Entries Tagged 'Gifts' ↓
December 25th, 2009 — Fabio Search, Gifts
December 4th, 2009 — Gifts
Don't know what to get the book lover in your life this year? Try this guide on for size:
- Book Journals. Think of it as a A Book Lover's Diary
or as Goodreads.com for her purse.
- Bed Lamps. You know one of the best things about hotels? Their double wall lamps
. These babies shed just enough light to illuminate her side of the bed (or yours) without disturbing the other person in the room. Want to read until 4AM to finish that epic novel – no problem!
- Book Lights. The LightWedge Original Book Light
looks seriously cool. It will illuminate the page she’s reading and nothing else. I want to get me one of these!
- Romantic Times Magazine Subscription. Romantic Times Book Reviews
is a magazine dedicated to serving romance readers and dishes up 200+ reviews an issue.
- Reading Club Paraphernalia. If she’s in a reading club you definitely want to get her a Reading Group Journal
. Buying her the books from the club would also be a terrific gift!
- Book Magnifiers. Books don’t always come in large print so it’s nice to have a Handheld Magnifier
to zoom in on the text.
- Bookends. Those Harlequins and category novels don’t hold themselves up you know. A cute set of bookends would go a long way to organizing that TBR pile. Kikkerland Leaning Ladies Bookends
might be nice or these executive frame bookends
which you can personalize.
- Book Stands and Holders. They come in many shapes, sizes and functions. Are you looking for a Paperback Caddy
, Book Clip,
or an All in One Bookholder, Bookstand and Bookmark
?
- Blankets. Reading is fabulous when snuggling with a Blanket
. A new fuzzy and warm blanket to read under would not be unappreciated.
- Audio Books. Another great gift idea is an audio romance book. There are several titles available from big name authors. Check out: 8 Sandpiper Way
by Debbie Macomber, Birthright
by Nora Roberts, Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon, or Lover Avenged
by J.D. Ward.
- Ebook Reading Devices. Does she love to read ebooks? Choose from Amazon's Kindle
, Sony's e-Reader
, or B&N’s Nook.
- Hot Beverages. A steaming cup of Ghirardelli Chocolate Premium Hot Cocoa
or Bigelow Cinnamon Stick Tea
is sure to make anyone merry.
- Boxed Book Sets. There are a ton of box sets out there, do you know what she’s looking for or what she likes? Try a Nora Roberts box gift set: Sign of Seven Trilogy Box Set
, or In The Garden Box Set
, or Key Trilogy Box Set
.
- Bathtub Caddies. If she loves to read in the bathtub you need to get her a Bathtub Caddy
with a book holder in it! She'll love it!
- Laptop Table. If you're waiting on an electronic reading device an Adjustable Laptop Table with Cooler
is the next best thing. It will make reading ebooks easier and cooler!
Edit: Bonus Gift Ideas!
- Bookstore Gift Cards. Give books through gift cards and ease your book lover's budget guilt. Even if they use an Amazon Gift Cards
for something other than books, you're getting them exactly what they want.
- Bookmarks. Something like Book Darts
, which are plentiful, cheap, and pretty would suffice. I'm also a huge fan of Magnetic Page Markers
. Love them a lot because the heavy weight of the magnet opens the book to the page easily and without fuss. Great stocking stuffers!
Photo Credits: We Heart It
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October 27th, 2009 — About, Covers, Gifts
Whether you’re new to reading romances, tired of carrying the cheesy covers, embarrassed by the newer ones that look like the couple is doing it, or just want something to protect the book, I’ve got the solution for you!
What you want and need is a book cover. Book covers come in all shapes and sizes and in all different materials. You can make your own or buy one or both. Book covers make great gifts also. Below are three versions of book covers you can DIY.
Vinyl Book Covers:
You would make this type of book cover because vinyl is durable and protective. It’s sturdy too, which makes it all the better for every day use. Toss it in your bag without fear of damaging pages – no more unwanted dog ears for you!
Crochet Book Covers:
Do you love texture and subtle pretty covers? Me too! Crochet book covers are easy to make, you don’t really need a pattern as it’s basically just rows of single stitches until you can cover the book. On the other hand if making a book cover is your first project for crocheting then yes, you should observe one.
Fabric Book Covers:
Best feature about fabric book covers? Washable! Go to the fabric section of a store and select something that speaks to you. Grab some lace and little patches too to match and take them home. Measure your book (mass, trade, hardback), cut your fabric, fold the flaps in and sew. Presto, instant cover! Decorate as you see fit.
Would you be interested in instructions for one or all types of book coverings? Please note in comments!
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October 22nd, 2009 — Gifts, Writing Tips
If you're a man looking to do a little old fashion courting I suggest writing a love letter. It's free and means more to her than a diamond necklace; you just have to be willing to pour your heart and time into constructing it. Be sure to write it out and not use a computer printout for the final copy! Preferably write it out in cursive script.
