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.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
I didn’t really give it much thought because it was really just for me in the beginning. It was originally called One Persons Journey Through A World Of Books and boy do I regret that now! WAY TOO LONG! SO last April I dropped it to become Book Journey, yet I see that many bloggers still refer to it as the old name.

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
I mainly do book reviews but I also do book discussions, giveaways, author chats and of course the Morning Meanderings that bring in a lot of readers.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
That’s tough as I am really a prolific reader. I enjoy many genres such as mysteries, literature, non fiction, YA, mysteries, dystopia, fantasy, Christian fiction… (see how hard this is for me…LOL)

*How often do you post?
Pretty much daily.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
Community. I love to chat with other readers!

*What are some of the negatives?
Hmmm…. it is a commitment. That isn’t really a negative – just a fact. Blogging, commenting, improving, updating… all takes time.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
1. Morning meanderings: Morning post s which are pretty much just me unplugged. They can be about funny life happenings, work outs, weekend plans, whatever…. I try to keep them fun.

2. Author Chats: I do “chats” with authors once I have read their books. We discuss the book, their own love of books, how they take their coffee, whats next, etc…

3. The WHERE are you reading map. Every time I review a book I link it to a world map so you can see where I have read this year. I run this as a challenge and encourage others to join me….

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Ask questions! If you see something you like on someones blog ask them how they did it. I asked a ton of questions when I first started and everyone was so kind to help me out. Be careful what you start…. really be sure you will be able to follow through. I started a few memes in the beginning that fizzled fast…. I would advise you to really watch the bloggers you admire and see how they do things. Don’t get too crazy on all the sidebar stuff…. too much, too busy – is a distraction from what you are really trying to do.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
Interesting posts, informative but not overdone. I also like funny. If they kid around and make you feel like they are chatting with you – I will be back. I like keeping it real.

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
The comment or follow exchanges – emailing and asking people to comment or follow their blog and they will do the same for you. This isn’t high school…. (ok, I take that back – for some it may be) but really – make your blog your own…. you will attract like minded readers.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
*Any other info you would like to share.
1. I am an avid bike rider and do long distance bike rides Spring – late fall

2. I live in Central Minnesota

3. I have been to Honduras 9 times and work on teams their with street kids

4. I absolutely love to read and listen to audio

5. One of my all time favorite books is Summerhouse by Jude Deveroux – there are many reasons I would love to be one of the female characters in that book

6. If I could figure out a way to make chocolate healthy I would be a rich woman.

7. With a little luck – I will have written my first book by the end of 2011.

First and foremost I want to thank Sheila for being my guest today and sharing herself with us.  I really enjoyed reading all her answers and learned quite a bit.  On a personal note, Sheila amazes me!!!  I get a visual of a very energetic, kind, caring, personable, genuine, honest, fun and family oriented person.  Not only if she could make chocolate healthy, but if she could bottle her energy, she definitely would be a rich woman.  And with a little luck, and begging lol, she will let us all read and review her 1st novel.  Good Luck in your writing career, Sheila.  I think I can speak for a lot of us bloggers, that we wish you the best of luck with your writing career.  I am now anxious to know more about it, the genre, a little synopsis, etc, etc.  We just might have to have a Sunday’s Shining Star sequel to find out these answers!!!!!  I think you will all agree with me,  Sheila is most definitely a SHINING STAR!!

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY by Stacy Juba

Published by Mainly Murder Press

ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
  Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
  Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
  Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
  Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relateable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn’t? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed, ow was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!

 

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY by Stacy Juba

Published by Mainly Murder Press

ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
  Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
  Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
  Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
  Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relateable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn’t? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed, ow was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!

 

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My Question:

Time you woke up this morning?

My Answer: 

6:30 am

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My Question:

Time you woke up this morning?

My Answer: 

6:30 am

As avid book readers, reviewers, bloggers, we know that there is a big discussion taking place about this new era of technology and publishing.  What do the consumers, authors and publishing houses want?  What does the future hold?  What is the answer?  Is there one? 

I was recently contacted by an author on this very subject asking if I would read and review one of her books and “possibly participating in a new experiment to examine how powerful blogging and book reviews might be in helping a small press book to gain attention”.  Her experiment would be in the time frame of March 3-7, 2011. Both books sounded like my “type of books” but was honest and said I was back logged and knew there I couldn’t promise a review in that that time but invited her to come and visit so that maybe you could and would share your thoughts with her on this subject.  I will be providing all links so that you can contact her and leave your comments.  She is also generously offering the chance for three (3) of my visitors the chance to win an EBook edition of Twenty-Five Years Ago Today.  So please help me welcome Ms. Stacy Juba.

Blog: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Juba/100155471301

Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. Now an editorial assistant and obit writer, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them. She soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.

Visit http://stacyjuba.com/blog/books-2/twenty-five-years-ago-today/ for more about the book, including an excerpt, Reader’s Guide, and book trailer. Stacy’s second mystery novel, Sink or Swim, is newly released. After starring on a hit game show set aboard a Tall Ship, personal trainer Cassidy Novak discovers that she has attracted a stalker. Soon, she will need to call SOS for real…

Both books available in trade paperback and multiple e-book formats.
Amazon links:
**Twenty-Five Years Ago Today: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615290116?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwstacyjubac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615290116
**Sink or Swim: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098279522X?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwstacyjubac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098279522X
**Other buy links: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/store/

I will be posting my review in the coming weeks.