Top Ten Tuesday: Is the next book out yet?

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by the lovely folks at The Broke and the Bookish. They created it because they're "particularly fond of lists" and since I also enjoy lists, I've decided to participate in this fun feature.

This week we're all listing the sequels that we just can't wait to get our hands on. As much as I love a series, sometimes waiting for the next book drives me crazy! I like being so involved in a world and a set of characters but that wait between books? Ahhhh! My list is, no surprise, fairly light on the YA and that is where a lot of the series are these days. I went through my Goodreads read list to see which books I've read lately that are going to have a sequel and that's where my list came from! I consulted Goodreads for the release dates and links will lead to my review of a previous book. What sequels are you looking forward to?

Don't forget to check out their blog for a full list of everyone participating this week!

Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Release date: October 22, 2013
I know, I know. I STILL HAVEN'T READ IT. Because of my unemployed state, I couldn't justify buying a copy so I'm waiting for my library to process the copies they ordered. Luckily I'm second on the list because I checked the library site almost every day to see if it was available to request.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. Release date: May 13, 2014
I got hooked on this series a little while ago. I had thought I timed it well and read the first two books a month or two before book three was to be released. Stephanie then wrote a post on her site and explained that, due to personal reasons, the publication date had to be pushed back. I appreciate her being honest but I want the next book!

Marriage to Measure by Talli Roland. Release date: 2014
I really liked the first two Serenity Holland books and have been waiting impatiently for the third. I can forgive Talli for taking so long because she's had other books to publish and she had a baby, too! Busy lady :)

Right Click by Lisa Becker. Release date: TBD
I only sort of liked Click but I really liked Double Click so I can't wait for the final book in this series!

Elly in Love by Colleen Oakes. Release date: TBD
Colleen's book snuck up on me and I ended up really enjoying Elly in Bloom so I can't wait for the next one!

Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich. Release date: November 19, 2013
I've been reading the Stephanie Plum series for over a decade and even though they're pretty cookiecutter, I still enjoy them. I'm wondering if this might be the last one. The first book was published in 1994 and I think twenty books is definitely enough for a series.

The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. Release date: February 25, 2014
Since I liked Evanovich's other works, I thought I'd check out the new series she wrote with Lee Goldberg. I thoroughly enjoyed The Heist and look forward to the next book in the O'Hare and Fox series.

Untitled Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowling. Release date: 2014
I jumped on the bandwagon after I found out The Cuckoo's Calling was written by J.K. Rowling and I'm so glad I did. It was amazing and I'm so happy they appear to be continuing the series.

Note: I was so surprised that three mystery titles made it on this list!

Secret Revealed by L. Marie Adeline aka Lisa Gabriele. Release date: Spring 2014
Adeline keeps leaving her books on a cliffhanger so I was thrilled when I heard that there will be a third book in the S.E.C.R.E.T. series. I liked the second book more than the first so I hope that trend continues!

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness. Release date: July 15, 2014
The last book, Shadow of Night, was published in July 2012. I am SO ready for the next book but I'm sad it'll be the last one.

Favourites with Samantha Stroh Bailey

I started this "favourites" feature because I wanted a way for readers to get to know the authors attending BookBuzz Toronto, an event I'm helping with. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about these amazing women and I hope you can attend the event! Learn more about BookBuzz Toronto here.

Today is the last favourites interview! I'm ending with my other co-organizer of the event, the fabulous Samantha Stroh Bailey. I loved her novel Finding Lucas and was so excited to meet her when we started planning this event. When I finally did get to meet her we laughed at how extreme our height difference is (I tower over her!) but the height doesn't matter when you're sitting down, drinking cocktails, and chatting about books! I'm so excited to see her again this week for the event! It's just a couple days away now...will you be there?

About Samantha...

Co-founder of BookBuzz, Samantha Stroh Bailey has been a writer ever since she could pick up a pen. In fact, she even sent her first manuscript, Freddy the Flame, to publishers when she was ten years old. Sadly, it was rejected, but a lifelong passion to write was born.

