Review – Pursuing the Times by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Title: Pursuing the Times

Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Published: August 24th 2012

Book Description

All that popular Chick-Lit author Mercury Lauren wants is to have one of her books reviewed by the New York Times Book Review - just one - and she'll do almost anything to get it. In this contemporary romantic comedy, with a nod toward Pride and Prejudice she crosses swords and hearts with the Editor-in-Chief of the NYTBR in a madcap adventure that takes her from her home in Westport to a yoga retreat to a golf course in Florida. Will she get what she wants and will she finally be happy if she does? Only one thing's for certain: nothing will stop her from Pursuing the Times.

Buy Now * – Amazon l Barnes & Noble

My Review

I picked up Pursuing the Times, intending on only reading a few chapters before going about my day, but I was completely engrossed by it that I ended up reading it from cover to cover in one sitting! What a fun and refreshing read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Mercury Lauren has just published her 5^th book and is a bit peeved that she hasn’t been reviewed by the New York Times. She doesn’t understand why they won’t give her book a chance, could it be because it is categorised as chick-lit? She attends the annual National Book Awards with her agent and manages to set the whole rollercoaster into motion of pursuing the times to get her book reviewed.

Mercury is a quirky girl and I was able to see a lot of myself in her. I wouldn't go to the extreme measures that she does in this book, but I am always cursing myself for doing silly things and not thinking until afterwards that it probably wasn't the best way to go about it. She is the kind of girl who over analyses everything and only has her friend/agent, Angel, to turn to for advice. She is quick to make a decision and traipses all over the country to try and fulfil her goal of being published in the New York Times.

I was truly captivated by this book! Pursuing the Times is a highly entertaining read and the comedy aspect was uplifting. There were a few times that I was laughing at Mercury so hard that I had tears in my eyes! (Ahem... At the Golf Course.) Lauren Baratz-Logsted has written a fabulous book, with her own spin that reminded me of Bridget Jones! There were so many times I was yelling at Mercury, ‘No, don’t do it!’ but of course she didn’t listen to me and she had me in stitches instead! I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

I was an independent bookseller and buyer for 11 years before deciding to take a chance on myself as a novelist. While trying to sell my books, I worked variously as a Publishers Weekly reviewer, a freelance editor, a sort-of librarian, and a window washer. My first novel, The Thin Pink Line, about a woman who fakes an entire pregnancy, was published by Red Dress Ink in 2003 as their own first-ever hardcover. It was published in 11 countries and was the first book from any Harlequin imprint ever to receive a starred Kirkus review. I've since had over 20 books published for adults (Vertigo), teens (The Twin's Daughter) and children (The Sisters 8 series, created with my husband and daughter). Recently, I've published a few ebooks as well, including a comedic romance for adults, The Bro-Magnet. I live in Danbury, CT, with my wonderful husband Greg and my equally wonderful daughter Jackie.

Website – http://www.laurenbaratzlogsted.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lauren.baratzlogsted

Twitter – https://twitter.com/LaurenBaratzL

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27212.Lauren_Baratz_Logsted

Stacking the Shelves/Sunday Post #37

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. It is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

It was another quiet week for me this week, I managed to catch up on a lot of Blogging stuff, but that’s about it!! I had my first game of netball since the “incident” and it went ok! Lol! Anyway… this is what’s going on at my place!!

In the mail

Last week I purchased Oath Bound and as part of a special offer I received this signed book as a free bonus.

 Shadow Bound

(Unbound #2)

by Rachel Vincent

For Review

Rewrite Redemption

by J.H. Walker

That’s it for Stacking the Shelves this week, what did you get?

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news and to post a recap of the past week on your blog,showcase some books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up in your blog for the week ahead.

