Jessica Samuelsen's Blog, page 44
February 21, 2016
Sunday Post & Stacking Shelves – February 21st
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
In Review –
Blog Tour –
No giveaways this week! Check the sidebar for upcoming giveaways.
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
Question of the Week – What do you do to zone out? Right now I am listening to What Say You Podcast with Sal Vulcano and Brian Quinn.
February 19, 2016
Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – Speak Boldly
I’m just drinking a brewed coffee today. It would be good for you to know that I am a huge fan of small roasted coffee. My favorite right now is Papua New Guinea from my favorite roaster.
Coming up with a topic each week to discuss can be tough. I know that some bloggers don’t even attempt it. It’s a daunting task! Coming up with a discussion every week can get hard. Sometimes you have to beg, borrow and steal inspiration. I know that when I draw a blank I reference this list. Yet, I find that perhaps inspiration isn’t always my problem as it is confidence to say what I have to say.
Why would anyone care what I have to say? Every day I struggle with why would someone want to read what I have to say over somebody else. This is quite problematic when one is a writer. I live with constant writers block because I don’t have the guts to get out what I have to say.
When I see other people have trouble with discussions I suspect that I am not alone. I don’t even have good advice on how to get over this! If you do… please share. All I can say on the matter at this point is take it one day at a time. Next week I’ll talk about anxiety. I am so sad to see that a lot of bloggers touch on this issue from a personal perspective. My anxiety waxes and wanes every day. My ability to function goes along with that.
What I have decided to do is something is better than nothing. I use these discussion posts to learn to speak boldly. It’s a small attempt every week, but it keeps me sharing. That’s all I can say to you… is speak boldly even if it is something small.
What do you think about discussions on blogs? I think they add a personal touch….
February 17, 2016
Review – To Kiss A Prince by Shéa MacLeod
To Kiss a Prince: Notting Hill Diaries 0.5 by Shéa MacLeod Published by CreateSpace on January 31st 2015
Pages: 112
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads
Amazon
Anna's life is falling apart. First she gets fired--totally not her fault!--and then she comes home to find her boyfriend in bed with the neighbor. But a job offer across the Pond gives her the perfect excuse to chuck it all and start again. As the nanny of adorable twins, she finds her new boss, Bella, cold and oh-so-proper, but Notting Hill is nothing short of magical. And as Valentine's Day approaches, Anna realizes anything is possible. Even capturing the heart of a prince. Notting Hill Diaries 0.5
Anna is having a bad day. She loses her job and finds her boyfriend cheating all at once. A serendipitous opportunity finds her to become a nanny in London. Anna takes it and moves to London. She finds herself in a new culture, and a new job, with lots of new challenges. Falling in love with a Prince is the last thing she expects.
In an Oyster Shell – A sweet little story morsel that gives you a taste of what the whole Notting Hill series might be like.
The Pearls – The small novella size was perfect for what I needed this week. I needed to get something read for the week and I wanted something short and sweet. This book fits that bill.
The concept of this story was unique despite the somewhat cliche′ title. I did not see the twists coming. It was nice and refreshing. The conflict that came from the twists was catty and enjoyable, like a Jerry Springer episode. Maybe it was not so drastic but I really enjoyed it especially at the end.
The characters were well developed for being such a succinct story. The concise precision of this novella was really nice, I can’t say enough about it.
The Sand – There was a plot hole and some typos.
3.5 Pearls!
About Shéa MacLeod
Shéa MacLeod has dreamed of writing novels since before she could hold a crayon. She totally blames her mother.
Her favorite poem as a child was ‘Jabberwocky’, and Her favorite authors were Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe. Which probably explains a lot.
After a six year sojourn in London, England, a dearth of good donuts has driven her back to her hometown. She now resides in the leafy green hills outside Portland, Oregon where she indulges in her fondness for strong coffee, Ancient Aliens reruns, lemon curd, and dragons.
Because everything’s better with dragons.
Shéa is the author of the SUNWALKER SAGA (a fast paced urban fantasy series with a kick-ass heroine published by Montlake) and DRAGON WARS (a post-apocalyptic series with dragons)as well as the Cupcake Goddess novelettes.
February 16, 2016
Blog Tour – The Sky Drifter by Paris Singer
The Sky Drifter by Paris Singer Published by Booktrope on August 27th 2015
Genres: YA
Pages: 223
Format: Mobi
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.
