Hi Everyone!!!  Sunday’s Shining Star is on vacation this week.  Jeff (Lori’s hubby aka Dollycas’s Thoughts) had some things to catch up on and needed the day off.  Men!!!!  I think we have been over working him with all the travelling plus putting him in charge of getting the dessert to our “gab sessions” on time (even though some of it is missing when it gets delivered BUT I’m not pointing any fingers lol)!!  Next week is Mother’s Day so Sunday’s Shining Star will be back on May 15th.  I am sure it will be a long gab fest with a lot of catching of to do.  While here, make sure you check out the sidebars for current giveaways that you may be interested in entering and Good Luck.  See you soon !!!!

Hi Everyone!!!  Sunday’s Shining Star is on vacation this week.  Jeff (Lori’s hubby aka Dollycas’s Thoughts) had some things to catch up on and needed the day off.  Men!!!!  I think we have been over working him with all the travelling plus putting him in charge of getting the dessert to our “gab sessions” on time (even though some of it is missing when it gets delivered BUT I’m not pointing any fingers lol)!!  Next week is Mother’s Day so Sunday’s Shining Star will be back on May 15th.  I am sure it will be a long gab fest with a lot of catching of to do.  While here, make sure you check out the sidebars for current giveaways that you may be interested in entering and Good Luck.  See you soon !!!!

I was told when I first found this community of book blogging that “book bloggers were the nicest bloggers there are” and I have never forgotten those words. And over the past year, I have truly met the nicest people. I also believe, even though we live behind a screen, a bit of our personality shines through. That is one of the reasons I am having so much fun with this weekly event, and hoping you are too, because we are getting to know those “nicest bloggers” around and about bloggyland a little bit better.

Today, since Jeff (Lori’s hubby aka Dollycas’s Thoughts) has had a week off and is well rested, I thought we would take another trip.  And seeing that hubby and I will be going to the Caribbean soon, I thought that this week, it would be the perfect place to visit.  We are going to Trinidad to visit today’s guest and get to know her a little bit better.  I thought we could sit on the tropical beach, have our “gab session” with a couple of frozen drinks and maybe even get some reading in.   Now doesn’t that sound relaxing?   Today my guest is the very sweet LESLEY-ANN from BOOKVENTURES BOOK CLUB.

*When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging in February of 2010. I started off wanting to create a book club where I can read and share my experiences with others. While searching for the various formats of online Book Clubs, I came across Bermudiaonion’s Book blog and realized that there was such a thing called a book blog; where ordinary folks read and reviewed books while sharing their experiences with fellow readers. The ideals of a book blog matched well with what I wanted to do and pretty soon, I joined this great community of book bloggers.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
 Bookventures actually comes from the name of a local bookstore close to the university that I attended. The store called Eventures Book Store specialized in used and traded books. You could have found almost anything in that store. Eventures became a staple for me during my final year at University. Whenever I became stressed out by my thesis project, I would go to the store and spend hours (and lots of money) checking out their books. When I was contemplating names for my blog, eventures kept popping up. I did not want to have something too similar to the actual name of the store so I decided to throw the word book in front of ventures and hence Bookventures was born. Sadly the store has since closed down but I am constantly reminded of it.

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
I mostly review books that I have read or have been requested to review on my blog. However I do try to add a bit of my personality to it so sometimes you will tend to find random musings and pictures about my life. I also love participating in memes so there are a few of them that are posted throughout the course of the week.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
I read almost anything for the blog. I love Suspense, Mysteries and Thrillers so if I receive a pitch for a title in one of these genres and it looks interesting, then I would more than likely accept. Also due to my background in History I also read Historical Fiction. I tend to shy away from most Romance Novels because of how predictable they are sometimes.

*How often do you post?
I try to post every day except on Fridays. It is my day of rest : )

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
The community of bloggers, the ability to share with others, the impact that this sharing sometimes have, the fact that blogging gives me an escape when the real world gets too frustrating; as a book blogger, reading great books before anyone else has a chance too. What’s not to love about blogging?

