Goodbye Blogger, Hello WordPress

I'M MOVING!

Hey guys. If you saw my tweets yesterday then you know that this weekend I'm hard at work to move my blog on WordPress. I was planning on going self hosted in 2021, and get the paid version of WordPress, but unfortunately...well my plans have been derailed a little bit, as with everyone else's thanks to 2020. 

There is really one big reason why I'm leaving Blogger. For reasons that I cannot comprehend they decided to change the interface. There are a ton of blogposts about this subject, so just do a search to see more reasons about that change. But it all comes down to a few things for me. 

The interface is not easy to navigate. It all seems to be based on icons that frankly are not always easy to understand and you kind of have to try and guess which one is the one you need. The HTML editor is a mess, making it all compact and it all seems to be one big block of text with no spaces line breaks or you know...everything that made it easier for me to edit my posts in HTML. Yes, you could argue that there's the "Format HTML" option, but I'm still not super fond of that either. I do have to say I appreciate the fact that they made it easier to understand if you have a problem in your code, you can quickly identify where the problem is, because of their use of colors in the code, but even then some errors just aren't that easy to decipher. Worst of all, some functions are gone completely and if you don't know HTML very well...well... you can't do whatever it is you want to do. Last but not least, I kiiind of think this interface is still a work in progress... That's just my opinion, since I know a few functions weren't available a few days ago, that are now available. Maybe I'm wrong, and if I am, I'm sorry for my assumption.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR RUBY'S BOOKS?

This weekend and probably on Monday I will be working really hard at making the new blog available. I was going to wait until I finish my last two blog tours of the month, but it's honestly not an option. I am unable to properly post the way I want to, the post formatting is now taking WAY longer than it should and frankly, I'm angry enough to not care that I have to be very quick and very efficient in my transition, and make it as smooth as possible. 

Because I'm moving, I'm also changing names. Yep. I'm finally going to start using my new blog name, Bookishly Ruby. There are a number of reasons why I wanted to change blog names once I would have gone self hosted, but ultimately it all comes down to kind of outgrowing the name Ruby's Books. This blog has morphed from being exclusively about books to me writing reviews about any type of content and art form that I enjoy consuming. It will still primarily a book blog, which is why Bookishly Ruby will be born. 

So excuse the dust and cobwebs for the few days that will follow. I promise to sort everything out VERY soon. In the meantime... Happy reading! 

Blog Tour Book Review: Loathe Thy Neighbor by Teagan Hunter

Author: Teagan Hunter
Series: Roommate Romps #1
Audience: +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 15th 2020
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: Wildfire Marketing Solutions

Blurb (from Goodreads): 

Don’t fall for your enemy…especially when he’s your new roommate.

Dean Evans is the worst.

Not only does the devil in disguise steal my pie on a regular basis, he also lives in the apartment right. Next. Door.

I see him all the time. At the mailboxes. In the elevator.

Every single morning.

It's exhausting because he's exhausting.

Now, after setting his apartment on fire, he's my roommate...and he's the worst at that too.

I don't know what possessed me to let him stay with me. Pity, perhaps?

I do know that I won't be falling for his charm.

Or that panty-dropping smirk.

His quick wit.

That body he works so hard for.

Nope. Not falling for any of it...least of all him.

There might be a fine line between love and hate, but I know exactly where I stand.

 *Disclaimer: I received an eARC from Wildfire Marketing Solutions in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

One of the tropes I adore is enemies to lovers. Add in the tiny details that our enemies are neighbors and I am instantly interested. And having Teagan Hunter the one who wrote this book makes it for an even more appealing story. I couldn't stop myself from jumping at the chance to read this book in advance and people.... it was awesome! Let me tell you all about it.

Audiobook Review: In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon

Author: Joy Avon
Series: A Tea and Read Mystery #3
Narrator:  Laurel Lefkow
Audience: +18
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Length: 6 hours and 55 minutes
Release Date: February 11th 2020
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: Spotify, Netgalley
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Just in time for the holidays, In Cold Chamomile is sure to be a cupid's arrow aimed straight for your bookshelf.
Tea party organizer Callie Aspen learns that Cupid's arrows can be deadly when a Valentine's Day soiree ends in murder.

