October 21, 2009



Pearl proudly presents: her new and improved made-over Blog!!!!
Thanks to the wonderful Barbara from Designs by Barbara I have achieved blog bliss. Barbara took my wishes and instructions and made me a place in Blogland I can feel right at home in. It's exactly as I envisioned it and then some!

I hope the visual changes have been agreeable to everyone. It certainly has for me and I've already had some great feedback on the new blog for which I again want to thank Barbara, because if I wasn't for her I'd be pulling my hair out by the roots at this moment and I wouldn't have this spiffy new place to brag about.

So, what has changed?
Well duh! The lay-out, colours and header of course, those changes are pretty obvious.

What else can you expect on the "new" blog? As announced in my blog about changes a while back:

Rating
I have changed the rating systems from stars and flames to 0-10 rating. Please note that I have not applied this to reviews from September and older as it would take me a bunch of hours to do this, hours which I don't have to spare.
Furthermore, in line of the new rating not being applied to earlier reviews, I also haven't replaced the images with the old background color in them. Again this would cost me too much time. I may be changing them in due course whenever I have time or when the situation asks for it.

Mini-reviews
The first mini-review round up blog is to be expected in the near future.
I will not be making as many elaborate, "full" reviews as I used to. Of course the reviews of the ARCs and review requests (both for ROOB and for the blog) will be full and elaborate as always but as for the enormous amount of books on my TBR (past, present and future) it's not doable to review them all as extensively as I have always been doing. Again this has to do with lack of time. (do we see a theme here?) Time I'd rather spend reading to be honest. And believe me, there will always be books that demand an extensive review and who am I to deny them that.

Genre focus: 
I will be focusing on contemporary romance, romantic suspense, thrillers and mysteries, as these are my favorite genres to read. Of course for variation and since I also have favorite authors in the paranormal, historical and urban fantasy genre, these genres will not be neglected.

######

Give away
In celebration of my new blog I decided to do a giveaway. It's very simple, all you have to do is to let me know via the comments what book you are looking forward to reading but haven't had the chance to yet because you don't have it. (I am not talking hard to find/out of print books here)

On Tuesday October 27th I will randomly pick a commenter who will receive the book of her (or his) choice via The Bookdepository.

This giveaway is open to all, worldwide

Looking forward to your choices!

46 comments:

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

Oh Pearl, your place is divine honey! Barbara struck again!! That woman is simply amazing!!! I am glad that you feel at home here... and Once I got past the banner (whew...) I adored the rest of it as well!

I am looking forward to reading allllll the books in my TBR pile. Is that much to ask for! LOL!!!
No.. I have to pick one... But they all scream at me to read them next! The Dairy of Cozette is making herself known to me for my next choice to read.

Love the post and love the new place! Have a great day honey!

Pearl said...

Thank you Cecile!

Ehm I do hope you mean that "once I got past the banner" in a positive way *wink* Knowing you, you got stuck on the right side a bit LOL

Tynga said...

Love the look =)
I am a new follower!
I would love to get my hands on a copy of Another Faust (http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780763637071/Another-Faust)

THank you very much!

MrsMixx said...

Oh i love your new site, the header is droolistic! And i love the small details like the pearl theme =)
Barbara makes the most beautiful blogs i've seen, very clear and personalized.

If i had to choose a book i'd say 'Must love Hellhounds' i've been looking forward this book for a long time but still haven't gotten my hands on it.

Have a great week in your new fantastic home Pearl =)

Leontine said...

I just love the colors, the "pearl" detail everywhere, the hunk in the banner *rowr* and wow...the beefcake/smutty/
convicted badges all got a place too!!

It all feels very you and kudos to barbara! I just wanted to stop by your blog-warming party hon and leave others to enter the contest. I did receive a book yesterday which I look forward to reading: Charlotte Featherstone with Addicted. Sounds very good!

JoJosBookCorner said...

Pearl,
I have to say i too love the new look. and yes that banner.....WOW.
Congrats on the new look , barbara once again has done a wonderful job. i think i may take advantage of her skills also and do a makeover soon.
As for a book i want to read. i have sooo many. but then don't we all. i guess i would have to say " Kiss of Crimson " by Lara Adrian. i just recently finished her kiss of midnight in the midnight breed series. Great series!
Again, the new look , looks Great !!!
Thanks for the contest !
JoJo

Gina said...

Congrat's on finding your own piece (and peace) in blog-dom! I hadn't seen the old blog layout (sorry, new visitor...found your site via a tweet!) but I must say that the "new" one is very nice! Clean cut, easy to navigate, not too much flash to make my IE freeze...need I go on? =0)

I also think that holding a contest to celebrate the new look is a great idea! If I win, my choice would be "The Year of Disappearances" by Susan Hubbard. It's the sequel to "The Society of S" which I rather liked and I just haven't been able to get the copy of book 2 as of yet...