A published author and journalist, she is also a professional writer/editor and owns Perfect Pen Communications. Her work has appeared in Now Magazine, The Village Post, Oxford University Press, Abilities Magazine, Kobo Writing Life and many other publications, and she was one of Kobo Writing Life’s writers-in-residence at BEA 2013. Samantha also has a Master of Education in Applied Linguistics that looks great on her wall. Okay, in a box in her basement. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children. Finding Lucas is her first novel.

Favourites...

Movie - One of my all-time favorite movies (and books) is The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Raw, powerful, smart and incredibly intense, the film has an unbelievable cast with Daniel Day Lewis, Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin and some of the most memorable scenes ever shot.

Chick flick - Ooh, this is a hard one. I’m going to have to say Love, Actually. That scene with the little boy on the drums makes me bawl every time I see it. (Blogger Note: I love this movie! That actor is just the sweetest thing.)

Alcoholic beverage - Gin and tonic, with lemon. Never lime.

Warm beverage - Coffee, always and forever.

Junk food - Chips. Ooh, especially ketchup.

TV show - This is a toss up between Friends and Sex and the City. I could watch reruns of both shows for hours, days actually, and they both have the best and most unforgettable ensemble casts.

Author - I cannot possibly name my favorite author because there are so many I admire. But, Jennifer Weiner is my idol, and I would read a grocery list if she wrote it.

Actress - I have recently developed a serious affection for Rebel Wilson. I first saw her in Bridesmaids, and I’ve been watching Super Fun Night. I think she is clever, hilarious and very relatable.

Band - I know that this is going to convey a very different impression of me, but three of my favorite bands are Nine Inch Nails, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sublime. I like loud and dirty sometimes. 

Pet - Oh, I miss the dogs I’ve had. I definitely want to get another one and will when my kids are old enough to help me clean up after them. They say seven; I say twelve.

Board game - Scrabble!

Connect with Samantha...
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Favourites with Meredith Schorr

I started this "favourites" feature because I wanted a way for readers to get to know the authors attending BookBuzz Toronto, an event I'm helping with. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about these amazing women and I hope you can attend the event! Learn more about BookBuzz Toronto here.

Author Meredith Schorr will probably win the honour of being the author of my favourite book of 2013. I freaking loved Blogger Girl - so much so that I plan on buying my very own paperback copy at the event so I can get it signed and keep it forever. Meredith is another of the co-founders of BookBuzz and will be traveling to our event from New York City. I can't wait to meet her!

About Meredith...

A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to, and was famous among her friends for writing witty birthday cards. After trying her hand writing children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing “real” chick lit for real women.  When she is not hard at work on her current work in progress, Meredith spends her days as a trademark paralegal.  She is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner.  Meredith is the author of three published novels, Just Friends with Benefits, A State of Jane and Blogger Girl and is a co-founder of Book Buzz. 

Favourites...

Chick flick – When Harry Met Sally – I will never get tired of watching it. Following closely behind are Bridget Jones’s Diary and 13 Going on 30.

Alcoholic beverage – I go through phases but currently my favorite is Prosecco.

Warm beverage – I couldn’t survive without coffee but for taste alone, I would go with chai latte.

Junk food – Does cheese count? I could possibly live on cheese and crackers. I’m not much of a traditional junk food addict. 

TV show – Way too difficult to choose just one as I am a television whore big-time! My current favorites include The Following, Revenge, Criminal Minds, Castle, Parenthood and The Mindy Project, but former favorites include Felicity, Sex and the City, Beverly Hills 90210, Fringe and, of course, The Brady Bunch J.

Store – Barnes & Noble. I am a book geek and would rather browse through books than racks of clothing.

Travel destination – Key West, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and San Francisco, California are my favorite U.S. destinations as I’ve only been to Europe twice and didn’t fall in love with either country. I would love to go to Italy. Hoping Toronto makes the list soon!

Ice cream flavour – oreo mint chocolate chip

Sports team/athlete/sport – New York Yankees/Mariano Rivera/baseball – kind of a sad time for me since a) the Yankees sucked this year b) Mo retired and c) the Red Sox are in the World Series L (Blogger Note: a) Boo Yankees! ;) b) that is sad…he is amazing and c) down with the Red Sox!)

