Month: May 2012

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (Book Review)

Posted May 21, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 6 Comments

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (Book Review)Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Series: The Syrena Legacy #1
Also in this series: Of Triton, Of Neptune
Published by Feiwel and Friends on May 22, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance
Pages: 324
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Mail)
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Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Before I get into my review, can I gush a little about something? I am SO excited about this book, and not just because I loved it. I had been wanting this book SO bad! I knew it was coming out while I was in Europe, and I would probably not get it while I was gone. But… I was really not wanting to wait a day longer than I had to, because mermaids and mythology are my THING. So I figured, “Hey! What the heck? I’ll try to write and request this from the publisher!” This was my first attempt at requesting a book, so I was kind of nervous. I found the contact info and wrote out a nice little e-mail, not expecting anything to come of it since my blog is still a little young. About a month later, a package arrived at my door, and I opened it without really thinking about it. And GUESS WHAT? It was OF POSEIDON!!! And seriously, I hugged it for about an hour, stroking and staring at the cover. My first attempt at requesting a book from a publisher had worked, and it was for a book I was DYING to read! I swear, it has been a very long time since I was that excited about anything. And let me tell you. I was totally justified in my drastic efforts to get this book early, because it is AMAZING. Make sure you clear your calendars, set aside some uninterrupted time, and prepare to be transported to another world! As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. This book is funny! Right at the beginning, Emma meets Galen by slamming face first into his bare chest at the beach in Florida. She was completely mortified. Her inner dialogue is hilarious. I was trying really hard not to laugh, because I didn’t want anyone to hear me in the middle of the night. And the things she says out loud are funny too! “Ohmysweetgoodness.” is a common outburst, along with “Fan-flipping-tastic”. I could just hear them as I read them, and I’ll admit I kind of giggled every time. There are serious moments as well, but I was not expecting the humor at all. It was a pleasant surprise.

2. I really liked all the characters. Emma is quirky, funny, a little eccentric, dramatic, a bit of an accident waiting to happen, and extremely skeptical. Her mom is ultra-protective, so much so that it becomes completely unbelievable, but funny at the same time. She means well, though. Galen is tall, dark, and handsome, and he is so sweet with Emma. Utterly swoon-worthy. I liked that he was not overprotective (although he’s the jealous type, which I LOVE), but still showed how much he cared for her. His serious nature was a nice compliment to Emma’s huge personality. I totally fell for him. Galen’s “mom”, Rachel is a human who is really Galen’s assistant. She makes sure he knows everything he needs to know about humans, manages his money, and takes care of his on-land necessities. She’s pretty funny as well. Then we have Galen’s sister, Rayna, who has been “mated” (married) to Toraf without her consent. She’s this rude, bitter, spunky grump who has a soft side if you’re willing to take the time to find it. Her husband (whom she despises), Toraf is the concerned big brother type that pretty much everyone wishes they had in their own family. He’s so funny, and I felt bad for him because of the way Rayna treated him. Heck, I’ll take him if she’s going to be such a brat about it! The entire cast (including unmentioned supporting characters) are all very likeable, and different enough from one another that you don’t forget who’s who.

3. I really loved the dual perspectives, with each chapter switching back and forth between Emma and Galen. I have a thing for male protagonists, so I loved jumping into Galen’s head as well.

4. Anna’s take on mermaid and Greek mythology was very refreshing. In this book, Poseidon is presented as a ruling Syrena (merman), rather than a Greek God. The Syrena have violet eyes, and can switch between having a fin and having legs. They can sense the electric pulse of one another in the water, which causes a lot of “duh dun” moments like in the movie Jaws, with some unknown Syrena swimming up and grabbing another one. The Syrena can also blend into the water, and become invisible. I thought it was pretty awesome. Oh, and Emma can talk to and control sea life. Can I do that?

5. There were some really intense moments! I was totally captivated and drawn in to them. I love a little suspense, and since this deals with the ocean, a scary place in my mind, I found myself biting my nails and burrowing deeper into my bed while I read.

6. The underwater scenes are gorgeous! This is why I love mermaid books. The author can turn the ocean into anything they want, and describe it any way they want. Pure imagination at its finest.

7. Ahhhh! The ending! I’m dying! Major cliffhanger, people, and my jaw completely dropped! But I LOVED IT! Is there a sequel? There has to be! 

I would definitely recommend this to lovers of a new take on Greek mythology, mermaids, swoon-worthy male leads, a book that keeps you guessing, and some on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments. LOVED this book!

