Jessica Samuelsen's Blog, page 38
May 20, 2016
Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – Am I too old to read YA?
I am drinking a fresh roasted coffee from Costa Rica with cream. What are you drinking?
I have wondered many times should I be ashamed to read Ya? I am over thirty years old and the intended audience is not that! I enjoy a good story and YA seems to offer a lot of them. So I overlook the intended age range.
Some things that I don’t like about YA is when the author has explicit sex scenes containing youth. It just creeps me out! I don’t want to read about that. I am not naive enough to think teenagers don’t have sex, I just don’t want it thrown in my face. Though YA romance doesn’t bother me. Though young love is not very realistic it is appealing.
In the end, I can’t tell you why I am drawn to YA. Does it make me feel like I am reliving my youth? A little. Honestly, I got over the age dilemma after the Twilight series. A good story is a good story no matter what the intended audience. So I have to say I got over my shame.
How do you feel about adults reading YA?
May 19, 2016
Slayed on The Slopes by Kate Dyer- Seeley
Series: Pacific Northwest #2
Published by Kensington on March 31st 2015
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
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.
GoodreadsAmazon
After talking her way into a job writing for Portland's Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .
She's at Mount Hood's remote Silcox Hut, covering the the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers-- Oregon's elite high-altitude rescue team--during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she's still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg's now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!
Meg Reed is a journalist for Northwest extreme. When she got the job she might have exaggerated her outdoor prowess. She is not stuck on Mount Hood at Silox Hut with a team of skiing extremists. She is doing a cover on the team who is going to teach extreme skiing to whoever wants the lessons. Everything is fine until someone ends up dead. Meg once again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Will she find the killer before they get to her?
In an Oyster Shell – Another great book in the Pacific Northwest series set on snowy Mount Hood.
The Pearls – The characters of this series are just unbelievable. A girly girl outdoor journalist is just funny. She is the exact opposite of outdoorsy. She is surrounded by a myriad of memorable characters. There are some from the first books and some new ones. They all work together to make a great story.
The plot line is strong. I like that the book has it’s own plot line. Yet, there is a strong series plot elements threaded through out the book as well. It’s like you get two for one.
The setting was really fun. Set out at Mount hood. I learned more about the area then I knew. The author is really good at giving a history of wherever the story is set. I learned some new things it was great!
The Sand- I felt the action was a little slow on this one.
3.5 Pearls
About Kate E. Dyer-Seeley
Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing, featuring the rugged landscapes of the PNW and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.
The first two books in the series, SCENE OF THE CLIMB and SLAYED ON THE SLOPES, are available now. SILENCED IN THE SURF and FIRST DEGREE MUDDER coming in 2016.
May 18, 2016
Blog Tour with Review – Clarissa Jean Homecoming Queen by Jessica Goodwin
Clarissa Jean, Homecoming Queen by Jessica Goodwin on May 1, 2016
Genres: Women's Fiction
Pages: 237
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
When Claire Bradshaw decides to end her dead-end relationship of several years, she only has one place to go - back home to the tiny town of Palmetto Park. Claire keeps bumping into people from her past as she struggles to shake her "better than everybody" reputation, make peace with her enemies, and even attempts to rekindle an old flame. Claire gets to know her old friends all over again and gets to know more about herself as she starts over - right back where it all started.
Claire finds out her boyfriend of seven years is cheating on her. She decides to move back to her hometown. Claire is at loss to what to do with her life so she hopes she finds some inspiration at home. When she gets there some people are happy to see her and some people are not. Some still see her as the better than everyone else. She does her best to remake her image and find what to do next with her life.
In an Oyster Shell – A heartwarming read of having to grow up all over again.
The Pearls – I really liked the idea of the “popular” girl having to eat crow and go back ten years later to her hometown. The story really encompasses how things change. The popular people don’t have it all together. The kids they used to make fun of are now friends that you want to have. This story is a great tale about how growing up changes things in unexpected ways.
I always enjoy a small town setting. It was especially nice because you kind of get to see the backstory as the book progresses. I enjoyed the traditions of the town that bring the characters together.
I really enjoyed the characters especially Claire’s aunt. She seems to be the most understanding to Claire’s situation.
This was a really good book that I would recommend.
The Sand – Not a book I would read again.
4 Pearls
About Jessica Goodwin
Jessica Goodwin lives in northern Virginia near Washington, DC with her husband, son, and their two cats. She likes cookies, coffee, and anything that sparkles. If she could have any animal for a pet, it would be a T-Rex. She loves experimenting in the kitchen, going wine tasting, singing in the shower, and taking pictures of the baby.
