2015 Holiday Party Look Essentials: Express Black Friday Deals Alert + #EXPSWEEPS Giveaway! (US only)

It's that time of year again. Regardless of whether you actually celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's, you can't avoid the fact that it's the season of Hallmark-card get-togethers. You're bound to receive dozens of holiday party invitations each winter, and if nothing else, they're a great excuse to get dressed up and feel fancy.

I think everyone should have a few holiday staples in their closet, so I've done a little "window shopping" at Express to bring you my favorites for 2015! Ranging from all-eyes-on-me and bold to classic and understated, these fashion essentials, many of which are included in Express's amazing Black Friday deals, will have you covered for any occasion:

Burgundy Tones

bold: be the glitz and glam of the party in this sequined cocktail dress. The red sequins are glittery and totally holiday-appropriate while still being completely wearable due to the muted red undertones.
classic: wear something casual but still holiday-themed in a dress in a similar, but non-sparkly color like this surplice wrap dress. You don't have to take the extra effort to scream CHRISTMAS with this piece, but other party-goers will still know you've got it on your mind.

Effortless Cami

bold: sometimes you can't be bothered to go all the way with a dress, but a well thought-out outfit featuring a statement top like this lattice neck cami can make as large of a statement as a sequin dress will. I'm a sucker for the cutout patterns, and this one's sexy but not over-revealing!
classic: if bright reds and peekaboo cutouts aren't your thing, a more understated yet equally easy option is this sequin-embellished racerback. The sequin accents are just enough to put you in a party mood, but the rest of the top is basic enough for you to be able to get away with it in any context.

Festive Accessories

bold: when I wear statement necklaces, I go all out. This mixed chain collar necklace can be paired even with the simplest top or dress underneath, and still steal the show. Bonus: unusual and accent pieces like these are usually great conversation starters because everyone and their mother will be wondering where you got it!
classic: rose-gold hues are perfect for the holidays and this gorgeous analog bracelet watch is bound to turn heads without being over-the-top. Such a classy (and practical!) wrist piece that would also make a fabulous gift!

Must-Have Heels

bold: straight from the runway, these glitter and mesh heels are eye-catching and slightly experimental. You'll get compliments all night, but let's face it: you reeeaally want these because you know how amazing they'll make your legs look.
classic: yes, you could opt for flats for a less flashy look, but what's a holiday party without heels?! These sleek heeled sandals are perfectly minimalist, but still have a flare of red to really make a statement. Wear these with a simple little black dress (see below) to seriously make them pop—the color of your shoes can make or break an entire outfit!

Little Black Dress

We're nearing the end of this holiday essentials lookbook, so I'll conclude with my choices of Little Black Dresses from Express. Everyone needs a go-to LBD, holidays or not (extra text formatting thrown in on "everyone" for emphasis). And no, that's not a weird marketing ploy where I say you need this, you need that just to get you to buy my product (I'm not even selling you anything!)—it's just basic fact. It can be dressed up or down depending on shoes, accessories, leggings, outerwear, etc., and this versatility is what truly makes the LBD the quintessential all-occasion party piece.
bold: remember when I mentioned my obsession for cutout patterns? Well, I wasn't kidding you; this Grecian-style mini dress is calling my name! The daring bar pattern wraps around the entire waist to show off the perfect amount of skin, and the pleated flare skirt adds a flirty, feminine touch.
classic: in the same vein of flared skirts, this bell sleeve dress is a subtle yet completely enchanting piece that I would wear to anything, not just a part: a concert, date night, or even on vacation! It's airy and effortless, yet still slightly formal with its long sleeves, making for a truly put-together and universally flattering look.

Giveaway: #EXPSWEEPS

For the chance to ring in the New Year in NYC, check out this sweepstakes Express is hosting! You and three friends could win the chance to spend New Year's Even in the Big Apple.

For more information, and to enter to win, check out the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at Express. You have plenty of chances to win (there are smaller prizes, like Starbucks gift cards as well!), so check it out!

Don't forget the entry eligibility terms and conditions!

Sponsored wholly by the retailer—a huge thank you to the lovely folks over at Express!

Giveaway ends November 30th at 11.59 PM EST.

