According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

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.

Last week’s trip to India was fun, wasn’t it?  Except for the two, which will remain nameless, that complained the whole time about the luggage, complained about how long the flight was, on and on and on….MEN!!!!   We learned a lot about our blogging friend Guatami and she was the perfect host.  This week, with the heat affecting all of us, I thought we would stay by or in my pool, having another cook out and a few frozen drinks.  Unfortunately, we have the same wait staff…..again no names mentioned…just ignore them  lol…Men!!!!

Today, we have another special guest, one I’m sure many will know.   However, I am also sure you are going to find out things that may surprise you.  Today’s special guest is YVONNE from SOCRATE’S BOOK REVIEWS

*When and why did you start blogging?
I started in May 2008. I began because I love books and thought this would be a great way to meet others with the same passion for reading that I have.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
Socrates is the name of one of my cats and it sounded intellectual. LOL

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
Book reviews of different genres.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
Romantic suspense, cozy mysteries, romance, suspense and thrillers.

*How often do you post?
I try to do everyday, but that doesn’t always work out. At least 5-6 times a week.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
Meeting new people.

*What are some of the negatives?
Can’t think of any negatives. I have had fun doing this.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
Reviews, author interviews and memes.

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Make the blog yours…design it the way that pleases you and make the posts about things that are on your mind.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
Interesting topics.

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
No, not really. I hate spammers, but they aren’t bloggers…they are just people spamming us.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
I love to read (big surprise)

I not only love cats, but I love all animals.

I’m an aspiring author – I completed 4 romance manuscripts but only have rejections to show for my troubles.

I’m a TV addict

I love to collect dolls and teddy bears.

*Any other info you would like to share.
I have a TBR that’s way too big for me to finish in this lifetime, but I’m having fun blogging. I’ve met some great people out there and hope to meet many more in the future.

Yvonne, thank you for being my guest today and allowing us the chance to get to know you better.  I have been following her blog for quite a while, if my memory serves me correctly, from around the time I first went public.  I will admit, I was a bit hesitant at first, because of the name of her blog.  I honestly thought she might be a PhD or college professor of English History/Literature.  True!!  Until one day when I spent some time checking everything out and could let out a breath of relief  lol.  You can see by her answers, as I say in my introduction, book bloggers are the kindest bloggers there are.  No negatives with Yvonne, just positive thoughts.  Even about her tbr list.  She has accepted that it is too large but continues to add to it because she is having fun.  I was so impressed to see her answer that she is an aspiring author and has 4 romance novels.  My wish for you Yvonne, is to have your dream come true.  I am sure that everyone here today would love to read and review your galleys.  A blogger since 2008, an aspiring author, a kind person, 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.

Last week’s trip to India was fun, wasn’t it?  Except for the two, which will remain nameless, that complained the whole time about the luggage, complained about how long the flight was, on and on and on….MEN!!!!   We learned a lot about our blogging friend Guatami and she was the perfect host.  This week, with the heat affecting all of us, I thought we would stay by or in my pool, having another cook out and a few frozen drinks.  Unfortunately, we have the same wait staff…..again no names mentioned…just ignore them  lol…Men!!!!

Today, we have another special guest, one I’m sure many will know.   However, I am also sure you are going to find out things that may surprise you.  Today’s special guest is YVONNE from SOCRATE’S BOOK REVIEWS

*When and why did you start blogging?
I started in May 2008. I began because I love books and thought this would be a great way to meet others with the same passion for reading that I have.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
Socrates is the name of one of my cats and it sounded intellectual. LOL

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
Book reviews of different genres.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
Romantic suspense, cozy mysteries, romance, suspense and thrillers.

*How often do you post?
I try to do everyday, but that doesn’t always work out. At least 5-6 times a week.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
Meeting new people.

*What are some of the negatives?
Can’t think of any negatives. I have had fun doing this.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
Reviews, author interviews and memes.

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Make the blog yours…design it the way that pleases you and make the posts about things that are on your mind.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
Interesting topics.

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
No, not really. I hate spammers, but they aren’t bloggers…they are just people spamming us.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
I love to read (big surprise)

I not only love cats, but I love all animals.

I’m an aspiring author – I completed 4 romance manuscripts but only have rejections to show for my troubles.

I’m a TV addict

I love to collect dolls and teddy bears.

