Jennifer S. Alderson's Blog, page 5
September 24, 2017
Spotlight on cozy mystery author Mary Angela and historical fiction author Robert Krenzel
It is my pleasure to introduce you to two fabulous authors celebrating new releases this month, Robert Krenzel and Mary Angela!
It is my pleasure to welcome cozy mystery author Mary Angela to my blog today. She’s certainly still celebrating the paperback release of the second book in her Professor Prather mystery series, Passport to Murder. Emmeline Prather, the series’ lead character, is about to travel to Paris for the first time – or so she thinks.
Mary’s article about The Power of Place eloquently describes the feeling of arriving in a new destination you have longed to visit, only to be overwhelmed by the experience. I enjoyed reading about her impressions of France and learning about the Paris and Stendhal Syndromes. I hope you do, too!
Read the rest of Mary's article now on my blog.
It is my pleasure to welcome historical fiction author Robert Krenzel to my blog today. On September 16 the fourth book in his Gideon Hawke series, A Constant Thunder, will hit the shelves. And on September 9 you can chat with him at the Kansas Book Fair where he will be giving a presentation and signing books. He’s there as a guest of the State Library of Kansas who selected his novel A Nest of Hornets as a 2017 Kansas Notable Book – that is quite an honor!
Read the rest of Robert's interview on my blog now.
It is my pleasure to welcome cozy mystery author Mary Angela to my blog today. She’s certainly still celebrating the paperback release of the second book in her Professor Prather mystery series, Passport to Murder. Emmeline Prather, the series’ lead character, is about to travel to Paris for the first time – or so she thinks.
Mary’s article about The Power of Place eloquently describes the feeling of arriving in a new destination you have longed to visit, only to be overwhelmed by the experience. I enjoyed reading about her impressions of France and learning about the Paris and Stendhal Syndromes. I hope you do, too!
Read the rest of Mary's article now on my blog.
It is my pleasure to welcome historical fiction author Robert Krenzel to my blog today. On September 16 the fourth book in his Gideon Hawke series, A Constant Thunder, will hit the shelves. And on September 9 you can chat with him at the Kansas Book Fair where he will be giving a presentation and signing books. He’s there as a guest of the State Library of Kansas who selected his novel A Nest of Hornets as a 2017 Kansas Notable Book – that is quite an honor!
Read the rest of Robert's interview on my blog now.
September 22, 2017
5 star Readers' Favorite Medal for Notes of a Naive Traveler
5 star Readers’ Favorite medal for Notes of a Naive Traveler
I am also thrilled to see Notes of a Naive Traveler: Nepal and Thailand received a 5 star medal and wonderful review from Readers’ Favorite last week:
“Notes of a Naive Traveler is the entertaining and fascinating travel story of a twenty-seven-year-old whose entire perspective changes after the amazing experience she has after traveling to Nepal and Thailand. Traveling is an adventure and the author’s story is an example of how travel can transform the world if you let it…
The author’s experiences are uplifting and motivating and will inspire readers to take a backpack and travel to new destinations… The various glimpses of the author’s travels will definitely encourage readers to take a step to an unknown destination and see what happens.”
I am also thrilled to see Notes of a Naive Traveler: Nepal and Thailand received a 5 star medal and wonderful review from Readers’ Favorite last week:
“Notes of a Naive Traveler is the entertaining and fascinating travel story of a twenty-seven-year-old whose entire perspective changes after the amazing experience she has after traveling to Nepal and Thailand. Traveling is an adventure and the author’s story is an example of how travel can transform the world if you let it…
The author’s experiences are uplifting and motivating and will inspire readers to take a backpack and travel to new destinations… The various glimpses of the author’s travels will definitely encourage readers to take a step to an unknown destination and see what happens.”
September 6, 2017
Happy Read A Book Day!
To celebrate, I wanted to share my reviews of the books I've read in the past month. Happy reading everyone!
