A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg

Author: Myron Uhlberg

Illustrator: Colin Bootman

Expected Publication Date:
1st Aug 2011

Pages: 40

Book Source: ARC Peachtree Publishers & NetGalley

Synopsis: Ten-year-old Louis Daniel hates it when Mama treats him like a baby. But when Hurricane Katrina blows through the Gulf Coast on a fateful August night, followed by broken levees and rising floodwaters threatening New Orleans, Louis feels like a little kid again. With no time to gather their belongings save Louis s beloved horn Daddy leads the family from their home and into an unfamiliar, watery world of floating debris, lurking critters, a winsome black-and-white dog, and desperate neighbors heading for dry ground. Taking shelter in the already-crowded Superdome, Louis and his parents wait and wait. As the days pass, the electricity goes out, the air conditioning dies, the bathrooms are closed, and people around them begin to bicker as they run out of food and water. When Daddy fails to return from a scouting mission within the Dome, Louis knows he s no longer a baby. It s up to him to find Daddy, with the help of his prized cornet.

Review:

Narrated by 10 year old Louis Daniel, this fictional story is based on the true events of Hurricane Katrina. Simply told, poignant and beautifully illustrated, A Storm Called Katrina is the ideal way to explain the devastation to young readers without terrifying or overwhelming them with graphic detail.

Louis and his family flee their home in New Orleans as the water rises, making their way to the safety of the Superdome; where Louis's much loved horn features prominently in the story.

With increased media exposure to world events, tragedies and disasters, books like A Storm Called Katrina are a gentle way of exposing our youngsters to the frightening realities occurring around us. I know many children in Australia watching vision of the heartbreaking floods earlier this year had questions, fears and concerns. I'm sure a fictionalised account aimed specifically at their age and level of understanding would be of benefit or at least open the door to further discussion.

The book also includes a resource list for information on Hurricane Katrina; books, websites, dvds and more.

Abithica by Susan Goldsmith

Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: June 15th 2011
Pages: 288
Book Source: Courtesy of author

Synopsis: What if you knew you were about to be torn from your body and replaced by an imposter in a seamless switch forever separating you and the one you love? Would you do whatever it took to stay? Even if YOU happened to be the imposter?

Abithica must borrow all that she is from others: names, lives, even bodies. When she switches into the troubled life of Sydney Turner, she breaks the rule that has sustained her, the one thing in her control—never get attached. Lane Riley has no idea he’s fallen for Abithica, wearing Sydney Turner’s body and that a future with her is impossible. Desperate to stay with him, Abithica uncovers the mystery of what she is, only to learn she’s a pawn in a battle over souls, and that she’s probably one of the “bad guys.” What will happen if she refuses to leave Sydney’s body?

Review:

Abithica is an unusual combination of love story and dark, sinister mystery and I'm thrilled to say it's a totally mesmerising and unique tale.

The reader is at first as disoriented as the main character, floundering in her mackerel and mashed potato; from the first tentative, awkward moments with no clue as to what's going on, to slowly revealed enlightenment ... I loved that sense of disjointed confusion.

I don't want to give too much away about Abithica herself as that discovery is half the delicious anticipation in the read but Abithica describes herself as a parasite, possibly a demon, but she's really not sure. I loved Abithica and her internal struggles, her strength and selflessness, her vulnerability & despair. I was swept away by the hopeful essence in the love story and Lane is a thoroughly likeable and dependable hero. The 'shoe philosophy' was an intriguing sideline and Lane's sister, Shae is just adorable.

The dark subplot revolves around the Legnas cult, the glimpses into their dark practices are scary indeed but there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding these 'horrors'. Goldsmith's descriptions are chilling and graphic and the entities had me quivering in my shoes. The author ties complex plot threads together to create a spell-binding blend of paranormal, mystery, romance, horror and suspense.

This is one debut novel I wholeheartedly recommend.

Susan is working on a sequel to Abithica which will answer questions about the Legnas & Abithica's connection to them ... ooh can't wait!

Visit Susan Goldsmith's website to find out more.

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 haven't done a Monday post for a couple of weeks as I spent 8 days in hospital quite sick. (See MIA Explanation if interested.) Hopefully our household has seen the last of 'dramas' for a while & I can get back to my normal routine at home and with my reading and blog. I'm very excited about my blog makeover and hoping that the new look will be up in the next week, thanks to Danny @ Dreamy Blog Designs.

Posted review for:

INITIATION by Rebecca Royce & Giveaway ~ enter here (Ends July 26th)

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Finished last week:

ABITHICA by Susan Goldsmith ~ loved it 4.5 stars - review up this week!

LOVE STORY by Jennifer Echols ~ 3.5 stars

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This Week's Reading List:

TOUCH OF A THIEF by Mia Marlowe ~ the lovely Mia sent me this one and Im so looking forward to reading it.

