Mar 24, 2023 | Blog, Excerpt Reveal, Giveaway, Mona Shroff
No Rings Attached by Monaa Shroff is a forced proximity, fake relationship, second chance romance in the third installment of her Once Upon a Marriage series. Sangeeta Parikh is moments away from saying “I Do” and realizes that she can’t say those two simple words. With their friends and family gathered together she does the unthinkable, she runs. A wedding planner fleeing her own wedding wasn’t in the plans. While she’s not sure if her family will understand and if her career will survive, she takes off with nothing but the clothes she’s wearing.
Sangeeta unintentionally finds herself in a predicament that quickly gives birth to a plan when her race to freedom reunites her with someone from her past. A plan that will change everything she thought she knew about love and marriage. This delightful plot twist takes us inside the family chaos, and all around shenanigans as everyone attempts to find the bride and figure out what happened.
Sonny Pandya walked away from his family hotel business and opened up his own restaurant. If he stayed, his vision of cooking and sharing his love of food would be controlled by someone else. Despite the differeing opinions he still dreams of working with his family, having their acceptance, and leaving a memorable mark in the world for his family, their hotels, and their legacy.
Sometimes the best plan is to have no plan, be spontaneous, and follow your heart. If a “fixer” and a “planner” can survive a fake marriage, they may discover that maybe there is something real layered in there too. A solid marriage has love, and a foundation built on trust and friendship. A partnership with someone you can’t live without and who makes your life better.
Sangeeta and Sunny will discover that love doesn’t care about plans, schedules, goals, or the weather. Love is messy, takes work, and like the stars, some days shine bright and for others, the nights are cloudy with occasional peeks of sunshine. In the end, it’s learning to listen, be flexible, and not always have a plan because you never know what you’ll miss unless you take a chance.
Mona writes her stories with depth, heart, and infuses a blend of culture while emersing the reader into the book from the first page until the last, OMG. AMAZING. Mona’s take on the classic runaway bride trope, was unique, refreshing and exciting, and full of all the feels. Usually the story focuses on the bride and groom, this …. the family gets involved and that makes it way better. I loved the chemistry between Sonny and Sangeeta, their story and the shenanigans that ensue. Oh, and I was totally craving all kinds of food and fun during and after ;).
While this is the third installment in the Once Upon A Marriage series, it can be read as a standalone. However, if you enjoy staying connected with characters for as long as possible, start at the beginning for a satisfying and delightful bookcation. This sweet romance has behind closed doors with enough sweetness to put a pink blush on your cheeks, and leave your heart full of joy. Warm, sensual, and delicious. Characters might hold hands or kiss. A warm embrace and possible mention of moving forward in an intimate nature could be mentioned.
I receved an advance reader copy from Harlequin and Mona Shroff for a fair and honest review. Enjoy this excerpt and then enter the giveaway for a chance to win your own paperback copy, US residents only.
Sonny stared at her for a moment before leading her back to the stairs to his apartment.
He opened the door and let her in. “You can take the bed–“
“I’m fine on the sofa, thank you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He nearly scoffed
“I’m not. “You and I allowed ourselves to be baited into me staying here. This ridiculous situation is something I did to myself. You’re…stuck in the middle. I’m not kicking you out of your bed. I’ll sleep on your sofa, and I’ll be out of your life in the morning. My foot feels better–.”
“Let’s change that dressing.” He motioned to the sofa. “Then I’ll get you some sheets and a pillow.”
“Okay.” She considered it a win for her since her dressing needed to be changed by him regardless of where she slept. She sat on the sofa while Sonny knelt and changed the dressing, adding more haldi paste. He had a pleasant amount of scruff on his chin and thick hair that was tousled from the day. He smelled of spices. She inhaled deeply.
“This is healing nicely.” He said.
She sat up straight as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. What was the matter with her? Or maybe the bigger question was, Why did he smell so good?
** CONGRATULATIONS SUSAN C. You’re the winner of a paperback copy of No Rings Attached***
ONE LUCKY US READER WILL WILL A PAPERBACK COPY OF NO RINGS ATTACHED
CONTEST OPEN FROM 3/24-3/27 at 11:59 PM EST
Open to US resident only. One Winner will be randomly selected and notified. If winner doesn’t claim their prize within 24 hours a new winner will be drawn.
