The Eclectic Reader

The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau

2012-02-01T20:30:00.000+10:00

Genre: Historical Fiction Thriller
Release Date: 10th January 2012
Pages: 416
Book Source: Touchstone & NetGalley

Synopsis: An aristocratic young nun must find a legendary crown in order to save her father - and preserve the Catholic faith from Cromwell’s ruthless terror. The year is 1537. . .

Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin has been condemned by Henry VIII to be burned at the stake. Defying the sacred rule of enclosure, Joanna leaves the priory to stand at her cousin’s side. Arrested for interfering with the king’s justice, Joanna, along with her father, is sent to the Tower of London.

The ruthless Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, takes terrifying steps to force Joanna to agree to spy for him: to save her father’s life she must find an ancient relic—a crown so powerful, it may hold the ability to end the Reformation. Accompanied by two monks, Joanna returns home to Dartford Priory and searches in secret for this long-lost piece of history worn by the Saxon King Athelstan in 937 during the historic battle that first united Britain.

But Dartford Priory has become a dangerous place, and when more than one dead body is uncovered, Joanna departs with a sensitive young monk, Brother Edmund, to search elsewhere for the legendary crown. From royal castles with tapestry-filled rooms to Stonehenge to Malmesbury Abbey, the final resting place of King Athelstan, Joanna and Brother Edmund must hurry to find the crown if they want to keep Joanna’s father alive. At Malmesbury, secrets of the crown are revealed that bring to light the fates of the Black Prince, Richard the Lionhearted, and Katherine of Aragon’s first husband, Arthur. The crown’s intensity and strength are beyond the earthly realm and it must not fall into the wrong hands.

With Cromwell’s troops threatening to shutter her priory, bright and bold Joanna must now decide who she can trust with the secret of the crown so that she may save herself, her family, and her sacred way of life. This provocative story melds heart-stopping suspense with historical detail and brings to life the poignant dramas of women and men at a fascinating and critical moment in England’s past.

My Thoughts:

What an impressive debut novel and being a die-hard Tudor fan I never seem to tire of reading more, more, more 'Tudor'. The Crown is set during the Dissolution of the Monasteries but rather than focus on Henry VIII and his court, it's brought to us from the less travelled perspective of a Dominican novice. History interwoven with artistic embellishment, an undercurrent of suspense and a page-turning pace; a combination I loved!

I won't go in to plot detail as the synopsis more than does that but Nancy Bilyeau does a wonderful job adhering to historical detail while introducing fictional characters that the reader can connect with. Novice Joanna Stafford, from the 'actual' out-of-favour Stafford family is devout if slightly unconventional, courageous and resourceful.

Joanna, Geoffrey Scovill constable for Rochester, and the friar Brother Edmund were easy characters to like and they effortlessly carried the story. However, the devious Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester cannot be afforded the same likeability ;)

The story didn't drag at all for me, when the pace slowed I was fascinated with the intricate workings of Dartford Priory, its famous tapestries and apothecary particulars and as Joanna uncovers information regarding King Athelstan, the Athelstan Crown and other relics from the Passion of Christ I was equally as enthralled. There is nothing I enjoy more than a history lesson that inspires me to do a little research of my own, delving further into the history of the period.

Dartford Priory

Copper engraved print published in Francis Grose's Antiquities of England and Wales, 1786

The tomb of King Athelstan in Malmesbury Abbey

picture source: Wikipedia

I'm not sure about the plausibility of Joanna creeping around the Tower of London or whether the sub-plot involving the foul Lord Chester was necessary but neither of these scenarios detracted from my enjoyment. The Crown is a multi-layered mystery and I was more than happy to be immersed once again in the political intrigue, religious upheaval, and subterfuge of Tudor England.

Nancy Bilyeau's next book, The Chalice continue's Joanna Stafford's story and I for one can't wait!

Want to know more about this talented debut novelist? ~ visit her website

Mailbox Monday & It's Monday ... What Are You Reading?

2012-01-30T12:30:00.000+10:00

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

January Host: Alyce @ At Home With Books

I was doing a little happy dance with my mailbox loot last week. Surprise packages from 2 authors, a win from Allen & Unwin & a couple of books for blog tours. A wonderful week for me ... how bout you?

SILENT FEAR by Katherine Howell
a signed copy from my favourite Aussie author :)

On a searing summer's day paramedic Holly Garland rushes to an emergency to find a man collapsed with a bullet wound in the back of his head, CPR being performed by two bystanders, and her long-estranged brother Seth watching it all unfold.

Seth claims to be the dying man's best friend, but Holly knows better than to believe anything he says and fears that his re-appearance will reveal the bleak secrets of her past – secrets which both her fiance Norris and her colleagues have no idea exist, and which if exposed could cause her to lose everything.

Detective Ella Marconi suspects Seth too, but she's also sure the dead man's wife is lying, and the deceased's boss seems just too helpful. But then a shocking double homicide related to the case makes Ella realise that her investigations are getting closer to the killer, but also increasing the risk of an even higher body count.

This lovely package arrived from Christine Blevins, not only books but candles, soap and herbal tea all packaged delightfully. Thanks Christine :)

THE TURNING OF ANNE MERRICK by Christine Blevins

Blog tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

A tale of love and espionage from the author of Midwife of the Blue Ridge...

She spies for General Washington, betrays the Redcoats and battles for America's independence...

It's 1777, and a fledgling country wages an almost hopeless struggle against the might of the British Empire. Brought together by a fateful kiss, Anne Merrick and Jack Hampton are devoted to each other and to their Patriot cause. As part of Washington's daring network of spies, they are ready and willing to pay even the ultimate price for freedom.

From battlefields raging along the Hudson, to the desperate winter encampment at Valley Forge and through the dangerous intrigue of British-occupied Philadelphia, Anne and Jack brave the trials of separation, the ravages of war and an unyielding enemy growing ever more ruthless.

For love and for country, all is put at risk-and together the pair must call upon their every ounce of courage and cunning in order to survive.

THE LEGACY OF EDEN by Nelle Davy

Blog tour with Media Muscle

"To understand what it meant to be a Hathaway, you'd first have to see Aurelia."

For generations, Aurelia was the crowning glory of more than three thousand acres of Iowa farmland and golden cornfields. The estate was a monument to matriarch Lavinia Hathaway's dream to elevate the family name - no matter what relative or stranger she had to destroy in the process. It was a desperation that wrought the downfall of the Hathaways - and the once prosperous farm.

Now the last inhabitant of the decaying old home has died - alone. None of the surviving members of the Hathaway family want anything to do with the farm, the land, or the memories.

Especially Meredith Pincetti. Now living in New York City, for seventeen years Lavinia's youngest grandchild has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family's once-great name. Back at Aurelia, Meredith must confront the rise and fall of the Hathaway family... and her own part in their mottled history.

"Our farm was like the world when people still thought it was flat. And when you left it, it was as if you had simply sailed too far and fallen off the surface into the void."

NEVER KNOWING by Chevy Stevens

Giveaway win from Allen & Unwin

From the acclaimed author of STILL MISSING comes a psychological thriller about one woman’s search into her past and the deadly truth she uncovers.

All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara’s home life was not ideal. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and find closure.

But some questions are better left unanswered.

After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother—only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding her father is him finding out about her.

What if murder is in your blood?

Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive.

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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 :)

Well not quite the week we were expecting. No camping trip ... thanks to rain, rain and more rain but I did manage to read 2 books at home and put up an Australia Day post extolling the dubious virtues of us Aussies ;) and a couple of books reviews.

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Giveaways:

Audiobook copy of Cinder by Marrisa Meyer

~ enter here. You know how much I loved it!

Winner of the Birthday Trilogy by Brian Rowe ~ Congratulations Jetches

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand ~ sigh ... awesomeness!

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi ~ loved it!

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Finished last week:

BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent ~ very enjoyable

NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic ~ good but not as good as I was expecting

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This Week's Reading List:

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

SILENT FEAR by Katherine Howell ~ page 105 and loving it so far

THE WAY WE FALL by Megan Crewe

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Reviews Still To Do:

THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau ~ review scheduled this week

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2012-01-28T18:30:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Fantasy/Dystopian

Series: Under The Never Sky #1

Publication Date: 3rd January 2012

Pages: 384

Book Source: HarperCollins & NetGalley

Synopsis: Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY

The first book in a captivating trilogy, Veronica Rossi’s enthralling debut sweeps you into an unforgettable adventure.

My Thoughts:

Under The Never Sky has a lot going on and I was quite simply captivated. It's a fascinating genre meld; part fantasy, part scifi, part dystopian, part post-apocalyptic, but as a whole it's a fast paced read set in a world that had me awestruck.

Aria's a Dweller, she's grown up in the protection of a dome, where everything pointless (like nail growth & periods) has been eliminated, where virtual Realms are as much a part of life as living and breathing. Peregrine is an Outsider, a Savage, one of the Tide tribe living in the very real, very dangerous world outside the pods. A world that deals with Aether storms, cannabilistic tribes, disease and starvation. To make it even more fascinating Perry can scent "tempers."

When Aria is forced out of Reverie, Aria and Perry form an unlikely partnership for mutual benefit - the boy of few words and the girl of many.

"Do the clouds ever clear?" she asked.

"Completely? No. Never."

"What about the Aether? Does that ever go away?"

"Never, Mole. The Aether never leaves."

She looked up. "A world of nevers under a never sky."

She fit in well then, he thought. A girl who never shut up.

Ooh I enjoyed this pairs' journey from mutual dislike and animosity to grudging respect and friendship almost as much as the physical journey fraught with danger. I guess it helps your case when your significant other stops smelling like something at the "brink of decay."

The whole "scent" thing ultimately makes umm ... sense, something my thoughts aren't making but don't let my lack of eloquence put you off.

Ms Rossi has penned a story with amazing world building, a plot that makes your heart race and she doesn't scrimp on character development. Not only did I love Perry and Aria, Peregrine's relationship with his nephew Talon pulled at my heartstrings and I'm hanging out for more Roar.

Bring on Through the Ever Night!

Visit Veronica Rossi's blog to find out more.

Happy Australia Day

2012-01-26T23:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Australia Day to my fellow Aussies. After looking forward to a 4 day camping trip over Australia Day for months we had to cancel due to the water-logged condition of much of our state.

Area's of Queensland and New South Wales have experienced massive rainfall totals, thunderstorms and flash flooding and more rain is expected over the weekend.

So we chose to stay home, safe and dry! ... Enjoy Australia Day whatever you're doing :)

This has done the rounds but I thought I'd share. As a vegemite loving girl sometimes referred to as Shazza (Sheree) from Wagga Wagga, who has on occasion swallowed a fly via her nose and understands no wucking furries ... I'm proud to say I'm an Aussie!

