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sheilasamuelson's reviews
1254 reviews
Dance With Me by Luanne Rice
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Even though this was only the 3rd Novel ive read by Luanne, I have to say im really enjoying the writing style and storytelling Style that Luanne does with her stories.
This one was about a woman and her two daughters who left the apple orchards of a small town in Rhode Island years ago running from memories that would tear their families apart but now they unexpectedly are John home to care for their mom and their only sister has come back so it basically talks about a family reunion and there's a little bit of family drama brought in which is expected so basically it just talks about that and it talks about how they confront those memories and try to resolve everything.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one character as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Rhode Island while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Contemporary Fiction by Luanne!! Can't wait to read more by Luanne in the future!!
Review:
Even though this was only the 3rd Novel ive read by Luanne, I have to say im really enjoying the writing style and storytelling Style that Luanne does with her stories.
This one was about a woman and her two daughters who left the apple orchards of a small town in Rhode Island years ago running from memories that would tear their families apart but now they unexpectedly are John home to care for their mom and their only sister has come back so it basically talks about a family reunion and there's a little bit of family drama brought in which is expected so basically it just talks about that and it talks about how they confront those memories and try to resolve everything.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one character as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Rhode Island while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Contemporary Fiction by Luanne!! Can't wait to read more by Luanne in the future!!
A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell, Marlene M. Bell
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Marlene M Bell for sending me this FREE ARC Copy to promote and review for her as part of their Release Day earlier this month.
Even tho this was only the 5th Book I've read by Marlene I have to say im loving her writing style and storytelling, it really makes for a fun and enjoyable Mystery to read.
This one is about a Woman, Laura Harris who works as a Chef at a Manor where she finds her mentor dead in the groundskeepers bed and she tries to help the police solve the murder.
As the story evolves we learn that someone is taunting Laura to leave .
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Laura was definitely my favorite. I felt bad all that she endured as she learn about the murder and who did it.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery of Stenberg was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Book about a Murder in a Manor. I hope there's a Book 2 since I feel like Laura would be wonderful as solving more!!
Review:
Thank you to Marlene M Bell for sending me this FREE ARC Copy to promote and review for her as part of their Release Day earlier this month.
Even tho this was only the 5th Book I've read by Marlene I have to say im loving her writing style and storytelling, it really makes for a fun and enjoyable Mystery to read.
This one is about a Woman, Laura Harris who works as a Chef at a Manor where she finds her mentor dead in the groundskeepers bed and she tries to help the police solve the murder.
As the story evolves we learn that someone is taunting Laura to leave .
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Laura was definitely my favorite. I felt bad all that she endured as she learn about the murder and who did it.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery of Stenberg was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Book about a Murder in a Manor. I hope there's a Book 2 since I feel like Laura would be wonderful as solving more!!
The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Even tho this is only the second Book Series I've read by Michelle so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say this one was so much more than what I originally thought.
I loved the 1885 Victorian London aspects to this Book.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. In the beginning I didn't like Jackson cause he came off as headstrong and aggressive but as the story went on he did become likeable.
I did ship him and Kit by the end but I wish Jackson had given Kit the benefit of the doubt in the beginning.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1885 Victorian London while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Historically Filled Book 1 in this Historical Fiction Series by Michelle. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
Review:
Even tho this is only the second Book Series I've read by Michelle so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say this one was so much more than what I originally thought.
I loved the 1885 Victorian London aspects to this Book.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. In the beginning I didn't like Jackson cause he came off as headstrong and aggressive but as the story went on he did become likeable.
I did ship him and Kit by the end but I wish Jackson had given Kit the benefit of the doubt in the beginning.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1885 Victorian London while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Historically Filled Book 1 in this Historical Fiction Series by Michelle. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Cozy Mystery by MC so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say it's cute and funny at times but the TV Show is better in my opinion.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Agatha is definitely my favorite.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading.
Overall a Good Book 1 in this Cozy Mystery Series. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Cozy Mystery by MC so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say it's cute and funny at times but the TV Show is better in my opinion.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Agatha is definitely my favorite.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading.
Overall a Good Book 1 in this Cozy Mystery Series. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Another Comical Book in this Fantasy Series by Charlaine Harris.
This one picked up from Book 2 where we find Sookie missing Bill, her Vampire boyfriend and with the help of Eric tracks Bill down in Mississippi in an underworld called Club Dead. (Think Twilight meets Buffy and OG Charmed cause that's what this book reminds me of).
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Sookie Bill and Eric are still my favorites especially with the witty banter between the 3 of them.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Louisiana and Mississippi while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 3 in this Fantasy Series!! Can't wait to read Book 4 soon!!