Open to US residents only—sorry, everyone else! Please check my sidebar for a list of currently running giveaways that are open worldwide. There are plenty to choose from!

Void where prohibited. Refer to the fine print for more restrictions.

This sweepstakes is hosted entirely by Express LLC; Books à la Mode is merely helping spread word about the sales and event and is in no way responsible for the selection of winners or prize distribution.

FTC Disclaimer: While this post was written in partnership with Express as a sweepstakes entry, I was not compensated or paid in any way; this is NOT a sponsored post. Links are never affiliated, tracked, or sponsored. All opinions and fashion selections are my own, being that Express honestly is one of my favorite mid-range clothing stores. I'll definitely be taking advantage of their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, and since Express isn't the most affordable brand around (it's actually a splurge on my student budget!), I encourage you to as well :)

As a reminder, you do not have to follow my blog to enter, though it is always very much appreciated ❤

Good luck!

9 Heart Review: Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke

Sorry for the late review but it's finally up!!!

Mind of Winter
Laura Kasischke

Page Count: 276
Release Date: March 25th 2014
Publisher: Harper (Harper Collins)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher via tour publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Harper Collins and TLC!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Something had followed them from Russia.

On a snowy Christmas morning, Holly Judge awakens, the fragments of a nightmare—something so important that she must write it down—floating on the edge of her consciousness.

Something had followed them from Russia!

It was thirteen years ago that she and her husband, Eric, went to Siberia to adopt the sweet, dark-haired child they had wanted so desperately. How they laughed at the nurses of Pokrovka Orphanage #2 with their garlic and superstitions, and ignored their insistent warnings. After all, their fairy princess Tatiana—Baby Tatty—was perfect.

As the snow falls, enveloping the world in its white silence, Holly senses that something is not right, and has never been right in the years since they brought their daughter home. Now Tatty is a dangerously beautiful, petulant, and often erratic teenager, and Holly feels there is something evil lurking within their house.

She and Tatiana are alone. Eric is stuck on the roads, and none of the other guests for Christmas dinner will be able to make it through the snow. With each passing hour, the blizzard rages and Tatiana's mood darkens, her behavior becoming increasingly disturbing... until, in every mother's worst nightmare, Holly finds she no longer recognizes her daughter.

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | iTunes | Kobo | Publisher

Review

They never speculated whether Tatiana might have inherited her love of horses from some Mongol ancestor or whether her lovely singing voice had been passed down from a gypsy grandmother. Neither of them speculated as to whether there might be manic depression tucked away in those genes, as there was in Holly's, or heart disease, cancer, anything. Their daughter had come to them without legacy. She was so beautiful and perfect she did not need one.

On Christmas morning, Holly Judge comes to with a startling message from a foggy dream she's just awaken from: something had followed them home from Russia.

Something had followed them home from Russia! These words, in the context of her daughter, Tatiana's adoption from Pokrovka Orphanage #2 in Siberia 13 years ago, should send chills up your spine. As Holly deals with the domestic mishaps of stressful Christmas dinner preparations, readers tap into the reflective, wistful dusty corners of Holly's mind. Her thoughts drift from her troubled childhood, to her hardest battles, to Baby Tatty's excruciating but worthwhile adoption, to Tatiana's adolescence; these flashbacks are what make up the secure, nostalgic portion of the book.

In the present, however, Holly must face something far more frightening than her personal tragedies and memories: her daughter. The frustration of motherhood is really well captured through Holly's third person narrative. She's excessively sensitive—paranoid, easily startled, a bit overbearing—but her egocentric way of thought is forgiven solely because of how relatable she is, how easy to sympathize with.

Tatiana and Holly's relationship is slightly morbid, a bit eerie to begin with. There's something lurkingly alarming about Holly being trapped inside the house in a snowstorm with a daughter that isn't acting like herself anymore, and although their interactions only occur within a span of eight hours (or so), they take up the entire novel, which should be an indication of just how scrutinizingly—just how comprehensively—Holly's life story unravels.

No matter how much you reflect, the past will always catch up with you, Holly realizes when her reminiscences culminate with a jarring, unexpected revelation that tilts her perspective, sense, and reality a several degrees. The ending of the book—which I won't give away—will make your mind reel and have you rethinking the virtues of destiny, sanity, and delusion of perfection.

