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.

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Wednesday, 9 October 2013

Book Review (261): Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer - Katie Alender


Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer

Publication: 24th September 2013
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 304
Genre: Paranormal/Mystery
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.
My Thoughts.
HEADS WILL ROLL!
Katie Alender has crafted an exceptionally entertaining and engrossing novel combining the Paris landscape, an intriguing and fascinating historical twist and oh yeah the presence of  a ghostly, serial killing Marie Antoinette!

Colette is traveling with her French class to Paris, bunking with her friends Hannah and Pilar  (the most popular girls in school) in the penthouse, she has been keeping the truth from them about her current wealth status after her parents divorce afraid that she will be cut off by Hannah who is all about appearances.

On their travels around Paris, Colette begins to see the ghost of a woman dressed up in attire from the 18th century, knowing that no one would believe her she doesn't say a word to anybody thinking that they'll believe she's crazy, and then she realises that the ghost haunting her is none other than Marie Antoinette, the famous Queen who was beheaded alongside her King, many years ago.

In-between all of this Colette is trying to investigate the meaning of an image that is displayed all over the palace Versailles the former residence of Marie Antoinette, an image that is on a medallion she found amongst her ancestors belongings, she discovers that it is from a secret society called the Order Of The Key, loyal to Marie Antoinette and her family brought together to protect her, even creating a blood oath, and Colette's descendants were one of six families that betrayed her in the end.

From the day of her arrival, a series of murders have all been committed with the victims all having been beheaded, once Colette, fellow traveler Audrey and tour guide Jules put together the pieces of the murders, the Order Of The Key society and the ghostly apparitions that keep appearing more and more to Colette they'll be shocked with what they discover once it's all put together.

I loved the historical aspects scattered throughout the book, the concept of the infamous Marie Antoinette and her tragic death becoming quite a big plotline to this story had me glued to the pages, and of course having any book set in Paris is a bonus as well, I really enjoyed the writing style, it made this a quick and addictive read, I ended up starting and finishing this book in the space of nine hours I found it that enjoyable.
I will definitely be picking up Katie Alender's other books at some point in the future.
Highly recommended!

I give this 4/5 Stars.

About Katie.

Katie Alender (rhymes with “calendar”!) grew up in South Florida. She is the third of four children (three girls and a boy) and the child of three very loving and encouraging parents.
She attended high school at the Palm Beach County School of the Arts, studying Communication Arts. From there, she went on to the Florida State University Film School, which led her to her current hometown, a tiny hamlet on the West Coast known as “Los Angeles.”
She enjoys writing, reading, sewing (especially quilts), practicing yoga, photography, visiting friends’ blogs, and hanging out with her husband (known on the blog as “the husb”) and her daughter.
Her first brush with publication was in high school, when her article “So You Want to Live On Mars?” was published in Sassy magazine in December 1991. More recently, she was the head writer on the 48-Hour Film Project “Best of Los Angeles 2007″ winner, Project 96-B, and worked for many years as writer/producer for the Animal Planet Dog Championships and AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog shows on Animal Planet. Currently, she is a mostly-full-time author.
She is represented by Matthew Elblonk of DeFiore and Company and is a member of SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and ITW (International Thriller Writers).
She does not like scary books or movies, but apparently the books she writes are considered scary by many people. She is also a huuuuge fan of talking about herself in the third person.


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Saturday, 5 October 2013

Book Review (260): No Reverse (Second Chances #1) - Marion Croslydon


No Reverse (Second Chances #1)

My Thoughts.
Loved It, Loved It, Loved It, Loveeeeeeeeeeeed It!
What a captivating and enthralling read, Marion has written a book that I can see myself rereading over and over again.
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book on Goodreads I knew I wanted to read it, it sounded right up my alley and the gorgeous cover definitely helped as well, and I'm extremely happy to say that this book lived up to my expectations and more.
I've always loved these kind of stories where there is a kid involved, it adds more to the story and when done right like it is in this novel you find yourself with an exceptionally good story, that you don't want to put down.
Cassie hasn't had an easy life, with no idea of who her Father is and spending time in the Foster Care system after the death of her druggie Mother she was taken in by her Grandmother, and at the age of six became best-friends with a boy named Josh who later became her boyfriend, sharing all their firsts together, and then she found out while in her senior year that she was pregnant.
Getting married seemed the next logical step, which they did, but then Cassie ran away and when she returned there was no baby, telling Josh that she'd had an abortion he couldn't forgive her, so he left Steep Hill for college and for a career in Capitol Hill whilst Cassie stayed behind caring for her ailing Grandmother, on the day of her funeral she received two letters, one containing divorce papers, the other containing information that will have Cassie racing to England to explain to Josh what really happened all those years ago after her disappearance and to beg him for his help, until she finds out that not only has he moved on but he's engaged as well, until the revelation that Cassie reveals to him has him second guessing his current relationship and that of his first love.
I really loved the shock reveal, what a great addition to the plot, it added more drama to this story that kept it flowing and had me flying through the book as fast as I possibly could.
I really look forward to the next book where Cassie and Josh's story wraps up I need to know how this series ends.
Marion I think you've found yourself a fan for life, I can't put into words how much I loved this book.
A huge 5/5 Stars.
About Marion.

