Stolen: A Letter To My Captor by Lucy Christopher

Genre: Young Adult
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 301
Book Source: Own Purchase

Snyopsis: Gemma, 16, is on layover at Bangkok Airport, en route with her parents to a vacation in Vietnam. She steps away for just a second, to get a cup of coffee. Ty--rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar--pays for Gemma's drink. And drugs it. They talk. Their hands touch. And before Gemma knows what's happening, Ty takes her. Steals her away. The unknowing object of a long obsession, Gemma has been kidnapped by her stalker and brought to the desolate Australian Outback. STOLEN is her gripping story of survival, of how she has to come to terms with her living nightmare--or die trying to fight it.

Stolen was one of the most unique reads I've ever read; disturbing, confusing, complex, thought-provoking and lyrical. Told from Gemma's point of view in the form of a letter to her captor; this unusual format gives the reader an intimate perspective of Gemma's emotions during her captivity. Stolen was unputdownable, I read it in one sitting, reading through until 3am and the story has been on my mind a lot since finishing it.

As an Australian who has spent time in the outback, Lucy Christopher's vivid descriptions of the desert were on the mark, I found myself spellbound by the stark beauty of the setting and Ty's love for the land. I confess that the kindness shown Gemma by Ty while he held her captive, really messed with my head. I can only surmise that Christopher's extraordinary writing elicited a 'reader form' of Stockholm Syndrome. It's far easier to hate a character who is pure evil, as a reader you know what's expected of you. Giving Ty a gentle, intuitive side made me feel unbalanced, it gave the plot and my feelings ... complexity.

I thought the character development was excellent as it has to be when there are really only two characters to focus on. Well, three, if you count the camel who you cannot help but fall in love with. I loved the subtle connection between both Gemma and Ty's experience with being 'Stolen' and the Stolen Generation being removed from their land. Stolen is a haunting and suspenseful read and Lucy Christopher is a new YA voice I thoroughly recommend. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Lucy Christopher was born in Wales but grew up in Australia. Her second novel, Flyaway was published in January 2010. Visit her website to find out more.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila.

A good week. I read 2 fantastic YA novels last week and thoroughly recommend both of them. Alaine and I had another scrapping day and we also saw Angelina Jolie's new movie Salt in Gold Class. At the moment Callum's Premier Youth soccer team are sitting 5th on the table, they won their game yesterday but must win the next two to make it to semi-finals. So, a big week of soccer this week and hopefully more reading, reviewing & scrapping :-)

Click on the title to see my reviews for:

HIDDEN WIVES by Claire Avery ~ 5 stars & a must-read!

ROEING OAKS by Krsitina Emmons ~ 4 stars

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Completed last week:

STOLEN by Lucy Christopher ~  4.5 stars

THE CHOSEN ONE by Carol Lynch Williams ~ 5 stars

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This Week's Reading List:

THE NEUROLOGY OF ANGELS by Krista Tibbs ~ page 106

STILL MISSING by Chevy Stevens ~ audiobook

DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE by Jeaniene Frost

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Reviews still to do:


DAMAGED by Pamela Callow

THE LIES WE TOLD by Diane Chamberlain

SAVING MAX by Antoinette van Heugten

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White


This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Hidden Wives by Claire Avery

Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 336
Book Source: Borrowed from Alaine

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Sara and her beautiful sister, Rachel, are too young to legally drive a car—but are approaching spinsterhood in Utah’s secret Blood of the Lamb polygamist community. Having long since reached the “age of preparedness,” they will soon be married off to much older men selected by the hidden sect’s revered Prophet. As Sara, chosen to become her uncle’s fifth wife, grows more distraught over her impending incestuous marriage, she begins to scrutinize the faith she has followed blindly her entire life. But for Rachel, who will be married to one of the many powerful community leaders vying for her hand, disobeying the Prophet means eternal damnation. Her friendship with the newest member of the community, the young and handsome Luke, starts as an attempt to save his agnostic soul, but ends with the pair falling helplessly in love. When Rachel is forbidden to see him, her absolute faith in the Prophet is severely tested. When Rachel’s future husband is finally announced, violence erupts, and the girls must find the strength to escape the only life they have ever known…before it’s too late.

Review:

I read a review on Staci's blog Life in the Thumb and knew immediately I had to read Hidden Wives and was fortunate enough to be able to borrow it from Alaine Queen of Happy Endings.