You know you're Australian if:

* You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.
* You're liable to burst out laughing whenever you hear of Americans "rooting" for something.
* You pronounce Melbourne as 'Mel-bin'. You believe the 'L' in the word 'Australia' is optional.
* You can translate: 'Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas.'
* You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep.
* You call your best friend 'a total bastard' but someone you really, truly despise is just 'a bit of a bastard'.
* You think 'Woolloomooloo' is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.
* You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.
* You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin.
* You understand that 'Wagga Wagga' can be abbreviated to 'Wagga' but 'Woy Woy' can't be called 'Woy'.
* You believe that cooked-down axle grease makes a good breakfast spread. You've also squeezed it through Vita Wheats to make little Vegemite worms.
* You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.
* Beetroot with your Hamburger... Of course.
* You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again' And "Living next door to Alice".
* You believe that the confectionery known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year.
* You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them.
* Whatever your linguistic skills, you find yourself able to order takeaway fluently in every Asian language.
* You understand that 'excuse me' can sound rude, While 'scuse me' is always polite.
* You know what it's like to swallow a fly, on occasion via your nose.
* You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle and a seat belt buckle becomes a pretty good branding iron.
* Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.
* You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call 'Anzac cookies'.
* You still think of Kylie as 'that girl off Neighbours'.
* When working on a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer.
* You know how to abbreviate every word, all of which usually end in -o: arvo, combo, garbo, kero, metho, milko, muso, rego, servo, smoko, speedo, righto, goodo etc.
* You know that there is a universal place called "woop woop" located in the middle of nowhere...no matter where you actually are. *
* You know that none of us actually drink Fosters beer, because it tastes like shit. But we let the world think we do. Because we can.
* You have some time in your life slept with Aeroguard on in the summer. Maybe even as perfume.
* You've only ever used the words - tops, ripper, sick, mad, rad, sweet - to mean good. And then you place 'bloody' in front of it when you REALLY mean it.
* You know that the barbecue is a political arena; the person holding the tongs is always the boss and usually a man. And the women make the Salad.
* You say 'no worries' quite often, whether you realise it or not.
* You understand what no wucking furries means.
* You've drank your tea/coffee/milo through a Tim Tam.
* You own a Bond's chesty. In several different colours.
* You know that roo meat tastes pretty good, But not as good as barra. Or a meat pie.
* You know that some people pronounce Australia like "Straya" and that's ok.

* And you will forward this list to other Australians, here and overseas, realising that only they will understand.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

2012-01-25T13:30:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Unearthly #2
Release Date: 17th January 2012
Pages: 403
Book Source: HarperCollins & NetGalley

Synopsis: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

My Thoughts:

Many of you know how much I loved the first book in this series UNEARTHLY, it made my favourite read list for 2011 so I was beyond excited to receive automatic approval from HarperCollins and get a copy of HALLOWED and I'm pleased to say it didn't disappoint.

Hallowed is quieter than Unearthly, it focuses on relationships but with the same unputdownable, mesmerising quality of the first book. It's a book to be savoured!

In Unearthly I was team Tucker all the way; I loved that Clara followed her heart with Tucker, exercised her free will to make a choice that was possibly at odds with her 'purpose'. But in Hallowed you can feel the internal war raging between Clara's angel side and her human side so I forgive Clara her fickleness. I'm almost as torn as she is over Tucker and Christian.

“Your hair smells like wind, did you know that?"

Yep, me and Tucker, smelling each other.

"This isn't going to become one of those creepy situations where you show up at all hours of the night to watch me sleep, is it?" he asks playfully.

"Every moment I'm away from you, I die a little," I say in return. (giggle giggle)

I confess I have a love/hate thing going with Christian, he's good and constant and caring, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous and compassionate but it did grate that he's so assured and just a teensy bit arrogant. I guess I'm still Team Tucker??

Secrets are slooooowly revealed in Hallowed, (patience is not my virtue) there's finally more disclosure from Clara's mother Maggie. Revelations abound surrounding the unique angel lore, but I have almost as many questions as answers provided. I'm drooling at the prospect of the next book but at least we're not left dangling over a precipice. Much appreciated Ms Hand :)

Hand's prose is still breathtaking, Hallowed is sweet and tender and heart-breaking ... and I cried. Books that induce tears (not of the frustration kind) earn my seal of approval. Three words emotion, emotion, emotion!

The US cover is the one I've used at the top but I have to say my favourite is the Aussie cover, followed by the UK. How 'bout you?

Aussie cover

UK cover

Visit Cynthia Hand's website to find out more.

Want to see my gushy review of Unearthly ~ click on the title

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-23T13:00:00.000+10:00

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 :)

What a busy, fun week. I had my niece stay for a few days, we saw The Adventures of Tin Tin at the movies, did some baking and spent quite a bit of time cooling down in the pool. Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes on FB or my blog, I had a fantastic day on Sunday for my birthday but it was a whole weekend of laughs with my sister and family down to help celebrate. See my post Happy Birthday To Me for some of the crazy photos :)

Wanted to share the lovely photos we got at dinner on Saturday night. I can't wait to scrapbook these!

Mike & I

my sister and I

my niece and I

Callum and my niece

I finished 2 books last week (YAY me) and we are camping for a few days this week over Australia Day so I hope to have lots of reading and relaxing time. Tomorrow I'm looking forward to spending the day with my bestie Alaine.

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Giveaways:

Audiobook copy of Cinder by Marrisa Meyer

~ enter here. You know how much I loved it!

Birthday Trilogy by Brian Rowe - enter here. Ends 27th

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

SISTER PACT by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter ~ Sisterhood Survivor style; a fun read.

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Finished last week:

THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau ~ fast paced historical

HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand ~ loved it!

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This Week's Reading List:

BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent ~ page 25

NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

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Reviews Still To Do:

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi (scheduled this week)

Happy Birthday To Me :)

2012-01-22T22:20:00.000+10:00

What a birthday weekend ... family, fun, food, laughs and pressies :)

I've had the most wonderful weekend, Mike and I had dinner @ Kabuki on Friday night, a Teppanyaki restaurant in the city where I managed to catch the egg and the fried rice thrown at me. Scrumptious food and lots of laughs.

Then Saturday night we had a family dinner with my sis and her family at a great Chinese restaurant, followed by a hilarious photo session! We were actually trying for nice photos but the timer kept going off early on the camera so we just started mucking around. It probably didn't help that we had a number of the totally delicious frozen strawberry daiquiri's pictured above.

Sunday, my actual birthday (44 today) was spent relaxing by the pool eating BBQ'd ribs, watermelon and birthday cake!

Callum and the birthday girl :)

Callum & Bella

Just a few of the pressies I got; eyeore slippers, a pewter Tudor spoon, very cute owl earrings and USB iPad to camera connectors. I also got a voucher for a spa pedicure, (can't wait to use that one) photo frames and Mike bought me some beautiful jewellery ... very spoilt I am.

and I'm looking forward to spending Tuesday with my bestie Alaine :)

Giveaway: Cinder by Marissa Meyer ... Woot Woot

2012-01-19T20:00:00.000+10:00

Synopsis: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Cinder is also available on audiobook from Macmillan Audio. Click play on the clip below to listen to an excerpt.

I loved Cinder so enter the giveaway to get your hands on a copy of this "unique, fantastical and weirdly awesome" book :)

GIVEAWAY:

One audiobook copy of CINDER by Marissa Meyer to one lucky reader of my blog thanks to the wonderful folk at Macmillan Audio. US Only sorry :(

*You must comment on my review of Cinder and let me know.

*Leave a comment with an email address or ensure you're contactable via your blog

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+2 post about this give-away on twitter or your blog & leave a link.

Competition is open to US readers only. Ends January 31st and the winner will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone!

Sister Pact by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

2012-01-17T23:45:00.000+10:00

Genre: General Fiction
Release Date: May 2012
Pages: 384
Book Source: HarperCollins Australia & NetGalley

Synopsis: Two sisters. One reality TV show. A million reasons to play nice.
Two very different sisters. Once inseparable, they have long been estranged after an unimaginable betrayal.

Organised and uptight Frances married the only man she'd ever slept with. But no one told her that seven years later she'd be having sexual fantasies about everyone from the pizza delivery guy to Denis Thatcher. Scatterbrained animal-lover Joni never knew she was so attached to her kneecaps until she thought she might have to say goodbye to them forever.

After their beloved grandmother--a game-show addict--dies, they discover that they have each been left one million pounds in her will. The kicker is that they can only inherit if they participate as a team in a gruelling reality TV programme, Endurance Island.

They can survive the jungle. They can survive the humiliating challenges. But can they survive each other?

My Thoughts:

Sisterhood Survivor style! The joys, trials and tribulations of sisterhood are addressed in this light, fun read about estranged English sisters from the pens of Aussie author sisters Ali & Ros.

Joni and Frances haven't spoken in over 7 years but during the filming of reality tv show "Endurance Island" in Australia the sisters' gradually let their guard down; vulnerabilities are exposed, truths uncovered and trust regained.

I totally adored recovering drug addict Joni's irreverent sense of humour and potty mouth and elegant, uptight Frankie's determination and protectiveness. I was also quite the fan of rodent Des ... as unlikely as it is for a ferret to make the flight from the UK to Australia, in a bra, under the influence of rodent valium ... who cares, he was a welcome addition to the cast of characters.

Implausible ... possibly, corny ... occasionally but the pace worked for me and I sat back and enjoyed the laughs and escapism. Pick this one up if you like 'family' issues served up with humour and a big helping of adventure.

I'd love to do an author interview with Ali & Ros; so if you're reading this girls, shoot me an email :)

PS. The 1st January anticipated release date for Sister Pact has been changed to May 2012. I hope to secure an author interview and post a link to this review closer to the new release date.

About the authors:

Ali and Ros are sisters who are as close as they are different. Ali married the first boy she ever loved. Ros tried to remember the name of hers the other day and gave up and had a chocolate bar instead. Ali thinks everything will work out. Ros thinks everything will get found out. But for all their differences, they are fiercely close and desperately proud of each other. Nothing feels real until it has been spoken aloud to the other. They both love to talk, laugh and write, preferably over a bottle of bubbly and something coated in chocolate. They both live in Brisbane.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-16T13:00:00.000+10:00

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 :)

After a stinking hot start to the week, 34-36 degrees celcius, the weekend brought welcome respite and some rain. I spent a lovely day with best friend Alaine, and Cal, Mike and I all enjoyed the movie, The Descendants starring George Clooney.

This week will be super busy and fun, I'm having my niece stay for a few days, it's my birthday on Sunday and we have family coming to stay and I'm trying to read more than one darn book per week LOL ... not doing too well.

