Embrace Release Day: In Bloom by Katie Delahanty & Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros

In Bloom by Katie Delahanty

Release Date: February 10, 2014

Description:

My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Free.

I left for LA with everything I owned piled into my old Volkswagen and dreams of becoming a costume designer. Little did I know I’d wind up designing for a lingerie company—yeah, not sure how I landed this gig—and taken under the wing of two young Hollywood insiders. The fashion shows and parties were great, but life really got exciting when the seriously hottest lead singer of my favorite band started to fall for me.　

How does someone like me, an ordinary girl from Pittsburgh, wind up in the arms of the world’s sexiest rock star—surrounded by celebrities, fashion, and music—and not be eaten alive? Berkeley is everything I've ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, but the paparazzi, the tabloids, the rumors, it's all getting a bit too crazy. My life has become every girl’s dream come true, if only I don’t blink and lose it all…　

Amazon | B&N |Kobo Books

About Katie:

Katie Delahanty is a fashion designer turned novelist.  She graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM.  Her debut novel, IN BLOOM will be published by Entangled Publishing in January 2014.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Find Katie Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Review: The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

Title: The Golden Dynasty

Author: Kristen Ashley

Release Date: August 22, 2011

Publisher: Self-Published

Pages: 421

Source: Purchased from Amazon

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Synopsis:

Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire - and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she’s not having a wild dream, she’s living a frightening nightmare where she’s been transported to a barren land populated by a primitive people and in short order, she’s installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she’s from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.

My Thoughts:

I don’t even know how to describe how much I loved this book. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, a lot. I was happy and devastated, and sad as well. Not many books have the ability to bring out all those emotions in me.

We start off with Circe about to be picked by a Korwahk warrior to be his bride. She has no idea how she got there. All she remembers is going to sleep in her bed in Seattle and the next thing she knows she is running for her life in a different universe. She is wearing different clothes; she doesn’t know the language and the culture. She thinks it is a dream and wishes strongly to wake up in her own bed back in Seattle. Through The Wife Hunt, Circe is picked by Dax Lahn, the king of Suh Tunak to be his bride, the queen of his people. It is a hard adjustment for her at first but through challenges she begins to accept the culture of the Korwahk, and little by little she begins to find her footing.

I first decided to read this book because in one of the reviews I read, someone compared it to Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones. They were my favourite couple and their story did not have a happy ending. As soon as I started reading this book, I found it was similar in ways but also very different. I LOVED it! I am so happy I read it.

This book is so magical, I still can’t stop thinking about it. I stayed up almost a whole day because I wanted to finish the story. After that, I read my favourite parts again and again. There is something captivating about how Circe and Lahn overcome their language barriers; Circe overcoming The Wife Hunt , the brutal way she was became Lahn’s wife and of course the culture which is nothing what she is used to. I have to say she did a great job adjusting, not many people would be able to and not as quickly.

I loved learning about the customs, the ways and the traditions of the Korwahk as much as sometimes it frustrated me. Some of their ways were just barbaric and brutal and downright cruel. For example, a warrior can do anything he likes, ANYTHING, with his bride. Some things were hard to stomach but it worked in the storyline and made the story all that more believable.

This is definitely one of my favourite books by Kristen Ashley. This will definitely be one my all time favourites. I know this story will be one of the books I go back to because I want to relive every feeling I had when I first read it. Kristen Ashley has this way of weaving a story and molding it to be unforgettable. Bravo, Kristen Ashley, Bravo!

Favourite Quotes:

“I could not dream a better you.” 

Oh my God. 
Oh… my… God. 
Did he just say that? 
I stared into his warm eyes. 
He just said that. 
And that was so sweet, so unexpected but so welcome, my breath arrested and all I could do was continue staring at him. 
He wasn’t done. “A better wife, a better queen. Not even in a dream could I create better than you.” 

"I gave up a world for you." 