What You'll Need:
- Nice stationary; plain white heavy card stock is fine.
- Matching envelope.
- Good pen; black or blue.
Structure:
The basics of writing a letter are simple. You start with the salutation. Avoid standard Dear Name. Consider instead My Dearest Name, My Sweet Name, My Darling Name, or My Beloved Name. The use of an adjective is key for setting the mood of the letter.
The body is a little tougher because the content is really up to you, the situation, and the history between you and her. Be sure to be sincere and not force anything or it will sound fake. Below is a list of romantic words for your consideration to use within this section of your love letter.
For the end of the letter skip Sincerely and go straight for the heart warming farewell. Think about Your Devoted Noun. Old fashion letters used the noun servant as in Your Devoted Servant. Or if that particular closing is not to your liking try an Adverb Yours, such as Affectionately Yours, Eternally Yours, or Unconditionally Yours.
15 Romantic Words to Consider in Your Love Letter:
Use this list to give some depth to the body of your letter. Feel free to use different conjugations of the words.
- Lush - this word can describe her lips, her body, etc.
- Exquisite - to describe her.
- Secret - to describe your emotions.
- Devotion - to describe your emotions.
- Ardent - to describe your emotions.
- Earnest - to describe your emotions.
- Yearn - to describe your emotions.
- Vow - stronger than a promise, something you fervently intend.
- Crave - to describe your emotions.
- Cherish - to describe your emotions.
- Violence - not brutal; more Mr. Darcy as in 'the violence of my affections.'
- Deepest - to describe your emotions; ie: my deepest yearnings, deepest feelings, deepest secret.
- Keep - desire to win her... your plans to hold onto her.
- Tempt - how she makes you feel.
- Possession aka Mine - don't be creepy with this. Nobody likes a stalker, unless your name is Edward Cullen or the girl wants you to be a stalker (unlikely).
What words would you add ladies?
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-02-18 12:18:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 14th, 2009 — About, Gifts, Paranormal, Vampire, Young Adult
For a long while I was a fan of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Anita Blake was a kick-ass heroine who's policy was shoot first, apologize later if wrong. Her story started out overcoming her hatred of all things vampire. In the beginning a couple of books into the series she had a werewolf boyfriend and a vampire who wanted to be her boyfriend. The vampire had already made his claim (by some metaphysical vampire mojo) on Anita by making her his 'vampire servant' except instead of being servant like they were equals. The series was full of sass and bad guys getting mowed down. Anita is like a metaphysical sponge, she touches (not literally) another's power and if it's at all related to passion or death she can practically replicate the power on her own, which was definitely interesting to read as she struggled to cope with powers that seem to war with each other.
Now there are too many characters, too much gratuitous sex scenes - especially with characters I couldn't give a hoot one way or the other for, and Anita seems like a whole other character than when she started. Mostly my complaints are the editions of the London vampires that basically came out of nowhere and seem to be extremely important. I haven't read the latest one with adorable werewolf Jason (Blood Noir
) because I was so disappointed with the last book (The Harlequin
) and I hear another one is coming out in June (Skin Trade
). Does anybody still read these as a huge fan of the series? I would love to get back into the series but only if I hear the last one/two books are better than what has come before.
Another vampire series are the Vampire Academy books by Richelle Mead. She is contracted to write five of them and three are currently for sale, so there are plenty of chances for the series to take off like Twilight by Meyer. I haven't had a chance to read these yet and I'm hoping one or two readers have and can shed some light on them. From what I can tell you have mortal vampires and immortal vampires, in particular a mortal vampire princess must be protected from the fierce immortal breed all the while having to go to the vampire version of high school. Why must she be protected? and what's the forbidden love that's mentioned on the backs of the books? Inquiring minds want to know...
Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Of course, Twilight makes this list. A brief synopsis: Supernatural male + vulnerable female set in high school find true love in each other and must fight to keep it. Read my take on the whole series and individual books by starting here on Twilight Saga.
Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris
I keep hearing of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I need to pick these up asap! Especially now that it's a television show on HBO by the name True Blood (First Season
, Second Season
.) If you are like me and haven't started the books get the Sookie Stackhouse Box Special with Books 1-7
. Enjoy!
What vampire books / series are you currently reading? Let us know - leave a comment!
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-01-17 15:09:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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April 16th, 2009 — About, Gifts
This list has some fabulous ideas for gifts between friends, family, and lovers.