Marion loves to share happy vibes, talk book crush, fictional boyfriends and sexual chemistry with like-minded people. And because she spends most of her days on her own deep inside her writing cave, you are welcome to come and say “hello” from time to time. Just to make sure she doesn’t sink into insanity.

Her friends, family and arch-enemies (there are quite a few) will be forever grateful for your help.

That’s where you can find her:

Website: www.marioncroslydon.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/mcroslydon

Facebook: www.facebook.com/marioncroslydon

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Book Review (259): Everlast (The Chronicles Of Nerissette #1) - Andria Buchanan


Everlast (The Chronicles of Nerissette #1)

Publication: 1st Setember 2013
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 320
Genre: Fantasy
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Allie Munroe has only ever wanted to belong, maybe even be well liked. But even though she’s nice and smart and has a couple of friends, she’s still pretty much the invisible girl at school. So when the chance to work with her friends and some of the popular kids on an English project comes up, Allie jumps at the chance to be noticed. And her plan would have worked out just fine…if they hadn’t been sucked into a magical realm through a dusty old book of fairy tales in the middle of the library. Now, Allie and her classmates are stuck in Nerissette, a world where karma rules and your social status is determined by what you deserve. Which makes a misfit like Allie the Crown Princess, and her archrival the scullery maid. And the only way out is for Allie to rally and lead the people of Nerissette against the evil forces that threaten their very existence.
My Thoughts.
Everlast is the first book in The Chronicles Of Nerissette series by Andria Buchanan.
Allie, Mercedes, Winston, Heidi and Jesse are studying for an english project at the local library when all five of them are sucked into a book by a talking cat, ending up in the land of Nerissette, and that's not as strange as it gets, Allie realises that the world that they're in is exactly the same as a book of fairytales that her Mum used to read to her when she was younger.
Oh and she's also the foretold Queen of the kingdom brought to the land by Fate's demand for her to rule, Fate has also decreed that her friend's be turned into the creatures/people that their personalities suit, and so Mercedes becomes a Dryad, Winston a shape-shifting Dragon, Jesse the Prince Consort and Heidi who's the Queen Bitch and bully at their school becomes Allie's maid with her looks diminished.
Helping Allie along the way is the Fate Master whom Fate uses as a way to voice her wants, and who as the role of the Regent took the throne and control of the kingdom after the disappearance of the last Queen and the appearance of the new one, but the land of Nerisette is in shambles and disarray through his leadership and he's under the impression that through Allie he will keep control of the throne even after the Coronation to make Allie Queen, unless she stands up to him and takes control of Nerissette that is rightfully hers.
While this wasn't one of my favourite books I'm intrigued enough that I will definitely at some point hunt down the next two books to see just how this series plays out.
I give this 3/5 Stars.
 

Andria Buchanan


Patricia's a small town girl who was blessed with a large tree in the backyard that was a perfect spot for reading on summer days. Mixed with too much imagination it made her a bratty child but fated her to become a storyteller. After a stint of “thinking practically” in her twenties she earned degrees in Business and Economics and worked for a software firm in southwestern Germany but, her passion has always been a good book. She currently lives in Pittsburgh with her two wonderful kids and a husband that learned the gourmet art of frozen pizzas to give her more time to write. When she's not writing she can be found fencing and arguing with her dogs about plot points. Most days the Beagle wins but the Dalmatian is in close second. She's in a distant third. Patricia writes adult Paranormal under the namePatricia Eimer and writes Young Adult books under the name Andria Buchanan.

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Friday, 4 October 2013

Book Review (258): Out Of Play - Jolene Perry & Nyrae Dawn


Out of Play

Publication: 6th August 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 320
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: New Adult
Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.　

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door. 