“Then I whispered, “I love you, my Lahn,” and heard the swift hiss of his intake of breath. Then he buried his face in my neck and whispered back, “Loot kay hansahnalay na, my Circe.” And I love you, my Circe.” 

My Rating:

5+++stars out of 5

Raquel

xoxo

In My Mailbox (31) & Stacking the Shelves (37)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual.

Bought from Amazon:

Beauty from Love (Beauty #3) by Georgia Cates

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

Fracture Me (Shatter Me #2.5) by Tahereh Mafi

I got some awesome books again this week! I have read the first 2 books in the Beauty Series by Georgia Cates and it should be good to see what Jack Henry and Laurelyn are up to. Cinder was on sale earlier this week so I decided to buy it and I just LOVE the covers of Ignite Me and Fracture Me. They are so unique. I also have been hearing A LOT of buzz about Ignite Me so I am anxious to see how the series end. I think I will finally read Unravel Me which is the second in the series this week. 

Did you get any interesting books???

Raquel

xoxo

White Hot Kiss Blast

GoodReads † Amazon † Barnes & Noble

Want a WHITE HOT KISS by Jennifer L. Armentrout t-shirt?

Here is your chance!

There are only 50 available and it features one of Jennifer L. Armentrout's favorite quotes from the book!

Note: The t-shirts only print and ship once all 50 have been purchased.

Don't want a t-shirt? You can get a hoodie, v-neck or long sleeve. :)

Get yours today!
http://teespring.com/WHITEHOTKISS

Are you attending the White Hot Kiss Exclusive dinner party in NYC on March 1st? Bring your t-shirts with you! Take photos in them, or get them signed!

Also, don't miss your chance to get a signed copy of WHITE HOT KISS!

http://www.goodchoicereading.com/2014/01/WHKONLINESALES.html

Review: Fates (Fates #1) by Lanie Bross

Title: Fates

Author: Lanie Bross

Release Date: February 11, 2014

Publisher: Random House Children (Delacorte Press)

Pages: 366

Source: Received egalley for review

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Synopsis:

Lanie Bross's debut FATES is perfect for fans of Jennifer Armentrout, Julie Kagawa, Rachel Vincent, and Sarah J. Maas, and for girls who love all things pretty, romantic and inspirational.

One moment. One foolish desire. One mistake. And Corinthe lost everything.

She fell from her tranquil life in Pyralis Terra and found herself exiled to the human world. Her punishment? To make sure people's fates unfold according to plan. Now, years later, Corinthe has one last assignment: kill Lucas Kaller. His death will be her ticket home.

But for the first time, Corinthe feels a tingle of doubt. It begins as a lump in her throat, then grows toward her heart, and suddenly she feels like she is falling all over again--this time for a boy she knows she can never have. Because it is written: one of them must live, and one of them must die. In a universe where every moment, every second, every fate has already been decided, where does love fit in?

My Thoughts:

Fates was a mixture of emotions for me. I liked some parts, others parts I was disappointed in. I even teared up in the remaining parts.

Corinth was a Fate. Fates weaves the fabric of life and are almost like seers. They set each soul on the right path or destiny. Corinne is exiled to Humana, what they call the human world Earth, because she was curious about the way things are. Corinthe has been on earth for 10 years waiting to go home to Pyralis. On earth, she is an Executioner. She makes sure Fates of individuals are carried out. Corinthe is given the task to kill a boy, Lucas. This will be her last task before she is able to go home. There is an instant attraction between Corinthe and Lucas. Corinthe will do anything to go home even killing a boy she likes. This is where the story starts.

The first chapter starts off with a bang and left me wanting more. This story went in a direction I didn’t expect it to go. The story had a lot more fantasy than I thought it would. Usually when I read fantasy I need there to be a fair bit of romance as well. This story was mostly fantasy. I didn’t really like that other worlds were introduced, for example, the world with Killer Nymphs or the world with 2 suns.  The worlds did not feel real to me. It didn’t really go with the story or what I thought the story was going to be about. On the other hand, I really liked the underlining premise of the story; everything is centered on Fate or destiny and if something is meant to be it will happen. This is one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book.  In my own life, I strongly believe this.  