1. Book cover.
This gift idea is both simple and can be homemade for very few dollars. First you can make it out of sturdy fabric and a sewing machine. This is probably the quicker way to make a book cover. Measure and cut the fabric to be long enough to wrap the book and provide book flaps. Sew edges to keep from unraveling, add ribbon to the top to use as a bookmark,
The other way is to crochet the book cover. If you're looking for a project to learn crocheting on this is more functional and cooler than most ideas all you need to do is cast on a row the length of the trade or mass paperback book and continue with single crochet until it is long enough to wrap around the book plus extra for the flaps. Finish it off by crocheting around the edges. You can even crochet a book mark! This style is very elegant.
2. Digital Reader.
Get the reader in your life an eBook reader. There are several types out there. The most popular are Sony Reader
and Amazon Kindle. I would suggest the Kindle hands down simply for the free access to Sprint's EV-DO network for purposes of downloading new eBooks. The Sony Reader may be more stylish and professional appearing than the Kindle, but the freedom from the PC and ability to download your favorite new books at whim defeats the Sony Reader in both convenience and usefulness. If you are an avid reader who looking for something you can use on the go, definitely go with the Kindle.
3. Movie and Dessert.
At home or out as a date, this is a lovely idea. If you're planning this for at home you can buy some fruit and melt some chocolate for an impromptu fondue in front of the screen. Turn the lights off, light some candles, and indulge in a little romance. Or if you're afraid of burning the chocolate turn this idea into an experience. Go out for ice cream before or after the movie and pick a film you wouldn't see if it wasn't for her. Hold hands in the movie and or eat your ice cream walking around and holding hands. Take the time to pull yourself and her out of the world of schedules and things that need to be done to make the evening truly special.
4. Pamper basket.
Include some bubble bath, lotion, candles, and a book. Provide all the necessary goods to give her an evening away from it all. For a little extra add some redeemable you-time coupons like a massage, back scrub, or for a little more heat give her the choice and control of how you'll make love. Let her escape to ecstasy.
5. Give some books.
Giving the romance lover in your life more books in the genre that they like is sure to be a hit. Don't worry yourself with titles or authors. The idea here is your support of their addiction! Just go to the bookstore and select some you think are fun and interesting. Bestsellers are a good bet if you're completely lost. If the reader in your life has a digital reader, perhaps a gift certificate to an ePublisher is better. That way they could buy and download some books for their reader.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2008-12-18 18:46:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 22nd, 2009 — Gifts, News, Paranormal, Stephenie Meyer, Vampire
January 4th, 2009 — Gifts, News, Paranormal, Stephenie Meyer, Vampire
Now available for purchase is the scent that drives Edward Cullen to distraction... that irresistibly forbidden fruit... the scent that is his own personal brand of heroin. He compares Bella's scent to freesia and lavender in the first book on page 306. Freesia appears several times throughout the series; the more memorable moments being when he gifts her with freesia for her prom corsage (in the out takes) and as part of her wedding bouquet. If you haven't read the scenes I've provided them below:
"Just because I'm resisting the win doesn't mean I can't appreciate the bouquet," he whispered. "You have a very floral smell, like lavender...or freesia," he noted. "It's mouthwatering."
"Yeah, it's an off day when I don't get somebody telling me how edible I smell."
© 2007 Stephenie Meyer
and
“Alice, Rosalie…thank you,” he breathed without looking away from me. I heard Alice chuckle in pleasure.
He stepped forward, cupping one cold hand under my jaw, and stooping to press his lips to my throat.
“It is you,” he murmured against my skin. He pulled away, and there were white flowers in his other hand.
“Freesia,” he informed me as he pinned them into my curls. “Completely redundant, as far as fragrance is concerned, of course.” He leaned back, looking me over again. He smiled his heart-stopping smile. “You are absurdly beautiful.”
© 2007 Stephenie Meyer
and
“Charlie, would you grab the flowers, please?”
...
Charlie returned with the two frothy white bouquets. The scent of roses, and orange blossom and freesia enveloped me in a soft mist.
© 2007 Stephenie Meyer
Did you know that nearly all flowers have a meaning associated with them? It comes from before the Medieval times, but was popularized in the Victorian times. Freesia, I have found, symbolizes innocence and trust. A more perfect flower could not be chosen to represent the pair. Edward put much importance on Bella’s innocence and trust in him. He especially did not want to corrupt her, in any fashion, with the demon inside him. It is therefore poetic that freesia also represents him--his innocence and trust in the newly formed bond between them, a love so strong it could withstand the trials of time.
The bottle reads: The forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest!
Size of Bottle: 2.7 fluid oz
Notes: I would be interested in getting the notes for this perfume. All I know is from the packaging which says it's a combination of freesia and lavender. If you happen to know the specific notes please share!
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December 22nd, 2008 — Gifts, Jewish, News
Hanukkah began tonight at sundown. This is night one of eight consecutive nights. To celebrate, I have put together a collection of romances featuring strong Jewish characters, themes or written by Jewish women (or all three!). Those listed here are not an endorsement as I have not read them personally but they looked good and I thought I would share.