Laura Kasischke is a clear poet, with smooth and imaginative style that sets a perfectly chilling and increasingly distressing mood. I noticed a lot of readers on Goodreads complaining about the repetition of certain lines and the exaggerated alarm with which Holly perceives the world, but—hello?—that's the entire POINT of her writing style! Kasischke's merit isn't quite literary, but it's sensuous, it's poetic, and it needs to be read like a movie script would: dramatically, frenetically.

I know the cover is really creepy, and while I can definitely vouch for a disturbing quality to this novel, I also have to say it isn't all blood and guts and gore; I wouldn't call this a horror novel, exactly. It's more about horror of the mind; Mind of Winter is a shadowy psychological thriller that won't only have your heart leaping up in your chest, but will also make you consider the limitations of a solitary perspective, and what it means to truly understand a story.

Pros

Completely absorbing... it was hard for me to stop reading! // Mind-blowing turn of events // Structurally and stylistically bizarre, but that much more impressive // Nothing violent or explicit, but as a trigger warning, there is definitely some emotionally disturbing content // Poetic, repetitive flow to Kasischke's voice // Vivid, detailed style // Introspective // Presents accurate remarks about the joys and dangers of what's inside of us // One of those books that will make you double-take and think hard

Cons

No chapters or clear structure to the book, which I understand is intentional, but it made it hard to find stopping points while reading (not that I wanted to stop reading) // Creeped out the living sh!t out of me (which is actually pretty cool, now that I think about it)

Love

"It isn't repression to acknowledge the horrors of this world and let them go. It's freedom."

Verdict

Tranquilly dark, hauntingly portrayed, and ultimately, completely mind-bending, Laura Kasischke's latest novel is a hair-raising glimpse at not only a repressive household's mother-daughter relationship, but also into the scariest place possible: the human mind. While not explicit or particularly horrific, Mind of Winter has some disturbing content that keeps me from recommending it to the average Jane. However, if, like me, you can stomach that kind of psychological manipulation from the author, and if you're a fan of unreliable narrators, macabre portraits of repression and denial, and characters that come with no baggage or legacy, then this is your next must-read. Buy yourself a copy now 

9 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf (x)

6 Heart Review: Sugar and Spice by Kimberly Kincaid and Giveaway!

Sugar and Spice (The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap anthology #3)
Kimberly Kincaid

Page Count: 123
Release Date: 24 September 2013
Publisher: Kensington
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher, via tour publicist, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Kensington and Tasty Book Tours!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Christmas cookies come once a year, but true love is forever...

For friends Clara, Abby and Lily, only one thing is more delicious than the Pine Mountain holiday cookie exchange—finding the right man before they ring in the New Year!

When caterer Lily Callahan goes up against hotshot pastry chef Pete Mancuso in the bake-off of the season, the stakes are high—and scandalously passionate. Will the gorgeous gourmand steal Lily's heart—and the top prize in the Christmas cookie competition?

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Sony eStore | Kobo | Publisher

Review

Lily might not have gone to a fancy culinary school in Philadelphia, but she'd still been around enough chefs to know Pete's suave, I-know-best type. She hadn't spent the last month refining her skills and perfecting countless cookie recipes just to be upended by an overly confident pretty face.
Even if Pete's smile had threatened to knock her knees out from under her.

Lily sticks to the rules. That's just her thing; whether it be a recipe or a "type," she adheres to her own restrictions, and seldom strays very far. Pete, rebellious and charming, is the exact opposite. The fun-loving chef takes tremendous risks both in and out of the kitchen, which is why when he and Lily come face to face in a cutthroat Christmas cookie competition, something's going to simmer... if not explode.

Sugar and Spice is the last of the three stories in The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap. It's short and sweet, exactly the kind of Christmas romance quickie you want to read when you're in between holiday festivities and can't sit down and concentrate on something heavy. Kimberly Kincaid's voice is frank, but she manages to make her characters sentimental. I love the honesty and realness she breathes into Lily as a character. Even though there isn't much character development and obviously with such short length, there isn't much complexity or texture either, Lily is easy to sympathize with and love, which is why readers will relate to her frustration upon meeting Pete, who's trouble from the moment she sets eye on him. Not only does he happen to have the most bone-melting smile she's ever seen, but he'll also be her competition... but then again, who said there's anything wrong with sleeping with the enemy?