Callie Aspen can't think of a more appropriate place to spend Valentine's Day than her adopted hometown of Heart's Harbor, Maine. When she's not helping out at Book Tea, her great-aunt Iphy's vintage tearoom, Callie's adorning Haywood Hall with hearts and roses for the big Valentine's event, where townspeople will fall in love with sweet treats, heartwarming music, and delightful books. But tension is brewing: The librarian argues with the expert who is on hand to appraise precious volumes. And Iphy is shocked to recognize the baritone who's slated to sing at the event as an old acquaintance--one she'd hoped she'd never meet again. And then, when a dead body is discovered, the stirring spoon of suspicion points at the many people who had reasons to want the victim dead.

When Iphy's old acquaintance draws the attention of Deputy Ace Falk, Callie finds herself in a spot. Ace, as usual, doesn't want Callie involved, but how can she ignore Iphy's anguish over the fate of a man she cares for more than she will admit? Bringing the killer to justice may endanger Callie's budding relationship with Ace--and, quite possibly, her own life.

Callie and the Book Tea crew may think they have this case in the bag, but un-kettling truths are yet to be decanted.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC from Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review

One of the genres I've always meant to delve more into has been cozy mystery. I've read a few over the years, but this is the first time when I've read more than one in a month, and I'm very happy that I started delving deeper into the genre. The first one I read this month has been In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon. It's also my first book by this author and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Let me tell you all about it.

Book Review: Unravel The Dusk by Elizabeth Lim

Author: Elizabeth Lim
Series: The Blood of Stars #2
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: High Fantasy, Fairy tale retelling
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 7th 2020
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Netgalley

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Maia Tamarin’s journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon and the stars has taken a grievous toll. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war. The boy she loves is gone, and she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor’s bride-to-be to keep the peace.

But the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within. Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing . . . glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red, losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. It’s only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, but she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.

YA fantasy readers will love the sizzling forbidden romance, mystery, and intrigue of Unravel the Dusk.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

It's been a month since I read this book and I still have a TON of feelings about it. I'm sad that it's over, I'm glad it ended the way it did, and for the first time ever I believed that something was going to happen and I honestly wasn't angry that it may happen. Let me try to put into words what I'm feeling about this book, okay?

TV Madness: Sen Çal Kapımı Bölüms 5-8 Review

Genre: Rom - Com | Channel: Fox Türkiye | Director: Ender Mihlar, Yusuf Pirhasan
 Starring: Hande Erçel, Kerem Bürsin

It's been a hot minute since I last reviewed my favorite Dizi and for that I am sorry. It's not that I stopped watching, it's that I've had a few things on my mind and there was never enough time, and then after a few episodes I had to ask myself how the heck can I ever catch up. Today I decided not even to try catching up, so I'm going to review bölüms 5 through 8 all in one post. I promise this won't go on forever though, so don't worry if you think you'll have to read what could be considered a novella. I'll only highlight my favorite scenes from the episodes and general impressions of where the story is headed to. Let's get started, shall we?

Blog Tour Book Review: Bayou Baby by Lexi Blake

Author: Lexi Blake
Series: Butterfly Bayou #2
Audience:  +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: August 25th 2020
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Social Butterfly PR

Blurb (from Goodreads):

A heartwarming contemporary romance set in Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

Seraphina Guidry loves Butterfly Bayou. A young, single mom, she’s trying to find a place for herself in the town she cherishes, but past mistakes have made her wary. She adores her son but has sworn off men. She's dedicated herself to restoring an historic house and building her own business. A quiet life is all she wants.

Harrison Jefferys never expected to find himself in small-town Louisiana, but he has a job to do and a family to reconnect with. After years in the Army, he’s happy to spend time with his Aunt Celeste and his cousins in such an idyllic spot. When he meets Seraphina, he starts to think Papillion might be a great place to call home. But a secret from Sera’s past rears its head and threatens to tear the community apart.


Caught between the woman he’s coming to love and the only family he has left, Harry knows he has to follow his heart and with the help of the crazy, loving, meddling locals find a way to keep them both.

*Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

We're back in Papillon, baby! I've been so excited for a new book in the Butterfly Bayou series, and I'm very happy to end my summer reading with this book. It's one of the most heartwarming books I've read lately. Yes, I did cry, because this is a Lexi Blake book. Are you really shocked by that? No? Okay then. Really though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Let me tell you all about it!