I liked the character development in Corinthe. She went from not understanding anything about being human to physically becoming more and more like one. She starts bleeding (which she didn’t do before) and having more emotions she is not used to. She starts to question her beliefs. As a Fate, you do not ask questions, you do what you are told to do and Corinne, after awhile, starts to question everything. She starts to question why things have to be a certain way and if there is anything that can change the outcome. I thought Corinne was very courageous in that way and I thought she was a good heroine.

Another reason I found I didn’t connect with the story is the romance. I could feel Corinne and Lucas attraction to each other but their romance fell short for me. It was like, they have a few conversations and then they were in love. I felt like there could have been more to show why they fell in love with each other.

I want to see where this story goes. How the author left things, it was a cliff hanger yet at the same time it wasn’t. 

Thank You Random House Children and Delacorte Press for providing me with this book for an honest review!

My Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

Raquel

xoxo

Review: Believe by Erin McCarthy

Title: Believe 

Author: Erin McCarthy

Release Date: January 21, 2014

Publisher: Penguin Group

Pages: 232

Source: Received egalley for review

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Synopsis:

Robin used to be a party girl… until she got black out drunk and woke up in bed with her best friend's boyfriend. Now she's faced with being THAT girl, and couldn't be more disgusted with herself. She can't even tell her friends the reason for her sudden sobriety and she avoids everyone until she meets Phoenix—quiet, tattooed, and different in every way that's good and oh, so bad…

Phoenix is two days out of jail when he meets Robin at his cousin's house, and he knows that he has no business talking to her, but he's drawn to her quiet demeanor, sweet smile, and artistic talent. She doesn't care that he's done time, or that he only has five bucks to his name, and she supports his goal to be a tattoo artist.

But Phoenix knows Robin has a secret, and that it's a naïve dream to believe that his record won't catch up with them at some point. Though neither is prepared for the explosive result when the past collides with the present…

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book. When I requested this book from Netgalley I had no idea it was the 3rd book in the series. This book features Robin and Phoenix Sullivan. They are both broken in one way or the other. When they meet, they recognize the loneliness in each other and form a deep connection.

Robin was a party girl. She went to parties, drank a lot of alcohol to have a good time. One unfortunate night of being plastered and she wakes up naked to Nathan, one of her best friend’s boyfriend. She is horrified, (as she should be), embarrassed and humiliated. She retreats into herself in order in order to cope with what she has done. I thought Robin was ok as a character. I liked her in the beginning until I got to the end of the story. I thought she was a little annoying and her logic for leaving Phoenix to go to her parents’ house was crappy.

I adored Phoenix. I really enjoyed his POV. Phoenix has been through a lot in his life. Yes, the situations he has been through did harden him to a point but he is also very gentle and sweet. My heart ached for him. Phoenix and Robin are a great match. They make each other better. The romance was so sweet but subtle. I liked that they were just spending time with each other with no strings attached. They needed comfort in the other before anything else could happen.

This book kept me interested; I really wanted to see how it would end. I thought it was really weird how Phoenix’s mother changed drastically in a short period of time. First she wanted nothing to do with him and all of a sudden she is giving him advice and crying when he goes away. VERY WEIRD…I wish there could have been something more to facilitate the change in her character.

Believe is a story about 2 people needing redemption and acceptance for their past mistakes. I am happy I was given the chance to read this story. It is unique from everything I have read. I definitely would read the next book when it comes out.

Thanks you Penguin for sending me this book for an honest review!

My Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

Raquel

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday (36)

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer Armentrout

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

As everyone know I am a big fan of Jennifer Armentrout and I am soooo looking forward to this book. A book about gargoyles...I am so ready for it!