The Summer My Life Began (Book Review & Author Guest Post)

Posted May 16, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Guest Post, Young Adult Fiction / 2 Comments

The Summer My Life Began (Book Review & Author Guest Post)The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
Published by Speak on May 10, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 250
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Elizabeth Margaret--better known as Em--has always known what her life would contain: an internship at her father's firm, a degree from Harvard, and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is, it's not what she wants. So when she gets the opportunity to get away and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em learns that her family has some pretty significant secrets. And then there's Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn't. Naturally, she can't resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels that for the first time ever, she is really living life on her own terms.

I am on a major contemporary romance kick these days, not to mention book that take place in amazing locations (which is why I asked the author to talk about it in her guest post below my review!). I am SO ready for summer, and traveling, and sitting outside reading in the sun. I’m tired of being cold! This book warmed me inside and out, and had me smiling like an idiot while I read it. As always, my main points are bolded! :)

1. Let me live in this novel. Seriously. Most of it takes place in and around an adorable, picturesque B&B in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. I loved it. Pepper House has a very tropical feel with lots of flowers and warm breezes blowing through the open shutters to ruffle the bed canopies. Sandy beaches, mysterious caves to explore, a quaint little town where everyone knows who you are and what you’re up to, mopeds, waves crashing against craggy cliffs, expensive yachts tied to the dock, and yummy aromas flowing throughout it all, of food and the ocean and the flowers and the soap Mr. Sexy used after his day of surfing. Can I please go!?!

2. The writing is my favorite. I loved the descriptions of everything. Shannon’s writing drapes you in a flowy gauze dress and sits you on a beach towel in the sand, rocking big sunglasses and a smile. If only I could live in this world!

3. I fell in love with the characters. Elizabeth Margaret (or Em) is so much fun. She’s feeling stifled by her parents and her rich life. She has to wear polos and plaid shirts, always act ladylike, and never do anything fun. Does she want to go to Harvard to be a lawyer? No. She secretly wants to be a chef, but she could never tell her parents that. Cooking is not the kind of life Em is to have. Em jumps at the chance to go stay with her aunt Tilly, who I love. I want a cool aunt like her! She’s so sweet, caring, loving, funny and cool to be around. She owns the B&B Em heads off to, which is like a dream of mine. Tilly’s cook, Domino, is the coolest fatherly guy ever. He takes Em under his wing and gives her advice on life, as well as cooking. Frederick, Tilly’s son, is the kind of guy you can confide in without feeling like you need to hide anything. Beth, the “domestic engineer” (maid) is like the big sister you’ve always wanted. And, of course, we have Cade. Ahh… Cade *swoons*. He’s a sexy, slightly broken jack-of-all-trades with a smart, sensitive side and great abs. Oh man. Totally love this guy.

4. The family environment at the B&B is amazing. Everyone loves each other, even though they all carry scars from difficult pasts. Their trials brought them together, though, into this tight make-shift family. I loved reading all their conversations, their silly jabs at each other, their “family” outings, and their past lives. I’d love to insert them into my own family. I can just picture holiday dinners laughing around the table with them. I also like Em’s sister, Gwenny, who stayed back home while Em went off for the summer. You can tell how much she loves her sister. Em’s lucky to have her for support.

5. The story flows naturally from one thing to the other. As we learn more about each person, we figure out exactly how they fit into each other’s lives. I love Em’s character development. She grows so much over her month at Pepper House, and learns about who she is and what she wants with her life. It truly is the summer of a new beginning for her, as well as many of the other characters. The romance is totally believable, and happens naturally. I loved the tension between Cade and Em. And oh my. Their first date is straight out of a fairytale.

6. This book kept me guessing! I had no idea all the cool twists and turns it would take, but I loved every minute of the ride.

7. I love the message of this book. Stepping away from your current life allows you to evaluate and see where you’re headed. It gives you a chance to stop focusing on the mundane events of life and focus only on yourself. Em had a lot of time to think and ponder. She got to taste a new side of her life. She got to cook and play and learn and fall in love. This book teaches us that we can always change. Nothing is ever set in stone. It also reminds us to have fun, which I know I need to be reminded of sometimes.

I can’t stop thinking about how perfect this book was! It was like a much needed vacation. I placed myself right in the middle of it, grabbed the bedroom next to Em’s, and made myself a home in this book. I never liked coming of age novels, but I’m starting to discover the messages you can learn from them. I’d definitely recommend this to people who love contemporary stories, coming of age moments, sweet romance, and trips to gorgeous tropical islands.