ULTRAVIOLET by R. J. Anderson

CLEAN by Amy Reed

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Reviews to post:

ORDINARY BEAUTY by Laura Wiess (review scheduled this week)

THE TASTE OF APPLE by James Laidler

A STORM CALLED KATRINA by Myron Uhlberg (review scheduled this week)

MIA Explanation and Winners :)

You may have noticed the lack of activity on my blog in the last 2 weeks. Last Tuesday I was hospitalised unexpectedly for a nasty kidney infection and septicaemia and spent 8 days in hospital on IV antibiotics. Finally back at home, I'm on the improve, exhausted but happy to be in the comfort of my own bed.

Book reviews and blog activity will return to normal as of next week, for the moment I'm having a few more days rest :)

Current Giveaway:
To win an eBook copy of the YA Urban Fantasy novel INITIATION by Rebecca Royce & go in the draw for a swag of other goodies including a kindle - enter here.

Winners of THE LAST LETTER by Kathleen Shoop

Sharon ~ (US/Canada)

Veens ~ (International)

Initiation by Rebecca Royce + Giveaway

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Series: The Warrier #1
Copyright: Feb 2011
Pages: 211
Book Source: Decadent Publishing

Synopsis: My name is Rachel Clancy. Thirty years before I was born, the world ended. Today is my sixteenth birthday. Today I will go Upwards to fight the monsters and, statistically speaking, I won’t be coming back—at least not still living.

Initiation is the story of sixteen year old Rachel Clancy, born with a specific set of genes that let her fight monsters, she has trained her entire life to kill Vampires and Werewolves. Knowing since birth what her destiny would be has not made the onslaught of emotions she faces as she journey Upwards any easier. It doesn’t help that her father is drunk and her best friend just doesn’t get ‘it.’

Rachel isn’t prepared for the level of deception she faces, and before long she will find herself on a quest she is in no way prepared to handle. What happens next will alter not only Rachel’s life but the lives of everyone she knows. She will learn beyond a shadow of a doubt that sometimes the monsters we know are worse than the ones we don’t and that love can surprise us when it comes from somewhere we never anticipated it.

If she lives, she will be a Warrior. If she doesn’t, no one will ever remember her name.

Review:

Exciting and original world building, characters I quickly became invested in, and a cracker pace made Initiation a surprisingly addictive read.

I love the world Royce created, humans live in underground habitats while vampires and werewolves rule the roost upstairs and humans with the warrior gene are sent upwards at 16 to battle the monsters! Thrilling stuff and there's enough twists and turns to keep even the most jaded reader entertained.

Rachel is such a cool character, she's realistic about her lot in life and just a little "outside the norm" making her very likeable. I had to keep reminding myself that she was 16, mature, but 16; and the romance really was all about the sweet taste of first love but the abundant hot male characters, werewolf Jason, Deacon and Warrior Chad are central to the plot and of course good reading candy :)

The simple narrative had me intitially thinking this was well suited for the younger teen but there are a number of sexual references (without the deed) to warrant caution for the younger reader but for the older teen I have no hesitation in saying go for it.

Enough ends are tied up to produce a satisfying conclusion without the dreaded cliffhanger but there's the delicious anticipation of the journey being far from over. I can't wait to continue Rachel's story in Driven!

GIVEAWAY: As part of the Decadent Publishing Blog Stomp I'm thrilled to offer an eBook copy of INITIATION by Rebecca Royce to one lucky reader of my blog. Leave a comment with an email address.

Every comment today also counts as an entry for the Decadent Publishing Blog Stomp grand prizes:

GRAND PRIZE:

1 Kindle loaded with 6 Decadent Publishing Young Adult ebooks!

1ST PRIZE:

12 Decadent Publishing ebooks of winner's choice, 1 per month for 12 months.

2ND PRIZE:

6 Decadent Publishing ebooks of winner's choice, 1 every month for 6 months.

Visit Rebecca Royce's website to find out more about this author and her work

Next stop on the tour - Vannesa Barger (July 13th)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Memories Of Taleah

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 :)

A week full of emotion & memories; happy and sad. Thanks to all my bloggy friends for your comments on my post about Taleah's 21st remembrance, your hugs and thoughtfulness really means a lot. A very special thank you to my best friend Alaine; it's such a comfort to spend time with someone that you don't have to explain anything to because they just understand, and of course to Callum and Mike for being sweet and caring and there for me.

Bare with me while I share some photos; these memories are beyond special, the ones we create after a baby dies no matter how many years pass, are all we have to share. 

Taleah's 21st card

a special time with special people

Wellington Point pier looked beautiful

release of lantern for Taleah

and now to books :)

Current Giveaways:

Win 2 copies of The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop ~ a riveting and harrowing historical fiction ~ enter here.