To enter let us know …. What is your perfect first date?
Extra entries -comment on my Instagram post here.
** For all giveaway rules read here.
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Mona was born in New Jersey and grew up in Bucks County, in the suburbs of
Philadelphia. She graduated from Neshaminy High School in the 80’s. Growing
up, she was a quiet kid and had few friends but she valued the quality of each of
her friends, not the quantity.
She attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a degree in
Biopsychology. Mona continued her education at the Pennsylvania College of
Optometry, graduating with her Doctorate in Optometry.
Mona married her first (and only!) love, Deven, at the age of 25. Deven was a
dentist in the army and they spent the next nine years travelling to different parts
of the world and country while raising two young children.
Mona always loved to write, but did not get serious about it until 2011. She
entered a contest where she had to start a short story with the words “Heads we
get married, tails we break up.” She ended up losing the contest but she really
loved the whole process of creating a plot, developing characters and putting a
thought down on paper. Her first novel, Then, Now, Always, is a romance novel
based on that prompt. Her second novel, Then There Was You, released in
January of 2021. She is currently working on a third, with her fourth novel right
behind it!
When she’s not writing or examining eyes, she loves to bake. One of her ‘claims
to fame’ is an appearance on the “Today” show in 2012 as a semi-finalist in the
‘Quest for the Best Homemade Birthday Cake’ Contest.
She and her husband are currently empty nesters and reside in Maryland with
their rescue dog, Nala.
Feb 14, 2023 | Blog, Exclusive Excerpt, February 2023, Mona Shroff
The Five-Day Reunion by Mona Shroff is a celebration of family in this second chance story as we get ready to celebrate a wedding and discover if another is truly over.
When Anita and NikhilI decided to end their marriage and move on with their lives, they neglected to send a memo to their rather large and tight-knit family. As fate would have it, Nikhil’s sister is getting married and they will have to either tell their family the truth, or embrace the opportunity and see if they truly are better off apart.
If they can figure out what went wrong and rekindle a flickering flame, they might just be able to re-write their own love story. If no one knows they are divorced, how difficult could it be, it’s only five days? Will they take a risk on love again? Or, will they finalize things once and for all and come clean to their families what they should’ve done all those years ago?
From the first page to the last, Mona crafted a seamless story rich in detail making sure the reader understood what was going on throughout the journey. A multi-day celebration packed with family banter and the perfect amount of tension guaranteed to keep you hooked and reading. One of my favorite scenes centers around Nick’s sister Tina and a little bit of tumeric 😉 ….LOVED it.
This romance is behind closed doors with enough sweetness to put a pink blush on your cheeks and leave your heart full of joy. Warm, sensual, and delisious. Go grab a cup of chai and start reading a heartwarming story that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in-between.
If you’re craving more fear not, the second book in the Once Upon A Wedding series, Matched by Masala is out now with two more scheduled to release this year.
I received a copy of the book from the Author for a fair and honest reveiw. I was not financially compensated and a positive reveiw was not promised in exchange. All opinions are my own.
To sweeten things up check out this exclusive excerpt and see why Mona Shroff is one-click worthy.
She tried not to look at him. He was ridiculously handsome first thing
in the morning. Tousled dark hair and scruff on his chin. The soft,
bewildered look in his dark eyes, matched with a slight pout of full
lips.
She had loved waking up next to him. He was sexy and handsome—some mornings, she couldn’t believe
her good fortune that she was the one who got to wake up next to him every day. That she was the one he
loved above all else.
Or so she had thought.
“Electrolytes.” She raised her voice a bit. “On the nightstand.”
He started at her voice, which only made him moan again. “Neets?”
He really needed to stop calling her that. “Anita,” she corrected him as she donned large dangly earrings
and a necklace and reached for her matching bangles, desperately trying to ignore how sensual her name
sounded in even his dry-throat voice.
“What the hell are you doing in my room?” he croaked at her.
“Right now it’s our room. We’re supposed to be married, remember?” Her bangles jingled as she slid them
on, the sound reminding her of wedded bliss.
“I’m trying to forget.”
Did he remember kissing her? Didn’t matter. “You certainly tried to forget last night.”