*What are some of the negatives?
 As a book blogger, the deadlines that are sometimes set (either by yourself or by the publishers or publicist). It turns the entire process of reading into a job and takes away from the fun of it.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
Those would have to be:
1. My review of Juliet by Ann Fortier
2. Mailbox Mondays post (I haven’t posted one in a while but I hope to resume soon)

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
There is one major advice that I would like to share, one which I have been learning over the last few months; that is, No is a handy word. We sometimes get carried away when publishers, publicists and authors begin sending us review pitches without us having to send a request. While it is quite flattering, the deadlines and the huge reading piles are not so fun. I know that I certainly got carried away however what I have learned is that it is OK to say no once in a while. Trust me, the emails will still keep coming.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
I am usually drawn to blogs by the type of books that the blogger reads. I have developed a few friendships with some blogs and so there are a number of blogs that I visit regularly.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
1 – I am a bit of a tech junkie.


2 – I am shy and sensitive


3 – My favourite colour palette would be earth tones though recently I have been trying to incorporate more colour into my life.


4 – I am terrified by cats. I think this had to do with a horror that I saw on the Sci-Fi channel when I was younger.


5 – I am the first of three children. Yep, am a big sister : )


6- I love the outdoors. Hiking and driving through the country side are just some of my favourite things to do.


7 – I have an obsession with stationary

Thank you Lesley-Ann for being my guest today.  I met Lesley-Ann, and since she is a lot younger than me, she may need to help me with this one, but I think it was because she was hosting an Author Chat on her blog with an author that I had recently finished reading their book, so I stopped by to leave a question and chat.  Lesley-Ann and I then started visiting each other’s blog, leaving comments, which lead to some emails that then led into emails that resembled novellas.  I truly believe that small pieces of one’s personality does shine through in their blog, emails, etc and I felt that with Lesley-Ann.  Even though there is a big age difference, she is about the same age of my boys, conversation is never at a loss for words.  We seem to be able to talk about anything and everything.  And what personality shines through is her genuine caring, politeness,  thoughtfulness, family oriented, protectiveness of her siblings, intelligence and respect, which in my eyes, truly makes her a Shining Star.  If you already know her, then you know what I mean.  And if this is the first time meeting her, then you will be meeting a very sweet young woman.  Please visit her and say hi….I know eventually you will understand why she is a Shining Star.

I was told when I first found this community of book blogging that “book bloggers were the nicest bloggers there are” and I have never forgotten those words. And over the past year, I have truly met the nicest people. I also believe, even though we live behind a screen, a bit of our personality shines through. That is one of the reasons I am having so much fun with this weekly event, and hoping you are too, because we are getting to know those “nicest bloggers” around and about bloggyland a little bit better.

Today, since Jeff (Lori’s hubby aka Dollycas’s Thoughts) has had a week off and is well rested, I thought we would take another trip.  And seeing that hubby and I will be going to the Caribbean soon, I thought that this week, it would be the perfect place to visit.  We are going to Trinidad to visit today’s guest and get to know her a little bit better.  I thought we could sit on the tropical beach, have our “gab session” with a couple of frozen drinks and maybe even get some reading in.   Now doesn’t that sound relaxing?   Today my guest is the very sweet LESLEY-ANN from BOOKVENTURES BOOK CLUB.

*When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging in February of 2010. I started off wanting to create a book club where I can read and share my experiences with others. While searching for the various formats of online Book Clubs, I came across Bermudiaonion’s Book blog and realized that there was such a thing called a book blog; where ordinary folks read and reviewed books while sharing their experiences with fellow readers. The ideals of a book blog matched well with what I wanted to do and pretty soon, I joined this great community of book bloggers.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
 Bookventures actually comes from the name of a local bookstore close to the university that I attended. The store called Eventures Book Store specialized in used and traded books. You could have found almost anything in that store. Eventures became a staple for me during my final year at University. Whenever I became stressed out by my thesis project, I would go to the store and spend hours (and lots of money) checking out their books. When I was contemplating names for my blog, eventures kept popping up. I did not want to have something too similar to the actual name of the store so I decided to throw the word book in front of ventures and hence Bookventures was born. Sadly the store has since closed down but I am constantly reminded of it.