Expected Publication Date: February 25, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Add To Goodreads

Raquel

xoxo

Book Blitz Release Day: I See London by Chanel Cleeton

February 3, 2014

Harlequin HQN (Digital First)

New Adult Contemporary Romance

“I See London is fun, sexy, and kept me completely absorbed.” – Katie McGarry, author of Crash Into You

BOOK SUMMARY:

Maggie Carpenter is ready for a change— and to leave her ordinary life in South Carolina behind. But when she accepts a scholarship to the International School in London, a university attended by the privileged offspring of diplomats and world leaders, Maggie might get more than she bargained for.

When Maggie meets Hugh, a twentysomething British guy, she finds herself living the life she always wanted. Suddenly she’s riding around the city in a Ferrari, wearing borrowed designer clothes and going to the hottest clubs. The only problem? Another guy, the one she can’t seem to keep her hands off of.

Half French, half Lebanese, and ridiculously wealthy, Samir Khouri has made it clear he doesn’t do relationships. He’s the opposite of everything Maggie thought she wanted…and he’s everything she can’t resist. Torn between her dream guy and the boy haunting her dreams, Maggie has to fight for her own happy ending. In a city like London, you never know where you stand, and everything can change in the blink of an eye.

This is a New Adult romance recommended for readers 17 and up.

Goodreads~Amazon~Barnes & Noble~ iTunes 

Author Information

Originally a Florida girl, at seventeen Chanel moved to London to attend an international university.  In the four years that followed, she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, learned how to dance, travelled through Europe, and made lifelong friendships.  Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever.  But fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise, when an American fighter pilot with smooth dance moves, swept her off her feet. 

Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure in South Korea.  An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she is happiest curled up with a book.  She has a weakness for handbags, puppy cuddles, and her fighter pilot husband.  Harlequin (HQN) will release Chanel’s New Adult debut, I SEE LONDON, on February 3, 2014, followed by a sequel, LONDON FALLING, later in the year.

author Links:

Website~Facebook~twitter~Goodreads

Excerpts:

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In My Mailbox (30) & Stacking the Shelves (36)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual.

Bought from Amazon:

The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Making Faces by Amy Harmon

I got awesome books this week! I just finished reading The Golden Dynasty and I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. My review will be up sometime this week. I have been hearing a lot about Cruel Beauty so I decided to buy it. I bought Making Faces because one of the book blogs I follow says it is a great book and I value her opinion so I am excited to start this one as well. 

There should be some great books coming out this month. Should be great!

Raquel

xoxo

New Release: Beauty From Love by Georgia Cates

Beauty from Love (Beauty #3)

By: Georgia Cates

Released January 30, 2014

An Adult Contemporary Romance

The epic romance between an all-American beauty and her Aussie continues in this final installment of The Beauty Series. Jack McLachlan is fulfilled by more than he dared to dream possible. He finds everything he never knew he wanted—or needed—in Laurelyn Prescott, his last and final companion. Life is beautiful with his beloved by his side but their post-wedded bliss is cut short when his dark past springs into their present happiness. He wants to shelter Laurelyn but keeping her untainted by his previous life proves impossible when yesterday’s sins insist on returning to haunt him. Will it be possible for them to find happiness in their forever with a past like his? Beauty From Love is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author 

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Blog Tour: Hardpressed (Hacker #2) by Meredith Wild

Title: Hardpressed (Hacker#2)

Author: Meredith Wild

Genre: Erotic Romance 18+

Publication Date: December 9, 2013

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

In Hardpressed, the highly anticipated second book of the Hacker Series that began with Hardwired, Blake and Erica face threats that put both their love and their lives on the line. Despite Blake Landon’s controlling ways, the young and wealthy hacker finally won the trust of the woman he loves. Internet entrepreneur Erica Hathaway broke down the walls that kept her from opening her heart and her business to Blake. Ready to start this new chapter in her life, Erica is determined not to let anything come between them, even if that means giving Blake back some of the control he craves in and out of the bedroom. But when demons from her past threaten their future, Erica makes a decision that could change their lives forever.

