Jessica Samuelsen's Blog, page 47

Technical Difficulties – All Fixed

It happened…Writing Pearls is experiencing rapid exponential growth and our software can’t keep up!  Thank you for all who have visited and what a wonderful cause for a horrible effect. None of my book cover images were showing up. Thank you Ashley for helping us fix that asap! Everything is fixed! Thanks for liking us so much.

We are working diligently to fix this problem –

 

Technical Difficulties –

It happened…Writing Pearls is experiencing rapid exponential growth and our software can’t keep up!  Thank you for all who have visited and what a wonderful cause for a horrible effect. None of my book cover images are showing up. Everything else is fine so enjoy the reviews! Please be patient as we are working to fix this as fast as we can! Thanks for liking us so much.

We are working diligently to fix this problem –

Dreaming of Books Giveaway

Thank you to Mary at Book Hounds for hosting.

Today I am giving a copy of I’m not her by Cara Sue Achterberg. This giveaway is open to anywhere the Book Depository ships.

Click Image to go to Review –

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hop Along!

Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks Professional vs. Personal Reviews

Today I’m back to drinking black coffee with cream… Too many mochas in the holiday season. What are you drinking?

So I recently got accepted to be a professional reviewer for InD’tale magazine. Who knew there was a difference between professional and personal reviews. Let me enlighten you. The difference is there is compensation involved and it is written in the third person. So it’s a different rhythm writing a professional review over a personal one.

I see the ups and downs for both. In personal review, you get more self-expression without having to worry about speaking in first person. A professional review is done in third person so it’s harder to adjust. There is compensation which I suspect would demand a higher quality of review.

Both reviews get the author’s work exposure and that’s what is most important. I am excited to keep doing my personal reviews while adding to my professional portfolio. Which is another similarity that both types of review have. Being successful in writing reviews looks good on your resume no matter what side you are coming from!

Do you write reviews? Would you ever consider going professional?

Just a quick shout out to my beloved because it’s his birthday. Happy birthday babe…

Review – Winter by Marissa Meyer

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles, #4) by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel and Friends on November 10th 2015
Genres: YA
Pages: 824
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased Amazon
Goodreads
Amazon, B&N

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

In an Oyster Shell – An epic end to a well-done series!

The Pearls – The continuity of the story re-tellings was just phenomenal! I was uber impressed by how acurate the re-tellings reflected the original story while still being original. This series is a masterpeice. I have major writer envy over this series!

The characters were classic and stayed true to form.

I felt like all of the sub-plots and plots were nicely put to bed. I am sad to say goodbye to the Lunar Chronicles.

The Sand – This book was super violent. I don’t remember the other books being quite as gruesome but it worked for what it was. Can’t have a revolution over cucumber sandwiches.

About Marissa Meyer

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my fiancé and our two cats. In addition to my slight obsession with books and writing, I’m big on road-tripping, wine-tasting, and hunting for antiques. I’m represented by Jill Grinberg.

CINDER, my debut novel, is a futuristic re-envisioning of Cinderella in which Cinder is a cyborg mechanic. Release date: 3 Jan 2012.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Review – Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things by Rachelle J. Christensen

Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things (Wedding Planner Mysteries, #1) by Rachelle J. Christensen
Published by Shadow Mountain on July 8th 2014
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 320
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads
Amazon, B&N

Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she's especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and bestfriend is murdered just three days before the wedding, Adri'sworld falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley,Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri's impeccable tasteand unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her businessseems headed for success that is, until someone vandalizes thespecialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. The race ison to uncover a secret hidden within the yards of satin and lacebefore Adri becomes the next victim.

With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor,and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things is aromantic suspense novel that will keep you turning pages longinto the night.

In an Oyster Shell – One of the best cozy mysteries I have read. Full of intrigue and a fun element with the wedding planning and crafts offered in every chapter.

The Pearls – I really liked how there was a tip or craft and the beginning of each chapter that was somehow incorporated into the chapter. I found it especially creative.

In the end, there were multiple mysteries going on and once and they worked perfectly in harmonic tandem. It was impressive.

The love story was exciting in that it was a little bit of a love triangle and was perfectly concluded by the end. I reccomend this book to any cozy mystery fan.

The Sand – This was a well-done story.

5 Pearls


About Rachelle J. Christensen

Rachelle J. Christensen was born and raised in a small farming town in Idaho. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology.

She enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and of course reading. Rachelle has an amazing husband, five cute kids, three cats, and dozens of chickens.

Website | Twitter

Review – Taking the Ice by Jennifer Comeaux

Taking the Ice by Jennifer Comeaux
Series: The Ice #3
Published by Jennifer Comeaux on August 17th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Pages: 166
Format: Kindle
Goodreads
Amazon, B&N

Olympic rings and an engagement ring. Courtney Carlton is ready for both. She and her boyfriend Josh have skated together and dated for four years, and they've reached a critical point in their partnership both on and off the ice. With the Winter Games coming up and their career nearing an end, they are fighting to win a spot on the Olympic team, something Courtney has dreamed of since she was ten years old. She also has another wish she hopes comes true soon. She's waiting for a marriage proposal from Josh that she expected to happen by now. Will she realize either dream or will her heart be broken from disappointment?

In an Oyster Shell – The final installment of The Ice series. A satisfying conclusion.