Author – Although I think so many authors are fantastic, in order to call one a “favorite”, I would have to have read at least three or four books which leaves out authors who have only published one or two books so far. I’m going to go with Sophie Kinsella since she’s my chick lit “crush” and I loved each and every one of her books with the exception of Wedding Night which I thought was a bit too silly even for her.

Band – Maroon 5, The Rolling Stones, U2, The Beatles, The Eagles, Fleetmac Mac – I’m old school!

Animal – Dog – my favorite is the Golden Retriever. My sister’s dog, Gypsy, passed away this year and she was a Golden Retriever. Our family misses her terribly.

Book boyfriend – I read about two books a week and while I have fallen in love with many book heroes, I am quite fickle and move on quickly. My current book boyfriend is Nicholas Strong from my own Blogger Girl.

Board game – I used to love to play the board game Life when I was younger. It’s crazy that the highest paid profession in the game was “doctor” and the salary was only $25,000. Times sure have changed. 

Connect with Meredith...

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Review: Playing Dirty

About a month or so ago I found out about the Stargazer series by Jennifer Echols. I was intrigued by the main characters, PR professionals, and the fact that the series was written by Echols, an author whose books I've enjoyed in the past. I found the first book, Star Crossed, at my library (my review of it will be part of an upcoming mini review post) and requested the second, Playing Dirty, from NetGalley. I loved the first one and was so happy when I was approved for the second. Book two didn't thrill me quite as much as the first book but I still really enjoyed reading it.

Here's the synopsis:

A public relations expert tries to prevent the breakup of a raucous country band and corral their wild—and very sexy—lead singer in book 2 of the Stargazer Series.
As an expert in public relations crisis management—that is, babysitter to the stars—Sarah Seville just spent nine months in Rio trying to keep rock singer Nine Lives out of jail long enough to record his new album…and barely succeeded. Now she needs a triumphant success so she can keep the Manhattan-based job she loves. Trouble is, her new assignment is to travel to Alabama to prevent the breakup of the raucous country band The Cheatin’ Hearts, headed by sexy Quentin Cox. As she edges closer to Quentin, she discovers layers of secrets. It seems Quentin is taking the spin doctor for a spin.
The Cheatin’ Hearts have stayed on top of the charts two years following three rules. Rule One, no drugs. Rule Two, no sex with other band members. Rule Three, no sex with record company spies. Quentin figures he’d better follow the rules, because he made them. And because if you break a rule, you’re out of the band. But he can’t resist the record company’s beautiful PR agent, and inevitably he breaks Rule Three with hot Sarah Seville. As he falls for her, he finds out that she has plenty of secrets of her own, and one of them comes knocking on her door: what really happened to her in Rio.

I think my main issue with this book was that it followed basically the exact same format as the first book. I don't mind when books are similar but when you have the same issues and same climaxes (not those kinds...though these books are steamy!), I get bored - especially when I read the books so close together as I did with these two (within about five days). In both books the main characters end up falling for a guy they probably shouldn't fall for, basically because of professional reasons. In the case of this book, Sarah shouldn't get together with Quentin because he's a client. Both main characters had a serious and scary past. For Sarah, that past concerned her most recent client, Nine Lives, a drug using musician who ended up in jail. Because of this, Sarah's on thin ice with her job. Wendy, the character in the first book, was also in trouble with her bosses. See all the similarities? If I had read this book first I probably would have liked it more. My liking this one less was just because it came second. I just wish Echols had had more differences. If there's a third book and the character ends up having a life threatening scene, I'll probably throw a fit!

My one other issue had to do with Sarah herself. She's an awesome main character...but...she's so different than what I expected from the first book. In Star Crossed she was the tom boy, marathon running, friendly PR pro who is married to a guy Wendy hates and thinks isn't good enough for her. In Playing Dirty, she's made over herself and she's got a ball busting personality that was way too similar to Wendy's. She's also conveniently divorced now. There was no reason for her to be married and divorced because it barely had anything to do with either story. I think there could have been enough drama with the ex-husband, if done well, instead of adding all the stuff with Nine Lives. I did like that Echols had Sarah talk about how she was conflicted with her two personalities (in the non-crazy personalities way). It sort of eased my mind about the major differences I had seen but I guess I just don't understand why Sarah went through such a transformation and why we couldn't have seen the Sarah we got in the first book.