Pete's daredevil personality is matched with an equally troubled past, and as Lily is the first and only girl to ever coax him to comfort, both realize there's something there. The concept is cute, but it's inevitable that a Christmas romance would be tacky. The entire story is unrealistic (they just happen to run into each other, they just happen to be partners, the media just happens to love them on TV, resulting in even more duo time... blech) and extremely predictable but I'm not too disappointed by that. After all, this is a cute, cheerful holiday read, one meant to lift your spirits and indulge you in a sugary, spicy, contemporary Christmas fantasy.

While I didn't read the other two stories in the anthology, I did peruse the prologue and epilogue; love how the three best friends' stories all come together! Sugar and Spice was a decent read, but I didn't like it enough to go back and read the other stories; the epilogue, as hurried as it was, was more than enough of an indicator of each of the women's fate: a far-fetched, optimistic happily-ever-after.

Pros

Very quick read // Light tone // Fun, festive, and spirited // Warm and cozy—a feel-good story for a feel-good season! // Likable characters // Each romance story is integrated into the others, and the characters all involve each other

Cons

Way too predictable // "Happily ever after" is really cheesy // Ending is rushed and unrealistic // Not much chemistry because short stories leave little room for relationship development

Verdict

The warm, heartfelt romance that blossoms in the midst of a tense, frenetic Christmas baking contest in Sugar and Spice makes for both a merry, diverting holiday quickie that'll make you smile, and a sizzling, intense affair that will make you blush. I liked how the preceding stories in the anthology are all incorporated into Kincaid's contribution to the collection because it draws three otherwise disengaged women together, but the story itself isn't anything noteworthy. As light contemporary romances go, it's quick, unmemorable, and has both its hot moments, as well as its dull—I enjoyed myself keeping the holiday spirit in mind, but otherwise, I wasn't that impressed 

6 hearts: Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back (x)

Giveaway!

Two lucky readers will get the chance to read the entire The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap anthology, themselves—we have two finished digital copies up for grabs! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for the chance to win. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget the entry eligibility terms and conditions!

This is a tour-wide giveaway and is neither sponsored nor hosted by Books à la Mode. I am merely participating in the promotional tour.
Giveaway ends October 5th at 11.59 PM (your time).

Open internationally—that means anyone in the world can enter. Woohoo!
Void where prohibited.

As a reminder, you do not have to follow my blog to enter, though it is always very much appreciated ❤

Good luck!

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop!

The Hop

The Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop, hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Maryann at Chapter by Chapter, works like this: each participating blog hosts a giveaway and then we link up together allowing our followers to hop easily from one giveaway to another.  For followers, it means lots of chances to win free books. For blogs hosting giveaways, it means lots of new visitors and followers. It's a win-win! The Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop is scheduled from December 4th at 12.01 AM until December 10th at 11:59 PM (EST).

The Prizes

Two lucky followers will each win a $15 Amazon or Barnes&Noble gift card — choose whichever! 

Christmas Books Giveaway Hop!

The Hop

The Christmas Books Giveaway Hop, hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Laurie Here, works like this: each participating blog hosts a giveaway and then we link up together allowing our followers to hop easily from one giveaway to another. For followers, it means lots of chances to win free books. For blogs hosting giveaways, it means lots of new visitors and followers. It's a win-win! The Christmas Books Giveaway Hop is scheduled from December 1st at 12.01 AM until December 7th at 11:59 PM (EST).

The Prizes

Two lucky followers will each win any Christmas read of their choosing from The Book Depository. One I have on my wishlist is a holiday romance anthology featuring some of my favorite young adult authors, Let It Snow:

Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow.

A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend.

Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks.

Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

This one's an oldie, but a goodie. I've always loved Lauren Myracle and Maureen Johnson. John Green recently elevated to favorites status for me, as well—can't wait to read this one!

You can choose Let It Snow if you'd like, or any other book from The Book Depository that has a Christmas theme. Woohooo!