Hidden Wives was a compelling read; intense, gut-wrenching, heart breaking and enlightening. The imagery is vivid, the characters are believable (some unfortunately so)  and the story while fictionalised is agonisingly real. I spent a lot of this book angry and sick to my stomach but I also felt hope. Hidden Wives explores many of the deplorable practices occurring in the Blood of the  Lamb sect but it also restored my faith in the inate goodness of many.

My interest in polygamy was stirred by the tv show 'Big Love' which I now realise shows polygamy through rose tinted glasses although I'm sure life on the compound is portrayed a little more realistically. There are really no adequate words to describe the physical illness and horror I felt at reading the things suffered by the young girls and women in the Blood of the Lamb cult under the banner of so-called religion. I believe it is nothing short of evil to cloak abuse, incest, brainwashing and child marriages in the robes of 'religion.'

My skin crawled and I actually felt nauseous reading about girls as young as 13 being forced to marry men old enough to be their grandfathers. Hidden Wives is the story of sisters Rachel and Sara. Sara has questioned the indoctrination in their community for quite a while but Rachel has complete faith in the values spouted by Prophet Silver. The physical and emotional abuse suffered by Sara and Rachel was difficult to read, but as Rachel falls in love with Luke and Sara becomes friends with Irvin, a coloured boy with Echolalia, my hopes were raised that life could be different and better for all of them.

Sometimes it's the stories with the most difficult subject matter that leave an indelible imprint on your heart ... I urge you to read Hidden Wives.

Claire Avery is actually a sister writing team who have a background in a fundamentalist Catholic religion.

Visit the Claire Avery website to find out more about this amazing writing team.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Roeing Oaks by Kristina Emmons

Genre: Historical Fiction

Copyright: 2009

Pages: 271

Book Source: Won @ Alaine Queen of Happy Endings - courtesy of author.

Synopsis: In 1870 England, industry and modernization are the order of the day, but for Kate Thurgood the world outside the remote farm where she dwells with her mother is a faraway mystery, formed in her mind only through secondhand information. She has lived without questioning their lifestyle or why her mother, a lowly servant, is so much more refined than others of her station. If she had given it thought she might have guessed there existed a hidden piece of information concerning them, and a scandalous one at that. With its revelation comes a world of opportunity—and potential danger. It could lead to every imaginable earthly fulfillment, or poverty to an extreme even Kate hasn’t known. She will experience how life should have been for her, if not for a callous deed committed before her birth that has cast a shadow over her name, a deed so radical no one can—or wishes to—come to terms with it.

Kate is thrust into situations she feels unequipped to handle. Perhaps Mr. Roeing, the endearing and curious new foreman on the farm, can help guide her. It appears he is more informed than he is letting on.

Review:

Roeing Oaks is an enjoyable read dealing with the custom of wife-selling in the mid 1800's and the outcome of this practice for a mother and her daughter. I was fascinated and horrified to learn that this illegal practice was quite commonly used as an alternative to the lengthy and difficult process of divorce ... I don't know which is worse, being sold to the highest bidder or being committed to a lunatic asylum, another regular occurrence in this 'enlightened' period, allowing a husband to rid himself of a wife who has outgrown her use. Neither sound like an appealing prospect. But there's more to this story than wife auctions and servitude, it's also a story of love and redemption.

Kate has laboured on a farm for much of her life, along with her mother, Victoria. When secrets regarding Kate's parentage and her mother's lineage are revealed, it opens the door on a new and grandiose world previously unknown to Kate. The introduction of Mr Roeing adds an air of mystery to the story and the growing feelings between Mr Roeing and Kate bring a sweetness that's a welcome relief to the backdrop of poverty.

Kate is a naive, endearing character, who's growth throughout the novel occurs alongside finding her place in the echelons of society. Whilst I guessed the outcome of the story early on, I loved  Kristina Emmons' writing style, almost a 'Pride & Prejudice' feel, and the slow unveiling of intriguing tidbits that eventually tie the story together.

There will be a sequel to Roeing Oaks so I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author.

Visit Kristina Emmons website for more information.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila

A very slow week reading wise but a great week none the less. Scrapbook retreat was loads of fun as always; special 'me' time spent nurturing old friendships, making new ones, laughing ourselves silly, eating yummies you haven't had to cook yourself and creating ... basically letting the child within run free. Alaine and I look forward to our time at our favourite scrapbook place Daisy Chain Scrapbooks.