Add Hardpressed to Goodreads

Purchase Links for Hardpressed: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play

Purchase Links for Hardwired: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play

About the Author

Meredith Wild picked up her first romance novel at the tender age of twelve, and shortly after put pen to word processor and made her first attempt at writing a love story inspired by those she so enjoyed reading well past her bedtime.Her dream of writing took a back seat to college, parenthood and eventually entrepreneurship, which led her into the fast-paced and male-dominated high tech industry. With enough life experience for a few lifetimes, she now devotes her hours to writing contemporary adult romance, with a hint of kink.Her debut novel Hardwired tells the story of billionaire bad boy, Blake Landon, and the object of his obsession, strong-willed tech startup CEO, Erica Hathaway.When she isn’t writing or mothering, Meredith can be found sunbathing with an adult beverage.

Connect with the Author: Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

My Review:

All I have to say is WOW. Hardpressed is a great sequel to Hardwired. I honestly could not get enough of both books. I was instantly hooked.  I wanted it to continue forever.

Erica is independent, determined and driven. Her mother died when she was 12 leaving her with only her step father. When she goes to boarding school, she loses him as well. Having to take care of herself for years, she is not used to someone telling her how to run her life. Enters Blake Landon. Blake is the typical alpha male and needs to dominate and control everything. When Erica and Blake first meet sparks fly.

In Hardpressed, Erica is just as independent as ever, yet, she begins to accept (little by little of course) Blake’s dominate and possessive. I love the relationship between Erica and Blake. There is A LOT of steam but there love is precious.  They always put each other first no matter what. I have read other novels of the same genre and this series provides you with something different. It is completely addictive. I have been going to bed at 3am every night while reading it because I needed to know what was going to happen.

This book left me speechless at times. At some parts, I had no idea the author was going to go that route but I enjoyed it none the less. We meet some new characters along the way and some of the characters show you their real agenda is this book. I am so EXCITED to read the next book, Hardline. I really want to get my hands on it.

My Rating:

4.5 stars out of 5

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In My Mailbox (29) & Stacking the Shelves (35)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual.

Bought from Chapters/Indigo( Hard Cover):

 

Bought from Amazon:

Received for Review:

I got a few books this week. They all look great and I am really excited for when I am able to read them. I am halfway through Unspoken (the first book in the Lynburn Legacy) and I know Untold will be great as well. I have been hearing a lot of buzz about Jennifer Armentrout`s new series about Gargoyles, so I am looking forward to that. The Secret Diamond Sisters sounds different and should be an interesting read. 

In the next few weeks, there are going to be some great books coming out. Should be great!!!!!

Raquel

xoxo

Cover Reveal: Burn Me by Shelley Watters

An Adult Contemporary Romance

Releasing April 29, 2014

Published by Swoon Romance

After her twin brother dies in a house fire, firefighter Katrina Hale is determined to prove she’s stronger than the flames. But while her focus on her career leaves little room in her life for romance and her current relationship fizzles, she soon discovers fighting fires is nothing compared to the scorching desire she feels in fellow firefighter Greyson Neal's arms. Firefighter Greyson Neal is the type of guy girls dream about when they want their knight in shining armor to wear bunker gear. But he’s not interested in fulfilling every girl’s fantasies. Now he wants the one woman he can never have, and she seems hell-bent on getting herself killed to prove that she’s worthy of her job. Kat must choose between her career and her heart, and fight to keep them both when an arsonist threatens to take it all away.

About the Author Shelley Watters writes romance for young adults and adults. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two kids and two dogs. She loves listening to music, reading good books and letting her imagination go wild as she creates new worlds and torments her characters in delicious ways. 

Facebook | Twitter 

 

Waiting on Wednesday (35)

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

What a beautiful cover! This looks like it is going to be an AMAZING book. I am so excited to get my hands on it!!!

Expected Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

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What books are you waiting to be released???

Raquel

xoxoxo