I'm dreaming of a whiiiite Christmas {but it's unlikely}

Hi everybody! I am sooo happy right now! My Midwinter's Eve Bloghop has been such a blast! I had 73 entries total. That's just...wow. I was so sad only two winners could be chosen. If it were up to me and not my wallet, there would be seventy-four winners not just two! I couldn't give away the spicy gift set because I was 27 entries short. Recall, I promised it IF I reached 100 entries. However, I'll save that prize pack for another time, for another giveaway :)

Here are some pictures from the Hershey Light Show my friends and I attended a few weeks ago. My blurry photography does not do the beauty justice!

These are all LIGHTS. Incredible!!

Now for the winners. 

Brenna was the winner of the sweet prize pack. Here's what she won:

 

Vicky won the awesome prize pack:

Okay, okay...I'm weak. I'm a weak little kitten. I succumbed into having ANOTHER tiny little contest, just because I felt like it.

Crystal won an autographed copy of A McKaslin Homecoming (by Jillian Hart) for being the first entrant! 

Marie won an autographed copy of A McKaslin Homecoming as well for leaving such a nice comment on the blog!

Lisa won a copy of Living Life in the Zone (by Kyle Rote Jr.) {read my review HERE!} for leaving three great comments on the blog.

Miranda won an autographed copy of First to Kill (by Andrew Peterson) and a copy of Pulse of Power (by Anne Elizabeth) because I'm an idiot...and for leaving three great comments on the blog :)

 Lora won a copy of Dakota Child (by Linda Ford) for being the first one to leave four comments on my blog!

Donna won a copy of Stronger Than Sin (by Caridad Piñeiro) for being the second one to leave four comments on my blog!

Benita, Khyla, Lisa, Stacey, and Beverly won goodie bags/swag packs :) Congrats and THANK YOU to all those who entered and won. I certainly hope you continue to follow and read my blog for upcoming reviews, contests, giveaways...and all that other crap I write about :) Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

❤ stephanie xx

holidays were meant for being happy ❤

We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Yeah I just spent about fifteen seconds typing alllll of that out. No copy&pasting crap for me, oh no. Just wanted to wish everyone a very jolly holiday season, AND share my all-time favorite Christmas recipe with you all! Ready for this? (Can you tell I'm super excited?) The recipe is.......

MONSTER COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nomnomnom

Monster?

No silly goose, not that kind of monster. More like

THIS kind of monster! Or since I'm such a cookie dough fan....

THIS kind of monster. That's right.

I will tell you my secret recipe that's not so secret anymore now that I'm releasing it to the world wide web. It has 50% less sugar than the regular version (and no artificial sweetener junk, I assure you) but it still tastes amazing because it's basically the ultimate cookie with all sorts of sweets in it. There's also no butter (woohoo!) but instead lots and lots of peanut butter, so it still tastes amazing and is packed with protein. But don't make this if you're allergic to peanuts. That's all.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup peanut butterbutter
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 5 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup red and green M&Ms

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a very large bowl, beat the eggs.
3. Add the remaining ingredients in order, mixing well. Knead with hands if needed. Mixture will not be too sticky, and the oatmeal may feel like it will fall apart.
4. Use an ice cream scoop to put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. 
5. EAT THEM. EAT THEM ALL

   

   Isn't that just succulent?

   Why am I so happy, you ask? Well for one, it's CHRISTMAS if I haven't made myself clear. Also, NO SCHOOL! You do the math. I sure won't be over break. 

❤ midwinter's eve giveaway hop!

My first giveaway hop! Hurray!

the season ❤ I'll admit I'm not much of a winter fan. Excess frigidity is just painful. During the summers, the sweltering heat may be uncomfortable, but at least it doesn't hurt! So I am definitely a warm weather fan, even though I live in the most ridiculously cold part of the country (besides Alaska and...Maine?). 

I try to live life without too much complaint though, and I could totally name all the things about winter that I love. And so I will. I'm certain most blog hoppers won't even bother reading this part, so as a reward for those who are actually reading this, I'll give everyone who tells me what their favorite part about winter is in the "Additional comments" section of the giveaway form (NOT the "comments" section of this post!) an extra entry in the giveaway :)

1. Winter just has the most beautiful ambiance. The dazzling snowflakes, the cookie baking,  the necessity to cuddle up to stay warm -- it all just puts you in the mood to be happy!

2. The slopes get so much powder, it's insane. I do sort of make a fool out of myself on a snowboard, but hey, it's fun. 'Nuff said.

