Sep 28, 2017

The End's Not Near, It's Here

I've started this post with several sentences, in several ways (funny, sincere, reflective, etc.), but it all comes back to this: Goodbye.

After 6 years, thousands of followers, thousands of books, hundreds of posts, dozens of friends, 10 book conferences, and countless blog tours ... it's all over now. And there's just no easy way to sum that up in a witty starter sentence. I've struggled over the last year with closing down the blog, but I always kept trying to find a new way to get myself hyped up again to blog.

The truth is, I don't think I have anything left to say. And that's OK.

When I started this blog in February of 2011, I had no idea where that insane road would lead. I figured I'd make a few friends, get some free books, and blogging would be a fun little hobby. I never imagined it would lead to a secondary career as an event planner, let alone the countless friendships and connections I've made.

It's been a crazy 6 years. I've seen bloggers come and go. I've seen friends get married, have babies, move away, graduate college, and start their adults lives. I've watched publicists and bloggers become authors. I've seen authors go from tiny little publishing houses to international fame. I've walked the halls of the major publishing houses in New York City. I've partied in basements and rooftops with my bookish friends. I've spoken on panels at events. I've worked as an event coordinator for several bookish organizations. I've traveled all over the US (which, for me, is pretty huge - I never really traveled before) for events and conferences.

Not bad for a girl who started this blog on a whim one winter.

If you've been part of my journey, thank you. I truly can't thank you enough. Thank you for commenting on a post. Entertaining me on twitter. Liking a photo on instagram. Sending me a DM or an email. Giving me a hug or a smile at an event. Or listening to me rant and ramble on any given platform.

 Thank you to the incredible friends (bloggers, publicists, and authors) who rallied around me this past year when my life fell apart. Your support means the world to me. 

Thank you for being here right now.

If you ever want to chat, feel free to slide into my DMs or shoot me an email. I'll be around.



Posted by Hannah at 12:00 AM 211 comments
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Sep 27, 2017

Blog Tour: Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda

BEST DAY EVER is a chilling page-turner taking place over just 24 hours that follows seemingly perfect couple Paul and Mia, as Paul whisks Mia away for what he promises will be the best day ever, but may have ulterior motives... 

There have been many domestic suspense and psychological thrillers in the past few years, but what I love about BEST DAY EVER and what makes it unique is that it takes place entirely from the husband’s point of view, which, as Kimberly McCreight (New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia and The Outliers) says, makes for “an unreliable and chillingly unrepentant narrator.”

BEST DAY EVER is continuing to get great advanced praise! Good Housekeeping called BEST DAY EVER a “chilling, satisfying suspense,” saying, “It's clear from the beginning that something sinister is going on in this novel, which will cost you sleep as you race through its pages.” and Library Journal gave it a Starred Review, writing, “This latest psychological thriller from bestselling Rouda is destined to fly off the shelves, enticing readers to ride along as this multifaceted day in the life of the Stroms unfolds.” PopSugar also named Best Day Ever one of “the 25 best new books of Fall!”

 Now, let's sit down for a quick Fast 5 with Kaira Rouda!
Last book you read:
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney. And I’m not lying. Seriously, a great book with a cliffhanger ending that makes me anxious to read her next novel, Sometimes I Kill.

Last thing that made you smile:
Pub day for BEST DAY EVER. I was grinning all day long. I went to the nearest Barnes & Noble to find my book and yes, I probably embarrassed myself. I was so excited. Luckily, the manager said she loves authors. Or maybe she was just saying that. I’m still smiling today. It never gets old, that feeling of seeing your book on the store shelf.  Pinch me.
Favorite quote: 
A smile confuses an approaching frown.

Best moment as an author:
There are so many great moments in this business, but my favorite times are meeting other authors. This summer I had a chance to meet B.A. Paris, author of The Breakdown. She is amazing, brilliant, and even met me for coffee to chat. It was fabulous. The other great moment has been having my book chosen to lead the Graydon House imprint of Harper Collins |Harlequin. I have had such a fabulous journey with my publishing team. I couldn’t be more thankful.
Favorite place in the world:
The beach. Pretty much anywhere in the world. My dream since I was a young person was to grow up and live near the beach. We arrived in Southern California ten years ago from Ohio. Dreams do come true, just maybe not as soon as you’d like them to, but usually when they should.
Last emoticon you used:
The red book! It looks just like the cover of Best Day Ever, well without the words and the envelope design. But still. Whenever I thank someone for reading or reviewing or liking BEST DAY EVER, I tend to use the red book and the high five hands. It’s become a habit.

Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, Here, Home, Hope, was the Winner of the Indie Excellence Book Award in Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Winner of the USA Book Awards in the Women's Fiction category and received Honorable Mention in Mainstream/Literary Fiction for the Writer's Digest Book Awards. Her novel, The Goodbye Year, which was released in May 2016, was Redbook Magazine's “20 Best Books You Absolutely Must Read This Spring.”  Kaira’s latest novel, Best Day Ever, is one of the major launch titles for Harlequin’s new imprint Graydon House, and will be available on September 19, 2017.

Kaira is also the author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs and the creator of Real Living, one of the nation’s most successful real estate brands and the first national women-focused brand in real estate. She has given speeches to both women and men’s entrepreneurial conferences and programs across the country on the power of women as consumers and in the world. Kaira was named Best Entrepreneur from the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and was also recognized in Entrepreneur magazine’s inaugural Top 50 fastest-growing, women-led companies list.
In addition to her many entrepreneurial and literary accomplishments, Kaira is very active in both her native Ohio community and in her community in Southern California, where she now resides. Her philanthropic pursuits began when she founded Central Ohio’s first homeless shelter for families when she was twenty-five years old, and Kaira has since received numerous awards for her civic service.
Kaira’s family includes her husband of 28 years, her four kids, and her two spoiled dogs. She lives in Southern California and is at work on her next novel. After living in Columbus, Ohio, for most of her life, she now enjoys the beach whenever possible.
Tour Schedule:
Week 1:

Week 2:
10/6: Avid Reader - Review​

Posted by Hannah at 9:21 AM 106 comments
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