Book Recommendation: The Traitors' Wife by Allison Pataki + 10 More American Revolution Reads

Elaborate silk gowns. Dashing British officers. Rugged American rebels. Marie Antoinette-esque poufs. Rum. Ruffles. Riding in horse-drawn carriages.

My favorite way to travel is by book—and it's as close to time travel as you can get. Each night for the past week, I've been transported to colonial Philadelphia to live among the likes of Peggy Shippen, Benedict Arnold, John Andre, and George Washington.

Win the new Haven's Kitchen cookbook (and a Williams-Sonoma stainless steel tool set!)

Hello, lovelies! Today, Artisan Books has partnered with me to support an exciting new cookbook: The Haven's Kitchen Cooking School: Recipes and Inspiration to Build a Lifetime of Confidence in the Kitchen. One lucky The Lovely Side reader will win this must-have manual to kitchen confidence and a shiny Williams-Sonoma stainless steel tool set (prizing pictured above). Keep scrolling to read an excerpt and enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget down below.

No matter what kind of home cook you are—budding beginner or full-on chef—this book will come in handy and equip you with the fundamental building blocks you need to feel confident and at ease in the kitchen.Want to know how to boil eggs or whip up the perfect omelet? What about making dressings, stocks, and sauces? Or properly stocking your fridge and pantry? Cayne's got you covered. I'm most interested in getting over my fear of frying (it's a thing) and learning to pick and cut my own herbs. 

Win an #EverythingEverything movie/book prize pack!

This giveaway is now closed. Click here for more contests.

Thank you Warner Bros. Pictures for providing the prizing and samples for this sweepstakes.

Good morning, lovelies! I'm so excited about the giveaway kicking off today.

Nicola Yoon's bestselling book Everything, Everything has been on my TBR list for a while—and now, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, and director Stella Meghie are bringing the swoonworthy romantic drama to the big screen on May 19. The film stars Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) as Maddy, Nick Robinson (Jurassic World) as Olly, Ana de la Reguera (Sun Belt Express), and Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls). 

And thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures, one lucky The Lovely Side reader will receive this adorable prize pack, including a copy of the book (movie tie-in cover), Everything, Everything tank top and backpack, and a $25 Visa gift card to go see the movie in theaters.

'A Colorful Way of Living' Book Giveaway

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It's 1982. Barbara Bradley Baekgaard (daughter of Vera Bradley—yes, that Vera Bradley) and her friend Patricia Miller are sitting in the airport during a layover. A parade of suitcases pass them by—each one as dull, drab, and bulky as the next. "This place could use some color!" Barbara remarked.

Those words set a colorful, creative idea into motion. 

The women returned home to Indiana, got out a few Simplicity patterns and a Singer sewing machine, and set to work. The Vera Bradley Company was born.

This past week on April 4th, Barbara released A Colorful Way of Living—a lovely and inspiring guide to being more, creating more, and doing more—the Vera Bradley Way.

Bookish Decor Board: Three Dark Crowns

Three dark sisters, all fair to be seen, 

two to devour, and one to be queen. 

I bought Kendare Blake's Three Dark Crowns way back at my birthday in February (boyfriends who gift B&N gift cards are the best—I may be biased), but didn't get around to reading it until this week. Thanks to a few days of being sick, I spent my evenings curled up with tea, tissues, and this book. I devoured it. It's so, so good and I can't wait for the sequel this September. (And—rumor has it—a movie!) 

7 Book Recommendations for International Women's Day

I know, I know—I'm a day late. But Happy International Women's (Yester)Day, lovelies! However you celebrated or took action, I hope you felt empowered and appreciated. Because you are. 

I didn't take the day off from working, cooking, or doing housework. In fact, I worked a little late because I was so wrapped up in what I was doing. And as for cleaning up the kitchen and cooking a nice dinner—that was G-and-me teamwork. But the "Day without Women" did get me thinking about some of the historical and fictional women I admire. In a small scale, how would my bookshelf and love of fiction be different without them? On a grander scale, how would history have looked without them?

It inspired me to round up some of my favorite books featuring my favorite strong female protagonists.