3. This one's a little juvenile, but...NO SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. I get to sing walking in a winter wonderland...while walking in a winter wonderland. I try singing it during any other time of the year, and all I get are odd looks from concerned passersby on the street.

5. The city lights up so majestically, that you know wherever you go, you'll never be lost.

6. Fur boots (faux, of course), adorable mittens, gorgeous scarves: fashion is a whole nother story in the wintertime!

the hop ❤ The Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop, hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, is going to be a quick 2 day hop. Midwinter's Eve is the longest night of the year so why not spend it entering some great giveaways? :) It will run from 12.01am on December 21st to 11.59pm on December 22nd. Short and sweet! Speaking of sweet...

the giveaway ❤ Since we're all sweethearts, I'll be giving away a fabulously sweet gift set full of books, swag, and tons of other treats! The prize pack will include the following books:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (brand new, unread trade paperback)

Highlands Rapture by Diana Gair (out-of-print 1982 Harlequin edition I discovered at a castaway bookstore. Tacky, I know, but couldn't help myself! A little worn for wear, but still a great reading copy)

A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart (autographed Harlequin Ambassador copy; brand new, unread mass market paperback)

Case File: Canyon Creek, Wyoming (also a Harlequin Ambassador copy; brand new, unread mass market paperback)

All books have been determined sweet (well, sweet enough) by yours truly.

But that's not all. I'll also include a little packet of goodies including:

Sorry for the yuckiness of this picture! You know how sucky cell phone cameras are.

• bookmarks, postcards, and other swag from various sweet authors
• a sweet dreams sleep mask
• vanilla orchid mist tea, which happens to taste sweet
• vanilla flavoured coffee, which also happens to taste sweet
• a sweet handmade friendship bracelet
• Lancôme's Juicy Tube in Tickled Pink, which is a very sweet shade that is flattering for all skin tones 

So there are probably blog hoppers who aren't into that kind of stuff too (aka males). For you guys, I've put together another package that will include the following books:

First to Kill by Andrew Peterson (autographed; brand new, unread mass market paperback)

Pulse of Power by Anne Elizabeth (graphic novella; brand new, unread)

Plus:

• bookmarks, postcards, and other swag from various authors (not pictured)
• assorted holiday candy!! (not pictured -- need to go grocery shopping)

Additionally, if I get more than 100 entries, I will throw in ANOTHER awesome gift set, only it won't be so sweet. That's right. I've got a package for those of us who are a little spicy too. Books will include:

Her Best Friend by Sarah Mayberry (Harlequin Ambassador copy; brand new, unread mass market paperback)

 Romance by the Book by Tina Gallagher (brand new, unread trade paperback)

 A Red Hot New Year by Cynthia Eden, Diana Mercury, Virginia Reede, and Denise Rossetti (autographed only by Cynthia; brand new, unread trade paperback)

All books have been determined spicy (hot!) by yours truly.

And you know the drill:

• bookmarks, postcards, and other swag from various spicy authors
• assorted packettes of Wet personal lubricant, which will make your love life extremely spicy
•  chai spice tea, which happens to taste spicy
• gourmet roast coffee which does not happen to taste spicy, but is guaranteed too keep you up all night, if you know what I mean
• Lancôme's Juicy Tube in Beach Plum, which is a very spicy shade that is flattering for all skin tones

the specifics ❤ That's not one, but THREE  great prize packs being given away. To enter, all you have to do is:

1. Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect
2. Comment on this post saying "I'm following" or "I'm entering" or whatever INCLUDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS (only for verification)
3. Fill out the form below with your details and additional entries (+1 for following me on Twitter @lovestephaniexx) (+1 for commenting on any other posts besides this one. Make it meaningful and LEAVE YOUR EMAIL in that comment!

{This form is now closed, due to the giveaway's end.}

Because of shipping costs, this giveaway is open only to those residing in the US. If you're international and want to enter, you'll have to pay for shipping.

the end ❤ Be sure to enter all of the other giveaways going on for this hop; there are so many great prizes being given away! If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very merry Christmas, and if you don't, I hope you have an amazing winter season full of cookies, kisses, and lots of love. Stay warm, and best of luck!

❤ Stephanie xxx