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.
My Thoughts.
Out Of Play is a contemporary romance written through the collaboration of two authors Jolene Perry and Nyrae Dawn, I have never read a book from either author before but have always planned on it at some point as both of their books sound really good.
Unfortunately this book fell flat for me, I made myself plod through it so I could finish and be able to write a fair review, I'm not sure what it was exactly or that I could pinpoint precisely what gave me lukewarm feelings for it, I don't think it helped that the e-arc copy I received to review from NetGalley had typos, in particular the letter F, most of the time when a word started with F the letter went missing as well as the second and third letter of the word, so you ended up spending a bit of time trying to decipher what the word was which after a while became extremely frustrating, and yes I understand that arcs are sometimes like this but I've never read one when a whole letter from the alphabet upped and disappeared throughout the whole book!
I also felt like this storyline had been done before, but done better, and with more likeable characters, that's not to say that I disliked all the characters in this book, but to me they seemed few and far between.
I don't think it helped that after reading the synopsis for this book that I was all hyped up thinking this was going to be amazing, sadly that wasn't the case and I wonder if it would have been a better book having been written by a single author not two.
I still plan on someday reading some of these authors other books, this just wasn't the one for me regardless I how much I wanted to love it.
I give this 3/5 Stars.

About Jolene.

Jolene grew up in South-central Alaska. She’s lived in Anchorage, near the Alyeska ski resort, on a cabin on an island on a lake, and then in a boring old house.
Jolene kissed a boy on her high school graduation night. One she’d wanted to kiss for a long time. They got married two years later, have built two homes together, survived military deployments, law school, student loan debt, and two children.
Jolene plays the guitar, takes pictures, and loves to hike. She doesn’t like rivers, but loves the ocean. She loves to fly, but gets motion sick. Her ultimate vacation would be to sail through the deserted islands in The Bahamas. Two years ago, she got that wish when her parents retired on a sailboat.
She taught high school French when she was only a few years older than her students, and then taught middle school math with her degree in political science and French.
She spends grocery money on designer fabric, shoes, and books.
Jolene cannot express how many times she wished she could write a whole novel. And now she has. Many times. Life is good.
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About Nyrae.

Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn’s passion. There have been times in her life where she wasn’t able to chase that dream the way she desired, but she always found her way back to telling stories.

One of her loves has always been writing about teens. There’s something so fresh and fun about the age that she loves exploring. Her husband says it’s because she doesn’t want to grow up. She doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing and luckily for her, he doesn’t either.

Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she’s a total romantic at heart and proud.

Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.

When she’s not with her family, you can be pretty sure you’ll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her. 

She writes for Entangled Publishing, Grand Central Publishing and is self-published. 

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Wednesday, 2 October 2013

(ARC) Book Review (257): Undertow (Undertow #1) - K.R Conway


Undertow (Undertow #1)

Publication: 18th October 2013
Publisher: Conway
Pages: 398
Genre: Paranormal/Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: New Adult
Buy It: Amazon
Luckless Eila is unknowingly the last of her kind: Rare. Gifted. Breakable. Stunning Raef is her kind's historic enemy: Soulless. Lethal. Lost. A legendary death 160 years before would set their lives to collide, forcing a beautiful killer to become a savior, a simple wallflower to become a warrior, and ruthless destiny to become a death sentence.


SUMMARY:

Eila Walker knows luck is not a friend, so she is downright shocked to inherit a million-dollar Cape Cod home. And yeah, her new town isn't perfect: the cheerleaders are heinous clones, the local undertow can kill ya, and her Great Grams was supposedly fried by lightning in the harbor square. Still, Eila is hopeful her luckless days are in the past . . . until history decides to repeat itself.

When drool-worthy Raef O’Reilly becomes her friendly, yet weirdly protective shadow, Eila thinks life is pretty darn perfect – until she is hauled beneath the waves by an unnatural undertow. Revealing coal-black eyes and iron-like strength as he rescues her, Raef can no longer hide what he is . . . or what she can do. Eila, last of her kind, can supposedly channel the power of human souls, while Raef is more adept at stealing them. Even worse, the legend about her ancestor isn't such a myth, since Eila’s grandmother was one kick-butt warrior until her lightning-like power backfired. A power that is written all over Eila's DNA.

Determined to stay one step ahead of a dangerous clan that is hunting her, Raef, along with three unlikely allies, will do all they can to protect her. But as hidden pieces of their brutal histories unravel, Eila begins to understand just what went down in the harbor square. She soon realizes that following in her grandmother’s fearless footsteps may be the only way to save those she loves . . . including Raef.
My Thoughts.
I absolutely loved this book, such a fresh, exciting and exhilarating read, with such an original concept that I can see this book doing very well.
This novel combines quite a few of my favourite things in a story, a paranormal origin and intriguing use of it throughout this book, contemporary romance added in all wrapped up in the New Adult genre.
I really like that the reader finds out all about Eila's family history and her heritage the same time that we do, leaving us questioning things the way that she is left to do, trying to figure just what is going on and why her new friends are keeping secrets from her.
I loved the mysterious Raef and his brother Kian, you know that they have a big secret that they're hiding and I love that it comes full-circle as Eila's delves further into her family history and discovers the responsibility that is now her birthright.
With a well written heroine, who is extremely likeable, you can't go wrong.
Combining a new paranormal concept with a dash of action and romance, you'll be taken on a ride as soon as you open this book to its first page and lose yourself in it's fantastic storyline.
I give this a big 5/5 Stars.