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
I mostly review books that I have read or have been requested to review on my blog. However I do try to add a bit of my personality to it so sometimes you will tend to find random musings and pictures about my life. I also love participating in memes so there are a few of them that are posted throughout the course of the week.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
I read almost anything for the blog. I love Suspense, Mysteries and Thrillers so if I receive a pitch for a title in one of these genres and it looks interesting, then I would more than likely accept. Also due to my background in History I also read Historical Fiction. I tend to shy away from most Romance Novels because of how predictable they are sometimes.

*How often do you post?
I try to post every day except on Fridays. It is my day of rest : )

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
The community of bloggers, the ability to share with others, the impact that this sharing sometimes have, the fact that blogging gives me an escape when the real world gets too frustrating; as a book blogger, reading great books before anyone else has a chance too. What’s not to love about blogging?

*What are some of the negatives?
 As a book blogger, the deadlines that are sometimes set (either by yourself or by the publishers or publicist). It turns the entire process of reading into a job and takes away from the fun of it.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
Those would have to be:
1. My review of Juliet by Ann Fortier
2. Mailbox Mondays post (I haven’t posted one in a while but I hope to resume soon)

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
There is one major advice that I would like to share, one which I have been learning over the last few months; that is, No is a handy word. We sometimes get carried away when publishers, publicists and authors begin sending us review pitches without us having to send a request. While it is quite flattering, the deadlines and the huge reading piles are not so fun. I know that I certainly got carried away however what I have learned is that it is OK to say no once in a while. Trust me, the emails will still keep coming.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
I am usually drawn to blogs by the type of books that the blogger reads. I have developed a few friendships with some blogs and so there are a number of blogs that I visit regularly.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
1 – I am a bit of a tech junkie.


2 – I am shy and sensitive


3 – My favourite colour palette would be earth tones though recently I have been trying to incorporate more colour into my life.


4 – I am terrified by cats. I think this had to do with a horror that I saw on the Sci-Fi channel when I was younger.


5 – I am the first of three children. Yep, am a big sister : )


6- I love the outdoors. Hiking and driving through the country side are just some of my favourite things to do.


7 – I have an obsession with stationary

Thank you Lesley-Ann for being my guest today.  I met Lesley-Ann, and since she is a lot younger than me, she may need to help me with this one, but I think it was because she was hosting an Author Chat on her blog with an author that I had recently finished reading their book, so I stopped by to leave a question and chat.  Lesley-Ann and I then started visiting each other’s blog, leaving comments, which lead to some emails that then led into emails that resembled novellas.  I truly believe that small pieces of one’s personality does shine through in their blog, emails, etc and I felt that with Lesley-Ann.  Even though there is a big age difference, she is about the same age of my boys, conversation is never at a loss for words.  We seem to be able to talk about anything and everything.  And what personality shines through is her genuine caring, politeness,  thoughtfulness, family oriented, protectiveness of her siblings, intelligence and respect, which in my eyes, truly makes her a Shining Star.  If you already know her, then you know what I mean.  And if this is the first time meeting her, then you will be meeting a very sweet young woman.  Please visit her and say hi….I know eventually you will understand why she is a Shining Star.

I would like to explain how this came to fruition. Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young’ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age. When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals. Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait for relatives/friends to drop by. We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert. And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone. And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog. This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people (some I now call friends) through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish. How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through. So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by. And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest.

I was told when I first found this community of book blogging that “book bloggers were the nicest bloggers there are” and I have never forgotten those words. And over the past year, I have truly met the nicest people. I also believe, even though we live behind a screen, a bit of our personality shines through. That is one of the reasons I am having so much fun with this weekly event, and hoping you are too, because we are getting to know those “nicest bloggers” around and about bloggyland a little bit better.

We are back in the states today, since Lori’s (aka Dollycas’s Thoughts) hubby Jeff asked for this week off because he was complaining that we packed too much from our trip last, our luggage was too heavy, and he needed to rest for our trip next week……Men!!!!!