I'm also participating in Decadent Publishing's YA Blog Stomp, there's loads of giveaways and a Kindle up for grabs so click on the button above to find out more. The YA Blog Stomp will stop at The Eclectic Reader on Tuesday!

I posted review for:

The Restorer by Amanda Steven ~ 4.5 stars and what's looking like a favourite new urban fantasy series

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Finished last week:

INITIATION by Rebecca Royce ~ review and giveaway Tuesday

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This Week's Reading List:

ABITHICA by Susan Goldsmith ~ page 30

LOVE STORY by Jennifer Echols

TOUCH OF A THIEF by Mia Marlowe ~ the lovely Mia sent me this one and Im so looking forward to reading it.

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Reviews to post:

ORDINARY BEAUTY by Laura Wiess (review scheduled this week)

THE TASTE OF APPLE by James Laidler

A STORM CALLED KATRINA by Myron Uhlberg (review scheduled this week)

To my Angel Baby on her 21st

Taleah ~ "Dew from Heaven"

I whisper your name.... to myself.

I whisper....Happy birthday, and I love you.

I whisper....I still think of you.

I whisper....Goodnight and till we meet again.

I whisper....Take care and hope your angel ears can hear my whispers here on earth.

I whisper....because I am afraid that if I speak too loud, my heart will hear and break again....

So I just whisper........

love you always and miss you baby girl
mummy xx

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Graveyard Queen #1
Copyright: April 2011
Pages: 400
Book Source: Own Purchase

Synopsis: My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims— lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Review:

Wonderfully atmospheric, I was hooked from the first line "I was nine when I saw my first ghost." 

Never acknowledge the dead

Never stray far from hallowed ground

Never associate with those who are haunted

Never, ever tempt fate.

Oooh doesn't that just give you the chills? The Restorer has an eery undercurrent that permeates the novel and raises the hair on the back of your neck, you know the feeling? ... not outright scary but downright creepy!

Amelia, The Graveyard Queen, is self-assured, intelligent, confident and entirely likeable and her career as a well-respected cemetry restorer, utterly fascinating. It's the originality of the Charleston setting, and lyrical descriptions of graveyards, headstones, epitaphs & symbolism that I fell in love with.

Detective John Devlin is enigmatic and brooding, a "still waters run deep" kinda guy and when his past is revealed you can understand why. I'm hoping that as the series evolves, Devlin's layers are peeled back and exposed. The tension between Amelia & Devlin is palpable and heightens the general sense of unease but this isn't a romance, it's a seductive combination of history & mystery that keeps you turning the pages with urgency.

I think I've found my next urban fantasy series addiction; ok it's not Cat & Bones ... yet, but I can't wait to see where the author takes this in The Kingdom, in stores April 2012.

The Abandoned is an ebook exclusive prequel to The Graveyard Queen series - available @ amazon, (unfortunately not for Aussies) B&N & eHarlequin.

Visit Amanda's awesome website to find out more about the author and her work.

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

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 :)

First week of school holidays and what an eventful week:

Road trip to Tin Can Bay to visit my Dad in his new home. Dad and his new partner Annette are engaged now and hinting at a wedding some time next year. Callum took this photo of a rainbow through the front windscreen of our car; it was actually a beautiful double rainbow.

My eldest son Anthony broke a bone in his foot/ankle after jumping down off his ute on the weekend; the same ankle he had pinned & plated after a nasty spiral fracture a few years ago. He has a backslab plaster on waiting a CT scan today to see whether he's also torn the ligament from the bone :(

It will be my baby daughter Taleah's 21st birthday this friday and the anniversary of her death on Saturday. I've been feeling quite overwhelmed with emotion, I guess reminders of Mum's passing also bring sadness to the forefront and while I count my blessings with my gorgeous boys, my heart aches for all that could have been with my daughter.

Current Giveaways:

Win 2 copies of The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop ~ a riveting and harrowing historical fiction ~ enter here.

I'm also participating in Decadent Publishing's YA Blog Stomp, there's loads of giveaways and a Kindle up for grabs so click on the button above to find out more. The YA Blog Stomp will stop at The Eclectic Reader next week!

Winners of NO ONE TO HEAR YOU SCREAM by Julia Madeleine - Congratulation to:

Ryan G

Hikablack

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Finished last week:

ORDINARY BEAUTY by Laura Wiess ~ traumatic and hopeful

THE TASTE OF APPLE by James Laidler ~ captivating, lyrical verse format; less is so much more in this case.

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This Week's Reading List:

INITIATION by Rebecca Royce

ABITHICA by Susan Goldsmith

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Reviews to post:

A STORM CALLED KATRINA by Myron Uhlberg (review scheduled this week)

THE RESTORER by Amanda Stevens (review scheduled this week)