Thanks and congrat's once again!

grgenius(at)go(dot)com

tetewa said...

Thanks for the opportunity, I'm looking forward to reading Fade Out by Rachel Caine. It's the latest release in her vampire series! tWarner419@aol.com

Blodeuedd said...

Hi the place looks great :) Nice guy up there too. barbara sure is great.

As for looking forward too, well I still have not read Lover Avenged, mostly cos I really would rather just have it in paperback and it comes in Nov.

blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

Sophia (FV) said...

I love your new bloggy look!! The pearl details are so cute!! I'd love to read Gena Showalter's Intertwined :)

Natascha / Ashleagh said...

Hey Pearl,

I love your new look, it is totally you and when I have a bit more energy I will give it a thorough lookthrough and readthrough! Congrats on your new home on the web sweety!

Digital flowers and hugsy
Natascha

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

I am sorry Pearl what were you saying... I am trying to work my way down... LOL!! Abs... Oh now that sounds kinky... "trying to work my down abs!!!" I kill myself!!!

Eva S said...

Beautiful site, I love the color!
I've had on my wish list for a long time Shannon McKenna's Standing in the Shadows, I've heard so much about the hero in the book.

elaing8 said...

Your blog looks fantastic.
The book I'm looking forward to reading is Beth Kery's Paradise Rules
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Lou said...

Oooh. Shiny new layout. Looks awesome, Pearl!

My eyes are drawn to the top right corner of the banner for some strange reason.

I wonder why... ;)

Marissa said...

Yay Pearl I said it before your blog rocks and it is so you! Barbara did an excellent job!

The book I want to read and do not have yet because I ordered part 2 instead of one, is Tessa Dare with Goddess of the Hunt!

SusiSunshine said...

Man this looks really great. I love the colors and the Pearl is so adorable. I don't have to say how hawt the header is.

You know my tbr is so big and I really try to be strong but I would love to get my hands on Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols. This one sounds really fantastic and I read so many great reviews about it.

Celticlady's Reviews said...

Very very nice, even in my advanced age tht upper right corner is sweet!!!!

I just wanted to comment on the site as I have soooooo many books and hard to choose which one.. I could read the rest of my life on what I have.... again very nice!!!

Celticlady's Reviews said...

Very very nice, even in my advanced age tht upper right corner is sweet!!!!

I just wanted to comment on the site as I have soooooo many books and hard to choose which one.. I could read the rest of my life on what I have.... again very nice!!!

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

Oh, Pearl, your blog looks terrific! Barbara does some great work - I like your sidebar layout. I'd love to read Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James but haven't been able to get my hands on it yet. Lovin' Mr. Sexy on top - of your banner, I mean ;)

Cathy M said...

Like the new digs, Peal, everything looks really clean and wonderfully easy to follow.

I am looking forward to reading Lucinda Dangerously by Sunny.


caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com

donnas said...

I love it. It looks great and so classy.

I am looking forward to reading Must Love Hellhounds.

Sara said...

So pretty!

Looking forward to reading Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel

Jill D. said...

Hi Pearl! Barbara did a fantastic job, your blog looks great! As far as reviewing goes, I review every book I read, but I keep them short a sweet. Otherwise it would be way too much to handle.

For the contest, LOL I can only pick one book? I have about 20 or so on my wish list! I have to say I was really intrigued by your review for Highland Obsession. That book sounds really interesting and the author will be at RT 2010. I plan on attending and it would be neat to have read her book before meeting her.

Cheeky Girl said...

Love the new look! I'm also about to start doing mini-reviews for books I get for myself..great minds think alike! I can't wait to see how yours come out!

Teh book I've been hearing so much about and can't wait to read is Skin Game.

Nadia said...

I love your new look!!!!! Congratulations. :)

I'm looking forward to reading LIFE OF PI. :)

Janicu said...

There are soo many books I'm looking forward to but haven't had a chance yet. I want to read my copy of The Trouble with Demons by Lisa Shearin but haven't had time yet because of the other books I'm reading. :)

Also -- LOVING the pearls scattered throughout your layout and the striped dot background. Really nice.

Wendy said...

Love the new layout! That banner is just .. fantastic! :)

For the contest, I opened my goodreads wishlist, closed my eyes and point to.. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead! It's her Dark Swan series.. have you read Storm Born (the first book)? it's really good! Can't wait to read Thorn Queen.

Janicu said...

Oh. I should say what book I don't have? Ummmmm.. I wanted to read Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards after Ann Aguirre recommended it, but I can't buy it yet.

Anonymous said...