GoodreadsAmazon, B&N
Wandering in the vastness of space, is the Sky Drifter; an academy reserved for the best students in the known universe. Seven is just such a student. Gifted in strategy and Sphere, he lives happily on-board with his friends Iris and Pi, taking on his rival, visiting planets for exploration and competition. Everything is the way he likes it, until he sees a mysterious girl in a red coat, who will reveal to him a secret that will bring everything he thought he knew crashing down around him.
Seven is a student on the space ship academy the Sky drifter. With a myriad of creatures in which to share the academics and free time with. We follow life of seven and things start to appear glitchy. Seven finds the world he has always known might not be the truth.
In an Oyster Shell – This was a fantastic Si-Fi with a creative base of creatures like star trek.
The Pearls – The world-building in this book was incredible. The diversity of species and the great depth the author went to describing them was just phenomenal.
The characters were strong in this book. There was a well-defined protagonist, great supporting characters, and a well-developed main character.
The plot in the book was fairly interesting. The book had different elements that reminded one of their favorite books or t.v.
The Sand – The end of the book was fairly disappointing, The hint that there may be more to the story redeems it somewhat.
About Paris Singer
Paris Singer was born in Brussels, Belgium. He has lived in the U.K. and in various places in Spain, where he currently resides. At university, he studied English law and Spanish law. He didn’t like it. He then studied translation and didn’t like it, either. Currently, he is an English teacher in the south of Spain. He has far too many interests, he’s told, a few of which being sports, playing his old guitar, learning Japanese, painting, reading and cooking. Not a day goes by, however, where he doesn’t write something, be it under a palm tree or on a bench at a bus stop somewhere.
February 15, 2016
Review – P.S. I Still Love you by Jenny Han
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han Series: ,
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on May 26th 2015
Genres: YA, Romance
Pages: 337
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased Amazon
Goodreads
Amazon
Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
We see the unfolding of Lara Jean’s and Peter’s budding relationship from To All The Boys I have Loved Before. Their relationship is put the test right at the beginning of this book. Their first kiss keeps showing up on the internet. Struggling with his previous relationship that seems to not go away. Lara Jean finds herself conflicted about her relationship with Peter. She finds herself between two boys once again. Who will she choose?
In an Oyster Shell – This was an exciting sequel that had the same charm as the first book did. It felt like a continuation right from the last book.
The Pearls – I paid a lot of money for this sequel (just the e-copy!). That should tell you right there that I started out with a lot of confidence that this was going to be a good book. The story was already set-up from the first book and I say the sequel was executed very well. I finished this book feeling very satisfied and impressed with Jenny Han’s talent.
The characters were just off the charts. There was strong character development that carried through the story. I loved how Han captured human growth development very well. The characters actions and dialogue was appropriate to their given developmental state.
The romance was sweet and appropriate for a teenage romance. There was a classic love triangle as set in the first book and Lara Jean’s choice is pleasantly unexpected.
I think I have a new go-to author!
The Sand – I felt like the father character could be a tad more developed. There was strong language that I don’t like to see in YA.
About Jenny Han
Jenny Han (Han like Han Solo, not Han like hand)
was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) and she went on to graduate school at the New School in New York City, where she received her MFA in Writing for Children. She lives in Brooklyn.
February 14, 2016
Sunday Post & Stacking Shelves February 14
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I hope you are having a good one!
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
In Review –
Discussion – Sexy and Clean
Giveaways – These end tomorrow hurry and enter!
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
Question of the Week – What are you doing today?
I am having a quiet dinner at home with this handsome guy!
February 12, 2016
Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – Sexy and Clean
Woo Hoo! Valentines is just a couple of days away! I am celebrating with a cupid truffle mocha which is essentially a raspberry mocha. What are you drinking?
I didn’t plan on having a romantic topic this week but it works out that’s what’s going to happen. I don’t plan my discussions I just go with what inspires me any given week. I just got done reading Beyond the Stars by Stacy Wise and I was most appreciative that the book was super sexy without being graphic. That’s what I like to see in romance books.
Sexy is almost tangible creative. Graphic sex scenes to me are just dull and redundant. There are only so many ways a sex scene can go. What I like least about it is it takes away the imagination. I think sex scenes that are implied over being spelled out are much more preferable.
Inspired by the guest post from Barbra Wallace I would like to say that Harlequin and Entangled publishing are really good at categorizing their books into the level of sexiness you are comfortable. Check out Barbra’s post here.
I don’t feel like there are too many writers that strike the balance of sexy and clean. One that I really like is Jennifer Peel you can check in my review archive for her books. She’s the master at sexy and clean! Which I find more enjoyable…
How do you like your romances?
