-
Meow! I’m taking over this blog!
Meow! I’m taking over this blog. Yes, this is me, Fatma, the cat soulmate of Iris. I’m taking over the newsletter today. My scene was cut!! I think a dog lover suggested that it was too sad. So Kathy said I could take over the newsletter. That may have been because I wouldn’t stop meowing in protest.
“But what was the scene?” You ask. “And what was your role?”
Iris’s rock star boyfriend cheated on her, and I was there! And I didn’t let that slide. The woman tried to pet me. As if I ‘d fall for that. I scratched her. When they were kissing on the couch, I stuck my head between them. I hissed at them.
Only then they disappeared into the bedroom and shut the door. So it didn’t work out quite the way I planned.
I wrapped myself around Iris’s ankles when she found out to give her comfort and to explain that it’s better just the two of us.
I still can’t believe my scene was cut. Kathy needs to warn her friend who asked for his daughter’s cat, Fatma, to be memorialized in a book. I’m quite warm and loving but also feisty. A bit like Iris? And apparently my previous namesake did not like being a housecat because she always ran out the front door whenever she could and then hissed when they’d try to bring her in from the garden. I suggested to Kathy that she add that scene in the book, but she said I’d have to go through the bar. I told her I’d be a great bar cat. She said she’d think about it.
Meow! Update on My Secret Snowflake and How I’m Helping
Kathy is hard at work polishing My Secret Snowflake before her proofreader does the final edit. She just got it back from her line editor. I’ve been very helpful, sitting on her lap and lying on her desk, holding the papers in place so they don’t blow away. You never know when there might be a breeze. Sometimes I also help her by typing on the keyboard.
Anyway, don’t forget to pre-order your copy today. I still have a few other scenes, so it’s worth it for those, including one pivotal moment where I give my approval to Sebastian.
Burned by love, Sebastian has sworn to remain single, but he may have just met his match.
Sebastian: Being single is under-rated. No inexplicable mystery of love for me. I admit I’m attracted to my co-worker Iris—and not just because she was wearing glowing cat paw underwear. But even though she’s breached my first line of defense, I’m set in my Grinch ways.
Iris is the Secret Snowflake for her perfect man—who is definitely not Sebastian.
Iris: No more naughty heartthrobs for me. Catching my rock star ex cheating cured me. All I’m asking Santa for is my work bonus and a nice—dare I say boring?—guy. And that’s my Secret Snowflake recipient: Ernest. But now our company has been hacked, and secrets abound. I’m working around the clock to figure out who and why—with our aloof, but oh-so-attractive company counsel, Sebastian—before I get a stocking filled with coal for the holidays.
The last thing I should also be trying to decipher is him. I know I can trust Sebastian to help me. It’s trusting my heart that’s the problem.
When things are definitely not what they seem, sometimes it takes the light of the holidays to reveal the clues to love.
Meow! I’m taking over this blog!
Please also tell Kathy you’d like me to take over her social media posts too 🙂 She also has a cat in her next book, so if you’d like to suggest a cat name, feel free to leave a comment.
-
My Book Boyfriend Audiobook Tour
Thank you to Home Cooked Books and all the bloggers who took place in the My Book Boyfriend Audiobook Tour. It’s been wonderful to see all the positive reviews being posted. If you’d like to listen to some audiobook samples, click here.
Thank you to TeaandBiscuits13 (Instagram) for this review (and I loved the background image with the plants):
“This was such a fun, laid back romance.
The story was engaging and fun, the characters were unique, real, and engaging.
I really enjoyed the banter between Lily & Rupert. They were both such kind people that even though they were supposed to be adversaries, they were always kind.
The narrator both did such a wonderful job portraying the characters so well.
This was all around a fun romance with some laughs and swoony moments.”More Reviews from the My Book Boyfriend Audiobook Tour
Thank you also to Lindsey for this Instagram post: “I absolutely loved this book! The banter was fantastic and I love an MMC who is a book nerd!! This story was so sweet and one of the most relatable stories I have read in a while! This is definitely a must read!! The audiobook was absolutely fantastic!!!”
Thank you to Bella for this review:
This was such a cute slow-burn frenemies/rivals-to-lovers story. It was fun, entertaining, and such a good read. I really enjoyed their chemistry and how, although they tried to stop their feelings from developing further because they were on opposing sides, they just couldn’t help it, and couldn’t help spending more time together. I enjoyed seeing their friendship develop and also seeing that turn into the romance we eventually got. The various side characters, and friends and family of Lily and Rupert also made this book even more enjoyable and fun to read. If you’re in need of a cute, fun, cosy-type rivals-to-lovers romance story, pick this one up, you won’t be disappointed!