I love the new look! After all of the amazing reviews, I am dying to read Skin Game by Ava Gray.

Anonymous said...

Blog looks great! I would love to read Soulless by Gail Carriger next. I am very curious about the whole steampunk thing.

Bella said...

Hi Pearl, I am a new follower and I LOVE the look! Subtle colors and hot guys -- what more could a girl want :-)

I am dying to read Skin Game -- so much good press and smexy's review - yum!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hey Pearl! Thank you for your sweet words. I'm so happy you got what you wanted :)

Am I allowed to be entered in this? LOL! If so, I chose Covet. I know, for shame, I haven't bought it yet.

VampFanGirl said...

Yay Pearl, your new place looks amazing!

I still can't get over how talanted Barbara is. She blows me away with every new look she creates.

I'm so happy that you love your new look! Congrats!

;) VFG

P.S. No need to enter me for the contest. I have more books than I can possibly hope to read!

Smokinhotbooks said...

Your new blog looks Amazing + Awesome= Amasome!!!!

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

What a cute site!

Please count me in.

cindyc725 at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

I really want to read
Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid, Book 2) by Richelle Mead.

Raelena
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

SarahT said...

I love your new look!

I wasn't a fan of the three-column style for the longest time but I've come round to the idea. My objection to it was that it often looked cluttered. But I'm seeing more and more blogs where that's not the case (e.g.: Leontine and Mandi and now you).

Anonymous said...

I'm new to your blog. Came over from a link on Fiction Vixen's place. That header....wow! Very nice layout.

I am dying to get my hands on The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I love his writing style (even though I need a box of tissues when I read his books).

thebookvixen[at]gmail[dot]com

Josef13 said...

Hi, I'm completely new to your blog, loving the layout. Not to mention the fantastic contest. ;)

I totally cannot wait to read 'Hush, Hush' by Becca Ajoy Fitzpatrick~! It looks like so much fun!

Todd said...

I want to read Wastelands of Flint by Thomas Harlan. Ever since I heard it was about a world where the Aztec Empire took over and then went into space I knew I needed to read it.

lag123 said...

I really would like to read Blackwork by Monica Ferris!
Lag110@mchsi.com

lag123 said...

I really would like to read Blackwork by Monica Ferris!
Lag110@mchsi.com

Todd said...

Oh, and I forgot to leave my email, I'm the Wastelands of Flint guy a few posts up.

we-todd-did [at] hotmail [dot] com

Mari said...

I'd like to read anything by Charlotte Gale.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I know I'm too late for the giveaway, I just wanted to say that I love your new layout, I think it's really great! Loving the colours and the pearls, so cute! x

Nice to meet you!

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Pearl
Netherlands
39, married to my real life romance hero, addicted to TV shows, reading romance novels and Twitter. I'm a chronic (e)book hoarder and my absolute favorite genres within romance fiction are contemporary romance and romantic suspense, but I don't shy away from historical, paranormal or erotic romance either. Even the occasional (urban) fantasy romance, futuristic and sci fi romance may make it to my Mount TBR. This is my corner of the world wide web where I let you know what books I'm hoarding, reading and reviewing.
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On My TBR Shelf

  • Unforgivable - Laura Griffin
  • Snapped - Laura Griffin
  • Darkness at Dawn - Elizabeth Jennings
  • Sizzle and Burn - Alexis Grant
  • No Mercy - Lori Armstrong
  • Animal Magnetism - Jill Shalvis
  • Crazy for Love - Victoria Dahl
  • Kink - Saskia Walker/Sasha White
  • So Sensitive - Anne Rainey
  • Dark Taste of Rapture - Gena Showalter
  • The Darkest Secret - Gena Showalter
  • Vampire in Atlantis - Alyssa Day
  • Vampire Dragon - Annette Blair
  • Captive Spirit - Anna Windsor
  • Chosen by Blood - Virna DePaul
  • Rebel - Zoe Archer
  • Stranger - Zoe Archer
  • A Taste of Desire - Beverley Kendall
  • Mistress by Midnight - Maggie Robinson
  • To Desire a Devil - Elizabeth Hoyt
  • To Tame a Dangerous Lord - Nicole Jordan

Digital TBR Next

  • Driven - Jayne Rylon (reread)
  • Shifting Gears - Jayne Rylon
  • Beg Me - Shiloh Walker
  • Tempt Me - Shiloh Walker
  • Jazz Baby - Lorelie Brown
  • Playboy Prankster - Pamela Britton
  • Just Like That - Erin Nicholas
  • Sweet Inspiration - Penny Watson
  • Breathe - Donna Alward
  • My Gigolo - Molly Burkhart
  • Scent of Persuason - Nikki Duncan

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