It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :)

Another fabulous week. Had a ball at the Daisy Chain Scrapbook retreat, it's always such fun spending time with this wonderful bunch of friends. 

As I didn't really read much (OK ... anything) I thought I'd share a few of the layouts I did on retreat. I've got 2 book tours due by the end of the week so this week I'll be concentrating on reading, blogging and visiting bloggy friends. 

Thanks so much to everyone who checked out GiGi's first review on my blog, she was really happy to read everyone's comments.

Friday night class with the amazing Toni Crane

Camping at The Gorge ~ I'm so happy with how this turned out :)

 The mad photo shoot from my birthday this year and a scraplift from Alaine

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Giveaway:

BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent ~ review & international giveaway ~ enter here.

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

THE MEERKAT WARS by H. S. Toshack ~ review by Gisele

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Finished last week:

OOPS not a thing :)

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This Week's Reading List:

THE LEGACY OF EDEN by Nelle Davy ~ blog tour

LOVESICK by Spencer Seidel ~ blog tour

THE WAY WE FALL by Megan Crewe ~ page 60

THE UNDERSIDE OF JOY by Sere Prince Halverson

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Reviews Still To Do:

OUTSIDE THE LINES by Amy Hatvaney ~ review scheduled this week

The Meerkat Wars by H.S. Toshack

Genre: Children's/YA Fiction

Publication Date: 1st January 2011

Pages: 241

Book Source: The Cadence Group

Synopsis: Sheena is a clever and cheeky little black-and-white cat who secretly stows away (again) in the Allen Family’s Land Rover when they set off on safari to Baragandiri National Park.

Her adventures begin when she helps to rescue Pebble, a young meerkat who has been stung by a scorpion. She befriends Pebble’s tribe, the Duwara, then finds they are fighting a vicious war with the Utongo, who hold the territory on the other side of The Gorge – a deep and terrifying valley cutting this part of Baragandiri in two.

Each tribe believes it lives under The One True Sun, the sun they see on their own side of The Gorge. Sheena decides that the only way to help them is to prove that there is only one sun, and that both tribes share a common belief and a common future. To do that she must persuade the tribes’ leaders, Tuft and Slash, to come with her on a dangerous journey around the end of The Gorge.

This review is brought to you by 10 year old Gisele, my first guest reviewer. Gisele devours books, loves her kindle, she reads just about anything but her favourite genre is fantasy especially if it features dragons. Please make GiGi, as she is affectionately known feel welcome :)

GiGi's Thoughts:

As I picked up this book I thought it would be a strange and messed up story, something like what I would write! But I slowly got caught up in the world of the meerkats; overall it was a fun book to read and the illustrations were really good.

At the start of each chapter there was a little verse suggesting something about the chapter which was really cool. Some parts lagged a bit for me with long descriptions and flashbacks  and when the story got back on track I had completely forgotten what was happening. This also made some of the suspense vanish and I think a glossary would have helped me with some of the words.

However, I loved the creativity of the story. The author has done a great job creating a beautiful landscape to picture. It's an adventure set in Africa and all the problems for the meerkats are carefully explained so it doesn't seem like the author is just trying to kill off characters by writing all of these problems. 

The Meerkat Wars is one of the most interesting books I've read. Sometimes when I pick up a book and look at the cover I think 'seriously? A meerkat book with a cat?! After reading the book and having the author tell the story so well, it seems like the most 'normal' book  you could read. 

I loved the characters and their different personalities, Sheena, the clever little black and white cat, and the meerkats Pebble, Sandstepper, Tuft, Moon, and Shuffle. I loved how all the animals introduced added something to the story.   

I enjoyed this book very much even though it had some rough patches. I wanted to find out what happened even though at one point i was so tired I fell asleep while reading! The Meerkat Wars is one of those interesting, fun books that everyone should read, even if you hate to read (which I think is crazy!)

If I was asked to read any sequels to this book I would jump at the chance. All I can say is GREAT job! :)

Thanks for your review GiGi ... The Meerkat Wars sounds like a great adventure for Sheena and the meerkats and a fun read. 