Yesterday I put up a post titled Across the Miles ... about one small book Bonjour 40 and how a love of blogging and reading has closed the distance between friends and places on the other side of the world ~ check it out.

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Giveaways:

Birthday Trilogy by Brian Rowe - enter here.

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

THE DEMON LOVER by Juliet Dark

CINDER by Marissa Meyer

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Finished last week:

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi ~ awesome dystopia

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This Week's Reading List:

THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau ~ almost done!

BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent

HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand

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Reviews Still To Do:

SISTER PACT by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter - review scheduled this week.

Across the Miles

2012-01-15T22:45:00.001+10:00

Some of you will remember how smitten I was with Bonjour 40 by Karen A. Chase. I raved about this book to everyone who'd listen and my sister who was readying herself and family for a 7 week holiday in the UK/Paris/Scotland was all ears.

Karen has done a delightful post on how Bonjour 40 closed the miles between Brisbane, Paris and her home in Virginia ~ pop over and check it out. This is what makes blogging and sharing the love of books so special ... ooh I just love it!

My sis had a Paris to-do-list which included some of Karen's experiences from Bonjour 40 and my request was she visit the crab shack and take of photo of the much talked about Bandit. I emailed Karen asking for directions and my sister visited Dorothee & the famous Bandit at Le Panier de Crabes. She also made me extremely envious devouring croissants like there was no tomorrow and visiting all the places I'm dying to visit.

While skyping my sister I got to check out the view of the Eiffel Tower

from their apartment

and for just one more example of how small our world really is ... while visiting Karen's blog I noticed a comment by another Australian blogger who just happens to live in Brisbane like myself and we are now in touch via twitter and our blogs ... visit Journey's With Noelle.

Waving from Australia :)

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

2012-01-13T21:00:00.000+10:00

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Series: Fairwick Chronicles #1
Release Date: 27th December 2011
Pages: 416
Book Source: Random House Publishing & NetGalley

Synopsis: I gasped . . . or tried to. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t draw breath. . . . His lips, pearly wet, parted and he blew into my mouth. My lungs expanded beneath his weight. When I exhaled he sucked in my breath and his weight turned from cold marble into warm living flesh.

Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of writing her bestselling book, The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. After all, Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature - which is why she finds herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.

But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover - an incubus - and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: He’s not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the incubus, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this demon lover from her heart.

My Thoughts:

Besides being a sucker for the gorgeous cover, I loved the gothic tone, the sexual tension, the sinister undercurrent and the fairytale-esque quality.

Callie's new home, Honeysuckle House is described with such vivid detail it's almost a living, breathing entity. Shrouded in mystery, oozing folklore and magic, the town of Fairwick and the woods are particularly atmospheric and I loved how the author conveyed this.

Callie McFay I just didn't connect with, I didn't like her or dislike her, she was just 'meh'. However I was completely taken with Callie's familiar, the adorable mouse, Ralph (he was one of my favourite characters and I don't even like mice LOL.)

I was actually more emotionally invested in the incubus' character. He's both fascinating and frightening and his backstory intriguing but I can't say anymore without getting spoilerish.

Feeling very little for the main character, some pacing issues and plot confusion had me leaning towards the 3 rating but being the shallow girl I am ... the sit under a fan sex scenes bumped up the rating a little. Juliet Dark writes HOT sex dreams ... if you can forget the sex just happens to be with a kind-of-creepy life-sucking incubus.

The Demon Lover is the first of a three book series; the second installment, The Water Witch will apparently be released some time in 2012. I want to know the fate of the incubus so despite some reservations I'll be reading the Water Witch.

Note: Juliet Dark is the pseudonym for Carol Goodman & The Demon Lover is published in the UK under the title Incubus ... confused much??

Visit Juliet Dark's website to find out more.

Giveaway: Birthday Trilogy by Brian Rowe

2012-01-12T11:00:00.000+10:00

Seventeen-year-old Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he’s aging a whole year of his life with each passing day!

High school is hard enough; imagine rapidly aging from seventeen to seventy in a matter of weeks, with no logical explanation, and with prom, graduation, and the state championship basketball game all on the horizon. That’s what happens to Cameron, a popular pretty boy who's never had to face a day looking anything but perfect.

All Cameron wants to do is go back to normal, but no one, not even the best doctors, can diagnose his condition. When he finds love with a mysterious young woman, however, he realizes his only hope for survival might be with the one person who started his condition in the first place...

Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he’s aging a whole year of his life with each passing day… again. And this time... he's going backward!

When Cameron proposes to his beloved witch of a girlfriend Liesel, he thinks life can’t get any better. But when he reluctantly breaks off the engagement just days before the wedding, Liesel angrily unleashes another curse on the unlucky guy, this time making him age backward, from eighteen, all the way to zero.

Making matters worse, Liesel mysteriously disappears, leaving Cameron with no options, except watching himself rapidly shrink into a helpless child. Will Liesel be able to save his life again? Or will Cameron ultimately fall prey to his girlfriend's wicked spell?

Newlyweds Cameron and Liesel Martin aren't able to celebrate their wedding bliss for long. Not only is Liesel unexpectedly pregnant... they're also facing the end of humanity!

Liesel's evil witch sister Hannah has cast a spell to make all humans on Earth age a whole year with every day. It's up to Cameron and Liesel to stop her... and save the world! Who will survive? And who will perish?

Here it is... the third and final epic chapter of the Birthday trilogy... Happy Birthday to You!

Want to know more about Brian Rowe and his work? ~ Check out his blog.
Find him on Twitter or Goodreads

GIVEAWAY:

Up for grabs is the Birthday Trilogy: Happy Birthday To Me, Happy Birthday To Me Again & Happy Birthday To You

One lucky reader will receive all three books in the trilogy in any eBook format

Leave a comment and don't forget to include your email address or ensure you're contactable via your blog.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+2 post about this give-away on twitter or your blog & leave a link.

Competition is International. Ends January 27th and the winner will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone!

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012-01-11T23:00:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopia
Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Release Date: 3rd January 2012
Pages: 384
Book Source: Feiwel & Friends & NetGalley

My Thoughts:

A cyborg Cinderella in a futuristic world complete with handsome prince, wicked step-mother, evil moon queen and the deadly Letumosis plague. As far as fairy tale re-tellings go Cinder is unique, fantastical and weirdly awesome!

The Cinderella fairytale is familiar in the mix of cyborgs, androids, hovers, netscreens and comm links. I loved the representations from the original tale and the inventiveness of the new world. Set in the Eastern Commonwealth capital of New Beijing, post 4th World War, this here is fascinating world building and compelling reading.

Meyer assembles a cast of characters that truly shine. I was rooting for Cinder (and her freedom) from the beginning and wishing her wicked step-mother a nasty end. Cinder's step-sister Peony was a sweetie, her android bestie Iko; adorable, & Prince Kai; grounded, kind & down-to-earth.

This was such a fun read, an enchanting meld of fairytale adventure, intergalactic political intrigue and futuristic scifi ... and the pages just flew by. For pure entertainment Cinder's a winner!

Cinder is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles quartet. Of the remaining three books Scarlet will star Red Riding Hood, Cress will feature Rapunzel and Winter; Snow White ... bring it on. I can't wait to see where Marissa Meyer's imagination takes us.

Want to know more about Marissa Meyer - visit her live journal.

The 2012 Dusty Bookshelf Challenge

2012-01-11T14:41:00.001+10:00

The Dusty Bookshelf Challenge is hosted by Jessica at Books: A True Story

Levels:

Pixie Dust - Read 0-5 books

Dust Bunny - Read 5-10 books

Cobwebs - Read 10-15 books

Grungy - Read 20+ books

As much as my bookcases tell me I need to sign up at the Grungy level (take note I said bookcases, not bookshelf) I'm aiming for the Dust Bunny level. Hey I've got to have some chance of succeeding, some of these books have been waiting patiently for 10 years :)

This is the last of my challenges for 2012 ~ I'm being very selective this year (4 challenges plus the Goodreads 100+ Challenge)

2012 Ebook Challenge

2012-01-11T14:14:00.002+10:00

Hosted by Workaday Reads.

Levels:

Floppy disk - 5 ebooks
CD - 10 ebooks
DVD - 25 ebooks
Memory stick - 50 ebooks
Hard drive - 75 ebooks
Server - 100 ebooks
Human brain - 150 ebooks

I'm going for the Memory Stick level - 50 eBooks.

You can move up a level but you can't move down so I'll see how I go :)

2012 Historical Fiction Challenge

2012-01-11T13:52:00.001+10:00

Hosted by Historical Tapestry

Choose from these levels:

Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
Daring & Curious: 5 books
Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

Head on over to Historical Tapestry for rules and sign up

I'm going with the Struggling the Addiction level = 10 books.

The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau
By The King's Design by Christine Trent
The Second Empress by Michelle Moran
The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin
The Queen's Vow by C W Gortner
...
...
...
...
...

2012 Aussie Author Challenge

2012-01-11T13:18:00.000+10:00

Hosted by Booklover Book Reviews.

Challenge Levels:

TOURIST – Read and review 3 books by at least 2 different Australian Authors

DINKY-DI – Read and review 12 books by at least 6 different Australian authors. ‘Dinky-Di’ is Australian slang meaning ‘true or genuine’.

I've signed up for the DINKY-DI level

Challenge runs from January 1st 2012 to December 31st 2012

1. Silent Fear by Katherine Howell

2. Exile by Rebecca Lim

3. Muse by Rebecca Lim

10.

11.

12.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-09T11:00:00.000+10:00

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 fun, busy week with lots of cooking. Bella our little girl adopted from RSPCA turned two on Wednesday. Many of you know what a rough start she had in life but she's much better now, stronger, braver, and while her coat will probably never fully grow back we think she's gorgeous :)

Didn't get a whole lot of reading done as we spent a wonderful weekend with my sister and her family, celebrating Christmas. They arrived home after 7 weeks holidaying in UK, Paris & Scotland!

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Giveaways:

Winner of MADAME TUSSAUD by Michelle Moran: Congrats ~ Julie Tucker-Wolek

Watch out for more giveaways this week!

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

FLYAWAY by Helen Landalf

EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ~ kick-ass, action-packed YA urban fantasy

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Finished last week:

CINDER by Marissa Meyer ~ futuristic retelling of Cinderella - wierdly awesome!

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This Week's Reading List:

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi ~ loving it, hope to finish today

THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau

BY THE KING'S DESIGN by Christine Trent

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Reviews Still To Do:

THE DEMON LOVER by Juliet Dark

SISTER PACT by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

Flyaway by Helen Landalf

2012-01-05T23:30:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Contemporary
Release Date: 19th Dec 2011
Pages: 182
Book Source: Harcourt & NetGalley

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Stevie Calhoun is used to taking care of herself. But one night, her mom, who works as an exotic dancer in a downtown Seattle nightclub, never comes home.

