Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr (Author Guest Post / Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Blogger Girl by Author Meredith Schorr!








Author Guest Post


Katherine Higgins-Anderson from the awesome Jersey Girl Book Reviews blog asked me to write a guest post on her blog as part of the Blogger Girl tour with CLP and I'm super excited because I'm fascinated by the lives of book bloggers. From the perspective of an author and avid reader, the life of a book blogger seems so exciting and fun – a never-ending pile of books that authors actually ask you to read and review? Readers everywhere relying on your opinion before hitting “click” on Amazon? I even toyed with becoming a book blogger myself because, between you and me, I’m carrying some serious book blogging envy. I love to read! And I love writing reviews. But as much fun as I suspect book bloggers have, I have worked with them enough over the course of three books to know that it’s not all fun and games and there is a lot of work involved. The never ending backlog of books; the non-stop requests to review books; juggling author expectations with personal obligations. And the tough choices like deciding whose books to read and whose to turn down when the “to-review” pile is just too darn high. It must suck to disappoint an author by saying “no” but it has to be done. And it must suck even more to write a negative review, especially when you like the author as a person. Oh, no. Not for me. Too much pressure and pressure that I know I could not handle on top of my other obligations.

Observing book bloggers tackle their reading/reviewing assignments tactfully, gracefully and professionally has only served to make me more fascinated by the person behind the blog. So fascinated that I decided to write a book about one. Not only did I want to shine the light on book bloggers, the lovely people whom authors like myself rely on to help promote and spread the word about their books, I wanted to show the big picture of the person behind the popular blog – the woman, the friend, the sister, the girlfriend, the daughter, the employee etc. And of course, I added a bit of romance in the form of a hot attorney, and some extra conflict in the nature of a high school nemesis with a new book out, to keep readers turning the pages. I hope I succeeded!




About The Author




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 chicks." 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.


AUTHOR WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
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Book Review



Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr
Publisher: Booktrope Editions
Publication Date: August 2, 2013
Format: Paperback - 244 pages / Kindle - 508 KB / Nook - 2 MB
ISBN: 162015157X
ASIN: B00EDTLDSW
Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Romance


BUY THE BOOK: Blogger Girl
Currently $.99 On Sale!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.


Book Description:

What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Kim, with her blog, “Pastel is the New Black,” has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that “chick lit is dead” once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim’s day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that’s turning heads—and pages—a cross the land. It’s also popped into Kim’s inbox—for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim’s coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.

Book Excerpt:

“Hey there. Taking a break from the boss?” he asked.

“Yup. I always take advantage of my lunch hour. I suppose you’re working through lunch?”

“I was planning to.” He glanced at my Kindle. “Am I disturbing you?”

“Not at all! Sit.” I would so much rather read between Nicholas’ lines than a book.

Nicholas sat down and put a napkin on his lap. He looked at my Kindle again and back to me. “You reading for the blog?”

“Yup. I would have read this book anyway, but the author’s publicist asked me to review it so I have double incentive now.” As I felt my blood pressure rise, I figured it was my body’s reaction to having lunch with my office “lust man” and tried to breathe normally.

Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “Impressive!”

I felt myself blush. “Thanks.” I took a dainty bite of my turkey sandwich and a sip of water.

“I checked it out, you know.”

I put down my sandwich. “Checked what out?”

“Your blog.”

I gulped. “You did?”

Nicholas smiled. “Yeah. I wondered what all the hoopla was about.”

“What did you think?” I held my breath.

“Seriously impressive. Your reviews are really great. Very honest.”

Nicholas paused to eat some soup. I counted three hearty spoonfuls of what looked like lentil. Then he ate several forkfuls of salad. I watched him in amusement. When he finally came up for air, he smiled. “And some are kind of brutal.”

“Not brutal. Just honest. I always try to say something nice about every book, to balance out the constructive criticism.”

Drawing to mind a book completely lacking in story structure that I had reviewed earlier that month, I added, “Sometimes it’s not that easy, let me tell you.”

Nicholas smiled softly. “I also read a few of your regular posts. I especially liked the one about juggling your day job with the blog. You’re a great writer.“

And the blushing continues. “Thanks.”

Pointing to my Kindle, he said, “What do you think of the book you’re reading now?”