 

What Inspired Me to Write The Summer My Life Began
By Shannon Greenland

It’s funny the things that inspire you. When I was a kid growing up in Tennessee it seemed as if the beach was such a faraway place. Even though my family is from Florida and our vacations often centered on trips south, I thought of the beach as sort of a take it or leave it type of place.

Now that I’m older, I can’t think of any place I’d rather be. So when my publisher approached me to step away from my spy series, The Specialists, and write a YA single title, I thought, definitely the beach!

Rather it be the sands of Hawaii, the beaches of Bermuda, the waters of the Bahamas, the shores of South America, or the Florida coasts, my life seems to navigate toward the warmth and yumminess the ocean offers.

In The Summer My Life Began much of what Em experiences are taken straight from my first time surfing, riding a moped along the coast, visiting a Farmer’s Market in the ocean breeze, sailing, and kissing a boy with the waves crashing around me.

The ocean is a romantic, adventurous, dangerous place that Mother Nature has given us to enjoy. And I intend on making use of it! So what’s on the docket for me this summer? I’m trying my hand at paddle boarding on my next Florida visit. I can’t wait!

Find Shannon Here:
Website  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

Top Ten Authors I’d Like to See on a Reality TV Show

Posted May 15, 2012 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 4 Comments

 

Reality TV is one of my guilty pleasures. I love it, and watch way too much of it. This topic sounded like SO much fun, so I just had to participate even though I’m currently in Europe and ended up scheduling this one weeks in advance!  If you leave me a comment, I promise I will go to your blogs when I get home and comment on yours! I can’t wait to see where you guys put your favorite authors!

 

Suzanne Collins on Survivor
Interesting idea, huh? I’d love to see how she would prevail in the dystopian world of Survivor, much like Katniss did in The Arena.

Tracey Garvis Graves on Survivor
I wonder if she can survive on and island as well as her characters in her book, On the Island, could!

Dan Wells on Boot Camp
Anyone remember this show? Civilian contestants were brought on and went through real Boot Camp. They participated in tasks and missions, and ultimately one person ended up winning. Partials had a lot of military influences, so I thought it’d be fun to see Dan in that environment.

Kirsten Hubbard as my teammate on The Amazing Race
Hello. Wanderlove made me want to travel everywhere, and being paired with Kirsten, a travel goddess, how could I not win?

Stephanie Perkins on Fear Factor
With blue hair and a spunky personality, I highly doubt Stephanie is afraid of anything.

Maureen Johnson on So You Think You Can Dance
I don’t know if Maureen can dance at all, but I think she would be so much fun to see on a show like this. She’s got a hilarious personality and is really likeable. Plus, I totally think she could pull off some hip-hop dance moves.

Lauren Oliver on The Mole
I loved The Mole! Anderson Cooper… ahhh… Anyway, this show is not on anymore, but it was amazing. All the contestants were supposed to work together to complete challenges. For each challenge completed, the group got more money added to the grand prize pot. But… there was a “mole” hired by the producers to sabotage all the events, yet keep their identity hidden as they tried to “help” with the tasks. Each week, contestants filled out a questionnaire all about who they thought the Mole was (they were asked things like, “Where was the mole sitting at dinner last night?” “What color shirt was the mole wearing during Tuesday’s challenge?). Whoever got the most questions wrong was eliminated. Contestants were never told if their questions were answered correctly or not, so they took a lot of notes and hoped they were on the correct path. Correct answers could have been simple guesses, but nobody ever knew. It’s kind of like a big game of Clue! The person left won. Lauren would be a wonderful mole, because she is sweet and harmless-looking, but has a wild imagination. I think she could totally deceive others, and that’s not a bad thing! Haha. I also think she’d be a really perceptive contestant who could probably win the whole thing if she were not hired to be the mole!

Maggie Stiefvater on America’s Got Talent
She’s an artsy songwriter… I wonder if she’s a performer too? Or has a sweet comedy routine?

John Green as The Bachelor
Now, I know he’s married. Haha. So this would have been before that. But think of how hilarious a bachelor he’d be? I would be incredibly entertained, and SO many bookish people would audition. Maybe the show would be filled with cool book chats instead of talk of plastic surgery or sugar daddies.

Tahereh Mafi on America’s Next Top Model
Seriously, she’s gorgeous! Now, I’d hate to throw her into the pot with all of those other mean model types on that show, because I know she is way nicer than they are. So, she should have her own room or something. Or a cabin in back. She’s win, though.