That’s the night Stevie’s life turns upside down.

It’s the night that kicks off an extraordinary summer:the summer Stevie has to stay with her annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy; the summer she learns to care for injured and abandoned birds; the summer she gets to know Alan, the meanest guy in high school.

FLYAWAY is the story of a teen girl’s struggle to hold on to what she’s always believed, even as her world spins out of control.

My Thoughts:

The title Flyaway is quite apt but the cover does nothing for me. How about you? That aside, I'm drawn to stories that deal with real issues and Stevie's story has a believable feel. This was a pretty good read but had none of the gut-wrenching emotional impact of Laura Wiess' Ordinary Beauty which was a favourite read of mine in 2011.

Stevie is blindly loyal to her crystal meth addicted mother, she's also angry, moody, obnoxious and not very likeable but hey I know quite a few teenagers without drug addicted mothers who aren't very likeable. I felt the relationship between Stevie and her Aunt Mindy was realistically portrayed and as Stevie learnt who to trust and count on in her life, she matured along with her behaviour.

I felt the real horror of Stevie's mums crystal meth addiction was downplayed and when it's revealed that some of Stevie's friends are also using it seems to be tackled in a rather blasé manner. Maybe after reading Ordinary Beauty I prefer the harsh reality of addiction and neglect to be just that ... a harsh reality.

What worked for me:

The fact that the author volunteered at the bird nursery at PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center really came through in her writing. The descriptions of the care and feeding of birds at On The Wing was one of the truly lovely parts of this book and Stevie and Alans' involvement was healing for both of them.

Overall a quick read with a sweet ending. While it didn't check all the boxes, I'll definitely read more from this author.

To find out more about Helen Landalf visit her website.

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2012-01-04T21:30:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 27th Dec 2011
Pages: 336
Book Source: Egmont US & NetGalley

Synopsis: Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

My Thoughts:

Kick-ass action, feverish pace, quirky cast of characters, blood, gore and violence (oh yeah) make this one a winner in my book. Preternaturals; hellhounds, basilisks, dragons, chupacabras, zombies are an accepted reality, co-existing with humans under government protection ... pretty cool world building.

Kali is human one day and slayer of preternatural beasties the next. Working against the clock, the countdown as she changes from human to hunter amps up the suspense and had my heart in my mouth a few times. Pretty much a loner until she ends up with unexpected allies Skylar & Bethany.

Skylar is cute, sassy and a little odd and Skylar's brothers are an awesome lot. Bethany starts off as a typical mean girl but she's obnoxiously loyal, sarcastic, hilarious and I loved her. These two had personality plus and their banter had me giggling.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes writes in a no-fluff way, not that there isn't emotion, there is, but she gets down and dirty and doesn't mind throwing in the twists and turns and some totally hateful curveballs!

Highly recommend this one for lovers of urban fantasy :)

Read more about Jennifer Lynn Barnes: website, blog, tumblr.

It's 2012! It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-02T18:30:00.000+10:00

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 :)

Happy New Year bloggy friends!! I'm looking forward to another fun year of books, books and more books! Not to mention nurturing friendships, book tours, author interviews, giveaways, scrapbooking and photo taking (I'm participating in 365 - Documenting the Everyday.)

This week I'll be playing catch up with reviews for books read in the last 2 weeks of December and I also have to pick some challenges for 2012. Uggh I can't believe I'm already behind ... hmm actually I can LOL.

Thought I'd share a couple of extra Christmas/holiday photos but you can see more here. To see my favourite reads of 2011 check out this post – 2011 The Year That Was.

Cal, myself and Mike

(I'm playing with photo editing on the iPad using Snapseed; very cool)

new teapot set I got for Christmas - isn't it pretty :)

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

ROAM by Alan Lazar ~ heartwarming story for dog lovers

FRANKLIN'S CHRISTMAS GIFT by Paulette Bourgeois ~ loved this children's book :)

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Giveaways:

Win MADAME TUSSAUD by Michelle Moran ~ enter here

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Finished in last weeks:

THE DEMON LOVER by Juliet Dark

SISTER PACT by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

FLYAWAY by Helen Landalf

FRANKLIN'S CHRISTMAS GIFT by Paulette Bourgeois

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This Week's Reading List:

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

CINDER by Marissa Meyer ~ page 45 weirdly cool!

THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau

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Reviews Still To Do:

EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

2011 The Year That Was :)

2011-12-31T22:00:00.000+10:00

Wow another wonderful year of blogging has come to an end. I'm sure as I get older the years are moving faster! In matters of health 2010 has been another challenging year but I'm looking forward to all that 2012 has to offer with hope and happiness :))

To my family and friends; may 2012 be all that you wish for. Be kind and stay safe!

I read 70 books in 2011; a very sad effort lol but it was some of the best YA fiction around and some brilliant historical fiction and general fiction.

My favourites ** are linked to their book review so just click on the title to see what I thought. I've been quite stingy with my 5 star reviews this year but the select few have been bolded :)

Historical:

I Am The Chosen King by Helen Hollick**
The Tudor Secret by C W Gortner**
Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar**
The Matchmaker of Kenmare by Frank Delaney
A Race To Splendor by Ciji Ware
The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop**
Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray**

Young Adult:

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand**

Pink by Lili Wilkinson
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
The Fiddler's Gun by A.S. Peterson**
Heart With Joy by Steve Cushman**
Stay by Deb Caletti**
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Die For Me by Amy Plum**
Mercy by Rebecca Lim**

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Radiance by Alyson Noel

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

Ordinary Beauty by Laura Wiess**

The Taste Of Apple by James Laidler

Initiation by Rebecca Royce

Abithica by Susan Goldsmith

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson**

Clean by Amy Reed

Nanberry by Jackie French**

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent

My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh**

Without Tess by Marcella Pixley**

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart**

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Mom & Dad Aren't Getting Along (Now that Mom's a Zombie) by Garry McNulty

Saving June by Hannah Harrington**

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes** (review in 2012)

Flyaway by Helen Landalf

Fantasy:
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens**

Romance: Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary

The Touch of a Thief by Mia Marlowe
The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

General Fiction:
These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf**
Best Kept Secret by Amy Hatvaney**
The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain**
Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda
The Coffeeholic and the Cafe by Elizabeth Martin
The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman**
Roam by Alan Lazar
Sister Pact by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

Suspense/Thriller:

Indefensible by Pamela Callow

Violent Exposure by Katherine Howell**

Non-Fiction/Memoir
How To Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk by Adele Faber
Living With It by Bev Aisbett
Bonjour 40 by Karen A Chase**

Junior's Dessert Cookbook by Alan Rosen

Surviving Maggie by John Fingleton

Children's Fiction:

A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg
I See Savannah by Kirsten Graham
Feet and Other Silly Poems by Mitch Fairchild
Franklin's Christmas Gift by Paulette Bourgeois**

Short Story:
Again by Lance Zarimba

A Bit Of This & That ... and Winners :)

2011-12-28T16:30:00.000+10:00

Pre-Christmas photoshoot with Santa at Surfer's Paradise

View from the Skypoint Observation Deck - Q1 Surfers Paradise

One of the world’s fastest express lifts - ground to level 77 in less than 43 seconds

On holidays Surfers Paradise - Scooter fun :)

We had a wonderful holiday at the coast and got back on the 23rd December in time for a frenzy of Christmas shopping, wrapping and cooking. A terrific Christmas was had by all but getting a 'nice' family photo was a bit of a challenge LOL

And a big thank you to my Broke & Bookish Secret Santa ... I did some sleuthing and my lovely gifts are from Toni from New Zealand @ One Chocolate Box. Thanks so much Toni; made my day receiving these in the mail :)

Winners of QUEEN HEREAFTER by Susan Fraser King

Congrats: Anne & FairyWhispers

Winner of FEET by Mitch Fairchild

Congrats: MadRoo

Don't forget giveaway of MADAME TUSSAUD by Michelle Moran ~ enter here

May Your Merry Be Very :)

2011-12-25T14:49:00.000+10:00

Merry Christmas from my family to yours, hope your Christmas is blessed with love and laughter, stay safe over the holiday break and have oodles of fun!

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, hope you're spending it with those you love xx

Guest Post & Giveaway with Michelle Moran, Author of Madame Tussaud

2011-12-23T20:00:00.000+10:00

Revolutionary or Royalist?

This December 1^st marked the 250^th anniversary of Marie Grosholtz’s birth. And while that name may not be immediately recognizable, Marie’s married name - Madame Tussaud - is probably one of the most famous in French history. It comes as a surprise to many people that the name behind the famous wax museums actually belonged to a real woman. Born in 1761, Marie grew up in a middle-class family on the Boulevard du Temple in Paris. As the daughter of a prominent wax artist who had friends in every walk of life, her family entertained impoverished young lawyers and hobnobbed with royals like the Duc d’Orléans. It was a rich and incredibly varied existence for Marie on the Boulevard. One day she might be dressed in a towering white pouf for a visit with the queen, while the next she might be working in a dirty artist’s apron. She knew how to curtsy and how to spice venison for stew, and was as comfortable in her uncle’s Tuesday evening salons as she was in his workshop, where she modeled wax figures of the rich and famous (and sometimes infamous) for their museum.

Marie in her workshop

But when discontent began to spread throughout Paris, evidenced by the heated debates which took place in her family’s weekly salons, Marie had a choice to make. Would she side with the revolutionaries who were calling for fair taxation and an end to nobility, or would she support the royal family whose patronage had turned her Parisian museum into a must-see event for both French and foreigners alike?

While writing the book, I tried to imagine what I would have done in Marie’s place. I imagined that I was an acquaintance of Marie Antoinette’s, and that I was good friends with the king’s sister, Madame Elisabeth. As the Revolution gathers support from the masses, I witness firsthand the panic gripping the Palace of Versailles. At first, the king dismisses the uprising as a few discontented rabble-rousers. But as the protests becomes more violent, he begins to realize that this is something serious – something dangerous, in fact. Still, no one around him is telling him the truth. Not about the anger, or the violence, or even the state of his own treasury. Should I risk my place at court to speak up? If so, would he even believe me? And even if he did, what would it change at this late stage? There are also my three brothers to consider, all of whom are employed in the king’s Swiss Guard. Yet for all of my royal ties, I can see the revolutionaries’ point as well. People are starving in the streets, jobs are scarce, yet the rich are exempt from taxation.