Two of Goodwin’s books, ‘Here We Go’ and ‘The One Who Got Away’ have been on the Amazon bestseller list. In March 2012, her third book, ‘One of the Guys,’ received an Honorable Mention in Sapphire Star Publishing’s Month of Romance contest. These titles were originally published on Amazon under her former name, Jessica Strassner, but have been rereleased under the name Jessica Goodwin.
May 17, 2016
Love in Bloom Giveaway
Thank you to Mary over at Bookhounds for hosting.
For this giveaway, I am featuring –
Review here
I am giving away a 10$ Amazon gift card.
May 16, 2016
ARC Review Winging It by Cate Cameron
Winging It by Cate Cameron Published by Entangled Publishing on May 9th 2016
Pages: 190
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains adult language, ice-melting kisses, and a swoon-worthy hero. This fake relationship romance will have you wishing for a hockey player of your own... Natalie West and Toby Cooper were best friends growing up, on and off the ice. But when Toby's hockey career took off, their friendship was left behind. Now Natalie has a crazy plan to land her crush-Toby's biggest rival-and she needs Toby's help to pull it off. When Nat asks Toby to be her fake boyfriend, he can't say no. Not when it means getting his best friend back. But Natalie is all grown up now, and spending time with her-even when it's just playing hockey together-stirs up a lot of feelings, old and new. Suddenly pretending to be interested in her isn't hard at all...if only she wanted him and not his enemy.
Natalie West and Toby Cooper were best friends growing up. They played hockey together until Toby made it to the semi-pros and Natalie was left behind. Their friendship falls to the wayside until Natalie gets the idea to pretend to date Toby to get the attention of his cousin Sean. Sean wants whatever Toby has and Natalie trys to use this to her advantage. Despite her friends trying to talk her out of it she thinks she has a full proof plan. The complications that come up are unexpected. Will she lose her best friend trying to get what she wants?
In An Oyster Shell- Another great installment of the Corrigan Falls series.
The Pearls – I have been really enjoying the premise of the love interests being hockey players. Hockey is one of my favorite sports. Having a whole series about hockey players falling love has been really fun. What makes this book different from the other two in the series is the main character Natalie is also a hockey player. A girl hockey player is a fun plot element.
The characters were well developed. The characters are standing true throughout the series. You see glimpses of characters from the previous books.
The setting really makes this series. A small town in Canada that is centered around hockey is classic. You get the small town feel which makes the story nice and cozy.
The Sand – It was a really good book, but not one I would read again.
About Cate Cameron
Cate Cameron grew up in the city but moved to the country in her mid-twenties and isn’t looking back. Most of her writing deals with people living and loving in small towns or right out in the sticks – when there aren’t entertainment options on every corner, other people get a lot more interesting!
She likes to write stories about real people struggling with real issues. YA, NA, or contemporary romance, her books are connected by their emphasis on subtle humor and characters who are trying to do the right thing, even when it would be a lot easier to do something wrong.
May 15, 2016
Sunday Post – May 15
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ 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
The weather is bipolar here in the Northwest one day it’s 80 and sunny the next day it’s 50 something and raining. I can’t keep up!
In Review –
On Tour –
Giveaways –
Starting Tuesday
Question of the Week? What are you reading right now? I am reading Leaving Amy by Julieann Dove.
May 13, 2016
Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – My Favorite thing about Book Blogging.
OMG! Peeps. I have been sick. Slacking on the blogging. I am back today with a french press coffee and cream.
What are you drinking?
I have been blogging for a year. Eek! I have come to appreciate working with authors personally as my favorite thing of working a book blog. Some do it for the free books and that is nice. Though even though I get free books I still buy a lot of books. I read a lot. Working with the authors is really my favorite thing.
I have authors coming back a year later from when I reviewed their book to share book birthdays and promotions. I have some authors that send over their books as soon as they are ready to be reviewed The author that tickled me the most is the one that sent me her daughter’s books as well. They were really good by the way.
My favorite thing… working with authors! It’s why I do what I do. There are so many authors out there that don’t get the attention they deserve. I am glad to do my part!
What is your favorite part of book blogging?
May 12, 2016
Review – Marry Me For Money by Mia Kayla
Marry Me for Money by Mia Kayla Published by Author on May 4, 20124
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 359
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads
Amazon
Leaving her small town behind, Bethany Casse moves to Chicago in search of a new life. Working at a top financial bank brings her into contact with two men who are as different as night and day.