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Mona was born in New Jersey and grew up in Bucks County, in the suburbs of
Philadelphia. She graduated from Neshaminy High School in the 80’s. Growing
up, she was a quiet kid and had few friends but she valued the quality of each of
her friends, not the quantity.
She attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a degree in
Biopsychology. Mona continued her education at the Pennsylvania College of
Optometry, graduating with her Doctorate in Optometry.
Mona married her first (and only!) love, Deven, at the age of 25. Deven was a
dentist in the army and they spent the next nine years travelling to different parts
of the world and country while raising two young children.
Mona always loved to write, but did not get serious about it until 2011. She
entered a contest where she had to start a short story with the words “Heads we
get married, tails we break up.” She ended up losing the contest but she really
loved the whole process of creating a plot, developing characters and putting a
thought down on paper. Her first novel, Then, Now, Always, is a romance novel
based on that prompt. Her second novel, Then There Was You, released in
January of 2021. She is currently working on a third, with her fourth novel right
behind it!
When she’s not writing or examining eyes, she loves to bake. One of her ‘claims
to fame’ is an appearance on the “Today” show in 2012 as a semi-finalist in the
‘Quest for the Best Homemade Birthday Cake’ Contest.
She and her husband are currently empty nesters and reside in Maryland with
their rescue dog, Nala.
Nov 14, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, Mona Shroff, November 2019
Welcome newbies and seasoned readers to Authors Dish. With only three and a half weeks until Thanksgiving, Authors are dishin’ their favorites.
I am grateful for readers, authors, and everyone who make it possible to sink into my cozy chair and enjoy a new book adventure each and every day.
It’s time to find out what inspires your favorite Authors and discover how they enjoy the holidays, prepare their homes, set their tables and give thanks to those important in their lives.
Whether you’re celebrating at home or traveling far away, enjoy every minute of the season. We’d love to know how you enjoy your holidays, tell us below!
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we plan to share plenty of reasons to be thankful so be sure to check the blog often. Wanna dish? Drop me a message.
Today in the cafe is Author Mona Schroff
Debut Author Mona Shroff
1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? To be honest, we don’t really have a Thanksgiving tradition. When I was little, it was just the four of us, me, my parents and my brother, as all our family was overseas. We would usually try to find a place my brother could get some turkey since he was the only one who liked it! My husband was in the Army when first married, so we were always in a different place, usually not near our family. So sometimes, it was just the two of us, sometimes we were with friends. And then over the years, we just get together with our families at whoever’s place is most convenient.
2. How do you decorate your table and home? Again, this is variable. I did do the whole big turkey dinner a couple years ago, with family and friends at my house, so I pulled out all our nice china and flatware, and did a fall/harvest décor for the table.
3. My favorite hostess gift is… I usually give wine or some of my homemade truffles. But one of my favorite hostess gifts I received was these wine charms that were little cabana boys hanging on the edge of your glass. All they had on were tight little bathing suits which molded to their backs AND fronts and had all of us girls literally checking out their packages. *snort, eyeroll*
4. It’s time to pack up the leftovers, what do you do with all the food? Share it, use it for other yummy dishes or toss it? I definitely try to use it by making turkey salad the next day, or I share it with my friends. I REALLY try not to toss food.
5. Black Friday shopping – on line fun, up early with a cup of java and a long list, or last minute shopper and don’t care about the sales? I am totally a last minute shopper! I try to get out sooner, and sometimes I’ll get a few things ahead of time, but I will most likely be at the mall on December 22,23 or even 24!
6. I am thankful for… Sooo many things! My family, my friends, my computer, time to write, my book being published, even my day job. I think mostly I’m grateful that I get each day. The day may not be great, I might be sad, or have an argument with someone I care about, or not be able to write that day, but I had the day – I lived it and hopefully I get tomorrow, too.
Bio: Mona has always been obsessed with everything romantic, so it’s fitting that she writes romantic stories by night, even though she’s an optometrist by day. If she’s not writing, she’s making melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffles or riding her bike or doing her favorite thing, reading. Alone time is precious, but Mona is just as likely to be raising a glass of wine or her favorite gin and tonic with friends and family. She’s blessed with an amazing daughter and a loving son who have both gone off to college. Mona lives in Maryland with her romance loving husband.
Check out Mona Shroff’s debut novel here: 
Click on the link here for fun and FREE printables to keep you organized this fall season.
