Thursday, 31 October 2013

Book Review (266): Dead Set - Richard Kadrey.


Dead Set: A Novel

Publication: 29th October 2013
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 320
Genre: Fantasy/Mythology
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Buy It: Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository 
After her father’s funeral, Zoe and her mother moved to the Big City to start over. But life’s not so easy, the money is tight, and a new school brings trials. Fortunately, she has an escape: her dreams. A world of freedom and solace removed from the loneliness and anxieties of real life, Zoe's dreamscape offers another, more precious, gift: It is the only place where she can spend time with her closest companion — her lost brother Valentine.

Yet something is very wrong. An unfamliar — and univited — presence has entered her private realm to threaten Zoe and Valentine, a disturbing turn of events that is compounded by an impossible discovery. A chance encounter at a used record store where the grooves of the vinyl discs hold not music, but lost souls, has opened up a portal to the world of the restless dead. Now, the shop’s strange proprietor is offering Zoe the chance to commune with the father whose passing took a piece of her heart. The price? A lock of hair. Then a tooth. Then...

How far into this eerie world will Zoe go to discover what she truly needs? And once she does, will there be enough left of her to come back?
My Thoughts.
Dead Set is Richard's first foray into the YA genre, and what a fantastic debut it is, full of intrigue and nail-biting tension that will have you on the edge of your seat as you travel along with Zoe on her journey.

 Richard has crafted an originally fresh and exciting read, which culminates in this story all being fit into a stand alone novel which seems to be rare these days.

 Zoe and her Mother have moved to a new town after the death of her Father, money is very tight and Zoe and her Mother aren't getting along at all.
One day while skipping  school, Zoe finds herself at a store that sells vinyl records, but these aren't normal records, each has the soul of a deceased person stuck in them and one of them has the soul of her Father.

 To constantly keep visiting her Father, Emmett the store owner as payment requests first a lock of hair, then a tooth, some of Zoe's blood etc.
When she finds herself in Iphigene the place where lost souls end up including  Zoe's Father and brother Valentine she discovers that it's ruled by Hecate  (from Egyptian mythology) and she uses the souls to feed her children (her snakes and dogs)  and has also stolen the sun which has left Iphigene in total darkness 24/7.

 But when Hecate discovers the presence of a living girl she'll stop at nothing to catch Zoe and set in motion her nefarious plans, it ends up becoming a race against time for Zoe to find her way home, and keep her Father and brother safe in the process.

 A great mix of paranormal and Egyptian mythology creates an intriguing story that you will find hard to put down once you immerse yourself in this world that Richard has created.

 I give this 4/5 Stars.



Richard Kadrey is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. He is the author of dozens of stories, plus ten novels, including Sandman Slim, Kill the Dead, Aloha from Hell, Devil Said Bang, Kill City Blues, Metrophage and Butcher Bird. His Wired magazine cover story, Carbon Copy, was made into one of the worst movies of 2001. It starred Bridget Fonda. Sorry, Bridget.
He has been immortalized as an action figure. “Kadray [sic]: The Invincible Wizard” was a villain in an episode of the Blackstar animated TV series.
Kadrey created and wrote the Vertigo comics mini-series ACCELERATE, which was illustrated by the Pander Brothers. He plans to do more comic work in the near future.
He has written and spoken about art, culture and technology for Wired, The San Francisco Chronicle, Discovery Online, The Site, SXSW and Wired For Sex on the G4 cable network.
Richard has no qualifications for anything he does.

You can also find Richard online here:

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Monday, 28 October 2013

Book Review (265): Captive: The Forbidden Side Of Nightshade - A.D Robertson.


Captive: The Forbidden Side of Nightshade

Publication: 22nd October 2013
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Pages: 320
Genre: Paranormal/Erotica
Age Appropriate: Adult
The first adult novel set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Nightshade series, Captive delivers a steamy, forbidden romance between sworn enemies drawn together by an irrepressible desire.

Twenty-five-year-old Tristan Doran enjoys a life of incredible power and privilege. As a direct descendant of the Keepers—witches who have embraced dark magic—he defers to no one but his overlord, Lord Bosque Mar. For most of his life, Tristan has been kept out of the centuries-old Witches War, his bloodline too valuable to risk in battle.

But when a beautiful, young human Searcher named Sarah is captured and made a prisoner in his Irish castle, Tristan’s infatuation with her flings him headlong into the fray. Captive and captor, unable to contain their longing, embark on a passionate, forbidden romance together—only to learn that their love is at the heart of a prophecy predicting the downfall of the Keepers’ ages-old reign.