This past week on the blog I shared:

Monday- Review/Giveaway – From Hel, With Love by Blue Remy

        Review – Enigma by Christine Fonseca

Tuesday- Cover Reveal - The Loneliest Alpha by TA Grey

        Spotlight/Giveaway – The MacKenzie Effect by Derrolyn Anderson

Thursday- Review – Crossroads by J.J. Bonds

Friday- Spotlight – Caged Heat by Milly Taiden

Saturday- Review - Ohre by Jennifer Silverwood

I also did my usual Meme’s that I participate in Teaser Tuesdays,

Waiting On Wednesday, Swoon Thursday and Feature & Follow Friday

This week there will be:

Monday- Review – Pursuing the Times by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Tuesday- Guest Post/Excerpt/Giveaway – Love & War by Jennifer Malone Wright

Wednesday-

Thursday- Review – Red Dawn by J.J. Bonds

Friday-

Saturday- Review – Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls

There are still some giveaways running… Click on the links at the top of the blog to enter!

What did you receive this week? What’s happening in your neck of the woods? I’d love to know!!

Review – Ohre by Jennifer Silverwood

Title: Ohre

Author:Jennifer Silverwood

Series: Heaven’s Edge #2

Genre: YA Sci-Fi Fantasy

Published: April 24^th 2013

Check out my review for Qeya HERE.

Book Description

Ohre has never given into his wild nature while living on board Datura 3. Plucked out of a lonely existence at the bottom of the ocean as a boy, he struggled to learn the ways of the land dwellers. He never asked to live with the heaven sailing miners. To keep out of trouble, he stuck to the things he learned, mining and working on his latest invention. But when his adopted clan’s ship is attacked and only he and the Royal children are left alive, he must give into the instincts he long fought against.

After fighting to keep the runts and Qeya, alive, he has been abandoned once more. Only this time, the only company he has is a bossy, female miner named Adi, who he’d much rather blast than help rebuild a damaged shuttle. With nothing left to live for, he throws himself into helping her clean up the Royal’s mess. Until the princess he secretly loves turns up on their beach to help.

Trouble is they can’t finish the job by themselves. They’re going to need the help of a miner who might already be dead. Even worse, the savage tribe that might have him hostage is the enemy Qeya and her family is already fighting. A new kind of hunt must begin, only this time, the miners are leading the Royals into alien territory.

All Ohre wants is the kind of freedom a life in the sea can give. But he doesn't want to live it alone anymore. He wants the princess and if Qeya won’t come willingly, he’ll make her.

Buy Now * – Amazon

My Review

I read Qeya last year and fell in love with the people and scenery that Jennifer had created. Most of them have spent all their lives travelling on a ship in outer space to be attacked and then crash land on an unknown planet.

Ohre continues after Qeya, where Ohre and Ali have retreated to the beach after Qeya chose to stay with Tamn in the trees. He knows what his heart wants but his mind knows that she is better off with her intended. When Qeya reappears on the beach all those feelings that he has stir and he has trouble focusing with her being so close. Somehow, they both push their feelings aside to work on the issues at hand.

In Qeya, I really fell for Ohre. He is a good guy and is a great protector. He’s focused and very smart. He seems to have a knack with technology and is able to build weapons and devices. He is drawn to the water and with this book being told from his POV, it is easier to understand where he came from originally and why he is attached to it.

I liked how this book played out where Ohre and Qeya had time by themselves, but we were able to see a little more into the other tribe on the land. I was able to see both characters struggle with their emotions for one another, but they both want what is best for the survivors and will work together to achieve it.

Jennifer has done a terrific job building this whole world in just novellas and to keep them packed with a good storyline, emotion and action. The next book is Tamn's and I am really excited about it as he seems so cool headed and understanding. I'd really like to know what he really thinks!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

I am an artist, musician, author and believer in bigger dreams.
I have been to Dracula's castle and lived to tell the tale.
I work with children, though by the end of the day it feels more like they worked me lol.
I know how to properly use a rifle, survive a world of diapers, snotty noses and physical maiming from same children on a daily basis.
I'm a Christian and a Texan, you can guess the rest ;)

I've never quite fallen out of the habit of dreaming bigger than is healthy and can't seem to stop.