Check out The Meerkat Wars on Goodreads or buy it @ Amazon

By The King's Design by Christine Trent ~ Review & Giveaway

Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: 31st January 2012
Pages: 384
Book Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis: Thanks to her patron and great architect, John Nash, Belle Stirling is a rising star in the homes of London’s fashionable elite. Even the prince regent wants her elegant, high quality fabrics used in the decoration of his new palace, Brighton Pavilion. But when those closest to her conspire against Parliament, she risks losing her reputation, her business. . .and even her life.

My Thoughts: 

Set during the early 19th century Regency period, By The King's Design is a thoroughly engaging read with easily digestible historical details for those not too familiar with that period in history.   

The Luddites, the burgeoning industrial revolution and subsequent social unrest, the Cato Street Conspiracy all made for really interesting reading and my education of the extra-curricular vices of the "extra-corpulent ... extra-repulsive" Prince Regent George Hanover were certainly expanded upon. Sadly, the future King George IV was also well known for his extravagance in the face of England's starving and dying. 

We follow our heroine Belle Sterling from Yorkshire to London where she sets up her own drapery shop, is taken under the wing of renowned architect John Nash and receives a lucrative commission from the Prince Regent to provide drapery for the new palace, Brighton Pavillion.

Belle is an endearing character, she's intelligent and hard-working but I did question her judgement where her brother Wesley was concerned. Wesley's a total sap, weak and flighty and I wanted to slap him, hard. Actually I wanted to slap Belle a few times too ... how many times did she have to be duped by her brother before coming to her senses. 

The hero of the story and Belle's eventual romantic interest is Putnam Boyce, of "Put rhymes with shut" fame. Put is extremely likeable, a cabinet maker and true gentleman but Belle tries to hold him at arm’s length while fiercely maintaining her independence, no easy feat for a woman in this era.

This was my first Christine Trent novel but it's safe to say it won't be my last. 

Tour Schedule:  Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

Tour Event Twitter Hashtag:  #BytheKing'sDesignVirtualTour
Christine Trent's Website 

Christine Trent on Facebook 

GIVEAWAY:

I'm thrilled to offer readers the chance to win a copy of BY THE KING'S DESIGN & it's International!!

Just leave a relevant comment with an email address 

Extra Entries:

+2 tweet giveaway and leave a link

Giveaway ends 27th February and the winner will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone :)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :)

We finally had our camping trip; The Gorge camping ground is an absolutely  beautiful spot and we're hoping to go again at Easter time. Spent three days, relaxing, cooking on the campfire, swimming and running the rapids on rubber tubes ... lots of fun.

We've only just returned this afternoon (Monday) so I'm running a little late with my Monday post. Be sure to check out my review of BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent and enter the international giveaway!

This week I'll have a little friend guest reviewing on my blog. Her name is Gisele, she's 10 years old and an avid reader. GiGi as she's affectionately known will be reviewing THE MEERKAT WARS by H. S. Toshack. I'm hoping everyone will make her feel welcome :)

My TBR pile is growing but I'm not sure how much reading I'll get done this week, another weekend away, this time Alaine and I are off to a scrapbook retreat. Busy, busy :)

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Giveaway:

Winner of CINDER by Marissa Meyer ~ Congratulations Staci 

BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent ~ review & international giveaway ~ enter here.

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton ~ stunning debut

NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic

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Finished last week:

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton 

OUTSIDE THE LINES by Amy Hatvaney ~ excellent! 

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This Week's Reading List:

THE WAY WE FALL by Megan Crewe

THE UNDERSIDE OF JOY by Sere Prince Halverson

THE LEGACY OF EDEN by Nelle Davy

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Reviews Still To Do:

THE MEERKAT WARS by H. S. Toshack

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Everneath #1
Publication Date: 24th January 2012
Pages: 370
Book Source: HarperCollins & NetGalley

Synopsis: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

My Thoughts:

I'm a sucker for a stunning cover and Everneath is right up there. But do the contents live up to the cover art?? Absolutely! Everneath is one exquisite addictive read. 

With the recent surge in YA mythology retellings, Everneath is a breath of fresh air. Think Hades & Persephone, Orpheus & Eurydice but not a retelling as such; a unique story taking inspiration from these myths. 

Cole's an Everliving, Nikki is his human Forfeit and so it begins, creepy undercurrent, emotional darkness,  and a feed in progress. Nikki's been Cole's nourishment for a century in the Everneath (he's immortal but feeds off human emotion) and he's been her 'drug' of choice to numb the pain. Mixed in with the air of desolation is a certain fairytale quality, heightened by the obvious connection between Nikki and the dark-haired boy with chocolate eyes on the surface. 

