Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom

Paperback Edition

Do you love chick lit/romance novels?? Then Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom make just be the next novel for you!

I received a FREE finished, autographed, paperback copy of Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom through GoodReads Giveaways. Below is my unbiased review of Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom.

I think what initially appealed to me about Books, Blogs, & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom is the book's title and cover design... I love reading books, posting book reviews, and so on to my book blog. With that said, deciding to read this novel was a no brainer for me.  

I liked the idea of four women brought together due to their love of reading and blogging to become online friends telling each other things they wouldn't normally share with their real life family and friends. These women share their personal lives through online chats and blog posts. 

Generally, I am not a chick lit/romance fan, but I enjoyed reading Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom overall. Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom is a fast, fun novel to read and it makes for a great escape from everyday life. In fact, I'll go so far as to say this novel makes a great beach read! I enjoyed the characters and writing in this book even if a few of the characters exhibited some frustrating/annoying behavior. I also enjoyed the format of Books, Blogs & Reality... I liked seeing the chats between these four women, their blog posts, and reading about their lives in each chapter.

The following is a plot summary for Books, Blogs, & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom from GoodReads:

Life can suck…

When reality becomes overwhelming, seeking comfort in fictional fantasies keeps hope alive. And while this escape may be a little delusional, it’s also therapeutic.
Sharing secrets is daunting, but virtual friends don’t often judge and they are always ready to share a glass of wine…or three…while typing out life’s latest endeavors.

Brooke believes obstacles only add to romance, not detract. Rachael longs for a more intense relationship, or so she thinks. Lizzie misses the excitement in her life, but sometimes new situations find you when you’re not even looking. And Jess believes a tiger can change his stripes. It can’t.

Bound by a shared passion for blogging about happily ever afters, these four young women use keyboard therapy to work through their expectations, anxieties, and inadequacies, all with the hopes of achieving the perfection found in romance novels.

Completely blinded by what they think life should be, they navigate their unique paths in search of what they envision is right. But when reality taunts them with persistent curve balls, will they be strong enough to choose wisely? Or will their happy endings escape them?

I'm giving Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!! 

Arturo Perez-Reverte Visits Rakestraw Books in Danville, California!

Arturo Perez-Reverte at Rakestraw Books. A nice sized group of readers attended this event.

I so love it when authors I like visit local independent bookstores as I love attending author events and book signings. Additionally, I also love supporting independent bookstores by buying books from local businesses.

So, lucky me!! I was able to visit Rakestraw Books in Danville, California on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 @ noon and hear Spanish author, Arturo Perez-Reverte, speak about his writing style and his latest novel What We Become. 

Following his discussion, Arturo Perez-Reverte, answered questions from readers who came to hear him speak at Rakestraw Books. Quite a large group of readers attended this event, which was lovely. Arturo Perez-Reverte had a translator with him as he said his English speaking skills weren't that good. 

After answering audience questions, Arturo Perez-Reverte then signed copies of his latest novel, What We Become. I had my copy signed, which I look forward to reading. Below is a picture of me with Arturo Perez-Reverte.

Me with Arturo Perez-Reverte @ Rakestraw Books

Until my next post, happy reading!

Buried (A Twisted Cedar Mysteries) by C. J. Carmichael

eBook Edition

I read  the ebook edition of Buried (A Twisted Cedar Mysteries) by C. J. Carmichael over the course of a few days. This mystery novel is approximately 250 pages in length.

I was able to download this novel to my Kindle from Amazon for FREE. Below is my unbiased review of Buried (A Twisted Cedar Mysteries) by C. J. Carmichael.

Other than some minor editing issues, I though that Buried (A Twisted Cedar Mysteries) by C. J. Carmichael started off really well and enjoyed reading this mystery novel until the ending came along. The last chapter of the novel ruined this book for me completely. Buried (A Twisted Cedar Mysteries) by C. J. Carmichael has a cliffhanger ending... The reader is left hanging with no resolution as to who definitively killed four female librarians from the 1970s... There is some speculation as to may have done the killings, but the reader never ends up knowing for sure who the serial killer is for the 30+ year cold case. 