Winter's Mourning by Janice J. Richardson
Winter’s Mourning is a lovely continuation of the Spencer Funeral Home series and an enjoyable story to boot.
The main protagonist, Jennifer, once again proves herself to be a compassionate funeral director and trusted friend who goes above and beyond to help those in need. The funeral home setting and emotional situations the characters find themselves in while serving the living and dead, are quite unique and that makes it an even more interesting read!
This time Jennifer’s fighting for her own life and trying to save a young, tragedy-stricken woman. Niagara, Canada is again the gorgeous setting.
I do suggest starting with book one; those who haven’t read it may not fully understand the storyline in this one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and look forward to reading the third book in the series! 4.5 out of 5 stars
Lead Me Into Danger by Daniella Bernett
Lead Me Into Danger is a well-constructed murder mystery set in Venice and London.
Both cities are beautifully described in a way that made me feel as if I was walking alongside the characters.
Emmeline Kirby is a headstrong journalist who puts her own life at risk to uncover the truth about a fellow journalist's death. During her investigation, she is shadowed by her former lover Gregory Longdon. Their romantic interplay reminded me of gentle Cary Grant style films, though the story is set in the present.
I enjoyed the story and characters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. 4.5 out of 5 stars
Earth No. 105 by Ame Terra
I laughed my ass off. This is a highly enjoyable science fiction / coming of age story. The characters are well depicted and the story line is complex.
I did get a bit confused towards the end but quite a bit happens; I'm not sure if I missed something or those elements of the plot will be resolved in book two.
The characters do swear like sailors so if dirty language turns you off, I would skip it.
If you are searching for an entertaining read, whether you're a fan of sci-fi or not, I would highly recommend this book!
Sweet Vengeance by Aliya DalRae
Sweet Vengeance is a well-constructed world of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers living amongst us humans in a typical American town.
Good and evil are more subtly expressed than in most of the paranormal fiction I’ve read (admittedly not a whole lot!). There are quite a few reasons to hate the good guy and I found myself sympathizing with the bad guy, until the final chapters of this novel anyway.
Jessica Sweet is incredibly open to this supernatural world and her ‘take it as it comes’ attitude makes it easier for readers to get on board with the story. The author’s lovely sense of humor also shows through in her dialogue and descriptions.
This is a fun and fast-paced paranormal fiction read that will enthrall fans of the genre.
The Shogun’s Queen by Lesley Downer
The Shogun’s Queen provides a fascinating history of Japan as seen through the eyes of a highly placed woman in the age of the shogun, in a time when Westerners were encroaching on the island, forcing Japan to open its tightly sealed borders to foreign traders and settlers.
Rich in detail, the author creates a world of princesses, shoguns and emperors that lives and breathes. There is plenty of intrigue and back door politics. The preparations for war and tactics used by the Japanese to defend themselves are also well described. As a Dutch citizen, it was also interesting to learn more about the relationship between Japan and the Netherlands from a Japanese perspective.
A captivating and engrossing read, The Shogun’s Queen is the perfect book for readers interested in Japanese culture and history.
Winter's Mourning by Janice J. Richardson
Winter’s Mourning is a lovely continuation of the Spencer Funeral Home series and an enjoyable story to boot.
The main protagonist, Jennifer, once again proves herself to be a compassionate funeral director and trusted friend who goes above and beyond to help those in need. The funeral home setting and emotional situations the characters find themselves in while serving the living and dead, are quite unique and that makes it an even more interesting read!
This time Jennifer’s fighting for her own life and trying to save a young, tragedy-stricken woman. Niagara, Canada is again the gorgeous setting.
I do suggest starting with book one; those who haven’t read it may not fully understand the storyline in this one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and look forward to reading the third book in the series! 4.5 out of 5 stars
Lead Me Into Danger by Daniella Bernett
Lead Me Into Danger is a well-constructed murder mystery set in Venice and London.
Both cities are beautifully described in a way that made me feel as if I was walking alongside the characters.