You can find Jennifer online at:

Website - http://jennifersilverwood.com/

Blog – http://silverwoodsketches.blogspot.com.au/ 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/JennSilverwood

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/silverwoodj?ref=stream

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5827602.Jennifer_Silverwood

Spotlight – Caged Heat by Milly Taiden

Welcome to my stop of the Caged Heat book tour which has been brought to you by Bewitching Book Tours. Today I am spotlighting both Caged Heat and Sharp Change and you can learn a little more about the author, Milly Taiden. Don't forget to visit the other blogs on this tour for more information about this book and the author.

Title: Caged Heat
Author: Milly Taiden

Series: Black Meadows Pack #2

Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance

Published: April 3^rd 2013

Book Description:

After five years travelling through third world countries to teach impoverished children, Samira Suarez has returned home to Black Meadows. What Sam didn’t expect was to be instantly overwhelmed by the desire to be with the one man she’s wanted since she was a teen, Riel Karven.

Riel has been patiently waiting for Sam’s return. For five long years he’s backed off and watched her come and go. This is it. His mate is back, and he’s taking a stand.

Sam’s need for Ry grows to unimaginable proportions. It’s almost as if she were in heat. But she’s a human…isn’t she?

There’s more at stake than Sam and Ry’s future relationship when she inherits her grandmother’s estate. One of her many relatives wants her out of the way.

It’s going to take all of Ry’s determination and help from his friends to keep her alive.  And it’s going to take delving into her past to find out why a human is going into mating heat.

  

Buy Now * – Amazon l Barnes & Noble

Title: Sharp Change

Author: Milly Taiden

Series: Black Meadows Pack #1

Publisher: Etopita Press

Published: September 7^th 2012

Read my Review for Sharp Change HERE.

Book Description

Thoughts of Chase, the Alpha of the Black Meadows pack, made her heart torpedo in her chest and rockets go off in her stomach. The better-than-a-sundae delicious-looking man with golden brown skin, enough muscles he could share them with his friends and still have left over, turned her to a puddle of goo.

The man had so much sex appeal her girl parts were ready to lift a white flag in surrender just by looking at him, even thinking of him made her tongue wag. Looking at him was like viewing a shot of your favorite dessert and knowing you couldn’t get your hands on it.

Buy Now * – Amazon l Barnes & Noble

 All Romance Ebooks

About the Author 

Milly Taiden was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

She began writing when she learned to put words together and her first book consisted of two homeless dogs living in a park for her second grade English class. She didn’t win a prize, but she acquired a love for writing that never went away.

When she’s not working full-time, texting with her best friend Heidi in England, chastising her son for pulling the dog’s ears, shopping with her sister Jewel or watching scary movies with her husband, she can be found writing on her laptop. She’s addicted to shoe shopping, chocolate and Dunkin Donuts coffee. 

A major reader when she can get her hands on a good book, she loves reading all Mina Carter, Cynthia Eden, Cynthia Sax among others

Find Milly online at

Website: http://millytaiden.com

Twitter: @millytaiden

Facebook: Milly Taiden

Click on the banner to view the rest of the Tour Schedule

Feature and Follow #36

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community. If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers — but you have to know — the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

Here’s this week’s question:

School is out! What is your favourite Summer Reading book?

It is the total opposite her in Australia, schools still in and we are heading into winter!! However, if I was to pick a favourite book that I would want to re -read in the Summer it would be Beautiful Disaster, The Indigo Spell or the Lux Series!! Lots of fun and Swoon moments!!

What do you think?

What's your FF?

To play along visit Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.

Follow them, follow their Featured Blogs and then visit as many blogs as you can, posting your answer.

And don't forget to leave your link in the comments section below!

Review – Crossroads by J.J. Bonds

Title: Crossroads

Author: J.J. Bonds

Series: Crossroads Academy #1

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Published: November 2011

Book Description

When Katia enrolled at Crossroads Academy she knew things weren’t exactly going to be easy. The sole heir to the worlds’ most powerful vampire, her presence was bound to cause a stir. But nothing could have prepared her for this. Whispers follow everywhere she goes. So does trouble.