So, which authors would you like to see on TV, starring in/playing along on your favorite reality TV shows? Like I said, I’m currently in Europe with very limited computer access! I’ll respond to all your awesome posts when I get home. :)

Author Interview with Claire Gillian

Posted May 11, 2012 by Jana in Author Interview / 1 Comment

I’m so excited to have Claire stop by That Artsy Reader Girl today. :) I’ve had a lot of fun getting to know her, and learning more about her upcoming “romantic mystery” (term dubber by Claire, herself) novel, The P.U.R.E, which I was lucky enough to receive an e-ARC of a few months ago. I am planning to read and review very soon, so keep an eye out for it! Anyways, let me introduce you to Claire!

 

Claire Gillian is a number-crunching executive by profession, an after hours writer by passion, and a darkly romantic curmudgeon. Published in short stories and anthologies, The P.U.R.E marks Claire’s debut publication of her work in novel form.

While Claire’s writing spans all ages and subject matters, she’s happiest penning romance drenched in humor with a dash of intrigue and loads of spice. Claire lives in the boggy Pacific NW with her husband and two teen-aged sons.

1. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In some part of my mind, I’ve always thought of myself as a writer. A writer whose works people would pay to read was a completely different matter. I guess that phase came when I first posted some fan fiction on a LiveJournal blog for fans of a certain TV show I shall not name. People actually read and liked it. I tried again and wrote a novel, thinking I was hot stuff at the time. I started writing timed flash fiction and again the praise totally inflated my ego. It wasn’t until I started getting critiques that I really realized just how hard it really was going to be… but also how rewarding.

2. Summarize The P.U.R.E. in three sentences or less.
I’m terrible at these but here goes:  When Gayle, a new recruit, discovers her employer’s shady dealings that include a plot to frame her because of a few freshman blunders, she turns to the only one who believes her—her oh-so-tempting but off limits co-worker, Jon.  Jon is more than willing to help keep Gayle out of trouble, and not just because he’s a nice guy.

Jana’s comments: Haha. I’m bad at quick summaries also, but you did a great job! It sounds really good!

3. Tell us about your favorite character in The P.U.R.E. and why. 
I really love Gayle, the P.U.R.E. of the story, because she’s a lion-hearted underdog with this underlying layer of insecurity. She’s gotten a bad rep at her first career position, partly due to her own fault and partly due to others taking advantage of her perceived weaknesses. She’s thus far been watching almost helplessly as her career goes down the toilet. When she’s finally tossed into the deep end of the pool, she finds an inner strength that not only saves her hide but blindsides her enemies.

Jana’s comments: Yes, she sounds like a heroine I’m really going to enjoy reading about!

4. What inspired you to write this book? Where did the idea come from?
I wrote The P.U.R.E. based in part on my own and my co-workers’ first year experiences in the world of public accounting. The general public really has no idea what it’s like to sign on with one of these stodgy white collar firms that are nearly militaristic in how they systematically break down, then build a recruit back up in molds of their own designs. I had no idea either! When you’re a top accounting graduate, the highest paying, most prestigious jobs are with CPA firms, and that’s all you need to know. Figuring out if you actually like or can even do the job comes later. Many are called, few stick it out. PURE, or previously undetected recruiting error, was a term applied to those graduates who looked good on paper, interviewed well, but for whatever reason, did not work out. I always thought it was both a clever and horrifying term.

Jana’s comments: Oh! So P.U.R.E stands for Previously Undetected Recruiting Error! I was wondering what it meant, so thanks for explaining. And I agree that the term is both laughable and a bit sad all at once. Haha.

5. If you were to write yourself into this book, what kind of character would you be? 
I’d totally be Gayle. I still remember quite vividly a few of my own freshman mistakes and the sense of impotence at knowing, “I SHOULD be able to succeed at this” but,  “Why aren’t I?”

6. What part of this book was your favorite part to write? 
My favorite part of the book is in the early chapters where Gayle and Jon are still just friendly co-workers. Gayle realizes she’s attracted to Jon, but insists to herself that nothing can ever come of it because dating a co-worker would be a career-limiting move (another commonly used CPA term). Mentally she thinks she’s got it all figured out and can handle her attraction. We, as the readers, see how silly she is because she betrays her feelings for him over and over again, yet stubbornly clings to the idea that she can keep him at arms length. I just love that foolish denial, especially when later juxtaposed to Jon’s utter conviction that she’s the one for him… sigh.