February 11, 2016
Guest Post – Barbra Wallace
Please welcome Barbra Wallace to writing pearls today. She is a seasoned romance author with several publishings some with Harlequin romance. I am glad she is going to be talking today about a subject that I am so on board with – rediscover Harlequin Romances!
Rediscover Classic Romance
When’s the last time you picked up a Harlequin Romance? Yes, that Harlequin Romance, the one your mother and grandmother used to read. Lately, these books have been a bit forgotten in the sea of newer novels.
There’s a reason Harlequin’s Romance line has been around for over six decades however. These feel-good books capture the emotional rush that comes with falling in love. You’ll laugh, you cry, and you’re guaranteed a happily ever after. What’s more, these are books that are meant to be shared with family. Mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins – all of them can enjoy the same book.
What’s more, you’ll find the heroes and heroines in a Harlequin Romance novel incredibly likeable. Strip away the exotic locales and glamorous lifestyle, and you’ll find men and women with problems not that different from yours and mine.
So why not (re)discover Harlequin Romance today? I think you’ll enjoy what your read.
And might I suggest a good place to start would be with Saved by the CEO? Set in Tuscany, this book features everything I mentioned above.
SAVED BY THE CEO
After a horribly public divorce, Louisa Harrison has escaped to Tuscany craving peace and quiet. But gorgeous local tycoon Nico Amatucci sends her heart into overdrive…especially when he kisses her!
Nico comes to Louisa’s rescue when their romance makes headlines, but Louisa’s determined to prove she’s no damsel in distress! Being in Nico’s arms makes her feel stronger than she’s ever felt before, but is she brave enough to entrust him with her just-healed heart?
She had to be joking. She was going to claim sovereignty now? “That’s funny, because I don’t remember you complaining about my maintaining it on your behalf.”
“On my behalf and to your benefit. Or are you going to tell me you didn’t double your vineyard without paying a penny?”
“No,” he replied with a shrug. “Why deny the truth?” He had benefited from using Carlos’s land. Carlos would have wanted as much. “You chose to stay away, and I saw no sense in letting good land go to waste.”
“I didn’t choose, I…” Whatever she was going to say was swept aside by a deep breath. “Regardless, that doesn’t give you the right to do what you want. No matter how good you are at it,” she muttered into her cup.
“Good at vineyard management or doing what I want?” Her side eye gave him his answer. “Fine. You’re the owner. If you don’t want to recultivate, what would you like to do with your neglected vineyards?”
“I’ll let you know,” she said, jutting her chin for maximum haughtiness.
They both knew he would replant; she was being stubborn for stubbornness’ sake. He wondered if she knew how attractive she looked when she was being argumentative. Maybe that was why he enjoyed pushing her buttons. Like a person with a stick poking at a hornet’s nest and getting off on the risk, provoking her to annoyance had excitement curling low in his stomach. And damn if it wasn’t easy to push her buttons. Seemed as though all he had to do was breathe and her eyes were flashing.
Those eyes were flashing brightly at the moment. Reminding him of how she’d looked right after they kissed.
Ah. Clarity dawned.
“This isn’t really about recultivating, is it?” he asked, stepping closer. “This is about what happened at the wedding.”
To read more, you can purchase Saved the CEO at any of the following links. (Sorry, wine not included.)
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Harlequin
About Barbra Wallace
Since winning RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart Award in 2007, Barbara Wallace has gone on to sell over 15 titles with Harlequin Romance and Entangled Publishing. Her books have appeared in nearly a half dozen languages and close to a dozen countries around the world. She’s a multiple Romantic Times award nominee, a Golden Leaf finalist, and wnner of the New England Bean Pot award. Most recently, her book THE COURAGE TO SAY YES was named Best Traditional Romance at the GDRWA Booksellers Best Awards.
You can keep up with Barbara’s releases through her newsletter.
February 10, 2016
ARC Review – Baggage by S.G. Redling
Baggage by S.G. Redling Published by Thomas & Mercer on February 9th 2016
Genres: Thriller, Mystery
Pages: 229
Source: Netgalley, Publicist
I received this book for free from Netgalley, Publicist in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
Over the years, terrible things keep happening to Anna Ray on February 17. First, there was the childhood trauma she’s never been able to speak about. Then, to her horror, her husband killed himself on that date.