Stacy Gonzalez and Eric Altheide were excellent with the narrations. Their voices, and the emotions that were portrayed, helped bring the story, and its characters to life. I definitely felt all the feels!
BellaThank you again to all the bloggers for taking part in the tour and to Home Cooked Books for organizing the My Book Boyfriend audiobook tour.
-
Audiobook New Releases and Deals
This is an exciting week for Audiobook New Releases and Deals. My Book Boyfriend is being featured in a Kobo Plus Indie Audiobook Deals and a Get that Book promo. It’s exciting that I now have an audiobook.
My Book Boyfriend Blurb
Here’s the blurb for My Book Boyfriend:
A feel-good, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy.
Tall, dark, and handsome. That’s what I think the first time I see Rupert Evans in the library.But then I find out he is the developer who just sent my community garden a cease-and-desist letter because he plans to raze the garden and construct some towering monstrosity there.
The only one who is going to cease and desist is him. That community garden is my found family.
But then he asks me out at book club night.
Suspicious, right?
I’m attractive, but I’m not the type hot bachelors are lining up around the block to ask out. Let’s be real. I’m still in the brunch date spot with my next-door neighbor after a year of my pursuing him.
Rupert is trying to butter me up and lead me down the garden path so I’ll concede. Never.
He has no idea what we’re planning to do to stop him. Our little community group may look like a bunch of frail roses, but we’ve got thorns. As long as I weed out these pesky feelings for him, I know we can win. But will I lose my heart?
*The romcom books in this series are interconnected closed door romantic comedy standalones set in the same world in New York City. Each can be listened to as a pure standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after.Have you listened to it yet? What did you think? Remember that you can always buy it directly from me at my store for $10.99:
If you haven’t listened to it yet, what are you waiting for?
Here are some book reviews from the blog tour to tempt you.
Kobo Plus Indie Audiobook Deals
All those books look great. Click on the image below to access the site and other audiobook deals:
It’s also featured as an audiobook new release in Get That Book Deals – click on the image below to access the deals:
What Audiobook Deals and New Releases will you pick up?
Wishing you a lovely week!
-
Easter Egg Book Hunt
And in honor of the Easter eggs I will be hiding on Sunday, I’ve created a little egg hunt for you.
The winner who answers all of the questions correctly will receive a code to redeem the audiobook of My Book Boyfriend and listen to it via Bookfunnel!
Let the Easter Egg Book Hunt Begin!
1. Which characters from the New York Friendship series show up in the New York Spark series?
2. Which book is this passage from:
“Rumor has it that you’re competing against your cousin,” I say.
He tilts his head. “Rumors are not always correct. Page Six will have us married by tomorrow.”
“There are still 12 hours left in this night,” I say.
What book?3. In which museum does A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts take place?
4. What museums do they visit in Is This for Real?
5. What is the chocolate cookie bakery that my characters frequent?
6. What book is this scene from:
“Could you unbutton my dress?” I ask. “I’d really like to change into jeans and a T-shirt.”
He moves closer. I present my back to him, as my hands hold up the straps on my shoulders.
I tilt my head, exposing my neck to him. His fingers graze my neck softly as he uses both hands to unbutton that top button. I close my eyes. His touch is light and sure. I swallow as he works his way down the buttons, slight touches feathering my skin. My heart flutters. Can he hear it?
“It’s done.” His voice is almost a whisper. His warm breath caresses my neck. Sends tingles down my spine. Without thinking, I find myself arching toward it.
More Clips from My Book Boyfriend Audiobook
Here’s a clip of Rupert 🙂
I think Eric Altheide is perfect as Rupert! And My Book Boyfriend is now available on Amazon, Apple, and Google Play, in addition to StoryFair, Kobo, Kobo Plus, and my website. It should also be available on other retailers soon!
Happy Easter!
I hope you enjoyed this Easter Egg Book Hunt! Here is a link to a hint 🙂
-
My Book Boyfriend Blog Tour #2!
Thank you so much to all the bloggers and reviewers on the My Book Boyfriend Blog Tour organized by Rachel’s Random Resources and here’s post #2 about the tour! For post #1, click here.
Here are some excerpts from the reviews. To see the full review, click on the links. I am so grateful for all your positive reviews and so touched that my words found a home.
Thank you to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers for this great review: “A great pick for Contemporary Romance fans, and book lovers alike, for the love and laughs, but also the chance to see a bookish ending that’s all deserved!” as well as this lovely quote:
“Today’s the day all your bookish dreams come true! How so? Well, because a particular author took a particular idea đź’ˇ that every book lover has had at some point or another, and made it a reality… in a story at least!”
Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersMalloch Books gave this lovely review on Instagram. Their feed has many great book recommendations, so definitely follow them on Instagram: “This ticked so many boxes for me: community, library, book-based romance. I found this to be a perfect summer read with lots of swoon worthy moments and happy little dances along the way. I found Rupert adorable, he gave major Labrador vibes, and I just wanted to hug him.”
This review definitely made do a happy little dance 🙂
Books, Life And Everything also gave this lovely review: “This is a well written, enemies to lovers romcom, with a varied cast of characters and a great community feeling.”
“There is plenty of humour in the story and a wry look at people’s reading habits and likes. I enjoyed all the sessions which Lily led in her book club – her love for reading is quite infectious. Most of all, the secondary characters add real colour and humour to the story to go alongside the growing romance which you feel is inevitable.”
Books, Life and EverythingYorkshireCarly’s Book Reviews recommended My Book Boyfriend as “the perfect summer read,” but also made this interesting point:
“I enjoyed that the two main characters Lily & Rupert are both huge book worms, because mainly it’s the female protagonist that loves books so it was quite refreshing and the romance was adorable.”
Yorkshire CarlyMore Reviews from My Book Boyfriend Blog Tour #2
Thanks so much for these reviews too! I agree that book readers are definitely sexy, don’t you?
“Rupert was an ideal bookish hero with oodles of swoonsomeness and proved book readers are sexy. “
The Enchanted Emporium Bookshelf“I could see this as a Hallmark movie, it’s that cute.”
Inspired by PMDDI also recommend following these bookstagram accounts for more great book reviews:
“This was a cute, heartwarming, enemies-to-lovers story and I really enjoyed it.”
https://www.instagram.com/mrsljgibbs/?hl=en“It was wonderful to read about books in a book.. . I love New York and books set there always have a special place in my heart. The setting was accurate–felt like I was in downtown.”
https://www.instagram.com/bookishllly/“Strobos gives us a quick and light read, with realistic characters showing community as well as friendship, my heart felt warm for them all. . . This is an author I will be picking up again and a series I will be following.”
https://www.instagram.com/nlcraigwrites/Let’s Talk
Thank you again to all the book bloggers and to Rachel’s Random Resources! Next up is the book tour for Love Is an Art!
-
My Book Boyfriend Blog Tour
Thank you so much to all the bloggers and reviewers on the My Book Boyfriend Blog Tour organized by Rachel’s Random Resources!
It was amazing! Here are some excerpts from the reviews. For the full review, click on the link for each blog.
My Book Boyfriend was such a cozy, lighthearted, and heartwarming read! The bookish theme absolutely won my heart. I was looking for a quick read for my long flight back home for the semester break, and this was just perfect. The story played out like a rom-com movie in front of my eyes. It was so enjoyable!
Lily and Rupert had sizzling chemistry from the very beginning of the story. I really enjoyed seeing how they worked through the conflict that divided them! The witty banter, along with their bookish conversations, just made me melt. One of my favorite parts of the story was the realistic dispute between Lily and Rupert. Many enemies-to-lovers books have a supposed “enmity” just for the sake of it, but the way the trope was implemented in My Book Boyfriend was perfect!
I loved seeing how Lily and her friends came together to save the community garden. The community vibe was present all throughout the story, which made reading it so touching. The NYC setting was such a bonus too!
Highly recommend!
What Irin ReadsMany of the book bloggers have been reviewing my books since the beginning, and it makes me so happy that they keep signing up to review another one. I consider that the hugest compliment! And I’m also so thrilled that new bloggers have signed up.
Reviews from Returning Bloggers
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Diary for this review: “I devoured this in one setting. I knew I would. Kathy’s writing is so easy to lose yourself into. She writes real characters, whose plight are relatable and generally feel pretty real! I feel like this could be a story your friend is going through. I adore Lily and Rupert.”
As you know, Splashes Into Books always creates a rhyming review–and I’m always blown away by her ability to do that. She called My Book Boyfriend a “fab, fun read.” And here’s part of the review:
“Can she trust him to be true or is he leading her astray,
Can they be together, come what may?
A fun read full of character and dilemmas, too,
Where sometimes you hope your dreams can come true!
For my complimentary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.”
But definitely check out the full poem review at Splashes Into Books!
Tizi’s Book Review brought some tears to my eyes as she wrote: “There are authors that you don’t even need a blurb of their books to know that you will read it anyway. And Kathy Strobos is for sure a great addition to that kind of list of mine!” As did Tara’s Bookish Blog: “Kathy Strobos has proved to me again why she’s one of my go to authors, for HEA, for feeling happy and warm and making the world feel a better place.”
