Book Blogger Hop for April 15th to 18th

I am currently reading a book called "A Little Bit of Passion". It is about a young woman named Karen who is truly a carefree spirit. She followed her dream and became a ski instructor. But that is only in the winter. In the summer months, she is part-owner of a wonderful bookstore in Long Island, with her best friend Leslie. What a life, and she knows it. Karen doesn't have many belongings, and tends to live in small, little places, like the attic at the ski lodge and a tiny trailer on Long Island. She would rather be outdoors....so why would she want a huge house? The small space makes her feel secure. Then along comes John and his fourteen year old son Gerry. Karen begins to feel things she hasn't let herself feel in a long time. Her failed marriage has pushed her further into her independent lifestyle. But John is driving her to question what she truly wants out of life. I can't wait to finish this story. I will be posting my full review at the end of the month.

Friday Blog Hop March 4 to 7

It is Friday and this week's question for the Blog Hop at Crazy for Books is:

"Who's your all-time favorite book villain?"

This is a tough question. There are so many books I've read where the villain was superbly evil, superbly mean-hearted, superbly villainous! One of my favourites has to be Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall from Outlander. He was so awful, his actions so appalling that I often was open-mouthed and gasping throughout the text. But the author, being so very talented, manages to make me feel just a smidgen of sympathy for this character later on in the series. So....who do you love to hate?

By the way, make sure you enter my giveaway here for a copy of Diana Gabaldon's great historical novel "Outlander".

Friday Blog Hop Feb.4 to 7

This week's question is "What are you reading now and why are you reading it?"

Right now I am reading Untamed by Pamela Clare. I am reading it for two reasons. One, it fits the criteria for the Highlander Challenge I'm undertaking. And two, it is one hot book with some hot Scottish men! I just finished Pamela's first book in the series, Surrender (you can read my review here) and it blew my socks off! I just had to read the second book and I am loving it! Romance, action, heartache and passion! You have got to read it. So...what are you reading?

Friday Blog Hops Jan. 28th

This week's question comes from Aliyah who blogs at Des Absurdités:

"What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?"

Well, this is a hard one. The one book that I absolutely cannot wait for is the next installment in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. But, alas, I will have to wait another couple of years for that one, since it takes her about three years to write one. However, her latest Lord John book will be coming out this year and that is as close to hunky highlander, Jamie Fraser, as I'm going to get...so I'll take it! How about you? What book are you waiting for this year?

Book Blogger Hop for Jan. 7 to 10

This week's question comes from Ivan who blogs at Ivan Bookworm:

"What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?"

This is a tough one to answer. When I was young, Judy Blume opened up a whole new venue of books at a time in my life when I was young and naive. Now, in my early 40's, I rediscovered my love of reading with the help of Diana Gabaldon and her amazing OUTLANDER series. This book opened up a whole new window upon the world for me. I am now interested in a whole new time and place in history. And once again, I have rekindled my love for reading. So what book has altered your life?

Ring In 2011 Blog Hop

As most people are doing this New Year's Eve, I am thinking of the resolutions I want to make for the new year. I have many, some personal and some professional; some family oriented and some fun oriented. Needless to say, I know that there are many ways that I can become a better person for myself and for those around me. All I can do is try my best to meet my goals and work hard to have a happy and love-filled future. All those stopping by for this blog hop, I wish you a prosperous, safe and happy new year. Happy blogging in 2011.

Book Blogger Hop Nov.26to28

This week's question comes from Sarah who blogs at Writer, Reader, Dreamer:

"What is your favorite book cover?"

Well, I must admit that the covers with hot men on the front usually catch my eye. What can I say, I am a hot-blooded Canadian girl who truly admires the male form! Having said that, it doesn't mean that I will actually read the book. I will pick it up and read the synopsis, which, I know, is exactly what the publisher wants me to do. If you scroll down, you will see that on the right panel of my blog, I even have some pictures flashing of some very hot covers. Enjoy!

By the way, I have a giveaway running for a historical romance called THE PORTRAIT. Click here to read my review and enter the giveaway.

Also, give me some feedback on my writing. Click here to tell me what you think of something I wrote all by myself!