Captive explores the darker side of the richly imagined Nightshade universe, a fantasy world of powerful dark witches, shape-shifting wolf warriors, and fascinating history. The first of three erotic novels, Captive delves deeply into the fiery, illicit romance of two young lovers whose very desires invite their doom.
My Thoughts.
Captive: The Forbidden Side Of Nightshade, is the first book in A.D Robertson's (aka: Andrea Cremer's) adult trilogy version of her YA series Nightshade.
Full of steaminess that is too mature for her teenage audiences, this is the book that A.D wanted Nightshade to be.
A.D has crafted an incredibly scorching, steamy and hot read that will appeal to readers that enjoy their romances with a bit of spice.
Being a big fan of the Nightshade series (except the last book Bloodrose which left me bitterly disappointed) any spin-off or prequel series is welcomed and appreciated.
Held against her will by Tristan who's castle she was attempting to break into to gather information, Sarah is caught and left naked and chained to Tristan's bed, of course with them both being on opposite sides of war, Tristan as a Keeper and Sarah as a Searcher they don't expect the instant attraction and chemistry they share for one another, to spend more time with her Tristan devises a different challenge every day, winner gets to ask the loser questions and it's from these tasks that their feelings for one another grow.
But when the evil dark Lord Bosque Mar discovers the presence of a Searcher at the castle Sarah is far from safe and it's up to Tristan to figure out what he's willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves.
I really loved this book and the addition to the Nightshade series that this is, this story relates as well to an adult version as it did told in a YA perspective and I cannot wait for the following two books.
I give this 4/5 Stars.


About This Author

A.D. Robertson is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author. Prior to becoming a full-time novelist, Robertson was a professor of early modern history at Macalester College, giving her a background that informs her books' compelling blend of mythology, history, and lore. She grew up in northern Wisconsin and now lives in New York City.

A.D. Robertson is a pen name for Andrea Cremer, author of the New York Times bestselling Nightshade series.

Website: http://forbiddennightshade.tumblr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/adrwrites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrobertson?ref=ts&fref=ts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7014878.A_D_Robertson


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Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Book Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway: Homecoming (Cloaked Devices #0.5) - Cecilia Robert.


Welcome To The Book Blitz For Homecoming (Cloaked Devices #0.5) - Cecilia Robert.
Hosted By:
Visit the Homecoming blitz page for a list of participating blogs and to to learn more about the book.



Title: Homecoming
Author: Cecilia Robert
Series: A Cloaked Devices short story
Expected release date: October 25th, 2013
Category: New Adult (NA)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR) with Steampunk elements

**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content.
Five years ago, twenty-three-year-old panther shifter Sera Czedar left her home and her newly mated groom in a humiliating position after a mating ceremony gone wrong. She built a new life for herself in Varselles, the City of Outcasts where shifters exiled from their clans in the Seven Kingdoms can go for sanctuary. 

Five years ago, panther shifter Levian Grayson was abandoned on the bonding bed by his bride, Sera. After years of tracking her, he arrives in Varselles, intent on staking his claim on her once and for all, even if it means hauling her over his shoulder just to make sure that happens. 

Sera has always known her homecoming would eventually catch up with her one day. The one thing she can’t bear to do is hurt Levian, which will happen as soon as he finds out the reason she left him. Is she ready to take that path? Most of all, will Levian still want her when the truth comes out?

Excerpt..
“Levian.”
At least she didn’t squeal. She sounded confident. Not her heart, though. The poor organ was beating wildly, threatening to kill her before her seething mate got his large hands around her neck.
“Please, come in.” Her mind grappled with her predicament, searching for another escape route. None came to mind. His feet were planted firmly on the floorboards, his shoulders blocking anything beyond her line of sight. Whatever scrap of hope to escape she’d had diminished like a lit candle plunged in water.
He tilted his head gracefully to the side, watching her. “I see you are in good health.” His voice was low and soft and lethal.
Levian took a step forwards; she took one back. He took another and she followed suit, and it became a dance of sorts until she felt something dig into her tailbone. She’d hit the farthest shelf in the deepest part of the bookshop. Panic became a living thing.
During the first year after she’d arrived in Varselles, she’d nearly driven herself to destruction looking over her shoulder every time she heard a sound. One year later, she’d stopped worrying. She’d succeeded in hiding well. She’d never bothered with a contingency plan. Staring into those glowing green eyes, she wondered at her stupidity.
She eyed him as he halted, slowly slid the leather gloves from his hands as if he had all the time in the world, then shoved them into his coat pocket. He flexed his fingers, his gaze roving her face, then settled for staring into her eyes. A series of emotions played across his face. What was he thinking? Other than probably strangling the daylights out of her? His eyes dropped to her mouth and his nostrils flared, eyes dilating. Well, now she knew what he was thinking about. Her tongue snuck out to wet her lips and she struggled for words—any words—to keep the tension that was now a living, breathing thing from swallowing her whole.
The past few years she’d dreamed of the day he’d look at her like this again—minus the fury simmering in his eyes. But now, with everything just hanging in the air….
He swallowed the inch of space between them, and she tensed, and at the same time, swam in his scent: leather and that special soap he was fond of with its citrusy smell, and unique Levian. His smell was rooted inside every little crevice in her body.
“You’re not about to run off again, are you, Sera?”
Hearing her name spoken in that voice by those lips had her stomach clenching and heating up at the same time. Damn it! Why was her tongue stuck on the roof of her mouth? She was the Storm. She wasn’t famous for being scared easily. Now she was treading in unknown territory, and it made her want to flee, and at the same time, fling herself onto the hard body of her mate and just let nature take its course.
Her cat purred in agreement. At least on the last part.
Calloused hands gripped her upper arms.
She tensed but her feet were stuck on the spot. She let the warmth and touch she’d missed so much seep into her skin. “We have to talk.”
He cocked a brow at her. “You don’t say.” He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. Flames licked her skin as his fingertips traced her throat, and when they skated over the dented spot on her nose—a souvenir from her first fight in the Rings four years ago—she wasn’t sure she was breathing anymore. His hand slid lower to unhook her bag from her shoulder, and he tossed it on the closest table, where it landed with a big thud.
Without warning, he cupped her neck firmly, and his fingers worked out the leather band holding her hair. It tumbled around her shoulders in waves.
“Much better,” he said, playing with a few strands between his fingers, and then he leaned down and buried his face against her neck, sniffing long and hard until she felt as if he’d breathed in every trace of her scent into his body. “You still have my scent. Deep in your veins.” His sounded smug, satisfied.


Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18072494-homecoming<

Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Homecoming-Cloaked-Devices-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00FZ9UE2U/
Amazon (DE): http://www.amazon.de/Homecoming-Cloaked-Devices-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00FZ9UE2U/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author bio:
Cecilia Robert lives in Vienna with her two children and has an incurable obsession with books, anything romantic, and medieval architecture. When not working in her full time job, she dons her supermom cape or, in most cases, finds herself trapped between the pages of a book in search of a hero who will make her swoon with just a look or a word. She believe there is always a happy ever after, no matter how long it takes for the characters to get there.

 Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads



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Sunday, 20 October 2013

December 2013 Book Releases I'm Dying To Get My Hands On.


These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)


Control (Control #1)

by 

Snakeroot (Nightshade Legacy #1)

Fans asked for it, and now they've got it! Andrea Cremer is continuing the story she began in in her internationally bestselling trilogy: Nightshade, Wolfsbane and Bloodrose. In this new installment, Bosque Mar haunts the dreams of both Adne and Logan, trying to escape for the Nether, where Calla, Shay and the other Guardians trapped him in the final battle in the War of All Against All. Will he turn Adne to the dark side? Will Logan reclaim his birthright? And will darkness take over our world? In a novel filled with magic, romance and breakneck action, master storytelling Andrea Cremer's newest installment will not disappoint!
Expected publication: December 10th 2013 by Philomel

Perfect Lie


Ashes to Ashes

If I Stay meets the movie Ghost in this first book in a teen duology about a teenage-girl-turned-ghost who must cling to the echoes of her former life to save the people she left behind.

Ashes to Ashes is author Melissa Walker's sweeping, romantic, and emotionally rich story about the things that torment and tempt us, even from the Great Beyond. This book is perfect for fans of Die for Me andImaginary Girls, and its breathtaking ending will leave readers anxiously awaiting the series conclusion, Dust to Dust.

When Callie's life is cut short by a tragic accident, she expects to find nothingness, or maybe some version of heaven.

Instead, her spirit travels to the Prism, an ethereal plane populated by the ghosts she thought were fictional. Here she meets a striking and mysterious ghost named Thatcher, who is meant to guide her as she learns to haunt and bring peace to the loved ones she left behind.

However, Callie uncovers a dark secret about the spirit world: The angry souls who always populate ghost stories are real, dangerous, and willing to do whatever it takes to stay on Earth, threatening the existence of everyone she ever cared about.

As she fights to save them, Callie will learn that while it may no longer beat, her heart can still love-and break.
Expected publication: December 23rd 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books

Lost Without You (Haven #1)

by 

Switched

by 

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Friday, 18 October 2013

ARC (Book Review 264): Angel Fever (Angel #3) - L.A Weatherly


Angel Fever (Angel #3)


Lee Weatherly was born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, tries out new recipes and has a cat named Bernard.

L.A. Weatherly is the pseudonym for Lee Weatherly.

Website: http://www.leeweatherly.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/L-A-Weatherly/170596016284797
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LA_Weatherly
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3465557.L_A_Weatherly

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Wednesday, 16 October 2013

ARC Review Tour & Giveaway: Homecoming (Cloaked Devices #0.5) - Cecilia Robert, Book Review (263).