The Pearls – The romance in this story stays classic and is cozy. The series has grown with characters and has moved into being more of New Adult than YA. The love scenes were tasteful. Enough to give you an idea, but not too explicit.

The theme of skating is well done. The writer seems to know what she is really talking about. Reminds me of all the skating I’ve watched on tv. The facts seemed to bring me closer into the action.

The conclusion of the series was satisfying it was well-done in the fact it was not over done. The MC’s win but they don’t take all and it made it a believable story.

The Sand – I was bored with this book, I just finished it to see how the whole story ended since I invested in the two previous books.

3 Pearls


About Jennifer Comeaux

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is traveling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers! Visit jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com for contact information and to learn more about her books.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Book Blitz – In the After by Elisa Dane

Borrowed Magic

In the After

Published by: Swoon Romance

Publication date: February 2nd 2016

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Sadie Reynolds is a liar with secrets. At school, she’s part of the popular crowd known as AE, despite being broken inside. She hides it well. She has to. The slightest bit of imperfection will land her in the same shoes as her Geeky neighbor named Ian.

Ian and his only friend are the object of Sadie’s friends’ ridicule, ire, and entertainment. The AE rule the school with intimidation and retribution against anyone who would dare question their supremacy.

Sadie steers clear of most of it, terrified someone will find out her secret. She isn’t the least bit perfect. In fact, she suffers from PTSD stemming from the murder of her mother right before her eyes when she was a child. She can barely cope from day-to-day, hiding her truth and trying to fit in. But she knows it’s only a matter of time.

Hayden is a “Waverly,” a kid with the misfortune of living in the small farming town of Waverly that borders the very affluent Lexington Parrish. The AE doesn’t mix with “Waverlies.” Ever.

Desperate to get away from her oppressive friends, Sadie crashes into Hayden at a bonfire and the attraction that sparks between them is nothing short of electric. But Hayden’s an outsider and when things heat up, Sadie will be forced to choose between her friends and her new boyfriend.

Only Queen Bee Britt isn’t having it. She will not allow Sadie to cross her. Sadie can either do what Britt wants her to do or she will reveal Sadie for the PTSD freak that she is.

Sadie does some soul searching about who she is and who she wants to be. She can’t live her life like this. Not any more. One fateful night will help her see how much things have to change.

She’s determined to no longer allow the AE to rule her life. She will be strong, stand up for Ian and love who she wants in Hayden. Determined and invigorated, Sadie goes to school feeling hopeful for the first time in forever.

But, the unthinkable happens.

Shooters attack dozens of students before the two eventually take their own lives, leaving the school a decimated shadow of what it once was.

Suddenly who lives where, wears what or loves whom seems like the least of Lexington Parish’s problems as everyone and everything changes forever in the after.

IN THE AFTER by Elisa Dane is a hard-hitting and heart-warming story of tragedy, love, loss and redemption. It is recommended for readers 14+.

Add to Goodreads

 

Author Bio:

ELISA DANE is a self-proclaimed book junkie. A lover of handbags, chocolate, and reality television, she’s a proud mother to three All- Star cheerleaders. Writing is her absolute passion, and it’s her mission to create stories that will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but help you find a new respect and interest in the sport of All-Star cheerleading.

Elisa is no stranger to the publishing world. She writes steamy paranormal romance under her real name, Lisa Sanchez. Her adult works include the Hanford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold, and Faythe Reclaimed), Obsessed (an erotic suspense), and a paranormal novella, Cursing Athena. Elisa lives in Northern California with her husband, three daughters, and a feisty Chihuahua who stubbornly believes she’s human.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

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Sunday Post and Stacking Shelves January 10,2016

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 – 

 

Giveaways – 

This week’s discussion is New Year’s Resolutions. 

Reading Challenges – 

Coyer – Sweet Liar, All Fall Down, Even the Moon Has Scars

Reading Assignment – Even the Moon has Scars

TBR Challenge – Sweet Liar, Even the Moon has Scars

Currently Reading – 

New to Writing Pearls – 

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 is your cold weather comfort food?

Mine is tomato soup with Asiago cheese bread.

Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – Goals in the New Year

In honor of my health resolutions this year I am drinking brewed coffee with full-fat coconut milk. A far cry from a frosted mint mocha. What are you drinking?

New Years Resolutions can be so cliche. Yet, I find myself eager to start the new years and remedy things in 2016 that I wasn’t satisfied with in 2015. It can be so easy to fall in a rut of self-pity this time of year. Too many sweets added to the extra pounds that I have already accumulated. I find I am not where I want to be in my career as a writer. On top of some health issues I have. All together it’s overwhelming and I feel helpless to change. I am sure I am not alone in this feeling.

It would be easy to surrender to that feeling, instead, I am using the New Year as an opportunity to change what I don’t like about my life. There is no better way to do this then setting goals. Throughout my life, I have had different training on goal setting. The most I remember is a goal should be something measurable and obtainable.

My goals are to lose weight, query two books, fulfill all my reading challenges, and publish one book. I am setting manageable mini-goals to work up to these bigger goals. It’s good to tell somebody what you are planning because it will hold you accountable. I’m telling the whole world. Ha ha! I’m ready to take this new year by the horns and make some much-needed changes!

How about you? What are your goals for the year?