My Taleah Bear and Alaine's Jessica Bear

(photos taken on Taleah's memorial day Nov 2008)

My Dad with Ant and Cal (Dec 2009) 

 trying to get a decent photo is hard work with teenage boys

My niece with our puppy Bella

Mum and I (photo taken Mother's Day 2004)

scraplift from Alaine

And now on to the book stuff. Click on the title for my one and only review for the week:

DARK FLAME by Alyson Noel

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Completed last week:

HIDDEN WIVES by Claire Avery ~ 5 stars

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This Week's Reading List:

STOLEN by Christopher Lucy ~ page 52

THE CHOSEN ONE by Carol Lynch Williams (audiobook) ~ chapter 2

EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert ~ (audiobook) - I think I might put this one aside for a little while.

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Reviews scheduled this week:

HIDDEN WIVES by Claire Avery

ROEING OAKS by Krsitina Emmons

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead


Reviews still to do:

DAMAGED by Pamela Callow

THE LIES WE TOLD by Diane Chamberlain

SAVING MAX by Antoinette van Heugten

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White




This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: The Immortals Book 4
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 320
Book Source: Own Purchase

In this eagerly awaited continuation of the bestselling Immortals series, Ever struggles to help her best friend Haven transition into life as an immortal—trying to keep her from doing anything that puts them at risk, while attempting to gain control over her enemy Roman, so she can finally obtain the antidote that will allow her and Damen to be together. But when the spell she casts backfires, resulting in a strange, foreign pulse that binds her to Roman instead, Ever turns to Jude and dark magick, desperately attempting to break free of the curse, and ultimately risking everything she knows and loves—including her beloved Damen. - http://www.alysonnoel.com/

While there were certainly parts of this book that annoyed the shit out of me; like Haven's dialogue and Ever's ongoing stupidity, in all fairness Ever did move up the dumb totem pole from "dumber than a rock" to just plain dumb. You might wonder why I continue with the series if I'm going be so critical but believe it or not I actually enjoyed Dark Flame.

There was a lot more action in this installment in comparison to Shadowland, the pace zipped along and I must admit it was quite 'novel' to want to throttle someone else besides Ever; Haven was an obnoxious brat!

I finished the book wondering if Damen and Ever will get a Happy Ever After and yes that's my motivation for continuing with the series. Overall an enjoyable read, definitely an improvement on Shadowland and if you enjoyed Evermore and Blue Moon then worth reading for the story progression.

So Dottie from Tink's Place in answer to your question on my review of Shadowland ... yes it does get better and even if you don't agree at least I'll have someone to whinge with and Alaine Queen of Happy Endings, I read Evermore & Blue Moon on your recommendation so it's only fair that you return the favour :-)

Night Star, book 5 in the Immortals series is due for release November 16th 2010.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

A Winner ... Finally

I've finally drawn a winner in my July competition,

apologies for the delay ... life does get in the way :)

Congratulations to

Chase92 from The Bibliophile's Lounge

The winner has 3 days to respond to my email 

or another winner will be chosen.

Don't forget to enter my August Competition here!

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :-)

As predicted very little reading or blogging last week; Just the one review posted and one book finished. On the positive side, my brother-in-law's recovery from surgery for prostate cancer was excellent, whilst he will have a urinary catheter in for the next 10 days, he was back home Sunday afternoon after having robotic surgery on Friday!

I was completely and utterly exhausted by the time all the family left on Sunday so I'll take it easy the next day or two and catch up on some blog visiting and then prepare for scrapbook camp which I'm soooo looking forward to. A whole weekend of scrapping, fun, laughter, and catching up with treasured friends! Wanted to share a layout of my two gorgeous boys; photo taken May 2010.

The winner of my July competition will be posted this afternoon, apologies for the delay ... life; it does get in the way :)

Click on the title to check out my review of -

SHADOWLAND by Alyson Noel

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Completed last week:

DAMAGED by Pamela Callow ~ 4 stars, really good debut suspense/thriller

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This Week's Reading List:

HIDDEN WIVES by Claire Avery ~ page 75

EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert ~ (audiobook) chapter 3.

I'll be definitely listening to another audiobook as I pack for scrapbook camp and in the wee hours at camp, just not sure what I feel like right now.