Jana’s comments: Ooo… I can sense the tension! I love books like this, but at the same time I want to strangle the people involved for not giving in sooner!

7. Tell us about your writing environment. Messy or clean?
I have a desk and a dedicated computer now. That wasn’t always the case. I just got my own iMac a year ago. That no one in my family a) knows how to use a Mac and b) has the password to log on, not even my husband, keeps my workspace mine, mine and all mine. My desk, however, is located side by side with a computer my sons use for school work. On the other side is a television set. Quiet is never guaranteed, unfortunately, which is why my favorite writing time is in the early AM when all my guys are still sleeping. My desk is VERY messy, unfortunately, but I have no one but myself to blame.

8. What has been the most positive experience you’ve had as an author? The most negative?
I love the other authors I’ve met–people who have lent a crying shoulder and who have used a shoulder, those who have provided a laugh and who have given a laugh. What a wonderful, witty bunch of people! …they have such terrific ways of phrasing things, even the most mundane. Plus, for me, doing a left-brain dominant job of number-crunching and computer programming all day, I really love being able to move beyond boolean speak, probabilities, financial risk and reward, and instead talk about how words make me feel, whether logical or not. The most negative experiences have revolved around authors who have charged in, convinced they had nothing left to learn and that the world was on tenterhooks awaiting their next bon mots. ALL authors should still be learning and honing their craft. NO author is an objective judge of his or her own work.

9. If you were not allowed to be an author, which dream job would be your alternate choice?
My other dream job would be a character actor… assuming I could act, which I can’t. Not a leading lady because they have to watch every morsel they eat, the paparazzi hounds them, and the first grey hair can signal the end to their careers. I’d wanna be like Kathy Bates or Marcia Gay Harden—busy, busy but not a huge star.

Jana’s comments: Very fun! I think acting would be a fun profession, but I’d also not want to be a huge star, always in the limelight.

Claire’s old computer, pet gargoyle from Paris, ever-present Diet Coke,
and the Absolute Write website on her computer screen.

10. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
I tell all aspiring authors to head over to Absolute Write forums, and read, and post, and learn. Put your work out there for critique. Grow thicker skin because no matter how thick you think it is, it needs to be thicker if you’re to get better. Be humble. Even your greatest nay-sayers are giving you valuable feedback. I’m forever indebted to a beta reader who did not mince a single word while trouncing my first novel into the proverbial dirt. She mentioned in her notes wanting to burn the manuscript and stomp on its ashes. As painful as that was to read, she told me what I needed to know, and I am forever grateful (and a lot thicker) for her words.

Jana’s comments: Wow, sounds like my profession as well. I’m a graphic designer, and while I was not the victim of a certain professor of mine, he did rip someone’s design project off the wall and stomp on it. When you’re in a creative network, a thick skin is the first thing you should get. I know I have toughened up a lot, and it has made me a better designer. 

11. When you’re not writing, what else do you do for fun?
I used to be a huge fitness enthusiast. Used to be. Alas, I tend to have a rather one track mind that chokes off nearly all other interests. Over the past year or so, I’ve cut back on working out, nearly stopped watching television completely. Ebay? What’s that? I used to be intimately familiar with it. No more. I rarely shop either. Gasp! I know! Most shocking. I do read a lot more though. That is a parallel track to writing and I do work to carve out reading time. It’s one of the few activities I will gladly set aside a WIP to concentrate on.

12. What are you currently reading?
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare is currently in process on my Kindle at a little over the 50% mark.  I also picked up a book called High Spirited Women of the Sierras by Anne Seagraves at the Sequoia National Forest information station. I nabbed a second by Anne called Women of the Sierra.

13. Who is your favorite romantic suspense author? 
My favorite romantic suspense author is… okay, you totally busted me here. Believe it or not, I don’t read that much romantic suspense. I do, however, read a lot of romance, mystery, and urban fantasy with Charlaine Harris being a favorite author who writes cozy mysteries (Lily Bard and Aurora Teagarden) and urban fantasies (Sookie Stackhouse and Harper Connelly series) with romantic elements. I see The P.U.R.E. as really more of a romantic mystery than romantic suspense, the difference being with suspense, you usually know who the bad guy is and it’s all about the main characters escaping his clutches. With mysteries, you aren’t really sure who the bad guy is and it’s all about figuring that part out. The latter is what I love. I also go weak-kneed at almost any sort of romance—contemporary, historical, paranormal, steampunk, science fiction, whatever.