Homecoming (Cloaked Devices 0.5)






My Thoughts.
So I have come to the conclusion that no matter what genre Cecilia writes she never puts a step wrong, from contemporary romance to paranormal to this steam punk inspired paranormal all have been fantastic and all point to how truly fantastic an author she is!
Lucky enough to receive an early copy to read I loved it, my only complaint was it wasn't long enough, I wanted more, I became so absorbed in the story of Sera and Levian that I read the whole thing in one sitting and wished for the next part of their story in my hands, so addictive is Cecilia's writing style.
I can see a long series coming just from reading this novella, for the two main characters and Levian's twin brother Teague, I want to know more about them and the world they live in, the world building has already been set up very well and to say I'm intrigued is an understatement!
I just loved the concept of the whole mating ritual and the idea behind it, I want more!
Be Warned: reading a Cecilia Robert's book will leave you addicted and gnawing on your fingernails anxiously awaiting the next book in whichever of her series you happened to have picked up!

A big thanks to Cecilia for allowing me to read Homecoming early.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



About Cecilia.

I write YA, NA and Adult. My motto: Passion rules. I enjoy writing stories about people finding love in the most unexpected of places,and also about people finding their true purpose in life coupled with adventurous journeys, whether it's urban, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary or paranormal romance. There's always a happy ever after, no matter how long it takes for the characters to get there. When I'm not working in my full time job, I don my supermom cape, or in most cases find myself trapped between the pages of a book in search for a hero who'll make me swoon with just a look or a word. My favourite form of therapy is knitting. Best. Therapy. Ever

Author Links:
Blog:      http://cecereadandwrite.blogspot.com
                http://ceciliarobertnaandadult.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5263768.Cecilia_Robert
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CeciliaRobertBooksNAAdult
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Cece_Writes



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Saturday, 12 October 2013

Book Review (262): A Spark Unseen (The Dark Unwinding #2) - Sharon Cameron


A Spark Unseen (The Dark Unwinding #2)

Publication: 24th September 2013
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 352
Genre: Steampunk/Historical Fiction
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Buy It: Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository
The thrilling sequel to Sharon Cameron's blockbuster gothic steampunk romance, THE DARK UNWINDING, will captivate readers anew with mystery and intrigue aplenty.

When Katharine Tulman wakes in the middle of the night and accidentally foils a kidnapping attempt on her uncle, she realizes Stranwyne Keep is no longer safe for Uncle Tully and his genius inventions. She flees to Paris, where she hopes to remain undetected and also find the mysterious and handsome Lane, who is suspected to be dead.

But the search for Lane is not easy, and Katharine soon finds herself embroiled in a labyrinth of political intrigue. And with unexpected enemies and allies at every turn, Katharine will have to figure out whom she can trust--if anyone--to protect her uncle from danger once and for all.

Filled with deadly twists, whispering romance, and heart-stopping suspense, this sequel to THE DARK UNWINDING whisks readers off on another thrilling adventure.
My Thoughts.
A Spark Unseen is the second book in The Dark Unwinding Duology by Sharon Cameron.
Set nearly two years after the first book, things have changed at Stranwyne Keep, after the catastrophe that occurred in the previous book there is a lot of rebuilding being done to make the place an even better version of what it was, tragically Katharine has been informed of Lane's death after he abruptly left at the end of The Dark Unwinding, although everyone has mourned his death she is in denial and adamant that he is still alive, after an attempted kidnapping of her Uncle Tully goes wrong and Mr Wickersham of the Navy informs her that her Uncle and her are to be transported to another place to have Uncle Tully create a weapon that will help the British win the Crimean war against their will, she knows she needs to get away and fast, so after faking his death she departs to Paris with her Uncle Tully, Mary and Mr Babcock to a house that was prepared for such an event by her deceased Grandmother.
There is also another reason for Katharine picking Paris, it's the last place that Lane was seen alive, and she begins her search to find him, but with both the British and the French wanting her Uncle's help and not really believing that he's dead and not knowing who to trust, but trusting the wrong person will set her on a path that will have her coming face to face with a enemy long thought dead and the Emperor of France whom she despises, her journey will also result in the death of a good friend, murdered by her enemies, it is up to Katharine to keep her Uncle safe and to stay two steps ahead of everybody else if she's going to survive.
I really liked this second and final instalment, it tied up the loose ends very well and I was very happy with the way the series ended.
A great story full of mystery and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of the seat as you navigate you way through this addictive read.
I look forward to reading whatever else that Sharon writes next, highly recommended!
I give this 4/5 Stars.

About Sharon.


Sharon Cameron was awarded the 2009 Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for her debut novel, The Dark Unwinding. When not writing Sharon can be found thumbing dusty tomes, shooting her longbow, or indulging in her lifelong search for secret passages.

Website
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