So do I wear the black and white cockade to symbolize my support of the Bourbons, or do I wear the red, white and blue for revolution? It turns out that Marie did both. As the Revolution gained steam, anyone dressed in clothing that was deemed too “fancy” was subject to arrest. To be seen in public without a tricolor cockade meant literally risking your life. And at a time when nearly 40,000 people were guillotined (more than 80% were commoners), execution was a very real threat. So while Marie kept her ties with the royal family – even when it was dangerous to do so – she was also a very public (and unintentionally influential) figure in the French Revolution.

I can’t imagine the horrors Madame Tussaud lived through during this time, but I can empathize with the very difficult choices she eventually made in an attempt to survive. I didn’t always agree with them, but Madame Tussaud is - without a doubt - one of the strongest women I will ever write about.

Thank you so much to Michelle for guest posting on The Eclectic Reader.

To celebrate the 27th December release of Madame Tussaud in paperback I'm thrilled to offer readers a chance to win a signed copy of Madame Tussaud and the very cute Marie Antoinette earrings.

Want to know more about Michelle and her work? ~ Visit her website or her blog, History Buff.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

1 signed paperback copy of MADAME TUSSAUD as well as a pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings. US only sorry

Leave a comment regarding Michelle's guest post and don't forget your email address.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
+1 for followers of my blog (mention in your comment)
+2 post about this give-away on twitter or your blog & leave a link.

Ends Jan 6th 2012 and the winner will be announced on this blog. Good luck everyone!

Franklin's Christmas Gift by Paulette Bourgeois

2011-12-21T19:00:00.000+10:00

Genre: Children's Fiction
Author: Paulette Bourgeois
Illustrator: Brenda Clark
Publication Date: 22nd Nov 2011 (1st published 1998)
Pages: 32
Book Source: Kids Can Press & NetGalley

Synopsis: In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin can’t decide what to donate to his school’s Christmas toy drive. At first, all of his toys seem too special to give away, then nothing seems special enough. With some inspiration from his Great Aunt Harriet, Franklin finally comes up with the perfect gift.

Review:

I love Franklin, my boys loved Franklin (back in the day) and this was actually one of the many Franklin books we owned. Hence the reason I couldn't resist re-reading and reviewing this one. These books remain timeless, the moral message is just as relevant today as it was when my children were little.

Every year Mrs Owl's class donate toys to the school's toy drive for needy families. Franklin has struggled to choose a gift because all his toys are "too special to give away." Mrs Owl reminds her class that the gift given may be the only gift some children receive so Franklin goes home to think about giving with thought and from the heart.

Franklin and his friends are very relatable and the bright colourful illustrations are a winner for children. Most importantly this cute little book conveys a beautiful message about the value and selflessness in giving.

Suited for young children age 3 to 8

Virtual Advent Tour - Christmas Decorating

2011-12-14T13:30:00.000+10:00

This is my first time participating in the Advent Blog Tour hosted by Marg from Adventures of an Intrepid Reader & Kailana from The Written World and oh what fun it is checking out everyone's posts from around the world.

Decorating the Christmas tree and loungeroom is something of a Christmas tradition in our house, just not quite the tradition I thought it was going to be. I must confess I had visions of all the family helping decorate, taking turns to hang ornaments, drinking eggnog (we don't do eggnog), listening to Christmas carols (yeah right ... the boys would stage a boycott) and sharing favourite Christmas memories.

Here's how it really is; it might not be the tradition I envisioned but it's ours and I treasure these times. Callum (17yr old) and I now decorate the tree on the 1st Dec or the first weekend after the 1st (give or take depending on enthusiasm.) This year Mike also helped; we have a glass of wine and listen to Callum's choice of music lol. We have an eclectic mix of decorations, old and new, hand-made by the boys and my niece, hand me downs from mum and her mum, store bought, glass, tin, wood, felt, plaster, Australian like the little banksia cherub and international and many of them hold special memories.

Our Christmas Ornament Memories

When Mum was alive it was her tradition to buy each family a new Christmas decoration to add to their collection. We've continued the tradition and buy a new ornament or decoration each year, the tin santa with skates below was our 2010 addition.

We put Taleah's Nativity Windmill on the dining room table each Christmas, this was bought by a close friend in memory of our baby girl the 1st Christmas after she passed away. It's 21 years old and now missing a blade from the windmill but when the candles are lit the windmill spins and in a small way it feels like Taleah is sharing Christmas with us.

Callum is also the one who helps me do the Christmas treat cooking the week before Christmas. Christmas Eve is usually a traditional roast, then Christmas day is usually seafood and cold meats, family photos, followed by a swim in the pool as this time of the year in Australia is soooo hot :)

Here's one of our family favourite Christmas treats; I make them every year for family and friends. Homemade Ferrero Rochers ~ way yummier than store bought ones!

Ingredients:

400gm Nestle milk chocolate melts
1tblsp copha
10 ice-cream wafers
1 small packet macadamia nuts
1 small jar nutella
crushed almonds (optional)

Method:

Gently melt chocolate and copha and stir until combined (in microwave at 50% power) or on stovetop.
Stir in finely crushed wafers.

Half fill ice cube trays with teaspoon of chocolate mix
Place macadamia nut (whole or halved) on mixture.
Place 1/2 teaspoon of nutella on each nut and top off with more chocolate mixture.
Optional: sprinkle with crushed nuts.
Place in freezer for 5 mins to set then pop out of ice cube tray and store in fridge

Whatever you are doing this Christmas I do hope you and yours are blessed with good health, love, laughter and happiness.

Roam by Alan Lazar

2011-12-13T22:30:00.000+10:00

Genre: General Fiction
Release Date: 1st November 2011
Pages: 336
Book Source: Simon & Schuster & NetGalley

Synopsis: It's the dog owner's greatest fear, even worse in some ways than a beloved pet dying. Your dog getting lost - missing for days, then weeks, perhaps gone forever. Roam is the story of a dog named Nelson who follows his nose one day and gets lost, becoming separated from his anxious owner.

Roam follows Nelson on his eight-year stray away from home, until one day he is miraculously reunited with his family. Through it all, Nelson maintains his optimistic spirit and unflagging yearning for the Great Love, his first human owner, a concert pianist named Katey. He never stops longing for her, and she in turn never stops searching for him.

Lazar's skillful rendering of a dog's cognitive, sensory, and emotional life celebrates the extraordinary magical power of dogs, showing what this scrappy little mutt with a courageous heart can teach us humans. This deeply moving story of families, the human condition, and longing in America will deeply affect readers and remind them of the healing powers of survival and enduring love.

Review:

What sets this "lost dog" story apart from others is that it's told from Nelson's point of view. Nelson being the half beagle half poodle protagonist and a fiercely inquisitive, loyal, bright, and courageous dog.

Author, Alan Lazar is also a composer and the soundtrack he's written and performed is embedded in the text of Roam. Using your smart phone you can scan the tag and listen to tracks such as "The Smell of Grass" and "The Great Love." If that sounds a wee bit complicated then visit the author's website and listen to the seven part soundtrack; it really does enhance the reading experience.

The matter-of-fact narration is an unusual combination; simply worded in parts, purely sensory in others, blunt to the point of cringing in places but also emotionally engaging. All tied together with a huge helping of the scents that are an integral part of Nelson's life experience.

This is a fictional story but there are similar true stories where dogs like Nelson display extraordinary courage, lifelong loyalty, unconditional love and go to incredible lengths to be reunited with their own Great Loves.

Nelson's love for Katey is palpable, it oozes off the page, it made me smile, it made me tear up and it had me giving our little Bella an extra cuddle or two. Nelson's experiences and adventures in his 8 years apart from Katey are both sad and heartwarming.

Apologies in advance for this teensy weensy spoiler but if you're anything like me and a total sucker for animal stories and a big sookie (I howled in Marley & Me and Red Dog) then you'll appreciate knowing that Roam has a happy, happy ending :)

The unconditional love we humans receive from our furry friends is like no other.

Visit Alan Lazar's website to find out more.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-12-12T11:30:00.000+10:00

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 huge week which culminated in a successful garage sale, Broke & Bookish Secret Santa posted, cards for Holiday Card Exchange posted, the Christmas tree finally decorated, lots of blog posting but no reading ... can't win them all :)

and I've made a few cards for family and friends but still have more to do!

Wednesday is my turn on the 2011 Virtual Advent Tour so come by for some of my family's favourite Christmas recipes, photos and of course Aussie traditions.

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

FEET and OTHER SILLY POEMS by Mitch Fairchild ~ review and giveaway

SURVIVING MAGGIE: An Australian Story by John Fingleton

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Giveaways

FEET and OTHER SILLY POEMS by Mitch Fairchild ~ enter here

QUEEN HEREAFTER by Susan Fraser King - 2 copies International ~ enter here

MADAME TUSSAUD by Michelle Moran ~ signed copy & Marie Antoinette earrings - scheduled Tuesday

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Finished last week:

nothing, nada, zip :))

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This Week's Reading List:

THE DEMON LOVER by Juliet Dark ~ page 15

SISTER PACT by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

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Reviews Scheduled:

EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ~ loved it!!

ROAM by Alan Lazar ~ for all dog lovers

Reviews Still To Do:

THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

MY SOUL TO STEAL by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO KEEP by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO LOSE by Rachael Vincent

BEAUTIFUL CHAOS by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Surviving Maggie by John Fingleton

2011-12-09T17:30:00.000+10:00

Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir

Publication Date: 1st Sept 2011
Pages: 272
Book Source: HarperCollins Australia & NetGalley

Synopsis: My father was no ordinary man and his was no ordinary life …

Watching Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush portray his father in the film Swimming Upstream inspired John Fingleton to uncover the story no one had told, of his father′s mysterious early life - and what made Harold the extraordinary man he became.

Nothing could have prepared him for what he discovered. Harold spent his early childhood on the streets foraging for food for himself and his sister and being beaten for his trouble by his alcoholic mother. Then, at eleven, Harold was removed to a state orphanage in Brisbane, where the treatment he and others endured haunted him forever.

From abused child to rebellious orphan, Harold Fingleton played many roles in his life - larrikin street fighter, gifted sportsman, prisoner, alcoholic, football coach to a bunch of street kids, even a murder suspect - but, most importantly, a man transformed by the love of a strong woman into a father determined his children would have the opportunities he never had.

A powerful true story of love, betrayal and redemption, Surviving Maggie will stay with you long after the last page.

Review:

How many of you remember the 2003 film Swimming Upstream starring Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis? "Write your own book if you're not happy" challenged Tony Fingleton, author & film co- producer. This was John Fingleton's impetus for telling the untold story of his father Harold's early life, hopefully providing some counterbalance to Harold's portrayal in Swimming Upstream.

Harold Fingleton's childhood is a pitifully sad account; after years of abuse at the hands of his mother, Maggie, Harold is taken into state care at the age of ten where he endures further neglect, hunger, harsh discipline and abuse.

