Jessica Samuelsen's Blog, page 27

Sunday Post – October 16

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at the  Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Still enjoying the cold rainy weather in the Great Northwest or as more appropriate these days the Great North Wet. I am itching for the holidays to get here. I don’t really celebrate Halloween save giving out goodies to the children. So I am waiting anxiously for November to get here. We travel every other year for Thanksgiving and this year is our year to stay home. I am eager to get plans under way! It’s early I know but it will be here before you know. In a little under a month will be the HO HO HO Readathon I am so excited. I’ve already started reading holiday books. It’s interesting that most of them come out around this time and not closer to Christmas.

This Week In Reviews – Click image to go to review.

On Tour – 

Giveaways – 

This weeks Feature and Follow is most memorable characters.

This week’s discussion is Why I don’t do Audiobooks.

Coming Up – 

Reviews 

Question of the Week – What are your plans for Halloween? I am just planning on handing out Taki’s which seem to be a favorite among my nephews and nieces.

Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – Why I don’t do audiobooks

I’m drinking a fresh roasted coffee with cream. I think today I’ll have two!

What are you drinking?

So this is ironic that I am writing this post today. I just received an audiobook from a giveaway I entered. Do you ever win stuff that you don’t remember signing up for?

So as a general rule I don’t do audiobooks. I can hardly sit still to watch a 40-minute tv show. Listening to an audiobook is not my preferred way of reading. I have a super flexible schedule and hardly have the opportunity to sit and listen to an audiobook.

I understand they can be really convenient for commutes and for other activities where you want to be hands-free. I hardly ever have the need to be hands-free. The only way I will do audiobooks is if I win them. Which I don’t enter to win very often. I won one and listened to it while I was sewing. That was a unique occasion.

Another reason I don’t like audiobooks is I feel as if narration could throw off the writer’s voice if you will. I want to hear what the writer is saying through the written word not some narrators interpretation of the tone.

I am sure if I had a long commute or had big projects like that sewing project I was doing, I would be more inclined to listen to audiobooks. With this newest audiobook, I think I will listen to it on my 3-hour drive to my mom’s house.

Audiobooks have their place but I would prefer to read.

What are your thoughts on audiobooks?

Fall Into Romance Giveaway

Thanks to Herding Cats and Burning Soup for hosting!

I’ve been really looking forward to this giveaway. My romance of choice this fall is All Shook Up by Chelsey Krause. Click the image to go to the review.

It’s a really fun romance. I’m giving away a copy with a 5$ Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feature and Follow – Most memorable characters

Thanks to Allison Can Read and Parajunkee for hosting.

What are your most memorable characters?

Ethan Shepard and Kate Masters are pretty much on my mind from The Day He Went Away. It was a powerful book with unforgettable characters.

Blog Tour With Review – Christmas at Eden Manor by Noelle Adams

Christmas at Eden Manor by Noelle Adams
on October 5, 2016
Pages: 168
Source: Barclay Publicity

I received this book for free from Barclay Publicity in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Goodreads
Amazon

Brie Graves might be jobless, living with her brother, and recovering from a painful break-up, but she's determined to enjoy the holidays. Until the end of the year, she's going to do anything she wants to do, no matter how crazy it might be. Soon, she discovers exactly what she wants--to spend a week with a fascinating, sophisticated stranger. It doesn't matter that she only knows his first name or that he's more than twenty years older than her. After this one week, she'll never see him again.

Cyrus Damon has spent his life making money and holding himself to impossibly high standards. Pressured into taking a vacation in Savannah, he's alone and at loose ends, so he lets himself do something he never would have considered otherwise. He gives in to his attraction to a beautiful, free-spirited, and much-too-young woman. But, after the week is over, he'll once more be the man he's always been, left with nothing but the memory of a woman who made him happier than he's ever been.

He has no idea that when he visits his nephew in a charming bed and breakfast called Eden Manor, he'll find the woman he thought he'd left for good.