Bodies start turning up in nearby Rutland and Katia is sucked into a twisted web of danger and deceit. Haunted by nightmares she can’t explain and a thirst for blood that is never sated, Katia will do whatever it takes to keep her past buried.

Nothing at Crossroads is what it seems and Katia’s secrets may be the darkest of them all.

Get it now for free – Amazon* 

My Review

It has been a little while since I have read a Vampire book that is set in a boarding school, so I thought I might pick up the first book in this series and give it a whirl since I won book 2 from J.J. Bonds when Liz @ Fictional Candy hosted her on her blog. I must say I was pleasantly surprised, I not only enjoyed the book but I think I have found a new author that I am going to love!

Katia is about to start her first year at the Crossroads Academy which is exclusive to Full Bred Vampires. She is new to Vampire politics and has been announced as the great niece of Aldo, the head of the Vampire Council.

Katia has a lot of secrets and I found it fascinating how she carried on trying to maintain a low profile even though there is a lot of attention on her. She is smart and has a passion for learning how to fight and defend herself and is willing to learn all she can about this world of Vampires. She is very fond of her uncle and his wife and will do anything to keep him happy, even though they have only known each other for a short period of time. There is a lot of speculation about her background but Katia doesn't do anything to make people question her. But no matter how hard she tries to stay unnoticed, some people find their way under her defences and she even makes a few friends.

Shaya will hopefully be a good friend for Katia, she is a quiet girl who can stand out in a crowd with her unusual fashion sense, but she also has secrets. Anya is like a councillor and tries to guide Katia and encourages her to open up. And then there is Nik… he is a fellow classmate, her instructor and totally Hawt, I liked him from the start, although he comes across a little arrogant, he is just a really nice guy.

J.J. Bonds has a writing style that kept me captivated. The world building was fabulous as she fills us in on the background of her vampires and describes the school beautifully as she creates her amazing world. The plot was addictive as I was trying to figure out Katia and what her secrets were along the way, so I was surprised when I found out what it was. When I look back now I can see the clues that were dropped throughout the story. The characters have good chemistry, even though Katia doesn’t want any relationships. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I look forward to see how things are going to develop in the future now that I know some of Katias secrets.

About the Author

J.J. Bonds is an independent author who writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy. She is the author of the Crossroads Academy series, a trilogy of YA Paranormal Romance novels. J.J. lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where her obsession with all things paranormal keeps life interesting. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two rambunctious dogs. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, and zombies. Sings off key.

Find J.J. Bonds online at

Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Facebook

Swoon Thursday #42 – Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the chicks at YABound!

I decided I needed something fun to read and this is all that and more!! Check out the swoon.... there are so many, but this was definitely worth sharing!!

Suddenly Royal

Nichole Chase

Suddenly #1

“If I can’t have it, no one can.” I narrowed my eyes in mock threat. 

“Is that so?” 

“You’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers.” I backed into the bookshelf behind me. 

“Maybe I just need to distract you long enough to steal it.” He put a hand on the shelf by my head. 

“And how do you plan on doing that?” I licked my lips. 

“I have a few ideas.” He moved his other hand, caging me in, and leaned down. 

I clutched the books to my chest and my heart beat against them like a drum. Alex brought his mouth close to mine but stopped a centimeter away. I inhaled his scent and fought my urge to close the distance. Slowly he moved his mouth to my cheek, close enough that I could feel his breath wash across my skin. His journey continued down my jaw and to my neck. My head tilted of its own accord, letting him have better access. One of his hands moved from near my head to just beside my waist, the sleeve of his jacket brushing against my arm. 

As he moved from my right side to the left, I tilted my head again, my body alive with anticipation. I wanted him to kiss me. Needed his kiss, and I was near my breaking point—no more waiting. His other hand slid down from the shelf and closed on my waist while he took a step closer, pressing his body against mine. He brought his head back up and looked into my eyes. 

“I want to kiss you, Samantha.” He took a deep breath and moved a little closer. “But I’m not going to kiss you again until you ask me to.”.

 

Kindle Loc 2894

Did you get swooned this week?

What did you think of mine?

Leave me a comment!