Emmeline Kirby is a headstrong journalist who puts her own life at risk to uncover the truth about a fellow journalist's death. During her investigation, she is shadowed by her former lover Gregory Longdon. Their romantic interplay reminded me of gentle Cary Grant style films, though the story is set in the present.
I enjoyed the story and characters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. 4.5 out of 5 stars
Earth No. 105 by Ame Terra
I laughed my ass off. This is a highly enjoyable science fiction / coming of age story. The characters are well depicted and the story line is complex.
I did get a bit confused towards the end but quite a bit happens; I'm not sure if I missed something or those elements of the plot will be resolved in book two.
The characters do swear like sailors so if dirty language turns you off, I would skip it.
If you are searching for an entertaining read, whether you're a fan of sci-fi or not, I would highly recommend this book!
Sweet Vengeance by Aliya DalRae
Sweet Vengeance is a well-constructed world of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers living amongst us humans in a typical American town.
Good and evil are more subtly expressed than in most of the paranormal fiction I’ve read (admittedly not a whole lot!). There are quite a few reasons to hate the good guy and I found myself sympathizing with the bad guy, until the final chapters of this novel anyway.
Jessica Sweet is incredibly open to this supernatural world and her ‘take it as it comes’ attitude makes it easier for readers to get on board with the story. The author’s lovely sense of humor also shows through in her dialogue and descriptions.
This is a fun and fast-paced paranormal fiction read that will enthrall fans of the genre.
The Shogun’s Queen by Lesley Downer
The Shogun’s Queen provides a fascinating history of Japan as seen through the eyes of a highly placed woman in the age of the shogun, in a time when Westerners were encroaching on the island, forcing Japan to open its tightly sealed borders to foreign traders and settlers.
Rich in detail, the author creates a world of princesses, shoguns and emperors that lives and breathes. There is plenty of intrigue and back door politics. The preparations for war and tactics used by the Japanese to defend themselves are also well described. As a Dutch citizen, it was also interesting to learn more about the relationship between Japan and the Netherlands from a Japanese perspective.
A captivating and engrossing read, The Shogun’s Queen is the perfect book for readers interested in Japanese culture and history.
August 17, 2017
'Genre Identity and The Author’s Voice' by Janice J. Richardson and 'When God Created the World' by Dora Ilieva
What a busy few weeks it has been! While I'm finalizing Smuggler's Deceit (Book Three in the Adventures of Zelda Richardson series) and approving audio files for The Lover's Portrait audiobook (out in October!), two lovely authors have stopped by my blog to share two wonderful stories with us.
Please do check out Janice J. Richardson's article 'Genre Identity and The Author’s Voice' and Dora Ilieva's 'When God Created the World'.
Genre Identity and The Author’s Voice by Janice J. Richardson
It is my pleasure to welcome cozy mystery author Janice J. Richardson back to my blog! Today she shares with us her thoughts on genres, as both an author and reader.
She is also getting ready for the August 19th release of the third book in her Spencer Funeral Home Niagara Cozy Mystery series, Grave Mistake. I’m looking forward to reading it! You can find more about it at the bottom of this post, along with my review of her second novel, Winter’s Mourning.
And if that isn’t enough, you can also read a lovely interview and review of her first book Casket Cache, here.
Read the entire post here: http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/08/...
When God Created the World by Dora Ilieva
I had the pleasure of ‘meeting’ mystery author Dora Ilieva in a Goodreads group many months ago, yet only recently read her second novel, The Master. I was blown away! She’s quite a talented author who infuses archaeology and history into her story, and takes us on a tour of Eastern Europe to boot. I recently discovered the third novel in the Sam and Kossara series, currently entitled White Clay, will be released this winter. I can’t wait to read it!
Take a moment and read her lovely article about her homeland Bulgaria. I know it’s on my ‘to visit’ list now.
Read the entire post here: http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/08/...