*Any other info you would like to share.
I have a TBR that’s way too big for me to finish in this lifetime, but I’m having fun blogging. I’ve met some great people out there and hope to meet many more in the future.

Yvonne, thank you for being my guest today and allowing us the chance to get to know you better.  I have been following her blog for quite a while, if my memory serves me correctly, from around the time I first went public.  I will admit, I was a bit hesitant at first, because of the name of her blog.  I honestly thought she might be a PhD or college professor of English History/Literature.  True!!  Until one day when I spent some time checking everything out and could let out a breath of relief  lol.  You can see by her answers, as I say in my introduction, book bloggers are the kindest bloggers there are.  No negatives with Yvonne, just positive thoughts.  Even about her tbr list.  She has accepted that it is too large but continues to add to it because she is having fun.  I was so impressed to see her answer that she is an aspiring author and has 4 romance novels.  My wish for you Yvonne, is to have your dream come true.  I am sure that everyone here today would love to read and review your galleys.  A blogger since 2008, an aspiring author, a kind person, a SHINING STAR!!.

Tour Hosts Needed for September/October Tour.  Interested?  Details Below

When No One Is Watching by Joseph Hayes

Synopsis (back of book): On the eve of announcing his run for Congress, a charismatic Chicago politician causes a deadly accident. Panicked, he frames his best friend, a good-hearted alcoholic, and flees the scene. As one man tries to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, the other embarks on a meteoric rise to political stardom. But when a dogged detective digs deeper into the case, the political superstar must decide just how far he is willing to go to keep his dark secret. Author Joseph combines page-turning suspense with a poignant tale of inspiration and redemption as he asks, is “the greater good” just a lie we tell ourselves to justify the sins we commit when no one is watching?

From Danielle’s blog:
We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.
This week’s question:   What’s your favorite weekend activity?

In the summer, it definitely would revolved around our pool.  If it’s just hubby and I, then it would be a relaxing day, with me reading both by and in the pool and throwing something on the grill to eat.  If family and/or friends stop by, no reading, just enjoying their company, laughing, some frozen drinks and cooking on the grill.

Please send email with following info:
*Name
*Mailing Address
*Blog Name
*Blog URL
*Email
*Facebook Name
*Twitter Name
*Comments
ex: likes, dislikes (cozies fantasy, erotica) EReader, Info of past tours, Any other info

Tour Hosts Needed for September/October Tour.  Interested?  Details Below

When No One Is Watching by Joseph Hayes

Synopsis (back of book): On the eve of announcing his run for Congress, a charismatic Chicago politician causes a deadly accident. Panicked, he frames his best friend, a good-hearted alcoholic, and flees the scene. As one man tries to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, the other embarks on a meteoric rise to political stardom. But when a dogged detective digs deeper into the case, the political superstar must decide just how far he is willing to go to keep his dark secret. Author Joseph combines page-turning suspense with a poignant tale of inspiration and redemption as he asks, is “the greater good” just a lie we tell ourselves to justify the sins we commit when no one is watching?

From Danielle’s blog:
We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.
This week’s question:   What’s your favorite weekend activity?

In the summer, it definitely would revolved around our pool.  If it’s just hubby and I, then it would be a relaxing day, with me reading both by and in the pool and throwing something on the grill to eat.  If family and/or friends stop by, no reading, just enjoying their company, laughing, some frozen drinks and cooking on the grill.

Please send email with following info:
*Name
*Mailing Address
*Blog Name
*Blog URL
*Email
*Facebook Name
*Twitter Name
*Comments
ex: likes, dislikes (cozies fantasy, erotica) EReader, Info of past tours, Any other info

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:

Do you shop online? 

What are the 1-3 sites you shop at most?

MY ANSWER:

Peapod(Stop&Shop), Yankee Candle, Amazon

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

This week’s question:
What’s the ONE GENRE that you wish you could get into, but just can’t?

My answer:
I actually have 2.  One being the classics.  The other being the hot new rage of paranormals.  With the classics, I think it’s because when I was in HS it was mandatory to read and I just couldn’t identify with the characters or feel comfortable with the dialect.  And as far as the PN, there is no relatability at all.  Vampires?  No…not for me.

Please send email with following info:
*Name
*Blog Name
*Blog URL
*Email
*Facebook Name
*Twitter Name
*Comments
ex: likes, dislikes (cozies fantasy, erotica) EReader, Info of past tours, Any other info