"Idle hands are the devil's tools" was a popular adage among the nuns.

My heart broke for Harold during his brief release from St Vincent Orphanage on Christmas Eve 1920; at 1am on Christmas morning his mother was arrested for drunkeness and foul language and sent to Boggo Road Gaol, dashing Harold's hopes of a 'family' Christmas and a new beginning. Elation quickly turned to resignation and bitterness as Harold was returned to the orphanage on Christmas day. He was released as a ward at the age of 14.

I was caught up in Surviving Maggie, not only in the emotion of Harold's dreadful childhood but being a local Brisbane-ite many of the locations and points of interest mentioned are familiar to me.

Surviving Maggie gives readers an understanding of how Harold's early life molded the man he became, you learn not only of his faults, flaws and weaknesses but of his strengths, loyalties and love. John doesn't excuse his father's behaviour but as the story moves into Harold's adult years much of the emotion seems to be lost in the somewhat stark recounting of facts and circumstances that shape the man. Despite his attempt to set the record straight on the previous one-sided depiction of Harold, John doesn't sugarcoat his father's alcoholism or the impact on his family.

Through police reports, government records, his Aunt Mollie, his mother Dora, family and friends, a son pieces together a harrowing story of the father he loved with all his heart.

Giveaway: Queen Hereafter by Susan Fraser King ~ 2 Winners

2011-12-08T21:30:00.000+10:00

Queen Hereafter: A Novel Of Margaret of Scotland

Refugee. Queen. Saint. In eleventh-century Scotland, a young woman strives to fulfill her destiny despite the risks . . .

Shipwrecked on the Scottish coast, a young Saxon princess and her family - including the outlawed Edgar of England - ask sanctuary of the warrior-king Malcolm Canmore, who shrewdly sees the political advantage. He promises to aid Edgar and the Saxon cause in return for the hand of Edgar’s sister, Margaret, in marriage.

A foreign queen in a strange land, Margaret adapts to life among the barbarian Scots, bears princes, and shapes the fierce warrior Malcolm into a sophisticated ruler. Yet even as the king and queen build a passionate and tempestuous partnership, the Scots distrust her. When her husband brings Eva, a Celtic bard, to court as a hostage for the good behavior of the formidable Lady Macbeth, Margaret expects trouble. Instead, an unlikely friendship grows between the queen and her bard, though one has a wild Celtic nature and the other follows the demanding path of obligation.

Torn between old and new loyalties, Eva is bound by a vow to betray the king and his Saxon queen. Soon imprisoned and charged with witchcraft and treason, Eva learns that Queen Margaret - counseled by the furious king and his powerful priests - will decide her fate and that of her kinswoman Lady Macbeth. But can the proud queen forgive such deep treachery?

Impeccably researched, a dramatic page-turner, Queen Hereafter is an unforgettable story of shifting alliances and the tension between fear and trust as a young woman finds her way in a dangerous world.

Want to know more about Susan Fraser King? ~ visit her website.

To celebrate the 6th December paperback release of QUEEN HEREAFTER I'm excited to offer readers an international giveaway thanks to the generosity of Crown Publishing Group/Random House.

GIVEAWAY:

2 copies of QUEEN HEREAFTER by Susan Fraser King and it's International!!

Open to Followers Only (if you're not a follower & you'd like to enter just click on the follow button on the left hand side of my blog - easy peasy.)

Leave a comment telling me what intrigues you about Queen Hereafter and don't forget an email address

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+2 tweet about this giveaway & leave a link

Ends Dec 15th and the winners will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone!

FEET by Mitch Fairchild - Review & Giveaway

2011-12-06T20:30:00.000+10:00

Title: FEET and Other Silly Poems
Author: Mitch Fairchild
Genre: Children's Poetry
Publication Date: Sept 2011
Pages:
Book Source: From author for review

Synopsis: Mitch Fairchild's wit and sense of humor shine through as he creates clever and funny poetic stories that will bring a smile to the face of children and parents alike. Mitch masterfully uses paper and pen, much like an artist uses a canvas and paint brush, to whisk the reader away through various silly scenes that will leave them wanting for more. “Feet” is the first in a series of five children's poem books written by Fairchild.

Review:

Mitch Fairchild does a great job of bringing humour to poetry, making FEET a delightfully entertaining read to share; whether that be between parent or grandparent and child, siblings or students reading aloud in class. Children usually find bodily functions highly amusing and Barney's Little Present had universal appeal.

Nonsensical poems, and bold, colourful, simplistic drawings are sure to appeal to the young and the young at heart. This is one poetry book that is definitely funnier read out loud.

My eight year old niece enjoyed Feet: her favourite poems were Amanda the Panda because pandas are her favourite animal, Barney's Little Present and Little Timmy because both these made her laugh. She continued to recite her favourites the next day and giggles ensued. She did wonder why the drawings weren't coloured in properly :))

The Year 5 students of Cooroy State School also gave Feet and Other Silly Poems a tick of approval. Overall students found the poems funny and they especially enjoyed the rhyming ones. Their favourites were once again Barney's Little Present, The Trampoline and Little Timmy.

quotes from students about the poems:

"they can be quite funny and quite clever"

"sometimes they make you laugh for no reason"

"the drawings were creative and matched the poems"

However some students were expecting to see some emotion or expression on the faces of people in the illustrations.

"I couldn't tell if they were happy, angry or sad"

The year 5 teacher found this a worthwhile resource for her poetry unit and the students found reading out loud a lot of fun.

Purchase FEET @ Amazon and B&N

Mitch's follow up book Buzzz, Buzzz is also available @ Amazon and B&N.

Want to know more about Mitch Fairchild? ~ visit his website

GIVEAWAY:

To win yourself an eBook Copy of FEET by Mitch Fairchild just leave a comment on this post and don't forget your email address.

Extra Entries:

+2 tweet about giveaway & leave a link.

Giveaway ends 13th Dec and the winner will be announced on my blog

Vote for ORPHEUS & win a copy of THE GODDESS TEST - 20 copies to win!!

2011-12-05T13:40:00.000+10:00

AUSSIE GIVEAWAY

Alex Alexander is working on a paranormal webisode series based on the Greek mythological story Orpheus and Eurydice - Perhaps one of the first ever paranormal romances.

Alex is running a promotion until 11.59pm Monday the 5th of December to get as many people to watch the ORPHEUS trailer (only 60seconds) on the Movie Extra webfest site. Most votes means funding to make the series.

In support of this Harlequin Teen Australia are donating copies of their successful book based on Greek Mytholgy: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter to help the cause.

The first 20 Australian Readers of my blog who vote Love it by following the instructions below will win a copy of The Goddess Test.

Go to this link on facebook: https://apps.facebook.com/mncwebfest/showentry/922854/null/4

watch the ORPHEUS trailer
Vote Love it - Facebook allow and LIKE the MNC Webfest facebook page.
Take note of what vote you are.

Come back to my blog and let me know what # vote you are and don't forget your email address.

Hurry ends 11.59pm Monday 5th of December.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-12-05T13:30:00.001+10:00

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 :)

Well a very slack week on my blog *hangs head*. I have so much to post and I'm struggling to find the time and energy. But hey it's a new week so watch out, I may surprise you ;)

Lots of giveaways getting posted this week so please be sure to pop back and enter!

We did get the Christmas tree half decorated (does that count?) and then got sidetracked preparing for a monster garage sale this Saturday. Lots to do, lots to do!

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

SAVING JUNE by Hannah Harrington ~ 4.5 stars, great read!

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Giveaways:

Vote for ORPHEUS & win a copy of THE GODDESS TEST ~ enter here (20 copies to win) - Aussies only sorry. Hurry ends 11.59pm Monday the 5th of December.

FEET and OTHER SILLY POEMS by Mitch Fairchild ~ review & giveaway scheduled Tue

QUEEN HEREAFTER by Susan Fraser King - 2 copies International (sheduled Wed)

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Finished last week:

EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ~ loved it!!

BEAUTIFUL CHAOS by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (audiobook)

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This Week's Reading List:

THE DEMON LOVER by Juliet Dark ~ page 15

SISTER PACT by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

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Reviews Scheduled:

FEET and OTHER SILLY POEMS by Mitch Fairchild ~ review & giveaway scheduled Tue

SURVIVING MAGGIE: An Australian Story by John Fingleton ~ review scheduled Thurs

Reviews Still To Do:

THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting ~ enjoyable

ROAM by Alan Lazar ~ for all dog lovers

MY SOUL TO STEAL by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO KEEP by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO LOSE by Rachael Vincent

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

2011-11-30T15:00:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: Nov 2011 (1st Published May 2011)
Pages: 345
Book Source: HarlequinTeen & NetGalley

Synopsis: ‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

Review:

You'd think with the amount of YA fiction out there where the story line revolves around the death of a sibling or parent that this would get old. Not that I'm making light of it, far from it. I seem to be drawn to bittersweet fiction like this, especially when it's written in a way that parallels "real life" and Harrington writes in a real-life kinda way ... honest, raw, warts and all.

Mom always used to say, "Why can't you be more like your sister?" But I wasn't interested in being like June, and I definitely didn't want to live in June's shadow. Even if mine was less impressive, at least it was my own."

After the suicide of her older sister June, Harper is understandably a trainwreck. She's angry, confused, devastated and combined with the complicated family dynamics and emotions already in existence it makes for a pretty messy trainwreck. But kudos to Harper for voicing the thoughts that many of us have but don't say, because it's just not the done thing.

“I am so mad at her,” I tell him. It’s hard to admit that. I’m ashamed for being as angry as I am. I mean, she was in so much pain, she had to be, to do what she did, and logically I know it’s not fair of me to hate her for it. But no one said emotions are fair. Part of me still thinks she was a selfish bitch, for bailing on me and our mom and everyone else, for leaving me with nothing but the pieces of so many shattered lives and a guilt that will never, ever go away. “She didn’t even say goodbye, or leave a note, or anything, and I hate her for that. I should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve done something.”

I liked Harrington's portrayal of Harper & Laney's friendship, it's always refreshing to read a YA where the friends actually behave like friends. I liked Jake well enough even though he did come across as a "douche-baggy hipster music snob ..." (Laney's words lol) but I loved his passion for music. Harper and Jake rub each other the wrong way ... until they don't, and I liked that too.

Harper, Laney and Jakes' road trip across the US to scatter June's ashes in California is an adventure in itself, but it's also a journey of discovery, tears, laughs, friendship, hope and MUSIC ... complete with a van named Joplin :)

What I loved ... was the music talk, Jake is totally into the music of my late teens and early adulthood; The Rolling Stones, ABBA, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Coldplay, Eric Clapton. Music has played such an important part in my life, especially after the death of my baby daughter, music has uplifted and inspired, consoled and comforted, music has been a warm place and a safe harbour.