Jana’s comments: I love mysteries! Suspense is good, but you’re right—everyone knows who the bad guy is. I love trying to figure out “who did it”. I love romance too. *sigh*

14. You’re an Air Force brat, and have moved a lot. I’m a Navy brat, so I totally know what that’s like. I loved moving, but it was hard at times. How has all the moving you’ve done influenced your life?

Moving around a lot I think gave me the ability to quickly figure out the lay of the land, find my place, then fit in. Learning to write is a lot like that, believe it or not. You approach the perimeter, learn the rules by reading and observing, then dive in. As far as the rest of my life goes, all that moving has helped me cope with being at my core a shy, solitary person. I can pull on my outgoing suit if and when I have to and no one is the wiser to my true nature. You’re right, moving is tough but it has given me a very valuable life skill.

Jana’s comments: I love this answer, and completely agree with you. I’m also a shy person, and moving so much forced me to make new friends quite often. I definitely learned a lot about people and the world.

 

15. Of all the places you’ve lived, which has been your favorite?
I really loved New Mexico. I lived in Albuquerque for seven years, met and married my husband there, and traveled throughout the state for business. I adore the food and the people are incredibly warm and friendly. The art is spectacular and the sunsets can’t be beaten. If I can ever get it polished up enough to shop it, I have an urban fantasy novel completely set in New Mexico. Darynda Jones has a great reaper series set there, but really I haven’t run across too many stories in that state and it’s a shame. I hope to do my part to give New Mexico the props it’s due.

Jana’s comments: I’ve visited Albuquerque, and I agree that it’s an awesome place to be! I was particularly amused by the pink sidewalks (or maybe those are strictly for Rio Rancho?). :) 

16. Favorite dessert? (Because these things are majorly important!)
I have a sweet tooth that rules me, and not the other way around, so it’s difficult to choose just one dessert. But, at this moment, my tooth is crying out for a huge, freshly baked oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookie. I once upon a time wanted to own a Mrs. Fields franchise, I’m such a cookie monster. Chocolate rules too though, she says bidding her beloved Cadbury candy-coated chocolate eggs adieu until next Easter.

Jana’s comments: Oh man… my sweet tooth was friends with your sweet tooth in another life. Cookies are a weakness, but I love any and all desserts, especially if there is chocolate in it (or I can add chocolate to it, if needs be). And I got absolutely no Cadbury mini eggs this year, for which I am still yearning for. Oh well! I do hope you get your cookie, and soon!

Thanks again to Claire for taking the time to introduce herself to us! I am even more excited to read The P.U.R.E now than I had been before. You can count on finding my review popping up on the blog very soon! Oh, and Claire? If you do open that Mrs. Fields franchise, let me know and I’ll stop by and visit! Friends get a discount, right?

But… until Claire’s glorious cookie shop takes flight, you’ll have to settle for finding her here:
Website/Blog ∣ Goodreads  ∣ Twitter

Where in the World is Jana??

Posted May 9, 2012 by Jana in About Me / 3 Comments

Hi guys! I bet you’re wondering why things have been quieter around the blog and on Twitter. Some of you may have already known this, but I’m on vacation in Europe! I’ve spent the last two weeks on a transatlantic cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Tenerife, Canary Islands; to Palma De Mallorca, Spain; to Barcelona, Spain; to Provence (Toulon), France; to Livorno (Pisa) Italy; ending in Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. It was divine. After Rome, we went to Siena and Venice. This morning, I left Venice, Italy and took a train to Milan to see the Duomo and this awesome mall with gorgeous architecture, called Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. After our jaunt in Milan, we took another train to Lake Como, and a hydrofoil to Bellagio. We’re staying in a gorgeous hotel with a balcony overlooking the lake. It’s just me and my mom, and you better believe that we’re eating lots, shopping lots, looking at tons of art and architecture, trying to speak Italian, and burning through our Kindle batteries like you wouldn’t believe. I got so much reading done on my balcony on the cruise, and am going to get even more done as I spend the next two and a half weeks traveling by train to Interlakken, Switzerland; Paris, France; Ghent and Bruges, Belgium; Rotterdam, Delft, Gouda, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. I’ll be back soon, but until then I have some reviews and other posts scheduled so you don’t miss me too much. We’ll see if I have more time to check in here, but since I only have my phone, and reliable wi-fi is hard to come by, I might not be able to post much until I’m home. Look for my trip updates on Twitter, though, and I’ll post pics for you when I get back to The States! :)