Brie Graves restores stained glass in old buildings. Though she loves her work jobs can be hard to come by. She finds herself jobless getting over a break-up right before Christmas. She decides she’s going to let herself do anything she wants for the rest of the year. She finds herself meeting a stranger named Cyrus Damon and decides to spend a week with him. After a passionate week together they say goodbye. Only to find themselves at Eden Manor. Will they rekindle their love?

In an Oyster Shell – It was a  nice romance that burned slow like embers of a fire.

The Pearls – My favorite parts about this book were the settings and the romance. The setting started in Savannah. The author really showed the history of this place and made the story really interesting. We also get to see glimpses of Eden Manor which was a beautiful bed and breakfast and glimpses of England.

The romance was slow but enriching. There was a big age difference between the two characters. I think that made for a different kind of romance. Though most of the relationship is developed in a week, I wouldn’t call it a whirlwind romance. There was no rushing anything. It was a nice change of pace as far as romances go.

The two main characters were a great contrast to each other.  One was young and spirited. The other was older and cautious. Bringing the two together made for a great story.

The Sand –  The sex scenes were a little more revealing than I like.

4 pearls!


About Noelle Adams

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she reads any book she can get her hands on and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.


Goodreads | Amazon

ARC Review – Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts by David Ahern

Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts by David Ahern
Series: ,
Published by Malin Press on October 20th 2016
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 355
Source: Author

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Goodreads
Amazon

Madam Tulip! Actress, fortune-teller, psychic, sleuth!

When out-of-work actress Derry O'Donnell moonlights as celebrity fortune-teller Madam Tulip in an English Stately home, she’s trying to make some cash. Instead, she is drawn into an alien world of wealth, titled privilege and family secrets.

A countess once a chorus girl, a gambling earl and his daughters, a cultured and handsome art expert—all caught in a terrifying web of ghastly threats, murder and abduction. As an aristocratic engagement party turns into a nightmare, Derry and her friend Bruce face the prospect of a gruesome and infamous death.

Madame Tulip and the Knave of Hearts is the second in a series of thrilling and hilarious Tulip adventures in which Derry O’Donnell, celebrity fortune-teller and reluctant amateur detective, plays the most exciting and perilous roles of her acting life, drinks borage tea, and fails to understand her parents.

Derry O’Donnell is asked to make another appearance as Madam Tulip fortune teller to the rich and famous. She begrudgingly obliges as the play she was in was canceled due to a tragic accident where the stage was destroyed. Needing the money she once again puts on the gown of Madam Tulip. This time she in England. At the stately home, she finds herself in, strange things start happening like body parts showing up. She finds herself once again immersed in a murder mystery. Will she be able to find the truth before she gets hurt?

In an Oyster Shell – Another mystery packed adventure with Madam Tulip. I recommend it.

The Pearls – This is another great installment of the Madam Tulip series. I like the constant struggle that Derry goes through as an actress. This really sets up the story for her to become Madam Tulip it’s always done begrudgingly. She want’s to make it as an actress, not Madam Tulip. I find this conflict interesting. The conflict was multi-faceted and made for an interesting read. There was a lot going on.

You definitely see the strengths of character building in this second book. The characters from the previous book become more defined than they were last time. The character Bruce is a testament to that. We get to see a lot more of him in this book. The characters overall were well developed. The supporting characters really helped to move the story along.

The setting was beautiful, countryside England.

The Sand –  The tone could get a little dull at times.

4 pearls!


About David Ahern

David Ahern grew up in a theatrical family in Ireland but ran away to Scotland to become a research psychologist and sensible person. He earned his doctorate and taught in major universities but could never explain to his granny why he didn’t own a stethoscope.

Finding the challenge of pretending to know things exhausting, David Ahern shaved off his beard and absconded once more, this time to work in television. He became a writer, director and producer, creating international documentary series. He won numerous awards but found nobody was much impressed.

For want of a better plan, David Ahern took to writing fiction. Madame Tulip isn’t his first novel, but writing it was the most fun he’s ever had with a computer. He is now writing the third in the series and enjoys pretending that this activity is actual work.