"Clapton wrote this song about it, after, and it just – It rips your heart out. It is the best kind of devastating there is. He took his pain and he turned it into something beautiful. Into something that people connect to. And that’s what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you. What I’m trying to say is, it’s just nice, I guess, knowing that someone else can put into words what I feel. That there are people who have been through things worse than I have, and they came out on the other side okay. Not only that, but they made some kind of twisted, fucked-up sense of the completely senseless. They made it mean something. These songs tell me I’m not alone. If you look at it that way, music...music can see you through anything.” Jake - (on Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven)

and make sure you check out Jake’s playlists at the back of the book :))

More favourite quotes:

Jake was right - I'm strong in a way June never was. Because I know that I want to be here. Even with the pain. Even with the ugliness.

Life goes on, I’m going on, even without her. Not every day hurts. Not every breath hurts.
Maybe that’s all we can really ask for.

An impressive debut novel and an author to watch out for.

Want to know more about Hannah Harrington? ~ check out her blog.

and the Aussie cover is my favourite!! (just saying)

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

2011-11-28T12:45:00.000+10:00

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 good week with reading and review posting and an even better week on the home front. Callum returned from schoolies safe and sound having had a blast with the week-long party. I had a day catching up with Alaine (hadn't seen her for weeks) and a wonderfully romantic night in the city celebrating a small milestone with Mike ... roses, champagne and these adorable tuxedo strawberries.

My sister and I celebrating her 40th October 2010

Birthday Card using the very cute Jillibean Soup range

and last but not least I do hope all my US pals had a truly blessed Thanksgiving!

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

BLOOD SONG by Rhiannon Hart ~ addictive & effortless and Aussie!!!

DEARLY, DEPARTED by Lia Habel ~ awesome zombie lore and laughs aplenty :)

and I tried out "Six Sentence Saturday" from Staci @ Life in the Thumb for these reviews -

MOM & DAD AREN'T GETTING ALONG (Now That Mom's a Zombie) by Garry McNulty ~ amusing horror story.

AGAIN by Lance Zarimba ~ moving short story

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Giveaways:

Winner of SONG OF THE NILE by Stephanie Dray - Congratulations Quixotic Magpie

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Finished last week:

SURVIVING MAGGIE: An Australian Story by John Fingleton ~ pretty good memoir

THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting ~ enjoyable

FEET and OTHER SILLY POEMS by Mitch Fairchild ~ review scheduled this week

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This Week's Reading List:

EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ~ page 40

THE DEMON LOVER by Juliet Dark

BEAUTIFUL CHAOS by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (audiobook) ~ halfway through, hope to get it finished this week.

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Reviews Scheduled:

SAVING JUNE by Hannah Harrington (review scheduled Tue)

Reviews Still To Do:

ROAM by Alan Lazar ~ for all dog lovers

MY SOUL TO STEAL by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO KEEP by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO LOSE by Rachael Vincent

Six Sentence Saturday Reviews

2011-11-26T23:00:00.000+10:00

SIX SENTENCE SATURDAY

My US buddy Staci from Life in the Thumb designed this review format and I'm ~~stealing~~ borrowing it because it's cool! Actually she gave me permission; isn't she sweet? Thanks Staci <3

Six Sentence Saturday is:
"Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!
At the end of each review I will post a rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards."

Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts - You must read this book NOW!!

4 of Hearts - A great read, put it on your TBR list

3 of Hearts - Happy that I read it...a good read.

2 of Hearts - Just OK, nothing to write home about

Joker Card - Don't bother (Why did I?)

AGAIN by Lance Zarimba

Published: Sept 2011

Book Source: Untreed Reads Publishing

Love is patient, love is kind, love lasts forever.

An elderly couple revisits their relationship after the husband experiences a debilitating stroke. How will the change in physical abilities and expectations affect their relationship?

My thoughts:

This was a moving short story, well written but giving that it gave new meaning to "short" it did leave me wanting more. While the couple remain nameless their journey to intimacy after the husband's stroke is sensitively captured by the author and the emotion of their relationship is palpable.

She could feel the unevenness of his muscle tone. One side of his body was solid and firm, while the other was soft and pliable. One side was the way things used to be, and the other was the way things were right now.

For this couple love and patience prevailed over physical limitations and emotional trauma. A hopeful read which I'm sure would be appreciated by those experiencing a similar situation.

You can purchase this one on Amazon for $1.49

Mom and Dad Aren't Getting Along (Now That Mom's a Zombie) by Garry McNulty
Published:
Book Source: Untreed Reads Publishing

Synopsis: Teddy's teen years were bound to be affected when his mom returned from the supermarket infected by a zombie bite. Dad immediately insisted he and his wife sleep in separate bedrooms. Mom silenced a complaining neighbor by eating him. Then there was the unfortunate Avon Lady incident.

Family harmony hit a new low, however, when Mom discovered Dad's new girlfriend and became one really unhappy zombie. Teddy's doing his best to keep the family together, but it's getting tougher all the time. What's a teenager to do?

My thoughts:
An amusing horror story that gave me quite a few giggles.

Teddy's mum is a zombie, his best friend Tryker is pretty cool with it but Teddy's dad is not quite as accepting of mum's new, all-flesh diet.

“You know the guy next door, the one who was always coming over to complain about stuff?”

“Tall, skinny, sour-faced guy?”

“That’s the one. He came by yesterday, ranting about something, and my mom attacked him like a lioness bringing down a giraffe. It was horrifying but at the same time…”

“At the same time, TOTALLY AWESOME!” said Tryker, interrupting as he sprang up in the bed. “I wish my mom could do cool shit like that instead of wasting her time on that stupid book club. And gardening.”

Teddy’s trace of a smile changed to a frown. “Of course, I did feel bad about what happened to the Avon lady.”

“Hey, even zombie moms aren’t perfect.”

A great story for reluctant readers with fitting 'teen-speak' and a touch of gruesomeness that would be suitably appreciated by boys in particular.

Pick this one up on Amazon for $1.50

Thanks to Brendan from Untreed Reads for these titles :)

Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart

2011-11-25T17:00:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Lharmell #1
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 290
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: I wanted to turn but I was held captive by the song on the wind. I’m coming, I told the voices. Please, wait for me.

When her sister becomes betrothed to a prince in a northern nation, Zeraphina’s only consolations are that her loyal animal companions are by her side – and that her burning hunger to travel north is finally being sated.

Already her black hair and pale eyes mark her out as different, but now Zeraphina must be even more careful to keep her secret safe. Craving blood is not considered normal behaviour for anyone, let alone a princess. So when the king’s advisor, Rodden, seems to know more about her condition than she does, Zeraphina is determined to find out more.

Zeraphina must be willing to sacrifice everything if she’s to uncover the truth – but what if the truth is beyond her worst nightmares?

Review:

This is one addictive, effortless read with a creepily original fantasy world to boot. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, in fact I finished this in one night. Blood Song isn't epic fantasy but YA fantasy done epically well.

Zeraphina is not your ordinary heroine, she has a bizarre craving for blood and an overwhelming compulsion to travel North. She's also strong, feisty, stubborn and a little bit lost. Her trusty sidekicks; an eagle named Griffin and a cat called Leap are a great addition to the cast of characters with their own engaging personalities.

Rodden, adviser to the King of Pergamia, is dark, mysterious and just a little scary. Rodden & Zeraphina have that kind of sparks-flying relationship based on mutual antagonism that I absolutely love.

Escapism at its best, Blood Song has a little bit of everything; intrigue, suspense, magic, romance, creepiness (gotta love creepy) and a big helping of fantasy adventure. I'm stoked to add another talented Aussie author to my must-read list and a new YA fantasy series to my keeper bookshelf!

Blood Storm, the 2nd book in the Lharmell series will be out August 2012 - *Woot Woot*

Want to know more about this awesome debut Aussie author? ~ Check out her blog Dangers Untold & Hardships Unnumbered.

Squeeworthy News!

2011-11-23T18:00:00.000+10:00

OMG bring on March 2012 ... The Hunger Games on the big screen :D

The trailer gave me goosebumps and it sure looks like the movie is going to do the book justice. Can't wait to see Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Cinna and the rest of the crew!

I'm also super super excited to be auto-approved by HarperCollins *woot woot* which means amongst other awesome titles I also received an ARC of HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand, book 2 in the Unearthly series. UNEARTHLY was a favourite read in 2011 and I can't wait to get stuck into Hallowed :))

Unearthly is also in production at the CW television network home of such awesomeness as the Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Gossip Girl etc. How cool would it be to see this one make prime time!

US cover

Australia cover

UK cover

My favourite is the Aussie cover ... what's yours?

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

2011-11-22T15:00:00.000+10:00

Genre: YA Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: Gone With the Respiration #1
Release Date: 18th October 2011
Pages: 470
Book Source: Random House Publishing & NetGalley

Synopsis: Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Review:

I just fell for a ZOMBIE ... who would of thought??

After a sluggish start the zombie rattler picked up pace! The first 50 or so pages are a slow but necessarly chew through back story and world history but don't give up, I promise it's worth it.

In this eclectic genre fusion Lia Habel gives readers a remarkably drawn world, chock full of original zombie lore. New territories & tribes have risen in the place of nations. The New Victorians have adopted Victorian values & virtues while embracing advanced technology; think digidiaries, ID chips, holograms. While the Punks, so called extremist rebels are not so technologically enamoured.

And thanks to 'The Laz' virus that raises the dead there's also good zombies and bad zombies thrown in the mix -

the Good: undead that 'come back' relatively intact with their memories and personality, they still have 'cravings' but they get their protein from ... you guessed it ... tofu. They also require regular medical assistance to maximise their expiry date.

the Bad: also referred to as Grays are the rotting, flesh eating zombies of our nightmares.

I adored the cast of characters, especially Captain Abraham Griswold (Bram), he's a Punk, he's dead and he's utterly charming. Thankfully he's retained his humanity, his chivalrous personality and the majority of his looks lol. Bram's comrades at Z base are an absolute hoot; Chas, Coalhouse, Tom, Renfield and Dr Samedi. The witty banter and often hilarious comraderie had me giggling like a loon.

"Have you heard of vampires?"
I nodded. Who hasn't?
"Had you heard of zombies before you came here?"
I shook my head.
"See?" He thumped his book for emphasis. "Vampires are just zombies with good PR! That could be us in a few years!"

Nora Dearly is a New Victorian, as is her best friend Pammy. Nora's outspoken, stubborn, brave and not particularly conventional and thus entirely likeable. Pamela comes across as a bit insipid but she certainly comes into her own as the novel progresses, finding inner strength in adversity.