I have been a journalist for 15 years and serve on the Board of Directors for the Cape Cod Writers Center. I also drive a 16-ton school bus because I am ENTIRELY NUTS.

In addition to working jobs that should come with a warning label , I hold a BA in Psychos (Forensic Psych), torment the tourists about Jaws, and occasionally jump from the Town Neck bridge in an attempt to reclaim my youth.

I live on Cape Cod with two smallish humans who apparently are my kids, my fishing-obsessed husband, two canines (adept at both flatulence and snoring), and a cage-defiant lovebird that sleeps in a miniature tent. Nope - that's not a type-o. The bird is quite the indoor camper.

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Monday, 30 September 2013

Book Review (256): Forever Too Far (Too Far Trilogy #3, Rosemary Beach #4) - Abbi Glines.


Forever Too Far (Too Far Trilogy #3)

Publication: 1st August 2013
Publisher: Simon And Schuster
Pages: 288
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: New Adult
Rush promised her forever... but promises can be broken.

Torn between his love for his family and his love for Blaire, Rush has to find a way to save one without losing the other. In the end one has to be more important. Letting go isn’t easy.

Blaire believed in her fairytale... but no one can live in a fantasy.

Her love for Rush and desire to have a family keep her believing that they can find a way for this to work. Until she has to make the right decision for her and the baby. Even if it breaks her heart.

Can they find the forever that they both want or has it all just gone... too far?
My Thoughts.
Forever Too Far is the third and final book in the Too Far Trilogy and the fourth in the Rosemary Beach saga by Abbi Glines.
And so we've come to the bittersweet end of Rush and Blaire's story arc in this series beginning in Fallen Too Far.
I've loved the journey that I've taken with this couple filled with plot twists and shocks, and I'm so sad to see their story come to a close, however in saying that I enjoyed their swan song and I Thought this was a perfect ending for this couple that I've grown to love.
As per all the other books I can't say too much in case I reveal any spoilers, but suffice it to say they do get their well deserved happily ever after, after their tumultuous relationship.
Unfortunately just like their last two books we are subjected to the miserable and bitchy Nan, who seems to think that the whole world revolves around her and that her aim in life is too come between Rush and Blaire, and also just like in the other books Rush keeps falling for her lies and schemes, over and over again, not thinking about Blaire's feelings or the fact that he's never there for her when she needs him because he's off dealing with the latest Nan drama, that is until he finally comes wise to Nan and her machinations.
As much as I'd love more books based on these two, I know it's better to have ended their story the way it was, but I will really miss them, they both grew so much throughout the series to become much stronger, loveable characters that I will remember for a very long time.
A fantastic series that I would recommend to everybody.
I give this 5/5 Stars.
 “When you find your reason for living, hold onto it. Never let it go. Even if it means burning other bridges along the way.” 
“Be glad I don't have my gun because right now I'm considering the different ways I can get you to shut up. Let me scream and back off.” 
“I just stood there and looked up at Rush. When I’d first laid eyes on him I’d been awed at his beauty. Never had I thought that the moody playboy could have a heart the size of his underneath all that swagger. “What changed you? You’re so completely different than that guy I met back in June,” I said, smiling at his confused face.

Rush reached out and slipped his hand into my hair and tangled his fingers around the strands. “This sweet, determined, sexy-as-hell blonde walked into my life and gave me a reason to live.” 

ABOUT ABBI


Abbi Glines was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in the small town of Sumiton, Alabama where she left the summer she turned eighteen. She didn’t get far… she chased her high school sweetheart down to the coast and she’s been there ever since.
Abbi now lives in the quaint southern town of Fairhope, Alabama with her three children and husband Keith (the high school sweetheart she chased after). Her life is never dull and Keith always makes sure there is another “experience” for them to explore.
Books published by Abbi include The Vincent Boys and the USA TODAY bestseller The Vincent Brothers, Breathe, Because of Low, the USA TODAY bestsellers While It Lasts and Just For Now, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless, andThe New York Times bestseller and Wall Street Journal bestseller Fallen Too Far. Currently she is working on Never Too Far, the sequel to Fallen too Far.
When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.
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