So we were already on a sure thing for me in knowing I’d enjoy this book, but in case these things aren’t ticking your boxes, I shall add that Kathy’s writing is wonderful, it’s engaging, the kind of writing where you forget your reading and two hours later you swear it was only 5 minutes ago you opened the book. She writes fantastic characters, ones I love or fall in love with, never perfect, always realistic, relatable and flawed people you really connect with.
Tara’s Bookish BlogThank you so much to Beauty Addict for this touching review (and definitely check out the rest of her review on her site):
“Having already read and loved Partner Pursuit and Is This For Real? by Kathy Strobos – I knew I was going to love My Book Boyfriend just as much – and I totally wasn’t wrong.
Beauty Addict
My Book Boyfriend is a beautifully written story with fantastic characters – a total must-add to your TBR pile this summer.Thank you so much for these reviews too!
“This was a great summer read, it was a real page turner… A great quick cozy read
https://www.instagram.com/scotsbookworm/This was a cute romance. . . This made me reminisce about all the times I visited my younger sister when she lived in NYC.
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/Such a cute, easy read with a great take on the enemies to lovers romance trope. . . I flew through this so fast, I was instantly hooked.
https://www.instagram.com/insomniacbookwormbookreviews/Let’s Talk
Thank you again to all the book bloggers! I’m going to do a Part 2 to cover the rest of the reviews. Such positive reviews make it all worthwhile!
-
My Book Boyfriend: #1 in American Humorous Fiction
My Book Boyfriend achieved #1 in American Humorous Fiction on Amazon and received a Best Seller orange flag! In addition to the Top New Release flag! A HUGE THANK YOU to all my readers! I am still so happy.
Thank you also for all the great reviews!
My Book Boyfriend: #1 in American Humorous Fiction
I particularly appreciate these reviews who find My Book Boyfriend humorous.
“I’ve been searching for a writer like Sophie Kinsella . . . fun and witty and I’ve found her!” – Thank you Ellen! (Amazon review)
“It was Cozy with just the right amount of comedy and romance!” – Thank you Vex (Amazon review)
“Lily and Rupert were fun main characters, and the cast of minor characters really added humor to the story. I was so glad that Rupert wasn’t cast as a heartless billionaire; instead he was a book-loving good guy. This book will be adored by fans of Hallmark movies. – Thank you Southern Chick! (Amazon Review)
BONUS CHAPTER!
Don’t forget to sign up to my newsletter for an exclusive newsletter excerpt: Chapter Ten at The New York Public Library Gala from Rupert’s perspective.
The New York Spark Series
I’m also super excited for you to read Tessa’s story next in Love Is an Art! Tessa is Miranda’s roommate in Caper Crush, and she is one who finds the lawyer for the community garden in My Book Boyfriend when Tessa can’t serve as the garden’s lawyer because it’s a conflict of interest for her law firm. Love Is an Art is at the proofreader now. So I am so thankful for those reviewers who want to read the next book in the series.
“Loved it all and I can’t wait for the next story in this series. They had great banter as a couple. Must read.” Thank you D. Rivera!
“I found this a delightful story, with wonderful characters who don’t give up on their hopes and dreams, but look for compromise as well, and will look forward to reading more by the author. It’s definitely 5 star material.” – Thank you Helen! (Bookbub)
Thank you to my readers!
I still can’t believe it!
-
My Book Boyfriend!
I’m thrilled to announce that I’m releasing another book, My Book Boyfriend, in a new series, New York Spark on August 10, 2023! Available to pre-order here. And I hope you find many book boyfriends in this series 🙂
Thank you to my newsletter readers for helping me pick the title of my new series.
New York Spark!
Welcome to the New York Spark series! It features a group of friends living in New York City:
Lily – a librarian
Tessa – a lawyer (She is Miranda’s roommate from Caper Crush and Kiara’s sister from A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts)
Iris – A cyber-security analyst
Maddie – a reporter
And more to be determined! One of their favorite places to visit is a bookshop that also serves hot drinks and cookies called Banter & Books. It’s a spin-off series from the New York Friendship Series.
My Book Boyfriend
Tall, dark and handsome. That’s what I thought the first time I saw Rupert Evans in the library.
But then I found out he was the developer who just sent my community garden a cease-and-desist letter because he plans to raze the garden and construct some towering monstrosity there.
The only one who is going to cease and desist is him. That community garden is my found family.
But then he asks me out at book club night.
Suspicious, right?
I’m attractive but I’m not the type hot bachelors are lining up around the block to ask out. Let’s be real. I’m still in the brunch date spot with my next-door neighbor after a year of my pursuing him.
Rupert is trying to butter me up and lead me down the garden path so I concede. Never.
He has no idea what we’ve planned to stop him. Our little community group may look like a bunch of frail roses, but we’ve got thorns. As long as I weed out these pesky feelings for him, I know we can win.