But I have another very special guest that I am sure a lot of you know.  I stumbled upon her blog when I was a newbie and fell in love with her blog and her cute and plump friends.  It was such a professional, adorable, themed blog that I became an instant follower.  And the more I visited, the more I got to know this blogger, but more on that later…..So today’s guest and Sunday’s Shining Star is KAYE from PUDGY PENGUIN PERUSALS

*When and why did you start blogging?
Oct 2008 – not sure exactly why blogging – it just intrigued me that people would talk about books and loved them as much as I did.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
I collect penguins and wanted to somehow incorporate that into my reading blog plus I like alliteration and no one has seen a skinny penguin so pudgy just seemed appropriate. Voila – Pudgy Penguin Perusals!

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
Books with an occasional personal thing thrown in.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
I’m a big cozy and mystery/thriller fan but I do like contemporary fiction also. Some genres I don’t read are erotica, self help (although I probably need a lot of self help), sci-fi, dystopian and most paranormal.

*How often do you post?

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
One of the best things is being able to share some book love with people around the world – that just amazes me. Another wonderful aspect of blogging is the feeling of community and the terrific people I have “met”. I feel like they are real friends. Like you, Tootsie. I just know if we met IRL, we’d be friends.

*What are some of the negatives?
Technical aspects of blogging as I’m sure you know I am so NOT tech savvy. Sometimes I just can’t get things to look right. Not being able to write a decent review. The feeling of reviewing being a chore if I over extend myself which I keep swearing that I will not do this year. Honestly, I’m not. Really, I mean it.

Pudgy Penguin Perusals

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
I love running contests for cozies – I get a kick out of doing that and then probably my penguin pics – I just love the little guys!

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Don’t go crazy making all kinds of commitments because it can come back to bite you. Blogs should be fun and not a chore.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
A novel (pun intended) perspective and a sense of humor. It astounds me how some bloggers can consistently come up with such creative posts or have such a humorous perspective on life. I envy those clever people. Of course, a good cozy contest will get me every time. ;).

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
Not really – it’s their blog and they can do what they want but it does kind of annoy me when someone leaves a comment with a link about their law practice or insurance products or something that has nothing at all to do with books or the discussion in the post.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
I love my 2 daughters more than I can say and can’t believe they are in their early 40’s. It seems like yesterday they were babies. *Sniff* *Sigh*

This year will be our 45th wedding anniversary.

I’m sort of insecure and don’t feel I’m smart enough or creative enough to be blogging with others.

I’d never put my pic out there – too self conscious

If I had the choice between cake or ice cream – it would always be ice cream -peppermintstick if possible. In what universe did the powers that be decide that flavor should only be seasonal? Sheesh!!

I really respect young people with good manners and who show courtesy and kindness to others of all ages.

*Any other info you would like to share.
Cheryl, I’m so flattered that you wanted me to do this but I’m sure that’s probably enough boring stuff for anyone to slog through.

Kaye, thank you so much for accepting my invitation to be my guest today.  As I started saying, and Kaye eluded to, after becoming a follower of her blog and entering her giveaways, we started emailing each other and we “just clicked”.    I feel the same way, I know, if we ever had the chance to meet face to face, we would be doing lunch on a regular basis.  Her and her husband, who she refers to as the TBG (the big guy) have recently gone through some health issues but have dealt with them head on with faith and courage, and thankfully everything is now on the right path.  She, however, did scare me there for a while.  I think we both hit it off since we have so much in common, a few being our sense of humor regarding how computer challenged we are and have had some laughs about that, how our children live out of state, love for ice cream and the picture issue.  She has given me some great advice about blogging and accepting requests.  I think the trait I most admire about her is her honesty, she says it like she sees it. She really does call me “Tootsie” when she emails me and just recently has renamed my husband “Mr. Cheryl”  lol.  Between blogging since 2008, being married for 45 years along with everything else, I truly think I selected a great SHINING STAR!!!!

I would like to explain how this came to fruition. Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young’ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age. When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals. Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait for relatives/friends to drop by. We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert. And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone. And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog. This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people (some I now call friends) through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish. How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through. So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by. And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest.

I was told when I first found this community of book blogging that “book bloggers were the nicest bloggers there are” and I have never forgotten those words. And over the past year, I have truly met the nicest people. I also believe, even though we live behind a screen, a bit of our personality shines through. That is one of the reasons I am having so much fun with this weekly event, and hoping you are too, because we are getting to know those “nicest bloggers” around and about bloggyland a little bit better.