Yeesh. I'm a negative one, aren't I? There were things I liked about this book, I promise! I loved that the band Sarah was helping with was a country band (think Lady Antebellum but with an extra band member). It's so different than the pop or rap acts that you see so much in books and movies. (But maybe I just haven't been watching or reading the right stuff!) The band's issues also provided a lot of drama and intrigue. They kept me on my toes and I was never sure what to expect with them.

The PR aspect was also fun to read about in this book, too. It probably doesn't appeal to everyone but this is a career I had thought about when I was in university (and, honestly, I still think about it now that I'm searching for work again) but had decided against since I don't think I have the personality for it. I definitely wouldn't be able to work for huge celebrities like the employees of Stargazer do! I do think that there needed to be a bit more actual work in this story because we didn't get a great sense of how Sarah is as a professional.

Overall, I liked Playing Dirty. If I had read it on its own I actually may not have liked it as much as I did. I think it helped that I had really enjoyed the first book in the series so much. I wish author Jennifer Echols had written this one differently because the issues were way too similar to book one. If you're looking for a quick weekend read that's romantic and dramatic, the Stargazer series is the way to go.

Happy reading :)

*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Favourites with Samantha March

I started this "favourites" feature because I wanted a way for readers to get to know the authors attending BookBuzz Toronto, an event I'm helping with. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about these amazing women and I hope you can attend the event! Learn more about BookBuzz Toronto here.

As much as I can't wait to meet all the authors at BookBuzz Toronto, I have to admit I'm most excited to meet Samantha March. I honestly never thought I'd get the chance to meet her since we live so far apart (she in Iowa, me in Ontario) which was such a bummer because we've become so close over the past few years through our blogs and her novels. Samantha runs the popular blog Chick Lit Plus, her own publishing company Marching Ink, and is the author of two novels, Destined to Fail and The Green Ticket, with a third one on the way. Talk about being busy! I'm glad she's squeezing us into her schedule and making her way to Canada!

About Samantha...

Samantha March is an author, editor, publisher, blogger, and all around book lover. She runs the popular book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus, which keeps her bookshelf stocked with the latest reads and up to date on all things health, fitness, fashion, and celebrity related. In 2011 she launched her independent publishing company Marching Ink and her debut novel Destined to Fail. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you can find her cheering for the Green Bay Packers.

Favourites...

Movie - Clueless or Legally Blonde 

Alcoholic beverage - Flavored vodka, particularly cherry or grape with lemonade 

Warm beverage - Hot chocolate – with marshmallows! 

Junk food - Chips...my weakness 

Dessert - Ice cream! (Blogger Note: I'm in! I'm a sucker for ice cream, too.)

Store - Victoria's Secret

Travel destination - I would love to visit Italy someday

Ice cream flavour - Yikes! I love cake batter...with oreos!

Sports team - Green Bay Packers!

Pet - A puppy!

Connect with Samantha...

Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

Taking It Off the Shelf: Comfort Food

For this month's Taking It Off...the Shelf, I chose Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs. I read her The Friday Night Knitting Club series ages ago and thought they were great. I think I came to own a copy of this book because I was working at the bookstore and it was a bargain book. 30% off $6 or $7? Sign me up! I don't really know why it had been sitting on my shelf for so long but I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. I really liked it!

This is the paperback cover. I actually own
the hardcover but this one's so much prettier!

Here's the synopsis:

Shortly before turning 50, TV cooking show personality Augusta "Gus" Simpson discovers that the network wants to boost her ratings by teaming her with a beautiful, young new co-host. But Gus isn't going without a fight-whether it's off-set with her two demanding daughters, on-camera with the ambitious new diva herself, or after-hours with Oliver, the new culinary producer who's raising Gus's temperature beyond the comfort zone. Now, in pursuit of higher ratings and culinary delights, Gus might be able to rejuvenate more than just her career.