Book Blogger Hop for Nov.12 to 15

This week's question comes from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses:

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

I always have to start with the first title. If a book is recommended to me and it is number 2 or 3 in a series, I will not read it until I have read the previous books. I feel that the first book really sets the tone for the series and gives the reader a lot of background information that will shed more light upon the characters. Even if reviews say the book can stand alone, I still go out and find the series and read them in order. I know...pretty anal! That's me! How about you?

Book Blogger Hop for Oct.22

This week's question comes from Becky who blogs at Becky's Barmy Book Blog:

"Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

My absolute favourite place is lying on my chaise lounge in my bedroom. I bought it just for me...just to escape into my own world with my books. I can lie with my legs outstretched or curl up with a soft blanket. Heaven! How about you? Do you have a favourite place to escape with those wonderful characters?

BY THE WAY, SINCE YOU ARE ALREADY HERE, ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR A NEW HISTORICAL FICTION CALLED THE BLUE BELLS OF SCOTLAND. JUST SCROLL DOWN TO MY NEXT POST AND LEAVE YOUR ADDRESS. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

Friday Blog Hop for Oct.8 to 10

This week's question comes from Suko who blogs at Suko's Notebook.

What's your favorite beverage while reading or blogging, if any? Is it tea, coffee, water, a glass of wine, or something else?

Well, it depends on the season, the weather and my mood! If it is a hot summer day and I am reading outdoors on the patio, I would definately have a pomegranite martini in hand. If it is a cool, autumn day, a glass of wine is preferable. In the evenings, it is almost always a cup of tea, my sony reader (or a real book!) and me in my chaise lounge with a soft blanket. Bliss! How about you....any favourite beverages while reading/blogging?

Friday Blog Hop

This week's question comes from Tina who blogs at Book Couture.

"How do you spread the word about your blog?
(e.g. Social Networking sites, Book Blog Directories, comments on other blogs...)"

I started blogging in April and found a whole, new world. I didn't realize how big the blogging community really is! Of course I would like the whole universe to read and hear what I have to say. But I have found that it is a full time job promoting oneself. I have a full time job and I'm a mother of three active kids. I could be at the computer ALL DAY spreading the word about my blog, but there is a real world out there that I have to partake in (although somedays I just want to hide behind the screen) I have recently joined twitter to help promote my blog, but again, tweeting takes time. Like anything else, I do my best and try to have balance in my life. Blog hops help me to meet and comment on other blogs, and thankfully, I have made some online friends and followers and they come back to read what I have to say. So, happy hopping and I hope you read something on my blog that will bring you back time and again.

Friday Blog Hop

It's Friday and that means hopping from blog to blog, meeting new friends and reading about some fabulous books. This week's question comes from:

Sarah @ SarahReadsTooMuch

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Well, I must admit that when there is a hot man on the cover, it does catch my eye! But I always read the synopsis on the back to see if it is actually a book for me! I guess it is a mixture of both. A great cover will get me to grab it off the shelf and entice me to delve further, but it is the actual words that make me sit with a cup of tea and immerse myself completely. What about you?

This Week's Blog Hop

It's friday and it's time to hop around all of those wonderful book blogs out there! This week's question is :

How many blogs do you follow?

Well, this number is increasing every time I go on the internet! Right now I am following 24 different blogs. But I know that as soon as I finish this post and head over to the link for this hop, I will have added several more to my list! There are so many creative and informative book blogs out there that I could be on this computer 24/7. However, I do have to feed those three kids of mine at some point! Happy following!

The Blog Hop

Hey, have you joined the BLOG HOP? It's a place where book bloggers can support each other and share our love of the written word. This event is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books. If you would like to participate, click on the link and sign up on her blog.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How many books do you have on your "to be read shelf"?

Well, it is getting larger and larger! I am a "one book at a time" kind of gal! If I finish a book and it is part of a series, I go and get the next one right away and read that. But since I've been going to the new public library near my house, I've begun to accumulate anything that is in at the time that I may like. Also, since I started blogging this year, I have discovered many books that I may like through the recommendations of you out there in book blog land!

I think I am going to need a bigger shelf soon!