We are back in the states today, since Lori’s (aka Dollycas’s Thoughts) hubby Jeff asked for this week off because he was complaining that we packed too much from our trip last, our luggage was too heavy, and he needed to rest for our trip next week……Men!!!!!

But I have another very special guest that I am sure a lot of you know.  I stumbled upon her blog when I was a newbie and fell in love with her blog and her cute and plump friends.  It was such a professional, adorable, themed blog that I became an instant follower.  And the more I visited, the more I got to know this blogger, but more on that later…..So today’s guest and Sunday’s Shining Star is KAYE from PUDGY PENGUIN PERUSALS

*When and why did you start blogging?
Oct 2008 – not sure exactly why blogging – it just intrigued me that people would talk about books and loved them as much as I did.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
I collect penguins and wanted to somehow incorporate that into my reading blog plus I like alliteration and no one has seen a skinny penguin so pudgy just seemed appropriate. Voila – Pudgy Penguin Perusals!

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
Books with an occasional personal thing thrown in.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
I’m a big cozy and mystery/thriller fan but I do like contemporary fiction also. Some genres I don’t read are erotica, self help (although I probably need a lot of self help), sci-fi, dystopian and most paranormal.

*How often do you post?

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
One of the best things is being able to share some book love with people around the world – that just amazes me. Another wonderful aspect of blogging is the feeling of community and the terrific people I have “met”. I feel like they are real friends. Like you, Tootsie. I just know if we met IRL, we’d be friends.

*What are some of the negatives?
Technical aspects of blogging as I’m sure you know I am so NOT tech savvy. Sometimes I just can’t get things to look right. Not being able to write a decent review. The feeling of reviewing being a chore if I over extend myself which I keep swearing that I will not do this year. Honestly, I’m not. Really, I mean it.

Pudgy Penguin Perusals

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
I love running contests for cozies – I get a kick out of doing that and then probably my penguin pics – I just love the little guys!

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Don’t go crazy making all kinds of commitments because it can come back to bite you. Blogs should be fun and not a chore.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
A novel (pun intended) perspective and a sense of humor. It astounds me how some bloggers can consistently come up with such creative posts or have such a humorous perspective on life. I envy those clever people. Of course, a good cozy contest will get me every time. ;).

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
Not really – it’s their blog and they can do what they want but it does kind of annoy me when someone leaves a comment with a link about their law practice or insurance products or something that has nothing at all to do with books or the discussion in the post.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
I love my 2 daughters more than I can say and can’t believe they are in their early 40’s. It seems like yesterday they were babies. *Sniff* *Sigh*

This year will be our 45th wedding anniversary.

I’m sort of insecure and don’t feel I’m smart enough or creative enough to be blogging with others.

I’d never put my pic out there – too self conscious

If I had the choice between cake or ice cream – it would always be ice cream -peppermintstick if possible. In what universe did the powers that be decide that flavor should only be seasonal? Sheesh!!

I really respect young people with good manners and who show courtesy and kindness to others of all ages.

*Any other info you would like to share.
Cheryl, I’m so flattered that you wanted me to do this but I’m sure that’s probably enough boring stuff for anyone to slog through.

Kaye, thank you so much for accepting my invitation to be my guest today.  As I started saying, and Kaye eluded to, after becoming a follower of her blog and entering her giveaways, we started emailing each other and we “just clicked”.    I feel the same way, I know, if we ever had the chance to meet face to face, we would be doing lunch on a regular basis.  Her and her husband, who she refers to as the TBG (the big guy) have recently gone through some health issues but have dealt with them head on with faith and courage, and thankfully everything is now on the right path.  She, however, did scare me there for a while.  I think we both hit it off since we have so much in common, a few being our sense of humor regarding how computer challenged we are and have had some laughs about that, how our children live out of state, love for ice cream and the picture issue.  She has given me some great advice about blogging and accepting requests.  I think the trait I most admire about her is her honesty, she says it like she sees it. She really does call me “Tootsie” when she emails me and just recently has renamed my husband “Mr. Cheryl”  lol.  Between blogging since 2008, being married for 45 years along with everything else, I truly think I selected a great SHINING STAR!!!!