Honey is thicker than blood | Book Review: The Bees by Laline Paull

Let me start this off by saying I never, ever, in-a-million-year would have expected to read and enjoy a book about bees.

You see, I've always been kinda timid terrified of bees. I've never been stung (really) and I think I have this underlying fear that I'm allergic without knowing it. Plus, there's that traumatizing bee scene from My Girl and all those awful, bees-invading-houses, made-for-TV movies that aired on the SyFy channel when I was a kid. If there's a bee, I run. I know, I know... "Jess, you're supposed to stay calm and it'll leave you alone." But grown woman that I am, I run away.

The Wangs vs. the World Book + Makeup Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Click here for more contests.

This giveaway is brought to you in partnership with  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Time for another book giveaway, lovelies! And this one combines two of my favorite things: books and makeup! Jade Chang's debut novel The Wangs vs. the World hits bookshelves today! 

Side note: Isn't the cover of this book gorgeous?!

Love YA and/or historical fiction? Take this poll for a chance to win a gift card

I know I have some lovely readers out there who love young adult, historical fiction, and young adult historical fiction novels as much as I do. Riiiight? :) 

Help a girl out and tell me more about what type of characters, narration, and timelines you find compelling. Fill me in on the tropes that hook you and the ones that annoy you. 

Kindly fill out the entire survey (even the "Why" sections) and you'll be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card to spend on that YA or historical fiction book at the top of your to-read list. When the survey reaches 50 responses, a winner will be randomly selected.

Thank you! :)

A Little Romance Book Giveaway for Fall: Win 'The Protector' and a romantic prize pack! (Closed)

This giveaway is now closed. Click here for more contests.

This post and giveaway are brought to you in partnership with Forever, the romance imprint of Grand Central Publishing. Thanks, Forever! :)

**This giveaway has ended. Stay tuned for more giveaways!**

Fall is such a romantic time of year. The night air gets crisp. The leaves turn fiery colors. Doesn't it make you want to light candles, pour a glass of wine, and curl up in bed with a tall, dark, handsome ex-SAS sniper/bodyguard? Or, maybe a novel about one—and his romance with a beautiful heiress in need of protection?

If you read one book this summer, make it 'June'

I've heard it said (and wholeheartedly agree) that a good book is like a good friend. But in this case, a good book is like a big, beautiful Victorian house that opens its doors to you, invites you to come in, offers you lemonade, and serves it up fresh with a side of decades-old secrets on pretty little plate.

I loved this book. This book being June by Miranda Beverly-Whittmore.

I stumbled across an exclusive preview of June on First to Read. A tale of suspense and passion, past and present, in rural Ohio? And a grand old house? I gave the excerpt a quick read, which happened to be the first couple chapters. I was hooked within the first few paragraphs. It was this sentence that really did it for me: "Houses don't always dream. In fact, most don't. Houses that dream are built for the ages (one or two perhaps, in every small American town)."

3 Books to Read: The Wicked Girls, The Accidental Empress, Big Magic

It's been too long since I've shared what book my nose has been stuck in. So today, I'm treating you to three! One thrilling, unraveling crime drama. One lush, luxurious historical fiction novel. And one creatively inspiring non-fiction must-read. Let's get started!

Win a signed copy of A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison (Closed)

In case you missed it, last January I read and reviewed A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison.

My Review, in short:

I loved it. I couldn't put it down. (It's not often I devour a book in four days.) And I highly recommend it to you if you're looking for an engrossing, multifaceted story that combines drama, mystery, and romance with beautiful, graceful, and believable writing. It's the story of a woman's past secrets coming back to haunt her. And there's nothing cliche about it. 

Reading this involved going a little off the beaten path. I usually read historical fiction, but I'm so glad I tried something different. I gave it 5 stars over at Goodreads.

(You can read my full review here.) 

So today, I'm super thrilled to announce that I have the huge honor of giving away 2 signed copies!

Giveaway: 'Everybody Rise' by Stephanie Clifford + $50 BaubleBar gift card (Closed)

 Samples and prizing are provided by St. Martin’s Press

Is your stack of summer reads running out? Is your beach bag suddenly lighter for lack of reading material? Luckily, it's time for another book giveaway here on The Lovely Side. One lucky winner will receive a copy of Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford, plus a $50 BaubleBar gift card! This giveaway is open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples are provided by St. Martin's Press.