Also, I didn't enjoy the fact that in edition to no resolution as to the identity of the serial killer for the librarians, we do not definitely know for 100% certainty who the killer is for Daisy Quinpool. Sure we all assume it's her ex-husband, but the fact that this murder isn't resolved either is also bothersome.

I like it when an author wraps up the story in one book. As a reader, I want to know whodunnit in the novel and not be left hanging with so many unanswered questions as to the murderer's identity.

Here's a plot summary for Buried (A Twisted Cedar Mysteries) by C. J. Carmichael from Amazon:

Justice is overdue in the coastal town of Twisted Cedars where two unsolved mysteries lay buried in the past.

Over thirty years ago a series of murders targeting Oregon librarians was never solved. Now someone with inside knowledge is feeding clues to true crime writer Dougal Lachlan, promising him the best story of his career. Pursuing the leads means returning to Twisted Cedars, where his sister Jamie is about to marry a man he deeply dislikes.

Local Twisted Cedars librarian Charlotte Hammond prefers her mysteries--and her romances--between the covers of a good book, especially since the disappearance of her older sister, Daisy, eight years ago. But then the dark and tortured soul who is Dougal Lachlan walks into the Twisted Cedars Library asking for her help. 

Before long Charlotte realizes there is no safe zone. Not even in libraries...and especially not in Twisted Cedars.

I am giving Buried (A Twisted Cedar Mysteries) by C. J. Marshall 1 star out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Best & Worst Fathers In Literature

With Father's Day right around the corner, check out the Bustle article titled 13 Best (And Worst) Fathers In Literature To Revisit This Father's Day by E. Ce Miller. In the article, E. Ce Miller wrote:

Being a dad isn’t always easy (at least, based on what I gather from being a sometimes-high-maintenance daughter) but some of the dads on this list make fatherhood look great. Others, not so much — I’m talking to you, Humbert Humbert. From the good, to the bad, to the sort-of-in-between, here are 13 of the most memorable fathers from books.

To see which fathers in literature made the list, click on the top link and read on!

21 Songs For Book Lovers!!

Love Music? Love Books & Reading??? Then check out the article I discovered on Bustle titled 21 Songs Every Bookworm Will Love by Melissa Ragsdale to see which songs made the list! It's quite and eclectic mix of songs. 

Until my next post, happy listening!!

Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4) by Roxie Rivera

I've already read the first three novels in the Her Russian Protector Series by Roxie Rivera, so decided to download and listen to the unabridged audio version of Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4) by Roxie Rivera and narrated by Pinky Powell from Audible.

Listening time for Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4) by Roxie Rivera is 9 hours, 22 minutes.

First off, let me state for the record that I wasn't impressed with Pinky Powell as a narrator. Ms. Powell is unable do a very convincing Russian accent... Her  Russian accent for the Russian characters in this novel was just all wrong. Plus, Vivian (Nikolai's love interest) has appeared in a previous book(s) written by Roxie Rivera, but I didn't feel that Pinky Powell captured Vivian how I envisioned her to speak and act.

As far as the novel, Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4) by Roxie Rivera goes, I have mixed feelings about this novel after listening to it. I am glad I listened to it as I've already read the other novels in the series and like to try reading the entire series if I like it. But Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4) by Roxie Rivera isn't the best novel in the series in my opinion. There were things that Nikolai has done in his life that I was surprised that Vivian wasn't very upset by or angry at Nikolai for doing. Also, for being a juvenile delinquent as a youngster, Vivian was a goody two shoes, which was surprising... And the sex scenes weren't all that hot. Additionally, the storyline/plot in general wasn't all that good either.

The following is a plot summary for Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4) by Roxie Rivera from Audible:

After a brush with death as a juvenile delinquent, Vivian swore she'd never stray across that line again - but there's just one problem with her plan to stay on the right side of the law. She's completely, irrevocably and unabashedly in love with Nikolai, the Russian mob boss who saved her life.
From the moment Vivian appeared in his life on that tragic April night, Nikolai felt himself inextricably bonded to her. She's the bright light in his dark world and the only thing that keeps him from sliding deeper into a life of crime and violence - a mobbed-up life he can't escape no matter how hard he tries. 