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I'll hopefully get a book or two reviewed off my list:

THE LIES WE TOLD by Diane Chamberlain

ROEING OAKS by Krsitina Emmons

DARK FLAME by Alyson Noel

SAVING MAX by Antoinette van Heugten

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White


This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: The Immortals Book 3
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 339
Book Source: Own Purchase

At the start of this breathtaking novel, Damen and Ever travel to Summerland in search of an antidote to reverse a powerful poison. But instead of the cure they seek, they find something far more sinister: the truth about their existence and the fate lying in wait of an immortal’s soul.

Now, with Damen fighting to save them from the Shadowland, Ever turns to magick, hoping to break Damen’s curse. Along the way Ever encounters the mysterious Jude, finding herself drawn to him in a way that will test her love for Damen like never before.

Review:

I'm reviewing Shadowland after reading the 4th book, Dark Flame, which is probably just as well because otherwise my review would probably have consisted of:

Ever is dumber than a rock ... don't bother!

After finishing Shadowland, I immediately picked up Dark Flame, which has to say something about the series other than I have a severe case of OCD and seem incapable of giving up on a series.

If you enjoyed Evermore and Blue Moon (which I did) then think of this novel as a bridge ... a bridge to something better and you do get a bit more immortal backstory. If you didn't enjoy the first two in the series then don't torture yourself further, unless of course you also have OCD. 

Shadowland as the name suggests reveals a dark, tortured place in contrast to the beautiful descriptions of Summerland. Overall this novel has a bleaker tone than its predecessors, Damen turns over a new leaf and becomes a saintlier (and slightly nauseating) version of his former self, Ever turns increasingly to magick to rectify her past mistakes (you can imagine how that works out) and we're introduced to the intriguing Jude. But in all other aspects Shadowland is more of a continuance; Ever and Damen fighting for a HEA against seemingly insurmountable odds, and I keep reading because I can't stand not knowing if they get one.

Visit Alyson Noel's website or blog to find out more.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? And an Update

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :-)

Well the focus and motivation I spoke of last week came via best friend Alaine and a big stick. Alaine's nagging encouragement had me churning out 3 reviews which made a good dent in my review backlog.

During the week Alaine, Annie and I went to see Eclipse,(which I really enjoyed) it's been a tradition to see each twilight movie together on release day but for Eclipse we decided to wait until Alaine was well enough to go so we could see it together. I also got back into cooking with my budding masterchef, 16 year old Cal. Fish with Ginger & Stir Fry veges and Key Lime Pie; both absolutely delicious and easy. If anyone wants the recipes I'll do a separate post :-)

Saturday was a fun 'girls night in' with Alaine and 2 girlfriends from Cal's soccer team here for dinner, drinks and a sleepover to celebrate a milestone in my life; soon to be ex-husband finally removed his share of contents from my home and thereby removed his lingering and unwelcome presence from my life. I cannot tell you how terrifying but also liberating it was to face him after 5 months and after many baby steps, be finally able to take a giant step forward and move on with my life, away from the shadows of abuse, control and fear.

We have a public holiday here on Wednesday for the Ekka Show so Alaine and I will have a scrapping day, Cal can chill with Alaine's boys and Bella & Cindy also get a play date which is just hilarious to watch. These two puppies just love each other to bits!

The rest of this week will be busy with family. My brother-in-law has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and because of his young age will be having his surgery in Brisbane so my sister and my niece will be here from thursday night onwards. On Friday BIL is having robotic surgery instead of open surgery which apparently halves recovery time so he should be out of hospital by Monday and hopefully need no further treatment. I get to spend some Aunty time with my niece so we might see the new Tinkerbell movie on the weekend. My dad and his partner will also be down for the weekend so I'll have a houseful. I doubt whether I'll get much reading time this week but we'll see.

Click on the title to see my reviews: please check them out, your comments really do encourage me to get my reviews done and believe me I need all the encouragement I can get!

CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones ~ 4 stars

LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater ~ 4.5 stars

SAVOUR THE MOMENT by Nora Roberts ~ 4 stars

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Completed last week:

ROEING OAKS by Krsitina Emmons ~ 4 stars

THE LIES WE TOLD by Diane Chamberlain ~ 4.5 stars loved this one until the ending

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This Week's Reading List:

DAMAGED by Pamela Callow ~ page 220 & really enjoying this thriller so far.

HIDDEN WIVES by Claire Avery ~ recommended by Staci @ Life in the Thumb and also Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings and borrowed from Alaine.

EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert ~ (audiobook) chapter 2

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Reviews still to do:

DARK FLAME by Alyson Noel

SHADOWLAND by Alyson Noel

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Savour The Moment by Nora Roberts

Genre: Romance
Series: Bride Quartet Book 3
Copyright: May 2010
Pages: 320
Book Source: Own Purchase

Childhood friends Mackensie, Parker, Laurel and Emmaline have formed a very successful wedding-planning business together but, despite helping thousands of happy couples organise the biggest day of their lives, all four women are unlucky in love. Chef Laurel McBane has worked hard all her life to secure her dream ? to be an award-winning baker. Now, her wedding cakes are as close as anyone can get to edible perfection, stunning creations that complement Mac's beautiful photographs and Emmaline's floral bouquets. Because Laurel has worked so hard to overcome her tough upbringing, she is wary about letting anything, or anyone, get in the way of her work. But a slowly simmering chemistry with Parker's brother Del has suddenly become too hot to ignore.

Another quick, entertaining *sigh* feel-good read in the Bride Quartet series. Savour the Moment is Laurel's story, she runs Icing, the baking/pastry division of wedding planning business, Vows. Whilst it's predictable that a romantic attachment actually develops between Laurel and Delaney, Parker's brother (one of Parker's friends had to fall for him) sizzle and humour save it from being boring. And Laurel, unlike her delectable desserts is not all sweetness and light, she's fiesty and sometimes bad tempered and her snarky banter amused me no end.

I love how Nora Roberts gives us the main couple's story with each installment but also allows us to delve further into the lives and friendship of the quartet that own Vows. Romance aside, it's the relationship and special bond between Laurel, Mackenzie, Emma and Parker that I find a delight to read. The intricate details of their business, embodying much of what I also love; photography, flowers, and baking is a special bonus.

You really can't go wrong with this series for light, fun escapism, the perfect bathtub read. Parker is the focus of the final book and organisation and planning is her forte. We already know Mal is Parker's love interest so I can't wait to see what else Happy Ever After has in store for us - November 2010 for all the fans of this series.

See my reviews of the 1st and 2nd books in the Bride Quartet Vision in White  and Bed of Roses.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Need 2
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 273
Book Source: Allen & Unwin Australia

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

I enjoyed Captivate just as much as Need but for different reasons; where I found Need a little slow, Captivate was intense from start to finish, where not a lot seemed to happen in the first half of Need, Captivate had action aplenty. Familiar faces, new characters, a splash of romance, some high school angst, a good helping of amusing dialogue and a little lame stuff too, a few laughs and tears, some Norse mythology, lashings of blood and gore makes for a really entertaining read.

Pixie Tip

A pixie's true skin color is blue. Cookie Monster, Grover and other lovable Muppets are also blue. Do not confuse the two, Muppets don't kill you. Usually.

I enjoyed Zara's growth in this book, she's gutsy and protective of her family and friends and her relationship with Nick is sweet to read. The addition of the pixie king, Astley, adds a whole new level of intrigue to the story as Zara and the reader are challenged on the view that pixies should never be trusted. The door also opens on a possible love triangle between Zara, Nick and Astley but obviously more will be revealed in the 3rd book, Entice.

The ending of Captivate leaves the reader hanging by the fingernails. Really there should be a law against all these cliffhangers, they could be considered 'cruel and unusual punishment'. Well, we might have to suffer but we don't have to suffer in silence :-)

Entice will be out 3rd January 2011 and there will be a 4th book!

Check out Carrie Jones's website for lots of cool info about the author and her work. The pixies of Need have their very own website too, you can visit it here.

Thanks to Jess from Allen & Unwin for my copy of Captivate :-)

Click on the title to see my review of the first book in this series, Need

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls # 2
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 368
Book Source: Own Purchase

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

I LOVED Linger, ok not quite as much as Shiver but ... almost. Don't worry no spoilers in my review but if you haven't read Shiver; what are you waiting for? The beauty of Shiver made such a lasting impression on me last year that I had no trouble picking up Linger and being captivated once again by the continuing story of Sam and Grace and the wolves of Mercy Falls. Linger has the same bittersweet, magical quality as Shiver, the same delicate lyrical writing, the same touching romance, but the pace is a little different, not quite as sensual but a bit more action.