“Well, I’ve only read three pages but…” I crinkled my nose. “I don’t think I’m gonna like it, which surprises me because I loved all of Olivia Geffen’s other books.”

“Yeah, she’s great!” Nicholas said in delight.

“You’ve read her stuff?” I found that surprising since Nicholas hadn’t even heard the term “chick lit” until the Squad happy hour and also, well, because Nicholas was a guy.

“Of course, I have! What was that one?” Nicholas scratched his chin. “The one with the pink cover?”

Swimming Upstream! That was my favorite!”

“Mine too!” Nicholas said.

“I love the way she…” Noticing the twinkle of mischief in his eyes, I stopped talking and studied him. “You never read Swimming Upstream, did you?”

Nicholas shook his head. “No.”

“Have you read anything by Olivia Geffen?”

Nicholas pursed his lips and shook his head again. “That would be another no.”

I reached over and slapped him lightly on the hand. “You’ve never even heard of her, have you?”

Chuckling, he said, “No, I haven’t.”

“You suck!” I giggled.

“Sorry, but I couldn’t resist. Are you always so gullible?”

Feeling myself blush again, I said, “Not usually, no. You must be really good.”

Nicholas locked eyes with me. “I am.

”Blushing harder, I took a sip of my water.


My Book Review:

Chick Lit fans rejoice, we finally have an amazing story about a book blogger!

In author Meredith Schorr's Blogger Girl, the reader follows Kim Long's journey of self-discovery and finding love. Set in Manhattan, Kim is a legal secretary by day and a passionate Chick Lit book blogger by night. Kim has always wanted to be a writer, but she is satisfied with promoting the Chick Lit genre on her widely popular blog, Pastel is the New Black. When Kim receives a dreaded request to read and review a chick lit novel by Hannah Marshak, an old high school nemesis, and has blown a chance at a relationship with Nicholas Strong, a sexy attorney who tries to reawaken her forgotten dream, it forces Kim to question her own life choices.

Blogger Girl is a thoroughly entertaining contemporary chick lit tale that easily drew me in with its realistic insider look into the passionate world of book bloggers, and the life choices and circumstances that revolve around them. I loved following Kim on her journey of self-discovery, it was filled with drama, laugh-out-loud and "aha" moments. As a book blogger, I found it easy to relate to Kim's passion for her blog and the reality that everyday life can sometimes interfere and shuffle a person's dream to the background.

Author Meredith Schorr hit the nail on the head with her accurate depiction of the book blogging process, and the passion that every blogger feels for reading and reviewing books. I found myself nodding my head and smiling as I followed Kim's daily routine, I could relate to her because she was a normal down-to-earth girl with everyday issues just like me. And even though Kim as a book blogger was the premise of the story, I loved how the author interwove Kim's friendships, romantic relationships, and life circumstances into the storyline that eventually led Kim to question her choices and true desires in order to figure out what/who she really wanted in her life.

I loved the angst, romance, humorous antics, the misconceptions, "aha" moments, and second chances that is cleverly interwoven into this fabulous story. Author Meredith Schorr has created a delightful story that touches on everyday real issues like work, dating/relationships, friendships, family and life choices that will appeal to all chick lit fans.

Blogger Girl has everything that a true Chick Lit fan desires: romance, drama, humor and a happy ending. It is classic and pure Chick Lit at its very best!


RATING: 5 STARS *****





Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway

Win A $20 Amazon Gift Card



Everyone who leaves a comment on Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Blogger Girl before November 25 and sends their receipt to Samantha@ChickLitPlus.com, will get five bonus entries.




Virtual Book Tour Schedule



Tour Schedule:

November 4 – The Little Black Book Blog – Review
November 5 – Book Mama – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
November 6 – Books in the Burbs – Review & Excerpt 
November 7 – The Gothic Ballerina – Guest Post 
November 11 – The Outside Lane – Review & Q&A
November 12 – Chick Lit Club Connect – Guest Post
November 18 – Bee’s Knees Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
November 19- Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
November 20- Leigh Bennett – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt 
November 22 – Chick Lit Plus – Review
November 25 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt



4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event for this wonderful story. :)

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  2. My comment is late but I'm also truly happy that you enjoyed Blogger Girl and wrote such a lovely review. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Meredith! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. I loved reading Blogger Girl, it was a very entertaining story. :)

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