Bookplex, NetGalley and Blogging For Books - For Readers

Back in April 2014, I signed up with Bookplex.com, to be paid for my review of free books they have available for download. You must choose a book from the list they provide (which normally isn't too long), download the book to your e-reading device (no paper copies available at this time), read that book and write a review, good or bad, before the deadline date listed. They just want real, honest reviews from people. Some rules though: reviews must be posted on your blog, you have to have an Amazon account, a GoodReads account, and a Barnes & Noble account (all to post reviews on). Who doesn't have those already? *Good news- they just updated their website* 

For more information on the program, or if you'd like to sign up to be paid for reviewing books, click [here]

Books I've reviewed through Bookplex:   Severed Threads   Shattered Hearts   

I joined this website in May 2014. I read titles that I am interested in (they have tons to choose from, and they are easy to find by category). Then I post a review of the book on their website. I am allowed to post the review on my blog, GoodReads and through my social media. Plus it looks like some of the books are very newly published or are available before they are available to the public.... how COOL is that! Win, win for all!  I am a huge fan of this company because of the ease of finding books and getting them to my device. It's so simple and that's what people like!

For more information on the program, or if you'd like to sign up, click [here] 

Books I've reviewed through NetGalley: If I Were You   No In Between   The Negotiation

Yours to Uncover: ES Siren 1   Private Down Under  Play Me #1 - #5    Irresistibly Yours
Sydney Housewives #2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

I've been a member since May 2014. Pretty much the same concept of choose a book you want to read, read it, then post your review on their website. It looks like they mail out physical books to you (but they are hard to come by since they only have so many), or you can get an ebook through download on Edelweiss *from their website- Q: Are eBooks available for review? Yes. eBooks are available through the Blogging for Books program. You will need to have an Edelweiss account set up in order to download eBooks. The Blogging for Books program works seamlessly with Edelweiss to deliver your eBooks. Requests are made through the Blogging for Books program.*  The Blogging For books website's FAQ actually has a lot of good info for bloggers, so check that out.  

For more information on the program, or if you'd like to sign up, click [here] 

Books I've reviewed through Blogging For Books: S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed   

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this post.

Bookplex Review: Shattered Heart by Carol May

From GoodReads.com:

Determined to make a new life for herself, raven haired beauty, Charli Jensen moves to Miami following her dream of opening her own business, Supreme Corporate Travel with best friend, Lana Lewis. Heading to lunch, after presenting a proposal to a prestigious company, the two are quickly insulted on a crowed elevator. Exiting first, headstrong Charli is determined to identify the individual that offended her. Standing to the side, she narrows the speaker to possibly one of three men. 

Imagine her surprised to see the three men, one of whom is OMG drop dead gorgeous, having lunch at the same restaurant. Even more shocking is the fact the god of good looks turns up at the bar the friends are partying at the same night. Charli who is a very private, cautious person is drawn to this man. Can seeing him three times in the same day be a good omen? Is it possible this man even noticed her existence? Her question is answered when he is joined by another woman. Businessman, Houston Donovan is very aware he has seen the same stunning woman multiple times. Flashing back to the memory of her shapely body standing in front of him earlier in the day, he imagines how it would look in his bed. As he departs the bar, with a knowing smile that her tab is paid, Houston questions if fate will allow their paths to cross again. Independent, Charli is outraged when she discovers not only is her tab paid but waiting for her is a mystery card with only a number. Jerking her phone up, she types out a brief message, Thx 4 paying tab BUT NO THX!!! Shocked by the angry text Houston wonders, if he misread her? This ignites a duel of words to see who can outwit the other. A semi friendship develops from these texts. Meeting in person the sparks fly. The heat between the two sizzles. They soon become the perfect couple. Will the phrase, If it seems to be too good to be true it probably is going to ruin their lives or is there no obstacle to great for them to overcome? 

My Opinion: I thought the novel was hard to follow along. There were many grammatical errors, and a whole lot of non-closing quotes when a character was speaking. When it would change from one characters point of view to the other, it would take me a few to figure out who's view I was actually reading. I thought this book was in the 'erotica' category, but at almost halfway though there wasn't much sex involved.

I did not finish this book.

I'd like to add that when I got the electronic copy of the book, it was only available for .docx, which means a copy was not available to read through my Kindle app. I think that's a disservice to reviewers, as MOST people do not sit at their computers to read a novel. FYI- I am a smart cookie and ended up converting the file to a .pdf so I could read on my iPad.

Disclosure of Material Connection:

I received a complimentary electronic book through Bookplex.com.

I was not required to write a positive review, only an honest one.

The opinions I have expressed here are my own. 

Bookplex Review: Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren

Synopsis from GoodReads can be found here

My Opinion:

First off, I don't want to admit that I judge a book by it's cover... but I do. This cover looked intriguing to me so that is why I chose to review it.

I read the first chapter and wasn't too sold on what was going on. But I continued on, to really give it a fair chance. The more I got farther into the book, the more complex the story line became, and it was just too confusing to follow. Between scuba diving (in which the author explained in great detail, which was a plus), a past love affair, a kidnapping by people who seem to be mobsters, buried treasure from long ago and ghost stories, I think it's just too much for a reader to process. I felt like there wasn't even a chance to connect with the main characters (Chase and Rachel) because the story was taking me this way and that way and all over the place. Some parts of the book were well written, just not the entire book as a whole. 

Disclosure of Material Connection:

I received a complimentary electronic book through Bookplex.com.

I was not required to write a positive review, only an honest one.

The opinions I have expressed here are my own.