Normally I don't love books that feature older women and/or moms. This is purely a personality and lifestyle thing. I am young (mid-twenties) and without kids (thank goodness). I also tend not to like it when there are multiple characters that require multiple backstories. This is because I either get confused with all the characters or frustrated because characters aren't getting the time I think they need. Comfort Food had all of these things but Jacobs made it work. I think the multiple characters was fine for me because Gus is still the heart of this novel. Everyone else, as her daughter Sabrina once put it, is in her orbit. I like that Jacobs gave just the right amount of background on each of the secondary characters to let the reader know where they've come from and why they are the way they are without being overwhelming or boring. Each character brought a different flavour (pun intended) to the story and I loved that.

I really liked the cooking show aspect of the story. I'm a sucker for the Food Network (and am sad I don't currently have the channel) so a behind the scenes type story was so much fun. It kind of made me think about what goes into the cooking shows I watch and why I watch the ones I do. Would I have watched Gus' original, taped show? Likely not, but I do love Bake with Anna Olson. Would I have watched the new, live show? Definitely more likely. Not necessarily because it was live but because it just had an entertainment factor that I look for when I watch TV. What kind of Food Network/cooking shows do you like?

Gus made for an great and interesting main character. She seemed perfect but she was as flawed as the rest of us. No one can be perfect so no one wants to read about a perfection. Struggling with turning fifty is, I imagine, an issue that many women face. Gus wonders how she can be so old when she still feels so young (which I think we all feel like at some points in our lives, right?) and is trying to come to terms with her view on herself and how she views her daughters. They're in their mid/late twenties and they aren't her babies anymore. Side note: I loved the daughters, surprise surprise. They added the youth perspective that made this novel so well rounded.

I'm really glad I finally gave Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs a chance. I shouldn't have been surprised that I liked it so much! Since we're inching closer to Christmas, I think this book should be your go to for any of the older women in your life (mom, grandma, aunt, mother in law, etc.). I think they'll love it!

Next month...I think I might pick a newer book because I have a lot of books that I've collected over the past year that I really want to read. I'm thinking either The Meryl Streep Movie Club or All the Summer Girls. 

Favourites with Romi Moondi

I started this "favourites" feature because I wanted a way for readers to get to know the authors attending BookBuzz Toronto, an event I'm helping with. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about these amazing women and I hope you can attend the event! Learn more about BookBuzz Toronto here.

Romi Moondi is one of the funniest authors I've read. Her novels are always hilarious and the story is so good. Her series includes Year of the Chick (free!), Last-Minute Love, and, the latest, Never or Forever. I still haven't read her newest one but I can't wait to see what it's all about.

About Romi...

Romi Moondi is a Canadian author who converted her 2008 blog “Year of the Chick” into novel form, and published it in 2011. Since then she’s added two more books to the “Year of the Chick” series, the most recent of which is “Never or Forever.” The latest book takes place in Paris, which is where Romi lived for six months this past year, after trading in her corporate job for an inspiration-seeking mission.

The books can be described as edgy romantic comedies, where happy endings are not a guarantee, but where real and embarrassing moments are in good supply. 

Romi also writes screenplays in her spare time, and her screenplay “Best Before” made it to the semi-finals or better in eight international screenplay competitions in 2011.

She’d like to see her books adapted into films one day, with the crown jewel of Canada a.k.a. Ryan Gosling as one of the male leads. Naturally.

Favourites...

Movie - It’s so hard to pick one, so here’s a few I love: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 500 Days of Summer, and Before Sunset

Chick flick - Again, it’s hard to narrow it down so I’ll say: Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary, You’ve Got Mail and Serendipity (Blogger Note: I love all these too. Romi, can we have a movie date?)

Alcoholic beverage - After living in Paris...it’s gotta be champagne!

Warm beverage - hot chocolate, particularly viennois hot chocolate in Paris

Junk food - Doritos

TV show - there’s no way I can narrow this down, so: Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, 30 Rock, and Parks and Recreation

Travel destination - from what I’ve seen so far, Switzerland, and also New York, forever New York!

Ice cream flavour - Rocky Road

Sports team -Toronto Maple Leafs, of course!

Actor - Ryan Gosling, and Leonardo Dicaprio

Book boyfriend - Mark Darcy all the way!

Connect with Romi...
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads