalized products! And especially personalized stationery! I get goosebumps when I come across the use of personalized stationery in a novel I'm reading and instantly feel jealous. 

No, this is not an April Fool joke. Although it should be. 

Custom hand bound Guest Book or Photo Album

So we have agreed that I am mental about personalized stationery no? Well here is where Steel Petal Press comes in. The lovely lady behind this wonderful shop is none other than Shayna. She sells mostly letterpress cards (well duh, what else have I been talking about?) and pretty journals as well as custom invitations that you can customize to your hearts desire!

Birthday Cocktail

As I said, the lovely Shayna has generously sponsored a $50 gift certificate off any custom letterpress job. The sky is the limit! You could create your very own wedding invitations, birthday cards, season's greetings, you get the picture. Mother's and Father's Day is just around the corner, you may want to get them something special!

Best Mom EVER

So, how do you win this great prize you say? Hasn't Abby (that's me lol) been dragging you through the jungle about this long enough? Okay okay you win. Just check out the entries below and get commenting!

Mandatory entry:

Sign up to Steel Petal Press' mailing list here and comment  about it (1 entry)

Extra entries to boost your chances:

"Like" Steel Petal Press on Facebook and comment with Facebook name (1 entry)

"Heart" Steel Petal Press on Etsy and comment with Etsy username (1 entry)

"Share" your favourite item on Facebook and comment with the link (1 entry each, can be done daily, share a different item)

Follow me on GFC and comment with your username if it is different from the one shown (1 entry)

Subscribe to my emails, must be confirmed (1 entry)

Follow me on Twitter and comment with your Twitter username (1 entry)

Tweet about the giveaway and add @darkmotives and comment with the link (1 entry each, can be done daily)

Blog about this giveaway and comment with the link (5 entries)

Don't forget to leave a separate comment for every entry WITH your email or I can't contact you to claim your prize.

Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL and ends Saturday, 30th April 2011 at midnight.

Winner's name will be posted on a separate post (so do look out for it) and will be contacted by email and has 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.

Good luck!!

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

Giveaway Goodies: Lucy is Giving Away $25 in Paypal CASH!

The lovely Lucy of Lucy Likes It and I'm Lucy is hosting her very own giveaway where you stand a chance at winning $25 in Paypal Cash sent straight to your account. I can think of a lot of things to buy with such dough. That ain't cheap change ya hear!

There are loads of ways you can enter and it unfortunately ends today so do hurry and try your luck! I sure am!

Get more info at these sites:

http://imlucy.com or http://lucylikesit.com
P.S. You have to have your own Paypal account! But other than that, GO!! 

The Bookworm: Further Under The Duvet - Marian Keyes

This is my second Marian Keyes novel, the first having been Angels. But, this is my first Marian Keyes collection of journalism (any Keyes afficionado will know what this means). I never did get to read the first installment aptly entitled Under The Duvet. Notice this one has a Further before the Under? This is Part 2 people! And it is quite a standalone so no worries that you'll be lost. I wasn't! I see

I must say, I find it very refreshing to read short stories. It's a quiet reprieve after all those single-story novels, if you know what I mean. During those busy busy seasons, I feel like it's quite an accomplishment when I finish 1 story. And that is exactly why short stories are perfect! I can say, "I finished so many stories in one week!" Cheating I know, but who cares! It's MY accomplishment.

A rather funny thing happened while I was reading this book. I came across a section called Short Stories. And I thought this whole book was made up of short stories! Imagine my surprise! And that isn't even the shocker! I soon found out that these so-called Short Stories, were actually pretty long stories! And I wanted more short-er stories! It seems people are never satisfied, with people in this context meaning me of course!

One bad thing about this book, there is NO summary! Due to it being a collection of short stories (there! I said it! now you know what a collection of journalism means!!) BUT do not fear, for I will provide you with my very own summation of this story of short stories.

She starts of with a chapter called Handbags and Gladrags, talking about her experiences with what else, shopping! And a stint as a makeup writer for a magazine (VERY funny this one). Then we go On The Road, Keyes style. It's travels all the way baby! Let me tell you, she travels A LOT and this makes for lots of enjoyable reads. Health and Beauty is next, a treasure trove of tips for an ex-magazine writer. Woman to Woman is about the all-important woman power, getting married, and the F-word (gasp!) . Friends and Family introduces the Keyes family, the whole hilarious lot of them really, from cute nieces and nephews to gorgeous sisters-in-law. But Seriously. No no that is really a chapter title! This one is really touching, discussing how some of her travels have impacted on her life. And how she came to be an author. I didn't think people could come from that! And last but surely not least, Short Stories tackles well, just that. There are 8 of them and they ain't that short!

If it isn't already clear, this collection of journalism covers Keyes' many loves. Shopping (lots), traveling (quite a lot as well), family, the spa, make-up tips and tricks and loads more. Psst...she claims she stayed in a room once occupied by Tom Cruise! That's it for my mini-summary.

As for her writing style, I dig it! I like how freestyle it is and the stories flow smoothly from page to page. Although, she does use the F-word. And a variation of it, several times. But it is used so good-naturedly that it doesn't feel as obscene as it should be. Or maybe she desensitized me?

And so, you have got to trust me when I say, I really like this book! Me thinks it is time I read more short stories. If only to make myself feel better, about myself.

• Title: Further Under The Duvet
  
• Author: Marian Keyes
  
• Format: Paperback 416 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books 
• Release Date: 2006
• Genre: Chick Lit
• ISBN-10: 9780141021232
• ISBN-13: 978-0141021232

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

The Bookworm: How To Marry A Marquis - Julia Quinn

Review by Amazon.com

Setting: Regency England
Sensuality: 8
Elizabeth Hotchkiss needs to marry a wealthy man, and fast. The oldest child of four well-bred orphans, she's managed to keep the wolf from their door for years, but she's running out of options. The only marriage prospect in sight is her landlord, Squire Nevins, but his lecherous gaze makes Elizabeth's skin crawl. So when she discovers the book How to Marry A Marquis in her employer's library, she impulsively stuffs it into her reticule and takes it home. Encouraged by her insistent sister, Elizabeth reluctantly agrees to learn the book's rules well enough to catch a monied husband. But first, she must find a man to practice her wiles on. Enter James Sidwell, the Marquis of Riverdale. Posing as the new estate manager per his beloved Aunt Danbury's instructions, he just happens to arrive at the Danbury estate on the very day that Elizabeth discovers the book. Is it too coincidental that James's Aunt Danbury needs his assistance in catching a blackmailer at the precise moment that Elizabeth needs a guinea pig? Perhaps, but neither Elizabeth nor James have reason to suspect that they're being lovingly maneuvered.

James begins to search for a blackmailer, and Elizabeth is high on his list of suspects. While purposely spending time with her to explore her guilt or innocence, however, he's irresistibly drawn to her beauty and kindness as well as her practicality and sharp tongue. And when he learns that she's practicing to entice a husband, he can't resist offering to tutor her in courtship. Before long, the two realize their growing feelings for each other. But the course of true love never did run smoothly, and the lovers encounter a few obstacles along the way. Will the evil Squire Nevins easily give up his designs on Elizabeth and her sisters? What about the nefarious blackmailer? And how will Elizabeth react if she discovers that James is not who he pretends to be?


My Review
This is my very first venture into Julia Quinn after hunting for a romance novel to quench my thirst. I'd just exhausted my last novel by my fave author and was looking for something new to read. And then I stumbled upon this novel with its cute and catchy title (it worked by the way, I bought it!) I must say I am not disappointed with this book. The reason why I picked this book rather than one of her more famous books is because this one is a standalone whereas most of the others belong to a list of sequels.

I must say I disagree with Amazon.com's sensuality rating. This one is definitely tamer than my normal novels but it is a tender story about two unsuspecting lovers. Unsuspecting being the key word here but I'm not spilling! To me, a great romance book is one that offers twists and turns at every angle. A good book however where you get the feeling like you know how it ends but it's the getting there that counts. How To Marry A Marquis for me, is a good book. I knew the answer to the mystery as soon as it had started. Such a shame, although it is pretty straightforward when you get to reading it.

What I like about this book is its characters. The heroine, Elizabeth Hotchkiss is akin to a historical Bella Swan ala Twilight. A real klutz, a simpleton, an underestimated individual. And yet somehow manages to get the hot hero. James Sidwell is someone who in normal situations wouldn't get caught up by the simple life. But there is that something special about Elizabeth that sucks him in and won't let go. The side characters add sizzle to this story. Lady Danbury, James' aunt is the real sparkler for me. If anyone made a movie of this book, she'd win the Oscar. Another lovely inclusion to the list is the man of the house, Lady Danbury's cat, who ignores Elizabeth to no avail yet is her best friend in the most important of times. I wouldn't mind a cat like that. The latter bit anyway.

Overall, this is a good read and a good choice for beginners to romance and historicals. There isn't a lot of mention of the normal customs associated with period pieces so this is as good a starter as can be.

• Title: How To Marry A Marquis
  
• Author: Julia Quinn
• Format: Paperback 375 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Release Date: 16 February 2000
• Genre: Romance, Historical Romance
• ISBN-10: 0380800810 
• ISBN-13: 9780380800810

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

Giveaway Goodies: WINNER of Mikissecret's Not So Secret Giveaway

After going through all the lovely entries, and adding all those additional ones, the winner chosen by random.org is none other than

lexacd

Congrats! Based on her entry, she likes the Vintage Porcelain Rose Earrings. Great choice!

You should have received an email about your item of choice and address. Please reply within 48 hours to claim your prize or the winner will be redrawn.

Miki and I would like to thank everyone who participated in the giveaway. She has kindly offered everyone a 20% coupon code to be used in the shop. Codename: GIVEAWAY. I hope you'll take this opportunity to purchase those lovely items you were looking at!


I hope you stick around for more reviews!