Kent Plack, heir to Plack Industries, has no interest in being with a woman for longer than one night. A spoiled and lazy man-whore, he is completely content with his playboy lifestyle, and Beth is surprised when they form an unlikely friendship.
Brian Burcham, a finance banker, is gorgeous and respectful. A man plucked from Beth’s dreams, he is definite husband material. Unfortunately, Beth has a hard rule against dating coworkers, but Brian is determined to change her mind.
When a deadbeat mother and money problems follow her to Chicago, Beth is offered a solution that could fix everything. Marrying for money seems simple enough, but when lines become blurred, Beth faces difficult choices, making her realize that the easy way out just made her life even harder than before.
Beth fresh out of college moves to Chicago to be a bank underwriter and start new. She is leaving behind a past of loss and betrayal having lost her grandma who raised her after her deadbeat mom abandoned her. Haunted by debt racked up by her mother Beth is just trying to pay it off and put the past behind her. During a business meeting, she meets playboy Kent who has no ambition in life but to spend is inheritance and have fun. They make an unlikely friendship. When it comes to Kent needing to marry to get his trust fund he enlists Beth’s help in exchange for paying off her debt. She agrees to marry for a month. What could go wrong?
In an Oyster Shell – This was a really well-done romance that I would read again and again.
The Pearls – Though this concept has been done over and over again I feel like this author gave this premise a refreshing perspective. The two characters make the most unlikely couple and it really does seem to be a relationship of convenience.
The characters were well developed. There was a lot of characters and the author handled all of them masterfully.
The setting was fun being in Chicago. I haven’t read a lot of books based in Chicago.
The ending was really pleasant and unexpected.
The Sand – Though there was not a lot of them, the sex scenes were more descriptive then I like them to be.
About Mia Kayla
Mia Kayla is a New Adult/Contemporary Romance writer who lives in Illinois.
On the weekdays, she can be caught wearing a suit, commuting to her corporate job in downtown Chicago and raising three beautiful munchkins in the suburbs, four if you count the husband.
In her free time she loves reading romance novels, jamming to boy bands, catching up on celebrity gossip and designing flowers for weddings.
Most of the time, she can be caught on the train with her nose in a book sporting a cheeky grin because the main characters finally get their happily-ever-after at the end.
She loves reading about happy endings but has more fun writing them.
May 11, 2016
Blog Tour with Review – The Society by Jodie Andrefski
The Society by Jodie Andrefski Published by Entangled Teen on May 3rd 2016
Pages: 304
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.
GoodreadsAmazon
Welcome to Trinity Academy’s best-kept secret.
The Society.
You’ve been handpicked by the elite of the elite to become a member. But first you’ll have to prove your worth by making it through Hell Week.
Do you have what it takes?
It’s time to find out.
Samantha Evans knows she’d never get an invite to rush the Society—not after her dad went to jail for insider trading. But after years of relentless bullying at the hands of the Society’s queen bee, Jessica, she’s ready to take down Jessica and the Society one peg at a time from the inside out.
All it’ll take is a bit of computer hacking, a few fake invitations, some eager rushees…and Sam will get her revenge.
Let the games begin.
In an Oyster Shell – A story about a teen that’s had enough of bullying and wants her revenge no matter the cost.
The Pearls – The book had a great premise. A rich girl fallen from grace due to her father’s misdeeds. All on her own with her ailing aunt, Samantha has to make due. Most people shun her for what her dad did though she has one frined who stands by her side. This book is about revenge. What I liked most about this book is it dealt with the reality of consequences. Not all fiction especially Ya fiction deals with that.
There was a great cast of characters. The aunt and Samantha’s best friend were the most memorable for me. I am glad that her best friend was there for her, even to the point of holding her accountable.
The romance of this book was cute and real. I like that this book had real life situations in it. The almost romance and the real romance.
I am glad that the MC learns a lesson and things are resolved in the end, though a bit unexpectedly.
The Sand – The book had a lot going for it, but in the end left me a bit underwhelmed.
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About Jodie Andrefski
Jodie Andrefski lives in a tiny town in PA that no one has ever heard of with her teenage daughter. She received her BS in Secondary English Education from Penn State, then taught a few years before changing focus and going back to school for her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.
Andrefski always loved both reading and writing, and wrote for several websites and magazines before deciding to write novels. She writes YA Contemporary, most of which involves at least some kissing. The Society is her second novel with Entangled Teen.
May 8, 2016
Sunday Post – May 8
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ 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
Happy Mother’s Day
In Review –
On Tour –
Question of the Week – How did you celebrate mother’s day?