After Vivian is ripped from his arms in a brazen blitz attack, Nikolai will stop at nothing to get her back - but rescuing her and keeping her safe in his arms isn't enough. Suddenly, Nikolai's only chance to keep her safe is to do the one thing he vowed never to do - he'll drag her deeper into his shadowy world and bind her to him forever.

Because their tangled pasts are about to collide and the shockwave threatens to bring Houston's criminal underbelly to its knees....

I am giving Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4) by Roxie Rivera a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Happy Audiobook Month!!

I love listening to audiobooks!! Listening to audiobooks is something that I've only fallen in love with during the last three or four years... I've become an audiobook junkie as I've become somewhat of a lazy reader, preferring to listen to books than reading them when I can. 

I doubt I'll ever give up reading physical books entirely because there is always something appealing about holding a book in your hands and reading the written word as it appears on the page. Plus, the smell of new books and the way they feel in one's hands is awesome!

I find listening to audiobooks appealing as I like hearing someone read to me. Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time while traveling, doing chores, eating meals while at home alone, or even when you need to give your eyes a rest from reading a book.

If an audiobook has a great narrator and the audiobook production quality is clear and crisp, then audiobooks become even more magical... If not, then a poor narrator or poor audio quality can ruin one's listening experience.

Below is a video of author, Stephen King, explaining why he thinks audiobooks are terrific!

Until my next post, I hope you find yourself lost in an audiobook. Happy listening!!

Signs That Books Are One Of The Best Relationships In Your Life!!

I stumbled upon an interesting article on the Bustle website titled 11 Signs That Books Are One Of The Best Relationships In Your Life by Sadie L. Trombetta. In the article, Sadie L. Trombetta writes the following:

Boyfriends come and go, best friends move away, and family drive you crazy.... but books? Unlike people, books are always reliable, and if you're a reader, than you probably already display all the signs that books are one of the best relationships in your life.

If you're a true bibliophile, than books have a special place in your life. You constantly surround yourself with them, and unlike your romantic partner's crap, you never get mad when you find them laying around the house. You make sure that no matter where you go, you go together, and you always go to bed holding onto a book. Even if you're at work or out with friends, you're mind constantly wanders back to the same thing: books. You just can't help it, they're always on your mind and you miss them when you're apart. Try as you might, but there's no denying it: books are your true love, and one of the best relationships you have.

Click on the first link to read the 11 Signs That Books Are One Of The Best Relationships In Your Life!!

From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance

A Picture to Capture the Event Before It Began!!

I enjoyed attending another wonderful author event at the 2016 Bay Area Book Festival called 'From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance' with an author panel, which included authors Aya de Leon, Gail Carriger, Alice Gaines, Kristin Miller, and moderator, Beth Barany. 

All of the women authors who spoke at this event are new to me authors. I was intrigued as to what they had to share about feminism and romance, so looked forward to attending the event. I enjoyed learning how each of these women defined feminism and shared how they showcased feminism in their books.

I thought that 'From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance' was a very lively and engaging event to attend. Many book festival attendees came to this event. I enjoyed hearing the authors answers questions from the audience as well during this 75 minute event.

I look forward to reading books by both Beth Barany & Aya de Leon in the future.

'From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance' was held on the sixth floor of the Hotel Shattuck Plaza.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket

Hardback Edition

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket is a children's book that I read over the course of a few days. 

I only decided to read The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket, when I discovered that the author was going to be speaking at the 2016 Bay Area Book Festival... I love attending author events and I love having books signed by the author. So with that thought in mind, I decided to purchase a used copy of The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket.

After reading The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket, I have mixed feelings about this novel. I liked the Baudelaire children (Violet, Klaus, & Sunny) and the fact that the novel is written as a series on unfortunate events (as happy endings don't always happen in real life)... But sadly, the storyline for The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) just didn't do it for me. Needless to say, I won't bother reading the rest of the novels in the series.

I am giving The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!