Showing posts with label reality tv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reality tv. Show all posts

Monday, December 30, 2013

Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba

First of all, I must say, this cover is somewhat misleading. It makes me think of pirates, ships, adventure. It made me feel that more of the novel would be dedicated to the reality show itself than actually was. Truth is, the show ends on the first page practically. The book itself is just a story about a woman being stalked and trying to figure out who is ruining her life. What starts as gifts becomes crazy notes and invasion of her life. Oh--the murders of two of her fellow contestants.


But it's fast paced, entertaining, and it kind of has a theme/moral. Don't think you can be famous, don't expect to be on TVs around the world every week, and not accept the repercussions, such as having your privacy invaded or in this case, picking up a stalker or two.

She'd bought fame for a price. She couldn't expect the world to have her money and esteem, yet have her privacy level remain the same.

I liked this. It was an entertaining read and only took a day, though it was a day off work. Every now and then it's nice to pick up something that doesn't take four days of your time. But I am disappointed there wasn't more of the reality show. I like reality TV in books, just don't watch them. Yes, I know, that's weird. LOL

However, I must say I really like the heroine though sometimes she's a bit dumb and acts too rashly, without thinking. She hated to be seen as a coward. When the press said she "ran away", she fought to prove them wrong. She faced her fears and the bad guy. She gets a gun and learns how to use it.

This is a strong n sexy heroine. She also doesn't need a man, though there is two men skirting around her, potential love interests, if she decides she wants them. She doesn't hesitate to push them away when she feels it's necessary or even draw a gun on one.

I also appreciated the moral about not getting sidetracked from your dreams/goals by insta-money/fame. That's an important thing to remember.

But I'm disappointed somewhat in whodunnit. I like some hints. I like to make a list of suspects as I read and there were no clues at all pointing to the real culprit. It just came out of nowhere. While I hate being able to figure it all out by page five, I like to at least be somewhere in the vicinity and with this, that wasn't possible.

I bought this on Amazon.




Friday, July 19, 2013

Tasty Review & Giveaway: Lost Without You by Heather Thurmeier


Zoe Oliver never wanted to be on another reality TV show… until Chip Cormack made an offer too good to refuse. He’s guaranteed her a payday this time and a chance to redeem herself in America’s eyes. But Zoe worries she won’t be able to focus as her desire for Chip grows and her strength to resist him weakens. When she learns she’ll be roughing it in the woods with Chip and without luxuries like indoor plumbing and electricity, she’s instantly on edge, feeling naked and terrified that her scars will be exposed and her secrets revealed. When Zoe’s past turns up on the show, she fears she’ll lose not only the life she’s sacrificed everything else to have, but also the affections of the only man she’s ever trusted with her heart.

Buy links:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lost-without-you/id657434468?mt=11

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Without-Crimson-Romance-ebook/dp/B00D5X0504/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1370599974&sr=8-11&keywords=lost+without++you

***My REVIEW***

I've read all three books now in the reality TV show series and despite my dislike of reality tv in general, I actually really enjoy these books. For some reason, while I may not like watching them, I love reading about them. Lost Without You brings back the villain of the last two: Zoe, and we finally get to see why she's the way she is. She's scarred, inside and out.


The show is about roughing it in the wilderness. Thankfully Zoe is a host, not a contestant. This was an interesting twist. At first I was bummed because there wasn't enough interaction with the contestants and not much drama when they did challenges, but this changed in the end as the action picked up and the drama got intense. There's a romance with the producer, a sort-of-stalker-guy, and a blackmailer.

I had a hard time with Zoe's trauma...I didn't feel it warranted the huge deal she made of it the rest of her life, and as someone who has been on the receiving end of extreme bullying, I found it questionable that she would turn around and bully others...but hey, "'till you've walked in her shoes", right?

I didn't care for Chip, the love interest. He came across as way too pushy for me, but I get most women like those types now.

I totally, not for a second, bought the whole "I got my hair stuck around a post" thing.