Cole is arrogant, morally repugnant, manipulative and darkly seductive, but there's flashes of light. It'd be pushing the friendship to say there's goodness there but I get the feeling Cole cares about Nik, in his own special way and not just because she's a tasty lunch. Then there's Jack. Nikki's love for Jack and her fading memories are what kept her sane in the underworld. I was touched by Nikki and Jack as a couple, their love is clear despite the misunderstandings and I didn't want the book to end without a happy ending ... hmm about that ;)

The timeline describing The Feed, Nikki's return to the surface as a husk of her former self, and the six months she's given to make amends in the mortal world is done seamlessly. Kudos to Brodi Ashton for writing emotion with such umm ... emotion. Seriously the emotion in Everneath is palpable, Cole's manipulation of emotions, the emotion in Nikki's relationships, even sucked dry of emotion you can sense the  hollowness, the numbness. Beautifully done!

I'm not exaggerating when I say this is a stunning debut and a brilliant start to a trilogy I can't wait to continue.

Brodi Ashton has the gift of story telling but that ending ... uggh Ms Ashton you evil genius ... pure torture!!

Visit Brodi Ashton's blog to find out more. 

Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: 17th January 2012
Pages: 204
Book Source: HMH Children's Books & NetGalley

Synopsis: I had the dream again. The one where I’m running. I don’t know what from or where to, but I’m scared, terrified really. 

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will. 

It’s probably hopeless. 

But he has to try.

My Thoughts:

Austin's dying of cancer and he's decided he'd rather 'live' the last weeks of his life than spend it having pointless treatment. By 'living' he wants to do some of the things he's always wanted to do, conquer fears, face demons and make a difference in other peoples lives. While it isn't immediately revealed that Austin is terminal, the title and synopsis give that away so no qualms here about getting spoilerish.

“There are some things I want to do, some crazy things, some wild things, some fun things, things I’ve never done, thing’s I’ve never seen.” 

Never Eighteen is a touching story but at the risk of sounding heartless, I was disappointed. Austin's voice rang true, as did Kaylee's, Austin's best friend and secret love and I enjoyed the time Austin & Kaylee spent together ticking things off his bucket list. I loved the simplistic, natural writing, the music references; music holds such meaning for me in so many aspects of my life and it resonates when I find the same thing in a story, the photos (Austin's beloved Cybershot) and the poetry .

What I had trouble swallowing was each person Austin wanted to help filled a clichéd check list - friend abusing drugs, friend being abused, alcoholic friend, undisclosed gay friend, estranged parents, sad mother of dead friend.  

Don't get me wrong, I'm not making light of 'real' life issues, we all have family and friends dealing with problems, spiralling out of control, maybe it's not so much the "issues" themselves but people's problems being afforded the time they deserve in 200 pages. As Austin visited each person in turn, I found myself being pulled out of the emotion of the story and into a ... you've-got-to-be-kidding-me moment. 

That aside, Never Eighteen is poignant and sweet and it did make me wonder. I could die tomorrow or next week, do I have things left unsaid, friendships to nurture, hurts to heal?

It's a reminder to LIVE today: Tomorrow is not promised. 

Visit Megan Bostic on her website or blog - The Angsty Writer

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :) 

I had a fabulous week, a little reading, a couple of book reviews and a wonderful weekend scrapbooking at a friend's place with a group of girls that were an absolute hoot to spend time with. Thanks Lisa :)

this one was a scraplifted from Alaine

We're debating whether to go camping this weekend, depends on the weather once again. Either way I probably won't get through the 4 books on my reading list but I'm ever hopeful LOL

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

SILENT FEAR by Katherine Howell ~ "heart-in-mouth" suspense/thriller

THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau ~ impressive debut!!

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Finished last week:

SILENT FEAR by Katherine Howell

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This Week's Reading List:

 

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton ~ page 35 & creepy good start

THE WAY WE FALL by Megan Crewe

OUTSIDE THE LINES by Amy Hatvaney

THE UNDERSIDE OF JOY by Sere Prince Halverson

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Reviews Still To Do:

BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent ~ review & international giveaway scheduled 13th February.

NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic ~ review scheduled this week