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.”
                                                Monday from The Hachette Book Group

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.”
                                                Monday from The Hachette Book Group

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.

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 is your favorite type of art? Or do you happen to have a favorite painting/artist/sculpture/etc.?
Read more: http://www.theresabook.com/2011/04/a-bit-of-meme-its-school-time/#ixzz1J1yG8Nb1

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 is your favorite type of art? Or do you happen to have a favorite painting/artist/sculpture/etc.?
Read more: http://www.theresabook.com/2011/04/a-bit-of-meme-its-school-time/#ixzz1J1yG8Nb1

BLOOD OF MY BROTHER by James LePore

Published by The Story Plant

ISBN-13: 978-0-9819568-8-6
At the request of The Story Plant, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): “When Jay Cassio’s best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay’s parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder.
  Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico. She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross. She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her. When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I was a bit skeptical when I picked up this book to read for a couple of reasons, one being this was my introduction to this author, never having read any of his work and the fact that this book was part of a “Tristate Triology” and not reading the first book of the series, would I be able to give this author justice, if I wasn’t able to follow the story line out of sequence(I do have his latest one, Sons and Princes, also on my requested review shelf). I was proven wrong after reading the prologue, I was hooked. The plot started when the main character, Jay, and his best friend Dan were children in 1967. A story of true friendship, loyalty, betrayal, “street justice”, corruption, murder, trust, love and much more. The cast of characters is quite long and at times, I would have to go back in the book to try and find them to see what their roles were. The beginning of the book hooked me, the middle of the book was a bit confusing, and the end of the book was action packed and page turning with some surprises. And as far as the triology, this book can be read as a “stand alone” novel. I look forward to reading Sons and Princes.

   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!

MY QUESTION:

What do you think is your best physical feature?

MY ANSWER:

My eyes.

.

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:
“Pick a character from a book you are currently reading or have just finished and tell us about him/her.”

My answer:
I just finished Blood Of My Brother by James LePore.  The main character, Jay, who lost his parents in a plane crash, which affected him in many ways, now has lost his best friend due to murder.  He gives up his law practice and sets out to find those that killed his friend, Dan, and finds something bigger than he imagined.  3/5.