Scroll down to learn about the book and its author, read an excerpt, and enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget.

What to Read this Summer: Historic Women, Bygone Eras

My historical fiction wish list has been growing for some time. But with summer do-it-yourself projects, weekend trips, and fun events, books weren't exactly part of my summer budget. I was scavenging my bookshelf to find something new to read. And then, I found Thrift Books.

Thrift Books is an online bookstore that sells used books at the lowest everyday prices on the internet. I know, I know... buying used books online is nerve-wracking. Will they even have the book you want? How will you know about the condition of the book without holding it? 

Well, Thrift Books carries over 7 million books, including out-of-print and second-hand treasures. Their honest and accurate grading scales ensures that you know how the book's previous owner really treated it. Plus, there is FREE shipping on U.S. orders of $10 or more. And orders ship within 24 hours.

Book Giveaway! Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky | #Blueprints (Closed)

Summertime has finally arrived. It's the season for sunny days and spreading out a blanket in the grass or a towel on the beach, then plopping down to stick your nose in a pageturner. And on the stormy days... What's better than curly up with a good book while it rains outside your window? 

This summer, it's my reading goal to step outside my typical book zone. You'll most often find me with a historical fiction novel, but summer's the season for trying something new. I've got a stack of books piling up on my nightstand, and Blueprints is at the top.

Winter Witches Brew & #HalfBad Giveaway (Closed)

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During the frosty, frozen month of February - what's more luxurious than curling up with a chilling book and warming cup of hot chocolate? 

This coming March, Sally Green's new book Half Wild (sequel to Half Bad) will be hitting bookstores. That gives you the entire month of February to give Half Bad a read in time for Half Wild. Courtesy of Penguin, one lucky The Lovely Side reader will win a Winter Witches Brew prize pack, including: a copy of Half Bad, a branded tumbler, and hot chocolate mix.

I just received my own copy in the mail. After watching the trailer and reading the reviews, I can't wait to dive in. Sounds like this book is going to be hard to put down.

Click through to learn more about the Half Bad trilogy and author Sally Green, plus enter the giveaway!

Book Review & Recommendation: 'A Small Indiscretion' by Jan Ellison

It's been a while since I posted a full book review here on the blog. Well, today's the day. I'm so excited to gush about the book I just finished. And I'm so excited to hear what some of you think when you hopefully read the book and send me an email to gush about it, too. (I really should get a book club going around here, shouldn't I?)

Jan Ellison's debut novel A Small Indiscretion arrived in my mailbox just in time for the holiday weekend. I started it on Christmas Eve and wrapped it up four days later. I read it curled up at the end of my grandma's couch, sitting at the dinner table as family arrived for dinner, and on a lazy Sunday morning while the boyfriend played video games. I just couldn't put it down.

I recommend reading this book in a comfy chair with a cup of tea or glass of dark beer nearby. Playing a bit of Damien Rice would make for a perfect reading soundtrack.

Click through for my review:

#FallingKingdomsSeries Book Giveaway (Closed)

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Another year is quickly coming to an end - and if you're like me, reading more is at the top of your new year's resolutions list. Am I right, fellow bookworms? Diving into a new series is a perfect way to spend cold January nights. And I'm kicking off a giveaway to help you kick-start your 2014 nose-in-a-book resolution. 

To celebrate the release Gathering Darkness (the third book in the Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes), The Lovely Side is giving one lucky bookworm a special Falling Kingdoms prize pack. Click through to read more about the book series, get a taste of the action in an excerpt, and cast your entry for the giveaway.

The Best of Me Book + Soundtrack + Sephora Giveaway | #TheBestofMe (Closed)

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Please check the giveaways tab for more contests.

Autumn. Besides the return of cozy sweaters, warm scarves, and all things pumpkin spice flavored - there's something about the season that inspires nostalgia and romance. A chilly evening is the perfect excuse to grab your girls, your sister(s) and mom, or your guy and head to the cinema - after grabbing a pumpkin spice latte, of course. And just in time for this cozy, nostalgic, romance-is-in-the-air weather, The Best of Me is hitting theatres.