Please do check out Janice J. Richardson's article 'Genre Identity and The Author’s Voice' and Dora Ilieva's 'When God Created the World'.
Genre Identity and The Author’s Voice by Janice J. Richardson
It is my pleasure to welcome cozy mystery author Janice J. Richardson back to my blog! Today she shares with us her thoughts on genres, as both an author and reader.
She is also getting ready for the August 19th release of the third book in her Spencer Funeral Home Niagara Cozy Mystery series, Grave Mistake. I’m looking forward to reading it! You can find more about it at the bottom of this post, along with my review of her second novel, Winter’s Mourning.
And if that isn’t enough, you can also read a lovely interview and review of her first book Casket Cache, here.
Read the entire post here: http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/08/...
When God Created the World by Dora Ilieva
I had the pleasure of ‘meeting’ mystery author Dora Ilieva in a Goodreads group many months ago, yet only recently read her second novel, The Master. I was blown away! She’s quite a talented author who infuses archaeology and history into her story, and takes us on a tour of Eastern Europe to boot. I recently discovered the third novel in the Sam and Kossara series, currently entitled White Clay, will be released this winter. I can’t wait to read it!
Take a moment and read her lovely article about her homeland Bulgaria. I know it’s on my ‘to visit’ list now.
Read the entire post here: http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/08/...
July 20, 2017
Last chance to enter Notes of a Naive Traveler giveaway!
Don’t miss your chance to win a signed paperback copy of Notes of a Naive Traveler: Nepal and Thailand: Nepal and Thailand!
Enter today: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
(Giveaway ends July 25)
Can’t wait to begin your adventure to Nepal and Thailand? Pick it up the eBook for 99 cents or paperback for 8.99 while you still can – prices go up on August 2!
Buy it now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble NOOK, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords or your favorite online retailer.
Enter today: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
(Giveaway ends July 25)
Can’t wait to begin your adventure to Nepal and Thailand? Pick it up the eBook for 99 cents or paperback for 8.99 while you still can – prices go up on August 2!
Buy it now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble NOOK, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords or your favorite online retailer.
July 14, 2017
Why Read The Book If You Can Watch The Movie? by Robbie Cheadle
Today I am pleased to share a wonderful blog post by children’s author Robbie Cheadle. In this increasingly interconnected world it can be difficult for parents to explain to their children why basic math and writing skills are important. I know I am shocked by how much my six-year-old already knows about iPads, Kindle readers and desktops. Why should he bother to learn to write neatly if everything is sent via computer anyway? Robbie has an eloquent answer for us all!
Why read the book if you can watch the movie?
We live in a world of technology. Television, movies, computers, laptops, iphones, ipads and even ipods. Nothing in my children’s lives is as it was when I was growing up. Everything is fast and instant. My oldest son started high school this year. I hear about the exciting and innovative learning topics and methods he is enjoying and I feel quite envious of his learning experience. Information and research is at his fingertips at the click of a Google button. Not for him, riding his bicycle to the library and searching through a pile of books for information on a given topic and then standing in a queue to photocopy pages from said books to take home and work on. Homework assignments are made available to learners in a virtual classroom and are completed on-line and resubmitted to the teacher electronically. If he forgets a book at school, never fear, technology is here. He will reach out to his contemporaries on the school Whats App group and, very soon, someone will send through the forgotten material in a digital form. If an unexpected soccer match crops up, my son merely reaches for his iphone and sends me a text informing me of the change of plan and the updated collection time. I shudder as I think back to my time of standing in a long queue to use the one and only payphone at the school to convey any such changes to my mother. Most of the time I would have to try and reverse the changes of the call as I rarely had any money....
Read the rest on my blog: http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/07/...
July 9, 2017
The Man who Fooled the Third Reich by Maggi Andersen
Mystery Thriller Week brought me into contact with all sorts of amazing authors, including the lovely Maggi Andersen. She’s the author of twenty-four novels and several short stories, written in the contemporary Mystery, Historical Romance and Romantic Suspense genres. She’s even contributed to a non-fiction book about castles, customs and kings in Scotland!