A year later and a thousand miles away, Anna tries to find solace in the fresh start of a new job in a new place. She takes comfort in her outspoken cousin Jeannie, the confidant and best friend who’s there whenever she needs help. On the day of the dreaded anniversary, Anna and Jeannie hit the town, planning to ease the pain with an alcohol-induced stupor and then sleep.…
When Anna awakes the next morning, she thinks she can put one more February 17 behind her, but fate is about to intervene in the form of two gruesome murders with eerie similarities to her violent past. This time, however, she won’t be an abandoned daughter or a grieving widow. This time, she’ll be a suspect.
Anna Ray is trying to survive the wretched week that holds the doomed date of February 17th. The day her husband died. She moved thousands of miles away to grieve in peace. Her well-laid plans of surviving the trauma through drunken binges is interrupted when she is shown affection from a professor at the college she is working at. When he ends up dead on the same day her husband killed himself, Anna is drawn into a web of suspense that endangers her and her beloved cousin Jeanine who is there to comfort in this trying time.
In An Oyster Shell – A book that I would not recommend for a few reasons. It had a slow start and an unempathetic character that was impossible to connect with.
The Pearls – The suspense built nicely after the first part of the book.
There was great continuity with tragedies of Anna’s life. The relationship between Anna and her cousin Jeanine was a great sub-plot in the book. Both elements held the story together well.
The ending was fairly unexpected which is one tell of a good thriller.
The Sand – I really wanted to put this book down the first 25% of the book is very boring. The main character Anna is a sad sack with no redeeming qualities. Anna’s lack of luster for life bleeds into disconnect with the reader. The novel overall was dark and nearly hopeless. Until the very last sentence.
2.5 Pearls
About S.G. Redling
S.G. Redling, a graduate of Georgetown University, has spent fifteen years waking up the good folks of Huntington WV and its environs on the WKEE-FM morning radio show. She recently wound up her headphones for the last time and is focusing on thrillers, mysteries and urban fantasy. When S.G. isn’t writing (don’t tell Christine Witthohn!) she loves to paint, travel and embarrass herself by speaking wretched Italian.
February 9, 2016
ARC Review – Beyond The Stars by Stacy Wise
Beyond the Stars by Stacy Wise Published by Entangled Publishing on February 8th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: Mobi
Source: Entangled Publishing
I received this book for free from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
Falling for him wasn't in the plans...
Most girls would kill for the opportunity to work for Th, Hollywood's hottest actor, but twenty-one-year-old Jessica Beckett is ready to kick him out of her red Ford Fiesta and never look back. She should be spending her junior year in France, eating pastries and sharpening her foreign language skills. Instead she's reluctantly working as Jack's personal assistant, thanks to her powerhouse talent agent aunt.
Jack is private, prickly, and downright condescending. Jessica pushes his buttons—she's not the type of girl to swoon over celebrity heartthrobs, precisely why her aunt thought she'd be perfect for the job—and Jack pushes right back.
But as she begins to peel away his layers, Jessica is shocked to find she craves her boss's easy smile and sexy blue eyes. The problem is, so does the entire female population. And what started out as the job from hell soon has Jess wondering if a guy like Jack could ever find love with a regular girl like her.
Jessica was all set to study abroad for a year in Paris, until she got sick and had to make a change of plans. As a favor to her aunt, she becomes a personal assistant to the gorgeous actor Jack McAlister. With a rocky start with wrestling his pig to dealing with his seemingly off-putting ego, Jessica doesn’t hold much hope for the job. As she continues to work for him she sees under that steely exterior and finds something she didn’t know she was looking for. Will Jack and Jessica come to terms or will she have to walk away?
In an Oyster Shell – A sweet New Adult romance that will leave you swooning and glad you read it.
The Pearls – The whole concept of the story was charming. A personal assistant to a mega star with ample chances of love happening. It’s the common rags to princess story that doesn’t get old. The author put it in some interesting twists so that although it’s a familiar concept it’s a story all it’s own.
The romance was sweet, steamy, and clean. It’s a true work of talent to pull of a sexy read without the graphic scenes. I was really glad that this was a clean romance which makes it a book high on my list to recommend to people.
The sunny California setting makes it a perfect winter read. This book radiates warmth and will leave you cozy on the coldest of days.
The Sand – The character Jack was off-putting. The pacing of the book could be a bit off at times.
About Stacy Wise
Stacy Wise is the author of BEYOND THE STARS (Entangled Embrace, 2016). She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Masters in Teaching from Chapman University. She lives in California with her husband, four children, two dogs, and an ever-changing number of fish.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Stacy worked in television casting on shows including Party of Five, The X Files, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and Married…With Children. When she’s not dreaming up stories, you can find her beating up the bag at a kickboxing gym or walking her dogs, Bailey & Rex.