There are five different narrations, each quite distinct but Nora & Bram are the key note speakers. Whilst I had no problem with the changing POV I did enjoy the chapters narrated by Bram & Nora more than the others.

So ... Girl is alive, Boy is dead and against seemingly insurmountable odds a romance flourishes and it's just ... delightful. This is one uniquely fun read and I for one cannot wait for Dearly, Beloved.

About the Author: Lia Habel was born in Jamestown, NY, and has lived there the majority of her life. Her first book, Dearly, Departed, is a sweeping tale of zombie-living romance set in a cyber-Victorian/steampunk future. When Dearly, Departed sold, Lia was swimming in debt incurred from her studies and years of un- and underemployment, with only a few dollars to her name. Miss Habel lives with three former ally cats. She enjoys attending anachronistic and steampunk events, watching zombie movies (she has watched over a hundred of them), commissioning ball gowns, and collecting Victorian and Edwardian books. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunities she has recently been given.

Want to know more about Lia Habel? ~ visit her website.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-11-21T11:45:00.000+10:00

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 :)

Well I didn't read or review as much as planned, it turned out to be a busy week with Callum finishing his high school journey & heading off to the week-long Schoolies celebrations. I've got quite a few reviews scheduled for this week though so it's nice to be semi organised for a change lol.

Graduation Day

Year 8 & early Year 12 school photo (2007 & 2011)

Cal & I did go and see Breaking Dawn part 1 which we both loved, although his favourite is still Eclipse, mine is now Breaking Dawn as was the book.

Bundy, my eldest son's dog is slowly recovering from his accident and I'm no longer in pain although I am constantly exhausted. I usually love the onset of our summer heat but with my thyroid in overdrive I'm experiencing a little cold weather envy of all my northern hemisphere friends :)

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

SONG OF THE NILE by Stephanie Dray ~ 4.5 stars 'unputdownable'

Secret Santa & Card Exchange ~ holiday fun!

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Giveaways:

SONG OF THE NILE by Stephanie Dray ~ enter here. Ends 23rd Nov

Winner of photo from BONJOUR 40: A Paris Travel Log (40 years. 40 days. 40 seconds) by Karen A Chase ~ Congrats Alicia0605

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Finished last week:

SAVING JUNE by Hannah Harrington

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This Week's Reading List:

SURVIVING MAGGIE: An Australian Story by John Fingleton ~ page 175 & very good!

EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

BEAUTIFUL CHAOS by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (audiobook) ~ still only 3 hrs into

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Reviews Scheduled:

DEARLY, DEPARTED by Lia Habel ~ review scheduled Tuesday

BLOOD SONG by Rhiannon Hart ~ review scheduled Thurs

Reviews still to do: eek!!

MOM & DAD AREN'T GETTING ALONG (Now That Mom's a Zombie) by Garry McNulty (short story)

ROAM by Alan Lazar ~ for all dog lovers

AGAIN by Lance Zarimba ~ moving short story

MY SOUL TO STEAL by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO KEEP by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO LOSE by Rachael Vincent

Song Of The Nile by Stephanie Dray ~ Review, Interview & Giveaway

2011-11-16T17:00:00.000+10:00

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: Cleopatra's Daughter #2
Copyright: Oct 2011
Pages: 416
Book Source: Courtesy of Author for Blog Tour

Synopsis: Sorceress. Seductress. Schemer. Cleopatra’s daughter has become the emperor’s most unlikely apprentice and the one woman who can destroy his empire…

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.

Forced to marry a man of the emperor’s choosing, Selene will not allow her new husband to rule in her name. She quickly establishes herself as a capable leader in her own right and as a religious icon. Beginning the hard work of building a new nation, she wins the love of her new subjects and makes herself vital to Rome by bringing forth bountiful harvests.

But it’s the magic of Isis flowing through her veins that makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra’s daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother’s throne be more than she’s willing to pay?

Review:

Everything that I liked in Lily of the Nile was multiplied ten-fold in Song of the Nile making for an 'unputdownable' read. Ms Dray's skill is more refined, polished; the detail - exquisite, the pace - whirlwind, the characters - engaging and the plot - mesmerising.

Song of the Nile is a darker installment which in itself, appealed to me and at the risk of repeating myself I just love the way Stephanie interweaves history, artistic embellishment and mysticism, creating a captivating tapestry of plausible events.

Song of the Nile picks up where Lily of the Nile ends, Selene is married off to Juba and the pair begin their new life as King & Queen of Mauritania. I don't want to give too much away so I'll just say that Selene's journey is fraught with danger. She's a quick study, she fights hard to achieve all that she does as the beloved leader of a now prospering nation. But the fight is not without its costs, their distance from Rome is not outside the reach of Augustus and the power play continues.

Cleopatra Selene is such a fascinating character, she's resilient, passionate, ambitious, compassionate, and intelligent but obsessed with obtaining her rightful place on the throne of Egypt alongside her twin brother Helios. I cringed at some of her choices but was ultimately inspired by Selene's development throughout the book and spellbound by the growth of her power as the daughter of Isis.

I know it sounds cliched but Stephanie Dray really brings the time period and the characters to life; I was completely immersed in the experience. ... the mark of an excellent historical fiction author.

I wait with bated breath for the final installment!

Want to know more about Stephanie Dray and her work? ~ Check out her website.

Purchase Song of the Nile @ Amazon or B&N or The Book Depository.

I'm thrilled to welcome Stephanie to my blog and hope you enjoy the interview:

1. I love the interweaving of fact with fiction, historical accuracy blended with insightful, convincing embellishment; for me this is historical fiction at its best! Is there anything you find particularly challenging when writing?

Thanks so much for those kind words! While I'm willing to tinker a bit with the historical timeline to suit a narrative fiction arc, I sweat the small stuff. I try to make sure it's all authentic. That I've gotten everything right. So I'm always horrified when something slips through the cracks.

2. I understand you have a long-time love of all things Egyptian & Roman; how much research went into writing Lily of the Nile and Song of the Nile?

More than five years of research went into Lily of the Nile, but in truth, I've never stopped researching, so we're going on almost a decade here now. I'm always learning something new, finding some tidbit I hadn't considered before, and so on. In fact at the moment, I'm trying to track down a certain statue at the Louvre so that I can see I can better determine whether or not Drusilla of Mauretania was Selene's daughter or her granddaughter.

3. Any 'news' you can disclose on the final installment in the trilogy?

I don't have a title or release date for it yet, but I can tell you a little bit about the themes in it. In Song of the Nile, I was very aware of Selene as a symbolic personification of Persephone (or Kore). If she was a young maiden with the problems of maidens in this middle book, she is now very firmly a mother, with the problems of a mother in the next novel. Like Demeter, she has to worry about her beloved daughter being stolen away to Rome, where the emperor has a claim on her. Selene has finally carved out some happiness for herself, and I intend to show in this last book, how she fights to hold onto it at all costs!

4.What do you think makes your stories different or unique to others in the market?

Up until this year, I'd have pointed out the inclusion of magical realism in my historical fiction as something that decidedly set me apart. But at the moment I'm reading Pilippa Gregory's latest, The Lady of the Rivers, and she's definitely flirting with the supernatural! I suppose I would say that my novels make a decidedly direct appeal to young women to embrace the divine feminine inside themselves and to use Cleopatra Selene as an inspiration.

5. What's next on the table for Stephanie Dray?

Right now I'm knee deep in writing the third and final installment of the Nile trilogy. After that I'm considering another ancient queen. Perhaps Dido of Carthage or Olympias of Macedonia. Or maybe I should leave the ancient world to explore another time period altogether. Do you or your readers have a preference?

Ooh I do Stephanie, please stay in the ancient world! I'd love to read a novel on Dido of Carthage, I remember discussions in ancient history lessons of Dido, her mathematical prowess & her tragic end.

6. What are you reading now?

Philippa Gregory's Lady of the Rivers.

7. If you could be dropped into any book as a character who would you be and why?

Oh I wouldn't go back in time, I'll tell you right now. As much as I love to read about history, I love my modern conveniences. I'm not a good camper. I love luxury. So, perhaps I'd want to be a character in some modern day story, like The Devil Wears Prada or something :P

8. Describe yourself in three words.

Obsessive. Ambitious. Loyal

GIVEAWAY:

To win a copy of SONG OF THE NILE please leave a comment answering Stephanie's query in Question 5 & follow Stephanie on one of these profiles: newsletter, Twitter, or Facebook.

Don't forget your email address

US/Canada only (sorry)

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+2 tweet about this giveaway & leave a link

+5 comment on my review of LILY OF THE NILE & let me know.

Giveaway ends 23rd November and the winner will be announced on my blog.

Secret Santa & Card Exchange

2011-11-15T05:00:00.000+10:00

A Secret Santa - broke and bookish style ~ head on over to The Broke and the Bookish to sign up for this one by November 18th; I have :)

Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog is the host for The Book Bloggers Holiday Card Exchange. Sign up by November 30th. This one is inexpensive and lots of fun!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-11-14T14:00:00.000+10:00

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 :)

Well another big week on the home front. Callum has completed his final exams and has 4 days left of his school life. This Saturday he is off to "Schoolies" a week long celebration at the Gold Coast where school leavers let their hair down and parents worry for the week ;)

I've had excellent results from Japanese acupuncture and now just have to wait for my thryroid to return to normal so I'm feeling heaps better.

Bundy my eldest son's dog needed further orthopaedic surgery on his elbow, but he's finally home on cage rest; now it's just a case of time to heal the fractures in his pelvis and hip but he should make a full recover which was wonderful news.

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I posted reviews for: (click on title)

JUNIOR'S DESSERT COOKBOOK by Alan Rosen, Beth Allen ~ to-die-for recipes

IF I TELL by Janet Gurtler

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Giveaways:

BONJOUR 40: A Paris Travel Log (40 years. 40 days. 40 seconds) by Karen A Chase ~ enter here.

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Finished last week:

DEARLY, DEPARTED by Lia Habel ~ a slow start but ended up loving it! (review up this week)

MOM & DAD AREN'T GETTING ALONG (Now That Mom's a Zombie) by Garry McNulty (short story)

ROAM by Alan Lazar ~ for all dog lovers

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This Week's Reading List:

SAVING JUNE by Hannah Harrington

SURVIVING MAGGIE by John Fingleton

BEAUTIFUL CHAOS by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (audiobook) ~ 3 hrs in

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Reviews still to do:

SONG OF THE NILE by Stephanie Dray ~ Review & Giveaway up 16th Nov

BLOOD SONG by Rhiannon Hart

AGAIN by Lance Zarimba ~ moving short story

MY SOUL TO STEAL by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO KEEP by Rachel Vincent

MY SOUL TO LOSE by Rachael Vincent