When I first realised that Linger wouldn't be told from just Sam and Grace's point of view, I confess I felt a little disappointed but it didn't last long. Maggie Stiefvater does a wonderful job of weaving all four narratives into the story and you quickly become aware of Cole's significance to the plot. For me the introduction of Cole and Isabel's perspectives took away some of the wistfulness but added a different undercurrent of tension. They're both quite obnoxious characters but their vulnerabilities are slowly revealed and yes I'm a sucker for dark and damaged and Cole definitely ticks that box.

In Shiver I thought Grace's non-existent parents were a poor excuse for parents and in Linger I like them even less. Their concern and discipline after years of neglect seemed false, maybe even manufactured; a plot convenience? Ok it's just a small criticism but it made me question the 'realness' of the story and I don't like that.

Another cliffhanger ending and even though I expected it and wasn't far off with my prediction, it still bites and I'm now hanging out for Forever, (aptly titled LOL) the final installment in the trilogy, coming July 2011. *Sigh* such a long wait, I'll probably be frothing at the mouth by then!

PS this trailer is just gorgeous ... check it out.

For those of you struggling over the pronunciation of Maggie's last name, her blog has a helpful tip: "Steve-Otter." Like the name, "Steve," and the little furry animal otter. See Maggie's website and live journal to find out more about this fabulous author and her work.

Click on the title to see my review of Shiver - a favourite read in 2009.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Guest Post by Christine Lemmon

“The first time I wrote in my journal, I felt like I was stepping into a world of vast lands, both unexplored and undeveloped, and along with it came responsibility to fill it up with beauty, and to leave only meaningful footprints behind, for starting my new journal was like being a pioneer arriving in a place of natural, primitive potential where I could cultivate whatever I wanted and I could hardly wait to plow through its pages.”—Portion of the Sea

When I was a little girl and got my first diary, I filled it up before the year was over and needed a new one. At first I wrote about silly things, like the hot dogs we had for hot lunch. But soon, I wrote about more interesting things, like the adventures I was having living in a house attached to an ice-cream shop in Saugatuck, Michigan. In this thriving, summer resort town, there were lines out the door of our shop until midnight and to reach the flavors, I would stand on an upside down bucket to scoop side-by-side with my family. When I needed a break, I would sit in the sugar cone closet and write in my diary. I could hear the excitement of the customers ordering ice-cream just outside the closet. It was at this early age that I learned the significance of stepping away from the commotion of life, of being alone and of stilling one’s mind because here is where the imagination kicks in, and from where, I believe, writing originates!

Recently, my third grade son had to write an essay on what trees mean to him. I found him at my desk with his head in his hands, his pencil on the floor. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me he couldn’t think of a first sentence. I had him lay down, and then I dimmed the lights, turned Beethoven music on and told him to close his eyes and imagine waking up in the morning and going about his day with no trees.

I left the room and when I came back, I asked him what he was doing. He said, “What you told me to do, Mom,” and I said, “No, what specifically were you doing?” He then said, “I closed my eyes and tried to imagine Sanibel with no trees. There were no birds to greet me as I walked out my front door.” I told him, “Quick, write it—you’ve got your first sentence, your second, too!” And from there, from his mind, from the unique and quiet moment he had to himself listening to Beethoven in the darkened room, he produced the most amazing essay and when his nine-year-old voice read it into the microphone at the school’s Arbor Day Celebration, I had to keep from wiping my eyes.

I hope those of you who want to write are not stuck on first sentences. I have English majors as friends who tell me they can hardly write a sentence out of fear of grammatical gods chasing at their heels. I am not an English major, but I fell madly in love with writing the moment I wrote about hot dogs in my first diary. It wasn’t the hot dogs that I loved writing about but the ability to tap into my innermost self, and to have a voice, and safe place to voice my voice that had me compelled to keep a journal consistently all the way through college. And this is how I learned to write.

If you have a compelling to write, write freely and lovingly of yourself; not out of fear. And keep in mind how therapeutic writing can be. It can easily become a friend. And if you want to write something good, don’t get hung up on sentences, paragraphs, and grammar. Dip deeper into yourself, into the flavors and colors of your mind!

“The words a woman writes in her journal are little bits and pieces of her heart, soul and mind.”—Whisper from the Ocean

For more on Christine Lemmon and her books, visit: http://www.christinelemmon.com/ or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

See my review of Christine's latest book Sand In My Eyes.

Purchase Sand In My Eyes from Amazon or The Book Depository (free postage.)









This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.