David Ahern lives in the beautiful West of Ireland with his wife, two cats and a vegetable garden of which he is inordinately proud.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review – Duchess Quest by C.K. Brooke

The Duchess Quest (Jordinia #1) by C.K. Brooke
Published by 48fourteen on October 3rd 2014
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 412
Source: YA Bound Book Tours

I received this book for free from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Goodreads
Amazon

Dainy doesn't know that she is the lost Duchess of Jordinia, believed to have been assassinated fifteen years ago. Nor does she know that her uncle has implemented an illegal contest to seek her, offering her marriage hand as the reward! Though at odds, three clashing rivals - including a noble giant, a forest dweller and a thieving rake - voyage together by woodland, prairie and sea to recover the lost royal, notwithstanding the assassins and spies at their tail. Soon, young Dainy is swept into a comically complex romantic quadrangle as each suitor competes to capture her heart. Charmingly romantic and bursting with political intrigue, startling twists and vivid characters, readers of romance and fantasy alike will adore this original yet timeless tale of swashbuckling adventure and unlikely love.

It’s been revealed that the Duchess of Jordania once thought to be assassinated is really alive. Her uncle starts a quest to look for her the prize being fifty pounds of gold and her hand in marriage. Dainy does not know she is the duchess until the three men on the quest come to find her. She goes back with them as each competes for her heart amongst the spies and assassins that seek to kill them.  Will they make it back alive? Which adventurer will the Duchess give her heart to?

In an Oyster Shell – A well-written fantasy that I recommend.

The Pearls – The concept was interesting. A long lost royal that escaped assassination. A quest to find her and bring her back. It’s all about the adventure and it was engaging.

The romance kept you on your toes. There were two people trying to win the Duchesse’s heart. It was an interesting push and pull. The end result is surprising.

The setting was enticing. It was all through the fantasy world. It was well established. There were multiple POV’s that were handled well.

The Sand – It was a well-written book.

4 Pearls!


About C.K. Brooke

C.K. Brooke is a 2015 Shelf Unbound Notable Indie author with a five-star rating by Readers’ Favorite. She holds numerous fantasy and romance publications with 48fourteen, Limitless Publishing, and Elphame Press. Her lifelong passion is books – reading, writing, editing, publishing and blogging about them. When not blissing out in literary land, she enjoys info-tainment podcasts, singing, songwriting and playing the piano. She lives in Washington, Michigan with her husband and young son.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Books to Movie Giveaway

Thank you to Mary over at Bookhounds for hosting.

One of my favorite book to movie adaptations is Chronicles of Narnia. 

What’s your favorite book to movie adaptation?

I’m giving away a 15$ Amazon Giftcard!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post – October 9

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at the  Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

It’s getting to be downright cold here in the Northwest. Cold and rainy. Great time for sweater and boots and even turning on the heater a little bit. My cats love coming to my bedroom when I have the heat on. We call them heat mongrels. Though it’s nasty outside, it’s cozy on the inside.

This Week In Review – 

On Tour – 

This week’s discussion is Why I read reviews.

This week’s Feature and Follow is Favorite Book World.

Coming Up – 

Reviews – 

On Tour – 

Giveaways – 

Question of the Week –  What is your favorite fall tradition? Mine is cooking I love coming up with new things to cook for the fall. Soups and baking are among my favorite things to get into in the fall.

Friday Coffee and Bookish Speaks – Why I read reviews

I’m drinking the usual fresh roasted coffee with cream.

What are you drinking?

This may seem like a no-duh thing reading reviews. I don’t assume just because one writes reviews means that they read reviews. I didn’t start reading reviews until I started writing them. I find other reviews really useful when trying to find which books I will review and won’t. When I’m on the fence about a book whether I am going to read it or not I find reading reviews helps me make up my mind.

The other reason I read reviews is to compare thoughts to mine. I love reading reviews of books I have already reviewed because I like to see other people’s perspective. I find it interesting that two people can read the same book and you’ll get totally different reactions. I like seeing that.

Overall I find reviews helpful. When you are constantly being asked to read books for review I find other reviews help give clarity on quality and context. It helps me make up my mind whether I want to read that book or not.

Do you read reviews? How do you find them helpful?