Review:
Another Comical Book in this Fantasy Series by Charlaine Harris.
This one picked up from Book 2 where we find Sookie missing Bill, her Vampire boyfriend and with the help of Eric tracks Bill down in Mississippi in an underworld called Club Dead. (Think Twilight meets Buffy and OG Charmed cause that's what this book reminds me of).
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Sookie Bill and Eric are still my favorites especially with the witty banter between the 3 of them.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Louisiana and Mississippi while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 3 in this Fantasy Series!! Can't wait to read Book 4 soon!!
What Was Lost by Melissa Connelly
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: 3.5 Stars!!
Review:
First off Thank you to Books Forward for sending me this FREE ARC Copy to promote and review for Melissa as part of Release Day and The Book Tour this week.
I was hoping to enjoy this one more than I thought I would but all the different Time Jumps made it hard to follow the story.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. I felt bad for what Marti went through as a child and Teen in the 60s and 70s.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery of Vermont was described especially since My Parents and I vacationed there one summer when I was a Tween.
Overall it was an OK Fiction about A Woman who goes home to confront past Demons. I would of liked it more if there wasn't so many Timelines.
I will read more by Melissa in the future but I hope her other books don't have multiple Timelines like this one did.
Review:
First off Thank you to Books Forward for sending me this FREE ARC Copy to promote and review for Melissa as part of Release Day and The Book Tour this week.
I was hoping to enjoy this one more than I thought I would but all the different Time Jumps made it hard to follow the story.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. I felt bad for what Marti went through as a child and Teen in the 60s and 70s.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery of Vermont was described especially since My Parents and I vacationed there one summer when I was a Tween.
Overall it was an OK Fiction about A Woman who goes home to confront past Demons. I would of liked it more if there wasn't so many Timelines.
I will read more by Melissa in the future but I hope her other books don't have multiple Timelines like this one did.
The Last Illusion by Rhys Bowen
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Historical Mystery by Rhys so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially with the twist in the beginning which I wasnt expecting.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1900s NYC while reading especially when the scenery was described.
This book definitely reminded me of Stalking Jack the Ripper but without the Graphic Description.
Overall a spooky yet fun Historical Mystery!! Can't wait to read the other Books in the series soon!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Historical Mystery by Rhys so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially with the twist in the beginning which I wasnt expecting.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1900s NYC while reading especially when the scenery was described.
This book definitely reminded me of Stalking Jack the Ripper but without the Graphic Description.
Overall a spooky yet fun Historical Mystery!! Can't wait to read the other Books in the series soon!!
Milk and Blood by Jade Kim Monsen, Jade Kim Monsen, David Monsen, Sara Degonia
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Rating: 3.5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Tandem Collective for sending me this FREE Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Readalong last week.
The Book seemed boring to me in the beginning but then it seemed to get better.
I did feel for Jade cause everything she went through is something NO ONE should go through.
Overall it was an interesting Debut Novel by Jade. Hope to read more by her in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to Tandem Collective for sending me this FREE Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Readalong last week.
The Book seemed boring to me in the beginning but then it seemed to get better.
I did feel for Jade cause everything she went through is something NO ONE should go through.
Overall it was an interesting Debut Novel by Jade. Hope to read more by her in the future!!
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Book in this series even tho I've read ACOTAR and Throne of Glass so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say this one was OK for the most part I could of did without the language cause it seemed like every other word was a swear word.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. Bryce and Danika were definately my favorites especially since I loved their comical witty banter.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 1 in this Fantasy Series!! Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Book in this series even tho I've read ACOTAR and Throne of Glass so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say this one was OK for the most part I could of did without the language cause it seemed like every other word was a swear word.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. Bryce and Danika were definately my favorites especially since I loved their comical witty banter.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 1 in this Fantasy Series!! Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
No Safe Place by JoAnn Ross
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rating: 4 Stars!!
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by JoAnn so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say I was expecting this one to be better than "On Lavender Lane" but sadly this one was slow like that one was.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I liked learning about Homicide Detectives and Private Investigators.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in New Orleans and Chicago while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall an OK Police Procedural Mystery. I will read more by JoAnn in the future but I hope her other books arent like this one was.
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by JoAnn so I kind of knew what to expect but I have to say I was expecting this one to be better than "On Lavender Lane" but sadly this one was slow like that one was.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I liked learning about Homicide Detectives and Private Investigators.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in New Orleans and Chicago while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall an OK Police Procedural Mystery. I will read more by JoAnn in the future but I hope her other books arent like this one was.