It is my pleasure to share her article about one of my favorite Dutch personalities, Han van Meegeren. Find out now why the Dutch love this art forger, still one of the most talked about historical figures in the Netherlands.
The Man Who Fooled the Third Reich: Han van Meegeren, painter and forger extraordinaire
One of the most intriguing figures of the 1930s art world was in fact, a convicted criminal. (Han) Henricus van Meegeren, a Dutch painter. Born on October 10, 1889 in a small Netherlands community just outside of Deventer, he was strictly discouraged from any creative pursuits by his father, a history teacher. When his father caught his son drawing or exploring art, he’d force him to write “I know nothing, I am nothing, I am capable of nothing” hundreds of times on a sheet of paper. His father was determined that his son became an architect...
Read the entire article here:
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/07/...
It is my pleasure to share her article about one of my favorite Dutch personalities, Han van Meegeren. Find out now why the Dutch love this art forger, still one of the most talked about historical figures in the Netherlands.
The Man Who Fooled the Third Reich: Han van Meegeren, painter and forger extraordinaire
One of the most intriguing figures of the 1930s art world was in fact, a convicted criminal. (Han) Henricus van Meegeren, a Dutch painter. Born on October 10, 1889 in a small Netherlands community just outside of Deventer, he was strictly discouraged from any creative pursuits by his father, a history teacher. When his father caught his son drawing or exploring art, he’d force him to write “I know nothing, I am nothing, I am capable of nothing” hundreds of times on a sheet of paper. His father was determined that his son became an architect...
Read the entire article here:
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/07/...
June 25, 2017
New spotlight on Lucia Davis & Andrew Cairns + many updates
Dear Goodreads friends,
It has been an extraordinarily busy week! I’ve been offline getting everything ready for something amazing – stay tuned for a big announcement later this week!
Over on my blog you will find two new travel articles, information about my travelogue’s paperback release (don’t miss the Notes of a Naive Traveler: Nepal and Thailand Goodreads giveaway), a new Facebook group for authors and readers of travel fiction and non-fiction called Travel By Book, and two features introducing you to two amazing authors.
I hope you will take a moment to learn more about Lucia N. Davis and Andrew Cairns.
Spotlight on Mystery Author Lucia N. Davis
Please help me welcome Lucia N. Davis, author of The Baby on the Back Porch and The Charm of Lost Chances, to my blog. We connected via a Goodreads author group because of her Dutch roots! It’s been great getting to know her, her expanding family and her mysteries. I hope you enjoy the interview as well.
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
10 Tips and Techniques for Creating a Sense of Place in the Reader’s Mind by Andrew Cairns
Today Andrew Cairns, author of The Witch’s List and member of Travel By Book, shares with us some excellent tips for creating a strong sense of place in your novels.
Andrew knows what he’s talking about. Travel inspired his first novel, written fifteen years after a memorable one-month visit to the Ivory Coast in 1999. His experiences of growing up in Scotland and moving to France where he has lived and worked most of his adult life, are also worked into the novel. I hope you enjoy reading his post and pick up a few useful tips for your own writing!
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
I am also thrilled to see wonderful new reviews of all three of my books: The Lover’s Portrait, Down and Out in Kathmandu and Notes of a Naïve Traveler! Thanks to all who left a review of my books, I really appreciate it.
Until next time, have a wonderful week!
TRAVEL BY BOOK and Articles:
Do you want to trek the Himalayas, swim in the Mediterranean, walk along the French Riviera or hike the jungles of Peru but don’t have enough time or money?
Travel By Book instead!
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
Family Vacation in Little Switzerland: Echternach, Luxembourg (Part Two)
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
Amsterdam: Family Fun for Everyone
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
It has been an extraordinarily busy week! I’ve been offline getting everything ready for something amazing – stay tuned for a big announcement later this week!
