Contemporary Fiction

Another week of AWESOME! Crystal in Bookland is a person that I met through Meredith @ Pandora’s Books (actually Crystal started following me- and I began checking her blog out!)

Crystal’s blog has a good mix of reviews and giveaways (and ya’ll know how I LOVE when blogs have giveaways!)

Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Crystal in Bookland

Crystal- when did you begin blogging?

August 4, 2013

How did you come up with the name Crystal in Bookland? Is it a play on words like Alice in Wonderland?

It is definitely a play on words like Alice in Wonderland! That is my all-time favorite book, one of the very first that got me started reading.

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

I believe so. Most of the books I add on my TBR are definitely recommended from other bloggers, whether it be something they posted about on their blog, twitter, facebook, or goodreads.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

Mainly I’m spending time with my family and doing whatever my kids are demanding me to do….which I totally love!

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

Ahhh I haven’t read Divergent trilogy yet.

Honestly I haven’t read a TON of old classics either. For some reason my school never made us read things like that. I haven’t read anything most people had to in high school. So when people reference them…I’m in the dark. I keep saying one day I will read them….but you know how that goes.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

ADRIAN IVASHKOV <3333 He is my numero uno book hubby for life! Yes, while everyone is claiming their book boyfriends I got serious and snagged him up for the long haul…HA! 😉

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

OH MY!! I REALLY don’t think you want that list SO let me just name a FEW. I’m a HUGE Richelle Mead fan so I’m definitely looking forward to Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5), The Immortal Crown (Age of X #2), Nil by Lynne Matson, The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings, Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes, & Unhinged by A.G. Howard to name a FEW!

What is a book (or 2!) that you’ve read and LOVED- but did not get positive reviews?

Oh this is a tough question….I can’t really think of any I loved that the majority of people didn’t like it. BUT I’m currently in the middle of The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey and noticed that it seems to be a toss-up between if people love or hate it…so far I’m on the loving side. Also The Host by Stephanie Meyer seemed to be a tough one for a lot of people but I loved it.

In your opinion, what book was the best book you read in 2013?

OH GOSH! I don’t even know how to begin to choose….you can’t make me choose Tamara!!! How about this….I will give you my favorite debut author read of the year….The Prophecy by Erin Albert. It is a high fantasy, fans of Game of Thrones and Falling Kingdom series will love it.

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

The Golden Lily by Richele Mead, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Crash Into You by Katie McGarry, got a little bit of mixed genres to keep me happy 🙂

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

Definitely tree book lover! I’m pretty bad about buying both print and eBook BUT I will choose a print, hands down, every time. I just LOVE the convenience of an eBook when going somewhere.

How do you find other blogs to read? Recommendations of other bloggers?

Mainly from Twitter. I will talk to people on there then follow their blogs. I have followed several from recommendations from other bloggers also.

Crystal, what are your favorite types of books to read?

Young Adult definitely, more specific….I’ve been one a big contemp and fantasy kick lately, but I’m really not picky and if you tell me to read something 9 times out of 10 I will 🙂

What is the best thing about the book- the cover, the first line or the last line?

The cover, I’m a complete cover snob and I have no shame!

What is a book that you’ve wanted to read, but just haven’t found the time?

There are SO many, off the top of my head because it’s staring at me right now…Shadow and Bone.

In your Twitter bio, you mention you are a contributor to Fresh Fiction. What, exactly, do you write for Fresh Fiction? Reviews of books?

Yes I am a reviewer for them. Shortly after I started my blog I also filled out a form with Fresh Fiction to become a reviewer for them. It’s sometimes hard balancing between reading books for them and the blog but I enjoy it.

Like Crystal in Bookland? Check her blog and Twitter!

Photo Credit: Barnes and Noble

Jo Marie, young and widowed, opened the bed and breakfast as part of a dream she had. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan and she is working through her grief the best way she can. The never ending duties of the B&B seem to be a place to help keep her mind occupied, while she grieves and moves on with her life.

Jo Marie has a cranky man doing odd and ends jobs for her around Rose Harbor. Jo Marie wanted a garden of roses planted for an event- and Mark, the cranky handy man, did not finish it. He seems to be dragging his feet for a reason- but being a secretive man- it’s not obvious as to why. The friendship between Jo Marie and Mark is odd- and filled with misunderstandings!

Annie has planned a perfect weekend at Rose Harbor Inn to honor her grandparent’s 5oth wedding anniversary. Because of past complications with her love life, she needs a weekend of basking in her grandparent’s obvious adoration of each other. However, someone needs to tell her grandparents to act like the loving couple Annie remembers- as they are spending their anniversary weekend fighting. Annie is beside herself, and mad that Oliver, a boy she used to have a crush on, is spending the weekend at Rose Harbor Inn. Oliver used to tease Annie, but now, he’s interested in her. Annie can’t see beyond the years ago Oliver, though. Can Oliver show Annie he’s changed and that a good love is right before her eyes?

Mary comes to Rose Harbor Inn to escape her life for a bit. Diagnosed with cancer, Mary is looking back at her life- and some of the mistakes she made. There is a huge mistake in Seattle- and Mary is looking for the strength to connect with George, a past love. Mary knows she broke his heart years ago- and wants forgiveness- even though she is not sure she deserves it. Can George forgive Mary for the past heartbreak? Is their story over?

Love. Forgiveness. Dreams. Happiness. Second chances. Rose Harbor in Bloom has it all.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Being a fan of Blossom Street series, I wanted to really like Rose Harbor in Bloom. Being written by Debbie Macomber, I did not see a problem with this wish. Something fell flat with me about this book. Maybe it was the cantankerous handy man? That storyline seemed to take up a good bit of the book. Perhaps it was because this is the 2nd book in the series and I need to read the first to get more of a feel for the characters.

It’s not a bad read. It’s just not as good as I expected. However, the heartwarming aspects of a Debbie Macomber book are there.

*This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.