But despite the above quibbles, I did enjoy this book. I was hooked and kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. I didn't see some of the things coming, a huge plus. I was on the edge of my seat in the last 20% especially. Ms. Thurmeier delivered a very satisfying conclusion to this series.



Author bio:
Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders, and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in upstate New York with her own personal romance hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel.

"Heather Thurmeier's hunky heroes and feisty heroines will have you laughing out loud, falling in love ... and coming back for more!" ~ Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author

"Heather Thurmeier writes sweet, funny romances that capture your heart!" --NYT and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst.
Author Links:
Website:  http://heatherthurmeier.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/HeatherThurmeierAuthor?ref=hl
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/hthurmeier
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5211580.Heather_Thurmeier
Pinertrest:  http://pinterest.com/hthurmeier/
email:  heatherthurmeier@gmail.com

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Saturday, June 1, 2013

Meet the Stars & Judges of The Next Bestseller

In Plotting to Win, I created my own reality TV show... I figure, dancers have a show, bachelors have a show, people who want to eat disgusting things like water buffalo penises have a show...why don't authors have one? After all, it's a very competitive market. We're always trying to outsell, outcontract each other...

I made one. It's called The Next Bestseller and the format of the show is modeled after Ink Master, a personal favorite of mine. There are three judges, all related to the literary world. The head judge has her own TV show and book club. Judge number two is a bestselling romance author. Judge number three is a literary agent...and then we have the contestants.

They all face two challenges each per round. The winner of the first challenge is allowed to manipulate the second challenge, which determines who goes and who stays and in the end...who is the next bestseller--the winner of 100 grand, a publishing contract, and the title.

And here...I'd like you to meet the stars.

The head judge. The lady you don't want to mess with. She can make or break you.


The literary agent judge. I'd be careful with him. Maybe you perform well, win or lose, he may remember you...


Bestselling romance novelist, Nicole comes off as the "nicer" judge, but the woman made it to the top somehow and nice doesn't cut it.


The contestants. Felicity wants to win. She's always wanted to write and she wants to honor her dead parents. Nobody--not even a good-looking man--is going to stand in her way.

Image courtesy of stockimages/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Roy, former military and no-nonsense. Don't underestimate a Vietnam vet.


Image courtesy of stockimages/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Victor. The handsome Latino has to win. There's no question. He needs the money to care for his mother.


Arnold is the youngest and a possible shining star in the horror industry...if he can make it to the finale.

Image courtesy of adamr/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

Dez...he's got an attitude and he's determined to win even if he has to fight dirty.


Carmen...she's tough and she's got a lot to prove. Fighting for women everywhere, she's determined not to go down. Will her attitude cost her or push her to the top?

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tiffani wants to win this to prove everyone else wrong about the erotic industry. It's real, solid writing...it is! Her and Felicity get off on the wrong foot and emotions run high...

Image courtesy of kenfotos/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Want to find out what really goes down? You can download your copy today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and other leading e-book retailers.

Based on the images and their quotes alone, who do you think is going to be the next bestseller? 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Plotting to Win Available for Pre-Order on Amazon

I'm so excited, I can barely contain myself...

As you can see, Plotting to Win is now available for pre-order on Amazon...and I think it's cheaper than it will be upon release.

Reality TV has made stars of dancers, bachelors and singers. Now authors get a turn.

In New York City, seven writers compete for a hundred thousand dollars, a publishing contract with Bright House, and the title of the next bestseller. One is Felicity James. One is Victor Guzman.

Drama, plagiarism, and trash talk play out to enthralled audiences across the country as all seven contestants compete against each other in a range of heated challenges, with tensions reaching breaking point. As Felicity and Victor start up a show-mance, their relationship burns up the ratings.

Will this sizzling fling escalate into a vicious battle for money and fame, 
or will these two authors manage to write their own happy ending?
This one is a novel length nearly and I had a LOT of fun writing it. Funny thing is...I don't actually watch a lot of reality TV, but I do enjoy reading about it. I hope you do too.