Over on my blog you will find two new travel articles, information about my travelogue’s paperback release (don’t miss the Notes of a Naive Traveler: Nepal and Thailand Goodreads giveaway), a new Facebook group for authors and readers of travel fiction and non-fiction called Travel By Book, and two features introducing you to two amazing authors.
I hope you will take a moment to learn more about Lucia N. Davis and Andrew Cairns.
Spotlight on Mystery Author Lucia N. Davis
Please help me welcome Lucia N. Davis, author of The Baby on the Back Porch and The Charm of Lost Chances, to my blog. We connected via a Goodreads author group because of her Dutch roots! It’s been great getting to know her, her expanding family and her mysteries. I hope you enjoy the interview as well.
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
10 Tips and Techniques for Creating a Sense of Place in the Reader’s Mind by Andrew Cairns
Today Andrew Cairns, author of The Witch’s List and member of Travel By Book, shares with us some excellent tips for creating a strong sense of place in your novels.
Andrew knows what he’s talking about. Travel inspired his first novel, written fifteen years after a memorable one-month visit to the Ivory Coast in 1999. His experiences of growing up in Scotland and moving to France where he has lived and worked most of his adult life, are also worked into the novel. I hope you enjoy reading his post and pick up a few useful tips for your own writing!
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
I am also thrilled to see wonderful new reviews of all three of my books: The Lover’s Portrait, Down and Out in Kathmandu and Notes of a Naïve Traveler! Thanks to all who left a review of my books, I really appreciate it.
Until next time, have a wonderful week!
TRAVEL BY BOOK and Articles:
Do you want to trek the Himalayas, swim in the Mediterranean, walk along the French Riviera or hike the jungles of Peru but don’t have enough time or money?
Travel By Book instead!
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
Family Vacation in Little Switzerland: Echternach, Luxembourg (Part Two)
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
Amsterdam: Family Fun for Everyone
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
June 15, 2017
Introducing Amy Shannon, author and book blogger
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Amy Shannon, book reviewer and author of over 100 published poems and stories. It is an honor to be able to help promote the June 9 release of her latest book, Fettering Shadows: A Jake Dalton Investigator, which is coincidentally also her birthday. So happy birthday Amy, from all of us! I hope you enjoy learning more about Amy, her books and her book review blog.
Read the full interview here:
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
June 4, 2017
Introducing author, reviewer and blogger Sojourner McConnell
I am proud to introduce to you author, reviewer and blogger Sojourner McConnell and share the release of her first children’s book, Who's That in the Cat Pajamas?!
I am Sojourner McConnell. I am a mother of three and after a lifetime of dreaming about it, I published for the first time in 2012. That was a YA book, The Path of the Child, which shared the story of a neglected teenage girl with no social interaction which made her stilted and shy. I enjoy having people read this story. I have participated in several anthologies, The Power of Forgiveness and 31 Days in October, with a ghost story and whimsical cat. Most recently on June 2nd, I released my first children’s book, Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? which is the story of a magical umm cat. It is the first in the Dolcey Series. It has been an exciting transition.
Read the rest of this fascinating interview here:
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
I am Sojourner McConnell. I am a mother of three and after a lifetime of dreaming about it, I published for the first time in 2012. That was a YA book, The Path of the Child, which shared the story of a neglected teenage girl with no social interaction which made her stilted and shy. I enjoy having people read this story. I have participated in several anthologies, The Power of Forgiveness and 31 Days in October, with a ghost story and whimsical cat. Most recently on June 2nd, I released my first children’s book, Who’s That in the Cat Pajamas? which is the story of a magical umm cat. It is the first in the Dolcey Series. It has been an exciting transition.
Read the rest of this fascinating interview here:
http://jennifersalderson.com/2017/06/...
Jennifer S. Alderson's Blog
Musing and information about my books and the publishing process.
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