Lights of Love:
Everything was set and in place this holiday season for Nancy Gardner until her old flame Mike Powers sweeps back into her life. She thought she had forgotten him, she had built a life without him and his sudden presence disrupted all her plans. Everywhere she went, no matter whether she went to visit family or friends, he was there and the more they saw each other the more she knew she was in trouble as old flames started to spark. Mike has the tough task of convincing her to rekindle their flame.
Scenes from a Holiday:
There are three short stories in this compilation including Eight Dates of Hanukkah, Carrie Pilby's New Year's Resolution, and Emma Townsend Saves Christmas. The Hanukkah story is one of commitment phobia on the part of the heroine. Nikki Heller is afraid to marry her kind and loyal boyfriend Mark. A bump on the head causes her to slip into a coma or more to the point a Christmas Carol kind of situation but instead of visiting with the spirits of Christmas she ends up dating eight truly awful men.
Rashi's Daughters, Book I: Joheved:
This is the first of three novels written about Rashi's daughters set in medieval France. Rashi is both winemaker and scholar of the Talmud. Book one focuses on the eldest daughter. 39 of 52 reviews at Amazon gave the book five stars. Meticulous research combined with flowing fictional prose weave the tapestry of the novel. Joheved makes a request of her father to learn the Talmud, is betrothed and must keep her knowledge hidden which she does until the first crisis erupts between herself and her husband.
The Red Tent:
Dinah is the only surviving daughter of four sisters married to the same man. "They traded secrets like bracelets, and these were handed down to me the only surviving girl. They told me things I was too young to hear. They held my face between their hands and made me swear to remember." The Red Tent is more biblical than a strictly Jewish and looks to be very promising as I found out about it scrolling through reviews on other books and this kept cropping up as a recommendation.
The Kommandant's Girl:
Told during the times of the Nazi occupation of Poland, Kommandant's Girl is about a bride forced to assume another name and live with her husband's aunt. During Emma's stay (under the guise of Anna) she catches the attention of Kommandant Georg Richwalder, number two himself of the General Government, during a dinner party. When it's clear that her German is exceptional he offers her a position as his assistant. Anna accepts thinking to help the resistance and must struggle with a chemistry she never expected. Will she resist the handsome and charming officer and stay true to her husband? I don't know, but I'm personally dying to find out!
Dearest Anne: A Tale of Impossible Love:
Dearest Anne does not appear to have a happy ending, which would explain the title even if the circumstances described did not paint a vivid picture of how impossible it was to be in love and stay that way. Rivi is a young artist in the 1970s; she fell in love with her married literature professor, Michaela. Michaela and Rivi if you haven't guessed are both women and so the impossible aspect of their relationship is taken one step further into the realm of hopelessness.
Jane Austen in Boca:
Imagine Pride and Prejudice but with widowed Jewish women cast in the roles of the Bennet sisters. In other words this tale is about retired Floridians acting out a classic that translates to its sunny setting. With 22 people of 35 people ranking it a five, Jane Austen in Boca looks to be a great retelling as well as a great beach read. Can you just imagine all the wackiness that is bound to ensue? I wonder who is the Mr. Darcy character... anybody read this and want to tell me? Hint. Hint.
Goy Crazy:
Set in high school, this young adult story is about a Jewish girl with a crush that is tired of her good girl ways. Sounding vaguely like Mean Girls
, the main character Rachel is desperate to fit into the So Very crowd and spice up her life with a little romance. She even begins to act dumb in math to attract the attention of the very non-Jewish basketball hunk Luke Christiansen. Bound to crack you up!
What stories would you add to the list?
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December 4th, 2008 — Gifts, News
Alec Greven is a 4th grader who began to write his book on dating advice when he was eight. He spent time observing boys and girls on the playground at school and wrote down things he saw that worked and also things that didn't. The book is full of little pearls of wisdom. For instance:
"Whatever happens, just don’t act desperate. Girls don't like desperate boys."
Desperation never looks good on anyone. Desperation also translates to needy, clingy, whiny, and exceedingly urgent. Think sweaty palms, babbling, mumbling, shifty features, and occasionally a mean comment or too. This leads into this next gem:
"Many boys who have crushes don’t know how to act around a girl. Some boys tease girls they like and are mean to them. Some boys say silly things to girls and act goofy. Some boys think they are acting cool by showing off."
Who is the book for?
Wives have given it to husbands as a joke. Alec Grevan says it's for anyone and others say it's for ages eight to eighty. He says boys should start young. I say if you're eighty and started at eight and still haven't figured out girls to some extent then something is wrong! The inside has cute little black and white line drawings and covers forty-eight pages.
And before you ask this little heartbreaker doesn't have a girlfriend or even a crush at the moment. Grevan is currently on tour for his book as has two other books written about talking to moms and dads.
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